10 Ways to Throw a Festive Ice Cream Social

Hi, everyone! We’re Shauna and Maddy of Confetti Pop. The Brit + Co. crew were kind enough to let us bring a little summery sweetness your way. In Minneapolis, we’re so thrilled when warm weather rolls around that we jump face first into the season, and nothing says summer like ice cream.

Here are 10 DIY projects to help you throw an ice cream social, and give your guests the sweetest brain freeze ever.

1. Set the Stage: Get the party started right, and clue your guests into the fun theme with printable ice cream social invites. (A Pair of Pears)

2. Colorful Sprinkles: Now that the word is out, get thee to the kitchen! Whip your own custom colored sprinkles to coordinate with your party palette. (Such Pretty Things)

3. Golden Cones: Is your soiree geared toward the ladies, rather than the little ones? Add a little luxe to your sorbet, sherbet, and gelato with these golden cones. (Confetti Pop)

4. Ice Cream Cupcakes: When I say “ice cream!,” you say “cake!” These two go together like, well, like cake and ice cream. Adorn mini cupcakes with a scoop of your favorite flavor for a delicious two-fer. (Martha Stewart)

5. Root Beer Float Shooters: Sometimes (on very rare occasions, of course), you only want a small shot of yumminess. These little root beer float shooters should hit the spot. (Somewhere Splendid)

You’ve dressed up the sweets, now it’s time to add a little cone-centric decor to your place. Whether your style is modern, vintage, or somewhere in between, there’s a great frosty DIY for your bash.

6. Ice Cream Ornaments: Set the stage with these pint-sized ice cream ornaments. Simply string several and drape them across the doorway. (Duitang)

7. Honeycomb Ice Cream Garland: Or jazz up the mantle with a large honeycomb garland. (Oh Happy Day)

8. Ruffled Cone Chandelier: If you’re in a vintage mood, hang this ruffly decor. (Icing Designs)

9. Ice Cream Pinatas: Welcome guests to the table with individual ice cream cone pinatas. (Oh Happy Day)

10. Gift Tags: With a theme this popular, you’re bound to be a guest at an ice cream social sooner or later. These printable gift tags will make your present stand out from the rest. (Eat Drink Chic)

What’s your favorite theme for summer partying? Favorite flavors of ice cream? Talk to us in the comments below.

It’s no secret that Trader Joe’s absolutely kills it in the dessert department. I’m a massive fan of their Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupsand Chocolatey Coated Chocolate Chip Cookie Dunkers, but taking a gander down the frozendesserts aisle is an entirely different ballgame. From fruit-flavored mochi to decadent chocolate layered ice cream sammies, there’s something at Trader Joe’s for every kind of sweet tooth. Perfect for mid-day and midnight snacks alike, these are the 8 best Trader Joe’s frozen desserts that are worth every bite.

Scroll on for the 8 Trader Joe’s frozen desserts that belong in your next grocery haul!

Trader Joe's

1. Coffee Bean Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones

These coffee-flavored, chocolate-covered, mini-sized ice cream cones are a total hoot. Their small size makes 'em unbelievably easy to snack on, though, so it may take some restraint to not eat the whole box in a single sitting (speaking from experience). You get a little bit of creaminess and crunch with each piece, which is insanely satisfying – and something you don't get too much of – from a frozen treat!

@traderjoesobsessed

2. Blood Orange Mochi Ice Cream

These addicting little pockets of blood orange-flavored ice cream wrapped in sweet mochi dough are super nostalgic, especially for someone like me who practically grew up on Flintstone's Push-Ups! They're the ideal finger food, and though you might assume eating each piece is messy, the snackin' experience is anything but. With just enough zing from the blood orange and plenty of sugary goodness, you're definitely going to want to buy at least three boxes at a time during your TJ's runs.

