Meet Victoria Smith, the Legendary Blogger, Designer, and Curator Behind SF Girl By Bay


Meet Victoria Smith, the Legendary Blogger, Designer, and Curator Behind SF Girl By Bay

That’s right, I’m calling today’s creative crush a legend. A blogging legend! She needs no introduction, but for the sake of being thorough here’s a quick rundown on why we’ve been crushing hard on Victoria Smith, the voice behind SF Girl By Bay, for over a decade. Starting her blog in 2006, Smith has made a name for herself as a visionary curator, interior designer, relatable writer, and master of unusual color combinations. Her particular eye for found beauty, be it the facade of a San Francisco Victorian or a dusty velvet settee, is what makes her curation really stand out.

Anjelika Temple here, Founding Partner and Chief Creative Officer of Brit + Co, and sheepish owner of a 2008 Blogspot-turned-Tumblr blog that hasn’t been updated since 2011 ;) In this edition of Creative Crushin’, read on for Smith’s story of how she found her voice, what advice she has for creative folks just starting out, and her latest design collab with The Inside.

Brit + Co: First off, tell us a little more about your background. Where did you grow up? Please feel free to include more deets on your "circus background" ;)

Victoria Smith: I grew up in Woodland Hills with my mom and dad, and my younger brother Tod, in the suburbs of Los Angeles — a ‘Valley Girl’, for sure, for sure. My mom was an interior designer, so I presume I got those genes from her and would decorate and redecorate my room all the time. I used to fake sick to stay home from school and redecorate my room, much to my mum’s chagrin.

It’s true about the circus family. My great grandparents owned the Downie Brothers Circus in the 1930’s and though I never knew them, it was pretty hilarious to find out I come from circus blood. It was pretty well-known at the time, and I have a photograph that Walker Evans took of a barn with ads for the circus covering it. I found it online and ordered it from the Library of Congress. So I could be in a tutu riding horseback right now, but they sold the circus way back when.

B+C: Before you were able to go all in on SF Girl by Bay and your own variety of projects, what did your career path look like?

VS: I was a successful art buyer and ran the creative studio department at an advertising agency for many years, working with clients like Condé Nast, Levi’s, and Apple. Prior to advertising, though I started out by getting my Advanced Arts degree in Interior Design and I had worked decorating model homes for a while and then worked in sales at a designer furniture showroom in Los Angeles, but didn't do well at the sales aspect of it at all. I'm a horrible sales person. So then I was invited by a friend to work in advertising for her creative director husband. I thought that would be glamorous and it was anything but at first. I started as a receptionist, and moved my way up to art buyer, running the creative department.

B+C: What motivated you to start your blog? Tell me the origin story.

VS: I didn't really decide to start SF Girl by Bay — it kind of chose me. I started the blog in June 2006, as just a hobby at first — it was never meant to be my 'day job'. As I mentioned above I was in advertising for 20 years, and I left that steady, reliable position to head into this thing called a 'blog' that had to succeed all on my own. I did both for two years though, before I ultimately quit my job in 2008. I’d started the blog as a way to show Apartment Therapy a look at my home because a friend had suggested I should be featured on their home tours. They ended up liking my home and featured it, and then invited me to guest post for them, which helped grow my own audience. It just kind of took off from there, I think because I just really love doing it.

B+C: What led you to go out on your own? When did you realize your side hustle could be your main hustle?

VS: As I mentioned, I didn't really decide or make a business plan. It happened quite organically. My whole life has been that way, though. I've changed careers many times, and mostly by happy accident. I've pretty much followed my instincts all along my career path. And now, it's all circled back around into design again, but writing and curating about design on the blog rather than actually working as an interior designer I find much more fulfilling and satisfying creatively. I’m a pretty independent person, so I think I’m motivated enough to work for myself and be disciplined about it. I did save quite a bit before I quit my full time job — so that helped me feel a bit more secure about leaving advertising. I made a considerable savings from the Keep Calm and Carry On posters I used to sell in my Etsy shop and I put all of those earnings into my savings account before I quit my job in 2008 to blog full time.

All of this is sounding like I fly by the seat of my pants and I suppose I do, so perhaps it's not the best business advice! But it's all the advice I really feel qualified to share. However, I think all of those experiences help me day to day on the blog. Having an eye for art buying helped me identify great imagery, and my interior design background hopefully helps me edit and share good design with the readers.

