Wellness

We’ve all had that moment where someone has recommended a product to you in which they say, “Everyone loves this, it’s perfect. It cleared up my skin and made my lashes longer and crushed all my enemies!” There are a lot of cosmetics out there that have been heavily recommended for ages now, so it’s time we take a look at them and see if they really are worth the hype.

Whether you’re opting to work out more regularly or make time to unplug for a set number of hours a day, the best New Year’s resolutions are a combination of self-care and self-improvement. Though it may sound trivial, don’t forget to squeeze in some skincare efforts, as well.

I’ve never been a person who’s good at New Year’s resolutions. I’d always set my sights on a bunch of lofty aspirations and then wind up dropping off after a few months or a few weeks, never getting to exactly where I’d hoped I would by the time the next December 31st rolled around. And it always felt terrible, because I thought I was failing. In 2016, I decided to try something new.

Maybe you feel like you’re not a creative person in general, or maybe you just need a little bit of a push to find the solution you’re seeking—either way, there are plenty of small things you can do to be more creative. It might not feel like it, but the brilliant thoughts and ideas you’re looking for are already in your head, waiting to be put down on paper, you just can’t see them yet.

I’ve been setting New Year’s goals and resolutions for like, forever. Every December 31, I sit down to craft a super long list of things I want to achieve in the New Year. Every year, I tick a few things off my list, which feels incredible, but the things I don’t accomplish make me feel like I didn’t do enough. (Sound familiar?) Instead, for 2017, I’m doing things a little differently—opting for New Year’s intentions instead.

When it comes to making more money, we tend to focus on working hard, landing that new job or getting that promotion—often overlooking how powerful our thoughts are at manifesting our reality. When you change your relationship with money, you might find that you’re able to hang on to more of it. Here, I’m sharing four of my favorite money habits that will help keep you in an abundant state of mind. Anytime money flows into your life, feel gratitude for it.

As we head into the scary winter months, our admiration for everything Scandinavian seems to grow exponentially with each degree the temperature drops. How does Sweden rank among the happiest countries when it has such dark, cold winters? In search of some answers, we turned to Niki Brantmark, the blogger behind My Scandinavian Home, who lives in a townhouse by the sea in southern Sweden.

Inspiration can come from all sorts of places. Friends and family members give us advice when we struggle, celebrities and other iconic figures give us something to aspire to, and romantic relationships teach us a lot about ourselves and what we want out of life. But, suprisingly, sometimes the ideas that stick with us—the ones that light fires under us and inspire us to keep going and do our best—come from our favorite movies, shows and novels.

How awesome do you feel when you run into someone you met once, a while ago, and they greet you by name? How awesome would it be to be that person who makes others feel that sort of “you matter” euphoria? Whether the reasons are business or personal, knowing someone’s name goes a long way in forging a lasting relationship. Here’s how to do it. So if someone says, “Hello, I’m Daytona,” you say, “Nice to you meet you, Daytona, I’m so-and-so.

For some people, the holidays really are the most wonderful time of the year—but for others, January 1st can’t come soon enough. There are tons of reasons why you might not want to celebrate—maybe you just don’t like the holidays, maybe you’ve got social anxiety and the pressure of attending party after party is too much, or maybe you need to take time to focus on your mental health for other reasons.

You may have been reading the updates on the building of the Stacked Barn here, but in an effort to shamelessly support my daughter’s school I’m giving it away for one weekend after it’s finished. You too, could make history and sleep in the soon-to-be-iconic Stacked Barn. Or, should you prefer, you could have a guitar lesson from the iconic James Valentine of Maroon 5 fame.

Because sometimes you're overbooked or just don't want to go.

When Andy Williams (and every other singer who’s ever released a cover of the song) sang “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” he obviously wasn’t thinking about the whole holiday travel thing. Whether you’re flying, driving, or taking a train or a bus, there’s no getting around the fact that sometimes traveling during the holidays just, well… sucks.

Two major things tend to happen come winter: One, it gets cold and finding things to do—honestly, just leaving the house—becomes a chore. And two, if you’re single, it feels like everyone around you is coupling up. Winter feels like a time to be cozy and romantic, but sometimes the best thing you can do is take this time to focus on yourself.

