5 Ways to Decorate the Best Gingerbread House EVER

Today we’re teaming up with Studio Ink to show you how to host the most epic Galentine's Day brunch (even if it's breakfast in bed). We’ve got everything from red velvet heart waffles to DIY centerpieces to Galentine card writing stations. Studio Ink has an awesome collection of cards that are the perfect mix of sweet, sentimental, funny and cute. It’s not truly Galentine’s Day unless you send your besties Valentines… I mean, Galentines! Alright, let’s dive in.

What does Galentine mean?

Galentines are like Valentines, but for the girls! Though you may have a lover in your life, this holiday is all about celebrating your platonic friendships with your girl friends and just having fun with it! The holiday is slated for Feburary 13, the day before Valentine's Day, so you can have all the time to cherish your gal pals. Funnily enough, the day was coined by none other than the iconic Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation.

What food is eaten on Galentine's Day?

Your Galentine's Day grub is really up to you and the girls, but the most popular bites include dips and chips, stuffed peppers, veggie skewers, waffles, cookies, cupcakes, cake pops, deviled eggs, bruschettas and charcuterie snacks. Finger foods are always a good way to go for any gathering.

What do you bring to a Galentine's Day brunch?

For a Galentine's brunch, you can bring food items like cute snacks, desserts (topped with heart sprinkles, of course), healthy meals, drink mixers or mocktails. You can also bring handmade cards or gifts for each of your friends, and of course you have to bring your love!

The Spread

First, let’s talk about the food. It’s not brunch without a fabulous array of treats. For our Galentine’s Day brunch, the perfect setup includes: berry parfaits, donut skewers, mini muffins, bellinis and a red velvet waffle bar, displayed under a simple backdrop of letter balloons, paper hearts and tassels.

Decorate your table with a few gold bottles and single flower stems. You don’t want your table to be too cluttered, because you’ll want to also have space for all the card writing you’ll do!

Galentine’s Day Card Mailboxes

All your Galentine’s Day cards now have a home.

Add some stickers to your mailbox for extra cute flair. You can download these Studio Ink Galentine’s Day stickers here. Just print on sticker paper and cut them out!

Cards

Check out some tips and tricks for making your cards.

You’ve got mail!

I see more mail in the future. <3

Check out how cute these cards are!

I don’t know about you… but all this card writing is getting me hungry. Which brings me to….

Galentine's Brunch Foods

These red velvet waffles were a hit when we tested the recipe at the Brit + Co kitchen, and they certainly will be a hit on your Galentine’s Day brunch table.

Red Velvet Heart Waffles With Cream Cheese Glaze

Make these waffles with your favorite mix or from your go-to cookbook. Place the waffles on a platter along with the glaze and other toppings. We’re using heart-shaped sprinkles, obviously.

Drizzle the glaze on your waffles with a spoon or with a pitcher. No matter how you do that drizz, your waffles will be delicious!

Mmm, delightful!

Okay, I already know I want seconds. What better way to wash down your second (and maybe third) helping of waffles than with a bellini? Check out this downloadable signature recipe here!

Brunch babes!

Charles Chocolates Winter Fleur de Sel Collection

We partnered with Charles Chocolates, the award-winning artisanal chocolate brand, to create a gift guide filled with unique and just-a-little-bit bougie finds, because everyone deserves to treat themselves once in a while, holiday season or not! From a plushy robe and scented candles to a box of the most creative handmade chocolates, including a chocolate box you can actually eat, these picks are perfect for everyone on your list — and maybe even a little treat for yourself.

The Coffee Lover

Charles Chocolates Winter Collection Edible Chocolate Box

These coffee-lover gifts, including a colorful French Press and adorbs mug, are sure to perk up your day — and theirs! Pair your morning cup with a delicious piece of handmade chocolate for the ultimate sensory experience. You can literally eat the box in this Winter Collection from Charles Chocolates filled with Fleur de Sel Caramels, Peanut Butterflies and Milk Chocolate Caramels. SO good!

The Cozy Homebody

Charles Chocolates Holiday Collection

For the pal who loves to stay in and get cozy, here’s a cute kettle for steeping her favorite tea, some cozy wears, and Charles Chocolates Holiday Collection with flavors like Pecan Fleur de Sel Caramel, Cinnamon Spice Truffle, Orange Zest Truffle, and Maple Truffle. Charles Chocolates are all natural so it’s real chocolate vs. a sugary (read: cheap) substitute. The flavors are so unique and fun to taste-test. It’s the perfect gift for when you’re feeling indoorsy!

Featured:

• Charles Chocolates Holiday Collection
• Willow Kitchen Digital Gooseneck Kettle
• Brooklinen Super-Plush Robe
• Free People Ruffle Sock Pack
• Slip Contour Sleep Mask
• Olive Candle

Your Holiday Crush

Charles Chocolates Peppermint Bark

Sneak a fancy chocolate bar, like Charles Chocolates Peppermint Bark Bar, made with homemade peppermint candy, in your S.O.’s stocking, plus some essentials for the camper, music lover, and beanie wearer!

