Parade

When Michelin comes to mind, you probably think tasting menus, white tablecloths and the kind of dinner reservation that requires setting an alarm months in advance. But these days, the famous red Guide isn’t just telling travelers where to eat. It’s also weighing in on where to sleep.

On Sept. 18, the MICHELIN Guide unveiled its 2026 MICHELIN Key selection, recognizing 2,832 hotels around the world, including 470 newcomers across 79 destinations. And while plenty of familiar luxury names made the cut, one of this year’s most intriguing U.S. additions is hiding somewhere you might not expect.

Head to the wilds of Southern Oregon, near the California border, and you’ll find Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge, a secluded retreat along the Rogue River near Siskiyou National Forest that just earned One MICHELIN Key.

And if your idea of Oregon lodging involves rustic cabins and flannel, think again.

The lodge pairs its spectacular natural surroundings with seriously cool accommodations, including reflective glass cabins tucked among the trees and overlooking the river or creek. Elsewhere on the property, rooms in the main lodge feature cedar beams and river-rock fireplaces, while larger houses come with full kitchens and wraparound decks.

View this post on Instagram

The idea is essentially to disappear into nature without roughing it, and Michelin describes Tu Tu’ Tun as an ideal place for a “do-nothing escape.” Meals lean heavily on seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms, while the Rogue River and surrounding forest provide the scenery.

In other words, this may be the Michelin recognition that finally puts a little-known corner of Southern Oregon on your travel radar.

Related: Inside the Detroit Michelin-Key Hotel That Brings the City’s Best Boutique to Your Door

So, what exactly is a MICHELIN Key?

Think of it as the hotel world’s answer to a MICHELIN Star. The Guide introduced its hotel distinction to recognize exceptional stays, with anonymous inspectors considering factors including architecture and design, service, personality, value and how meaningfully a property contributes to its setting.

Hotels can receive One, Two or Three Keys. One Key signifies “a very special stay,” Two Keys an “exceptional stay” and Three Keys an “extraordinary stay,” the highest distinction available.

This year’s numbers are pretty staggering. The global 2026 selection now includes 2,020 One-Key hotels, 657 Two-Key hotels and just 155 Three-Key properties. Eighteen hotels earned Three Keys for the first time this year, while more than 80 properties were promoted within the selection.

And Tu Tu’ Tun isn’t the only American hotel with something to celebrate.

The other big U.S. winners

Tu Tu’ Tun isn’t the only American hotel with something to celebrate. Michelin added 65 new Keys and upgrades in the United States this year, with winners ranging from remote mountain hideaways to some of the buzziest city hotels and legendary resorts.

In New York, Faena New York earned its first One Key. The glittering Manhattan newcomer is anything but understated, starting with a lobby where soaring ceilings, a cosmic mural and a gold-trimmed spiral staircase set the tone. Upstairs, select suites overlook the High Line and Empire State Building, while the Tierra Santa Healing House features a marble hammam and South American-inspired treatments. There’s also nightly live music in The Living Room.

In New York, Faena New York earned its first One Key.

Faena New York

Another New York legend made an even bigger splash. After a seven-year restoration, the Waldorf Astoria New York re-emerged on Park Avenue and earned Two Michelin Keys. The revived icon has 375 rooms, including coveted suites overlooking Park Avenue and a namesake Waldorf Astoria Suite complete with its own grand piano. Conrad Hilton once famously dubbed the hotel “The Greatest of Them All,” and its return to Michelin’s upper Key ranks gives that old nickname some fresh relevance.

Also joining the city’s winners, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad moved from One to Two Keys, while W New York – Union Square earned One Key.

Related: The 45 Best Restaurants in New York City

Across the country, The Parker Palm Springs also earned One Key, proving Michelin’s inspectors aren’t immune to a little Palm Springs personality. The 144-room California icon is known for its eclectic interiors and playful old-school touches, from bubblegum-pink bellhop uniforms and backyard croquet to four-poster beds and a giant silver elephant sculpture. Add indoor and outdoor pools, golf, a yacht club and a nautical-themed spa, and there’s plenty to keep guests occupied between desert lounging sessions.

The Parker Palm Springs also earned One Key.

The Parker Palm Springs

Two North Carolina mountain hideaways also landed Two Keys. Cataloochee Ranch, on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, pairs nearly a century of ranch history with horseback riding, hiking and 30 cabins and suites. Its sister property, The Swag, is an intimate 18-room retreat where reclaimed logs from a Tennessee church dating to 1785 mingle with outdoor soaking tubs, stone fireplaces and private saunas.

View this post on Instagram

And in Napa Valley, Solage, Auberge Collection moved into the Two-Key ranks, with studios and suites, a Michelin-recognized restaurant and a spa thermal circuit inspired by Calistoga’s natural hot springs.

The 2026 MICHELIN Keys went far beyond the U.S.

The biggest news, however, wasn’t limited to America. The 2026 list added or promoted hotels across six continents, and 10 destinations received MICHELIN Keys for the first time, including Botswana, Rwanda, Mongolia, Armenia and Liechtenstein.

In Europe, Italy’s spectacular Borgo Santandrea on the Amalfi Coast was elevated to Three Keys. Italy now has 224 Key hotels, edging out France’s 220 and giving travelers yet another reason to start plotting an Italian getaway.

Borgo Santandrea on the Amalfi Coast was elevated to Three Keys.

Borgo Santandrea

London also scored a particularly buzzy newcomer. The Chancery Rosewood in Mayfair, which opened in late 2025 inside the former U.S. Embassy, debuted with Two MICHELIN Keys. The all-suite hotel retained one rather hard-to-miss piece of its former life: a 35-foot-wide gilded eagle presiding over the building.

Inside, there’s a collection of more than 700 works of art, while revered sushi chef Masayoshi Takayama helms Tobi Masa. Up on the seventh floor, a rooftop terrace looks out over Hyde Park. The property was also nominated for Michelin’s 2026 Opening of the Year Award.

Farther afield, Southern Ocean Lodge in Australia was promoted from Two to Three Keys, while Rosewood Matakauri in Queenstown, New Zealand, moved from One to Two.

Africa had a major showing as well. Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa, became the continent’s newest Three-Key hotel, while One&Only Gorilla’s Nest was among the properties recognized as Michelin brought its Keys to Rwanda for the first time.

View this post on Instagram

In Asia, the Maldives’ ultra-exclusive Soneva Secret became the region’s only new Three-Key hotel for 2026, while Cambodia’s Shinta Mani Wild received Two Keys.

And Costa Rica scored the Americas’ sole new Three-Key property: Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, which was promoted from Two Keys.

Michelin also handed out four special hotel awards this year. Desert Rock Resort in Saudi Arabia won the Architecture & Design Award, Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa Retreat & Cultural Hideaway in Germany took the Wellness Award, Airelles Palladio Venice was named Opening of the Year and South Africa’s Londolozi Game Reserve received the Local Gateway Award.

With 470 hotels newly joining the Key selection, the 2026 list provides plenty of inspiration for your next bucket-list stay. But perhaps its most interesting takeaway is that you don’t necessarily need to head to Paris, London or the Maldives to find a hotel Michelin considers special.

Sometimes, apparently, you just need to follow the Rogue River into the Oregon wilderness.

Up next:

Related: Michelin Says These 11 Caribbean Islands Have the Best Hotels Right Now

In the late 1970s, Shaun Cassidy wasn’t just some random pop singer. He was the star of the ABC series The Hardy Boys Mysteries and a massive teen idol with platinum and million-selling albums and chart-topping hits, including his cover of the Crystals’ “Da Doo Ron Ron,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

Cassidy Was Ready to Leave His Teen-Idol Image Behind

By 1980, Cassidy’s enormous teen-idol-and-AM-pop run was already winding down. His 1979 album, Room Service, had been a disappointment, and Cassidy was unhappy with the direction the record company was pushing him. He wanted to make something different.

