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Hunter Schafer has been gushing about the result of her gender-affirming bottom surgery from last year, saying how much she “loves it”. The stunning Euphoria star chatted about the surgery in an interview with ELLE magazine, which was published today.

In the interview, Hunter explained how she “really wanted to try to make that previous body work” for her. She said: “Maybe it’s a good thing to share, for the tension I was talking about between those two worlds [reality and ideology]. I just had bottom surgery in December, which was amazing, and I love it so much.

“For a long time I’ve embraced the gender-expansive part of myself, and I really wanted to try to make that previous body work, because I thought there was something really cool and badass about it.”

After undergoing the procedure, Hunter was limited to walking very few steps per day in order to give her body a chance to recover. The star noted: “I think my limit was 150 steps per day, which is nothing.”

Hunter starred as the character of Jules Vaughn in the hit-series Euphoria. Jules is a transgender high school student new to the town of East Highland. Fans of the show follow along with the character’s journey of self-discovery as she navigates her gender identity alongside the support of her father.

Other shows that Hunter has featured in include Blade Runner 2099, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Mother Mary, Kinds of Kindness, and Cuckoo.

Before entering the world of television and film, Hunter had a successful career as a high-fashion model and artist. After graduating from the University of North Carolina’s School of the Arts, Hunter was scouted out on Instagram and signed a contract with Elite Model Management in New York City. From there she quickly gained traction and walked runways for major fashion brands from Dior and Prada to Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu and more.

Four special dogs traveled to Oregon over the weekend with an important mission: to bring comfort to a community reeling from a school shooting.

Fisher, Isaac, Micah, and Rahab, four comfort dogs with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, arrived in Bend, Oregon, following the devastating news of the latest school shooting. The dogs visited Silver Rail Elementary School, where they spent time with children, first responders, and community members affected by the violence.

“Hearing about another school shooting, another community shattered, and families facing the unimaginable loss of their children never gets easier,” the organization wrote on their Instagram page. “We grieve for the three young students and their teacher who lost their lives, and for everyone whose world has been turned upside down by this tragedy.”

Lutheran Church Charities

All four dogs traveled from out of state to Bend. Fisher traveled west from Idaho and Isaac came from his home base in Spokane, Washington, while Micah and Rahab both traveled north from California.

In addition to kids and families, the four-legged visitors also made their way through the surrounding neighborhood, offering a little comfort and companionship to those dealing with the aftermath of the elementary school shooting on October 15.

“We are having such meaningful visits with this hurting community. We have been positively received by parents, teachers, children, dispatchers, and first responders across Bend.  They have expressed such gratitude simply that we showed up with our K-9 Comfort Dogs to offer comforting care for them,” Julie Blyckert, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog volunteer from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley, WA tells Parade.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs is a ministry that deploys specially trained comfort dogs to communities experiencing tragedy and crisis. The dogs offer emotional support through their presence, giving people an opportunity to pet, hug and spend time with an animal during difficult moments.

Lutheran Church Charities

“Our K-9 Comfort Dogs have a remarkable way of opening doors and creating moments of connection when words are difficult to find. Through our Hearts of Mercy & Compassion ministry, we offer a tangible expression of love and remembrance, honoring lives lost while providing a place for the community to come together, grieve, and share their stories,” Rev. Chris Singer, President & CEO of Lutheran Church Charities, tells Parade. “That sense of coming together is so important in times of tragedy, reminding us that we don’t have to carry our grief alone.”

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It’s the little treasures that can truly make a house feel like home. They’re the accents that express your style and the details that bring a space to life. In some cases, they’ll even brighten up the room. That’s definitely true of the Home Decor Collection Sterling & Noble Table Lamp. It’s a distinctive cordless piece that serves as both a functional essential and a work of art.

You can snag it right now for only $24 at Walmart. Available in brown floral and brown striped versions, this lamp evokes old-world charm with its pleated shade and classic patterns. Brown and white hues, coupled with gleaming brass, give it an especially vintage-inspired quality, suggesting a piece that you might have been fortunate enough to find at a flea market or an antique store.

Courtesy of Walmart

The details here are truly impressive, especially for a piece with such a minimal footprint. Standing 11.89 inches tall by 5.9 inches wide, the lamp was built for complete ease and convenience. It weighs just 2 pounds, making it easy to move from room to room whenever you want to spruce up a particular space or illuminate a dim spot.

This lamp’s design elements come together so beautifully. The floral version features cream-toned blossoms tumbling on a rich chocolate background, while horizontal white and brown lines bring the other style to life. Both shades are set on a brushed brass stand that has a slightly burnished finish, and the effect is like an heirloom that’s been lovingly passed down through generations.

On top of being cute, the lamp is just plain easy to use. It’s rechargeable and turns on and off with a simple tap of the touch sensor. It emits warm white, mixed white, and cool white light, so you can easily switch between options to find the temperature that best suits your space. Whether you want soft illumination or a bolder glow, this lamp handles every lighting task.

Related: Walmart’s ‘Luxuriously Soft’ Faux Fur Accent Rug Warms Up Cold Floors Instantly, and It’s 50% Off

Hundreds of shoppers swear love the piece, with one reviewer describing it as a “lovely” accent that makes the room look “classy.” Another person said that it’s “really pretty and versatile,” adding that it “looks more high-end” than its price suggests.

• Yaheetech 2-Tier Vintage Coffee Table, $50 (was $56) at Walmart
• Casacomoda 5-Tier Bookshelf, $42 (was $75) at Walmart
• Mehmoom Farmhouse End Table, $27 (was $49) at Walmart

Perfect for quick room updates or to brighten up your home as skies darken this season, the Home Decor Collection Sterling & Noble Table Lamp makes an exquisite choice that balances style and function beautifully. Snag it now in your preferred pattern while it’s in stock at Walmart.

