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Finding a bed bug in your home is stressful enough. Finding another one a few days later raises a more pressing question: What happens if you ignore bed bugs?

The answer is rarely that they simply disappear. Bed bugs hide in mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, furniture, cracks and other protected spaces. As an infestation grows, treating the problem becomes more complicated because more areas—and potentially more rooms—may need to be inspected and treated.

The good news is that prompt action gives you more options. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends an integrated pest management approach and advises homeowners to involve a pest management professional as soon as possible.

Need help determining whether you have an infestation? Schedule a bed bug inspection with Orkin to have the problem assessed professionally.

What happens if you ignore bed bugs?

Ignoring bed bugs gives an infestation more time to persist and expand. Bed bugs reproduce and remain hidden in places that are easy to overlook. As the population grows, controlling it generally requires more extensive inspection, preparation, treatment and monitoring.

A single confirmed bed bug does not automatically mean a large infestation, but it does warrant careful identification and inspection. The EPA specifically recommends inspecting surrounding living spaces to determine the extent of a problem.

Bed Bugs Don’t Stay Confined to the Mattress

The name can be misleading. Bed bugs commonly live around sleeping areas rather than exclusively inside mattresses.

The CDC lists common hiding places, including:

• Mattress and box-spring seams
• Bed frames and headboards
• Furniture and dresser tables
• Cracks and crevices
• Areas behind wallpaper

Bed bugs typically remain close to where people sleep, although the CDC notes that they can travel more than 100 feet in a night. This means replacing a mattress without addressing the surrounding area does not necessarily solve the problem.

How quickly can a bed bug infestation spread?

There is no reliable countdown because the speed of an infestation depends on factors such as the number of bugs present, available hiding places and conditions inside the home. What is clear is that untreated populations can become substantially harder to control.

Orkin says bed bugs “can multiply quickly,” making early detection critical. Orkin entomologist Ron Harrison, Ph.D., has also described bed bug control as difficult and said, “Bed bug control is best left to experts who know how and where to look.”

Expertise is important because seeing one bug does not tell you where the rest are hiding.

What areas should homeowners check?

If you suspect bed bugs, resist the urge to focus only on the bed. A thorough inspection should consider the entire sleeping area and nearby hiding places.

Area

What to look for

Mattress and box spring

Live bugs, shed skins, dark fecal spots

Bed frame and headboard

Bugs or evidence in joints, cracks and crevices

Baseboards

Bugs hiding in cracks or along edges

Nearby furniture

Evidence in drawers, seams and joints

Upholstered furniture

Bugs, shed skins or dark spotting

Adjacent living areas

Signs that the infestation has moved beyond the primary sleeping area

Why Delaying Treatment Can Make Removal Harder

Bed bugs are difficult to eliminate because eggs can survive certain control methods, and successful treatment requires addressing different life stages. Bed bug control takes time and patience, and treatments may need to be repeated.

DIY efforts also sometimes create new complications. Repeatedly spraying whenever a bug appears may fail to eliminate the infestation and can contribute to pesticide resistance. The EPA warns against dangerous approaches such as using space heaters or fireplaces to heat a home.

If you’re continuing to find live bugs after attempted treatment, getting a professional inspection is a more productive next step than repeatedly treating isolated sightings. The EPA recommends involving a pest management professional as soon as possible, as delaying professional treatment while attempting DIY control can give an infestation time to spread.

If you are seeing live bed bugs, shed skins or recurring evidence, request an Orkin bed bug inspection to determine the extent of the problem and discuss treatment options.

What should you do if you find bed bugs?

Start by confirming the pest rather than assuming every bite or insect is a bed bug. Bite marks alone are not a reliable identification method; the CDC recommends looking for physical signs such as bugs, shed skins and dark or rusty-colored spots.

Then:

1. Avoid moving infested furniture or belongings to another room.
2. Reduce clutter around sleeping and living areas to limit hiding places.
3. Bag items that need to be transported so bugs aren’t carried elsewhere.
4. Wash and dry bedding appropriately. The EPA notes that high heat in a dryer can kill bed bugs; washing alone generally does not.
5. Arrange an inspection if bed bugs are confirmed or strongly suspected.

Professional treatment does not necessarily mean a single visit. The EPA advises homeowners to prepare for multiple visits because very few infestations are controlled with only one treatment. Continued monitoring is part of confirming that the infestation has been eliminated.

Related: How ‘Bed Bug Dogs’ Detect Hidden Infestations—And How Accurate Are They?

Does ignoring bed bugs damage your home?

Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease to humans, according to the CDC. Their bites can cause inflammatory reactions, however, and an infestation can interfere with sleep and create considerable stress.

The larger property concern is the difficulty of eliminating an established infestation. Bed bugs can occupy furniture, cracks, baseboards and other protected areas, so postponing treatment can increase the scope of inspection and control work required.

For homeowners, the practical takeaway is straightforward: Don’t wait for the problem to become obvious throughout the house before investigating it.

When To Get a Professional Bed Bug Inspection

If you suspect bed bugs, an inspection can determine whether you’re dealing with an infestation and help identify where treatment is needed. Taking action at the first sign of trouble can save you from far more extensive—and costly—treatments down the road. Ultimately, swift intervention is the most effective way to protect both your home and your peace of mind.

Schedule a bed bug inspection or get a free quote from Orkin. Acting early can prevent a suspected problem from becoming a larger, more difficult one.

Bill Belichick’s son Steve Belichick is leaving North Carolina.

The 39-year-old resigned as the Tar Heels’ defensive coordinator on Thursday, Sept. 17, as the school wrapped up an investigation into its football program. His resignation takes effect in late October, when his medical leave ends. That leave began in early August.

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What UNC Said

The school’s statement said the investigation “determined that certain actions demonstrated a disregard for Carolina’s values and standards of conduct.” It also called those actions “isolated in scope and not a systemic failure.”

UNC did not say what the actions were, and it declined to comment on any individuals, citing its policy on personnel matters. The school said “all necessary corrective actions are now underway” and that it considers the investigation “resolved.”

How It Got Here

Bill Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots, made the jump to college football with Michael Lombardi as one of his first hires. UNC opened its investigation in late July, days after it put Lombardi, the team’s general manager, on paid administrative leave. Lombardi resigned on Sept. 3.

That same day, Raleigh’s WRAL cited anonymous sources in reporting on the kinds of questions investigators asked, with some of them focused on Steve Belichick.

At his first news conference after Lombardi’s exit, the elder Belichick said he believes his program “totally” has an atmosphere of following the rules. “Obviously everybody’s responsible, including me, for doing things properly. And we intend to do that,” he said.

On the day of that news conference, UNC vice chancellor for communications Dean Stoyer said the school “continues to support Bill Belichick and the Carolina football program.”

Who Takes Over

Bill’s other son, Brian Belichick, the team’s safeties coach, will take over as defensive coordinator, a team source told The Athletic.

He steps in with the Tar Heels still undefeated after wins over TCU and East Tennessee State. Clemson is up next.

Leonardo “Leo” Dionicio and Nelson Thomas  are breaking their silence after one of the strangest exits in The Challenge’s 42-season history.

On the latest episode of The Challenge: Cutthroat, host TJ Lavin gave viewers only a few seconds of explanation for the sudden disappearance of three competitors.

“Leo, Nelson and Josh all broke the code of conduct here on The Challenge, so they’re all gone,” Lavin told the cast.

