3 DIY Toys That Make Bath Time a Breeze

Brit Morin
Sep 16, 2016

It’s never too early to introduce your kids to creativity. As a young mom of two boys (both under two years old), I’ve found that one of the most fun ways to do this is through bath time — their favorite time of the day!

Not only does playing with toys in the bath keep my kids entertained during the washing — allowing me to get the cleaning job done — but it also works their brains, burns off some crazy toddler energy before bed and stimulates all of their senses.

I teamed up with JOHNSON’S® to showcase three easy-to-make DIY bath toys my son Ansel loves playing with in the tub: bathtub paint, pool noodle blocks and a sensory bottle. Scroll on to see more ;)

But seriously though, these DIYs are a breeze to make — I made all three in under an hour!

CORNSTARCH BATH PAINT

Ansel loves playing with bath paint. He can create a mural masterpiece on the bathroom wall while getting washed off and can help clean up his artwork at the end of tub time. Use the following simple DIY tutorial to make a colorful bath time activity.

: Repurpose your go-to baby wash, like

, to clean off the bath paint when bath time is over! This rich, creamy bath wash hydrates as it cleans and is gentle enough for Ansel’s sensitive skin, leaving it soft and moisturized.

Materials + Tools:

If your kiddo is old enough, let him or her try to make this themselves! It’s crazy easy.

  • ice cube tray
  • liquid measuring cup
  • cornstarch
  • water
  • food coloring
  • spoon
  • toothpicks

Combine equal parts cornstarch and water in a liquid measuring cup. Pour the cornstarch mixture evenly into the ice cube trays. Add food coloring to each cube and mix until it’s a consistent color. You’re done!

POOL NOODLE BLOCKS

Bring pool noodles inside with this one-minute DIY project. These blocks will introduce your kids to gravity, shapes and so much more. Head to your local store, pick out a couple of pool noodles in various colors and cut ‘em up. They’ll make your little one’s bath time fly by!

Materials and Tools:

Psst — if you don’t have a box cutter or utility knife on hand, a serrated knife will do the trick.

  • pool noodles, assorted colors
  • utility knife or box cutter

Using a box cutter or utility knife, cut the pool noodles into thick discs, varying from 1-4 inches in width. That’s it!

Ansel loves stacking these little guys… and he equally loves knocking them over ;)

Introduce your little guys to gravity properties and color mixing while in the bathtub with these colorful, sparkly bottles. When making this toy, it’ll feel like you’re back in your high school science class.

SENSORY BOTTLE

Materials:

I decided to make this sensory bottle galaxy-themed, but you could easily swap out the stars confetti for something else. I love the idea of using little fish confetti for an ocean in a bottle.

  • plastic water bottle
  • food coloring
  • JOHNSON’S® baby oil
  • non-toxic glue
  • star plastic confetti
  • glitter

Fill the water bottle half full of water. Add food coloring, plastic confetti and glitter, then fill the rest of the bottle with JOHNSON’S® baby oil.

Seal the bottle cap to the bottle by adding a bit of non-toxic glue to the inside ridges of the bottle cap. Let it dry, then rinse the sealed bottle before use.

Ta-da!

Once your little guys (or gals) are out of the bath, make sure to dry them off, then add a touch of

to soothe their dry, sensitive skin. My kids love going to bed with clean and soft skin, and JOHNSON’S® HEAD-TO-TOE® extra moisturizing baby cream is specially formulated to keep their skin healthy from morning ‘til night!

7 Spring 2025 Beauty Trends To Glow All Season

City Beauty
beauty products

Spring 2025 beauty is all about bold yet wearable, polished yet playful looks. From the return of the lip liner to fresh, nature-inspired nail and eye colors, this season’s trends blend nostalgia with modern minimalism. Expect soft, dramatic eyes, skincare-infused makeup, and lip liner that enhances without overpowering. These trends are all about embracing your natural features in an elevated, beautiful way so you glow, and look your best, all season.

Here are spring 2025 beauty trends to try this season.

City Lips® Defining Liner

Liner Revival

The lip liner trend for spring 2025 embraces bold definition with a fresh, modern twist. This season, it's about pairing rosy nudes with soft, lighter lip colors and rich, warm tones with deep browns and cherry reds for a sculpted, high-impact look. City Lips Defining Liner is our favorite new lip liner. It prevents color fading, smudging, and feathering, so you can keep your look intact all day or night! It’s available in two pretty shades: Blush, a soft, rosy nude that pairs beautifully with pink hues and lighter lip colors, and Willow, a rich, warm-toned nude that complements brown tones and deeper shades.

