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If you know me, you know how much I love Taylor Swift. Something about hearing music written by someone while they experience the same life stages feels so personal, and there's a good chance that almost every emotion I feel can be summed up by a Taylor Swift song. In short: I just love her.
Taylor frequently drops merchandise when a holiday rolls around and for Valentine's Dayin 2022, she released a collection inspired by her 2019 album Lover. I fell in love with a pair of fuzzy dice inspired by her hit song "Cruel Summer," and apparently so did everyone else because the next time I visited the website, they were sold out! So, I decided to make a simplified version of them with my sewing machine for a fun V-Day activity and to add some extra pink to my space. Check out our online sewing class to brush up on your skills and keep reading for a low stakes tutorial on how to make your own!
Here's how to make your own Taylor Swift "Cruel Summer"-inspired dice for Valentine's Day.
Supplies For Your Own "Cruel Summer" Taylor Swift Fuzzy Dice:
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
- Sewing machine
- Pink fleece fabric
- Pink thread
- Pink felt
- Scissors
- Blue rope/cord (I took mine off a loofah)
- Needle + pins
- A copy of Lover to listen to while you sew ;)
- Poly-Fil Stuffing (not pictured)
- Ruler (optional)
- Glue gun + glue gun sticks (optional, use it to touch up your seams if you need)
Instructions:
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Start by marking your fleece with the measurements for your squares. Since the size of the dice on Taylor's official website was listed as 3.5", I marked them just above 3.5" so I could leave room for a hem. You'll need 12 squares total.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Next, cut out your squares. I used the first square as a template for the others, then went back in and cleaned up the edges where necessary.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
The first image I made was a sun, and I started by drawing a circle on my felt. I used the rim of my thread spool to make sure I had a perfect circle but you can also free hand if you want the circle to be a different size.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Pin your felt to the center of a fleece square.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Sew the circle to the fleece using a regular straight stitch.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Next, move your sewing machine from a straight stitch to a zigzag stitch and decrease your stitch length to a lower number like 0 or 1. This will allow your art to have more of a filled-in border, instead of a messier, chevron finish.
Go back over the rim of your circle with the zigzag stitch to give it that embroidered look. I did this with the fabric right side up, then I did it again with the fabric flipped upside down just to be extra thorough.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
After your circle is complete, it's time for the sun rays! Use the same zigzag stitch and 0 stitch length to move from the circle outward. This is where you'll want to add another element: stitch width.
To give the sun rays their triangular shape, adjust your stitch width as you move out from the heart of the sun. While the stitch length ensures your sewing won't have empty spaces, the width will let you move from a wider sunbeam base to a thinner point. I just decreased the width every few stitches as I went along.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Your finished sun will look something like this! I went back in with a needle to clean up loose threads by hand. I waited to trim them until I had threaded them to the back so that the front image had a more polished look.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Repeat the above steps for your devil and angel hearts. There are only a few differences between these and the sun; you'll cut the felt into hearts instead of circles, and to fill in the horns and the wings, I used a straight stitch to give it a colored-in look, reserving the zigzag stitching for the borders.
I know the original dice had "Cruel Summer" lyrics stitched onto these squares, but I ended up leaving them off. It makes the design more minimal and easier to work with.
One thing to note about this step: beware of bunched fabric! Filling in the angel wings brought the edges of the squares in a bit, but I wasn't too upset about it. I think flaws give a craft some personality!
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
The "Lover" stitching got a little more complicated than the images. I first traced the word with my pen so that I would have some guide as to what the word should look like. Move the stitch width back down to one of the lower settings.
Then instead of just moving the fabric in a circle like I did for the sun, I moved it all around to follow the word I had written in marker. Repeat this a few times until you're satisfied with the thickness. I definitely tried this step a couple different times so don't worry if you don't get it on the first go!
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
For my final embroidered square, I did a simple "TS," which of course stands for "Taylor Swift."
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Before you can sew your squares together, line the edges up and pin them. I used my ruler to mark how far I wanted my hem to go (I did 1/4" at every edge) for a sewing guideline.
I pinned the squares one at a time, checking at each step that they were pinned the right way (especially after I sewed two together incorrectly and had to pick out the stitches. Oops.)
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Arrange the images in a similar way to the official dice, or change it up however you'd like! I chose to arrange the squares so that there was a blank in between the images.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Pin and sew your remaining three squares around the middle square so that you end up with a cross.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
I continued pinning and sewing the edges to one another until I had an inside-out cube. Here's a tutorial to help you better understand which edges should be sewn together.
