About 25 years ago a marriage counselor named Dr. Gary Chapman wrote a now-iconic book called The 5 Love Languages (which, yes, you can buy on Amazon). Over two decades later, new generations of people continue to discover his concept of “the five love languages” and apply them to their lives and relationships. What is […]
Cool Ideas
15 Delightful Yoga Gifts (Eco-Friendly + Stylish Props)
I know I know: you don’t need another gift guide. But sustainable yoga gear is all the rage among today’s yoga lovers. This gift guide for eco-friendly yogis spotlights all the latest, coolest gifts for yogis that make the practice more fun. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or trying to find some nice swag for […]
This Cool Scientific Survey Accurately Identifies Your Character Strengths
I was first directed to the VIA Character Strengths Survey in the course of taking Dr. Laurie Santos’ class, The Science of Well-Being, which is the most popular course ever offered in Yale‘s 300-year history. As part of an initial happiness assessment, Professor Santos directed us to this character strengths test as part of a […]
Understanding Gezelligheid: A Dutch Word That Captures Why It’s Important to Not Bum Each Other Out
In recent years, niche European words have become popular with English speakers all over the world as they capture perfect sentiments of universal feelings that not every language has a word for. First, of course, there was the French bon apetit (aka “enjoy your meal”); then came sprezzy (Italian slang for “stylishly messy”); then the […]
The 6 Best Birthday Cake Bakeries in Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina is a charming little mountain town known for its wonderful food, which showcases the robust Appalachian tradition of using seasonal, local, heritage ingredients. This description may conjure images of Edenic farmers’ markets (which are indeed idyllic in Asheville), but this is also true when it comes to birthday cakes. Local bakeries here […]
What is a Lohri Party? What To Expect When Invited to This Joyful Indian Celebration
The New Year brings with it lots of fluffy traditions that don’t always seem rooted in history or culture, but Indian Lohri celebrations date back thousands of years and have a certain joyful magic about them. Like going to an Indian wedding, attending an Indian Lohri party is a bucket list item for many curious […]
The 100 Best Pregnancy-Safe Skincare & Beauty Products of 2025
This master guide to the 100 best pregnancy-safe skincare and beauty products on the market today combines scientific research, beauty editor tips, EWG and environmental advocacy recommendations, and other holistic health insight into the coolest, safest products every mom-to-be needs to try. When shopping for pregnancy-safe skincare and beauty products, always remember: What goes on […]
7 Natural Face Moisturizers That Are Good for Mind, Body & Earth
There’s a renaissance happening with clean skincare, particularly with respect to all-natural face moisturizers. Not only do consumers want face moisturizers to be chemical-free, but they’d like them to honor the environment and the people who make them. To succeed in this increasingly conscientious consumer market, they also need to have beautiful packaging and a […]
The 8 Best Birthday Cake Bakeries in Chicago
Chicago is increasingly regarded as one of the best culinary cities in America when it comes to bakeries– and birthday cake in particular. It used to be that New York and LA were the only major cities putting cake artists on the map, but the advent of the TV series Cake Wars, social media, and […]
The 10 Best Cruelty-Free, Non-Toxic Nail Polish Brands of 2025
So, you’re in the market for cruelty-free, non-toxic nail polish. And if you aren’t, here’s why you should be: new studies from Duke University and Environmental Working Group show that nail polish chemicals can seep into the bloodstream even through the nail bed. Ah! For that reason, and the fact that traditional nail polish has […]