Party Planning 101 for Proactive Preppers + Procrastinators

Madeline Bachelder
Dec 16, 2016

Jumping aboard the holiday party hosting train? If you ask us, there’s no time like the present to start planning your big bash — spanning from we’ve-been-planning-this-since-Halloween to I-decided-to-have-friends-over-in-two-hours. Regardless of whatever camp you fall into, you’ve come to the right place. With the help of Barilla, we’re bringing you the only party planning guide you’ll need this December (and January!).

SO YOU’VE GOT 2 HOURS TO PLAN

It happens. NBD. We’ve got tips and tricks galore to help you keep your hat on for the next 120 minutes. Let’s go!

Bust out a pasta bar. Meet the pasta bar, AKA the answer to procrastinators’ prayers. Set out all of the ingredients for your guests to make their *own* dinner. (They’ll be happy they can customize it, anyway!) Cover your table in brown kraft paper (or wrapping paper?!) and use a black marker to label each dish. It will look way fancy, but will only take you five minutes. Want inspiration for how to build the bar? Check out Barilla’s nifty pasta recipe builder.

Opt for the group text invite. The jury is still out, but many say the group text is the most efficient way to invite friends to festivities, no matter how much energy you put into planning. Skip the fancy evite this time and go straight for a detailed text — maybe sent with a GIF — to invite all your pals to the last-minute bash.

Make it BYOB. Or BYO-Bar-Cart-Accoutrements! Have the cocktails of the evening be determined by what everyone brings and save yourself a time-consuming trip to the liquor store. How else would you and your friends have discovered that whiskey, cherry juice and root beer is actually pretty tasty? ;)

Grab paper plates and napkins. No fancy china on hand? No problem. There are some pretty adorable paper plates and napkins out there these days that will do the trick.

Let a guest be the DJ. There’s always that one friend who’s stoked to be handed the AUX cord. Let them fuss over the party’s soundtrack so you can put your attention on other things.

Those extra string lights? They’re your party decor. There are tons of ways to decorate with string lights, and they somehow magically look good no matter how you display them.

Not feelin’ the pasta bar? Try these other quick, crowd-pleasing pasta recipes:

  • Spaghetti Carbonara: AKA breakfast pasta! OK, no one else calls it that, but they should — all you need is bacon, eggs, pasta and Parmesan. Is your mouth watering yet?

  • 5-Ingredient Butternut Squash and Farfalle Alfredo: The amount of time it takes you to say the recipe’s full name is basically equivalent to cooking time. The butternut squash and sage combo make this dish feel *super* fancy, and we’re likin’ it.

SO YOU’VE GOT 2 WEEKS TO PLAN

Congratulations! Two weeks is *plenty* of time to whip together a memorable, fun and ‘gram-worthy celebration. Scroll on for our favorite prep hacks to get this party started.

Make rigatoni with Brussels sprouts. And sautéed apples and onions and walnuts and bacon. NOM. This recipe takes around 45 minutes to make and it’s somehow the perfect blend of healthy and hearty.

Plan a game to play at the partay: When done right, a party game can really make the evening. Suss out your invite list (are they mostly introverts or extroverts?) and choose your entertainment accordingly — we’re partial to the ever-classic charades, but why not bust out a good round of freeze dance?

Make a holiday punch. Psst! This is your Instagram-worthy moment. Make a delicious *and* photogenic winter punch for your friends to sip on by the fireside — or by the heater :)

Buy some decor, but also utilize what you already have. We’re looking at you, excess ornaments. Like string lights, these joyful bulbs look great wherever you display ‘em, so why not deck out your serving table with them too?

Tack on a festive dessert recipe, like gingerbread bowls. TBH, it’s kind of a bummer that gingerbread is only socially PC (SC?) to eat around Christmastime. Take advantage of gingerbread season with this epic gingerbread bowl recipe, topped with no-churn spiced pear ice cream and caramel sauce.

