6 Fresh Parenting Styles from Around the Globe

Parenting isn’t the same everywhere. Sure, you’ve heard of “parenting styles”: There are helicopters, tigers, hippos, and so many more. But that doesn’t even take into account how other mamas do their thing across the world. No one’s saying you need suddenly start parenting like you’re from France — or anywhere else for that matter — but learning about how other moms deal with newborns, toddler tantrums, and all the other parts of parenting can only help to globalize your views and make you more understanding when it comes to what other people do.

1. France: Ah, the French maman. She’s gotten much press in the parenting arena. Books such as Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman have made waves across the ocean and sold some American moms on Parisian parenting. The French style focuses on overall life balance and giving kiddos their independence — and then (of course) there’s the food. You aren’t likely to catch French tots chowing down on mac and cheese that was prepared separately from Mom and Dad’s dinner. Nope. If Mama and Papa are eating Gruyere-smothered fillets, so are the kids.

2. Bali: You may not be able to wait until that magical day when your baby walks, but Balinese moms can. A major part of parenting a newborn is not letting your little one’s feet touch the ground. Okay, so baby can’t really walk yet. But many parents in Bali follow an ancient custom that says a baby’s feet can’t touch the floor for the first 105 days. Believing in reincarnation, the people of Bali feel that babies are their deceased ancestors, reborn. With that in mind, babies are considered holy visitors from another world. Keeping them off the floor is a show of respect for the reincarnated being’s purity.

3. Central Africa: The Aka people of central Africa do something us Americans seem to strive for — they make men and women equal when it comes to the family. Instead of handing out “daddy” and “mommy” tasks, parents take turns hunting, watching the kids, and doing everything else that goes into raising a family.

4. Kenya: Forget about fancy jogging strollers. Those are totally unnecessary in Kenya. Mothers in Kenya swaddle up their babies in cloth and carry them in… well, carriers. Along with carrying babies around, the Kisii people of Kenya don’t believe in looking new babies in the eyes. They believe that eye contact is an act of giving the other person power. Obviously, babies aren’t exactly powerful beings. At least not in the “person in charge” sense of the word.

5. Denmark: Danish parents let their kids play freely. Ahh! If only everyone could let go of the helicoptering and just allow kids to be kids. The Danes also have “hygge,” or getting comfy and cozy. This promotes together-time and bonding for all family members.

6. Japan: Speaking of fostering independence, the Japanese model does just this. Instead of dropping their kids off at the school door, it’s common for Japanese parents to let their children go completely unaccompanied. This breeds a sense of self-reliance that we don’t often see in the US these days. Even though parenting is just as competitive in Japan as it is in other parts of the world, these mamas don’t boast, brag, or otherwise talk up their kids to anyone other than their closest friends and family.

How do you think parenting in the US is different from other areas of the globe? Tweet us your thoughts @BritandCo!

(Photos via Getty)

A nursery can say a lot about a momma's style. It's where you can play around with childlike imagination, show off your design sensibilities, and put all your love, hopes, and dreams for baby on display. Plus, all your maternal energy has to go *somewhere* before baby arrives. To help you get things started, we've scrolled through the web and Instagram to find the most inspiring baby's rooms— from whimsical and charming to modern and edgy — you're bound to go gaga for at least one.

Find your favorite nursery below and get nesting!

Etsy

"We're seeing a shift from the traditional pastels to more gender-neutral, earthy tones," says Amanda Leigh, cofounder of LA-basedHouse of Rolison. "Soft sage greens, warm taupes, and muted terracottas are becoming popular, creating a calming yet sophisticated environment." Accents like a crib canopy are a perfect way to incorporate these colors!

Kids n Cribs

Classic patterns are back in for nurseries. The plaid rug, floral wallpaper, and Namesake Liberty 2 Piece Nursery Set with farmhouse spindle legs are all on trend for 2025.

Etsy

"I’m still big fan of moss that is a cooling unisex color and acts as a gentle and inviting background for natural blonde tones of wood accents and furniture," says Natália Severdia, founder and principal designer of Bay Area and Lake Tahoe-based Interior Studio Natália. This Etsy Watercolor Forest Wallpaper is such a cute take on the color for a nursery!

Crate & Kids

Supermodel and entrepreneur Jasmine Tookes and her husband, Juan, redesigned their nursery with Crate & Kids The Design Desk to create a warm and modern nursery for their daughter. The pink and green is a lovely combo for 2025.

