Artificial intelligence (AI) is making a lot of headlines right now. Tools like ChatGPT and visual art generators are shocking audiences with their creativity, lucidity and function. Investment in everyday business-focused AI and machine learning is accelerating exponentially, with more sophisticated options appearing in the market.
AI is poised to shift the way companies operate in many industries. As a product executive for a life sciences company, I’m often asked when AI will revolutionize our industry. The answer: Realizing the wider benefits from AI for quality and manufacturing professionals may be out of reach until critical changes are implemented.
AI can be a transformative and valuable tool for healthcare companies today—most, however, aren’t ready to adopt helpful solutions. For one thing, functional AI requires large quantities of digitized data, and many life science practitioners are still storing data in paper notebooks, logbooks and binders. There’s much that would need to change before companies of all sizes could benefit from AI.
The following are key first steps before AI can be effective without putting companies and consumers at risk. Digital maturity is the foundation of life science quality and manufacturing benefitting from AI. This can be a big step for smaller companies that still utilize paper records in daily work.
AI will provide the most accurate findings, predictions and recommendations only when it has access to wider, more complete data about your manufacturing and quality processes. For example, an AI model designed to understand which portions of your manufacturing process are contributing to product defects can only consider the data within its view.
For a comprehensive view of variables, you’ll need to ensure the model has access to data about your suppliers, materials, equipment, quality processes and each step of your manufacturing process. When stripped of the ability to consider the right data factors, an AI model will draw false correlations and incorrect conclusions.
Connecting your data from across systems within your company will help ensure that you (and your AI) have an accurate and comprehensive view. Utilizing master data management will help ensure that data is uniform, consistent, understandable and appropriately modeled, providing the right information for your analytics and AI initiatives.
For example, if the materials used in your product manufacturing have different names in each software system, the AI won’t understand that each ID represents the same material. This prevents the model from having a complete understanding of the role that material plays in your overall process.
Overcoming the sizable challenge of digitizing and connecting data right now may be enough to disqualify many life science companies from achieving value from AI.
Develop a clear vision of the problems you want to solve.
When life science companies are thinking about adopting AI, one of the most important considerations in the implementation is that the margins of error in production are minuscule. Any mistakes don’t just lead to a product recall or downturn in business—they could be life-threatening.
Developing a clear understanding of your company’s challenges and where AI can help is an important early step toward implementation. In many industries, it can work to adopt a technology tool first and then identify problems and use cases appropriate for the solution.
However, the inherent risks and challenges in manufacturing for life science companies make that approach unwise. For AI to provide benefits, we must identify areas with a high volume of relevant data and a reasonable margin for error.
For example, AI can evaluate data resulting from your manufacturing process, proactively monitoring and detecting production runs and environments in which the risk of potential defects is higher than the norm. Then, it can make recommendations for further investigation and testing.
Human oversight and intervention can initially validate findings and ensure that the model is performing well and becoming more accurate over time. In this way, AI can be used to minimize risk on the manufacturing floor in a safe and controlled way.
It’s also important when utilizing AI in life sciences to ensure that models are explainable, with mechanisms for clearly demonstrating its conclusions. And in the highly regulated world of life science manufacturing, it’s also critical to ensure that models are utilizing data in compliance with industry regulations. By first identifying areas in which AI can provide real value without heightening risk, companies can get the most out of technology investments while maintaining high safety standards.
Embrace the benefits and limitations of AI.
AI is an advanced technology, but it still has limited understanding—it only “knows” the information to which you’ve given it access. This means an AI model oriented to making recommendations will do so even without sufficient data—that’s how it’s been programmed. To avoid false findings and conclusions, you must ensure that the data consumed by your AI models is complete and offers a holistic view of the problem.
When given access to the appropriate data, AI can help recognize patterns in manufacturing, supplier and quality data that aren’t detectable to the human eye. For example, a human might notice that more defects come out of a batch when an oven is set to 375 degrees Fahrenheit rather than 360 degrees. However, an AI model might be able to recommend that 363 degrees is the optimal temperature for the lowest number of defects. Or, when a substitute material from a specific supplier is used, the temperature actually ought to be 366 degrees.
