If you’re a big fan of activities suited for sunshine or have warm-weather hobbies, winter’s frigid temps and frightful weather can be a major bummer. We wouldn’t judge if, by now, you’re basically in a dark hole full of comfort food and too much screen time (new Netflix!). But if you’re starting to lack inspiration, there are thankfully (phew) tons of fun things you can do to flex your creative muscles while staying all warm and cozy inside. You’ll love doing these eight indoor hobbies as you count down the days ‘til spring.
Salad isn't known as being a winter comfort food, but seasonal produce like persimmons, squash and pomegranate make *perfect* salad toppings this time of year. After indulging in holiday goodies for the last few weeks (months?), your body will be craving a nutrient-dense lunch or dinner this winter. Stay healthy and keep your immunity up by getting your veggie servings in for the day with these filling and delicious winter salads.
Quick and Easy Winter Salad Recipes We'll Be Making This Month
Harvest Cranberry, Persimmon and Burrata Salad
Half Baked Harvest
If you’ve never had a persimmon, get yourself to the farmers’ market and buy some this weekend. Kind of like an apple, they’re sweet and crisp and pair perfectly with creamy burrata (but let’s be real… what doesn’t pair perfectly with burrata?).
Warm Quinoa, Kale and Squash Salad With Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette
The Green Life
This salad features delicata squash, which is about to become your new favorite veggie. And you don’t need to peel it, which makes this salad a super convenient dinner tonight.
Herbed Kale Salad With Persimmon, Pomegranate and Maple-Cumin Dressing
The Bojourn Gourmet
If kale salad isn’t your jam, this recipe will change your mind. You can sub out the herbs for whatever you may have left over in your fridge to make this totally customizable.
Bourbon Roasted Pear Salad With Gorgonzola and Candied Walnuts
The Suburban Soapbox
This salad will make up for every disappointing salad you have ever ordered or eaten. Pears are roasted with bourbon and brown sugar and then tossed with leafy greens, blue cheese and sweet, crunchy candied walnuts for a perfect holiday salad.
Candied Hazelnut, Kale, Apple and Bacon Salad
Self Proclaimed Foodie
This salad is next-level with its mix of textures and flavors. On Sunday, mix the kale and apple with the dressing and you’ll have lunch ready for the entire week.
Harvest Salad With Pomegranate Allspice Dressing
The View from Great Island
This salad makes a beautiful accompaniment to heavier dishes. The pomegranate dressing is fresh and tangy and pairs perfectly with creamy gorgonzola and sweet acorn squash.
Winter Kale Salad With Almond Butter Dressing
In It 4 the Long Run
You only need six ingredients for this winter salad. It's easy enough to double or triple for a get-together and healthy enough to get all your veggies for the day.
Roasted Butternut Squash Fall Kale Salad
Emilie Eats
Who said salads have to be greens-based? Take advantage of the bounty of winter squash at the market this time of year and make this drool-worthy salad for dinner this week.
Baby Kale Salad With Oranges, Pomegranate and Maple-Tahini Dressing
Can You Stay for Dinner?
This salad packs a nutritional punch that can't be beat. It's delicious too!
Roasted Mushroom and Romaine Salad
Cookin' Canuck
Super-simple ingredients make this comfort salad a go-to for busy weeknights. The mushrooms are tossed with olive oil, rosemary and garlic and then roasted for an earthy bite. Get your vitamin B fix and a powerful antioxidant called selenium, which helps to support the immune system. (via Cookin' Canuck)
Sweet Potato Pomegranate Salad
Two Peas and Their Pod
You *need* to make this potato salad right now. You’ll give the summer barbecue favorite an even yummier upgrade with sweet potatoes, feta cheese and pomegranates.
Brussels Sprouts & Kale Salad With Apple, Gorgonzola + Candied Pecans
Ambitious Kitchen
The best part about kale salads is they get better the longer they sit in dressing. If you’re hosting a dinner party, this salad is the great starter for that very reason.