City Beauty

Multitasking Makeup

The trend toward skincare-infused makeup is making your beauty routine work harder with nourishing ingredients. City Lips Defining Liner features vitamin E, helping to keep the lip line smooth while subtly enhancing its shape for a fuller, more defined look. For the ultimate plump and polish, pair the pigmented liner with City Lips Plumping Gloss — a duo that gives you a naturally voluminous pout, plus extra hydration.

Shutterstock

Pastel Pop

From butter yellow to sage green, this season’s nail trends are embracing soft, yet statement-making hues that bring a fresh pop of color. Alongside these chic shades, almond-shaped nails are offering a sleek, elegant look that flatters your mani aesthetic.

Monserrat Tosca | Dupe

'90s Nostalgia

A softer, smudged take on the classic cat-eye is making waves, with eyeliner staging a bold comeback in full, effortless sweeps. Blue eyeshadow is also back and better. Expect a nod to cool-toned, ’90s grunge eyes, a trend that lends itself to easy, minimalist lines, like a single, clean swipe of liner, proving that less can truly be more.

Claire Craig | Dupe

Lobs, Bobs & Natural Manes

Haircut season is in full swing, and lighter, fuss-free bobs at all above-shoulder lengths, plus natural curls, are making their way in and out of salons for spring. We couldn't be happier for the low-maintenance 'dos!

Katie Mansfield | Dupe

Satin Skin

This understated look highlights healthy, natural skin with a soft-matte finish — radiant, yet never flat or overly glossy.

City Beauty

Glossy lips, instead, shine this season. Upgrade your lip routine this spring with City Beauty’s new City Lips Defining Liner and lip glosses for a refreshed look.

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Netflix's 'Pride And Prejudice' Finally Found Its Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy

It is a truth universally acknowledged that I will absolutely eat up any Pride and Prejudice adaptation. Jane Austen's most famous story has everything: romance, sisterly love, and the blueprint for the enemies-to-lovers trope. To this day, I've never read a fight with dialogue as memorable as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, and the fact the story eventually gave us THE hand flex in Joe Wright's 2005 adaptation? That's just the cherry on top.

If you've been on TikTok for more than a day, you've probably seen the scene, which stars Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, replayed at different speeds and angles, which is both its own commentary on the female gaze and a testament to how rich Austen's books are. There are countless glances and touches between Elizabeth and Darcy that add so much nuance to their relationship. And it looks like we're getting countless other moments to turn into TikTok edits because a brand new limited series is coming to Netflix! And the new Pride and Prejudice cast is unbelievable.

Here's everything we know about Netflix's Pride and Prejudice, starring Emma Corrin, Jack Lowden, and Olivia Colman.

Who's in the Netflix Pride and Prejudice cast?

Des Willie/Netflix

The Pride and Prejudice cast is already a super buzzy lineup (and "fantastic," according to one X user). I agree! So far we have:

  • Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet: a headstrong and intelligent young woman determined to marry for love.
  • Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy: a handsome and wealthy bachelor that has a reputation for his pride.
  • Olivia Colman as Mrs. Bennet: Lizzy's very enthusiastic mother, who wants her daughters married and cared for.

“Playing Elizabeth Bennet is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Emma says in an interview with Netflix. “To be able to bring this iconic character to life, alongside Olivia and Jack, with Dolly’s phenomenal scripts, is truly the greatest honor. I can’t wait for a new generation to fall in love with this story all over again.”

The other characters we're still waiting on are Jane Bennet, Mr. Charles Bingley, Caroline Bingley, Mary Bennet, Kitty Bennet, Mr. George Wickham, Lydia Bennet, and Mr. Bennet. According to The Daily Mail, Daisy Edgar-Jones (Twisters) has been sent scripts for the series, and now I just NEED to see her as Jane! (Maybe we could get Paul Mescal as Bingley?)

Is there a new Pride and Prejudice coming out in 2026?

Focus Features

Yes we're getting a brand new Pride and Prejudice! THR reports the series is set to film later this year, so there's a good chance we'll see the show next year.

Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love) is writing the script for Pride and Prejudice while Euros Lyn will direct.

“Once in a generation, a group of people get to retell this wonderful story and I feel very lucky that I get to be a part of it,” Dolly tells Netflix. “Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is the blueprint for romantic comedy — it has been a joy to delve back into its pages to find both familiar and fresh ways of bringing this beloved book to life."

