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The U.S. government has been grappling with proposals aimed at canceling student loan debt, but because it’s a complicated and controversial issue, the process has been moving along in fits and starts. In the meantime, those 43 million people are still looking for solutions to this financial burden. If student debt is weighing heavily on your mind, not to mention your day-to-day lifestyle, it may be time to search for an employer that is willing to help you pay off some of that debt....

Moveable Islands Kitchen islands are on the move, with wheels that allow homeowners to push, pull, and play with this once-stationary item. Tucked to the side, an island offers surface area but allows square footage for larger groups to gather. Moved to another room, an island becomes an instant buffet table or dining extension. Unique Storage Containers Storage of even just 10 years ago were reliably plastic and unattractive. But personality-driven decor has infiltrated even the most basic of storage solutions, giving homeowners the freedom to use that which is artful and useful....

Some Thanksgiving crafts make great centerpieces, place card holders, and table runners, while others are less purposeful and more about the activity than the final product. No matter what kind of DIY you’re looking for, our collection of easy crafts works for kids and adults alike. Our guides include supply lists and pictures, so you know exactly what the final product is supposed to look like. Use them as vehicles for your Thanksgiving quotes and Thanksgiving wishes, or simply add crafting to your household’s list of Thanksgiving activities or games....

I’ve hosted my fair share of baby showers in the past but never a Halloween one! Halloween wasn’t even in my list of the best girl baby shower themes or the best boy baby shower themes. I didn’t actually know it was a thing. But I was helping someone come up with Halloween baby shower ideas the other day and figured I’d share some of the super cute Halloween theme baby shower ideas I found during my search!...

“Instead of needles to stimulate meridian points, the thumbs, knuckles, or specialized wooden tools are used in reflexology to apply force to the pressure points,” explains Cherry Angelica Alfiler, an expert reflexologist and teacher at Enhance Arts Aesthetics & Spa. The result, though, is the same: relief. One major way it offers reprieve: pain management, both acute and chronic. Seriously, there are studies that show it can help with post-operative pain in breast cancer patients....

Spice Up Your Style Like seasoning a dish when cooking, there are certain design elements that, when sprinkled in the right proportions, lend depth and interest to a room. Dabito recommends this mix to spice up any room: “My recipe for personalizing your space is adding color, art, vintage pieces, personal objects (souvenirs or heirlooms), and plants.” In the living room, Dabito kept the walls white but introduced color with an unexpected green sofa, his own original artwork, and a mustard yellow ottoman....

As cut flowers, hydrangeas completely steal the show in any vase. Besides their beauty, these blooms have a few unique characteristics that you can use to enjoy your hydrangeas more. Try these simple tricks to change the color of your hydrangea flowers, revive them when they wilt and dry them so you can always have them around, even in winter. 1. Change the Color of Your Hydrangea Flowers If you’ve got a pink-flowered bigleaf hydrangea that you want to turn blue, or perhaps vice versa, then a little chemistry can help you achieve the hue you desire....

According to Brown, a few items you probably already have at home will tackle grime, but the trick is to keep it from coming back. “The secret to keeping your faucets looking nice is cleaning them daily,” says Brown. Remove water spots and buildup with the tips below, then apply regular TLC to keep them looking clean. “Remember to always dry the faucets and knobs after use to prevent water with trace minerals drying on them....

One of the most typical things to do at a Christmas party is a gift exchange of some sort. Often times people play a gift exchange game of some sort (and if you’re going to do that, I have the best gift exchange games here), but sometimes you just don’t want to play a game. I’ve put together a list of creative gift exchange ideas that aren’t all necessarily a game....

Second, “the illusion of volume is your best friend,” says Powell. Techniques such as curling or gently back-combing, along with products, such as a dry shampoo or dry texturizing spray, can make a huge difference when it comes to making it look like you have more hair than you actually do. More specifically, focus on creating that volume at the roots and crown. “This will make the hair appear thicker and fuller at the scalp, where hair loss and thinning tend to be the most noticeable,” says stylist Amy Abramite, creative director at Maxine Salon in Chicago....

