why does this seem to fix everything?

Sometimes you still need to fiddle w vertical-align. CSS has never been the layout magic I wish it were. i hear Flexbox solves a lot of layout woes

I actually just discovered flex blocks, and my life is now forever changed.

If you don't have to work on IE9 and below, flex box is a savior

Just learn your CSS. I never have problems with my CSS, when I do I firebug the hell out of it and go back and fix it.

I've said "did you try inline-block" so often to my junior dev that he claims that I got a special look on my face when saying that combination of words: my inline-block look, surprisingly enough that helps a lot. I look at an layout issue, give him the look and he solves it