Netflix's "Black Lives Matter" genre collection features titles about racial injustice and the experience of Black Americans—and makes for some perfect viewing to celebrate Black History Month, Juneteenth, or to help further your anti-racist education. If you've finished reading the best books on race and want some direction on which movie titles to watch, we recommend starting with these Netflix documentaries, films, and TV series in the collection. Self Made Based on a true story, this Netflix series revolves around the inspirational life of Madam C.J. Walker, an African American washerwoman who rose from poverty to build a beauty empire and become the first female self-made millionaire. Dear White People While the movie is categorized as a comedy-drama, the film focuses on some very serious issues, primarily the escalating racial tensions at a predominantly white Ivy League college from the perspective of several Black students. This movie spawned a great TV show of the same name, also on Netflix. Mudbound While the setting of this historical drama is rural Mississippi just after World War II, sadly it details themes of race and class that are still very much prevalent today. It centers around two World War II veterans—one white, one Black—who return to their farmland homes in the Mississippi Delta where stateside racism and white supremacists challenge their respective lifestyles. American Son When Kendra Ellis-Connor's (Kerry Washington) son does not come home, she searches for him at a Florida police station with her ex-husband. Based on the Broadway play, this Netflix film shows the unconscious bias, race dynamics, and systemic tensions the interracial couple faces while dealing with the Florida police station. When They See Us Based on a true story, this story takes place in 1989 when a jogger was assaulted and raped in New York's Central Park. Five teens from Harlem are falsely accused of the crime, and although they declared their innocence, the quintet spends a quarter of a century fighting the convictions against them—starting from when the teens were first questioned about the incident in the spring of 1989, all the way to their ultimate exoneration in 2002 and settlement with New York City in 2014. Trial 4 Trial 4 is a Netflix original documentary series that shows Sean K. Ellis's fight to prove his innocence and expose police corruption that wrongfully charged him for 22 years. This series uncovers the cultural cover up affecting police departments across the country. The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson This Netflix original documentary chronicles the life (and suspicious death) of iconic LGBTQ rights activist Marsha P. Johnson, who was a pioneer of the gay liberation movement and held a leading role in the 1969 Stonewall Riots. 13th Ava DuVernay holds nothing back in this eye-opening documentary—her brutally honest portrayal of the disproportionate placement of African Americans in prison speaks volumes on the institutionalized racism that looms over America. Da 5 Bloods Spike Lee's movie tells a side of the Vietnam story that's rarely brought to light. The drama cleverly interweaves hard-hitting emotions with social commentary as it explores the mindset of Black soldiers who fought for their country at a time when African Americans were being oppressed at home. Two Distant Strangers This Oscar-winning short film feels more timely than ever. It follows a Black man facing a horrific Groundhog Day scenario—where he's looping back through a deadly run-in with a cop on an innocent walk home. Becoming Explore the life of former first lady Michelle Obama as she takes to the road to promote her autobiography in this moving documentary. High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America This documentary series explores the history of African American cuisine, from its roots in Africa to a modern-day Juneteenth feast—and its profound impact on what we eat. Barry This Netflix film shows the journey of a young Barack Obama, who goes by "Barry" at Columbia University in New York City. Taking place in 1981, Barry faces struggles with race, strained family relationships, and life as a college student. Zion This inspirational short documentary film follows Zion Clark, a teen born without legs due to a rare medical condition who grew up in foster care and his journey building confidence through competitive wrestling.

Spring is a time to reawaken our love of nature and adventure. As such, we have listed several things to do this spring that might seem like they are for kids only. But we encourage even childless adults or adults with grown children to try them out, too (you'll thank us later). See how many spring activities you can cross off of your to-do list this season—whether you decide to take on the traditional rites of spring, ease into some spring mindfulness, or savor a seasonal menu. Cherry Blossoms in Spring While some spring activities are only for later in the season, when the days are longer and warmer (and strawberries are in season), others are perfect for enjoying the very first day of spring. (And while spring is synonymous with cleaning, everything here is fun—no spring cleaning allowed!). Outdoor Activity Ideas It's time to get outside and enjoy the milder weather that will only become warmer as the days go on. Embrace spring in the garden as plants and flowers begin to bloom. If you're not into gardening, explore exercise options that can be enjoyed outdoors. Plant a spring garden (or even just a plant or two). See the cherry blossoms. Have a picnic at the park. Seek out the first crocuses, snowdrops, and other spring flowers. Go for a run. Take a hike. Start some seeds. Play softball. Ride a bike. Enjoy the spring weather at an outdoor café. Visit a farm to see the baby animals. Walk on an empty beach. Play a round of golf (or mini golf!). Go horseback riding. Hit the pickleball court. Go on a nature-themed scavenger hunt. Make a bird feeder. Take pictures of nature. Start a nature journal to document birds and plants. Go on a guided foraging tour. Spring Activities for Kids (and Kids at Heart) After being cooped up all winter, kids want nothing more than to play outside at the first sign of spring. Create childhood memories or share your own with kids as you play with sidewalk chalk, blow bubbles, or create an enchanted fairy garden. Fly a kite. Look for four-leaf clovers. Jump in puddles. Blow bubbles. Climb a tree. Find a playground and swing on the swings. Feed the ducks at a pond. Wade in a creek. Draw pictures on the sidewalk with chalk. Skip stones across a pond. Plan a kid-friendly spring break vacation. Play catch. Pick dandelions. Play frisbee. Craft a fairy garden. Host an Easter egg hunt. Set up an insect-themed scavenger hunt. Paint rocks. Press spring flowers into artwork. Weave a crown out of spring flowers. What to Eat and Drink There is nothing better than a bountiful harvest at the beginning of each season, and spring is no exception. From strawberries and asparagus to refreshing fruity drinks and colorful desserts, there are plenty of new recipe ideas to try this spring. Eat some roasted asparagus. Steam whole artichokes and eat them leaf by leaf. Bake festive spring cupcakes with pink (or lavender or yellow or baby blue) frosting. Eat a ripe apricot. Enjoy new potatoes. Visit the farmers market to buy spinach and sugar snap peas. Pick strawberries at a farm (just don't forget to wash them). Make a strawberry shortcake. Eat jellybeans. Buy a package of Peeps. Mix up a pitcher of margaritas. Savor soft-shell crabs. Make deviled eggs. Enjoy something with rhubarb. Whip up a carrot cake. Make fruit jam. Pickle beets and radishes. Make homemade pesto with fresh spring herbs. Buy some local honey and spread it on freshly baked bread. Make your own blend of herbal iced tea. Spring Mindfulness Activities We tend to associate spring with a total mind and body reset and a rebirth of the importance of mental and emotional health. The simplest of activities, such as creating a fresh bouquet or listening to the sounds of nature, can generate a lighter, happier feeling that everyone deserves to experience. Listen to the rain. Watch bumblebees at work in a garden. Notice the trees budding. Seek out a rainbow. Listen to the birds singing. Go bare-legged. Feel the sun on your face. Leave your windows open to catch a spring breeze. Pet a bunny. See all the Oscar-winning movies. Send someone other than your mom a Mother's Day card. Wear comfortable open-toed shoes. Buy a colorful umbrella. Visit the zoo. Decorate your home with fresh tulips and daffodils. Get caught in a spring shower. Paint your nails a pretty spring pastel. Watch for birds on a walk. Enjoy a candle or soap scented like spring (think fresh grass or lilacs). Lie down in a hammock and watch the clouds go by. Go star gazing. Read an easy, breezy book outdoors. Create a centerpiece with flowering branches or pussy willows. Do yoga on the grass. Make a bouquet with fresh garden-cut flowers. Take a watercolor art class that's held outdoors. Use spring stationary to write your loved ones letters. Create an indoor reading nook by a large window.

Given how important sleep is, it should come more easily and naturally. But, alas, few people get enough each night—and that's often due to their inability to fall asleep in the first place. Racing thoughts, general anxiety, and overwhelming stress can keep us tossing and turning for hours. But have you ever tried listening to a podcast for sleep? Most experts indeed recommend keeping your phone and other devices far from where you dream, but listening to relaxing podcasts to help you sleep might be one exception to try if you're struggling to fall asleep. Whether you're looking for peaceful meditations, ambient noise, or mellow bedtime stories (yes, those exist for adults), here's a running list of soothing podcasts created specifically to calm you down, bore you senseless, and lose you mid-episode as you drift off to sleep. 01 of 14 Sleep With Me Host and creator of the podcast Sleep With Me, Drew Ackerman, is far from offended if listeners doze off during it—in fact, he's flattered. Each hour-long (ish) episode feeds you an imaginative, yet calming bedtime story worthy of (eventually) snoring along to. Whether you come to Sleep With Me with racing thoughts, anxiety, or insomnia, you can expect to catch Zzzs before the end of the episode. 02 of 14 Game of Drones Game of Drones is another podcast from the mind behind Sleep With Me, meant to be "part bedtime story and part high school class you can't stay awake for," according to its Apple Podcast description. Sleep-deprived fans of George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones series will drift off to dreamland in no time—but you may just fall asleep even more quickly if you're not a GoT fan. 03 of 14 Get Sleepy In 30- to 40-minute episodes, Get Sleepy guides listeners through relaxing sleep meditations, like mindful body scans and breathing techniques, followed by soothing stories and audio experiences to quiet minds and bring on the shut-eye. 04 of 14 Boring Books for Bedtime Say no more. Fall asleep to the purposely boring Boring Books for Bedtime in which soft-spoken narrators bore you to sleep with everything that ever made your eyes droop in school. With weekly episode options ranging from The Federalist Papers to the 1897 Sears Roebuck and Co. Catalog of agricultural tools, you're guaranteed to tune out almost immediately. 05 of 14 Nothing Much Happens: Bedtime Stories to Help You Sleep Sometimes it's hard to let yourself fall asleep to a podcast knowing you might miss the end of a story. Instead, try Nothing Much Happens, in which, you guessed it, nothing much happens. At least nothing you'd miss dozing off to—making it an ideal podcast for sleep. Yoga and meditation teacher Kathryn Nicolai brings your frenzied mind to a quiet, tranquil place before bed by reading purposely plotless stories twice through, slowing down the pace for round two—we're getting sleepy just thinking about it. 06 of 14 Tracks to Relax Tracks to Relax offers somnolent guided sleep meditations to encourage true pre-sleep serenity, from peaceful visualizations to empowering mantras. 07 of 14 Sleep Whispers Wind down with Sleep Whispers, a fan favorite story-time-meets-ASMR podcast designed to help adults get the forty winks they need. Follow along—until you can't—to the dulcet, whispered chatter of this sleep podcast, in the form of lilting poetry, calming meditations, fascinating stories, and even intriguing Wikipedia topics. 08 of 14 Deep Energy Podcast For those who need a podcast for sleep without the distraction of human voices, Deep Energy is a great choice. It channels soothing ambient noise and new-age music to move you into a state of deep relaxation. 09 of 14 Slow Radio If you're a big fan of the outdoors, listen to Slow Radio for relaxing nature sounds. From birds chirping to calming nature sounds, this podcast will be sure to help you wind down and fall asleep. 10 of 14 Dreamful Bedtime Stories Deep sleep awaits with the dreamy stories of the Dreamful Bedtime Stories podcast. Every story includes relaxing music to help you doze off. Listen for stories about myths, daydreams, old tales, and much more. 11 of 14 Sleep with Silk: Soothing Voices Head into your most relaxed state with the soothing voices from the Sleep with Silk: Soothing Voice podcast. There's a wide variety of literature, poetry, and bedtime stories to pick from for relaxation and sleep. 12 of 14 Snoozecast If you enjoy classic stories and tales, the Snoozecast podcast has tons of stories to share. Designed to make you fall asleep, the narrators tell their stories with a relaxing voice to help you wind down. New episodes are posted three times a week, so you won't run out of content with this podcast. 13 of 14 Bore You To Sleep - Sleep Stories for Adults For those who need to be bored in order to fall asleep, check out Bore You To Sleep - Sleep Stories for Adults. With guides for a restful night of sleep to bedtime stories with calming narration, this podcast has it all. 14 of 14 Daily Meditation If you're looking to get into meditation for better sleep and relaxation, the Daily Meditation podcast offers new guided meditations each day. These episodes can help calm your mind, so you can fall asleep easier and faster.

