diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/app/globals.css b/thoughts-frontend/app/globals.css
index dc98be7..8fa309e 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/app/globals.css
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/app/globals.css
@@ -41,28 +41,28 @@
   --radius-md: calc(var(--radius) - 2px);
   --radius-lg: var(--radius);
   --radius-xl: calc(var(--radius) + 4px);
+
+  /* Frutiger Aero Gradients */
+  --gradient-fa-blue: 135deg, hsl(217 91% 60%) 0%, hsl(200 90% 70%) 100%;
+  --gradient-fa-green: 135deg, hsl(155 70% 55%) 0%, hsl(170 80% 65%) 100%;
+  --gradient-fa-card: 180deg, hsl(var(--card)) 0%, hsl(var(--card)) 90%,
+    hsl(var(--card)) 100%;
+  --gradient-fa-gloss: 135deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2) 0%,
+    rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 100%;
+
+  --shadow-fa-sm: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1), 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06);
+  --shadow-fa-md: 0 4px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1), 0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06);
+  --shadow-fa-lg: 0 10px 15px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1), 0 4px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);
+  --fa-inner: inset 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
+
+  --text-shadow-default: 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
+  --text-shadow-sm: 0 1px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
+  --text-shadow-md: 0 2px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
+  --text-shadow-lg: 0 4px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
 }
 
 :root {
-  --radius: 0.625rem;
-  --background: oklch(1 0 0);
-  --foreground: oklch(0.145 0 0);
-  --card: oklch(1 0 0);
-  --card-foreground: oklch(0.145 0 0);
-  --popover: oklch(1 0 0);
-  --popover-foreground: oklch(0.145 0 0);
-  --primary: oklch(0.205 0 0);
-  --primary-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --secondary: oklch(0.97 0 0);
-  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.205 0 0);
-  --muted: oklch(0.97 0 0);
-  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.556 0 0);
-  --accent: oklch(0.97 0 0);
-  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.205 0 0);
   --destructive: oklch(0.577 0.245 27.325);
-  --border: oklch(0.922 0 0);
-  --input: oklch(0.922 0 0);
-  --ring: oklch(0.708 0 0);
   --chart-1: oklch(0.646 0.222 41.116);
   --chart-2: oklch(0.6 0.118 184.704);
   --chart-3: oklch(0.398 0.07 227.392);
@@ -76,27 +76,40 @@
   --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.205 0 0);
   --sidebar-border: oklch(0.922 0 0);
   --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.708 0 0);
+
+  --background: hsl(0 0% 98%); /* Light off-white */
+  --foreground: hsl(222.2 47.4% 11.2%);
+
+  --muted: hsl(210 20% 96.1%);
+  --muted-foreground: hsl(215.4 16.3% 46.9%);
+
+  --popover: hsl(0 0% 100%);
+  --popover-foreground: hsl(222.2 47.4% 11.2%);
+
+  --card: hsl(0 0% 100%); /* Pure white for a crisp look */
+  --card-foreground: hsl(222.2 47.4% 11.2%);
+
+  --border: hsl(214.3 31.8% 91.4%);
+  --input: hsl(214.3 31.8% 91.4%);
+  --ring: hsl(222.2 47.4% 11.2%);
+
+  --primary: hsl(217 91% 60%); /* Vibrant Blue */
+  --primary-foreground: hsl(210 40% 98%);
+
+  --secondary: hsl(155 70% 55%); /* Vibrant Green */
+  --secondary-foreground: hsl(210 40% 98%);
+
+  --destructive: hsl(0 84.2% 60.2%);
+  --destructive-foreground: hsl(210 40% 98%);
+
+  --accent: hsl(210 20% 96.1%);
+  --accent-foreground: hsl(222.2 47.4% 11.2%);
+
+  --radius: 0.75rem; /* Larger border radius */
 }
 
