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Between surging airfares and eye-watering peak hotel rates, planning an autumn escape can quickly feel like an exercise in budget acrobatics. Yet fall also happens to be the sweetest window on the calendar for road trips: summer crowds have packed up, mid-day heat has faded into crisp sweater weather, and nature puts on its most dramatic show free of charge.

To find out how far a shoestring budget can actually stretch right now, we issued a challenge: If you had $500 total to spend on a fall trip, where would you go, how long could you stay, and how would you make the most of it?

From Smoky Mountain valleys to Tennessee river bluffs and coastal New England seaside havens, here is how three seasoned travel writers would spend every single dollar.

Related: A New Priceline Study Reveals Where Everyone’s Leaf-Peeping for Fall 2026

1. Great Smoky Mountains (Pigeon Forge & Sevierville, Tennessee)

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Recommended by Jen Curnutt, Adventure & Luxury Travel Expert and Founder at Jen33Travel

If you want big scenic views on a tight budget, the Great Smoky Mountains are hard to beat—mostly because the main attraction is free.

“The Smokies punch way above their weight in fall because the main attraction, the national park, costs almost nothing to visit,” says travel writer Jen Curnutt. “Other than paying $5 for a daily parking tag, there’s no entrance fee to the national park. Yet, there are endless things to do including easy hikes, waterfalls to explore, picnic spots, and scenic drives like Newfound Gap Road, Foothills Parkway, and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.“

To make $500 stretch across a two-night road trip for two people, Curnutt recommends skipping pricey park-adjacent lodging right in Gatlinburg in favor of neighboring towns:

• Lodging: $200–$250 for two nights at a roadside motel in Sevierville or Pigeon Forge
• Gas: $75–$100 (driving within a few hours of the park)
• Groceries & Picnics: $75
• National Park Parking Tags: $10 (for 2 days)
• Dining Out & Activities: $65–$140

“One of the easiest ways to save money is to buy groceries for breakfast and picnic lunches, then use the money you’ve saved for one memorable dinner out,” Curnutt notes. “Plus, picnicking in the Smoky Mountains at a beautiful overlook surrounded by peak fall color is an experience in itself.”

Her signature low-cost highlight? The 11-mile Cades Cove Scenic Loop. “It winds through a mountain valley surrounded by stunning fall foliage with historic cabins, churches, and a working grist mill along the way. You’ll have a good chance of spotting deer, wild turkeys, and even black bears.”

The Booking Trick: Avoid weekends and book Sunday through Thursday. “Don’t obsess over hitting the predicted ‘peak foliage,'” Curnutt advises. “Fall color changes in waves depending on the elevation… Given the dramatic shifts in elevation throughout the park, there’s usually beautiful fall color somewhere in the Smokies throughout most of the season.”

Related: Don’t Battle the Crowds in the White Mountains This Fall—Here’s Where a Luxury Travel Advisor Told Me to Go Instead

2. Chattanooga, Tennessee Historic Chief John Ross Drawbridge and the Chattanooga Tennessee Skyline at Dusk

Jeremy Poland via Getty

Recommended by Sheree Holt, luxury travel advisor at Why Not Roam

If you prefer a walkable river city framed by mountain bluffs, Chattanooga delivers big-city culture and dining with small-town prices.

“I’m based in Atlanta, so I’m going with two nights in Chattanooga,” says travel pro Holt. “It’s got mountains, river views, a walkable downtown area, and some pretty good restaurants. Tennessee Riverwalk, Signal Point, Coolidge Park, and several areas of Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park are free, and the fall foliage is very Instagram-worthy.”

Here is how Holt maps out her $500 budget:

• Lodging: $210 (two nights at about $105/night 10–15 minutes outside downtown in East Ridge or Hamilton Place, with breakfast and parking included)
• Transportation: $50 in gas for the round-trip drive from Atlanta
• Food: $150 (pairing included hotel breakfasts with casual lunches and one standout dinner out)
• Activities: $50 (combining free waterfront trails with a paid ride like the historic Incline Railway)
• Snacks & Incidentals: $40

Holt’s must-do budget moment is sunset at Signal Point. “It overlooks the Tennessee River Gorge from Signal Mountain. The Signal Point area is free, and the main overlook is pretty close to the parking area so you don’t have to do the Cumberland Trail hike to get the view… You can drive up near golden hour, walk out to the overlook, and enjoy the beautiful sunset views.”

The Booking Trick: Skip festival weekends and visit Sunday to Tuesday in late October through early November, when regional foliage peaks. “Cut on hotel location, but (of course) not cleanliness or comfort,” Holt says. “When you’re working with a $500 budget, the river and mountains are already outside waiting for you for free.”

Related: 8 Wellness Trips Every Woman Over 50 Needs, According to Experts

3. Coastal Southern Maine (Kennebunk & Ogunquit) Kennebunkport is a coastal town in southern Maine. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state

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Recommended by Meghann Foye, Travel Editor

While New England coastal towns have a reputation for hefty price tags in summer, the post-Labor Day shoulder season is an entirely different story. Once the peak crowds thin out, you can score coastal ocean air, historic architecture, and crisp harbor walks for a fraction of high-season prices.

My go-to fall escape is a two-night mid-week road trip to coastal Maine, staying at The Port Inn in Kennebunk. It sits just away from the congested downtown traffic, making it super easy to explore neighboring hidden gems like Cape Porpoise, Goose Rocks Beach, and Route 1 down toward Ogunquit. Best of all, it’s genuinely dog-friendly, which means you don’t have to spend a dime on pet boarding.

Because the property is an Ascend Hotel Collection member under Choice Hotels, it’s also a sweet spot for redeeming leftover points balances—or booking mid-week rates that plunge under $120 a night once schools are back in session.

• Lodging: $230–$250 for two mid-week nights at The Port Inn
• Gas: $60 (round-trip from greater Boston or southern New England)
• Breakfasts & Lunches: $60 (loaded KPort morning bagels or Boulangerie croissants)
• Incidentals & Treasures: $50 (window shopping and picking up a custom necklace at Charm Bar)
• Dinner Out: $80–$100 (a steaming bowl of local clam chowder, fresh lobster roll dinner at Mabel’s Lobster Claw by the water, and don’t forget a local Maine I.P.A.)

For me, a fall trip to the coast is all about lingering over the small details. I always make time to wander the greenhouse grounds at Snug Harbor Farm, browse rotating gallery exhibits at KW Contemporary, and dig through eclectic maritime finds at Seacraft Vintage. Beyond shopping, you can stroll along quiet beaches wrapped in an oversized wool sweater, drop into Reigning Cats & Dogs to grab pet treats, or stop into a local boutique to build a custom charm necklace as a keepsake.

The Booking Trick: Travel Tuesday through Thursday to catch hotel rates at their lowest and enjoy free parking at beaches that normally charge hefty daily summer fees.

Whether you’re watching black bears from a valley loop, catching golden hour over a river gorge, or strolling a coastal harbor with your dog, a memorable autumn escape doesn’t require a fortune—just knowing where the scenery does all the heavy lifting.

Related: Everyone Visits These 4 Destinations in Summer—A Luxury Travel Expert Says Fall Is Actually Way Better

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There’s nothing worse than an unorganized home. We’ve all been there — which is why investing in furniture that doubles as storage is vital for any living space (and your sanity). Walmart has incredible home finds that will aid in your fall outdoor refresh, like this Homall Plastic Storage Bench. 

The entirely plastic version of the bench, which is available in black, brown, or gray, typically costs $210, but has been marked down to $113. Want a cushion? No problem — the Homall Storage Bench With Cushion is available for just $20 more in the same colors, and over $100 off in total. The original price for the cushioned version is $236, but it’s now on Labor Day sale for just $132. That’s a pretty amazing deal, right?

Homall Plastic Storage Bench, From $113 (was $210) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Both benches hold a maximum 600 pounds with 80 gallons worth of storage space, measuring at 48.5 inches long, 22.5 inches wide, and 16 inches tall. 

The bench itself is made of resin, so it’s lightweight and easy to carry. Plus, it’s water-, moisture-, and corrosion-resistant, so you can just leave it outside without worry. The design features a backing that allows you to sit on it comfortably, two wide arm rests, and a storage container underneath, acting as the seat. You’re able to lock the storage container to keep your belongings secure from porch pirates and animals or bugs. 

Homall Plastic Storage Bench With Cushion, From $132 (was $236) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

You will have to assemble the bench, but reviewers said that they were able to do that themselves, with one customer even saying that their teenage grandchildren were able to put it together easily. Other shoppers described the piece as “sturdy,” “perfect” for storage, and “more spacious” than they ever expected. 

Related: Walmart’s ‘Beautiful’ $14 Solar Flower Lights ‘Shine So Pretty’ in Gardens and Yards

Customers have placed the storage bench by the pool to hold swimming items, and in their backyard for gardening tools, barbecue gear. Or, if you want to place it indoors, bedding, office supplies, and more will happily fit inside. The product description says the bench can fit just one person sitting, but shoppers said that it can fit two comfortably. 

Shop More Deals

• Devoko 82 Gallon Storage Patio Bench, $116 (was $180) at Walmart
• Decksplore Outdoor Storage Box, $130 (was $173) at Walmart
• Beautypeak Full-Length Arched Floor Mirror, $43 (was $69) at Walmart

Getting organized doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience, especially when we already found an affordable option for you. Add Walmart’s helpful storage bench to your cart, while it’s $100 off ahead of your outdoor gatherings! 

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

Your birth month may reveal just how magnetic your personality is, from natural charisma and charm to the kind of presence people can’t help but notice.

Magnetism cannot be taught or bought—you either have that star quality, or you don’t. Being magnetic means having the ability to not only call, but to keep others’ attention. Magnetic people exude a powerful aura that effortlessly captivates everyone around them. Of course, someone’s magnetism can be amplified by wearing the power color or working with specific crystals. However, truly magnetic people don’t need anything extra, because they’re innately alluring.

According to astrologers, certain birth months are more magnetic than others thanks to their unique cosmic frequency. Each birth month is home to two zodiac signs, so no two birth months have the same astrological combination of energy. Some birth months have an effortless appeal and natural confidence that cannot be ignored, while other birth months may struggle tapping into their magnetism. Read on to see how the birth months are ranked, based on how magnetic they are.

The Most Magnetic Birth Months, Ranked

Check for the month you were born for pro insights.

