Celebrate the return of warm weather with a laid-back tropical feast.

Two-time Top Chef finalist and James Beard Award nominee Sheldon Simeon’s new cookbook, Ohana Style: Food from Hawai’i, for Your Family, is your cheat code for cooking that’s big on flavor and low on stress.

The Maui-based chef, known for celebrating Hawaiʻi’s multicultural heritage, describes his cuisine as “meshing his Hawaiian background with local produce and Asian techniques.” With his new cookbook, he’s sharing flavorful recipes for everyday family meals, snacks, weeknights and parties.

Here are some of Simeon’s tips for low key entertaining, island style:

Put Out Some Pūpūs

About as fun to say as they are to eat, pūpūs are Hawaiian-style snacks that are meant to be mixed, matched and eaten with your hands. Ohana Style dedicates a full chapter to these crowd-pleasers, from sticky fish sauce wings to pimiento cheese mochi bread. Add a bright, boozy drink and you’ve already won.

Take a Shortcut

Yes, Simeon is a two-time Top Chef alum with multiple James Beard Award nominations, and yes, he fully believes in shortcuts. Crescent roll dough, hot dogs, cake mix, ranch seasoning, it’s all fair game. In the intro, he even nods to Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee as inspiration. Good food doesn’t have to be complicated to be great.

Go Family Style

Skip the plated courses and let everyone dig in. Simeon’s go-to hosting move is throwing a bunch of meat on the hibachi, then pulling out “all the pickles, banchan and sauces” from the pantry. It’s interactive, unfussy and keeps the table buzzing. Exactly how a warm-weather dinner should feel.

Ready to set the table? These pieces make Ohana-style hosting look as effortless as it tastes. Shop the full edit here.

^{Every product on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

Ohana Style: Food from Hawai‘i, for Your Family by Sheldon Simeon

A warm-weather hosting staple packed with 100+ unfussy, island-inspired recipes that use smart shortcuts and family-style dishes to deliver big flavor with minimal effort.

Shop now.

Tropical Leaf Abaca Placemat

Hand-woven especially for terrain from natural abaca fibers, this leaf-shaped placemat makes a verdant addition to warm weather tablescapes.

Shop now.

The Love Notes Island Icon Juice Glass

Meticulously crafted with handblown glass, the Love Notes Juice Glass is a delightful, sip-worthy piece that adds charm to any occasion and makes a thoughtful gift for someone special.

Shop now.

Farm Rio Embroidered Napkins

These embroidered napkins feature botanical motifs and scalloped edges, adding a textural element to your tablescape.

Shop now.

Pottery Barn Shell Party Bucket

A shell-shaped party bucket that doubles as an ice bucket or bottle chiller, keeping drinks cold while giving your setup an easy coastal nod.

Shop now.

Share

We’re so eggs-cited, and we just can’t hide it.

We’ve got a big week ahead, peeps. Chick this out - April is days away and, along with showers, May flowers and tax season, April also brings us April Fools’ Day, Passover and Easter. This year, they’re all within days of each other which can only mean one thing: spring is here and it’s time to party.

We tapped some of our favorite creators for their tasty takes on the season’s ear-resistable bevvies. Suitable for Easter brunch, Passover feasts or just kicking grass, these cocktails (and the glasses they come in) assure no fowl play for the days ahead. Find the full shoppable edit here.

Now, let’s hop to it!

Read more

For more fun, 👉🏽 check us out on Instagram.

Hello and welcome to Side Dish, a weekly round-up of industry news, hot goss and things you might have missed. We read all the things so you don’t have to.

Now, let’s get to it...

Read more

📩 For the latest, follow us on Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter.

Scent has become the new flex for luxury hospitality in Italy.

As hotels center the guest experience around signature fragrances, Italy’s style capitals have become perfume-driven destinations.

Follow your nose to these scent-sational stays:

^{Every hotel on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

Magna Pars L’ Hotel à Parfum — Milan

Once a historic fragrance laboratory, Magna Pars L’ Hotel à Parfum features luxury suites dedicated to singular notes: velvety sandalwood, green fig leaf, sparkling bergamot and white jasmine. Each room is a curated scent portrait, transforming a night’s stay into a deeply personal aromatic journey. The hotel’s Laboratorio di Profumo spa offers aromatherapeutic treatments crafted from botanicals grown in the hotel’s private garden.

Book here, rates from $250.

Bvlgari Hotel Roma — Rome

The tone is set with Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert, a signature scent by Jean‑Claude Ellena featuring notes of bergamot paired with green tea. At the onsite Bulgari Spa, a marble sanctuary inspired by ancient Roman baths, treatments pair aromatherapeutic oils with warm stones for a deeply sensorial wellness experience.

Book here, rates from $2,400.

Palazzo Firenze — Florence

Guests at Palazzo Firenze, part of the Baglioni Hotels collection, can craft a bespoke scent under the guidance of a master perfumer at atelier AquaFlor.

Book here, rates from $390.

ADLER Spa Resort Thermae — Tuscany

The earthy notes of the surrounding Val d’Orcia landscape—wild thyme, cypress needles and sun‑warmed hay—pair exquisitely with a long soak in the healing, ancient hot springs. Botanicals sourced from the surrounding hills are used in all signature spa treatments.

Book here, rates from $570.

Rocco Forte Villa Igiea — Palermo

Elegant, expansive gardens immerse guests in Sicily’s intoxicating spirit. The salty Mediterranean sea breeze is the icing on the olfactory cake. Orange blossom, neroli, night‑blooming jasmine, almonds, wild fennel and rosemary, plucked from hotel gardens, evoke the Belle Époque grandeur at the onsite Igiea Spa.

Book here, rates from $440.

Share Late Checkout

For more fun, 👉🏽 check us out on Instagram.

Side Dish is usually for our paid subscribers, but we’re sharing with all of you today in the hopes you’ll consider upgrading. It’s only $5 a month, way less than that Protein Espresso Martini.

