There’s no question that pool floats have earned their place as a necessity for summer fun. But it’s hard to put our finger on exactly what sealed the deal. Maybe it’s how epically they turn up a regular old pool party, or because floats are so much more fun when they’re GIANT. Or perhaps our die-hard obsession simply stems from the fact that they are so gosh-dang ‘grammable. Whichever way you slice it, the party-ready vessels are only getting trendier. Case in point? These #extra floats that will put your plain ol’ swan to shame. Hop on board and refresh your summer selection with one or more of these 12 over-the-top finds.
Forks and knives are tired. When summer comes to town, it's all about barbecues, and that means eating with your hands. Cookout desserts like blueberry cheesecake dip and lemon lavender ice cream cones are naturally handheld, but apps can get in on the fun, too. Stick around here for 23 finger-lickin' good BBQ finger foods that could very well be the star of your next summer party!
Sausage Cheese Biscuits
Damn Delicious
Because no one ever had a bad thing to say about a biscuit — especially a biscuit peppered with sausage and cheese. (via Damn Delicious)
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Muffins
Heather Likes Food
When it comes to finger foods, it's all about the details. These bad boys don't miss a beat – they're oozing with cheddar cheese, topped with a ketchup-Worcestershire sauce, and studded with only the crispiest fried onions. (via Heather Likes Food)
BLT Bites
Salty Canary
You've seen finger sandwiches, but have you seen an open-faced BLT on a Ritz cracker? In this tiny version of the sandwich, the T is actually sundried tomato paste, and the L is lightly dressed in ranch. (via Salty Canary)
Green Chile Guacamole
Recipe Runner
Nothing facilitates conversation *quite* like good guacamole. Guests will keep coming back to this bowl for chips and chit-chat. (via Recipe Runner)
Baked Jalapeño Poppers
Live Eat Learn
You could never go wrong with jalapeño poppers. Each bite is infused with cream cheese, spicy jalapeño, and crispy breadcrumbs that'll leave you wanting more and more. (via Live Eat Learn)
Brie-Stuffed Crispy Baby Potatoes
Half Baked Harvest
Equally cheesy and starchy, this potato finger food refuses to fail. Make sure you don't forget to season these spuds with a delicious mix of garlic and thyme! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Creamy Chicken Stuffed Mini Peppers with Spinach-Walnut Pesto
Give It Some Thyme
Stuffed peppers have been a highly popular dinner recipe for health gurus as of late, so it's only fitting that they be made à la mini. Fill yours however you like, but these are packed with creamy-cheesy chicken and roasted red peppers, then topped with a nutty pesto. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Habanero Peach Grilled Chicken Wings
A Spicy Perspective
Most any sweet-savory lover will adore these wings as they heat things up. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Hot Cheesy Crab Dip in a Bread Bowl
Give It Some Thyme
Generous pieces of crab swim in a flavorfully creamy mixture of cheese, cheese, and more cheese. It's all served in a toasty sourdough bowl. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Mini Fried Chicken and Waffles
Tara's Multicultural Table
The full-size version of this brunch classic is always a greasy, sticky mess (in the best way), but when it's mini, the mess is perfectly contained in a napkin. (via Tara's Multicultural Table)
How Good Do These BBQ Finger Foods Look?
