The Best Time to Shop at Zara, According to an Employee

Zara is the fast-fashion mecca we know and love. Hey, even celebs can’t resist (who can forget Kate Middleton’s biker jeans or Selena Gomez’s super cute denim date night jacket?). In order to score the best deals, a Zara employee is helping shoppers make the most out of their mall trips with a few helpful tips.

“The best time to shop at Zara is before noon,” an anonymous employee told Popsugar. “As soon as it hits 1pm, the fitting line and register lines get super long. The busiest days are weekday afternoons, because that’s when people are on their lunch breaks, and the weekends.”

And while Zara’s website carries plenty of inventory, if you live in NYC and love the thrill of scoring something IRL, here’s another tip for you. “Most Zara stores don’t carry everything that is online,” the employee continued. “The stores that receive the new online merchandises first in NYC are the 52nd Street and SoHo locations.”

And if you’ve arrived before noon and checked out the Manhattan stores, but still can’t find what you’re looking for, there is one last hope. “Customers can actually order from the warehouse! If you don’t see an item on the floor but it is online, ask a Zara employee to look it up in the warehouse location,” the employee said. “The order can then be shipped to the store for you the next day.”

Good stuff, right?! Sounds like the perfect reason to stop at Zara on your next lunch break.

What do you think of this advice? Let us know @BritandCo.

(h/t Popsugar; photo via Denis Doyle, Cameron Spencer/Getty)

Purses are elemental to putting together a good outfit, though there are some designs that you don’t want to be caught carrying in 2025. As far as purse trends go, you may not realize your everyday crossbody or tote is downright outdated.

Luckily, I’m here to note 4 out-of-style purse trends to help guide your accessorygame this year! Of course, please take these outdated purse trends with a grain of salt – personal style is personal for a reason, and you can always rock items that others might think are distasteful.

Scroll on for 4 “outdated” purse trends you shouldn't be buying in 2025.

1. Super Tiny Purses

Jacquemus

Jacquemus The Chiquito

Micro purses definitely had their moment once Jacquemus' The Chiquito came on the scene. Even though super tiny purses are super cute, I have two bones to pick with them.

First, I think their small silhouettes are not flattering at all – they can throw off the proportions of your ‘fit so easily.

Kurt Geiger

Kurt Geiger Micro Kensington Drench Bag

Secondly, these bags are not even practical! A single credit card and a lip balm is truly all these little guys can manage.

Perhaps that’s all one needs at times, but as someone who likes to tote around many, many trinkets, big bags are where it’s at from a practical standpoint. You’re likely going to get some funny looks if you step out with a micro purse in 2025.

2. Old School Vera Bradley

Etsy

Vera Bradley Versailles Saddle Up Quilted Crossbody Bag

These paisley-patterned bags were everything to me – in 2013, that is. If you’re still rockin’ a Very Bradley purse (bonus points if it’s in one of their retired colorways), I’m here to remind you that they were in their heyday over a decade ago. Sorry!

Vera Bradley

Vera Bradley Original Zip Hipster

Although cozy, easy to wear (not so much to pair), and easier to wash, these cotton purses look undoubtedly tacky if you’re wearing them in 2025.

3. Overly-Monogrammed Purses

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton Neverfull

It seems that quiet luxury is still the name of the game when it comes to current purse trends, which means bags plastered with brand logos have gotta go in 2025. You’ll surely recognize the Louis Vuitton Neverfull and its endless logos. I say ditch it!

Michael Kors Outlet

Michael Kors Jet Set Large Printed Logo Crossbody Bag

Michael Kors and Coach are a couple more brands that don’t shy away from large and – might I say – tacky logo prints. Instead, reach for a sleek, no-fuss purse that’ll be way easier to pair with your wardrobe.

4. Woven Purses

Anthropologie

The Mini Brigitte Satchel by Melie Bianco

Woven bags have so much going on visually that they can distract from your overall look. Though styles like this Anthropologie bag popped off several years ago, the past is the past for a reason.

Quince

Quince Italian Leather Small Handwoven Tote

You can find woven bags in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but I have to rule all of them out as total ‘skips’.

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

Kaia Gerber's book clubLibrary Science — is back in town, and it's continuing a long-held promise of championing different stories from fresh voices. Alongside her co-founder Alyssa Reeder, Kaia's immaculate taste in non-mainstream books is something we're willing to study in case we want to create our own literary circles with friends.

