Apparently, we are all emotionally invested in a man paddling through the Congo Basin now. His name is Ash Dykes, his boat is inflatable, and the internet has decided this is a group trip.

If the videos keep finding you but you would rather read the whole story in one place, here is your catch-up guide.

If you keep seeing “the Congo Basin guy” on your feed, his name is Ash Dykes. The Welsh explorer’s announced route runs more than 700 kilometers down the Sangha River, from Nola in the Central African Republic to Mossaka in the Republic of the Congo.

Latest confirmed update: the journey has started

Checked October 10, 2026. The latest dated development confirmed in the sources below is his October 8 start video, reported by USA TODAY on October 9.

USA TODAY reported on October 9 that Dykes shared a video documenting the start of the journey on October 8. That is the confirmed starting update here, rather than a claim that we can pinpoint his location right now.

The same report describes trouble getting to the starting point, including lost luggage and visa problems. Apparently even an extreme expedition comes with the familiar nightmare of your bag taking its own vacation.

Watch the start video linked in USA TODAY’s report.

Where is he actually kayaking?

The official Project 6 route names the Sangha River. “Congo Basin” describes the broader region; it does not mean he is traveling the entire Congo River.

That difference makes this much easier to follow. When a video says “Congo,” check whether it means the basin, the river or the Republic of the Congo. His announced finish is Mossaka, and the starting city is Nola in a different country, the Central African Republic.

Wait. An inflatable kayak? And is he going alone?

The inflatable part sounds like the detail someone should have questioned at the planning meeting. But there is a practical reason: Men’s Journal’s October 8 report, syndicated by Yardbarker, says the kayaks pack down so the crew can carry them when they need to leave the water.

The same report says a local guide and a UK videographer are accompanying Dykes. So “one guy in the Congo” is the internet shorthand, rather than the full expedition picture.

How long is the Congo Basin kayak trip supposed to take?

The announced route is roughly 434 miles. Men’s Journal reports an expected duration of three to four weeks. That is an estimate, not a guaranteed finish date.

Where is Ash Dykes right now?

This page is a catch-up guide, not a live location tracker. The dated update above tells you what has been confirmed here. A newly uploaded clip can show an earlier part of the trip, so its upload time alone cannot establish where the crew is now.

What makes this more than a long paddle?

The Project 6 plan describes time with forest communities before launching, work with local partners along the route and support for a grassroots NGO. Their knowledge of the forest is part of the expedition, too.

His site names malaria, infection, unsafe water and persistent heat and humidity among the challenges, with medical help several days away for much of the route. Those are the expedition’s stated risks, not a report that he has become ill.

Who is Ash Dykes?

Dykes is a Welsh explorer, athlete, author and speaker. His official biography describes expeditions across Mongolia and Madagascar, a walk along the Yangtze, and a journey in Suriname.

So there is considerably more behind this than a man waking up and deciding to test the limits of an inflatable boat.

What is Project 6?

This trip is the first mission in Project 6, his announced series of six expeditions over twelve months. His official site says the other five missions will be revealed on his own channels.

That makes the Congo Basin journey the beginning of a longer story, rather than the whole plan.

Why does everyone feel like they’re kayaking with him?

The internet has apparently signed itself up for this trip, too. USA TODAY’s October 9 report describes fans joking that they are also being dropped into the Congo Basin, and quotes one commenter: “I’m nervous like I’m the one kayaking.”

For a traceable example, the report links @christophlee’s TikTok among the joke posts. Those reactions explain the collective nerves. They do not verify wildlife encounters, injuries or anyone’s location.

How to follow his updates

His official site directs viewers to TikTok @ash_dykes, Instagram @ash_dykes and YouTube. Start with his own posts when a dramatic claim lands in your feed.

For keeping up, the useful distinction is the date a video was posted versus the day it was filmed. A new upload does not automatically give us his current position, and a gap between uploads does not tell us something has gone wrong.

