Checkmate! An Easy Way to Make Full-Size Travel Games

Heading on a road trip this summer? Or just love kicking it in the park with a couple classic board games? If traveling light is not top of mind and you’d rather play a full size board game than those miniature magnetic ones, follow our tutorial for how to turn lovely wooden checkers and chess sets into full-size travel games. The trick? VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back White Coins, of course!

Materials:
– wood chess set

– wood checkers set

– black spray paint

– dark brown spray paint

– cream spray paint

– VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back White Coins

If you choose a more colorful game, simply choose spray paint that matches all the tiles or squares in your game. We wanted a more rustic picnic-while-playing-board-games vibe, so we went with all wood.

Spray paint your VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back White Coins in colors that match your boards. For darker shades, you’ll probably need two coats. Let dry for 30 minutes.

Now gather your pieces, boards, and VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back White Coins (now in different colors!) together on your workspace.

Attach the “sharp” side (also known as the “hook”) of the coins to the board and the soft side (aka the “loop” side) to your pieces. You’re just about done!

You’ve got a chess set, ready to play on the move.

And a checkers set. This is also great for keeping your pieces in place if you’re playing a game over a few days.

Doesn’t this look like a picnic you want to be part of? ;)

Now hit the closest park or parklet and arm yourself with fizzy water, strawberries, pistachios, and the like.

Are you more of a strategic chess fan?

Or like the simple quick game of checkers? Whichever game you fancy, this is such a fun way to make full-size games travel-friendly.

Our new collection of greeting cards is here, and we're so excited to share it with you! We partnered with Moonpig to design an 11-card collection in B+C’s signature style. Moonpig allows you to personalize greeting cards and will mail them for you!

Joy, Love, Cake Card

We worked with our in-house team to capture life’s special moments, from big birthdays to new homes to warm holiday wishes. Send them to family and friends and spread the love and joy this season. Right now you can snag a free card with code BRITCOFREE. Here’s a sneak peek!

Gratitude Card

Moonpig lets you write your own personal message – you can even use your own handwritten copy! Just submit a sample of your handwriting and type away. You can have the cards sent to you to mail out personally, or they’ll do it for you.

Firework Photo Card

You can add personal photos on the outside or inside, as well as video and audio messages (via QR code). Your friends and family will love seeing and hearing you from afar.

Happy Birthday Card

Choose from a variety of designs, colors, and messages to find the perfect card for your friends and loved ones. Moonpig cards cost less than a regular card (sweet!), and you can add a gift card from a bunch of popular retailers like Sephora, Nordstrom, and Uber Eats.

New House Card

Celebrate the milestones, big and small. From new homes to new jobs, there’s always a good reason to reach out to family and friends and connect in a meaningful way. Share those special moments with a thoughtful card that will absolutely make their day.

Merry Era Card

The holidays are just a couple zodiac seasons away! We have a selection of holiday greeting cards that we designed specifically for our B+C followers – and well, that we love too!

Candy Cane Card

Have a reason to celebrate with a group? You can have friends and family sign your card by creating a Group Card.

Our beautiful new designs are ready to spread holiday cheer! Use promo code BRITCOFREE to get a free greeting card today.

Love And Happiness Card

Moonpig has Extra Large Cards too. Surprise your birthday loves on their special day with an extra large card that says all the things you love about them.

Check out the complete B+C x Moonpig greeting card collection. New customers can use code BRITCOFREE to spread love and joy to friends and family today!


Photography by Nicole Hill Gerulat

As soon as we swap our sandals and summer dresses for cozy sweaters, we start getting in the mood to watch Hocus Pocus. The original 1993 film is full of nostalgia, laughs, and impeccable New England fall foliage. After 2022's sequel broke records across the board, we learned that Hocus Pocus 3 in the series is officially in the works. Start planning your group Halloween costume — the holiday's come early!

Will there be a Hocus Pocus 3?

Matt Kennedy/Disney

Yes, Hocus Pocus 3 is in development! In a recent interview with The New York Times, Walt Disney Pictures president Sean Bailey confirmed the three-quel is in development.

When will Hocus Pocus 3 come out?

Matt Kennedy/Disney

We don't have an official release date for Hocus Pocus 3 yet, and Bette Midler recently revealed she hasn't actually seen a script yet. “I haven’t seen the script, but I’ve heard rumblings,” she said. “I think if they’re gonna, they oughta, because time is not just marching, time is barrel-assing to the finish line. Get us while we’re still breathing, I mean, God!”

Where is Hocus Pocus 3 being filmed?

Matt Kennedy/Disney

Hocus Pocus and its sequel were filmed in Salem, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, respectively, so we're expecting Hocus Pocus 3 to be filmed in New England as well!

Who's returning for Hocus Pocus 3?

