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Goodreads users have come up with a list of the “Most Depressing Books of All Time.” The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is at the top of the list, with 1984 by George Orwell following it. Coming in third is The Road by Cormac McCarthy.

The Road is a 2006 post-apocalyptic novel that follows a father and son traveling through a desolate America. The book won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction in 2006.

When describing how he came up with the concept for the book, McCarthy explained, "Four or five years ago, my son and I went to El Paso, and we checked into the old hotel there. And one night, John was asleep, it was probably about two in the morning, and I went over and just stood and looked out the window at this town. There was nothing moving but I could hear the trains going through, a very lonesome sound. I just had this image of what this town might look like in 50 or 100 years… fires up on the hill and everything being laid to waste, and I thought a lot about my little boy. So I wrote two pages. And then about four years later I realized that it wasn't two pages of a book, it was a book, and it was about that man, and that boy.”

The Road has a 4.4 star rating on Amazon with over 35,000 reviews. As one reader said, “The Road is a truly disturbing book; it is absorbing, mystifying and completely harrowing. Simply because it shows us how man could act given the right circumstances; it’s a terrifying concept because it could also be a true one.”

Another said, “You can literally feel the bleakness and the emptiness and the desperation in his writing. You can see and smell the blackness and the ash and the cold. It’s hard to read (or listen to) sometimes because it’s just so hopeless, and you know nothing good is coming. You know there can’t be some happy ending waiting for you. There’s no way. Not in the world he’s created.”

Related: 1976 Book Ranked Among the ‘Best Modern Horror Novels’—And It’s Not Stephen King

The Road was adapted into a movie in 2009 starring Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee. It received mostly positive reviews with multiple nominations, including a BAFTA nomination for Best Cinematography.

McCarthy is also known for writing Blood Meridian and No Country for Old Men. The latter, which is a Western crime thriller about a man being pursued by a hitman, won four Academy Awards. Many fans and critics consider it one of the greatest films of the 21st century.

McCarthy died in his home from natural causes on June 13, 2023 at the age of 89.

Winning the $1 million prize money on America’s Culinary Cup would go a long way to helping two-time Top Chef winner Buddha Lo achieve his dreams—he is currently getting ready to open his own restaurant – but he also wouldn’t mind having his own cooking show.

“If that’s in the cards, yeah,” he tells Parade. “I watched a lot of cooking competitions growing up, so I have a lot of ideas for it for sure, but at the moment, competing is the opportunity that I’ve got. It’s Padma’s [Lakshmi] show, it’s a million dollars, it’s new. Top Chef won’t let me do it again for the third time, so why not?”

But also, the talented chef finds the competition fun and inspiring by being challenged to come up with new ideas and new ways of presenting food, like the cauliflower ice cream he recently made on ACC, which saved his team from an elimination challenge.

“It’s something that I continuously want to do,” he continues. “Usually, when athletes retire, they retire because they’re too old. For myself, I did two seasons of Top Chef. I’m still not tired of it. I want to do it; I find it a lot of fun. It keeps things exciting. But at the same time, I’m also well aware how important media is for a business, and for myself, opening a restaurant, it’s important that you’re visible and whatnot. In a 2026 lens, that is something that you need to be thinking about.”

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Because of her previous connection with Buddha – and several of the other chefs that were cast on America’s Culinary Cup – Padma had little to do with casting. But the team behind the show approached Buddha, and he went for it.

“I now have to establish myself more as a brand and not be attached so much to a restaurant,” says the executive chef, who earned his first Michelin star in November 2025 at Huso. “Myself as a brand, that would help future businesses, so I’m thinking about the long run as well as having fun at it. So, doing the competition was something that was appealing to me at the time, and it’s also something new. I don’t feel like there’s a competition that’s trying to showcase this sort of level at the moment.”

What makes America’s Culinary Cup different from Top Chef is that on ACC, the challenges come in the form of Culinary Commandments, like meat, vegetables, sauces and desserts. And there’s a point system. Each of the three judges – Padma, Michael Cimarusti and Wylie Dufresne – award points based on Taste, Creativity, Presentation and "Mastery of the Commandment." Each quality is worth 5 points, so each judge’s total is 20 points for a cumulative possibility of 60 points. 

Related: America’s Culinary Cup Season 1: Who Went Home Last Night? (Night 6 Elimination)

“I think the hard part is that I feel all three judges are different in the way that they approach food, and trying to tick all their boxes can be quite difficult,” Buddha says. “You want to get a perfect score of 20 every time. When you think about those categories of scores you go, do I really want to make a slider? Is that creative? Is that technical? And am I going to make five points on presentation, because I’m just trying to save myself?”

Buddha Lo

Photo: Jackie Brown/CBS

In the Culinary Commandment for Meat, Buddha did mishear the instructions, and he wound up in the bottom three, which is a dangerous place to be. I had some curiosity if that possibly was a political move, a way to lower his fellow chefs’ expectations of him, so they wouldn’t see him as big of a threat, but he says no way.

“You never want to plan to be on the bottom at any challenge because you don’t know who’ll one-up you on anything,” he says. “The tough part about that [meat] challenge was [that] we were told to cook with whatever our interpretation of the challenge was. And so, if I heard that you literally had to cook two pieces of meat, I would have done that, but they said, ‘You can do whatever you want,’ [so I cooked one meat several ways.]”

Before we got off with the talented chef, we asked him if there was anything he doesn’t eat, and if he has a guilty pleasure.

“I would say this sort of food is very, very obscure, but I don’t think I will ever try balut again, which is a fertilized chicken egg [it contains a partially developed embryo, yolk, and broth], and the other thing is a bull’s testicle. Yeah, it was not good,” he shares. “Instant noodles are definitely guilty pleasures. We have a particular brand called Mie Goreng, which is Indonesian, and it’s been a childhood favorite of mine that’s stuck with me until now. If you ever try Mie Goreng, you’ll be hooked onto it, and Australian meat pie as well.”

America’s Culinary Cup airs Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Streams next day on Paramount+.

Next, Top Chef Star Joins Padma Lakshmi’s New Culinary Competition Show

Ever since the cast for the Scrubs revival was announced, fans of the iconic medical sitcom raised their voices with one question in unison: Where is the Janitor?

Almost 16 years after taking its final bow on ABC (which came one year after taking its initial final bow on NBC), Bill Lawrence scrubbed in for another shift with all of our Sacred Heart fan favorites. So far, we've seen the return of Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, as well as recurring appearances from John C. McGinley, Judy Reyes, Robert Maschio and Christa Miller. But a couple of people have been conspicuously missing, including the enigmatic Janitor (Neil Flynn).

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Well, Scrubs fans can fret no longer. Parade has a sneak peek of the season finale (airing tonight on ABC) featuring the first scene between the Janitor and J.D. (Braff) in almost two decades.

Of course, the one-sided rivalry between J.D. and the Sacred Heart custodian was one of the best bits throughout the show's initial run. And, despite the Janitor's chipper mood greeting his old nemesis, he can't help but get an early crack in.

Scrubs Season 10 Finale Sneak Peek (Exclusive) (0:30)

"Wow, 30 years!" Janitor exclaims.

