Parade

In the early 1970s, one deeply sentimental song quietly found its way into people’s hearts, telling a simple, emotional story that stayed with them long after it ended.

Tony Orlando and Dawn's “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” became synonymous with a feeling of deep appreciation and love for someone who had endured a difficult ordeal. The symbolism of yellow ribbons soon took on a life of its own, coming to represent hope, forgiveness, and a heartfelt welcome home.

The Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown tune was named one of the Best 70s Songs in a 2026 list published by U Discover Music. It landed squarely in the center of the AOR (Adult/Album Oriented Rock) category between The Commodores and The Carpenters.

The song topped the Billboard charts in 1973. It was originally pitched to Ringo Starr, whose team passed on the song. Hank Medress, who produced Orlando's "Knock Three Times," took a chance on the tune and recorded the uplifting story-song with his backing singers, Dawn, Far Out reported.

Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

According to the American Legion website, the first time Orlando performed the song was at the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day 1973. The singer said in a 2011 interview, "After our shows, we had two to three-hour lines of soldiers wanting autographs. That was the greatest gift I ever received back from an audience: these young troops serving our country, who really didn’t know the performer by name, but knew 'Yellow Ribbon,' knew what it meant. Of all the things I’ve ever done in 50 years of show business, that’s the one thing I’ll carry with me to my grave."

RELATED: 1975 Love Song No One Wanted to Release Became a No. 1 Hit for Frankie Valli

Per The Tennessean, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" was conceived after songwriter Brown got the idea from a Reader's Digest story. He explained, "I was reading the Reader's Digest. I read it from front to back. There was an article about a soldier coming home from Andersonville Prison in the Civil War, and he was going to Pennsylvania."

"He told his girl in a letter, 'I'll understand if I should stay on the stagecoach. But if I shouldn't, tie a big yellow handkerchief on the big oak tree outside of town. And then I'll know if it's there, I should get off, but I'll understand that you found someone else in the last three years.'"

Brown concluded, "He couldn't bear to look at it himself. So he told the other people in the stagecoach and the driver to please look. When they got to the big oak tree, everybody yelled and screamed. He looked out the window, and it was covered with yellow handkerchiefs. A chill went up my neck. I said, 'My God!' I said, 'Boy, that would make a great song.'"

RELATED: 1972 Country Rock Gem Took 3 Years to Become an Unforgettable Hit

“Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” isn’t just a song. It’s a symbol of hope, love, and the joy of coming home. Decades later, it still tugs at heartstrings like it did when it first topped the charts.

MORE: 1975 Hit Fans Misunderstood for Years Hid a Surprising, Romantic Twist

Cloud Dancer, a serene, dreamy white, may have been named the 2026 color of the year by Pantone, but if you ask Stanley 1913 fans, this season is all about blue. 

The popular drinkware brand has quietly released a mini collection of tumblers in Sea Glass Aura and Sea Glass Plume, with items starting at $35 and going up to $45. Though the two colorways share a first name, they inspire completely different feelings.

Related: Stanley’s ‘Dreamy’ New Collection Has ‘The Most Beautiful Colors’

Sea Glass Aura is a dark blue and aquamarine crested ombre reminiscent of serene ocean waves, while Sea Glass Plume has a cream base with wispy cerulean, lilac, and orchid lines and dashes that feel like a pastel flock of feathers brushed past the cups. 

#creatorsearchinsights New Tumblers coming to @DICKS Sporting Goods 3/31 at 12 pm ET! Sea Glass Aura & Sea Glass Plume🌊 #stanley #stanleycup #tiktok #viral

A 30-ounce handled cup, the Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler, and its smaller counterpart with a 20-ounce capacity are currently available for $40 and $35 respectively in both Sea Glass Aura and Sea Glass Plume. The IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler, which holds 30 ounces of liquid and retails for $40, is currently only available in Sea Glass Plume, as the Sea Glass Aura version has sold out. 

Related: How to Get Starbucks’ ‘Absolutely Gorgeous’ Disney Tumbler That Sold Out Immediately

There’s also an additional product in Sea Glass Plume, an All Day Mini Lunch Box for $45, which is crush-resistant, comes with a strap for easy transport, and has an inner mesh pocket for holding silverware or a small snack. It is compatible with the $35 Legendary Useful Box, a stainless steel container that snaps shut and is dishwasher safe. 

Stanley 1913 fans are thrilled with this launch, taking to Reddit to write that they “absolutely love it” and think it’s “so pretty.” One Reddit user teasingly responded, “Remind yourself that you really do not need another cup!” but as others said in another post on the social media site, they “need” to get their hands on the new collection. 

Next: This ‘Massive Change’ at Costco Will Make Meal Prep a Breeze: ‘Finally’

Some people have a presence that’s difficult to describe, as if they naturally radiate an alluring energy. You may not be able to pinpoint it, but you can often notice it in how they absorb information before speaking, their innate understanding of situations without needing extensive context, and the calming, slightly mysterious, and deeply intuitive vibe they exude.

This phenomenon is known as "High Priestess energy," a term derived from the tarot card that represents intuition, inner wisdom, and a connection to the unseen. Throughout history and across various ancient traditions, people have turned to priestesses for intuitive guidance. In modern times, we continue to seek the wisdom, healing, and spiritual connection of these insightful individuals, even if they do not explicitly identify as high priestesses.

In astrology, the month in which you are born can reveal insight into your characteristics, personality, or essence. Further, you may find how you connect with your intuition, navigate your emotions, and explore the hidden aspects of life. An ethereal and intuitive presence stems from a strong connection to oneself and a deep trust in one's instincts. While this quality often develops over time, individuals born in four specific months tend to display it from the very beginning.

Here are four birth months that inherently carry an ethereal, High Priestess-like aura.

Birth months are listed. Disregard your birth date.

READ: This Country Song Matches Your Personality, Based on Birth Date

People born in February experience the world in a unique way. They tend to be individualistic and follow their own paths. With a strong connection to their inner selves, they possess a distinct perspective that doesn’t often require validation from others. Rather than jumping headfirst into new situations and relationships, they prefer to assess people's energy before getting too close. In social settings, they often maintain a degree of distance and reservation. They have a keen awareness of patterns, emotional shifts, and subtle changes that others might overlook.

Most of all, even if they can't fully articulate the reasons behind their feelings, February-borns trust their intuition. Whether you're an innovative Aquarius or a sensitive Pisces, you embody insight and intuition effortlessly. Others sense your gentle, almost dreamlike quality. Drawn to creative or spiritual avenues, these souls carry the sense that there’s always more lingering beneath the surface. Being around them can evoke a feeling of calm expansiveness.

RELATE?: 4 Birth Months Most Likely to Travel the World After Retirement

People born in June carry deeply soulful, emotionally sensitive energy. This natural sensitivity allows them to read the room, understand what’s unspoken, and respond in ways that feel thoughtful and attuned. Without thinking about it, they infuse their environment with comfort and emotional intelligence. Whether you're a curious Gemini or a deep Cancer, inquisitiveness and emotional depth are illuminated within your personality.