Try these other bomb.com pasta recipes:

  • White Bean Pasta e Fagioli: You guys, this is PASTA SOUP! Can you think of anything more comforting to eat in the colder months? This is our go-to when we’re craving pasta but want a lighter dish. Whip up a big batch for your winter dinner party for some real happy guests.

SO YOU’VE BEEN PLANNING SINCE HALLOWEEN

First off, you deserve a standing ovation. We’re impressed! Even though you’ve probably been dreaming about this party’s details forever, maybe we can give you a helping hand.

Try an unexpected entree. Enter the Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Lasagna Terrine, a course of an entirely different color. This may look like a lasagna, but it tastes way more gourmet. The lasagna pasta sheets and creamy Alfredo sauce bring in quintessential Italian flavor profiles, while the sautéed beet greens and goat cheese give it a contemporary and delightful bite. This is one full-flavored dish your guests will definitely remember.

Get fancy with the tablescape. It’s time to go all out! Pick up real flowers, borrow some fancy dishware and go with a festive, glittering table runner. Holiday baubles and miniature trees look just as good on your dinner table as they do on your mantle, and they’ll add to the Winter Wonderland effect you’re looking for.

Hand-make the invites. Time to break out those burgeoning graphic design skills! After mastering one of our illustration or lettering online classes, wow your friends with a homemade holiday invite (or evite!). Who can say no to a personalized invitation?

While you’re at it, make homemade goodie bags. Because every party-goer deserves a fiesta memento too. We’re big fans of dip-dyed canvas bags — you can buy these cloth bags in bulk for cheap, then paint them with watered-down fabric paint or acrylic. Fill each with a sweet treat, a trinket and a thank you.

Make a custom party playlist. TBH, there’s no better way to get you into the festive spirit than a DIY playlist. Go the extra mile and make it on a music-streaming app, then share the playlist URL with your guests. This counts as a party favor too! :)

Whip up these other pasta recipes for the big night:

  • Beef Broth With Greens & Orecchiette: Beef broth was *made* for those cold winter nights, and the orecchiette and poached egg bring it to a whole new level. Don’t tell anyone, but you can actually make this elegant dish in 20 minutes flat.

And just like that, you’ve planned your party! That wasn’t so hard, was it? :)

What are your go-to winter party tricks and recipes? We want to hear! Share with us on Twitter @BritandCo.

Production + Styling: Maddie Bachelder + Shannon Righetti

Photography: Chris Andre

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

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Ryan Gosling Supports Eva Mendes "In All The Ways," And It Makes Us Love Him Even More

There are two things I know for sure: Ken loves Barbie, and Ryan Gosling loves Eva Mendes. The couple met on the movie set for The Place Beyond the Pines in 2011, and have created such a beautiful life together! Eva's just as excited for the Christmas remix of "I'm Just Ken" as we are, and Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes' constant support of one another is making us think back on all their cutest moments.

A Full Timeline Of Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes' Relationship

Images via Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

August 2011 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Meet During The Place Beyond The Pines

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes took a chance at romance after they played a couple in 2011's The Place Beyond The Pines. Once they were linked, they were seen walking around Disneyland "like a dating couple, [walking] very closely, holding hands and their arms touching side-by-side," according to a PEOPLE eyewitness.

Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW

November + December 2011 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Spend The Holidays Together

During Thanksgiving in 2011, Eva Mendes was filming Holly Motors in Paris, so Ryan Gosling took a trip to the City of Lights so they could spend the holiday together. They also ended up going on Funny or Die's Drunk History Christmas the next month to reenact a 21+ version of The Night Before Christmas *and* spent New Year's together!

Image via Sonia Recchia/Getty Images

September 7, 2012 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Attend The Toronto International Film Festival Together

To promote The Place Beyond the Pines, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes spent a lot of time together on the TIFF red carpet. Years later in 2019, when Kelly Clarkson pulled up the picture, Eva couldn't help but gush over Ryan — especially since they hadn't announced they were dating at the time. “Oh my God, that’s so old," she says of the photo. "That’s literally me going, ‘I’m not in love with him. What? I’m not in love.’ ‘Cause we were trying to be very professional."

