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Iconic Magic Castle in Hollywood Catches Fire
The iconic Magic Castle in Hollywood sustained damage on Tuesday after a fire broke out in the attic.
Smoke was seen billowing from the roof as firefighters battled a blaze just before 5:30 p.m. on April 7, NBC LA reported.
"First-arriving companies are in offensive mode, coordinating roof ventilation, fire suppression, and salvage operations on the third floor," LAFD said in a statement to CBS News.
The beloved dinner-and-a-show venue opened at 5 p.m. Tuesday, just moments before the fire broke out. Luckily, no injuries were reported, and crews were able to quickly contain the fire. It's unclear what caused the fire.
DEVELOPING: LA City Firefighters are on scene of a fire in the attic at Hollywood's Magic Castle.
Over 100 firefighters battled the house fire in the 300 block of N. Delfern Drive, with "major emergency status," declared by LAFD.
Katherine Picazo pic.twitter.com/9lOBN1GKs5
The three-story Victorian mansion was built in 1909, and was transformed into the Magic Castle in 1963.
Aubrey Plaza Expecting Baby No. 1 with Partner Chris Abbott
Aubrey Plaza is pregnant!
A source told People on Tuesday, Apr. 7 that Plaza is expecting her first baby with her partner, actor Chris Abbott, and is due this fall. A representative for Plaza also confirmed the news to the outlet.
“It was a beautiful surprise after an emotional year,” the source said, adding that the couple feels "very blessed."
Plaza, 41, and Abbott, 40, first collaborated on the 2020 film Black Bear before playing love interests for the 2023-2024 off-Broadway revival of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea—which was Plaza's stage debut.
“He cares but he also doesn’t care; it’s the best recipe for me for a scene partner,” Plaza told The New York Times of working with Abbott in 2023. “It’s fun and it’s also good and it’s also safe. I like to just throw things out the window also and laugh and mess around and not take it so seriously. It’s a hard combo to come by.”
“We’re both unafraid to be ugly and weird and strange,” Abbott added.
The Parks and Recreation alum's pregnancy comes a year after her husband, screenwriter and film director Jeff Baena, died by suicide in January 2025.
Plaza and Baena began dating in 2011 and married in 2021. After Baena's death, it was revealed the pair quietly separated in September 2024.
1966 Rock Classic Recorded 60 Years Ago This Week Hailed as Iconic Band's 'Most Influential Song of All'
One has to wonder: Did the Beatles know they were about to record one of the most influential songs in rock history when they stepped into the studio 60 years ago this week?
"Tomorrow Never Knows," the last track on Revolver, was actually the first song to be recorded for the album, according to the Beatles Bible, with sessions taking place on April 6, 7, and 22.
The title (which doesn't actually appear anywhere in the song) came from one of Ringo Starr's sayings, while the lyrics were inspired by the 1964 book The Psychedelic Experience by Harvard psychologists Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner, and Richard Alpert.
In Leary's introduction, John Lennon read the words, "turn off your mind, relax, float downstream" (which, of course, became the first line of "Tomorrow Never Knows").
As Paul McCartney recalled in Anthology, the song was "definitely John's."
"Round about this time people were starting to experiment with drugs, including LSD," he explained. "John had got hold of Timothy Leary’s adaptation of The Tibetan Book of the Dead, which is a pretty interesting book. For the first time we got the idea that, as with ancient Egyptian practice, when you die you lie in state for a few days, and then some of your handmaidens come and prepare you for a huge voyage. Rather than the British version, in which you just pop your clogs. With LSD, this theme was all the more interesting."
'Tomorrow Never Knows' helped shape the sound of modern musicIn the years since its release, appreciation for the groundbreaking song has only grown. From Rolling Stone to Mojo to Uncut and others, "Tomorrow Never Knows" has shown up on multiple lists of the best Beatles songs of all time — it even made #1 on NME's "The Beatles: every song ranked in order of greatness" list. As Mark Beaumont wrote, "It's possible to trace the origins of most modern music, bar rap, back to The Beatles catalogue. But 'Tomorrow Never Knows' was perhaps their most influential track of all."
"In trying to recreate the sound in Lennon’s head of monks chanting in some cosmic mountain retreat, to accompany lines cribbed from the Tibetan Book Of The Dead intended to emulate a transcendental acid high, the band experimented with loops, sampling, drone and tape manipulation, creating not just the epitome of psychedelia and exposing pop audiences to anti-materialist Eastern ideas, but effectively inventing dance music," Beaumont continued.
As for what music will sound like 60 years from now, chances are the influence of the Beatles will still be apparent. (But then again...tomorrow never knows.)
Related: 1968 No. 1 Hit Was the Longest Running Rock Single of the '60s
Iconic '70s Actor Ranked ‘Best Actor of All Time’
Few actors have left as profound a mark on Hollywood as Marlon Brando.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential performers in film history, Brando has been ranked the "best actor of all time" by Slash Film, a recognition that reflects both his groundbreaking technique and lasting cultural impact.
Brando first rose to prominence with his electrifying performance in the film adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire, where he portrayed Stanley Kowalski after starring in the Broadway production. The role showcased his raw intensity and naturalistic acting style, earning him an Academy Award nomination and helping usher in a new era of emotionally driven performances.
"In Streetcar, some of the guys backstage and me, we used to go down to the boiler room in the theatre and horse around," Brando said in a 1957 interview. "One night I was mixing it up with this guy and - crack! So I walked around to the nearest hospital. My nose was really busted. They had to give me an anaesthetic to set it, and put me to bed. Not that I was sorry. Streetcar had been running about a year and I was sick of it."
He followed that breakout with a string of critically acclaimed roles, including On the Waterfront, in which he played former boxer Terry Malloy. The performance earned him his first Academy Awards win for Best Actor, and remains one of the most celebrated portrayals in film history, highlighted by the iconic "I coulda been a contender" scene.
Brando later delivered another defining performance in The Godfather, taking on the role of Vito Corleone. His portrayal of the powerful yet aging mob patriarch earned him a second Academy Award for Best Actor and cemented his place as a cinematic legend.
Throughout his career, Brando earned multiple Academy Award nominations for standout roles in films such as Viva Zapata!, Julius Caesar and Last Tango in Paris, each showcasing his remarkable range and commitment to character. He also appeared in major productions like Apocalypse Now, where his portrayal of Colonel Kurtz added another unforgettable chapter to his legacy.
Known for pioneering method acting in Hollywood, Brando brought a level of realism and emotional depth that transformed the craft. His performances were often unpredictable, deeply human and impossible to ignore.
"Movies do have the greatest potential," he said. "You can say important things to a lot of people. About discrimination and hatred and prejudice."
Today, his influence can still be seen across generations of actors. From stage to screen, Marlon Brando didn't just deliver iconic performances, he changed acting forever.
