Introducing DIY.org: A Community of Kids Who Make

When you were a kid, were you constantly asking your parents how things were made, why they worked, and who made them? If you were, you'd have fit right in at DIY.org, a newly launched company that strives to promote creativity and community among kids today.

For kids, this means potential for surrounding themselves with kids just like them. Kids who are innovators, brainiacs, building block experts, and kids who just like to get their hands dirty (read: ALL kids). The goal is for DIY to be the first app and online community in every kid's life. The first official tool they've released is an app that lets kids collect everything they make in a portfolio available on the website and app.

Founded by Zach Klein of College Humor, Vimeo, Boxee, and Svpply, DIY is the perfect combination of playtime and arts and crafts, but taken to the next level. Once you sign your kid up for DIY, he or she gets to choose an animal avatar making sure identities are kept totally secure. Parents also have their own dashboard so they can see what their kids are posting online, and have the ability to mark certain projects as private if needed.

Aside from the community of super creative kids, DIY makes it ridiculously easy for kids to share all their creative pursuits with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. If you see a project you like, give it a sticker to show your support.

The iPhone / iPod touch app taps right into the same community as the website, and makes it super easy to snap photographs of recent projects and add them to your portfolio. The Internet is 100 percent apart of kids lives today, so why not create a super awesome digital tool that actually breeds analog creativity?

First, we wish something like this had been around when we were little! Second, can they make a version that's just as playful and easy to use for grownups?

Do you know of any awesome communities for kids that promote creativity and resourcefulness? What about ones for grownups? Let us know what you think about DIY.org in the comments below and be sure to follow all the DIY happenings on Twitter.

I think it's safe to say we collectively fell in love with Mark Ruffalo and his Razzles in 13 Going on 30. The leather jackets, the Brooklyn charm, the slightly guarded nature of his tender, tender heart — oh, and those gorgeous curls — really sealed the deal for us all. But does the Avengersstar have the same affinity for our favorite rom-com as we do? Apparently so! Here's what he told PEOPLEmagazine about 13 Going on 13, filming with Jennifer Garner, and more!

Scroll down to see what Mark Ruffalo had to say!

Mark Ruffalo told PEOPLE that he's aware "people fell in love" with 13 Going on 30 — and that he loves it too! PEOPLE reported that the All the Light We Cannot See star spoke about this love during a benefit for Central Park West. He said, “Probably more than every other movie, that's the one I get people talking about when they come up to me.”

And while we has plenty of impressive titles under his acting belt to reference, he noted that people constantly bring up his nighttime Razzles escapade — some even handing him the candy if they can! — "over and over again."

When talking about why an early 2000s rom-com like 13 Going on 30 is such a popular classic, he notes that the themes are "common denominators" like "caring for our family." He said, "I don't care who you are, whether you want love or you felt love, every house has love in it, hopefully, some form of love.”

Okay, BRB crying over how sweet that is...and doing the "Thriller" dance while I'm at it! What? I can't help it! 😉

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Listen, we're all in agreement that money can make friendships super awkward. Venmo has made it easier than ever to split the cost of a trip, grab someone's lunch, or go on a Starbies holiday run — even if it means we see way less cash nowadays (this tweet about never finding money on the street anymore makes me laugh every time). But it also begs the question: how far is too far? Should we be paying someone back for a $2 soda? According to more than a few internet users, there are some times you should absolutely, never, ever send a Venmo request to a friend — and 4 times you should.

Keep reading to see all the times you should never Venmo request your friends, in addition to the times it's appropriate. And all the personal stories to back them up.

7 Times You Should Never Send A Venmo Request

The Lazy Artist Gallery/Pexels

1. You don't always have to Venmo request someone for their coffee. Gasp!

I can't believe we're living in the land of $9 lattes, so I totally understand not being able to cover the tab every single time you meet a friend at a coffee shop. But if you haven't seen a friend in a long time, or, dare I say, you know they're struggling (whether it be emotionally or financially), cover the bill y'all! And if someone has opened their home to you? A coffee is the perfect thank you.

