DIY Astro Guide: What Your Horoscope Means This Week, 9/19/2016

Sep 19, 2016

Cue the dynamic duos — this week is all about collaborating with creative types who serve as the yin to your yang. AKA, no tough love or grudges on our watch! With Mercury in retrograde for another few days, it would behoove you to steer clear of any petty arguments that could lead to your downfall. Take note: Now’s not the time to make anything officially official (be it an engagement or purchasing an iPhone 7). Usher in the arrival of a new season with a game-changing fall bucket list and scroll down to see what the stars have in store for you in this week’s AstroStyle horoscope.

As the birthday celebrations start winding down, easing back into a more business-as-usual routine will be inevitable. Thankfully, your go-get-’em ‘tude makes networking with the higher-ups and planning out your next creative venture that much easier. Now’s the time to update your LinkedIn profile, get fancy-schmancy headshots and start circulating those calling cards.

Read This: In case you were wondering: These are the pages that are eligible to become verified on Facebook. (Photo via Hocus Focus Studio/iStock)

Libra: September 23 – October 22

It’s official: Libra season will be arriving this Thursday. Have you picked out the flavor of your birthday cake and snagged a venue for your epic bday shindig? Don’t get so caught up in gathering your BFFs for celebratory cocktails that you forget to treat yo’self to a luxury getaway for one or a weekend pampering sesh at your favorite spa.

Read This: Whether you’re turning the big 3-0 or any other milestone, we’ve got 20 must-have essentials for a rustic-chic birthday party. A flower crown for the birthday girl is obviously obligatory. (Photo via Ian Joseph Jones / The Knot)

Scorpio: October 23 – November 21

You, shy? Not during Libra season, you’re not! If there was ever a time to pack on the charm and slip on your after-hours-approved lace-up ghillies, it would be now. Don’t get so caught up in the blissful honeymoon stage that you start swapping heartfelt “I love yous” before you really mean it. In a long-term relationship? It’s true what they say: Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. A GNO (or two) with your squad is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Read This: This just in: Here are six expert-approved tips for making long-distance love totally doable. (Photo via Getty)

Sagittarius: November 22 – December 21

Work hard, play harder: Allow this to be your mantra for the next few weeks as you learn to dial things down a bit. Put your workaholic tendencies on the back burner in lieu of group activities that allow you to let loose. Between apple picking dates at the orchard, a haunted hayride and Oktoberfest street fairs, you’ve got your fair share of fall rituals to pencil in.

Read This: Call up your weekly book club! We’ve got three new books to help you escape the world RN. (Photo via Amazon)

Capricorn: December 22 – January 19

New season, new Capricorn: The next four weeks will be dedicated to getting reinspired. Whether that means trying out a new hobby or booking a getaway to Boston to see the fall foliage, a change of pace is in order. And don’t stop there! It’s not too late to launch a side hustle or turn your passion project into a full-time gig.

Read This: Speaking of getting reinspired, Re:Make is just TWO weeks away — and there’s still time yet to snag tickets. Inspirational speakers, workshops and happy hour? Count us in, please.

Aquarius: January 20 – February 1

Adventure awaits you, Aquarius! Roll up your sleeves and get ready for the ride of a lifetime — there’s no telling what the next few weeks could bring. You could enroll in a personal branding workshop, attend a conference for creative types or book an epic Eurotrip. The latter *especially* seems likely during Libra season.

Read This: ICYMI: These are five of the hottest freelancing skills right now that could help you snag your dream job. Let the offers roll in. (Photo via Getty)

Pisces: February 19 – March 20

Single, coupled up or playing the field — your relationship status could very well change before the end of the workweek. Instead of playing the “are we or aren’t we” game, start dedicating more time to hanging with your boo. A romantic getaway for two or a spontaneous date night could shine new light into your relationship. Whatever you do: Don’t be THAT crazy girlfriend who reads too much into text messages or Facebook statuses. Capiche?

Read This: Don’t get too excited, but here are the first 11 things to do upon getting engaged. A girl can dream, right? (Photo via Getty)

Aries: March 21 – April 19

Celebrate the end of retrograde with a major lifestyle change. Between saying adieu to a bad habit and jumping back on the fall wellness bandwagon, there’s no shortage of ways to embrace a healthier YOU this season. Post retrograde is the perfect time to schedule all those annual checkups (the dentist! your eye exam!) that you always seem to brush off.

