How to Reject Single Shaming and Embrace Your Solo Life

single woman

I recently bumped into my mom's friend (we'll call her Pam) at the grocery store. I hadn't seen Pam in years and we had a great conversation catching up. Days later, Pam called my mom and said, "Let me get this straight. Bridget is 38, has a great job, and tons of friends. Why is she still single? Doesn't she want kids?"

I was insulted. During our conversation, I had beamed with pride when I told Pam I'd been doing stand-up comedy and that I'm currently writing a book. Didn't she hear that? Even though I was offended, I would be lying if I never asked the same questions about another woman. I've been Pam—numerous times.

It's not my or Pam's fault that we immediately question why a woman is still single. It's ingrained in American society that a person isn't complete unless they have a significant other. Growing up, mainstream media, movies, and TV shows made one thing clear: Being partnered off is always the end goal.

Photo by Nate Johnston/Unsplash


Up until a few years ago, I thought it was my goal. Despite my own parents' divorce, I believed that getting married was the only way to live life, and that kids were the cherry on top.

Yet, after ending a serious relationship at age 34, instead of going for a revenge body or swiping right to find a replacement boyfriend, I did something completely out of the box for me: I signed up for a comedic writing class. Not only did I uncover my desire to write and perform comedy, but I discovered something I had never thought possible—I was happy being single!

What is Single Shaming?

In order to understand single shaming, we must understand shame. I spoke to Kelley Kitley, L.C.S.W., a Chicago-based women's mental health expert, who explained that shame is feeling embarrassed by something you did or didn't do, and knowing that other people are aware of it... which in turn, makes you feel less than or defective.

"Single shaming definitely comes from society and is extremely relatable. There's an expectation of adults to hit certain milestones in their life and one of those is to get married. Therefore, if someone is not married by a certain age, not only do others tend to think there is something wrong with that person, but that person ends up spending so much energy and focus on dating and chasing marriage, that they lose out on all these other things that would bring them joy," said Kitley.

I got so caught up in finding a husband that I dated several men I didn't have anything in common with or even really like. I would put up with poor behavior and would ignore red flags just to keep up with society's timeline. In the end, as much as it would be nice to have a plus one at a wedding, I'm much happier being on my own than with the wrong person—even if that puzzles Pam.

Photo by Philipe Cavalcante/Unsplash


How to Move Past Single Shaming

Kitley and I spoke about how to get over single shaming and start living your life on your own terms. Here are five ways to do it:

Change Your Perception

Stop focusing on what you don't have and start focusing on what you do have. Take five minutes and write down five things you like about your life. Is it your job? Your friends? Your neighborhood? Now write down five things you like about yourself. Is it your hair? Your ability to make friends quickly? Your cooking skills? Are you smiling yet? Focus on the qualities you like about yourself. A partner should just be a bonus. It's like ordering your favorite pizza and the restaurant screws up and delivers two. Score! The extra pizza is great, but you would have been happy with just one.

Stop Comparing

Stop comparing yourself to your friends, siblings, coworkers, your neighbors—everyone. And DEFINITELY stop comparing your life to what your parents were doing at your age. Not only does this breed jealousy, it makes you feel less than. Besides, society has changed in major ways since our parents were young. People are getting married later (if at all) and women are much more able to have fulfilling careers. It's like comparing apples to oranges.

Photo by Elevate/Unsplash


Embrace It

When you're single, you can do pretty much whatever you want, which is amazing. Poll your friends with partners and/or kids and ask them the last time they made a decision without having to take someone else into consideration. When you're single, you can watch whatever TV show you want, choose the takeout order, eat the last cookie. You can take two naps on a Saturday, spend too much money on a pair of shoes, and book a trip to Rome. Someday, you might have a partner and kids and these decisions might be looked at as a luxury.

Try Something New

After the break-up I mentioned earlier, I was in a rut. My life felt stale. I would go to work, come home, watch TV, and scroll social media. Most of my friends were married by then, the bar scene was getting old, and I was bored. The writing class I took changed my life immensely. Clearly not everyone is interested in writing, but find something that might pique your interest and go for it.

Allow Yourself to Feel How You Feel

Maybe you've been on all the apps and you can't figure out why you're not meeting the right person. If you're frustrated, feel frustrated. If you're sad, feel sad. If you're angry, feel angry. Like everything in life, moderation is key and swiping fatigue is real. Taking a break from the apps, dating, and the energy poured into thinking about relationships will help to reset your goals and what you value in life.

None of this is to say wanting a relationship, marriage, or kids is wrong... it's most certainly not. I adore great love stories and rom-coms. It's just that when I stopped focusing on finding a romantic relationship, I found myself. There will always be a Pam shaming you, so why do it yourself?

