Save Yourself a Trip to the Spa With This Beauty DIY

Marianne Koo
Jan 15, 2016

Year after year, we resolve to make major changes in our lives: visit the gym more, eat healthier, be more creative, the list goes on. But rarely do we ever consider resolving to treat ourselves better. So when the pressure of being a better athlete, mindful eater or legendary artist in the new year begins to weigh heavily on you or your loved ones, make these single-use bath salts to help you unwind. The best part is that most of these items are readily found in the pantry, so you can also cross that 2016 resolution to soak in chocolate off your list with this DIY ;)

We’ve put together together a few recipes that will help you relax and feel rejuvenated so you can continue kicking ass for the rest of the year. These bath salt recipes are conveniently measured into individual portions, and we’ve made a few printables that you can download HERE.

Materials and Tools:

— paper sachet printables (download HERE)

— spoon for mixing

— markers

— washi tape

— glue

— scissors

— measuring spoons

— measuring cups

Cocoa Salt Bath (Restore):
— 1/3 cup epsom salt
 — 1/3 cup sea salt
 — 1/4 cup baking soda

— 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder

Sea Salt Detox Bath (Unwind):
— 1/3 cup epsom salt
 — 1/3 cup sea salt
 — 1/3 cup baking soda

— 2 1/2Tablespoons ground cinnamon

Lavender Salt Bath (De-stress):
— 1/2 cup sea salt
 — 1/2 cup lavender

Instructions:

1. Cut along the edges of the printable pattern.

2. Add your own creative accents to the packaging using markers and pens.

3. Fold along the light gray lines on the pattern and apply glue to the tabs.

4. Close up the box and allow it to dry for one hour.

5. Thoroughly mix all of your bath salt ingredients in a bowl.

6. Spoon the mixture into the paper sachet until it’s about 3/4 full.

7. Tuck in the sides and seal the top flap with washi tape.

Gather your materials and let’s get started!

Cut along the edges of the printable pattern. Each recipe has its own pattern with ingredients listed, and we’ve also included a blank one for your own custom recipe!

Now comes the fun part. Using your markers, add fun patterns or a sweet note to a friend. We’ve chosen to add some metallic accents with a gold paint pen.

Once you’ve finished adding accents to the printable, fold along all of the solid gray lines. Add dabs of glue to the sachets and close up the box.

Allow the boxes to dry for at least an hour before filling.

Pour your ingredients into a bowl and be sure to mix thoroughly.

Carefully spoon the bath salt mixture into the paper sachet and fill until the sachet is about 3/4 full.

Tuck the sides of the sachet in and fold to crease them. Fold the flap over and seal with a piece of washi tape.

Repeat these steps with your remaining sachets. Make a bunch to gift to your friends and family or enough to stash away for a monthly soak.

These cute bath salts will remind you to take a moment to relax while you’re making good on those new year resolutions!

What other bath salt recipes are you mixing up? Show us your project by tagging us on Instagram and using the hashtag #iamcreative!

DIY Production and Styling: Marianne Koo
 Photography: Brittany Griffin

This Rainbow Bread Is The Perfect Way To Celebrate Mardi Gras

Can you believe that there is actually a whole holiday dedicated to eating as many beignets, King Cakes, and loaves of rainbow bread as you want?! Mardi Gras, we love you, but our bodies are glad you’re just a one-day holiday and not a week long ;) Inspired by the beautiful rainbow bagels made by the Bagel Store, this loaf also has some purple, gold and green hues to amp up the Mardi Gras spirit. Hand letter your own printable bread wrap to give it as a gift, or slice it up and top it with cream cheese and sprinkles. This recipe will yield three loaves of bread, but you may want to make more, because once it’s adorned with sprinkles, this fairy bread will have everyone coming back for more.

Ingredients:

  • 10 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 Tablespoons sugar
  • 3 packets rapid rise yeast
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • purple, yellow and green food coloring (we used a mix of McCormick neon and assorted food coloring)
  • plastic wrap
  • dish towel
  • printable bread label

Instructions:

  1. Mix one cup of flour, one tablespoon of sugar, one teaspoon of salt and one packet of rapid rise yeast in a mixing bowl.
  2. In a microwaveable bowl, mix 3/4 cup of water, 1/4 cup of milk, one Tablespoon of butter and about 10 drops of food coloring. Microwave on high for 45 seconds.
  3. Pour liquid mixture into the dry mixture and mix throughly. Once mixed, slowly add another 2 1/2 cups of flour.
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each color of dye.
  5. Rip apart the colorful dough into small pellets and twist together to form a rainbow marbled effect.
  6. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and a dish towel and let it rise for one hour.
  7. Cut the risen dough into three equal loaves, place into greased pans and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

This bread will yield three loaves of Mardi Gras goodness, so make sure you have enough of all the ingredients. Grab a mixing bowl and mix 1/3 of the dry ingredients together — one cup flour, one Tablespoon of sugar, one teaspoon of salt and one packet of yeast.

