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04l For the past 17 years Alison and Mike Battle have mastered what the perfect should look like. One where children can lose themselves in their imagination and connect with values that really matter. It is a return to a pre-1930s Christmas, before Coca Cola took over. The south London couple founded Lapland UK in 2007, inspired by their own experiences of raising four boys and trying to retain their childlike wonder. That each year tickets sell-out in March, earning the event, held in a forest near Ascot, the reputation for being the Glastonbury for children, shows that they’ve tapped into something that all parents desire. “This is something extremely important,” explains Mike. “For children who believe and for their parents, we feel a responsibility to get this right.” It was a duty they felt with their own four boys, now grown up; Michael, a screenwriter, is 31, Matt, 29 works at Lapland UK and twins Christian, who also works with his parents and Joseph, a solicitor, are 26. Alison created a sense of wonder in the boys, but they struggled to find it outside the home. “We would go to a garden centre to visit Father Christmas and it wouldn’t live up to it,” says Matt. “He wouldn’t know any information about us.” Mike recalls queuing up at Harrods for hours, only for Alison to start twitching as they neared the front of the queue. “She started scribbling bits of information about the children on pieces of paper and trying to sneak them to the elves. They were a bit confused, although some got it.” Today, Alison still is the eyes and voice of the children, tapping into what they will find believable, while Mike makes her vision happen for tens of thousands of children each year. Here are the Battle’s tips for creating a truly magical Christmas for you and your family: The Christmas that inspires the Battle family is one filled with nature and old traditions: “A time from before the 1930s when we got Santa and commercialisation,” says Alison. “For us it’s all about the charm and the dream of Christmas.” They prefer the name “Father Christmas” and the storytelling is inspired by northern Europe. As a young woman Alison studied in Heidelberg in Germany and so she has a love of all things Grimm. “We come at it with a European flavour. We’re not about the candy cane Santa; we’re not American at all. That old world charm is something that people can recreate in their own homes.” They want people to move away from “Santa stops here” signs and go back to nature more. It is the way they have built Lapland UK too, sourcing Latvian log cabins 18 years ago that they still use. Mike and Alison scour antique fairs across Europe looking for props; everything from copper pans for Mother Christmas’s kitchen, stained glass windows, old suitcases and chairs, lanterns and globes. “There’s a big warehouse we go to in Frankfurt, where we source things like original sleighs. It’s a lot of fun,” says Mike. There are also leather bound books on old dressers. Alison thanks her own Mother for giving her the perspective that you should treasure old things. “She’s always had a huge passion for children and childhood. For her 40th birthday, for example, I clearly remember she requested a set of leather bound .” Details like stenciling on dressers and cupboards evoke the feeling of a Scandinavian Christmas, as do frames of pressed leaves and botanical drawings. Boughs of brown ferns and crimson leaves hang from the ceilings throughout Lapland UK. Look closely, however, and they are all actually high-quality faux foliage, made from plastic. For a production on Lapland UK’s scale it is the most dependable and sustainable way to decorate. “It’s sustainable because everything you see was here last year,” says Mike. He sought inspiration from how the Victorians would bring in nature to decorate their fireplaces and front doors. It is also linked to ancient indigenous practices, such as collecting mistletoe to bring luck. In this world, the elves are celebrating nature, not tinsel. The foundation of the Battle Christmas canvas is the palette; the colours they use create their world of Christmas. “It’s about making sure that nothing imposes and everything makes sense. You soon notice something if it doesn’t fit,” says Christian. “If there’s a bright yellow or green thing, then your attention would be taken there and the whole set breaks.” The perfect Lapland UK red is not a bright red, but a burgundy red. The basis for their muted colour board is that all the colours must look like they are derived from nature. “Anything that feels manufactured is rejected,” says Mike. When they were designing the toy factory the inspiration was real sawdust and rocking horses, rather than primary colours and clowns with googly eyes. What is the perfect Christmas green? “A sage. Not that far from Farrow and Ball, really,” laughs Mike. Silver and gold aren’t banned, but the tone and amount of it is to be considered. “If you have a hint of gold and silver, that’s fun. If you have all of it, that’s nuts,” says Mike. “It’s about elegance and balance. We want everything to be holistic, rather than shouty.” As you can imagine, this is a big moment in the Battle household; at home they have an 8ft tree. However, how it looks isn’t as important as how it feels. “It is a filled with memories,” says Christian. Rather than worrying too much about a matching bauble, every single decoration on the has to have a story. Something bought on holiday or made by the boys in primary school. After Matt played the Angel Gabriel in the school nativity they found an Angel Gabriel decoration. The family also love the of drying oranges and limes and putting them on the tree. “It’s sensory,” says Mike. There is no tinsel in the Battle household. Although in Alison’s family home there is one piece of tinsel. “It’s now 50 years old and my sister and I put