 .dark {
-  --background: oklch(0.145 0 0);
-  --foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --card: oklch(0.205 0 0);
-  --card-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --popover: oklch(0.205 0 0);
-  --popover-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --primary: oklch(0.922 0 0);
-  --primary-foreground: oklch(0.205 0 0);
-  --secondary: oklch(0.269 0 0);
-  --secondary-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
-  --muted: oklch(0.269 0 0);
-  --muted-foreground: oklch(0.708 0 0);
-  --accent: oklch(0.269 0 0);
-  --accent-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
   --destructive: oklch(0.704 0.191 22.216);
-  --border: oklch(1 0 0 / 10%);
-  --input: oklch(1 0 0 / 15%);
-  --ring: oklch(0.556 0 0);
   --chart-1: oklch(0.488 0.243 264.376);
   --chart-2: oklch(0.696 0.17 162.48);
   --chart-3: oklch(0.769 0.188 70.08);
@@ -110,13 +123,143 @@
   --sidebar-accent-foreground: oklch(0.985 0 0);
   --sidebar-border: oklch(1 0 0 / 10%);
   --sidebar-ring: oklch(0.556 0 0);
+
+  --background: hsl(222.2 47.4% 11.2%);
+  --foreground: hsl(210 40% 98%);
+
+  --muted: hsl(217.2 32.4% 14.8%);
+  --muted-foreground: hsl(215 20.2% 65.1%);
+
+  --popover: hsl(222.2 47.4% 11.2%);
+  --popover-foreground: hsl(210 40% 98%);
+
+  --card: hsl(217.2 32.4% 14.8%);
+  --card-foreground: hsl(210 40% 98%);
+
+  --border: hsl(217.2 32.4% 14.8%);
+  --input: hsl(217.2 32.4% 14.8%);
+  --ring: hsl(212.7 26.8% 83.9%);
+
+  --primary: hsl(217 91% 60%); /* Vibrant Blue (same as light) */
+  --primary-foreground: hsl(210 40% 98%);
+
+  --secondary: hsl(155 70% 55%); /* Vibrant Green (same as light) */
+  --secondary-foreground: hsl(210 40% 98%);
+
+  --destructive: hsl(0 62.8% 30.6%);
+  --destructive-foreground: hsl(210 40% 98%);
+
+  --accent: hsl(217.2 32.4% 14.8%);
+  --accent-foreground: hsl(210 40% 98%);
+
+  /* Frutiger Aero Gradients for dark mode (slightly adjusted) */
+  --color-fa-gradient-blue: linear-gradient(
+    135deg,
+    hsl(217 91% 45%) 0%,
+    hsl(200 90% 55%) 100%
+  );
+  --color-fa-gradient-green: linear-gradient(
+    135deg,
+    hsl(155 70% 40%) 0%,
+    hsl(170 80% 50%) 100%
+  );
+  --color-fa-gradient-card: linear-gradient(
+    180deg,
+    hsl(var(--card)) 0%,
+    hsl(var(--card)) 90%,
+    hsl(var(--card)) 100%
+  );
 }
 
 @layer base {
   * {
     @apply border-border outline-ring/50;
   }
+
   body {
     @apply bg-background text-foreground;
+    background: linear-gradient(
+      135deg,
+      hsl(var(--background)) 0%,
+      hsl(var(--background)) 70%,
+      hsl(var(--primary) / 0.1) 100%
+    );
+  }
+
+  .glossy-effect::before {
+    content: "";
+    position: absolute;
+    top: 0;
+    left: 0;
+    right: 0;
+    height: 50%;
+    border-radius: var(--radius); /* Inherit parent's border radius */
+    background: linear-gradient(
+      180deg,
+      rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4) 0%,
+      rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1) 100%
+    );
+    opacity: 0.8;
+    pointer-events: none; /* Allow clicks to pass through */
+    z-index: 1; /* Ensure it's above the background but below content */
+  }
+
+  .glossy-effect.bottom::after {
+    content: "";
+    position: absolute;
+    bottom: 0;
+    left: 0;
+    right: 0;
+    height: 30%;
+    border-radius: var(--radius);
+    background: linear-gradient(
+      0deg,
+      rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0%,
+      rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%
+    );
+    pointer-events: none;
+    z-index: 1;
+  }
+
+  .fa-gradient-blue {
+    background: linear-gradient(var(--gradient-fa-blue));
+  }
+  .fa-gradient-green {
+    background: linear-gradient(var(--gradient-fa-green));
+  }
+  .fa-gradient-card {
+    background: linear-gradient(var(--gradient-fa-card));
+  }
+  .fa-gloss {
+    position: relative;
+  }
+  .fa-gloss::before {
+    content: "";
+    position: absolute;
+    top: 0;
+    left: 0;
+    right: 0;
+    height: 50%;
+    border-radius: var(--radius);
+    background: linear-gradient(var(--gradient-fa-gloss));
+    opacity: 0.8;
+    pointer-events: none;
+    z-index: 1;
+  }
+  .fa-gloss.bottom::after {
+    content: "";
+    position: absolute;
+    bottom: 0;
+    left: 0;
+    right: 0;
+    height: 30%;
+    border-radius: var(--radius);
+    background: linear-gradient(
+      0deg,
+      rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0%,
+      rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 100%
+    );
+    pointer-events: none;
+    z-index: 1;
   }
 }
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/app/users/[username]/page.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/app/users/[username]/page.tsx
index d9fdf91..4c51630 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/app/users/[username]/page.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/app/users/[username]/page.tsx
@@ -96,7 +96,11 @@ export default async function ProfilePage({ params }: ProfilePageProps) {
               <div className="flex justify-between items-start">
                 <div className="flex items-end gap-4">
                   <div className="w-24 h-24 rounded-full border-4 border-background shrink-0">
-                    <UserAvatar src={user.avatarUrl} alt={user.displayName} />
+                    <UserAvatar
+                      src={user.avatarUrl}
+                      alt={user.displayName}
+                      className="w-full h-full"
+                    />
                   </div>
                 </div>
                 {/* Action Button */}
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/header.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/header.tsx
index fd7cf24..507ecc8 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/header.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/header.tsx
@@ -5,22 +5,22 @@ import Link from "next/link";
 import { Button } from "./ui/button";
 import { UserNav } from "./user-nav";
 import { MainNav } from "./main-nav";
-import { ThemeToggle } from "./theme-toggle";
 
