How to Make Your Home More Hue-tiful

Want to wake up to the warm lights of sunrise every morning instead of the shocking glare of an alarm clock buzzing in your ear? Sounds pretty heavenly, and is now a reality with Philips’ newest product, Hue.

Hue is a personalized wireless lighting system that lets you control the lights in your house using nothing but your phone. You can turn them on and off, dim them, change their colors and more! Basically, you can go from “daylight” to “rave” all with the push of a button ;) It’s kind of like the Nest, but for lighting rather than air conditioning. It’s also quite similar to LIFX, a Kickstarter project we wrote about a couple of months ago.

The home automation trend just keeps on growing. In fact, now Apple is even embracing it. The company just yesterday announced that they will be selling these color-changing bulbs inside of every store!

Hue, in itself, is a complete lighting system. The starter pack costs $199 and comes with 3 wireless LED bulbs and a Hue Bridge (AKA a central command station for your lights). They also sell the bulbs individually ($60) for those who want to add to their Hueful experience.

More importantly, setting up and using Hue is extremely user friendly. All you have to do is screw in the light bulbs and plug in the Bridge to a router and a power outlet.

After downloading the free app, you’ll be prompted to connect to your lighting system. If you don’t want to connect Hue to your smartphone, you can also go to the Hue website to login, create an account, and control your lights from there.

After that, it’s all about the lights! You can experiment and pick your own ideal lighting, or you can use the preset Philips’ Light Recipes. Light Recipes are preset lighting combinations that are scientifically proven to help you do what you’re doing, but even better! There’s Light Recipes to create better settings to relax, concentrate, energize, and read.

What’s even more interesting is that Philips can recreate lighting from a photo. Say you’re trying to recreate the lighting from a candlelit or lantern-lit ceremony. All you need to do is upload a picture, select the color of the lighting you’re trying to recreate, and voila! There it is. You’re back at the ceremony. Seems like a handy tool to have for those parties when you want to recreate the lighting from last month’s Maroon 5 concert.

Do you think you’re going to purchase Hue? How would you personalize your lighting experience?

Though they existed long before electricity, candelabras have been so stylishly adapted for modern times. They’re the *perfect* accent piece to decorate to your living room or bedroom with – especially this time of year – because when lit, candelabras provide bouts of warm, cozy light. We’re thankful that we don’t have to solely rely on candlelight to get around the house at night, but we’ll still strike a match to some taper candles and immerse ourselves in the comforting feels as we whip up some comfort food and switch on our favorite TV shows. These 14 enchanting candelabras will help you do the same as we settle into late fall and winter.

Ditmer Denmark Art Piece Candleholder

This organically-shaped candelabra, crafted from stone resin, is durable enough to last years ​in your home. The form recalls that of a tree trunk, so if your aesthetic is rooted in nature, bring the outdoors in with this pick. ​

CosmoLiving by Cosmopolitan Gold Candlestick Holders

This more modern take on candelabras holds three flames, supplying enough ambience to be a graceful centerpiece for your next dinner party.

Erin Fetherston Dulcette Candelabra

Whether you style it on its own or alongside a fresh bouquet of flowers, this design will make for an excellent addition to your place's entryway or your bedroom dresser.

Bloomingville Deeb Aluminium Candle Holder

This candelabra leans on the side of utilitarian with its bold structure and contrasting black hue. Even if you can't see yourself displaying it year-round, it'd be a pretty epic Halloween decor piece!

House Doctor Doctor Tristy Brass Candle Stand

We're obsessed with the criss-cross nature of this candle holder. Brass is a considerably versatile material, so you can rotate it from room to room as the seasons change.

Novica Recycled Metal Candelabra Margarita Temple

Color lovers, there are definitely some candelabras out there for you. This handcrafted design hails from Peru and boasts plenty of vibrant florals. Even without candlesticks, it's an art piece in itself!

Wyn Cream Candelabra

Make sure your cozy nights in are illuminated by the warm glow that candelabras can provide. This squiggly design also infuses your space with a good touch of playfulness! Place two different colored candles in the holes for even more joy.

