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Crew Gaines just proved he inherited his parents' entrepreneurial streak, and business is already booming.

Joanna Gaines shared a rare glimpse of her youngest child in a Thursday, July 16, Instagram video, showing Crew, 8, harvesting tomatoes, watermelon, and flowers from the family garden before setting up shop inside Magnolia's Waco, Texas, headquarters. He named the setup Crew's Farm Stand, and it didn't take long for customers to show up.

Employees from across the Magnolia and Magnolia Realty teams stopped by throughout the morning to support the young business owner, snapping up his produce and flowers before lunchtime.

"His farm stand sold out in the first hour!" Joanna wrote in her caption, adding that she was proud of her son and grateful to the teams for supporting him.

Fans and Chip Can't Get Enough

The comments section quickly filled with praise for the young entrepreneur. "Stop it right now! That's too cute," one follower wrote, while another said, "The cutest thing I've seen in a long time!"

A third fan joked about merchandise, asking, "Sold out in an hour? When's the 'Crew's Farm Stand' merch drop?" 

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Others chimed in with similar enthusiasm, with one person marveling, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree! Love this," while another praised how carefully Crew arranged his produce, calling it proof of how much heart he put into the setup. Chip Gaines got in on the fun too, commenting, "I know you're not supposed to have favorites... but he's my favorite! (8yr old)."

The couple also shares kids Drake, Ella, Duke, and Emmie.

The Gaines Kids Mostly Stay Offline

Chip and Joanna typically keep their children's faces off social media, making moments like Crew's farm stand video a rare treat for fans. The kids have occasionally popped up on the family's TV projects instead, including cameos on Magnolia Network and HGTV's Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House.

View this post on Instagram Another Funny Family Story This Summer

Crew's farm stand wasn't the only sweet family story Joanna shared this month. Earlier in July, she recounted a string of panicked texts from her eldest son, Drake, who was attempting to cook chicken on his own.

According to Joanna, the texts read, "Mom, I'm scared," followed by "I'm making chicken," then "I think I'm gonna accidentally poison myself," before he finally asked how to cook it. Rather than reply by text, Joanna said she called him, explaining that she didn't want him to get food poisoning.

As summer winds down, the Gaines family is preparing for another transition, with both Drake and his older sister, Ella, heading back to college in the coming weeks. 

Since Stranger Things star Sadie Sink posted the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer on Instagram, fans have been speculating who she’ll be playing in the new film. With many theorizing that Sink will play Jean Grey from X-Men, the actress took to social media to address these rumors.

“Since the trailer dropped, I’ve seen so many theories about who I’m playing,” Sink said in an Instagram reel. “To match your incredible energy, I’ve decided to give you three exclusive, confirmed answers right now.”

Sink jokingly said, “I can confirm I am not Spider-Man. Second, I can confirm I am not Aunt May. And third, I can definitely confirm that I am in this movie.”

“As for who I really am, you’ll have to find out in the theater,” Sink concluded.

Theories about Sink playing Jean Grey began when, at the 58-second mark of the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer, a psychic blast stretches across Manhattan. Fans compared the shot to Jean Grey’s telepathic power surging in X-Men: Evolution.

While Marvel has kept Sink’s role under wraps, Sink did call the Jean Grey theory “an awesome rumor” and said she had “nothing to say about this.”

“C'mon we know you're Jean,” one fan insisted on Instagram.

“I can definitely confirm that I’ll watch this movie,” another said.

“I really thought she was going to be Spider-Man,” one user joked. “Thanks for clearing the air Sadie 😉”

“AHH THE TROLL IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE,” another said.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is set to release in theaters on July 31, with Tom Holland and Zendaya reprising their roles as Peter Parker and MJ. The film will take place after the events of No Way Home, following Parker as he navigates a world that no longer knows his name. A new trailer was released last month, and it can be seen here:

Long before his marriage to Megan Fox, Brian Austin Green was known as David Silver - heartthrob of Beverly Hills, 90210 and one of the defining teen crushes of the '90s. Decades later, Green is opening up about how much things have changed since those years, and it turns out, he’s aging like a fine wine.

During the Thursday, July 16 episode of the "I Do, Part 2" podcast, a fan asked the now-53-year-old actor whether intimacy has improved with age, or if he finds himself missing his 20s. Green didn't hesitate: things have gotten better, and it comes down to a shift in mindset rather than anything physical.

He explained that these days, he's far less focused on his own insecurities and much more attuned to making sure his partner feels good - prioritizing connection over performance. It's a notable evolution for someone whose personal life has played out largely in the public eye, from his marriage to Megan Fox to his current relationship with fiancée Sharna Burgess, with whom he says he now feels far more present than he did with past partners earlier in life.

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Looking back on his 90210 heyday, Green admitted intimacy used to feel more transactional - something to get through before moving on to the next thing. He said he used to feel pressure to seem confident and polished, chasing an idea of "cool" rather than genuinely connecting with a partner, which he said only complicated things.

Now, he says his outlook is much simpler: it's about being with someone he loves and wanting her to feel good, plain and simple. Even if life with kids means less time for it than he and Burgess might like. It's a full-circle moment for the actor once known for playing one of TV's ultimate teen heartthrobs - proof that maturity, apparently, comes with its own perks.

Josh Duhamel just had a realization about his marriage that made him feel every one of his 53 years.

During an appearance on The HoneyDew With Ryan Sickler podcast on Monday, July 13, the actor shared the unexpected moment he realized just how close in age his wife Audra Mari is to his youngest sister.

While reminiscing about his family, Duhamel recalled being in college when his mother welcomed his youngest sibling, Cassidy. “Cassidy came along and I was playing football at Minot State University. I remember looking up at the stands and I saw my mom and had this bump,” he shared. “And I’m like, ‘Is my mom pregnant?’ I’m 21 years old and she’s having another baby.”

It wasn't until years later that the memory came full circle. “There’s a picture of me holding Cassidy as a 21-year-old young man with this little bitty infant,” Duhamel explained. “I looked at the photo and I looked at my wife and I said, ‘You and Cassidy are exactly the same age.'”

