These 2 Make-Ahead Halloween Treats Will Complete Your Mad Scientist-Themed Halloween Party

I love a good theme party. For my 25th birthday I hosted a dad-themed party. That’s right — cargo shorts, crew socks and fake beer bellies abounded. So when I brainstormed easy make-ahead Halloween recipes, I wanted to tie it all together with a solid party theme: mad scientist! We’re showing you how to make white chocolate-covered strawberry lab mice and petri dish jello shots. Are you cringing yet? These are the perfect treats to serve while the adults wait for trick-or-treaters to make the rounds, so file ’em away for when it’s pre-Halloween prep time.

halloween treats

The best part of these treats is their no-fuss presentation. Just arrange them down a table runner and let the guests pick their poison! I mean, snacks.

Ingredients

Petri Dish Jello Shots

— lime vodka

— assorted creepy gummies (we chose frogs, sour s’ghetti and gummy worms)

— lime Jell-O

petri dishes

Round up your lab materials and get ready to conduct some tasty experiments ;)

Thoroughly mix one cup of boiling water with one pack of Jell-O in a heat-safe mixing bowl. Then add 1/2 cup of vodka and 1/2 cup of cold water to the mix. Transfer the mix into a vessel with a spout for easy pouring.

Arrange your tasty specimens inside the petri dishes.

Fill the petri dishes about 3/4 full with the jello mix, and chill the dishes in the refrigerator for about four hours so the Jell-O sets.

Put these germy snacks out right before your guests arrive.

No mad scientist’s lab is complete without mice scurrying about. Read on to learn how to make these irresistible little vermin.

White Chocolate Covered Strawberry Lab Mice

Ingredients:

— strawberries

white chocolate melting wafers
— red food coloring

Set a handful of melting wafers aside (these will be the ears) and microwave the remaining wafers in an oven-safe glass at half power for about 30 seconds. If not all of them melt, give the wafers a stir and pop them back into the microwave.

Dunk your strawberries into the chocolate. Pro tip: Set your strawberries on a flat surface to minimize pooling. We totally didn’t, and some of our mice are sitting in their own white chocolate piddles. Whoops!

When the chocolate is mostly set, place two wafers onto each strawberry. If the strawberry has already cooled, you can always dip the wafers into the melted chocolate and use that as glue.

Mix a few drops of food coloring into the remaining melted chocolate.

Use the prong of a fork or other pointy object to give your lab mice those signature beady red eyes. Keep your mice in the refrigerator until your hungry guests arrive… kind of like how you’d store feeder mice ;)

Hit up your local science supply shop and load up on beakers, droppers and test tubes to complete your party!

If you follow along on B+C, you’ve seen and admired our canine model, Turkey Temple (one of my favorite pet names, TBH). He is definitely a turkey by trade but clearly not by species. It seems like an obvious choice, but this was Turkey’s first time dressing up as a turkey for Halloween. Spooky season might be over, but it's *always* a good idea to dress your dog up for Thanksgiving if they don't mind!!

Keep reading for the cutest and easiest DIY dog turkey costume!

I’ve been making a lot of pet costumes this year, but this one has been high on my list for a long time. With some felt and One-Wrap Velcro, we created this pet costume in no time at all. Does your pet have a goofy name? Try dressing them up as their name, and make sure you snap photos and share them with us on Instagram! Oh, and don't forget to check out our 46 Cute Dogs Guaranteed To Make You Smile, too!

How To Make A Dog Turkey Costume

Tools And Materials:

  • red, orange, yellow and white felt
  • cardboard
  • One-Wrap Velcro
  • pen
  • fabric scissors
  • hot glue gun

Instructions:

1. Draw large, long oval feathers on your yellow felt. Stack the yellow felt on top of the orange felt and cut them both out. Next, draw a curved rectangular shape on the white felt and cut it out.