Hello and welcome to Side Dish, a weekly round-up of industry news, hot goss and things you might have missed. We read all the things so you don’t have to.

Now, let’s get to it...

• Welp, René Redzepi certainly had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

• Rhonda, why? You will never stop laughing at this unfiltered visit to Olive Garden.

• The New York Times asks if Gymkhana will be lucky in Las Vegas. Shakes Magic 8 ball: too soon to tell.

• SommGPT. Maybe we don’t let Ai pick our wine...

• Speaking of, do we need oyster somms? Shuck off.

• Girls are tired too. The Atlantic checks out the rise of female-coded energy drinks.

• If you’ve ever thought, “I just wish I could get a slice of milk,” this is your lucky day.

• Dubai Pistachio Chocolate flavored soju might be the last nail in the coffin here.

• Snaxshot’s Expo West recap is everything you need to know.

• The band’s back together. George Clooney and Rande Gerber toast to those Casamigos days with Crazy Mountain, a new non-alc beer brand.

• But, it seems more celebs are cashing in on their sober arc.

• Dream job alert: Hidden Valley Ranch is looking for “Ranch-bassadors” to head overseas and document the journey.

• Dirty soda has come for our Twizzlers.

• Eater has gone full Boomer with the damn dogs in restaurants!

• The Dubai chewy cookie is saving lives in South Korea.

• Snack attack – why restaurants are leaning into snack time.

• Buffalo Wild Wings’ Protein Espresso Martini was not on our 2026 bingo card. Yet, here we are.

• You did it! Congratulations! World’s best cup of coffee! Great job everybody!

• What is Lugermeister? We’re glad you asked.

• You had us at, “A new amaro inspired by mummification.”

• Smoothie of the Week: When I wake up, in my own pink world..I head to Erewhon and wave to my homegirls.

• TSA lines are giving “3-hour wait, zero vibes” thanks to the government shutdown.

• In Alaska you don’t tailgate, you trailgate.

• New Yorkers want all you Love Story LARPers to beat it.

• If a trip to Barcelona is on your summer bingo card, get ready to pay up as the tourist tax doubles.

• Attn squad, if you’re 13–30, Vail just soft-launched a ski pass price cut. It’s giving slope-side stimulus.

• Southwest said only the fancy seats get cleaned. The rest of y’all? Raw‑dogging the Airbus.

• Office space, but make it fashion. You can now stay in Karl Lagerfeld’s former Paris office.

• Year of the horse? These hotels said, “Hold my beer.”

• Northeast Kingdom in Vermont is one part ‘bucolic paradise’ mixed with ‘everyone here has a Substack and strong opinions about cheese.’

• For anyone wondering if you can bring a ham on the plane, Honey Baked has gotchu.

• Condé Nast Traveler is up at bat with the biggest reason to travel in 2026.

• For the first time in 10 years, Death Valley said, “I can buy myself flowers...”

• A haiku for Timothée Chalamet: Opera? Ballet? “No one cares,” says Timothée. Doja says shut up.

• Nothing has ever felt more on brand for Travis Kelce.

• The Oscars are this weekend and if you have way too much free time, Town & Country has all the books that inspired the Oscar-nominated films.

• Paris it girls were serving inspo during fashion week with the c*nty bob. It says, “I’m short, I’m blunt and I DGAF.”

• Has the everything shower gotten a little too extra?

• The fairy tale is over for “With Love, Meghan.”

• Relish in 4 days of flavor! It’s a really big dill. You pickling up what we’re putting down here?

• More LARPing meets Little Mermaid as people around the world are diving into this new trend.

• Greek life is colonizing the Ivy League in real time.

• ‘Heartthrob marketing’ is capitalizing on the power of the Toy Boy and we are HERE👏FOR👏IT👏!

• Ok, so apparently we all need to get a little dirty.

• Silver fox took on a whole new meaning with the chrome hair trend dominating runways for fall.

• Who needs Peeps when you can have Louis Vuitton chicks?

• Taco Bell’s Live Más LIVE was one part spectacle, one part Broadway show and the whole night is streaming on Peacock. Is TacoCon next?

• Filed under things we didn’t know we needed: Baja Blast Under Eye Patches.

• Perfection, out. Party girls, in!

• You so wish you were invited to these bat mitzvahs.

• These runners are peak toxic grind vibes. But there’s butter, so we’ll allow it.

• Porch hangs are IN for 2026. Let’s bring back the afternoon visit.

• Charlie XCX called it. Y2K nostalgia is peaking out right now as Von Dutch makes a comeback.

• From The City to the courts, Whitney Port is a tennis girl now.

• Kitten heels just got real as Schiaparelli unveils “The Sphynx,” an un-fur-gettable take on slingbacks featuring snarling cat heads.

• Celebs like A$AP Rocky and Harry Styles are on pointe with this shoe style.

• On that note, dusty pink is also making the rounds in men’s fashion.

• “Mountain people” finally had their day in the sun at the Louis Vuitton women’s Fall show while Miu Miu had grass and twigs.

• “You don’t understand. This is an Alaïa!”

• We called this last summer, but Glamour confirms: Are books the new status symbol?

• Prada’s 5^th Avenue store said, “Scaffolding..but make it fashion.”

• Zara Home x Colin King will have your house looking photo ready in no time.

• You and me...belong together. From Hyrox to book clubs, IRL experiences are taking the place of digital connection.

• New emojis just dropped and… who asked for the nonchalant sasquatch?

• TikTok taking it analog..sort of…with the launch of TikTok Radio.

• Brands like ELF, SKIMS, Puma and Spotify are launching their own in-house content studios to produce in-house social, their own social TV shows and more.

• How to get influencers and talent managers to read your pitch emails!

• Behind the scenes content is becoming more valuable.

• Well, @helloapple.

• This restaurant had a 9-yr-old shoot their kids menu.

