The Social Climber: Beyoncé Ambushes Walmart Shoppers, J.K. Rowling Working on Harry Potter Play

Dec. 21, 2013 — -- quicklist:1title: Beyoncé Ambushes Walmart Shopperstext: Attention Walmart shoppers! Beyoncé in aisle 3.

Queen B's late night album drop last week wasn't the only surprise she had in store this holiday season. The platinum-selling Beyoncé dropped into a Walmart store in Tewksbury, Mass. to ambush shocked shoppers and spread some holiday cheer. Not only did the superstar pick up a few toys for baby Blue Ivy, she played Santa herself, and every person on site received a $50 Walmart gift card.media: 21297601

quicklist:2title: J.K. Rowling Working on Harry Potter Play

text: Is there a Harry Potter-shaped hole in your life? Don't worry -- J.K. Rowling has the cure. The beloved author of the book series is working on a prequel play, that will chronicle the boy wizard's life before he attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In a statement Rowling said that the play will "explore the previously untold story of Harry's early years as an orphan and outcast."

Rats. I guess that means no on-stage quidditch. media: 21297457

quicklist:3title: 'Whatever!' is Like, So Annoying

text: What-evs!

It turns out that the most annoying phrase in the English language is "whatever," according to a poll conducted by Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Thirty-eight percent of adults polled said "whatever" was most annoying in conversation . "Like" came in a close second at 22 percent and "you know" at 18 percent, according to the poll, while "just sayin,'" and "obviously," also placed.

media: 21298287

quicklist:4title: 'Sound of Music' Items Hit Auction Block

text: Can't get enough of "The Sound of Music" following Carrie Underwood's turn in the live TV broadcast a few weeks back? Well now you can own a piece of the original film. Costumes from the 1965 film and other movies go up on the auction block today – including 14 costumes from the movie musical. The costumes are in a lot estimated to be worth as much a $250,000.

And right in time for the holidays.

media: 21297548

quicklist:5title: The 2013 Winter Solstice Is Here

text: Winter may just be settling in, but the days are about to get increasingly longer. Today marks the 2013 winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, which marks our shortest daylight period and longest night of the year. For the next six months, the days again grow longer.

Just think of all of that extra time you'll have to read The Social Climber!

media: 21297778