How to Style Your Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart for Under $150

Shop The Kitschens Trend

Keidason Silicone Kitchen Utensils Set

Mismatched anything goes along with the Kitschen aesthetic, and these utensils are sure to bring some joy into your cooking.

Citizens of the Beach Gummo Rainbow Double Sided Turkish Cotton Pom Pom Kitchen Towel

Make your kitchen linens *pop* with the help of these multicolored towels. The pattern reminds me of a chunky knit, which only ups the kitschiness.

Susan Alexandra Beaded Planter

Decorating with alternative materials will also amp up the quirkiness in your kitchen, so this beaded container is just perf.

Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Figural Heart Cocotte

Kitschens are all about embracing uniqueness and downright fun! Think about the stuff that'd make your inner child happy – for me, it's this darling heart pot.

Smo Ceramics Banana Dish

Sponge.NYC Kitchen Sponge

This sponge is handcrafted from sparkly yarn, adding a touch of pure whimsy. With the Kitschen trend, it's okay to be playful with even the smallest of details.

Farfalloni-Shaped Pot Holders

This pair of pasta-shaped pot holders definitely give off that childlike sense of play and wonder, but are still practical enough for your adult self. 😉​

TIMEFOTO Drinking Glasses

Going along with the colorful and the mismatched, these adorable drinking glasses provide a special sipping experience.

BUYDEEM DT620 2-Slice Toaster

Retro appliances are also so ​in​ for this upcoming trend. Look for lighter pastels and simplified controls like the ones on this affordable toaster!​

Polspotten Caps & Jars Set

I'm telling you – mismatching isn't tacky! It's fun! It's wacky! If all this crazy color isn't your exact personal style, just pick up one jar instead of three to play with the trend.

Wooden Paper Towel Holder

This paper towel holder has it all in the details – AKA a cutie little flower design!

Dusen Dusen Oven Mitt

Dusen Dusen has gained fame for their funky color combos, and it's even better that they specialize in kitchen goods. Or shall I say – Kitschen goods!

ALINK Ribbed Drinking Glass Cups with Glass Straws

You can start simple for this up-and-coming trend. Take these wonky glasses for example – they're a good step up from your regular-schmegular drinking glasses without being too out-there.

Libbey Vintage Juice Glasses

These pieces make a play on the vintage glassware of years past, but the vibrant colors really speak to the Kitschen trend.

Nostalgia Retro Compact Countertop Microwave Oven

This microwave might just be the cutest microwave I've ever seen. The cool color and sleek handle are Kitchen's perfect match.

Material The rePrep Set

Yes, wood cutting boards do an excellent job at providing a chopping platform, but these eye-catching ones are just so much more fun to look at (and just as practical)!

Streamline Flamingo Salt & Pepper Set

Like I mentioned before – just have fun with it! These flamingo shakers infuse you kitchen table with utter playfulness.

Selena Liu Serving Friends

Again, these serving utensils are a little offbeat, but still get the job done in style!

What I Love About Love, Whit

One of the first things that attracted me to this brand is it's unwavering commitment to providing cute lifestyle and home decor products that don't feel cheesy. Sure, the pieces are feminine, but they're crafted in a way that respects adulting — AKA they're as functional as they are aesthetically-pleasing.

Not everyone creates a lifestyle brand, but Whitney Kerney isn't everyone. When I asked the founder about what inspired her to create this company, she said, "I've always believed in the power of a thoughtfully curated space and the healing powers that it can give off, especially as creatives." Keeping creative burnout in mind, she believes it's important for people to invest in what makes them feel good, especially at home.

She also said, "I wanted to create a lifestyle shop to reflect my love of pretty things and my deep-seated passion for a well-balanced lifestyle. More than that, I wanted to create a wellness platform dedicated to helping you feel your best and to become the best version of yourself."

Whitney's all about making sure Love, Whit's customers have a positive brand experience. More than that, she said, "We want our customers to feel inspired, uplifted, happy, and true to themselves with our products inside their homes. We want them to feel beautiful and capable of anything. We want them to feel confident enough to show up boldly and beautifully in their life"

As someone who's purchased two vases from the shop already, I can personally say they've added a spark of personality and fun to my home.

Here Are My Favorite Love, Whit Home Decor Picks Under $50:

Wavy Glass Mug ($25)

Coffee lovers will fawn over these glass mugs by Love, Whit. Available in amber/pink, clear, green/purple, pink/red, and purple/green, your mornings will be brighter once you pour your coffee into one of these colorways.

Cocktail Candles ($30)

It's summer, so that means it's cocktailseason! If you love a good Tequila Sunrise or Strawberry Bellini, you'll enjoy burning one or all of these candles.

Tache Bowl ($25)

If you're looking for an unconventional way to store your summer jewelry, or eat your favorite summer dinner out of, consider using one of Love, Whit's Tache bowls.

Affirmation 'Love Note' Candles ($40)

Featuring scents that are reminiscent of warm summer days and breezy nights, Love, Whit's affirmation 'love note' candles will wrap your nose in a cozy embrace.

1. Actually Use Your Planner In 2025

We're not buying pretty planners just so they can collect dust on our desks or coffee tables anymore. Corry Frazier and Melissa Pepin want you to get serious because they feel "it starts with planning." They don't mean the kind you eventually flake on either.