October

October is undeniably magnetic, because this birth month is co-ruled by Venusian Libra and Martian Scorpio. According to astrology, Venus and Mars are known as the lover planets, since they come together to amplify love, seduction, passion, and connection. Those born in October embody the harmonious beauty of Venusian Libra and the captivating intensity of Martian Scorpio. October’s energy is palpable. They ooze sex appeal, so nobody can resist this birth month. But this month isn’t just inherently seductive. October is also beloved for their sparkling personalities that draw others in. There’s no doubt that October is the whole package, making them the most magnetic birth month.

July

July follows close behind those born in October, but for a different reason. People with July birthdays are aligned with the luminary signs, lunar-ruled Cancer and solar-ruled Leo. Being a mix of the luminary signs means that all July-born have a well-rounded, bright personality. July’s magnetism comes from their unbridled sense of self-confidence and emotional depth. Those born during this month know exactly who they are. July’s self-awareness helps them capitalize on their talents, skills, and strengths. Not to mention that this birth month is known for their immense emotional intelligence, so July knows how to read the room and respond accordingly.

May

People born in May are endlessly captivating, as they’re influenced by Venusian Tauus and Mercurial Gemini. The blend of Venus and Mercury gives May a witty charm. May can thank Taurus and Venus for their good looks and easygoing energy. May can also thank Gemini and Mercury for their mental agility, communicativeness, and youthfulness. This birth month’s astrological combination makes all May-born mentally and physically attractive. Plus, May has a non-plussed attitude, so their light-heartedness and steadiness amplifies their magnetism. Not only do they present well, but May also can hold an engaging conversation with anyone.

November

November exudes a mysterious magnetism. Those born during this month embody Scorpio’s intensity and Sagittarius’ vibrancy. November can thank Scorpio for their seductive allure. Luckily, this intensity is brightened by Sagittarius’ warmth and buoyancy. November is a unique blend of both signs, so this month comes across as startling yet captivating. People cannot help but notice November since this birth month has a strong presence. Individuals born during this month come across as self-possessed, vivacious, and passionate in all that they do. November’s entrancing personality and energy cannot help but pull you in.

February

Nobody can quite look away from February, since this birth month is home to zany Aquarius and dreamy Pisces. February’s magnetism is unique. People born during this month have an otherworldly appeal that draws everyone in. February initially captures attention with their whimsical appearance. They have an individualistic style nobody can quite copy, let alone put their finger on. Not only do they look physically different, but February also carries themselves differently. They have an esoteric aura that feels truly out of this world. The more genuine they are, the more magnetic February is.

August

August has a certain charm that cannot be missed. People with this birth month embody the traits of solar-ruled Leo, as well as attributes from perfectionistic Virgo. August has a natural confidence everyone is attracted to. This birth month shines brilliantly like the sun itself. August’s self-assurance and self-certainty amplifies this month’s talents, skills, and strengths. Not to mention that Virgo’s energy also sharpens August’s agility and attributes. August stops at nothing to be less than perfect, so this month is dedicated to their craft and success. Their perseverance and adaptability is admirable, so everyone cannot help but be drawn to August.

September

Individuals born in September fly under the radar the first time, but certainly not the second time. Their simple elegance derives from refined Virgo and Venusian Libra. People with this birth month are magnetic in a different way. September’s magnetism comes from their unassuming presence. They don’t have a loud, colorful personality or an enticing seductiveness like other birth months. September is magnetic because this birth month is polished. They come across as demure, relatable, and unpretentious, which pairs well with their sophisticated beauty. Once their magnetism is recognized, it’s hard to miss September.

March

Is March as magnetic as they think they are? People born during this month share Pisces’ fantasticalness and Aries’ passion, so there’s something captivating about March. However, they might not know how to amplify and capitalize on their magnetism. March may intuit that there’s a reason why they attract attention and opportunities, but they may not understand how this occurs. There’s a disconnect between March and their magnetism, which hinders March’s ability to use their magnetism to their advantage. March may have to overcome others’ projections, as well as their own delusions and insecurities, to harness their magnetism.

MORE: Your Birth Date Reveals Your Starbucks Order

April

People born in April don’t think of themselves as naturally magnetic, because they’re self-focused individuals. April is home to ambitious Aries and focused Taurus. People born during this month aren’t concerned about what other people think or feel toward them. April stays in their own lane to focus on their goals and aspirations. Since April is so self-focused and independent, they often miss out on honing their magnetism. Aside from this, the mix of Aries and Taurus energy can occasionally come across as hot-headed, stubborn, and even bombastic. April won’t appear nearly as magnetic if they cannot temper their stubbornness and combustibility.

December

December has so much potential to amplify their magnetism if they find the common ground between buoyant Sagittarius and authoritative Capricorn. Many may not know this, but December has immense potential to be captivating. However, Capricorn’s restrictive energy limits Sagittarius’ adventurousness and enthusiasm. December’s serious disposition can be off-putting and intimidating. Many may avoid this birth month out of fear of being met with a cold, stoic personality. As a result, December’s magnetism is curtailed as long as they’re stuffy and tight-lipped as opposed to being the ball of fun that they truly are deep down.

January

People born in January are more magnetic than they think, but they must overcome a self-limiting belief system. January’s magnetism is corralled since this month is home to the Saturnian signs, Capricorn and Aquarius. According to astrology, Saturn is the karmic planet of limitations and restrictions. Since Saturn rules this month, this means that January is heavily constrained. January has immense potential to shine brilliantly, but they struggle with self-acceptance. Feeling uncomfortable with their individuality and authenticity curtails this month’s self-expression. Unfortunately, this means that January won’t be nearly as magnetic as other birth months unless they overcome their self-imposed confinement.

June

Similar to those born in the winter months, June also struggles with their magnetism. June shares witty Gemini and lunar-ruled Cancer, so there’s immense potential. However, June is prone to moodiness and fickleness. June’s aura is an ever-changing landscape, so it can be difficult to stay in a magnetic state when they’re so receptive and sensitive to everything around them. Anything can take June out of their magnetism in a blink of an eye, be it an outside factor or an internalized worry. Once June masters their emotional and mental states to channel a more confident, secure magnetic vibration, they’ll climb the ranks in no time.

UP NEXT:

Ella Langley never shies away from an old school cover, and her rendition of a 1971 J.J. Cale track is a perfect example.

The 27-year-old country songstress once performed an intimate version of Cale’s deep cut “Magnolia,” bringing her smooth country twang to the beloved blues track.

“Magnolia” was released as part of Cale’s influential debut album, Naturally, which helped shape the “Tulsa Sound” that he would become known for. It has been covered by an array of impressive artists, from the likes of John Mayer and Eric Clapton, to Iron & Wine, Lucinda Williams, and of course, Langley.

Exactly one year ago today, Langley posted a TikTok recording of her performing a stripped-down piano version of “Magnolia,” and like always, she left fans absolutely floored with her raw natural talent.

@ellalangleymusic1

I got a new piano. Her name is pearl. I don’t know how to play piano. I love this song. #cover

♬ original sound – Ella Langley

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In the intimate video, Langley’s silhouette appeared in a dimly-lit space, as she used nothing but a piano and her mesmerizing voice to deliver a soft, yet emotionally powerful performance of Cale’s track.

“I love this song,” Langley wrote in her TikTok caption, while fans flocked to the comments to praise her for the stunning cover.

“This sounds so good!” one user commented, while another person said they had already listened to the clip “50 times in a row.”

“You crushed this one,” another follower said in adoration of Langley, while more users showered her with praise for having “the most soothing voice,” and encouraged her to “get this on spotify asap.”

“I did not expect that! Love this version of Magnolia!” one comment read.

Someone else told the rising superstar, Your voice is like velvet … JJCale is smiling down you.”

“This woman knows music,” another person added.

Related: 1973 Outlaw Country Ballad, Later Recorded By Elvis Presley, Is Ranked One of the King’s ‘Best Country Songs’

Related: 1973 Outlaw Country Ballad, Later Recorded By Elvis Presley, Is Ranked One of the King’s ‘Best Country Songs’

Walk into Aldi for the first time, and you might notice something missing: many of the national brands you’d see at other grocery stores. Instead, most of the shelves are filled with Aldi-exclusive labels. In fact, more than 90 percent of the products Aldi sells are exclusive brands.

That limited selection is part of Aldi’s strategy for keeping prices low. The grocer carries fewer versions of the same product and operates smaller stores than many traditional supermarkets.

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Of course, Aldi doesn’t make all of those products itself. Some of Aldi’s private-label products have been made by major food companies that also stock grocery stores under their own names and brands. And once you start digging into who makes what, there are some pretty unexpected connections.

There are also plenty of rumors about Aldi products online, so we did some digging of our own. We checked USDA and FDA records, recall notices, and food-industry sources to find connections we could back up. Suppliers can change, and sharing a manufacturer doesn’t mean two products are exactly the same, but we did find that some big name-brand food companies are secretly behind some of the Aldi favorites you may already have in your kitchen.

Name-Brand Cereals Hiding in Plain Sight

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

Aldi’s ties to a major cereal maker go back decades. In 1998, a CDC investigation into a cereal recall identified Malt-O-Meal as the manufacturer of Millville Toasted Oats sold at Aldi. The same plant was also making Malt-O-Meal Toasty O’s, along with store-brand cereals for several other grocery chains.

Post Holdings acquired Malt-O-Meal’s parent company, MOM Brands, in 2015, and Malt-O-Meal became part of Post Consumer Brands. A few years later, Post was linked to another Millville cereal. In 2019, Store Brands, a trade publication covering the private-label industry, listed Post Consumer Brands alongside Aldi’s Millville Original Balance Multigrain Cereal in its Editors’ Picks Awards.

Today, Post’s cereal lineup includes Honey Bunches of Oats, PEBBLES, Grape-Nuts, Honeycomb and Malt-O-Meal. The company also makes cereals specifically for private-label partners, so producing cereal without the Post name on the box is nothing new.

Related: The Big-Name Brands Secretly Behind 12 of Walmart’s Great Value Labels

The Big-Name Brands Hiding Behind Aldi’s Private Labels

Some Aldi-exclusive products are made by companies you already know from the grocery aisle.

1. Rosina Food Products

Courtesy Fred Hernandez

Aldi’s Bremer Italian Style Meatballs have been manufactured by Rosina Food Products, a New York-based company that’s been making frozen Italian specialties since 1963. Rosina is also behind the namesake Rosina brand, along with Celentano, Mama Lucia and Italian Village.

The connection became especially clear in February 2026, when Rosina recalled nearly 9,500 pounds of Bremer Family Size Italian Style Meatballs sold at Aldi stores nationwide due to possible metal contamination.

