Moms juggle a lot, and oftentimes, taking a single day to celebrate them isn't nearly enough. She's the caretaker, the advice giver, the shoulder to cry on, and the cheerleader behind everyone in her crew! You just can't not give mom (that also includes all the sisters, girlfriends, mentors, wives, stepmoms, and grand-moms in your life) a much-neededspecial something to show her that you love her and you get her.
Here are some Mother's Day gifts that are just as fun to give as they are to get, from self care must-haves and trending fashion pieces to stylish home goods that'll make Mother's Day uniquely special this year.
Mom already knows she's a cool mom, but with this cozy cotton graphic tee, she'll actually get to show it off!
Not only is this pan aesthetically pleasing, it's practical, too! The durable nonstick coating makes cooking all kinds of foods a total breeze, plus it can even go in the oven up to temperatures of 500 degrees F.
These classy stud earrings are worthy of everyday wear, adding a touch of elegance to mom's accessory game in an instant. They are crafted to be waterproof and tarnish-proof. Score!
Mom's couch blanket def needs a nice upgrade. This affordable one is the perfect solution! It's made from a crazy-soft fleece material that delivers comfort year-round. Opt for a bright color like this yellow for the warmer months!
These exfoliating bars smell not-to-sweet, with hints of tonka bean and musk for a very well-rounded effect. Each one is loaded with superfine sanding crystals floating throughout a moisturizing, soothing soap base that'll make mom feel like sheer luxury and super smooth.
Bet you she's never felt hydration like this! The Laneige Water Bank Moisturizer provides long-lasting hydration for up to 100 hours thanks to the formulation of hyaluronic acid and squalene.
This convenient jewelry box is the gift for moms on the go. Its compact size makes it super travel-friendly, slipping into a backpack or purse with ease. There are spaces for everything from necklaces and bracelets to rings and earrings, and mom can customize the layout to her liking since the dividers are removable!
For the mom that always welcomes you home with snacks, this sleek chip and dip serving bowl will compliment her kitchen with a limited color palette and streamlined design, so you can both get some dip on your chips with ease!
Shoppable at 20% off for a limited-time Mother's Say sale, the Birthdate Pendant is totally customizable, as it's based on any birthday day and month. This sweet astrological homage to mom's birthday (or any other significant date) is laid into either a 14K gold plated or sterling silver pendant that she can flaunt every single day!
Let's hear it for zero waste! This 2-piece set of baking mats is the ultimate sustainable, reusable alternative to parchment paper. Made from silicone, the mats are 100% dishwasher-friendly, BPA-free, and food- and oven-safe... plus, they have cute little illustrations for maximum enjoyment in the kitchen.
Magnolia Bakery is so tasty, so any mama with a sweet tooth will adore a treat-filled gift like this one! This 6-pack of sweets arrives fresh and ready to eat. A vanilla cupcake base is topped with hand-piped vanilla buttercream in the shape of a flower, so who really needs a real bouquet?!
Time for a touch-up? This 5-in-1 portable makeup stack is the perfect size for slotting into a purse or glove box so mom can keep her freshest face on all day! It comes complete with a cream concealer, lip and cheek color, powder bronzer, powder highlighter, and a shine-control powder for those mid-day makeup breaks.
Aprons and smocks are made to get dirty, but you might as well gift mom one that's cute, too! This flowery pick from Hedley & Bennett x Rifle Paper Co. features all sorts of blooms to match the tone of this year's armer months. It slides on with a comfy cross-back design that keeps slips conveniently at bay in between all of mom's fun cooking and baking projects!
Self-care should feel like a total treat, and this body wash from Salt & Stone ensures a pleasurable experience with each use with notes of black rose and oud. The glass bottle and firm pump really elevates this gift from your run-of-the-mill body washes!
This playful necklace costs under $50, making it a wonderful (and nicely personalized) affordable Mother's Day gift. Gift mom her own initial, or even give her yours as a reminder of the amazing child you are.
Get mom into all things trendy with some cute sneakers! If the viral Adidas Sambas aren't supportive enough for her step, these cushiony-soft green kicks from SeaVees are equally trendy with a deep green colorway and heightened heel space for added comfort.
