The warm weather is begging us to lace up our shoes and start skipping, running, hiking, and dancing our way to summer. Enter: a fresh pair of spring sneakers — the perfect way to embrace a new season and refresh your wardrobe.
While fall’s back-to-school season brought us bold sneaker trends like Mary Janes and nostalgic wedges, spring is ushering in loads of new statement-making pairs. Some, like leopard prints and platform soles, have endured from last year, while others — think boxing sneakers and shoe charms — are stepping into the spotlight and earning their place in your rotation.
Read on for the seven spring sneaker trends that’ll be everywhere over the next few months, plus the best styles to shop now.
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Ballerina Sneakers
On the feet of the popular coquette aesthetic, the ballet sneaker (aka “sneakerina”) trend is dominating this spring season. The whimsical It-girl-approved shoe has many interpretations, from slim ballet flats with rubber soles to sneakers with satin finishes and hybrid styles with Mary Jane straps and lace-up cords. After you pick the perfect pair, you’ll find yourself dancing throughout the season.
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Silver Sneakers
Metallic sneakers have been trending for a while, but this spring, the focus is all on silver. From slim, sporty silhouettes to cushy, chunky soles, brands are embracing chromatic finishes in every form. Need more convincing? Cecilie Bahnsen just debuted a new Asics silver sneaker collab at Paris Fashion Week, proving just how versatile this metallic can be, dressed up or down with any outfit.
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High-Top Sneakers
Queue the Rocky theme music — boxing-style sneakers are officially in the ring. And yes, you can wear them whether you’re training for a match or just making a statement. This might be the boldest take on the retro-meets-sporty sneaker resurgence. Whether you score a pair from an athletic brand or a high-fashion house, there’s no shortage of standout styles, especially in spring-ready shades like pink and yellow. You can also lean into the high-top trend with basketball-inspired kicks. Style them with classic athleisure or spring dresses for a knockout look.
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Animal Print Sneakers
Yes, animal print — especially leopard spots — is still going strong in 2025. But to stay ahead of the trend curve, there are a few more patterns to keep on your radar this spring. Our prediction? Going all-in on cow print with sneakers as part of the equation. Trendy snakeskin and zebra stripes are also making waves across both lifestyle and athletic sneakers, including fun pops of color for a truly wild approach.
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Hiking Sneakers
Hiking sneakers aren’t just for the trails — they’ve been hitting the streets, especially during Fashion Month. Translation: You don’t have to be an avid nature enthusiast to embrace their rugged aesthetic. Features like supportive and cushioned insoles, grippy outsoles, and durable waterproof materials make them an all-around win for days you’re clocking 10K steps or more. And thankfully, the era of clunky, not-so-cute hiking shoes is long gone. Vibrant, retro-inspired color combos and versatile neutrals lean into the “dad sneaker” vibe with a fashion-forward twist.
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Platform Sneakers
Okay, platform sneakers never really went out of style, but right now, they’re majorly in. While suede Isabel Marant wedge sneakers made a comeback in fall 2024, we’re betting on souped-up classics this season, especially tried-and-true white versions as the look. Whether you go for a sleek, minimalist pair or a chunky, futuristic take, consider it the perfect way to dodge spring puddles in style.
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Sneaker Charms
Bag charms have been stealing the spotlight — think beaded keychains, mini plushies, and coin purses — but now it’s time to give shoe charms their moment. Because let’s be honest, your sneakers deserve a little razzle-dazzle, too! From jewelry-inspired accents to quirky baubles and statement laces, these decorative add-ons usually come in sets, so you can mix, match, and customize to your heart’s content. Options abound, from beaded bows and vintage-y trinkets to shoelace clips and more.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Welcome toMoney Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
Today: a vice president working who makes $305,653 per year and who spends some of her money this week on impulse-purchased chocolate chip cookies.
If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via our online form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email.
Editor’s Note: This is a follow-up diary. You can read the original diary here. All amounts appear in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stipulated.
Occupation: Vice president Industry: Insurance Age: 40 Location: Toronto, Ontario (I moved here from Chicago at the beginning of 2025). Salary: $305,653, plus bonus (which this year was $198,871 in cash and $132,583 in RSUs. My bonus has fluctuated between $50,000 and what I received this year over the years I have been with this company); rental income for my US condo: $50,340 (USD); housing allowance: $53,775 (each year for the next two years); Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): $50,328 CAD (each year for the next two years). A quick note about my bonus: I’m aware that it makes a significant difference to my compensation, and I did consider how this could make the title of my diary seem misleading, but it is never guaranteed, so I treat it as just that — a bonus — every year. Assets: Canadian checking account: $14,567; US checking account: $4,937 (USD); Canadian HYSA: $18,021; US HYSA: $86,954 (USD); US brokerage account: $121,842 (USD); IRA: $382,949 (USD); 401(k): $265,048 (USD); unvested RSUs: $13,210 (USD); condo value: $595,500 (USD) — this is according to Zillow. The assets I’ve listed do not include any of the payout for my bonus mentioned above — that hasn’t cleared my bank account yet. Debt: Mortgage: $371,033 (USD) Paycheck Amount (Biweekly): $6,801 — this includes the housing allowance, plus an additional $6,291 every quarter for the COLA; $4,195 (USD) monthly for rental income. Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses Housing Costs: Rent: $4,600 for a two-bed (plus den), 2.5-bath condo that includes all utilities (except internet) and a full gym, pool, tennis court. Loan Payments: $0 Mortgage: $1,881 (USD). The mortgage, additional principal, and HOA are all covered by the rental income, which is $4,195 a month (USD). I make around $75 a month in net income from renting this out. Additional Principal: $1,219 (USD). HOA: $1,017 (USD). Cell Phone: $50 (USD). I pay $90 to our family plan but my company reimburses me $60, which is ~$40 in US dollars. Internet: $68 Netflix: $26 (USD). My sister pays for Hulu and Disney+ and we get Max for free from our cell phone company — although Max doesn’t work in Canada… Charity: $50 (USD) — calm down, I give more to charity, but this is what I give monthly to World Central Kitchen and Planned Parenthood. ESPP: $350 Home Cleaning: $486
Annual Expenses
US Credit Card: $95 (USD). Monarch Money: $100 (USD). Duolingo: $93 (USD). Google Drive: $20 (USD). NYT Games: $44 (USD). LTD: $81 Amazon Prime Canada: $99 (includes DashPass). Zwift: $196 (USD). Canadian Credit Card: $120
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? Yes, absolutely. I am not really sure I ever realized there was a path other than a four-year university. My mom didn’t graduate college until I was in high school, so she was always adamant that we not repeat that. Plus, I was an excellent student, so the path fit. If I could go back and do it now, I would definitely go to community college for a couple of years and/or take a gap year — I was too young and too naïve and really struggled in college. I was fortunate that my parents paid for my schooling and room and board at a public state school. They said if I wanted to go out of state, I would have to pay the difference, so it was a no-brainer to stay in-state. I worked a couple of jobs every year to have spending money and was fortunate to graduate undergrad with no debt. I got my MBA while I was working full time a couple years later. My company at the time paid for 100% of tuition and books, so I was also able to graduate with my master’s with no debt as well.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances? We learned how to balance a checkbook and had savings accounts. The message was always don’t spend more than you have and save as much as possible, but specifics were lacking. They did tell me to put as much as I could into my 401(k) when I started my first adult job, which was very good advice. We now talk more about finances since my parents are nearing retirement. It has been extremely helpful to see their perspective now as well as to know what their financial situation is to make sure they have enough to do what they want/need to in retirement.
What was your first job and why did you get it? I worked at a gym folding towels and cleaning locker rooms when I was 16. I got a free gym membership, and we had a lot of fun. I got it for spending money and an international student trip I was going on. I mostly used it for Auntie Anne’s pretzels and Abercrombie & Fitch sweatpants.
Did you worry about money growing up? Worry is a strong term — aware is probably better. My parents divorced when I was very young and split custody. My mom remarried fairly quickly and was well off. We had a nice house, went out to eat, had all the latest gadgets, etc. My dad was single for a long time and was unemployed many times. We lived in a tiny apartment and never had any luxuries. We always had food on the table and were able to do school activities, but it was a strange mindset to have such opposite lifestyles for half the week. My dad remarried when I was in high school, and things evened out much more, and I wasn’t concerned after that.
