On Not Being Perfect: The Best Advice Matilda’s Mara Wilson Has for You

You may know Mara Wilson as the adorable child star who gave life to one of our favorite Roald Dahl characters, the adorable, precocious, telekinetic Matilda. And in case you need just a brief refresher, Mara also played the youngest child in Mrs. Doubtfire opposite Robin Williams and Sally Field, as well as the cute little girl in Miracle on 34th Street, and has been acting on screen since 1993. These days, Mara spends a little less time in front of the lens and more behind her computer screen. She runs a popular Twitter account with over 299K followers, writes the blog Mara Writes Stuff, and recently authored her first book Where Am I Now?, which will be released by Penguin Random House on September 13.

But growing up on movie sets — especially as a kid who loved school — had its share of difficulties. “Going to school as a child star… everybody knew somebody who was on Seventh Heaven or was on a Disney Channel show, and kids would come to school late because they had an audition. It kind of made sense for a while, but eventually [it got] kind of hard because people started getting jealous and they were getting a little competitive.”

As for the kind of student she was, either in school or on set, Mara says, “I was very much a perfectionist in elementary school. I always tried to go above and beyond in the very beginning, and that quickly became exhausting. I would always read ahead in the books and I actually got in trouble for it sometimes. I definitely did more than I needed to.” When it comes to getting it right, we feel like Matilda could probably relate.

But there is a point when the pursuit of being #flawless can take its toll. “I do think, though, that perfectionism, it’s a problem, and after a while, in middle school and a little bit in high school, there was this attitude I had like, ‘Well, if I can’t do it perfectly, why do it at all?'” Mara tells us. “And that, I think, is a toxic thought and I think that kills creativity and any kind of progress.”

But someone gave her a piece of advice that turned her outlook around: her dad. “My dad is an engineer, and he always says, ‘The perfect is the enemy of the good.’ And you need to remember that. That has helped me a lot,” Mara says. Next time trying to get something perfect — whether it’s as small as your cat eye or as huge as parenting — repeat this mantra to yourself. It’s no use driving yourself up the wall trying to get something perfect, when doing something very well will make you much happier.

“I’ve learned to make mistakes in the past few years,” she tells us with a smile. “And I’m okay with that now.”

Will you be taking Mara’s advice? Tweet us @BritandCo!

Target is full of hidden gems, but around this time of year, you don’t have to look too hard to find the cutest Christmas decorations. They have everything from holiday tableware to Christmas lights, and I’m especially stoked about their adorable ornament selection. If you need to up your Christmas decor game, you came to the right place. Scroll on for the best Target Christmas decorations of 2024 that provide an instant happiness boost.

Our fave Target Christmas decorations you can snag this season:

Target

Wondershop LED Neon-Style Waving Gingerbread Man Light

This jolly lil' guy ($35) is perfect for setting up in your entry way for a holly-jolly welcome every time you come home.

Target

Threshold x Studio McGee Mixed Plaid Woven Stocking

This super-soft $15 linen stocking defies designs of years past with a cozy colorway and some contrasting patterns, so it'll undoubtedly be a stylish upgrade for your mantle.

Target

Wondershop 3-Piece Metal Nativity Scene

The simplicity of this $15 gold nativity scene make it such a seamless match with all of your existing Christmas decorations.

Target

Wondershop Battery-Operated Lit Ceramic Christmas Tree

This vintage-inspired Christmas tree light ($15) will look so cozy when you add it to your Christmas set-up. Plus, the bulbs add unparalleled levels of cheer and color for the season!

Target

Stanley Water Bottle Keychain & Ornament

Stanley lovers, rise up! This toy-sized ornament will let everyone know your affection for the beloved tumbler. The lid actually screws off so you could stow away little candies, a tube of lip gloss, or even slide in a sly $20 bill to make for a nice stocking stuffer. This $10 piece also doubles as a keychain, so you can use it year-round!

Target

Threshold Plaid Tablecloth

Plaid is timeless for the holiday season, so if you've got some potlucks and dinner parties planned to celebrate with loved ones and friends, this chic $20 tablecloth will instantly elevate your hosting game!

Target

Featherly Friends Christmas Bird Figurine

I can't get enough of this series of cute little bird figurines Target tends to debut around the holidays! This one is 'fitted up with earmuffs, a jacket, and scarf, all while holding out a perfectly-wrapped gift to usher in the giving spirit of Christmas.

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When it comes to prepping Thanksgiving dinner, we'll take any make-ahead ideas we can get. That's why we are *obsessed* with this insanely yummy mashed potato recipe from Half Baked Harvest. Easy to make, delicious to eat, and even better to check off your to-do-list, these mashed potatoes are rich and full of garlicky goodness. We'll let Tieghan Gerard take it from here!

Make Ahead Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, the best holiday mashed potatoes. Made simply with sweet roasted garlic, fresh herbs, and salted butter. Each bite is perfectly smooth, creamy, and so delicious. The secret? Cooking the potatoes together with the milk and cream, then adding in roasted garlic cloves for a delicious garlic flavor that isn't overpowering. This method makes for the creamiest and most flavorful mashed potatoes. They're perfect for making ahead of time for easy entertaining!

What's the secret to these potatoes?

Half Baked Harvest

Two things… first, the roasted garlic. Roasting the garlic adds just the right amount of garlic flavor that's delicious but not over powering.