• Starbucks tapped into the Love Story/JFK obession.

• TODAY’s Craig Melvin is inviting celebs to his basement for a drink. It’s not as creepy as it sounds.

• Netflix is expanding ad targeting by partnering with Amazon and Yahoo. It’s fine, everything’s fine.

• Retail and grocery brands are leading early ChatGPT ad adoption, with over 100 brand promotions appearing in the platform’s first few weeks of ads.

• Instagram, LinkedIn and Threads engagement declined in 2025, while Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok rates increased slightly and X posts saw significantly more engagement.

• ChatGPT lost 1.5m users amid Pentago deal.

• Don’t worry – you all mog in our book.

Share Late Checkout

For more fun, follow us on👉🏽 Instagram.

Dare we say there’s a new trend popping?

Popcorn is suddenly popping up all over. We’ve got protein popcorn, a carbonara popcorn, the University of Illinois just designed a super popcorn and there’s even a corn-free popcorn. But, this tasty yellow popstar has quietly been making moves from movie theater to the moment.

A popcorn-shaped Louis Vuitton bag doesn’t backorder at four figures because it’s cute. “Pop?” hints at the new corn-inspired clutch from French luxury brand Jacquemus. These accessories are turning movie night nostalgia into a collectible, reinforcing luxury’s ongoing fixation with food meets fashion.

Girl in Blue Studios, known for creative takes on aspirational branding, just shared how she would create a popcorn brand and Food & Wine resurfaced a 1909 recipe for a popcorn sandwich via the Sandwiches of History series. The appeal isn’t flavor so much as what’s old is new again.

@sandwichesofhistoryThe Popcorn Sandwich (it’s not even a sandwich!) #fyp #sandwichesofhistory #sandwichtok

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

Popcorn is also showing up at coffee counters across the globe, with Starbucks Japan releasing new Caramel Melts drinks that fold caramel popcorn notes into lattes while Oatly recently introduced a popcorn flavored option for baristas.

Popcorn is crossing categories and gaining market share. From luxury accessories to archival recipes to drinks, it’s perfectly suited for brands selling experience as much as product.

Here are some other ways to channel popcorn vibes only:

^{Every product on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

Claire Salvo, Popcorn

Salvo’s intimate drawings transform ordinary objects into quiet monuments of human presence. These familiar forms are stripped of utility and recharged with meaning, holding the subtle residue of touch, memory, and time.

Shop now.

Essence Popcorn Bomb Lip Gloss

A popcorn-scented lip gloss from the "Juicy Bomb" line, this new offering features a sweet, buttery, movie-theater-inspired scent, fitting the popular gourmand, snack-inspired beauty trend for a shiny finish.

Shop now.

Bottega Veneta Jack Flat Sandal

Crafted in Italy, these Jack flat sandals from Bottega Veneta evoke the fluffy goodness of popcorn in a high fashion way.

Shop now.

JELLYCAT Amuseable Popcorn Soft Toy

From midnight premieres to indie shorts, he’s always front row with notebook in hand and questions at the ready.

Shop now.

Oscar de la Renta Popcorn Earrings

Need to add a polished touch to your favorite OOTD? Style these pearl cluster earrings by Oscar de la Renta with your favorite LBD to finish a sophisticated style.

Shop now.

Bonjour Fête Popcorn Mini Surprise Ball

Each surprise Ball is packed with delightful treasures, including a gemstone or crystal, vintage-style toy, charm, sweet treat, temporary tattoo, confetti popper, and a touch of good fortune. This charming favor adds excitement and wonder to any Circus-themed party or movie night, making your celebration unforgettable and fun for all ages.

Shop now.

Furbish Studio Popcorn Bag Charm

A little charm goes a long way with this popcorn bag charm from Raleigh’s Furbish Studio. Needlepoint minis that clip onto bags, keyrings, and travel totes in seconds.

Shop now.

Share Late Checkout

Welcome to Book It!, our monthly look at a buzzy new hotel or resort we’re excited about.

Attn: Round Top stans. Ditch the kitsch for this spot with soul.

Hideaway Round Top, a new, elevated retreat just two miles south of Round Top’s historic town square, is planting a design-forward flag in Central Texas.

What to Know:

Set across 21 acres of rolling hills and live oaks, Hideaway is firmly rooted in Texas nostalgia with a distinctly modern take. A collaboration between Studio Seiders and Sam Burch Architect incorporates the rich history of Central Texas with thoughtful details like warm lime plaster walls, Lone Star quilts and works by local artists featuring regional flora and fauna.

The custom-built 3,321-square-foot farmhouse anchors the property, with three bedrooms, complemented by two stand-alone 692-square-foot cottages that together sleep up to 19.

Local stone anchors the kitchen, and subtle references to traditional German architecture show up in the home’s clean, modern silhouettes. The design and architecture was inspired by Texas pioneer culture and farm life reimagined in a contemporary way.

Outside, the property leans into the landscape. Walking trails weave through the grounds, leading to a Seep Pool, inspired by the spring-fed swimming holes that dot Central Texas.

With the spring antiques show just around the corner, you’re close enough to chase treasures at sunrise and still retreat somewhere calm for sunset.

Book here, rates from $1,347.

What to Pack:

Comfort matters when you’re covering this much ground, after hours of browsing and hauling finds. Shop the full edit here.

^{Every hotel or product on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

Hampui Hats Tune Good Hat

A tall-crown, wide-brim camel-wool Western hat with corded trim and a silver medallion that pulls any antiques-day outfit together and keeps the Texas sun in check.
Shop now.

The Peregrine Tiered Deco Midi Dress

Delicate, colorful flowers and lace hit just right for that cottagecore meets Western vibe.

Shop now.

Norma Kamali Fringe Oversized Jean Jacket

A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll.

Shop now.

Handker Bandanas No. 062 Horses Bandana

A premium cotton bandana with a playful horse print that works as a neck scarf, hair tie or bag accessory, plus it’s an easy add-on for windy, dusty days.
Shop now.

