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Skip Banff and Head to This Underrated Canadian National Park
If Banff is Canada’s headline act, then Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador is the scene-stealing encore most travelers never see coming. It has the same cinematic mountain drama, but with fewer crowds, quieter trails, and a geological story so rare it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What makes Gros Morne feel different is not just what you see, but how you experience it. There is space to hear wind moving across fjords, space to stand on billion-year-old rock formations, and to feel like you are somewhere truly remote without leaving North America. It is the kind of place that makes you rethink the idea that “bucket list” destinations have to be crowded to be worth it.
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Where is Gros Morne National Park and Why It Feels So DifferentGros Morne National Park is located on the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada, stretching across more than 1,800 square kilometers of coastal cliffs, fjords, mountains, and forests. The nearest major gateway is Deer Lake, about a 30-minute drive from the park entrance. Parks Canada manages the site as part of the national parks system.
What immediately stands out is the geology. Gros Morne is one of the best places on Earth to visibly see continental drift in action. The park’s Tablelands are made of exposed mantle rock normally found deep beneath the Earth’s crust, pushed to the surface through tectonic collision over 400 million years ago.
Related: Robotic Birds Are Headed to This National Park
What to Do in Gros Morne National Park: Fjords, Hikes, and Coastal ViewsGros Morne is built for travelers who want movement and stillness in equal measure. One of the most iconic experiences is hiking the Gros Morne Mountain Trail, a challenging route that rewards you with sweeping views of Ten Mile Pond and the surrounding highlands. Parks Canada notes this is one of the park’s most demanding but rewarding hikes.
Another essential experience is a boat tour through Western Brook Pond, a landlocked fjord carved by glaciers and surrounded by cliffs rising more than 600 meters. It feels more like Norway than Atlantic Canada, and the silence inside the fjord is part of what makes it unforgettable. For something slower, the Tablelands offer a surreal walking experience, with the land orange-brown, barren, and almost Martian.
@snizhanka.aa📍Gros Morne National Park 🏞️ #newfoundland #explore #fyp #grosmornenationalpark #grosmorne #getoutside #newfoundlandandlabrador #newfoundlander #boattour
♬ original sound - Clara Where to Stay Near Gros Morne National ParkThere are no large resorts inside Gros Morne, which is part of its appeal. Instead, travelers stay in nearby towns like Rocky Harbour, Norris Point, and Woody Point, where small inns and seaside cottages dominate the landscape.
Options range from rustic cabins to boutique-style lodges such as Neddies Harbour Inn and Ocean View Hotel, both known for their proximity to hiking trails and coastal views. Many accommodations emphasize local hospitality rather than luxury branding, which aligns with the region's overall feel.
What stands out most is how integrated lodging is with nature. You are not separated from the park experience when you go back to your room. You are still inside it, just with a roof and a view of the Atlantic.
Related: This City Was Ranked the Best Place to Visit In All of Canada
When to Visit Gros Morne for the Best ExperienceThe best time to visit Gros Morne National Park is late June through early September, when hiking trails are fully accessible, and boat tours are operating regularly. The weather in Newfoundland can shift quickly, so layering is essential even in summer.
Autumn is quieter and more atmospheric, with fewer crowds and dramatic coastal light, but some services begin to close. Winter transforms the park into a rugged, remote landscape that is far less accessible but deeply atmospheric for experienced travelers.
Unlike Banff, where peak season often means crowds and congestion, Gros Morne’s “peak” still feels spacious and slow.
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Why Travelers Are Skipping Banff for Gros MorneBanff is iconic for a reason, but its popularity comes with traffic, timed reservations, and heavy tourism infrastructure. Gros Morne offers something increasingly rare in travel: a UNESCO-listed landscape that still feels undiscovered.
It is not about replacing Banff. It is about choosing a different kind of experience. One that feels more reflective, more geological, and more connected to natural scale than social media visibility. If Banff is a postcard, Gros Morne feels like a field journal entry you get to write yourself.
The Best Alaska Cruise for People Who Love to Eat as Much as They Love a Glacier View
Alaska cruises have been on cruisers bucket lists for a multitude of reasons: calving glaciers, breaching whales, misty pine-lined ports and breathtaking mountain ranges and national parks. What they have not always sold quite as convincingly is the food. That is why Oceania Riviera feels like such an interesting outlier.
The 1,250-guest ship made its Alaska debut in 2025, bringing with it seven open-seating restaurants, one chef for every 10 guests, and a culinary program that extends well beyond the dining room and into port. In a region where most just travel for the wildlife and landscape, Riviera makes a compelling case for booking Alaska for the meals, too.
Related: Princess’ 2026 Alaska Season Will Be Its Biggest Ever
Why Now Is the Perfect Time for a Foodie Alaska Cruise Arhauy Glacier in the Cordillera BlancaThe Riviera just entered the Alaska market in 2025, making it one of the newer ships in the region. In early 2025, Oceania announced 12 new Culinary Discovery Tours, including Alaska-focused experiences in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, and the line also put additional spotlight on Riviera with a 2025 Food & Wine Best New Chefs sailing in Alaska and a specialty Alaska voyage hosted by Claudine Pépin.
Related: You Should Only Go On an Alaskan Cruise if It Includes This One Special Stop
Why It’s the Best Food at Sea View this post on InstagramOceania positions itself as the only true foodie ship sailing in Alaska, and the details make that claim easier to defend than it might otherwise be: seven gourmet restaurants, four included specialty venues, hands-on cooking classes, and chef-led excursions ashore. Jeri Clausing of Travel Weekly stated that after sailing Riviera, that the ship’s culinary focus extends far beyond its included specialty restaurants, including on-shore food excursions and itineraries built around local food once you're at port.
Just as important, travel advisors who have actually been on board back up the premise. For Fora advisor Lisa Garrett, the food surpassed every single expectation. "I was absolutely wowed by the food." Travel advisor Bill Browning echoed that, saying some of the best meals he's ever had were on board the Riveria. "Oceania’s culinary reputation did not disappoint and the on-site restaurant Toscana has some of the best Italian he had experienced on sea or land," he said.
Related: The Worst Time To Go On a Cruise, According to Cruise Experts
The Best Food in Alaska and Where to Eat in PortEven though Oceania is known for their culinary programs, the food in Alaska is worth traveling for too, especially if you lean into crab, chowder, smoked salmon, and just-caught seafood that that you saw captured in front of your own eyes. Here are some of the cruise directors for Oceania's favorite stops in Alaska.
- Tracy’s King Crab Shack, Juneau
Arguably one of the most famous restaurants in Juneau, Tracy's is an institution it its own right. Situated right on the waterfront right near the deck Riveria will be parked at, you go to Tracy's for their seafood — especially the king crab, crab bisque, and crab cakes. - Deckhand Dave’s, Juneau
For something more casual and a little cooler, stop at Deckhand Dave's for fish tacos, oysters, and whatever ultra-fresh seafood was just caught that day. It is one of the better picks for travelers who want something local without sitting through a long port lunch. - Alaska Fish House, Ketchikan
Set right in downtown Ketchikan overlooking historic Thomas Basin and the fishing fleet, Alaska Fish House is especially known for their smoked salmon chowder, fish and chips, and halibut tacos. The atmosphere is more easygoing than fancy, with open seating, rustic decor, and breathtaking views of the harbor and cruise ships. - Halibut Point Crab & Chowder, Sitka
If your itinerary includes Sitka, this is one of the easiest and most useful recommendations because it sits at the cruise terminal and focuses on locally caught Dungeness crab, salmon, halibut, and cod. - Skagway Brewing Company, Skagway
Located right on historic 4th ave — about a 10 - 15 minute walk from port, Skagway Brewing company is the perfect stop if you're looking for a sip along with your bite. They're famous for their house-brewed beers, especially the Spruce Tip Blonde Ale, plus beer-battered halibut, local salmon, and greens grown in its on-site aeroponic farm.
Related: 7 Cruises Every Woman Over 50 Should Consider, From a Cruise-Savvy Travel Pro
The Best Time to Go, and 3 Things You Can’t MissLate June into mid-July is one of the best times to cruise Alaska. For one, there is light until close to 11pm in most places, giving you more time in the day for wildlife spottings. Whales are very active in the summer months, and you'll almost be guaranteed humpback breechings and spottings from the side of the ship.
The season runs from May through September, but this window neatly overlaps some of the best whale watching of the year with the bright, lingering daylight that makes southeast Alaska feel especially cinematic. Additionally, the weather is also the most cooperative during this time, with highs in the mid-to-low 60s, and lows in the 40s and 50s.
If you're anything like me, you want every day at port booked with some activity. Alaska is a beacon for hiking, cycling, boating, and expeditioning. However, if you can only book three excursions, here are the three both myself, and the cruise experts, highly recommend.
- Whale-Watching Adventure and Salmon Bake, Juneau: This half-day Oceania excursion combines humpback spotting with a salmon bake at Orca Point Lodge on Colt Island, a private, wilderness-style stop known for its waterfront setting and lodge atmosphere. It is one of the stronger Juneau picks because it folds wildlife and a genuinely Alaskan meal into one outing.