Related: 1979 Hit Film Ranked Among ‘Best Movies of All Time’
Shoppers Say Hobby Lobby's Charming New Home Essential Is 'Better Than Expected'
Creating a serene and organized living space is about more than just hiding clutter; it is about choosing storage solutions that enhance the overall aesthetic of your home. In recent years, interior design trends have shifted toward organic modernism. A style that prioritizes natural materials, soft neutral palettes, and tactile textures. By moving away from cold, plastic storage bins and toward materials like timber and woven fibers, homeowners can create an environment that feels both functional and grounded. These natural elements bring a sense of the outdoors inside, fostering a calm atmosphere that helps reduce daily stress.
The challenge most people face is finding a balance between utility and beauty in high-traffic areas like the entryway, living room or home office. Small items—remotes, keys, mail, or craft supplies—often accumulate on flat surfaces, creating visual noise that can make a room feel chaotic. Utilizing decorative containers that feature a mix of textures allows you to tuck these items away while adding a layer of sophisticated design to your shelving or coffee tables. When storage looks like a piece of art, it no longer feels like a chore to keep things tidy; instead, it becomes part of the curated narrative of your home.
Beige Woven Wood Box Set, $25.98 at Hobby Lobby Beige Woven Wood Box SetHobby Lobby
If you are looking to master this look, the Beige WovenWood Box Set offers a perfect blend of rustic charm and contemporary clean lines. Priced at an accessible $25.98, this set of two nesting boxes provides a versatile solution for any room in the house. Crafted from a high-quality blend of wood and fabric, these boxes feature a beautiful beige and black color scheme. The contrast between the light woven fabric and the dark wood accents creates a striking visual appeal that fits seamlessly into farmhouse, bohemian or modern minimalist decor styles.
Related: Aldi's 4-Pack of Dainty Scalloped Plates Add Coquettecore Charm to Any Table Setting
The set includes two distinct sizes to accommodate various storage needs. The small box measures 4.5 x 10.25 x 5.5, making it ideal for holding stationery, tech chargers, or jewelry on a nightstand. The large box measures 5.63" H x 11.75" W x 7" D, providing ample space for larger items like photographs, hand towels in a guest bathroom, or remote controls on a media console. Because they are designed as a set, they can be stacked for a tiered look or placed in different areas of a room to create a cohesive design theme.
Beyond their practical use, these boxes serve as an anchor for shelf styling. Their structured wood frames ensure durability, while the woven fabric exterior adds the softness needed to break up the hard lines of a bookshelf or desk. Whether you are refreshing your workspace or looking for the perfect finishing touch for your mantel, these woven wood boxes offer a timeless, organic look that elevates your organization game.
Related: Dollar General's $6 Retro Essential Adds Bold Style and Extra Space to Everyday Errands
1983 Hit Ranked Among '40 Biggest Drinking Songs' Became a Classic Breakup Anthem
Anytime the 1983 reggae-pop hit "Red Red Wine" by UB40 makes it onto your going playlist, odds are you have one of two things on your mind—either it's TGIF and time for a little Friday night tipsy time, or you're playing that one terrible breakup story over and over in your head again (and you want it to stop!).
With lyrics like, "Red, red wine / Go to my head / Make me forget that I / Still need her so," it's no surprise that UB40's "Red Red Wine" remains an anthem for the heartbroken, or more specifically, an anthem for drowning out the heartbreak. However, with its punchy, rhythmic beat, "Red Red Wine" certainly doesn't have to be a downer track. In fact, the song made Billboard's list of "40 Biggest Drinking Songs" so it clearly has a laid-back celebratory vibe too.
Related: 1980s Dance Anthem From 'Flashdance' Was Inspired by a Slasher Film of the Same Name
"Red Red Wine," which is featured on the 1983 UB40 Labour of Love album, is actually a cover of a 1967 Neil Diamond song. Diamond's folksy ballad-like version wasn't a chart crusher in its day, peaking at No. 67 on the Billboard 100 list in April 1968.
The UB40 version, on the other hand, became a massive international hit, topping the UK Singles Chart in 1983. And finally in 1988, "Red Red Wine" hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 after UB40 performed the song at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert in June 1988. The concert held at Wembley Stadium in London included a stellar lineup of performers, including George Michael, Whitney Houston, Tracy Chapman, Chrissie Hynde, Dire Straits, and the Bee Gees, among others.
Watch the official UB40 "Red Red Wine" music video, in which lead singer Ali Campbell strangely drowns his sorrows in several beers, and not red, red wine after all.
Curious about Neil Diamond's version of "Red Red Wine"? Have a listen:
Target’s 'Buttery Soft' $50 Striped Reversible Quilt Set Radiates Coastal Farmhouse Charm
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Now that spring is here and temperatures are starting to rise, it’s a good time to swap out your heavy comforter for something lighter. A quilt set is a great option since these collections are breathable, easy to layer, and help keep you comfortable without overheating at night.
One standout pick is the Becky Cameron All-Season Striped Quilt Set. It’s currently on sale for 40% off at Target, bringing the price down from $83 to just $50 for a twin or twin XL set.
Becky Cameron All-Season Striped Quilt Set, $50 (was $83) at Target Shop at TargetIt comes in three sizes: twin/twin XL, full/queen, and king/California king. The twin size includes a coverlet and one pillow sham, while the larger sizes come with two shams. Each sham features an envelope-style closure for a clean and secure fit.
The quilt is made from a soft microfiber fabric and filled with an artificial down alternative. It’s double-brushed for added softness and designed with a durable weave that holds up over time. The lightweight feel makes it comfortable for sleeping without being too heavy, and it’s a good option for those with allergies or sensitive skin.
There are two color options to choose from: dark blue and white stripes or beige and white stripes. The reversible design gives you two looks in one, while the subtle quilted stitching adds dimension and visual interest to your bed.
The overall style blends relaxed, coastal-inspired elements with a modern farmhouse feel. It works well with a wide range of aesthetics, including beachy, rustic, Scandinavian, and classic preppy styles. The airy design is especially suited for spring and summer, and it layers nicely with throws and decorative pillows.
One shopper described the set as “buttery soft,” writing, “It's lightweight to prevent overheating while keeping you cozy all night long. I love that it's reversible if I want to change up the look of our bedroom.” Another called it “cozy and pretty,” adding, “I ordered this for the spring/summer season as a lighter bedspread and I love it. It keeps me warm but not hot, washes up great, and looks as gorgeous as the picture.”
Shop More Deals- Bedsure Throw Blanket, From $20 (was $60) at Target
- Becky Cameron Geometric and Floral Modern Reversible Quilt and Shams Set, From $40 (was $66) at Target
- C&F Home Pinecones & Berries Quilt Set, $60 (was $88) at Target
If you’re looking to refresh your bedding for warmer weather, the Becky Cameron All-Season Striped Quilt Set is a great choice. With the current 40% discount, you can save over $30 on this lightweight, versatile set right now.
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.