At 21, he recruited Todd Rundgren to help reinvent his music for the new-wave era. Cassidy specifically wanted to work with Rundgren because his résumé included work with artists far removed from the teen-pop world Cassidy had inhabited.

View this post on Instagram

“All I wanted to do was work with Todd,” Cassidy told the Los Angeles Times, recalling Rundgren telling him, “You’re an actor—let’s do some acting.” They then created characters and experimented with the material.

So, in 1980, under Rundgren’s wing, Cassidy began covering songs from rock legends including David Bowie, Talking Heads, The Who, The Animals, and Ian Hunter. But Rundgren didn’t just advise. He produced Cassidy’s new album, WASP, with members of his band, Utopia, playing on the record.

The Rock Kid Was There Before the Teen Idol

For Cassidy, the transformation wasn’t entirely out of left field. Before his image became established as a clean-cut teen idol, he was already deeply into glam rock and punk. As a teenager, he spent time around Rodney Bingenheimer’s club in Hollywood and sought out the rock scene at places including CBGB and Max’s Kansas City.

“In a way, there’s some regression [on WASP], actually, because when I started playing at 14 or 15 we were doing a lot more rock ‘n’ roll, which changed when my image became more established,” Cassidy told Cash Box in 1980.

For the young artist, WASP wasn’t a gimmick; it was a chance to record the jagged, synth-heavy rock and new-wave music he actually listened to and loved.

Cassidy Made a Wildly Different Album

Released in September 1980, WASP was Cassidy’s fifth and final studio album. A mix of original material and covers, it included Cassidy’s renditions of David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel,” the Talking Heads’ “The Book I Read,” the Animals’ “It’s My Life,” The Who’s “So Sad About Us,” Ian Hunter’s “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” and the Four Tops’ “Shake Me, Wake Me.”

The album also included “Cool Fire,” co-written by Cassidy with Rundgren and members of Utopia, alongside Rundgren compositions including “Pretending,” “Wasp,” and “Selfless Love.”

https://open.spotify.com/album/3z2v7xL75pLeil4TTqxq0I?si=gkOUVAcmT-eP0YSo67nVJQ

“The little girls who live on a steady diet of Tiger Beat and Super Teen may be confused and disappointed, and the heavy metal kiddies might not rush out in droves to buy his latest album, but for Shaun Cassidy, former Hardy Boy and teen idol, the new WASP LP maps a decided change of direction,” Cash Box wrote.

Meanwhile, a hopeful Cassidy saw his rock era in sight.

“I’ve never been on FM radio in my life… at least not on AOR stations,” Cassidy said. “Now, I’ve got a promotional tour of AOR stations planned. The record has already been added to KROQ!”

Todd Rundgren’s Reinvention Didn’t Become a Hit

Unfortunately, WASP bombed commercially. Cassidy’s existing audience wasn’t ready for the album, while the new FM audience he hoped would embrace him never materialized. The album also failed to produce a hit single.

In the end, the album’s reception ended Cassidy’s recording career. WASP was his fifth and final studio album, and Cassidy soon moved away from music to focus on writing, acting, and television production.

But Cassidy Never Regretted Making WASP

One silver lining to one of America’s biggest teen idols blowing up his carefully constructed pop image in favor of a new-wave record with Rundgren: Cassidy got back to his roots.

The album may not have found the audience Cassidy hoped for in 1980, but he didn’t regard the experience as a failure. Looking back decades later, he called WASP “a bold awakening.”

In that sense, the album accomplished something the charts couldn’t measure. Cassidy had finally made the kind of record he wanted—and, after years of being defined by his teen-idol image, he had taken a major step toward becoming something else entirely.

Related: ’60s Legends Who Outsold The Beatles and The Rolling Stones Make 60th Anniversary Announcement

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Every year, right around the time the air turns crisp and pumpkin spice starts showing up everywhere, the mums arrive. They line grocery store entrances, crowd front steps and fill Instagram feeds with the kind of golden, rusty, burnt-orange energy that says fall has officially begun. Mums are the season’s unofficial mascot and they never go out of style.

The catch is that real mums have a shelf life, and a thirsty one. Forget to water them and they’re crispy by Tuesday. That’s why faux mums keep winning the porch game, and why we’re paying close attention to a find that just turned up at Marshalls.

😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳🍔

Olive & Thyme Faux Mum With Grass Half Wreath, $24.99 at Marshalls

Marshalls

Shop It!

Meet the Faux Mum Grass Wreath, a piece that’s part harvest centerpiece and part front-door showstopper. Instead of the usual round wreath, this one is built on a flat wicker base, giving it a relaxed, woven, straight-from-the-farmhouse look. It sits beautifully against a door without looking stiff or overdone.

Then come the details, which is where it earns its spot on your wish list. Full, lifelike faux mums bloom across the wicker, and sea grass fans out around them for a soft, natural texture that feels a little windswept. Tucked into the mix are mini velvet pumpkins, which really set the entire thing off. They add a touch of softness and a hint of luxe, keeping the whole thing from feeling like a run-of-the-mill wreath.

Related: Martha Stewart’s $20 Needlepoint Pumpkin Pillow Is the Cutest Cottagecore Find of the Season

And it costs just $24.99, which we know is a stellar price for a beautiful wreath. That’s less than most spend on a fall candle and a pumpkin spice latte combined. For that price, you get a wreath that looks styled and seasonal, with no watering, no wilting and no trip to the garden center. Hang it on a hook, and you’re done. It’s the piece that will bring your entire front porch together this fall.

It doesn’t have to stay outside either. Use it above a mantel, on a mirror or on an entryway wall for a cozy accent that carries you from September through Thanksgiving.

Marshalls finds have a way of disappearing fast, and this one has all the makings of a fall favorite. If your front door has been begging for a glow-up, consider this your sign to go wreath hunting.

Related: This Dreamy $8 Kitchen Towel Set at Target Brings Fall Charm to Dish Duty

“Honeycomb” was a hit song written by Bob Merrill in 1954. It became a hit when it was released by Jimmie Rodgers in 1957, rising all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It also spent four weeks at number one in Canada. The song, which sold over a million copies, was eventually featured in the 1999 film The Iron Giant and the 2020 Netflix film The Devil All the Time.

When asked why the song was so successful in an interview with Gary James, Rodgers said, “I think one of the things is that I was a good-looking young kid with black curly hair, and the girls liked me a lot. After ‘Honeycomb’ came out and started to get some play, I did the Ed Sullivan Show right away and that boosted the record sales tremendously. Just one little thing led to another. Nobody could really categorize what I was doing. It was sort of a combination of country, folk, and pop. You know, I did all the rock ‘n’ roll shows. I worked with Little Richard, Buddy Holly, The Diamonds and everybody that was out there. We did these rock ‘n’ roll shows and I didn’t like them. I was not comfortable.”

He continued, “[During the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars Tour,] we’d start out at 9 a.m., and they’d show a movie. Then, we’d do a show. Then they’d show a movie, and we would do a show. We stayed in there all day ’cause we couldn’t get out. The kids would be outside by the thousands. You couldn’t get out of the theatre. They’d rip your clothes off.”

Related: 1976 Blues Song, Inspired by a Friend in Prison, Became a Hit for Rod Stewart

Rodgers was not related to the country singer with the same name, who died the same year that Rodgers was born. Some of his biggest hits, which all reached the top 10 on the charts, were “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine,” “Secretly,” “Are You Really Mine?” and “Oh-Oh, I’m Falling in Love Again.”

Rodgers died in 2021 at the age of 87.

There’s a specific, quiet frustration that happens in front of the bathroom mirror when you realize your trusty makeup routine has betrayed you. You lean in closely, inspecting your under-eyes, only to find that the very concealer you applied to hide your dark circles is now brightly broadcasting your fine lines.