AI opens a world of potential benefits for life science companies. To make the leap, most life science companies will have foundational steps to take before their efforts can bear fruit. Companies that are serious about attaining these benefits must determine what they hope to achieve with AI, ensure that the relevant data exists in their digital ecosystem and then take initial, cautious steps with an eye toward minimizing risk.
Founder & CEO of MovoCash, Inc., where he’s combining the best of banking & blockchain through MOVO, a highly secure payment card platform.
Aspects of the fintech industry are in decline (e.g., stock price and valuation), and one cause may be a lack of security and an all-out assault by fraudsters (scammers, bad actors, etc.). A downturn in the economy doesn’t help, either.
Here are two issues and what users can do about them today, in simple terms.
1. First, fintech fraud can happen when scammers are able to sign up and use their app accounts to steal your money and launder it. Let’s stop the bad actors at sign-up.
2. Second, fraud can happen when valid users get scammed by giving their primary credit or debit card info to pay vendors they don’t know well (fraudsters as vendors). Let’s not give anyone the keys to our house or to our fintech balances.
Here are a few use cases that can help the non-expert better understand these security issues both at sign-up and during card use. See the suggested hints below for ideas to stop fraudsters.
Use Case #1: Find out if your fintech uses “push” and/or “pull” techniques to move your money into and out of your fintech account.
In a pull format, a fraudster can pretend to be you from within the fintech app (using your stolen credentials) and access your bank account via pull-access tools that act as the “middleman” between your fintech app and your bank. Then, they can send your money into their fraudulent fintech accounts, where it can be sent and spent freely.
That’s a major exposure. In a push format, the sender of money (you) must be inside of your trusted financial institution’s system/portal (your bank) and have full and secure access to all your money. Then you can confidentially send (push) it into your fintech account. That’s a lot harder for a fraudster to accomplish and means it’s far more likely to be you and not a bad actor.
Hint: Push for (look for) push only.
Use Case #2: Ideally, never give your primary card info (16 digits, expiration date and CVC) to anyone online or offline, be it card-on-file, for a subscription, a membership, a dinner or to pay for any product or service. Especially where the vendor has any capability to charge you more than you decided to initially pay them or the capability to charge you again at the end of some period, even after you told them to stop. Unfortunately, vendors can be scammers as well.
Hint: Look for multiuse virtual cards that disconnect from the primary card and its balances. These secondary cards can be instantly created and funded for the exact payment amount and be added to a digital wallet (e.g., Apple Pay, PayPal or similar) for hands-free ease of use without a physical card in hand. This gives you options and better control of your money when sending or spending it.
Another approach that can help is using PayPal to protect your primary credit or debit card, but even PayPal can have issues that can put users at risk of fraud. Fraud can hit both buyers and sellers, per government studies.
Use Case #3: The harder it is to sign up, the better! I know that’s tough to accept. But if a fintech lets you in too easily, then your assets are not as safe as they could be, as bad actors may be looking to join as users and create problems for you. Yes, it’s a pain to prove who you are sometimes, but without that, your money isn’t as safe and secure. And it’s mainly at sign-up. Just make sure your fintech is well known, highly rated and FDIC insured so you can share your personal info with confidence.
Hint: Don’t give up just because fintech wants to know so much about you. It’s actually a good sign and in your best interests!
Use Case #4: Be sure your fintech consistently monitors activity to watch for potentially fraudulent activity and then takes action, where necessary. If you’re a good user and they raise an issue with you, don’t be upset. In the long run, such security works to your advantage and the entire community.
Hint: Expect scrutiny along the way; it’s a good thing.
Use Case #5: Lastly, don’t be lax with card use just because you think the fintech and/or underlying bank will simply cover you in case of any fraudulent activity. They may cover you, but there are situations where they may not (e.g., if you’re slow in reporting the fraud), and the hassle factor is huge when having to change any and all legitimate and trusted card-on-file relationships you have. Plus, there are differences in the protection guarantees between credit cards and debit cards that may surprise you.
Hint: Don’t take unnecessary risks with your card info; it may eventually come back to bite you.
Per Bankrate.com: “Credit cards offer a few fraud protection benefits that debit cards don’t. Nearly all of today’s top credit cards offer zero fraud liability on unauthorized charges, which means you won’t owe a penny on any charge determined to be fraudulent. Debit cards also limit your fraud liability but require you to report your lost or stolen card within two business days to limit your liability to $50.
