By now, many parents are familiar with Squishmallows. The super soft plush toys launched in 2017, their website raving about how the various characters (more than 1,000!) “offer comfort, support and warmth as friends, couch companions, bedtime buddies and travel teammates.” So, with Halloween decor filling up in stores and candy lining the shelves, it’s only right to have some festive flair in the kids’ rooms as well. And we’ve got a selection of Squishmallows that feature a set of Hocus Pocus characters, an adorable Halloween pumpkin cat, a cute octopus, Jack Skellington and so much more....

So why do we fear Friday the 13th, anyway (other than a certain horror flick)? National Geographic reports that one theory says “the trepidation surrounding Friday the 13th is rooted in religious beliefs surrounding the 13th guest at the Last Supper—Judas, the apostle said to have betrayed Jesus—and the crucifixion of Jesus on a Friday.” The two elements put together—13 and Friday—create one seemingly inauspicious day. And if you were wondering, fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia....

Lead characters Olivia Benson and partner Elliot Stabler (ChristopherMeloni) were named after creator DickWolf’s daughter and son.Rapper-turned-actor Ice-T signed on for only four episodes in 2000 as Detective Odafin Tutuola, but is now in his 22nd season.RichardBelzer, who retired in 2016, played Detective John Munch on SVU and nine other TV series.Hargitay formed the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004 to raise awareness of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.TaylorSwift is a huge fan of the show and named one of her cats Olivia Benson....

There are so many Valentine’s Day cupcake recipes out there for celebrating the most romantic day of the year. You can mix and match your favorite flavors for the cake and frosting, add a special filling if you wish, then top your cupcakes with all kinds of fun embellishments. Whether you’re making them for your child’s classroom party, a special treat for friends and family, or for an after-dinner dessert shared with your true love, cupcakes make the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day....

Yes. Yes, I do. Why? Because! You don’t need a reason. If you want to get flowers from your S.O. one day of the year, he should oblige, right? Sure he should. But you should also get himself something nice, too. Romance works both ways. Get him an awesome Valentine’s Day gift from this list and see how much he’s “not into” Valentine’s Day next year. Check out our suggestions for the 50 best Valentine’s Day gifts for him, all under $100....

All times Eastern. FRIDAY, Feb. 4Phat TuesdaysDocumentary spotlights Black comedians (including Anthony Anderson, Nick Cannon, Dave Chappelle, Snoop Dogg, Tiffany Haddish and more) who got their starts at Los Angeles’ famed Comedy Store (Prime Video). SuspicionUma Thurman stars in this original eight-episode thriller series, about a woman whose son is kidnapped from a New York hotel and four prime suspects who all proclaim their innocence. Whodunnit, and who is only guilty of being at the wrong place at the wrong time?...

All times Eastern. FRIDAY, Oct. 29Colin in Black and WhiteCreators Ava DuVernay and Colin Kaepernick launch this new limited series chronicling Kaepernick’s coming of age story, tackling the obstacles of race, class and culture as the Black adopted child of a white family before reaching the highest levels of fame—and controversy—as an NFL quarterback and hot-topic cultural activist (Netflix). Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now!Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scoob reunite for this animated Halloween special, gathering on a Hollywood backlot—along with some special guests—to reminisce about old times and favorite cases....

No matter what the theme is, one or more of these impressive cakes will be a fit for your celebration. There is just something so special about a homemade cake—you can feel the love made from it! And if you’re not the best baker, there are ways to doctor up a boxed cake mix to make it taste homemade. A boxed mix cuts down on time and extra steps, simplifying your hours in the kitchen as well....

Now, several brands offer up leggings that have not just one pocket but several. It’s kind of a game-changer if you like to go about your day (or workout) without having to clutch your keys/phone/credit card in your hand (or slip it into your sports bra, which is never comfortable). It can take a little time to hunt down these leggings, so we did the work for you. Here are the best leggings with pockets…because you deserve to have everything....

