How to Make 2018 the Year You Finally Get Some Decent Sleep

Jan 07, 2018

For many of us, 2017 was a doozy, but we here at Brit + Co are ready to hit refresh in 2018! Follow our Hit Refresh series through January for new ideas, hacks, and skills that will help you achieve (and maintain!) those New Year’s resolutions.

Everyone talks about working out more and eating healthier in the new year, but getting better sleep is just as important. As you write your creative New Year’s resolutions, consider adding sleep improvements to the list. Not getting enough sleep can hurt your relationships, and a study published in the Nature and Science of Sleep journal even found that sleep deprivation can have both short- and long-term health consequences such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. If you’re ready to resolve to achieve better sleep in 2018, consider these tips from Michelle Fishberg — the co-founder and CEO of Slumbr, a sleep wellness company that helps people find the comfiest pillows based on their personal sleep styles.

Why Better Sleep Matters

Better sleep is a crucial part of your overall wellness. A report from Gastroenterology & Hepatology reveals that sleep has become a public health problem, and not getting enough of it can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and obesity. In fact, if losing weight is another one of your New Year’s resolutions, getting better sleep can make it easier. A study from the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that poor sleeping habits can affect weight gain and increase obesity. This means getting more zzz’s may help you reach your weight loss goals.

Setting Realistic Sleep GOALs

One of the biggest problems with New Year’s resolutions is that enthusiasm for keeping them tends to fade quickly. You may be excited to start the new year with a new plan, but focusing on your goals gets harder after a few weeks. The key is to set realistic and manageable sleep expectations that don’t overwhelm you.

“Only in recent years have people started to recognize sleep as a critical element of overall wellness,” Fishberg shares. “We’ve been so conditioned to believe ‘you snooze, you lose,’ or ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead.’ It’s easy to stay up just one hour later to catch that show, or finish up a work project, or jump out of bed too early to get the day going. Luckily, people are starting to know better. Putting sleep first can have clear benefits for your productivity, creativity, focus, mood, metabolism, and so much more. So resolve to do one tangible thing in 2018 dedicated to improving your sleep. That’s half the battle.”

That “one tangible thing” could be going to bed by 10pm every night or doing 10 minutes of meditation before bedtime. It may be putting up blackout curtains in the bedroom or outfitting your bed with a more comfortable mattress and pillows. Think about your biggest sleep challenges, and pick one thing you can change. Make sure it’s easy to remember and won’t feel like homework that you’ll dread every night.

Tech Tools That Can Help

If you want to make sure you don’t give up on your sleep resolution (like that gym membership you never use), then consider enlisting the help of some tech tools. Fishberg points out that many people find it difficult to put their digital devices away before they go to bed, so playing into that tendency may help. Take advantage of features like Night Shift on Apple or Night Mode on Android that emit warmer tones from your device screen in evening hours and take out the blue light that diminishes your ability to get to sleep. Also, consider using a sleep app that plays soothing and relaxing sounds at night, such as Relax Melodies.

Share your New Year’s resolutions for better sleep with us on Twitter @BritandCo.

(Photos via Getty)

I Tried 7 Different Types Of “Rest” & I’ve Never Felt Better

I'm a serial napper who loves getting as much sleep as I can, but last year shone a spotlight on how much sleepmaxxingwasn't helping me. Between fighting insomnia and waking up with my stress response on high alert, I knew I needed to make changes so grogginess wouldn't be my default mood.

Once I started asking myself a series of deep questions to see what I needed, I recognized why I wasn't feeling great. Not only were my sleeping habits terrible, I also wasn't thinking about other types of rest needed to function normally. With nothing but hope and time on my hands, I decided to conduct a 'rest' experiment to see if I could improve how I feel.

Based on my results — and the advice from licensed therapist Brooke Sprowl, LCSW of My LA Therapy — slow living feels good.

Scroll to see the 7 types of rest that can help you feel totally refreshed in 2025!

Cora Pursley

1. Physical Rest: Prioritizing physical rest led to a decreased need to be productive.

I inherited my parents' tendency to work on my days off because being idle felt like I was signaling how lazy I am. Instead of sleeping in on Saturdays, I'd wake up early to clean before cooking breakfast, planning activities for my son, and going over content creation ideas. Couch rotting wasn't allowed until I was absolutely done with everything, but there was always something to do.

The day I collapsed in my bedroom after rearranging the living room and my office was the moment I asked, "How did I decide working myself to pure exhaustion meant I was an amazing woman?" So, I gave myself permission to start using my weekends to rest. Sprowl says, "Physical rest includes both passive activities like sleep and active recovery practices like gentle stretching, yoga, or massage."

She also indicates collapsing was likely a sign my body's way of sending a huge flare to get my attention. "Listen to your body’s signals of fatigue and make rest a proactive priority rather than waiting for exhaustion to take over," she encourages.

For me, this looks like sleeping in past 10 a.m., stretching my body in the morning, and taking long showers. It's an act of resistance that's helped me unplug and reset after a long work week. Sprowl believes getting physical rest helps "restore the body's reserves, reduces stress hormones, and supports overall physical health," ultimately "laying the foundation for every other type of rest."