- White Pass Railway & City Tour, Skagway: Oceania’s White Pass outing folds together the two things Skagway does best: Gold Rush history and mountain scenery. You ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad along the trail stamped into the high pass by stampeders, then return to town for a look at landmarks like Moore House and the Gold Rush Cemetery.
- Misty Fjords Flightseeing, Ketchikan: This one is a splurge, with Oceania currently listing it at $529 per person. However, it's the kind of excursion people remember long after the trip is over. The flight, which is on a floatplane or DeHavilland Turbo Otter seaplane, gives you a sweeping look at Misty Fjords’ cliffs, waterfalls, lakes, and forested peaks, which is one of the most dramatic ways to understand the scale of southeast Alaska.
Beyond Yoga Shoppers Say These Breezy New Linen Pants Make a 'Bold Statement'
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It's spring, and I don't know about you, but my wardrobe has officially entered linen pants season. There's nothing I love more than a pair of easy, loose-fitting linen pants for looking pulled together while running errands during the day and dressing up for dinner at night. You can style them in so many different ways, and they're just comfortable without looking frumpy.
Typically, I stick with basic colors like black or navy—a hue I can pair with anything. But this year I wanted something brighter, bolder and just a little more fun. Thankfully, I didn't have to look far because Beyond Yoga is selling its seriously flattering linen pants in the most gorgeous pink colorway as a seasonal option.
SoftWash Linen Easy Wide Leg Pant, $128 at Beyond YogaBeyond Yoga
Shop It!Beyond Yoga's SoftWash Linen Easy Wide Leg Pants are the kind of piece you throw on when you want to feel put together without really trying. They've got that same easy, wide-leg fit people love, but in a soft linen that actually feels good against your skin. It's light, breathable and not at all stiff.
I will say, I own this very pair in the "pink glow" colorway, and they do run a little big, so sizing down is probably the move unless you want them extra relaxed (no shame in that). The mid-rise and slouchy shape make them easy to wear with pretty much anything, and the front pockets are always a plus.
Clearly, I'm partial to the pink colorway, but there's also navy and mocha as seasonal options. The pants come in white as well, but that's available as part of the core collection.
The SoftWash Linen Easy Wide Leg Pants are available in two lengths—regular with a 31-inch inseam and short with a 29-inch inseam. Both retail for $128.
Beyond Yoga shoppers love them so much, they're ordering them in multiple colorways.
"These are my new favorite go to pants for casual outings," writes a customer in their review. "They are light and airy yet make a bold statement of sophistication. They fit true to size, and are one of my most comfortable casual wear. I am thrilled to find quality clothes that are worth their price!"
Be right back—heading out to buy another pair.
If You Have Any of These Rare Quarters, You Could Be As Much As $143,750 Richer
Ever seen stories about people who stumble across rare coins that are worth big bucks? That could be you if you have certain quarters at home. That's because there are a series of quarters out there that are worth far more than the 25 cents you're used to. Instead, some of these coins are worth hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars.
Curious if your jar of spare change could be hiding a literal goldmine? Keep reading to find out which rare quarters are worth the most, and how to see if you have any of the jingling in your pocket.
Related: The Best Strategies To Protect Your Social Security From the IRS
1943-S Washington Quarter Doubled Die - Valued at up to $575While some coins may be rare because of how few there are of them, others are worth a lot more than face value due to the face of the coins themselves, which is the case with the 1943-S Washington quarter, according to Remitly. Some of these coins appear to have two images because of an error in the die used to mint them.
You can also see the doubling effect where it says "IN GOD WE TRUST" as well as on parts of the Liberty profile. You may need a magnifying glass to catch the misprint, but when you find one, you'd better hold onto it since the coin trading site JM Bullion says it can be worth up to $575 for some lucky folks.
1950-D/S Washington Quarter Overmintmark - Valued at up to $14,400Those misprints can really be worth a lot in some cases, as happened with the 1950-D/S Washington quarter. This error is actually a bit more noticeable, since the coins were originally minted with an S on them. However, the Denver Mint didn't realise it at the time and added a D mint mark right over top of it.
The end result was a coin that has both a D and S printed right over top of one another, which the GreySheet says has contributed to these coins going for any where between $15.47 and $14,400.
Related: How Living In These States Could Shrink Your Social Security Check
1932-S Washington Quarter - Valued at up to $28,600Trying to rustle up a few extra bucks by searching your change drawer? Well, if you find the 1932-S Washington quarter, you could be looking at more than a few extra dollars. That's because the quarter is currently listed at $28,600 on the coin valuation site Apmex.
Remitly says only 408,000 of these coins were minted, making them pretty rare. IT was also produced by the San Francisco Mint, where it was deemed one of the lowest-mintage Washington coins. That's likely because this coin was minted during the Great Depression, when demand for coins was low. Even well-worn coins from this collection can be worth upwards of $100, making it worth keeping an eye out for.
1932-D Washington Quarter - Valued at up to $143,750And finally, our big winner is the Washington quarter from 1932. There were just 436,800 of these coins made at the Denver Mint, making it a hot commodity among collectors. According to Remitly, it's one of the hardest coins to come by, which is likely why it can fetch such a pretty penny (pun intended) when you get your hands on it.
Even those in rough shape are good for a payday, according to the blog, and some well-circulated pieces have fetched $100 in the past.
Think you may have an expensive quarter in your collection? The best way to find out is to do a little research first, then reach out to a reputable coin collector in your area for more information, including how to determine exactly what your coin is worth.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
1972 Classic Named No. 1 Hit Song Became a Timeless Anthem
A song first written in the 1950s found its biggest voice in 1972, when Three Dog Night turned “Black and White” into a chart-topping hit that continues to echo across generations.
The track reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Easy Listening chart, cementing its place as one of the most memorable songs of its era and a lasting symbol of unity.
Released as part of the album Seven Separate Fools, the band’s version stood out for its upbeat sound and meaningful message. Led by vocalist Danny Hutton, the recording featured a children’s chorus that gave the song a hopeful and inclusive tone. On Sept. 16, 1972, the track officially hit the top of the U.S. pop charts, marking a major milestone in the group’s career.
Three Dog Night: Chuck Negron, Danny Hutton, Cory Wells perform on stage.Photo by Fred A. Sabine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
Though widely associated with the band, “Black and White” has roots that go much deeper.
The song was originally written in 1954 by David I. Arkin and Earl Robinson. It was inspired by the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling, which ended racial segregation in public schools in the United States.
Early versions carried a more direct reference to that moment in history. The original opening verse read:
“Their robes were black, their heads were white,
The schoolhouse doors were closed so tight,
Nine judges all set down their names,
To end the years and years of shame.”
The first recording came in 1956 by folk singer Pete Seeger, followed by other renditions from artists like Sammy Davis Jr. Over time, the song evolved, with later versions simplifying the lyrics to make the message more universal.
By the early 1970s, reggae groups such as Greyhound and The Maytones brought new attention to the track. It was Greyhound’s version that ultimately inspired Three Dog Night to create their own take.
Three Dog Night’s interpretation stripped away some of the historical specificity but kept the core message of unity.
With lines like “The ink is black, the page is white / Together we learn to read and write,” the song became easier for a wider audience to embrace.
The band’s version didn’t just perform well, it dominated. It reached No. 1 in the United States and Canada and also topped charts in New Zealand. It climbed into the Top 10 in several other countries, including Austria and the United Kingdom.
Billboard later ranked it No. 63 on its 1972 year-end chart, reflecting its strong performance in a competitive year for music.
At the time, Three Dog Night was already one of the most successful acts in rock. Formed in Los Angeles in 1967, the group, featuring Chuck Negron, Cory Wells, and Hutton, built a reputation for powerful three-part harmonies and hit songs. Between 1969 and 1975, they scored 21 Top 40 hits, including three No. 1 singles.
“Black and White” became one of their signature tracks, often highlighted in live performances even decades later.
Beyond its chart success, the song’s message has helped it endure. Its focus on equality and togetherness continues to resonate, especially as new generations discover its meaning.
Related: 1979 Classic Named No. 1 Hit Song Became an Unconditional Timeless Anthem
1949 Hit, Named One of the 'Best Country Songs Ever,' Was the 'Saddest' Song Elvis Presley Ever Heard
Elvis Presley was no stranger to singing the blues, but there's one song in particular that he found to be the "saddest" track ever written.
It was none other than Hank Williams' iconic track "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," that struck an emotional cord with the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis covered the song during his legendary Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite concert recorded in January 1973, introducing it as the "probably the saddest song" he'd ever heard, per American Songwriter.
He then performed a live version of Williams' track, using his smooth, soulful vocals to deliver an equally emotional rendition of the beloved country ballad. (The concert filmed from Honolulu was broadcast live around the world, but it didn't air in the U.S. until April 1973 due to a conflict with Super Bowl VII.)
