I've been working from home since long before it became the norm. And my "office" has evolved from a spindled-back chair at the kitchen table to an airy home office with a view. Back then, my productivity took a hit without essentials like adequate storage space, comfortable seating, and a bit of privacy. While it has its perks, working from home comes with its fair share of challenges; your home office setup doesn't need to be one of them.
A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind, IMO. Reduce the stress that comes with a disorganized and cluttered desk by bringing in shelves and organizers; finding sleek cable-management solutions; and removing any unnecessary items to reduce visual distractions.
If you're sitting most of the day, it's so important to invest in a good desk chair. An unsupportive chair or poorly sized desk can be uncomfortable, making it harder to stay focused for long periods of time. Your back will thank you!
Distractions at home like kids and partners can kill your productivity. Avoid blurring the line between work and home life by designating a private space, separate from high-traffic spaces, for your work hours if you can. Use rugs, curtains, or acoustic panels to reduce noise too.
I get it, they're not the best-looking pieces in your home, but without proper filing systems you’ll waste time hunting for important documents or supplies. Invest in modern storage options that look good too from Mustard Made and The Container Store.
Slow Internet or outdated tech tools can make you feel totally frustrated and can slow down your productivity. Upgrade your Internet to a faster connection, and refresh your tech gadgets and programs to make sure you work more efficiently.
Placing your desk in a spot with too much noise, traffic, or distractions — like facing a TV — will guarantee to disrupt your concentration. Find a more zen spot where you can focus on the tasks of the day.
Check your monitor height, keyboard positioning, and add a wrist rest so you don't lead to feeling uncomfortable and fatigued, cutting your workday short.
A sterile, uninspiring office design does your motivation and creativity no favors. Make work feel less like a chore by adding personal touches through artwork, personal photos, candles, some fresh flowers or plants. Greenery can improve air quality and actually reduce work stress. Add a little snack station for quick energy boosts and keep water handy. Also, your Zoom backgrounds should reflect your personality!
No matter what you do — whether it's a creative work or something more analytical — you want to feel inspired. Personalization can help, but dive into vision boards, books, magazines, quotes that inspire your work and help you bring fresh ideas to your workday. Color psychology can help too: blues and greens encourage focus and reduce stress while pops of yellow or orange can spark creativity! Break out the paint if needed!
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My best friend and I recently had a 3-hour conversation about navigating love in our 30s, coming to the conclusion that our prior breakups helped us become clearer about what we want in love. After we said our good-byes, I started thinking about questions worth asking yourself when you're single.
Unlike some people who tell you not to worry about love when you're not coupled up, I think it actually does help to have an idea about the kind of person and relationship that'll fit in your life when the time comes. I wish it wish it were this easy, but the perfect situation isn't going to fall into your lap — because it doesn't exist. Even now, I'm still learning about myself and my fiancé as we experience life together.
So are you single and trying to understand what you actually want out of your love life? Here are some questions you should ask yourself!
Other questions you can ask yourself can have something to do with your morals or boundaries. It's a way for you to understand areas of your life that you may not always think about everyday.
Once you have a better understanding of who you are, think about the kind of romantic love you'd like to have in your life. There's a chance you're not even interested in a serious monogamous relationship right now and that's okay. The point is to get clear about what you do want.
Start asking:
Though tempting, this isn't a confirmation that you should call the ex you've been thinking about. Rather, take the time to revisit what you think did or didn't work.
I'm not asking you to 'listen and judge' yourself for who you're typically attracted to. We all have our reasons why certain people make our hearts race even if said people aren't the greatest for us in the long run. This is the time to be curious about who you're drawn to and why.
Ready for something serious? There's still some questions you should ask yourself before jumping into something new.
These questions may seem like a lot, but it's a way to help you understand how you want your love like to look. Also, there's a possibility you could encounter scenarios that may not fit under these questions because life can be full of surprises. All that matters is you're able to have a better understanding of who you are and what you want in 2025.
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Kitchen renovations are no joke – they're a major investment, so you’ll want to think twice before committing to fleeting trends — especially for big-ticket items like cabinets, countertops, and appliances. I’ll admit it: I’m still without a backsplash five years later because I can’t commit! While it’s perfectly fine to follow your heart if you love a particular look, kitchens can quickly feel outdated when you lean too heavily on short-lived fads. To help you create a timeless, stylish space, we’ve rounded up outdated kitchen trends to avoid — and easy ways to modernize if your kitchen is stuck in the past.
The all-white kitchen craze has officially run its course, often feeling cold and sterile — like say a doctor’s office. Today’s kitchens are all about warmth and character, with palettes in soft neutrals, earthy greens, or bold, moody shades like oxblood and midnight blue. Choose a color that speaks to you for a timeless, inviting space you'll love for years to come.
This early 2000s trend has been overdone and feels so dated now. Marble, sleek quartz, even butcher block are more classic choices.
The color and detail of this traditional kitchen feels drab and dated. Instead, look for flat-panel or Shaker-style cabinets with clean, minimal lines.
This kitchen is a lesson is don'ts. The grey vinyl flooring (especially hideous!), farmhouse stools, and white cabinetry hail from a decades-old trend that needs to disappear in 2025.
Subway tile is classic, so there’s no need to rip it out if it still brings you joy. However, the white subway tile paired with dark grout has overstayed its welcome. This overdone trend became so ubiquitous that it lost its charm and individuality, leaving kitchens looking more cookie-cutter than full of character.
