This Is Your iPhone’s Funniest Secret Trick Yet

In this smartphone day and age, we would be lost without our go-to gadget. Sadly, we probably spend more “face time” with our smartphones than our significant others some days (in our defense, our phones mostly live in our pockets or purses! Can your boo say the same?). So given the amount of interaction we have with our iPhones, our girl Siri probably deals with silly questions every day — but recently, her sassy answers have really been making headlines. It all started with Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul’s tweet:

Siri’s response is, “Imagine you have zero cookies and you split them evenly among zero friends. How many cookies does each person get? See, it doesn’t make sense. And Cookie Monster is sad that there are no cookies and you are sad that you have no friends.” Ooh, burn! We decided to see what other sassy answers Siri has for us when we ask her some of life’s impossible questions so we got sassy with Siri this AM so you don’t have to. Here’s what she had to say:

1. Turns out, Siri is an animal lover.

2. She gets personal.

(Hmm…wonder if this cloud-based app might be Dropbox?)

3. She waxes philosophical sometimes.

4. She’s diplomatic about her answers to life’s difficult questions.

5. She’s pretty darn good at riddles.

6. She’s got a comeback for everything.

7. Most importantly, she knows what the fox says.

Has Siri given you any hilarious ‘tude lately? Let us know in the comments below!

I am a very prepared person, which means I do my best to handle life's unexpected chaos with grace. A recent curveball that I did not prepare for was my phone dying in the middle of New York City. When you live in Manhattan, there's always a show to see, friends to grab margaritas with, and events to attend. That means you lose phone battery pretty quickly, which is exactly the one thing you don't want to go without in the middle of the city.

Ahead of my show at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, I was #influenced to buy this viral gadget to bring into the stadium with me — and it's the best portable phone charger I've ever used. I can't believe I've gone this long without it!

First Impressions

I grabbed the iWALK Small Portable Charger(which I got for $30), and the first thing I noticed was the size. The whole thing is smaller than my iPhone, meaning that it'll fit in just about any size bag and works with a lot of stadium concert rules!

It comes in multiple colors like pink and teal, but I got it in white.

The Timeline

I left for the concert at 2pm with a fully charged phone. I had to use Spotify, Google Maps, Uber, and my camera all before Taylor even came out, which means that by the time Gracie Abrams and Phoebe Bridgers had finished their opening acts (around 8 pm), my phone was on death's door.

The portable phone charger went right into the port and kept my phone alive for the rest of the night! It also didn't interfere with the audio in any of my recordings, which was super important to me.

Final Thoughts On This Portable Phone Charger

Image via Chloe Williams/B+C

This product really surpassed my expectations because of how much power you get from such a small device. I've used it multiple times, and every time I do, my phone ends up fully charged, meaning I have enough battery for another round of adventures and antics.

I'll definitely have it in my bag all summer long. You can search on the internet for some other portable phone chargers for your summer, but this is definitely my favorite.

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

We’re ever so thankful that things are warming up a bit, and with a new season comes a whole new round of trends. Talking about color specifically, the 2024 Pantone Fashion Color Trend Reportgives a good guide to all the hues we’ll be seeing this summer. We hand-picked our 4 favorite colors that are approachable for everyday wear – and just downright fun. Hop into something vibrant, and explore the coolest summer colors for 2024 below.

Kimchi Blue Shay Smocked Cropped Top

Butter Yellow

This serene shade of yellow is honestly the “It” color of the season. It’s literally smooth like butter, and is super adorable alongside a good pair of denim shorts or jeans. Butter yellow is light and breezy, just like the summer season.

Free-est Made Me Smile Mini

This adorable strapless dress would go great with a patio on a warm day.

Jeffrey Campbell Dancerina Mary Jane Ballet Flats

Knock out two trends at once with these simple butter yellow ballet flats that work wonderfully with skirts and jeans alike.

Adidas Samba OG Sneakers

Lilac

Since it was spotted on our fave gal, Taylor Swift, this purple-y hue isn't going anywhere. Lilac feels like an elegant graduation from lavender (ahem, someone play “Lavender Haze”), and we are totally here for it. It looks so dreamy on flowy skirt styles or more structured tops.

Maeve Boxy Tee

This casual tee is worthy of everyday wear. Its cotton construction makes it super breathable for the office or the gym.

Wild Fable Leisure Mini Skort

You'll wanna jet around in this easygoing mini skort for those wild summer adventures. It's fitted with attached shorts for extra coverage and is delightfully stretchy so you have freedom of movement.