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2. Mental Rest: Taking a mental break helped me unplug.

I'm a chronic over-thinker, so I'm still learning how to give my brain a break. However, tools I've picked up from therapy help along with reminders from my inner circle. Why does it matter? Sprowl says, "Mental rest is about giving your mind a break from overthinking, decision fatigue, or cognitive overload."

Besides unplugging from work, I have to remind myself to stay present by focusing on things that are in my vicinity. Sprowl says giving yourself a mental break may look similar or different. "This might mean stepping away from work, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in activities that allow your brain to wander, like walking in nature."

If you and I don't allow our brains to 'cool down,' she believes "it can lead to irritability and difficulty focusing" which explains the moments I barely had patience last year. Genuinely resting "fosters clarity and cognitive balance," according to Sprowl which is what we could use more of!

MART PRODUCTION

3. Emotional Rest: Treating my emotional health with care helped me embrace vulnerability.

The other area I struggle with sometimes is my emotional health. A physically and mentally exhausted Jasmine often leads to an emotionally unhinged version of myself that struggles to express what's wrong or things I need. "Emotional rest involves creating safe spaces to express feelings or allowing yourself to step back from emotional labor," Sprowl points out.

It matters because it can "ease racing thoughts and unresolved feelings that interfere with sleep," according to her. Prioritizing this kind of rest essentially creates "a sense of calm before bedtime" in her opinion. It can look like "journaling, talking to a trusted friend, or working with a therapist" to "help unburden accumulated emotions."

If I'm not gratitude journaling, I'm usually talking to one of my best friends or fiancé about anything I may be struggling with. Being vulnerable with people who care about me has helped calm my sea of emotions, creating a level of comfort I haven't felt in years.

Anna Tarazevich

4. Social Rest: Reaffirming my need for social breaks stopped making me feel weird.

This is a safe space, right? My daily confession is that I've always prioritized social rest. I didn't have a name for it when I was younger, but I've been able to feel when my social battery is depleted which leads me to find a way to reset alone. I almost lost my ability to do so when social media was popularized, but the past couple of weeks have reminded me to take steps back so I'm not internalizing different opinions and emotions.

Sprowl says, "Social rest combats the overstimulation and comparison often fueled by digital platforms, helping you reconnect with yourself." It's hard for me to hear myself when I'm thinking about what everyone else is saying so I'll put on my phone on DND (do not disturb) or set screen limits for various apps.

It's something Sprowl feels is vital. "Social rest means setting boundaries around social interactions, particularly with relationships that drain rather than nourish." Like I've been doing, she further says "limiting time on social media, scheduling solo time, or prioritizing relationships where you feel truly seen and supported" are some of the ways you can also hit the reset button.

Tima Miroshnichenko

5. Spiritual Rest: Tapping into spiritual rest helped me feel less afraid.

I don't mind talking about my religious background, but I understand not everyone shares the same beliefs I do. Still, I'm a firm believer that we need to prioritize spiritual rest in a world that's in hustle mode. Sprowl says this "nurtures the soul, creating a sense of peace and alignment with your values." She believes "connecting to something greater than yourself" can help add to the physical, emotional, mental, and social ways we may need to hit pause.

I personally love to pray, read devotionals, or use my journal to reflect about various things. Other things Sprowl suggests doing are mediating, grounding yourself in nature, or adopting a gratitude practice. Whatever you choose to do, she feels "it's about finding purpose and meaning in your life."

Carleigh Ellison

6. Creative Rest: Creative breaks made me feel less irritated by what I love to do.

Fellow creatives, are we okay? It seems like the very thing we love to do — creating art — can leave us feeling drained which is confusing. But I've got a secret as someone whose dream career is a reality: we have to stop and take breaks from creating sometimes. Please don't throw tomatoes! I'm serous here.

Sprowl says, "For those who thrive on innovation, creative rest involves stepping back from the pressure to produce and immersing yourself in inspiration." See? I'm not just making this up! Just like the social rest I've become a pro at, I've learned how to go on little adventures around my neighborhood, discover new food places to eat, or get lost in one of my music playlists.

Sprowl says you too can "visit an art gallery, listen to music, read poetry, watch an artful movie or show, or simply allow yourself to enjoy beauty without the expectation of creating." Being in the moment "replenishes the well of inspiration" us creatives pull from, thus "preventing burnout and keeping creative pursuits joyful," according to her.

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7. Sensory Rest: Getting real about sensory overload stopped me from being irritable.

Sensory overload is real! I'm extremely quick to tell my fiancé, "Honey, I'm feeling overstimulated and need a break" which he knows means I have about 5-10 minutes before my irritability says, "Peek-a-boo!" Becoming a mom made me more aware of how much adults can't always tell when there's too much going on for our liking so I've worked hard to be more aware.

If I can't stand being touched after a while or need the TV's volume lowered, it's a sign that I've been dealing with them for too long. Sprowl says, "Sensory rest requires reducing stimuli like bright screens, loud environments, or excessive multitasking. Consider dimming lights in the evening, unplugging from devices, or practicing sensory mindfulness, like focusing on a single sound or texture."

