Brit's Back to School Picks for Any Kind of Classroom (IRL or Virtual!)

My boys, Ansel and Austin, LOVE school — seeing their friends and teachers (whether IRL or through a screen) makes them totally light up, even after a super fun summer apart. Of course, we're all waiting to see what school looks like this year and distance learning seems almost inevitable. So we're taking it in stride and thinking that back to school, whether it happens IRL or virtually, is *still* happening. And if it's at home, even just part of the time, I want to keep them scheduled and on track, in part for my own sanity!

Here are my picks for back-to-school basics, from supplies to style to lunch ideas that will get kids ready for school, for every kind of classroom.

School Supplies

H&M Minion Backpack ($25): My boys are big Minion fans and this backpack from H&M will for sure liven up their BTS wardrobe!

Yoobi Pencil Case, Grid Rainbow Stripe ($10): Keep pencils stored in one spot with this fun old-school case in my favorite motif, #rainbows!

Maths Spiral Notebook ($14): A fresh set of notebooks in quirky graphic prints gets them ready to write (doodle?) and learn. This yellow VW bus print is super cute too. Go for the DIY approach and get creative with contact paper for personalized notebooks they'll (and you'll) love. Older kids can totally do this on their own.

Think Good Thoughts Pencils ($10): I think we can all use these pencils these days. XO

LEGO Stationery Set with Minifigure ($13): My son Ansel is 6 and in a major LEGO phase. This collection packs in four pencils, one pencil sharpener and pencil topper, an eraser, and a LEGO minifigure. He's going to love it!

Fruit Ruler ($3): Even if we have to say good-bye to summer we can still have some summer fruit in the form of these super-cute rulers.

Island Style Pinboard ($125 and up): I love my Pinterest boards but sometimes you just need a space to organize all the school papers. Choose from a slew of super designy prints or DIY a Pinterest-worthy one with our 11 Beautiful DIY Bulletin Boards.

Cute Starfish Highlighter ($7): Five colors in one — so fun!

Style Points

H&M Disney Sneakers $25: By the end of summer, my kids' shoes have seen way better days, which is why I love to start them fresh with a new pair of sneakers to start their school year off on the right, ahem, foot. We are big Disney fans in our house, so these are perfect!


Also, these glittery grosgrain sneaks for girls are style #goals!

Prefer to DIY? These #2 Pencil Sneakers are an old favorite.

iTouch PlayZoom Kids Smartwatch with Outer Space Strap ($50): My older son is at an age where he's starting to understand the concept of time (except maybe when it's time for bed;). This iTouch Playzoom kids smartwatch is a great intro to time with a stopwatch, alarm, timer, and calendar, plus it comes with a camera, video and fun learning games.

Society6 Cool to Be Kind Laptop Sleeve ($39): Protect your/their laptop with a sleeve that also features a good reminder for going back to school

JAX Task Lamp + USB ($279): This task lamp with two outlets, two USB ports, and a leather-accented touch sensor is great for an all-in-one task lamp and I love its modern design with brass accents.

Llama USB Keychain ($6): This USB keychain is an adorable and useful trinket to throw in their backpacks!

H&M Cotton Chinos $10: My kids are really good at finding their way into dirt. These affordable cotton pants in seven fresh colors make that totally OK.

Lunch

S'ip by S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($15): This BPA-free stainless steel bottle keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours or hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours. This one comes in other fun prints too, like rockets and dinos and solid brights too.

Hydro Flask Insulated Lunch Box ($27): Easy to clean and keeps food fresh for hours *and* comes in a slew of fun colors? Sign me up!

STATE Richmond Lunch Sack ($38): This sleek bag comes with a mesh water bottle pocket — love the modern color scheme!

Bentgo Brights Kids Lunch Box ($40): These leak-proof containers are perfect for organizing lunches with all their favorite bites — variety is key for picky eaters!

Organic Beeswax Food Wraps ($8): I love these reusable snack wraps made from beeswax for snacks and lunches.

Also, want to get creative with lunch? Get kids in the on the act and check out our 12 Lunch DIYs for Back to School or Back to Work.