it on the tree, even though it’s completely threadbare.” May your Christmas be warm and bright. Certainly your , anyway. When it comes to creating a warm and cosy atmosphere, Mike seeks inspiration from Salzburg. He remembers a trip to the Austrian town in December when everywhere was snowy. “And there were coffee shops lining the streets that were all glowing and warm. Every single one of them was so inviting and it was just beautiful.” He tries to make the same effect at Lapland UK by bringing the lighting down. “The amount of time I say ‘warm lighting’ during the building process!” he laughs. Old-fashioned filament bulbs are key to creating the Battle’s warm nostalgic dream of Christmas. “I don’t like the blue icicle lighting you see,” says Alison. Stir-up Sunday is another one of the rituals the family performs without fail each year. “We’d make our Christmas cake every year and one by one we had to ‘stir in the love’ and make a wish as you did it,” says Christian. “Making a Christmas cake one year isn’t that special, but the fact we’ve done it for nearly 30 years makes it feel different,” says Matt. As adults they now appreciate the ritualisation of their Christmas. “The things we did weren’t crazily unique, but by doing them every year it gave them significance, which made them more important each year,” says Matt. The Lapland UK Foundation aims to eventually put a stocking on the bed of every child in a UK hospital or hospice over Christmas. This year they are starting with Lewisham Hospital and Evelina Children’s Hospital. In the Battle household you are never too old for a stocking. Although now Alison usually has to wait for them to come back from the pub. “I still sneak in at 3 o’clock in the morning.” “You just have to let her do it,” says Mike. Alison does see the funny side of having never quite punctured the magic of Christmas for her sons, even if they are now well into adulthood. About three years ago, she remembers one of them running into our bedroom and saying: “Look what is in my stocking!” “I was like, ‘I know!” laughs Alison. Christmas is about creating a feeling, not about material things that you get on Christmas morning. The family feels strongly about that. It recalls the Christmases of Mike and Alison’s childhoods in the 1970s, growing up in working class families in south London. “They were very grounded, loving families,” says Alison. Her father was a carpenter and would make wooden gifts for her and her sister. As the youngest of five children from a migrant Irish family, Mike’s memories aren’t of things, but of an energy in the house. “I’d come down the stairs and feel that there was something special going on; that it was an unusual day,” he recalls. On Christmas Eve in Mike’s home, his father would have a half-day, “which was unusual. We used to all go to Littlewoods on Bromley High Street and have something to eat and that was great. Not because it was fancy, but because it was something unusual for us.” The essence of Christmas for him now? “Being at home and having all six of us together,” he says.

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How to navigate the risks of DPIIsrael strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. An uneasy calm settles over Syrian city of Homs after outbreak of sectarian violence HOMS, Syria (AP) — Syria’s new security forces checked IDs and searched cars in the central city of Homs a day after protests by members of the Alawite minority erupted in gunfire and stirred fears that the country’s fragile peace could break down. A tense calm prevailed Thursday after checkpoints were set up throughout the country’s third-largest city, which has a mixed population of Sunni and Shia Muslims, Alawites and Christians. The security forces are controlled by the former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which led the charge that unseated former President Bashar Assad. The US says it pushed retraction of a famine warning for north Gaza. Aid groups express concern. WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say they asked for — and got — the retraction of an independent monitor's warning of imminent famine in north Gaza. The internationally Famine Early Warning System Network issued the warning this week. The new report had warned that starvation deaths in north Gaza could reach famine levels as soon as next month. It cited what it called Israel's “near-total blockade” of food and water. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, criticized the finding as inaccurate and irresponsible. The U.S. Agency for International Development, which funds the famine-monitoring group, told the AP it had asked for and gotten the report's retraction. USAID officials tell The Associated Press that it had asked the group for greater review of discrepancies in some of the data. Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans in Congress plan to move quickly in their effort to overhaul the nation’s voting procedures, seeing an opportunity with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. They want to push through long-sought changes such as voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. They say the measures are needed to restore public confidence in elections. That's after an erosion of trust that Democrats note has been fueled by false claims from Donald Trump and his allies of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Democrats say they are willing to work with the GOP but want any changes to make it easier, not harder, to vote. Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out NEW YORK (AP) — A lot of Americans, after an intense presidential election campaign, are looking for a break in political news. That's evident in cable television news ratings and a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans saying they've found the need recently to cut down on their consumption of political and government news. That's particularly true among Democrats following President-elect Donald Trump's victory, although a significant number of Republicans and independents feel the same way. Cable networks MSNBC and CNN are really seeing a slump. That's also happened in years past for networks that particularly appeal to supporters of one candidate. New York to charge fossil fuel companies for damage from climate change ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Large fossil fuel companies would have to pay fees to help New York fight the effects of climate change under a bill signed by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. The governor signed the new law Thursday. It requires companies responsible for substantial greenhouse gas emissions to pay into a state infrastructure fund for repairs or projects that help avoid future damage from climate change. Lawmakers approved the bill earlier this year. It's meant to make big oil and gas companies contribute to the cost of repairs after extreme weather events or for resiliency projects. Such projects may include restoring coastal wetlands or upgrading roads, bridges and water drainage systems. Legal challenges to the new law are expected. Aviation experts say Russia's air defense fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns Aviation experts say that Russian air defense fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. Azerbaijan is observing a nationwide day of mourning on Thursday for the victims of the crash. Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons yet unclear and crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan. Cellphone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball. Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy battlefield losses KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy losses in Russia's Kursk region and face logistical difficulties as a result of Ukrainian attacks. The intelligence agency said Thursday that Ukrainian strikes near Novoivanovka inflicted heavy casualties on North Korean units. Ukraine's president said earlier this week that 3,000 North Korean troops have been killed and wounded in the fighting in the Kursk region. It marked the first significant estimate by Ukraine of North Korean casualties several weeks after Kyiv announced that North Korea had sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to help it in the almost 3-year war. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Why this Mexican American woman played a vital role in the US sacramental peyote trade MIRANDO CITY, Texas (AP) — Amada Cardenas, a Mexican American woman who lived in the tiny border town of Mirando City in South Texas, played an important role in the history of the peyote trade. She and her husband were the first federally licensed peyote dealers who harvested and sold the sacramental plant to followers of the Native American Church in the 1930s. After her husband's death in 1967, Cardenas continued to welcome generations of Native American Church members to her home until her death in 2005, just before her 101st birthday.Do tree-shaped Reese’s actually taste better than a regular peanut butter cup?

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1. Self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint perfect for anyone whose recent step count is "too many." Now instead of dealing with aching feet all night, you can get ahead of the situation with some ~self-care~. Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. I'm a long-ish distance runner and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and after a few minutes feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days! Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 . 2. A pair of ridiculously comfortable pull-on Levi's jeans for anyone who wants a go-to basic that'll work with just about any T-shirt in your closet. These are so comfy and easy to put on that they'll will make you want to throw your regular jeans out the window. Promising review : "These jeggings are great! They’re super cute, soft, and fit really well. I didn’t realize they were going to be 'waist cinching' or whatever (didn’t read the description as I just saw them on TikTok and ordered), so they are right and kind of difficult to get on, but once I got them on, they were snug and actually really comfortable! Probably going to order another pair!" — Amazon Customer Psst — if you have Amazon Prime Wardrobe , you can try this piece out before you buy it! Get it from Amazon for $21.11+ (available in sizes 2–28, three inseams, and 19 colors). 3. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener , which became the internet's holy grail for concealing and brightening dark circles under your eyes so fast that everyone's old concealers are doing double takes. This lightweight, color-adapting formula is designed for truly ~invisible~ coverage that makes a drastic difference. The color adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone. Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." — Monica T. Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in two shades). 4. A memory foam cushion designed to relieve pressure on your back, butt, and tailbone so you don't have to suffer through long work days and commutes. Now you'll just have to convince yourself to actually get *off* of this cushion to get on with your day. Comfilife is a small business that specializes in comfort-based personal care products. Promising review: "Life-changing on a long trip! My partner wanted us to drive from Colorado to California. I wanted to fly because I had a fall, and half of my body was in pain. He talked me into it, so I purchased this pillow for the car ride. What a game-changer! It helped so much with the pain, and I would recommend it for anyone in the car !" — Nadia Get it from Amazon for $29.95+ (available in three colors). 