Alfredo Paredes was designing worlds before he was designing houses. As the former chief creative officer of Ralph Lauren Home, Paredes started from blank spaces—an empty window, a bare retail store, or, in the case of Ralph’s in Paris, an abandoned office building—and turned them into Americana wonderlands. A log cabin in Telluride for the winter season, maybe, or a summer garden party in the Hamptons... whatever setting provided a sense of place for Lauren’s slinky silk evening gowns or patchwork skirts.
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In 2005, Rutgers professor Jeannette Haviland-Jones sent out three different thank-you gifts—a candle, a fruit basket, and a floral bouquet—to over 100 women who had recently participated in one of her psychological studies. As it turns out, this was one more: secretly, the delivery person was measuring the facial reaction of each recipient as they laid eyes on their present for the first time. Going over the data days later, Haviland-Jones made a surprising discovery: everyone who got the flowers displayed a Duchenne smile—a sincere expression considered by psychologists to be “the sole indicator of true enjoyment.” In short: it’s scientifically proven that flowers make you happy.
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The Danish love of all things warm and cozy—often summed up by that famous word hygge—continues to inspire homemakers around the world. The Danes have successfully positioned themselves as experts in creating a certain kind of domestic bliss and finding happiness in the everyday. (Denmark’s regular presence on lists of the world’s happiest countries has more to do with this celebration of simple joys than with their weather, which is often infamously gray and cold.)
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Earlier this year, we bought a ridiculously old house. Well, it’s actually called a “court,” but for me, it’s both a holiday home and a twist of fate that feels straight out of the romcoms everyone loves to revisit once the weather turns. There’s an over-the-top and overdressed fish out of water (me), a raffish Englishmen homesick for Great Britain (my husband Aidan, who will be mortified to read any of this), and an ensemble of quirky characters.
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I don't know about you, but I'd always prefer to be in (or at least feel like I'm in) Provence. have this thing where every time I breathe, I want to be in the South of France. Not sure if that's a me problem, or if other people feel the same way, but fragrant lavender fields and rich red wine just really call to me 24/7. Sue me! Unfortunately, leaving the world behind and jetting off to Provence isn't in the cards for me right now. But I get some peace knowing I can at least make my apartment look like it summers in Europe. And, honestly? That's the next best thing. If, like me, you're all about the French aesthetic right now, you're going to want to keep reading. Below, you'll find 18 gorgeous pieces of furniture and decor that'll give your home that je ne sais quoi you've been missing and make your humble abode feel like a straight-up French castle. Because yes, châteaucore is a thing maintenant, and you don't need a passport to get in on le moment. Shall we shop?
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As our girlfriend Taylor Swift once said: WELCOME TO NEW YORK, it’s been waiting for you. New York City is truly one of a kind when it comes to cities and is just as iconic and amazing as its reputation is. Here in Philly, we are only about two hours away from NYC and I grew up always going to the city to visit my aunt and uncle in Manhattan. Those are some of my favorite memories because I always remember feeling so at home in the city and *vowing* that I would live in the city one day myself (now in Philly, dreams come true!). The hustle and bustle, crowds of people, endless restaurants, charming boutiques, and just the overall vibe of it all is something you have to experience at least once. New York is truly like no other which is why all of the locals say: New York or nowhere. This past weekend, I took a girl’s trip to NYC with my family and it was absolutely incredible. If you have been thinking about planning one, this is your sign! We had so much fun exploring and eating our way through all of the different neighborhoods. Since I know New York City can be a bit overwhelming if you haven’t been before, I wanted to break it all down so planning your next trip is easy as can be. Let’s do it. Where to stay: This past weekend, we stayed at the Westgate (found this through (Westgate’s best NYC hotel specials) which is in Midtown Manhattan. and wow we LOVED it. When I first stumbled upon the Westgate New York Grand Central hotel, I was mesmerized by the gorgeous interiors, big rooms, and balcony views. Spacious rooms *with* balconies are honestly few and far between in New York and can typically be so expensive, so I was really excited when I found the Westgate at a killer price. Since its newly renovated, the hotel feels classically elegant, yet modern, and has luxury rooms at an affordable price. Love it. The city can be a bit exhausting, especially when you’re out all day, so it was honestly so great to be able to go back somewhere at night and just relax in a beautiful space. One night after dinner, we sat on the balcony, had cocktails, and just hung out, and honestly, it was my favorite night. Having that space to unwind after a long day of exploring was exactly what we needed it was truly such a perk. Another thing I loved about the hotel was the lobby and all of the amenities. There was a big open lounge area where you could work, hang out, and relax, and it was equipped with its very own bar and market. This was insanely convenient in the morning when we wanted to grab a coffee and some snacks before heading out for the day. I would recommend the Westgate 100% and will definitely be heading back for my next New York trip. I booked/found my room deal here, if you’re interested! What to do: I am