Try This Almond Flour Cookie Recipe And Switch Up Your Baking Routine

Sep 15, 2023

Oh, almond flour, you sultry, nutty temptress! Almond flour adds a touch of mystery and allure to our cookies, giving them a texture that's as soft and seductive as a whispered secret. It's like the culinary equivalent of batting your eyelashes and flashing a mischievous smile. These cookies are about to become your culinary crush.

But here's the best part: almond flour cookies are a gluten-freedelight that doesn't compromise on flavor or fun. They're the perfect wingman for those who want to embrace a healthier, yet still utterly decadent cookie experience. Imagine sinking your teeth into a cookie that's as tender as a love letter and as nutty as a romantic rendezvous in the heart of Provence. These cookies are designed to woo and win over even the most discerning palates.

To be completely honest, I made the almond flour transition in baking not too long ago and oh, what a revelation it was! Now, I know what you might be thinking. Baking with almond flour sounds fancy and complicated, right? Wrong! It's easier than you think. Even if you're new to the world of gluten-free baking, fear not, because this almond flour cookie recipe is the best way to begin! Let's bake!

Benefits Of Almond Flour Cookies

Image via Mae Mu/ Unsplash

Almond flour cookies offer several benefits, making them a popular choice for those seeking healthier and alternative baking options.

Gluten-Free: Almond flour is naturally gluten-free, making almond flour cookies an excellent choice for individuals with gluten sensitivities or those with celiac disease.
Nutrient-Rich: Almond flour is a good source of essential nutrients, including healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins (such as vitamin E and B vitamins), and minerals (such as magnesium and potassium). These nutrients can contribute to overall health and well-being.
Low in Carbs: Almond flour is lower in carbohydrates compared to traditional wheat flour, making almond flour cookies a suitable option for those following low-carb or keto diets.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Almond flour has a lower glycemic index compared to wheat flour, which means it can help regulate blood sugar levels. This can be beneficial for individuals with diabetes or those looking to manage their sugar intake.
Heart-Healthy Fats: Almond flour is primarily composed of monounsaturated fats, which are considered heart-healthy fats. Consuming these fats in moderation may help improve heart health.
Satiety: Almond flour's combination of healthy fats, protein, and fiber can help promote a feeling of fullness and satiety, potentially reducing overall calorie intake.
Easy Digestibility: Some individuals find that almond flour is easier to digest compared to wheat flour, which can be particularly beneficial for those with digestive sensitivities.

Ingredients:

Image via Thalia Ruiz/ Unsplash

2 cups almond flour
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (for a vegan option, use maple syrup)
1 large egg (for a vegan option, use a flax or chia egg)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional add-ins: chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit, etc.

Instructions:

Image via Pam Menegakis/ Unsplash

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents.
Cream Butter and Sweetener: In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and honey (or maple syrup) until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg (or flax/chia egg) and vanilla extract to the butter and sweetener mixture. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until a cookie dough forms. If you're adding any optional ingredients like chocolate chips or nuts, fold them into the dough at this stage.
Shape the Cookies: Using a spoon or your hands, scoop out portions of cookie dough and shape them into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between them.
Flatten the Cookies: Use the back of a fork to gently flatten each cookie. You can create a crisscross pattern on the top if you'd like.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as almond flour cookies can brown quickly.
Cool: Once done, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Header image via Mae Mu/ Unsplash

This One Simple Tip Will Make Your Sourdough Starter Even Easier

Sourdough is having a moment. More specifically, sourdough starters, which have seemingly taken over our TikTok FYP (just check out the channel itself). But for so many, sourdough seems too complex to actually create. It’s not the ingredients or the actual baking that seems the hardest — it’s the patience that’s required during the sourdough starter process (and waiting while it’s cooking in the oven, but who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked bread?!). To demystify this delicately baked deliciousness and all it's prep, we chatted with expert baker, Annie Paul. Here are some the simple tips for making your sourdough starter experience less of a hassle!

