8 Everyday Ways to Help Reduce Your Plastic Waste

Jul 06, 2018

If you’re anything like us, you’re often wondering what you can do to better serve the environment, but struggle to figure out where and how to start. Recently, there’s been a lot of conversation around plastic drinking straws and transitioning to stainless steel and other eco-friendly alternatives that won’t pile up in landfills or endanger aquatic wildlife. Changing the way that we consume beverages, however, is only the beginning. While plastic straws are certainly a big problem, they represent only a small part of our overall plastic consumption, so there’s a lot more we can do beyond reusable straws and water bottles.

Plastic Free July is a movement that started in Western Australia in 2011 and has since grown to millions of participants in more than 150 countries. “By encouraging people to be more aware of their plastic use, we can create a cleaner world for generations to come,” Plastic Free July’s website says of their vision. Challenging yourself to become more aware of your own plastic consumption by participating in Plastic Free July might be just what you need to do your part for our beautiful planet.

We turned to eco-friendly paper products brand Who Gives A Crap (WGAC) for a few suggestions that will help you get started if you want to cut back on plastic for the rest of the month… and beyond. Who says that making a difference can’t begin with your most basic hygiene rituals?

1. Switch to a metal razor. Here’s an easy place to start: Ditch your plastic razor and invest in a stainless steel safety razor alternative. A metal razor should last you longer than plastic, and it can be recycled when you’re finished using it.

2. Make your own deodorant. Most mainstream store-bought deodorants are major culprits as far as plastic packaging is concerned. If you’re feeling especially ambitious, you can DIY your deodorant at home with natural products like coconut oil, baking soda, shea butter, and essential oils, according to blogger Wellness Mama. Then again, if you’re not quite ready to go DIY on this one (especially in the heat of the summer!), WGAC gives you the green light to consider a slightly less drastic transition to a natural deodorant that’s ready to buy. Many of the natural deodorants on the market use fewer aerosols, chemicals, and — of course — plastic than their conventional counterparts, so you can feel good about buying them. This natural deodorant from Taylor’s ($9) comes in a glass jar, so there’s no plastic to speak of!

3. Change your soap. Body wash may be a more common purchase than bar soap, but the latter has one very important leg up on the former — it doesn’t come in a huge plastic container. Stick to a brand of bar soap that’s packaged in a recyclable cardboard box or paper wrapping, like this shea butter soap from Alaffia ($8). You may even find that you like it better than body wash, since it lathers really well and can multitask as a shaving cream and shampoo.

4. Brush with bamboo. Swap out your plastic hairbrush for a bamboo alternative, like this one from Bamboo Wonder ($13). Per WGAC, bamboo is a renewable material, so you can feel good about recycling it when it’s time to get a new brush.

5. DIY your mouthwash. As you already know if you buy mouthwash on a regular basis, it’s sold almost exclusively in huge plastic containers. For another simple, plastic-free swap, you can make your own mouthwash and store it in a glass jar. DIY Natural‘s mouthwash recipe calls for distilled water, baking soda, and essential oil. That’s it!

6. Kick your shower “pouf” to the curb. According to Our Everyday Life, a bath or shower “pouf” — which you may call a loofah, though a loofah is technically something different — is “made out of netted synthetic materials, such as plastic, that are gathered into looped sections of mesh.” Clearly, said pouf isn’t going to fit into your plastic-free lifestyle, so WGAC recommends that you switch to a washcloth, which can be washed once a week, for all of your bath and shower needs.

7. Switch out your paper products. Toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels are inevitable purchases, but there are brands out there that don’t wrap their products in plastic, starting with our friends at WGAC. Their products are made with environmentally friendly materials (100 percent bamboo or 100 percent recycled paper) and aren’t wrapped in plastic, so it’s a win-win.

8. Create your own face masks. Face masks seem to be all the rage these days (self-care is never a bad idea), and we are totally here for it. That being said, most masks are packaged in or with plastic… and how can you relax knowing that you’ve contributed to the plastic problem with the purchase of the very product that’s supposed to help you feel relaxed? Get the good-for-your-skin benefits of a mask without the plastic waste by mixing up a homemade mask instead (preferably one that calls for ingredients you already have around the house so you’re not purchasing even more containers).

Which one of these tips do you think looks the easiest to adopt in your own life? Tweet us @BritandCo.

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

(Photo via Getty)

9 Sneaky Ways You’re Self-Sabotaging Without Even Knowing It

You could be secretly — an unintentionally — self-sabotaging in your day-to-day life in more ways than you know. From your job to your friendships, there are probably a few ways that you're counting yourself out and putting yourself last when you don't have to. And that kind of self-sabotaging behavior? It's seriously bringing you down.

