4 ways to get over jet lag fast, according to sleep experts

Travel

4 Ways to Get Over Jet Lag Fast, According to Sleep Experts

Drescription

Jet lag can make or break an otherwise stress-free vacation, but don’t let the fatigue get you down. (If only it were that easy.) Unfortunately, combatting the tiredness or insomnia from jet lag can be a challenge for most travelers.

Certain types of trips seriously disrupt your circadian rhythm, but there are also effective ways to offset significant time changes. We spoke with several sleep experts to learn what jet lag is, why it happens, and how you can make it a non-issue.

Sarah Silverman, PsyD, is a women’s holistic sleep health expert.

Teresa Power, BS CCSH, is a clinical sleep coach and speaker.

Olivia Arezzolo is a world-leading sleep expert and author of Bear, Lion or Wolf; How Understanding Your Sleep-Type Could Change Your Life.

What Is Jet Lag?

Jet lag is the onset of fatigue and other symptoms after traveling to different time zones. According to sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo, trips that travel eastward (where the clock jumps ahead) are the most difficult. “Logistically, this means that it’s more difficult to fly from the USA to Europe,” Arezzolo explains.

Holistic sleep health expert Sarah Silverman, PsyD, says that experiencing jet lag while traveling is normal and to be expected, especially when crossing multiple time zones. “The general rule of thumb to keep in mind is the number of time zones you’ll be crossing is usually the number of days it may take for your body to adjust to local time," says Silverman.

Both Arezzolo and Silverman note that there are some individuals who can adjust more quickly than others. If you're not that person, you may experience jet lag when you arrive at your destination, or you may feel it more once you get back home (or you could be someone who experiences it both times).

How Can You Tell If You’re Jet Lagged?

Arezzolo says there are several symptoms of jet lag. You may be experiencing it if you notice any of the following.

Daytime fatigue

Being extremely alert, awake, and energized in the evening

Difficulties sleeping through the night, with exhaustion throughout the day

Brain fog and memory lapses

Moodiness, irritability, and anxiety

Lacking motivation, akin to burnout 1

4 Ways to Overcome Jet Lag as Fast as Possible

There are some simple secrets to getting over jet lag faster than expected, even if you’re especially susceptible to it. Along with keeping a solid routine, here is how to get your energy back or prevent it from dropping in the first place.

1. Use Light to Your Advantage

Clinical sleep coach Teresa Power, BS CCSH, says to use light or the lack of light to adjust your sleep schedule in the few days before and once you arrive at your destination. “Light is a 'zeitgeber,' meaning it’s a natural way your body tells time and aligns your circadian rhythm. Try to get as much daylight and bright light as possible early in the day and reduce it close to bedtime. If you can, skip the sunglasses in the morning and keep the lights dim or off in the evening.”

As tired as you are when you land, Arezzolo says you need to be awake when it’s day and asleep when it’s night. “With light, the circadian rhythm’s primary zeitgeber (influencing factor), this is absolutely essential,” she reiterates. Depending on the time zone, you could use artificial light to slowly adjust your sleep before your trip.

A few days before the trip, avoid devices, turn off overhead lights, and wear 100% blue-light-blocking glasses if you are looking at a screen when it’s supposed to be night at your target destination. When it’s supposed to be morning, simulate natural sunlight for 20 minutes with light therapy glasses, Arezzolo says. Using light in this way can help you slowly acclimate to an adjusted sleep schedule.

2. Strategize Your Sleep During Travel

Arezzolo suggests not making your travel routine more complicated than it needs to be. “Simply focus on what will make the greatest impact in the shortest amount of time,” she says. First and foremost, once on the plane, she says to set your clock to your destination’s timezone to get used to your new time before you arrive.

For Silverman, napping or not napping on the plane could be helpful, depending on the time of your flight. “One option is to choose a sleep deprivation approach, meaning do not sleep on your flight, and the second option is a strategic nap approach, where you consider taking a 60- to 90-minute nap 1 to 2 hours before your flight lands.”

These options depend on the time of your flight and what time you land at your destination. Silverman says it’s typically harder to adjust to very early morning flights or red-eye flights. A jet lag app could help you determine which approach would be more helpful based on the starting and ending time zone (more on that later).

