Last year, we introduced you to the height of #extra entertaining: the giant pool float. Maybe it was hubris, but we were 100 percent certain that no oversized inflatable thing could ever rival the neon glory that was a 10-foot pink flamingo party raft complete with cupholders. How wrong we were. We quickly realized our mistake when we first laid eyes on what’s sure to be this summer’s smash-hit for backyard entertaining: the 6-foot-tall unicorn sprinkler inflatable from Target’s Sun Squad collection.
Where to begin? These irresistible, enormous inflatables hook up to your garden hose to become the centerpiece of any party, spraying refreshing bursts of water over your guests (in the case of the unicorn, directly from its magical silver horn). Unlike the status symbol pool floats of yore, you don’t need a pool to enjoy this infinitely ‘grammable new toy, making it a perfect pick for city-dwellers or those without much outdoor space. Just turn on the outdoor tap and let ‘er rip.
Choose from the aforementioned unicorn, a rainbow tunnel (we pity the six-year-old girl who has to contend with deciding between those two), a mischievous-looking T-Rex, or a purple gorilla. (Why a purple gorilla? We honestly couldn’t say.) No matter which one you pick, we’re certain that having one of these in your backyard will fast-track you to Instagram fame — and solidify your position as Best Hostess Ever for the rest of the summer.
While these are obviously a shoo-in for kids’ parties — we think the T-Rex and this even-taller Dino from PBkids would make for an awesome Jurassic Park setup — they’re pretty tempting for adults too. Picture yourself lounging beneath the rainbow tunnel, gentle mist cooling you and your pals, margs in hand. Sounds like a memorable summer to us. These inflatable sprinklers range from $50 to $100 and can be found at Target stores and online.
RELATED: 10 Pool Float DIYs To Keep Your Summer Going All Year Long
(Photos via Target)
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It's official: Blue Ivy looks totally grown up now — especially in her gorgeous gold gown at the Mufasa: The Lion Kingpremiere. It honestly feels like just yesterday that Beyoncé announced she was born, and now she's a star in her own right! She celebrated her Disney film debut with her family by her side on the red carpet (and everyone looking as gorgeous as ever).
While Jay-Z was one of the latest celebrities caught in the crosshairs of P. Diddy allegations, it didn't stop mom and dad from showing their unwavering support. The family put on a united front, smiling for the cameras and praising Blue's work on her latest Disney film, further proving that they're in this together. Here's everything we know!
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Blue Ivy stars in Mufasa: The Lion King as Kiara with Beyoncé voicing Nala again. The highly anticipated film will show Mufasa's origins from a young cub to the majestic king we've come to know, love, and mourn.
In this cute BTS clip, Beyoncé and Blue are initially shown in separate recording booths while the latter says, "Don't stare at me." It's a typical response all kids eventually give their parents, but it doesn't bother Beyoncé. She simply smiles and says, "I can't help it. You're just too beautiful girl." Still, she offers a bit of reassurance to Blue. "I'mma be right here closing my eyes."
Blue briefly talked about what it feels like to work on a movie by saying, "If I like told my younger self that I was in a movie, I'd like never believe myself."
The star couldn't help but tear up as she continued to watch Blue and said, "Give me a second. I'm still...just can't believe that's my baby." While sitting side by Blue, Beyoncé eventually turns to look at her to let her know she's "so proud of her." Even Rumi, Beyoncé and Jay-Z's youngest daughter, makes a quick appearance!
The Mufasa: The Lion King premiere occurred December 9 with Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and grandma Tina Knowles standing by Blue Ivy's side. They looked stunning on the red carpet as they wore coordinating outfits. Although the ladies seemed to be present and excited, Jay-Z temporarily looked distracted while all of them were standing together (via PEOPLE).
If we had to guess, it may have something to do with the recent allegations connecting he and P. Diddy weighing on his mind. After the accusation went public, Jay-Z penned his own public statement and shared it to Roc Nations' social channels. The most heartbreaking aspect of it is realizing his children will be able to see everything.
"My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people," he wrote (via X). Only time will tell how everything pans out, but we hope this doesn't overshadow Blue Ivy's success, nor do we want to see people vilify her or her siblings for alleged misdeeds of Jay-Z.
