Get Lit Like a Christmas Tree With Aldi’s Wine and Cheese Advent Calendars

Last year, Aldi came out with a Wine Advent Calendar in the U.K. To avoid FOMO, Americans resorted to creating their own DIY versions to count down to Christmas. But now, you won’t have to — for the first time ever in the United States you can get Aldi’s 2018 Wine Advent Calendar ($70) starting November 7. The calendar comes with 24 assorted mini bottles of wine including a red blend, Shiraz, Malbec, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, rosé, and sparkling wines from a variety of regions. Each night you’ll get to taste a different mini bottle of wine.

For non-drinkers and kids out there, Aldi has an Imported Mini Cheese Advent Calendar ($13). This product also hits stores on November 7 and includes a variety of 24 mini pieces of cheese like cheddar, gouda, red Leicester, and edam.

If wine and cheese isn’t your thing but you want in on the Advent calendar action, keep an eye out for monthly Aldi Finds. Each week the store surprises shoppers with 100 new and timely products. Aldi reps informed us that on October 31, three different candy Advent calendars will hit store shelves, and on November 7, a toy Advent calendar will be available for kiddos. You can also expect Aldi to continue to offer seasonal products throughout the holiday season like kitchenware, entertaining essentials, and gifts.

There’s only one catch; once these calendars are gone, they’re gone. Therefore, savvy shoppers, don’t procrastinate getting this item like you may with the rest of your holiday shopping.

Do you want Aldi wine or cheese Advent calendars? Let us know @BritandCo.

(Photos via Aldi)

It’s no secret that I’m a long-standing Trader Joe’s fan. Living walking-distance from my city’s most popular TJ’s store has only solidified my love for the quirky grocery chain, and though I adore their limited-time launches and playful seasonal snacks, there are a few Trader Joe's finds I can confidently crown as staples in my kitchen. These are the go-to’s I look forward to adding to my cart during every single TJ’s grocery run I make, all of which I’d truly feel lost without!

Meredith Holser

Trader Joe's 100% Colombian Instant Coffee

Don’t judge – even this coffee snob drinks instant coffee! I am all about ease when it comes to my morning routine (it truly takes me hours to actually wake up), and Trader Joe’s 100% Colombian Instant Coffee is just the thing to help me expedite getting some good ol' caffeine into my system.

I love using instant coffee because I can prepare it differently based on my mood every single day. I can make a latte by mixing a serving with milk and syrup, or add more water to it to prep a more diluted hot (or iced) coffee that’s not as strong. After months of drinking it, I’ve found that TJ’s instant coffee is just as good-tasting and well-rounded as the espresso drinks or coffees I’d order out at any cafe.

Meredith Holser

Trader Joe's Pure Grade A Maple Syrup

I use this Trader Joe’s maple syrup for a multitude of kitchen creations: coffees, protein smoothies, pancakes, mug cakes, and muffins are the most frequent syrup-infused recipes I eat on a weekly basis. You can even use it for some stellar maple cocktails!

I’m not necessarily picky when it comes to the grade of my maple syrup. As long as it’s sweet, I am into it. If you’re searching for a tasty and affordable Grade A maple syrup, I think this $5 bottle has an exceptional flavor with a nice touch of richness that makes it a perfect fit for most uses.

Meredith Holser

Trader Joe's Unsweetened Non-Dairy Almond Beverage

Another versatile TJ’s product I pick up just about every time I go grocery shopping is their almond milk. I prefer using the unsweetened iteration so I can use it across various recipes. I’ll use it for my morning coffees, mid-day smoothies, cereal bowls, baking adventures, overnight oats, and wherever else it’s needed, really! I’ll even add a tiny splash to my scrambled eggs to keep ‘em moist. It’s perfectly smooth and light, and a true delight to always have in my fridge.

Meredith Holser

Trader Joe's Coconut Cream Greek Nonfat Yogurt

I am a Greek yogurt girly through and through. It makes for a healthy, filling, protein-rich breakfast option that also helps me maintain a semblance of “gut health” amidst my afternoon snacking habits. But plain Greek yogurt is not nearly edible enough for my palate – that’s why I adore TJ’s coconut-flavored yogurt! It has a good amount of sweetness, plus it boasts a tiny bit of texture from coconut flakes. I typically pick up 2-3 cups on my grocery runs so I can enjoy it every other day during the week with granola and frozen berries.