I did one square at a time, making sure to focus on the corners and going back in to tighten them up once I was done. You only want one gap, which is where you'll flip the cube inside out and then stuff it.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Once you have a cube, flip the fabric inside out. I used my pen to make sure all the corners and edges were good to go.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Next, stuff your cube with whatever filling you prefer. I didn't stuff it super full because I didn't want it to have a rounded look when I was done.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Ta-da! A little wonky but very cute :)
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
When you have both dice, cut a small hole in the top for your cord. Knot the ends and stuff them into the holes, then use your needle and thread to attach the cord and the fleece together.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
Voilà!
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
They're soft, fuzzy, and pink. What could be better than that?!
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
If you don't want to hang these in your car, they also make excellent Valentine's (or Galentine's) decor.
Chloe Williams/Brit + Co
If you need me, I'll be blasting "Cruel Summer" for the rest of the month.
Loving these Taylor Swift fuzzy dice? Follow us on Pinterest and TikTok for more entertainment inspo, and don't forget to check out The Latest On Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce's Relationship!
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.
Well, Ryan Reynolds' 'SNL50' Joke Remains Another Mystery In 'It Ends With Us' Legal Saga
Feb 24, 2025
Saturday Night Live just had a 50th anniversary celebration to remember, but despite some iconic callbacks and celebrity cameos, one moment everyone's talking about didn't really have to do with the sketches at all: Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's appearance.
During a Q&A with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, Ryan Reynolds stood up to ask a question, with Blake Lively sitting right beside him. After the SNL icons asked him how he was, the Deadpool actor joked, "Great. Why, what have you heard?" And while the audience laughed at the inferred reference to the ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, sources are saying others aren't so happy with the couple's appearance.
Here's what people are saying about Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's appearance on the SNL50 special.
Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively "have no regrets" about their SNL50 special appearance.
Following the special, SNL's cue card guy Wally Feresten told Fifi, Fev and Nick that Ryan “had a different line in rehearsal and he pitched that to replace it. That was his idea."
"We wouldn’t want to do anything too controversial unless they were in on it.”
But according to a Page Six source, Ryan didn't actually come up with that joke. “The opening joke was pitched by SNL and never changed,” they said. “The follow-up joke was rewritten in rehearsal.” So who's really behind the joke? For now, no one (except Ryan) knows.
While the moment with Ryan Reynolds got some laughs, another insider reveals that, "People in Hollywood think Blake and Ryan attending the SNL 50th anniversary show was not a good look," and that it might have been a good idea for the couple to "have sat this one out.”
But even though the appearance got some mixed reviews, another source promises they "have no regrets about making an appearance at the show,” and that they “were two of the last people to leave Studio 8H."
"Blake was initially hesitant to attend the SNL 50th anniversary show but ultimately she’s glad she attended and had a really nice time,” the second source continues. “They’re glad they showed up because they have nothing to hide and no reason not to.”
The SNL50 special, and the brief look at Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, came after Blake and Justin Baldoni filed lawsuits against one another — Blake against Justin for alleged sexual harassment and Justin against Blake, Ryan, and the New York Times for defamation.
"It’s very plausible that Justin’s legal team will use this public outing to defend him,” according to the Page Six source. “Justin is taking this lawsuit in all seriousness and isn’t making a public mockery out of it."
Recently, Justin Baldoni published a website with an Amended Complaint and It Ends With Us timeline, but according to First Amendment lawyer Kevin Goldberg, the website is "unnecessary."
"I think it's unusual and I'm not sure it's appropriate once you have already filed a defamation lawsuit," he tells Forbes. "Legally speaking, it's not going to be, itself, relevant as evidence. It could be introduced in evidence but there's no need for it."
"The reason we have very strict standards for anyone who is trying to win a defamation lawsuit — and in particular, a celebrity who is trying to win a defamation lawsuit is they can do things like this," Kevin continues. "Use a website and PR team to restore their reputation, they don't need to use the courts to restore their reputation. So why did he do both is my big question. It seems like his real goal is not to win the lawsuit but restore his good name, just, generally in the public view."
What did you think about Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds' appearance on the SNL50 special? Read up on 10 Weird Moments You Missed From Viral Justin Baldoni & Blake Lively Set Video for more.
Lighting can make or break a space. Overhead lights are convenient to switch on but can feel too harsh, while the right mix of lighting can create a warm, inviting aesthetic. The secret? Layering — think floor lamps, table lamps, sconces, and more. To help you achieve that cozy, designer-worthy look, we’ve rounded up 18 affordable Target finds that look way more expensive than they are!