First, what is sourdough starter?

Photo by Adam Bartoszewicz/Unsplash

The reason you're seeing those aesthetic videos of sourdough starter moving around in a bowl is because, well, it’s technically alive. The starter consists of live fermented culture (wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria) created by fresh flour and water. Why is this an essential part of the sourdough bread baking process? It causes the dough to rise. And don’t get thrown off by the term “wild yeast,” because it’s pretty much found everywhere — fruits, flowers, vegetables, etc. all carry it!

But don't worry — it may seem intimidating to keep this concoction alive, but we've got you covered with one very hot tip.

The Tip? Establish A Feeding Schedule For Your Sourdough Starter

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Making a sourdough starter is approximately a seven day commitment. This can sound overwhelming, but if you stay consistent, it’s really not a hard feat! The easiest way to culture a successful starter is to establish a feeding schedule — this means adding in more fresh flour and water and allowing it to ferment for an extended period of time. You can leave it in a jar or bowl on the counter.

Depending on the recipe you're following and if your home is on the warmer side, you’ll likely be doing this twice a day with equal parts water and flour (around every 12 hours). A kitchen scale and written out time chart is one of the simplest tools to keep track of the ingredient amounts and times that your sourdough starter should be fed. Don’t know where to start? Just check out our beginner-friendly sourdough bread recipe.

PSA: You Don’t Have to Make A Sourdough Starter Yourself

Photo by Felicity Tai/PEXELS

To the bakers out there that are still intimated by the length of time it takes to make a good sourdough starter, you actually don’t have to make it yourself. “My best tip is to go to a bakery that makes really good sourdough bread and ask to buy some of their starter,” Annie Paul, winner of Magnolia Network’s Silos Baking Competition and bakery owner of A P Baked Goods in Michigan, said.

Paul added that most bakeries have a starter that’s “years and years old and that will really improve the flavor of your bread.” Asking your local artisanal bakery not only aids small businesses but also may get you the tastiest of results. No matter which sourdough starter path you choose (homemade or bakery bought), you will not be disappointed with a warm slice of bread and butter.

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George And Amal Clooney's Courtship Included...Letters From His Dog?

George and Amal Clooney are one of the celebrity couples I’d personally be upset over if they ever break up. Like...my heart just wouldn’t be able to handle it because their love story is one for the books — not to mention all the power couple fashion moments we'd miss out on!

I was introduced to George Clooney’s work via Quentin Tarantino’s movieFrom Dusk ‘Til Dawn (thanks, dad) and have always found him to be a force of nature, but I didn’t take him for the ‘settling down’ type. Imagine my surprise when the man who once claimed he’d never get married eventually found himself smitten with Amal Alamuddin, an intelligent Human Rights Lawyer.

Since their fateful first meeting at George’s home years ago, the two have gone on to get married, have children, and even established the Clooney Foundation for Justice together. If you can’t get enough of their relationship either, here’s a full timeline of their love story!

George and Amal Clooney's Full Relationship Timeline

Image via Andrew Goodman/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night

July 2013: George And Amal Clooney’s First Introduction

In 2018, George sat down with David Letterman on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction to recount various moments from his life, including when he first met Amal. He remembers being at home at Lake Como when one of his friends asked if they could bring a plus one with them.

To make things even wilder, his own agent let him know his bachelor days would soon be over. “I got a call from my agent who called and said, ‘I met this woman who’s coming to your house who you’re gonna marry,’” he said.

Once he met Amal and began talking to her, it was apparent they had chemistry that resulted in them exchanging emails. George told The Hollywood Reporter, “I thought she was beautiful, and I thought she was funny and obviously smart…Then she sent some pictures from when she was here, and we were writing each other, emailing, talking, mostly about what was going on in each other’s lives, and over a period of time it became clear we were more than just friends.”

I’m being dramatic, but I think this dispels the idea that it’s impossible to find love if you don’t leave home.

