Oh, dear reader. How we wish we were eating brunch al fresco or promenading in the sun with the Duke of Hastings right now. But unfortunately, we’re well into the cold months of winter. Le sigh. Fear not: Just because we’re spending more time indoors doesn’t mean all is lost. There are plenty of ways to experience joy in those small everyday moments, whether you’re enjoying a relaxing night in with your bestie or having a movie marathon with your S.O. Together with Ketel One Botanical, we’re offering up our favorite ways to help make these moments even better.
For An At-home Hang With Your Bestie…
Let the rom-com movie marathon begin
5 DIY Face Masks You Can Make with Things in Your Pantry
Sure, we love impulse splurging at Sephora as much as the next gal, but if your wallet is feeling a bit, um, thin right now or you’re looking for ways to supplement your skincare routine without leaving your home, why not try a few DIY face masks? On this week’s episode of The Glow Up, beauty director Jenny Jin guides us through an at-home facial using ingredients lying around our kitchen (because face it, that’s where we spend most of our time these days).
The 40 Best Feel-Good Movies
Whether you need to shake off a long day or just need a good laugh, embrace the power of an uplifting flick (and a bowl of popcorn, of course). Here, the 40 best feel-good movies that are guaranteed to brighten your day.
How to Do an At-Home Pedicure
Trust us, it’s less intimidating than it sounds and can be done in just eight easy steps. Here you’ll find a breakdown of everything you’ll need, from products to keep on hand to a quick polish drying technique that’ll save you minutes (and many smudges).
67 Fun Things to Bake at Home
Sure, you can binge the newest season of Dream Home Makeover on Netflix or try reading that self-help book (again…). But why resign yourself to the couch when the oven is calling your name? Feel productive—and reward yourself with dessert—by making one of these 67 fun things to bake instead.
The Only Cocktail Recipe You Need to Try
Round out your girls’ night with a fresh-tasting cocktail. Our personal favorite? A Ketel One Botanical spritz, of course. It’s made with a splash of club soda and your choice of three Ketel One Botanical varietals: Cucumber & Mint, Grapefruit & Rose or Peach & Orange Blossom. No matter which flavor profile you prefer, each one is distilled with real botanicals and infused with natural fruit essences. Plus, there are no added sugars or artificial sweeteners, and only has 73 calories (and 0 carbs) per serving.* It’s a delicious cocktail that’ll complement any meal you cook up.
Here’s how to make it:
1.5 ounces Ketel One Botanical
3 ounces club soda (we like Fever-Tree)
Serve over ice with fresh garnish
*KETEL ONE BOTANICAL. Made With Vodka Distilled With Real Botanicals And Infused With Natural Flavors. 30% Alc/Vol. © Double Eagle Brands, B.V. Imported by Ketel One USA, Aliso Viejo, CA.* Ketel One Botanical (per 1.5oz.) & Soda Water (per 3 oz.): 73 Cals, 0g Carbs, 0g Protein, 0g Fat; White Table Wine (per 5 fl. oz., USDA ARS, National Nutrient Database May 2016): 121 Cals, 3.82 Carbs, 0.1g Protein, 0g Fat.
For Game Night…
Grab your crew and must-have snacks
The 9 Best Two Player Board Games
If we have to do another puzzle or watch one more episode of Paw Patrol, we might fully lose it. We need some new entertainment, stat. Which is why we were psyched to rediscover two player board games. They’re fun, simple (usually) and we can almost always guarantee that one other person in the house will be down to play. Here, the nine best two player board games, according to PureWow’s most competitive staffers.
The 20 Best Board Games for Adults
If your evening routine has grown a little stale lately (*raises hand*), try kicking things up a notch with our roundup of the best board games for adults. There’s something in here for everyone, from laugh-out-loud shenanigans that can be played in just ten minutes to seriously strategic brain busters that will keep you busy all night long.
30 Easy Snacks to Make at Home
Stuck at home with a pantry full of snacks? Ugh, we wish. Yep, we know the feeling of eating your crackers, chips and cookies before even putting away the groceries, but snacks are an essential, and we’re not letting you go without. Try these recipes for easy snacks to make at home, so you always have something sweet or salty to munch on, especially between first lunch and second lunch.
24 Fun Adult Card Games
Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or throwing a virtual shindig, adding a game can loosen the crowd and make it truly memorable. Who doesn’t want people bringing up how fun and cool your party was for years to come? No, we’re not talking about Twister or a regular 'ole game of Charades, but an adult card game that’s guaranteed to be a hit.