"It's only been 17," J.D. responds.

"Well then, you have aged rather poorly."

Related: Who Is Donald Faison’s Wife? Meet the ‘Scrubs’ Star’s Longtime Love, CaCee Cobb

Despite this being a revival, J.D. is eager to not revive their beef. After all, he's the Chief of Medicine now at Sacred Heart, a role he took over from Dr. Cox in the season premiere. But yet again, the Janitor is there to pour mop water all over his intentions, revealing that he has also been promoted to the Chief Custodian of the Joint Commission.

Neil Flynn as Janitor in 'Scrubs'

Disney/Darko Sikman

For those who are not aware, the Joint Commission is a non-profit that aims to set and enforce standards in health care across the nation. They focus specifically on improving quality of care and patient safety, as well as reducing risks in the hopes of saving even more lives. Which makes the Janitor...the Auditor.

"I'm gonna inspect the whole place!" Janitor reveals, displaying a set of keys. Of course, they're attached to a retractable string on his belt. It's clear, despite changing out his custodian's uniform for a suit and tie, he's still the Janitor at heart.

"I'll be in your office," he continues.

"I changed the locks," J.D. contests.

"I changed them back," he retorts, before sassily retracting his keys and walking off. J.D. is dumbstruck, his mind immediately filling with ideas of what will be awaiting in his office when he visits it next.

Related: Why Is This Beloved ‘Scrubs’ Character Missing From the Revival? Zach Braff Explains

Of course, Braff and company were asked about notable absences like Flynn and Ken Jenkins' Dr. Kelso in the lead-up to the premiere. And Braff told Esquire in the lead-up that, while they would be absent, the last two episodes of the season had not yet been written.

"They are interested in doing it," he says. "But do we have the bandwidth in the first nine to get to it all and service a story that would be worthy of Ken and Neil? That might come true. At this point, I can’t tell you the answer."

Lawrence, who also worked with Flynn in a recent guest stint on Shrinking, told TVLine at the time, "My hope would be that we establish where everybody from [the original show] is, whether they're still with us at the hospital or not."

Janitor's reappearance truly proves that the more things seem to change at Sacred Heart, the more they stay the same.

The Scrubs finale airs tonight, April 15, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Related: 'Scrubs' Cast: Where Are They Now?

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In 2026, the concept of the executive home office has undergone a dramatic transformation. No longer satisfied with flimsy, temporary setups. Professionals are increasingly investing in high-end, permanent furniture that reflects a sense of authority and permanence.

The shift toward industrial-inspired office aesthetics emphasizes the use of heavy-gauge metals and deep, moody color palettes that provide a grounded feel to a workspace. Creating an environment that fosters productivity requires a delicate balance between professional-grade durability and refined, modern styling. When a workspace feels substantial, it often leads to a more focused and professional mindset throughout the workday.

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The secret to a high-functioning office often lies in a zero-clutter strategy, where every piece of equipment has a dedicated home. Interior designers frequently recommend utilizing large-scale storage consoles that can anchor a room while discreetly tucking away the visual noise of cables, chargers, and endless stacks of paperwork.

IDÅSEN Cabinet With Doors and Drawers, $499.99 At IKEA

IKEA

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The IDÅSEN Cabinet With Doors and Drawers is a masterful execution of this rugged yet refined office aesthetic. Priced at $499.99, this piece is explicitly designed and tested for professional business use, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of a high-traffic office environment. The striking dark green metal finish provides a refreshing alternative to traditional black or white, adding a layer of sophisticated color to your room while maintaining a serious, industrial edge. This unit allows you to store items like papers, binders and chargers behind the doors, keeping your space clutter-free and ready for video calls at any time.

Related: Sam's Club Shoppers Say This 'Sturdy' Organization Item Is So Great, They're Buying Double

Functionality is embedded in every detail of this unit's design. For those who need to keep notes or reminders visible, the metal surface is magnetic, making it a double-duty pinboard for important documents or creative inspiration. The user experience is further enhanced by integrated dampers, which ensure that both the doors and the drawers close silently and gently every time. Inside, the adjustable shelves make it easy to adapt the storage space to the specific size of your equipment, whether you are stashing away heavy binders or a large office printer. Even on uneven flooring, the unit remains stable and secure thanks to its adjustable feet.

At $499.99, the IDÅSEN cabinet represents a significant investment in your home's operational efficiency and style. It provides the heavy-duty structure needed for a pro-grade office while offering the refined details of a luxury furniture piece. Whether you are building out a new corporate suite or giving your personal study a much-needed upgrade, this dark green storage solution is a durable, versatile must-have for the modern professional.

Related: Aldi's Set of Stylish Wicker Baskets Is the Best $10 You'll Spend All Season

Grace Gummer looks just like her mother, legendary actress Meryl Streep, and she became Caroline Kennedy in her most recent role in FX/Hulu's Love Story. But in a new red carpet appearance, the rising star made it clear that she doesn't need her mother's star power to stand on her own.

Gummer, 39, has been a working actress for several years, with roles in films like Frances Ha and Jenny's Wedding, and TV series like The Newsroom and Good Girls Revolt. But it was her earthshattering role as Caroline Kennedy, daughter of Jacqueline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, navigating a life filled with grief, that catapulted her into the Emmy Award conversation.

The brunette beauty hit the red carpet to attend the gala screening of Brunello: The Gracious Visionary at David Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center this week, and showed that an outfit doesn't have to be overly complex to be utterly stunning. With a soft white blouse that plunged to her tummy and glittering skirt with a subtle train, the actress showed a subdued sense of style that will be fun to watch evolve.

Photo by Dia Dipasupil on Getty Images

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Did the Cast of Love Story Know the Show Would Be Such a Success?

Gummer said that while the cast of Love Story knew the show would do well, they had no idea it would turn into an international phenomenon.

"We knew people would like it, but we didn’t know it would be a global phenomenon. We all have a group chat together, and we’re like, 'Okay, what is going on?” Gummer told Elle. "We root for each other, mostly. But we use the head-exploding emoji all the time, because this is just getting so big, and we’re honestly just really thrown by it. We use that, we use the heart-eye emoji a lot, and then the one with the tongue hanging out, because all the red carpets and the promotions—it’s amazing, but we’re really just shocked."

If you haven't had a chance to check out Love Story yet, check out the trailer below:

Related: Meryl Streep Says This Hollywood Legend Is the Real Miranda Priestly from 'Devil Wears Prada'

There are flights you endure, and then there are flights you actually rest through. Air New Zealand seems determined to blur that line completely.

The airline is rolling out a new onboard sleep concept called Skynest, a bunk-bed style sleeping pod system that lets economy passengers lie fully flat in the sky for the first time in a structured, bookable way. According to CNN, the product is designed specifically for ultra-long-haul routes like Auckland to New York, where sleep is less a luxury and more a survival strategy.

I keep thinking about what this actually means for travelers. Not just comfort, but the psychology of arrival. Walking off a 17-hour flight without feeling like you have been folded into origami.

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What Are Air New Zealand’s Skynest Bunk Beds?

