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Common advice about “how to look more friendly and approachable” usually involves body language; don’t cross your arms and watch your RBF (look it up). However, one expert shares that people often overlook the power of color psychology in clothing choices. To her, friendliness is more than a personality trait—it’s a signal.

“Color is one of the fastest ways that signals travel before you’ve opened your mouth, crossed the room or introduced yourself to anyone,” Michelle Lewis, a color psychology expert, certified color analyst, author and the founder of ColorAnalysis.com and The Color Institute, tells Parade. “We process color in 90 milliseconds. The colors you wear are actively communicating your social energy, your warmth and your openness to connection in an instant.”

She says color psychology shows us that some colors lower others’ social guard when they’re around you by making them feel safe, welcome and drawn in instead of cautious or neutral.

“Understanding which colors do that work—and which ones do not—gives you a genuinely practical tool for every social situation you walk into,” adds Lewis, who is also the author of Color Secrets: Learning The One Universal Language We Were Never Taught. “And honestly? Most people have no idea that something as simple as an outfit choice could make or break their next introductory chat.”

What color makes you look friendly in an instant, then? Lewis shares one, plus answers the question, “What colors make you look unapproachable?” Read on for more.

Related: Color Psychologist Says Wearing This Color Makes You Appear Instantly More Confident

The Single Most Friendly Color You Can Wear

Does wearing orange make you look friendlier? It sure does. In fact, Lewis ranks orange as No. 1 on her list of the most friendly colors to wear.

Specifically, she loves colors on the yellow-tinted, citrus end of the orange family for approachability. She favors tangerine, peach and soft citrus over deep burnt orange or terracotta.

“This is the color range that carries orange’s full social power while adding yellow‘s optimism and forward energy—and the combination is neurologically remarkable,” Lewis tells Parade.

She points to research suggesting that exposure to orange light produced more activity in the frontal lobes, which control alertness and cognition, than other lights tested.

“That neurological activation isn’t just energizing for the person wearing it—it’s impacting everyone around them,” she explains. “I’ve worked with clients who struggled to be approached at social events. When they started wearing orange, everything changed. They went from standing alone to being surrounded by people wanting to connect.”

Lewis also notes that another study testing student responses to different-colored environments found that students voted yellow as the color that helped them strengthen communication and friendships.

“Yellow-tinted orange sits right at that intersection: the warmth and social magnetism of orange combined with yellow’s unique ability to strengthen human connection,” she explains. “It’s not a coincidence that citrus tones have dominated wedding color trends, fashion runways and interior design for the past two years. The world is reaching for exactly this frequency of warmth and connection—and so can you.”

Related: Color Psychologist Says the Color of Your Shoes Impacts You More Than You Think—Here’s Why

3 More Colors That Make You Appear Instantly Friendlier

As mentioned above, wearing orange can make you look friendlier and more approachable. However, it may not be your color—or even the best hue for a specific situation. Below, Lewis shares more friendly colors to wear and when to rock ’em.

1. Yellow

What are the best colors to wear to a networking event? Lewis suggests considering yellow first.

“Yellow is the most neurologically activating chromatic color the eye encounters,” she reports. “It sits at 570-580 nanometers, where both green and red cone receptors reach peak sensitivity simultaneously. That activation creates a social energy that draws people into conversation.”

She points out that yellow can help you look optimistic, open and genuinely happy to be at the event, which is precisely the signal you want.

“Just keep it citrus-toned rather than deeply saturated, which can tip from energizing into overwhelming,” she adds.

2. Purple

Lewis notes that purple exudes a different type of friendliness: connection. And not just any bond, but “the kind that makes people feel genuinely heard rather than just welcomed.”

“In color psychology, people drawn to purple are consistently described as the most open and receptive personalities—people who are genuinely curious about others rather than managing how they appear,” she explains.

When you wear purple, Lewis says you’re letting the people around you know, “I care, and I’m in it for more than just a quick hello.”

“That quality of genuine receptivity is one of the most powerful social signals available—and it’s pretty rare,” she shares. “Purple is particularly effective in one-on-one social situations where depth of connection matters more than volume.”

3. Teal

“Teal combines the two most socially effective color families—blue‘s calm, trustworthy quality and green‘s warmth and restorative energy—in a single color with no red in its composition whatsoever,” Lewis reveals.

A 2024-25 hospital study found that patients in green and blue rooms had greater mood improvements than those in white or gray rooms. It suggests that this blue-green combination in teal could create a distinct and beneficial psychological state.

“From a color analysis perspective, teal is also one of the most universally flattering shades across skin tones, which matters socially because someone who looks genuinely comfortable in what they’re wearing projects an ease that makes others feel at ease too,” Lewis adds.

Related: Color Psychologist Says These 5 Colors Are Worn Most by ‘Emotionally Resilient’ People

The 3 Colors To Avoid if You Want To Look Friendly

On the other hand, what colors make you appear unfriendly? Lewis reveals a few hues to steer clear of when your goal is to look friendlier.

1. Black

Lewis knows black is a beloved wardrobe staple, so she’s saying the following with care.

“But from a color psychology standpoint, black is not a color,” she explains. “It absorbs all frequencies of light rather than reflecting them.”

Lewis says that research suggests that achromatic colors like black consistently produce no emotional response in observers. Other studies indicate that people consistently link black with negative effects.

“In social contexts where you want people to feel drawn to you and comfortable approaching you, black creates an invisible wall—not because you’re unfriendly, but because the color itself gives people nothing at all emotionally to receive,” she shares.

2. Brown

Sure, Brown has an earthy, warm vibe in design and nature. But in color psychology, brown clothing can actually sabotage social connection.

“Brown produces very low emotional arousal,” Lewis explains. “Its near-neutral quality means it generates almost no psychological signal in a crowd. Unlike black, which can read as intentionally closed-off, brown reads as simply absent. It doesn’t invite connection or signal social openness.”

In color analysis, she points out that brown is generally a grounded, serious part of autumn or spring palettes. While Lewis concedes this works well in professional contexts sometimes, it can also make you look unavailable and disengaged in social ones.

3. Red

Lewis points out that red is the color most strongly linked to dominance, status and urgency, making it a complex choice for social settings. Research suggests that people link red with high status more quickly than other colors. But friendliness and status aren’t the same thing.

“Red raises people’s guard rather than lowering it,” she reports. “It reads as someone who is commanding the room rather than welcoming others into it. In a social context where you want people to feel comfortable walking up to you, red works against that goal.”

Related: Color Psychologist Says These 5 Colors Are Worn Most by ‘Old Souls’

How To Add ‘Friendly’ Colors to Your Everyday Wardrobe

You may want to know how to look more friendly without overhauling your closet. Here’s how to incorporate the most welcoming colors into your rotation without breaking the bank.

1. Start with your seasonal palette—not just any friendly color

Lewis may pick orange as the friendliest color to wear, but that doesn’t mean you should immediately go buy a whole bunch of blouses in that hue. She says the friendliest color is actually one that suits your natural coloring because it makes you look like the best version of you.

“A citrus orange that’s wrong for your skin tone won’t send the warm signal you’re hoping for,” she explains. “It will send a different signal entirely, one of visual incongruence that people pick up on unconsciously.”

Before doing anything else in her work as a color analyst, she evaluates whether a client’s color choice aligns with their natural coloring.

“Spring and summer seasonal palettes carry lighter, friendlier colors—soft citrus, sky blue, soft pink,” she states. “Autumn and winter palettes carry deeper, richer versions—burnt orange, deep teal, jewel-toned purple.”

2. Use a single friendly accent against your neutrals

You don’t need to start over wardrobe-wise to send friendlier signals to the world.

“A citrus scarf, a yellow bag and a teal pair of shoes worn against your existing neutrals does more social work than you might expect,” Lewis points out. “A single chromatic accent against a neutral backdrop is often more effective than a fully colorful outfit. It gives people something specific and chromatic to respond to without overwhelming them.”

She shares that the critical piece is to pick a color that actually excites you when you put it on.

“That personal resonance is the difference between a color that performs and a color that connects,” the color analyst emphasizes.

3. Map your colors to your social intentions

Lewis suggests taking an intentional approach to color psychology by asking yourself one question: “What do I want people to feel when they’re around me today?”

“If the answer is warm and easy to talk to, reach for yellow-tinted orange or yellow,” she says. “If the answer is open and genuinely curious about others, reach for purple or teal.”

To Lewis, this question isn’t just about diagnosis.