Elvis never recorded a studio version of the song, but his cover was included on his Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite live album, which released in February 1973 and ended up hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Top LPs Chart (now known as the Billboard 200 albums list), in May 1973.
As for Williams, who recorded "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" in August 1949, he released the song that November as the B-side to the single "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It." It never reached the top of the Billboard chart, peaking at No. 4, but it would still become one of the most enduring songs from Williams' catalog.
In fact, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is ranked at No. 4 on Rolling Stone's list of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time, and in addition to Elvis, it has been covered by a number of other music superstars, including the likes of Johnny Cash, Al Green, Roy Orbison, B.J. Thomas, Dean Martinand more.
Related: 1957 Jukebox Classic Became a No. 1 Hit 69 Years Ago Today
1975 Classic Rock Anthem Became Rare Hit to Chart Across 3 Decades
On this day in 1976, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” was climbing the Billboard Hot 100 — kicking off a rare chart run that would span multiple decades.
The track, written by frontman Freddie Mercury and released on Halloween as the lead single from the band’s A Night at the Opera album, debuted on the chart at No. 81, and eventually climbed into the Top 10 — marking Queen’s first major breakthrough in the U.S.
View this post on InstagramBut the chart history was hardly over.
In 1992, “Bohemian Rhapsody” surged back onto the charts. Following the death of Mercury in November 1991 and an unforgettable scene in 1992’s Wayne’s World, the song rose all the way to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, reintroducing it to a new generation and cementing its play in pop culture.
Related: Science Says This ’70s Rock Hit Is the Catchiest Song of All Time
Then, decades later, it happened again.
In 2018, the track found fresh life following the release of the Rami Malek biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. After the film’s premiere, the song became the most-streamed track from the 20th century, surpassing 1.6 billion global streams, per Universal Music Group. Today, it has more than 3 billion streams.
Looking back on the song’s creation, Mercury once revealed just how unconventional its structure really was. Sharing the origin story of the rock song in a 1984 interview, he said, “I basically was writing three songs, and they were going to be different. I just couldn’t finish them, and I just thought, Oh, dammit, I’ll just put the three together."
Few songs ever return to the charts once — let alone across three different eras. C'mon No. 4!
Related: 1991 Generational Anthem Ranked ‘Most Iconic Song Ever’ Debuted 35 Years Ago Today
Maureen McCormick Just Recreated a ‘Brady Bunch’ Moment With Her Husband—Fans Love It
Maureen McCormick paid tribute to her Brady Bunch past as part of a fun new ad campaign. The actress, who played Marcia Brady on the beloved ABCsitcom from 1969 to 1974, teamed up with J. Press and Alex Mill for a photoshoot for their spring 2026 ad campaign. As a bonus, McCormick’s husband, Michael Cummings, was part of the J. Press x Alex Mill ad, too.
In a video posted to the Alex Mill Facebook page, McCormick, 69, and her husband were seen wearing colorful rugby shirts as The Brady Bunch theme song played. McCormick channeled the iconic opening credits to the classic TV show as she smiled and looked up and over at the other models who appeared in a box-style camera shot. There was also a nod to McCormick’s famous “The Subject Was Noses” episode of The Brady Bunch as Cummings pretended to toss a football, which luckily didn’t hit her in the face.
“When Marcia Brady is in your shoot, we knew there was only thing to do… We loved our J. Press x Alex Mill bunch. Maureen McCormick what a treat!!” the video was captioned.
McCormick also posted the video to Instagram. “We love you @jpress x @alexmillny
How fun it was for my husband and me to be in this photo shoot and hang out with the loveliest bunch of people!“
McCormick and her husband were part of the second J. Press x Alex Mill collab, which is already getting rave reviews. GQ noted that Alex Mill’s “reliably cheery menswear riffs on the exact type of wholesome Americana J. Press perfected decades ago," adding that the latest collaboration “retrofits Hyannis Port classics with exuberant spring hues.”
“The duo’s second effort picks up right where the first left off, remixing J. Press catalog classics in a kaleidoscope of sun-drenched spring hues,” the outlet shared.
View this post on InstagramFans were just as thrilled to see McCormick and her husband of 40 years in the ad.
“Omg love this so much! You guys are the cutest!💕,” one fan wrote on Instagram.
“O, Mo! This is just great! And with hubs!” another agreed.
“Not me watching this over and over and deciding a Brady Bunch watch is in order tonight!” a third fan chimed in.
Alex Mill fashion designer Somsack Sikhounmuong also wrote, “Thank you to both of you for just being the cooolest nicest couple we could’ve have asked for! and dreamed of ❤️❤️.”
RELATED: Maureen McCormick’s Husband Had No Idea She Was Famous
Marcia, Marcia, MarciaMcCormick also appeared behind the scenes as she visited the Alex Mill offices. In a video posted to Instagram, Mickey Drexler, the chairman of the New York-based clothing brand, introduced the actress by saying, “My old friend Maureen McCormick, if you remember her from The Brady Bunch. She is a huge fan of Alex Mill.”
McCormick modeled black denim overalls and declared that overalls “have never gone away.” “You can dress them up or dress them down. … I am such a fan,” she said.
“Marcia, Marcia, Marcia! A fan of Alex Mill?! Pinch us! Loved having you in the office,” the video was captioned.
4 Most Blessed Zodiac Signs This Taurus Season
Chances are you’ve heard that we’re in the midst of a rare onslaught of competitive, go-getter, impulsive Aries energy, thanks to a massive pile-up of planets in the cardinal fire sign. But on Sunday, April 19, 2026, one major celestial body is making a shift into the next sign over: The sun, which oversees confidence, self-image, and identity, will enter the fixed earth sign Taurus, symbolized by the Bull. Taurus season, which lasts until May 20, will nudge us to find opportunities to slow down, focus, engage with the world through all five senses, and luxuriate in pleasurable, creative experiences.
Ruled by Venus and associated with the Second House of Income, Values, and Self-Worth, Taurus brings a far more grounded energy than we’ve been moving through lately. As we move through the season, you’ll find that you might be able to be far more resolute about sticking to your goals, healthy habits, and tried-and-true routines — especially when it comes to spending money, acquiring material possessions, or abiding by principles you hold dear.
While every sign will come across opportunities in a specific area of their life throughout Taurus season 2026, four signs will experience an uptick in good fortune.
Which Zodiac Signs Will Be Most Blessed This Taurus Season?Read on for your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs.
TaurusAs the vitality-bolstering sun moves into your sign, you’ll feel like you can finally step into the spotlight in some way. Although it may not be something in life you regularly vie for, you’ll be heartened that your hard work — potentially on healing ongoing emotional wounds or leaving outdated, problematic patterns in the past — is paying off. On May 2, Mercury, the planet of communication and cerebral energy, will enter your sign, strengthening your ability to command center stage, speak your truth, share your most brilliant ideas, and feel truly heard. And from May 10 to 14, you can look forward to a surge of confidence, creativity, and social fun, thanks to the sun, Mercury, and Jupiter harmonizing with one another.
CancerTaurus season is generally a super-social time of year for you, because the sun moves through your eleventh house of groups and friendships, and this year, you’ll enjoy even more benefit from that transit, because lucky Jupiter, which expands everything it connects with, is in your sign and harmonizing with the sun and messenger Mercury. That said, you’ll do well to plan get-togethers and look for networking opportunities with friends, colleagues, neighbors, or fellow members of organizations you’re a part of. Especially from May 10 to 14, you could find that you’re feeling more connected, mentally stimulated, and seen by likeminded people. This is also a time that lends itself to forging promising new platonic bonds and brainstorming fulfilling team efforts.
EXPLORE: Your Zodiac Sign's 8-Year Forecast: Uranus Enters Gemini
VirgoSince mid-March, the sun has been in your eighth house of intimacy, which is a rather quiet, hibernation-fueling part of your chart, but as it shifts into Taurus, you can look forward to getting out in the world more. You could be working more closely with a trusted mentor, making thrilling long-distance travel plans, or learning about different philosophies or world views from people outside of your typical circle. This is also a season that was wired for spreading your wings, getting out of your comfort zone, soaking up knowledge, and generally striving to be more adventurous. Your ruler, messenger Mercury, lands here on May 2, and from May 10 to 14, it’ll connect with the sun, as well as Jupiter in your eleventh house of friendships, so lucky developments could come your way through your platonic bonds and any teams or groups you associate with.
MORE: 4 Zodiac Signs Stand Up For Themselves Under Mars in Aries
CapricornEvery year, Taurus season reminds you that you deserve to play, have fun, and follow your heart, because the sun moves through your fifth house of romance and self-expression. You’ll be more acutely aware of the benefit of tapping into your creativity, making space for more spontaneity, and reveling in your most lighthearted, playful relationships. When messenger Mercury is in this zone as well after May 4, you’ll feel even more self-assured opening up about your desires and sharing your artistic ideas. And you can look forward to May 10 to 14 when the sun, Mercury, and lucky, expansive Jupiter in your seventh house of partnership, all co-mingle, amplifying the potential for magical moments with loved ones and someone special.
