10 New Ways to Rock a Fishtail Braid

Anne Momber
Jul 01, 2014

The fishtail braid is quite possibly our new favorite thing. Effortless and just sassy enough to give even the most elaborate french braided ‘do a run for its money, the fishtail is the perfect go-to style for days when you need to combat humidity — or simply want to step out of your everyday hair comfort zone. And because we’re all about simple and stunning hair lately, we’re here with 10 amazing fishtail braid tutorials worth adding to your style arsenal.

1. The Twisted Fishtail: This half-up hairstyle puts a small spin on the traditional fishtail braid. (via Barefoot Blonde)

2. Fishtail Braid Tutorial: Next step? A fishtail braid with a french braid feel. (via Oncewed)

3. Bohemian Side Braid Festival Hair: Still searching for the perfect look to get you through those long festival days this summer? Try this one on for size. (via The Wonder Forest)

4. Half Updo: Have short hair + a fishtail obsession? This sweet half updo is going to be right up your alley. Bonus: It’s a bit fancy, which makes it perfect for all those weddings you’re going to this summer. (via The Beauty Department)

5. Side Twist Fishtail Braid: Confession: We happen to think this look is perfect for keeping those just-a-touch-too-long-bangs out of your face. But growing pains or no growing pains, this tutorial is simple and pretty. (via Running On Happiness)

6. DIY Fishtail Bun: You’re just a few simple steps away from the best beach-friendly look around. (via Snippet & Ink)

7. Double Fishtail Bun Tutorial: Fun, summery and a great way to get your hair out of the way on hot days, this fishtail bun is a pretty spin on a more traditional updo — but it’s every bit as simple. (via Barefoot Blonde)

8. Fishtail Crown Braid: We’re always up for a good braid crown — but a fishtail braid crown? We believe the word you’re looking for is “winning.” (via Circle and Hemisphere)

9. Fishtail Braid Video Tutorial: New to the art of the fishtail braid? This video will help you learn the basics. By the way, we have the utmost faith in your soon-to-be fishtail skills. (via A Beautiful Mess)

10. Fishtail Braid With Yarn: The inclusion of yarn in this braid makes it bright, playful and easy to color coordinate. And yes, we heart the color palette. (via A Beautiful Mess)

Which of these fishtail braid tutorials are your fingers itching to try? Let us know in the comments below!

I Made The Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink At Home – Here's How It Went

When I was working barista shifts at Starbucks over the winter, we'd get Medicine Ball orders every single hour. And not going to lie, I really hated them. Let me get this straight — I didn't hate the drink, but I more so disliked the fact that the customers ordering them almost always demanded their tea between a swarm of thick coughs and countless small sniffles. Yuck.

It truly felt like I was on the fence of getting sick pretty much every time someone stepped up to the register. But, I remained strong and I did what I had to do as a service worker, which in this case, was to pour the peachy-citrus tea into a pool of honey syrup, then top it with steamed lemonade. Coughs and sniffles aside, I often questioned why someone would order the Medicine Ball, based on the cost of the drink alone (up to $6, and that gets expensive when you're ordering it all the time).

Popular during sick season, the Starbucks Medicine Ball (AKA the Honey Citrus Mint Tea) may be good, but it's not good enough to cure you of that semi-flu, or whatever other pathogens might have been floating around in my café. It's also not worth putting someone else's health in jeopardy. Turns out, you can make the Medicine Ball at home — which saves money and effort (and spares others' safety) in the long run.

Scroll on to find out how simple making the Starbucks Medicine Ball really is!

@k.ard Medicine Ball for only $1.69 each! #medicineball#fluseason#coldseason#starbucksdupe#budgettok#SephoraConcealers#DrPepperTuitionContest#halloween#fall2022♬ Halloween - KenZie DarkStar

TikTok always makes recipes look effortless. So, I took this trusty tutorial into our own hands to compare how good an at-home Medicine Ball could really be against the real one from Starbucks.