If you liked this story from Bridget, tune into Teach Me Something New, a podcast where Brit Morin talks with guests about everything under the sun, from creativity and relationships to mental wellness and entrepreneurship.

Featured photo via Jeffery Erhunse/Unsplash.

There are a lot of celebrity couples we love (Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce! Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom!), but if you ask me, nobody handles having a relationship in the spotlight like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. This hilarious duo protects their kids, but they're also always down for a good time.

The couple first met in 2010 while filming Green Lantern, which has quickly become regarded as Ryan Reynolds' worst movie (the actor said he'd "genuinely rather watch just a f—ing 24-hour marathon of PAW Patrol). But, in addition to the fact I didn't think the movie was all that bad, it also gave the world the gift of Ryan & Blake's relationship. The couple quickly fell in love, tying the knot in 2010. Since then, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have had four children (James, Inez, Betty, and Olin), launched a variety of brands like Betty Buzz, Aviation Gin, and Blake Brown Beauty, and given Hollywood some of its most iconic movies — all while supporting and praising one another. Keep reading for their full relationship timeline.

Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds' Full Relationship Timeline

François Duhamel/DC Comics/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

How did Blake and Ryan meet?

2010 — Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Meet While Filming Green Lantern

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds met on the Green Lantern set. After they filmed the movie, they ended up going out with other people, but hitting it off with each other.

"We were buddies for a long time, which I think is the best way to have a relationship, to start as friends," Ryan Reynolds said in an interview with SiriusXM's Entertainment Weekly Radio in 2016. "About a year after Green Lantern had come and gone and we were both single, we went on a double date — she was on a date with another guy, and I was on a date with another girl — and it was like the most awkward date for the respective parties because we were just like fireworks coming across."

Their relationship quickly evolved to the one we know and love today!

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

October 22, 2011 — Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Reportedly Start Dating

After Blake and Ryan (along with their dogs) were spotted outside a Boston apartment, a source told People: “They are very much a couple. They’re really happy together.”

Blake Lively revealed that at the start of their relationship, Ryan gave her a bouquet every single week. "When my husband and I first got together, he would send me a bouquet of flowers every week, but he would always send a card and it would just be a sentence of something that had happened that week," the actress tells People. "Something funny or emotional that one of us said."

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

September 9, 2012 — Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Get Married

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds said "I do" in September of 2012. The wedding had a children's choir & a Florence Welch performance, paper lanterns, and a sour cream wedding cake with peach-apricot preserves, according to People. But the planning didn't go as smoothly as one might hope.

"Our wedding was becoming a disaster, and we didn't know what to do, so we called Martha!" BlakeLively told Vogue in 2014. "She said, 'Don't worry. I'll handle it.' She sent her team down to save us."

The wedding took place at Boone Hall Plantation, a former slave plantation in South Carolina, a location the couple is "unreservedly sorry for," Reynolds told Fast Company in 2020.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

May 5, 2014 — Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Make Their Red Carpet Debut

At the 2014 "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Met Gala, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds looked glamorous and sophisticated with Blake's Gucci Première gown with rose gold details and Ryan's dark blue velvet tux.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation

December 16, 2014 — Blake Lively Gives Birth To Her First Child

Blake first announced her pregnancy on her since-closed website Preserve. She told Vogue in July 2014 how excited she was to start a family with Ryan. “He’s going to be a great father and leader and patriarch—he’s so meant to be all of those things," she said. "The fact that he lived so much before we got together, he’s the exact realized person that he should be.”

"They are absolutely ecstatic and just so ready for this. It is the perfect time in their lives to start this new chapter; they are so in love and are going to be amazing parents," a Peoplesource said at the time.

Ryan Reynolds confirmed their first daughter James' birthday on December 16, 2015, when he tweeted, "Happy birthday to my baby girl! Sad I lost my virginity. But thankful I have a daughter."

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Target

September 30, 2016 — Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Welcome Their Second Child

Two years after giving birth to James, US Weekly confirmed Blake Lively (who was filming The Shallows at the time) was pregnant with baby number 2! “Blake is absolutely thrilled and so is Ryan,” the source told People.

Blake Lively gave birth to Inez on September 30, 2016.

Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

May 2, 2019 — Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Walk Detective Pikachu Red Carpet, And Announce Baby Number 3

At the New York premiere for Detective Pikachu, Blake Lively surprised fans by showing off a baby bump and announcing her third pregnancy! Their daughter Betty was born on October 4, 2019.

