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How Eric Dane’s Legacy Is Already Changing Lives
It’s been one day since Eric Dane’stragic death, and the actor’s legacy is already making a measurable impact on the ALS community.
According to a spokesperson for the ALS Association per TMZ, traffic to the nonprofit organization’s website jumped 100 percent following the news of Dane’s passing on Thursday, February 19. The representative also noted a 200 percent increase in donations through the site alone, with most contributions coming from first-time donors. While an exact dollar amount was not disclosed, the total from online gifts alone has reached into the tens of thousands—and continues to climb.
Dane, 53, died following what his family described as a “courageous battle with ALS.” The former Grey’s Anatomy star had gone public with his diagnosis 10 months earlier, telling PEOPLE at the time, “I have been diagnosed with ALS.” In the months that followed, he transformed his personal fight into a public mission.
READ MORE: Eric Dane's Wife Rebecca Gayheart Withdrew Divorce Filing After His ALS Diagnosis — Here's Why
"I'm trying to save my life," Dane told Time magazine less than two weeks ago, after being named one of its 100 most influential people in health. "If my actions can move the needle forward for myself and countless others, I'm satisfied."
The actor helped launch a three-year campaign in September aimed at securing more than $1 billion in federal funding for ALS research. He later joined the board of Target ALS, where he played a key role in helping one initiative surpass its $500,000 fundraising goal.
Dane also used his platform creatively, portraying a firefighter living with ALS on Brilliant Minds—a role he described as “so close” to home. He emphasized the urgency of advocacy, saying it was “imperative” to share his journey, “because I don't feel like my life is about me anymore”.
Now, just days after his passing, that mission appears to be accelerating—proof that his final fight is already pushing the needle forward.
Popular Influencer and Content Creator Dies Just Days After Undergoing Plastic Surgery
Bianca Dias, a Brazilian model and social media influencer, has died. She was 27.
A celebrity in her hometown of Maua, Brazil, Dias’ was nearing 60,000 followers on Instagram, often sharing styled modeling shots and images featuring far-flung destinations for her followers. Her Instagram bio, written in Portuguese, reads, “Living at my own pace, without rushing and with purpose.”
View this post on InstagramFriends of the model quickly took to social platforms to share their love and prayers. Several paid tribute to Dias with images, videos, and kind words.
One of her friends, massage therapist Jeff Carlos, shared a video of the pair in a car, looking into the camera.
“My friend, I'm going to miss you so much. You boosted my self-confidence and self-esteem; you left a hole in my heart. I love you,” he wrote in the caption.
Another friend, Giovanna Borges, shared a selection of videos to her Instagram Stories, saying that Dias died while recovering from a surgical procedure.
“She had a pulmonary clot, had 2 seizures, and when she arrived at the hospital, she was no longer alive,” Borges wrote. “I want to thank the countless messages, thank you all who took the time to worry and send messages, if you can pray for the family regardless of religion, I will be extremely grateful! 🤍”
According to TMZ, the content creator began experiencing shortness of breath while recovering at her family's beach house from a procedure she underwent 18 days prior. Rushed to the hospital, she was later pronounced dead.
It’s unclear what kind of procedure Dias had done. Authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
News about Dias dying after receiving plastic surgery is renewing the debate over the swelling popularity and risks of cosmetic procedures among influencers and social media personalities.
Per RevivaMed Plastic Surgery, The American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Surgery reported a 30% increase in patients seeking plastic surgery “specifically to improve their image on social media.” The clinic further shared that nearly half (48.5%) of 816 respondents said that social media influenced them to consider cosmetic surgery.
According the Centers for Disease Control, recent data indicates a concerning trend in cosmetic surgery-related deaths, namely those linked to specific procedures and medical tourism. For instance, the Brazilian Buff Lift has been identified as a high-risk procedure with a mortality rate estimated at 1 in 3,000.
People reported that the Dias family held a wake for Dias this morning.
Related: Rebecca Gayheart’s Last Posted Photos of Eric Dane Show Him Full of Joy and Life
Walmart Has a 'Sturdy' 8-Tier Plant Stand on Sale for $80 Ahead of Gardening Season
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Spring is officially planting season, and there’s no better time to think about bringing a little greenery into your home. From tiny herbs on a kitchen windowsill to bud vase blooms that brighten a balcony or patio, this is the season for starting small gardens, testing out raised beds, or simply finding clever ways to showcase your favorite flowers. Vertical setups and multi-tiered displays can be a total game-changer for maximizing space while keeping things stylish.
To make the most of your planting plans, Walmart has the Biemlerfn Plant Stand With Grow Lights on sale for just $80, down 55% from its usual $179 price tag. It’s the perfect way to kickstart your garden, keep plants organized, and show off your blooms without them taking over every corner of your home.
Biemlerfn Plant Stand With Grow Lights, $80 (was $179) at WalmartWith its eight thickened shelves and stainless steel hanger, this 67-inch indoor plant rack feels more like a living sculpture than a simple storage solution. Available in black, brown, and white, the tree-like design not only gives your greenery plenty of room to spread out but also creates a dynamic display for books, photos, or small decorative pieces.
A wider, steady base accommodates larger potted plants, while the sturdy metal frame and particleboard construction can handle up to 100 pounds, so it’s both practical and eye-catching. Adjustable foot pads and an anti-tip device make it stable even on uneven floors, which is perfect if you have kids, pets, or a busy home.
For indoor gardeners worried about sunlight, the built-in tri-color, full-spectrum grow lights are a game changer. Timer-enabled and layered to illuminate each shelf, these lights mimic natural sunlight so your plants can thrive in every stage of growth without being moved outdoors. Made with waterproof boards and rust-resistant metal, keeps maintenance simple while letting your plants take center stage.
Related: Amazon’s ‘Whimsical’ $25 Fairy Stake Light Looks Like It Belongs in a Storybook Garden
Certified green thumbs and novice gardeners alike have enjoyed this “sleek” and “modern” stand. “The design is minimalist but elegant,” one shopper wrote, noting the construction is so “sturdy” that even the “heaviest ceramic pots don't make these shelves wobble or sag.”
Shop More Deals- Beckome S-Shaped Plant Stand, $90 (was $150) at Walmart
- Bamworld Plant Stand with Grow Lights, $47 (was $60) at Walmart
- Jf Haden 7-Tier Plant Stand with Grow Light, $43 (was $48) at Walmart
With spring just around the corner, the Biemlerfn Plant Stand With Grow Lights is the perfect way to give your plants a proper home. Snag it for $80 at Walmart while the 55% Flash deal lasts, and get your garden off the ground — literally.
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.
The 'Staff Only' Menu Items at Texas Roadhouse You Need to Know About
Texas Roadhouse already has a menu that feels bigger than most steakhouses—steaks, ribs, rolls, loaded sides, and enough comfort food to keep you coming back. But regulars and employees know there's another layer to the experience. We're talking off-menu upgrades and unofficial orders that don't appear in print but can often be made if you ask nicely.
These insider customizations are made from ingredients already in the kitchen. Some come from employees, others from longtime fans who've figured out clever ways to upgrade standard dishes. Here are the staff-favorite hacks worth knowing about before your next visit.
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10 Staff-Only Menu Options at Texas Roadhouse1. Pulled Pork Cactus Bloom @pimpvanillaslimPulled Pork Cactus Blossom #texasroadhousehack #texasroadhouse #cactusblossom #roadhouse #foodhacks #roadies #greenscreen
♬ MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS) - Tommy RichmanThe Cactus Blossom is already one of the chain's most popular starters, but some staff recommend adding pulled pork to turn it into something more substantial. The smoky pork adds a barbecue-style richness that makes the fried onion more filling than an appetizer.
