It's no secret that groceries feel more expensive than ever right now, and compounded by the fact the average American home throws away 322 cups of food a year, I'm determined to use up every bit of the food, sauces, and other cooking basics I buy. That's how I found Carleigh Bodrug. Her PlantYou page, and her Scrappy Cooking series (plus her new cookbook!), makes creating delicious recipes easier, and more fun, than ever.
Image via SB Creative Studio
"Scrappy Cooking is the concept of transforming the world’s most commonly wasted foods into delicious recipes — and starting is as easy as chopping up a broccoli stem into a stir-fry," she tells me over email. "Seriously, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Look at the plants you have that you bring into your home every week, and see if there are ways to repurpose them."
With the help of Carleigh's Instagram page, I turned some broccoli stems into French fries and used up the last of my peanut butter for a noodle salad sauce. If you want to turn your groceries into a one-of-a-kind meal but aren't sure where to start, Carleigh recommends looking at every single aspect of the plant.
"Whenever I bring a plant into my home, I think about what part of the plant is discarded, and then I research whether or not it’s safe to consume (this part is important)!" she says. "Once I identify it’s edible, that’s where the fun begins. A great example of this is something like celery, which I buy often. I was discarding the celery leaves for years, only to find out they taste almost exactly like parsley and make a great base for a tabouleh style salad."
Image via SB Creative Studio
Yes, a lot of PlantYou's recipes are vegan, and they're all plant-based! Some of Carleigh's favorite recipes include mocha chocolate granola with spent coffee grounds, "chips" made out of beet greens, and pickle juice as a marinade (which is something I learned Chick-Fil-A does!). These recipes might sound intimidating or time-consuming, but that's exactly why Carleigh's PlantYou social media exists.
I can speak from experience that the videos are easy to both understand and put into practice. (Plus, the recipes are super versatile, because "when you’re cooking with just plants, if you screw something up, you can almost always fix it!"). But there are a few steps that always make these scrappy processes easier.
"The low hanging fruit to reducing food waste in your kitchen actually starts before you grocery shop," Carleigh says. "I always recommend people sit down for an hour one day a week, and make a really basic meal plan, outlining what they plan to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then, before they head to the store, shop their fridge and pantry to avoid duplicate buying. Now it’s time to compile a shopping list, and only buy what you have a plan for! Done right, this will take care of 80 percent of your food waste."
Image via SB Creative Studio
In addition to meal prepping (check out our favorite apps to reduce food waste, too!), the PlantYou chef + author recommends having a few recipes that use up a bunch of ingredients in one go. "It’s really important to lean on staple recipes that allow you to 'clean out the fridge,' which is really what my new Scrappy cookbook is about," Carleigh Bodrug says. "I wanted to arm people with great base recipes (like stews, curries and stir fries), where they can interchange the vegetables and produce items they have on hand every week to reduce waste and save money."
"By using up leftovers, repurposing ingredients, and being more mindful about the food you’re bringing into your home, you'll notice a decrease in your grocery bill," she continues. "The average American family of four wastes over $1700 worth of groceries per year — which is like a phone bill every month! Not only does being Scrappy benefit your wallet, but it also feels great knowing you're making healthier choices and contributing to a more sustainable planet."
Okay, so you know what you want to eat, and you've budgeted for groceries, what now? "I look for ingredients that are versatile and can be used in multiple recipes to minimize waste," Carleigh says. "Quality, longevity, and sustainability are key factors in my purchasing decisions."
Image via B+C
After you've whipped up recipes like the Fiesta Fries below, it's important to store them properly to ensure they're fresh for as long as possible. "Use quality food storage and meal prep containers, and keep fruits and vegetables separate to prevent them from spoiling," Carleigh tells me. "Different types of food will require different conditions for optimum long-term storage. This applies to fresh produce, as well as dry and canned foods."
