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Pumpkin Spice Just Got Literal

Fall lovers have officially gone too far with all this pumpkin nonsense.

There’s a new trend where people are taking actual mini pumpkins to Starbucks and asking baristas to fill them with their favorite drink. Because apparently, a pumpkin spice latte inside a real pumpkin is peak autumn. (Or peak social media engagement!)

The logic is simple: Starbucks lets you bring your own cup, so why not make it seasonal?

The execution, however, is… bumpy.

Videos online show mixed reactions. Some baristas are totally game… snapping photos, cheering on the chaos, fully embracing the pumpkin mug life. Others? Not so much. Those folks smirk, and politely hand over a regular cup as usual… and let customers do the pour themselves for the ‘gram.

A few Starbucks employees have warned that it slows down the line, and some mentioned food safety rules that say they’re technically not supposed to touch the pumpkins, or any sort of outside food.

Starbucks hasn’t issued any official policy, but if you want to try it, it’s best to ask nicely and be ready for a “no.”

At worst, you’ll walk away with your drink in a normal cup. At best, you’ll get that perfect “fall girlie” moment that screams, I spent $7 and carved produce for this post.

Just don’t expect the pumpkin to add much flavor. It’s purely for vibes. But hey, if you’re already standing in line in a flannel and boots, you might as well commit.

@cynthiaa.sarahi
Starbucks Pumpkin Drink! 🍂☕️ @Starbucks #starbucksdrinks #starbuckspumpkindrinks #starbucksbarista #fyp #fall
♬ original sound – whimsigothiic

Got a Dark Car? Birds Might See It as a Toilet

Thinking about buying a dark-colored car to make dirt less obvious? That might help with dust—but not with bird poop.

A new report has revealed that bird droppings aren’t entirely random. Some vehicles, especially those with darker paint, seem to attract more than their fair share of aerial “gifts.” And if you drive a Ram, Jeep, or Chevy, you might want to keep the car wash on speed dial.

So what’s the deal with bird poop preferences?

According to the findings, brown vehicles top the list for most bird droppings, followed by red and black. On the flip side, white and silver cars appear to be the least targeted.

The science behind it is actually kind of fascinating: birds can see ultraviolet light and have enhanced color perception compared to humans. That means darker and glossier surfaces might look more reflective, more vibrant—or more threatening. During mating season, for example, birds may even see their own reflections and mistake them for rivals. Cue the attacks. Cue the mess.

And that theory could explain why your freshly washed ride always seems to be the first to get hit. It’s not your imagination—shiny cars may just be more inviting for bird drama.

Now for the brand breakdown. Who gets pooped on the most?

The top three brands that birds apparently prefer to defile are:

Ram
Jeep
Chevrolet

They’re followed by Nissan, Dodge, Kia, Tesla, Audi, Ford, and Subaru. If you’re wondering why certain brands rank higher, it likely has more to do with their popular paint colors or design finishes than some secret grudge birds are holding.

The financial impact of bird bombs

It’s not just an eyesore either. Bird droppings are surprisingly acidic and can damage paint if left too long. According to the report, nearly a quarter of Americans spend more than $500 a year dealing with poop-related cleanups and repairs. Tesla and BMW drivers tend to spend the most—possibly because of the higher-end paint jobs and finishings that require extra care.

So, unless you’re planning to wrap your car in camouflage or install a rooftop scarecrow, maybe just avoid parking under trees… or get used to regular washings.

From Murderers Creek to Satan’s Kingdom: America’s Creepiest Place Names

If you’re into road trips with a side of goosebumps, today’s your lucky day.

Here’s a list of the eeriest-sounding places in all 50 states—and not because anything terrifying happened there, but because the names alone are enough to make you want to keep the car running.

These places have spooky written all over them. So whether you’re mapping out a haunted highway adventure or just want to creep yourself out from the comfort of your couch, here’s what made the list.

Let’s start with a few highlights:

Alaska: Deadman Lake sounds like a spot where you don’t want to find out why it’s called that.
Delaware: Slaughter Beach may be lovely in person, but that name doesn’t exactly scream “family fun.”
Illinois: Bloody Gulch Road feels like it was ripped straight from a horror movie.
Oregon: Murderers Creek? Yeah, maybe we’ll just wave from the car.

And yes, there’s a town in Michigan literally named Hell.

It’s been fully embraced, with “Welcome to Hell” signs and Halloween-level tourism every October.