Gifting mom this adorable case alongside a colorful pair of sunnies is the perfect way to help her kick off summertime. The fruity theme is too fun to ignore, she'll be carrying it with her everywhere she goes!
This "intensely nourishing" lip balm comes in 13 different shades that deposit a deliciously sheer sheen of color to the lips that looks stunning alone or on top of lipstick. And the best part? A tube is only $10.
Satisfy her cravings for both salty and sweet with this super snacky gift box filled with chocolates, salted maple crackers, raspberry jam, and a delicious mix of Cabot Creamery cheeses! With this gift, mom scores a cheese knife and a cutting board, too, for all future cheese board sharing.
This delicate necklace design can be representative of you and your mom's special bond, or it can simply serve as an adorable everyday piece for her collection! You can snag it either in sterling silver or a 14K gold fill material, so no mom's metal preference is left out.
For the mom who's always behind the camera (AKA all of us), this Polaroid camera delivers instant prints of her fave memories, places, and people. It'll give her a nice dose of nostalgia, too!
The light white lily scent of this perfume is perfect for spring and summertime, but better yet, it'll make mom think of you every single time she spritzes it on.
This versatile everyday sling bag helps her keep her essentials in check with this convenient pockets, a comfy strap, and a cozy mesh material that ensures breathability in each and every wear.
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This article has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.
My S.O. will probably tell you that I randomly belt out, "Baby you're a firework" several times a day because I can't get enough of the way Katy Perryactively encourages people to b their full selves. It's something she strives to do in her career and personal life as evidenced by her public relationship with the actor Orlando Bloom. Yes, the same man who deliciously played Legolas in The Lord of the Rings and Will Turner in The Pirates of the Caribbean.
Now that I'm done catching my breath, it's recently occurred to me that these two are still in the wedding planning stage despite getting engaged all the way back in 2019. I'm certainly not knocking it, but I thought it'd be fun to revisit their relationship timeline to see how their love story began. Let's get into all things Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom!
Image via Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom met in 2016 while attending an afterparty once the Golden Globes ended. Per People, the “Firework” singer bonded with an American Idol contestant and excitedly shared how her paths crossed with Orlando. “So I had my security guard grab 10 In-N-Outs and all of a sudden I see my boyfriend’s hand — he wasn’t even sitting at our table — he just swoops in and he grabs it and I was like, ‘Hey that my burger,’” she recalled.
Orlando later revealed a little more about that moment when talking to The Times in 2018. He revealed he wasn’t really aware of her work before meeting her.
Things apparently went well for the two because Orlando didn’t waste time introducing Katy to he and Miranda Kerr’s son Flynn. A source revealed to Peoplethat the two attended the birthday party of Robert Downey, Jr.'s son at the time.
"They were laughing, playing music and joking around with Flynn...Katy looked very comfortable at the kids party," according to the source.
Right before the summer of 2016, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom announced their relationship via Instagram. As evidenced by her caption, “We cannes’t,” the couple were enjoying the bliss of being in Cannes, France at the time.
One half of this lovely duo was spotted in the nude during another vacation and it’s an understatement to say the pics went viral. While Katy chose to don a bikini, Orlando decided to let loose — literally — and those sneaky paparazzi captured him in all of his glory.
He told Elle UK in 2017, “We’d been completely alone for five days. Nothing around us. There was no way anyone could get anything. So I had a moment of feeling free.”Image via Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Sadly the couple broke up in 2017 and this caused their reps to release a statement to People in order to control any narratives that may have stemmed from it. “Before rumors or falsifications get out of hand, we can confirm that Orlando and Katy are taking respectful, loving space at this time,” the statement said.
Two sources gave different reasons for their split, but E! News reported that an insider said, "...they did discuss a future together during their relationship. They had an enormous amount of love for one another."
Despite their breakup, Orlando Bloom insisted there wasn't anything horrible about their breakup in his Elle UKinterview. "It's good. We're all grown-up. She happens to be someone who is very visible, but I don't think anybody cares what I'm up to. Nor should they. It's between us. It's better to set an example for kids and show that [break-ups] don't have to be about hate"
Time does heal wounds in some instances because Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom were seen spending more time together again. The singer shared an Instagram photo of them greeting Pope Francis and showing their support for The Cura Foundation with her fans.