Rest assured that this isn't another article meant to make you feel bad about yourself though. It's more of a friendly nudge for all of us to stop being so mean to ourselves because self-sabotaging isn't exactly rooted in self-love. It's like setting small parts of ourselves on fire...then complaining about how much it hurts. That doesn't sound fun, does it?

If you're vigorously nodding your head, let's make a vow to do things a little differently. But first, we have to face the subtle signs of self-sabotaging we just can't seem to stop doing.

Buckle up because we're exposing 10 signs you're actually self-sabotaging!

Mikhail Nilov

1. Treating Procrastination Like It's The Love Of Your Life

We see you snickering to yourself, but it's time to evaluate your relationship with procrastination. Whenever you do it, does it make you feel better about yourself or do you rush to complete whatever you were supposed to do? If you've noticed your habit is a daily part of your life, chances are other people know about it too.

One study found that "1 in 4 Americans say their friends expect them to procrastinate on takes" while "1 in 12 say even their employer expects" late tasks. It may elicit a few jokes, but we wouldn't be surprised if you told us people are starting to rely on you less because you're not starting things when you said you would.

We know it's familiar to reach for procrastination, but it's not helping you in the long run.

Polina Tankilevitch

2. Critiquing Your Appearance Like You Have A Built-In Bully In Your Ear

We couldn't decide if this should be the first self-sabotaging thing we covered, but we know it's serious enough to talk about early on. The Florida House Experience discovered almost 50% of women begin questioning their body as they age which is scary to think about. But what if you're doing that now?

It's easy; we know. Still, there's no reason to repeat negative things about yourself like you're an annoying internet bully who likes to pick fights with everyone. It's soul-crushing and puts you in a position to find new things to critique no matter how many times you swear you'll stop.

Find ways to counter whatever negative thing you're thinking. Here's a few of our tips:

Instead of saying "My body doesn't look like the girls on social media," say "My body's been keeping me healthy so far and I love it for that."
Instead of saying "My face is terrible because I have so much acne," say "My face is doing it's best to signal that I need to take care of something."
Instead of saying, "I hate that I have to wear glasses," say "How cool is it that I get to wear something stylish that also helps me see?"

Anastasia Shuraeva

3. Treating Yourself Because "You Can't Spend It When You're Gone"

We're not financial experts whatsoever, and we honestly don't believe in restricting yourself to the point you can't ever enjoy your money. It's just you shouldn't carry recurring debt so you can have the fun you want. You could be an emotional shopper or have a huge FOMO; two things we know a lot about. Usually we'd say it doesn't matter, but your underlying why absolutely does.

The only person who can get to the root of what's causing you to spend excessively is you, though we'd also argue that a therapist and financial expert can help you even more.

cottonbro studio

4. Not Cleaning Up After Yourself Regularly

The thing about cleaning is that you don't have to love it to do it. It's more about making sure you respect and value the space you're in more than making sure your inner child is appeasing your parents. Leave them and anyone else out of the equation for once.

Wash your dirty dishes with old food stuck to them because you want to have something clean to put your new meals on. Wash, dry, and put away your clothes because not seeing a huge pile makes you less anxious. Put your shoes in a safe space so that you stop spraining your pinky toe.

See how that works?

Liza Summer

5. Being Scared To Set Boundaries Because You Don't Want To Be "Mean"

People pleasers to the front! You're still putting everyone else's needs and emotions before your own, aren't you? We see you and think you have a beautiful heart. We also think it's time for you to stop willingly allowing yourself to shrink or feel uncomfortable because you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

A hard fact it's time to understand is that you're never going to please everyone nor should you willingly accept toxic behavior. Your best friend or sister doesn't get a pass for making passive-aggressive comments if you wouldn't let a stranger do it.

Mikhail Nilov

6. Ignoring What You've Accomplished Because You Think You Can Do Better

What are you in a rush to prove Ms. Perfectionist? That you can make your boss regret passing you over for a promotion? Maybe you think you can make your ex regret mistreating you because you've gone on to accomplish everything they said you wouldn't.

Whatever your reason for chasing the next thing is, we want you slow down and look around you. If you're able to afford your rent or mortgage, have a car to get you from point A to B, or have received work accolades, you're not failing. You are doing so much better than you give yourself credit for and it's time to recognize that.

Every time you feel like you have to chase the next big thing, you're signaling to yourself that what you have done is insignificant and it's not. The fact you get up every day to try counts so it's time to give yourself more credit!

cottonbro studio

7. Pushing Your Partner Away Because You're Afraid Of Being Hurt

Eh, we're calling ourselves out big time here. Sadly, we're guilty of being mean to our partners because we've kissed a few snakes in the past and found ourselves nursing broken hearts after getting wounded. Unfortunately, this made us carry fear from past situations into our current relationships.