 export function Header() {
   const { token } = useAuth();
 
   return (
-    <header className="sticky top-0 z-50 w-full border-b bg-background/95 backdrop-blur supports-[backdrop-filter]:bg-background/60">
-      <div className="w-full flex h-14 items-center px-2">
+    <header className="sticky top-0 z-50 flex justify-center w-full border-b border-primary/20 bg-background/80 backdrop-blur-xl supports-[backdrop-filter]:bg-background/60 glossy-effect bottom">
+      <div className="container flex h-14 items-center px-2">
         <div className="flex gap-2">
           <Link href="/" className="flex items-center gap-1">
-            <span className="hidden font-bold sm:inline-block">Thoughts</span>
+            <span className="hidden font-bold text-primary sm:inline-block">
+              Thoughts
+            </span>
           </Link>
           <MainNav />
         </div>
         <div className="flex flex-1 items-center justify-end space-x-2">
-          <ThemeToggle />
           {token ? (
             <UserNav />
           ) : (
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/popular-tags.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/popular-tags.tsx
index 9464f68..83fed69 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/popular-tags.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/popular-tags.tsx
@@ -23,22 +23,25 @@ export async function PopularTags() {
   }
 
   return (
-    <Card>
-      <CardHeader>
-        <CardTitle>Popular Tags</CardTitle>
+    <Card className="p-4">
+      <CardHeader className="p-0 pb-2">
+        <CardTitle className="text-lg text-shadow-md">Popular Tags</CardTitle>
       </CardHeader>
-      <CardContent className="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
+      <CardContent className="flex flex-wrap gap-2 p-0">
         {tags.map((tag) => (
           <Link href={`/tags/${tag}`} key={tag}>
             <Badge
               variant="secondary"
-              className="hover:bg-accent cursor-pointer"
+              className="hover:shadow-lg transition-shadow text-shadow-sm cursor-pointer"
             >
               <Hash className="mr-1 h-3 w-3" />
               {tag}
             </Badge>
           </Link>
         ))}
+        {tags.length === 0 && (
+          <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">No popular tags yet.</p>
+        )}
       </CardContent>
     </Card>
   );
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/thought-card.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/thought-card.tsx
index 2ee86a0..ab7cfcb 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/thought-card.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/thought-card.tsx
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import {
 } from "lucide-react";
 import { ReplyForm } from "@/components/reply-form";
 import Link from "next/link";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 interface ThoughtCardProps {
   thought: Thought;
@@ -83,16 +84,19 @@ export function ThoughtCard({
     <>
       <div
         id={thought.id}
-        className={!isReply ? "bg-card rounded-xl border shadow-sm" : ""}
+        className={cn(
+          "bg-card/70 backdrop-blur-lg shadow-fa-md rounded-xl overflow-hidden glossy-effect bottom",
+          isReply ? "backdrop-blur-sm shadow-fa-sm p-2" : ""
+        )}
       >
         {thought.replyToId && isReply && (
-          <div className="px-4 pt-2 text-sm text-muted-foreground flex items-center gap-2">
-            <CornerUpLeft className="h-4 w-4" />
+          <div className="text-sm text-muted-foreground flex items-center gap-2">
+            <CornerUpLeft className="h-4 w-4 text-primary/70" />
             <span>
               Replying to{" "}
               <Link
                 href={`#${thought.replyToId}`}
-                className="hover:underline text-primary"
+                className="hover:underline text-primary text-shadow-sm"
               >
                 parent thought
               </Link>
@@ -100,16 +104,18 @@ export function ThoughtCard({
           </div>
         )}
       </div>
-      <Card>
+      <Card className="mt-2">
         <CardHeader className="flex flex-row items-center justify-between space-y-0">
           <Link
             href={`/users/${author.username}`}
-            className="flex items-center gap-4"
+            className="flex items-center gap-4 text-shadow-md"
           >
             <UserAvatar src={author.avatarUrl} alt={author.username} />
             <div className="flex flex-col">
               <span className="font-bold">{author.username}</span>
-              <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">{timeAgo}</span>
+              <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground text-shadow-sm">
+                {timeAgo}
+              </span>
             </div>
           </Link>
           <DropdownMenu>
@@ -138,11 +144,13 @@ export function ThoughtCard({
           </DropdownMenu>
         </CardHeader>
         <CardContent>
-          <p className="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words">{thought.content}</p>
+          <p className="whitespace-pre-wrap break-words text-shadow-sm">
+            {thought.content}
+          </p>
         </CardContent>
 