5. A knee stabilizer band for knee pain relief both in the short term *and* long term, whether you get it from running, hiking, team sports, or jumping up and down every time you hear a Bruno Mars song start playing at a wedding reception. Promising review: "I have chronic pain. First in my low back, then my neck, now my right foot and both knees. I’ve tried everything to try to support my knees. Those one-size-fits-all knee braces that cover the whole knee, those knee sleeves that cover the whole knee, a patella brace with a strap for the thigh and just below the knees with a padding that covered the back of my knee. Nothing worked AND was comfortable. They all shifted and chafed. About to give up I tried this. It fit comfortably under my jeans, it doesn’t shift around. I can wear it all day, I can go up and down stairs without pain, and I’ve even noticed improvement in my lower back as well. I’m very pleased!" — Angela Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven colors). 6. A weighted eye mask that's basically like a weighted blanket for your human eyes, designed to decrease stress and encourage ~deep sleep~. They also feature a 3D contour, so they're hollowed out in the middle and won't rest right on top of your eyes. Promising review : "Love these . These are soft and very comfortable, and they seriously black out every bit of ligh t. I love them. I would highly recommend. I’ll probably never sleep without them again." — AJ Get a pack of two from Amazon for $7.99 (available in six sets). 7. A set of "wine wands" to remove sulfates and histamines from your beloved cheap Pinots in as little as three minutes, basically making "not getting a hangover" your new superpower. Read more about sulfite allergies and wine at Cleveland Clinic . PureWine is a small business that specializes in wine accessories. Promising review: "What a difference these have made in my life. With my allergies, it was impossible to enjoy a glass or two of wine without nasty side effects: stuffy nose, red face, and headaches. Now, I can have a glass of wine and not have to dart to a package of antihistamines! Makes a great gift. Even thinking of splitting a box into stocking stuffers. Each wand is individually wrapped. Have purchased these several times and will continue to do so." — KellyH Get a set of three from Amazon for $11.99 . 8. A bottle of sulfate-free biotin shampoo that thousands of reviewers swear by for helping restore their hair and promote healthy hair growth over time. It also includes nourishing ingredients like rosemary oil, zinc, and coconut oil to help moisturize locks and give them a fuller, more volumized look. Read more about how biotin shampoo could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic . Maple Holistics is a small business that specializes in beauty products with all-natural ingredients. Check out a TikTok of the biotin shampoo in action. Promising review: "I love this shampoo! I had gastric sleeve surgery, and my hair was very, very thin. I started taking biotin and switched to biotin shampoo, as recommended by my doctor. It doesn’t make your hair grow by washing it, but it makes your hair and roots stronger. And it worked. After using the whole bottle, my hair was stronger. I had a lot of new growth that was sticking around (the previous new growth fell out early on), and my hair was getting thicker. Eight months later, my hair is back to normal. It's longer and thicker than ever." — Diane J. Huff Get it from Amazon for $12.95 . 9. Death Wish Instant Coffee Packets so downright (dare I say, DANGEROUSLY) delicious that even the biggest coffee snobs you know might trade in their precious pour-overs. That is, if they can handle the 300mg of caffeine per cup 👀. Check out a TikTok of the Deathwish Instant Coffee in action. (Also I read at least one review of someone PUTTING THIS IN THEIR MORNING SMOOTHIE , some of you are WILD.) Death Wish Coffee is a small business that specializes in coffee pods, grounds, whole beans, and more. Promising review : "So let me start by saying that this coffee is delicious and works if you’re someone like me who wants to stay awake. I work night shifts at a hospital, and in the mornings, when I get home, I’m quite tired and sleepy. I made myself a cup of coffee and waited for it to work. Now let me tell y’all!!! This coffee kept me awake for hours!! BOY, WAS I WOWED INDEED ... best believe I went ahead and ordered three more boxes. This is now my to-go coffee if I need a BOOST!!!!!! If you like coffee and want to stay awake, then BUY THIS COFFEE!!! I’m happy I no longer have to take naps to get re-energized." — nancy Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $10.99 . 10. No Worries: A Guided Journal, a popular self-guided journal designed to help with managing anxiety, stress, and the general "adkfjgaldkjfgalkj" in your brain. Each day has a similar set of prompts for 12 undated weeks to help you reflect on your thought patterns and sources of anxiety, and gradually find self-care practices and management strategies that suit you best. Promising review: "I’ve never been a journal or diary person, but I needed an outlet for my anxiety and stress . Each day has the same two-page spread that prompts you to think about your day, how you felt, and why you felt that way. There isn’t really any inspiration or advice, just open lines for your thoughts without it being an intimidating blank page. This journal has already helped me see patterns in my thoughts/emotions, and I feel better overall. I would recommend this journal to anyone." — Kari Madsen Get it from Amazon for $9.95 . 11. And a stress relief flower coloring book for adults so instead of trying to outrun your problems, you can out- color them, and have a bunch of darling pieces of art to show for it. Psst — you can pick up a cult-fave colored pencil set on Amazon for $9.99! Promising review: "Great stress reliever. Stimulates my creativity. I have taken pictures of what I colored and have made it my wallpaper for my cellphone. Very glad I made this purchase." — Dawn62 Get it from Amazon for $6.65 . 