B+C: What inspires you to create, curate, and share your unique point of view with the world?

VS: I think for me, blogging just encompasses everything I love: writing, photography and interior design, so I found my niche, so to speak. And I think readers like and respect authenticity, so I knew I wanted to find a creative way to share my point of view on the blog and remain as unique and genuine as possible.

I sometimes have a quirky view of the world, and of design and I didn't want to be afraid to share that. I think that authenticity will always be my driving force.

And I also think it's possible for anyone who's willing to work hard (it's a full time job for sure!) on their blog to succeed. I think you need to have a very clear vision of who your audience is, and share what you're most passionate about, and perhaps most importantly speak from your heart and in your own voice.

B+C: How do you feel about being referred to as an OG blogger? How do you think the landscape of blogging + social media has changed over the last decade?

VS: I’m mostly proud of it but it does make me laugh. The first time I was introduced as an OG blogger I thought they meant ‘Old Girl’ because I’m like the oldest blogger out there! Blogging has changed a lot, but I’m happy to see a lot of the OG still out there. I think Grace from Design*Sponge is one of the first to hang up their hat this coming August and do something new. I have no clue where blogging is headed with other platforms like Instagram so popular, so I just keep doing what I love and wait to see what happens next. What I don’t really care for are people who simply want to make a lot of money or be famous. Yes, it’s nice to be able to make a living at what you do, but I think it’s also more gratifying to do it because you love it or are passionate about your subject matter whether it be design or fashion etc. I think the more you love something, the better you will do at it.

B+C: I know firsthand that you’ve been a major ‘pinfluencer’ from the start. How is your approach to Pinterest different from Instagram, your blog, etc? What advice do you have for upstarts who are overwhelmed by all of the different channels for sharing / creating / curating?

VS: I loved Pinterest straight away when founder Ben Silbermann told me about it. I could see what a unique tool it was, a great device for sharing, and for me, an insanely helpful blogging tool. I use it to pin things I want to share later on the blog, and I design or curate "rooms" or pinboards for myself from pieces that inspire me and that I might like to try down the road. It's the perfect tool for me, because I could never remember my traditional bookmarks, and this is a visual bookmarking tool, so it's all right there in front of me and it links back to the original site where I discovered it. I love sharing inspiration I find with followers on Pinterest, too. And, it’s the number one source of traffic to my blog.

Instagram is different, although I still think about it as a curation of sorts, but I think I use Instagram more to share, where Pinterest right now for me is a tool for blogging. I’ve always loved photography and was big into Flickr when it first came out, so I love sharing photography. I really, really hate the algorithm and feel like it’s messed up Instagram terribly. I don’t know why they don’t grasp that. It’s really hard to grow a following now, and that’s disappointing for people trying to grow a business or a popular feed.

So lately, I’m just posting whatever I personally like without giving it too much thought, or I think it could drive you insane, hoping for ‘likes’ and comments. You just have to do ‘you’. And as far as advice, I’d just say really try not to take it to heart — it’s not real life, and it’s not healthy to fixate on it. I think focus on the social media tool that you’re most good at and enjoy - if you’re great with words, maybe Twitter is fun for you, and if you love taking pictures and posting them have fun on Instagram.

B+C: If you’re starting something from scratch, where do you go for inspiration? Tell us more about your ideation / creative process.

VS: That’s really hard to describe because I truly find inspiration everywhere — from books, movies, magazines, museums (the big three M’s - ha!). Even from long walks.

Beauty is really everywhere and I like to keep my eyes open to possibilities.

B+C: When you’re not curating, designing, or writing, how do you spend your time? What’s your favorite way to veg out?

VS: I read a lot. I hadn’t read much for a while — I’d taken a break for some reason and now I read all the time. It’s the perfect escape. And I read floating in my cowboy pool when it’s hot on the weekends, which is super relaxing. I also love to go the flea market and farmer’s markets on the weekends and then cook a big meal with friends. And I love binge-watching shows like lately, Killing Eve, Dead to Me and Restored by the Fords — Leanne Ford’s amazing home makeover show. I also listen to podcasts like Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday series with Eckhart Tolle — it’s been kind of life changing.

Favorite Quote: "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." - Dorothy Parker


Go-to Karaoke Song: "Sugar" by Maroon Five (I know, it’s so embarrassing)


Late Night Snack: RXBars in Chocolate Sea Salt


Currently Reading: Euphoria by Lily King

B+C: What advice do you have for creative women just starting out? What do you wish someone told you back when you started SF Girl By Bay?