3. Stay Hydrated and Eat on a Schedule

Silverman emphasizes the importance of regular hydration when traveling and once you arrive. “During travel time to your destination, it's especially important to stay hydrated. Drinking enough water while traveling is what I consider to be a low-hanging fruit that can potentially mitigate how your body handles adjusting to a new time zone,” she says.

Power agrees, adding that you should also be mindful about your caffeine intake in the new time zone. “Using it to stay awake in an earlier time zone is OK, but don’t drink it at dinner, or you risk having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep that night, even if you’re tired! Keeping your meal times close to normal in the new and current time zone can also help your body get used to the change.”

4. Use a Jet Lag Calculator

Silverman likes to use a jet lag calculator when she travels. “It’s a great free resource to use for cross-country or international trips and can make some helpful suggestions based on your exact flight times,” she says. These recommendations can help you shift your sleep schedule in the days leading up to your trip.

“Additionally, you can consider using the Timeshifter Jet Lag app. It’s subscription-based, but they do offer a free trial, and your first 'jet lag plan' is free. It specifically tells you when to eat, sleep, get light, consume caffeine, etc., which can be helpful when crossing multiple time zones,” Silverman explains.

How to Travel With Only Carry-On Luggage

There are so many reasons not to check your luggage and go carry-on only. After all, the cost of a plane ticket rarely includes a checked bag these days. Packing lightly can also be easier for those traveling with kids or pets. Lastly, it eliminates the risk of the airline losing your luggage. But packing with carry-on luggage poses its own challenges. You need to limit what you pack yet make sure you have enough for your trip. It’s also crucial any cosmetics comply with TSA rules and regulations. Ready to get on board? Here’s how to travel with carry-on luggage only. Start With the Right Luggage An expandable rolling carry-on suitcase is ideal. Even if you aren’t an over-packer or you don’t really shop on vacation, it gives you options. BÉIS president Adeela Hussain Johnson suggests the BÉIS Carry-On Roller because not only is it expandable, but it also has a cushioned handle for comfort, a strap for attaching another bag, and 360-degree wheels. It even has a weight indicator, which is a major help if you decide to check it at the last minute. Have a Packing Strategy Be realistic about what you’ll actually wear on the trip. “Leave your entire closet at home—pack outfits by day and reuse a few bottoms, so you can stay light. You know you’re not changing three times in a day and you definitely don’t need that one outfit you haven’t worn in three years,” Johnson says. Get Organized With Packing Cubes Johnson tells me packing cubes in several different sizes are the most efficient way to pack. “Roll everything that can be rolled at the bottom of the largest packing cube and flat pack anything that is bulky on top of the rolled items. Zip up the packing cube and place it into the zip side of the roller.” She suggests putting shoes at the bottom of your luggage where it’s uneven. Then stash any additional footwear in shoe bags on the side of the large packing cube. Pack Cosmetics Wisely You don’t need to take your entire makeup collection with you. One day and one night look should suffice for most people. Then opt for multitasking beauty products. For example, choose a foundation or moisturizer that contains sunscreen. Bring a cleansing balm because it eliminates the need for additional eye makeup remover. Don’t Forget Your One Personal Item In addition to your carry-on bag, many airlines allow one personal item. Take advantage of this by using a large tote bag so you can bring as much as possible. Then put a bag with essentials inside that bag. Johnson likes the BÉIS On The Go Essentials Case because it's transparent, so you don’t have to uncomfortably rummage through your main bag when looking for earbuds in a tight space. Consider Shipping Your Luggage If you’re going away for a longer trip but want to bring a minimal amount of luggage, shipping your luggage in advance is always an option. Considering the cost of checked luggage these days, shipping isn’t exorbitantly more expensive.