We all have days we don't want to cook (PlantYou's Carleigh Bodrug included), which is the perfect opportunity to support a local business. "On days when I don't feel like cooking, I usually rely on quick and easy options like smoothie bombs from my freezer, which are in my new cookbook," she says. "I also often have homemade soup ready to go that I’ve made in advance or have frozen in the freezer. Sometimes, my husband and I opt for ordering in from local restaurants in our small town in Ontario, especially on Friday nights after a long work week. It's a convenient way to support our favorite vegan small businesses while enjoying a hassle-free meal."
Image via SB Creative Studio
Excerpted from PlantYou: Scrappy Cooking: 140+ Plant-Based Zero-Waste Recipes That Are Good for You, Your Wallet, and the Planet by Carleigh Bodrug. Copyright © 2024. Available from Hachette Go, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Carleigh Bodrug is the CEO and Founder of PlantYou, a New York Times Bestselling cookbook author and self-taught plant-based chef, famous for her simple take on low-waste and vegan recipes. Boasting over ten million followers between her social channels, Carleigh has gripped social media with her simple and delicious low-waste recipes that make plants the star of the show.
Her latest book, PlantYou: Scrappy Cooking: 140+ Plant-Based Zero-Waste Recipes That Are Good for You, Your Wallet, and the Planet, is out NOW!
Check out our Weekend Scroll for more delicious recipes!
Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Lead image via SB Creative Studio
You're seriously missing out if you're not meal planning. It initially sounds like a meal plan takes a ton of work, but that isn't always the case. Meal planning can guide you to a healthier diet, and take the worry out of cooking every day. Take these 31 easy recipes for example: they take less than an hour of your time, utilize widely accessible ingredients, and yield big servings that you can portion out accordingly throughout the week. Try a few of these meal plan-friendly recipes this month, and you'll see why it's a timesaver and a lifesaver.
Whether meal planning is new to you or you’re a planning pro, we’ve made it simple with this guide full of easy, healthy recipes to try. Take a peek at this 31-day meal plan for 2024 to get some stellar nutritional inspiration!
Brit + Co
This cozy meal is full of beneficial ingredients and the leftovers reheat amazingly well. (via Brit + Co)
Brit + Co
This zoodles recipe is an uber-creative way to craft a delicious alfredo flavored dinner. It's low-carb, keto, vegan and gluten-free friendly. Plus, this recipe stores super well in the fridge for meal prep. (via Brit + Co)
Brit + Co
Soup is always a good call when it's cold outside. This white bean soup recipe is extremely healthy and filling for the season, so make sure it's not missed on your monthly meal plan. (via Brit + Co)
Brit + Co
Sometimes making a healthy meal look like a work of art makes it taste so much better. Try out this single-serving sushi bowl and garnish it with care. Your fam will love this meal plan option at first bite. (via Brit + Co)
Salt & Lavender
Prioritizing protein is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy diet. This easy chickpea salad is packed with protein, and super delicious, too. Prep a big batch to enjoy in a salad or on a sandwich this year! (via Salt & Lavender)
Two Spoons
When meal planning a healthy dinner, don't skip the veggies. This recipe delivers on a super easy and healthy vegan bite. The squash perfectly emulates pasta if you're trying to eat low-carb. (via Two Spoons)
Chef Bai
Storing your office lunch has never been easier with a mason jar. The best part about this salad recipe is you can make the portions ahead of time, taking the worry out of your mind when considering what to eat for a healthy lunch. (via Chef Bai)
Half Baked Harvest
When the sweet tooth calls, we always answer. But that doesn't mean we have to ditch healthy eating. These banana chai pancakes are so yummy and so good for you. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Barley and Sage
Saladdoes not have to be boring to be healthy. Take this Caesar salad for example. It's full of nutrients but is also super delicious with fresh bites of veggies and grilled chicken. Grilling the romaine gives it such an interesting texture, too. (via Barley and Sage)
Feel Good Foodie
Cauliflower wings are perfect for getting those vegetables in for dinner. Add your desired amount of spice and enjoy! You can even make these super easily in the air fryer for a quick bite. (via Feel Good Foodie)