12. A blissfully cooling silk pillowcase that will feel like heaven on your skin and your hair — in fact, a lot of reviewers swear by silk for preventing acne, and for preventing hair tangling and breakage during the night. Promising review: "Makeup artist and esthetician in training here! I adore this pillow. I was searching high and low for a good quality, affordable, and REAL silk pillow. After months of research online for the best option, I chose this pillow. It’s 100% real mulberry silk on both sides, has a hidden zipper, and it doesn’t slide around!!! It’s not only helped my hair not tangle, but the acne that I normally get on my cheeks from being a side sleeper has diminished almost completely (due to the anti-microbacterial properties of mulberry silk). Also I’ve noticed my skin looking ever so slightly plumper and more hydrated. I t also stays cool through the night." — J. Thompson Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in three sizes and nine colors). 13. An earwax removal kit , so you don't have to wait until your yearly physical for your doctor to be like "um WHOA" and fix it for you. This is quicker, easier, and will be a huge relief for those of us waxy individuals who sometimes wake up in the morning with an ear so fully clogged-up that it feels like you're underwater. Y'all, this stuff is no joke — you can check out the earwax removal kit customer reviews to see the GOBS it is taking outta people's canals. Promising review: "My right ear has been plugged up for months. I squirted warm water in there, peroxide, tried various ear scraper tools, then just gave up. A month or so later, I saw this product at a local CVS, and gave it a try. Laid on couch with several drops in my ear for a half hour. I could hear weird fizzing noises. Then I flushed warm water in my ear with the included soft bulb syringe, and out came the culprit. Had to have been deep in there." — fixitforgood Get it from Amazon for $8.12. 14. A pair of compression gloves designed to help alleviate pain from carpal tunnel and arthritis, so you can type at your keyboard without an internal monologue of "ow OW ow owwwww" for the majority of your workday. Comfy Brace is a small business that specializes in pain-relieving compression products. Promising review : "I love these gloves. I’m actually wearing them right now. I have a degree in computer science, which means that I’m constantly using my hands to code and mess around on computers. I use a computer at home and at work. By the end of the day, my hands are sore, and they hurt. These gloves work miracles. Before bed, I put these on, and I wear them all night . I get a good night's sleep when I wear them and I can tell when I forget to put them on because I sleep awful. I also like how easy it is to wash them. " — BritMcConnell Get a pair from Amazon for $9.97 (available in four sizes). 15. Plus a compression foot sleeve to help manage heel pain and plantar fasciitis that you can sneakily wear right under your socks. The compression is so effective that even reviewers with chronic pain swear by them! Promising review: "I've had plantar fasciitis for two years now on and off. I work out a lot. I've had temporary relief from steroid injections, night splints and physical therapy but it always acts up when I run. I tried these, and they make it so bearable to work out and run again. They are tight so take some getting use to but I have I would say 85% relief running with these on now after. Definitely recommend for plantar fasciitis people." — Sam Get a pair from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in four sizes and 11 colors). 16. A roll-on migraine stick made with peppermint, spearmint, and lavender oils to help you soothe away headaches, which frankly have a lot of audacity interrupting your day. Basic Vigor is a US-based small business specializing in all-natural migraine relief products. Read more about how stress management can help with migraine prevention at Mayo Clinic , and read more about aromatherapy and stress and tension at Johns Hopkins . Promising review: "I’ve had migraines all my life — I’m 31 now. I’ve been on all kinds of prescriptions that work, but make me so sleepy... I’ve been using this stick for one week now, and it’s amazing! I rubbed it on at the first hint of a headache/migraine and it takes care of it fast. I haven’t taken a prescription migraine since I started using it. " — Amanda Braswell Read BuzzFeed's review of the migraine stick for more deets! Get it from Amazon for $12.95 . 17. Or a migraine relief beanie for when your brain decides it's going to rattle against your skull at the least convenient time possible. This gets icy *and* hot depending on what kind of relief you're looking for, and double as a sleep mask so you can block out harsh light or try to get some shut-eye for further relief. IceBeanie is a small business that specializes in cold therapy products. Promising review: "I don’t usually write reviews but this thing is literally a game changer. Amazing quality, so comfortable to wear, and it really helps me to relax and also when I have a headache. This is top shelf. I am so happy with my purchase!" — Bonnie Boughton Get it from Amazon for $39.99 . 18. A blister-preventing balm that basically magics an extra layer between your skin and your shoe, so you can trek through the airport or go on all your hikes or long walks around new cities without worrying about getting big ole blisters on your feet without a bandage in sight. BodyGlide is a small business that specializes in chafe-preventing personal care products. Promising review: "Wow. I took this on vacation, during which we walked about 20,000 steps daily. And, of course, my shoes begin to rub against parts of my feet, terribly. But I smeared this on, and it was amazing . I did have to reapply a few times a day, in public, but I highly recommend this!! I used it on my toes, ankle area, etc., and my feet felt great (normal)." — Y. Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in multipacks). 19. A weekly pill organizer designed with push-through silicone lids to easily organize your pills at the beginning of the week, meaning you don't have to spend a bunch of time rooting through pill boxes and trying to remember the timing of them each morning. Sagely is a family-owned small business founded by husband-and-wife team Ellie Glazer and Ivor Miskulin, who spent three years designing the ideal, stress-free pill storage solution. The silicone lids are super secure, but also designed for gentle and easy opening and closing to account for users with dexterity issues. Promising review : "Love this thing!!! I'm only 30 and didn't want an old lady pill box... and this one was modern and cool. The little slots to push in pills is fantastic and the containers are very large. It keeps my huge vitamin pills on either side and could fit over 10 large ones if needed . Love this thing. Worth the price and looks like it'll last forever. I do wish the magnets were stronger. They just keep them in place but will slide off if bumped. I assume this is helpful for people with arthritis. It's an easy fix. I take down one days worth of pills, set it on my counter and now I'm not too lazy to take my pills!" — Chicken McNugget Get it from Amazon for $34.99 . 20. A guided visual "breathing partner" you can use for meditation and calm to shift your mindset. This is designed to guide you through either the popular 4/7/8 or 5/5 "calming breaths" to help reduce stress and anxiety, using colors that fade in and out softly as cues. Bonus: it's kid-friendly! Mindset is a small business that specializes in calming personal care and decor products. Promising review: "I started meditating over a decade ago. Intermittent in the beginning, progressing deeper, and finding new joys over time. With Breathing Buddha, the last thoughts have dropped away as counting breath always seemed to keep me conscious of, well, counting. Granted, I have always dropped the counting after a handful of breaths, but Breathing Buddha has made for a delightful transition as I realize it doesn't have to count at all. It is a lovely concept, well executed, and very easy to start using. " — Lynn Get it from Amazon for $21.95 (available in three styles). 21. A gaming/reading/laptop pillow to prop your hands up while you're playing video games, typing, or reading on your Kindle or iPad. This supports your arms for more ~ergonomically-friendly~ experience whether your in bed or and a couch, and even features a lil' side pocket for things like remote controls, glasses, and — of course — emergency snacky snacks. Promising review: "I work from home a few days a week, and every once in a while, my work extends into the evening hours. I have a home office, but sitting at my desk all day is sometimes very tiring. I purchased this big memory foam desk pillow so that I can relax on my couch and still put my laptop up and have a comfortable working area. This pillow is big but very comfortable. It has armrests that wrap around the sides of you and they also have little pockets for random things like your cell phone or the remote, etc. It’s so nice to just lean back into my comfortable couch and have this big soft desk in front of me." — Jenn Butterfield Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in two styles). 22. A set of bra strap extenders so you can keep your beloved favorite bras *and* stay nice and comfy (plus save the bajillion dollars on new bras, because yowza, are they expensive). Promising review: "These bra extenders are so easy to use and the best invention ever! I can’t believe I’m in my 50s and just finding these! They have saved me and my girls for sure! I don’t need to go up in size but I needed an extra eyelet worth of room! Very comfortable! I’d highly recommend! Thank you!" — Ally McCoy Get a pack of four from Amazon for $9.75+ (available in 20 set varieties). 23. A set of wildly popular ~hotel~ pillows that will make you feel like a lil' cherub falling asleep on a breezy cloud. Reviewers are obsessed with how these manage to be soft but firm at the same time, and how they're so breathable and cooling that they're basically a must-have for anyone who overheats at night. Promising review: "These had great reviews but I was still a bit skeptical. I'm a bit of a pillow snob. These pillows — these amazing, heavenly pillows — are now my favorite part of going to bed. Soft but firm. How does that work? It gives support for me to sleep slightly propped up but I sink into this comfortable personal cloud. Soft but firm. My head isn't sinking through the pillow to rest on my mattress, but I feel comfortably enveloped. Heaven. I bought two but think that would be too much fluff, so now my husband and I each have one. Buy them. Add to cart. Buy now with one click. Stop the research. You've found the pillows you were looking for. " — Marissa Urey "God himself must use these pillows. I have (or had haha) insomnia, not to mention a bad neck/back *and* hot flashes. The comfort and the cooling is AMAZING (even with silk pillowcase). Thank you, TikTok for influencing me!!!!" — Rickie White Get a set of two from Amazon for $47.99 . 