We all have that friend who knows how to pack light—the one who loves showing off her modest weekender bag next to your overstuffed full-size suitcase. The same one who then asks to borrow your toothpaste, and who you suspect swiped some of the shampoo you left in the shower. So, is there really a way to do it? Can you actually pack light and still bring all the essentials? Yes, and these mini cosmetics, tools and toiletries may be the secret solution.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to kick your gratitude practice up a notch. Gratitude is a super tool for living a happy life, and the modern way to do it is nothing like the gradeschool-style hand turkeys marked with notions like “I’m thankful for my mom and Lego.

Living with roommates isn’t always easy, but for some reason, there are so many preconceived notions about living alone. Your living arrangement doesn’t necessarily reflect on who you are as a person—it’s more about doing some soul-searching and figuring out what works best for you.

When you move into a new apartment building or a new neighborhood, do you try to make friends with your neighbors, or do you just go about your business? Sometimes, it makes sense to keep to yourself, but if your neighbors seem like the kind of people you’d like to get to know, it might be worth it to put yourself out there a little bit.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been dumped and heard the words “just friends.” We’ve all been there—and we’ve probably all used the same lame excuse to break up with someone, too. “Just friends” is such a common way to let someone down gently, but when you really think about it, it doesn’t make much sense.

You love your apartment, but there’s one thing you would change if you could—your roommate. It could be that your roommate is actually the worst, but maybe it’s not about them—maybe, it’s you. Maybe it’s that, deep down, you know you’d rather live alone. Whether you daydream about your perfect studio or you dread spending any time around your roommates, these might be signs that it’s time to get your own place.

While there are no hard and fast rules anymore about wearing white after Labor Day or magenta lipstick year round, the change of seasons can spark a desire for warmer hues and deeper colors. We asked our editors to share their go-to fall lipsticks, and they range from Sephora splurges to drugstore steals.

Concerts and movies are great group activities, sure, but they don’t have to be group outings. It seems like most people wouldn’t (or at least, haven’t) gone to to a concert or to see a movie by themselves—and if you haven’t, you’re missing out. It may sound weird, but giving myself permission to go to things like that alone was one of the best things I could have ever done for myself.

No matter your profession, creative blocks can and will arise from time to time. One minute you’ll be bursting with originality and enthusiasm—and the next you might feel totally stuck. You’ve probably already heard of all the typical ways to bust through those blocks such as meditating, exercising, and spending time in nature, but here I’m sharing a few different methods you may not have heard of before that will get your creative juices flowing again in no time.

Is there anything better than a great conversation? Is there anything more frustrating than not being listened to? If your answer to both these questions is “no,” or if you’ve found that others get frustrated with you for not listening, read on for a ton of tips that will help your chats be far more fun, friendly, and productive.

To any of you who need a bit of a fire lit under them to fire up the stove this fall, here are a few tips for easing your way back into the kitchen.

Busy. It’s become a badge of honor, an excuse, a shield to hide behind, a reality for many and above all, a buzzword to avoid. Whether you are trying to be less busy or are currently drowning in it, I’ve managed to slow down (a bit) in my own life, and have a famous city in the South to thank. My penchant for constant movement isn’t just a product of my generation; it’s genetics, too.

They say a picture’s worth a thousand words, but studies and go back and forth on the power of the selfie. Some say taking selfies is actually bad for your self-esteem while others say they have a more positive effect, and the internet is full of think pieces debating the same thing. Of course, taking a selfie isn’t a cure-all for your confidence, but it can’t hurt to celebrate when you feel good about yourself by taking pictures (whether you post them to Instagram or not).

In my teens and early twenties I was always the first to arrive, and had to consciously make an effort to not be early. I hated being late. Hated it. But when I moved to a bigger city, started a more demanding “grown-up” job, and generally developed a more complicated—sometimes unpredictable—life, my ways changed. While the only people who beat me to office meetings these days are interns, I’m not quite the stickler I used to be regarding promptness.

When you read about a woman who makes only a Mason Jar worth of waste per year, it’s hard not to think you’re doing life wrong. We all want to do right by the environment, but getting started along the path to a more sustainable lifestyle can seem daunting. The good news is it really is easy being green. By making small modifications in your daily life, you can significantly reduce your waste output.