Sommer Triton Candleholder

The unpolished look on this holder achieves a very homey vibe. The trio of arms are fitted for these Celebration Candles, but you could also put some plant clippings or flower stems in them when you don't want to deal with dripping wax.

CosmoLiving by Cosmopolitan Contemporary Metal Candle Holder Gold

This candelabra flaunts an extended length, so if you have a long dinner table, it'd be a wonderful centerpiece. Complete your suppertime tablescape with fun glassware and fresh flowers.

Hand-Forged Black Metal Taper Candle Holder Centerpiece by Jake Arnold

This lively pick provides an eye-catching loop graphic that will work well for any season.

The Latch Key Ibis Candelabra

Perhaps one of the most unique candelabras out there, this option comes in three different shades so you can find the one that's right for your space. It *also* comes with a hand-dipped candlestick so you're all set to light it up in one step!

Gold 5-Arm Metal Candelabra Taper Candle Holder

We could see this golden, weaving candelabra being perfectly adorned by poinsettias and tinsel during Christmastime.

Lovebirds Black Metal Candelabra by Lucia Eames

This design totally makes a statement on its own. If you share your space with a partner or spouse, pay homage to your togetherness with this lovey-dovey candelabra!

CB2 Cinq Large White Multi Taper Candle Holder

Highly sculptural, this candle holder holds up to 9 whole candlesticks! Make it the star of your dining set-up or coffee table spread.

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

Lead image via The Latch Key.

I can give you two reasons why Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's marriage sits high on my admiration list — Veronica Mars and Punk'd. I was in barely in middle school when these two stars graced my TV screen on their respective shows, but they've always stood out to me. Discovering they were dating just seemed to make sense in the grand scheme of good romantic pairings and — as we can see — it turns out Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard think so too.

From their first meet-cute that wasn't actually that cute to the ways they've loved each other through dark times, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard almost make being in love look easy. Here's a breakdown of some of the most important moments of their relationship timeline.

Kristen Bell And Dax Shepard's Relationship Timeline:

Image via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

2007: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Meet + Begin Dating

The couple haven't been shy about revealing their first time meeting was exactly love at first sight. Kristen Bell admitted during an Instagram Q&A in 2018 that they actually met at a party for producer Shauna Robertson. E! News recalled that the actress said, "2 weeks later I saw him at a hockey game and he asked for the gum in my mouth." Knowing Dax's personality, that actually checks out.

She also revealed his unconventional pickup line. "Truly, his first text to me was: ‘Hi. My name is Dax. I violated your privacy and got your number from Shauna. How do you feel about that,'' she remembered.

Though they did start dating, Kristen regularly trolls Dax about the time they briefly broke up. She told Popsugar, "He sat me down and said, 'I can't have this right now. I think you're wonderful, but I am still dating other people.' And then I, like, liquefied and fell to the ground, but I felt incredibly respected that he had the balls to tell me we weren't in the same place."

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

2009: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Work As Co-Stars During Filming Of When in Rome

Who can forget the hilarious rom-com movie When in Rome? Kristen starred as the 'unlucky in love' main character Beth who finds herself being pursued by a handful of romantic prospects after she picks up coins from a fountain that's supposed to grant love those who dare to take from it. Dax played the role of Gale, a model who was very into himself, and it was funny watching them interact on-screen.

According to People, the couple got engaged shortly after filming ended.

Image via Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT

August 2012: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Work Together Again On Set Of Hit & Run

Written by Dax Shepard, Hit & Run revolved around a former getaway driver's attempt to flee his past while making sure his girlfriend makes it to her job interview on time. The couple reprised their romantic relationship onscreen and continued to prove that they work really well together.

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

November 2012: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Announce They're Expecting Baby No. 1

A source relayed the news to People in 2012 by sharing the following statement, "They’re so excited — they’re both ecstatic. They can’t wait to become parents." They also shared that Kristen had been dealing with a bit of morning sickness, but she started doing better as time passed.

March 28, 2013: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's First Daughter Arrives

Several months later, Kristen gave birth birth to her and Dax's first daughter, Lincoln Bell Shepard.