Brussels Sprout Salad With Butternut Squash, Pomegranate and “Fried” Goat Cheese
Coley Cooks
Brussels sprouts may have gotten a bad rap in the past, but they are the *it* veggie this winter. The goat cheese is rolled in bread crumbs and baked to make this salad feel extra special while still being ultra healthy.
Twelve Superfoods Salad
Averie Cooks
Winter reminds us of the hunting and gathering period that often occurs right before this time so our minds immediately thought of this superfoods salad. It has sunflower seeds, walnuts, edamame, kale, blueberries, grapes, olive oil and more in it, making it the perfect replenishing meal.
Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad With Rosemary Cider Vinaigrette
The Original Dish
Satisfy your taste bud's desire for something that fulls robust and earthy this fall. This is one of those yummy winter salad recipes that's going to give you a bit of caramelized and spicy flavor so you'll almost feel like you're not eating something that's on the healthier side.
Follow us on Pinterest for more healthy meal ideas!
This post has been updated.
My best friends mean the world to me, and though I wish I could give them the world, this year, I just want to get them gifts that are as special as our friendship. Whether it’s a personalized pendant, a cute skincare set, or the lip shade they simply can’t stop talking about, I want them to know just how much I care about their companionship! Thus, I’ve curated the ultimate list of gifts for best friends to help you gift your besties something they’ll truly love, especially if it comes from you. These gifts are so good, I really want them for myself, too.
Our 40 favorite gifts for best friends:
- Free People Super Wide Stripe Soft Headband
- Solar Eclipse Hand-Painted Brush
- Refy Lash Sculpt Mascara
- Scent Beauty by Sabrina Carpenter Cherry Baby Eau de Parfum
- Caitlyn Minimalist Custom Tiny Toi et Moi Birthstone Ring
- Free People Quilted Micro Pouch
- Saltair Golden Hour Body Wash
- Noyz Perfume Discovery Kit
- Versed The Glowing Skin Collection Gift Set
- Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
- Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera
- SeaVees Hayward Platform Shoes
- Sol De Janeiro Rio Body Trio Discovery Set
- Dieux Angel Face Cleanser + Moisturizer Bundle
- Darn Tough Critter Club Lightweight Micro Crew Socks
- Lego Icons Tiny Plants + Flowers Set
- Kitsch Satin Pillowcase
- Alo Holiday Candle
- By Anthropologie Monogram Heart Locket Necklace
- Yuletide Stemless Wine Glass
- Lush Snow Fairy Lip Mask
- Baggu Mini Nylon Shoulder Bag
- Flippy Instax Mini Picture Frame
- Oomiay Cannoli Earrings
- Jingle & Mingle 5 Days of Rosé Wine Set
- Ototo Mon Cherry Measuring Spoons
- Kulfi Beauty All Night Out Eye Set
- Ban.do Quilted Blanket
- Favorite Daughter Classic Logo Cotton Twill Baseball Cap
- Chunks Colorful Bobby Pins
- Custom-Made Birthdate Pendant
- Dame Massage Oil Candle
- e.l.f. Glow Reviver Quad Goals Lip Oil Kit
- Fig.1 SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen
- Life is Good 'I Deserve A Little Treat' Boxy Crusher Tee
- Compartés Pistachio Sea Salt Chocolate Truffles
- Madewell Metal Mini Bow Stud Earrings
- Otherland Fallen Fir 3-Wick Candle
- OSEA Super Glow Body Set
- Philosophy Amazing Grace Eau de Toilette Gift Set
Scroll on to see the absolute best gifts for best friends to give in 2024!
Amazon
1. Scent Beauty by Sabrina Carpenter Cherry Baby Eau de Parfum
Leave it to Sabrina Carpenter to influence my list of gifts for best friends. Her "Cherry Baby" scent carries sultry notes of vanilla, peony, cherries, and chocolate, which is the perfect aroma for a night out with the girls.