June-borns observe closely. Asking questions, processing internally, and being intentionally observant of others are instinctive. They’re able to hold different perspectives at once, which makes them naturally fair and wise. There’s also something about their presence that feels natural. People tend to open up to them easily, often without realizing why. They create a sense of ease just by being there, and their ability to listen and understand adds to that almost mystical feeling.

People born in October have a natural ease with others. They know how to connect, listen, and make someone feel seen without overextending themselves. There’s a level of awareness in how they move through relationships that just feels intuitive. Either a charming Libra or a soulful Scorpio, they’re attuned to what’s happening on the surface as well as underneath it.

They can read a shift in tone, pick up on what isn’t being said, and adjust in real time. At the same time, they don’t give everything away. There’s a part of them that stays private, even in close connections. The balance that comes from being open and engaged while still holding something back creates that sense of mystery around them. It’s this combination of presence and restraint that gives October-born individuals that High Priestess-like aura. Others are drawn to their diplomacy and charm, and stick around for their intuitive depth.

FUN!: Your Perfect Comfort Meal, Based on Birth Month

November is one of the most naturally intuitive birth months. People born during this time of the year tend to have a strong connection to their inner world, enabling them to trust their instincts. Either an investigative Scorpio or an expansive Sagittarius, they carry emotional depth alongside an urge to understand life on a deeper, philosophical, and spiritual level.

November-borns aren’t usually interested in mere superficial experiences. They much prefer to know what’s real, what’s true, and what’s underneath it all. One thing is for certain: you'll feel their strong presence. They may not always say a lot, but when they do, it tends to land. People often feel perceived by them in a way that feels meaningful, even if a little disarming at times. Their energy feels mysterious and magnetic, like they’re tuned into something beyond logic.

Want to learn more about your birth month?

Born in February | Born in June | Born in October | Born in November

UP NEXT:

"Cowboy-core" travel is officially having a moment, and it’s completely changing how UK travelers are planning their American holidays. According to new research from Journeyscape, there has been a massive surge in demand for authentic Western experiences, with searches for ranch stays rising by 130% over the last year.

Most notably, interest in Texas holidays spiked by a staggering 203% overnight following the March 23, 2026, release of the teaser trailer for Dutton Ranch, the highly anticipated Yellowstone spin-off.

Related: Why Hilton’s Newest ‘Approachable Luxury’ Brand Is the Ultimate 2026 Girls’ Trip Destination

The new series, which follows fan-favorites Rip and Beth as they relocate to a 7,000-acre ranch in South Texas, is inspiring British travelers to seek out their own slice of ranch life. This "Yellowstone effect" reflects a wider shift toward slower, more meaningful, experience-led travel. It’s not just solo adventurers, either; Journeyscape reports that searches for "family holiday United States" have also increased by 45% as groups look to trade traditional city breaks for wide-open spaces.

If you’re looking to actually step into the saddle, Bandera—the self-proclaimed "Cowboy Capital of the World"—is having a huge moment right now. Forget the polished resort vibes; this is where you go for coffee on a wrap-around porch before heading out on a horseback ride across the open Hill Country.

Working ranches like Mayan Dude Ranch are the ultimate stay for families who want to swap screen time for a little bit of ranch routine and nature. But if you're craving something with a bit more horsepower, head to Fort Worth. It’s home to the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive right through the historic Stockyards, plus enough rodeos, old-school saloons and live music to make you feel like you've walked onto a movie set.

Related: 6 Hidden-Gem Wine Regions to Visit Before Everyone Else Does

Beyond the ranch, the Texas boom is also highlighting the state’s modern creative edge. Travelers are increasingly heading to the vineyards of the Texas Hill Country, the live music scene in Austin, and the remote landscapes of Big Bend National Park. "Texas and Louisiana are two of the USA’s most well-known states, and a trip to either guarantees a good time," says Dominique Kotsias, Product Manager at Journeyscape. "One minute you’re listening to some of the best jazz in the world, then the next visiting the most beautiful colonial homes and taking in the laid-back Louisiana lifestyle. It offers a complete mix of iconic cowboy culture, delicious food, music, and history all in one."

Related: America’s Best New Museum Just Opened in North Texas

In the 1960s, Bobby Buntrock was a beloved child actor in the sitcomHazel. The young actor was just eight years old when he made his debut as Harold “Sport” Baxter, the pint-sized sidekick of a family’s live-in maid (Shirley Booth), on the NBC sitcom in 1961.

Hazel ran for five seasons until April 1966. Buntrock appeared in all of them, even though his TV parents (Don DeFore, Whitney Blake) left the show ahead of Season 5 under the guise that their characters moved to Baghdad and left their son in the care of relatives and wacky maid Hazel.

When she was a star on Hazel, Blake told The Los Angeles Times that the goal of the classic sitcom was to “make people happy.” “We don’t deal with deep problems,” she said. “We have happy problems. People tell me it’s refreshing to see our show, that they never miss it because they feel good afterward.”

At the height of Hazel’s popularity, Buntrock appeared in a 1963 commercial for the Ford Falcon station wagon with Blake, as well as early ads for the iconic 1960s toy Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.

Buntrock only had one other acting credit after Hazel. As a young teen, he appeared in three episodes of The Virginian between 1963 and 1967.

On April 7, 1974, Buntrock died tragically at age 21. A death notice published by the Rapid City Journalrevealed that the former child actor drowned in Battle Creek River after a one-car accident. Buntrock’s car veered off a bridge construction site in Keystone, South Dakota, and plunged into the water. The Hazel star had been living in South Dakota for five years and had graduated from high school there in 1970. The late actor was also a member of the  National Guard in Rapid City, South Dakota.

The death announcement shared details on graveside services for Buntrock, who was survived by his father, Robert Buntrock,  and sisters Stella and Deanne. Buntrock’s mother, Maxine, died two years before him, in June 1972.

RELATED: 1973’s Last No. 1 Hit  Song Has a Heartbreaking Backstory

With his adorable blond looks and perky personality, Buntrock was cast in several TV roles before getting his big break on Hazel. The actor’s early roles included guest spots on Wagon Train, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, Mister Ed, and The Donna Reed Show.

According to an article in the Lewiston Evening Journal, Buntrock was born in Denver, but his family moved to Whittier, Calif, when he was a young child. The family’s neighbors convinced Buntrock’s parents to get him into acting, going so far as to book a photographer to take head shots of the child to send to an agent. Buntrock signed with agent Marcella Bell on the spot.

He had a tutor on set on Hazel and attended public school when the show wasn’t filming. At the time, Buntrock’s father said his son was a regular kid off camera.

“He likes to play the accordion and likes baseball, too. His best subject is arithmetic,” Buntrock’s father said in October 1961.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 

Gird your loins because Vogue has just revealed its second Book Club pick.

Just in time for April showers and May flowers, the pick spotlights an iconic novel that’s also headed for the big screen again, delivering a long-awaited sequel film. 

The group read choice centers on The Devil Wears Prada, the 2003 best‑selling fashion satire by Lauren Weisberger that inspired the wildly successful 2006 film of the same name. 