2. Hot glue the white rectangular shapes to the feathers, then glue the feathers to one another to create a fan shape.

3. Glue a horizontal strip of cardboard to the back of the feathers to help them stand upright.

4. Hot glue a piece of felt to each edge of the feathers and attach a strip of One-Wrap Velcro that is long enough to wrap around your dog’s belly.

5. Cut out a gobble from red felt and attach some One-Wrap Velcro.

Draw 12 long feathers on your yellow felt. Stack the yellow felt on top of the orange felt and cut out your feathers. Cut 12 white curved rectangular pieces to accent the feathers.

Glue the white pieces to the feathers and then glue the feathers to one another into a fan shape.

Attach a long strip of cardboard to the back of the feathers to help them stand up straight once the dog turkey costume is assembled.

Hot glue a piece of felt to each edge of the feathers and attach a strip of One-Wrap Velcro that is long enough to wrap around your dog’s belly.

Draw a gobble onto a piece of red felt, cut it out and glue it to a small piece of One-Wrap Velcro.

Hey Turkey — here’s your turkey costume!

Attach the gobble to your dog by wrapping the One-Wrap Velcro around the collar.

Cutest turkey I ever did see!

Follow us on Pinterest for more cute DIYs like this dog turkey costume!

This post has been updated.

Trader Joe’s knows our love for sweet treatsway too well and just dropped the spring dessert to rule all spring desserts. Packed with tart and tropical notes, this fancy find (ahem, it’s imported from France!) already has TJ’s shoppers going crazy. Fans say the limited-time item is “so good” and could even be the “best dessert there in a long time.” 👀

Scroll on to discover the new $5 Trader Joe’s dessert you can’t miss this month – it's sure to fly off shelves!

Trader Joe's

The new find is none other than the Passion Fruit Meringue Tartelettes, a new dessert in Trader Joe’s frozen aisle that’s only available for a limited time. The treat hails straight from France, where the crust is prepped by an expert baker to “crisp, crumbly” perfection before being filled with a refreshing passion fruit curd and topped with meringue. Equal parts sweet and tart, this bite is ideal for springtime refreshment.

@trader_joes_treasure_hunt

Trader Joe’s shoppers (including us!) are already geeking out about the passion fruit-powered tartelettes, even though they just hit shelves.

“These tarts are INCREDIBLE!!!! 🤤” one person commented on Reddit.

“I LOVE these!” another Redditor said. “Best dessert there in a long time.”

@traderjoesobsessed

This bougie box comes with two tartelettes for a mere $5. All you have to do to enjoy ‘em is thaw them in the fridge for a couple hours after stowing them away in the freezer for safe keeping! The fact that this treat comes in a 2-pack also makes it perfect for an at-home date night dessert to share with your boo – or just your BFF for a fun evening hang!

Reddit

Per Trader Joe’s the Passion Fruit Meringue Tartelettes are only available during the spring with a “decidedly limited” supply. Add this fun find to your list for your next TJ’s run – you won’t regret it.

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on all the latest and greatest Trader Joe's products!

We love Halloween here at Brit + Co, I mean really love it. And we also embrace the celebrations in all of their forms, from IRL blow-out bashes to WFH office parties. If you've got a virtual Halloween party to attend on Zoom with your remote team or friends across the country, here's how to get dolled up for the best costuming and celebrating from a Zoom-y distance. Keep reading for fun ways to dress up with wigs, makeup, and festive tops without having to worry about what you've got on the bottom — basically, the costume version of a mullet. Happy Halloween!

Brit + Co

Pirate

Ahoy, matey! Just grab a red scarf, eyepatch, striped shirt and a fishtail side braid for this classic and super easy costume.

Brit + Co

Flamingo

This makeup is on point. Here's how to DIY this feathery look.

Brit + Co

Unicorn

Fulfill your magical dreams with this DIY unicorn costume.

Brit + Co

Cleopatra

Stand out with a costume that's part-Ancient Egyptian, part-badass babe. With some eyeliner and well-chosen accessories, you'll be able to craft up a Queen-of-Egypt-inspired Halloween costume that's sure to blow your Zoom party guests away.