A Spicy Perspective
If you haven't tried a stuffed zucchini boat, you are surely missing out on a great easy dinner option. This recipe calls for peppers, quinoa and pine nuts, but you can modify the filling with the ingredients you have on hand. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Half Baked Harvest
Another boring salad bites the dust! Make this sweet potato kale salad when you're craving a more hearty dinner. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Half Baked Harvest
Get that slow cooker ready, because this healthy tortellini soup is a must-make. When you're craving Italian food, this soup delivers on a full flavor and is packed with veggies. Make a big batch to eat on throughout the week! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Barley and Sage
Farro is the ultimate star of this salad since it carries a ton of protein to fill you up. Prep all of the components and store them separately to easily throw this salad together any night of the week. (via Barley and Sage)
Forks & Foliage
Get all those important vitamins in by preparing a salmon-forward dinner. This recipe pairs a zesty lemon flavor with the fish. Serve on top of salad, rice, or quinoa for a complete healthy meal! (via Forks & Foliage)
Half Baked Harvest
Fresh ingredients just make this sandwich all the better. You can prep this yummy Thai bite with any protein source you feel like adding! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Salt & Lavender
This option is more of a side dish, but it's so delicious we could eat it for a whole meal. The beans will load you up with protein and all the veggie goodness. (via Salt & Lavender)
Cilantro Parsley
We all saw this recipe go viral, and knowing that it's a healthy choice makes it so much better. Prep and store all of the fresh ingredients separately for the perfect weekly meal prep. (via Cilantro Parsley)
Barley and Sage
Okay, we're obsessed with pretty salads. This recipe strikes an amazing balance between savory and sweet notes and is packed full of healthy ingredients. (via Barley and Sage)
Live Eat Learn
A buddha bowl is a balanced concoction of greens, protein, grains, healthy carbs (like fruit) and healthy fats (hello, avocado). Follow this recipe to guide your first buddha bowl! (via Live Eat Learn)
Two Spoons
When it's cold out, reach for this easy chickpea curry recipe. It's a great healthy dinner that definitely beats any Indian food takeout option. (via Two Spoons)
A Spicy Perspective
Sheet pan recipes are perfect for meal planning, since you can bake a large amount to save for later. It's extremely easy to clean up, since you just need a single sheet pan, so you'll save tons of time in the kitchen. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Culinary Hill
Try out using ground turkey the next time you're craving chili. It's lower in fat than your regular ground beef, but still carries a similar flavor. This recipe will be your go-to for a meal plan since all you need is a handful of ingredients and one pot. (via Culinary Hill)
Barley and Sage
Your Thanksgiving fave doesn't have to go away with the holiday. This healthy vegetable casserole is perfect to save and dish up later on. (via Barley and Sage)
Chef Bai
This refreshing bite will fill you up for lunch or dinner, and is a great light option for the summertime, too! If you want to crunch on it later, this salad will keep well in mason jars for meal prep. (via Chef Bai)
Most Hungry
This Mediterranean-inspired pita recipe comes together fairly quickly with minimal cooking time. This one packs a fresh bite with the tomatoes and cucumbers! (via Most Hungry)
Salt & Lavender
Pasta salad is to die for, in any form. This recipe is ideal for meal prepping since all you need to do is combine the veggies, pasta and tuna! (via Salt & Lavender)
Fancy Peasant
This zucchini fritter recipe emulates a good old tater tot, except it's a super healthy take. (via Fancy Peasant)
The Endless Meal
This alfredo pasta is made with a cauliflower-based sauce that makes it lower-carb without sacrificing good creaminess. Like any meal prep dish, this one can be saved for amazing leftovers. (via The Endless Meal)
Rachel Mansfield
Make this paleo-friendly teriyaki chicken in under 30 minutes. It'll beat any takeout you're craving and deliver a healthy bite. (via Rachel Mansfield)
Munching with Mariyah
Use this baked tofu to top any healthy recipe you make whether its rice, salad or stir fry. It will add a handful of protein to any meal. (via Munching with Mariyah)
Love this healthy monthly meal plan for 2024? Sign up for our newsletter! We'll send you healthy living inspo all year long.