In the old days, we were beholden to TV schedulers for watching our favorite Christmas movies and shows, but those days are gone. Every year, streaming services seem to expand their catalog of must-see Christmas classics, allowing us to unwind with a holiday cocktail and stream our favorite holiday shows and movies whenever we feel like it. At the risk of throwing a damper on your Christmas parade, there are still two cartoon classics that have yet to stream freely. For now, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman are still at the whims of the CBS schedulers. For just about everything else, here's a guide to the classic holiday movies and specials streaming on the most popular services this season. 01 of 07 Disney+ It's hardly shocking that you'll find a ton of kid-friendly holiday specials and movies on Disney+: Home Alone: Macaulay Culkin protects his house from the most incompetent burglars on the planet. The New York sequel is here, too. Miracle on 34th Street: Is Santa real? Disney+ has the classic, so you can figure it out. Mickey's Christmas Carol: Start your kids on the classic Dickens tale early with this Disney-fied retelling. The Muppet Christmas Carol: Michael Caine is Scrooge in this irreverent version of the classic tale. Nightmare Before Christmas: Halloween + Christmas = spooky, good fun. Prep & Landing: This decade-old special offers a clever take on how Santa gets gifts to all the kids around the world. The Santa Clause: This is the one where Tim Allen becomes the next Santa. You'll also find its sundry sequels here, including the newest, The Santa Clauses. Sound of Music: Not exactly a Christmas movie, but this one was broadcast on Christmas so many times it feels like it is. 02 of 07 HBO Max HBO specializes in funny holiday movies but has an animated favorite to round it out. A Christmas Story: Follow the travails of youngster Ralphie dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, and check out the 2022 sequel, A Christmas Story Christmas is here, too. Elf: It isn't Christmas if you don't get to see Will Ferrell scream "Santa!" Krampus: This horror-comedy flips the holiday script, showcasing a dysfunctional family facing an ancient spirit that punishes those who have lost the Christmas spirit. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Join the Griswolds in their chaotic quest for the perfect celebration. The Polar Express: This animated adventure starring Tom Hanks takes you by rail to the North Pole. 03 of 07 Hulu Hulu is loaded with a bunch of Hallmark-esque movies and has upped its game by acquiring more classic options this year: A Christmas Carol: Hulu has this 2019 darker miniseries for your viewing pleasure. Deck the Halls: Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick clash as neighbors in this hilarious Christmastime film. Die Hard: If you're on the Die-Hard-IS-a-Christmas-movie team, watch it here. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Stumbling, bumbling Clark Griswold can't catch a break, even at Christmas. The Grinch: This 2018 animated, movie-length, remake is a worthy modern take on the classic. The Polar Express: All aboard for a rollicking animated adventure to the North Pole. 04 of 07 Netflix Netflix has focused on producing its own new shows and movies with a holiday theme, but you'll find these classic holiday options, too: Klaus: An Academy Award-nominated film where a greedy postman and an isolated toymaker become friends and together bring Christmas to a sad, small town. Fireplace for Your Home: If your home is lacking an electric fireplace, Netflix offers three cool options for a crackling fire to blaze in the background. Love Actually: Britain's best actors falling in and out of love. What's not to love? 05 of 07 Peacock Peacock is producing its own shows but carries a few holiday specials for your streaming pleasure: 12 Days of Christmas Eve: This charming holiday film follows a successful businessman who gets a wake-up call when he finds himself stuck in a time loop, reliving the twelve days leading up to Christmas Eve. How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The original cartoon version with Boris Karloff as the Grinch is the one we consider the best. Jack Frost: In this chilling tale, a serial killer is accidentally transformed into a murderous snowman after a freak accident—perfect for those looking to add a little spook to the holiday season. 06 of 07 Amazon Prime Video It's a Wonderful Life: Amazon Prime streams this ultimate holiday movie about a man who gets angelic help remembering how important he is to the people in his life. George Balanchine's The Nutcracker: This ballet classic from 1993 features Macaulay Culkin as the prince! Home Alone: Watch Kevin foil his nemeses in this heartwarming original. The Muppet Christmas Carol: Dickens' novel goes to the puppets in this 1992 musical film adaptation. White Christmas: This Bing Crosby classic is the source of everyone's "white Christmas" dreams. 07 of 07 Other Streaming Services These classic Christmas shows are sprinkled among other streaming services: Bad Moms: For when you need a break from the baking, shopping, and merry-making, go to this one on TNT and TBS. Bad Santa: To take a trip to the dark side of the holiday, watch Billy Bob Thornton in the title role on Pluto TV. Charlie Brown Christmas: Apple TV has a monopoly on the Peanuts vault, including this endearing story of Charlie Brown and his sad little tree. A Christmas Carol: If you want the 1984 classic starring George C. Scott, you'll find it on Starz. Scrooged: Watch the Bill Murray modernization of A Christmas Carol on Paramount+.

Life is a constant battle between the urge to relax and treat yourself, and the need to get stuff done. Finding a great organizing and decluttering show gives you the best of both worlds: you can lounge around on your sofa while simultaneously getting great ideas about how to manage your mess and conquer your clutter. But decluttering and cleaning shows aren't one size fits all. Depending on where you're hoping to corral the chaos—and your unique organizing style—you might relate a little more with a particular decluttering style. If you're still searching for your streaming organizing expert, we have some great options here. 01 of 08 Hot Mess House Big concept: Pro organizer Cas Aarssen helps people reorganize their space virtually by giving them advice that suits their organizing style. Best for: People who want to figure out what their organization style is—and find tips that suit it. Where to watch: Discovery+ Hot tip: To deal with the paper mess, create categories with stickies—and simply put the papers in the right piles. (Then put them into folders!) 02 of 08 The Minimalists: Less Is More Big concept: A pair of minimalist-loving guys talk about the movement toward living with less. Best for: People interested in living a minimalist lifestyle. Where to watch: Netflix Hot tip: Take the minimalist challenge: Find one item to get rid of on the first day, two on the second, three on the third, and so on—for a full month. 03 of 08 Get Organized With The Home Edit Big concept: Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin make your closet (and home) look like a boutique you'd love to shop at by displaying everything beautifully. Their signature organizing and decluttering look is a rainbow closet reorder, which sorts the racks by organizing from red to purple. Best for: People whose closets are a fashion emergency (the team spends a lot of time in closets) and anyone who wants to take a peek inside celebrity homes. (Reese Witherspoon's mammoth movie memorabilia closet? Yes, please!) Where to watch: Netflix Hot tip: Don't buy your organizing boxes and bins until you've pared down your possessions. (Otherwise, you'll just have to return them.) 04 of 08 Tidying Up With Marie Kondo Big concept: Keep only the things that spark joy for you. Best for: People who need an overhaul in many different parts of their home. (Watching her clear a kitchen made me itch to tackle my overcrowded pantry.) And people who don't mind the rather woo-woo concept of holding each object in your hand and deciding if it sparks joy. (P.S. Marie Kondo's newest show, Sparking Joy, helps people find ways to declutter their entire lives, if you're looking to simplify everything.) Where to watch: Netflix Hot tip: That KonMari folding method truly makes your drawers and linen closets look seamless. 05 of 08 Tiny House Nation Big concept: Families from around the country build and move into tiny homes, which means they're under 500 square feet. And we're talking full families! Every nook and cranny needs to be optimized for storage and function. Best for: People who feel like there's never enough room to stash their stuff at home. Once you see how little clutter these families are able to keep, suddenly your home will feel like an endless mansion. Where to watch: Netflix Hot tip: You really don't need as much stuff as you think you do! 06 of 08 Queer Eye Big concept: The Fab Five (Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness, and either Bobby Berk or Jeremiah Brent depending on which season you watch) help transform a person's life, updating their beauty routine, wardrobe, interpersonal skills, cooking repertoire, and home. The home part is where you really need to pay attention, because Bobby and Jeremiah give awesome tips on how to stash your things in a sophisticated way. Best for: People who feel stuck in a rut and need to declutter their lives as a whole to move forward. Where to watch: Netflix Hot tip: Sometimes you have to let go of the past to make way for the future. 07 of 08 Hack My Home Big concept: Four design pros (including REAL SIMPLE HOME 2024 designer Mikel Welch) transform different families' spaces by creating space-maximizing solutions. Best for: People with kids—there are a ton of great ideas to keep all of their stuff in check. Where to watch: Netflix Hot tip: Look for multifunctional furniture like a bed with built-in storage or a dining table that can expand when you're hosting company and need more seats. 08 of 08 Problem Spaces Big concept: Interior designer and blogger Fariha Nasir helps clients turn difficult spaces (think awkward angles or teeny tiny rooms) into functional, beautiful rooms. Best for: People who aren't afraid to DIY! Fariha isn't carving a table from scratch, but a lot of her solutions mid-level DIY projects. Where to watch: HBO Max Hot tip: You can totally transform your space without breaking the bank. All it takes is a little inspiration!

You might say October marks the height of fall: The temperature finally dips—and actually stays chilly. Pumpkin patches and apple orchards are ripe for the picking. Cafes have hit their true pumpkin spice latte strides. Throughout most of the United States, the colorful change in fall foliage will peak sometime during the month of October, making this particular autumn month synonymous with prime leaf-peeping. The only "problem" with October—despite all its fall glory—is that it tends to fly by so quickly that, come November and December, we'll have let it slip by without enjoying what it has to offer. Before the month is up and winter is truly here, why not do one or two quintessentially fall activities with friends, your kids, your partner, or simply on your own? Here are some classic fun things to do in October to take advantage of the beautiful weather, seasonal changes, gorgeous foliage, and calm before the holiday storm. 01 of 25 Explore the Fall Foliage Whether it's right at a local park or a two-hour drive into the country, look up the best places to see all the gorgeous, vibrant fall foliage near you. Bring your camera and get ready to marvel at the yellows, oranges, and reds of the season. 02 of 25 Go Pumpkin Picking Head to a pumpkin patch with your best friends, your kids, or your S.O. to find the perfect pumpkins for an October-themed doorstep or natural fall decor inside. If you're going with kids, they'll love being able to choose their favorite pumpkins and take them home to carve or paint. 03 of 25 Go for a Hike Whether it's flat and leisurely or long and rigorous, there's nothing like a good hike through nature surrounded by cool, clean air and fall-touched trees. Bundle up, go with a bunch of friends, pack a picnic for the end, and don't forget to bring your camera. 04 of 25 Go Apple Picking Apple picking season usually starts in August and peaks through September—but there's still time to squeeze in one last trip to a nearby apple orchard or apple farm during the first half of October. Even if the apples aren't at their absolute best, you can still walk the orchards (for the perfect apple-picking Instagram shot), eat apple cider doughnuts, and stock up on homemade apple cider. Worst case scenario: You spend the day outside! 05 of 25 Take a Bike Ride Another way to get outside and see the leaves change is to take a bike ride along country roads. Live in a city? Make a day of it: Rent bikes, take the train (or rent a car) out of the city, and ride on local roads. In many parts of the country, October is one of the last months before the weather turns too cold for a bike ride. 06 of 25 Go to a Fall Festival Look into local fall festivals coming up near you and take some friends, your kids, or a date out for a day of hayrides, pumpkin picking, haunted houses, local food stalls, outdoor entertainment, and caramel apples. Is there anything more fun to do in October? 07 of 25 Tour a Winery or Brewery People often think of spending the day at a winery or brewery is a warm-weather activity. They're not wrong—that probably just means they've never been during the fall. Spoiler warning: It's awesome. A winery or brewery likely won't be quite as crowded in October, plus most places have indoor seating in case the weather's chilly. Otherwise, it's the perfect excuse to wear your cutest fall scarf and ankle boots and enjoy some fresh local wine and beer with buddies. 08 of 25 Take a Haunted Roadtrip Boo! Love a good scare? Get some friends, find a haunted city nearby, and go nuts planning a Halloween-inspired trip. Other spooky options include going on a ghost tour, visiting an old cemetery, or touring a historic building at night (if possible). 09 of 25 Rally Friends for Touch Football Again, take advantage before the weather really turns cold to play a game of touch football with family, friends, and neighbors. Head to a local park or pick up a game in someone's backyard. And don't forget to invite people in for hot cider or cocoa when you're done. 10 of 25 Swap Summer Clothing for Fall Clothing It's time to trade in those sandals and bathing suits for sweaters and scarves. Spend a rainy Saturday or Sunday in October making room in your closet for your fall and winter clothing. If that sounds like a bore, turn it into a more fun activity. Put on your favorite music, a podcast, or an old favorite TV show in the background and get things done. While you're at it, sort out gently used things you don't wear anymore and donate them. 11 of 25 Collect Fall Leaves and Press or Preserve Them Whenever you come across a particularly stunning leaf on the ground, bring it home and turn it into a beautiful DIY project. You can press the leaf between heavy books for a few days to preserve its shape and color. Then, frame it or use it to create art like leaf garlands, greeting cards, or bookmarks. You can make personalized home décor for yourself or create thoughtful, handmade gifts for your friends and family. 12 of 25 Make Halloween Costumes Sure, you could elbow your way through a costume store—or you could whip up an easy, homemade Halloween costume without leaving the house. Get creative with the costumes, too! You can go with old-time classics like witches and goblins, or you can put together trendy ones. Think about characters from popular series, for example. 13 of 25 Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte While Starbucks has its PSL down to a science (and will always have a place in our hearts), why not try to make your own homemade version? Simply mix pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and a little bit of vanilla with your favorite brewed coffee or espresso. Stir in some steamed milk (and add sweetener if you want), and top it off with a sprinkle of cinnamon. 14 of 25 Rake Leaves We know, this one technically counts as a chore—so why not make a fun fall activity out of it? If your kids are around, have them lend a hand and see who can make the biggest leaf pile. 15 of 25 Make Pumpkin Puree Another thing you can do with all those pumpkins from the pumpkin patch: Make pumpkin puree. Canned pumpkin has its merits, but it's not always made from pure pumpkin. This way, you can ensure yours is all-natural. Plus, it's a great way to use up those pumpkin innards from carving. (Pumpkin doesn't just make delicious pies and lattes; it has tons of health benefits, too). 16 of 25 Add Pumpkin to Everything Don't stop at lattes and puree. Bake pumpkin spice bread (shown here) or muffins, try pumpkin pancakes, toast pumpkin seeds, make pumpkin lasagna, or make a batch of pumpkin-based soup—just to name a few. 17 of 25 Roast Marshmallows and Make S'mores If you already have a cozy fall fire roaring away in the hearth, do yourself a favor and toast up some marshmallows, too. Grab some graham crackers and chocolate to make classic s'mores, or enjoy the marshmallows on their own. They make for a warm, gooey treat with or without chocolate (although chocolate always helps). 18 of 25 Decorate the House for Fall Whatever your style—natural, minimal, glam, or rustic—take advantage of a rainy or cloudy weekend in October to finally get your home looking festive for fall. Hang a wreath on the door, prop mini pumpkins and gourds along the table, and sweep a pretty fall garland across the mantle. 19 of 25 Carve (or Paint) Pumpkins Thanks to the promise of Halloween coming in a few weeks, pumpkin carving is a classic October activity to at home. Not a huge fan of the mess or the knife work (especially if you have young kids around)? Try DIY pumpkin painting ideas that are much easier than carving (but no less fun or pretty!). 20 of 25 Watch Scary Movies 'Tis the season for scary movies! Have a Netflix account? Line up some of your favorite scary Halloween movies. Or cozy up with a classic, kid-friendly Halloween movie like Hocus Pocus. 21 of 25 Read a Scary Book Whether it's a Stephen King classic or a contemporary thriller hot off the press, reading a creepy book in October will definitely get you in the mood for Halloween. Curl up on the couch with a blanket and a cup of tea (or maybe something stronger) and lose yourself in a chilling thriller you can't put down. 22 of 25 Host a Potluck Hosting a fall potluck is a great way to gather your friends and family in a cozy atmosphere. Invite them to bring their favorite fall-inspired dishes like hearty soups, pumpkin desserts, and casseroles filled with seasonal vegetables. Be sure to also set the mood with warm décor (think candles and rustic table settings). If you decide to host it outside, an outdoor bonfire can also add to the atmosphere. 23 of 25 Mix up Fall-Inspired Cocktails Get together with a partner or friends and whip up some fall-inspired cocktails to ring in the season's rich flavors and cozy vibes. Try crafting drinks with seasonal ingredients: apple cider, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, maple syrup, etc. You can go with the classics like warm spiked cider or a bourbon maple old-fashioned. Or get creative with pumpkin spice martinis. Just be sure to garnish your drinks with cinnamon sticks, apple slices, or fresh herbs for a festive touch. 24 of 25 Visit a Local Farmers' Market Visit a local farmers' market to shop for fall produce, smell the season’s harvest, and support local growers. You’re likely to find an abundance of seasonal staples like crisp apples, pumpkins, squash, and Brussels sprouts. But take the opportunity to discover different varieties of produce and enjoy fresh, farm-to-table flavors. Many markets feature baked goods and handmade crafts, as well. 25 of 25 Plant Fall Flowers Planting fall flowers is a great way to add seasonal colors to your garden. Annuals are better if you want instant flowers just for the season. They grow quickly and bloom throughout fall, making them ideal for short-term displays in your garden or windowsills. Pansies, violas, and snapdragons are ideal autumn annuals.