VS: This is more of a heartfelt lesson than anything else, but I would say it's to be as unique and as individual as you are. Don't copy others, find your own voice and share what you love. When people see something unique and genuine and a voice that resonates with them, they will follow. Just create something that's all yours. I also share a lot of my own home and while that can be a little disconcerting at times, I think the readers really like stepping inside my personal world - so don't be afraid to share that side of yourself.

Also, save your money before your jump in head first. I had savings to lean on in case the blog failed or didn't earn me a living. And, I knew I could always go back to my career in advertising if I had to. It's good to have a fall back plan if for no other reason then it helps you to feel just that much more fearless. And having a savings to count on may help you feel less tempted to take on a sponsorship or projects that really aren't right for you. It helps you hold out for those opportunities that fit you and the brand you've worked hard to build.

B+C: I know that sometimes being a content creator can feel like an island. What does your support system look like?

VS: I wear all the hats. I do have an amazing editorial assistant, Kristen Waltman who helps with all the email we get and the business side of sponsorships and occasionally I have a few guest contributors that help me get a break but I’ve let many go because I find my voice works best for the blog and I’d rather blog less and have more quality than quantity. But I write, style, and photograph about 80% of our blog posts and all of our Instagram and other social content. And I handle all the accounting, travel, meetings, etc. including running Super Marché, my online vintage shop. For the shop I travel to France (which is not a hardship!), shop the flea markets, and then style and photograph and upload to the shop.

I have mentors like Bri Emery from DesignLoveFest — she’s my go-to advice gal and a really good friend. If I need advice I trust Bri to advise me, even though she’s much younger than me, she’s super smart. I also have an amazing web designer Suzanne Shade who designed my site and my shop and ALSO, web developers who executed the site. And tons of creative friends who I seek advice from and collaborate with when it fits.

B+C: You recently launched a home decor collab with The Inside. Tell me more about how that project started, and the inspiration behind the pieces you created.

VS: I've always dreamed of creating a unique home furnishings collection, so when Christiane Lemieux invited me to partner with her company The Inside I was intrigued and excited by the opportunity to work together. I was hoping for a bohemian vibe but with a modern, fresh twist, pairing colors like indigo blue, pale pinks and mustard yellow with the intention that they’d look great paired together, building interest through layering the various pieces from the collection. And for the prints and patterns I was inspired by French ticking stripes, Japanese katazome stencils and even a touch of Moroccan textiles.

The Inside designed the furniture itself, so they’ve relied on a lot of experience in the furniture industry to know what functions best for people. As for my involvement, I tried to create upholstery textiles that are stylish and on trend, but very livable, and blend well with a lot of different aesthetics. It’s almost a global collection in that it’s got a fusion of French, Moroccan, Japanese and American design influences.

B+C: How do you decide what to pursue and what to say no to? What advice can you give to folks who are navigating yeses + nos with regard to their personal brand?

VS: I think it’s important to be honest with yourself and to only take on brands that fit well for your audience and for yourself. I know it’s hard to pass up income, but if it doesn’t ring true to you, it won’t for your audience, either.

I heard this Zig Ziglar quote recently that really resonated with me from Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day!: “The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want right now.” I think that's really powerful advice because it's so easy to fall into a trap these days of accepting everything that's offered to bloggers. Sponsorships and freebies may seem really tempting, but they're not always in your best interest. Follow your gut instincts - you'll know in your heart if something doesn't feel morally right to you and you should pass on those kinds of offers. A free pair of shoes has a price tag and it's an expensive one — it's called your credibility. It's more than fine to have sponsors — that's why it's called a business, but be transparent about it. Be honest with yourself and your readers.

B+C: What’s new and coming soon that we should all check out?

VS: I am working hard to grow my Super Marché vintage collection and head back to France in July to shop for more inventory, which is always a blast and so rewarding. I love vintage and this has been a dream for me to create and grow.

I also have an upcoming project as a strategic advisor for a large company but I can’t speak more about that right now, except to say I’m really excited about what might come of that.

We love an inspirational quote. The right set of words can guide us through a case of the Mondays (and any day, for that matter). A expertly expressed feeling reminds us that we're all more connected than we think. And who doesn't love reading something that makes you laugh and cry at the same time?