Related: The Real Reason Why Josh, Nelson and Leo Got Kicked Off ‘The Challenge’

The show never revealed what happened, but Nelson has now taken responsibility for the actions that led to his disqualification while also alleging that Josh Goldstein used the N-word. Meanwhile, Leo opened up about his own removal during an appearance on Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio’s Death, Taxes, and Bananas podcast.

Why Were Nelson, Leo and Josh Kicked Off ‘The Challenge’?

Longtime Challenge spoiler account GamerVev previously reported that the incident began when Leo used the N-word during a game with Nelson and Josh later repeated it.

According to GamerVev, Nelson confronted Josh over the language, walked away and later returned to the kitchen, where items were broken. The account reported that no physical fight occurred.

Production allegedly removed Nelson to a hotel before disqualifying him for the property damage, while Leo and Josh were also disqualified in connection with the language used.

While The Challenge has not publicly confirmed those specifics, Nelson’s new comments corroborate significant portions of the account.

Related: Who Wins ‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’? Season 42 Spoilers, Eliminations, Disqualifications and Finalists

What Did Nelson Say About Getting Kicked Off ‘The Challenge’?

Nelson took responsibility for his own behavior in a post on X following the episode.

“I let my emotions take over, broke dishes, destroyed kitchen and violated the code of conduct,” he wrote. “That’s on me. I’m learning and growing, and I’m grateful my The Challenge family sees the good and the bad.”

But Nelson also addressed the racial slur at the center of the reported incident and revealed that he received a private apology.

“I received his DM apology, and I’m giving him space to take ownership publicly,” Nelson wrote. “The fans and The Challenge family deserve that too.”

Nelson did not name Josh in that particular statement, but continued, “Saying you have Black friends doesn’t give you a pass to use the N-word. This goes beyond TV. We need accountability, understanding, and growth.”

He also asked fans not to attack anyone involved, adding, “Support me without tearing others down.”

Related: How Old Are Johnny Bananas, CT Tamburello, Cara Maria and Brad Fiorenza From ‘The Challenge’?

What Did Leo Say About Getting Kicked Off ‘The Challenge’?

Leo initially acknowledged his departure on Instagram Stories, writing, “Getting DQ’d was not the way I wanted to go out but a time was had!”

He promised to share more about the situation, but he also discussed the DQ at length with Bananas.

Before the conversation began, Bananas made clear that they were restricted in what they could reveal.

Related: Two-Time ‘Challenge’ Champion Dies at 44

“We’re not allowed to get into specifics,” Bananas said, explaining that the directive was “coming down from the top.” Instead, he asked Leo about his reaction to the incident and whether he believed it had been handled fairly.

Leo didn’t mince words about his own punishment.

“What was said was super ignorant,” he said. However, Leo added that he “thought the hand I was dealt was pretty messed up considering I didn’t really do s–t wrong.”

Leo said he initially believed he should have remained in the game, while one of the other people involved should have received a fine and another should have been sent home.

Leo Says He Broke Down Crying After His DQ

Whatever viewers make of the decision, Leo’s reaction to learning his game was over was intense.

The 26-year-old said he “literally dropped to my knees and just started crying,” something he couldn’t remember doing since his grandfather died. His sadness quickly turned to anger, and Leo recalled screaming and wanting to throw things before stopping himself because it wouldn’t improve the situation.

Part of the devastation came from how well Leo believed his season had been going.

“I was cooking the entire season,” he told Bananas, saying he was convinced he would make the final before the DQ abruptly ended his run. After being sent to a hotel, Leo decided not to immediately fly home and ultimately remained in Thailand for nearly three months.

Related: Where Was ‘The Challenge’ Season 42 Filmed? Here’s Every Location Featured in ‘Cutthroat’

Does Leo Think His ‘Challenge’ DQ Was Fair?

With some distance from the incident, Leo’s position is more nuanced.

He acknowledged that every competitor signed the same contract and said he eventually realized that he wasn’t “bigger than the program.” Although he still doesn’t believe the decision made sense from his perspective, he said he can understand why it made sense from production’s point of view.

As for the other two competitors involved, Leo again declined to name names but said he believes one deserved the punishment while the other probably should have received a fine.

Leo also indicated the DQ hasn’t permanently damaged his relationship with the franchise, saying he’s in “good standing with production” and referencing the possibility of returning for another season.

What Have Other ‘Challenge’ Stars Said About the Disqualifications?

The reported circumstances surrounding the three removals have generated considerable debate among former competitors and fans.

Big Brother and Challenge alum Kyland Young questioned the outcome in the comments of GamerVev’s post, writing, “So a white person says the N-word and they DQ 2 Black people?”

Former Challenge champion Laurel Stucky was also sharply critical of production’s handling of the situation, arguing in the comments that the show has removed people who didn’t deserve it while competitors have witnessed “far worse” behavior over the years.

GamerVev agreed with Stucky’s criticism.

Some fans also drew comparisons to one of the franchise’s most infamous controversies: Camila Nakagawa’s racist tirade against Leroy Garrett during The Challenge XXX: Dirty 30. Camila was not removed from the competition following the incident and ultimately won the season.

The contrast has fueled questions among viewers about how The Challenge applies its code of conduct and why the circumstances behind the season 42 removals were not shown.

Why Didn’t ‘The Challenge’ Show the Triple DQ?

That remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the controversy.

The Challenge has aired plenty of ugly altercations over the years, including incidents that resulted in contestants being removed from the competition. This time, viewers saw nothing.

Bananas offered his own explanation on the podcast, stressing that he was discussing how he understands the show’s approach rather than revealing the prohibited details of the incident.

He compared the decision to sports broadcasters declining to show people who run onto the field, suggesting the show doesn’t want to give objectionable behavior additional airtime or encourage it by turning the incident into a television spectacle.

The result was an extraordinarily abrupt ending for three competitors. Cory Wharton had already left the game because of a family emergency, meaning four men disappeared from Cutthroat in a remarkably short span.

As Leo put it, “One person’s gone, [then suddenly] four people are gone.”

Has Josh Addressed Getting Kicked Off ‘The Challenge’?

As of publication, Josh has not publicly addressed his disqualification or Nelson’s statement about receiving a private apology.

Nelson, however, appears willing to give him the opportunity to do so.

“I’m giving him space to take ownership publicly,” Nelson wrote.

The Challenge: Cutthroat season 42 drops new episodes on Wednesdays at 3 a.m. ET/midnight PT on Paramount+.

Related: Who Wins ‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’? Season 42 Spoilers, Eliminations, Disqualifications and Finalists

If you’ve wandered into Aldi in the past few weeks, you already know the grocery chain has fully committed to its Halloween era. Between the light-up ceramic pumpkins, the oversized inflatable black cats, the adorable fabric ghost decor and the seasonal snack aisle stocked with everything pumpkin-spiced, Aldi has proven it’s not just a place to grab discount groceries—it’s become a legitimate destination for affordable, aesthetic-forward home decor.

This time, Aldi is taking the spooky season out of the living room and straight into the bedroom with a new lineup of Halloween-themed sheet sets that are almost too charming for October.

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The Halloween Collection Sheets, King or Queen, $14.99 at Aldi

Aldi

The collection splits into two distinct vibes. For the adults who still love Halloween, there are queen and king sets featuring a cozy, autumnal pumpkin print and a moodier bat motif—the kind of bedding that could believably double as fall decor even after the trick-or-treaters go home. Both designs are priced at $14.99, which is the kind of number that makes it easy to justify buying one for the guest room too.