Iconic '60s Folk-Rock Star Shares Exciting Update About Summer Tour
Bob Dylan isn't slowing down anytime soon. The legendary singer-songwriter has added a fresh batch of U.S. dates to his already expansive 2026 summer tour.
This will push his itinerary further into the Southwest and Midwest. New stops include Tucson, Austin, and Chicago, and Dylan, 84, will even spend July 4th on stage—playing Kansas City, Missouri for the holiday.
The tour, which kicked off March 21 in Omaha, Nebraska, is a continuation of his Rough and Rowdy Ways trek that first launched back in 2021, named after his 2020 album of the same name. By the time this run wraps, Dylan will have crossed the 300-concert milestone, which is a remarkable feat for any artist, let alone one who has been at it for more than six decades.
READ MORE: Era-Defining 2000s Rock Band Announces First Album in 6 Years
Off the road, Dylan has been keeping busy in a decidedly unexpected way. The iconic musician recently launched a Patreon—and fans have thoughts. For $5 a month, subscribers won't be getting unreleased music or deep dives into classic albums like Blonde on Blonde. Instead, they're getting Lectures From The Grave, a historical fiction series featuring AI-voiced narrators channeling figures like Aaron Burr, Wild Bill Hickok, and Frank James. There's also a "Letters Never Sent" component, featuring fictional correspondence from historical figures like Mark Twain and Rudolph Valentino.
Dylan announced the Patreon venture on March 29 via Instagram, and the fan reaction has been... mixed. "I love you, Bob, but someone really needs to take your phone away from you," one fan commented on an earlier preview clip. "Bro, no one has time for this," wrote another.
Regardless, fans are excited over the expanded tour dates. If you want to catch Dylan on the road this summer, tickets are available now.
Aldi's Beautiful New Boho Chic Bag Is Flying Off Shelves at Just $10
As the seasons transition and the sun begins to linger longer in the sky, the fashion world undergoes a tactile transformation. Heavy leathers and structured synthetics make way for materials that breathe, move, and tell a story of craftsmanship. Crochet and woven textiles have reclaimed their spot at the forefront of style, moving beyond their vintage roots to become staples of the modern Boho-chic aesthetic. These textures offer a unique blend of nostalgia and effortless cool, providing a soft, organic contrast to the digital sharpness of our everyday lives. Whether you are walking through a weekend farmer's market or dancing at a summer music festival, the right woven accessory adds an air of artisanal charm to any ensemble.
The beauty of incorporating hand-crafted textures into a wardrobe lies in their incredible versatility. A well-chosen accessory can bridge the gap between a casual daytime look—like denim shorts and a simple white tee—and a more elevated evening outfit consisting of a flowing linen dress and sandals. Beyond the visual appeal, there is a functional benefit to choosing lightweight, flexible materials during the warmer months. These pieces are inherently packable, making them the ultimate companions for travel and outdoor adventures. By focusing on accessories that prioritize both form and tactile interest, fashion enthusiasts can curate a look that feels personal, grounded, and perpetually in style.
LS LIVE IN STYLE Crochet Crossbody, $9.99 at Aldi LS LIVE IN STYLE Crochet Crossbody - StripeAldi
For those looking to embrace this trend without breaking the bank, the LS LIVE IN STYLE Crochet Crossbody is an absolute standout. Available for the incredible price of just $9.99, this bag captures the essence of summer style with its intricate woven crochet design. While many affordable accessories sacrifice quality for price, this piece features a lined interior to ensure your belongings stay secure and don't slip through the weave. The fold-over top provides a classic silhouette and an extra layer of security for your essentials while you're on the move.
Designed for maximum comfort and utility, the bag is equipped with a long crossbody strap, allowing for hands-free convenience whether you are commuting or exploring a new city. The Stripe pattern offers a nautical, breezy vibe that pairs perfectly with summer neutrals, but the collection also offers variety to suit different personalities. If stripes aren't your preference, you can find this must-have accessory available in Natural or Patchwork designs as well. Each option provides a different take on the crochet trend, from the minimalist earthy tones of the Natural version to the eclectic, vibrant energy of the Patchwork style.
At such an accessible price point, the LS LIVE IN STYLE crossbody makes it easy to experiment with texture and pattern. It is a testament to the fact that high style doesn't require a high investment. By adding a piece like this to your collection, you are embracing a trend that celebrates the beauty of the weave and the freedom of the crossbody lifestyle.
The Timeless Voice That Changed Music Forever Is Being Celebrated Today
Though taken too early, Billie Holiday will forever be remembered for her contributions to music. And it all started at a young age.
Sparked from an interest in jazz and blues, PBS reports, the renowned singer launched her career at a Harlem speakeasy. There, she was ultimately "discovered" by age 20. But sadly, Holiday — born Eleanora Fagan Gough — would pass away less than 25 years later.
And now, countless fans of hers — and those who know the music biz — are probably aware that Tuesday, April 7 marks exactly 111 years since the legend was born in Philadelphia. The official Holiday Instagram account even posted a heartfelt tribute to commemorate the milestone.
"Born on this day in 1915, Eleanora Fagan became 'Lady Day,' painting scenes with her evocative, soulful voice," reads the caption of the joint Instagram post. "From her early days at the Apollo Theater to Jazz at the Philharmonic, through late-night club residencies and countless recordings, her legacy lives on—in wit, in heartbreak, in songs like 'God Bless the Child' and 'Strange Fruit.'"
View this post on InstagramFans have flooded the post's comments section with their own loving words. "Happy birthday Billie - mother of music industry," wrote one Instagram user, while another person commented, "She made honesty feel like a sound. Nothing about it feels distant, just true. You can hear the life in it, the feeling, the way each phrase breathes. It stays with you, long after the song ends. I’m always grateful we get to keep hearing her. 🩷"
In addition to her records still being cherished to this day, Holiday's legacy has been honored in other ways of late. In 2021, we were graced with The United States vs. Billie Holiday, an award-winning biopic starring Andra Day in the eponymous role. In addition to an Oscar nomination, the actress, 41, nabbed a well-deserved Golden Globe statue for her portrayal of the "Easy Living" singer.
1986 One-Hit Wonder Was a History-Making No. 1 Hit 40 Years Ago Today
If you weren't around in the mid-80s, it might be difficult to understand what a huge celebrity Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was at the time. Sure, he'd been dead for almost 200 years at that point, but Miloš Forman's 1984 Mozart biopic, Amadeus, made the composer a major pop culture figure...and the movie also paved the way for a song about Mozart that became one of the weirdest one-hit wonders of all time.
On Feb. 8, 1986, the Austrian singer Falco (real name Johann Hölzel) released "Rock Me Amadeus" in the U.S.; by the end of March, the song had gone all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for three weeks. (It remains the only German song to top the U.S. charts to this day, though Nena's "99 Luftbalons" came close, peaking at #2 in 1984, per Stereogum.) "Rock Me Amadeus" was also a huge hit in Austria, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Canada, the U.K. and New Zealand, and the unforgettable music video (featuring Falco dressed up like Mozart and hanging out with a biker gang) was a mainstay on MTV.