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.

Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” was one of the defining tracks on the 1979 concept album The Wall. More than 45 years later, it remains a rock classic that has stood the test of time. And live, it was never played the same way twice.

Written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters, “Comfortably Numb” features a haunting melody and lyrics about feeling disconnected from the world. Gilmour’s soaring guitar solo is showcased at the end of the song, and in 2026 it was ranked among the “Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time” by Rolling Stone.

“David Gilmour’s transcendent ‘Comfortably Numb’ solo isn’t merely one lead but the best parts of five or six takes, not that anyone would know it,” the outlet shared. “He simply raised and lowered the faders whenever a phrase perked up his ears, creating a mosaic that became the most affecting solo of his career. His playing is weepy, soulful, and beautiful, giving the dreariness of The Wall human warmth … every time he played the solo, it turned into something new onstage.”

Gilmour once said he  “never learned” the ending solo to “Comfortably Numb,” and didn’t think about what the audience would think when he improvised it while playing it live.

“I just like it starting the way it starts, and the rest of it sort of so ingrained in me, that the various parts of it are going to find their way into what I’m doing,” he said in a 2025 interview with Rick Beato. “I mean, there are a lot of guys who can play that. But I don’t play it.”

“To me, it’s just different every time. I mean, why would I want to do it the same?” he added. “Would it be more popular with the people listening if I did it exactly like the record? Or do they prefer that I just wander off into whatever feels like the right thing at the time? I don’t know. I suspect they like they prefer it to be real, and to be happening, you know?”

“But I’ve never learned it. Yeah, I’ve never learned that guitar solo,” he shared.

RELATED:  1979 Rock Classic Featuring Three-Minute Twin Guitar Solos Became a Road Trip Anthem

Perhaps even more surprising is the fact that Gilmour has never singled out “Comfortably Numb” as his favorite of all of his Pink Floyd solos.

“I don’t know if it’s my favorite solo, there are many solos that I love for different reasons,” he said in a 2000 interview. “The solo was just inspired by the music.”

The inspiration for the song itself came after Waters fell ill ahead of a show at the Philadelphia Spectrum in 1977.

 “’Comfortably Numb’ resides in the Spectrum,” he recalled to the Philadelphia  Inquirer in reference to the concert arena, which closed in 2009. “I was getting ready to do a gig there, and I had some stomach bug. Terrible, terrible stomach cramps. We had a doctor come into the hotel… and he gave me a shot, and to this day I don’t know what it was. … It came out of a dart that felt like it was used to tranquilize an elephant.”

Waters had a bad reaction to the shot and fell into an even worse state onstage.

“And we did the whole show, and I was barely able to stand,” he recalled. “And that’s where the term ‘comfortably numb’ came out of. Though obviously the song developed in a different direction.”

Nearly five decades later, “Comfortably Numb” remains one of Pink Floyd’s greatest rock masterpieces, with its powerful lyrics and timeless guitar solo continuing to captivate generations of audiences.

Related: 1979 Bad Company Hit, Inspired by Iconic Guitar-Synthesizer Riff, Is Still a Rock ‘n’ Roll Anthem 47 Years Later

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From her VS Fashion Show debut over the weekend to performing at the Grammys, it’s safe to say Tate McRae has had a very busy year. Now, the “Sports Car” singer is dropping a brand-new fragrance at Ulta that has shoppers talking.

Tate 01 Eau de Parfum comes in three sizes and is a fresh, woody scent that’s a bit sultry while still super inviting and cozy. It features top notes of sparkling bergamot and clary sage, heart notes of orange flower, hedione, and iso e super and finally has a sensual moss and creamy tonka base.

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The bottle is understated but still looks gorgeous on your vanity. The creamy white bottle and the black cap contrast beautifully, and it looks like a high-end perfume.

Related: Ulta Just Dropped a Gorgeous New 15-Pan Eyeshadow Palette That Screams Autumn

So far, shoppers are loving this fragrance, giving it an average rating of 4.5 stars on Ulta.com, with 100 percent of reviewers saying they would recommend it to others.

“Please go buy this ASAP,” raved one fan in a five-star review on Ulta.com. “this is one of the best perfumes I have smelled in a LONG TIME! The perfect mix of musky, floral and vanilla!!! Definitely going to buy another bottle asap in case it’s a limited launch.”

“Soft, subtle and floral without being sweet or too woody,” said another shopper in a four-star review on Ulta.com. “This is a BEAUTIFUL soft floral fragrance that has a cozy dry down. The bergamot and orange blossom give a bright opening with a feminine softness that would be very office appropriate. This is not a ‘beast mode’ scent, it stays close to the skin. The tonka amd sandalwood in the base creates a wonderfully well balanced fragrance. It is not a heavy woody scent it is more floral and soft with the tonka and sandalwood.”

You can order this new Tate McRae perfume on Ulta.com or find it in select stores. The 3.4-ounce size retails for $82.

Related: Ulta Is Selling a Blurring Primer That’s a ‘Velvety Dream’ at Under $13

Before Sam Raimi brought Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker to the big screen in Spider-Man, the director made a chilling crime thriller about what happens when ordinary people stumble upon an extraordinary amount of money.

Released in 1998, A Simple Plan follows three men whose lives take a dark turn after they discover a crashed airplane containing $4.4 million in cash. What initially seems like a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck quickly becomes a dangerous test of their loyalty, judgment and morality.

The film stars Bill Paxton as Hank Mitchell, a small-town family man who discovers the money alongside his older brother, Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton), and their friend Lou (Brent Briscoe). Rather than immediately report their discovery, the men consider keeping the fortune for themselves, convincing themselves that they can hide it until spring without anyone finding out.

