How a Graphic Designer Teaches His Two-Year Old the ABCs

When you were learning the ABCs you probably watched some Sesame Street, maybe even had some of those snazzy magnetic letters for the fridge. But we’re betting you didn’t have a graphic designer father who turned your foray into the world of letters into an edible typography project for you. But Zoë Perez does. Designer-turned-stay-at-home-dad Tommy Perez is teaching two-year old Zoë her ABCs with her favorite foods and some creativity. How’s that for tactile stimulation, for ya?

Look through his creations and you’ll find a Q traced into the negative space of a spread of quinoa or an F sculpted out of frosting. Now we aren’t slamming Cookie Monster, cause you know we love us some C is for cookie, but we love that Zoë’s favorite letters have been the healthier options, including eggs, kale, hummus, macaroni noodles, olives and sunflower seeds (which Zoë calls “flower seeds”). Adorable.

A little bit about the kid. Zoë has always been more eclectic than your typical two year old, enjoying playing pirate as much as princess. She’s a singer, dancer and chatterbox, and she loves helping Dad with his work. So when Perez transitioned to freelance work and stay-at-home daddying, he wanted a way to use his passion to bring him and Zoë together, as well as to make her feel included and to give her a project that is just her own. Zoë hasn’t just been learning her ABCs, she’s learned creativity, the ability to follow a project through, the importance of good design and some patience (she has to wait to eat while Dad takes the photos). Pretty good for a two year old.

Lucky for you, Zoë’s journey isn’t yet complete. You can check some of Perez’s other projects on his website, or follow along with Zoë on his Instagram. We can’t wait to see how Perez teaches Zoë to read.

Comment and tell us the coolest Instagram project you’ve seen! (hint hint: instagram/britandco)

(h/t Co.Design, images via t_rez)

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward.


In this segment, Paige Wiese, founder & CEO of Tree Ring Digital in Denver, CO, walks us through some of the ways she encourages clients to double down on marketing when business is slow. Paige built her business as a solopreneur graphic designer to a team of 15, helping clients with SEO, online ads, and social media management. Here’s her Take 5, plus more tips for surviving the business lulls below!

What's a recent small win for you and your business?

Paige: A recent small win has been just seeing business pick up again. I am seeing businesses start to engage with their marketing efforts and really trying to get to the root of why their website might be underperforming. We look at what they can be doing to see their money actually go to a place that it should be going.

What's a big piece of advice that you give to your clients?

Paige: A lot of them want to back off anytime there's a little bit of scarcity. I really think that's the time to double down, whether it be your digital presence, your website, or just adjusting how you're spending your money. But instead of just saying, ‘Hey, we're going to stop [investing in marketing],’ ask ‘How do we double down in the correct way and make sure we're seeing measurable results out of it?’ I do it myself anytime business is a little slow. I think we have to either change or we need to be doubling down. A lot of clients come to us when the pipeline is already dry and money is tight and they’re hoping for a quick fix. Marketing, unfortunately, isn't a quick fix.

See more tips for surviving business lulls below!

What's an unexpected business challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

Paige: I think one of the bigger challenges that we've run into has been more on the employee side, some of the retention or the hiccups that come along the way and then just learning from them. So how can we be a better, stronger company coming out of this and how do we use it as a growing opportunity?

How has the Verizon Small Business program helped propel your business forward?

Paige: I learned about the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). It's a free resource that’s self-paced and very digestible. The variety of topics it covers is a large gamut for any size business. The Selling with Storytelling course, especially, was really valuable to me, just really getting your messaging out there. I laugh that I sometimes enjoy the marketing ones a little bit more just because it is a refresher or another take on how we do this.

Thanks Paige!

Here Are More B+C Tips For Surviving The Small Business Lulls

Photo by Kampus Production

  1. Refine Your Strategy
    • Review your business plan and goals. Are you on track? What can be improved?
    • Analyze customer feedback and sales data to spot trends and areas where you can grow.
  2. Boost Your Marketing Efforts
    • Refresh your website or social media profiles. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready’s free Put Your Website to Work course will help you get started with best practices for building your business website.
    • Create engaging content through blogs, videos, and newsletters. Verizon’s free Creating Compelling Content course can help you create consistent, quality content for your target customers.
    • Offer promotions or limited-time discounts to attract new customers.
  3. Invest in Learning
    • Take an online course related to your industry, like Verizon’s free Planning for the Unexpected course for building resiliency in your business.
    • Stay updated on industry trends and innovations.
    • Engage with customers too. Send personalized emails to loyal customers or clients. Ask for reviews!
  4. Improve Your Processes
    • Streamline operations or explore new tools to increase your efficiency.
    • Organize your workspace and declutter your digital files.
  5. Self-Care and Rest
    • Take advantage of the slower pace to recharge. A refreshed mindset is exactly what you need to bring forth fresh ideas!

