Online games can be a lot of fun, and are often a great way to relieve stress for many people. Whether it’s getting lost in a fantasy world, or solving puzzles at your own pace, online games offer a kind of escape that’s both engaging and satisfying. One of the biggest appeals is the chance to step away from real-life pressures for a while. When you’re focused on gameplay—strategizing, reacting quickly, or just exploring—you’re giving your mind a break from whatever might be stressing you out. That kind of mental shift can be incredibly refreshing.
There’s also a real sense of accomplishment in progressing through a game, leveling up, or unlocking new content. That feeling of achievement, even in a virtual world, can be a confidence booster and help you feel a bit more in control—especially when real life feels overwhelming. It’s also fun to play online games if there’s a bit of downtime during a workday (provided you can clock out and play games on your own time). I recently got into the habit of using lulls in my telemedicine work schedule by playing some fun games which I found online.
I have always liked Mahjong, so I was happy to find a Chinese New Year Mahjong. Here’s what it looks like:
I also found a unique and fun game which reminded me of a teenage dream I had, to own a sushi bar. The game is a simulation game in which you serve sushi as the orders come in, collect money, and also order food supplies when you run low. Instead of opening up an actual sushi bar, I can play this game and indulge in my sushi bar ownership fantasy.
I could actually imagine a younger person playing the sushi bar game and learning the cadence of running a restaurant. It turns out that the website on which I found both of these games has a plethora of fun online games of all kinds.
Luxury scented candles have a special way of enhancing a space that goes beyond just fragrance. They offer an affordable touch of indulgence—unlike many other luxury items, a well-made candle can be had without breaking the bank, yet it delivers a surprisingly rich sensory experience. As someone who enjoys scented candles from brands such as Voluspa, Archipelago Botanicals, APOTHEKE, and Nest, I know firsthand how affordable they are, as well as how much joy they bring me.
When lit, scented candles create an immediate shift in ambience. The flickering flame casts a soft, warm light that’s both calming and flattering, making any room feel more intimate and inviting. The scent adds another layer—evoking emotions, memories, or simply providing a gentle background aroma that makes a space feel cared for and curated. Whether it’s a woodsy blend, burst of fruit, or a complex and inviting floral, the right fragrance can transform a mundane evening into a soothing ritual. I light candles on a daily basis, and base my candle selection on what kind of mood I am in, as well as what kind of weather we are experiencing. For example, today was a warm, sunny day, so I opted for a refreshing grapefruit candle, and since it was in a smaller vessel, I opted to place it on my candle warmer instead of lighting it. Later tonight, after it gets dark, I will light a candle which fits my mood, settle onto the sofa in the living room, and enjoy the beautiful glow and inviting fragrance of the lit candle.
There’s also a practical bonus: by using candles for light, especially in the evening, you can reduce reliance on harsh electric lighting. This not only contributes to a more relaxing atmosphere but also supports energy conservation. It’s a small but meaningful gesture toward sustainability—proof that luxury and eco-consciousness don’t have to be at odds.
As an avid plant lover, I have enjoyed the many benefits of being surrounded by beautiful greenery in my home. I honestly believe that having indoor houseplants offers a multitude of benefits. Here’s a closer look at why incorporating greenery into your home is a great idea:
Health Benefits
Improved Air Quality – Many houseplants, such as spider plants and snake plants, help remove toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air, creating a cleaner living environment. I have several snake plants (Sansevieria genus) in my home, and appreciate the fact that they clean the air while looking very attractive and interesting.
Increased Oxygen Levels – Plants release oxygen during photosynthesis, which can improve air circulation and overall respiratory health.
Humidity Regulation – Plants release moisture through transpiration, which can help maintain healthy humidity levels, reducing issues like dry skin and irritated sinuses. I also help my plants out by running two humidifiers in my den and kitchen to optimize plant functions.
Reduced Allergens – Some plants, like peace lilies, can trap dust and allergens, helping those with sensitivities breathe easier.
Stress Reduction & Lower Blood Pressure – Studies have shown that being around greenery can help lower stress levels and even contribute to reduced blood pressure. When I am in my home, I truly feel like I am in a garden paradise, and I feel instantly calm.
Decor Benefits
Aesthetic Appeal – Houseplants add natural beauty to any room, complementing different interior design styles. I make sure to stage my plants in such a way that they make sense in my interior living space, without sacrificing their ambient light needs.
Versatility in Design – Whether you want a bold statement piece like a fiddle-leaf fig or a subtle accent like a small succulent, there’s a plant to match every space.
Enhanced Space Perception – Large plants can fill empty corners, creating a fuller and more inviting atmosphere. If I lived in a larger home, I would definitely have tall plants strategically placed in empty corners.
