Life

From Helix, SweetNight, Leesa, and more.

From IKEA, Design Within Reach, Wayfair, and more.

Perfect for hot summer nights and those who sleep hot no matter the season.

You can print photos right from your phone!

It holds so much!

No spa membership (or massive backyard) needed.

When you share a bed with someone, it’s possible that you’ll have different mattress preferences. At least, that’s the case for me and my fiancé, Jeremy. He’s a side and back sleeper, so he likes a firmer mattress, while I’m a stomach sleeper and like something softer that I can sink into. Our differing opinions became very apparent when I was testing mattress toppers for our Best List of mattress toppers, and Jeremy was naturally testing them with me.

I might be great at picking out great housewarming gifts, but wrapping them up neatly is another story entirely. Most of the time I do a fine job, but I still always seem to end up with wrinkled, crinkled corners instead of neat, clean lines.I often default to gift bags for this reason, but they can be a little uninspiring at times. Plus, both of these methods can lead to a lot of paper waste.

They’re quick-drying, too!

When my boyfriend (now fiancé) and I moved in together, we sold my mattress and decided to keep his. While it was very comfortable, I still wanted to get a mattress topper to add some extra oomph. And because we’re both hot sleepers, I prioritized finding one that was cooling. Then there was the added challenge of finding a topper that was comfortable for all sleep positions, as he sleeps on his back and side and I sleep on my stomach.

I spent $170 on mine, but you don’t have to spend more than $10.

I enjoy writing in a paper journal, be it a weekly planner or just a diary, but the really nice looking ones, like a leather-bound one, tend to be expensive. A more ordinary journal gets the job done, sure, but I’ll admit there’s something about a visually-pleasing notebook cover that legitimately increases my motivation to journal on a regular basis.

It’s under $100!

By mid-August, I find myself wishing for summer to be over and for fall to be here. I like to refer to this awkward period of seasonal transition as “hotumn” (aka hot autumn). I feel the itch for chillier weather, all things pumpkin spice, and cozy sweaters, but summer still hangs on. I could set the mood with a simmer pot, but it’s too hot to run my stovetop. Still, I’m ready to transition my space for fall.

There’s no better time to save big.

Hello, cozy season!

Say “welcome home” in style.

Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll tell you that I’ve never, ever had any trouble falling asleep. It’s waking up that’s the problem. I’m a notorious snoozer, and I have the horrible habit of oversleeping, then jolting awake in a panic about being late for work (not exactly a graceful start to the morning).

I’m a to-do list person. I have a notebook for my work tasks, a personal planner for my life admin, and a notebook at home for weekend to-dos like cleaning, laundry, and other tasks. I need to write everything down; otherwise, frankly, I will forget. But I often keep my to-do lists on random sheets of paper that inevitably get lost under my pile of mail or even tossed out by accident — and then I’m back to square one.

The pain of lost luggage can put a damper on an entire vacation. There’s nothing worse than waiting at the baggage carousel, only to walk away empty-handed. As a frequent traveler, I have dealt with my fair share of luggage woes — no matter how expertly I packed beforehand. On a 48-hour trip to Copenhagen without my checked suitcase, for example, I spent the first day searching for clothes that fit.

In theory, hosting a dinner party is wonderful. But somewhere between planning the menu, shopping for groceries, cooking, and setting the table, what should be a fun evening with friends can easily become an exhausting project. The pressure to time every dish perfectly and make everything look “just so” often drains the joy out of the night. As the host, you’re stuck doing the work preparing (and often cleaning up) while everyone else unwinds and spends quality time together.

Throughout my twenties, life outside of work and grad school revolved around comedy. Whether I was channeling group mind with my improv classmates or throwing together slapdash weekly sketch shows, I was never far from a theater. I never pursued comedy professionally, but I loved the creative outlet. These days, I’m in need of a new hobby.

The scent is so subtle.

From percale sheets to a luxe linen duvet cover.