We’re following the trip here, with the latest confirmed developments at the top so you can catch up without reconstructing the entire story from a comment section.

The idea of Jack facing his first Halloween “without his Sally” is enough to make a familiar movie feel unexpectedly sad. O’Hara gave Sally her voice in The Nightmare Before Christmas, and this year, the woman behind that voice is gone.

According to Reuters, O’Hara died on January 30, 2026, at 71. That makes this October the first Halloween season since her death.

And yes, that one hurts.

Catherine O’Hara gave Halloween Town its Sally

If you knew her best as Kevin’s mom in Home Alone or Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, Sally might not have been the first role you associated with her. But Disney’s D23 credits O’Hara as the voice of both Sally and Shock in the film.

Two very different corners of Halloween Town. One unforgettable performer.

Sally is the quiet counterweight to Jack’s enormous plans. She can see the trouble coming, cares about him anyway, and has a whole emotional life beyond being the girl waiting for the Pumpkin King to notice her.

There’s something especially tender about remembering the real person who helped make that stitched-together character feel so human.

“Sally’s Song” has a different kind of sadness this year

O’Hara also performed “Sally’s Song,” as Universal Music’s uDiscover Music notes in its soundtrack retrospective. It was already the kind of song that could stop the spooky fun for a minute and leave you sitting with Sally’s feelings.

This Halloween, there’s another reason to listen a little more closely.

The movie itself hasn’t changed. Sally is still there. Jack still has her. That’s what makes the “first Halloween without Sally” sentiment both heartbreaking and a little comforting: we’re missing Catherine, while the performance she left us remains.

We can press play and hear her again.

So this year, when Sally’s moment comes, let it have its moment. Behind that familiar voice was a woman who gave us something we can keep returning to, every Halloween and every Christmas.

Thank you for our Sally, Catherine.

Hello Kitty Party Land launches October 29, 2026, for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Bandai Namco’s October 8 gameplay reveal shows what you can actually do there, including board games, mini games, fishing, and making music.

There’s a whole Sanrio party park

According to Bandai Namco’s new gameplay overview, Game Park has three board game adventures and more than 45 original mini games. You can play competitively or cooperatively, so this can be a friendly game night or the evening somebody gets very serious about winning.

You create your own avatar and choose a Sanrio companion. Nintendo lists 16 playable Sanrio characters and more than 145 characters to meet, with stickers to collect as you explore.

The cloud farm is the part that has my attention

Sky Farm lets you grow fruits and vegetables and go fishing among the clouds. Bandai Namco also teases hidden secrets inside the farm’s cave. A little gardening, a little mystery. That is a pretty good way to lose an evening.

The Shopping Mall has outfits, accessories, and Sanrio-themed costumes for your avatar. Creative Labo adds drawing, music creation, and puzzle challenges, while the Photo Studio gives you places to take pictures with friends and characters.

That makes the new reveal useful if you were expecting only a collection of mini games: there are also places to explore and quieter activities between rounds.

Check which Switch version you’re buying

Nintendo’s U.S. listings show one to four players on a single system or online. Online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership and a Nintendo Account; check the game listing for any additional accessories your setup needs.

There are separate Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 editions. The original Switch version is listed as supported on Switch 2, but the dedicated Switch 2 version cannot be used on an original Switch.

If you are shopping ahead of the October 29 release, start with the listing for the console you own.

And if the name sounds familiar, this is a separate game from Hello Kitty Island Adventure, which currently has a Switch Online trial. Party Land is the upcoming party game with the cloud farm. Important distinction when both are this cute.

The Barbie Signature Role Models Serena Williams doll costs $45 at Mattel Creations. It comes with a tiny racket and tennis ball, a white skirt, and enough lime green to stand out on a very crowded Barbie shelf.

There’s a shopping detail worth knowing before you order: Mattel currently lists it as a preorder, while Target’s listing lists it for $44.99 and offered shipping when checked. Your pickup and delivery choices will depend on your location.

