Imagine sipping Champagne above a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or indulging in a heavenly spa treatment with the Manhattan skyline in view. Even if your wallet can't quite stretch to a full-blown luxury getaway, sprinkling a touch of luxe into your travels can turn an ordinary trip into a memorable adventure. That idea sparked our new series, Flights of Fancy, where we take you along for a trip to the luxury experiences around the cities we adore.
Dallas-Ft. Worth
Photo: Hôtel Swexan
This Secret Dallas Speakeasy Hotel Is A Luxe Experience For Any Budget
Situated near Dallas’s Uptown, the Harwood District spans 19 city blocks filled with dozens of shops, restaurants, and luxury office buildings (Rolex was the first tenant, back in 1984). This trendy area of the city has become known as a great place for a bistro lunch or happy hour cocktails, and last year welcomed its first luxury boutique hotel: Hôtel Swexan. Our writer takes you inside the luxe experiences, from cocktails to lodging.
San Francisco Bay Area
Photo: Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay
These Fancy Bay Area Brunch Spots Are Worth The Splurge
From Marin to Half Moon Bay, these fancy brunch experiences are more than just a meal; they deliver picture-perfect ambience and a memorable feast to enjoy with your best people. So pack your weekend best and head to the Bay for mimosas with a twist and a meal to savor.
Malibu, CA
Hotel June
Visiting Hotel June Malibu — A Retreat Worth Unplugging For
Hotel June has become an iconic PCH destination to unwind and delight in Malibu's thriving local community. As a typical millennial who's glued to their digital devices 24/7, our editor Ali couldn't be more thrilled for an excuse to log off and luxuriate in the present moment in the scenic hills of Malibu.
Miami
shutterstock
Miami Must: This 20-Course Tasting Has You Wash Your Hands In Chocolate
If your wallet doesn’t lend itself to a fully luxurious vacation, leave room for at least one splurge-worthy activity that’s sure to be a highlight of the trip. Our editor, a South Florida resident and self-proclaimed foodie, recommends Elcielo Miami.
Chicago
The Robey
Explore Chicago's Hippest Neighborhood From This Mid-Century Modern Hotel
One of the benefits of taking a trip to Chicago is that it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Sure, it’s not going to be super cheap to visit any major city, but in comparison to the U.S.’s coastal hotspots, Chicago is a fantastic deal. If you’re particularly intrigued by the Windy City’s emphasis on architecture and design, you shouldn’t miss The Robey hotel.
NYC
Bathhouse Williamsburg
This NYC Bathhouse Is The Best Spa Experience I've Ever Had
Bathhouse Williamsburg isn't exactly a spa. You won't get a facial — or even cucumbers on your eyes — there, but you'll find relaxation in so many other tangible ways. From their available array of amenities included in the day pass to the specific treatments like scrubs and massages, Bathhouse is perfect for taking a step back from a city that requires oh-so-many steps.
Follow along for all your travel needs with our Flights of Fancy series and Jetset Journeys series.
Eating out as a vegan can be a true challenge, especially if you don’t exactly know that what you’re ordering is 100% vegan. Fast food faves like McDonald’s and Taco Bell are secretly packed with vegan items, and Starbucks is no exception. From oat milk coffees to satisfyingly savory snacks, you’ve actually got plenty of plant-based choices when you pull up at your local Starbucks.
Scroll on to explore every vegan Starbucks drink and food item you can add to your order!
Vegan Starbucks Drinks
Starbucks
1. Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado
This new-to-the-menu espresso drink combines brown sugar syrup and oat milk to balance out the punchy coffee notes.
Starbucks
2. Latte (Iced + Hot)
You can totally enjoy a latte at Starbucks if you're vegan. Their oat, almond, coconut, and soy milks are vegan, plus many of their syrups qualify as vegan, too, if you want to flavor up your drink. According to this Starbucks supervisor, all of Starbucks "clear" syrups are vegan and dairy-free. Starbucks' regular and white mocha sauces and caramel drizzle are also vegan and dairy-free.
