Here's How You Can Support Black Photographers This Juneteenth

June 19th, A.K.A. Juneteenth, celebrates the official end of slavery in Texas, more than two years *after* President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation (it took a more influential army to enforce it). Also known as Freedom Day, June 19th became a public holiday in Texas in 1980 and is now celebrated across the country, thanks to organizations like Black Lives Matter.

Photo: Micaiah Carter

This Juneteenth you can support Black artists while also supporting the organizations that help dismantle white supremacy and systematic oppression of Black people.

See In Black is a collective of black photographers who organized to tell authentic stories of Black people, as historically Black people have been on the "receiving" end of the lens.

Photo: Kennedi Carter

"We are artists and archivists. We do not merely make images of Black figures, we document history that is often unrecorded with intentionality, respect, nuance, and care. We serve as a platform for Black people to stand proudly in their permanence," said See In Black FoundersJoshua Kissi andMicaiah Carter.

Photo: Quan Brinson

Now you can order See In Black prints for $100 each (plus tax + shipping) and 100 percent of profits to help support a larger mission to combat a system of oppression that disproportionately affects Black Americans. Organizations being funded are:

  1. Know Your Rights Camp
  2. Youth Empowerment Project
  3. National Black Justice Coalition
  4. Black Futures Lab
  5. The Bail Project

Photo: Laurent Chevalier

You can order prints at seeinblack.com starting today, Juneteenth, until July 3 (the day before Independence Day).

Also, find out how to support Black female designers in our latest roundup.

Who are some of your favorite Black artists and makers? Share with us @BritandCo!

Black women's hair is continuously critiqued so much that, according to the 2023 CROWN Workplace Research Study, it's 2.5 times more likely to be deemed unprofessional for the workplace. Not only that, but the study also found that Black women with coily or textured hair experience double the amount of microagressions that those who chose to wear their hair straight. This looks like being passed over for jobs or being sent home from work because of a hairstyle — things the CROWN Study amplifies.

So when Beyoncé shared a video of her natural hair on wash day, I felt conflicted. I was excited to see her using products from her hair care brand Cécred, but I couldn't help but wonder if she did it because she felt like she had to prove that she has long hair. Though the video garnered a lot of positive comments, it was very telling that some people still found a way to critique her hair. I shouldn't be surprised, given how many people criticized Blue Ivy's hair when she was younger, but it's still disheartening. However, while the criticisms continue, there's a bigger (and more encouraging) conversation arising.

Images via Jasmine Williams

From the time Beyoncé announced Cécred up to the official launch, many people criticized the singer for never showing the world her real hair. Some people felt the singer was once again diving into a lane she knew nothing about and that she knew nothing about — what it's like to struggle with hair issues as a Black woman. It sparked a greater debate about much Black women owe the world, especially when it comes to proving our hair to the world and our community.

I personally had to teach myself not to be swayed by what others think — especially by the adults throughout my childhood 👀. It's not an easy feat when you're being taught how much your physical appearance determines how others will treat you from employers to strangers who see you in passing. Nevertheless, I was determined to genuinely fall in love with me regardless of what hairstyle I chose to wear (this determination came during the height of the self-love movement).

I've worn everything from my natural hair to long sew-ins, so I've parted ways with feeling like I need to justify my hairstyles to anyone. However, I know that's not always the case for other women — and I'm ready to dismantle this idea that black women are monolithic. And while stars like Beyconcé open themselves up to criticism by working in the public eye, leaving room for legitimate dialogue about their intentions and values and follow through, I also had a feeling that not everyone despises the fact Beyoncé started a hair care brand.

I decided there was no better way to find out than by asking, so I reached out to my community. This resulted in separate, eye-opening conversations with content creators Carolyn Gray andBrittany Waugh, as well as my good friendChelsea Hightower. We talked all things hair and Cécred, trying to understand what the real deal is with Beyoncé's newest endeavor. Here's what they had to say!

Carolyn Gray, Content Creator 

Image via Tone Woolfe

My conversation with Caroyln felt like a huge breath of fresh air. There wasn't a need to code switch (something Black women often navigate when communicating in the workplace and otherwise) as we had an open and honest discussion about her hair journey.