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

May 2014 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Work Together On Lost River

Ryan and Eva reunited on a film set again for Lost River, which was both Ryan's directorial debut and served as a semi-autobiographical story for him. "For me, it was crucial to work in this intimate, low-budget, small way, with people I had worked with before, because I feel like in my experience that’s where everyone was at their best," Ryan tells Sunday Style (via Mangalorean). "They know what is at stake for you personally, and all the work that’s gone into getting there."

Eva also told her Instagram followers in a since-deleted postthat Lost River is the project she's most proud of. "There was one film I'm extra proud to be a part of," she said. "A dark fairy tale. A magical fantasy. To all the struggling single mothers, to all of us in cities that feel like they're burning down or flooding around us, to everyone fighting for the ones they love, this was a good one."

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

September 12, 2014 — Eva Mendes Gives Birth To Their First Child

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes welcomed Esmerelda Amada Gosling into the world in September of 2014. Eva later said that she didn't even want kids until she got together with Ryan. "I was lucky enough to work my bum off for 20 years," she tells Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa (via PEOPLE). "I never wanted babies before until I fell in love with Ryan, and it kind of worked out to where I was 40 and having my first baby. I think I was 42 for the second one, so it worked out in that way that I had a career and then I change my focus to my family."

Ryan also went on to tell GQ in 2023 that he was in a similar place before meeting Eva. "I wasn’t thinking about kids before I met her, but after I met Eva, I realized that I just didn’t want to have kids without her," he says. "And there were moments on The Place Beyond the Pines where we were pretending to be a family, and I didn’t really want it to be pretend anymore." I could cry!!

Image via Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

December 7, 2015 — Ryan Gosling Gives A Rare Interview About His Relationship

While Ryan and Eva have kept their relationship very private, he told Hello! that "I know that I'm with the person I'm supposed to be with" and that literally the only quality he looks for in a woman is "That she's Eva Mendes. There's nothing else I'm looking for." Swoon!

Image via Brad Barket/Getty Images

April 29, 2016 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Have Their Second Child

Eva Mendes gave birth to her and Ryan's second baby, a daughter named Amada Lee Gosling, in April 2016 — after keeping the pregnancy a secret until it was almost time to deliver! Amada is named after Eva's grandma.

Image via Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

January 8, 2017 — Ryan Gosling Dedicates His La La Land Golden Globe To Eva Mendes' Brother

While accepting his Golden Globe for Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Ryan Gosling made sure to let the world know just how much of a role Eva had played in the process. “I would like to try and thank one person properly, and say that while I was singing and dancing and playing piano,” he says in his speech, “my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second and trying to help her brother with his battle with cancer.”

Eva's brother, Juan Carlos Mendes, had passed away the previous April and Ryan took the opportunity to dedicate the award to him.

Image via Dominique Charriau/Getty Images

February 12, 2020 — Eva Mendes Reveals Ryan Gosling Is A Great Cook

When an Instagram account asked what Eva and Ryan liked to cook, Eva revealed just how amazing Ryan is with food. "Ryan is an amazing chef AND baker," she says in her reply. "For reals. Incredible. No joke. I'm not sure that what I do is cooking. It's more like steaming veggies and juicing and making rice. He really cooks. I survive." Can I get Ryan Gosling to make me a meal sometime?

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

January 1, 2022 — Ryan Gosling Shares About Their Quarantine Life

“Time, in general, is something I think about a lot now. My kids are growing up so fast I need to keep an eye on the clock in a way I never used to,” Ryan Gosling tells GQ. “I feel like I need more time to process [how much the pandemic played into that]. But [Eva and I] have two kids, so we spend a lot of our time trying to keep them entertained.”