By the fall of 2018, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom were definitely an item again. They appeared on their first red carpet together at The Global Ocean Gala and looked stunning. Elle even reported the two took a picture with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
In a hilarious turn of events, Katy Perry found herself winning a date with Orlando Bloom after she outbid an eager fan during the One Love Malibu Festival charity auction. A fan account on Instagram shared a video of the Katy saying, "You can do a motorcycle ride with him to a lunch destination to have lunch with Orlando freaking Bloom. That also means that when you are on the motorcycle with him you’re holding him in a way that I am not excited about."
Honestly, same Katy.
Image via Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton
The pair must've joyfully rang in the New Year in 2019 because they Katy happily took to Instagram to give fans a close-up look at her engagement ring from Orlando. She wrote, "full bloom" as her caption so there was no mistaking that she and Orlando were taking their relationship to the next step.
Katy opened up about how his proposal went when she appeared on Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp a few months later. "It was Valentine's Day...[Orlando]'s, like, clean-shaven. He's not wearing tennis shoes. I was like 'Ah, sh*t, something is going down,'" she happily shared.
They moved in together right after getting engaged and this seemed to work better for everyone. A source told People, "Since they are engaged, it was just a natural step for them to live together."
It wasn't long before people began wondering what Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's wedding plans were, but the two have never been in a rush to walk down the aisle. Instead, Katy had this to say during an appearance on KISS Breakfast With Tom & Daisy: "One step at a time. Definitely trying to lay the good emotional foundation for the lifetime of commitment, which is like a big deal"
Orlando shared Katy's sentiments and reiterated them when he stopped by the Today show in 2019. He told Willie Geist, "It’s important to me that we are aligned — I’ve been married and divorced and I don’t want to do it again..."
Image via Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
While the couple were never in a rush to have a wedding, they ultimately decided to push things back as reported by US Weekly. A source told the outlet, "They changed the timing due to the location they want," and that makes sense. Planning a wedding often involves making sure venues, caterers, and more will be available during the time a couple is thinking about getting married.
Things carried on as usual for the couple with Katy sharing a snapshot of the two on Instagram a couple of months later. They were celebrating a year of being engaged and her caption reads, "one year ago I said yes to a life of love and evolution... and definitely never a dull moment 😜."
The next month is when Katy Perry revealed that she and Orlando were expecting their first baby together! She shared a brief video clip of her single "Never Worn White" on Instagram and basically let fans know she was pregnant. It's hard to miss her soul-deep smile and glow.
The video for "Never Worn White" seemed to hint at the gender of Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's baby, but the singer officially confirmed it on an Instagram post promoting her single "Daisies." She wrote, "🌼 The first single from #KP5 is called #DAISIES and she’s coming MAY 15, 2020 🌼," in her caption and the crowd went wild!
Image via Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Variety
Later that year, UNICEF posted a photo of Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom holding their newborn's hand on Instagram to announce she'd arrived. The organization told fans via their caption that the couple were overjoyed about their daughter's birth. "We are floating with love and wonder from the safe and healthy arrival of our daughter," the organization shared in its caption.
Orlando couldn't help but gush over his little girl during a brief virtual appearance for The Ellen Show. He said, "...she sort of looked like a bit like my mum so then I got a little bit confused because Katy's breast feeding this mini-me/my mum/who’s she going to look like next."
And when Katy Perry performed during Joe Biden's inauguration, Orlando was right there cheering her on! He gleefully shared a BTS clip of her on Instagram and wrote, "One day our little girl will grow up and see her mother play her part in a moment in history that we hope will heal, we hope will unite, we hope, we love ❤️ One proud partner here with a tear of joy 🇺🇸🎆🙏." BRB, I have to grab tissues.
When Katy Perry accepted a prestigous award at Variety's Power of Women in 2021, she gave a heartfelt message that spoke of the two greatest loves in her life — Orlando Bloom and their daughter Daisy. "....[Orlando] an incredible father [and] an example to our greatest gift ever, our daughter Daisy — a future powerful woman. I pledge to you to do my best to be an example of one, to never put limits on your dreams, to lead with love, never through fear, and to always be your lighthouse in any darkness..."