"When it comes to hair, I had two amazing perspectives on two ends of the spectrum in my family. I had my grandmother on my mom's side of the family — which is Caribbean — and they were all about relaxing the hair, doing the hair, having the hair salon in the back of the house that everyone would come to. That was their perspective of having refined, relaxed, and always put together hair...Having this idea that's how hair should be," she says.

On the other hand, her grandmother in the Maryland had gorgeous locs who told Carolyn as a child, "Don't ever let them tell you that they're dreadlocks. Ain't nothing dreadful about them." Ultimately Carolyn got a chance to see one group of women who felt like afro hair or natural hair wasn't 'neat' while the other side of her family believed curly hair is beautiful in a spiritual sense.

This helped prepare Carolyn for working in the corporate side of the fashion and fitness worlds. "I had a short perm there [in fitness] and was spoken to about what types of hair was acceptable on the sales floor or not. I started relaxing my hair in high school because it took my mom hours to manage my hair in its natural state and she fell into 'It's just easier for me this way without having to always go to the hair salon,' thing."

Her relaxer lasted from ages 14 until 27, but she's always played around with colors, short cuts, weaves, and even made her own wigs at one point. Though she knew there was a stigma around natural hair, she's always made it a point to have fun no matter what hairstyle she has.

Image via Denise Stephanie Hewitt

So when Beyoncé announced the launch of Cécred, Carolyn didn't hesitate to send the news to her hairstylist to see how she felt. Her hairstylist's response? "I'm gonna buy the [super] fan bundle! Whatever bundle there is, I'm buying it!."

Carolyn says, "Initially I wanted to get her perspective to see if this would be something to try on my hair. Like, what did she think about the legacy of Beyoncé and her affair with hair as well as her mother's history as a hairstylist." She also reminded me that fans were able to catch a glimpse of Cécred's formulas on a table in her documentary for Renaissance. "I was like, 'what is this gold liquid thing on that table,'" she recalls excitedly.

"I didn't have any negative feeling about it because her mom has been a hairstylist. She [Beyoncé] has to wear weaves and color and I always wondered how she maintained her hair. I also thought how she cares for her hair with all the performing and the things she has to do," she says.

Concerning all of the negative thoughts about Cécred and Beyoncé's hair, Carolyn admits that she was thoroughly surprised at what some people were saying. She actually experienced said negativity in person when she was a part of a panel about Black beauty, but this didn't change her excitement about trying Cécred.

"I feel like my hair looks really healthy and I find that I've had less hair breakage since I've been using it. The reality is that I feel this hair care collection — the entire collection — is replacing the other products I used to maintain my blonde hair and the health of my hair."

She took care to mention that she believes Cécred is on par with Olaplex and K18. "I haven't had as much dandruff either because of that scrubbing shampoo [Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub]. Good Lord, what kind of scrub is that," she says with a laugh. Her only initial gripe is that she wasn't a fan of the shampoo's scent because she has a sensitive nose, but she barely notices it now.

You can watch her full review of Cécred on YouTube.

Brittany Waugh, Beauty Content Creator

Image via Brittany Waugh/Instagram

Brittany's hair journey is one that's void of putting chemicals in her hair. She says, "I grew up with a mom who prioritized healthy haircare. I spent the majority of my early childhood in natural hairstyles, only getting press and curls for holidays." The reason for is this is that her mom didn't want her to have damage from coloring her hair or relying on relaxers like she did. Brittany admits, "Even to this day, I am scared to use chemicals."

However, she used to experience pressure to alter her hair growing up. "I wear wigs often, but also wear my hair in a natural pineapple updo to the gym for convenience. In my house growing up, a new hairstyle every week or every two weeks was mandatory, so I have adopted that. However, as I get older, I don't feel as pressured to do this, but more so changing my hair for my enjoyment and wearing it how I feel comfortable."