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Tree Ring Digital.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces.

Nina Dobrev sent the internet into a tailspin (including myself) when she took part in a new tricksy mom trend...cradling a newborn baby. This hilarious TikTok trend starts off with users holding an adorable infant with the text "I miss how my body looked before you." In addition to starting conversations about postpartum bodies (because every body is a good body!!) the trend insinuates the TikTok user is the baby's mother before providing a hilarious twist. So when Nina made her own video, we all lost it!

Keep reading to watch Nina Dobrev's baby TikTok video & read all the comments.

Nina Dobrev left all her fans "screaming" with her newest video.

@nina

ok baby, relax on the facts

♬ original sound - Gypsy

Nina Dobrev's TikTok features the Vampire Diaries actress in leggings and a gray cardigan with white hearts holding a sweet little newborn in a onesie covered in rainbows. Just like the rest of the videos on the trend, she says "I miss how my body looked before you," before cutting to a close-up on the baby's face with the words "Girl you're my aunt. Go to the gym." Not to mention the fact the baby is giving her some serious side eye. I can't help but giggle!

Naturally, the video comments were filled with people who fell for the trick, saying everything from "I THOUGHT I MISSED A CHAPTER" to "I first thought you had a baby and didn't tell us" and "GIRL I STARTED SCREAMING."

And one fan even added, "She would be an amazing mother."

Nina Dobrev and Shaun White are currently engaged (even if they're not wedding planning at the moment), and can't wait to see what life brings in the future.

"They've definitely discussed making things official. They've talked about getting married, having kids, the whole nine yards," an insider told Us Weekly in 2023, adding that the couple is “so in love and can’t imagine not spending the rest of their lives together. What they have is the real deal."

I'm swooning! Should Shaun and Nina decide to have kids (and decide to share them with the world) I'll be more than excited to support them.

Did you fall for Nina's hilarious TikTok trend prank? I did! Read up on Nina Dobrev Got Emotional As Celeb BFF Jessica Szohr's Maid Of Honor for more news on the actress.

We recently partnered with Bounty to support emerging artists and designers in a national design competition. The ask? Design a graphic for a new Brit + Co and Bounty paper towel collection themed A Clean Fresh Start, which launches this month. In this creator spotlight series, we are featuring the winners of that competition to learn more about their inspirations, their design process, and their winning Bounty design. Read on to meet…

Sarah Ziegler, @sarahziegler, Minneapolis, MN

What are your design inspirations? I get lots of inspiration from fellow creatives. I am very lucky to have so many talented and creative people in my life — I am always inspired by and learn from them. I am also inspired by goofy, younger me, always learning and creating. That quirky, playfulness still comes across in my work and I’m glad she is still a part of me.

Tell us about your design process: The first thing I do when starting a new design is explore different color palettes. Bold color is such a huge part of my work and I like to let that dictate the direction a piece will go. I then use my favorite tool, my sketchbook, to try out different layouts and designs. Once I land on a sketch I’m happy with, I use my tablet to digitize it. I got my first Wacom tablet a few years ago and it totally changed the game for my illustrations. My tablet, and now iPad, make it so easy to create and share my artwork. Instagram and Dribble are my favorite platforms to share and gain inspiration from.

How did you get into illustration? I have been drawing ever since I was a little kid in my first art class. I was mainly a fine artist growing up, which was a really good foundation for when I went to college for graphic design. I began focusing more on my illustrations when I started working on children’s books for I See Me! I got to start working with so many talented illustrators and it really pushed me to start creating more of my own illustrations.

What are three IG accounts you love?

@womenoftype - Features beautiful lettering by women & non-binary creatives

@peopleiveloved - Browse when you’re feeling confused and alone

@asahinagata - Very fun vintage/retro design and illustration

How do you know when a piece of art, including your Bounty Paper Towel design, is “finished”? I really try not to overthink this. I definitely believe that done is better than perfect when it comes to my art. In general, I’ll feel a piece is finished when everything I do to it makes it look worse. If I feel the piece is communicating what I want it to, I don’t really worry if it’s “perfectly finished” or not.