Finally, pick and choose from our 16 Free Back-to-School Printables Even Adults Will Want for first day signs, book covers and more!

Good luck this year, y'all!

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

Picking the perfect name for your baby can feel like a mix of excitement (it's a big deal!) and pressure. You want something you love that feels unique and also has some meaning — but you haven’t even met the little person whose name it will be for the rest of their life?! Plus, you and your partner have to agree on a name, which can make the whole process feel daunting.

Before we even knew we were having a girl, my partner and I struggled to agree on boy names. But naming my daughter was surprisingly easy. That was settled on our first date — Matilda was a name he had always loved and I came to love it too.

If you’re still on the hunt for the one, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Here are 75+ baby names set to trend in 2025. According to Baby Center, this year’s big inspirations come from pop culture, sports, and celestial themes. Music-inspired picks like Chappell and Kendrick are climbing the charts, while sports stars Caitlin and Travis are making waves as top contenders in the babe department too. Ready for some fresh baby name ideas? Let’s dive in!

The Top Trending Baby Names

Jonathan Borba

Andie

This cute name, from the Greek name Andreas, means "strong" or "manly" but I also think it makes a great feminine name (Andie MacDowell, anyone?).

Apple

Apple Martin's debut in Paris may have sparked baby name buzz inspired by the symbol of love, beauty, and wisdom.

Arlette

This combo of French words meaning "lion" and "of God" conveys something fierce, as well as divine protection.

Arthur

Arthur has multiple meanings, including "bear-like" (cute), "of honor," and "strong man."

Aurora

This mystical name means "dawn" in Latin. It also has Sleeping Beauty vibes.

Yuri Shirota

Beckam

"Beck" means "brook" while "ham" means "home." Either way, it's a strong name from soccer + Spice Girls fame.

Billie

Billie Holiday or Billie Eilish, you've got good role models covered. This British and German name means "protection," and it's short for William or Wilhelmina.

Boden

Bode comes from the Old Saxon word bodo meaning "messenger."

Bodhi

This very spiritual name means "final enlightenment," or your way to Nirvaṇa.

Colin Maynard

Caitlin

This popular name, thanks to WNBA player Caitlin Clark, is derived from the Gaelic term caith, meaning "pure."

Carmen

Wine lovers? This name means "garden" or "vineyard."

Casey

"Brave" and "vigilant" are words that make up the gender-neutral name Casey.

Chappell

Chappell was an Old English name meaning “one who works at the chapel," but it can also mean a safe space for friends and family.

Rene Terp

Circe

For those who loved the book Circe, the origins of this name make sense: a feminine name of Greek origin meaning "to secure with rings" and a symbol of feminine strength and individuality.

Cove

This sensory name can mean "bold" and "courageous." It's a great one for coastal lovers!

Crew

The name Crew signifies unity and collective strength.

Raul Angel

Edgar

Edgar comes from the Anglo-Saxon words meaning "rich or prosperous" and "spear."

Eclipse

Astrology lovers might lean into this name that signifies seeking change and ushering in evolution.

Elodie

This French name means "wealthy" or "riches."

Emir

Emir comes from an Arabic word for "commander" or "prince."

Emrys

This gender-neutral Welsh name means "immortal."

Pixabay

George/Georgia

These classic names comes from the Greek word georgos, or earth worker, and are inspired by the dragon-slaying knight Saint George.

Goldie

Goldie means "gold" and cues visions of the lovable actress Goldie Hawn.

Anna Shvets

Hallie

A variant of the name "Hayley," this actually ancient name is short for the word "Hallelujah."

Hazel

In Celtic lore, Hazel is associated with "wisdom" and "inspiration."

Holden

This Anglo-Saxon name means "deep valley," and may have originated from places with the same name around England.

Hollis

This gender-neutral name from medieval England translates to "near the holly" or "one who lives by the holly tree." Might be fun to plant a holly tree when they're born!

Hugo

This Germanic name means "mind," "intellect," "thought," and "heart." All good things.

