Food Hack: Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions Add Big Flavor to Any Meal

I’m always on the hunt for things that make it easy to add big flavor to dishes on the fly, and slow cooker caramelized onions do just that. Usually when I see a recipe calling for caramelized onions, I roll my eyes — who has 45 minutes to constantly stir just enough onions for the quarter cup you need for your recipe? Not me! That’s why I’m a big fan of making them in a huge batch in my slow cooker. Just slice, leave overnight, and enjoy. Once they’re done, I freeze them in ice cube trays and transfer to a zip-top bag. Whenever a recipe calls for caramelized onions, I just take out a cube or two to use. Though making caramelized onions takes a fair amount of time in your slow cooker, it’s totally hands-off, and this recipe makes enough that you won’t have to worry about running out any time soon. Once they’re ready, use them as a filling for your next batch of pizza donuts or toss them with homemade vegan pasta for an instant boost of long-simmered flavor.

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Recipe from Justina Huddleston, Brit + Co

(Yields about 3 cups of caramelized onions)

Ingredients:

  • 6 yellow onions, sliced very thin
  • 2 shallots, sliced very thin
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup marsala wine
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions:

1. Peel and slice onions and shallots into very fine slices.

2. Add onions, shallots, salt, thyme, pepper, marsala, and olive oil to your slow cooker. Set to “low” and cook for 8-10 hours, until onions are soft and golden brown.

3. If you want your onions to get even more caramelized, set the slow cooker to high and remove the cover. Let the onions cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and they’ve reached your desired color and consistency. Season to taste.

4. You can use your caramelized onions right away, or freeze them to use later.

They’re great swirled into fluffy mashed potatoes, mixed into cream cheese and smeared on bagels, or added to hot sandwiches — the possibilities are endless.

Fall in love with this and other flavor-boosting recipe hacks when you follow us on Pinterest.

(Photos via Justina Huddleston / Brit + Co)

If you know me, you know how much I love Taylor Swift. Something about hearing music written by someone while they experience the same life stages feels so personal, and there's a good chance that almost every emotion I feel can be summed up by a Taylor Swift song. In short: I just love her.

Taylor frequently drops merchandise when a holiday rolls around and for Valentine's Dayin 2022, she released a collection inspired by her 2019 album Lover. I fell in love with a pair of fuzzy dice inspired by her hit song "Cruel Summer," and apparently so did everyone else because the next time I visited the website, they were sold out! So, I decided to make a simplified version of them with my sewing machine for a fun V-Day activity and to add some extra pink to my space. Check out our online sewing class to brush up on your skills and keep reading for a low stakes tutorial on how to make your own!

Here's how to make your own Taylor Swift "Cruel Summer"-inspired dice for Valentine's Day.

Supplies For Your Own "Cruel Summer" Taylor Swift Fuzzy Dice:

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

  • Sewing machine
  • Pink fleece fabric
  • Pink thread
  • Pink felt
  • Scissors
  • Blue rope/cord (I took mine off a loofah)
  • Needle + pins
  • A copy of Lover to listen to while you sew ;)
  • Poly-Fil Stuffing (not pictured)
  • Ruler (optional)
  • Glue gun + glue gun sticks (optional, use it to touch up your seams if you need)

Instructions:

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Start by marking your fleece with the measurements for your squares. Since the size of the dice on Taylor's official website was listed as 3.5", I marked them just above 3.5" so I could leave room for a hem. You'll need 12 squares total.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Next, cut out your squares. I used the first square as a template for the others, then went back in and cleaned up the edges where necessary.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

The first image I made was a sun, and I started by drawing a circle on my felt. I used the rim of my thread spool to make sure I had a perfect circle but you can also free hand if you want the circle to be a different size.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Pin your felt to the center of a fleece square.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Sew the circle to the fleece using a regular straight stitch.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Next, move your sewing machine from a straight stitch to a zigzag stitch and decrease your stitch length to a lower number like 0 or 1. This will allow your art to have more of a filled-in border, instead of a messier, chevron finish.

Go back over the rim of your circle with the zigzag stitch to give it that embroidered look. I did this with the fabric right side up, then I did it again with the fabric flipped upside down just to be extra thorough.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

After your circle is complete, it's time for the sun rays! Use the same zigzag stitch and 0 stitch length to move from the circle outward. This is where you'll want to add another element: stitch width.