Do you worry about money now? Not really. I would like to retire early so I am always concerned I am not putting enough away or that I am doing too much reckless spending. I am prone to anxiety, so I’ve got to have something to worry about! But day to day (and even long term), I know I am in a good spot.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net? At age 22, when I moved out of my parents’ house. I had a full-time job when I graduated college, but I lived at home for about 10 months (for free, thanks dad!) to save up money. I have a decent amount of savings as a financial safety net. I also know that I would be able to move back in with either set of parents if I needed to.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain. My mom gave me $35,000 to help with the down payment for my first condo. The agreement was that I would pay her back with a percentage of the profit when I sold. However, I sold that condo for a loss, so she told me to just roll the money into a new condo. I also sold that second condo for a loss (buy high, sell low — that’s how real estate works right?!) so she told me to roll the money over again. If I had to guess, she will never make me pay it back. I know she gave my sister some money when she needed it with no expectation of repayment. But I will continue to ask her about it, as I am in a spot to pay her back if she wants me to. I assume we will inherit some money when my parents die, but my wish for them would be to spend everything they’ve got while they can, and I am planning my life as if that is the case. I also just started receiving $50,340 (USD) rental income annually when I rented out my condo after I moved at the beginning of the year. I make very little money off this; the intent was to cover my mortgage and HOA.
Day One: Monday
12:10 a.m. — I wake up to an awful noise. After a few delirious minutes trying to figure out what is happening, I realize the fire alarm is going off. I know I am supposed to wait for instructions, but I panic trying to decide if I should at least try to corral my cats into their carriers. I walk to all the windows to try to see if I see any smoke or fire and look out in the hallway. Nothing appears to be happening. They finally make an announcement that we should await further instructions (helpful…) so I sit tight, slowly pacing by all the windows to see if I notice any change. They make another announcement saying the fire department is on site and to keep waiting. After about 30 minutes of the alarm blaring every few seconds, the fire department finally makes an announcement that it was an accidental pull, and we can “resume our normal activities”. Like trying to get enough sleep. I finally fall back asleep around 1:30 a.m.
5:45 a.m. — My sunrise alarm starts to brighten, and I immediately shut it off before any noise happens and try to get some more sleep. At 7:30 a.m. I finally decide I must start getting up. I do my NYT games and Duolingo (185-day streak!), and read the news. I finally get out of bed just before 8 a.m. I grab a Diet Coke and decide I am too exhausted from my interrupted sleep to start work yet. I decide to read a couple chapters of my book The Three Lives of Cate Kay. I am almost done and can’t put it down. I also grab my laptop and some papers I need to read and bring them to the couch. I decide today will be a couch working day. I very rarely do this, but it is nice that I have the option when needed. I start my workday covered in a blanket and cats.
9:30 a.m. — I finally get around to making breakfast — a couple pieces of French toast leftover from yesterday. I also fill up my water glass so that I hopefully remember to drink water today. I brush and floss my teeth and wash my face and try to motivate myself to have a productive week. I have a day free of meetings (a rarity) so I try to take advantage of it. I move back to the couch and put on my Normatec compression boots. I have been ramping up my workouts the last month or so and haven’t had much recovery time, so I take advantage of my meeting-free morning to sit in those for a couple hours while I work.
12 p.m. — I have a productive morning responding to emails, reading some technical reports, and finalizing the itinerary and food for a multi-day meeting I am hosting later this week. I finish in my Normatec boots and decide it is time for lunch. I empty the dishwasher and then heat up some leftover pasta I made over the weekend. While I eat (and drink a Diet Coke of course) I read some more of my book. I am so close to the end! I have some fruit snacks for good measure.
1 p.m. — Back to work. I turn on some Parks and Rec in the background and do a little more work for my meeting this week and get through a few other things on my to-do list. I also send some info in for my taxes. My taxes are complicated this year as I have to file in two countries. My company is paying for the tax prep as part of my moving compensation, but it has still been a lot of work to get them everything they need. I drink a Cove orange soda to give myself some energy at some point.
4 p.m. — That’s enough for the day. I make sure my to-do list is in order for tomorrow and shut down my computer. Tomorrow will be an office day, so I make sure my gym bag and work bag are packed. I take some chili out of the freezer to defrost for dinner and head back to my book to finish it. Once I finish that, I heat up some chili and have that with shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips and a caffeine-free Diet Coke. I watch a few episodes of Schitt’s Creek and heat up a frozen cherry pie and have a (large) slice. After a few more episodes, I take my vitamins, brush my teeth, wash my face and head to bed around 9 p.m. I put on more Parks and Rec and fall asleep by 10 p.m.
Daily Total: $0
Day Two: Tuesday
6 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I immediately do my NYT puzzles and Duolingo before putting on my workout clothes, grabbing a cheese stick and heading to my personal training appointment at 7 a.m. I paid for 24 sessions a couple weeks ago for $3,100 ($129 per session), so I don’t pay anything today. There is no membership for this facility, you just pay for the sessions. I shower and get ready for work in the locker room and head to the office. I put on brown and black checked pants that are cute work pants, but also elastic waist, with a black tank, black blazer and black ankle boots. I settle into my desk around 8:30 a.m. and check my emails before my first meeting. I have a Diet Coke while I power through meetings up until lunchtime.
12 p.m. — We have a celebratory lunch meeting for a large piece of business we bound a few weeks ago. I get a sushi bento box and some zeppole for dessert. I don’t know how much the bill is because my colleague pays, but for five of us at a pricey restaurant, I imagine it was at least $300 (expensed).
2:15 p.m. — Back at my desk for another hour and it is a parade of people in and out of my office asking questions or chatting. We have another work even tonight, so I leave the office around 3:15 p.m. This time we are going to an escape room ($479, expensed) and then dinner. This is the first time many of my team members have seen each other in person (or I have met them), so it is great to have some team bonding time. I have never been to an escape room before so we will see how it goes!
4:30 p.m. — We escaped! It was fun and did turn out to be a good team building exercise. We head to a local bar/grill for dinner. Since we are so early, it is happy hour. Lots of drinks/mocktails/food and dessert is had by all. I don’t see the bill because my colleague pays, but I imagine it was around $400 (expensed). We chat for a while and then we all leave. I suspect many people decide to go out, but I head home.
7:30 p.m. — I get home and immediately change into pajamas. I feed my cats and watch a couple episodes of Schitt’s Creek before doing my nightly routine and heading to bed. I fall asleep around 10 p.m.
Daily Total: $0
Day Three: Wednesday
6 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I snooze it a couple of times. I do my NYT puzzles and Duolingo and finally get up around 6:45 a.m. I brush and floss my teeth, wash my face, brush my hair, get dressed in jeans, a cute white blouse, houndstooth blazer, and black ankle boots and put on a minimal amount of makeup (foundation stick and mascara is about as fancy as I get). I head to the office and get to my desk around 7:30 a.m. I want to get a few things done before meetings the rest of the day. I drink a Diet Coke while I check my emails and prepare some documents for my meetings today.
8:30 a.m. — Our breakfast arrives ($265, expensed) and my team sits and eats together. We start our meeting right at 9 a.m. We have various sessions all day, some guest speakers, but mostly team discussions and trainings to help us have a successful year. This team, more than any other team I have managed, is super engaged and we have a really productive day.
12 p.m. — Lunch arrives ($295, expensed) and we take a break for an hour before heading back into our meeting for the rest of the afternoon and more productive sessions. My boss calls me into his office during our break to give me my bonus ($198,871 cash and $132,583 RSUs that vest in two years). Because I spent half of last year working for the US and the other half working for Canada, my bonus is very convoluted, and I had no idea what to expect. It is by far the biggest bonus I have received since I have been here (and this company is notorious for excellent bonuses) so needless to say, I am happy! I also receive a 1% raise, which is nice because I just started in August in this role and wasn’t expecting an increase to my salary so soon.
4:15 p.m. — We finish for the day. Everyone heads back to their desk to do some actual work before we head out to dinner around 5 p.m. We go to an Italian place, and everyone has drinks/mocktails and lots of food and good conversation. Dinner was $975 for 12 people (expensed.)
8 p.m. — We finish dinner and I head home. I assume most of the rest of the team stays out to have more drinks, but I am fried. I come home, get in pajamas and watch a couple of episodes of Schitt’s Creek. I feed the cats their wet food and some treats since I have been gone so much. I order a new litter mat and some face cleaning wipes from Amazon and head to bed around 9:30 p.m. after washing my face and brushing my teeth. $79.08
Daily Total: $79.08
Day Four: Thursday
6 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I snooze a couple of times, then I do a few NYT games and my Duolingo and get up to take a body shower. I brush and floss my teeth and get dressed in jeans, a sweater, and rain boots, since it appears to be raining outside? I head to the office to do a bit of work before the rest of our team meeting this morning. I go back and forth about taking an Uber but just suck it up and walk. It is starting to turn into snow, which sucks, but is actually a little better for walking than cold rain.
8 a.m. — Our breakfast gets delivered ($268, expensed) and the team slowly trickles in and eats breakfast before our 9 a.m. start. Once everyone is settled, we dive into a few more topics before we conclude at noon.