Sandberg Wallpaper

"There’s also a resurgence of deep blues paired with natural wood accents, offering a serene yet stylistic vibe," says Taylor Hahn, cofounder of House of Rolison. This Sandberg Starry Sky Wallpaper is ADORABLE, unexpected, and a sign of richer tones to come.

Babyletto

So long traditional pastels: A camel-colored curtain panel complements that greens and browns in this nursery designed by Babyletto. I just love how this Babyletto Bondi Crib compliments the colors!

Oilo Studio

Colors like taupe and nature-inspired colors like moss and sage create a serene and peaceful nursery. "Earthy tones like warm beige, soft taupe, and muted terracotta are also gaining popularity for those looking to create a more grounded, gender-neutral space," she echoes. A nursery glider, like this one from Oilo Studio Nola, is a fantastic way to incorporate these tones.

Nestig

Muted colors paired with a deep Bordeaux paint on the ceiling makes a stunning impact in this nursery design from Nestig. The earthy Willow Crib is such a nice way to ground the more colorful room.

Pottery Barn Kids

A nature-inspired wallpaper like this forest one from Pottery Barn Kids is just enough to make a nursery feel soothing and beautiful. It's peel-and-stick backing makes it simple to hang, and it has a convenient wipe-clean finish.

Babyletto

Deep, rich hues are leaving traditional pastels behind. This burgundy-colored Bondi Cane 3-in-1 Convertible Crib embraces this trend with its bold, sophisticated tone, making a striking yet timeless statement in any nursery.

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EMMA HOPP PHOTOGRAPHY on Instagram: “I have had several requests to share our nursery, and it’s just about done! I’ve been nesting hard core and just have a bit more organizing…”

Balance an overall minimalist design aesthetic with a wallpaper that's eyecatching, not overwhelming.

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Tiggy's Nursery & Home on Instagram: “🐘 S A F A R I T H E M E 🦓 Does your nursery have a theme? Add some color with our awesome selection of modern and colorful wall stickers!!…”

Storybook-like wallpaper gives this safari-themed nursery a whimsical feel.

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Wiola on Instagram: “Przyszła jesień wiec nareszcie znalazłam czas by dodać małe co nieco do pokoju Gnieweczka 😉 wiec na dobranoc pochwalę się dzisiejszymi…”Maybe you can tell by the amount of in-belly somersaults that your little one is going to be adventurous? This mountain theme is perfect for a wild child.

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@babyletto on Instagram: “🌅 this sunset color palette 😍 • #babyletto Hudson crib + Kiwi recliner • 📷: nursery designed by mama @stormybeaty 🧡”Lookin' to raise a boho babe? Tassels, indigenous-inspired prints, and a nature mural are the ways to go.

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Plum + Sparrow | Moses Baskets on Instagram: “Taking nursery style notes from @mrskmarino😍 The layered rugs and those sweet hanging plants behind the chair!! So perfect 🙌🏼⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ .⠀…”If you're going from plant mom to the real deal, consider creating a garden wall or keeping your fave potted greenery in the nursery.

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N i c o l e on Instagram: “A black wall is bold but a black nursery wall was a design risk. One that gave me the confidence in my design choices that I may not have…”

Black paint might feel taboo for a baby's room, but when done right, it can seriously pay off as a cool design choice.

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Tiggy's Nursery & Home on Instagram: “Beautiful blues @annekarolinee 😍💙 .⠀ .⠀ #babynursery #nurserydecor #nuseryideas #nurseryinspiration #babycushion #babypillow #nurserytheme…”Let your fave characters serve as inspiration for the whole design (we spy a few familiar faces here).

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Project Nursery on Instagram: “There's just something about a beautiful, classic nursery! We're here for the floral-meets-check design. 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ Design:…”

Forgo trends, and go for a classic design with preppy patterns and lots of southern charm.

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the brickies wife. on Instagram: “wolfes room is here // after 20months of life, he finally has a bedroom that isnt just a cot and rug 😅 and i am obsessed, his new…”

A baby with an edgy name deserves an equally edgy nursery...right Wolfe?

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The Paper Party Company - Lisa on Instagram: “Thanks for all the love on my new logo yesterday, it really does mean the world 🖤 There’s still 20% off everything in my Etsy store with…”

Add magic to any nursery with starry embellishments and quirky accents.

