Morning Coffee (1/11/19)

Time for Friday happy links!

Your feel-good story of the day: Actor Joe Manganiello brings his love of Dungeons and Dragons to kids at Pittsburgh hospital

AMAZING: British Museum realises 'vase' is in fact an ancient mace-head displayed upside down

!! Netflix Orders ‘Shadow And Bone’ Series Based On Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse Novels From Eric Heisserer & Shawn Levy

I am obsessed with this New Yorker cover.

Starbucks’ Newest Drink Tastes Just Like Cookie Butter

Meghan Markle’s Royal Patronages Will Focus on These Four Interests

Heh: Fact-checking the mob song from ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Fug Nation Loves Slippers!

The Best Time of Day to Book Your Next Flight

Let's go! This Book-filled Hotel in Cambridge, England, Is the Ultimate Getaway for Bibliophiles

Weekly Rec: Starbucks Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

I am very susceptible to trying new seasonal drinks, but honestly, most Starbucks drinks are way too sweet for me to have more than once. However! I finally tried their Peppermint White Hot Chocolate on a whim and somehow . . . it's SO sweet that it comes back around to being okay? I'm not sure why - science? CHRISTMAS MAGIC? (I also have a higher sweetness tolerance for hot chocolate than for coffee drinks, I guess.) And when I say okay I mean RIDICULOUSLY DELICIOUS. It's not something I'd get often, but if you need to, say, have a big hit of sugar to get through a bunch of holiday shopping and deal with crowds? TRY IT.

Morning Coffee (8/10/18)

OKAY, time for some happy Friday links!

This is great! Rashida Tlaib, With Primary Win, Is Poised to Become First Muslim Woman in Congress

Starbucks stores are already receiving Pumpkin Spice Latte supplies, and people think they've figured out the PSL's return date

!! Natalie Dormer joins the Potterverse as A History of Magic narrator

Aah, new The Nutcracker and the Four Realms trailer!

In very different movie news, the Lizzie trailer also looks great.

Wisconsin Just Broke the Record for the World’s Largest Cheeseboard

'Cat Person' breakout writer is back with debut book: Read the first excerpt

Ooh, look at all the cute rainbow things!

Of course it does: So cheesy: Burlington airport has a 7-foot block of cheese and matching maple syrup

Announcing Three New Novels From Annalee Newitz

Morning Coffee (6/29/18)

Okay, we REALLY need some happy stuff this Friday.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Red Lipstick Is a Symbol of Change

Starbucks announces unprecedented, comprehensive health benefits for trans employees

IMPORTANT SCIENCE: Mac & Cheese May Be The "Perfect Food," According To This Study That Evaluated Carb & Fat Ratios With Satisfaction

Aah, Discovery of Witches trailer!

Ooh: Inscribed seventh-century window ledge unearthed at Tintagel

This is great: Paul Simon’s ‘What Not to Bring’ List for Farewell Concert Is Astonishingly Thorough

Even the Queen is excited to meet David Beckham.

5 Wine and Cheese Pairings You Need To Try This Summer

Huh: Oreo’s New Cookie Is Better Than A Deep Fried Oreo

Let's run off to a castle.

Morning Coffee (6/5/18)

In Narrow Opinion, Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Baker Over Same-Sex Couple

Protesters Demand Audit of Hurricane Maria Death Toll in Puerto Rico

Oh good: Judge orders Maine to implement voter-approved Medicaid expansion

This is terrible: Police investigated Bruce McArthur for months before telling public there was no evidence of serial killer

Good for them: Marjory Stoneman Douglas students to embark on summer tour

Amazing: Crowd cheers when valedictorian quotes Trump. Then reveals it was Obama

Wow: Howard Schultz, architect of modern Starbucks, to step down as executive chairman

WHAT: Woody Allen Says He Should Be ‘Poster Boy for the #MeToo Movement’

I wish this were more surprising than it is: Researcher finds skull in Philadelphia Quaker library display case

Who Owns the New Land Created By a Volcano in Hawaii?

Morning Coffee (4/13/18)

HEY IT'S FINALLY FRIDAY. Let's take a break for some happy links!

ICYMI, important ice cream news: FRIENDLY'S HAS CHIPWICHES NOW

This from the Fug Girls is hilarious and also made me tear up: This Is The Rehearsal Dinner Toast Meghan Markle Deserves

Ooh: Buffy the Vampire Slayer getting new book series from Simon Pulse (by Kiersten White!)

Here Are Images of the First Stellar Remnant Found Beyond the Milky Way

Here's a great thread of famous people modeling for knitting patterns.

The 7 Things We Know About Starbucks’ Most Secretive Store

‘Mercury 13’ Trailer: Learn About The Hidden Women Of NASA’s Mercury Project

These Wonder Woman Makeup Brushes Are Fierce

Sarah Rees Brennan on Georgette Heyer makes me need to go read some Georgette Heyer.