The little outfit has a lot going on

Mattel says the design is inspired by the outfit from Serena’s seventh major singles title. The green-and-white top has cutouts and mesh detailing, with a white skirt and matching headband, socks, and shoes.

The official close-up photos show the details better than the boxed view does. There’s the short lime jacket, the blue accents on the top, and those long green-and-white leg coverings above the sneakers. Even the dangling earrings made it into doll form.

It’s a fun choice for anyone who remembers that look. And if you’re buying it for someone who knows Serena but doesn’t know the outfit, there’s an actual tennis moment behind all that green.

What comes with the Serena Williams Barbie?

The doll has Mattel’s Athletic Made-to-Move body, along with the racket, ball, a display stand, and a certificate of authenticity. Carlyle Nuera designed the doll, and Charis Ceniseroz designed the packaging.

Mattel recommends it for ages 6 and up and notes that it can’t stand on its own, so keep the included stand if you plan to display it out of the box.

Where to get it

As of October 10, 2026, Mattel Creations lists the doll for $45, with preorder shipping on or before October 30. That is a shipping estimate, not a promise that it will arrive that day.

Target lists the same JJX58 doll for $44.99 and gives it an October 8 street date. Check the delivery or pickup estimate for your ZIP code if you’re buying it for a particular day. Prices and availability can change.

Sunblink released the free Welcome Home update on October 8, 2026. Along with its new decorating and home-building content, there’s a limited chance for eligible Nintendo Switch Online members to try the full game without purchasing it first.

What does Hello Kitty Island Adventure’s Welcome Home update add?

You can customize and upgrade a new Player Home on Friendship Island, help Sanrio friends create their own Character Homes and explore a new island mystery. Larger cabin floorplans, saved layouts and kits, and new floor and wall options give decorators more room to play.

There is also a Creative Mode Room where you can build a dream cabin using almost anything in the game. Pocket Rooms add extra spaces with doors and stairs. The update is free for existing owners; the Nintendo trial is a separate offer for eligible subscribers.

When is the free Nintendo Switch game trial?

The Nintendo Switch Game Trial runs from October 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific to October 15 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific, 2026. It’s available to eligible Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. That is a limited-time trial, not a permanently free copy of the game.

Will your trial progress carry over?

According to Nintendo, save progress can carry over if you purchase the game after the trial. So you can start decorating now and decide later whether you want to make it a permanent island vacation.

Is Hello Kitty Island Adventure on sale?

Nintendo is also advertising a limited-time 45% digital discount through October 18 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Visit the Nintendo eShop to confirm the current displayed price, regional availability and any membership conditions.

Honestly, giving us tiny dream-house decor and cute Sanrio characters feels like a very effective way to make us forget the real-life laundry.

Sources: Nintendo’s official announcement and Sunblink’s Welcome Home announcement.

According to Spirit’s October 8 announcement, the holiday shops will have décor, gifts, clothing, collectibles, and interactive displays. So that quick stop for an ornament could involve a detour through Inflatable Land.

Featured image: Spirit’s promotional storefront image. Check individual store pages for opening status. Image: Spirit Christmas.

There’s a Christmas train station inside

The Candy Cane Express is the big in-store experience. Spirit describes an almost life-sized train and caboose that guests can steer and interact with, plus a spot to write a letter to Santa.

Its official Christmas store guide also lists animatronics of Heat Miser and Snow Miser, Clarice, and several Misfit Toys. Rudolph fans have some familiar faces to look for.

The merchandise stretches from nutcrackers and ornaments to light-up blow molds, throw blankets, pajamas, and white elephant gifts. There’s also a Creepmas selection with horror-themed Christmas decorations. Apparently, some of the spooky stuff gets to stay for dinner.

Which states are getting Spirit Christmas?

The official locator lists Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

That’s the announced footprint for the season. Opening timing depends on the individual store.

Check the opening status before you go

As of October 9, the official pages for Winter Garden, Florida; Hamilton, Marlton, and Riverdale, New Jersey; and Youngstown, Ohio, say “Opens October.” Those pages still show closed hours.

