19 Brilliant Camping Hacks We Learned from Instagram

Summertime means getting outside… A LOT. The days are long, with plenty of time to plan what camping food you’ll munch, pull together some cool DIY camping projects and test out that homemade sunscreen. While everyone’s pictures of the great outdoors look effortless on social media, life can get a little bit tricky when you’re at the mercy of Mother Nature. But even though you’ve left behind the world of running water and electrical outlets, roughing it doesn’t have to be too rough, especially with these 19 genius ideas we found on Instagram. Scroll down for all the #campinghacks, and you’ll look like a natural in no time.

1. Gourmet S’mores: Buh-bye, graham crackers! Swap out the old standard for chocolate wafers, Girl Scout cookies or snickerdoodles to make an over-the-top campfire treat.

2. DIY Bug Repellent: Once the sun starts setting, the mosquitos start swarming. Preserve your sanity (and your arms!) by making your own mosquito repellent with lemon and lime slices, rosemary sprigs, and cedarwood and lavender essential oils.

3. Baked Eggs: Gather your baked egg recipes, because you’re going to be making a lot of these over the campfire, thanks to this muffin tin hack. Once your firewood has burned down to embers, set the eggs (and all the tasty add-ins) in the muffin tin and let them bake right on the grill.

4. Toilet Paper Roll Hack: The only thing that can make using an outhouse worse is getting stuck with soggy strands of toilet paper. Keep your TP dry in a repurposed coffee container, and hang it from a tree to keep dirt and bugs away.

5. DIY Lawn Games: Whether it’s Yahtzee, bocce ball or dominoes, you’ve gotta remember to pack your favorite camping games. Bring along paint to DIY a Twister board wherever you set up camp and let the good times roll.

6. Dry Tech: Not even a downpour will bring down your Instagram game with this savvy tech hack. Seal your phone in a plastic baggie all weekend long to protect it from rain, sand, dirt and the occasional marshmallow mishap.

7. Sitting Pretty: Last year’s camp chairs looking a little worse for wear? Put your weaving skills to use and spruce up those chair frames with a whole lot of paracord.

8. Mini Eggs: Treat your campers to a sunny-side-up breakfast with this brilliant cooking hack. Make ersatz pans out of tinfoil and put them directly on the grill.

9. DIY Tiki Lamps: Once the sun goes down you have two major things to deal with: lack of light and bugs. Ugh! DIY citronella tiki torches will light up your campsite so you can make merry long after sunset without the threat of blood-sucking mosquitos.

10. Cork Key Floats: If your camping trip involves any sort of boating adventure, make sure your keys don’t go down with the ship. Attach anything that might sink to a wine cork and you’ll have some peace of mind when your canoe tips over.

11. Grilled Pizza: Pizza might not be the first thing you think of when you’re planning your campfire menu, but the dough grills up nicely for a wood-fired-style pie. Keep the pizzas small enough so that you can eat the whole thing in one sitting and you won’t have to worry about cutting it into slices.

12. Camping Bubble Bath: Okay, this one is a little on the silly side, but dry shampoo can only take you so far. A nice soak in a rubber raft full of hot water doesn’t sound like a terrible idea, especially if you remembered the bubble bath.

13. Jar of Matches: Nothing kills a camping buzz like damp matches (no fire = no s’mores!). Make sure yours stay nice and dry in a glass jar. Add the strike strip to the top of the jar for easy access.

14. Spice Jars: You don’t want to bring your entire spice drawer on your camping trip, but sometimes you need more than salt and pepper for your gourmet fireside meals. Pick a few favorites and store them in tiny plastic stacking containers for easy transport. Don’t forget to make labels so you don’t mix up your cinnamon and cayenne.

15. Handy Silverware: Eating scrambled eggs out of a tin cup with no fork is not a good way to greet the day, so remember this handy hack. Attach utensils with paracord to a carabiner and clip it to your backpack and you’ll never lose them again.

16. Pancake Bottle: Save yourself the trouble of bringing eggs and milk and all the other pancake ingredients to the campsite and mix the batter up ahead of time. Store the batter in a squeeze bottle and you’re only seconds away from a perfect pancake breakfast.

17. Warm Laundry: Even if you’re just camping for the weekend, a gal’s gotta have a clean swimsuit, amirite? When the weather refuses to cooperate with your laundry plans, put your car heater to good use to get those towels and swimsuits good and dry.