Tecovas The Annie Boot

A modern stovepipe Western boot in soft cowhide with a walkable heel and hybrid outsole that stays comfortable for full days on your feet, from antiques aisles to dinner plans.

Shop now.

Share Late Checkout

In this week’s newsletter, we’re talking Golden Steer, meat cocktails, breakfast soup, ‘komakase,’ unclaimed baggage, airplane water, Stella McCartney’s bronys, our smut renaissance, tiaras, Bops and burger CEOs.

For more, 👉🏽 check us out on Instagram.

Now, let’s get to it...

Read more

📩 For more, follow us on Instagram.

Turns out a tiny green chair can make a big statement.

While brands are sparing no expense when it comes to over-the-top invites for events, Dior stole the show this week with the invite for the Fall/Winter 2026/27 presentation at Paris Fashion Week. Delivered in a sweet Dior box, guests unwrapped miniature replicas of a Parisian classic - the iconic green chairs found in the Tuileries Garden.

Hinting at the show to come, the tiny Tuileries chairs have become a symbol of all things Parisian. In 1923, the Paris Parks Department started placing them in city gardens and, what started as practical design, has turned into one of the more iconic elements of the city.

Anderson’s Fall/Winter 2026 show was set in the Tuileries and featured a giant greenhouse, a lily-strewn fountain - just steps from the Musée de l’Orangerie, where Claude Monet’s Water Lilies sit in permanent bloom - and Dior-branded green park benches, natch.

If you’re looking to replicate the green chair vibe at home, Fermob, the French furniture design company, not only makes the chairs for the City of Paris, but has also introduced the Luxembourg Collection, where you can order the same chair design for $1,200 a pop.

But, if a trip to Paris isn’t in your future, we found some ways to get the look at home.

Shop the full edit here.

^{Every product on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

Bucknell Outdoor Modern Iron Accent Chairs

These chairs feature a single-piece curved mesh seat and back, which enhances airflow to reduce sweating and discomfort on hot summer days. The iron construction ensures lasting durability and rigidity, while the powder-coat finish helps protect the metal from rusting and damage.

Shop now.

Hot Mesh Lounge Chair

Sun’s out, fun’s out. A sumptuous seat that can handle the heat. Punched metal creates a bold graphic pattern that invites looks and sits. A simple, stackable tubular frame keeps the form crisp and the vibe easy breezy.

Shop now.

Enid Dark Green Metal Outdoor Armchairs Set of 2

A festive updated concept adding spice to conventional chair designs lends an energetic feel to this set of two modern outdoor armchairs.

Shop now.

Grand Rapids Chair Co. Outdoor Chair

A fresh addition to both indoors and out, this chair from Grand Rapids Chair Co. is crafted from durable, powder-coated steel with a mesh seat and back help keep you cool.

Shop now.

Farrah Outdoor Stacking Dining Armchair

This piece is carefully crafted from commercial-grade resin, ensuring it's built to withstand all seasons. Its marine-grade polymer composition assures durability, while the open silhouette with looping arms adds a modern touch.

Shop now.

Portofino Arm Chair

Kissed by the Tuscan sun, the Portofino Arm Chair is our homage to life on the Mediterranean. A fresh take on the timeless Bistro Chair, each piece is expertly steamed, shaped and woven of sustainably harvested rattan.

Shop now.

In this week’s newsletter, we’re talking coffee buckets, the launch of Silvr, beef-maxxing, vibe coding, ‘hushcations,’ haute potatoes, the Heated Rivalry cottage, Coach’s new bag charms, boy kibble, hair dresses and the case for the “ta-da” list.

For more, 👉🏽 check us out on Instagram.

Now, let’s get to it...

Read more

Want to score an A+ in vibes? Make the grade with scholar walls.

What’s a scholar wall, you might ask? Scholar walls offer a quirkier take on the ever-popular wallpaper trend, but with a flora and fauna kind of vibe. Lately, it seems like all the coolest hotels and restaurants are covering their walls in botanical illustrations that look just like something you’d see in an old-school textbook. (You know, kind of like if your bio teacher had a thing for cottagecore.)

More unique than your typical flower or stripe print, Meredith Koehl, senior interior designer for AJ Capital Partners, says, “It seems that design has been trending towards more color, pattern and warmth.” The mix of botanicals and animals create a conversation-sparking backdrop, “so it makes the case for including some fun patterns in spaces.”

Walls might be an obvious place to add a scholarly touch, but Koehl went above and beyond adding a bookish print from Astek to the lobby of Marine Troon, a Marine & Lawn Hotel in Scotland. “In order to make a statement in a cozy reception space, we turned to the ceiling plane for a high-impact visual moment and to balance out the simpler walls,” she says.

“I think people like the feeling of things acquired over time and very intentionally curated for the space,” says Birmingham-based designer Ivy Schuster, who brought the look to the bathroom of Little Bird in Fairhope, Alabama. For the restroom, Schuster was inspired by a collection of curiosities and covered the walls in, you guessed it, birds.

To make your space head of the class, we rounded up a few scholarly accessories that deserve a gold star.

Shop the full edit here.

^{Every product on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

Spoonflower Studio Fibonacci Peel and Stick Wallpaper in Botanical Spices

Renter-friendly peel-and-stick wallpaper printed on woven linen-textured paper, featuring detailed culinary herb and spice illustrations.

Shop now.

World Market Coral Embroidered Floral Bee Throw Pillow

A hand-embroidered bee and florals on a coral ground, finished with a striped green border and a removable insert, adds an instant pop of springy color to any perch.

Shop now.

John Derian Set of 8 Letterpress Scallop Shell Coasters

Printed in Brooklyn on heavyweight paper with rubber-based ink, these 4-inch letterpress shell coasters bring tactile, old-world charm to your coffee table.

Shop now.