Summer Fridays
2. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
This lip balm is viral for a reason. Your besties' lips deserve all the instant moisture, color, and shine this tube provides. This brown sugar shade looks decadent AF, but you can also snag it in other fun 'flavors' like iced coffee and mint.
Urban Outfitters
3. Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera
For the one that's always documenting the friend group's antics, they'll enjoy taking this unique, screen-free digicam on nights out, weekend trips, and cozy nights in! It captures film-style photos (without the time-consuming film photography process), and it can be used over and over again since it's rechargeable.
SeaVees
4. SeaVees Hayward Platform Shoes
Moccasin-style shoes are super popular this winter. I love how comfortable SeaVees' shoes are, so I might just have to share the love with my besties this holiday season... and snag a pair for myself so we can match, of course!
Dieux
5. Dieux Angel Face Cleanser + Moisturizer Bundle
Dieux is one of my go-to skincare brands for effective products that still take it easy on my sensitive skin. Their Baptism cleanser, part of this giftable duo, provides a nice clean without stripping any moisture from my skin. I also use their Instant Angel moisturizer religiously in the wintertime since things tend to get real dry. I'd say you can confidently gift this set to besties of any skin type.
Anthropologie
6. By Anthropologie Monogram Heart Locket Necklace
Personalized gifts will always feel special. Kick this gift idea up a notch by inserting a little pic of you and your BFF in the locket before wrapping and handing it over!
Urban Outfitters
7. Baggu Mini Nylon Shoulder Bag
I carry this Baggu bag just about everywhere I go. It's perfect for happy hours or dinners since it's small and not too much of a hassle to tow along, but don't let its size fool you: this baby can fit a lot. Your most stylish best friend will be wearing it the moment they open their gift!
Target
8. Jingle & Mingle 5 Days of Rosé Wine Set
You can never go wrong with rosé, baby! This gift set carries 5 personal-sized bottles of different varieties for them to sip on around the holidays.
Kulfi Beauty
9. Kulfi Beauty All Night Out Eye Set
This eye makeup set is complete with a bold eyeliner shade and a shimmery pot of eyeshadow. You get to choose the exact shades of each before purchasing, so this is truly one of the most fun personalized gift ideas. The set also comes with a funky pair of mismatched hair clips – so cute!
Dame
10. Dame Massage Oil Candle
This soothing candle melts down into a sweet-smelling massage oil that's easily dispensable, thanks to the pointed spout on the glass. This is a great gift for your single and partnered pals alike, whether they're using it to wind down themselves or for sexy time with their S.O.!
Life is Good
11. Life is Good 'I Deserve A Little Treat' Boxy Crusher Tee
Everyone deserves a little treat. Wrap up this awesome (and comfy!) tee alongside your bestie's favorite snack, sweet treat, or freshly-baked dessert to totally nail their gift this year!
Compartés
12. Compartés Pistachio Sea Salt Chocolate Truffles
These aesthetically-pleasing truffles could be the perfect sweet treat in question!
Nordstrom
13. OSEA Super Glow Body Set
I know anyone in my close friends circle would be happy to be gifted some nice skincare goodies. This luxe set from OSEA comes with a body wash, oil, and serum to keep skin looking and feeling happy!
Subscribe to our newsletter for even more holiday gift ideas!
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The chilly weather sparks serious comfort food cravings, and vegans don't have to be left out in the cold. With a slew of meat alternatives, convincing vegan cheese, and a lot of creativity from vegan cooks, eating a vegan meal can be every bit as satisfying as traditional comfort food fare. Whether you’re craving filling pot pie or rich mac and cheese, these 23 vegan comfort food recipes will deliver when you need something a little more indulgent.
Minimalist Baker
BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
Jackfruit is that magical produce that seems to perfectly replicate meat in almost any dish. Thanks to its growing popularity, it's become relatively easy to find in grocery stores. Just make sure you buy a young green jackfruit in water, not brine or syrup. This is the key to achieving proper flavor and texture. Then all you need to do is sauté and add A LOT of barbecue sauce. (via Minimalist Baker)
Natural Girl, Modern World
Mushroom Stroganoff
Balance cozy carbs with nourishing vegetables in this mushroom stroganoff and you get the best of both worlds.
