Rejoice! Cheat Days Actually Help You Lose Weight

We’re all for a healthy diet and exercise, but some days even the best healthy smoothie and good-for-you slow cooker recipe doesn’t really seem all that appetizing. But when we succumb to a cheat day and devour an oh-so-delicious cheeseburger and fries, we end up feeling super guilty. Well, according to new research published in the January 2016 edition of Consumer Psychology, one cheat day per week isn’t something to feel bad about at all — in fact, a one-day indulgence could actually be the key to sticking with your long-term weight-loss goals.

This timely research article out of Tilburg University can be broken down into three smaller studies. In the first study, the researchers asked 59 students to pretend to have one of two different diets: either a ‘traditional diet’ of 1,500 calories per day or an ‘intermittent diet’ which consisted of six days of 1,300 calories and one cheat day of 2,700 calories. Those with the intermittent or splurge diet predicted they would be better able to handle self-control throughout the week and were able to come up with more strategies to overcome temptation during the exercise.

In the second stage of the study, the researchers put their first results to the test. The researchers asked 39 students to take one of the two diets, track what they ate and weigh themselves in the lab. The results of the study proved their original hypothesis — the group with the cheat day was better at managing self-control and had more motivation and focus. And at the end of the week, both groups lost the same amount of weight.

Finally, the scientists asked a new set of participants to describe their own personal goals — whether that was health related or not. After outlining both the “traditional” and “intermittent” strategies, the participants agreed that the cheat day option would help them stay motivated to complete their goal, no matter what it was.

So as long as your cheat day is scheduled (AKA no spontaneous indulgences because your S.O. is having delicious smelling take-out) and semi-controlled (no 4,000+ calorie days, folks), your cheat day might actually help your diet stay on track for longer.

What’s your favorite cheat day indulgence? Check out some of our favorite recipes on Pinterest and Tweet us your own by mentioning @BritandCo.

(Photos via Getty)

Trader Joe’s never stops when it comes to adding new treats to their aisles – not that I’m complaining one bit. There’s always something fresh to dig into every grocery trip I take, from savory picks to sweets.

This month, TJ’s introduced over 30 new items. These are the top 7 you absolutely must try in February. Be quick, though – these good-lookin’ groceries are likely to fly off shelves!

Scroll on for the 7 most epic Trader Joe’s new arrivals for February 2025!

Trader Joe's

1. Handheld Chicken Pot Pies

This new $5 pick is only available for a limited time, according to Trader Joe's. The pot pie pockets boast a medley of dark meat chicken, peas, carrots, and potatoes, including a thick savory sauce that ties it together seamlessly with the flaky pastry crust. The box comes with two handheld pies that can be easily prepped in the oven or air fryer!

Trader Joe's

2. Soft Pretzel Twists

This next new item is making me yearn for baseball season. I fear there's nothing quite as delicious in the summer than a good ol' soft pretzel, and TJ's just took the treat to a whole new level! These $4 twists are about the size of a hot dog bun, so you could happily transform them into a more-filling, dog-packed lunch, or just get your snack on by dipping one into mustard or beer cheese (I vote for the beer cheese).

Trader Joe's

3. Whipped Feta Spread

I fear I'm about to whip right into the parking lot of my closest Trader Joe's to get a taste of this whipped feta. This $4 dip is heralded as a "creamy, ultra-spreadable, mega-dippable concoction" that makes an ideal pairing for carrots, pitas, bagels, crackers, and more. The recipe includes 51% feta cheese for a tangy, yet fresh flavor. It just hit shelves as a limited-time item, so run!

Trader Joe's

4. Artichoke Bottoms

Artichoke hearts – you know and love 'em. But Trader Joe's $3 Artichoke Bottoms are about to transform everything you thought you knew about the fiber-rich veg. Still boasting the same "nutty flavor" and "buttery mouthfeel" as hearts, these bottoms are shaped perfectly for hosting spreads, dips, or salads for a fun bite-sized party treat. TJ's recommends filling them with their Artichoke & Jalapeño Dip (a 10/10, by the way), topping each one with shredded cheese, and baking until bubbly. Yummm.