While they enjoyed their time together, Ryan's also candid about the effect of lockdown on their children: “Our kids were at a difficult age not to be able to see other kids and interact with people, even though Eva and I did our best.”

Image via Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures.

June 2022 — Eva Mendes Embraces The Kenergy

When the world went crazy for every bit of Barbie news, so did Eva Mendes. "So. F. Funny," she says in an Instagram caption sharing the first look at Ryan Gosling's Ken. "So. F. Good. So F excited for you to see this…#Thatsmyken."

"It's a funny photo and he's trying to be funny, so it worked on all levels," she goes on to say on The Talk. "But when I saw it, when he sent it to me from work, I was like, 'Can I please have that underwear? Please, I never ask for anything'...So, anyway, I do have it. I'm wearing it right now."

Via Eva Mendes/Instagram

November 2022 — Eva Mendes Begins Dropping Hints She Married Ryan Gosling

When Eva showed off a new tattoo on her wrist in November of 2022 on Instagram, fans immediately began dissecting its meaning. The tattoo, which reads "de Gosling" (which is similar to Mrs. Gosling) could mean that Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes are actually married! She went on to tell Today in Australia (via DailyMail) that "Everyone is so welcoming here and my husband Ryan is here, and we are having the best time." 👀

Image via Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM

August 9, 2023 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Love Family Time

In the midst of crazy release schedules and commitments (not to mention the actors' strike), Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes always prioritize their family life. "When they are not working, they are all about their girls," a source tells People. "Ryan is such a fun dad. He is goofy and his girls love it." The source continues by saying the family loves to go to the beach or the desert (same TBH).

Image via Warner Bros Pictures.

December 18, 2023 — Eva Mendes Can't Wait For The "I'm Just Ken" Christmas Remix

If the original version of "I'm Just Ken" wasn't good enough, Ryan Gosling is blessing us with a Christmas remix — and Eva Mendes is just as excited as we are. "Ken not wait for this," she says in an Instagram caption.

Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Warner Bros.

January 13, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Mentions His Family During His Acceptance Speech

At the 2024 Santa Barbra International Film Festival, Ryan Gosling won the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film — and he totally deserves it! With a career that includes iconic films like La La Land and Barbie, as well as The Notebook, Blade Runner 2049, and Crazy Stupid Love, all kinds of film lovers have gotten to see Ryan's work onscreen. During his acceptance speech, Ryan got choked up talking about how acting allowed him to meet "the girl of [his] dreams."

"I dreamed of one day making movies and now movies have made my life a dream," he says in his speech. "So the way I see it, there's no way I have contributed half as much to cinema as cinema's contributed to me."

Image via Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Entertainment

January 24, 2024 — Eva Mendes Celebrates Ryan Gosling's Oscar Nomination

After the Oscar nominations were announced January 23, Eva Mendes took to Instagram to celebrate Ryan Gosling's nomination for Best Supporting Actor. "So proud of my man. So much hate when he took on this role," she says alongside screenshots of the first (very negative) reviews of his casting. "So many people trying to shame him for doing it. Despite all the #Notmyken ridicule and articles written about him, he created this completely original, hilarious, heartbreaking, now iconic character and took it all the way to Oscars. So beyond proud to be this Ken’s Barbie."

Image via Caroline McCredie/Getty Image

February 22, 2014 - Eva Mendes Announces Upcoming Children's Book

Yesterday Eva Mendes shared with People that she's penned a children's book named Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries that'll debut September 17. It's all about a little girl who's always worried that her scary brain is the real monster she's afraid of at night. Through gentle reminders, Desi's mom helps her understand that being afraid is normal and teaches her how not to let scary thoughts control her.

Eva Mendes told People the books is like "a love letter to my kids and yours" because "...Learning how to train our brain to work for us and not against us is easier said than done!" Since we know racing thoughts doesn't just affect adults, we love that Eva is finding a way to share some of her parenting tips with other parents.

