Calling All Creatives: Michael's Fall Decor Has Something For You This Season!

Creative Michael's Fall Decor

From Target to Crate & Barrel, fall decor is absolutely fab this year, and Michael's is no exception to that ever-growing list! The current collection ignites my inner child's creativity, with its bold colors and styles. Don't get me wrong, I love minimalistdecor, but sometimes I like to break up the monochromatic feel with colorand kitschy design. I'm willing to bet you can relate, so let's get to our Michael's wish list together and add some cute and creative fall decor to our spaces! Here's what I've been eyeing so far.

Image via Michael's

9" Dark Brown Fruit Bowl

Show off your prized picks from your time at an apple orchard or pumpkin patch with this fruit bowl.

Image via Michael's

9" Pumpkin Patch Tabletop Decoration

To really show that you're in the fall spirit, place this fun "farm fresh" decoration next your your fruit bowl!

Image via Michael's

Large Natural Water Hyacinth Basket

Do you really need another wicker basket? Another one never hurts, IMO. You can use it in place of a fruit bowl for more of a farm-to-table appeal.

Image via Michael's

22" Sunflower Mix Wreath

It's likely the weather is still hot where you are, so opt for this cute sunflower wreath instead of one that solely focuses on fall to take advantage of the seasonal transition.

Image via Michael's

24" Mixed Pink Mum & Hydrangea Wreath

You'll love this mixed pink mum and hydrangea wreath because it doesn't go overboard. It's perfectly blended for a wreath that looks as cozy as your home feels.

Image via Michael's

Welcome Pumpkin Doormat

Or fully embrace fall before it gets here with this pumpkin doormat. Guests will know you're in the mood as soon as they ring your doorbell.

Image via Michael's

8" It's Not Fall Without Football Tabletop Decor

If 'football is life' runs your household during fall, you need this tabletop decor. We'll be cheering along from the sidelines.

Image via Michael's

Wall Ladder With Baskets

Need a cute place to store your fall-themed tea? Use this cute wall ladder to store them.

Image via Michael's

8" Pumpkin Space Tin Container

You can also store your favorite pumpkin-flavored coffee or tea in this cute container.

Image via Michael's

7.8" Fall Bucket List Tabletop

No need to panic if you're having a hard time coming up with a bucket list from fall. Let this tabletop sign guide your fall goals!

Image via Michael's

Get Cozy Lumbar Accent Pillow

As if you and guests need another reason, let this lumbar accent pillow remind everyone to get cozy and enjoy the autumnal vibes.

Image via Michael's

Glitzhome 24" Thanksgiving Turkey Easel Porch Sign

Your first time hosting Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving should be as fun as you can make it. Let guests know they're in for a good time with this turkey easel porch sign.

Image via Michael's

Thanksgiving Cheese Knife Set by Celebrate It

You don't have to save this cheese knife set for Thanksgiving. Break it out each time you carefully curate your charcuterie board. We know you're looking for an excuse to try more exotic cheeses so let this be it.

Image via Michael's

DII Crazy Pumpkin Lady Printed Apron

We're not going as far as to call you 'crazy' because you're not. You just really love pumpkins and want to show your appreciation towards them by wearing this printed apron. Sounds fair.

Which fun pieces from Michael's fall decor collection are you thinking about adding to your home? Let us know in the comments!

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

Lead image via Michael's

We're just about a month away from Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving and can't wait to host our people at home again. Here, we tapped Tiffany Leigh Piotrowski, founder of Toronto-based Tiffany Leigh Design, for design tips for putting together the perfect fall tablescape for all your fall gatherings. It's simple, elegant, and *affordable.* Take it away, Tiffany!

Here at TLD, we (like many of our clients and readers) are undeniably drawn to design features inspired by our favorite season: fall. There are so many elements of autumnal decor that feel just right: the earthy hues, the rustic textures, and the overall cozy and casual atmosphere. We celebrated our Canadian Thanksgiving last month here in Toronto and can't emphasize enough the impact of a simple and subtle fall table setting.