Featured:

• Charles Chocolates Peppermint Bark
• Wren Off-Road Camp Mug
• Marine Layer Corbet Quilted Full Zip Hoodie
• Carhartt Beanie Hat
• Hunter Neoprene Toiletry Bag
• Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker

The Sweet Tooth

Charles Chocolates Bittersweet Chocolate Santa

Sweet tooth be gone with Charles Chocolates Bittersweet Chocolate Santa Clause. This thing is not small, weighing in at 3 lbs. of deliciously rich chocolate. Adults will actually enjoy this vintage-style Santa as much as kids! Pair with a bottle of wine dressed in an adorable bow, a cake stand candle (so cute!), darling dessert plates, and/or a baking lover’s cookbook! Toss some mint chocolate almonds in stockings too!

Featured:

• Charles Chocolates Bittersweet Chocolate Santa
• PB Stewart Plaid Wine Collar
• Charles Chocolates Mint Chocolate Almonds
• Peachymart Cute French Style Dessert Plates
• Mini Cake Stand Woody Winter Woods & Vanilla Glass Candle
• Crumbs: Cookies and Sweets from Around the World

Your Jewish Bestie

Charles Chocolates Hanukkah Collection Edible Chocolate Box

There’s a lot of talk about Christmas this time of year, but not all of our friends celebrate. And this year, Hanukkah starts on Christmas day so we can celebrate together! Gift your bestie who celebrates the Festival of Lights with this Hanukkah Collection Edible Chocolate Box filled with flavors like Fleur de Sel Caramel, Passion Fruit Heart, Espresso Caramel, and Meyer Lemon Yankee. They might also enjoy a new cookbook celebrating their heritage, cozy slippers, jewelry, and an artful wine decanter for the holidays. Candle-lighting matches are a perfect stocking stuffer or White Elephant gift too!

Featured:

• Charles Chocolates Hanukkah Collection Edible Chocolate Box
• MOMA Bilboquet Wine Carafe & Decanter
• The Jewish Holiday Table Cookbook
• Tenn Prairie Striker Match Holder
• Rhinestone Bow Earrings
• Maeve Faux-Fur Open-Toe Bow Slippers

When will Gladiator 2 start streaming?

Great question! Gladiator 2 is reportedly available to watch RIGHT NOW on Paramount+ so consider yourself lucky if you're already a subscriber (via The Hollywood Reporter) . The outlet also reports you can buy it on Prime Video or Apple TV!

Let's make a pact to watch it after work so we can be entertained on yet another snow day.

Watch The New 'Gladiator 2' Trailer Now

Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Denzel Washington, and Paul Mescal were absolutely electric together! And the use of "No Church in the Wild" by Jay-Z and Ye? My jaw literally dropped.

I originally wanted to know if these three powerhouses could form an alliance that would change the future in Gladiator 2. Despite the outcome (no spoiler alerts here!), there was sizzling action...and bodies. And by sizzling, I really mean it. Paul revealed in an interview with EW that his arena scene, which will feature a CGI rhino, was so hot, he was "borderline throwing up."

"We shot that for about two or three days, but the heat was just….My Irish blood does not function with Ridley's shooting schedule, which is like sun up to sun down, hottest parts of the day," he says. "It was brutal, the fight. I grew up playing sports, so I would consider myself pretty robust and happy to throw myself around, but it was just the [arena] itself became like a radiator. I was borderline throwing up, irritable, just hardcore. Between takes I was firing ice straight down my back."

Pedro Pascal also recalled a few memorable moments from shooting the film, and my personal favorite was what sounds like the greatest blooper of all time. "I was running off the drawbridge, and they kind of dressed it with some dust so that when it slams against the fortified wall, there's a big puff of smoke, of dust," he says. "And I'm charging off the drawbridge and jumping over the wall, and I slip,. I literally bounce off the drawbridge on my —ss and land splat in front of Paul's feet on the first take." And in true Pedro fashion, he followed up with, "Are you not entertained?"

"There was a moment when we were rehearsing my fight scene with Pedro, and I had an idea towards the end of the scene to kiss Pedro on the forehead," Paul adds, referencing a cut scene. "I was like, 'Ridley: Kiss on the forehead, did you like it? Yay or nay?' There was radio silence for a second. His radio crackles back, and [Ridley] goes, 'I'm afraid I did.'"

The first look at Paul Mescal's character Lucius featured our new lead ready for battle. When I first saw this picture, all I could think was "Wherever Paul leads, I'll follow."

What was Gladiator 2 about?

Gladiator 2 Plot

Keeping true to the characters the first film introduced, Gladiator 2 focused on Paul Mescal's Lucius. He was a gladiator who'd been exiled to fight — similar to Maxmius' fate — and hadn't seen his mother Lucila in over a decade.USA Todayoriginally reported there would be a nod to Maximus as young Lucius has great respect for the legacy he left behind.

When did Gladiator 2 premiere?

Gladiator 2 Release Date

Gladiator 2 premiered in theaters November 22, 2024. Check out the rest of this year's fall movies to see what else debuted last year.

Who else was a part of the Gladiator 2 cast?

Gladiator 2 Cast

The Gladiator 2 cast also featured Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, Lucius' mother, Fred Hechinger (from The White Lotus) as Co-Emperor Caracalla, Joseph Quinn (from Stranger Things Season 4) as Co-Emperor Geta, Pedro Pascal (from The Last of Us) as General Marcus Acacius, and Denzel Washington as the wealthy and powerful Macrinus, who oversaw the gladiators.