12 p.m. — I have box lunches delivered so people can take them and go if they are heading to the airport ($302, expensed). I eat my lunch with the team and then go back to my desk to send out takeaways from our meetings as well as any follow up material I promised. I have two more quick meetings that could have been emails and decide to head home around 4:30 p.m. since my brain hurts.
5 p.m. — I change and get ready for spin class. I signed up for an introductory month with this studio and this is my last class. I can’t decide if I am going to continue — I like the owner and the spin classes but haven’t really enjoyed any of their other offerings.
6:30 p.m. — I get home from spin class starving. I take a quick body shower, heat up some leftover pasta and turn on Schitt’s Creek to veg out. I finish the NYT games I didn’t get to this morning and eat some leftover cherry pie. At around 9:30 p.m., I do my nightly routine and head to bed. I slept terribly the last few nights, coupled with extremely extroverted days, so I am exhausted and hope I sleep well tonight!
Daily Total: $0
Day Five: Friday
6 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I am not up for getting out of bed. I shut it off and go back to sleep for a bit. Once I am awake, I do my NYT games and Duolingo before getting up to brush and floss my teeth and wash my face. I put on leggings, a workout tank, and sweatshirt along with my gym shoes to get ready for my workouts later. I start a load of laundry, and I have an English muffin and butter for breakfast paired with a Diet Coke, since I am mostly out of food. Once I finish that, I head to my desk and start work.
9 a.m. — Why is Friday so busy? I have two meetings this morning before I head to my personal trainer for another session. I switch my laundry quickly before I go. At around 10:45 a.m. I log off and walk to my PT appointment at 11 a.m. We have a good session, and I know I am going to be sore tomorrow. I head back home and don’t have time for lunch before I have to jump into my 12:30 p.m. therapy session. I grab a cheese stick to hold me over. I was with my old therapist for five years, but since my move from the States, I have had to start with a new one. I thought it was important to find someone right away as I adjust to a new city/country, so I am planning to do monthly sessions. The cost is $190, but I get reimbursed $185 from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) within two days. $5
1:30 p.m. — A woman from TaskRabbit comes to hang all my artwork. This is the last thing I have to do to be fully settled in my new apartment. I have already figured out where I want everything, so I show her what needs to be done and then I do my work while she does hers, answering questions when needed. Once she is all settled and knows what she is doing, I heat up a bowl of chili and grab another Diet Coke. I do a bit more work, have one more meeting and then get myself organized for next week.
4:30 p.m. — I thought three hours would be enough time to get all of my pictures hung, but I grossly underestimated. Since I have to leave, I will have to have her come back another day. It cost $242 for three hours of work and everything looks great so far. I grab my Pilates socks and head out for my Pilates session. I take the bus since I am running late (the bus costs $3.30, but I use my prepaid Presto card). I paid $990 ($99 session) for 10 Pilates sessions a few weeks ago so I pay nothing today. Between this and the strength session, movement tomorrow might be problematic! $242
6:30 p.m. — I get home from Pilates and take a quick shower. I fold my laundry before heating up the last of my leftover spaghetti and have that with a caffeine-free Diet Coke. I should clean up the dust and put the room back in order from the work earlier, but I can’t get myself to do it. Instead, I watch a few more episodes of Schitt’s Creek. I really want some dessert but have nothing left in my house and use every last drop of willpower I have not to order something. I head to bed around 9:30 p.m., exhausted from the week and all my workouts today.
Daily Total: $247
Day Six: Saturday
6:15 a.m. — I wake up with a headache after a horrible night’s sleep. I lay in bed for a while trying to go back to sleep before giving up and doing my NYT games and Duolingo. I finally get out of bed around 7:30 a.m. and move to my couch with a Diet Coke. I decide to watch To Catch A Killer.
9:30 a.m. — I still have a headache, so I grab a cheese stick and see if doing a bit of work helps. I clean up the detritus from yesterday and put my furniture back in order. Once that is done, I start Roomba. I finally break down and take some Excedrin and brush/floss my teeth and wash my face.
11 a.m. — I was planning to go to a new brunch place but it’s pretty far away and it’s super cold out, so I decide to walk to a nearby food hall instead. I get a cheeseburger, Diet Coke and chocolate chip cookie ($21.75). Magically I start feeling better almost immediately. Was it the burger grease or the Excedrin? Who’s to say? On my way out of the food hall, I see a dessert place and impulse buy four cookies for later ($28.06). In case you are keeping track, yes, these four cookies did cost more than my entire lunch. They better be the best cookies I have ever eaten. $49.81
12 p.m. — Now that I’m refueled, I decide to brave the grocery store to stock up for the week. I am going on vacation on Friday, so I don’t need too much. I get berries, Greek yogurt, lunch meat, cereal, and pesto. This small shop doesn’t have any Diet Coke so I will have to stop somewhere else tomorrow. $34.39
1 p.m. — I get home and unload the groceries. Now that all my errands are done, I can settle on the couch for the rest of the day and rot. After scrolling for far too long trying to find something, I finally settle on Enola Holmes 2 since I watched the first one not too long ago. I make sure I’ve got water and a Cove orange soda, so I won’t have to get up for quite some time. I grab a couple of the cookies as a snack and they were definitely excellent cookies! Worth almost $30, not sure, but definitely top notch. I put on Back In Action and continue to rot on the couch covered in cats.
6:15 p.m. — I make some pasta with pesto for dinner and eat while I watch 21. Every time I watch this movie, I am convinced that I can count cards. Spoiler alert: I can’t, but it’s fun to think about being a high roller anyway. I put away my hang dry clothes and give Roomba a quick clean because she worked hard today. Since my day was so taxing, I decide to call it a night early and head to bed around 8:30 p.m. I take my vitamins, wash my face, and brush my teeth. I put on some Parks and Rec and try to fall asleep early.
Daily Total: $84.20
Day Seven: Sunday
7:30 a.m. — I woke up at 5 a.m. but was able to sort of fall back asleep. I lay in bed for a few minutes doing my NYT games and Duolingo before getting up. I grab a bowl of cereal (unfortunately I don’t have any hot dogs in my house, otherwise I would have had a couple for breakfast!!) and watch some campervan building videos. I have started thinking about building a van and have become pretty obsessed with the idea (reader please note she has no skills or know how to do such a thing). I should get on my bike trainer and do a ride but I’m not feeling up to it yet.
9:15 a.m. — I decide to go to brunch instead of working out. I brush and floss my teeth and wash my face and put on some fleece leggings and a wool top. It is extremely cold out, so I decide to take the bus part way instead of walking. It is $3.30 but I have money on my prepaid Presto card, so there is no charge today. I walk through Kensington Market on my way to brunch from the bus stop. Nothing is open this early on a Sunday, but I make some notes about places to go back to.
10 a.m. — I sit down to brunch and immediately order a chai latte to warm up and the char sui Benedict. I start a new book, A Killer’s Code, while I eat. The food is delicious and I’m glad I made the effort to come here today. $34.58
10:40 a.m. — I see the streetcar coming so I hop on that and take that back to the bus (both the bus and streetcar are covered by my prepaid Presto card, so no charge for these). The timing works out perfectly for the transfer, which caps off a good morning. I run into the grocery store before heading home to pick up a 12 pack of Diet Coke. Once I get home, I grab the last cold Diet Coke and the rest of the cookies from yesterday and sit on my couch to read some more of my book. $9.59
1 p.m. — I force myself to get up and ride my bike. I do a fitness threshold test since I haven’t been on my bike since I moved. It is the worst, but I am glad I get it out of the way. I watch some episodes of Parks and Rec while I ride. Once I finish that, I take a long Epsom salt bath and read some more then do a hair mask and face mask. Then I do a full shower before moving back to my couch. I have a cherry Coke Zero and spend the rest of the afternoon reading.
5 p.m. — I empty the dishwasher, feed the cats their wet food, heat up the rest of the pasta from last night, and drink a caffeine-free Diet Coke. I spend the rest of the night reading on the couch and am able to finish my book — it was a quick read, but good. One of the benefits of moving to a new city by yourself is you can have a quiet weekend alone without social obligations getting in the way, especially after a really long week. I am sure at some point it will get lonely, and I will wish for built in social connections again, but for right now, I am enjoying the freedom and solitude.
9 p.m. — I quickly check my calendar for the week and add some things to my to-do list before doing my nightly routine and heading to bed. I fall asleep around 10 p.m.
Daily Total: $44.17
The Breakdown
Conclusion
“I wasn’t sure if I should write a diary for a week when I had so many work events expensed, but after looking at my schedule over the past few months, I realized that weeks like these are more common than not. This week was pretty much what I expected. I started getting pretty religious about tracking my spending and net worth a couple of years ago when I decided I wanted to retire no later than 55. I wanted to write another diary after my move to see if my spending habits had changed much. Right now I am trying to balance getting to know a new city with staying within a budget. So far I am managing well, but it is still winter, so once summer comes, I am assuming I will want to get out more. I am looking for things that I can cut down/out that won’t dramatically change my life. Rent seems to be the easiest one — I love the apartment that I found and am not excited to move again, but seeing everything in print does give me something to think about.”