Some diners keep the barbecue sauce, while others ask for it on the side so the onion stays crisp longer. Either way, it's a heavier, more filling version of a classic order, perfect if you're sharing or skipping a big entrée.
2. Parmesan Garlic Rolls @sarahmargareteatsTexas Roadhouse Parmesan Garlic Rolls Hack 🍞🧄🍋🧈🧀 #texasroadhouse #texasroadhouserolls #texasroadhousebutter #texasroadhousehack #breadrolls
♬ original sound - Sarah MargaretThe rolls are already a big reason people come to Texas Roadhouse, but some employees suggest swapping the usual cinnamon butter for garlic butter and adding Parmesan on top. The change takes the flavor from sweet to savory and makes the rolls taste more like garlic bread.
They pair especially well with steak or ribs, since the savory flavor balances out heavier entrées. It's a small change, but fans say it completely elevates the flavor profile.
3. Small Protein Salad @victoriawillisxothe value is unmatched #mealprep #bestkidsmeal #cheapkidsmeals #texasroadhouse #wlw
♬ original sound - 𝚟𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚊 ♡Texas Roadhouse salads are huge—great for leftovers, not always ideal if you want something lighter. Employees recommend ordering a side salad and pairing it with a protein from the kids' menu, like steak bites or grilled chicken.
You still get the protein, but in a portion that's easier to finish. It can also be cheaper than ordering a full entrée salad, which makes it popular with both staff and budget-minded regulars.
4. Smothered Cactus BlossomAnother popular upgrade is ordering the Cactus Blossom "smothered," which usually means melted Jack cheese layered over the crispy onion petals. The cheese softens the crunch slightly and makes the whole thing feel richer and more indulgent.
Some diners go further with jalapeños, green chiles or bacon. The melted cheese turns the crispy onion into something closer to loaded fries. It's messy, rich, and definitely meant for sharing.
5. Steak Sliders Using the Rolls @raymondscravings2 items from the Kid’s Menu! Lil Dillo Steak Bites and Mini Cheeseburgers!! 🥩🍔 @Texas Roadhouse Texas Roadhouse 📍 370 N Mckinley St, Corona, CA 92879 #texasroadhouse #coronafood #coronafoodie #inlandempirefood #raymondscravings
♬ original sound - RaymondsCravingsTexas Roadhouse's soft rolls don't just have to stay in the bread basket. A common hack is pairing them with steak bites from the kids' menu to make mini sliders at the table.
The buttery steak and fluffy bread work surprisingly well together, especially if you add onions or mushrooms. It's simple but feels custom, and it's a fun option if you want to share or build your own bite-sized steak sandwich.
6. Southwest Smothered Hot Dog View this post on InstagramThe kids' hot dog can be upgraded with Jack cheese, green chiles and sautéed onions for what some employees call a Southwest smother. It takes a basic hot dog and gives it more flavor and texture without getting too complicated.
Because it's smaller than most entrées, it's a good option if you're not looking for a huge meal but still want something warm and filling. Some diners add chili for an extra layer if they want to go fully into comfort-food territory.
7. Texas-Style Poutine View this post on InstagramSome diners order cheese fries topped with brown gravy (the same gravy used for mashed potatoes) to create a Texas spin on poutine.
The result isn't traditional Canadian poutine, but it hits the same comfort-food note: fries, cheese, and gravy all piled together. It's one of those off-menu combinations that feels obvious once you hear about it.
Related: Trader Joe's Soup Dumplings Are Going Viral Again—This Time in a New Way
8. Ice Cream (Without the Big Dessert) [I Ate] a 1,600 calorie brownie sundae at Texas Roadhouse.by in food
Ice cream usually shows up only as part of larger desserts like brownies or apple pie, but employees say you can often order a simple bowl by itself.
For people who want something sweet without committing to a massive dessert, this is an easy workaround. Some diners even ask for extra toppings, such as caramel or chocolate sauce.
9. Chili Grilled Cheese @mashedfoodTexas Roadhouse's Best Kept Secret Is This Popular Sandwich #TexasRoadhouse #Restaurants #Menu
♬ original sound - Mashed - MashedThe grilled cheese isn't printed on Texas Roadhouse menus, but employees say it's available through the kids' ordering system, and it becomes something much more interesting once you know the right add-on. Just add a scoop of Texas Red Chili to make it a bit heartier.
The result is a messy, comfort-food mashup that feels somewhere between a grilled cheese and a sloppy joe. Some diners go a step further and add sautéed mushrooms or onions for extra flavor.
10. Sweet-Loaded Applesauce @soggy.biscuitz#onthisday #foodie #loadedapplesauce #texasroadhouse
♬ original sound - Jools LebronApplesauce isn't usually the most exciting side on the table, but Texas Roadhouse employees say there's a way to turn it into something worth ordering. Ask for it "sweet loaded," and the kitchen can top it with toasted marshmallows and caramel sauce, the same toppings used on the baked sweet potato.
It's simple but surprisingly good. The warm caramel melts into the applesauce, and the marshmallows add just enough sweetness to make it feel like a small dessert instead of a side. If you want something sweet but don't feel like committing to cheesecake or a brownie, this is an easy off-menu option to try.
A Quick Note Before You OrderBecause these items aren't official menu listings, availability can vary by location and by how busy the kitchen is. The best approach is to be polite, ask if it's possible and be flexible if your server says no. Most of these hacks rely on ingredients already in the kitchen, which is why they work in the first place.
Related: Why Kudos Bars Disappeared and How to Make Them at Home
When Does The Stars Between Us Premiere? Sarah Drew’s New Hallmark Loveuary Movie
We reach for the stars in the next Loveuary movie from Hallmark, coming Saturday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. ET. Two star-crossed loves meet once and then keep missing each other.
Will they ever finally get the chance to make a love connection? The film stars Sarah Drew and Matt Long. Long previously starred in a series called Jack & Bobby with a then 12-year-old Logan Lerman.
Here's everything we know about The Stars Between Us—including a Parade exclusive sneak peek.
What is The Stars Between Us on Hallmark about?Seven years ago, Kim (Sarah Drew) made a connection with a stranger during an eclipse event. Now a fledgling news reporter, Kim returns to Illinois for this year's eclipse, unaware that their paths may cross again.
Who's in the cast of The Stars Between Us? Sarah Drew Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Sarah Drew as KimBest known for her role as Dr. April Kepner on Grey's Anatomy, Drew got her start on Everwood with Treat Williams and a pre-Guardians of the Galaxy Chris Pratt. She most recently starred in Mistletoe Murders and Guiding Emily for Hallmark Channel.
Related: Get Ready for More Romance with Hallmark Channel's 'Loveuary' Movies!
Matt Long Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Brindi Tremblay Matt Long as MalcolmOne of Long's early roles was in a television series called Jack & Bobby, where it followed the early lives of two brothers, Jack (Long) and Bobby (Logan Lerman) where one goes on to be become a future U.S. President.
He previously starred in Christmas Joy for Hallmark Channel and most recently starred in Manifest and guest starred on Tracker. His other credits include Private Practice, The Newsroom, and Helix.
How to watch Hallmark's The Stars Between Us?The Stars Between Us premieres on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel and will be available to stream the next day on Hallmark+.
Watch Parade's sneak peek of The Stars Between UsCheck out this Parade exclusive sneak peek of The Stars Between Us below.