Meredith Holser

Trader Joe's Buttermilk Protein Pancake Mix

I like to prioritize protein in my diet because it keeps me feeling fuller for longer and helps me grow my muscles so I can grow in my yoga and climbing practices. When eating eggs and sausage for breakfast gets all too tiring, TJ’s Buttermilk Protein Pancake mix provides an ideal sweet option that still gives me 10+ grams of protein in a single sitting! It’s super easy to prepare, too. You just have to add a 1:1 ratio of pancake mix to water and make ‘em on the stovetop per usual. I like adding in some cinnamon to up the flavor.

I’ll also use it to make a mug cake when I feel like I need a little sweet treat in the evening – I add it to a mug with just enough water to make the batter extra thick, and then sprinkle some chocolate chips in it before throwing it in the microwave for about 2 minutes. It’s so yummy!

Meredith Holser

Trader Joe's Buffalo Chicken Dip

Oh, I could eat this entire dip in a single sitting. Buffalo anything is truly the key to my heart (and stomach). TJ’s Buffalo Chicken Dip is my go-to workday snack alongside some blue corn tortilla chips. It’s super satisfying (another great protein-rich option), creamy, tangy, spicy, and salty. All the things!

It’s packed with bits of chicken that can also make it a great addition for fuller meals beyond snack time: I’ve slathered some on a tortilla with cheese and cilantro for an easy quesadilla-type wrap, and even added a heaping scoop to plain pasta in lieu of traditional sauce.

Meredith Holser

Trader Joe's Palak Paneer

If you ride or die for Trader Joe’s, you know just how amazing their frozen section is. I was honestly really skeptical to try this frozen Indian dish the first time around, but once I had a taste, I was hooked. I make sure I have at least one in my freezer at all times to come to the rescue on nights I simply can’t bring myself to cook!

It takes about 4 minutes in the microwave to become a super creamy, comforting, healthy meal you can enjoy on its own or alongside some rice and naan (if you wish to go the extra mile). The paneer cooks out wonderfully. I am a chronic over-seasoner for any kind of food I eat, and I've found that adding a pinch of salt and a drizzle of TJ’s hot honey really takes this platter to the next level.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more editor-loved meals every week!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

No matter what kind of day you're having, Marissa Cooper's having a worse one. Mischa Barton's The O.C. character went through the ringer during the first three seasons of the teen drama (remember how she overdosed in Tijuana...and also saw her parents post-hookup after their divorce?).

And during her time on The O.C., Mischa Barton struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. She was arrested for a DUI in 2007 and eventually received involuntary psychiatric hospitalization in 2009 after allegedly threatening to end her own life. And in a new interview, Peter Gallagher (who played Sandy Cohen on the show) says he's "just so grateful" for "the fact that she’s still alive."

  • Mischa Barton starred alongside Peter Gallagher in The O.C. from 2003-2006.
  • The actress has revealed the "trauma" of being a star at that point in her life.
  • Peter recently opened up about how he's thankful "she’s still alive."


Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for FLC/John Lamparski/Getty Images

The O.C. follows Ryan Atwood, who moves in with the Cohens after getting kicked out of his mom's house, and starts a relationship with Marissa shortly after. While Peter Gallagher played Adam Brody's TV dad instead of Mischa's, Sandy was a definitely father figure for Marissa, and it seems like Peter felt that same responsibility off camera.

"I’ve always felt very protective of her," Peter told The Independent. "First fame is toxic. First fame can kill you. She was 16 years old when she started working with us, so just the fact that she’s still alive, I’m just so grateful."

“You can go to therapy every day for the rest of your life,” Mischa said in a 2023 interview with The Sunday Times. “There’s just a certain amount of trauma [from] all that I went through, particularly in my early twenties, that just doesn’t go away overnight.”

Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage revealed that season 1 overdose not only served as a cliffhanger, but gave “network executives an escape hatch on a performer they had been wary about” (via People). But Mischa Barton got her big break, becoming "how people knew the show," and (thankfully) Marissa recovered — only to die after a car crash in season 3.

As hard as that season 3 ending is to watch, Mischa did have the opportunity to watch it with Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke for the first time on their rewatch podcast. "It needed to be a thing, after everything she's been through, but if it's here I'll watch it with you," Mischa says.

