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Next, implement the avalanche method: Pay the minimum on all your debts each month and put any extra money toward the loan with the highest interest rate. If you get a windfall—like a bonus or a tax refund—put it toward that top debt as well. Once you pay it off, move to the loan with the next-highest interest rate, and so on. Next, think about the previous year. Make note of any big life moments that might affect your taxes—like buying a house or losing your job....

“You can use ice to reduce puffiness around the eyes, decrease oil production and inflamed spots, constrict pores, soothe sunburn, and give the skin a healthy glow by boosting micro-circulation,” Board-certified dermatologist, Sophie Shotter, MD, previously told Real Simple. “It is also said to increase absorption of active ingredients by causing capillary constriction and creating a ‘pulling’ effect into the skin.” The RoselynBoutique Ice Roller has a detachable head that comes off of the handle so you can store it in the freezer....

The Magic Linen Besalu Linen Pants are the multi-seasonal heroes of my wardrobe. These linen pants have been lovely as we transition into fall and New York City’s unpredictable weather, which means it’s 50 degrees in the morning and in the 80s by midday. Since they’re linen, these Magic Linen pants are breezy, soft, and luxurious feeling (and looking), but they have a heavier weight to them than I would have expected for this typically feathery fabric, which has made them extremely adaptable through the changing temperatures....

That all changed after I received a sample of the Saatva Linen Sheet Set. I was excited about the prospect of sleeping in these sheets after touching them with my hands. They’re slightly textured, since they’re real linen, but they’re also incredibly soft and even out of the box, they felt cooler than the temperature of my room. Plus, as someone who, admittedly, cares about things like this, the expensive-feeling box (complete with a ribbon-tied bow) the set came in elevated the entire experience from the moment I received it in the mail....

To buy: $34; amazon.com. The NodPod isn’t your everyday eye mask (or the kind that does wonders for under eye circles) but instead, one that uses gentle pressure to alleviate anxiety, much like that of a weighted blanket. By combining 9 ounces of weighted BPA-free beads among four equal pods and a strapless design, the NodPod is in a class all its own. When I first unboxed the mask, I was pleasantly surprised by how soft each of the sides were: One is made from a cooling jersey cotton and the other from a soft-but-lightweight microfiber fleece....

Apple’s FaceID—the technology that allows for unlocking devices via facial recognition—has been a godsend since its first release in 2017. But it’s not a flawless feature if and when your face is partially obscured (e.g., if you’re wearing a mask or covering). The iOS 14.5 update was made to help, but the catch is that you have to have an Apple Watch (an Apple Watch Series 3 or later version, to be exact)....

Why Good Sleep Is So Important Sleep and mood are intricately linked, where a deficiency in one can cause dysfunction in the other. “Getting poor quality sleep or less sleep than what’s needed can cause severe mood changes ranging from irritability to anxiety, depression, and decreased resilience. And low mood from depression or anxious racing thoughts tend to significantly impair sleep quality and duration,” says Ben Spielberg, MS, neuroscientist and founder of TMS and Brain Health....

Enter Ban.do, the retailer known for its adorable and budget-friendly gifting picks. Shoppers delight in the brand’s brightly colored and patterned planners, coffee cups, stationery, candles, apparel, shoes, and even tech. Ban.do aims to “encourage joy,” so each product has a vibrant, optimistic aesthetic that will almost certainly please any gift recipient—with prices that will certainly please you. Now for a limited time only, its entire site is 30 percent off with code SAVE30, including already on-sale items....

When we moved into our new house a couple of years ago, we always had the intent to finish the basement as soon as we had the time and money. Then the world shut down and time and money were things of the past. We finally were able to make it work, and I can excitedly say that our basement is finally finished! Over the next few months I’ll be sharing photos and details of what we ended up doing, tips for designing your own, and things we learned during the process....

When choosing the best snowblower for you, it’s important to consider how much snow you usually get, the type of snow (heavy and wet or powdery and dry), and the surface area you need to clear. There are two basic types of snowblowers to choose from: single-stage and two-stage models. This refers to the mechanism used to gather up the snow on the ground. A single-stage snowblower uses an auger (a corkscrew-like part) to draw in the snow and channel it into the discharge chute....