Starbucks
3. Americano (Iced + Hot)
Starbucks' Americanos are just water and espresso, so you don't have to worry about any dairy being in there. Optionally, you could ask for a splash of non-dairy milk and pumps of your fave syrup.
Starbucks
4. Brewed Coffee (Iced + Hot)
Same goes for their brewed coffees, including iced coffee. Easily ask your barista to add in some non-dairy milk and a few pumps of syrup if you desire!
Starbucks
5. Nondairy Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
This vegan cold brew drink is crafted with non-dairy cold foam that's flavored with salted caramel – and it's delish!
Starbucks
6. Nitro Cold Brew
A plain nitro cold brew from Starbucks is fully vegan and dairy-free. You can choose to add a splash of non-dairy milk, if you wish your sip to be a bit smoother and creamier.
Starbucks
7. Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
This one's a classic: shots of espresso get shaken up with ice and brown sugar syrup to create a frothy foam, then the drink is topped off with oat milk to cut the bitterness. It's quite a delectable order, even if you're not eating fully vegan.
Starbucks
8. Starbucks Refreshers
All of Starbucks' fruity Refreshers are vegan. Plus, you can can add lemonade, tea, other flavor inclusions like strawberry and peach to add some extra oomph.
Starbucks
9. Iced Black Tea
Their refreshing iced black tea is certifiably vegan, too.
Starbucks
10. Iced Green Tea
If you prefer green tea, Starbucks' offering is vegan-friendly. If you tend to take your tea a bit sweeter, just order it with however many packets of your preferred sweetener, and your barista will add it in.
Starbucks
11. Lemonade
You truly can't go wrong with a lemonade!
Starbucks
12. Hot Teas
Starbucks' hot teas are totally vegan, too. If you want to make them fancier, ask for an additional splash of your go-to non-dairy milk!
Vegan Starbucks Foods
Starbucks
1. Rolled & Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Now onto the food! First up is Starbucks' oatmeal, which you can fancy up with nuts, berries, and brown sugar. Make sure to order it with water to ensure it stays vegan.
Starbucks
2. Plain Bagel
Surprisingly, Starbucks' bagels are also vegan.
Starbucks
3. Everything Bagel
The plain and everything bagels will work for any vegan eater.
Starbucks
4. Avocado Spread
Plus, you can order your bagel with a side of this delicious avocado spread for a nutritious boost!
Starbucks
5. Spicy Falafel Pocket
This 100% vegan snack pocket is new to the Starbucks menu, but it's already become a fan-favorite amongst vegans and non-vegans alike.
Starbucks
6. Chipotle Almond Dip
You can order the Spicy Falafel Pocket with a side of this fully-vegan Chipotle Almond Dip (AKA Bitchin’ Sauce). Yum.
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Looking for a more modern (and not to mention chill) Easter brunch this year? You best be mixing up some spring cocktails! Stock up on some fresh fruit at the farmers' market, put on your bunny ears, and flex your mixology skills with one (or a few!) of these delicious spring brunch cocktails.