As part of International Women's Day (which we celebrate year-round), we've gathered some of our favorite quotes by a bunch of our favorite women. Scroll through, pin 'em to your motivational boards, and share favorites with any woman in your life who could use a digital pep talk.

Keep the courageous, confident, and creative vibes flowing today, and all days!

Follow us @BritandCo for more quotes to fuel your week!

This post has been updated.

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) have always been a dramatic duo, but they're taking the drama to new heights right now: they're breaking up, according to TMZ. The Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker BFFs are currently expecting their first child together, making this all way more complicated than a simple split. So what happened to this celebrity couple? Let's dig into it.

Here's everything to know about Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly's breakup!

www.instagram.com

TMZ reported Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly broke up on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. The pair allegedly split on Thanksgiving weekend in Vail, Colorado given "upsetting material" Megan found on MGK's phone. Apparently they haven't been together since the breakup, with MGK going as far as to leave their trip early.

Megan just announced she's pregnant on Instagram on November 11, 2024. According to PEOPLE, MGK was "basically telling everyone he knows" about the baby-to-be, and that the pair is "doing well" in general. Now, it seems like the tables have really turned in the latter regard.

However, an exclusive source told PEOPLE, "Their relationship has always been bumpy. They love each other but don't have compatible personalities." The source explained that Megan and MGK are "both hot-heads, dramatic and stubborn," noting that they've "worked things out" when they broke up in the past. "When they're good together, they're great," they said. "They will very likely get back together."

PEOPLE reported that Megan and MGK announced their engagement on Instagram on January 12, 2022. However, the Jennifer's Body star only features her pregnancy announcement on Instagram now — and while MGK doesn't have a post on his grid either, you can still see his video of her engagement ring here!

Megan and MGK have been together since July 2020. Here's hoping they're able to work things out in a way that makes sense for them and their little family!

Looking for more celebrity news? Be sure to follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

Mom entrepreneur Diane Le designed a blanket/backpack combo with her family hikes and picnics in mind, but after testing the concept, she found it had broader appeal. Not sure where to start the manufacturing process, she asked for help. Thanks to our partnership with Office Depot OfficeMax, we are sharing Diane's founder story and how she learned through Selfmade that networking gets you everywhere.


B + C: What motivated you to start MiniAlps? What problem are you trying to solve for your customers?

DL: For me, it was a product I really wanted for my own personal use and it just didn't exist. I love spending time outdoors with my family but outdoor blankets are so bulky to carry. I remember going on a day hike with my husband and daughter and I had to carry a backpack on my back with our water, food, diapers, sunscreen and supplies and then I had to carry our picnic blanket on the front and hold my dog's leash all while hiking. It was just too much.

I thought "Why can't an outdoor blanket actually be a carrying bag and it can do double duty by carrying my things as well?" That's when MiniAlps was born.

B + C: How has the company evolved since your initial "aha" moment?

DL: Originally, we were only focusing on moms who really liked multitasking products but after testing the concept, we actually found out that late teens and 20-somethings really loved the idea of a stylish blanket/backpack duo. It was perfect for picnic outdoors, wineries, music festivals or just being on the go.


B + C: What startup challenges have you faced along the way?

DL: We've had two really big challenges. First, neither Sharlene Bisram (my co-founder) nor I had ever launched an apparel or outdoor product, so there was a really big learning curve for us in terms of fabrics and performance. We bought so many fabric samples just to make sure we had the right materials. The second was manufacturing. Manufacturing during COVID times has been tricky. We aren't able to travel to meet manufacturers in person, production times are much longer than normal, and shipping times are very delayed.

B + C: What strategies helped you overcome them?

DL: Networking and asking for help has been the best strategy for us. Whenever we run into a challenge, we've reached out to our networks to just ask "Does anyone know someone who knows XYZ?" and we've met many amazing people that way. I think there was a session in Selfmade that talked about that exactly - that being able to network effectively was one of the best ways to grow a business. I'm a big proponent in paying it forward as well. If there's some help someone is looking for, I'm happy to share any information or potential leads with them.

B + C: What would you say are your top successes so far?

DL: Designing a product I'm really happy with is probably my favorite success so far. We've gone through seven different iterations before landing where we are and I'm pretty proud of what we've created. Our bag is everything we wanted it to be: stylish, minimalist, modern, and incredibly practical.

B + C: How have you approached marketing your brand and raising awareness?