Brit + Co

Rosie the Riveter

White button down and red polka dot headscarf, easy peasy. For the hair, pin up half of your hair and twist it up into a bun. Then take the rest of your hair and create another bun a little lower on your head. Top the look off with the scarf, and you'll be riveting in no time. :)

Brit + Co

Princess Leia

Best buns on the planet! Create this iconic hairdo with this easy hair hack.

Brit + Co

Elsa

Does Frozen still melt your heart? Be everyone's favorite snow queen with this DIY costume.

Brit + Co

Holly Golightly

Top off your top knot with a tiara, then add a LBD, pearls, coffee and sunnies.

Brit + Co

Angry Bird

We've seen this costume before, but this look is too dang cute to pass up. Especially when all you need is a yellow wig and some craft supplies. Draw out the face onto felt and cut it out, then glue the head piece to a headband. Everything else can be taped to the wig.

Brit + Co

Creepy Clown

Whether you're going for a clown or a mime vibe, this kinda creepy, kinda cute look will achieve all of your Halloween dreams.

Brit + Co

Day of the Dead

Dress up as a Dia de los Muertos sugar skull with this easy DIY tutorial.

Brit + Co

Lady Gaga

It's been quite some time since Gaga donned her signature bow, but we'll never get enough of it. Head to our Hair Bow tutorial here for the full how-to.

Brit + Co

Pumpkin

Okay, this may be really, really basic, but it is a Halloween staple. Plus, it's the one time of year you can wear all orange, all the time. Grab an orange wigand go!

Brit + Co

Queen of Hearts

Ace this Queen of Hearts costume with ared wig or red spray dye!

Brit + Co

Frenchie From Grease

Here's an excuse to break out that cute pink wig in your closet. Add a Pink Ladies jacket and bubble gum and you're ready for beauty school!

Brit + Co

Strawberry Shortcake

You can go with the full Strawberry Shortcake costume or just order a pink wig and bonnet— then add freckles and a pink top and you're Zoom ready!

Brit + Co

Pop Art

If you are looking to really up your costume game and stand out on Zoom, go for this pop art makeup look. Pop on some comic leggings (totally WFH-friendly!) and yellow wig too.

Brit + Co

Vampire

Don a black lip and eye makeup, then use that same eye makeup or black face paint to create a faux widow's peak. Spooky!

Brit + Co

Jem

We are as obsessed with our '80s cartoon characters as we are with wig costumes. For bright pink tresses, Jem is an absolute must!

Brit + Co

Cruella de Vil

This fierce villain oozes style, even if she is totally evil. Use spray hair dye on half of your head, then top off the look with red gloves, a faux fur coat, cigarette holder and a little Dalmatian. Oh, and that evil cackle is essential.

Brit + Co

Kitty

Every girl's backup costume is also the perfect Zoom costume. We made our ears by attaching black foam ears to a headband, but you can easily find a readymade option at just about any store this time of year. Get the full Black Cat makeup tutorial right here.

Brit + Co

Witch

Don a black witch hat and follow this makeup tutorial for this spooky cool green witch.

Brit + Co

Black Swan

The hair hack here is that slick top knot and the crowning tiara, though the key to the whole scene is obviously those crazy eyes. Here's a great tutorial right herefor gals who want to go all out.

Brit + Co

Minion

Learn how to get the look of the cutest minion costume ever!

Brit + Co

Katy Perry circa 2014

Or go for any of Katy Perry's Dark Horse video costumes with these Brit + Co DIYs.

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Brit + Co

Mad Hatter

This Mad Hatter costume is pretty easy to replicate. Grab a brown jacket from your closet, orange wig and top hat. The thread holster is made by stringing thread spools onto yarn and draping it over the shoulder. The makeup is an understated version inspired by the original, but really easy to recreate. And yes, those are fake eyelashes as eyebrows!

