Tis the season for feeling overwhelmed.If, amid the holiday magic and year-end traditions, youre realizing how stressed you feel, youre certainly not alone. On top of end-of-year work deadlines, many of us are juggling social engagements, holiday traditions, and family obligations. It can feel like a lot of pressure.But there are things you can do now to help ensure that these final weeks of 2024 are filled with joy and whatever matters most to you.Make a planThis season comes with a lot of small but important tasks. And they can be easy to forget (or get overwhelmed by) if you dont take a bit of time to write them out and make a plan.Starting early can help cut down on stress. Make a list of any relevant tasks such as presents to buy, cards to send, activities to plan, or other miscellaneous activities like wrapping gifts or stringing lights, writes contributor Elizabeth Grace Saunders. That includes developing a plan at work if youre planning to take PTO before the end of the year.Emphasize connection, but dont give into FOMOOne of the best things about the end of the year is the opportunity to connect and reflect with others. Maybe that means gathering with friends and family, or attending a workplace party, or volunteering in your community.Scheduling time to celebrate with others can give us something to look forward to and make it feel less like the holidays are rushing by. But these commitments can also get overwhelming. Rather than agreeing to every event out of a sense of FOMO, look over your schedule and think about which events you actually want to attend. (Also: Its really okay to politely decline an invite to that potluck youve been dreading. Research suggests that people tend to overestimate the negative consequences of saying no to an invitation.)Stop comparing yourself to othersNow is the time to prioritize whats most important to you, and let go of the rest, Cara Houser tells writer Stephanie Vozza. The rush and overwhelm of this season create a sense of urgency, which feels real, says Houser, author of Burned Out to Lit Up: Ditch the Grind and Reclaim Your Life. Its also a little bit false. It makes us feel like were stuck doing all the things weve always done.So its okay if you dont get everything done. There are only so many hours in the day. Rather than comparing yourself to othersor obsessing about whatever you accomplished last yearask yourself: What do you actually care about doing this year? What will make you feel as though youve taken advantage of the holidays? How will it make you feel? Who will it involve?With some planningand a bit of honest reflectionyou can ditch (at least some of) the usual holiday anxiety and burnout.

Modern web pages arent exactly what youd call minimal. All text aside, theyre almost always overflowing with images, ads, and other extraneous elements.Whether you want to print a page, archive it as a PDF for future reference, or even just read it without getting an instant migraine, that can sometimes create an awkward challenge.But theres a solution to those cluttered web page woes. Itll reshape the way you experience the weband it wont cost you a single dime to use.Psst: If you love these types of tools as much as I do, check out my free Cool Tools newsletter from The Intelligence. Youll be the first to find all sorts of simple tech treasures!Your web-washing power-toolRegardless of your reason for needing a web page purifier, a handy little gem called PrintFriendly is up to the task. Its a free web-based tool that works on both computers and smartphones. It also offers a convenient browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge that keeps it close at hand while you browse.If youre using a computer, the easiest way to use PrintFriendly is to install the extension for whichever web browser you prefer:Google ChromeMozilla FirefoxMicrosoft EdgeApple SafariWith the extension installed, all you have to do is open a web page you want to clean up and click the PrintFriendly icon on your browsers toolbar. (Note that the icon may be tucked into a puzzle-shaped extension icon with your toolbar; if so, you can either click that icon to find PrintFriendly every time you need itor click it once and then look for the option to pin PrintFriendly directly to your toolbar for even easier ongoing access.)~The PrintFriendly extension makes it easy to transform any page with a single quick click.~You can also use PrintFriendly on either a computer or smartphone by heading directly to PrintFriendly.com, pasting a web page address into the box on the site, and clicking or tapping Preview.~PrintFriendlys web interface can clean up web pages in a jifffrom a computer and from a phone.~Either way, youll get an immediately improved reading experience. PrintFriendly handles most of the heavy lifting automatically, too, without any active effort or settings selections required.But it can do even more for you, if you want to take the time to play around with some of its advanced optionsfor instance:You can scroll through any page youre viewing and manually click or tap on individual elements to remove them. Thatll let you eliminate images, navigation elements, paragraphs, and other things you dont want to see that PrintFriendly didnt already zap away on its own.You can use the controls at the top of the PrintFriendly interface to adjust a pages text size and image size for maximum printability or readability.~Customize any page to your hearts content with PrintFriendlys easy-to-use options.~Once youre satisfied with what PrintFriendlys given you, you can choose to:Simply read the page, right then and there, in its cleaned-up viewUse the PrintFriendly print button to print a clutter-free document ready for the physical pageClick the PrintFriendly PDF button to create a ready-to-save PDF without all the junkThe choice is yours. But whatever you do, with this Cool Tool at your disposal, youll never have to suffer through an overloaded reading experience again.PrintFriendly is available on the web on any device as well as directly integrated into your desktop browser via its Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari extensions.The tool is completely free to use. (The company makes its money by selling advanced services to businesses.)PrintFriendly has a standard-looking privacy policy without any huge surprises. It doesnt require an account to be used, and it doesnt collect much personal information.Want even more sanity-saving tech treasures? Check out my free Cool Tools newsletter for an instant introduction to an AI-powered supertool that transcribes your brainand another off-the-beaten-path gem every Wednesday!

