Go Behind the Scenes at the Grammys With These Killer Instagram Shots

The 2016 Grammys have come and gone, but not without its fair share of memorable moments. Whether you loved it or hated it, (we camped with the former!) Gaga delivered a tribute to late rock legend David Bowie that won’t soon be forgotten; major red carpet moments were had and haircut trends (mullet, anyone?) revived. Now, check out the goods you didn’t get to see with these backstage Insta snaps straight from stars who experienced the night in real time.

Justin Bieber: The adorable big brother love continues as the Biebs lays another smooch on what has to be the most adorable grammy date of the night: his little bro. Awwww! (via @justinbieber)

Carrie Underwood: The country crooner preps for her stage time with Sam Hunt by giving a shout-out to makeup sponsor, Almay. (via @carrieunderwood)

Kacey Musgraves: Keeping with the sibling Grammy’s date theme of the night, Kacey and her sister pucker up for the camera, captioning her photo “My date was better than your date. Little sisters rule!” (via @spaceykacey)

Lady Gaga and LL Cool J: Even Grammy host LL looks a little bit (Ziggy)starstruck as he sidles up to the woman of the evening, Miss Lady Gaga. (via @llcoolj)

The Weeknd and Adele: “You sold HOW many copies of 25?” Based on this photo, we imagine The Weeknd’s convo with Adele went a little something like this. (Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage via @thegrammys)

Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran: Looks like Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars are about to get crunk – guess it’s after party time? (via @brunomars)

Dave Grohl, LL Cool J and Johnny Depp: It’s a rock royalty/LL sandwich backstage – check out those killer sneers! (via @llcoolj)

Uptown Funk Crew: Mark Ronson and company celebrated their record of the year Grammy win with this shocked selfie. Why so surprised, guys? Uptown Funk was a shoe-in! (via @iammarkronson)

Lady Gaga: If there’s one photo we’d choose to sum up the evening, it has to be this stellar shot of Gaga in all her Bowie glory – we think she did him proud. (via @staplescenterla)

What Grammy’s pics did you like best? Let us know at @britandco!

Paczki Day is coming up on Tuesday, March 1, and what better way to get in the spirit than with some Instagram inspiration. If you haven’t tried Paczki yet, you’re missing out *big time.* These Polish pastries — which are similar to donuts — are a MAJOR staple around this time of year (along with spring detox recipes and Easter dessert recipes). Traditionally, they were made in Polish households to use up all manner of dessert ingredients before the start of Lent, and even today, Paczki Day is still a pretty big deal in cities with large Polish populations, like Chicago and Detroit. Here are 11 of our favorite pics of this seasonal creation.

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1. Classic Paczki

First off, let’s start with a description of what Paczki actually ARE. They’re not dissimilar to a jelly donut, but they’re made from an even richer deep-fried dough spun from eggs, sugar, fat, yeast, and milk.

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2. Soft on the Outside, Sweet on the Inside

Paczki are traditionally stuffed with fruit or cream fillings, ranging from sweet to uber sugary (savory flavors need not apply). Some of the most traditional fillings include plum and rosehip jam.

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3. Don’t Skip on the Filling

These Paczki are PACKED with delicious filling. The filling itself is sweet and gooey, while the dough is coated in a light, flakey, sugary glaze. Um, yes please.

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4. Chocolate on Top

Perhaps less traditional than some, these tasty Paczki are drizzled with a sweet and chocolatey glaze. Conventionally, they’re glazed with a sugary, citrusy finishing.

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5. NOT Sugar-Free

These bad boys are rolled in a crystal coating of white sugar. They’re decidedly NOT for dieters. Bring on the sweetness!

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6. Stack ’em Up

Paczki on Paczki on Paczki. Need we say more?

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7. Bun Basket

Bring your neighbor a friendly basket of delicious homemade Paczki. It’ll be a total throwback to simpler times, and your neighbor will not be able to resist the pull of that super-powdery confectioners’ sugar on top.

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8. Ready for Glaze

So THIS is how they do it. These pastries are piping hot and fresh from the oven, and they’re ready for a delicious vanilla glaze.

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9. Real Fruit and Nutella Paczki

To mix things up, why not try incorporating fresh fruit and/or Nutella into your otherwise traditional Paczki? Case in point: These AH-mazing looking dough balls.