Neat: Strand Book Store Is Hosting An Exhibit On Notable Book Covers Of The Last Decade With Penguin Random House

I am obsessed with this Truly Devious photoset.

Morning Coffee (3/29/18)

At Least Twelve States to Sue Trump Administration Over Census Citizenship Question

Lawsuit Over Trump’s Ties to His Businesses Is Allowed to Advance

Voter Fraud in New Hampshire: Rhetoric Versus Reality

The guns debate is a culture war. And young people will win it

Yay!! Bologna 2018: Jacqueline Woodson Wins Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award

Wrongfully Imprisoned for 23 Years, White Sox Employee Gets His Job Back

Good for them: Starbucks has achieved pay equity in the U.S., ahead of most everyone else

Oops? China’s Space Station May Crash to Earth on April Fools’ Day

Google Beats Lawsuit Accusing YouTube of Censoring Conservatives

Anglo-Saxon settlement and Roman army camp found in A14 bypass dig

Morning Coffee (1/19/18)

We survived the week! Time for some happy Friday links.

Oh interesting! Elena Ferrante to become Guardian Weekend's new columnist

I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS: Harry Potter Role-Playing Game Trailer, New Details Released

This is amazing: See an Entire Northern Ireland Village Knitted Out of Wool

!! Meet Phelps the swimming hedgehog from Alness

Whoa: This Futuristic Suitcase Will Automatically Follow Its Owner Through the Airport

How Do You Keep an Elephant Warm? Knit a Giant Blanket

It's a WEDDING CAKE made out of CHEESE.

Speaking of, I am happy to support this important effort: New Campaign To Appreciate Imported Cheese

This Map Shows Every Adorably Named Salt Truck in Scotland

This sounds like what I need to get through my Friday: The New Croissant At Starbucks Tastes Like An Everything Bagel

Morning Coffee (12/29/17)

Time for the last happy Friday links of 2017!

AWW: Twitter appeal reunites man with pay packet he left in London pub

!!! Men Who Have Been Best Friends Since 6th Grade Discover They Are Actually Half-Brothers

LET'S GO: How Britain’s finest stately homes do Christmas decorations

Ooh, I love black and white drinks: Starbucks Reveals New Drinks For New Year's Eve

I'd try this: Dunkin’ Donuts Is Officially Making a Coffee-Inspired Beer. Here’s How to Get It

Oh, this is fun: New Yorker Holiday Covers Through the Years

Rejoice! For Laura Dern Is Living Her Best Life This Holiday Season With an NBA Player

So many interesting suits: 2017: Your Year in Harry Styles

Watch Two Brothers Build a UFO Gingerbread House

And if that's not enough: Harry Potter: The Burrow Gingerbread House

Morning Coffee (11/24/17)

It's Friday! I keep forgetting that because it feels like, I don't know, Sunday. But it's time for happy Friday links!

The Times has posted its 100 Notable Books of 2017, and I've read... four so far, which is actually better than I often do.

This Jessica Chastain profile is delightfully feminist. (And has an amazing feminist quote from Aaron Sorkin!)

An Unabashed Appreciation of Smitten Kitchen, the Ur-Food Blog

What makes Murder on the Orient Express’s iconic ending work so well

One of my favorites: Escape the News with the British Podcast “In Our Time with Melvyn Bragg”

5 YA Books For When You Can’t Get Enough Hallmark Christmas Movies

I'm not sure I've tried this but this made me want to: Starbucks Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate Is the Reason for the Season

YES PLEASE: This Sprawling Bookstore in a Former Church Will Have You Planning a Trip to Scotland

Hottest Heads of State made dioramas for their history candles and it's amazing.

Aww, Josh Malina.

Morning Coffee (11/2/17)

Liberian court halts presidential runoff amid fraud allegations (I feel like a few years ago, I would have thought "Oh, those unfortunate countries that can't have reliable elections," and now it's "Wow, I'm impressed at their reaction, they're doing it right!!")

New York attack suspect’s Uzbekistan roots put focus on Central Asia’s battle with extremism

Uh... Watch a former Trump aide say incriminating things about Russia on live TV

Donald Trump Jr. Doesn’t Understand Halloween, Socialism

Our National Narratives Are Still Being Shaped by Lecherous, Powerful Men

I knew the numbers were bad but there are some REALLY bad numbers in here: Just 4.8 Percent of TV Writers Are Black, Study Finds

Hmm: Samsung Unveils New Management to Quell Leadership Crisis

YAY: 'Tis the Season to Color! Starbucks Unveils 2017 Holiday Cups

ALSO YAY: Warner Bros.' Crazy Rich Asians set for August 2018 release

Ooh, I should go: ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ to Open in Boston With Broadway Hopes