Brit + Co

Mime

You can just stay on mute!

Brit + Co

Pippy Longstocking

Recreate Pippy's completely insane pig tails with this easy DIY trick.

Brit + Co

Barbie

Your co-workers will immediately get the idea once you show up with your pink visor, watercolor swimsuit and bike shorts outfit! They may even get a little jealous!

Brit + Co

Poison Ivy

"That girl is poison" best describes former botanist turned green seductress Poison Ivy. See how you can DIY this costume here!

Brit + Co

Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy

Maybe you prefer to be a bada**, take no prisoners green goddess like Gamora from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. For fun, you can try your hand at method acting by acting like her during your virtual Halloween party. Just try to keep the sarcasm on the lighter side.

Brit + Co

Minions

To make things more fun, you and a few co-workers can dress up as Minions! It's a DIY-costume that's inexpensive and funny.

Brit + Co

The Sanderson Sisters

Hocus Pocus is basically life for the Brit + Co team so it only makes sense to show up to your virtual Halloween party wearing one of the above costumes!

Planning any virtual Halloween gatherings? Share your costumes with us @BritandCo!

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

Starbucks fans, the Starbucks summer menu for 2025 is coming way sooner than you think! Launching next month, the coffee chain gave us a cheeky lil’ sneak peek at their next seasonal lineup, and it looks stacked.

Scroll on to see everything coming to the Starbucks summer menu in May!

Meet The ​​Starbucks Summer Menu For 2025!

Starbucks

Here's the full lineup for this year's Starbucks summer menu:

  • NEW! Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
  • Summer-Berry Refreshers (Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher and Summer Skies Drink to return)
  • NEW! Strawberries & Cream Cake Pop
Below, we dive into each item so you can know what to expect once these menu items drop in May! We don't have an official launch date yet, but will keep you updated here the moment we know more details.

Starbucks

NEW! Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

Yummm. Inspired by horchata, we anticipate this new shaken espresso flavor from Starbucks to have notes of cinnamon and coconut, both of which pair really well for a light and refreshing sip – much needed in the summer! Per some Starbucks employees on Reddit, it looks like it'll be crafted using an all-new horchata syrup, too. 👀

Starbucks

Summer-Berry Refreshers

That's right: Starbucks' boba drinks are officially coming back! Launching next month, the chain's blue-tinted Summer-Berry Refreshers come with a serving of raspberry-flavored popping boba to elicit summertime fun. The boba pearls were very divisive among baristas and customers when they hit menus in 2024.

Last year, this lineup of Refreshers came in three variations: the Summer-Berry Refresher, the Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher, and the Summer Skies Drink (mixed with coconut milk). The last two will definitely be returning to the summer menu for 2025! After a taste test from last year's launch, the Summer Skies ended up being our favorite.

Starbucks / Pixabay

NEW! Strawberries & Cream Cake Pop

Lastly, Starbucks is introducing a brand-new cake pop flavor for summertime: Strawberries & Cream! Some Starbucks employees on Reddit noted that it'll include a strawberry cake base with buttercream, which sounds so yummy. This new bite will join the existing cake pop trio of Birthday Cake, Chocolate, and Cookies & Cream.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more updated on the Starbucks summer menu!

When I'm not searching for outfit ideas, I'm usually browsing the many beauty Substack newsletters I'm subscribed to. But nothing will ever beat all the goodies I typically find during Sephora's sale. It's one of the few times I'm able to score big on lip oils, niacinamide serums, and curly hair products without spending over $300. Plus, the perks of being an Insider, VIB or Rouge member are SO worth it.

Keep scrolling to find the best beauty skincare, makeup, hair and nail picks from Sephora's Sale!

Honorable Mention From Sephora's Sale

Amazon

DedCool Mochi Milk Eau de Parfum

If you love subtle gourmand scents, you won't be able to stop wearing DedCool's Mochi Milk Eau de Parfum! it's a gratifying blend of marshmallow, vanilla bean and sweet rice milk that'll make you feel like you've wrapped yourself in a dream cloud.