If you report after two business days but before 60, your liability goes up to $500. If just your debit card number is stolen and not the card itself, you are not liable for unauthorized charges, as long as you report them within 60 days of receiving your statement.”
Conclusion: Some of the potential solutions to fintech fraud issues are obvious and available today, as pointed out above. (Disclosure: My company provides such fintech solutions.) Once addressed industrywide, fintech has a bright future with a seemingly endless set of features, functions and benefits in the queue. Choose wisely and be aware of the use cases and liability protections discussed above.
The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.
The partnership lets FTX exchange users in 40 countries easily spend their bitcoin and cryptocurrencies at any merchant that accepts Visa cards.
FTX is launching bitcoin and crypto-backed debit cards in 40 countries.
The exchange partnered with Visa and will focus on Latin America, Asia and Europe.
The offering is available to US users, and the partnership will now be extended internationally.
Visa has partnered with one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, FTX, to launch bitcoin and cryptocurrency debit cards internationally, per a press release.
“The debit cards, which are linked directly to a user’s FTX accounts, are currently available in the United States and are now being rolled out globally in over 40 additional countries, including many across Latin America,” p[er The next phase of the rollout for the FTX-branded Visa debit cards is expected in Europe before the end of the year, with additional regional launches planned for 2023.
Visa, along with its competitors in the marketplace, continues to hold that users of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies still want to use their holdings as a medium of exchange, even amid a bear market downturn.
“Even though values have come down, there’s still steady interest in crypto,” said Visa CFO Vasant Prabhu, per the release. The debit cards simply connect to FTX’s platform enabling users to spend the digital assets in their wallets without needing to remove the assets from the exchange’s platform.
“We don’t have a position as a company on what the value of cryptocurrency should be, or whether it’s a good thing in the long run –– as long as people have things they want to buy, we want to facilitate it,” said Prabhu.
Visa’s major competitor, Mastercard, has also partnered with a number of different companies to offer bitcoin and crypto-backed debit cards. American Express has reportedly expressed interest in offering a similar product as well, though its CEO said it likely would not be “anytime soon.”
FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried discussed Visa and other payment providers entering the ecosystem in a CNBC report: “There’s a decision you have to make as a traditional payments company: do you want to lean into this or do you want to fight against it? I respect the fact that many of them are leaning into it.”
Spending cryptocurrency may become a lot easier. FTX, one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges, has partnered with payments giant Visa to roll out debit cards in 40 countries worldwide.
The move would allow FTX users to pay for goods and services using debit cards that boast “zero fees.” Plus, card ownership is free, according to the company website.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the most influential person in crypto according to Cointelegraph’s Top 100 in 2022, has long touted his desire to unveil an FTX debit card. His company’s decision to partner with legacy payment rails — as opposed to crypto payment rails such as the Lightning Network — aligns with his views that the future of Bitcoin
The FTX token, the native cryptocurrency of the FTX trading platform, spiked 7% on the news, reaching highs of $25.62. The token’s all-time high is some way off, however, at almost $80.
Spending cryptocurrency may become a lot easier. FTX, one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges, has partnered with payments giant Visa to roll out debit cards in 40 countries worldwide.
The move would allow FTX users to pay for goods and services using debit cards that boast “zero fees.” Plus, card ownership is free, according to the company website.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the most influential person in crypto according to Cointelegraph’s Top 100 in 2022, has long touted his desire to unveil an FTX debit card. His company’s decision to partner with legacy payment rails — as opposed to crypto payment rails such as the Lightning Network — aligns with his views that the future of Bitcoin .
The FTX token, the native cryptocurrency of the FTX trading platform, spiked 7% on the news, reaching highs of $25.62. The token’s all-time high is some way off, however, at almost $80.
Regions Financial Corp., which serves customers in 16 states in the South and Midwest, is one of several regional banks offering preferred stock yields higher than 6%. Getty
In a year when prices of both stocks and bonds have fallen in concert, some think preferred equity now combines the best of both worlds for investors with cash to spare who are still wary of taking on the risk of the stock market. Preferred stock, a type of equity most commonly issued by financial institutions or utilities companies, is issued at a face value, usually $25, and offers regular dividend payments to shareholders.