Ryan Reynolds confirmed the baby was a girl in an October 16 tweet, while Taylor Swift revealed the baby's name in "Betty" from her 2020 album Folklore.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

May 2, 2022 — Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Stun At The 2022 Met Gala

As Met Gala co-chairs, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds pulled out all the stops for their iconic looks. Blake's art deco gown was the perfect nod to New York, and represented Grand Central Station and the Statue of Liberty. Ryan looked very handsome in a black velvet tux.

Blake Lively/Instagram

February 2023 — Blake Lively Gives Birth To Her Fourth Child With Ryan Reynolds

After showing up to the 10th Annual Forbes Power Women's Summit with a baby bump in September, Blake unofficially announced the birth of their fourth baby (whom we now know is named Olin) with an Instagram post that shows the actress without a baby bump.

"Puppy Bowl Sunday 2023🥘 🍲 🥧 been busy," she says in the February 12 post.

Blake Lively/Instagram

July 26, 2024 — Blake Lively And Her Kids Make A Deadpool 3 Cameo

After fan speculation that Deadpool & Wolverine would either include Blake Lively or Taylor Swift, we were over the moon to see Blake make a (masked) cameo, along with Inez and Olin!

"In 2010, @robliefeld drew an unmasked Lady Deadpool for the first time," she says on Instagram. "@deadpoolmovie wasn’t real. And Rob had no idea I was working with @vancityreynolds. 12 years later I read Rob’s post. A year after that, @deadpoolmovie 3 was filmed. And today it’s in theaters. The universe has such a magical sense of humor sometimes."

Blake Lively & BFF Gigi Hadid also revealed that Ryan Reynolds loves a girls' night, which is information I didn't know I needed.

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

August 6, 2024 — Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Attends It Ends With Us Premiere

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds love to support each other at their movie premieres, but it goes way deeper than that. "He works on everything I do, I work on everything he does. So his wins, his celebrations are mine and mine are his," Blake told E! News. "The iconic rooftop scene [in It Ends With Us], my husband actually wrote it."

At the New York premiere for the new Blake Lively movie, Blake and Ryan shared a moment that proves they belong together. While heading to talk to People on the carpet, Blake Lively leans over and grabs Ryan Reynolds' butt. And the funniest part is that Ryan doesn't even turn around.

"He didn’t even react because It happens so often," one user jokes in the comments, while another says, "I love the respect that they have for each other - with love! Yes that her man!"

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images For Entertainment Weekly

September 9, 2024 — Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Celebrate Their 12th Wedding Anniversary

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have been married for 14 years as of September 9, 2024. And the couple remains closer than ever. "Blake and Ryan are a great team when it comes to both their family and work," a source told People. "They're super supportive of each other. He's very proud of her. They have a great marriage and love to celebrate everything they created together."

& Juliet On Broadway

October 23, 2024 — Blake Lively Celebrates Ryan Reynolds' Birthday

Ryan Reynolds turned 48 on October 23, and to celebrate, Blake took him and the kids to see a matinee showing of & Juliet! "I don't know what to get him for his birthday? What do you get him for his birthday? I know he loves musicals, I love musicals, the kids love musicals. So it felt like the right choice!" Blake told the cast, according to a People source. "They were just raving about how good it was."

Bringing Ryan and the kids to the show (which features songs like Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time"), just proves how much Blake knows her family!

Ryan Reynolds/Instagram

October 31, 2024 — Ryan Reynolds Celebrates Eras Tour Date Night With Blake Lively

After attending another Eras Tour show (this time in New Orleans), Ryan Reynolds celebrated the "cultural phenomenon" with a super sweet post. And of course, it includes a super sweet selfie with Blake Lively. Blake went full Reputation with a black tank and snake-like necklace (and plenty of friendship bracelets, of course), while Ryan wore a button down.

"I’ll still be talking about seeing this show in New Orleans [when I'm 95]. Not just because it’s one of the best things I’ve seen/heard/felt," he says on Instagram. "The main reason I’ll never forget this show is because it brings people together in so many ways. And in 2024, (where that feeling is scarce as h—ll) it’s a special and incredibly rare thing. I’ve shot movies in New Orleans most of my career. It’s a special place on a normal day — but this weekend, felt like Super Bowl or Mardi Gras had a baby with music."

"I don’t understand the unimaginable work, care, talent and discipline @taylorswift generates to create an experience like this because I’m not a scientist," he continues. "It’s an athletic event and a collective cultural phenomenon. It’s gigantic but intimate. The only bummer is she can’t be in the audience to experience what everyone else sees and feels. To watch herself up there is something I wish she could know. But that isn’t physically possible and even if it were, you can’t just get tickets last minute."