Your challenge: Finding good kids' movies on Netflix that grownups and older kids can enjoy, too. Fortunately, there are plenty of options that the kids will love (and will be entertaining for people older than 10 too). We've narrowed the list down to the best of the best, including a few old-school favorites you might remember from when you were a kid. Whether they're critically acclaimed, full of nostalgia, or beautiful works of art, kids of all ages will enjoy these kids' movies on Netflix, and adults can always find deeper meaning in the dialogue, artistry, and plot. Best of all? You can watch them all immediately—and as many times as you want—so go ahead and binge one or two. Netflix-Produced Animated Family Movies If you love animation, there are plenty of good movies on Netflix for kids—so check out a few of our favorites. Nimona Nimona is a shape-shifting outcast who befriends an innocent knight accused of murder. The pair adventure out to clear the knight's name, and help Nimona find acceptance. Leo Adam Sandler helped create (and stars in!) this charming animal tale about an ancient class pet lizard who shares his wisdom with the sixth grade class. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro takes a fresh look at the classic story of a puppet come to life in this engaging (and gorgeous) stop-motion reimagining. Ewan McGregor, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, and Finn Wolfhard are all among the voice cast. Extinct If you're looking for adorable animated animals (and a very vague lesson about environmentalism), Extinct features a pair of sweet doughnut-shaped creatures that travel into the future to find that they've somehow gone extinct. They join a crew of fellow extinct animals as they try to find their way back home. The show features comedy actors like Rachel Bloom, Catherine O'Hara, Ken Jeong, and Adam DeVine. The Willoughbys This highly rated (and under-appreciated) 2020 animated film features a slightly-less-than-happy family—and the kids' dramatic attempts to create a happier home. It features Jane Krakowski, Martin Short, Maya Rudolph, and Terry Crews in an all-star cast of voices. Over the Moon A charming addition to the collection of original kids' movies on Netflix, this song-filled film follows a young girl named Fei Fei as she embarks on a legendary adventure to prove to her widower father that love is forever. Her journey takes her to the moon, where a mythical goddess and her miraculous world await. Full of color, adventure, and heartwarming messages about family and love, this is a kids' movie the whole family will love—and the soundtrack, featuring spectacular performances by Phillipa Soo of Hamilton, is bound to be a new family favorite. Rated PG. Klaus Probably the very best kids' Christmas movie on Netflix, this Netflix Original Film explores a fresh origin story for dear old Santa Claus. It follows a lazy postman who is sent to a far corner of the globe to learn some tough lessons; there, he unwittingly inspires an entire small town and learns a few things himself. While this kids' movie on Netflix is best left for Christmastime and winter, it's worth watching any time of year. Rated PG. Back to the Outback This December 2021 animated movie features a slew of Australian creatures in a zoo, who decide to band together to escape and head back to the Outback to live their lives. It teaches kids the lesson of not always judging a book by its cover (or a living thing by how it looks). That Christmas Based on the charming trilogy of Richard Curtis's children's books, this animated film intertwines multiple heartwarming stories the seaside town of Wellington-on-Sea during the holiday season. Featuring the voices of Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Bill Nighy, it's the perfect family movie to bring some lighthearted holiday cheer into your home. The Magician’s Elephant Based on the Kate DiCamillo's beloved 2009 book, this heartwarming tale follows young Peter as he embarks on a quest to find his long-lost sister. Guided by a fortune teller’s mysterious revelation that an elephant will lead him to her, Peter is led on a journey of unexpected friends and hidden truths that test his bravery and belief in the impossible. Blockbuster Animated Movies for Families If you missed them in the theaters (or just love them enough for a second, third, or 10th go-round), these top animated kids' movies are currently available on Netflix. A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon The famed British claymation studio offers up this charming movie, where Shaun and his flock try to help an alien creature that crash-landed near their farm. If your kiddos fall in love with Shaun, there's a ton of other sheepy adventures to enjoy on Netflix. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Even if you're not a big superhero fan, you'll love the gorgeous animation and story in this critically acclaimed sequel to 2018's Into the Spider-Verse. (Plus the cavalcade of star voices includes Donald Glover, Andy Samberg, Rachel Dratch, Oscar Isaac, Shameik Moore, Daniel Kaluuya, Kathryn Hahn, and Mahershala Ali.) Mary and the Witch's Flower For the family that loves anime, try this 2017 stunner, where a magical flower and broomstick grants a little girl access to a potentially dangerous school of magic. Trolls The beloved so-ugly-they're-cute dolls from way back launched this hit movie which will literally give everyone the warm fuzzies. And with Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick in the lead of a star-studded cast, you know you'll get plenty of tunes to enjoy along the way. Minions Everyone's favorite goofy yellow guys take the starring role in this 2015 charmer, where they seek out the perfect supervillain to serve. Boss Baby A literal baby-faced spy is at the heart of this hilarious cartoon—and the many sequels (and series) it spawned. (Many of those are on Netflix, too!) Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken This new-to-Netflix Dreamworks movie is a perfect watch for your tweens or young teens. Ruby Gillman is desperate to fit in at her school—but discovers that she's about to become queen of the Krakens. And that means she needs to battle their power-hungry arch-enemies, the mermaids (including her new BFF Chelsea), to protect the ocean. Classic Family Movies on Netflix Consider these classic family movies worthy of your next family movie night. The Karate Kid (1984) Follow the inspiring journey of Daniel LaRusso, a teenager who learns karate from his teacher, Mr. Miyagi, in order to defend himself against bullies. This action-packed tale of perseverance and friendship remains a beloved classic for families. Mr. Peabody & Sherman Tag along with the brainy beagle Mr. Peabody and his curious son Sherman as they embark on time-traveling adventures in their homemade invention. Kung Fu Panda 3 Catch up on what happened in Kung Fu Panda 3 before the fourth installment hits theaters on March 8th. In Kung Fu Panda 3, Jack Black plays the karate master panda Po, who must once again build a band of warriors to take on the big baddie. Netflix Live-Action Family Movies Netflix has plenty of non-animated family-friendly movies, whether you're looking for kid-approved documentaries or splashy adventure flicks. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar The imaginations of author Roald Dahl and director Wes Anderson seem like a match made in heaven. And this is the first of a series of four short films Anderson is making based on classic Dahl stories for Netflix. (Expect "The Swan," "The Ratcatcher," and "Poison" down the line. Bonus: It's only 39 minutes long, for those nights you want a shorter kids' movie before bedtime. Matilda the Musical The Roald Dahl story of the precocious—and telekinetic—little girl who's seeking out a place where she belongs inspired an award-winning musical that'll have everyone in your house singing along about "Revolting Children." Family Switch Swapping bodies—and perspectives—is a time-honored family movie plot. (Think Freaky Friday and 17 Again.) In this new remake, Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms, and Emma Myers (Wednesday Addams' cheerful wolfy roomie in Wednesday) are among the swappers—which includes the pets and the baby, too. You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah Adam Sandler's behind this family-friendly comedy about two BFFs who fall out over middle school drama just as their bat mitzvahs approach. (Think Bride Wars for 13-year-olds!) The School for Good and Evil Based on the bestselling fantasy novel, this movie about a school for epic fairy tale villains and heroes features a star-studded cast chewing the scenery to keep adults entertained—think Cate Blanchett, Kerry Washington, Michelle Yeoh, Charlize Theron, and Patti LuPone. Slumberland A girl adventures through the land of dreams (and nightmares) in an attempt to see her late father again. But honestly, you'll probably want to watch it because of her adventuring partner—Jason Momoa. Enola Holmes This modern twist on Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective series puts uber-detective Sherlock Holmes in a supporting role, while his kid sister Enola Holmes tackles mysteries and adventures. Tween and teen watchers will love another chance to see Stranger Things Millie Bobby Brown star as Enola—while adults may be more excited about Henry Cavill as Sherlock or Helena Bonham Carter as Eudoria Holmes—Sherlock and Enola's missing mother. If you're looking for a double feature, an Enola Holmes sequel is also available. Ivy and Bean Based on the popular kids' book series, Ivy and Bean follows a pair of opposites-attract pals (brash Bean and shy Ivy) on their adventures. And if your family loves the first one, there are two more movies in the series ready and waiting. Puff: Wonders of the Reef For the animal-loving family, this short and sweet documentary follows a baby pufferfish as it finds a home in the Great Barrier Reef. (Actress Rose Byrne provides the narration.) John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch Comedian John Mulaney creates a send-up of some of those weird children's specials from the 1980s, in a delightfully oddball, music-filled special featuring a group of talented kids alongside a slew of celebs including David Byrne, Jake Gyllenhaal, Annaleigh Ashford, and Andre De Shields. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Based on a true story, this biographical film follows a young boy who builds a wind turbine to save his village in Malawi from famine. Along with the book of the same name, this story demonstrates the power of determination and perseverance and will inspire everyone to find their own way to help those around them. Rated TV-PG. Moxie! This story of teen empowerment (with a little old-school riot grrl action) will definitely resonate with teen girls and their moms. (Amy Poehler plays the heroine's mom, and the cool up-and-comer band the Linda Lindas show up at the end too!) Yes Day The beloved book by author Amy Krouse Rosenthal is made into a feature-length film as a mom and dad indulge their kids in a rollicking, adventurous day where the answer to every request is "Yes." (Jennifer Garner is on mom duty in the movie.)

Just like with nearly every holiday, the lead-up to Halloween is almost as good as Oct. 31 itself. From pumpkin-carving to leaf-peeping road trips, there are tons of ways to get in the spirit before the big day. But perhaps the best way is scheduling a scary movie night—or 10. Fortunately, Netflix has you covered no matter your Halloween movie preference. Halloween movies on Netflix range from kid-friendly to horror-filled and everything in between. There are even a few scary Netflix Originals that can only be watched on the streaming platform. We rounded up some of the best of the best so you can put together a watch-list of must-see Halloween movies, sans rental fees. And if you're not planning to go trick-or-treating this year? Be sure save one of these flicks for Oct. 31. There’s nothing like a jump scare to help you escape the grim reality of the world around you. Best Halloween Movies on Netflix 01 of 24 It Follows Truth: The most terrifying moments in horror don’t come with a sudden pop-up or loud music cue—it comes with the prolonged feeling of sinking dread. That’s probably the best way to describe the feeling you’ll get while watching this movie. The story revolves around a contagious curse, but its premise is definitely a unique one: The curse, an entity that takes on different human forms to follow you slowly wherever you go—is passed on via sexual intercourse (talk about a terrible STD). I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that I can’t shake the image of a naked man standing on a suburban rooftop (you’ll know what I mean once you watch it). 02 of 24 There’s Someone Inside Your House Nothing like a solid slasher featuring high schoolers to get you in the Halloween spirit. This one takes the perspective of a transfer student from Hawaii who moves to Nebraska and finds herself surrounded by gruesome murders. The con: People are getting murdered. The pro: The victims are pretty terrible people, so I guess that makes it marginally better? 03 of 24 Nightbooks For a more kid-friendly option, this dark fantasy flick is filled with all the elements for a successful Halloween movie, including magical books, ancient specters, enchanted forests, and of course—scary stories. The gorgeous art direction and production design is worth a watch for adults too. 04 of 24 Hubie Halloween Featuring a stacked cast including Adam Sandler, Kevin James, and Maya Rudolph, this comedy-horror film features a Halloween-loving delicatessen worker named Hubie who must save his town of Salem, Mass., from a dangerous kidnapper. The fact that the residents and local police see Hubie as the town troublemaker makes it a lot harder to get anyone to listen to his warnings. 05 of 24 Fear Street: The Trilogy Based on R. L. Stine's book series of the same name, the Fear Street series includes three movies about a group of teenagers who work to break a curse that has haunted their small town of Shadyside, Ohio, for three centuries. On the flipside, the neighboring town—aptly named Sunnyside—continually thrives with good fortune. In true Halloween fashion, the movies (each taking place in different years) are packed with mystery and spooks, but heads-up to the squeamish that you'll also get your fair share of blood and gore. 06 of 24 A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting A great kids' Halloween movie on Netflix, this family-friendly film follows a babysitter on a mission to find the child in her care who has been kidnapped by the Boogeyman on Halloween night. On the way, she runs into a variety of fantastical monsters—plus a secret society of children-protecting babysitters she never knew existed. 07 of 24 Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire The latest reboot of the Ghostbusters movie franchise brings in the old-school crew (including the legendary Bill Murray, Annie Potts, Ernie Hudson and Dan Akyroyd)—alongside Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Kumail Ali Nanjiani, and Finn Wolfhard—to battle an array of new and old ghosts, and their snobby governmental baddie, Walter Peck. 08 of 24 Velvet Buzzsaw Psychological thriller turned artsy, this film is definitely the most colorful (literally) of them all. Morf (Jake Gyllenhaal) realizes that his newly discovered art is a bit too life-like, and the plot escalates very quickly as supernatural forces start to bring paintings and sculptures to life. The Netflix film does a great job at breathing life into a group of flawed characters while playfully poking fun at the pretentious art world. 09 of 24 Eli As you can deduce from the title, the movie is all about Eli, a boy that is forced to live in a bubble wearing only sterilized, vacuum-packed clothing because he's allergic to the world. His parents take him to see a specialist who might offer a cure to his genetic abnormalities, but everything is not as it seems in this cold, high-tech facility. 10 of 24 The Babysitter This dark comedy is full of classic teenage horror elements, with a great up-and-coming cast—and a satanic cult for plenty of Halloween charm. A boy's babysitter seems great, until he stays up late and realizes she's part of a bloodthirsty cult. He races to expose his babysitter and her friends before they can make him their next victim, with soft horror and humor in equal measure. The sequel—The Babysitter: Killer Queen—is just out from Netflix too, so this is perfect for a Halloween movie double-feature. 11 of 24 Enola Holmes Starring the charming Millie Bobby Brown as the titular character (with Henry Cavill and Sam Claflin as her famous Holmes brothers), this is a Halloween movie in the mysterious sense. This Netflix Original Film has a suspicious murder and a disappearance at its core, with fun costume changes, a classic fall atmosphere, and a little Victorian eeriness to round out the spooky vibe. Playful and upbeat, it's a great Halloween movie for those who don't like horror movie thrills or families with older kids. 12 of 24 1922 A Netflix Original, this Halloween movie is based on a Stephen King novella. In it, a farmer confesses to murdering his wife—but she's not finished with him. As with most works from King, this one isn't exactly kid-friendly. Produced with Netflix's typical flair for cinematography, this one might give even the adults uneasy dreams. 13 of 24 We Have a Ghost This hilarious haunted house movie features Stranger Things star David Harbour haunting a newly moved-in family and quickly becoming a social media sensation. The CIA (including a supernatural expert played by Tig Notaro) and the epically funny Jennifer Coolidge as the wacky West Bay Medium who tries to communicate with him help make this story more light-hearted and silly than straight up spooky. 14 of 24 World War Z Zombies are generally slow-ish, lumbering horror movie creatures—but in this star-studded tale of a global zombie apocalypse features horrifyingly fast and violent zombies who chase the living—and the researchers and governmental teams looking to stop the carnage. 15 of 24 In the Tall Grass Stephen King is undoubtedly the king of horror, both in book and on screen, but this film adaptation might be one of his best. When two siblings hear pleas for help from a small boy lost in a field of tall grass, they enter the green abyss only to realize they can't find a way out. This isn't a situation that a compass or Google maps can solve; aside from the fact that there isn't a WiFi connection, something supernatural lurks in the grass, creating an endless infinity loop and time disconnect that can't be escaped. 16 of 24 The Silence In a world ravaged by mysterious creatures that hunt by sound, a family seeks a safe haven—and encounters a frightening, ominous cult instead. Their battle against both the creatures and the cult will keep anyone on the edge of their seat. Starring Stanley Tucci, Kiernan Shipka, and Miranda Otto, this horror movie is a Netflix Original perfect for the month of Halloween. 17 of 24 Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile A dramatic retelling of the true story of a woman in love with serial killer Ted Bundy, this dark movie stars Zac Efron and Lily Collins. It's more courtroom drama (with a dark undercurrent) than spooky horror flick, but still a worthy watch around Halloween, particularly if you lean more toward psychological than physical frights. 18 of 24 American Psycho If serial killers are more your horror movie jam, this cult classic features Christian Bale as a yuppie stockbroker who kills it on Wall Street—and kills people in his glam apartment in his spare time. 19 of 24 The Good Nurse Oscar winners Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain star in this creepy, based-on-a-true-story crime tale. They're best friends and nurses—until Chastain begins to suspect that her friend is murdering his patients. 20 of 24 The Ritual Four friends embark on a hiking trip into the Swedish wilderness—but they may never return. Follow along for a chilling horror movie that get's scarier the deeper you go. The Ritual is perfect when you want an ominous horror movie for Halloween. 21 of 24 Bodies Bodies Bodies Horror movie house A24 came out with this creepy (and funny) Gen Z horror flick, starring Amandla Stenberg, Rachel Sennott, and Pete Davidson as a crew of people partying in a mansion, as things begin to go terribly, terribly wrong. 22 of 24 I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House If you're all in on creepy, ghostly old houses, this Netflix Original features a new nurse who's watching over an elderly horror novelist—and finds herself haunted by something (or someone). 23 of 24 Texas Chainsaw Massacre One of the scariest horror classics, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, has seen a slew of different reboots. This 2022 version brings the horror tale into modern day, as a slew of influencers find their way into Leatherface's hooks. 24 of 24 Tarot Don't break the rules when you're playing with supernatural forces is the moral of this 2024 horror flick, which finds a group of friends unleashing incredible horrors from a tarot deck.