This post has been updated.
Before I became a mom, I had no idea which gifts for Mother's Day would actually make a mom feel appreciated. I've often heard that it's the thought that counts, but how many cards and homemade meals can moms get? The unfiltered answer to that is "Keep them coming," but there's also the desire to receive something that feels personalized. Gifting her something that speaks to who she is outside of being a mom is the chef's kiss she's probably waiting for.
But, what about when you're shopping for your sister, bestie, or even yourself if you're pregnant? Chances are the moms you know aren't all alike, so it's safe to assume they don't want the things...unless we're talking about sleeping in 👀. Aside from that, here's 27 gifts for Mother's Day that'll speak to all moms in your life. Take it from a real mom, it's time to get a little more personal this year.
Visiting your grandparents' homes as a kid usually meant you were going to see some cool and quirky home decor choices. From bright color schemes to odd-shaped vases, you could count on your grandma to be the happy culprit behind whatever you saw. That's why it's important to make sure the gifts for Mother's Day you choose for her are a nod to her quirks and not-so-secretly cool taste.
Vivee Home's Alexis Blue Vase immediately comes to mind when I think about my maternal and paternal grandmothers. For some reason, both of them gravitated towards the color blue and often found ways to incorporate it in their lives daily. If your grandma fancies this color and has a thing for having fresh flowers in her home, she'll adore this pop of porcelain.
Its design is meant to invoke creativity and daydreaming while housing everything from sunflowers to tulips. Plus, you'll feel good knowing that 5% of your purchase goes to The Art Therapy Project!
Chances are that your grandma has a plethora of cookbooks that she references and lets you know she's passing down to you. If she doesn't have a way to look at them without bending over to peer at the small text in them, gift her this beautiful wooden cookbook holder by Hearth & Hand with Magnolia!
The slanted ledge is angled so cookbooks are eye-level for most cooks while the metal stand reinforces the sturdiness of the holder. Overall, the design has a farmhouse rustic feel to it that may trigger happy memories for your grandma if she grew up on a farm.
And guess? This cookbook holder is only $20 at Target!
Does your grandma have a hard time parting ways with things even if they're beyond worn? Welcome to the club! Seriously though, our grandparents are from a time where it wasn't necessarily easily to buy new things just because they wanted them so it's not hard to understand why they're reluctant to let go of things.
If your grandma's beloved pot set is beyond repair, surprise her with Caraway's Cookware Set! The pots and pans are super easy to store, and they can withstand up to 500 degrees of heat! Prayerfully your grandmother doesn't cook her meals on that high of a temperature, but this still should give her a piece of mind that her new shiny pot set won't burn even if she still has a gas stove.
You can snag this beautiful set for less than $200 at Caraway.
Image via Compartés
Grandma still has a sweet tooth doesn't she? I know because my grandma does too. She was known for keeping packs of gum, peppermint and Werther's caramel candy in her purse so I'm sure you grandma had her snacks of choice too.
If your grandma has a thing for Oreos no matter how they're packaged, she'll love Compartés Pink Chocolate Covered Oreos. She'll got a dozen in this cute little box and will giggle with delight once she sees how pretty the pink chocolate frosting is.
This is a limited edition box so you'll want to make sure you order these for her in time for Mother's Day!
Chances are that your mom grew up listening to her favorite records on a record player like mine and she may often reminisce about that time if she no longer has one. Surprise her with a more compact version of the one she remembers like this wireless design! It has built-in speakers that'll give any record she listens to a retro sound, but it also has an RCA outlet so she can connect external speakers to it.