Skynest is not a full cabin upgrade. It is something more targeted and, honestly, more interesting. Instead of buying a full business-class seat, economy passengers can now book a four-hour sleep slot in a lie-flat bunk pod on board the aircraft. The pods are stacked in a dedicated section of the plane and function like rotating rest spaces rather than permanent seats.

According to reporting from CNN and other aviation coverage, each Skynest unit includes:

• A fully flat mattress with bedding
• Privacy curtains
• Ventilation and ambient lighting
• USB charging ports and storage
• An included comfort kit for sleep

Each passenger is still required to have an economy or premium economy seat, but the Skynest becomes a $495 add-on sleep experience during the flight window. Air New Zealand has described it as a way to rethink how rest works on long-haul routes rather than simply upgrading seats.

Related: Experts Share Which Seat on a Plane Is the ‘Safest’ To Be in During Crash

How Sleeping in Economy Is About to Feel Different

Instead of trying to turn the economy into business class, Air New Zealand is essentially carving out temporary sleep real estate in the sky. You do not own the space for the entire flight. You reserve it, use it, and rotate out. Passengers will typically book a four-hour session per flight, designed to align with natural rest cycles on long-haul journeys.

There is also something quietly radical about the idea that in-flight sleep is being treated as a scheduled service rather than a byproduct of your seat. I have flown long-haul routes where sleep felt like a negotiation with your knees, the seat in front of you, and your own lack of dignity. This feels like a rewrite of that contract.

Why Air New Zealand Is Doing This Now

The airline previously introduced the Skycouch, which turns a row of seats into a lie-flat shared space. Skynest builds on that idea but pushes it further, shifting from “make your seat better” to “give you a completely different kind of space.” According to CNN’s reporting, the airline developed Skynest specifically for extremely long routes where passenger fatigue is a core operational challenge, not just a comfort issue.

Other aviation reporting notes that airlines globally are exploring similar ideas as long-haul travel demand increases and passengers become less willing to accept traditional economy discomfort on 15+ hour flights. From a traveler’s perspective, this feels like a response to a very modern problem: we are still crossing the same distances, but our tolerance for misery has dropped dramatically.

Related: United Just Opened Bookings for Its ‘Most Premium’ Plane Ever

What Travelers Should Know Before Booking It

Skynest is not a free upgrade or a hidden perk. It is a paid add-on experience, and availability will be limited.

Based on current reporting:

• It will be available on select long-haul routes, starting with Auckland–New York.
• Passengers book a timed sleep slot, not unlimited access.
• The system is designed to rotate users throughout the flight to maximize availability.

If you are someone who normally tries to “power through” long flights, this changes the math. Instead of suffering through turbulence, crying babies, and cabin lights, you could realistically plan for structured sleep.

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The Bigger Picture: Are Airplanes Becoming More Like Hotels?

Airlines are quietly experimenting with the idea that economy does not have to be a single static seat for an entire journey. We are seeing early versions of bookable sleep pods, convertible seat rows, shared lie-flat spaces, and hour-based comfort zones.

Skynest fits into that evolution. It is not a one-off gimmick. It is part of a broader redesign of what “economy travel” can even mean.

TLC just dropped the Baylen Out LoudSeason 3 trailer, and it teases a huge announcement from Baylen Dupree and Colin Dooley.

On Wednesday, April 15, the trailer revealed the release date for Season 3—May 19—in addition to offering fans a sneak peek of what's to come.

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"A lot is happening," Baylen said at the beginning of the trailer. "A potential move, our wedding, Colin's new job. I'm just here."

Clips then played of Baylen and Colin going dress shopping, as well as Baylen and her family testing out Baylen's dogs riding in tiny, pink, remote-controlled cars.

Additionally, Baylen hinted that she and her sister, Sammi, are "in a weird place." Their mother, Julie, pointed out, "You guys both have a little bit of a stubborn side. Make the call and hear each other out."

Elsewhere in the trailer, Baylen shared, "I've never felt more like myself in a long time. It's been really, really nice to, like, get my spark back."

Related: Baylen Out Loud Fans Are "Sobbing" Over Baylen & Her Mom Watching the Season 2 Finale

One of the last clips showed Baylen and Colin sitting down with her family to share major news.

"After a long time of discussing what's right for us and for everybody else, me and Colin came to a very hard conclusion," she told them, as the camera showed their shocked expressions, but not what the news was.

"Little do they know what's coming," Baylen told producers.

In a synopsis of Season 3, TLC shared that viewers will get to see Baylen "continuing to meet the daily realities of Tourette head-on" as she and Colin "face mounting pressure as wedding plans take shape alongside new career demands, financial decisions, and the possibility of a major move."

Catch the premiere of Baylen Out Loud Season 3 on Tuesday, May 19, at 9 p.m. ET on TLC and streaming the next day on HBO Max.

Next: Baylen Dupree Shares Weight Loss Update After Starting a GLP-1

When dotting your i's and crossing your t's as you prepare for retirement, there's one expense that many folks forget to include. And unlike some of the smaller surprises that most retirees will face at some point during their golden years, this one is likely to take a huge bite out of your retirement budget.

Fortunately, there's a way to prepare yourself for this unexpected cost—which some experts estimate can set you back around $345,000 during retirement—and avoid having it derail your retirement plans. Keep reading to find out what the mystery expense is, and what you can do to get ready for it.

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Many Retirees Surprised by $345,000 Healthcare Bill

The mystery expense haunting many retirees is actually a very expected one: Healthcare. According to Fidelity's 2025 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, couples could be looking at $345,000 in healthcare costs in retirement, an amount that rivals the cost of a mortgage.

However, it's the cost of that ongoing care that catches many off guard. That's because most people spend their working life under an employer-sponsored plan, where a large chunk of the upfront costs is absorbed by their employer. Once you retire and sign up for Medicare, all of that changes, according to Fortune magazine. When seniors switch to Medicare, they are usually shocked to learn that the plan covers only about two-thirds of their total expenses, leaving them to pay the rest.

According to Fortune, that can include costs related to:

• Long-term care
• Some prescription expenses
• Premium and cost-sharing options
• Dental, vision, and hearing-related expenses
• Certain in and out-of-network expenses, depending on the plan you picked

Related: The Best Strategies To Protect Your Social Security From the IRS

How to Avoid Surprise Healthcare Bills in Retirement

The good news is that there are some options to help you plan for these expenses, which you will accrue over the lifetime of your retirement. One such option includes cobbling together a healthcare plan that will cover more of your needs. Fortune suggests looking into things like supplemental coverage or putting together a healthcare specific savings account, like an HSA (for those who are eligible).

Related: How Living In These States Could Shrink Your Social Security Check

Other options include supplemental Medicare plans (such as Medicare Advantage), tapping other retirement accounts specifically set aside for these costs, taking out long-term care insurance, or setting up a personal savings account to start building a nest egg for your health.

Of course, the best way to decide what to do in your situation will be to meet with a retirement pro or financial expert to discuss your options.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

There are nights when the sky feels like background noise. And then there are nights when it becomes the main character. April 17, 2026, is one of those nights. According to National Geographic's astronomy coverage, mid-April offers one of the month's most favorable stargazing windows, with strong planetary visibility and relatively dark skies across much of the United States.