“It’s about making sure your exterior matches the person you actually are and the energy you want to bring,” she states. “When those things align, people feel it. That’s color psychology at its most practical and most human.”

Up Next:

Related: We Asked 3 Color Psychologists the Best Color To Wear When You Want Someone To Trust You—1 Kept Coming Up

Sources:

• Michelle Lewis, a color psychology expert, certified color analyst, author and the founder of ColorAnalysis.com and The Color Institute. She is also the author of Color Secrets: Learning The One Universal Language We Were Never Taught.
• Colors cast long shadows on brain activity (2014). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
• The Effects of Color on the Moods of College Students (2014). SAGE Open.
• Comparative study on hospital room wall colors and mood (2026). Archives of Nursing Practice and Care.
• Relationship Between Color and Emotion (2004). College Student Journal
• Do we feel colours? A systematic review of 128 years of psychological research linking colours and emotions (2025). Psychonomic Bulletin & Review.
• The Color Red Is Implicitly Associated With Social Status (2018). Frontiers in Psychology.

Everyone who’s been to Walt Disney World or Disneyland has seen Disney PhotoPass photographers lined up around the park’s icons, around popular attractions, and with characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Some of my favorite Disney memories have been captured by Disney PhotoPass Cast Members, who take their time to ensure every guest has great vacation pictures. While those precious memories once lived on your phone through the respective park’s apps, a new partnership between Disney and Shutterfly will bring your memories to life in all-new ways. 

Today, Shutterfly and Disney announced that Shutterfly will be the Official Photo Gift Partner of Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. For guests enjoying some of the most magical vacations around the world, you can opt in and have your Disney PhotoPass vacation photos automatically appear in your Shutterfly account. Talk about an easy way to make photo books, ornaments, mugs, and more keepsakes from your precious vacation photos.

Related: This Is The One Disney World Restaurant I Never Skip As An Adult Without Kids

I can’t wait to use this new Disney PhotoPass service, especially since I take hundreds of photos on vacation. This will make my post-vacation picture organization so much easier. And I love that it will be easy to make a Disney-themed photobook with all of my family’s pictures from our time in the parks, on a cruise, or at Aulani. 

Guests can start using the photo-sharing service starting today at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. If you have a last-minute Halloween or holiday trip coming up, you can easily turn those photos into gifts for family members to tuck under the Christmas tree this year. In early 2027, guests sailing with Disney Cruise Line or vacationing at Aulani will have access to a similar experience. 

Related: We Asked 3 Disney Travel Experts for the Best Multigenerational Family Vacation Upgrade—They All Said the Same Thing

“We’re honored to be part of the Disney experience, helping guests and fans hold onto the magic long after they return home,” said Emily Whittaker, CEO of Shutterfly. “This alliance creates a seamless connection between the moment and the memory, offering new ways for guests and fans to revisit, share, and celebrate their favorite Disney experiences.”

Your Disney vacation photos can be turned into a cozy blanket.

Photos courtesy of Shutterfly. Disney Elements © 2026 Disney

Along with the seamless photo transfer between Disney and Shutterfly, Shutterfly is also bringing a selection of new products for Disney fans. These include a wider variety of character-driven pieces, like photo books, cards, home decor, and games. Fans will find characters from Disney stories like Toy Story, Winnie the Pooh, Cars, and Mickey and Friends. Additionally, there are exclusive designs inspired by Walt Disney World’s four parks and Disneyland’s two parks. These are located on a new Disney-centric shopping hub on Shutterfly.com. 

“Disney PhotoPass and Disney Cruise Line Photo help guests preserve the moments that make Disney Experiences unforgettable, with unique capture experiences and giving everyone the opportunity to be part of the picture,” said Gary Daniels, Senior Vice President, Disney Products and Experiences. “Together with Shutterfly, we’re making it easier for guests to bring those memories into their everyday lives through personalized keepsakes they can revisit and share for years to come.”

So next time you’re getting ready for a Disney vacation, add checking the box to let your Disney PhotoPass images upload to Shutterfly to your last-minute tasks. I know I’ll be doing this on my next Disney trip.

Related: The Most Iconic Disney Parks Dishes from the Last 70 Years Are Returning in a New Retro Cookbook

Craig Conover, Shep Rose and Molly O’Connell are ready to give Bravo fans a true Southern welcome to Charleston as they help celebrate the second Bravo Fan Fest in the South Carolina city they call home.

The Southern Charm stars spilled some insider tea about what fans can expect from State Farm’s Shem Creek-inspired installation, where visitors can step into a slice of Charleston life, discover their own Southern Charm persona through an interactive video experience, and personalize a boat tote with a scarf of their choice. Fans can also look forward to an exclusive meet-and-greet with Bravo talent.

For Conover, sharing Charleston with fans is one of the best parts of the experience. The longtime Bravolebrity has watched the city become a bucket-list destination for viewers eager to visit the places they’ve seen on television.

“Charleston has become a bucket list travel spot for so many fans of Bravo,” Conover tells Parade. “To share actual Charleston in our backyard with everyone is my favorite part.”

He calls Shem Creek his favorite area in town, noting that the waterfront has also appeared in productions like Forrest Gump and Outer Banks.

Rose, meanwhile, says Shem Creek offers the perfect setting to spend an afternoon on the water, with boats cruising by, dolphins swimming through the creek and pelicans diving for fish.

“I think it’s gonna be really fun and interactive,” Rose says of the installation, which will give fans opportunities to discover their Southern Charm persona, pick up gifts and take pictures with Bravo stars.

For O’Connell, the location is especially meaningful. The Charleston native grew up boating and fishing around Shem Creek with her father and brother, making the waterfront a nostalgic choice for the activation.

“I grew up here. This is, these are my stomping grounds,” she says. “I think it’ll be really fun to bring everyone here.”

O’Connell is also excited about the personalized touches, including the scarves fans can use to make their boat totes their own. With two Bravo shows based in Charleston, she believes the city is the perfect place to bring the Bravoverse together and let fans experience the setting they’ve watched for years.

And the fun doesn’t have to end when Fan Fest wraps. O’Connell reveals she’ll be performing at By The Way, costar Austen Kroll and Conover’s venue, on Sunday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., giving fans another chance to enjoy Charleston’s local scene. And who knows? Fans who stick around might even get another surprise collaboration, like when she joined Summer House star Jesse Solomon onstage to sing.

Between the Shem Creek-inspired setting, interactive activities, and opportunities to connect with Bravo talent, State Farm’s activation promises to bring a little extra Southern Charm to Fan Fest.

Bravo Fan Fest kicks off on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in Charleston, South Carolina, at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.

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

It’s incredibly frustrating when your home still looks messy no matter how much you clean and organize. You’re probably no stranger to this feeling if you own more items than storage space. With overflowing bookcases, stuffed cabinets, and countertops lined with products, you likely need an additional storage unit to reduce visual clutter in your home. However, finding one is usually easier said than done. Most bookcases, sideboards, and freestanding cabinets are bulky and take up a ton of real estate, which can be challenging for those with small spaces. 

If you have little room to spare but need a storage solution, this Godpaw Fluted Corner Cabinet at Walmart is an innovative choice. Designed to tuck into the awkward corners of your home, this space-saving piece transforms any unused nook into a practical storage area. And right now, you can snag it on sale for over $100 off. Normally retailing for $260, this fluted corner cabinet is now marked down to $154 in two styles, including walnut and black. This cabinet is also available in a taller version with open shelves, which is currently at full price at $195. 

Godpaw Fluted Corner Cabinet, $154 (was $260) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Featuring a triangle silhouette, this cabinet maximizes space. It provides a generous amount of storage space while hardly taking up any room in your home. For size reference, the two sides that go against the wall measure 23.6 inches long. In total, this cabinet measures about 33.3 inches wide and 21.5 inches deep at its widest and deepest points. Shoppers noted that it’s “just the right size” for the corner of their living space. 

Fitted with an adjustable shelf in the middle, this cabinet has two spacious tiers to maximize storage space, allowing you to store items of various sizes without leaving much space unused. This cabinet is ideal for all kinds of products, ranging from linens and cleaning supplies to books and board games. Equipped with two sliding doors, it keeps all your items hidden, reducing visual clutter in your home.

This cabinet also boasts a roomy countertop that you could use for additional storage or to display decor pieces and keepsakes. Alternatively, you can place your espresso machine or coffee maker on top to create a Pinterest-worthy beverage bar and add a cafe-like vibe to your living room or kitchen. 