Trader Joe's

5. Vegetable Dumplings

These $4 vegetarian-friendly frozen dumplings come in the cutest size, and they're wrapped up and ready to be shown off in your dinner spread. They're equally yummy for an afternoon snack or lunchtime delight! Each one is filled with chives, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and cabbage so you can be sure you're getting your veggies in.

Trader Joe's

6. Teriyaki Mushroom Mini Bao Buns

I looove bao buns, and the fact that TJ's just made them mini has me so excited for my next grocery run! TJ's says each bite in this $5 bag is "mighty flavorful," thanks to the inclusion of three kinds of mushrooms, carrots, onions, spring onions, and an "aromatic" teriyaki miso sauce. They're extremely easy to prep in the microwave – I could easily see myself grabbing a couple for a quick afternoon snack.

Trader Joe's

7. Dark Chocolate Bark

If you were wondering where the sweet stuff was, it's right here: in the shape of some dee-licious chocolate. This $5 dark chocolate bark houses tons of tiny puffed quinoa seeds and dried raspberry pieces that make each bite wonderfully crunchy and a lil' fruity.

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St. Patrick’s Day is coming soon, and I’m already so pumped for it, thanks to a slew of fun fast food treats. From Wendy’s new Thin Mints Frosty and Dairy Queen’s Mint Oreo Blizzard to the return of McDonald’s famed Shamrock Shake, I’m geared up for all things green.

If you’re also celebrating St. Paddy’s with a sweet treat, you’re gonna want to try out this Starbucks secret menu drink that has the perfect green tint. It’s filled with white chocolate and matcha – but not in the way you’d think. Plus, it's a tasty departure from your expected mint flavors around this time of year!

Scroll on to discover the Starbucks secret menu order that’s perfect for sipping on St. Patrick’s Day!

@_starbuckssss

Essentially an iced white chocolate mocha made with blonde espresso topped with matcha cold foam and brown butter sprinkles, one Starbucks barista revealeda tasty (and festive!) new way to enjoy the chain’s offerings in lieu of St Paddy’s: the Pot Of Gold!

Starbucks

The spirited drink starts with 4 pumps of white mocha sauce, which is then combined with 2 blonde espresso shots. Starbucks’ blonde espresso has a smoother effect than their traditional shots, so expect this sip to bring on the sweetness!

Starbucks

From there, you can order the drink with your choice of milk – and it’s a total bonus that Starbucks is no longer charging extra for alternative milks like oat, almond, coconut, and soy milk!

Starbucks

The next step is to order the drink with the chain’s vanilla cold foam, adding 2 scoops of matcha powder in the process.

Note: this secret menu item was shared before Starbucks reformulated their matcha powderto be unsweetened, but the cold foam should still have some sweetness, thanks to the vanilla.

Starbucks

Finally, the Pot Of Gold matcha drink is complete, boasting a satisfying layer of green on top of a golden latte. The barista who came up with the drink topped their bev with Starbucks’ brown butter sprinkles, which is in cafes for a limited time alongside their pistachio-flavored coffees.

If your local Starbucks is out of the brown butter sprinkles, a dusting of cinnamon or chocolate curls could also be so tasty!

Starbucks

With this secret menu hack, you’ll be sipping your way through a delightful sweetness and plenty of caffeine from both the matcha powder and espresso shots. If you prefer to have less jitters in your drink, you could easily order it ‘half-caff’ or with decaf espresso shots.

For quick reference, here’s how to order the Pot Of Gold drink. Ask for:

  • A grande iced latte
  • With 2 blonde espresso shots (or your preference for ‘half-caff’ or decaf)
  • With your choice of milk
  • Topped with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam with 2 scoops of matcha powder
  • Add brown butter topping

And voila! This drink is such a fun way to ring in St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re craving an iced blended beverage, I also tracked down some pretty delicious-looking secret menu drinks for a Lucky Leprechaun Frappuccino and a Pot Of Gold Frappuccino.

Check ‘em out – and happy St. Paddy’s!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more Starbucks hacks!