Ela Vegan
Vegan Chickpea Curry
When you mix chickpeas with eggplant, coconut milk, Indian spices, and rice you'll end up with the most satisfying vegan curry. When spicing your curry, be sure to select a blend that incorporates fresh spices to give you the maximum amount of health benefits and flavor.
Nutritional Foodie
Vegan Sweet Potato Nachos
It can be difficult to cut back on carbs when you’re vegan (or for anybody, really). Thankfully, sweet potato tortilla chips are here to solve that problem. Things get serious when you coat them in vegan cheese sauce and then pile them high with your favorite nacho toppings.
Hot for Food
Roasted Corn Chowder
Calling all ambitious chefs with leftover corn on the cob: This corn chowder is a bit involved to make but the results are 100 percent worth it. Corn kernels thicken the chowder that's scented with smoked paprika and thyme for a soothing bite with every spoonful.
Vegan in the Freezer
Dairy-Free Herbed Scalloped Potatoes
Potatoes baked into a casserole that's covered in a creamy white sauce is comfort food at its best. All you need to do is sprinkle a few herbs on top for a little somethin' extra.
Pinch of Yum
Moroccan-Spiced Chickpea Glow Bowl
This spiced bowl will soon be your new go-to for an ultra comforting, super nutritious, plant-based meal. There's so much deliciousness packed into this recipe that it'll be hard to pick your favorite part. Moroccan-spiced chickpeas are simmered in a sauce of fire-roasted tomatoes and then spooned atop couscous that's cooked and fluffed to perfection. Oh yeah, and there’s cucumber salad, some lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs to the max.
Vegetarian Ventures
Creamy Vegetarian White Chili
By this point in winter you probably want soup for every meal, and that's where this white chili comes in. It’s warm, filling, tasty, and not average in any way. Pro tip: Add lots of toppings for a wide variety of texture in your bowl.
This Savory Vegan
Vegan White Mac and Cheese
If you dream about a mac and cheese without the taste of nutritional yeast, this recipe will make your dreams come true. It turns out that the answer is vegan cream cheese and a dash of hot sauce. Who knew?! Now that the secret is out, feel free to share — and don’t forget to make seconds!
Fooduzzi
Buffalo Chickpea Pizza
Buffalo sauce and chicken is a match made in heaven. Buffalo sauce with roasted chickpeas is pretty darn good too. With a buffalo hummus base that incorporates just the right amount of spice, and a crispy cheesy topping, this recipe is about to be your new obsession.
Lazy Cat Kitchen
Vegan Pad Thai
Pad Thai is one of the easiest dishes to veganize because it already comes layered with an array of crunchy vegetables and cubes of tofu. The tricky part is substituting the fish sauce, but this is actually easier than it seems. You can either buy a non-fish-based fish sauce, or simply prepare your own by infusing soy sauce (or tamari) with a bit of seaweed and dried mushrooms.
Feasting on Fruit
Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recreate a comforting, nostalgic childhood favorite with these gluten-free, vegan treats. You may even find you like them better than the original.
Veggies Don't Bite
Vegan Pizza Burrito
You’ll thank us later when you realize that this vegan pizza burrito is pretty much heaven wrapped in a burrito and placed on a plate. It’s also handy to grab when you have to eat on the run.
Munaty Cooking
Baked Aloo Samosas
Indian food is great because so much of it is already vegan. And samosas might be the ultimate choice because they can be an appetizer, a finger food, or a meal. Plus, they're concocted with a host of spices and dipping sauces that will keep your taste buds intrigued and wanting more.
Minimalist Baker
Vegan Sloppy Joes
If you never had sloppy joes growing up, there's no time like the present to give them a try. This warm sandwich is sweet, smokey, and savory all at once, and it can be made with everyday pantry items. This vegan version uses lentils instead of beef and is no less satisfying for it.