Now that Cécred is on the market, Brittany shares that she was a little wary about trying the brand's products for personal reasons. "While I was of course excited because it was coming from Beyoncé, I am a person who rarely changes my routine. When I find products that work for me, unless something spectacular comes along and changes my mind, I stick with the products I know work for me."

She's gone on to embrace the brand and says, "I can truly tell that the entire line was well-produced and developed. I am someone who mutually deals with psoriasis similar to Beyonce, so finding products that help with that flare-up is rare. Their Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub with the Deep Conditioner have helped my scalp and hair more than the products I have been accustomed to."

She shared a brief BTS clip of her admiring Cécred's packaging along with a glimpse of her natural curls on TikTok!

Chelsea Hightower, Compensation Professional & Social Media Content Creator

Image via Chelsea Hightower

As long as I've known Chelsea, she's always worn her natural hair, and it never occurred to me to ask how she ever felt about it until now. "Growing up, I struggled to fully embrace my natural hair. Being a lifelong natural, I've mostly worn my hair in its natural state. However, as kids, our initial hairstyle choices often reflect our parents' or caretakers' preferences rather than our own," she reflects.

She also says, "My mom chose not to relax my hair when I was young, which greatly influenced my acceptance of my natural hair. However, for a long time, my choice was more influenced by circumstance than by preference. I found myself yearning for relaxed, straight hair, despite my mom’s efforts to encourage me to love my natural curls."

No matter how much her mom encouraged her, it was hard to not be influenced by what she was seeing. Chelsea says, "Most of the women and girls I knew had relaxers, including my mom and eventually my older sister. Despite receiving compliments and praise for my beautiful natural hair, I was still swayed by the prevailing trend of relaxed hair. It wasn't until 9th grade when my mom allowed me to relax my hair that I truly understood and appreciated my natural hair. That single experience of having my hair relaxed was enough to make me realize that I never wanted to do it again—I was mortified by how unnaturally straight and stiff it made my hair feel. I knew I’d be a natural girl for life after that!"

As much as she loves her hair, Chelsea admits that it hasn't always been easy to embrace it in a professional setting due to her own feelings about how she might be perceived. "While no one has explicitly told me to change or straighten my hair, I've felt an internal pressure. With a doctorate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, where I've delved into research on fairness in the workplace and hiring practices, I've come across studies highlighting unconscious biases against people of color based on characteristics like hair," she shares.

Much of her studies and research revealed shocking documented evidence of the biases that POC face due to our hair, definitely playing a role in some of that pressure to conform. She's not afraid to admit that she even made the decision to wear her hair differently when interviewing for her first post-doctorate role. "This concern led me to wear a natural slick-back for some interviews, but for others, I opted for a straight-haired bob wig. Many Black women joke about the 'bait and switch' tactic of wearing a wig or weave for interviews and then revealing their natural hair once hired. That's essentially what I did. Now that I've secured my job, I feel more at ease wearing my natural hair. However, during the interview process, I felt the need to mitigate potential biases by altering my hairstyle."

Image via Chelsea Hightower

When I asked her to share her unfiltered thoughts about using Cécred on her curls, Chelsea eagerly shared how her routine has changed since using the brand's products. "I was really impressed with the Cécred line when I first tried it out. I wanted to minimize bias as much as possible, so I made a conscious effort not to let my admiration for Beyoncé as an entertainer influence my perception of her hair products," she says.

This led her to compare Cécred with another hair care line she frequently uses. "I conducted a side-by-side comparison of Cécred and the other brand to judge Cécred’s performance fairly and without bias...the results spoke for themselves. The curls on the side of my hair treated with Cécred appeared shinier and had better definition on Day 2 compared to the side treated with the other brand. I shared my full wash day comparison on social media, and others agreed with my conclusion that Cécred outperformed the other brand." You can watch her comparison video on Instagram!

Ironically, Chelsea immediately loved the scent of Cécred's products, differing from Carolyn's experience. "Being a scent enthusiast, I appreciate the subtly perfumed fragrance of the products. My favorite product from day one has been the Reconstructing Treatment Mask. Everything about it, from its consistency and scent to the softness it imparts to my hair, is *chefs kiss*! This product recently won the 2024 Women's Health Beauty Award for Best Hair Mask, confirming its quality. It's definitely a product worth trying!"