My favorite thing to do is take a hot shower in the dark sometimes. My fiancé thought it was strange the first time I did it, but now he knows it's something I need. Other things I'll do is sit on my office's floor and journal by myself. It's a nice way to tap into my inner calm instead of getting overly upset.

"In our overstimulating world, sensory rest calms the nervous system and helps prevent overwhelm," says Sprowl.

Focusing on 7 types of rest sounds like a lot, but it's not when you consider how many things can raise our cortisol levels. From internal to external irritants, we're constantly being bombarded with things that can cause pure exhaustion. It just makes more sense to me to prioritize self-care that doesn't always involve spending money.

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Here's The Latest Update In The Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni Legal Battle

It Ends With Us fans probably all remember where they were when news broke that Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively's rumored feud from the movie set had evolved into a full-on legal battle. While the movie released in August 2024, news continues to release in 2025 about their ongoing lawsuits.

Here's the full timeline of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal battle surrounding It Ends With Us.

A Definitive Timeline of The Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni Feud

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

August 6, 2024 — The It Ends With Us New York premiere

Fans first noticed something was off between the It Ends With Us cast (specifically Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni) when they realized Blake Lively, Brandon Skelnar, Jenny Slate, and Colleen Hoover don't follow Justin on Instagram. And when Justin didn't take any photos with the cast and his onscreen sister Jenny dodged a question about him? It only added fuel to the fire.

In a 2025 lawsuit (more on that later), Justin claimed that Blake “initially refused to permit his attendance.”

“The Wayfarer team and their families, including Baldoni and [producer Jamey] Heath, were segregated from the main cast, barred from the exclusive after-party, and forced to organize their own event at additional cost,” the lawsuit says. “Baldoni’s participation on the red carpet was cut short, and his family and friends were confined to a makeshift holding area in the basement before being escorted into a separate theater after Lively’s departure.”

Sony Pictures

August 8, 2024 — Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's film publicity starts to clash

The divide between Blake and Justin only appeared deeper when Blake started promoting the movie like a lighthearted rom-com, telling viewers to "grab your friends and wear your florals," while fans thought Justin took the movie's message of domestic violence awareness more seriously.

"This is a night for all the women who we made this movie for," he told ET during the premiere. "If a Lily Bloom in real life can sit in this theater and maybe make a different choice for herself than was made for her, maybe she sees herself on that screen and chooses something different for herself, that's why I made the movie."

The Hollywood Reporteralso revealed there might have been two different cuts of the movie, citing creative differences between Justin and Blake, while sources told Page Six Sony Pictures went with the "more feminine cut."

Sony Pictures Releasing

August 9, 2024 — Sources say Justin Baldoni was "borderline abusive" during filming

After THR suggested there were creative differences, source straight-up told The Daily Mail that Justin was "chauvinistic" and "borderline abusive" while the cast was filming.

Meanwhile, an It Ends With Us on-set source told Page Six that "the tension was so obvious.”

“Once [Blake] was done with the scene she was really impatient, said, ‘Am I done? Can I go?,’ and as soon as they said ‘yes,’ there was like a Blake-size hole in the wall...She was so outta there."

Blake Lively/Instagram

August 13, 2024 — Blake Lively shares domestic violence resources to Instagram

Blake Lively ended up sharing resources on August 13, offering ways her followers could get "immediate help."

"1 in 4 women aged 18 and older in the US alone have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime," she says in the Instagram story. "Intimate partner violence affects all genders, including more than 12 million people every year in the United States. Everyone deserves relationships free from domestic violence.

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August 14, 2024 — TMZ reports that Blake Lively felt "fat-shamed"

By the middle of August, rumors were circulating that Justin Baldoni made Blake Lively feel uncomfortable in her postpartum body (she gave birth to baby Olin in February 2023; the movie started filming in May 2023), and that he asked an on-set trainer for her weight before he had to pick her up for a scene (although, Justin reportedly has back problems and didn't want to injure himself). Blake also reportedly felt like the actor & director lingered too long during a kissing scene.

Justin Baldoni later claimed Ryan Reynolds responded so "aggressively" that Justin "felt compelled to offer repeated apologies.”

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August 20, 2024 — Brandon Sklenar breaks his silence on the It Ends With Us drama

Brandon Sklenar posted a statement to Instagram at the end of August, saying "Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves."

"What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film," he continues. "There isn't a single person involved in the making of this film that was not aware of the responsibility we had in making this...All I ask is that before you spread hate on the internet, ask yourself who it is helping."

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

September 10, 2024 — Blake Lively was "Surprised" at the It Ends With Us drama

After the internet seemingly turned on her overnight ahead of the movie's release, a source told Peoplethat Blake Lively was "pretty surprised at the backlash and drama," which "felt out of control to her."

"She initially felt very vulnerable and upset," the source continued. "During the promotion of the movie, not one day went by when she was not in the news in an unfavorable light. She's just not used to this kind of drama."

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December 4, 2024 — Justin Baldoni reveals he had a "near breakdown" after filming with Blake Lively

In an interview with the How to Fail podcast, Justin revealed just how difficult it was to decompress after playing a character like Ryle. "That was very hard and honestly, that took a few months," he says. "I had dreams as him for a while, and it lived in my body, but I think for the most part, he's out."