         {token && (
-          <CardFooter className="border-t px-4 pt-2 pb-2">
+          <CardFooter className="border-t px-4 pt-2 pb-2 border-border/50">
             <Button
               variant="ghost"
               size="sm"
@@ -155,7 +163,7 @@ export function ThoughtCard({
         )}
 
         {isReplyOpen && (
-          <div className="border-t p-4">
+          <div className="border-t p-4 border-border/50 bg-background/50 backdrop-blur-sm">
             <ReplyForm
               parentThoughtId={thought.id}
               onReplySuccess={() => setIsReplyOpen(false)}
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/thought-thread.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/thought-thread.tsx
index 3de3aca..9d0fcf4 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/thought-thread.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/thought-thread.tsx
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ export function ThoughtThread({
       />
 
       {directReplies.length > 0 && (
-        <div className="pl-6 border-l-2 border-dashed ml-6 flex flex-col gap-4 pt-4">
+        <div className="pl-6 border-l-2 border-primary/30 border-dashed ml-6 flex flex-col gap-4 pt-4">
           {directReplies.map((reply) => (
             <ThoughtThread // RECURSIVE CALL
               key={reply.id}
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/top-friends.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/top-friends.tsx
index 494d4d8..4ea6db4 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/top-friends.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/top-friends.tsx
@@ -14,12 +14,12 @@ export async function TopFriends({ usernames }: TopFriendsProps) {
 
   if (usernames.length === 0) {
     return (
-      <Card>
-        <CardHeader>
-          <CardTitle>Top Friends</CardTitle>
+      <Card className="p-4">
+        <CardHeader className="p-0 pb-2">
+          <CardTitle className="text-lg text-shadow-md">Top Friends</CardTitle>
         </CardHeader>
-        <CardContent>
-          <p className="text-center text-muted-foreground">
+        <CardContent className="p-0">
+          <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
             No top friends to display.
           </p>
         </CardContent>
@@ -40,19 +40,19 @@ export async function TopFriends({ usernames }: TopFriendsProps) {
     .map((result) => result.value);
 
   return (
-    <Card>
-      <CardHeader>
-        <CardTitle>Top Friends</CardTitle>
+    <Card className="p-4">
+      <CardHeader className="p-0 pb-2">
+        <CardTitle className="text-lg text-shadow-md">Top Friends</CardTitle>
       </CardHeader>
-      <CardContent className="grid grid-cols-4 gap-4">
+      <CardContent className="p-0">
         {friends.map((friend) => (
           <Link
             href={`/users/${friend.username}`}
             key={friend.id}
-            className="flex flex-col items-center gap-2 text-center group"
+            className="flex items-center gap-3 py-2 px-2 -mx-2 rounded-lg hover:bg-accent/50 transition-colors"
           >
             <UserAvatar src={friend.avatarUrl} alt={friend.username} />
-            <span className="text-xs font-medium truncate w-full group-hover:underline">
+            <span className="text-xs truncate w-full group-hover:underline font-medium text-shadow-sm">
               {friend.displayName || friend.username}
             </span>
           </Link>
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/badge.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/badge.tsx
index 0205413..adf337a 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/badge.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/badge.tsx
@@ -1,29 +1,28 @@
-import * as React from "react"
-import { Slot } from "@radix-ui/react-slot"
-import { cva, type VariantProps } from "class-variance-authority"
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Slot } from "@radix-ui/react-slot";
+import { cva, type VariantProps } from "class-variance-authority";
 
-import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 const badgeVariants = cva(
-  "inline-flex items-center justify-center rounded-md border px-2 py-0.5 text-xs font-medium w-fit whitespace-nowrap shrink-0 [&>svg]:size-3 gap-1 [&>svg]:pointer-events-none focus-visible:border-ring focus-visible:ring-ring/50 focus-visible:ring-[3px] aria-invalid:ring-destructive/20 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive/40 aria-invalid:border-destructive transition-[color,box-shadow] overflow-hidden",
+  "inline-flex items-center rounded-full border px-2.5 py-0.5 text-xs font-semibold transition-colors focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-ring focus:ring-offset-2",
   {
     variants: {
       variant: {
         default:
-          "border-transparent bg-primary text-primary-foreground [a&]:hover:bg-primary/90",
+          "border-transparent bg-primary text-primary-foreground hover:bg-primary/80 glossy-effect bottom text-shadow-sm",
         secondary:
-          "border-transparent bg-secondary text-secondary-foreground [a&]:hover:bg-secondary/90",
+          "border-transparent bg-secondary text-secondary-foreground hover:bg-secondary/80 glossy-effect bottom text-shadow-sm", // Use green for secondary
         destructive:
-          "border-transparent bg-destructive text-white [a&]:hover:bg-destructive/90 focus-visible:ring-destructive/20 dark:focus-visible:ring-destructive/40 dark:bg-destructive/60",
-        outline:
-          "text-foreground [a&]:hover:bg-accent [a&]:hover:text-accent-foreground",
+          "border-transparent bg-destructive text-destructive-foreground hover:bg-destructive/80 glossy-effect bottom text-shadow-sm",
+        outline: "text-foreground glossy-effect bottom text-shadow-sm",
       },
     },
     defaultVariants: {
       variant: "default",
     },
   }
-)
+);
 