Image via Cindy Ord/Getty Images

October 2013: George and Amal Have Their First Date

George also told The Hollywood Reporter about how their first official date came to be. He was in London overseeing the music for Monuments Men and decided to invite Amal for a visit. “Then we went for dinner…and when we came out, there were 50 paparazzi there. But she handled it like a champ. And pretty quickly, things escalated once I was in London,” he said

While they dated and got to know each other, they told CBS that they wrote each other letters. While they described that courtship, Amal added that some of the letters George wrote to her came from...his dog? Talk about bringing someone into your inner world! TBH, I'm more than here for it — let your sweet, goofy flag fly, George!

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner

April 2014: George and Amal Get Engaged

I always say there’s no denying when you’ve fallen in love with someone, and that couldn’t be more true for George and Amal Clooney who got engaged after six months of dating. Seriously, the way George proposed is something out of a romantic fairytale because he planned it. Not only that, but he cooked for her and sent her on a short scavenger hunt — except she didn’t know she was supposed to be looking for a ring.

He revealed even more details about the moment during his interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I did all the stuff, got down on my knee and did all the things you’re supposed to do. I had a playlist with my Rosemary [Clooney] songs on it, and I was waiting for this song, ‘Why Shouldn’t I,’” he said.

Needless to say, Amal happily accepted his proposal! Ironically,I’m starting to realize there’s not always a set timeline for people to get engaged or married after dating. Some people only date for a few months while others date for years before deciding to get married. It’s all very personal.

Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI

September 2014: George And Amal Clooney Get Married

It wouldn’t be right if the couple didn’t get married in Italy, the country where they first met. Of course they were free to get married wherever they wanted, but leave it to the Clooneys to keep the romance going.

People reported the lovely couple wed at the Aman Canal Grande resort and guests like Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and John Krasinski were in attendance.

Image via Jason Merritt/Getty Images

January 2015: George and Amal Grace the Red Carpet Together

For the first time ever, George and Amal Clooney made an appearance on the red carpet at the beginning of 2015. They attended the Golden Globes together where George received the famed lifetime achievement award.

Towards the end of his speech, George praised Amal in only a way that a man truly in love with his wife could. He said, "You make every single day — every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday — feel as special as tonight..."

Image via Duncan McGlynn/Getty Images

Late 2016: George and Amal Found the Clooney Foundation for Justice

By 2016, George and Amal Clooney decided to found the Clooney Foundation for Justice — an organization that aims to shed light around social injustices found across the globe. They've prioritized spending their own money to help those in need without a second thought and have even donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Image via Clemens Bilan/Getty Images

February 2017: PEOPLE confirms George and Amal are expecting twins

Almost three years after getting married, a source close to George and Amal Clooney revealed the two were expecting a baby together. They told People, "They’re all very happy," referring to the couple's family.

George later revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he was shocked when he discovered the couple would actually become parents to twins. He recalled their experience in the ultrasound room. "He goes, 'Well, there's one.' And I said, 'Great.' And then he goes, 'And there's the second one.' And I was like, 'What?' We just sat there, staring at that piece of paper they give you, and I kept thinking there was a mistake," he said of the exchange between the doctor and the couple.

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

June 2017: George and Amal Clooney Welcome Their Twins

People also reported the birth of George and Amal Clooney's twins — Alexander and Ella — during the summer of 2017. "This morning Amal and George welcomed Ella and Alexander Clooney into their lives. Ella, Alexander and Amal are all healthy, happy and doing fine. George is sedated and should recover in a few days," they revealed in lighthearted joint statement.

September 2017: George and Amal Clooney Make Their First Appearance After Becoming Parents

Later that year, George and Amal Clooney graced the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in support of George's film Suburbicon. George — an ever dapper gentleman — wore a classic black tuxedo while Amal wore a lilac Versace gown.

Image via Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty Images

May 2018: George and Amal attend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding

Things were quiet for the couple until the spring of 2018. They attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's highly publicized wedding. They were just a few of the celebrities that were seen in the crowd.