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10. Apricot Dreams

You can barely tell from the pic, but these Paczki are actually stuffed with delicious apricot preserves. In fact, you can feel free to use jam or preserves from whatever fruit you like, from strawberries to blackberries and beyond.

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11. Cousins in Sweetness

Paczki and donuts are basically cousins when it comes to the family tree of desserts. Both deep-fried, often filled, and usually glazed, they’re truly the stuff of sweet dreams.

Follow us on Pinterest for more Paczki and other food trends!

Featured image via sheri silver/Unsplash

This post has been udpated.

Last night I realized I was pregnant during the height of the pandemic and the 2020 election cycle, but I didn't have any self-care practices in sight. I was chronically stressed and spent way too much time on social media when I should've been finding ways to ground myself. After a tough four years of navigating everything from motherhood to starting my career, I've finally started utilizing gratitude journaling as a tool to get through tough days.

I don't know how you may be feeling today, but I've created journal prompts you can refer to when you're scared, anxious, unsure of the future, and more. They're not meant to replace meditation or seeking therapy, but they are here for moments you need to check in with yourself.

A Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You're Worried About The Future

Arina Krasnikova

Write Down 5 Things You're Grateful You Can See, Touch, Hear, And Smell

This is actually a practice I picked up in therapy to help redirect my anxious thoughts. It's something I often refer to when I'm fixated on the future and things that might happen. Any time you feel yourself not being present because you're worried about what's next, focus on things that are immediately in front of you or around you.

For example, here's what's reminding me to be present:

  • I can hear one of my favorite gospel songs playing and the subtle humming I'm doing.
  • I can see two lime green books on my desk.
  • I can smell the clean laundry my fiancé took out of the dryer.
  • I'm touching the keys on my keyboard as I type this.
Although they seem small, I'm grateful they're helping to keep me rooted in the present moment. So, what are you grateful you can see, touch, hear, and smell today?

Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You're Experiencing Sadness

Darina Belonogova

Write Down 3 Things You're Grateful For Today

Practicing gratitude when you're sad isn't so you can pretend the sadness doesn't exist. It's a very real emotion that calls for us to be curious about why we're feeling that way. However, if you feel like you're 'stuck' in your sadness, you can try writing down 3 things you're grateful for right now. Again, they don't have to be grandiose. They just have to make sense to you.

You could be grateful for:

  • Eating a delicious meal
  • Having a good night's sleep
  • Hearing your favorite song at the right moment
  • Morning snuggles with your pet or toddler
  • Having access to binge watch your favorite TV show when you need to escape reality for a bit

Antoni Shkraba

Write Down The People You're Grateful You Can Rely On

My hope is that everyone has at least one person they can rely on during difficult moments in life. I know everyone doesn't have huge villages for different reasons, but I'd rather focus on who is there.

This gratitude journaling idea doesn't require you to go in depth about why you're grateful for the people in your corner unless you want to. You can simply write their names down if that's all you have the bandwidth for.

Pavel Danilyuk

Recount A Memory That Always Makes You Smile

When in doubt, think about a moment that was hilarious or filled you with joy. It can be from your childhood, first year in college, or even your wedding day! The one memory that always makes me smile is from an interesting moment I told one of my uncles he looked like Santa Claus. I was around 5 or 6 years old, so it was a super innocent comment, but still it was hilarious nonetheless. No one in my family has let my uncle or me forget that moment. It's small, but it's one of the memories I'm grateful I can remember when I'm feeling sad.

A Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You Feel You're Not Doing Enough

Antoni Shkraba

Write Down 1 Thing You've Grateful You've Accomplished

I know some journal prompts ask you to list multiple things you've recently accomplished, but I've found that makes me a little more anxious that necessary. If this sounds like you, I see you and think it's just as impactful to be grateful for one thing you've done that you're proud of. It could be as simple as:

  • "I had the strength to get out of bed today after wanting to do nothing more than hide under the covers."
  • "I did laundry and put everything away."
  • "I made myself a meal instead of ordering lunch like I usually do."
  • "I stuck to my budget this week."
  • "My presentation at work or school went really well."
  • "I made that scary phone call I've been putting off."
  • "I went for a walk around my neighborhood or local park."

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Summer hair is all about laid-back looks, but even our favorite easy hairstyles need a bit more structure when it's time to go back to work or school. Updos can add serious style and personality to an outfit, and are a fun way to keep your look constantly changing. From unique takes on the braid to soft curls and edgy accessories, these hairstyles will make you excited to get ready!