If this tune sounds familiar then you're probably guilty of starting drama with your partner before they can even think about playing with your feelings. But, what if they're a genuine person who cares about you and you're just being mean? Does that seem fair? Chances are you don't even realize you're doing it which makes this one of the trickier self-sabotaging things you've been doing.

We're not here to berate you for it though because —like we said — we've been there. If you want a shot at having the healthy relationship you want, you have to put down your proverbial fists though — trust us.

Christina Morillo

8. Being Afraid To Speak Up Work Because You Think Your Ideas Are "Stupid"

Hey, Ms. "I Want A Successful Career!" You're not going to get there if you bite your tongue whenever your boss asks if anyone has fresh ideas to share. We're guilty of sitting on things too because we've been overlooked in the past, but all jobs aren't like that.

If you work with a collaborative team where people genuinely care about your input, don't be afraid to speak up. Even if all your ideas don't come to fruition, it still helps when you actively bounce ideas off your co-workers.

This is the only time you'll hear us say this, but teamwork really does make the dream work.

Vlada Karpovich

9. Turning Down Event Invites Because You're Nervous To Be Yourself

Who made you feel like you have to hide from the world when you have so much greatness inside of you? Point them out so we can have a word with them. Just kidding, sort of.

Really, we're more concerned about how many opportunities you're letting pass by because it means you'll have to actually talk to people and let them see you. It's obvious someone wants to see you if you're receiving invitations to pop-up shops, NYFW shows, and even just a friend's birthday dinner!

If you've been dreaming about rubbing shoulders with certain people in the industry you work in, put your best foot forward and show up! You've been doing the work to get to this point so don't hold back.

We promise you've got this!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more self care stories!

27 Most-Anticipated New Books Coming In March — From Family Dramas To Feel-Good Rom-Coms

March will be amazing for two reasons: it's National Reading Month and some of the most-anticipated new books will make their debut! Besides that, spring will finally make her own debut, so we can start bringing our favorite titles to the park again. I for one have grown tired of random snow days that make me want to fall asleep more than they inspire me to dive into a new rom-com or self-improvement book!

So, break out your reading journal because you'll want to keep track of the most-anticipated fiction and non-fiction new books debuting in March 2025!

Scroll to see which new books we can't wait to read in March!

The Most-Anticipated Fiction Books

Amazon

Unlikely Story by Ali Rosen (March 1, 2025)

Nora's the relationship therapist you go to when your love life's a little shaky because she's got helpful tips for you to utilize. But, she hasn't mastered romance in her day-to-day because she's somehow fallen for an editor based in London. Though they've never met in person, Nora and J have built up a correspondence for a few years that eventually comes to a head when Nora's work assignment lands her in his city. Convinced she's destined to meet him, she happily packs up and moves into a co-op.

But her downstairs neighbor has it out for her because he believes her advice column contributed to the end of his relationship. All he wants to do is make her pay for his misery which results in a comedic, albeit annoying, "we're enemies" situation.

What neither Nora and her irritating neighbor couldn't have predicted is how well they actually know each other.

Amazon

While We're Young by K.L. Walther (March 4, 2025)

Grace, Isa and Everett's lives are a mess, but it didn't used to be this way. They were once close friends who spent hours upon hours together, but love has a way of enticing people to make disastrous choices.

Despite knowing Everett and Isa used to date, Grace got's a thing for the boy who broke her friend's heart. But, she's not the only one who has a secret because Isa's been cozying up to Grace's brother. Nevertheless, Grace believes the answer to everyone's "problems" is to explore Philadelphia one day in the spirit of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

It's the perfect recipe for truths to exposed in the hilarious and somewhat heartbreaking While We're Young.

Amazon

Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn (March 4, 2025)

Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, and Natalie took some time to finally relax after fighting back against the same agency that tried to have them killed. Enjoying a sabbatical was just what they needed until boredom started to kick in. Sensing their lackluster response to having "normal" lives, the four women are thrilled when the Museum, another assassin organization, contacts them for a job.

A killer mole is tracking down everyone who thwarted their plans to take out a notorious thug and they've never let it go. The women's task is to figure out who it is before said person comes looking for them. However, this murderer's skilled and conniving which will put their experience to the test.

Amazon

A Scandalous Affair by Leonard Goldberg (March 4, 2025)

When Joanna Homes and the Watsons are visited by Sir William Radcliffe one night, he drops a bombshell tale of blackmail on them. He's spooked because his position as the Chancellor of the Exchequer is being called into question with threats of the exposure of something that wasn't meant to come to light. At the center of the scandal is Sir William's granddaughter and her potential benefits of marrying someone of high benefit to society.