DL: We're a startup so we have very limited marketing funds. It's been a fun challenge to figure out how to build our brand on almost no budget. We use Canva for a lot of our branding materials. For awareness, we are active with promoting to our local community and utilizing social media and social ads to drive traffic to our target market.

B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?

DL: It really does start with mindset. When we had the first course about mindset, I was really confused on why we weren't focusing on more "business" type things first. But as I started building my business, I realized how important it is to be in a positive, winning frame of mind before anything else. It helps you weather all of the ups and downs of startup life.

B + C: Who and what inspires you?

DL: I have so many people in my life that I admire, it's hard to narrow it down! My daughter Camille was born with a rare disease and disability and she inspires me to beat the odds everyday. I also have to shout out to my mentor Sarah Grover, who is just a brilliant marketing and branding guru and Nurit Raich, who has been my incredible coach through a lot of life's challenges. It truly takes a village.

B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?

DL: Just get started! Don't let the fear of failure stop you before you even get started.

B + C: What's next for MiniAlps?

DL: We're opening up for pre-orders on our first production run very shortly! Sign up for more information at minialps.com.

B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot OfficeMax scholarship to Selfmade done to help you grow your business?

DL: It has been so helpful to have the support of Office Depot OfficeMax scholarship! It was only through the scholarship I was able to access all of Selfmade's amazing resources, from the networking to the coaches to the sessions, it's been a combination of motivating, inspiring, and supportive. I couldn't imagine launching MiniAlps without Selfmade.

B + C: How have Office Depot OfficeMax services/products helped you accomplish more in your business?

DL: It's honestly not possible to start a business without the right tools and Office Depot OfficeMax has been my go-to source. Their printing services in particular are fantastic; it's high quality, affordable, and a quick turnaround.

Thank you Diane for sharing your story! You can follow MiniAlps at minialps.com and on Facebook.

Need help bringing your idea to market? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach your customers with confidence. Learn more at Office Depot's Selfmade page.

Want to join the next Selfmade cohort? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.

While 2024 gave us some incredible movies like Challengers and Dune 2, it also provided some pretty disappointing films. Despite the fact my memories surrounding Dakota Johnson's Madame Web were incredibly fun, the movie in and of itself felt like nothing but meme after meme. (I think about "I just wanna go home and watch Idol" all the time). But it's not just the movies' content that's struggling — it's movies in general.

Oppenheimer was one of 2023's biggest titles, and yet it was only in theaters for around 18 weeks, while the $1 billion-earning, "cinema saving" Barbie had a theatrical run and IMAX re-release that culminated in 10 weeks in theaters. Compared to 2012's Avatar, which earned almost $3 billion at the time and ran for 34 weeks, I'm wondering what a "good movie" even means anymore.

Is the best movie the one that earns the most money? Is it whichever film has the biggest internet presence? Or is it the one that makes you feel like a better version of yourself when the credits roll? No matter what your definition of a good movie is viewers agree these flicks ain't it.

Keep reading for the worst movies of 2024 to see if you agree.

Y2K

A24

A New Year's Eve party turns into an absolute nightmare when the Y2K crisis actually happens. I'm talking blood, terror, and lots of screaming. Unfortunately, despite the fact movie watchers love a good slasher-comedy, this movie got a 45 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.2 out of 10 for IMDb.

Miller's Girl

Zac Popik/Lionsgate

I guess we'd moved passed teacher & student will-they-won't-they movies, but apparently not. Miller's Girl is all about power, boundaries, and what happens when lines blur, and it follows Jenna Ortega's character, whose assignment from a teacher (Martin Freeman) makes both of their lives super complicated. The film has a 29 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.2 out of 10 IMDb rating.

Uglies

Brian Douglas/Netflix

This is one 2024 movie I could not get through with a straight face because the message is simple: you're either pretty and brainwashed or ugly and smart. What about the intelligent hot people?! The movie follows Joey King's Tally, who lives in a society that gives you a "perfecting" surgery at the age of 16. Uglies was aiming to recreate the magic of franchises like The Hunger Games but based on the 16 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating and 4.7 IMDb score, it didn't work.

Borderlands

Lionsgate

This video game adaptation follows treasure hunter Lilith, who returns to her home planet of Pandora. Together with a rag-tag team of misfits, Lilith sets off to find a missing girl who's said to have endless power. Even though this has so many of the tropes movie-goers love — like found family and adventure — it only got a score of 10 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4.3 out of 10 on IMDb.