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with baking the contents according to the directions on the box and letting the kids go wild with decorating. But if the idea of straight-up sheet cake sounds boring to you or you’re just looking for something new to try out in the kitchen, check out some of these unique, kid-friendly ways to use up that cake mix and bring an element of celebration to even your most basic desserts....

Being a responsible citizen by voluntarily self-isolating and social distancing isn’t always easy. Beyond preventing everyday social interaction, it means no concerts, museums, sightseeing, or flying for weeks—maybe months. Even self-avowed homebodies and introverts get stir crazy from an eight-week self-quarantine recommendation. After all, distance makes the heart grow fonder—and yes, that can also apply to your relationship with the couch. If you’re bummed about having to cancel recent travel plans, craving a diversion from understandable anxiety, or simply getting antsy at home in isolation, these genius “travel” ideas can help scratch that itch for arts, culture, and adventure....

Alcohol wakes you up at night. While a drink or two at night can make you feel drowsy and prompt faster onset of asleep, going to bed with a buzz may lead to a worse night’s sleep overall. In one comprehensive study, scientists reviewed 20 different studies and concluded that, while sleep may come more easily after consuming alcohol, you’ll eventually wake up more easily and more often throughout the night or in the early hours of the morning....

That said, you’re probably already eating a number of foods that are past their prime, and the sky hasn’t fallen. That’s because a “best by” or “use by” date typically tells you when the product will be at its highest quality—not whether or not it will make you sick. In many cases, you can still eat them for a number of days with no ill effects. Whether or not some of these ingredients are still technically safe to eat, you may notice a change in their taste, color, or texture (eek)....

This may come as a surprise to you: Pumpkin spice has no actual pumpkin flavor. Instead, the flavor we associate with pumpkin baked goods is a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice used in pumpkin recipes. Individually, each of these spices is quite special on its own, but together, they create a warm and tingling combination that evokes cravings for chilly nights by the campfire and cozy flannel shirts....

Repaint the Walls In any room, including the bathroom, a coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to give the space a new look. If you have a small bathroom or if the lower half of the walls are tiled, you likely only need a single gallon of paint. For less than $100 (including new brushes and rollers), you can revamp this room. Pick a hue that works with what’s already in the space, keeping in mind the wood tones, tile colors, and flooring....

Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 2 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and evenly moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 2 feet tall Buy It: Spearmint Plant 2-Pack ($13, The Home Depot) Special Note: Test for any allergy first by rubbing the leaves on a quarter-size patch of skin on your inner forearm. If after a day or so there’s no irritated reaction, it’s likely safe for you to rub away....

Makeup artist Julia Dalton-Brush recommends cleansing, toning, using a facial oil (if appropriate), and moisturizer. “Unfortunately, many people see applying makeup as the only thing they need to do, and when they do not get the flawless look they are searching for, they blame the products,” she says. “A fully hydrated and prepped face will do wonders, not only for your skin under the makeup, but also for the end result....

Even with familiar ways of celebrating—such as roasting a huge turkey or hosting a gathering of extended family and friends—it’s always a perfect time to start a few new Thanksgiving traditions. These family-friendly ideas are good for all ages and family sizes. So whether you’re cooking dinner for two or twenty, consider picking up one (or two) of these sweet ways to make Thanksgiving even more special. Personalize the Table Going all-out on table decorations will make each guest feel welcome and special....

But no need to melt into a puddle of worry—yes, even with prime pie and cookie season just weeks away. Ahead, we’ll explain why a butter shortage might be imminent, plus how to adjust savory and sweet recipes to account for any ingredient swaps required. While nothing can fully replace the flavor of our beloved Irish butter, we do have some very serviceable substitutes if you can’t find butter in the supermarket refrigerator case....