2. Tyson Foods

Kseniya Romazanova / Getty Images

Aldi’s Kirkwood chicken has a major name behind at least some of its products: Tyson Foods, one of the largest poultry producers in the country. Aldi has directly confirmed the connection too.

In 2019, the grocer recalled Kirkwood Buffalo and Honey BBQ Crispy Chicken Strips in cooperation with Tyson Foods due to the potential presence of pieces of metal in the products. The recall directed customers with questions about the chicken strips straight to Tyson Foods Consumer Relations.

Tyson is a giant in the meat aisle. The company says it produces about 20 percent of the beef, pork and chicken in the United States, and its brands include Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Aidells and State Fair, in addition to Tyson.

3. J&J Snack Foods

The company behind SUPERPRETZEL and ICEE has also made food for Aldi. In 2019, J&J Snack Foods Handhelds recalled more than 56,000 pounds of stuffed sandwiches, including Bremer Classic Pepperoni Pizza and Ham & Cheese Hot Stuffed Sandwiches sold at Aldi.

J&J’s story started with pretzels. Founder Gerald Shreiber bought a struggling pretzel company at a bankruptcy auction in 1971 and turned it into SUPERPRETZEL. The company has since added some pretty recognizable snack-aisle and concession-stand names, including ICEE, Dippin’ Dots and Luigi’s Real Italian Ice.

4. Fresh Express

Aldi’s Little Salad Bar has a big name in the bagged salad business behind at least some of its greens. In 2020, Fresh Express recalled several Little Salad Bar products sold at Aldi that had been produced at its Streamwood, Illinois, facility, including Garden Salad, Classic Coleslaw and two chopped salad kits.

And Aldi wasn’t the only store brand coming out of the Fresh Express facility. The same recall included salads carrying Walmart’s Marketside, Jewel-Osco’s Signature Farms, Hy-Vee and other private-label names, along with salads sold under the Fresh Express name itself. Fresh Express is no small player, either: The company says it produces nearly 40 million pounds of salad each month.

Related: The 11 Best French Groceries to Buy at Costco (and 3 to Skip)

5. Reser’s Fine Foods

LauriPatterson / Getty Images

That tub of macaroni salad from Aldi has ties to a company that’s been making deli salads for decades. In 2024, Reser’s Fine Foods recalled a batch of 32-ounce Aldi Deli Macaroni Salad that it had produced at one of its regional facilities and distributed to Aldi.

Deli salads are what put Reser’s on the map in the first place. The family-owned company got its start in 1950 when Mildred Reser began making potato salad in her Oregon farmhouse kitchen and started selling it to stores the following year. Today, Reser’s sells its own line of macaroni salads, potato salads and coleslaw, and has grown into one of the country’s largest family-owned prepared-food companies.

6. Fratelli Beretta

Westend61 / Getty Images

The company behind Fratelli Beretta salami and prosciutto has also made charcuterie for Aldi. In 2024, Aldi recalled its Appleton Farms Gourmet Deli Selection in cooperation with Fratelli Beretta USA after a potential processing issue.

Fratelli Beretta has been in the meat business since 1812, when it got its start as a small meat-processing business in Italy. More than 200 years later, the company sells its own salami, prosciutto, mortadella and pancetta in the U.S., where it has been producing meat since the 1990s.

The Secret Behind Aldi’s Famous Frozen Pizzas

Aleksandr Fedosov / Getty Images

Mama Cozzi’s is one of Aldi’s best-known private labels, and at least some of its frozen pizzas have ties to the company behind DiGiorno. In 2015, USDA records show that Nation Pizza, a pizza manufacturer in Schaumburg, Illinois, produced Mama Cozzi’s Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza for Aldi.

Nation Pizza later became part of Nestlé. A 2021 USDA recall for DiGiorno Crispy Pan Crust Pepperoni Pizza identified the manufacturer as Nation Pizza Products and noted that the company was owned by Nestlé USA. Even the establishment number on the DiGiorno pizza, EST. 1682A, matches the one listed on the recalled Mama Cozzi’s pizzas. In other words, Aldi’s rising-crust pizza and DiGiorno pizza have come out of the same pizza plant.

Final Thoughts

These are only some of the Aldi manufacturers we could trace through public records. Who makes many of the grocer’s other private-label foods isn’t nearly as easy to pin down, so there may be more big names behind those Aldi labels that you just don’t know about yet.

Related: 12 Generic Store-Brand Items That Are Secretly Made by Major Brands

Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, and whether you’re heading to a barbecue, squeezing in one last beach day or just enjoying the long weekend, a coffee run might be part of the plan. But before heading out for your usual latte or breakfast sandwich, you’ll want to know if Starbucks is open on Labor Day.

Labor Day falls on Monday, Sept. 7, and holiday schedules can sometimes affect when restaurants and coffee shops are open. Whether Starbucks is your first stop before a road trip or you’re looking for an afternoon caffeine boost between plans, here’s what to know before heading out.

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Is Starbucks Open on Labor Day?

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Yes, most Starbucks locations will be open on Labor Day 2026, so you can still stop by for your favorite coffee, Refresher or breakfast bite. However, hours can vary by location, and some stores may operate on a modified holiday schedule.

This is especially true for Starbucks locations inside grocery stores, malls and other businesses, which may follow the hours of the store or building they’re located in. That means the Starbucks you normally visit could have a different schedule than another location just a few miles away.

Related: I Tried Peet’s New Fall Menu—and My Favorite Item Was a Total Surprise

What Are Starbucks’ Labor Day Hours?

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There are no set Starbucks Labor Day hours across all locations. Many stores are expected to operate during their regular hours on Sept. 7, while some may open later or close earlier for the holiday.

Starbucks stores often open early, with many locations opening around 5 a.m. and some as early as 4:30 a.m. Many close between 8 and 10 p.m., though some stay open until 11 p.m. or later.

The easiest way to find out when your local Starbucks is open is to use the Starbucks store locator. Search by your city, ZIP code or address to find nearby cafes and see their individual hours. You can also check your store through the Starbucks mobile app, which is especially handy if you’re planning to order ahead.

It’s a good idea to check again on Labor Day before leaving home, since holiday hours can differ from a store’s usual Monday schedule. And if your regular Starbucks has reduced hours, another nearby location may have a different schedule.

Whether you’re starting Labor Day with an iced coffee or need an afternoon pick-me-up, chances are you won’t have to give up your Starbucks run. Just be sure to check your local store’s schedule before heading out.

Related: The Middle Eastern Way To Make Coffee 10x Better

Choosing a baby name as a parent comes with a lot of pressure, especially if you tend to be on the more indecisive side. But that’s exactly why the growing double name trend is perfect. Instead of having to narrow your choices down to just one first name, you can give your child a double-barrel name—essentially two first names that can be joined by a hyphen or separated with a space.

With this type of moniker rising in popularity, Parade spoke with Colleen Slagen, an expert baby name consultant and author of the book Naming Bebe: An Interactive Guide to Choosing a Baby Name You Love. She explains why double baby names are becoming more popular nationwide, and also how they’re shifting in style. Where you might be accustomed to double-barrel names like Billy-Bob or Mary-Jo, today’s trends point towards more unique options.

Slagen has her eye on one key aspect of this naming trend: gender neutral options that lead with a more unique first name, plus a more traditional second name. And there’s one double name in this vein she thinks people will start seeing everywhere. She also explains what it is about it that makes it so irresistible to expecting parents choosing monikers for their little ones.

Keep reading to learn more about this baby name trend and get inspiration for clever double-barrel names you can use for your child.

Related: We’re Obsessed With These 125 ‘Aesthetic’ Names for Baby Boys and Girls

The ‘Gorgeous’ Double Name Set To Dominate Baby Name Trends

Slagen acknowledges that there’s a lot of variety amongst rising double-barrel names, but she thinks one in particular will be especially popular in the coming months.

“Stylistically, the idea of pairing a boy-leaning or gender neutral name with a more traditional [second] name, like Scottie Jane, will be popular,” she states.

Per Ancestry.com, Scottie comes from the Latin term “Scotus,” meaning “Scottish” or “from Scotland,” making it especially meaningful for parents with a Scottish background. In contrast, the more traditional name Jane has a Hebrew root and means “God is gracious.”

Slagen previously told Parade that Scottie was amongst the quickest rising names of the last few years, for girls in particular.

“I’m not sure I have seen a name climb that fast,” she said at the time. In 2025, the name ranked 126th for baby girls compared to 202nd in 2024, per data from the Social Security Administration.

In 2023, influencer Allison Kuch named her daughter Scottie Bee, and just last year Pete Davidson named his daughter Scottie Rose. It seems that the pairing of Scottie and a more feminine and traditional second or middle name continues to be a popular choice for both everyday parents and celebrities.

Related: 260 Old-Fashioned Baby Names That Are Making a Major Comeback

Why Double-Barrel Baby Names Are Making a Massive Comeback

Slagen says that today’s double-barrel baby names give parents a way to choose classic names, but with a twist that makes the moniker more modern.

She adds that “traditional double names are alive and well in certain parts of the country,” like the South, but that more modern, minimalist double names like Scottie Jane, Etta James or Mary Campbell are starting to appear “in regions where double names historically have not been as popular.”

She chalks the shift up to many parents’ desire to be original.

“I think it’s a way to be distinctive or unique without going too far out there or inventing a new name,” Slagen tells Parade, adding, “It’s bold but still rooted in tradition.”

Related: Have a Wee Lad or Lass on the Way? Try These 150 Old English Baby Names on for Size

The Psychology of Baby Naming: What Makes a Name ‘Everywhere’?

Slagen says that celebrities and pop culture often influence baby name cycles, but for the double name trend, she attributes the growing popularity to cyclical naming trends and positive feedback loops.

“There is definitely an aspect of groupthink,” she says, adding, “Often people will say, ‘We chose this name, and we had no idea it was popular.’ But more than likely, you were drawn to it because it’s popular and you were hearing it out and about.”

She continues: “Familiarity breeds likeness… so once a name is popular, that feeds its spread.”

Related: 75 Most Popular Baby Names in the Midwest Right Now

15 Elegant Double Name Combinations To Inspire Your Search

Slagen shares these other 15 double names she’s loving right now. They all have special origins and meanings, per data from Ancestry.com and NameBerry.

1. Merritt Claire

This moniker stems from the Old French word “merite,” meaning “worth,” and the Latin term “clara,” meaning “bright” or “famous.” Give this name to your daughter, and she’ll have star power from birth.