To give the sun rays their triangular shape, adjust your stitch width as you move out from the heart of the sun. While the stitch length ensures your sewing won't have empty spaces, the width will let you move from a wider sunbeam base to a thinner point. I just decreased the width every few stitches as I went along.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Your finished sun will look something like this! I went back in with a needle to clean up loose threads by hand. I waited to trim them until I had threaded them to the back so that the front image had a more polished look.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Repeat the above steps for your devil and angel hearts. There are only a few differences between these and the sun; you'll cut the felt into hearts instead of circles, and to fill in the horns and the wings, I used a straight stitch to give it a colored-in look, reserving the zigzag stitching for the borders.

I know the original dice had "Cruel Summer" lyrics stitched onto these squares, but I ended up leaving them off. It makes the design more minimal and easier to work with.

One thing to note about this step: beware of bunched fabric! Filling in the angel wings brought the edges of the squares in a bit, but I wasn't too upset about it. I think flaws give a craft some personality!

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

The "Lover" stitching got a little more complicated than the images. I first traced the word with my pen so that I would have some guide as to what the word should look like. Move the stitch width back down to one of the lower settings.

Then instead of just moving the fabric in a circle like I did for the sun, I moved it all around to follow the word I had written in marker. Repeat this a few times until you're satisfied with the thickness. I definitely tried this step a couple different times so don't worry if you don't get it on the first go!

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

For my final embroidered square, I did a simple "TS," which of course stands for "Taylor Swift."

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Before you can sew your squares together, line the edges up and pin them. I used my ruler to mark how far I wanted my hem to go (I did 1/4" at every edge) for a sewing guideline.

I pinned the squares one at a time, checking at each step that they were pinned the right way (especially after I sewed two together incorrectly and had to pick out the stitches. Oops.)

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Arrange the images in a similar way to the official dice, or change it up however you'd like! I chose to arrange the squares so that there was a blank in between the images.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Pin and sew your remaining three squares around the middle square so that you end up with a cross.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

I continued pinning and sewing the edges to one another until I had an inside-out cube. Here's a tutorial to help you better understand which edges should be sewn together.

I did one square at a time, making sure to focus on the corners and going back in to tighten them up once I was done. You only want one gap, which is where you'll flip the cube inside out and then stuff it.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Once you have a cube, flip the fabric inside out. I used my pen to make sure all the corners and edges were good to go.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Next, stuff your cube with whatever filling you prefer. I didn't stuff it super full because I didn't want it to have a rounded look when I was done.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Ta-da! A little wonky but very cute :)

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

When you have both dice, cut a small hole in the top for your cord. Knot the ends and stuff them into the holes, then use your needle and thread to attach the cord and the fleece together.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

Voilà!

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

They're soft, fuzzy, and pink. What could be better than that?!

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

If you don't want to hang these in your car, they also make excellent Valentine's (or Galentine's) decor.

Chloe Williams/Brit + Co

If you need me, I'll be blasting "Cruel Summer" for the rest of the month.

Loving these Taylor Swift fuzzy dice? Follow us on Pinterest and TikTok for more entertainment inspo, and don't forget to check out The Latest On Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce's Relationship!

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

This post has been updated.

We’re total sneaker heads over here, so we’re uber excited for what spring has to offer in the shoe department. It appears spring 2025 is brimming with fresh sneakertrends that embrace all things colorful and retro – a power combo! If you’re looking to step up your ‘fits with something a lil’ bit different on your feet, this season’s kicks are anything but basic.

Scroll on to see the 4 sneaker trends set to dominate spring 2025!

1. Pink Sneakers

Urban Outfitters

Gola Elan Sneakers

Pink sneakers are popping off this spring, ranging from pastels to bold, hot pink shades. They’re the perfect sneakers to snag if you’re seeking a seasonal pop of color!

Anthropologie

Puma Palermo Sneakers

For a playful feel, wear hot pink kicks with an all-black outfit to make them stand out. For a more femme look, wear some pastel pink sneakers with light-wash jeans and a flowy white top.