So how did an '80s pop song about a classical composer sung mostly in German take over worldwide?
Falco was already a big star in Europe following the success of his second single, 1981's "Der Kommissar," when producer brothers Rob Bolland and Ferdi Bolland sent him a collection of unfinished demos including an early version of "Rock Me Amadeus," as AV Club reported.
Bolland & Bolland wrote the song after watching the Amadeus movie, and while Falco's team apparently liked the tune, the singer was worried that the song would be disrespectful to Mozart's legacy. Finally, Falco relented, making it clear during the recording process that he wasn't happy about it.
It seems Falco's management had good instincts, though, considering "Rock Me Amadeus" was such a worldwide smash — and the artist's only hit of that magnitude. His follow-up single, "Vienna Calling," hit #18, but that was the last time he charted in America. Falco did go on to have hits in Austria and Europe, however, before his death at the age of 40 in 1998.
Related: 1974 No. 1 One-Hit Wonder Became a Timeless Party Anthem
When Does ‘The Testaments’ Come Out? Release Schedule, Episode Count and More for the 'Handmaid's Tale' Spinoff
Good news for fans of the Gilead universe: The Testaments will continue what The Handmaid's Tale started on Wednesday, April 8, with Margaret Atwood's 2019 sequel novel getting its own streaming adaptation, with Handmaid's O.G. Ann Dowd back as the terrifying Aunt Lydia and franchise newcomers Chase Infiniti(One Battle After Another) and Lucy Halliday (Blue Jean) joining the dystopian fray as two young women caught up in the republic's oppressive hold.
As with Atwood's Booker Prize-winning book, The Testaments is "an evolution of The Handmaid’s Tale" as well as "a dramatic coming-of-age story set in Gilead," following young teens Agnes (Infiniti), "dutiful and pious," and Daisy (Halliday), a new arrival and convert from beyond Gilead’s borders. "As they navigate the gilded halls of Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, a place where obedience is instilled brutally and always with divine justification, their bond becomes the catalyst that will upend their past, their present, and their future,” reads the series' official logline, per Hulu.
With the greater Gilead world expanding on streaming as of this week, here's a handy guide to when fans can expect new episodes of The Testaments this spring, as well as episode titles, runtimes, "how to watch" info and more.
When is The Testaments' release date?The Testaments premieres on Hulu on Wednesday, April 8, with its first three episodes becoming available to stream to subscribers that day. Subsequent episodes will be released weekly on Wednesdays, with the season finale scheduled for May 27. The drama will also be available to watch on Disney+.
Related: I’ve Read What People Are Calling the Next ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ — But It’s Much Darker
When do new episodes of The Testaments come out on Hulu?Starting from April 8, The Testaments will release new episodes every Wednesday through May 27. To help you keep track of exactly when you'll be able to watch all of the purple-cloaked drama that Agnes, Daisy and co. get up to this season, here's a handy The Testaments episode release guide:
- Episode 1: "Precious Flowers" - Wednesday, April 8, 2026
- Episode 2: "Perfect Teeth" - Wednesday, April 8, 2026
- Episode 3: "Daisy" - Wednesday, April 8, 2026
- Episode 4: "Green Tea" - Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- Episode 5: "TBA" - Wednesday, April 22, 2026
- Episode 6: "TBA" - Wednesday, April 29, 2026
- Episode 7: "TBA" - Wednesday, May 6, 2026
- Episode 8: "TBA" - Wednesday, May 13, 2026
- Episode 9: "TBA" - Wednesday, May 20, 2026
- Episode 10: "TBA" - Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Related: ‘The Testaments’ Has the Same Problem as ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ — But 1 Element Could Help Fix It
What time are The Testaments episodes available to stream on Hulu?New episodes of The Testaments arrive on Hulu at 12 a.m. Pacific Time and 3 a.m. Eastern.
Ann Dowd reprises her role as Aunt Lydia in Hulu's new The Handmaid's Tale spinoff, The Testaments.Disney/Russ Martin
How many The Testaments episodes are there?There are ten episodes in total for The Testaments season one. That is the same episode count as the first season of its predecessor, The Handmaid's Tale, though that Hulu series did get bumped up to thirteen eps apiece for its second and third season.
What are the runtimes of The Testaments episodes?Runtimes for The Testaments episodes vary, with most hovering around the 45-minute mark: Episode 8 is the season's shortest edition, at 37 minutes, while the longest is the season finale, episode 10, which clocks in at 59 minutes.
Chase Infiniti stars as Agnes in Hulu's new adaptation of Margaret Atwood's 2019 novel, The Testaments.Disney/Russ Martin
Where to watch The Testaments?The Testaments is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+; that means that you'll need a subscription to either service, or a bundle plan, to tune into the new dystopian drama.
As of April 2026, current Hulu subscription plans start at $11.99 per month (or $119.99 per year) for the ad-supported plan or $18.99 per month for the commercial-free option. As for bundle plans, you can get access to both Hulu and Disney+ for $12.99 per month with ads, or $19.99 without them.
Is there going to be a season two of The Testaments?As of press time, Hulu has not yet announced whether or not The Testaments will be greenlit for a second season. However, star Ann Dowd has hope for the show's future. "We haven't been picked up yet. I think it will be," the actress recently told Deadline. "I'm pretty sure that this is going to be picked up... so they're in the writer's room now. I mean, not this moment, but they have begun writing it. So, I think it’s soon to come. I’m sure they’d like to have several seasons. There’s a lot to tell.”
This Label That Well-Meaning Parents Give to Their Kids Can Actually Be Detrimental, Child Psychologists Warn
Parents want to do everything they can to provide a safe and loving upbringing for their kids, but it's easy to make mistakes. One error parents can make is labeling their child—positive or otherwise—and unintentionally putting that kid in a box in a detrimental way. There's one super commonlabel that well-meaning parents give to their kids that can do much more harm than good.
To better understand the repercussions of this category (and labels in general), Parade consulted two child psychologists: Dr. Mary Beth DeWitt, the Chief of Child Psychology at Dayton Children's Hospital, and Dr. Erica Rozmid, a board-certified clinical psychologist specializing in evidence-based therapy for children, teens, young adults and their parents.
Dr. Rozmid, also the founder of Clarity CBT and DBT Center in Los Angeles, explains that the desire to assign labels to your child is normal, even if it can have drawbacks.
"As humans, we do like to categorize, and so a label can serve that purpose to help a parent put their child into a category," she says, adding, "But it inhibits the child’s actual full potential of who they are or may become."
This can even be the case of a seemingly "positive" label. Keep reading to see what one of the most common offenders is, even though it may come with good intentions.