One of the best features IMO are the three input options — bluetooth, USB, and AUX — that are also included with the record player. This means she choose songs to play from her iPad, CD player (if she still has one), her laptop, and more! Have no fear though! If she prefers to keep it old school by listening to actual vinyl records, she still has the option to do so!
The grand beauty of it all is that you'll be spending less than $100 to bring a piece of nostalgia to your mom's home.
If your mom is spending less time in her high heels these days, surprise her with a new pair of ballet flats by Eileen Fisher! They're classically chic so your mom will be able to pair them with anything — jeans, dress slacks, dresses, you name it.
They have a leather outsole with a rubber pod that makes for an extremely comfortable fit despite the appearance of the squared toe areas (they're padded). This is great if you mom works a 9 to 5 job that requires her to be up and down throughout the day.
This is one of those gifts for Mother's Day that makes my heart skip several beats because my mom wore a very similar watch similar to the one in this Armitron set for years. When I used to watch her get dressed for work in the morning, I'd always know she was ready for her day when she slid her watch on.
Aside from the vivid memories I have of my own mother wearing a watch, this bracelet maintains a timeless appeal that I've always loved. It has the perfect two tone blend of gold and silver that adds to the overall sleekness of the duo. As much as modern advances are welcomed in fashion, the Roman numerals on the watch's face will never go out of style.
When it comes to aesthetics, a two-toned watch and bracelet set that can be passed down from generation to generation.
You'll spend less than $100 too!
Whether you have a good relationship with your mother-in-law or a neutral one, finding gifts for Mother's Day that make her feel appreciated is a pretty nice gesture. It doesn't have be super big or expensive either!
If you've noticed that your mother-in-law tends to wear dainty gold jewelry, follow her lead by gifting her with Made By Mary's hand-drawn stacker necklaces. You have the option of personalizing them or you can order as is. They're tarnish-resistant and hypoallergenic, making them perfect for daily wear.
You won't have to worry about putting a huge dent in your wallet because you can buy them for only $58.
Not into the idea of gifting your mother-in-law jewelry for Mother's Day? I get it and think there's always another option. You can't go wrong with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Aside from roses, she'll find mini calla lilies, hypericum, and ruscus flowers in her new pretty spread that's sure to brighten any surface she places them on.
If your big sister is like mine, chances are she's a few kids in and works hard in her career. There's nothing wrong with this, but it's possible she doesn't always get time to pour into herself. Sometimes moms need a reminder that they're not doing anything in vain, especially after rough seasons in their lives.
I'm not saying that your sister is going to turn into superwoman if she wears this graphic t-shirt by Old Navy, but it'll help her remember that she's still that girl because your sister is not just a mom; she's a cool mom.
And you'll be an even cooler sister since you'll only spend $10 for this cute shirt.
The sun has been sharing it's glorious rays with us which means your sister needs something to shield her already tired eyes. This cute bucket hat is one way she can do that on top of adding an extra appeal to her casual mom outfit of an oversized tee, leggings, and new samba sneakers.
Did your sister recently lose her favorite pair of sunnies and has been having a hard time recovering from her loss? Make a mental note and see if it's in your budget to gift her this pair of Longchamp sunglasses. They're bold, but she'll especially love them if she has a thing for red frames.
They'll bring a pop of color to her casual outfit and serve as the perfect cover if she's out running errands but doesn't really want to talk to many people. There's something about shades that serve as a perfect deterrent in public sometimes.
Coffee is life when you're a mom because you it seems like you need as much energy as you can get. If your sister has older sister syndrome, maneuvers motherhood daily, and puts out fires at her job, she needs Clevr's Coffee Superlatte!
It has all the features of an oat milk latte except it also includes adaptogens, mushrooms, and probiotics that make for a soothing drink. No one wants to drink coffee and feel extremely wired later because that can add to unnecessary stress that your sister may want to get rid of.