The only issue she has right now is that she wishes the brand offered more styling products, but we'll see what happens as the year unfolds! Knowing Beyoncé and her team, there's a lot more surprises in store.

Black women – and their many different hair styles, types, and textures — aren't uniform. I love that Carolyn, Brittany, and Chelsea dove into their varying experiences and upbringings to share how it all helped shape the way they approach their hair today. I'm also a huge fan of the way they separately champion Black women, giving themselves and others permission to truly love their hair — natural texture and all — without succumbing to the idea that they have to fit into a certain beauty standard.

And while this could all come together without Cécred, isn't in wonderful the way Beyoncé's brought us all together? (And made our hair look and feel good doing it?) I thought so, too.

For more beauty and celebrity news, be sure to follow us on Facebook!

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

Lead images via Cécred, Tone Woolfe, Chelsea Hightower, and Brittany Waugh

Brie Larson takes wellness very seriously. And considering she's saved the universe as Captain Marvel and fought alongside King Kong in Kong: Skull Island, prioritizing her health only makes sense. I got up close and personal with the Oscar-winning actress at Thorne's Mocktail Club in New York City on October 8, where she told me that in the pursuit of wellness, she's "always" seeking to feel "happy and safe in my body."

  • Brie Larson tells Brit + Co that movement, breathing techniques, and temperature changes help her feel "happy and safe in my body."
  • When it comes to her work, she says she chooses stories with messages she'll "be able to live with for the rest of my life."
  • She also reveals the best piece of advice she's received, and says keeping it in mind "makes things easier."

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

But even Larson has days she feels off, saying she knows that feeling "very well," and whether it's seasonal blues or mental health days, she knows routine is where she thrives — and seasonal affective disorder lamps. "Light is a big game changer for me because I grew up in California," she says.

To engage her other senses, she relies on movement, breathing techniques, and temperature changes to keep in touch with her body. "A hot bath, a cold shower, both — anything that sort of wakes your brain up and kind of jolts it," she says. "I have a pretty demanding schedule and I truly don't have room to not feel like I'm present in my life. And so you come up with ways to figure out how to do that."

That includes everything from drinking plenty of water and prioritizing sleep to packing foam rollers and bands in her carry on. "It looks like a clown bag!" she says. "I always do [those exercises] every morning because even if I don't want to do it, which I always don't want to do it, I feel a lot better after I do it."

Thorne

Admittedly, that's exactly how I feel some days about making breakfast — but a powerhouse like Larson knows how important fueling our bodies is. "Pretty consistently I'm having an egg, like a breakfast sandwich, egg on toast first thing in the morning," she says. "I can't think beyond that for breakfast because I wake up so early. It's like there's no creativity happening in the morning. I'm sorry. No."

And while her mornings are all about wellness, her evenings are all about getting cozy, and she tells me her dream night in includes playing a new video game, wearing Gelato Pique sweatpants, and ordering Thai food. But when she's in the kitchen? "I've been making pasta and sausage quite a bit and I make tacos quite a bit. I mean, I kind of just do like protein and veggies and a little bit of a carb," she says.

Walt Disney Studios / Marvel Studios

Cozy nights in wouldn't be the same without a movie, and there's a very good chance you've seen Larson on your screen recently, whether you're rewatching Captain Marvel, 13 Going on 30, or Lessons in Chemistry. But how does the actress consistently choose such beautiful, inspiring pieces to work on? She equates the feeling to having a crush.

"When I feel like [a story] hits something that lives so truthfully in me that I just want to know if it's true to other people," she says. "I just know that we all have more that's the same than different...Film and television, it lives in a way that is beyond me physically. So I'm here talking to you, but anybody can be watching whatever they want. And so I try my best to think through what the pieces are saying so that they go out in the world and I don't get to be at the end of it and explain it or tell people what to feel or what to take from it. It lives a life outside of me. So I try and make sure that it has a complete message in it that I feel like I'll be able to live with for the rest of my life."