Image via Jason Merritt/Getty Images

June 2013: Kristen Bell Pops The Question To Dax Shepard

In 2013, People shared that Kristen proposed to Dax Shepard after The Supreme Court overturned California's Prop 8 that was meant to ban same-sex marriage.

October 2013: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Tie The Knot

The couple celebrated their union by exchanging vows at a courthouse. Kristen previously told People they didn't want a grand celebration and they managed to keep their word.

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

June 2014: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Prepare For Baby No. 2's Arrival

The couple happily announced they were growing their family in 2014 via their rep's statement to People. "I can confirm that Kristen and Dax are expecting their second child and a sibling for Lincoln," the rep shared. They also touched on how much their family was looking forward to the arrival of a new bundle of joy.

December 2014: The Couple's Second Daughter Is Born

Finally, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Delta Bell Shepard, before Christmas in 2014.

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

2017: Dax Shepard And Kristen Bell Star in CHiPS

A couple who works together, stays together — at least that seems to apply Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. They starred together again in the movie CHiPS, but Kristen starred as Dax's ex-wife this time.

Image via Michael Buckner/Getty Images for FIJI Water

September 1, 2018: Kristen Bell And Dax Shepard Celebrate His Sobriety Journey

Dax Shepard has never been ashamed to talk about his sobriety journey and shared a personal moment with that made him question everything He appeared on Blake Griffin's podcast, The Pursuit of Healthiness to talk about his struggles in 2021. "What I would do is I would get sober for movies. I cared more about movies — it was the only thing I was more addicted to was being in movies — and so I would get sober for movies and then in between movies it was getting more and more dangerous," he recalled.

It wasn't until he caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror during a trip to Hawaii that he realized something was wrong. He remembered thinking, "I have every single thing I've ever wanted, and I'm at my lowest point emotionally and something has got to be very broken about that. If I have everything I said was going to make me feel good and I feel terrible, I've got to look at some other thing."

To celebrate her husband's commitment to remaining sober, Kristen wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram to encourage him to keep going. "I'm so proud that you have never been ashamed of your story, but instead shared it widely, with the hope it might inspire someone else to become the best version of themselves...I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone, and I want you to know, I see you. I see how hard you work," a portion of the lengthy message reads.

Addiction in any form is never easy to navigate so we admire how much Kristen's been supportive of Dax.

Image via John Sciulli:Getty Images for UNICEF

February 2019: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Launch A Baby Brand

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard decided to launch Hello Bello— a brand with everything from diapers to sun and bug protection — for several reasons. "I want something that's going to fill my soul. I want access to be able to give a lot of stuff away just as gifts, as a way of saying thank you for existing in this hard time called parenting," she told People in 2021.

Image via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

September 2023: Kristen Bell And Dax Share The Secret To Their Happy Marriage

It's no doubt that Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have experienced a lot throughout their marriage, but they've managed to stay the course. Kristen actually shared some amazing advice for other couples during a conversation with Entertainment Tonight that we're thinking about applying to our own relationships. "Common goals, seek them out," she stressed.

The other thing she feels is crucial to making a relationship work is truly seeing and valuing your partner as a person. "Understanding that your partner used to be a little person is the best thing you can do. Sometimes if we're ever on the verge of a fight, one of us will say — it's usually Dax — 'I feel like 8-year-old Dax right now.' And I'm able to see him like I see my kids, which is in a very different way and go, 'Oh yeah, you're a little person that had trauma and triggers and it's not about me,'" she added.

That's powerful because it can be hard to remember that it's not just about you in a relationship. We don't think people intentionally mean to be selfish, but it can be happen and the key is to acknowledge it instead of doubling down on a particular stance that may not be helpful in the heat of an argument.

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Lead image via John Sciulli/Getty Images for UNICEF

Mid-century modern decor embodies the perfect marriage of sleek simplicity and timeless elegance. With clean lines, organic shapes, and a minimalist approach, the MCM style captures the essence of vintage design with a contemporary take. This interior style showcases a blend of form and function, emphasizing both aesthetics and practicality. From iconic dining tables to vibrant wardrobes, these mid-century modern decor picks continuously captivate not only guests, but yourself, bringing a touch of retro-chic sophistication and grace to any space.