Ingredients for the Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink

Starbucks

How can I make a Medicine Ball at home?

Anna Pou / PEXELS

Making a Starbucks Medicine Ball at home is pretty straightforward:
  1. Heat 1 cup of lemonade in the microwave for 45 seconds to a minute.
  2. Add 1 cup of hot water and stir in 1 tablespoon honey.
  3. Add one bag of Peach Tranquility and one bag of Jade Citrus Mint, then steep for a few minutes.
  4. Enjoy your Medicine Ball!

How I Made The Starbucks Medicine Ball At Home

Meredith Holser

First, I embarked on an ever-iconic Target run to gather my copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball recipe ingredients. Since they were out of the exact Teavana teas I needed to replicate the TikTok recipe, I picked up two similar ones: first, the Good & Gather Organic Peach Honey Tea, and the Good & Gather Organic Mint Tea. I also picked up a jug of lemonade, and planned to use the honey I already had at home. All together, the three ingredients I needed ended up costing me about $9.50.

Step 1: Heat Lemonade

Tara Winstead / PEXELS

I measured a cup of lemonade, and just popped my Starbucks mug in the microwave for a minute.

Step 2: Add Water and Honey

Roman Odinstov / PEXELS

While the lemonade was in the microwave, I set some water on in my electric kettle. Once both liquids were heated up, I measured a cup of water and combined it in the mug with a tablespoon of honey. Yum!

Step 3: Steep Tea Bags

Anna Pou / PEXELS

Then, I put the two teabags in the mixture to steep. The tea wasn't overly hot either, and I steeped them for about 3 minutes before giving my homemade Medicine Ball recipe a lil' sip.

Is the homemade version of the Medicine Ball as good as the one from Starbucks?

Meredith Holser

To my surprise, my homemade Medicine Ball recipe was extremely delicious, and it mimicked the Starbucks one so closely. Before tasting, I gave my tea a sniff, and the smell was pretty much identical to the drink made in stores. The flavor hit the exact same mark.

Overall, I rate my homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball a 4.7/5.

The only detracting factors are the temperature of the drink – Starbucks steams their lemonade to make the drink super hot, and mine wasn't nearly as piping. Of course, this is just personal preference, and next time, I can heat the lemonade for a longer duration, or reheat the drink altogether. Another reason for the minimal point deduction is the drink wasn't as sweet as I expected it to be. Again, this is a personal preference, and you can add as little or as much sweetener you desire!

All of this goes to say, that a homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball is just as yummy as the one you can get at a Starbucks cafe. By following the steps above, you can make a copycat recipe that's going to satisfy your hankering for a citrusy, hot tea!

Looking for more at-home copycat recipes like this Medicine Ball from Starbucks? Browse our site for more DIYs!

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.

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Hilary Duff Is Housing Mandy Moore & Family During LA Fires: "Altadena Strong."

Amid the tragedy of the LA fires, neighbors are opening their homes to one another. In addition to AirBnb offering temporary housing and various YMCAs and Red Cross locations opening their doors, victims are finding safety with friends and family — and that includes your favorite celebrities. Like Hilary Duff and husband Matthew Koma, who opened their home to Mandy Moore, Taylor Goldsmith, and their family.

Here's what Mandy Moore and Griffin Goldsmith have said about Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma — and the LA wildfires.

Despite losing everything, Griffin is touched by Hilary Duff & Matthew Koma.

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A post shared by Dawes (@dawestheband)

After Mandy Moore and Taylor Goldsmith's home was affected by the wildfires in Altadena (they lost their garage, music studio, and back house), Mandy's brother-in-law Griffin Goldsmith revealed the family had been taken in by Hilary Duff.

"All of this so overwhelming," he said on Instagram. "Our dear friends @matthewkoma and @hilaryduff thought it wise to set up a gofundme for us to help with everything moving forward. Not to mention they are currently housing my brother’s family. They’ve taken care of my entire family from the moment this began. I will never be able to thank them adequately. This is the kindest act any human could do for another. They are the most beautiful, selfless people we’ve ever known."