2. Retro Track Sneakers

Onitsuka Tiger

Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Sneakers

Inspired by vintage running shoes from the ‘70s and ‘80s, retro track sneakers are definitely on the come-up. Brands are continuing to bring a mix of nostalgia and sporty aesthetics to the forefront, and we couldn’t love it more!

Saucony

Saucony Trainer 80 Sneakers

These sneaks are not only stylish, but practical, too! Seek out a comfy pair with some chic suede detailing or bold color blocking. Whether you pair ‘em with wide-leg trousers for a vintage-inspired outfit or biker shorts for a lax weekend look, a good set of bold retro sneakers will undeniably turn heads your way.

3. Hiking Sneaks For The Street

Keen

Keen Jasper Zionic Sneakers

We’re starting to spot hiking-inspired sneakers on the street more and more. Technical shoe brands like Keen and Salomon have styles that are both functional and fashionable!

Salomon

Salomon XT-6 Sportstyle Sneakers

With rugged soles, durable materials, and utilitarian designs, these shoes provide unmatched comfort, too. To give your ‘fits a sportier vibe, try hiking sneakers with cargo pants and a fitted tank top. For added contrast, certain styles also look ahh-mazing with mini dresses and denim jackets!

4. Sneaker Charms

Free People

Free People Shoe Charm & Pin Pack

Customizing your look is key in 2025 – so sneaker charms let you infuse your kicks with personality! From pearls and pendants to lace and beads, you can truly find sneaker charms of all kinds… or make your own!

Dolce Vita

Dolce Vita Notice Lace Sneakers + Gold Charm Bundle

Shoe charms also work well beyond sneakers. You can easily tack them onto boots or loafers!

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more seasonal fashion trends!

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

Lighting can make or break a space. Overhead lights are convenient to switch on but can feel too harsh, while the right mix of lighting can create a warm, inviting aesthetic. The secret? Layering — think floor lamps, table lamps, sconces, and more. To help you achieve that cozy, designer-worthy look, we’ve rounded up 18 affordable Target finds that look way more expensive than they are!

Target's "rich-looking" lamp collection will brighten up your space

FLOOR LAMPS

Target

Wavy Shade Collection with Ceramic Base Floor Lamp

With its playful wavy shade and three-way light setting, this floor lamp lets you customize the brightness to suit any moment—whether you're reading, catching up with friends, or settling in for a movie night.

Target

Gooseneck Floor Lamp with Natural Shade

This gooseneck floor lamp, featuring a rattan shade, looks so elegant and natural and offers adjustable lighting.

Target

Traditional Oil Rubbed Swing Arm Floor Lamp

This bronze floor lamp features a classic swing-arm design, so you can direct light wherever you need it most, such as in your workspace or living area.

Target

Cantilever Drop Pendant Swing Arm Floor Lamp

I've owned Target's most popular floor lamp for about a decade and it still looks and works as well as it did back then. It's a keeper!

Target

Oak Wood Tripod Floor Lamp

This oak wood tripod lamp looks great in your modern space with natural decor.

Table + Desk Lamps

Target

Threshold x Studio McGee Woven Table Lamp

This charming design lamp designed with Studio McGee has adorable scalloped edges and looks sweet on a nightstand or desk.

Target

Threshold x Studio McGee Task Lamp

This retro metal task lamp features a flexible neck to focus the light where you need it the most.

Target

Mini Printed Ceramic Base Table Lamp with Pleated Shade

Love the blue Pollock-like print on this ceramic mini lamp. It's great for teen and dorm rooms!

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Brass Accent Table Lamp with Plaid Shade

Plaid is always in style in Magnolia's design playbook. This accent table lamp is a stylish addition to your office or side table.

Target

Assembled Ceramic Table Lamp

This blue and white abstract pattern adds a bit of texture to your overall design. Pair two on each side of your bed.

Target

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Fluted Ceramic Table Lamp with Marble Base

This fluted design is very hot right now and looks elegant solo or in pairs.

Target

Threshold x Studio McGee Round Faux Wood Lamp Base

Give your living space some mood lighting while also adding a cute decorative pattern with a checkered shade.

Target

Farmhouse Ceramic Urn Pot Table Lamp

Go for organic vibes with this modern cement table lamp.

Target

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Fluted Metal Rechargeable Library Table Lamp

Give your bookshelf a dose of classic elegance with Magnolia's fluted rechargeable library lamp.