18. Coffee Hack: Forget the French press? Before you panic and run back to civilization and the nearest coffee store, use a glass bottle to DIY your own cold brew or morning roast. Yes, it might be a little gritty and have a Fireball aftertaste, but that’s all part of the experience.

19. Orange Peel Cinnamon Rolls: Just because you’re going camping doesn’t mean you have to give up baking. Use orange peels as a shield against the intense heat of a direct flame and then use tin foil to bake the cinnamon rolls. Plus, the orange peel gives just a hint of flavor to those gooey, cinnamon treats. Genius!

What genius camping hack would you add to this list? If you’re looking for more fun outdoorsy ideas, make sure you follow us on Pinterest!

Paczki Day is coming up on Tuesday, March 1, and what better way to get in the spirit than with some Instagram inspiration. If you haven’t tried Paczki yet, you’re missing out *big time.* These Polish pastries — which are similar to donuts — are a MAJOR staple around this time of year (along with spring detox recipes and Easter dessert recipes). Traditionally, they were made in Polish households to use up all manner of dessert ingredients before the start of Lent, and even today, Paczki Day is still a pretty big deal in cities with large Polish populations, like Chicago and Detroit. Here are 11 of our favorite pics of this seasonal creation.

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1. Classic Paczki

First off, let’s start with a description of what Paczki actually ARE. They’re not dissimilar to a jelly donut, but they’re made from an even richer deep-fried dough spun from eggs, sugar, fat, yeast, and milk.

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2. Soft on the Outside, Sweet on the Inside

Paczki are traditionally stuffed with fruit or cream fillings, ranging from sweet to uber sugary (savory flavors need not apply). Some of the most traditional fillings include plum and rosehip jam.

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3. Don’t Skip on the Filling

These Paczki are PACKED with delicious filling. The filling itself is sweet and gooey, while the dough is coated in a light, flakey, sugary glaze. Um, yes please.

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4. Chocolate on Top

Perhaps less traditional than some, these tasty Paczki are drizzled with a sweet and chocolatey glaze. Conventionally, they’re glazed with a sugary, citrusy finishing.

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5. NOT Sugar-Free

These bad boys are rolled in a crystal coating of white sugar. They’re decidedly NOT for dieters. Bring on the sweetness!

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6. Stack ’em Up

Paczki on Paczki on Paczki. Need we say more?

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7. Bun Basket

Bring your neighbor a friendly basket of delicious homemade Paczki. It’ll be a total throwback to simpler times, and your neighbor will not be able to resist the pull of that super-powdery confectioners’ sugar on top.

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8. Ready for Glaze

So THIS is how they do it. These pastries are piping hot and fresh from the oven, and they’re ready for a delicious vanilla glaze.

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9. Real Fruit and Nutella Paczki

To mix things up, why not try incorporating fresh fruit and/or Nutella into your otherwise traditional Paczki? Case in point: These AH-mazing looking dough balls.

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10. Apricot Dreams

You can barely tell from the pic, but these Paczki are actually stuffed with delicious apricot preserves. In fact, you can feel free to use jam or preserves from whatever fruit you like, from strawberries to blackberries and beyond.

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11. Cousins in Sweetness

Paczki and donuts are basically cousins when it comes to the family tree of desserts. Both deep-fried, often filled, and usually glazed, they’re truly the stuff of sweet dreams.

Follow us on Pinterest for more Paczki and other food trends!

Featured image via sheri silver/Unsplash

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The internet is already buzzing about Netflix's new romantic Western drama, Ransom Canyon, which drops on the streamer April 17. It's got everything: secrets, romance, horses. And plenty of standout stars. Here's a full rundown of the Ransom Canyon cast, because the lineup is almost too good to be true. Until the show drops, stock up on The 10 Best Cowboy Boots Right Now ;).

Keep reading to meet the full Ransom Canyon cast before the Netflix TV show premieres on April 17.

1. Josh Duhamel as Staten Kirkland

Netflix

Josh Duhamel stars as Staten Kirkland, the owner of Double K Ranch who's fighting to protect his ranch and his way of life.

2. Minka Kelly as Quinn O'Grady

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We'll also see Euphoria and Friday Night Lights star Minka Kelly as Quinn O’Grady. Quinn's back from a life in New York as a concert pianist and is looking for a new start.

