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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A Harry Potter-Inspired ‘Return to Hogwarts' Party Is the Best Way to Fend Off the Back-to-School Scaries
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here. You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Read the original article on Purewow. Heading back to school can bring a wave of excitement—and anxiety. What will my teacher be like? Will I make friends? What if everyone is over Labubu and I get laughed out of class for my prized Lafufu collection dangling off my backpack?! Sixth grade was a huge adjustment for me, so much so that I dreaded every day of it, those first few weeks—but Harry Potter got me through it. Immersed in a world so fantastical, with characters so oddly relatable (despite the giants and thestrals and a certain immortality-seeking, murderous wizard), I devoured each book so quickly that I had to ration how many chapters a day I'd read, just to extend the storyline a bit longer. So, when my daughter, nieces and nephew seemed less than thrilled at the idea of summer ending—and teacher friends described combatting the 'back-to-school scaries'—I thought, what if we could turn some of that magic into a back-to-school party? Thus, the Return to Hogwarts party was born. Armed with a little creativity, a modest budget (my goal was to spend $150 or less) and roughly three hours to throw it all together, here's what I did—along with some ideas if you want to take things to the next level. (If you do, please send me your photos! I'd love to see them.) What to Make 1. Send the Invites Paperless Post Nobody has time to train a snowy owl to deliver personalized, wax-sealed letters of acceptance (though for $25, you can score a customized Hogwarts letter and supplies list that's frame-worthy). As a cheaper—and more timely alternative—might I suggest modifying Paperless Post wizard party invites (26 cents each) or creating and sending your own for free with Canva? 2. Create Your Own Platform 9 ¾ original photos: candace davison Cover the door—or even a portion of it—with brick bulletin board paper ($12), then tape a Platform 9 ¾ sign to the outside to set the tone of the party as people arrive. I made the Platform sign using the DM Serif Display font within a large circle on Canva (which I'll share here), which I printed and cut out. It took less than 10 minutes, but it made a big impact. 3. Set Up the Great Hall original photo: candace davison Confession: I had aspirations of buying Poly-fil, sheets and LED lights to create a stormy sky, like this phenomenal TikTok, but given my time and budget constraints, I wound up pointing my projector toward the ceiling, playing a loop of a starry sky, and hanging floating candles ($35; $25). Nobody seemed to mind; they were too busy passing around the wand that came with said candles—it functioned like a remote, allowing you to flick on and off the lights with the press of a button. There are a few designs like this sold online, but I've found Michaels Ashland candles are the most reliable and easiest to use. (On that note, shoutout to Michaels in general, because their Ashland line inspired half the decor—like this LED-lighted mantel scarf, $25, LED pillar candle set, $30, and ceramic cauldron, $12, all of which I can re-use for Halloween. Also, I saved 30 percent on my entire order by ordering online for a curbside pickup, which saved me time to boot, since I didn't have to scour stores for what I needed.) original photo: candace davison To further my theme while remaining budget friendly, I bought eight sheets of felt (67 cents apiece), in each of the four Hogwarts houses' colors. I cut them into four flags, using the other four pieces of felt to cut out a giant letter for each house's name, and glued it on top as decorations to hang on the walls. 4. Conjure Up a Sorting Hat Photo Opp original photo: candace davison If you have a statement armchair—or in my case, a swing chair—use it to your advantage. If you don't, you'll have plenty of leftover brick bulletin board paper you can use to cover a wall as a backdrop. To make more of a statement, I flanked the chair with these floating acceptance letter garlands I found on Amazon ($15). They come pre-strung on clear nylon, though I found I needed to use clear packing tape or string them from my curtain rods so they wouldn't immediately (and constantly) fall down. Still, it was worth it, especially when paired with the Official Sorting Hat (at $32, it was my 'splurge,' but it was a must). What to Serve 5. Concoct 2-3 Semi-Spooky Snacks original photo: candace davison There's no shortage of Harry Potter-inspired treats you can serve at your party (Snitch-inspired chocolate bon bons! Butterbeer fudge! Pumpkin Pasties!), but that can get pretty time-consuming. I try to stick to two or three 'statement' snacks (I made green chocolate-drizzled, candy-eye topped "Madeye Moody's popcorn" and pretzel-rod wands) and then round things out with a few kid-friendly basics, like tater tots, pizza cut into two-bite pieces and a basic crudité platter. 