For years, perhaps decades, you relied on that exact tube to instantly brighten your face, masking exhaustion and giving you a flawless, rested finish. But as our skin matures, it undergoes subtle, inevitable changes—becoming thinner, drier and more delicate—which completely alters how it interacts with the products we once loved. Suddenly, the formulas that used to blend like a dream are settling into every tiny crease and crinkle, leaving you looking older and tired (and likely frustrated).

It’s an emotional tug-of-war. We want to conceal our dark circles and signs of fatigue, but slapping on layers of heavy concealer only creates a cakey, thick texture that spotlights wrinkles. You might find yourself caught in a vicious cycle: adding more product to cover the darkness, only to create a dry, crepey finish that ages you far more than a bare face ever would. It feels incredibly defeating to put effort into your appearance only to feel like your makeup is working against you.

But you don’t need to throw away your makeup bag or resign yourself to dark under-eyes just yet. The solution isn’t necessarily finding a mythical, crease-proof concealer—it’s making an easy change to your application technique.

Celebrity makeup artists, who spend their days perfecting mature skin for the harsh glare of high-definition cameras and red carpets, reveal that the secret to a youthful, flawless under-eye lies in an incredibly simple, five-second step. By embracing one specific makeup artist trick before you even reach for your concealer, you can instantly neutralize darkness, minimize product buildup and finally reclaim that smooth, vibrant and confident glow.

Related: A Celebrity Makeup Artist Reveals if You Should Use Concealer or Foundation First (You Might Be Surprised!)

Why Heavy Concealer Emphasizes Fine Lines on Mature Skin

Before diving into the fix, it is essential to understand why your current method might be backfiring. As we age, the delicate skin beneath our eyes loses elasticity and moisture, creating a canvas that reacts differently to cosmetics.

Celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz, who works with stars like Quinta Brunson and Uzo Aduba, has noted that applying full-coverage products often spells disaster for mature complexions. “It can settle into fine lines and make the skin look dry and textured,” she explained in a recent Parade article on beauty mistakes that emphasize fine lines.

Another celebrity makeup artist agreed.

Jenepher Reynolds, whose clientele includes Norah Jones, pointed out that texture is everything. When you rely on heavy, matte concealers to do all the heavy lifting, the formula inevitably latches onto any dryness or unevenness.

To compensate for darkness, many women pack on a thick layer of concealer, but this only compounds the problem. Molly R. Stern, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Chelsea Handler and Maya Rudolph, got right to the heart of the matter: “Too much makeup will always emphasize fine lines.”

Related: Celebrity Makeup Artist Reveals a Clever Concealer Trick for Mature Skin I Wish I’d Known About Sooner

The 5-Second Trick: Color Correction First

So, if applying layers of concealer is making things worse, how do you successfully hide dark circles without adding bulk? The answer is a professional, five-second trick: color correction.

Instead of applying a thick, skin-toned concealer directly over your dark circles, Reynolds recommended taking just a few seconds to dab a tiny amount of color corrector onto the darkest areas first. Because under-eye circles often pull blue or purple on fair to medium skin, and brown on deeper complexions, using color theory to cancel out those tones is incredibly effective and instantly brightening.

“Most of us need a touch of color correction first,” Reynolds shared. “Peach works well for blue/purple tones, and a soft orange helps neutralize deeper brown discoloration.”

By neutralizing the unwanted pigment with a sheer swipe of color, you instantly eliminate the need for a thick blanket of coverage. Once the darkness is neutralized by the peach or orange corrector, you only need a microscopic dot of your regular concealer to seamlessly blend the area with the rest of your face. As Reynolds noted, when you correct first, you use significantly less concealer.

Related: Crow’s Feet Are No Match for These 10 Dermatologist-Approved Skin Care Finds, Starting at $24

Application Tips for a Flawless, Youthful Finish

Now that you are using a fraction of the product, the way you apply it is your final key to success. Proper technique ensures that the minimal product you are using stays exactly where it should without dragging the delicate skin or settling into wrinkles.

Reynolds recommended being incredibly gentle with your delicate under-eye area. “Press and tap product into the skin with your finger or a brush,” she advised. “Avoid dragging.” Tapping the product helps melt the warmth of the formulas into your skin, creating a natural, second-skin finish that won’t migrate into fine lines.

Related: 9 Drugstore Products That Help Tighten Skin—No Injections Required

To set your flawless handiwork without drying out the area with heavy powders, Reynolds offered a brilliant tip. Instead of heavily baking the under-eye with translucent powder, she said to “opt for a light mist of setting spray to set the under eyes. It sets the product while keeping the skin looking hydrated and smooth.”

Ultimately, finding joy in your makeup routine again doesn’t require a complete overhaul or spending hundreds of dollars on magic potions. It simply requires a strategic, light-handed approach.

Adapted from Parade’s “The Subtle Makeup Error That Emphasizes Fine Lines” by Laura Beck

Up Next:

Related: How To Apply Concealer When Rapid Weight Loss Makes Your Under-Eyes Look Hollow

Sources

• Molly R. Stern, celebrity makeup artist
• Renée Loiz, celebrity makeup artist
• Jenepher Reynolds, celebrity makeup artist

And just like that, Pillsbury is ready to breeze past fall and start counting down the days until Christmas.

It was only a few weeks ago that the iconic boxed cake and ready-made cookie dough brand unveiled an all-new way to enjoy the autumn flavors of pumpkin cake with its limited-edition Stuffed Cupcake Kits, and now, we’re told it’s giving two of its most beloved products an Elf makeover.

One of the two co-branded products is one fans have seen before, Pillsbury Elf Shape Sugar Cookie Dough, and the other is completely new this year, Pillsbury Elf Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing.

Pillsbury’s 2026 Winter Exclusives Include 2 Magical Elf-themed Offers—One New, One Returning

Pillsbury’s returning favorite takes its classic sugar cookie recipe and adds a dash of holiday magic with a Buddy the Elf-inspired print, while its new Elf Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing incorporates one of the iconic character’s favorite foods into one of the brand’s most popular product lines (remember the four big food groups for elves are candy, candy canes, candy corns, and [maple] syrup).

Related: Pillsbury Reveals New Funfetti Frosting Inspired by the Latest Viral Baking Trend

• Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Elf Shape Sugar Cookie Dough: 20 pre-cut cookies topped with Buddy’s iconic hat, safe to enjoy raw or baked.
• Pillsbury Elf Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing: Eight soft, fluffy rolls with rich maple frosting, wrapped in cheerful Elf packaging.

Pillsbury’s returning Elf Shape Sugar Cookie Dough (L) and new Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing (R).

Pillsbury/General Mills

If you think the new cinnamon rolls sound delish, you’re one of many.

“SOLD!!” one Instagram user cheered about the new recipe.

“I wanna to add some maple glazed pecans into the rolls. Glaze some pecans then add into the rolls baking it,” a second suggested, “Then topped off with gooey maple pecan glaze.”

“Wow,” a third wrote before others chimed in, exclaiming, “OMG” and “OMG yes.”

“Maple icing on warm cinnamon rolls sounds like the coziest fall combo,” one more said. “We’d definitely try these.”

We’re told the two festive offers are expected to be available now, if not in the coming weeks, at grocery stores and major retailers nationwide—but only for a limited time (prices may vary).

Next: Blue Bell Just Brought Back Its Popular Ice Cream Flavor Inspired by a Discontinued 2000s Treat

A Tom Waits song first released in 1985 found a much bigger mainstream audience when Rod Stewart gave it a new sound four years later.

“Downtown Train,” written and originally recorded by Waits for his 1985 album Rain Dogs, became one of Stewart’s most recognizable cover songs after his version reached No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Stewart’s recording also reached No. 1 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary and Mainstream Rock charts, while it reached No. 1 in Canada and No. 10 in the United Kingdom.