Apple TV+

Just like Carol Danvers and Elizabeth Zott empower so many viewers, Brie Larson says she feels empowered by her own Hollywood heroes. "Earlier in my career, like when I was trying to visualize what kind of career I wanted, it was Toni Colette and she's still a hero of mine, but she was truly the one that I was like, 'I want to disappear into characters the way she does.'"

"There's so many incredible [actors]," she continues. "Some of them are people that are more my age and some are older than me. But that's the fun part of my job is that there's so many good people and so many things that are getting made. And so it just feels like we're constantly kind of maneuvering, and when they take on certain roles and represent certain things, it frees up for other people to do other things. And so we kind of all work as a unit."

One movie on the horizon that I'm excited for is Mattel's new American Girl movie. Like many 80s and 90s kids, Brie Larson loved American Girl dolls — and borrowed her stage name from pioneer Kirsten Larson! And just like the rest of us AG kids, she tells me she can't wait for the movie. "I've also seen that there's going to be adult Halloween costumes, which I'm also very excited about," she says. Will she be grabbing a Kirsten one for herself? "I just might!"

Q+A With Brie Larson

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

What's the first thing you did after you won your Oscar?

I probably drank champagne...I drank champagne and I put sneakers on, and then I went to the airport.

What's the best piece of advice you've received?

"When I think I know, I miss so much." We all get stuck in these things — I think an easy one to think about is like, you're in a fight with your sibling or your partner, and you are just so right in how angry you are. And then maybe the next day you wake up and you're like, "Maybe there was another side to that." And so we miss things when we're in a space where we believe that we know. Having an openness to what something can be or that things can be different than what you think makes things easier.

Thorne

What's on your holiday bucket list?

I love the holidays. Because I'm in California, I really am looking forward to this year having a chilly winter. I love a cold winter, cozy winter. I love Christmas markets, so I'll definitely hit things like that. All the little holiday markets pop up around, yeah, it's just like a rare time when everybody is resting at the same time.

What are you watching, reading and listening to right now?

Okay. I am reading a book called Patricia Wants To Cuddle. I am watching Love is Blind season 7 because I am not silly. And listening to Chappell Roan, obviously.

Read Hilarie Burton Just Spilled Some Serious One Tree Hill Teafor more fun celeb insights!

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

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Bravo’s Summer House is trading in its Hamptons origins for The Vineyard with the premiere of Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard. The Summer House spinoff will not include any of the Hamptons crew, not even OG cast member Kyle Cook and his iconic mullet. Instead, this series will feature an all-black cast of IRL friends who love to spend their summers partying in Massachusetts.

Where can I see the trailer?

www.youtube.com

Your First Look at Summer House: Martha's Vineyard! | SHMV Sneak Peak | Bravo

Don't worry Bravo fans – we’ve got the highly-anticipated trailer here.

Who is in the cast?

The new cast features newlyweds Jasmine Ellis Cooper and husband Silas Cooper, sports brand manager Nick Arrington, former Playboy model Jordan Emanuel, as well as fashion entrepreneur Bria Fleming. We’ll also see self-proclaimed “party girl” Shanice Henderson, aspiring real estate tycoon Amir Lancaster, flight attendant Jason Lyke, attorney Preston Mitchum, production coordinator Summer Marie Thomas, and creative director Alex Tyree. (We know, that’s a lot!) And of course we must mention another addition – the group’s adorable furry friend Milo.

Considering the smaller and female-dominated cast of the Hampton’s Summer House, we’re definitely excited to see how the dynamics of this larger cast work!

Why Martha’s Vineyard?

“For more than 100 years, Black vacationers have flocked to Martha’s Vineyard, an island south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and one of the first beach destinations where African Americans could vacation and purchase property,” read a Thursday, March 30, press release about the reality series. “Known for its natural beauty with pristine beaches, romantic sailboats, colorful gingerbread cottages, and cultural identity, this summertime sanctuary has become a favorite escape for the rich, famous, and politically connected.”