Madame Web

Sony Pictures Releasing

In this superhero movie, Dakota Johnson stars as the titular clairvoyant, who steps in to protect Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O'Connor when she starts seeing the future — and their untimely ends. Despite the insane popularity of the other Spider-Man movies, this one only has an 11 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and 4 on IMDb. However, its 2.3 billion TikTok mentions prove it's got serious cult classic potential.

Lift

Christopher Barr/Netflix

This heist movie revolves around an impossible mission to infiltrate a 777 passenger flight from London to Zurich, and apparently viewers really leaned into the impossibility of it all because its Rotten Tomatoes score is only 20 percent while its IMDb score is 5.5.

Mean Girls

Paramount Pictures

Mean Girls was highly anticipated by theatre kids and Renee Rap fans alike. The movie is a retelling of the Lindsay Lohan classic — Cady moves from homeschooling to public school, and falls in with The Plastics clique. But instead of bringing them down, she becomes the worst Plastic yet. Renee's "It's Not My Fault" might have over 107 million streams on Spotify, but the film only ranks 69 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and 5.6 on IMDb. We had a blast on the red carpet, though!

Argylle

Universal Pictures

Anyone who loves spy movies, campy rom-coms, and Taylor Swift was incredibly excited for this movie, which follows reclusive writer Elly Conway, who finds herself in the middle of a real-life spy mission when her books catch the attention of some really bad guys. I loved this movie, but considering it got a 33 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and a 5.7 on IMDb, I was one of the only ones.

Garfield

Product G Productions/Sony Pictures

Garfield loves living with Odie and Jon, and all the luxury that comes with it. But when he reunites with his dad, he winds up on the wildest outdoor adventure of his life. This flick is rated a 36 percent out of 100 on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.7 out of 10 on IMDb.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Warner Bros. Pictures

Godzilla and King Kong team up against a new threat in this crazy, mind-bending film. The movie got a 54 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and 6.1 IMDb score, and as much as I love this new cast, I will admit I miss seeing Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Megalopolis

Mihai Malaimare/Lionsgate

We might all be thinking about the Roman Empire, but it seems a lot of viewers & critics wish they could forget Megalopolis. This story, which follows a duel between artistic Cesar Catilina, greedy leader Franklyn Cicero, and Julia Cicero feeling torn between them, is considered one of the worst movies of 2024. It currently has a 45 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4.8 out of 10 on IMDb.

Despicable Me 4

Illumination/Universal Pictures

Gru and his family — Margot, Lucy, Margo, Edith, Agnes, and Gru Jr. — have to go on the run when a brand new villain rises up. Despite the fact everyone loves Gru (and the Minions), Despicable Me 4 was rated 56 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.2 on IMDb.

Do you think these are the worst movies of 2024? Let us know what we missed in the comments and check out The Worst TV Shows Of 2024.

This post has been updated.

Few books have made an impact on BookTok like Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us. The story follows a woman named Lily who is intrigued by a new relationship with Ryle (Justin Baldoni), but an encounter with her first love Atlas (Brandon Sklenar) — and the reminders of her past that Atlas carries — complicates everything. This movie based on a bookis one to remember.

We had high hopes for this summer movie, and when it was announced that Justin Baldoni would develop the film in 2019, we knew the story was in good hands. Baldoni won us over with his role as Rafael in Jane The Virgin, and his feature directorial debut Five Feet Apart made us cry our eyes out.

If you're a Colleen Hoover fan, keep reading for everything you need to know about It Ends With Us. Check out the rest of this year's 2024 movies too!

Is It Ends With Us streaming?

Sony Pictures Releasing

Yes, you can now watch It Ends With Us at home! The movie is finally on Netflix, but it's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime. That means you can watch the movie while reading up on all the cast drama without shame.

Is Ryan Reynolds involved in It Ends With Us?

Sony Pictures Releasing

Yes, Blake Lively revealed Ryan Reynolds helped write one of It Ends With Us' most memorable scenes. "The iconic rooftop scene, my husband actually wrote it," she tells E! News."He works on everything I do, I work on everything he does. So his wins, his celebrations are mine and mine are his."

Lively also says that Reynolds showed up in the movie in another unexpected way: through his clothes! "I have a few of my husband's shirts and socks randomly in the movie," she tells People. She also wears her own boots in the birthday party scene, and her own Louboutins in the bar.