Now, 41 years after Waits first released the song, “Downtown Train” remains a notable example of how one songwriter’s work can take on a very different life when another singer reshapes it for a wider audience.

The original appeared on Rain Dogs, an album known for its unusual mix of rock, blues, jazz and other sounds. “Downtown Train,” however, stood out as one of the album’s more direct songs, built around a story of longing and a man hoping to be with someone he cannot easily reach.

Tom Waits posed for a portrait.

Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns

Waits wrote and recorded the song himself in 1985. His version did not become a major U.S. pop hit, but the song later attracted several artists who heard its potential.

According to Songfacts, Stewart recorded “Downtown Train” in 1989, with Trevor Horn producing the track. It was released as a single in November that year and became a major chart success.

The recording was also connected to Stewart’s Storyteller collection, a project that included new recordings alongside his earlier material. Songfacts reports that record executive Rob Dickins brought “Downtown Train” to Stewart’s attention.

Stewart later explained why he wanted to record the song. In a 2013 interview with The Guardian, he said, “For instance, I’m sure Tom Waits wouldn’t mind me saying this – Tom’s ‘Downtown Train,’ I realized there was a melody there in the chorus, and it’s beautiful, but he barely gets up and barely gets down to the lower notes, so I took it to the extreme. That was a case where I brought the chorus alive and there have been a couple like that.”

That approach became an important part of Stewart’s version. Rather than simply copy Waits’ recording, he pushed the vocal melody in a more dramatic direction.

The song also earned Stewart a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards.

Rod Stewart was not the first musician to record “Downtown Train” after Waits.

Patty Smyth released her version in 1987. It reached No. 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 40 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart.

Bob Seger also recorded the song in 1989. According to American Songwriter, Seger had planned to release his recording around the same time, creating a story around how Stewart learned about the song. Seger later released a re-recorded version in 2011.

Waits’ original recording also had a distinctive lineup. The personnel included Waits on vocals and guitar, Michael Blair on percussion, Robert Quine and G. E. Smith on guitar, Mickey Curry on drums, Tony Levin on bass and Robby Kilgore on organ.

At its center, “Downtown Train” is a song about wanting someone who may be out of reach.

The lyrics create a nighttime city setting, with trains, streets, windows and neighborhoods forming the background. The narrator knows the woman’s surroundings and keeps returning to thoughts of her, while other people compete for her attention.

More than four decades after its original release, the song remains a clear example of how a rock composition can cross generations without losing its central story.

Related: The 1975 Song, Ranked Among ‘Best Breakup Songs’ of All Time, Was Created in the Backseat of a Los Angeles Cab

“Tom Traubert’s Blues (Four Sheets to the Wind in Copenhagen),” which is sometimes known as “Waltzing Matilda,” was a blues song released by Tom Waits in 1976. It became one of his signature songs, which he performed frequently at his concerts. The song went on to be covered by Rod Stewart in 1992.

Over the years, Waits has told different stories about the inspiration behind the song. According to SongFacts, he said, “He was a friend of a friend of mine… who lived in Denver, and died in jail. He’s a real guy. So, that’s a song that is about a lot of things, but mostly I think the idea that a Matilda is a backpack, so it’s about going on the loose, being on the road, chasing your dream.”

According to PS Audio, record producer Bones Howe claimed he got a phone call from Waits once. “He said the most wonderful thing about writing that song. He called me up and said, ‘I went down to Skid Row, and I bought a pint of rye in a brown paper bag. Yeah, hunkered down, drank the pint of rye, went home, threw up and wrote Tom Traubert’s Blues.’ Then he said, ‘You know, every guy down there, everyone I spoke to, a woman put him there.’”

When asked about his old songs during an interview with New York Rock, Waits said, “Some songs became a part of me, and some just don’t fit anymore, like an old sweater or a pair of pants you’ve outgrown. You hardly ever know what’s going to happen with a song and how you’ll feel about it in ten years’ time.”

Related: 1984 Rock Song, Beloved by Prince, Led to Him Writing a Huge Hit for the Band

Waits continued, “There’s only one reason why you write new songs: You get sick of the old songs. It’s not that I didn’t do anything during the time when I wrote no songs. I was creative, but in another way. I had ideas for songs and collected the ideas.”

Waits had several big hits throughout his career, including “Downtown Train” and “Hold On.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 by Neil Young. He is currently 76 years old.

Country music superstar Carrie Underwood is reportedly trading in her signature Nashville twang for a heavy dose of stadium rock and roll. According to TMZ, the award-winning singer has secretly gone back into the recording studio to craft an experimental body of work that sounds absolutely nothing like the polished radio hits that made her a global household name. In a fascinating creative twist, Underwood has enlisted her longtime close friend and legendary Guns N’ Roses frontman, Axl Rose, to personally mentor her through this aggressive sonic transition as she enthusiastically dives into a brand-new musical arena.

The unexpected pairing makes perfect sense given the duo’s electric performance history. Underwood and Rose have shared major festival stages multiple times in the past, including a highly publicized appearance at Stagecoach in 2022 and another arena team-up in 2023. This time, however, the collaboration extends far beyond a simple one-off live duet. Sources close to the situation reveal that the American Idol judge has been actively studying the vocal dynamics, heavy riffs, and raw attitudes of classic rock icons under Rose’s direct supervision.

Fans caught a fleeting glimpse of this edgy musical evolution during a recent concert where Underwood surprised the audience with a blistering live cover of a Limp Bizkit track. While her previous nine studio albums, including her last major solo record, Denim & Rhinestones, which dropped back in 2022, were packed full of traditional country instrumentation, she is completely flipping her creative identity on its head for this upcoming project.

The high-stakes genre gamble is set to reach a boiling point this very weekend. Underwood is reportedly traveling to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend a massive Guns N’ Roses stadium concert. Industry insiders whisper that she might even step up onto the stage for an unannounced cameo performance to showcase her newly minted rock persona.

If you’re already dreaming of escaping cold weather this winter, one of Mexico’s hottest vacation hubs is about to deliver a major new luxury option.

Hyatt has officially announced that the brand-new Grand Hyatt Cancun Beach Resort will open its doors this December. While the Grand Hyatt name is famous worldwide for sleek, upscale city escapes and sprawling oceanfront retreats, this opening marks a notable first for the brand: it is making its official debut in Cancun as a fully all-inclusive property.

Rather than setting up along the packed, high-traffic strip of the traditional Hotel Zone, the 500-room resort has staked out prime waterfront real estate inside Puerto Cancun. It sits in a private, gated community just 25 minutes from Cancun International Airport, giving travelers an exclusive neighborhood feel with direct access to a private marina, a championship golf course, and upscale shopping.

“Grand Hyatt Cancun Beach Resort will offer guests the opportunity to experience the destination through a fully all-inclusive experience defined by best-in-class accommodations and exceptional hospitality,” said Omar Vázquez, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Cancun Beach Resort. “Guests can immerse themselves in Puerto Cancun, with its vibrant marina, white-sand beaches and privileged location, while enjoying beautifully designed rooms and suites alongside the culinary, wellness and entertainment experiences they expect from a Hyatt resort. Every detail will be thoughtfully curated through the Grand Hyatt lens and commitment to creating elevated stays that feel both effortless and unforgettable.”

Related: The First All-Inclusive Park Hyatt in Mexico Is a Quiet Luxury Game Changer

A modern, brightly lit oceanfront king bedroom at Grand Hyatt Cancun featuring floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto a ocean-view balcony.

Every single one of the resort’s 500 guestrooms and 47 suites comes with a private furnished terrace overlooking either the marina or the open ocean. For travelers who want extra indulgence, select suites will feature their own private plunge pools. Guests booking Grand Club rooms will also receive access to the private Grand Club lounge for continental breakfasts, quiet afternoon cocktail hours, and dedicated concierge service.