For just $28, your sister can enjoy 14 lattes that just two grams of sugar in them! What's not to love?
One thing I know is that my sister believes in keeping her phone case on and a moisturizing lip product nearby. She's never said they're mandatory things but I've yet to see her without both of them. I'd be lying if I said it's easy for her to keep up with her lip balms or glosses, hence why I included this innovative gift.
Pair it with Rhode's Peptide Lip Treatment so your sister doesn't feel frustrated when she realizes her other lip products don't go with this particular case. As far as we're concerned, she won't think twice after trying the peptide treatment because her lips will be the softest they've ever been.
Your sister's been dreaming of going on vacation again hasn't she? *Sigh* So has the editorial and social team at Brit + Co.
This candle deserves a spot in your sister's room, bathroom, or reading nook because it's sure to make her feel like she's on vacation each time she takes a deep breath. It smells like fresh ocean air, citrus, musk, and pink sea salt — hence the candle's title.
Since your sister is sure to fall in love with this candle, it's important that you tell her it's made without carcinogens, parabens, and phthalates.
Did I mention that its $29 at Ulta?
I know you have at least one friend that loves reading books and would spend her entire day reading if she didn't have anything else to do. I'm secure enough to say that I'm that mom friend and would absolutely love if someone gifted me a kindle for Mother's Day.
I love physical copies of books, but sometimes I wish I had something that didn't take up so much space. One thing I know is that kindles allow you to comfortably read books without worrying that you're going to fall asleep and lose your place because you dropped your book just as things were getting good.
With Kindle Unlimited, I'd get access to over 2 million books and I wouldn't feel overwhelmed because they'll all be on this compact device.
This version is $100 at Target!
Book lovers need something to carry their essentials in books in like this cute canvas tote bag by Kate Spade. It's fairly reliable despite how lightweight it is and that's always a great sign. It also has an interior pocket to store small essentials like gum, pens, and more.
For a Kate Spade design, the $28 price tag feels like a steal!
Your solo book club isn't complete with a reading journal! You'll be able to review 32 books with plenty of space to write as many details per review. You'll also be able to write down your TBR list on 8 different pages, document the books you've borrowed or let others read, and answer journal prompts.
I almost forgot but the team at Papier has also included their book recommendations in it! I feel like this is one of the most thorough reading journals I've come across.
It's currently in-stock for $38.Do you know a mom who loves books and wouldn't mind being surprised because she received a mystery read? She'll love this gift by Mystery Book Owl Blind Date With a Book. Each package comes wrapped with an external pocket that has a space for your pen, a reading log, stickers, and more.
You'll be able to pick the genre for her and the rest will be history as they say!
It's wine. Of course your wine drinking mom friend will love this sparkling rosé! It's perfect for the mom who appreciates women owned businesses that are sustainable and are 100% organic! She'll immediately smell sweet blends of white strawberry and white flowers that have a hint of mandarin peel along with briche. And the texture? You can bet she'll thoroughly enjoy that too!
Keep the pink theme going with The Bamboo Abode's pink wine glasses to complement your rosé wine bottle. You'll get a gold metal wine opener as well as wine stoppers to keep your wine stored in style. And what's wine and cute wine glasses without a charcuterie board set to go along with it?
Okay, the wine lover's gifts for Mother's Day aren't complete with a wine cooler! The mom you gift this too will probably giggle heartily when she realizes you're keeping her love for wine in mind. Don't be surprised when she brings it along during your next brunch picnic!
I'm biased so Kosas stays on my radar with their skincare-driven makeup products. I've even shared the brand with my older sister because we tend to swap beauty finds with each other. If you have a similar relationship with you sister, be sure to buy this lip gloss trio for her.
They're full of moisturizing hyaluronic acid, lip-plumping peptides, and evening primrose oil that protects lips from icky environmental smog. Trust me, your sister will have a hard time choosing which shades are her favorite because all of them work well on any complexion.