This Well-Meaning Label for Kids Can Be Detrimental, Child Psychologists ShareMoMo Productions/Getty Images
The seemingly positive label to watch out for? Calling your child a "good kid."
"Often with good intent, we may indicate our kids are 'good,' but this could create high standards for the child to follow and could influence how they perceive themselves," Dr. DeWitt explains.
She says it adds pressure to continually be "good," when "good" isn't even necessarily a defined benchmark that someone can strive for and achieve. "It tends to focus on an intrinsic quality, 'good' versus a specific behavioral quality," she states.
The "good" label also implies the existence of a "bad" label. Dr. Rozmid says this "can lead to further shame and blame when [kids] do something we consider 'bad,' like making a mistake, lying or even something that is developmentally appropriate."
"It can also create comparisons with other children, suggesting another child must be bad," she tells Parade.
Related: These 7 ‘Nice Girl’ Behaviors Could Actually Be Hurting You, According to Psychologists
4 Other Common Labels To Avoid—and WhyDr. Rozmid says that parents should "limit [and] avoid all labels, even perceived good ones."
"Kids internalize labels really easily and absorb them as part of their identity, so parents should be very wary of using them," she adds.
Here are four common ones she specifically warns against.
1. "Intelligent""Even saying a child is 'extremely intelligent' can be hard if [or] when they get a C on a test," Dr. Rozmid says, adding that this label "can lead to all-or-nothing thinking, such as: 'I'm really smart, but if I get a C on a test, I must be dumb.'"
2. "Shy""For shy children, avoid labeling them as shy," Dr. Rozmid states. Instead, she suggests that parents focus on encouragement to be more social.
"You can say something like, 'I noticed you said hi to your classmate, and that was brave.' Or, 'Do you want mommy to stay with you until you say hi to your friend?'"
Conversely, she says you should skip labelling a child "the social butterfly" just as much as you should avoid the "shy" label.
"I really don’t like labels of any kind," she says.
3. "The Athlete""Labels also create dynamics within the family, especially between siblings," says Dr. Rozmid. She adds that parents may label one child as "the athlete" or another as "the academic."
"This doesn't help them as much as you might think," she says.
Instead of using terms like "the star athlete," she says you can commend the child's effort "by saying something more like, 'I saw how you kept going even when you were tired during those drills.' Or, 'You seem to love playing basketball. What activity do you want to try out next?'"
4. "The Academic"Similarly to the athlete label, telling your child that they're academic still puts them in a box—just a different one.
"When labeled, kids can feel stuck in their roles within the family and it can breed unnecessary competition," Dr. Rozmid explains.
She offers alternatives to "the academic" label, like, "You worked so hard on that project—how do you feel?"
"This shift encourages the child to reflect on the process instead of fixating on the result and how it made you, as the parent, feel," she shares.
Related: How To Validate Someone’s Feelings, According to a Clinical Psychologist
What Parents Can Say To Encourage or Congratulate Their Kids InsteadDr. DeWitt says that praise you give kids should be "specific and descriptive" and should "define the behavior, not the child." She shares that instead of telling your child that they're smart, you can tell them, "You studied so much and earned a great grade!"
Dr. Rozmid adds that she likes "to use objective adjectives to describe a behavior, not a trait of someone’s character."
"[This] allows the child to test boundaries [and] explore outside them... as the child inevitably evolves and changes," she says.
Ultimately, she cautions against labels because they can "oversimplify a child and their many traits and gifts." Not putting them in a box—even a seemingly "good" box—is important. After all, as Dr. DeWitt says, "Parents are children's first teachers, and shape how kids come to view themselves."
Why limit what they can see?
Up Next:
Sources:- Dr. Mary Beth DeWitt is the Chief of Child Psychology at Dayton Children's Hospital.
- Dr. Erica Rozmid is a board-certified clinical psychologist specializing in evidence-based therapy for children, teens, young adults and their parents. She's also the founder of Clarity CBT and DBT Center in Los Angeles.
2000s Child Star Spotted in Rare Outing After Turning Down Highly Anticipated Reboot
While his Malcolm in the Middle castmates gear up for the Disney+ reboot, Erik Per Sullivan is living a very different kind of life.
The rarely-seen star—known for his role on the 2000s sitcom as younger brother Dewey Wilkerson— was photographed in Boston, MA on Tuesday, April 7, looking relaxed and unbothered after a routine grocery run, a far cry from the Hollywood spotlight he walked away from nearly two decades ago. The photos were obtained by TMZ.
Sullivan, 34, reportedly turned down "buckets of money" to reprise his role in the reboot, and based on what he's been up to, it's hard to blame him. He's said to be pursuing a master's degree in Victorian literature at Harvard, which definitely tracks considering he spent years playing the brilliant youngest sibling.
Meanwhile, his former co-stars Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek are all back for the revival, and the nostalgia is already running deep. In a recent video shared by Hulu, the returning cast sat down to rewatch classic scenes from the original run, with all the memories flooding back fast.
READ MORE: Frankie Muniz Shares Emotional Final Conversation With Dale Earnhardt Right Before 2001 Crash
When the group landed on the beloved "Rollerskates" episode from season one, Muniz revealed to his costars what he held onto from the show. "It's the only thing I actually kept from the show," Muniz said. "I have the roller skates from the 'Rollerskates' episode." Cranston chimed in with a surprise of his own—"I've got mine too"—prompting Kaczmarek to quip, "Do they still fit?"
Ever the jokester, Cranston suggested they "pull them out and just roller skate around."
Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair premieres on Hulu and Disney+ on April 10.
Amazon Is Selling a 'Super Cute' $19 Ruffled Satin Pajama Set That Feels 'So Luxurious'
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Spring has arrived, so it's the perfect time to upgrade your sleepwear to breezy, lightweight pieces that keep you cool and comfortable on warm nights. If you're looking for a stylish upgrade to your PJ collection this season, Amazon's top-rated Ekouaer Ruffled Satin Pajama Set is an adorable option that's currently on sale for 30% off.
Originally $27, these cute pajamas are now available for $19 in select styles. Each set features a silky button-down short-sleeve shirt and matching pull-on shorts. Choose from 13 fun patterns; the rose pink leopard option is available at under $20, while other colors and prints range in price from $20 to $23. There are also two holiday styles at $17.
Ekouaer Ruffled Satin Pajama Set, $19 (was $27) at Amazon Shop at AmazonMade of an airy polyester-spandex blend, the pajamas are designed to be lightweight, breathable, and soft against the skin, so you can sleep comfortably all night long even in hot temperatures. The short-sleeve top has a button-down front with a notched collar and a dainty front pocket, while the shorts feature a stretchy, elastic waistband and handy side pockets that are perfect for storing your phone or other small items. Ruffled detailing at the sleeves and hemline adds a cute finishing touch.
The pajamas have a relaxed, flowy fit, so you'll feel cozy whether you're napping, sleeping, or just lounging on the couch. They're also machine washable for easy care. To keep the set looking like new, wash it in a gentle cold water cycle and tumble dry it on low.