I have always liked nights like this because they do not require a telescope or even a plan. Just a willingness to step outside and stay there long enough for your eyes to remember how darkness actually works.

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What Makes April 17 One of the Best Stargazing Nights in April 2026

Mid-April skies tend to strike a rare balance. The moon is not overly bright, and several planets are positioned so they are easier to see with the naked eye, especially in the early evening and pre-dawn hours.

On or around April 17, Venus and Jupiter are among the brightest objects likely to stand out clearly in the night sky. Venus in particular often appears so bright that it is mistaken for an aircraft or even a distant star on fire.

Planetary visibility improves when planets reach greatest elongation, meaning they appear farthest from the Sun in the sky and are easier to see during twilight when they are less affected by solar glare.

Related: A 'Great Comet' Is Set to Streak Across the Sky— Here's Where and When to Catch it

Best Time to See the Night Sky on April 17 in the U.S.

For planets, the best viewing often occurs in the first hour or so after sunset, when twilight still lingers, but the brightest planets can stand out in the western sky. For fainter objects like constellations, star clusters, and the Milky Way, visibility improves later in the night once astronomical twilight ends and the sky reaches full darkness.

The Royal Astronomical Society notes that sky clarity depends heavily on both timing and local conditions, with light pollution and cloud cover often being the deciding factor in visibility.

Where to See the Darkest Skies in the U.S. (and Why It Matters)

If you want to elevate the experience, dark sky destinations make an immediate difference. The International Dark-Sky Association certifies locations worldwide where artificial light is strictly limited, preserving natural night conditions for astronomy and observation.

In the U.S., some of the best-known dark sky regions include:

• Utah desert parks near Canyonlands and Capitol Reef
• Northern Arizona around Flagstaff
• West Texas near Big Bend

These places do not just reduce light pollution. They remove the sense of distance between you and the sky. But you do not have to travel far. Even rural outskirts or coastal edges can dramatically improve visibility if you get far enough from direct lighting.

Related: This Is the Most Epic Way to See the 2026 Solar Eclipse

How to See the April 17 Night Sky From Anywhere (Even in a City)

You do not need perfect conditions to see something meaningful. Start by finding the darkest direction available near you. That usually means facing away from city centers, highways, or dense commercial areas. Parks, waterfronts, and open fields help create even a small improvement in visibility. Let your eyes adjust for at least 20 minutes. This is the step most people skip, and it makes a bigger difference than binoculars or apps.

NASA notes that bright planets remain visible even in urban environments on clear nights, which is why objects like Venus and Jupiter often serve as entry points into stargazing for beginners. Even in a city, you can still see something real. You just have to let your eyes settle into it.

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April feels like a transition month in the sky as much as on the ground. Winter constellations still linger while spring stars begin to rise, creating a layered sky that shifts throughout the night. For travelers, this is an easy experience to access.

And maybe that is why nights like April 17 matter. Not because they are rare, but because they are available anywhere, waiting for someone to notice.

Over the decades, Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks were often rumored to be more than friends, largely due to their close working relationship. In reality, however, the two shared a deep and genuine friendship — though Nicks made no secret of her admiration for Petty, once calling him her "favorite rock star."

Within just a few years of meeting in 1978, the two were already making music together. While their iconic duet "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" is the collaboration most fans know, there is an arguably even greater love duet between the two. 

“Insider” may not have reached the top of the charts, but it deserves just as much recognition — and according to Ultimate Classic Rock, it ranks among the “Top Romantic Duets” in rock history. 

Related: 1957 No. 1 Hit Inspired Dozens of Covers But the Original Remains Untouchable

Released in 1981 as part of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' album Hard Promises, "Insider" marked the pair's first official duet. At the time, Nicks' infatuation with the band had become something of a running joke. 

“I just fell in love with his music and his band,” Nicks said in Petty: The Biography. “I would laughingly say to anyone that if I ever got to know Tom Petty and could worm my way into his good graces, if he were ever to ask me to leave Fleetwood Mac and join Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, I’d probably do it.”

While Petty had a strict "no girls in the band" policy, he was more than willing to write a song for her. He sat down and created "Insider,” an intimate tune originally intended for Nicks' debut solo album, Bella Donna.

"When I wrote that song, I wrote it very quickly – I mean maybe in 10, 15 minutes," Petty told Melody Maker in 1981. "I just picked up the guitar and tried to sing each line out. It took me maybe an hour to do that. It don't happen every day, fans! But the lyrics were real quick."

Petty sensed immediately that he had written something special. "I thought it was one of my best songs to that point,” he later reflected in Conversations With Tom Petty (2005). He initially felt the track was a perfect fit for Nicks, but when recording began, something made him hesitate to let it go.

"She really liked the song, so we went to do the vocal and she started to sing harmony every time," Petty told Musician in 1981. "Because my track was playing in her headphones as a guide. So she said, 'Just let me sing the harmony one time.' So she did, and when it was over, I just sat there, in awe.”

Related: 1986 Power Ballad Named No. 1 Hit Song Became a Timeless Anthem

When Nicks walked back in and asked how it sounded, Petty's expression said it all. "She said, 'I can tell by the look on your face, you don't wanna give me this song. I'm giving it back to you right now.’” he recalled. “I really thought a lot of her for that."

Feeling guilty for taking the track back, Petty kept Nicks' vocals on "Insider" and offered her another song in return, "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around.”

Not everyone agreed it was a fair trade, though. Drummer Stan Lynch was particularly skeptical. "I didn’t think it was a good bargain at all," he said.

As it turned out, Lynch wasn't entirely wrong — at least commercially. "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" became a hit, peaking at #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1981 and holding that spot for six consecutive weeks.

“Insider,” meanwhile, remained just an album track. Still, Hard Promises was a success, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and eventually going platinum.

With time, the song’s legacy has grown even stronger. Live performances of "Insider" have accumulated millions of online views, and loyal fans have long argued the song never got its due.

As one listener put it, “Sad when you think of Stevie & Tom singing together ‘Stop Dragging My Heart' is the first song that came to mind, & this one is the obscure tune that never gets airplay. Don't get me wrong, ‘Stop Dragging My Heart' is a phenomenal song, but this is equally superb.”

Twenty-five years after ‘midnight margaritas’ became a cultural phenomenon, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman just gave fans the news they've been desperately waiting for — and the internet is collectively losing its mind.

The two took the stage and immediately riffed on Nicole's iconic AMC Theaters commercial. "Why do we come here, Nicole?" Sandra asked. Nicole's response? " We come to this place for magic."

@stuartbrazell

SANDRA BULLOCK & NICOLE KIDMAN JUST SURPRISED US! 🕯️✨ I am actually shaking—we just got the first look at Practical Magic 2 at the Warner Bros. presentation here at CinemaCon 2026! The rumors are true: the Owens sisters are back, and the family is heading to the UK to finally break the curse! 🇬🇧 From the return of the Aunts (Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest!) to the new generation played by Joey King and Maisie Williams, this sequel is everything we’ve been manifesting since 1998. 🌙 Mark your calendars for September 11, 2026! 🍿 They even rebuilt the iconic practical house on the cliff—no CGI magic here, just pure nostalgia. 🏠✨ Are you ready for midnight margaritas again? 🍹 Drop a 🕯️ in the comments if you’re screaming! #PracticalMagic2 #CinemaCon #SandraBullock #NicoleKidman #practicalmagic

♬ Amas Veritas - Alan Silvestri

Then, Nicole delivered the line we've waited a quarter of a century to hear: "The witches are back!"