As suspicion grows and the men struggle to protect their secret, their decisions become increasingly desperate. Hank’s wife, Sarah (Bridget Fonda), also becomes involved in the plan, helping him navigate the mounting complications. What follows is a tense examination of greed, guilt and the lengths people might go to protect their own interests.

For audiences who know Raimi primarily through his superhero blockbusters and horror films, A Simple Plan offers a different look at the filmmaker’s range. Rather than relying on elaborate action sequences, the movie builds suspense through its characters’ increasingly troubling choices and the consequences that follow.

The film earned particular praise from late critic Roger Ebert, who awarded it four stars in his December 1998 review. Ebert called it “one of the year’s best films,” praising its ability to draw viewers into an escalating story of crime and tragedy. He also highlighted the performances, describing the work of Paxton, Thornton, 71, Fonda, 62, and Briscoe as “flawless.”

The movie received two Academy Award nominations, including a supporting actor nod for Thornton and a nomination for Scott B. Smith’s adapted screenplay. Smith wrote the screenplay based on his own 1993 novel.

The film is available to stream on Paramount+.

RELATED: Steve Martin and Martin Short Are Teaming Up for an Atlantic City Show on Nov. 7

While most late-night shows follow the traditional broadcast schedule starting in September and running through to May, The Daily Show on Comedy Central has run things a little differently. It follows the yearly calendar, meaning that the current season will end when 2026 does.

Jon Stewart had originally signed on to see the series through to the end of 2026. With every contract end date, there is the possibility of him walking away from the show again. The good news is we’ll get at least two more years of him.

Stewart has signed on until the end of 2028, which means he will be around for the November 2028 Election run. He will also continue to be an executive producer on the series, while Jen Flanz will continue to act as showrunner.

Stewart had stepped down as full-time host of The Daily Show in August 2015, leading to Trevor Noah taking on hosting duties and ending Stewart’s 16-year run. Noah remained for almost eight years, and for a while, there were many questions about who would permanently host. Stewart returned in 2024 for one night a week, taking Mondays, with the co-hosts running through a cycle, hosting Tuesday to Thursday each week.

Like many late-night TV shows, The Daily Show doesn’t air a new episode on Friday nights. The program focuses on events that have happened during the week, while also welcoming guests to promote books, shows, movies, and music, adding comedy to regular reporting.

That one-day hosting duty will continue through 2028, with Ronny Chieng, Josh Johnson, Jordan Klepper, Michael Kosta, and Desi Lydic co-hosting the other days on a rotating schedule. Troy Iwata and Grace Kuhlenschmidt will also remain as correspondents on the late-night series.

In a statement, co-chair and CCO of Skydance TV, George Cheeks, said that “Jon Stewart is a generational talent, and The Daily Show continues to be one of the most influential franchises on television and a cornerstone of Comedy Central. We are excited to continue our partnership with Jon and his award-winning news team.”

The Daily Show airs Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m. ET on Comedy Central.

Ella Helfrich built her Tunnel of Fudge cake from three things: a pecan tree in her Houston backyard, a box of Pillsbury fudge buttercream frosting mix and a Nordic Ware Bundt pan, the Star Tribune reported. The result was a chocolate Bundt cake with a gooey, fudgy center.

Helfrich had been entering cooking contests since 1950, and her granddaughter told the Houston Chronicle that she was “constantly inventing new recipes.” Her batter was simple: nuts and the frosting mix folded into flour, sugar, butter and eggs. The AP said in 1966 that it took “only 15 minutes to make,” according to food-history blogger Barry Popik.

The fudge center comes from a batter with more fat and sugar than flour, so the middle never fully sets, Bake from Scratch explains. The nuts help build the walls of the tunnel, and the cake has to cool in the pan for almost two hours before it is turned out. Pull it too soon and the walls can split, leaving “a collapsed pile of fudge.” The magazine called the cake a mystery, with “no obvious reason” for either the fudgy center or the pan.

After years of koining cooking contests, Helfrich eventually took second place at the 1966 Pillsbury Bake-Off, and Bake from Scratch says her cake grew so popular that people remember her now more than the first-placer. The Chronicle reported that Helfrich won $5,000 and a tractor, which she and her husband sold, putting the money toward a Chevy Impala.

Pillsbury received more than 200,000 letters asking for the receipt of Helfrich’s cake, according to The American Table. Many of the cooks wanted to know where to buy the ridged pan, the Chronicle said.

That pan was a Bundt pan. H. David Dalquist of Nordic Ware created it in 1950 after members of a Minneapolis Hadassah chapter asked for a pan to bake bundkuchen, a German gathering cake, according to the University of St. Thomas. Sales were slow until Helfrich’s cake.

Because of the popularity of Helfrich’s Tunnel of Fudge cake, the Dalquist family got thousands of requests for the pan and kept its factory running 24 hours a day to fill them, Bake from Scratch reports. The Chronicle described it as two Nordic Ware plants working around the clock. The pan soon passed the tin Jell-O mold in sales, and the university says Nordic Ware has sold more than 50 million Bundt pans.

The original recipe depended on Double Dutch Frosting Mix, which Pillsbury eventually discontinued. The company switched to confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder in the mid-1980s, and some fans said the new version did not match the old one, Bake from Scratch reports. Pillsbury also added a glaze on top in the new recipe.

Helfrich’s cake is not the only home-baked hit to become a national craze. Wally Amos opened a Los Angeles cookie shop in 1975 with borrowed money and built it into one of the best-known cookie brands in the country.