Get this limited edition trio for $59 at Kosas!We're in our eye patches eras ladies and that means the beauty-obsessed mom in your life probably is too. I'm a fan of Peter Thomas Roth's products because he understands that one's skincare routine should feel luxuriating. His Hydra-Gel Eye Patches are infused with real 24K Gold and Colloidal Gold to help improve the under eye area, but that's not all!
They're great for all skin types and are anti-aging as well. Basically they're the top tier beauty products that a mom needs if she's been dealing with a few sleepless nights lately.
Grab a pack of 30 for $75!
Gift this skincare duo to a mom who's been looking to find her glow again. She'll appreciate the soothing hydration she'll get from the Hydrating Cleanser that easily removes makeup and other debris from her face. Once she follows up wit the Glow To Go Glycolic Acid Peel Pads, her skin will feel nice and exfoliated. The pads also treat large pores and dark spots so if she's been looking to heal her hyperpigmentation, do her a big favor please!
You'll spend less than $75 when you buy this duo from Sonäge Skincare!
There's a reason why this sunscreen keeps making rounds! It's literally the best sunshine protection you'll get in a bottle and it's universal. It has a weightless, cloud-like formula that doesn't feel tough to rub into the skin and it works well for those with really sensitive skin. If the mom in your life who can't seem to find a good sunscreen or primer is like me, she'll appreciate that this sunscreen doubles as both.
Let's give a huge shout out to the bamboo extract found in this amazing bottle.
Tell your mom friend that her favorite hair curler has met it's match with Mermade Hair's OG Waver. It's designed specifically for those who are looking for a boost of curls and volumes that they usually have a hard time achieving. Since summer is right around the corner, this is a perfect Mother's Day gift for the mom you know will be going on vacation soon. She'll get effortlessly beachy and glam curls that'll completely the shag hairstyles she's been eyeing.
And get this — it's celebrity hairstylist-approved for $79.
Which gifts for Mother's Day are you thinking about adding to your list? Let us know and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more shopping inspo!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Lead mage via Compartés
In spring movieThe Greatest Hits, Harriet loves vinyls — just like actress Lucy Boynton! "At home, I have a turntable," Lucy tells me. "My dad got me this really cool red record player, so it's like my pride and joy. And my dad and I — music has been the center of our relationship, so he's been giving me loads of his old vinyls since getting it. And the sound quality on vinyl is like nothing else. You hear the crunch of what it was supposed to be, and the sound in the room. So, yeah, that's where my heart is."
She's currently listening to Sam Cooke, but there's another artist who has a special place in her heart: Bob Dylan.
"Dylan's lyrics throughout the history of his career have spoken to young people and their restlessness," she says. "I remember always knowing that and enjoying his music aesthetically, and then hearing 'The Times They Are A-Changin'' when I was in my late teens. In that restlessness when you're trying to be a full person, you feel like an adult, but you're obviously still so young and so in denial of that. And I heard the lyrics to that and just felt so seen and...suddenly it's like I have someone far more eloquent than myself articulating exactly how I feel."
The same can be said for contemporary artists like Beyoncé, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift, whose music consistently tops charts because it makes listeners feel seen. And in The Greatest Hits, music isn't just an emotional experience, it's a physical one too.
Image via Searchlight Pictures
The Greatest Hits follows Lucy Boynton's Harriet, who can travel back in time by listening to specific songs — and who's hunting for the one track that will help her save her late boyfriend. Think of it like About Time with some of the relationship devastation that comes from A Walk To Remember. (For her part, Lucy was inspired by everything from Like Crazy to My Girl to The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion). This movie has got everything you need from a good rom-com: incredible actors, memorable makeup from Euphoria's Donni Davy, and quirky details like a silent disco and the fact Harriet always wears headphones.
But the movie is also incredibly grounded. While Harriet is focused on her past relationship, a brand new one begins to blossom in the present, throwing an unexpected (if welcome) wrench in Harriet's plans. As a self-proclaimed "nostalgic, sentimental person," Lucy Boynton says The Greatest Hits made her think about living in the present in a whole new way.