Read This: No pain, no gain! Look no further than these seven workouts that’ll give you buns of steel. (Video via Jessica Carroll)

Taurus: April 20 – May 20

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On my way to @tommyhilfiger the other day, thanks for the 📸 @jeffthibodeauco
A post shared by PAOLA ALBERDI (@blankitinerary) on Sep 11, 2016 at 10:58am PDT

Turn down for what?! Celebrate the end of retrograde with a well-calculated sartorial risk or a crazy new ombre ‘do that speaks volumes about your personal style. As you pack on the OTT accessories and seek solace in a pair of man-repelling steppers, don’t forget to document your #OOTD adventures on Insta.

Read This: We’ve done the double-tapping: Here are 15 of the best off-duty street style looks straight from Fashion Week for your sartorial delight. You’re welcome.

Gemini: May 21 – June 20

After a jam-packed few weeks, it’s time to s-l-o-w down and embrace a more streamlined lifestyle. Remember that it’s okay to opt out of a crazy Friday night in favor of a low-key evening at Chateau Gemini (Netflix and pizza are actually bae). If your messy living space is giving you daily panic attacks, then a little redecorating and game-changing feng shui may be in order.

Read This: Your savvy living space is about to get a whole lot more chic thanks to this fun pressed leaf wall art. (Photography via Brittany Griffin)

Cancer: June 21 – July 22

In true T.Swift fashion, the next month will be dedicated to showering your best gal pals with affection. Between fulfilling bridesmaid duties, hosting epic sleepovers and playing matchmaker for your single AF bestie, it’s ride-or-die when it comes to achieving next-level squad #goals. Start pinning dinner party inspo STAT as you step into your hostess with the mostest shoes for a season of celebrating and playing dress up.

Read This: Fall cannot come soon enough: Check out these 20 IKEA hacks for your first fall get-together. (Photo via Livet Hemma)

Leo: July 23 – August 22

Don’t you dare go splurging on yet another denim jacket when you have more important monetary matters to attend to! (Like this month’s rent or student loans.) Start incorporating the “b” word (“budget”) into your vocabulary by downloading a money-saving app and making an effort to comb through the thrift store racks for all the latest throwback trends.

Read This: Pssst: This amazing budget trick will help you actually save money. It’s that easy. (Photo via Getty)

Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for more daily inspiration and check out your full AstroStyle horoscope!

(h/t AstroStyle)

Stop Throwing Away Overripe Bananas! Make These 6 Delicious Recipes Instead

Nothing's more irritating than having to throw out fresh fruit you just bought because it either ripened too fast or was already festering with mold. And what food is the biggest culprit? Usually, it’s bananas. Unless you're fitting bananas in your everyday meal routine, it’s difficult to keep up with how quickly they brown (which can be anywhere from 24 hours to five days, depending on how green they were at the store when you grabbed them).

The good news is that there’s actually a lot you can do with overripe bananas. We turned to chefs for top tips (both creative and delicious) that will prevent you from throwing speckled bananas in the trash!

What To Do With Overripe Bananas

Image via Butternut Bakery

Banana Bread, Obviously

One of the most widespread baking recipes to make with overripe bananas is banana bread. Why? Because it’s simple, delicious, and an automatic crowd-pleaser. Check out our one bowl gluten-free banana bread recipe, our chocolate banana pumpkin bread, or these 40 recipes of banana bread that you need to make this weekend (the options are endless!).

(Writer’s note: My go-to recipe is the chocolate chip banana bread from Butternut Bakery — but I use dark chocolate chips instead!)

Image via Half Baked Harvest

Freeze Them For Your Smoothies

When in doubt, put your overripe bananas in the freezer. Then you’ll at least have time to think on what to do with them—and you can throw them in your morning smoothies. Bananas last up to three months in the freezer ideally, and pair well with a variety of different flavor profiles, like caramel, blueberry, chocolate, or orange.

This strawberry-banana colada smoothie from Half Baked Harvest may just be your new fav, or the cloudy summer smoothie which doubles as an Erewhon smoothie dupe. Chef Chris Morgan of Joon restaurant in Washington D.C. advises using overripe bananas and other raw fruits for your children at home (he makes little smoothies for his 7-month old baby—pure genius!).

