theSkimm - Weekend: Welcome Back, Vera Bradley 😎

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Sunday. Unlike Martha Stewart, I will not be skipping Thanksgiving, so today I’ll be “recipe testing” these Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars — which, truthfully, I’ve already whipped up a few times and just want an excuse to make again. As they bake, I’ll rewatch this video of JoJo performing “Too Little Too Late” nearly 20 years after it came out (how is it better than the original?), shop for a sexy cardigan (apparently, it’s “the winter holy grail product”), and investigate Amy Schumer’s custom luxury tree house, which one website claims cost an estimated $200K (how??). Two more things I can’t stop thinking about: JLo’s outrageously bejeweled mani (over 250 crystals were involved) and this week’s Now and Then reunion. On behalf of millennials everywhere, please say a sequel is next. (PS: Want more ways for staying in the know? Sign up to be the first in line for a new premium Skimm experience.)

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

💉 What’s more baffling: the rise of “eyeball tattooing” or the fact that people are signing up for jawline liposuction? Who knows, but…ouch.

🐻 The highly practical duffle coat is making a comeback — and it’s “better than ever.” We have a feeling Paddington Bear would approve.

😎 Break out your paisley purses because, thanks to TikTok, Vera Bradley is cool again.

🍸 Forget lukewarm mozzarella sticks and mediocre drinks — happy hour has gotten a long-overdue makeover. Cheers to that.

Life may be unpredictable, but three things we can count on? We’ll die. We’ll pay taxes. And the Wicked promotional circus will continue — because, lest you forget, Wicked: Part Two is already set for next November, so by our calculations, it should start now. But before we get ahead of ourselves: After what has felt like a lifetime of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande attached at the hip, the movie-musical is finally in theaters. So we must hold space for this spectacle of a press tour. Of course, there was the deep commitment to method dressing, which started a good nine months ago. But there was also: the unhinged amount of Wicked merch (never forget Stanley cups so pop-u-lar they nearly caused a brawl and the very unfortunate Mattel doll mishap); controversies ranging from #postergate (which Erivo is still talking about) to AMC’s “no singing” rule (lol, sure); Dax Shepard embarrassing himself with a “really crazy question that’s inappropriate” (Erivo’s response was Oscar-worthy); and all the times the costars turned best friends lovingly clasped hands and shed tears of appreciation for each other. Which was, dare we say, endearing…until fans noticed it happened in just about every interview (as one writer declared, it’s giving “unprecedented levels of theater-kid energy”), leading to so many comments and hilarious parodies that the two had no choice but to address it. All of which was before the index finger-grab seen round the world.

But amid the cringe of it all, there were also some delightful surprises. The internet collectively sighed over the gift that is Jonathan Bailey (see: Bailey showing off those legs, and any interview he’s done alongside Jeff Goldblum). And Ethan Slater — aka Mr. SpongeBob — pulled off one of the most impressive redemption tours in recent history, thanks to a perfectly timed GQ profile, a viral fan encounter, holding his girlfriend Ariana Grande’s dress, and dubbing her a “comedy genius.” Plus, there was the couple’s rare and adorable PDA. Perhaps most surprising, though, in a year when some of the most hyped movies were very mid (*cough* Joker: Folie à Deux *cough*), many early reviews describe Wicked as “over the rainbow” and “the year’s must-see musical.” In which case, aggressively green and pink press tour, we raise our broomsticks to you.

Even if you haven’t seen SNL in years (same), you’ve probably heard there’s a new fan-favorite character. Apologies to Stefon, but we are now in the era of Domingo. Last month, cast member Marcello Hernández debuted the man from Miami with the weird little goatee — who’s “actually a doctor and randomly a model” — during the “Bridesmaid Speech” sketch. In it, a group of bridesmaids sing a (very off-key) parody of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso,” detailing the bride’s bachelorette party and revealing she had an affair with, you guessed it, Domingo. The sketch has since gone viral, amassing over 102 million views and inspiring countless memes and fan remakes. Hernández even reprised the role twice in one weekend: First, in the November 16 “Babymoon” sketch, in which — spoiler alert — the marriage survives, the bride is pregnant, and the bridesmaids perform a version of Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go!” at the baby shower. Then, at Sabrina Carpenter’s Los Angeles concert, where she “arrested” him with furry pink handcuffs, after saying he was “gorgeous” and that she was “flustered and overwhelmed.” Someone check on Barry.

Prince Harry’s fake neck tattoo isn’t the only thing that’s getting attention this week — so is his marriage to the Princess of Montecito Meghan Markle. Over the past few months, eagle-eyed royal watchers have noticed that the two have reportedly attended several events separately: Markle stepped out for a hospital gala and the launch of her colorist’s haircare line, while Harry visited New York, an awards ceremony in London, and even caught the Canadian Football League’s version of the Super Bowl. Plus, Harry is said to have sent invitations for a Christmas charity party he’s most likely hosting…solo. However, insiders insist there’s no cause for concern — since the couple has “now hit their stride as individuals” and it’s all part of their “twin-track approach.” For those not fluent in extremely PR-sounding jargon, we’ll translate: Prince Harry is apparently concentrating on his philanthropy work, while Markle is focusing on her entrepreneurial goals, including her yet-to-be-launched lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard. Meaning, perhaps we’ll finally get to try her limited-edition strawberry jam.

We normally wouldn’t recommend revisiting sophomore year of college, but we’ll make an exception for The Sex Lives of College Girls. In case you need a refresher, season 2 ended in dramatic fashion: Leighton (Reneé Rapp) came out to her roommates and quit Kappa; Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott) saw Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet) kiss her ex; Kimberly sold her eggs to pay for tuition; and Bela (Amrit Kaur) submitted paperwork to transfer schools. Now, the foursome will return to the fictional Essex College for their sophomore year…at least, temporarily (Rapp previously announced she’d reprise her role as the superrich, super sarcastic legacy student for just a few episodes). And they’ll be joined by new classmates, like first-year international student Taylor (Mia Rodgers) and transfer student Kacey (Gracie Lawrence). Will sophomore year be a slump…or a success? Watch on Max to find out.

Is there a pre-wedding $$$ class we don't know about?

When you marry someone, you’re also saying “I do” to making most major financial decisions — from what to do with cash gifts to how you’ll handle taxes — together. To avoid some uncomfortable conversations down the line, newlyweds or soon-to-be-weds may want to ask “(How) will we combine finances?” PS: There are no wrong answers. Some people merge it all, some prefer to keep things separate, and others take a “yours, mine, ours” approach. And remember, no matter how long you’ve been together, it’s always good to take inventory and ensure you’re on the same page. Example: Make sure you’re not both paying for services you could be sharing.*

“I’m a small-party person. But I do like a rave.”

– Nicole Kidman, embracing her contradictions like every certified party animal should.

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Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.

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