Local artistic details are woven right into the architecture, starting at the grand entrance with an installation by renowned artist Teresa Solar and custom decorative tilework created by Mexican designer María Pizarro throughout the grounds.

Related: Hyatt Opens New Adults-Only All-Inclusive in Cancun Where Sweat, Relax, and Repeat Is the Only Agenda

Grand Hyatt Cancun Beach Resort

The culinary lineup is designed to feel far more like an international dining tour than a standard all-inclusive buffet circuit. Guests can choose across 14 distinct restaurants and bars, including northern Italian classics at Quattro, sushi and omakase at Fiera San, and French fine dining at Bistrot Cigalette by chef Thierry Blouet. You will also find South American grilled meats at Chacho and Los Fuegos del Sur, casual taco stands at Fiera Tacos, and craft drinks at Leonora’s Boulevardier Bar & Terraza.

Rendering of Restaurant

Grand Hyatt Cancun Beach Resort

When it comes to lounging, you will have plenty of room to spread out. The resort is home to nine multi-level outdoor pools, including a dedicated adults-only pool, an infinity pool overlooking the water, and a private Beach Club offering water sports like snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and paddleboarding. For deeper relaxation, the Ritua Sanctuary Spa brings in local healing traditions alongside a traditional Mexican temazcal sweat lodge, outdoor relaxation gardens, and hammock lounges.

Whether you want to charter a day sail right out of the neighboring marina, explore nearby cenotes, or simply sip cocktails poolside with the family, the resort is shaping up to be one of this winter’s most seamless warm-weather escapes.

Related: Grand Hyatt Is Launching Its First-Ever All-Inclusive Resort—See Inside This Stunning Los Cabos Coastal Hideaway

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Dolly Parton’s home collection has given fans plenty of reasons to make a room in the kitchen. From serving trays and drinkware to bakeware and decor, the line brings the country icon’s signature charm into some of the hardest-working parts of the house. The colors are cheerful, the motifs are stunning, and even the most practical pieces you’d happily leave sitting out between uses.

The Dolly Parton Jeweled Mosaic Lazy Susan is no exception. For $44 at Wayfair, the rotating tray gives spices, oils, condiments, appetizers, and other frequently reached-for essentials a pretty place to land, making everything on it easier to grab. Give it a spin instead of reaching across the dinner table or digging around the back of the counter.

Dolly Parton Jeweled Mosaic Lazy Susan, $44 at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at Wayfair

With a decorative design that shoppers called “beautiful,” the 11.8-inch round surface features colorful butterflies in shades of blue, violet, pink, and orange over a pale, mosaic-inspired background. “Love is like a Butterfly” is written in script along the bottom, while a substantial mango wood border and gold-tone iron accents give the whimsical design a polished finish. The turntable measures 11.8 inches wide by 11.8 inches long by 2.1 inches high and weighs just 2.4 pounds.

The rotating base keeps whatever you need within easy reach, whether that’s oils, vinegars, and seasonings beside the stove or condiments and napkins in the middle of the dining table. Just a quick spin and whatever was hiding in the back comes right to you. A raised wood rim helps keep bottles, jars, and other odds and ends neatly corralled.

Shop More Deals

• Dolly Parton Bamboo Butterfly Cutting Board, $20 at Wayfair
• Dolly Parton Jeweled Mosaic Serving Tray, $45 at Wayfair
• Dolly Parton Jeweled Mosaic Figural Accent Plates Set Of 4, $38 at Wayfair

On a vanity, it can keep perfume, skincare, lotions, and hair products organized; on a desk, pens, scissors, tape, and other supplies are only a spin away. You could even use it as a coffee-table catchall for a candle, coasters, matches, and the remote, or give keys and sunglasses a designated landing spot in the entryway. A candle or small vase of flowers is enough to turn it into a decorative accent on a dresser, console, or side table. 

Related: Dolly Parton’s Vintage-Inspired 12-Piece Dinnerware Set Is a Charming Pick for Fall Hosting

Shop the Dolly Parton Jeweled Mosaic Lazy Susan for $44 at Wayfair and keep everything from spices to snacks within easy reach!

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

“Hero Takes a Fall” was a 1984 rock song released by The Bangles. It was written by Susanna Hoffs and guitarist Vicki Peterson. The song never charted on the Billboard Hot 100, but it reached No. 59 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

When speaking about the creation of the song in a SongFacts interview, Hoffs said, “When I look back on my writing relationship with Vicki, I think that song was kind of a milestone in terms of our collaboration, where we just sat down with an idea in mind to do something that had a good beat and would really be fun to play live. We ended up releasing it as a single, and it got a lot of airplay on the college radio circuit. Having been playing on the club scene in LA, we started to kind of elevate from playing smaller venues up to small theaters.”

She also revealed that Prince was a fan of the song. “He did see us when we were in San Francisco, at the Fillmore,” she explained. “We were told he was in the audience, so of course, we were very nervous. It turns out he had learned ‘Hero Takes a Fall,’ and he just kind of jumped on stage with us and played this amazing solo. We’d never really met him till that night.”

Soon after, Prince gave them a cassette with “Manic Monday” on it. “I remember going in and singing that song and being on the mike, and it was kind of like red light fever,” Hoffs said. “I knew it was a Prince song, and I wanted to do a great job on it. I remember David [Kahne] was really excited; you pick up on those vibes, and it’s just the best feeling in the world. Recording is so psychological. There’s so much pressure, because there’s a lot at stake, and you want to make sure you do your very best to get it captured on tape. It was taped back then. We didn’t have ProTools, so you were always in danger of destroying something that was good already. Prince came to our rehearsal after the record was done, and he was really thrilled with how it came out.”

Related: 1974 Hit Country Song, From an Artist Who Wrote Elvis’ Biggest Hits, Is Still Relevant Today

The Bangles released several big hits throughout the years, including “Walk Like an Egyptian,” “If She Knew What She Wants,” and “A Hazy Shade of Winter.” In 1999, they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

The band is still together to this day. Hoffs is currently 67 years old. Peterson is 68.

Making everything from scratch is great when you have the time for it, but sometimes you don’t, and that’s just real life. Maybe it’s a last-minute potluck, a holiday with eight other dishes to prepare or a weeknight that got away from you. That’s where a smart shortcut comes in handy.

And the good news, according to the pros, is that a shortcut doesn’t have to taste like one. There’s a whole toolkit of small, almost sneaky moves—a brush of something here, an extra few minutes in the oven there—that professional bakers use to close the gap between store-bought and homemade.

😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳🍔

It’s less about hiding the fact that you started with a box from the freezer aisle and more about knowing which few extra steps actually move the needle. The truth is, most of what separates a bakery-quality pie from a mediocre one comes down to timing and technique, not how much of it you made yourself.

So, when it comes to frozen pie crust specifically, we asked two pros—Angela Salvatore, a baking and pastry professor at the Culinary Institute of America, and Cynthia Jordan, a pastry chef and recipe developer—how to take a frozen crust from “just fine” to excellent. Here’s everything they told us, and how home bakers can optimize store-bought crust themselves.

The Chef’s Secret: The ‘Blind Bake and Egg Wash’ Combo

Tatsiana Volkava / Getty Images

Both experts agree the real transformation happens with two moves working together: blind baking (pre-baking the crust before filling it) and an egg wash. Blind baking gives the crust a head start so it’s not competing with a wet filling for oven time, which is usually why crusts end up gummy in the middle instead of crisp.

Salvatore explains that balancing a fully cooked filling with a perfectly baked crust is genuinely tricky, and pre-baking is how professionals solve it. Jordan adds that how much you blind bake depends on the pie. A no-bake or cream pie needs a full blind bake, while a custard pie going back into the oven only needs a partial one.