Milkmaid Braids

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All you need to do for this easy hairstyle is braid your hair into two braids, wrap them across the top of your head, and pin behind your ear. Pull out some face-framing pieces to complete the look.

Sleek Pony

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There's nothing chicer than a high pony. Add some texturizing spray to give it a messy finish or keep things sleek with some hairspray.

Sock Curls

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We know that curling your hair with socks sounds crazy, but it really works! You'll get voluminous curls with a fraction of the effort.

Add A Headband

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Headbands keep your hair out of your face and add serious style to your outfit. Pearls, bows, velvet — there's plenty to choose from!

Top Knot

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Top knots are fun because they can be sleek, messy, curly, or straight, and they always look good.

Pin It Back

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We know that having short hair can leave you with only a few styling options. Accessorize with some cute bobby pins for a chic and edgy look.

Braided Low Pony

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A mini braid makes this easy hairstyle anything but boring. Scoop your hair into a low pony and braid a small section. Wrap that around the elastic and then secure with a pin. Voilà!

Dutch Braid Bun

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A braided bun is a great option for keeping your hair out of your face and off your neck. Not only is it cute enough for work, it's also practical enough for cleaning and working out.

Loose Waves

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We're pretty sure that this look will never go out of style. Add some clips, a headband, or leave it as is.

All Natural

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Rock those curls!

Mini Pony

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A half-up ponytail adds the perfect amount of spice to your look.

Rope Braids

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Swap your normal updo for a half-up look that has the right amount of detail. Try fishtail braids, rope braids, or French braids.

French Twist

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This classic 'do is a lot easier than it looks. Just make sure you have enough bobby pins!

What's your go-to easy hairstyle? Follow us on Pinterest and subscribe to our email newsletter for the latest beauty content from B+C!

In all honestly, all I look forward to during the holidays (other than my fam) is the pie. There's pumpkin pie. Apple pie. Chocolate pie. Sweet potato pie. But more than any other dessert, pecan piejust gets me. I'm salivating as I'm thinking about it!

Anywho... making an entire pecan pie can become a whole ordeal very quickly. That's where these delicious pecan pie bars from Chahinez with Lifestyle of a Foodiestep in. They're simple to make, plus provide the ideal eating experience – pecan pie bars easily qualify under finger foods, and they are downright addictive.

Let's get into the recipe!

Ingredients For Easy Pecan Pie Bars

Lifestyle of a Foodie

For the shortbread crust:

  • ½ cup butter
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoon cornstarch

For the pecan pie filling:

  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 & ½ cup pecans chopped

How To Make Easy Pecan Pie Bars

Lifestyle of a Foodie

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 F, then line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, add in the flour, salt, cornstarch, and mix. Add in the cold butter and work it into the dough with your hand or a pastry cutter until cookie dough forms. Press it onto the prepared baking pan and bake for 20 minutes.
  3. In a separate large bowl, mix the eggs, brown sugar, light corn syrup, heavy cream, salt, vanilla extract, and cornstarch until combined. Stir in the pecan pieces.
  4. Once the crust is done baking, pour the pecan pie filling on top of the crust and bake for 30-35 minutes. The edges will brown a little, and the center will be barely jiggly.
  5. Remove from the oven, and let cool completely before transferring to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Slice the bars and serve.

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Recipe + photography by Lifestyle of a Foodie.

This post has been updated.

The rush of the holidays and planning the perfect holiday feast is no joke — finding the best Thanksgiving cocktails, roasting a delicious turkey and, of course, getting creative with leftovers — it all makes it hard to kick back and relax. We think you should find a moment for yourself (or with a few pals) and celebrate the wonderful flavors we love so much this time of year.

Instead of going for the tired pumpkin spice latte, think more along the lines of a boozyfall cocktail. Picture bourbon cocktails with cinnamon, caramel, apple… you know, all the autumn classics. We don't recommend sampling these Thanksgiving cocktails all in one night, but let's just say it'll be difficult to only choose one. We can't wait to try these Thanksgiving cocktails!

Brit + Co

Nespresso White Russian

Combining booze with coffee makes it somewhat more acceptable to knock one back during that late-morning, gathering-before-dinner time period, no? We love any excuse to get cozy with Nespresso, and this White Russian concoction will have you feeling all the warm, Thanksgiving-y vibes.