Unlike bonds, preferred stocks have no maturity date when the principal must be repaid, though a company can redeem a class of preferred stock anytime after the “call date” provided for each issue. In a worst-case scenario of liquidation, owners of preferred stock are repaid before common stockholders, but after bondholders if any assets remain. If banks reduce dividend payments like some did during the 2008 financial crisis, they’re typically required to pay preferred dividends in full before bringing regular dividends back to normal as well.Many issues of preferred stock are offering yields of over 6% now after price declines driven by higher interest rates. Bank certificates of deposit are yielding as much as 3.5%, high enough that billionaire investor Ray Dalio reversed course on his oft-repeated axiom and said “I no longer think cash is trash” on Monday. 10-year Treasury yields have climbed near 4% too, but investors who are looking for higher steady interest payouts with limited additional risk could look toward these preferreds at regional banks that few think are in any serious trouble.
“This downturn is something that banks are prepared for. They haven’t overlent to the housing segment and there are much better underwriting standards than were in place in the 2000s leading up to the housing crisis,” says Argus analyst Stephen Biggar. “The health of the underlying equities I’m not concerned about, but this market is anything goes. People are bidding things to extremes–rates to high extremes and stocks to low extremes–but you’ve got to look at this as a long-term owner.”
Biggar singled out preferred stock at regional banks like KeyCorp KEY , Fifth Third Bank FITB , Regions Financial or PNC as fairly safe buys. Martin Fridson, CEO of Income Securities Advisors and editor of Forbes’ Income Securities Investor newsletter, highlighted southern bank Synovus Financial Corp. and First Republic Bank FRC , which caters to high net worth clientele in affluent areas like southern California, Palm Beach and New York, as additional recommendations.
Biggar prefers the regional banks to multinational Wall Street giants, which are more impacted by a slowdown in deal underwriting and M&A activity, and has little concern about their ability to ride out a moderate recession. “You don’t just aim for the highest yield because they tend to get there for a reason,” says Biggar. “You want to be comfortable as if you’re buying the equity in the company. That means strong, stable banks that don’t have outsized exposure.”
During the Great Recession, preferred stock yields generally rose as high as 8% to 9%, so prices could still fall further. But Fridson thinks there’s less risk in preferreds than in corporate “junk” bonds, whose yields are also climbing. The effective yield of the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield index is 9.37%, its first time above 9% since a brief spike in March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, but since Treasury yields are also climbing, the risk-reward profile is less appetizing.
The spread between the high-yield index and benchmark Treasury yields is 543 basis points, according to Factset. Fridson says that’s still close to the normal range, which averages 467 basis points during non-recessionary periods, and the spread can exceed 1,000 basis points during a recession. The BofA U.S. High Yield Index spiked as high as 22% in November 2008, when corporate insolvency concerns reached a crescendo. The index’s total return so far this year is -14%, but if yields continue rising to anywhere near that 2008 level, it could get a lot worse.
“It’s hard to make the case that there’s been an irrational stampede out of high-yield bonds and they’re giving them away,” Fridson says. “Preferreds are definitely a place to look for some pretty secure returns, given the quality of the parent companies in a lot of these cases.”
I’m a reporter on Forbes’ money team covering investing trends and Wall Street’s difference-makers. I’ve reported on the world’s billionaires for Forbes’ wealth team
Dividend yield is a stock’s annual dividend payments to shareholders expressed as a percentage of the stock’s current price. This number tells you what you can expect in future income from a stock based on the price you could buy it for today, assuming the dividend remains unchanged.
For example, if a stock trades for $100 per share today and the company’s annualized dividend is $5 per share, the dividend yield is 5%. The formula is annualized dividend divided by share price equals yield. In this case, $5 divided by $100 equals 5%.
It’s important to realize that a stock’s dividend yield can change over time either in response to market fluctuations or as a result of dividend increases or decreases by the issuing company. So the yield is not set in stone. It’s most useful as a metric to help determine if a stock trades for a good valuation, to find stocks that meet your needs for income, and to let you know that a dividend may be in trouble.
Most stocks pay quarterly dividends, some pay monthly, and a few pay semiannually or annually. To determine a stock’s dividend yield, you need to annualize the dividend by multiplying the amount of a single payment by the number of payments per year — four for stocks that pay out quarterly and 12 for monthly dividends.