 function Badge({
   className,
@@ -32,7 +31,7 @@ function Badge({
   ...props
 }: React.ComponentProps<"span"> &
   VariantProps<typeof badgeVariants> & { asChild?: boolean }) {
-  const Comp = asChild ? Slot : "span"
+  const Comp = asChild ? Slot : "span";
 
   return (
     <Comp
@@ -40,7 +39,7 @@ function Badge({
       className={cn(badgeVariants({ variant }), className)}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
-export { Badge, badgeVariants }
+export { Badge, badgeVariants };
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/button.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/button.tsx
index a2df8dc..6844aca 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/button.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/button.tsx
@@ -1,31 +1,34 @@
-import * as React from "react"
-import { Slot } from "@radix-ui/react-slot"
-import { cva, type VariantProps } from "class-variance-authority"
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Slot } from "@radix-ui/react-slot";
+import { cva, type VariantProps } from "class-variance-authority";
 
-import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 const buttonVariants = cva(
   "inline-flex items-center justify-center gap-2 whitespace-nowrap rounded-md text-sm font-medium transition-all disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:opacity-50 [&_svg]:pointer-events-none [&_svg:not([class*='size-'])]:size-4 shrink-0 [&_svg]:shrink-0 outline-none focus-visible:border-ring focus-visible:ring-ring/50 focus-visible:ring-[3px] aria-invalid:ring-destructive/20 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive/40 aria-invalid:border-destructive",
   {
     variants: {
       variant: {
+        // Default button gets blue gradient, gloss, and shadows
         default:
-          "bg-primary text-primary-foreground shadow-xs hover:bg-primary/90",
-        destructive:
-          "bg-destructive text-white shadow-xs hover:bg-destructive/90 focus-visible:ring-destructive/20 dark:focus-visible:ring-destructive/40 dark:bg-destructive/60",
-        outline:
-          "border bg-background shadow-xs hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-foreground dark:bg-input/30 dark:border-input dark:hover:bg-input/50",
+          "fa-gradient-blue text-primary-foreground shadow-fa-md hover:bg-primary/90 active:shadow-fa-inner transition-transform active:scale-[0.98] glossy-effect",
+        // Secondary gets green gradient
         secondary:
-          "bg-secondary text-secondary-foreground shadow-xs hover:bg-secondary/80",
-        ghost:
-          "hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-foreground dark:hover:bg-accent/50",
+          "fa-gradient-green text-secondary-foreground shadow-fa-md hover:bg-secondary/90 active:shadow-fa-inner transition-transform active:scale-[0.98] glossy-effect",
+        // Ghost and Link should be more subtle
+        ghost: "hover:bg-accent hover:text-accent-foreground rounded-lg", // Keep them simple, maybe a slight blur/gloss on hover
         link: "text-primary underline-offset-4 hover:underline",
+        // Outline button for a transparent-ish, glassy feel
+        outline:
+          "border border-input bg-background/80 hover:bg-accent/80 hover:text-accent-foreground backdrop-blur-sm shadow-fa-sm glossy-effect",
+        destructive:
+          "bg-destructive text-destructive-foreground shadow-sm hover:bg-destructive/90",
       },
       size: {
-        default: "h-9 px-4 py-2 has-[>svg]:px-3",
-        sm: "h-8 rounded-md gap-1.5 px-3 has-[>svg]:px-2.5",
-        lg: "h-10 rounded-md px-6 has-[>svg]:px-4",
-        icon: "size-9",
+        default: "h-10 px-4 py-2",
+        sm: "h-9 rounded-md px-3",
+        lg: "h-11 rounded-md px-8",
+        icon: "h-10 w-10",
       },
     },
     defaultVariants: {
@@ -33,7 +36,7 @@ const buttonVariants = cva(
       size: "default",
     },
   }
-)
+);
 
 function Button({
   className,
@@ -43,9 +46,9 @@ function Button({
   ...props
 }: React.ComponentProps<"button"> &
   VariantProps<typeof buttonVariants> & {
-    asChild?: boolean
+    asChild?: boolean;
   }) {
-  const Comp = asChild ? Slot : "button"
+  const Comp = asChild ? Slot : "button";
 
   return (
     <Comp
@@ -53,7 +56,7 @@ function Button({
       className={cn(buttonVariants({ variant, size, className }))}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
-export { Button, buttonVariants }
+export { Button, buttonVariants };
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/card.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/card.tsx
index d05bbc6..0e21345 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/card.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/card.tsx
@@ -1,18 +1,18 @@
-import * as React from "react"
+import * as React from "react";
 
