Latest news with #RebeccaRodriguez
NBC News
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
The 8 best puzzle books for mind-bending, brain-teasing fun
Whether it's Legos, puzzles, or board games, I love low-key activities that deliver a dopamine hit and require little physical effort. Puzzle books are just that — they're a great way to entertain and challenge yourself without relying on an app or a screen, whether you're at home, commuting or at the beach. If you're looking for a brain teaser to keep handy, I've rounded up some of our favorites below, including classic games like crosswords and sudokus, along with true crime, mindfulness and lifestyle-themed picks. How I picked the best puzzle books My list below includes four different types of puzzle books: Visual: Think drawing and illustrations, including mazes, seek-and-finds, hidden pictures, spot-the-differences and more. Word: Word puzzle books include classic linguistic brain teasers, such as crosswords, word scrambles, word searches and more. Logic: Logic puzzles usually have straightforward rules that use deduction rather than guesswork, and include sudoku, decryption games, Nurikabe and more. Variety: These books include a mixture of games and puzzles across the other three categories. I also included puzzle books of varying difficulty levels, including easy puzzles (best for beginners), medium puzzles (trickier than easy but still doable after a bit of practice) and hard puzzles (which are puzzles that even enthusiasts may find challenging). The best puzzle books in 2025 This list includes top-rated options and recommendations from NBC Select staff. Best overall Everyone loves the charm of classic puzzles like sudokus and word searches, however, true crime fans in particular will love the twists and turns of Murdle's puzzles. The book includes 100 original murder mystery puzzles consisting of maps, drawings, codes and more to assist you in rooting out each game's guilty murderer. The puzzles steadily increase in difficulty, and the book is part of a series of deduction-based Murdle puzzle books, including the college-themed Murdle: The School of Mystery and a Murdle Jr. series for kids. NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez isn't a fan of difficult crossword puzzles, which is why she loves this compilation of easy ones from The New York Times. It includes 50 of the Times' Monday crosswords, the easiest of the week, making this a great option for beginners and experts alike. If your eyesight isn't the best, this book has an easy-to-read large print. Plus, its covered spiral binding can easily lay flat, which makes it easier to turn pages and solve puzzles on the move, according to the brand. When I was a kid, I loved puzzle books like I Spy and Where's Waldo, which is what drew me to this adult-friendly seek-and-find option. It includes weekend scenes, such as brunching with loved ones and shopping for plants, with tricky challenges for spotting objects and people on each page, according to the brand. Each puzzle includes a list of ten items to find, along with detailed, double-page illustrations in which they're hidden. If you're looking for a more diverse crossword puzzle book option, this compilation may be right up your alley. It features 300 brand-new crossword puzzles of varying difficulty levels from Simon & Schuster, the publishers of the first-ever collection of crossword puzzles, according to the brand. Although the book itself is large, the pages are perforated, so you can tear out puzzles to solve individually or while on the go, according to the brand. Best relaxing puzzles The Mindfulness Puzzle Book $14.99 $15.99 Amazon Now 6% off $14.99 Walmart I love using puzzles as a way to unwind in my free time, and this puzzle book is designed to help you relax while still keeping your mind stimulated. Each puzzle in the book is selected especially because of their equal level of challenge and reward, which helps activate the mood-boosting endorphins in your brain to help you combat stress, according to the brand. It has a range of games, including standard puzzles like crosswords and word searches, along with more playful activities like mazes, spot-the-difference games, and even a few coloring pages, according to the brand. This book is also the first in a series of several Mindfulness Puzzle Books, including an e-book version. This puzzle book originates from an online 'secret society of solvers' headed by M, who would post puzzles called Theorems online every week at midnight. This book is a compilation of M's classic Theorems, along with new ones consisting of encrypted messages, ciphers, brain-teasers and more, according to the brand. Each puzzle consists of an opening message, which contains clues and subtle directions, and a full-color illustration. Best sudoku Sudoku is one of my favorite kinds of puzzles — it's a number puzzle that involves filling in rows, columns and boxes with numbers from 1-9. The rules are also universal and unchanging. This book has over 200 puzzles across five difficulty levels, including easy, medium, hard, difficult and expert, according to the brand. It also has a spiral spine, which you can lay flat when solving on the go. Best word search Word searches are another classic puzzle type, which differ from crosswords in their lack of clues and straightforward solving. This book has 100 puzzles with themes specific to the year 2025, according to the brand. The puzzles are each individually made by a writer, rather than computer generated, and use over 4,000 more words than previous editions. The word searches are in large print, so they're easy to read for all ages and abilities, and each word search includes complete answers at the back of the book, according to the brand. Why trust NBC Select? Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter at NBC Select and a perpetual hobbyist who's written stories on the best puzzles for adults and the best beach vacation essentials. For this story, she researched highly-rated puzzle books across categories, and consulted NBC Select staffers for their puzzle book recommendations.
