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Chessy styled an open chambray button-down with a T-shirt for a relaxed feel, Elizabeth popped on a button-down with jeans, and Hallie and Annie went so far as to hike in button-downs (while they encouraged Meredith Blake to get a little too “friendly” with a lizard, no less). While most of us would put on athleisure for a day on the trails in today’s times, a button-down is still a timeless staple that looks as put-together with jeans on the weekend as it does paired with dress pants and heels for a day at the office....

When You’re Shopping the Freezer Aisle The Perks Lots of variety; low prices; less chance of waste, since the fish won’t go bad in your fridge (not sustainable!); and the ability to learn about the product’s origins on the label How to Choose the Good Stuff Look for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), or Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) logo on the packaging (see “Sustainability Shortcut,” below). These organizations vet fisheries, and their stamps of approval indicate that the seafood came from a sustainable source....

If I could describe the Halluci slippers in one sentence, I’d say they feel like actual clouds on your feet. Not too hard, not too soft, but just right. The memory foam sole is plush enough to make my feet feel relaxed, but still firm enough that it offers ample support. Plus, the slippers have EVA outsoles (the same rubber-like material typically used on sneakers), so the bottoms are waterproof and anti-slip—perfect for stepping outside and grabbing my delivery orders throughout the day....

After hours of thoroughly researching options and considering factors like material, weight, and care, we found the very best quilts to accommodate a variety of sleep preferences, budgets, and design styles. For tips on how to shop for quilts, we consulted Kiva Motnyk, Founder of Thompson Street Studio. “Think about the space your quilt will live in,” says Motnyk. “Is it a staple piece for your bed, a decoration that migrates around your home, or an addition to a collection?...

To find the best recliners, we researched dozens of options and narrowed down our picks based on both style and technical details. We also considered factors such as the mechanism for reclining and the type of base (like a glider or a rocker). For expert input on the benefits of sitting in a recliner, we spoke to Rosmy Barrios, MD, medical advisor for HealthReporter, and Brynna Connor, MD, a healthcare ambassador for NorthWestPharmacy....

Heather Goerzen, design editor at online interior design company Havenly says it’s all about balance. “The designer rule of thumb is that every space should have two to four additional sources of light beyond overhead can lights. We call it ambiance,” says Goerzen. “They add visual interest to a space, helping draw the eye upward.” To find the best floor lamps we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind dimensions, material, switch styles, and maximum wattage....

Of course, the best gardening tools for you might be different than the best gardening tools for your neighbor. When you’re looking for gardening tools, consider how tall you are, how much you can lift, and what chores you do regularly. If you have limited mobility, you might want to choose one of the many ergonomic tools on the market. If you have trouble bending and kneeling, long-handled tools and a kneeling pad might be good to have on hand....

To come up with this list of the best storage baskets, we researched dozens of baskets and bins on the market, evaluating them based on style, functionality, and overall value. We also considered ways to save you as much space as possible by considering their ability to stack, nest, or collapse. For expert advice, we spoke to design and organization consultant Liz Dahmen of Make Space LLC, who says that storage baskets are the “final piece in the organizing puzzle....

“Always read the reviews when shopping online. [An item may seem great], but reading the reviews and looking at pictures is so important,” said Lindsay Roberts Schey, creator of the gift recommendation website The Gift Insider. Quality is another vital aspect to consider, even more so when working with smaller budgets. To ensure you’ve picked out one of the best cheap Christmas gifts, you’ll want to research it beforehand. “Holiday shopping isn’t the time to test out a [brand or retailer] you’ve never used before,” Schey says....

The start of this month is marked with the opportunity to shop for coveted makeup products and beauty tools at prices you can’t beat. Prepare your beauty arsenal for those upcoming holiday parties by picking up Urban Decay’s top-selling Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette for just $22, or indulge in some much-needed self-care with a rejuvenating mask treatment using Foreo’s UFO Mini LED device while saving 40 percent. We get it; not every sale is worth your time, so we did the legwork and sifted through thousands of under-the-radar deals to find the most stand-out offers in the beauty department that are worth every penny....

To find the best robot vacuums for carpets, we tested 31 models in our Lab and at home, evaluating them on effectiveness, maneuverability, features, and more. Our tests involved scattering pet and human hair, Cheerios, sand, and more on the floor to see how well each robot vacuum worked on carpets and hard surfaces. We also spoke to three experts—Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at Pro Housekeepers; Kevin Huang, founder and CEO of Ambient Home; and Robert Johnson, marketing director at Coast Appliances—for tips on how to choose a robot vacuum for carpets....