"I have some of Gigi Hadid's sweaters in the movie," she continues. "She has this line, Guest In Residence, but also she would run out and I would be like, 'I want this one' because of all the really cool patterns and whatnot, and she’d be like, 'I have that. You can wear mine.'"

Watch the It Ends With Us trailer now!

Sony Pictures Releasing

The way I IMMEDIATELY slapped my hand over my mouth at the first notes of "My Tears Ricochet" from Taylor Swift's Folklore. What a song choice for the first trailer! And then to have Ethel Cain's "Strangers" lead the second trailer makes me want to cry! This is the one trailer we have been waiting for all year, and it totally captures the emotion, heart, and drama of the book.

When is the It Ends With Us movie coming out?

Sony Pictures Releasing

It Ends With Us premiered in theaters August 9, 2024. With so much color, plus the fact Blake Lively's Lily runs a flower shop, a summer release is perfect! Because of the writers' strike and actors' strike, production on the film paused over the summer of 2023, meaning the movie got delayed from its original February 9 (then June 21) release date.

Who plays Lily in the It Ends With Us cast?

Sony Pictures Releasing

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni (who also directed) star in the film as Lily and Ryle, respectively. On April 20, 2023, it was announced that 1923 star Brandon Sklenar would join the duo as Atlas, and on May 1, Jenny Slate joined the cast as Ryle's sister Allysa. Hasan Minhaj joined the film on May 25 as Alyssa's husband Marshall.

Baldoni also posted a TikTok confirming that after an open casting call, they found Isabela Ferrer for young Lily!

Fans were initially unhappy with Blake's casting, because in the book, Lily is supposed to be in her early 20s. But author Colleen Hoover explained a bit of the intention behind the casting with TODAY, explaining that the "new adult" genre at the time favored characters in their early 20s — and that the point of the book is its message, not its cast or costumes.

“As an author, we make mistakes,” she says. “There’s no 28-year-old neurosurgeons, you know? You go to school for 15 years. And so to make corrections to what I messed up in the book, we aged the characters up somewhat...I love that there’s discourse surrounding it, I do. I think that people are going to be very pleased. I’m very pleased.”

What is It Ends With Us about?

Amazon

It Ends With Us follows Lily Bloom after she moves out of her small town to start a flower shop in Boston. When she meets Ryle on a rooftop and quickly falls head over heels, it seems like fate. That is, until she comes face-to-face with her first love Atlas. It's a story of strength, deep-rooted relationships, and identity that made waves on social media.

Where was It Ends With Us filmed?

Sony Pictures Releasing

It Ends With Us filmed primarily in New Jersey. The first set images from It Ends With Us are from a scene that takes place between Lily and Ryle. While Baldoni is wearing a simple black sweater, Lively is wearing two different shades of pink over a brown dress. I love the way costumes highlight all the ways characters are different, and this is the perfect example!

On January 6, 2024, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni were finally spotted in Jersey City again. While the costumes have gotten some backlash, I really love the texture and visual interest in this patchwork jacket + jeans combo! It feels creative and bright — just like Lily :).

And on April 30 we FINALLY got the first official images from the movie. The colors are just as bright and yet still have some emotional weight behind them to match the story. I'm particularly obsessed with this Blake Lively look — I'm a sucker for a jeans + tank + cardigan combo.

Is Colleen Hoover making a movie out of It Starts With Us?

Sony Pictures Releasing

We might have just gotten a movie adaptation of It Ends With Us, but fans are already hoping for a sequel movie based on It Starts With Us! There's no word on the potential sequel, but star Brandon Sklenar is totally down to return.

"I would love to do it, I really would, I would love to do it," Brandon Sklenar told Access during New York Fashion Week. "I hope we can get it together because I think the fans deserve it, and I'd just love to tell more of Atlas' story and get into his past a little more. Yeah, it would be beautiful if we can do it. I would love to."

Who else is working on the film?

Sony Pictures Releasing

Lively, Baldoni, Hoover, Steve Sarowitz, and Andrew Calof all served as executive producers, while Alex Saks, Christy Hall, and Jamey Heath produced. Hall also wrote the script for the film.

Follow us on TikTok and Twitter for the latest entertainment updates, and check back here for new info on It Ends With Us! Feel free to rewatch all of Blake Lively's movies too ;).

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This post has been updated.