Old Navy High-Waisted Crinkle Gauze Pull-On Ankle Pants

Red-Orange

Basic red was trending so hard last year, so it’s no surprise that its orange-y color cousin has entered the chat. Red-orange is just the shade you need for embracing summer, especially if where you live is heatin’ up. Make a statement with a red-orange dress, or even just add a simple pop of color with some earrings!

Free-est Oasis Midi Dress

This fiery, flirty dress is an easy one-and-done for summer date nights. The fluttery sleeves and tied neckline add to a very whimsical vibe.

Universal Thread Flat Sprayed Metal Hoops

Add a splash of color to a basic get-up with these colorful hoops! They're fairly large, so you can't miss 'em.

Everlane The TENCEL™ Boxy Shirt

Chambray Blue

Denim is undeniably having its moment right now (everyone say “thank you, Beyoncé”), but it’s not always practical for the hotter months. That’s why chambray is the perfect solution! Chambray is essentially woven cotton, so it makes for a lighter, more breathable wear. You can rock it alongside more denim pieces, or even white pants or skirts to pull it off easily.

Chinese Laundry Rozie Half d'Orsay Slingback Pumps

Step out in trendy style with these paneled slingbacks! The chunky square heel makes each and every step comfortable as ever.

J.Crew Astrid Pants

Stretchy pants FTW! These easy, breezy chambray bottoms have a flattering wide waistband and a singular back pocket for practicality.

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

Sometimes it feels like you’re fighting against your iPhone’s camera to get the best pictures. You want clear, sharp, vibrant, and unique photos of your summer vacay to share on social media, but getting the hang of that tiny camera is keeping you from doing so. Capturing suitable images for The ‘Gram doesn’t always come naturally, but luckily, there are ways to hack your iPhone camera for better pics of your best memories – just read on for our top tips!

1. Before shooting, make sure you're working with the best quality.

Some of the iPhone camera’s default settings don’t set you up for the best picture quality, and you may not even realize it until you adjust your camera’s resolutions. A lot of the newer iPhone models automatically switch between several different lenses based on the situation you’re shooting in, which can result in blurry or low-quality pics. To eliminate a blur, go to Camera > Macro Control On. This disables the iPhone camera from switching lenses so you have more control in snapping the best, clearest images!

For high-quality video, enable 4K on your phone’s camera. All you need to do is go to Settings > Camera > Record Video, then select 4K from there. From now on, your videos will be sharp, clear, and perfect for sharing.

2. For selfies, hold the iPhone camera slightly above your line of sight.

Photo by Meredith Holser

Instead of holding your phone straight across from your face, raising it slightly above your line of sight, angled down, gives your selfies a more flattering angle. If you prefer to snap pics of your “better side” only, this tip comes in hot, allowing you to easily play around with different angles. Don’t be afraid to try shooting from different perspectives either! Moving yourself (and the camera!) around can help you find the #1 scene to take a selfie in.

When considering the background of your selfie, aim to eliminate any visual distractions. Posing against a solid background is extremely helpful in making sure all eyes are on you.

As far as selfie lighting goes, stray away from direct sunlight — you’ll be caught squinting, and that’s no fun for The ‘Gram. Diffused light (posing in shade, or on a cloudy day) supplies just enough light to flatter your image!

3. Use the Rule of Thirds. For the significant others that need some iPhone picture training, tell them to take some notes here.

The rule of thirds is your BFF when taking pics of others. To begin, ensure your iPhone camera’s grid is on. Go to Settings > Camera > Grid On. When you open the camera, you can now see the frame is divided into 9 equal rectangles – or 3 columns and rows – whichever way you think about the thirds, the grid will guide you in the picture-taking process!

You want to place your subject (the person you’re photographing) at the intersection of the grid lines. A good rule of thumb is making sure their eyes land around the top horizontal line. This gives them enough headroom, ensuring their head isn’t “chopped off” by the edges of the image frame, also leaving space at the bottom of the frame to accommodate for any full-body pics.

The grid is essential for non-people pictures, too. It’ll aid your composition skills for pics of beautiful latte art, sculptures, and more by eliminating background distractions and pulling attention solely to the subject.

4. Wide angle lens not cutting it? Try the iPhone camera's panorama mode.

@kienquancreates Easy iPhone camera hack #cameratutorial#iphonecamerahacks#photomagic#photography101♬ 原聲 - ABCandE

Whether you’re trying to capture vacay pictures with big landmarks, or just an artsy city skyline pic, sometimes the wide angle feature on the iPhone camera doesn’t give you enough space to work with. This panorama hack is the ultimate solution, so you don’t have to settle for weirdly cut-off images.