"I’ve never been so moved in my life," he continues. "We are completely blown away. I can’t talk or think about it without crying. Like I said there aren’t words to describe how I feel. I’m doing my best. You all have completely changed what the picture of our future in Los Angeles looks like."

Mandy Moore shared the GoFundMe for Griffin and Kit on Instagram, writing in a since-deleted post that the couple "lost their home and everything they own in the Eaton Fire."

"With their first baby on the way in a matter of weeks, they need our support now more than ever," Mandy says (via People). "Griff is a touring musician and also lost his entire arsenal of drums/percussion he uses to make a living. It’s all so much. So many have asked how to help during this unimaginable and stressful time … Please consider donating and sharing to help them rebuild."

And when people criticized her decision to share the GoFundMe link? "Kindly F OFF."

"People questioning whether we’re helping out our own family or attributing some arbitrary amount of money Google says someone has is NOT helpful or empathetic," she continues. "Of course we are. Our buddy Matt started this GoFundMe and i’m sharing because people have asked how they can help them. We just lost most of our life in a fire too."

And the main part of Mandy Moore's home is still "mostly intact."

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A post shared by Mandy Moore (@mandymooremm)

The Princess Diaries actress shared photos from her family's property, revealing that the main part of their home is still standing. "It’s not livable but mostly intact," she said on Instagram January 10. "We lost Taylor and griffin’s studio with every instrument and piece of equipment they’ve ever owned. We lost our garage and back house. Everyone we know lost everything. Every house on our street is gone. My in laws. My brother and sister in law- 6 weeks from welcoming their first baby. Our best friends. Feeling weird survivors guilt. We love this community and will do everything we can to help rebuild and support. Thanks for everyone for checking on us and offering us help. Altadena strong."

Resources and more information on the LA fires can be found here.

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How To Make The Whole Foods Brown Butter Cookie Latte At Home

The Whole Foods Brown Butter Cookie Latte is back on menus, baby! The iced latte went ballistically viral last year not only for its low price (a true win in times of shrinkflation), but for the fact that it literally tastes like a cookie, in latte form.

Apparently I was living under a rock before I knew about the Brown Butter Cookie Latte, because I didn’t know Whole Foods had a coffee bar. After seeing its return to menus, I was ecstatic. I’m all for grubbing on a budget, so the drink is already Meredith-approved.

What does the Whole Foods Brown Butter Cookie Latte taste like?

Image via Whole Foods / TikTok

Though cheap, is the Whole Foods Brown Butter Cookie Latte *actually* yummy? The internet is divided. While others are saying it’s way too sweet, some report that it tastes like… nothing. This discrepancy could be attributed to the fact that no two Whole Foods stores are the same (at least in my experience), and the baristas could be making the latte differently across states. Nonetheless, I’ve landed on a very important inside scoop from one of the Whole Foods latte-makers themselves!

What's actually in the Whole Foods Brown Butter Cookie Latte?

Photo by Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

In 2023, TikTok user and Whole Foods barista, Madeline, spilled the beans (get it?) on what exactly goes into the Brown Butter Cookie Latte – and it’s hilariously easy to make at home.

Contrary to what you’d think, the latte doesn’t actually have brown butter in it. It’s crafted from a mix of pumpkin and caramel syrup that work together for that deliciously buttery taste. Who would’ve thought? Not I.

She details that Whole Foods coffee bars use the 1883 Maison Routin brand of syrups to make their drinks. Of all the fantastic flavors they offer (pistachio! lychee! blueberry muffin!), the pumpkin spiceand caramelsyrups can be purchased online for around $9 each. From there, you can be on your way to Brown Butter Cookie Latte heaven!