Before making the drive, use the Spirit Christmas store finder to open your exact location’s page and check its status and hours. The store nearest you may still be getting its Christmas makeover.

Why Oogie Boogie won’t unlock yet

Gameloft says completing all six weeks of the Season of Scares quests welcomes Oogie Boogie as a permanent villager. If you finished the first available quest and the story has gone quiet, check the schedule below: you may simply be caught up for the week. The final quest, “Oogie Boogie’s Big Game,” is scheduled for October 28.

Waiting on Week 2? Our Oogie Boogie Contract guide covers the September 30 unlock date and what to have ready before it appears.

What to check if the first quest hasn’t appeared

1. Unlock Peaceful Meadow, Scrooge McDuck’s Store, and Chez Remy.
2. Check your in-game Mail.
3. Visit Scrooge’s Store and investigate the strange mirror to begin Oogie Boogie’s quest.

Those are the prerequisites and starting instructions Gameloft lists. Its announcement does not identify another requirement for beginning the event.

The six Oogie Boogie quest release dates

You don’t need to complete each quest as soon as it appears. Begin the first quest before November 4 and Gameloft says you can finish the rest at your own pace, even after the event ends. If you never start that first quest, you’ll have to wait for his return around Halloween next year.

When do you get Zero?

Zero is available now. Complete Week 3, The Ghost in the Portrait, to unlock him as a permanent companion. Oogie Boogie does not join your Valley at that point; his story continues through the remaining quests.

Finish The Oogie Boogie Contract first, then check your mailbox for the next ticket. Our Ghost in the Portrait guide explains the Lucky Wheel, five Zero Essence and real paint thinner. Destructoid’s completed walkthrough identifies this as Zero’s reward quest.

What can you unlock as of October 9?

The first three quests have reached their release dates. Rescue Mission is next on October 14. Being caught up with Week 3 does not mean you missed Oogie Boogie; the final chapter is still scheduled for October 28.

Waiting for a quest, or stuck on a bug?

These are different problems. Gameloft’s October 8 hotfix addresses A Halloween Invasion failing to progress after claiming the Lucky Wheel prize. It also addresses ghosts lingering in Mickey’s House and Merlin’s Library after completing The Oogie Boogie Contract.

See our October 8 hotfix guide for those specific fixes. The notes don’t promise to resolve every quest issue, and installing a fix won’t bring forward a future chapter’s release date.

For events and other quests, start at our Disney Dreamlight Valley guides hub.

The separate Haunted Floating Festival begins October 7; Trick or Treat runs October 14–31. Neither is the prerequisite for starting the Oogie Boogie quest. Apple Arcade players should also note that Gameloft lists separate timing for some Star Path features, although it does not list a different Oogie Boogie quest schedule.

Read Gameloft’s event schedule and Season of Scares patch notes for the official details.

Want the wider Disney Halloween picture beyond the game? Our Disney Halloween 2026 guide connects the current character collections, park treats and other spooky finds.

Which Oogie Boogie problems were fixed?

• A Halloween Invasion: Claiming the Lucky Wheel prize could fail to advance the quest.
• The Oogie Boogie Contract: Ghosts could remain in Mickey’s House and Merlin’s Library after completion.

Those are specific fixes, not a promise that every Halloween quest issue is resolved.

Furniture Mode crashes and other fixes

The update also addresses freezing or crashing in Furniture Mode, gamepad Tool Wheel selection, and unresponsive navigation in the Collection Menu and Dreamlight categories.

For Storybook Vale players, Gameloft lists a fix for The Tales That Bind freezing after The Story of Dreamlight Valley puzzle. Another fix addresses houses failing to load when they contain the Hannah Montana Accessory Rack.

A bug fix isn’t a character unlock

Before restarting a quest, check whether you’re waiting for the next chapter. Our Oogie Boogie unlock schedule explains the weekly dates. For the quest itself, use our Contract walkthrough.