The crowd lost it. Sandra joked, "Step on my line, that's okay," and the entire vibe was exactly what you'd want from these two — playful, warm, and expectedly excited.

What We Know About Practical Magic 2 So Far

Sally's daughters are all grown up now, dealing with their own magical powers and trying to figure out what that means for their lives. Gillian has traded her free spirited life and all it’s chaos for a much quieter life with a black cat. Then, things get interesting. Lee Pace shows up as a mysterious figure who arrives in their small New England town with a mission for the sisters.

Nicole mentioned the fact that they actually rebuilt the original house, which makes the whole experience that much more authentic. "We also have our past catching up with us and we have our destinies and we have our family," she explained.

Related: Nicole Kidman's Shocking New Career Path Came From Her Mother's Loneliest Moments

Sandra dropped a perfect tease about Sally's love life: "Sally is single, and if you know the original film, you can probably guess why." That curse is still very much a thing.

But wait — it gets better: the same day as CinemaCon, Sandra joined Instagram. Her very first post? A behind-the-scenes video from the Practical Magic 2 set where she's wearing a gorgeous pink bell-sleeved dress and pointing directly at a margarita pitcher.

View this post on Instagram

If you just got the chills, same. That's a direct easter egg to the midnight margaritas scene we've all been recreating with our own covens for decades.

The three word caption was absolute perfection: "Midnight somewhere…"

Chef's kiss. That's all that needed to be said.

The cast is getting some awesome additions also. Joey King plays Sally's daughter, joined by Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña and Solly McLeod.

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But here's what is really exciting: Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest are coming back as the aunts. Those two basically defined "cool older relative energy" in the first movie, and getting them back feels like coming home. Stockard's returning as the practical, no-nonsense Aunt Franny, while Dianne brings back the whimsical, free-spirited Aunt Jet. Their unconditional love and magical wisdom made the original film what it was, and knowing they're part of this sequel just makes it that much better.

For everyone who's spent 25 years rewatching the original, making midnight margaritas with friends, and wishing for more Owens family magic — this is our moment.

Practical Magic 2comes out September 18, 2026. Clear your schedule. Stock up on tequila. The witches are finally back.

After months of rain and the perfect mix of sunshine and temperatures, California is bursting into color. The 2026 wildflower season is shaping up to be one of the most impressive in years, with vibrant blooms popping up across deserts, valleys, and even coastal hills. 

While “super blooms” don’t happen every year, this spring is delivering widespread, above-average displays, making now the perfect time to plan a trip.

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Related: This Iconic California Pier Opened 117 Years Ago—and Still Defines the Coast Today

Where to See the Best Blooms Right Now

• Death Valley National Park: Yes, the driest place in North America is currently one of the most colorful. Death Valley is experiencing its most dramatic bloom since 2016, with fields of yellow, purple, and pink flowers stretching across the desert. 
  What to do nearby: Drive Badwater Road for peak bloom views, hike Golden Canyon, or catch sunrise at Zabriskie Point for unreal photo opportunities.
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Located east of San Diego, this park is one of the most reliable places to see a super bloom. In 2026, wildflowers are already spreading across the desert floor and canyon trails. 
  What to do nearby: Explore slot canyons, visit the famous metal sculptures in Borrego Springs, or take a scenic desert drive through blooming valleys.
• Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve: If you’re dreaming of endless orange hills, this is the place. Thanks to a wet winter, poppies are already blooming across the reserve. 
  What to do nearby: Walk the reserve’s loop trails, stop in Lancaster for local eats, or pair your trip with a visit to nearby desert parks.
• Carrizo Plain National Monument: Often called California’s “best-kept secret,” Carrizo Plain is exploding with wildflowers like yellow daisies and poppies. 
  What to do nearby: Visit Soda Lake, hike Panorama Hills, and enjoy wide-open landscapes with fewer crowds than other bloom hotspots.
• Diamond Valley Lake: This lesser-known spot near Hemet offers scenic trails lined with poppies and lupines, especially along its Wildflower Trail. 
  What to do nearby: Bike around the lake, enjoy a picnic with views, or explore nearby wineries in Southern California.
• Chino Hills State Park: Rolling green hills come alive with a mix of colorful wildflowers each spring, making it a great alternative to more crowded destinations. 
  What to do nearby: Hike Bane Ridge Trail, go horseback riding, or combine your visit with a trip to Orange County.
• Bay Area Blooms: If you’re in Northern California, you don’t have to travel far. Parks like Mount Tamalpais State Park and Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve are also seeing seasonal blooms this year. 
  What to do nearby: Hike coastal trails, visit nearby beaches, or explore San Francisco for a mix of nature and city travel.

Use a Wildflower App to Time It Right

Because blooms change quickly, timing is everything. Apps and live bloom maps help travelers track peak conditions in real time, so you don’t miss the best displays. Hipcamp is an app typically used to reserve camp sites, but this super bloom season, they are shifting their focus to help travelers time their visits correctly.

Related: California Destination Wins 'Best Small Coastal Town,' and It Has a Legendary Pier, Monarch Butterflies, and Unique Boutiques

Tips for Visiting the Super Bloom

• Go early in the day to avoid crowds and heat
• Stay on marked trails to protect fragile flowers
• Check bloom reports before you go, since conditions can change fast
• Plan midweek visits for a quieter experience

A Rare Window You Don’t Want to Miss

California’s super blooms are fleeting, sometimes lasting only a few weeks, depending on weather conditions. 

But when they happen, they transform entire landscapes into something almost surreal. Whether you’re hiking through desert wildflowers or standing in a field of bright orange poppies, this is one of the most unique travel experiences in the U.S.

If there’s ever a time to visit California, it’s now, while the state is in full bloom.

There is no decade of music that can produce heartbreak hits like the 1970s.

In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the 500 best songs of all time, curating a list of some of the greatest musical works ever created. Placed alongside legendary hits such as Michael Jackson's 1982 song "Beat It" at No. 185 and Pink Floyd's 1979 song "Comfortably Numb" at No. 179, the Rolling Stones secured the No. 193 spot with "Wild Horses."

"Wild Horses" was released in June 1971 as the second U.S.-only single from the band's ninth studio album, Sticky Fingers. Despite the album's massive success—topping both the U.S. and U.K. album charts—"Wild Horses" lacked the initial chart dominance achieved by other singles. The now-beloved song peaked at only No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Brown Sugar" topped the chart for two consecutive weeks.

Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards of he Rolling Stones performing on stage at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium.

Richard E. Aaron/Redferns

Although the track was a relative chart disappointment at the time, it was held in high regard by critics and fans. Within the decade, it grew into a cultural phenomenon. Today, the track is one of the Rolling Stones' most beloved ballads, consistently appearing on notable "greatest songs" lists and being covered by various artists, including The Sundays, Guns N' Roses and The Flying Burrito Brothers.