Road trips are fun—at least, in theory. But after a couple of hours of music, podcasts, and "I'm just going to take a quick nap while you drive," things can quickly turn boring. Sometimes you can adapt party games for the car, but they don't always translate to sitting in a moving metal box. That's where these road trip games come in. "I Spy" may have kept your attention when you were young—impressive, given that you had the attention span of a goldfish—but this list of car ride games up the ante a bit. Pick a few adult-worthy road trip games for your next long ride. 01 of 27 Spin a Story From the Past Think of this as "Who can lie better?" One player begins by telling a story about their past, and players have to guess whether they're telling the truth or spinning a tale. Each guesser gets two follow-up questions, and then it's time for an answer. Every correct answer is two points, and the first player to 10 wins. (The loser has to reveal a super-embarrassing story.) 02 of 27 Riff Off This competition involves finding a license plate with random letters and creating a word with those letters. For example, if the license plate is YMT23, the answer could be "Yosemite". Think of it as Road Trip Scrabble, but instead of taking turns, just yell when you see one and come up with a word. Other players can challenge by creating a longer word with those same letters. To up the stakes, stipulate that the letters must be in the exact order to make the word and can't be scrambled. Award two points for each winning answer and two extra points for anyone who spots a vanity plate. The winner is the first to reach 10 points. 03 of 27 Explain a Movie Plot Badly This party game also works when you're trapped in a car. One player thinks of a movie and explains its plot in a way that is factual and terrible, and the other players have to guess. The first player to guess correctly gets a point. If no one guesses correctly, the plot explainer gets a point. Our favorite: "Girl can't commit. Loses cat." (Yep, Breakfast at Tiffany's!) 04 of 27 Essentially the Same Movie In another film-related game, a player starts by naming a movie. The next player has to name another movie that has the same basic plot. For example, Pretty in Pink and Some Kind of Wonderful, or No Strings Attached and Friends with Benefits. Players continue to take turns naming flicks with essentially the same narrative until someone gets stumped—the last person to come up with a film that fits wins. Start with your favorite kid movies if you're having trouble thinking of movie plots. 05 of 27 Radio Roulette This is essentially a road trip game of Name That Tune. Flip among radio stations until you hear a song (presets work best), and let it play for 15 seconds. Players are challenged to name that song and its artist, earning one point for each, with an extra point for naming its album. The first one to reach 15 points wins. 06 of 27 Mad Libs You know Mad Libs, that hilarious word game that solicits nouns, adjectives, and verbs from players to create an imaginative narrative. If you plan ahead, you can access a free printable Funny Mad Libs For Adults to take with you on the road. (Don't forget to bring a pen!) If you're not a fan of pre-technology, whip out a smartphone and play WordLibs online for free, with no app or downloads required. You can even create your own stories! 07 of 27 Fortunately, Unfortunately To start this storytelling game, one player makes a declarative statement that begins with "Fortunately..." For example, "Fortunately, on this highway, we will soon pass a cool roadside attraction." The next player must follow up with an "unfortunately" statement such as "Unfortunately, the attraction is a giant booger." The subsequent player must give a "fortunately" statement, and so on as you go from player to player. Switch from "fortunately" to "unfortunately" statements until everyone runs out of steam. 08 of 27 Snack the Rainbow Along your road trip route, plan to stop at seven gas stations. At each station, find a snack that's a specific color of the rainbow. (Remember, it's ROYGBIV!) You can only get one snack item per gas station. 09 of 27 Famous Names For this road trip game, someone starts by saying the first and last names of a famous person. The next player must name another famous person whose first name starts with the first letter of the previous celebrity's last name. For example, Justin Bieber leads to Billy Crystal. Billy Crystal leads to Catherine O'Hara. Catherine O'Hara leads to Owen Wilson, and so on. If a player is stumped, they're out, and the group moves on to the next player. 10 of 27 Road Sign Alphabet Game Each player must find a word on a road sign that starts with the letter A, then a word that starts with B, and so on through the alphabet. Once a player has claimed a word, the other players can't use that word. Whoever gets to the end of the alphabet first wins. 11 of 27 Road Trip Trivia For each city you pass through on your trip, designate one person to be the "expert" about that city's population, industry, dining establishments, and anything it might be known for. The expert can use their smartphone, but guessers cannot. As you pass through each city, the expert asks trivia questions that other players guess the answers to. Examples are, "How many people live in Scranton?" and "Which fast food restaurant does Cedar Key have five of?" 12 of 27 Road Trip Bingo Road trip bingo is always a crowd-pleaser. Before you leave, you can create your own paper bingo cards or print road trip Bingo cards for free to distribute to each player. If you make your own, consider a theme of fast food restaurants (McDonald's, Chick-Fil-A, KFC), gas stations (BP, Shell, Texaco), or types of cars (Honda Civic, Subaru Outback, Toyota Tacoma). Whichever you choose, make sure there are enough markers or stickers for everyone to mark their cards. 13 of 27 Guess the Time Look up which cities you'll be passing through on the way to your final destination, and have everyone in the car guess the exact time you'll arrive at each one. (The use of map apps are prohibited.) For example, what time does your car pass the sign that says "Entering Sacramento"? The player whose guess is the closest wins that round. 14 of 27 Categories Someone chooses a category, such as movies, sweet treats, or flowers. The first player must name something in that category that starts with the letter A. The second player has the letter B, and so on. For example, if the category is flowers, the first player might say "amaryllis." The second person might say "begonia." The third person might say "carnation," and so on. Be sure to choose the categories based on the players' knowledge base. (If no one in the car is interested in gardening, flowers might not be the best category.) 15 of 27 The Price is Right Based on the TV game show, each player guesses the price for regular unleaded gas at the next gas station you see. Whoever gets the price to the nearest tenth gets a point. When it's time to stop for gas, the player with the least number of points buys snacks for everyone. 16 of 27 Guess the Song For Guess the Song, one player sings or says lyrics to a song, and the other players must name the title of that song. Stating the lyrics in a monotone makes the game harder. For example, someone says, "And he's long gone when he's next to me. And I realize the blame is on me." The winner is whoever correctly names the song's title, Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble." Players must name the exact title. So, if a player says, "I Knew You Were Trouble When You Walked In," that answer is wrong, and someone else gets a chance to name the exact title. 17 of 27 Guess the Quote One player looks up a famous quote on their smartphone and reads it to the other the players, who must name the person (or fictional character) who uttered it. The quote could be from a famous speech, like "Give me liberty or give me death!" (Patrick Henry) or a movie, like "There's no place like home," (Judy Garland as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz). 18 of 27 While You Were Sleeping This is a group game to play when one or two passengers are taking a nap. While they're sleeping, the rest of the passengers work together to create a story about something the sleepers missed. For example, you all spotted a famous person who was stopped by the side of the road with a flat tire. The celebrity lets you hold their dog, eat some of their delicious snacks, and so on. Storytellers collectively agree on the specific, weird details for optimal believability. Too bad you didn't take any photos! 19 of 27 Who's Most Likely to...? For this fun road trip game, someone starts by asking the question, "Who in this car is most likely to...?" The other players have 3 seconds to name the person that fits the statement best. Players take turns asking a new question. Here are some possibilities: Who is most likely to answer the phone at 3 am? Who is most likely to throw their friend a surprise party? Who is most likely to give you a nickname? If you have trouble thinking up questions, visit teambuilding.com for a list of dozens of them that'll keep you asking and answering for miles. 20 of 27 Triple Threat In Triple Threat, someone starts in the role of the judge by saying three random words, and each player has to tell a story using those three words. The player who thought up the best story, according to the judge, wins. The winner becomes the judge for the next round, offering the next trio of random words, and the game continues. 21 of 27 20 Questions This classic guessing game easily adapts to a road trip. It starts with a player thinking of a person, place, or thing. The other players take turns asking yes-or-no questions to determine what they're thinking about. Whoever guesses correctly gets a point, but if no one guesses after 20 questions, the originator gets a point. Make sure someone is keeping track of the number of questions. 22 of 27 Spot the Car This road trip game is similar to I Spy and keeps everyone's eyes on the road. One player names a particular type of vehicle—like a double tractor-trailer, RV, or a Ram pickup—and players compete to be the first to see one and score a point. For a variation, consider non-vehicle items like signs or landscape items. 23 of 27 Scavenger Hunt This activity works as well in a car as it does out of one and demands much less legwork. If you're a planner, create your own list ahead of time based on what you expect to see along your drive. If not, print out a generic list for free. Either way, make a copy for each player, and whoever has seen (checked off) the most list items wins. 24 of 27 License Plate Checklist If you're taking a long trip on the interstates, this game is the perfect way to kill time. Just make a list on your phone or a notepad of all fifty states and check them off when you see a license plate from that state. Try and find all fifty states before your trip ends. 25 of 27 They're a 10, But... Find out how far your car riders would go for their dream partner with this silly game. To start, one person will say "your partner is 10, but..." and follow up with something funny or just plain outrageous. You could say, "he's a 10, but he has lobster claws instead of hands." Or "she's a 10, but she always has to rhyme when she speaks." How much are you willing to compromise for the perfect companion? 26 of 27 Count to 20 See if you and your fellow road trippers can get on the same wavelength with this simple yet challenging game. This game requires at least three people. Everyone in the group is trying to count up to 20 without saying the same number at the same time. If two or more people say the same number simultaneous, the game resets back to one. Sound easy? You might be surprised. 27 of 27 Battle of the Songs Test your skills as a DJ with this fun and musical game. A judge will pick a category for a type of song—this could be "80s power ballads," "90s alternative rock songs," or any genre of music your heart desires. Both people or teams will select a song in that category and play them. Whichever one the judge prefers is the winner and that team gets a point.

