Calling all brides! The Spring Wedding Lookbook from Etsy is here and it’s brimming with inspo for your big day. From hair accessories to bridal style staples and more, the Spring Lookbook is just a tiny taste of what Etsy has to offer. So, we scoured the entire site and gathered up some must-have, on-trend goodies that will make your nuptials seriously fabulous.
Great dads of all varieties deserve a special something on their special day, whether it's simply a thoughtfully written card or a gadget they actually need but never thought to get. We pulled our favorite Father's Day gifts for all the dads, from the music lovers to the amazing cooks to travel seekers and beyond. No matter where they are in their dad journey, Father's Day is a great time to thank them for doing what they do, and doing it their best. Happy Father's Day!
Free Customizable Father's Day Card With Video Message
First, let's start with the most important gift -- the Father's Day card! With Moonpig, you can customize your dad's card with fun photos, cute videos, thoughtful audio clips, even your own handwriting, creating a perfect heirloom the dad in your life will adore. You can even add a gift card from one of his favorite retailers, from movie nights to hotels to food, music, and more.
Moonpig will print it and send it off just in time for Father's Day. Pick out your fave, personalize it (he'll get a QR code for any video and audio), and use our code BRITCOFREE to get your first card free at Moonpig.com!
Nisolo Luis Weekender
Send off dad in style on all the trips this summer with this functional and stylish travel bag from a sustainable brand. Let the good times roll!
Bespoke Post Signal Adventure Accessories
For the Macgyver dad, this cool gadget with rope, knife, and fire flute will help him get out of any bind.
Sur La Table Classic Chef’s Knife
Every good cook should have a quality chef's knife, a game-changer in the kitchen. The ergonomic walnut handle on this one isn't just good-looking, it makes it easy to slice and dice with a stainless-steel blade.
Our Place Always 2.0 Pan
This pan is a B+C favorite for good reason. Dad'll find himself using it for everyday cooking, from roasting a chicken to flipping an egg to steaming broccoli. The 10.5-inch pan braises, sears, steams, strains, sautés, fries, boils, and bakes!
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler
Keep dad hydrated on his travels, his commute, and post-workout with this tumbler that keeps water cold all-day long.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Gather your siblings for this perfect group gift. Noise cancelling headphones with excellent audio means he might not ever take them off, from plane to office.
Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill
For everything from camping to tailgating to the beach, this portable grill turns any day into a fun BBQ party.Pottery Barn Vinyl Acrylic Gallery Wall
For the music enthusiast, this gallery wall features his favorite album covers prominently on his wall. Gift one frame or the whole 9-piece gallery set.
Ray-Ban Hexagonal Sunglasses
Keep dad seeing well and looking so cool with a fresh new pair of sunglasses. These Ray-Bans, sold at Sunglass Hut, feature a unique hexagonal shape that'll undoubtedly make his look stand out from his previous pairs.
Solo Colorblock Wallet
Custom made to order (so no landfill waste), this leather wallet comes in several color-block combos.
Bluetooth Speaker with HD Sound
This best-selling wireless Bluetooth speaker is surprisingly affordable and perfect for toting around wherever he goes.
Meridian Trimmer Premium
Level up his grooming with this rechargeable trimmer that glides smooth even on the coarsest beard.
LEATHER TRAVEL MANICURE SET
Men should have regular manis too, and this travel-ready manicure set with clippers, scissors, a metal file and tweezers means he can do it at home or on the go. Personalize the leather case with his monogram too!
Scrabble Deluxe Edition
Challenge dad to a scrabble duel with this natural wood game board with a built-in lazy susan. It's stylish enough to keep out on the coffee table!
Taylor Stitch Division Shirt
Sometimes dad needs a little advice in the style department. Gift him this organic cotton indigo-dyed sashiko shirt that's perfect for every day and looks put-together every time.
Bombas Father's Day Dress Sock Gift Set
These dress socks are actually comfortable, soft, and stay up morning to night.
Adidas Gazelle Indoor Shoes
This 1979 revival sneaker is popular among soccer fans, indie rockers and sneakerheads with a soft suede, durable leather, and classic three stripes.
Men's MLB Adjustable Hat
Does dad have a favorite baseball team? Head over to the MLB site for his favorite team and this cap. Play ball!
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Main image via Pottery Barn.
Last night I realized I was pregnant during the height of the pandemic and the 2020 election cycle, but I didn't have any self-care practices in sight. I was chronically stressed and spent way too much time on social media when I should've been finding ways to ground myself. After a tough four years of navigating everything from motherhood to starting my career, I've finally started utilizing gratitude journaling as a tool to get through tough days.
I don't know how you may be feeling today, but I've created journal prompts you can refer to when you're scared, anxious, unsure of the future, and more. They're not meant to replace meditation or seeking therapy, but they are here for moments you need to check in with yourself.
A Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You're Worried About The Future
Write Down 5 Things You're Grateful You Can See, Touch, Hear, And Smell
This is actually a practice I picked up in therapy to help redirect my anxious thoughts. It's something I often refer to when I'm fixated on the future and things that might happen. Any time you feel yourself not being present because you're worried about what's next, focus on things that are immediately in front of you or around you.
For example, here's what's reminding me to be present:
- I can hear one of my favorite gospel songs playing and the subtle humming I'm doing.
- I can see two lime green books on my desk.
- I can smell the clean laundry my fiancé took out of the dryer.
- I'm touching the keys on my keyboard as I type this.
Although they seem small, I'm grateful they're helping to keep me rooted in the present moment. So, what are you grateful you can see, touch, hear, and smell today?
Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You're Experiencing Sadness
Write Down 3 Things You're Grateful For Today
Practicing gratitude when you're sad isn't so you can pretend the sadness doesn't exist. It's a very real emotion that calls for us to be curious about why we're feeling that way. However, if you feel like you're 'stuck' in your sadness, you can try writing down 3 things you're grateful for right now. Again, they don't have to be grandiose. They just have to make sense to you.
You could be grateful for:
- Eating a delicious meal
- Having a good night's sleep
- Hearing your favorite song at the right moment
- Morning snuggles with your pet or toddler
- Having access to binge watch your favorite TV show when you need to escape reality for a bit
Write Down The People You're Grateful You Can Rely On
My hope is that everyone has at least one person they can rely on during difficult moments in life. I know everyone doesn't have huge villages for different reasons, but I'd rather focus on who is there.
This gratitude journaling idea doesn't require you to go in depth about why you're grateful for the people in your corner unless you want to. You can simply write their names down if that's all you have the bandwidth for.
Recount A Memory That Always Makes You Smile
When in doubt, think about a moment that was hilarious or filled you with joy. It can be from your childhood, first year in college, or even your wedding day! The one memory that always makes me smile is from an interesting moment I told one of my uncles he looked like Santa Claus. I was around 5 or 6 years old, so it was a super innocent comment, but still it was hilarious nonetheless. No one in my family has let my uncle or me forget that moment. It's small, but it's one of the memories I'm grateful I can remember when I'm feeling sad.
A Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You Feel You're Not Doing Enough
Write Down 1 Thing You've Grateful You've Accomplished
I know some journal prompts ask you to list multiple things you've recently accomplished, but I've found that makes me a little more anxious that necessary. If this sounds like you, I see you and think it's just as impactful to be grateful for one thing you've done that you're proud of. It could be as simple as:
- "I had the strength to get out of bed today after wanting to do nothing more than hide under the covers."
- "I did laundry and put everything away."
- "I made myself a meal instead of ordering lunch like I usually do."
- "I stuck to my budget this week."
- "My presentation at work or school went really well."
- "I made that scary phone call I've been putting off."
- "I went for a walk around my neighborhood or local park."
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27 Dresses is a fun story until you think about how much Jane (Kathryn Heigl) spent for each and every one of those weddings. There are engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, bridesmaid dresses, shoes, jewelry — I mean the list of costly responsibilities goes on and on and on. Imagine doing that 27 times.
Wedding events aren't just a casual affair anymore either — the financial obligations for wedding guests and bridal parties continue to rise steadily. According to a 2023 study from The Knot, the average cost of a bridesmaid's dress is $130. Business Insider reports that you can expect to spend $1,200 for bachelorette parties on average. Just being a wedding guest alone has an average price tag of $580, according to another study by The Knot. Suddenly, from your dress to the destination bach to the delicate (and likely expensive) stemware you got the couple as a gift, you're potentially spending thousands of dollars on a wedding that's not even your own.
And while you likely love the bride asking you to be in her wedding party very much...is there a way you can politely decline? Especially if you're trapped for cash or trying to save for a major financial goal? HerFirst100k's Tori Dunlap would like to think so! And it doesn't have to be this friendship-altering event either. With Dunlap's tips, you should be well on your way to the happy couple's good graces without paying an arm and a leg to earn it.
Photo by Karolina Kaboompics
When turning down a bridesmaid offer, Dunlap suggest using the "sandwich method" here — AKA saying something complimentary, giving the bad news, and ending on another positive, complimentary note. Seems simple enough, right?
She suggest saying, "I'm so excited for your wedding! Thank you so much for thinking of me! I am so honored. However, at this time I really can't afford the commitment of being a bridesmaid, but I would love to support you in any other way I can."
With this phrasing Dunlap says you're accomplishing three key things:
- Setting expectations
- Validating the friendship
- Maintaining your own financial boundaries
How would you decline being a bridesmaid? Let us know in the comments, and follow the convo on Facebook!