Brit + Co

S'moretini

Whether it's too cold to sit outside and snack on some s'mores, or you don't have a fire pit to roast marshmallows (although Gilmore Girlsdid show us how to use our stovetops...), this Thanksgiving cocktail is a great alternative to the sticky dessert. The chocolate andgraham cracker coating on the rim is just the cherry on top!

Brit + Co

Rum Toddy

This cocktail recipe is great because there's a good chance you already have the majority of the ingredients in your kitchen! Just put everything you need in a thermos, stir it up, and you're good to go. Not only will toddies keep you warm on cold days, but they're good for sore throats and fighting the chills if you're feeling a lil' under the weather.

Brit + Co

Cranberry Pear Ginger Fizz

Swap your cranberry sauce for a cranberry cocktail complete with ginger beer, pears, and limes. Make sure you keep some whole cranberries and rosemary sprigs for the finishing touch. Even if you've never made cocktails before, this drink is so easy that anyone can make it!

Brit + Co

Clementine Whiskey Smash

Sweet clementine juice and rich whiskey are the perfect match in this fun Thanksgiving drink, plus you can adjust the amount of whiskey that goes in depending on how strong you'd like the drink. Go easy for a fresh taste or add a bit more if you want something warmer.

Brit + Co

Wild Turkey Cocktails

Now, we know what you're thinking: "there is no way I'm drinking a cocktail that has turkey in it." But you don't have to worry because the 'wild turkey' in this recipe actually comes from Wild Turkey American Honey! Make one for an afternoon apéritif or an evening drink once the kids have gone to bed. Now the only question is, who let the (wild) turkeys out?!

Brit + Co

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

We're suckers for all things pumpkin spice, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to indulge in a little PSL-inspired boozy bevvy. This Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is super easy to make — and even easier to devour.

Brit + Co

Cranberry Is The New Black Cocktail

From cranberry sauce to cranberry garlands, this red berry is definitely a holiday season staple – and now you can add it to yourbar cart! Think of this drink as an upgraded vodka cranberry, with a more sophisticated look. If you're not able to get black vodka, just sub black food coloring to achieve the same finished product.

Brit + Co

Chai Hot Toddy

If you're not a huge pumpkin person, then you have to try this spiced, creamy Thanksgiving cocktail while you wait for eggnog season. Your classic chai gets a makeover with some spiced rum and cinnamon-infused milk (YUM!) that give it a whole new holiday edge. You can also experiment with different spices and adding in a shot of espresso to change things up.

Brit + Co

Apple Cide-car Cocktail

As far as we're concerned, apple cider season should last all winter long. This easy cocktail only has four ingredients (apple cider, brandy, Cointreau, and lemon juice) which means there's no excuse to not have this on your Thanksgiving menu! Need a simple alternative for the under-21 crew? Nix the alcohol, but keep the glasses for an upscale apple cider mocktail.

Brit + Co

Convergent Opera Cake Cocktail

This cold brew concoction is perfect for getting you buzzed in more than one way. It's the perfect after-dinner dose of caffeine you need to avoid a food coma, but it'll also give you all the Thanksgiving feels.

Brit + Co

Cranberry Zinger Jam Jar Cocktail

We love jam and we love cocktails, so why not put them together? This cranberry zinger (which is basically the queen of mixed Thanksgiving cocktails) will certainly make you feel all kinds of bubbly. All you gotta do is pour your favorite gin and cranberry juice over ice, and then top with a spoonful of your go-to jam. Top it off with ginger ale, and you're done!

Brit + Co

Pomegranate Ginger Beer Cocktail

Ginger has just the right amount of warmth to keep you toasty during holiday gatherings. This delicious ginger beer concoction will be a total crowd pleaser at all your Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving gatherings.

Wholefully

Two Ingredient Apple Cider Mimosas

If mimosas (especially apple cider mimosas) don't scream fall brunch, we don't know what does. Since it's only two ingredients, you don't have to worry about trying to put together a complex Thanksgiving cocktail recipe while also preparing dinner. Sounds like a win-win.

Dos Hombres Mezcal

Dos Hombres Hot Cider

Add 1 gallon apple cider, 1 tbsp whole allspice, 1 tbsp whole cloves, 1 sliced orange, 1-inch sliced fresh ginger, 3 cinnamon sticks, and 4 star anise to a pot, and simmer for about 30 minutes before adding 1.5 cups of Dos Hombres Mezcal to spike the sip!