Produced over three days by Jimmy Miller via Rolling Stones Records, "Wild Horses" is recognizable for its stripped-down arrangement. Deviating from the Stones' traditional high-energy blues-rock sound, the song entranced listeners with its tender vocals and melancholic instrumentation—a production style that perfectly amplified the song's vulnerable themes.

Co-written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the track explores the pain of separation and enduring love in a failing partnership. The idea was originally conceived by Richards, who wrote the lyrics about missing his wife and son while traveling with the band. Inspired by his breakup with Marianne Faithfull, Jagger reworked the lyrics to reflect the end of a relationship, transforming it into the breakup anthem it is today.

Over five decades after its release, the song remains relevant, resonating with modern audiences just as it did for previous generations. "Wild Horses" has persevered through the digital era, racking up hundreds of millions of plays on streaming platforms. On Spotify alone, the track has garnered over 388 million streams, attesting to its longstanding legacy.

Related: 1984 Hit Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time’ Became a Breakup Anthem

Related: Legendary Producer Addresses Complicated Workplace With Iconic 60s Band: ‘It Was Hell’

There is a certain kind of trip we build in our heads when we think about the Caribbean. It is all color and ease. Music drifting through warm air, water that looks edited in real life, days that feel longer simply because they are softer. And then, sometimes, reality interrupts the fantasy.

Right now, the U.S. Department of State is urging travelers to reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago, a destination long loved for its culture, Carnival energy, and coastal beauty. The advisory is not a suggestion made lightly. It is based on a combination of crime, security concerns, and recent instability that travelers need to understand before they book or board.

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Why the U.S. Is Warning Travelers About Trinidad and Tobago

At the heart of the advisory is a Level 3 designation, which means travelers are urged to rethink their plans due to serious safety risks. According to the U.S. Department of State, violent crime is a significant concern across the country. This includes offenses that travelers cannot easily plan around: robbery, assault, sexual violence, and kidnapping. Many of these incidents are tied to organized gang activity, which has contributed to ongoing instability in certain areas.

There is also a broader layer of unpredictability. The advisory highlights risks of terrorism and notes that attacks could occur with little warning, potentially targeting public spaces like airports, hotels, markets, and restaurants.

Related: The U.S. Just Issued a Surprising Travel Advisory for This Popular European Destination

Recent developments reinforce the concern. In 2026, a state of emergency was declared following a spike in violent crime linked to organized gangs, leading to increased police and military presence. This does not mean every traveler will encounter danger. It does mean the margin for error is smaller.

What “Reconsider Travel” Actually Means for Your Trip

A Level 3 advisory does not prohibit travel. It signals that risks are elevated enough that you should actively weigh whether the trip is worth it. The U.S. Department of State uses this level when safety and security concerns are significant and can directly affect visitors.

In Trinidad and Tobago, that translates into real limitations. U.S. government employees, for example, are restricted from traveling to certain areas of Port of Spain at any time and are advised to avoid others at night, including some beaches and downtown zones.

It also means your experience may not match the destination you imagined. Spontaneity, one of travel’s greatest pleasures, becomes something you manage rather than embrace.

The Reality on the Ground: Crime, Geography, and Nuance

Carnival alone is one of the most dynamic cultural celebrations in the world. But like many destinations, experiences vary dramatically depending on where you go and how you travel. Crime is not evenly distributed. Much of the violence is concentrated in specific urban areas, particularly parts of Port of Spain. However, the advisory makes clear that even locations frequented by tourists are not immune.

There are also broader considerations travelers often overlook. According to Explore, emergency services and healthcare infrastructure may not meet U.S. standards in some areas, and disruptions such as roadblocks or increased security presence can make it harder to move around the country.

Related: The Government Is Flat-Out Asking U.S. Travelers Not To Visit This Country

What Travelers Should Do Before Canceling or Committing

If you already have a trip planned, this is the moment to slow down and assess rather than panic. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Start with logistics. Review your accommodations. Are they in well-regarded areas with strong security measures? Check transportation plans. Pre-arranged transfers are often safer than improvising on arrival.

• Stay informed. Travel advisories are updated regularly, and conditions can shift quickly. Monitoring updates from the U.S. Department of State is essential.

• Think about timing. Daytime exploration may feel very different from nighttime movement, especially in urban areas. The advisory specifically highlights increased risks after dark in certain locations.

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A Final Look Before You Book

Travel is rarely about perfect conditions. It is about perspective. But sometimes, the smartest move is not pushing forward. It is pausing, gathering information, and choosing the experience that aligns with how you actually want to feel when you arrive.

For me, it comes down to the kind of trip you want. If you are looking for ease, relaxation, and the freedom to wander, this advisory suggests you may not find that here right now.

For decades, the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza has sparked one of history’s biggest mysteries and plenty of wild theories. From secret lost civilizations to alien intervention, many people have struggled to believe that ancient humans alone could build something so massive and precise.

But new research suggests a far more grounded and equally fascinating answer.

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Related: Researchers Believe They May Have Just Made an Unbelievable Underground Discovery in Egypt

The Breakthrough Theory

A recent study using advanced 3D modeling suggests the pyramid wasn’t built with massive external ramps, as previously believed. Instead, researchers, including computer scientist Vicente Luis Rosell Roig, think the ancient Egyptians used a hidden internal ramp system built directly into the structure. 

This “integrated edge ramp” would have spiraled upward inside the pyramid as it was being constructed. Workers could move massive stone blocks along this internal path, leaving gaps in the outer layers that were later filled in, effectively erasing evidence of the ramp once construction was complete. 

The theory helps explain several long-standing mysteries:

• How over 2.3 million stone blocks were moved and placed 
• How construction stayed so precise without modern tools
• How the pyramid could have been completed in roughly 20–30 years

Even more impressive, simulations suggest workers could place a block every few minutes, making the timeline far more realistic than previously thought. 

So…Why Did People Think Aliens Built Them?

The alien theory didn’t come out of nowhere. The pyramids are astonishing feats of engineering:

• Perfectly aligned with cardinal directions
• Built with massive stones weighing up to tens of tons
• Constructed over 4,500 years ago without modern machinery

Because of this, some people assumed ancient civilizations lacked the technology or knowledge to build them. But in reality, ongoing research continues to show that ancient Egyptians were incredibly advanced engineers, capable of complex planning, mathematics, and large-scale labor organization.

Related: Egypt Cruise on Your Bucket List? Viking Is Adding Two More Ships to the Nile in 2026

Is It Safe to Visit Egypt Right Now?

If this discovery has inspired you to book a trip, safety is likely top of mind. As of 2026, the U.S. State Department classifies Egypt as a Level 2 destination: Exercise Increased Caution. This means travel is generally safe, but visitors should stay aware of their surroundings and follow standard precautions.

There are a few important caveats:

• Certain areas, like the Northern Sinai Peninsula, are labeled “Do Not Travel” due to security risks 
• Popular tourist destinations such as Cairo, Luxor, and the Red Sea resorts remain well-secured and widely visited
• The most common issues for tourists are minor, like pickpocketing in crowded areas 

In fact, major attractions like the pyramids have a strong security presence, and the tourism infrastructure is well developed.