Jake Johnson, the actor best known for his iconic role as Nick Miller in New Girl, has a house in the market.

The 48-year-old actor put his Pasadena home on the market last week, for $3.295 million. He originally bought the four-bedroom, four-bath home in 2017 for a little over $2.2 million, and has lived there for almost a decade. The residence was remodeled by architect Aleks Istanbullu, and features expansive living spaces, private gates, a swimming pool and lush front and backyards. Johnson’s old home also has a detached studio, where the actor built a spa and an office.

During his ownership, Johnson became known for filling his Pasadena home with a wild mix of old and new furniture and artwork, often describing his approach as “turning other people’s trash into treasure.”

Though his house was recently listed on the market, he has not publicly announced his next residence.

Amanda Edwards / Getty Images

Johnson grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, where he became a fan of the Second City improv troupe. He started going to college at the University of Iowa, but ended up transferring to New York University where he studied Dramatic Writing. While in New York City, he started his own sketch comedy troupe, then moved to Los Angeles after graduating.

After working on multiple sketch comedy TV shows on various networks, he landed the role as Nick Miller in the sitcom New Girl, which follows Jessica “Jess” Day (Zooey Deschanel), a quirky and upbeat teacher who moves into a Los Angeles loft apartment with three single men — Nick, Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Winston Bishop (Lamorne Morris). The show aired on Fox and lasted for seven seasons.

After New Girl ended in 2018, Johnson continued acting, including starring in the comedy Tag and voicing Peter B Parker in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its sequels. He also made his directorial debut in the comedy-thriller, Self Reliance, in 2023.

Currently, Johnson is producing and acting in a variety of new film and TV projects, including The Sun Never Sets, The Dink, Wildwood and Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, as well as co-hosting the podcast We’re Here to Help alongside comedian Gareth Reynolds.

For more about Johnson’s new listing, more information can be found here.

Related: In 2021, Diana Jenkins paid $13 million for a Hidden Hills mansion; five years later, the former ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ star listed it for $23 million

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Floral bedding has a way of making a bedroom feel a little more fun and personal. From delicate wildflowers to bold, garden-inspired designs, floral bedding can instantly brighten up a space and make it feel more inviting. It’s also an easy way to refresh your bedroom for the season without replacing your furniture or investing in a complete makeover. Pair a floral comforter with crisp white sheets, soft neutral pillows, or a cozy throw to let the print shine, or mix it with complementary patterns for a more collected, eclectic look.

While botanical prints are getting renewed attention in home decor, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a patterned comforter to bring the look home. The Jolusere Floral Comforter Set at Walmart is a pretty option for anyone who loves a romantic bedroom aesthetic, and it’s currently reduced from $51 to just $36 in the twin size. The two-piece set features a soft pink tulip print with delicate bow details, giving it a sweet, almost vintage-inspired look without feeling overly formal. It’s the kind of bedding that can refresh a bedroom even if you aren’t planning to change anything else in the space. Another version features a cheerful yellow floral print with lush green leaves for a fresh, garden-inspired look. 

Courtesy of Walmart

The twin-sized set includes one comforter and one pillowcase, while full, queen, and king-sized sets come with a comforter and two matching pillowcases. This ensures you’ll get a coordinated look without hunting down separate pieces. Just keep in mind that decorative pillow inserts and sheets aren’t included. 

If you’re starting with a plain white or neutral bed, the floral print can do most of the decorating work on its own. One detail I particularly like is that the comforter is reversible. The tulip-and-bow print is on one side, while the reverse features a pink-and-white heart pattern. The yellow set reverses to green botanicals, as well. 

That gives you two looks to choose from, whether you’re in the mood for something more floral or something simpler and playful. It’s also an easy way to refresh your bed without buying another comforter.

Shoppers said this “incredible” set is “the perfect weight.” “This bedding set is beautiful,” one customer stated. “It’s well-made and very cozy.”

Related: Walmart’s ‘Beautiful’ $100 Farmhouse Bookcase Has 5 Tiers and a Cabinet for All Your Reads and Trinkets

The set is available in microfiber for year-round use, making it a practical option for shoppers who want a decorative bedding refresh without investing in a heavier seasonal set. For a more collected look, add a bedside lamp, a small vase of flowers, or a framed print to pull the room together without competing with the pattern.

• Jolusere Blue Floral Cotton Comforter Set, $52 (was $71) at Walmart
• Vevor Farmhouse Style Kitchen Island, $188 (was $219) at Walmart
• Alden Design Small Space Rolling Storage Kitchen Cart, $95 at Walmart

Best of all, this is an affordable way to experiment with a trend. If you’ve been drawn to floral bedrooms but don’t want to commit to wallpaper or a full makeover just yet, grab this Jolusere Floral Comforter Set at Walmart for just $36 and get your room blooming. 

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.

“You can’t set her on fire, you can’t sink her and you can’t catch her,” designer William Francis Gibbs boasted about the SS United States, according to Mobile Bay Magazine. Okaloosa County plans to test the middle claim in November, weather permitting.

The liner crossed the Atlantic on her maiden voyage in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes in July 1952, averaging 35.59 knots and beating the Queen Mary’s record by about 10 hours, Invention & Technology reported. That earned the Blue Riband for the fastest passenger liner, and the ship still holds it, per Atlas Obscura.

The Navy treated her top speed as a secret, and a former captain said she “could outrun some destroyers,” per Invention & Technology. The ship cost at least $70 million to build. Atlas Obscura puts the total at $79.4 million, with the U.S. government covering $50 million.