That's when the realization hit. “I am officially too old for you. They’re literally like months apart in age. I never looked at it like that until I saw that photo. I was like, ‘Wait a second.'”

Fans had mixed opinions on the comment, however.

@ryan.sickler

Josh Duhamel's young #wife

♬ original sound - Ryan Sickler - Ryan Sickler

“Men always proud of themselves when they got a ‘young’ one is disturbing,” one TikTok user wrote in the comments of the clip.

“Thats just weird…,” another agreed, while a third commneted, “Now there is nothing wrong with his and his wife’s age difference at this point in life. But can we stop with these types of jokes. “

Others didn’t seem the issue, though.

“So what the man has a 20 year age gap his wife is 30 she old enough to make a sound decision about being with her 50 year old husband they are both adults,” a user replied.

Another said, “All these comments are over reacting he obviously meant his wife is a baby just like their baby.”

READ MORE: Josh Duhamel Shares Rare Insight Into Why His Marriage to Fergie Ended

Duhamel and Mari, a former Miss World America, tied the knot in 2022 before welcoming their son, Shepherd, in January 2024. The Ransom Canyon actor also shares 13-year-old son Axl with ex-wife Fergie.

Although Duhamel and Fergie ended their marriage years ago, he's continued to speak positively about both his former and current partners. Earlier this year, he explained that the two simply grew apart because they have "different views of the world," adding that he has "no regrets" about their relationship because "We have a beautiful son."

He also praised the women in his life, calling Mari an "amazing wife" and Fergie an "amazing mom." Duhamel has even shared that the two have a close relationship.

Most people treat eyebrow gel like an afterthought—the last thing you grab before running out the door, applied quickly and without much technique. Which is exactly why so many brows end up looking crunchy, overdone or inexplicably worse after applying a product that was supposed to help them.

Eyebrow gel is genuinely one of the most useful tools in a makeup kit, but it has a narrow margin for error that most of us have been accidentally working against for years.

The good news is that getting it right doesn't require new products or complicated techniques. It mostly requires understanding a few principles that professional makeup artists apply automatically and that nobody ever really explains to the rest of us.

Whether you're trying to tame unruly brow hairs, create the illusion of fullness or just get your brows to stay put through a long, full day, the easy techniques and tricks here will change how you approach the whole step. Here's what five fabulous makeup artists have to share about their best tips, their go-to brow gel method and the mistakes they see constantly. 

Related:Makeup Artist Reveals the #1 Eyebrow Color Mistake That Washes Out Women With Gray Hair

Our Panel of Makeup Artists

• Amanda Robinson, celebrity lash and brow artist and founder of Iris+West, whose clients include Mandy Moore and Molly Baz
• Lauren D'Amelio Ventre, global makeup educator and celebrity and bridal artist
• T. Cooper, professional makeup artist
• Nydia Figueroa, celebrity makeup artist
• Lisa Eldridge, one of the world's most respected makeup artists and founder of Lisa Eldridge Beauty

Related: ‘Eyebrow Mapping’ Is the Secret to Great Brows at Any Age, Expert Reveals

This Is the Genius Eyebrow Gel Trick Makeup Artists Swear By

The trick that multiple experts keep coming back to independently is one most people have never tried: brush against the grain first, then style into place.

D'Amelio Ventre explains why this works so well: "It coats every hair from the base, creating noticeably more fullness and much better hold with less product," she tells Parade. Once you've brushed backward, you then brush upward through the front of the brow and diagonally outward toward the tail.

"It creates lift while still looking soft and effortless," she adds.

Figueroa uses the same approach, applying gel in the opposite direction of hair growth first and then going back to lay the hairs down. "This way, you're not just applying it to the top layer alone," she explains. "This hack will secure even the most unruly brows."

Eldridge describes it as getting "brow gel right into the roots of the hair, almost back-combing the brows first."

Related:14 Best Brow Gels for 2026, Tested by Makeup Artists

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How To Use Eyebrow Gel for Fuller-Looking Brows

The illusion of fullness comes from dimension rather than product volume. Eldridge's technique is primo for this. "I like to brush the gel upwards first because it instantly reveals the brow's natural fullness, then gently smooth the hairs into the shape I want while the gel is still workable," she explains. "You're creating the illusion of more volume simply by lifting and separating each hair."

Robinson calls this approach "backcombing"—brushing against the grain to lift each hair and fan it out, coating the entire surface rather than just the top.

"You get the illusion of more density without adding a single extra hair," she says.

D'Amelio Ventre adds an interesting counterintuitive point about sparse areas. "Ironically, I also avoid filling every tiny gap," she tells Parade. "Natural brows have variation and a little negative space. Leaving some of that texture visible actually creates a much more realistic, fuller-looking brow."

Related: 12 Best Eyebrow Growth Serums for Fuller, Thicker Brows, Tested by Dermatologists

How to apply eyebrow gel without it looking stiff or overdone

The answer everyone gives is the same (and it's a little counterintuitive!): use less product than you think you need.

"I always remove excess product from the wand before it ever touches the brow," D'Amelio Ventre says. "Most people aren't using the wrong eyebrow gel. They're simply using too much of it."

Robinson's method is similar; you load the spoolie lightly, wipe the excess on a tissue and brush in short upward strokes rather than one heavy swipe. The goal, she says, is brows that look groomed, not glued down.

If too much product is already on, Cooper has a great tip: "After applying, I like to brush through the brows a few more times with whatever product is left on the wand," she explains. "This removes excess product while keeping enough behind to hold the hairs in place."

D'Amelio Ventre says that "while laminated brows have been trending, working with your natural growth pattern almost always creates a more flattering result. My goal is never to create a completely different brow. It's to enhance the one you already have."

Related: This Is the Best Eyebrow Color for Gray Hair, According to a Makeup Artist

How to make eyebrow gel last all day

Clean brows hold gel dramatically better than brows with anything in them.

"Brows often have moisturizer, foundation, sunscreen or powder sitting on the hairs, and those products can prevent the gel from gripping properly," D'Amelio Ventre explains. Her solution is brushing through the brows with a clean spoolie before applying any gel.