-import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 function Card({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
   return (
     <div
       data-slot="card"
       className={cn(
-        "bg-card text-card-foreground flex flex-col gap-6 rounded-xl border py-6 shadow-sm",
+        "relative rounded-xl border bg-card/70 backdrop-blur-lg shadow-fa-lg overflow-hidden glossy-effect bottom text-card-foreground flex flex-col gap-6 py-6",
         className
       )}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function CardHeader({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
@@ -25,17 +25,20 @@ function CardHeader({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
       )}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function CardTitle({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
   return (
     <div
       data-slot="card-title"
-      className={cn("leading-none font-semibold", className)}
+      className={cn(
+        "leading-none font-semibold tracking-tight text-shadow-md",
+        className
+      )}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function CardDescription({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
@@ -45,7 +48,7 @@ function CardDescription({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
       className={cn("text-muted-foreground text-sm", className)}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function CardAction({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
@@ -58,7 +61,7 @@ function CardAction({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
       )}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function CardContent({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
@@ -68,7 +71,7 @@ function CardContent({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
       className={cn("px-6", className)}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function CardFooter({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
@@ -78,7 +81,7 @@ function CardFooter({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
       className={cn("flex items-center px-6 [.border-t]:pt-6", className)}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 export {
@@ -89,4 +92,4 @@ export {
   CardAction,
   CardDescription,
   CardContent,
-}
+};
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/dropdown-menu.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/dropdown-menu.tsx
index ec51e9c..d26d58b 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/dropdown-menu.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/dropdown-menu.tsx
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
-"use client"
+"use client";
 
-import * as React from "react"
-import * as DropdownMenuPrimitive from "@radix-ui/react-dropdown-menu"
-import { CheckIcon, ChevronRightIcon, CircleIcon } from "lucide-react"
+import * as React from "react";
+import * as DropdownMenuPrimitive from "@radix-ui/react-dropdown-menu";
+import { CheckIcon, ChevronRightIcon, CircleIcon } from "lucide-react";
 
-import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 function DropdownMenu({
   ...props
 }: React.ComponentProps<typeof DropdownMenuPrimitive.Root>) {
-  return <DropdownMenuPrimitive.Root data-slot="dropdown-menu" {...props} />
+  return <DropdownMenuPrimitive.Root data-slot="dropdown-menu" {...props} />;
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuPortal({
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ function DropdownMenuPortal({
 }: React.ComponentProps<typeof DropdownMenuPrimitive.Portal>) {
   return (
     <DropdownMenuPrimitive.Portal data-slot="dropdown-menu-portal" {...props} />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuTrigger({
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ function DropdownMenuTrigger({
       data-slot="dropdown-menu-trigger"
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuContent({
@@ -42,13 +42,14 @@ function DropdownMenuContent({
         data-slot="dropdown-menu-content"
         sideOffset={sideOffset}
         className={cn(
-          "bg-popover text-popover-foreground data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0 data-[state=closed]:zoom-out-95 data-[state=open]:zoom-in-95 data-[side=bottom]:slide-in-from-top-2 data-[side=left]:slide-in-from-right-2 data-[side=right]:slide-in-from-left-2 data-[side=top]:slide-in-from-bottom-2 z-50 max-h-(--radix-dropdown-menu-content-available-height) min-w-[8rem] origin-(--radix-dropdown-menu-content-transform-origin) overflow-x-hidden overflow-y-auto rounded-md border p-1 shadow-md",
+          "bg-popover/80 text-popover-foreground data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0 data-[state=closed]:zoom-out-95 data-[state=open]:zoom-in-95 data-[side=bottom]:slide-in-from-top-2 data-[side=left]:slide-in-from-right-2 data-[side=right]:slide-in-from-left-2 data-[side=top]:slide-in-from-bottom-2 z-50 max-h-(--radix-dropdown-menu-content-available-height) min-w-[8rem] origin-(--radix-dropdown-menu-content-transform-origin) overflow-x-hidden overflow-y-auto rounded-md border p-1",
+          "shadow-fa-lg backdrop-blur-md",
           className
         )}
         {...props}
       />
     </DropdownMenuPrimitive.Portal>
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuGroup({
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ function DropdownMenuGroup({
 }: React.ComponentProps<typeof DropdownMenuPrimitive.Group>) {
   return (
     <DropdownMenuPrimitive.Group data-slot="dropdown-menu-group" {...props} />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuItem({
@@ -65,8 +66,8 @@ function DropdownMenuItem({
   variant = "default",
   ...props
 }: React.ComponentProps<typeof DropdownMenuPrimitive.Item> & {
-  inset?: boolean
-  variant?: "default" | "destructive"
+  inset?: boolean;
+  variant?: "default" | "destructive";
 }) {
   return (
     <DropdownMenuPrimitive.Item
@@ -79,7 +80,7 @@ function DropdownMenuItem({
       )}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuCheckboxItem({
@@ -105,7 +106,7 @@ function DropdownMenuCheckboxItem({
       </span>
       {children}
     </DropdownMenuPrimitive.CheckboxItem>
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuRadioGroup({
@@ -116,7 +117,7 @@ function DropdownMenuRadioGroup({
       data-slot="dropdown-menu-radio-group"
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuRadioItem({
@@ -140,7 +141,7 @@ function DropdownMenuRadioItem({
       </span>
       {children}
     </DropdownMenuPrimitive.RadioItem>
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuLabel({
@@ -148,7 +149,7 @@ function DropdownMenuLabel({
   inset,
   ...props
 }: React.ComponentProps<typeof DropdownMenuPrimitive.Label> & {
-  inset?: boolean
+  inset?: boolean;
 }) {
   return (
     <DropdownMenuPrimitive.Label
@@ -160,7 +161,7 @@ function DropdownMenuLabel({
       )}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuSeparator({
@@ -173,7 +174,7 @@ function DropdownMenuSeparator({
       className={cn("bg-border -mx-1 my-1 h-px", className)}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuShortcut({
@@ -189,13 +190,13 @@ function DropdownMenuShortcut({
       )}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuSub({
   ...props
 }: React.ComponentProps<typeof DropdownMenuPrimitive.Sub>) {
-  return <DropdownMenuPrimitive.Sub data-slot="dropdown-menu-sub" {...props} />
+  return <DropdownMenuPrimitive.Sub data-slot="dropdown-menu-sub" {...props} />;
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuSubTrigger({
@@ -204,7 +205,7 @@ function DropdownMenuSubTrigger({
   children,
   ...props
 }: React.ComponentProps<typeof DropdownMenuPrimitive.SubTrigger> & {
-  inset?: boolean
+  inset?: boolean;
 }) {
   return (
     <DropdownMenuPrimitive.SubTrigger
@@ -219,7 +220,7 @@ function DropdownMenuSubTrigger({
       {children}
       <ChevronRightIcon className="ml-auto size-4" />
     </DropdownMenuPrimitive.SubTrigger>
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function DropdownMenuSubContent({
@@ -235,7 +236,7 @@ function DropdownMenuSubContent({
       )}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 export {
@@ -254,4 +255,4 @@ export {
   DropdownMenuSub,
   DropdownMenuSubTrigger,
   DropdownMenuSubContent,
-}
+};
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/input.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/input.tsx
index 03295ca..60c258e 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/input.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/input.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-import * as React from "react"
+import * as React from "react";
 