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

February 2022: George and Amal accept the Catalyst Award together

A couple of years later, George and Amal Clooney were the proud recipients of the joint Catalyst Award from the Elevate Prize Foundation. The amazing work they'd been doing in connection with the Clooney Foundation for Justice hadn't gone unnoticed and they were praised for their amazing philanthropic work.

While accepting the award, George gave a moving speech about their foundation's purpose. "One of the Elevate Prize Foundation's core values is human safety and freedom...Our goal at the foundation is to free the innocent and punish the guilty. I think we're both inspired by the young people out there challenging injustice in their communities, a new generation that won't accept the status quo," he said.

Image via Joe Maher/Getty Images

September 2022: George and Amal attend London premiere of Ticket to Paradise

The couple then attended the London premiere of Ticket to Paradise where they looked refreshed and glowy. This is my attempt to be appropriate, but they truly looked smoking h-o-t!This time George wore a three-piece suit while Amal stunned in beautiful slip dress.

Image via Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

October 17, 2022: George and Amal attend Ticket to Paradise Los Angeles premiere

They then attended the L.A. premiere of Ticket to Paradise where George looked debonair in a grey suit. Amal wore a gorgeous Alexander McQueen number that was an appropriate nod to the film's paradise theme.

Image via Mike Coppola/Getty Images

December 3, 2022: George and Amal Attend The Kennedy Center Honors

George and Amal Clooney attended the Kennedy Center Honors where he, along with honorees, received a nod for lifetime achievements. They were a picture of perfection on the red carpet, especially Amal. She dazzled in a lovely Valentino gown that looked amazing on her frame.

Image via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

August 31, 2023: The Couple Attend The DVF Awards in Venice

While attending the DVF Awards in Venice, Amal received the DVF Leadership Award. During her acceptance speech, Amal thanked George for being by her side. People reports she said, "Venice is the place where almost nine years ago we were married. I just wanted to say, you, my love, like this city, take my breath away, and you make our lives magical. It is sometimes hard to believe you exist, so thank you for being the brightest light in my life.”

September 28, 2023: George and Amal host The Albies

Before the end of 2023, People reported George and Amal Clooney hosted their foundation's second annual Albies at the New York Public Library to continue highlighting the importance of securing human rights for all.

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Header image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

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24 Over-The-Top Brownie Recipes For Your Sweet Tooth

Chocolate. It’s a beautiful, magical, valuable thing. And if you love it just as much as we do, you’ll need some great brownie recipes up your sleeve to make when the sugar cravings kick in. Sure, chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cakes are cool and all, but brownies just hit the spot like no other. Feeling… feelings? There’s a brownie for that – and we’re here to serve it to you. Ahead, 24 mind-blowing brownie recipes for everyone to enjoy!

Guinness S’mores Brownies

All the things you love, together at last. Guinness gets tossed into this brownie recipe with a s'mores twist for a delightfully decadent treat. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Peppermint Brownies

This brownie recipe would be immaculate for the holiday season, but chocolate and peppermint taste amazing together year-round. Do what you will with that information. (via Brit + Co)

Nutella Brownies

Nutella gives these fancy brownies an addictive nutty finish, perfect for pairing with a cold glass of milk or even some coffee! (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Red Velvet Brownies

When red velvet flavors meet your classic brownie recipes, something magical happens. The result is obviously these stunning vegan brownies with a smattering of homemade icing! (via Brit + Co)

Slutty Brownies

There's nothing risqué about this brownie recipe... other than the fact that it's made with Oreos, cookie dough, and dulce de leche. Um, did someone say sugar rush?! (via Brit + Co)

Brownie Cake Pops

These portable brownie pops allow you to take your cravings on-the-go. Plus, you can customize 'em pretty easily with the sprinkles of your choice! (via Brit + Co)

Buttered Popcorn Crunch Brownies

Get chompin’ on these salty-sweet fancy brownies for your next movie night! The entire watch party will be pleased with how ooey-gooey they are. (via How Sweet Eats)