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An Honest Review of Norwegian Luna's Entertainment, According to a Former Pro
I recently sailed on the brand new Norwegian Luna, which made its inaugural voyage in March. As someone who used to work on Norwegian Cruise Lineas a performer, getting to see its newest ships is always very exciting. Now, although I used to work on ships, I also genuinely enjoy them as a way to vacation. I go on at least three cruises per year for leisure, and am always comparing and contrasting what I like about certain cruise lines or certain ships within their fleets.
Norwegian Cruise Line has changed its entertainment quite drastically over the past five years, especially with its bigger ships coming out. It has completely scaled back on its Broadway productions onboard, no longer showing Beetlejuice, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Six, Kinky Boots, Rock of Ages, and many others that used to be circulating around the fleet.
In my personal opinion, this was a mistake for NCL to take away these full scale Broadway productions. It was a wonderful way to allow people from all over the world to get to see these shows, an experience that they may never be able to get otherwise. I especially think that a show like this would do wonderfully on the Norwegian Luna, but alas, that isn’t the case.
Related: I Got a First Look at the New Norwegian Luna–Here’s What Impressed Me Most
What Entertainment Is Actually Offered Onboard The NCL Luna? A Tribute to the Eagles onboard the Norwegian LunaNo Broadway shows aside, the NCL Luna does offer quite a variety of entertainment onboard, and I will say right off the bat that I enjoyed them all. In the main stage theatre, there are two large production shows: ELTON: A Celebration of Elton John, and HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder.
Both of these shows are performed by the production cast onboard, which is a mixture of a total of 18 singers and dancers. Also in the main theatre, the cast of Syd Norman’s Pourhouse performs two tributes: A Tribute to the Eagles and A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac Rumours.
Syd Norman’s Pourhouse also has its own location onboard, which is themed like a gastropub in a small town. You can order drinks at the bar or get drinks served directly to your table. Each night, the cast performs various themed sets.
Across the way, there is LunaTique Pop Circus, which is performed in a smaller venue by the main production cast singers. This show costs $45 per person, but it also comes with four specialty cocktails that get served during the show.
Review of ELTON: A Celebration of Elton JohnAs someone who used to perform for Norwegian Cruise Line as a singer and a dancer, my perspective on this show is a bit more nuanced. This show was conceived in house at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ Creative Studios, making it a unique production that can only be see on the Norwegian Luna.
Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said, “As a lifelong music fan, I’m especially excited to celebrate the work of Elton John, an icon whose influence spans generations, with a show that is as dynamic and unforgettable as the artist himself. With Norwegian Luna, we’re building on that tradition by delivering spectacular new productions and immersive programming designed to surprise and delight our guests.”
The cast of ELTON: A Celebration of Elton JohnWhen it comes to original shows created by NCL, I do think that ELTON is one of the best. Most of the shows onboard the ships are “revue shows” which feature popular songs following a specific theme.
With ELTON, it stays with one artist, and there is much more of a through-line when compared to your average revue show. Right off the bat, I could tell that a lot of care and thought was put into the quality of this production. The set itself is incredible, featuring 12 pianos that are situated in various ways throughout the stage. The cast uses them in innovative ways, using the pianos to amplify each dance step and add textures and layers that make it incredibly exciting.
Another big standout to me in this show is the choreography. In general, I find that choreography on cruise ships can feel like you’re at a dance recital. It lacks intention, dynamics and thrill. Many times, I felt that way as a performer on ships. With ELTON, however, that isn't the situation at all. I truly felt that each step of choreography had a purpose, and is ultimately used to tell the story of each song that is being performed. There is a mixture of contemporary ballet, hiphop, commercial-style and jazz intertwined. With such a wide range of styles, the cast handles it beautifully, with both ease and power.
My only hesitation with ELTON is that the show attempted to create characters within only some of the performers, adding lines here or there with small scene work. This felt like it wanted to be a book musical, closer to the style of a Broadway show. Since they didn’t go all the way, however, it fell flat. I think if a show wants to have a plot, with characters and scene work, then it should be done full-throttle. By just adding a bit here or there, it felt confusing and unnecessary.
Related: A Beloved Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Says Goodbye After 27 Years of Service
Review of HIKO: Innovation Meets WonderHIKO is a production that is solely performed by the dancers in the production cast. It’s an incredibly high-tech show, featuring video projection, 3D mapping, acrobats and an original score. If you are a common cruiser with Norwegian Cruise Line, you may have seen the show Elements, which is very similar to HIKO. Both are dance-centric shows that feature dramatic and exciting effects, however I must say that HIKO blows Elements out of the water.
As a dancer watching this show, it made me want to jump out of my seat and dance with them. The choreography is incredibly dynamic, and presents to the audience just how athletic, emotive, and downright talented this cast of dancers are. Some may think that 45 minutes of straight dancing with no singing or speaking would get quite boring, but that is the furthest from the truth. The show flies by, and if I didn’t have a dinner reservation the evening that I saw it, I would have gone to see it a second time.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line Just Made a Major Change to Its Loyalty Program
Review of LunaTique Pop CircusFor a show that costs $45 extra onboard, I will say that it was absolutely worth it. The show is meant for passengers who are 21 years old and older, as it includes a high level of sexual content. It features the six singers from the production cast, all of whom are dressed like overly sexualized circus performers. They perform pop songs that almost everyone watching will know, interact with the audience (don’t sit in the front of you’re shy!), and dance their hearts out.
Related: Why Norwegian Guests are Seeing a Surprise $45 Entertainment Fee
The costumes, created by Chappel Roan’s costume designers James Nguyen and A.C. Gottlieb, are intricate, gorgeous, and very risqué. They definitely help to bring the audience directly into this dramatic and sexy world that is LunaTique. A big highlight for me is the choreography by Emily Evenden.
The complex, hilarious and enticing choreography is even more impressive when it's coming from a group of singers. This cast blew me away by not only their immensely stunning vocals, but by their strong ability to dance and own the confidence in their bodies.
This is a show that I would recommend for a couple or a group of friends to go and see. I definitely don’t recommend going with your family, unless you’re used to crude sex jokes and dirty humor.
Sam's Club Is Selling a 3-Piece Scalloped Comforter Set That Belongs in a Charming Countryside Cottage
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If you want to transport your bedroom to a countryside cottage, this adorable quilt set available at Sam's Club will help you do just that. It's lightweight, beautiful and, best of all, super affordable, too.
Hallmark's Checkered Bliss 3-Piece Scalloped Quilt Set looks straight out of a charming countryside cottage. This quilt set features a cutesy checkered print in either light blue or pink, coupled with dainty scalloped edges for an elevated cottagecore look. The reverse side of the quilt features a solid pink or light blue, adding some welcome contrast to the set.
Each quilt set comes with three pieces: one quilt and two coordinating pillow shams. When it comes to dimensions, the full/queen-sized quilt measures 90 inches by 90 inches, and its accompanying pillow shams measure 20 inches by 26 inches. The king-sized quilt measures 90 inches by 104 inches, and its accompanying pillow shams measure 20 inches by 36 inches.
Hallmark Checkered Bliss 3-Piece Scalloped Quilt Set, Full/Queen, $59.99 at Sam's ClubSam's Club
Shop It!Constructed from 100 percent microfiber, this quilt set is lightweight and cozy. It's easy to care for, too. All you need to do is machine wash on cold and then tumble dry on low to keep it looking its best.
While this quilt set is beautiful on its own, it's also perfect to style with accent pillows and cozy throw blankets. Incorporating these details will only enhance its countryside-cottage vibe.
Related: Aldi's 3-Piece Floral Quilt Set Is an Elegant Springtime Bedroom Upgrade
Customers adore this quilt set, giving it an average rating of 4.8 stars on SamsClub.com.
"Perfect for every day," wrote one fan in a five-star review on Sam's Club's website. "It's really pretty and soft. The plaid pattern looks clean, refresh and cozy. And the fabric feels lightweight but still warm enough. Great quality for the price."
"Perfect for summer! This gingham quilt set is the perfect spring summer pattern for my bedroom. Light enough that I won't get overheated in the coming hotter months. Super well made and great value!" said another fan in a five-star review on SamsClub.com.
You can find this cute quilt set on SamsClub.com. The full/queen-sized set retails for $59.99. The king-sized set retails for $69.99.
Related: Sam's Club Shoppers Say This 'Sturdy' Organization Item Is So Great, They're Buying Double
Beloved ‘Bewitched’ Star Disappeared From Show 58 Years Ago Today—Here’s Why
In 1968, Aunt Clara cast her final spell on Bewitched. The beloved character, played by Marion Lorne, appeared in what would be her final episode, “Samantha’s Secret Saucer,” which originally aired on April 18, 1968, on ABC.
In the episode, the clumsy and forgetful Aunt Clara accidentally turns little Tabitha's (Erin Murphy) toy flying saucer into a real one—complete with aliens. Said aliens Orvis (Steve Franken) and Alpha (Hamilton Camp) cause enough chaos in the Stephens family's backyard that nosy neighbor Gladys Kravitz (Sandra Gould) calls the Air Force to investigate what’s going on over at the house across the street.