What will it be like for you to see your design on a Bounty Paper Towel at your local store? Seeing my designs on Bounty paper towels will be such a big accomplishment. My work has never been showcased on a scale like this, so I could not be more excited for these to hit the shelf!

Be sure to look out for Sarah’s winning design wherever Bounty Paper Towels are sold!

How many times can we talk about our love for Yellowstone and 1923 before you think we've move beyond obsession? If you ask us, we're sure you'll be convinced once you scroll through the western books we've added to our must-read piles. Like historical fiction, reading about cowboys, outlaws, and frontier life feels endearing. Now that we think about it, we think it's because these tales are embedded in America's fabric.

Try as we might, we can't resist tales that remind us of the Clint Eastwood movies our grandparents loved watching or summarizing. But now we're in charge of the conversation and know which westerns are worth reading.

The best western books that are full of adventure, crime, revenge, and more!

Amazon

Outlawed by Anna North

Ada never meant to become an "outlaw," but life's funny that way. Prior to earning her new title, she was a new bride who actually loved her husband and journey to become a midwife. However, fear entered her heart as she realized being considered childless would look terrible in the eyes of other townspeople.
After weighing her slim options, Ada leaves her life behind and runs into the Hole in the Wall Gang. With the Kid as their leader, they seek to provide refuge for wrongly ostracized women in a time where fear-mongering led the laws of the land. But one colossal plan may derail the gang's efforts and cost them their lives. It's the very thing that inspires and frightens Ada.
Though Outlawed is set during the late 1800s, it's relevant because women are still treated inferior based on their fertility status. Plus, the conversation around reproductive health continues to be looked at through a limited "childbearing" lens instead of encompassing conditions such as PCOS, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, uterine cancer, and more.
In our eyes, Outlawed reads like a beacon of hope.

Amazon

Lone Women by Victor Lavalle

Adelaide is physically carrying a "secret" that could upend the new future she's seeking because it's deadly. For reasons readers will discover, this "secret" is responsible for the death of Adelaide's parents and it caused her to leave everything she's known behind.
In search of a new life, Adelaide and her "secret" make the way to Montana in hopes to get free land that's up for grabs. The catch is that people who do so aren't supposed to have anyone with them so Adelaide surely can't let anyone discover what's locked in her truck. But Montana isn't easy to navigate and the one thing Adelaide's been afraid of may be the very thing that helps save her life.
Lone Women is as much of a mystery as it is a western which is perfect for those who love both genres!

Amazon

The Bullet Swallowerby Elizabeth Gonzalez James

Antonio Sonoro's never been a good guy, but that's never mattered to him because he's aware of his heritage. Like those who came before him, he's a skilled gunman who's known for getting into sticky situations others would stay away from. But things have been been tough in Dorado, Mexico and Antonio's grown desperate for a solution that'll help sustain his family.
After learning about a lucrative opportunity, he drags his brother Hugo along for the risky adventure that costs the latter his life. Consumed by rage, Antonio sets off on a path that has dire consequences for his bloodline. It's precisely why his ancestor Jaime Sonoro's life is altered when he discovers the true history of his family. If that weren't bad enough, someone from Antonio's past comes to collect the debt the Sonoros have evaded throughout the years and they're ready to hunt Jaime down unless he can learn about who his grandfather, The Bullet Swallower, really was.
The Bullet Swallower invites readers to learn how "the sins of the father" can affect those born after them and how it's up to us to break generational curses.

Amazon

Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison

The late 1800s is a tough time to be a young girl, but Jessilyn Harney finds a way to thrive despite challenges that arise. She goes from being alone to discovering that she'll have to hide her girlish figures if she wants people to think twice about trying anything illicit. Not only does this work, but it gives her a spot among the Governor's militia. But they're hunting the only person Jessilyn has left in life — her brother Noah.
Whiskey When We're Dry is a tale that shows two things can be true at the same time and how we often have to make decisions that contradict what we initially thought we wanted.

Amazon

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope

There's love to be found in the west if you're willing to be open to it and that's what Cecilia "CeCe" Ashby learns in Holding the Reins.
Nursing a broken heart, she travels back home to Laurel Creek, Kentucky to bide her time on the equestrian ranch she grew up on. It's there she comes across the former annoying Nash Carter. Having grown up together, she remembers the many times he and her brothers sought to make her life a living hell. But those days are long gone.
Now CeCe and Nash are all grown up with an unmistakable yearning brewing between them.