Figueroa adds a timing note that most people get wrong: "Many people apply brow gel before makeup, and I feel that might be a mistake because when you apply your makeup afterward, powder can cling to the gel," she tells Parade. "Your best bet is to apply it last and seal your brows so they're fresh and not disrupted."

For extreme longevity—D'Amelio Ventre's bridal clients need brows to survive 12 to 16 hours of heat, humidity and dancing the night away—she presses the gel into the hairs rather than skimming over the surface. "It anchors the product around each individual hair, creating exceptional hold without making the brows feel stiff," she explains.

Robinson reaches for light-hold hairspray when she wants to avoid any of the shine or crunchiness that gel can leave behind. "Spray a little onto a spoolie and brush your brow hairs into place," she says. "It gives you a soft hold without that shiny, crunchy look you get from piling on too much gel."

"Long before I became a makeup artist, I worked for photo shoots and saw old school makeup artists use hairspray and a toothbrush to hold brows in place," Cooper says. "If I'm ever out of brow gel, I'll spray hairspray on a spoolie and brush the brows into place. Works every time."

Related:The Beauty Product Expiration Dates You Should Actually Follow, Dermatologists Explain

Clear vs. Tinted Eyebrow Gel: Which Should You Use?

Both, depending on what your brows need. Clear gel is for brows that already have good color and density and just need hold. Tinted gel is for brows that have lighter hair, sparse areas or could use a bit more definition without requiring a full pencil step.

"Clear brow gel is great to lock them in if you have already used another product to fill them in," she says, adding that when brows are already loaded with product, a tinted gel can tip things into overdone territory.

"Check that the formula doesn't flake or leave white residue," Eldridge says—which is the main downside of some clear gels and worth testing before committing.

Robinson keeps both in her kit because every client situation is different. The right choice, she says, depends on brow density, hair color and the overall makeup look being created.

Related: Can You Use Minoxidil To Grow Out Your Eyebrows?

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5 Common Eyebrow Gel Mistakes To Avoid, Makeup Artists Warn

Here's what the experts say you should stop doing with your brows.

1. Using too much product

This is the mistake every single expert raises first. More gel creates heavier, crunchier, more obvious brows rather than fuller, more defined ones.

Robinson's rule is to wipe the excess off the spoolie before application. Cooper's fix is to brush through the brows several more times after application to distribute and remove any excess. As D'Amelio Ventre says, "More gel doesn't create fuller brows. It creates heavier brows."

2. Choosing a tinted gel that's too dark

The goal of a tinted gel is to add subtle depth and definition, not to dramatically darken the brow.

"Brows should frame the eyes, not overpower them," D'Amelio Ventre says. Going one shade lighter than your instinct often produces a more natural result.

Related: The Eyebrow Gel Hack Women Over 50 Need To Try ASAP, According to Anastasia Beverly Hills’ CEO

3. Brushing in only one direction

Cooper recommends brushing through the brows in every direction—up, down, left and right—before settling into the final shape. "This makes sure the product is evenly distributed," she explains.

Applying gel in only one direction leaves some hairs coated and others untouched, which creates inconsistency in hold and finish.

4. Not letting it dry before touching your face

Robinson calls this out as one of the most common mistakes she sees. Gel needs a few seconds to set before you touch the area, press glasses against your face or do anything else that might disturb the shape. Skipping this step undoes the technique before it has a chance to work.

5. Treating gel as a stand-alone fix

"There's sometimes a tendency to treat brow gel like a 'fix-all' product, when actually it works best when it's enhancing what's already there," Eldridge says. "If the brows haven't been lightly filled or shaped where needed, no amount of gel will quite replace that structure."

D'Amelio Ventre suggests stepping back several feet once the brows are finished.

"Brows can appear perfectly balanced from six inches away but look completely different from conversational distance," she says. "Beautiful eyebrows should support the face, not steal the spotlight."

Up Next:

Science fiction novels are consistently popular among book readers. Within the last two decades, sci-fi fans have been treated to novels that stretch the imagination and pose questions about future societies and new worlds. The publication Collider recently spotlighted acclaimed science fiction books released after 2001 with a ranking of "the 13 greatest sci-fi books of the past 20 years."

The list, published on July 17, included novels like Suzanne Collins' young adult hit The Hunger Games, published in 2008, Blake Crouch's 2016 book Dark Matter, 2014's Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer, and Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem, released in 2008. Collider crowned Andy Weir's popular 2011 novel, The Martian, as the top sci-fi book published after 2001.

Weir's novel, which first drew in fans when it was a self-published project, has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 1,356,841 readers on Goodreads. The book's 2015 film adaptation, which has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 91 percent, proved to be a blockbuster with a worldwide gross of $630,621,406, as reported by Box Office Mojo.

Andy Weir Shared How He Came Up With the Premise of 'The Martian' in a 2015 Interview

In a 2015 interview on The Talking Room, Weir shared how he came up with The Martian, which follows astronaut Mark Watney navigating Mars while alone. He explained that he had been researching space flights and daydreaming about what a mission to Mars would look like before even deciding to write a book.

"I'm kind of a dork. And so I really like to sit around and think about the space agency and space programs and manned and unmanned space flight. I was sitting around thinking how could we do a manned Mars mission, like with the technology we have right now," explained the author, who also wrote the 2021 novel, Project Hail Mary. "What would it entail? How do you get people to Mars? How do you get them to the surface? How do you get them back up? It takes a lot of Delta-V, and you need to have a ship that can support people for months at a time. But at the same time, you need to land on Mars and come back."

He then said that he began to look into "all these things that could go wrong" for a crew while on Mars and tried to propose different solutions.

"This could break, that could break, these two things could break at the same time. How do we deal with that? And then I started to realize the increasingly desperate solutions. I'm like, 'Well, theoretically, they could survive if they did this and that.' I realized that makes for a pretty interesting story, so I created a poor, hapless main character and subjected him to all of them," quipped Weir during the 2015 interview.