"The book is a gift to adapt — packed with drama and depth as well as comedy and charm," she continues. "In it lies the opportunity to examine the complexities of love, family, friendship and society, while aspiring to Austen’s delightfully observational voice. With Euros Lyn directing our stellar cast, I am so excited to reintroduce these hilarious and complicated characters to those who count Pride and Prejudice as their favorite book, and those who are yet to meet their Lizzie and Mr Darcy.”

Where can I watch Pride and Prejudice?

Nick Wall/Netflix

You'll be able to watch the show on Netflix, but stay tuned for the Pride and Prejudice release date!

This is going to mark the first time the streamer's adapted a Jane Austen story since 2022's Persuasion, which received a 30 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and led to reviews with titles like Netflix's Persuasion is an absolute disaster and ‘Persuasion’ Is Awful and It’s Also Everything That’s Wrong with Netflix. The report also follows the news that the BBC is adapting The Other Bennet Sister, which revolves around Mary.

With Dolly Alderton behind the scenes, I'm sure the new adaptation will have the same wit as the original story, with a modern edge that will attempt to make it more relatable, with (hopefully) enough respect for the original work to make it not feel untrue to the original story.

How many episodes of Pride and Prejudice are there?

​John-Mark Smith/Pexels

Pride and Prejudice on Netflix will have six episodes total.

Where is Pride and Prejudice filming?

Pixabay/Pexels

Pride and Prejudice is set to film in the U.K. later this year.

What is Pride and Prejudice about?

Amazon

Pride and Prejudice Plot

Pride and Prejudice follows the Bennet family and their five daughters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. When Mr. Darcy arrives to town — and Elizabeth immediately dislikes him — she strives to see as little of him as possible. This proves to be a difficult task when Jane falls for his best friend Mr. Bingley.

Does Netflix have Pride and Prejudice?

Focus Features

Wondering, Where can I watch the original Pride and Prejudice movie? Both the 2005 Pride & Prejudice and Persuasion are on Netflix now! The 1995 Pride and Prejudice is on Peacock.

Check out The Best Jane Austen Books Everyone Should Have On Their Bookshelf to catch up on all the best Austen novels.

This post has been updated.

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5 Pro Tips for Surviving The Small Business Lulls

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program
verizon small business program

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward.


In this segment, Paige Wiese, founder & CEO of Tree Ring Digital in Denver, CO, walks us through some of the ways she encourages clients to double down on marketing when business is slow. Paige built her business as a solopreneur graphic designer to a team of 15, helping clients with SEO, online ads, and social media management. Here’s her Take 5, plus more tips for surviving the business lulls below!

What's a recent small win for you and your business?

Paige: A recent small win has been just seeing business pick up again. I am seeing businesses start to engage with their marketing efforts and really trying to get to the root of why their website might be underperforming. We look at what they can be doing to see their money actually go to a place that it should be going.

What's a big piece of advice that you give to your clients?

Paige: A lot of them want to back off anytime there's a little bit of scarcity. I really think that's the time to double down, whether it be your digital presence, your website, or just adjusting how you're spending your money. But instead of just saying, ‘Hey, we're going to stop [investing in marketing],’ ask ‘How do we double down in the correct way and make sure we're seeing measurable results out of it?’ I do it myself anytime business is a little slow. I think we have to either change or we need to be doubling down. A lot of clients come to us when the pipeline is already dry and money is tight and they’re hoping for a quick fix. Marketing, unfortunately, isn't a quick fix.

See more tips for surviving business lulls below!

What's an unexpected business challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

Paige: I think one of the bigger challenges that we've run into has been more on the employee side, some of the retention or the hiccups that come along the way and then just learning from them. So how can we be a better, stronger company coming out of this and how do we use it as a growing opportunity?

How has the Verizon Small Business program helped propel your business forward?

Paige: I learned about the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). It's a free resource that’s self-paced and very digestible. The variety of topics it covers is a large gamut for any size business. The Selling with Storytelling course, especially, was really valuable to me, just really getting your messaging out there. I laugh that I sometimes enjoy the marketing ones a little bit more just because it is a refresher or another take on how we do this.

Thanks Paige!

Here Are More B+C Tips For Surviving The Small Business Lulls

Photo by Kampus Production

  1. Refine Your Strategy
    • Review your business plan and goals. Are you on track? What can be improved?
    • Analyze customer feedback and sales data to spot trends and areas where you can grow.
  2. Boost Your Marketing Efforts
    • Refresh your website or social media profiles. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready’s free Put Your Website to Work course will help you get started with best practices for building your business website.
    • Create engaging content through blogs, videos, and newsletters. Verizon’s free Creating Compelling Content course can help you create consistent, quality content for your target customers.
    • Offer promotions or limited-time discounts to attract new customers.
  3. Invest in Learning
    • Take an online course related to your industry, like Verizon’s free Planning for the Unexpected course for building resiliency in your business.
    • Stay updated on industry trends and innovations.
    • Engage with customers too. Send personalized emails to loyal customers or clients. Ask for reviews!
  4. Improve Your Processes
    • Streamline operations or explore new tools to increase your efficiency.
    • Organize your workspace and declutter your digital files.
  5. Self-Care and Rest
    • Take advantage of the slower pace to recharge. A refreshed mindset is exactly what you need to bring forth fresh ideas!