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Taurus Season is officially in session, and honestly? Our nervous systems are breathing a sigh of relief. After all the emotional whiplash of eclipse season and Aries’ go-go-go intensity, this first full week of the bull’s grounded, sensual energy is here to remind us that we deserve stability, slowness, and softness. But don’t get it twisted — Taurus may be calm, but it’s not passive. This week’s transits ask us to slow down not to avoid our growth, but to actually integrate it. And that’s a whole different level of real.
The vibes kick off with a Last Quarter Moon on the 20th at 9:35 p.m. EST, which is basically the universe’s way of asking, “Are you really being honest with yourself?” There’s a subtle but potent invitation to stop sugarcoating our patterns and start lovingly confronting them — especially the ones we’ve been romanticizing as coping mechanisms. Add in the conjunction between Saturn and the North Node in Pisces on April 21st, and the air gets extra sobering. This isn’t about punishment. It’s about awakening. What are you still chasing out of comfort rather than alignment?
Then we move into the “dark of the moon” phase from April 23rd–26th. It’s moody, mysterious, and deeply introspective. During this time, the moon wanes into near- invisibility, mirroring the way many of us may feel energetically: low-key, raw, and reflective. Ego resistance is normal here, especially if you’re feeling pressure to “keep it together.” But what if this descent isn’t a breakdown, but a breakthrough?
And finally, Venus spends its last full week in Pisces, casting one last dreamy glow over our love lives, creativity, and connection to beauty. It’s a gorgeous time to pour your heart into a passion project, flirt a little harder (or softer), and remind yourself that romance doesn’t have to be perfect to be poetic. Get ready to feel your way into the new version of you that Taurus Season is asking you to embody.
Read your horoscopes for your Sun and Rising signs for the most in-depth forecast.
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Aries Sun & Rising:
This week’s Taurus vibes are activating your sector of values and security, Aries, which might sound boring to your inner thrill-seeker— but honestly, it’s exactly the kind of grounding you need. You’ve been through a lot with the eclipses lighting up your identity and relationship zones, and now you’re being asked to find your footing again. What actually makes you feel secure? Not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually? Are you still seeking validation outside yourself, or are you finally starting to see your worth from within? This is the week to experiment with affirming routines: slow mornings, financial check-ins, or even taking yourself on a “self-worth” date where you let pleasure and peace lead the way.
Midweek, as Saturn and the North Node link up in Pisces, your sector of healing and surrender is activated, and it’s bringing all the feels. Don’t be surprised if you get hit with unexpected memories or dreams that stir up something unresolved. The dark moon enters your sign later in the week, which could surface insecurities you thought you already released during the solar eclipse in Aries. Instead of spiraling, ask yourself: What does this wound want to teach me? Your job isn’t to fix or rush yourself. It’s to hold space. Let yourself unravel, because the Taurus new moon on the 27th is ready to help you rebuild.
Taurus Sun & Rising:
It’s your birthday season, Taurus, and the stars are handing you the mic. But before you step fully into the spotlight, this week is about reevaluating how you’ve been showing up for you. The Last Quarter Moon asks you to check in with the systems and structures in your life. Are they actually supporting your growth, or are you pouring all your energy into being productive, even when your soul is asking for rest? It’s giving “overachiever detox.” This is a week to clear your calendar just enough to remember your why. Get reacquainted with your body, your breath, your joy.
As Saturn and the North Node meet in your friendship and community sector, you may have a wake-up call around the digital noise you’ve been absorbing. Are your online spaces fueling you or draining you? Who’s in your circle for real, and who’s just there for the aesthetics? It might be time to hermit for a bit — not in a self-isolating way, but in a sacred-boundaries kind of way. The dark of the moon in Aries lights up your sector of spirituality, making you crave solitude and connection simultaneously. Paradox much? It’s okay if you push people away while secretly hoping they’ll reach back. Be gentle.
You’re preparing to blossom again by the 27th, when your annual new moon strikes.
Gemini Sun & Rising:
You’re normally the social butterfly of the zodiac, Gemini, but this week, you’re kind of over it. The first full week of Taurus Season is activating your solitude sector, a.k.a. your cosmic off-grid zone. You’re in reflection mode, big time. The Last Quarter Moon on the 20th could inspire a much-needed “digital detox” or emotional unfollow spree. You’re craving peace over performing — and that includes not feeling pressured to overshare every micro-thought online. Pay attention to your nervous system: are you creating content to connect or to cope? Real rest looks like logging off before you’re burnt out.
Saturn and the North Node’s alignment on the 21st activates your sector of career and legacy, and whew, you’re about to get real honest with yourself. Is your career actually feeding your soul, or just your wallet? This week could bring a breakthrough realization that guides you toward a path that’s more meaningful, even if it’s less conventional.
Maybe you’re fantasizing about a sabbatical, a new business idea, or scaling back to protect your energy. The dark of the moon in Aries moves through your social zone, prompting you to notice who feels like a real one and who doesn’t. Let the dead weight go. You’re not here to fake it.
Cancer Sun & Rising:
You’re coming out of your shell this week, Cancer, but doing it slowly and intentionally — like stretching after a nap you didn’t realize your soul needed. Taurus Season lights up your sector of community, vision, and future dreams, helping you remember that you’re allowed to want more — more connection, more visibility, more alignment. The Last Quarter Moon on the 20th could bring up some clarity around who you’re meant to build with and who you’re outgrowing. You might find yourself cleaning up your group chats, your LinkedIn connections, or even old dream boards. If your visions feel different now, it’s because you’ve changed. Honor that.
The Saturn–North Node conjunction on the 21st happens in your sector of truth, travel, and belief systems. Suddenly, things that used to feel far-fetched now seem like your next logical step. Are you considering going back to school? Planning an overseas move? Launching a spiritual side hustle? This aspect gives you the green light — but also the responsibility to really commit. And with the dark of the moon hitting your career zone midweek, old fears about visibility or imposter syndrome may try to creep in. Don’t numb it out. Let it rise, breathe through it, and remind yourself: you are safe to shine.
Leo Sun & Rising:
The spotlight’s shifting this week, Leo, and even though you usually love center stage, Taurus Season is challenging you to reimagine what true success looks like. With the sun moving through your sector of career and public image, you’re being asked to slow down and zoom out. Is your work actually aligned with your soul, or just your resume? The Last Quarter Moon on the 20th is a powerful day to get real about burnout, boundaries, and what you’re trying to prove to whom. There’s a difference between ambition and people-pleasing. Where can you take your power back?
Then comes the Saturn–North Node meetup in your sector of merging and depth on the 21st, and things get a little deeper, a little heavier — but also more potent. You may be confronted with a truth about a financial entanglement, shared resource, or emotional attachment that no longer feels sustainable. Are you holding on out of fear? The dark moon in Aries moving through your expansion sector later this week makes you question what you actuallybelieve — especially about commitment, intimacy, and freedom. It’s okay if you need to go off the grid for a minute. Take a solo sunset walk. Write a letter you never send. Sometimes clarity needs stillness to land.
Virgo Sun & Rising:
Virgo, Taurus Season is activating your sector of expansion, education, and new horizons these next four weeks, and you might be feeling the itch to break out of your comfort zone — softly. You’re not trying to uproot your whole life, but you arewondering what it would look like to live more boldly, more soulfully. The Last Quarter Moon on the 20th invites you to release outdated routines or expectations that are holding you back from taking a risk. Whether it’s signing up for a class you’ve been eyeing, booking a trip, or simply dreaming out loud, this week wants you to stretch yourself — without snapping.
Saturn conjunct the North Node in your relationship zone could trigger a “wait… what are we doing?” moment in a romantic or platonic partnership. You might notice where someone’s energy feels more like obligation than inspiration — or where youmay be the one holding back emotionally. Either way, clarity’s coming. The dark of the moon in Aries highlights your sector of shadow work and surrender, and it could stir some deep feels around past betrayals, insecurities, or fears of being seen too intimately. Instead of shutting down, lean in with compassion. You’re shedding old stories to make room for reciprocity.
Libra Sun & Rising:
Libra, Taurus Season activates your sector of intimacy, rebirth, and emotional merging these next four weeks, which sounds deep (because it is), but also hella transformative. This week is about being honest about what’s actually fueling your connections: is it love, control, comfort, or fear of being alone? The Last Quarter Moon on the 20th is a moment of truth. If you’ve been avoiding tough convos about money, boundaries, or emotional needs, the universe might lovingly nudge you to stop bottling things up. Whether you’re navigating a relationship, business partnership, or just your own shadow… know that this is soul work.