Trader Joe's

3. Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches

These ice cream sammies are simply a modern take on a beloved classic. They're just like those popular treats you can pick up at the gas station, but with tons more chocolate chips. TJ's says they've perfected the best "crunchy-chewy ratio" possible for the duo of chocolate chip cookies involved, both of which hug a thick dollop of vanilla ice cream for a sweet summertime – or anytime, really – refreshment.

@traderjolene

4. Macaron Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches

This brand-new Trader Joe's frozen dessert already has fans going crazy, and I get it – it's basically two of the best desserts in one! Surrounded by a pair of "delicate" macaron shells, these chocolate ice cream sandwiches are totally chocolated out. I'm certain any fan of chocolate will adore them.

A TJ's fan on Reddit noted that the macaron component of this treat is "perfectly cooked, sweet and chewy," while the ice cream "tastes premium... and has a lot of chocolate flavor."

"It’s like they made these just for me," someone else chimed in on the thread. Same here!

Trader Joe's

5. Chocolate Croissants

If you didn't know Trader Joe's carries frozen croissants by now, you've truly been missing out. No more paying $5 per pastry at your local cafe! These bake-and-eat goodies are crafted with high-quality butter and semisweet Belgian chocolate for a deliciously sweet balance – all without having to laminate the dough yourself (amen)! I love treating myself to this box to enjoy on a lazy Sunday morning alongside some fresh coffee.

Trader Joe's

6. Lemon Bars

As fun as they are to make yourself, these frozen, ready-to-eat lemon bars erase the need for you to drag out all of your bakeware! Also – oven, who?! After thawing out at room temp a bit, these truly taste just as fresh as they would if you DIY'ed them. These are my go-to Trader Joe's frozen dessert if I'm attending a party and need to bring something to share... but don't necessarily have all the time in the world to whip something up.

Trader Joe's

7. Speculoos Cookie Butter Ice Cream

Die-hard TJ's fanatics might already know the pure magic that is their Speculoos Cookie Butter, but not many know that the grocer's incorporated it into a deliciously creamy pint of ice cream! This frozen find is swirled with the famous butter and packed with pieces of cookie for extra Speculoos oomph. I like to add some chocolate chips to mine (like a total chocolate fiend), but I also think TJ's Teensy Candy Bars or crushed Chocolate Vanilla Creme Joe-Joe's would work wonderfully as toppings.

Trader Joe's

8. Brownie Crisp Coffee Ice Cream Sandwiches

Chocolate and coffee is a top-tier food combo, and it's downright irresistible if it comes in a frozen form like this. While traditional ice cream sandwiches typically come with cookies as the top and bottom layers, this TJ's dessert comes complete with a duo of brownie crisps to provide a unique bite. Eat them on their own, or dare to go bold and try one affogato-style!

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It's almost time to return to Cousins! The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 is coming this summer, and Prime Video just gave us a first official look at Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad. The new episodes will open at the end of Belly's freshman year of college, and in addition to seeing the evolution of our favorite characters, author and co-showrunner Jenny Han says "there are going to be surprises" in the final season. Eek!

Here's your first look at Lola Tung, Gavin Casalegno, and Christopher Briney in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3, coming to Prime Video July 2025!


Jenny Han says 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' fans are in for a few surprises.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

"There are the things that [fans] know and then there are things they think they know, and then there's going to be, hopefully, things that surprise them," Jenny Han tells Entertainment Weekly. Listen, I am a very proud member of Team Conrad, and seeing how cozy Belly and Jeremiah are in these pics (not to mention the set leak that's definitely not in the third book), I'm starting to wonder if Prime Video is teasing I should switch teams.

But no matter which team you're on, Lola Tung promises the season won't let you down.

Team #JellyFish will get their time this season.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

"The one thing I've always admired about Jenny is that every season and every decision about what's coming next is purely to serve the story," Lola says. "She's never going to do anything that doesn't make sense for the story. It's all about this beautiful world she's created and giving the fans something really, really special and giving us something really special to work with."