Jonathan Adler Small Botanist Lacquer Box

A high-gloss peacock-blue lacquer finish with botanical artwork and a crisp navy trim turns this stackable box into chic storage for jewelry, matches or tiny desk essentials.

Shop now.

Wayfair August Grove Moth and Butterfly Framed Wall Decor

Vintage-style moth and butterfly illustrations sit behind glass in a distressed black wood frame, complete with an easy sawtooth hanger for instant gallery-wall energy.

Shop now.

Share

Valentine’s Day comes with a lot of big things. Big plans. Big spend. Big expectations.

But what if the most romantic move is… staying in? You already have everything you need right in your own kitchen. That’s the idea behind We Fancy: Simple Recipes to Make The Everyday Special, the latest release from award-winning cookbook author Jerrelle Guy.

Her philosophy is simple: Fancy isn’t a lifestyle, it’s a mindset. A little planning. A little care. A lot more joy. Dropping February 10th, Guy makes the case for low-effort fancy—meals that feel intentional without draining your energy (or wallet). Through personal stories and delicious recipes, Guy creates a guide for making any meal a little bit ‘extra’ with minimal effort.

Think store-bought ice cream with homemade caramel, long-simmered sauces made ahead of time and letting candlelight do most of the heavy lifting. “Fanciness, as I see it, is a way to savor what we have right in front of us. It’s our philosophy, one where mindfulness and play meet with just enough practicality to bring deeper meaning to our dinners and our days.”

Guy shares a few fresh ideas to fancy up Valentine’s Day and every day.

Make Some Time

“Whether you’re hosting friends or your partner, serving a meal that shows it took days to prep, simmer or ferment is the ultimate gesture,” she says. “Making a menu with dishes like sourdough bread, or gumbo which simmered all day, or ginger beer that took days to ferment, or a liquor you took the time to infuse, is great.”

For Guy, pizza is an affordable option that’s still special because she and her husband both put thought into preparing the meal.

“One of our favorite ways to celebrate, just the two of us, is having a pizza night with a 72-hour pizza dough. Watching my husband feed our starter and tend to a levain throughout the week warms my heart, and the romance gets a chance to build up all week long. I make a long-simmered pizza sauce, he tends to the dough and the day of, we each build and shape the pizzas, and then we fire them off in the Ooni or the oven preheated with a pizza stone.”

Set The Scene

“Whether it’s two people or 10, set the table with hand-plucked flowers and different shapes and styles of candles,” Guy says. “If it’s too cold for a moonlit dinner, bring the string lights inside.”

To extend the festivities beyond the food, Guy suggests having each person read one of their favorite love poems aloud over candlelight. “Depending on the crowd it would either be comical or sweet, but definitely memorable,” she says.

Love Yourself

If you’re not in the mood to host, Guy says that cooking solo is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Especially when you take a little time to make it special.

“There’s something impactful about slowing down and creating an intentional dinner just for yourself, even if it’s alone in bed furnished with a cushioned lap desk,” she says.

Whether it’s a plate of your favorite snacks arranged in a pretty way, crostini topped with colorful ingredients or a cozy bowl of soup, it’s important to treat yourself, too.

Entertaining Essentials

Guy has two must-have ingredients for entertaining on the fly—and they might surprise you. Although they are very different, both items can upgrade simple food that you already have on hand.

“Heavy cream makes everything a little richer, soups silkier, and if you are serving late-night coffee or needing to make a last-minute upgrade to a cake or even a bowl of macerated fruit, whip some into fluff for topping,” Guy says. “It’s magical, and smart to keep around.”

Her second pick, seltzer water, is another handy product to have on hand, whether you want to whip up a batch of mojitos or make a mocktail by combining it with lemonade or cranberry juice. “It’s just not a fun party without a fizzy drink,” she says.

Ready to put low-effort fancy into practice? These pieces make staying in feel just as special.

Shop the full edit here.

^{Every product on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

Jerrelle Guy: We Fancy: Simple Recipes to Make the Everyday Special

This joy-sparking cookbook turns pantry basics into “special occasion” plates with smart, low-effort upgrades, making for a Valentine’s dinner that feels thoughtful without the stress.

Shop now.

Emile Henry French Ceramic Ruffle Heart Pie Dish

This handcrafted French ceramic pie dish delivers even heat and flawless browning, then goes straight from oven to table with a ruffled, heart-shaped design.

Shop now.

GreenRow Hannah Hand-Painted Dinnerware Collection

This 100% stoneware set features hand-painted florals that feel collected and is fully dishwasher- and microwave-safe

Shop now.

Estelle Colored Glass Rose Stemmed Wine Glasses

Hand-blown in Poland with a wide bowl and delicate stem, these pink-tinted wine glasses instantly elevate the table.

Shop now.

Welcome to Book It!, our monthly look at a buzzy new hotel or resort we’re excited about.

If you’ve ever fallen asleep in church, this one’s for you.

Hotel Lucile, Silver Lake’s divine new stay, takes a 1931 chapel and flips it into a design-forward sanctuary with stained glass, soaring arches and cocktails in place of communion.

What to Know:

The latest from Casetta Hotels, this 25-room boutique beauty is what happens when architecture, art and design align. From the outside, the property still resembles the original Pilgrim Church, steeple and all.

But inside, guests uncover a totally different vibe. Upstairs, the rooms strike the perfect balance between cozy and curated, featuring cool, design-forward furnishings, spacious and sleek bathrooms.

Rotating works by emerging artists fill the halls thanks to a partnership with Rhett Baruch Gallery, while a collab with neighborhood institution Skylight Books brings curated readings, author talks and literary events.

While a reimagined church might sound dramatic, Hotel Lucile is practicing what it preaches. Inside and out, it’s proof that Silver Lake’s chicest new stay knows exactly how to turn reverence into relevance.

Opening this summer. Book it before TikTok does.

Book here, rates from $390.