Image via Food Faith Fitness

Make Banana Cookies

Substitute the flour for bananas in your baking with some tasty cookie options. The plus side of banana cookies is that they are often automatically gluten-free and can easily become dairy-free (but always check first!). These easy peanut banana oatmeal cookies from Food Faith Fitness are a great option. If you’re looking to ditch the peanut butter, try out these 4-ingredient banana oat cookies from Livvin Media.

Image via Kathryn's Kitchen Blog

Ice Cream, Anyone?

There is nothing better than sorbet or ice cream in the summer months. All you really need is frozen ripe bananas, any other frozen fruit you prefer, milk (whichever kind you enjoy— almond, oat, etc.) and some sweeteners like honey or vanilla extract. To fit your health goals, you can even throw in protein powder. This strawberry nice cream from Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog only has five ingredients!

Image via Butternut Bakery

Upgrade Your Breakfast

Pancakes, overnight oats, and muffins are all incredibly tasty options to use up those ripe bananas and upgrade your breakfast game. Try Butternut Bakery’sbanana nut muffins for a quick snack or these healthy chia banana pancakes from Half Baked Harvest for a savory morning bite. You can also sift through Brit + Co’s 17 overnight oats recipes — keep in mind that overnight oats only last a few days in the fridge, though!

Photo by Anna Tarazevich/PEXELS

Make Dog Treats

Don’t leave out your furry friends— they love bananas too! Making long-lasting dog treats “relieves the pressure on the idea of food waste, plus there is a bonus that your pets are spoiled, happy, and nutritiously rewarded,” says pastry chef Susan Bae of the critically-acclaimed restaurant, Moon Rabbit in Washington D.C. Check out her go-to dog treat recipe below:

Chef Susan Bae’s Dog Treat Recipe:

250g organic whole wheat flour

240g organic peanut butter

70g organic, unsweetened apple sauce

56g mashed overripe banana

113g organic plain bone broth

25g organic shredded cheddar cheese

25g freeze dried blueberries

Preheat oven to 350F.

1.) Mix to combine whole wheat flour, peanut butter, apple sauce, bone broth and banana. Until a dough is lightly formed.

2.) Fold in shredded cheese and dried blueberries to evenly distribute in dough.

3.) Roll dough out to 1/4” thickness and use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out treats.

4.) Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and bake dog treats until firm and dry to touch (this varies with each oven) Check at 45 minutes.

5.) Store at room temperature for up to 1 week in an airtight container or in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Need more recipe inspo? Sign up for our weekly email newsletter for even more!

Header image via Half Baked Harvest

Run A Business In California? This Free Loan Tool Can Help You Grow

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Photo by RDNE Stock project

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Hero photo by Amina Filkins

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TaylorNation Reportedly Says “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” Could Drop Next Week

I am the opposite of a casual Reputation fan. Four of my five most-listened-to songs on Spotify are from the 2017 album, I wore a Rep-inspired outfit to my Eras Tour show, and I am constantly analyzing (and talking about) its symbolism. I stand by the fact that this album, as misunderstood as it is, is actually the key to understanding Taylor Swift herself, which is why its rerelease is the one I've been most looking forward to. With TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit, it feels like there's a new theory every day about when we'll get Reputation (Taylor's Version), but I'm pretty sure Taylor's been telling us the announcement date the whole time.

When is Taylor Swift releasing Reputation (Taylor's Version)?

Image via Source Pictures & Taylor Swift Productions

The cappuccino Easter egg from the "Karma" music video.

We don't have an official Reputation (Taylor's Version) release date yet, but all signs were originally pointing to an announcement on February 16, 2024. When the music video for "Karma" from Midnights came out, featuring a shot of Taylor holding a cappuccino, Swifties immediately picked up on the symbolism. The blue nail (which represents 1989 (Taylor's Version)) lines up with the 8 on the clock, and the black nail lines up with the 2 on the clock. Taylor ended up announcing 1989 TV on August 9 — and then announced The Tortured Poets Department(also known as TS11) onstage at the 2024 Grammys in February!

TaylorNation just teased the Reputation (Taylor's Version) release date by hopping on the latest internet trend, which uses the "You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me" lyric from "Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me?" Their Instagram carousel features images that have sent Swifties spiraling in the past, but there are two pics I'm paying special attention to: the "five holes in the fence" image from the Lover era, and a "Bejeweled" music video still of Taylor Swift pressing 3 in an elevator. May 3 (5/3) comes two weeks after the TTPD release, and since Taylor has been emphasizing her lead single "Fortnight" with the "For a Fortnight" challenge, it looks like it could line up perfectly.