The Fitchen
Vegan Pot Pies With Cornbread Crust
Creamy veggies hide beneath a crispy cornbread crust in this quintessential comfort food dish. There will be nothing more satisfying than breaking through the cornbread with a spoon to enjoy that perfect filling-to-crust ratio.
The Works of Life
General Tso’s Cauliflower
Just when you think that everyone and their mother is tired of cauliflower recipes, General Tso’s cauliflower is here to revive the obsession. The cauliflower is marinated and then dusted in cornstarch and sesame seeds to form that crispy crust we all love. Now vegans and carnivores alike can get in on some of that General Tso’s action.
No Recipes
Vegan Spinach Dip
A blend of soft tofu with raw cashew nuts creates a satiny texture that's complemented by the spinach for an appetizer that tastes indulgent but won't have you regretting your snack choices.
Peas & Crayons
Vegan Grilled Cheese
Something about that ooey-gooey yumminess of grilled cheese is simply unbeatable. But the best part of this sandwich isn't even the cheese; it's the ability to be a blank canvas onto which you can add an array of herbs, spices, chutneys, pickles, and jellies. The world is your oyster here — go wild!
Karissa's Vegan Kitchen
Vegan Meatball Subs
When you wrap chickpea meatballs in carbs, smother them with marinara sauce, and top with a sprinkle of vegan Parm, the result is irresistible. If you make a huge batch of meatballs and then freeze them, this recipe becomes so simple that there's a high probability it will become your fave Friday night staple.
Gluten-Free Vegan Pantry
Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
There's almost nothing better than veganized mac and cheese. This cheesy delight is a hug in a bowl and the exact thing you require on those days when you’re in need of a pick-me-up.
Minimalist Baker
One-Hour Vegan Pot Pies
This blogger says it all: “Delicious, flaky, veggie-packed vegan pot pies in less than one hour. That’s all you need to know."
Ambitious Kitchen
Lemon Blueberry Pistachio Cupcakes
Comfort food includes cupcakes. Opt for a magical combination like lemon, blueberry, and pistachio and watch the sparks fly.
If you can't get enough vegan comfort food in your life, follow us on Pinterest for more recipes!
This post has been updated.
Our favorite dancing queens (Meryl Streep included) might be returning to the big screen for a third encore of Mamma Mia! and we’re already rewatching the first two movie musicals in preparation.
In an interview with Deadline in May of 2023, Mamma Mia! franchise creator and producer Judy Craymer said a third movie musical is in "earliest stages." She also shared that she has come up with a way to bring Meryl Streep back again.
"I don't want to over-egg it," she said of the unofficial news, "but I know there's a trilogy there…and I do think Meryl should come back, and if the script is right, she would, I think, because she really loved playing Donna."
"Of course I want to do it," Streep said during the 2024 Cannes Film Festival (via Deadline). Sounds promising to us!
Is Mamma Mia 3 happening?
Universal Pictures
Yes, Mamma Mia 3 is in its early planning stages! Christine Baranski just told The Hollywood Reporter that she's met with producer Judy Kramer, and that Kramer has plans for the third movie. "She gave me the narrative plotline of how it’s going to happen," Baranski says. "That’s all I can say! But, it’s not like, 'Oh, I wish it could happen!' Judy Kramer makes things happen. She made number two happen, and it was a phenomenal hit. I wouldn’t put it past Judy Kramer to get everybody back together."
Universal Pictures
A third installation was first mentioned way back in 2020, during a Collider interview with Mamma Mia! star Amanda Seyfried. Seyfried said she was on board — and at the time, she thought the rest of the star-studded cast would be too.
"Listen, every single person in that movie would say yes in a heartbeat because we want to hang out with each other," Seyfried told Collider at the time. "That's what we talked about last time, like did we ever think that we'd end up here again on an Island in Croatia?"
When will Mamma Mia 3 come out?
