Curated by Mel

UPGRADE THE SLUMBER
I recently added an Avocado Eco Organic Latex Mattress Topper to a guest bed and immediately regretted it. It’s like floating on a supportive cloud, and now our house guests are getting the best sleep in the house. The three-inch thickness adds an extra few dollars, but it’s money well spent for an organic, vegan (no wool), sans polyurethane foam dreamscape. Info: avocadogreenmattress.com

REAL-TIME INGREDIENT INFO
Food labels can be confusing and even misleading, so I’m delighted that the Trash Panda app puts ingredient education directly into the hands of consumers. For just $40 a year, users can scan a product’s barcode to get a better understanding of each ingredient, especially those with harmful health impacts, like brominated vegetable oil. It also helps manage dietary needs like gluten or dairy-free. Info: www.trashpandaapp.com

RETHINK ORAL HEALTH
Over the years, many of us have transitioned to electronic-style toothbrushes, and it was nearly revolutionary. The folks at Soocas have found room for improvement, though, and their NEOS II Ultra toothbrush has, once again, changed the game. The brand’s “MultiClean” design incorporates a clinically precise 0.55mm water flosser that works in tandem with the 66,000 sonic vibrations for a power clean. Info: soocas.com

JAZZ UP YOUR CALENDAR
Managing your busy calendar—or an entire household’s—can feel like a part-time job. It can also feel a bit stressful, so I love Artful Agenda’s approach, which incorporates a bit of whimsy. It’s a digital tool that syncs with Google calendar, but offers beautiful backdrops, fun stickers, and top-notch organizational features like same-page to-do lists. It’s loaded with features and opportunities to customize, and as the self-proclaimed List Queen, I give it two thumbs up. Info: artfulagenda.com

THE AIR YOU BREATHE
Traditional room freshening sprays often contain toxins that disrupt health, but Realm is powered by patent-pending technology and a trademarked Safe Scent Certified™ standard. Creating with non-toxic, transparent ingredients, Realm offers a lovely variety of scents that neutralizes odor at the molecular level and leave a hint of natural scent in its place. It can take time to transition home products to all-natural alternatives, but this is a great place to start. Info: www.breatherealm.co

CONSIDER REFINED WASHABILITY
Washing an area rug in the washer machine is oddly liberating. Ruggable area rugs are available in over a dozen sizes and seemingly endless styles—from trendy Wicked themes to farmhouse chic and beyond. The brand continuously adds new area rugs, and I’m always impressed with the number of elegant offerings. Dinner party spills are now stress-free. Plus, the brand now sells washable pet beds, bathroom rugs, and even doormats.
Info: ruggable.com

APPROACHABLE MINDFULNESS
People talk about mindfulness ad nauseum, and it seems to fall into two categories: mindless trend-chat or unrelatable expertise. This year, welcome Marijke McCandless into your book queue. Her lovely and oh-so-readable book Naked in the Now: Juicy Practices for Getting Present offers an easy on-ramp to the balance most of us crave each day. It’s spilling over with actionable ways to dabble in meditation, daily rituals, and self-exploration. Skip the morning coffee and doomscroll and reach for a copy of this book of delights instead. Info: www.simonandschuster.com

PRIORITIZE LOCAL
It’s easy to hop on to shop the mega-stores of the internet but Set Forth NY proves the reminder we sometimes need to support local shops, makers, and artisans. The brand’s candles are imbued with intention—an open invitation to let its soft light encourage the mood, change, or rest you need. The scents? Try Golden Whisper with jasmine, saffron, cedarwood and musk. Whichever you choose, you’ll be supporting two worthy “dreamers,” co-founders Karen Arcilla and Renata Rads.
Info: setforthny.com

BAKED HEIRLOOM SNACKS
Heirloom corn represents less than 1% of our corn supply, and Pip Snacks uses it exclusively. In an age of GMO-chaos, I was thrilled to find Pips, knowing that nature’s pollinators (insects, birds, wind, etc.) helped create the snacks—as opposed to chemicals. Equally exciting, these snacks are some of the best I’ve had—from the cheese balls to the corn dippers (a better for you Frito that we put atop our bowls of chili). Info: www.pipsnacks.com

NONSENSE-FREE PROTEIN POWDER
Unfortunately, most of the protein powders on the market include unhealthy additives. I’ve been actively searching for a high-quality, truly healthy option, and Drink Wholesome checks all the boxes. This minimally processed protein powder contains no additives, emulsifiers, or alternative sweeteners. The brand offers three options: collagen, egg white, and vegan almond (dairy and gluten free in unflavored, chocolate, and vanilla). It’s also perfect for those with sensitive stomachs.
Info: www.drinkwholesome.com 

THE GUAN JING METHOD
The Guan Jing Method is a fascia-focused practice helping release tension, improve circulation, and restore glow through movement and sound. The practice combines yoga, Qi Gong, and dance to strengthen the body like Pilates, but it also releases tension, improves posture, and supports the nervous and digestive systems. The best part? It’s available as an online membership, so you can choose when and where to practice, and choose from an ever-expanding library of courses.
Info: www.guanjingmethod.com

FITNESS DABBLER
Our fitness routines can feel stale after a while, and that’s why the Bodi app is one of my 2026 recommendations. The app offers users anywhere access to classes including cardio, weightlifting, fitness, core, yoga, stretching, and Pilates, plus six legendary programs like P90X. With membership rates under $200/year, it’s great on its own, used as a fun way to keep your regular gym routine fresh, or the perfect in-room hotel workout solution.
Info: www.bodi.com