19 Vegan Recipes Worthy of Your Next Dinner Party

Impress your guests at your next dinner party with an mmm-mmm good menu that keeps 'em guessing what's in each dish… or not in! Go veeg at your next dinner party with recipes that keep the integrity, flavor and textures of the delicious dishes they're used to without the meat. Added bonus: You'll be laying out one colorful spread. A bounty of veggies brings out the rainbow that everyone will be Instagram-ing before they chow down. Get inspired by these yummy vegan recipes to celebrate Earth Day and beyond.

1. Pressure-Cooker Chili: Keep it totally vegan by adding vegan sour cream (or yogurt) and cheddar cheeze to the top. (via Brit + Co)

Hasselback Potatoes

A take on a Swedish dish named after the first restaurant in Stockholm where it was served, Hasselback potatoes served with spinach and wild garlic are one of the best ways you can celebrate the tastes of spring. (via Honest Plates)

Butternut Squash Bisque

No dinner party would be complete without a round of soup. Better make yours this one. (via Bold Vegan)

Sweet Onion Tarts With Cream Cheeze and Thyme

One thing is certain: Vegans and non-vegans everywhere want this at your next dinner party. (via Vegan in Melbourne)

Tacos With Kale and Pickled Red Onions

Fact: Dinner parties are way more fun when guests get to eat with their hands. (via Cupcakes and Kale)

Fennel Roasted With Tomato Sauce

Fennel has never looked so good. We kind of just want to take a picture of it, make a huge print and put it on our wall. Oh, and we also want to eat it. The dish, not the picture, in case that wasn’t clear. (via Dine and Dash)

One Hour Vegan Pot Pies

Is there anything cuter than individual pot pies? We think not. (via Minimalist Baker)

Shiitake Nigiri

A Japanese spin to your dinner party just might be the perfect way to incorporate these beauties into your dining room. (via Olives For Dinner)

Fresh Carrot, Avocado and Orange Salad

The combination of creamy avocado, earthy carrots and fresh citrus makes this dish a winner. (via A Thousand Threads)

Crispy Polenta Balls

Because, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, that’s why. (via No Whey No Cow)

Maple and Curry Acorn Squash

Super easy to throw together and perfect for the third course, the flavor combination of maple syrup and curry is one you want to gift your guests with. (via Healthy Nibbles and Bits)

Herbed Nut Cheese With Herbs de Provence

No vegan dinner party would be complete without a cheese-you-made-yourself course. Let this be how you kick things off. Find a nice white wine that pairs well with the savoriness of this “how the heck did she make that?” app. (via This Rawsome Life)

Brussels Sprouts

There is a right way and a wrong way to prepare Brussels. This is the right way. (via The Good Kind of Crazy)

Mushroom Bruschetta

Sometimes the most simple of dishes are the biggest crowd pleasers. (via PBS Food)

Garlic Smashed Potatoes

We’re loving this entire situation. Garlic and potatoes were destined for each other. (via Damn Delicious)

Mushroom Hot Pot

And now for something entirely different. This could possibly be the most fun dinner party idea yet. Guest can mix in whatever ingredients you leave out for them. We suggest grilled tofu, peppers, mushrooms and some basil. Then they’ll mix and match and make their own unique creations. Think of it as an art class and a dinner party all in one go. (via Post Punk Kitchen)

Blonde Macaroons

It’s time to wind things down with something sweet — coconut, vanilla and maple syrup sweet. (via The Honour System)

Raw Cacao Truffles

The perfect ending to the perfect dinner. Savor one of these and then hope that someone volunteers to do the dishes! (via Bold Vegan)

Roasted Cauliflower With Caraway Seeds

This is how to get the party started. Roasted cauliflower will wake up your guests’ taste buds and set the tone for the evening. (via Highgate Hill)

We can tell summer is on it's way because we're seeing temps rise quickly. To keep cool this weekend and fight the heat index, we are just planning on kicking back with some *seriously* cooling cocktails. There are tons of amazing cocktail recipes, such as delicious daiquiri cocktails and extraordinary mojito cocktails to choose from, but if you are a little more picky and want a mix of bubbles and fruit, then Palomas are the boozy drink for you.

Whether you stay classic with tequila or mix it up with some bourbon or gin, you need to check out these 15 unique Paloma cocktails that are perfect for sipping on at yourpool party.

Frozen Paloma

Step up your Paloma cocktail recipe game by turning this classic cocktail into an icy slush. It’s perfect for an afternoon by the pool or your next backyard barbeque. (via Blender Happy)

Mango Paloma Cocktail

Mango is the fruit of the summer, so why not put it in your favorite cocktail? Pull out this stone fruit and a little grapefruit to create this zesty and colorful drink. (via Summerfield Delight)

Blood Orange Bourbon Paloma

Bourbon lovers, this one’s for you! Give your Paloma cocktail recipe a little boost with a touch of bourbon and some blood orange for a citrusy touch. (via Girl in the Little Red Kitchen)

Spicy Paloma

Beat the summer heat by adding just a little more heat to this drink. Top this classic cocktail off with a jalapeño for a *lot* of flavor with just one tiny pepper. (via Alice and Lois)

