Brunch is a decadent ritual. Late mornings full of sticky syrup and bottomless mimosas (!) are all fun and games until you receive the dreaded bill from your local spot. It's not that the food's not good, it's just expensive. We're here to *happily* report that you can save some dough and take the brunch party inside by hosting your own at home! Here are the best recipes and brunch party ideas to enlist for your next brunch time shenanigans!
What do you serve at a brunch party?
Any dish you can break up into smaller servings or finger foods are good for serving at a brunch party. Think mini pancakes, sausage links, breakfast sandwiches, and more.
What activities do you do at brunch?
Playing games, serving food, drinking mimosas, and visiting with friends and family are all activities that you can do at brunch.
How do you throw a casual and fun brunch party?
Keep things low-key for throwing a fun and casual brunch party – first, send out some simple invites to your inner circle and set a realistic budget for the party. You don’t have to necessarily go for a theme or full-fledged party. As long as brunch foods are involved, your guests will feel welcome.
What are some easy brunch party ideas for hosting at home?
You could organize a pancake bar, a coffee station, or a decorate-your-own donut set-up for an at-home brunch party.
Brunch Party Recipe Ideas
Here are some of our favorite recipes for when you wanna be the brunch hostess with the mostess!
Ultimate Spring Brunch Board
Let your brunch party guests have at it. This sharable brunch board hits all the marks – with sweet and savory bites included. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Easy Vegan Strawberry Tart
These single-serving tarts make feeding a crowd unbelievably easy, especially since they're made with only 10 ingredients. (via The Edgy Veg)
Breakfast Fruit Salad
Luckily, there's not much to making fruit salad. Just toss your favorite fruits in a massive bowl with a ladle, and consider your brunch party side dish done! (via Live Eat Learn)
French Toast Casserole
This *iconic* french toast casserole is made in one pan, plus there's an option for the lazy hosts to let the dish sit overnight before baking. So, if your A.M. routine feels like a Manic Monday every day, all you need to do is pop the prepped casserole in the oven, and voila! (via The Girl On Bloor)
Stuffed Waffle Breakfast Sandwich
This breakfast sandwich truly delivers the best of both worlds. Each stack is comprised of savory bacon, egg, and cheese, plus sweet waffles and syrup for that *ultimate* flavor balance. For a brunch party, simply prep all of the ingredients, then let your guests build their own sammie! (via Rachel Mansfield)
Breakfast Potatoes
Dressing up some diced potatoes with bell peppers, onion, and jalapeño spruces up a familiar brunch recipe that'll please pretty much everyone at the table. Bonus points for making big batches for your brunch party! (via This Wife Cooks)
Lemon Sugar Rolls with Vanilla Cream Cheese Icing
You know (and love) cinnamon rolls – now get ready for something even sweeter and tangier: lemon rolls! This ooey-gooey recipe is ideal for a brunch party because it brings some good 'ol share-worthy pull-apart goodness to the table. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Shakshuka
Hear us out: you could host a dippable brunch party. Sounds tasty, right? First up on your menu should be this shakshuka recipe, a prime dish to dip some toast into for those hard-hitting morning munchies. Next up, dippable biscotti cookies! (via Brit + Co.)
Funfetti Biscotti
Coffee + pastries is the *best* breakfast combo on the weekends, so why not opt for a coffee brewing bar paired with a bake like these colorful biscottis? Your weekend warrior pals will totally dig it! (via Barley & Sage)
Ricotta Biscuits
These luscious biscuits recall Southern home cooking in every good way possible. Each bite is equal parts cushy and crunchy, the perfect contender for a hearty gravy bath at brunch. (via Cozy Cravings)
Sheet Pan Pancakes
This sheet pan recipe is a *total* time saver when it comes to a brunch party! It beats pouring out individual pancakes and waiting for each one to cook by miles. Just don't forget the syrup! (via Feel Good Foodie)
Japanese Fruit Sandwich (Sando)
Japanese sandos are prime picking for brunch because they carry a light, airy, and fruity flavor that just makes mornings better. No matter the type of fruit you use, you can always count on this dish to taste balanced and refreshing. Plus, it's painfully easy to make. (via Takes Two Eggs)
Sausage Hash Brown Casserole
If you're up to feed a large group, casseroles are the #1 move. This brunch-forward recipe idea compiles cheese, sausage, hash browns, and more to form a creative (and communal) dish. (via Culinary Hill)
Millionaire's Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
This brunch party recipe did not come to play. It mixes sticky sweet icing in with caramelized bacon that makes every decadent mouthful feel truly fit for a millionaire. Take care to make extra dozens for your party's company! (via Brit + Co.)