Second, cook the potatoes together with the milk and herbs. This means no boiling the potatoes, no extra steps, nothing fancy. It turns out that creating almost perfect mashed potatoes is actually really easy.

The Steps — Roast The Garlic

Half Baked Harvest

Start with the garlic since it takes time to roast in the oven. If you've never done it before it really adds a layer of deliciousness to your recipes.

Simply slice the top portion of the garlic head off to reveal the cloves. Then place the garlic on a small piece of foil, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap the garlic up. Roast for about forty minutes, until the garlic is deeply golden and soft.

Then simply squeeze the cloves out of the garlic skin.

Meanwhile, Make The Potatoes 

Half Baked Harvest

Combine the potatoes with the milk and cream in a large pot on the stove. Add the herbs, then cook until the potatoes are tender. This will take about twenty-five minutes or so. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them, BUT, be sure to save the cream – you'll need it!

Now, the potato ricer…it's key to making ultra-smooth mashed potatoes. Do you have to have a potato ricer? No, a good ole masher works too. But if you want the smoothest mashed potatoes, a ricer works really well.

Half Baked Harvest

Take the mashed potatoes and those roasted garlic cloves and put them right back into the pot. Then add back the cream and also add some butter. Cook until the butter is melted…and that's it…the most perfectly flavored creamy mashed potatoes!

Honest these are the BEST – classic, but with amazing flavor and texture.

The added bonus is just how easy these are to make…and that you can make them ahead of time. Steps for warming in the oven, slow cooker, or on the stove are listed in the directions!

Make Ahead Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Half Baked Harvest

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
  2. Slice off the top portion of the garlic head to expose some of the cloves. Place the garlic on a piece of foil. Drizzle with olive oil, wrap it up, and bake for 40-55 minutes, until deeply golden and very soft.
  3. Let the garlic cool, then squeeze out the cloves.
  4. Meanwhile, In a large dutch oven, combine the potatoes, heavy cream, milk, sage, and thyme. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and cook 20-25 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
  5. Drain the potatoes, reserving all of the cream. Discard the thyme and sage. Press the potatoes and roasted garlic cloves through a potato ricer. Then add them back to the warm pot. Alternately, you can add the potatoes back to the pot and mash with a potato masher.
  6. Over low heat, add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved cream and the butter. Continue to add more of the cream until your desired consistency is reached. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper.
  7. If desired, brown a little butter with sage or thyme and swirl into the potatoes before serving. Serve warm and creamy.

To Make Ahead:

  • In the Oven: Prepare the mashed potatoes as directed through step 6. Spoon the potatoes into a large baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat in the oven, preheat the oven to 325° F. Pour 1/2 cup milk or cream over the potatoes and add 2 tablespoons butter, do not stir. Cover the potatoes tightly with foil and transfer to the oven. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are warmed through. Stir before serving.
  • Slow Cooker: Prepare the mashed potatoes as directed through step 6. Spoon the potatoes into the slower cooker, cover, and keep on low for up to 4 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, turn the heat to low or high, add 1/2 cup heavy cream and 2 tablespoons butter, do not stir. Cover and let the cream warm and the butter melt. Stir before serving.
  • On the Stove: Prepare the mashed potatoes as directed through step 6. Add 1/2 cup cream and 2 tablespoons butter. Place the potatoes over low heat, gently stirring until warmed throughout.

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This post has been updated.

If there's one thing that unites all teen TV shows, it's consistently casting people who are way too old to play high schoolers. Riverdale, One Tree Hill, and even Stranger Things have all fallen victim to this trend, boasting a lineup of beefy, chiseled actors who are supposed to be 15 years old. And Outer Banks is no exception.

OBX season 4 part 2 drops on Netflix November 7, and if you're like me, you're going down every rabbit hole to find out as much as possible about your favorite Pogues, which is why I scoured the internet to figure out the actors' ages — and how they compare to their character ages (including the cast member that's almost TWICE their character's age). Keep reading for the full scoop!

The 'Outer Banks' Cast Ages Vs. Their Characters

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron

Sarah Cameron is 19 years old in Outer Banks season 4, while Madelyn Cline turns 27 on December 21.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Rudy Pankow as JJ Maybank (or is it JJ Groff now?)

JJ Maybank is around 19 years old when Wes Genrette asks the Pogues to find Blackbeard's treasure. Actor Rudy Pankow is 26.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Chase Stokes as John B. Routledge

While fearless leader John B. Routledge is also around 19, Chase Stokes is actually 32 years old. That makes him 13 years older than John B.!

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Madison Bailey as Kiara Carrera

In Outer Banks season 4 Kie Carrera's 19 years old. In real life, Madison Bailey is 25.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Carlacia Grant as Cleo Anderson

Cleo Anderson seems to be around the same age as the rest of the Pogues, which would make her 19. Actress Carlacia Grant is 33 years old.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Jonathan Daviss as Pope Heyward

Pope Heyward is in the same grade as JJ, Kie, and John B., which would mean he's also 19 during Outer Banks season 4. Jonathan Daviss turned 24 in February.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Drew Starkey as Rafe Cameron

Rafe Cameron started the series at 19, which would make him 22 now. Drew Starkey just turned 31 on November 4. (Happy late birthday Drew!)

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Austin North as Topper Thornton

Topper Thornton is probably 19 years old in OBX 4, while Austin North is 28 in real life.

Check out How Old The Bridgerton Cast Is for more shocking celeb revelations ;).