How To Make The Whole Foods Brown Butter Cookie Latte At Home

Image via Whole Foods / TikTok

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 espresso shots
  • 8 oz cold milk, of your choice
  • 1 handful of ice
  • 2 pumps pumpkin spice syrup
  • 1 pump caramel syrup (Some reports differ, but the ratio of syrup to make the heralded latte is 2 pumps of pumpkin spice to one pump caramel. If you like your latte on the sweeter side, you can double the amount – or play around with different numbers of pumps.)

Directions:

  1. Using an at-home espresso machine, moka pot, or Aeropress (basically any device that can make strong coffee), pull 1-2 shots of espresso into a small cup.
  2. While your espresso is pouring, mix the syrup and cold milk together in a tall glass.
  3. Once finished, pour your espresso shots into the tall glass and stir.
  4. Top off with ice, and your latte is complete!

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Lead image via Whole Foods / TikTok.

This post has been updated.

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12 "Outdated" Kitchen Trends You Should Ditch In 2025 (But You Probably Have)

Kitchen renovations are no joke – they're a major investment, so you’ll want to think twice before committing to fleeting trends — especially for big-ticket items like cabinets, countertops, and appliances. I’ll admit it: I’m still without a backsplash five years later because I can’t commit! While it’s perfectly fine to follow your heart if you love a particular look, kitchens can quickly feel outdated when you lean too heavily on short-lived fads. To help you create a timeless, stylish space, we’ve rounded up outdated kitchen trends to avoid — and easy ways to modernize if your kitchen is stuck in the past.

Scroll to see if you have these outdated kitchen trends in your house right now!

Mark McCammon

1. All-White Kitchens

The all-white kitchen craze has officially run its course, often feeling cold and sterile — like say a doctor’s office. Today’s kitchens are all about warmth and character, with palettes in soft neutrals, earthy greens, or bold, moody shades like oxblood and midnight blue. Choose a color that speaks to you for a timeless, inviting space you'll love for years to come.

Pixabay

2. Granite Countertops

This early 2000s trend has been overdone and feels so dated now. Marble, sleek quartz, even butcher block are more classic choices.

Curtis Adams

3. Ornate Cabinetry

The color and detail of this traditional kitchen feels drab and dated. Instead, look for flat-panel or Shaker-style cabinets with clean, minimal lines.

Terry Magallanes

4. Farmhouse Decor

This kitchen is a lesson is don'ts. The grey vinyl flooring (especially hideous!), farmhouse stools, and white cabinetry hail from a decades-old trend that needs to disappear in 2025.

Home Depot

5. Glass Mosaic Tiles

Glass mosaics, popular in the 2000s and 2010s, tend to lean toward a transitional aesthetic, which is the opposite of an organic, minimalist, or vintage-inspired design kitchen are craving now. The grout lines are bit difficult to clean too between all the tiny tiles. Zellige tile or a slab of marble are a more sophisticated look for today's kitchens.

Level 23 Media

6. Black & White

The stark contrast between black and white can come across as harsh and overly dramatic, a look that peaked in the 2010s. The farmhouse sign doesn't help warm it up either. Soften the look with earthy, natural tones.

Curtis Adams

7. Subway Tile

Subway tile is classic, so there’s no need to rip it out if it still brings you joy. However, the white subway tile paired with dark grout has overstayed its welcome. This overdone trend became so ubiquitous that it lost its charm and individuality, leaving kitchens looking more cookie-cutter than full of character.

Amazon

8. Industrial Lighting

This nod to the past needs to, sorry, stay in the past. Look for organic, natural forms and lighting that reflects your kitchen's unique aesthetic.

Shutterstock

9. Tuscan Style

This rustic kitchen feels dated with its heavy, ornate features like dark wood cabinetry and trim. Go for clean, brighter spaces.

Shutterstock

10. Tile Countertops

Natural stone, marble, and wood are trending for 2025. Grout-filled countertops like this one are not. Time to go!