November may be just past prime apple-and pumpkin-picking season, but there are still plenty of fun fall activities to do during the final month of autumn. And since it gets dark much earlier in November, there's even more reason to squeeze in a fall activity or two before winter arrives and the holiday rush makes you too busy to do anything else. Here's how to spend your free time with family and friends in November and make the most out of the fall season. Things to Do at Home in November 1. Clean Out Your Closet If your wardrobe is bursting with old, clunky coats and sweaters that take up way too much room, it's time to set aside the pieces you no longer wear and donate them to someone who'll give them a second life (here's how to do that). While organizations appreciate clothing donations year-round, there's never more of a need for warm layers (and socks!) than at the end of fall/start of winter. 2. Pickle Some Veggies (or Can Some Fruit) Fall is the time to pickle vegetables that won't last through the winter. And since November 14 is officially National Pickle Day, there's no better time to try canning or pickling your favorite produce at home. First time canning? Here's everything you need to know about preserving and canning food. 3. Make Mulled Wine Your favorite bottle of wine just got a cold-weather makeover thanks to this irresistible mulled wine recipe. It's begging to be sipped on once there's a nip in the air—maybe around an outdoor fire pit or heater with friends (six feet apart, of course!). 4. Start a Journal Cooped up inside on a rainy November day? Spend 10 or 15 minutes writing down your thoughts, feelings, observations, or goals. Journaling is one of those rare activities that's both productive and relaxing; it's a great way to practice some mindful self-reflection on a chilly day. 5. Learn a New Recipe As the temperatures cool and the leaves change, nothing is better than some comfort food at home. A warming, savory meal like soup is exactly what we need on a chilly day. Check out these quick soup recipes that you can recreate at home. Things to Do for the Holidays in November 6. Decorate for Thanksgiving It's important to keep holiday traditions—like decking out your home with gourds and foliage—alive! Spruce up your home for Thanksgiving with festive, autumnal finds. Look for turkey-themed accents, plentiful cornucopias, dried floral garlands, and colorful fall wreaths. 7. Join a Turkey Trot Is there a Thanksgiving race near you? Band together with your friends or household to join in on this favorite, seasonal run. Some trots are more casual (think: one mile you can definitely walk), but some are closer to half-marathons for more serious runners. 8. Stream the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Whether or not you're in New York City on Thanksgiving, it's always a blast—if not a family tradition—to watch this iconic annual parade featuring fantastic floats, entertainment, and more. Rain or shine, the Thankgiving Day Parade lineup will carry on. 9. Start Holiday Gift Shopping We know it's early, but November is a great time to start working your way through that hefty holiday gift list. You probably need something special for everyone, from immediate family members to friends and coworkers. The sooner you start, the smoother December will be. 10. Make New Year's Eve Plans If you're planning to go away—or even just make a reservation at a popular spot—over New Year's, start (at least) brainstorming where to go and what to do. Research and advanced planning are particularly important to ensure safe travel and an equally safe stay. Get on the ball and make a few reservations before things get booked and flight and hotel fares rise. 11. Binge-Watch Thanksgiving-Themed Episodes Nothing will get you more psyched for November's big holiday than re-watching the best Thanksgiving episodes from your favorite TV shows. A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving, anyone? 12. Watch Holiday Movies It's never too early to start watching your favorite Christmas and holiday movies. Stream them with Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and more, or catch whatever's on live TV. Invite over a few friends, make hot chocolate or fall cocktails, and spend a cozy night in watching seasonal flicks. 13. Take a Cold-Weather Walk or Hike Bundle up and enjoy a scenic hike on a local trail. Breathe in the crisp, fall-almost-winter air and enjoy any last remnants of the changing leaves. 14. See a Christmas Light Show To get in the holiday spirit, see a Christmas light show. Take in the many beautiful lights and enjoy the start of the holiday season. What to Do With Friends in November 15. Host a Pie Swap "It's November" is basically the same thing as saying "it's time for pie" (or is that just us?). Whether you're trying to use up all those apples you picked last month, perfect a particular pie recipe before the holidays, or simply looking for an excuse to eat something sweet with friends, a pie swap is a perfect November get together. To avoid too much mingling indoors, make it a virtual baking event or deliver your pastries to people's doors. 16. Plan a Friendsgiving Not everyone can make it home for Thanksgiving—or even if they can—gather your closest pals together or a pre-Thanksgiving feast with all the fixings. Ask everyone to make or bring their favorite Thanksgiving dish. 17. Have a Cozy Wine and Cheese Night If the promise of red wine and baked brie doesn't entice you, we don't know what to tell you. Instead of braving the cold, stay in to eat, drink, and hang out to your heart's content with the perfect cheese board to snack on. 18. Make Your Own Pumpkin Drinks A classic espresso martini never goes out of style. For a fall twist, try adding some pumpkin spice to this drink staple. 19. Volunteer Why not spend a November day volunteering at (or at least donate non-perishables to) a shelter, pantry, or soup kitchen? You can always help out solo, but it's a great thing to do as a group—the more, the merrier. 20. Attend a Beer, Wine, or Cider Festival Summer sipping isn't the only type of sipping. Do some research online to find a nearby festival showcasing craft brews, wine, or locally made cider. Head to the website of the festival you're interested in to see what they have to offer. 21. Go on a Restaurant Crawl Enjoy several of your favorite restaurants (or try some new ones) while they have fall seasonal options on the menu. Stop at one place for cocktails and an appetizer, another place for dinner, and a different place for dessert to ensure you have lots of time for conversation and you're getting to try a variety of delicious dishes. Kid-Friendly Things to Do in November 22. Write Down What You're Thankful For Together as a family, write down a list of things you're thankful for. Not only will this get you and your kids in the mood Thanksgiving, it'll be a sweet reminder to practice gratitude. 23. Roast Marshmallows Whether you're warm and toasty by the fireplace inside or bundled up near a firepit in the backyard, your kids will love roasting their own marshmallows and making s'mores as a special November treat. 24. Play a Game of Touch Football Take advantage of the weather before it really gets too cold to play outside with a game of touch football with your household or friends and family. Head to a local park or pick up a game in someone's backyard for the afternoon, then head inside afterward for hot chocolate (and hot toddies for the grownups). 25. Pumpkin Patch The true star of the fall season and Thanksgiving is pumpkin. Bring your family to a pumpkin patch near your neighborhood for some corn mazes, pick out pumpkins, and have some delicious pumpkin treats. 26. DIY Thanksgiving Decor If the little ones want to lend a hand with fall decor (and you want to save some money on holiday accents), here are a few fun DIY Thanksgiving crafts perfect to do with kids. 27. Go for a Bike Ride Get out and enjoy the fresh air with your kids before the true chill of winter. Take a ride throughout your neighborhood or find a scenic route near you. 28. Bake Cookies Need we say more? Baking cookies is never a bad idea, especially with the holidays right around the corner. Hone your Christmas cookie game by testing out new recipes, cookie decorating with the kids, or just baking for the fun of it. 29. Make a Handprint Turkey There's nothing quite as enjoyable as arts and crafts time with your kids. To get into the Thanksgiving and holiday spirit, why not make handprint turkeys for some extra fridge art? The rules for making a handprint turkey are relatively simple—cover your hand in your favorite color paint, imprint it onto a piece of paper, and use feathers, gems, and other accessories to jazz up your very own handprint turkey. 30. Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt Although the days of playing outside are (temporarily) over, that doesn't mean you can't bring the outdoors inside. Spend five minutes collecting a variety of fall leaves, pinecones, twigs, and any other autumnal items you find outside before spreading them around the house. Create a list of items for your kids to find and mark off, and voila! You've created your very own fall-themed indoor scavenger hunt.

From powerful documentaries to classic throwback films, this list of top entertainment for Women's History Month is sure to motivate and inspire you. Invite your friends and family over to watch some of our favorite shows and movies featuring strong women on popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. 01 of 20 The Crown The longest reigning monarch in British history gets her dirty laundry (allegedly) aired with this dramatic retelling of her historic reign. And there's plenty of other historic women depicted along the way, including Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana. Where to watch: Netflix 02 of 20 The United States vs. Billie Holiday Actress Andra Day won a Golden Globe for this 2021 biopic of music legend Billie Holiday and the U.S. government's attempts to silence her. Where to watch: Hulu 03 of 20 RBG The life story of the beloved late Supreme Court justice and champion for equal rights is the focus of this Oscar-nominated documentary. Where to watch: Hulu 04 of 20 Hidden Figures Mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were absolutely essential to America's successful space program—and these long-hidden icons finally got their due in this award-winning film. Where to watch: Disney+ 05 of 20 Mrs. America If you're looking for a historic anti-heroine, Phyllis Schlafly, who led the fight against the Equal Rights Amendment, leads this miniseries looking into this integral time in the feminist movement. (Feminist icons like Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisholm, and Betty Friedan are featured, too.) Where to watch: Hulu 06 of 20 Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed The first African-American woman elected to Congress—and the first woman and African-American to run for president from one of the two major political parties—is the center of this 2004 documentary, released one year before her death. Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 07 of 20 Equal Means Equal This powerful documentary explores how women are treated in the U.S. now—and why the Equal Rights Amendment is still essential. Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 08 of 20 Bad Reputation Rock goddess Joan Jett gets the documentary treatment, following her from the rise of The Runaways to her Hall of Fame induction. Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 09 of 20 Amazing Grace: Aretha Franklin The footage of the recording of the Queen of Soul's 1972 album Amazing Grace was lost for nearly 30 years before it was painstakingly pulled together for this stellar 2018 documentary. Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 10 of 20 Moxie Get your '90s throwback feels with this girl-power movie that the teen in your life might want to watch with you, too. Where to watch: Netflix 11 of 20 Buffy the Vampire Slayer She saved the world (a lot), but Buffy and her legion of strong, yet complicated female characters also paved the way for a lot of the fiercest female characters that came afterward. Where to watch: Hulu 12 of 20 9 to 5 This iconic women-take-charge dark comedy was a big step in the #girlboss movement. (And who doesn't love Dolly?) Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 13 of 20 The Great This wicked and witty take on the life of Russian monarch Catherine the Great may not be completely accurate, but it's a fun watch if you're looking for a post-Bridgerton binge. Where to watch: Hulu 14 of 20 Jane Celebrate Women's History Month by looking inside the incredible career of primatologist Jane Goodall with this in-depth documentary. Where to watch: Disney+ 15 of 20 Diary of a Future President Get your daughters dreaming big with this story of a Cuban-American tween who has her sights on the White House. Where to watch: Disney+ 16 of 20 Dumplin' This Netflix original film follows Willowdean Dickson (Danielle Macdonald) with her former beauty pageant mom (Jennifer Aniston), as she enters her hometown's beauty contest to break the beauty standards and stereotypes. Where to watch: Netflix 17 of 20 Erin Brockovich If you're looking for a film with a fierce female lead, watch Erin Brockovich. Starring Julia Roberts, her character Erin is a single mother of three children and lands a job working for an attorney. She discovers medical records in a nearby town and soon investigates a huge cover-up. Where to watch: Netflix 18 of 20 Jennifer Lopez HALFTIME Beyond the stage lights and the many awards, follow along Jennifer Lopez's inspiring story of becoming a star. See what it takes to become the icon that Jennifer Lopez is today. Where to watch: Netflix 19 of 20 Becoming From the South Side of Chicago to becoming the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama has had quite the impactful journey. She has created profound change through the power of community. Where to watch: Netflix 20 of 20 Feminists: What Were They Thinking? This Netflix documentary goes back into history during the women's movement in the 1970s. Feminists paved the way for the future and built solidarity for women's rights. If you want to feel inspired and motivated by women's history, watch this documentary. Where to watch: Netflix

Whether the setting is a mythical medieval world (see Game of Thrones) or angsty hallways of high school (see Euphoria), a show with some dreamy lashes, great complexions, and killer lip colors can draw us in just as much as a jaw-dropping plot twist. Bridgerton is the latest TV show to captivate both beauty enthusiasts and film buffs alike. The Regency era-inspired show is full of great characters or beauty inspiration—and although it's questionable how Daphne looks so unscathed in the midst of intense emotional turmoil, we can't help but appreciate the magic of good television hair and makeup. Just because the beauty is modeled after the 18th century doesn't mean that some of the looks can't be brought into modern times. We chatted with the hair and makeup artists behind the brilliant Bridgerton beauty world—Marc Pilcher and Lynda Pearce—to learn the behind-the-scenes secrets of how they created some of the iconic looks. So, if you ever find yourself having to present yourself in front of the queen (a totally normal, relatable predicament), you can be sure to look, "flawless, my dear." How did you approach the hair and makeup for each character on the show? Marc Pilcher: I usually find my approach by researching the period and reading over the scripts a few times. As I read, I started to formulate my ideas of how I can reflect their personalities through the hair and makeup. Every one of the beauty looks you see is unique to their personality. I was lucky in that all the actors loved my ideas when I pitched them in their initial fittings. Did you take inspiration from anything? Lynda Pearce: Marc really wanted the entire cast to be natural, fresh-faced, and elegant. For Daphne, we took inspiration from Audrey Hepburn, who always looked so flawless. It was all about fresh, dewy skin and naturally beautiful, minimalistic makeup. The diversity was one of the best parts of the show—how did you incorporate that into the cast's beauty looks? LP: The diversity on the show is absolutely wonderful—colorblind casting is the way forward. When it came to individual hair and makeup, we wanted to celebrate everyone's own skin tone and enhance their natural beauty. MP: Agreed, an example was what we did with the queen. Her wigs were my favorite look to create. Celebrating the fact that Queen Charlotte was of African descent in real life, as well as the casting of the gorgeous Golda [Rosheuvel], I wanted to create styles that were of the period but incorporate braids, locks, and Afro-textured hair. It hadn't really been done before, so it was so much fun creating that royal look from scratch. How can we achieve the Bridgerton beauty look ourselves? LP: When recreating the Bridgerton look at home, remember to keep it fresh. Don't go too heavy on the makeup. In a world where makeup has become so heavy, I really hope the show brings natural beauty back to the world again. Everyone has imperfections and they are what make us perfect! Use makeup to enhance what you have, not conceal it. Oh, and always look after your skin. By the end of the day, it will have had quite a beating from the weather, pollution, and makeup you wear, so be sure to clean it and look after it. Don't forget to choose a good moisturizer and keep the skin hydrated. Now that you know the inspiration behind the looks, it's time to put them into practice. Don't worry, Bridgerton beauty doesn't include toxic beauty ingredients that royals have historically used, like lead-based white foundation (not to mention that mysterious blush pigment the maids were applying). We asked Pilcher and Pearce which Bridgerton beauty looks they could actually see becoming big beauty vibes—plus how to recreate them. Here are the most approachable looks they think can be translated into modern times. 01 of 07 Daphne's curled tendrils Bridgerton might be responsible for bringing back the curled tendril, and TBH we're not mad about it. "In episode 3, the script says that the whole room should gasp as Daphne walks into the Princess Ball. We achieved this by adding the tendrils and voluminous curls," said Pilcher. "When I hear head-turning, I imagine Audrey Hepburn. Daphne's whole look was based on Audrey Hepburn from the film War and Peace, from the 1950s. Short fringe and micro bangs were popular in the 50s, so I decided to keep it in for Daphne; we added the tendrils in later episodes to soften her look, which I really loved." 02 of 07 Daphne's half-up hairstyle Who knew the half-up hairstyle could look so...royal? Definitely one of the dreamier looks on the show, the world collectively gushed over Daphne's famous ball look. "I created this look to keep her looking youthful," said Pilcher. "Daphne is still only supposed to be 18, so I felt that if she had her hair up all the time it would be too stuffy. Although the looks are royal, I wanted young girls to relate to her." Luckily, this hairstyle is one of the easier hairstyles to replicate at home. Tease the hair at the crown for max volume, and add some easygoing waves at the end for a more elegant, ethereal take. 03 of 07 Daphne's natural, glowing complexion If you found yourself marveling at Daphne's poreless complexion (even with your television's ever-increasing HD definition!), that's the magic of good skincare. "Good skincare is key! If you look after your skin, your skin will look after you," Pearce said. "I instructed the cast to drink lots of water and follow a good skincare routine at the end of the day. For you trying it at home, keep the base light and buff it to allow the compression to stay dewy—nobody likes a caked-on look." As for the products, Pearce recommends Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer to prep the skin and a good light foundation or tinted moisturizer for daily wear. "We used Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation on Daphne—it's a fresh, lightweight base that allows the skin's natural complexion to shine through." 04 of 07 Cressida's braided crown Many people stay away from braided hairstyles as an adult (partly because they remind us of our cringey childhood beauty choices), but these aren't your typical pigtails. "With Cressida's braided crown, my idea was that she has plotted with her mother to catch the prince, so she styles her hair into a crown, hoping that he will look at her and realize that she should be his princess," says Pilcher. "The braids were wired and then I sewed minute pearls along every strand to heighten the crown look." While Cressida Cowper's enviable Grecian head of hair is a bit trickier to create without a skillful hairstylist, that doesn't mean you can't recreate a similar braided updo at home. In fact, it's easier than you think. 05 of 07 Lady Danbury's high arches Following the concept of natural complexions and tinted lips (Pilcher opted for tinted lip balms that gave the characters a more youthful appearance), brows were also given the natural treatment, only lightly filled in and brushed up for a more kempt look. Perhaps the most memorable of arches were Lady Danbury's perfectly groomed brows. "We kept Adjoa's [Andoh] own eyebrow shape and just enhanced it," said Pearce. "They aren't period-correct, but it was lovely to add this modern element to her look. I personally love the high arch shape, not only because they work beautifully with Adjoa's bone structure, but because I think they show the constant watchful eye, judgment, and power Lady Danbury has over the Ton." To achieve the look, Pearce stresses a light hand. "Fill where needed but don't feel the need to completely draw them in. We used Mac Eye Brows Styler on most of the cast. "I love this product—it has great shades and the small pencil end allows for small, quick strokes, so the brow looks more natural, rather than block-like." 06 of 07 Eloise's ribbon headbands Eloise's mullet probably isn't for everyone, but there is inspiration to be had from her ample hair accessories. "Eloise's look was a normal fashion of the Regency period—some young girls sported mullets," says Pilcher. "I chose this look because she was a feminist and a tomboy, but since her mama would want her still looking girly, I added the Grecian ribbons. All period looks reoccur through time and the Regency look was derived from the looks of ancient Greece, including that style of head decoration." If you don't have a hair accessory on hand, you can also DIY one by upcycling scrap ribbons. 07 of 07 Everyone's perfectly flushed cheeks The most universal beauty look applied to all characters was probably the use of blush—even the bachelors were flaunting a killer coral flush. But while pigmented powders were the makeup of choice for men and women back in those days, the Bridgerton signature was achieved with advanced cream formulas. "For our cast's flushed cheeks, we used Stila cream blushers," said Pilcher. "I wanted the girls to look young and fresh with glowing dewy complexions, and the Stila ones are perfect for this. For the boys, we used darker shades—it was typical for men to wear rouge during this period." Pilcher recommends scouting formulas that blend easily, and applying from the apples of the cheeks towards your cheekbones. Use your fingertips to blend, tapping across the skin in circular motions to create a more natural feel.

