Roasting fresh chestnuts in the oven is the modern equivalent of “chestnuts roasting on an open fire…”, the iconic lyrics to one of the most quotable American Christmas songs in the canon. Every year when winter comes around, securing a bag of locally-grown chestnuts and roasting them in the oven is a local food lovers’ […]
Cool Ideas
5 Cool Clean Beauty Stores in NYC (For Your Bucket List)
New York City’s clean beauty and natural skincare game– while this may at first pass seem to be a very “California” thing– is actually quite excellent. The Big Apple is the fashion capital of the world, after all, and what would a fashion capital be without a copious number of places to explore the world […]
Kiwi Picking in Virginia is The Fall Activity I Didn’t Know I Needed
Yes, you can go kiwi picking in Northern Virginia! Chances are you are reading this because you were like, “What?! I didn’t even know kiwi picking was a thing! I want to do that!”– and so here are the details, my friends: Kiwi picking at Virginia Golden Kiwi in Vienna, Virginia opens each Fall for […]
5 Wonderfully Calming Qi Gong Videos For Relaxation & Energy
In an era when most of us have a heightened awareness of the negative effects of overstimulation, the slow, methodical mind-body practice of Qi Gong has become increasingly appealing. Everyone wants to feel calm and centered in their minds and bodies, right? So why not look into the time-honored healing practices of the ancients to […]
At This Charming Paw Paw Festival in Maryland, America’s “Secret Fruit” Shines
Momentum is growing behind a beautiful Paw Paw Festival that takes place at a 25-acre homestead in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Frederick, Maryland– an event that’s fast becoming one of the DMV area’s best-kept secrets in the realm of local food. Organized by permaculturist and landscape designer Michael Judd of Ecologia […]
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 11 Coolest Birthday Cake Bakeries in Los Angeles
If you’re looking for an amazing birthday cake in Los Angeles, you’ve come to the right place. The City of Angels is increasingly regarded as one of the best culinary cities in America, and this is especially true when it comes to bakeries and celebrations. Like New York City, Los Angeles is a place where […]
6 Beautiful, Non-Toxic Rug Brands For Making Your Home Extra Cozy
Who says non-toxic rugs can’t also be beautiful and cozy? Whether you’re a design lover who wants to be more eco-friendly or a sustainability-minded person who doesn’t want to sacrifice good design, these natural, artisanal rug brands check all the boxes. And purchasing eco-friendly, non-toxic rugs for your living space isn’t just a luxury, either– […]
A Simple Breakdown of The 5 Love Languages
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 […]
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 […]