By now, you know that we're crazy about queso, but the reality is that we like any sort substance that is fit for a chip plunge! And with the best chip-dipping day on the horizon (ahem, the Super Bowl), we are dreaming of dips 24/7.

Hopefully you've already scoped out our ahh-mazingtaco dip recipe – not to mention a host of Super Bowl appetizersand probably this perfect punch recipe, too. But if you're really going to dip it (dip it real good), you need more delicious options for the big game day. And we're here to give you just that.

Scroll on for 40 delicious Super Bowl dips that'll please the whole party!

Greek Yogurt Dip, 3 Ways

Brit + Co

These three Greek yogurt dip recipes are all super simple. Whip these up in a matter of minutes pre-game for a healthy, protein-packed, and flavorful snack. (via Brit + Co)

Bacon Chive Dip

Brit + Co

Not a fan of sour cream? Try this innovative Greek-yogurt-based dip instead! (via Brit + Co)

Roasted Turkey Queso

Brit + Co

We may have mentioned it before… we've got it bad for queso. And this recipe is us hitting all the food groups with a turkey, bean, and guac-boosted queso! (via Brit + Co)

Spicy Feta Dip

Brit + Co

This seven-ingredient spicy feta dip features greek yogurt, olive oil, spring onion, parsley, jalapeño, and of course the star of the dish: crumbled feta. It comes together quickly and will be ready to serve at your Super Bowl party before your guests even arrive. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Queso

Brit + Co

This vegan queso dip tastes awesomely good. Roasted and blended cashew nuts offer a unique but tasty base along with a dash of nutritional yeast for some cheesy flavor. (via Brit + Co)

Hot Corn Dip

Culinary Hill

This delicious dip can be made ahead with fresh, frozen, or canned corn and pairs perfectly with tortilla chips. (via Culinary Hill for Brit + Co)

Roasted Lemon & Spinach Artichoke Dip

Half Baked Harvest

Elevate your Super Bowl party dip game with this just-a-little-bit-extra spinach dip with tangy roasted lemons. Yum! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Crockpot White Queso Dip

Barley & Sage

Smooth, creamy and super easy to make in a Crock Pot, this white queso dip will soon become your game day favorite. (via Barley & Sage)

Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet Dip

Cabot Creamery

Feeding a crowd? This is the perfect dip for meat lovers and game day fans. (via Cabot Creamery)

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Cabot Creamery

This recipe is made easy with rotisserie chicken and so delicious with veggies, chips, or bread. (via Cabot Creamery)

The Perfect Guacamole

The Kitchn

The perfect guac deserves a ingenious tip for keeping it green for days. (via The Kitchn)

French Onion Dip

Saveur

No soup packets here, just onions three ways — fried, fresh, and roasted — whipped with mayo, cream cheese, and sour cream into a tempting homemade dip. (via Saveur)

Garlic-Herb Yogurt Cheese Dip

Martha Stewart Living

Low-fat yogurt is key to creating this creamy chive dip. You can also swap that for soy yogurt for your vegan friends. (via Martha Stewart Living)

Skinny Taco Dip

Damn Delicious

No time to assemble a full 7 layer dip? Whip up this lightened-up take that boasts all of the same flavors and none of the fuss. (via Damn Delicious)

Cheesy Rotel Sausage Dip

Salt & Lavender

With a mix of pork sausage, Rotel tomatoes, cream cheese, and a delicious layer of cheddar, this dip says game on all over it. (via Salt & Lavender)

Hot Artichoke & Spinach Dip

Food Network

Cannellini beans and Neufchatel cheese lighten up this creamy crowd pleaser. (via Food Network)

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Feel Good Foodie

This is a great way to use leftover or rotisserie chicken and feeds a crowd fast. (via Feel Good Foodie)

3-Ingredient Beer Cheese Dip

A Spicy Perspective

This dip has just a hint of spice and takes just three ingredients: cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, and beer! (via A Spicy Perspective)