Other creepy contenders include Satan’s Kingdom State Park in Connecticut, Transylvania in Louisiana, Witches Gulch in Wisconsin, and Death Canyon in Wyoming. So many places that make you wonder who was in charge of naming them—and if that person is okay.

And don’t worry, the South showed up strong too: Georgia’s got Slaughter Mountain, while North Carolina offers Devil’s Courthouse and South Carolina contributes Gravedigger Road.

If you want the full list, Mental Floss has short write-ups on each pick. (And if you visit any of these places, please report back. Preferably alive.)

Bonus ghostly content: CNN recently rounded up the three “spookiest cities” in the country based on their haunted histories. No surprise here—Salem, Massachusetts; Savannah, Georgia; and New Orleans, Louisiana top the list.

So, if you’re looking for the ultimate creepy cross-country road trip, maybe it’s time to pack a flashlight, cue up some true crime podcasts, and hit the road. Just… maybe avoid stopping at Dead Women Crossing in Oklahoma unless you’re really feeling brave.

Halloween Candy Odds: What Kids Are Most (and Least) Likely to Get

You send your kid out in a $40 costume with a $3 plastic pumpkin, hoping they return with enough sugar to last through Thanksgiving. But what exactly are they bringing home? Here are their Halloween candy odds.

The stats nerds at the online gambling site The Action Network crunched numbers from DoorDash, Instacart, and other candy sources, and came up with Vegas-style odds on what will be landing in that bucket.

So, when your kid walks through the door with a pillowcase full of sugar, you’ll know the odds of finding what you’re looking for. Here’s what your little monster is most (and least) likely to drag home.

10 Candies with the Highest Odds

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – 67%

Practically a Halloween guarantee. If your kid doesn’t come back with at least one, did they even go out?

Peanut M&M’s – 65%

Solid choice. Somehow feel healthier even though they’re not.

M&M’s – 62%

The peanut-free classic ranks first in most likely to break open and be found loose in the bottom of the bag.

Kit Kat – 60%

Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar and toss it directly into my face.

Snickers – 58%

When your neighbors go full-size, it’s usually this. Respect.

Sour Patch Kids – 55%

First they’re sour, then they’re gone. Kids trade for these like they’re currency.

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate – 50%

The bar that started it all. Still holding strong.

Milky Way – 45%

Like a Snickers without the crunch. The soft-spoken cousin.

Twix – 33%

Whether you’re Left Twix or Right Twix, you’re still only getting one.

Gummy Bears – 33%

Classic, chewy, and just the second non-chocolate candy on the list.

Tricks in the Treats: The Low-Probability Oddballs

Candy Corn – 23%: You either love it or hate it. There is no in between.
Raisins – 4%: Someone out there still thinks this counts as a treat. It doesn’t.
Toothbrush – 2%: There’s always one house, usually owned by a dentist with a guilt complex.

If you live in Mississippi, your kid has a 46% chance of getting candy corn. But kids in Hawaii can breathe easy, just an 11% chance.

Happy Halloween! May the Reese’s odds be ever in your favor.

Kevin Federline Says Britney Spears’ Conservatorship Shouldn’t Have Ended

Kevin Federline is stepping back into the spotlight, and he’s bringing some serious claims with him.

In his upcoming memoir, You Thought You Knew, Federline reportedly says he doesn’t believe Britney Spears should have ever been released from her conservatorship.

In an excerpt that’s already making waves, Kevin writes, “The truth is, this situation with Britney feels like it’s racing toward something irreversible. It’s become impossible to pretend everything’s OK. From where I sit, the clock is ticking, and we’re getting close to the 11th hour. Something bad is going to happen if things don’t change, and my biggest fear is that our sons will be left holding the pieces.”

That “11th hour” line alone is giving tabloids plenty to work with. But it’s his claims about their sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James (now 20 and 19), that are drawing the most attention.

Federline says the boys were afraid to be around their mother at times because of her erratic behavior. He even alleges that more than once, they woke up in the middle of the night to find Britney standing silently in their doorway, holding a knife.

Britney’s camp, unsurprisingly, is not having it. A rep for the singer responded, “With news from Kevin’s book breaking, once again he and others are profiting off her, and sadly it comes after child support has ended with Kevin. All she cares about are her kids, Sean Preston and Jayden James, and their well-being during this sensationalism.”

It’s the latest turn in what’s been nearly two decades of public ups and downs for the former couple, who divorced in 2007.

Britney’s conservatorship—once the focus of the #FreeBritney movement—was terminated in 2021 after 13 years.