Orlando also showed his support for Katy when she was in Las Vegas for her residency. He shared a goofy picture of him BTS with her on Instagram and wrote, "There’s a new act on the #vegas strip @katyperry so proud of you. Let’s all go#play 🍄🚀 HNY❤️," as his caption.
Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Appearing on Chelsea Handler's podcast Dear Chelsea, Katy got real about her and Orlando attending therapy together. "We love it because it keeps us in tune...and so when you want to come back to being normal in a domesticated world where you have a child and stuff like that, you have to really learn how to be kind of different out there in the big and in the small," she said.
We love a couple who attends therapy together!
Orlando also revealed to Flaunt that things can be challenging for the couple. He said, "Her pool is not a pool that I necessarily understand, and I think my pool is not a pool that she necessarily understands. Sometimes things are really, really, really, challenging. I won’t lie. We definitely battle with our emotions and creativity."
Now here we are in 2024 and the blushing couple are still very much in love. They attended the 10th Annual Breakthrough Prize Event earlier this month and look elegant in their black-tie outfits.
As far as their wedding plans are concerned, Katy Perry shared what she plans to do once she leaves American Idol. Per Parade, she appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and said, "I think this probably will be my last show, my last season forIdol. I mean, I love Idolso much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat."
She didn't explicitly talk about when she's getting married to Orlando bloom but we'll cross our fingers for a beautiful wedding either this year or in 2025.
Do you think Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are getting married soon? Let us know in the comments and follow the conversation on Facebook!
Lead image via Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Variety
One detail that the covers of the new books coming in May have in common are shades of pink, blue, and green — perfect summer colors. You'll find your classic rom-com books, but there's also a little devious behavior and a touch of magic to look forward to. But, don't just take my word for it. Let your imagination get lost in our top 11 new books coming in May!
Emma Townsend and Finn Hughes are involved in a classic cat and mouse situationship that's turned incredibly sour. They went from inching their way towards several romantic turning points to deciding they actually don't like each other anymore. One can assume their hearts got tired of being shown that almost doesn't count.
However, they have to put on their adult undies to get through a wedding weekend where everyone's expected to be on their best behavior because of the joyous moment at hand. It sounds too good to be true and the pair quickly realizes it is when the bride-to-be vanishes.
Forced to race against an invisible winding clock, Emma and Finn embark on a momentous journey to figure out if this wedding can actually be saved. Somewhere along the lines, they begin to remember what it was like when their undeniable attraction towards each other led to much more. Maybe a weird wedding mystery is just the thing they needed to prove that it's time to make things official.
The Ministry of Time is a the modern time travel book you didn't know you needed to read until now. It shines a light on a young woman — aka the "bridge" — who's new job comes with a hefty salary and more responsibility than she considered. She's meant to help an expat called "1847," or Commander Graham Gore, adjust to living in a modern world when all he remembers is what it was like to live in the 1840s.
The more 1847 adjusts to life around him with other expats and this young woman whose so different than what he's used to, the more the bridge crosses the lines and allows herself to become immersed in his world beyond what her profession calls for.
This isn't without consequences and it's up to the bridge to decide what it really means to live in the future.
Ariel Cafferty was head over heels in love with a man she thought she knew until it feels like he ghosted her without an explanation. She thought she was beginning to move on, but a vague text from him (Drew) years later brings back emotions she's tried to forget.
Suddenly Ariel begins to piece together clues that something is seriously wrong. Not only that, she can't shake the feeling that the truth is still being kept from her. In order to possibly save her and her son's life, she'll have to work to understand what happened to Drew and how far the mystery surrounding his disappearance actually goes.
Alternate Endings is one of the new books releasing in May that I immediately connected to because I can relate to some aspects of Beatrice Leal's life. She's a working mother who's as dedicated to her son as she is to her job, but the only difference between us is that she's dealing with a tough divorce. To make it even more complicated, her boss also gets divorced and decides she wants to live in Ireland full-time.
