As much as we’re looking forward to spring, it seems like we’re in for even more cold fronts. In the vein of staying safe (and warm!) in what could potentially be a dangerous situation, we’ve gathered 13 last-minute essentials you should always keep on-hand in light of severe cold fronts and power outages.
Being prepared with these ‘emergency kit’ items is crucial, and the best, most convenient part is they’re all shoppable onAmazon, who’ll get ‘em at your door within days or sometimes even hours so you can be sure you’re covered.
Amazon
Balaclavas are like beanies – but better – since they cover more of your face, which makes a huge difference in how you perceive the cold. This one comes with adjustable straps to help you trap in even more body heat.
Amazon
Where would we be without our heated blanket? Having one in the living room or bedroom is super helpful, especially if your radiator or central heating goes kaput. In the case your power's completely out, this can still function as a practical extra layer of warmth.
Amazon
Carhartt beanies are unmatched when it comes to the comfiness and warmth they bring.
Amazon
This pick is pretty self-explanatory. Space heaters are the MVP of keeping you warm, especially in places that your regular heater may have difficulty reaching, like the bathroom.
Amazon
In addition to a reliable beanie, a scarf is a winter must. We recommend you opt for a big, soft one like this!
Amazon
Same thing goes for good gloves – shop for ones that are waterproof, snow-proof, and expertly insulated.
Amazon
Insulated cups and mugs are wintertime's BFF since they'll keep your tea, coffee, or hot chocolate hot for longer, warming you up from the inside out.
Amazon
If you have to brave the cold, HotHands are the OG way of keeping your hands warm. You can even throw them in your shoes if your toes tend to freeze and you don't have insulated snow shoes in your closet. Just remember it's a temporary fix!
Amazon
Anyone who lives in a snowy place knows that a snow brush is a smart investment for, well, brushing off the snow from your car. This one is especially nice since the other end boasts a scraper to tackle pesky frost and ice!
Amazon
In case of a power outage, you're going to want to have a flashlight, lantern, and some old-fashioned candles handy. This product in particular is rechargeable, so make sure it has a full charge!
Amazon
If you opt for a battery-powered flashlight (or other device), batteries are key. Luckily, Amazon sells a ton of different kinds for same-day delivery.
Amazon
Cold front or not, a fully-stocked first aid kit is crucial for responding to emergencies. This one comes complete with stuff to address wounds, cuts, scrapes, and aches.
Amazon
Splurging on a generator can be a really great idea if you live somewhere where power outages and/or natural disasters are common. This one is fashioned with plenty of different plugs and can power devices and more for days.
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Love The White Lotus and wondering what to read after Season 3 wraps up? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of 12 books that capture the same mix of dark humor, intrigue, and biting social commentary that The White Lotus delivers so well. From upscale resorts with hidden secrets to complex characters tangled in webs of privilege and deception, these must-reads will keep you on the edge of your seat all in-between-seasons long.
Amazon
Skye thought marrying into the rich Turner family was a dream come true, but years later, she’s stuck in a world of secrets, trying to maintain a facade of normalcy for her daughter, Tilly. That fragile facade comes crashing down when the family patriarch, Sir Campbell Turner, dies unexpectedly, and an unknown heir shows up to claim his fortune. The Turners invite the newcomer to a weekend retreat at their stunning seaside estate, but what starts as a tense gathering quickly turns deadly. By the end of the night, one person is dead, and another is fighting for their life.
Amazon
The Ten Worst People in New York are dying one by one, and no one knows why. After a series of suspicious deaths — including a corrupt councilor and a real estate mogul — FBI Agent Alex Bedford is sure foul play is involved. Meanwhile, British filmmaker Jacob Felle arrives in the city to reconnect with his estranged sister but soon becomes a prime suspect in the case. As the two race to uncover the truth, they must confront their darkest fears and work together to stop the next death. This book is a thrilling ride full of twists, mystery, and murder.