Vika Glitter

Isaiah

This masculine Hebrew name means "salvation of the Lord."

Ivy

A simple three-letter name, this name implies fidelity (so v. loyal) and eternal life because of the plant's gorgeous green color.

Daniel Reche

Johanna

This name has origins in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin and means "God is gracious."

Jolie

This sweet French names comes from the word joli, which means “pretty” or “agreeable.”

Juniper

Juniper, or Juni for short, represents "hope" and "warmth."

Juno

Hailing from the Latins, Juno means "queen of the gods" and "youthful," and was the inspiration for naming the month of June. Due date, anyone?

Polina Tankilevitch

Kai

In Hawaiian, Kai means "sea."

Kendrick

From Old English words meaning "bold" or "brave", Kendrick can mean "bold ruler."

Kira

The feminine form of the name Kir, means "mistress" or "ruler" and the masculine form means "a beam of light."

Kit

Kit actually derives from the names Christopher and Katherine and means “bearing Christ,” or "pure."

Dobromir Dobrev

Lorelai

Gilmore Girls fans will love this Germanic name meaning "alluring" and "enchantress" or "sorceress."

Lottie

This English name means "free."

Louise/Louis

The name Louise means "famous warrior" and is the feminine version of the name Louis.

Luna

Meaning "moon" in Spanish, Luna is often associated with mystery, beauty, and femininity.

Tim Bish

Margot

Inspired by our favorite Barbie, this French name means "pearl."

Mateo

This Spanish name, a version of the English Matthew, means "gift of God."

Miller

Miller means someone who grinds grain and operates a mill, but it's also very cute.

Lawrence Crayton

Nash

I also love Dash, but this name of English origin means "by the ash tree."

Nova

Inspired by the astronomical event that causes the sudden appearance of a bright light, this name can mean "new" star.

Joshua Reddekopp

Opal

This gem is a symbol of hope, purity, and truth.

Otis

Music lovers, this masculine name means "wealthy" and can be associated with prosperity.

Otto

Otto is a masculine name of German origin that means "wealth" or "prosperity."

Ozzy

Ozzy is a shortened version of names like Oswald or Osborne, and has a connection to a deity or divine entity.

Kelly Sikkema

Palmer

Palmer is a name meaning palm bearer or pilgrim, inspired by Christian pilgrims who traditionally carried the palms.

Paloma

The Spanish word for dove, Paloma is associated with peace, love, and spirituality.

zelle duda

Raphael

This classic name of Hebrew origin means "God has healed."

Rain

Rain can mean life, growth, and renewal, but it can also represent sadness, loss, and despair. Let's go with the positive association.;)

Remi

Meaning "rower" derived from Latin, this name can also mean "God comforts me."

Riley

"Courageous and "valiant" are words that come to mind for Riley.

Ripley

For The Talented Mr. Ripley (AKA Jude Law) fans, this gender-neutral name means "meadow" or "clearing" and it goes back as far as the 12th century!

Rocky

Cue the Rocky theme song, this name is often associated with strength, resilience, and a steadfast nature.

Walaa Khaleel

Sabrina

The Celtic word "saber" means "water," which may be the origin of this name.

Saoirse (pronounced "SEER-shə" or "SUR-shə")

Made popular in places other than Ireland by Saoirse Ronan, the Irish female name means "freedom" or "liberty".

Santiago

This name combines the Spanish words santo, meaning "saint", and Iago, a variation of the name James.

Scottie

This Scottish name literally means "from Scotland" or "Gaelic speaker".

Sol/Soleil

Sol is the Spanish word for "sun," as is Soleil in French.

Stone

Cool, calm, and collected (like a rock) is the essence of this British name.

Lawrence Crayton

Tate

Happy baby! This English name means "cheerful" and it's gender-neutral.

Teddy

This masculine name of French origin means "wealthy protector" or "God's gift." (I'm seeing a trend here.)

Travis

Our girl's favorite guy is getting baby-name popular with this Old French word meaning "to traverse" or "to cross".

Pixabay

Van

From the Old Dutch word van, this cool baby name means "from the marsh."