Most importantly, we believe that entertaining in style doesn't have to be complicated, expensive or fussy. Whether you host a socially-distanced Thanksgiving gathering or just prepare a turkey dinner for a few close friends and family members, we want to help you create fall table decor that will have you embracing the arrival of sweater weather. Light your favorite pumpkin spice candle, grab a mug of warm cider, and scroll on to see TLD's own fall tablescape.

We understand it can be difficult to strike a balance with fall decor! Too many items and your space can look cluttered; too few and the decor can appear unintentional. With this in mind, we love leaning into the natural elements of autumn for styling elements that make a statement but don't overwhelm your home's existing aesthetic. In our table setting, we leaned heavily on raw textures when creating this tablescape. Introducing materials like linen and rough hewn wood make this table feel fall-ready and as well as truly timeless. We love a linen tablecloth because it adds a casual layer (a little bit of wrinkling adds to the charm) and makes for easy clean up.

We are believers that simple place settings can make a significant design impact. For our thanksgivingtablescape, we used everyday flatware and dinner plates for a non-fussy effect. While we kept it streamlined with only one fork and knife per person, we still laid out both water and wine glasses for dinner guests' diverse beverage preferences. We love using whiskey tumblers as water glasses for an elevated effect. The finishing touch? A knotted linen napkin and a white-coloured mini pumpkinfor a charming nod to fall.

Isn't this terracotta vase just darling?! For any type of tablescape, we always endorse incorporating items you already lying around your home. These vases look harmonious amongst our DIY table setup as their rust colour is appropriate for fall and their scale works well with the rest of the tablescape. With the addition of some pampas grass clipped during a fall stroll, these vases are the perfect additions to our fall table.

We like to style the table with a sculptural pitcher filled with cold water for guests. To create this look in your own space, shop our fall tablescape below:

Thanks Tiffany!

Photos courtesy of Tiffany Leigh Design.

This article was originally published on TiffanyLeighDesign.com.

George and Amal Clooney are one of the celebrity couples I’d personally be upset over if they ever break up. Like...my heart just wouldn’t be able to handle it because their love story is one for the books — not to mention all the power couple fashion moments we'd miss out on!

I was introduced to George Clooney’s work via Quentin Tarantino’s movieFrom Dusk ‘Til Dawn (thanks, dad) and have always found him to be a force of nature, but I didn’t take him for the ‘settling down’ type. Imagine my surprise when the man who once claimed he’d never get married eventually found himself smitten with Amal Alamuddin, an intelligent Human Rights Lawyer.

Since their fateful first meeting at George’s home years ago, the two have gone on to get married, have children, and even established the Clooney Foundation for Justice together. If you can’t get enough of their relationship either, here’s a full timeline of their love story!

George and Amal Clooney's Full Relationship Timeline

Image via Andrew Goodman/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night

July 2013: George And Amal Clooney’s First Introduction

In 2018, George sat down with David Letterman on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction to recount various moments from his life, including when he first met Amal. He remembers being at home at Lake Como when one of his friends asked if they could bring a plus one with them.

To make things even wilder, his own agent let him know his bachelor days would soon be over. “I got a call from my agent who called and said, ‘I met this woman who’s coming to your house who you’re gonna marry,’” he said.

Once he met Amal and began talking to her, it was apparent they had chemistry that resulted in them exchanging emails. George told The Hollywood Reporter, “I thought she was beautiful, and I thought she was funny and obviously smart…Then she sent some pictures from when she was here, and we were writing each other, emailing, talking, mostly about what was going on in each other’s lives, and over a period of time it became clear we were more than just friends.”

I’m being dramatic, but I think this dispels the idea that it’s impossible to find love if you don’t leave home.