Mocha Brownies with Espresso Glaze

We're drooling already. Coffee and chocolate are already two of our favorite things, so when they combine, it's pure magic. (via The Original Dish)

Chewy Chocolate Drenched Peanut Butter Cornflake Crunch Fudge Brownies

Say that five times fast! This brownie recipe is perfect for bringing to a work potluck or bake sale, so you can watch as they disappear in the blink of an eye. Yum! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Red Velvet Chocolate Swirled Brownies

These over-the-top brownies earn a 10/10 for presentation. Just look at those swirls! (via Averie Cooks)

Praline Brownies

This brownie recipe is gonna satisfy every sweet tooth with two rich, distinct layers of chocolatey brownie and creamy praline topping. (via Cookies and Cups)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies

Brookies are the best dessert mashup around, since you get the best of both worlds in just one bite. Craving a little nibble of each? Look no further than these fancy brownies. (via Completely Delicious)

Rich Dark Chocolate Brownies with Flaky Sea Salt

A little sprinkling of flaky sea salt never did any harm! When paired with dark chocolate, the salt creates a wonderful flavor combo you'll come back for time and time again. (via No Eggs or Ham)

Ube Brownies

Ube (purple yam) shines so bright in this brownie recipe. It lends a sweet, almost-earthy flavor that works ridiculously well with the chocolate. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Irish Cream Cheesecake Brownies

Everybody is Irish on St. Brownie’s Day – especially if these cheesecake brownies are being served alongside some green cocktails! (via Chez Catey Lou)

Fudgy Flourless Brownies

The fact that you can pull of a flawless brownie recipe like this without any flour is astounding to us. We want a bite, stat! (via My Whole Food Life)

Vegan Biscoff Brownies

The sweet, spiced nature of Biscoff cookies just makes so much sense to mix into some over-the-top brownies. In this cake, you'll use Biscoff cookie butter to enrich the batter with the flavor! (via Earthly Provisions)

Hazelnut Tahini Brownies

Bye. We've died and gone to heaven after seeing these rich tahini brownies! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies

These fancy brownies are a tasty callback to classic chocolate-covered strawberries, and we need a batch to feast on as soon as humanly possible. (via Give Recipe)

Double Espresso Chocolate Brownies

Wake up to the smell of freshly-baked espresso brownies! We wouldn't want our daily dose of caffeine any other way, TBH. (via Louise’s Spis)

Salted Caramel Pretzel Topped Fudgy Brownies

The crunchy miniature pretzels that sit atop these devilishly fudgy brownies balance out each bite in terms of flavor and texture, and it's a beautiful, beautiful thing. (via Averie Cooks)

Chocolate Coconut Brownies

It's like if Almond Joy turned into a decadent brownie recipe. (via Averie Cooks)

Peppermint Pattie Brownies

Alternatively, this brownie recipe is like if York peppermint patties transformed into a crazy-yummy baked good. (via How Sweet Eats)

Rocky Road Brownies

More candy for my brownies, please! These rocky road brownies boast a fantastic layer of mini marshmallows for sugary effect. (via The Kitchen Paper)

Rich and fudgy? Or soft and cakey? Tell us how you like your brownie recipes in the comments!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

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Desperate For Long Nails? How To Finally Make Your Nails Grow Faster

Nails breaking constantly? Wishing you didn't have to rely on tips at the salon? Desperate for that long nail look? You’re not alone. Despite it being used as an annoying and vapid phrase women would say in TV shows, breaking a nail is very painful and can ruin a (usually expensive) manicure. But don’t fret — we’ve rounded up five simple ways to get your nails to grow longer and stronger.

What causes weak fingernails?