"I've done a lot of somatic therapy so there were times when I was actually just shaking," he continues. "There's a moment in the movie where Ryle finds Lily's phone and he finds a phone number and he's very jealous and he's heartbroken and he's angry and he doesn't harm her but you can see in his eyes how dangerous he is. After that scene, I had a near breakdown."

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December 21, 2024 — Blake Lively alleges Justin Baldoni orchestrated a smear campaign in the New York Times

Blake Lively sent the internet into a tailspin when she published messages between Justin Baldoni, publicists, and legal team members in the New York Times, reporting they were behind a smear campaign against her.

Justin's lawyer Bryan Freedman told People the claims are "false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt," to which Blake's legal team held firm that "this is not a ‘feud’ arising from ‘creative differences’ or a ‘he said/she said’ situation."

“Wayfarer [Studios] and its associates engaged in unlawful, retaliatory astroturfing against Ms. Lively for simply trying to protect herself and others on a film set," the statement continues. “Sexual harassment and retaliation are illegal in every workplace and in every industry. A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to ‘blame the victim’ by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied. Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender, and suggest that the offender is actually the victim. These concepts normalize and trivialize allegations of serious misconduct."

An insider told People that Blake "still believes she's doing the right thing. She's ready to tackle whatever comes her way."

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December 21, 2024 — Justin Baldoni is dropped by his agency

After Blake's accusations were published, Justin was then dropped by his agency, WME.

Shortly after, Liz Plank, a cohost on Justin's podcast Man Enough, left the show.

Cindy Ord & Lia Toby/Getty Images

December 23, 2024 — Brandon Sklenar shows support for Blake Lively

After Blake Lively's NYT piece went live, Brandon shared a screenshot to his Instagram story, writing "For the love of god read this" as the article link text.

Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

December 23, 2024 — Blake Lively's Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars speak out

Blake's Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn, also showed support for the actress and posted a joint statement.

"As Blake's friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation," the statement reads. "Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice."

"Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors' stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding," they continue. "We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can still face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe work environment. We are inspired by our sister's courage to stand up for herself and others."

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December 24, 2024 — Justin Baldoni's former publicist sues him

Ahead of the Christmas holiday, Stephanie Jones, Justin's former publicist, sued him, claiming that Justin, Jennifer Abel, and Melissa Nathan really did orchestrate a smear campaign without her knowing about it.

"Defendants Abel and Nathan secretly conspired for months to publicly and privately attack Jones and Jonesworks, to breach multiple contracts and induce contractual breaches, and to steal clients and business prospects," Stephanie's complaint read. "Behind Jones' back, they secretly coordinated with Baldoni and Wayfarer to implement an aggressive media smear campaign against Baldoni's film costar, and then used the crisis as an opportunity to drive a wedge between Jones and Baldoni, and to publicly pin blame for this smear campaign on Jones — when Jones had no knowledge or involvement in it."

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January 7, 2025 — Justin Baldoni's lawyer responds to the NYT piece

After the new year, Bryan Freedman, Justin Baldoni's lawyer, told People, "It is painfully ironic that Blake Lively is accusing Justin Baldoni of weaponizing the media when her own team orchestrated this vicious attack by sending The New York Times grossly edited documents prior to even filing the complaint."

"We are releasing all of the evidence which will show a pattern of bullying and threats to take over the movie," he continues. "None of this will come as a surprise because consistent with her past behavior Blake Lively used other people to communicate those threats and bully her way to get whatever she wanted. We have all the receipts and more."

Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV

January 16, 2025 — Justin Baldoni brings Taylor Swift into the conversation

Justin responded to the New York Times allegations with his own 179-page, $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist. And the lawsuit mentions Blake's BFF, Taylor Swift.

Justin claims he was invited to a meeting in Ryan and Blake's apartment with the couple and Taylor after he didn't enthusiastically accept Blake's rewrite of a scene. He says Blake described Taylor and Ryan in a subsequent text as "embarrassingly effusive" and her "most trusted partners." She allegedly wrote, "I think they wanted you and me to see how they felt about [the rewrites] because they've been by my side for far too many experiences where I've been overlooked."

Then, according to Justin, Blake texted, "If you ever get around to watching Game of Thrones, you'll appreciate that I'm Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have a few dragons. For better or worse, but usually for better. Because my dragons also protect those I fight for. So really we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. you will too, I can promise you."

Yeah...allegedly Taylor didn't like that.

Courtesy of Bryan Freedman

January 21, 2025 — Justin Baldoni releases a behind-the-scenes It Ends With Us video

Near the end of January, Justin's legal team released a behind-the-scenes video to "refute" Blake's claim. "The scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and longing to be close to one another. Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism."

However, Blake's team disagrees, telling Page Six that "the video itself is damning” and that “the released footage corroborates” her original lawsuit.

“The video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning in toward Ms. Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, flicking her lip with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good she smells, and talking with her out of character,” the statement continues. “Every moment of this was improvised by Mr. Baldoni with no discussion or consent in advance, and no intimacy coordinator present. Mr. Baldoni was not only Ms. Lively’s co-star, but the director, the head of studio and Ms. Lively’s boss.”