As the family continues to dish out funds to keep the pictures from being released, they've realized whoever's holding their reputation hostage won't stop until they've drained them dry. So, it's up to Joanna and the Watsons to figure out who the mysterious figure is before the Chancellor's family is publicly ruined.

Amazon

The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji (March 4, 2025)

The Valiat family have gone from being of importance to fading into the background of America's noise, but they haven't let that stop them from attempting to maintain their status. Beginning with the family matriarch Elizabeth, it's clear why they continue to hold their heads high. It's not like she didn't defiantly stay in Tehran when turmoil surrounded her.

However, her daughters and their daughters have packed up to start lives in America. There's:

Niaz and her crime-led ways
Shirin and her boisterous career as an event planner
Seema and her uninspiring housewife duties
Bita and her disenchanted life as a law student

When Shirin finds herself behind bars in Aspen, she feels inspired to make sure the Valiat name is respected again.

Amazon

Stone Angelsby Helena Rho (March 4, 2025)

Angelina Lee's living in Seoul after losing her mother and watching her marriage dissolve. Her goal was to find a connection to being Korean, but things haven't been working the way she'd hoped. Besides emotionally wrestling with the handsome Keishuke Ono, she's trying to find the answers that'll lead to what caused her mother's death.

What she uncovers is the existence and disappearance of her aunt Sunyuh, who was never spoken of. Unable to understand why the family decided to sweep this under the rug, Angelina decides to understand who she truly is.

Amazon

Blood Moon by Sandra Brown (March 4, 2025)

Detective John Bowie's career is in limbo due to the bitterness and misery he's nursing with alcohol. He's also haunted by the botched case of Chrissy Mellin's disappearance and TV series Crisis Point's decision to highlight it's open-ended results.

At the head of Crisis Point is Beth Collins, a producer who has high ambitions. She's sure Chrissy Mellin's case wasn't a singular event and wants to figure out why it along with other missing person's instances occurred during a blood moon. With nothing but a hunch and pure determination, Beth connects with Detective Bowie to figure out what happened.

They'll have to act fast because the person behind the disappearances could strike again if Beth's theory is correct.

Amazon

The Trouble with Annaby Rachel Griffiths (March 4, 2025)

Anna's life has been a series of unintentional decisions that resulted in consequences that changed the course of her life. From starting a betting ring to locking lips with Lord Julian Ramsay, she's been somewhat of a wild child. The thing is that her grandfather's will wants to put an end to this by demanding that she find a suitable man to marry her.

Though she'd rather run free, her heart knows it years for Lord Ramsay and therein lies her problem.

Amazon

Count My Lies by Sophia Stava (March 4, 2025)

Sloane Caraway's lies have never gotten out of hand before she met an attractive man in the park. Feigning concern for his young daughter, Sloane works her way into Jay and Violet Lockhart's lives. They seem to have a beautiful and flawless family from the outside looking in, but being their nanny reveals that ideas about perfection are nothing more than that.

Amazon

All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman (March 11, 2025)

Florence Grimes' only cares about the light in her life — her son Dylan. He's only 10, but he has a way of lazily motivating her to put one foot in front of the other. She knows he's being bullied, but she doesn't think too much of his reaction to it until said bully, Alfie Risby, goes missing during a field trip.

Everyone automatically suspects Dylan is to blame, but Florence is prepared to do whatever it takes to prove them wrong. However, she can't help but wonder if there's another side to her son she's been ignoring.

Amazon

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley (March 11, 2025)

Jane's finally over her decades-long marriage to Dan. She feels invisible in her household and her is basically laughable at this point. Yet, she decides to muster up the courage to ask her husband for a divorce during their anniversary dinner at La Fin du Monde.

Before she can drop the bombshell on Dan, a group of climate activists storm the restaurant to hold everyone hostage. She's not exactly afraid she won't make it out alive as she's terrified they're using the plot of her unsuccessful book as their manifesto.

It's up to her and Dan to stop their overzealous scheme before everyone dies — including them.

Amazon

The Anatomy of Magicby J.C. Cervantes (March 11, 2025)

Lillian Estrada's success as an OB-GYN is coupled with the fact she's a part of family of women who've been gifted with magical powers. At her disposal lies the ability to control and alter memories as she sees fit; something that's come in handy for her. But, a freak accident makes everything go haywire and she's suddenly unable to manage anything.

During a trip back home to Mexico, she reconnects with her former love Sam and realizes they have unfinished business that could be the key to understanding the source of her magic.

Amazon

Story of My Life by Lucy Score (March 11, 2025)

Hazel Hart's career as a romance author is halted when she experiences a bad breakup. Instead of seeking inspiration, she'd rather hide from the world and dodge her responsibilities until her book's threatened with being dropped.