Photo by cottonbro studio/PEXELS

But first, what causes unhealthy, brittle, breakable nails? A lot of factors that may not instantly come to mind. According to WebMD, these factors can contribute to weak nails:

Aging: As we get older, our nails get thinner and can crack or peel.
Harsh nail products: Both nail polish and nail polish remover can have strong chemicals that can damage and dry out your nails, leading them to break.
Wet nails: Consistently have your hands in water, maybe doing the dishes or bathtime for the kids? This could be drying out your nails.
Underlying health issues: Vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and many other health issues could be the cause of nails breaking.

How can I strengthen my nails?

Photo by Karolina Grabowska/PEXELS

Dealing with some of these factors? While we can’t help you with the underlying health issues (please see a doctor if you think you may be dealing with something!), there are many easy things you can do to improve your nails and encourage growth.

Cuticle oil
Biotin
Diet
Nail protection
Avoid picking and peeling

Here's why each factor is important, plus how you can go about successfully achieving them.

Find a Cuticle Oil

You may only use cuticle oil when your manicurist applies it, but that doesn't have to be the case. Cuticle oils are an inexpensive and easy way to promote nail health and growth by keeping your nails hydrated. Cosmetically, cuticle oils encourage longer-lasting manis and leave your nails looking shiny and polished. But they do much more below the surface: cuticle oils create a healthier environment that allows strong growth for your nails.

Interested in adding cuticle oil to your beauty routine? Check our a few of my faves:

Photo via Cora Pursley/Dupe

Explore Biotin

Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that helps our bodies turn food into energy. It’s also one of the top recommended supplements for hair and nail growth, and for good reason. Many scientists say a daily biotin supplement can improve nail strength in as little as a few weeks.

“Since it is water soluble, biotin (or vitamin B7) can’t be stored in the body and must be acquired from diet or through supplementation,” shared Rachel Kilroy, Director of Product Innovation at Solaray, the original pioneers in supplement health and wellness. Solaray has developed a new supplement that provides biotin in a unique way.

“Solaray’s Timed Release Biotin strategically supports nail health with a powerful 5,000 mcg of this important nutrient, delivering half of the biotin rapidly and the other half gradually over a period of up to 8 hours for sustained support,” Kilroy continued. “With consistent use, this vegan formula—lab verified for purity and potency—can provide comprehensive support for longer, stronger nails.”

Supplements not your thing? Biotin can be found naturally in many foods, like cooked eggs, whole grains, soy and other beans, nuts and nut butters, salmon, mushrooms, and cauliflower.

Photo via Daniella Cappellari/Dupe

Eat A Nail Friendly Diet

Nails require a balanced, healthy diet for proper growth and strength. According to Medical News Today, making small tweaks to your diet can make a big impact on your nails. Adding in nutrients like more iron or calcium in your diet will have your nails growing long and strong.

Dieticians recommend a colorful diet for nail growth consisting of colorful fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, lean meat, avocado, sweet potato, and whole grains.

Photo via Sash Gabriel/Dupe

Protect Your Nails While Wet

Constantly doing dishes, managing bath time, gardening, or swimming? The water may be the cause of your breakage.

Your nails are like sponges, constantly expanding and contracting when water goes in or out of the nail cells. This can strain your nails, causing them to weaken, peel, and then break.

When possible, grab a pair of rubber gloves to wear while cleaning to protect your nails from the water and make sure to fully dry your nails after they’re in water. Hand creams are also a win for your nails after water exposure.

Avoid Picking, Peeling or Biting

Bad habits that are addicting. While peeling off your gel manicure can be so satisfying, it’s one of the worst things you can do for your nails. Same with constantly picking or biting your nails. As someone who used to constantly bite her nails down, I can assure you my nails are much healthier and stronger after kicking that habit.

Want to quit that habit? Try a nail bite deterrent, like this one from ella+mia or this one from LONDONTOWN and watch your nails grow before your eyes.