Layer an egg wash or butter on top of that, and the egg proteins add color, shine and a bakery-style finish that plain frozen dough just can’t accomplish on its own.

“If you are prebaking the crust, you can get a bit more flavor with some melted butter brushed on the crust. The better the butter quality, the better the flavor,” Salvatore says.

Related: The Difference Between a Good Apple Cake and a Great One Comes Down to This One Step

The Science: Why You Must ‘Waterproof’ Your Crust

alvarez / Getty Images

Here’s the soggy-bottom fix nobody tells you about. “Waterproofing” means creating a barrier between your crisp crust and a wet filling—think pumpkin, pecan or curd—so the crust doesn’t drink up moisture and turn to mush. “Often, a beautiful pie gets overshadowed by a gummy, underbaked crust,” Salvatore says.

Both pros point to the same trick: brush the warm, par-baked crust with egg white (not a full egg wash with added liquid, which can backfire) and pop it back in the oven for a minute or two to set. The egg proteins form a thin film that acts like a raincoat for your pastry. Salvatore notes softened (not melted) butter or a thin layer of melted chocolate can do the same job, depending on your filling.

How to Re-Crimp the Edges So It Looks Homemade

Yana Iskayeva / Getty Images

A dead giveaway that a crust came from a box is a flat, machine-perfect edge. The fix is quick—let the crust soften just slightly (a few minutes at room temperature, tops), then use your fingers or the back of a fork to press a simple pattern into the rim. Try a classic fork crimp, a pinched wave using your thumb and two fingers, or a scalloped edge with a spoon for some fun pattern ideas.

You want the dough pliable enough to hold a shape but still cool enough to keep its structure, so work quickly and pop it back in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before it goes in the oven.

Jordan also suggests using a spare second crust, which can double as an easy edge upgrade. A braided border or simple decorative cutout shapes laid around the rim help hide the original edge entirely and help it look more homemade.

Related: The Vintage Pyrex Fall Patterns That Are Suddenly Worth a Fortune

Should You Thaw a Frozen Pie Crust Before Baking?

Anjelika Gretskaia / Getty Images

Check the package of your specific pie crust first, but generally, baking from cold is the move. If a crust is already shaped in its pan, both experts say go straight from freezer to oven. Letting it fully thaw risks the fats melting and the dough slumping out of shape before it ever sets. “You want the crust cold and firm when it goes into the oven,” Jordan says.

If you’re working with a rolled crust that needs shaping into a pan, only thaw it enough to be pliable, then chill it firm again before baking.

3 More Easy Upgrades for Store-Bought Pastry

Cavan Images / Bridget Muniz / Getty Images

For some extra-credit fun with your pie, try one or all of these creative pastry ideas.

1. Add texture and flavor to the edges.

Sprinkle coarse or turbinado sugar, cinnamon sugar or sugar with citrus zest onto the exposed crust before baking for crunch and shine.

2. Get creative with a second crust.

Braid a lattice edge or cut decorative shapes from a spare crust for an instant “I clearly tried” look. These upgrades “make a store-bought crust look and taste much more intentional,” Jordan says.

3. Play with unexpected mix-ins.

Try pressing ground pumpkin seeds into the dough for pumpkin pie, or a sprinkle of sharp cheese for a sweet-savory apple pie twist. Salvatore notes that “a sprinkle of an interesting spice or even just salt could be another good move. But if you have delicious fruit or a tasty filling, I think the crust is just a delivery vessel for the flavorful filling.”

What we’ve learned from these tips is that getting a more homemade taste is less about labor and more about knowing which two-minute moves matter most.

Bottom Line

Yana Iskayeva / Getty Images

At the end of the day, a great pie isn’t about where your crust came from—it’s about what you do with it before it hits the oven. Blind bake it, egg-wash it, waterproof it with a thin layer of egg white or butter, and give the edges a quick re-crimp, and a frozen pie crust will hold its own next to anything made from scratch.

Skip thawing it out if you don’t have to, and don’t be afraid to dress it up with sugar, spice, cheese or a braided border. None of it takes more than a few extra minutes, but it’s exactly the kind of small, smart shortcut that turns “good enough” into “wait, you made this?”

Sources:

• Angela Salvatore is a professor of baking and pastry arts at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley. She brings more than a decade of experience from bakeries and fine dining restaurants in Napa, San Francisco and the Connecticut shoreline. Salvatore has earned national recognition for her gingerbread showpieces, and for the past eight years she has taught courses in baking techniques, science, specialty cakes, restaurant operations and culinary math.
• Cynthia Jordan is a recipe developer, food editor and pastry chef with more than 15 years of experience in professional kitchens and food media. She spent several formative years making pies at Magpie Artisan Pies in Philadelphia before moving into bakery leadership as culinary director and production manager at Baked in Brooklyn. Her career has since expanded into recipe development and culinary editorial work for brands and publications, including Martha Stewart and The Feedfeed.

Related: I’m a Pastry Chef, and This Classic Apple Dessert Has Been an After-Dinner Staple in My Family for 50 Years

For anyone living with celiac disease or a severe gluten intolerance, products labeled gluten-free aren’t just a preference – they’re a necessity. That’s what makes this latest recall particularly important to pay attention to.

GF Blends has issued a voluntary recall of several products under its Truly AIP and EAT G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. brand lines after independent third-party testing revealed that the plantain flour used in manufacturing – which had been labeled and certified as gluten-free by supplier PMF Global – actually contained gluten at levels significantly exceeding the FDA’s 20 parts per million threshold. In other words, products marketed specifically to people who cannot consume gluten were unknowingly made with an ingredient that contained it.

The recalled products include Truly AIP All Purpose Flour – 15.3 oz (Lot 260225, Best By 2-25-28; Lot 260610, Best By 6-10-28), Truly AIP Bread Mix-14 oz (Lot 260417, Best By 4-17-28; Lot 260617, Best By 12-17-27), and EAT G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Flat Bread Pizza Mix (Lot 260327, Best By 9-27-27 or 7-27-27; Lot 260803, Best By 2-03-28), distributed nationwide through the brands’ own websites, Amazon, and retail customers up until September 12, 2026. 

FDA Website

No adverse health effects have been reported as of the recall date, but consumers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity are urged not to consume the affected products.

What makes this case particularly worth noting is the supply chain breakdown at its center – the contamination originated not with GF Blends itself, but with a certified supplier whose product failed to meet its own labeling claims. It’s a reminder that even the most diligent brands can be vulnerable to upstream ingredient issues.

Affected products should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund or discarded. Consumers with questions can contact GF Blends at 509-375-0909, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT, or at recall@gfblends.com. Specific lot numbers and best-by dates for all recalled products are available on the FDA’s website at FDA.gov.

Traveling solo can be incredibly freeing, but it also means being more intentional about what you bring with you to ensure a safe and relaxing trip. Without a travel companion to rely on, the best carry-on essentials for solo travelers can provide an extra layer of security and convenience—from luggage you can track from your phone to clever accessories.

As someone who covers shopping and travel for outlets like Coveteur, Martha Stewart Weddings and Harper’s Bazaar, I’ve learned that a few thoughtful additions to your carry-on can alleviate some of the common challenges of traveling alone. These eight smart essentials prioritize security and comfort without occupying unnecessary suitcase space, so you can feel more prepared from takeoff to your return home.

Related: 8 Lightweight Travel Essentials That Save Your Back and Shoulders

July Carry On With CaseSafe

July

Before considering what to pack in your carry-on, a durable and secure suitcase is essential, especially when you’re traveling solo. This one has a trackable TSA lock compatible with Apple Find My and Google Find My Hub, a reinforced polycarbonate shell, an ejectable USB-C battery, built-in compression and a hidden laundry bag to keep everything organized.