Image via Cindy Ord/Getty Images

October 2013: George and Amal Have Their First Date

George also told The Hollywood Reporter about how their first official date came to be. He was in London overseeing the music for Monuments Men and decided to invite Amal for a visit. “Then we went for dinner…and when we came out, there were 50 paparazzi there. But she handled it like a champ. And pretty quickly, things escalated once I was in London,” he said

While they dated and got to know each other, they told CBS that they wrote each other letters. While they described that courtship, Amal added that some of the letters George wrote to her came from...his dog? Talk about bringing someone into your inner world! TBH, I'm more than here for it — let your sweet, goofy flag fly, George!

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner

April 2014: George and Amal Get Engaged

I always say there’s no denying when you’ve fallen in love with someone, and that couldn’t be more true for George and Amal Clooney who got engaged after six months of dating. Seriously, the way George proposed is something out of a romantic fairytale because he planned it. Not only that, but he cooked for her and sent her on a short scavenger hunt — except she didn’t know she was supposed to be looking for a ring.

He revealed even more details about the moment during his interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I did all the stuff, got down on my knee and did all the things you’re supposed to do. I had a playlist with my Rosemary [Clooney] songs on it, and I was waiting for this song, ‘Why Shouldn’t I,’” he said.

Needless to say, Amal happily accepted his proposal! Ironically,I’m starting to realize there’s not always a set timeline for people to get engaged or married after dating. Some people only date for a few months while others date for years before deciding to get married. It’s all very personal.

Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI

September 2014: George And Amal Clooney Get Married

It wouldn’t be right if the couple didn’t get married in Italy, the country where they first met. Of course they were free to get married wherever they wanted, but leave it to the Clooneys to keep the romance going.

People reported the lovely couple wed at the Aman Canal Grande resort and guests like Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and John Krasinski were in attendance.

Image via Jason Merritt/Getty Images

January 2015: George and Amal Grace the Red Carpet Together

For the first time ever, George and Amal Clooney made an appearance on the red carpet at the beginning of 2015. They attended the Golden Globes together where George received the famed lifetime achievement award.

Towards the end of his speech, George praised Amal in only a way that a man truly in love with his wife could. He said, "You make every single day — every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday — feel as special as tonight..."

Image via Duncan McGlynn/Getty Images

Late 2016: George and Amal Found the Clooney Foundation for Justice

By 2016, George and Amal Clooney decided to found the Clooney Foundation for Justice — an organization that aims to shed light around social injustices found across the globe. They've prioritized spending their own money to help those in need without a second thought and have even donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Image via Clemens Bilan/Getty Images

February 2017: PEOPLE confirms George and Amal are expecting twins

Almost three years after getting married, a source close to George and Amal Clooney revealed the two were expecting a baby together. They told People, "They’re all very happy," referring to the couple's family.

George later revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he was shocked when he discovered the couple would actually become parents to twins. He recalled their experience in the ultrasound room. "He goes, 'Well, there's one.' And I said, 'Great.' And then he goes, 'And there's the second one.' And I was like, 'What?' We just sat there, staring at that piece of paper they give you, and I kept thinking there was a mistake," he said of the exchange between the doctor and the couple.

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

June 2017: George and Amal Clooney Welcome Their Twins

People also reported the birth of George and Amal Clooney's twins — Alexander and Ella — during the summer of 2017. "This morning Amal and George welcomed Ella and Alexander Clooney into their lives. Ella, Alexander and Amal are all healthy, happy and doing fine. George is sedated and should recover in a few days," they revealed in lighthearted joint statement.

September 2017: George and Amal Clooney Make Their First Appearance After Becoming Parents

Later that year, George and Amal Clooney graced the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in support of George's film Suburbicon. George — an ever dapper gentleman — wore a classic black tuxedo while Amal wore a lilac Versace gown.

Image via Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty Images

May 2018: George and Amal attend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding

Things were quiet for the couple until the spring of 2018. They attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's highly publicized wedding. They were just a few of the celebrities that were seen in the crowd.