And that includes some sweet moments which Jeremiah and Belly, who "are, at their core, best friends," Lola adds. "That relationship is something that's so special and so unique to them, so it's exciting to see this season and how their relationship blossoms."

And 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' images also feature Conrad.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

But don't worry Conrad fans, we also get a look at the elder Fisher brother who "we know that he went to Stanford, and so he's continuing on his journey to become a doctor, as you can see from that white coat," Jenny says. "I think people won't be surprised to see that."

Keep reading for more images from The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3!

Erika Doss/Prime Video

Jenny Han also teases this image is actually a flashback, "so do with that what you will." BRB, I'm off dreaming of a beach vacation. I also can't help but point out the warm color grade of this season! The golden look makes everything feel warmer and more magical — and offers a youthful glow as Belly gets older.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

But for those of us who care more about Steven and Taylor (Sean Kaufman and Rain Spencer) than the main love triangle, we got this single crumb from the new images. And I'm more than happy about it, thank you very much.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

Belly (Lola Tung) gets cozy on campus in a hoodie and sunglasses.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

And Belly and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) get cozy with each other at a party.

Erika Doss/Prime Video

But they work as hard as they play! I have this exact outfit Belly's wearing, and you best believe I'm adding it into my fashion rotation.

How many episodes will The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 have?

Erika Doss/Prime Video

Great news! The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 will have 11 episodes instead of 7 or 8 like seasons 1 and 2 did. Stay tuned for the official release schedule.

Who's in the cast?

Prime Video

The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 cast features all your favorites:

  • Lola Tung as Belly Conklin: a beach-loving volleyball player who's always dreaming of summer.
  • Christopher Briney as Conrad Fisher: Belly and Steven's lifelong friend who Belly's always had a crush on.
  • Gavin Casalegno as Jeremiah Fisher: Conrad's sunny younger brother.
  • Sean Kaufman as Steven Conklin: Belly's older brother.
  • Rain Spencer as Taylor Jewel: Belly's best friend.
  • Jackie Chungas Laurel Park: Belly and Steven's mom and Susannah Fisher's best friend.

Meet The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Cast before the new episodes air on Prime Video this July!

Get excited, because Trader Joe’s just brought back a seasonal flavor of one of their most beloved frozen desserts. Mini-sized and perfect for mid-day – or, let’s be real – midnight snacking, the Hold The Cone ice cream has gracefully returnedwith the taste of none other than coffee! Yum. TJ’s fans are already running to their nearest stores to grab a box (or two!), so you're definitely going to want to grab this limited-time item before it runs out.

Scroll on to discover more about the Coffee Bean Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones from Trader Joe’s.

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe’s Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones category includes classics like strawberry, chocolate, and chocolate chip, but a newcomer just joined the lineup: coffee bean! The cones are truly a cult-favorite item amongst shoppers, including myself!

Trader Joe's

According to Trader Joe’s, the Coffee Bean Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones feature mini chocolate sugar cones lined with a “chocolatey” coating that are then packed with a rich and “strongly flavored” coffee bean ice cream.

Trader Joe's

Chocolate and coffee is a truly stunning food combo, so coffee and dessert lovers will adore this new iteration. Additionally, their small size makes them absolutely irresistible for snacking sessions – I could honestly eat the whole box in one sitting.

@traderjoesobsessed

TJ’s fan account @traderjoesobsessed shared the returning find with their Instagram followers, and it was an instant hit among those who know and love ‘em, and people who have never tried the cones before.

“Yassss my favorite flavor!!!” one person commented.

“I will be buying two boxes tomorrow,” another declared.

“I don’t understand why this is a seasonal flavor!” someone else pointed out.

Reddit

One box of the Trader Joe’s Coffee Bean Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones is just $4, and that guarantees you 8 mini-sized ice cream cones to share – or keep all to yourself.

You can find this new drop in between TJ’s freezer aisles next to so many more sweet finds like the Blood Orange Mochi and the Speculoos Cookie Butter Ice Cream. I’m craving ice cream already!