Get it on July.com Quince Italian Leather iPhone Crossbody Case

Quince

When you’re exploring on your own, keeping your phone secure and within easy reach is important. This leather crossbody has 360-degree drop protection and an adjustable strap, so your phone and essential cards stay close at hand without constantly reaching into a purse or pocket.

Get it on Quince.com

Related: 8 Personal Item Essentials for Women Over 50 Who Hate Overpacking

Greenwich Social Club Everywhere Case

Greenwich Social Club

When you’re traveling, having one designated place for eyewear, jewelry and other small valuables means less digging through your carry-on—and less risk of delicate pieces getting scratched, crushed or misplaced. This beautiful monogrammed case keeps everything safely contained and easy to find, while doubling as a polished organizer you can transfer from your suitcase to your hotel room.

Get it on GreenwichSocialClub.com Apple AirTag (2nd Generation) – 4 Pack

Amazon

AirTags are key travel essentials, particularly when you’re responsible for keeping track of everything on your own. Tuck one discreetly inside checked luggage, your wallet or another important belonging so you can locate it through the Find My app if it goes missing—and Apple now lets you securely share a lost item’s location with participating airlines if your luggage is delayed.

Get it on Amazon.com

Related: 8 Carry-On Finds That’ll Make You Swear You’re in Premium Economy

140dB Personal Safety Alarm

Amazon

These discreet personal alarms can clip onto a purse, backpack or keys without drawing much attention, but a quick pull of the pin activates a loud siren and flashing strobe light to attract attention in an emergency.

Get it on Amazon Portable Door Lock & Door Stop Alarm Set

When you’re staying in a hotel room alone, an extra layer of security can give valuable peace of mind. This compact set includes a portable door lock for added reinforcement from inside the room and a doorstop alarm that sounds a siren if the door is pushed open—all without taking up much room in your carry-on.

Get it on Amazon

Related: A Minimalist Carry-On Packing List for Europe Trips  

 Power Bank Portable Charger

A portable charger is nonnegotiable when traveling solo, when your phone serves as your camera, map, boarding pass and primary means of communication. This slim designed power bank can charge multiple devices simultaneously, giving you ample backup power without weighing down your bag.

Get it on Amazon Travel Bed Bug Spray Killer for Mattress

Amazon

You never know what you might encounter while traveling, so a few precautionary essentials are worth having on hand—even if you hopefully never need to use them. This TSA-friendly bed bug spray takes up minimal room in your carry-on and can be used on water-safe surfaces like mattresses, bedding and luggage should the need arise.

Related: 6 Minimalist Carry-On Essentials That Make Travel So Much Easier

400 Piece First Aid Kit

Amazon

A handy first-aid kit is a carry-on necessity and something worth keeping within reach, just in case. This set keeps bandages, gauze, gloves and other emergency supplies neatly organized, so you have the basics on hand if an unexpected minor injury happens while you’re away.

Shop it on Amazon!

Related: A Minimalist Carry-On Packing List for Seniors Who Want to Travel Lighter

In the late evening hours of Friday, September 18, 2026, the entertainment landscape of Las Vegas was completely upended. Prop comedian Scott Thompson, universally recognized by his stage name Carrot Top, was rushed to a local hospital following a sudden suicide attempt, according to multiple outlets, including TMZ.

The severe medical emergency took place in the Vegas area, prompting immediate intervention from emergency response crews. As a direct consequence of his sudden hospitalization, his highly anticipated Friday night headlining performance at the Luxor Hotel and Casino was instantly canceled by venue organizers. This sudden shift left thousands of paying ticket holders completely stranded outside the main theater doors.

This life-threatening crisis unfolded exactly forty-eight hours after a massive legal firestorm erupted in a Florida court. On Monday, September 14, a second young accuser named Zachary Defazio filed a sworn declaration detailing serious allegations against Thompson. The legal filings included highly explicit text message screenshots and a substantial fifteen-million-dollar trial damages estimate. Defazio’s legal team had previously offered a confidential settlement for seven and a half million dollars, which represented roughly ten percent of the entertainer’s estimated net worth. Thompson has not admitted any liability regarding these highly disputed civil claims.

Following the hospital rush, Thompson’s representative, Jami Schlicher, released an official statement confirming that the performer is currently recovering under proper medical care. The family expressed deep gratitude for the public prayers while strictly requesting total privacy during this difficult period. Thompson holds the historic record for the longest-running comedy residency in Las Vegas history, making the sudden weekend cancellation a major shock for the Luxor property. Venue managers have not announced when future performances will resume.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You can call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any hour.

As a military wife raising five kids, moving 11 times across the U.S. and overseas, Suzi Weinert never imagined that stocking each new home along the way with thrift shop deals and garage sale finds would lead to a late-in-life plot twist: becoming an award-winning author at 75 and inspiring one of Hallmark‘s most beloved movie franchises, Garage Sale Mysteries starring Lori Loughlin.

On Saturday, September 19, Loughlin and her longtime castmates, including Steve Bacic and Sarah Strange, are back after a seven-year hiatus with their 17th movie together, Garage Sale Mysteries: Murder Takes the Stage. Weinert, who turned 91 in early September, exclusively told Parade how “delighted” she was to see the franchise return.

Weinert happily recalled visiting the set of the first movie in 2013, where she watched Loughlin step into the role of her book’s heroine, antiques shop owner and amateur crime solver Jennifer Shannon. “Translating a book into a screenplay is a huge undertaking, and they did it so successfully,” Weinert exclusively told Parade. “They just did a brilliant job.”

Suzi Weinert Says She Initially Thought Writing Her 1st Book Was a ‘Waste of Time’

Weinert’s unlikely road to becoming an author and inspiring a beloved Hallmark franchise began with a garage sale she’ll never forget. She’d been to countless sales over the years, finding steals on everything from children’s books to sports equipment to home decor, and by her late 60s, it had become more of a passion than a necessity. A “very unusual hourglass that was the size of an end table” remains one of her favorite finds.

But Weinert never actually made it into the garage sale that changed the course of her life. She told Parade of the day when she stumbled upon an “unadvertised sale” in a rural area of Virginia, where she and her husband Don eventually settled down. The homeowner “just put a sign in his yard that morning,” she recalled, and she couldn’t resist checking it out.

Suzi Weinert, author of four “Garage Sale Mystery” novels that inspired the Hallmark movie franchise.

Photo courtesy of Suzi Weinert

“So I drove up a long driveway to an old house, way up at the top of a hill, hidden from the main road,” Weinert vividly recalled. “I was excited because some of these rural places have unusual things like old churns or original quilts or whatever, and so I jumped out of the car all excited. And the minute I stepped out of the car, I had this feeling that something terrible could happen right there, and nobody would know where to look for me once they took the sign down by the road.”

Weinert said she inexplicably knew she needed to get out of there immediately, so she jumped back in her car, locked the doors, and “made a desperate U-turn and rocketed down the driveway.”

“Whether it was really protecting me from a situation, I don’t know the answer,” she acknowledged, “but it was an acute, confident realization that I was in terrible danger, and that I had to get out of there as fast as I could.”

What is certain is that the incident unlocked a new world for Weinert. She began writing about what happened, and what could have happened, at the suggestion of her husband, who passed away four years ago. She even took a local Citizen Police Academy course to learn more about police work.

“I’d never had an experience like that in my life,” Weinert told Parade. “It was so unusual and hard to understand, quite troubling. So I wrote the little one pager, and pretty soon I went back to it and it had four pages, and then it had a chapter, and then it had two chapters.”

“It looked like the start of a book,” she continued, “and I thought, ‘Well, now wait, this is ridiculous.’ I had no idea I could write a book! So, for the next four years, every time I went back to it, I thought, ‘This is a waste of time, and I’m not a girl who likes to waste time.’ But something just drew me back over and over, and pretty soon it became a book. I was as surprised as anybody.”