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

February 2022: George and Amal accept the Catalyst Award together

A couple of years later, George and Amal Clooney were the proud recipients of the joint Catalyst Award from the Elevate Prize Foundation. The amazing work they'd been doing in connection with the Clooney Foundation for Justice hadn't gone unnoticed and they were praised for their amazing philanthropic work.

While accepting the award, George gave a moving speech about their foundation's purpose. "One of the Elevate Prize Foundation's core values is human safety and freedom...Our goal at the foundation is to free the innocent and punish the guilty. I think we're both inspired by the young people out there challenging injustice in their communities, a new generation that won't accept the status quo," he said.

Image via Joe Maher/Getty Images

September 2022: George and Amal attend London premiere of Ticket to Paradise

The couple then attended the London premiere of Ticket to Paradise where they looked refreshed and glowy. This is my attempt to be appropriate, but they truly looked smoking h-o-t!This time George wore a three-piece suit while Amal stunned in beautiful slip dress.

Image via Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

October 17, 2022: George and Amal attend Ticket to Paradise Los Angeles premiere

They then attended the L.A. premiere of Ticket to Paradise where George looked debonair in a grey suit. Amal wore a gorgeous Alexander McQueen number that was an appropriate nod to the film's paradise theme.

Image via Mike Coppola/Getty Images

December 3, 2022: George and Amal Attend The Kennedy Center Honors

George and Amal Clooney attended the Kennedy Center Honors where he, along with honorees, received a nod for lifetime achievements. They were a picture of perfection on the red carpet, especially Amal. She dazzled in a lovely Valentino gown that looked amazing on her frame.

Image via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images


August 31, 2023: The Couple Attend The DVF Awards in Venice

While attending the DVF Awards in Venice, Amal received the DVF Leadership Award. During her acceptance speech, Amal thanked George for being by her side. People reports she said, "Venice is the place where almost nine years ago we were married. I just wanted to say, you, my love, like this city, take my breath away, and you make our lives magical. It is sometimes hard to believe you exist, so thank you for being the brightest light in my life.”

September 28, 2023: George and Amal host The Albies

Before the end of 2023, People reported George and Amal Clooney hosted their foundation's second annual Albies at the New York Public Library to continue highlighting the importance of securing human rights for all.

Love celebrity relationships? Follow us on Facebook for all the news on your faves!

Header image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

PSL season isn't letting up any time soon, so it's time to start thinking about cozy bedroomideas to add warmth to your space. As tempting as it is to create vibes that fit the latest trends, your bedroom should be all about you. This is especially true if you're unable to have the Gilmore Girls-esque fall getawayyou've been fantasizing about.

By the time you're finished adding elements of our cozy bedroom ideas to your space, you'll be ready to curl up in bed while watching your tried and true comfort shows or blasting your fall playlist. From inviting beddingto chic vases, here are 17 cozy bedroom ideas that'll set the autumnal tone.

Change Your Bedding To Reflect Fall's Warmer Tones

Image via Anthropologie

Your bed is more than where you catch zzz's at. It's the place where you've spent countless hours on the phone with your besties and it's also where you've curled up after a stressful day. Since seasonal depression can occur during fall, changing your bedding to evoke cozy yet warm vibes is a must. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Image via H&M

H&M Cotton Duvet Covet Set in Dark Green

If you love the moody energy that seems to come with fall, you'll fall in love with this dark green duvet cover set — pun intended.

Image via Bed Threads

Bed Threads Rust Flax Linen Quilt Cover Set

But there's no judgement if you're committed to the pumpkin spice life.

Image via CB2

CB2 Tropical Linen Floral Duvet Cover and Pillow Shams

Don't let produce name fool you. Florals are still fall-worthy if you prefer patterned bedding.

Image via Target

Threshold Cozy Chenille Comforter & Sham Set

Keep the base of your bedding simple with this chenille comforter & sham set. It's guaranteed to spark any cozy bedroom ideas you have.