“Samantha’s Secret Saucer” was the last Bewitched episode to feature Lorne, who died at age 82 on May 9, 1968, weeks after the episode aired.
She had appeared in 28 episodes of the classic TV sitcom, starting with the Season 1 episode “The Witches Are Out.” The Aunt Clara character was never mentioned on the show again after “Samantha’s Secret Saucer.” Instead, timid witch-maid Esmerelda (Alice Ghosley) was brought in as the new clumsy character on the series.
In 1968, Lorne won a posthumous Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy series for her role as Aunt Clara.
Marion Lorne was an accomplished actressWhile TV fans best remember Lorne from Bewitched, she previously co-starred on Mr. Peepers and The Garry Moore Show. She also had a small role in the 1967 big-screen film The Graduate. According to her New York Timesobituary, she had filmed her final Bewitched episode just six weeks before her death.
Lorne once said, "People come up to me now and call me Aunt Clara. ...Oh dear, I suppose it really is a compliment, though."
RELATED: Erin Murphy Poses Like Her ‘Bewitched’ Mom and the Resemblance Is Wild
Erin Murphy recalled working with Marion LorneLorne’s co-stars loved working with her on Bewitched. Speaking with Remind magazine in October 2025, former child star Murphy said she vividly recalled working with Lorne when she was a toddler on the episode "A Gazebo Never Forgets."
“The first [memory] that I’m absolutely positive of — because people think a lot of my memories are from watching the show, like ‘You saw that and that’s how you remember.’ My first memories that I’m 100% sure of are from the episode with the pink polka-dotted elephant with Aunt Clara,” Murphy shared. “I remember it because I have memories of meeting the elephant and playing with the elephant outside of the stage that were not filmed.”
Series star Elizabeth Montgomery and her husband, producer William Asher, also “loved” working with Lorne. Pop culture historian Geoffrey Mark told Woman’s World, “[They] loved that she could do broad comedy and pathos with the same enthusiasm and skill.”
Other 'Bewitched' characters were replaced with new actorsMany Bewitched fans were upset that Aunt Clara didn’t get a proper farewell—or at least a mention—after Lorne’s death.
Bewitched historian Adam-Michael James told Cinephiled, “I was always frustrated by the show never addressing what had happened to Aunt Clara. She was an important character who suddenly disappeared, obviously because actress Marion Lorne had died. I thought it was weird that the show never mentioned her again and just brought in Esmerelda to take over her babysitting duties. I’m sure they had their reasons for not addressing it — I mean, they couldn’t really say that Aunt Clara had died. … especially a show about witches who were supposed to live for thousands of years!”
While there was only one Aunt Clara, several other Bewitched characters were replaced over the show's eight-season run due to the original stars' illnesses or death. The original Darrin, Dick York, was replaced by Dick Sargent in Season 6 when York quit the show due to health issues. The first Mrs. Kravitz, Alice Pearce, was replaced by Sandra Gould when Pearce died in 1966. And Louise Tate was originally played by Irene Vernon before being replaced by Kasey Rogers in 1966 for the remainder of the series.
Justin Bieber’s Coachella Set Was More Strategic Than Fans Realized, Expert Says
Justin Bieber’sCoachella performance may have divided fans online, but one expert believes the real story has less to do with the set itself and more to do with what it represented.
After Bieber, 32, headlined Weekend 1 of the festival on Saturday, April 11, social media quickly filled with mixed reactions. Some fans praised the intimate, stripped-back approach, while others expected a bigger spectacle from the singer’s highly anticipated return to the desert stage, with some calling it lazy.
But according to Colm Phelan, Brand Manager and PR Expert at Casinos.com, everything about the performance was deliberate.
“What Justin Bieber's team did almost certainly deliberately, was resist every instinct that modern PR tells you to follow. No redemption interview. No tearful magazine cover. No carefully timed podcast appearance where he opens about his struggles. Just time, selective silence, and eventually music,” Phelan revealed to Parade.
Bieber has kept a relatively low profile in recent years, stepping back from constant visibility. Rather than narrating his return through promotional media appearances, he largely let anticipation build on its own.
“That restraint is the hardest thing to sell to a client who's panicking, because every day you stay quiet feels like a day you're losing ground. But Bieber's comeback proves the opposite,” Phelan added.
READ MORE: Did Justin Bieber Sandbag Coachella on Purpose? Here’s What the Experts Are Saying
And that strategy may also be paying off financially. According to new data from TickPick, a three-day Weekend 2 Coachella pass cost $639 before this year’s festival. Following Bieber’s performance, that same pass jumped to $2,138. That’s over a 200 percent increase.
TickPick also noted this year’s Coachella is the most expensive on record, with an average purchase price of $1,160, up 57.6 percent from last year’s $736.
Phelan argued the performance itself was simply the visible end result of a much longer rebuild: “The Coachella headline booking isn't the comeback - it's just the moment the comeback became visible. The real work happened in silence that nobody wrote about. That's the masterclass.”
Love it or hate it, the frenzy around Bieber suggests people are paying attention again. We’ll just have to see what he pulls off for his Weekend 2 performance on April 19.
Amazon’s $24 Drawer Organizer Bins 44-Piece Set Can 'Effortlessly Declutter' Your Bathroom, Bedroom, or Kitchen
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In the midst of your spring cleaning, you may have overlooked your drawers since they’re out of sight. However, it’s essential to keep them streamlined so you can easily find everything you need inside. If your drawers are filled to the brim, organizing bins can help you tame the clutter and keep everything sorted. This Vtopmart 44-piece Drawer Organizer Bins Set is a fantastic option, and you can currently score it on sale at Amazon for less than $25 for a limited time.
Normally retailing for $32, the clear bins set is now marked down to just $24. That means you’re getting each piece for about 55 cents! For just a dollar more, you can also snag it in pink or white. Those colors are on sale for $25, which is still a deal worth running for.
Vtopmart 44-piece Drawer Organizer Bins Set, From $24 (was $32) at Amazon Shop at AmazonWith a whopping 44 pieces, this drawer bin set will help you organize every room in your home. It comes with six extra-large bins, 10 large bins, 14 medium bins, and 14 small bins.
The different bin sizes allow you to configure the layout so you can maximize your drawer space. For size reference, the extra-large bins measure 9 inches wide and 6 inches long, and the small ones measure 3 inches wide and long. Each bin is 2.2 inches tall. They’re shallow enough to fit in most drawers, yet provide enough height to prevent items from toppling over the sides.
From large tools to tiny bits and baubles, these incredibly versatile bins can organize virtually anything that’ll fit in them. They’ll give all your items a designated space so you can find everything with ease instead of rummaging through cluttered piles. You can use them to streamline your kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom, and anywhere else in your home with drawers that could use a bit of decluttering.
It’s no surprise that this set has racked up over 2,200 five-star ratings. The organizing possibilities are endless. Shoppers said that they use these bins for office supplies, beauty products, crafts, and utensils, to name a few. If you want to see how they transformed their drawers, check out these satisfying images that they shared!
Vtopmart 44-piece Drawer Organizer Bins Set, From $24 (was $32) at Amazon Shop at Amazon“These are a game changer for tidying up any space,” one reviewer said. “They effortlessly declutter my bathroom vanity, junk drawers, and office drawers.” Another shopper raved that these drawer bins “keep everything neatly separated, which really minimizes the clutter.” They added that "it's a small investment for a much more organized and stress-free space.”
Made of plastic, these bins are lightweight yet durable, and many shoppers were impressed by their sturdiness. This set comes with a pack of 200 silicone feet that you can stick onto the underside of the bins. The feet prevent them from sliding around and bumping into each other whenever you open and close your drawers.
Sleek and simple, these bins are also great for decluttering countertops without looking out of place. They have a tapered silhouette that subtly narrows at the bottom, designed so you can nest them on top of each other when they’re not in use to save space.
Shop More Deals- Samstar Mesh Desk File Organizer, From $20 (was $29) at Amazon
- Lamicall 8-Pack of Cord Organizers, $9 (was $13) at Amazon
- C&Ahome 16-Cube Storage Organizer, From $36 (was $55) at Amazon
Ready to streamline the hidden parts of your home? If so, don’t hesitate to head to Amazon and snag the Vtopmart 44-piece Drawer Organizer Bins Set while it’s on sale for as low as $24! Be sure to hurry, because it’ll only be available at this amazing price for a limited time!
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.
Disney Is Bringing Pixie Dust to the Carolinas and We Finally Have a First Look at the New Asteria Neighborhood
If you've ever caught yourself wishing you could just move into the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s latest residential update might be the closest you ever get to living the dream.
The creative minds at Imagineering just pulled back the corner on the social heart of Asteria, their upcoming community in Chatham County, North Carolina, and it looks like they are leaning heavily into the whimsical spirit of Never Land. This 1,500-acre development east of Pittsboro is officially gaining momentum following its June 2025 groundbreaking, with home sales now firmly on track to begin in the fall of 2027.