Visiting the Garage Sale Mysteries Movie Set Was ‘Wondrous’ for Suzi Weinert

Once Weinert’s manuscript was done, she spent another two years working with an editor and attending writers’ conferences, which is where she eventually met a small publisher who was interested in her book. Six months after Garage Sale Stalker was released, Weinert was shocked to get a call from Hollywood producer Jonathan Axelrod, who was interested in adapting her novel for a Hallmark mystery movie.

“I thought he had the wrong number,” Weinert laughed. But Axelrod was dead serious, and when the time came to film the movie in Vancouver, he invited Weinert to the set to see her characters come to life.

“When I got there, I thought, ‘Well, the author really has no business here because this is now a whole new direction things are going,'” she told Parade, noting that Axelrod immediately put her at ease. “He had a director’s chair with my name on it. He introduced me to all the cast and crew. He just made me feel so comfortable and at home. I was thrilled, just thrilled. I’d never been on a film set before, and it was wondrous.”

By the time the first Garage Sale Mystery movie premiered in 2013, Weinert had already written a second novel, and said her third and fourth books “just tumbled out” by the time she was 85. Though she doesn’t plan to write any more books, preferring to “smell the roses instead,” Weinert does keep her writing skills sharp and curiosity piqued by reporting for the publication at her senior residence.

Lori Loughlin stars in Hallmark Channel’s “Garage Sale Mysteries: Murder Takes the Stage,” premiering on September 20, 2026.

Photo by Allister Foster for Hallmark Media

Weinert is very excited to watch Jennifer Shannon‘s latest adventure unfold. In the movie, a member of her true-crime book club is murdered during the group’s reenactment of the Lizzie Borden case. Weinert has no doubt she’ll love the newest movie, telling Parade, “They’ve done such a good job. I’m just so proud of them.”

And where will Weinert celebrate the return of Garage Sale Mysteries? One of her kids is hosting a little premiere party “on a big screen TV” for her family, which now includes 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandkids.

Hallmark Channel’s Garage Sale Mysteries: Murder Takes the Stage premieres on September 19 at 8 p.m. ET, and will be available to stream via Hallmark+ the following day.

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Pumpkin season is finally here, and these boots are practically begging to be worn in a patch full of them. Macy’s currently has the gorgeous Muk Luks Laurel Boots on sale for just $45 with code BEST, down from $65. They come in chestnut, gray, and olive, with chestnut and gray available in sizes 6 through 11 and olive in sizes 7 through 10.

The ankle booties feature a faux-suede upper for a leather-like look, finished with a pretty knit overlay wrapped around the ankle. The cozy faux-fur lining adds extra warmth for chilly days, while the back loop makes them a breeze to pull on. They also have a flat rubber sole, and the upper, lining, and insole are all made from polyester.

Muk Luks Laurel Boots, $45 (were $65) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy's

Shop at Macy's

These are super cute for a pumpkin patch, corn maze, or outdoor fall festival, but they won’t need to just sit in the closet once those plans are over. The ankle height makes them casual enough for everyday wear, and the flat sole is a great option when you know you’ll be on your feet for a while.

One shopper called them “super comfy and warm.” Another said they’re “so cute and cozy,” adding that “the sherpa-like material on the inside is so warm and soft” and calling them the “perfect fall shoe!” Another reviewer liked how “roomy” they are, noting that they’re “easy to slide on and go while staying stylish.”

Related: Dolly Parton’s $30 Floral Ceramic Pumpkin Brings the Country Icon’s Love of Fall Straight to Your Home

Their low-maintenance care is another nice perk for a shoe you’ll probably wear all season. You can spot-clean them if they pick up dirt outside, so you don’t have to worry about keeping them pristine every time you head out, which makes them especially ideal during a season filled with grassy fields and leaves.

Shop More Deals

• Cliffs by White Mountain Kaylee Lace-Up Boots, $38 (were $89) at Macy’s
• Journee Cheyenne Stacked Heel Western Booties, $51 (were $86) at Macy’s
• Style & Co Shaniaa Belt Pointed Boots, $59 (were $99) at Macy’s

The Muk Luks Laurel Boots are a great pair to carry you through the rest of fall, especially with Macy’s slashing prices by 30% right now. Use code BEST to bring the $65 boots down to $45, then grab your size while the deal lasts.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales twice a week.

Before Grand Prairie, Texas-born Selena Gomez, there was Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, who simply went by one name—Selena.

With mega hits like “Como la Flor” and “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” she was practically J.Lo before J.Lo, though Selena’s “block” was also a Texas city—Corpus Christi.

Proud of her roots, she did her best not to stand out, often going for no-frills eats rather than ritzy restaurants.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Favorite Meal Is Still Served at the California Restaurant She Visited for Decades

Selena opted to keep it simple, embracing her Hispanic roots at Hi-Ho Restaurant, a community staple since 1981—though she typically chose a corner booth for her privacy.

Tragically, in 1995, Selena was killed by her former fan club president Yolanda Saldívar, who shot the 23-year-old singer and then held police at bay for more than nine hours, leaving her loved ones and diehard fans heartbroken.

Besides Corpus Christi’s Selena Museum and the life-size memorial statue nestled along the waterfront, Selena’s legacy lives on through her Tejano music—and, of course, her favorite meal, which fans can still feast on after a photo-op with her statue and a visit to her former recording studio-turned-museum.

Sam Sears

Selena loved authentic Mexican cuisine, not the late-night drive-thru with that one talking chihuahua.

Her go-to order was a carne guisada plate, served with mashed potatoes, rice and beans, which still holds up as one of the restaurant’s most beloved orders.

Related: Whoopi Goldberg’s Favorite Meal Is Still Served at This ‘Greasy Spoon’ Diner Where She Worked as a Dishwasher Over 40 Years Ago

One recent patron praised her experience, “I stumbled upon this fantastic spot during a trip to the Selena Museum, and it certainly lived up to its promise. Every aspect, from the incredible food to the impeccable service and inviting atmosphere, was simply outstanding.”

Another diner specifically boasted about Selena’s order, “they have the best carne guisada in Corpus Christi by far…and the tortillas are to die for.”

Obviously, there’s a reason for such high praise to this day, as Hi-Ho currently holds an impressive 4.4 rating on Google with more than 2,000 reviews to sift through.

In the warm summer months of 1960, a bright eighteen-year-old high school kid named Ernest Evans walked into a tiny Philadelphia recording studio. Known to his close friends as a wholesome local singer, he was given the incredibly catchy stage name Chubby 

Checker. The young teenager had been hired for a very quick, low-budget studio session to cover a rhythm-and-blues track simply called “The Twist.” The original version, written by a thirty-year-old musician named Hank Ballard, had only been a minor regional hit. Absolutely no one in that small room expected music history to change overnight.

Working incredibly quickly, Checker recorded his iconic vocal track in just forty-five minutes. He carefully mimicked Ballard’s soulful vocal style note-for-note but added a much faster, high-energy pop tempo to the mix. The final result was pure musical magic. When the track hit the radio airwaves, it sparked an immediate, massive global dance craze. Teenagers and adults alike fell completely in love with the simple dance routine, moving their bodies as if they were trying to put a cigarette out on the floor.

On September 19, 1960, the energetic cover version officially conquered the music charts and hit the coveted number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Checker instantly became a massive pop sweetheart and a global cultural icon. But the true miracle of this particular track happened a couple of years later. In January 1962, the exact same recording climbed the pop charts all over again, hitting number one for a historic second time.

It was the first single in music history to achieve two completely separate number one chart runs.

What started as a quick, forty-five-minute recording session by an ordinary teenage boy transformed global pop culture forever, proving that a timeless classic can easily unite the world on the dance floor today. It is truly an unbelievable milestone.