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Summer is well underway, ushering in sunshine, searing temperatures, and plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors. Sprucing up your garden is a great way to get into that summer spirit, and these solar sunflower lights are the perfect addition, especially since they’re on sale at Walmart right now. 

Normally priced at $37, the Keyohome Sunflower Solar Garden Lights are down to $18. This set comes with two vibrant stake lights, which each sport three solar sunflower heads. Shoppers can also snag a set of stake lights with six heads each for $20 and a single head duo for $14.

Keyohome Sunflower Solar Garden Lights, $18 (was $37) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

These sunflower lights come with warm-white LEDs that "brighten up" any patio and a built-in rechargeable battery that charges in direct sunlight. Expect around eight to twelve hours of runtime after four to six hours of charging, with automatic on at dusk and off at dawn settings (there’s also a manual switch). The build mixes silk petals with a stainless steel stem and a plastic base, finished with an IP65 waterproof rating for protection. 

One helpful reviewer said that these sunflower lights “add beauty” and “look great with our landscaping during the day and light up at night.” This same shopper also said that many of their neighbors stop by to compliment them on the lights, too. A second reviewer said that the lights are “so cute,” and another wrote, “I was afraid these would look cheesy, but took a chance and I love them!”

The fact that these are solar powered makes them super convenient, and you don’t have to mess around with cables or plugs: “No cords or electricity needed. All solar.” While they look great during the day, they really come to life at night, and one shopper said, “These are so pretty and beautiful at night when they light up.”

Related: Walmart's 'Comfy' $20 Strappy Slip-in Sandals 'Pack Easily and Go With Everything'

If you don’t want to wait for flowers to bloom, the Keyohome Sunflower Solar Garden Lights can be yours for just $18. This flash deal will only stick around for a limited time, so if you want to lock down these savings, now’s the time to grab them. 

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.

Released in 1970, "Your Song" introduced the world to one of popular music's greatest songwriting partnerships and its lyricist was still a teenager.

Bernie Taupin was just 17 years-old when he wrote the lyrics to "Your Song," while his musical partner, Elton John, transformed them into the tender ballad that became his breakthrough hit. More than 50 years later, the song remains one of the defining soft rock classics of all time.

The lyrics came together in remarkably ordinary surroundings.

Taupin wrote "Your Song" at the kitchen table of Elton John's mother and stepfather's home shortly after the two young musicians began collaborating.

"I scribbled the lyric down on a lined notepad at the kitchen table of Elton's mother's apartment in the London suburb of Northwood Hills, breakfast time sometime in 1969," Taupin told Town & Country. "That's it. Plain and simple. It was not to my recollection inspired by anyone, although at the time Elton secretly thought it was."

Taupin crafted simple, heartfelt lyrics that reflected a sincerity well beyond his years. Elton John immediately recognized their potential.

After receiving the lyric sheet, he composed the music in about 20 minutes, creating the elegant piano melody that has become inseparable from the song. The natural chemistry between the two young writers would become the foundation of one of the most successful songwriting partnerships in music history.

"It was one of the first songs we wrote when we really got locked into writing," Taupin told American Songwriter. "The great thing about that song is that the naiveté of it is truly honest. It's real. It's not somebody pretending to write a song that is simple and naïve. It is a simple, naïve song."

Listeners quickly embraced the ballad.

Released on Elton John's self-titled album before becoming a single, "Your Song" climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the Top 10 in the United Kingdom. Its understated piano arrangement, warm vocal performance and timeless message of unconditional love helped establish Elton John as an international star.

The song also revealed a different side of popular music at the dawn of the singer-songwriter era.

Rather than relying on grand declarations or elaborate production, "Your Song" found its strength in honesty. Lines like "I hope you don't mind that I put down in words / How wonderful life is while you’re in the world" became some of the most cherished lyrics in pop history, demonstrating the emotional maturity Taupin possessed even as a teenager.

Over the decades, "Your Song" has remained one of Elton John's signature recordings. It has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, regularly appears on lists of the greatest songs ever written, and has been covered by countless artists across multiple genres. John himself has continued to perform it throughout his career, rarely leaving it out of his concerts.

More than five decades after its release, "Your Song" continues to resonate with listeners of all ages. What began as lyrics penned by a 17 year-old Bernie Taupin ultimately became one of soft rock's most beloved anthems, a timeless reminder that extraordinary songwriting can come from even the youngest voices.

Related: 1974 Classic Ballad, Once Spent 32 Weeks Charting, Became a Soft Rock Anthem

The magic behind ChristopherNolan’sThe Odyssey is thanks to 35 bronze gongs and ancient Greek instruments.

The film’s composer, LudwigGöransson, wanted the score to feel authentic to the time.

“It’s not like the orchestra existed back then,” he told Time Magazine. “It was a challenge and also an opening to try to make something unique.”

Göransson composed Nolan’s Tenet and Oppenheimer, making this their third time working together. The duo revealed the score for The Odyssey is unlike anything they have ever worked on.

In a YouTube video posted by Universal Pictures, Nolan explained his vision.

“We wanted the film to feel like a recognizable world to people, even though it was going to be ancient Greece,” the director said. “We don’t want it to look and feel like previous movies that take on this kind of classical world. What can we do that’s more timeless than that?”

Göransson gladly accepted the unique challenge. He deep-dived into research to learn more about instruments and music of the time.

The composer knew Nolan wanted to include the sound of the lyre and aulos. The lyre is a U-shaped instrument, comparable to a small harp. The aulos is a wind instrument that sounds a bit like an oboe or a bagpipe. Göransson called it “the most popular rockstar instrument for a thousand years.”

He also gathered 35 bronze gongs of different sizes and experimented with them using synths. Nolan wanted to use bronze because The Odyssey would have been during the Bronze Age. 

Göransson tried other ways to achieve a percussion sound. He was “hitting walls, hitting railings, hitting any things you could find outside, like scrap metal or air conditioning units.”

The composer is excited for audiences to experience the score,  

“The music is definitely a very, very unique world, and I hope people are able to be part of it and fully immerse themselves in this world.”

The Odyssey is now in theaters.