This means she's requiring the team — including Bea — to be there twice a month and this throws a huge monkey wrench in the custody plans she and her ex-husband Lucas have half-heartedly agreed on. Still, Bea loves her job and reluctantly makes the first trip to Ireland where she meets the new CTO at her job — the sexy Jack Sander who ghosted her while they were in high school.
Despite the two decades that have passed since they've seen each other, there's no denying that the two still have electric energy that they acknowledge during one of their trips to Ireland. But as time passes, the lie they keep telling themselves gives way to something more and Bea finds that she may just have to change her approach to everything in life — especially when it comes to love.
Is it obvious that my favorite new books I've read involve some form of love? Besides this amazing cover that caught my eye, The Paradise Problem offers a completely new approach to being married that I've seen in a book.
Anna Green is impulsive and makes decisions solely so she survive from day to day. It's the main reason she married Liam "West" Weston when she needed a place to stay. It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience between two strangers. So when she doesn't bother looking at the "divorce" papers he had her sign and is surprised to find out they're still married when he visits her years later, Anna's more than flustered.
See, West is set to inherit a large fortune attached to his family's name and has to prove that he's been enjoying married life with his wife Anna. The problem is that they don't really know anything about each other and his family is demanding to see her.
With no other choice, West convinces Anna to keep up the married act and prays she'll be able to impress his family. However, he begins to realize that maybe he's had it wrong all along. Maybe he's supposed to fall in love with this feisty, art-loving, impulsive woman that's stealing his heart. Maybe he's supposed to protect hers.
The Peacock sisters aren't as close as they used to be and they have time and a lot of heartache to blame for that. Of course, there's always the roles they played in the fallout of their familial relationship.
Sylvie Peacock finds herself facing marriage again after being widowed and she thinks it might be time to move on. Cleo Peacock is the successful sister who can do no wrong and has the cushy lifestyle to prove it. So when her sister Sylvie falls for the charming Simon Rampling, her criminal defense intuition starts ringing. And Emma Peacock? Well, she's hiding secrets that's turned her into a woman who lets silence lead her. At the center of the sisters is their less than stellar mother who's domineering presence makes it clear these sisters have cowered in her presence for far too long.
One weekend will change everything for the Peacock family and nothing will be the same. — good or bad.
Marigold Claude is ever popular with the many men who want to court her, but she couldn't care less. Her freedom lies in the nature and she gladly revels in it. Things seem to get even better when her grandmother feels she's worthy to become a Honey Witch. But, she can never fall in love.
Deciding she's okay with this rule, she carries on merrily until she meets Lottie Burke, someone who doesn't think magic exists. Intending to prove Lottie wrong, Marigold starts doing things out that feel out of character for her. Soon, something must darker presents itself and Marigold finds that she may have to break multiple rules just to save what she cares about.
Lyla is experiencing one bad situation after the another. From research that's gone awry to a relationship that's gotten off track, she feels like she's almost at the end of her rope. Suddenly it seems like her prayers are answered when she and Nico are given a chance to be on the TV show One Perfect Couple to win a grand prize that could help them out financially.
They're pit against four other couples and being to sense that something is horribly wrong when disaster strikes the minute they set foot on the deserted island where they're meant to compete. One Perfect Couple becomes more than a reality show and involves whether people can actually survive or not.
Ganga went from being a carefree goddess of the river to a mortal after she failed to control the godlings near her. With no other choice, she decides to become a queen after marrying King Shantanu so she can prove that she's worth of being a goddess again. While she is granted freedom, she can't bring the son she bore in her human form with her.
Once Prince Devavrata gets older and decides he doesn't want to take his father's place, he finds himself on a journey that puts him lock and step with his mother Ganga.
What would you do if all of your dates from Tinder, Hinge, or Bumble ended up dead after you'd last seen them? Swiped helps Gwen Turner answer that very question when she's thrown into the wildest predicament of her life.
First thing's first — she's in a terrible rut and can't figure out how to put the pieces of her life back together again. She feels hopeless in the romantic department and has to contend with the fact that maybe leaving a great job to serve coffee might not have been the smartest decision.
So, she decides to download a dating app and goes on a series of dates that leave her more confused than ever. To make matters worse, they begin to turn up dead after she's been the last person to go on a date with them. This doesn't bode well with the police and she soon finds herself being carefully watched.