The stars of Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard couldn’t agree more. “If you don’t know, Black excellence is Martha’s Vineyard and Martha’s Vineyard is Black excellence,” Jasmine says in the official trailer.

When does 'Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard' premiere?

You can catch all of the drama every Sunday at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo, starting May 7.

We cannot wait to tune into this new Bravo franchise, and see what shenanigans the cast gets into this summer.

Keep up with all the latest entertainment news with Brit + Co.

Lead photo courtesy of Bravo.

With fall in full swing, it's safe to say you may have already taken trips to a local pumpkin patch or made your way to a haunted house (or two) for Halloween. However, if you're looking for a perfect quaint fall getaway, then add Lake Geneva to the top of your list! Located in Wisconsin, Lake Geneva — not to be confused with the similarly named Swiss body of water — is a gorgeous midwest town located right next to the stunning, sprawling Geneva Lake. You'll find numerous hotels, local restaurants, boutique and shops throughout the city, offering up plenty to do.

Not sure where to start? Luckily for you, I took a trip to Lake Geneva last month, and I've rounded up a quick guide for where (and what) you'll want to check out during your visit.

PS: If you can't make it this fall, just imagine the winter wonderland you'll find this winter, or the summer oasis you'll savor all summer!

Where To stay In Lake Geneva

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

There are so many hotels to stay at in Lake Geneva, but there are definitely a few that really standout properties you should consider during your visit!

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is luxurious — yet somehow wonderfully quaint — property located an hour from Chicago that's great for your fall getaway. You'll find standard rooms and suites alongside a plethora of dining options and amenities to utilize during your stay including an indoor and outdoor pool, golf courses, a fitness center, a spa, and an on-site trolley. Plus, the resort has packages for the fall available where you can receive free rounds of golf during your stay on The Brute or The Highlands courses. Might I suggest sending the boys on a golfing spree while you and the girls savor the spa? 😉

Maxwell Mansion

Maxwell Mansion

Book lovers, this one's for you! The Maxwell Mansion is a boutique hotel that's two blocks away from Geneva Lake. The historic mansion has 28 rooms, some of which are inspired by historic figures such Emily Bronte, Charlotte Bronte, Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen, General Grant, and Virginia Woolf. You'll also find a hidden speakeasy that's open to resort guests, and it's definitely worth checking out if you have some free time. Otherwise, you can find an indoor bar or grab a drink at the seasonally open tiki bar by the pool!

Warning: This hotel is adults only, so it's best suited for a romantic getaway or a girls' trip!

The Abbey Resort

The Abbey Resort

For a more full-service experience, The Abbey Resort is a great option for families and solo travelers. Aside from spacious rooms, the property has indoor and outdoor pools, live music, an entertainment center, and a 35,000 square-foot spa. The Avani spa is absolutely a highlight at this property, too — you can book a massage, manicure, pedicure, hair and makeup services depending on what you're interested in. Outside of all that, the resort is simply stunning, making it an even better spot to enjoy the fall foliage and take some totally Instagram-worthy photos.

Where To Eat In Lake Geneva

Instagram/@pier_290

While you'll eat lots of cheese curds (and cheese in general, let's be real) in Lake Geneva, you'll probably want to swing by a restaurant for a more hearty meal. Here are some top options to add to your reservations!

Pier 290

You can't visit Lake Geneva without dining alongside Geneva Lake, and Pier 290 is the city's only lakeside restaurant! While the view alone has plenty of allure, the menu loaded with familiar favorites from cheese curds to lobster rolls. Plus, if you stop by on the weekend, you'll be able to enjoy some awesome live music as you eat!

Instagram/@soprabistro

Sopra

If you're craving Italian food, then you'll definitely want to head on over to Sopra. This Italian-American bistro located on main street is home to scrumptious eats including fish, pastas, salads, and more. A majority of the menu items have unique names — I'm looking at you, "donald from delhi" — adding a little extra fun and flair to your dining experience. So grab a "b positive" cocktail (blood orange vodka, club soda, splash of blood orange juice), and enjoy your evening!