Feel Good Reveal!! Arlyn Surprised Her Parents With A Much-Needed Flash Makeover…In TWO WEEKS

Back in 2020, I dove deep into inspirational non-fiction/self-help books geared toward creative people. One of my favorites was “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert and I’ve held on to the notion she shared in it that ideas are living things that jump from person to person until they get realized. I’m sure we all get ideas constantly, but I know when I get one that leaves me with no option but to move forward with it. It feels different. Like a pulsing glow inside my chest, a nervous energy that feels as if it’s buzzing out of my skin. It’s the only thing I can think about, determined to figure out how to bring it to fruition. I had one of these ideas two weeks before Christmas this past December. A little thought that made its way out of my mouth in a conversation with my husband, Charles, which instantly breathed life into it. “What if I redo my parents’ living and dining rooms for them when we go back to Florida for the holidays?” There it was. Alive. I was simply going to have to figure it out…from California…with essentially a week before everyone who might be willing to work with me on this would disappear for the rest of the year. Cool. Easy, right? You see, my parents were in deep need of at the very least a new sofa. Their two beloved cats had done what cats do best: gone to town on their upholstery. Besides that, their sofa and loveseat were about five years old but looked like they were at least twice that in age. I’d always joke that I felt like I was crawling into a crater because each cushion was so severely indented. I had also heard my mom mention in passing that my dad wanted and needed a recliner, as he had been suffering from some health issues that required him to elevate his legs regularly. (They were fresh off an 8-day hospital stay for said health issues and both feeling very down, exhausted, and burdened.) My siblings and I had toyed with the idea of pooling some money to just get them a new couch both because they needed it but also to lift their spirits and make them feel comfortable and excited about being home. But, as you already know, I had a better option: work with all the brands that have been so generous to us here at EHD to see if they might be willing to help us go further with a whole new living room setup, a new dining table (which they also needed), and some other decor to freshen things up on the first floor of the townhome they live in. I ran the idea that same weekend by Jess, and by Monday, I got to work emailing everyone I knew was wonderful to work with but most importantly had great furniture that could get to Florida immediately. Our friends at Article came through for me BIG (HUGE!) TIME, and I rushed to get a mood board together to send them final picks within a day or two. The only problem was that I didn’t know any of the dimensions of my parents’ spaces, and I would have to be very creative to make sure everything fit properly without them finding out as the plan was to keep this whole thing secret until Christmas morning. I ended up asking my dad for a video walk-through with the excuse that I was getting “some pictures printed and framed for Mom as a gift,” and I needed to see all the walls to find the right spot and size. Another lie: I needed to know the dimensions of their tile so that I could guestimate how big the frame should be. Maybe he suspected that the request was a strange one, but he played along—18”x18”. From there, I could roughly measure out the spaces and their existing furniture, and make some educated guesses as to what might work. There were a lot of nerves involved on my part, asking my brother and sister if they thought my parents would be offended I was going to come in and revamp everything without their approval. They both assured me my mom would love anything I did and my dad would be so grateful no matter what (both true statements). Almost nothing in their home was anything either of them cared for. Mostly hand-me-downs from me when I lived back east, thrift store finds that were never quite right, every imaginable sign that read FAMILY! FRIENDS! YOU’RE IN A HOME IN CASE YOU MIGHT BE CONFUSED, or homemade wall art my mom crafted with her Cricut. While there wasn’t necessarily anything wrong with any of that, the space didn’t get very good light and everything felt a bit dark, cluttered, and heavy with the hodgepodge of things; not descriptors you’d want for two people who could use a fresh start. The furniture order arrival was going to cut it VERY close, and I had a lot of limitations due to this short delivery window, but we were able to nail down a design, all the appropriate pieces—World Market, Juniper Print Shop and RugsUSA were also on board to help fill out the rooms—and we just had to wait until the big day to tell my parents. The plan was to print out all my designs (see below), put them in a box to wrap, and present them with it on Christmas morning. Then, we’d wait a week until delivery (January 3rd), I’d install and style it all, shoot it and leave on the first flight out January 6. I was SO excited, nervous, and highly anticipating their reactions. Spoiler alert: They were in such awe and disbelief, and, of course, my mom’s nearly instant ugly cry when she realized what was going to happen was amazing (I’m posting a Reel on Instagram of the whole thing today so check out my profile for it). Seeing their pure joy and appreciation was the absolute joy of not just our entire family’s Christmas, but personally of my whole year. Being able to do this for my amazing parents who truly needed it was an unbelievable gift I was lucky enough to be able to do. After a week of scrambling, running around to World Market (THANK YOU AGAIN!!), Target, IKEA, Home Depot, and beyond to get the finishing touches, picking a ton of photos to print and frame—my parents’ favorite art will always be family photos—and a marathon two-day install plus photoshoot with Charles, it was finished. Meer hours before we boarded a plane and headed back to California. But the final result is one that my mom and dad are over the moon about. I want to talk you through it all, so let’s start in the main space: the living room. Creating A Cozy Lounge Area My parents have never owned a sectional. They were always traditional sofa and loveseat people, but my siblings and I knew they’d end up loving something that was one solid piece so more of us could sit together when we came over. Emily has been singing the praises of the Burrard Sectional from Article for years, and it was just the right size for them. I opted for the forest green color because, if you couldn’t tell from the before photos above, my parents are not afraid of color. Green is my mom’s favorite, in fact, so I knew this would be something she might have picked for herself. It’s 112″ which ended up being an ideal size for this area and by my count, my mom could be joined on it by all her grandkids with room to spare. Remember that need for a recliner? Well, THANK GOODNESS Article sells an option that actually looks good. A rarity, people. A rarity. The leather version I wanted wouldn’t make it in time but the fabric Ellow Recliner worked out great. My dad was so, so excited about it and it was just what he needed. This sits where the loveseat used to be, so I added in the Matrix Yarrow Gold Chair to fill out the area and also give more options for seating when more people came over. We all instantly fell in love with the chair. It’s cushy, gorgeous, and just the right size for a small corner. When the furniture arrived and was set up by the Article team, Charles asked me why I chose a left-facing chaise for the sofa. It was a fair question, as I went back and forth about it. The right-facing chaise would have probably made more sense in a space that was more closed off, as you never want to walk into a chaise when entering a “room” but my parents have one giant great room downstairs that needed some help to feel cozier. The left-facing chaise closes off the living area to the dining area, essentially creating a room without any walls. Plus, I know if the chaise were on the other side, the recliner and accent chair would have to float in the middle of the room with their backs facing out and I didn’t love that. This was the right solution given the circumstances. I love all these side tables from Article. The wood, glass and leather sling one is SO GOOD, and I want it for myself except that my living room is tight and it wouldn’t fit. The black one between the chairs adds some visual softness. Article’s Agotu Walnut Coffee Table was one of the only ones that could make it on time and it serendipitously worked out because it’s a great size and shape paired up with the sectional and also happens to be SO pretty IRL. It’s massively heavy due to the marble and super sturdy. I noted to my mom that we didn’t have a ton of options in terms of coffee tables but she kept saying, “It’s okay, I would have picked this one!” though I’m guessing she would have said that even if a cardboard box showed up. Moms, am I right? :) Let’s talk about this TV gallery wall situation. So many of my parents’ storage pieces were open, so you could see everything from every angle and it made me itch. I knew they’d love the Oscuro Walnut 73″ Cabinet both because it’s lovely but also the ribbed glass still felt light and open while masking what was inside a bit. Above it, the walls were ITCHING for a statement. The ceilings are pretty high, and again, there is no room delineation here, so I cooked up this gallery wall for a one-two punch of creating a big statement to balance the large sectional, line up the living room, and also satisfy my parents’ preference for photos photos photos. I weaved in some beautiful art prints from Juniper Print Shop, an old Jane Denton x Emily piece I had, and a watercolor of Old San Juan my parents have owned since my youth. That’s another thing. I really wanted to honor some of the things that were already here that did mean something to all of us. Some art, lots of blown glass pieces (like the one by the TV), souvenirs from their travels, and porcelain figurines my mom has collected over time. None of it is necessarily what I would have picked for the sake of styling the room, but this is my parents’ house, not a model home and it was so important to keep “them” in every little space and vignette. I drew the line at all the random birds and word art though. Sorry Mom, but you’ll have to fish your 17 frames with the words “family” and “grandchildren” on them out of the garage, okay? WAIT! Before moving on…there isn’t a good photo of it but it’s worth a mention. My parents’ townhome