You might think that sitting behind computers all day makes us all soft, but you’d have to think again! Here in our NY Offices and also remotely, all of our employees are a part of a super cool, digital wellness network that tracks our exercise, prods us along (we can compete with other companies) and keeps up our fitness awareness. Founded by my brother, Oliver Ryan, Count.it is an awesome addition to our company culture, so I’m proud to share this short video he just made.

Traditional 9-to-5 jobs can be tedious, but there’s a shift that tends to happen every summer in offices across the country. As jeans and sandals become part of the dress code, you’ll start to notice fewer people in the office. Everyone is either on vacation, getting ready for one, or just got back to a mountain of emails. Productivity slumps. Recurring meetings are cancelled week-to-week, and deadlines become a little bit more flexible.

Legendary New York Times fashion photographer Bill Cunningham died on Saturday at the age of 87. He had been hospitalized recently after a stroke. Born in Boston in 1929, Cunningham moved to New York after dropping out of Harvard. He started out as a hat designer, and when the fashions became less formal in the 1960s, he picked up a camera instead.

I want to propose a new addition to the list of Things That are Better When You’re 22.

You don't need more coffee. Just a new frame of mind.

Vibrant, dramatic wall paint makes a big visual impact in just about any room. As does a patterned sofa in the living room or a graphic rug in the kitchen. But it’s not just the big, bold design decisions that make noticeable changes to the look or feel of your home. In this post, members of the Apartment Therapy editorial team weigh in on the smaller design details they think make a big difference.

Valentine’s Day has come and gone for another year, leaving everyone thinking about love and relationships. But what about the relationship you have with your home? Here are five (free!) things you can do to love your home just a little bit more. Get rid of some stuff. Lots of advice about how to make your home better revolves around bringing in something new.

They’ve got a super cute room with a comfy bed. Why don’t they ever sleep in it? And when they do? Why is it never alone?! If it’s time to get your little one to sleep through the night in his or her own bed, here’s advice on how to do just that. First, let’s face facts: the issue of our kids sleeping in our beds is not totally about them. It’s also about us. We like it! We like snuggles! We like that they are little! And that’s okay.

The January Cure is essentially a big old reset button for home habits. It’s a chance to try out different things, break patterns and set up new habits that will make it easier to take good care of your space, and by extension, yourself. Today, you don’t have to clean or sort or declutter. All I ask is that you take a simple, small step toward a different way to spend an evening at home.

I’ve never much cared for New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I find it easier to focus on a couple of specific things that I would like to achieve for the upcoming year. These long-term goals somehow have a way of winning out, even when my resolve flags. You may set goals for redecorating, renovating, refreshing, rearranging, or just plain enjoying the space in which you live. But some are much more realistic than others, and not all goals are created equal.

It doesn’t take as much time as you might think to set yourself up for success all year long. Before this new month ends, consider tackling these two tasks. They won’t take you more than five minutes to accomplish a piece, but their positive effects will resonate all year long. This is one of my favorite clothes decluttering tools that absolutely anyone with a closet and hangers can implement to make their lives a little bit better throughout the year.

I am awesome at sticking to New Year’s resolutions. For about two weeks. Then my resolve softens followed by a predictable petering out of whatever habit I was trying to form, a short bout of self-recrimination and, finally, a return to the former status quo. So a few years ago I ditched the idea of resolutions and came up with something better…a mantra. The first mantra I adopted was very simple: Use it.

There are all kinds of ways that we put pressure on ourselves and our homes, and it’s all too easy to feel disappointed with ourselves when things go wrong—but it’s time to stop being so hard on yourself. Here are five common laments and ways to reframe them in a positive light. Peach & Craig’s Peaceful Australia Abode You’re a plant killer.

There’s reason to believe that people who over-think things may be more creative. But, man, you’re not doing yourself any favors by dwelling on that email you need to send. The best thing you can do to combat overthinking is simple: Take action! Make a decision or just do the thing you’re turning over about in your head. Here are eight things I know I’ve personally gotten my brain stuck on before… Which clothes to purge and donate.

It’s hard to ignore the stigma of what’s cheap. We’ve been trained over the years to equate price with value. When faced with two options–for a chair or maybe a picture frame–our minds are hard-wired to think of the more expensive option as being of better quality or more beautifully designed. That is, of course, not always the case.

