Modern Living

I still remember the first bookshelf I ever built from scratch — and by “built from scratch,” I mean the kind of flat-pack creation that came with a hex key, cryptic diagrams, and far more screws than seemed strictly necessary.

Traveling internationally is exciting—but navigating the maze of an international airport? That’s a whole other story. Between multiple checkpoints, long queues, and unfamiliar signage, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or make rookie mistakes that can turn your adventure into a stress-fest. But take a deep breath; like any great endeavor, mastering international airports is all about knowing the dos and don’ts.

When you pull up to the gas pump, you're often faced with a choice that feels weightier than it should be. Do you go for regular unleaded, mid-grade, or the priciest option of all—premium gas? Premium fuel promises higher performance, better efficiency, and cleaner engines, but is that all marketing hype, or does your car actually need it?

Packing is my personal nemesis. I’ve always been the over-packer, stuffing an extra pair of shoes “just in case” or packing that bulky sweater even though I knew the forecast was calling for sunshine. But when I planned a week-long trip to Europe, hopping between cities via trains and budget airlines, I faced a challenge I couldn’t ignore—flying with only a carry-on. No checked luggage. Just a small suitcase and a backpack. (Cue panicked thoughts of “but what if I need X, Y, and Z?”)

Let’s be honest—there’s nothing quite like that first sip of coffee in the morning. Whether you're the "don’t-talk-to-me-until-I’ve-had-my-coffee" kind of person or a casual afternoon sipper, that familiar hum of your coffee maker signals a new day. But what if that daily brew is doing more harm than good?

When most people dream about their next adventure, the usual suspects pop up: Paris, Tokyo, New York, Rome. And sure, these iconic cities have earned their place on many bucket lists. But if you're like me, there’s something incredibly exciting about discovering places that haven’t been filtered a million times on Instagram or flooded with tourist buses.There’s a kind of magic in wandering streets where locals still outnumber visitors, where coffee shops feel like community hubs instead of tourist traps, and where culture doesn’t come with a queue.

If there’s one kitchen tool that’s been passed down through generations, trusted by professional chefs, and sturdy enough to survive just about anything, it’s the cast iron skillet. This unassuming pan is a true kitchen workhorse, prized for its powerful heat retention, unbeatable searing ability, and crisp, golden edges. But as any cast iron owner quickly learns, keeping it in prime condition takes a little intention. And at the center of that care? Proper seasoning.

I didn’t grow up in a minimalist household. Ours was more “organized chaos,” the kind where mail piled on the dining table, keys were rarely where they should be, and countertops were catch-alls for everything from reusable shopping bags to mystery screws that might be important. As I got older, I didn’t fully abandon that way of living—but I started to realize how much visual clutter was silently draining me.

Rentals are tricky. On one hand, it’s your space—you live there, you sleep there, your coffee brews there every morning. But on the other hand, it’s someone else’s property. That means beige walls, builder-grade lighting, and those off-white blinds that somehow make even a sunny room feel blah.