Amazon

Lucky Red by Claudia Cravens

Bridget's new in Dodge City and has no idea what to expect until she gains employment at a brothel called the Buffalo Queen. It's not what she had in mind, but she goes from barely surviving to having food, money, and shelter. On top of that, she develops genuine friendships with the women there. But their peace is disrupted when outlaws threaten Dodge City with their presence.
Once again, Bridget has to decide if she's going to run away or defend Buffalo Queen with everything she's got.

Amazon

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey

Esther's on the run for two reasons: she wants revenge for the brutal murder of her best friend and she wants nothing to do with marrying the man her best friend was formerly promised to. In her mind, there's no better way to right wrongs than by hiding out in the back of a Librarian's book wagon so she help dismantle those who seek to accept one written form of truth.

If we didn't know any better, we'd say that Upright Women Wanted sounds oddly similar to the fight against banned books.

Amazon

Inland by Téa Obreht

Inland converges the path of two unsuspecting individuals — Nora and Lurie — as they grapple with life in the West. Though it initially seems like their lives are different, something magical happens when they align.
Beginning with Nora, readers will watch her story unfold as she faces the uncertainty of the men she loves dearly — her husband and their sons. Between facing a drought and the idea that something invisible could be hunting them, Nora tries her hardest to get through each day.
Then there's Lurie and his spiritual gift of seeing spirits. They keep holding their hands out, expecting him to give them something and it all but drives him mad. The only thing that seems to distract Lurie is the promise of something beautiful with someone he's grown fond of.
Somehow, Lurie's new love draws him close to Nora and they find themselves on a journey that'll leave them forever changed.

Amazon

The Sisters Brothersby Patrick DeWitt

Eli and Charlie Sisters are the skilled hired hands for the strong-willed Commodore, but one of them is wondering why they continue to kill. Ironically, going after Hermann Kermit Warm is what inspired Eli Sisters to question their jobs because he knows this isn't going to be a simple task. But will he continue to follow Charlie into fire or will he decide he's finally had enough of the bloodbath that surrounds them each time the Commodore commands it?

Amazon

The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin

Ming Tsu grew up preparing for a life in a criminal group, but falling in love with Ada tears him away from that. As the daughter of a railroad magnate, it's clear these two are from different worlds but they refuse to let that get in their way. However, their actions have dire consequences as orchestrated by Ada's father. Not only is Ada kidnapped, but Ming is thrust into servitude for the Central Pacific Railroad. At the end of his ropes, Ming decides to strike up an alliance with someone called the prophet in order to save Ada.
It's a western book that blends magic, revenge, and the supernatural for a fascinating twist that leaves readers wanting more.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more spring and summer reading inspo!

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

The White Lotus season 3 is finally on its way, and it is, without a doubt, one of my most-anticipated 2025 TV shows. And we finally have an official release date! The new 8-episode season is coming even sooner than I could have hoped for, and there are plenty of sexy surprises in store.

In addition to the highly-anticipated return of Natasha Rothwell's Belinda, we're also going to meet characters played by Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Aimee Lou Wood. Talk about a stacked cast! I can't wait to watch the new episodesthis February, but this trailer is definitely holding me over for now!

Scroll to see the the official trailer for The White Lotus season 3!

How many episodes are in White Lotus season 3?

The White Lotus season 3 has eight episodes total:

  • Season 3, Episode 1 "Same Spirits, New Forms" aired on February 16, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 2 "Special Treatments" aired on February 23, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 3 "The Meaning of Dreams" aired on March 2, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 4 "Hide or Seek" aired on March 9, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 5 "Full-Moon Party" aired on March 16, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 6 "Denials" aired on March 23, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 7 "Killer Instincts" airs on March 30, 2025
  • Season 3, Episode 8 "Amor Fati" airs on April 6, 2025

What time does White Lotus come out?

The White Lotus episodes air on HBO and Max Sundays at 9 PM EST.

Watch the official trailer for 'The White Lotus' season 3 here!

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

The White Lotus season 3 premiered February 16, 2025. This season takes place in Thailand (after season 1 took us to Hawaii and season 2 took us to Italy), but amidst the stress-management meditation and incredible food, our cast is dealing with plenty of secrets, testing their limits throughout their week-long vacation.

