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Sephora August Haul + New Launches
Sharing a roundup of what I tested this month from Sephora! I shared a demo featuring some of the new items on Reels here and several asked for more detailed thoughts + swatches. I’ve rounded up 20+ new launches I tested from Sephora in August. Some included are press samples, some are things I picked up.
New Base Products
The Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick ($52) is pure love. Formula glides on seamlessly to the skin and has a nice lightweight finish that isn’t too dewy or drying. Coverage is medium but does a great job at evening out the complexion in a beautiful way. I am normally a 2.5N or 3N in their liquids (which tend to oxidize and darken). I tried both in the Foundation Stick form and like 3N the best. For me this is better than their liquid foundations and in terms of a foundation stick one of my favorite formulas. Lasting power is very good when set with a powder. I love how it looks on the skin. Swatched below next to the Forever Skin Glow and Forever Matte.
Dior also launched the Forever 24H Skin Contour Stick Sculpting Stick ($47) which has a beautiful formula. It’s a satiny semi matte finish, smooth, easy to blend and soft. I love the formula but undecided on the shades. 02 Tan is very dark and warm while 03 Medium is very dark and so cool-toned it looks very ashy and grey. For my skin tone I prefer the shades from Westman Atelier, Charlotte Tilbury or Rare Beauty for a soft contour. I also still swear by the Chanel cream bronzers as a soft contour even though they’re more of a bronzer. Out of the two I prefer the warmer one, but on me it’s VERY warm.
Rare Beauty True to Myself Pressed Powder ($30) is a beautiful soft finishing powder. I tried two shades in Ivory and Natural and felt Ivory was the better match. It’s sheer and very lightweight – you definitely get more coverage and lasting power if you apply and press with a puff vs a brush. I really like this but I still prefer my Charlotte Tilbury or NARS Light Reflecting Powder.
Tower 28 launched their GetSet Blur Powder* ($28) in four shades. I was able to try the Translucent Trestles and Palisades Pink. 10/10 impressed with the translucent shade. The pink one looks a little chalky on me (color-wise). Formula has a very nice blurring effect and has a pretty good amount of lasting power when applied with a puff.
NARS added a new Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer* ($42) and Light Reflecting Hydrating Makeup Setting Mist* ($36). I LOVE the primer – it’s nicely hydrating and really makes a difference in priming the skin for better looking application of foundation and concealer. The color is slightly pearly but in a soft luminescent way that isn’t too shimmery. The Light Reflecting Mist has a very fine mist dispenser for a soft finish. It’s a nice one but not groundbreaking.
New Bronzer + Blush
(full beauty breakdown and also in action here)
Ilia’s new cream bronzer the Sunshift Cream Bronzer ($38) is pretty good. I picked up two colors in Rise and Ray and love the way they look on the skin. These are soft luminous shimmery creams that add a pretty glow to the complexion. To me they’re more like highlighting bronzers rather than a traditional bronzer, but I love how it looks. If you don’t like shimmer though, I wouldn’t recommend this as it’s very glowy.
Ilia also launched a Sculpting Brush ($36) with this bronzer. It’s an angled brush that’s super soft and plush. 10/10 recommend checking it out.
The NARS Talc-Free Blushes aren’t new but I tried another shade in August that I really like. Deep Throat is a pretty soft peach. Unfortunately I don’t have the original version to compare, but it’s one I think the new one seems more satiny without the shimmer. I swatched it next to a few other peach tones from NARS and Armani.
I also reviewed the Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blushes + new No 15 Blush Brush – in case you missed it you can see the review here. I love the colors, but in this heat I’ve been reaching for powder blushes or the Armani Luminous Silk Cheek Tints more. I will definitely be using the Hourglass ones once the weather cools down and when it’s not so hot/humid outside.
Fragrance
Phlur launched three new Hair and Body Mists*. Two are available at Sephora in Coconut Skin and Caramel Skin. Both are really beautiful and if you love gourmand sweet scents I recommend checking them out. I was really surprised that I preferred the Caramel Skin over Coconut Skin since I am more of a coconut lover. Phlur also has a third new one that is actually a Phlur Exclusive called Heavy Cream. It’s a delicious creamy sweet scent that is hard for me to describe but it’s like soft whipped cream. Unfortunately that one is already sold out.