NBC News
06-07-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Target Circle Week 2025: Shop 11+ great deals from Bose, JBL and more
Target Circle Week is finally here. For the uninitiated, the sale (which runs through July 12 and overlaps with Amazon Prime Day) is open to Target Circle and Target Circle 360 members. Target Circle is the retailer's free loyalty program while Target Circle 360 is a paid membership that costs $99 a year and offers benefits like same-day shipping, extra time for returns and more. Both memberships give you access to the deals below, which are also available in store and online, and span across every major category including tech. You'll find many of Target's in-house labels, like Threshold and Casaluna, are heavily discounted as part of the sale. I frequently cover shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday as an editor for NBC Select, so I know how to find deals that are actually worth buying. Below, I rounded up the best Target Circle Week deals, all of which are highly rated and at least 20% off. I'll continue to update this list throughout Circle Week. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. Best Target Circle Week deals Beats Solo 4 Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear Headphones $99.99 $199.99 Target Now 50% off $129.95 $199.95 Amazon Now 35% off $129.99 $199.99 Best Buy Now 35% off 4.3-star average rating from 2,310 reviews at Target These over-ear headphones are compatible with iPhone and Android phones and have clear, high-quality spatial audio, adjustable ear cups and up to 50 hours of battery life, according to the brand. You can also use them to make calls and use voice assistants. 4.7-star average rating from 440 reviews at Target This portable speaker weighs just over one pound and measures 2 x 7.9 x 3.7 inches, so you can put it in your backpack, purse or crossbody bag with ease. It has up to 12 hours of battery life and a utility loop. 4.1-star average rating from 873 reviews at Target This breathable striped percale sheet set is ideal for hot sleepers and those who prefer their bedding with a crisp feel. It has one fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases, and it's machine washable. 'I don't believe in buying expensive sheets because these affordable, insanely soft and durable Target sheets exist,' says NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. 'I swear they get more and more buttery every time I wash them, and they never shrink, which is key.' 4.7-star average rating from 184 reviews at Target The JBL Clip is one of our favorite portable speakers and a must-have for NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez. 'This portable speaker has a sound quality that packs a powerful punch for a small device, and is easy to clip on to your bag and take anywhere,' she says. It's water- and dust-proof and has up to 12 hours of play time on a single charge. 4.7-star average rating from 812 reviews at Target This wooden and metal shoe rack measures 25 x 24 x 11.8 inches and its design makes it easy to grab the pair you want and put away the ones you don't without opening a drawer. It has a weight capacity of 100 pounds, according to the brand. 4.3-star average rating from 152 reviews at Target This bedding set comes with a duvet cover and two pillow shams made from satin and lyocell. You can zip the cover and the shams closed to keep them in place. You can also machine wash and dry both items. 4.7-star average rating from 1,745 reviews at Target This Brightroom three-drawer plastic storage unit measures 15 x 21 x 24.5 inches and is on wheels so you can maneuver it around easily. Since it's see-through, you can also quickly see where everything is all at once. 4.6-star average rating from 399 reviews at Target This medium-sized backpack has two water bottle holders on the sides, a zipper pocket on the front and a main compartment with a laptop pocket that's large enough for a 15-inch model. It's made from a water resistant material, so you don't have to be too precious with it, and the straps are adjustable, too. Best Target Circle Week sales Here are more Target Circle Week sales to know about. Keep in mind, not every item from a brand is discounted as described below: Up to 40% off Threshold bedding and towels Up to 40% off Beats headphones and earbuds Up to 20% off Brightroom home storage Up to 30% off Paper Mate office supplies Up to 30% off Sharpie office supplies How I found the best Target Circle Week deals All of my recommendations above are based on NBC Select's previous coverage and reporting. I also included products the NBC Select staff tested. All the products I recommend are at least 20% off and highly rated with at least a 4.0-star average rating from at least 100 reviews. Why trust NBC Select?