At the end of the day, we're so proud of Blue for letting her light shine bright despite everything else!
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You’ve sent out invitations, deep cleaned the house, and mentally prepared for an evening of minimal sleep and maximum giggles. Congrats! You’re well on your way to hosting the most epic slumber party *ever* to celebrate the kiddos being on Spring break. We’ve got you covered with a foolproof plan to ace your way through the rest of the festivities. Get ready to win maximum mom points ;)
Ready? We've teamed up with our friends at Disney to celebrate the launch of Mary Poppins Returns on Digital & Blu-ray by hosting an imagination-fueled slumber party! Sleepover success is just four practically perfect steps away.
A little bit DIY, a little bit expert styling of pillows and blankets, and the most colorful party treats around — let's do this thing!
Tip #1: Plan the ultimate DIY activity to bring the film to life. Between flying umbrellas and upside-down rooms, Mary Poppins Returns provides the ultimate inspiration for an evening of adventure. Start the fun by setting the kids up for a snug viewing of the movie that will bring the magic into your home. Set them up with an easy DIY project like whipping up their own stylish fascinator inspired by Mary Poppins’ hat.
Materials:
Provide the kiddos with the materials to attach the ribbon, feathers, and bird to make their very own hat. If necessary, Mom can always step in to help!
Tip #2: Create a cozy space that will transport the kids straight into a magical world. Just like our favorite nanny says, “Everything is possible! Even the impossible!” Create a whimsical, floating, umbrella light garland and uplifting quote wall to do the trick. For maximum comfiness, create a snuggly space in one, big, cloud-like bed. Finally, add the balloons and cherry blossoms for an extra touch of Mary Poppins.
We chose one of our fave phrases from the movie to adhere to the wall as an easy and inexpensive decor solution. We then added clusters of cherry blossom flowers and balloons around it. Ta-da!
Some string lights will add a twinkle to your house and serve as an easy way to also hang your umbrellas. Use a little fishing line to secure every umbrella in place. Bonus points for adding built-in night lights for the little ones.
Tip #3: Don’t forget to stock up on the snacks! Ready to impress your crew? Surprise the kiddos with the ultimate crowd pleaser inspired by Mary Poppins: cotton candy! For a little extra magic, you can add a sprinkle of edible gold dust!
For dinner, serve easy PB&Js in the shape of an umbrella using a cookie cutter. Pro tip: We like to semi-freeze our bread so we get the perfect cut and shape.
Polish the evening of excitement off with a special treat for the girls — sparkling flavored water.
Lastly, it’s no secret that popcorn is a must-have for any movie night.
In the spirit of keeping things creative, we're putting a whimsical spin on the slumber party classic with our confetti party recipe. Drizzle with a little white chocolate and sprinkles for a snack that all kids (including the Banks) will love.
Tip #4: Make a quick & easy photo booth. Every child deserves the opportunity to feel like they can fly above Cherry Tree Lane. Whip up this playful photo op with any balloon, string, and some tape. Attach the materials to the wall as if the balloon is floating and photograph each child holding onto the string as they “take flight.”
It’s official — you’re all set and ready to open the door for some Spring fun! The best part? You’ll get to indulge in all of your favorite Mary Poppins nostalgia throughout the night.
Mary Poppins Returns is on Digital and Blu-ray now!
What are your secrets to sleepover success? Share with us on Twitter by tagging @BritandCo and @Disney.
Production and Styling: Kayla Haykin & Cassidy Miller
Photography: Brittany Griffin
Ahhh…Paris Geller. Where does one even begin with the best Gilmore Girl whose name isn't actually Gilmore? The woman we all came to know and love. The purveyor of backhanded compliments, deadpan humor, the quickest wit one can imagine and an absolutely ungodly work ethic. The sole character of the series who I would 100% watch a spin-off of, and love every minute. Sure — she once said that everyone around her needed to be sterilized immediately. And that Rory’s boyfriend offers “nothing to women or the world in general.” And that she can “scare the stupid out of you. But the lazy runs deep.”