Afraid of becoming a flop, Hazel runs to Story Lake, PA for inspiration where she decides to live in a home she never got to see in person. Little did she know, the home isn't dilapidated and the town itself is on the brink of financial ruin. Oh, and she's suddenly tasked with being a part of the town council so her days of sulking are over.

When she comes across the tall hunk of man named Campbell Bishop, she realizes she needs he and his brothers help to make her home livable. And if she can get a "date" out of it, then her book may come to life! But she'll have some explaining to do when she hits the send button on her manuscript and no longer needs inspiration.

Amazon

Love and Other Paradoxesby Catriona Silvey (March 11, 2025)

In 2005, Joe Greene spends his time thinking about the kind of life he wants to live. All he cares about is making sure his words will touch others, but he doesn't know how that'll happen until he meets Esi. She spends time revisiting moments from the past that defined the lives of those who've accomplished great things and this time the focus is on Joe. According to her, he goes on to becoming a famous wordsmith who's poems center the beautiful Diana. However, Esi doesn't really care about Joe's past or success.

She wants to change the past so her future self isn't affect by what happens and finds Joe instead. But this causes their timelines to spin out of control, leading them to team up to save their future selves. What's worse is that Joe forgets about Diana and finds himself smitten with Esi and that's the opposite of what was supposed to happen...right?

Amazon

The Trouble Up North by Travis Mulhauser (March 11, 2025)

The Sawbrooks aren't exactly upstanding citizens, but they've managed to make a living through smuggling. Their secret? Traveling in secret so they're not punished for their crimes. Besides, it's not like they're doing anything different than the prestigious places that are taking over the place they called home.

Rhoda's the embittered matriarch who carries the weight of the family on her shoulders while Lucy, Buckner, and baby Jewell are doing things against her will. One's trying to protect the land while another's staring in the bottom of endless bottles, and the other gets caught up in a huge crime.

The only way they can save themselves is by going within to see where there troubles started and figuring out how they can move forward.

Amazon

Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole (March 11, 2025)

Diem's caught in the middle of the Descended and Guardians post-coronation, but she has to tread carefully. On one side are the friends and lover she cares about, but she's also supposed to protect humans. It's a tough choice that leads to the exposure of who she is.Though Luther will do anything to help her, Diem is afraid to confront where she comes from and what she's meant to accomplish.

When the Crowns decide she's worth their time, Diem takes on her greatest task yet — infiltrating enemy territory to bring them down.

Amazon

Hot Airby Marcy Dermansky (March 18, 2025)

Joannie's in a heap of trouble and it's all because of a hot air balloon. After being single for years, she gets her first date with her daughter in tow. Asked to dinner by the gorgeous Johnny, things are derailed when Joannie discovers he's not a great kisser. Then comes the unexpected arrival of a former fling.

Not only does Jonathan literally land his hot air balloon in her pool, he brings with him the familiar attraction Joannie felt years ago. Then there's Julia and Vivian.

Somehow each of them become embroiled in a salacious game of love and lust as they try to figure out how to move forward now that they're in each other's orbits.

Amazon

Early Thirties by Josh Duboff (March 18, 2025)

Victor and Zoey are two best friends who are afraid to face a hard truth about their friendship: their lives are headed in opposite directions. The latter is trying to convince everyone she's happy about getting married while the Victor tries to make better choices.

Yet, one more bad moment involving Victor fractures his friendship with Zoey and the two stop communicating like they used to. There's no guarantee they'll be able to repair their friendship, but stranger things have happened.

Amazon

Cover Storyby Celia Laskey (March 25, 2025)

Ali is popular publicist in Hollywood who knows how to navigate her job and clients. She knows she has to make sure certain public figures' sexuality remains hidden but it's ironic because she's a lesbian. But she does what she has to, promising to not get too involved in her clients' lives.

When she meets Cara Bisset and her big break at becoming a household name, Ali realizes this isn't like other jobs she's had in the past because Cara doesn't want to play by the rules. The more they spend time together, the more Ali feels attracted to Cara's "wild" nature and wants to break free from the restrictions placed on her clients.

Only time will tell if both are really ready to live out loud though.

Amazon

Saltwaterby Katy Hays (March 25, 2025)

Sarah Lingate's dead body was discovered in Capri, but nothing came of the suspicions that her family was involved. They've even gone to great lengths to memorialize her death every year, but something's changed. Someone wants them to know they're being watched because they left behind a necklace Sarah wore when she was murdered. This pushes the Lingates to drop their "mournful" act which makes Helen realize there's more to her mother's death than she's been led to believe.

Despite asking the family's assistant, Lorna Moreno, for help, Helen soon realizes she'll be investigating by herself. It appears that not even the people she's been around her entire life may be who they've portrayed themselves to be which is scarier than knowing her mother's death wasn't an accident.