Spicy Sriracha White Bean Dip

White On Rice Couple

Slices of crispy rosemary flatbread or pieces of crudité make the perfect scoops for this beautiful bean dip. (via White On Rice Couple)

Paleo French Onion Dip

Olive You Whole

Keep it on the lighter, dairy-free side with cashew milk yogurt and loads of delicious herbs and spices. (via Olive You Whole)

Lebanese Garlic Dip

Forks & Foliage

Pair this easy toum with grilled chicken, roasted veggies, and french fries. You don't even need a food processor! (via Forks & Foliage)

Spicy Feta Dip

Fancy Peasant

Otherwise known as tirokafteri, this simple dip is nicely spicy and so easy to love. (via Fancy Peasant)

Lasagna Dip

Rachel Mansfield

Made with gluten-free chips, this meat lasagna inspired dip will stand out from the potluck crowd. (via Rachel Mansfield)

Roasted Red Pepper Dip

The Endless Meal

Serve up some shrimp and veggie skewers with this delicious dip. (viaThe Endless Meal)

Sour Cream & Onion Dip

Cozy Cravings

This classic dip starts with a sour cream base, sautéd onion, dried spices, fresh chives, and a little Worcestershire. Just add ruffled chips! (via Cozy Cravings)

Cheddar-Jalapeño Cheese Dip

My Food and Family

Be sure to set aside a can of beer to whip up this dip that's perked up with fresh jalapeños. You can never serve enough cheese dip. Or beer-laden foods. (via My Food and Family)

Mom's 7 Layer Dip

Sweet Pea's Kitchen

20 minutes is all you need to create this yummy dip — but we bet it'll be eaten is less time than that! (via Sweet Pea's Kitchen)

Roasted Cauliflower White Pizza Dip

Half Baked Harvest

Forget delivery. This cheesy-pizza dip is sure to be a hit when served with crackers. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Easy Bean Dip

Live Eat Learn

Whip up this vegetarian bean dip in only 5 minutes. (via Live Eat Learn)

Smoked Salmon Dip

Chez Us

This luscious concoction works well with both beer and bubbly to wash it down! (via Chez Us)

Roasted Beet Hummus

Chef Bai

Add a colorful dip to your veggie platter with this yummy beet hummus recipe. (via Chef Bai)

Buffalo Chicken Dip

The Primal Kitchen

Buffalo wings are a classic Super Bowl snack that, we are happy to announce, you can now enjoy in dip form. (via The Primal Kitchen)

Ethereally Smooth Hummus

Smitten Kitchen

Peeling the skin from each bean is a tedious step, but it's the the trick for creating unbelievably creamy hummus. (via Smitten Kitchen)

Cheese Chorizo Caramelized Onion Dip

Foodie Crush

Talk about flavor packed! This slightly-smoky, spicy chorizo dip is impossible to resist. (via Foodie Crush)

Restaurant-Style Salsa

The Pioneer Woman

Make this salsa along with your guacamole and queso to create the ultimate hat trick of dips! (via The Pioneer Woman)

Jalapeño Popper Dip

Carlsbad Cravings

Another classic football finger food gets a makeover in dip form! (via Carlsbad Cravings)

Hot Crab Dip

Food Network

Treat your favorite team to this delightful dip. (via Food Network)

Toffee Fruit Dip

I'm Topsy Turvy

This creamy, toffee-dotted dessert dip is a great way to sweeten up your Super Bowl spread. (viaI'm Topsy Turvy)

Smoked Fish Dip

Cilantro Parsley

This creamy dip has a smoky flavor and can be served with water crackers or tortilla chips. (via Cilantro Parsley)

Simple Cheesy Bean Dip

The Original Dish

Made with white beans, canned tomatoes, and plenty of cheese, this easy dip recipe comes together in a mere 20 minutes. (via The Original Dish)

What's your go-to dip to serve for the Super Bowl? Find more delicious Super Bowl dip recipes on our Food page!

This post has been updated.

It's been 17 years since Gossip Girl first premiered on The CW, thus opening our eyes to the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite and introducing us to a new generation of stars like Blake Lively and Leighton Meester.