Saturn and the North Node meet in your wellness sector on the 21st, lighting up the connection between your routines and your wellbeing. Are you burning out because you’re trying to do it all perfectly? Are you taking on everyone else’s problems and calling it love? If so, it’s time to stop. This transit could inspire you to restructure your workflow, delegate more, or just say “no” with your whole chest. And when the dark of the moon in Aries rolls through your sector of relationships later in the week, it may stir some core fears about being abandoned or misunderstood. Don’t panic. Stay present. You’re learning how to love from wholeness, not wounds.
Scorpio Sun & Rising:
Taurus Season is lighting up your relationship sector, Scorpio, and that means it’s time to slow down and actually feel your feelings. Yeah, even the vulnerable ones. This week isn’t about playing it cool or keeping people at arm’s length — it’s about practicing the art of letting people in without losing yourself. The Last Quarter Moon on the 20th may highlight some tension between your personal goals and your shared connections.
Have you been too self-sacrificing in the name of love — or too self-protective to let love in at all? This is your sign to recalibrate, especially as we approach this Sunday’s new moon in Taurus which will bring forth a period of renewal in your intimate relationships.
The Saturn–North Node conjunction on the 21st hits your sector of pleasure, romance, and creative expression. Translation? You’re being called to take your joy more seriously. What if you stopped treating your dreams like hobbies and started structuring your life around them? This could be a week where a creative idea gets real legs, or where a romantic spark turns into something more grounded (yes, even if it’s just romancing yourself). Later this week, the dark of the moon energy in Aries might make you hypersensitive to criticism or “not doing or being enough,” but don’t spiral. Rest is part of the rewire. Let yourself bloom in divine timing.
Sagittarius Sun & Rising:
You’ve been in main character mode for a while, Sag, but this week Taurus Season is asking you to pull a subtle switch: step into supporting lead energy by focusing on your wellness, balance, and the little habits that keep you grounded. With the sun lighting up your sector of daily routines, your spirit is craving more structure — not the boring kind, but the “wake up and feel good” kind. The Last Quarter Moon on the 20th might illuminate where your current schedule or lifestyle isn’t actually supporting your bigger goals. Time to tweak and simplify.
Saturn and the North Node link up in your sector of home, roots, and emotional foundations, which could stir some big revelations around your living situation, family dynamics, or inner child healing. Are you craving a deeper sense of belonging, or maybe needing to finally move on from a past chapter that still lingers in your space? The dark of the moon in Aries brings a release point in your sector of love and play. You may feel a creative block or emotional letdown midweek, but don’t force clarity. Rest, cry it out, journal it. The Taurus new moon on the 27th will reignite your spark with more intention.
Capricorn Sun & Rising:
The first full week of Taurus Season is reminding you that life’s not just about climbing mountains — it’s also about stopping to enjoy the view. With the sun in your sector of pleasure, romance, and creative expression, you’re being called to reconnect with your inner artist and lover. The Last Quarter Moon on the 20th could highlight where you’ve been putting productivity above passion. Are you working so hard you’ve forgotten how to play? This week is your permission slip to romanticize your life again. Cook your favorite meal slowly. Wear something that makes you blush. Make art just because.
The Saturn–North Node conjunction in Pisces on the 21st hits your communication zone, which could bring a reality check in how you speak (and listen) to others. Maybe a conversation you’ve been avoiding finally finds its moment — or maybe you realize you’ve been saying “yes” when you really meant “no.” Either way, clarity wants in. As the moon wanes in your fourth house of emotions and home life, you may feel extra tender, nostalgic, or in need of a sacred space to land. Let it be okay to cancel plans and tend to your heart. The Taurus new moon will help you reset your joy frequency.
Aquarius Sun & Rising:
This first full week of Taurus Season hits sector of home, family, and foundations, Aquarius, and it’s slowing you all the waydown. This week is less about wild reinvention and more about remembering what truly grounds you. The Last Quarter Moon on the 20th might bring up tension between your public presence and your private needs. Have you been showing up for the world but ghosting your inner world? If your space feels chaotic, rearrange it. If your boundaries feel shaky, reinforce them. You’re building the emotional security you need to thrive — and that starts from the inside out.
Saturn and the North Node sync up in your sector of money and self-worth on the 21st, spotlighting any lingering scarcity mindsets. Where are you undervaluing yourself or playing small just to feel safe? This is your wake-up call to stop settling. Later this week, the dark of the moon in Aries brings introspection to your communication zone. Don’t be surprised if you feel a little misunderstood or out of sync in convos. Instead of pushing for clarity, focus on listening deeply and journaling your truths. What you learn now will lay the groundwork for a powerful Taurus new moon reset on Sunday the 27th.
Pisces Sun & Rising:
You’ve been swimming through some deep spiritual waters lately, Pisces, and this week the universe is tossing you a rope of grounding and clarity. Taurus Season activates your sector of communication, ideas, and learning, so your mind is buzzing, but in a beautifully embodied way. The Last Quarter Moon on the 20th helps you get real about how you use your voice. Are you speaking from truth or from performance? Are you being heardthe way you long to be? This is a week to declutter your mental space, unfollow the noise, and speak softer but truer.
Now let’s talk Saturn and the North Node, aligning in your sign on the 21st— yes, your sign.This is a major karmic moment. You’re being invited (or dragged, depending on how open you are) into a version of yourself that’s more self-respecting, more soul-led, and less self-sacrificing. Your old ways of being won’t cut it anymore. As the dark of the moon in Aries moves through your value zone, it might stir doubts about your worth — but that’s just your ego detoxing. Keep tending to your inner garden. The new moon in Taurus on the 27th will bloom fresh clarity, but first your focus is about composting what you’ve outgrown.
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Spoilers ahead. Hailee Steinfeld never fully understood her African American roots. She knew her father was Jewish and her mother Filipino, but Black American? Never crossed her mind — until Sinnerscame along. In writer-director Ryan Coogler’s vampiric horror, Steinfeld plays Mary, a white-passing woman in the Mississippi South straddling her feelings for her childhood-friend-turned-long-lost-lover, Stack (Michael B. Jordan) and her mixed racial identity. To bring the role to life, Steinfeld had to dig deep into herself and generations past.
“It’s not often necessarily about yourself all the time. It’s about the character,” she tells me ahead of the film’s release on April 18. “But with Sinners,I was constantly thinking about my situation, my family, my ancestors, my grandfather in each [scene] we were in and talking about.”
Steinfeld says she spent hours speaking with her mom, learning about their family history, particularly her maternal grandfather’s racial identity as half Filipino and half African American. But it wasn’t just his identity that she uncovered; it was also his upbringing, his parents, and the broader lineage of her ancestors. It was a process she hadn’t realized she needed — one that helped her make sense of things in her own life. “This role has brought me closer to myself, to my family, and my family history,” she says.
It also helped that Coogler fostered an environment that encouraged this exploration. The essence of Sinners, Steinfeld tells me, is community. For Mary, it’s the absence of community that drives her arc. But it was the cast and crew that made Steinfeld feel truly accepted on her own journey. And while Steinfeld may not personally relate to Mary’s struggles, she damn sure plays her racial complexity well. A compliment she attributes to ongoing conversations with Coogler, who helped guide her in portraying the tension of not being Black or white.
“A lot of [my portrayal of Mary] had to do with Coogler,” Steinfeld explains. “The way that he wrote her and the conversations he had [helped] guide me to play this character that lived in both worlds.”
In Sinners, Mary is introduced as heartbroken and beaten down, grappling with her mother’s death, the white folks who terrorized her mother for being the child of a mixed-race couple, and the surprise return of Stack. I liken Mary to Juliet from the Shakespearean classic. There’s a sweet, aching pain to her. It’s not just the loss of her mother or her mother’s failing marriage that defines Mary, but the profound sense of disconnection she feels. It’s a subtle, poignant nod to the concept of “passing.”
The thing about “passing,” as Stack subtly explains in the film, is that how well you blend in white society depends on who’s looking at you. In the ‘30s, even the smallest hint of Blacknesschanged everything from where you lived to where you worked and who you could date. These days, things have changed — thanks to landmark civil rights cases like Loving v. Virginia and more mixed-race families from all over the world — but this racial caste system still very much exists.
Sinners also offers a contemporary look into this racial dichotomy by subtly addressing the one-drop rule — a 1662 legal doctrine that declared anyone with any Black ancestry, regardless of how small, to be considered African American. Mary’s character is a reflection of how hypodescent dictates personal autonomy, notably the consequences of being subjected to it. No one would ever mistake Mary as a Black woman, but that doesn’t mean she’s white, either. Being a quarter Black means she’s caught “in the middle” of this rigid racial classification and that none of her choices are truly her own — not the way she moves through society, not how she navigates relationships, not even the way she sees herself.