is a rental, and their landlord is very strict against making changes. No painting, no changing out lights, no taking down vertical blinds, no making holes larger than nail holes for art. But the giant sliding glass door in the back was screaming for curtains. After tons of research, I found these brackets-slash-curtain rod holders that attach to the top rail of vertical blinds. They fit the extra-long rod I ordered from Amazon which does a pretty nice job of covering the front part of the rail so it just looks like traditional drapery hardware. GENIUS!!! Especially because they’re like $20. I had curtains I never got around to using that were the right height so I brought them with me in my suitcase and now they hide the ugly verticle blinds. Make New Friends, But Keep the Old (Furniture) Moving on…I decided not to replace my mom’s existing cherry credenza (or a display cabinet in the dining area) because I knew she loved them and the richness was nice to add some depth to the new things I brought in. Her beloved Aura frame, which shuffles through digital copies of photos, stayed where it was before but I swapped out the lamp for something better scaled to the piece, added some pattern and color with Juniper Print Shop prints, and fished out some glassware from the China cabinet. A plant was also very much needed. Okay, let’s talk about this giant bookcase unit. I don’t know if the story I have of it in my head is accurate, but I doubt it’s too far off. Basically, my mom saw it at a charity shop she used to volunteer at and it sat around forever so she eventually got to take it home for either pennies on the dollar or for free. That, or she got it from her friend who got it from a thrift store. I don’t know. What I do know is that it was painted the absolute worst shade of beige with this bizarre brown brush stroke treatment that took it from blah to very bad. The area was far too large to get rid of this, plus they benefitted from the storage, so I came up with the idea to paint it a bold mustard yellow (Lamplit by Behr specifically) to make it a feature rather than something we all wanted to hide. I did the whole thing one night after the baby went to sleep and filled in streaky parts the next morning. Some restyling of the shelves was in order, and as easy as it would have been to go to a place like Target, and buy a bunch of random “pretty” things to fill it with, that would have been, uh…meaningless. The top shelf houses some books as well as two vintage cameras that were my grandfathers’ (each belonging to a different one). The metal trio are brass pharmacy mortar and pestles my dad—who worked in pharmaceuticals a great part of his career—has had forever, the gold Elton John-like glasses are a tchotchke my mom insisted we keep and display (“Sure mom, whatever you want”), the snowglobes were all given to my mom over the years by us kids, and the rest can tell a similar story. Porcelain angels from decades ago, collectible plates from cruise locations visited, diecast vintage cars from my dad’s Corvette enthusiast phase…etc. etc. etc. It’s uniquely my mom and dad, and even if it’s still a little cluttered by Instagram standards, I love it because it represents so many parts of their life and our family. These units used to be nearly flush with the right wall, leaving too large of an open area to the left of them before the living room area started, so we shifted them over just enough to fit in a little seating area. I grabbed art from the entryway and even the downstairs powder bath to fill it out, and added in this pretty swing-arm sconce from Article in case someone wanted to sit in the chair (from World Market) and read. Funny story about the rug you see in the foreground. Rugs USA was kind enough to supply me with four rugs for the spaces I needed to revamp. I shopped entirely from Emily’s line for them (more on that in a bit), and I made a mistake with the dining area. I ordered a 5×8 Blue Jay which is far too small for a 6-8 seater table. I know this. I know this without even seeing the size of the table. But everything was so rushed that this one got by me. RugsUSA tried to rush me a new larger 8×10 but it sadly didn’t make it in time for the shoot. I used the small 5×8 rug creatively just for the photos to get it in in some capacity. A Dining Room Fit For Family Speaking of the dining room. I could regale you with yet another thrift store find story, but I’ll skip the details just to say that my parents have wanted a 6-seater table for years. However, at the time they moved in here after selling my larger childhood home, they settled on a metal and glass 4-top they got for free (I think) with chairs my mom reupholstered with a friend. It was too small for the space visually but also for their life and needs. I was so happy Article had a large table—the Conan Oval Dining Table—that was available to ship on time so I could give them what they wanted. You’ll notice the table is light wood and the chairs are dark wood, and that’s again due to the limitations of the turnaround time but it actually looks pretty okay in person and brings together all the varied wood tones throughout this floor. The blue chairs tie back to the navy part of the living room rug (the Rowena from Emily’s line which I’ve loved since the first moment I saw it—it’s out of stock right now but there are more on the way!).