Related: Amazon's 'Buttery Soft' $27 Lounge Set Is Perfect for Spring Travel and Comes in 18 Colors
The Ekouaer ruffled satin pajamas are a shopper-loved buy, thanks to their "super cute" design. Several highlighted the smooth material, calling it "very silky and light." One reviewer also praised how impressive the quality is for its price point, noting that the set feels "so luxurious.”
Shop More Deals- Ekouaer Cotton Pajamas, From $20 (was $25) at Amazon
- MissActiver 2 Piece Lounge Set, $30 (was $39) at Amazon
- Automet 2-Piece V-Neck Matching Lounge Set, $30 (was $36) at Amazon
With its cozy fit and over a dozen fun prints and colors to choose from, this ruffled satin pajama set is sure to become a sleepwear staple in your wardrobe this spring and summer. Grab one (or more!) while it's still marked down to as low as $19 at Amazon.
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Nostalgic Rock Anthem Is Named The Best One-Hit Wonder of the 2000s
Almost 26 years ago, one of the most iconic one-hit wonders of the 2000s was born.
"Teenage Dirtbag" by the band Wheatus was introduced to the world on June 20, 2000, and it would go on to become a beloved pop-punk staple of the early '00s that fans are still jamming out to even now.
Rolling Stone named the gritty rock anthem as the No. 1 Best One-Hit Wonder of the 2000s in a ranking published May 2025. It outranked some of the decade's most beloved one-off hits, like Lil Mama's "Lip Gloss" (#2), Willa Ford's "I Wanna Be Bad" (#3), J Kwon's "Tipsy" (#4) and Hoobastank's "The Reason" (#5), among 45 others songs that made the list.
"Teenage Dirtbag," written by Wheatus lead singer and guitarist Brendan B. Brown, is sung from the perspective of high school kid pining after a girl named Noelle who "doesn't give a damn" about him, as revealed in the lyrics. With references to Iron Maiden in the chorus, the song gives off major "emo kid" and "loser metalhead" vibes, a message that still resonates with listeners over a quarter of a century later.
View this post on Instagram"Teenage Dirtbag" didn't break through on any of the major U.S. music charts at the time of its release, but it has since solidified its position as a culturally-significant track that transcends time.
Earlier this year, the song surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, officially entering Wheatus into the platform's exclusive Billions Club—a monumental measure of success that the band has not been able to replicate with any of their other music.
View this post on InstagramDecades after its release in the early aughts, "Teenage Dirtbag" has been thrust back into public consciousness on multiple occasions, including its resurgence in 2022 on TikTok, per Chartmetric. It's also been covered several times by massive artists like One Direction and Ed Sheeran, who performed the song live with the Wheatus frontman during a concert in Hamburg, Germany last year.
Related: 1978 Classic Helped Shape Rock and Roll When It Came Out 48 Years Ago Today
1979 No. 1 Hit Ranked Among Best 'Soft Rock Songs' of All Time Became a Timeless Anthem
In 1979, Christopher Cross released a song that would define the early sound of soft rock.
The single "Sailing" rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980, marking Cross's first major breakthrough and introducing him to a national audience.
Composed of a gentle melody and a classic 70s soft-rock sound, the track served as a metaphor for finding freedom and peace among the chaos of life's challenges. It stood out for its relaxed and distinctive tone, becoming a song to turn on when one wished to calm down and feel as if they were sailing through a cool ocean breeze.
Its unique feel and refined composition led the song to major success. "Sailing" went on to win Record of the Year at the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards, contributing to one of the most notable nights in awards history. Cross became the only artist to win Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist all in the same year.
On his debut album, Cross shared, "I'm a very nonpolitical and nonintellectual lyricist. But people have so many demands on them already in their lives. I'm just trying to give them a little enjoyment and relaxation."
Over time, "Sailing" has played an instrumental role in the rise of soft rock and what would later be labeled yacht rock. Its smooth sound and clear structure helped give the song a lasting presence across radio and streaming platforms.
Decades after its release, the track continues to earn recognition. It was ranked among the best soft rock songs of all time by Ultimate Classic Rock, reinforcing its place as one of the genre's most enduring hits.
More than forty years later, "Sailing" still stands as the song that introduced Christopher Cross to the mainstream and secured his place in music history.
Related: 1975 Classic Was No. 1 Hit Song 51 Years Years Ago Today
Why Taylor Swift's 'Life of A Showgirl' Merch Could Be Yanked From Shelves
Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl merchandise could soon be pulled from shelves sooner than you think.
A Las Vegas performer is asking a federal judge to halt sales of the products entirely while her trademark infringement lawsuit against Swift, 36, works its way through the courts.
Maren Flagg, who performs under the name Maren Wade, has been building her "Confessions of a Showgirl" brand since 2014, when she launched a column by that name in Las Vegas Weekly. Over the following decade, she expanded it into a live show, a touring production, a book, a podcast, and a federally registered trademark. She filed suit against Swift on March 30, and this week followed up with a motion for a preliminary injunction to stop Swift from selling merch under "The Life of a Showgirl" name in the meantime, per Rolling Stone.
One of the most interesting details in Flagg's filing is that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had already rejected the 14-time Grammy winner’s attempt to register the name, noting it was confusingly similar to Flagg's existing mark. Swift's team proceeded with merchandise sales anyway.
According to Flagg, the fallout was swift—no pun intended. "Within weeks, the name appeared on drink tumblers, candles, hairbrushes, and garment tags,” The filing stated. “Defendants built a dedicated retail storefront around it, launched collaborations with numerous national brands, and filed a trademark application across fourteen international classes, covering everything from disposable napkins to ponchos. They never contacted plaintiff. They never sought her consent."
READ MORE: Taylor Swift Is Being Sued—And the Reason May Surprise You
Flagg's attorney, Jaymie Parkkinen, stated: "Maren spent more than a decade building 'Confessions of a Showgirl.' She registered it. She earned it... trademark law exists to ensure that creators at all levels can protect what they've built. That's what this case is about."
A hearing on the injunction is scheduled for May 27 in federal court in Los Angeles. Swift's team has not commented publicly.
I Tried the Viral Tomato Soup Cake From the ’70s—and Was Totally Surprised
There are some cake flavors out there that just make sense. In fact, we'd argue that most of the popular flavors out there seem very fitting for cake territory, be it classic vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or even those a little more creative like carrot or red velvet. One flavor profile that I absolutely could not have imagined in cake format, however, was tomato soup.
Yes, you read that right — tomato soup cake is indeed a thing, albeit a slightly outdated and rather odd one. I first came across the sheer notion of a tomato soup cake by way of this Reddit post, which includes images from a decades-old Campbell's soup cookbook. The cookbook highlights some more normal soup-inspired dishes, like casseroles and stews, but it also includes desserts ranging from old-fashioned gingerbread cake, a quick tomato spice cake, and of course, tomato soup cake.