Even Mary’s transition into a vampire is a direct metaphor for how multi-racial individuals toe the racial line. Her transformation comes from a seemingly innocent (in her eyes) conversation when white partygoers try to enter Stack’s bar. Since she is the only one in the room able to move seamlessly through white society, Mary offers to decipher the intentions of the white patrons — whether their approach is friendly or, as it often is, far more insidious. And it is insidious because just 10 minutes into the conversation, she’s bitten. This privilege of “passing” ultimately becomes Mary’s undoing. And her white privilege is the downfall of her Black community.
This privilege of “passing” ultimately becomes Mary’s undoing. And her white privilege is the downfall of her Black community.
That’s not to say vampire Mary is some unfeeling, cold monster bent on devouring every human in sight. Her emotional wounds aren’t erased by her transformation; in fact, they’re only amplified. It’s this deep, unresolved grief and hunger for connection that drives her to turn Stack and try to bring others into the fold. “She’s not out to kill,” Steinfeld says. “She’s just out to connect and to be closer. Her desires haven’t changed.”
And though being a vampire allows Mary to regain autonomy — after all, who’s going to tell the woman with superhuman strength and razor sharp fangs she can’t be with a Black man in the 1930s South? — it’s not necessarily a happy ending.
Or, at least, Steinfeld doesn’t think so. “[Immortality] is a daunting thing,” she admits. I concur — neither of us declares we want to live forever. But for Mary, immortality means she can be with Stack, even if it means never seeing her mother or her best friend, Annie (Wunmi Mosaku).
While I won’t spoil whether Mary gets her happy ending (go watch the film and read our ending explainer to find out!), it’s clear that Mary is more than just a character to Steinfeld. And yes, Mary’s journey in Sinners doesn’t offer easy answers to audiences nor to Steinfeld herself. But what is clear is how the role helped Hailee understand her own identity — both the seen and the hidden parts of herself.
Steinfeld hopes her next role, whatever it may be, is going to be even more complex and layered than Mary. The actress is ready to move beyond familiar territory and take on challenging roles that push her boundaries. And honestly? I can’t wait to see what she does next.
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My nails have been through a lot over the past three decades. I was a compulsive nail biter throughout most of my childhood and teen years, and it wasn’t until college that I kicked the habit for good. From there, I’ve struggled with brittle, weak nails on and off depending on my anemia, stress levels, diet, and other factors. Even though I no longer instinctively chew my nails like I once did, I was still prone to picking if I noticed a scraggly edge or a hangnail. Until one day, I decided that I’d be a lot less likely to pick if I had a better alternative than taking matters into my own hands — literally.
I was first introduced to glass nail files a few years ago through Bare Hands’ Dry Gloss manicure kit, and ever since then, my natural nails have never looked better. Most manicurists have sworn by glass files for years, thanks to their ability to shape nails without snagging, but I had no idea that the right tool could actually prevent me from damaging my nails and help them grow. Recently, I was traveling and broke a nail; instead of picking at it, I ran to the closest beauty store and picked up a glass nail file to reshape and prevent further damage. The one I found? Ulta Beauty Collection’s version, which came in a travel-friendly sleeve perfect for keeping in a makeup bag or purse for on-the-go use. It also turned out to be the best impulsive buy for my natural nails. Read ahead for a deep dive into the benefits of glass files — and exactly why they’re worth the investment.
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Why are glass nail files better for your natural nails?
You might not think twice about the kind of nail file you’re using, but there’s a good chance it could be causing more harm than good to your natural nails. “Traditional emery boards cause microscopic tears at the tip of the nail,” explains Dr. Dana Stern, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of nail care brand Dr. Dana. “Glass files create a perfectly smooth edge that seals keratin [which nails are made of] and prevents splitting, peeling, breakage, and even premature polish chipping,” she adds.
How should you use a glass nail file?
According to Dr. Stern, glass files are best suited for filing the free edge (aka the “top”) of the nail to shape and shorten. Unlike other types of files, glass versions can be safely used to file the nail in any direction. With other, more abrasive materials, you are usually instructed to only file nails one way to avoid creating a jagged edge.
How often do you have to replace glass nail files?
Happily, glass files are a sustainable, reusable alternative and can be cleaned between uses. “In salons, any porous item should be considered one-time-use as they can potentially harbor infectious material and cannot be sterilized,” Dr. Stern says. “Another advantage of glass tools is that they don’t dull and are therefore continuously reusable.” Keeping your glass file in a protective case will help shield it from chemicals and getting scratched (or scratching other things).
How do glass nails help natural nails grow?
It may seem counterintuitive that a tool designed to shorten your nails can actually help them grow, but think of it as a long game strategy, like how regular hair trims can help avoid split ends. “Switching to a glass file is advantageous because the nail is less likely to peel, split, and break, so over time, you are more likely to achieve length with a glass file than a traditional emery board,” explains Dr. Stern.
For me, having neat, groomed nails — with or without polish or gel — discouraged me from picking at them, which would cause them to peel or break, and set my growth journey back to square one. I’ve been using the Ulta one several times a week since it lives in my bag and therefore accompanies me almost everywhere. I’ve found myself fixing my nails waiting in line at a coffee shop, or when I touch up my lipstick in the bathroom at happy hour. Despite the $9 price tag, it’s just as good as any other brand (including more expensive ones) I’ve tried; it’s lightweight but doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap. Plus, the grain is on the finer side, making it quite gentle on my nails. Within a month, my nails looked visibly better and were breaking and splitting less often. In the past, I swore by builder gel to achieve any meaningful growth. It’s been months since my last gel manicure, but with my wedding coming up, I’ll likely get one in the books soon — especially now that I’m set up for success with healthier natural nails.
Is there any recommended “aftercare” post-glass nail file use?
It’s not required, but then again, pampering your nails is never really a bad thing. “Nothing needs to be done [after using a glass file] for the nail per se, but I always recommend keeping the cuticle well hydrated,” says Dr. Stern, adding that a healthy cuticle is foundational for a healthy nail. Her go-to? The Dr. Dana Nourishing Cuticle Oil, which contains indigo naturalis (an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for reducing inflammation), plus sunflower and jojoba oils to moisturize (yes — your nails need that too!) and support nail growth.
“When used regularly, cuticle oil will keep cuticles properly hydrated and allow nails to grow healthier and stronger,” Dr. Dana explains. I keep one on my nightstand as a reminder to use it at least nightly, but am trying to be better about using one a few times a day. I’m a fan of Olive & June’s Cuticle Serum pens, which absorb quicker than an oil for easier, grease-free use during the day.
Which glass nail file is best for me?
Not all glass files are created equal, and Dr. Stern specifically notes that the level of abrasiveness can vary among glass files. What’s more, not all of them are meant for natural nails. (Grittier ones may be used as a first step to remove gel polish, for example.) If you’re simply looking to replace your basic emery board, something like my new Ulta find or the Dr. Dana Glass Nail File will be a major upgrade and gentle enough for regular use.
Glass files also come in a variety of shapes, which can lend themselves to other purposes besides filing. Germanikure’s Moonfile has a slight arched shape (hence the name), which is ergonomically designed for a comfortable hold, but is also great for pushing back cuticles and gently exfoliating dead skin on the sides of the nail.
In addition to using a glass file, I also like to use a glass polisher tool — namely Bare Hands’ polisher — to gently buff the nail surface. It works by removing the superficial layer of keratin (which will look like mini clouds of whitish dust) on your nails, resulting in a naturally shiny appearance. According to the brand, the polisher lasts for around six months if you buff once a week for your nails. With less frequent use, it can last up to a year. Mind you, I’ve had mine for nearly two years and it’s still in pretty good shape.
Using a glass buffer comes with a caveat, though: Dr. Stern is quick to note that a glass file is not the same as a buffer, which is safe for the nail plate. “Using a glass file at the surface can dislodge nail cells, creating an uneven surface that is more prone to peeling and breakage,” she says. “Also, filing or even over-buffing the nail surface can result in a nail that is too thin.”
Besides using a glass file on the free edge of my nails, I buff the surface once every other week at a maximum to avoid compromising their integrity, and I think it’s helped my nails not only look better (they have a natural luster, so sometimes I skip polish entirely), but grow in healthier. (Think of it as maintaining a healthy skin barrier — less is more!)
Ready to become a card-carrying member of the glass file club? Shop our favorites below.
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I write this story from one of countless cafes in Seongsu, a hip area that’s been referred to as “the Brooklyn of Seoul.” Lined with quaint boutiques and a revolving door of pop-ups for some of Korea’s hottest fashion and beauty brands, it’s become a top shopping destination for locals and tourists alike. As such, it’s also a great spot to see what’s currently trending. After spending many afternoons scanning the sea of shopping bags in people’s hands, it’s clear that one category of K-beauty is especially popular right now: fragrance.
Tamburins, Nonfiction, pesade, Borntostandout: They may not be household names—yet—but they are among the most beloved perfume brands in Korea right now. Below, let’s take a closer look at the world of Korean fragrance houses, including a few under-the-radar brands on the rise.