Looking for more beauty tips and inspo? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter for more!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Header image via Laura Walt/Dupe

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Yulin Kuang’s Debut Novel “How To End A Love Story” Is Summer's Hottest Book Club Pick

I've got a thing for Reese Witherspoon's book club which is why I couldn't wait to get my hands on Yulin Kuang's debut novel How to End a Love Story. Chosen as Reese's Book Club's May Pick, it features a romance that almost shouldn't make sense. I mean, when's the last time you realized you trauma bonded with someone? Except Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard's character arcs as well as the entire plot of How to End a Love Story doesn't even feel like that.

Instead, Yulin uncannily peels back the layers of what it means to be a layered human being who happens to be carrying trauma, talent, success, imposter syndrome, and burning desire in their hearts. Even that doesn't scratch the surface of who Helen and Grant are. Trying to capture their essence feels like I'm stumbling over my words which points to how great this novel is and that means Yulin's goal has been accomplished.

Though she loves perfectly executed rom-coms and is fortunate to be working on them in the filmmaking space, she doesn't consider How to End a Love Story as one. "...I was searching for something more aligned with the Brontë sensibility of romance in the writing of this book. Less warmth and charm, more id-level storytelling and unchecked carnal desire," she explains.

Yulin Kuang's Journey To "How To End A Love Story"

Image via Zach Wallnau

Some people seem to be born knowing they're destined to right, but some of us stumble into it and realize, "Hey, I'm pretty good at this." For Yulin, her journey to her debut novel How to End a Love Story takes the latter route. Her first dream, you make ask? To be an Olympic figure skater.

"...that didn't pan out so I turned to storytelling," Yulin admits. That pivot led her to set her sights on becoming an author as she began honing her creative writing skills via your classic marble composition notebooks. If you're still wondering if she kept some of them, the answer is yes!

The screenwriter and author then found herself drawn to other aspects of writing and film. She says, "I eventually fell in love with screenwriting and directing while in undergrad at Carnegie Mellon, and I spent my first decade post-grad concentrating on my filmmaking career."

Yulin Kuang's Approach To Filmmaking

It's a reason why her hard work and the stars aligned for her to adapt Emily Henry's Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation.

When I ask what helps her approach the book-to-film trajectory, she credits writing fan fiction. This feels similar to Christina Lauren's own experience, further proving that fan fiction deserves the utmost praise for helping some of the best literary and film minds who ultimately birth what I could only describe as masterpieces.

Yulin says, "Fan fiction is where I first learned you could play with characters originated by someone else to discover what you’d make them do in your own version." Although it would be easy for anyone to snap their fingers and have their first pitches accepted by everyone, she learned to lean on what writing fan fiction taught her.

"Early in my career, I would pitch on book-to-film adaptations and I’d be like, 'Change nothing, just shoot the book!' And I wouldn’t get those jobs, because I didn’t have a clear “take” and because you can’t actually just shoot a book – adaptation is an art form unto itself. So onceI started approaching adaptation with more of a fan fiction mindset – 'What is my take on these characters and this world?' – that helped me approach the book-to-screen trajectory more successfully," she proudly says.

However, this doesn't mean she never questioned if she could still find ways to create new ideas. "...in 2021, at a time when everything else I was working on was an adaptation, I found myself wondering if I had anything original left within me," she remembers.

It's natural for creatives to experience moments of doubt, but Yulin has been able to turn the tide and discover untapped ideas in her mind. Just don't expect her to set her own expectations about any adaptations she's working on.

She says, "Know that I am an avid reader of romance and a frequent consumer of this genre across mediums, and I will be bringing everything I know going into these adaptations. But more specifically to Beach Read, which I have more creative ownership over as the writer/director."

How Yulin Kuang Relates To Her Main Characters In "How To End A Love Story"

And since How to End a Love Story is truly Yulin's own creative body of work, it makes sense that main characters Helen and Grant have pieces of her personality as well as her characteristics.

"I gave Helen all my hopes and insecurities from high school and gave her the alternate universe path where I had pursued publishing instead of Hollywood. I examined what might have happened if I’d grown into certain qualities I’ve actively tried to grow away from," she says of Helen Zhang.