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Soren's House on Instagram: “Sunday inspiration! Just the most beautiful nursery from @jayne.s.davies 🖤 • • Tap for details 💫 • • #nurserydecor #nurseryinspo…”Don't want to commit to an all-dark look? Paint on a scallop half-wall design, and accessorize the top half with plenty of personality.

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Tara ⋒ on Instagram: “Boho meets vintage 🌿”Why not let your crib sheets steal the show? Sidenote: We can't get enough of this eucalyptus mobile!

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Lonny on Instagram: “Like a regular nursery but a little more @gucci. 👀💕🙌🏽 A perfectly plush retreat designed by @tamaramageldesign.”

Go full-on high design with a gorgeous artsy wallpaper and luxe furnuture.

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Nancy Nguyen on Instagram: “Weekends mean extra snuggles, extra kisses, but never extra sleep anymore 😴”

You know you designed a cozy nursery when it becomes the pup's new napping spot.

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Lana Dmitruks on Instagram: “Can you spot Caras little eye peaking through the crib. 😂😍 She finally had her first nap in the crib ..on her own like the big girl that…”

If Joshua Tree National Park were a nursery...why not take inspo from your favorite vacation spot?

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Mini & Stil on Instagram: “Danke euch vielvielmals für all die lieben Kommentare und Likes zu meinem Bild gestern! Ich bin ganz entzückt 🤭☺️❤️ Apropos…”Double a decorative shelf as storage space, and you've got a nursery as functional as it is cute.

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@helenepetitvillage on Instagram: “- Le Nid #4 - . La chambre est prête enfin, il me semble. Même si nous n'avons pas encore forcément les équipements, les jeux, etc ... il…”

Alexa, turn on nature sounds. It's the only thing this forest-inspired nursery is missing.

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Mini & Stil on Instagram: “Nach meinen Kindern liegt jetzt auch noch mein Mann flach und ich habe vor lauter Heiserkeit komplett die Stimme verloren 😷 Ich hoffe, dass…”Proof that navy works for both girl and boy nurseries.

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♡ Manuela ♡ on Instagram: “Könnt ihr euch noch an das Kinderzimmer Styling vor ein paar Wochen erinnern? 🌿 Ich hab einen super tollen Kinderzimmer Auftrag bekommen 😍…”

A table and chairs serve as a great place for tea parties, crafting, and sneaking in some work while the little one sleeps.

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Jordyn Hadwin on Instagram: “Having a girl is SO fun!!! Found this amazing little ottoman on @offerup last week and I’m obsessed 🙌🏻 it matches perfectly with her…”

Our love for all things rattan is alive and well, and the best part? It goes with everything, so you really can't make a bad design move with it.


St. Patrick’s Day is coming soon, and I’m already so pumped for it, thanks to a slew of fun fast food treats. From Wendy’s new Thin Mints Frosty and Dairy Queen’s Mint Oreo Blizzard to the return of McDonald’s famed Shamrock Shake, I’m geared up for all things green.

If you’re also celebrating St. Paddy’s with a sweet treat, you’re gonna want to try out this Starbucks secret menu drink that has the perfect green tint. It’s filled with white chocolate and matcha – but not in the way you’d think. Plus, it's a tasty departure from your expected mint flavors around this time of year!

Scroll on to discover the Starbucks secret menu order that’s perfect for sipping on St. Patrick’s Day!

@_starbuckssss

Essentially an iced white chocolate mocha made with blonde espresso topped with matcha cold foam and brown butter sprinkles, one Starbucks barista revealeda tasty (and festive!) new way to enjoy the chain’s offerings in lieu of St Paddy’s: the Pot Of Gold!

Starbucks

The spirited drink starts with 4 pumps of white mocha sauce, which is then combined with 2 blonde espresso shots. Starbucks’ blonde espresso has a smoother effect than their traditional shots, so expect this sip to bring on the sweetness!

Starbucks

From there, you can order the drink with your choice of milk – and it’s a total bonus that Starbucks is no longer charging extra for alternative milks like oat, almond, coconut, and soy milk!

Starbucks

The next step is to order the drink with the chain’s vanilla cold foam, adding 2 scoops of matcha powder in the process.

Note: this secret menu item was shared before Starbucks reformulated their matcha powderto be unsweetened, but the cold foam should still have some sweetness, thanks to the vanilla.