National Auntie Day is right around the corner on July 26, and to celebrate the holiday, beloved pretzel brand Auntie Anne's is offering guests some exciting—and free—treats.

Kicking off their Auntie Day festivities is Auntie Anne's buy one, get one pretzel deal. On July 26, Auntie Anne's Reward Members will receive one free original or cinnamon sugar pretzel with the purchase of any pretzel item, including classic pretzels, pretzel nuggets, mini pretzel dogs and original pretzel dogs, at participating locations.

Auntie Anne's and kindness-oriented beaded bracelet brand Little Words Project are also teaming up for an adorable Auntie Day collab, offering guests a limited-edition bracelet, featuring a pretzel bead, lettering spelling out the word "auntie" and blue, white and gold beads inspired by Auntie Anne's signature colors.

The bracelet, perfect for aunts as well as aunt figures, will be available in-store at participating locations on July 26 and will be free with a qualifying purchase while supplies last. Locations offering the bracelet include:

• Long Island, NY: Roosevelt Field Mall (next to Build-A-Bear)
• Philadelphia, PA: King of Prussia Mall (Upper Level)
• Minneapolis, MN: Mall of America (Level 2)
• Chicago, IL: Woodfield Mall (Upper Level)
• Atlanta, GA: Perimeter Mall
• Los Angeles, CA: Century City
• Tampa, FL: International Plaza
• Charlotte, NC: Concord Mills (Food Court)

If you're not local to one of those locations, fear not. These limited-edition bracelets will also be available online beginning on July 20. Loyalty rewards members can score the bracelet online for $10, and all guests can purchase one for $12, using the code AUNTIEDAY. Don't wait, though; even online, there are limited quantities of these bracelets.

The free limited-edition bracelet is one per person in stores. The BOGO pretzel deal must be redeemed in the Auntie Anne's Rewards App and is single use. The discount applies to the item of least value, and it is not valid with any other offer or reward. Other fees and taxes may apply.

Sheila E., who rose to stardom as a protégé of Prince in the ’80s, loves to show the world her ageless looks.

The singer and musician, 68, is often referred to as the “Queen of Percussion” thanks to her incredible drumming skills. After going out on her own, she rocked the world with her successful solo career. Her 1984 hit, “The Glamorous Life,” became a Billboard Top 10 hit and is her anthem that she still performs at every show. Still going strong, the star won her first Grammy in 2025. But as fans of her social media can see, Sheila E. can still rock out with the best of them, no matter her age. In a new social media post, Sheila sported a black string bikini as she soaked up the sun on the beach, making it clear that she's not waiting until her 69th birthday to celebrate.

"Celebrating my birthday every day. 69 here I come Dec 12th 🔥🔥💯💕🙏🏽 U have to celebrate ur life too!!! #celebration#summer#escovedo#queenofpercussion#sheilaedrummer," the music master captioned the post, which showed her posing in the bikini.

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Sheila E. Loves to Ham it Up on Social Media

As fans of her social media can see, Sheila E. can still dress up and rock out with the best of them. In another recent video, the star sports a Batgirl costume as she walks down the hallway.

“Sometimes you just have to ! 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽Happy Saturday,” Sheila E. captioned the video, which saw her sporting knee-high black boots, a sky-high bun, a latex Batgirl costume, and a black mask.

View this post on Instagram What Did Sheila E. Win Her First Grammy For?

While she’s been a star for decades with endless hits under her belt, Sheila E. won her first Grammy in 2025 in the Best Global Music Performance category for “Bemba Colorá,” a collaboration with Gloria Estefan and Mimy Succar.

Check out the video for the heart-pumping tune below!

Related: Sheila E. Looks Amazing at 68 in Pants-Free Dance: ‘You Just Turned on an Entire Generation of Men'

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With temperatures continuing to rise as summer marches on, you may find yourself spending less time enjoying being outside. If you want to bring the beauty of the outdoors inside (where the air conditioning is), sometimes all it takes is a simple decor swap: a botanical shower curtain, a fun floral lamp, or a rug woven from natural fibers. To beat the heat in more ways than one, you could start by replacing your bedding with something light, airy, and garden-inspired. Right now, Macy's has a ton of fantastic deals on bedding, but one comforter set stands out as the perfect mid-summer refresh — and it's currently 70% off in every size!

Normally $80, the Penelope Reversible Printed 3-Piece Comforter Set is on sale for just $24 in twin, full/queen, and king sizes. The reversible design of this floral bedding set gives you two fresh looks, so you can easily switch up the vibe of your bedroom anytime the mood strikes.

Penelope Reversible Printed 3-Piece Comforter Set, $24 (was $80) at Macy's

Courtesy of Macy's

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This three-piece bedding set includes the comforter and two matching shams in the full/queen or king sizes and one sham for the twin size. A lovely floral print on one side bursts from a cool gray background in shades of pink, blue, and yellow with gorgeous pops of color. The reverse side also features a dreamy array of cascading flowers, but in tranquil cream hues. 

Made of microfiber, the featherlight comforter is ideal for warm summer nights when you want to feel cozy but need to stay cool. Once fall rolls around, you could easily throw another blanket on the bed if you need more warmth but still want to keep the botanical aesthetic as the seasons change. Macy's shoppers said this set was "easy to wash," holding up in the washer and dryer without fraying or fading. 

Reviewers were impressed by this "very lightweight" and "soft" comforter set, particularly for spring and summer. One person shared that the "pleasant design" boasts "beautiful flowers."  Describing the reverse side of the comforter, one shopper said the beige and white floral design looked "serene."

Shop More Deals

• Colesville Reversible 3-Piece Comforter Set, $30 (was $80) at Macy's
• Aiden Striped 8-Piece Comforter Set, $40 (was $100) at Macy's
• Kathryn Botanical 8-Piece Comforter Set, $40 (was $100) at Macy's

Related: Martha Stewart's Farmhouse Bedding Sets Are Perfect for Refreshing Your Guest Room

Sleep like a dream this summer with the garden-inspired Penelope Reversible Printed 3-Piece Comforter Set. Snag the enchanting set in any size for just $24 right now at Macy's!

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. 