There’s something so intoxicating about the turn of the calendar into a new year. It’s a blank slate and a fresh start. A time to reflect on lessons learned in the past and make ambitious promises to yourself about the new year. How can you — any of us — really ensure not just a great year, but perhaps one of the best years ever? Focus on these three things now and in the new year. The world is hectic. Scary. Overwhelming.

Are you doing things that unintentionally make yourself have a bad day…before the day even really starts? Cut out these four things from your life and home and you might find your days start off on the right foot more often. Walking into a messy room is a bummer any time of the day, but particularly so first thing in the morning.

I’m a firm believer in the idea of everyone living alone at least once in their life. In fact, I’m in the solo-living-forever-if-I-can camp. Not only can it be a fun and enjoyable experience for most folks, I think you can also learn a lot about yourself. Here are six of the most important things living alone can teach you about you.

You’re naturally curious about a friend’s home, or their relationship, or their partner’s line of work, but your sincere questions could be coming off as rude if you don’t know the right way to phrase them. By switching some words around, you can ask questions that will inspire excited, vibrant answers and better conversation.

Annie’s Color-Splashed Home We use color metaphors to express our emotions all the time. We feel blue, see red when we’re angry, turn green with envy, and others may call us “yellow” when we’re afraid or lacking in bravery. Are these metaphors just that—metaphorical—or do they have some basis in biology?

Home is supposed to be a calming place. But with the movement towards open floor plans, things are only getting more complicated. Same goes for anyone living in a studio apartment: When most of your life takes place in the same sweeping room, where do you go for a moment of serenity? Answer: Anywhere you want. Start with a corner, or a bedroom, or the bathroom, or even your closet.

The pressure to do it all, have it all, be it all, and still have a perfect home to throw Pinterest parties in is pervasive and leads inexorably to talk of multitasking and time management. Balance, to me, is finding a way to spin all the plates on all our appendages. But if minimalism is a counterpoise to physical excess, then taking things out of our schedules must be the antidote to busyness and the key to being present. Here are some ways to practice presence in your daily life.

We tell you all the time about the importance of making your bed — the one task that will make you happier, healthier, permanently stress-free and rich beyond your wildest dreams (or something along those lines). But against my own advice — I know, I’m a hypocrite — I rarely make my bed. Mornings are always such a scramble that it never seemed like much of a priority.

For such a small word, it sure is hard for some people to say no, even when they really, really want to. So how do some people breezily refuse an invitation while others begrudgingly accept? How do they pull if off? Like this! Here’s the deal: even though it doesn’t feel like it, saying no is your right. If you choose that path, you don’t need to explain yourself. That’s not to say you need to be rude.

Living with roommates — or with a partner — can be pretty fun. But there are certain joys that can only be tasted by those who live alone. Here are nine of the very best things about living solo. Singing out loud. This is one of my favorites. It doesn’t matter what you sing, or how loudly, or how badly, because your only audience is you. (And maybe your neighbors, if your walls are especially thin.) Watching whatever you want to watch.

Who likes keeping their friends? Me! So what do you do when your friend proudly shows off his new apartment and, well, you don’t love it. You won’t need to lie if you keep these responses at the ready. You can always find at least one thing you like! Sincerely complimenting one specific thing is so much better than hemming and hawing and offering a half-hearted, “Wow, what a great place…” generality.

We recently renewed the lease on our small apartment and while, in my heart of hearts, I knew all along that we’d be staying here at least another year, the months leading up to re-signing included many hours looking at apartments online and even a few in person. For a time, all I could focus on were the things about our apartment that drive me nuts (a “shotgun” layout, need I say more?

It remains to be seen whether downsizing and minimalism are going to be a cultural shift or just a cultural fad, but these ideas are certainly in the air and on a lot of minds. If you’re feeling a tug toward simplicity and paring down, here are some excellent TED Talks to watch on these topics from people who are already “walking the walk.” With one exception, these TED Talks come from Tedx events – TED-sanctioned but independently run events.

If you're spending The Great Heat Wave of 2019 tossing, turning, and throwing off damp sheets with an angry flourish, here are a few ways to make those hot summer nights a bit cooler.

Ahhh… Mondays. For most of us, they’re the start of the work week, bringing with them a bleak realization that the weekend is definitely over. But if you want to live a happy life, you’ve got to start looking on the bright side of things! Monday is just another day, with tons of opportunity to live, laugh, and explore. Changing your outlook on Mondays isn’t hard, it just requires a few small tweaks to your routine.