Easy Breakfast Yogurt Bake
We have to admit, we've never thought of baking yogurt, but now we see the light with this recipe. The dish brings a beneficial amount of protein to any brunch function, plus it can easily be cut up into individual portions for serving the whole table. (via Rachel Mansfield)
Citrus Fruit Cups
These fruit cups are genius for brunch party spreads. It's as simple as staging as many cups as you need for the party the night before, storing them in the fridge, and serving! (via Amanda Wilens)
Berry Bulgur Breakfast Bake
Bulgur is extremely similar to oatmeal or grits, making it a supremely healthy pick for a brunch party! Cook a large amount for your guests to eat on over time – this recipe calls for blueberries and strawberries, but you can add whatever you're feelin' in the moment. (via Live Eat Learn)
Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins
Starbucks' egg bites? Never heard of 'em. This recipe toes the line of being a copycat, except *totally* better than what you can get your hands on in the drive-thru. The cups are prepped in a muffin tin, so you can create countless numbers of the savory breakfast bite. (via Salt & Lavender)
Healthy Breakfast Cookies
Cookies for breakfast have to be the best thing since sliced bread, TBH. What's even more desirable about this recipe is that it's health-focused, so you don't lose track of your goals at breakfast. Make some for your brunch party guests to take home once the festivities are done! (via The Endless Meal)
Ultimate Breakfast Tacos
Because only a crazy person would say 'no' to breakfast tacos. For your brunch get-together, you can prep the additions separately, then have your attendees build their own tacos! (via Cozy Cravings)
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Header image via The Girl On Bloor
Oprah Winfrey is much more than a legend. She's one of the reigning stars of daytime TV, creating such a memorable empire that just her first name carries weight. She's full of wisdomand loves celebrating the success of others. Excuse me, that's grounds for a standing ovation.
In addition to all of the things she's accomplished, Oprah has steadily added books to her book club list since 1996. To date, there are 105 titles she's read and chosen to share with others. If you're thinking, "That's a lot of books" then I agree. But, her goal is to highlight both seasoned and new writers who dare to weave together fiction as well as nonfiction works.
After going through the list, here's everything we think you need to add to your at-home library.
Image via Oprah Daily/Eli Schmidt
Yesterday, Oprah announced her book club's 105th pick On OprahDaily.com and CBS Mornings, where she appeared with author Colm Tóibín to discuss his newly released book Long Island. She had nothing but praise for the novel and said, "I was captivated. Tóibín builds the story around a woman whose life changes seemingly overnight with the news of her husband’s infidelity. It opens the door to her own secrets, grappling with choices she made long ago, urging her to break free from the silences she built around her life. A wonderful page-turner to start your summer reading.”
Image via Cody Love for Oprah Daily
On OprahDaily.com and CBS Mornings, Oprah Winfrey excitedly shared her book club's 104th pick: The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin. In a touching video, Oprah can be seen surprising Hardin in what feels like a "full circle moment." While trying to process her book being chosen as Oprah's next book club pick, Hardin can be heard saying, "I'm just overwhelmed right now. I'm so grateful."
It's a memoir that details how Hardin's past addiction to opiates caused her to make dire decisions that led her to serve jail time. Not only that, but Hardin eventually finds a way to show herself grace as she reconnects with her children and becomes an ally for other women who are incarcerated.
For a sneak peek of what you can expect in the novel, read an exclusive excerpt on OprahDaily.com!
Long Island by Colm Tóibín
Long Island tells the tale of Eilis Lacey and the discovery of her husband's infidelity. Things start off well enough with Eilis and her husband Tony Fiorello living near his family. The family spends a lot of time together and it feels like they have a quintessential bond that can't be broken.
But when Eilis discovers that a man's wife is carrying Tony's child and they don't want anything to do with the baby, she begins to start looking at her own desires as well as the things she's kept secret for the sake of her marriage. She ends up journeying to a familiar place to rediscover herself and it ignites an inner flame that she thought she lost.