If you’re looking to collect dividends as often as possible, stocks that pay monthly may be ideal. Most (though not all) monthly payers are REITs, or real estate investment trusts. This category of companies benefits from some tax advantages that allow them — actually, require them — to pay above-average dividends.
One of the most popular is Realty Income (NYSE:O), which we can use as an example. As of June 2022, the most recent dividend was $0.247 per share, and the share price was $66.44. Let’s use the formula in the previous section to determine the dividend yield.
A monthly dividend of $0.247 times 12 equals an annualized dividend of $2.964 (rounded). That $2.96 dividend divided by a share price of $66.35 equals a dividend yield of 4.5%.
If you’re calculating a stock’s yield, be careful. Don’t just assume that the next dividend payment will be equal to the last. Companies occasionally issue special dividends, and dividends can also get cut. Take the time to research the company and make sure the dividend yield you think a stock will pay matches up with reality.
The dividend yield shown on many popular financial websites can also be misleading. These sites often report trailing dividend yields, and sometimes they still show a yield that’s no longer accurate even after a company has announced a dividend cut……
Existing home sales fell for the seventh straight month in August as rising interest rates continued to sideline potential home buyers, and prices are finally starting to fall from record highs as experts project that the next few months could help ease the housing sector’s long-standing affordability crisis.
Existing home sales ticked down 0.4% from July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.8 million in August, down from 6 million one year ago after declines across the U.S., according to data released Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors.
In a statement, NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun called the housing sector “most sensitive to” the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes and said the softness in home sales reflects this year’s escalating mortgage rates, which peaked at 6% last week and have driven up the cost of monthly payments on new mortgages by more than 55%, an average of hundreds of dollars each month.
Amid the falling demand, the median existing home price has tumbled from a record high of $413,800 in June to $389,500 in August, down for a second straight month to the lowest level since March after breaking a five-month streak of gains.
The 7.7% yearly uptick in August home prices was the slowest year-over-year increase since June 2020, and NAR projects the median existing home price could fall more than 5% to $380,000 by the end of this year.
Others are eyeing steeper losses: In a Wednesday note, Pantheon Macro chief economist Ian Shepherdson said he expects a “sustained decline” in the sector through next spring, with prices falling as much as 20% from their peak by the middle of next year and in time helping rent inflation, which climbed 7% year over year last month, come down next year.
“Sales lag mortgage applications, which continue to fall and point to further significant declines,” Shepherdson said, predicting sales are on course to drop by another 10% or so within the next two months and adding that “even that might not be the low,” depending on what happens to mortgage rates over the next few weeks.
“Inventory will remain tight in the coming months and even for the next couple of years,” Yun says. “Some homeowners are unwilling to trade up or trade down after locking in historically low mortgage rates in recent years, increasing the need for more new-home construction to boost supply.”
On Wednesday, real estate brokerage Redfin reported that the ten regions where housing is cooling the fastest are almost all either costly West Coast markets, or places that drew scores of relocating home buyers during the pandemic and became significantly less affordable. They include San Jose, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Denver.
“Housing, in short, is in recession, and everything connected to housing either is in recession now or soon will be, but the rest of the economy is not in recession because a regular housing downturn is not enough to crash the 90% of [gross domestic product] that is not housing,” says Shepherdson.
I’m a senior reporter at Forbes focusing on markets and finance. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I double-majored in business
Fall has arrived and if you think your home needs a little upgrading after the summer, you’re probably right. But while most people associate fall decor with pumpkin spice, the color brown, tacky statement pillows, or home fragrances that smell like food, a fall refresh doesn’t have to mean any of this. We’re not quite ready for the holidays, so there is plenty of time to focus on spaces such as bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms by adding fresh bedding, chic accessories and luxurious home fragrances. From new launches to old favorites, here’s everything your home needs right now.
Still working from home? Say farewell to ordinary office chairs. Why not upgrade your comfort and style at the same time with a chic office chair from Elizabeth Sutton Collection? After all, you need to sit somewhere. With several styles available and a choice of gold or silver casters, and a white or black frame, these add a true pop of fun to any workspace.