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1923 season 2 premieres on Paramount+ February 23, and Michelle Randolph (who plays Elizabeth Dutton in the cast) is "so excited" for you to watch the new episodes — and she's been keeping up with all your fan theories!

"There are some crazy ones. I feel like the biggest fan theory thing is the family tree," she tells Brit + Co exclusively. "I've seen many different family trees and so it's like, 'OK, which one's accurate?' I actually drew my own at one point."

Here's what Michelle Randolph had to say about 1923 season 2, and the Dutton family tree, in Brit + Co's exclusive 1923 interview.

Michelle Randolph teases '1923' season 2 finally gives us answers to the Dutton family tree.

By the end of season 2, Michelle Randolph says "we might be able to fill in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, which is a very hot topic for internet users! "I had to make my own [family tree] because all of the ones I saw on the internet were like — every single one was different. I was like 'I'm confused.'"

The Dutton family is made up of incredible cast members like Brandon Sklenar, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren, and Michelle reveals that the cast are just as close as their characters.

"There's a giant group chat called Giddy Up, which started during cowboy camp of season one," she says. "A cute little name, and I think I mean we all were on location in Montana and all in the same hotel, and we would get dinners after [filming], so I think even though our characters are very different and in different story lines like we all really did bond, which was really helpful to have each other throughout the chaos of of shooting a show."

The actress also says Elizabeth would connect with her 'Landman' character Ainsley.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

And if you're a tried and true Taylor Sheridan fan, you've probably picked up on the fact that Michelle isn't just in 1923 — she also has a starring role as Ainsley Norris in Landman! But would Elizabeth and Ainsley get along if they met in an alternate universe?

"That would be a fun thing to witness. I think they would," she says. "They're very different, but the similarities between them is they're both young women who are finding their place in this world and I think that they both actually look at the world through very bright eyes and have a lot of hope, which is an interesting correlation between the two of them. I think Elizabeth has gone through so much more than Ainsley obviously, so there might be a difference there, but I think they would get along."

Check out the 8 Compelling Historical Fiction Books For 1923 Lovers and read our interview with Julia Schlaepfer where she teases the Spencer and Alex's future.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. And this post has been updated.

Leaders in the matcha industry are predicting a matcha shortage this spring. Sparked by a huge surge in demand, it’s possible that your go-to drink could be affected.

Here’s everything you need to know about this season’s matcha shortage.

Nataliya Vaitkevich / PEXELS

Per The Japan Times, increased demand for matcha powder put an “unprecedented strain” on the tea industry last year, and the same effect is predicted to take place in 2025.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan saw a 185% increase in matcha production from 2010 to 2023 in order to keep up with demand from cafes and home baristas around the world, The Japan Timesreports.

Cup of Couple / PEXELS

Seeing that over half of Japan’s matcha is exported internationally, matcha lovers are looking toward the country for their green tea fix. Search interest for matcha has nearly quadrupled over the past 5 years, and it shows no sign of slowing down.

Olena Bohovyk / PEXELS

This year, mostly organic matcha strains will be affected by the shortage, though lower-grade varieties could face the same issues if consumers begin reaching for them in favor of organic offerings. While top-tier, organic strains like ceremonial-grade matcha are known for being sweeter and smoother, the lower-grade kinds like culinary-grade matcha are noticeably more bitter and don't have the same vibrant color.

Charlotte May / PEXELS

Matcha can only be harvested in the springtime, so though a shortage may be happening now, there’s hope for increased supply in the near future. This year’s harvest will start in April.

Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS

Even though production will ramp up, Jason Eng of Kametani Tea in Japan, a company that produces matcha for beverage companies around the world, says: “This year will be an interesting one. We haven’t hit a point yet where we’re going to run out, but it’s going to be really tight this autumn – not just for us but for everybody. The demand is off the charts.”

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