Plasterwork influenced by Mallorcan villas lines the walls of this home in Los Angeles that designer Rob Diaz custom built himself.The brief for the four-bedroom, five-bathroom property in Studio City "was to design a home using all natural materials", according to Diaz, who has developed several single-family homes across the city.Wood dominates the kitchen of this Los Angeles home, which was designed with earthy interiorsIn the hacienda-style dwelling, the designer's aim was to bring the outdoors in through the use of earth-toned surfaces and decor, and light from large windows.The majority of the walls and ceilings inside the house are lined in Clayworks plaster, which Diaz explained is "very inspired by Mallorca and the Gold Coast of Australia".The oak millwork surrounds the blue-green stone counters and backsplashThese textured neutral surfaces provide a backdrop for statement furniture, lighting and artwork that add colour and personality.In the living room, which has a symmetrical layout based on an axis through the central limestone fireplace, pieces like an emerald glass chain-link chandelier from Trueing and a pair of tan leather-bound chairs stand out.The plaster walls in the den space are coloured deep blue for a cosy atmosphereA similarly sculptural light fixture runs floor to ceiling in one of the bedrooms, where dark green fabric covers the headboard and a chaise lounge to complement the other earthy hues."I have always been a lighting person, and we used no recessed lights in this home," Diaz told Dezeen. "They are all hand chosen and speak with one another in each space."A plaster staircase features a solid banister with softly curved edgesFor a cosy den space, the neutral-toned plaster was swapped for a deep blue variation that contrasts the warm woodwork of the ceiling and built-in storage.Madera oak flooring runs through the home and up the staircase, which features a solid banister with softly curved edges.Read: Japanese ryokans inform OWIU's renovation of Duane House in LAWood dominates the kitchen, where it's used for cabinetry that surrounds blue-green stone counters and backsplash.Other rooms not lined in plaster include the bathrooms, where large expanses of stone were used instead, and a guest bedroom that is enveloped entirely with timber boards.A sculptural light fixture runs floor to ceiling in a neutrally decorated bedroomThe exterior of the 3,500-square-foot (325-square-metre) building is clad entirely in limestone-travertine bricks, which were installed offset from one another to create a relief effect."Pulling them out in sections to provide some depth took a very long time and was extremely costly," Diaz revealed. "The final result was worth it."Travertine covers the walls in a bathroomThe stone bricks are continued in the entryway through the glass front door, again bringing the exterior inside.Other houses recently completed or renovated in Los Angeles include a home that blends mid-century modern and traditional Japanese influences, and a dwelling that was built over two decades.The photography is by Sam Frost.The post Rob Diaz uses all natural materials to build house in Los Angeles appeared first on Dezeen.