She may, in fact, be the only character whose absurdity warrants such unhinged comments, and I am so here for it. You may be reading this because you too believe that Paris Geller deserves way more praise than she receives. Or you hate her. Or perhaps you don’t even know who she is. Regardless, allow me to delight you with the many — shall I say — unique musings of my favorite Gilmore Girls character, and explain exactly why Paris was not only what the cult-classic show needed, but the feminist icon TV needed, too.
So let’s start from the beginning. Paris Geller (played by Liza Weil) joined the GG crew in Season 1, right as Rory Gilmore (the show’s sort-of protagonist) walked into Chilton Academy, a private school where Paris was attending, for her first day. A far cry from Rory’s relatively timid and soft-spoken personality, Paris tore up the screen with her high-strung personality and immediate rivalry with Rory (Rory did not feel the same), who Paris viewed as the only candidate who could possibly challenge her spot at the top of the class standing. As the year progresses, the two become friends, which of course Paris still highly questioned.
The rest of their high school experience is plagued with repeated ups and downs, from Paris’s parents’ highly publicized divorce to their joint student government campaign and, most notably, Paris’s C-SPAN meltdown, courtesy of a Harvard rejection fueled by what she can only assume to be wide-spread knowledge that she lost her virginity. Despite losing the Valedictorian slot to Rory (which Paris comes to terms with after finding out Salutatorians tend to be more successful), Paris walks across the graduation stage and accepts her diploma from the school’s headmaster, to which she iconically quips, “no hard feelings.”
Fast forward to Paris’s first year at Yale, a school she knew Rory was attending but had no intention of ever seeing again. Not to the surprise of Paris’s life coach, the two frenemies were placed together as suitemates, a pairing that ultimately served as a catalyst for lifelong friendship. Throughout college, Paris pursues pre-med and pre-law degrees, joins the Yale Daily News alongside Rory, dates an elderly professor (he passes away, leaving Paris to grieve), moves on with the editor of the Yale Daily News, Doyle McMaster, and potentially saves Rory from abandoning Yale forever by admitting to Lorelai that Rory is the only person who ever listened to her, challenged her and motivated her.
Paris then proceeds to become the editor of the Yale Daily News, a position in which her power-hungry tendencies took full-force, resulting in a forcible resignation, kick Rory out of their shared apartment, let Rory move back into their shared apartment (now with Doyle), be accepted to a slew of prestigious medical and law schools. She ultimately chose to attend med school and break up with Doyle, to which he refused, and tells Rory that they’re on their own but she can still do great things (Of course this doesn’t last, the two are meant to be best friends.)
Somehow this doesn't even scratch the surface of the character of Paris. As you can tell, Paris is a fiercely loyal, protective woman who fights for herself to no end. She (literally) doesn’t care what other people think (so long as they’re not within her immediate circle) and never stops pursuing her dreams, no matter how many times she probably should have. She is the epitome of feminism in modern television — perhaps taken to an extreme — and serves as a necessary counterweight to Rory’s floundering sense of self.
So long as she keeps her need for perfectionism in check, Paris has one of those few personality types whose wild ambition and outspokenness is directly beneficial to her success, a success that she, and only she, can define. Sure, she has an exaggerated sense of self-importance, but when balanced by Rory’s soft-but-straightforward approach, Paris can quickly reset, reevaluate and move forward.
That's the thing with Paris — she’s always moving forward. She doesn't get into Harvard? Tough. She takes a few days to wallow before considering her other options: Yale, Columbia and Princeton. She doesn’t know whether to choose med school or law school, so she takes stock of her bearings, reflects on her past dreams, and makes a clear, concise decision that she moves forward with.
Her brutally honest nature (both internally and externally) is exactly why Paris works. She’s generous when needed, comfortable with giving tough (and oftentimes tougher) love, is able to express vulnerability with the people she loves, doesn’t allow outside influences to affect her path and never let’s someone (especially a man) tell her she’s less than (*cough, cough*—Rory). For an early 2000s show, she showed women that there is power in education. There’s power in stepping away from a caretaker role. There’s power in expressing your opinion, no matter your age.