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Tree Ring Digital.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces.

digital ready programgraphic designsmall business ownersmall business tipssocial mediasponsoredsmall business

Meghann Fahy & Brandon Sklenar Are Super Hot In 'Drop'

I haven't been able to stop thinking about Drop since I saw it (and since I interviewed stars Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar!) — and if you like thrillers, I'm sure you'll be obsessed with this one too. The script is tight, the visuals are beautiful (albeit eerie), and Meghann and Brandon are absolutely electric onscreen together. In Brit + Co's latest episode of our Yap City podcast, we dive into the interview experience and why the movie is so dang good.

Here's why you should see Meghann Fahy & Brandon Sklenar's Drop, in theaters now!

What is the movie Drop 2025 about?

Drop follows Violet (Meghann Fahy), who's excited for her date with Henry (Brandon Sklenar) — until she starts getting anonymous drops to her phone threatening her son. She can't tell Henry about the messages, especially since the final one instructs her to kill him.

But despite the thriller of it all, I've been calling Drop a "scary rom-com" because of just how electric Brandon and Meghann are onscreen, and how much I care about them as a viewer. I cared more about their relationship than some actual romance movies this year!

And in this episode of Yap City, I offer some behind-the-scenes moments from my Drop interviews, and spill on which Emily Henry character fits Brandon Sklenar perfectly.

Where can I watch Drop?

@britandco Y’all won’t want to miss this one. #drop#dropthemovie#meghannfahy#movie#brandonsklenar#1923#whitelotus#moviereview#review#fyp#foryoupage @Universal Pictures @Blumhouse #greenscreen♬ So High School - Taylor Swift

Drop is in theaters today, April 11, 2025!

Who's in the Drop cast?

The Drop cast has some of the hottest names around, including:

  • Meghann Fahy as Violet: a widowed mother finally going on a date who starts getting anonymous drops to her phone.
  • Brandon Sklenar as Henry: Violet's date who tries to help her figure out the drop mystery.
  • Violett Beane as Jen: Violet's sister and date night babysitter.
  • Jacob Robinson as Toby: Violet's (very adorable) son.
  • Reed Diamond as Richard: a man Violet meets who's also at the restaurant for a date.
  • Gabrielle Ryan as Cara: the bartender who keeps an eye on Violet.
  • Jeffery Self as Matt: Violet and Henry's waiter.
  • Ed Weeks as Phil: the restaurant pianist.

Where did Drop film?

Director Chrisopher Landon and the Drop team built the restaurant set themselves, and Christopher told me in an interview that the gilded look of the restaurant was meant to mimic a cage — and make Violet and viewer feel trapped. The movie filmed in Ireland.

Let us know what you think about the movie on Facebook.

pop cultureentertainmentmovie

Listen To The Hypnotic Snippet Of Hailee Steinfeld's New Song For 'Sinners' Movie

Hailee Steinfeld is no stranger to stealing scenes in movies, but her latest role in Ryan Coogler's Sinners is full of sexy and horrifying moments that'll leave audiences begging for more. Plus, she'll be starring alongside Michael B. Jordan (Creed and Black Panther)!

Should we start an early petition for a ‘Dangerous’ music video?

Based on clips floating around the internet, this historical horror is set to provide a stage for both of their bewitching performances. Perhaps what makes us even more intrigued is how delighted the True Grit actress and Creed actor are about playing characters that'll have viewers talking long after the credits roll.

Scroll to learn more about the electrifying news surrounding 'Sinners!'

What is the movie Sinners about?

Warner Bros. Pictures

When twin brothers Smoke and Stack return home for a new beginning, they're initially met with welcome arms. But as daylight turns to dusk and gives way to nightfall, unspeakable horrors expose themselves to the townspeople. Evil in the form of vampires consume everything in their path and it changes the brothers in ways they could've never prepared for.

It's set in the 1930s South which means we'll get dialect, fashion, music, and more themes from that time period.

Where was Sinners 2025 filmed?