All that said though, for a gourmand I still think their Vanilla Skin is the best one for a gourmand scent. It’s actually one of the best vanilla scents I’ve tried.
New Lip Testing
There are lots of new lip launches these days, but not all of them are hits for me. I’ll start with the misses. I love the Lawless Forget the Filler Lip Plumpers ($26) especially Cherry Vanilla. Always excited to see new shades but the new ones in Daisette and Candy Sky were a miss for me. Daisette is a nice one if layered over other lipsticks or liners as a transparent shimmer lavender pink, but on it’s own it is very pale. Candy Sky is a pale frosty nightmare that is very thick and unflattering. In the tubes these are both so sooo pretty. I was sad I could not really wear either shade.
A number of you asked me to compare the Glossier Lip Line Lip Pencils ($18) to other recent launches. I haven’t had the best luck with recent lip liner launches from Kosas, Hourglass or Too Faced to name a few but the Glossier Lip Liners are 10/10 thumbs up. I like both the formula the colors – they have a little tugging on the lips, but it’s not too bad and the formula is long wearing.
Make Up For Ever launched a new formula of lipliner called the Artist Color Extreme Waterproof ($26). I’m not sure if this is replacing their regular lip liner but I picked up Wherever Walnut since it seems to be their most popular shade in the original formula. I was pleasantly surprised to find I like this new formula better. The new formula doesn’t smell as pencil-y (if that makes sense). It’s creamier and it glides on smoother and easier. Color is slightly different but pretty close.
Quick shout out for the Fenty Trace’d Out Lip Liner and Gloss Bomb Stix. I shared a demo in my reel and really love both formulas (below wearing Satin Panty + Fenty Glow). Full review + swatches also here. The lip liners are really good in terms of color, formula and lasting power.
I still haven’t reviewed the Prada Beauty lip products yet on the blog but I’ve been really impressed by what I’ve tested so far. The Moisturizing Lip Balm ($50, refills $40) has an incredible formula that glides on like a dream. It feels very comfortable and is beautifully hydrating. These are incredibly expensive, but I really love the U001 Astral Pink pH Reactive shade. The color will most likely look different on everyone but I love the subtle blue pink it gives me. You can see it in action here.
Eye Makeup Testing
I have a love/hate relationship with the YSL Couture Clutch Eyeshadow Palettes ($68). I think the colors, formulas and textures are incredible, but I think they are incredibly over-priced for the amount of product you get (review + swatches of other shades here). I picked up one of the newer ones in 710 Over Brun as I love neutral tones and this one is beautiful. It looks warm in the compact and in photos but on my skin it pulls more neutral. The texture is incredibly soft and smooth. I love the pigment and colors. I still think it’s very overpriced and the colors are probably dupeable with shades from the Natasha Denona Glam Palette (which I think is a much better buy) – but the formula and performance is a solid A+.
I’ve been on the hunt for new brow products and the Glossier Boy Brow Arch 2-in-1 Longwear Pomade Eyebrow Pencil ($24) is a solid win. I tried both Warm Brown and Cool Brown in store and could not decide which one was best so bought both. After testing them at home I think Warm Brown looks best. It has a really good consistency to fill in like a pencil but has a clay complex to hold pigment in place. I love the way it’s designed with both a fine and flat tip. This might just be the best brow pencil I’ve ever tried.
Hair Care
I have several new loves for hair care this month. I’m forever trying different pomades and sticks to tame my flyaways. I mentioned earlier this year that I started to get a lot of hair growth after starting a topical Minoxidil. The hair is still growing back which is incredible but the flyaways are a menace especially if you have thick hair! When the Briogeo Style + Treat Hair Styling Sleek Stick ($23) popped up at Sephora I knew I had to try it. It really does work to tame flyaways and helps give you that ultra sleek hair look but it’s very easy to overdo and in the summer heat, I 100% have to wash my hair daily when using it. I personally prefer the R+Co Dart Stick as it’s not as shiny looking but you still have to wash your hair daily after use.
Kerastase Elixir Ultime has been repackaged into a newer updated package. The full size is now refillable. I personally cannot tell any difference between the original and new formula. To me they perform the same. I do like the look of the newer bottle packaging (especially the travel size), but several of you pointed out that the new version is more expensive with less product ($62 for 75 ml now vs $51 for 100 ml before).