Federline’s book is set to hit shelves on Tuesday, October 21st, and if this early drama is any indication, it won’t just be fans who are reading. The whole world will be watching how Britney responds next.

“Adultoween” Is the New Holiday Every Parent Wants

Kids might have trick-or-treating, but adults are out here trying to claim Halloween for themselves as well – and honestly, they’ve got a pretty good case.

If you haven’t heard of “Adultoween” yet, here’s what all those grown-ups (especially parents) are getting on board with.

Ferrero (the candy folks) just dropped a new batch of stats showing that adults are fully on board with spooky season, and not just to supervise their kids or sneak one measly Reese’s from their pumpkin buckets.

The company is pushing the concept of “Adultoween” – basically, a night of Halloween celebrations sans kids. And according to their polling results, it’s got some traction.

“Adultoween” is a surprisingly popular idea

Over half of adults – 54%, to be exact – say they wish Halloween included an official night just for grown-ups. No kids. Just costumes, candy, and possibly cocktails.

Here’s a breakdown of the most fun (and petty) takeaways from their Halloween survey.

Halloween is not just for the little goblins.

62% of Americans say the holiday is just as much for adults as it is for kids. And if you’re a parent, you’re even more likely to agree – 71% say adults deserve equal rights to the spooky fun.

Candy taxes are real, and parents are enforcing them.

Two-thirds of parents say they have the “right” to dip into their kid’s leftover candy stash. 58% aren’t even waiting that long – they’ll happily sneak a treat or two during trick-or-treating. It’s called a parenting perk, look it up.

No kids? No problem. Adults are still hoarding candy.

64% of adults say they’ll buy candy in October even if no one’s trick-or-treating at their door. And 71% of parents admit to buying “extra” candy for themselves just in case.

Full-size candy bars reign supreme.

76% of adults say full-size bars are the best kind to steal. But we’re also nostalgic: 67% say they still prefer the same candy they loved as kids, and 72% stick to the classics over newfangled flavors. Why mess with a good thing?

Men take Halloween candy weirdly seriously.

52% of men buy premium candy to make sure their house gets that coveted “good candy” reputation, compared to 41% of women. And 21% of men will absolutely judge you if your candy game is weak. (15% of women admit they will too.)

It’s all about the nostalgia.

For 60% of people, the reason they love Halloween is pure nostalgia, and among parents it jumps to 68%. There’s just something about the smell of plastic masks and the sight of toilet paper on trees that brings us all back.

Is Halloween America’s favorite holiday?

47% of people said Halloween is the holiday they look forward to most. Sorry, Santa.

So should adults get their own official Halloween night? If it means fewer tantrums, more candy, and finally getting to wear a costume that doesn’t involve Disney characters, we say absolutely yes.

Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Launched Faux Pubic Hair Underwear—And Yes, They Sold Out

Kim Kardashian is once again proving that no topic is off-limits in fashion.

Her brand SKIMS just dropped what might be the most eyebrow-raising item in underwear history: micro string thongs with faux pubic hair. Yes, you read that correctly. FAUX. PUBIC. HAIR.

The new “Ultimate Bush” line comes in 12 variations featuring shades of brown, blonde, black, and red, with your choice of straight or curly faux hair. Each piece sells for $32, though good luck getting one—they sold out almost immediately. (Because apparently, the world has been waiting for this.) SKIMS fans who missed out can join the official waitlist, which is probably something no one ever expected to exist.

In typical SKIMS fashion, the brand leaned all the way into the bit. Their official tagline reads,

“With this iconic new panty, your carpet can be whatever color you want it to be.”

So, if you’ve ever wanted your “carpet” to match your “drapes” again, this might be your moment.

Social media, naturally, went wild. Comments ranged from delight to disbelief:

“Very Ed Gein of you, Kim,” one person wrote. Another begged, “Someone please tell me why these are out of stock. Who is buying?” One user simply demanded answers: “Kimberly, please show me the market research. Who asked for this?”

And then there’s the collective cry of the laser-hair-removal generation:

“Don’t you dare, Kimberly. I just spent a fortune on laser. We are not bringing the bush back.”

But maybe we are. From the rise of ‘70s-style grooming trends to Y2K-inspired minimalism making a full comeback, body hair is officially back in the conversation. Kim’s just giving people the option to fake it if they want to.

Whether it’s a cheeky fashion statement or a straight-up troll move, SKIMS has once again done what SKIMS does best—get everyone talking. And for better or worse, that’s what makes Kim Kardashian a marketing genius.

