Besides fashion, one of my other passions is home décor. I take pride in my apartment and what I’ve been able to do with it, design-wise. However, I’ve lived in the same place for three years and I still feel like it’s not complete. But is a home ever a finished product? I like to think not, as I’m a big proponent of collecting things you love over time, as opposed to buying everything at once and ending up regretting purchases you made simply because you needed to fill a room.
To that end, I’m always on the lookout for knick-knacks for my home. H&M and Urban Outfitters are two of my favorite places to look, as they blend reasonable prices with stylish designs. Scroll down to shop my favorite new home décor pieces.
I adore this blue-and-green combo.
How cute is this?
You can never have too many candles in your life.
I’m obsessed with these swirly chairs.
This looks way more expensive than $18.
I can’t resist a cabana stripe.
This is such a genius idea for coasters.
Liven up your kitchen counter with this cobalt blue caddy.
I never knew I needed a cowboy hat wall hook until now.
Only a few seasons ago sky-high platforms heels seemed to dominate every conversation, with Valentino and Versace defining the trend with their massive towering heels. But fashion is fickle and tastes are everchanging—this year we’ve shifted to (almost) the opposite end of the spectrum. 2023 is shaping up to be the year of the kitten heel. Make no mistake stilettos—from boots to revenge pumps ala Saint Laurent—are still getting plenty of play, but it just might be time to revisit easy-on-the-feet heels.
Much of this shift is due in part to the increasing popularity of vintage. Cult items of yesteryear like Marc Jacob’s Stam bag and Gucci’s Horsebit heels are coming back into the fold, and with it a slew of Gen-Z fans eager to get a piece of fashion history. However sourcing these early aughts icons is sometimes easier said than done, and an array of brands have stepped in to meet the demand. Muled sandals are popping up everywhere, from the high street to the runway. Part of its appeal may lie in its versatility and ease: there are no straps to fuss with, no laces to tie, simply slip them on and go. It also helps that its a shoe that really styles well with any outfit. If you too are ready to jump on the train, below I’ve assembled 20+ pairs to get you started.
Count yourself lucky if you’re a size 7.5.
Cherry red is the best summer neutral.
A holy grail sandal.
Honestly these could pass for designer.
The square toe detail is a fun twist here.
So good.
A perfect everyday sandal.
Yes, this pair is already in my cart.
If you don’t mind going slightly higher than a kitten heel.
Now this is how you do metallics.
The patent leather here is a nice touch.
Mermaid-core in a shoe.
I mean, its Prada!
Even if you don’t love pink, you can’t deny how amazing these are.
Loving the beaded detail.
Gold somehow makes everything look so luxe.
These would be great for a fancy night out.
The triangle soles are so good.
These are selling out so fast.
Loving the 60s inspired prints here.
For under $100? Yes, yes, yes.
So obsessed with these.
Minimalism can be interesting too.
Definitely a steep price tag, but they’re just so good.
Another hoverboard is being recalled due to fire risk. According to a notice on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) website, the 42-volt Jetson Rogue is being recalled because the lithium-ion battery packs in the hoverboards can overheat.
A fire marshal in Pennsylvania determined that a Jetson Rogue was the point of origin for a fire that killed two children, the CPSC’s notice says. The parents of the children are suing Jetson and Target, where they say they purchased the hoverboard, alleging the two companies should have known of the risk of fire-related injuries due to the design of the Jetson Rogue. (The parents originally sued Walmart, but amended their complaint to sue Target.)
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. | Image: Marvel Studios
Occasionally, people will (incorrectly) insist that Marvel’s comics and the cinematic stories inspired by them would be better off if they were somehow devoid of any political themes or ideas. But in a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Secret Invasion executive producer Jonathan Schwartz likened the series to John le Carré’s classic Cold War-era spy thrillers and pointed to more recent shows, like FX’s The Americans and Showtime’s Homeland, as sources of inspiration.