Godpaw Fluted Corner Cabinet, $154 (was $260) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Just as chic as it is functional, this storage cabinet is brimming with mid-century modern charm. The fluted doors bring texture, depth, and dimension to the piece. The front of this bookcase curves inward, giving it a soft, unique appearance, and it’s finished with sleek black handles. Wherever you place this cabinet, it’ll effortlessly elevate your space. The neutral hues should complement your existing furniture and decor instead of clashing with it. 

Made of medium-density fiberboard, this cabinet is sturdy and durable, and shoppers noted that it was really fast and easy to assemble. The surface is scratch-resistant and can easily be cleaned with a damp cloth. Fixed with five legs, this cabinet is stable and shouldn’t wobble. If you want to prevent it from toppling over, you can install the anti-tip kit to give you peace of mind. 

Shop More Space-Saving Storage 

• Llmrr 3-Tier Slim Rolling Storage Cart, $15 (was $20) at Walmart
• Vongem Over-the-Door Storage Organizer, $18 (was $30) at Walmart
• Sincido Arched Over-the-Toilet Cabinet, $110 (was $200) at Walmart

Related: Walmart’s $75 Freestanding Cabinet Adds ‘Tons of Storage’ to an Often-Unused Spot in the Bathroom

If you want to streamline your home without sacrificing much space, be sure to snag the Godpaw Fluted Corner Cabinet at Walmart while it’s still on sale for just $154. 

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.

The 12 Days of Christmas are taking on a whole new meaning this holiday season, thanks to Yankee Candle.

The beloved candle brand’s 2026 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar is now available for shoppers, offering a fun alternative to traditional chocolates and candies.

The festive countdown features 12 miniature candles in some of Yankee Candle’s most recognizable scents, giving fragrance lovers a new surprise to unwrap each day.

And the best part? Several of the fragrances included have earned a spot on the brand’s own list of its most popular scents of all time.

What’s Inside the Yankee Candle 2026 Christmas Advent Calendar?

The holiday gift set brings together 12 Signature Votive Mini Candles, ranging from cozy Christmas classics to fresh, fruity and floral fragrances.

For those who love the smell of the holidays, there’s Christmas Cookie, which blends sugary sweetness with creamy vanilla and buttery notes, and Balsam & Cedar, a woodsy combination of pine balsam, cedarwood and warm amber.

There’s also Sparkling Cinnamon, featuring the familiar aromas of cinnamon sticks, spicy clove and a hint of bay leaf.

All three appear on Yankee Candle’s list of its most popular scents of all time, where the company highlights them as winter favorites.

But the collection isn’t limited to Christmas scents.

Shoppers can also find Pink Sands, featuring tropical melon and soft floral notes, and Lemon Lavender, which combines zesty citrus with soothing lavender.

The advent calendar also includes Spiced Pumpkin (currently 50% off when purchased separately), Macintosh, Sage & Citrus and Midsummer’s Night, all of which have also earned spots on the company’s popular fragrance list.

Rounding out the collection are Vanilla Cupcake, Red Apple Wreath and White Spruce Grapefruit.

Each candle comes in a 1.3-ounce glass jar and is hand-poured using Yankee Candle’s signature natural soy wax blend and a natural fiber wick.

The miniature jars are ideal for smaller spaces, whether you’re adding a festive touch to a bathroom, bedroom or cozy corner of your home. They’re also a fun way to sample different fragrances before committing to a full-size candle.

Plus, the calendar comes packaged in a festive box, making it a thoughtful gift for candle lovers, friends, family members or even a Secret Santa exchange.

RELATED NEWS: Dollar General Teams Up With Hallmark for Exclusive New Holiday Collection Starting at $1

Where to Buy the Yankee Candle 2026 Christmas Advent Calendar

Shoppers can find the festive gift set at several major retailers, including Nordstrom, Walmart, Target, Amazon and Lowe’s.

Availability may vary by retailer.

With 12 different scents to unwrap, the new collection is a fun way to bring a little extra holiday cheer into your home this Christmas.

In 2004, the Mean Girls soundtrack featured songs from Blondie, Pink, and Katy Rose, but one of its most memorable musical moments came from a lesser-known artist.

During the film’s iconic Halloween party scene, an electroclash track by Peaches was the soundtrack for one of Regina George’s most infamous moments—and it helped turn an unknown 2003 song into an enduring classic among fans of the classic teen film.

In the Mean Girls scene, Lindsay Lohan’s character Cady Heron shows up at a Halloween party expecting to spend time with her crush Aaron Samuels (Jonathan Bennett). Instead, she witnesses her friend Regina (Rachel McAdams) making out with him across the room. The tech-heavy Peaches song “Operate” plays during the sequence.

Written by Peaches, aka Merrill Nisker, and Sticky Henderson for the album Fatherf—er, the song features an underground nightclub vibe with a mechanical beat and a catchy, hypnotic chorus. In Mean Girls, the opening to “Operate” first begins playing as Cady and her friends get dressed up for Halloween, and it leads into the party scene.

Nisker once revealed that “Operate” was the first song ever written for Peaches in the mid- 1990s.

“[I had a band] with Chilly Gonzales, Mocky [Dominic Salole], who produced some Feist albums, and another member, Sticky [Henderson],” she told The Guardian in 2025. “In about 1996, the four of us got together in a basement. It was very impulsive and improvisational.  … We put out a cassette tape, which had an early version of ‘Operate.’ It was actually a very important period for me.”

“Operate’ was technically the first Peaches song written. Before Peaches, I was part of a band called The Sh–, which was four musicians and we were very dissatisfied with our current musical projects,” the Canadian dance-punk artist also recalled to Dazed. “We got together and jammed. It was the first time I played keyboards and used synthesizers – before that I thought synthesizers sucked. Sticky, from The Sh–, and I made a 4-track demo for ‘Operate’ and brought it to the band.”

“The track was different then, it was raw and sloppy in a great way,” she added. “Later when I was making music with the Roland 505 I made the version of ‘Operate’ for the Fatherf—er album. I wanted my first album to be songs that I was writing fresh so I ended up putting it on my second album.”

RELATED: 1976 Top 10 Hit Song Led to Career-Defining Movie Role

Soon after, Mean Girls screenwriter Tina Fey came calling.

“I’m a huge Tina Fey fan so that was such a big deal for me to be recognized by her comedy and intelligence, and what she was doing at the time,” Nisker said of getting the call to include her song in Mean Girls. “To me, comedy is a huge force in changing minds and hearts and making statements. Comedy is not fluff for me and art is not fluff for me.”

CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

Nisker admitted that she had previously struggled to be understood.

“The [electroclash] movement was confusing, but I was extra confusing because I was there alone,” she told The Music. “I just had my machine and people didn’t understand that electronic music was ‘music’ – and they couldn’t know if I was a joke or if I was super serious, if I was angry, if I was a comedian, if I was a performance artist…”

More than 20 years later, Nisker is thankful for the exposure she received from Mean Girls. The hit comedy film helped make “Operate” a Halloween classic that fans still love today.

In October 2025, Peaches posted to Instagram to honor Mean Girls Day—and to express gratitude for how the movie exposure helped her career.

“On October 3rd we wear pink…and then we OPERATE 💉🩸,” she wrote. “To this day, people STILL approach me sharing that they discovered my music because of this film. Forever grateful to Mean Girls.”

Check out the full version of Peaches’ “Operate” below:

Emmy Award-winning actress Christina Applegate returned to her popular MeSsy podcast on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, to share a stunning and emotionally raw health update directly with her listeners. Following a difficult seven-month hiatus from the public eye to process profound medical adjustments, the 54-year-old star tearfully revealed that she was recently informed by her doctor that she was completely misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) back in 2021.

While a cleared diagnosis might sound like cause for celebration to outsiders, Applegate candidly confessed that the shocking news plunged her into a deep depression. The frustrating reality remains that the devastating physical symptoms she has fought since 2021 have not vanished at all. If anything, they have steadily progressed.

Applegate explained that she still relies heavily on a wheelchair for basic mobility, noting that she cannot even walk from her car into the doctor’s office. Finding out she does not have MS simply stripped away the clinical explanation for her severe physical decline, effectively stranding her back at square one.

Beyond the grueling daily physical strain, Applegate admitted to experiencing severe emotional turmoil and a sudden sense of guilt regarding her high-profile position as a prominent advocate for the MS community alongside her dedicated co-host, Jamie-Lynn Sigler. After years of framing her agonizing daily routines around the progressive nerve disease, losing that medical label has left her feeling unnerved, deeply confused, and worried that she has somehow let her supporters down.