In the six seasons the show was on air, it captivated fans and critics alike, serving up week after week of delicious drama and continuously upping the ante for TV show fashion. ("So many designers were lining up to be a part of it — they wanted their stuff on Blake or Leighton," costume designer Eric Daman told Vanity Fair.) Click through to find out what the Gossip Girl cast has been up to since the show's success, and where they are today.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Michael Kors

Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen)

Of all the Gossip Girl cast alumni, Blake Lively is arguably the most well-known. Not only has she gone on to major roles in movies — including The Age of Adaline, The Shallows, All I See Is You, and most recently, It Ends with Us— but she's also married to fellow actor Ryan Reynolds (married in 2012).

Blake shares four beautiful daughters, James, Inez, Betty, and the youngest (born in 2023) whose name has not been announced publicly with Ryan. True to her Gossip Girl character, she's quite the fashionista! In her spare time, she likes to hang out with her BFFs, who just so happen to include Taylor Swiftandthe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants ladies.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf)

Leighton Meester has a career that would make even her cunningly ambitious Queen B character proud. Since Gossip Girl's end in 2012, she's acted in films including Life Partners, The Judge, The Weekend Away, and most recently, EXmas. She even recorded and released songs such as "Good Girls Go Bad" with Cobra Starship and the solo effort "Somebody to Love," and even starred on Broadway in Of Mice and Men back in 2014.

Leighton is married to actor Adam Brody (The O.C., Jennifer's Body, Gilmore Girls) as of 2014. She has two kids – one daughter and one son.

She has been heavily involved in philanthropy while taking on acting projects, primarily volunteering and campaigning with Feeding America and the Los Angeles Food Bank.

Dominik Bindl/Getty Images

Taylor Momsen (Jenny Humphrey)

Long gone are the days when Taylor Momsen played Dan Humphrey's sweet (and a bit messed up) little sis, Jenny. The actress left the Gossip Girl cast in 2010 in order to pursue her dreams of a music career, and all these years later, she's still doing just that as the frontwoman of the uber-successful rock group, The Pretty Reckless. With four records under their belt, the four-member band has supported bands like Evanescence, Soundgarden, and Guns N' Roses, and has toured in numerous cities and music festivals.

Momsen has typically kept her dating life on the down-low. She is currently single and appears to be putting all of her energy into her band.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Penn Badgley (Dan Humphrey)

Everyone’s favorite Gossip Girl — er, guyPenn Badgley, followed in his on-screen sister's footsteps after the show ended, pursuing his musical interests with rock band MOTHXR. The band's most current project, Centerfold, was released back in 2016.

Badgley has since acted in several movies and TV shows including Easy A, The Paper Store, and Here Today, but his most notable work has been on the ongoing book-based Netflix series, You. He plays Joe Goldberg, a charming bookkeeper with eerily odd characteristics, especially when it comes to love.

Badgley currently has a podcast titled Podcrushed, which explores the awkwardness of adolescence and revisits guests' best (and worst) middle school memories. He cohosts with Nava Kavelin and Sophie Ansari. One episode even features ex-Gossip Girl co-star, Leighton Meester!

Badgley is married to singer and doula Domino Kirke as of 2017. Kirke already had a child from a previous relationship. Badgley and Kirke had their first son together in 2020.

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Diesel

Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass)

Ed Westwick tapped into his angsty side post-Gossip Girl, starring as Tybalt in a 2013 adaptation of Romeo & Juliet. Since then, he has fought crime as Kent Grainger on Wicked City, played a crime lord on Snatch, and sold double-glazed windows on White Gold. Is there any role he can't play? Most recently, Westwick stars in the movie DarkGame.

With a background in music, Westwick also currently sings in the bandFor You. Their most recent release is the song "Tailspin," and they're set to release a new single "Here Comes Trouble" in March 2024.

Westwick had been dating model and actress Amy Jacksonsince 2021, with the pair getting happily engaged during a ski trip in January 2024.