"I knew it was better to live present and forward-looking," she says. "But this job calls for you to be so in tune with your past and feelings, and it's so useful when you can draw from your own experience. So I kind of kept one foot in the past deliberately...seeing the way that prohibits Harriet from being aware of what's happening in her present tense because you just miss opportunities. Something that could catch your eye if you're open to it won't happen if your peripheral is clouded by the past."
"I think it's such a temptation, I don't know how I would be able to resist if given the opportunity to go back," she continues. "But I don't know that it's fate so much as relinquishing the power. Where it's like, you don't know what the other road looked like...You don't know what option B was and yeah, something terrible could have happened [but] you might not know the people that you know now. And so I think as painful as things can [be], I don't know any other road and I would choose the safety of the road I know now and can learn from."
Image via Searchlight Pictures
In The Greatest Hits, Lucy stars opposite Justin H. Min and David Corenswet. She's worked with Will Poulter on Why Didn't They Ask Evans and Emma Watson on Ballet Shoes, but in 2023, she also had a role in the biggest movie of the year: Barbie!
While we only see her onscreen for a brief moment, Lucy says being a doll in Weird Barbie's (Kate McKinnon) house was a dream. "It was wild just to be in the room with those brains," she says. "It's undeniable. Greta is brilliant, but Kate McKinnon is a comedic genius...Just like hearing her riff, hearing her improv line after line was heaven. It was like being front row at SNL or something, and that's the joy of being on any kind of set. It's the experience in the moment. So yeah, that was a comedy show that I loved."
Lucy's also looking to the future and would "just love to be in anything written by Michaela Coel," she tells me. "I think she's an extraordinary, completely unique voice. And just brilliant. So, yeah, anything penned by her. I think Andrea Riseborough is a really extraordinary actress, Brit Marling. You know, the list is extensive."
Image via Searchlight Pictures
Brit + Co: I love seeing all the dates Harriet goes on with her new love interest David. What's your idea of the perfect date?
Lucy Boynton: I think anything that's spontaneous. My best dates and my best memories have been days that [have] just unraveled as you go along them.
B+C: As much as I love dates, I also love having nothing to do. When was the last time you canceled plans?
LB: Embarrassingly recently. I feel like this press tour has kept me in line and kept me in check with the schedule. But it'll probably be tomorrow.
B+C: What is your on-set must-have?
LB: A book and mints because you're in really close proximity with people. So mints are a must-have and then a book because you're inevitably waiting around between set changes and it's always longer than you think it's going to be.
B+C: What is on your summer 2024 bucket list?
LB: Say yes to more things. I think, especially in a freelance job, it's really easy to want to keep the window open for any work that comes up. And I'm trying to be better at taking the reins on my own life and saying yes to more opportunities with friends and family. So honestly, just like a holiday. I'm going to go on holiday.
B+C: We've talked so much about nostalgia, is there anything particular you miss from the pre-smartphone era?
LB: Oh my God, yes. Not being cross eyed and glued to [your phone], I think. Just that thing of like, when you're waiting for someone, just being in your environment. And I know when you're young, that's for some reason humiliating, to look like you're not doing anything. But when it was just looking up and looking around, whereas when I have a beat [now], I'm probably looking at my phone and that's just horrific.
Image via Searchlight Pictures
You can stream The Greatest Hits on Hulu now.
Image via Searchlight Pictures
Principal photography for The Greatest Hits took place in 2022 around Los Angeles, California. Specific locations include Echo Park, Silver Lake, Chinatown, and Venice Beach! If you ask me, this is even more of an excuse to take an LA trip in 2024 ;).
Would you go back in time if given the chance? Let us know on Facebook! Stream The Greatest Hits now and check out all the May Movies you can see next month.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Lead image via Searchlight Pictures