With her health journey now taking on what she realistically calls “the same game with a different name,” Applegate’s medical team is completely restarting their diagnostic process from scratch. Her physicians are launching a comprehensive clinical investigation into her worsening condition to uncover the true underlying cause of her symptoms. Despite the staggering psychological setback of this massive misdiagnosis, Applegate is dedicated to documenting her ongoing search for absolute answers.

Gideon Emmons and Henry Nichols were digging a well on a farm in Cardiff, New York, on Oct. 16, 1869, when they struck a huge stone figure about three feet down. The “petrified man” was a gypsum statue that cigar maker George Hull had buried there a year earlier, Archaeology reported, and the farm’s owner, Hull’s cousin William “Stub” Newell, had arranged the whole thing.

Hull got the idea in 1866 after arguing with a Methodist revivalist in Ackley, Iowa, Archaeology reports. In June 1868, he had an 11-foot block of gypsum quarried near Fort Dodge, Iowa, saying it was for a Lincoln monument. A German stone cutter carved it in Chicago, and the finished giant weighed almost 3,000 pounds. Hull’s total cost was $2,600, according to Legends of America.

Newell charged people 25 cents to see the giant and raised the price to 50 cents after two days, according to the Massachusetts Historical Society. Newell then began telling others about the hoax, so Hull sold the giant to a syndicate led by David Hannum for $23,000, Archaeology says. The group shipped it to Syracuse on Nov. 5.

P.T. Barnum offered $50,000 for the original “as it is,” according to his 1890 book Funny Stories, per Archaeology. The syndicate said no. Barnum had an undercover agent model the giant in wax, and a plaster copy made from that model drew crowds at a New York museum.

Barnum claimed his giant was the real one and the Syracuse giant was the fake, Legends of America reports. Hannum sued, and a judge refused to stop Barnum unless the giant itself swore to its authenticity, per Archaeology. Hannum was also quoted as saying “There’s a sucker born every minute,” a line later credited to Barnum, although BookBrowse says there is no evidence Barnum said it.

Yale paleontologist Othniel C. Marsh publicly called the giant a recent hoax on Nov. 25, 1869, and Hull confessed to the press on Dec. 10, Archaeology reports. The original ended up with a Des Moines publisher, who sold it in 1947 to the Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown, New York, where it is currently displayed.

Barnum’s knack for drawing a crowd paid off again 15 years later, when New York City recruited him and his elephants to prove the Brooklyn Bridge was safe.

Joy and heartbreak were both delivered in equal measure in Kevin Pollak’s description of Bruce Willis current situation. Speaking with host Steve Kmetko on the Still Here Hollywood podcast, Pollak said the actor is surrounded by family and, “because of the nature of this affliction he’s not aware that there’s an issue.”

Willis’ family announced in February 2023 that he has frontotemporal dementia. In January, his wife, Emma Heming Willis, said on a podcast that he has anosognosia, a condition in which the brain cannot recognize its own decline. “It’s not denial,” she said.

Pollak described the world Willis lives in as “a bubble of love and affection,” with the children he has with Demi Moore and with his wife all close by. “In a very strange unique way, he’s as happy as he’s ever been,” Pollak said. “I mean, it’s heartbreaking. So rather than crying, I’m laughing at the sort of simple sweet irony of a thriving beast of a man.”

Pollak knew Willis at full strength. He appeared alongside him in The Whole Nine Yards, its sequel The Whole Ten Yards and Hostage. Working with him, Pollak said, “at times it felt like what it must have been like to hang out with Elvis Presley,” because Willis was “larger than life.” Where other major stars bring an entourage, Pollak said, Willis’ base camp was staffed by “lifelong friends,” including a right-hand man who once tended bar with him in New York and remains in that role today.

The memories reach back to A Few Good Men, the 1992 courtroom drama in which Pollak played Sam Weinberg and Moore, then married to Willis, starred. Willis was shooting Death Becomes Her on the next soundstage, Pollak recalled, and the crew knew where to find him. “Not in his trailer,” Pollak said. He was “loitering on our sound stage to be with his wife.”

Related: Kevin Smith Explains Why His Wife “Can’t Stand” Ryan Reynolds

One day, Pollak said, a friend visiting the set stood behind Willis and director Rob Reiner during a take of a scene between Pollak and Tom Cruise. Willis leaned over and whispered, “I feel like I’m watching Spencer Tracy. This guy’s doing nothing and I can’t take my eyes off him.” Pollak called it “one of the greatest feedbacks I’d ever received in my life.”

The two families have stayed close. Pollak said he spent time with Willis and his family at their Idaho compound, where Willis and Moore, by then divorced, kept giant homes across the street from each other so the kids would not have far to go. He called it “a camp of love at all times as a family and a family man.”

“I’ve been around a lot of big stars over the years,” Pollak said. “And his magnetism was unmatched.”

The Willis family has said it hopes attention to his condition can bring more awareness and research to frontotemporal dementia, a disease with no current treatments.

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When television history remembers This Is Us, it won’t just be for the series’ grand twists and back-and-forth timelines: it will be for a quiet four minutes at a family wedding.

In 2022, as the landmark NBC drama neared its end, Rebecca Pearson (Mandy Moore) sat down at a piano during her daughter Kate’s (Chrissy Metz) wedding. Deep into her battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Rebecca struggled to remember her family member’s names. However, once she placed her hands on the keys and sang “The Forever Now,” she had a moment of pure clarity.

Moore’s real-life husband, Taylor Goldsmith, and series composer Siddhartha Khosla wrote the emotional ballad. The actresses’ performance delivered one of the series’ emotional peaks.

Beyond Moore’s stunning vocals, the song’s backstory added an extra layer of emotion. Written as a piece Rebecca created in her youth, her ability to recall the notes through cognitive decline felt like a small miracle.

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Singing the line “I get this moment with you forever now,“ Rebecca delivered words that captured the series’ heart.

The scene was featured in Season 6, Episode 13, in an episode titled “The Day of the Wedding,” during Kate’s wedding to Phillip (Chris Geere). It was a pivotal scene in the final season, using the joyful occasion to give former singer Rebecca one last triumphant spotlight moment, surrounded by the people she loved most.

Moore said that playing Rebecca in the show’s later seasons required her to “remain sensitive” to her diagnosis. “What she was going through. It affects so many millions of Americans, their families, and caregivers. I basically tried to get my hands on as much information as possible.”

She continued, “I wanted to treat this storyline with as much grace as Rebecca weathers this storm. It was important for all of us to get it right.”

“The Forever Now” earned a 2022 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics. The piano riff mirrors the This Is Us closing theme music. 

This Is Us is streaming on Disney+, Hulu, Paramount Plus, and NBC.com.

Related: ‘This Is Us’ 10th Anniversary — Hulu’s Emotional Tribute Has Fans in Tears All Over Again

Donald Trump’s approval rating is tanking ahead of the midterms, and Seth Meyers has a renovation-sized reality check for him.

On Late Night‘s “A Closer Look,” Meyers skewered the president’s record-low numbers and his fixation on White House makeovers, suggesting Americans may have elected the wrong reality-TV stars to run the country. As Meyers put it, “If our number one priority was remodeling the White House, we would have elected Chip and Joanna Gaines.”

A new ABC News poll put Trump’s approval rating at just 33%, with two-thirds of Americans disapproving of his performance. The poll also found that more than half of Americans consider household purchases unaffordable, while 71% said gas was too expensive. More recently, Reuters reported that Trump’s approval rating had fallen to a record low of 31%.

Meyers had a blunt assessment of the situation.

“Wow, people do not care for this man,” he said, comparing the American electorate to someone who repeatedly sticks their body into an electrical socket, immediately regrets it, then forgets the pain and tries again four years later.

Meyers also highlighted poll findings that 66% of Americans believe Trump is using the presidency to enrich himself. He joked that voters might tolerate political turmoil, but rising prices are another matter entirely.

“You can incite an insurrection. You can start an illegal war. You can lie about a pandemic,” he said. “But if the cost of hamburgers goes up by 79 cents while you’re making bank on a scam crypto coin,” voters will react differently.

Meanwhile, as Americans worry about affordability, Meyers argued, Trump seems preoccupied with White House renovations and luxury projects.

The comedian mocked Trump’s enthusiasm for the new White House helipad and the stone patio that replaced the Rose Garden, including the president’s detailed explanation of his specially made cushions.