At a time when Dungeons & Dragons was captivating the country, Rankin/Bass produced the animated television version of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. Following that success, they sought the help of a Japanese studio to bring another fantasy to life: Peter S. Beagle's best-selling tale, The Last Unicorn.

It's not uncommon for young girls to love unicorns, but I don't know if many can pinpoint the exact moment their obsession began. I can. I was five years old, visiting a great-aunt with my family. As the only kid on the visit, I was bored out of my mind when my mom's cousin asked if I'd like to watch a movie. They had a giant TV for the '90s, and my cousin was a movie fanatic and collected countless things about film. He happened to have a copy of the film and put it on. From the opening scene to the ending credits, I was enraptured.

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The story centers around a unicorn discovering her kin have all mysteriously vanished, so she embarks on a noble quest to find them. The journey proves tumultuous, as she is captured, meets friends and foes, and is forced to confront her immortality by facing the dastardly "red bull."

While it is easy to write it off as a silly anime, it was actually packed with a star-studded cast, almost all of whom jumped at the chance to play their iconic roles:

• Mia Farrow as The Unicorn / Lady Amalthea
• Alan Arkin as Schmendrick the Magician
• Jeff Bridges as Prince Lír
• Tammy Grimes as Molly Grue
• Christopher Lee as King Haggard
• Angela Lansbury as Mommy Fortuna
• Keenan Wynn as Captain Cully / The Celaeno Harpy
• Robert Klein as The Butterfly
• Paul Frees as Mabruk the Magician / The Cat
• Don Messick as The Roc / King Haggard's Guards
• Nellie Bellflower as The Tree
• René Auberjonois as The Skull

On top of that, the soundtrack's main song was performed by the legendary soft rock band America, and the original score is genuinely so good that it has a spot on my playlist.

The Last Unicorn's Emphatic Cast

The big names you see on the credit sheet were all thrilled to be part of the project.

“We decided to get the best people we could get,” Jules Bass, one of the movie's directors, said in an interview. “And one thing that’s interesting about it, and this is unique, is that every single person whom we approached to do it said yes immediately.”

When Bridges heard about the project, he reportedly called Bass to ask whether a role was open, according to Mental Floss. When he informed him that Prince Lír was available, he offered to do it for free or at whatever even the smaller characters were making. He was hired instantly.

Lee was particularly besotted with the role. In his obituary, written by Beagle himself, he noted that Lee jumped at the chance to perform the English and German versions of the animation, and told him he was a huge fan of the book. The two kept in touch over the years, and when Beagle called him on his 90th birthday, he once again declared his love for the book and film in a way only Lee could.

"I remember him assuring me that 'if, by the time you come to make your live-action version of your movie, I have passed on, do not let it concern you. I have risen from the dead several times. I know how it’s done,'" he wrote.

I certainly know if The Last Unicorn is re-animated or remade in any way, I will be first in line with a ticket.

Jim Parsons began his career on stage before gaining fame as one of the highest-paid TV actors, playing the role of Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory. Now, the actor opens up about the price he paid on the rise to fame.

The CBSsitcom put Parsons on the map throughout its 12-season run on the air, which led him to win four Primetime Emmy Awards. While many actors would relish the fame and the stardom, Parsons admitted during an appearance on All Out with Jon Dean that he sacrificed a lot emotionally, which led him to be unhappy.

“I look back now and realize that there were many ways, at some of the best moments of my life, I was miserable,” Parsons said. “I was not happy. I was stressed."

“I felt that there was so many plates I was supposed to be keeping in the air and that the success and the good things of life that were happening were only due to this overworking … discipline and whatever. And maybe to a degree that was true. I don’t know.”

Playing Sheldon on the hit series wasn't an easy task based on the character's mannerisms, and Parsons acknowledges that his intense discipline contributed to his success on the sitcom. At the same time, he believes it was his downfall due to putting constant pressure on himself.

The Big Bang Theory became a big part of Parsons' jumpstart in his career, but he admits that he "wouldn’t do that again and for any amount of money." In the end, putting so much into the series led it to become "stressful and miserable," and he made himself miserable as well.

Parsons doesn't necessarily consider it a result of work ethic, but "it translated in part into a work ethic, but it was really just obsessive behavior basically.” For the actor, his discipline and perfectionism were rooted in something being "OCD in nature." There was a list in his mind of things in his mind that needed to get done for him to feel like he did his job right, "which I don't think was true."

As a result, Parsons felt he missed out a lot on life amid the fame of The Big Bang Theory, and admits he isn't sure if he's found a better balance in his life. While knowing he can't go back to how he was, he also admits, "well, I wouldn’t be where I am right now if I hadn’t had that time of life."

Since the sitcom, Parson has appeared on and off screen, with his latest work being an on-stage production of the jukebox musical Titanique.

Related: Olympic Runner, Who Fell During the Race, Finished With Help From an Unforgettable Person

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Soft surfaces and smart proportions can make a room feel finished without overwhelming it. In smaller homes, every piece has to earn its place and furniture that multitasks tends to deliver the most value. A table that can hold everyday items while still looking refined gives a room both purpose and personality.

That balance matters most when space is limited. A good accent piece should feel light enough to move visually, sturdy enough for daily use, and attractive enough to stand on its own. When a room needs structure without bulk, the right table can serve as a quiet anchor.

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Sagebrook Home 20x16 Storage Accent Table With Marble Top, $149.99 at T.J. Maxx

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The Sagebrook Home Storage Accent Table With Marble Top does exactly that. It brings in a natural material that instantly reads as polished and timeless. The storage element adds everyday usefulness, whether the table sits beside a sofa, next to a chair or in a bedroom corner that needs a little order.

Related: Marshalls Antique-Inspired Lamp Set Gives a Luxe Look for a Budget-Friendly Cost

The design works because it keeps the look simple. Marble adds pattern and texture without making the piece feel busy, while the compact size makes it easy to place in tight spots. That makes it a strong choice for shoppers who want style without committing to a large furniture footprint.