Gameloft identifies these as fixes in its published notes; we haven’t independently tested every platform. Find the rest of our coverage in the Dreamlight Valley guides hub.

Start the quest

Finish The Oogie Boogie Contract, collect the mailbox ticket, and enter Scrooge’s Strange Mirror.

Free Zero

1. Inspect the portrait and complete its Memory puzzle. Give Oogie Boogie the ticket.
2. Ask Scrooge for help, then place his gift box at the sparkling spot beside the right staircase downstairs.
3. Use your pickaxe on the Lucky Wheel upstairs. Collect five cogs and Ghostly Paint Thinner.
4. Apply the thinner from your inventory and water the portrait. Speak with Oogie Boogie and try the real portrait.
5. Ask Merlin for help. Return and interact with five Zero drawings downstairs to gather five Zero Essence.
6. Craft Real Ghostly Paint Thinner, apply it from your inventory, and water the correct portrait. Speak with Oogie Boogie to finish.

Why won’t the first thinner work?

It isn’t the real version. You need the five Essence and crafted replacement. Zero becomes a permanent companion; Oogie Boogie still requires later quests.

Steps are based on Destructoid’s walkthrough. Check our unlock schedule or Dreamlight Valley hub for related guides.

Oogie Boogie and Zero: start with your current quest

If you’re trying to unlock Oogie Boogie or get Zero, use our Oogie Boogie and Zero unlock guide to check the quest schedule and prerequisites. The character quest series is separate from the Haunted Floating Festival.

Finished the first challenge? Our The Oogie Boogie Contract walkthrough covers the next quest, including the Lucky Wheel Ticket and the tasks inside the Mirror Lair.

On Week 3? Our The Ghost in the Portrait walkthrough covers the quest that unlocks Zero as a permanent companion.

Dreamlight Valley Halloween events in 2026

Two events, different starting dates. The Haunted Floating Festival runs October 7–31. Trick or Treat starts October 14 and ends October 31. Use our Halloween event dates guide to keep them straight.

The Haunted Mansion, library and secret basement

Head to our Haunted Floating Festival guide for entry details, the Haunted Key, library puzzle, curse and secret basement. Gameloft confirms the first Mansion puzzles are available now; the final mystery and Ghost Hunt unlock October 18.

The library reward is a Chomping Chest. Completing Release the Curse earns a Decorative Magic Seal. The basement has a separate surprise furniture reward.

Why an event task might not be available yet

Check the activity’s date and prerequisite quest before treating it as a bug. The festival has staged unlocks, while Oogie Boogie’s story has its own quest progression. An open festival doesn’t mean every ghost or character reward is available immediately.

If your quest is stuck, check our October 8 hotfix guide for the specific Lucky Wheel progression and lingering-ghost fixes. Those fixes are separate from waiting for a future quest to release.

Where to check official announcements

Gameloft’s Haunted Floating Festival announcement explains the current Mansion event. Its Season of Scares patch notes cover the wider update. Looking for other games? Browse Video Games Are Life.

LEGO and Sanrio announced a new partnership to bring Hello Kitty and Friends into brick form, with the first products arriving in 2027.

Official LEGO and Sanrio partnership teaser artwork. © 2026 The LEGO Group. © 2026 SANRIO CO., LTD.

Hello Kitty bricks are officially happening

The agreement is a multiyear partnership, so this is bigger than one isolated collaboration. The announcement names Hello Kitty and promises other fan-favorite characters from her world.

That is plenty to get excited about. It’s also where the confirmed details stop.

We still need the actual set reveal

There are no individual set names, prices or exact release dates in the announcement. A 2027 launch does not mean January 1, and a partnership with Sanrio does not confirm a separate set for every character.

If you’re already mentally building a Kuromi shelf, keep that on the wish list until LEGO shows the lineup. For now, LEGO’s Sanrio page is the place to watch.

Hello Kitty is headed for the brick aisle. The dangerous part comes when we find out how many boxes that means.