What is the age difference between Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds?

Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort via Getty Images

Blake Lively was born on August 25, 1987, meaning she just turned 37. Ryan Reynolds, who was born on October 23, 1976, is 47. They have a 9-year age gap.

Was Blake Lively married before Ryan Reynolds?

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Ryan Reynolds is Blake Lively's first husband, but before they got married, the actress dated her Gossip Girl costar Penn Badgley and also reportedly dated Leonardo DiCaprio. Ryan Reynolds was married to MCU & Jurassic World: Rebirth star Scarlett Johansson from 2008 to 2010.

Is Blake Lively in any of Ryan Reynolds' movies?

Paramount Pictures

Yes, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have been in the same movies! After meeting during the production of Green Lantern, Blake Lively has a role as an imaginary friend in Ryan Reynolds' IF. This spring movie follows Ryan Reynolds' character and his neighbor Bea, who set out to save all the imaginary friends. The movie also stars director John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, Alan Kim, Liza Colón-Zayas, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and Steve Carell.

Blake Lively, Inez, and Olin also had roles in Deadpool & Wolverine as Ladypool, Kidpool, and Babypool. Blake's appearance in the movie had been a fan theory for such a long time, and I was so excited to see it come to life!

Who is Blake Lively's half sister?

Christopher Polk/Getty Images for People's Choice Awards

Blake Lively's half-sister is Robyn Lively. Robyn also works in Hollywood, just like Blake's brother Eric Lively and brother-in-law Bart Johnson. Robyn and Blake have also acted together — Robyn made a cameo in It Ends With Us during one of the opening scenes!

Check back here for the latest news on this lovable celebrity couple. Check out Blake Lively's Daughters Had The Cutest Reaction To Taylor Swift Singing Their Names Onstage for more.

Lead image via Cindy Ord/Getty Images

This edible crescent-roll cornucopia is our way of making a normal cheese boardmore festive — and definitely more fun — during the holiday season. Our go-to this time of year is a massive cheese plate that can stand alone and be the main attraction, or the starter for a larger meal. Press on for the surprisingly easy steps to braid a breaded cornucopia.

Chris Andre

Materials + Tools:

  • 1 roll of tin foil
  • 2 packages of crescent rolls
  • 1 egg (for egg wash before cornucopia goes into the oven), optional

Chris Andre

Instructions:

Start by sculpting tin foil into the shape of a cornucopia (it looks like a cone with an upturned tail). Pro tip: Lightly pack tin foil so it's easier to remove later from your baked cornucopia. Crescent rolls should be buttery enough that this shouldn't be difficult.

Chris Andre

Your tin foil mold should look a little something like this.

Chris Andre

Pop open the crescent rolls and cut the triangles into strips. Pinch together the ends of strips to make strips longer.

Chris Andre

Braid crescent roll strips. You can make these as fancy as you want. Not a braiding pro? Skip this step and leave those strips alone.

Chris Andre

Wrap tin foil cornucopia with braids/strips. Make sure you cover all the tin foil. Leave a little wiggle room at the opening of the cornucopia, so that when you’re done baking you can pull some of that tin foil out.

Chris Andre

Use any extra dough to cover the bottom of your cornucopia. Pinch the sides and anchor those braids/strips in.

Chris Andre

Brush on egg wash before placing your cornucopia in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and cover spots of cornucopia that are already golden brown with extra tin foil. Bake for another 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chris Andre

Let it cool down until it’s easy to handle. Remove tin foil.

Chris Andre

Place cornucopia in corner of your cheese plate. Arrange cheese on your serving tray.

Chris Andre

Add crackers — we like to have two or three options.

Chris Andre

Don’t forget to fill up your cornucopia. It's called "the horn of plenty" for a reason. Fill with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.

Chris Andre

Add nuts like walnuts and pistachios to fill in any empty spaces. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to finish it off.

Chris Andre

Voilà! Invite over your friends, open a bottle of wine, and dig in!

Chris Andre

A cornucopia cheese board will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Show us your crescent-roll cornucopias on Instagram and check out our baking classes (and our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece) for more holiday food inspo!

DIY Production and Styling: Paris Fried

Paris Fried: Paris loves any excuse to celebrate and throw a themed party. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and has a terrible sweet tooth. When she's not crafting in her studio, she's at the farmers' market buying seasonal produce or at her favorite local theater watching double features.

This post has been updated.