You're probably already familiar with the best shows on Netflix, but the streaming service also has an enormous collection of romantic movies. Whether you're looking for a sweet rom-com to watch with your S.O., a tear-jerker to watch on your own, or a movie full of love quotes you can repeat over and over again, Netflix probably has a decent option. The issue isn't that you won't find any good romantic movies on Netflix—rather you might spend too much time sifting through the huge assortment of everything from romantic dramas to romantic comedies. Luckily our list of the best romance movies on Netflix will help you find that just-right film for Valentine's Day (or any date night) with minimal agonizing. 01 of 22 Someone Great Gather your pals for a Galentine's Day viewing of this romantic movie, which celebrates BFFs front and center. Gina Rodriguez enjoys one last night out with her squad after a bad breakup on the eve of her move across the country. 02 of 22 Anyone But You Even though their first date went well, Bea and Ben's relationship didn't quite pan out. When they both unexpectedly end up at Bea's sister's wedding, they devise a plan to pretend to be together in order to satisfy the other guests. This 2023 rom com featuring Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney is a charming watch perfect for a night in. 03 of 22 Always Be My Maybe Led by the always-hilarious Ali Wong, Always Be My Maybe follows a celebrity chef as she returns to her hometown and reconnects with her childhood best friend. This is undeniably a rom-com—and a side-splitting one at that—but the romance is genuine, too. It's the perfect romantic movie to watch whether you're happily single or in a great relationship with someone who makes you laugh. 04 of 22 Lady Chatterley's Lover This adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's controversial (and often-banned) classic novel about an illicit (and steamy) romance between an aristocratic woman and her gamekeeper is perfect for costume-drama fans. 05 of 22 Look Both Ways Ever wonder what would happen if you'd taken a different path in life? This Netflix movie romance explores two very different endings for Natalie (Lili Reinhart), as she pursues love and family vs. her dream career. 06 of 22 Plus One There's no doubt that summer is wedding season, and these two lifelong single friends are invited to more than they bargained for. Follow along with Ben and Alice as they attend a plethora of weddings together as each other's plus ones in this feel-good rom com. 07 of 22 Good on Paper Comedian Iliza Schlesinger stars in this sassy Netflix Original rom-com based on a true story from her own life—where she falls in love with a guy who seems too good to be true. (And her friend and fellow comedian—played by Margaret Cho—agrees.) 08 of 22 Purple Hearts In this Netflix movie, a young woman with diabetes enters into a marriage of convenience with a Marine to get life-saving health insurance. (And yes, true love ensues.) 09 of 22 The Last Summer A group of recent high school grads navigate their dreams and relationships both old and new for one last impactful summer before college in this Netflix film. 10 of 22 To All the Boys I've Loved Before One of the sweetest romantic movies to come from Netflix so far, this teen romance—based on a popular young adult book—starts with a dreamy girl's love letters. When they're accidentally sent out (something she never intended), she must fake a relationship with a former crush to deflect attention from another boy—her sister's ex-boyfriend. Complicated set-up aside, it's a funny, entertaining rom-com you're going to want to watch over and over again. (And P.S.—there are two charming sequels for a perfect binge fest, too!) 11 of 22 Alex Strangelove High school student Alex loves his girlfriend, but something's not quite right. This sweet teen movie offers plenty of romantic comedy–esque laughs, but it's also a thoughtful exploration of sexuality, love, and friendship that people of any age can learn from. 12 of 22 The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society Starring a few familiar faces from Downton Abbey, this historical movie based on a beloved book follows a writer as she travels to a remote island in the years after WWII (and falls in love, of course). 13 of 22 The Half of It Released exclusively on Netflix in May 2020, this sweet tale of mistaken love was highly awarded at the Tribeca Film Festival. It follows a school's stereotypical shy, smart girl who is hired to write love letters by one of the school's jocks. Instead of connecting with the jock, though, the popular recipient of the letters is drawn to the writer. 14 of 22 The Lovebirds Starring Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani as a just-broken-up couple, this spectacularly funny rom-com on Netflix is lighthearted—despite the central plot of murder and false incrimination—and playful as the couple sets out to clear their names. If you and your love (or your friends) like laughing together the most, this is a great pick for date night. 15 of 22 Love, Guaranteed Rachael Leigh Cook makes a grand romantic movie return in this easy watch, where she's a hard-working but struggling lawyer who takes on the case of a man who wants to sue a dating site for not helping him find love. The client—the delightful Damon Wayans Jr.—ends up being less opportunistic and more giving than she thinks, but you'll have to watch the movie to see if sparks fly. 16 of 22 Love Wedding Repeat This Netflix Original Film stars Sam Claflin (of The Hunger Games and Me Before You) and Olivia Munn (of The Newsroom and Six) as guests at Claflin's sister's wedding. The connection between them is fun to watch, but even more entertaining is the movie's exploration of chance, opportunity, and alternate timelines. Watch for a lighthearted flick set in the beautiful Italian countryside. 17 of 22 Sixteen Candles This 1980s classic is available to stream on Netflix. Sixteen Candles follows the 16th birthday of a shy high school sophomore. Her big day goes from bad to even worse while crushing on the high school's heartthrob. 18 of 22 Set It Up An irresistible rom-com and Netflix Original, this modern-day love story follows two low-on-the-totem-pole assistants as they set their high-maintenance bosses up with each other to make their own lives easier. Shenanigans ensue, of course, as the wanna-be matchmakers become friends and then more. 19 of 22 The Kissing Booth This Netflix film follows a teenage girl whose first kiss jeopardizes her relationship with her best friend for romance. Watch this movie when you're in the mood for a sweet, feel-good rom-com. Added bonus: there are two sequels to this movie for even more romance. 20 of 22 Holidate Tired of being single during the holidays, strangers Sloane and Jackson agree to be each other's platonic plus ones all throughout the year—Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. Watch this fun rom com to find out if the fake dating turns into real feelings. 21 of 22 Blended Divorced mom Lauren and widowed dad Jim go on a horrendous first date and say their goodbyes swiftly after. However, fate intervenes when they both end up booking the same vacation package at a South African resort with their families. With shared activities and housing, these two have to find a way to tolerate each other in this hilarious comedy. 22 of 22 Maid in Manhattan Bronx-born Marisa is a maid at a five-star hotel in the middle of Manhattan. After trying on a guest's fancy outfits, she runs into the rich and handsome Christopher who is running for office in New York. Can she juggle her love for Christopher while keep her identity a secret? Find out in this adorable rom com starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes.

You're having a great book club meeting, sharing drinks and talking about whether you liked or disliked a your latest group read when the unexpected happens: Everyone runs out of things to say, and the room goes silent. What can you do to spark an engaging conversation? The best book club discussion goes beyond each group member's likes and dislikes, seeking to understand the book on a deeper level than each person could have done on their own. With that goal in mind, ask thought-provoking questions that tap into the building blocks of stories, like plot, characters, settings, and symbolism. Don't stop at what the author is doing. Try to understand why the author made their choices and how those choices affected the story. Here are some starter questions to help guide your group discussion. 01 of 06 Dissect the Plot Would you describe the book as plot driven or character driven? In other words, does the story focus more on external events, or on internal changes in the characters? Is this book based on a classic story, like from mythology or literature? Why did the author choose that particular story to retell? If the plot is inspired by historical events, did the author stay true to the facts, or did they embellish? Why do you think they made that choice? What is the inciting incident in the story—the event that launches the entire plot? Did the author succeed in linking the events together through cause and effect? Did the story unfold logically? If the book has a dual timeline, how did the author choose to overlap the two narratives? Did each "time jump" involve a thematic link, or was it random? Were you surprised by any plot twists? How did the author prevent you from guessing what would happen? Was there a simple solution to the problems in the book? Why didn't the author let the characters use it? What is the book's climactic scene? How did the author build up to it? Does the book's ending resolve the conflict? If it doesn't, do you think this was intentional? 02 of 06 Analyze Characters Does the book mainly focus on the internal life of the protagonist, rather than on external events? If so, what is their primary emotional struggle? How does the protagonist experience a major revelation or period of growth? Why did the author choose to follow this protagonist and not another character in the story? Would the story have been different if it was told from another character's point of view? Do you think the protagonist is a hero or a villain—or somewhere in between? How do characters change over the course of the book? Who changes the most? Does this story have an antagonist or villain? What traits does this character reveal about the story's hero? Do you feel like you know these characters? How did the author make them seem real? Are there any nontraditional "characters" in the book—such as animals or even places that play a strong role in the story? Do the characters' physical traits reflect who they are internally? Why do you think the author made them look the way they do? Other than the main character, is there another character you found compelling? Describe how the book might be different from their point of view. 03 of 06 Explore Themes and Symbolism Can you identify a message in the book? Is the author trying to communicate a larger truth through the story? Is the setting symbolic? If it is, what does it symbolize? Are there any particularly striking visual symbols used in the book? What do you think they represent? Are there any recurring images or phrases? What meaning do they have to the story? Do the characters themselves represent anything? Think about the time period in which this book was written. How would that affect the author's choice of theme? How does the author's culture affect their choice of themes and symbols? Are there any motifs from mythology, religion, or fairy tales? Why did the author choose them? What role does the natural world (trees, water, weather, etc.) play in the book, and how does it affect the plot and characters? Did the story give you a new perspective on an overarching theme, like love, death, or family? How did the author change your mind? 04 of 06 Critique the Author's Style How would you describe the author's writing style? Is it flowery and descriptive or succinct and matter-of-fact? Did each sentence seem meticulously crafted, or was the writing more casual? How does the author's writing style compare to that of other authors you have read? Did the author take a nontraditional approach to the style or structure? Do you think this enhanced or detracted from the story? Did the writing style change at different points in the book? For example, were the sentences shorter during high-tension moments? How did the author use dialogue to tell the story? Were the characters' voices realistic? If the book was written in first person, why do you think the author made that choice? How did that choice change the story, instead of having it in third person? If the book was written in the third person, what was the narrator's voice like? Do you think it was the author's natural voice? Was the narrator reliable? If this book takes place in the past, did the writing style seem appropriate to the time period, or was it modern? Were any sentences difficult to understand, or any scenes difficult to visualize? What sentence struck you as particularly beautiful, and why? 05 of 06 Tackle a Memoir Unlike autobiographies, which cover the entirety of an author's life, memoirs focus on a particular experience or theme. Why did the author choose to write about this one aspect of their life? Did the author skim over or exclude parts of their experience you would have liked to know more about? Why do you think they did so? How does the author present themselves? How do you think they want you to feel about them? What was the author's primary emotional struggle? How does the author change over the course of the memoir? Can you identify a climax in this memoir—the part where the author undergoes a major transformation? How did the author portray the other people in their life? Where the "characters" fully drawn? If you were in the author's shoes, is there anything you would have done differently? Do you think the author accurately remembered or portrayed the events in the book? Did anything ring false? Did you learn any lessons from the book? Do you think it's the lesson the author wanted you to learn? 06 of 06 Just for Fun If you were making this book into a movie or TV show, who would you cast in the lead roles? Did this book remind you of any songs? Make a playlist as a group. You are dropped into the world of this book for the day. How would you fare? Which of the characters in the book do you most relate to? Which of the characters do you dislike the most? If you were to spend a day with the protagonist, what would you want to do? What do you think would happen in a sequel? What would each character bring to a potluck dinner? Which setting in the book would you most like to visit? If you could ask the author one question about this book or anything else, what would you ask?