Seasonal Adaptability – Unlike furniture or decor that can feel outdated, plants offer a timeless appeal and can be rearranged easily for a fresh look.
Brings Nature Indoors – For those in urban settings, houseplants help create a connection to nature, bringing an element of the outdoors inside.
The desk sentinels around my workspace
Mood Benefits
Boosted Mental Well-Being – Studies suggest that caring for plants can reduce anxiety and depression, providing a sense of accomplishment and responsibility. I know that I have a responsibility to keep my plants as healthy as possible, and I make an effort to address their needs on a weekly basis.
Increased Productivity & Focus – Plants in workspaces have been shown to enhance concentration and creativity, making them great additions to home offices. There are plants all around my desk space, and I absolutely love them.
Better Sleep – Certain plants, like lavender and jasmine, have calming properties that promote relaxation and better sleep. I only wish I could keep such plants alive in my home! Instead, I use scented candles to impart a calming mood.
Mood Elevation – Simply looking at greenery can evoke feelings of happiness and tranquility, making plants a natural mood booster.
Encourages Mindfulness – Watering, pruning, and tending to plants can be a meditative and mindful practice, helping people slow down and enjoy the present moment. Despite the fact that my weekly plant watering is a bit of a chore, I find myself getting into a zone which is meditative and beneficial.
Final Thoughts
Houseplants do much more than just decorate a space—they contribute to better air quality, reduce stress, and create a soothing ambiance. Whether you’re looking for a productivity boost, improved well-being, or a stylish home upgrade, adding indoor plants is a simple yet impactful way to enhance your living environment.
Since one of my biggest interests lies in houseplants, I thought I should cover the health benefits of growing greenery within a household. Houseplants offer a range of health benefits, both physical and mental, making them a great addition to any home or office space. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Improved Air Quality
One of the most well-known benefits of houseplants is their ability to purify indoor air. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. Additionally, certain houseplants, such as peace lilies, spider plants, and snake plants, are known to remove toxins from the air, including formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. This can lead to cleaner, fresher air indoors, which may help reduce respiratory issues and improve overall health.
2. Stress Reduction
Several studies have shown that being around plants can help reduce stress and anxiety. The presence of greenery has a calming effect, potentially lowering heart rates and blood pressure. Simply interacting with plants—whether it’s watering them, trimming leaves, or just admiring their beauty—can trigger a relaxation response, helping you feel more grounded and less overwhelmed. Houseplants offer a range of health benefits, both physical and mental, making them a great addition to any home or office space. The best part of having a large collection of houseplants is that my home has a Bohemian, Zen-like feel to it which people find relaxing and welcoming.
I will say that watering the plants in my collection is a bit of a hassle, even considering the fact that I only water half of the plants each week. Part of the issue is that I have over 100 plants inside my home, and many of them are suspended from ceiling hooks, making it necessary for me to cart around a stepladder on plant watering day. However, as long as you have a manageable assortment of plants in your residence, the task shouldn’t be too strenuous.
3. Enhanced Mood and Mental Health
Houseplants can have a positive impact on mental well-being. Studies suggest that spending time around plants can improve mood, reduce feelings of fatigue, and increase feelings of calm and contentment. The act of caring for a plant, and the sense of responsibility that comes with it, can also boost feelings of accomplishment and purpose. For people experiencing mild depression or anxiety, the nurturing of plants can offer therapeutic benefits, acting as a form of mindfulness or relaxation practice.
4. Improved Productivity and Concentration
Research has shown that having plants in the workspace or at home can improve focus, cognitive function, and productivity. Plants can increase attention span, enhance memory retention, and even promote creativity. In offices, employees with plants in their workspaces often report higher satisfaction, fewer sick days, and improved mental clarity. The presence of plants can help people feel more connected to nature, even in an urban setting.
5. Better Humidity and Temperature Regulation
Houseplants naturally release moisture into the air through a process called transpiration, which can help maintain a more balanced level of humidity in the home. This is particularly helpful in environments where air conditioning or heating systems dry out the air. Proper humidity can reduce the risk of dry skin, sore throats, and respiratory irritation. Additionally, plants can help moderate temperature fluctuations by absorbing sunlight and releasing moisture, leading to a more stable and comfortable living environment.
6. Better Sleep
Certain plants, like lavender and jasmine, have been shown to promote better sleep. The calming scents emitted by these plants may help to lower anxiety levels and encourage relaxation before bedtime. Moreover, the act of caring for plants and spending time in nature can also help you develop healthier sleep habits by reducing stress during the day.