Starbucks

Finally, the Pot Of Gold matcha drink is complete, boasting a satisfying layer of green on top of a golden latte. The barista who came up with the drink topped their bev with Starbucks’ brown butter sprinkles, which is in cafes for a limited time alongside their pistachio-flavored coffees.

If your local Starbucks is out of the brown butter sprinkles, a dusting of cinnamon or chocolate curls could also be so tasty!

Starbucks

With this secret menu hack, you’ll be sipping your way through a delightful sweetness and plenty of caffeine from both the matcha powder and espresso shots. If you prefer to have less jitters in your drink, you could easily order it ‘half-caff’ or with decaf espresso shots.

For quick reference, here’s how to order the Pot Of Gold drink. Ask for:

  • A grande iced latte
  • With 2 blonde espresso shots (or your preference for ‘half-caff’ or decaf)
  • With your choice of milk
  • Topped with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam with 2 scoops of matcha powder
  • Add brown butter topping

And voila! This drink is such a fun way to ring in St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re craving an iced blended beverage, I also tracked down some pretty delicious-looking secret menu drinks for a Lucky Leprechaun Frappuccino and a Pot Of Gold Frappuccino.

Check ‘em out – and happy St. Paddy’s!

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Audiences loved the way Greta Gerwig's Little Women brought all four March sisters to life, and Netflix's Anne with an E became so popular that when the show was canceled after season 3, 1.7 million fans signed a petition to revive the series. It all just proves that classic adaptations can make the original story even more powerful.

And the newest movie based on a book is going to be one we think about forever — and not just because of its cast. Emerald Fennell (who you'll recognize from The Crown and her work as writer & director on Satburn) is adapting Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights and Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi are leading the cast!

The book, published in 1847, continues to grip readers, and it's become the blueprint for moody complexity — just like Emerald Fennell's Promising Young Woman, which won the Oscar for Best Screenplay thanks to its scathing look at sexual assault. Well, the Em's are coming together for this new adaptation.

Here's everything we know about Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights — and your first look at the movie.

Here's Your First Look At 'Wuthering Heights'

The first look at Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights is getting some seriously mixed reactions. The photo features a close-up image of someone (maybe Margot Robbie's) with their fingers and a few blades of grass in their mouth.

"CAN NOT WAIT," one Instagram user said, along with a couple fire emojis. But the intimate (and somewhat shocking) image also has some users asking, "what in the saltburn?"

Is Wuthering Heights going to be in theaters?

Focus Features

It appears director Emerald Fennell and producer Margot Robbie are pushing for a theatrical release, which is why they've reportedly turned down a Netflix offer of $150 million.

Despite the fact Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said theatrical releases are "just not our business," and the company has stuck to at-home streaming instead, they did break that pattern for Knives Out: Glass Onion in 2022. The movie appeared in around 600 theaters the day before Thanksgiving, but left a week later ahead of its December 23 debut on the streamer.

Co-CEO Reed Hastings told The Hollywood Reporter that keeping the movie in theaters could have made Netflix more money, but later said they just wanted to "break through the noise" and get movie lovers excited for the film to come to Netflix.

All that to be said, Margot Robbie (whose Barbie made over $1 billion worldwide) and Emerald Fennell (whose Promising Young Woman nabbed her an Oscar win and two other nominations) know how to capture the imaginations of movie lovers everywhere. And it could definitely be in their favor to stick to a theatrical release. Stay tuned for official news on where you can watch Wuthering Heights!

Who's in the new Wuthering Heights movie?

Frazer Harrison/Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Wuthering Heights Cast

The Wuthering Heights movie will be led by Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie as Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, respectively. Margot will also produce with her production company LuckyChap, which worked behind the scenes on Emerald Fennell's Saltburn and Promising Young Woman.

While some fans were initially excited about the casting, others were concerned about the fact that in the book, Heathcliff is described as "dark skinned." He also tells Nelly that, "I wish I had light hair and a fair skin, and was dressed, and behaved as well, and had a chance of being as rich as he will be!" Um, it looks like Jacob Elordi definitely has fair skin to me.

"Heathcliff is described as a dark-skinned brown man in the book and a major plot point is that he was subjected to racist abuse by his adopted family," one tweet (which has over 8 million views) says. "But yeah sure Jacob Elordi is perfect!"

Another says, "Film studios will say 'We are committed to diverse casting' and then cast Jacob Elordi to play Heathcliff, one of the more famous people of color in literature, whose race is crucial to both his character and the story."