The Best Skincare Buys From Sephora's Sale

Sephora

Dieux Deliverance Antioxidant & Niacinamide Serum

If you've been dealing with hormonal acne that's left you with inflamed skin or dark spots, we know how frustrating that can be. But you don't have to suffer in silence with skincare like Dieux's Deliverance Antioxidant & Niacinamide Serum exists. Not only does it treat the aforementioned concerns, but it's also good for minimizing pores and treating uneven skin tone!

Sephora

KORA Organics Milky Mushroom Ultra-Hydrating Mask

I like my skincare like I love my coffee alternatives — full of mushrooms! Even if you have oily or combination skin, hydration's still a good area to focus on. We love recommend KORA Organics' Milky Mushroom Ultra-Hydrating Mask because it targets dry areas while providing a healthy dose of Vitamin C!

Sephora

Tower 28 Beauty S.O.S Daily Rescue Facial Spray

We love Tower 28 Beauty's S.O.S. Daily Rescue Facial Spray so much that we wrote about it in 2023! It feels like a toner and serum in a bottle because it immediately soothes any allergic reactions we may having. Itchy skin due to pesky breakouts? You'll want to use this. Red or splotchy skin that's triggered by an allergic reaction? This spray won't let you down.

Sephora

Birthday Cake

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

Juicy lips are always in, but we know it's hard to narrow down what to invest in. We prefer Summer Friday's Lip Butter Balm because you're able to choose from various shades and your lips will be protected from painful cracks that may pop up throughout the day.

Sephora

The INKEY List Caffeine De-puffing + Dark Circle Eye Cream

Eye creams are our life savers even if we haven't had a rough night! It's unfair, but everyone starts losing the collagen underneath their eyes at a point which makes dark circles rear their head. To combat that, use The INKEY List's Caffeine De-puffing + Dark Circle formula!

Sephora

Berry

LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask

If you want extra pillow-soft & kissable lips, we suggest using LANEIGE's Lip Sleeping Mask. Formulated without parabens, your pout will remain hydrated and protected with every use of this. It's so good that it's been ranked as a "community favorite" on Sephora!

Sephora

innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

We're sharing innisfree's Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask with our combination skin girlies in mind. Though all skin types can use it, we know having dry & oily areas on your face can be tough to conquer. But this mask contains ingredients like AHA that help stabilize your skin's oil production and it also acts as a natural exfoliant.

Sephora

Topicals Faded Under Eye Brightening & Clearing Eye Masks

Did you really think we were rushing past your under eye care? We're serious about it and want you to feel your best, so we're sharing Topicals Faded Under Eye Brightening & Clearing Eye Masks. They may be cute to look at, but they also have plumping and hydrating properties that will make you look well-rested.

The Best Makeup Buys From Sephora's Sale

Sephora

Universal/Translucent

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder

We love e.l.f.'s Power Grip Primer, but we know everyone isn't a fan of it's "sticky" feel. To get the same makeup base that it provides, try applying Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder before you put on your foundation or skin tint! It feels like a face balm, but dries down to a hydrating, matte finish that makes your makeup stay in place.

Sephora

Deep 1

Ami Colé Skin-Enhancing Tinted Moisturizer

Don't let the "lack" of shade options scare you away because Ami Colé's Skin-Enhancing Tinted Moisturizer is spot-on with its shade-matching. The colors are spot-on and they offer a natural finish that's skin-like.

Sephora

2N Maple

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Matte SPF 30

If you want to keep the matte party going, Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer has an oil-free and matte version that oily skin will appreciate. It has SPF in it and won't clog your pores like some foundations do.

P.S. It's light coverage, so you may want to follow up with concealer or a loose powder that matches your complexion.