24. And a game-changing "bed wedge" pillow to help take care of that awkward gap between the mattress and the headboard where you keep losing everything from pillows to books to midnight snacks. The triangular shape and high-density foam also stop your pillow from slip-sliding on you in the middle of the night, and help better support and cushion you. Bonus : T here's a lil' side pocket for your phone, glasses, or other nighttime accessories. Promising review: "I did not realize that these were out there until I watched a TikTok about one. This has saved my pillows. I do have a headboard, but there was about a three-inch gap between it and my mattress. This has stopped my pillows from sliding down in between. I have had no issues at all with it. I did let it sit for almost 72 hours while it was getting its shape back from being in a shipping container, but after that, it was perfect!!! I highly recommend." — Miss_Beck Get it from Amazon for $26.09+ (available in two colors and Twin–California King). 25. A HappyLight sunlamp that will be both a literal and metaphorical ~light of your life~ — this adjustable light can help improve your sleep, mood, and energy levels, particularly if you're vibing in a spot where you don't get a lot of direct sunlight. Read more about sunlamps and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) at Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic . Check out a TikTok of the HappyLight in action. Promising review: "I work from home at night. I never see the light of day during the winter. This light has been a joy to have and gives great light at my desk to work with, with the benefit of mimicking sun exposure. It’s very easy to use and to replace bulbs." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (clip the $10 off coupon on the product page for this price). 26. A heated eye massager with so many bells and whistles, it's worth the investment and *then* some — not only does it come with five different massage modes and a 15-minute timer, but it has Bluetooth music so you can vibe with your eyes *and* your ears. Reviewers swear by this to help combat eye strain, headaches, puffy under-eye circles, and dry eyes, and insomnia. Promising review : "I saw this product on one of Amazon’s must-have TikTok videos, and I knew I had to get it. It was so worth it — even though the price may seem higher compared to other sellers, this is for sure a good investment piece. The quality is top-notch, the strap that goes around your head is comfortable, and most importantly, the duration of each mode is long enough that it doesn’t interrupt your rest. I work a 12-hour night shift as a nurse, and this technology has helped me get through the night easily. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $63.99 (clip the $7 off coupon on the product page for this price). 27. A gorgeously designed Hatch Restore 2 — this sunrise alarm and sound machine works overtime as a touch-controlled smart light, bedtime reading light, and even a wind-down light that helps you get into a healthier sleep routine at night, which is especially important to maintain when it's dark out for so long. Other bedside lamps could truly never. Hatch Restore lets you personalize a "bedtime routine" for each night to train your brain to recognize sleep cues and get a better night's rest. Options include changing the light settings to more amber tones to help produce melatonin for sleep, soothing noise options, and sleep meditations and sleep stories you can get in the Hatch app. Promising review: "The Hatch Restore 2 is truly a game changer for those looking to improve their night’s sleep and wake-up routine. It’s been the best bedside companion and has improved my overall health and well-being. The combination of sounds, lights, buttons, and aesthetics really all come to play to make this feel like a truly premium device. There are touch adjustments to adjust the volume and brightness of the clock, which work really well. My favorite feature is the physical buttons which you can press to start or stop the routines; it feels very intentional when I get ready for bed and really gets me in the right mindset to begin my bedtime routine ." — Natasha Advani Get it from Amazon for $199.99 (available in four styles). 28. An undated habit calendar for anyone who has goals they're looking to achieve, but is too stressed out by the rhythm of their daily lives to know how to track or motivate themselves to commit. This not only comes with 12 months worth of tracking strategies for daily, weekly, and monthly goals, but starts out with a lil' brainstorm on things you might want to track, like getting to bed earlier or managing your extra spending. Promising review: " I wanted to reduce stress and nail down some habits, and I've always done better when I can see progress tangibly. I'd been eyeing this calendar for some time, but was unsure if it was worth the money. I decided to go for it. SO glad I did. It has some 'homework' pages at the beginning to help you focus on your goals, but mostly, it's the cleanness and ready-to-go nature of the monthly calendar pages that have worked for me. It's helped me be more disciplined AND narrow my focus so I'm not worrying about doing everything under the sun each day. I liked it so much that I bought a second one for a friend. I'm really happy I made the leap." — Flight of Stars Get it from Amazon for $18.95 . 29. An investment-worthy, super-soft Trtl neck pillow designed to support your head while you're snoozing in midair so you don't land in a new city with a new crick in your neck to boot. Check out a TikTok of the Trtl neck pillow in action. Promising review: "Small and sturdy. Keeps your neck positioned up instead of lolling off to the side. You will wake up refreshed and not sore (in the neck anyways) airplane travel is stressful but this little gem makes it bearable. Kudos to the creator! First time I actually slept comfortably on a plane. Other neck sleepers don’t compare." — Judy M. Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in five colors). 