6. Rebrand a Few Tried-and-True Classics original photos: candace davison To that end, just because you're not constructing the Marauder's Map out of puff pastry doesn't mean you can't infuse a little magic into the food table with a few creative name cards. That veggie platter? Well, it's Professor Sprout's garden, of course, and the mango-pineapple juice? Trade out the bottle for a pitcher and some test tubes; it's a Polyjuice Potion now. (And, as my niece declared, it was 'the key' to turning her into Hermione Granger—not the costume that my brother-in-law had brought her in.) Even pigs in a blanket can be, uh, Basilisks in a Blanket, with the right signage. What to Do 7. Make Grade School Pennants (or Charm Bracelets) original photo: candace davison Since I was entertaining a gaggle of kids entering second through fourth grade, my crafts were relatively low lift. I put out colored pencils and crayons, along with these printable 'I'm entering ___ grade' pennants our PureWow team designed (which you can use too; just save this PDF). After decorating them, the kids could cut them out and tape them to a bamboo chopstick for their Sorting Hat photos. If you're entertaining an older crowd, they may be down with a goofy sorting hat pic…not so much coloring flags. In that case, pivot! Backpack charms are having a major moment, and if my crew were a bit older, I would've scooped up these Hogwarts and Horcrux charm sets ($15), basic beads in Hogwarts colors and a few Keyring Lobsters ($5). 8. Visit the Wand Shop original photo: candace davison Bamboo Chopsticks ($6) were another Hogwarts party MVP: Not only did I use them for the pennants, but I broke them apart and used them as the base for my wand-making station. Before the party, I used a hot glue gun and glue sticks to design swirls, criss-cross patterns and polka dots along the bottom half of several chopsticks, to give them the engraved and knobby looks of the wands from the Harry Potter series. I covered my table with posterboard, and let each witch and wizard take turns playing with the wand options, as they searched for their perfect fit. Once 'the wand chooses the wizard,' the kids got to paint them, then we moved onto snacks before returning to embellish them with metallic Sharpie markers. In hindsight, I would've added some rhinestones and glue, just for some extra flair for the Luna Lovegoods and future Beauxbatons transfers among us. 9. Get 'Sorted' into Your New Grade original photo: candace davison You're not a regular mom, you're a wizard, 'Arry! Oh, wait, I'm conflating quotes, aren't I? Ah, well. While other parents opt for the standard First Day of School chalkboard sign, I vote that you give your kids a different cheesy photo opp to cringe over in five years! We had fun putting on the Sorting Hat and having kids shout out which grade they were going into, before flashing their pennant (and biggest grins) for a pic. 10. Watch the Movie original photo: candace davison One of the nice things about Harry Potter is that the series grows with its audience, so my younger crowd appreciated seeing the first movie, whereas older kids—as in, 10 and up—may prefer to watch later films, like Prisoner of Azkaban and beyond. (Funny enough, we didn't even get through the movie—the kids were having too much fun pretending to be witches and wizards with their new wands.) The Bottom Line: Don't Overthink It original photos: candace davison It's so easy to turn Pinterest into a Portkey, racking up so many DIYs that you'll need three weeks' time and five figures to create The Core Memory of a Lifetime. But the thing is, all you really need are some floating candles, a wand-making station and solid snacks to have a great (and unforgettable) back-to-school party. Promise. 15 Harry Potter-Inspired Airbnbs You'll Want to Apparate to, Stat
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Ultimate Beach Trip Packing List, According to Our Water-Loving Editors