Image via Anthropologie

Anthropologie Faye Knit Throw Blanket

This knit throw blanket is so cozy you'll want to keep it on your bed well after winter starts.

Image via Target

Threshold Lumbar Faux Leather Decorative Throw Pillow

Pull out the luxe energy with this faux leather decorative throw pillow. It'll be a nice change from your knitted throw blanket and cotton sheets.

Image via Target

Shiraleah "Pumpkin Spice" Fall Decorative Pillow

If you really want to get into PSL season, you can add this fall decorative pillow to your bed or the accent chair in your room.

Image via Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn Boucle Pillow - Gold

I'm a huge fan of boucle pillows and can attest that they immediately add warmth to your space. Just be sure to fluff this design by Pottery Barn every couple of days!

Image via CB2

CB2 Tillie Ivory White Wool Throw Pillow With Feather-Down Insert 20"

Ever wanted to know what clouds feel like? Invest in this wool throw pillow to find out.

Image via Wayfair

Three Posts Zariyah Knitted Throw Blanket

Add this navy blue knitted throw blanket to your white or neutral bed set as a nod to the jewel tones associated with fall.

Accentuate Your Bedroom With Fall Decor & Candles

Instead of focusing on transforming your bed, adding fall decor is another cozy bedroom idea you can opt for. The seasonal scents and sights will definitely help protect your peace as the days get shorter and shorter. Plus, the candles can literally light up the room! Here are some ideas to shop:

Image via Anthropologie

Anthropologie Eloise Table Lamp - Holly

Add this vintage-inspired table lamp to your desk or nightstand to create a cozy ambiance. With the light reflecting on your new bedding, you'll feel love being in your room.

Image via Anthropologie

Anthropologie Charlotte Woodland Crystal Ball Decorative Object

You can use this crystal ball decor as a standalone piece or as a book holder. It's perfect because it's not overly associated with fall.

Image via Pottery Barn

Poterry Barn Handcrafted Terracotta Pumpkin

Then again, it's not terrible if you add a few handcrafted terracotta pumpkins to various surfaces in your room!

Image via Stonewall Kitchen

Stonewall Kitchen Pumpkin Harvest Candle

Aside from adding to your cozy bedroom's ambiance, this pumpkin harvest candle will make your space smell amazing.

Image via Anthropologie

Anthropologie Small Glass Gourd Gourmand Pumpkin & Sweet Vanilla Candle

I can smell this gourmand pumpkin & sweet vanilla candle through my screen so I know it's going to ramp up the cozy bedroom vibes.

Add A Little Wall Art While You're At It

Bare walls can feel cold and less-than inviting. By adding some wall art to your space, you get a dash of personality, plus a cozier place to retreat at night. Here are some wall art ideas I love right now:

Image via Wayfair

IDEA4WALL 3-Piece Set on Canvas Print

Your cozy bedroom won't be complete without wall art. Beautify the space over your headboard with this 3-piece canvas print set.

Image via Gigi Pip

Gigi Pip Hat Hanging Wall Pegs - Hexagon

Organize your fall hats by placing them on these hexagon-shaped wall pegs by Gigi Pip! They come in a pack of 4 and the mounting hardware is included. Trust me - you'll love seeing your hats on display each time you're in your room.

Which cozy bedroom ideas will you add to your space? Let us know in the comments!

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

Lead image via Pottery Barn.

Nails breaking constantly? Wishing you didn't have to rely on tips at the salon? Desperate for that long nail look? You’re not alone. Despite it being used as an annoying and vapid phrase women would say in TV shows, breaking a nail is very painful and can ruin a (usually expensive) manicure. But don’t fret — we’ve rounded up five simple ways to get your nails to grow longer and stronger.

What causes weak fingernails?