Sephora

Playtint

Benefit Benetint Liquid Lip + Cheek Blush Stain

Lip and cheek blush stains aren't new, but Benefit's version makes us feel like it is. It's long-wearing formula stays in place all day and won't dry your lips out. Did we mention it's also smudge and transfer-proof?

Sephora

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Blurring Loose Setting Powder

Our favorite loose setting powder has to be Huda Beauty's Easy Bake Blurring product. It's non-Comedogenic (goodbye pore-clogging ingredients) and light-weight, so you don't need a lot.

Pro Tip: After pressing your beauty sponge into it, blow off some of the excess product for a flawless look. You can also tap some of the product on the back of your hand to help avoid unnecessary creasing under your eyes.

Sephora

ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starr On 'Til Dawn Setting Spray

We haven't tested if ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starr's On 'Til Dawn Setting Spray is waterproof yet, but we do swear by how long-lasting it is. We're also fond of it being vegan and cruelty-free because that matters too!

Sephora

Burst

MILK MAKEUP Cooling Water Jelly Tint Lip + Cheek Stain

Are we being biased about lip and cheek stains? You can say that, but we'll share why. In a world where it's easy to be heavy-handed with a powder, liquid or cream blush, we're all about using products that make our makeup routine easier.

The Best Haircare Buys From Sephora's Sale

Sephora

T3 SinglePass Curl X 1.25" Ceramic Barrel Curl

In the market for a new curling iron that you don't have to fight tooth and nail with? You'll love T3's Single Pass design! Created with all hair types in mind, it's sleek and has an extra-long barrel that'll fit around your hair without burning it.

Sephora

Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask

Every time we see honey in a product, we know it's going to give us the hydration we need! In this case, Gisou's Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask contains properties that strengthen your hair while adding shine to it.

Sephora

Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil

Oils shouldn't weigh your hair down and Olaplex knows this. Their bonding formula gives you the healthiest shine while combatting frizz and heat damage which probably explains why it's so popular!

Sephora

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna The Comeback Kid Repair Hair Treatment

Sometimes your hair needs extra attention and we know just the product you need: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna's The Comeback Kid Repair Hair Treatment! It helps undo the effects of heat damage, chemical and color styles while helping to restore your hair to it's former glory.

Sephora

K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo

Speaking of color-treated hair, you often need specialized shampoo to maintain your new style and the health of your hair. That's where K18's Biomimetic Hairscience Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo steps into the picture. It may remove product buildup and an excess of oil production (sebum), but it doesn't strip your hair!

Sephora

BREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY Hair Foam: Curl Defining Mousse

Those with curly hair can use mousse and that's something BREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY is aware of. Their foaming lotion is incredibly soft and helps to repair your hair each time you apply it.

The Best Nail Care Buys From Sephora's Sale

Sephora

Glamnetic Press-On Nail Kit

You know how we feel about press-on nails, but we have to say Glamnetic holds a special place in our hearts. You could be a minimalist or maximalist girl, but there's sure to be designs that fit your personal aesthetic.

Sephora

Glamnetic Brush-On Nail Glue

Glamnetic also has a bruch-on nail glue that makes applying press-on nails super easy. You won't have to worry about applying to much glue because the brush picks up the perfect amount that will coat your nails so you apply whatever designs you have on-hand.

Sephora

Soft Services Theraplush "Hold" Overnight Retinol Hand Cream

Don't skip taking care of your hands the way you do your face or hair! Soft Services' warm gourmands Retinol Hand Cream helps keep your appendages nice and supple while also making sure your cuticles look taken care of.

Sephora

L'Occitane Strengthening Shea Nail and Cuticle Oil

If smelling warm & spicy scents that aren't food makes you quiver in disgust, try applying L'Occitane's Strengthening Shea Nail and Cuticle Oil to your hands. It has shea, apricot, and sweet almond oil in it to help replenish any lost moisture which is possible if you use your hands a lot!

We can't wait to see what you snagged during Sephora's sale!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more spring beauty finds!

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

This post has been updated.