DAY OF SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES
At this hour, several high-profile Democrats and a cable news station have all received suspicious packages today by mail. Officials say the potential explosive devices were intercepted before reaching intended targets or causing any injuries. Reports say the packages were sent to Hillary Clinton, former president Barack Obama, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and CNN. A similar device was discovered at billionaire Democratic contributor George Soros' home on Monday. The story is developing and there is plenty of speculation.
WILLA'S WARPATH
Hurricane Willa lost her massive Category 5 strength as she moved over Mexico this morning -- but the downgraded tropical storm isn't over yet. The United States is next to be hit with Willa's remnants -- and Texas is first in line. Rain is already falling in places like Austin and San Antonio. Forecasters say the system will likely move to the Gulf Coast and dump more rain on hard-hit Florida tomorrow before morphing into a coastal storm. Experts predict that a Nor'easter will move up the east coast through the weekend -- bringing heavy rain, wind and coastal flooding. And brace yourselves, New Englanders: you may even spot some snow. Read on.
THE STARS ARE ALIGNED
Steve Carell, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon -- together in a TV series? Apple TV just announced that Carell will join the powerhouse duo to star in a drama based on Brian Stelter's book Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV. Carell hasn't had a regular TV gig in seven years since he left "The Office." And you can double that hiatus for Aniston. No words on when this show will hit our screens, but click below for more details about the project.
YOU'RE HIRED
"I now appoint you executive lunch chef!" How liberating would it be to tell that to your kids and say goodbye to doing the job yourself? Read on as one mom tells the tale about how she taught her third-grade son (you read that right) to start packing his own, healthy, balanced lunch (you read that right, too)! Below, she shares everything from selling the idea to nutrition guidelines to, of course, a few lunch ideas.
MILK'S NEWEST #BFF
Hark! The newest Oreo flavor is peppermint bark! We are choosing to forgive Nabisco for interrupting our Halloween vibe over here. Oreo aficionados might be thinking peppermint Oreos aren't new -- well, you're right about that. But this limited edition -- which is already on store shelves -- has sugar crystals in the creme to enhance that whole peppermint bark experience. Oh, and three more new flavors are coming down the pike. Check them out below.
Ever wonder how today's moms make it through the day. Do they have some secret tricks they'd like to share with us? While every mom is different and every situation is unique, one thing is true -- we're all in this together. Our new feature highlights the little things that get them through their day and beyond.
Meet Liz Vaccariello...
Liz is the Editor in Chief of Parents magazine and the Meredith Parents Network. She's the mom to fourteen-year-old twin girls --- Sophia and Olivia. While she commutes to NYC, she resides in South Orange, NJ with her daughters and husband Steve. Here's how she does it...
Your biggest pickup line pet peeve?
Fast cars. These are children, people! Nothing's more urgent than their safety.
Your best mom hack?
Simplify your life in whatever ways you can. I have an office uniform (shift dress) so wardrobe and dressing don't take me too much time or thought. I pack the same lunch for myself every day for 20+ years. (The girls get variety, I don't ☺)
Your lunch packing strategy, if any?
See above.
When is your me time?
Exercise and my commute. I use the train to read for pleasure... or think.
After the kids are in bed, I...
Watch all the amazing television that's out now.... Dramas like Ozark, Bloodline, etc. I'm good for one episode, then I fall asleep too.
When I dream of an escape, I picture...
The jungles of Costa Rica with the girls and Steve. The sounds of the monkeys, the beautiful birds, the fun and adventure in an exotic place (that's also only a 4-hour direct flight from Newark).
Shower time? AM, PM - never???
Weekdays it's PM before bed. Weekends it's after the morning workout. Shower is also a main "mom escape" for me.
Your mom philosophy in one sentence?
Fuel every decision (and as many moments as you can) with love.
Mom vice?
The Bachelor
Love this vice -- we couldn't agree more! Look for more "Here's How She Does It" features coming soon on The Pickup Line!