Header image via Caleb Oquendo
In all honestly, all I look forward to during the holidays (other than my fam) is the pie. There's pumpkin pie. Apple pie. Chocolate pie. Sweet potato pie. But more than any other dessert, pecan piejust gets me. I'm salivating as I'm thinking about it!
Anywho... making an entire pecan pie can become a whole ordeal very quickly. That's where these delicious pecan pie bars from Chahinez with Lifestyle of a Foodiestep in. They're simple to make, plus provide the ideal eating experience – pecan pie bars easily qualify under finger foods, and they are downright addictive.
Let's get into the recipe!
Ingredients For Easy Pecan Pie Bars
Lifestyle of a Foodie
For the shortbread crust:
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
For the pecan pie filling:
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 & ½ cup pecans chopped
How To Make Easy Pecan Pie Bars
Lifestyle of a Foodie
- Preheat the oven to 325 F, then line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add in the flour, salt, cornstarch, and mix. Add in the cold butter and work it into the dough with your hand or a pastry cutter until cookie dough forms. Press it onto the prepared baking pan and bake for 20 minutes.
- In a separate large bowl, mix the eggs, brown sugar, light corn syrup, heavy cream, salt, vanilla extract, and cornstarch until combined. Stir in the pecan pieces.
- Once the crust is done baking, pour the pecan pie filling on top of the crust and bake for 30-35 minutes. The edges will brown a little, and the center will be barely jiggly.
- Remove from the oven, and let cool completely before transferring to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Slice the bars and serve.
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Recipe + photography by Lifestyle of a Foodie.
This post has been updated.
Black Friday will be here before you know it, with thousands of retailers flaunting their best deals of the year. We're shoppers at heart, so you know we're already scoping out 2024's offerings! Given that the list of stores and brands hosting Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this year is essentially endless, we're weeding out only the best deals from the places you love to spend (and save). From beauty faves like Dieux and Kiehl's to home goods from Amazon and Walmart, these are the Black Friday deals you simply can't miss.
What is Black Friday?
Kaboompics / PEXELS
Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving that typically signifies the start of holiday shopping season, though many retailers have started to launch their Black Friday deals earlier year over year. A lot of the deals that stores and brands offer during Black Friday outpace their other sales events (such as Memorial Day and Labor Day) in terms of savings.
What is Cyber Monday?
Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS
Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving that highlights savings and deals online as opposed to in-store offers. It's one of the busiest times of year for online shopping.
When's the best time to shop for holiday gifts?
Vlada Karpovich / PEXELS
We're big believers that it's never too early to start shopping for holiday gifts. The sooner you shop, the better, so you can check everyone off your list ahead of the busy holiday season and have some peace of mind once the real festivities start! Plus, if you're shopping online, starting early gives you ample time to wait for items to be shipped and delivered to your door. If deals and savings are what you're looking for, Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer some really great opportunities.
What's the best thing to shop for during Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Kaboompics / PEXELS
The best thing to shop for during Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday promotions really depends on what your needs are as well as the items you're scoping out to treat yourself (or the people you're gifting for the holidays). Typically, big-ticket items like home appliances, tech products like earbuds, laptops, TVs, and tablets, and luxury self-care tools are heavily discounted during this time.
Beauty Sales
Amazon
Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Brightening Serum
Bliss
When: November 20-December 17
What: 20-30% off select products
Ulta
Perricone MD High Potency Hyaluronic Intensive Hydrating Serum
Ulta
When: Now-November 23
What: Weekly deals on skincare, makeup, hair care, and fragrance.
IT Cosmetics
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full-Coverage Foundation with SPF 50+
IT Cosmetics
When: November 23-December 3
What: 30% off sitewide (loyalty members get 35% off)
Amazon
Kiehl's
When: November 21-December 2
What: 30% off site-wide and 50% off select items on November 26 only
Moroccanoil
Moroccanoil Original Treatment
Moroccanoil
When: November 25-December 3 (rewards members will have early access to the sale on December 2)
What: 25% off sitewide
NOYZ
NOYZ
When: November 28-30 and December 1-2
What: 25% off sitewide and a free baseball cap on purchases over $55 on November 28-30, 25% off sitewide and a free candle on purchases over $55 on December 1-2
Dieux
Dieux
When: November 29-December 2
What: 30% off original price items, 20% off single items, and a free Mini Slugging Kit on orders over $30
ILIA
ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
ILIA
When: November 25-December 2, VIP members get early access November 24
What: 20% off sitewide, 25% off orders over $125, and 25% off plus a free full-size product for orders over $150
Ogee
Ogee
When: November 1-December 3
What: 20% off sitewide with code 'GIFTGLOW20' and receive free deluxe samples with purchases over $200 (November 28-December 3 only)
Amazon
Youth To The People Superfood Facial Cleanser
Youth To The People
When: November 23-December 3 on YTTP.com, November 21-December 2 on Amazon, and December 2 at Sephora
What:
- YTTP: 30% off sitewide plus a free 3-piece gift with purchases over $85
- Amazon: 20% off select products through November 27, 30% off select products starting November 28
- Sephora: 30% off all products in-store and online
Fashion Sales
Amazon
Dream Pairs Genuine Suede Classic Platform Boots
Dream Pairs
When: November 21-December 2
What: 20-40% off select styles on the Dream Pairs site and Amazon
Madewell
Madewell The Essential Bucket Tote
Madewell
When: November 21-27
What: 30% off your purchase, including new arrivals
H&M
H&M
When: November 28-December 1
What: 30% off online only (November 28), 30% off online and in-store (November 29-30), and up to 50% off (November 30-December 1)
Old Navy
Old Navy
When: November 1-December 2
What: 50% off select products online and in-store (November 1-6), 50% off everything online and in-store (November 7-10), and 50% off everything online only and 50% off select products in-store (November 27-December 2)
Land's End
Land's End Medium Canvas Tote Bag
Land's End
When: November 29-December 3
What: 50% off, including customizable canvas totes, sheets, towels, accessories and more.