There are plenty of celebrity couples that are able to balance cool yet relatable, and the coolest of all might just be Justin and Hailey Bieber. The couple is everywhere right now, thanks to Hailey Bieber's Rhode skincare and Justin Bieber's stint as an honorary celebrity co-captain at the 2024 NHL all-star game. Amid reports that the couple has had some serious issues this year, a People source promises "they are very, very happy.” Whew! Here's a full look back on their relationship.

How long have Justin and Hailey Bieber been married?

Image via Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Justin and Hailey Bieber have been married for almost six years! They tied the knot in 2018 after they were seen walking into a courthouse, but the larger ceremony that had was filled with their closest loved ones.

They looked so stunning that I'm sure Hailey Bieber's look made it to our list of celebrity wedding dresses we can't get enough of.

How far along is Hailey Bieber?

Image via Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Ever since the couple shared their sweet baby announcement yesterday, fans have been wondering how far along Hailey Beiber is. People confirmed that she's six months and even shared some cryptic clues about her pregnancy despite not fully being ready to share the happy news with the public.

Justin And Hailey Bieber's Full Relationship Timeline

Image via Ethan Miller/Getty Images

November 2009 — Justin Bieber And Hailey Bieber Meet At The Today Show

Justin and Hailey Bieber first met in 2009, when he was 15 and she was 12, when he performed "Baby" at the Today show. According to People, the friendship between Hailey's dad Stephen Baldwin and Justin's mom Pattie Mallette led to the introduction.

Image via Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

February 2, 2011 — Hailey Bieber Attends The Premiere Of Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

Justin Bieber's Never Say Never documentary thrilled Justin Bieber fans (called Beliebers) — but even though Hailey was excited to be at the NYC premiere, she told Vogue in 2019 she didn't consider herself a superfan.

"It was never that crazed, screaming thing," she says. "I didn't think about it in any kind of way except for the fact that he was cute. Everybody had a crush on him. But for the first few years we had a weird age gap."

Image via Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Variety

November 10, 2014 — Justin And Hailey Bieber Reconnect

In late 2014, Justin and Hailey Bieber were joined by Kendall Jenner at a Hillsong New York service. "One day Justin walked into Hillsong and was like, 'Hey, you got older,'" Hailey tells Vogue. "Over time he became my best guy friend. I was running around with him as his homie, but we weren't hanging out [romantically].""

Images via Jason Merritt/Getty Images/Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for EJAF

February 11, 2016 — Justin And Hailey Bieber Are Officially An Item...Kind Of

After sharing a passionate New Year's Eve kiss, Justin Bieber seemingly confirmed his relationship with Hailey right before Valentine's Day. "[She's] someone I really love. We spend a lot of time together," he tells GQ. However, he doesn't call her his girlfriend.

"I don’t want to put anyone in a position where they feel like I’m only theirs, only to be hurt in the end," he continues. "In the past I’ve hurt people and said things that I didn’t mean to make them happy in the moment. So now I’m just more so looking at the future, making sure I’m not damaging them. What if Hailey ends up being the girl I’m gonna marry, right?...I just don’t want to hurt her."Hailey went on to tell E! News that same day they were "not an exclusive couple."

Images via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images/Ethan Miller/Getty Images for New Era

Spring 2016 — Justin And Hailey Bieber Break Up

After the February 2016 GQ story went live, Justing and Hailey Bieber split. But, according to Hailey, it felt much more intense than that. "'Fizzled' would not be the right word — it was more like a very dramatic excommunication," she tells Vogue. "There was a period where if I walked into a room, he would walk out."

Image via Justin Bieber/Instagram

July 7, 2018 — Justin And Hailey Bieber Get Engaged

Justin and Hailey Bieber reconnected at a Miami conference from pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr., and by then, Hailey says, they were past the drama. Things fell into place quickly, and TMZ announced the couple's engagement in July.

"He was the first person I ever had real feelings for," Hailey later says in an episode of Justin Bieber: Seasons. "When things kind of went south for a little bit and we went our separate ways, I just knew that no matter what the outcome was going to be, he was going to be somebody that I loved for the rest of my life."

"Hailey I am soooo in love with everything about you!" Justin says in his official Instagram announcement. "So committed to spending my life getting to know every single part of you loving you patiently and kindLY. I promise to lead our family with honor and integrity letting Jesus through his Holy Spirit guide us in everything we do and every decision we make. My heart is COMPLETELY and FULLY YOURS and I will ALWAYS put you first! You are the love of my life Hailey Baldwin and I wouldn’t want to spend it with anybody else."

Image via Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows

September 2018 — Justin And Hailey Bieber Get Married

After moving in together, the couple was seen walking into a courthouse in the fall (via TMZ)! Since slipping wedding bands on each other's fingers, both Justin and Hailey Bieber have admitted their relationship has taken a ton of work.