NBC News
30-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- NBC News
Here's everything our readers added to their carts in June
Summer is officially here, which means our NBC Select readers have been stocking up on travel accessories, SPF and a ton of personal care essentials to look their very best, whether for an upcoming vacation, nights out or gatherings with friends and family. You'll notice our bestsellers list is full of sunscreens, and for good reason: This month, we launched our list of 100 best face sunscreens, which involved a six-week period of our editors powering through breakouts, sunburns and skin irritation while testing over 110 SPFs. But our summer-friendly (and heat wave-adjacent) product testing didn't stop there — we also rounded up our editors' favorite AC units, fans, deodorants and portable speakers, to name a few. Read on for a full list of the bestsellers NBC Select readers shopped in May. June bestsellers Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen $22.45 $28.00 Amazon Now 20% off $24.99 Ulta $24.99 Target What to know This Round Lab sunscreen earned the No. 1 spot on our list of 100 best face SPFs. It has a silky, creamy consistency and a subtle scent. 'As someone with sensitive skin who leans on the drier side, my favorite thing about the Round Lab formula is that it's genuinely soothing and feels like I'm wearing a thin layer of hydration on my skin — so much so, that I don't have to layer on my regular moisturizer,' says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez. The sunscreen has niacinamide to brighten and calm skin, along with amino acids and minerals to reduce texture and inflammation, according to the brand. This viral tumbler is a favorite among our editors — you'll find it at nearly every one of our desks. I use mine every single day, and its stainless steel interior manages to keep my drink cold for hours (I'll even have unmelted ice in my water more than two hours after I poured it). Plus, I love that the bottom of the bottle is compatible with many cup holders, like the ones in my car and on my treadmill. Three Sun Bum sunscreens made our 100 best SPFs list, including this face lotion. It has a classic sunscreen scent, but it isn't overpowering and didn't make our editors' eyes burn. 'It blended into my skin, including the short facial hair I have, very seamlessly and didn't leave any residue around my hairline,' says NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez, who notes this sunscreen is a reliable drugstore option. Many of our editors consider these their go-to whitening strips plus they're one of the only ADA-accepted teeth whitening strips to date. After using the strips a few nights in a row, NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin says her teeth look brighter and whiter, which she says is impressive since she drinks coffee and Diet Coke every day. They're easy to take out of the packaging and they fold over toward the back of your teeth, so they stay put over the 45-minute application period. Calling all Lego lovers: This giftable kit is the size of a small storage box and has enough space to hold all of its 484 pieces. The set comes with flat baseplates and cube-shaped interlocking pieces, small wheels for building trains and cars, pieces for making animals and more, all in 35 different colors. You can see everything you can build on the back of the box, plus it has inspiration photos for your creations. Dr. Jart+ is one of our favorite K-beauty brands, and this stick sunscreen primes the skin and blurs pores, which makes it a great option to apply underneath makeup. 'It goes on smoothly and doesn't leave my face feeling heavy or sticky,' says Rodriguez. 'And like its name suggests, this truly is an invisible sunscreen.' It's also not messy like other sunscreens, which makes it easy to apply and reapply throughout the day, according to our editors. While experts say plastic cutting boards are generally safe to use, they can cause microplastics to end up in your food. This cutting board is made from composite wood fiber, which is durable, easy to clean and good on your knives, according to experts in our guide to plastic cutting board alternatives. The non-porous board has a smooth feel and is double-sided, plus there's a hole to hang it from. This sunscreen has a rich, creamy texture and comes with a small scoop to not only help you avoid dipping your fingers into the tub, but also to indicate how much sunscreen you should apply to your face. 