Max Vakhtbovycn

11. Moroccan Mosaic Tile

Kitchens are becoming elegant places to cook, eat, and gather. This busy design can look cheap. The white mid-century Eames-style chairs, sorry to say, are also out.

Andrea Davis

12. Barn Doors

Using barn doors between the kitchen and other spaces is a look that is officially out. They proved to be not that functional and the look is now dated and too kitschy. Buh bye!

Check out our online newsletter for more home decor inspo!

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

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30 Easy & Low-Carb Dinner Recipes For Your Whole30 Month

Every January, I commit to a Whole30 month and throughout the year follow the low-carb program for a week or even a day. This year, 2025, I'm going to try to adhere to a low-carb diet all year long. My body just doesn't react well to carbs and it's generally a healthier way to live. I recently tried True Story's Whole30 Approved Bundle, which has been a great starter kit to get back in the swing of a low-carb routine, especially at lunchtime when I don't have time to cook from scratch.

Now there are tons of Whole30 recipes that you can enjoy without breaking the rules. The creativity of these dinner recipes make you feel like you're not giving up on dairy, grains, sweets or fun, but instead are venturing into a style of cooking that's healthy and *delicious.* Enjoy the adventure and experiment with these versatile mains that you can add to your monthly cooking routine.

Easy Paleo Chili Recipe

Make this easy Whole30-compliant dish that's full of healthy veggies (no beans!) and so simple to make. (via The Endless Meal)

Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs

For an easy dinner, try these meatballs without breadcrumbs made from ground beef or pork. Just add a veggie and your favorite sauce! (via Where Is My Spoon)

Sweet Potato Toasts

Sweet potatoes are low in calorie and high in fiber and a good swap for your toasty cravings. There are endless topping combos to turn them into a delicious and savory meal. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Sheet Pan Chicken And Asparagus

This Sheet Pan Chicken and Asparagus recipe is Whole30 approved and ready in less than 30 minutes! (via The Girl On Bloor)

Creamy Chicken Mushroom

Serve over cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash, this Creamy Chicken Mushroom recipe is made with garlic chicken thighs and a delicious mushroom sauce that's made creamy with healthy cashew butter. (via The Endless Meal)

Chicken Artichoke

This chicken smothered in a creamy spinach and artichoke cream sauce is Whole30-compliant and so delicious! (via Clean Cuisine)

Whole30 Chicken Zoodle Soup

Whole30 Chicken Zoodle Soup

If you’re looking for a soul-soothing dish that’s still diet-friendly, you’ve come to the right recipe. (via Brit + Co)

Whole30 Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Hearty comfort food isn’t always compliant with the latest food trends, but this loaded baked potato soup just happens to be Whole30 approved. (via Brit + Co)

Whole30 Animal Style Burgers

Whole30 Animal Style Burgers

Crunchy lettuce leaves replace traditional buns to make burgers that are Whole30 compliant. You’ll be able to stop your drive-thru dreams after just one bite. (via Brit + Co)

Chicken, Pesto, and Sun-Dried Tomato Egg Pizza

Instead of a wheat crust, this pizza is made on a high-protein egg base. A creamy pesto made with pine nuts and cashews will make you forget all about cheese. (via The Whole Smith’s Good Food Cookbook, photo via Michelle Smith)

Whole 30 Salmon Avocado Salad

The most unexpected bite in this salmon salad comes not from creamy avocado, but rather from bright bursts of tangy grapefruit that liven up the entire dish. (via The Whole Smith’s Good Food Cookbook, photo via Michelle Smith)

Whole30 Broccoli Chicken Twice Baked Potatoes

Thank goodness white potatoes aren’t off-limits with Whole30. Turn them into an entire, satisfying meal by stuffing them with broccoli, chicken, fresh herbs, and spices. (via The Whole Smith’s Good Food Cookbook, photo via Michelle Smith)

Whole30 Chicken, Lime, and Avocado Soup

Don’t forget the avocado. It adds a cooling, creamy effect to your bowl. (via The Whole30 Slow Cooker, photo via Ghazalle Badiozamani)