I really love the Kerastase Premiere line and finished up everything except the Huile Gloss since I go through the wash/mask products very quickly. I love this hair oil, it’s a nice one especially for ends if you feel like they are a little dry or dull. It’s a repairing oil and I think it’s done an excellent job for making the ends look better without weighing down the strands. For me this is a little richer in formula compared to the Elixir Ultime.
dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream Taming Wand ($18) is a nice product to have. It’s the same styling cream but with a wand applicator. It’s great to tame flyaways and smooth the hair. For me it doesn’t hold the thick and short flyaways (they’re so thick they stick straight up unless it’s a waxy pomade), but it does tame the other longer strands just like the cream, but in a wand form you can brush through the hair.
I’ve started curling my hair again with the BaByliss Nano Titanium Pro Curling Wand in the 1 ¼ inch size* ($74.99). This is also my hair stylist’s favorite brand for curling tools. I love the wand size and length and there are multiple heat settings to suit a wide range of hair types. I set mine to 395 and it’s the perfect temperature to get long lasting curls on my thick hair.
I’ve tried both the Curling Iron (with the clamp) and Curling Wand. Both are very easy to use and I love that they have longer barrels for my long hair. 10/10 recommend – see it in action here. I think I want to try the rollers next!
That wraps up my August Sephora beauty testing. There’s still quite a lot I didn’t get to this month. I’ll be swatching and reviewing more things as quickly as I can including new NARS, Laura Mercier, YSL, Makeup by Mario and Natasha Denona.
What did you try and love this month? Doesn’t necessarily have to be from Sephora! Let me know what beauty loves you found this month!
Press samples have a * next to them.
New details, including who can buy in
More than two hours into Republican former President Donald Trump’s World Liberty Financial launch event on X Monday night, the team behind the Trump family’s new crypto project finally unveiled a key detail: Who can buy the forthcoming tokens it plans to release, and how shares of the project will be allotted.
For over a month, the former president and his family have been pumping up the endeavor with vague descriptions, promising that it will do many things at once.
Lofty goals set by those involved in the project on Monday night’s X space suggest that World Liberty Financial will be a sort of crypto banking platform, where the general public will be encouraged to borrow, lend and invest in crypto.
There will also be an accompanying token called WLFI, founders said Monday.
The equity structure for these tokens will be that 20% of the project’s tokens are allotted to the founding team, which includes the Trumps, 17% of tokens are set aside for user rewards, and the remaining 63% of the coins will be made available for the public to purchase, said founder Zak Folkman.
There will be no pre-sales or early buy ins, Folkman added.
An earlier leaked draft of an internal project outline had the founders’ share at 70%, sparking concerns that the project would be little more than a get-rich-quick scheme.
The token will be a Reg D token offering, which follows the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation D — a provision that makes it possible for a company to raise capital without first registering their securities with the commission so long as certain conditions are met.
These were themes that Trump covered in a conversation format early on in the more than two hour event, as he spoke about the perceived hostility of the Securities and Exchange Commission towards the digital currency industry.
Several high profile figures in the industry take issue with SEC Chair Gary Gensler, claiming that he is regulating the industry through enforcement actions, rather than via rules.
Over the course of Trump’s 40-minute fireside chat at the top of the more than two hour livestream, he talked about how he “wasn’t overly interested” in crypto initially.
But that changed, he said, when sales of his Trump trademarked nonfungible token collections were paid for with crypto. “I think my children opened my eyes more than anything else.”
“Crypto is one of those things we have to do,” Trump said near the end of his remarks. “Whether we like it or not, we have to do it.”
Monday’s event came at an unprecedented moment for Trump’s presidential campaign.
On Sunday afternoon at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump and his longtime friend and political donor, Steve Witkoff, were between the fifth and sixth holes on the course when gunshots were fired. The FBI has characterized the incident as an apparent assassination attempt on the former president.
Witkoff is a longtime friend of Trump’s. He’s also part of the small group of World Liberty Financial founders.
Witkoff was seated to Trump’s right during Monday night’s livestream, and described how he brought the Trump family together with two crypto entrepreneurs to get the project started.