Brit + Co

2. Don't ask to be paid back for small, generous favors.

Getting into the weeds of every little penny will turn any enjoyable activity into a nightmare. "I had a college friend who would Venmo request every person in the car for gas money when we would drive to the grocery store," one anonymous Brit + Co reader says. "Like girl, don’t offer to drive 15 minutes then."

A Reddit user also points out that asking to be paid back for a cheap favor can come off as rude. "$10 is less than 1 hour minimum wage," they says. "$30 maybe. $50 absolutely. If this became a habit, then sure. But you don't see each other regularly."

Andrea Piacquadio

3. Don't send a Venmo request if you're helping someone who's sick.

If you've offered to help out a sick friend who can barely get out of bed, it's probably not appropriate to charge them for things like medicine, water bottles, and soup.

Mikhail Nilov/Pexels

4. Definitely don't ask for money if you offered to cover the cost in the first place.

When I went to a movie and a friend offered to cover my soda? So kind! When they texted me the next day to ask I send them money? I was a little taken aback. I didn't mind paying for my own drink, of course, but I would have also appreciated some clearer communication...

Brit + Co

5. Maybe don't send a Venmo charge if your friend is being generous in other areas.

I have to admit that I never realized how expensive it is to host friends. Well, one Reddit user explains that when they hosted some friends, and offered them food, one guest ended up sending a charge to cover just a couple of dollars.

"This is after I hosted her and was very generous with my time, home, and food," they say. "Charging me for crappy cheap grocery store muffins and a soda just feels like a slap in my face."

Mikhail Nilov/Pexels

6. Do NOT send a Venmo request just to be passive aggressive.

Just like the idea that "it's only weird if you make it weird," relationships can get messy if you let them. Case in point: money situations aren't the time to be passive aggressive.

"I once quit my job at the college coffee shop to help open a local cafe and my former boss at the college...made me feel so bad for taking the new job, like I was betraying everyone," says photographer Brittany Melissa. "He randomly sent me a Venmo request charging me $1 for emotional stress. I cried. I ended up paying it and told him it upset me and then he sent a Venmo paying me $1.50 'for causing you emotional distress.'"

Brit + Co

7. And you shouldn't send a Venmo request if you're just avoiding confrontation.

Friendship really is all about communication, and when you find yourself splitting a bill, make it clearer for everyone and actually discuss who's paying what.

"I’ve had friends in the past Venmo request me for food or for when we go out rather than messaging me & I feel like as a friend & someone I know & when dealing with money, it’s kinder to ask for the money rather than Venmo requesting," Brit + Co reader AspenGrace Ricks says. "When requesting on Venmo, it feels like there is more of an obligation to do it."

3 Times Venmo Requests Are Totally Appropriate

Brit + Co

1. It's okay to send a Venmo request when you have communal living needs.

If you live with friends, there's no way to avoid the fact you'll be using some of the same products (unless you buy two of everything). My roommate and I go back and forth on things like toilet paper and paper towels, but when it comes to items like the folding table we just ordered for Thanksgiving — yeah girl, send that Venmo request.

Kaboompics.com/Pexels

2. Feel free to send a request if you're running their errands.

Listen, as someone who's in a very happy relationship with my Instacart, I understand not having time to grocery shop. But (unless you find yourself in the aforementioned "small, generous favors" situation) if you're already at the store and a friend asked you to pick up a few things just because they're short on time, I think it's totally okay to ask for them to chip in.

But if you want to give them the favor out of the kindness of your heart and cover the cost? It'll make their day!

Brit + Co

3. Going on a roadtrip means splitting roadtrip travel essentials.

I know the internet can have some differing opinions on what "essentials" mean, but I'm talking, like, the cost of a rental car. If your friend group is splitting the ride, then everyone should absolutely split the cost. And if you ask me, the same goes for gas money!