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here. You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Read the original article on Purewow. Come summer, two things are certain in my household. The first is that High School Musical 2 will be queued on the television, and the second is that I'll end up on a sandy shore. That said, a beach trip packing list is essential—even if you're just headed out for the day. Trust me. On a recent Coney Island excursion, I found myself, by day's end, monitoring two friends for heat intolerance and making a plan to organize everyone's emergency contacts and insurance cards. Whether you're just headed out for the day, or are spending a few weeks seaside, here's a comprehensive list of essentials, spanning clothing and accessories, toiletries, sun burn treatments and beach gear you didn't know you needed. PureWow editors, including a native Floridian, have weighed in on the things they always take with them. My best tips? SPF 50+, a good umbrella and more water than you think is practical. 10 Underrated Beaches Near NYC (as in, Within 2 Hours of the City) Paula Boudes/PureWow Swimsuits Swim trunks Swim diapers Rash guards Shirts Shorts Skirts Sundresses Light sweater Sneakers Waterproof shoes Swimsuit coverup Sunglasses Hat Toothbrush Toothpaste Facial cleanser Moisturizer Shampoo Conditioner Body wash/soap Nail clippers Deodorant Sunscreen SPF lip balm After sun care (aloe vera, hydrocortisone, calamine lotion) Allergy medication Pain reliever Towels Umbrella or tent Beach tote Rolling bag Wet bag First aid kit Goggles/snorkeling gear Inflatable kayak (for lake beach) Beach lounger/chairs Pails and shovels Boogie boards Paddle/surf boards Instant camera Cooler Water Frozen fruit Cut fruit and veggies Cold main dish Dry and portable snacks Canned drinks Napkins Wet wipes It might seem obvious, but after anxiously supervising two friends for mild heat stroke on a recent beach trip, I can confirm you can never have too much water. To be safe, start with at least a gallon per person, and be prepared to buy more beverages on site. (And keep everyone chugging!) 'I roll towels and stick them in [a] tote vertically to save space, pack a gallon-size ziploc with snacks at the bottom, and then throw any extras on top,' says former Floridian and PureWow Vice President of Editorial Candace Davison. 'I carry a separate mesh bag with the kids' sand toys, so the sand filters out as you walk to your car and doesn't mingle with your other essentials.' Davison's other tip is to pack a 'wet bag.'No kid wants to go home drippy, and I can easily throw swimsuits in here and zip it closed for the ride back without getting everything else in my bag soggy.' PureWow Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth prefers strappy sandals to flip flops on sand. After burning my own feet sliding around in the latter on a beach day, I'm inclined to agree. She swears on her Tevas, but recommends any sandal that will stay secure on your foot and protect the bottom of your feet. Take it from the editor who's written an in-depth guide to sunscreen. Higher SPF is better. For the face, I'm personally a fan of Versed's Good Defense SPF 50, while PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint's kids finally acquiesced to sun protection after she handed them the clear Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40. As for body, Davison loves good-old-fashioned Banana Boat's SPF 50 spray sunscreen, which makes covering more surface area a quick task. PureWow Food Editor and former competitive swimmer Taryn Pire swears on Dock & Bay. 'These are super light, compact and quick-drying. Since they aren't made of cotton and have a loopless design, they also retain less sand, so you won't make as big a mess in your car or house once you leave the beach,' she says. I also like eco brand Nomadix, which makes similar quick-drying towels that have sand falling away. My rookie mistake at the beach was having no shade source—which is partially how two of my friends ended up with mild heat stroke. Whether you've got an umbrella, tent or other shade apparatus, trust me when I say it's a must. Davison agrees. 'A pop-up beach tent is crucial for blazing hot days. Kids can rest (or nap) inside of it, or you can bring in some sand and let them play in the shade,' she says. You're going to be schlepping a lot, so you want a bag to match. Davison says: 'Ideally, I look for a roomy tote with at least three pockets: One for sunscreen, one for a water bottle, one for a cell phone. A key leash is a nice bonus, but a zippered interior pocket is great for holding your keys and wallet.' On the other hand, I was prepared for my beach day with a tote, but after one minute of trudging under the blazing sun, I was kicking myself for not having brought my Hulken. Hulken, wagon, your repurposed grocery cart: Trust me, you'll be happy you brought it when the sun is blazing down and you think your shoulder is going to fall off hauling all those frozen grapes. 16 Random-But-Useful Finds to Take Pool and Beach Days to the Next Level
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