Then there’s the twin and full sizing, clearly designed with kids (or kids-at-heart) in mind. This lineup leans much more playful, with a haunted house print and a skeleton print packed with ghosts, pumpkins, black cats, bats and balloons—basically every classic Halloween icon crammed onto one adorably busy sheet set. These smaller sizes ring up at just $8.99, making them an easy add for anyone decking out a kid’s room or a college dorm for the season.

Related: Michaels’ Gorgeous Fig Vase Will Elevate Any Fireplace Mantel for Just $8

As with most Aldi Finds, these sheets fall under the rotating specialty-item model, meaning they’re not a permanent fixture—so once they sell out, they’re gone until (maybe) next year. So, mark your calendars—the sheets officially hit stores on September 23. There will also be a host of other Halloween decor hitting the floor, including rugs, candles, metal jack-o’-lanterns, pillows, floating witch hats and adorable neon signs.

Given how quickly Aldi’s seasonal drops tend to disappear, you probably shouldn’t wait too long to grab a set. Whether you’re going for a cozy adult pumpkin vibe or full-on skeleton-and-bat chaos, Aldi’s latest Halloween moment proves the brand understands exactly what its cult following wants—cute, seasonal and cheap enough to buy without thinking twice.

Related: Marshalls’ $25 Faux Berry Wreath Is the Cozy Fall Touch Your Front Door Needs

All dads are really alike, even if yours was once the president of the United States.

On Thursday’s episode of Jenna and Sheinelle, co-host and former first daughter Jenna Bush Hager called her dad, former president George W. Bush, and during their sweet and funny chat, he made one error that would make any daughter cringe.

Surprised to hear from his daughter, Bush shared how he’s yet to meet Hager’s co-host, Sheinelle Jones but would “like to shake her hand.” Jones sweetly gushed over his relationship with Hager, but at one point the former president slipped up and called Jones, “Michelle,” instead of Sheinelle.

Taking the surprise opportunity to plug his new art book, Call of Freedom, out in March of next year, Bush joked, “I would doubt that” when his daughter asked if he would come and promote the book on her show.

“You’re saying you’re not going to come meet Sheinelle in person?” Hager asked.

“I’d like to but why don’t you and Michelle come down to Dallas?” he replied, before correcting himself after Jenna called him out.

“Sheinelle, not Michelle!” she said, as Jones cracked up.

“That’s what I meant, Sheinelle,” he said.

The two co-hosts also joked about adding the former president’s book to Jenna’s book club, Read With Jenna.

Related: Jenna Bush Hager Reveals Unique Nickname Parents George W. & Laura Have for Each Other

While the conversation was a bit of a rollercoaster, the former Commander in chief closed out by thanking Jones, who became Hager’s co-host earlier this year, for “being such good friends to Jenna.”

“I wish you girls all the best,” he added.

To which Sheinelle replied, “Thank you for being a good dad to Jenna, I know you guys have a beautiful relationship and I just think you’re a good man.”

After hanging up, the co-hosts cracked up at the fact that he called Jones by the wrong name.

“Dads, they’re all the same,” Jenna said, while Jones noted, “That was really special, that was really sweet.”

The spontaneous call to Hager’s famous dad came out after she and Jones spoke about how she called Bush on Ellen in 2007 while he was in office.

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They say some things never change, but that rarely holds true for companies and their branding. There’s always some little tweak or modernization to show that the brand is moving forward and not stuck in the past. Except in a lot of cases, all customers want is that piece of nostalgia. With fast food, in particular, it isn’t just about the comfort of knowing a restaurant chain’s fries will taste exactly the same no matter where you are in the country, but about being wrapped in that sentimental blanket of the whole experience—right down to the decor.

Wendy’s clearly got the memo because it’s bringing back an important part of its history. And no, it isn’t something you can eat, but it will trigger a strong visual memory.

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Wendy's

The classic yellow Wendy’s packaging that held your favorite order for years is making a comeback, with multiple news outlets reporting the new-old wrapping will start hitting restaurants on Sept. 28.

Wendy’s swapped out the yellow packaging in the early ’90s, opting for a red-and-white color combo instead of the sunny hue it had been using since the 1960s.

Related: This Sweet and Spicy New Jam Packs a Ton of Flavor Without Added Sugar

What Fans Are Saying

While Wendy’s attributes the return of its yellow food packaging to fan demand, reaction on Reddit is decidedly less than enthused.

“Well it’s not a rumor, I work for one of their suppliers and we’ve already started making the yellow packages,” wrote a commenter. “You can rest assured the food inside will still be trash.”

Many complained about how much the menu prices have increased over the years.

“Neat, are they going to bring back the quality and price with it?” asked another Redditor in the same thread. “Otherwise, I don’t think I can care.”

Wendy’s Is Bringing Back Iconic Halloween, Too

If the yellow packaging isn’t enough to lure you back to Wendy’s, the chain just brought back some of its Halloween favorites, including Boo! Books and Frosty Frights.

Boo! Books are an affordable $1, and each one includes five free Jr. Frosty coupons and one $1.99 Kids’ Meal with purchase coupon. (Those complaining about menu prices should take note of this deal.)

As far as Frosty Frights, these toys are already appearing in kids’ meals across the U.S. The collectibles include characters like Numb Chuck, Sir Choc-O-Lot, Shiver Wing and more.

Related: Dylan’s Candy Bar Just Dropped a Bunch of Spooky Sweets to Kick Your Halloween Up a Notch

If you were born in March, April, June, or October, the current astrological weather offers you a personal reset button. These four birth months have spent the the past few months diving deep with spiritual inner work—healing wounds around self-worth, authenticity, and how much space you’re allowed to take up.

Now comes the psychological shift: reclaiming your power isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about finally believing in the version of yourself that’s already been forged in that healing fire. Neuroscience shows us that when we stop apologizing for existing, our nervous systems literally recalibrate. Courage isn’t something you find. Rather, it’s something you activate.

The Real Work Starts Now

Chiron retrograde stations back into Aries at the anaretic degree—the final, most urgent point in the zodiac before spiritual completion. This is a cosmic reset on courage, identity, and authentic self-expression. For the next few months, we’re all being asked: Who are you when nobody’s watching? What part of yourself have you been hiding? The universe is demanding honesty. And four birth months are about to feel this shift most intensely: March, April, June, and October birthdays.

Chiron retrograde into Aries at the anaretic degree is asking something daringly urgent: Stop waiting for permission to be yourself! These four birth months have spent the last two years healing your relationship with self-worth and authenticity. Now the universe is saying: Time’s up. Act like you believe in yourself. Speak the thing you’ve been afraid to say. Take the risk you’ve been calculating. Show up as the version of you that’s been ready but waiting. Expect an invitation to finally prove you’re ready to walk your talk.

March – You’re Remembering Your Fire

Since Chiron entered Taurus last year, you’ve been learning what it really means to value yourself—not just say it, but feel it. You’ve been rebuilding your sense of worth from the ground up. Now Chiron’s asking you to take that rebuilt confidence and use it. Stop playing small. Stop apologizing for taking up space. The version of you that’s been quietly gathering strength is ready to step forward, and the universe is literally pushing you onto the stage. This is your moment to claim the power you’ve been cultivating in silence.

April – You’re Reclaiming Your Center

Over the past few months, you’ve learned hard lessons about how you show up in the world and what it costs you to hide. Chiron’s retrograde is asking you to revisit what you thought you understood about courage and apply it differently. The irrirtating emotional wound you’ve been avoiding is actually your greatest asset. In the coming weeks, the universe reminds you that true strength isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about being willing to be seen exactly as you are, unpolished and real. Have the courage to boldly take up space, as you are, here and now.