Amazon
A reality show about former child stars battling addiction spirals into chaos when a murder rocks the set, and therapist Dr. Laurel Harlow is thrust into the investigation. Amidst a mansion full of narcissistic stars, Laurel must navigate their secrets and her own buried past to find the killer. With each patient hiding something, Laurel races against time to uncover the truth — and face the demons she’s kept hidden. The stakes couldn’t be higher in this gripping tale of deception and suspense.
Amazon
When lifestyle icon Marguerite Gray tragically falls to her death from a cliff, Phoenix, her young gardener, is thrust into a web of lies and danger. The affair between Phoenix and Geoffrey, Marguerite’s husband, began after Phoenix saved his life from a falling tree during a storm, igniting a forbidden attraction. But with Marguerite's sudden death, Phoenix becomes entangled in a growing mystery. As Detective Hanna and Marguerite’s sharp-eyed daughter close in on the truth, Phoenix must confront the consequences of her actions, navigating a dangerous path of deception and betrayal that could destroy everything she’s worked for.
Amazon
Imagine writing a thriller, only to have the most violent scenes reenacted against you by the stalker of your old flame. That’s Zoe Ann Weiss’s nightmare come true in The Close-Up. After reconnecting with her ex-situationship, Zach — the bartender turned famous actor — Zoe’s life takes a dark turn as Zach’s stalker begins mirroring the chilling events from her book. As the violent reenactments escalate, Zoe finds herself trapped in a twisted game where the lines between fiction and reality blur, and her life is on the line. Can she survive the horrors she wrote, or will the stalker make her story all too real?
Amazon
Abby travels to Isla Colel, the tropical paradise where her fiancée, Eszter, tragically died, hoping to find closure. But what she uncovers instead is a web of secrets, lies, and danger lurking beneath the island’s idyllic surface. As Abby befriends a group of expats, she learns one of them knows the truth about Eszter’s death — only for that person to mysteriously disappear. Determined to uncover the truth, Abby dives deeper into the island’s haunting past, but the closer she gets to the killer, the more she realizes she might be the next victim.
Amazon
A siblings reunion at a luxurious desert resort takes a dark turn when a woman is found murdered, forcing them to confront a tragic past they’ve tried to forget. Once inseparable, Frida and Gabriel have grown distant after a life-altering trauma, but their bond is tested once again when their shared history in a fanatical cult comes back to haunt them. As the investigation unfolds and secrets from their past emerge, they must grapple with what they’ve hidden from each other — and themselves. With tension building between present and past timelines, Our Last Resort is a heart-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the shocking end.
Amazon
Miriam Macy is thrilled when she receives a surprise invitation to a luxurious private island off the coast of Mexico, joining six strangers for what’s promised to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, once they arrive, the group discovers they've been lured there under false pretenses, each person hiding a dark secret. With limited cell service and miles of ocean separating them from the outside world, strange accidents begin to unfold, and suspicions grow. As tension builds and danger closes in, Miriam realizes no one is safe — and one by one they all fall down.
Amazon
Maverick Dillan, the charismatic daredevil, invites contestants to Falcao Island for the ultimate game of hide-and-seek — but no one expects it to turn deadly. What starts as a thrilling social media stunt quickly escalates into a life-or-death struggle for survival as a storm rages and a lethal threat stalks the players. Adele, a determined single mother, is caught up in the game, unaware that it has morphed into something far more sinister than anyone could have imagined. As the pressure mounts and the danger escalates, Adele must maneuver through the perilous island and stay alive — before time runs out.
Amazon
When Mila del Angél is invited by the mysterious J.R. Alastor to host a writing retreat for a group of thriller authors at a private island estate; she thinks it’s the perfect opportunity for revenge against a fellow writer. But what begins as a week of games and writerly tropes soon turns deadly when one of the guests is murdered — and it’s not the victim Mila had planned. Trapped on the island with a storm cutting off all escape, Mila must navigate a deadly web of deceit and misdirection. As the body count rises, she must outwit a killer who knows literally every trick in the book.