Grapefruit Thyme Fizz
Go for a fragrant, floral refreshment by combining thyme with vodka and grapefruit! This easy cocktail recipe will last you way past Easter, too. (via Brit + Co)
Cadbury Creme Egg Cocktail
It's not an Easter cocktail without the use of some Easter candy! This sweet sipper leverages the classic Cadbury eggs for a creamy sip every time. Add a chocolate rim for even more delight! (via Brit + Co)
Strawberry Basil Margaritas
Margaritas might just be our favorite cocktail, and it's a wonder that there's so many variations of them! This take infuses the tequila cocktail with lime, basil, and sweet strawberries that you'll love sipping alongside some fluffy pancakes this Easter. (via Brit + Co)
Frozen Blueberry Paloma
For something with a cooling (yet still boozy) effect, this frozen Paloma cocktail will hit different on Easter. (via Brit + Co)
Glittery Spiked Raspberry Lemonade
Glitter makes every drink better, TBH. These zesty spiked lemonades are best shared with friends and family over brunch! (via Brit + Co)
Eggo-spresso Martini
This milky martini is the ultimate wake-up call on Easter morning. Amp up the brunch vibes with this boozy mix from Eggo, including their Eggo Brunch in a Jar Sippin’ Cream. (via Brit + Co)
Cucumber Gin Cocktails
Don't let the electric green color of these Easter brunch cocktails scare you away – it's just a blend of lime, cucumber, and Chartreuse! (via Crowded Kitchen)
Rose Lemon Spritz
Any spring cocktail that includes "spritz" is gonna be a big hit for your Easter brunch. Let this one sweep you away with a dreamy mix of floral rose and punchy lemon! (via Mixop)
Japanese Yuzu Whiskey Sour
Yuzu and whiskey make the perfect pair, and the citrusy notes from this cocktail are just what your Easter brunch needs! (via Takes Two Eggs)
French 75 Punch
This gin-based punch serves as a great base for any fizzy spring cocktail. The orange-y flavor is reminiscent of the beloved mimosa, only better in this batched version. (via Epicurious)
Strawberry Lemonade Bunny Colada
Pop off using some bunny Peeps for your next spring brunch cocktails! This recipe is a perfect fit for Easter celebrations. Here's how to make this dreamy drink.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz Natalie’s Strawberry Lemonade
- 4 oz cream of coconut
- 1 oz lime juice
- 4 oz white rum
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- 2 tbsp vanilla frosting
- 1 tbsp Easter sprinkles
- Pink bunny Peeps
Directions:
- In a blender, combine the Natalie’s Strawberry Lemonade, cream of coconut, lime juice, rum, and frozen strawberries. Blend for 30-60 seconds until smooth.
- Rim two glasses with white frosting and dip in a mixture of coconut and sprinkles.
- Pour the mixture into the glasses and garnish with pink bunny Peeps marshmallows! (via Natalie’s Juice Company)
The Sunburn Cocktail
This spring cocktail uses Sunshine Punch, a bottled mix of rum and vodka infused with orange and vanilla. Talk about an upgrade to your regular OJ! To make The Sunburn cocktails, shake 2 parts Sunshine Punch with 2 parts pineapple juice and .5 parts coconut rum over ice. Strain into a glass and garnish with an orange wedge for the full effect! (via Sunshine Punch)
Sweet Tea Prosecco Cocktails
Sweet tea is the perfect mixer for brunchy cocktails like this. The lemon and fresh mint leaves amp the flavors up in this glass even more. Iced tea cocktails FTW! (via Vanilla and Bean)
Elderflower Martini
All you need to craft this spring Easter brunch cocktail is four ingredients: cranberry juice, lemon juice, Citron vodka, and elderflower liqueur. Easy peasy! (via A Beautiful Mess)
Cucumber Basil Moscow Mule
We just love the ginger-y effect of Moscow Mules. The drink is super fizzy, which will keep Easter brunch interesting with every sip! (via The Real Food Dietitians)
Follow us on Pinterest for more recipe inspo!
This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.
Lead image via Natalie’s Juice Company.
What is it about family sagas that seem to make book clubs more interesting? Maybe it's because we know interpersonal relationships can be a little dysfunctional. It could be that we still don't know how to communicate with the people we love the most. Even if we love our parents and siblings, reading about other families' fictional twists and turns gives us a rush of adrenaline.
So it's no wonder Jenna Bush Hager's January book club pick feels like something we can read without putting down. It's full of complicated relationship dynamics, love, and reconciling one's identity with their past. You can say it's the perfect read to kick off your 2025 reading goals!
Learn more about Jenna Bush Hager's 2025 book club pick and fall in love with one character's journey of self-discovery.