'As someone who often wears acrylics, not having to dip my fingers into the jar is such a plus. A con, however, is that there's no real place to put it once you detach it from the case,' says NBC Select editorial operations associate Jem Alabi. Merit's tinted sunscreen is closer to a foundation than most other tinted sunscreens on the market, and it instantly improves skin tone and texture, says Malin. It has a rich texture, but still feels lightweight, and it dries matte, so you can layer makeup on top without worrying about a shiny or oily base. It's also noncomedogenic and oil-free, which means it won't clog pores and is great for acne-prone skin. Cetaphil makes some of our favorite face moisturizers, cleansers and sunburn treatments. This lightweight moisturizer helps relieve dry, tight and rough skin thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic and polyglutamic acid, which help strengthen your skin's moisture barrier, according to the brand. The gel-like consistency absorbs quickly into the skin, and its oil- and fragrance-free formula won't cause irritation or clogged pores. If you're prioritizing fuller and thicker-looking hair this summer, consider this Ogx volumizing shampoo. It has a blend of biotin and collagen, which are naturally-occurring proteins in the body that help make your hair look thicker and have more volume overall, according to the brand. Reviewers love its subtle fragrance (notes of coconut, jasmine and lemon) that lingers in their hair post-shower. Another teeth whitening treatment our readers loved this month, these pre-filled trays (which you bite into) have professional-grade gel and are the strongest option we recommend. Our editors like that the tray format is easier to pop on and off than a traditional whitening strip, and they're comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. Malin considers this neck fan, which she wears around her neck like she would a pair of over-ear headphones, a must-have during the hot summer months. It's rechargeable, portable and has three airflow speeds, which you change by pressing its power button. The fan blows cool air toward you, and its bladeless design prevents your hair from getting caught in the openings. Plus, it helps keep your hands free to open doors, carry bags or run everyday errands. Why trust NBC Select? I'm an updates editor at NBC Select who has covered a variety of shopping categories, including beauty and pets, since 2021. For this article, I compiled a list of the top 13 bestselling products among our NBC Select readers during the month of June.
NBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
BTW, Wayfair's Memorial Day Sale has sales up to 70% off
There is no shortage of sales during Memorial Day weekend — over the next week or so, you can find major deals at Nordstrom, Macy's, Amazon and more. Another major retailer having a big sale? Wayfair, which is known for selling home goods. During the sale, which runs through May 27, you can shop deals on home furniture, appliances, decor and more, all up to 70% off. There are thousands of products on sale during the duration of the sale and Wayfair is also dropping daily doorbuster deals that will last for only 24-hours. Below, I rounded up the best deals from Wayfair's Memorial Sale that are worth shopping. What to buy during Wayfair's Memorial Day Sale This large Dutch oven holds up to 8 quarts and is both dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the brand. It also has large handles on each side for easy maneuvering and comes in 8 different colors. 'There's a reason Le Creuset is a household name and I believe any one who enjoys cooking needs one of these in their home,' says NBC Select editorial operations manager Rebecca Rodriguez. 'This perfectly distributes heat throughout to provide an even cook and is ideal for slow cooking meats, making soups or stews and my favorite use case: making risotto. I'm a risotto afficionado and this Dutch Oven brought my recipe to a whole new level.' This 14-piece knife set includes six steak knives, two kitchen utility knives, a chef knife, kitchen shears, a bread knife, a Santoku knife, a paring knife and a knife block to store everything in. The knives are forged from stainless steel and have ergonomic handles for comfort, according to the brand. A cozy throw blanket comes in handy year round — it can keep you warm in the winter or when the air conditioner is blasting in the middle of summer. This one has fleece on one side and sherpa on the other for a super soft feel. It's also available in 21 colors and patterns to meet various aesthetic preferences This extra plush pillow is made with the brand's popular memory foam to conform to your head and provide custom support, according to Tempur-pedic. It comes with a removable cover and has a 5-year warranty from the brand. This upholstered bed is ideal for those with limited storage