Pre-Order Eva Mendes' Children's Book:

Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worriesby Eva Mendes

Image via Eva Mendes/Instagram

March 10, 2024 — Eva Mendes Celebrates Ryan Gosling's Oscars Performance

Eva Mendes celebrated the Oscars on March 10 with a post highlighting Ryan Gosling's performance, and his entire run as Ken! "You took Ken all the way to the Oscar’s, RG," she says on Instagram. "Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed."

We love the way this couple can have fun with each other — and highlight how much teamwork parenthood requires!

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

March 13, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Details How Eva Mendes And Their Daughters Helped Him Prepare For His Oscars Performance

Leave it to Ryan Gosling not to take credit for his amazing Oscars performance. He gushed to People about how Eva Mendes and their daughters helped him make sure his Kenergy truly shined bright. "They are such a huge part of this for me...it was my girl's interest in Barbie and disinterest in Ken that got me into this in the first place. It was beautiful to have them there at the end," he said.

As we all saw, the unmistakable Kenergy was in full force and effect during the Oscars.

Image via Eva Mendes/Instagram

March 26, 2024 — Eva Mendes Says It Was A "No Brainer" To Stay Home With Her Kids

Deciding how to maintain a work-home balance when you have kids is something every parent thinks about, and it turns out that extends to celebs, too! After starring with Ryan Gosling in The Place Beyond The Pines, Eva Mendes decided it was a "no brainer" to stay home with their family since acting can take you all over the world, which the actress revealed in a recent episode of The Today Show. “It was almost just like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, ‘Ok, he’s going to work and I’m going to work, I’m just going to work here,'” she says. She also says she's “so lucky” to “have this time with [their] children.”

“I have never experienced anything like [working with Ryan Gosling]. The way he works, his commitment to his craft, how he wants to make everything as best as it can be, and that means making his co-stars as best as they can be,” she continues. “But unfortunately — or fortunately — there is only one Ryan!"

Image via Eva Mendes/Instagram

April 1, 2024 — Eva Mendes Says Her Daughters Make Everything Better

After losing her brother in 2016, Eva Mendes says she has a "complicated relationship" with the month of April — but that her daughters make it infinitely more bearable. "[April 2] would have been my brother’s birthday," she says on Instagram. "In a couple of weeks from now is the day we lost him…but then, the end of April we got the biggest blessing of all, my little girl was born 8 years ago. I hate you April. But I love you more."

Image via Will Heath/NBC

April 13, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Hosts SNL

During his latest stint hosting SNL, Ryan Gosling did a hilarious sketch about a man who picks up a Cuban accent after getting married to a Cuban woman. Eva Mendes was all over it! "Coño! My Cuban Papi made this Cuban Mami so happy with this!!" Eva wrote on Instagram. "Years of hanging out with my Dad paid off."

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

May 1, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Is The Ultimate Support System For Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes is not here for the mom-shamers. She told People (in honor of its 2024 Beautiful Issue) that staying home to focus on Ryan Gosling and her kids was the "easiest decision I've ever made" because she wanted to be there for their formative childhood years.

"When I was 40, it was a big deal for people when I was pregnant, and it wasn't for me," she says. "And then I was 42 and I was pregnant with my second one and people were like, 'Oh my God, you're going to be so tired. That's why people have kids in their 20s.' I was like, that's the most sorry, asinine thing I've ever heard."

"[Ryan supports me] in all the ways I need to be supported," she continues. "He's got me in all the ways."

Check back here for the latest news on Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, and don't forget to read up on Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce's Relationship and Tom Holland and Zendaya. :)

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

Lead image via Sonia Recchia/Getty Images.

This post has been updated.

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20 Gluten-Free Pasta Dishes

Pasta is a go-to dish when you’re in a hurry to put dinner on the table, but if you’re trying to eat gluten-free you may be wondering what to do? Never fear, the list of pasta replacements is full of delicious and healthy options that will completely satisfy those noodle cravings. Fromzucchini and carrot noodles to quinoa andblack bean fettuccinie, check out all these healthy, gluten-free pasta dishes for some quick dinner inspiration.