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January 21, 2025 — Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds seek a gag order for Justin Baldoni's lawyer

After Justin's video was released, Blake Lively's legal team sought a gag order against Justin's lawyer Bryan Freedman. Justin's legal team told People that “Justin Baldoni and team has nothing to hide" and that they "have the right to defend themselves with the truth."

“This is what we will be continuing to show with the upcoming website containing all correspondence as well as relevant videos that quash her claims.”

Cindy Ord/Getty Images/Sony Pictures Releasing

January 23, 2025 — Colleen Hoover deactivates her Instagram account

Amid the ongoing legal battle surrounding It Ends With Us, the book's author Colleen Hoover deactivated her Instagram account.

"Colleen Hoover deactivated her IG after [Justin's video] came out now idk what the hell that’s supposed to mean," one X user tweeted. And with those rumors she was considering retiring from writing, I also don't know what to think.

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

January 24, 2025 — Justin Baldoni's mom praises his "integrity"

In an Instagram post celebrating his birthday, Justin's mom reminded him that "life has its moments and also its surprises - as you keep your integrity through it all Justice and truth will shine today and into eternity."

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors

January 28, 2025 — Justin Baldoni's apologizes to Blake Lively in leaked voice memo

In a voice memo seemingly referencing Blake Lively's It Ends With Us script rewrite, and Justin's response, the director apologized for his "fail."

He continues that while he's "a very flawed man as my wife will attest," and he's "gonna put my foot in my mouth [and] piss you off probably," he'll "always apologize and find my way back to center."

Cindy Ord/Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

January 30, 2025 — Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds move to dismiss Justin Baldoni's claim

At the end of January, Blake and Ryan made a move to dismiss Justin's original lawsuit.

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February 1, 2025 — Justin Baldoni publishes 2 years' worth of texts and voice memos from It Ends With Us

Justin published TheLawsuitInfo.com, which contains both an amended complaint and full timeline of events — including text messages and emails (the latter of which seem to confirm Blake's confusing It Ends With Us costumes cost over half a million dollars).

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February 3, 2025 — Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's judge warns their teams to rein in the PR war

Judge Judge Liman told both actors' teams to "rein in the public relations war outside the courtroom," according to People. He also told both lawyers they needed to work according to the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, and avoid saying anything with a "substantial likelihood" of leading the jury to have a bias one way or the other.

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

February 5, 2025 — Blake Lively gets sued (again)

At the beginning of February, Blake was sued by Jed Wallace, who was a part of Blake's own original lawsuit. Jed is looking to receive "at least $7 million and a court order stating that he didn’t engage in harassment or retaliation against the actress."

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy/Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

February 6, 2025 — Taylor Swift reportedly "feels used" by Blake Lively amid It Ends With Us feud

After those Game of Thrones texts were revealed, a source told Page Six Tay “can’t help but feel used” by Blake Lively as her legal battle with Justin Baldoni rages on, and that she “doesn’t appreciate being referred to as one of Blake’s dragons.”

Only time will tell if the singer gets deposed.

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February 10, 2025 — A lawyer reveals why Justin Baldoni's website could "backfire"

Kevin Goldberg, Freedom Forum's Vice President and First Amendment expert, told Forbes why he thinks Justin's website is unexpected. "From a First Amendment point of view, that is unusual," the lawyer says. "Public figures don't usually win these cases and are not supposed to use the courts to try the case in the court of public opinion."

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

February 12, 2025 — Blake Lively's team files a subpoena

Blake Lively's team is prepared to bring receipts to their 2026 court date. “Ms. Lively has initiated discovery that will expose the people, tactics, and methods that have worked to ‘destroy’ and ‘bury’ her reputation and family over the past year,” Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, her lawyers, say. “We will now receive all of the ‘receipts’ that, unsurprisingly, are nowhere to be found on Mr. [Bryan] Freedman’s website, and like Ms. Lively, those ‘receipts’ will have their day in court.”

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February 12, 2025 — Colleen Hoover returns to Instagram

Colleen Hoover also reactivated her Instagram on February 12 — without a photo with Justin or Blake in sight.

NBCUniversal Media

February 16, 2025 — Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds show up to SNL50 celebration

Blake and Ryan surprised us all when they showed up to the SNL50 celebration, especially when Ryan seemingly made a joke about the whole situation.

A source told People that "Blake felt a bit anxious about attending the SNL anniversary" but "she still thought it was the perfect opportunity to ease back into the spotlight."

"They had many friends attending, and as soon as they arrived, they received a warm welcome," the source continues. "It was a great event."

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February 17, 2025 — Brandon Sklenar speaks on the feud

While on CBS Mornings, Brandon (who plays Atlas in the movie) said he wants "people to remember why we made the movie in the first place and what it stands for, and just keeping the focus on that." And he also revealed he's "Team It Ends With Us" when asked if he sided with Blake or Justin.

Sony Pictures Releasing/NBCUniversal

February 18, 2025 — Blake Lively files an amended complaint

Blake Lively filed an amended complaint against Justin Baldoni on February 18, alleging two other actresses were "uncomfortable" on set — and could testify. She also revealed her kids are "traumatized" by the whole experience.