We tested 31 robot vacuums in our Lab to determine which are best for cleaning hardwood floors—devices that are tough on dirt yet gentle enough not to scratch up that beautiful wood grain. Once our Lab testing was complete, we sent the robot vacuums home with real-world testers and checked in with them months later to see how well they kept their floors clean over time. For more expert tips on how to shop for and use robot vacuums for hardwood floors, we spoke with Forrest McCall, co-owner of the home improvement blog, Mama Needs a Project....

“With laminate flooring, mops are suitable, but use caution,” explains Kathy Cohoon, operations manager at Two Maids & A Mop. “Wring the mophead out until it is slightly damp and be sure not to over saturate flooring [and cause damage].” What’s more, since some laminate floors can be scuffed easily, it’s important to choose a mop that’s soft enough to wipe up any spills without leaving any damage behind. To help find the best option for your needs, we researched a handful of options on the market, factoring in each pick’s weight, handle length, maintenance, and material....

We researched a variety of cleaning products and their ingredients to come up with this list of the best grout cleaners for floors, showers, mold problems, and more. We considered the type of cleaner, its recommended use, whether it’s a spray, paste, or liquid concentrate, and consulted Debbie Sardone, Founder of Cleaning for a Reason and owner of Speed Cleaning, for her expertise on shopping for the best grout cleaners....

To find the best hose reels, we put 26 picks to the test at our lab in Des Moines, Iowa. There, our testers used a pre-determined methodology to evaluate each pick based on six categories: setup, design, ease of use, portability, durability, and value. They were not aware of each pick’s price beforehand. We also consulted with Warren Eley, vice president of sales and marketing of Eley Hose Reels, to learn more about what consumers should look for when shopping for a hose reel....

Weight: 7.04 pounds | Suggested Use: Floors | Type of Pet Hair: All Weight: 3.7 pounds | Suggested Use: Floors, furniture | Type of Pet Hair: All Weight: 0.25 pounds | Suggested Use: Furniture, clothes | Type of Pet Hair: All Weight: 7.8 ounces | Suggested Use: Directly on your pet | Type of Pet Hair: All Weight: 4.7 ounces | Suggested Use: Directly on your pet | Type of Pet Hair: Dogs, cats, horses Weight: 5....

“Robotic cleaners are pricier but are also the easiest pool cleaners to use,” says Stewart Vernon, COO, and founder of America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP). “They use software to determine how to clean your pool.” To find the best robotic pool cleaners, we put 19 of the best pool cleaners to the test. Over two weeks, our testers tried out their given styles in their pools right at home. Using a pre-determined methodology, they evaluated each model based on four categories: design, ease of use, effectiveness, and value....

She wore the boots twice. I suspect they just weren’t that comfortable for the uphill walk from her subway stop to her school, or maybe she realized her old pair of Adidas matched more of her outfits, but I was mighty pissed off that her splurge boots were now just taking up floor space in her closet. I felt the same way about the dress she’d worn to one party and never again, and several sweaters that were bulging out of her dresser drawer while she wore the same hoodie to school every day....

Editor-Loved Labor Day Sales Milumia Women’s Button Up Maxi Dress, $40 (was $46) Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Soy Pumpkin Candle, $14 (was $17) L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Two-Pack, $15 (was $20) Olay Regenerist Retinol Night Cream Moisturizer, $39 (was $47) Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Cleaning Pads, $7 (was $10) Urban Villa Highly Absorbent Kitchen Towels Three-Pack, $15 (was $17) Exfoliating Shower Gloves Six-Pack, $8 with coupon (was $9) D-Line Cord Cable Organizer Concealer Box, $24 (was $27) Reebok Women’s Classic Harman Run Sneaker, $55 (was $65)...

To help make things a little bit easier, we came up with tutorials to help you determine how to apply eye makeup. Each three-step tutorial features a basic look, but you can swap in darker shadows, add fake lashes, or layer on mascara for a more dramatic and party-ready style. Once you master these, you’ll be set for the holidays—and every day. How to determine your eye shape Before learning the best techniques for your eye shape, you need to know how to determine your eye shape....