"I couldn't do it, Mischa, I couldn't do it," Rachel adds. "But I'm going to do it if you're going to do it."

Mischa says even though being written off the show "was a little bit of a bummer," it wasn't necessarily a surprise. "The character was just doing too much," she told Vanity Fairin 2023. "And I think they ran out of places for her to go. It was not the best thing in the world, [but] there wasn’t much you could do at that point. It was whether she could sail off into the sunset, or die. At that point, I guess it’s better to have the more dramatic ending.”
What did you think of The O.C. season 3 finale? Let us know on Facebook!

We hear what you're saying: "I don't wanna be *that* house." But there are a slew of non-candy Halloween treats that will excite kids just as much as a chocolate mini (while delighting parents to boot). From build-your-own kits to bouncing balls, these treats will last way beyond Halloween night and inspire play and creativity. Grab a few for your next Halloween party or mix them up in your candy bowl for a low-sugar but still happy Halloween.

Etsy

Halloween Crayons

Kids will no doubt get some use out of these colorful (and adorable) crayons. Bonus: no plastic!

Oriental Trading

Halloween Prisms

Kids can learn how different colors of light travel at different speeds inside the glass with these Halloween-themed prisms.

Oriental Trading

Color-Your-Own Tote Bags

Let them get creative at home with this tote for all their play things.

Etsy

Create Your Own Monster Kit

Get their noggins working with this monster kit.

Etsy

Fangs Bucket

They can vampire play all season long.

Etsy

Ghost Balloons

A single balloon can entertain a kid for hours - you're welcome, parents!

Etsy

Halloween Favors

Pop in some crayons for these playful flash cards.

Amazon

Glow In The Dark Bouncing Balls

Kids and bouncing balls... a match made in Halloween heaven.

Amazon

Halloween Pencils

Little ones can never have too many pencils, and sharpening them is half the fun.

Etsy

Halloween Birthday Coloring Page

Coloring is so zen, even for kids.

Amazon

Halloween Bubble Wands

These make great gifts for little ones during the morning of Halloween! They'll love waving their colorful wands as bubbles come out of them.

Amazon

Play-Doh

What kid doesn't love Play-Doh? Add to their collection with these party-size 'Dohs.

Happy Halloween!

Look for more Halloween ideas on our Pinterest page!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Former Disney Channel star Dylan Sprouse and model Barbara Palvin are certainly living the sweet life after tying the knot in Palvin's native Hungary. The couple, who have been together for nearly five years, have always been pretty low-key — except for the occasional and undeniably adorable Instagram post (and a stunning wedding!). We are simply ~obsessed~ with this celebrity couple, especially after they pulled out all the stops for their couple's Halloween costume. Keep scrolling to see some of their best moments :').

See Dylan Sprouse & Barbara Palvin's Halloween Couple's Costume!

For Halloween Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin stunned as the Phantom and Christine from Phantom of the Opera. Dylan wore a mask and a black cape, while Barbara wore a beautiful white dress. While the costume is obviously a nod to the musical, it also totally reminds us of their day as bride and groom.

"In Sleep He Sang to Me," Barbara said in a post, quoting the musical's titular number. "@dylansprouse my forever Phantom."

Who did Dylan Sprouse marry?

www.instagram.com

On the couple's wedding day (July 15, 2023), Barbara wore a Vivienne Westwood wedding gown to celebrate her Hungarian nuptials, bringing together their nearest and dearest for an intimate(-ish) celebration. Barbara and Dylan tied the knot on her parent's property, which conveniently doubles as an event venue, with plans to host an larger wedding in California in the fall.

"This past weekend was supposed to be an intimate event, but we ended up having 115 guests in the end because there are a lot of people we care about, and we wanted them all to be there," Barbara told Vogue.

When did Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin get engaged?

www.instagram.com

Barbara Palvin on Instagram: "♥️"

After months of speculation surrounding the couple's engagement, Dylan and Barbara confirmed their engagement in conversation with Sprouse's twin brother, actor Cole Sprouse, for V Magazine in June, sharing that they got engaged last September.