-import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 function Input({ className, type, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"input">) {
   return (
@@ -10,12 +10,12 @@ function Input({ className, type, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"input">) {
       className={cn(
         "file:text-foreground placeholder:text-muted-foreground selection:bg-primary selection:text-primary-foreground dark:bg-input/30 border-input flex h-9 w-full min-w-0 rounded-md border bg-transparent px-3 py-1 text-base shadow-xs transition-[color,box-shadow] outline-none file:inline-flex file:h-7 file:border-0 file:bg-transparent file:text-sm file:font-medium disabled:pointer-events-none disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50 md:text-sm",
         "focus-visible:border-ring focus-visible:ring-ring/50 focus-visible:ring-[3px]",
-        "aria-invalid:ring-destructive/20 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive/40 aria-invalid:border-destructive",
+        "aria-invalid:ring-destructive/20 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive/40 aria-invalid:border-destructive shadow-fa-inner transition-shadow",
         className
       )}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
-export { Input }
+export { Input };
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/popover.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/popover.tsx
index 01e468b..40f4e6f 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/popover.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/popover.tsx
@@ -1,20 +1,20 @@
-"use client"
+"use client";
 
-import * as React from "react"
-import * as PopoverPrimitive from "@radix-ui/react-popover"
+import * as React from "react";
+import * as PopoverPrimitive from "@radix-ui/react-popover";
 
-import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 function Popover({
   ...props
 }: React.ComponentProps<typeof PopoverPrimitive.Root>) {
-  return <PopoverPrimitive.Root data-slot="popover" {...props} />
+  return <PopoverPrimitive.Root data-slot="popover" {...props} />;
 }
 
 function PopoverTrigger({
   ...props
 }: React.ComponentProps<typeof PopoverPrimitive.Trigger>) {
-  return <PopoverPrimitive.Trigger data-slot="popover-trigger" {...props} />
+  return <PopoverPrimitive.Trigger data-slot="popover-trigger" {...props} />;
 }
 
 function PopoverContent({
@@ -30,19 +30,20 @@ function PopoverContent({
         align={align}
         sideOffset={sideOffset}
         className={cn(
-          "bg-popover text-popover-foreground data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0 data-[state=closed]:zoom-out-95 data-[state=open]:zoom-in-95 data-[side=bottom]:slide-in-from-top-2 data-[side=left]:slide-in-from-right-2 data-[side=right]:slide-in-from-left-2 data-[side=top]:slide-in-from-bottom-2 z-50 w-72 origin-(--radix-popover-content-transform-origin) rounded-md border p-4 shadow-md outline-hidden",
+          "bg-popover/80 text-popover-foreground data-[state=open]:animate-in data-[state=closed]:animate-out data-[state=closed]:fade-out-0 data-[state=open]:fade-in-0 data-[state=closed]:zoom-out-95 data-[state=open]:zoom-in-95 data-[side=bottom]:slide-in-from-top-2 data-[side=left]:slide-in-from-right-2 data-[side=right]:slide-in-from-left-2 data-[side=top]:slide-in-from-bottom-2 z-50 w-72 origin-(--radix-popover-content-transform-origin) rounded-md border p-4 outline-hidden",
+          "shadow-fa-lg backdrop-blur-md",
           className
         )}
         {...props}
       />
     </PopoverPrimitive.Portal>
-  )
+  );
 }
 