Matt Kennedy/Disney

We don't have official cast news yet, but we're hoping Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy return as the Sanderson Sisters. "I'd love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing," Bette tells EW. "If there was a third one, of course I'd sign on, but I don't know how. I can't imagine what the story would be, but I love Winifred, Sarah, Mary, and our relationship. It's good for women."

While we haven't gotten a cast list yet, we do know who's hoping to join the third film: drag star Symone (winner of RuPaul's Drag Race season 13). "I know they're doing [Hocus Pocus] 3, if they want to get my number, my phone box is open," she says in an interview with EW. "I would love to be a witch of some kind...I might be a villain, come into my own little power, have my own little coven. I would love that. Can't you see it?"

Will Thora Birch be in Hocus Pocus 3?

Walt Disney Pictures/Buena Vista Pictures/IMDb

At the NYC premiere of Hocus Pocus 2, screenwriter Jen D’Angelo said she hopes we'll see Max (Omri Katz) and Allison (Vinessa) from the original film again. However, so far, there's no word on whether Thora Birch, Vinessa, or Omri will return.

“We tried so hard to get the original cast back for cameos and then it just kept not working out for one reason or the other,” D’Angelo said, via Variety. “But I’m hoping in Hocus Pocus 3, we’ll see Max and Alison living in California.” We hope so too!

Where can I watch the movie?

Disney+

You can watch both Hocus Pocusand Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+, so it's safe to assume the new film will hit the streaming platform as well.

Was the first Hocus Pocus a flop?

Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios

The original Hocus Pocus grossed $8.1 million after its July release, and dropped out of the top ten two weeks later. And since then, it has become a cult classic and fan favorite!

Are the Sanderson sisters real?

Matt Kennedy/Disney

While the Sanderson sisters are fictional, they were inspired by three sisters who were accused of witchcraft in Salem: Rebecca Towne Nurse, Mary Towne Easty, and Sarah Towne Cloyce.

Who are the 3 sisters in Hocus Pocus?

Matt Kennedy/Disney

Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) Sanderson are the three witchy sisters who want to stay young forever by feeding off the children of Salem.

Is there a 4th Sanderson sister?

Matt Kennedy/Disney

Yes, there's a fourth Sanderson sister in the Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel book. In the story, new girl in town Isabella (who also happens to be who Max and Allison's daughter Poppy is crushing on) is a descendant of secret Sanderson sister Elizabeth!

Let us know what you think about Hocus Pocus 3 on Twitter and follow us on Facebook for more breaking movie news!

This post has been updated.

We love a good beauty hack, from time-saving tips to discovering new beauty finds that make us feel confident and glowy for the season.

The B+C edit team recently swapped out our summer lip routine for City Beauty’s new plumping gloss, City Lips Sparkling Cider, and City Lips Night Oil, a smooth exfoliator that hydrates your lips while you sleep. I’m literally obsessed with it! They’re both Leaping Bunny-certified (AKA cruelty-free), and made without irritants or harsh chemicals. Plus, they plump more and more over time.

We all agreed the color looked great on our respective skin tones and the plumping factor didn’t sting like other plumping glosses. “I seriously can't believe it doesn't tingle when you apply it!,” said Jasmine, our staff editor. Read on for our full review of the City Lips Sparkling Cider plumping gloss and City Lips Night Oil, plus other City Beauty products!

Mallory Levy, Editorial Social Lead

The Cider lipgloss is great to have on hand in your car or on your desk for those last-minute touch-ups before your next Zoom call. “I love the soft sparkle. It’s not too flashy for work or casual outfits,” says Mallory. “It’s a great daytime shade to wear on no or light makeup days so I don’t look dead on Zoom calls.” LOL. It looks great layered on top of a base shade too. “I wore it on my anniversary and my husband loved it, “ says Mallory, who celebrated her first wedding anniversary. “He never notices my makeup!” She also found it less sticky than other lipglosses, which is a bonus when you have long hair on windy days.

Jasmine Williams, Staff Writer

Jasmine, who tends to avoid color on her lips, loves the color for fall. “I usually rely on clear lip oils whenever I wear makeup, but I can't get over how much Sparkling Cider reminds me of a golden sunset.” SAME. “Considering it's a plumping lip gloss, I'm shocked at how moisturizing it is. I only needed one coat to get the job done, but the smooth application made me add a few more.”

We all agreed there was no tingling effect, which was awesome. “It's not super sticky like some lip glosses tend to be,” adds Jasmine. “I can see myself reaching for Sparkling Cider no matter which fall outfit I choose to wear.”

Meredith Holser, Affiliate Writer

“I love the plumping component,” says Meredith. “I can definitely tell it’s working when I put it on, but it’s not overly distracting or painful. Plus, I notice a difference in the volume of my lips after applying!”