Start on your iPhone’s panorama feature, then turn your phone sideways and move it slowly upwards to capture tall buildings and vistas! You can stop the panorama feature at any time, so you’re not stuck with an image that has less-compatible dimensions.

5. For cool, motion-filled pictures, use the iPhone's long exposure feature.

Long exposure is a fun effect you can use to up your Insta game. These images capture slowed-down motion for added effect – think moving cars, walking crowds, and even sparkler photos or fireworks (light painting). To begin shooting long exposures on the iPhone, first take a picture on Live Mode. Once you’ve got an image you like, go to the Photos app. In the top left corner of your image, you can change the capture from Live to Long Exposure and see that the moving objects in your picture are blurred and add a unique component to your photo.

6. Hack the iPhone camera's Portrait Mode.

@rambosphotos I used to hate portrait mode before I found this little feature aswell #iphonetricksandtips#iphoneportrait#iphonecamerahacks#phonephotographytips♬ original sound - Rosie ⋆ London Photographer

In photography, the f/stop controls how wide your camera’s aperture is, which affects the depth of field (fancy speak for blurred backgrounds). The iPhone camera chooses the f/stop for you when live shooting in Portrait Mode, but you can take control of f/stop to alter the amount of background blur after the fact. Just take a photo in Portrait Mode, then Edit > f/stop on the top left of the screen. A lower f/stop number results in narrow depth of field (more blur, good for eliminating visual distractions), while larger numbers result in wide depth of field (less blur).

7. Use the iPhone camera's wide angle for cool 'fit pics.

Photo by Meredith Holser

The best part about this picture-taking tip is you can execute it by yourself. For the best outfit pics, use the .5 wide angle option on the iPhone’s back camera. Place your phone down low (can touch the ground), making sure you’re in-frame with some test shots. Once you've found the best perspective, pose by kicking a leg out towards the camera, reach your hand toward it, or lean down to look at the camera lens. Capturing with the wide angle setting adds a level of distortion to your pics for added personality. Happy Instagramming, bestie!

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Header photo by Meredith Holser

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about that something special to celebrate the special women in your life! Whether you’re celebrating your mom, grandma, MIL, or even your BFF’s mom, the women in your life deserve a thoughtful surprise (and a delicious brunch). If you're in a time crunch, check out these Amazon Mother's Day gifts you can order today!

W&P Porter Seal Tight Lunch Bowl Container

Everyone loves reusable containers, especially ones that are pretty and functional. With this lidded glass and silicone bowl, mom can easily pack her lunch and midday snacks in style! This piece is especially cool because it's microwave-safe.

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Brightening Face Skincare Serum

This everyday serum boosts the brightness and elasticity of skin and reduces the look of dark spots. Get your mom on the way to her brightest glow with this affordable skincare pick that still offers spa-quality service.

Slip Silk Skinnie Scrunchies

Help her protect her luscious locks with these luxe-looking silk scrunchies. These hair ties have an amazing hold and don’t damage hair, so they are definitely worth the investment for everyday wear.

Moon Juice Magnesi-Om Magnesium Powder

Get mom on the Sleepy Girl Mocktail wave ASAP with this flavored magnesium powder. Not only does it facilitate healthy sleep, a single dose also improves mood, reduces muscle aches, supports brain health, and supports bowel regularity.

Inglam MegaAIR Styler Air Styling & Drying System

This impressively powerful hair tool will be an instant replacement for all of her miscellaneous curlers, straighteners, and hair dryers. It basically serves as a three-in-one, using a high-velocity airflow to dry and style the hair in mere minutes.

Anne Klein Leather Strap Watch

This stylish wristwatch is as practical as it is cute. She can easily sport it to the office or when she's running errands!

KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

This is any mom's dream gift. And now, it's on sale for 27% off!

DmofwHi 1000W Gooseneck Electric Kettle

Her coffee (or tea) routine will never be the same with this quick-heating electric kettle. It stands strong, being made of durable stainless steel and BPA-free plastic.

Dae Monsoon Moisture Mask

Her locks deserve some real love, and this hair mask gets the job done. It's formulated with ingredients that strengthen hair elasticity, prevent breakage, nourish strands, and repair damage.

BedHead PJs Women's Classic Stripe Pajama Set

Comfortable, high quality pajamas are hard to come by these days, let alone on Amazon. Gift mom or grandma this striped set for extra-restful sleep!