PARADE Exclusive - The Stars Between Us - Sneak Peek (1:37) Check out photos from The Stars Between UsTake a look at some select images from The Stars Between Us in the gallery below.
The Stars Between UsHallmark Channel Katherine Evans, Sarah Drew, Matt Long, Grayson Gurnsey, Junnicia Lagoutin Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Brindi Tremblay Noah Paul, Donna Benedicto, Junnicia Lagoutin, Grayson Gurnsey Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Brindi Tremblay Greg Rogers Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Brindi Tremblay Matt Long, Sarah Drew Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Brindi Tremblay Matt Long, Greg Rogers, Sarah Drew Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Brindi Tremblay Donna Benedicto, Noah Paul, Katherine Evans, Junnicia Lagoutin, Grayson Gurnsey Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Brindi Tremblay Matt Long Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Brindi Tremblay Sarah Drew Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Sarah Drew Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Donna Benedicto Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Matt Long Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Sarah Drew, Matt Long Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Matt Long, Noah Paul Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Sarah Drew Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Ash Lee Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Donna Benedicto, Sarah Drew Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Dion Karas, Kevin O'Grady Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Grayson Gurnsey Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney Julien Kevin O'Grady, Sarah Drew Credit: ©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtney JulienHallmark Media
Country Singer Eric Church Opens Up About His Brother's Death
Nearly eight years after his brother's death, country legend Eric Church admits he "didn't spend any time dealing with it."
"I played a show, after my brother died...We buried him, and I played a show four days later. Because I had a show, and I know he would want me to play the show," Church, 48, told Anderson Cooper on Friday, February 19.
"So I just kept playing, kept going. But I look back on it now, I'm not sure that was the right thing to do," he added.
Brandon Church died in June 2017 after suffering multiple seizures, TMZ reported at the time.
"When my brother died, I didn't comprehend that it's never going to be the same again. The family dynamic, when my brother died, I wasn't prepared for that part," Church told Cooper.
He went on to say that he still "feels his brother," particularly when it comes to his music. Church explained that in his song "Sinners Like Me," the line "So we sit on his headstone with a fifth of Jack D," which was originally written about his grandfather, now reminds him of his little brother.
One regret Church has is treating his brother with "tough love."
"My brother had troubles. A regret I have is when he was going through some of those troubles, I did a little bit of the, 'You're not doing the things you're supposed to be doing,'" he told Cooper. "It was a little bit of the tough love, big brother thing. I wish I had more grace and been more compassionate now."
The Song That ‘Invented’ Heavy Metal Just Turned 56—And It Has a Nightmare of a Story
The origins of heavy metal have long been debated by music fans, but there’s no doubt that Black Sabbath was a pioneering band for the genre. Both the BBC and American Songwriter have credited the British hard rock band for “inventing” heavy metal with their iconic 1970 self-titled debut album, with the latter declaring their opening song the mother of heavy metal songs.
Rage Against The Machine frontman Tom Morello also gave credit where credit was due. "Black Sabbath is the band that invented heavy metal music, and it is a band that is so meaningful to so many of us, and the DNA of Black Sabbath is everywhere,” he said in July, shortly before frontman Ozzy Osbourne’s death.
The band, which featured Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, released their signature song, titled “Black Sabbath,” on Feb. 13, 1970. Fifty-six years later, it ranks on Rolling Stone’s most recent list as the greatest heavy metal song of all time—and is touted as the birth of heavy metal. “Black Sabbath” topped Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” Motorhead’s ”Ace of Spades,” and Dio’s “Holy Diver” for the top spot. Ultimate Guitar also ranked Iommi’s eerie guitar playing as the heaviest guitar riff of all time.
Geezer Butler’s nightmare inspired the song“Black Sabbath” was written by all four Black Sabbath bandmates, but it was inspired when they were known by the name Earth. Butler, the band’s bass player, told Rolling Stone that he had a nightmare that helped spawn the ominous song.
“I was asleep, and I felt something in the room, like this weird presence,” he recalled of the origins of the title song. “I woke up in a dream world, and there was this black thing at the bottom of the bed, staring at me. … It just freaked me out.”
As a heavy blues band with Earth, the bandmates had already been trying to write songs that would “frighten” fans, like horror movies, the outlet noted. During the songwriting process for their debut album, Osbourne imagined the demon “figure in black” from Butler’s nightmare peering at him.
Butler once told MOJO magazine that he was heavily interested in the occult at the time the song was written. "I totally believed in the devil,” he said, per Classic Rock. “I started reading books by Aleister Crowley and Dennis Wheatley, especially The Devil Rides Out, which was meant to be a cautionary tale, but which read like a handbook on how to be Satanist."
“Ozzy gave me this 16th-century book about magic that he’d stolen from somewhere. I’d put it in an airing cupboard because I wasn’t sure about it,” Butler continued. “Later that night, I woke up and saw this black shadow at the end of my bed. It was a horrible presence that frightened the life out of me! I ran to the airing cupboard to throw the book out, but the book had disappeared!"
Black Sabbath's debut album cover. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives on Getty Images).Photo by Michael Ochs Archives on Getty Images
Iommi once explained the band’s desire to put out “scary music.” In an interview with Gibson TV, he spoke of the band’s debut album cover, which featured a witchlike figure portrayed by model Louisa Livingstone dressed in black, standing in an eerie, misty setting.
“The first album cover was a woman on the front with a black cloak on, and inside the cover was an inverted cross,” the guitar legend said. "That was basically a lot of the record company because of the imagery they put out, because nobody really had seen us. And then, of course, they'd see us, and because of what we played, it was scary music to them, which was really what we were trying to create. … In those days, Geezer and myself used to go and watch a lot of horror movies, and we loved them. And I thought it'd be great to have music like this – [to] create the same vibe as a horror film would do – and that was sort of what we did.”
RELATED: Andrew Watt Received Gift From Jack Osbourne to Honor Ozzy at Grammys
Black Sabbath didn’t like the heavy metal labelAlthough they’ve been credited with birthing heavy metal, the Black Sabbath bandmates didn’t always embrace the label.
Iommi told Gibson TV he was blindsided after the band spent time in the United States in the early 1970s. “I got back from America, and I've done an interview at my home with Melody Maker,” he recalled. “They said, ‘Oh, you know you're playing heavy metal.’ ‘Heavy Metal. What's that?’ ‘That's what you're playing.’ And I went, ‘No, we're heavy rock.’ He went, ‘No, no, you're heavy metal.’ I said, ‘Well, we call it heavy rock. You call it heavy metal. Call it what you like, but we're heavy rock.’ And I wouldn't accept the heavy metal thing for years.”
Butler told the BBC he also disliked the label. “At first, we didn’t like being called heavy metal,” he admitted, per Blabbermouth.net. “But everyone likes to put you into certain pigeonholes, so we sort of got used to it. And then instead of it being derogatory, it became a whole lifestyle.”
Osbourne never liked or got used to the term. “I’ve never felt comfortable about that title that they put on me – ‘metal,’” the Black Sabbath frontman explained to Spin in 2023. “Because Ozzy Osbourne plays heavy, but the bands that are [considered metal] are really heavy, and we’re all put in the same category.”
'Sammi Sweetheart' Opens up About Life Outside of 'Jersey Shore'
On a cheerful Galentine’s Day weekend in Atlantic City, Samantha "Sammi Sweetheart" Giancola was right in her element.
Inside Sweetheart Coast at Ocean Casino Resort, the Jersey Shore: Family Vacation star, 38, mingled with influencers, posed for photos and celebrated a day centered on friendship, confidence, and fun—a theme that felt especially fitting given the season of life she’s in now.