It also fits a trend that keeps showing up in home design: furniture that looks decorative but still solves a problem. A table like this can hold a lamp, a drink, a book or a small tray, and the hidden storage can help reduce clutter. That combination makes it especially useful in homes where function has to come first.

For buyers who want one piece to do more than one job, this is an appealing option. It brings a clean, updated look to a room while helping keep essentials close at hand. In other words, it is the kind of accent table that adds style without asking for extra space.

Related: Costco's Antique-Inspired Gold Wall Mirror Is a Charming Addition to Any Room

Teenage tragedy songs dominated radio in the late 1950s and early 1960s. For whatever reason, melodramatic ballads about young lovers meeting heartbreaking ends struck a chord with listeners.

"Running Bear" was one of the genre's biggest hits, reaching No. 1 twice, first for Johnny Preston in 1959, then for Sonny James a decade later.

Once stars like Elvis Presley proved teenagers could drive the music business, record companies started chasing that audience. Soon, songs about young romances gone tragically wrong were everywhere.

Wayne Cochran's "Last Kiss" and the Shangri-Las' "Leader of the Pack" became two of the trend's biggest hits, and "Running Bear" was right there alongside them.

The song tells the story of two Indigenous teenagers, Running Bear and Little White Dove, who fall in love despite coming from rival tribes.

With their tribes keeping them apart and a river blocking their path, the two lovers make one last attempt to be together. They jump into the water and swim toward each other, but they never make it across.

According to Songfacts, the song was actually written by the Big Bopper, who chose not to record it himself. He was known for novelty songs, and this one just felt too heavy for his style. So he passed it along to Preston instead.

Preston's original recording didn't come out until August 1959, with George Jones on backing vocals. The song hit a snag after the Big Bopper died in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, which left copyright questions to sort out.

Once it was finally released, "Running Bear" took off. Preston's track reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1960, staying there for three weeks. It also topped the charts in the U.K. 

A decade later, James showed the song still had life left in it. He took his own version to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1969, where it also stuck around for three weeks. 

Jones took a crack at the song as well, but his version never found the same success as Preston's or James'.

In 1978, the Doobie Brothers were at the height of their fame when they did something totally unexpected.

Already well known for the songs “China Grove,” “Listen to the Music,” and more, the California rockers were no strangers to appearances on music-related TV shows such as The Midnight Special and Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert. But in 1978, the Doobies made a cameo like no other on the hit sitcomWhat’s Happening!!.

The two-parter, titled, “Doobie or Not Doobie,” originally aired in January 1978 on ABC.

The storyline featured main charcater Raj (Haywood Nelson) and his pals going to a Doobie Brothers concert, with Rerun (Fred Berry) getting caught illegally recording the show.

Doobie Brothers bandmates Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons, and Tiran Porter had several lines in the episode and even got in a plug for their then-new album Livin’ on the Fault Line. The band also performed several songs, including "Black Water" and "Takin' It to the Streets.”

One of the most memorable lines from the episode came when Nelson’s character asked one of the band members, “Which Doobie you be?”

Nearly 50 years later, fans still remember the “Doobie or Not Doobie” episodes fondly and have made “Which Doobie you be?” into an enduring catchphrase.

ABC Photo Archives / Getty Images

With a greatest hits blockbuster already under their belt (1976’s Best of the Doobies), and their biggest-selling studio album, Minute by Minute, just around the corner, the big question became why would the already popular Doobie Brothers agree to a sitcom appearance?

In a 2018 interview with Go Jimmy Go, Simmons revealed that the sitcom cameo came at the suggestion of their publicist, David Gest.

"I was already familiar with What’s Happening!!, because I’d watched the show a few times,” Simmons shared. “I thought it was hilarious and really liked the character of Rerun. …Because it was a Black situation comedy, I thought it would be an adventurous thing for us to do because our music had always been laced with R&B and soul. Not only would our fans tune in, but it would also expose us to a new audience of people who watched the show regularly, and would begin to listen to our music.”

Simmons admitted he has “no idea” how the Doobie Brothers would fit into the show, but added, "[I] thought it was something fun and different to do. David had great ideas, and that was certainly one of them."

RELATED:1970 No. 1 Hit Ranked One of the ‘Top Love Songs of All Time’ Was by a Made-for-TV Band

Speaking with Yahoo! Entertainment, Simmons gave Gest full credit for the Doobie Brothers/What’s Happening!! crossover.

"He was a great publicist,” Simmons said of Gest. “He was really good. He kind of made it up as we went along, but he had great ideas — how to stage events, interesting interviews for us, different things that we hadn’t really done before. That’s how we ended up on the show. That was his idea.”

Simmons also noted the What’s Happening!! episodes' cultural impact.

“I think our audience broadened and we connected more with the African American community, having those R&B and blues sounds in our music," the Doobie Brothers legend added. "I think people were aware of our social viewpoint, that we really value all of a larger, multicultural social audience. So, doing that show for me was a joy in that regard — to be building what I thought was a bridge, at a time in television where those situation comedies were bridges between cultures."

Related: Huey Lewis Was Booed Every Night on Tour With '70s Rock Band—So He Came Up With a Brilliant Trick

Being the daughter of the King of Pop comes with plenty of perks but apparently, a smooth relationship with his estate isn't one of them. Paris Jackson is heading to court over what she says is years of financial mismanagement tied to her father Michael Jackson's estate. According to a new filing exclusively obtained by Us Weekly, the 28-year-old is demanding nearly $3 million back for her family, taking direct aim at John Branca, the longtime executor who controls the King of Pop's fortune.

Part of the dispute traces back to Paris' own legal bills. She claims Branca "over-litigated" a prior disagreement between them, sticking her with $1.1 million in legal fees that she now wants reimbursed. But the bigger number in the filing comes from something else entirely: Paris alleges Branca funneled $2.85 million in estate funds toward unauthorized gifts - money she says should have gone to the family instead.

CAP D'ANTIBES, FRANCE - MAY 22: Paris Jackson attends the amfAR gala Cannes 2025 presented by Chopard at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 22, 2025 in Cap d'Antibes, France. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

A source close to Paris' legal team suggests this fight has been building for a while. "All Paris has ever wanted is fair treatment for her family, but the Estate has tried to block her at every turn," the source told Us Weekly, describing Branca's handling of the estate as "wasteful spending" and "financial mismanagement," and calling for real accountability going forward.