For A Couch Movie Date…
Popcorn, popcorn and more popcorn
The One Ingredient That Will Make Your Popcorn Taste Incredible
A bowl of popcorn is a key element to any successful Netflix marathon. And recently, we discovered a little trick to take our favorite TV snack to the next level. Turns out, you should really be drizzling it with soy sauce. We know. It sounds really weird. But this Asian condiment adds a savory umami flavor that pairs perfectly with popcorn. Here’s how to make it at home.
Date Night Recipes: Easy Meals for Two
Just because you and your S.O. feel like staying home doesn’t mean you have to settle for a subpar dinner (or takeout). Turn on some romantic music, enjoy a Ketel One Botanical Spritz and put one of these easy meals for two in motion. Presenting 60 date night recipe ideas to make your one and only for a romantic evening in.
60 of the Best Romantic Movies of All Time
Whether you care to admit it or not, everyone loves a good romance. This is why we’ve rounded up some of the most beautiful, devastating, passionate and mushy flicks through the ages. Here, 60 of the best romantic movies of all time that will make you laugh, cry and, yes, believe in true love.
23 Healthy Midnight Snacks for Late Night Snacking
Despite our best efforts for a good night’s sleep, there’s one crucial factor that all too frequently keeps us tossing and turning at night: We’re hungry. So instead of resigning ourselves to raiding the kitchen for whatever leftovers we can find and eating them by the light of the refrigerator (we see you, buffalo chicken wings), we did a deep dive.
For A Weeknight Unwind…
You? Stressed out? We don’t think so
The 14 Best Short Books to Binge-Read in One Day
If we can (and have) binge-watched an entire Netflix series in a day, we can (and should) do the same for books. But don’t worry; we’re not asking you to tackle all 976 pages of The Goldfinch over the course of 24 hours. Let us suggest 14 quick reads that you can start with your morning coffee and finish with a midnight pint of ice cream.
8 Items That Could Relieve Your Anxiety
These therapist-approved tools are a great way to calm feelings of anxiousness you might be experiencing while working from home for the first time or after checking the latest news update. Who knows, they might even help you get a few hours of sleep tonight. (On the other hand, if you’re experiencing so much anxiety that it’s interfering with your work, relationships or sense of well-being, it’s time to give a therapist a ring.)
8 Bath Products for the Most Relaxing Tub Ever
If you asked us a couple of months ago, we wouldn’t have been able to tell you the last time we took a bubble bath. Now, they’re a bi-weekly occurrence. Desperate times call for extra self-care, right? And now that baths are a staple in our routine, we’ve discovered some products and tricks that make them even more soothing. Here, eight bath products for the most relaxing tub ever.
20 Random but Effective Stress-Relieving Products from Amazon
Seriously, if you’ve somehow managed to stay Zen since March, please call us to let us know your secret. Otherwise, we’re going to assume you’re in the same boat as us, aka desperate for anything that’ll promote a sense of calm. Enter: These 20 random but effective stress-relieving Amazon products. They’ll make you feel a little less tense, we promise.
For Valentine’s Day…
Low-key is, well, *key*
The 35 Best Valentine’s Day Cookies to Make
Chocolate and candy hearts may be traditional for Valentine’s Day, but when it comes to sweet treats for the whole fam, we’re all about cookies. They’re easy to make and delicious to eat, plus everyone can lend a hand. So grab your partner, the kids, your roommate, your dog…you get the idea—it’s going to be a night of baking on February 14. Here are the 35 best Valentine’s Day cookies to make with your family.
21 Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas
You and your valentine are staying in this year to celebrate, and you want to whip up something that feels special…but definitely not schmoopy. (Naked angels and conversation hearts? No thanks.) No worries: These 21 Valentine’s Day dinner ideas are fancy yet easy to pull off, with no cheesiness in sight. Well, unless you count actual cheese.
The 10 Best Valentine's Day Cards
You’ve already found the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, so you’re all set, right? Wrong. Because you need to pair the necklace for your BFF or the beer-making kit for your dad with the perfect card. What, exactly, is a perfect card? It’s one that’s not too corny or overly sappy but is still able to convey your feelings of love—all with great design.
22 Fun Things to Do If You’re Single on Valentine’s Day
From the diamond ring commercials to the romantic movie marathons taking over your daily programming, this year, forget about defending being single and spend the day doing something positive for yourself. Here are 22 fun activities to do if you're single on Valentine's Day that are way better than overpaying for a dozen roses anyway.