Radiating warmth and gratitude, Giancola spoke openly about the personal journey that has shaped what she calls her happiest chapter yet defined not by reality TV, but by stability, love, and family.
Of course, her story does include a return that longtime fans were thrilled to see: stepping back into the Jersey Shore universe. But for Giancola, the decision wasn’t fueled by nostalgia.
"I think I was just at a really great place in my life," she said of her decision to return to the MTV series. "I had my store in Ocean City. I had an amazing relationship with somebody who was very supportive of me going back."
That sense of grounding changed everything.
"When I came back, nothing surprised me," she added. "They’re all the same. It’s amazing how much you just fall back into the same routine."
More than anything, the experience brought comfort.
"It felt second nature to me, because I really grew up with them," she reflected. "It felt like home. [It was a] sweet feeling. Like, I can’t believe I’ve been gone for so long because it doesn’t feel like that."
Off-screen, Giancola’s life with husband Justin May and son Vincent, born in August 2025, that clearly brings her the most joy.
"I feel like I’m at the best phase in my life right now," she told Parade.
Motherhood, in particular, has profoundly reshaped her perspective, giving her a deeper appreciation for both her present and her past.
"Motherhood is just a mixed adventure for me," Giancola explained. "I just feel like I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for those times back then."
Rather than distancing herself from her early fame, she views it as an essential part of her story.
"If I didn’t go down that path, I wouldn’t be here," she said. "I’m just so thankful for where I’m at."
At the center of that gratitude is her husband, whom Giancola speaks about with unmistakable affection and admiration.
"He’s amazing," she of May. The two were married in December 2025. "Just a wonderful supporter, partner. I have my best friend, and I have a husband now."
His encouragement, she noted, has played a pivotal role in her growth, both personally and professionally.
"Without him, I probably wouldn’t have been able to accomplish half the things I have this past few years."
Watching Giancola celebrate Galentine’s Day inside her boutique at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, it’s clear that this chapter suits her effortlessly. The reality star seems most fulfilled by the quieter, more meaningful milestones: building a business, nurturing a family, and fully embracing a life she loves.
Shop Giancola's curated collection in stores and online at Sweetheart Styles.
RELATED: The Common Thread Linking Princess Diana, Madonna, and Khloé Kardashian
Former American Idol Contestant Accused of Murdering Wife
American Idol season 12 contestant Caleb Flynn is accused of murdering his wife Ashley Flynn and staging the crime scene as a home invasion.
Police responded to a 911 call made by Caleb in the early morning hours of Monday, Feb. 16. According to the Tipp City Police Department, Caleb had called 911 and claimed their house had been burglarized. Ashley was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities took Caleb into custody on Thursday, Feb. 19, on several charges including murder, felony assault, and evidence tampering. Caleb has plead not guilty and is being held on a $2 million bond.
Caleb's attorney, L. Patrick Mulligan, wrote in a statement to People that his client, "looks forward to defending this case."
Mulligan also told People, "We are both disappointed and concerned about the short timeline and seeming rush to judgment in this case. When the government runs out of leads or can't develop leads and looks at a surviving spouse in cases such as these, the chance of a wrongful conviction increases."
Ashley was a mother to two daughters as well as a volleyball coach at Tippecanoe Middle School and a substitute teacher at Lifewise Academy.
"She was known for her beautiful smile, warmth, kindness, and the positive impact she had on so many — both in and out of the classroom and on the court," Tipp City Schools wrote in a social media tribute.
A GoFundMe has been made in Ashley's memory which describes her as a devoted mother whose, "laughter was contagious, she was the biggest encourager, and she loved people deeply."
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org.
Walmart Has an 'Excellent Quality' 3-Piece Bamboo Cutting Board Set for Only $23, and It's So 'Durable'
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
There’s a dizzying amount of cookware and accessories out there, and it’s hard to know what’s actually high-quality. Thankfully, the classics remain classic for a reason: wood, iron, and stainless steel. And if you’re looking to replace your plastic cooking gear with real materials, this bamboo cutting board is nearly 80% off.
The $60 Kikcoin Three-Piece Bamboo Cutting Board Set is down to $23 at Walmart, and comes in the classic bamboo finish seen here, along with a deeper brown finish for a few dollars more.
Kikcoin Three-Piece Bamboo Cutting Board Set, $23 (was $60) at WalmartThis set comes with three different boards that can handle quick veggie chops and full-on charcuterie spreads, with compartments on the largest one for seasonings. Crafted entirely from three layers of bamboo, each board has a durable finish that’s warp and crack-resistant. Grooves around the edges of each board help contain messes, and the board’s surface is gentle on knives.
Related: Walmart's 'Cute' $90 Pantry Cabinet Exudes Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen Vibes
One shopper said, “This set is very good quality. It has a nice, durable thickness.” This same shopper also wrote that the three different board sizes add a lot of versatility for “various kitchen or entertaining needs,” and that “As a family, we use these boards daily.” Another reviewer said that the boards are “beautiful” and “the quality and workmanship are excellent.”
Bamboo will require a bit more maintenance compared to a plastic cutting board, and shoppers recommend oiling the boards with mineral oil for longevity. It’s also a good idea to keep it out of the dishwasher and to wash it by hand. A helpful reviewer wrote some tips: “I would suggest that they are oiled with cutting board oil. The difference will show even when washing them.”
Shop More Deals- Kikcoin 4-Piece Cutting Board Set, $25 (was $50) at Walmart
- Astercook 4-Piece Acacia Wood Cutting Board Set, $23 (was $110) at Walmart
- Tinana Stainless Steel Cutting Board, $19 (was $33) at Walmart
An affordable and high-quality alternative to plastic, the Kikcoin Three-Piece Bamboo Cutting Board Set is available now for just $23. Since this is a flash deal, it could end at any moment, which means you should take advantage of it soon.
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.
Savannah Guthrie’s Mom: Sheriff Shares Major Update — But Questions Remain
Nancy Guthrie has been missing since Sunday, Feb. 1. Authorities have received thousands of tips but, so far, none of the leads have led to an arrest—and none have led to Nancy, 84.
On Friday, Feb. 20, the Pima County Sheriff's Department shared a new update in the case.
"Investigators are not ruling out the possibility that more than one person may be involved," read the update, according to NewsNation's Brian Entin.
Many internet users have theorized that the person involved did not act alone, and the sheriff's latest update seems to support that idea. Social media users reacted to the latest update on X, many finding themselves with more questions.
Related: Savannah Guthrie’s Mom: Polygraph Report Remains Unconfirmed as Public Awaits Answers
"What is the point of taking an 84 year old woman? They never sent proof of life or not alive. So why did they take her? FIND NANCY. BRING NANCY HOME," one person wrote.
"It’s day 20+ and counting bro, A woman is gone. A family is grieving. And now they may have to face the possibility that multiple people stood by or worse while everything fell apart. No one deserves that. Whatever the truth is, I hope it comes out fully. For Nancy. For the people who loved her. For the peace her family desperately needs," someone else said.
"Yes that’s a deep possibility because the guy on the mask alone couldn’t have done the job alone," a third comment read.
"With hundreds of officers.. agents… DNA … AI…. and NO CLUE what happened after weeks?!? Seems odd in 2026," a fourth X user added.
Authorities believe that Nancy may have been abducted from her Arizona home in the middle of the night. The FBI has released images and videos of a subject who appeared on Nancy's front stoop around the time that they believe she was kidnapped.