Mid-Century Modern Decor

Mango Wood Contemporary Pillar Candle Holder ($15)

The mid-century style is recognizable for simplistic yet organic shapes, and these sleek candle holders stylishly adhere to that.

Raawii Strøm Vase ($89)

For a burst of color, opt for this shapely blue vase.

Joybird Flynn Mirror ($305, was $470)

The rounded corners on this mirror bring elements of comfort into your mid-century-inspired space.

Gold Starburst Atomic Clock ($130)

Toeing the line between mid-mod and art deco, this gold starburst wall clock is the ultimate decor accessory for a retro vibe.

Kate & Laurel All Things Decor Sylvie Mid-Century Modern Pattern Framed Canvas ($110)

Don't forget to dress up those walls with some wall art! This colorful design is sophisticated, but simultaneously playful.

West Elm Pure Ceramic Footed Decorative Bowl ($75, was $94)

Continuing with the organic form, this display bowl can be used to hold fresh fruits, or utilized as an elevated front door catch-all.

Wideboy Alarm Clock ($59)

This wide alarm clock will sit on your bedside table in mid-century fashion. The bold numbers followed by thin clock hands recall the appliances made in the vintage era.

Sputnik Ball Candle Holder ($59)

You might have seen this starry shape once or twice before, without knowing its form originates from the 1957 Sputnik spacecraft launch! Since then, the sputnik has become a bold symbol not only of the space race, but of mid-century design as a whole.

World Market Multicolor Woven Check Pillow ($32, was $40)

Just because mid-century modern leans heavily on wooden pieces doesn't mean you can't have a little fun with color! The structured pattern on this pillow plays well with more rounded, organic lines.

Mid-Century Modern Wall Shelf with Arched Wood Design ($70+)

The lined arch detail takes this shelf to anything *but* boring. It's the perfect size to flaunt all your favorite knick-knacks, or a small bouquet of flowers.

Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Set of 2 Betterhood Rattan Nightstands ($130)

This duo of nightstands infuse your bedroom with all the mid-century details – from rattan shelves to tapered feet.

IKEA Ekenäset Armchair ($279)

We love the subdued color on this chair's upholstering. It adds enough flair to your space, but will match swimmingly with your existing style.

Urban Outfitters Mason Storage Cabinet ($1,300, was $1,700)

This smooth arched cabinet would work amazingly in a mid-century modern kitchen space, offering plenty of storage that you can see, thanks to its glass windows.

Tilton Round Mint Green Geo Pedestal Outdoor Accent Table ($72, was $80)

Have fun with accents – this mint green table is the ultimate way to start.

Saracina Home 2 Door Mid-Century Modern Wood Storage TV Stand ($360)

The tilted legs and low-sitting silhouette of this TV stand give it that mid-century definition. Use it to stack books on, store homewares, and style more mid-century decor!

Room & Board Gibson Coffee Table ($1,300)

Your mid-century coffee table is not a mid-century coffee table unless it has curves. This triangular pick from Room & Board is simple yet eye-catching!

Urban Outfitters Hugo Side Table / Nightstand ($199)

The rounded hutches in this side table design make a perfect play on negative space, adding desirable dimension.

Anthro Living Home Velvet Hagen Dining Chair ($468)

The velvet material these dining chairs are constructed from introduce more elegance, ideal for a cozy mid-cench dining room!

Threshold Johannson Mid-Century Modern 4 Shelf Bookcase ($170, was $200)

Mid-century styles thrive on function. This shelved bookcase provides an ample amount of space to store books, papers, and pictures!

SAYGOER Small Oval Coffee Table ($80)

The contrast between this table's legs and tabletop allow you to match the piece with the rest of your mid-century modern furniture!

Mid-Century Modern Lighting

Anthro Living Electra Table Lamp ($161, was $248)

This warm-hued lamp brings in some friendly flair to your mid-century bedroom or living space!