Olive and Goat Cheese Bites with Prosciutto, Lemon & Thyme
Parsnips and Pastries
Impress that friend who studied abroad in Italy during college with these refined bite-sized bites, which come together with just four ingredients. Use your favorite type of olives and goat cheese to make it more your own! (via Parsnips and Pastries)
Vegan Grazing Platter
The Edgy Veg
Grazing platters are ideal for large get-togethers, since everyone can take exactly what they want to snack on. This vegan snack board has just about everything you'd need to satisfy your guests, but of course, you can easily customize your spread. (via The Edgy Veg)
Deviled Eggs, Three Ways
Leite's Culinaria
While deviled eggs are *scrumptious* alone, there is quite literally a universe of egg-compatible toppings from which to choose. Go this route (spicy horseradish, truffle, and smoked salmon), or get creative with ingredients like bacon and fish roe. (via Leite's Culinaria)
Vegan Chicken Nuggets
Gastroplant
When we think of finger food, chicken nuggets are an obvious answer. These tofu-based ones retain the ultimate balance between an exterior *crunch* and interior softness. Set out all the condiments you can get your hands on to maximize the savory flavors! (via Gastroplant)
BBQ Cauliflower Bites
This Wife Cooks
These cauliflower bites are totally finger food-worthy because they're certifiably finger-lickin' good. Cauliflower gets coated in an easy cripsy layer before being tossed around in a tangy BBQ sauce. (via This Wife Cooks)
Yum Yum Shrimp Wonton Cups
Give It Some Thyme
To heck with shrimp cocktail – you'll want to eat an embarrassing number of these addictively crispy wonton cups, filled with well-seasoned shrimp and spicy mayo, aptly named Yum Yum sauce. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Parmesan Zucchini Bites
Give It Some Thyme
These zucchini bites taste like a cheesy veggie frittata. What makes them hold their shape so well? Good ol' Bisquick. Customize them with the fillings of your choosing. (via Give It Some Thyme)
Southern Hush Puppies
Pink Owl Kitchen
Hush puppies are ideal BBQ finger foods! These buttery, bready finger food bites pair well with seafood or burgers! via Pink Owl Kitchen)
Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
Feel Good Foodie
Cheese goes well with *just about* anything, but Parmesan really shines against the mushroom flavors in this recipe. (via Feel Good Foodie)
S'mores Bites
Tara's Multicultural Table
Summer's greatest dessert gets packed into party-friendly bars. These babies have an intensely buttery graham cracker crust and a fudgy chocolate layer that is positively packed with marshmallows. (via Tara's Multicultural Table)
Vegan Carrot Cake Cookies
This Wife Cooks
The creamy frosting that coasts these massive cookies will keep everyone coming back for more. (via This Wife Cooks)
Watermelon Pizza
Live Eat Learn
A perfectly sweet cream cheese frosting holds everything together in this sweet treat. Get playful with the fruity toppings you add to create a rainbow-infused bite! (via Live Eat Learn)
Chewy Vegan Chai Cookes
Munching with Mariyah
Crispy on the edges and outside, and buttery-soft on the inside. That's *exactly* how we like our cookies! Your BBQ guests will praise you for making this delectable dessert recipe. (via Munching with Mariyah)
Follow us on Pinterest for more easy + delicious bbq recipe ideas! This post has been updated with additional reporting by Paige Johnson and Meredith Holser.
Hold Up, Did Rebecca Yarros' First 'Onxy Storm' Excerpt Just Tease Violet Sorrengail's True Identity?
Nov 19, 2024
Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.
We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.
We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?
I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?
Amazon
I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.
Did she announce the name of book no. 3?
YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.
Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.
Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.
And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.
There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.
When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?
Rebecca Yarros/Instagram
On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.
She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.
When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?
Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.
She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.
As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.
However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.
Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.
I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!
Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?
Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing
Onyx Storm
Yes!
TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.
Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"
Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!
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.
It's officially the beginning of our favorite time of year, when we congregate with friends on someone's balcony, patio, or deck (or al fresco at one of our favorite restaurants) to spend a couple of hours imbibing, soaking up the sun, and chatting it up. Patio drinks season is officially here, and we can't think of a better way to welcome it in than with sangria. This Citrus Rosé Sangria recipe, which we created in collaboration with The Southern Millennial, is subtly sweet but also has a citrusy tang, and is made with our favorite kind of vino: rosé. It's also super easy to make. So next time you and your squad are wondering where to go for day drinks, the answer is a no-brainer: your house.
Citrus Rosé Sangria Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of rosé
- 3/4 cup of Gin
- 1 orange, sliced
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 2 limes, sliced
- 1/2 cup of melted honey
- 12 oz of sparkling water
- Ice for serving over
Directions:
- Add ingredients into a pitcher.
- Serve and sip!
If you decide to make this sangria recipe, don't forget to share your pics with us at @BritandCo — and while you're at it, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more drink recipes, summertime inspo, and cooking hacks!
Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.
Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.
- Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
- However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
- The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."
Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.
"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."
Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.
"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."
The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."
Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."
"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."
Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!
Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.
Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.
Marvel Studios/YouTube
Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!
We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.
Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios
And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”
What is the plot of Thunderbolts?
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Thunderbolts* Plot
Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.
Thunderbolts* Release Date
Jesse Grant/Disney
Thunderbolts* Release Date
Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.
Who's on the Thunderbolts team?
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Thunderbolts* Cast
Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.
This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"
Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”
Jesse Grant/Disney
The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”
“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”
Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.
Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
This post has been updated.