Trying to manifest more this fall? It’s easy when you’re burning a Jill & Ally The Elements Crystal Candle. The brand is owned by everyone’s favorite New York Housewife Jill Zarin. Choose from blue agate (water), red agate (fire), green fluorite (earth), or clear quartz (air). Whether you use this candle as part of a manifestation ritual or just as decor, it’s a great way to add color or change the vibe of a room instantly. When the candle is finished burning, keep the crystal.
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth, this cool yet stylish portrait is the perfect way to pay tribute to Her Majesty in a living room, bedroom, or even dining room. Available in two sizes, it has been selling like hot crumpets. If you’re the only queen in your home, Cheery Designs has a great selection of unique pieces that might be more suitable.
Got too much sand in your sheets this summer? Treat yourself to something new. Boll and Branch recently launched a super luxurious Reserve Sheet Set. Made from the longest staple 100 percent organic cotton available, it’s impossible to go wrong with these sheets. Get ready for the silk-like feel to help lull you to sleep.
Those with more modern tastes will appreciate The Citizenry’s Stone Washed Linen Sheet Set. Available in a variety of colors and styles, including White, Olive, and Gingham, these sheets are a great way to warm up a modern bedroom. Don’t forget a linen bathrobe to match.
Launching on September 21st, Weezie Shower Curtains are the ideal bathroom accessory in a traditional to contemporary style bathroom. They complement the brand’s signature monogrammed towels instantly elevating the space to new levels of sophistication. Choose from two sizes and blue or grey scalloped edges.
However, if it is your kitchen that needs a little something extra, the L’Avant Collective Marble Dish Soap Kitchen Counter Tray will automatically boost your sink space. Made from the finest white Banswara marble and featuring brass accent details, it’s a chic way to display all of your favorite L’Avant Collective products.
Jenni Kayne’s cookware collaboration with Staub couldn’t possibly be any more stylish if the designer tried. Made in France, the White Truffle hue is the epitome of magnifique. Choose from an Oval Gratin or a Round Cocotte dish in a choice of two sizes. Each one has an exclusive nickel steel knob. It’s the perfect marriage of understated and jaw-dropping.
This topaz tumbler from curated online marketplace Berner and Co is a sleek way to serve everything from sparkling water to cool cocktails at your Fall soiree (or just to make any meal feel a bit more festive). Take your tablescape to brand new heights with these fabulous drinking vessels.
Speaking of tablescapes, there’s no easier way to create one than with The Bouqs new fall flower collection. Whether you prefer white arrangements, something with crimsons and oranges, or perhaps plants instead of flowers, there is something for every aesthetic. Better yet, with a subscription, you can send a monthly arrangement to yourself or to someone else and change it up each month.
But if you want to buy an arrangement and have it last for up to a year, it’s impossible to go wrong with Venus Et Fleur. The new stone collection is a welcome upgrade from the brand’s signature packaging. While the marble vessels are undeniably luxe, the sandstone vases are a great complement to a minimalist room. Choose from a variety of roses and other arrangements.
Forget books of matches and disposable plastic lighters, Seth Rogen has figured out a way for matches to go upscale with the Houseplant Pebble Match Strike. It looks like two stones, but open up this modern objéct to find a stash of matches. Keep it on a bar cart, side table or to decorate a bookshelf.
But sometimes fires aren’t always welcome, which is why it’s important for every home to have a fire extinguisher within reach. Fortunately, Weston Table makes decorative and functional ones. Choose from a variety of styles from constellations to whale and dog designs. This also makes a smart housewarming gift. Ten percent of sales are donated to the National Parks Foundation.
Fable recently launched a gorgeous collection of dinnerware perfect for any fall table. Cool and modern, the green color is a simple way to add a rustic hue to your table, whether you’re having a dinner party or just want to make things look nicer every day.
But those with more traditional tastes will absolutely fawn over Dondolo’s tabletop collaboration with dress designer Sue Sartor. Choose from Peony White or Peony Pale Blue Dinner Plates and Salad Plates. Each item is handcrafted and unique. Don’t forget to add the matching placemats and napkins. What a dreamy way to bring a touch of the south to any table.
Neon Lace’s Drink Dresses serve the same purpose as wine charms without looking hideous. Available in linen or lace, these decorative accessories make everything from wine to coupe glasses look all dressed up for the party.