SCONCES

Target

Hearth & Hand Magnolia Milk Glass Striped Wall Sconce

Milk glass is always in style for any vintage-inspired decor. These would look great in a kitchen for a modern-retro vibe.

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Fluted Ceramic Sconce

Here's the fluted lamp in a sconce variety. Matching lamp styles is actually a great way to create cohesion in your design.

Target

Threshold x Studio McGee Metal Sconce Wall Light

Add metallic appeal to your home with this Studio McGee sconce that gives off a warm golden hue.

Target

Threshold x Studio McGee Wall Sconce with Plaid Shade

An affordable sconce with a unique shade is a great way to add personality to your space while saving space too!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more home decor ideas!

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

As far as I'm concerned, 2024 was Daisy Edgar-Jones' year. The Normal People actress captured our hearts with her role as Kate in Twisters (as well as her viral Hot Ones interview with Glen Powell and "Apple" TikTok dance). But while Kate led a pretty adventurous life, her risk threshold is nothing compared to Daisy's newest character, Muriel, in On Swift Horses.

Living in post-Korean War California, Muriel's life with her husband Lee is disrupted when Lee's brother Julius arrives in all his addictive, charming glory. The film, based on Shannon Pufahl's 2019 book of the same name, made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7. Here's everything you need to know.

What is On Swift Horses about?

Luc Montpelllier

On Swift Horses Plot

Muriel begins a new life with her husband Lee when he returns to California from the Korean War. But the life they're building together — and their future — changes forever when Lee's brother Julius, a headstrong gambler, arrives. Julius is attractive, charismatic, and hiding plenty of secrets.

According to the official synopsis, "when Julius takes off in search of the young card cheat he’s fallen for, Muriel’s longing for something more propels her into a secret life of her own, gambling on racehorses and exploring a love she never dreamed possible."

Luc Montpelllier

The story explores LGBTQ+ identity and desire in the 1950s, but does so with a hopeful tone rather than a devastating one. “The first scenes that we filmed were the scenes we had together, so we got all of that done with—when we were apart, we had put the groundwork in,” Daisy tells Vanity Fair of working with Jacob, who adds, "I believe Taylor Swift calls it an invisible string.”

"I loved the connection between gambling and risk-taking, and pushing the boundaries of her desire and what she’s looking for,” Daisy adds. “Muriel’s rebellion throughout the film is quite quiet, in the small ways in which she takes back her power by concealing things. A lot of what’s happening is behind closed doors.”

Who's in the cast of On Swift Horses?

Luc Montpelllier

On Swift Horses Cast

On Swift Horses stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter, Sasha Calle, and Diego Calva.

"It's not hard to make chemistry with Jacob because he's just so charismatic," Daisy said during a Q&A, via People, adding that the script "felt almost like reading poetry and so much of what happens is in the subtext."

"This movie is just about love,” Calle added. “It’s important to just feel that — whoever that might be, where that takes you. It’s important to feel that and to feel safe in it.”

Has On Swift Horses been released?

Luc Montpelllier

On Swift Horses Release Date

On Swift Horses premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, and is currently looking for a distributor. Check back here for news on its release date!

Watch The Teaser Trailer For 'On Swift Horses'

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

As charming as Julius appears in the teaser trailer, his brother Lee tells Muriel they live differently than he does. "He's just not like us," he says before a scene cuts to Muriel exploring her own "passions." Based on this, On Swift Horses appears to blur the lines of love, lust, secrets, and recognizing one's identity.

Read up on Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh's We Live In Time, which also premiered at TIFF last year!

Lead image via Robin Marchant/Getty Images

This post has been updated.

The 2000s were a wild time for movies. It was an era of debatable fashion, even more questionable humor, and films that, looking back, we can't believe ever made it past a pitch meeting.

While certain movies from this nostalgic period remain classics, others haven't aged very well. Whether they're filled with problematic tropes or outdated stereotypes, here are the 10 cringey 2000s movies that wouldn't stand a chance in Hollywood today.

Scroll to see all the super cringe 2000s movies we wouldn't see today...

Summit Entertainment

1. Twilight (2008)

When Twilight premiered in 2008, it became an instant sensation and sparked a cultural obsession with supernatural romance. However, while it left an undeniable mark on pop culture, this film has some major underlying issues.