2. Ada Clark

This studious name translates essentially to “noble scholar.” Ada stems from the Germanic word “adal,” meaning “noble,” and Clark comes from the Old English word “clerc,” for “scribe.” 

3. Romy Scott

This is a double-place name, with Romy meaning “from Rome” in Latin, and Scott meaning “from Scotland.” It’s a fun choice for parents with ties to those places.

It can also be connected to the ocean—since Romy can also be derived from the Latin word “rosmarinus,” meaning “dew of the sea.” 

4. Winnie Lou

Originally a shortened form of the English name Winifred, Winnie has gained traction as a name on its own. Jimmy Fallon gave the moniker to his daughter in 2013, and it means “gentle friend.”

In contrast, Lou means “renowned fighter,” so this double moniker holds a balance of strength and peacekeeping.

5. Levi Gray

If you want to use a top 20 baby name but put your own spin on it, adding a more unique second name is a great option.

Per Social Security Administration data, Levi was the 12th most popular name for baby boys in 2025, and it comes from the Hebrew word for “united.” Adding Gray to make it a double name helps it stand out while still being somewhat traditional.

6. Parker Anne

This traditionally masculine first name has also gained popularity as a girls’ name, and it means “park keeper.” Anne has Hebrew origins and means “grace.” It’s a great name option for families who love nature and the outdoors.

7. Sadie Bea

From the Hebrew name Sarah, Sadie means “princess,” and Bea comes from the Latin word “beatus,” meaning “blessed.” Slagen says this dual moniker basically translates to “blessed princess.”

8. Ruby Hayes

Pair this Latin gemstone name with the more masculine Hayes, which means “hedged area” from the Old English word “haeg.” It’s especially ideal for babies born in July, since the red ruby is that month’s birthstone.

9. August Lane

This moniker works for boys or girls, with the first half meaning “magnificent” from the Latin word “augustus.” The second half comes from the Old English word “lanu” for “path.”

10. Ella Moon

Ella has roots in multiple languages. It can stem from the German word “ali,” which means “all” or “completely.” But it can also have Hebrew roots from the name “El,” meaning “God,” or the Latin “ella,” meaning “she.” Moon as the second half of the moniker gives the whole name a dreamy vibe.

11. Micah June

Micah is a Hebrew name that means “who is like God.” Pair it with the more feminine June, which has roots in Roman mythology with Juno, the goddess of marriage and fertility.

12. Ziggy Roo

Ziggy has ties to the popular musician David Bowie and his alter-ego Ziggy Stardust. It’s thought to stem from the Germanic name “Sigmund,” meaning “victory.”

Roo is equally unique, not even cracking the top 1,000 names for babies in 2025. It can be considered a nickname for monikers like Ruth or Rupert, which come from the Hebrew word for “friend” and the Germanic word for “bright fame,” respectively. Parents can use this double-barrel name for girls or boys.

13. Bennett Blake

This double-B name could also be used for a boy or girl. The Latin Bennett means “blessed,” and different Old English translations have Blake meaning either “fair” or “dark,” so parents can pick the interpretation that best fits their little one.

14. Thomas Mack

This strong moniker merges the traditional Aramaic name Thomas, meaning “twin,” and the Scottish Mack, meaning “son of the hero.”

15. Theo Tate

Merging these Greek and Norse names gives your child a double moniker that essentially means “happy blessing,” says Slagen. It stems from Theodoros, which means “gift of God,” and Tati, which means “cheerful.”

How To Create Your Own Perfect Double Baby Name

When crafting your own double-barrel baby name, Slagen tells Parade you should “prioritize rhythm and ease of pronunciation.”

“If you say the name out loud, does it flow easily or do you get tripped up trying to connect the two names?” she adds.

The baby name expert also cautions against having the second name start with the same letter that the first name ends with.

“For example, Tatum Mae. The ‘m’ in Tatum and ‘m’ in Mae get jumbled together,” she states, citing Tatum Rose or Tatum Grace as better options.

Slagen recommends keeping the total number of syllables to four or less to avoid making the moniker too complex. You can choose to connect the names with a hyphen or not, and she adds that whether or not you also pick a middle name is up to you.

“If there is a meaningful family name you want to throw in there, go for it,” she suggests. “If you want to keep it simple, stick to just the double name.”

Up Next:

Related: 75 Most Popular Baby Names in France Right Now

Source:

• Colleen Slagen, who goes by @namingbebe on Instagram, is a baby name consultant and author of the book Naming Bebe: An Interactive Guide to Choosing a Baby Name You Love.

In 1971, Harry Nilsson introduced the world to “Me and My Arrow.”

The whimsical song featured a gentle melody with a sweet story of companionship and adventure highlighted by Nilsson’s distinctive vocals. More than five decades later, “Me and My Arrow” remains an enduring favorite, a musical fairytale that takes fans back in time.

Written by Nilsson for his 1970 concept album The Point, “Me and My Arrow” became a Top 40 hit, reaching No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1971. It was also the theme song of the 1971 animated TV movie The Point and later found an unexpected connection to Davy Jones of the Monkees.

RELATED: The Monkees ‘Best Song of All Time’ Became a No. 1 Hit  Twice

“Me and My Arrow” started out as a fable centered on Oblio, a kid with a round head in a world of pointy-headed people, and his trusty dog Arrow. Nilsson once revealed he came up with the idea for the story while walking in the woods.

“I was on acid, and I looked at the trees, and I realized that they all came to points,” he once said, according to Rolling Stone. “I thought, ‘Oh! Everything has a point, and if it doesn’t, then there’s a point to it.'”

In the fable, Oblio is teased by the pointy-headed people. “The only real friend he had was his dog, Arrow,” Nilsson shared.

The Point, the animated ABC movie that showcased “Me and My Arrow,” featured Dustin Hoffman as a narrator and Mike Lookinland (Bobby Brady from The Brady Bunch) as the voice of Oblio.

Not only did the song become a TV film, but it became the centerpiece of a London stage musical starring Davy Jones as Oblio and fellow Monkee Micky Dolenz as the son of an evil count. Jones also recorded “Me and My Arrow” for the original cast soundtrack to The Point.

During a 1977 appearance on the UK series Our Show, Jones and Dolenz talked about their connection to Nilsson and revealed why they were invited to star in the stage show.

“Harry Nilsson, who wrote The Point, knew both of us personally. He used to write some of the Monkees songs years and years ago,” Dolenz shared. “One of his first hits ever as a writer was one of the Monkees songs, ‘Cuddly Toy.’”

Dolenz also described the show as a “musical fantasy,” while Jones noted the production required “a lot of preparation.” Jones also introduced fans to the puppet version of the dog Arrow that was used in the play.

Decades later, “Me and My Arrow” takes fans back to an unforgettable era of music, where an offbeat story could become pop gold.

Related: 55 Years Ago, This 1971 Soft Rock Hit Reached No. 1 and Became a Timeless Classic

There was a time when cruise dining meant towering midnight buffets, rigid set seatings, and banquet-style prime rib. But over the past decade, a quiet culinary revolution has transformed the high seas.

Today, cruise ships are attracting world-renowned celebrity chefs, debuting immersive dining tech, and rolling out signature restaurant concepts that easily rival top tables in New York, London, and Tokyo.

“Cruise lines are doing an incredible job of building out their culinary offerings onboard,” says Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic. “Over the past decade, lines have really leaned into their specialty dining offerings—both to differentiate themselves from other cruise brands and also to ensure guests have a wide range of offerings when they’re onboard. From partnering with celebrity chefs to building out only-at-sea dining options, there’s a ton to be excited about.”

In fact, dinner reservations are no longer just an afterthought—they may even be driving travel bookings.

“For avid cruisers, especially those who are loyal to particular cruise lines, onboard restaurants can certainly help to drive bookings—whether they’re looking to try their favorite line’s newest restaurant, or they already know how much they love certain restaurants,” explains McDaniel. “And for more casual cruisers, while it might not be the sole driving factor of a booking, it can certainly be a key consideration—especially when choosing to book on a brand-new or newly-refurbished ship. Consider, for example, it might be hard to get to or get a reservation for a Nobu restaurant on land. But on a Crystal Cruise, you can dine at his restaurant, Umi Uma.”

Whether you want to linger over fresh pasta all evening, sip an aperitivo on an alfresco rooftop, or watch culinary theater unfold beside your table, here are 10 incredible cruise ship restaurants foodies are dying to try right now.

Related: 11 Best European River Cruises for Unforgettable Family Vacations, According to Experts

1. Eataly (MSC Cruises—MSC World America) Dining room of Eataly restaurant on MSC World America with wooden tables, teal chairs, and hanging greenery overhead.

MSC Cruises

The global Italian emporium has officially set sail, and aboard MSC World America, it is an absolute showstopper. Designed with airy light-wood accents and lush greenery, this is hands-down the standout specialty venue on the ship. The appetizers set a high bar—particularly the creamy burrata, served alongside a vibrant basil purée that rivals anything found in Milan. The spaghetti carbonara hits every comfort-food note with rich, authentic perfection, but the undisputed grand finale is the viral tiramisu: brought to the table encased in an acrylic collar that you lift off with your camera ready to capture the decadent layers cascading across the plate. Paired with attentive servers who will enthusiastically serenade your table for celebrations, it brings genuine Italian hospitality straight to the Caribbean.

Related: The New Megaship Delivering European Style and Big Value for the Whole Family

2. Royal Railway – Legend Station (Royal Caribbean—Legend of the Seas) Royal Railway – Legend Station – Deck 6 Midship Portside Legend of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has mastered immersive storytelling with its high-tech dining train cars, and this second installment takes diners on an embellished recreation of Marco Polo’s epic return along the ancient Silk and Spice routes. Guests take their seats inside a meticulously detailed, historic train carriage surrounded by ultra-high-definition digital “window” screens that smoothly roll past sweeping landscapes synchronized with each course. The food is an explosion of exotic spices and regional flavors, but the live-action performance by the train conductor ties the entire multi-sensory adventure together.

Related: Every Incredible New Surprise Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Latest Megaship, Legend of the Seas

3. Hollywood Land Supper Club (Royal Caribbean—Legend of the Seas) Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas preview photos Hollywoodland Supper Club

Royal Caribbean

Tucked away in a quiet, ambient enclave of Legend of the Seas, this sultry venue is a stylish homage to the golden age of cinema. Channeling the effortless glamour of mid-century date nights, the supper club pairs high-end cuts and seafood with craft cocktail pairings and sultry, live jazz entertainment. With plush booths, warm low lighting, and vintage Hollywood design accents, it’s easily the most sophisticated hideaway on the ship for cruisers who want to dress up and turn dinner into a full evening event.