The new Second Star Club is designed to be a sprawling campus where the charm of a classic 1953 animated feature meets the lush, green backdrop of the Carolinas, creating a neighborhood vibe that feels more like a retreat than a standard subdivision. At the center of it all is a massive lawn called Aster Green, which essentially serves as a backyard for the entire 4,000-residence community, and one that's perfect for hanging out, taking in an outdoor yoga session or catching a movie night under the stars.
Related: How I Pack For a 7-Day Disney World Trip With A Single Carry-On
For those who want to get a little more hands-on, the campus includes Marquet Hall, a two-story restaurant and social hub, as well as a dedicated space called The Studios, packed with high-tech gear like fabric printers and laser engravers. It is a sweet nod to local traditions like quilting and woodworking, giving residents a way to blend modern tech with old-school craftsmanship.
While Asteria is still taking shape in the dirt of North Carolina, the "Storyliving" concept has already been road-tested at Cotino. That first Disney community in Rancho Mirage, California, has been up and operating for over a year now, with model homes currently on display and prices ranging anywhere from $1 million to $4 million. Asteria aims for a slightly different reach, planning a diverse mix of single-family homes, condos and apartments, including sections specifically reserved for adults aged 55 and older.
Related: Disney Just Dropped a $99-Per-Night Summer Hotel Deal That’s Too Good to Miss
Of course, it wouldn't be a Disney project without a bit of storybook magic, and the Lost Key Cottage is the clear standout of the announcement. Taking a cue from the Parr House at Cotino, this five-bedroom rental home is themed entirely around the world of Peter Pan.
It's designed specifically for members to host everything from milestone birthday parties to family sleepovers, offering a chance to "live" in a Disney-designed environment without having to commit to the mortgage.
Between the adult-only pools, pickleball courts and a wellness center that looks more like a high-end spa, it seems like Disney is betting big on the idea that we all want a little more pixie dust in our daily routines.
Related: You Can Now Permanently Live in Disney’s First Imagineer-Designed Town Outside Orlando
1976 Top 10 Soft Rock Ballad Became a Breakup Survival Anthem
In 1976, Burton Cummings had his first solo hit after leaving the Guess Who, the legendary rock band he fronted starting in 1965. The singer-songwriter hit No. 10 in the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1976 with his solo song “Stand Tall.” The soft rock single also peaked at No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart, landing just under the Captain and Tennille's "Muskrat Love."
“'Stand Tall' was huge,” Cummings once said in an interview posted by Uncut Music Interviews. “Because it was a ballad, it got played on so many stations across the board, you know. It got played on the hard rock stations as it climbed the charts, but it got played on all the easy listening stations, all the kind of softer stations. It did extremely well in Australia, it got played all over Europe. It was a monster in Canada. I mean, you can't even imagine how huge that was in Canada for me.”
“’Stand Tall,’ really for being the first single with Burton Cummings as the artist on it, it certainly took away some of the fears, you know, of being solo,” he added.
Cummings wrote ‘Stand Tall’ after a breakupMore than a traditional breakup ballad, “Stand Tall” was a survival anthem for Cummings, who penned every word from the heart.
According to Vegas Rocks, Cummings once shared that shortly after his departure from the Guess Who in 1975, his longtime girlfriend left him for a lawyer. He wrote “Stand Tall” alone at his piano.
In 2023, Cummings elaborated in a lengthy Facebook post. “I have a very clear picture of writing ‘Stand Tall’ in my big house in Winnipeg,” he wrote. “I was genuinely emotionally broken when the song came rolling out of me. Years earlier, when [Guess Who bandmate] Randy Bachman and I had written ‘These Eyes’ and ‘Laughing,’ I had been too young to know about emotional matter of this intensity. But 'Stand Tall' was for real. I felt it when I wrote it.”
RELATED: 1974 No. 1 Hit Named Among the ‘Saddest Songs of All Time’ Became Heartbreakingly True
Cummings noted that he wrote "Stand Tall" while sitting in the dark at his piano, “alone in a house with far too many rooms for one person.”
“I was spilling my guts onto the keys,” he shared. “I had never really wanted hit ballads… but ‘Stand Tall’ seemed so real to people, I suppose its honesty came through. No matter what anyone thinks of the song, it is real. Not one syllable of it is phony.”
Cummings also recalled that when he performed the song on Dinah Shore’s daytime talk show in the 1970s, fellow guest Ray Charles told him “he could hear the pain in it.”
Though he’d been in the music business for years, his solo status felt different. “’Stand Tall’ was the first record ever that had the name Burton Cummings on it as the artist,” he shared. "I was the new kid in town, innocently blown away by all of it."
In an interview with Glide magazine, Cummings said performing the solo song along with his Guess Who classics still excited him years later. “I still love being onstage and watching the reaction,” he said. “People cry, and they react emotionally when I sing ‘These Eyes’ or ‘American Woman’ or ‘Stand Tall,’ some of the big records that really got through to them. I still love being able to invoke that reaction with people.”
If You Wore These 11 'Iconic' Perfumes in the '80s, You Have Great Taste
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It's always interesting to see how our taste in hair, makeup and nails can change from one decade to the next, so we love taking a walk down memory lane and finding a fun beauty blast from the past, like '80s perfumes.
Fragrance trends evolve over time, so whenever we come across a vintage fragrance, we enjoy the opportunity to get a glimpse into the perfume preferences of that period in time.
The '80s, in particular, saw the creation of many classic perfumes that fragrance lovers still adore today. To find out which ones were considered "totally tubular," Parade checked in with a few fragrance experts and asked them to share their picks for the most iconic perfumes from the 1980s.
Dimitri Weber, the founder and CEO of perfume house Goldfield & Banks, describes the decade as "years of creative freedom and extreme opulent luxury" and says "boldness, power and seduction were the core of each perfume."
Interparfums, Inc. VP of Product Development Walter Johnsen says '80s fragrances were "designed to be noticed and remembered."
"Fragrances were intentionally made in that era. The 1980s stand out because fragrances were deliberately bold, distinctive and built to last," he tells Parade.
Ready to revisit some of the hottest scents of the '80s? Here are a few of the fragrances that experts still can't stop thinking about.
Related: 11 Perfumes Women Over 50 Get the Most Compliments On, According to Fragrance Experts
Top Iconic Perfumes From the ’80s- Most Iconic ’80s Designer Perfume: Dior Poison Eau de Toilette
- Best Classic Floral Perfume from the ’80s: Estée Lauder Beautiful Eau De Parfum Spray
- Best Nostalgic Mall-Era Perfume:Giorgio Beverly Hills Giorgio Eau de Toilette
- Best ’80s Fragrance Bottle Design: Paloma Picasso Eau de Toilette
- Best Cult-Favorite ’80s Scent:Guerlain Samsara Eau de Parfum
- Best Underrated ’80s Perfume: Liz Claiborne Eau de Toilette
- Best ’80s Perfume That Still Smells Modern: Calvin Klein Obsession Eau de Parfum
- Best 80s Perfume for Date Night:Yves Saint Laurent Opium Eau de Toilette
- Best for Everyday Wear:Cacharel Anais Anais L'original Eau de Toilette
- Best Classic French Perfume from the ’80s: Yves Saint Laurent Paris Eau de Parfum
- Best ’80s Fragrance Making a Comeback:Elizabeth Arden Red Door Eau de Parfum
Vince Spinnato, aka The Couture Chemist, is an award-winning cosmetic chemist and luxury product formulator. He tells Parade that '80s perfumes were unforgettable because they "mirrored the era’s ethos of excess, power and unapologetic glamour."
"Characterized by big scents, these fragrances, such as Dior Poison and Giorgio Beverly Hills, were designed to command attention, often acting as a signature statement or an extension of bold fashion trends like shoulder pads and big hair," Spinnato explains.
The perfume pros we polled say fragrances from the '80s were so memorable for the following reasons:
Powerhouse formulas"Many ’80s fragrances used high concentrations of florals, spices and orientals (tuberose, amber, musk, patchouli), giving them enormous projection and longevity. They're often described as 'powerhouse perfumes,'" Sue Phillips, the author of The Power of Perfume and the founder of Scenterprises Inc., says.
Signature scents"People tended to wear one fragrance consistently rather than rotating. So when you smell a fragrance from the '80s, it often triggers strong personal memories because it was tied to a specific person or place in time," Johnsen says.
Innovative marketing and storytelling"Perfumes like Poison and Obsession were supported by provocative campaigns and memorable bottles, making them cultural icons," Phillips, who has developed and launched fragrances for many brands, explains.
Cultural excess of the era"The 1980s were all about bold fashion, big hair and maximalism, and fragrances followed suit. Perfumes, especially those popular scents launched by fashion houses and style icons, matched that glamorous, attention-grabbing aesthetic," Johnsen says.
Related: 7 Best Luxury Perfume Dupes From Bath & Body Works, According to a Fragrance Expert
What Made 1980s Fragrances Different From Today’s ScentsFragrances from each decade are distinctive in their own unique way. For the '80s, Johnsen says the biggest difference between fragrances then and now is how bold they are.