Amazon

Summer in the City by Alex Aster (March 25, 2025)

Screenwriter Elle is facing the biggest opportunity in her career so far and she'd be happy if she wasn't unsure of what to write. The worst news is that she's on a time crunch and hasn't written much.

Against her better judgement, she moves back To NY and begins feeling inspired until she runs into a former hookup — Parker Warren. He's a wealthy tech bro who became a walking nightmare, but he's giving her the fodder she needs to make her screenplay successful.

So, they orbit each other until they reach a familiar agreement. They'll pretend to be head over heels for each other and completely end things once fall starts. But, can they actually do it?

The Most-Anticipated Non-Fiction Books

Amazon

Defining Style: The Book of Interior Style by Joan Barzilay Freund (March 6, 225)

Joan Barzilay Freund has written the best interior lookbook of the year and I'm beyond excited for you to get your hands on it! Whether you're into coastal styles or need something on the maximal end, you'll find inspiration for updating your space on every page.

Amazon

Me, But Better by Olga Khazan (March 11, 2025)

Olga Khazan's own experience with facing an identity crisis led her to explore if it's possible to change her personality. What she found is that not only is it possible, she didn't mind the journey of doing so. From making a "yes" bucket list to embracing the art of "faking it 'til you make it," she hilariously details what she learned in Me, But Better.

Amazon

Make Believe: Poems for Hoping Again by Victoria Hutchins (March 18, 2025)

Victoria Hutchins wants us to make space for our inner children to play again. Each poem in Make Believe revolves around wistful wonder and joy that reminds us it's okay to hold on to remnants of hope. That we deserve to live lives that aren't bogged down by things like stress and worry.

Most of all, she wants to know how we'd live if we need joy started in our minds.

Amazon

Cults Like Us: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives Americaby Jane Borden (March 25, 2025)

America's no strangers to cults, but Jane Borden wants us to get real about how prevalent certain ideology that breed them continues to be. What started off as religious has become worldly in her eyes and she exposes it via our love for pop culture icons like cowboys, influencers, and more.

And if you're not familiar with cults, she's shining a light on some of the most popular ones.

Amazon

Feminine Intelligence: How Visionary Leaders Can Reshape Business For Good by Elina Teboul (March 25, 2025)

Elina Teboul is getting down to the nitty gritty of what's going to make businesses successful in the future. Through interviews and research, she's examining how certain characteristics play a role in groundbreaking work and they have everything to do with women's inherent nature. From tapping into one's spiritual growth to being more aware of the capitalist society we live in, readers will walk away with a different perspective about what makes a leader great.

Amazon

Pizza from the Heart by Paulie Giannone and Mary Ann Giannone (March 25, 2025)

Pizza is good for the soul, according to Paulie and Mary Ann Giannone. From his days working in corporate IT to the delicious pizza he and Mary Ann, Paulie is finally showing us how to find joy in our own kitchens. They've also sprinkled in lovely advice about being in four-decade marriage while being restaurant business partners.

You'll find over 100 recipes that reimagine your favorite pizza toppings into something that feels delicioso.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more buzzy books to read!

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

what to read book recom new books books

4 Reasons You're Lowkey Obsessed With How Your Friends Spend Money

Admit it: you rolled your eyes when your friend talked about scoring tickets to see Beyoncé'sRenaissance tour or Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour. You've probably even looked at her sideways when she's shared she pays 50% of her household bills because you don't think modern women should do that.

Whatever your reasoning is, you're aware that you have a habit of judging how your friend spends money and feel like you should stop. But friends shouldn't lie to each other, right? Eh, we've yet to see lying in relationships produce healthy results, but overstepping boundaries is just as worse. This is especially true if your friend doesn't always ask for your financial opinions.

Want to know why you keep doing it even though you're making your friend uncomfortable? Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Navjot "Navi" Hughesof Empower Mental Health has a few hints so pull up a chair to see what gives!

4 reasons you're lowkey obsessed with how your friends spend money

Jayda Anderson

1. You're using money as a way to compare yourself to your friend.

Seeing it worded like this sounds harsh and is sure to illicit the following responses:

"Are you kidding me? I'd never do that!"
"There's no comparison between my friend and I. I love them too much to do that."
"It's not like I'm hurting my friend when I try to give them advice."

Even if you're not proud of it, there's a reason why comparison feels a embedded. Hughes says you're zeroing in on your friend's finances because of your "mindset." She further explains, "...we compare because money either separates you or brings you together. It's a social comparison because it's one of the most powerful tools to create the life you desire." This checks out if you and your friend are always talking about the kind of futures you want.

Here's the clincher: Hughes says, "Some are motivated by others, and some become jealous and hopeless."