Universal Pictures
We don't have an official answer about when to expect this highly anticipated sequel. The project is in the "earliest stages," according to creator and producer, Judy Craymer. Cher also revealed to Entertainment Weekly that everyone is "talking about it," but she doesn't "know when they're going to do it."
Has casting information been shared about Mamma Mia 3?
Jonathan Prime/Universal Studios
While nothing's been made official, Amanda Seyfried just said something that made my heart skip a beat. She told ABC News she loves Sabrina Carpenter's music and dropped this admission: "If Sabrina Carpenter wants to play my daughter, I’ll make it happen."
But before she admitted that, the actress said something else that made me raise my eyebrows. "Everybody says it’s gonna happen, but I mean, I haven’t seen a script."
Cher is also eager to return to the beloved franchise and is rooting for Meryl to make an appearance again. "I keep saying, 'Meryl, you've got to come back,'" she said (via Entertainment Weekly). She also said she's told her, "'It'll be fun. You'll have a good time. You'll be able to sing.'"
I don't know what it'll take, but hope someone gets a script in Amanda Seyfried, Cher, and Meryl Streep's hands ASAP!
What is the first Mamma Mia about?
Universal Pictures
The first film follows Donna (Streep) and Sophie (Seyfried) as mother and daughter living on a remote Greek island. When Sophie is about to marry Sky (Dominic Cooper), she sets out to learn who her real father is after discovering it could be one of three men (played by Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, and Colin Firth).
Who does the second Mamma Mia follow?
Universal Pictures / NBCUniversal
Mamma Mia 2takes viewers back to 1979, where young Donna (Lily James) embarks on a series of adventures throughout Europe following her Oxford University graduation. On her journeys, she makes the acquaintances of Harry, Bill and Sam – the latter whom she falls in love with. In the present day, pregnant Sophie dreams of renovating a taverna while reuniting with her mother's old friends and boyfriends on a Greek island island.
TBH, we’re pretty happy that Mamma Mia! is far from over, and we can’t wait to see what the franchise has in store for us next. Stay updated on all the latest entertainment news with Brit + Co.
This post has been updated.
There's nothing ~normal~ about how much we love Normal People's Paul Mescal & Daisy Edgar-Jones. While it turns out we're not getting a Normal People season 2 (yet), the two actors are starring in some of 2024's biggest blockbusters (Twisters and Gladiator II, namely), and we've been soaking up their presences ever since.
Paul recently exhibited his ongoing friendship with Daisy at the Gladiator II premiere in Los Angeles. While he approached Brittany Broski on the red carpet for an interview, he recognized her from her recent 'Royal Court' interview with Daisy:
"You were with Daisy!" he chimed in excitingly. We just love this power duo!
Enda Bowe/Hulu
Daisy Edgar-Jones also revealed that she's remained incredibly close to Paul Mescal after their time on Hulu's Normal People. "Paul is one of my lifetime best friends," she says. "He’s an incredibly grounded person and I am too, I think, so it’s nice to be able to have those touchstones and those people you can laugh about it with and be lighthearted with. We met when I was 20 and Paul was 22; I’m so excited to see where we’ll be at 32, 42, and what life will bring us."
But the coolest thing is that not only is Normal People special for Paul and Daisy, but they've also been able to see the effect of the show on its fans.
"The thing I love people saying the most is, 'It made me contact my ex,'" Daisy continues. "Especially when much older people say, 'I just wanted to reach out to the person I was with when I was 17 just to say you were a big part of my history and thanks for being part of who I am, the tapestry of my life.' And that I really love, because I’m a massive romantic."
Daisy recently revealed they bonded over their training for Twisters and Gladiator II.
"I did running lessons — isn’t that crazy?" she told Variety. "Actually, Paul [Mescal] and I were laughing about it, because he was training for 'Gladiator II' and I was training for 'Twisters,' and obviously he had to be huge and I was like, 'Don’t worry, I’m going to be right up there with you.'"
Let us know your favorite Normal People moment in the comments and check out 5 Leading Ladies We'd Love To See In A Paul Mescal Rom-Com.
This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.