It’s a fitting choice considering The Devil Wears Prada 2 is gearing up for release in theaters, which will reunite key characters from the original Runway universe, including Andy (Anne Hathaway), Emily (Emily Blunt), Nigel (Stanley Tucci), and Miranda (Meryl Streep), while once again reintroducing fans to the cutthroat world of high fashion.

Vogue’s Book Club pick gives readers a chance to revisit the original story’s sharp wit and cultural commentary ahead of the sequel’s big-screen premiere on May 1. 

Described as a "delightfully dishy novel about the all-time most impossible boss in the history of impossible bosses" by GoodReads, it focused on gureling experiences of recent college graduate Andrea Sachs, who takes a job as the assistant to the tyrannical editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, Miranda Priestley, a character seemingly inspired by Vogue’s Anna Wintour.

It became a major literary success, appearing on the New York Times Best Sellers list and selling millions of copies due to its blend of fashion commentary, humor and ambition. 

The synopsis for The Devil Wears Prada 2 film reads, “Miranda Priestly struggles against Emily Charlton, her former assistant turned rival executive, as they compete for advertising revenue amid declining print media, while Miranda nears retirement.”

Vogue’s Book Club was established in Jan. 2026, with Emily Brontë’sWuthering Heights, also brilliantly timed just before the Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi film hit theaters on Feb. 13, 2026. 

Vogue’s Book Club runs weekly stories about the book and hosts Group Chats on the Vogue app, with the latest reading choice running through April 23. 

By connecting their latest pick with a high‑profile film event, Vogue is once again blending literary appreciation with modern pop culture in a way that both longtime fans and new readers can enjoy.

Charlie’s Angels is one of the most iconic shows in television history. The 1970s Aaron Spelling-produced drama premiered in 1976 and made stars of its cast, including Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Cheryl Ladd, who replaced Fawcett in Season 2. The show became a cultural touchstone and inspired generations of female-led action series. Fifty years after Charlie’s Angels debuted, three of its stars are reuniting, much to the delight of fans.

At Monday’s Charlie’s Angels 50th anniversary celebration at the annual PaleyFest, Kate Jackson (77), Jaclyn Smith (80), and Cheryl Ladd (74) reunited to celebrate the TV milestone. On Tuesday, the trio is set to reunite once again for a sit-down interview on Today.

It’s been 50 years since the original #CharliesAngels hit our screens. Maria Shriver sat down with Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd to talk about the iconic action packed series. Tune in tomorrow on TODAY.

Fans filled the comment section of Today’s Charlie’s Angels reunion clip, thrilled to see the women back together while noting their ageless beauty.

“Wuaoowww Jacklyn is ageless,” gushed one fan. Another added, “They all look gorgeous! Loved the show sooooo much.”

Another shared, “They all look amazing.”

“Wow! 50 years. Loved this show!” wrote one more.

Related: 'Top Gun' Star, 92, 'Still Looks Amazing' 40 Years After The Film's Release

Despite rumored past tension between Cheryl Ladd and Kate Jackson, the women joyfully reunited at PaleyFest and reflected on behind-the-scenes moments, shared stories about the show’s impact, and highlighted the bond they have maintained over the years as part of the cultural phenomenon.

The reunion highlights the continued impact and influence of Charlie’s Angels, and the actresses who worked alongside Bosley (David Doyle) each week to solve crimes for the elusive Charlie.

Premiering in 1976, the show wrapped its original run after five seasons in 1981. Jackson starred in the early seasons, from 1976 to 1979. Ladd joined in Season 2, appearing from 1977 to 1981 following Fawcett’s exit after Season 1. Smith remained for the entire run of the series, from 1976 to 1981, making her the only Angel to stay for all five seasons.

Fifty years later, Charlie’s Angels remains as relevant as ever, as do the actresses who defined it. While Kate Jackson has largely stepped away from acting to focus on her private life and occasional appearances, Cheryl Ladd has continued working in television and film and has also appeared on stage. Jaclyn Smith built a successful lifestyle and fashion brand and continues to make media appearances.

Thanks to streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Tubi, nostalgic television like Charlie’s Angels can be introduced to new generations while reconnecting with longtime fans. The series may have helped popularize the term “jiggle TV,” but it also broke barriers for female-led action shows and created enduring pop culture icons.

Fifty years later, Cheryl Ladd, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith remain as iconic as ever—and just as captivating.

Related: 1983 Hit Song Is Climbing the Charts Again Thanks to HBO Max's New Comedy

🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

If you need something to fill an entryway, hallway, or open wall space, the Longshore Tides Mahler 42-Inch Console Table is a super practical addition to any home. Right now, Wayfair has it on sale for as low as $87 for the white option, down from $147. The black option is $93 (originally $160), espresso is $88 (originally $152), and gray is $92 (originally $152).

The table measures 31.5 inches high, 42 inches wide, and 14 inches deep, making it narrow and ideal for smaller spaces. It’s made with manufactured wood and a solid wood base, and it has three tiers total with two open shelves underneath. The X-brace supports help increase stability, and the table has a 176-pound weight capacity. It also features a scratch-resistant and stain-resistant surface, plus a finished back.

Courtesy of Wayfair

You can use it near the front door for keys, bags, or mail, but it also works well behind a sofa, under a window, or along a hallway wall. The shelves provide extra storage, and the top surface is spacious enough for decor, framed photos, or a lamp.

One shopper called the table "beautiful," while another said it’s “sturdy and super easy to put together!" Other reviewers said it offers "plenty of space" and is "perfect for small spaces.” Some people said they used it in an entryway for diaper bags and book bags, while others used it in a guest bedroom, office, TV room, or hallway for family pictures and decor.

Related: Target Has a 'Stylish' $55 Glass Bistro Table That's 'Great for Entertaining Guests'

You can keep it simple with a mirror and a tray in an entryway, or use baskets on the lower shelves for more hidden storage. It also works nicely in a living room or office, with books, candles, photo frames, or even board games if that’s what you need the space for.

• Sand & Stable Laguna Solid Wood Coffee Table, $280 (was $400) at Wayfair
• Union Rustic Larenda Entryway Table, $156 (was $415) at Wayfair
• Three Posts Lorraine TV Stand, $226 (was $390) at Wayfair

The Longshore Tides Mahler 42-Inch Console Table offers extra storage, surface space, and a more finished look than many other console table styles. Now under $100, it’s a great price for a piece that can work in so many different spots around the house. Be sure to snag yours while it’s still marked down this low at Wayfair.

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.

Joan Collins, DBE, is a vision. 

At 92, the queen of glamour stepped out for the London opening gala of Kinky Boots, held at the London ColiseumSunday, March 29. For the Tony-winning musical about a Brit who saves his father’s shoe biz, Collins looked ravishing in a pink tartan skirt and long leather trench coat. 

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

She finished the look with oversize shades, black gloves, and a Lilith pendant she said was a gift from her daughter that draws “inspiration from the eternal goddess.”

Fans took note of the legend’s post on Instagram, complementing her red-carpet swagger and letting the emojis do the talking. 

“Just PURE fabulous on Red Carpet 😎‼️,” one wrote.

“You look incredible 😍😍😍😍,” another said.

“Hello Gorgeous! @joancollinsdbe 😍👏✨,” another commented.