June – You’re Rewiring Your Self-Expression

This summer asked you to get honest about your emotional wounds and where they came from. Now, the cosmic forces ask you to express them. Not in a victim narrative, but as wisdom. Your pain has shaped you into someone with real insight, and the world needs to hear what you have to share. The wounded healer asteriod is clearing the path for you to speak your truth unapologetically. The words you’ve been holding back? Say them. The version of yourself you’ve been suppressing or editing for other people’s comfort? Let it out.

October – You’re Owning Your Controversial Self

Foundation, stability, and what it means to build something real has become more important to you than ever before. As you’ve navigating shifting security about who and where you belong, the universe asks you something even more bold: What if you’re not supposed to fit in? What if your “weird” is actually your gift? The astrological weather is granting you cosmic permission to stop trying to be palatable. The parts of you that don’t match everyone else’s expectations is where your edge lies. And right now, divine timing is begging you to trust it.

UP NEXT:

“Is PepsiCo rebranding?” That’s a question we’re sure so many have asked over the last few days (our editors included), and given the food-and-beverage giant’s social media activity over the past week, it’s totally warranted.

So is the idea that, as the parent company of not only Pepsi, but also Brisk iced tea, Cheetos, Doritos, Gatorade, Lipton, Miss Vickie’s, Mountain Dew, Mug Root Beer, Ocean Spray, Quaker Oats, and many more, maybe PepsiCo would want to change its name to honor its family of brands.

But that’s not what’s actually happening.

Is PepsiCo Actually Rebranding and Changing Its Name?

After 61 years as PepsiCo, it’s staying as PepsiCo, regardless of what the other mascots have to say.

View this post on Instagram

Following a near week-long lineup of social media content pushing for the idea that PepsiCo needs a new name that’s more all-encompassing (since it is the parent company of dozens of equally well-known brands), Parade can confirm that the PepsiCo name isn’t going anywhere.

Related: Gatorade Is Launching a New Electrolyte Drink—and Its Strongest Formula in 60 Years

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The online commotion was part of a large-scale bit to make consumers more familiar with PepsiCo’s broad (and ever-growing) array of subsidiaries. Dubbed the “House of Brands” campaign, PepsiCo says it’s the company’s first-ever corporate brand campaign and given the turnout on social media, we feel pretty confident reporting it as a major success.

View this post on Instagram

“We are seated,” one Instagram user replied. “We are intrigued.”

“Something is happening…” another added.

“At this point, just call yourselves EverythingCo,” someone else joked.

“Don’t tell me we are changing the whole company name,” a different Instagram user teased. “My new uniforms just got here!!”

One more asked, “Is this for real?”

As you should know by now, no. The rebrand and thoughts about changing the parent company from PepsiCo to something else are nothing more than a dramatic reminder of how many snacks and sips fall under the Pepsi umbrella (knowledge that was apparently only common sense to foodies and those in merchandising before).

PepsiCo said its House of Brands campaign builds on broader efforts to bring its portfolio together, including a refreshed corporate identity and major partnerships. While PepsiCo isn’t changing its name, the campaign reinforces its strength as a company whose story is bigger than any single brand, but “the collective strength of hundreds of brands, together under one roof.”

And in case you needed a refresher on what brands fall under the PepsiCo umbrella, we’ve included an up-to-date list below:

• Avalle (ready-to-eat gazpacho)
• Aquafina
• Baked (a.k.a. Lay’s Baked)
• Baken-Ets
• Bare
• Brisk
• Bubly
• Cap’n Crunch
• Cheetos
• Chester’s
• Cracker Jack
• Doritos
• Evolve
• Fritos
• Funyuns
• Gamesa
• Gatorade
• Good Warrior
• Grandma’s
• Lay’s
• LIFEWTR
• Lipton
• Looza
• Miss Vickie’s
• Mountain Dew
• Mug Root Beer
• Munchies
• Muscle Milk
• Munchos
• Natu Chips
• Near East
• Ocean Spray
• Pasta Roni
• Pearl Milling Company
• Pepsi
• PopCorners
• Poppi
• Propel
• Pure Leaf
• Quaker
• Red Rock Deli
• Rockstar Energy
• Rold Gold
• Ruffles
• Sabra
• Sabritas
• Santitas
• Siete
• Simply
• Simply NKD
• Smartfood
• Sobe
• SodaStream
• Spitz
• Stacy’s
• Starry
• SunChips
• Tazo
• Tostitos
• Yachak

Next: Costco Just Expanded Its Uber Eats Perks for Members

Florida Georgia Line‘s back, baby.

Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, who made up the hottest country music duo of the 2010s, have reignited their brotherhood, and they feel the time is ripe for a big reunion tour.

Florida Georgia Line just announced a run on the festival circuit in 2027, starting with Stagecoach Music Festival in the California desert in April.

It appears that’s just the tip of the iceberg, too.

In a post to Instagram that’s light on details, the duo reveal a new promo photo that finds them buddied up against a concrete wall. The words “Anything Goes Again — The Festival Tour” are sprawled in spray paint behind them.

“Y’all ready for an epic summer? LFG,” they write in the caption alongside the fire emoji.

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Below that is a list of the festivals they’ll be playing — presumably as headliners — but they’re all blurred out, save for Stagecoach.

In total, 12 are listed, and FGL rushed to announce another just a few hours later. They’re also booked for Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach, June 10-13.

That news was revealed in a promo video, and the nostalgia hits like a tidal wave as they hop into the cab of a truck together, bags packed and ready to hit the road.

“Feels like old times,” Brian remarks with a smirk.

“Kinda does,” Tyler responds.

It’s already warm and fuzzy feeling, and then their megahit from 2012, “Cruise,” starts blaring from the truck radio.

“This will heal our country,” one person writes in the comments, summing it up better than we could.

View this post on Instagram Why Did Florida Georgia Line Break Up?

In February of 2022, Florida Georgia Line hit fans like a brick with the news that they were “taking a break,” announcing an indefinite hiatus.

On the record, they cited Kelley’s desire to go solo. Off the record, fans speculated that there was some bad blood between them, and the duo have laid enough breadcrumbs over the years to give some weight to the theory.

Last December, Hubbard admitted they went a long while without talking, and that he really missed his friend.

“I hadn’t spoken to BK a lot in the last couple of years, but we’re going on a hike next week, so the way I see it is, I have a desire for that friendship. I miss the guy I was partners with for 10 years,” he said in an interview with the Human School Podcast (via People). “I miss my old roommate, my best man at my wedding, and if nothing else, we should have a relationship.”

“It doesn’t have to be what it was, and it doesn’t have to equal FGL doing anything, but we need to repair … and spend some time together face-to-face,” Hubbard added. “And just walk and talk and hang, and go fishing or get a guitar out.”

“It feels like, at this point, enough time has gone by.”

Over the past four years, both acts released solo music, but neither found the success they once had as one of the top-selling duos in the history of country music.

So, when they popped up onstage together at CMA Fest over the summer, fans speculated something bigger than a single reunion performance might be brewing.

The tour name “Anything Goes Again” calls back to their sophomore album Anything Goes, which charted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 album chart and delivered hit singles “Sun Daze,” “Dirt,” “Confession,” and “Sippin’ on Fire.”

Carol Burnett once went looking for Vicki Lawrence in the phone book.