What to Pack:

Before you book your stay, don’t forget the fit. Hotel Lucile might as well be a design pilgrimage, so we pulled together an edit that matches the whole sacred-but-chic moment. Below, shop the pieces we’d pack to look right at home in Silver Lake’s coolest new sanctuary, and tap through to browse the full edit.

Every hotel or product on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. 

We The Free Jax Washed Bomber

Effortlessly cool in every way, this classic bomber jacket from We The Free is featured in a washed fabrication with knit ribbed trims for a cozy touch.

Shop now.

Jerry Oversized Sunglasses

Add retro flair to your ‘fit with these oversized geometric frames in a mixed-media fabrication with colored lenses, saddle nose bridge, and capped earpieces for added comfort.

Shop now.

Honey Textured Tube

A textured finish gives this staple tube top from Intimately the perfect dose of detail.

Shop now.

We The Free Norfolk Hip Belt

The absolute coolest addition to every style, this stunning hip belt from our We The Free collection is featured in a luxe leather fabrication with a defined metal buckle at center and subtle wearing throughout for a true lived-in look.

Shop now.

Return Of The Ruffle Maxi Slip Skirt

It’s ruffles galore with this cascading maxi slip from Intimately, featuring endless tiers of sheer mesh for a totally head-turning design.

Shop now.

Frye Campus 12R Boots

A relaxed take on the Campus 14L, these boots feature a shorter, slouchy design in a soft suede fabrication with pull tabs for easy wear and cushioned insoles for all-day comfort.

Shop now.

Share

📩 If you already get our daily newsletter, we apologize for the double dip. If you don’t, you can sign up for our it 👉🏽 here or check us out on Instagram.

• McDonald’s is going all in on “roe-mance” with a free McNugget Caviar kit for V-day.

• The New York Times shares its obligatory review of the revamped Babbo. Highlights include a 49 day old soup and passive-aggressive paccheri.

• Roses and chocolate? So basic. Your Valentine really wants hand raked blueberries.

• Jason Momoa has some thoughts on pineapple and Hawaiian pizza, none of them good.

• The Patriots just landed in SF and guess their first stop?

• These tasting menus left Grubstreet wanting more. And less.

• Wahlburgers is headed to...Home Depot?

• Manifesting works. This KFC Bowl-O-Tie exists because one fan asked, and the internet agreed.

• America has officially hit peak sauce, when hot sauce lives in purses and ketchup never leaves the car.

• Curling gets Scotch, figure skating gets a Paper Plane. VinePair shares a list of what to drink while watching every Winter Olympic sport.

• But, if you’re heading to Italy to watch IRL, you’ll be drinking the Frozen Spritz.

• Soup season hit the bar, this clam chowder martini proves savory cocktails are officially having a moment.

• Gen Z turned the cheapest fish into a wellness status move. Sardines are the new looksmax snack.

• DoorDash gives us time and takes our money. The guilt and freedom of food delivery unpacked.

• One olive, three or five, your martini garnish is a personality test.

• Free Ghirardelli chocolate drops Feb. 10, complete with a Chocolocket, alarms highly encouraged.

• “Travelscrimping” is a new corporate trend. But it does include chicken and dumplings, so there’s that.

• The hottest new thing in travel? Walking videos.

• If you’re heading to Japan, prepare to wear your trash.

• This new travel influencer is a doll. But will he be Kenough?

• Ski longer, pay less, dodge peak crowds—where to travel in March.

• Reed Hastings didn’t retire. The Netflix co-founder is building a private Utah ski resort.

• Delta just turned nonstop routes into coffee-table inspo with Wildsam x Delta City Guides, packing culture into a carry-on read.

• Your 2026 travel plan starts with a fork. The best dining destinations in 2026, according to Eater.

• Bookmark 2026’s best wellness escapes, according to Nat Geo, from Irish seaweed soaks to Maasai-led silent walks.

• Cruises promised equality, now come tiers, suites and VIP decks. Are ships drifting back to Titanic rules?

• Dubai just went vertical, the world’s tallest hotel is now open, infinity pool nearly

Read more

It’s game time. Whether you’re Team Seahawks, Team Pats or just Team Snacks, help is here to tackle game day.

If a tasty yet easy Super Bowl party spread = goals, Seattle-based entertaining expert Alexandra Hedin is making sure you don’t fumble the big day. The mom of three shares, “SUPERBOWL! We are a big football family. We’ve been talking about what we are going to eat for Super Bowl for at least a month now.”

Hedin, a self-proclaimed party girl, is the creator of the award winning blog, Weeknight Party Girl, and her simple approach to making everyday a reason to celebrate has made her an admired contributor to magazines, television, and the author of the cookbook Entertaining at Home.

Hedin’s golden rule: football food should hit hard without demanding constant attention.

Here’s her playbook to keep your head in the game:

Skip the Fryer

Her MVP move is skipping the fryer altogether and going all-in on pulled buffalo chicken. “I love a buffalo chicken sandwich, but usually the chicken is fried. But I hate frying food at home. It’s messy. It’s smelly. And it feels so unhealthy. So I decided to see how I felt about a ‘pulled chicken’ sandwich with buffalo and let me tell you - it’s awesome. It’s so simple to pull off and has all of the same flavors that make a buffalo chicken sandwich great.” Tossed in wing sauce, it’s the base for crowd favorites like buffalo chicken tots or piled-high sandwiches, all make-ahead friendly and stress-reducing.

Pack a Punch

When it comes to drinks, she’s anti-bartending. Batch cocktails or a bold punch keeps things flowing so no one misses a play. “I think a punch is the coolest. The less time you need to bartend or help friends digging around for drinks, the more time you can focus on the game and the ads! I love pouring big buckets of booze into a cute punch bowl. I also love that it’s a one and done kind of thing. Make a big batch and you won’t have to deal with it again for a while. What better time to not be tethered to the bar than Super Bowl?” Her favorites like the Seahawks ‘Beast Mode’ Punch or a Boozy Church Lady Punch can also be made booze-free for littles to enjoy. Bonus points for team-colored pours that double as décor.