"I remember when I first got married, I hit a little bit of an emotional breakdown because I thought marriage was going to fix all my problems and it didn't," Justin says in an interview with Apple Music 1's Ebro Darden (via Billboard). "You want your wife to do something that you're not doing and it's like, it's hard sometimes to look in the mirror and really have to realize, man, maybe you're not the person that you necessarily thought that you were."

"There's a reason they say 'for better or for worse.' Like, that's for real!" Hailey tells Harper's Bazaar. "I might fly somewhere and go do a job, but I can't wait to come back and hang out. And I feel like that's because of the effort that's been put in on both sides. At the end of the day, like, he's my best friend, but it still does take a lot of work to make it work."

Image via Omar Rawlings/Getty Images

February 7, 2019 — Justin And Hailey Bieber Have Their First Photoshoot Together

For Vogue's February 2019 issue, Justin and Hailey Bieber go deep into their relationship (the photos for the issue are beautiful, with the couple in shades of cream and white, with bejeweled details).
“I just feel like I care so much and I want things to be so good and I want people to like me," Justin says. "Hailey’s very logical and structured, which I need. I’ve always wanted security...with the lifestyle I live, everything is so uncertain. I need one thing that’s certain."
"I’m fighting to do this the right way, to build a healthy relationship,” Hailey says. “I’m not going to sit here and lie and say it’s all a magical fantasy. It’s always going to be hard. It’s a choice. You don’t feel it every single day...But there’s something beautiful about it anyway — about wanting to fight for something, commit to building with someone."
"We’re committed to growing together and supporting each other in those changes," she continues. "That’s how I look at it. At the end of the day, too, he’s my best friend. I never get sick of him.”

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

January 27, 2020 — Justin And Hailey Bieber Attend The Premiere Of Justin Bieber: Seasons

For a date night at the beginning of 2020, Justin and Hailey Bieber attended the LA premiere of his YouTube Original Justin Bieber: Seasons. Ahead of the screening at the Regency Bruin Theatre, the couple hit the red carpet. Justin wore pink pants and a white sweater, while Hailey looked chic in a sequined black dress.

Image via Theo Wargo/Getty Images

September 13, 2021 — Justin Bieber And Hailey Bieber Attend The 2021 Met Gala

To celebrate the Met's America: A Lexicon Of Fashion exhibit at the end of 2021, Justin and Hailey Bieber went old school glam for the Met Gala red carpet, with chic outfits and statement jewelry. Unfortunately, their appearance went viral for a different reason when fans of Justin's ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez started changing *her* name during Hailey's time on the carpet.

“It was disrespectful," Hailey says during an episode of Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast. "To me, to my relationship. It just was. Period. The end.”

While some fans think a feud has existed between Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber for years, Hailey says "there's no drama, personally."

"I can say, period, point blank, I was never with him when he was in a relationship with anybody — that's the end of it," she adds.

Image via Amy Sussman/Getty Images

March 10, 2022 — Hailey Bieber Suffers A Mini Stroke

During the spring of 2022, Justin and Hailey Bieber were eating breakfast together when the model "started having stroke-like symptoms and was taken to the hospital," she wrote in an Instagram story (via ABC News). In a YouTube video sharing her story, Hailey explains that she was diagnosed with a patent foramen ovale (or PFO), which is a hole between your heart's left and right upper chambers.

On March 16, during Justin Bieber's concert in Denver, the singer confirmed Hailey had been doing better. "She's okay, she's good. It's been scary, you know, it's been really scary but I know for a fact that God has her in the palm of his hands."

The couple later walked the Grammys red carpet in Las Vegas on April 3.

Image via Justin Bieber/Instagram

September 13, 2022 — Justin And Hailey Bieber Celebrate Their Four Year Anniversary

Both Justin and Hailey Bieber posted about their fourth wedding anniversary in honor of the special day! "Happy anniversary to my best friend and wifey," Justin posted. "thank u for making me better in every way."

"4 years married to you," Hailey says on Instagram. "the most beautiful human I’ve ever known... love of my life. Thank God for you."

Image via Justin Bieber/Instagram

November 21, 2022 — Justin Bieber Celebrates Hailey Bieber's Birthday

Hailey Bieber turned 26 while the couple was on a trip to Japan, which meant Justin's Instagram post was 14 hours earlier for all their friends and family in North America!

"HAPPY BIRFDAY TO MY FAVORITE HUMAN BEING, XOXO," Justin says in the post. "YOU MAKE LIFE MAGIC 😭 OBSESSED WITH EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU. LOVE YOU BUM BUM."