That’s when Meyers delivered his Chip and Joanna Gaines punchline, suggesting that if remodeling the White House were the country’s top priority, the Fixer Upper stars would have been better suited for the job.

Meyers also took a swipe at Trump’s plan to transform a historic Washington, D.C., golf course into what the president says will be one of the world’s best courses.

“So gas is over $4 a gallon. Inflation is climbing. The Iran war is deadlocked. Measles is spreading. AI might kill us,” Meyers said, before pointing out the administration’s focus on a golf course.

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Falling in love with a new style online is easy. But, swiping your credit card on a full price item is where it gets difficult sometimes. That’s why we’re always searching for the best wardrobe deals, and right now, Macy’s is one of our favorite places to score discounts on everything from cozy bedding to highly-rated footwear. Now, we’re shopping for these chic Clarks Danyelle Wish Boots, which are currently 40% off. 

The boots initially cost $15, but have been reduced to just $84. You can purchase them in three colors: black, light taupe, and brown suede, all for the same price. There are medium and wide sizes available, ranging from 5.5 to 12, including half sizes. Note that a few color and size variations are already out of stock, so you’ll have to move quickly to ensure these boots will be added to your shoe rack. On average, customers said the shoes run true to size. 

Clarks Danyelle Wish Boots, $84 (were $150) at Macy’s

Courtesy of M

Shop at Macy's

The design features a 1.75-inch block heel that provides height and ankle stability, so that you can sport them for long hours. They’re feature a suede upper with a textile lining and flexible rubber sole that offers traction on different terrain.

The insole is cushioned and intended to feel soft against the foot for ultimate comfort. The square-toed boots feature a riptape closure, along with a hardware buckle accent for a unique look. 

One shopper said that these “fantastic” boots are “extremely comfortable right out of the box,” so no break-in period is needed. They also raved about the “great arch support,” adding that the shoe is “very good-quality” overall. What we particularly like about these “beautiful” boots is the fact that all of the colors offered are versatile, so you can virtually wear them with anything. 

The amazing part about a pair of boots in this style is that they can be worn all year-round. To keep them looking their best, it’s recommended that you spot clean them. Just take a soft cloth and wipe the shoes when needed.  

Related: Macy’s ‘Charming’ $33 8-Piece Holiday Comforter Set Adds a ‘Cozy, Festive Feel’ to Any Space

The shoes are moving fast at 40% off. Shop these stunning Clarks boots now for as low as $84 while your preferred color and size are still in stock!

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.

Cruise lines make specialty dining sound like an experience you simply can’t miss. But after more than 40 years of cruising, I’ve learned that paying extra for dinner doesn’t always mean getting a better meal.

I’ve been cruising for more than 40 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that cruise lines have become exceptionally good at convincing us that we need to spend more to make our vacations even better. A bigger cabin. Butler service. A beverage package. A spa treatment. An exclusive excursion. And, of course, a reservation at one of those beautiful specialty restaurants where the menus promise an extraordinary dining experience.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love a fabulous meal (especially when cruising). I love the variety of foods offered on cruises, the opportunity to grab and go if I feel like it, and I love getting to know the restaurant staff, etc. My husband is a restaurateur, so food has always been a big part of our lives. So, it goes without saying that we both appreciate a perfectly prepared steak, an imaginative tasting menu, wonderful service, and a dining room where the atmosphere is as memorable as the meal itself.

And yes, I’ve enjoyed some spectacular specialty restaurants at sea. As a matter of fact, some of the best ANYWHERE.

But here’s something that might surprise you. After four decades of cruising, I no longer believe that specialty dining is automatically worth the extra money. In fact, there are plenty of times when I’d rather eat in the ship’s complimentary dining room than spend another $50, $75, or even more per person for a meal that might not be significantly better.

So, is specialty dining one of the best cruise perks, or is it one of the most overrated? The answer depends on what you’re really getting for your money.

Related: I’m Over 60 and Rarely Get Surprised by Cruises—Then I Took a President’s Cruise

1. Let’s Talk About What You’re Already Paying For

One of the things that makes cruising such an appealing vacation is that so much is already included in the fare. Your cabin, the entertainment, transportation between destinations, and, most importantly for this discussion, your meals.

On almost all of the mainstream cruise ships, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without spending an extra penny on food. There are main dining rooms with multicourse menus, casual buffets, cafés, and sometimes additional complimentary restaurants. And the food can be very good.

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed beautifully prepared seafood, wonderful pasta dishes, excellent desserts, and memorable dinners in the main dining rooms of almost all of the major cruise ship lines.

I’ve also had meals that were merely okay. But guess what? The same can be said for specialty restaurants.

The biggest difference is that when I’m eating in the main dining room, I’ve already paid for that experience as part of my cruise fare. When I reserve a specialty restaurant, I’m paying again. That’s an important distinction, especially when you’re trying to decide whether a dining package or restaurant reservation is worth the extra expense.

Related: Is Cruise Line Loyalty Really Worth It? 5 Perks I Rely On After 30+ Sailings

2. The True Cost of Specialty Dining Can Be Surprising

Specialty restaurant pricing varies considerably depending on the cruise line, ship, restaurant, and whether you purchase a dining package. I’ve been to some where it’s only an additional $15 to dine in the steakhouse and others that can cost as much as dinner at a fancy restaurant in NY City.

When specialty dining first arrived on the cruise scene, you were generally charged a flat fee for the restaurants. That is still the case on some cruises. Some venues charge a flat cover fee, while others offer à la carte pricing. Certain premium restaurants and chef’s-table experiences can cost a whole lot more than a high-end restaurant (Celebrity Cruises charges $125 per person for Daniel Boulud’s Le Voyage).

Just for the heck of it, let’s say a couple books a specialty restaurant that costs $65 per person. That’s $130 for one dinner, before any additional gratuities, beverages, or premium menu items that aren’t included. Now imagine doing that three times during a seven-night cruise. You’re looking at $390 in additional dining expenses, potentially more. And remember, you’ve already paid for dinner in the main dining room.

For some travelers, that extra expense is well worth it. For others, it’s money that could be spent on an unforgettable shore excursion, a relaxing spa treatment, or even put toward the next cruise. I’m certainly not suggesting that you should never spend money on specialty dining. I’m just saying that you should really think about whether the experience is worth what you’re paying.

Because a higher price doesn’t automatically guarantee a better dinner.

Related: Is a Balcony Cabin Worth the Upgrade? This Cruise Expert Says It Depends on One Thing

3. I’ve Had Wonderful Specialty Dining Experiences.

I’ve also had better meals in the main dining room.

One of the biggest misconceptions about specialty dining is that it’s always a step above the complimentary restaurants. Sometimes it is, and sometimes…it’s EXACTLY THE SAME food.

Specialty venues may offer more intimate surroundings, special attention from the waitstaff, maybe a better wine selection, or dishes that aren’t available elsewhere on the ship. Some of them are designed around a certain culinary concept, with menus created by well-known chefs or cooking techniques that make the experience feel special, and those can be wonderful evenings.

But I’ve also experienced specialty restaurants where the food was perfectly pleasant, the service was fine, and the atmosphere was lovely, yet nothing about the meal justified paying more for it. As a matter of fact, as I was eating my $59 steak, I realized that it tasted exactly like the steak I’d had two nights before in the main dining room. The only thing different was the atmosphere (and the main dining room’s atmosphere was quite nice).

After all these years, I’ve learned that a restaurant’s price tag doesn’t always reflect how memorable the meal will be. As a matter of fact, (at least for this cruiser), sometimes the complimentary option wins, and sometimes YES, even the BUFFET wins.

And you know what? That’s perfectly fine with me.

4. The One Thing Specialty Restaurants Often Do Better

If specialty dining has one area where it often wins, it’s the atmosphere. Main dining rooms on large cruise ships can be busy, sometimes seating hundreds or even thousands of guests over the course of an evening. That can mean busy service staff, closely spaced tables (that feel even closer when you need to excuse yourself and go through the maze to the restroom), and service that moves at a fairly steady pace.

Specialty restaurants are often smaller and more intimate. You usually get softer lighting, more upscale decor, personalized service, quieter surroundings, and the chance to linger over dinner longer than usual without feeling rushed.

For a romantic evening, anniversary celebration, or special occasion, that atmosphere can make a real difference. And sometimes, that’s what you’re paying for. Not necessarily better food, but a different dining experience. Personally, I think that’s the most important distinction.