The liner retired in 1969 after 17 years of service and spent decades changing hands and deteriorating, Atlas Obscura reports. A rent fight with the Philadelphia pier owner forced the SS United States Conservancy to sell. Okaloosa County bought the ship for $1 million, according to PhillyVoice, and a tow took it out of Philadelphia on Feb. 19, 2025, headed for Mobile, Alabama.

Florida officials expect to sink the ship in the second week of November, about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, depending on weather, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. The sinking will use no explosives. The county planned to spend $10 million on cleaning the ship, sinking it and building a museum about its history, per PhillyVoice.

Some scientists and preservationists warn that the ship’s zinc chromate primer could pollute the Gulf. Okaloosa County says the project meets EPA standards, PhillyVoice reports. A federal lawsuit from the New York Coalition to Save the SS United States was dismissed in August 2025.

“This is an exciting move forward to create a one-of-a-kind resource for the environment and for our tourism industry,” a county spokesperson said, per The Philadelphia Inquirer. At 990 feet, the liner would top the 888-foot USS Oriskany, the biggest ship ever turned into an artificial reef when the Navy sank it off Pensacola in 2006.

As Hallmark and other channels get their Countdown to Christmas lists together, you know that it’s time to prepare for Advent. December will be here before you know it, and that means deciding which chocolate calendar you want to get. What if you did something a little different in 2026?

This year is all about the romance, and no, you don’t need anyone special in your life. Atria Books has decided to bring Advent in book form, and you will not want to miss out.

The Twelve Loves of Christmas is a collection of romance stories. Each story is gift wrapped inside the book, so you can open up one story at a time and read it. And yes, the stories are short enough to read in a day, but since there are only 12 stories, you may want to savor them over two days to count down the 24 days of Advent.

Atria suggests that you break the seal on the pages from the middle. It helps to avoid damaging any of the pages of the book, and you can enjoy the story as you go.

Of course, the question is whether you can hold back from reading Day 2, Day 3, and so on. Can you resist the temptation?

All 12 stories are written by different romance authors. They are standalone tales, so if you decide to read the book backward, or you decide to get a little more creative with the numbers, then you can do.

One romance story involves forced proximity, while another is a woman in love with her older brother’s best friend. There’s a second-chance romance story when two exes are stranded at an airport, and two neighbors who decide it’s best to skip Christmas this year. You don’t get to know the order of the stories, with nothing but a number on the front page, creating the perfect excitement for each tale.

There are some steamy romances in the mix, as well as secular, queer, and cute small-town tales. The full list of authors is: Alexandria Bellefleur; Elise Bryant; Olivia Dade; Alexis Daria; Sarah Hogle; Zakiya N. Jamal; Rebecca Jenshak; Jessica Joyce; Susan Lee; Joss Richard; M. A. Wardell; Rebekah Weatherspoon

The Twelve Loves of Christmas is already available to purchase, and it will make the perfect treat as we countdown to Christmas. And if you really can’t skip the chocolate, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a small treat with each story.

Sickness happens. But the common cold doesn’t have to mean you feel completely miserable. Most people will heal on their own, but over-the-counter medications can help soothe symptoms. Plus, the CDC recommends getting medical care if your symptoms don’t improve within 10 days, come back or get worse. Your primary care doctor is a great resource, but you may also benefit from seeing an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT).

“ENT physicians can help in several important ways,” says Dr. Joseph Lebowitz, MD, an ENT surgeon specializing in nasal and sinus disorders at Stony Brook Medicine in New York. “We can determine whether someone is dealing with a typical viral upper respiratory infection or something else, such as a bacterial infection or a complication that requires treatment.”

He notes that you might also see an ENT if your symptoms persist beyond the cold itself, such as congestion lasting weeks or loss of smell. They can also help you find the right treatment, including over-the-counter options. For the most part, cold treatments focus on relieving symptoms while your body fights the infection, such as:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever, headaches and body aches
• Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) for fever, headaches and body aches
• Dextromethorphan (Robitussin) to suppress coughs.
• Guaifenesin (Mucinex) can loosen mucus and make it easier to clear.
• Oral decongestants (pseudoephedrine) to soothe nasal congestion
• Antihistamines diphenhydramine and doxylamine (nighttime cold formulas) for symptom relief while you sleep (They cause drowsiness)

“These medications are generally safe when used as directed, but many cold medicines contain multiple active ingredients, and different products can contain the same active ingredient even when their brand names are completely different,” Dr. Lebowitz warns.

For this reason, Dr. Lebowitz and two other ENTs urge people to avoid this common cold-medicine mistake.

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Double-dosing on common cold medicine poses significant and even life-threatening health risks, but it’s surprisingly easy to do unintentionally.

“‘Double dosing’ usually happens by accident, when someone takes two different medications that contain the same active ingredient or ingredients,” says Dr. Lebowitz. “Mucinex DM and Robitussin DM, for example, both contain guaifenesin and dextromethorphan.”

He says the risk depends on which cold medicine you took and how much.

Acetaminophen can cause serious liver injury. Dr. Lebowitz notes that acetaminophen is found in many over-the-counter and prescription medications, including multi-symptom cold medicines. He says that the FDA’s maximum total daily dose of acetaminophen for healthy adults is 4,000 mg in 24 hours. Every source of acetaminophen counts.

NSAIDs, like Advil, and other medicines also need to be used as directed.

“If overdosed, NSAIDS can cause GI bleeding and ulcers and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke,” says Dr. Margherita Bruni, MD, an otolaryngologist at Northwell Health. “Decongestants like pseudoephedrine could cause agitation, tremors, seizures and cardiac complications if overdosed.”

And while sleep is important when you’re sick, you don’t want to double-dose on cold medications with antihistamines.