Target's "rich-looking" lamp collection will brighten up your space
FLOOR LAMPS
Target
Wavy Shade Collection with Ceramic Base Floor Lamp
With its playful wavy shade and three-way light setting, this floor lamp lets you customize the brightness to suit any moment—whether you're reading, catching up with friends, or settling in for a movie night.
Target
Gooseneck Floor Lamp with Natural Shade
This gooseneck floor lamp, featuring a rattan shade, looks so elegant and natural and offers adjustable lighting.
Target
Traditional Oil Rubbed Swing Arm Floor Lamp
This bronze floor lamp features a classic swing-arm design, so you can direct light wherever you need it most, such as in your workspace or living area.
Target
Cantilever Drop Pendant Swing Arm Floor Lamp
I've owned Target's most popular floor lamp for about a decade and it still looks and works as well as it did back then. It's a keeper!
Target
Oak Wood Tripod Floor Lamp
This oak wood tripod lamp looks great in your modern space with natural decor.
Table + Desk Lamps
Target
Threshold x Studio McGee Woven Table Lamp
This charming design lamp designed with Studio McGee has adorable scalloped edges and looks sweet on a nightstand or desk.
Target
Threshold x Studio McGee Task Lamp
This retro metal task lamp features a flexible neck to focus the light where you need it the most.
Target
Mini Printed Ceramic Base Table Lamp with Pleated Shade
Love the blue Pollock-like print on this ceramic mini lamp. It's great for teen and dorm rooms!
Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Brass Accent Table Lamp with Plaid Shade
Plaid is always in style in Magnolia's design playbook. This accent table lamp is a stylish addition to your office or side table.
Target
Assembled Ceramic Table Lamp
This blue and white abstract pattern adds a bit of texture to your overall design. Pair two on each side of your bed.
Target
Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Fluted Ceramic Table Lamp with Marble Base
This fluted design is very hot right now and looks elegant solo or in pairs.
Target
Threshold x Studio McGee Round Faux Wood Lamp Base
Give your living space some mood lighting while also adding a cute decorative pattern with a checkered shade.
Target
Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Fluted Metal Rechargeable Library Table Lamp
Give your bookshelf a dose of classic elegance with Magnolia's fluted rechargeable library lamp.
SCONCES
Target
Hearth & Hand Magnolia Milk Glass Striped Wall Sconce
Milk glass is always in style for any vintage-inspired decor. These would look great in a kitchen for a modern-retro vibe.
Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Fluted Ceramic Sconce
Here's the fluted lamp in a sconce variety. Matching lamp styles is actually a great way to create cohesion in your design.
Target
Threshold x Studio McGee Metal Sconce Wall Light
Add metallic appeal to your home with this Studio McGee sconce that gives off a warm golden hue.
Target
Threshold x Studio McGee Wall Sconce with Plaid Shade
An affordable sconce with a unique shade is a great way to add personality to your space while saving space too!
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
You read that correctly: Tom Brady and Irina Shayk (yes, Bradley Cooper's ex-wife) may be back together. Despite the fact we thought the former pro-football player and Gisele Bündchen were endgame, we discovered some good things don't last forever. But the heartbreak didn't seem to matter once Tom found model Irina Shayk — at least until they broke up for a while.
Imagine everyone's surprise now that the two are allegedly dating again. It's like the tale of the two exes who can't leave each other alone no matter how hard they try. Whether this is good or bad is TBD, but we're intrigued either way!
Here's what to know about Tom Brady & Irina Shayk's potentially rekindled relationship!
Victor Boyko/Getty Images
Page Sixreported Tom Brady and Irina Shayk are rumored to be dating again, per a source. The anonymous person said, "Tom and Irina have started dating each other again and are open to see where things go" which seems extremely vague.
Adding more ambiguity to the will-they-won't-they rumor mill? A second source revealedthat the former couple had "been talking on the phone" around the New Year — and were allegedly planning a trip together — according to Page Six. "Neither one is in a serious relationship right now, so why not take a trip.”
Jane Gershovich/Getty Images
Prior to this, Tom Brady and Irina Shayk only dated for a short time before closing their door on their relationship. TMZ exclusively reported they'd chosen to amicably break up because things simply "fizzled out." According to an earlier Page Six article, the sexy couple were no longer spotted together at different events which raised eyebrows about their dating status.