Fraggle Rock: A Holiday Gift premieres on December 4, 2026, according to Apple’s holiday lineup announcement. Nicole Scherzinger also makes an appearance.

Wembley has a snow globe problem

Wembley is the holiday Spirit Captain, but the Fraggles unknowingly take Doc’s snow globe. Returning it becomes part of his job, which sounds considerably more complicated than putting up decorations.

It’s a new option for families who like having something beyond the usual Christmas rotation to watch together. And for adults who were always going to watch the Fraggles anyway.

Where to watch

The special is coming to Apple TV. Apple has not announced a free viewing window for this particular title, so check your access before planning movie night around it.

Apple’s holiday slate also includes the new Snoopy Christmas special, if your December watch list needs another familiar face.

Put December 4 on the calendar. Wembley can handle the snow globe.

The LEGO Ideas Wallace & Gromit set, number 21371 costs $99.99 on LEGO’s U.S. site. It has 1,038 pieces and is marked for ages 18 and up.

A little A Close Shave for your shelf

The build recreates the motorbike and sidecar from A Close Shave, with posable Wallace and Gromit figures, moving wheels, goggles and straps. There’s yarn, crackers and a hidden diamond inside the motorbike’s hatch.

The finished model measures about 9 inches high, 9 inches long and 7 inches wide. Give it a real spot on the shelf rather than counting on it fitting in the tiny gap between your other sets.

Check the delivery estimate before gifting it

LEGO’s listing showed a backorder with a 60-day shipping estimate when checked. That can change, so use the current checkout estimate if you’re buying for a specific date.

This is an adult display build with a very specific audience: someone who sees Gromit in a sidecar and immediately wants to clear the coffee table.

WildBrain says Strawberry Shortcake’s Bake Shop will premiere its first two episodes on October 16, 2026, on the official Strawberry Shortcake YouTube channel. Custard the cat is back beside her, too.

This is a new CG-animated series inspired by the character’s 1980s look. The familiar strawberry-shaped home is in Berryville, where Strawberry runs a neighborhood bakery and her friends drop in to help, eat or share a laugh.

These are tiny episodes, not a whole-season drop

The season has 26 episodes of about three minutes each, with the rest rolling out over the following year. There are eight new songs along the way. So October 16 gets you the opening pair, rather than an entire afternoon’s worth of episodes at once.

The new trailer announcement also brings back Orange Blossom, Blueberry Muffin, Huckleberry Pie, Raspberry Tart and Apple Dumplin’ in updated versions of their classic designs. WildBrain says longtime fans can expect little nods to the brand’s history.

The intended audience is kids ages 4–8, though the giant bonnet is doing a pretty effective job of getting the grown-ups’ attention.

You can watch the official trailer now. The bakery opens October 16.

They’re the Adidas VL Court Bold Shoes — the chunky platform court sneakers that keep popping up in celebrity style coverage.

Jessica Alba wore the Adidas VL Court Bold sneakers

Us Weekly identified Alba’s chunky white sneakers as the Adidas VL Court Bold after she wore them with a navy matching set, white tank, baseball cap and oversized sunglasses in Los Angeles. At the time of that report, the shoes were marked down to $56 from $80.

Here’s the better current deal: when we checked Adidas on October 7, 2026, the Cloud White / Core Black / Wonder Beige pair was listed at $40, down from $80. That is the specific color linked here; other colors and sizes may differ.

Why the VL Court Bold looks different from a regular court sneaker

The VL Court Bold keeps the low-top court-sneaker shape but puts it on a much more noticeable platform. That extra height is the whole point of this version: it gives the shoe the chunky, lifted look Alba wore without turning it into a traditional heel.

And the neutral white, black and beige combination is extremely easy to wear. Jeans, wide-leg pants, leggings, a matching sweatsuit — this is not a shoe that requires an outfit strategy meeting.

How much are Jessica Alba’s Adidas sneakers?