As if on cue, on my way over to the cafe, a girl handed me a perfume blotter advertising a pop-up nearby. I had never heard of the brand before, but the sample smelled so good, I had to check it out.
FRA 422 is centered around sustainability and scent. (The “422” in the name is a reference to Earth Day, which is April 22.) As an employee explained to me, the brand only uses extracted essential oils from plants that aren’t endangered or at risk — or they formulate closely matched synthetic substitutes that are indistinguishable from the original scents.
To that end, the line is tightly curated with just five core perfumes, including a leather and oud number called Won and a rose and oakmoss scent named Kim. My personal favorite is Hani, a fresh citrus that’s grounded in amber and musk and wears like a second skin.
Tamburins is perhaps the most well-known K-fragrance brand of the bunch, thanks in part to its affiliation with luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster, and global celebrity ambassadors like Jennie from BLACKPINK and actor Byeon Woo Seok.
With architecturally stunning retail spaces filled with objets d’art and packaging that elevates the experience of using one of their scented offerings, it’s easy to see why people are instantly drawn to the brand.
Since debuting in 2017, Tamburins has expanded its extensive lineup to include perfumes housed in egg-shaped bottles, solid fragrances for on-the-go, scented hand creams, candles, lip balms, and even car diffusers in distinctive scents like Pumpkini, a sweet pumpkin and coconut milk fragrance cut with invigorating shiso leaf and ginger.
Nonfiction was the first perfume brand I purchased when I moved to Korea last fall. I walked into one of their bright, airy stores one afternoon and immediately fell in love with their Neroli Dream scent (a softer version of Tom Ford’s iconic Neroli Portofino IMO).
The brand’s messaging is all about finding calm in your days through sensorial rituals that connect you to your inner self. This ethos is reflected throughout the minimalist packaging and the fragrances themselves, which are formulated using plant-derived ingredients that are never too overpowering.
In addition to the perfumes in its current lineup, Nonfiction also makes body and hair care products, as well as hand creams, lip balms, room sprays, and candles.
If quiet minimalism isn’t your thing, give Borntostandout a try — honestly, the name says it all. Launched in 2022 by a former investment banker and lifelong fragrance fanatic Jun Lim, BTSO was created for those who “rebel against the standards” — but still want to smell really good.
The brand’s smooth white flacons nod to traditional Korean porcelain wares and have memorable names like DGAF and Fig Porn emblazoned across them in crimson typeface; the fragrances themselves are equally memorable, thanks to unconventional accords that range from basmati rice to banana bread.
Sure, some of the scents may throw you at first sniff, but they dry down into something softer and more familiar as they wear. This might explain BTSO’s rapidly growing fan base and L’Oréal’s recent funding, as the brand plans its expansion into the U.S. and European markets.
Just a stone’s throw away from Borntostandout’s Itaewon store is pesade, where the ambiance is decidedly more relaxed. From the sleek interiors to the structural tables that showcase the brand’s timeless scents, everything about pesade feels refined and classic.
The brand’s unlikely source of inspiration comes from dressage, a discipline of equestrianism. A pesade refers to a dressage move where a horse balances on its hind legs at a 45-degree angle from the ground. Per the brand, “This particular movement symbolizes the harmony of power and balance, which is deeply connected to pesade’s philosophy.”
The scents come in highly concentrated parfums ($210 for 100ml or roughly 3.4oz) and eau de parfums ($180) that last long after first spritz. With a diverse range of unisex fragrances to choose from, pesade is a place where one could easily find their 인생 향수 or “life perfume,” as the Koreans say.
Fans of Kinfolk will be delighted to know that the brand is still alive and well in 2025 — and has a physical store in Seongsu that has the same relaxed, yet dignified vibe of the indie lifestyle magazine.
The flagship space includes a flower shop, café, and the full range of Kinfolk Notes fragrances exclusive to Korea. Initially launched in 2022 with hand soaps, lotions, and creams, Kinfolk Notes has since expanded to include eau de parfums, diffusers, and candles.
With dreamy names like Splendor in the Grass, inspired by William Wordsworth’s poem and movie of the same name, and Blue Velvet (a reference to David Lynch’s neo-noir mystery), all of the fragrances in Kinfolk Notes bring the brand’s artsy sensibilities to life.
If you’re looking for more affordable K-fragrance options, I’d suggest W.Dressroom (which counts BTS’ Jungkook and Seventeen’s S.Coups among its wearers).
The brainchild of renowned designer Bum Suk Choi, W.Dressroom’s scents are uncomplicated in the best way. The straightforward names clearly indicate notes of the juice, and the comprehensive lineup includes everything from fruit-forward options to traditional florals and powdery musks. (Think: Bath and Body Works meets Grown Alchemist.)
My favorite is 97 April Cotton, a fresh laundry scent that I regularly douse on my clothes after sweaty dance classes. BTW, the brand’s “dress perfumes” have deodorizing and antibacterial ingredients in them to neutralize unwanted odors from clothes and spaces, making them great for a post-workout spritz or a smoky K-BBQ dinner.
For a scented souvenir to take back from Seoul, make a stop at one of Granhand’s eight stores scattered throughout the city (though their original outpost in Bukchon Hanok Village is still my favorite). Granhand’s perfumes are unique in name and composition. Take Susie Salmon, for example, a juicy blend described as smelling like “a midday nap after eating sweet fruits” or Lumberjack, a clove bud and cedarwood scent that smells like “a sip of whiskey in front of the fireplace.”
The brand also offers complimentary personalization for each purchase, so you can add your name or initials (or that of a loved one) for an extra sentimental touch.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Major spoilers ahead. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners isn’t an easy watch. That is, it will have you sitting up straight, shifting towards the front of your seat, squirming in terror, and holding your breath. It’s unflinching, enthralling and entertaining, a wild ride that never lets up and pushes you to think, to imagine, to feel. The first hour unfurls like the climb of a rollercoaster, inching you towards an exhilarating descent into madness. The anticipation of the drop is its own thrill, with the dread of the film’s inevitably gory climax looming over the quiet character development of its first half. In an era of the easy, throw-it-on-in-the-background slop movies streamers churn out, Coogler treats his audience with respect, delivering a smart film that takes itself seriously while still having fun. Reunited with his muse, Michael B. Jordan,Sinners is Coogler at his most free. It’s a meticulous and ambitious masterpiece. It’s challenging and provocative. It’s also surprisingly romantic. It’s packed with metaphor and meaning, religious allegory and racial commentary, complimentary and conflicting genres, breathtaking performances and stunning sequences that barrel towards an electrifying conclusion that requires processing and unpacking — I’ve been thinking about it every day since I screened the film weeks ago.
But let’s start at the beginning. As we meet Smoke and Stack (both played with thoughtful precision by Jordan), the prodigal twins of Clarksdale, Mississippi, their ambitions are clear: after spending years as enforcers for Al Capone and bootleggers in Chicago, the boys are back to open up their very own juke joint. They prefer the South, the devil they know. As they tell their cousin Sammie (newcomer Miles Caton is a revelation), “Chicago is a plantation, just with taller buildings.” Smoke is more reserved and pessimistic, the “bad cop” of the duo, while Stack is unrestrained and slightly more boisterous, the risktaking, jazz-loving lil’ brother. Their love interests also showcase the differences between the identical twins: Smoke’s former love is Annie (a wise, raw, and riveting Wunmi Mosaku), a spiritual medicine woman still reeling from the grief of losing their infant child, whose potions and hoodoo knowledge come in handy later. And Stack’s old flame is Mary (a saucy and unguarded Hailee Steinfeld), his white-passing childhood friend with Black ancestry that shows up in her relations, not her face, who is still pissed at Stack for ghosting her.
Through Annie and Mary, we get to know the brothers more. Stack is reckless enough to get involved with a white(ish) girl but smart enough to distance himself to protect her from the optics of their seemingly interracial union (it is 1932 afterall). Smoke is still in love with Annie but their loss broke him, and them, and he’s burying himself in his business with his brother to try to forget. It’s naive to hope for a happy ending for either of the two pairings, yet you find yourself rooting for one anyway. It’s a testament to Jordan’s insurmountable skill that he has rousing chemistry with both Mosaku and Steinfeld — with entirely different dynamics and mannerisms with each — but it’s his scenes with Mosaku that scratched my brain. Together, they are devastating. Smoke and Annie’s romance, the love story at the center of Sinners, is slow and sensual, rooted in history and heartbreak. From their first scene, the viewer is invested, and so was Wunmi Mosaku.