Related: Royal Caribbean Just Revealed its Most Ambitious Entertainment Roster to Date for the New Legend of the Seas

4. Emeril’s Coastal Seafood (Carnival Cruise Line—Carnival Festivale)

Carnival Cruise Line

Chef Emeril Lagasse has already charmed Carnival cruisers with fresh raw-bar seafood and warm beignets at his onboard bistros, but his upcoming concept aboard the Carnival Festivale in 2027 is his most ambitious yet. Dubbed Emeril’s Coastal Seafood, the destination venue weaves together the coastal influences of his culinary life—tracing his roots from fresh Massachusetts seafood to soulful New Orleans Creole techniques. Designed as a flagship culinary destination, Emeril has made no secret of his sky-high aspirations, declaring he is aiming to earn cruising’s very first Michelin star at sea.

Related: Carnival Announces a Massive Overhaul to Onboard Dining—Here’s What’s Changing

5. Trattoria Rossa (Celebrity Cruises—Celebrity Solstice) The elegant interior of an upscale restaurant featuring plush green velvet booths, tan leather chairs, and marble-topped tables under a warm, geometric-patterned wood ceiling.

Celebrity Cruises

Introduced as part of Celebrity Cruises‘ fleet modernizations, Trattoria Rossa brings intimate, regional Italian trattoria warmth to the sea. The experience leans into cozy tableside elements, featuring freshly tossed Caesar salads and massive wheels of Parmesan grated right beside your table. With comfortable, colorful banquettes and inviting lighting, it feels like an authentic trattoria in Florence. Best of all, no one rushes you out the door. It naturally invites that European tradition of lingering over velvety tiramisu and piping-hot espresso for hours, making it an ideal anchor for slow travel conversations.

Related: Celebrity Unveils the Newly Reimagined Solstice in Alaska and It’s a Super-Chic Way to See the Last Frontier

6. Bora (Celebrity Cruises—Celebrity Xcel) Outdoor dining space at Bora aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel.

Meghann Foye

McDaniel highlights this breezy alfresco venue as one of her absolute personal favorites across the industry. “I love Celebrity’s new restaurant, Bora, which offers some pretty excellent Mediterranean food in an open-air venue,” says McDaniel. “I especially like that the cruise line has made it an experience—you show up a little early and enjoy cocktails, like a Hugo Spritz, chat with fellow diners, and enjoy the weather before you head in. If it’s chilly, your waiter will bring you a blanket while you dine. It feels both upscale and chill at the same time. It’s special.”

Related: A First Look at Celebrity Xcel, the Cruise Line’s Most Inspired Ship Yet

7. The Catch by Rudi (Princess Cruises—Sun Princess & Star Princess)

Meghann Foye

Princess Cruises bills its new Sphere-class vessels as the foodiest ships afloat, and legendary Master Chef Rudi Sodamin makes a commanding case for that title with The Catch by Rudi. Known for taking classic seafood staples and elevating them with contemporary flair, Sodamin’s menu delivers standout raw-bar towers, delicate tuna tartare, and an exceptionally well-executed surf-and-turf. The airy, nautical room feels spacious rather than crowded, creating an energized atmosphere tailored for lively groups who want to order several bottles of crisp white wine and share fresh seafood platters.

Related: This Might Be the Foodiest Cruise Ship in Europe—And It Sails From Rome to Athens

8. Love by Britto (Princess Cruises—Sun Princess)

Meghann Foye

Perched at the aft of Sun Princess on Deck 17, Love by Britto merges fine dining with playful modern art. Created as a collaboration between pop artist Romero Britto and Master Chef Sodamin, the romantic boutique venue boasts panoramic ocean wake views bathed in golden sunset light. Guests dine on a seven-course prix-fixe menu surrounded by vivid pop-art sculptures and cheeky heart motifs woven into the dish presentations, starting with pink bubbly champagne cocktails and finishing with warm chocolate fondue.

9. Enchanté & Palo Steakhouse (Disney Cruise Line—Disney Wish) Enchante is an adult-only restaurant on Disney’s Wish Class ships.

Disney Cruise Line

9. Enchanté & Palo Steakhouse (Disney Cruise Line — Disney Wish, Disney Treasure & Disney Destiny)

Disney Cruise Line proves adult-exclusive dining can hold its own against the finest kitchens in the world. For an ultra-luxurious French feast, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement features multi-course tasting menus conceptualized by the three-Michelin-starred chef, wrapped in subtle, gilded homages to Beauty and the Beast’s Lumiere. For lovers of classic northern Italian cuisine, Palo Steakhouse remains the gold standard of adult Disney cruising, famous for its decadent chocolate soufflés, prime cuts, and sweeping floor-to-ceiling ocean views.

Related: 9 Best Things To Do For Grandparents On Disney Cruise Line

10. Tamara (Norwegian Cruise Line— Norwegian Aura)

NCL

While Norwegian Cruise Line made waves with interactive pan-Asian dining at Marco Polo Fire & Ice on Norwegian Aqua, its upcoming sister ship is taking things in a rare, exciting direction. McDaniel notes that one of the upcoming debuts she is most eager to sample is Tamara, an upscale Indian restaurant launching on Norwegian Aura. “Surprisingly few cruise lines have dedicated Indian restaurants, despite large kitchen staffs that often feature Indian chefs,” McDaniel points out. With open tandoor ovens and rich regional curries, it aims to fill a major culinary gap on the ocean.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Next Mega-Ship Is Bringing a Massive Dining First to Sea

It’s wonderfully freeing to set a table that doesn’t look like it came straight out of a catalog but still looks beautiful. When you’re hosting, mixing and matching your dinnerware can make the whole setting feel more personal—and there’s no rule saying every plate, bowl and mug needs to match perfectly. In fact, a little contrast is often what makes a table interesting. Different colors give meals a little pizazz, while varying shapes and patterns make a holiday gathering feel styled without looking like you tried too hard.

It’s also a great way to use pieces you already own. That favorite blue plate happily coexists with your grandmother’s floral bowl and those neutral dishes you picked up last year. The trick is finding some thread that ties everything together, whether that’s color, material or just a general aesthetic. Your guests aren’t grading you on whether everything matches—they’re there to eat, relax and hopefully ask where you found those fun dishes.

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SPJUTLILJA 3-Piece Serving Set, $14.99 at IKEA

IKEA

Shop It!

IKEA does the mixing and matching for you with its SPJUTLILJA serving set that includes a light blue plate, burgundy bowl and sunny yellow mug. With each piece in a different color, the set has a playful mix-and-match look that can stand on its own or be paired with other pieces already in your kitchen cabinets.

That happy yellow mug handles both your morning coffee and a cold drink, but it’s also cute enough to pull double duty as a little decorative accent when it’s not in use. The plate and bowl speak for themselves.

Related: Martha Stewart’s 4-Piece 100% Cotton Percale Sheet Sets at Marshalls Are Soft, Breathable and Chic

While the description on IKEA.com says the set is made of porcelain in one paragraph, it’s actually made of sturdy stoneware. In fact, all of the pieces in the SPJUTLILJA collection are stoneware, which is a major score for people who love that material for their dinnerware.

“I love them so much and I will back too IKEA soon to get them again,” says a shopper in their review.

Another customer is singing the set’s praises just as loudly.

“I love ’em,” they wrote. “Already scratched them a tiny bit, but they’re nice and weighty, beautiful and still wash up in the dishwasher even though they’re quite sculptural.”

Whether you mix and match with these or buy multiples so you have place settings for your entire household, the SPJUTLILJA collection is a great place to start.

Related: Dollar General’s $8 Glass Pumpkin Jars Are the Elegant Way to Decorate This Fall

If you’ve ever said “this feels like something out of The Twilight Zone,” congratulations, you’ve been quoting a show that’s been off the air for over 60 years.

Rod Serling created, produced, hosted, and personally wrote more than 80 of the roughly 156 episodes of this CBS anthology series, which premiered back in 1959. Each half-hour episode dropped you into a completely different, usually pretty unsettling, situation, then hit you with a twist ending you absolutely did not see coming. And that calm, deadpan narration Serling used to open and close every episode? Just as memorable as the stories themselves, and still one of the most parodied voices in TV history.

The show leaned entirely on ideas, using sci-fi and horror as a sneaky way to talk about things like prejudice, conformity, and war at a time when network TV mostly avoided that stuff. That ambition attracted serious writing talent, including genre legends Richard Matheson and Charles Beaumont, and gave a career boost to a bunch of actors before they became household names, including a young Robert Redford, Burt Reynolds, and Roddy McDowall, all making appearances well before their big breaks.

And somehow, the show has barely aged a day. It’s sitting at a 92% average score on Rotten Tomatoes right now, with its first two seasons both landing a perfect 100%. It regularly shows up on “greatest TV series ever” lists next to shows made 60 years later, which is a wild flex for a black-and-white show that predates color TV in most American living rooms.

Its fingerprints are everywhere, too. You can trace bits of Black Mirror, The Omen, and countless other twist-heavy stories straight back to this show, and “twilight zone” itself became a permanent part of the English language for anything strange or unexplainable. There have been reboots in 1985, 2002, and 2019, but none of them have quite managed to bottle what Serling did the first time around.

In the 1960s, Henry Diltz was a musician who found himself playing on recording sessions with The Monkees. Then he picked up a camera and began a second career that would put him in the room with some of the biggest names in rock history.

On Sept. 6, the legendary musician and photographer turns 88.

Born in Kansas City, Mo., in 1938, Diltz performed with the Modern Folk Quartet before becoming interested in photography. He met The Monkees, played on some of their recording sessions and began taking photographs of the group.

His relationship with The Monkees eventually became so close that, according to Micky Dolenz, they didn’t want anyone else photographing them.

Henry Diltz Played With The Monkees Before Becoming Their Photographer

Diltz and Dolenz recently revisited their nearly 60-year friendship for Spectrum News California’s The SoCal Scene, meeting at West Hollywood’s legendary Troubadour.

“This is since ’67,” Diltz said of their friendship. “In fact, Tiger Beat hired me to go down and photograph this group called The Monkees.”

Dolenz remembered that the band had struggled to find photographers they actually enjoyed having around.

“They were having trouble finding photographers that we would get along with,” he said. Then Diltz showed up, whom Dolenz affectionately described as “this other long-haired weirdo, just like us.”

Rather than constantly posing the band, Diltz simply followed them through their everyday lives.

“He just would follow us around to lunch or just around the lot,” Dolenz recalled.

Eventually, The Monkees made their feelings about Diltz official.