Veda

This girl's name of Sanskrit origin means "knowledge" or "wisdom".

Viviana

This Italian name means "alive" or "full of life." Vivi for short!

Juan Encalada

Warren

Warren can mean "to protect" or "guard."

Walton

This masculine name of English origin means "town of walls" or "city of streams or wood."

Wesley

This English name means "western meadow".

Wilder

Wild child? This name means "untamed" or "wild," and also eager or enthusiastic. I can totally picture Wilder climbing everything!

Jonathan Borba

Zaida

This Arabic name, generally for girls, means "fortunate," "prosperous," and "abundant."

Zara

This pretty name means "blooming flower" or "radiance."

Zephyr

This gender-neutral name comes from the Greek word zephyros, which means "gentle breeze".

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New York City is a home and a hub for celebrities across all industries, and the glitzy appeal of Gossip Girl’s NYC is made all the more glamorous by its numerous celebrity cameos. Given that Blair and Serena run in the upper echelon of the city’s It girls, it actually makes total sense for them to be rubbing shoulders with Alexa Chung and Lady Gaga. You never know who you’re going to run into on the Upper East Side — and in Gossip Girl’s case, you may not even remember half the celebs you meet.

Over the course of six wonderfully melodramatic seasons, Gossip Girl racked up quite a stacked cast list on IMDB. From stars with recurring roles to those who pop in to play themselves for one scene, here are 17 celebrities who appeared on Gossip Girl that you probably forgot about.

Scroll down to see all the celebrity Gossip Girlcameos we're totally obsessed with!

1. William Baldwin

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Serena van der Woodsen’s got some serious daddy issues. One of Gossip Girl’s longest subplots is Serena’s search for her father, who essentially walked out on her when she was a kid. He finally appears for the first time in Season 3 Episode 19 (“Dr. Estrangeloved), where he’s played by a member of one of NYC’s royal families, William Baldwin. (In case you’re wondering, he’s Hailey Bieber’s uncle.)

2. Lady Gaga

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

You probably blocked out the time Blair and Dan put on a jukebox version of Snow White at NYU given that the whole ordeal was painfully cringe. That means you probably also blocked out the fact that real-life NYU alum Lady Gaga gives a dead-eyed performance of “Bad Romance” at the end of the episode (Season 3 Episode 10, “The Last Days of Discostick”).

3. Hilary Duff

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Also included in the Season 3 NYU timeline is Hilary Duff as Olivia Burke. Olivia’s a famous actress who balances attending NYU, starring in the vampire romance franchise Endless Knights, and dating Dan. She’s basically the Gossip Girl universe’s hybrid of Kristen Stewart and Emma Watson.

4. Sebastian Stan

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Okay, there’s absolutely no way you forgot this one. Before Sebastian Stan was the MCU’s BB, he was Gossip Girl’s lesser-known CB — Carter Baizen. Stan played St. Jude’s sleaziest graduate and one of Serena’s most questionable exes from Seasons 1 through 3.

5. Karlie Kloss

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Karlie Kloss will always attend a NYFW party — even if that party only exists within Gossip Girl’s Season 4 premiere (“Belles du Jour”).

6. Armie Hammer

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Serena’s dating history includes one man whose bite may be worse than his bark. In Season 2, she starts dating a con man named Gabriel Edwards, played by Armie Hammer.

7. Cyndi Lauper

Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Paramount+

Girls just wanna have Cyndi Lauper do a surprise performance at their eighteenth birthday party — at least, Blair Waldorf does. Lauper makes a cameo in Season 2 Episode 10 (“Bonfire of the Vanity”).

8. Tyra Banks

Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery

Tyra Banks plays Ursula, a famous actress who Serena keeps from crashing out at a movie premiere, in Season 3 Episode 4 (“Dan de Fleurette”).

9. Clémence Poésy

Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

When Chuck goes to France in Season 4 and attempts to restart his life as Henry Prince, he takes Fleur Delacour — err, I mean, Clémence Poésy — along for the ride.