READ NEXT: Savannah Guthrie’s Mom: Chilling Online Find Could Help Identify Suspect
25 Popular Toys Every Kid Wanted in the 1950s
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Toy designs have changed a lot over the years, but one thing remains true: they're still a pivotal part of the childhood experience. After all, letting your imagination run wild while playing with your favorite toys is one of the simple joys of being a kid. Even as adults, it's fun to reminisce and look back on the toys you were into when you were younger. We've been feeling nostalgic lately, so Parade decided to travel back in time and take a look at the most popular toys every kid wanted in the 1950s.
To create our list, Parade consulted multiple toy collectors to find out which toys resonated the most with children of the '50s. We tapped an all-star team consisting of the following pros: Grant Zahajko, the owner and auctioneer of Grant Zahajko Auctions LLC, Christopher Byrne (aka The Toy Guy), a toy analyst, researcher and consultant, and Phil Weiss of Weiss Auctions.
Together, our experts share a comprehensive list of all the hottest toys kids couldn't wait to get their hands on in the 1950s. The best part? Some of them are still popular today!
From action figures to board games and everything in between, there's bound to be at least one or two toys on this list that spark some fond memories. Think we missed something? Leave us a comment and share your favorite 1950s toys.
Related: 7 Best ’50s Hairstyles, According to a Celebrity Stylist
Similar to many other decades, the 1950s had a unique vibe and a whole crop of toys that defined a generation.
"The 1950's revolutionized the toy industry with the advent of television advertising,
plastic molding and postwar prosperity," Zahajko tells Parade. "Iconic debuts included Mr. Potato Head, Silly Putty, Play-Doh, the Hula Hoop and Barbie, alongside staples like Matchbox cars, Fisher-Price and Frisbees."
Byrne describes the 1950s as a "significant time in the toy industry."
"With the end of World War II, plastics and other materials developed for World War II were finding their way into consumer products," he explains. "The first Boomers were emerging as a viable market, particularly teenagers. It was really during this period that teenagers as we know them today emerged and became a social force."
He also notes that the modern toy industry emerged from this decade with a focus on "youth, increased free time and the boom of media."
"For the first time, kids around the country were unified by what they saw on TV," he explains. "There probably wasn’t a bigger icon of the era (at least for kids) than Captain Kangaroo. Starting in 1955, if a toy appeared on that show, it became a hit. Colorforms, Schwinn Bikes, Crayola 64 Crayon Box and many more got into kids’ lives via the Treasure House."
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Zahajko says the 1958 hula hoop craze was "a massive, short-lived, mid-century fad."
"At the height of its popularity (around 1959), more than 25 million hoops were sold in the U.S. in four months," Byrne adds. "The basic hoop was $1.99 when it launched, and a giant hoop was $2.99."
Something interesting about this toy was the fact that "the entire culture took it for a spin," per Byrne, meaning adults were also curious to get in on the trend.
Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Silly Putty was originally created "as an alternative to rubber," per Byrne, but it didn't work so well since it bounced.
"As a means of expediency and since it was around Easter, the first distributor, Peter Hodgson, packed it in plastic eggs that he could ship in egg cartons. It’s still made [that way]," he says.
Weiss calls Silly Putty one of his "all-time favorites."
"It could be rolled into a ball and bounced. And when you were finished, you could store it back in the plastic egg-shaped container it came in," he says.
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"Mr. Potato Head broke one of the cardinal rules of childhood: Don’t play with your food," Byrne states. "It became one of the most popular toys of the decade. The early models were a body with a spike, which you could put a real potato on (and later, other veggies) to decorate."
Mr. Potato Head also made history when it became the first toy advertised on TV in 1952, per Zahajko. This "revolutionized marketing by being the first ad campaign targeted directly at children rather than parents," he says.
In the 1960s, a plastic potato was released.
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Mr. Potato Head and Slinky have one special thing in common: they're both toys that became iconic characters in the Toy Story film series.
Slinky toys were invented in 1943, but Zahajko notes that they didn't make their public debut until 1945 in the Gimbels Department store in Philadelphia, PA.
Per the Strong National Museum of Play, mechanical engineer Richard James invented the Slinky "by accident."
"In 1943, he was working to devise springs that could keep sensitive ship equipment steady at sea," the museum's website reads. "After accidentally knocking some samples off a shelf, he watched in amazement as they gracefully 'walked' down instead of falling. Along with his wife, Betty, James developed a plan to turn his invention into the next big novelty toy."
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
"Play-Doh started life as a wallpaper cleaner. When Joe McVicker realized it could be modeled, he made a batch for his sister-in-law’s preschool class, and they loved it. The rest is history," Byrne says. "Play-Doh has been part of every generation since, and its smell is iconic, even inspiring a perfume in 2006 for its 50th anniversary. Play-Doh is still made today, and while slime and compounds are hot right now, Play-Doh is holding its own."
6. Lincoln LogsH. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images
"Lincoln Logs were invented around 1916 by John Lloyd Wright, the second son of well-known architect Frank Lloyd Wright," Zahajko shares. "The famous construction toy was inspired by his father’s earthquake-resistant design for the Imperial Hotel."
While playing, kids could stack the logs to build log cabins. The toy remains relevant to this day and was inducted into the Strong National Toy Hall of Fame in 1999.
Related: Labubu Restock Guide: Everything You Need To Know To Snag One
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Like many great inventions, Colorforms came about by accident.
"Art students Harry and Patricia Kislevitz were making shapes out of vinyl sheets when they discovered they would stick to the walls," Byrne shares. "They started small, selling their sets, which were more abstract shapes, through FAO Schwarz. But, wait for it, when it was shown on Captain Kangaroo, the sets really took off."
As a result, Colorforms had an "expansive licensing program with characters ranging from Shari Lewis to The Dukes of Hazzard," he says.
As a child, Weiss was fond of Colorforms and enjoyed that you could make your own scenes and stories "by peeling plastic-shaped images of objects and people and placing them down to form pictures."
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Yo-yos were hot in the 1950s, but Zahajko says they're actually "one of the world's oldest toys."
"Yo-yos have roots tracing back to roughly 500 B.C. in Greece, and possibly earlier in China," he states. "While ancient versions were made of clay or wood, the modern toy was popularized in the 1920s by Filipino immigrant Pedro Flores, with Donald Duncan later revolutionizing its marketing."
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Weiss calls this next toy one of his "favorites" but admits that its design is "a bit frustrating."
"It's a TV screen with dials that allowed the user to draw lines and images," he explains. "You could erase the screen by shaking it and start again."
Etch A Sketch turned out to have real staying power and is still around today.
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"Ever since its debut at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, the View-Master has fascinated and engrossed children and adults alike and offered three-dimensional images," Zahajko says.
According to the Strong National Museum of Play, the original View-Master featured reels with "views of scenic attractions around the country." Fast forward to 1951, and View-Master acquired film-strip production company Tru-Vue and "licensing rights to all Disney characters." The brand would later create reels of "virtually every major kids’ show and motion picture."
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Barbie wasn't created until 1959, but she still caused quite a stir in the late 1950s and is now one of the most popular toys around.
"Barbie, based on the German novelty doll Bild Lilli, became Ruth Handler’s crusade," Byrne explains. "Over the objections of the male Mattel management, she got it on the market as a way for kids to play out their aspirations for being teenagers."
Before Barbie was released, he notes, most fashion dolls were paper dolls.
"Ruth changed all that," Byrne states.
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When Fisher-Price debuted its Safety School Bus in 1959, Little People figurines became a hit, per Byrne.