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Once I got past the sheer shock factor at the thought of infusing canned tomato soup into a cake, I couldn't deny that I was at least a bit intrigued. As someone who bakes regularly, I'm always up for trying new tricks and recipes, even those that seem a bit outlandish. The end result was supposedly meant to taste something like a spice cake, and as such, the cookbook calls for topping off the cake with cream cheese frosting (and can anything slathered in cream cheese frosting really be all that terrible?).
Another perk to this cake recipe is that it doesn't require a whole lot of ingredients and the instructions are incredibly straightforward. So, I did what any good amateur baker would do — I grabbed my can of tomato soup (and other baking essentials), I preheated my oven, and I got to work on trying out the Campbell's tomato soup cake for myself. Read on for my full review of this cake, and whether or not I think it's worth recreating yourself at home.
Related: How to Make Tomato Soup 10x Better
What Is Tomato Soup Cake?Tomato soup cake is one of those food inventions that likely cropped up more so out of necessity than anything else. According to Campbell's, the first iteration of a tomato soup spice cake recipe would have been published sometime around the 1920s or 1930s, making it a Depression-era dessert that put an inexpensive, easy-to-source ingredient (canned tomato soup) to good use.
Courtesy Julia Duda
Over the decades, publication of tomato soup cake recipes continued, but each new iteration of the recipe would have a slight tweak to keep things interesting (for example, they might call for fewer eggs, different oven temp, and so forth). In present day, there are plenty of recipes online for tomato soup cake, and some of them are as simple as calling for the soup itself, a box mix package of spice cake, and a few other baking essentials.
The recipe I'm following here comes from a Campbell's cookbook that was published in 1976, so it definitely has a retro feel to it. Unlike some other recipes out there, this one calls for making the cake from-scratch (so no box mixes here), though it is ultimately still a very easy recipe and, of course, features canned tomato soup as the star of the show.
It's also worth mentioning that tomato soup cake has quite the loyal following out there. Just on the Reddit post alone that I got the recipe from, there were lots of comments praising the cake, with some commenters even calling it their absolute favorite. "Ok I know it sounds INSANE, but the tomato soup cake is honest to god my favorite cake. It’s so good," one Redditor wrote.
Related: 31 of the All-Time Greatest Cake Recipes Everyone Should Try Once
What Does Tomato Soup Cake Taste Like?While a name like "tomato soup cake" probably makes you think that the cake tastes like, well, tomato soup, that's not really the case. Just about any variation of tomato soup cake out there is a spice cake at heart, meaning that it includes common spices like cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg or ginger to create that warming effect. The final result is something like a regular, soup-less spice cake or a carrot cake. The soup does add a certain flavor undertone, but not something that screams "tomato soup." Instead, it adds a certain tangy flavor that works well with all sorts of spices and cream cheese frosting.
Related: I Tried the Viral ‘Pumpkin Junk’ Recipe and It’s Pure Comfort in Every Bite
What Does Tomato Soup Do to This Cake?Courtesy Julia Duda
Tomato soup isn't just thrown into the mix for fun. It actually plays an important role in the cake itself, providing a level of moisture that the cake would otherwise seriously be lacking. With that added moisture comes a cake with a particularly tender crumb (at least, supposedly), and one that is ideally not at all dry or super dense. Of course, like I already mentioned, the soup does add a certain tangy flavor note, but it's one that ends up being very subtle once the cake is baked (and one that certainly takes a back seat to all those spices).
Ingredients Needed for Tomato Soup CakeAs I've already mentioned, you really don't need a whole lot of specialty ingredients to make tomato soup cake magic happen. To start, there's the cake essentials: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, eggs and a bit of water. Shortening was a bit of a unique inclusion here (as opposed to something like butter or vegetable oil), but it was an easy ingredient to find in the baking aisle at the grocery store. Since this is a spice cake, you'll also need cinnamon, allspice and cloves. Finally, you'll just need a can of Campbell's condensed tomato soup (it doesn't strictly have to be Campbell's brand, but considering that this recipe came from a Campbell's cookbook, it only makes sense!)
Courtesy Julia Duda
Though this ingredient is technically optional, you may also want cream cheese frosting to top off your cake. You can make a homemade frosting for the cake, but I opted for a can of the store-bought stuff to keep things simple.
Related: We Tried 7 Store-Bought Vanilla Frostings and the Winner Was a Total Shocker
How To Make Tomato Soup CakeBefore we get to any mixing or tomato soup-pouring, it all starts with the prep work. First, preheat the oven to 350°F and grease and flour your baking pans. The recipe provides options for the types of pans you can use, but I opted for two 9-inch round pans so I could layer my cake (8-inch pans or a rectangular pan would also work).
Courtesy Jula
Next, as with many cake recipes out there, move onto the dry ingredients. In a bowl, add your measured flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon and cloves. Whisk to combine these ingredients.
Courtesy Julia Duda
Then, in a sort of unusual move, you'll add wet ingredients straight to the bowl with the flour mixture, starting with the soup and shortening. Many recipes call for preparing wet ingredients separately and then combining wet and dry right before baking, but I sort of appreciated the simplified one bowl-approach that this recipe took.
Courtesy Julia Duda
Next, either mix or beat the shortening and soup into the flour mixture. The instructions in the cookbook call for an oddly specific "300 strokes with a spoon" if you're going the manual route, but I just opted to use an electric hand mixer to make things a little easier.
Courtesy Julia Duda
Once the soup and shortening are fully incorporated, there are only two ingredients left, the eggs and water. Add those right in, mix (or beat) a little more, and voila: tomato soup cake batter.
Courtesy Julia Duda
Now that you've got something resembling cake batter, transfer the batter to your prepared pan(s). I went ahead and weighed my batter in the pans so I knew there was an even amount in both, but of course, this is a completely optional thing to do. Also optional, but I smoothed out the batter atop each cake so that everything would bake up nice and evenly.
Courtesy Julia Duda
Courtesy Julia Duda
Into the oven the cakes go, and how long you bake depends on the size of pan(s) you ended up using. The cookbook itself calls for 35 to 40 minutes, so that's what I went with, setting a timer for 35 minutes.
Courtesy Julia Duda
Once the 35 minutes were up, I used a toothpick to check the doneness in the center of the cakes. I decided to bake them for 2 minutes more, just to ensure that there was no wetness left in the middle.
Courtesy Julia Duda
After the cakes were done baking, I let them sit in the pans for 10 minutes, per the cookbook. After that, I removed the cakes from the pans, allowing them to fully cool on wire racks.
Courtesy Julia
Now comes the fun part: frosting the cakes. Like I said, I opted to use a tub of store-bought cream cheese frosting for convenience, but homemade cream cheese frosting would be just as good (if not even better). You can frost your cakes however you want, but to start, I placed one cake layer on a board and frosted the top of it.