3. Marianly Tejada as Ellie Estevez

Netflix

Marianly Tejada (who you'll recognize from One of Us is Lying) stars as Ellie Estevez, who yearns to leave an impact on Ransom Canyon. But while she's as tough as they come, she also checks in on Cap.

4. Jack Schumacher as Yancy Grey

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Jack Schumacher plays the charming, mysterious Yancy Grey, who has a secret past he's struggling to keep hidden from Ellie and the rest of Ransom Canyon.

5. Eoin Macken as Davis Collins

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Eoin Macken stars as Davis Collins, who owns Bar W Ranch and constantly buts heads with Staten over capitalizing on the land — and over Quinn.

6. James Brolin as Cap

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Sweet Tooth's James Brolin stars as ex-Army captain Cap, who owns Fuller Ranch.

7. Lizzy Greene as Lauren Brigman

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Lizzy Greene is a part of the Ransom Canyon cast as Lauren Brigman, head cheerleader, sheriff's daughter, and girlfriend to quarterback Reid. But she dreams of leaving for Austin, and isn't expecting Lucas to capture her heart.

8. Garrett Wareing as Lucas Russell

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Garrett Wareing stars as Lucas Russell, who's working to provide for his family and dreaming of a life beyond the Canyon.

9. Andrew Liner as Reid Collins

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Andrew Liner plays Reid Collins, who's dealing with secrets of his own and hides his desire to be loved behind a cocky exterior.

Read up on the latest Ransom Canyon news for more!

Summer hair is all about laid-back looks, but even our favorite easy hairstyles need a bit more structure when it's time to go back to work or school. Updos can add serious style and personality to an outfit, and are a fun way to keep your look constantly changing. From unique takes on the braid to soft curls and edgy accessories, these hairstyles will make you excited to get ready!

Milkmaid Braids

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All you need to do for this easy hairstyle is braid your hair into two braids, wrap them across the top of your head, and pin behind your ear. Pull out some face-framing pieces to complete the look.

Sleek Pony

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There's nothing chicer than a high pony. Add some texturizing spray to give it a messy finish or keep things sleek with some hairspray.

Sock Curls

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We know that curling your hair with socks sounds crazy, but it really works! You'll get voluminous curls with a fraction of the effort.

Add A Headband

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Headbands keep your hair out of your face and add serious style to your outfit. Pearls, bows, velvet — there's plenty to choose from!

Top Knot

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Top knots are fun because they can be sleek, messy, curly, or straight, and they always look good.

Pin It Back

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We know that having short hair can leave you with only a few styling options. Accessorize with some cute bobby pins for a chic and edgy look.

Braided Low Pony

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A mini braid makes this easy hairstyle anything but boring. Scoop your hair into a low pony and braid a small section. Wrap that around the elastic and then secure with a pin. Voilà!

Dutch Braid Bun

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A braided bun is a great option for keeping your hair out of your face and off your neck. Not only is it cute enough for work, it's also practical enough for cleaning and working out.

Loose Waves

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We're pretty sure that this look will never go out of style. Add some clips, a headband, or leave it as is.

All Natural

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Rock those curls!

Mini Pony

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A half-up ponytail adds the perfect amount of spice to your look.

Rope Braids

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Swap your normal updo for a half-up look that has the right amount of detail. Try fishtail braids, rope braids, or French braids.

French Twist

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This classic 'do is a lot easier than it looks. Just make sure you have enough bobby pins!

What's your go-to easy hairstyle? Follow us on Pinterest and subscribe to our email newsletter for the latest beauty content from B+C!

The second the weather warms up even a smidge, I'm ready to throw on a sweet little sundress and embrace spring! So naturally, I'm window shopping for some new additions to my closet, and J.Crew's latest dresses honestly made my jaw drop. They're the perfect mix of chic, flirty, and fun — and I'm adding them to my cart as we speak. So if you're looking to update your spring wardrobe this year, then you definitely wanna check out these J.Crew dresses ASAP!

Scroll to see our favorite J.Crew Spring spring dresses we love for 2025!

J.Crew

J.Crew Gathered-Waist Mixy Dress

There's something so magical about an easy dress like this. You can dress it up with a pair of heels for a night out, or you can keep it casual with some sneakers and a denim jacket. Regardless of how you wear it, the silhouette looks so put-together all on its own — accessories not required.