The Abbey

240 West

Chow down on locally sourced ingredients at The Abbey Resort's 240 West Restaurant. Chef Noah Gumustekin curated a selection of dishes from pappardelle to a grilled ribeye that'll get your mouth watering at the thought. Plus, if you're staying on the property, you can eat to your heart's content and make your way to a lovely night's sleep in no time!

What To Do In Lake Geneva

Instagram/@cruiselakegeneva

Go On A Mail Cruise

Looking to actually get out on the lake itself? Lake Geneva Cruise Line hosts a US mailboat tour where you can sit on a boat as employees deliver mail to over 75 homes around the lake. During the two hour tour you'll learn all about the different mansions on the lake, plus some fun facts about Lake Geneva in general! This is a must-do for first-time visitors!

Instagram/@yerkesobservatory

Visit Yerkes Observatory

Science lovers will want to take a trip over to Yerkes Observatoryfor all things space. The historic building is home to the world's largest refracting telescope (wow!), alongside plenty of other exhibits which you can browse at your own leisure. If you're looking for a more guided experience, the observatory offers tours to help you understand what the heck you're actually observing.

VisitLakeGeneva.com

Walk Along The Shore Path

You should totally take some time out of your busy itinerary to walk the shore path around Geneva Lake. The entire path is over 20 miles — which would take you almost all day to complete in its entirety — but you can just start and end wherever you'd like to get a gorgeous view of the lake and the larger-than-life mansions. The best part? It's free and open to the public, so you can stroll around at any time.

Lake Geneva Cooking School

Take A Cooking Class

If you're looking to spend time like a local in Lake Geneva, then you'll want to register for a class at Lake Geneva School of Cooking. Join Chef John Bogan and his team as you participate in a hands-on cooking class alongside other locals and vacation go-ers. You can browse the classes offered online and pick one that suits your palate, whether that's a meat-driven dinner or a perfect pasta dish. Classes are priced at $150 per person, so it's a bit on the expensive side, but think of it this way: this experience goes beyond the class! You can cook this menu over and over again at home, remembering the fabulous time you had in Lake Geneva.

Hill Valley Dairy

Try Some Local Cheese

You can't visit Wisconsin without trying some local cheese. Head on over to Hill Valley Dairy to get your hands — and taste buds — on locally produced cheeses. Once you figure out what you like, you can buy them to take home with you, so you can enjoy them even after you leave Lake Geneva! And who doesn't want more cheese in their lives?

Why is Lake Geneva so famous?

VisitLakeGeneva.com

Lake Geneva is famous given all its fine dining, larger-than-life mansions, and absolutely beautiful body of water. Additionally, this quaint town is also in a pristine location located only an hour away from Chicago, making it an easy way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and be a little more in tune with nature.

On top of that, plenty of travelers compare Lake Geneva to more expensive destinations across the globe, from Lake Comoto Newport. This lets you get all the beauty and luxury of those bucket list towns without the high price tags!

How do I spend a day in Lake Geneva?

VisitLakeGeneva.com

When it comes to activities, Lake Geneva has plenty to offer! Whether you're simply walking the shore path, indulging in delicious locally grown dinners, or taking a cruise around the lake, you'll find fun everywhere you turn! And just because this is a lake town, doesn't mean you have to be outdoorsy. You can cater your experience based on your interests, including relaxing in one of the lovely luxury hotels.

Looking for more travel inspo? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter!

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Brit B

Brit + Co

As hardcore word nerds, puns are a pretty essential part of the everyday here at Brit HQ. We cheer when someone makes what is unfairly referred to as a "dad joke," we battle over who gets to use which eggcellent reference during Easter, and we are always on the hunt for the punniest costume for Halloween. So for those of you like to keep it clever too, here are 30 amazing pun Halloween costumes to inspire this year's inevitable hilarity. They're great for every kind of costume lover, no matter whether you're dressing up with your friends or on your own!

Brit + Co

Hawaiian Punch Costume

How 'bout a nice Hawaiian punch? This punny couples costume is part Hula Girl, part Rocky Balboa.