Tips for Visiting the Pyramids

If you’re considering a trip, here’s how to make the most of it:

• Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and heat
• Hire a licensed guide to better understand the history and new research
• Stay hydrated and prepare for the desert climate
• Respect local customs and guidelines

A New Way to See an Ancient Wonder

The Great Pyramid of Giza has stood for over 4,500 years, and we’re still uncovering its secrets. This latest research doesn’t just solve a mystery; it reshapes how we understand one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.

And perhaps the biggest takeaway? The real story is even more impressive than the myths. Because it turns out, one of humanity’s greatest wonders wasn’t built by extraterrestrials; it was built by people, using creativity, innovation, and an incredible amount of determination.

While the pantry is built to serve a practical purpose, you can still make yours stylish, regardless of whether it's sizable or short on square footage. Below, you'll find 15 examples of functional yet flair-filled pantries that prove that a bit of creativity can go a long way in making this essential component of kitchen storage look nice and elevated.

1. Lean a Ladder

It's always wise to make full use of the vertical space available to you in a pantry, and to fully embrace height, try bringing in a rolling ladder, as Tiffany Skilling, the founder of Tiffany Skilling Interiors, did here. It adds both practicality and a dose of charm.

2. Add Statement Lighting

Add a whimsical—and functional—touch to the pantry with an eye-catching, statement light, like this palm-inspired fixture that Megan Molten selected. It adds a lively touch to this otherwise moody, subdued pantry.

3. Go Big With Art

Annie Schlecter

Who says you can't embrace artwork in the pantry? If you have a large wall to fill, take a cue from the team at McBournie Richards and hang a large portrait or other meaningful piece in the space to infuse major personality into this area of the home.

4. Have Fun With Wallpaper

Wallpaper isn't going out of style anytime soon, and that means it's totally fair game for the pantry, too! Here, Cara Fineman, the founder of Dag Design, selected a peppy polka dot print that adds a dose of fun to this storage space.

5. Make Things Multifunctional

A larger walk-in pantry that Fineman designed serves as a true multipurpose spot—there's room for a makeshift workstation and more decorative open shelving, along with tons of concealed storage for housing all the essentials.

6. Paint the Doors

Consider painting the doors of your walk-in pantry, as Fineman did here, to distinguish it as its own designated space. The bold blue adds instant energy into the mix, but you can always choose a more subdued shade.

7. Pick a Pretty Backsplash

Tamara Flanagan

While we've seen a few stylish instances of wallpaper in walk-in pantries, you certainly don't have to go that route and can infuse color and pattern into the space with a traditional backsplash instead. Here, Kelly McGuill, the founder of Kelly McGuill Home, landed on a cheerful geometric design that pairs nicely with the soft blue paint color on the cabinetry.

8. Say Yes to Mesh

Artur Debat via Getty

Designers are beginning to use mesh cabinetry more and more, as exemplified by this space by the team at Adams + Beasley Associates. It's a wise choice because the material allows light to shine through and appears artful while providing privacy, ensuring that the items you're storing aren't creating visual clutter.

9. Don't Let Limited Space Stop You

Short on space? No problem! You can still tuck a pantry into a small nook like the one that Sarah Scales, the founder of Sarah Scales Design Studio, created here. Out of sight, out of mind (and off the kitchen countertops!)—you might be amazed at how much you can fit on just a handful of shelves.

10. Let Light Shine Through

You might also wish to save space when creating a pantry by opting for smaller doors that open inwards, as McGuill did here—these allow light to filter through yet fully conceal items on the bottom shelves.

11. Save Space With a Sliding Door

You could also try a pocket door for the pantry, as illustrated in this kitchen designed by Meredith Rodday, the founder of Meredith Rodday Design. Frequently seen in historic homes, pocket doors are still popular because they add character and are a major space-saver to boot.

12. Create a Morning-Ready Station

Sarah Scales

This pantry designed by Scales doubles as a welcoming coffee bar and breakfast station, complete with a few appliances and a toaster. There's no excuse to not enjoy the first meal of the day when all of the essentials are laid out within reach (and then can be neatly tucked behind closed doors!).

13. Arrange a Vignette

If you plan to keep your pantry doors open often, don't shy away from decorating the bottom shelf, as Scales did in this instance, bringing in a colorful bouquet of flowers that are meant to be admired. This bottom shelf can easily be used as a serving space when entertaining, too.

14. Keep It Simple

Erin Little

If a simple, soothing pantry is more your vibe, make like McGuill and keep decor to a minimum. Live indoor plants will go a long way in sprucing up the space, as will the addition of neutral, textural accent pieces and art.

15. Embrace Color

Color is the name of the game in this pantry that Fineman created, all thanks to the chic artwork (in a frame that corresponds beautifully with the cabinet color) and cookbooks aplenty. Who says storage can't be fun?

Related: 2026 Paint Colors of the Year: Every Brand’s Pick — and How to Use Them

He’s ‘A Working Man’, ‘The Beekeeper’, and an ‘Expendable.’ But actor Jason Statham is much more than a hunky action star. The 58-year-old, who has made a name for himself in high-octane thrillers like The Fast and the Furious franchise, The Meg, Mechanic, The Transporter, and of course, 2000’s Snatch, is also a proud dad. 

Statham and long-term partner, actress and Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, have two children together: son Jack Oscar Statham (born 2017) and daughter Isabella Statham (born 2022). And while the private parents don’t often share photos of their little ones, Statham recently posted several pics on Instagram from a family vacation.

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As you might suspect, the action star goes big when it comes to trips. After battling a vicious megalodon in both The Meg and Meg 2: The Trench, scaling buildings, crashing his way through high-speed chases, and fighting some of the most formidable foes, we can’t imagine that Statham is content with sitting in a hotel room paging his way through a romance novel. 

So where did the Stathams vacation? If you’re wondering just how far the star and his brood had to go, it looks like (based on the rest of his post) that the family took a trip to Turkey. Statham tags the luxury beachfront resort, Regnum the Crown, in his post, along with Regnum Carya. And clearly, this is one action-packed trip!

Statham’s recent post says it all. The first photo, a striking black-and-white shot of the famous dad, has all the intensity of one of his movie stills. Simply captioned “The Cave,” the rest of the carousel gives fans a better glimpse of the breathtaking surroundings. And as the name says, he’s in a cave. Of course, not just any cave. This one happens to have a crystal clear pool and a natural sunroof of sorts, with a prime view of the bright blue sky. 

The absolutely amazing setting is the perfect backdrop to Statham’s carousel of family photos. Along with the black-and-white selfie, the actor includes several rare photos of his children. The rest of the family pics show Statham’s two children splashing through the water and enjoying time with their doting dad. In one shot, eight-year-old Jack stares into the camera, wearing fierce shark tooth-covered goggles. Maybe a throwback to his dad’s turn in The Meg franchise? 

While Statham doesn’t often post pics of his kiddos, he did share a cute carousel of winter getaway shots in January. The family ski trip photos included mom, Rosie, pulling her littles on a wooden sled, four-year-old Isabella making snow angels, and the rest of the clan hitting the slopes. 