1. Veggie Pasta: Not only is this a delicious way to make use of all those fresh summer veggies, but these colorful noodles are gluten-free and simple as can be. (via Brit + Co)

2. Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti: Spaghetti squash is in season and it’s a great low-carb, low-calorie, and gluten-free alternative to pasta. (via Brit + Co)

3. Bangkok Peanut Mango Pasta: This easy recipe is basically no cleanup and only takes 15 minutes! For if you want thai with an Italian twist. We love this gluten-free easy meal! (via Half Baked Harvest)

4. Garlicky Greens With Buckwheat Noodles: Seaweed, kale and sesame seeds make this a true super meal full of antioxidants. (via Begin With Nutrition)

5. Roasted Pepper Zucchini Pasta: Noodles made out of zucchini are topped with balsamic roasted baby tomatoes, baby arugula and toasted pine nuts for a vegetarian, gluten free delight. (via Inspiralized)

6. Gluten-Free Fettuccine Pasta With Tomatoes and Lemon: Check your health food stores for fresh gluten-free pasta to make this dish extra delicious. (via The Organic Kitchen)

7. Zucchini Noodles With Avocado Penne: Healthy, hearty zucchini noodles are combined with smooth, creamy, zesty, cheesy avocado pesto with baby tomatoes for a little extra freshness. (via Better With Cake)

8. Brown Rice Penne With Lamb and Mint Pesto: The pesto is filled with mint, sprouts and pistachios and pairs perfectly with the ground lamb while the rice pasta holds up to a perfect al dente texture. (via Running To The Kitchen)

9. Brussel Sprouts and Prosciutto Spagetti: This delicious meal will have you thinking it's not gluten-free! It has delicious manchego brussel sprouts with prosciutto, sage, and kale. Sounds healthy and still delicious! (via Half Baked Harvest)

10. Vegan Pasta with Mushrooms and Miso: An amazing creamy meal that will have you thinking you're being deceived by its healthiness. It's so creamy and so delicious! An amazing vegan/gluten free meal to try out! (via The First Mess)

11. Roasted Summer Squash Pasta With Cilantro Pesto: Quinoa pasta and cilantro-lime pesto make this pasta dish a quick weeknight dinner you can enjoy all summer long. (via Dishing Up The Dirt)

12. Black Bean Spaghetti With Avocado Crema: Noodles made out of black beans lend an ideal flavor for this Southwestern dish that is simultaneously spicy, fresh and cool. (via Snixy Kitchen)

13. Vegan Butternut Squash Zuppa Toscana: This Italian-inspired dish is sure to meet all of our gluten-free requirements while also being creamy and delicious! I can't wait to try this yummy dish. (via The First Mess)

14. Sesame Ginger Cucumber Noodles With Mint and Edamame: Cucumbers are so good during the summer; instead of chopping them up in salad, let them shine in this noodle dish! (via Inspiralized)

15. Zucchini Pasta With Poached Eggs and Tomato Basil Sauce: This dish will only take 15 minutes to throw together, but the flavors will blow you away. (via Half Baked Harvest)

16. Vegetable Noodle Pad Thai: This dish incorporates vegetable noodles mixed with some shredded cabbage and bell pepper, plus some fresh herbs and a deliciously creamy sauce. (via To Her Core)

17. Red Curry Stew and Vegetable Noodles: This bright vegan dish is filled with mixed vegetable noodles and topped with a light red curry stew. (via Healthy Nibbles And Bits)

18. Zucchini Pasta With Quinoa Meatballs: These vegetarian meatballs are easy to make and are a super healthy way to get some extra protein with your vegetable noodles. (via Keepin’ It Kind)

19. Lobster Tail Diavolo With Zucchini Noodles: Treat yourself with this mildly spicy lobster pasta. (via Inspiralized)


20. Corn, Tomato and Avocado Salad: Treat yourself with this delicious and refreshing vegetable salad that also happens to be gluten free. (via The First Mess)

Will you be trying any of these healthy noodle dishes? Let us know in the comments below!