“This can cause you to be very drowsy or sleepy,” says Dr. Christina H. Fang, MD, FACS, an attending hospitalist at the Montefiore Department of Otolaryngology and an assistant professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Dr. Lebowitz says it’s especially important to avoid these sedating medications if you have to drive.

Related: That Cough Has Been Hanging Around for Weeks—Here’s the Point When Doctors Want To Hear About It

“There is no single daily dose that applies to all cold medicines,” Dr. Lebowitz says.

Dr. Lebowitz adds that the right daily dose of a medication depends on:

• The specific active ingredient
• The formulation
• The person’s age and sometimes weight
• Other medications someone is taking
• Any underlying medical conditions

“The best place to find the right dose is the ‘Drug Facts’ label on the specific product you are taking,” he says. “It tells you how much to take, how often, the maximum amount per day and important warnings.”

For instance, Dr. Lebowitz says that the “FDA identifies 4,000 mg in 24 hours as the maximum total amount from all acetaminophen-containing medicines for healthy adults.”

“That is a ceiling, not a target, and the appropriate amount may be lower for some people, including those with liver disease or other risk factors,” he points out.

Related: Pharmacists Are Begging People To Stop Mixing These 2 Common Over-The-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter cold medicines can help relieve symptoms, but you’ll want to take them safely. ENTs shared three tips for safely taking cold medications:

• Remember, different brand names can contain the same active ingredients. Dr. Lebowitz says that keeping this fact in mind is the best way to avoid double-dosing on cold medicines. “Always read the ‘active ingredients’ section of the label on every product, particularly if you are taking more than one medication, and look for any overlap,” he suggests. “If you’re unsure, ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional before combining medications.”
• Match the medicine to the symptom. These medications soothe symptoms, not make a cold go away faster. “Colds are caused by viruses, and they just need to run their course,” Dr. Bruni says. “Often, you don’t need combination products with multiple active ingredients, which can increase your risk of side effects unnecessarily.” One medication with one active ingredient may give you the relief you need.
• Check for interactions with your health conditions and existing medications. Dr. Fang reminds us that ingredients may increase blood pressure, cause drowsiness and interact with medications, like those taken for anxiety. She suggests consulting with your doctor before taking any of these medications.

All three ENTs agree: Consult your doctor or pharmacist with any questions about cold medicines—period. It’ll help you avoid an accidental overdose.

Up Next:

Related: Doctors Are Begging You To Get Your Flu Shot by This Date

• Dr. Joseph Lebowitz, MD, an ENT surgeon specializing in nasal and sinus disorders at Stony Brook Medicine in New York
• Manage the common cold. CDC.
• Acetaminophen. FDA.
• Margherita Bruni, MD, an otolaryngologist at Northwell Health
• Dr. Christina H. Fang, MD, FACS, an attending hospitalist at the Montefiore Department of Otolaryngology and an assistant professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  
  

Floral print dinnerware is one of those little things that can make an ordinary meal feel a whole lot more special. I’ve always loved how pretty dishes can transform a tablescape, whether it’s delicate botanical patterns, romantic blooms or ornate designs that look like they belong in a charming English cottage. And honestly, you don’t need to host a fancy dinner party to justify using beautiful dishes. Even a bowl of pasta on a random Tuesday deserves a little main character energy.

That’s why I was excited to spot a gorgeous Victorian-inspired pasta bowl set at T.J. Maxx. If you love vintage home decor as much as I do, this six-piece set is the kind of find that makes you want to refresh your kitchen cabinets.

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T.J. Maxx

The Victorian design brings an elegant, old-fashioned feel to the table, making these bowls a lovely option for anyone who gravitates toward romantic patterns and timeless dinnerware. They have a collected, rather than cookie-cutter, look, which is exactly what I love about incorporating pieces like these into a home.

And while the bowls are certainly pretty enough to show off when company comes over, I’d happily use them for everyday meals, too. Think spaghetti marinara, creamy fettuccine Alfredo, homemade risotto or even a hearty soup on a chilly evening. Suddenly, dinner feels a little more special without requiring any extra effort in the kitchen.

Related: This Ingenious $25 IKEA Christmas Tree Doesn’t Take Up Any Floor Space

Pasta bowls aren’t just for pasta. This set can double as salad, grain bowl and other favorite meals. Each measures nine inches by two inches, is made of earthenware and is dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

Styling them would be fun, too. I’d pair them with simple linen napkins, understated flatware and a small vase of fresh flowers. Or, if you love a more-is-more tablescape, lean into the romantic look with patterned linens, brass candlesticks and woven chargers.

If you’re ready to give your dinner table a charming upgrade, check out this set at T.J. Maxx. Because if you ask me, life’s too short for boring bowls—especially when there’s pasta involved. Good news: this set ships and may also be in your local T.J. Maxx store, depending on where you shop.

Related: T.J. Maxx’s Quilted Tree Throw Brings Old-Fashioned Christmas Charm Home

Actors Michael Rosenbaum and Tom Welling famously played friends-turned-rivals Lex Luthor and Clark Kent on the WB series, Smallville.

In an October 2026 interview with Variety, in celebration of Smallville‘s 25th anniversary, Rosenbaum and Welling reminisced about the 10-season show, which ended in 2011.

Rosenbaum noted that while he left the series following its seventh season, he has been revisiting the entire show, including episodes where Lex is absent, for his and Welling’s Smallville-themed podcast, TalkVille. He shared that he wasn’t overly fond of the show’s ninth season.

“Doing the podcast, TalkVille, I’m like, ‘This show is pretty damn good.’ I mean, we watched all the episodes, and now I’m watching season 8 and 9 and 10. And I’m not in it. And I’m still watching it ’cause I have to. But season 8 without me was really good. Season 9, not so much,” said Rosenbaum.