Right away, readers get the sense that Helen is a whip-smart and hardworking, but her penchant for being cautious about her success also peeks through. Though she's written highly successful YA (read: young adult) novels, Helen waits with bated breath for the moment people will call her bluff. She's relatable because many of us wonder if we're simply cosplaying as versions of ourselves who've reached any level of success.

On the other hand, there's Grant Shepard. He's seemingly this cool, calm, and collected screenwriter who has a complicated past with Helen. Yulin says, "I gave Grant a lot of the qualities I’m proud of and/or have coveted as a working screenwriter, and I certainly relate to many of his thoughts on screenwriting and the current state of our industry."

The more the reader learns about Helen and Grant, the more it becomes obvious that there's more to them than meets the eye. Sure, they are complicated...but who isn't?

"At their core, Helen and Grant are just two kids from Jersey trying to make it in Hollywood, and of course I relate deeply to that," she says.

Yulin Kuang's View Of Rom-Coms

Based on Yulin's genuine interest in romance novels and the fact she's well-versed in adapting them, she knows what it takes to make rom-coms flourish. Her first take? "Romantic tension is key to any romance – I always need to know why our couple can’t be together now. The second that tension is gone, so is audience interest," she points out.

This explains why we can't get enough of reading books about it, listening to albums dedicated to it, or watching films that depict all levels of romance. Still, there are some people who approach the genre with a side eye.

"There seems to be a natural human suspicion of things that make us feel too good – like, 'That can’t possibly be good for us, that’s just candy!' I wonder if it’s something evolutionary at work," she says before doubling down. "You can’t argue with the fact that people absolutely fucking love rom-coms, and I will die on the hill that a well-earned happily ever after is both harder to achieve and more narratively satisfying when it’s pulled off successfully."

She's the type of writer who really appreciates a big kiss that's handled correctly onscreen, but she's also not afraid to "groan every time it's fumbled." But, she knows everyone still won't see romance the way she and so many others view it, but she doesn't really care.

"Ultimately, I don’t concern myself too much with changing minds that don’t want to be changed.There are enough smart people who recognize the power and value of rom-coms, and I’d rather spend my precious time creating art to surprise and delight the people with good taste."

Need I say that this is yet another reason why How to End a Love Story works so well?

How Yulin Kuang Wishes The World Would Celebrate AAPI Month

As much as she's vocal about screenwriting and rom-coms, Yulin also has thoughts about the way society-at-large talks about BIPOC creative artists. "There’s a real, 'This is important, eat your vegetables,' vibe to things. And while that might be true, it’s not the most appealing way to market or discover art," she says.

She admits this could be due to how many diversity-in-film panels she's attended. As a Black woman, the conversations I see every year during Black History Month seem to have a certain "Let's check this box so everyone can be happy" vibe, so I can imagine attending panels about diversity and inclusion can start to sound repetitive after awhile.

Yulin doesn't hold back when she says, "I’m a little jaded when people ask me diversity questions at this point. I don’t want to attract the kind of readers who are only showing up to be supportive of my Asian-ness. It’s a bit like showing up to a date where someone says, 'I’m so excited that you’re Asian!!!'" This is an analogy I can so get behind because it makes a lot of sense!

It's one thing to have representation, but I like to think it's always obvious when people are approaching the conversation in a way that 'others' BIPOC people. We're literally not asking for a trophy, but more so an acknowledgement that we shouldn't be excluded from conversations, spaces, and careers or treated differently.

This sentiment is shared by Yulin who says, "That’s the thing about me that I didn’t do on purpose, and while I’m glad you’re excited, I hope there are things that I did do on purpose that you find exciting, too" and feels there is a way to be a genuine ally.

"...support AAPI creatives by all means, and perhaps begin by celebrating us as individual artists even after the designated month ends. And where applicable, talk about our work like it’s candy, not vegetables. I’d rather be irresistible than important," she states.

Take a page from Yulin Kuang's book and pick up a copy of How to End a Love Story today! You won't regret it!

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