There are plenty of other potential summer release dates too! Swifties know Taylor Swift lives and breathes the number 13, and that she's been making her recent rerecording announcements at her Eras Tour shows.

Well, this summer, Taylor is heading to Milan for a show on Saturday, July 13. X user @roranotaurora points out that the symbol for Milan is a snake (it's also a symbol for Rep!) AND that on July 13, 1977, there was a blackout across New York City. When Taylor announced the original Reputation in 2017, the "Don't Blame Me" singer blacked out all her social media. If she announced the album in July, there's a good chance we'd get it just in time for autumn, chilly weather, and Daylight Savings Time, all three of which go perfectly with the Reputation aesthetic.

There's another 13 we need to pay attention to as well: December 13, which is also Taylor Swift's birthday. The popstar had the date front and center in her Tortured Poets Department pop-up installation. Since the date falls on a Friday, it's the perfect day to drop some new music...

Are there any other clues that Reputation (Taylor's Version) will come out next?

Image via Amy Sussman

Taylor Swift attends the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 07, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.

Recently, Taylor showed up to the 81st Golden Globe Awards in an all green ensemble, which is already so Reputation-coded to begin with. However, fans noticed one teeeeeeeny tiny detail about her look that really leans into all the theories that Rep (TV) is next. If you zoom in on her rings, one of them is a snake that's wrapped around her finger. 🐍

And after Taylor Swift released a video teasing her new album, Swifties are analyzing all the snakeskin patterns (on the curtains, the floor, and the green couch), as well as the dark visuals. While the video moves from the dark room to a bright one for TTPD, I'm convinced we'll be returning — or continuing down the hallway where you can see a dark picture frame waiting for us...

All the surprise songs at her Tokyo Eras Tour shows referenced falling apart, and a huge part of the Reputation era was related to a quote from Taylor that says "when she fell, she fell apart." Before playing "The Outside" as her piano surprise song on February 9, she made a joke that the song was 175 years old — which has Swifties thinking August 2 (175 days from February 9) could be the album's release date. Considering "The Outside" is off her first album, it's also possible we're getting Taylor Swift (Taylor's Version) in August!

A recent Disney+ ad that paired the Eras Tour film and Disney Pixar's Cars went viral on Twitter because its tagline is "Getaway Car," one of the most beloved songs on Reputation (Taylor's Version)! No matter when the album drops, having Taylor Swift's final two re-recordings be her name and her reputation is literally so iconic and I can't wait to listen.

What Taylor Swift songs are on Reputation (Taylor's Version)?

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

We know that, based on previous re-recordings, Reputation (Taylor's Version) will have the original tracklist and an unknown number of vault tracks that Taylor wrote ahead of the Reputation era. PEOPLE also confirmed we'll be able to hear Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor's Version)" in the new docuseries for the New England Patriots! You can also hear a snippet in the trailer for Ashley Benson's Wilderness ;). Here's what you can expect on Taylor Swift's Reputation (Taylor's Version). I'm really hoping the vault tracks include "I Don't Want To Live Forever"!

"Ready For It? (Taylor's Version)"
"End Game (Taylor's Version)"
"I Did Something Bad (Taylor's Version)"
"Don't Blame Me (Taylor's Version)"
"Delicate (Taylor's Version)"
"Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor's Version)"
"So It Goes... (Taylor's Version)"
"Gorgeous (Taylor's Version)"
"Getaway Car (Taylor's Version)"
"King Of My Heart (Taylor's Version)"
"Dancing With Our Hands Tied (Taylor's Version)"
"Dress (Taylor's Version)"
"This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things (Taylor's Version)"
"Call It What You Want (Taylor's Version)"
"New Year's Day (Taylor's Version)"

What is Taylor Swift wearing to Grammys 2024?

Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Taylor Swift showed up to the 2024 Grammys in a sculptural white gown from Schiaparelli Couture. I love how Taylor has hopped on the corset trend. This is my favorite neckline in recent years! Even though the dress is white instead of black or green — and ended up going along with the Tortured Poets Department (or TS 11) announcement — I think it's still a Reputation (Taylor's Version) Easter egg. White is, of course, the opposite of black, so I think it's a more unexpected reference to the album, with black accessories like gloves, shoes, and jewelry being a direct nod. Plus, the watch necklace pays homage to Midnights! At the 2022 VMAs, Taylor wore another Reputation-coded outfit before she announced Midnights, so I think it's definitely a pattern.

Is there gonna be a Reputation Taylor's Version?

Image Paul Kane/Getty Images

Taylor Swift performs at Optus Stadium on October 19, 2018 in Perth, Australia.

Yes, we're getting a Reputation (Taylor's Version)! Taylor Swift has been very vocal about the fact she's rerecording her first five albums. However, she's been less direct about the order or the release schedule, which is honestly more fun! The official Taylor Nation account added fuel to the fire when they posted a photo of Taylor rehearsing for The Eras Tour — because, like @nashs_mom on TikTok says, the pose doesn't match up with any of the songs. While all the photos they've previously posted match up with numbers like "Enchanted" or "Illicit Affairs," the new pose seems to match up with "I Did Something Bad" (which is both the last Reputation surprise song left AND the perfect song to announce the rerecording).

"Hear me out," another TikTok user commented. "['I Did Something Bad'] was not part of the set list in 2023 but what if the first night of the tour in 2024 she performs [it] and announces REP TV."

"I literally ratatatataed as soon as I saw it," another user says, referencing the iconic production at the beginning of the song. We have less than a month before the Eras Tour starts up again, so I'm excited to see when we'll finally get a Reputation (Taylor's Version) announcement!

What caused Taylor Swift to make Reputation?

Image via Def Jam/UMG

Cover art for Kanye West's The Life Of Pablo, which features "Famous."

The primary catalyst for Taylor Swift's Reputation era was a phone call with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. After Taylor said Kanye did not have her permission to say he "made that b-tch famous" in "Famous," a video leak from Kim seemed to show Taylor did actually give her permission (it was later revealed the video was edited, and Taylor gave her permission to be mentioned, NOT to be called a b-tch).

"#TaylorSwiftIsOverParty" began trending on Twitter, and everyone from the media to the general public began calling her a snake. So she disappeared from the public eye for over a year, and Reputation was born. The era was moody — and full of snake imagery. Taylor says in her TIME interview that the album came from "a goth-punk moment of female rage at being gaslit by an entire social structure," and told Rolling Stone in 2019 that Reputation was a "metaphor" and her "playing a character."

How old was Taylor when she wrote Reputation?

Image via Christopher Polk/Getty Images for TAS

Charli XCX, Camila Cabello and Taylor Swift perform onstage during opening night of Taylor Swift's 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour at University of Phoenix Stadium on May 8, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona.

Taylor began writing Reputation in 2016, when she was 27. However, the stories she's telling go back farther than that since "Dancing With Our Hands Tied" talks about a relationship from when she was 25.

Is Reputation a love album?

Image via Big Machine Records

Cover art for Taylor Swift's Reputation.

While Reputation is sassy, moody, and satirical, I stand by the idea that it's actually a love album at its core. While the general public talked most about "Ready for It?" and "Look What You Made Me Do," songs like "Delicate," "Call It What You Want," and "New Year's Day" are all about healing after the media turned against her. The message of the album is all about how she wants to spend the the ins and outs of life with people she loves, because they make the boring days beautiful, which is also the sentiment running throughout "Lover."

"I want your midnights, but I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day" and "We can leave the Christmas lights up 'til January" are the same!!

What are the Reputation Taylor's Version vault tracks?

Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment

A Horcrux from Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part I

While we don't have the tracklist for Reputation (Taylor's Version) yet, she did mention in her TIME interview that the vault tracks will be "fire."

"I’m collecting horcruxes,” she says of the rerecordings. “I’m collecting infinity stones. Gandalf’s voice is in my head every time I put out a new one. For me, it is a movie now.”

I'm going to be real honest, this is the line that sent me into a tailspin because the idea that Taylor loves stories like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and the MCU as much as I do is too much!! But it makes sense because after all, she IS a storyteller.

Do you think we'll get Reputation (Taylor's Version) in February 2024? Check out our Facebook for the latest Taylor Swift news and browse ourUltimate Taylor Swift Gift Guide!

Lead image via Big Machine Records

This post has been updated.

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