Books have been inspiring Hollywood since the industry first emerged. Many of cinema's earliest hits were adaptations of literary classics like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, A Christmas Carol, and Frankenstein. In recent years, we've seen psychological thrillers like Gone Girl adapted for the big screen. And while this bookish craze continues today, over the years the genre has expanded to include not just adaptations, but book- and bookstore-centered films like Book Club (2018) and Becoming Jane (2007). Below are the eight bookish films every bibliophile should watch. 01 of 08 The Bookshop (2018) Set in the 1950s, widow Florence Green (Emily Mortimer) is a bibliophile in every sense of the word. But when she moves to the small seaside town of Hardborough, England to set up a bookshop, it becomes clear that her passion isn't a shared one as an influential member of town (Patricia Clarkson) sets out to close the shop. It's up to Florence to show the community how magical reading can be. Based on Penelope Fitzgerald's novel by the same name, The Bookshop is a beautiful period piece chock-full of books. 02 of 08 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018) Lily James leads Netflix's historical romance about a British writer who sails to the island of Guernsey in search of inspiration for her newly contracted column in The Times Literary Supplement. But her weekend getaway takes an unexpected detour when she discovers romance, an unusual book club, and Guernsey's German-occupied history. Based on the 2008 book by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is a charming appreciation of books and the writing life. 03 of 08 84 Charing Cross Road (1987) Based on Helene Hanff's critically acclaimed memoir by the same name, 84 Charing Cross Road centers on the real life, 20-year correspondence between Hanff (Anne Bancroft), a New York City bibliophile, and Frank Doel (Anthony Hopkins), a London-based bookseller. In the film, Hanff contacts Doel about a hard-to-find book. What she gets—in addition to her book—is a 20-year friendship. Over the course of the movie, the two bond over literature, modern culture, history, and even Yorkshire pudding. 04 of 08 Funny Face (1957) Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn star as Dick Avery, a charismatic high fashion photographer, and Jo Stockton, a cautious bibliophile and employee at Embryo Concepts bookstore, in this 1957 musical. When Dick interrupts Jo at work with an impromptu photo shoot, he unintentionally captures her, subsequently changing their lives forever. With songs by the Gershwin brothers, costumes by Edith Head, and direction by Stanley Donen, Funny Face is a classic Golden Age musical in every way imaginable. 05 of 08 Notting Hill (1999) William Thacker (Hugh Grant) owns a quaint travel bookshop in the middle of London's Notting Hill district. Divorced and living with an unkempt but loyal roommate, it's clear that Will is lacking in the love department. But his circumstance changes when Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), Hollywood's biggest celebrity, enters his store one day. After a book on Turkey gets bought and a cup of orange juice gets spilled, the two find themselves in a whirlwind romance. Notting Hill is classic '90s rom-com full of bookish charm. 06 of 08 Devotion (1946) This Golden Age classic is led by Hollywood legends Ida Lupino, Olivia de Havilland, and Nancy Coleman. Based on Theodore Reeves' fictional story, Devotion centers on Anne, Charlotte, and Emily Brontë as they wrestle with both their novels and their love lives. Filled with romance, conflict, and an overall appreciation of books, this film is the perfect blend of classic literature and classic cinema. 07 of 08 Jane Austen Book Club (2007) The title of this 2007 adaptation directed by Robin Swicord says it all. In short, two women start a book club centered on the works of Jane Austen to comfort their newly divorced librarian friend. With the help of a schoolteacher, the librarian's daughter, and a sci-fi nerd, the group tackles six of Austen's most notable works. What none of them see coming though, is how Austen will help them out of their own personal crises. Jane Austen Book Club is a cinematic deep dive into the lasting, influential themes of Austen's work. 08 of 08 The Fast Company trilogy (1938, 1939) Hollywood released this 1930s trilogy to please fans of the Myrna Loy and William Powell-led Thin Man series, as the wait time in between each film was deemed too long. Based on Marco Page's novel by the same name, Fast Company follows rare-book dealers, Joel and Garda Sloan (Melvyn Douglas, Florence Rice), as they attempt to solve a murder. The succeeding films star different sets of topnotch Golden Age actors like Rosalind Russell and Franchot Tone. But no matter the faces, each film is a crowd-pleasing bookish comedy.

Date night is so much more than dinner and a movie. It's setting aside time to spend with your significant other. And if you want to switch things up from a night out on the town, at home date night ideas are the perfect option. Get creative with a foodie-themed night, a movie marathon, a game night, or a dance-off. Whatever you choose, this list of romantic ideas for a night in won't disappoint. 01 of 35 Create a Mock Movie Theater This date night idea is much more than your average dinner and movie night. If you have a whole day to waste, upgrade your next romantic Netflix and chill session with an old-school twist. Here's how: Pick a movie or series you both enjoy. It could be the entire Harry Potter saga or the new season of Ozark. Create a snuggly environment with some comfy blankets and throw pillows. To establish the mood, set up a projector against a blank wall to create your own movie theater. Pop up some popcorn, cuddle up, and enjoy hours upon hours of uninterrupted movie time. Light a candle or spritz the pillow and blanket with an aromatherapy mist to create a relaxing atmosphere. 02 of 35 Make a Date Jar Do you have so many date ideas pent up but not sure where to start? Write them down and stick them in a mason jar. When date night rolls around, take turns choosing an activity. The added touch not knowing what you're doing can even be a little romantic. 03 of 35 Have Breakfast in Bed Who says date night has to be in the evening? Morning and day dates are just as fun, if not more. Pop into the kitchen and whip up a delicious breakfast for the two of you to enjoy in bed. Pancakes anyone? 04 of 35 Start a Game Night Round up all the best board games for two in your house for a super epic couple's game night. If you're tired of the same old Monopoly and Uno iterations, spice things up by personalizing it and getting to know your partner on a whole new level. Custom Game Idea Create some truth-or-dare prompts and write one on each Jenga block. When you play, you must answer the question or take on the dare of whichever block you pull, If both of you tend to get a nasty competitive streak, try looking for games where you have to work together, not against each other, to win, like Forbidden Island. 05 of 35 Have a Spa Night A spa night is a perfect excuse not to feel guilty about lounging around in a robe all day. Start by lighting a few candles and crank up the romance by giving each other a massage with some scented oils. After that, slap on some DIY face masks to have an at home spa session worthy of the real deal. Finish it off by giving each other a relaxing foot massage (because two massages are better than one). 06 of 35 Make Plans Together Planning an event doesn't always have to be a daunting task. If you're both super into preparation of any kind when it comes to a big event, make a vision board of a future trip, home renovation, or goals you have for the year. It will be a fun activity in the moment and even more special when the time comes to enjoy it together. 07 of 35 Cook Dinner Together Choose a food delivery service to deliver all the goods or whip up a romantic dinner for two using items you already have on hand. Either way, you'll appreciate the meal more, knowing you made it together. For a fun twist, turn the cooking into a game by hosting your version of Chopped. Choose a random ingredient. Bonus points for incorporating ingredients that have a sentimental meaning (like maybe you had clams on your first date). See who can best incorporate it into a dish. When the dishes are ready, shut off all the lights (except for some candles). Enforce a fancy dress code to make it feel like a special occasion. Discuss who won the contest and why. Final tip: No cell phones allowed! 08 of 35 Have an Indoor Picnic Munching on the same snacks can get boring, so change things up with a picnic indoors. You can have picnic-like snacks like sliced cheese, fresh fruit, chips, and dip. To make it more realistic, do everything you'd typically do, like prepare a picnic basket with your favorite picnic recipes and lay your checkered blanket on the floor. It's not exactly Central Park, but on the bright side, at least you won't have to worry about the weather. 09 of 35 Camp Out in the Living Room Our idea of a dream campout? One without the bugs and freezing temperatures. Solution: Create a pillow fort, or set up a tent and some sleeping bags in the living room to enact a campout with your beau. Look up some scary stories, turn on the Netflix fireside stream (or fireplace, if you have one), and complete the experience with some indoor s'mores made in the oven or over a cast-iron skillet. It's a great way to get away without actually going anywhere. 10 of 35 Make a Scrapbook Craft time isn't just for the kids. Since your most recent memories together are probably things like hogging the bed sheets and not doing the dishes, taking a trip down memory lane is a great way to reconnect and rekindle some good memories. Invest in a good scrapbook or DIY a collage with a few of your favorite old photos. 11 of 35 Start a Home Improvement Project Turn what would have usually been a chore into a bonding date night activity by working with your partner to finish a home improvement project (you know, that one you've been meaning to get to when you have the time). From painting an accent wall to redecorating using items you already own, home projects become much more bearable when done together. 12 of 35 Go on a Virtual Adventure Many places offer free virtual tours that let you travel without physically visiting the locations. Not sure where to start? Catch a concert you've always dreamed of seeing on your couch. Gush over adorable animals at the National Zoo. Attend a virtual wine tasting. Class things up by exploring an art museum (like the Guggenheim or the Louvre). 13 of 35 Have a Karaoke Night Singing out your favorite tunes is a great way to de-stress, let loose, and have a dance session with your partner. If you want to go all out, get a karaoke machine—try the Singing Machine Bluetooth Pedestal Karaoke System. Alternatively, there are a bunch of apps on the app store, like Sing! Karaoke and Smule, so you can choose from a wide selection of hit songs. 14 of 35 Take a Trip Down Memory Lane Love letters, old photos, and text message exchanges are all key parts of the physical building blocks of a relationship. Reminisce about the beginning of your relationship and admire how far it has come. If you are married, it might be fun to watch your wedding video and relive that magical day. 15 of 35 Wine and Dine Turn on a romantic tune, light up some candles, and get ready to bond over an Aphrodite-approved charcuterie board. Pretend you are in Europe and curate a themed board with Spanish, Italian, or French meats, cheeses, and their delicious accompaniments. Not into traditional charcuterie? Try creating a dessert or snack board with all of your favorite treats instead. 16 of 35 Do a Puzzle Puzzles are fun activities to do when you want a break from technology. If you're up for some friendly competition, see who can finish the edges first or who completes a section faster. Several hundred piece puzzles usually take some time to complete, so enjoy this extended date night idea. 17 of 35 Cozy Up Outside Grab a blanket, two chairs, and a cozy beverage (hot cocoa or cider for chilly weather and a mixed drink or smoothie for warmer weather) and head outdoors. Stargaze, enjoy the sounds of nature at night, or bask in the peace and quiet that comes when the sun goes down. 18 of 35 Make Ice Cream Sundaes Remember when you were a kid and played ice cream shoppe? Now you can have some sweet fun as an adult. Head to the store and stock up on ice cream (or make your own), whipped cream, fruit, and your favorite sundae toppings and get scooping. Have even more fun by making a sundae for the other person. 19 of 35 Plan a Scavenger Hunt Get creative and plan a scavenger hunt for each other. It can lead to a fun activity, dinner of their choice, or something special like a "just because" gift to show them how much you appreciate them. If you both want to join in on the fun, ask a friend to plan the hunt for you. 20 of 35 Learn Something New Whether it's sewing, using a power tool, a new cooking technique, or learning a new language, doing it together is much more fun. Try an online class to educate yourselves, or spend some time researching your next lesson. 21 of 35 Play Video Games Bring out the kid in you and play some video games. Throw it back to the days of SEGA and Gameboy, or play some newer, more thought-provoking games with or against each other. 22 of 35 Start a Book Club A book club is a great way to bond over a love of reading. Each of you come up with a list of books you want to read, switching off with your partner's choice every other time. After you have read the book, plan a time to discuss it with some tea and treats. 23 of 35 Create a Staycation Whether it's buying new home décor, upgrading your bedsheets, or treating yourself to a new pair of cozy pjs, create a getaway within your home to escape to. A staycation date night it a great way to play with themes, and it's something you both can do often with a different activity each time. 24 of 35 Plant a Garden If you're itching for warmer weather and are ready to welcome spring, start by planting your garden. Grab some cups, trays, soil, and seeds and get your garden going indoors. When your plants sprout and it's ready to move them outdoors, you can both take care of the garden together. 25 of 35 Write a Love Letter Don your writer's hat and tell your significant other how you feel about them in prose. Poetry or a simple greeting card are also ways to convey your feelings. It's a beautiful sentiment that they can keep tucked away in a wallet or book wherever they go. 26 of 35 Host a Casino Night This one might require a double date as most card games require multiple people, but hosting a casino night is a fun way to switch things up. You can even dress up and make fun cocktails as you play poker or craps. 27 of 35 Completely Unplug for the Evening Taking a break from technology is refreshing but can also be challenging if you commit to the task. Have a completely unplugged romantic night in sans electricity. Have fun with the challenge of figuring out meals and activities without the allure of technology. 28 of 35 Set up a Drive-in Movie at Home All you need is a projector screen, a laptop, some snacks, and you have just created your very own drive-in movie theater. If you don't have a projector screen, find a good spot to show the movie (the side of your house or garage door). Hop in the car and pretend you're at the drive-in. Roller skates optional. 29 of 35 Do a Craft Get in touch with your artistic side and have fun with a little DIY craft. Drawing, painting, candle-making, pottery, friendship bracelets, the list is endless with creative possibilities. 30 of 35 Relax Yes, doing absolutely nothing can be the perfect romantic night in. Life gets so busy that sometimes all you need is a little conversation and time with each other on the couch to connect and relax. 31 of 35 Clean Out The Closet Turn a spring cleaning chore into something fun. Going through each others clothes together can bring back memories of outfits worn on first dates or other memorable occasions. Make it more enjoyable by having your partner pick out your outfit for your next special night out—or in. 32 of 35 Player's Choice This activity can be as long or short as you wish. One partner plans out a date day or night for the other by listing options on two different index cards. The other partner gets to blindly choose how to spend the day together. Will they choose Mexican or Italian for dinner? Coffee or hot cocoa? A comedy or drama? It's the perfect mix of a planned yet surprise date night. 33 of 35 Have a Fight Hear us out. Fighting can be a good thing when it involves some good old fashion competition. Pillow fights, water gun fights, Nerf gun fights, or even arm wrestling will increase your adrenaline and amp you up for the next activity. 34 of 35 Have a Bake Off Take inspiration from television shows like The Great British Bake Off and challenge your partner to a baking challenge. You'll have to give advanced notice on what to make so the two of you can go shopping together for ingredients, but then it's into the kitchen to see whose treat reigns supreme. 35 of 35 Discover Your Personalities Do you know your partner's Myers-Briggs personality type? How about their Hogwarts house? These fun questionnaires are sure to turn up the heat and have you both blurting out some juicy confessions. You can also pull out your phone and quiz each other through online personality tests.