Check back here to see who will play characters like Edgar Linton, Nelly Dean, Isabella Linton, and Lockwood.

When is Wuthering Heights coming out?

Warner Bros. Pictures

Wuthering Heights Release Date

Wuthering Heights will premiere on February 14, 2026. Happy Valentine's Day!

What is Wuthering Heights about?

Amazon

Wuthering Heights Plot

Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights follows the Earnshaws and the Lintons, who are living in the Yorkshire Moors in the 1880s. Their lives change forever when the Earnshaws take in Heathcliff. Like any good dramatic novel, passion lies beneath proper connections, marriages, and societal expectations — and despite Catherine and Heathcliffe's feelings for each other, they have to choose between security and love.

Check out 16 New Movies Based On Books To Add To Your Watchlist to inspire your next movie night!

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.

It's been 17 years since Gossip Girl first premiered on The CW, thus opening our eyes to the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite and introducing us to a new generation of stars like Blake Lively and Leighton Meester.

In the six seasons the show was on air, it captivated fans and critics alike, serving up week after week of delicious drama and continuously upping the ante for TV show fashion. ("So many designers were lining up to be a part of it — they wanted their stuff on Blake or Leighton," costume designer Eric Daman told Vanity Fair.) Click through to find out what the Gossip Girl cast has been up to since the show's success, and where they are today.

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Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen)

Of all the Gossip Girl cast alumni, Blake Lively is arguably the most well-known. Not only has she gone on to major roles in movies — including The Age of Adaline, The Shallows, All I See Is You, and most recently, It Ends with Us— but she's also married to fellow actor Ryan Reynolds (married in 2012).

Blake shares four beautiful daughters, James, Inez, Betty, and the youngest (born in 2023) whose name has not been announced publicly with Ryan. True to her Gossip Girl character, she's quite the fashionista! In her spare time, she likes to hang out with her BFFs, who just so happen to include Taylor Swiftandthe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants ladies.

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Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf)

Leighton Meester has a career that would make even her cunningly ambitious Queen B character proud. Since Gossip Girl's end in 2012, she's acted in films including Life Partners, The Judge, The Weekend Away, and most recently, EXmas. She even recorded and released songs such as "Good Girls Go Bad" with Cobra Starship and the solo effort "Somebody to Love," and even starred on Broadway in Of Mice and Men back in 2014.

Leighton is married to actor Adam Brody (The O.C., Jennifer's Body, Gilmore Girls) as of 2014. She has two kids – one daughter and one son.

She has been heavily involved in philanthropy while taking on acting projects, primarily volunteering and campaigning with Feeding America and the Los Angeles Food Bank.

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Taylor Momsen (Jenny Humphrey)

Long gone are the days when Taylor Momsen played Dan Humphrey's sweet (and a bit messed up) little sis, Jenny. The actress left the Gossip Girl cast in 2010 in order to pursue her dreams of a music career, and all these years later, she's still doing just that as the frontwoman of the uber-successful rock group, The Pretty Reckless. With four records under their belt, the four-member band has supported bands like Evanescence, Soundgarden, and Guns N' Roses, and has toured in numerous cities and music festivals.

Momsen has typically kept her dating life on the down-low. She is currently single and appears to be putting all of her energy into her band.

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Penn Badgley (Dan Humphrey)

Everyone’s favorite Gossip Girl — er, guyPenn Badgley, followed in his on-screen sister's footsteps after the show ended, pursuing his musical interests with rock band MOTHXR. The band's most current project, Centerfold, was released back in 2016.

Badgley has since acted in several movies and TV shows including Easy A, The Paper Store, and Here Today, but his most notable work has been on the ongoing book-based Netflix series, You. He plays Joe Goldberg, a charming bookkeeper with eerily odd characteristics, especially when it comes to love.

Badgley currently has a podcast titled Podcrushed, which explores the awkwardness of adolescence and revisits guests' best (and worst) middle school memories. He cohosts with Nava Kavelin and Sophie Ansari. One episode even features ex-Gossip Girl co-star, Leighton Meester!

Badgley is married to singer and doula Domino Kirke as of 2017. Kirke already had a child from a previous relationship. Badgley and Kirke had their first son together in 2020.