7. Boost to Immune System
Some research suggests that exposure to plants and nature can have a positive effect on the immune system. Spending time in green spaces, even within your home, can increase the production of white blood cells, which help defend against illness. Additionally, houseplants can encourage you to spend more time in your living space, which could lead to healthier habits, such as better hydration, nutrition, and sleep, all of which support a stronger immune system.
8. Reduction in Noise Pollution
Houseplants can also absorb sound, which helps reduce noise levels in indoor environments. In a busy home or office, the presence of plants can create a more peaceful atmosphere by dampening echoes and muffling background noise. This can lead to improved concentration and overall well-being, particularly in noisy urban environments.
9. Connection to Nature
Having plants in your home helps foster a sense of connection to the natural world. In urban environments, where access to parks and green spaces may be limited, indoor plants can provide a touch of nature, helping to counteract the effects of “nature-deficit disorder” (a term coined by Richard Louv to describe the negative impact of disconnection from nature). This connection can improve your mental and emotional well-being, helping you feel more grounded and centered.
10. Aesthetic and Environmental Benefits
In addition to the direct health benefits, houseplants also improve the aesthetic value of a space, making it feel more welcoming and vibrant. A well-decorated home or office with plants can enhance your environment, making it feel more lively and positive. This positive visual impact can indirectly boost your mood and contribute to a healthier mindset.
Final Thoughts
Integrating houseplants into your environment can be a simple yet effective way to enhance both physical and mental well-being. Whether you’re looking to improve air quality, reduce stress, boost productivity, or just make your home more inviting, the presence of plants can have far-reaching benefits for your health. And the best part is that they require relatively little effort to maintain, making them an easy and accessible way to improve your overall quality of life.
I had no idea that I would become fully obsessed with Voluspa candles, to the point where I have the majority of their 56 scents. Though I am not a fan of every single Voluspa candle fragrance, I own and enjoy over 40 of them. Voluspa candles are made with eco-friendly coconut wax, burn well, and most of the aromas have good throw, meaning that they permeate at least part of the room nicely.
In the span of three weeks, my Voluspa candle collection grew from 10 Voluspa candle varieties to over 40, thanks to the purchase of a candle warmer which increases the throw of smaller candles. I ended up purchasing many smaller candles in an attempt to accumulate the bulk of the Voluspa line. Obviously, my love for candles expanded into an earnest hobby which I enjoy immensely.
There are smaller candles in the wooden boxes on this shelf…
To give you an idea of which fragrances I have in my collection now, here’s the list:
I always make sure to have my candles displayed in such a way that they aren’t too conspicuous, and actually look like they are part of the decor. This is critical to me, because I abhor the idea of having clutter which isn’t organized in a clever way. The images on this post feature the main candle groupings I have scattered throughout the second floor of my home. As you can see, I have established candle mini zones so that I can display/store my collection in a manageable way. You can’t tell that I have over 40 Voluspa candles in my home! Incidentally, I also have several other candles from other candle companies as well.
My good friends are all well aware of how much I adore scented candles, because there is an assortment of them throughout my home. I am definitely not talking about candles from TJ Maxx or Marshall’s, or Yankee Candles, which are made with paraffin wax and soy wax and look and smell tacky. Thanks to my cousin Rose, who gifted me with two Voluspa candles on Christmas Eve 2020, I got swept up into the world of candles. Rose also inspired me to develop a nightly ritual in which I select a fragrance which resonates with me at that moment, light the candle, and enjoy the soft glow and wonderful aroma while winding down for the late afternoon into evening.
I have sampled other candle brands, but I keep coming back to Voluspa, which features eco-friendly and clean burning coconut wax. In addition, the vessels which Voluspa uses are absolutely gorgeous, so much so that it seems a shame not to repurpose every single one once the candle wax has completely melted. Lastly, the fragrances are outstanding, and they continue to add incredible new scents to their collection. At this point, I have ten favorites in their lineup, and two of them are relatively new:
Mind you, this is not a sponsored post in any way, shape or form. I simply love Voluspa candles, reed diffusers, diffuser oils, and room sprays, and intend to continue to feature their products in my home. What I love about Voluspa fragrances is that they are distinctive, unique, complex, and beautiful, similar to fine body fragrances. These aren’t cheap, flat scents, but layered, elegant, and deep olfactory journeys.
I just stumbled across this video which I had recorded at the beginning of last year. It clearly shows my most robust Hoya linearis (nicknamed Superstar) in bloom, which was a lovely surprise. Alas, Superstar has not given me blooms since, but perhaps she will in a few months.
I am sharing an article written by Claire Thornton of USA TODAY which details a fun story about a man who was instructed to hide his boat. Read on for the article, or click HERE to see the original post.