"What followed was a bunch of sets that kids loved," he shares. "Over the years, the characters have become more realistic, and now they are collectibles with many different characters being memorialized as Little People."
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Byrne says Gumby was "one of the first TV-inspired toys" and was based on Art Clokey’s claymation show.
"Gumby was loved for his whimsical, childlike nature. With his best pal Pokey the horse, he was just weird enough to be adorable," the toy expert says. "He had more or less retreated into toy obscurity until Eddie Murphy brought him back on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s. It was one of the first examples of a kids’ toy becoming an ironic comic bit for the now-older kids who’d loved the original when it first came out."
Related: 35 Things in Your House Right Now That Could Be Worth Money, According to Certified Appraisers
Bob Olsen/Toronto Star via Getty Images
In the 1940s, Lynn Baker, Avery Crounse and Alvin Tesch invented Mound Metalcraft. The brand was later renamed Tonka Trucks.
"Tonka originally manufactured garden tools. After acquiring patents for metal toys in 1947, the company shifted to producing durable, pressed-steel toy trucks, becoming a global leader by the 1960s," Zahajko says.
Owen Humphreys - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
Have you ever wondered where Matchbox cars got their name?
"They were named that because creator Jack Odell put the miniature car he made for his daughter in a matchbox so she could take it to school," Byrne explains.
Although they weren't the first die-cast cars, Matchbox cars "seemed to capture kids' imaginations," he shares.
"No one ever really knows why, but they were very present in displays in 5-and-10-cent stores, which prompted kids to want to collect that brand in particular. Plus, they expanded from contemporary replicas to Models of Yesteryear and later introduced playsets and road-building sets," the toy pro says. "Of course, as manufacturing became more sophisticated over the decade, the models became more realistic. They’re still made today by Mattel, and there is a huge collector community."
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Zahajko refers to the 1950s as the "Golden Age of Lionel trains."
"The company peaked in popularity, innovation and sales, driven by post-war prosperity and aggressive marketing," he says.
Per the Strong National Museum of Play, engineering entrepreneur Joshua Lionel Cowen created the Lionel Manufacturing Company after customers noticed his electric train in a store window around 1900.
"Lionel built its reputation on train sets noted for their authentic detail, smooth-operating three-rail tracks, and transformers that allowed kids to vary the speed of their trains," the website reads. "This control, along with rolling stock of coal cars, refrigerated cars, and box cars, gave boys an appealing real-world sense of commerce and success."
Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
While looking back on the 1950s, Weiss notes that the decade was "loaded with great TV Western character toys."
"Cap gun sets, costumes, board games and other merchandise based on characters like Gunsmoke, Roy Rogers, Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, Paladin, etc," he shares. "These toys today are only of interest to the old-timers who remember watching them."
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WHEE-Lo toys were a fad in the 1950s, per Weiss, but you can still find similar toys today.
"It's a handheld wire mechanism with a spinning wheel that circled back and forth with the action of your wrist," he shares. "To me, it was entertaining for a short time, but then got monotonous and boring. But it was incredibly popular back then."
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
TV shows have been inspiring toys for ages. In the 1950s, Weiss says that Howdy Doody was one of many shows that spurred the creation of different toys.
"Pelham Puppet Company made marionettes of all the characters and made a cardboard accessory theater to put on shows with them," he notes. "In the original boxes, they are still pricey today, but not a long-lasting popular toy for the kids. I think once the show left the air, the popularity of the toys decreased, except to those that wanted to get their childhood back."
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After Candy Land was invented in the 1940s, generations of children have grown up playing the game. It went on to become a "long-lasting board game of the 1950s," per Weiss.
"It's still popular even today. It was a bestselling board game of that period," he says.
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Zahajko says this "classic, interconnected construction toy" was very popular in the 1950s. The toy dates back to 1914 when stonemason Charles Pajeau invented it "after observing children playing with sticks and spools," he shares.
"The original design was based on Pythagorean theory to allow for 90-degree triangles, featuring wooden sticks and spools," he says.
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Equally beloved by humans and dogs alike, frisbees have been a sporty toy that has delighted generations of children and adults. Per Zahajko, Yale students used to toss metal pans from the Frisbie Pie Company and shout "Frisbie" to warn passersby.
"However, disc sports can be traced back much further than that via many forms. The ancient Greeks were competing in discus from the 8th century B.C.," he says.
According to Byrne, Walter Morrison partnered with Wham-O to develop Frisbees, and it then "became a mass-market sensation."
"In the early years, it wasn’t promoted as a toy but rather as a sport," he notes.
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This popular game was based on something pretty gross, according to Byrne: lice.
"William Herbert Schaper called it 'educational,' but really what you were trying to do was be the first to build your cootie bug and then do 'the cootie dance' to celebrate (think of the song 'Cooties' from Hairspray the musical)," he says.
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Weiss notes that many companies began producing tin toys after World War II. Examples include tin toy robots, which Weiss says are still popular today and "have consistently increased in value over the years."
"Robby the Robot was based on the 1956 movie Forbidden Planet. This toy has variations, with my favorite being Robby in a space car. Radicon Robot is another classic, and the list is endless," he shares.
Mario Perez/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
When the Parker Brothers acquired rights to this board game, they called it "the game of global domination," per Byrne.
"It was hugely successful as game launches go, but gameplay could take days. In recent years, Hasbro has introduced updated rules to make the game shorter," he says.
Per the Strong National Museum of Play, Risk players "control armies of tokens on a world map board in attempts to capture adjoining territories from other players, battling by rolls of the dice." To win the game, you need to defeat your opponents and occupy all 42 territories on the board.
Up Next:
Related: 17 VHS Tapes Worth a Lot of Money, According to Collectors
Sources:- Grant Zahajko is the owner and auctioneer of Grant Zahajko Auctions LLC.
- Christopher Byrne, aka The Toy Guy, is a toy analyst, researcher and consultant.
- Phil Weiss is a second-generation expert in books and stamps who owns and operates Weiss Auctions with his wife Emily.
Only Eagle-Eyed Readers Can Spot the Two Fake Logos in 15 Seconds
Think you know your Apple from your Amazon?
A new Wall Street-inspired brain teaser is challenging readers to find two fake company logos hidden among some of the biggest names in the S&P 500—and you’ve only got 15 seconds to do it.
Gainify
The puzzle, created by investment tracking platform Gainify.io, features a grid packed with logos from some of the most influential companies in the world, including Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Tesla, Alphabet (Google), Meta, NVIDIA, Berkshire Hathaway, Broadcom and Walmart.
RELATED: This Simple Lineup Puzzle Is Trickier Than It Looks — Most People Can’t Solve It
At first glance, everything looks perfectly normal. The familiar bitten Apple. The curved Amazon smile. The colorful Google “G.” But look closely—because two of the logos have been subtly altered.
The challenge is simple: can you find both impostors in under 15 seconds?
If you can, you’re said to have 20/20 vision and the attention to detail of a Wall Street trader.
Andrius Budnikas, CEO of Gainify.io, said the puzzle was designed to combine financial literacy with a bit of fun.
“We wanted to create something that combines financial literacy with a bit of fun. These are some of the world's most valuable companies, the brands we see every day, but how well do we really know them? This puzzle tests whether you can spot when something's not quite right, which is actually a pretty valuable skill in investing, too.”
Need a hint? Focus on the top half of the grid and pay close attention to the fruit and shopping logos.
Still stuck?
👇 Scroll for the answer.