“My son introduced me to two partners, Chase Herro and Zak Folkman, who are exceptionally bright people …These guys are as smart as any currency traders I’ve ever met. And they began talking to me about decentralized finance, which means frictionless finance, and why it made sense for people. And about the forgotten, who can’t get credit out there,” Witkoff said.
“As I began to understand that, I said, ‘Who would understand this better than the Trump family?’ And we had a meeting initially with Eric, Don Jr., and the president and his counsel. And we said, ‘Let’s go pursue it.’ We’ve been on it for close to nine months,” said Witkoff.
As Witkoff spoke, the parallels between World Liberty Financial and Trump’s other recent venture, Trump Media & Technology Group, were inescapable.
In Trump Media’s case, two former cast members from Trump’s NBC hit reality show “The Apprentice” approached Trump in 2021 with an idea for a new, conservative social media platform.
Three and a half years later, Trump Media’s publicly traded stock has boosted Trump’s net worth by billions of dollars, and Truth Social is his social platform of choice.
Alongside Trump and Witkoff, founders of World Liberty Financial include Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Barron Trump, as well as Witkoff’s son, Zach Witkoff.
A copy of an early internal report, known as a white paper and obtained by CoinDesk, listed Barron as “Chief DeFi Visionary,” Eric and Donald Jr. as “Web3 Ambassadors,” and Trump Sr. as “Chief Crypto Advocate.”
But while the Trumps will receive compensation from the project, the platform itself is “not owned, managed, operated or sold” by members of the Trump family.
Witkoff, a real estate investor, and Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, are the two people calling the shots at World Liberty Financial, according to a person familiar with the project. Both are new to the crypto industry.
Until Monday, much of what the public knew about World Liberty was based on interviews Trump’s sons had given to the press over the past month, as well as a leaked white paper that served as a sort of crypto project manifesto, and conversations with insiders.
Anyone who wanted material details of the platform, including the white paper, was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement, according to a person familiar with the project.
World Liberty Financial represents the latest step in Donald Trump’s evolving political and personal relationship with the crypto industry.
Some visible figures in crypto have cozied up to Trump during the 2024 election cycle, lending their cash and endorsements to the Republican nominee for president.
At the same time, Trump has adopted increasingly bullish talking points about crypto on the campaign trail. This culminated in his delivery of a keynote address in July at the biggest bitcoin event of the year in Nashville, Tennessee.
Some of these supporters however, have also said they are concerned that Trump’s foray into crypto himself could jeopardize his rapport with the sector more broadly, especially if the launch doesn’t go as planned.
Founders offered scant details on Monday about any future timelines for the project, saying only that new information will be shared on official social media channels, and warning fans not to fall for scams.
Putin orders Russian army to become second largest after China’s at 1.5 million-strong
President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered the regular size of the Russian army to be increased by 180,000 troops to 1.5 million active servicemen in a move that would make it the second largest in the world after China’s.
In a decree published on the Kremlin’s website, Putin ordered the overall size of the armed forces to be increased to 2.38 million people, of which he said 1.5 million should be active servicemen.
According to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a leading military think tank, such an increase would see Russia leapfrog the United States and India in terms of the number of active combat soldiers it has at its disposal and be second only to China in size. The IISS said Beijing has just over 2 million active duty service personnel.
The move, the third time Putin has expanded the army’s ranks since sending his military into Ukraine in February 2022, comes as Russian forces push forward in eastern Ukraine on parts of a vast 1,000 km (627-mile) frontline and try to eject Ukrainian forces from Russia’s Kursk region.
Although Russia has a population more than three times larger than Ukraine’s and has been successfully recruiting volunteers on lucrative contracts to fight in Ukraine, it has – like Kyiv’s forces – been sustaining heavy battlefield losses, and there is no sign of the war ending anytime soon.
Both sides say the exact size of their losses is a military secret.
Andrei Kartapolov, chairman of Russia’s lower house of parliament’s defence committee, said the increase in active troop numbers was part of a plan to overhaul the armed forces and gradually increase their size to match what he described as the current international situation and the behaviour of “our former foreign partners.”
AWS Weekly Roundup: Oracle Database@AWS, Amazon RDS, AWS PrivateLink, Amazon MSK, Amazon EventBridge, Amazon SageMaker and more
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Hello, everyone!
It’s been an interesting week full of AWS news as usual, but also full of vibrant faces filling up the rooms in a variety of events happening this month.