“Super 🔥,” yet another shared.

Aside from her night out on the red carpet, Collins has been in the headlines lately.

In January, she stepped out with her husband for the Los Angeles premiere of her film, A Murder Between Friends. And a couple of weeks ago, the superstar made unfiltered comments about weight loss drugs and “Ozempic face.”

“I would never dream of doing something like that,” Collins said in an interview with Hello!magazine. “I have seen too many disastrous faces. There’s a thing now called ‘Ozempic face,’ where you see this body which is really tiny and this big face.”

Related: Iconic ’80s Movie Song Was Rejected Before Becoming a Generation-Defining Anthem—Now It Turns 41

A song released in 1964 has gone on to be recognized as one of the most important recordings in music history.

Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” is ranked No. 3 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, cementing its legacy as both a musical milestone and a defining cultural statement.

Related: 1962 Classic Written For a Hit TV Show Was a No. 1 Song 64 Years Ago Today

By the time he recorded the song, Cooke was already one of the most successful artists of his era. His breakthrough came with “You Send Me,” which became his first No. 1 hit and launched a run of chart success that helped define early soul music, according to music historian Fred Bronson in his book "The Billboard Book of Number One Hits."

But “A Change Is Gonna Come” marked a clear shift. It was more personal, more reflective—and far more ambitious than anything he had released before.

Inspired in part by Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Cooke set out to write a song that spoke directly to the experiences of Black Americans during the civil rights movement. What emerged was a deeply emotional piece that blended personal pain with a broader message of hope.

Related: 1961 Patsy Cline Hit Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time’ Became a Breakup Anthem

The lyrics were shaped by real events in Cooke’s life. In 1963, he and members of his entourage were arrested in Louisiana after attempting to check into a whites-only motel—an incident that directly influenced one of the song’s most powerful verses:

I go to the movie
And I go downtown
And somebody keep telling me
"Don't hang around"

At the same time, Cooke was dealing with profound personal loss. The death of his young son added another layer of emotion to the song, giving it a depth that resonated far beyond the charts.

Related: 1962 Connie Francis Classic Made History When It Hit No. 1 64 Years Ago Today

Recorded with a sweeping orchestral arrangement, the track stood apart from his earlier hits. Where songs like “You Send Me” showcased his smooth, accessible sound, “A Change Is Gonna Come” carried a heavier emotional weight, combining intimate storytelling with a larger social message.

Although it was only a modest hit upon its initial release, the song’s impact quickly grew. Following Cooke’s death in December 1964, it took on even greater significance, becoming widely viewed as his musical farewell.

Over time, “A Change Is Gonna Come” has become synonymous with the civil rights movement and is frequently cited as one of the most powerful protest songs ever recorded. Cooke’s influence extended far beyond his own recordings, with artists across genres later citing his work as foundational to modern soul and pop music, as noted by Bronson.

More than 60 years later, the song still resonates—not just as a classic recording, but as a lasting reminder of resilience, struggle and the belief that change, no matter how long it takes, will come.

Related: 1971 Classic Ranked No. 1 ‘Best Album of the 70s’

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

If you’ve been scrolling through your New England travel feed lately, you’ve probably seen the viral clips of Hammond Castle in Gloucester being dubbed the "Hogwarts of Massachusetts." As someone who lives just down the road in Marblehead, I can tell you the local reaction to that nickname is… let's call it "spirited."

While the internet is busy debating whether this medieval-style gem is more Gryffindor or Slytherin, the real travel hack is that this place is actually way weirder and cooler than any movie set. Built in the late 1920s by inventorJohn Hays Hammond Jr. (the "Father of Radio Control"), the castle is a wild architectural mashup where 15th-century French facades meet high-tech laboratory vibes.

Related: Stops Along This Coastal Scenic Byway Rival Nantucket, But Without the Crowds

Perched dramatically on the rocky cliffs of the Magnolia coastline in Gloucester, the castle is the crown jewel of the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway—a stretch of Route 127 that is arguably the most beautiful drive in the state. As you pull up, the massive grey stone turrets and flying buttresses look like they were plucked straight from 15th-century France and dropped onto the rugged Massachusetts shore.

Inside, the Great Hall is a total showstopper, featuring a soaring 85-foot ceiling, a massive 8,400-pipe organ, and a Renaissance-style courtyard where it actually "rains" into a sunken pool at the flip of a switch. Whether you’re standing in the glass-enclosed laboratory or looking out from the arched stone windows at the crashing Atlantic surf below, the scale of the place feels less like a house and more like a fever dream of European history brought to life in New England.

Related: 17 Best Things to Do in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Including Sustainable Travel Ideas

The 2026 season officially kicked off on April 3rd, and if you’re planning a North Shore day trip, you’ll want to skip the "Hogwarts" hype and lean into the actual history. For those who want the full fairytale experience without the crowds some TikTokers complain about, the Spiritualism Tours by Candlelight (running Thursdays through October) are the ultimate move. You get to explore Hammond’s obsession with the occult, including his attempts to contact the dead using a massive Faraday Cage, and—as a 2026 bonus—your ticket now includes a sunset picnic on the oceanside terrace.

• The Cost: Weekend tickets are $25 for adults, but here’s a pro-tip: visit on a weekday for a $20 rate. If you're a Gloucester resident, you can actually get in for free every Tuesday through the season.
• The "Ilvermorny" Debate: In the comments, fans are quick to point out that if this were a wizarding school, it would technically be Ilvermorny (the North American school located in Greylock, MA). But honestly? It feels more like a Game of Thrones set dropped onto the Atlantic coast.
• Special Events: Keep an eye out for their Bridgerton Afternoon Tea and the new Eric Pape fantasy illustration exhibit, which are much more "Gloucester glam" than "Dunkies and Wizards."

The Vibe: It’s quirky, it’s historic and yes, it’s incredibly photogenic. Just don't expect a Sorting Hat at the entrance—expect a massive pipe organ and some of the best ocean views in New England.

Related: The Cape Cod Town Known for Its Famous Oyster Fest Is an Ideal Quiet Fall Escape

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

After a long, cold winter, many of us are eagerly anticipating warmer weather, beachy vibes and outdoor music (maybe even nostalgic concerts if you, like me, are going to multiple Hilary Duff shows this summer). But because it might be another few weeks before the majority of us can officially break out the short sleeves, the next best thing is to be transported in time and space via an Emma Straub novel.

And no, I don't mean *literal* time travel like in Straub's last book (2022's This Time Tomorrow). I mean picking up American Fantasy, her latest release (out today!) which transports you, the reader, to a sunny cruise featuring a '90s boy band and thousands of their fans, and explores themes of nostalgia, personal fulfillment and stepping outside of one's comfort zone.

I spoke with Straub ahead of this book's release and we talked about everything from midlife reinvention and her "revelatory" experience owning the Brooklyn bookstore Books Are Magic, to the inspiration behind her epigraphs (including a lyric from The Magnetic Fields about a pretty boy in his underwear) and the lasting impact of MTV.