It’s Always Crunch Time

“A crunchy snack is almost required for every party. I don’t make the rules - but it’s one of the key elements of an appetizer plate, a snack plate, or a football spread. For football, there’s something about crunching when nerves are running high.” Stressful fourth-down moments call for snacks with snap, think rosemary roasted cashews or ranch popcorn that can live on the table all game long.

Don’t Forget Dessert

Dessert deserves a moment and brownies are the quarterbacks here. “They’re fudgy and gooey and perfect for a ribbon of peanut butter or even with bacon. Salty, sweet, creamy, rich, perfect. This is the kind of thing I will make for a football watching party because they are done the day before, they are crazy rich so you don’t need a huge batch, and they are epic - so they will disappear fast! They are also not too hard to make, so they seem like you worked hard (homemade brownies!) but they are as simple as a regular cookie.” Her Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies or Double Bacon Brownies keep energy high through the final whistle.

Make It a Field Day

Her final hosting hack? Turn your coffee table into a field. Cover it with astroturf, load it with food and let everyone stay locked on the screen. Hosting should be fun, not fussy. And on Super Bowl Sunday, the couch is king.

If you’re ready for kickoff, start with these picks. Shop the full edit here.

^{Every product on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

Big Game Football Felt Flags

Rally your guests and show your team spirit with two classic pennants—one brown with football laces and one green with bold “GAME DAY” lettering—perfect for adding a sporty touch to your tailgate or watch party décor.

Shop now.

Football Icon Double Old Fashioned Glass

A game-day juice glass with a football icon that makes every sip feel like kickoff, cute enough for mocktails, strong enough for the real stuff.

Shop now.

Frasier Sterling Football Linen Blend Cocktail Napkins

Linen-blend cocktail napkins with football flair that keep spills in check.

Shop now.

Faux Grass Table Runner

A faux-grass table runner that gives you instant “field” energy for snack stations and coffee tables, no craft degree required.

Shop now.

Pottery Barn Football Stoneware Appetizer Plates

Stoneware appetizer plates with a football motif that handle everything from wings to brownies and make even takeout feel party-ready.

Shop now.

Share

Some stays whisper. The Cottages at Little Saint sing.

Tucked just behind Little Saint, a restaurant and events venue in downtown Healdsburg, California, the Cottages at Little Saint feel like a love letter to Laurel Canyon, rewritten for wine country.

Designed by Ken Fulk, the four cottages are color-drenched and unapologetically whimsical. Hand-painted checkerboard floors, vintage-inspired wallpaper, aged brass fixtures and trompe l’oeil armoires create spaces that feel layered and lived-in.

Every room tells its own story, right down to the vinyl collection, with nods to Joni Mitchell and The Rolling Stones, and a late 1960s and ’70s creative energy when art, music and community blurred together.

The trend at play here is intentional eclecticism. Little Saint lands in the sweet spot, mixing nostalgia and modern comfort. It feels collected over time. Design is shifting away from perfection toward spaces that feel broken-in.

Custom bath products from local makers, vinyl waiting to be spun and front porches built for lingering reinforce the idea that good design should support how we actually live, gather and slow down.

Not headed to Healdsburg soon? Here’s how to get the look at home:

Shop the full edit here.

^{Every product on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

MINDTHEGAP The Flowering Floral Wallpaper

A bold, romantic floral in punchy pink, layering old-world pattern with a fresh, modern edge that makes any room feel collected.

Shop now.

Poppy Coral Embroidered Window Curtain

The naturally flecked cotton panels are printed with a striped pattern and trimmed with an embroidered trailing vine, bringing texture and whimsy to any room.

Shop now.

Zia Tile, Ellsworth Milk & Marmot

These artisan-made, architectural-grade ceramic tiles are 1,000 years of tradition in the making. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor installations, and can accommodate more extreme climates.

Shop now.

Vintage Traditional Dutch Dining Chairs in Oak

A sculptural dining chair crafted from solid American white oak with softly curved lines and customizable upholstery.

Shop now.

Pair of French Vintage Gilt Framed Watercolor Paintings

A pair of vintage French watercolor paintings by Roger Caillete, one figurative and one landscape, they are set within matching gilt frames allowing them to be displayed together or separately to contemplate each one’s unique perspective and technique.

Shop now.

Share

Flowers are so 2025.

This Valentine’s Day, food bouquets have become shorthand for modern romance. Taking over as the go-to gift, trading traditional florals for charcuterie, cupcakes, pickles and even corn dogs. These tasty takes on edible arrangements strike a balance between thoughtfulness and humor, offering something that looks good on camera but doesn’t end up in the trash a few days later.

Here are a few of our faves for your hungry heart:

^{Every product on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

Corn Dog Bouquet

We’re crowning Queen of Country, Reba McEntire, as the OG of the trend after she was gifted a corn dog bouquet during her 40th Grand Ole Opry anniversary party.

Wisconsin Cheese Wedges of Love

This isn’t a cheese box. It’s a love letter written in wedges. All the drama of a bouquet of roses and the indulgence of fine chocolate, reimagined as cheese.

Shop now.

Texas Road House Bread Roll Bouquet

If carbs are your love language, @snackwire embraces the DIY spirit with the Texas Road House Bread Roll Bouquet. Because nothing says love like ‘a tub of cinnamon butter.’

Grillo’s Pickles Pickle Bouquet

A briny, bold, oversized pickle “arrangement,” served in a collectible glass vase.

Shop now.

KFC Fried Chicken Bouquet

Crispy chaos that screams commitment. While you can’t order this bouquet (the pic featured was for Mother’s Day,) TikTokker @breerox recreated a dude-centric dupe that any fried chicken lover will take home for the night.

Cupcake Bouquet

The only sweet option on our list, this $20 bakery hack mimics fresh florals, but with piped frosting.