Brit + Co

Takeout Night Costume

A T-shirt that doubles as a costume? This is every lazy girl’s dream!

Brit + Co

Funny Pumpkin Costume

How cute is she?! We love how our very own Brit made her own creative and *very* punny costume.

Brit + Co

Party Animal Costumes

Go the Breakfast at Tiffany's route with this take on party animals.

Brit + Co

Spice Girls Costumes

Though we're all about bringing back Sporty, Scary, Baby, Posh, and Ginger, go the clever route and simply dress up as your favorite spices.

Brit + Co

Prego Costume

Whip up this winner and let everyone savor your pun-tastic presence on All Hallows' Eve.

Brit + Co

Netflix & Chill Costumes

As far as couples costumes go, this one takes the cake. Or should we say “Netflix subscription package”?

Brit + Co

Anna Wintour Costume

Our very own Brit Morin donned this take on a wintery Anna Wintour at a Brit + Co Halloween party a few years back. Fake snow and an ice-cold attitude are musts.

Brit + Co

A Halloween Hangover Pun Halloween Costume

Beat your actual hangover with this T-shirt/costume. Sunglasses and a large bottle of Gatorade are also musts.

Brit + Co

Bun in the Oven Costume

Maternity costume FTW! Dress your bump up as an actual bun in the oven.

Kelly Bryden

Blue Ivy Costume

Our very own Kelly apologizes for the low-quality iPhone photos, but this hilarious Blue Ivy costume is too good not to include.

Aww Sam

Starry-Eyed Costume

Are you seeing stars? We sure are.

Amazon

Pickle Halloween Costume Shirt

Skip the full-blown costume for this cheeky shirt!

Halloween Costumes

Chick Magnet Costume

Punny and adorable — a dangerous combination. This costume is not only easy, it's a great conversation starter. Even if it’s not totally true.

Studio DIY

Fries (Before Guys!) Costume

No matter the potato product, we're always partial to it. We love this costume because it's just SO TRUE.

Aww Sam

Pretty Please With a Cherry on Top Costume

May all your Halloween wishes come true when you ask — or dress — this nicely.

Studio DIY

Raining Men Costume

Finally, your giant stack of Tiger Beat, tabloid, and Cosmo magazines will come in handy. Remember, everyone owns an umbrella and rain boots.

Etsy

Chip on Your Shoulder Costume

An actual CHIP on your shoulder? So good.

Aww Sam

Party Pooper Costume

You don’t want to take this one too literally, so some poop emojis on your party hat is the perfect way to put together the look.

Aww Sam

Bird-Brained Costume

You'll have an excuse to act silly when you dress up as this feathery bird-brain.

Studio DIY

The Burn Book Costume

You are full of sass and some sick burns. Make sure you’re ready to dish it out and get some in return.

Aww Sam

Tough Cookie Costume

Nothing says “come flirt with me, but watch out because I’ll punch you” like a milk mustache and boxing gloves.

Etsy

Ivy League Costume

Whether or not you're actually a Yale or Harvard alum, we think this costume is a fitting play on words for the smarty pants in your life.

Studio DIY

Chill Pill Costume

Be the good kind of pill this Halloween when you dress up in a DIY that's sure to make everyone laugh and feel relaxed.

The House Lars Built

She Sells Seashells by the Seashore Costume

This tongue-tying costume is guaranteed to have everyone giggling all night. Good luck telling everyone your costume name 10 times fast.

Studio DIY

Queen Bee Costume

Run the contest like the KWEEN you are in this simple Halloween get-up.

A Kailo Chic Life

#Basic Coffee Mug Costume

Next to the PSL Starbucks cups, the pink lid travel mug is as trendy as it comes.

Aww Sam

Head in the Clouds Costume

Whether you find yourself distracted in daily life or not, this cute play on words is just the pun costume for you.

Club Crafted

When Life Gives You Lemons Costume

Just make sure there are enough lemons left for your gin and tonic.

Etsy

Horn Dog Costume

This pun Halloween costume might require some money, but your friends' reactions? Priceless.

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