1930’s London wasn’t known for its plentiful fresh air or sunshine but for a quick minute, these babies got to soak up as much as they could of both…while dangling high above the city streets in a wire cage. Guess that’s one way to get your kid to play outside. This incredible invention was brought to our attention courtesy of an hilariously tongue-in-cheek recent Gothamist article.

When you’re young and carefree, where you live is sometimes just a place to sleep between working and being a social butterfly. And that’s fine. That’s what being young is all about. But most of us, at some point or another, wake up, look around and realize that our home is no longer Dorm Room 2.0, but has the markings of a real, grown-up abode. If you think this might be happening to you, here are 10 signs to look for: Re-edited from a post originally published 6.16.

Have some trips coming up (for business or pleasure)? Want to know how to glide through the airport, not break a sweat on a road trip and in general, enjoy the act of traveling — the actual getting from one place to another — a bit more? Take a page out of the notebook of travelers who never seem mussed or frustrated with these stress-less secrets.

Everyone knows a homebody. (And if you don’t know one, you definitely are one.) Homebodies aren’t boring and they’re not necessarily shy. They just know hanging around the house can be pretty awesome. Here’s why… Homebodies love spending time at home and so they naturally put a lot of effort into making their home a great place to be. That might manifest through calming colors, lots of comfortable seating or even just plenty of snacks.

We tend to think of beauty as being mostly subjective. But if you were to ask a random sampling of 100 people what the most beautiful cities in the world are, you’d probably get a lot of very similar answers. A lot of people might name San Francisco, or Paris, or Prague. But you probably wouldn’t garner a lot of votes for Frankfurt, Germany, or Houston, Texas. What makes certain cities more beautiful than others? And why is it that newer cities often tend to be the ugliest of all?

Nothing I can say here is gonna make your breakup not suck. Sorry. But there are some little tricks that will ease the sting and help you get back to normal (or better than normal!) faster. You already know this stuff in your heart, but you probably need to hear it anyway. If you’re living together, you need to stop. No excuses.

Recently, Adrienne wrote a post on 10 Things to Do in 10 Minutes Before Work to Make Coming Home Much Nicer. As someone who works from home, I know that it can often be difficult to draw the work/home line. So if you work from home, here are 10 things that you can do to clearly delineate your time. 1. Keep set hours.

In Houston I had a house that was almost 1,000 square feet, with two patios and a balcony off the bedroom and a washer and dryer and more closets than I knew what to do with. And then I sold it, and got rid of almost everything I owned, and moved into a 260 square foot apartment in Manhattan, the smallest place I’ve ever lived since I lived in a college dorm. And you know what? I’m a lot happier.

I studied architecture in college but somehow managed to avoid reading that seminal work of city planning, Jane Jacobs’ Death and Life of Great American Cities. Until I moved to NYC, and a friend challenged me to read it for an impromptu book club, and I started taking Jane with me on the subway and suddenly the secrets of this great city, and of all great cities, were laid bare before my eyes.

Have you inherited some vintage silver, brass or copper pieces and have no idea what to do with them or how to display them in your more modern space? If you have some sentimental pieces sitting in a box collecting dust, here’s how to incorporate them into your everyday decor. You’ll look at those old silver creamers at the thrift shop in a whole new light. TOP ROW: 1. Gather up a grouping of vintage creamers, cups etc.

You know that confidence is key when you’re getting dressed in the morning or giving a work presentation, so why do so many people lack confidence in the choices they’ve made in their homes? The next time someone admires your decor, try this. I’ve recently noticed that almost every time I give someone a compliment, they immediately start telling me what’s wrong with their space and what they plan to change. Whyyyyy?

It’s about time to get your resolutions in order — if only so you can have a quick answer to the only question you’ll be asked after New Year’s Eve. Once you’ve identified your big goal this year, make it last with these tips to keep you positive and on track. Start right now this minute — Whatever your resolution is, there’s no sense in binging on your bad habit prior to beginning your “good” behavior.

This post isn’t about embracing habits that affect the cleanliness or order of your home like making your bed or taking your shoes off. In fact, it’s not about making your home better, it’s about making yourself better through time spent at home. Read through and see which ideas appeal to you, which are realistic, and which ones spark different ideas you can pursue. 1. Have one daily ritual that is just for you.