During the Variety interview, Rosenbaum got candid about his decision to leave Smallville after seven seasons. He explained that his original “contract was for six seasons” and he had “signed on” for “another season.”

“Sometimes people would think, ‘Ah, he quit the show. He left the show.’ But I actually did another year,” said Rosenbaum.

Welling, who stayed on the series for its entire 10 seasons, explained that Rosenbaum wasn’t offered a pay increase when it was time to renew his contract for the show’s final three seasons.

“There’s a point in the show where the actor’s contract comes up for renewal. The idea is that based on the success of the show, the contract will be increased, and that wasn’t happening,” said Welling.

Rosenbaum then suggested he was taken aback by the contract offer.

“It was like, ‘Hey, we want you to come back for three years. We want you to sign a three-year deal and give you no increase in pay.’ And anybody who works in any business, it’s like, I’m an integral part of this success and don’t I need to get rewarded? I said, ‘Yeah, no thanks.’ And that was it,” said the actor while speaking to Variety.

Rosenbaum discussed playing Lex for seven years on Smallville during a 2024 interview on actress Katee Sackhoff‘s podcast, The Sackhoff Show. He said that “playing the same part for that long was tough” and he “knew [he] had so much else to offer” beyond Smallville.

The actor clarified, however, that he “respected the role” and doesn’t mind being tied to it.

“People have a tendency to say about roles, it’s like, ‘Well, he’s known mostly as Lex Luthor. And that’s the role.’ And I’m like, ‘F–k yeah.’ If I’m known for that and that’s the only thing in my life, isn’t that awesome? I don’t care,” said Rosenbaum during the podcast interview.

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Love classic decor but don’t want to spend a fortune on a statement piece? A traditional rug can help tie a room together, anchor furniture, and make a space feel more finished. Wayfair has a Martha Stewart design that combines an elegant look with natural wool and cotton materials for considerably less than its original price.

Right now, the Martha Stewart Hand Tufted Wool Oriental Rug is on sale for $170 at Wayfair, down from $440 for the 5-by-8-foot size. Its ivory-and-gray tones and traditional Oriental pattern give it the timeless, sophisticated look of a designer rug, while the wool-and-cotton construction adds natural texture and a soft feel underfoot. The rug is also available in other sizes and shapes, making it easier to find a fit for your room. 

Courtesy of Wayfair

Made from wool and cotton, this hand-tufted rug features an intricate Oriental pattern in soft  ivory and gray tones. Its quarter-inch pile height gives it a relatively low profile, while the cotton backing adds additional support. If you plan to place it on a slippery hard floor, consider adding a rug pad to help keep it from shifting.

Other than its 5-by-8-foot option, the rug comes in rectangular, round, runner, and square styles, with sizes ranging from 3-by-5 foot rectangle rug to a 6-by-6-foot square option. It’s also compatible with heated floors, so you can use it in rooms with radiant heating.

The neutral color palette makes it easy to coordinate with any furniture and decor you already own. Pair it with natural wood and neutral upholstery for a cohesive look, or mix the traditional pattern with contemporary furniture and colorful accents for a more eclectic feel.

Shoppers are generally pleased with the way it looks. “Love this rug, it’s a subtle beauty!” one Wayfair reviewer wrote. Another buyer praised the design and quality, saying, “Beautiful rug, great quality! Looks just like the picture!”

To care for the rug, the brand suggests vacuuming with a machine that doesn’t have a beater bar or rotating brush to help protect the fibers. However, professional dry cleaning is recommended when the rug needs a deeper clean.

• Martha Stewart Copper Vines Cotton Reversible Queen Comforter Set, $112 (was $217) at Wayfair
• Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Millie Slate Area Rug, $89 (was $150) at Wayfair
• Holly Dolly “Deck the Halls with Songs of Dolly” Oval Platter, $33 at Wayfair

Related: Martha Stewart’s $27 Gingerbread House Salt and Pepper Shakers Are Pure Nostalgic Holiday Magic

With the Martha Stewart Hand-Tufted Wool Oriental Rug at Wayfair marked down to as low as $170, it’s worth adding to your cart while it’s still on sale! If you’re looking to give your living room or bedroom a timeless update, this discounted find brings classic style for less.

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.

Two and a Half Men went through a major shakeup following Charlie Sheen‘s publicized exit from the sitcom, with creator Chuck Lorre admitting his initial doubts about Ashton Kutcher as his replacement were wrong.

It appears that Lorre has been wrong a few times when it comes to casting the leading roles for his sitcoms. After revealing that he didn’t want Anna Faris to star in Mom, he has now told PEOPLE about similar reservations about Kutcher.

Kutcher joined Two and a Half Men in 2011, following Sheen’s exit, as a wealthy internet billionaire who ends up living with Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones‘s characters after buying their Malibu beach home. He played the role of Walden Schmidt well until the sitcom’s end.

Lorre told PEOPLE, in relation to his memoir Sitcom, that his “reservation was I had this built-in idea that he was too young for the part, but I was absolutely wrong.” The sitcom creator detailed in his memoir that it was then-CBS executive Les Moonves who instructed him to meet with Kutcher to replace Sheen.

In fact, Kutcher wasn’t the first person Lorre and the sitcom had in mind for the role. It was rom-com actor Hugh Grant. The actor’s filmography had mostly been big-screen works like Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Two Weeks Notice. CBS and Warner Bros. were offering the British actor $750,000 per episode and a four-day work week to take over Sheen’s role.

Lorre explained in his memoir that while Grant was hesitant about performing in front of a live studio audience, they were willing to accommodate all his needs to make it work. Grant was ready to sign, until he wasn’t.