If you’re celebrating a milestone or just want a beautiful evening with someone special, a specialty restaurant might be worth every penny. But if your plan is to simply to enjoy a delicious dinner, don’t assume you have to pay extra to get it.

5. Not All Cruise Lines Do Specialty Dining the Same Way

One of the reasons I hesitate to recommend specialty dining packages across the board is that the experience can vary a LOT from one cruise line to another.

For example, I travel on Celebrity a lot, and on their cruises guests can choose from a variety of specialty dining experiences depending on the ship. Some offer upscale steakhouses, Italian restaurants, or innovative culinary concepts, while others feature more intimate dining venues and even a celebrity chef tasting menu that you can’t get anywhere else.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity also offers different complimentary dining arrangements depending on the ship and accommodation category. Guests staying in AquaClass, for example, generally have access to Blu (shown above—and one of my favorite restaurants at sea), while suite guests in The Retreat have access to Luminae. For me, that can change the specialty dining equation considerably. Especially because I happen to love the menu options at Blu (including the fresher, cleaner options).

If you’re already enjoying an elevated dining experience included with your stateroom, you might not want to reach into your wallet to pay for another restaurant.

On Norwegian Cruise Line, specialty dining has long been a significant part of the onboard experience, with restaurants featuring steak, seafood, French cuisine, Italian favorites, and other concepts. Depending on the fare or promotion you’ve booked, specialty dining meals could already be included. In a case like that, I’d certainly take advantage of them.

Royal Caribbean offers everything from steakhouses and Italian restaurants to more elaborate dining experiences, and even fast food options, with packages that can make multiple specialty dinners less expensive than booking each individually.

And on Virgin Voyages, the approach is quite different. Its signature restaurants are included in the fare, rather than charging extra. That means you can enjoy a variety of distinctive dining experiences without automatically adding another restaurant bill to your vacation.

The lesson?

Before you buy a specialty dining package, find out exactly what’s already included in your cruise fare. You might be surprised by how many excellent options you already have without shelling out any extra money.

Related: Is Cruise Line Loyalty Really Worth It? 5 Perks I Rely On After 30+ Sailings

6. When a Specialty Dining Package Makes Sense

I’m not opposed to specialty dining packages. In fact, given certain circumstances, they can be a terrific value.

If you’re sailing on a ship with several restaurants you genuinely want to experience, purchasing a package may cost less than making individual reservations. It can also make sense if you’re celebrating a special occasion, traveling with someone who loves culinary experiences, or sailing on a longer itinerary like a transatlantic cruise where you just want more variety.

And let’s face it, sometimes it’s fun to dress up, order something extraordinary, and enjoy an evening that feels a little different from the rest of the cruise.

I love those experiences, too. But I wouldn’t purchase a package just because it’s offered at a discount. A discounted package isn’t a bargain if you wouldn’t have purchased it in the first place.

I’ve also learned to look carefully at what’s included.

Some packages exclude certain restaurants or experiences. Others might limit the menu items available without an additional charge. You may also run into reservation restrictions, especially for popular dining times. And if you’re traveling on a port-intensive itinerary, think about how you’ll actually spend your evenings. After a full day exploring a destination, you may not feel like sitting through an elaborate multicourse dinner. Personally, I’d rather spend my money at an authentic restaurant on shore at one of the stops along the way for lunch.

And then sometimes, all I want is something simple, comfortable, and delicious.

7. Don’t Overlook the Perks You Have

Here’s something I wish more cruisers would check before paying for specialty dining. Your cruise fare, loyalty status, casino offers, or promotional booking benefits may already provide dining advantages. As someone who cruises frequently, I’ve learned to review every benefit that comes with my reservation before purchasing extras.

Some cruise promotions include specialty dining credits or complimentary meals. Certain suite accommodations offer access to exclusive restaurants, while casino offers may occasionally include dining benefits (it also doesn’t hurt to ask the host if they’ll comp you a dinner at one of the specialty restaurants if you’ve been gambling).

Loyalty programs can also provide dining discounts or special offers, depending on the cruise line and membership level. These benefits aren’t universal, and they can change, so make sure to go over the details of your specific sailing.

But the point is simple. Why pay full price for something you might already receive at a discount or as part of your booking? It’s one of the easiest ways to make your cruise dollars go further.

Related: I’m Over 60 and Rarely Get Surprised by Cruises—Then I Took a President’s Cruise

8. My Rule: Try the Restaurant Before Committing to the Package

After all these years, I’ve become much more selective about specialty dining. Rather than automatically purchasing a package, I look at the restaurants available on the ship and decide whether any genuinely interest me.

Is there a unique culinary experience I can’t find elsewhere? Is the restaurant known for something particularly special? Am I celebrating an occasion that deserves a memorable evening? Or am I simply being tempted by a fancy description and beautiful photographs?

If a restaurant catches my attention, I may book one dinner and see whether it lives up to my expectations. That doesn’t mean I can always add a package later at the same price, or that a popular restaurant will have availability once I’m onboard. But I would rather be intentional about my dining choices than spend money on a package simply because it sounds like something I should have.

And if I do purchase a package, I make sure the savings are real and that the restaurants and reservation times I want are available.

9. So, Is Specialty Dining Worth It?

After more than 40 years of cruising, my answer is both yes and no.

Yes, if you’re looking for a unique culinary experience, celebrating something special, or enjoying a restaurant that offers something genuinely different from the ship’s complimentary dining options.

Yes, if your package gives you great savings on restaurants you already planned to visit.

And absolutely yes, if dining is one of the most important parts of your vacation and you enjoy discovering new flavors and culinary experiences.

But no, if you’re purchasing specialty dining just because you assume the complimentary food won’t be good enough.

No, if you’re buying a package that includes more meals than you really want.

And definitely no, if you’re stretching your vacation budget to pay for something that doesn’t matter all that much to you.

My verdict? Specialty dining can be a wonderful splurge, but it’s not an essential cruise perk. For most cruisers, I’d recommend enjoying the complimentary dining options first, choosing one specialty restaurant that truly appeals to you, and deciding whether the experience is worth repeating. Of course, if you already know a particular restaurant is a must-do, booking ahead may be the smarter choice.

The important thing is making the decision based on your own preferences rather than assuming that paying more automatically means getting more.

Related: We Asked Travel Experts for the Best 2027 Cruises for Travelers Over 60—These 7 Made the Cut

10. The Best Cruise Meal Isn’t Always the Most Expensive One

When I think back over four decades of cruising, some of my favorite meals have been simple dinners in the main dining room, where the food was delicious, the company was wonderful, and the conversation lasted long after dessert. But there were a few (like my son’s birthday celebration at an onboard Hibachi restaurant) that were a lot of fun and delicious as well.

I’ve also enjoyed my share of casual meals eaten outdoors with the ocean stretching endlessly toward the horizon. Those are the moments I remember. Not the cover charge. Not whether the restaurant was considered exclusive. And certainly not whether I managed to get my money’s worth from a dining package.

What I’ve learned after all these years is that the most memorable cruise experiences aren’t necessarily the ones that cost the most. They’re the ones that make you happy.

So the next time you’re booking a cruise and that tempting specialty dining package pops up on your screen, don’t feel pressured to add it to your reservation. Take a look at what’s included. Do a little math. Think about what you really enjoy. And remember that some of the best meals at sea may already be waiting for you, with no additional charge. After all, you’ve already paid for a wonderful vacation. You might as well enjoy it.

What about you? Do you love specialty restaurants on cruise ships, or do you prefer sticking with the complimentary dining options? Have you ever paid extra for a restaurant that didn’t live up to the hype? I’d love to hear about your experiences.

Related: The Best New 2027 Cruises Built for Everyone From Kids to Grandparents

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger competed for years to become Hollywood’s biggest action star, but what was once a bitter rivalry has since become a lasting friendship. Stallone has described the unusual friendship between the two legends, whose professional competition shaped the action-movie era of the 1980s.

The relationship, which at times involved personal remarks and both men trying to beat each other, has eventually become one based on mutual respect. Now, speaking in a recent interview, Stallone talked about how his relationship with his former rival compares to the complex ones found in his Paramount+ series, Tulsa King, and has thus once again shown how far the two of them have come.

Speaking in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Stallone opened up about the first time he met Schwarzenegger and stated how their competitive spirit was obvious from the start.

“When I first saw Arnold, and when he first saw me, we knew at once that we were going to be frenemies forever,” Stallone said. Moreover, he admitted that he had kept a close eye on Schwarzenegger’s career.