Afternoon Tea (9/22/17)

Huh: The World’s Greenest Sports Team Is a Century-Old Football Club in a Tiny English Town

The Fascinating Story of How Lilly Pulitzer Came to Be

Mysticism and rudely-shaped rocks: why 17th-century palaeontology is worth revisiting

In Ruins by the Shore, Some See Connecticut’s ‘Crown Jewel’

Heh: Starbucks Drinks for a New America

Morning Coffee (7/28/17)

I usually avoid political stuff in the Friday happy posts, but OH MY GOD WE WOKE UP TO GOOD POLITICAL NEWS AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE IT. The night John McCain killed the GOP’s health-care fight

Speaking of things I don't know how to handle: THE TOAST CAME BACK FOR ONE DAY. That's a link to one post but there's a whole day of content, go read it.

This was GOING to be the one good news story of the week, but it's still pretty great: Woolly jumpers: rabbits ride on sheep to stay dry in flood

These people are speaking my language: The Best Part of 'Dunkirk' Is the Sweaters

Aw, we've got a new picture of Prince George for his fourth birthday.

!!! Game of Thrones' Hot Pie Opened A New Bakery Called 'You Know Nothing Jon Dough'

I love looking at luggage and the Fug Girls have a nice roundup.

Related: The golden age of luggage labels – in pictures

The Most Enticing-Looking Desserts From Starbucks Locations Around The World Let's go!

Ooh: Over 60,000 Plants Bloom Inside the World’s Largest Orchid Garden

Whoa, look at this glow-in-the-dark library.

Morning Coffee (7/21/17)

Time for a break for some happy Friday links!

Your Friday absolutely needs John Boyega's GQ cover story.

Your Friday may also need adorable royal children. Go Fug Yourself has great coverage of the Cambridges' trip to Poland and Germany - start here.

Need another cute baby pic? Adult Justin Trudeau held his namesake Baby Justin Trudeau.

Ahhhh, I hope this comes somewhere nearby! Christmas in the Wizarding World to bring Harry Potter magic to holiday shopping

I'm so excited about the new books about the history of magic in the Harry Potter world.

I want to go to Disney's space restaurant!

Ooh, this sounds good and I hope they expand it to all locations: Starbucks Just Added A New Vegan Lunch Option

I AGREE: You Should Be Making (and Eating) More Icebox Cakes

Lay's "Do Us A Flavor" Finalists Are Here & They Are Wackier Than Ever (I want to try the everything bagel and cream cheese one, at least.)

Need some escapism? 17 of the Most Over-the-top Hotel Suites in the World

Morning Coffee (4/21/17)

As usual, Friday morning links are skewed toward giving you some distractions and a break from current events.

We're getting more X-Files!!

The Audacity of Starbucks' Unicorn Frappuccino Is Astounding

Penguin's #ProjectReadathon is neat - read excerpts from their books and they donate books to Save the Children!

This Luxury Hotel in London Was Once a Secret Spy Base

22 Things We Learned From That Juicy New Prince Charles Biography

How the Henley Went From Workman’s Undershirt to CW Staple

What Bill Nye Can't Travel Without

I'm not as into rosé as are some people in my life, but I'm willing to be convinced by rosé cocktails.

Ooh, I need to try this hair doohickey.

Whoa: Queen Mother’s old fridge still working after incredible 63 years of service at Scots castle

!! This Genius Coffee Table Keeps Drinks Cold and Charges Your Phone

15 Bookish Cross Stitch Patterns for All Stitchers

Morning Coffee (4/14/17)

Time for some happy Friday links.

"When The New York Times asked readers how to fix baseball, we all neglected to consider the obvious answer: cats."

I assume all of our Fridays need this: When Prince Harry Met Justin Trudeau

Hee! Hillary Clinton Models The Pink Power Pump Katy Perry Named After Her

In which Todd makes me want to see these movies: 11 questions you were too embarrassed to ask about the Fast & Furious movies

!! Starbucks is Testing Out a Brand New Lunch Menu

What Shakespeare Character Are You?

University's three-legged cat 'relieves exam stress' Aww, I bet he does.

Let's make some champagne cocktails.

Aw: Railway Engineers in England Just Solved a Sunny, 175-Year-Old Mystery

Haha: The new BBC Dad is a Latvian mayor whose cat interrupted his live stream

Whoa: Watch these color-changing nails do some witchy sh*t in the sink

Morning Coffee (1/31/17)

This isn't surprising or anything, but obviously terrible: Trump Fires Acting Attorney General Who Defied Him

THIS is surprising: Hill staffers secretly worked on Trump's immigration order: Several House Judiciary Committee aides helped craft the controversial directive without telling Republican leaders. (I am not a big "I hope their bosses fire them for that one mistake" person but... I hope their bosses fire them. REGARDLESS of the issue, Congressional staffers should not be doing secret work hidden from their bosses!)