Photo by cottonbro studio/PEXELS

But first, what causes unhealthy, brittle, breakable nails? A lot of factors that may not instantly come to mind. According to WebMD, these factors can contribute to weak nails:

  • Aging: As we get older, our nails get thinner and can crack or peel.
  • Harsh nail products: Both nail polish and nail polish remover can have strong chemicals that can damage and dry out your nails, leading them to break.
  • Wet nails: Consistently have your hands in water, maybe doing the dishes or bathtime for the kids? This could be drying out your nails.
  • Underlying health issues: Vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and many other health issues could be the cause of nails breaking.

How can I strengthen my nails?

Photo by Karolina Grabowska/PEXELS

Dealing with some of these factors? While we can’t help you with the underlying health issues (please see a doctor if you think you may be dealing with something!), there are many easy things you can do to improve your nails and encourage growth.

  • Cuticle oil
  • Biotin
  • Diet
  • Nail protection
  • Avoid picking and peeling
Here's why each factor is important, plus how you can go about successfully achieving them.

Find a Cuticle Oil

You may only use cuticle oil when your manicurist applies it, but that doesn't have to be the case. Cuticle oils are an inexpensive and easy way to promote nail health and growth by keeping your nails hydrated. Cosmetically, cuticle oils encourage longer-lasting manis and leave your nails looking shiny and polished. But they do much more below the surface: cuticle oils create a healthier environment that allows strong growth for your nails.

Interested in adding cuticle oil to your beauty routine? Check our a few of my faves:

Photo via Cora Pursley/Dupe

Explore Biotin

Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that helps our bodies turn food into energy. It’s also one of the top recommended supplements for hair and nail growth, and for good reason. Many scientists say a daily biotin supplement can improve nail strength in as little as a few weeks.

“Since it is water soluble, biotin (or vitamin B7) can’t be stored in the body and must be acquired from diet or through supplementation,” shared Rachel Kilroy, Director of Product Innovation at Solaray, the original pioneers in supplement health and wellness. Solaray has developed a new supplement that provides biotin in a unique way.

Solaray’s Timed Release Biotin strategically supports nail health with a powerful 5,000 mcg of this important nutrient, delivering half of the biotin rapidly and the other half gradually over a period of up to 8 hours for sustained support,” Kilroy continued. “With consistent use, this vegan formula—lab verified for purity and potency—can provide comprehensive support for longer, stronger nails.”

Supplements not your thing? Biotin can be found naturally in many foods, like cooked eggs, whole grains, soy and other beans, nuts and nut butters, salmon, mushrooms, and cauliflower.

Photo via Daniella Cappellari/Dupe

Eat A Nail Friendly Diet

Nails require a balanced, healthy diet for proper growth and strength. According to Medical News Today, making small tweaks to your diet can make a big impact on your nails. Adding in nutrients like more iron or calcium in your diet will have your nails growing long and strong.

Dieticians recommend a colorful diet for nail growth consisting of colorful fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, lean meat, avocado, sweet potato, and whole grains.

Photo via Sash Gabriel/Dupe

Protect Your Nails While Wet

Constantly doing dishes, managing bath time, gardening, or swimming? The water may be the cause of your breakage.

Your nails are like sponges, constantly expanding and contracting when water goes in or out of the nail cells. This can strain your nails, causing them to weaken, peel, and then break.

When possible, grab a pair of rubber gloves to wear while cleaning to protect your nails from the water and make sure to fully dry your nails after they’re in water. Hand creams are also a win for your nails after water exposure.

Avoid Picking, Peeling or Biting

Bad habits that are addicting. While peeling off your gel manicure can be so satisfying, it’s one of the worst things you can do for your nails. Same with constantly picking or biting your nails. As someone who used to constantly bite her nails down, I can assure you my nails are much healthier and stronger after kicking that habit.

Want to quit that habit? Try a nail bite deterrent, like this one from ella+mia or this one from LONDONTOWN and watch your nails grow before your eyes.

Looking for more beauty tips and inspo? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter for more!