“At one point, we said, ‘That’s it. Henry Diltz is the only photographer that’s allowed to shoot us,'” said Dolenz with a laugh.

That unobtrusive approach would become a hallmark of Diltz’s work.

Related: The Monkees’ ‘Fifth Monkee,’ the Man Behind ‘Daydream Believer’ & ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday,’ Turns 84

Henry Diltz Photographed More Than 250 Album Covers

“I didn’t know about lighting and studios and all that,” Diltz explained on The SoCal Scene. “I just photographed what I saw.”

He also offered a wonderful explanation for how photography opened up a completely different world for him.

“Having a camera is a passport into people’s lives, you know?” Diltz said. “Why would I be hanging out with the Eagles or Jim Morrison or any of those people? It’s just having that camera.”

And Diltz’s camera went just about everywhere.

He photographed more than 250 album covers, including The Doors’ Morrison Hotel, James Taylor’s Sweet Baby James, Crosby, Stills & Nash’s self-titled debut and several albums by the Eagles, including Desperado. He was also an official photographer at Woodstock and photographed the Monterey Pop Festival and the Miami Pop Festival.

Diltz became particularly associated with the musicians of Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon, documenting a scene that included artists such as Joni Mitchell and The Mamas and the Papas.

His work has continued to earn recognition decades later. In 2023, Diltz received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards. And in 2025, he made a fitting cameo as himself in Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, photographing the fictional rock band.

Even at 88, Diltz still carries a camera.

As The SoCal Scene observed while Diltz and Dolenz wandered through the Troubadour together, he is “still telling stories about the past.”

Fortunately for rock fans, Diltz spent nearly six decades making sure there were pictures to go with them.

Related: Last Surviving Member of ’60s NBC Phenomenon Opens Up About His 3 Late Bandmates: ‘It’s Like They’re Still There’

When U2 was putting the final touches on their 1983 album War, they were literally running out of studio time and needed one last song.

Lead singer Bono opened a Bible to Psalm 40 and started singing the verses right off the page. The result was the song “40,” which morphed into a raw, spiritual track that turned an ancient prayer into one of the most unforgettable concert closers in rock history.

According to a 2024 post on the band’s official blog, Bono explained the song’s origins during the band’s residency at the Las Vegas Venue, The Sphere. He shared how matter-of-fact its creation was.

“It’s been 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. What’s a fella with a messianic complex gonna do?’  Bono began.

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“This is a song we wrote in 40 minutes. We had 40 minutes left on the War album to record,” he concluded. “I opened up the sacred text to the Psalm of David and just kinda read it out. That was the lyric. This is ’40.'”

The lyrics are a psalm of praise. “I will sing, sing a new song. I will sing, sing a new song. How long to sing this song? How long to sing this song?”

According to Songfacts, U2’s bass player Adam Clayton was unavailable when they recorded “40.” Therefore, The Edge played both guitar and bass. Larry Mullen Jr. drummed.

The song became an instant fan favorite and a concert closer. For many years, the band ended their live shows with the tune, and as each member walked offstage, Mullen remained to play out the song’s remaining beats.

Bono said in an undated interview, as reprinted by Far Out Magazine, “I didn’t really begin spending a lot of time on lyrics until halfway into the ‘80s, so this and a lot of the early songs were written very quickly – in just minutes in many cases.”

Fans of the band continue to call this song “special.” There is an entire Reddit thread dedicated to why this is so.

“One time I saw U2 way back in the day they closed with ’40.’ The entire stadium walked out singing. Absolutely amazing experience,” one penned.

A second wrote, “If you experienced it live…It sticks with you.” A third listener agreed, “I am not remotely religious- the opposite, in fact. Even when I became a fan in the ’80’s as a teen. That said, this song has always been beautiful, and as others have mentioned, hearing it and singing along to it live is an incredible experience.”

More than four decades later, “40” hasn’t lost an ounce of its quiet power. By taking an ancient song of hope and turning it into a vulnerable, arena-sized prayer, U2 proved that the oldest stories can still speak directly to modern listeners.

Related: 1982 Radio Hit, Named One of the Top Heartbreak Songs of All Time, Remains a Brutally Honest Classic

Jane Addams, the pioneering social reformer and philosopher, spent her life asking a deceptively simple question: What can we do to make the world better for one another? Her answer was not simply to talk about change, but to roll up her sleeves and create it. Born on September 6, 1860, in Cedarville, Illinois, Addams became one of the most influential women of her era and devoted her life to people who had been overlooked and underserved by society.

In 1889, Addams and her friend Ellen Gates Starr founded Hull House in a working-class immigrant neighborhood in Chicago. Inspired by Toynbee Hall, a settlement house Addams had visited in London, they created a place where people from different backgrounds could come together, learn from one another and build a stronger community. Hull House offered everything from educational classes and cultural programs to a day nursery, gymnasium, community kitchen and services for working women, while becoming a training ground for generations of social workers and reformers.

Addams’ activism extended far beyond Hull House. She fought for better conditions for workers, juvenile-court reform, housing regulation, factory inspections, workers’ compensation and women’s suffrage. She advocated for immigrants and African Americans and became a leading voice for peace, chairing the International Congress of Women at The Hague in 1915 and helping establish the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. In 1920, she was also involved in the founding of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Her commitment to peace and social reform eventually earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, which she shared with Nicholas Murray Butler. Addams was the first American woman to receive the prize, but her legacy goes far beyond that honor. She demonstrated throughout her life that meaningful change comes from recognizing our connection to one another—and working to make opportunity, dignity and peace possible for everyone.

Related: Quote of the Day: James Baldwin’s Timeless Advice for Confronting Life’s Challenges—’Not Everything That Is Faced Can Be Changed…’

Quote of the Day by Jane Addams

“The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain, is floating in mid-air, until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.”

Addams expressed this idea in a lecture about social settlements in 1892. The address, delivered at the Ethical Culture Societies’ summer school in Plymouth, Massachusetts, explored why settlement houses were needed and what they could accomplish. Addams argued that genuine social progress could not happen when people lived in isolation from one another.

The quotation gets to the heart of what Addams hoped Hull House could accomplish. She did not see charity as simply wealthy people giving something to people who had less. Instead, she believed that people from different economic and social backgrounds could learn from one another and become part of the same community. Hull House was intended to create that kind of connection in the middle of a rapidly changing Chicago neighborhood.

For Addams, democracy was about more than voting or participating in government. It was also about people sharing in the opportunities, education, culture and social life of their communities. At Hull House, immigrants could access educational programs, cultural activities and social services, while reformers could learn firsthand about the challenges facing working-class families.

Addams was arguing that an individual’s success is never completely separate from the well-being of the larger community. If some people are excluded from opportunity, education, safety or dignity, she believed, the progress enjoyed by everyone else remains incomplete.

Related: Quote of the Day: Psychologist Rollo May on the Importance of Communication and Community

The Deeper Meaning of Jane Addams’ Quote

More than a century after Addams wrote these words, the idea behind them remains remarkably powerful. Her message was that personal well-being and social well-being are connected. It is difficult to build a truly healthy society when prosperity and opportunity are available only to some while others are left behind.

The quote also reflects Addams’ belief in the power of community. She spent decades bringing people together at Hull House and creating opportunities for them to participate in civic and cultural life. Rather than viewing people living in poverty as problems to be solved from a distance, she believed reformers needed to live alongside communities, listen to them and work with them.

One of the most important elements of Addams’ message is her insistence that progress should be shared. Her life demonstrated that belief in action: She fought for women’s rights, workers, immigrants, children and peace, while using Hull House as a place where people could learn, organize and build connections.

Jane Addams died in Chicago on May 21, 1935, at age 74, but the philosophy behind her work continues to resonate. Her Nobel Peace Prize recognized her commitment to peace and social reform, while her legacy at Hull House helped shape the modern social-work movement. Her words remind us that progress is not simply what one person can achieve. It is truly about what a community is able to achieve together.

More Quotes by Jane Addams

“The trouble lies with the American people themselves, who refuse to recognize the culture and breadth of view which many foreigners bring to this country with them.”
“What we desire is peace at once, and a peace founded on justice and law.”
“We must make the world understand that permanent peace can be based only on justice and law.”
“War shows that women should have a voice (the ballot) in every affair of world’s nations.”
“True peace is not merely the absence of war, it is the presence of justice.”

Next: Quote of the Day: Political Activist Angela Davis on Uplifting Others as We Succeed

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While the contents of your drawers aren’t in plain sight, keeping them organized is a great way to add an extra layer of calm and order to your home. Whether you have junk drawers that have been accumulating miscellaneous items for months or bathroom drawers cluttered with makeup and skincare products, you should streamline them so you can find everything you need with ease. This Manalete 15-Piece Drawer Bins Set is a great way to tidy up your belongings, and it’s currently a steal at Amazon! 

This drawer organizer set is now available for just $10. This is a deal you won’t want to miss because you’re getting these bins for well under a dollar each! 

Manalete 15-Piece Drawer Bins Set, $10 at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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If you get overwhelmed every time you open your drawers, these organizing bins can help. This set includes four different bin sizes designed to meet all your decluttering needs — one large bin, two medium bins, five small bins, and seven mini bins. With different sizes to work with, you can configure the bins to perfectly fit in your drawers and maximize storage space. 

All the bins have 1.8-inch tall edges, offering enough height to prevent items from falling out while still being shallow enough to fit in most drawers. For size reference, the large bin measures 8.7 inches wide and 5.8 inches long, while the mini ones are 2.8 inches wide and long. The mini and small bins are great for organizing little bits and bobbles, trinkets, and even jewelry, while the medium and large bins are ideal for anything from bulky tools to kitchen utensils.

These bins are incredibly versatile. You can use them to streamline any drawer in any room. They’re great for organizing craft supplies, toiletries, skincare products, stationery, tools, and much more. They’d be especially handy to declutter your junk drawers and give all those miscellaneous items a designated place so you can find everything easily.

Courtesy of Amazon

Reviewers said that they loved how well these bins kept all their little things separated and appreciated the variety of sizes. If you want to see how customers used these bins, check out these satisfying photos that they shared!

“These are a must for bathrooms, vanities, offices, and junk drawers,” one reviewer commented. Another shopper said that “these clear plastic bins are a game changer for anyone trying to get organized” and described them as “functional, sturdy, and sleek.” They also raved that they’re “perfect for decluttering drawers.”

Sturdy and durable, these bins are made of non-toxic polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET). They have a stackable design, so you can nest one on top of the other when they’re not being used to save space. As a bonus, they look sleek and aesthetically pleasing, so you can use them to organize your countertops without being an eyesore. 