10. Mädchen Amick

Tara Ziemba/Getty Images

Sorry, Archiekins — Alice Cooper’s got her eye on a different Archibald. Riverdale star Mädchen Amick appears in Season 2 as Nate’s first foray into MILF territory.

11. Elizabeth Hurley

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Lionsgate and Grindstone

Mädchen Amick walked so Elizabeth Hurley could run … Nate’s life into the ground. Hurley plays shady media mogul Diana Payne throughout Season 5.

12. Aaron Tveit

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

This guest star lives rent-free in Broadway fans’ minds. Aaron Tveit, the patron saint of tenors, appears in Seasons 2 through 5 as Nate’s cousin, politician Tripp van der Bilt.

13. Alexa Chung

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

In Season 6 Episode 3 (“Dirty Rotten Scandals”), Alexa Chung, the minimalist darling of the 2010s fashion blogging scene, refuses to walk the runway at Blair Waldorf’s debut fashion show.

14. Rachel Bilson & Kristen Bell

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for SCAD & Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Rachel Bilson and Kristen Bell show up in the series finale as two actresses auditioning for a role in Inside Out, the movie adaptation of Dan’s bestselling book, Inside. Bell’s voice should ring a bell — she’s the voice ofGossip Girl.

15. Tim Gunn

Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Nespresso

Project Runway’s iconic mentor, Tim Gunn gives Jenny a little mentorship in Season 4 Episode 6 (“Easy J”).

16. Rachel Zoe

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tom Ford

Rachel Zoe: celebrity stylist, fashion designer, and extremely good sport. In her GG cameo in Season 4 Episode 7 (“War at the Roses”), Zoe takes a tumble and spills chocolate sauce all over her head before delivering her iconic catchphrase, “I die.” We die, too.

17. Florence Welch

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Gucci

Welch’s performance of “Cosmic Love” in Season 4 Episode 14 (“Panic Roommate”) was reportedly due to her real-life friendship with Blake Lively. The actress suggested to the producers that they should use Florence’s music in the show. The producers went one step further, and we’re all the better for it.

Wonder what other celebs have appeared in your favorite TV shows? Check out these 24 Sex and the City cameos and 11 Gilmore Girls cameos you may have missed!

When I was pregnant, I was terrified of labor. I heard only the horror stories, but my experience, like many others I later learned, went surprisingly smooth. It was definitely not what I imagined from the movie labor scenes I witnessed, with the OTT screaming and sweating, especially since I chose to get an epidural.

I was soon reading Amy Poehler's Yes, Please! while lying on the delivery table. (Which was actually the perfect book because she talks about her labor fears too). I even took a nap! I felt great. It wasn’t until the last two hours that I had to “push” — which was no picnic, but also you get through it with lots of nursing cheers and partner support — and the immediate feeling after when you finally meet your babe is BLISS.

This is all to say: maybe keep the scary pregnancy stories private if you have them. I always make a point of sharing my positive story with newly expecting moms in hopes that they will worry less when all you can do is wait. I think a good rule of thumb is to be supportive, positive and excited for her/them. Here are 15 things you maybe shouldn’t tell a woman with a baby bump.

Toa Heftiba

1. "Wow, you’re huge!" or "Are you sure it’s not twins?"

Comments about size or weight, whether the person is “too big” or “too small,” can be hurtful. Every pregnancy looks different so put any thoughts about physical attributes to bed.

Yan Krukau

2. "Should you be eating/drinking that?"

Policing someone’s food or drink choices is invasive and unnecessary. Trust that they’re capable of making informed decisions, with their OB/GYN's support, about themselves and their baby.

Vince Fleming

3. "Was it planned?" or "How long did it take?"

Questions about conception are deeply personal and inappropriate unless they choose to share this info with you.

Leah Newhouse

4. "What are you going to name the baby?"

Many couples want to keep the name private until the baby is born and I'll explain why. Because when you do share, people have their own associations with the name and are not afraid to share what they think, even with just a look on their face. We decided to stop telling people we were naming our baby Matilda because we got negative comments. Now all people say when they meet her is how much they love the name. It's all about the person, not the name!