Lia Toby/Getty Images

February 19, 2025 — Justin Baldoni's lawyer says Blake's claim is "underwhelming"

Bryan Freedman, Justin's lawyer, spoke on Blake's amended complaint, claiming it's full of "unsubstantial hearsay."

"Since documents do not lie and people do, the upcoming depositions of those who initially supported Ms. Lively’s false claims and those who are witnesses to her own behavior will be enlightening," he said in a statement to THR. "What is truly uncomfortable here is Ms. Lively’s lack of actual evidence."

NBCUniversal

February 19, 2025 — A resurfaced clip of Justin Baldoni reveals he was "exhausted" before Blake Lively's lawsuit

In November 2024, Justin told Gent's Talk Podcast that he "wasn't in the best place" after an "intense" year, and that he still needed to "heal."

Sony Pictures Releasing/Jamie Squire/Getty Images

February 20, 2025 — Resurfaced clips prove Taylor Swift did actually have creative involvement in It Ends With Us

Despite reports Taylor wasn't involved in the creative process for It Ends With Us, Justin revealed in a resurfaced clip from 2024 that he showed Isabela Ferrer's (young Lily) casting tape to both Blake and Taylor. “They were both, like, ‘Yes! her,'” he said. “And that’s a true story.”

"She was a helpful part of the process of the audition, which I found out later after I got it and that rocked my world," Isabela told Extra at the movie's premiere.

Check Brit + Co for the latest update on Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's feud.

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Move Over, Mayo: These 30 Aioli Recipes Meet All Your Dipping Needs

Listen – we love ketchup, mayo, mustard, and all your other favorite condiments– by no means are we suggesting that mayo doesn’t have a place in BLTs and potato salad recipes. But, if you haven’t tried aioli — a popular dipping sauce with Mediterranean origins — you’re seriously missing out.

Aioli recipes are traditionally made with garlic, olive oil, and sometimes eggs (the combination of which is, of course, mayonnaise), but modern iterations also throw in lemon juice, garlic, and a whole plethora of other delicious herbs and spices. Here are 25 of our favorite aioli recipes, but be warned: once you dip your French fries in aioli, you’ll never go back.

Vanilla and Bean

Jalapeño Aioli

Let's start things off with a little spice, shall we? This zesty, zingy aioli gets infused with jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice to form the most delicious flavor.

Cooking With Curls

Super Easy Garlic Aioli

Let’s start off with the most mainstream, common version of aioli you’re likely to find. This easy-to-make recipe contains only five ingredients: mayo, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Like all aioli creations, this sauce is perfect for adding to sandwiches and burgers, and will also take your fries to a *whole* new level.

Goodie Godmother

Cilantro Lime Aioli

Aioli recipes are *delish* on a quesadilla or another Mexican-inspired meal. The flavors of cilantro and lime pair with all kinds of flavorful (and spicy) foods.

The Iron You

Rosemary Aioli

Paired here with meatballs, rosemary aioli is a bit more herbaceous. The flavors of rosemary go well with meats. We also recommend serving this sauce on the sandwich portion of a hearty soup-and-sammie meal.

Hello Little Home

Pesto Aioli

Use some store-bought or homemade pesto to mix into thick mayo, and you have yourself an exceptional (and easy!) aioli recipe.

Vikalinka

Truffle Aioli

One bite of this rich aioli recipe, and you'll be hooked. It's especially tasty alongside some fries!

Feel Good Foodie

Basic Homemade Aioli

This pick is as straightforward as aioli gets. If you're looking to hone your kitchen craft with more homemade dips and sauces, this aioli recipe is a great place to start.

The Suburban Soapbox

Roasted Garlic Aioli

Here’s another crowd-pleasing garlic aioli recipe for you. Pro tip: roast the garlic by cutting it in half, placing the middle side down on a piece of foil, drizzling with olive oil, and roasting for about 30 minutes. You’ll unlock a super-rich flavor that you just can’t get with raw garlic.

The Best Aioli Recipes

The Wimpy Vegetarian

Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

Looking for something a little... tangier? This roasted red pepper aioli will definitely do the trick. It combines the flavors of traditional aioli and red peppers with mustard, lemon juice, and sun-dried tomatoes for a condiment with kick!

The Edgy Veg

Vegan Caper Aioli

Aioli recipes can be healthy — just ask this vegan caper aoil mixture. Salty capers meet mellowed-out mayo in this plant-based recipe.

The Minimalist Baker

5-Ingredient Chipotle Aioli

This baby is spicy – and it also happens to be totally vegan. The “mayo” is made from soaked and blended cashews, while the flavor itself comes from fresh chipotle peppers.

A Spicy Perspective

Magic Aioli Sauce

You'll just have to trust us on this one – this aioli recipe holds pure magic. It's dreamy and bright, meaning it's the perfect pair to hefty, salty potato wedges and the like. Each dip will leave you wanting more and more!

Takes Two Eggs

Gochujang Aioli

Gochujang, a spicy Korean chili and soybean paste, gets the aioli treatment, resulting in a spectacularly spicy spread that can be used across dishes from sandwiches to loaded fries. All we can say is bring on all the spicy aioli recipes!