With so many different types of body moisturizers on the market, it can be difficult to figure out which you should be slathering on your skin. Luigi L. Polla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Forever Institut and Alchimie Forever, gives us the rundown on the biggest difference between body creams and body lotions, and when (slash how) you should be using each. What affects moisture levels? Your skin’s moisture levels are affected by the extracellular matrix in the dermis....

Where to Install Butcher Block One of the biggest steps in adding a butcher block countertop in a kitchen is deciding where, exactly, it should go. Some kitchens incorporate a wood countertop all over, using the material as the primary countertop material, while others use wood countertops only as an accent piece. Either work in a space, though using a wooden surface only as an accent piece can offer a little more versatility and is a little more common....

Can You Eat Decorative Gourds? The simplest answer to whether or not you can eat gourds is technically yes; decorative gourds aren’t poisonous or toxic. However, you probably don’t want to eat gourds, especially when there are much tastier options available. The decorative gourds you see on display have hard, tough skins, and also don’t have very much flesh on the inside. So if you were to try cooking a gourd, it wouldn’t be very easy to prepare, and also wouldn’t taste great....

One of Cariuma’s most popular shoes, the OCA Low Sneaker, is known for racking up waitlists by the thousands after quickly selling out. The brand also has a reputation for collaborating with Pantone on limited-edition sneakers inspired by its highly anticipated Color of the Year predictions. So when Cariuma announces new styles, we pay attention and recommend not hesitating to make a purchase while you can. The latest drop, a lace-up sneaker with a white base that goes for $98, is no exception....

Chalk paint ideas extend far beyond the world of shabby chic décor and upcycled furniture. Chalk paint can fit into a farmhouse kitchen and a modern bedroom alike, when applied correctly, and the many chalk paint colors available just add to the possibilities. The textured, lived-in look of chalk paint—as opposed to the gloss or semi-gloss of standard paints—gives kitchen cabinets, walls, furniture, and more a little more character, making it easier to establish a real atmosphere or mood in a space....

We have lighter breakfast options here, like grapefruit salad with vanilla syrup and yogurt; or healthy ones, like Nutty superfood breakfast bites, plus some more indulgent options. With a day of feasting and revelry ahead, breakfast is ideal for packing in some fruit, veggies, and protein with dishes that are a little heartier than breakfast smoothies. But let’s not rule out decadent breakfasts altogether. A sweet morning treat can be just as great as even the best Christmas gifts....

“Keep your list to those people who make you feel special, who you really want to be there,” says entertaining expert Lory Parson of To Have + To Host. “If you tend to spread your Christmas decorations on every available surface, wall, and window, you can lose each element’s special impact,” says Benjamin Bradley, host of Netflix’s Holiday Home Makeover With Mr. Christmas. “That’s why a theme often works best—or select certain areas of your home to focus upon....

What Makes Homemade Chips Healthier Yumna Jawad, the recipe developer behind Feel Good Foodie, shares why her homemade potato chip recipe tops store-bought chips: “Homemade potato chips are oven-baked, so they are a healthier alternative, and they are so simple to make,” she says. “Also, rather than deep-frying the potatoes in lots of oil, we are able to use less, meaning there’s lots less saturated fat. You can also control the seasonings, and they don’t contain preservatives and additives to make them shelf-stable....

Also known as a mouse melon, the Mexican sour gherkin, or by its Spanish name, sandiita (little watermelon), a cucamelon is the fruit of the Melothria scabra vine and is about the size of a grape. But despite the name, they’re not actually a hybrid of watermelons and cucumbers. They do have a semi-hard rind with markings like a watermelon, but the entire thing is edible so you can pop them in your mouth for a burst of cucumber flavor with a sour twist (think a cucumber and lime mashup)....

But don’t panic if you’re not your usual bright-eyed and bushy-tailed self on the morning of March 13 (or 14, or 15). Research from the Better Sleep Council finds that 40 percent of Americans need a week to recover from that lost hour, if not longer. There’s always a natural adjustment period at the onset of daylight saving time, so give your body a moment to acclimate. In the meantime, there are several proactive strategies you can use to help get your internal body clock on the right schedule, so you only feel that lost an hour of sleep for a day or so....