James Fishman | Sunstone Online

Pantone Shifts Focus with 2026 Color

Pantone, the global authority on color standards, is best known for its color matching system used across fashion, design, and manufacturing. Each year, the company selects a Color of the Year to reflect broader shifts in culture, consumer behavior, and visual preferences. For 2026, Pantone has announced Cloud Dancer, a soft white shade.

In past years, Pantone’s annual choices have leaned towards colors that felt expressive or emotionally charged. Bold colors and rich tones have been used to signal optimism, confidence, creativity, or a response to uncertainty. These selections have influenced everything from clothing collections to product packaging and interior design.

The 2026 choice signals a change in direction. Cloud Dancer is restrained and subtle. Instead of relying on intensity or contrast, the color focuses on simplicity. The shade reflects a growing interest in calm environments and more intentional design choices, especially in a time when visual noise has become harder to escape.

As a clean neutral, Cloud Dancer adapts easily across categories. In interior spaces, it works as a light and flexible backdrop. When used in product packaging, it offers a soft, minimal base that works across different product categories. In fashion and branding, it favors clean lines and subtle styling that lasts over time instead of chasing statement trends.

Pantone’s choice for 2026 points to a broader move towards clarity and ease. The focus shifts away from strong visual expression and towards balanced colors that feel practical, steady, and supportive of everyday life.

Cozy Holiday Self-Care

The holidays are supposed to be magical, but in real life they often feel more like a juggling act. Between work, family plans, money worries, and all the expectations floating around, it’s easy to end up exhausted just trying to keep up. That’s exactly why holiday self-care matters: not as another thing on your to-do list, but as a way to protect your energy so you can actually enjoy the season instead of just surviving it.

Start by easing up on the pressure you put on yourself. The decorations don’t have to be perfect, the food doesn’t have to be flawless, and you don’t have to say yes to every single invite. It’s completely fine to turn down a party, leave early, or choose a quiet night at home when you’re drained. Setting gentle boundaries with friends and family might feel awkward at first, but being honest about what you can handle usually leads to better moments together, not worse ones.

Emotions can run high this time of year, especially if you’re missing someone, feeling lonely, or just not in a “festive” mood. Let yourself feel what you feel instead of forcing constant cheer. Talking with a trusted person, writing things down, or simply naming your emotions out loud can make them feel less heavy. And while it sounds basic, the small things really help: getting enough sleep, eating in a way that leaves you feeling nourished, and moving your body in gentle ways like walking, stretching, or dancing in the kitchen.

In the end, the holidays don’t need to look like a movie to be worth celebrating. If you end up in comfy clothes on the couch, sipping something warm and laughing with one person you love (including your own company), that counts as a win. Take care of yourself, lower the bar a little, and let the cozy, imperfect magic find you.

A Fresh Take on Modern Kitchen Style

Modern kitchens are becoming flexible spaces where people cook, gather, and relax. The look of these rooms is shaped by simple design choices and new ideas that make everyday life easier.

One of the most noticeable features today is the statement backsplash. Homeowners enjoy using bold patterns, bright colors, textured glass, or natural stone to add depth and interest. Recently, many kitchens also feature fluted cabinetry and open shelving. These details keep the space minimal while adding a warm, personal touch through displayed glassware or ceramics.

Hidden storage continues to be a favorite. Toe kick drawers, deep corner cabinets with rotating trays, pull out spice racks, and appliance garages help keep the kitchen organized. These ideas support a clean layout and make it easier to move around the room.

The modern kitchen island has become a central gathering spot. Many islands now include built in sinks, ovens, charging stations, and flexible seating. This turns the island into a place for both cooking and spending time with others. Seamless countertops with integrated sinks remain popular for their simple and cohesive look.

Warm and natural colors are shaping current styles. Wood tones, sage green, terracotta, and muted blues are common. Two tone cabinetry with darker bases and lighter uppers creates gentle contrast. Indoor outdoor living also influences design. Durable materials and outdoor friendly cabinetry help kitchens flow into exterior spaces. Technology adds convenience through voice activated appliances and touchless faucets. Sustainability plays an important role as well, with many choosing recycled glass, reclaimed wood, and other eco friendly materials. Different cultural styles blend together, creating kitchens that feel personal and inviting. All of these ideas come together to create kitchens that feel easy to live in, comfortable to gather in, and truly connected to the way people want to use their homes today.

Thanksgiving Science & Tasty Traditions

Thanksgiving is packed with traditions, myths, and chemistry that make the meal so memorable. From plant-based roasts to sleepy post-dinner slumps, science has a lot to say about what ends up on the table.

Tofurky and Modern Mains

For those skipping meat, Tofurky offers a tasty centerpiece made from tofu and wheat protein, usually stuffed with seasoned rice, herbs, and mushrooms. It was created for health-conscious eaters and has since grown into a global favorite, with millions sold in tens of thousands of stores. Another perk is convenience: a Tofurky roast cooks in a couple of hours instead of the all-day commitment a whole turkey can require.