This post has been updated.

gluten-freepasta recipesvegan recipesvegetarian recipesGluten-Free

A "Verity" Movie Is Officially On Its Way

Thanks to Challengers and The Watchers, I can already tell 2024 is going to be a year of shocking movies (and shockingly good movies), and that trend is going to continue thanks to Verity & Colleen Hoover. While It Ends With Us might be the most popular Colleen Hoover book, Verity is arguably the craziest, and The Hollywood Reporter just confirmed that a movie is officially in development! While we wait for more news, browse the Colleen Hoover merch you can wear to opening night ;).

Is there a movie about the book Verity?

Image via Amazon

Yes, a movie based on Colleen Hoover's Verity is officially on the way! The movie's in development at Amazon MGM Studios (the studio behind Florence Pugh's A Good Person and Zendaya's Challengers). Hillary Seitz is currently writing the script for the film, and Eat the Cat's Nick Antosca and Alex Hedlund are producing.

What is Verity about?

Image via Vlada Karpovich/Pexels

In Verity by Colleen Hoover, Lowen Ashleigh is a writer struggling to make ends meet. That is, until she's offered the job of a lifetime by Jeremy, husband to the ultimate it-girl author, Verity Crawford. The thriller writer is no longer able to finish the remaining books in her series, and Jeremy wants Lowen to pick up where she left off. While Lowen is over the moon to step in (both into the job and their huge family estate), a secret manuscript and family secrets lead Lowen to realize Verity's hiding a lot more than she's letting on. B+C editor Haley Sprankle says this is one of the craziest books she's ever read, and I know this is definitely going to be one of the craziest movies we've seen!

Who's in the Verity cast?

Image via Mike Coppola/Jon Kopaloff/Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Since the movie is just now in development, we don't have an official Verity cast list yet. But considering It Ends With Us is starring beloved actors like Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Jenny Slate, I'm confident the cast of Verity will feature some incredible names.

Popular fancasts for Verity include You's Victoria Pedretti or The White Lotus' Alexandra Diddario as Lowen, Rosamund Pike or Margot Robbie as Verity, and Shia LaBeouf or Theo James as Jeremy. Without a doubt, the cast of Verity needs to be warm and welcoming at first glance, but also have an unexpected edge that reveals itself as we move through the story.

One Reddit user points out that the characters need to offer "just toxicity but also feigned innocence," and each of these actors do exactly that, which makes them incredible picks for the movie. If Blake wasn't already in It Ends With Us, I know she'd do a great job because she proved her thriller acting chops in A Simple Favor!

When did Verity come out?

Image via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIME

Colleen Hoover self-published Verity in 2018, and in 2021, the book was acquired by Grand Central Publishing. It sold more than one million copies in 2023, and has more than 340 thousand Amazon ratings and over two million Goodreads ratings. Talk about a hit!

What movie is similar to the book Verity?

Image via Lionsgate

If you love thriller books like Verity, then I'd recommend checking out other relationship-centric thrillers like Gone Girl, Rebecca, and A Simple Favor. For period drama fans, I cannot recommend Will Poulter and Lucy Boynton's Why Didn't They Ask Evans enough!

Follow us on TikTok and YouTube for the latest entertainment updates, and check back here for new info on Verity & Colleen Hoover's other books!

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Your Perfect Pair Of New Balance Sneakers, Based On Your Vibes

Personal style is personal for a reason. Whatever you wear is a complete reflection of who you are, and this is especially true for what shoes you slip into every day. Everyone’s got their go-to sandals, but sneakers are an entirely different game, I tell ya.

If your fave footwear brand is New Balance and you just so happen to be in the market for some squeaky-clean sneaks, I’ve basically done all the research for you to help you find your perfect pair. This list of the most popular New Balance sneakers details not only each style’s practicality, but their personality, too.