The more frequently things begin to happen, the more Gwen rushes to figure out who the date killer is. As she gets closer to finding out the truth, she'll find that she also has to contend with a dark secret that she thought no one else knew about.
Not to be confused with Dolly Parton's "Jolene," I Hope This Finds You Well's main character of the same name finds herself in a work bind when HR sentences her to "sensitivity training." Her crime? Being exposed for sharing her negative opinions about co-workers. Restricted from certain interactions, Jolene decides to do whatever it takes to get through her training period.
So when an IT plunder allows her to see what everyone else has been privately talking about, Jolene feels conflicted about whether to report them or not. She even discovers that potential layoffs are about to affect her job so she does everything she can to make sure her role is secured.
Soon she'll have to decide what's more important: her job or the truth.
Which of the best new books coming in May are you looking forward to reading? Be sure to check out our storefront for even more reading recs!
Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated.
Lead images via Amazon
I love looking at Zillow listings as much as the best of us, but absolutely nobody loves daydreaming about all the outrageously beautiful (and costly) houses for sale more than my mother-in-law. She finds the most gorgeous gems across the country, saving them all for when she inevitably wins the lottery (if anyone would, it's her TBH) and can take her pick of the housing litter. Instead of gatekeeping these jaw-dropping homes, I had her send them my way so I can share them with you! So without further ado, here are 15 of most insanely stunning — and insanely expensive — Zillow houses for sale right now.
Image via Zillow
The Hamptons are known for their clean, chic shingle architectural style, and this "cottage" is no exception to that. And while I absolutely adore the inside of this home, it's the grounds that really get me at the end of the day. Think about all the beautiful backyard dinner parties you could throw!
Image via Zillow
Who needs a time share in Destin when you could own all this?! This airy, beautiful house takes coastal home style to the next level. I love the sandy, earthy tones paired with the light blues and open space. And for less than 10% of the Bridgehampton beauty above, this is basically a steal, right? 😉
Image via Zillow
I vacation on Marco every year with my in-laws, but I can PROMISE you our one-bedroom timeshare (that I love) isn't anywhere near this stunning super home. Swipe through photos to see how gorgeously staged this multi-million dollar home is — I promise it won't disappoint!
Image via Zillow
Obviously Laguna Beach is known for so much more than the hit MTV show, but I can't untangle the two. So in my mind, this is the home Lauren Conrad's parents worked on in Season 1 Episode 1 — a $20+ million dollar stunner that I would later stare at on Zillow. It's not true, but wouldn't it be fun?
Image via Zillow
Not only is this a dream house because of how it looks, but also because I could only afford this in my literal wildest dreams. Unless someone decides to discover me on the New York streets for the funny, talented gal my parents think I am, this is strictly a mood board manifestation moment. (But, what if?!)
Image via Zillow
Oh, how I could wax poetic about this $80 million Bridgehampton beauty. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Ya know...the one I would love to have in this very house? Just lounging, living luxuriously? That imaginary inheritance I daydream about could reaaaaaally come in handy right about now.
Image via Zillow
In case you can't tell, none of these homes are "cottages" outside of their aesthetic. While this six bedroom, four bathroom may look humbler than the rest, the cost should indicate what we're working with here. Each room is so perfectly curated, and to have all this right in the heart of Naples is absolutely everything. I could see myself sitting by that fire for SURE.
Image via Zillow
DC is more than just Capitol Hill, and this Georgetown Condo proves it! The natural light, the natural wood accents, and the big, airy rooms make this home a welcomed reprieve in on of the busier U.S. cities. And while you're getting a lot in a small package (three bedrooms for $5+ million...😭), you're really paying for the neighborhood. Georgetown really is full of beautiful townhouses, great restaurants and bars, and overall good vibes.
Image via Zillow
Hello, Upper East Siders...Zillow Girl here! All jokes aside, this $65 million townhouse is giving all the old money luxe that Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf would settle into quite nicely. The molding, the wraparound staircases, and the sheer size alone are something else, but the biggest surprise here? TEN BATHROOMS. TEN!!!!!!