Tima Miroshnichenko

2. The childhood lessons you learned about money are on full display.

Did you grow up hearing "money doesn't grow on trees" or "Anyone who doesn't save their money is being wasteful?" You may not think about it, but plays a role in how you look at other people's habits. Hughes says, "...judgment comes from our social upbringing. Some people have a scarcity mindset, so they hoard all their money." This could explain why you're less likely to spend money on things you consider frivolous while thinking your friend who does has lost a grip on reality.

The other side of this is being in a position where you didn't have to worry about money growing up. "If you are from a wealthier family, you know that money is a tool that flows." But, you're not off the hook from having negative opinions about others. You could still "judge others for not being smart and investing their money," according to Hughes.

Shaunna Levy

3. You may be jealous of your friend or annoyed with their complaints.

You can adore your friend while envying them for having the luxury to do whatever they want with their money. It's not to say they're truly in the position be carefree, but their ability to believe they'll be okay no matter what may make you see green. Then again, you may resent your friend for complaining about financial hardships they're in because of bad choices.

Like Hughes has mentioned earlier, there's so many reasons why everyone judges each other. She reiterates, "Usually, it's a place of jealousy," and it can show up differently based on your friend's circumstances.

"If your friends travel and you can't afford it, it creates discontent," she uses as an example, but "if your friends complain about not having money and bad spending habits, you may be annoyed and frustrated because their habits don't align with their perceived values," she adds.

Kaboompics.com

4. You're unable to handle the same criticism you're dishing out.

It's easy to judge others for doing something we think isn't right, but it's harder to accept the same vein of criticism. Hughes says people who consistently critique their friends' spending habits wouldn't have a hard time paying attention to their own choices if they were genuinely seeking "expert guidance on how to manage money instead of avoiding it."

For example, you could feel envious of the friend who has a good relationship with money while you're always spending it as soon as you get paid. "Some people cannot hold on to cash because they don't feel they deserve it. It's the subconscious programming that prevents them from making changes," says Hughes.

Emma Ripperdan

Here's what to do if you're truly concerned about your friend's finances

Approach the topic delicately

Sometimes we love to pose aggressive interventions with our friends because we "know" them. While this may work in some cases, it could backfire if you're adding to the guilt they're already feeling.

"If they ask for feedback or they complain in a moment, you can get curious and ask questions that allow them to realize their mistakes," suggests Hughes. Don't go thinking this is your shining moment to make your friend change, however.

"Ultimately, it's up to that person to receive feedback. If they don't want the input, it's best not to express your opinion as it doesn't impact you..." Hughes remarks.

Pavel Danilyuk

Here's how to set a firm boundary with a friend who can't keep their opinions to themselves

If you've found yourself on the receiving of constant opinions about how you spend money, we know you're annoyed. We're irritated for you because invasive questions or thoughts about money can ruin a longstanding friendship!

You can say something like, "While I appreciate your concerns, I will figure this out". You must take control of the conversation and be assertive if others are crossing a boundary. This usually reflects a lack of boundaries in relationships beyond finances- so chances are your relationship already lacks boundaries.

Need more money tips? You'll love browsing our articles about budgeting, saving money, and more!

money tips money saving financial advice self-care money

13 Affordable St. Patrick’s Day Decorations You Can Get On Amazon

St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect excuse to deck out your home in all things green and gold. Lucky for you, Amazon has a ton of decorations to help you do that! I sorted through endless pages of Amazon St. Patrick’s Day decorations to find only the cutest ones you can put out for the season! Whether you’re hosting a full-blown St. Paddy’s party or just chilling at home to make some festive desserts, these finds will have your home looking celebration-ready in no time.

Scroll on to shop 13 super cute St. Patrick's Day decorations from Amazon!

Amazon

Happy St. Patty's Day Banner

This banner's got it all, from rainbows to shamrocks and even some shimmery glitter – perfect for a party!

Amazon

St. Patrick's Day Pillow Covers

Cozy up your couch with some more St. Paddy's vibes using these adorable pillow covers!

Amazon

St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Napkins

These shamrock-shaped napkins are almost too cute to use!

Amazon

100-Count St. Patrick's Day Paper Straws

If some St. Patrick's Day cocktails are part of your plans, snag this pack of decorative paper straws to give your guests who sip!

Amazon

St. Patrick's Day Drinking Glasses

These cutie drinking glasses can be used all St. Paddy's season long for iced coffees, teas, or even fun green drinks!

Amazon

Lucky Foil Balloon Banner

This foil balloon banner screams 'festive'! Hang it in your dining room for a potluck party or put it up around your entryway for a DIY photo booth!

Amazon

Folkulture Table Runner

This chic table runner may boast the perfect color palette for St. Patrick's Day, but its stylish scalloped design can easily be displayed year-round!