[When I read] the scene with Smoke and Annie in the shop, I had never cared so much about two people I knew so little about. I felt like I knew their whole world.
wunmi mosaku
“[When I read] the scene with Smoke and Annie in the shop, I had never cared so much about two people I knew so little about, but felt like I knew their whole world,” Mosaku told Unbothered’s Claire Ateku during the film’s press day in New York City. The moment is the movie’s sexiest, a stirring, intimate love scene starring a dark-skinned Black woman with curves, something you rarely see onscreen, period, let alone in a massive blockbuster. “I felt like I understood their hope, their love, their grief, their connection, their understanding,” Mosaku continued. “When I read those seven pages, I just felt so inspired. I was like, oh, people are making art that matters — that excites and fulfills. And I said to Ryan, ‘thank you for writing something that has gotten me [to fall] back in love with my craft.’”
Ryan Coogler’s love of his craft is on full display throughout Sinners. This is an artist who cares deeply about his medium, and you can tell through every exquisite detail: the entrancing and addictive score (Ludwig Göransson), the staggering cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the film was shot on IMAX 70mm cameras), the era-specific and intricate production design (Oscar-winner Hannah Beachler) and the impeccable costumes (thee legend Ruth E. Carter). But it’s in the storytelling where Coogler shines most.
After Smoke and Stack buy a building to turn into a juke joint from a shifty looking white man who swears the Klan doesn’t exist anymore (sure, bud), they each spend the day preparing for the grand opening that night. Sammie, also known as Preacher Boy, rides with Stack and they pick up affable drunk and local jazz celeb, Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo is as charming and enigmatic as ever) who will be the night’s headliner. Preacher Boy shows off his heavenly voice and affinity for jazz music, but his father, an actual preacher, rebukes the genre as the devil’s music, like most good Christians did back then. Preacher Boy seems to be loosely based on the legend of real-life blues musician Robert Johnson whose guitar was said to have been tuned by the devil at a crossroads, granting him musical prowess. In exchange for his soul, the myth goes that Johnson was given great guitar skills which launched him into blues infamy. In Sinners, Preacher Boy’s guitar is a hand-me-down from his cousins and the devil isn’t the blues, it’s a vampire in the form of a white man, Remmick (a terrifying Jack O’Connell).
While Smoke was on the other side of town securing food, booze, supplies and a sign from Chinese American shopowners Grace and Bo Chow (Li Jun Li and Yao) to create the perfect space for his community to convene and celebrate, Remmick is turning a couple (whose well-placed Klan paraphernalia proves that the KKK is alive and well) into his own clan of vampires and just after the sun sets, they go straight to the juke joint to rain on an uninhabited night of Black joy. Through its vampires, Sinners asks, “who should we let into our spaces? And how much of ourselves do we give up when we do?”
It may seem a little on-the-nose to have blood-sucking, melanin-deprived vampires act as a stand-in for culture vulture white people who have pillaged Black land, music, and art for their own gain for centuries. But the metaphor isn’t hamfisted in Coogler’s hands; it’s perfect. Of course a vampire story is the ideal way to allegorize white supremacy, gentrification, and appropriation. Of course vampires come in and suck the life out of a Black celebration. Coogler brilliantly explores the different ways in which whiteness exploits and pilfers — violently, purposefully, and sometimes subtly. As the juke joint is thriving, hookups are happening and the party is raging, you’re left in suspense, wondering how it all falls apart and who is going to infiltrate this safe space. The answer is, of course, the whitest person Smoke and Stack know: Mary. She leaves to talk to the banjo-playing strangers who have asked to be let in. Whiteness is why she goes outside. Her proximity to Blackness is why she’s allowed back in. That, and Stack’s greed. Money, and his attraction to Mary, end up being his downfall.
Later, when Remmick has wreaked havoc and created monsters out of club goers, he promises freedom to Smoke, Annie, Delta Slim, Preacher Boy, and the other last-standing survivors — something he knows Black folks of that era are desperate for — and inclusion without the threat of racist violence, they just have to give up their souls… and succumb to vampire violence. So, to choose one life of bondage for another. Once again, Smoke picks the devil he knows. Remmick tries to convince him through a speech about how Black folks will never be free in the Jim Crow South, no matter how much money they acquire, using the racism of other white folks as a shield against the harm he wants to inflict (sound familiar?) and assuring love and acceptance. The lies Remmick sells can be read as a vampire just trying to lure his prey, but they are also the lies white supremacy sells to Black folks. Conformity, nor excellence, will save you. Like the cliches go, these vampires have fangs and hate garlic, but instead of sex, they are offering acceptance through assimilation. In Sinners, assimilation equals death.
When it’s revealed that Remmick just wants Preacher Boy’s voice — which we know can transcend time and space through the film’s more original, arresting, lyrical, and mindblowing scene (seriously, I gasped out loud in the theater) — the con comes into focus. Remmick isn’t a savior, he’s a leech. Not since Jordan Peele’s Get Outhas a horror movie tackled the terrors of racism in such a smart and unrelenting way (though many have tried). And doing all that with jazz as the soundtrack and the beating pulse of the film is genius. White people stole the blues. Sinners isn’t just about reclamation, it’s about preservation and a radical reimagining of what it means to conserve culture, no matter the cost.
Sinners is more than just a Southern gothic horror flick like it’s been billed. It is that, but it’s also an enthusiastic musical, a consequential period drama, and an earnest romance. It’s the latter that piqued my interest the most, and its execution is swoon-inducing. I already knew Mosaku was a star, but in this role, she’s assertive, luminous and so damn sexy. Some will say the title belongs to Sammie, but Annie is the heart of Sinners. She’s also its hero.
“I like to think of Annie as Smoke’s other other half, like Stack is,” Mosaku said. “Stack is one side of him, but Annie is another side of him. She’s his protector, lover, mother, safe place. She is his sanctuary.” Annie’s knowledge of the spiritual world also saves everyone’s — including Smoke’s — asses. “She moves with purpose. She moves with strength and power. She has such an anchored spirit and is so in tune with the other stuff that we can’t see or feel or hear. She sees and feels and hears it.” Near the end, Annie is the one to tell the remaining humans not to let their friend and the night’s acting bouncer, Cornbread (Omar Miller), in after he’s been turned. She teaches them how to stake a vampire in the heart. She also puts them onto the good ol’ garlic trick. Through her spiritual practices, she becomes their first line of defense and sacrifices herself (she tells Smoke she would rather die than become a vampire) to be their savior, like so many Black women do.
“Annie was someone who I really looked up to and was inspired by, and I found parts of myself within her, parts of myself I didn’t know existed within her,” Mosaku, who is British-Nigerian, shared. “With hoodoo, I didn’t know about it. I’m now introduced to Ifá through the Europe Yoruba, a traditional religion I didn’t know about. And so now I’m introduced to my ancestry, my ancestors, parts of our strength and healing and our traditions. I didn’t know I was missing it. That was quite profound for me.”
I like to think of Annie as Smoke’s other other half, like Stack is… Stack is one side of him, but Annie is another side of him. She’s his protector, lover, mother, safe place. She is his sanctuary.
wunmi mosaku
That profundity is apparent in Mosaku’s performance, and in the film’s sublime ending. You could read it as tragic — Stack is a vampire and Smoke, like Annie, dies in a blaze of glory as he takes out the racist landlord and his KKK gang as they try to take back the juke joint the next morning — but you could also interpret the film’s end as hopeful and almost happy, like I did. As Smoke is dying, after being shot by the KKK, he reaches into the afterlife and sees not just Annie, but their child. Their family is finally together again. He delivers a final blow to the cowardly villains and succumbs to his fate, seemingly joining his love and their baby.
Mosaku agrees: “I think it’s a happy ending… Ultimately, [Annie] feels sorrow for anyone who was turned into a vampire. She says it perfectly, they can’t feel the warmth of a sunrise and they have to live amongst all this hate in this world,” she said. “These two are now connected in the ancestor world forever and by creating life together. This is the right way to join the ancestors. Is the right way everything else is to be trapped in a world of hate and pain and sorrow. So yeah, I feel like ultimately, [Smoke and Annie] are reunited.”
Smoke and Annie get to be together for eternity in the spiritual realm, while Stack and Mary stay together in the physical world as vampires. Preacher boy Sammie lives out his life as a musician and in a shocking post credits scene (a nod to Cooger’s Marvel tenure), he gets a visit from his immortal cousin and his white-passing undead partner. Stack may still be walking, talking, and breathing, but he died that day at the juke joint. Stack calls the day of Remmick’s attack the best day of his life, because it was the last time he saw the sunrise and the last time he saw his brother. “For a few hours, before the sun went down, we were truly free.”
Sinners is a sentimental exploration of love and loss, of faith and consequence, of the duality of humanity and the perseverance of spirit, and for the unassailable fact that Black folks will survive and persist — in the face of evil, of racism, of white supremacy, of mystifying hate and insoluble madness. Smoke and Annie chose to hold onto to their souls and to cling to love; the one thing that can never be taken.