OMG, the Famous Doona Liki S3 Trike Is $70 Off for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here. You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Read the original article on Purewow. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has finally arrived, and as far as deals go, our editors always keep an eye out for whenever Doona is on sale—especially when it comes to the Doona Liki S3 Trike ($280; $210). This popular stroller converts into a tricycle, and it's garnered such a fan following that I'm convinced it's going to sell out quickly. So, if you aren't a Nordy Club member already to access the sale, now's the time to join. Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds. In case you don't know, the official sale kicks off for everybody on July 12, but you can start shopping earlier, depending on your membership tier level. Here's how that breaks down: Icons: Shop from July 8 through July 11 Ambassadors: Shop from July 9 through July 11 Influencers: Shop from July 10 through July 11 Everyone (including non-members): Shop from July 12 through August 3 Not only is the Doona Liki S3 Trike celebrity-approved, it's also loved by our editors, who first reviewed it in 2020. At the time, Rachel Bowie, PureWow's senior director of special projects and royals, wrote, "This convertible piece is designed for use from 10 months to three years old. You start off with 'parent mode' (10 to 18 months) or 'push mode' (10 to 24 months), which allows you to lock the pedals and steer, as you would a stroller, with your child still feeling like they're the one in control." She added: "Next comes 'tricycle mode.' This was my son's first tricycle experience. Yes, he's two (aka ready for 'tricycle mode'), but I was a touch nervous, so we eased into things. He loved it the minute he sat down, even though he wasn't the one in control…yet. Speaking of control, from the parent perspective, that's the number one perk; The steering system gives it the feel of a traditional (easy-to-push) stroller." Five years later, Bowie still can't stop talking about it, raving, "I'd say that the best thing about is it truly the lifespan and flexibility —the fact that it can go from a stroller with mom or dad pushing to a tricycle-style experience where the child is totally independent makes it a great investment. I also like that even though a parent is pushing, there is still some autonomy for the kid (i.e., they're at the 'wheel'). During my test, I was also impressed by how smooth the ride was in every format. And it comes with a sun cover and storage, too." Nordstrom This convertible trike is a great entertainment and learning system for your little one. Not only can they feel like big kids riding around on a bike, but they can learn how to pedal and steer all by themselves. And with the price currently slashed by $70, there is no better time than now to pick one up. $280; $210 at Nordstrom The Babycook Neo Is Efficient and Easy to Use—but Is the Baby Food Maker Worth the Splurge? Here's Our Review PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women's walking shoes that won't hurt your feet, we've got you covered.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Duchess Sophie Almost Stumbles While Curtsying to King Charles
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here. You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Read the original article on Purewow. It was all fun and games for Duchess Sophie this week at the Royal Windsor Flower Show until it came time to greet her brother-in-law, King Charles, and her curtsy—standard royal protocol, of course—went from the event captured the moment it happened: The Duchess of Edinburgh bowed her head and kneeled so low as she said hello to the king that she nearly lost her shoe. It happened to be an ultra-chic slip-on wedge from Penelope Chilvers—similar here—in a neutral tone. As cute as they were, something tells us Sophie may be rethinking her footwear after nearly losing her balance in a high-pressure moment like this. (She had to reach up and grip the king's arms to steady herself, a royal oops.)That said, this type of situation ended up providing a chance for Sophie's relationship with Charles to shine. In fact, His Majesty—based on the pics—even appears to laugh it off as he helps the duchess recover. Like we said, royal protocol dictates the curtsy, but that doesn't mean that the formality of it all always goes smoothly. It also reminds us of something Samantha Cohen, one of Queen Elizabeth II's former royal aides, once said about royal life: The late queen's comings and goings were always organized so perfectly, which meant she got a real kick out of moments when things went wrong. (We're curious if Charles feels the same way.) That said, a stumble or two is often the price we pay for style. After all, Sophie looked lovely in her blue floral ME+EM dress paired with a blazer from Frame. Her wedges—wobbly footing aside—served as the perfect complement. Duchess Sophie Just Wore Jewelry from One of Kate Middleton's Favorite Brands (And Her Rings Are Less Than $150)
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
The Top 6 Color Trends to Mix and Match This Summer