Leon Bennett/Getty Images for MBJx DAVID YURMAN

Chace Crawford (Nate Archibald)

Following his stint as a wealthy Upper East Sider on Gossip Girl, Texas native Chace Crawford tried his hand at playing a greedy oil worker on ABC's short-lived TV series, Blood & Oil. He's had several film roles since – you can catch him in movies like Undrafted, Eloise, Nighthawks, even voice-actingin Belle. Most recently, Crawford stars as The Deep on The Boys.

Crawford has previously dated Carrie Underwood, Rachelle Goulding, and Rebecca Rittenhouse, though he is currently single as a Pringle.

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Jessica Szohr (Vanessa Abrams)

Jessica Szohr, who played Dan Humphrey's BFF slash on-again, off-again girlfriend (needless to say, we were confused too), has been a lot busier than her character was after season four, when she was all but written off the show.

In the years since Gossip Girl, the actress scored several roles on TV shows such as Complications, Kingdom, Twin Peaks and The Orville. She even starred in Taylor Swift's music video for "22" back in 2013!

Jessica also welcomed a daughter with her longtime boyfriend in early 2021.

Jessica currently hosts a podcast called "XOXO" that dives deep into the Gossip Girl cast, crew, and behind-the-scenes moments. Some notable episodes have featured Zuzanna Szadkowski (Dorota), Aaron Tveit (Tripp van der Bilt), Kelly Rutherford (Lily van der Woodsen), and Michelle Trachtenburg (Georgina Sparks).

Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Michelle Trachtenberg (Georgina Sparks)

Since her stint as the "bad girl" Georgina Sparks, Michelle Trachtenberg landed roles on shows like Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles, Sleepy Hollow, and Sister Cities among other numerous series and movies. She even reprised her role as Georgina for the 2021 remake of Gossip Girl on HBO Max!

She managed to keep her personal life largely out of the tabloids, including her dating life. The last update on her relationship status was in 2023, and that she was dating her talent agent, Jay Cohen. She reportedly previously dated Shawn Ashmore, Joshua Radin, and Jason Segel.

Unfortunately, Michelle passed away on February 26, 2025.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Kelly Rutherford (Lily van der Woodsen)

Besides being a New York Fashion Week icon (we'd expect nothing less of Lily van der Woodsen's alter ego!), Kelly Rutherford has popped up in several TV shows over the years, including Quantico, Jane the Virgin, and Dynasty.

She also frequently travels to France and Monaco, where, after years of custody battles with her second ex-husband, Daniel Giersch, she has extensive visitation rights to see her two children, who reside there with their father.

"Yes, it was a challenging time. It was a heartbreaking time," she told People. "But I focus on the good most of the time, I really do," she says. "I'm very thankful of where we are. I have a great relationship with my kids."

When she's not with her kids or working on a project, Kelly is dropping iconic 'fit pics on her Instagram account.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Matthew Settle (Rufus Humphrey)

Matthew Settle, who played rockstar dad Rufus Humphrey, continued acting after the Gossip Girl cast dissolved. He hasn't been on any other TV shows other than one episode of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders in 2016. He mostly stuck to movies, acting in titles like Ouija, Marshall the Miracle Dog, and Valentine: The Dark Avenger.

Settle is also a dad of two children, having welcomed his first with actress and model Naama Nativ in 2009. He had divorced her in 2011 and went on to have a second baby with girlfriend Maria Alfonsin in 2015.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Zuzanna Szadkowski (Dorota Kishlovsky)

Though Blair's loyal maid and, ultimately, best friend, wasn't technically a main character, there's no denying that it would have been a different show without her unwavering presence! Zuzanna Szadowski has dabbled in film and television since then, appearing in shows such as Girls,The Good Wife, and Modern Love.

In 2010, she partnered with Sam Weisman to open The Sam Weisman Studio, an acting school (now closed).

Oh, and did we mention she just so happens to be one of Leighton Meester's real-life BFFs?

Which Gossip Girl cast member is your fave? Tweet us @BritandCo!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Home design is not what it used to be. As popular looks start to make everything feel the same, it’s becoming harder to stand out, create the right style for your home, and maximize value — unless you know exactly what your house needs. When you have insider knowledge about the newest looks, best technologies, and DIY approaches, home design truly becomes an incredibly rewarding experience.