THE ANSWERGainify
The two altered logos are:
- The Apple logo in the second row on the left—its iconic bite has been “repaired.”
- The Walmart spark logo in the top row—it has five rays instead of the usual six.
If you spotted both in under 15 seconds, congratulations—your observation skills are sharper than most.
IKEA Is Selling a Sturdy Bookcase With a Secret Foldable Table, and Shoppers Call It 'Perfect'
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
I don't know what it is about a good space-saving hack, but it genuinely thrills me. Show me a storage ottoman, a fold-down desk or a shelf that somehow fits perfectly into that weird sliver of wall space, and I'm sold. You simply cannot tell me there isn't something satisfying about making a room work smarter, not harder.
Maybe it's because I've lived in my fair share of homes with, let's call them "personality-filled" layouts. Angled walls and random alcoves—I've seen it all. When you're dealing with quirks like that, a smart piece of furniture isn't just nice, it's actually transformative. Like magic, an awkward nook becomes a reading spot, and the too-narrow hallway becomes functional storage.
BILLY Bookcase with Foldable Table, $170 at IKEAIKEA
After hearing all of that, it probably goes without saying that the IKEA BILLY Bookcase with a built-in foldable table is the kind of space-saving hack that makes my heart flutter. For $170, you get what looks like a standard three-tier BILLY bookcase, but au contraire. Instead, you can slide the bottom two shelves away from the top shelf to reveal a fold-out table that's perfect when you need a desk or even a spot to eat a meal.
It's all sorts of amazing because you don't have to remove anything from the shelves when you slide out the table portion. Everything can stay in its place—no fuss, no muss.
My fellow space savers love this addition to the BILLY bookcase line as much as I do.
"We purchased this for our kids," writes an IKEA shopper in their review. "It works great as an additional bookcase between our two other Billy bookcases. Allowing for it to display books for our children in a recommended reads space and when they want to write or draw we pull it out for them to complete those activities. We have limited space where this located and helped remove a stand-a-lone desk and chair set we had here that was under utilized and in a walking path."
Another IKEA customer loves it for her sewing room, proving that it isn't just a great option for kids' rooms, which tend to be smaller.
"This works perfectly to have a stowable cutting space for my sewing room," they wrote. "Even on carpet, it opens smoothly—you just have to make sure not to have too much weight on the lower shelves. (You could always add one of the mats for rolling desk chairs, too.) I got two to have a larger cutting space, and I'm so excited to have all of the table space with shelves."
So, go ahead, add some storage and a usable work surface, too. It's a genius solution to common small space problems.
Related: Kohl's Chic Set of Stoneware Bowls Bring Marbled Elegance to Your Table
Netflix's Action Thriller Just Hit Over 108 Million Views—Making It One of the Streamer's Biggest Movie Releases
If you need an action film to binge-watch this weekend, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon'slatest project is calling your name.
The Hollywood legends and real-life best friends handed Netflix one of its biggest streaming wins with The Rip, in which they star as a Tactical Narcotics Team who investigate a $20 million tip in Miami.
Based on a true story, the film was released on Jan. 16 and immediately dominated Netflix's global charts.
Per Variety, it debuted to 41.6 million views in the first three days on the platform, marking Netflix's biggest film opening since Happy Gilmore 2 in July, which garnered 46.7 million.
It remained in the top spot for three straight weeks, eventually dethroned by The Investigation of Lucy Letby.
Driven by Affleck and Damon's star power, it clocked about 104 million views across 35 days (or five weeks), placing it in the top 10 for Netflix's biggest movie debuts ever.
In addition to Happy Gilmore 2, Netflix saw massive success with Red Notice, which currently holds the record with 75.6 million views in its debut.
A month after its premiere, The Rip is still holding strong in 6th place for the week of February 9 through the 16, with 4.7 million views this week, bringing the total to over 108 million total.
And it's not surprising as its receieved a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many underscoring that it's a solid crime thriller that leverages the Hollywood stars' classic chemistry. The Wrap's Matt Goldberg expressed that it "feels like a nice throwback to '90s genre pictures," though there's always room for improvement as it "pulls a few too many punches."
What Is The Rip About?"Finding a secret stash of millions wages internal conflict for a group of Miami officers, pushing trust, loyalty and self-preservation into sharp and dangerous focus," the synopsis notes.
In addition to Affleck and Damon, it also stars Sasha Calle, Teyana Taylor and Scott Adkins.
The Dynamic Duo's Other FilmsAfter The Rip, Affleck and Damon are set to collaborate as producers in Animals.
Prior to their Netflix hit, they joined forces for 2023's Air, centered on the true story of how Michael Jordan signed an industry-changing shoe deal with Nike, along with 2021's The Last Duel, set in 14th century France.
The Oscar winners frequently collaborated in the 1990s and early 2000s on hits like Good Will Hunting and Dogma, before taking a 15-year-hiatus to establish themselves as stars, before reuniting both on-screen and off-screen.
‘Gilmore Girls’ Star Reveals the Awkward Mistake She Made on Her First Day With Jared Padalecki
Actress Arielle Kebbel revealed she made a mistake upon first meeting her Gilmore Girlsco-star, Jared Padalecki.
In a February 2026 interview with Us Weekly, alongside her I Can Only Imagine 2 and Gilmore Girls co-star Milo Ventimiglia, Kebbel referenced that she played Dean Forester's (Padalecki) wife, Lindsay, on the hit WB show, which had a seven-season run until 2007. Kebbel revealed she accidentally called Padalecki by his Gilmore Girls character's name when they were first introduced.
"I actually accidentally called him Dean in Hair and Makeup when I met him because I was so nervous. I was playing it cool, like, 'What’s up, Dean?'" said Kebbel during the Us Weekly interview.
Ventimiglia, who played Gilmore Girls character Jess Mariano, inquired how Padalecki reacted to Kebbel calling him Dean. According to Kebbel, "he was really nice about it."
"Because that’s who Dean is, and that’s who Jared is," said Kebbel to Ventimiglia.
The actress, who joined the Gilmore Girls cast in season 3, also shared that Padalecki was her "first onscreen kiss."
Jared Padalecki Spoke About His 'Gilmore Girls' Character in a November 2025 InterviewPadalecki opened up about his time on Gilmore Girls during a November 2025 interview with People magazine, alongside his former castmate, Matt Czuchry, who played Logan Huntzberger. The actor, who was cast as Dean when he was just 17, referenced that his character had plenty of flaws, specifically regarding his relationship with Lindsay. As fans are aware, Dean had an affair with Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) while he was married to Lindsay.
Padalecki said while he wouldn't behave the same way Dean did, he appreciated that Gilmore Girls never shied away from the characters making mistakes.
"I think it's really important that it kind of humanized a lot of characters. Like even these great characters, you know, Rory did things that I'm sure Alexis wouldn't have done or vice versa," said the Supernatural actor during the interview. "I think one of the reasons it's so universal is that these are people. These are fleshed out people and it's not just, 'Hey, we're all perfect and speak really quickly and we are quippy and intelligent and erudite. And we never make mistakes.' It's like, no, we had a hiccup here. And now your tribe and your community, your family, your friends are going to rally up and kind of like get you back on your feet and carry on."
Oscar-Winning Film's New York Premiere Was 74 Years Ago Today
74 years ago on Friday, this iconic film premiered in New York City, before its nationwide release a little over a month later, on March 21, 1952.