Image via Monica Schipper/Getty Images

May 14, 2023 — Hailey Bieber Is Ready For Kids

"I want kids so bad but I get scared," Hailey Bieber tells The Sunday Times. "It's enough that people say things about my husband or my friends. I can't imagine having to confront people saying things about a child."

And in an interview with GQ Hype later that year, Hailey says that while she looks forward to motherhood, she won't be in a rush to tell the world when she does get pregnant: "When there comes a day that that is true, you, you as in the internet, will be the last to know."

Image via Hailey Bieber/Instagram

March 1, 2024 — Hailey Bieber Celebrates Justin Bieber's 30th

Justin Bieber finally joined the thirty, flirty, and thriving club in 2024 and Hailey was over the moon. "30!!!!!!!????!!????!!!!" she says on Instagram. "that was fast. words could never truly describe the beauty of who you are. Happy Birthday to you… love of my life, for life."

Image via Hailey Bieber/Instagram

April 3, 2024 — Justin And Hailey Bieber Are "Very, Very Happy"

After rumors began circulating that Justin and Hailey Bieber were having some serious issues, a source tells People the couple is “doing really well."

“There’s no divorce and no truth to that whatsoever,” the source says. “They are very, very happy.”

Hailey Bieber herself weighed in on the rumors in March, when she posted the above message on her Instagram story. "Just FYI the stories and constant ‘blind items’ I see on TikTok are 100% of the time wrong. Made out of thin air," she says. “So I know it may be fun feeding into these stories but just know they’re always false xx sorry to spoil it."

April 15, 2024 — Justin Bieber Celebrates His "Soulmate"

Following the first weekend of Coachella, Justin Bieber shared a video (originally posted to a fan account) that shows him standing with Hailey during a show. The fan account captioned the video, "JUSTIN AND HAILEY ARE SOULMATES IDC WHAT ANYONE SAYS," and TBH I totally agree. The video shows Justin and Hailey Bieber swaying to a song, and Justin kissing her on the forehead.

Image via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

May 2024 — Justin And Hailey Announce They're Expecting Their First Baby

After mentioning she was ready for kids a year ago, Hailey Bieber's pregnant! So far, Hailey Bieber's pregnancy announcement carousel on Instagram has almost 10 million likes and tons of praise! Revolve even left this sweet comment: "couldn’t be happier for you guys🥹🤍."

But, the best praise came from Justin and Hailey Bieber's families. Justin's mom, Patti Mallette, took to Instagram to share her thoughts in a reel on Instagram that captured her excitement about becoming a grandma. She squealed, "Oh my gosh, I'm gonna be a grandmom! Oh my goodness!"

She also left a happy message on Stephen Baldwin's Instagramthat made some fans question if she was revealing if Justin and Hailey Bieber are having twins. She initially wrote, "Congratulations Grandpa! WE ARE GONNA HAVE THE CUTEST GRAND-BABIES EVER!" but circled back to let people know, "No not twins lol I wish. I just mean in general. Hopefully they will have more than one eventually. They will make beautiful babies whenever they have them. One is enough for now 😂."

Image via Justin Bieber/Instagram

The cute moments for the Biebers continue! Justin Bieber recently shared updated pics of the couple on Instagram where Hailey's baby bump is out for the world to see. She's still maintaining her signature business casual look that we're huge fans of while Justin's look complemented hers.

August 23, 2024 — Justin And Hailey Are Hollywood's Newest Parents

Look out Hollywood, there's a new Bieber in town! Justin and Hailey welcomed the arrival of their bundle of joy on August 23 and shared their enthusiasm with the world. Justin shared the cutest photo of Hailey holding their son's foot on Instagram and captioned it, "WELCOME HOME JACK BLUES BIEBER 🐻." Everyone from stylist Georgia Medley to the company Baby Bjorn congratulated the new dad on entering the ranks of parenthood.

Justin's mom even shared how excited she is that her grandson is now born! She tweeted CONGRATULATIONS @justinbieber & Hailey. I LOVE YOU FOREVER BABY JACK" and Hailey's dad, Stephen Baldwin shared his own congratulatory tweet after resharing it.

I think we can all agree that Justin and Hailey are one of the world's hottest parents aside from Suki Waterhouse and Robert Pattinson.

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

October 22, 2024 — Justin And Hailey Are Closer Than Ever Amid Diddy's Scandal

In spite of the fact Justin and Hailey welcomed their infant son a couple of months ago, the rumor mill is dredging up the singer's past affiliation with fallen mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs. Page Six reshared screenshots from an old video of that two where Diddy's hand could be seen on Justin's chest. One user on X felt Diddy was "checking Justin Bieber to see if he is wearing a wire," however it's hard to tell since we can't really hear their conversation.