Jessica Rockowitz

5. "Are you returning to work?"

This is a decision a woman can make with her partner and family without the need to share or decide during the pregnancy stage. I decided three months in, after returning to work, that I couldn't manage a new baby and a demanding job and thought my only option was to leave. Turns out, my boss was very accommodating and allowed me to work from home my first year as a new mom. This is a private decision but also so much changes once the baby arrives.

cottonbro studios

6. "Are you hoping for a boy/girl?"

Talking about gender can put unnecessary pressure on the idea of gender preference when the health of the baby is what truly matters.

Pavel Danilyuk

7. "You look tired."

Pregnancy is exhausting, especially during that first trimester. Pointing it out doesn’t help and might make expecting moms feel self-conscious. "Glowing" and "beautiful" are better words for mama-to-be to hear!

Shutterstock

8. "You’ll sleep when the baby sleeps."

Actually, you won't because mom has so many other things to take care of, including herself, when the baby is sleeping. Instead, offer to help watch the baby so she can get some sleep or offer to help run errands. This is so much better than advice that is just not practical!

Jonathan Borba

9. "You're going to have your hands full!"

Pregnancy and parenthood come with plenty of changes, but fear-mongering or negativity isn’t helpful. Everyone’s experience is unique, and making blanket statements like this one is just not useful to new moms.

PNW Production

10. "Enjoy your freedom while it lasts."

Parenthood may change things, but it’s not helpful to imply life ends once the baby arrives. The first year and beyond are so rewarding and can even bring you and your partner even closer. Yes, it's challenging in terms of having free time, but you find so many moments of joy too that you don't really want to be away from your baby!

Febe Vanermen

11. "Can I touch your belly?" (or worse, touching without asking)

Always ask for permission, and don’t take offense if they say no. Personal space and body autonomy is still important.

Ivan Samkov

12. Do you plan to breastfeed?

This is such a personal choice and the question itself comes off as judgmental. Also, some women who plan to breastfeed can't so this is a question better left unasked.

Jeferson Santu

13. "How much weight have you gained?"

Weight-related comments are intrusive and can be offensive. See question one!

Amina Filkins

14. "You’re going to bounce back, right?"

Recovery is personal, and this type of comment pressures new moms to meet unrealistic expectations.

Germs

15. "Is the baby here yet?"

I was a few days late and had several people check in maybe a little too often. I wanted to say, 'You'll know when I know!" Late in pregnancy, this can be frustrating and annoying. We're already counting the days and don’t need reminders!

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This weekend, news dropped that Blake Lively filed a bombshell lawsuit against It Ends With Usco-star Justin Baldoni, and everyone is rushing to her support — including her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsco-stars!

One day we need to have a conversation about how easy it is to assign the 'mean girl' role to women like Anne Hathaway, Hailey Bieber, Meghan Markle, and now, Blake Lively. Since that's a separate article, let's focus on the situation at hand. According to Deadline, Lively's suing Baldoni for "sexually harassing her and subsequently enacting 'a coordinated effort to destroy her reputation.'" After the news dropped, The New York Times subsequently published article that details the winding allegations against Baldoni, producer Jamie Heath, and more players in the supposed targeted attack against her.

While a lot of public opinion turned against Lively during the It Ends With Us rollout, it's clear those closest to her showed unyielding support. Now, fellow celebrities are showing up in droves to stand with Lively amid the allegations. One bold show of support that we're totally here for? Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn taking their "sisterhood" to new heights. Here's what they — and everyone else — has said in support of Blake Lively so far.

Scroll down to see everyone who's supported Blake Lively amid the Justin Baldoni lawsuit so far!

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Blake Lively's The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Co-Stars

Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, and America Ferrera made it clear that they're firmly in support of their friend Blake Lively. They released a message on Instagram that left no room for assumption about their beliefs following Blake's lawsuit against Baldoni.
The statement reads:
As Blake's friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation. Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.

Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors' stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding.

We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can still face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe work environment. We are inspired by our sister's courage to stand up for herself and others.