Why should bagels have all the fun? We adorn tender scones with everything bagel seasoning—typically dried onion, dried garlic, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds—which you can buy or make yourself. What's more, we fold cream cheese into the tender dough and then top with a sprinkling of fresh chives to draw on classic bagel toppings. Serve these split, alongside scrambled eggs, and top with more cream cheese and smoked salmon, or slather with salted butter. Pro tip: For even, straight-sided scones, use a bench knife or pastry cutter to divide the dough. Ingredients ½ cup whole milk 1 large egg, beaten 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 teaspoons granulated sugar ¾ teaspoon kosher salt 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1-inch pieces and chilled 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces and chilled 3 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped, divided 1 large egg white 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning Directions Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour milk into a liquid measuring cup. Add whole egg, whisk to combine, and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add cream cheese and butter and then, using your fingers or a pastry blender, work cream cheese and butter into the flour mixture until butter pieces are pea-size or smaller. (Cream cheese will work in more seamlessly.) Pour in milk-egg mixture, and then stir until mostly combined. Add 2 tablespoons chives and mix with your hands until combined. (Dough will be stiff.) Do not overmix. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and pat into an 8- by 6-inch rectangle. Cut dough into 8 rectangles (about 3- by 2-inches each). Arrange at least 2 inches apart on the lined baking sheet. Whisk egg white and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl, and then brush tops of the dough rectangles with the egg white mixture. Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning and remaining 1 tablespoon chives. Bake until scones are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Thanks to the seven years I’ve spent working as a shopping editor at Real Simple, I’ve picked up quite a few money-saving tips and insights. Whenever family or friends ask for shopping advice, I always tell them my best one: Take advantage of Amazon’s Prime Day deals, which are some of—if not—the best discounts that will be available all year. And this time around, Amazon released millions of Prime Day deals across its home, fashion, beauty, tech, and other departments with some of the steepest discounts that will be available all year. In fact, many items are going for their lowest prices ever, beating Black Friday offers. And plenty of new brands are included this year, like Away luggage, Saie beauty, and Milk Makeup. And while you don’t have to be a member to get in on the discounts, Prime subscribers (or anyone who signs up for a free 30-day trial) can shop the full assortment of offers. Here’s everything I’m buying this year. Editor-Loved Amazon Prime Day Deals Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, $550 (was $750) Colorscience Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50, $46 (was $58) CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser, $15 (was $20) Away Bigger Carry-On Suitcase, $236 (was $295) Saie Dew Liquid Blush, $20 (was $25) Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine For years, I’ve indulged in a lot of coffee shop drinks, so I’m finally investing in this high-quality machine that I’ve been eyeing for years. A few of my friends have this stunner, which does everything: grinds beans, measures grounds, heats water, brews espresso, and froths milks. They rave about its longevity, easy-to-use design, and the delicious espresso it produces that’s on par with professional machines. It’s a bit of a splurge, but I know this upfront expense will save me money in the long run. Colorscience Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 This genius tinted sunscreen has replaced three products in my daily makeup routine, namely my facial sunscreen, foundation, and concealer. The multipurpose product features a formula that blends in with your skin while offering protection against pollution, UVB/UVA sun damage, and blue light. And thanks to its buildable coverage, I’m able to skip concealer and add a bit more where I need it, like under my eyes and over some acne scars. CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser I always use big sales, like Prime Day, to stock up on items I go through quickly, including my daily face wash. I’ve tested dozens of cleansers over two decades, and this dermatologist-recommended one is the only wash that doesn’t irritate my incredibly sensitive skin. It gently melts away makeup and moisturizes my skin while I use it, leaving my skin softer and more hydrated every time I use it. Away Bigger Carry-On Suitcase I always use big sales, like Prime Day, to stock up on items I go through quickly, including my daily face wash. I’ve tested dozens of cleansers over two decades, and this dermatologist-recommended one is the only wash that doesn’t irritate my incredibly sensitive skin. It gently melts away makeup and moisturizes my skin while I use it, leaving my skin softer and more hydrated every time I use it. Away Bigger Carry-On Suitcase For the first time in Amazon’s history, Away luggage is on sale for Prime Day. This new-to-Amazon brand is renowned and loved by travelers for its incredibly durable, space-saving suitcases. The brand’s bigger carry-on comes highly recommended by friends who love its interior that offers compression to fit in more stuff, smooth wheels, and lightweight feel. While I’m not in the market for a new suitcase, this will make the perfect holiday gift for my partner who hasn’t replaced their worn-down suitcase in a decade. Saie Dew Liquid Blush I’m always looking for clean beauty brands that I can mix into rotation, so I’m grabbing some of Saie’s top-sellers, like this liquid blush, to try while they’re marked down. I’ve been told by experts that liquid blushes are easier to blend and offer more of that glowy, dewy look that I’m after, so I’m eager to test this highly rated one. And if you’re looking for more recommendations, there are plenty of other finds that I own and love on sale this Prime Day. The Apple AirPods Pro that I use while working out, walking, and commuting are marked down along with the Sweese porcelain pasta bowl plate hybrids (a.k.a. blates) that I’ve raved about for seven years. More Editor-Loved Prime Day Deals Lowest Price Ever: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), $149 (was $249) Bissell Little Green Portable Cleaner, $82 (was $124) Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum, $300 (was $470) Roborock Q5 Max+ Robot Vacuum, $500 (was $600) Bucosd Mini Gym Duffle Bag, $26 with coupon (was $33) New Balance Women's 515 V3 Sneaker, $70 (was $80) Lodge 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, $20 (was $25) OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener Stain Remover, $8 (was $11) Levoit Air Purifier, $85 (was $100) Kitchellence Three-Stage Knife Sharpener, $12 (was $16) Sweese Porcelain Pasta Bowl Plates Set, $32 (was $35) Head to Amazon’s Prime Day hub to see the full selection of deals or shop more editor-loved items below. Once these deals expire on Friday, July 11 at midnight PT, the prices will go back up. Apple AirPods Pro 2 Bissell Little Green Portable Cleaner Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum Roborock Q5 Max+ Robot Vacuum Bucosd Small Gym Bag New Balance Women's 515 V3 Sneaker Lodge 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet OxiClean White Revive Laundry Stain Remover Levoit Air Purifier Kitchellence Three-Stage Knife Sharpener Sweese Porcelain Pasta Bowl Plates Set

Vacations are relaxing, but packing for them? Not so much. Between decision fatigue, trying to fit everything in your suitcase, and doing all that last-minute laundry, it’s not an ideal way to kick off your time away. But knowing the right packing method—and a few pro-approved tips and tricks—can change everything. We asked a professional packer (yes, a professional packer) and luggage designers how they pack their own clothes, as well as their secrets for fitting everything in their suitcases for a less stressful and more stylish trip. Lorenza Bellora, founder of My Style Bags, a Milan-based brand known for its high-quality, customizable travel and lifestyle accessories Brianna Apple, content creator and professional packer specializing in helping families pack for camp, college, and boarding school Niklas Oppermann, luggage designer and co-founder of Carl Friedrik 01 of 12 Start With the Right Bag According to luggage designer Lorenza Bellora, choosing the right bag is like choosing the right travel companion. “There’s no one-size-fits-all rule," she says. "It really depends on the kind of journey you’re about to take. For longer holidays or multi-activity trips, I go for a medium-to-large bag with inner compartments. But for a spontaneous getaway or a weekend escape, a structured duffel is always my go-to.” On the other hand, content creator and professional packer Brianna Apple suggests assembling what you need to pack before choosing a bag. “Pull everything out onto the couch or wherever you pack (I always have a designated packing corner), and get everything finalized, so that everything you’re bringing is all in one spot," she says. "Once you see how much stuff you’re bringing, choose a suitcase accordingly. Bigger is not always better.” 02 of 12 Plan Outfits Around Your Itinerary Being specific and intentional about what you pack ensures you won’t forget anything. Apple says she starts by going through her itinerary, then pulling what she’s considering wearing based on her plans. “Once it’s all laid out, I build outfits around each day and put anything I’m not bringing back in my closet," she says. "I try to keep looks simple and rely on accessories to switch things up so I can rewear pieces and pack less.” Still not sure if you should bring something? Luggage designer Niklas Oppermann explains there are only two categories of things you should bring on any trip: those that are versatile and those that are necessary. “If it doesn’t earn its place in the bag with versatility or necessity, it doesn’t come.” 03 of 12 Pack Around Your Favorite Clothing and Accessories If there’s something you're excited about wearing or have purchased for your trip, Apple recommends prioritizing outfits around those things. “If there are specific pieces you’re set on bringing, whether it’s a purse, a pair of shoes, or a certain top, build outfits around those first, and use those accessories to switch up other looks too," she says. "It’s all about stretching your staples and making them work multiple ways.” 04 of 12 Plan From Day to Night Apple tells me it’s best to start with daytime outfits. “Then repeat the process for night outfits, move on to pajamas, undergarments, and anything else you need to bring.” 05 of 12 Place Heavier Items First Don’t just throw everything in your luggage. According to Apple, heavier and bulkier items such as sweaters and jeans should go in first. “Then, fill in the rest like a puzzle," she suggests. 06 of 12 Hide Your Socks Socks might seem small, but they can take up valuable space. However, there is an easy but game-changing solution to this: “I always tuck socks into shoes to save space,” Apple says. 07 of 12 Don’t Fold—Roll Everyone has a finite amount of luggage space and probably more clothing than can fit in it. “Roll everything, even underwear," Apple suggests. "It saves way more space than you think and makes it easier to fit everything else.” 08 of 12 Consider Packing Cubes Whether you're going on a long or short trip, Oppermann advises staying organized with packing cubes. “Even when I’m only away for a night or two with just a backpack, I still use them," he says. "They’re brilliant for saving space, keeping things organized—like separating clean clothes from worn ones—and they minimize creasing when you unpack.” 09 of 12 Avoid Overweight Luggage Fees One of the easiest ways to avoid overweight luggage charges is to, you guessed it, weigh your luggage beforehand. You can use a regular scale you have at home, but then you might end up with an overweight bag on your return flight. So, investing in a portable luggage scale is a smart idea. They're usually inexpensive and take up less space than a candy bar. Apple recommends putting heavier items like shoes, hair tools, and handbags in your carry-on because it will free up more room in your suitcase. “I also use the purses I’m bringing to store small things like jewelry and sunglasses,” she says. 10 of 12 Shake Your Bag Down for More Space Apple’s trick for fitting every last thing into your suitcase is brilliant. “Zip the suitcase shut, then stand it up and gently bang or shake the bottom against the floor to shift everything downward," she says. "Do the same with the side of the suitcase, [and] you’ll be shocked how much space opens up at the top!” 11 of 12 Use a Garment Bag for More Formal Items If you're traveling for business or a formal event, Bellora suggests using a garment bag to make sure your clothing stays unwrinkled and on a hanger. “It keeps clothes perfectly pressed on their hanger, ready to wear upon arrival," she says. 12 of 12 Pack Before You Shop “People love to shop before vacations (who doesn’t?), but that’s usually what leads to overpacking,” Apple says. “I always suggest fully packing first, as if you’re not allowed to buy anything, so you can see what you actually have. Then, if you still need something, buy with intention instead of impulse. It’s also a great way to stay on budget!”

While you may already know that putting your suitcase on your hotel bed is a no-no due to the potential to pick up bedbugs, there's another good reason to reconsider where you put your luggage. According to some recent research by Insure and Go, your suitcase may have picked up lots of other unwelcome travelers along the way, including dangerous bacteria and black mold. (Ew!) And that's definitely a problem for a lot of us, as 38% of people regularly put their suitcase on a bed or table to pack or unpack. What's Lurking on Your Suitcase? For the study, 10 hard-shell and soft-shell suitcases were swabbed at a London airport train station, using different swabs on different points of the suitcase. Their findings? The suitcase wheels contained nearly 58 times more bacteria than a public toilet seat, including E. coli and staphylococcus bacteria and black mold. "The testing confirmed that suitcase wheels are by far the dirtiest part of a traveler’s bag," says microbiologist Amy-May Pointer, who conducted the study. "The wheels of your suitcase are essentially rolling through a world of germs and carrying a whole ecosystem with them, and make constant contact with all kinds of surfaces—pavements, streets, airport bathroom floors, train station platforms, and rarely (if ever) get cleaned.” Also among the germiest spots? The base of your suitcase—which also carries significantly more bacteria than a public toilet seat—and the handles of airport luggage carts, which are rarely cleaned and touched by many people. In the study, soft-sided suitcases were more likely than hard-shelled suitcases to carry bacteria, fungi, and other microbes. This probably should come as no surprise—after all, when's the last time you wiped down your suitcase? Roller bags roll all over the ground, from your house through the streets and even the airport bathroom—and then they're jammed in next to other people's suitcases, too, whether they're in the overhead compartment or the checked luggage. How to Reduce the Germiness of Your Suitcases To help minimize the ick on your suitcases, Pointer recommends a few strategies you can use: Watch where you roll your bag You may want to lift your suitcase when you're in especially germy or wet locations—and Pointer recommends avoiding bringing them into airport bathrooms altogether to minimize E. coli and other common bathroom bacteria. Give your suitcase a proper clean When you've arrived at your destination—or at home—give your suitcase exterior a quick wipe-down with antibacterial wipes, a soapy cloth, or even a disinfectant spray, focusing your efforts on your wheels and the bottom of your suitcase. A regular deep clean of your suitcase will help you reduce the amount of dangerous microbes they carry. Use the luggage rack The hotel luggage rack is the perfect spot to keep your luggage and avoid contaminating other surfaces (especially your bed or table!). Wash your hands after you handle your suitcase Give your hands a good scrub down with soap and water—or even hand sanitizer—after you handle it to avoid spreading that bacteria elsewhere. (You don't want to add a little E. coli to your airport snack!) That'll help you avoid getting sick, which can be a real bummer when you're on vacation!