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Fans flocked to both posts, adding comments like, “Beautiful family…what’s not to love?” We couldn’t have said it any better!

Paris, 1874. A bunch of artists rejected by galleries got tired of being ghosted by the official art scene. They were broke, they were angry, and they were done with painting boring portraits of guys in powdered wigs. So they rented a photographer’s old studio, hung their canvases on the walls, and accidentally invented the modern vibe. Think fuzzy water lilies and dancers with the glowing skin. 

The aesthetic exploded. Now, the visuals are everywhere: the posters. The coffee mugs and tote bags. That whole blurred beauty aesthetic dominating your feed right now? It started 152 years ago today. And the best part? It was originally meant as a joke.

Claude Monet was the ringleader. He hung a painting called Impression, Sunrise that looked more like a smoggy morning than a masterpiece. It’s a hazy, blue-and-orange view of a harbor, and in 1874, art snobs thought it looked like a total hack job. Critics went feral. One critic tried to end Monet’s career by calling the artist a "lunatic": meant as a 19th-century "ratio." He even joked that a preliminary drawing for a wallpaper pattern looked more finished.

Photo by DEA PICTURE LIBRARY on Getty Images

The First Impressionist Exhibition: Meet the Original Artists

Monet and his crew weren't interested in the stuffy rules of the past. They wanted the energy of the right now.

• Berthe Morisot showed up with The Cradle, capturing the quiet, intense energy of a mother watching her baby sleep. She was the only woman in the original lineup, proving the "boys' club" couldn't gatekeep real talent.
• Edgar Degas brought The Dance Class. He didn't want the perfect stage performance; he painted the girls stretching and slumped over in exhaustion. It’s the ultimate "backstage" content.
• Pierre-Auguste Renoir delivered La Loge, a fashion-forward snap of a glamorous couple at the theater. It was the 1870s version of a front-row Fashion Week post.

They painted the feeling of living in the world we actually see: trains. People drinking at cafes. Girls in white dresses with grass stains. Because life isn't always posed. It’s often a  blur.

Photo by Mondadori Portfolio on Getty Images

Walk into any dorm room or minimalist apartment today and there's a chance you'll see the DNA of this 1874 exhibit. It’s the ultimate imperfect by design blueprint. Monet’s harbor is the 19th-century version of a lo-fi beats thumbnail.

These artists were the first real influencers. They stopped caring about what the experts said was good. They went outside, looked at how the sun actually hit the pavement, and painted that instead.

The Impressionists didn't try to make perfect art. They kept the brushstrokes visible and the colors raw. They showed us that a painting doesn’t have to be finished to be iconic. 152 years later, the Impressionists are still the main characters on every wall in the world.

Sure, summer is still a few months away. But with warmer weather peeking through the chilly spring afternoons, it’s hard not to think about packing your bags and heading out on summer vacation. Whether it’s taking a cruise around the Caribbean, camping in the mountains, or having a ‘staycation’ in your one-bedroom apartment with the windows open, we all deserve a break from the world to relax, soak in the sun, and catch up on some much-needed reading.

In 2025, Ellereported that the biggest vacation trend was going on a “reading retreat.” Bookworms and bibliophiles step away from the hustle of modern life, put down their phones, and pick up their books. Yet, with so many books to choose from, what does one crack open when getting away from the world? How about a “captivating thriller that delves into the intricacies of identity, deception, and the relentless pursuit of survival?”

Released in 2024, Ashley Elston’s First Lie Wins tells the tale of Evie Porter, a “nice, Southern girl,” with a doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence and a garden, and a fancy group of friends. Except, Evie Porter is a lie—a fake identity given to her by a “Mr. Smith,” and a target: Ryan Summer. It’s a gripping game of cat and mouse, of juggling identities and deception.

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The novel is also a No. 1 New York Times Bestseller, a selection for Reese Witherspoon’s Reese’s Book Club, and one of Penguin Random House’s “Best  Books to Read on Vacation.”

The Happy Reader, who described Best Lie Wins as that “captivating” page-turner, said that author Elston “skillfully weaves together two timelines, alternating between Evie’s present-day predicament and her past assignments orchestrated by the enigmatic Mr. Smith.” The novel’s main character, Evie, is a “compelling and multi-dimensional lead, grappling with the consequences of her actions while striving to carve out a future for herself.”  

GoodReads gives the book 3.99/5 Stars, with 249k five-star reviews and 365k four-star reviews.

Related: 5 Novels To Read After Watching ‘People We Meet on Vacation’

“Prior to writing fiction, I was a wedding photographer,” Elston told 225in 2025. “I took a step back from that and suddenly had more free time on my hands, and I’ve just always loved to read. My first book was terrible, but I felt more equipped after writing it. The next book I wrote was published and sold. No one was more surprised than I was that I became an author.”

In January, Elston released Anatomy of an Alibi, her first novel since First Lie Wins.

Initially, Octavia Spencer and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff are adapting First Lie Wins into a film for Hulu. In February, screenwriter Kevin Williamson (Scream) took over the project for Universal TV.

There is no news on a release date, so this upcoming summer vacation is a great chance to read the book if you haven’t already.

Related: Best-Selling Author Announces Exclusive Collaboration After Hit Novel

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If your bedroom could use more storage without taking up too much room, Amazon is running a great deal on the Leyaoyao 2-Piece Rattan Nightstand Set. Right now, the set is on sale for $100, down from $200. It comes in two neutral colors: retro walnut and natural wood, and while there’s also a single option available, the set of two gives you the better value.

Each nightstand has a drawer, an open shelf, and a wide top for a lamp, books, or anything else you want to keep within reach. The set also includes built-in charging features with two standard outlets, two USB ports, and a cord management hole in the back. Each table measures about 23 inches long, 15.6 inches wide, and 24.5 inches high, and features a 1-inch-thick tabletop, rounded edges, wood construction, and metal drawer slides.

Leyaoyao 2-Piece Rattan Nightstand Set, $100 (was $200) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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This is a super practical buy for anyone looking for nightstands with drawers that can hold more than just a lamp and a phone charger. The built-in outlets and USB ports help cut down on extra cords around the bed, and the drawer plus open shelf setup gives you both hidden and easy-to-reach storage. The rattan detail also gives it a more boho look than a basic nightstand, so it works well in bedrooms, guest rooms, and small apartments.

Reviewers have said the set is easy to put together and looks great once assembled. One called it “very sturdy” and “easy to move around,” adding that “the size is perfect for small homes.” Others have described it as “beautiful” and “simple yet stylish.” Several also mentioned that it works well with a wide range of bedroom furniture.

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You could pair these nightstands with neutral bedding, brass or black lamps, and a simple rug. They would also look great in a guest room where you want storage, surface space, and charging access without adding large or expensive furniture. 

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If you’ve been searching for a nightstand set for a smaller bedroom, this deal is definitely worth a look. At just $100 for two, it ticks the boxes for storage, functionality, and style, and is easier to justify than many similar options. Be sure to add the Leyaoyao 2-Piece Rattan Nightstand Set to your cart now before the price goes back up on Amazon.

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