To help guide you through the process, Chip and Joanna Gaines joined Brit Morin on the First In Line podcast to share their invaluable wisdom and experience, and designer Emily Henderson also joined the chat to walk you through the new rules of home design.

Lesson #1: Trends will become less and less important as homemakers prioritize cultivating a consistent emotional experience within their homes.

"When someone spends time in your space, you want it to feel like home," Gaines told Morin on the new podcast episode. She continued, "A home is an emotional space, allow it to flow emotionally."

In recent years, Joanna Gaines confessed to steering home design clients away from trends and anything that feels too cookie-cutter. "The trends we are headed toward are more individual. [They're] unique styles that you can't necessarily pinpoint as, 'that's modern, that's eclectic, that's farm.' It's more like, 'it feels right,' and it feels right because it's truly the story of the people designing the space."

Lesson #2: If you want to make your home more unique, swap out light fixtures and add thrifted art to refresh your space.

NYTimes best-selling author and design star Emily Henderson has the cheat code to a fast and affordable home zhush: cull Craiglist, Facebook Marketplace, antique malls, and thrift stores for unique light fixtures and wall art to immediately change your space. "As a mom, practicality comes into design. But with art and lights, you can be more free in those areas."

She adds, "Art is personal and it's hard to find. But if you are thrifting or going to flea markets, it is the fastest way to make your house interesting." She shares that during the pandemic, so many of us started buying our home goods from the same websites and brands, and that's given rise to many of us living in pretty generic-looking homes. She cautions that we also might be making design choices that are too safe.

On the topic of art, Morin had to ask, "Are gallery walls still cool anymore?" To which Henderson replied, "If it's good art, it always works."

Lesson #3: As we emerge from the tough season the pandemic carried with it, home design will become more layered and deeply reflective of a moodier turn inward.

"Any time we have hardship, or any time we are pressed, beauty can rise from that. And creativity. When people get pinched, the beauty that comes from that is really amazing and fascinating," Gaines remarked. She predicts we'll start to see moodier home design choices, particularly with color choice. Think navy, deep greens, dark and moody plaids.

Chip Gaines adds, "The whole world experienced a traumatic reality. We've all felt caged up. So I hope this new season we're entering is a return to nature — something truly unifying."


Like fashion, you have to wear your home design choices confidently. Be sure to check out the rest of the episode for even more pro trips and to find out which design rules are meant to be broken. Below, we've shared helpful timestamps for our episode highlights so you can easily find the topic you want to hear most. Don't forget to rate and subscribe to First In Line wherever you get your podcasts!

(04:16) What’s new with Chip and Joanna and why they got into exteriors
(05:53) How Joanna makes rentals and flip homes feel like a home
(09:11) How anyone can now get involved in flipping homes and rentals
(13:19) Why a home needs to flow emotionally and why style should be consistent
(15:10) The most popular exteriors
(16:37) Why Joanna tries to steer her client away from trends
(17:11) The trends Joanna likes currently
(18:19) Why Chip hopes the new season is one that brings us closer to nature
(20:53) How Chip and Joanna started out with renovation and interior design
(23:34) Ways you can dip your toe into the real estate market and why it’s a great time to get involved
(28:18) How Emily got into interior design
(31:04) Emily’s early experiments with design and natural knack for it
(35:59) When to break the rules of design
(38:05) The new rules of design
(40:02) The most expensive choices to reverse
(41:27) Why Emily is a big fan of everything that’s in style now
(44:22) Why theme rooms are not timeless, and why cookie cutter might not last
(47:02) Thinking outside the box when it comes to wall hangings
(49:30) Why redesigning can be a positive for some, but unnecessary for others
(54:10) Why Emily isn’t big into tech in homes
(56:15) Brit’s techy home and features that help conserve water and energy
(1:04:26) Sustainably renovating on a budget
(1:08:23) The pros and cons of investing in a rental home and things to consider
(1:15:46) Emily’s final tips for getting started