Charcuterie Bouquet

Cue the naughty pepperoni jokes. This Valentine’s Day, love looks like a snack.

Share Late Checkout

Welcome to Book It!, our monthly look at a buzzy new hotel or resort we're excited about.

If Rwanda’s on your bucket list, you just scored the inside tip.

Sitting pretty on Rebero Hill in the capital city of Kigali, The Pinnacle Kigali is a new nine-suite retreat giving “private estate meets Bond villain hideout” in the best way. Think personal butler, a Dolby Atmos cinema and even a four-lane bowling alley.

What to Know:

Independently owned by Rwandan entrepreneur Sheila Kyarisiima, sustainability runs the show. The property runs on solar, harvests rainwater, uses electric vehicles, composts like a pro and cut out single-use plastics altogether.

The Pinnacle mixes global polish with hometown soul: bespoke furniture, deep soaking tubs and a pan-African art collection that could double as a gallery crawl. Four restaurants keep things interesting, a kitchen garden supplies the herbs, the Champagne lounge handles the celebrations and the 1,000-bottle wine cellar is a choose-your-own adventure.

It’s luxe without trying too hard and perfectly placed for anyone trekking with gorillas or just buzzing through Kigali. The kicker: a departure-day perk that lets you lounge by the pool for free. You deserve this kind of upgrade.

Book here, rates from $3,090.

What to Pack:

A hotel this chic deserves a suitcase to match. Shop the full edit here.

^{Every product on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

Maeve V-Neck Wool Blend Sweater

This tailored sweater works for chilly mornings or evening cocktails. Pair with jeans for casual daytime look or silk pants for night.

Shop now.

Reformation Carolina Silk Pants

Silky paints with a feminine lace edging are comfortable yet sexy.

Shop now.

Resin Drop Hoop Earrings

Expertly crafted from tortoise resin, this teardrop-shaped statement hoop is finished with a 12-karat gold-plated brass inner rim, securing with a click-top closure for ease. Bold yet sleek, it can be styled back to your casual day looks, office attire, or your favorite swim for an elevated pop.

Shop now.

Bibi Lou Netted Jelly Mules

This Spainish shoe line crafts shoe and boot collections that celebrate quality, versatility, and importantly, the creative spirit. These jelly mules are great for poolside or rooftop.

Shop now.

📩 If you already get our daily newsletter, we apologize for the double dip. If you don’t, you can sign up for our it 👉🏽 here or check us out on Instagram.

• Columbia Sportswear x Breakside Brewery’s new beer is “Nature Calls.” We’ll leave that there.

• Are we ready for the era of Big Parma?

• The New York Times time travels back to 2016 with a check-in to SF’s Mister Jiu’s. There’s a duck flex, rowdy lobster and flavors are thumping.

• Has pumpernickel become a ‘flavor of yesteryear?’ Grubstreet investigates.

• When can we sound the death knell on the protein trend? Oh, here we go.

• The New Yorker goes full theater nerd at Wild Cherry, embracing the drama and weirdness, but def not the flabby skin.

• Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Bill Addison checks out Broken Spanish Comedor, Ray Garcia’s updated modern Mexican that feels timely and welcome.

• Breaking news for all you spicy bloody fans: Absolut x Tabasco is here.

• Just in time for Easter, the KFC x Frankford collab just dropped. Gravy jelly beans? Here 👏 For 👏 It 👏!

• For those still watching, Top Chef dropped the trailer for Season 23 and it’s “game changing.” Sharpening our knives.

• Chinese wine is taking flight.

• Food is no longer fashion’s side dish. The food trends driving fashion in 2026.

• Seaweed, cheese foam and MSG walk into a bar. Bartenders predict 2026’s cocktail flavors are going savory.

• Sweethearts are getting real with messages like “split rent” and “cook for two.” Romance is inflation-aware.

• Dumb tourists, ruining everything.

• Church seating is canceled, Southwest moves to assigned seats.

• Peace out plastic bags! The UK finally relaxes limits on liquids.

• Air Mail writes about checking in and selling out – boutique hotels going over to the dark side.

• Road trips are overrated, why train travel is the smartest way to visit top national parks.

• Over the Cotswolds? Quiet lanes, cliffside walks, and a buzzy new stay make Dorset the countryside detour to know.

• Luxury resorts and $3M listings are rewriting the future of Montana’s fastest-growing mountain town.

• Algorithm fatigue is sending Gen Z elsewhere, under-the-radar cities are winning in 2026.

• The surprise hit of menopause retreats is validation and rest.

• Delta just rolled out a new business travel hub, promising clearer perks, fewer calls and upgrades without the runaround.

• Folklore meets girls’ trip energy. Inside Switzerland’s annual witches ski race.

• It’s not just who you know anymore. Why members’ club hotels sell belonging over status.

• Desert silence or mountain steam? The best hot springs resorts in the U.S. let the water set the pace.

• The Wall Street Journal is feeling the 2016 trend. Which means it’s officially over.

• Welp, not so fast. Bustle takes a voyage back in time, too.

• Let the Super Bowl schticks begin! Heinz is up first with KegChup. Yes, it’s exactly

Read more

This small Alabama town is giving big farm-to-fork energy.

You don’t stumble into Fairhope, Alabama by accident. Tucked along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, this coastal town punches way above its weight when it comes to food and charm.

The setting for Hallmark movies and a recent Reese Witherspoon production, Fairhope is a longtime hidden gem where Southerners have flocked for decades. But, word has gotten out and Fairhope is ready for its closeup.

If anyone knows where to eat (and why it matters), it’s Bentley Evans, a Fairhope native and co-founder of The Hope Farm and Little Bird, two restaurants that anchor the town’s farm-to-fork identity.

He’s sharing the inside scoop on where to book a bayfront stay, which restaurants are actually worth your time and what to do when you’re not eating.

If Fairhope wasn’t on your list before, it should be now.

Read more