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Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass)

Ed Westwick tapped into his angsty side post-Gossip Girl, starring as Tybalt in a 2013 adaptation of Romeo & Juliet. Since then, he has fought crime as Kent Grainger on Wicked City, played a crime lord on Snatch, and sold double-glazed windows on White Gold. Is there any role he can't play? Most recently, Westwick stars in the movie DarkGame.

With a background in music, Westwick also currently sings in the bandFor You. Their most recent release is the song "Tailspin," and they're set to release a new single "Here Comes Trouble" in March 2024.

Westwick had been dating model and actress Amy Jacksonsince 2021, with the pair getting happily engaged during a ski trip in January 2024.

Leon Bennett/Getty Images for MBJx DAVID YURMAN

Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald)

Following his stint as a wealthy Upper East Sider on Gossip Girl, Texas native Chace Crawford tried his hand at playing a greedy oil worker on ABC's short-lived TV series, Blood & Oil. He's had several film roles since – you can catch him in movies like Undrafted, Eloise, Nighthawks, even voice-actingin Belle. Most recently, Crawford stars as The Deep on The Boys.

Crawford has previously dated Carrie Underwood, Rachelle Goulding, and Rebecca Rittenhouse, though he is currently single as a Pringle.

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Jessica Szohr (Vanessa Abrams)

Jessica Szohr, who played Dan Humphrey's BFF slash on-again, off-again girlfriend (needless to say, we were confused too), has been a lot busier than her character was after season four, when she was all but written off the show.

In the years since Gossip Girl, the actress scored several roles on TV shows such as Complications, Kingdom, Twin Peaks and The Orville. She even starred in Taylor Swift's music video for "22" back in 2013!

Jessica also welcomed a daughter with her longtime boyfriend in early 2021.

Jessica currently hosts a podcast called "XOXO" that dives deep into the Gossip Girl cast, crew, and behind-the-scenes moments. Some notable episodes have featured Zuzanna Szadkowski (Dorota), Aaron Tveit (Tripp van der Bilt), Kelly Rutherford (Lily van der Woodsen), and Michelle Trachtenburg (Georgina Sparks).

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Michelle Trachtenberg (Georgina Sparks)

Since her stint as the "bad girl" Georgina Sparks, Michelle Trachtenberg landed roles on shows like Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles, Sleepy Hollow, and Sister Cities among other numerous series and movies. She even reprised her role as Georgina for the 2021 remake of Gossip Girl on HBO Max!

She managed to keep her personal life largely out of the tabloids, including her dating life. The last update on her relationship status was in 2023, and that she was dating her talent agent, Jay Cohen. She reportedly previously dated Shawn Ashmore, Joshua Radin, and Jason Segel.

Unfortunately, Michelle passed away on February 26, 2025.

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Kelly Rutherford (Lily van der Woodsen)

Besides being a New York Fashion Week icon (we'd expect nothing less of Lily van der Woodsen's alter ego!), Kelly Rutherford has popped up in several TV shows over the years, including Quantico, Jane the Virgin, and Dynasty.

She also frequently travels to France and Monaco, where, after years of custody battles with her second ex-husband, Daniel Giersch, she has extensive visitation rights to see her two children, who reside there with their father.

"Yes, it was a challenging time. It was a heartbreaking time," she told People. "But I focus on the good most of the time, I really do," she says. "I'm very thankful of where we are. I have a great relationship with my kids."

When she's not with her kids or working on a project, Kelly is dropping iconic 'fit pics on her Instagram account.

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Matthew Settle (Rufus Humphrey)

Matthew Settle, who played rockstar dad Rufus Humphrey, continued acting after the Gossip Girl cast dissolved. He hasn't been on any other TV shows other than one episode of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders in 2016. He mostly stuck to movies, acting in titles like Ouija, Marshall the Miracle Dog, and Valentine: The Dark Avenger.

Settle is also a dad of two children, having welcomed his first with actress and model Naama Nativ in 2009. He had divorced her in 2011 and went on to have a second baby with girlfriend Maria Alfonsin in 2015.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Zuzanna Szadkowski (Dorota Kishlovsky)

Though Blair's loyal maid and, ultimately, best friend, wasn't technically a main character, there's no denying that it would have been a different show without her unwavering presence! Zuzanna Szadowski has dabbled in film and television since then, appearing in shows such as Girls,The Good Wife, and Modern Love.

In 2010, she partnered with Sam Weisman to open The Sam Weisman Studio, an acting school (now closed).