Sauvignon Blanc Paloma

Wine lovers REJOICE. We have found you a cocktail that boasts the amazing flavor of white wine with the sweet-and-bitter bite of grapefruit. (via This Mama Cooks)

Pineapple Palomas

Wishing you were sitting on a tropical island? Well, now you can drink like you are! These delicious sips are sure to have you feeling the ocean breeze. (via Lemon Tree Dwelling)

Boozy Paloma Popsicles with Tequila, Grapefruit, and Lime

Cocktail pops are popping up everywhere, but this recipe is sure to stand out. Topped off with a little lime, this Paloma cocktail recipe will easily become your summertime go-to. (via Feast in Thyme)

Blood Orange Thyme Paloma Cocktail

Herbs in a cocktail are always a good idea. Add a savory side to your robust drink by adding some thyme and salting the rim of your highball glass. Trust us, you won’t be able to resist this drink. (via Salt and Wind)

Paloma Mimosas

Sunday would not be complete without this cocktail. As much as we love the classic mimosa, this drink brings a whole new side to brunch. Whip it up to leave your BFFs asking for another glass (and the recipe, of course). (via Delish)

Hibiscus Paloma

Floral flavors? Yes, please! This tart recipe creates a seriously delicious drink that has amazing aromas and gorgeous colors. (via Honey and Birch)

Strawberry Chamomile Paloma

Tea-infused cocktails aren’t everyone’s favorite cuppa, but this one won’t disappoint. Grab your shopping bag and head to your local market to find the fresh ingredients that make up this lovely Paloma cocktail recipe. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Honey Paloma

Talk about a seriously yummy and sweet sip. This recipe switches simple syrup for honey to give a little extra flavor to a drink that you will want to savor every single day. (via The Little Epicurean)

Sparkling Rosemary Paloma

Rosemary cocktails are a serious game-changer. This yummy cocktail only takes 12-minutes to make and is perfect for your next girl’s night in. (via Style Me Pretty)

Spicy Raspberry Paloma

It’s time to spice things up. Mix together this bright and colorful drink for the perfect summer sip. Pro Tip: Make a full pitcher, then bring it to your next beach day for you and your gals. (via Heather Christo)

Classic Paloma

We couldn’t leave out the drink that started it all. This amazing concoction is one that should be in everyone’s cocktail armory. It should probably even be the star, we think. (via BS in the Kitchen)

Paloma Mocktail

Looking for an alcohol-free option? We've got you covered! It has all the typical juice you would expect from a Paloma, plus a little added kick of fresh thyme and black salt. Um, YUM!

It’s time to get sipping! Follow us on Pinterest for more summery cocktail ideas.

Lead image via Half Baked Harvest.

This post has been updated.

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

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

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

George and Amal Clooney's Full Relationship Timeline

Image via Andrew Goodman/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night

July 2013: George And Amal Clooney’s First Introduction

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

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

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

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

Image via Cindy Ord/Getty Images

October 2013: George and Amal Have Their First Date

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

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

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner

April 2014: George and Amal Get Engaged

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

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

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

Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI

September 2014: George And Amal Clooney Get Married

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

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

Image via Jason Merritt/Getty Images

January 2015: George and Amal Grace the Red Carpet Together

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

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

Image via Duncan McGlynn/Getty Images

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

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

Image via Clemens Bilan/Getty Images

February 2017: PEOPLE confirms George and Amal are expecting twins

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

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

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

June 2017: George and Amal Clooney Welcome Their Twins

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

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

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

Image via Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty Images

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

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

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

February 2022: George and Amal accept the Catalyst Award together

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

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

Image via Joe Maher/Getty Images

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

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

Image via Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

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

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

Image via Mike Coppola/Getty Images

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

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

Image via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images


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

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

September 28, 2023: George and Amal host The Albies

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

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

Header image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

If you’re the kind of person that hurries through dinner to quickly scurry to the dessert portion, enjoys homemade baking, or has a sweet tooth for the finer treats in life, then this one’s for you. The beauty of desserts is that there is so much room for variety and creativity in flavoring — from a classic vanilla cupcake to an indulgent, hard-to-perfect Boston creme pie.

Despite the large range of options, it can be easy to stick with what you like, run out of ideas, and become bored with your go-to dessert recipes. That’s why we put together a list of the most decadent desserts to make on a random Tuesday night or bring to your next dinner party. Here are 19 of our sweetest picks!

Strawberry Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

Strawberry lovers are going to be all over this dessert. The strawberry rhubarb upside-down cake lets the fruit shine and is drizzled with a caramelized topping. (via Completely Delicious)

Chocolate Bourbon Chai Latte Cupcakes with Butter Pecan Frosting

How can you take your cupcakes to the next level? Bourbon. Chai spice. And brown sugar pecans. These chocolate bourbon chai latte cupcakes with butter pecan frosting are a fun alternative to pecan pie and add a little spice kick to your dessert. (via Half Baked Harvest).

Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

The recipe name alone, brown butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, is enough to get us on board. Sprinkle some sea salt on top to achieve that salty and sweet combination! (via Half Baked Harvest).