Straub herself went on a New Kids on the Block cruise in 2023, which became the catalyst for this thought-provoking and heartwarming story. Here, she opens up to Parade about when she decided to write American Fantasy, which book genre she "couldn't" do and the novels she recommends reading after you finish this one.

Related: 50 Books Every Woman Over 50 Should Have on Her Bookshelf, According to Librarians

Penguin Random House

Parade: When did the idea of writing a book like this hit you? Was it before you went on the cruise, or while you were on it?

ES: It was really one of those "bolt of lightning" sort of ideas where I was on Instagram or Facebook and I saw something about the New Kids on the Block cruise, and it was coming up, at that moment, in the next month. They'd been doing them for over 10 years at that point, so I knew that they were doing it—it wasn't the first I'd ever heard of it. But there was something about what I was going through in my life, which was my father had died in September, and I just saw it, and I was like, "That's it—that's my book."

So the idea of the cruise and the idea for the novel were one in the same. I have gone to see boy bands in concert many times over many years, and I had never thought about writing a boy band book, but thinking about the cruise, I was like, "No, that's it." Even though I didn't have any of the characters, I didn't have the story, I didn't have the actual meat of it, I had the bones.

What is so wonderful about a cruise—I mean, it's why Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile—if you have a contained space in a compressed time period, you've practically got a novel already because your characters are going to be stuck there together, to experience whatever they're experiencing, whether it's joy or, if you're Agatha Christie, murder.

And it would be my job to sort of figure out the details, and what fun! But it was truly a single moment where I was just recognizing that I could really have fun writing that book.

Related: 25 Best Short Books You Can Easily Read in a Day, According to Librarians

And I can imagine that would make the experience very fun to you in two different ways—you're on the cruise and enjoying it, but then you're also working and getting inspiration.

Yes, I had several little notebooks and I was writing things down constantly. Several women came up to me and asked me if I was a journalist, to which I could reply, totally honestly, "No, no, I'm not." I mean, I didn't tell anyone what I was doing, but I did deny being a journalist, because I'm not.

You were telling the truth, it's fine! I like how the book plays on the word "fantasy," too—between what the public thinks of as the unreal, glamorous lives of these boy band members and then also the fantasy of your own dreams and what you want your life to look like.And there's also the fantasy aspect of the dragon book that made the appearance! It did make me wonder if you've ever thought about dipping your toes into the fantasy or romantasy genre...

No—you know what's so funny? I spent most of the week at a booksellers conference, and I was talking to hundreds of other booksellers. And we were talking at dinner one night about how if we were really smart, we would just write the dragon book that everyone really wants the most. But I couldn't do it. And in a funny way, it's knowing that I couldn't is what makes me feel the best about being a writer. I'm not writing for the marketplace. I'm not writing for any sort of imagined audience.

With this book and This Time Tomorrow—it was the only gift the pandemic gave me, really, is that I was like, well, if this is the world, I am going to write the book of my heart, the book that I need. I did that with This Time Tomorrow, and American Fantasy really is almost the yin-yang other half. Obviously, This Time Tomorrow was, you know, a time travel book about grief, and this is like a romp on the open seas! But they are connected in that way where they both really were satisfying something deep inside of me in a way that I absolutely never intended to tackle those subjects.

Related: 21 Books Like ‘Fourth Wing,’ According to Librarians

That definitely comes across in them too. I also love how in American Fantasy, there's almost this "Instagram versus reality" aspect for the characters because of how their lives may look on the outside versus what they're actually struggling with. It also seems like many of the different characters made choices based on what was a "logical next step" versus what they truly would have chosen as like, "Oh, this is what I want to do."

It left them wondering, "Can I start over? Is it too late to start over?" And I loved how the different characters were grappling with that question. How important is it, in your opinion, for people to embrace reinvention or reignite that at any age?

Yes. Oh, God. I think it's so important. In a sort of, in a funny way, I actually think that the older you get, the easier it is to see that. Because when you're in your 20s, you look at 30 and you think, "Oh my God, 30 is middle-aged and ancient!" And now I'm 45, and when I think about myself at 30, I think, "Oh, I was a child!"

I've seen so many of my friends go through enormous midlife shifts—whether it's getting a divorce or remarrying or deciding to have a child on their own, not waiting for a partner anymore, or starting a new career, going back to school, moving across the country, moving to another country. I have friends who have done so many enormous things in their 40s and 50s and then there are all the transitions that are sort of built-in to life, like your children leaving the nest, retirement, all of those kinds of things. Those are enormous transitions, too!

So I think it's really a young person's hang up to think that transitions are over. I remember when I got married, I was very young, I was 28. And I remember thinking, "Okay, well, there we go!" You know, like, "Now I'm set!" Not understanding or knowing how many changes you go through, despite the building blocks that you have put in place, and embracing those changes and seeing them as an opportunity, like it's actually good—they're actually good! But it takes a little while to see that.

I also always enjoy the different group dynamics in your books. You give such great details about those larger units, while giving us a chance to really deeply know individual characters at the same time. I'm curious what it was like for you to build not only your own version of this boy band, but also, you got to build a large fandom, a crew staff—there were all different groups on the ship. Did you know from the start that you wanted to highlight all of those different specific types of characters?

What's funny is that so many of my books, as you know, are about families and family dynamics, which I do find endlessly fascinating because there are an unlimited number of permutations that families can take. But with this book, I was really excited to explore the other kind of group dynamics that we experience.

Honestly, what's interesting is that owning the bookstore has been revelatory for me in terms of understanding so many things like intergenerational, professional relationships. I'm in my mid-40s and most of our booksellers are in their mid-to-late 20s, I would say, and all of those people have taught me so much, it's incredible.

And I love a workplace—you know, like, why do people love The Office? It's not because it's "sexy" or "cool," it's because we recognize it. We recognize like, "Oh, yeah, my best friend is actually this 50-year-old man who works in accounting. I can't tell you why, but we are besties for the resties." We all have those kinds of funny relationships!

So I wanted to think about that, and then I really wanted to think about this boy band. What is it like? What is it like on the inside? I really was so curious about exploring what feels great about it, and what feels terrible about it, and what would those people be struggling with? What would they be thinking about?

I loved it and it gave me so much empathy for people, especially—I mean, I think it's not easy to be famous, period. But I think people who have been famous from childhood—that is, it's a real sacrifice. That's really what I came away feeling: it is something of a sacrificial existence. And people have to figure out how to exist in that, and that's really complicated. It's not easy.

Related: 56 Best Sad Books That Will Definitely Make You Cry, According to Librarians

While you were writing your characters, were there any actors or well-known personalities you were envisioning?

I spent a lot of time thinking about all of the various boybands. I've put in the most time, certainly over the last 35 years, thinking about the New Kids on the Block. But I watched every documentary, I read and watched so much about every boy band, so I was thinking about all of those real people.

But no, in terms of like, dream casting, I don't know. There isn't anybody except, what I love about Annie is that she feels sophisticated—she lives in New York, she works for this magazine. I think of her as someone who is sophisticated, but soft, and not totally put together—which is just a character that I would love to see on the big screen.

I agree. You mentioned that you watched a lot of documentaries and read all of these different books—and I saw that you actually have a Spotify playlist for each of your books, too! Did you listen to a lot of New Kids on the Block, or were there any other specific—and maybe surprising—singers, bands or genres that you gravitated toward while writing American Fantasy?