Sylvester Stallone shares why it was frenemies at first sight for him and fellow action star, Arnold Schwarzenegger. 😭

The ‘Rocky’ star opens up about the silver lining of his competitive relationship with ‘The Terminator’ actor while talking about his memoir, ‘The Steps,’ out… pic.twitter.com/jXyGCbEqPy

— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) October 20, 2026

When asked which of his rival’s roles he would have liked to play, Stallone replied, “All of them.”

The Rocky Balboa star then made fun of their different looks, joking that Schwarzenegger was the obvious choice for The Terminator while his own particular features made him appear as if he had “fallen off the experimental table.” The comments give a view of a rivalry which was concerned with more than just box office performance; both actors wanted to be the leading figure in action cinema, and neither appeared to be very interested in allowing the other to take the top position.

Their rivalry was especially intense in the 1980s and 1990s, Stallone being famous for Rocky and Rambo while Schwarzenegger gained recognition through The Terminator, Predator, and Commando.

However, a clash that they will always remember was Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992). Schwarzenegger later admitted that he had intentionally shown an interest in the comedy to get Stallone to take on the project. Stallone eventually agreed to do it, and the film became a notorious low point in his filmography.

But the animosity didn’t last indefinitely, and their relationship got better as they passed beyond their most competitive periods. They later appeared together in The Expendables series and in Escape Plan (2013).

Stallone has since called Schwarzenegger a good friend and has admitted that their differences had once caused both men to work harder. The example of their relationship shows that even a rivalry based on ego and ambition can grow into true respect.

Related: ‘Dirty Dancing’ Sequel Will Honor Patrick Swayze, But Won’t Bring Him Back

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Jay Siegel, the lead singer behind The Tokens’ soaring falsetto on “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” was born 87 years ago today, on Oct. 20, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York.

Siegel grew up in Brighton Beach and joined the Linc-Tones at Abraham Lincoln High School in 1956, at the invitation of classmate Neil Sedaka. The group became The Tokens. After Sedaka left for a solo career, a reformed lineup with brothers Mitch and Phil Margo and Hank Medress emerged in 1961 and scored a top-20 hit with “Tonight I Fell in Love.”

For the follow-up, Siegel wanted to record a folk song he knew from The Weavers’ version of “Wimoweh,” which grew out of Zulu singer Solomon Linda’s 1939 recording “Mbube.” The group hired songwriter George David Weiss to add English lyrics, and Siegel’s falsetto carried the result. “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1961 and stayed there for three weeks until Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” replaced it. Siegel, who married that October, has said the group was “suddenly big stars” by the time he got back from his honeymoon.

The song never went away. More than three decades later, Disney’s “The Lion King” (1994) featured it, sung in the movie by Timon and Pumbaa, voiced by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella. RCA re-released The Tokens’ original, and it returned to the Hot 100 that August, giving the group the second-longest chart span of the rock era.

The song’s history has a harder side. Linda died in 1962 without proper credit or pay for his creation, and his family won a settlement from the song’s publishers in 2006.

Siegel has kept singing it. He leads Jay Siegel’s Tokens, which was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and in 2022 he got a crowd of 2,400 in Schenectady, New York, to sing the chorus with him while he had laryngitis. He has said he still performs the song in its original 1961 key.

Move over, Santa. There’s a new holiday celebration flying into Orlando this year, and let’s just say the guests of honor have a little more firepower than your average reindeer.

On October 19, Universal Orlando Resort revealed more details about its 2026 holiday festivities, including a particularly exciting addition for How to Train Your Dragon fans. As the resort teased in its official announcement, “Snoggletog is taking flight this holiday season at How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.”

And the excitement doesn’t stop there. Universal is promising a bigger celebration across its theme parks, declaring, “We’re going all out with new festivities.” Translation? Expect more opportunities to get into the holiday spirit, whether your idea of Christmas magic involves wizards, mischievous green creatures or fire-breathing dragons.

Related: All the Rides at Universal Epic Universe, Including the Secret Attraction, Ranked

What Is Snoggletog at Universal Epic Universe?

If you’re unfamiliar with Snoggletog, allow us to introduce you to the Vikings’ wonderfully quirky version of Christmas.

The fictional winter holiday comes straight from DreamWorks’ beloved How to Train Your Dragon franchise and was featured in the 2011 animated short Gift of the Night Fury. Think festive feasts, Viking traditions and, naturally, plenty of dragon-related chaos.

Now, Universal is bringing that same spirit to How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, one of the five immersive worlds at Epic Universe.

For the 2026 holiday season, the Viking village will feature festive decorations, seasonal food and drinks and themed merchandise, giving visitors another reason to explore the dragon-filled land.

And while the park hasn’t revealed its complete holiday menu or merchandise lineup just yet, the possibilities are enough to make any Toothless fan excited.

What Else Can Guests Experience at the Isle of Berk?

Even without the holiday makeover, Berk is hardly your average theme park destination.

Guests can soar through the skies aboard Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, test their dragon-riding skills on Dragon Racer’s Rally and catch The Untrainable Dragon, a live stage show featuring Hiccup, Astrid, Gobber and some seriously impressive dragon encounters.

There’s also Mead Hall, where hungry Vikings can refuel with hearty fare, and plenty of opportunities to shop for Toothless-inspired souvenirs.

Add seasonal decorations and festive treats to the mix, and you’ve got a holiday outing that feels decidedly different from the usual Christmas tree-and-candy-cane routine.

Related: Forget Harry Potter And The Battle Of The Ministry, This is the Best Ride to Rope Drop at Epic Universe

When Can You Experience Snoggletog at Universal Orlando?

Mark your calendars: Universal Orlando’s seasonal festivities officially run November 14, 2026, through January 3, 2027.

Snoggletog isn’t the only reason to visit Epic Universe this winter, either. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is also getting decked out for the holidays, while Celestial Park will transform into a sparkling winter wonderland.

Over at Universal Islands of Adventure, Grinchmas returns to Seuss Landing, along with the beloved Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular. Meanwhile, Universal Studios Florida will welcome back Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, complete with larger-than-life balloons and festive floats.

And Potterheads? You’re covered, too. Christmas celebrations will spread across all three Wizarding World of Harry Potter locations, including Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and the Ministry of Magic.

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The best part? Universal’s seasonal festivities are included with regular theme park admission or a valid Annual Pass, subject to applicable blockout dates.

So, if you’ve ever dreamed of spending the holidays among Vikings and dragons, this might just be the year to trade your sleigh for a flight to Berk.

Up next:

Related: Ozzy Osbourne’s 45-Year Rock Legacy Comes to Life in a Must-See Haunted House Experience at Universal Orlando

In 1935, a traveling salesman from Kentucky tucked an unusual gift into the Christmas cards he sent to friends and acquaintances: a list of 167 restaurants he considered worth visiting.

His name was Duncan Hines.

Today, Hines’ name is immediately associated with boxes of cake mix, brownie mix and frosting lining supermarket baking aisles. But the real Duncan Hines wasn’t a baker, and he didn’t become famous by developing a cake recipe.

He became famous by eating.

Born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1880, Hines eventually went to work as a traveling salesman for a Chicago printing company. The job put him on the road throughout the United States during an era when finding a reliable restaurant while traveling could be surprisingly difficult. There were no online reviews, of course, and restaurant sanitation standards could vary considerably from place to place.

So Hines began keeping notes.

According to the Library of Congress, he maintained a notebook of good, safe places to eat that he discovered during his business trips and vacations. Friends learned about his collection and began asking him for recommendations before taking trips of their own.

Hines eventually decided to share more widely.

In 1935, he included a list of 167 recommended restaurants with his Christmas cards. The response was so enthusiastic that the following year he published his first edition of “Adventures in Good Eating.”

The guide organized restaurants by state and town and included information useful to travelers, including locations, prices and the types of food served. It was a hit.

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Hines traveled extensively to evaluate restaurants, and his name became a mark of quality at a time when Americans were increasingly taking to the nation’s highways.

His recommendations weren’t simply about whether the food tasted good. Hines was particularly concerned with cleanliness and food safety, and his reputation became so powerful that restaurants proudly advertised when they had earned his approval.

By the end of the 1930s, Hines had become one of America’s best-known and most trusted dining authorities, according to research from Western Kentucky University. He expanded his publishing empire beyond restaurants, producing “Lodging for a Night” as well as other books about cooking and travel.

Then somebody realized that the Duncan Hines name might sell more than restaurant guides.