Oh, and did we mention she just so happens to be one of Leighton Meester's real-life BFFs?

Which Gossip Girl cast member is your fave? Tweet us @BritandCo!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Home design is not what it used to be. As popular looks start to make everything feel the same, it’s becoming harder to stand out, create the right style for your home, and maximize value — unless you know exactly what your house needs. When you have insider knowledge about the newest looks, best technologies, and DIY approaches, home design truly becomes an incredibly rewarding experience.

To help guide you through the process, Chip and Joanna Gaines joined Brit Morin on the First In Line podcast to share their invaluable wisdom and experience, and designer Emily Henderson also joined the chat to walk you through the new rules of home design.

Lesson #1: Trends will become less and less important as homemakers prioritize cultivating a consistent emotional experience within their homes.

"When someone spends time in your space, you want it to feel like home," Gaines told Morin on the new podcast episode. She continued, "A home is an emotional space, allow it to flow emotionally."

In recent years, Joanna Gaines confessed to steering home design clients away from trends and anything that feels too cookie-cutter. "The trends we are headed toward are more individual. [They're] unique styles that you can't necessarily pinpoint as, 'that's modern, that's eclectic, that's farm.' It's more like, 'it feels right,' and it feels right because it's truly the story of the people designing the space."

Lesson #2: If you want to make your home more unique, swap out light fixtures and add thrifted art to refresh your space.

NYTimes best-selling author and design star Emily Henderson has the cheat code to a fast and affordable home zhush: cull Craiglist, Facebook Marketplace, antique malls, and thrift stores for unique light fixtures and wall art to immediately change your space. "As a mom, practicality comes into design. But with art and lights, you can be more free in those areas."

She adds, "Art is personal and it's hard to find. But if you are thrifting or going to flea markets, it is the fastest way to make your house interesting." She shares that during the pandemic, so many of us started buying our home goods from the same websites and brands, and that's given rise to many of us living in pretty generic-looking homes. She cautions that we also might be making design choices that are too safe.

On the topic of art, Morin had to ask, "Are gallery walls still cool anymore?" To which Henderson replied, "If it's good art, it always works."

Lesson #3: As we emerge from the tough season the pandemic carried with it, home design will become more layered and deeply reflective of a moodier turn inward.

"Any time we have hardship, or any time we are pressed, beauty can rise from that. And creativity. When people get pinched, the beauty that comes from that is really amazing and fascinating," Gaines remarked. She predicts we'll start to see moodier home design choices, particularly with color choice. Think navy, deep greens, dark and moody plaids.

Chip Gaines adds, "The whole world experienced a traumatic reality. We've all felt caged up. So I hope this new season we're entering is a return to nature — something truly unifying."


Like fashion, you have to wear your home design choices confidently. Be sure to check out the rest of the episode for even more pro trips and to find out which design rules are meant to be broken. Below, we've shared helpful timestamps for our episode highlights so you can easily find the topic you want to hear most. Don't forget to rate and subscribe to First In Line wherever you get your podcasts!

(04:16) What’s new with Chip and Joanna and why they got into exteriors
(05:53) How Joanna makes rentals and flip homes feel like a home
(09:11) How anyone can now get involved in flipping homes and rentals
(13:19) Why a home needs to flow emotionally and why style should be consistent
(15:10) The most popular exteriors
(16:37) Why Joanna tries to steer her client away from trends
(17:11) The trends Joanna likes currently
(18:19) Why Chip hopes the new season is one that brings us closer to nature
(20:53) How Chip and Joanna started out with renovation and interior design
(23:34) Ways you can dip your toe into the real estate market and why it’s a great time to get involved
(28:18) How Emily got into interior design
(31:04) Emily’s early experiments with design and natural knack for it
(35:59) When to break the rules of design
(38:05) The new rules of design
(40:02) The most expensive choices to reverse
(41:27) Why Emily is a big fan of everything that’s in style now
(44:22) Why theme rooms are not timeless, and why cookie cutter might not last
(47:02) Thinking outside the box when it comes to wall hangings
(49:30) Why redesigning can be a positive for some, but unnecessary for others
(54:10) Why Emily isn’t big into tech in homes
(56:15) Brit’s techy home and features that help conserve water and energy
(1:04:26) Sustainably renovating on a budget
(1:08:23) The pros and cons of investing in a rental home and things to consider
(1:15:46) Emily’s final tips for getting started