Lawrence, 77, told the story on the Wednesday, Sept. 16, episode of The Magnificent Others With Billy Corgan. It all started with a contest she entered while she was still in school.

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The Newspaper Said She Looked Like Burnett

Lawrence said she used to enter “every contest that came around.” This one was a fireman’s ball that invited girls to come dance and sing, and she was one of eight girls taking part.

About two weeks before the contest, a local newspaper writer did a big story on it and wrote that Lawrence bore “a striking resemblance” to a young Burnett. Her mom had an idea. “You need to write her a fan letter,” she told her daughter.

Lawrence knew who Burnett was but was not a big fan. She wrote anyway, and she tucked the article inside “so she could see that I wasn’t nuts.”

Burnett Had a Hunch

Burnett’s secretary at the time told her she needed to read that letter. Burnett pulled Lawrence’s dad’s name from the article, found the family in the phone book, “and she called me after school,” Lawrence said.

“I have a hunch,” Burnett told her husband before the contest, per Lawrence. She snuck in, sat in the back and crowned Lawrence, who won.

A few months later, Lawrence’s mom heard that Burnett had given birth, and Lawrence went to the hospital to see her. The nurses in the maternity ward thought she was Burnett’s sister and let her right in.

Still Playing Her Mom

The Carol Burnett Show ran from 1967 to 1978. Lawrence is 16 years younger than Burnett, who is now 93. Her best-known character on the show was still “Mama,” the mother of Burnett’s Eunice Harper Higgins.

She played Burnett’s onscreen mother again on Season 2 of Apple TV’s Palm Royale. “Being with Vicki again was like old times,” Burnett told Parade last year.

J.J. Cale was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter who largely stayed out of the spotlight, but many of his tracks became influential hits for other artists like Eric Clapton.

“After Midnight” may be known among some fans for having been the theme for Michelob beer commercials, but it has a much richer backstory. The blues rock song was originally written by Cale in 1966 and released it as a single with “Slow Motion” as the B-side track. It failed to make a large impact and didn’t enter the charts.

After releasing the song, Cale went on to sing at bars and be a background guitarist. It wasn’t until 1970 that he gained a resurgence of popularity thanks to none other than Clapton. The young guitarist was known for having been a member of the Yardbirds in the mid-’60s, and a few other bands before going solo at the start of the ’70s.

His self-titled debut album ended up being his biggest hit as a solo artist, with “After Midnight” launching the new chapter of his career. It would become the signature track that landed him at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Clapton gave the original track a faster tempo, and it became a hit among radio jockeys.

“I wanted to go in the other direction and try to find a way to make it minimal, but still have a great deal of substance,” he told NPR. “That was the essence of J.J.’s music to me, apart from the fact that he summed up so many of the different essences of American music: rock and jazz and folk, blues. He just seemed to have an understanding of it all.”

It was reported that Carl Radle had some of Cale’s recordings and played “After Midnight” for Clapton. He loved the tune and decided to record it for his album. Cale had no idea Clapton covered the song until he heard it on the radio. According to Guitar Player, Clapton’s cover is what helped put him back on the map.

“The guy actually helped me break into real bread,” Cale told GP. “I was just playing guitar in bars, and all of a sudden I heard ‘After Midnight’ on the radio. I said, ‘That’s my tune. Watch out!’ Went out and bought a Chevrolet.”

Cale recalls having been “dirt poor, not making enough to eat, and I wasn’t a young man. I was in my thirties,” when the Clapton’s cover came out and made him some money. It would end up allowing Cale to release a new album titled Naturally, and he added “After Midnight” at the suggestion of his manager. This time, he made it a slower tempo, and it landed at No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Related: 1970 Country Song, Written as a Lullaby by James Taylor, Became One of His Greatest Songs of All Time

A ride through New Orleans gave Patrick Simmons the beginnings of a song that would eventually take The Doobie Brothers somewhere they had never been before: No. 1.

Simmons wrote “Black Water,” the rootsy, acoustic-driven favorite that appeared on the band’s 1974 album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. Inspired by a trip to New Orleans, the song initially wasn’t considered an obvious hit. By March 1975, however, it had climbed all the way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

The idea began while Simmons was riding one of the city’s streetcars.

The guitarist had become fascinated by New Orleans and the sounds he encountered there, particularly the region’s blues, jazz, and roots music.

“I thought, ‘This is a really good place. I should try to come up with something,'” Simmons told Guitar Player. “I was taking the trolley that goes up by [Tulane] university to a laundromat to do some laundry. It was a sunny day, but when I got on the trolley, it started to rain. And yet it was still sunny. And I’m thinking, I gotta write this down: ‘If it rains I don’t care / Makes no difference to me / Just take that streetcar that’s going uptown.’ That became the second verse of the song.”

The arrangement sounded unlike many of the Doobie Brothers’ earlier hits.

Instead of the driving rock of songs such as “Listen to the Music” and “China Grove,” “Black Water” leaned heavily on acoustic instruments. Simmons handled the lead vocal and guitar, while session musician Novi Novog contributed the distinctive viola part.

Its most memorable moment arrives near the end.

The instruments drop away and the band launches into an a cappella passage built around layered harmonies, including the instantly recognizable refrain about “funky Dixieland.” The voices gradually give way to the instrumental arrangement again as the song reaches its conclusion.

“Black Water” almost missed its chance to become a hit.

It was originally released as the B-side of “Another Park, Another Sunday” in 1974. After DJs began playing “Black Water” instead, its popularity grew enough for Warner Bros. to release it as an A-side later that year.

Radio listeners proved the DJs right.

On March 15, 1975, “Black Water” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the Doobie Brothers’ first chart-topper. The band wouldn’t return to No. 1 until 1979, when the Michael McDonald-led “What a Fool Believes” reached the summit.

“I remember when I first heard it was #1, we were in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and we were just getting ready to go on stage, and then I guess [manager] Bruce [Cohn] must have told us,” frontman Tom Johnston told Songfacts. “I think we were already aware of the fact that it was getting airplay, but nobody was really paying a lot of attention. And then all of a sudden it became #1 and we were paying attention. I remember I went in and congratulated Pat backstage, and we’ve been playing it ever since.”

More than five decades later, “Black Water” remains one of the Doobie Brothers’ most recognizable recordings. A streetcar ride through New Orleans gave Simmons an idea, but its unexpected journey from album track to B-side to No. 1 hit made the song’s own path nearly as memorable.

Related: 1975 Country Rock Song, Recorded in Canada, Is Still a Beloved Hit 51 Years Later

Millie Bobby Brown reportedly welcomed baby No. 2 with her husband, Jake Bongiovi.

On Thursday, Sep. 17, a source confirmed to People that the Stranger Things actress, 22, and her spouse, 24 (the son of Jon Bon Jovi), adopted their second child.

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On Sept. 7, Brown teased a new addition to her family in a video shared via Instagram. It showed her carrying her daughter while walking away from the camera beside Bongiovi, who seemingly wore a baby carrier. The family walked over a bridge next to two alpacas in the Dolomites in Italy.

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Fans couldn’t help but speculate after seeing the photo, with one Instagram user writing, “Hmm, she’s either pregnant or they adopted their second baby because in the first pic, she’s holding their baby while [he’s] got baby carrier. Then in the second pic, she’s showing her belly. Third picture is showing 4 ducks (family of four), then fifth pic then shows part of her hubby but the background has four pines 🌲, so I think these are hints on their post 🙏🙏.”