Belgian studios Archipelago and NU Architectuuratelier have created Broydenborg, a cluster of brick and concrete housing blocks for assisted living in Antwerp.Comprising three colonnaded blocks and a glazed community building, Broydenborg provides 60 residences in place of a former sawmill in the southwestern district of Hoboken.Archipelago and NU Architectuuratelier transformed the site not only by providing homes but also by increasing its usable open green space, introducing a series of pathways and squares.Broydenborg is an assisted living complex in Antwerp"The open space between the new buildings is conceived as a 'park garden' for the project collective meeting spaces for the residents and a public passage for the neighbourhood," explained Archipelago."The project introduces in this way a public route that runs through the building block and connects to various outdoor spaces; from a cafe terrace under the new colonnade to the central little square and various green areas," it added.They are wrapped by open green spacesEach of the blocks is designed by Archipelago and NU Architectuuratelier to have "a rational structure and robust materials".They are limited to a maximum of four storeys, remaining under the height of the surrounding buildings, with rectilinear forms finished in yellow brick.The blocks are built from concrete and brickLooking to maximise connections to the outdoors and between the blocks, each features a facade with an exposed concrete-framed frontage, sheltering a walkway at ground level and accessible deck access to the upper-level apartments.The lower volume of the community centre mirrors these forms, with its glazed walls lined by built-in benches and sheltered by a large overhanging timber canopy perched on slender concrete columns.Read: Dorschner Kahl and Heine Mildner arrange multi-generational housing around communal gardenIn addition to this central community space, integrated into the blocks are a hair and nail salon, a laundry room and a shared multipurpose space for the residents."When stepping outside, even if it's just for a moment, residents should be able to connect with their living environment and a shared sense of community," explained Archipelago."With its covered outdoor spaces along the colonnade, the facade benches and an all-glass facade on the ground floor, [the community centre] is an easily accessible and welcoming building," it continued. "The public route that passes along the building leads to spontaneous meetings and the simple joy of watching passers-by."A community space centres the developmentBrussels-based Archipelago and Ghent-based NU Architectuuratelier recently also collaborated on another project in Belgium, adding a shingle-clad roof to a visitor centre at the Meise Botanic Garden.Other housing projects for assisted living featured on Dezeen include an "extension" of a forest in the suburbs of Paris by Vallet de Martinis Architectes and Andreasgrten in Erfurt that features a trio of three-storey rectangular buildings.The photography is by Stijn Bollaert.The post Broydenborg housing in Antwerp features colonnades and "park garden" appeared first on Dezeen.

Swiss watches are famed for their precision and intricate mastery. Watches made in Switzerland are considered the gold standard given their sheer commitment to the craft of precise horology, but a designer and timepiece enthusiast is now reinventing the wheel or rather, the watch. Meet the M1 Timepiece, the brainchild of Zach Ravens design outfit, RVNDSGN (pronounced Raven-Design) a watch that looks like a standard wristwatch from afar, but upon closer inspection, its nothing like the average wrist-worn timepiece.The M1 is a strange little objet dart, with a design thats simultaneously minimal as well as curiosity-invoking. The watch ditches the standard hour/minute/second hands for something a little more dramatic, relying on moving color markers underneath a printed graphic with multiple holes/open-slots. Almost working like a zoetrope would, the watch tells the time by filling in gaps in the cutout with the marker but in an unexpected way. It makes you rethink how you read the time, while still allowing you to cherish the simplicity of the entire experience. Meanwhile, the M1 tells you the date too, doing so in a way thats very refreshing, especially in this era of uninspired smartwatches.Designer: Zach RavenClick Here to Buy Now: $949 $1999 ($1050 off). Hurry, only 4/50 left!The M1 follows the archetype of the radial watch, but doesnt tell time the way you expect it would. The watch is divided into multiple segments, for hours, minutes, and days. The inner segment reveals the hours, while the middlemost counts the minutes. The date gets highlighted on the last segment of the watch, sort of like a date window, but instead of being at a fixed position, it moves around the watchs periphery.Time moves in a linear fashion on the M1, not in a cyclical hourly fashion like on most watches. To tell the time, you read the hour first, then count the minute line from thereon after. Instead of dividing the hour into 60 minutes, the M1 divides it into four 15-minute chunks. Read the hour, then read the minute chunk after the hour. For example, if the clock reads 7:00, youre looking at the first minute line, at 7:15, youre looking at the second minute line, the third at 7:30. and the fourth at 7:45. Its a bit of a learning curve, but takes barely any time once you get the hang of it. In doing so, the minute hand moves at the same pace as the hour hand, creating a watch thats a pleasure to look at and read.It feels a lot like reading measurements on a scale or ruler. You look at the unit, then the sub-unit. Thats how you read 7.5 inches, by seeing the halfway mark after the 7th inch. Pretty different from your standard watch, I assure you. Meanwhile, the outer segment lets you see the date, giving you a complete view of the date and time at a single glance maybe not down to the accurate minute or second, but then again, this watch wasnt built to highlight Swiss precision, it was to reinvent watches through a modern lens.Speaking of modern lenses, the entire watch sits under an aggressively domed edge-to-edge sapphire crystal. The watchs face is printed on the inner surface of the domed crystal, creating the effect of time melting off the side of the watch rather than being a flat disc. The center is left absolutely bare, unlike your standard watch, which has the hands branching out from the very middle. The result is a watch thats effortlessly minimal, yet has enough detail to grab your eye and keep your curiosity piqued.The watch comes with a gorgeous 316L stainless steel body with a flushed crown. You see the watch dial and the domed crystal on the front flip the watch over and you get a glance at the timepieces Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement underneath a small sapphire exhibition window. The watch is water resistant up to 5 ATM, although the numerals/lines dont glow in the dark the way youd expect from a waterproof dive watch.The 44mm lugless body has an almost UFO-like quality to it, with both leather or steel straps that branch out from inside the watch itself. The watchs body comes in a combination of black, white, or grey colorways, with a limited edition black with volt green accents for a very sporty look. The different color schemes have their own individual appeal, blending in or standing out depending on your style. The leather and steel straps come in a variety of colors too, bringing a nice contrast to the watch.The M1 comes from the mind of Zach Raven (might be one of the all-time coolest names Ive heard after Tony Hawk), whose fascination for watches dated all the way back to design school. The M1 is a celebration of some of Zachs favorite iconoclastic watch brands, like Urwerk, MB&F, and Ikepod. With five prestigious design awards (including the iconic Red Dot Award), the M1 enters the same hallowed territory as the watches that inspired it, albeit at a fraction of the cost, but with the same stellar Swiss-made quality.Click Here to Buy Now: $949 $1999 ($1050 off). Hurry, only 4/50 left!The post Sleek, Stylish, and Smart: The M1 Watch Is a Collectors Dream first appeared on Yanko Design.