Croissants, the Shakespeare and Company independent bookstore, macarons, stripes, Bulldogs, foreign films, cozy cafés—there is an endless list to love when it comes to all things French. And baby names are no exception. There is a certain je ne sais quoi that is automatically connected with having a French name, which is incredibly charming. Whether you have French heritage in your family’s history, are obsessed with anything/everything having to do with Paris (any Emily in Paris fans here?...

Whether you’re up in the middle of the night for a feeding, or trying to relax as your tiny little sidekick soaks up some sleep, browsing quotes for new moms will help you pass the time. Maybe you’re having trouble sleeping in the weeks leading up to the arrival of your new baby and are looking for new mom quotes and sayings that you can store in your phone for when the time comes to share your happy news with the world on social media....

From chili to pasta to soup to tacos, check out these 18 creative recipes using Thanksgiving leftovers. Best Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes

Traditional Mexican Food Recipes for a Cinco de Mayo Party This roundup showcases some of the best authentic Mexican recipes for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesday or any other night you’re craving Mexican cuisine. There’s something for everyone: Green Pozole with Chicken, Horchata, Guacamole, Cemita Poblana, Huevos Rancheros, Mexican Barbacoa, Enchiladas Verdes, Tostadas, Chile Verde Tamales, Fish Tacos, Flautas and more fantastic dishes. Browse through the slideshow and get ready to celebrate this Cinco de Mayo the traditional way, then try this Fiesta Taco Rice Bake:

Whether it’s loading up on vitamin C, sipping tea or eating a warm bowl of chicken soup, you probably have your own remedies for dealing with a cold. But, a new study suggests adding zinc to your cold-fighting routine could help minimize symptoms. The study, published recently in BMJ Open, found that taking zinc could shorten the duration of a respiratory tract infection and even prevent illnesses. “Zinc is a nutrient necessary for immune system defense,” says Ryan Andrews, RD, principal nutritionist and adviser at Precision Nutrition....

To kick off Black History Month, Parade.com is saluting 21 Black, female-identifying, badass bosses who curate narratives and shift perspectives on TV and in film. They are directors, writers, producers, filmmakers and executives who break barriers and make waves in male-dominated industries. Get to know these Black, female-identifying filmmakers and we promise you’ll be rewarded with stories you’ll love, cherish and learn from, now and in the years to come....

Let’s face it though: it’s the Derby Day food and drinks that make the Run for the Roses even more fun. We know the spotlight is supposed to be on the horses and the jockeys, but for many, it’s the parties, wagers, Derby appetizers and Mint Juleps that get everyone the most excited. For others, it’s all about the outfits and fancy hats, but for foodies, it’s all about the Bluegrass State’s classic dishes, traditional Southern pies, and of course, Bourbon-laced everything....

Since barricading the children in their rooms is frowned on by parenting experts, you may as well figure out how to rope them into the holiday, and get a little cooking help while you’re at it. Have them assist you in the making of your Valentine’s Day breakfast, dinner, dessert, plus anything sweet you plan on baking for the occasion. They can also take part in the planning of the V-Day menu, the serving of the meal and if you’re luck, the washing of the dishes....

From Anthropologie’s namesake line to brands like Maeve and Daily Practice that Anthropologie carries, these dresses were selected for their trendiness, versatility, comfort and style. We have maxi dresses, sweater dresses, and even light and breezy looks. Whether you’re looking for something elevated to wear into the office, trying to find something nice for a date as the weather cools or trying to plan for an upcoming fall wedding on your calendar, you’ll be sure to find something you love on this list....

The smell of gingerbread, with the warm and bold spices, gives off the pure essence of Christmas. Then, decorating a gingerbread house is fulfilling to the soul and appealing to the eye. And, if you can get yourself to eat your beautiful creation, the taste is decadent and sweet. With the popularity of this holiday tradition, you may find yourself looking for some inspiration to make your own. With all of the gingerbread recipes, you may want to try your hand at making a gingerbread house completely from scratch....

Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned. Burt’s Bees Everyday Essentials Travel Set, Originally $9.99, Now $7.98 This Burt’s Bees Travel set is not only great for travel, but also great if you’ve never tried Burt’s Bees before....