Another fan pointed out, “They had another child?! Millie has the little one but Jake seem to wear a baby wrap?”

Someone else echoed, “Do they have 2 kids now??”

Brown and Bongivoi married in May 2024 and announced that they welcomed a daughter in August 2025.

“This summer we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption,” the Enola Holmes star wrote on Instagram. “We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy. And then there were 3.”

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As of writing, neither Brown nor Bongiovi have confirmed that they welcomed a second child.

Next: 7 Little Johnstons Star Liz Welcomes Baby No. 2 — See the First Photos

Reality TV has changed a lot since Survivor, Big Brother and The Amazing Race first hit television more than two decades ago—and the longtime hosts of all three shows have noticed.

Jeff Probst, Julie Chen Moonves and Phil Keoghan recently opened up about how the genre has evolved, including the impact social media and influencer culture have had on reality TV.

Julie Chen Moonves Says Reality TV Isn’t as ‘Real’ Anymore

For longtime Big Brother host Chen Moonves, one of the biggest differences is why people choose to go on reality television in the first place.

“Reality is not as real anymore, in my opinion, in today’s day and age, because people want fame,” Chen Moonves told TV Insider.

She further suggested that knowing the cameras are rolling can influence how people present themselves on reality TV.

It’s a shift she has spoken about before. In a 2023 interview with Parade, Chen Moonves discussed how social media changed the show, noting that contestants can now turn their time on reality TV into careers as influencers.

Jeff Probst, who has been the face of Survivor for more than 25 years, offered another perspective, telling TV Insider that reality TV audiences have become “much more sophisticated” and can recognize when something doesn’t feel authentic.

The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan also weighed in, saying research from the show has found that viewers want contestants they can relate to. He questioned whether repeatedly casting people from other reality shows could take away from the authenticity viewers are looking for.

Fans Have Noticed a Change, Too

The hosts aren’t the only ones debating how social media has changed reality television.

In a recent Reddit discussion about Big Brother, fans compared newer seasons to the show’s earlier years, with some arguing that interactions felt more genuine before social media and influencer culture became such a large part of reality TV.

Other viewers pushed the conversation further, debating whether today’s contestants are more aware of how their behavior on a show could affect their image and opportunities once filming ends.

That debate echoes what Chen Moonves has noticed from inside the franchise: Reality television can now offer contestants something that barely existed when Big Brother premiered—a ready-made social media audience.

Reality TV Isn’t Going Anywhere

Despite the changes, the longtime hosts don’t think the genre has run its course.

Chen Moonves told TV Insider that reality TV is “here to stay,” while Probst pointed to just how broad the genre has become.

More than 25 years after Survivor and Big Brother and The Amazing Race premiered, their continued runs show just how much the genre has evolved—even if reality TV isn’t quite what it used to be.

Keith Richards is going to Vice City, sort of.

The Rolling Stones guitarist covered “Bright Lights, Big City,” a blues song Jimmy Reed put out in 1961, for Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album.

It is one of six songs Rockstar Games released on Thursday, Sept. 17. The full 34-track soundtrack, made with Atlantic Records, drops Nov. 19, the same day as the game.

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The 1961 Original

Reed’s version was a real hit. On Sept. 18, 1961, it sat at No. 4 on Billboard‘s R&B singles chart, according to the magazine’s own look-back column five years later. Reed went into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, inducted by ZZ Top. “I can’t buy a car without first playing a Jimmy Reed tape before driving it,” the band said, per the Hall.

The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison and the Grateful Dead are also among the acts who have covered him.

The Stones Recorded It in 1963

The Stones cut their own version at IBC Studios in London in March 1963, back when they were leaning hard on American blues. That take sat in the vault until 2012, when it came out on a box set edition of the compilation GRRR!.

Mick Jagger knew the song before the Stones even formed. His pre-Stones group, Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys, had already recorded it.

Who Else Is on the Album

Richards is in unusual company. The other five songs out Thursday come from Morgan Wallen, Travis Scott, Rauw Alejandro, Yung Lean with Future and Metro Boomin, and a track credited to CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, PinkPantheress, Fred again.. and Etienne de Crécy.

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Scott’s “RHYNO” was produced by Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo. Wallen’s contribution is “Last Thing You Need.”

Rockstar has not named the other 28 songs yet.

Little Debbie is winning over fans with its new seasonal muffin flavor; the only thing is, it hasn’t even been formally announced (let alone released).

The iconic snack cake brand from McKee Foods is always working on something, whether it’s a seasonal offering, a new format, or a permanent offering; it doesn’t matter—those behind Little Debbie recipes seem to give it their all. It’s almost as if whoever is in charge of approving the recipes knows what they’re doing, as consumers rarely have anything negative to say about the new releases (aside from maybe complaining that flavors are flying off the shelves too quickly).

So when rumors emerged about Little’s Debbie’s Hot Cocoa Mini Muffins flavor, we knew we had to be among the first to tell you about it.

Little Debbie Hot Cocoa Mini Muffins: What We Know

As we mentioned earlier, Little Debbie has yet to formally announce the arrival of the wintry treat (it is only mid-September, after all). So after trusted fast-food influencer Snackolator leaked an apparent photo of the item in a first look on Instagram, we decided to do some more digging of our own, and Parade editors uncovered what appears to be an incomplete Instacart listing, solidifying its existence.

Related: Little Debbie Donut Line That’s ‘Consistently Selling Out’ Gets Its First New Flavor

Although little is known about Little Debbie’s Hot Cocoa Mini Muffins, the product image shared by the food blogger suggests a chocolate-flavored mini muffin with miniature marshmallows scattered throughout. It sounds very similar to the Little Bites recipe that launched in 2024 and is “so yummy” according to fans online.

“This is great for the hot chocolate lovers for sure,” one replied to Snackolator’s Sept. 16 Instagram post.

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“Yup running to the store,” a second joked.

A third admitted they can’t wait to “shove these down my gullet.”

“We NEED these in our lives,” someone else wrote on Facebook, tagging a friend.

“They look so yummy!” one more cheered in part.

As for where and when shoppers can find them, that’s unclear. However, the brand only recently launched its fall-inspired treats, so it’s probably safe to assume any announcement about the rumored Hot Cocoa Mini Muffins would come after Halloween and the fall holidays. Stay tuned!

Parade reached out to a McKee Foods spokesperson for comment.

Next: Girl Scouts Just Announced a First-Ever Cookie Collaboration, Unlike Anything Fans Have Seen Before

Fast food chain Arby’s brought back fan-favorite menu item Steak Nuggets last month, accompanied by an all-new Horsey Ranch dipping sauce to eat them with. Steak Nuggets returned to Arby’s menus on Aug. 24, and this month the restaurant is offering steak-lovers the chance to try them for free.

The promotion offers a free 5-piece Steak Nugget with a $10 or more purchase, but it’s available only for Arby’s Loaded Rewards members who order through the Arby’s app or the website. The deal became available on Sept. 15, and runs through Sept. 18, but only 100,000 free 5-piece Steak Nugget entrees are available, meaning once 100,000 units have been redeemed, the offer will disappear.

As of the time this article was published, an Arby’s representative confirmed to Parade that the promotion is still up and running. I checked the offer through Arby’s ordering system to see exactly how customers can tell whether the free Steak Nuggets are still available.

Arby’s is giving away a free 5-piece Steak Nuggets with a $10 or more purchase through Sept. 18, while supplies last.