Grab a microwaveable bowl and mix 1/3 of the wet ingredients together — 3/4 cup of water, 1/4 cup of milk, one Tablespoon of butter and about 10 drops of food coloring. Microwave for 45 seconds on high.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Let’s also just call attention to that awesome purple color :)

Mix the wet and dry ingredients together, and then start slowly adding in another two and a half cups of flour. Mix it all the way until it forms one huge ball of dough.

Repeat the first set of steps for each color. Each will yield one loaf but we will be mixing the colors together to form rainbow magicalness.

Last but not least — the green! Don’t be afraid to try other colors. This is a great recipe to create any holiday loaf. (Don’t be surprised if we do it for Fourth of July too!)

Once you have all three loaves, pull apart each color into little pellets. Layer the colors when you put them in the bowl to get maximum color variation.

Use your hands to give this mega loaf a good couple of twists.

Cover with plastic wrap and a dish towel and let the dough rise for at least one hour.

Divide your loaf into three sections and place into a greased pan. If you don’t have a loaf pan, you can totally make a rounded loaf in a cake pan or on top of a cookie sheet. Bake for 30 mins at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wait for the bread to cool and then slice into magical rainbow bread.

If you’re nice enough to gift one of these loaves, we suggest printing out a bread wrap printable and hand-lettering a fun saying. Tie up with some baker’s twine or embroidery floss.

Sadly, there is no baby inside of this sweet dessert. But hey, we’re totally all for you continuing the King Cake tradition and adding the little trinket into your sweet loaves. Just remember to warn your guests ;)

Add sprinkles and enjoy!

Show us your rainbow bread on on Instagram and check out our email newsletter for more recipes!

DIY Production and Styling: Kelly Bryden
 Photography: Brittany Griffin

This post has been updated.

printablesmardi gras

Um, Anne Hathaway's "Wild" First 'Verity' Footage Is "Mind-Bending"

I've been on the edge of my seat for Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson's Verity (even before I saw It Ends With Us), and after hearing about the first look that aired at CinemaCon this week, the internet is even more locked in on the “gothic, psychosexual thriller” (as the film's described by director Mike Showalter) than they've ever been.

Here's what the Verity cast, including Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, had to say about the new movie from Colleen Hoover.

What is Verity about?

Any Colleen Hoover fan knows the Verity movie revolves around Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson), who gets hired by Jeremy Crawford (Josh Hartnett) to finish his wife's novels. Renowned author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway) is no longer able to write after a tragic accident, but what begins as an exciting project takes a turn for the horrifying when Lowen discovers Verity is hiding a terrible secret.

Anne Hathaway promises 'Verity' is worth "waiting for."

At Amazon MGM's CinemaCon presentation, the Verity cast, Colleen Hoover, and Mike Showalter offered attendees a new look at the movie via video message.

“My character Verity Crawford is an accomplished author with a tragic past,” Anne said, while Dakota joked, “Or is she?”

Josh added, “My character, Jeremy Crawford, is a devoted husband who’s committed to protecting his wife’s legacy.”

“Or is he?” Dakota said again.

“One thing we can say for sure is that seeing Verity in theaters will give fans the shared experience they’ve been waiting for," Anne promised.

And everyone's losing it over the "wild" footage from CinemaCon!

The presentation also included the first trailer for the movie, which showed Verity and Jeremy meeting at a bar — which explains those iconic set leaks of Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnettrunning through the streets of New York! And when Jeremy's introduced to Lowen and brings her to their giant home, he tells her "she's the only writer who can do this"...and then they begin their own illicit affair. And as they have a hot make out sesh on the couch, Lowen realizes she's kissing Verity and not Jeremy. Wow.

"Just saw the first footage for VERITY starring Josh Hartnett, Anne Hathaway, and Dakota Johnson," @JoeySpielberg says on X. It looks like it’s gonna be good but I honestly couldn’t tell you the plot is but it’s definitely gonna be wild. Seems like a movie you just don’t know what happens next."

"The footage showcases a sexy, mind-bending thriller," @howatdk agrees.

We're sure to see many more shocks and surprises when Verity hits theaters May 15, 2026.