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

Header image via Laura Walt/Dupe

I've got a thing for Reese Witherspoon's book club which is why I couldn't wait to get my hands on Yulin Kuang's debut novel How to End a Love Story. Chosen as Reese's Book Club's May Pick, it features a romance that almost shouldn't make sense. I mean, when's the last time you realized you trauma bonded with someone? Except Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard's character arcs as well as the entire plot of How to End a Love Story doesn't even feel like that.

Instead, Yulin uncannily peels back the layers of what it means to be a layered human being who happens to be carrying trauma, talent, success, imposter syndrome, and burning desire in their hearts. Even that doesn't scratch the surface of who Helen and Grant are. Trying to capture their essence feels like I'm stumbling over my words which points to how great this novel is and that means Yulin's goal has been accomplished.

Though she loves perfectly executed rom-coms and is fortunate to be working on them in the filmmaking space, she doesn't consider How to End a Love Story as one. "...I was searching for something more aligned with the Brontë sensibility of romance in the writing of this book. Less warmth and charm, more id-level storytelling and unchecked carnal desire," she explains.

Yulin Kuang's Journey To "How To End A Love Story"

Image via Zach Wallnau

Some people seem to be born knowing they're destined to right, but some of us stumble into it and realize, "Hey, I'm pretty good at this." For Yulin, her journey to her debut novel How to End a Love Story takes the latter route. Her first dream, you make ask? To be an Olympic figure skater.

"...that didn't pan out so I turned to storytelling," Yulin admits. That pivot led her to set her sights on becoming an author as she began honing her creative writing skills via your classic marble composition notebooks. If you're still wondering if she kept some of them, the answer is yes!

The screenwriter and author then found herself drawn to other aspects of writing and film. She says, "I eventually fell in love with screenwriting and directing while in undergrad at Carnegie Mellon, and I spent my first decade post-grad concentrating on my filmmaking career."

Yulin Kuang's Approach To Filmmaking

It's a reason why her hard work and the stars aligned for her to adapt Emily Henry's Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation.

When I ask what helps her approach the book-to-film trajectory, she credits writing fan fiction. This feels similar to Christina Lauren's own experience, further proving that fan fiction deserves the utmost praise for helping some of the best literary and film minds who ultimately birth what I could only describe as masterpieces.

Yulin says, "Fan fiction is where I first learned you could play with characters originated by someone else to discover what you’d make them do in your own version." Although it would be easy for anyone to snap their fingers and have their first pitches accepted by everyone, she learned to lean on what writing fan fiction taught her.

"Early in my career, I would pitch on book-to-film adaptations and I’d be like, 'Change nothing, just shoot the book!' And I wouldn’t get those jobs, because I didn’t have a clear “take” and because you can’t actually just shoot a book – adaptation is an art form unto itself. So onceI started approaching adaptation with more of a fan fiction mindset – 'What is my take on these characters and this world?' – that helped me approach the book-to-screen trajectory more successfully," she proudly says.

However, this doesn't mean she never questioned if she could still find ways to create new ideas. "...in 2021, at a time when everything else I was working on was an adaptation, I found myself wondering if I had anything original left within me," she remembers.

It's natural for creatives to experience moments of doubt, but Yulin has been able to turn the tide and discover untapped ideas in her mind. Just don't expect her to set her own expectations about any adaptations she's working on.

She says, "Know that I am an avid reader of romance and a frequent consumer of this genre across mediums, and I will be bringing everything I know going into these adaptations. But more specifically to Beach Read, which I have more creative ownership over as the writer/director."

How Yulin Kuang Relates To Her Main Characters In "How To End A Love Story"

And since How to End a Love Story is truly Yulin's own creative body of work, it makes sense that main characters Helen and Grant have pieces of her personality as well as her characteristics.

"I gave Helen all my hopes and insecurities from high school and gave her the alternate universe path where I had pursued publishing instead of Hollywood. I examined what might have happened if I’d grown into certain qualities I’ve actively tried to grow away from," she says of Helen Zhang.