This nod to the past needs to, sorry, stay in the past. Look for organic, natural forms and lighting that reflects your kitchen's unique aesthetic.
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This rustic kitchen feels dated with its heavy, ornate features like dark wood cabinetry and trim. Go for clean, brighter spaces.
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Natural stone, marble, and wood are trending for 2025. Grout-filled countertops like this one are not. Time to go!
Kitchens are becoming elegant places to cook, eat, and gather. This busy design can look cheap. The white mid-century Eames-style chairs, sorry to say, are also out.
Using barn doors between the kitchen and other spaces is a look that is officially out. They proved to be not that functional and the look is now dated and too kitschy. Buh bye!
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For as many amazing finds Costco has (looking at you, almond croissants and heart-shaped ravioli), there are still quite a few items worth skipping. Whether it’s due to texture, taste, or value, Costco shoppers are quick to clock the worst items between the aisles.
The latest discovery is an unassuming frozen meal that looks great from the outside, but the inside? That’s a whole different story.
Meet the Snapdragon Chicken Pad Thai, a microwavable meal that includes chicken, rice noodles, bell peppers, and bean sprouts in a “tangy” stir fry sauce. The item was surfaced to the Costco community by a Reddit user that definitely had a bone to pick with it.
“This was not a good choice,” they wrote. “The sauce was absolutely dry and the mix of undercooked noodles was not a pleasant experience. Even added a bit of water to the tray, after the general cooking time, to bring some moisture to it. Didn’t work.” Oof.
Now, one shopper with a single negative review is one thing, but many more fellow Costco patrons chimed in re: the disappointing nature of the Pad Thai on the same Reddit thread.
“I'm surprised Costco still carries this,” one person wrote. “I thought it was awful.”
“It was so awful,” another said. “I couldn't make myself eat it.”
“Might be the single worst thing we’ve bought from Costco,” one more user commented.
Nadin Sh / PEXELS
A lot of people also noted that the noodles in the dish were dry, the chicken was not of good quality, and that the overall flavor was lacking – which, according to my hunch as a food lover, is a simple lesson that authentic international dishes shouldn’t always be replicated in a quick and convenient, “heat and eat” format.
So, all this to say: if you’re craving Pad Thai, it’s best to skip this Costco pick and order takeout from your local Thai joint. It's always better fresh!
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Nordstrom’s sale section is the number one destination when it comes to finding underrated fashion gems. It’s the first place I usually think of when I’m shopping for something new because it’s typically packed with items from my favorite brands, like Free People, Reformation, BDG, Adidas, and more – for way less.
Whether you’re hunting for a designer piece (at a fraction of the price) or stocking up on wardrobe basics, I’ve found the 20 best Nordstrom sale items after scrolling through over 700 of ‘em.
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These 35%-off wide-leg pants are such a steal. Inspired by workwear, they'll hold up extremely well through years of use. The material they're made of has a "touch" of stretch, so you're always comfy.
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I adore the retro look of this cardi, thanks to the multitude of buttons and textured cable knit. It makes the ultimate cold weather layer, plus it's 40% off right now!
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Originally $180, this paneled faux fur jacket is now only $80! Sounds like the perfect piece to get on sale right now if you live somewhere that's still super cold.
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When it comes to sweater dresses, I only want an oversized fit. This Topshop pick (25% off, BTW!) checks all the boxes since it also boasts a fuzzy feel and subtle ribbing details along the hems that don't feel overly distracting.
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It's not every day you find a Reformation piece as cute as this top for a whopping 40% off. Yep, I'm obsessed.
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This spring- and summer-ready one is 55% off! It has a flirty open back detail that wears well with everything from jeans to maxi skirts.
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This "tried-and-true classic" long sleeve tee makes a cozy base layer for cooler days, plus this 30%-off pink color is simply too cute.
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Everything about these 40%-off jeans is perfect: the mid-ride, the wide legs, the loose fit, and the medium wash that pairs with anything! I'd easily rock these year-round.
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This sweet sweater ties in the front so you can really get playful with your looks. It currently comes in 4 adorable colors – light blue, navy, red, and cream white – for up to 55% off.
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Though it has quite the sophisticated look, this off-the-shoulder number is made of a "super soft and stretchy" blend of lyocell and organic cotton to keep you feeling comfortable as ever. It originally sold for $198, but is now on sale for $109!
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You can never have too many oversized sweaters in your closet. Snag this one for 25% off in so many different colors!
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I love these wide-leg pants (40% off) because they can work for everything from a gym sesh to a chill movie night at home. They're fitted with pockets, too, which can be hard to find in good, stylish leggings.
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This iconic Free People fleece is an entire 30% off right now!
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There are limited sizes available for these 25%-off New Balance sneaks – run to see if they're still in stock!
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This unique color combo of fashion's current "It" girl shoe is on sale for 40% off. I am in love with the serene green!
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With 7 on-sale colors, these Mary Jane flats are unquestionably iconic, plus they won't break the bank since you'll literally save 50% off the OG price of $130.
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I'm a certified clog lover, which is why I was pumped to see these platform UGGs on sale for $90 (35% off the original price)!
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Hokas are often in high-demand, meaning they're not on sale often. Luckily, I found this cream white pair for 24% off, so they now go for $110, not $145.
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Oh, these tall black boots are everything. The thick block heel and squared-off toe combo qualifies them as super trendy for 40% off!
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