Amazon
Bestselling author Eleanor Dash is ready to finish her Italian book tour and finally write the death of her main character, Connor Smith, in her Vacation Mysteries series. But when someone attempts to kill the real Connor — a charming but frustrating con man she can’t seem to shake off — Eleanor is pulled into a real-life mystery. Surrounded by literary rivals, obsessive fans, and an unexpected ex, Eleanor must sift through lies, betrayals, and old wounds to uncover who’s behind the crime. As the tour takes an unexpected turn, Eleanor realizes she may be the only one who can stop a killer from striking again.
Amazon
Thirty years after Sarah Lingate’s mysterious death on the cliffs of Capri, the Lingate family returns to their villa to find a shocking discovery: the necklace Sarah was wearing the night she died. As the family gathers around, tensions rise and they are pushed to a breaking point. Helen, Sarah’s daughter, sees this as an opportunity to finally escape the suffocating control of her family, enlisting the help of Lorna Moreno, a trusted family assistant. But when Lorna disappears and the investigation into Sarah’s death is reopened, it becomes clear: someone in the family is hiding a deadly truth. As the Lingates’ carefully constructed facades crumble, Helen must confront the horrifying reality that the murderer has always been one of them — and not everyone will make it off the island alive.
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Spring is almost here, so it’s time to get your wardrobe ready with all things bright and colorful. Luckily, Free People is here to deliver with tons of dreamy dresses that not only flatter your figure, but add a touch of whimsy to your look, no matter the occasion. From romantic floral minis to breezy maxi dresses, there’s a Free People dress calling your name.
Free People
Springtime is the season for outdoor picnics, and this midi dress is a perfect fit for the occasion.
Free People
With a drop waist silhouette and plenty of florals to go around, this is one of the dreamiest Free People spring dresses around.
Free People
Polka dots will never not be cute. Their adorable nature fits right in with this mini dress' cutesy babydoll silhouette! Pair it with tall boots or ballet flats, and your spring look is complete.
Free People
This midi moment will make you feel like an absolute princess – just look at that dropped waist and flattering square neckline!
Free People
A 100% cotton white dress like this one is the ultimate spring uniform because the light material ensures you stay cool in hot temps – and with this adorable pick, you'll also stay so chic during the season and into summer.
Free People
Bows, hearts, ruffles, flowers – this mini dress has it all, encapsulating the springtime vibe to a tee. We'd pair it with some easy-to-wear tall boots and a denim jacket for spring!
Free People
This satiny maxi dotted with lace details would make your next date night super stylish. It comes in a handful of different colorways, too!
Free People
Drop waist dresses are the name of the game when it comes to romantic (and flattering!) spring dressing. This number also comes complete with eye-catching ruffles!
Free People
Boasting a contrasting design in both color and texture, this midi dress makes the perfect one-and-done spring outfit. It also has an adorable open back so you can show some skin! Wear it with some black ballet flats and you're ready to step out!
Free People
This flowy mini dress is gonna be your go-to farmer's market 'fit since it's extremely light and breezy, but still ideal for capturing some adorable Instagram pics!
Free People
The plunging v-neckline and the ruched, fitted bodice on this dress work seamlessly together to shape and flatter your body in all the right places.
Free People
All you need to jazz up this midi dress is a comfy pair of sandals and your go-to tote bag for a totally spring-ready look!
Free People
This flirty number is shoppable in 9 different colors, though we adore this bright yellow for springtime specifically.
Free People
You're gonna want to pack this maxi with you on vacation – with its open back, halter neckline, and dreamy ruffled skirt, it inspires unmatched levels of confidence and is easy to throw on after a long day of relaxing.
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Your texting style says a lot more about you than you think it does. Whether you're still adding ellipses to every sentence, overusing silly little emojis, or insisting on a formal opener, certain habits can instantly date you when it comes to instant messaging. If you’re wondering whether your messages are screaming vintage millennial or classic Gen X, it’s time for a reality check on the texting quirks that give it all away.