J.Crew

J.Crew Hyacinth Dress in Striped Cotton Poplin

A pop of green is perfect for spring! It pairs oh-so well with the budding grass and fresh blooms of the season. And when paired with these elongating stripes and this smocked waist? Yeah, you're gonna look GOOD.

J.Crew

J.Crew Squareneck Midi Dress in Blurry Rose Print

This dress is so fresh and fun for spring and summer! I can totally see myself strolling around the farmer's market with my dogs, picking out some delish veggies for my next meal!

J.Crew

J.Crew Pleated Drop-Waist Dress in Crinkle Cotton Blend

Butter yellow is still everything this season, and what better way to embrace it than with a precious drop-waist dress like this! I can totally see this for a sweet date night dinner on a restaurant patio with an aperol spritz in one hand and some fresh mozzarella on the way!

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J.Crew Collection Structured Lace-Trim Dress

And speaking of date night...can we talk about the lace on this gorgeous dress?! This is sexy, classy, and so coming home with me.

J.Crew

J.Crew Drop-Waist Mixy Dress

A crisp white dress like this is a necessity for the warm seasons! They're so easy to throw on, whether you're headed out to brunch with the girls, touring a vineyard with your in-laws, or just trying to stay cool on a random Wednesday.

J.Crew

J.Crew Collection Eyelet Maxi Slip Dress

I absolutely love how sweet this springy dress is! The ruffled neckline pairs so well with the precious eyelet pattern, giving you a subtle floral look without having to commit to a bold pattern.

J.Crew

J.Crew Cotton Voile Empire-Waist Dress in Leopard Print

Animal print is still that girl! I love how this dress genuinely looks neutral while still giving you all the fun of a pattern. Pair it with chunky gold jewelry and some black accessories (like above), and you have an absolute look!

J.Crew

J.Crew Collection Bra Top with Floral Sequins + Pleated Skirt with Floral Sequins

Okay, so this isn't exactly a dress, but this two piece look is everything to me! I love the pleats paired with the floral pattern! It's sexy and elevated and a must-have for all your spring and summer soirees this year!

Looking for more style & shopping inspo? Sign up for our newsletter!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Though we're all about our reusable water bottles (and everything related to the Stanley tumbler), the love we have for fancy-shmancy bottled water is just undeniable. Despite the crisp, cold convenience associated with bottled drinking water, there's a *huge* rift in which brands actually taste good.

Some drinkers prefer Aquafina over Dasani (or even artesian water cuvée, like the cast of Vanderpump Rules), and that's okay – but sommelier Belinda Chang has an immeasurable wealth of knowledge to dictate which ones are worth sipping on based on their flavor (and yes, they differ).

Not every bottled water is created equal, and this expert-backed ranking is proof. Onward!

What type of bottled water is healthiest?

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Mineral water is considered the healthiest bottled drinking water since it contains additional minerals and vitamins.

What is the top-rated bottled water?

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According to our ranking of the best and worst bottled waters, Roundy's bottled drinking water is #1.

Is bottled water safe to drink?

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In terms of your health, all plastic bottled waters are the worst – they can contain hundreds of thousands of microplastics that harm the body. The safest bottled water you can drink is likely some filtered drinking water that you put into a reusable water bottle.

What are the top 5 worst bottled waters?

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Propel, Dasani, Ice Mountain, Aquafina, and Naleczowianka are the top 5 worst bottled drinking waters, according to their taste.

What is the top 5 best drinking water?

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According to expert water sommelier rankings, the top 5 best drinking waters are: Evian, Smeraldina, SmartWater, Fiji, and Roundy's.

Meet Sommelier Brenda Chang!

BelindaChang.com

Belinda Chang hails from Chicago, and was formerly the head of the wine and spirits program at upscale steakhouse Maple & Ash, so she knows her drinks. While she usually puts her skills towards perfect pairings of wine and sumptuous meals, Belinda welcomed Thrillist into her domain to put water to the ultimate test.

Belinda compared ten different bottled water brands by evaluating their flavor, aroma, texture and finish of each, giving them a score out of a possible 100 points. Her bottled water ratings shed light on which brands you should drink!