Arby's

The easiest way to check whether the free Steak Nuggets are still up for grabs is to log into your Arby’s Loaded Rewards account on your smartphone or web browser and start a pick-up order at your nearest Arby’s location. Add at least $10 worth of food to your order, add the 5-piece Steak Nuggets, and proceed to checkout.

At checkout, a list of offers will appear below your ordered items. There, if the Arby’s freebie is still available, you’ll see an offer that says, “Free 100K 5PC Steak Nuggets With $10 Purchase.” Click “redeem” on the offer and it should deduct the cost of the 5-piece Steak Nuggets from your total.

Related: Arby’s Steak Nuggets Are Back With a New Steak-and-Potatoes Twist

Not sure about the new Horsey Ranch dipping sauce made just for the Steak Nuggets? At checkout, you’ll also have the opportunity to pick from other dipping sauces, like BBQ Dip or Arby’s Sauce. Steak Nuggets are on the Arby’s menu in 5 and 9-count packages. And, there’s another delicious-sounding way to enjoy those Steak Nuggets—either as a Steak ‘n Potato Bowl or a Steak ‘n Mac Bowl, just in case you want some carbs with your seasoned steak bites.

According to Arby’s, the free Steak Nuggets deal ends on Sept. 18, or once 100,000 units have been redeemed by loyalty members. This means now is your chance to try this fast food fan-favorite for free.

According to expert astrologer Maressa Brown, your birth date can reveal which fall cocktail best matches your personality and unique vibe.

Whether you’re more of a Cosmopolitan lover, a whiskey fan, or someone who adores a fine mezcal, chances are your go-to cocktail reflects your personality in some way. Maybe sweet Aperol spritzes reflect your innate effervescence, or when the weather starts to get a bit chilly, your inner homebody shines when you love to cuddle up with a classic Hot Toddy. Perhaps you’re the kind of person who never hesitates to speak their mind, and a spicy Bloody Mary is your favorite brunchtime order.

That said, to pinpoint your ideal autumn cocktail, look no further than your birth date, which offers valuable intel on your personality, perspective, strengths, and unique way of showing up in the world.   

The Autumn Cocktail That Best Reflects Your Personality, Based on Your Birth Date

Read on to find out which fall mixed beverage fits your personality and point of view.

Born on the 1st, 10th, 19th, or 28th: Autumn Sunshine 

You were born on a date associated with the sun, the luminary that rules self-image, confidence, and purpose in astrology. As someone who exuded joie d’vivre and is a champion of feeling seen and celebrated for who you are, your M.O. mirrors the Autumn Sunshine—a mix of bourbon, maple syrup, Grand Marnier, and clementine peel that marries citrus with warming cozy flavors that feels like the cocktail equivalent of basking in the sun shining down on mountains of fallen jewel-toned leaves. 

FURTHER: The Timeless Classic Radio Song That Matches Your Personality, Based on Birth Month

Born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th, or 29th: Cider 75

You were born on a day that’s aligned with the moon, which rules intuition, instincts, and emotions. You’re nurturing, whimsical, heartfelt, and family-oriented, so you likely savor autumn, because it’s full of opportunities to connect with your nearest and dearest. You might especially enjoy doing so over an autumn cocktail like the Cider 75, a fall twist on the French 75 that features gin (or Cognac), fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a dry sparkling hard cider subs in for the Prosecco or Champagne. Adding an apple slice topper will make this sip even cozier and up your alley. 

Born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st, or 30th: Smoked Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned

Your birth date reduces down to three, a number ruled by Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system that oversees abundance, expansion, and good fortune. You believe in going big or going home, which mirrors the feeling of a truly over-the-top, super-flavorful spin on the classic Old Fashioned: the Smoked Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned, which calls for bacon-washed bourbon, maple syrup, chocolate bitters, and a torched rosemary sprig. You’ll agree there’s nothing like ringing in the fall equinox with a wild, wonderful, smoky, and flavorful libation that hits on so many cylinders at once. 

RELATE?: Born on One of These 4 Birth Dates? You May Be a Solitary Soul

Born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd, or 31st: Aviation 

Your birth date reduces down to four, which is associated with Uranus, the planet of rebellion, electricity, and sudden change. Your approach is out-of-left-field, quirky, and sometimes contrarian. That said, an inventive cocktail like the pre-Prohibition Aviation, which combines gin, lemon juice, creme de violette, and maraschino liqueur, is the kind of order a playful bartender would be excited to whip up as a unique spin on a classic gin sour—something you might get a kick out of seeing. And its mystical purple hue feels very fitting for spooky season.

Born on the 5th, 14th, or 23rd: Carajillo

Because you were born on a day that reduces down to the number five, your numerological planetary ruler is Mercury, the planet of technology, transportation, storytelling, and cerebral energy. In turn, you love a cocktail that might fire up your conversation-telling skills as readily as it chills you out. Enter the Carajillo, a classic Mexican cocktail that combines Spanish, vanilla-flavored Licor 43 and freshly brewed espresso. The bitterness of the coffee plays off the buttery, sweetness of the liquor for a dualistic, Mercurial cocktail that’s perfectly enjoyed while catching up with your social circle over an autumnal brunch. 

Born on the 6th, 15th, or 24th: Pumpkin Sangria

If you came into the world on one of these dates, you were born with the influence of Venus, the planet of romance, pleasure, art, and music. You’re a peacemaker, a beauty-lover, a flirt, and someone who finds it easy to matchmake all the people in your life. Given your vibrant, romantic nature and desire to socialize at every turn, you need a cocktail you can mix up as a big batch and share with your friends, like a sangria, and a pumpkin spice one, made with pumpkin pie syrup, pinot grigio, and apple cider, not only echoes your natural sweetness but is sure to be a delicious crowd-pleaser. 

OTHER: These 4 Birth Months Radiate a Nurturing Aura

Born on the 7th, 16th, or 25th: The Witch’s Heart

Your artistic, sensitive, imaginative, even slightly psychic perspective is the result of your birth date reducing down to seven, a number aligned with Neptune, the planet of illusion, spirituality, and dreams. In turn, you need a cocktail that’s equally imaginative like the Witch’s Heart, a mesmerizing blend of edible glitter, blackberry liquor, apple juice, lemon juice, and grenadine. Its deep berry hue and shimmer isn’t just so perfect for Halloween—it also echoes your daydreamy, spiritually-astute soul.

Born on the 8th, 17th, or 26th: Rye Port Manhattan 

Because you were born on a date that reduces down to the number eight, you’re industrious, mature, wise, and grounded, thanks to your birthday’s association with Saturn, the planet of boundaries and hard work. A classic, serious cocktail to match your vibe is none other than the Rye Port Manhattan, which swaps out the vermouth for port wine. It’s so classic and serious that it might make you feel like you’re reveling in retro Mad Men vibes while getting the porch fall-ready with pumpkins and mums.

NEXT: Born on One of These Birth Dates? A Financial Windfall Could Be Coming as Summer Ends

Born on the 9th, 18th, or 27th: Pomegranate Mule

If your birth date reduces down to nine, you’re driven, passionate, playful, and a little bit spicy, thanks to the day you were born being associated with Mars, the planet of action, and energy. The classic Moscow Mule with its spicy ginger, tart lime, and cooling mint isn’t quite as reflective of your vibe as a pomegranate one, which packs even more punch from the juicy red fruit. You could definitely see yourself sipping this one while prepping Thanksgiving dinner.

UP NEXT:

Booking a hotel should be the easy part of planning a vacation—or at least, the fun part. Then you start comparing rates, cancellation policies, loyalty perks, breakfast, parking and reviews across seemingly endless tabs, and suddenly finding the best room for your money feels like a job.