Terrain Globe Table Lamp ($128)

The grained wood combined with an alluring, spherical lampshade makes this light super sleek.

IKEA Dejsa Table Lamp ($55)

The mushroom lamp is heavily trending, but for good reason. This one emulates fungi in the most amusing way, opting for a neutral color palette that's easy to pair with other decor pieces.

Urban Outfitters Aldona Marble Table Lamp ($169)

Think of this marble pick as the more elevated version of the above lamp – perfect for a clean home office.

Retro Design Mushroom Lamp ($66)

Go bold with this all-orange mushroom lamp that'll illuminate your home with super warm light.

Mid-Century Modern Rugs

Ruggable 5'x7' Modern Chartreuse Rug ($219)

The abstract pattern on this rug will go great with mid-century modern basics, amping up the color!

Amelia Hazy Swirls Area Rug ($164, was $235)

With this rug, you can cover your floors in the adorable arched rainbow motif that's so prominent in mid-mod design.

Poly & Bark Berat 6'x9' Rug ($169)

This rug design provides a great balance between straight and wavy lines, all working together to coat your living room or bedroom floors in abstraction.

Joybird Rumi 6'x9' Rug ($658, was $1,013)

The scattered shapes on this piece surprisingly form a cohesive look, with enough color to add visual interest to your home decor.

Balta Rugs Caserio Mid-Century Modern Abstract Rug ($185, was $206)

The overlapping arches on this comfy floorpiece are outlined in a dark gray that further accentuates its mid-century details.

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

Header image via Anthro Living

Once summer rolls around, strawberries take center stage, which means strawberry desserts are the highlight of the season. From classics like strawberry shortcake to innovative creations like strawberry s’mores, these 32 strawberry desserts push the boundaries of that fruity, juicy flavor we all know and love. Get ready to indulge!

Strawberry Freakshakes

Think of this recipe as your traditional strawberry milkshake, but leveled-up beyond compare. The "freak" label for these decadent shakes is entirely accurate, as they get loaded with sugar, ice cream, donuts, whipped cream, and of course, rainbow sprinkles. (via Brit + Co)

Strawberry Donuts

These strawberry donuts earn a healthy (or well, healthier) edge by using whole wheat flour, coconut oil, and Greek yogurt. Don't worry though – they're still as sweet as ever, and they'll be super tasty alongside some coffee for a nice morning treat! (via Brit + Co)

Strawberry Tart

This tart looks impressive, but it's not all that hard to execute. Get your hands on just 5 ingredients – store-bought pastry dough and custard help expedite the process – and you'll be well on your way to strawberry, dessert-y goodness. (via Brit + Co)

Strawberry Chia Oatmeal Cookies

Turns out, you can eat cookies for breakfast! These strawberry-filled lil' bites serve as a quick power-up with fruit, oats, and chia seeds. You can even pack a few in your lunchbox for a healthy mid-day snack sesh. (via Brit + Co)

Boozy Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

These skewered strawberry desserts would make a fun Friday night activity to share with your boo! Simply soak some fresh berries in pink champagne overnight, then assemble them onto skewers before dipping them right into a dark chocolate bath and garnishing with more chocolate and crushed pistachios! (via Brit + Co)

Strawberry Lemon Cookies

Strawberries and lemons are a match made in flavor heaven, and these easy cookies (they only take 20 minutes) deliver a strawberry lemonade-type taste. Summer, here we come! (via The Edgy Veg)

Chocolate Strawberry Cake

We are salivating for this chocolatey cake! The cakey layers are quite simple to make, then you'll use fresh strawberries for the mid-layer and as a beautiful garnish. Don't you dare forget to add that creamy chocolate ganache! (via Give Recipes)

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry shortcake is an absolute classic! This recipe makes a few simple swaps (like whole wheat flour instead of regular, and maple syrup instead of white sugar) to make each and every bite a tad bit lighter than your traditional take. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Dark Chocolate Strawberry S'mores

You haven't lived until you've tried putting fresh strawberries on your s'mores. Just look at that gooey goodness! (via Feel Good Foodie)