“A good bottled water shouldn’t have any off-putting aromas or flavors – that would be an automatic negative,” Belinda explained. “In wine, we always talk about terroir, and I think for water, it’s the same. You want it to speak of the place where it comes from. And, of course, you want it to be delicious.”

The Best Bottled Drinking Water, Ranked

10. Propel: 69/100

Propel

When it came to tasting Propel bottled water, Belinda was immediately put off by the odor, saying it smells "salty, metallic.” Ew. When it came to taste, it might not have been as bad, but it certainly wasn’t an A+.

“When it gets onto your tongue, the impact is bizarre. The texture and flavor is a lot like Gatorade, but not masked with orange or blue raspberry.”

9. Dasani: 70/100

Dasani

Dasani was another bottled drinking water that was... somewhat stinky. “See, this one does not smell good — it smells like a wine that’s been dosed with sulphates.” What’s with all the smelly water?

Belinda deemed that when it comes to Dasani, “The thirst-quenching quotient is really low on this guy.”

8. Ice Mountain: 81/100

Ice Mountain

Ice Mountain bottled drinking water got it right if you’re looking for nothing but water – tasteless water.

“It’s completely neutral in almost every way, which I think is a total positive.” In this case, definitely. Though Belinda did note a slight “mineral-y” aftertaste, a “pipe-like flavor.” No thanks.

7. Aquafina: 84/100

Aquafina

Instead of tasting pipe-like, Belinda felt Aquafina tasted “a little powdery, with some dissolved minerals and a little bit of salt.” Still, she felt that this was a decent thirst-quencher.

“For an inexpensive water that you’re just drinking because you’re in the airport and you want to hydrate before you go on a flight, I think this is a good option.”

6. Naleczowianka: 89/100

Naleczowianka

Naleczowianka bottled drinking water was another water with a “distinctive” smell — this time, a stony hint. Kinda strangely, it made Belinda think of “a salt character — I want it with a pierogi.” That’s… specific.

Overall, this one failed where it seems to matter the most, with the skilled sommelier noting, “It’s not that thirst-quenching. It dries out the palate.”

5. Evian: 90/100

Evian

Evian bottled drinking water is better when it comes to the smell, Belinda claiming it’s “really clean on the nose.” But interestingly, she also noted, “I do taste the Alps — I don’t smell them, but I taste them. And I can definitely imagine myself après-ski with a bottle of Evian.” That’s a plus for Evian!

4. Smeraldina: 92/100

Smeraldina

Smeraldina bottled drinking water scored slightly higher than Evian despite the fact that “after you have a sip of it, it feels like there’s this fine silt lying on your tongue.”

Besides that, however, “this would transport you back to the south of Italy.” Whoa. First the Alps, now Italy. We’re globetrotting with every sip.

3. Smartwater: 93/100

Smartwater

Smartwater is actually something that Belinda is familiar with herself, but admitted, “I’ve always chugged this the next morning when I’m hungover.” However, when she took some time to consider it, she claims, “it’s probably 1000% the marketing, but it does taste different,” i.e. a really interesting texture in the mid-palate, which Belinda assumes is the added electrolytes.

2. Fiji: 98/100

Fiji Water

Fiji took the runner-up spot of the best bottled water to drink, partly due to the fact that it’s “totally neutral on the nose, which [Belinda thinks] is important,” but it was also the fact that it’s a heavy water that got Belinda’s stamp of approval.

“[If] you want to drink a glass of water after a spectacular dish or, like, a great bite of a burger, you want something that cleanses, and this is it. I really love this water.”

1. Roundy's Purified Drinking Water: 99/100

Roundy's

And the bottled water winner is… Roundy’s!

First, the smell won Belinda over. “This is going to sound so weird, but it’s a little sweet-smelling — which I like!” But, of course, that wasn’t all. Taste is the major factor here, and the sommelier thought this option was delicious. “It has no pretension, it’s incredibly thirst-quenching."

"It doesn’t taste like anything, which is perfect. When you’re drinking water you just want to be drinking water, and this is the most watery of all the waters. This is the Moet Imperial of bottled water — it’s simple, it’s classic and it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It delivers and that’s my professional opinion.”

Do you notice differences in the taste of water from different brands and your tap? Tweet us @BritandCo!

H/T Thrillist.

This post has been updated.