Since the video resurfaced, there have been several reports that Justin isn't doing so well because he could be reliving alleged trauma from the time he was close to Diddy. One report by The News even said the singer "looked pensive" in photos snapped of he and Hailey while they headed to Doja Cat's bday bash.

However, it seems Justin and Hailey are doing their best to continue leading normal lives amid Diddy's scandal. The Rhode founder shared a sweet photo of a little plant Justin surprised her with on Instagram stories, according to PEOPLE, and wrote, "@justinbiber bought me a plant for no reason. it’s the little things."

Justin also shared a carousel of pictures on Instagram a couple of days ago that showed him working on music. The last photo features a tender moment that captures he and Hailey leaning in for a kiss, signaling they're a united front in their marriage.

October 31, 2024 — Hailey Bieber Shares Another Picture Of Baby Jack

Hailey Bieber couldn't resist showing off another cute image of Baby Jack's feet on Instagram stories earlier today. It seems like he was seated in a baby carrier while wearing the cutest fuchsia onesie that had an 'I Voted' sticker on his foot. Hailey wrote, "Happy Halloween! Get out there and vote 👻," over the photo, letting us know she did her part on the spookiest day of the year!

What's your favorite moment from Justin and Hailey Bieber's relationship? Follow us on Facebook for more news on your fave celeb couples!

This post has been updated.

Though Black Friday is traditionally the official start of the holiday shopping season, we argue that it’s been kicking since mid-October. We know, we know: it still feels extremely early to start thinking about the holidays, but they’ll be here before you know it! Plus, many brands and retailers are already promoting their holiday goodies with plenty of sales and discounts available right now.

If you’re ready to embark on your holiday shopping journey, but still need answers to questions like ‘when’s the best time to shop?’ and ‘where should I shop for gifts?’ and even ‘how the heck do I save money this season?’, you’ve come to the right place. Consider this your go-to guide for holiday shopping in 2024.

Scroll on for our best guidance on navigating this busy time of year and finding the best gifts possible!

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

Mikhail Nilov / PEXELS

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

Ron Lach / PEXELS

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Andrea Piacquadio / PEXELS

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Kaboompics / PEXELS

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Sora Shimazaki / PEXELS

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Kindel Media / PEXELS

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on our best 2024 gift guides, shopping advice, and all things holiday!

The holidays at Starbucks are creeping up on us, people! Peppermint Mocha season will return on November 7. If you’re a die-hard Starbucks fan, you know Red Cup Day is a whole holiday in itself – the frenzy for a free reusable cup is truly no joke. There’s even an entire website dedicated to counting down the madness! Even though there’s no official word on when Red Cup Day 2024 will be, there are several clues that cue us into the annual event. Scroll on for details!

What is Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day is Starbucks’ highly-awaited annual event that marks the start of holiday beverage season at the coffee chain. For one day only (and while supplies last), customers who order any of Starbucks’ holiday drinks will receive a reusable red cup that features a bespoke design for the respective year.

Starbucks

Here’s a list of all the drinks rumored to be available on the Starbucks holiday menu starting November 7:

  • Peppermint Mocha
  • Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
  • Caramel Brûlée Latte
  • Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
  • Chestnut Praline Latte
  • Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew
  • Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai

What do the red cups look like for 2024?

Starbucks

Starbucks hasn’t officially announced when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, let alone what the famed red cups will look like this go-around. The one obvious point is that the cups will be red! They’ll also likely feature some festive motifs that echo the holiday season. Last year’s red cups boasted playful white and green stars and ornament-like shapes.

Why should I participate in Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day = freebies, which can feel really rewarding if you’re really into receiving free goodies. Plus, it’s just a fun way to lean into the holiday spirit. The red reusable cup keeps giving beyond Red Cup Day, though! Every time you use the reusable cup for future Starbucks orders, you get a 10-cent discount as well as 25 bonus stars toward your Starbucks Rewards account to save up for more discounts on drinks, food, and merchandise.

When is Starbucks' Red Cup Day 2024?

Starbucks

Again, Starbucks hasn’t alerted us on when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, but based on previous Red Cup Days, we can infer it’ll land on the third Thursday of November. In 2022, Red Cup Day happened on November 17, and for 2023, it was November 16. The third Thursday of November in 2024 hits on November 21, so mark your calendars, everyone!

Additionally, check back here for official info as Red Cup Day approaches.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more food news!

This post has been updated.