Courtesy Julia Duda
Then, I put the other cake layer on top, trying to line them up as evenly as possible.
Courtesy Julia Duda
With the other cake layer stacked, all that was left to do was frost the top of that as well. I decided not to frost the sides of my cake so I could actually see the cake itself, and because I thought it'd ultimately give my the best cake-to-frosting ratio. Of course, if you recreate this cake at home, feel free to frost those sides to your heart's content.
Courtesy Julia Duda
Once your cake is adequately frosted, that's it! The tomato soup cake is ready for slicing and serving. You could take things a step further and decorate the top of your cake with walnuts, pecans, or even raisins, but I kept things simple so I could really allow the flavor of the cake itself to shine.
Related: I Made Dolly Parton's Famous 3-Ingredient Cake From 'Steel Magnolias'
Tomato Soup Cake: My Honest ThoughtsFor starters, I really can't get over how easy this cake was to make. To be fair, most cake recipes out there aren't exactly super difficult to make, but this one required very basic ingredients and a single bowl for mixing everything up. It really doesn't get much easier than that, so I was already pleased with this recipe based on ease alone.
Courtesy Julia Duda
Of course, I know you're wondering a much more important question — how did it taste? I'm pleased to say that the tomato soup cake tasted pretty darn good. It really did just taste like a good old classic spice cake, with those cinnamon, allspice, and clove notes shining through beautifully. If anything, I would actually add more cinnamon than what the recipe called for to really amp up that sweet warmth. As for the tomato soup itself, if I didn't know any better, I wouldn't be able to definitively say that it was there at all. The cake most definitely didn't taste like tomato soup, or even like tomato at all for that matter, but it did have an ever-so-slight tang to it that I appreciated. That tangy flavor was taken up a notch thanks to the tangy cream cheese frosting, and all of that tanginess contrasted nicely against the otherwise spiced nature of the cake.
The texture of the cake is also worth highlighting. I do think that the tomato soup really helped the cake retain lots of moisture, and I enjoyed how tender my slice of cake was. I also think the shortening helped establish lots of moisture in the cake, and though I can't say if you'd get the same results by using butter or oil instead, I do think the shortening is absolutely worth opting for.
Courtesy Julia Duda
Overall, I was very pleased with this tomato soup cake and would definitely make it again. It's one of those simple cakes that you just might have the ingredients for on-hand already (especially if you keep your soup pantry well-stocked), so it's sort of a no-brainer recipe when you want a sweet and spiced treat without much hassle.
Tips, Tricks and Advice for Making Tomato Soup CakeAlthough this is a very simple and straightforward recipe, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind should you make a tomato soup cake for yourself.
1. Amp up the spicesWhile I did enjoy the spiced flavor profile that this cake had to offer, I thought that it could use even more spiced goodness. In particular, I'd add more cinnamon if I were to make this cake again — the original recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, but you could easily double that. I also think a dash of nutmeg or ginger would work wonderfully here.
Also, I'd recommend adding a little salt to your cake batter. The recipe doesn't call for doing so, but I do think that even a pinch of salt would help all of the flavors pop that much more.
2. Use homemade cream cheese frostingWhile I appreciated the convenience of using store-bought cream cheese frosting, I ultimately wish I'd just made a homemade batch instead. The frosting just tasted so store-bought in my opinion, and I know that I would've enjoyed the cake as a whole even more with homemade frosting. (Of course, if you already know that you really like the frosting from a tub, then you can safely stick with the store-bought route.)
3. Store your cake to enjoy for daysWhen it comes to storing tomato soup cake, I opted to keep mine at room temperature inside of an airtight cake carrier. The cake was just as good (if not better, but more on that in a moment) the next day, and it was still pretty good by day three as well. I tossed the rest of it by day four, not because it was necessarily bad, but because it was a bit past its prime. The cake wasn't nearly as tender and was starting to taste a bit dry by that point.
You could also refrigerate your leftovers if you want them to last a bit longer (for about five days), and I'd particularly advise that you do so if you opt for homemade cream cheese frosting instead of store-bought.
4. Enjoy a slice on day twoSome online tomato soup cake enjoyers claim that the cake tastes even better the day after it's baked. I could see this being the case even before I tried it myself, as many foods do indeed taste better after all of the ingredients and flavors have had time to meld and get acquainted. And, after enjoying a second slice on day two, I can attest to the fact that the cake at the very least tastes just as good, if not even better with a slightly more pronounced spiced flavor profile.
Up next:
Related: Aldi Is Selling an Unusual Soup Variety, and Shoppers Are Totally Divided
Macy’s 'Cute' and 'Versatile' $10 Pearl Drop Earrings Are the Easiest Way to Elevate Any Outfit
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The start of spring makes you want to refresh your wardrobe — and that includes your jewelry box. Whether you’re getting dressed for a weekend brunch, heading into the office, or planning for special occasions like weddings and showers, having a few go-to accessories that instantly pull everything together makes getting ready so much easier. And when it comes to classic pieces, it’s hard to beat the elegance of the Charter Club Bead and Imitation Pearl Drop Earrings.
Right now, Macy’s has this chic pair on sale for just $10, marked down 70% from its original $35 price. Timeless with just the right amount of presence, they strike a balance between understated and noticeable, making them an easy choice no matter what you’re wearing.
Charter Club Bead and Imitation Pearl Drop Earrings, $10 (was $35) at Macy’s Shop at Macy'sThese earrings blend vintage-inspired style with modern minimalism. The design features a classic double-drop silhouette, pairing a smaller, high-shine gold sphere at the lobe with an oversized, luminous pearl suspended below, creating a striking sense of proportion and movement. The contrast between the warm metallic finish and the soft, satin-like sheen of the pearl evokes a refined, old-world glamour reminiscent of heirloom jewelry. At the same time, the exaggerated scale and clean lines give it a contemporary, fashion-forward edge.
Shoppers dubbed these pearl baubles as “cute” and “versatile,” and it’s easy to see why. They pair effortlessly with everything from a crisp white tee and lived-in denim to breezy sundresses, silky blouses, or a tailored blazer layered over a tank.
These earrings also complement soft knits, button-down shirts, and even more structured pieces, adding a subtle hint of polish without competing with your outfit. If you’re building a jewelry collection, this is exactly the kind of foundational piece that works across textures, silhouettes, and aesthetics.
Shop More Deals- Rachel Zoe Gold Plated Pearl Stud Earrings, $29 (was $38) at Macy’s
- Charter Club Pave and Imitation Pearl Drop Earrings, $25 at Macy’s
- Anne Klein Gold-Tone Imitation Pearl Twisted Drop Earrings, $24 at Macy’s
With a classic design and a price that’s hard to beat, the $10 Charter Club Bead and Imitation Pearl Drop Earrings are an easy yes. Grab a pair at Macy's before this deal is gone!
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