For anyone seeking more information or engaging in this important conversation online, please read the full legal complaint in the investigative reporting by Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire, and Julie Tate for the New York Times.

We love the lasting, strong friendship between these four!

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Colleen Hoover, Author of It Ends With Us

According to Entertainment Weekly, Colleen Hoover also spoke up in light of the damage Baldoni inflicted. She tagged Blake via Instagram Stories and wrote, "You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt." A picture of the author and star hugging followed Hoover's words, adding to the depth of the moment.

Paul Feig, Director of A Simple Favor

Director Paul Feig also shared his thoughts about what it's like to work with Blake on X. He said, "I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with. She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this."

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors

Robyn Lively, Blake Lively's Sister

The sisterly energy is real and we're so glad Blake is surrounded by it. Robyn, Blake's big sister, shared her full thoughts in a lengthy Instagram caption just 10 hours!

While encouraging people to do research for themselves by reading The New York Times article that details the devious plot to publicly destroy Blake, she had other things to say. "We live in an age where we have access to people’s personal lives like never before — especially actors. It makes us feel like we know them. We see them on social media, watch clips of them, and make snap decisions about their character," she wrote. This reminds me of the parasocial relationships author Amanda Montell detailed in The Age of Magical Overthinking — definitely something for us all to keep in mind.

She also called out how easy it is for the media to warp the public's perception of the truth. "The 'truth' in the tabloids is hardly ever what you think," she added before eventually expressing how "proud" she is that her sister "didn't allow herself to be silenced in the face of adversity and lies."

Bart Johnson, Blake Lively's Brother-in-law

According to Page Six, Blake's brother-in-law Bart Johnson didn't hesitate to share his thoughts about the behavior of Baldoni and his team. He reportedly wrote, "Her complaints were filed during the filming. On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him [Baldoni] for a reason." in the comment section of the NYT Instagram post about the lengthy deep dive into what happened.

He continued by writing, "His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out [sic] faults. But the public got played."

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The most important detail about any romantic movie is chemistry between its leads. Even the worst movie can be rescued by two characters you believe actually love each other. But that's not a problem for A24's Babygirl (in theaters December 25) because Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson have chemistry in spades. The new A24 movie follows CEO Romy (Kidman), who begins a torrid affair with a young intern named Samuel (Dickinson). And AMC queen Nicole says she knew Harris was different the moment he walked in the room.

Here's what Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson had to say about their chemistry in our exclusive Babygirl featurette.

Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson connected the moment they met.

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"As soon as he walked in, I was like, 'Oh good, here's somebody who's gonna play with me," Nicole Kidman says in our exclusive Babygirl featurette. "We spent a lot of time in bed. Hours would go by, and it was like you would step out of there and you would say, 'What just happened?'"

"From the moment [Samuel] sees her, he's attracted to her. He realizes there's someone at the height of their power," Harris says. "There was an element of mystique that needed to be there for the exploration of the relationship."

Harris continues that "perhaps there's something unfulfilled going on," perhaps referencing Romy's fizzled-out marriage with Jacob, while Nicole adds that "she's searching for something else" as the movie examines "desires, wants, [and] needs."

"Drink it in and be transported," she says.

​And their chemistry in 'Babygirl' was so intense, Nicole Kidman had to take breaks from filming.

In addition to spending "hours" in bed (which, honestly sounds like a pretty good work day to me), Nicole told The Sun in October that filming those scenes with Harris Dickinson became so intense, she would need breaks. “There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm any more,'” she said. “Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life!”

But having a woman at the helm of the film (writer-director-producer Halina Reijn) both made Nicole feel more comfortable, and empowered her to tell this story. "Doing this subject matter in the hands of the woman that wrote the script, that's directing it and is a really great actress herself — we became one in a weird way, which I'd never had with a director before," she says in a statement. "When you're working with a woman on this subject matter, you can share everything with each other.”

"I really decided in the beginning, I want to make a sexual film, just as sexual as all these films that I've always admired so much," Halina says, "but now I'm going to do it completely through female eyes. What does that mean and what does that look like?” See Babygirl in theaters December 25 to find out.

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