Whole30 Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore

This Whole30-compliant chicken cacciatore is comfort food at its best, made by swapping zucchini noodles for pasta. (via The Whole30 Slow Cooker, photo via Ghazalle Badiozamani)

Whole30 Instant Pot Chinese Sesame Chicken

Make this sesame chicken at home in your Instant Pot so you don’t give in to your take-out cravings. (via The Whole30 Slow Cooker, photo via Ghazalle Badiozamani)

Taco Salad Bowl + Sautéed Plantains

Dig into this hearty salad served with sautéed plantains and a homemade Whole30-compliant taco seasoning for a totally satisfying dinner. (via The Real Food Dieticians)

Twice-Baked Sweet Potato Egg Boat

Twice-Baked Sweet Potato Egg Boat

Roasted sweet potatoes, eggs, and the toppings of your choice (bacon and avocado, for example) create a hearty base for your day. (via Brit + Co)

Hashbrown Egg Cups

Sometimes nothing hits the spot like a cozy hashbrown egg cup. Opt for only shredded sweet potatoes in this dish to keep it compliant. (via Siriously Deliciousby Siri Daly / Time Inc., Books)

Sheet-Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Tangy, spicy sheet-pan shrimp fajitas can be wrapped in lettuce taco “shells.” (via Brit + Co)

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

This Greek-inspired whole chicken cooks fast and tasty in an air fryer. Add roasted potatoes for a complete meal! (via Vikalinka)

Green Egg Shakshuka

If you’re not famished after work, treat yourself to a pan of mixed greens topped with baked eggs. (via Brit + Co)

Spring Chicken Salad

Chicken, potatoes, and greens are always a choice grouping. Here, the addition of a pesto dressing transforms them into a vibrantly flavored dish. Use snap peas instead of English peas to keep things Whole30-compliant. (via Brit + Co)

Whole30 Shepherd’s Pie

Topped with a creamy cauliflower-potato mash, Whole30 shepherd’s pie is just one way to satisfy your comfort food cravings. (via Brit + Co)

Halibut en Papillote

Made with halibut, shiitake mushrooms, and a touch of sesame oil, this homemade fish dish is oh-so-memorable. Serve it with cauli rice to help soak up the extra sauce. (via The Clean Plate: Eat, Reset, Heal by Gwyneth Paltrow)

Instant Pot Salmon Dinner

Instant Pot Salmon Dinner

Sweet potatoes, broccoli, and orange-covered salmon cook up all at once in an Instant Pot within minutes so hanger doesn’t have time to strike. (via Brit + Co)

Keto Vegan Alfredo Zoodles

We think Whole30 will forgive us since alfredo sauce isn’t something people tend to binge on. Top it with shrimp or chicken for extra oomph. (via Brit + Co)

Whole30 Mashed Potatoes With Mushroom Gravy

Make a big batch of this and serve it alongside a steak. (via Brit + Co)

Sweet Potato Egg Boat

Twice-Baked Sweet Potato Egg Boat

Don’t knock it till you try it. Egg, bacon, avo, and sweet potatoes surprisingly go very well together. (via Brit + Co)

Paleo Dressing

This bowl combines roasted root vegetables and sausage for an earthy, filling combo. Serve it with some cauliflower rice for a complete meal. (via Brit + Co)

Whole30 Chicken Salad

This easy grilled chicken salad, ideal for the nights when you want to quickly throw something together, happens to be Pinterest’s top recipe. (via Brit + Co)

As you already know if you've made it this far, getting through a month of healthy meals is all about the meal plan! We hope you've found some inspiration for easy, flavorful, colorful, and tasty meals that we imagine might land in your regular meal rotation beyond your Whole30 month? Find more inspiration in our weekly newsletter or enjoy a free month of our on-demand baking and cooking classes.

Main image via The Endless Meal

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