The color is also an ideal match for Meredith’s skin tone and lip color, though a bit more shimmery than the lip products she typically uses. I personally love the shimmer and it’s not too overwhelming. Meredith also really liked the City Lip Lip Oil. “The scent is very unique, almost floral,” she says. “The oil is definitely thicker than other lip oils I’ve tried, which is nice for the long-wear since you’re meant to apply it at night and let it soak in.”

Theresa Gonzalez, Branded Editor

As someone with naturally thin lips, I love the lip oil too and agree it feels weightier than other oils, which is part of its appeal. The gloss color is super pretty over my neutral base, especially for a fall look.

As the only (tired) mom on the edit team, I appreciated the Lid Lifting Treatment and was surprised how quickly I noticed a lift! I applied it at night and in the morning with a small dab on my lids, and I felt that I looked visibly more awake! It nourishes your skin too to soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It makes a great primer for eye makeup too.

Want to try it yourself? Upgrade your lip routine this fall with City Beauty’s new City Lips Sparkling Cider plumping lipgloss, and City Lips Night Oil!

Photos by B+C Edit team

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


I'm always keeping an eye out for any and every kind of update from the Bridgerton cast. From adorable red carpet reunions to the stars who are actually dating IRL, this is one cast that truly loves each other. And that love makes their onscreen interactions even better! While Bridgerton season 3 ended in June, and we probably won't see season 4 until 2026, we did just get a Bridgerton cast reunion that will totally hold us all over until we finally get new episodes.

Nicola Coughlan (who plays Penelope Featherington — er, Bridgerton — on the show) and Hannah Dodd (Francesca Bridgerton) reunited to sit front row at Gucci's Milan Fashion Week show on September 20. "Thank you @sabatods for a beautiful show and a class party after," Nicola said on Instagram, while Hannah added, "@sabatods you are magic. 💛 u @gucci - thank you for a gorgeous trip x."

The two actresses sat beside Daisy Edgar-Jones and Dakota Johnson, and looked stunning in complementary outfits that were totally giving Mary Kate and Ashley.

Hannah rocked a white button down and jeans with pointed-toe heels and a camel-colored bag, while Nicola paired the dreamiest capelet and white button down dress with bejeweled heels. And TBH, this duo has me dreaming about what Bridgerton would look like in 2024!

Netflix

Now that the Ton knows Penelope is Lady Whistledown, she's going to have all kinds of celebrity that would totally score her a front row ticket to fashion week in the present day. And as a former wallflower, I think Penelope sees and understands shy Francesca in a really special way.

Ahead of Bridgerton season 3, Nicola told Brit + Co that she loved seeing Penelope "finding her self-worth — that side of her I really loved getting to play." Hannah also admitted she feels a similar shyness to Francesca amid the buzz of joining the global phenomenon.

"I'm so excited to see what the writers come up with," she saidof Bridgerton's (and Francesca's) future. "I just hope she steps into herself a little bit more and kind of goes after things that make her happy, and knows that she's deserving of that. But I'm new here. So, like anything they give me, I'm gonna be happy with."

I can't wait to see how these characters continue to grow and evolve, and I hope we get another Bridgerton reunion soon!

Tell us your favorite Bridgerton cast moment in the comments and check out our interview with the cast!

Party plans at the 11th hour? We've got you covered with last-minute Halloween snacks that are easy to throw together! Spooky Halloween cookies call for tons of creativity, while make-ahead recipes require actually knowing that you're going to a party in the first place. While finding a last-minute costume that doesn't make your plan to stay in and watchHalloween movies alone in your jammies too obvious, cooking or baking a mysterious masterpiece seems out of the question – but it's not! Ahead, find some of the best last-minute Halloween snacks that are JUST the right amount of spooky.

Brit + Co

Monster Avocado Toasts

If you want to celebrate Halloween without eating a ton of junk, try our avocado toast faces. It's the perfect start to Halloween morning — before the Halloween partyprep begins! (via Brit + Co.)

Brit + Co

Deviled Egg Brains

These savory snack bites totally give us the creepy crawlies! Trust us, they're still yummy, though. (via Brit + Co.)

Brit + Co

Spider Halloween Cookies

These sweet spideys should only take you about 40 minutes to finish! Once they're cooled, you'll be all set for your Halloween get-together. (via Brit + Co.)

Brit + Co

Mummy Pizzas

These mummified pizza pies are made easy with store-bought ciabatta bread and some hearty toppings. (via Brit + Co.)

Brit + Co

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

The decorated pumpkin faces on these seasonal-flavored cookies provide the perfect amount of spooky! (via Brit + Co.)