"Boldness was the default, whereas today, the market is much more split. Back then, most fragrances were designed to be powerful, complex and long-lasting," he says.
Related: These 7 Perfumes Actually Last All Day Long, Fragrance Expert Reveals
On this note, Weber says perfumes in the '80s had "very powerful essences."
"Olfactive families like oriental and Chypre perfumes were in fashion. The bolder the better," he shares.
Spinnato agrees, saying '80s fragrances were different from "today's trend towards lighter, subtle and often unisex fragrances."
"They were defined by massive floral, woody or spicy accords (oakmoss, patchouli) and relied on synthetic musk and strong animalic fixatives for extreme longevity and projection, rather than the cleaner, fruitier and transparent blends favored in modern, minimalist scents," he tells Parade.
Related: A Perfumer Says This Is the Best Place To Apply Fragrance
Why Vintage ’80s Perfumes Are Trending AgainSpinnato says vintage '80s perfumes are trending once again for a mix of reasons, including "nostalgia, the search for unique power scents that contrast with modern minimalism and the influence of pop culture."
"Younger generations are embracing the bold, opulent and long-lasting nature of these scents—characterized by heavy florals, spices and musk—to curate a distinctive, authentic aesthetic," he says.
Johnsen says there's also "fatigue with how similar modern fragrances can feel."
"The market is really saturated, and a lot of releases follow the same trends—sweet gourmands, ambers, clean musk—so people are starting to look backward for something more distinctive and authentic," he explains.
Related: 7 Best Luxury Perfume Dupes at Zara, According to a Fragrance Expert
What Makes a Perfume 'Iconic'?It's hard to define exactly what makes a perfume iconic, but the pros we consulted shared a few pieces of criteria to help.
"An iconic perfume is a movement, a change in habits and trends. The right scent at the right time makes a perfume iconic. Today, a cult fragrance is built by social media and a word of mouth approach," Weber says.
According to Spinnato, an iconic perfume is "defined by timelessness, innovation and instant recognizability, transcending trends to become a cultural staple."
"These scents are characterized by unique, complex compositions—often utilizing pioneering ingredients—lasting longevity and strong emotional resonance. Iconic perfumes frequently feature distinctive, artistic bottle designs and hold immense historical significance," he says.
Related: How To Make Perfume Smell Subtle—Not Overpowering—After 50, Expert Reveals
How To Wear Classic ’80s Perfumes TodayJust because a fragrance was made in the '80s doesn't mean it can't still be relevant today. Here are a few tips for making classic '80s perfumes work in 2026:
Have funFragrances from the '80s might be pretty bold, but Johnsen says it's important to enjoy the act of experimenting with different scents.
"Wear them with confidence and enjoy the experience. Celebrate the connection or that moment in time that your heart and mind connects too," he recommends.
Try them at nightWeber suggests "playing with 80’s perfumes at nighttime and on certain occasions," like an '80s-themed party.
"It’s fun to match a perfume to a certain outfit from the '80s," he says.
Apply them sparinglySpinnato says one or two sprays of an '80s perfume will suffice.
"Or, mist the air and walk through it to create a subtle aura rather than a cloud. Focus on pulse points, moisturize skin first and consider applying to clothing for a lighter, longer-lasting scent trail perfect for evening," he says.
11 Best ’80s Perfumes, According to Fragrance Experts1. Most Iconic ’80s Designer Perfume: Dior Poison Eau de Toilette, $150Macy's
Shop It at Macy'sAfter debuting his first collection in the 1940s, Christian Dior solidified his role as an icon in the decades that followed. Phillips says the brand's Poison Eau de Toilette, which launched in 1985, is "provocative and mysterious."
"It's a charismatic and unforgettable fragrance,” she says. The perfume pro is a fan of the "intoxicating blend of tuberose, spices and amber. Spinnato also adores the scent, saying it's "daring" and "darkly seductive."
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2. Best Classic Floral Perfume from the ’80s: Estée Lauder Beautiful Eau De Parfum Spray, $125Macy's
Shop It at Macy'sPhillips says Estée Lauder Beautiful is often called “a thousand flowers in a bottle.” The perfume has a blend of rose, lily, tuberose and orange flower. "Beautiful epitomized the lush floral bouquets popular in the decade," she tells Parade.
Spinnato is also a fan of the "refined, floral and professional scent," saying it "works perfectly for the office."
3. Best Nostalgic Mall-Era Perfume: Giorgio Beverly Hills Giorgio Eau de Toilette, $46CVS
Shop It at CVSPhillips says Giorgio Beverly Hills Giorgio Eau de Toilette was known for "its huge white-floral bouquet and unforgettable sillage" and dominated department store fragrance counters across the country.
Design house Giorgio Beverly Hills launched the fragrance in 1982. It features a blend of mandarin, jasmine, floral bergamot, rose, musk, sandalwood, moss, amber and more scents.
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4. Best ’80s Fragrance Bottle Design: Paloma Picasso Eau de Toilette, $90Nordstrom Rack
Shop It at Nordstrom RackPhillips describes Paloma Picasso Eau de Parfum as "minimalist yet dramatic" and "very much an art piece on the vanity."
"The sculptural black bottle reflected Picasso’s jewelry design aesthetic," she says.
The feminine fragrance combines floral and woody scents and includes notes of bergamot, lemon, neroli, lily of the valley, hyacinth, jasmine, oakmoss, musk, sandalwood and more.
5. Best Cult-Favorite ’80s Scent: Guerlain Samsara Eau de Parfum, $160Guerlain
Shop It at GuerlainPhillips says Guerlain's Samsara Eau de Parfum was famous for "its luxurious use of Mysore sandalwood and jasmine."
The brand describes Samsara as "an elixir of seduction for a woman who has found harmony and balance."
"It's a beloved masterpiece among fragrance collectors," she explains.
6. Best Underrated ’80s Perfume: Liz Claiborne Eau de Toilette, $17Fragrance.net
Shop It at Fragrance.Net"Famously worn by 80s girls, this was considered the 'rich girl' perfume of the era,
known for its distinct, high-fashion branding," Spinnato says.
The fragrance, which dates back to 1986, has notes of bergamot, mandarin orange, peach, lily, carnation, ylang ylang, violet, tuberose, musk, oak moss, amber, sandalwood and other scents.
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7. Best ’80s Perfume That Still Smells Modern: Calvin Klein Obsession Eau de Parfum, $64Ulta
Shop It at Ulta"The best '80s perfumes that still smell modern in 2026 are bold, complex scents that
lean into current trends for unisex, woody and spiced profiles," Spinnato says.
The perfume pro is fond of Calvin Klein Obsession Eau de Parfum, which the brand describes as "an intoxicating blend of florals and spices with an earthy warm base." It includes notes of bergamot, vanilla, mandarin, jasmine, orange blossom, musk, amber and more.
8. Best '80s Perfume for Date Night: Yves Saint Laurent Opium Eau de Toilette, $113Yves Saint Laurent
Shop It at Yves Saint LaurentPhillips says this next perfume was "absolutely perfect for date night" since it was "hot, sexy and smoldering."
Yves Saint Laurent describes its Opium Eau de Toilette as "opulent" and "decadent." It features notes of mandarin, bergamot, myrrh, jasmine, amber and carnation.
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9. Best for Everyday Wear: Cacharel Anais Anais L'original Eau de Toilette, $60Nordstrom Rack
Shop It at Nordstrom RackPhillips says this fragrance is like a "delicate bouquet of lily of the valley and florals."
"It's soft, romantic, wearable and perfect for daily use," she explains.
Cacharel Anais Anais L'original Eau de Toilette has top notes of hyacinth, lemon, orange blossom, bergamot, lavender, iris, rose, cedar, amber, sandalwood, leather, musk and more.
10. Best Classic French Perfume from the ’80s: Yves Saint Laurent Paris Eau de Parfum, $75Yves Saint Laurent
Shop It at Fragrance.NetSpinnato describes this French perfume, which dates back to 1983, as a "luxurious, violet-heavy rose scent."
"It was designed as a tribute to the city, capturing the chic side of the '80s," he says.
Phillips is also fond of the scent, which she describes as "elegant, feminine and unmistakably French."
11. Best ’80s Fragrance Making a Comeback: Elizabeth Arden Red Door Eau de Parfum, $75Macy's
Shop It at Macy'sPhillips describes Elizabeth Arden Red Door Eau de Parfum as a "bold floral-amber fragrance symbolizing glamour and sophistication."
The fragrance features notes of lily of the valley, freesia, jasmine, honey, sandalwood, wild violets, oakmoss and other floral-inspired scents.
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Sources:- Walter Johnsen is the vice president of product development of Interparfums, Inc.
- Sue Phillips is the author of The Power of Perfume, the founder of Scenterprises Inc. and a fragrance expert who has developed and launched fragrances for many brands.
- Vince Spinnato, aka The Couture Chemist, is an award-winning cosmetic chemist and luxury product formulator.