Fountain Avenue Kitchen

Smoked Paprika Aioli

When shopping for paprika, go for a spice labeled “smoked paprika” or “sweet paprika.” Plain-old paprika tends to be a lot less flavorful. In the case of this pick, though, you’ll combine smoked paprika with a bit of cumin to achieve a rich, spicy flavor in your aioli recipe.

Joyful Healthy Eats

Chipotle Lime Aioli

We’ve already covered aioli with lime and aioli with chipotle peppers — but this mouthwatering recipe combines the two. Bonus points for serving these with healthy and delicious sweet potato fries!

The Real Food Dietitians

Dijon-Thyme Aioli

This rich aioli is a sweet potato's BFF.

Savor The Best

Lemon-Dill Aioli Sauce

Not so much into the peppery, spicy sauces? Keep things light and fresh with this lemon and dill-flavored creation. When prepping this aioli, be sure to bring your egg yolks to room temperature, or you may have some trouble getting them to mix with the rest of the sauce.

Healthy Green Kitchen

Vegan Egg-Free Aioli

Here’s another one for the plant-based eaters out there. The secret ingredient in this recipe is aquafaba... that is, chickpea water. You can store this mixture for up to seven days in a covered container, so it’s great for making ahead (meal prep FTW!) and taking to work.

More Delicious Aioli Recipes

The Faux Martha

Chimichurri Aioli

Chimichurri is often slathered on meats, and this aioli is just as – if not more – versatile. It shares a number of ingredients with traditional chimichurri sauce — a few of the stand-outs are cilantro, onion, lime juice, and jalapeño!

Barley & Sage

Spicy Lemon Aioli

For a dip with more kick, this spicy lemon aioli strikes the ideal balance between tangy and zesty.

Half Baked Harvest

Roasted Garlic Saffron Aioli

Saffron brings a muted, yet deep flavor to this blend that was crafted to pair with feta fries. It's one of the tastiest aioli recipes we've had!

Homemade Interest

Easy Lemon Aioli

When we say this recipe is easy, that’s kind of an understatement. There are literally two steps: whisk everything together, then allow it to chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. It’s *that* simple.

Pink Owl Kitchen

Creole Aioli

All the best parts of creole cookin' falvor are included in this aioli. Make sure you've got a lot of spices on your hands, or else this spicy pick won't quite hit the same.

The Skinny Fork

Skinny Sriracha Aioli

What makes this Sriracha-infused aioli skinny, exactly? Instead of regular mayonnaise, you’ll sub in light mayo and Greek yogurt for a lower-fat, protein-packed alternative.

Cafe Delites

Garlic Avocado Aioli

All those classic garlic aioli recipes we’ve shared above are fabulous, but adding some avocado can be a *total* game-changer. With this recipe, you’ll whip some fresh avo right into the mixture, adding creamy texture and stellar flavor.

Dad With A Pan

Lemon Parsley Aioli

This lemon-parsley combo is decidedly British-inspired and perfect for dipping. It showcases the flavors of mayo, parsley, lemon, Dijon mustard, and garlic. Bonus points for serving it with fried blue cheese olives, as shown here.

Veggie And The Beast

Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

If you’re interested in a red pepper flavor, but want to steer clear of animal products (or dairy in general), try this vegan version. You’ll sub in cashews (processed with water, of course) for mayo, keeping it dairy-free and super healthy.

Self Proclaimed Foodie

Basil Garlic Aioli

If you’re a big pesto fan, you’ll adore this basil-garlic sauce. In addition to being a perfect addition to French fries, it would also go great on any kind of Italian-inspired sammie, such as an eggplant Parm or meatball sub. (via Self Proclaimed Foodie)

Ruled.Me

Roasted Garlic Chipotle Aioli

See those eggs in the background? That’s because this recipe has you making mayo from scratch. It doesn’t get more wholesome than that. You’ll bring the eggs to room temperature before processing them with additional yolks, lemon juice, and garlic, and adding olive oil toward the end of the process.

Tasty Kitchen

Super Garlicky Aioli

We thought we’d round off our list with another classic iteration of aioli. This garlic-infused version is perfect for all your aioli needs, but we *especially* love it with French fries and a glass of white wine. Cheers!

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This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser. This article originally appeared in 2017 as part of our Hit Refresh series.

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Yay! Sterling K. Brown's 'Paradise' Just Got Renewed For Season 2!

The only thing keeping me from being upset about A Court of Thorns and Roses TV show being canceled is how well Hulu is handling it's newest thriller, Paradise. Created by screenwriter Dan Fogelman (This Is Us) and starring Sterling K. Brown, it's a murder mystery with dystopian undertones that explores what could happen if states become uninhabitable.

Besides feeling relevant to our current timeline, Paradise has a soundtrack that rivals Strangers Things and leaves viewers wanting more. Fortunately, Hulu got the memo and renewed it for Season 2 — thank goodness!

Here's everything to know about Paradise season 2!