Let’s start by covering some of the releases that have caught my attention this week.
My Top 3 AWS news announcements of the week
Amazon RDS for MySQL zero-ETL integrations is now generally available and it comes with exciting new features. You are now able to configure zero-ETL integrations in your AWS CloudFormation templates, and you also now have the ability to set up multiple integrations from a source Amazon RDS for MySQL database with up to five Amazon Redshift warehouses. Lastly, you can now also apply data filters which determine which database and tables get automatically replicated. Read this blog post where I review aspects of this release and show you how to get started with data filtering if you want to know more. Incidentally, this release pairs well with another release this week: Amazon Redshift now allows you to alter the sort keys of tables replicated via zero-ETL integrations.
Oracle Database@AWS has been announced as part of a strategic partnership between Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Oracle. This offering allows customers to access Oracle Autonomous Database and Oracle Exadata Database Service directly within AWS simplifying cloud migration for enterprise workloads. Key features include zero-ETL integration between Oracle and AWS services for real-time data analysis, enhanced security, and optimized performance for hybrid cloud environments. This collaboration addresses the growing demand for multi-cloud flexibility and efficiency. It will be available in preview later in the year with broader availability in 2025 as it expands to new Regions.
Amazon OpenSearch Service now supports version 2.15, featuring improvements in search performance, query optimization, and AI-powered application capabilities. Key updates include radial search for vector space queries, optimizations for neural sparse and hybrid search, and the ability to enable vector and hybrid search on existing indexes. Additionally, it also introduces new features like a toxicity detection guardrail and an ML inference processor for enriching ingest pipelines. Read this guide to see how you can upgrade your Amazon OpenSearch Service domain.
So simple yet so good
These releases are simple in nature, but have a big impact.
AWS Resource Access Manager (RAM) now supports AWS PrivateLink – With this release, you can now securely share resources across AWS accounts with private connectivity, without exposing traffic to the public internet. This integration allows for more secure and streamlined access to shared services via VPC endpoints, improving network security and simplifying resource sharing across organizations.
AWS Network Firewall now supports AWS PrivateLink – another security quick-win, you can now securely access and manage Network Firewall resources without exposing traffic to the public internet.
AWS IAM Identity Center now enables users to customize their experience – You can set the language and visual mode preferences, including dark mode for improved readability and reduced eye strain. This update supports 12 different languages and enables users to adjust their settings for a more personalized experience when accessing AWS resources through the portal.
Others
Amazon EventBridge Pipes now supports customer managed KMS keys – Amazon EventBridge Pipes now supports customer-managed keys for server-side encryption. This update allows customers to use their own AWS Key Management Service (KMS) keys to encrypt data when transferring between sources and targets, offering more control and security over sensitive event data. The feature enhances security for point-to-point integrations without the need for custom integration code. See instructions on how to configure this in the updated documentation.
AWS Glue Data Catalog now supports enhanced storage optimization for Apache Iceberg tables – This includes automatic removal of unnecessary data files, orphan file management, and snapshot retention. These optimizations help reduce storage costs and improve query performance by continuously monitoring and compacting tables, making it easier to manage large-scale datasets stored in Amazon S3. See this Big Data blog post for a deep dive into this new feature.
Amazon MSK Replicator now supports the replication of Kafka topics across clusters while preserving identical topic names – This simplifies cross-cluster replication processes allowing users to replicate data across regions without needing to reconfigure client applications. This reduces setup complexity and enhances support for more seamless failovers in multi-cluster streaming architectures. See this Amazon MSK Replicator developer guide to learn more about it.
Amazon SageMaker introduces sticky session routing for inference – This allows requests from the same client to be directed to the same model instance for the duration of a session improving consistency and reducing latency, particularly in real-time inference scenarios like chatbots or recommendation systems, where session-based interactions are crucial. Read about how to configure it in this documentation guide.
Events
The AWS GenAI Lofts continue to pop up around the world! This week, developers in San Francisco had the opportunity to attend two very exciting events at the AWS Gen AI Loft in San Francisco including the “Generative AI on AWS” meetup last Tuesday, featuring discussions about extended reality, future AI tools, and more. Then things got playful on Thursday with the demonstration of an Amazon Bedrock-powered MineCraft bot and AI video game battles! If you’re around San Francisco before October 19th make sure to check out the schedule to see the list of events that you can join.