The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin
According to OprahDaily.com, here's the reading schedule for The Many Lives of Mama Love that'll take place on Oprah's book club's Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok channels.
Week #1: Chapters 1–8
Pages 1 to 103
Discussion begins on Saturday, March 9.
Week #2: Chapters 9–14
Pages 105 to 206
Discussion begins on Saturday, March 16.
Week #3: Chapter 15–End
Pages 207 to 304
Discussion begins on Saturday, March 23.
Be sure to grab your copy of The Many Lives of Mama Love so you can join the discussion!
Let Us Descend
Also listed on the Amazon top books list, Let Us Descend is a masterful tale that views slavery through the lens of a young girl who makes powerful discoveries as along her journey. When Annis is sold by her father — a white slave owner — she finds herself thrust into a world at a sugar plantation. Guided by otherworldly spirits, she finds herself coming to terms with who she is despite her circumstances.
"Demon Copperhead" by Barbara Kingsolver Has Something Big To Celebrate
Last year on Instagram, Oprah's book club announced that Demon Copperhead by Barvara Kingsolver was celebrating a longstanding run on the NYT Bestseller list. This is surely a testament to the way Kingsolver weaves emotion into her written work for readers to feel.
Read our synopsis of "Demon Copperhead" below!
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
It comes as no surprise that Demon Copperhead continues to give a name and face to the perils the young face while growing up. In this case, Demon is learning to come to terms with his upbringing along with the feeling he's not being seen.
Wellness
Oprah's latest book club pick is written by the talented Nathan Hill. Hill paints a picture of the how the idealistic view of marriage and life can feel out of touch with reality. After falling in love during their college days, Jack and Elizabeth are shocked to discover things feel vastly differently decades later. Forced to either turn from each other or peel back layers of hidden things they've never addressed, they make a decision that'll change the course of everything they've known.
Bittersweet by Susan Cain
Bittersweet tackles an emotion we know all too well — sadness. Susan Cain calls for readers to acknowledge that they don't always feel positive, especially when heartbreaking things occur in life.
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley
With the odds seemingly stacked against them, siblings Kiara and Marcus do what they can to survive while also helping a young neighbor. However, a chance encounter with a stranger grants Kiara with a job that helps sustain them — until she's caught up in a web of secrets that begins with an investigation. Found out what fate has in store for her in Nightcrawling.
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
Robert Kolker takes a look at how six of the Galvin children were diagnosed with schizophrenia while the other four weren't. Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family details how a 'perfect' example of a nuclear family grappled with secrets and mental illness, something that sounds all too familiar.
Olive, Again byElizabeth Strout
Olive is all at once stubborn and lovable in Olive, Again. From an odd birth experience to her reluctance to accept an inheritance, Olive's life goes through a series of ups and downs that readers will be able to resonate with.
Wild byCheryl Strayed
In a different take of Eat, Pray, Love, young Cheryl decides to go on a hike of more than a thousand miles after the death of her mother and dissolution of her marriage. Her journey is one of self-discovery and healing all at once.
Sula by Toni Morrison
Two friends, Nel and Sula, have a strong bond that takes them through many stages in their lives. But when a betrayal rocks their friendship, they find themselves on opposing sides. Learn what their outcome is in Sula.
House of Sand and Fogby Andre Dubus III
Living with roommates can prove to be tricky but one thing's for sure - stories and lives often intertwine. House of Sand and Fog weaves a tale of strangers whose lives do just that and then some.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
The Poisonwood Bible follows the Price family, led by devout Evangelist Nathan, as they travel to the Congo in 1959. Determined to save souls, Nathan's fierceness and stubborn nature lead to tragedy that changes the trajectory of the women in his life.
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
When Astrid's mother is sentenced for committing murder, she faces herself immersed in the foster care system in Los Angeles. As the things she faces changes from each home she's placed in, Astrid comes of age and somehow finds her footing.
The Pilot's Wifeby Anita Shreve
When Kathryn's pilot husband dies in a crash, the peaceful and predictable life she'd been living is upended. What happens when she begins to doubt her husband's identity? Find out in The Pilot's Wife.
The Way of Integrity: Finding The Path to Your True Self by Martha Beck
Martha Beck paints a case of what it means to live a life that aligns with our true self in The Way of Integrity: Finding The Path to Your True Self. She also shares what happens when we fall out of that alignment but offers attainable ways to figure out who we really are.