Ivan Samkov / PEXELS
Technology has advanced enough that we can infuse our messages with more emotion – but how much is too much? Oftentimes, using excessive emojis is a dead giveaway that you’re an older texter.
And even more so, using the “weird” emojis – or just the wrong ones given the context – are a telltale sign of your age.
For example, the “laughing crying” emoji (🤣) is now seen as outdated by Gen Z-ers, who most commonly prefer using the skull emoji (💀), meaning "I'm dead" (from laughing).
Uriel Mont / PEXELS
Sending outdated memes is another obvious sign that you’re an older texter. Whether it’s the "I Can Has Cheezburger?" memes you die laughing at or reaction pics of evil Kermit, they’re just not ‘with the times’ these days.
The same thing goes for texting with outdated slang like “rad” instead of “cool,” or choosing not to abbreviate certain words like “you” to “u.”
Kaboompics / PEXELS
Older individuals might be more likely to use proper punctuation and capitalization in text messages, whereas younger generations often favor a more casual, abbreviated style.
If you’re still using an intro like “dear (name),” or “hello (name)” to introduce your text messages to people, just know it’s not necessary – the recipient is likely to have you in their contacts already, so they’re familiar with you!
Anna Shvets / PEXELS
Younger texters generally respond more quickly to messages (they’re always on that dang phone…), whereas older adults might take longer to reply. Though response time isn’t a huge factor in today’s ever-connected world, generally replying within the same day is a respectful move.
Vladislav Murashko / PEXELS
The react feature has become super popular on messaging apps, allowing you to add a thumbs-up, heart, and much more to things other people send you. Younger texters tend to use the feature more, while older texters may forget it or not use it at all.
Kaboompics / PEXELS
Though emphasizing your messages can be helpful, using all caps to do it is a subtle sign of your age. It can come across as anger, frustration, or shouting and add an unnecessary attitude to your texts! Younger people tend to use asterisks or lowercase for a more casual tone.
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The 2025 Oscars have come and gone. In addition to some incredible noms, like A Real Pain for Original Screenplay, Wicked for Best Picture, and Anora's Mikey Madison for Best Actress, there were some serious snubs. Because what do you mean Challengers didn't get nominated for ANYTHING?! Considering it won Best Score at the Golden Globes, I'd have thought it had that nomination secured, but the Academy had other plans.
Amazon MGM Studios
I really can't believe Zendaya didn't get nominated for her performance in Challengers. Her viral "crazy eyes" scene generated enough conversation to give her a nom in my opinion. I remember sitting in the theater and thinking, Wow, I've never seen her make that face before, can we replay that? And, of course, I'm mourning the fact the movie didn't get nominated for Best Score. "Match Point" playing during the ending of the movie will always be an Oscar-winning moment to me!
But in addition to Z, Selena Gomez also didn't get nominated for her role as Jessi Del Monte in Emilia Pérez, despite the fact the movie got a total of 13 nominations.
My group chat immediately blew up when we realized Sing Sing wasn't nominated for Best Picture.
Universal Pictures
Winner: Anora
Winner: Mikey Madison for Anora
Winner: Adrien Brody for The Brutalist
Searchlight Pictures
Winner: Zoe Saldaña for Emilia Pérez
Winner: Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain
Winner: Sean Baker for Anora
Winner: Anora
Winner: Conclave
Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures
Winner: The Brutalist
Winner: The Brutalist
Winner: “El Mal” for Emilia Pérez
Winner: Anora
Winner: Wicked
Netflix
Winner: Wicked
Winner: The Substance
Winner: Dune: Part Two
Winner: Dune: Part Two
Winner: I'm Still Here
Universal Pictures
Winner: Latvia's Flow
Winner: In the Shadow of the Cypress
Winner: cine
Winner: No Other Land
Winner: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
Did your favorite movie of 2024 get the Oscar nominations you think it deserved, or was it totally snubbed? Let us know on Instagram! And you can still make 13 Award-Winning Cocktails after Oscar Sunday ;).
This post has been updated.