The African Queen, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, opened on Feb. 20, 1952, at the Capitol Theatre in Manhattan. The Capitol was a frequent site of world premieres during the first half of the 20th century before closing on Sept 16. 1968. The theatre was replaced by the Uris Building, now Paramount Plaza. The movie originally premiered in Los Angeles on Dec. 26, 1951, so it could qualify for the 24th Academy Awards, which had an eligibility cut-off date of Dec 31. 1951.
Directed by John Huston and produced by Sam Speigel and John Woolf, the adventure film is an adaptation of the 1935 novel of the same name written by C.S. Forester that follows Captain Charlie Allnut (Bogart) and Rose Sayer (Hepburn), a missionary, who both navigate a treacherous river on a small steamboat to attack a German gunboat. Other cast included Robert Morley, Peter Bull, Walter Gotell, Richard Marner and Theodore Bikel.
The African Queen's Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart on a U.S postcard.LMPC via Getty Images
Reviews for The African Queen were generally positive, and it made about $4 million at the box office in North America and $6 million worldwide. Over 40 years after its release, the movie was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1994, as the Library of Congress deemed the film "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."
In addition, the film was nominated at the Oscars for Best Screenplay, while Huston and Hepburn snagged nominations for Best Director and Best Actress, respectively. Bogart, who was 52 years old at the time, earned his first and only Academy Award for Best Actor before he passed away five years later.
"It's a very long way from the Belgian Congo to the stage of the Pantages Theatre, and I'm very glad to say that it's a little nicer here than it was there," Bogart, who went by the nickname "Bogie," said at the beginning of his acceptance speech. "I just want to pay a slight, as a matter of fact, a very big tribute to Mr. John Huston and Miss Katherine Hepburn because they helped me to be where I am now."
Actor Humphrey Bogart holding his Best Actor Oscar for the film 'The African Queen', with presenter Claire Trevor, at the 24th Academy Awards, Los Angeles, March 20th 1952.Archive Photos/Getty Images
The African Queen can be purchased on Apple TV for $3.99 or watched for free on YouTube.
Related: Elizabeth Taylor’s Emotional Interview Resurfaces on 70th Anniversary of James Dean's Death
Bianca Censori Debuts Bold Hair Transformation in Outing With Kanye West
Bianca Censori just debuted a bold hair transformation during an outing with her husband, Kanye West.
Earlier this week, the former Yeezy architectural designer, 31, stepped out with her rapper spouse, 48, in Los Angeles for a dinner date.
In photos obtained by the Daily Mail, Censori put on a leggy display in a form-fitting blue bodysuit with sheer tights and heels. Although she wore a black jacket with the hood up, mostly blocking her face, the snaps revealed that the Australian model traded in her dark eyebrows for bleach-blond eyebrows.
West, meanwhile, donned a gray hoodie with black leather pants and black shoes.
See Censori's blond eyebrows here.
This isn't the first time Censori has turned heads with a sudden style switch-up. In August 2025, she traded her typically revealing fashion sense for a super conservative look — by rocking an oversized, black coat and a brown newsboy cap with a pair of silver sparkly boots.
That same month, West's ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, made a bold fashion statement that drew comparisons to Censori’. Kardashian, now 45, donned a brown fur coat with nothing underneath in snaps shared via Instagram. She also wore her controversial SKIMS facial shapewear in the photos.
In other risqué fashion moments, Censori rocked a different bodysuit with sheer tights during a Januarydate night with West. She also sported a series of sheer looks and looked unrecognizable in a different totally see-through outfit in July 2025. Additionally, Censori put on a leggy display in a pantsless look and put on a busty display in a cheeky thong bodysuit in June.
Meanwhile, Censori’s younger sister, Angelina Censori, has posted her fair share of eyebrow-raising outfits that channeled Bianca’s daring fashion sense in recent months, too.
Next: Bianca Censori Parades Ample Assets in See-Through Thong Underwear
'The Traitors' Star Candiace Dillard Bassett's Husband Slams Rob Rausch: 'He Don't Like Women'
The Traitors U.S. and former Real Housewives of Potomac star Candiace Dillard Bassett's husband is coming to her defense following her banishment from the castle.
Bassett was booted from The Traitors castle after her fellow traitor and Love Island USA star, Rob Rausch, successfully swayed the vote during the roundtable deliberations.
Bassett's husband, Chris Bassett, called out his wife's costar in an X post on Thursday Feb. 19.
The way #RobRausch is going up for Eric and protecting him while his name is being mentioned….but signed off on and led the charge against Lisa and Candiace….HE DONT LIKE WOMEN!! #TheTraitorsUS
— Chris Bassett (@cbassett33) February 20, 2026"The way #RobRausch is going up for Eric and protecting him while his name is being mentioned.....but signed off on and led the charge against Lisa and Candiace....HE DONT LIKE WOMEN!! #TheTraitorsUS," he wrote.
The X post is in reference to the latest episode where Rausch chose to protect newly recruited traitor Eric Nam after the elimination of Bassett and Lisa Rinna.
A fan replied to Chris' X post saying, "Lisa's days were numbered. Natalie even said it tonight, u have to keep the players who will have ur back. And let's be real, Candiace went at Rob, Rob didn't go at Candiace. I genuinely think if she didn't say his name, she'd still be in the game right now."
Bassett's husband stood by his initial post and responded to the fan, writing, "Rob was never working with a woman…he has shown this the whole series….and he literally led the charge against Candiace."
Speaking on her elimination from The Traitors, Bassett told Entertainment Weekly, that Black people, "are expressive and we are a colorful personality in the room. And when you're in a game where everyone's senses are heightened, I think it's easier to go to the glitter in the room, the star in the room, and begin to question those people."
She added, "It was interesting to bear witness to those biases and have it serve as a reminder to all of us and hopefully to the audience that this is something that we should all be looking out for and trying to thwart."
The Season 4 finale and reunion of The Traitors streams Thursday, Feb. 26 on Peacock.
‘Brady Bunch’ Star Maureen McCormick Shares Emotional Tribute on Special Day
A former star of The Brady Bunch shared a powerful message on a day that holds a very special place in her heart. Maureen McCormick, who played Marcia Brady in the iconic television show, took to Instagram on National Caregiver's Day to thank her parents.
Related: Maureen McCormick Pays Tribute to Late Co-Star From One of Her First TV Roles
On February 20, McCormick posted a snapshot of her family from years ago on her Instagram page. In the caption, she wrote, "Happy #NationalCaregiversDay. So grateful to my Mom and Dad who sacrificed each and every day with a heart full of love and patience for my brother Denny."
View this post on InstagramOver the years, McCormick has spoken about her brother Denny frequently. As the Special Olympics website notes in a bio for McCormick, her brother has intellectual disabilities.
McCormick has often praised her parents for the care they provided Denny, calling them her role models. The Brady Bunch star herself has also become a fierce advocate for others who also live with intellectual disabilities.
Related: Former 'Brady Bunch' Star Pleads With Fans in Emphatic PSA: 'Spreading the Word'
In the caption of her new Instagram post, McCormick not only thanked her parents, but she added a message for others like them.
"To all the caregivers in my life and to all caregivers everywhere, THANK YOU! YOU are my HEROES!"
Fans and some of McCormick's colleagues flooded the comment section of her Instagram post with words of support.
Holly Robinson Peete, who has a son who has autism, commented, "Beautiful photo. You are such an amazing loving sister. I'm so glad to know you."
View this post on InstagramA number of McCormick's Instagram followers left red heart emojis as comments, and some asked how Denny was doing.
One fan shared, "The apple certainly did not fall far from the tree. Love conquers all."
Another comment read, "Such special people. Love our caretakers in the world! Angels on earth."