Half Baked Harvest

Roasted Pumpkin Seed Hummus

Homemade hummus is SO much better than the store-bought stuff — and it's easy to make. In less than 30 minutes, you'll be ready to rock with a bright orange Halloween hummus. (Half Baked Harvest)

Chelsea's Messy Apron

Mummy Milanos

When you're in a pinch, there's nothing wrong with ripping open a bag of cookies and adding your own spooky twist. This recipe turns Milanos into mummies with the help of some melted white chocolate. (via Chelsea's Messy Apron)

Chopstick Chronicles

Sushi Balls, Halloween Style

We know what you're thinking — sushi isn't exactly easy to create — but hear us out. These eerie sushi balls are way easier to put together than sushi rolls and require a lot less skill and equipment. It's also mess-free! (via Chopstick Chronicles)

Gimme Some Oven

Brownie Spiders

These little cuties are the perfect last-minute snack to put together if you're less into gory-ness and more into adorably-ness. Feeling iffy over the commitment of baking? Don't sweat it — these are done in 35 minutes. (via Gimme Some Oven)

Simply Sated

Witch Finger Pretzels

As far as quick and simple snacks go, you can't compete with dipping already delicious pretzels into already delicious chocolate. The best part of these treats is that they come out look gruesome and amazing. (via Simply Sated)

A Spicy Perspective

Halloween Fruit Skewers

A healthy-ish treat, these fruit skewers get a little bit of Halloween when a few pieces of candy are in the mix. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Food Fanatic

Deviled Egg Eyeballs

Deviled eggs sound perfect for Halloween on their own. When you add a healthy helping of beet puree to the mix, this wholesome snack hits a whole new level of creepy, or take a different route by making spider web deviled eggs. (via Food Fanatic)

Well Plated

Graveyard Chocolate Cheesecake Dip

Having to whip up a themed snack at the last minute is a grave situation. It's a good thing THIS grave, topped with crunchy cookie dirt, only takes 20 minutes to put together. (via Well Plated)

Mitzy At Home

White Chocolate Ghosts and Mummies

It's hard to find anything cuter than ghost-themed desserts; it's those little eyes. These sweet boos are easy to make and need to chill for 30 minutes, so you can place them in the fridge while you get ready. (Mitzy At Home)

Baking Beauty

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

The flavors of cream cheese and sharp cheddar are scary good together. Also, you basically get to dunk chips into chips, so it's near impossible to disappoint a crowd with a snack like this. Did we mention it only takes 20 minutes to make? (via Baking Beauty)

Damn Delicious

Mummy Hot Dogs

Hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls are fantastic any time of the year, but we're especially in love with them on Halloween. Wrapped up to look like mummies, these bites are great for adult and kid parties alike. (via Damn Delicious)

The Miniature Moose

Sweet and Salty Halloween Snack Mix

With no cooking required, this halloween snack is all ease and no fuss; just toss some sweet and savory snacks together and you're good to go. The frightening part is that they're incredibly addicting, so beware. (via The Miniature Moose)

A Zesty Bite

Oreo Spider Web Cookies

We're confident that Oreos are loved universally, so there is no way to go wrong with this snack because it is SO right. The best way to wash these spiders out? A tall glass of cold milk, of course. (via A Zesty Bite)

Stacey Homemaker

Halloween Graveyard Pizza

When doom hits, nothing saves the day quite like pizza; pizza fixes everything. In under 30 minutes, you too can save the day with this cheesy pizza — complete with eyeballs and tongues. (via Stacey Homemaker)

Chelsea's Messy Apron

Easy Spider Oreo Balls

If you're after that beloved Oreo flavor, but want to jazz things up in a most spine-chilling way, these spider Oreo balls will do the trick. In 30 minutes you can have these sweet and spooky critters on a platter, ready to go. (via Chelsea's Messy Apron)

Half Baked Harvest

Black Widow Peanut Butter Bars

Salty, sweet, and easier than you'd think, these peanut butter bars are made with pantry staples and candy. (via Half Baked Harvest)

A Spicy Perspective

Halloween Popcorn Mix

Coat dry, salted popcorn with a purple melted candy coating and add sprinkles and your favorite Halloween candy to make this snack mix. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Amanda Wilens

Halloween Rice Krispy Treats

Rice Krispy treats get a Halloween twist when you add festive sprinkles and a few eyeballs to mix. (via Amanda Wilens)

Salt & Lavender

Halloween Puppy Chow

Chocolate, peanut butter, and plenty of Halloween sprinkles give new life to Chex cereal, and it only takes 15 minutes to make. (via Salt & Lavender)

Halloween snacks are not only tasty, but they're fun to make, share and eat! With Halloween just around the corner, we're sure these spooky snacks will win over every guest at your Halloween bash!

For more spooky Halloween snack ideas + treats, check us out on Pinterest!

This article has been updated from a previous post with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.