 function PopoverAnchor({
   ...props
 }: React.ComponentProps<typeof PopoverPrimitive.Anchor>) {
-  return <PopoverPrimitive.Anchor data-slot="popover-anchor" {...props} />
+  return <PopoverPrimitive.Anchor data-slot="popover-anchor" {...props} />;
 }
 
-export { Popover, PopoverTrigger, PopoverContent, PopoverAnchor }
+export { Popover, PopoverTrigger, PopoverContent, PopoverAnchor };
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/separator.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/separator.tsx
index 275381c..bcff775 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/separator.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/separator.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
-"use client"
+"use client";
 
-import * as React from "react"
-import * as SeparatorPrimitive from "@radix-ui/react-separator"
+import * as React from "react";
+import * as SeparatorPrimitive from "@radix-ui/react-separator";
 
-import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 function Separator({
   className,
@@ -17,12 +17,12 @@ function Separator({
       decorative={decorative}
       orientation={orientation}
       className={cn(
-        "bg-border shrink-0 data-[orientation=horizontal]:h-px data-[orientation=horizontal]:w-full data-[orientation=vertical]:h-full data-[orientation=vertical]:w-px",
+        "bg-border/50 shrink-0 data-[orientation=horizontal]:h-px data-[orientation=horizontal]:w-full data-[orientation=vertical]:h-full data-[orientation=vertical]:w-px",
         className
       )}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
-export { Separator }
+export { Separator };
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/skeleton.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/skeleton.tsx
index 32ea0ef..2ec2ca7 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/skeleton.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/skeleton.tsx
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
-import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 function Skeleton({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"div">) {
   return (
     <div
       data-slot="skeleton"
-      className={cn("bg-accent animate-pulse rounded-md", className)}
+      className={cn("bg-muted/50 animate-pulse rounded-md", className)}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
-export { Skeleton }
+export { Skeleton };
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/textarea.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/textarea.tsx
index 7f21b5e..76a1d11 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/textarea.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/ui/textarea.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-import * as React from "react"
+import * as React from "react";
 
-import { cn } from "@/lib/utils"
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 
 function Textarea({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"textarea">) {
   return (
@@ -8,11 +8,12 @@ function Textarea({ className, ...props }: React.ComponentProps<"textarea">) {
       data-slot="textarea"
       className={cn(
         "border-input placeholder:text-muted-foreground focus-visible:border-ring focus-visible:ring-ring/50 aria-invalid:ring-destructive/20 dark:aria-invalid:ring-destructive/40 aria-invalid:border-destructive dark:bg-input/30 flex field-sizing-content min-h-16 w-full rounded-md border bg-transparent px-3 py-2 text-base shadow-xs transition-[color,box-shadow] outline-none focus-visible:ring-[3px] disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50 md:text-sm",
+        "shadow-fa-inner transition-shadow",
         className
       )}
       {...props}
     />
-  )
+  );
 }
 
-export { Textarea }
+export { Textarea };
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/components/user-avatar.tsx b/thoughts-frontend/components/user-avatar.tsx
index 36b2ef4..b0fdf1b 100644
--- a/thoughts-frontend/components/user-avatar.tsx
+++ b/thoughts-frontend/components/user-avatar.tsx
@@ -1,15 +1,23 @@
 import { Avatar, AvatarFallback, AvatarImage } from "@/components/ui/avatar";
+import { cn } from "@/lib/utils";
 import { User } from "lucide-react";
 
 interface UserAvatarProps {
   src?: string | null;
   alt?: string | null;
+  className?: string;
 }
 
-export function UserAvatar({ src, alt }: UserAvatarProps) {
+export function UserAvatar({ src, alt, className }: UserAvatarProps) {
   return (
-    <Avatar>
-      {src && <AvatarImage src={src} alt={alt ?? "User avatar"} />}
+    <Avatar className={cn("border-2 border-primary/50 shadow-md", className)}>
+      {src && (
+        <AvatarImage
+          className="object-cover object-center"
+          src={src}
+          alt={alt ?? "User avatar"}
+        />
+      )}
       <AvatarFallback>
         <User className="h-5 w-5" />
       </AvatarFallback>
diff --git a/thoughts-frontend/public/background.jpeg b/thoughts-frontend/public/background.jpeg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b57814a
Binary files /dev/null and b/thoughts-frontend/public/background.jpeg differ