I went deep on boy bands. I have one friend who is a bookseller in Texas, and she's a little older than I am, but her number one love is One Direction. And I mean, I knew the top hits, but she made me a whole One Direction playlist that is like deep cuts, plus a lot of solo material.

But in terms of unexpected things, when thinking about the cruise in particular, it's really like a certain hardcore 80s playlist, like the music videos that were on MTV all day long in my childhood. My parents were around and did a great job, but MTV raised me, you know what I mean? MTV 100% raised me. So, you know, Madonna, Janet Jackson...

But then also, what I loved about MTV, actually, is that you were like its prisoner. I was not a grunge girly, I did not care about Pearl Jam. But could I sing you every word of probably at least four or five Pearl Jam songs? Yes, because I watched the videos 10,000 times totally against my will. I feel the same way about Nirvana—the music was not for me, but I was watching it anyway! So basically anything that was on MTV between like 1985 and 2001, I would say, that's the inside of my brain.

Related: 45 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time, According to Librarians

I also *love* your epigraphs and I wanted to ask about some of the inspiration for them—is it from what you read and watch before writing the book, or as you're writing, or when do you nail that down?

Yeah, you know, because Annie works at this opera magazine, I really wanted to position her as a person coming from a totally other direction. I grew up in a household—I mean, I was watching MTV, but my parents really only listened to jazz and the opera, that's what was playing in my house. My parents took me to see jazz and operas, and they did not take me to see the New Kids on the Block.

I was actually I was talking to my mother about this recently, and I said, "I can't believe you never took me." And she said to me with a totally straight face, "I don't know if they...do you think they came here?" And I'm like, "To New York City?! Yeah, I do. For sure. I think they came." I grew up on the Upper West Side, which is like 40 blocks away from Madison Square Garden, or we could have gone to New Jersey, Long Island, whatever. I am sure they came, but my parents were just not clicked in to that.

My husband had normal parents who listened to the radio, the popular radio. And so they took him to go see Michael Jackson and Billy Joel. Not me, not me—and so I wanted some of that in here, too. When I was in high school, I took an opera class that was like opera appreciation, listening.

You weren't singing.

I was not singing. But my children go to the school that I went to, and my teacher from that class still works at the school, and I was like, "Can we have breakfast, and I go through all these little moments in the book and we can talk about opera? Because here's what I'm imagining, but what do you think?"

He had one that I put in, I think it's right at the beginning where it's an opera where nuns basically are processing to their deaths, but they're delighted about it.... He gave me so many amazing operas.

And he talked to me about the Tristan chord, which is this thing that's mentioned in one of the epigraphs, which I loved, which is the idea that in music, there can be—you know, we think of chords as resolving and especially those of us who listen to popular music, that's what our ears are trained for and want—but that there can be pieces of music where some of those things get that satisfaction and some of them don't.

And I just thought that that was perfect for Annie because what happens at the end of this book? I mean, we're not going to talk about the end, we're not giving away spoilers, but is it a resolution? And that's how our lives are: we get to see immediate satisfaction in some things—you graduate from high school and ta-da! You got a diploma! But in so many other parts of our life, the stories are ongoing and ever changing. You see some resolutions and you wait for others.

And then the other epigraph, a pretty boy in his underwear. I mean, if that's not the whole truth, it's just... if there's anything better in this whole world, who cares?!

Nailed it! OK, once people finish up American Fantasy, what are a couple of other books that you think give off a similar nostalgic-sentimental-introspective vibe? What should they read next?

That's an interesting question. The first book that comes to mind is my friend Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, which is one of the greatest books I've ever read. It's not nostalgic, precisely, but it does tell the story of a bygone world, you know? We're moving so fast that 20 years really does feel like a long time. That is one of the most beautiful novels ever written. I would say that one.

And then Meg Wolitzer is one of my very, very favorite novelists. The Interestings is her book about kids at summer camp. It's kids who are at an "arty" theater camp, and they make friends. And the book follows them for decades. And it's the same kind of thing in that it really speaks to your childhood, your inner-self actually being quite steady, which I find to be true. The older I get, the more I know, like, my best friend from preschool, I can call her and talk to her about literally anything in my life, and she is right there. And she is the same as she was then.

If someone's looking for another character with a name involving "Pancake" (or "Pancakes"), they could do The Road to Tender Hearts too—I wanted to call that out.

Can I tell you—I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I will. On the New Kids on the Block cruise that I went on for research, there was a DJ and his his name was "DJ Cool Whip." And I was like, "What could I do?!" I could never come up with something that good. But then I was like, pancake...pancake...DJ Pancake!

 This interview has been condensed and edited for length and clarity 

Up Next:

Related: 11 Best New Book Releases Coming in April 2026, According to Librarians

Alpha Smoot

• Emma Straub is the New York Times-bestselling author of six books for adults: the novels This Time Tomorrow, All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures, and the short story collection Other People We Married. She and her husband own Books Are Magic, an independent bookstore in Brooklyn, New York.

The Bad News Bears movie opened in theaters back on April 7, 1976, which is officially 50 years ago today. Although the film about a dysfunctional coach for a rowdy youth baseball team wouldn't pass today's family-friendly movie standards, Gen Xers and other fans of the movie definitely carry around many unforgettable quotes from chuckle-worthy film.

In 1976, The Bad News Bears became a surprise box office hit, pulling in $32.2 million that year in the U.S., according to IMBD, against a very modest production budget.

The film focuses on Morris Buttermaker (played by the late Walter Matthau), an older, washed-up minor league baseball player with an intense alcohol use issue, who's hired to coach a youth baseball team called the Bears. The Bears just so happens to be made up of quirky, potty-mouthed outcasts.

Related: Disturbing New 'The Price Is Right' Allegations Exposed in Behind-the-Scenes Docuseries

Even if several lines and scenes in the 1976 classic comedy simply don't hold up in 2026—as no racism, sexism, child abuse, and smoking 14-year-olds ever should—the broader storyline is a positive one, and the worst characters in the film do get corrected or eventually put in their place.

In a perfect world, would Coach Buttermaker have found a way to tame his personal demons far away from this vulnerable group of kids? Absolutely. In an ideal world, should life have been easier for these scrappy, underdog kids? Of course. But its imperfection and realness also works well for both of these reasons.

Ultimately, The Bad News Bears is a story about working together to raise each other up on your toughest days in order get a win (even if it's not the game win).