Peanut Butter Cake with Strawberry Frosting

Once you learn how to make this sweet strawberry frosting, you'll wanna put it on everything you make, from cupcakes to cookies. And yes, even this nutty peanut butter cake! Pile it on real high. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars

The crunchy coating on these strawberry shortcake-inspired ice cream bars is exactly why you need to make them this summer. It's comprised of brown Rice Krispie pieces and freeze-dried strawberries to add some variety in texture, and wow, is it delicious! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Rhubarb makes an excellent partner to strawberries. Case in point: this no-frills, uber-fresh pie with an impressive lattice crust! (via Completely Delicious)

Strawberry Cocoa

This sip is like if you combined a strawberry shake and hot chocolate into one. It's so dreamy! (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Chocolate Strawberry Hi-Hat Cupcakes

That cross-section, though! These rich chocolate cupcakes are piled high with strawberry Swiss meringue buttercream icing. Once they're iced, they're dipped in even more chocolate to form a satisfying outer shell. (via Butternut Bakery)

Strawberry Fudge with Marshmallow Fluff

These strawberry fudge bites are just perfect for a little Valentine's Day dessert. This recipe surely doesn't shy away from sugar! (via Where Is My Spoon?)

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Matcha Madeleines

Matcha, chocolate, and strawberries?! We are totally swooning over these tiny strawberry desserts. While the madeleine cookies are soft and airy, the dark chocolate layer on the outside provides a nice crunch, contrasting the textures and flavors in each bite. (via The Original Dish)

Strawberry Cake Mix Brownies

Strawberry cake mix makes these strawberry desserts so much quicker, but they don't skimp on flavor at all. If you want to take things up a notch, try adding some fresh strawberries on top! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats

These Rice Krispie treats would make our child selves go crazy. You'll only need four ingredients to make 'em: freeze-dried strawberries, cereal, marshmallows, and butter, so they're a good dessert to make if you don't have a lot of ingredients on-hand and don't feel up to baking! (via The Endless Meal)

Chocolate Strawberry Mock-tini

This non-alcoholic, dairy free martini is decadence at its finest. You'll create your very own chocolate coconut simple syrup before concocting a mix of cashew milk, strawberries, and swirls of melted chocolate. (via Chef Bai)

Chocolate Fudge Brownies with Strawberry Jam

We all need more brownie recipes in our life, right? These rich bars are instantly elevated by a homemade strawberry jam that you'll likely have leftovers of to put on toasts, sandwiches, and more strawberry desserts! (via Two Spoons)

Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast

Although this recipe's a bit more breakfast-y, it still qualifies as dessert in our minds because it's loaded to the brim with a super-sweet cream cheese filling and sweetened strawberries worthy of the dessert table. Plus, there's plenty of syrup to go around! (via Live Eat Learn)

Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

These strawberry desserts are snack-worthy in the morning, afternoon, and as a late night snack, of course! If you thought store-bought Pop Tarts were good, just wait 'til you make them for yourself with fresh strawberries. (via Crowded Kitchen)

Strawberry Cheesecake Vatrushka Buns

The strawberry cheesecake filling stuffed into these airy buns is to die for! Prep a batch for a fun cafe-themed party, or keep the half-dozen all to yourself for morningtime bliss. (via Vikalinka)

Strawberry Banana Bread

Banana bread is a total lifesaver when it comes to using those overripe bananas sitting out on your counter, and it gets even better once strawberries enter the mix! This recipe is moist, sweet, and perfect as a little treat. (via Averie Cooks)

Vegan Strawberry Cupcakes

Looking for vegan strawberry desserts? Your search is over with these vegan strawberry cupcakes covered in vegan whipped cream. Add some more fresh berries for full effect! (via Earthly Provisions)

Strawberry Scones

Dare to make your local coffee shop jealous with these homemade scones using strawberries. Once you're done baking them, you'll cover each one with a delicious strawberry cream cheese frosting for maximum flavor. (via Most Hungry)

Strawberry Rhubarb Galette

Sweet galette recipes are our weakness. They're so sweet and shareable, plus this one in particular is a good way to start using all your farmer's market produce! (via Amanda Wilens)

