Category: Heavy Handed Advice

Heavy Handed Advice is exactly what it sounds like — opinions you didn’t ask for but probably need. This is the corner of the internet where I tell you what I’d tell my best friend, which is sometimes “you’re right” and sometimes “you’re being ridiculous.”
What kind of advice is on TTB?
Life stuff. Money stuff. Relationship stuff. Parenting stuff. The kind of advice that doesn’t come with a 17-step plan or a $99 download. Just honest takes from someone who’s made every mistake worth making and lived to write about it.
Who writes the advice posts?
I do. Jamie Slack — blogger since the AOL days, currently raising one kid and several houseplants. If I write it, I mean it.
Got a question that isn’t covered here?
If it’s the kind of question you’d ask at midnight when nobody else is awake — love, work, the weird dreams — that’s exactly what I built Elementually for. No scripts, no judgment, just answers.

Pepsi Discontinues Sierra Mist and Welcomes New Starry Lemon-Lime Soda

Move over, Sierra Mist. There’s a new PepsiCo lemon-lime soda in town, and it’s supposed to be delicious.

PepsiCo

Sierra Mist has officially been retired. That’s going to be a bummer for some of you — “you” includes me. I’m sorry.

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BUT, the good news is that the PepsiCo company has already replaced Sierra Mist with what they are calling Starry.

PepsiCo

This new Starry lemon-lime soda will still be caffeine free, so my hyper-active 11 year old can sip it.

Walmart

According to Walmart it is a “crisp, clear burst of lemon lime flavor,” with a “hit of refreshment to brighten your day.”

PepsiCo

Sounds tasty, doesn’t it!!

Walmart

STARRY, using the tag line, “STARRY Hits Different,” brings a new lemon lime flavor to the mix for a consumer who is simultaneously optimistic about the future and brings a sense of irreverence to their everyday.
PepsiCo Press Release

There isn’t much better than an ice cold, fizzy, lemon-lime soda on a hot day — unless you drop some vodka in that glass with it. *Wink*

Walmart

Starry has already dropped into stores, and can be found wherever you USED to find your Sierra Mist.

Walmart

RIP, Sierra Mist. We will miss you.

sierramist / PepsiCo
Here’s How to Make Chocolate Strawberry Hearts for the Cutest Valentine’s Day Dessert

Chocolate assortments tossed in heart-shaped boxes are so last year when it comes to the day of love.

However chocolate-dipped strawberry hearts are the key to anyone’s heart for that special someone with a nagging sweet tooth.

This year for Valentine’s day, impress your loved one with heart shaped strawberries coated in chocolate shells that are just as delicious as they’ll look on the plate.

Courtesy of @verysunnysandy_ugc

So in order to make this Valentine’s day dessert, you’ll need a pack of strawberries, chocolate, and skewers which are optional.

After washing your strawberries, start by slicing one corner of the strawberry diagonally towards the top center of the strawberry.

Courtesy of @marie.triplett

You’ll want to do the same for the other corner while meeting the diagonal cut you made by cutting the first corner; this should make your strawberries look like tiny hearts.

Courtesy of @marie.triplett

The next step is optional, although it makes dipping your strawberries easier into the melted chocolate; push a skewer from the bottom through the middle of the strawberry and without puncturing the top.

Courtesy of @verysunnysandy_ugc

Dip the strawberry in melted chocolate and leave them to dry in the fridge, you can even use white chocolate to mix up the colors and not to mention sprinkles to brighten the color the dessert!

Courtesy of @verysunnysandy_ugc

Gather the chocolate covered strawberries hearts on a white plate for a beautiful presentation on Valentine’s day and you’re finished!

Courtesy of @verysunnysandy_ugc
Kate Winslet Goes Into Mom Mode To Help Her Young Interviewer And It’s The Sweetest Thing You’ll See Today

Interviewing a celebrity has to be one of the most nerve wracking things to do.

Especially when the celebrity is someone as well known as Kate Winslet!

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But, recently, Kate Winslet totally went into Mom Mode when her young interviewer, Martha — giving her first ever interview — got nervous.

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It is the sweetest thing you will see today, I guarantee it.

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And, it makes me love Kate just that much more!!

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Martha was set to interview Kate at a press junket for Avatar: The Way of Water, but Ms. Winslet could tell the girl was extremely anxious.

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Um, it’s my first time.
Martha interviewing Kate Winslet

Kate, in her best mom demeanor, leans forward and looks young Martha in the eyes.

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Is this your first time doing it? OK, well guess what? When we do this interview, it’s going to be the most amazing interview ever,
Kate Winslet to Martha

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*Heart Melting* OMG. I just love her to pieces!!