Make sure to check out the AWS GenAI Loft in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which opened recently, and the AWS GenAI Loft in London, which opens September 30th. You can already start registering for events before they fill up including one called “The future of development” that offers a whole day of targeted learning for developers to help them accelerate their skills.
Our AWS communities have also been very busy throwing incredible events! I was privileged to be a speaker at AWS Community Day Belfast where I got to finally meet all of the organizers of this amazing thriving community in Northern Ireland. If you haven’t been to a community day, I really recommend you check them out! You are sure to leave energized by the dedication and passion from communities leaders like Matt Coulter, Kristi Perreault, Matthew Wilson, Chloe McAteer, and their community members – not to mention the smiles all around. 🙂
Certifications
If you’ve been postponing taking an AWS certification exam, now is the perfect time! Register free for the AWS Certified: Associate Challenge before December 12, 2024 and get a 50% discount voucher to take any of the following exams: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate, or AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate. My colleague Jenna Seybold has posted a collection of study material for each exam; check it out if you’re interested.
Also, don’t forget that the brand new AWS Certified AI Practitioner exam is now available. It is in beta stage, but you can already take it. If you pass it before February 15, 2025, you get an Early Adopter badge to add to your collection.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed the news this week!
Keep learning!
15 Healthy Sides For Sandwiches • Kath Eats
From crispy kale chips and roasted potato wedges to creamy soups and herb-y pasta salad, I’m sharing 15 healthy sides for sandwiches.
Sandwiches are a super satisfying lunch!
I believe the first sandwich was created out of efficiency of putting all the carbs, veggies, and protein you need into one portable, easy-to-eat, hand-held meal!
They’re versatile, easy to prepare, and offer endless possibilities for flavor combinations. Whether you prefer a classic ham and cheese or a gourmet creation with artisanal ingredients (that’s me!), sandwiches can be a complete meal in themselves. Check out my list of delicious sandwich recipes.
Throwback pic to the Great Harvest sandwich making days!
However, pairing them with the right sides can elevate the sandwich experience, adding variety and nutrition to your plate. Whether you’re enjoying cold sandwiches or hot sandwiches, adding a complementary side can make your meal more satisfying and nutritionally balanced.
Fun fact: when I first met Thomas his sandwich sides were chips and cookies. I (gently, over time!) urged him to add some veggies and antioxidants to his sides, and I’m happy to say he does this naturally now (although he still always has some chips!)
I’m sharing a round-up of healthy sides (from KERF and fellow bloggers) that complement sandwiches perfectly, making your meal that much more enjoyable.
15 Healthy Sides For Sandwiches
1. Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is a refreshing and healthy side dish that pairs wonderfully with any sandwich. Combining a variety of fresh fruits like berries, melon, grapes, and citrus not only adds a burst of flavor but also provides essential vitamins and minerals. A fruit salad can be quickly and easily prepared ahead of time, making it a convenient option for a busy lunch or picnic.
2. Veggies with Hummus
For a crunchy and nutritious side, vegetable sticks with hummus are hard to beat. Carrot sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, and celery are perfect for dipping into creamy hummus. This side dish is not only healthy but also provides a great contrast in texture of a sandwich.
3. Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a versatile side dish that can be tailored to complement the flavors of your sandwich. Opt for a whole grain or vegetable-based pasta and toss it with colorful veggies, lean proteins like grilled chicken or beans, and a light vinaigrette. This dish can be served cold, making it ideal for pairing with cold sandwiches. I love this Summer Pasta Salad with Herb Dressing and this Caprese Pasta Salad.
4. Potato Salad
Potato salad is a classic side dish for sandwiches, and with a few tweaks, it can be made healthier. Use Greek yogurt or a mixture of Greek yogurt and light mayonnaise as the base for a creamy yet lower-calorie dressing. Add in diced celery, red onion, and fresh herbs for extra flavor and crunch.
5. Green Salad
A simple green salad is a perfect side dish for any sandwich. Mix together a variety of leafy greens such as spinach, arugula, and kale, and add your favorite salad toppings. Dress it lightly with a homemade salad dressing!
