Move Over, Charcuterie — TikTok's "Girl Dinner" Is Here

Anne Hathaway's First TikTok Post Is Too Perfect

While many of us probably don't like to reminisce on 2020 itself (though I do sometimes miss the days of Tiger King and Tiktok being oh-so-new), Anne starts her journey right in the middle of the pandemic. Throughout the video, she gives us a sort of retrospective on her life...very similarly to Mia Thermopolis at the beginning of Princess Diaries 2. (I'll never forgive them for writing Michael out in the intro 😭) Here's what she detailed, with my own commentary on what she's referring to in parentheses. 😘

• Made a movie about a lockdown in a lockdown (Locked Down)
• Tapped into my Scorpio energy and became a witch (The Witches)
• (We)Crashed (starring alongside Jared Leto)
• (We)Met Again (running into Jared Leto at the Met Gala)
• Wore pink in Rome (yes, THAT outfit)
• Wore white in Cannes (the film festival)
• Emerged from the Venice Canals dripping in Bulgari (yes, that OTHER outfit)
• Tasted the rainbow (another fab 'fit)
• CALMA, CALMA, CALMA (all the times she told paps to chill out)
• Not calma (iconic dancing YAS)
• Definitely nor calma (more The Witches realness)
• Met Monique Eastwood (come on, exercise!)
• Chopped my hair off (french girl bob goodness)
• JK no I didn't (ok long hair slay)
• Cried a lot (that's a water sign if I ever saw one)
• Became besties with Donatella (oh, casual)
• Gave cupcake eating lessons (this is the only way to actually eat a cupcake, TBH)
• Got the world to primal scream (it's giving Claire Danes in Fleishman is in Trouble)
• Went skiing with Moncler (I can barely walk in snow, let alone look good)
• Kept being this person (HERSELF 🥹)
• Had a Devil Wears Prada reunion (oh, we KNOW!)
• Produced The Idea of You — and acted in it (everyone say, "Thank you, Annie!")
• Went to SXSW (the outfits, again!!!)
• Premiered The Idea of You in NY (cue 1989)

Why are love theories so popular on social media?

Fromloud budgeting to the lucky girl syndrome, it's not unsurprising that I discovered the invisible string theory on TikTok. It turns out I'm not the only who loves hearing about how other people met the person they're dating or married to. Morgan says, "I believe that love theories are popular on social media because they bring up positive feelings, are relatable, and fun to consider. Even if they’re a little wacky or far out there, it can be entertaining to consider the possibility that they may be true and explore how they relate to your situation."

That's probably why I found myself creating a few imaginationships in my late teens, but we won't dive into that.

So, what is the invisible string theory?

Since the only string that comes to mind when I think about this is string cheese, I asked Morgan if she could fully explain this theory. "The ‘invisible string theory’ is a viral phenomenon that essentially alludes to the fact that we are connected to a person so innately that the bond cannot be broken, and that we would find this person in any lifetime," she says.

Now that I have a better understanding of this, I liken this theory to finding "the one," but more on that soon!

Should I expect to find the invisible string theory hard at work in my life?

I'll be honest — I asked this question for you, but I kind of want to know if there's actual merit to it for research purposes 👀. I know it's fun to think everyone will have the same experience, but that's not always the case.

"I don’t think that everyone will experience this phenomenon for themselves, and I also don’t think it should be a goal that we set out to accomplish, as feelings and interpretations can be so mixed and ambiguous. I am hopeful that a person seeking this connection will find a person or persons that make them feel secure and connected, even if their relationship doesn’t perfectly follow the invisible string theory," says Morgan.

Okay, noted.

Will the invisible string theory help someone attract "the one?"

Remember what I said about my not-so-secret former obsession with finding "the one?" Well, Morgan has thoughts about how that could connect to the invisible string theory. She says, "I believe that when people set out looking for something, they will find it. This doesn’t always mean that it works out and that it is meant to be this way, but believing that there is a person out there for you creates hope."

She also says, "A person that has this hope is a lot more likely to put themselves in situations to meet “the one”, whether that is striking up conversation with an attractive stranger, trying to get out of the friend zone, or accepting an invitation on a first date."

I'm just going to drag my younger self by saying that I entertained more guys than I probably should've on my journey to find true love. Thank goodness for growth and maturity!

Does the invisible string theory only apply to romantic relationships?

It feels like society has started to change how it takes about relationships by realizing that not all of the important ones are strictly romantic. There are familial and work ties along side our many friendships have nothing to do with romance, but they're important nonetheless.

"People will reference the invisible string theory in a variety of relationships. Some of the relationships are romantic, but others may experience this feeling with their close friends, a really amazing mentor, or another person that has significant positive impact on their lives," says Morgan.

All jokes aside, should I expect for this theory to be perfect?

Eh, define 'perfect.' Seriously, we like to throw the word 'perfect' around, but nothing ever really measures up to that — especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

"A person should not expect to experience the invisible string theory exactly as it is described. Rarely do things work out exactly as planned, and the invisible string theory is not an exception. The invisible string theory is fun to consider, and believing in the theory can be valuable if it inspires you to put yourself out there," concludes Morgan.