Bewilderment by Richard Powers
When astrobiologist Theo Byrne finds himself coming to terms with his wife's death and their son's troubled behavior, he finds himself willing to do whatever it takes to get him the help he needs. Faced with a chance to try a neurofeedback treatment that features the brain patterns of his late wife, Theo decides it's worth trying in Bewilderment.
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
Reverend John Ames decides to write to his son about his family's history - particularly that of his father and grandfather in Gilead. It's a tale that weaves together spirituality, wisdom and more.
More titles on Oprah Winfrey's Book Club List:
- The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
- Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
- That Bird Has My Wings by Jarvis Jay Masters
- Finding Me by Viola Davis
- The Love Songs of W.E.B. Dubois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
- The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris
- Home by Marilynne Robinson
- Lila by Marilynn Robinson
- Jack by Maryilnne Robinson
- Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson
- Deacon King Kong by James McBride
- American Dirt: A Novel by Jeanine Cummins
- The Water Dancer: A Novel by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
- An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
- Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
- Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle
- The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
- Ruby by Cynthia Bond
- The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
- The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
- Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
- Say You're One of Them by Uwen Akpan
- The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
- A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
- The New Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
- Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
- Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy
- The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier
- Night by Elie Wiesel
- A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
- Light In August by William Faulkner
- The Sound and Fury by William Faulkner
- As I lay Dying by William Faulkner
- The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
- The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
- Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton
- East of Eden by John Steinbeck
- Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald
- A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
- The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
- Cane River by Lalita Tademy
- Stolen Livens by Malika Oufkir and Michėle Fitoussi
- Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio
- We Were The Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates
- Drowing Ruth by C/hristina Schwartz
- Open House by Elizabeth Berg
- While I was Gone by Sue Miller
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- Back Roads by Tawni O'Dell
- Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
- Gap Creek by Robert Morgan
- Vinegar Hill by Manette Ansay
- River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke
- Tara Road by Maeve Binchy
- Mother of Pearl by Melinda Haynes
- The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
- Jewel by Bret Lott
- Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts
- What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage
See Oprah Winfrey's entire book club list here.
Which book(s) are you going to add to your kindle or bookshelf? Let us know in the comments and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates!
Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Lead image via Cody Love for Oprah Daily
This post has been updated.
If you’re already daydreaming about your spring break and summer travels, you’ve probably already planned out the best destinations to visit, beach reads to devour, and breezy outfits to wear. But the missing piece in it all is, of course, a swimsuit!
When it comes to swimsuits, there are a few non-negotiables: they have to be cute and colorful, plus it never hurts if the swimsuit you choose doubles as a tank top or bodysuit on dry land!
We scoured our favorite brands for some swimsuits that are exactly what you need to make a statement on vacation. Whether you’re jet-setting to a new place, or you’re spending your staycation tanning on your porch, grab one, or grab them all — we know we want to!
Bikinis
Malai Tori Underwire Bikini Top + Malai Hella Cool High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms
This moody suit is fit with different shades of pink to amp up the feminine vibes this spring and summer. While the top is a bit more revealing, the bottoms are def more modest, with a high waist and generous bottom coverage.
Aerie Beach Babe Gingham Voop Bikini Top + Full Coverage Bikini Bottom
The multicolor gingham pattern on this swimsuit is unique and will make your look fully your own this summer! The top of this bikini features some light ruching to flatter and shape your figure. The overall silhouette is pretty basic, so you can be sure the fit feels great.
Out From Under All The Roses Bandeau Bikini Top + Bikini Bottom
Rosettes are still all the rage, so embrace their trendiness with this bandeau swimmie! The aqua blue and hot pink combo feels wonderfully Barbie-esque. Let's go swim!
PacSun Eco Fruit Bre Triangle Bikini Top + High Cut Bikini Bottom
Little fruit illustrations dot this bikini, and it's too cute to ignore! Summer already makes us crave a massive fruit bowl, but with this swimsuit, you can amp up the fruity vibes even more! The straps on both the bottom and top contrast with the overall print, drawing some nice visual interest to your look.
Wild Fable Textured Striped Triangle Bikini Top + High Waist Cheeky Boyshorts
This set is just what we need for summertime. The bottoms come in boyshort form, which is honestly so nice for the days we want more coverage down there. The electric green color really speaks for itself, making you stand out amongst the crowd!