Image via Zillow
Good new, girls! This totally killer townhouse had a $300,000 price cut last month, bringing it to...just under $7 million! While I try to fix my eye twitch after writing that, scroll through to see the gorgeousness that is this literal mid-century modern four-story home. It's like a little (big) oasis in the middle of the big city!
Image via Zillow
I've said it once and I'll say it again: Carroll Gardens in my dream neighborhood. It's got all the Brooklyn charm with its brilliant brownstones, lively dining scene, and tree-lined streets. Plus, it's so incredibly close to Prospect Park for all your summer strolls with the kids or the dogs or yourself or whomever! And while I could go on and on about the location, the townhouse itself is kitschy with it's mix of classic and modern details.
Image via Zillow
It feels a little silly to call a nearly $10 million home "charming," but here we are. This modern ranch-style mountain house looks unassuming from the outside. And the four-bedroom inside is really nice, too, don't get me wrong. But what really makes this worth it, if I had to guess? The freaking VIEW. Can you imagine sipping your coffee and staring off into that horizon every morning? Yes, please. I would like one of these.
Image via Zillow
Ah yes, nothing cozier than a literal castle-sized house in Appalachia. In all seriousness, the dark wood accents give you that almost cabin-esque feel that the mountain range so obviously calls for. With 10 bedrooms, this is the perfect retreat for your family get-togethers! You can enjoy each other's company across the estate, or you could...find a little hiding spot and nobody would know the wiser. 😉
Image via Zillow
The most affordable of the bunch, this single-story Sante Fe residence is a dream-come-true! You've got lake views, trails, and even a golf course if that's your thing! My personal favorite part of this lovely little home, however, is the wine cellar. Can you imagine being like, "Yeah, just go grab a bottle from the wine cellar"?! Like I said, dream-come-freaking-true!
Image via Zillow
The windows alone are enough to make this house the dreamiest escape, let alone the private and super exclusive access to Lake Michigan. This home may only have three bedrooms and four bathrooms, but each room feels intentional, spacious, and utterly luxurious. I'd definitely dip my toes in that water!
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Header image via Zillow
Sequels that are just as good, if not better, than the original movie are one in a million, but if you ask me, Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement definitely tops the list. Anne Hathaway brings a whole new spunk and adultified sass to the freshly 21-year-old Mia Thermopolis, and Julie Andrews shines as Queen Clarisse! (Both on the karaoke stage and off ;)). Not to mention the movie also gave us the blueprint for contemporary enemies to lovers: Nicholas and Mia!
While Bridgerton producer Shonda Rhimes wasn't involved with the first movie, she was the writer for the second — and TBH, that's definitely a reason it's so good!
Image via Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
"I thought [Princess Diaries 2] would be a really fun thing to do and it turned out to be great," she tells Variety. "I always think it's funny now because I'm working with Julie Andrews now on Bridgerton, but I also spent time writing her as a queen in that movie, and so it was kind of great to get to work with her both times. It's also sort of come full circle in a weird way."
Shonda Rhimes goes on to explain one cut scene she remembers really fondly — and how Andrews' expert performance made it even more heartbreaking to cut. "That was pretty much one of my favorite scenes," she says. "It was this moment where Julie Andrews [has] had her heart broken, and some staff comes in and they start to ask her a question and she screams, 'Do I never get a moment to myself?!' and it was such an amazing moment the way she played it, and the elegance with which she did it. It's really about the pain of being a queen."
"She did it so well," Rhimes continues. "But in general, honestly, she's the nicest person you will ever meet and she was so nice to me, I was nervous to meet her, I was shaking, [but she's] so lovely."
After Julie Andrews sent the sweetest graduation gift to a fan, I'm not surprised to hear how incredible she is. I still have my fingers crossed that we'll see Julie Andrews in The Princess Diaries 3 — and that Shonda Rhimes will return as screenwriter.
What's your favorite scene from the Princess Diaries movies? The mattress surfing scene in Princess Diaries 2 is definitely one of the best movie moments of all time. If you're feeling nostalgic, check out 6 Nostalgic Movies That Feel Like Summer Vacation!
Lead image via Walt Disney Pictures/Buena Vista