The white, black and beige VL Court Bold pair at Adidas was listed at $40 when checked October 7, 2026, compared with its listed original price of $80. That is 50% off this particular colorway. Check the size selector and checkout price before ordering; availability and sale prices can change.

Adidas says adiClub discount vouchers can be used on this pair, but other promo codes will not apply. Do not assume a separate coupon will stack.

That is also why the model name matters more than a screenshot of one sale price. If you find a better current deal, you can confirm you are looking at the same VL Court Bold style rather than a similar Adidas court sneaker.

What to search for if this color sells out

The exact phrase to remember is Adidas VL Court Bold Shoes. If the neutral pair disappears in your size, searching the model name will get you much closer than hunting for “white platform Adidas sneakers.”

And this is why I like the exact-product version of celebrity style stories. I do not need a mysterious “get the look” dupe if the thing she actually wore is an $80 Adidas sneaker that regularly lands on sale.

Do Adidas VL Court Bold sneakers run true to size?

For this white, black and beige pair, Adidas recommends ordering your usual size. That is the brand’s fit guidance, rather than a personal wear test. If you are between sizes or need a wider fit, check the size chart and return terms before buying.

How I’d style these platform sneakers

Wide-leg jeans, a fitted tee and these sneakers would be my first move. For something a little more polished, swap the jeans for relaxed trousers and add an open button-down. A casual midi dress and denim jacket could work, too.

You do not need a whole new wardrobe for them. That is generally where I get into trouble.

Check the current Adidas VL Court Bold price and available sizes.

There is even a book-shaped underwear box in the official campaign photos. It has an illustrated dragon cover, colorful page-like edges and a tasseled tie. That is a fairly committed way to wrap a bookish gift.

The ACOTAR Leakproof Ultrathin No-Show Bikini Box Set is listed at $115 USD and contains five pairs inspired by the books and their cover art. The product page currently says “Coming Soon • Oct 15,” so this is a preview, not a claim that you can order it today.

Pick your Court, then your pajamas

According to Knix, the designs draw from the Night, Spring, Summer and Autumn Courts. Velaris Night Sky is the star-and-constellation option. Spring Court Bloom goes floral, while Adriata Toile uses coastal imagery. Ember Fox has a flame-tailed fox among falling leaves.

The references get more specific in the lingerie. Knix’s announcement includes a Nesta-inspired satin corset, a lace teddy and sheer skirt tied to Feyre’s Court of Nightmares scene, and a robe-and-slip set inspired by Starfall. There are also pieces inspired by Elain, Amren and Morrigan.

For anyone whose ideal fantasy evening involves staying home with a book, the collection also includes bras, underwear and sleepwear. You do not have to commit to the sheer skirt.

The fans got involved in the details

Knix says about 40 ACOTAR fans on its own team helped shape the collection over 18 months. In its behind-the-scenes account, the brand describes debates over prints, references and names. The artwork was hand-drawn by a designer who is also a fan.

When it launches and what it costs

The limited-edition collection arrives October 15 at Knix’s ACOTAR page. Alongside the $115 box set, the U.S. preview lists the Court of Nightmares Lace Teddy at $74 and the Court of Nightmares Sheer Skirt at $50, separately. Those listings also say “Coming Soon • Oct 15.” Check the product page for your size and the current price when ordering.

Knix also announced an October 15 pop-up at Lavan Chelsea, 541 W. 25th Street in New York City, from noon to 8 p.m., with a chance to shop in person. For another piece of the current ACOTAR shopping wave, Target has its own collection.

In its October 5 announcement, Target introduced a feature that turns a handwritten wish list made from its printed holiday catalog into a digital list in the Target app.

How the paper catalog connects to the app

Target says you can scan a handwritten list created from the printed catalog to make a digital version. Its announcement doesn’t explain where to find the scanner in the app or how it handles hard-to-read handwriting. Keep the paper list handy so you can check what made it onto the digital one.