Warner Bros. Pictures

According to IMDB, Sinners was filmed in the following Louisiana cities: New Orleans, Bogalusa, Donaldsonville, and Labadieville!

Who's Hailee Steinfeld starring as in Sinners? 

Warner Bros. Pictures

Hailee Steinfeld will be starring as Mary, the love interest of Stack. Since not much is known about her outside of that, we're assuming their romance is forbidden. What we do know is Hailee's a fan of her character and the overall themes of Sinners.

According to PEOPLE, the actress shared more of her thoughts in her newsletter BEAU SOCIETY March 28. She wrote, "...This role is far removed from what I've done, but that's part of what drew me to it! I feel like I'm stepping into my own more and more as I get older, and this role mirrors that."

She also shared that it didn't take much for her to be a part of Sinners. "The minute I heard Ryan Coogler, I was in. Then I read his script and was like, 'Holy s---, this feels like a massive undertaking.' The story is so complex and layered," calling herself "fortunate and honored to even be remotely considered." So, how does Hailee Steinfeld feel about Sinners as a whole?

She says it's "thrilling and sexy and daring and dangerous — with bold representations." Calling this type of movie a "first" for her, she continued sharing her excitement about it on the TODAY Show while chatting with Jenna Bush Hager and John Legend. She said, "This role, I feel just challenged me in ways that I was ready for." She also praised Ryan Coogler for being "the most incredible writer and director," which continues to speak to his amazing sight!

Is Hailee Steinfeld on the Sinners movie soundtrack?

YouTube

Plus, the actress revealed she recorded new music for the Sinners soundtrack! She shared the news in her BEAU SOCIETY newsletter and gave subscribers an inside peek at how her song "Dangerous" was created.

She wrote, "Eleven days ago, I found myself somewhere I haven’t been in over two years: a recording studio. Not just any recording studio, but Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady!" Hailee then proceeded to thank everyone who helped her record the song.

She thanked Ryan Coogler for his unwavering belief in her role as Mary and "also as a musician," before expressing gratitude for Coogler's wife Zinzi, a producer for the Sinners movie. "She was a guiding force throughout the entire process," Hailee said of her and also commended her "calm confidence" for bringing "a perspective to this song that made it click" for the actress."

Setting her sights on Ludwig Göransson, Hailee noted how "his music tells stories that will burn a hole in your heart" and calls working with him "beyond a dream." She was also stoked that he "brought in Sara Aarons, an amazing songwriter (via phone call), to help with the top line."

Lastly, Hailee complimented violinist and orchestrator Serena McKinney Göransson (Ludwig's wife) for bringing "so much soul and precision" to "Dangerous." She applauded Serena's "supportive female energy" and said "watching her work with Ludwig was like watching people paint with sound."

Overall, Hailee feels her new song has a "hauntingly beautiful score" that's perfect for Sinners because it has "emotional tension and quiet unraveling" in it.

Although we can only listen to a snippet of "Dangerous," the full song releases next Friday, April 18.

Who else is in the Sinners cast? 

Warner Bros. Pictures

Besides Hailee Steinfeld, Sinners has a robust cast that'll make the storyline even more rousing. In no particular order, viewers will see:

  • Michael B. Jordan as Smoke/Stack
  • Jack O'Connell as Remmick
  • Omar Benson Miller as Cornbread
  • Li Jun Li as Grace
  • Jayme Lawson as Pearline
  • Wunmi Mosaku as Annie
  • Delroy Lindo as Delta Slim
  • Lola Kirke as Joan
  • Miles Caton as Sammy

Where can I watch Sinners? 

Warner Bros. Pictures

The Sinners movie debuts April 18, 2025, so start planning your trip to your local theater ASAP! But, you can watch a new clip featuring Hailee Steinfeld and Michael B. Jordan right now!

Hailee Steinfeld And Michael B. Jordan In Seductive Sinners Scene

www.tiktok.com

Michael B. Jordan AND Hailee Steinfeld? See NEW clip for #SinnersMovie, in cinemas April 18! #MichaelBJordan #HaileeSteinfeld #MovieRecommendations #NewRelease #MovieClips

It looks like they're going to have a few steamy scenes! Whew, someone pass us a fan! If you're yearning for more, watch the official trailer for Sinners!

Watch The Official Trailer For Sinners

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Trigger warning: There's a few jump scares in the Sinners movie trailer that feature bloody moments.

We think the tagline for the film says it best: "You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home," (via Warner Bros. Pictures).

Are you ready to see Hailee Steinfeld take on a new daring role in the Sinners movie? Share your thoughts on Facebook!

This post has been updated.

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