Most notably, Library Science carved a unique space for itself in 2020 when its "weekly Instagram Live evolved — in the most natural way — into a community that is able to use reading as a gateway into some important albeit difficult conversations." More than ever, said conversations are vital if we want to continue understanding each other and the world around us. So, here is every book club picks for 2025 so far!

Scroll to see all of Kaia Gerber's book club picks for 2025!

February 2025

Amazon

The Wickedest by Caleb Femi

Caleb Femi's storytelling skills set the scene for an exclusive party that's not without its flaws in South London. It's true that earning a spot on the coveted guest list is the talk of the town, but not everyone will make it on there. Also, it's hard to pretend minorities are treated like they're beneath the elite lucky who get to party all night.

Told through a series of texts, poems, and more, The Wickedest invites you to relive an unforgettable night.

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

Nothing makes or breaks an outfit like a good pair of shoes, and when it comes to springtime dressing, footwear is all about fun flats, modest Mary Janes, easy sandals, and lightweight sneaks. Target’s definitely giving me the itch to snag several new pairs ahead of the warmer season with a fun mix of raffia, mesh, and gingham mixed into their latest spring shoe collection.

Shop 13 pairs of the cutest Target spring shoes below, all of which will undoubtedly inspire your springtime wardrobe.

Target

Universal Thread Sylvia Woven Mary Jane Ballet Flats

These meshy flats will let your feet breathe come warmer weather. They'd look so cute with some vintage jeans!

Target

A New Day Vienna Raffia Woven Mule Flats

With a mix of raffia material and a pointed silhouette, these have gotta be the comfiest (yet the most stylish) Target flats you can wear this spring.

Target

Wild Fable Kaltain Suede Fashion Sneakers

These sleek suede sneaks look just like some pricey designer styles that are popping off right now, except they're just $35 a pair – wow!

Target

Wild Fable Maysen Footbed Sandals

If you want the comfort of flip flops without the typical cheap-y look of 'em, these $15 slip-ons will be your BFF come spring and summer. They'll match with just about anything, whether you're dressed up or down!

Target

Wild Fable Elsa Eyelet Mary Jane Ballet Flats

I could see these eyelet-dotted Mary Jane flats being so perfect for Easter season.

Target

Wild Fable Elide Raffia Fisherman Platform Heels

You can stomp and romp around all you want in these adorable platform heels. The raffia straps make 'em feel extremely spring-like – I'd rock them with a floral mini dress for an easy outfit!

Target

Wild Fable Lysandra Gingham Eyelet Kitten Heels

OMG. These kitten heels are perhaps my favorite of all the Target spring shoes that just dropped! They look super similar to styles that some of my go-to brands sell, but you can snag this pair for $40 and not break the bank.

Target

A New Day Vada Slingback Scrunch Toe Flats

Somewhere between a ballet flat and a slingback shoe, this low-profile pair makes a stylish transition piece to take you from winter to spring.

Target

A New Day Milan Slingback Heels

These make me want to embark on a bougie springtime picnic ASAP.

Target

Wild Fable Sumter Platform Sneakers

Ooh, these could definitely be a dupe of fashion's favorite sneaker right now. They go for just $40 and make the ultimate comfy walking shoe for any season!

Target

A New Day Tilly Platform Footbed Sandals

All of the details on these shoes – from the locking closure to the twisted trim along the straps – truly complete these comfy sandals and set them apart from your expected styles.

Target

Wild Fable Natalie Mary Jane Ballet Flats

These faux-leather ballet flats come in an adorable light pink colorway, giving your footwear game a fun feminine flair ahead of spring.

Target

A New Day Haley Ankle Strap Single Band Flare Heels

I'm a big believer that everyone needs a reliable pair of black heels in their wardrobe. These are the ideal pair because they boast a comfy square toe, sturdy block heel, and a soft memory foam insole!

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

Numerous rumors about potentially-contaminated Girl Scout cookies have been floating around, and Girl Scouts of the USA is finally addressing them.

Sources reported the presence of toxic metals and glyphosate in the popular cookies and noted that it poses “profound ethical and public health concerns.” Here’s what Girl Scouts had to say.

Scroll on to learn more about what’s going on with the latest Girl Scout cookie contamination news.

Girl Scouts of the USA

The idea that Girl Scout cookies might be contaminated first arose in December 2024 when GMOScience and Moms Across America released a joint-commissioned reporttitled “Danger in the Dough: Unveiling the Toxic Contaminants in Girl Scout Cookies.”