Keurig K-Duo K-Cup Pod & Carafe Coffee Maker

Coffee is a total no-brainer for moms everywhere, and this is the perfect piece for helping her perfect her caffeine routine! It specializes in making single servings, so she'll have a batch of freshly-brewed coffee all to herself. She'll have the option to brew a single mug with K-Cup pods or a carafe up to 12 cups.

Caraway Mini Duo Non-Stick Ceramic Mini Fry Pan & Mini Sauce Pan

This luxe pair of pots is eco-friendly, ethically manufactured, made with no harmful chemicals, and sustainably packaged for certified clean cooking in the kitchen. The two-piece set comes ready with storage organizers at no extra cost, which is especially important in keeping them in tip-top shape.

Morento H13 True Air Purifier

If mom's never had an air purifier, it's time to introduce her to the good life! This must-have home gadget will allow for clean, easy breathing by filtering out dust, pollen, and sources of odor.

Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial Night Cream

Help mom say "buh-bye" to dry skin with this elegant night cream! It leaves parched skin silky soft after just one application! Overtime, this cream helps facilitate a smoother-looking skin tone with vitamin C and omega 6 & 9 fatty acids.

Theragun Mini 2.0

Let’s be real: we’re all pretty achy. Give the gift of stress relief with this compact massage gun! Its small size makes it super easy to travel with in a checked suitcase or carry-on for on-the-go relaxation.

Jspyfits Glass Hydroponic Flower Vase

Mom deserves flowers, of course, but they won't last forever. Gift her a sleek vase like this to 1. help her remember how great of a gift-giver you are, and 2. give her something to refill with fresh flowers each time!

Laneige Gummy Bear Lip Glowy Balm

Having moisturized, soft lips just feels good. Gift mom the feeling of confidence in her own skin with this lightweight lip balm that supplies hydrated, tinted, kissable lips throughout the day!

Amika Mask-topia Hydration & Repair Hair Mask Set

With warmer months on their way, maintaining hydrated hair is key for every hair type. Mom will adore this three-in-one haircare set for at-home and travel!

KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt Set

Silicone oven mitts are far superior to cloth ones. These KitchenAid ones are heat-resistant up to 500 degrees F for safely and comfortably handling hot pots and pans, plus the smooth material makes them a breeze to clean with a wet wipe.

Are you grabbing any Amazon Mother's Day Gifts? Are you baking her a special recipe? 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 Amazon.

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Moms juggle a lot, and oftentimes, taking a single day to celebrate them isn't nearly enough. She's the caretaker, the advice giver, the shoulder to cry on, and the cheerleader behind everyone in her crew! You just can't not give mom (that also includes all the sisters, girlfriends, mentors, wives, stepmoms, and grand-moms in your life) a much-neededspecial something to show her that you love her and you get her.

Here are some Mother's Day gifts that are just as fun to give as they are to get, from self care must-haves and trending fashion pieces to stylish home goods that'll make Mother's Day uniquely special this year.

Old Navy Cool Moms Club Graphic T-Shirt

Mom already knows she's a cool mom, but with this cozy cotton graphic tee, she'll actually get to show it off!

Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Sauté Pan

Not only is this pan aesthetically pleasing, it's practical, too! The durable nonstick coating makes cooking all kinds of foods a total breeze, plus it can even go in the oven up to temperatures of 500 degrees F.

Barzel 18K Gold Plated Woven Love Knot Stud Earrings

These classy stud earrings are worthy of everyday wear, adding a touch of elegance to mom's accessory game in an instant. They are crafted to be waterproof and tarnish-proof. Score!

Bedsure Yellow Fleece Blanket

Mom's couch blanket def needs a nice upgrade. This affordable one is the perfect solution! It's made from a crazy-soft fleece material that delivers comfort year-round. Opt for a bright color like this yellow for the warmer months!

Soft Services Green Banana Buffing Bar Microcrystal Exfoliant

These exfoliating bars smell not-to-sweet, with hints of tonka bean and musk for a very well-rounded effect. Each one is loaded with superfine sanding crystals floating throughout a moisturizing, soothing soap base that'll make mom feel like sheer luxury and super smooth.

This set of two bars is $33.

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer

Bet you she's never felt hydration like this! The Laneige Water Bank Moisturizer provides long-lasting hydration for up to 100 hours thanks to the formulation of hyaluronic acid and squalene.

Custom Leather Jewelry Box with Name & Birth Flower Month

This convenient jewelry box is the gift for moms on the go. Its compact size makes it super travel-friendly, slipping into a backpack or purse with ease. There are spaces for everything from necklaces and bracelets to rings and earrings, and mom can customize the layout to her liking since the dividers are removable!