"What happens in Thailand stays in Thailand," is the perfect way to open the trailer for this debaucherous new season. There's a lot to unpack throughout this almost 3-minute video. Here's what we noticed:

  • The Thailand White Lotus property is stunning! Every season makes me want to book a vacation ASAP.
  • Belinda looks gorgeous — so happy to see our girl thriving!
  • Our classic White Lotus family features kids who clearly have nothing in common or want anything to do with their family.
  • Responding to "I hope you enjoy Thailand," with "We usually go to the Caribbean" is that perfect White Lotus humor I live for. It's not in your face, but it gets the point across so well.
  • Belinda's there to learn and "bring the magic back to Maui." (Could this mean we get a return to the Hawaii resort in a future season?!)
  • Aimee Lou Wood and Walter Goggins playing a multi-generational couple is perfect — especially with little details like Aimee saying Walter should get a facial because someone thought he was her dad. Incredible.
  • "It means we're not dead yet," is such good foreshadowing given the morbid nature of this show.
  • "I think the cosmos brought us together," is more amazing White Lotus writing — these characters are always kooky, eccentric, and so addictive.
  • "We're poor now and daddy's going to prison" is a classic White Lotus character problem. You can't help but love to laugh at the incredulous Rich People Problems on this show!
  • It looks like all the crime described on the island sets up the potential for lots of different whodunnit murder scenarios we could end up with. I have a feeling we'll all be shocked at how this story turns up from who ends up in the body bag to who puts them there.
  • "Someone once said, 'The secret to life is knowing when to stop.'"
  • Oh and we get a new version of the theme song! I'm sure it'll be stuck in our collective brain for many months to come!

We already got hints at 'The White Lotus' season 3 last year.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

The teaser trailer gave us a glimpse at this exciting season back in December 2024.

"Everyone runs from pain towards pleasure," the teaser trailer voiceover said. "But they get there only to find more pain." The montage of late-night parties and unsettling shots like Parker Posey staring down the camera (and someone grilling a live crab until it catches on fire??) had me convinced from the beginning that The White Lotus season 3 was going to serve us an insane helping of both pain and pleasure.

We also got shots of Patrick Schwarzenegger lounging by the pool, Jason Isaacs taking a paranoid stroll through the jungle, and a coupled-up Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins celebrating the fact their vacation didn't kill them.

And creator Mike White says 'The White Lotus' season 3 is going to be bigger than ever.

We know that The White Lotus season 3 is going to be the biggest season yet, thanks to interviews with the creator and crew. “It’s going to be a supersized White Lotus,” creator Mike White said in an interview with EW. “It’s going to be longer, bigger, crazier. I don’t know what people will think, but I am super excited, so at least for my own barometer, that’s a good thing…I’m super excited about the content of the season.”

And he's not the only one. Natasha Rothwell told PEOPLE that "White Lotus is going to give you a run for your money.”

"It's an excellent season and people are going to be very pleased," she continues. There's always something special about a third season thanks to the combination of familiarity and brand-new adventures, and the seductive intrigue The White Lotus season 3 is already proving my point.

Who's in the White Lotus season 3 cast?

Fabio Lovino/HBO

The White Lotus season 3 cast has a crazy star-studded cast! The list includes:

  • Jason Isaacs as Timothy Ratliff: a financier vacationing in Thailand with his wife and kids.
  • Parker Posey as Victoria Ratliff: Timothy's wife vacationing with her family.
  • Patrick Schwarzengger as Saxon Ratliff: Timothy and Victoria's eldest son who works for his dad.
  • Sarah Catherine Hook as Piper Ratliff: Timothy and Victoria's daughter who's a college senior studying religion.
  • Sam Nivola as Lochlan Ratliff: Timothy and Victoria's youngest, who's a senior in high school.
  • Michelle Monaghan as Jaclyn Lemon: a TV actress joining her friends for a girls' trip.
  • Leslie Bibb as Kate Bohr: one of three BFF's on a girls' trip in Thailand.
  • Carrie Coon as Laurie Duffy: a lawyer escaping the real world with her friends on their girls' trip.
  • Walton Goggins as Rick Hatchett: a mysterious guest at The White Lotus with his younger girlfriend Chelsea.
  • Aimee Lou Wood as Chelsea: a young woman from Manchester traveling with her much-older boyfriend.
  • Lalisa Manobal as Thidapon "Mook" Sornsin: the White Lotus' health mentor.
  • Lek Patravadi as Sritala Hollinger: an owner of the White Lotus.
  • Natasha Rothwell as Belinda Lindsey: spa manager visiting from the White Lotus Hawaii vacation.

Season 3 is always my favorite season of a show — especially considering Gilmore Girls Season 3 Is Simply The Best, And No TV Show Has Matched It Since. Check out our weekend email send for more TV news and the latest news on The White Lotus season 4!

This post has been updated.