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And, do you know why (it’s going to be the most amazing interview ever)? Because we’ve decided that it is going to be. So we’ve decided right now, me and you, this is going to be a really fantastic interview. — You’ve got this!
Kate Winslet to Martha

Seriously, can we be BFFs? I could use that kind of encouragement in my life!

@BowenBBC

After Kate gave Martha that precious pep-talk, the interview went off without a hitch.

@PaulBurston

Kudos to you, Ms. Kate Winslet, for being the most heart-warming celebrity story of the week.

@OliviaLilyMarks
Applebee’s is Selling Giant Valentine’s Day Cocktails For Only $6 and I Love It

When it comes to Applebee’s, size matters.

Courtesy of @applebees

And according to their latest alcohol beverage creation, prepare for their cup sizes to be larger than normal.

Courtesy of @juicy2real405

Applebee’s Smoocho Mucho Sips have returned for Valentine’s day and the giant beverages can be shared with your partner with room for two straws or sipped individually for date night.

Courtesy of @candicane82

Dubbed ‘The Tipsy Cupid’ and the ‘Date Night Daiquiri’, the two gigantic sips are filled to the brim with tasty cocktail mixes.

Courtesy of @lindz_jay

Starting with Cupid who had too much to drink, the Tipsy Cupid mixes Tito’s Handmade Vodka with strawberry, premium lemon sour, lemonade and garnished with gummi red lips.

Courtesy of @applebees

The Date Night Daiquiri includes a frozen and swirled Strawberry Mango Daiquiri made with Bacardi Superior.

Courtesy of Applebee’s and Business Wire

You can find the Smoocho Mucho sips currently at Applebee’s nationwide for an intimate night out on the day of love for just six bucks!

Courtesy of @applebees

And couples who prefer to stay in can order the Smoocho Mucho Sips to-go at participating locations!

Courtesy of @applebees
Thursday is Free Popcorn Day

Did you know that Thursday is National Popcorn Day?!

Yes, Thursday, January 19, 2023 is National Popcorn Day and if you love popcorn, it’s a day worth knowing about.

Movie theaters across the nation are celebrating this day in a poppin’ way by offering FREE or discounted popcorn!

Maybe this is the day to take the family to see a new movie and take advantage of cheap or free popcorn?

Maybe it’s the perfect date night.

Either way, it’s worth checking into.

Now, you’ll want to call up your local theaters and see if they are participating.

Many are offering Free Popcorn (small size), some are offering free popcorn with purchase and others like AMC are offering 50% off Popcorn purchases.

AMC

Showcase Cinemas, a world leader in the motion picture exhibition industry, is celebrating National Popcorn Day on Thursday, January 19, by offering one free regular sized freshly popped popcorn to members of its Starpass loyalty program with any ticket purchase at all locations in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island.

So, POP your way into your local movie theater and grab some buttery, warm popcorn on Thursday!!
Britney Spears Appears To Have A Public Meltdown In A Restaurant As Her Husband Storms Out

Oh, Brit. Not another public meltdown.

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Britney was out to eat in L.A. with her husband, Sam Asghari, when she all of a sudden started to have some kind of bizarre manic episode.

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It was so bad, Sam got up and actually left her sitting at the table solo.

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Spoiler Alert — that didn’t make the situation any better.

According to TMZ, Britney, Sam, and a bodyguard showed up for a nice dinner at JOEY restaurant in Woodland Hills, California.

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Of course, she’s Britney Spears, so people totally began to recognize her.

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And, as inappropriate as people can be, they started to stare and take pictures and videos of the super star and her husband.

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That triggered poor Brit.

Things just went downhill from there.

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People say that Britney began acting rather crazy. She was yelling and talking gibberish.

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No, not some other language, just unintelligible noises. Like words that weren’t words.

Sam got visibly freaked out, and got up and stormed out.

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That didn’t stop poor Britney.

She sat there by herself at the table for another 2 minutes, talking gibberish the whole time.

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Yikes.

She did take to Instagram after the incident, and posted a cryptic image of a woman sitting at a table.

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They told me I couldn’t that’s why I did!
Melissa Illustrations via Britney Spears Instagram

Britney also posted a video of herself dancing and flipping the bird over and over again.

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Was it a response to the restaurant incident? Who knows.

britneyspears

You can watch the strange video below.

What are your thoughts?
Rihanna Teases Fans With A Trailer For Her Super Bowl Halftime Show And I Can’t Wait

ICYMI — Rihanna is going to be singing and dancing her way through the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show on February 12th, and it’s going to be so good!!

AppleMusic

She just had the CUTEST baby boy — that looks JUST like her — and now she is hitting the stage for the halftime show at the biggest football game in America.

rihanna

Man — I wish I would have bounced back that quickly after I had my baby!!