Revisiting A 2013 Project, DesignLoveFest’s Apartment (+ What I Think About It Now)

In our grown-up pursuit of “timelessness” (which gets more intense as we get older), it sure is fun to see a time capsule of our youth. The year was clearly 2013, and two “internet famous” bloggers collabbed on what now feels like OG vintage influencer content. When I stumbled on Bri Emery’s apartment from 2013, I gasped and then wanted to gossip about it with you. So much to talk about. It still pops so hard and is full of pieces that I love, while also just screaming “2010’s blogger time capsule”. It’s a real lesson in where to bring in trends as well as demonstrating the power of vintage and color. This was my last “blogger collab,” where I designed/styled famous blogger’s homes (who would be called influencers now) to cross promote, garner press, more followers, etc (I decorated Cup of Jo’s apartment, Oh Joy’s (multiple times), Nicolette Mason and then Bri Emery, aka DesignLoveFest, Green Wedding Shoes nursery, and many more). Bri redesigned our website (which has since been redesigned and is DESPERATE for a new redesign – coming soon, I hope), and I designed/styled her living and dining room. If you want to read the original post, check it out -it’s a funny read. That’s Bri, aka DesignLoveFest, and if you haven’t seen her new kitchen in upstate New York, you MUST. She, like most OG design/style bloggers, made a lot of life shifts, and after taking a long creative/personal sabbatical from social media, she is posting again and collaborating with other old friends (which is so fun to watch on stories). She has always been wildly creative and such a visionary, so I’ll follow her forever. I dream of doing a “Bloggers: Where Are They Now” series because most of the OG crew that really took off in the 2010s, have changed careers and are thriving in such different and interesting ways (I think like 10 of us are still here, spoiler – social media caused burn out really fast). That’s a whole other story, but today let’s look at Bri’s 2013 apartment transformation: I swear we didn’t try to take low-light befores back then… But here’s the super bright after! LOL My first gut reaction: this room is undeniably still so fun. If I walked into this apartment now, I would think this person has so much style and creativity, an eclectic, even eccentric, point of view, and we are about to have fun. And then, of course, I’d want to edit it a bit, tweak it for 2025. So let’s talk through the main trends that were big then: 2013 Trend #1: Bright White With Pops Of Bright Colors I was so guilty of this, doing it over and over in that decade (and still am!). The formula: all white walls, big pops of color, drenched in natural light. And the thing is, this still really works in Southern California. Of course, now we’d do a warmer neutral, and employ darker, more subtle greens and lots of muted pinks. Heck, my brother and SIL wanted a version of that in their bedroom (see here). I think for the most part it works, it’s just some of the colors here that make it feel a bit 2013. I would definitely get rid of that scalloped pillow on the sofa and reduce the amount of hot pink (the vintage ottoman could be more of a neutral). 2013 Trend #2: Fig Trees And Whimsical Plants Galore (In Whimsical Pots!) Again, I still like fig trees, but my goodness, they were EVERYWHERE in the 2010s (mostly because of me, I think – remember DesignStar?), so I really don’t think we needed two here. And while having plants galore is more popular than ever, I don’t think doing it like this is working. I think it’s just a bit messy, the pots are a bit eclectic, and it feels generally over the top. If I could do it again, I’d do one big fig tree and a smaller green plant on the coffee table. Also, not sure we need a decorative piñata… 2013 Trend #3 Palm Springs Style Mid-Century Vintage Everything In Bright Colors Again, I don’t mind this trend!! Mid-century is never out, and I don’t think that there is too much of it here. It’s just combined with the big saturated colors and the Moroccan rug and brass that make all the pieces feel 2013. But yes, in the 2010s, before any of us had a budget to buy investment pieces from adult stores, we bought anything from the Rose Bowl flea market, which was full of midcentury vintage from Palm Springs. None of these are dated; it’s just within the context of so much stuff and bright colors that it screams 2013. What’s Not Working?? What Would I Get Rid Of? That’s pretty easy – the black chair with the more Navajo-inspired woven pattern feels like we were trying hard to dip into that next trend (I’m not sure what to call it, I apologize if I’m not accurate here). At the time were really seeing the rise of African mudcloth and Aztec-style prints, and now we know better