Check out the 10 Most-Anticipated Book-To-Film Adaptations We Can't Wait To See In 2025.

anne hathawaycolleen hooverpop cultureentertainmentmovies

16 Free Back-to-School Printables Even Adults Will Want

It's that time of year again, when apples are ripening, days are getting shorter and school is starting up. So if you're obsessed with all things back-to-school, then check out these awesome (and free!) printables. This year, we're saying hello to bright agenda stickers, fruit-themed designs and chic book covers. Even adults will want to try these. Scroll through and download a couple of these 17 super fun back-to-school printables.

1. Composition Book Covers: Back in the day, all our notebooks were splattered with a cartoon unicorn at best. These emoji-inspired book covers will have you hitting the download button immediately. (via Damask Love)

2. Fill-in-the-Blank Lunchbox Notes: Leave cute love notes for your kids or partner that will have them smiling each time they open up their lunchbox. Everyone loves a fun reminder of just how great they truly are. (via Five Mari Golds)

3. Paper Pencil Tube Printable: Skip the traditional pencil cup and try your hand at these fresh and unique paper pencil tubes. They’re perfect for holding markers, pens and, of course, pencils. (via Hello Wonderful)

4. Book Covers: Instantly update your textbooks with these undeniably classic, modern-inspired book covers. Aside from their stylish exterior, they might even protect your books from an accidental coffee spill. (via Better After)

5. Lunch Notes: Inspire your loved ones to do and be their best. These cute lunch notes are sure to brighten anyone’s day — even yours! (via Living Locurto)

6. Daily Checklist: If writing in a boring planner every day sounds like your worst nightmare, this is the printable set for you. You'll get tons of cute pages that are full of motivation and personality. (via The Sarah Johnson)

7. Lunchbox Jokes: If you'd rather write a funny one-liner than a sentimental note, then these lunchbox joke printables are just what you need. Google some kid-safe jokes for inspiration. (via Paging Supermom)

8. Have a Bright School Year: Present your favorite student with this year's highlighter set by binding it with a cheery and colorful printable tag. Or attach the tag to a pencil cup to remind yourself where you keep your markers. (via The TomKat Studio)

9. Colorful Monthly Prints: If you need a calendar in under 30 minutes, we've got the printables for you. Be prepared for lots of colors and fun fonts. (via Short Stop Designs)

10. First Day of School Signs: Kids are never too old for a first-day frame to mark those back-to-school pictures. It works for kindergarten, high school or even college. (via Mother's Niche)

11. First Day Signs: This is another great first-day-of-school printable to capture that morning full of possibilities. The classic design has the advantage of being black and white, so it'll save you color ink. (via Remodelaholic)

12. Food Sticker Printables: Get ready to take class head on with these adorable stickers featuring food-inspired prints. Plus, these can double as both agenda and binder decor stickers. (via Design Eat Repeat)

13. Motivating Lunchbox Stickers: There's nothing better than going to school with a positive mindset and feeling like someone truly believes in you. Make your loved ones feel special with these motivating lunchbox stickers. (via The Crafted Sparrow)

14. Summer Printables: Back-to-school printables don’t just have to be about calendars and stickers. These, for example, are the perfect touch for adorning a fun keychain or binder cover. (via Oh Happy Day)

15. Planner Stickers: Planner stickers should be fun, sassy and full of color. These printable labels are just what you need to stay organized and plan out your weekdays. (via Craftsposure)

16. Watercolor Binders: Watercolor inspired notebooks are a perfect way to start each and every morning. Check out these fun and motivational journals that you can DIY. (via Eighteen25)


Want more organization inspo? Follow us on Pinterest!

This article has been update from a previous post.

printablesback to school

Trader Joe’s Shoppers Say This New $9 Night Cream Easily Rivals Luxury Brands

A new Trader Joe’s skincare find just hit shelves, and beauty fans are already reeling about its similarities to more luxury products! The night cream features a handful of ingredients that are commonly found in pricier skincare options, but this TJ’s pick costs a fraction of its suspected competitors.

As a Versed Sweet Relief overnight cream loyalist (I use it every single day without fail), I must say I'm thoroughly convinced to try this new Trader Joe’s item after reading shoppers’ reactions!

Scroll on to discover the all-new Trader Joe’s skincare product worth adding to your routine!

Reddit

Trader Joe’s Night Cream is a brand-new addition to their collection of skincare goodies. In fact, it’s so new that it’s not listed on their website quite yet. Despite its newcomer status, tons of shoppers are already buzzing about the Trader Joe’s Night Cream.