The Real Story on Tryptophan

Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps the body make important molecules like serotonin and niacin, but turkey is not uniquely loaded with it. Similar or higher amounts appear in foods like chicken, beef, oats, eggs, cheese, and pork, yet those meals do not have the same sleepy reputation. The drowsy feeling after Thanksgiving dinner usually comes from eating large portions, especially carbohydrate-rich sides and desserts, rather than from turkey alone.

Juicy Turkey Through Chemistry

Turkey meat is about three-quarters water, and long roasting at high heat can drive much of that moisture out, leaving the meat dry. Brining—a simple overnight soak in salt water—helps the muscle fibers loosen and draw in extra water so the bird stays juicy during cooking. This salt-driven chemistry means more tender slices and less reliance on a full boat of gravy to save the meal.

A Cozy Thanksgiving Send-Off

As the plates are cleared and the last slice of pie somehow disappears, it is fun to remember that every bite of Thanksgiving is its own little science experiment. From tofu turkeys to post-feast yawns and perfectly brined birds, the holiday table is a blend of tradition, curiosity, and a whole lot of gratitude. So gather close, pass the stuffing one more time, and enjoy a cozy, science-filled Thanksgiving with the people you’re thankful for.

Is It Bad to Exercise Before Bed?

Timing and Intensity Matter

Let’s talk about working out before bed—something a lot of people wonder about, especially if evenings are the only time they can squeeze in exercise. You might have heard that doing a workout late at night will wreck your sleep. But the truth is, recent research says it really depends on how intense your workout is and how close it is to bedtime. For example, if you’re finishing up a tough run or a heavy weightlifting session within four hours of turning in, you might have a tougher time falling asleep, and your sleep probably won’t feel as refreshing. That’s because your body stays revved up even after you’re done, making it harder to settle down for the night.

Going Easy Is Often Better

But here’s where things get interesting. If your workout is more on the gentle side—think slow jog, steady walk, or relaxing yoga—and you’re finished well before hitting the pillow, your sleep usually stays undisturbed. In fact, lots of people find that moving earlier in the day, or sticking to mellow evening exercise, helps them drift off easier and sleep through the night. It’s those hardcore sessions, squeezed in just before bedtime, that most commonly mess with your shut-eye.

Finding Your Own Sweet Spot

It’s also true that everyone’s different. Some folks can do a full workout late in the evening and still sleep like a baby, while others might notice even a quick gym session throws off their sleep. That’s why it helps to experiment: pay attention to how your own body responds. If you want the best chance at deep, restful sleep, aim for your tougher workouts earlier in the day, and save stretching or a casual stroll for later. If you find yourself tossing and turning, consider tweaking when you exercise to see what works best for you. Regular movement is great for your health and sleep—just don’t forget to give yourself a little time to wind down before calling it a night.

Reviving History with Modern Engineering

What happens when centuries-old imagination meets today’s technology? At the University of Melbourne, two students recently brought an extraordinary piece of history to life—a mechanical volcano first envisioned in 1775, designed to showcase the fiery spectacle of Italy’s Mount Vesuvius.

The Origin: Science Meets Art in the 1700s

Sir William Hamilton, a British ambassador with a passion for volcanoes, originally conceived the idea over 250 years ago. Inspired by a dramatic watercolor of flowing lava by Pietro Fabris, Hamilton sketched a device that would simulate glowing eruptions using light and motion. While his mechanical volcano was never constructed in his lifetime, a detailed sketch survived in the Bordeaux Municipal Library, offering clues for a modern build.

Bringing the Volcano to Life

Fast forward to 2025: Dr. Richard Gillespie from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology rallied students to reconstruct Hamilton’s concept. Master’s students Xinyu (Jasmine) Xu and Yuji (Andy) Zeng took up the challenge, spending three months in the university workshop. Using laser-cut timber, acrylic, LED lighting, and electronic control systems, they translated Hamilton’s clockwork wishes into a functioning model that erupts with light—a modern interpretation of an 18th-century dream.

Learning by Doing: Skills for a New Generation

For the students, the experience was as much about learning and collaborating as it was about building. Jasmine Xu found her programming, soldering, and physics skills pushed to new heights. Andy Zeng discovered the importance of balancing light and mechanics, so the volcano’s magic felt real but the inner workings stayed hidden.

Guided by research engineer Andrew Kogios, the pair navigated challenges like choosing the right materials, 3D printing parts, and troubleshooting electronics. Kogios highlighted how such hands-on projects prepare students for their future by letting them problem-solve creatively and work as a team.

See the Volcano in Action

The finished model is now a centerpiece at “The Grand Tour,” an exhibition running at the University of Melbourne’s Baillieu Library until June 28, 2026. It offers a captivating look at how curiosity, engineering, and artistry can come together, bridging centuries and sparking new interest in the marvels of nature and invention.