truly convinced that you could spend your entire life in New York City and still not see it all! That’s what makes it amazing, there is so much to do, and absolutely something for everyone. On this trip, we tried to do a bit of everything. Here are some fun ideas. Explore Manhattan! – The great thing about staying at the Westgate is that it’s located in an amazing neighborhood, so you really don’t have to travel far to find awesome restaurants, shops, and everything else. One night, we walked over to Park Avenue, which has loads of awesome food spots, and is really beautiful. All of the other awesome neighborhoods are just a trainride away, and you can always grab a cab for a easy trip. Each neighborhood is a little different, so spend a little time researching to find the perfect one for you. If you’re a big shopper, check out Soho. If you love a quaint and beautiful neighborhood, visit the Upper West Side (gossip girl fans I see you!). The options are endless. Take the ferry to Brooklyn – Taking a ferry is such a fun way to get around New York and honestly so affordable. Each ride was only about $3 and you can get almost anywhere depending what ferry you take. We took a ferry from Manhattan to Williamsburg & Dumbo, which are both neighborhoods in Brooklyn. I honestly loved them so much, and felt so at home there. They are a lot less fast paced then Manhattan, and really reminded me a lot of Philly. There are endless boutiques, restaurants, beautiful parks, gorgeous old brownstone architecture and more. Create your own food tour – Since I come from a family of foodies, it was our priority to make sure we visited some amazing restaurants on this trip. New York City is unmatched when it comes to the amount of vegan restaurants, so I knew we had to try as many as we could lol. Anyone else plan a trip around the food? One of the absolute highlights was a plant based mexican restuarant called Jajaja in Manhattan. Such amazing food, such a beautiful restaurant, and had awesome cocktails. It was a really fun experience and really delicious. Some other places we ate at and loved it were: Champs Diner, Franchia, Brooklyn Wild, and Van Leeuwen Icecream. As you can tell, the options are endless and there is always something to do. I’ll link another list here with 51 Ideas of things to do in NYC too so you can start planning your trip! We had the most amazing time and I hope this inspires you to plan a trip to New York City soon. You will love it, I just *know* it.
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Drum roll please…. WELCOME TO MY NEW LIVING & DINING ROOM. Y’all, I am so excited to finally share my new favorite living spaces. After months of mulling over each and every piece (is anyone else so indecisive?), it really feels sooo good to finally see it come together. When decorating, I really wanted my space to feel bright and happy yet cozy and comfortable. Every time someone walks into this space, they say it feels “calm” and to me, that is the biggest compliment! I am really drawn to modern bohemian styles with some mid-century modern pieces. I absolutely love using patterns (give me a printed Moroccan rug, and I’m a happy girl), different textures, and earthy colors (with some pastels, too!). I always find myself trying to create a very laid-back, natural vibe by including elements like jute, rattan, and cane, while keeping it modern with velvet and marble accents. I love how boho decor allows you to do your own thing and just have fun with it! If you can’t tell, I’m currently obsessed with marble, light oak wood, gold accents, loads of plants, fun textures, and pastel colors: aka my modern bohemian dream.One thing I knew was a priority for me when looking into furniture was a big comfy couch. I’ve always been a fan of couches that look like you can just dive right into them for a movie night, so this sectional from Raymour & Flanigan sold me right away! I ended up choosing a really neutral light color which I am honestly so happy about since it makes everything feel really bright and airy. I’ve also never had a couch with a chaise lounge, so that was also on my priority list! Let me tell you when I say that I end up taking naps on the chaise more than I would like to admit lol. If you’re between a couch with a chaise or without, I would definitely recommend the chaise if you have the space. I really love how this is a couch that everyone can sit on and have more than enough room to stretch out and get comfy! While I knew I wanted to keep the big pieces (couch, chair, etc) fairly neutral and light, I added pops of color in with the rug, and an accent pink chair. I think it adds just the right amount of pastel tones without being overbearing. I know home trends right now are totally neutral, but if color makes you happy, I say go for it! I love my peachy accent tones, I feel like they make the space look happy.For the dining area, I knew I wanted pops of blush and gold, like these incredible dining chairs, while still keeping the space really relaxed. I fell in love with the oval shape of this table the minute I saw it, it feels really unique and special. To tone down the *glam* elements of the blush and gold and make them a bit more bohemian, I decided to add a Moroccan rug, and a big bird of paradise plant to keep the natural vibes. Then, to tie it all together, I added a big floor mirror (my favorite piece in my home!) to make the space nice and open. If you’re working with smaller space, a floor mirror really helps to make it *look bigger*. It creates soo much depth! The stars of these rooms (my dining set and couch) are both from Raymour & Flanigan and I honestly couldn’t be happier with them. The quality is awesome, the look is exactly what I wanted, and I love knowing that these pieces are going to hold up for years to come. Pro tip when looking at their site: make sure to use the “search” function to find specific pieces that might not show up right away! I searched “marble table” after not seeing any in the regular category, then stumbled upon this beauty. There many more options then you think!
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Q: I love cereal, but sometimes it seems nutritionally no better than dessert. Are healthier options available? And if so, how can I find them? There’s a lot to love about cereal. It’s often delicious, easy to prepare, available in seemingly endless varieties and flavors, and can contain various beneficial nutrients. But with that abundance comes many ambiguous or misleading health claims, and ingredients you may not associate with good health. Better-for-you options do exist, experts say, but finding them can be daunting. Here are their tips on how to do it. Flip the Box It may sound counterintuitive, but the first step to choosing a healthy cereal is to ignore the front of the box, said Dr. Preeti Kishore, an endocrinologist at NYC Health + Hospitals in the Bronx. Some cereals have front-facing claims that seem to imply healthfulness, such as that they are good for your heart or immune system, can lower cholesterol, or are made with real fruit. But their nutrition labels may tell a different story. Some, for instance, have as much (if not more) added sugars and calories as some desserts. And many are made with refined grains, which are quickly digested and can spike your blood sugar, leaving you hungry afterward, said Maddison Saalinger, a dietitian at the University of Miami. Over time, diets high in refined grains can increase the risk for Type 2 diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases. Even some cereals with claims like “immunity support” don’t have any supporting evidence, Dr. Kishore said. Prioritize Whole Grains Whole grains are an essential part of a healthy diet. They are loaded with nutrients like B vitamins, iron, magnesium and antioxidants, as well as heart- and gut-healthy fiber. Grains are considered “whole” when they contain all three parts of the kernel: the endosperm (rich in carbohydrates), the germ (containing nutrients like B vitamins, folate and healthy fats) and the bran (full of fiber). Refined grains, on the other hand, have been stripped down to just one of their parts, Ms. Saalinger said, which removes the grain’s full range of health benefits. And refined grains are less filling and sating than whole grains. Look for phrases like whole grain wheat, whole grain oats, whole grain corn and whole grain brown rice on the ingredients list. And prioritize cereals that have those ingredients listed first, which signals that they are present in greater amounts, said Adern Yu, a dietitian at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, Calif. If you see ingredients like wheat flour or corn flour, that indicates the presence of refined grains. Find Your Fiber Sweet Spot Most adults don’t get the recommended 21 to 38 grams or more of fiber per day. Many higher fiber cereals — like the Fiber One Original Bran Breakfast Cereal (18 grams per serving) or Nature’s Path Smart Bran (17 grams per serving) — can help you meet that goal. But if you’re not used to consuming that much fiber at once, it can cause unpleasant side effects like bloating or gas, Ms. Saalinger cautioned. To ease into a higher fiber cereal, choose a variety with at least five grams of fiber per serving, Dr. Kishore said. From there, you can work your way up. Watch for Hidden Sugar Federal health experts recommend that most people consume less than 50 grams of added sugars each day. The American Heart Association sets a stricter limit of no more than about 25 grams per day for women and 36 grams per day for men. Some breakfast cereals, even ones marketed as “healthier,” can contribute substantially toward that limit. A serving of Honey Nut Cheerios, for instance, has 12 grams of sugar; Cracklin’ Oat Bran has 15 grams. To help avoid consuming too much sugar in one day, Ms. Saalinger suggested choosing cereals with less than eight grams of added sugars per serving. And watch out for hidden sources of sugar on the ingredients list, Dr. Kishore said. High-fructose corn syrup, fruit juice concentrate, honey and agave nectar are all just other names for added sugar. Don’t Get Distracted by ‘Extras’ Many breakfast cereals are fortified with added nutrients, like vitamins and minerals or protein, for example. If you are deficient in certain nutrients, these might be beneficial, Dr. Kishore said. But if you follow a balanced diet, you’re most likely already receiving enough, she said. And these added vitamins and minerals won’t cancel out other, less healthful aspects of a cereal. Certain added nutrients like protein, iron, zinc or B vitamins can taste chalky, bitter or metallic, she said, so manufacturers sometimes add more sugar to balance them out. The Bottom Line While it’s indeed possible to find a healthy cereal, experts cautioned that it shouldn’t be your only breakfast option. Incorporating other foods — like eggs or chia seed pudding — into your morning meals can help you get a healthy balance of nutrients. With a little meal prep, these alternatives can be just as quick and convenient as cereal, Dr. Kishore said.
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Q: I’ve heard plenty of advice about how to prepare for a good night’s sleep, but what about waking up? What’s the ideal way to start my day? Your schedule often determines exactly when you get out of bed. But to the extent you can shape your routine, experts have some thoughts on the healthiest morning habits. “I always joke that the best thing to do is to get a puppy,” said Mariana Figueiro, who studies light and health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She’s only half kidding. The two keys to a healthy wake-up routine, she said, are getting up at a consistent time each day and viewing morning sunlight — both tend to come with a regular morning dog walk. We spoke with four other sleep and circadian rhythm experts who all agreed with Dr. Figueiro about the importance of these two morning habits. Here are their other recommendations — dog or no dog. Stay consistent. Assuming you had the flexibility to choose, is there an ideal time to wake up? Not exactly. As long as you sleep for seven to nine hours each night, there’s no “best” time to wake up, said Dr. Daniel Barone, the associate medical director of the Weill Cornell Center for Sleep Medicine. More important is that you stick to the same time, said Dr. Katherine Sharkey, an associate professor who studies sleep at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Your body runs on circadian rhythms that regulate not only your sleep-wake cycle but also your metabolism, appetite, hormones, mood, body temperature and cognitive function. Waking up at a consistent time can help keep these body functions running smoothly, said Helen Burgess, the co-director of the Sleep and Circadian Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan. Waking up much later or earlier than you’re used to can make you feel drowsy or uncoordinated. Longer term, researchers have found links between irregular sleep patterns and increased risks of obesity, diabetes, mood disorders, heart disease and cancer. Don’t let weekends throw you off. If you feel tired enough to sleep in on weekends, Dr. Figueiro said, you’re probably not getting enough rest during the week. In these cases, Dr. Sharkey suggested sticking to your typical wake-up time and taking a nap later that day. This can help keep your circadian rhythms in sync. If you feel you absolutely must sleep in, Dr. Barone said you can likely get away with an extra hour. Any longer and you might experience drowsiness, digestive issues and trouble focusing, similar to jet lag. (Sleep experts use the term “social jet lag” to refer to the effects of staying up late and sleeping in on weekends.) Seek out sunlight. As soon as you wake up, open the blinds and switch on the lights. Then, as soon as you can — ideally within an hour, Dr. Figuiero said — try to get outside. Viewing any light in the morning, especially sunlight, helps signal to your body that it’s daytime, Dr. Sharkey said. When the light hits your eyes, it triggers a pathway between your brain and your adrenal glands that tells your body to release cortisol. This hormone makes you feel alert, which in turn could boost your mood, she added. Some limited studies suggest that viewing morning sunlight can improve your sleep the following night, too. When the sun hits your eyes, Dr. Sharkey said, it triggers a metaphorical stopwatch, which begins the countdown to bedtime, later telling your body when to release the sleep hormone melatonin. Even on overcast days, morning sunlight is strong enough to regulate your body clock, Dr. Barone said. But if you wake up when it’s still dark, he said it can be useful to turn on a powerful artificial light such as a light box. You might also try waking up to a sunrise alarm clock, he said, which gradually becomes brighter to mimic the rising sun. There’s no specific amount of time you must spend in the morning sunlight, experts said, but, more exposure is better (as long as you protect your skin). Dr. Burgess said an hour is best, but even 15 minutes is better than nothing. Skip the snooze button. Snoozing your alarm may feel like a gift to yourself, but it isn’t the best way to start your day, said Ann E. Rogers, a sleep researcher and professor of nursing at Emory University. The urge to snooze is your body’s way of saying you need more sleep, Dr. Sharkey said. And if you have the flexibility in your schedule to hit snooze, the experts agreed you’re better off setting your alarm for the later end of your snooze window and getting up then. That way, your body can get the extra rest it craves — uninterrupted.
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About two decades ago, a California research team observed a striking phenomenon: While a majority of older adults have at least two chronic diseases, some people reach their 80s without major illness. The researchers suspected the key to healthier aging was genetic. But after sequencing the genomes of 1,400 of these aging outliers — a cohort they called the “Wellderly” — they found almost no difference between their biological makeup and that of their peers. They were, however, more physically active, more social and typically better educated than the general public. That genes don’t necessarily determine healthy aging is “liberating,” and suggests that “we can pretty much all do better” to delay disease, said Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and the founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, which ran the Wellderly study. Dr. Topol is a prominent molecular scientist who has published 1,300 research articles, has written multiple books and has several hundred thousand followers across social media and his newsletter. His newest book, “Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity,” out on Tuesday, delves into the rapidly evolving science of aging. In the book, Dr. Topol writes that tools like biological age tests and increasingly sophisticated health risk prediction could eventually paint a clearer picture of how we’re aging. With these tools and new scientific insight into how lifestyle drives the biological breakdown that comes with age, he writes, we can now do more than ever to delay that process. While we’re all more likely to get diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer and diabetes as we get older, these illnesses can develop over the course of decades — which gives us a “long runway” to try to counter them, Dr. Topol said. Here are five strategies he recommends for aging healthier. Take up strength training. People who exercise regularly live longer than those who don’t: Studies reliably show that physical activity reduces your risk of cancer, depression, diabetes and mortality overall. But even Dr. Topol was surprised to learn that strength training in particular can significantly lower your risks: One meta-analysis mentioned in the book found that an hour of resistance training a week lowered subjects’ mortality risk by 25 percent. Strength training has also been linked to better sleep, higher bone density and improved mental health, compared with no exercise. While there’s no magic threshold for how strong you should be to delay decline, the stronger you are, the better, Dr. Topol said. Schedule your sleep. Studies show that adequate sleep can reduce your risk of cancer, stroke and many other illnesses. Committing to a consistent sleep schedule is also important. One analysis found that irregular sleep schedules increased subjects’ all-cause mortality risk. Deep sleep is especially critical for better aging, Dr. Topol said. Research suggests that people who get fewer hours of deep sleep a night are at higher risk for dementia, for instance. While drafting “Super Agers,” Dr. Topol said, he increased his deep sleep from 15 minutes to almost an hour per night over the course of a year by going to sleep at the same time each night, among other lifestyle changes. (He used a wearable sleep tracker and a smartphone app to monitor his sleep patterns.) Most sleep aids, though, don’t get you deep, restorative sleep, Dr. Topol warned. Lifestyle changes — rather than drugs or supplements — are far more likely to increase your sleep duration and quality, he said. Bolster your mental health. Managing stress, and improving your mental health more broadly, are critical for lowering your risk of chronic disease and mortality. There are simple steps you can take to improve your mental health and delay disease, Dr. Topol said, such as spending time outdoors. One study found that subjects who spent at least 30 minutes a week in outdoor green spaces experienced lower rates of depression and high blood pressure. Studies show people with active social lives typically have a lower risk of mortality and disease. The Wellderly adults in the Scripps study also tended to have rich social lives, Dr. Topol wrote in “Super Agers.” Use tests and trackers sparingly. Many longevity influencers promote blood and saliva tests that claim to measure your biological age and can cost a hundred dollars or more. New protein analyses, not yet on the market, are intended to estimate how quickly certain organs are breaking down. Scientists are also exploring biomarker tests to predict conditions like Alzheimer’s. Dr. Topol doesn’t recommend the aging tests on the market today because they’re expensive and it’s unclear how accurate they are. But as these tests get cheaper and more sophisticated, they could help you understand your individual risks, he said. And while he’s optimistic that some wearable devices like sleep trackers or glucose monitors can help you estimate your sleep patterns or blood sugar, there’s no data suggesting that using trackers without making real lifestyle changes can meaningfully improve your health, he said. Be wary of influencers. Longevity enthusiasts may find themselves doing their own research, especially if their doctors aren’t up to date on the latest technological advances. But popular influencers are often biased, Dr. Topol warned. There’s no reason to experiment with drugs, therapies or supplements that haven’t undergone clinical trials, he said, especially when exercise, sleep, improved mental health and diet are all much more likely to extend your life and health span, he said. “If they’re hawking a supplement,” he said, “I would kick them off the list of being credible.”
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