30. A set of YogaToes Gems for potential bunion, plantar fasciitis, and foot pain relief — these flexible, soft gel separators are designed to fit between and beneath your toes to gently distribute pressure from the balls of your feet and alleviate the ache. You can wear them barefoot starting for 10–15 minutes per day, and then can work up to an hour. Check with your doctor before starting any new personal care regimen. Note: these should be worn barefoot, and not while wearing any shoes. Check out a TikTok of the Yoga Toes in action. Promising review: "I have an overlapping toe and a bunion that just started to form on one foot. I use the YogaToes daily for 15–30 minutes to help create space between the toes and relax the feet. I love how my feet feel when I take them off and start walking around. My feet feel stronger and more relaxed. I am a fitness instructor and also teach yoga. I use them before class for a few minutes. They help me feel more grounded as I move. " — Deirdre Sherman Get it from Amazon for $36.95 . 31. A set of Sea Bands , which target an acupressure point on your wrists meant to help reduce nausea — a must-have for anyone who gets motion sick on long car rides, cruises, buses, and trains. Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center . Promising review: "I bought these for my very first cruise. It was a five-day cruise that had a bit of rough waters the first two days out to sea. I was a little bit wary about whether these would keep the nausea away, as I am very prone to motion sickness (car rides in the mountains, carnival rides, etc). I put these on just before boarding the ship and didn't take them off until the fourth day. By then, I figured my 'sea legs' would have kicked in. I didn't have any issues at all, unlike many of my fellow cruisers . I'm bringing these with me on my next cruise!! I just wish they came in prettier colors!" — EA99 Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.99 . 32. A investment-worthy tube of Nerdwax to keep your glasses from treating the bridge of your nose like a Slip N' Slide — this is especially handy for sunglasses or other frames that aren't prescription, well-fitted ones you typically use, or for sweaty days when your nose is a little ~slippier~ than usual. Nerdwax is a US-based small business that specializes in all-natural anti-slip eyewear products. Promising review: "I can see why it's one of the most successful products seen on Shark Tank. Truly a game-changer . I thought I would forever struggle with my glasses moving down my nose all day long, but this really keeps them put! One less annoyance to deal with while wearing glasses. I already know I'll be a lifelong customer for this product." — M.L. Gomez Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 33. A Jergens "Wet Skin" moisturizer that works right on the spot so you don't have to wait to dry off to moisturize and then wait for the moisturizer to set, too — this goes on right after you turn off the shower for *instant* moisturized skin. Promising review: "I got the shea butter version and absolutely love the scent. I was skeptical about how it would work on wet skin, but it works really well and feels so much better than the greasy feeling of other moisturizers. So far, I’m loving it!" — EM Get it from Amazon for $8.01 . 34. A Squatty Potty , one of those internet-famous stools you can put at the base of your toilet to prop your feet up on while you ~go~. The placement helps align your colon to make the process a whole lot easier and faster — like, 20 seconds compared to several minutes! — so you don't end up watching all of TikTok while you're waiting yourself out. Psst — a lot of reviewers with chronic constipation and other gastrointestinal issues that get them ~backed up~ swear by this! Read more about constipation relief at home, including using a squatting position, at Cleveland Clinic . Promising review: "This is a game changer. I was skeptical, but this thing REALLY works! Since we started using this about a week ago, we have noticed significantly less abdominal pain, bloating/gas, and increased gut health. I highly recommend this to everyone!" — emily a Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in three sizes). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.While presenting producer and long-time collaborator Jack Antonoff with the Producer of the Decade award at s eighth-annual Hitmakers event, Lana Del Rey made a rare mention of her husband Jeremy Dufrene, crediting Antonoff’s marriage to actress Margaret Qualley as “a big reason” why she married the 49-year-old Louisiana boat captain. “I’m grateful for [Antonoff] for the example he gave me in his marriage to [Margaret Qualley],” Del Rey said. “I saw the way he looked at her when he met her, and he’s a big reason why I waited so long to get married, and why I met my amazing husband.” Del Rey officially introduced Dufrene to the media in September, when she brought him as her plus-one to the glitzy New York wedding between model Karen Elson and Lee Foster. Only a few weeks later on Sept. 26, the pair got their marriage license and were married the same day. “I feel like there’s a singers’ curse around meeting an honest partner who has no skin in the game, no dog in the race,” Del Rey continued. “It’s super nerve-wracking to hold on to an innocent perception of how things could go when you’re in an industry where maybe your values and your morals don’t quite match up with what’s going on. Especially when people think you probably don’t have any morals or values.” Dufrene serves as captain for an alligator boat tour boat company just outside of New Orleans. According to Dufrene’s bio on the , “Jeremy decided life at a chemical plant working 7 days a week and shrimping on vacation days was not his calling. After a little convincing by his family, he got his captain’s license and started running tours. He quickly realized that this was a great fit and he has never thought of going back to his previous career at the plant. Jeremy’s a great airboat captain and loves interacting with wildlife & customers.” Sign up for . For the latest news, follow us on , , and .