Image via WB
There’s no doubt in my mind that she’s inspired countless women over the years — after all, she’s inspired me! Even though she’s had her controversial moments, she’s always been a cheering voice for women, even if it’s behind her resting grimace. For these reasons, and so many more, I am hereby deeming Paris Geller the best of Gilmore Girls — the heroine, perhaps, and a feminist icon to all.
What's your take on Paris Geller? Let us know in the comments, and sign up for our email newsletter for more pop culture musings!
Header image via Netflix, Warner Bros
This post has been updated.
Gilmore Girlstakes up more of my brain space than I'd care to admit. The show is undeniably great. I mean, there's a reason it's become an absolute cultural phenomenon! The banter is witty and memorable, the Stars Hollow, Connecticut setting is warm and friendly, and the character dynamics feel natural and comforting. All of these elements combined create the perfect comfort show thatI personally rewatch again and again. However, despite having an overall positive opinion of the show, there is one bone I have to pick with it. This grievance makes my blood boil and keeps me tossing and turning at night.
While I can't pose my all-too-important question to the creators of the show, I will ask it to you, reader: Why in the world was Lane Kim's storyline such a travesty? Considering the show is not shy about uplifting and celebrating Rory (despite her many mistakes) it feels especially unfair how short of a stick Lane (played by Keiko Agena) truly got. Here are my unfiltered thoughts on the subject.
Throughout Lane's formative teenage years, she was forced to hide her true identity and interests in order to appease her mother. From hiding CDs in her floorboards and changing her clothes when she got to school, Lane was under a lot of pressure to keep her mom happy, while still trying to figure out who she was. Her mother even kicked her out after finding out about her "secret life," causing Lane to have to move into Rory's dorm. Rory, on the other hand, had a mother who supported her every dream and who she could be fully herself with.
I'm not sure why only one of these two besties got to live out their dreams, but if it did have to play out this way, it should have been Lane Kim. Given how difficult her upbringing was, couldn't the show have given her a win by having *her* be the one who gets to follow her dreams?
Image via Saeed Adyani/Netflix
Once again, the show propped up Rory and gave her not one, not two, but three love interests. Whether or not you love all three of them, we can all admit that each boyfriend was compatible with Rory in their own way, and helped her learn and grow. Lane, however, did not get this. Her first boyfriend, Dave, is great. He's kind and sweet and understanding of her family situation, but the show breaks them up because they can't handle being long-distance. (Technically, we know actor Adam Brody had to leave for The O.C. but where is the justice??!)
After Dave, it all goes downhill from there for poor Lane. She ends up with Zack, who isn't bad but isn't great. And, as soon as Lane is finally getting to pursue her passion by going on tour with her band, she finds out she and Zack are pregnant. Considering how long Lane dreamed of getting to be her authentic herself and openly express her interests, it feels cruel that this twist of fate took it away from her at this exact moment.
Image via Neil Jacobs/Netflix
Despite Rory having almost every opportunity available to her, we find out in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life that she is making bad decisions (like, er, sleeping with an engaged man) and is struggling to find her way. Lane, on the other hand, has made the best out of the cards she's been dealt. She's still married to Zack, is taking care of her twins, and has even kept music in her life by joining a band. I can't help but think if Lane can forge ahead despite all of her unfortunate circumstances, how fantastic could her life have been if the writers had served her just a little bit more good fortune?
Image via Saeed Adyani/Netflix
Lane's experience mirrors many Asian-American girls' lives. She had a strict upbringing and struggled to strike a balance between fitting in with her American peers and forming her own identity, while still trying to manage her mother's expectations of who she should be. As an Asian-American, Lane's experiences mirrored many of my own, and, at a time when there was such little Asian representation, this was extremely impactful.
With the lack of representation at the time, it was even more important that Lane was dealt an ending that she and her viewers could be proud of. Instead of turning her into somewhat of a cautionary tale, her story could have been utilized to empower an audience of individuals who saw themselves in her. For that reason, Lane's treatment on Gilmore Girls will never quite sit right with me.
What do you think about Lane Kim's storyline on Gilmore Girls? Let us know in the comments and check out our guide to Where Is The Gilmore Girls Cast Now? to keep up with your favorite Stars Hollow residents (even if they're not in Stars Hollow anymore).
Lead image via Warner Bros
This post has been updated.