Related: Amazon’s 3-Piece Lazy Susan Set Is an ‘Organizing Dream Come True’ for Just $20

Even the unseen parts of your home deserve to be neat and polished. If your drawers could use some tidying up, head to Amazon and snag the Manalete 15-Piece Drawer Bins Set for just $10. You should definitely hurry because it’s flying off the shelves — over 5,000 customers have purchased it in the past month! 

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The last time anyone heard from Jim Sullivan, he called his wife and told her something he refused to explain.

It was March 5, 1975. Sullivan, a Malibu folk singer who’d struck up friendships with the likes of Lee Marvin, Lee Majors, and Dennis Hopper, was somewhere on Route 66, driving toward Nashville in his VW Beetle to chase one last shot at a music career. When his wife Barbara asked if he was okay, he told her, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” then asked her to forget he’d said anything at all. He was never heard from again.

What happened next has kept true crime forums, UFO researchers, and music historians arguing for 50 years. Sullivan was never seen again after checking into the La Mesa Motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, but records show he never actually slept there.

Theories have piled up ever since. Some point to the desert itself, that Sullivan got disoriented and died of exposure, though that doesn’t explain why he wandered from a perfectly good motel room in the first place. Others suspect foul play, since the New Mexico corridor he vanished into was a known route for drug traffickers in the 1970s. A smaller camp believes he simply walked away from his old life on purpose, reportedly having once told his manager that if he ever wanted to disappear, he’d do it by walking into the desert and never coming back.

Then there’s the theory that refuses to die: that Sullivan was taken by the very thing he sang about. His car was found abandoned roughly 75 miles from Roswell, New Mexico, ground zero for America’s most famous UFO legend. His 1969 album, U.F.O., is packed with lyrics about long highways, leaving loved ones behind, and encounters with beings from beyond, details that read very differently once you know how his story ends.

Before she was cast in The Partridge Family, Shirley Jones was already an Academy Award-winning star and Broadway veteran. So when it came time for her TV role as a ‘70s sitcom mom, it was business as usual.

From 1970 to 1974, Jones, now 92, played musical mom Shirley Partridge on The Partridge Family. The cast included Danny Bonaduce, Susan Dey, Dave Madden and Jones’ real-life stepson David Cassidy.

During a September 2026 appearance on The Scott Baio Podcast, Bonaduce recalled working with the legendary actress 10 years after she won an Oscar for her performance in the film Elmer Gantry.

“She was beautiful working with me,” Bonaduce, 67, recalled of Jones. “She didn’t tolerate too much shenanigans, if you will. You know, when it came down to kids wasting time that they should have been working. She’d drop a little bit of a hammer, but not nothing, you know, terrible.”

RELATED:  Danny Bonaduce Shares Details of On Set Clash That Got ‘Partridge Family’ Star Fired

Bonaduce, who was a pre-teen when he appeared on The Partridge Family, previously revealed that Jones would sometimes discipline him when he acted up on the set.

“I would be doing something that she would find inappropriate, and she’d go ‘Danny, you go to your room right now!’” he told Gary James’ Classic Bands in an interview. “And I was like, ‘Shirley, I don’t really have a room here.’”

While she couldn’t really send him to his room on set, Jones revealed she found ways to keep the mischievous young actor in line.

“[Danny was] a rebellious little kid,” Jones told The Los Angeles Times in 1991. “When I was working with him, I would swat him once in a while and make him behave. Danny had a rough home life. … He’d show up late and had a bad mouth and played practical jokes. He responded to my discipline, though. He listened to me. We got along really well, but you just had to keep him in line.”

On Baio’s podcast, Bonaduce also recalled an ongoing joke Jones had on The Partridge Family with young cast members Brian Forster and Suzanne Crough, who hardly had any lines in the ABC sitcom.

“Neither of the two kids did [very much],” Bonaduce said. “They had Suzanne Crough and Brian Forster, and they had a running joke where Shirley or anybody would say something like, oh man, something about Benny Goodman, and the two little kids would say ‘Who?’ in unison, and Shirley would say something to the effect of, ‘Oh, I got to start hanging out with an older crowd.’”

Related: ‘Partridge Family’ Star Danny Bonaduce Gives Rare Update on Susan Dey and Shirley Jones

King of Folk Music Bob Dylan‘s expansive catalog has been covered by artists across genres—from soul and pop to R&B and rock. The Staple Singers—who are said to be among the legendary musician’s “idols”—put their spin on one of his tracks, “Masters of War,” in 1966, and it’s still considered one of the greatest covers of his work decades later.

The release was ranked No. 11 on Rolling Stone‘s lengthy list of the 80 greatest Bob Dylan covers of all time, with the famed music publication praising the vocals on the group’s rendition.

“Within two years of releasing ‘Masters of War,’ Dylan’s idols, the Staple Singers, were already covering the songwriter’s anti-war meditation as the United States escalated its involvement in Vietnam. The Staple Singers covered many of Dylan’s early material – ‘Blowin’ In the Wind,’ ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall’ –but ‘Masters of War’ is perhaps their finest Dylan-covering moment, with Pops Staples delivering a slow-building, tour-de-force vocal performance,” the outlet noted.

The tune is one of Dylan’s “fiercest” anti-war anthems. It describes the true nature of war: how the folks at the top initiating and orchestrating the chaos are safe in their homes, while young people are forced to go out and fight. Meanwhile, it begs the question if war is ever really “won” when the losses are immeasurable on both sides.

“You that never done nothing but build to destroy / You play with my world like it’s your little toy / You put a gun in my hand and you hide from my eyes / And you turn and run farther when the fast bullets fly,” the poignant lyrics express, per Genius.

CIRCA 1960: Photo of Staple Singers

Photo by Tom Copi/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Dylan’s original version was recorded and released in 1963 as part of his second studio album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.

Other tracks from over the decades that made Rolling Stone‘s roundup are Nina Simone‘s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” (1969), Sam Cooke’s “Blowin’ In the Wind” (1964), The Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man” (1965), Elvis Presley’s “Tomorrow Is a Long Time” (1966), Guns N’ Roses’ “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (1991), and The Jimi Hendrix Experience‘s “All Along the Watchtower” (1968) in the top spot as the No. 1 greatest Bob Dylan cover of all time. (Dylan himself reportedly said to Hendrix, “I don’t know if anyone has done my songs better,” according to the outlet).

Next, 1969 Folk Song, Written by a 21-Year-Old Bob Dylan, Is Still a Powerful Hit 57 Years Later

Imagine strolling through a world-class city in Europe in autumn. The air is crisp, the leaves are a kaleidoscope of fiery gold and crimson, and cultural attractions are uncrowded. And a bonus: airfare costs a fraction of what it would have in summer.

There’s room to breathe at a coveted café table, and an afternoon can be spent wandering through a leafy park, stopping for coffee and a pastry and ending the day at a museum or fall festival. You book one of the coziest hotels in town (for a great price), and you’re able to truly experience the city like a local.

That’s the case for visiting Europe in autumn, and we asked travel experts to recommend cities that are particularly spectacular in the fall. Here are five destinations worth building a trip around this season.

Related: We Asked 3 Travel Experts for Europe’s Most Scenic Fall Train Trip

Gothenburg, Sweden A tree-lined city canal in autumn in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Getty Images/Photo by Martin Wahlborg

Sweden’s second-largest city, Gothenburg (Göteborg) is famous for its major maritime port, fresh seafood and friendly west coast charm. In autumn, the city grows colorful with fall foliage and quieter once the summer crowds clear. City parks like Slottsskogen and Trädgårdsföreningen fill with vibrant shades of scarlet and amber, and the tree-lined promenade along Nya Allén is one of the most picturesque fall walks in the region. In the Haga neighborhood, Café Husaren is known for its Hagabullar (oversized cinnamon buns), a good excuse for a fika: a Swedish coffee-and-pastry break.

“The Swedish fika concept is strong here,” says Gothenburg-based travel influencer and consultant Therese Gavare. “October 4 is Cinnamon Bun Day, and every café in the city stocks up for it. Pair a warm bun with a fresh cup of coffee and you’ve got one of the most festive rituals in Sweden.”

A 10-minute tram ride from downtown Gothenburg, the Gothenburg Botanical Garden is also worth a visit in fall — known for its seasonal colors, smells and sounds, Gavare says. And an annual highlight is the largest literary festival in Scandinavia: the four-day Gothenburg Book Fair, which draws more than 90,000 authors, publishers and book lovers from across the world each September.  

“If you love books, the book festival is one of the most fun experiences in Gothenburg. The chance of meeting renowned authors is high, and you can participate in amazing discussions and enjoy great food,” Gavare says. “If you want something a little spookier, Liseberg amusement park also goes all-in on Halloween festivities this time of year.”

The city is also a great base for a leaf-peeping adventure: the car-free southern archipelago is easily reached by public ferries from the city center. Fall marks lobster and shellfish season in the archipelago and attending a kräftskiva—or traditional crayfish party—is essential for visitors who want to experience a Swedish seasonal tradition. The city’s hip multilevel bar Skanshof hosts a public crayfish dinner every Thursday in autumn.

“There’s something magical about the west coast in fall, with its clear skies, crisp air and incredible seafood,” Gavare says. “Head out to the archipelago for a few hours to yourself, or join a crayfish party and make some new friends. The weather is also exquisite—it’s not too warm, but not yet snowy. It’s the perfect in-between.”

Related: A New Ranking Named This Storybook European City the World’s Best-Value Vacation Spot

Copenhagen, Denmark People walk between autumn-themed market stalls at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Getty Images/Photo by QuazzMe Photo

Denmark’s beautiful capital is known as one of the most walkable and bicycle-friendly cities in the world—and autumn is the perfect time to experience it. The summer tourist crowds dissipate by mid-September, and October brings Kulturnatten (Culture Night), when more than 200 museums and cultural institutions open their doors after hours. Less than $20 covers all admission and transit costs, and two children under 12 get in free with each adult pass.

“Copenhagen is endlessly walkable, with museums everywhere,” says Doni Belau, founder of the women’s solo group travel company Girls’ Guide to the World. “Don’t miss Designmuseum Danmark—the Danish Modern collection alone is worth the trip.”

In the city’s center, the beloved amusement park Tivoli Gardens transforms into an autumn wonderland with thousands of pumpkins, lights and festive treats. Other top spots to see fall colors include the Copenhagen Botanical Garden and Kongens Have (The King’s Garden), where you can stroll past bright copper and russet tree-lined paths surrounding Rosenborg Castle.