The report found that 100% of the Girl Scout cookie samples they tested were positive for glyphosate and toxic metals and 88% of samples were positive for all 5 toxic metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury), with significant percentages of the samples testing positive for cadmium and lead.

Girl Scouts of the USA

In the report, both groups said that the continual sale of Girl Scout cookies poses “profound ethical and public health concerns,” and slightly called out Girl Scouts of the USA for not allocating more money towards “better ingredients."

The GMOScience and Moms Across America report also cited a lack of government oversight when it comes to food safety and that entities like the FDA and EPA “have not fulfilled their commitment.”

Girl Scouts of the USA

Despite the reports about contamination, Girl Scouts of the USA says Girl Scout Cookies are “safe to consume.” In an official statement, they assured the public that their cookies comply with FDA and EPA food safety standards. They also noted that heavy metals are not purposefully added to their cookies.

Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts of the USA made sure to note that “environmental contaminants” like heavy metals and glyphosate can occur naturally in soil, though in very small, trace amounts.

The FDA verified this, saying naturally-occurring heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury are just a “reality about our food supply.”

Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts of the USA highlighted that their cookie suppliers “continue to ensure the integrity of [their] recipes and the safety of all Girl Scout Cookie products in accordance with federal regulations and Global Food Safety initiative standards.”

Girl Scouts of the USA

The real issue at hand is not just Girl Scout cookies – it’s that our frameworks for food safety have plenty of wiggle room for toxic metals and chemicals to be present in our food.

In fact, it’s become so common that we tend to forget all about it – likely why cookie lovers were up in arms about the contamination news.

Girl Scouts of the USA

GMOScience and Moms Across America echoed this exact sentiment in their report, calling for the development of organic and regenerative farming to eradicate potential contamination altogether.

They also called on Girl Scouts of the USA to play a larger role in “transforming our food and farming system.”

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The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a Super Bowl tough loss on February 9, 2025, and there's one major thing on everyone's mind now — is Travis Kelce retiring? The subject's come up multiple times throughout the 2024-2025 NFL season, but much like his brother Jason the previous year, Travis hasn't given a definitive answer on the matter. Amid everything from Taylor Swift wedding rumors to starring TV roles (anyone else watch Grotequerie?!), the Chiefs tight end definitely has a lot going on right now. Could all this — plus an overall great football season, sans the Super Bowl loss — add up to the end of his NFL career? Here's what we know so far.

Scroll to find out everything we know about if Travis Kelce's retiring.

On February 12, 2025, Travis Kelce opened up about his potential retirement on the New Heights podcast. "I know everybody wants to know whether or not I'm playing next year, and right now, I'm just kicking everything down the road," he said. "I'm not making any crazy decisions."

Travis shared that the Super Bowl loss a "tough pill to swallow" and a "tough reality," but also noted that the Chiefs team is focused on "being there" for each other in the aftermath.

"I'm gonna take some time to figure it out. And, I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back, it's a wholehearted decision," he said. "I'm not half-a--ing it, and I'm fully here for them."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

During the 2025 Super Bowl, Travis only made four catches, resulting in a gain of 39 yards — his "lowest postseason output since 2019" according to The Athletic. Still, USA Todayreported that he broke Jerry Rice's record of 35 career Super Bowl catches. However, it was pretty clear that even a record-breaking performance wasn't enough to bolster Travis's mood.

The football star didn't hold a larger post-game conference, but he noted that they "haven't played that bad all year" and said that the Chiefs "couldn’t get it going offensively" to a few reporters. He acknowledged, "You don't lose like that without everything going bad," before leaving for the night.

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Still, Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes was asked about what comes next for Travis's career. "I'll let Travis make that decision on his own," Patrick said. "He's given so much to this team and to the NFL, and he's been such a joy, not only for me to work with, but for people to watch."

Mahomes notes Travis "still has a lot of football left in him" and that he "always makes plays in the biggest moments." He said, "But I know he still has a love for the game, and he’ll get to spend some time with his family and make that decision on his own."

Patrick reassured everyone, "He knows he’ll come back here with open arms. We love that guy not only for the football player, but for who he is every single day."

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Travis made his way to the suite with Taylor and his family after the tough Chiefs loss. It was a stark contrast from his "fight for your right to party" vibes of last year, so we hope we was able to find some comfort among his loved ones. And as for if Travis is actually retiring, we'll definitely keep an eye out for what he says and does next. 👀

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