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 now […]
Cool Ideas
This is “The Most Calming Song in the World” According to Neuroscientists
Hunting for relaxation music and want to get really clinical about it? Marconi Union’s “Weightless” is literally the most calming song in the world– at least according to neuroscientists. Allow me to explain further. In 2011, British ambient band Marconi Union worked with sound therapists and researchers from Mindlab International to specifically design an 8-minute […]
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 […]
5 Beautiful Affirmation Decks For Those Seeking More Peace
Affirmation cards, or affirmation decks, are thoughtful first-person statements that encourage positive thinking, calm, and confidence. They help you ponder ideas that leave you with a feeling of more peace, calm, and clarity than before. When either read aloud or recited silently in your mind, they encourage a positive shift in mood, energy, and intention. […]
Understanding Gezelligheid, The Dutch Word for An Optimally Relaxed Social State
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 9 Best Cruelty-Free, Non-Toxic Nail Polish Brands of 2021
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 […]
The 7 Best Natural Eczema Shampoos of 2021
It’s hard to find an all natural eczema shampoo that works to calm itch and inflammation without chemicals. Luckily, natural anti-itch shampoos are becoming more of “a thing”, especially among online shoppers. Accordingly, natural beauty brands are responding with earth-friendly and pregnancy-safe natural eczema remedies that get better every day. Unfortunately, most over-the-counter anti-itch and […]
6 Most Effective Cruelty-Free, Acetone-Free Nail Polish Removers of 2021
As part of the clean beauty revolution many people are starting to wake up to the importance of using non-toxic nail polish— but what about natural nail polish remover? Arguably, you get more chemical exposure from the acetone in regular nail polish remover than you do from chemical nail polish. So, why not switch to […]
6 Best Reef-Safe Zinc Sunscreens of 2021 (Most Effective + Elegant Formulas)
Reef-safe zinc sunscreen– which always contains a physical UV blockers rather than chemical SPF– is better for coral reefs because these formulas don’t contain avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, octisalate, or homosalate– six active chemicals that are known to be toxic to coral reefs. (And they’re not great for the human endocrine system, either.) It’s important […]
The 8 Best Natural Eczema Creams of 2021
Suffering from itchy skin? This mild stress response typically happens when your immune system overcorrects itself. Fortunately, these research-backed all natural, steroid-free eczema creams will tone down itch and calm inflammation without using harsh chemicals or steroids. Ultimately, you’ll need a “barrier cream” that protects the skin barrier– which usually means a lotion or cream […]