/* blog grid – premium 3col, fallback to 2/1 */
    .blog-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
      gap: 24px;
      margin-top: 32px;
    }
    @media (max-width: 1000px) {
      .blog-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
    }
    @media (max-width: 640px) {
      .blog-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    }

    /* blog card – inherits glass DNA from .tool-card, with consistent font sizes */
    .blog-card {
      position: relative;
      border-radius: 26px;
      overflow: hidden;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      height: 100%;
      background: linear-gradient(145deg, rgba(255,255,255,.10), rgba(255,255,255,.03));
      backdrop-filter: blur(14px) saturate(120%);
      -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(14px) saturate(120%);
      border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.10);
      box-shadow: 0 18px 46px -18px rgba(0,0,0,.55), 0 0 0 1px rgba(0,0,0,.22) inset;
      transition: transform .28s var(--ease), box-shadow .28s var(--ease), border-color .28s var(--ease);
    }

    .blog-card:hover {
      transform: translateY(-7px);
      border-color: rgba(0,200,83,0.28);
      box-shadow: 0 28px 70px -30px rgba(0,0,0,.75), 0 0 0 1px rgba(255,255,255,.06) inset, 0 22px 55px -35px rgba(0,200,83,.35);
    }

    /* inner rim light (same as tool-card) */
    .blog-card::before {
      content: "";
      position: absolute;
      inset: 1px;
      border-radius: 25px;
      pointer-events: none;
      background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(255,255,255,.22), rgba(255,255,255,.06) 45%, rgba(255,255,255,.02) 100%);
      opacity: .55;
      mix-blend-mode: screen;
    }

    /* shine sweep */
    .blog-card::after {
      content: "";
      position: absolute;
      inset: -40% -30%;
      transform: rotate(18deg) translateX(-18%);
      pointer-events: none;
      background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent 0%, rgba(255,255,255,.12) 35%, rgba(255,255,255,.06) 50%, transparent 70%);
      opacity: 0;
      transition: opacity .28s var(--ease), transform .45s var(--ease);
    }
    .blog-card:hover::after {
      opacity: .55;
      transform: rotate(18deg) translateX(10%);
    }

    /* media area */
    .blog-media {
      position: relative;
      width: 100%;
      aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
      overflow: hidden;
      border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.08);
      background: radial-gradient(900px 260px at 30% 0%, rgba(0,200,83,.16), transparent 55%),
                  radial-gradient(900px 260px at 85% 80%, rgba(249,168,37,.12), transparent 55%),
                  rgba(0,0,0,.18);
    }
    .blog-media img {
      width: 100%;
      height: 100%;
      object-fit: cover;
      display: block;
      transform: scale(1.02);
      transition: transform .45s var(--ease), filter .45s var(--ease);
      filter: contrast(1.02) saturate(1.05);
    }
    .blog-card:hover .blog-media img {
      transform: scale(1.08);
      filter: contrast(1.05) saturate(1.10);
    }
    /* image overlay for readability */
    .blog-media::after {
      content: "";
      position: absolute;
      inset: 0;
      background: linear-gradient(180deg, transparent 55%, rgba(0,0,0,.40) 100%);
      opacity: .65;
      pointer-events: none;
    }
    /* date badge */
    .blog-date {
      position: absolute;
      top: 14px;
      left: 14px;
      z-index: 2;
      font-size: 0.78rem;
      font-weight: 700;
      letter-spacing: 0.02em;
      padding: 6px 12px;
      border-radius: 999px;
      background: rgba(10,31,47,.75);
      border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.14);
      backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
      color: rgba(255,255,255,.92);
    }
    /* category tag */
    .blog-cat {
      position: absolute;
      top: 14px;
      right: 14px;
      z-index: 2;
      font-size: 0.78rem;
      font-weight: 700;
      padding: 6px 12px;
      border-radius: 999px;
      background: rgba(0,200,83,.18);
      border: 1px solid rgba(0,200,83,.25);
      backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
      color: #fff;
      text-transform: uppercase;
    }

    /* content area */
    .blog-content {
      position: relative;
      z-index: 2;
      padding: 22px 20px 18px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      flex: 1;
    }
    .blog-content h3 {
      font-size: 1.25rem;  /* ~20px */
      font-weight: 700;
      letter-spacing: -0.02em;
      margin: 0 0 8px;
      color: var(--text);
      line-height: 1.3;
    }
    .blog-content p {
      color: var(--muted);
      line-height: 1.6;
      font-size: 0.85rem;   /* ~13.6px – between 12 and 14, feels premium */
      margin: 0 0 18px;
      flex-grow: 1;
    }
    .blog-meta {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 12px;
      font-size: 0.75rem;   /* 12px */
      color: var(--muted2);
      margin-bottom: 10px;
    }
    .blog-meta i {
      color: var(--gold);
      font-size: 0.7rem;
    }
    .blog-link {
      display: inline-flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: space-between;
      gap: 12px;
      color: var(--accent);
      font-weight: 800;
      font-size: 0.85rem;
      text-decoration: none;
      padding-top: 14px;
      border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.08);
      margin-top: auto;
      transition: gap .2s var(--ease), color .2s var(--ease);
    }
    .blog-link:hover {
      gap: 16px;
      color: aliceblue;
    }
    .blog-link i {
      font-size: 0.8rem;
      transition: transform .2s var(--ease);
    }
    .blog-link:hover i {
      transform: translateX(4px);
    }

    /* featured post (optional larger) */
    .featured-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
      gap: 24px;
      margin: 32px 0 24px;
    }
    @media (max-width: 780px) {
      .featured-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    }
    .featured-card {
      grid-column: 1 / -1; /* full width if we want, but we'll make it a bigger card */
    }
    .featured-card .blog-media {
      aspect-ratio: 21 / 9;
    }

    /* filter pills – reuse existing .filter-pill */
    .blog-filters {
      margin: 24px 0 12px;
    }

    /* consistent spacing */
    .section-sm {
      padding: 64px 0;
    }
    .hero-minimal {
      min-height: 50vh;
    }