and to never buy them in a mass-produced fashion. Purchasing from the actual people whose culture these textiles belong to should always be a priority, like with my Boro fabrics. I do like the idea of the pattern, but it belongs somewhere with less bright, saturated colors or trendy pieces. I’d also nix the gold drum table (very 2013), and I’d reduce the amount of stuff by 1/3rd AT LEAST. And I really, really don’t like that colorful pillow on the sofa. I think this was during my “miniatures” phase that I’ve never really grown out of, TBH, but I don’t force it on my friends as much now. Those flowers are WAY too big and busy in here, IMHO. I still love those vintage lamps and would use them in the right project now. The art was from the flea market, and the Blu Dot table is so simple that it’s hard to call it in or out, but the collective vignette just feels very 2013 due to the color palette. Now I’d change the drum shades to be more tapered or pleated (or a color). Nothing really dated here except all my EHD vintage whimsy, which I still love, but it’s a younger version of me. That lamp is still pretty darn cute. The midcentury shelving unit is rad still, just needs to be styled with less stuff and with more grounding colors (i.e. less teal and yellow). So many plants shoved in this shot!!! I really think the culprit here is mostly just the accessories and the styling, both of which were obviously 100% on me. And in a lot of ways, that is refreshing because those are the things that are less of an investment and easier to change. I still really like this!!! It’s just a bit too much, too many small trends that inevitably read as 2013, and too much “stuff”. But those are almost all in the smaller pieces and would be so easy to tweak to make them work. It’s visually so fun and stimulating,g so while it seems like I’m tearing my own work apart, it’s actually really easy to see that with a few tweaks it could feel 2025 really easily. We kept with the same styles and colors in the dining room – that vintage dining set is still so rad, and Mid-century teak is having a big comeback right now, so do NOT sell your stuff, people. Besides me holding the plant hostage in that cage, I think most of this works, but maybe just too much altogether. The Brendan Ravennhill light fixture had just launched, and Max Wanger’s photography was so popular (they both pioneered a LOT of copycats). hi, bri! While I wouldn’t go back to 2013 Emily, I think this room actually has a lot of timelessness. The Lessons In Trends And Timelessness: You will not be able to avoid leaning into some trendy design elements if you are super into design (no one is immune to the zeitgeist), but if you want to avoid looking dated, buy the high quality version of it or just do it in accessories that aren’t as much of an investment to change out. I think the squiggle or amorphous shapes are great current examples – bring them in in limited amounts to avoid looking dated real fast. Bright colors will always be more likely to be “dated”, but that doesn’t mean we should avoid what we love right now. Will they call 2022 the year of dark moody green everything? Yep! But I don’t know how you avoid any color trends without just being so boring. Will warm pinks, browns, and burgundies also be less exciting in 10 years? Probably, but again, there is no such thing as timeless colors, and for the most part, there is a way to make them still work with styling. A well-designed room with high-quality materials done in a balanced way will likely still be very pretty in 20 years. Sure, there are some navy blue tones that feel fresher than others, but for the most part, blues, greens, and neutrals are timeless (coming from someone who has and will always love blues and greens, so I’m very biased). Although if you live in Texas or Arizona it’s likely warmer tones that feel timeless there. It’s so nuanced, folks. Good luck! LOL. Too much stuff can really overwhelm a room (and in this case, make it feel dated). I think this can be blamed on youth, especially when we are younger and we can’t afford the more expensive design elements, but we love to shop, we are drawn to smaller things that we love, because it’s what we can buy. Nothing wrong with this, but just know that displaying it all, on every surface, especially when they are all super eclectic, can just look a bit cuckoo. I had to learn this lesson over and over and over. Authentic Vintage will always be in style – it’s just context, styling, and color combinations that can make the pieces look dated to the specific era that it “came back” in. For the most part, I think that this room could be tweaked so fast to make it feel “in” right now – the main “dated” culprits are in the accessorizing, which feels pretty harmless to me. Thoughts????