Threshold Ceramic Signature Chip & Dip Serving Bowl

For the mom that always welcomes you home with snacks, this sleek chip and dip serving bowl will compliment her kitchen with a limited color palette and streamlined design, so you can both get some dip on your chips with ease!

Personalized Birthdate Pendant

Shoppable at 20% off for a limited-time Mother's Say sale, the Birthdate Pendant is totally customizable, as it's based on any birthday day and month. This sweet astrological homage to mom's birthday (or any other significant date) is laid into either a 14K gold plated or sterling silver pendant that she can flaunt every single day!

Great Jones Sweet & Savory Baking Mats

Let's hear it for zero waste! This 2-piece set of baking mats is the ultimate sustainable, reusable alternative to parchment paper. Made from silicone, the mats are 100% dishwasher-friendly, BPA-free, and food- and oven-safe... plus, they have cute little illustrations for maximum enjoyment in the kitchen.

Sophie James Wine Co. 2-Bottle 2022 Chardonnay Gift Set

These wines taste just as sweet as mom is herself! The 2-pack of 100% organically-farmed Chardonnay is packed with notes of Meyer lemon citrus, quince, and jasmine flowers.

Magnolia Bakery Mother's Day Flower Cupcakes

Magnolia Bakery is so tasty, so any mama with a sweet tooth will adore a treat-filled gift like this one! This 6-pack of sweets arrives fresh and ready to eat. A vanilla cupcake base is topped with hand-piped vanilla buttercream in the shape of a flower, so who really needs a real bouquet?!

Subtl Beauty Starter Stak

Time for a touch-up? This 5-in-1 portable makeup stack is the perfect size for slotting into a purse or glove box so mom can keep her freshest face on all day! It comes complete with a cream concealer, lip and cheek color, powder bronzer, powder highlighter, and a shine-control powder for those mid-day makeup breaks.

Hedley & Bennett Smock

Aprons and smocks are made to get dirty, but you might as well gift mom one that's cute, too! This flowery pick from Hedley & Bennett x Rifle Paper Co. features all sorts of blooms to match the tone of this year's armer months. It slides on with a comfy cross-back design that keeps slips conveniently at bay in between all of mom's fun cooking and baking projects!

Salt & Stone Antioxidant Body Wash

Self-care should feel like a total treat, and this body wash from Salt & Stone ensures a pleasurable experience with each use with notes of black rose and oud. The glass bottle and firm pump really elevates this gift from your run-of-the-mill body washes!

Anthropologie Bubble Letter Monogram Necklace

This playful necklace costs under $50, making it a wonderful (and nicely personalized) affordable Mother's Day gift. Gift mom her own initial, or even give her yours as a reminder of the amazing child you are.

SeaVees Acorn Trainer

Get mom into all things trendy with some cute sneakers! If the viral Adidas Sambas aren't supportive enough for her step, these cushiony-soft green kicks from SeaVees are equally trendy with a deep green colorway and heightened heel space for added comfort.

Frasier Sterling x Anthropologie Sunglass Case

Gifting mom this adorable case alongside a colorful pair of sunnies is the perfect way to help her kick off summertime. The fruity theme is too fun to ignore, she'll be carrying it with her everywhere she goes!

Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm

This "intensely nourishing" lip balm comes in 13 different shades that deposit a deliciously sheer sheen of color to the lips that looks stunning alone or on top of lipstick. And the best part? A tube is only $10.

Cabot Creamery Salty & Sweet Gift Box

Satisfy her cravings for both salty and sweet with this super snacky gift box filled with chocolates, salted maple crackers, raspberry jam, and a delicious mix of Cabot Creamery cheeses! With this gift, mom scores a cheese knife and a cutting board, too, for all future cheese board sharing.

Hello Adorn Tiny Links Necklace

This delicate necklace design can be representative of you and your mom's special bond, or it can simply serve as an adorable everyday piece for her collection! You can snag it either in sterling silver or a 14K gold fill material, so no mom's metal preference is left out.

Polaroid Snap Instant Digital Camera

For the mom who's always behind the camera (AKA all of us), this Polaroid camera delivers instant prints of her fave memories, places, and people. It'll give her a nice dose of nostalgia, too!

Nostalgia Eau De Parfum

The light white lily scent of this perfume is perfect for spring and summertime, but better yet, it'll make mom think of you every single time she spritzes it on.

Athleta Excursion Waistbag

This versatile everyday sling bag helps her keep her essentials in check with this convenient pockets, a comfy strap, and a cozy mesh material that ensures breathability in each and every wear.

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

This article has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.