2-Ingredient Strawberry Banana Ice Cream

Simply blend some frozen strawberries and bananas together, and you've got a sweet treat that can fulfill your cravings for creamy ice cream! For even more dessert vibes, top this recipe with sprinkles, Oreos, or chocolate syrup, Or all three. We'd do it, too. (via Rachel Mansfield)

Strawberry Chocolate Mint Smoothies

The addition of mint leaves takes this sweet sipper to a whole new level. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Strawberry Jelly No-Bake Cheesecake

Have you ever seen a cheesecake so beautiful?! Plus, this one requires zero baking, making it the perfect pick for hot summers. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Strawberry Macarons

If you're up to the challenge, making macarons yourself can be so rewarding. Each of these little sweet sandwiches is filled with strawberry jam and a cheesecake-inspired icing. (via Barley & Sage)

Vegan Fruity Pebble Cheesecake

Colorful, fruity, and sweet? Say no more. This Fruity Pebbles cheesecake just earned the top spot on our "to-bake" list!(via No Eggs or Ham)

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Lead image via The Endless Meal.

There are a number of TV shows in the running for best teen drama. I'm ready to press play on The Summer I Turned Pretty, One Tree Hill, and The Vampire Diaries at any given moment, but there is nothing like watching Friday Night Lights season 1. It might not be as glamorous as Gossip Girl, but that's exactly why it resonates so deeply when you watch it — FNL both highlights and honors viewers' real-world experiences because the characters are SO relatable. Instead of leaving you envious of a fictional life, Friday Night Lights welcomes you into a community you feel like you already know.


Image via NBC

Everyone in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas lives and breathes football, and Friday Night Lights season 1 opens just before the first game of the season. Right off the bat, we're introduced to characters that both evoke emotion and spark our curiosity, and we're told exactly where they are in their lives: new head coach Eric Taylor is struggling to win the town's confidence. Fullback Tim Riggins struggles both with motivation and against confident running back Smash Williams. All-American quarterback Jason Street has dreams of playing in the NFL while timid Matt Saracen takes care of his grandmother during the afternoon and serves as second-string quarterback at night.

Not to mention the fact that when I watched Friday Night Lights for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised by how compelling and multi-dimensional the women are. Tami Taylor has the perfect blend of motherly love and the kind of Southern sass that puts you in your place. Minka Kelly's Lyla Garrity is one of my favorite TV characters of all time because she might be wealthy and popular, but she evades "The Curse of the Brunette" that seems to plague early 2000s leading ladies. Instead of turning into a manipulative mean girl like the high school versions of Blair Waldorf and Brooke Davis, Lyla is just kind. Does she still make insanely bad decisions (like kissing her boyfriend's best friend)? Yes, but aren't bad decisions a right of passage when you're 17?

The show's initial plots and character arcs revolve heavily around football, but the sport really just serves as a funnel for all the off-field drama. The tension between the characters makes their gameplay even more passionate — and when Street gets seriously injured during that first game of the season, the town rallies together in a way that highlights how strong a community can bond in the face of tragedy.

Image via NBC

Life in middle-class America can be tough, but it can also be really, really sweet. While I'm neither from Texas nor have attended the kind of football school Dillon High is, the contrast between the characters' responsibilities and the fun that comes with parties and joining your friends at the local burger joint resonates with me every time I rewatch.

Even the fact the show is named Friday Night Lights emphasizes that contrast because it shows just how much of a spotlight is on these kids, and how much weight is on their shoulders when they're truly just trying to survive their teenage years.

Rather than providing an escape from viewers' realities like Outer Banks does, Friday Night Lights season 1 emphasizes the realities of juggling multiple jobs, school, and family responsibility that a lot of viewers experience too. It allows you to understand the characters in a really personal way — and feel like you're a part of the community too. The world can seem so big and scary (now more than ever), which is why the simplicity of Friday Night Lights totally redefines comfort TV.

What's your standout moment from Friday Night Lights season 1? Check out why Gilmore Girls Season 7 Wasn't Supposed To Be The Final Chapter for even more TV show musings!

Lead image via NBC