space in their home. Once you place a mattress on it, the frame's hydraulics allow you to prop it up to store things in the base. The bed is available in full, queen and king sizes. Perfect for a reading nook or anywhere else you want softer lighting than overhead lighting, this floor lamp has a gold metal stand and a scalloped glass shade that has a retro vibe. It stands 62.75-inches tall and weighs 8 pounds. This chair has a mid-century modern vibe and is currently 67% off. It has a wooden frame and an upholstered high-density foam cushion backrest and seat that comes in three different shades — beige, dark green or gray. It also comes with a lumbar pillow for further back support. This area rug comes in a variety of sizes and can be used indoors or outdoors. It has a bold pattern and a low pile, making it good for high traffic areas, according to the brand. You can vacuum it, spot clean it with a damp cloth or even hose it down if it's heavily soiled. It's best to use a rug pad with it to prevent slipping. Protect your couch from pet hair, spills or other dirt and grime with this polyester slipcover. It fits couches that are up to 70-inches long and has elastic straps to keep it in place. The cover comes in nine colors and has three slip pockets on each side to hold things like remote controls, magazines and more. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a writer at NBC Select who covers a variety of topics, including home, tech and beauty. I have been covering major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday for over a decade.
NBC News
13-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- NBC News
Your summer wardrobe called — it wants these Nordstrom sale picks
As we inch towards summer, it's only natural to start craving new pieces for your warm weather wardrobe — like a stylish pair of sandals, a new dress or a beach bag for an upcoming vacation. But given that the summer season is relatively short, you may feel iffy about shelling out a ton of money for said pieces. That's where Nordstrom comes in. The retailer just added a ton of perfect-for-summer items to their sale section — and you can find deals up to 65% off. Below, we've rounded up some of our favorite sales from Nordstrom — check them out while they last. Best Nordstrom sale deals Bugatti Singapore Luggage Set Bugatti Singapore Luggage Set Got big travel plans this summer? This 2-piece luggage set can be a big help and is currently 65% off. The set has a carry-on bag and a larger spinner that can be checked. Both suitcases have hard shells, are lightweight and have 360-degree spinner wheels to make getting through the airport a breeze, according to the brand. They also have a zipper-release expansion system that can increase packing capacity by up to 20%, according to Bugatti. Rothy's The Weekend Slide Perfect with a casual dress or a pair of cropped pants, the silver sand color in this slide is currently 28% off. It has a knit upper and a plush footbed for comfort, according to the brand. Also nice: The materials are made from a blend of recycled plastic water bottles for sustainability. These oversized sunglasses can add a glam touch to any summer look. They come in five colors — including dusk apricot, smoke and dark poppy— and are currently 70% off. They offer 100% UV protection and adjustable nose pads. These sunglasses have a 4.1-star average rating from over 800 reviews at Nordstrom. On Cloudpulse Sneaker These shoes are one of our favorite training shoes because they have a wider toe box, rubber outsoles with good grip and a plastic plate in the midsole that supports lateral movements. Rebecca Rodriguez, NBC Select editorial projects manager, wears them to the gym and says they provide nice cushioning and arch support. Right now, the ivory/fade colorway is 26% off. NYDJ Marilyn Cool Embrace Jeans These jeans are made with a moisture-wicking denim to keep you cool and comfortable in the heat, according to NYDJ. They also have the brand's patented Lift-Tuck Technology, which helps to streamline and smooth from the inside. These jeans have a high rise and are cropped at the ankle. CeCe Ruffle Hem Dress Having a summer dress that you can easily dress up or down comes in handy. This one ties at the waist for a customized fit, has loose sleeves and a ruffled hem. Wear it with sneakers during the day or add heels for a fancier event. This dress is currently 40% off and is available in sizes XXS through XXL. More Nordstrom deals to shop Why trust NBC Select? I'm a writer at NBC Select who covers a variety of topics, including home, tech and beauty. I have been covering major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday for over a decade.