CASETiFY has announced the Gundam-themed collection of gadget accessories just in time for Black Friday. The collaboration between the brand and Mobile Suit Gundam celebrates the hit anime mecha franchise from the late 1970s.The timing for the collection could not have been better as the holiday season is approaching and interested fans can sign up for the waitlist on the brands Co-Lab website starting today. CASETiFYs Gundam Collection will go on sale from December 9, and presumably sell faster than you can imagine. The collection will be offered in a limited edition run, so you better keep your calendars marked.Designer: CASETiFYThis durable and aesthetically pleasing collection is centered around the two legendary machines of the Japanese sci-fi anime series Amuro Rays RX-78-2 Gundam piloted by Amuro Ray and Char Aznables MS-06S Chars Zaku II. So, fans will be able to choose from products representing the two factions at war in the epic saga Earth Federation and Principality of Zeon. It makes logical sense to have hard-shell phone cases, wireless chargers, power banks, grip stands and protective covers for MacBooks and iPads themed on these two suits as theyve carried the animes legacy forward with a consistent level of engagement. The range of accessories possible with these suits is another logical reason for the choice.All these military-grade protection accessories let you showcase your love for the anime. The showstopper ones are the robot head-shaped AirPods Pro case that resembles the RX-78-2 Gundam, and the smaller RX-78-2 Gundam Hard Shell Case. The case designs themed on the Red Comet and MS-06S Chars Zaku II are also impressive. Of course, you can go for the whole collection for your Apple ecosystem if you are deep-rooted in the Gundam anime universe!The post Step into the Gundam universe with CASETiFYs collection of accessories for your Apple gadgets first appeared on Yanko Design.

The quickestand one of our favoritesolution to a boring living room is a gallery wall. And this Maximlaist Wall Art Mega bundle instantly caught our eye! This extensive collection offers so many prints; you can play around with these to create a personalized and dynamic art wall.You can choose from over 4800 prints, which means no two arrangements will be alike. From a family-themed gallery to a special motif setup, these prints can cater to every aesthetic preference.We love how the colors, patterns, and textures give you a maximalist vibe. This means you can create a bold statement in your spacethough creating a subtle one is also possible.So, how does it work? Upon purchase, youll receive a PDF file with access to all 4800+ high-resolution JPG prints. With this format, you can expect optimal clarity and detail. It will then be super simple to print and frame your chosen artwork. For the highest printing quality, you can utilize local printing services, and print on thick matte paper.Whether youre decorating a living room, bedroom, or hallway, this collection allows you to create a cohesive and captivating gallery wall. The variety of styles ensures that theres something for every taste!Available now on Etsy

They're not on sale, but they're a good deal anyway.You will still get a bonus during Cyber Monday.

The most phenomenal-sounding gaming headset I've ever tested is now cheaper for Cyber Monday than it was for Black Friday.You shall be mine, my pretty. Soon, soon.

Everyone needs a screen break and grown-up Lego is just the thing.