"We didn't necessarily feel the need to be fully transparent with the public about that aspect of our engagement," Dylan said. "What we wanted to do with Stephen [Gan, V editor-in-chief] and the V team is make something that was kind of tongue-in-cheek about the nature of private versus public. We're playing with the idea of perception."

Barbara noted that the lovebirds wanted to announce the news "on our time," adding, "When some people leaked the information that we got engaged, our PR team was like, 'Hey, so you guys should do maybe a post about it or talk to this magazine or talk to that magazine…' That really annoyed me because I knew we were building this story up. So, I'm very happy that we ended up doing it our way."

When did Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse start dating?

Sean Zanni / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment

See Dylan Sprouse & Barbara Palvin's Dreamy Halloween Costume: "My Forever"

According to People, the couple met back in 2017 after a party when the Suite Life On Deck star slid into the model’s DMs (and as they say, the rest is history). The duo made their relationship Instagram official back in 2018 with Barbara’s sweet birthday tribute for Dylan’s 26th birthday.

Let’s be real here for a second though, we all knew they were endgame the minute Dylan went above and beyond to support Barbara at the Victoria Secret Fashion Show that same year (remember this viral video?). Three days after the fashion show, the Hungarian model told Vogue Australia that she hadn’t had a boyfriend in six years, but had now found “the perfect guy” in Dylan (we aren’t crying, you are).

How old are Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse?

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Barbara Palvin was born on October 8, 1993, making her 31 years old. Dylan Sprouse was born on August 4, 1992, meaning he's 32 years old. So there's only a one-year age gap between them!

Stay up to date with all of Brit + Co's favorite celebrity relationships. Let us know your thoughts on Twitter!

This post has been updated.

2017's The Beguiled gave us one of the best groups of people of all time: Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Sofia Coppola, and Kirsten Dunst just to name a few. And we're finally getting an Elle and Nicole reunion thanks to Apple TV+! "THRILLED to bring @rufithorpe genius hysterical heart-wrenching heartwarming book to your TV screens alongside a dream group of people!" Elle says on Instagram. Rather than having to test the success of its pilot, the series has already been ordered — even though the book it's based on isn't even out yet! Here's everything you need to know about the series.

  • Dakota and Elle Fanning will produce the upcoming Apple TV+ show Margo's Got Money Troubles.
  • The series follows Margo, who signs up for OnlyFans after learning she's pregnant.
  • The cast includes Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nick Offerman.

Who's in the Margo's Got Money Troubles cast?

Amy Sussman/Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Margo's Got Money Troubles Cast

We couldn't contain our excitement when we learned Margo's Got Money Troubles will star Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning, but knowing Michelle Pfeiffer is also joining the cast is too much to bear! This is the first time the actress will collaborate with her husband, TV creator David E. Kelley, so we can't wait to see the magic they'll create (via Deadline).

Nick Offerman from The Last of Us and Parks and Rec will also star.

When is Margo's Got Money Troubles coming out?

Ron Lach/Pexels

Margo's Got Money Troubles Release Date

We don't have an official release date for Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's TV show yet. I'm thinking if the TV show is in the early stages of planning, we could see it in 2025! Check out all of this year's best New TV Shows to hold you over until then.

What is Margo's Got Money Troubles about?

Amazon

Margo's Got Money Troubles Plot

Margo Millet is the daughter of a Hooter's waitress named Shyanne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and an ex-wrestler (via Deadline). She's always had to make it on her own, even though she's not sure how. When she enrolls in her local junior college, she's totally unprepared to get swept up into a torrid love affair with her English professor — or to get pregnant.

Now at 20 years old, Margo needs an income and fast. She decides to experiment with OnlyFans and ends up taking some of her estranged father's advice from the world of wrestling to create a character users will fall in love with. You can order the book now!

What is Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's new TV show?

Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels

Margo's Got Money Troubles is coming soon to Apple TV+ thanks to a bunch of different producers. A24 is backing the film, as well as Elle and Dakota Fanning’s production company Lewellen Pictures and Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films, to name a few.

What else has Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman starred in?

Focus Features

Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman starred in 2017's The Beguiled. The movie follows John McBurney, an injured Union soldier, who winds up at a female Southern boarding school after deserting the Civil War. But soon, as the women help him, tensions turn to rivalries and friends turn to enemies.

Are you excited for Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's TV reunion? Let us know what other New TV Shows you're watching in the comments.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.