What is 'Paradise' about?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Paradise begins in an idyllic community where homes are picturesque, streets are clean, and everyone lives in perfect harmony. However, it doesn't take long for the peace to be disturbed when the President is discovered murdered by his trusted Secret Service agent Xavier Collins.

Before long, he begins questioning the world he and his children live in while also searching for clues about his missing wife.

Who's in the 'Paradise' cast?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Paradise Season 1 has a stacked cast! Besides Sterling K. Brown, there's other familiar faces who help with the show's equilibrium.

Sterling K. Brown as Xavier Collins
James Marsden as President Cal Bradford
Julianne Nicholson as "Sinatra"
Krys Marshall as Robinson
Sarah Shahi as Dr. Gabriela Torabi
Jon Beavers as Billy Pace
Nicole Brydon Bloom as Jane Driscoll
Aliyah Mastin as Presley Collins
Percy Daggs IV as James Collins
Charlie Evans as Jeremy Bradford
Richard Robichaux as Carl

What's happened in 'Paradise' so far?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Wow, where do I begin?!

After it was revealed that the community he and everyone else lives in has been artificially created due to a disaster, the brief moments of unease Collins shows begins making sense. It's clear he and President Cal ended on bad terms before his death, but it doesn't seem like he was responsible for murdering the man he was sworn to protect.

What's odd is that Sinatra, the mastermind behind the beautiful community they live in, has been playing puppet master. She ordered the deaths of scientists sent to the surface to test the air quality AND she made sure Agent Billy was blindsided by his love interest's manipulation. Upsettingly, his murderer is none other than seemingly docile and clueless Agent Jane.

Viewers were also introduced to President Cal's father and were able to see how much he never wanted to be the face of the country. Though his father appears to have dementia, it's clear he feels guilty about something and may have seen who killed his son.

When is the 'Paradise' season finale?

Disney/Brian Roedel

There's only two episodes of Paradise left with the finale premiering on Hulu March 4!

When does 'Paradise' season 2 premiere?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Now comes the fun part! After getting the green light from Hulu to continue giving us heart palpitations, Paradise is officially coming back for season 2. Not only that, but the entire season will appear on ABC April 7 at 10:00 p.m. (via The Hollywood Reporter).

How many seasons of 'Paradise' will there be?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Dan Fogelman already knows what he wants to do with Paradise! He said, "I have a plan for three seasons of the show. Without giving away too much, each season of the show is a slightly different show, within the same show with the same characters," (via The Hollywood Reporter).

You can watch the 6 episodes you've miss on Hulu right now!

For more exciting entertainment news, be sure to follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

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7 Mistakes To Avoid At Costco That Are Costing You Money

While shopping at Costco can feel like a total treasure hunt, you might just be making some major shopping mistakes along the way that put your membership at risk. If you’re looking to keep your grocery budget in order and discover only the best that Costco has to offer, you’ll want to keep reading for the most common mistakes to avoid when shopping there.

Before you embark on your next trip, here are 7 mistakes you don’t want to make at Costco.

Reddit

1. Going in without a plan

Costco is huge, so going in without a plan or a grocery list can turn overwhelming pretty quickly. If you’re not the type to get overwhelmed, then you probably get super excited about all Costco has to offer instead – and while it's so easy to go shopping-crazy and buy large quantities of items there, you should be strategic about what Costco items you’ll actually use, when you’ll use them, and more importantly, how to store them all when you get home!

Reddit

2. Assuming all prices are good

This one is a big no-no, especially if you’re watching your budget. Just because something is at Costco doesn't always mean it's the best deal! Smaller quantities or sales at other major grocery stores can be cheaper per unit, so make sure to check the posted unit price at Costco to ensure you're getting the best value.

Engin Akyurt / PEXELS

3. Skipping the gas station

If you’re paying for a Costco membership, you don’t want to skip the gas pump! Costco’s gas prices are often significantly lower – so it’s worth filling up before (or after) each shopping trip. The same principle goes for more of Costco’s additional services like travel discounts, optical care, hearing aids, and the auto shop.

Reddit

4. Avoiding free samples

Sorry, but you’re simply crazy if you don’t indulge in free samples! Costco;’s free sample booths can be a great way to try new products before fully committing to bulk purchases. Plus, they can be a nice power-up during your shopping trip!

Reddit

5. Shopping in peak hours

If you also despise people-y grocery shopping trips, you’re going to want to avoid visiting Costco during peak hours. Costco can get extremely crowded, especially on weekends and weekday evenings. If you can pull it off, shop during off-peak hours (early mornings on weekdays) to avoid long lines and congested aisles.

Reddit

6. Forgetting bags or storage bins

Longtime Costco members may already know this, but if you’re new to the Costco life, it’s important to remember that Costco doesn’t provide traditional shopping bags. It’s a good idea to bring your own reusable bags or have storage bins (like boxes) prepped and ready in your car for easy loading and unloading. Oftentimes, though, Costco will supply the boxes from emptied products.

Reddit

7. Skipping the food court

The Costco food court offers some of the cheapest and most filling meals around. We could eat there every day of the week, TBH. When you take the $1.50 hot dogs and $3.99 chicken bakes into consideration, that’s pretty good. Don’t miss out!

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