Don’t Let a Wilting Tomato Plant Ruin Your Harvest—Here’s How to Save It Fast

Tomato plants are the most commonly grown vegetable in the garden because they thrive in summer temperatures and produce delicious fresh produce.1 Novice and experienced gardeners carefully plant and tend the tomato plants, only to discover the plants wilting and dying one day. The cause can be something as simple as a lack of water or more complex, like fungal wilt diseases, tomato wilt viruses, walnut toxicity, or boring insects. When you discover a wilting tomato plant, it's important to act quickly and decisively to protect your other tomato plants. Follow our guide on the causes of wilting tomatoes and suggested fixes. Lack of Water Healthy tomato plants planted in garden soil require approximately one inch of water per week, and container-grown plants require approximately one gallon of water daily. A lack of water will cause the tomato plants to wilt, but if that is the only cause, they will revive rapidly after watering. Solution: Regularly apply water directly to the soil with a garden or soaker hose. To maintain a consistent level of moisture stick your finger into the soil at the base of the plant. If the soil is moist at a depth of two inches, don’t water but check the soil again the next day. If the soil is dry to the touch at a depth of two inches, slowly apply water to the plants so the water seeps into the soil. If you must use an overhead sprinkler, water in the morning so the foliage dries quickly to help prevent disease. Fungal Wilt Diseases Striking without warning, verticillium and fusarium wilt are two common causes of a seemingly healthy tomato plant wilting and dying within a few days. Both diseases are caused by fungal spores in the garden soil. The spores enter the plant through the root system and block the movement of water and nutrients. This causes the plant to wilt, turn yellow, and die. Other fungal diseases, early tomato blight and southern blight may not kill the plants but will greatly inhibit their fruit production. Solution: Unfortunately there is no treatment for fungal wilt diseases. The infected tomato plants should be removed and discarded. Do not place the diseased plants in your compost pile to help prevent the spread of the fungi. To help ensure healthy plants in the garden, rotate crops and do not plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, or potato plants in the same location every year. Since the fungi can live for several years, consider container-grown tomatoes for several years. You can also select tomato varieties that are resistant to fungal wilts. Look for plants labeled with 'VF' on the plant tag. Tomato Wilt Viruses Dozens of tomato viruses can cause tomato plants to wilt and die.2 Two of the most common are Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) and Tomato Mosaic Virus (ToMV), which cause stunted growth, wilting, and unattractive fruit. The source of the virus can be other plants, seeds, or insects. The virus can be spread from one infected plant to others through your hands, gloves, or tools. Solution: There is no treatment for these viruses, and the plants should be removed and discarded to help prevent the spread of the virus. Look for virus-resistant varieties, rotate crops regularly, and wash your hands and garden tools after handling infected plants to help prevent the spread. Black Walnut Toxicity Black walnut trees and tomatoes do not belong together. All parts of the tree exude juglone, a toxin that causes stunted growth, wilting foliage, and death for tomato plants. Since the greatest concentration of juglone exists nearest the tree, plant tomatoes at least 20 to 25 feet away from the tree's dripline. Solution: Unfortunately, juglone cannot be eliminated from the soil and once tomatoes are affected, there is no treatment to save them. Removing the tree will not solve the problem because juglone can be found in the root system after the tree is cut down. If your gardening space is limited, consider container-grown tomatoes. Boring Insects The stalk borer is a purple and cream-striped caterpillar that can attack tomato plants and cause wilting and death of the plant. The caterpillar bores into the stem through a tiny hole and tunnels inside the plant destroying tissue. Solution: Once the borer has done its damage, the tomato plant should be removed and destroyed. There are no insecticides that will control the larva of this inconspicuous grayish-brown moth. To help prevent borers, keep weedy areas around the garden mowed well. How to Help Prevent Tomato Wilting Maintain a steady watering routine. Monitor weather conditions and provide one to two inches of water per week to the roots of the tomato plant. Do not allow the soil to become overly dry or overwater so the roots are left soggy. Provide adequate spacing between plants. Plant so that there is space between each tomato plant for air to flow freely to help prevent air-borne diseases. Practice crop rotation. Do not plant tomatoes in the same locations year after year. Rotate crops to allow soil-borne diseases to die. Maintain an orderly garden. Remove weeds that can attract harmful insects and spread diseases. Mulch to help maintain soil moisture. Cage or stake tomato plants to keep the fruit off the ground to limit disease spread. Buy disease-resistant seeds or transplants. Read seed packets, catalogs, and plant tags carefully to select disease-resistant tomato varieties. Cornell University maintains an excellent list to help you with plant selection.