“I Now Pronounce You Man and Wife”… Brought to You by Doritos

If you’ve ever looked at your wedding budget and thought, “There’s no way I can afford this… unless Pepsi steps in,” you’re not alone.

A new survey found that 61% of Americans would totally consider a brand-sponsored wedding… as long as the brand covered at least half the cost. So if Target wants to drop 20 grand on your big day, congratulations, you’re now Mr. and Mrs. Red Dot.

Only about one-third of people say they’d refuse to “sell out” their wedding completely, which means the rest of us are fine with a little corporate romance if it means saving cash.

And if a company covers everything? People are apparently ready to get weird.

Over half of respondents said they’d be cool with things like brand-themed cocktails or slapping logos on reception tables, signage, church banners, and invites. More than half would even let the brand hand out free samples to guests. (Nothing says love like a goodie bag of energy drinks and protein bars.)

It gets wilder: one-third of people said they’d let a brand mascot attend the wedding, and one in five would let that mascot (or a company rep, like Flo from Progressive) officiate. Imagine walking down the aisle while the Kool-Aid Man says, “Ohhh yeahhh, you may now kiss the bride.”

Nearly one in five would even name-drop the sponsor in their vows. (“I promise to love you, cherish you, and never forget that this moment was made possible by Subway. Eat Fresh.”)

And yes, 17% of people said they’d sew a logo right on the wedding dress. NASCAR, but make it nuptial.

At this rate, weddings of the future might look less like fairy tales and more like Super Bowl halftime shows… and honestly, that might be the only way anyone can still afford one.

Hillary Clinton’s Anniversary Throwbacks Have the Internet Feeling Thirsty

Hillary and Bill Clinton just hit a major milestone: 50 years of marriage.

To celebrate, Hillary posted a series of vintage photos on social media — and let’s just say, the internet did not keep its cool.

The former Secretary of State shared a handful of black-and-white and early color photos from the couple’s younger years, and people were quick to notice that both Clintons were serving serious main-character energy. The reaction? A surprising amount of thirst. Comments ranged from “Bill was kinda fine back in the day” to “Okay, Hillary with the hair!”

Of course, it wouldn’t be the internet without a few pop culture comparisons.

Several people pointed out how much young Hillary resembles either Sydney Sweeney or Sabrina Carpenter — depending on which photo you’re looking at. That set off a new wave of debate online about who should play Hillary in a hypothetical Clinton biopic.

So far, the leading fan-cast picks are Sweeney and Carpenter, though some users joked that the film would probably get titled 50 Shades of Politics.

For what it’s worth, the Clintons still seem to be doing just fine five decades later. As one fan put it in the comments: “Say what you want, but they’ve made it longer than most celebrity marriages. That’s power couple status.”

Cat Clings to Car for 100 Miles, Becomes Furry Road Warrior

A Pennsylvania family recently learned that curiosity could actually kill a cat.

Because somewhere between packing snacks and loading up the van for a road trip, their cat Ray Ray decided to tag along. And not in the passenger seat.

About 100 miles into the trip, they pulled over for gas. Everything seemed normal until someone looked up. There was Ray Ray… clinging to the roof of the van. Not inside. Not in the back. Literally hanging onto the fabric of a soft cargo carrier, like some kind of feline action hero in a Mission: Impawsible sequel. (Sorry, that came to mind and I couldn’t not include it.)

The van had been flying down the highway at 70 miles per hour for nearly two hours, and somehow this furry daredevil held on tight the whole time.

When they spotted him, the family freaked out (understandably), but Ray Ray? Completely calm. Just blinking like, “What took you guys so long to notice?”

After a quick rescue, they realized he was totally fine… no injuries, no panic, just a little windblown.

So instead of heading home, they made him part of the vacation. Ray Ray went on to “run” a marathon in New Hampshire (spectator status only), take a road trip to New York, and even “see” Hamilton on Broadway.

The family hit a pet store for supplies… food, a litter box, and one of those clear bubble cat backpacks… then documented the whole wild journey online. Their followers couldn’t get enough of Ray Ray’s unbothered, whisker-in-the-wind attitude.

Sure, they had to sneak him into an Airbnb that technically didn’t allow pets, but at that point, what were they going to do… tell the world’s most determined cat he couldn’t come in?

From roof-riding stowaway to full-blown travel influencer, Ray Ray proved one thing: curiosity doesn’t always kill the cat. Sometimes, it gets him front-row seats to Hamilton.

Here’s the cat-mom Mara Denardo explaining this chaos.