‘You Have Let Us Down, Trump’: Iraqis See U.S. Relations Recast

Keep protesting: How Two Angry Brooklynites Helped Chuck Schumer Find His Spine

Radicalizing American Politics Is Part of the Game Plan for Team Trump

This whole piece about whether Jared Kushner is losing influence is interesting but the detail about Trump doing his craziest things on Friday nights and Saturdays when Jared and Ivanka can't intervene because of the Sabbath is FASCINATING.

Trump's global abortion gag rule goes much further than any previous administration

A bit of good news: The Boy Scouts Just Announced They Will Allow Transgender Boys To Join

Time to buy some Starbucks.

Good Atticus, Bad Atticus

Scans Unveil Secrets of the World's Oldest Mummies

Portugal's Unexpectedly Heroic Custard Tarts

Morning Coffee (11/11/15)

Me elsewhere: Agent X was fun!

The Veterans Day Google Doodle is quite nice.

Important: Here's a good overview of the threats - and, just now, arrest - at the University of Missouri.

Here's John Dickerson on last night's debate.

Vox has a very thorough explainer on the Starbucks red cup controversy that makes some interesting points about social media fame and outrage in general.

"Under the rascality test, 'the objectionable conduct must attain a level rascality that would raise an eyebrow of someone inured to the rough and tumble of the world of commerce,'" says Bissetti. Oh, New Hampshire.

Ugh: American Girl Magazine Faces Criticism for Photo of Adopted Daughter and Two Dads

Humans of New York and the Cavalier Consumption of Others

Why it's time to leave old-school SEO behind. Amen.

Sex, Drugs, And V-Neck Tees: Inside The Cult Of American Apparel

"Because there are skulls, I shouldn’t waste my time reading books or looking at flutes or having an expensive pocket-watch? You’re going to have to do a better job of persuading me that the pursuit of all interests is dust and vanity if you can’t even draw a withered laurel wreath."

Morning Coffee (9/4/15)

HAPPY FRIDAY! And happy three-day weekend, to those who have one! I am planning to mostly stay in my house and catch up on work and gift knitting and maybe bake some cookies, and I'm honestly REALLY EXCITED about it. But I'm going to give you a few extra links today in case I go crazy and SLEEP IN or something on Monday.

"It looks just like Tinder but it's not actually a way for cats to find relationships. It's much more like a Hot or Not for cats."

I suggest you take two minutes out of your day to gaze at Ireland being pretty. (A few comments here: 1. It showed me an Ireland tourism ad before the video. VERY GOOD AD PLACEMENT. LET'S GO. 2. I feel like they're overstating the isolation of the Aran Islands a bit. "One island even has a bank"? One island has a SPAR, with a normal grocery selection and at least an ATM. 3. People do, in fact, get around in those horse carts. It was the only way to get to our B&B when we went.)

This is, in fact, what I want scientists to be working on: longer-lasting ice cream. (I'm not joking. Ice cream is very important to me.)

Royals and Their Dogs

"Lance Corporal Derby XXX was unavailable for comment." (You should click through. Lance Corporal Derby XXX is a SHEEP.)

Because the Hallmark Channel loves me and wants me to be happy, they're doing a new Fall Harvest series of movies.

In other fall news: Here's the Pumpkin Spice Latte Instagram account! If you click through there's a way to get one early.

Here's a great interview with the Fug Girls about The Royal We and more. (If you're a Kindle person and haven't read The Royal We yet, it's currently $3.99. I expected to like it but I LOVED it.)

"The real bishop said: 'My admiration is enormous - if my life depended on it, I couldn't knit a bishop.'"

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Choose Your Next Book (Related, sort of: Do you guys want book reviews? I kind of want to write book reviews. I don't know. It's September. I want to take on ALL THE PROJECTS.)

7 Inanimate Objects That Are Actively Plotting Against Us (Trust me, it's adorable.)

The Timeless Allure of the Art of Knots

If Alexander Siddig Were Your Boyfriend

Morning Coffee (8/31/15)

Boo: No pumpkin spice lattes until after Labor Day.

Wait, this surprises people? Oh, Iowa, you sweet summer child.

McKinley no more: America's tallest peak to be renamed Denali

I love how cautious this headline is: Two Men Say They’ve Found a Mythical Train of Nazi Gold

This one, however, is WAY TOO INCAUTIOUS: A 500-Year-Old Royal Murder Mystery May Soon Be Solved

Meet the 15-Year-Old Tech Whiz Whose Software Is Turning the Tide Against Internet Hate

Science Says Working With Too Many Men Will Literally Hurt Your Brain

Hands off our comfort reads