L Space Hazel Ribbed Bikini Top + Nora Bitsy Bikini Bottoms
This trendy piece by L Space is bound to be the swimsuit of the season! The limited color palette means there's endless matching potential, plus the suit itself is fairly modest so you can feel confident and comfy all (beach) day long.
Aerie Shine Rib String Triangle Bikini Top + Cheekiest Tie Bikini Bottom
Anything colorful, rainbow, or multicolor is gonna catch our eye, which is why we had to include this Aerie swimsuit! In addition to a tie-back design on both the bottoms and top, this suit features some sleek gold rings as hardware to keep the look chic as ever.
Shade & Shore Triangle Ribbed Bikini Top + High Leg Side-Tie Bikini Bottom
This slightly-ribbed bikini comes in a handful of different colors, but we adore this blue. It just feels so serene, setting the relaxing tone for your spring and summer getaways. The stringy fit sees that you get a ton of sun!
Beach Riot Eva Colorblock Rib Bikini Top + High Waist Bikini Bottoms
The neon color-way on this swimsuit reminds us of the 80s (in the best way). Throw it back this summer by donning this colorful two-piece! The high-waisted bottoms ensure maximum comfort, no matter what activity you're doing. This is an excellent choice is you're searching for swimsuits that are more modest.
One Piece Swimsuits
Belle The Label Ruched Maillot One-Piece Swimsuit
The ruching on the sides of this suit will flatter your figure with ease! This one piece also comes in a wide range of other colors to match your summer vibe perfectly.
Sea Level Interlace Seamless Bandeau One-Piece Swimsuit
Chartreuse is one of our fave colors, and sporting it this spring and summer just makes sense. Especially if it's this lightly-textured one piece with removable, adjustable straps!
Old Navy One-Piece Swimsuit
The nautical, tropical print on this Old Navy one piece will instantly send you into vacation mode, no matter where you wear it!
free-est Amber One-Piece Swimsuit
The open back design on this one piece swimsuit lets your beach or pool look breathe, allowing the opportunity for some more sun, too!
Anisa Makhoul Patchwork One-Piece Swimsuit
The graphics on this swimsuit are so adorable, and so picturesque. Show it off, gal!
Shade & Shore Square Neck Wide Binding One Piece Swimsuit
This chic square-neck swimsuit has the cutest amount of color blocking. The white pops against the green to make sure all heads turn toward you this season!
Billabong X It's Now Cool Gradient One-Piece Swimsuit
We're suckers for colorful gradients. Now, you can wear it on your swimsuits!
Old Navy Shine Wrap-Front Swimsuit
Keep shining all spring and summer long with this wrap-front swimmie from Old Navy! It definitely supplies enough coverage on the top and bottom, so you can feel comfy!
Tag us with your favorite swimsuits on Instagram and follow us on Pinterest for more swimsuit inspo!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.
Somehow, we have reached the 20th anniversary of A Cinderella Story. (2004 really was THAT year. The Notebook, A Cinderella Story,Mean Girls). Behind the scenes of an interview with the Today Show, Chad Michael Murray (who played Austin Ames in the movie opposite Hilary Duff's Sam) teased some kind of celebration coming our way!
"Do you realize this July is the 20th anniversary of A Cinderella Story?" Chad Michael Murray asks the camera. "Next week, we're going to do a little Austin Ames wink and nod to at the fans. You'll see."
There are literally so many things Chad could do in honor of the anniversary, which is happening July 16. The actor has played basketball at his One Tree Hill reunions, so maybe he'd play some football. He could also break out his old costume or reenact the iconic "Waiting for you is like waiting for rain in this drought. Useless and disappointing," scene with Hilary Duff — but TBH I hope whatever he does, he does it with Hilary. This would be the reunion I've been waiting for!!
Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Chad Michael Murray has talked about the fun of filming A Cinderella Story in the past — and how hilarious it is his character supposedly couldn't recognize Hilary Duff in the mask. "If you go to masquerade mall and a girl you see almost every day is wearing a small mask and her entire face is exposed and you still can't recognize her, you should probably see an eye doctor... among a few other doctors," he jokes with E! News.
How will you be celebrating the anniversary of A Cinderella Story this July? Let us know on Facebook!
Lead image via Warner Bros. Pictures