Home & Plate

Salted Caramel Apple Martini

Martinis make us feel sophisticated and mysterious, but there's one thing that's no mystery: cocktail hour will never be the same after you serve this sweet, tart drink to your family and friends. All you *really* need is a little caramel vodka and apple cider, and you're good to go. Don't forget to chill your martini glasses beforehand to keep things cool.

JoLynn Shane

Apple Cider Mojito Recipe

Mojitos might usually be a summer drink for you, but the addition of apple cider makes this one of the best Thanksgiving cocktails you could sip on. The cinnamon simple syrup in this recipe is totally worth the extra prep time. This drink is also loaded with fresh mint and cinnamon sticks for a fall flavor combo you can't miss.

Joyful Healthy Eats

Apple Cider Moscow Mule

Everyone knows that what makes a Moscow mule a true mule is the ginger beer. Well, with this easy Thanksgiving cocktail, what makes it is the hard apple cider instead of the regular kind.

Inspired by Charm

Apple Pie Sangria

Apple desserts are a must-have during the holiday season, and this apple pie-inspired sangria might just become our top pick. This is the *perfect* Thanksgiving cocktail to put out in a big pitcher and sip on during dinner, while watching the football game, or even when you're stuck cleaning up dishes.

Baked by Rachel

Apple Cider Whiskey Smash

This is an ahh-mazing seasonal twist on a traditional whiskey drink. With just three quick ingredients (whiskey, lemon juice, and apple cider) you can even make a big batch of this Thanksgiving-y drink *before* the holiday whirlwind begins.

Cookie + Kate

Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour

We consider November 1 to be the official start of maple season. Even if whiskey isn't your thing, it might be after sampling this cup of Thanksgiving goodness. A little maple syrup goes a long way when you're working with this recipe!

Dos Hombres Mezcal

Dos Hombres Naughty Toddy

Mix together 1 oz Dos Hombres Mezcal, .5 oz fresh lemon juice, .25 oz honey, 1 oz whiskey, and 2 oz natural apple juice together before heating it up on the stove to make this Thanksgiving cocktail. Garnsih with a lemon wheel, and prepare to be warm AF.

Gimme Some Oven

Cranberry Margaritas

Cranberries might be reminiscent of Christmas, but cranberry sauce is basically a Thanksgiving delicacy… which is why we had to give this seasonal margarita our stamp of approval. The squeeze of lime and the salted rim puts this cocktail over the (very delicious) edge, and if you want to get extra fancy with it, there's also a recipe to make your own homemade cranberry juice.

Holly & Flora

Bourbon + Spiced Pear Cocktail

With herbs like sage and thyme topped off with allspice and cinnamon, we're totally in love with this unique Thanksgiving cocktail. Not only does the ginger liqueur give this drink a little kick, but including agave means that it's totally sugar-free.

Baker by Nature

Cranberry + Cinnamon Whiskey Sour

If you're really craving some sweetness, this is the exact drink you should go for. It calls for two cups of cranberries on top of two cups of sugar to yield four cocktails. It's safe to say you'll be perked up after just a few sips.

The Sweetest Occasion

Salted Caramel White Russian

This cocktail is creamy, sweet, and totally dessert-like, which makes it a great addition to post-dinner conversation. You could literally forget the pies and cobblers (but what's Thanksgiving without some pie?) and just drink this instead. Don't worry if you're dairy-free – just swap the caramel sauce for a coconut-based caramel instead.

Slow Cooker Spiced Wine

Okayyy – this warm drink gives us all the fall feels. Red wine and brandy warmed in a crockpot with spices and orange sounds like total heaven to us. Not to mention that you can leave this to simmer throughout the day, so your guests can help themselves and you don't have to worry about it! (viaWell Plated)

Domesticate Me

Spiced Cider Margaritas

For many, the lime margarita is a staple on Taco Tuesday, but maybe it's time to mix it up? We think YES. Cozy up by the fire with a glass of this spiced cider that's spiked with tequila and garnished with cinnamon sticks and apples. That — and the cinnamon sugar rim — sounds right up our alley.

Want more mouthwatering holiday recipes and Thanksgiving cocktails? Follow us on Pinterest or join our newsletter for more inspiration!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.