6. Quinoa Salad
Quinoa salad is a nutrient-dense side dish that pairs well with both hot and cold sandwiches. I have a few quinoa salad recipes on KERF, including this feta and herb quinoa salad and this Greek quinoa salad.
7. Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables are a fantastic side dish that can be prepared in the oven or air fryer. Carrots, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers are just a few options that roast beautifully. Season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs for a side dish that is both flavorful and healthy. Have you tried roasted panko okra!?
8. Potato Wedges
If you’re craving something more substantial, potato wedges (or sweet potato wedges) are a perfect alternative to traditional french fries. Baked in the oven or cooked in an air fryer, potato wedges can be seasoned with a variety of spices to match the flavors of your sandwich. They offer a satisfying crunch without the excess oil of deep-frying.
9. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a classic side dish for sandwiches, especially grilled cheese sandwiches and pulled pork sandwiches. To make it healthier, use a vinegar-based dressing or a lighter version of the traditional creamy dressing. Incorporate a mix of green and red cabbage, carrots, and even some apple slices for added sweetness.
10. Creamy Soup
A bowl of creamy soup can transform a simple sandwich into a comforting meal. Opt for healthier versions like a creamy tomato basil soup made with low-fat milk or a creamy carrot soup that uses blended vegetables for its creamy texture. This warm and inviting side is perfect for colder days.
11. Zucchini Chips
For a crunchy and healthy alternative to chips, try air-fried zucchini chips. Slice zucchini thinly, season with a bit of salt and pepper, and air fry until crispy. These chips are a great way to add some extra vegetables to your meal without compromising on flavor or texture.
12. Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad is a light and refreshing side that pairs well with sandwiches. This recipe from Eating Bird Food is a quick and easy side dish that is perfect for hot summer days – I love all of the crunch!
13. Caprese Salad
Caprese salad is a classic Italian side that combines fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. This salad is not only visually appealing but also complements sandwiches with its fresh and tangy flavors.
14. Kale Chips
Who doesn’t love chips with their sandwich? Yes, potato chips! And while nothing is wrong with a few handful of chips, try kale chips if aiming for a healthier option. Kale chips made in an air fryer get perfectly crispy and crunchy in just a few minutes and make preparing kale as easy as can be!
15. Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetables are an excellent side dish for sandwiches, especially during the summer months. Zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and mushrooms all grill beautifully and can be seasoned with herbs and spices to enhance their natural flavors. Serve them warm alongside your favorite sandwich for a hearty and healthy meal.
Why Side Dishes Matter
Adding side dishes to your sandwich meal not only makes it more enjoyable, but also helps create a balanced plate. Healthy side dishes can provide additional nutrients, textures, and flavors, making your meal more interesting and satisfying. Here are a few reasons why side dishes are important:
- Nutritional Balance: Side dishes can add essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber to your meal, complementing the protein and carbohydrates in your sandwich.
- Flavor Variety: A well-chosen side dish can enhance the overall flavor profile of your meal, offering contrasts in taste and texture.
- Satisfaction: Including a variety of foods in your meal can help you feel more satisfied and less likely to snack between meals.
Pairing Tips
When choosing sides for sandwiches, consider the following tips to create a harmonious meal:
- Balance Flavors: Pair rich and savory sandwiches with lighter sides like salads or fruit to balance the flavors.
- Texture Contrast: If your sandwich is soft and creamy, add a crunchy side like vegetable sticks or air-fried zucchini chips for textural variety.
- Temperature Match: Pair hot sandwiches with warm sides like roasted vegetables or creamy soup and cold sandwiches with chilled sides like pasta salad or cucumber salad.
Whether you’re enjoying a quick lunch at home or packing a picnic, these 15 healthy and delicious side dishes are perfect for serving with sandwiches – enjoy!
You may also enjoy:
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Home Office Trends 2025: Create a Stylish Productive Space
Are you ready to refresh your workspace with the latest home office trends for 2025? As remote and hybrid work continue to rise, creating a functional and stylish home office has never been more important. Let’s explore the top trends that will shape home offices in 2025, bringing comfort, productivity, and innovation to your workspace.
Nature as Your Co-worker: Biophilic Design
One of the most exciting home office trends for 2025 is the continual rise of biophilic design. This time, it incorporates natural elements—like plants, sunlight, and organic materials—into your workspace design. Consider placing a few easy-to-care-for plants on your desk or near a window to bring life and freshness into the room. Add wooden or stone accents to ground the setup, creating a serene environment that fosters both calm and creativity.