In 1949, Hines partnered with businessman Roy Park to form Hines-Park Foods. Rather than manufacturing everything themselves, the company licensed the trusted Duncan Hines name to food products that met its standards.

The Duncan Hines label initially appeared on ice cream, according to Western Kentucky University, before becoming closely associated with the product that would ultimately eclipse Hines’ restaurant guides in the public imagination: cake mix.

The strategy worked because consumers already knew the name.

Hines had spent years building a reputation as an authority who could be trusted to tell travelers where they would find quality food. Putting “Duncan Hines” on grocery-store products essentially transformed that personal seal of approval into a national food brand.

The line eventually grew to more than 200 products. In 1956, Procter & Gamble purchased Hines-Park Foods. Hines died three years later in 1959 at age 78.

Decades later, the restaurant guides that first made him famous have largely faded from popular memory, while his name remains plastered across baking aisles.

The irony is delicious: One of the most recognizable names in American baking belonged to a man who became famous not for making cakes, but for traveling around the country and telling everybody where to eat.

Related: Hector Boiardi Spelled His Name ‘Boyardee’ on the Can So Americans Could Say It; in 1946 He Sold Chef Boyardee for $6 Million

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An area rug can do so much for a room. While it’s a naturally soft landing spot that can make hard flooring feel more comfortable, it’s also a design workhorse. Some might even consider it to be one of the most significant pieces of decor in the entire room, especially when it’s as eye-catching as the Martha Stewart Triumph Geometric Rug. 

Designed for use both inside and outside, this striking piece normally retails for $318 at Wayfair. Right now, though, it’s an epic 75% off in the red and beige color, bringing the price down to just $79. Measuring 5 feet, 3 inches wide by 7 feet, 7 inches long, the rectangular rug is an excellent choice for a space that could use a quick, effortless makeover. Additionally, there’s a beige version for $84 and a blue and beige version for $92. Other sizes and colors are also available for sale.

Martha Stewart Triumph Geometric Rug, $79 (was $318) at Wayfair

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The geometric pattern is sharp and distinctive, yet not so bold that it overpowers the entire room. Neutral beige has a grounding effect on the piece, so even if you opt for the red or blue option, you’ll notice that the effect is more restrained than flashy. The star of the show is really the exquisitely detailed pattern, which has an almost kaleidoscopic effect. 

What’s great about this rug is that it works in different ways. As a focal point, it can break up the monotony in a room with a simple color palette or undefined aesthetic. And as an accent, it complements other pieces without stealing away the spotlight. It strikes just the right balance whether you set it up in your living room or out on the deck.

Related: Martha Stewart’s ‘Beautiful’ Tufted Linen Ottoman Exudes ‘Expensive’ Farmhouse Charm, Now 64% Off

The rug’s low-maintenance care adds to its appeal. With a low-pile height and machine-woven polypropylene material, it’s easy to maintain. Simply vacuum to keep it looking fresh. It’s water-resistant for added durability, so you can be confident that it will hold up well even when it’s exposed to the elements.

Shop More Martha Stewart Deals

• Martha Stewart Ollie 3-Drawer Desk, $198 (was $270) at Wayfair
• Martha Stewart Scalloped Reversible Bedding Set, $88 (was $217) at Wayfair
• Martha Stewart Lots of Lemons Kitchen Linens Set, $21 (was $34) at Wayfair

If you’ve been looking for a simple way to spruce up your home, the Martha Stewart Triumph Geometric Rug could be the solution. As functional as it is fashionable, it adds a soft and stylish touch to any room. Pick it up while it’s up to 75% off at Wayfair in your preferred color.

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Two decades into marriage, Rachael Ray knows that staying connected takes more than just good luck, it takes daily commitment.

The daytime TV icon and culinary host recently opened up about the everyday rituals that keep her 20-year bond with her husband, John Cusimano, unshakeable. From quiet evening rituals to shared kitchen traditions, the couple’s simple daily actions make all the difference in their lasting partnership.

The celebrity chef spoke to PEOPLE Magazine at the New York City Wine & Food Festival’s Blue Moon Burger Bash, where she discussed the nine daily rituals that keep her marriage strong. The event, held on October 15, celebrated culinary talent, showcased top-tier burgers from New York City’s best restaurants, and raised money for charity.

She said that the couple’s evenings have fallen into a predictable, happy pattern centered on nine daily habits that have strengthened their relationship.

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“I make food, he writes music, we watch news or movies, we fall asleep, he snores, I nudge him, he nudges me, we roll around, have some fun, and then we go about our day,” she revealed. “It’s always the same.”

Additionally, the couple gardens and enjoys the fruits of their labor together. It is a shared at-home habit that fuels both their creativity and their good health.

Ray shared, “I think that’s a big part to life,” she added. “Are you eating a colorful diet, and are you happy? Do you try to get up with purpose every day? I think that helps everyone, male and female.”

She revealed that she and Cusimano “grow everything” at their home in upstate New York. The couple has lived there and in New York City throughout their marriage.

Daniel Zuchnik / Getty Images

“We grow everything,” Ray admitted. “We have four garden beds and it depends on the season. This time of year, of course, we have all of the dark greens and all of our squash, all different sizes of orange squash, and zucchini is still there, eggplant’s still there.”

The couple met at a party in 2001 and quickly hit it off, remaining inseparable ever since. A decade after tying the knot in Italy, they returned to the very same spot in 2015 to renew their wedding vows.

In her 2019 book, Rachael Ray 50: Memories and Meals from a Sweet and Savory Life, she revealed that she regularly saved voicemails from Cusimano while they were dating. A single message from him ultimately sealed the deal.

“We’d been dating a while, and while I wasn’t the type to think about who says ‘I love you’ first, I knew it wasn’t going to be me,” the former Food Network star wrote. “I think it’s an overused word, a misused word, and I like to protect it.”

“John calls me wandering around, stumbling around, and he sounds very, very angry,” she said of the call that sealed the deal. “And he says, ‘I used to be an independent person and I dated lots of women!”

She concluded, “But all of those women were inert. They had nothing going on, like they’re inert on the inside. And I don’t know, but you’re the opposite. You’re so… ert.'”

Rachael Ray and John Cusimano star in the cooking series Rachael Ray’s Meals in Minutes, which airs on the FYI Network.

For four decades, hearing the rumbling paddlewheel and deep horn of the General Jackson Showboat rolling down the Cumberland River was as central to the Nashville experience as neon lights on Broadway and a night at the Grand Ole Opry.

As one of the very last surviving operational attractions from the legendary and long-lost Opryland USA theme park, the towering Victorian-style vessel carried generations of music lovers, sightseers, and families out onto the water. But by the end of this year, that era of Music City history will officially come to a close.

Operating company Opry Entertainment Group confirmed that the 300-foot paddlewheel riverboat will be permanently retired this winter, with its final public cruise scheduled for December 15.

“After an extensive evaluation, we have decided to retire the General Jackson Showboat due to ongoing maintenance challenges that have impacted its operating schedule,” Opry Entertainment Group stated in a release shared with the Nashville Scene. “For many years, the General Jackson has offered visitors a unique way to connect with Nashville, and we are grateful to the teams who brought the experience to life. Although the chapter is closing on the General Jackson, we remain committed to offering attractions and entertainment across our portfolio that feature the rich talent and music culture that have made Nashville a world-famous entertainment destination.”

Related: Grand Ole Opry Announcement Leaves Fans Asking ‘What’s Happening?’

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First christened in the summer of 1985, the four-deck showboat was originally engineered as a crown jewel attraction for Opryland USA. When the beloved theme park abruptly shuttered in 1997, the General Jackson survived the wrecking ball, continuing to dock adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and Opry Mills. Inside its sweeping two-story Victorian theater, the boat delivered a distinct blend of live country revues, Southern-style luncheons, and holiday dinner cruises that made it a nostalgic staple for locals and tourists alike.

Related: Two Hotels, Two Very Different Ways to Experience Nashville

The decision to decommission the boat marks a bittersweet transition along the riverfront. While newer modern charters, party vessels, and the newly launched paddlewheel riverboat Capitol will continue navigating the Cumberland, none carry the direct lineage to the golden era of country-themed attractions quite like the General Jackson.

For travelers and longtime fans hoping to catch one final spin around the river bend, the remaining sailings on the calendar through December 15 represent the absolute last opportunity to step aboard and experience a true piece of vintage Nashville showmanship before the ship docks for good.

Related: Dollywood’s Newest Character Will Pay Tribute to Dolly Parton in the Most Touching Way