Kaboompics.com/Pexels

4. Send a Venmo request if your bill had to be on one credit card.

We've probably all been there: your 6-person bill arrives to the table (where you were all very respectful and kind to your waiter RIGHT?!) and no one wants to pick up the tab. If you end up swooping in to save the day, and you've all agreed to pay your own way, take a picture of the receipt and send those Venmo requests. Dinner ain't cheap!

Long story short, the key to making sure Venmo doesn't strain your friendship is communication. If you're not able to cover your friend, tell them! And if they freak out or just automatically assume they have access to your wallet? It might be time to check out how to break up with a toxic friend...

Step aside, peppermint mocha! I’m here to disrupt everything you thought you knew about the seasonal bev. Hear me out: there are tons of different holiday drinks out there, and at this point, the classic pep moch is a bit expected. When you compare it to some of my personal favorites (like Starbucks’ Chestnut Praline Latte and a chai espresso martini), it just doesn’t hit as hard as it used to.

In honor of switching up your go-to seasonal sip, here are 9 holiday drinks that (in my humble opinion) rank higher than the peppermint mocha.

Starbucks

1. Chestnut Praline Latte (Starbucks)

To me, nutty flavors are especially holiday-like. For example, Starbucks' Chestnut Praline Latte packs a flavorful punch with not one, but two different nuts. It's deliciously sweet (but not overly so) and fittingly festive now that the coffee chain's serving their holiday drinks in red and green cups.

Raymond Ma Yi Rong / PEXELS

2. Orange Mocha

I recently tried an orange mocha for the first time, and I must say I'm hooked. While you may think of orange as more of a summer flavor, when you pair it with mocha sauce and a nice cinnamon-clove topping, it's totally winter-esque. If you still crave the chocolatey vibes of a peppermint mocha – but have been pepperminted out recently – give the orange mocha a try! Bonus points if you use dark chocolate for the mocha component.

Dunkin’

3. Cookie Butter Cold Brew (Dunkin’)

Next up is none other than the Cookie Butter Cold Brew from Dunkin'. This iced bev is part of their current holiday menu, and a single sip of it instantly transports me to the kitchen on Christmas Eve, where my fam is ferociously baking up Christmas cookies. It's also got notes of warm spices, which amp up the holiday vibes even more.

Starbucks

4. Sugar Cookie Latte (Starbucks)

As another massive holiday menu hit from Starbs, the Sugar Cookie Latte is (in my opinion!) immediately way more fun than a peppermint mocha because the top of the drink gets finished off with tiny red and green sugar sprinkles. You just can't be mad at cute sprinks.

Meredith Holser

5. Peppermint Matcha Latte

Peppermint syrup in a matcha latte is truly unmatched... a master barista move, if you ask me. The minty effect mixed with matcha's earthier notes is just too good. If you've never tried this combo before, now's your sign! Plus, I'd like to think this peppermint-y bev is a bit lighter than your average peppermint mocha since it's not loaded with chocolate or espresso, which, when consumed in conjunction, can really kickstart a crazy sugar rush.

Mixop

6. White Russian

I'd take a creamy cocktail over a peppermint mocha any day. Luckily, the traditional recipe for a White Russian includes coffee liqueur, so you can still get your fix of caffeine! I personally only really drink this around the holidays, and it's always been quite a warm welcome to the most wonderful time of the year.

Half Baked Harvest

7. Chai Espresso Martini

Espresso martinis are essentially season-less, but when you throw some chai into the recipe, they become so much more fit for the holidays. Just look at that festive star anise garnish!

Polina Kovaleva / PEXELS

8. Hot Toddy

Hot toddiesget me goin' way more than the thought of peppermint mochas do. They're super easy to make at home with just three ingredients, bourbon being the most important one. It's just the thing the doctor ordered, especially after being out in the cold winter weather.

Justina Huddleston

9. Mulled Wine

Mulled wine – in whatever wine iteration, red or white – is one of the most rewarding holiday drinks. You just let all the ingredients simmer for an hour or two, and anyone who likes mulled wine knows that the warm, fuzzy feeling of your first sip is truly unbeatable.

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