Unsurprisingly, the estate isn't taking these allegations lying down though its lawyers have been careful about what they'll actually say publicly. In their response, they leaned on attorney-client confidentiality, arguing they have a duty to protect details of their legal strategy rather than litigating the dispute in the press. It's a reminder that even decades after Michael Jackson's death, his legacy (and the fortune behind it) is still very much a family affair, drama included.

Country music singer Gavin Adcock has announced a new album while preparing to hit the road for his 2026 North America tour.

The fast-rising country artist revealed on Instagram that his new album, The Day I Hang It Up, will arrive on Oct. 2. Along with the announcement, Adcock confirmed that the record's title track would be released at midnight for fans eager to hear new music from the Georgia native.

The singer shared a personal message about the journey that inspired the project.

"This last 5 years have been the wildest time of my life. I’ve been through nearly everything a person could imagine writing songs and living on a damn tour bus. Through all of that I’ve stood up to my darkest demons, laughed in the face of adversity, and kept the pedal down letting out music for my fans."

Singer Gavin Adcock performs on the Palomino Stage during day 2 of Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 25, 2026 in Indio, California.

Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Stagecoach

Adcock also made it clear that he has no plans of stepping away from country music anytime soon.

"Some artist come in, make a couple records and disappear for the rest of their life. For me? Imma be doing this shit till the day I die."

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He closed the message by thanking supporters who have followed his career. "I wanna thank every single one of y’all for rockin with me on this wild ride,” he said.

The Day I Hang It Up will be Adcock's next studio release and follows a busy run that has helped turn him into one of country music's fastest-growing names.

Three songs connected to the album are already available for listeners: "Wannabe," "Cheap Thrills" and the title track, "The Day I Hang It Up."

The title song carries a message about commitment to music and staying true to his path. Its chorus includes the lines:

"The day I hang it up, is the day I’m ridin’ out / Flyin’ high above, will put me in the ground / I got it in my blood, too late to change it now / The day I hang it up, is the day they lay me down."

"Cheap Thrills" features fellow country singer Hudson Westbrook, marking only the second time Adcock has invited another artist onto one of his songs. The collaboration follows his earlier track "Almost Gone" with Vincent Mason.

Meanwhile, "Wannabe" highlights themes that have become familiar to Adcock's audience, including country living and small-town values.

The album announcement arrives after several years of rapid growth for the singer-songwriter, who first shifted his focus to music following a football injury while attending Georgia Southern University.

Since then, Adcock has built a loyal audience through songs such as "A Cigarette," which has surpassed 150 million streams, helping establish him as one of the genre's emerging stars.

The album news comes as Adcock prepares for his 2026 North America tour, which shares the same name as the upcoming record.

One confirmed stop on The Day I Hang It Up Tour will bring the singer to Bakersfield, California, on Aug. 14 at Dignity Health Theater. Pecos & The Rooftops and Tyler Nance are scheduled to join him for the show.

Adcock enters the tour with strong momentum. According to organizers, the artist has now surpassed 1.5 billion global streams across his catalog.

His growing popularity has also translated into major touring opportunities. In recent years, he has headlined his own runs, including the Actin' Up Again Tour and the Need To Tour, while also appearing as an opening act on Morgan Wallen's I'm the Problem Tour in 2025.

Born in Athens, Georgia, and raised on his family's cattle farm in Watkinsville, Adcock's music often blends traditional country themes with energetic live performances and an outlaw-country edge.

That style has helped him stand out in a crowded country music landscape and attract a rapidly growing fan base.

With a new album set for release, fresh music already reaching fans and a major North America tour on the calendar, 2026 is shaping up to be another important year in Gavin Adcock's career.

Related: Country Star Is Suddenly Climbing the Charts 12 Years After No. 1 Hit

Metallica is taking inspiration from the band that first conquered Las Vegas' Sphere.

After wrapping up its three-year M72 World Tour earlier this month, Metallica has shifted its attention to one of the most ambitious projects of its career: a 24-show residency at Las Vegas' Sphere. According to drummer Lars Ulrich, one legendary rock band's groundbreaking performances at the venue helped shape the group's approach.

Speaking with U2 guitarist The Edge on SiriusXM's Close to the Edge, Ulrich revealed that seeing U2 perform Sphere's opening night in 2023 left a lasting impression.

"We've been working on this for a year, year and a half," Ulrich said of Metallica's upcoming residency. "Certainly thank you to you guys. You know, I was there opening night and was so just f---ing awestruck, inspired, energized, all of it. And it was just like, 'Holy s--t, this is somehow another frontier.'"

Ulrich said the experience felt like witnessing a new era of live performance.

"We're all fortunate enough to be able to do these shows, to connect with these audiences, to play with the configuration and reinvent the staging all the time. But this is something else. This is another level," said Ulrich.

Metallica will launch its Life Burns Faster Sphere residency on Oct. 1, with 24 performances scheduled through March 13, 2027. The band has been developing the production for more than a year and expects it to be unlike anything it has attempted before.

Ulrich also credited U2 with showing what was possible inside the revolutionary venue.

"You guys were the first ones in, and it was just so incredible to see that night," he said. "Three years later, when we start here in a few months, we're so excited."

Even after decades of headlining stadiums around the world, Ulrich admitted Sphere presents a unique challenge.

"It's going to be challenging," he said. "Like everybody else I've talked to about it, it's overwhelming and intimidating. But hopefully when we step out on stage that first night, we'll have it somewhat together."

He added that stepping outside the band's comfort zone is exactly what makes the residency exciting.

"We have a tendency to put ourselves in environments that we completely control and know," Ulrich explained. "I think it's really good to throw yourself for the loop like that."

Metallica's Life Burns Faster residency begins Oct. 1 at Sphere in Las Vegas.

Related: '80s Rocker Says Metallica 'Always Had an Attitude Like They Were Better Than Everybody Else'