So, we asked six people who travel and book travel professionally where they turn when their own money or their clients’ vacations are on the line.

The answer was surprisingly consistent: Five of the six experts we spoke with regularly use Booking.com.

But that’s not the only thing they agreed on. From one overlooked search feature to a simple refundable-rate trick, these are the hotel-booking strategies the pros use themselves.

Related: This Hotel Loyalty Program Was Just Named Best in the U.S.—and It’s Not Marriott

Why Booking.com Keeps Coming Up

For Alexandra Dubakova, a FreeTour travel expert who has visited more than 90 countries, Booking.com is a starting point for seeing what’s available and comparing room types, cancellation policies, locations and reviews.

Trip planner Andrés Serra, Head of Operations at Optimise Travel, takes a similar approach. He starts on Google Hotels to survey the market, then often turns to Booking.com for room details and recent guest reviews before checking the hotel’s website.

Dawn Younts, co-founder of Explore Egyptian Nile Adventures, favors Booking.com for international trips because she can quickly compare properties and filter for essentials such as free cancellation, breakfast and location.

And Cultures Traveled creator Julien Casanova is particularly fond of Booking.com’s Genius loyalty program. On a birthday trip to Mexico City, he says his Genius status scored him a complimentary room upgrade.

Perhaps the biggest Booking.com devotee, however, is Vummy Kihaule, owner of Tanzania Safaris. After a decade of creating custom trips throughout Tanzania and southern Africa, he makes dozens of hotel bookings a month, from family accommodations to high-end honeymoon suites.

Kihaule finds Booking.com particularly helpful for remote lodges and coastal properties, and says his Genius status has helped him access discounts and perks. Still, even he doesn’t stop there.

“I do take time to look at other websites, including those of individual hotels as well,” Kihaule says, noting that boutique and family-owned hotels can sometimes offer better rates or extras.

Related: 6 Family Villa Stays That Keep the Kids Happy—and Your Wine Glass Full

Before You Book, Check the Hotel Directly

That’s one of the biggest takeaways from the pros: The lowest advertised room rate isn’t necessarily the best deal.

Serra compares Google Hotels, Booking.com and the hotel’s own website before making a decision.

“The cheapest room price doesn’t always mean the lowest total cost when you factor in things like breakfast, parking, cancellation policies and loyalty perks,” he says.

Adriana Montes, owner of the 17-room Seahorse Beach Bungalows Hotel in Florida, is the only expert we spoke with who doesn’t typically book through Booking.com. She searches Google Hotels, then books directly with the property.

From the hotelier side, Montes says properties may have more flexibility to sweeten direct reservations with extras such as upgrades, breakfast, early check-in or late checkout.

Related: How to Get Hotel Perks, According to a Hotel Manager

Book Refundable, Then Keep Checking

Another trick several experts use? Lock something in without necessarily ending your search.

“Check refundable rates if you are convinced you’ve found a good deal and search for better prices afterwards,” Dubakova advises.

Serra does just that, checking the same room and cancellation terms about once a week and again before the free-cancellation deadline. If the price drops, he books the new reservation before canceling the old one.

Montes also favors booking a refundable rate first and monitoring it, while Kihaule says watching price fluctuations has helped him find significant savings for clients.

Just make sure you’re comparing the same room type and terms. A cheaper rate isn’t much of a deal if you sacrifice breakfast or flexible cancellation to get it.

Related: 9 Ways to Get a Premium Travel Experience on a Basic Economy Budget

The Hotel Search Feature the Pros Love

Five experts also brought up a remarkably simple tool: the map.

“I don’t know if people make the most of the maps and review filters combination,” Dubakova says. “A hotel may be cheap, but far away from where you plan to visit.”

Serra checks proximity to train stations, restaurants and planned activities, while Younts would rather choose a conveniently located hotel with good reviews than the highest-rated property miles away.

Casanova takes a similar approach, filtering for highly rated hotels and must-have amenities before opening the map and choosing from properties in his preferred area.

Related: The Top 10 Most Amazing Hotels in the World

Don’t Just Read Reviews, Read the Right Ones

Dubakova pays particular attention to complaints and whether multiple recent guests mention the same problem. Serra also prioritizes newer reviews, which may reveal current construction, maintenance or staffing issues.

Kihaule gets even more specific when researching remote safari lodges.

He looks for guest comments about “water pressure, whether there is a working generator backup system and how far the lodge is from the nearest major highway,” details he says are often absent from property descriptions.

Montes recommends filtering reviews by traveler type, too. After all, what matters to a solo traveler may be very different from what a family needs.

Related: 7 Tips for Booking Hotels Using Points, According to Experts

So, Where Should You Book Your Next Hotel?

Booking.com may have been the clear favorite among the experts we asked, but their advice reveals something more useful: Don’t rely on one website to do all the work.

Do your due diligence when it comes to comparing rates, checking the map, reading recent complaints and looking closely at what’s actually included. Then check the hotel directly before clicking “reserve.”

Yes, it may take a little more time to finally get those room keys this way, but knowing where to look before you book can make all the difference once you arrive.

Next up:

Related: You Can Now Use Amex Points to Book the World’s Most Legendary Independent Hotels

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Elevating your home doesn’t always have to mean undergoing a major renovation or throwing thousands of dollars at decor. Sometimes a quick color infusion is all that you need to take the room in an entirely new direction. If you’re thinking of refreshing your space, the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Lenna Rug could be exactly what’s missing.

This striking accent is just as much a showpiece as it is a functional floor cover. The distinctive pattern stands out in rich tones of brick red and sky blue — and while it looks incredibly elegant, it’s on sale at Wayfair right now for just $33. The 2-foot-3-inch by 3-foot-9-inch rug retails for $79, so this is your chance to save an impressive 58% on the popular piece. There are also 10 additional sizes and shapes on sale, from large rectangular rugs to slim runners.

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Lenna Rug, $33 (was $79) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at Wayfair

You may already be familiar with the aesthetic for which Joanna Gaines is so well known. The designer knows her way around a farmhouse or two, and this piece brings some of that warm, homey, lived-in charm to any room. The hues are rich and dramatic, but the juxtaposition between light and dark shades has an overall grounding effect on the piece. It’s also slightly weathered, an effect which lends the rug a wonderfully vintage vibe.

While it fits nicely into a traditional or rustic setting, it can just as easily work in a more transitional layout. It’s simultaneously muted and eye-catching, making it a lovely choice whether you’re looking to brighten a room or complement other details and give the space a classy finishing touch.

The low-pile polyester is power-loomed and feels plush underfoot, with a shed-resistant finish that makes the rug an especially good choice for high-traffic rooms or homes with pets and children. It’s also resistant to fading and staining, so you can confidently set it near a window without worry that it will lose its deeply saturated tones. Spot clean with a dry cloth as needed and vacuum occasionally for regular upkeep.

One shopper called it “stunning,” noting that it “feels great underfoot and it feels expensive.” Another person praised the “very beautiful” design and rich colors. “It really adds to the room without being overly dramatic,” they added.

Related: Martha Stewart’s Reversible 3-Piece Comforter Set Goes From ‘Elegant’ Vines to Bold Stripes in a Snap, Now 64% Off

If you’re looking for something that will pull your entire room together, the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Lenna Rug adds warmth, style, and comfort all at once. Don’t miss it while it’s available for this discounted price at Wayfair! 

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