“The ideal time to see beautiful fall foliage in Copenhagen is mid to late October,” says senior travel advisor Alyssa Woods, who specializes in European travel for Andrew Harper.

For the coziest stay in the city, check into Hotel Sanders, a stylish boutique hotel nestled on a quiet neighborhood street in the heart of Copenhagen’s historic center. Created by renowned Danish ballet dancer Alexander Kølpin, the hotel feels especially inviting in the fall; just inside, a living room beckons with brimming bookshelves and an open fireplace. Guests can also borrow the hotel’s bikes to cycle through the city, a joy in the brisk autumn air.

“Travel by bike in Copenhagen to see the city the way locals do. Copenhagen’s bikes are very comfortable, with wide seats, upright handlebars and the all-important bell,” Belau says.

Related: Europe’s Most Beautiful Place Is Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia

Paris, France A sunny autumn day at the Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris.

Getty Images/Photo by Alexander Spatari

One of the world’s most famous cities, Paris welcomes tens of millions of visitors a year, most of them during the peak summer months. That makes autumn an ideal “secret season” to visit the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre. With the tourist crowds gone, Parisians back in town and the weather cool and romantic, it’s also a wonderful time to experience the city the way locals do: sipping coffee on a café terrace or strolling along the Seine past the bouquinistes, the iconic riverside booksellers whose tradition dates back roughly 500 years.

“The fall months bring some of the city’s best festivals,” Belau says. “The Fête des Vendanges in Montmartre kicks off in early October, celebrating the grape harvest at one of the last working vineyards in Paris. October also brings Fashion Week to Paris, and with or without a ticket, the people-watching in the Marais is a show in itself.”

Fall is a great season for a day trip to the immaculate grounds of Versailles or a visit to Disneyland Paris, which offers a mix of fall festivities and lower crowds in September and early October; the Disney Halloween Festival typically runs from late September through early November.

“Book a private VIP tour of Versailles if you can,” Belau says. “As many tours don’t include Marie Antoinette’s private apartments, the ones that do are expensive but worth it. And a trip to Disneyland Paris will have far fewer lines unless your visit falls during France’s school break, which typically falls in late October.”

Autumn is an ideal time for a dream stay in a sought-after boutique hotel like the Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal, next to the lovely Palais-Royal Gardens. Flights from the U.S. are affordable, too: fall is one of the best times of year to book with French Bee, an excellent low-cost, long-haul option for travel to France. Just book early, since flights run less frequently than in summer.

“Summer always brings the highest airfare costs for Americans,” Woods says. “Traveling in the fall can help you score a better deal while avoiding the busy summer tourist season.”

Related: 8 Carry-On Essentials I’m Packing for a Spring Trip to Paris

Munich, Germany Autumn pumpkins and other treats are seen for sale at the Viktualienmarkt, an open-air food market and square in Munich, Germany.

Getty Images/Photo by Nikada

Renowned for its rich Bavarian culture, Munich draws millions of visitors every autumn for Oktoberfest, the world-famous festival that runs from mid-September through the first weekend of October and features lively beer tents, traditional music and parades.

“If you want to drink beer and eat sausages at Oktoberfest, you’ll want to plan ahead,” Belau says. “Hofbräu-Festzelt draws the biggest international crowd and gets rowdier as the day wears on. Käfer Wiesn-Schänke has a cozy, wood-lodge feel and a reputation for celebrity sightings. Augustiner-Festhalle is where the locals go, and it’s the only large tent still serving beer from wooden barrels. A ticket broker can help secure seats.”

Munich is also consistently ranked one of Germany’s most livable cities, and a fall visit showcases why. For beautiful weather and smaller crowds, visit in mid to late October and catch open-air markets perfect for the season: Auer Dult, a traditional market at Mariahilfplatz, features antiques, crafts and specialty food items, while Viktualienmarkt sells seasonal produce, including roasted chestnuts and fresh apples.

“Munich really comes into its own in the fall,” says Stephen McGillivray, chief partner marketing officer at global travel services company Internova Travel Group. “Oktoberfest may be the headline, but the appeal goes well beyond that. Cooler temperatures make exploring more comfortable and travelers often find better value as hotel occupancy softens. The city feels lively and authentic, with restaurants, shops and cultural attractions in full swing.”

For peak autumn foliage, stroll through the massive Englischer Garten (larger than Central Park) or the 500-acre baroque grounds of Nymphenburg Palace, where fall colors reflect beautifully off the grand canals and lakes. Munich’s Christmas markets, including the one at Marienplatz in the heart of the old town, typically open in late November.

“The Christmas market at Marienplatz is beloved for a reason—it dates back to 1310, making it one of the oldest in Europe,” Belau says. “Warm up with a Feuerzangenbowle, a wine punch made with rum and served with a flaming sugar cube. It’s the perfect antidote to a cold night.”

Related: 12 Best European River Cruises for Unforgettable Family Vacations, According to Experts

Florence, Italy The Tuscan hillsides of Florence turn golden each fall, highlighting the city’s Renaissance architecture.

Getty Images/Photo by SBorisov

The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence feels like stepping into an expansive open-air museum filled with stone palaces, medieval towers and the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge. Most visitors come in the peak summer months, but autumn offers an appeal all its own.

“Florence is simply cooler in the fall, and I mean that both literally and figuratively,” says Eric Hrubant, founder and president of CIRE Travel, an affiliate of Global Travel Collection. “Autumn is not necessarily cheap, but it offers much better value in the experience: more comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, and a city that regains some of its rhythm.”

The fall months bring mild weather, fewer crowds and vendemmia (the grape harvest) across Tuscany, making it prime time to taste fresh Chianti wines. Local restaurant menus fill with seasonal delicacies like fresh porcini mushrooms, chestnuts, truffles and the first pressing of fresh olive oil. In a city known for its endless culture, the fall calendar also ramps up, with film festivals and seasonal art exhibitions held throughout the season.

“Florence’s seasonal art exhibitions are fantastic, and wine lovers shouldn’t miss Il Palagio—it has one of the best wine selections in Florence,” says Hrubant.

For magnificent foliage, walk through Parco delle Cascine, the city’s largest public park, where long avenues of chestnut and other deciduous trees turn brilliant shades of gold and orange. Or plan a day trip to Casentinesi Forests National Park, a picturesque reserve in the Apennines famous for some of Italy’s most vibrant beech and fir foliage.

“White truffle season runs from October through December, and it’s an unforgettable fall experience,” Woods says. “Head into the hills of Tuscany to see how the dogs are trained to find them, then cap it off with a glass of Chianti and a meal built around truffles.”

Related: 7 Things You Should Do in Florence at Least Once, According to Celeb Travel Experts

Tips for Planning a Fall Trip to Europe Beautiful autumn colors are seen in a city park in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Getty Images/Photo by Jenifoto

Work with a travel advisor. “Travel is an investment. A great travel advisor makes sure you get the most out of every day and every dollar,” Hrubant says.

Bring the right shoes. “I’d recommend lighter boots. It can be cold, rainy and windy,” Gavare says.

Track peak foliage. “Leaf-turn timing shifts year to year — check each city’s seasonal estimates before you book,” Belau says.

Book 2-3 months out. “Book early to avoid limited availability at the best hotels,” Woods says.

Pack for rain. “Bring a foldable umbrella. Fall in Europe is wetter than people expect,” Belau says.

Pack layers. “Always pack layers to prepare for any weather,” Woods says.

Reserve dining in advance. “Chefs shop based on reservations, so walk-ins often mean a lesser table — or no table at all,” Belau says.

Splurge a little. “Hire a private guide or driver for the day. You’ll enhance your experience with firsthand knowledge from a local,” Woods says.

Related: Everyone Visits These 4 Destinations in Summer—A Luxury Travel Expert Says Fall Is Actually Way Better

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A great set of ramekins can quickly become one of the hardest-working pieces in your kitchen. These compact dishes are useful for everything from serving dips and desserts to baking individual portions, and a cute design means they can go straight from the oven to the table. They’re also an easy way to add a little extra charm to everyday meals or casual entertaining.

Right now, you can get a particularly charming and affordable set from The Pioneer Woman. The Colette Stoneware Ramekins Set is currently 31% off at Walmart, bringing the price for a four-piece set down to as little as $5. Known for combining practical cookware with distinctive designs, The Pioneer Woman delivers that same mix of function and style with these charming ramekins.

The Pioneer Woman Colette Stoneware Ramekins Set, $5 (was $8) at Walmart 

Courtesy of Walmart

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The set includes four round stoneware ramekins, which are made from durable stoneware and designed to hold up to regular kitchen use while maintaining their coordinated look. Each ramekin has a 12-ounce capacity, making them a convenient size for individual servings of casseroles, desserts, dips, snacks, and other small dishes.

Available in blue, cream, green, and purple, the ramekins feature the Colette collection’s signature scalloped design. The decorative edges give them a rustic farmhouse feel with plenty of cottagecore and vintage-inspired charm, so they look just as nice sitting on a serving table as they do tucked into a kitchen cabinet.

Each ramekin measures approximately 2.1 inches tall and 4.3 inches wide and long, offering enough room for individual portions without taking up excessive space. The compact size makes them especially handy for portioning ingredients while cooking or serving small treats when you’re entertaining.

Related: Anthropologie’s ‘Gorgeous’ Hand-Painted Floral Table Lamp Is 40% Off and Brimming With Cottagecore Whimsy

They’re also designed to make cooking and cleanup easier. The ramekins are microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, and oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can prep, heat, bake, serve, and clean them with minimal fuss. That versatility makes them useful for quick weeknight meals as well as gatherings where you want individual portions ready to serve.

The bestseller has earned more than 300 five-star reviews. One reviewer called them “cute little ramekins for everyday use,” adding, “They’re perfect for snacks, casseroles, desserts, or dips. I love the color, the design, and all of the uses!” Another shared, “The color is so darling and the scallops are the perfect touch.”

Shop More Deals

• Vesteel Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set, $18 (was $35) at Walmart
• Vancasso Ceramic Baking Dish Set, $33 (was $63) at Walmart
• Kikcoin 21-Piece Bakeware Set, From $60 (was $120) at Walmart

For a practical kitchen addition that brings plenty of personality without costing much, The Pioneer Woman Colette Stoneware Ramekins Set is an easy pick. And with the current 31% discount, you can get all four ramekins for as little as $5, making it an especially tempting buy for anyone who loves versatile kitchenware with a little farmhouse-inspired flair.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.