Right away, readers get the sense that Helen is a whip-smart and hardworking, but her penchant for being cautious about her success also peeks through. Though she's written highly successful YA (read: young adult) novels, Helen waits with bated breath for the moment people will call her bluff. She's relatable because many of us wonder if we're simply cosplaying as versions of ourselves who've reached any level of success.

On the other hand, there's Grant Shepard. He's seemingly this cool, calm, and collected screenwriter who has a complicated past with Helen. Yulin says, "I gave Grant a lot of the qualities I’m proud of and/or have coveted as a working screenwriter, and I certainly relate to many of his thoughts on screenwriting and the current state of our industry."

The more the reader learns about Helen and Grant, the more it becomes obvious that there's more to them than meets the eye. Sure, they are complicated...but who isn't?

"At their core, Helen and Grant are just two kids from Jersey trying to make it in Hollywood, and of course I relate deeply to that," she says.

Yulin Kuang's View Of Rom-Coms

Based on Yulin's genuine interest in romance novels and the fact she's well-versed in adapting them, she knows what it takes to make rom-coms flourish. Her first take? "Romantic tension is key to any romance – I always need to know why our couple can’t be together now. The second that tension is gone, so is audience interest," she points out.

This explains why we can't get enough of reading books about it, listening to albums dedicated to it, or watching films that depict all levels of romance. Still, there are some people who approach the genre with a side eye.

"There seems to be a natural human suspicion of things that make us feel too good – like, 'That can’t possibly be good for us, that’s just candy!' I wonder if it’s something evolutionary at work," she says before doubling down. "You can’t argue with the fact that people absolutely fucking love rom-coms, and I will die on the hill that a well-earned happily ever after is both harder to achieve and more narratively satisfying when it’s pulled off successfully."

She's the type of writer who really appreciates a big kiss that's handled correctly onscreen, but she's also not afraid to "groan every time it's fumbled." But, she knows everyone still won't see romance the way she and so many others view it, but she doesn't really care.

"Ultimately, I don’t concern myself too much with changing minds that don’t want to be changed.There are enough smart people who recognize the power and value of rom-coms, and I’d rather spend my precious time creating art to surprise and delight the people with good taste."

Need I say that this is yet another reason why How to End a Love Story works so well?

How Yulin Kuang Wishes The World Would Celebrate AAPI Month

As much as she's vocal about screenwriting and rom-coms, Yulin also has thoughts about the way society-at-large talks about BIPOC creative artists. "There’s a real, 'This is important, eat your vegetables,' vibe to things. And while that might be true, it’s not the most appealing way to market or discover art," she says.

She admits this could be due to how many diversity-in-film panels she's attended. As a Black woman, the conversations I see every year during Black History Month seem to have a certain "Let's check this box so everyone can be happy" vibe, so I can imagine attending panels about diversity and inclusion can start to sound repetitive after awhile.

Yulin doesn't hold back when she says, "I’m a little jaded when people ask me diversity questions at this point. I don’t want to attract the kind of readers who are only showing up to be supportive of my Asian-ness. It’s a bit like showing up to a date where someone says, 'I’m so excited that you’re Asian!!!'" This is an analogy I can so get behind because it makes a lot of sense!

It's one thing to have representation, but I like to think it's always obvious when people are approaching the conversation in a way that 'others' BIPOC people. We're literally not asking for a trophy, but more so an acknowledgement that we shouldn't be excluded from conversations, spaces, and careers or treated differently.

This sentiment is shared by Yulin who says, "That’s the thing about me that I didn’t do on purpose, and while I’m glad you’re excited, I hope there are things that I did do on purpose that you find exciting, too" and feels there is a way to be a genuine ally.

"...support AAPI creatives by all means, and perhaps begin by celebrating us as individual artists even after the designated month ends. And where applicable, talk about our work like it’s candy, not vegetables. I’d rather be irresistible than important," she states.

Take a page from Yulin Kuang's book and pick up a copy of How to End a Love Story today! You won't regret it!

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