On that note, here are some of the most memorable quotes from The Bad News Bears (yes, the couple more stomach-turning quotes were vigilantly left off this list):

• "Why don't you get back into that sardine can of yours and go, go vacuum the bottom of the Pacific Ocean?" —Amanda Whurlitzer (played by Tatum O'Neal)
• "He's not dead. He's drunk!" — Tanner Boyle (played by Chris Barnes)
• "I know it says $1.25 on the map, but what it really is is $2.00 because of inflation." —Amanda Whurlitzer
• "I got a Harley-Davidson. Does that turn you on? —Kelly Leak (played by Jackie Earle Haley)
• "Now get back to the stands before I shave off half your mustache and shove it up your left nostril." —Coach Morris Buttermaker
• "This is for Allah. And it's goin' way out there, sucka." —Ahmad Abdul Rahim (played by Erin Blunt)
• "This quitting thing, it's a hard habit to break once you start." —Coach Morris Buttermaker
• "First base, second base, third base, home!" —Coach Morris Buttermaker; Followed by the team chanting, "Around them bases we shall roam!"
• "Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" —Tanner Boyle
• "Get out there now and do the best you can." —Coach Morris Buttermaker

Photo by LMPC on Getty Images

Where to watch The Bad News Bears: The movie is currently available to rent or digitally purchase via Prime Video and Fandango at Home. Streaming service, bundle, or per-episode fees may apply.

There is also a 2005 reboot of the film, which stars Billy Bob Thornton.

A musical adaptation of The Bad News Bears is scheduled to premiere in 2027.

🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

It was one of the biggest hits of their career, and decades later, it ranks as a road trip anthem. In 1971, English progressive rock band Yes released the song “Roundabout.” The single, from their album Fragile, peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 15, 1972.

Written by Jon Anderson and Steve Howe, “Roundabout” featured an acoustic guitar intro, a driving baseline, and harmonic vocals led by Howe. It became the second-highest charting song of the band’s career and Yes’s signature song.

In 2025, Rolling Stone ranked “Roundabout” one of the best road trip songs of all time, noting that “through the song’s eight minutes, the band keeps merging into traffic, going around familiar repeating circles before spinning off in new directions.”

There’s no hidden meaning in “Roundabout.” The song was written after the bandmates drove through dozens of roundabouts while traveling across Scotland in support of The Yes Album in March 1971, per Ultimate Guitar.

During a three-hour trek to Glasgow,  Anderson was mesmerized by the mountains and lakes that he saw from the window of the band’s tour van.

“I had smoked a joint, so everything was vivid and mystical,” Anderson recalled to the Wall Street Journal in a 2017 interview. “As we drove along, we encountered a fair number of ‘roundabouts,’ what you in the States call traffic circles.  … I took out my little notepad and started writing. I wrote the lyrics in a free form and didn’t edit the lines much. I just loved how words sounded when I put them together: ‘I’ll be the roundabout / the words will make you out ‘n’ out’ expressed how I felt as the song’s words came to me fast, the way cars navigate roundabouts.”

Speaking with Rock Cellar, Anderson recalled that during the trip, every few miles, there was a roundabout. “I think we’d seen about 10 roundabouts,” he shared. "Steve started playing guitar and I started singing, 'I’ll be a roundabout.' There were about 25 roundabouts by the time we got to Glasgow.”

RELATED: 1976 No. 1 One-Hit Wonder Was Written in Five Minutes

“Roundabout” was recorded that September at Advision Studios in London, and the Yes bandmates knew they had something special with the song, which clocked at eight and a half minutes on the album version.

"At the time, Yes had designed this idea that we didn't have to rush into songs and could have longer innuendos before the song started,” Howe explained to Guitar World. "I've always been interested in intros and outros as much as the whole piece, and that introduction on Roundabout is the kind of idea I like.”

The song was ultimately adapted to get airplay on early ‘70s radio.

“It was about an eight-minute song because by then everything we did, we thought about what it’s going to sound like onstage, how the audience would enjoy the middle section, is it different,“ Anderson said in the Rock Cellar interview. “And then somebody at the record company got scissors out and cut it in half and made it into a hit record.”

🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

From layering necklaces to hoop earrings, there are so many different types of jewelry that can instantly elevate an everyday outfit. Something that's far more unique, however, is a jewelry piece that's personalized, dependable, and beautiful all at once. If you’re on the hunt for a stunning new addition to your jewelry collection that's tailored to your unique name, Macy's has a new deal you'll definitely want to check out. This Adornia Gold-Plated Multicolor Stone Initial Necklace is still in stock in most letter styles, and it’s currently on sale for 30% off.

This initial necklace normally retails for $30, but it’s now on sale for just $21. Macy’s is the best place to snag this necklace, as it’s currently on sale for $22 at Nordstrom Rack and $95 on the Adornia website.

This necklace boasts a gorgeous initial pendant encrusted with cubic zirconia crystals. Unlike most jewelry adorned with cubic zirconia, this pendant features crystals of all different colors and shapes that really make it stand out. From classic simulated diamonds to teardrop-shaped, colorful stones, they give this pendant a stunning, unique look. The cubic zirconia crystals are faceted, so they’ll radiantly sparkle whenever the light hits them. 

Striking the perfect balance between playful and elegant, this initial pendant has clean, simple lines that contrast with the eye-catching crystals. This piece falls right between a statement and a dainty, everyday necklace. Measuring around an inch long, this pendant manages to feel understated yet bold at the same time. 

Shoppers absolutely adore the style of the necklace and have awarded it dozens of five-star reviews. One reviewer called it the “best necklace ever” and said it’s the “perfect size, length, and weight.” "Beautiful," "very unique," and "sparkly" are some of the other ways that

Related: Macy’s 'Beautiful' $15 Floral Table Runner Is Spring-Ready With Farmhouse and Cottagecore Charm

The necklace features a sleek box chain that doesn’t take away from the pendant. Designed to draw attention to the decolletage, the chain measures 20 inches long and drapes elegantly around the wearer’s neck. This necklace is made from brass plated with 14 karat gold for a polished finish with a touch of luxury. It’s finished with a classic lobster clasp to ensure that the chain remains securely fastened. 

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a loved one, this Adornia Gold-Plated Multicolor Stone Initial Necklace is an excellent addition to any jewelry collection. Head over to Macy’s and grab one, or a few, for just $21 while it’s still on sale at this unbeatable price! 

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.

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

As you start refreshing your warm-weather wardrobe this season, you might find yourself struggling to find comfortable shorts and matching tops that feel cozy but still look put together. The kind of loungewear set that can take you from snuggled in bed to a beachside brunch is also a must for vacation. If you're looking for a great one to pack for your next trip or add to your everyday rotation, Amazon has an excellent matching set for under $25 that you should definitely check out. 

Now available for as low as $20, the Trendy Queen 2-Piece Summer Outfit is on sale in 12 gorgeous colors, ranging from neutrals like black and khaki to bright pops of pink and cool blue. Most options are on sale for either $20 or $25, depending on the color and size. Compared to purchasing a top and shorts separately, you're still getting a great deal with this matching set, no matter which color you choose.

Courtesy of Amazon

This two-piece set includes a sleeveless crop top with a scoop neck and high-waisted shorts with deep pockets for a trendy silhouette. Made of a high-density 95% polyester and 5% spandex blend, this set is wrinkle-resistant — a feature that makes it especially great for travel. The material is also soft and stretchy, so you should be able to move around easily when wearing this outfit.

Though fitted, nothing about this set is too tight. Instead, the top is designed to skim the body and hug your curves, while the shorts offer a tailored look. Some reviewers who were initially hesitant about wearing a crop top appreciated how neither the top or shorts' waistband squeezed their midsection. Available in sizes X-small through X-large, shoppers said both pieces fit true to size.