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here. You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Read the original article on Purewow. One of my favorite parts of getting dressed each summer—in addition to trying seasonal fashion trends like Portuguese Girl style and jelly flats—is the opportunity to wear vibrant colors. And while you can never go wrong with classic white eyelet lace or black linen, there are a few shades in particular that you'll soon be seeing everywhere you look. Searches for these six hues have been steadily growing in popularity on the global shopping platforms and search engines Lyst, ShopStyle, Net-a-Porter and TagWalk for some time now, and a quick scroll through Netflix or TikTok, reveals that fictional characters, celebrities and influencers alike are already incorporating them into their summer capsule wardrobes. Here, the top summer color trends making their way from the runways and street looks to stores this season that you need to keep an eye on, plus tips on how to wear them no matter your style. Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite this food-inspired hue is still going strong, almost a full year after it first started gaining steam, and there are no signs of the trend slowing down. The mellow shade has spread to the best-sellers lists at retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop and Revolve, and now it's nearly impossible to scroll through Instagram without seeing some form of the 'It' color of the season in some capacity. And while it didn't seem to make much sense to me in the dead of winter, I do think it works incredibly well for warm weather and sunny afternoons. Don't fret if you don't love the way a classic butter yellow looks against your skin tone; you can (and should) try slight variations on the shade for the most flattering effect. Think: a soft and elegant buttermilk not far from the beige family or slightly bolder, more sunset-y shades of red have also been a trend for some time now, and while winter may have seen burgundy and plum rising to the top, summer will have the boldest, brightest versions pushing back into the spotlight. It makes for the perfect pop to any outfit and goes surprisingly well with a wide range of other hues, including pastels, neutrals and other primary shades. Because vermilion demands attention, no matter how large the item, this is a color you can absolutely adopt in small doses if you prefer. Start with some red socks, a red cardigan or even just a bold red lipstick before graduating to red maxi dresses and matching is always at least one shade of pink topping the list of color trends—millennial, Barbie, ballerina, etc.—and this summer is no exception. For 2025, it's all about the more delicate variations. Not quite pastel, but somewhere around cherry blossom or blush. This is one hue that's feminine, sweet and, above all, easy to pull off, so I say lean into it by sporting pink ballet flats, cardigans and solid-colored midi dresses. I've also seen plenty of influencers pairing this dainty hue with its opposites on the color wheel—blue or green—to create a striking pairing that's oh-so between sky, baby and Carolina blue sits a shade that immediately evokes images of crisp cotton button-up shirts. It's paler, but not washed out, and has an inherently preppy vibe, even when worn as boho ruffles or silk midi skirts. It's refreshing, easy to mix with basically anything in your existing wardrobe, and timeless too, making it a no-brainer to invest in. Of course, the easiest variations are, literally, crisp cotton pieces like tailored shorts, shirtdresses and button-up shirts. But opting for something much more unexpected, like a jersey tank dress or waxed barn jacket, is a super fun way to shake things up and impress even your most fashion-minded condolences to Elle Woods, but it appears orange may truly be the new pink. Or at the very least the summer-ready hue is proving to be a trend alongside shades of pink, in swaths big and small. Think less traffic cone and more creamsicle—middle-of-the-road shades, like tangerine, are the way to go here. The cheery, warm-weather trend is easiest to wear with neutrals like beige, tan or navy, but don't let that stop you from experimenting with bolder combinations, like hot pink, lime green or even royal purple. Much like with butter yellow, the key here is to seek out a shade of orange that best complements your skin brown, mocha mousse, burnt caramel—whatever version you like best, warm browns of all kinds are reigning supreme this summer. It's the ideal alternative to black or navy, which can sometimes feel a bit too stuffy for warmer weather. And while brown linen and lightweight or open-weave knits are definitely the way for clothing, brown suede is surprisingly still a great option for accessories like bags, flats or loafers, even as we head into peak summer. I'm a Plus-Size Editor—Here Are 15 Items I'm Buying for Summer PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women's walking shoes that won't hurt your feet, we've got you covered.