Once viewed as swoon-worthy, Bella and Edward's relationship feels problematic in hindsight. He was controlling, exhibited stalker-like behavior, and gaslit her into believing that she imagined his supernatural abilities.

Add in the fact that Edward is technically over a century old when Bella is a high schooler, and it's clear why Twilight might not resonate with audiences the same way in 2025.

Universal Pictures

2. Knocked Up (2007)

Directed by Judd Apatow, Knocked Up was initially well-received despite heavily leaning on outdated gender stereotypes. The movie follows responsible and career-driven Alison, who is forced to navigate an unplanned pregnancy with slacker Ben.

Even though Knocked Up delivers plenty of laughs, it also portrays women, especially Alison, as rigid and joyless. Katherine Heigl, the lead actress, criticized this, too, saying the film "Paints the women as shrews, as humorless and uptight, and it paints the men as lovable, goofy, fun-loving guys."

Dreamworks

3. Norbit (2007)

This movie might've showcased Eddie Murphy's ability to transform into multiple characters, yet Norbit is still more cringeworthy than comedic. The portrayal of Rasputia, an over-the-top and domineering woman whose character is built around fat-shaming jokes, is particularly offensive.

Moreover, Murphy also plays Mr. Wong, a wildly stereotypical caricature of an elderly Chinese man.

20th Century Fox

4. Shallow Hal (2001)

Shallow Hal may have set out to deliver a message about inner beauty, but it really missed the mark. Again, this film relies on fatphobic humor, with Gwyneth Paltrow's character serving as the target of the jokes.

It arguably reinforces stereotypes about weight and attractiveness, and Gwyneth (who wore a fat suit) actually called the movie a "disaster" in 2020.

Columbia Pictures

5. White Chicks (2004)

Featuring over-the-top humor and absurd disguises, White Chicks was a hit in 2004. Nonetheless, it's a tired portrayal of women as materialistic, shallow, and obsessed with their looks.

The premise involves two FBI agents posing as socialites during a Hamptons weekend, and it was always meant to be ridiculous. Even so, there are certain scenes that are especially questionable, like when an athlete at the club attempts to spike a woman's drink.

Universal Pictures

6. Brüno (2009)

Brüno was intended to be a bold satire, Sacha Baron Cohen's specialty, but it crosses the line of edgy humor. He plays an exaggerated, flamboyant Austrian fashion journalist, and the mockumentary was meant to expose homophobia.

Despite that, the movie incorporated a lot of outdated gay stereotypes and might've reinforced the notions as opposed to challenging them. In fact, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) representative Rashad Robinson called the work "problematic in many places and outright offensive in others."

New Line Cinema

7. Wedding Crashers (2005)

Wedding Crashers revolves around two men who lie their way into weddings to manipulate women into sleeping with them. At its core, the film's plot is unsettling and questionable.

Aside from that, it features gay stereotypes, a racist grandmother, and scenes that blur the lines of consent. All that being said, t's obvious why this movie wouldn't fly today.

New Line Cinema

8. The Notebook (2003)

The Notebook is still one of the most favored romance movies of all time, so this may be an unpopular opinion, but some of its most iconic moments are more disturbing than anything.

There's no denying that Noah and Allie's love story is passionate, but his relentless pursuit of her is borderline manipulative. Remember when he threatened to let go of the Ferris wheel if she didn't go on a date with him?

Plus, once they actually get together, their relationship is filled with constant fighting, including scenes when Allie hits Noah. Female-on-male violence has traditionally been glossed over in films, but today, Hollywood is moving away from these problematic depictions.

Paramount Pictures

9. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

This movie follows advice columnist Andie Anderson, played by Kate Hudson, who wants to write an attention-grabbing piece. She finds Ben Berry, an advertising executive who's arguably creepy and manipulative.

While How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days may be a classic rom-com, it relies on gender stereotypes that can feel more offensive than humorous now.

Paramount Pictures

10. Mean Girls (2004)

Finally, we can't forget about Mean Girls, one of the most iconic teen comedies of the 2000s. Sure, it's filled with endlessly quotable lines and a sharp take on high school cliques, but it also has relentless body-shaming.

Many of the scenes would hit differently in today's more body-positive era, making Mean Girls a more cringey watch in 2025.

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