This is not a drill! Get it while you can.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of traveling south of the border, then you know that Mexico is one of the most hospitable countries on earth. I grew up in a Mexican household, so I can attest that’s no hyperbole. Stop by for a quick errand, and my mom will feed you until you’re bursting at the seams — and then some.

Maybe you just moved to a new city (or country) for a job, or gone through a breakup and your friend group was shared between you and your ex, or felt like you’ve outgrown your current friendships and want to expand your connections. Whatever the reason you want to forge new bonds, it can be hard to make friends as an adult, especially in your 30s, when it feels like everyone else has their friend group locked and loaded.

It can be easy for me to get swept up by the wonder and whimsy of a thrift store. There’s so much stuff to dig through and so many unique items that can be tempting to bring home, especially when the thrift store has just restocked. I used to struggle with decision fatigue in the store and often left feeling guilty — sometimes I’d feel guilty for not buying something or I’d feel guilty for buying it.I love to thrift, so I knew something needed to shift.

Long ago, I started skipping keychains and T-shirts while on vacations and opted for vintage goods as souvenirs instead. That’s why I always look for secondhand stores on my travels. On a recent trip while my husband and I were wandering the streets of Lucca, Italy, we happened upon an adorable antique shop named Benedetta Bodega. There, I found something a bit more unorthodox compared to what I usually buy (original art or antique tins, for instance): a chipped wooden stool.

It made me a beach person again.

We’ve tried almost everything.

I’m a big fan of making lists, but I’m still looking for the ideal list system to help keep my entire life organized. I’ve tried to-do list apps, Post-It notes, and a magnetic whiteboard on my fridge. I’ve sent texts and emails to myself and have made countless lists in my Notes app. All these list-making methods work okay, but I still feel like there’s some better way to keep track of everything.

They're not the flashiest gifts, but they'll be put to great use!

One of the most challenging gift-giving scenarios for me is host and hostess gifts. I don’t want to show up to a party empty-handed, but I also don’t want to add even more stuff for the host or hostess to clean up and find a place for at the end of the night. Typically, I like to give people gifts that can be consumed — coffee, chocolate, candy, wine, or flowers.

Your fridge (and wallet) will thank you.

Here’s what to do when you don’t know what to do.

It's a really nice treat at the end of a long day or as a part of a spa night.

It’s beyond breezy.

It’s made a huge difference.

It’s sturdy, useful, and cute to boot.

I never thought this bag would double as a suitcase — but it's been a game-changer.

It feels like magic.

Get them before they’re gone.

It truly changed my life in a tangible way over the long term.

These essentials have made every trip easier.

Starting at $13!

Including a bath towel so good, it had a waitlist.

It’s Red Cross-approved, but I have thoughts.

The tong possibilities are endless.

It makes travel and organizing so much easier.

It changed my sleep!

It’s a summer essential.

I’m the kind of person who used to light a candle every single night just to make my apartment smell good and set the mood. It became a whole ritual — find the book of matches, pick the candle out of my collection, remember to blow it out before bed — and I didn’t think a home fragrance product could actually do that work for me in a lasting way.

It's so cute, too!

It's easy, sturdy, and you probably already own it.

From cooling cotton to luxe velvet.

Fellow introverts, hear me out.

It’s cute, it’s pink, and it’s fun.

It’s considered rude — and I totally understand why.

It’s an instant, cheap way to cool down.

It takes the stress out of packing, too.

These terms go mostly unused out in the world — but they shouldn’t.

It’s cute, versatile, and super-practical.

It's the easiest way to travel light.

It’s an essential part of my summer routine.

Score this cooling blanket while it's on sale for Prime Day!

Here’s what you need to know about this year’s deals.

We love them and you love them.

You might want to add them to your own shopping list.

Lingering over empty plates of food and letting the conversation linger has deepened my bond with my friends and family.

Don’t let the bugs win.

Including cooling, sustainable, and couple-friendly picks to please anyone.