- Dimitri Weber is the founder and CEO of perfume house Goldfield & Banks.
Disney World Just Dropped the Opening Date for the Muppets Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Your Summer Plans Are Officially Set
The legendary indoor coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is officially trading its classic rock roots for a heavy dose of felt and fur.
After months of silence behind construction walls, the high-speed attraction is set to return to the streets of Tinsel Town on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. This reimagined experience, now titled Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, marks a colorful new chapter for the ride that has anchored the park’s Sunset Boulevard since 1999.
The updated storyline brings guests into the heart of G-Force Records, where Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem are frantically rehearsing their hit "Can You Picture That?" Realizing they are running late for a major performance across town, the band recruits riders to join them in a frantic, high-velocity limousine dash.
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View this post on InstagramThis journey through Hollywood now features iconic landmarks that have been given a distinct Muppet-inspired makeover, ensuring the humor is as fast-paced as the launch itself.
To keep the experience fresh for repeat visitors, the attraction features a randomized soundtrack of high-energy covers performed by the Electric Mayhem. Riders might blast through the loop to "Song 2" or catch a unique rendition of "Born To Be Wild" featuring the vocal talents of Camilla the Chicken.
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The setlist is further elevated by an impressive roster of guest collaborators, including Jennifer Hudson and Questlove on "Love Rollercoaster," Def Leppard joining in for "Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)," and Kelly Clarksonlending her voice to "Walking on Sunshine." Disney has even hinted that a few secret bonus tracks may be hidden within the rotation.
The aesthetic shift is visible long before guests board their "limos," as the massive guitar at the entrance and the signature upside-down car have been repainted with vibrant, psychedelic patterns.
This transformation also serves as a new permanent home for the Muppets within the park, filling the void left by the closure of the Muppets Courtyard to make way for the upcoming Monsters, Inc. land. Along with the new music, fans should keep a sharp lookout for a dizzying array of celebrity cameos throughout the queue and gift shop, featuring everyone from "Weird Al" Yankovic and Travis Barker to Danny Trejo and Yvette Nicole Brown. It is a bold, groovy update that proves the Muppets are ready to take Hollywood by storm once again.
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1968 Hit Ranked Among 'Best Road-Trip Songs' of All Time
A 1968 rock track that never cracked the Top 40 has still managed to earn a lasting reputation as one of the greatest road trip songs ever recorded.
Decades after its release, the song was ranked No. 2 on Rolling Stone’s list of the best road trip tracks of all time, a testament to its enduring, high-octane appeal.
The song is "Crosstown Traffic" by Jimi Hendrix.
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Originally released as a single from the Electric Ladyland album, the track reached No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 37 on the UK Singles Chart. While those numbers might seem modest, the song’s legacy has only grown over time.
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Critics immediately recognized its punch. Billboard described the single as a "pulsating swinger" that is a "mover from start to finish" and "will make a powerful chart dent."
That energy is baked into every second of the recording. Built around a gritty, hard-driving riff, the track blends blues, rock, and psychedelic elements into something that feels constantly in motion. It’s the sound of momentum itself, like tires humming on asphalt with no intention of slowing down.
The recording also stands out within Electric Ladyland for featuring the core trio of the Jimi Hendrix Experience fully locked in. Noel Redding handles bass, Mitch Mitchell drives the rhythm on drums, and Hendrix layers vocals, guitar, and even a makeshift kazoo created with a comb and tissue paper. The result is tight, playful, and slightly chaotic in the best way.
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That chemistry is part of what gives "Crosstown Traffic" its lasting appeal. It feels less like a polished studio creation and more like a band barreling forward together, chasing the next beat. That restless energy is part of why the song continues to connect with listeners decades later. It captures a feeling that’s bigger than its chart performance ever suggested, blending urgency with a sense of freedom that feels tailor-made for long drives and open roads.
Hendrix was also pushing boundaries in the studio, experimenting with sound in ways that helped redefine what a rock song could be.
More than half a century later, the song still delivers that same rush. It doesn’t just evoke the idea of a road trip. It sounds like one in progress, windows down, speed climbing, destination optional.
Related: 1967 Hit Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time’ Captured a Quiet Love Story
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Quote of the Day: Historian Howard Zinn on Hope in Hard Times
If you took APUSH (AP U.S. History) in high school, then you’re probably very aware of Howard Zinn and his work. If not, he was an American historian, as well as a political scientist and World War II vet. He went on to author over 20 books and became an activist later in his life. As his website states, his work took a closer look at race, class, war and history as a whole with a more progressive lens. But even if you have differing ideologies from Zinn’s, everyone can take something away from our quote of the day, in which he talks about having hope and not falling into despair (which can be oh so easy).
Born on Aug. 24, 1922, to working-class immigrants in Brooklyn, NY, Zinn joined the Air Force during WWII at 18 years old, flying bombing missions during the war. This, of course, massively impacted his views on war, creating his strong opposition to it. He finished college at Columbia University with a PhD in history and taught at Spelman College from 1956 to 1963. He got involved in the Civil Rights Movement during this time and was fired for supporting student protesters, per his site.
He once described himself as “something of an anarchist, something of a socialist,” landing on, “maybe a democratic socialist.” Those views come through in his books and writings, and his work is still highly regarded and taught widely. His most well-known book is A People’s History of the United States, published in 1980. In it, he gives an engaging and new perspective on American history, touching on things that you don’t really learn in school about the darker side to our country’s lineage and foundation.
Zinn died on Jan. 27, 2010, at the age of 87, having lived a long life of educating others, writing tons of books and essays, and speaking out about the things he believed in. That’s why today’s quote focuses on the short but profound belief he had about hope.
Related: Quote of the Day: Eleanor Roosevelt on Working Toward Peace
Quote of the Day by Howard ZinnCanvaPro/Parade
“I have no right to despair. I insist on hope.”
This quote comes from Zinn’s memoir titled You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times. It came out in 1994, and in it, he wrote about his life, activism, time teaching and more.
In the chapter titled “The Question Period in Kalamazoo,” he shared some reflections he had after a speaking engagement he did in Kalamazoo, MI, in 1992. During the audience Q&A portion, someone asked him, “Given the depressing news of what is happening in the world, you seem surprisingly optimistic. What gives you hope?”
We’ll dig into, ultimately, how he came to this conclusion below, but at the end of this chapter, he wrote, “I have no right to despair. I insist on hope.” He then said, “It is a feeling, yes. But it is not irrational.” Even if it seems hard when the world feels so dark.
Related: Quote of the Day: Robert Frost on Resilience and Life Lessons
Deeper Meaning of Howard Zinn’s Quote—Hope in Hard TimesThis quote feels especially relevant today, in the midst of the constant 24/7 news cycle. It states that in a world where things are going so wrong, you “have no right to despair” and even if you feel sucked into the anguish, you must “insist on hope.”
Now, the “no right to despair” line is specifically about Zinn himself and how he saw his plight in the world. Of course, in your own life, you might very well have a reason to feel depressed, hopeless and sorrowful, and no one would question it if you did. But maybe what you can take away from this quote at face value is to “insist on hope,” and not fall into a doom spiral. Even at your lowest, when it feels like you’re barely treading above water, you can see hope in the smallest things and claim that for yourself. In any simple or small way you can.
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In the context of this book and why Zinn wrote this quote to begin with, the whole chapter consists of his ruminations on the question he was asked. He shared that, while he had a lot of thoughts about it—as you’ll see—he did sort of stumble on how to answer. He wrote that a “willingness” to be hopeful isn’t “based on certainties,” but instead “on those possibilities glimpsed in a reading of history different from the customary painful recounting of human cruelties.”
This does not mean he was oblivious or impervious to the horrors of our world—from the poor to the hungry, to children dying from bombings and violence throughout the country and the human race. However, individuals throughout history have often made the first moves to generate change and positive dreams, while fighting hopelessness.
“This is not a fantasy. This is how change has occurred again and again in the past, even the very recent past,” Zinn wrote. “We are so overwhelmed by the present, the flood of pictures and stories pouring in on us every day, drowning out this history, that it is no wonder if we lose hope.”
He recognized his privilege and that he was lucky, focusing on not just how lucky he was to get an education and move up from his childhood, but also how fortunate he was to survive the war, when his friends didn’t.
So with that perspective in mind, he saw his life as a gift (though not in a martyrdom way, he wrote, and which he thought was undeserved) and believed he owed it to those he lost in WWII, and those who need hope themselves, to spread it. Therefore, he wrote a book—A People’s History of the United States—to give people reasons to go on, to not surrender and to see evidence that humans are able to rebel and better their communities—and even their country.
Related: Quote of the Day: Albert Einstein on the Importance of Curiosity
More Quotes from Howard Zinn- “We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”
- “But remember, this power of the people on top depends on the obedience of the people below. When people stop obeying, they have no power.”
- “Historically, the most terrible things - war, genocide, and slavery - have resulted not from disobedience, but from obedience.”
- “But I suppose the most revolutionary act one can engage in is... to tell the truth.”
- “Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”
- “You can’t be neutral on a moving train.”
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