Pro Tip: Match your favorite home office trends to your style. Not sure what that is? Try an interior design style quiz to pinpoint your personal style today!
Upgrade Your Office IQ: Technology Integration
Smart technology is set to redefine home office design trends in 2025. Start your home office inspiration with a desk that automatically adjusts to your preferred height or lighting that shifts color temperature based on the time of day. Voice-controlled devices can manage everything from your calendar to your coffee maker, ensuring your day runs smoothly. Investing in these smart tools not only adds convenience but can also enhance productivity by allowing you to focus on what really matters—your work.
Work Smart, Sit Smart: Ergonomic Furniture
Spending long hours at your desk calls for furniture that supports your body’s needs. Ergonomic chairs with lumbar support and adjustable desks are essential elements of the 2025 home office design ideas. Look for chairs that align with your spine’s natural curve and desks that can switch between sitting and standing modes. Accessories like footrests and monitor stands can further optimize your setup, ensuring that your workspace is as comfortable as it is functional.
Every Inch Counts: Multifunctional Spaces
As homes continue to evolve, so does the need for spaces that serve multiple purposes. One of the key 2025 home office trends is the creation of multifunctional spaces. Your home office can double as a guest room, a library, or even a workout area. Choose furniture that can be easily reconfigured, such as a desk that converts into a vanity or a sofa bed that accommodates overnight guests. This flexibility allows you to maximize your space without compromising on style or utility.
Less is More: Minimalist Aesthetic
A minimalist approach is central to 2025 home office design trends. Clean lines, neutral color palettes, and uncluttered surfaces help create a serene environment where you can focus on your work. Opt for sleek, simple furniture that serves a purpose without overwhelming the space. Keep decorative items to a minimum—think a single piece of statement art or a few carefully chosen desk accessories. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also promotes a clearer, more focused mindset.
Go Green In Style: Sustainable Materials
Sustainability is more than just a trend—it’s a lifestyle choice that’s making its way into home office design. Choosing furniture with a smaller carbon footprint benefits the environment and contributes to a healthier workspace. In 2025, expect also to see a growing emphasis on eco-friendly materials, from desks made of reclaimed wood to chairs upholstered in organic fabrics.
Silence is Golden: Acoustic Enhancements
Noise distractions can derail even the most focused work sessions. As part of the home office trends in 2024, acoustic solutions have already become increasingly popular. Consider adding soundproofing materials, like wall panels or curtains, to reduce outside noise. If you’re dealing with persistent distractions, noise-canceling technology can be a game-changer. These small additions can create a much quieter, more productive environment.
Your Space, Your Story: Personalized Decor
In 2025, home offices are becoming more personalized than ever. Incorporate decor that resonates with you, whether artwork, family photos, or unique souvenirs from your travels. These personal elements make your office feel inviting and uniquely yours. Choose items that inspire you and reflect your personality, transforming your workspace into a place where you actually enjoy spending time.
Ready for Anything: Flexible Workstations
Work habits are evolving, and so should your workspace. Flexible workstations are a key part of the 2025 home office trends, featuring modular furniture that can be easily rearranged. Whether you need a standing desk for focus, a cozy corner for brainstorming, or a large table for projects, adaptability is the name of the game. This approach allows your office to evolve with your needs, keeping your work environment fresh and functional.
Mind and Body: Wellness Zones
A balanced work-life routine is essential for long-term productivity and happiness. One of the standout home office trends in 2025 is the inclusion of wellness zones. These areas are dedicated to activities that promote physical and mental well-being, such as yoga, meditation, or simply taking a break with a cup of tea. Integrating a standing desk or a small relaxation corner can make all the difference in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
FAQs About Home Office Trends 2025
Q: What are the key home office trends for 2025?
A: Key trends include biophilic design, smart technology integration, ergonomic furniture, and multifunctional spaces.
Q: How can I make my home office more sustainable?
A: Choose eco-friendly materials like reclaimed wood, organic fabrics, and sustainable decor items.
Q: What’s the best way to reduce noise in my home office?
A: Install soundproofing materials such as acoustic panels or use noise-canceling technology to minimize distractions.
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