Bacon Pastry Twists

Using pre-made puff pastry strips saves you so much time in the kitchen with these bacon-filled treats! If you want to go all out for your guests, make sure you don't skip the beer cheese meant to go alongside these dippable apps. (via Brit + Co)

Smoked Salmon Poke Bites

This bite-size appetizer recipe is a staple in our appetizer recipe roundups, and for good reason. They don't require any baking or cooking (other than the rice, which you could buy already made) – just pure passion for bite-size appetizers and a few minutes of your time. (via Brit + Co)

Cheesy Cauliflower Tots

For these tiny tots, simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, shape into bite-size portions, and bake for about 20 minutes. They'll be gone even quicker. (via Brit + Co)

Pineapple BBQ Chicken Meatballs

If you're short on time, you can use frozen meatballs to craft this delicious appetizer! Either way, the juicy bites still get swarmed in a sweet BBQ sauce that's downright addictive. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Vegan Jalapeño Poppers

Ready in just 30 minutes, you truly cannot go wrong with jalapeño poppers for parties, movie nights, and backyard shindigs. Though this iteration is vegan, each bite is wondrously cheesy! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Baked Taco Cups

These easy baked taco cups hit all the marks in terms of texture: they're cheesy, soft, and crunchy all at the same time. You'll get a subtle kick of spice from the jalapeños and cumin, too. (via Averie Cooks)

English Muffin Pizzas

Okay – so these might actually require a bit more than a single bite, but they're so worth the extra chew. The best thing about these appetizers is they're entirely customizable, so simply pile on the toppings that speak strongly to you! (via The Girl On Bloor)

Cheese & Tomato Pinwheels

Everyone loves bready. Everyone loves cheesy. That's exactly why you need to make these bite-size appetizers for your next function! Plus, they're ridiculously easy, being made with 5 ingredients in 30 minutes tops. (via The Fast Recipe)

Crab Rangoon

You'll find that putting in the work to make your very own crab rangoon bites pays off. After a single bite of these homemade ones, you'll never go back to takeout. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are an undeniable classic, and there's bound to be someone at your party that goes nuts for them. You can customize the filling any way you like, but we recommend keeping things simple. (via Culinary Hill)

Spinach & Brie Triangles

The phyllo dough in this recipe turns so scrumptious and flaky once baked. It's the perfect texture complement to the creamy, cheesy filling. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Buffalo Tofu Wings

Your vegan pals are definitely gonna want some substantial bite-size appetizers to fuel their fun. Opt for this vegan offering that assumes the iconic Buffalo spice! (via Earthly Provisions)

Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms

Parmesan, artichokes, and spinach are a wonderful combo on their own, but when you stuff some mushrooms with it, you've achieved bite-site snack greatness. (via Completely Delicious)

Honey Glazed Halloumi

Halloumi is a very mellow cheese that flexes well for sweet or savory situations. In this case, it gets a generous glaze of honey that tastes like pure heaven alongside some fresh lemon, spices, and herbs. (via Hello Little Home)

Easy Italian Pinwheels

These pinwheels are the epitome of a make-ahead appetizer, but they'd also be a stunning spread for a quick weekday lunch! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Asparagus & Ham Puff Pastry Pockets

Store-bought puff pastry comes to the (very tasty) rescue in this bite-size appetizer recipe. If your crowd isn't big on eating ham and/or asparagus, you could easily swap the insides for something else based on personal preference. (via Woman Scribbles)

Air Fried Olives

Olives are ​too​ good, and this air fried recipe just ​screams​ happy hour! They're super easy to coat and air fry, then pop in your mouth for a satiating salty snack. (via This Wife Cooks)

Brie, Apple, & Honey Crostini

These elevated bite-size appetizers are speaking to our soul. They're gently sweet form the apple and honey, and ultra-creamy thanks to the melty brie cheese! Pair with wine for a super good time. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Antipasto Skewers

You gotta love a skewered snack! These take on the flavors of salami, olives, and artichokes for a savory bite you'll definitely want seconds of. And thirds. And fourths. (via Salt & Lavender)

Crispy Cheesy Brussels Sprouts

It's true, you can convince everyone that Brussels sprouts are the superior vegetable, as long as there's some cheese involved. Thankfully, this quick appetizer recipe includes plenty of parmesan. (via The Endless Meal)

Chicks in a Blanket with Everything Bagel Seasoning

Meaty and bready, these chicks in a blanket make for an amazing snack alongside some ice-cold beer in the summer. (via Cozy Cravings)

Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

These crispy potato pieces might just be better than any restaurant's version. They're oven-baked, which supplies a much healthier alternative to deep-frying. Simply slice, season, and bake to absolute perfection. (via Two Spoons)

Crispy Spicy Tuna Sushi Bites

These fresh bites of sushi-grade tuna sit atop tiny pieces of crispy rice, and they are very addictive. They have a bit of everything, flavor-wise and texture-wise, so no one at the snack table is left out. (via Cilantro Parsley)