Dulce De Leche Cheesecake

When in doubt, add caramel to your favorite baked goods. A dulce de leche cheesecake offers a sweeter take on the classic cheesecake, due to the canned dulce de leche (aka caramelized milk). Graham crackers or crumbs will work for this one! (via Women Scribbles)

Lemon Raspberry Cookies

For the citrus dessert lovers out there, you’ll have to add these lemon raspberry cookies to your baking list. The ingredients call for all the stops in lemon flavoring: lemon zest, lemon extract, and an additional sweet lemon glaze. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes With Chocolate Ganache

Being gluten-free doesn’t mean you need to give up decadent chocolate desserts. The gluten-free chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache consist of dark chocolate, chocolate chips, and unsweetened cocoa powder (no flour!) making it naturally gluten-free and delicious. (via The Bossy Kitchen)

Cranberry Mini Vegan Cheesecakes

When you think of desserts, you think cheesecake. These cranberry mini vegan cheesecakes fit precisely in a 12-slot muffin tin and carry a date-walnut crust. (via Salt & Lavender)

Brown Butter Banana Bread

Stray from the original banana bread to this brown butter banana bread that can be made in an hour. Brown butter adds a nutty flavoring that presents a deeper taste than regular melted butter! (via The Endless Meal)

Key Lime Donuts

This key lime donut recipe lends a twist to the traditional glazed donut. You’ll need the juice and the zest of key limes to really make that flavor shine. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t have a donut cutter, you can use pantry items like a canned goods jar to get that circle shape! (via Cozy Cravings)

Salted Caramel Brownies

Upgrade basic brownies with some much-needed salted caramel. This salted caramel brownie recipe boasts a rich dark chocolate with pools of salted caramel throughout. It’s as indulgent as you can get in two hours! (via Butternut Bakery)

Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes

You can’t go wrong with a traditional, homemade vanilla cupcake. These perfect vanilla cupcakes went through some serious rounds of testing and are inspired by the nostalgic box cake mix you see on grocery store shelves. The vanilla bean buttercream is mouth-watering! (via Butternut Bakery)

Lemon Bars

During the spring and summer months, you’ll find yourself gravitating towards these lemon bars. You can bake them in under an hour, with the shortbread base only containing three ingredients: butter, flour, and sugar. (via Vikalinka)

Snickerdoodle Mini Muffins

No, muffins aren’t just for breakfast. They’re for snacks, desserts — and this snickerdoodle mini muffin recipe is for your cinnamon and sugar cravings. They are a bite-sized reminder of the classic snickerdoodle cookie! (via Averie Cooks)

Honey Soaked Almond Cake

The secret to this honey soaked almond cake is super-fine almond flour, lending a top-notch texture for the perfect baked good. The simple honey topping is what takes this cake to the next level. (via The Original Dish)

Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream with Hazelnut

What says decadent dessert more than ice cream? This blueberry lavender ice cream with hazelnut recipe elevates from the usual chocolate or vanilla flavorings, and is completely refreshing. Topping it with a hazelnut crumble is optional! (via The Original Dish)

Mini Peach Rhubarb Cobblers

If you’re looking for guests (or yourself!) to grab and go, these personalized mini peach rhubarb cobbers are the ideal treat — especially in the summer. Make sure to pick out the juiciest of peaches for the best results. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Cranberry Swirl Almond Pound Cake

Pound cake is one of those ‘sure thing’ desserts that you know everyone will love. This cranberry swirl almond pound cake is easier to whip up than it looks, with one of the key ingredients being almond extract! (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Chocoflan Impossible Cake

This chocoflan impossible cake is a fun take on a Mexican delicacy: vanilla flan. It’s dense, rich, and the ideal treat for chocolate lovers. Snag your go-to bundt pan and cajeta (essentially homemade goat’s milk caramel) from the Mexican food section of your grocery store. (via A Spicy Perspective)

One Hour Cinnamon Rolls

Nothing says baking like a homemade cinnamon roll. Skip the hassle of overnight dough rising with these one-hour cinnamon rolls. Trust us, the pastry is not just for breakfast, you can make them for dessert too! (via Amanda Wilens)

For more food and recipe inspo, be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter!

Header image via The Original Dish

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

What causes weak fingernails?

Photo by cottonbro studio/PEXELS

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

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

How can I strengthen my nails?

Photo by Karolina Grabowska/PEXELS

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

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

Find a Cuticle Oil

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

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

Photo via Cora Pursley/Dupe

Explore Biotin

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

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

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

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

Photo via Daniella Cappellari/Dupe

Eat A Nail Friendly Diet

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

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

Photo via Sash Gabriel/Dupe

Protect Your Nails While Wet

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

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

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

Avoid Picking, Peeling or Biting

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

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

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

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

Header image via Laura Walt/Dupe

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

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

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

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

Image via Zach Wallnau

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

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

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

Yulin Kuang's Approach To Filmmaking

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yulin Kuang's View Of Rom-Coms

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Yulin Kuang Wishes The World Would Celebrate AAPI Month

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking for more reading recs? Be sure to check out our storefront for more of our fave books!

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

Lead image via Amazon