Amazon
The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight
Penn should be excited about advancing her education at the University of Edinburgh, but she can't stop thinking about the secret her parents have been keeping from her. For some reason, she believes she'll uncover it while she's in Scotland because Lord Lennox — her father's friend — is in the area.
Her hunger for the truth leads her to Lord Lennox's estate where she she starts mingling with his family and even discovers love in this moving novel.
Jenna Bush Hager's Thoughts About The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus
Jenna Bush Hager thinks readers will love The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus because "it's a rich novel" with themes of "friendship and motherhood" (via Instagram). It's so good, she's sure "it will sweep you off your feet (via Instagram).
We hope you enjoy reading about Penn's journey in The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus and encourage you to check out Reese Witherspoon's January book club pick next!
Trader Joe’s loves to keep us on our toes when it comes to their new arrivals. We’re constantly monitoring the aisles to discover all the new TJ’s sweet treats and savory snacks they launch – and these 7 new picks for January 2025 are not to be missed! All of these Trader Joe’s products will run you less than $5, which only makes sealing the deal on your grocery bill easier.
From delicious dips to a very enticing new frozen meal, these are the 7 best new Trader Joe’s finds you absolutely need to try in January 2025.
Trader Joe's
1. Teensy Candy Bars
These tiny little candy bar bites ($2.99) resemble Snickers in the best way possible: layers of nougat, caramel, and peanuts are enveloped in a delicious chocolate coating for maximum snackage. We're gonna have to resist eating the whole bag! TJ's even suggests using these bits as decoration for other desserts, like sprinkling some on a scoop of ice cream or baking them into some cookies.
Trader Joe's
2. Olive Tapenade Hummus
Trader Joe's array of dips is simply too good to resist, and this newcomer hummus ($3.49) is no exception! It's a tub of "smooth and nutty" hummus topped with a tapenade comprised of black olives, manzanilla olives, capers, and olive oil to give it a salty effect. It's gonna taste so great as a dip for crackers or as a spread on a Mediterranean pita wrap.
Trader Joe's
3. Organic Concord Grape Jelly
This squeezable grape jelly ($3.49) is nothing short of nostalgic. Trader Joe's says it's "super smooth, joyously juicy, and potently purple," which immediately has us sold on making PB&Js every day now.
Trader Joe's
4. Spicy Chicken Nuggets
Oh, yeah. Bring on the spice with these spicy nuggs ($3.99) that make the perfect easy meal no matter the time of day! Made from all-natural chicken breast and rib meat, breaded with wheat, rice and corn flours, then covered in hot sauce and lightly fried, TJ's has their texture down to a tee. You can easily cook 'em in the air fryer, oven, or microwave before chowing down!
Trader Joe's
5. Crispy Potato & Poblano Pepper Tacos
These halved and fried frozen tacos ($4.99) will totally crush your Taco Bell cravings, since they come together super quickly and contain flavors with mind-blowing authenticity! Each taco is filled with a blend of seasoned mashed potatoes and some "ever-so- slightly spicy" poblano peppers that'll work so well with any dipping sauce, from TJ's salsa to their creamy Jalapeño Sauce.
Trader Joe's
6. Strawberry Mini Hold The Cone!
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Trader Joe's is debuting a new flavor ($3.99) of their classic Hold The Cone! frozen dessert: strawberry! These tiny, chocolate-covered cones are lined with even more "rich" chocolate on the inside, then packed with strawberry ice cream, which TJ's says is crafted with plenty of strawberry purée.
Trader Joe's
7. Caesar Salad Dip
Trader Joe's shoppers have said this new Caesar Salad Dip ($3.69) makes a perfect girl dinner addition– which, if you get it, you get it! The tub starts with a "creamy" base that's then loaded up with Caesar-seasoned sour cream, mayo, anchovy paste, Parmesan, and finely shredded Romaine for the crunch. It's best enjoyed with crackers or veggie sticks to dip, but you could also smatter fried chicken or seared steak in it for some ahh-mazing flavor!
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