Reddit

One TJ’s fan on Reddit surfaced the new find on the r/TraderJoe’s subreddit, and skincare lovers were super quick to chime in.

Per the post, the Trader Joe’s Night Cream is formulated with Irish sea moss extract, a fermented mushroom complex, ceramides, and sodium hyaluronate. It’s also unscented, which can be super beneficial for sensitive skin in need of moisture.

The TJ’s fan that found the night cream on shelves reported that it is “very thick but dry at the same time. I really had to work it into the skin,” they said. “Very odd consistency.”

Kaboompics / PEXELS

Another shopper that tried the Trader Joe’s Night Cream weighed in on their experience:

“Using it sparingly since I’m quite pregnant and don’t want to mess with sensitive skin but so far it’s quite nice!” they said. “Thick but not greasy in the slightest. I still feel it on my skin when I rinse my face in the AM which means it held up overnight in my dry altitude climate.”

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Several more users compared this new TJ’s formula to other products on the market, mentioning Asian beauty and even retinol for its anti-aging benefits.

“It’s interesting to see all the fermented ingredients in this!” one person commented. “I know that they have been very popular in Asian skincare for years, but I don’t see it that often in the States. I’m excited to try this! Thanks for sharing, I’m going to be on the lookout now.”

“Based on the ingredients list, I suspect this might be a Korean product,” another TJ’s shopper agreed.

“Irish Sea Moss is considered an excellent retinol alternative so if it agrees with one’s skin, not a bad option for those who can’t tolerate or don’t want harsh actives,” one more skincare fan noted.

MARA Beauty

One Redditor confirmed that a single 2-ounce jar of the Trader Joe’s Night Cream cost just $9. Similar moisturizers that leverage sea moss in their formulas (like Wildling’s Moonbounce 2% Bioretinol Irish Sea Moss Plumping Moisturizer and MARA's SeaDream Algae Crème) average around $73, which is insane.

KoolShooters / PEXELS

This TJ’s find could be a great way to try out the sea moss skincare wave without shelling out a fortune! Per episode 87 of The Inside Trader Joe's Podcast, it’s certifiably “high-quality” and “incredibly functional.”

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more amazing Trader Joe's products!

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

skincaretrader joe's new itemsmoisturizersgrocery shoppingbeauty

Juno Temple Will Star In Apple TV's New Comedy 'The Husbands'

Jenna Bush Hager chose Holly Gramazio's The Husbands as her book club's April pick in 2024 and it became an instant bestseller. Evidently, Apple TV took notice and decided it would be an excellent idea to adapt it into a new drama series! We're fond of adaptations here, so we're elated to this fresh storyline come to life. But, guess what else we're intrigued about?

The Husbands series has already found it's lead star in Ted Lasso and Fargo actress Juno Temple! Her characters are fan favorites, so we're sure she's going to do her lead role in this series justice.

Scroll to learn more exhilarating news about The Husbands series!

What is 'The Husbands' about?

Amazon

The Husbands chronicles one woman's journey as she explores an ever-changing life with different men she's never met before. But this isn't a tale of reckless one-night stands. On the contrary, Lauren will be as confused as readers and viewers because she's not sure what's happening.

It all begins with her return to her home and the realization that a man who's strangely familiar with her is calling himself her husband. Unbeknownst to her, she's been married to Michael for a while despite not knowing who he is. What's even more ironic is that her friends think something's wrong with her because they know who her husband is.

In the midst of trying to decipher this phenomenon, Lauren's shocked when Michael disappears into the attic and a new man returns in his place. As she watches her surroundings change to accommodate life with him, Lauren slowly realizes her attic has created a portal that allows her to live out different fantasies with a revolving door of men. But, she'll have to ask herself what she really wants and if she's willing to hang on to one reality instead of wishing for more.

Has more cast information been released?

Diana Patient

Holly Gramazio, Author of The Husbands

We know Juno Temple will star in The Husbands, but there haven't been more cast announcements just yet (via Variety). There's so many options for the many spouses she could have which makes us want to dream about our own casting wishlist.

Who's the executive producers of the series?

Diana Patient

Holly Gramazio, Author Of The Husbands

According to Apple TV+, writer Miriam Battye (Succession) will be executive producing The Husbands with Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya), and Annie Marter of Fortunate Jack Productions (The Devil All The Time), author Holly Gramazio and A24.

We love when authors are allowed to give their input in TV or film adaptations!

When will 'The Husbands' premiere on Apple TV? 

Production hasn't started on The Husbands TV series yet, but we'll share more information once it's available!

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.

apple tventertainment newstv seriesentertainment