Showpo
Showpo
When: November 22-December 3
What:
- Black Friday early access (November 22-24): 25% off sitewide
- Black Friday (November 27-29): 25% off sitewide
- Cyber Weekend (November 30-December 1): 25% off almost everything and 40% off bestsellers
- Cyber Monday (December 2-3): 25% off almost everything and 40% off bestsellers
Franco Sarto
Franco Sarto Jaxon Mid Calf Boot
Franco Sarto
When: November 23-December 3
What: Up to 70% off + free shipping
Oomiay
Oomiay
When: November 28-December 2
What: Free exclusive jewelry pieces (up to 5) with every item purchased on November 28-December 1 and up to 50% off your entire order on December 2 only
Barefoot Dreams
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Solid Robe
Barefoot Dreams
When: November 27-December 1 (Black Friday VIP access starts November 25) and December 2-3 (for Cyber Monday)
What: 20% off 2 items, 25% off 3 items, and 30% off 4 or more items for Black Friday. The CozyChic Checks & Stripes Sock Set will be just $9.98 (was $45) on Cyber Monday only.
Local Eclectic
Local Eclectic Whimsical Charm Necklace
Local Eclectic
When: November 25-December 2
What: 20% off sitewide
Quince
Quince Italian Wool Classic Single-Breasted Coat
Quince
When: November 27-December 2
What: 40% off select products
Home Sales
Revival Rugs
Revival Rugs
When: November 14-December 2
What: Scaled discounts automatically applied at checkout:
- 15% off $250-500
- 20% off $500-999
- 25% off $1,000-1,999
- 30% off $2000+
Walmart
Samsung 55” Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV
Walmart
When: November 11-December 1
What: Walmart is breaking up their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals into two events.
- Event 1 deals begin online on November 11 at 12 p.m. ET exclusively for paid Walmart+ members and 5 p.m. ET for all customers.
- Event 1 deals begin in stores on November 15 at 6 a.m. local time.
- Event 2 deals begin online on November 25 at 12 p.m. ET exclusively for paid Walmart+ members and 5 p.m. ET for all customers.
- Event 2 deals begin in stores November 29 at 6 a.m. local time.
- Cyber Monday deals start online on December 1 at 5 p.m. ET exclusively for paid Walmart+ members and 8 p.m. ET for all customers.
Amazon
TheraGun Sense Percussion Massage Gun
Amazon
When: November 29 and December 2 (tentative)
What: Amazon will feature "tons of great deals across all different categories."
Ruggable
Morris & Co. Strawberry Thief Sage & Rose Tufted Rug
Ruggable
When: Starting November 26
What: 25% off sitewide (exclusions apply) with code 'BF24'
Brümate
Brümate
When: November 26-December 2
What: 20% off coolers and 25% off drinkware with code 'HOLIDAY25'
sproos!
sproos! Lookin Good Handheld Shower System
sproos!
When: November 27-December 2
What: 30% off of the Lookin' Good Bundle on sproos.co and Amazon
Great Jones
Great Jones
When: November 4-December 2 on Great Jones site and November 21-December on Amazon
What: up to 50% off sitewide and 20-33% off select items on Amazon
Food + Supplement Sales
Cure
Cure Electrolyte Drink Mix Starter Kit
Cure
When: November 26-December 3
What: 25% off sitewide on all Electrolyte Drink Mixes, Cure Kids, Energy Teas and merch with code 'HELPYOURSELF25'
More Sales
Petco
Native Pet Omega 3 Fish Oil For Dog Skin & Coat
Petco
When: November 23-30
What: 50% off select items
Subscribe to our newsletter to shop even more Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated.