Happy Friday!

Table of Contents

Design Rabbit Holes

I fell into an interior design rabbit hole this week (thanks, algorithm). Domino featured a book titled Spatial Alchemy by Olga Naiman, which explores how to transform spaces through intentional design. The premise is that your environment affects your mood and productivity - not exactly revolutionary, but the book apparently goes deep into practical applications rather than just aesthetic theory. Living in a 480 square foot house now, I’m constantly thinking about how to make every inch count. Less “wherever my laptop lands” and more “this is a deliberate creative zone that actually fits.”

Domino also rounded up its most popular before-and-after transformations from 2025. These things are addictive - there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing a space go from dated or dysfunctional to thoughtfully designed. My favorite was Dan Pelosi’s Hudson Valley farmhouse kitchen - designed by Nick Spain in the most cheerful color palette imaginable, packed with personality and vintage dishes. It has that family-inflected warmth that makes you want to start cooking something time-consuming and delicious immediately.

They also unveiled their 2025 Dream House, which is gorgeous in that aspirational yet somehow still-livable way. Lots of natural materials, warm tones, and spaces that feel collected over time rather than decorated all at once. It’s giving “I have money but also taste.”

And because I can’t resist a celebrity real estate story: Burt Reynolds’ former estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains is on the market. It’s a 1970s architectural gem designed by Jim Fox, and it’s everything you’d want from a mountain retreat - lots of wood, stone, and glass, with views for days. This is absolutely my dream - waking up to mountain views from the house. If only I could afford the $3.7 million price tag. The listing is both a time capsule and surprisingly modern. Worth clicking through just for the photos and the daydreaming.

Your Daily Cup of Longevity

Here’s your feel-good health news of the week: drinking black tea is associated with lower mortality risk. An extensive study found that people who regularly drink black tea (we’re talking 2+ cups daily) had lower rates of death from cardiovascular disease and other causes compared to non-tea drinkers. The benefits held up even when accounting for other health behaviors.

I’ve never been a regular tea drinker - I’ve always needed sugar in it to enjoy it, especially iced tea, which I much prefer over hot tea. But now that I have diabetes, I can’t see myself enjoying it without the sweetness. Maybe I’ll look into unsweetened alternatives, though I’m skeptical. Still, it’s good to know that for those who do drink it regularly, there are real health benefits. The study suggests it’s the polyphenols and antioxidants doing the heavy lifting, which means your tea doesn’t need to be fancy - regular black tea bags work just fine. Add this to the growing body of evidence that simple, enjoyable habits can improve health outcomes. Who knew being healthy could be this straightforward?

Small Pleasures

I’m ending this one with something small and specific: Caldrea’s Juniper, Laurel & Mint dish soap. The Spruce gave it a glowing review, and I’m entirely on board - I actually love this product. The scent is incredible and makes me feel as if I’m standing in a forest of evergreens, which makes washing dishes feel almost meditative. Something is grounding about having dish soap that smells this good - not artificial “spring meadow” or whatever, but something authentic that transforms a mundane task into something I actually enjoy.

It’s the kind of small pleasure that feels worth it: a few extra dollars for something you use every single day, that makes your kitchen feel more like a place you want to spend time in. I usually buy it during Christmastime because it’s not cheap, and it can be hard to find - sometimes it’s unavailable. You can find it on Amazon when it’s in stock. Is it necessary? Absolutely not. Does it make washing dishes less of a chore? Yeah, actually.

That’s it for this week. What weird food trends have you encountered lately? Are you team bone-broth-ice-cream or team absolutely-not?

Until next time.

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