Ahead, find your perfect New Balance sneakers – based on your vibes!

New Balance 9060: The ‘Fit Flexer

If you just can’t resist dressing to the nines every single day, the New Balance 9060s will fit right into your fashionista flair.

These “proudly futuristic” New Balance sneakers deliver on Y2K aesthetics beyond compare. The wider base is reminiscent of Nike Shox – very tech-y and otherworldly. The upper part is made from mesh and suede, supplying a super elevated vibe.

The white and cream white coloration is so easy to pair with most every ‘fit. They’ll match with cargo pants, vintage jeans, or even mini skirts and denim shorts.

Reviewers of the New Balance 9060 are glad they invested in this $150 shoe because it's so versatile.

One reviewer toted the 9060’s for fitting into “all aspects” of their lifestyle. Another said that the arch supports “unreal,” so though they’re more fashion-forward than other New Balance kicks, they’re still uber-comfortable for a range of activities.

New Balance 990: The Thrift Shopper

The New Balance 990s are straight-up dad sneakers to the core, so if you gravitate towards the thrift store (or all things vintage-y), you’ll find that they go swimmingly with most outfits and will stand up to long thrift trips.

While they were originally manufactured for running (and they still are), the 990s scream streetwear to me. They appear more elevated than your average athletic running shoe, thanks to the smooth pigskin and fine mesh.

The inside is fitted with a bouncy FuelCell midsole cushioning, and the shoe is available in 4 different widths. The range!

The New Balance 990s are very similar to the New Balance 993s, which is less performance-based.

New Balance 574 Core: The Weekend Warrior

Whether you're hitting the club or the farmer’s market on the weekends, you want to be comfortable (I mean, who doesn't?). The New Balance 574 Cores are made for the weekend warriors.

New Balance describes this signature shoe as “uncomplicated, rugged, durable, and comfortable.”

Though the 574s are pretty basic, they’re earned themselves icon status. You’re sure to see at least one pair when you go out.

The outer layer is made from suede and mesh materials dotted with 100% recycled polyester details.

New Balance 550: The Sneakerhead

These New Balance sneakers aren’t just black and white. They’re “sea salt” with “gray matter” and “magnet.” So yeah, if you consider yourself overly particular about your sneakers, the New Balance 550s are the shoe for you.

These were revived from the late 80’s and early 90’s then re-released full-time in 2021, and they’ve been a modern fan-favorite ever since.

The flatter soles on these sneaks mean they’re not as practical for running or walking long distances, but since they have a history with basketball, you might be able to rock ‘em on the court. More than anything, they definitely give basketball vibes, which is perfect for any streetwear ensemble.

The mixed materials and chunky approach to the classic New Balance logo give these an unmistakable air.

According to New Balance, these best fit people with an average arch height. The thick sole and cushy ankle padding work the hardest to support your feet, rather than an arched insole.

New Balance 530: The Gym-Goer

The New Balance 530s are giving Erewhon baddie. They’re giving I drink smoothies for breakfast. They’re giving I live and breathe pilates.

The stark white colorway of these sneakers reminds me of the clean girl aesthetic, and they’re so pretty, you may have a hard time getting them dirty.

Though very stylish on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside that counts with the New Balance 530s. They’re fitted with an ample midsole section that cushions and compresses your step.

New Balance Fresh Foam: The 10K Steps A Day-er

For the more athletic among us (hello, hot girl walks!), the New Balance Fresh Foam sneakers are the way to go. They’re designed especially for walking and running, so you can count on them to be comfy.

They have an extra-soft cushioning for a cozy step, and every aspect of the footbed is intended to stabilize the foot.

This shoe especially supports walkers or runners with the tendency to step heel first, a bonus co-signed by the American Podiatric Medical Association – this pair received their Seal of Acceptance.

The upper part of the shoe is made of mesh, so it’s highly breathable, even on hot days. They’re great for high arches, too!

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Images via New Balance.
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