Birdie
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June 18, 2025

June 18, 2025

In this week's Birdie, we're decluttering your kitchen cabinet nightmare, cracking the code on marriages that actually last, and serving up drone deliveries plus AI baby-making breakthroughs. Plus, why your snooze button is sabotaging you, a 30-minute steak dinner that tastes fancy, and the wall trend that's either genius or peak Pinterest nonsense.

TL;DR: Organize smarter, love better, and maybe stop hitting snooze.

AROUND THE WEB

🍳The kitchen hack your jeans will thank you for.

🚁Your groceries are about to literally fly to you.

✈️The one weekday when airports don't suck.

📧Plot twist: 'Unsubscribe' might backfire.

⏰Why your snooze button is sabotaging you.

💰The 401(k) number that'll make you panic or celebrate.

HOME

Kitchen cabinet reality check.

Your kitchen cabinets are basically a game of Tetris, but with expired curry powder and that weird gadget you bought three years ago.

THE SOLUTION: The Kitchn's Cabinet Cure — a 10-step program to transform your cabinets from chaos to chef's kiss.

HERE’S THE TEA:

Start with the three-box method: toss, donate, and "maybe" (for when you're not ready to admit defeat on that bread maker). Then channel your inner detective and check expiration dates — that 2019 paprika isn't adding flavor, just taking up space.

The golden rule? If you haven't used it in a year, it's time to say goodbye. Yes, even those fancy wine glasses collecting dust since your last dinner party in 2022.

PRO MOVES:

Match all your Tupperware lids (revolutionary, we know)
Keep 8 water glasses max — you're not running a restaurant
Try the Pomodoro method: 25 minutes of decluttering, 5-minute break, repeat

THE REALITY CHECK: You probably have 47 coffee mugs but only drink from the same 2. It's time to let the others find homes where they'll actually be appreciated.

BOTTOM LINE: Your future self will thank you when you can actually find the measuring cups without performing kitchen cabinet Jenga.

Ready to dive in? Check out The Kitchn's full guide for all the step-by-step details. Your cabinets (and your sanity) will thank you.

RELATIONSHIPS

Marriage math that adds up.

What separates couples who make it 50+ years from those who tap out after the honeymoon phase?

THE RESEARCH: Psychologist John Gottman studied newlyweds and checked back in six years later. Spoiler alert: it's not about never fighting.

THE FORMULA FOR GOING THE DISTANCE:

Know your person. We're talking deeper than their coffee order. Understanding their triggers, dreams, and what makes them tick means you can show up with empathy instead of eye rolls.
Body language speaks volumes. Literally turn toward each other when talking. Arms crossed and checking your phone = relationship disaster mode. Face them, speak gently, and save the defensive posture for actual emergencies.
Answer the "bids." When they ask "How was your day?" don't grunt from behind your laptop. When they want to share a funny TikTok, lean in. If you're swamped, try: "I want to hear this — can we talk after I finish XYZ?"
Fight better, not less. Healthy couples don't avoid conflict — they come back together afterward. Take space to cool down, then actually address what happened instead of pretending it never occurred.
Know thyself. You can't communicate your needs if you don't know what they are. Understanding your own triggers and childhood baggage helps you show up as a better partner.

THE REALITY CHECK: Your spouse isn't your therapist, your mind reader, or your emotional dumping ground. They're your teammate.

BOTTOM LINE: Great marriages aren't built on never having problems — they're built on how you handle them together.

Wall drapes are officially replacing those cringe accent walls from 2003. Instead of one painted feature wall, designers are now covering entire walls floor-to-ceiling with curtain panels — even walls without windows. The result? Instant luxury hotel vibes and a cozy, textured look that actually feels intentional (unlike that random burgundy wall we all pretended was chic).

SNIPPETS

A mom discovered one ridiculously simple photo trick that helped her lose 100 pounds without counting calories or restrictive diets.

HGTV's Erin Napier just revealed a genius $20 hack that transforms ugly appliances into custom designer pieces without buying new ones.

A groundbreaking AI robot can now find viable sperm in "impossible" cases, giving hope to thousands of couples who've been told they'll never conceive naturally.

DID YOU KNOW? It took a shocking two full years for enslaved people in Galveston, Texas to learn they had been freed by Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation — which is exactly why we now celebrate Juneteenth as a federal holiday on June 19th. The delayed news that changed everything for millions of Americans has a story you probably never learned in school.

Garlic Brown Sugar Flank Steak with Chimichurri

This sweet-meets-tangy combo is about to become your new weeknight obsession. The brown sugar creates an incredible caramelized crust on the flank steak, while the bright, herby chimichurri cuts through all that richness perfectly. Two simple components that create restaurant-quality flavor at home — and it's ready in under 30 minutes.

Get the recipe →

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