A California boat owner’s ingenuity is gaining attention after he commissioned a mural of his vessel to sidestep demands from officials while complying with city codes in his own “tongue-in-cheek” way.
Officials in Seaside, California, told Etienne Constable the boat parked in his driveway needed to be hidden from view or Constable could face a $100 fine. So, the homeowner erected a fence in the middle of his driveway, hiding the boat.
Sort of.
Because the fence showcases a hyper-realistic mural depicting the 19-foot Arima Sea Ranger, the view from the street hasn’t changed much. The “illusion,” as the mural’s artist describes it, lines up perfectly with elements of the real world, like shrubs, as well as the side of Constable’s home, which is just northeast of Monterrey.
“This struck me as the right way to go, and something that makes my house unique,” Constable told USA TODAY.
Next-door neighbor and longtime artist Hanif Yanni painted the mural − and Constable paid him far more than $100 to do so, the artist said.
City Hall officials, rather than feel defeated by Constable’s roundabout compliance, celebrated his idea.
“I applaud the constituent’s creative approach, which not only addresses compliance but also showcases a community-driven solution,” City Council member Alexis García-Arrazola told USA TODAY.
Artist relied on photos for hyper-realistic look
Yanni said he was motivated to paint the mural because he wanted to help Constable jump through a “bureaucratic hoop” while complying with the rules in a creative way. Now, he said, passersby will be able to view art that didn’t exist before, he said.
Yanni, 42, and Constable, 61, took photos of the boat sitting in the driveway and the artist sketched out an outline on the fence before he began painting.
“It’s kind of this illusion where you can see the boat, and what’s behind it is mixed with the mural,” he said, describing the final product, completed May 3.
In 2023, a Seaside code compliance specialist sent Constable a notice telling him he was in violation of a rule prohibiting residents from parking boats, RVs and trailers in public view − including vehicles parked on private property.
To avoid a fine, Constable needed to erect a screen or other covering shielding his boat from the street.
Such ordinances ensure large vehicles, which can be difficult to maintain, are hidden from sight to keep overall property values high, City Manager Nick Borges told USA TODAY. Sometimes, Borges said, vehicle owners don’t do a job good of cleaning up leaking oil and other sanitary problems tied to vehicles.
“There’s an importance to some of these codes, so that doesn’t occur,” Borges said.
At the time Constable received his notice about the boat, Borges said, the city was ramping up its code enforcement efforts after years of letting violations fall by the wayside. As a result, Constable was notified of his violation for the first time in July 2023 after having parked the boat in the same spot for around four years, Constable said.
It makes sense that Constable was frustrated, Borges said, because his boat has always appeared to be well-maintained. In the end, the mural was a fun solution, the city manager said.
“The only action to take at this point is a high-five to the owner,” Borges said.
Constable said he wanted to make a point about “ridiculous” city codes without getting into a legal battle with the mayor’s office.
“I did it to stick my thumb in your eye, but I did it in a way that’s nonoffensive, doesn’t hurt anybody, doesn’t take anything from anyone,” Constable said. “I feel like I hit the sweet spot, and got my point across.”
Constable got the boat four years ago, and often takes it out into Monterrey Bay and toward Santa Cruz and Big Sur, he said. He’s a fan of fishing, often hunting for halibut and rockfish, and when he can, salmon and tuna, he said.
Now, having the mural be a public, artistic part of the neighborhood “is something I’m very proud of,” he said.
I have to admit that I have become a huge fan of scented candles in the past few years, preferably from Voluspa. There is something incredibly enjoyable about lighting a favorite candle each afternoon or evening and allowing the fragrance to permeate the room, evoking a certain mood. Since I don’t always want to smell the same aroma, I have numerous different scented candles nestled in various parts of the house, and will even ask guests to select a fragrance which resonates with them.
The reason why I prefer Voluspa candles is because they are of excellent quality, the vessels are beautiful, and many of the fragrances are absolutely divine. Whether I decide to experience a scrumptious fruit melange, an exotic woody bamboo, or a magical spice, I absolutely love the nightly ritual I have developed of lighting a candle and enjoying the illumination, the beauty of the candle jar, and the bouquet which these candles impart. Voluspa candle jars are so incredibly gorgeous and versatile that I have cleaned many of them and repurposed them to store things like cotton balls, makeup brushes, etc. There is even a suggestion from Voluspa to repurpose their 5-wick hearth candles into champagne buckets, which actually makes perfect sense.
If you want to fill your home with delicious fragrance, I would highly recommend checking out Voluspa, and no, this is not a sponsored post. That’s how much I appreciate candles from this master candle making house.
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