“I was told he had a pen in hand and was about to sign the contract when he abruptly walked out of the room…,” Lorre wrote.

The sitcom creator later learned from the actor’s team that he had ultimately decided not to star in Two and a Half Men. Lorre told PEOPLE his theory that Grant decided the sitcom wasn’t gonna work for his career and that the money was “secondary” to his needs.

Once meeting with Kutcher, Lorre’s doubts were whisked away. Kutcher’s interest n technology helped create his on-screen character, with his charm and funny personality making it a home run.

“He brought so much light into that stage that had experienced so much darkness and so much chaos,” said Lorre.

“We did 88 episodes with Ashton, four years, and we had a good time. Everybody made a lot of money and had a great time doing it. So I’ve just got to count myself as being very grateful for that man.”

Related: Betty White Was Cast as Blanche and Rue McClanahan as Rose on ‘The Golden Girls’; the Director Swapped Them Before Filming

Hugh Davis considered a black-and-white killer whale, but his wife, Zelta, picked blue. “We don’t have mean things,” she said, according to Roadside America.

Davis, a zoologist, gave her the whale on Sept. 7, 1972, their 34th wedding anniversary, according to NewsOn6. He built it with his friend Harold Thomas, a welder, from steel rod and pipe covered in plaster and concrete, per Roadside America, which puts the whale at 80 feet long. “It took two years,” their son, Bill Davis, said, per NewsOn6.

It was not blue at first. The whale stayed concrete-colored until almost two years after the basic structure was finished, NewsOn6 reports. It also became a popular swimming spot, and Davis added sand, picnic tables and lifeguards.

The Davises closed the attraction to the public in 1988, per Roadside America. The City of Catoosa bought the property in 2020, according to TulsaPeople. Swimming is no longer allowed, though the whale is free to visit.

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, the city held a grand opening for a new Blue Whale Visitor Center, according to Fox23. The 4,000-square-foot building has an expanded gift shop, historical art and photos, a concession area and a meeting hall. A neon sign, a first for the whale, was lit on May 11, per Remind Magazine.

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell cut the ribbon, and the city received a $1.8 million grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission for the project, according to Route 66 News. City Manager Josh Brown called the center “an investment in both preservation and community pride,” per Route 66 News.

Roadside concrete creatures have a way of outlasting their makers’ plans. In California, a cafe owner began a 150-foot dinosaur to sell burgers, and it is still drawing drivers off the freeway.

Zach Bryan has opened up about the moment he decided it was time for him to put down the bottle. The singer-songwriter chatted to Matthew McConaughey in a video posted to his YouTube account, revealing that it wasn’t until last year that he realized he “had a problem”.

In the video, Zach candidly shared that in order to ease his stage fright, he would sometimes be drinking 15 or more cans of beer per day. Some of these drinks were consumed before and after his performances to calm his nerves in what he described as a “perfect routine”, whereas others were consumed throughout the rest of the day.

The turning point for Zach occurred when he was on a trip and found himself sitting on a curb one night. “I was stopping at all these bars and drinking myself to sleep. I was at this Pilot truck stop right outside of Seattle. And I’ll never forget this as long as I live. I’m sitting on this curb, and I go into this Pilot, and I grab a 40-ounce bottle of Budweiser, and I’m sitting on the curb with my motorcycle in front of me, and I’m drinking it. And I’m thinking, ‘What the hell was all that worth? Why’d I do any of that? I feel emptier than when I left.”

Zach then gushed about how much better his life has become since he decided to embark on his journey to sobriety. He noted: “I just always thought sobriety was a joke. I never realized I had a problem… [But] quitting drinking has been really great. I enjoy writing again. I feel this innocence I haven’t felt since I was like, 17. I feel like a kid again, ‘cause I wake up and I’m ready to go. I want to jump in the pond, I want to play with the dogs, I want to do everything.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

A massive nationwide recall has been issued for a wide selection of meat products, including hot dogs and bacon, “because they may have experienced temperature abuse during storage,” says a recall notice published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. 

Related: Meat Recall Issued for Beef, Pork, and More Nationwide: ‘Unsafe to Eat’

According to the federal agency, Kayem Foods Inc., based out of Chelsea, Massachusetts, has issued a voluntary recall of 1,584,361 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. Almost 70 different meat products, from meatballs to boneless hams, are included in the recall. “The problem was discovered after the firm received a retail customer complaint regarding warm product temperatures at point of delivery on October 1, 2026. The establishment investigated and determined that they stored various RTE meat and poultry products in a warehouse cooler that experienced temperature deviations,” states the recall notice. 

The products were sold under a variety of names, including Kayem, al fresco, Triple M, McKenzie Country Classics, Essem’s, Jordan’s, Winnisimmet Butchery, and Deutschmacher.

Related: Recall Expanded for Berries Sold at Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Publix Due to E. Coli Risk

Walmart posted a notice on its website to notify customers that recalled products were sold at its stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. A full list of affected products can be found here. 

Though there have been no confirmed reports of illness connected to the consumption of the recalled products, “FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators,” and urges consumers who have purchased the products to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. 

Related: Multi-State Recall Issued for Pork, Including California, Texas, and Florida, Due to Listeria Risk

According to the Mayo Clinic, “food left out too long at room temperature can become tainted… food stored in a refrigerator or freezer that is too warm can spoil.” Meat that has been left out for too long at room temperature can cause contamination with bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, and Staphylococcus aureus. 

These can cause food poisoning, a blanket term for foodborne illnesses, with symptoms as varied as upset stomach, vomiting, loose stools, and fever. 

Next: Recall Issued for Grill Brushes Sold at Walmart, Amazon, TJ Maxx, Ross Due to Serious Ingestion Hazard