Why shouldn’t your fridge have a designer touch? These cute Kate Space food containers are the perfect way to store leftover food. The Floral Fields pattern has a lively vintage vibe with a bamboo top that reads “Anything is possible.” Far nicer to eat from on the go than a standard glass food container, it makes any leftover meal taste just a little bit better.
But if your pantry shelves or refrigerator are in desperate need of a makeover, Home+Sort’s line of organizers with mDesign will check every box. From airtight jars perfect for rice to lovely lattice baskets made for holding snacks or boxes of pasta, you will wonder how you ever lived without this indispensable product line.
If you like to display olive oil in the kitchen or on the table, why not choose a delicious one with a stylish bottle such as Branche Olive Oil? This farm-to-bottle extra virgin olive oil is made with olives from the south of Spain. With clean, modern packaging and a wood stopper, design is key here. No 1 has a bolder flavor and features a green bottle while No 2 has a milder flavor and has a white bottle.
Looking for an environmentally friendly way to clean up? Arbour Every Day Spray is the perfect way to do it. This fragrance-free spray works hard to clean up grease, grime, and everyday dirt quickly. Best of all, it is totally safe, non-toxic, and antimicrobial.
If you’re trying to cut down on plastic, live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, or simply dislike those cumbersome bottles of detergent or messy powders— you will love Ecos Plastic-Free Dishwasher Detergent Sheets. Just put a sheet in the soap compartment (you need to fold it a few times) and turn it on your desired setting. Your dishes will come out sparkling clean.
Traditional devotees will love the Coley Porter Side Table. It’s so versatile that it can work as a bedside table, a desk for smaller spaces, or even as a petite bar in a living room or dining room. Available through the brand’s quick ship program, it can be customized with a selection of fabrics and shipped in just ten days.
Why just grab some ice from the refrigerator when you can display it in a beautiful ice bucket from Katie Kime? The ultimate bar cart accessory, this bucket is available in lucite, gold and silver as well as more than 37 patterns and colors. Don’t forget to add a monogram. This also makes a very thoughtful gift, especially for someone who frequently entertains.
Make this lucite dish from ArtSugar the true star of your coffee table or nightstand. Perfect for jewelry, tiny candies or just to be decorative, it’s a great accessory for any surface that needs a touch of fun.
Looking for some extra inspiration for your renovations this fall? Interior designer Anne Hepfer’s book Mood has all the inspiration you need. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but this book’s bold royal blue cover is showstopping. Just wait until you see all the beautiful projects featured inside the pages.
Want your home to smell like heaven all the time? Inspired by the scent of exotic white flowers, the Kai Reed Diffuser gets pretty close. With a modern square bottle and brown reeds, it’s a truly decorative accent that also makes a very thoughtful gift. Better yet, it’s free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and phosphates. Not into reed diffusers? Candles and room spray are also available in the brand’s signature as well as Rose scents.
But if you prefer to diffuse an essential oil, opt for the Aroma Om Stone Diffuser in stone. Clean and minimalist looking, it features a matte finish and ceramic cover. It mists for up to three hours and shuts off automatically. It can also light up and be used as a nightlight.
34 boulevard Saint Germain is the newest fragrance from famed perfumer Diptyque. The chic candle is packaged in an opaline glass vessel and features notes of black current leave, moss, and florals. It has a spicy woodsy scent that’s undeniably sophisticated. Make any room feel perfectly on brand this fall.
Pets are great, but the odors they create leave much to be desired, especially on carpets and upholstery. Fortunately, Zoop is amazing at getting rid of pet odors and stains. Best of all, it has a fresh scent (not a chemical scent) and each bottle lasts for months. Stock up before it gets sold out again.
Are your knives feeling a little dull? Upgrade this season with a set of highly functional knives that just happen to be sleekly designed. Material knives are made from Japanese stainless steel and high carbon. This set includes a bread knife, paring knife, and chef’s knife. The sage handles simply stun.
There’s nothing that feels like a fresh, new tea towel. Magic Linen Ruffle Trim Linen Tea Towels are just so pretty and classic. Whether you’re drying off plates every day or a platter post-dinner party, these tea towels are a must. Match any kitchen with twelve different colors and prints from neutrals to shades of blue and stripes.
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