Entertainment
9 Readers Share Their Cozy Corners
“Our dog, Ruby, lies on the kitchen table because it’s the one spot where she can see my car pulling into the driveway,” says Elizabeth from Charlottesville, Virginia. “Our neighbors say they always look for her in the window when they walk by. This act of devotion brings me so much joy.” Below, eight more Cup of Jo readers share their cozy corners…
“We are an art-loving family and have always struggled with how to display as much as possible. These IKEA shelves have been a game changer! And the couch was in my family room growing up — it’s more than 40 years old and saw my mom through all three of her pregnancies. It was so special to take my own pregnancy naps here before we welcomed our son last October.” — Meredith, Tampa, Florida
“We live in a 150-year-old home, and the guest room on our top floor has become a favorite retreat. The ceilings are low, everything is bathed in white and pale blue, and the furniture is from my childhood bedroom. Being wrapped in that nostalgia makes an afternoon there feel like coming home. My kids love having sleepovers or rainy reading days in the nook, and they’ve named it the ‘tippy top B&B.’” — Heather, Macon, Georgia
“All three of my pups nap on this couch, and I love cozying up with them with a good book after a long day of work.” — Shay, Nashville, Tennessee
“I put lots of thought into making my home feel inviting, and I’ve added window seats, books, artwork, blankets, pillows, and even a disco ball (thanks to CoJ for many of these ideas and sources!). Nothing makes me happier than when my friends tell me how cozy it feels.” — Megan, Portland, Oregon
“I always dreamed of a dining nook with a built-in bench, and last year I made it happen! Now it’s where my two kids have breakfast after rolling out of bed, where we talk about the best and worst bits of our days over dinner, and where a surprising number of people smoosh in for dinner parties.” — Tess, Perth, Australia
“My favorite spot is our sunroom. There’s something magical about watching the seasons change, especially our giant old tree that breathes with the weather. Nothing beats sipping my morning coffee there, watching the world wake up.” — Kimberly, Portland, Oregon
“I bought this postcard rack from the flea market and filled it with old postcards from my parents, friends, and other family members. All the messages are happy, since people are traveling or exploring museums. Whenever I feel down, I spin the rack and read the postcards. I’m reminded that in that moment, someone was thinking about me. It cheers me to no end.” — Nina, Fort Collins, Colorado
“I’ve moved once a year since 2018, but this past winter I landed somewhere that’s safe and mine for as long as I want. One afternoon, I caught my eight-year-old dog, Twyla, enjoying the sunshine on thrifted furniture that’s been remixed so many times in so many apartments. I think in that moment, we both shared the same thought, ‘Yeaaaah, buddy, we’re home.’” — Kelsey, Providence, Rhode Island
Thank you, everyone! We love you so much.
P.S. More readers share favorite corners and one reader’s husband built her an introvert nook.
(Photo of Meredith by Katelyn Rose Photography.)
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. Yours may be your biological mother, or maybe she’s your mother-in-law, your best friend’s mom, or simply someone whose motherly instinct has helped you through hard times.
Moms teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain.
The game plan here isn’t just to snag the last bouquet at CVS just so you’re not the kid who forgot Mother’s Day (but definitely also get flowers). And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money. (Peep our list of Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than $50. Want even more cheap gift ideas?
Skip the generic mugs and show your appreciation with a gift picked just for her: Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a damn queen, you can’t put a price on everything she’s done for you, but heartfelt gifts certainly help.
After all, they say “No matter how hard you try, you always end up like your mother.” But is that even a bad thing?
Entertainment
Ban subscriptions and get Microsoft Office 2024 for life for just £121
TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac for just £120.54 through June 1.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it’ll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you’ve been looking for. Instead of monthly payments, simply pay £120.54 once and be set for life (reg. £188.37). It’s that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What’s included?
This license comes with:
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Word
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Excel
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PowerPoint
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Outlook
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OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you’re switching to a lifetime license doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they’re yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
Mashable Deals
Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for £120.54 with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 9, 2025
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Gibberish.
Mashable Top Stories
Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter T.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
TRIPE.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.
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Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