It's safe to say that Tom Brady & Irina Shayk's "relationship" may have been more of a "situationship" because they were first linked after paparazzi spotted the latter being picked up from Hotel Bel-Air by Brady last summer (via Page Six). The eager photographers must've camped out at Tom's house overnight because they also spotted the two leaving his home the next morning. One can only assumed what happened, but it seems like they reportedly had a date shortly after that (via Page Six).
Beatriz Velasco/Getty Images
The former couple have yet to make public comments about if they're dating or not — they could just be having fun! If either way is the case, we wish them all the luck in the world!
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The '1923' Season 2 Premiere, Explained — Including That Bombshell Alex & Spencer Reveal
Feb 24, 2025
1923 is back! After two years of wondering how Alex and Spencer would find each other after their separation, if Jacob and Cara would survive the attempt to steal their ranch, and if Teonna would make it to safety, the 1923 season 2 premiere is answering some of our biggest questions. Although actress Michelle Randolph told me we might have to wait until the end of the season to see whether the show "fills in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, we're already getting plenty of info.
Here's everything you missed in the 1923 season 2 premiere, "The Killing Season."
In the '1923' season 2 premiere, Jacob & Cara Dutton are protecting their ranch.
Right at the beginning of the episode, we get a beautiful look at Montana and the Yellowstone ranch, with Cara Dutton revealing via narration they've sold everything except 4 bulls and 100 heifers to pay off some of the money they owe Whitfield — and that it's up to Spencer to rebuild everything they've lost.
Jacob and Jack leave the ranch for a hearing — and come face-to-face with a mountain lion on the porch. However, the lion races off before Jacob can kill it, and after Cara jokes it's comforting Jacob now has something to worry about, Jacob tells her he's "always worried, honey" and gives her a kiss. I am simply obsessed with them!! (I also need them both to make it to the end of the series, I'm so serious).
The mountain lion doesn't last for long, however, after it returns, almost attacks Elizabeth, and gets shot by Cara.
In town, Jacob (and us) learn Zane and Alice's marriage has been rendered void after they were attacked & arrested for miscegenation last season — and that Whitfield is behind everything...to literally no one's surprise.
Whitfield's still thinking about the Duttons himself, talking about how Jacob might be strong and mighty like a bear, but enough bee stings can lead to the bear's death ("Death by a Thousand Cuts" anyone?). He finds reassurance in the knowledge the trial is another metaphorical bee sting for Jacob Dutton to, well, bear.
Banner Creighton's also preparing for the trial, and tells his wife that after a lifetime of struggle, Whitfield's new provision means their son has a future. "I'll lay with the devil to give him that," he says. Chills me to my very core.
Teonna Rainwater is still on the run.
Father Renaud and his men are still on the hunt for Teonna. Unfortunately I do mean that very literally because they attack a Comanche village in their pursuit, but Teonna, thank goodness, is safe with her father and Pete, the latter of whom she finally starts a romantic relationship with.
But right when they're starting to get ~cozy~ (if you catch my drift), they notice a horseback rider — and learn from him that they're in Texas (don't worry, the horseback rider isn't Father Renaud).
And Spencer & Alex are fighting to get back to each other.
Spencer's latest sea voyage is a lot less relaxing than we saw at the end of season 1; he's working in the bottom of a ship, where he becomes friends with Luca after defending the younger man from a rapist and saving him from jumping into the ocean. And, okay, we're only one episode in and they've already formed a really sweet bond that I hope continues through the whole season — maybe Luca can come back to the ranch!
Our favorite Dutton hero now has two missions: get back to his family and find Alex. So, to get some money and get it quick, Spencer starts a couple of one-on-one fights while Luca collects bets. Of course, Spencer wins. (Duh).
Meanwhile, back in England, Alex is still mourning her separation from Spencer. And when Jennifer visits her, Alex reveals she's desperate to get to Montana is because she's actually pregnant with Spencer's child. WHAT! I need 5-7 business days to process this information! Who knows, maybe Alex and Spencer are ancestors of John Dutton? (Beth definitely shares Alex and Spencer's grit and spunk, hello). Alex ropes Jennifer into selling her jewelry to book passage to America...even if that passage ends up being in the thieves and beggars class.
Whew! I can't wait to tune in next week to see what the future has in store for the Duttons.
What time does 1923 air?
New episodes of 1923 season 2 airs on Paramount+ at 12 AM EST/9PM EST.
See our interview with Julia Schlaepfer for more — and read up on The 1923 Season 1 Ending, Deaths, & Betrayals, Explained for a refresher.
This post has been updated.