Related: Amazon’s 'Comfortable' $10 100% Cotton T-Shirt Feels 'Super Soft' and It Comes in 17 Colors

With over 1,175 five-star ratings, this two-piece set has earned a ton of praise from reviewers. Many shoppers said the outfit's "flattering" fit had them feeling "cute and comfortable." Whether lounging at home, running errands, or dressed up with accessories and cute sandals for dinner out, shoppers raved about this set's versatility. 

This "vacation-ready" matching set is a huge hit with travelers. Several shoppers said they wore this outfit on beach vacations and cruises, as well as on more active trips that involved lots of walking. Described as "perfect for warm weather," some reviewers even said they've purchased it in multiple colors.

• Sampeel 2-Piece Set, $18 (was $40) at Amazon
• Okdnajdd Sleeveless 2-Piece Set, $15 (was $20) at Amazon
• Automet Crew Neck 2-Piece Shorts Set, $20 (was $37) at Amazon

You can make the Trendy Queen 2-Piece Summer Outfit your new go-to lounge set for just $20 right now. Head to Amazon and add it to your cart before your favorite color sells out!

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.

If you have a European vacation on the calendar for 2026, the days of collecting physical ink stamps in your passport are officially winding down. As of April 10, 2026, the European Union has fully implemented its Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital border program designed to modernize travel across the 29 countries in the Schengen Area. According to the European Commission, this new system replaces manual stamping with a digital record that tracks your name, biometric data and dates of entry and departure.

Related: How I Pack for a 7-Day Europe Trip With a Single Carry-On

The biggest change you’ll notice at the border is the collection of biometrics. Under the new EES guidelines, travelers from outside the EU (including U.S. citizens) will provide fingerprints and a facial scan upon their first entry into the Schengen zone. Children under 12 are exempt from the fingerprint requirement, but everyone else will need to use the self-service kiosks or see a border officer to get registered in the database.

To use the speedier self-service kiosks, you must have a biometric passport (look for the small gold camera/chip icon on your blue cover). While most Americans have had these since 2007, those traveling without one will be diverted to manual lanes for extra screening.

Related: Lisbon Is the Perfect European Escape for Solo Women Over 50—and Here’s Why

While the digital registration at the border is happening now, the much-discussed ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)—which is a pre-travel registration—is slated to launch later in 2026. Per the EU’s official travel site, once ETIAS is live, travelers will pay a 7-euro fee (approx. $8 USD) that is valid for three years. However, for your immediate 2026 spring and summer trips, you do not need to pre-register or pay a fee before you fly to the Schengen zone.

Remember: The United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen Area. If your trip includes London, you must already comply with the U.K. Government’s ETA program. As of April 8, 2026, the fee for the U.K. Electronic Travel Authorisation has increased to £20 (roughly $27 USD), and approval is required before you board your flight.

Related: This Cult-Favorite Airline is Finally Launching Europe Business Class Service—With Lie-Flat Beds

How far would you go to right the wrongs of your childhood? In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, protagonist Amir’s innocent childhood game quickly turns horrifically dark, and decades later he does everything in his power to find redemption. 

Related: This Classic Novel Was Ranked the ‘Best Book to Read on a Rainy Day’ on Goodreads

The novel begins in Afghanistan in the 1970s, where Amir and his friend Hassan dream of winning a kite-flying competition, but after a brutal trauma occurs to Hassan, which Amir fails to stop, both boys’ lives change forever. Following a Russian invasion, Amir’s family flees to safety and eventually settles in the United States, where Amir finds success as a novelist. 

Amir is then contacted by an old family friend, who urges him to return to Afghanistan, now under Taliban rule, explaining that there is a way for him to redeem himself and, in the process, change a life for the better. The sweeping tale turns into one of action, violence, and a partial easing of guilt, told through the lens of friendship and the complicated relationships between fathers and sons. 

Related: 1952 Masterpiece Novel by Nobel Prize Winner Gets Netflix Adaptation

The book has over 3.5 million ratings on Goodreads, where users gave it an average 4.36 stars out of five. In fact, the New York Times bestseller is so popular on the social media site for readers that it topped the list for Best Historical Fiction of the 21st Century. 

Hosseini’s powerful prose made it onto the list more than once, with his 2007 novel, A Thousand Splending Suns, coming in at fourth place behind Kathryn Stockett’s The Help and Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief. Like The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns is set against the backdrop of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, though this time it’s told through the eyes of two women who form a strong bond under the face of adversity. 

Next: Best-Selling Author’s Novels Ranked ‘Best Series’ on Goodreads

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

With the arrival of warmer days and longer evenings, many of us are turning our attention outdoors, looking for ways to make our patios, porches, or balconies more inviting. If you're hoping to refresh your outdoor space without breaking the bank, Walmart's flash deal on the Walsunny 3-Piece Rocking Chair Patio Set is worth a closer look. 

Normally priced at $190, this highly rated bistro set is now just $95, a sunny deal that combines modern style, comfort, and unbeatable price..

Courtesy of Walmart

The Walsunny patio set includes two rocking chairs and a sleek, three-legged round coffee table, creating a cozy spot for morning coffee, evening chats, or simply soaking up the sun. The gentle rocking motion of the chairs makes it easy to unwind after a busy day. Adjustable feet on the table help you keep it balanced on uneven decking or patio stones.

The chairs are constructed with breathable and lightweight textilene fabric, which is cooler and more flexible than traditional rattan, especially on hot days. Unlike some heavier patio furniture, these pieces are easy to rearrange, making them a practical choice for those who like to switch up their outdoor setup.

With a nearly perfect rating, this set is praised not only for its comfort and looks but also for its value. Whether you're looking to create a restful reading nook with ergonomic handrails, a conversation space for entertaining friends, or simply a comfortable spot to enjoy the outdoors, this rocking chair patio set offers an affordable and stylish solution. 

Shoppers praised the set's comfort and aesthetics, noting that it's "very comfortable" and "a good-looking set." The combination of style and coziness makes it a popular pick for anyone wanting to upgrade their outdoor living space.

Related: Walmart's 'Beautiful and Spacious' $79 4-Drawer Storage Cabinet Is Perfect for Small Bathrooms

"They look adorable on my porch!" one shopper said, echoing the sentiment of many who have added the set to their homes.

Reviewers mentioned that it is "easy to put together," thanks to clear instructions and the included hardware, and that it's "very well made," making the process hassle-free even for those with little assembly experience. 

Once assembled, the set's modern design and three neutral color options (black, light gray, and white) blend seamlessly with a wide variety of outdoor decor styles.. The high-quality, rust-resistant steel ensures the set stands up to the elements and remains sturdy for years to come. 

• Lvelia Intelligent Electronic Dancing Robot Toy, $17 (was $40) at Walmart
• Ecetana Floral Open Toe Slides Sandals, $20 (was $36) at Walmart
• Hoofun Electric Cordless Bath Scrubber, $23 (was $40) at Walmart

With this flash deal on a bestselling Walmart patio set, you can revamp your outdoor living area for under $100 and make the most of every sunny day this season.

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.