Amazon

St. Patrick's Day Natural Coir Doormat

Make your guests feel welcome this St. Paddy's by snagging this adorable shamrock-speckled doormat!

Amazon

St. Patrick's Day Wood Sign

Yeah, what the sign says! Pucker up!

Amazon

Lucky Clovers Pillow Cover

This rustic shamrock pillow cover design is simple, but it's so pleasing to look at. Since it's pretty minimal, it'll go with any and every interior design style!

Amazon

Green Plaid Table Runner

This electric green table runner is sure to amp up the St. Patrick's Day energy in whatever room you put it in.

Amazon

Ribbed Green Glass Vase

Ideal for festive floral arrangements, you can also repurpose this green glass vase all year long!

Amazon

Burlap Shamrock Garland

This burlap garland is just rustic enough, but still has a tailored feel to make your space look put-together. Whether you hang it above your fireplace or in the kitchen, this buy is perfect for a subtle touch of green!

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more of the best holiday decor pieces throughout the year!

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

decor st patricks day amazon party decor shopping editecom home

Yes, 'Top Gun 3' Is Coming — & This Star Just Gave Us The Best Update

While Barbenheimer was its own cultural phenomenon, no movie has quite captured the summer of it all like Top Gun: Maverick. The 2022 film, released 36 years after the original, reintroduces Maverick (Tom Cruise) to audiences, and shows off a new class of recruits, including Miles Teller's Rooster, Danny Ramirez's Fanboy, Monica Barbaro's Phoenix, and Glen Powell's Hangman.

Hangman's a cocky and competitive graduate who constantly finds himself toe-to-toe with Rooster; he's pushy, determined, and willing to sacrifice a lot to get exactly what he wants. But despite the fact he's the archetype my sister refers to as "The Blond Narcissist," fans quickly fell for Hangman, thanks to Glen's charm.

Top Gun: Maverick made almost $1.5 billion worldwide, and fans have been waiting for a third installment ever since. And we just got an update on the new movie!

Here's everything we know about Top Gun 3, thanks to Glen Powell and Jay Ellis.

Is there going to be Top Gun 3?

Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures/Paramount+

Yes, we're getting a Top Gun 3! At the 2025 Independent Spirit Awards on February 22, Jay Ellis revealed that the team wants the movie to be just right. “In all honesty, they’re still working on the script. They’re still working on the story. They’re wanting to get it right," he told Us Weekly. "[It’s also about] really making sure that this story is not done just to make a movie, but made because these characters are going to make people lean in."

“Tom is a stickler, and that really comes from him wanting to make sure the audience gets what they paid for and that they’re entertained,” he continued. "For those two hours, they can fully disappear in this theater, and the world around them doesn’t exist anymore, and [be] fully entertained. That’s where the focus is."

During a podcast recording at 92nd Street Y with Happy Sad Confused's Josh Horowitz, Glen Powell was asked which would come first: another installment of Daisy Edgar-Jones' Normal Peopleor Top Gun 3. “I mean, I have a date,” Glen shared about returning to the role of Hangman (via Variety). He does not, however, have more details to share.

Paramount Pictures/Paramount+

Even though the movie hasn't started filming yet — and we don't even have a full official cast for the three-quel — the fact Top Gun 3 has a start date means it's farther along in pre-production than we realized! Now MY main question is what kind of shirtless sport this third installment will give us after both Top Gun's beach volleyball scene and Top Gun: Maverick's beach football scene were met with very positive reviews. Even if it's spikeball or pickleball, if the shirts are off, I'll be seated.

“There is going to be some fun stuff being announced soon," Glen told Variety in January 2024. Although at the time he didn't have a start date, he spoke with "[Joseph] Kosinski, [Tom] Cruise, and Jerry [Bruckheimer] all the time. There is stuff happening and it sounds very exciting."

When is Top Gun 3 coming out?

Paramount Pictures/Paramount+

We don't have an official release date for Top Gun 3 yet, but I think it would be the perfect summer movie. Check back here for updates on the film!

Who's in the Top Gun 3 cast?

Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures/Paramount+

Along with Glen Powell as Jake "Hangman" Seresin, Top Gun 3 is sure to feature Tom Cruise as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and Miles Teller as Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw. We'll keep you updated on the full Top Gun 3 cast as we know more!

Top Gun: Maverick also stars Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Danny Ramirez, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris and Val Kilmer.

Was Penny in the first Top Gun?

Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures/Paramount+

The short answer to this question is kind of. Even though Penny (played by Jennifer Connelly in Top Gun: Maverick) is mentioned in the first Top Gun movie, we never see her onscreen.

Stay tuned for the latest Top Gun 3 news and check out 8 Times Glen Powell Melted Our Hearts just for the heck of it.

This post has been updated.

entertainment pop culture movies