"Effective planning is key to maintaining balance and reducing burnout. Whether you're mapping out tasks, meetings, or events, dedicated time for preparation ensures focus and reduces stress," they say. In other words, "the more intentional you are in planning, the more productive you'll be," according to them.

Ever since I've been blocking out my tasks by hour in planner, I've been able to get more done without feeling overwhelmed by splitting my time between writing and being in mommy mode. Frazier and Pepin suggest that you "set weekly planning sessions" that consist of "30-60 minutes each weekend to map out your upcoming week."

This eventually "reduces decision fatigue, fosters a sense of control, and helps you start Monday with clarity and purpose," they add. Yes, this is a sign that you'll be breaking up with the dreaded 'Sunday scaries' if you follow their advice. "You'll feel proactive and grounded rather than reacting to the week as it unfolds," they agree.

2. Embrace A "Fake Commute" When Working From Home

One of Kayla Baum's tips is to switch up your routine if you're a remote worker. Rolling out of the bed at the last minute before logging on for work sounds appealing until you realize you're uninspired by your days. But, what is a "fake commute?"

"It mimics the structure of a traditional commute to establish a boundary between work and personal life. This could mean taking a walk around the block, doing a 10-minute guided meditation, or even just changing clothes at the end of the day," Baum mentions.

Based on her experience, she's found that "it works because it provides a psychological buffer, helping to separate work and home life." She feels it's "crucial for positive mental health and boosting productivity at work (and at home)."

You can also create a separate work space that's not in your bedroom to get work done! That's helped me tremendously so I'm not sleeping and working in the same area.

3. Focus On High-Impact Tasks

Similar to planning your work days as best as you can, Frazier and Pepin want you to "prioritize the tasks that align with your goals." To minimize distractions, they want you to ask yourself:

• What is the most effective use of my time right now?

4. Stop Making Daily Decisions Hard

Tasks like your morning routine or figuring out what you'll eat don't have to take up a chunk of your time anymore. "Use productivity hacks, such as pre-planning meals or laying out weekly outfits," suggest Frazier and Pepin. They feel that "small routines like this eliminate unnecessary choices" to "make mornings smoother."

According to them, it's "especially helpful for families juggling multiple schedules." I couldn't agree more because I've spent so many frazzled mornings trying to make decisions about what myself and my toddler would wear or eat instead of planning them. With the help of my fiancé, we've cut so much time in half by being prepared ahead of time instead of 'winging it' before work.

5. Understand What Your Boundaries Are And Set Them

Worried that you'll be considered 'mean' if you tell your manager or coworkers what your boundaries are at work? Depending on your environment, it's 100% understandable. However, you're human and there's no reason you should be over-performing to your detriment. Frazier and Pepin say, "Set boundaries and communicate clearly. Adopt Brené Brown's mantra: 'To be clear is to be kind.'"

They encourage you to not only "be upfront about your schedule to manage others' expectations," but it's also so you can "avoid over-commitment." Say it with me: I will not make false promises just to appease others. Why?

Frazier and Pepin say, "Don't be afraid to say no to side projects or anything that doesn't align with your goals."

6. Ignore Emails Sent After Your Work Hours

I've been guilty of sending an email after work to acknowledge that I saw something, but I never expect other people to feel obligated to respond until the next business day. On the flip side, I've felt pressured to answer something that feels timely and I've gone to sleep thinking about the sender's potential follow-up email.

"Just because a coworker chooses to work late at night doesn't mean you must answer. One helpful trick is to include your working days and hours in your signature, explaining that responses may be delayed outside of those times," Frazier and Pepin say. They even have a prompt you can use if you're not sure what to type:

• "My working hours are [Your Working Hours, e.g., 9 AM - 4 PM ET]. Please note that these may differ from your local time zone. I appreciate your understanding and will respond to emails during my working hours."

I can't wait to start utilizing this...for research purposes only 👀.

7. Please, log off from work when it's time.

Unless you're scheduled to work late, take the time to log off from work and not think about it until the next day. Baum says, "Commit to fully logging off once the workday ends—no 'quick email replies' or sneaking in work over the weekend." I'm eyeing you Ms. "I just need to send a quick email" while you're on vacation or spending time with your significant other.

Baum says creating this separation works because "fully disconnecting allows your mind to reset and recharge" which ends up "making you more efficient, creative, and focused during actual work hours." According to her, you'll eventually "improve personal well-being" and "enhance long-term work performance."

As soon as my work day is over, I make a beeline for the shower so I can decompress. After that, I take my time with my skincare routine and keep my phone out of reach so I'm not tempted to look at anything work-related. I'm not always successful, but I've noticed a difference in my mood since making this shift.

8. Speak Up When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

And if you're 100% drained because you've been trying to tackle work tasks during and after hours, Frazier and Pepin want you to speak up. "If you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload, approach your manager with honesty and a focus on solutions," they suggest. Here's another prompt of theirs you can use:

• "I've been noticing that my workload has extended beyond regular hours, and maintaining balance is becoming challenging. Could we discuss prioritizing tasks or adjusting expectations to ensure I can deliver quality work without compromising my well-being?"