AppleMusic

With less than a month to go until the Big Game, Rihanna is getting us super pumped for the show by releasing an official teaser trailer for her upcoming performance.

AppleMusic

The clip clocks in at just 30-seconds long, but it definitely has us excited and wanting more.

AppleMusic

Rihanna appears as a silhouette in a large, empty room, walking down an illuminated runway of sorts.

AppleMusic

We see flashes and glimpses of the singer as we hear fans in the background throwing comments her way.

AppleMusic

Dude, Rihanna, we’ve waited for you!
AppleMusic

AppleMusic

It’s been six years since the nine-time Grammy-winner dropped an album.
AppleMusic

AppleMusic

Rih-Rih, where have you been?
AppleMusic

The noise comes to a sudden stop, and we see Rihanna, spotlight focused on her. She is wearing a fuzzy green coat, thick jewelry, a black dress, and the COOLEST hair.

AppleMusic

She makes the international symbol for “Shhhhh,” as her 2016 track “Needed Me” begins to play in the background.

AppleMusic

Gah!! Happy dance!! So excited!!

AppleMusic

You can see the teaser trailer for Rihanna’s Halftime Show below.
The Latest Teaser For ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Has Fans Freaking Out And For Good Reason

OMG! Is it FINALLY happening? After twenty years?!?

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The latest teaser trailer for SVU has fans freaking out — including me — by showing Olivia Benson cradling Elliot Stabler‘s face in a pretty touching moment.

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And, you have to admit — it straight up looks like she’s FINALLY going to kiss him!!

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The moment — which HAS to lead to a kiss, right?!? — is in the promo for the January 26 episode of Season 24 of SVU.

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Now, technically, the clip cuts away as Benson leans in towards Stabler’s face. So, she could be leaning in to whisper something in his ear.

But, the scene definitely has SVU fans up in arms.

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They may just have a riot on their hands if our two favorite detectives don’t finally get together!

OMBCapt

After 20-plus years on a slow slimmer, we ALL want to see it finally heat up.

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You can catch the teaser trailer for SVU below.
A ‘Schoolhouse Rock’ 50th Anniversary Special Is Headed Our Way And I Can’t Wait

Fifty years. It’s been fifty years since Schoolhouse Rock first aired, and I can totally sing every one of the songs!

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Side Note: I’m not fifty — I was just raised right. LOL!!

To celebrate such a huge milestone birthday, ABC is bringing Schoolhouse Rock back in the form of a sing-a-long special.

ABC

I am so freaking excited! Mi-mi-mi-mi-mi — warming up my voice now!!

The sing-a-long is going to be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, and will have an entire plethora of celebrities there to join in the fun!!

votevets

Check out this lineup!!

Black Eyed Peas — “Three Is A Magic Number”

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Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert — “Figure 8”

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Jason Biggs and Jenny Mollen — “I’m Just a Bill”

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Julianne Hough – “Interplanet Janet”

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The Muppets and Fortune Feimster — “Unpack Your Adjectives”

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NE-YO — “Verb: That’s What’s Happening”

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Raven Symoné and Kal Penn — “Interjections”

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Retta — “Ready or Not, Here I Come”

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Shaquille O’Neal and Boys & Girls Club of Atlanta — “Conjunction Junction”

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Stars from Disney’s Broadway and touring productions — “A Noun is a Person, Place or Thing”

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According to TV Insider, the Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong, will premiere on Wednesday, February 1 at 8/7c on ABC.

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Don’t have cable? Never fear. You catch it streaming the next day on Hulu!
‘And Just Like That’ Season 2 First Look Shows Aidan Is Back And We Are Here For It

GAH!! This is such great news — the news I have been waiting and hoping for!

justlikethatmax

And Just Like That — Aidan is back!

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Some super secret photos from season 2 of And Just Like That have leaked — they were right on the And Just Like That Instagram page — and it shows Aidan walking down the street hand-in-hand with Carrie.

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Shh. Don’t tell anyone.
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What does it actually mean?

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Who cares! It looks like John Corbett will be reprising his Sex and the City role as Aidan Shaw, and that’s all I need to know right now.

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For just a moment, all is right with the world. LOL!!

justlikethatmax

We first met Aidan in season 3 of Sex and the City, when he played a love interest for Carrie.

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It was Aidan and Mr. Big neck and neck for awhile there, but Mr. Big finally won out.

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But, a forever relationship wasn’t meant to be, as Big died in the pilot episode for And Just Like That.

It was devastating for a moment, but it paved the way for this Aidan and Carrie reunion, and I’m so happy right now.

I mean, honestly, she doesn’t deserve him but I am just excited to see him back.

justlikethatmax