There’s also a shortcut for the kid who points at a picture and says, “That one.” Each page of the physical catalog has a QR code that opens the matching digital page.

The digital catalog has nearly 500 toys, games and gifts

The Holiday Kids Catalog is available on Target’s website and in its app for phones and tablets. Target says it includes toy demonstrations and creator video reviews, with browsing by characters, interests and play styles.

According to Target, you can double-tap an item to save it to a wish list or add it to your cart. You can then share wish lists with the other gift-givers in your family.

Before sending a list around, have kids narrow down their favorites and pick a budget. Check the exact toy, size or version before ordering, then coordinate with the other shoppers. A wish list is a starting point; it doesn’t have to become a purchase order.

Disney announced that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: Obligatory Holiday Overlay will run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios from November 4 through January 6. The Electric Mayhem is swapping in a seasonal set list, with a few very familiar guests joining the band.

The holiday set list has four songs

This is where the announcement gets especially fun. The Electric Mayhem’s four holiday tracks include:

• “Holiday Road”, featuring Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear
• “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”, featuring Jennifer Hudson
• “Silver Bells”, featuring Cyndi Lauper
• “Little Saint Nick”, performed by The Electric Mayhem

Kermit and Fozzie taking on “Holiday Road” feels like a very sensible use of two Muppets who should probably never be in charge of the itinerary.

The holiday changes start before you board

According to Disney, seasonal music will play in the courtyard around the guitar marquee. Inside G-Force Records, the band will be rehearsing its holiday show while other Muppets stop by to help. Naturally, those preparations don’t go smoothly.

The useful distinction for trip planning: this is a limited-time holiday version of the Muppets coaster. Disney’s announcement promises seasonal music and backstage moments, so there’s something different to look for before the ride itself, too.

If your Hollywood Studios day falls in early November or just after New Year’s, keep those dates handy: November 4 through January 6. The holiday set list sticks around past Christmas.

Starbucks’ 2026 Holiday Village collection includes a ceramic coffeehouse modeled after its original Pike Place store in Seattle. It arrives November 5, along with mugs, ornaments and a snow globe.

The little storefront is the whole point

In Starbucks’ official preview photo, the pieces repeat a red-and-white awning, dark-green storefront and tiny wreath on the door. The mug has a gold-colored handle, and the snow globe puts that same little coffee shop inside the glass.

Even the ornament looks like a miniature storefront. A Christmas tree can apparently have a Starbucks now, too.

Starbucks calls this the Holiday Village – Pike Place edition, a nod to the Seattle market where the company began in 1971.

When and where to look for it

The October 5 announcement says holiday drinkware and gifts will begin arriving in Starbucks coffeehouses and online at the Starbucks Shop on November 5. The Village collection is part of that launch.

Starbucks hasn’t announced prices in this preview or specified which individual pieces each location will carry. Keep that in mind before making a special trip for the tiny building.

For the drinks and food arriving alongside it, here’s our Starbucks holiday menu guide.

Yes, a DVD. A movie set in 2008 can now make a disc feel like a period detail. Take a minute with that.

Netflix announced Return to You on September 28, with Mark Waters directing. He also directed Lohan in Mean Girls and the 2003 Freaky Friday, so there’s a familiar pairing behind the camera, too.

This one starts with a very personal mix-up

The story follows a successful, lonely attorney who mistakenly receives a DVD recorded by a dying woman for her husband. Using clues in that message, the attorney sets out to find him.

That’s a heavier setup than a cute wrong-number exchange. The message was meant to reach one particular person, and getting it to him gives the story a reason to move beyond the initial mistake. The search gives this romance a mystery to untangle.

Lohan is also producing the film. Netflix shared a photo of her holding the script, while its cast announcement names Lohan and Golding as the leads.

When can you watch Return to You?

There’s no release date in Netflix’s announcement yet. This is one to keep on the watch list, rather than search for on the home screen tonight.

In the meantime, Lohan’s Netflix movies include Our Little Secret, Irish Wish and Falling for Christmas.