“We often see Nick Fury doing the right thing,” Schwartz said. “We don’t always see him doing it in a perfectly morally correct way. All of those things have ramifications. Without getting too specific, the things that Nick Fury’s had to do to protect the Earth have costs.”
Prepare to see more of Kate Bosworth because she’s currently on a very stylish press tour for her new movie, Last Sentinel. (Heads up to Emily in Paris fans: Lucien Laviscount also co-stars in the film.) Photographed in New York City today, Bosworth toned down the formality of a blazer and trousers by pairing the work staples with a casual tank top and sneakers. The result is a perfectly balanced look that’s equal parts chill and polished.
Her trousers, in particular, caught my attention because Nordstrom shoppers seem to be obsessed with them. Bosworth’s Favorite Daughter The Favorite Pants ($218) have hundreds of great reviews with customers raving about the impeccable fit. I love that the pants have just enough bagginess to be trendy but not overwhelming. Plus, they come in over 10 different colors, including black, navy, light pink, gray, baby blue, purple, hot pink, and others. Scroll down to shop the pants Kate Bosworth just wore in NYC.
On Kate Bosworth: Favorite Daughter The Favorite Pants ($218)
Would your company pay $1,000 for Twitter? Some won’t have to make that decision. | Illustration: Alex Castro / The Verge
It seems like some companies may not have to pay Twitter $1,000 a month for the privilege of retaining their verified status and checkmarks. Twitter is giving a free pass to the 500 advertisers that spend the most on its platform as well as the top 10,000 organizations by follower count, according to a report from The New York Times.
The decision comes as Twitter is preparing to make major changes to the way verification works on Twitter. It’s said that it’ll start winding down the legacy verified program in April and announced plans for Twitter Verification for Organizations. The latter is meant to let companies that are willing to pay $1,000 a month keep their verification as well as denote specific accounts as “affiliated.”
Dick Erath, a pioneering winemaker and grower who helped lay the foundation for today’s thriving Willamette Valley wine industry, died March 29. He was 87. Erath had been in ill health in recent months and passed away in Vancouver, Wash., where he lived for many years.
Erath was among a small group of like-minded wine lovers who came to Willamette Valley in the 1960s convinced that Pinot Noir had a bright future in Oregon. The group included David Lett, Charles Coury, David Adelsheim and Dick Ponzi. “We relied a lot on each other in those early days,” Ponzi recalled. “We all had the same hardships and shared information with each other freely. He was a charitable guy and would share his time and expertise.”
Friend and fellow winemaker Rollin Soles of Roco winery described Erath as a formidable presence. “He was a passionate guy, a tall and barrel-chested fella,” Soles said. “He had strong opinions and enjoyed a good argument, but he was one of the most open and funny guys I ever met.
Ponzi agreed. “Dick’s stature and his laugh were equally as big. I can hear his laugh now.”
Richard Charles Erath was born Sept. 16, 1935, in Alameda, California. He was fascinated with technology as a youth and after high school joined the United States Naval Reserve and studied electronics and engineering. He started making beer with a friend but quickly switched to wine. In 1965, he made his first barrel of wine in his garage.
After completing enology studies at University of California, Davis, in 1968, Erath relocated his family from California to Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains, where he bought 49 acres and rented an old, unheated logger’s cabin to call home. He planted 23 grape varieties—including Pinot Noir—on four acres the following spring. “He always loved being in the vineyards, probably even more than the winery,” Ponzi recalled.
His first commercial vintage was 1972 and he produced 215 cases of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Noir. He joined with friend and grower Cal Knudsen to form Erath Knudsen winery in 1975. That partnership split in 1987. Erath built his winery into a hugely successful brand and was producing more than 70,000 cases a year when he sold the business to Washington wine giant Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 2006.
With the proceeds of that sale, he established the Erath Family Foundation, which has donated more than $2 million to wine and viticultural education programs at Oregon State University, Linfield College and more.
Erath is survived by his wife of 62 years, C.J. Suzi Erath, and their son, Erik Erath.
Travel always involves a bit of uncertainty. And there will always be location-specific warnings to observe depending on where you’re going. The good news is there are several proven precautions you can take ahead of time and while traveling to stay safe and navigate any unexpected catastrophes when away from home.
Here are 10 tried-and-true methods to dodge danger and maximize your enjoyment of practically any destination. Remember, safety and adventure aren’t mutually exclusive. And feeling anxious is totally natural. Either way, you got this!
Check local advisories. Traveling to Iowa comes with a different set of risks than, say, traveling to Africa. The same is true when traveling to Europe, Latin America, Asia, or to any specific country within every continent, let alone specific regions that demand their own precautions. For the latest information, if you’re traveling from the US check the State Dept website, as well as local news reports, and travel guides to your specific destination.
Get your shots (where needed). Not every location demands special immunizations before visiting. But many of them do, especially less developed countries and continents. What’s more, the pandemic made things a lot more complicated, as certain countries drop or maintain proof of vaccination before entering. Either way, if you’re in the US check with the CDC for any destination-specific shots you might need before boarding your flight.
Share your plans with emergency contacts. Doing so can be a simple but life-saving act, especially when traveling off-grid, on high adventure trips, or in more dangerous destinations. Tell your friends and loved ones when and where you’re going, what you’re doing, where you’re staying, how you’re traveling, and how they can get in touch with you should anything come up.
Know common scams. In many countries, individuals might feign assistance and incessantly follow you, only to later demand payment for their unsolicited help. Others might wow you with offers that are too good to be true, work in teams to distract you and take your goods, or worse. Many travel advisories will include this information, but some extra online searches can go a long way to expose and help you avoid any harm to your wallet and/or your safety.
Get travel insurance. If you really want to cover your bases while abroad, you’ll want travel insurance, such as that offered by Seven Corners. Doing so can help recoup your money if you need to cancel a trip (or your flight is delayed) and cover the cost of treating medical emergencies while traveling, including care at foreign hospitals and medical evacuation, lost bags, early returns home, and many other unexpected mishaps.
Know your limits. Feeling nervous before traveling somewhere new is normal. But if you’re feeling downright sick about your plans, you’ve probably bitten off more than you can chew. The best pre-test of an experience is whether you’re still excited about it, even if it’s something you’ve never done before. After you arrive, however, be sure to listen to your mind and body and back out of anything you’re not comfortable with.
Eat and drink like your life depends on it. This is especially true on high adventure trips. Dehydration is easily preventable but amazingly one of the leading causes of illness while traveling abroad. So, drink more water than you think, plan for regular bathroom breaks, and stay away from street vendors unless you’re certain they’re free from food poison.
Secure your valuables. It’s always important to protect your personal property, be it in parked rental cars, beach bags, or wallets and phones in your usually secure pockets. Again, travel advisories will often alert you to higher areas of petty theft but be on the extra lookout when traveling someplace new.
Avoid getting too close to wildlife (or the edge of a cliff). Many years ago, an American college student was sadly (but unsurprisingly) eaten by a lion after sticking her head out of a car window while at Lion Park in Johannesburg, South Africa. Others become seriously sick after licking psychedelic toads in Sonora. And far too many tourists have fallen to their deaths while snapping selfies at the ends of a cliff. Don’t do it. No photo is worth your life or good health.
Stay alert. Be on the lookout. If you’re not sure about something, step inside a public building, follow the crowd, and trust your gut, especially if you find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings or cultures. Although you may be tempted to “travel like a local,” don’t do it. You’re probably not as experienced as they are and that’s okay. Instead, travel like a respectful tourist and accept that you don’t know everything. Doing so will keep you safe.
Despite what the news will sometimes have you believe, the world is a safer than it has ever been. Yes, there are risks. But when traveling, these 10 tips can help you avoid almost any setback. Bon voyage!
