Posts

Sketch It Out Before you start reorganizing, sketch out a quick plan of the drawers and cabinets in your kitchen to decide where everything will live. You don’t have to stick to the plan completely, but it will serve as a guide and help you figure out which organizers or storage containers you might need. Organize the Junk Drawer(s) Start by removing everything (yes, everything!) from the drawers. While the drawers are empty, you can wipe them down and clear away any crumbs....

For my Disney outer space party a couple of weeks ago, I knew I wanted to hang planets from the ceiling. But I didn’t just want regular planets, I wanted massive ones! I ordered some 36″ balloons from Celebration Lane and some hula hoops from Target and turned them into my favorite part of the party table! Here’s how I made them. Supplies: 36″ balloon hula hoop (make sure to buy one that will fit around the balloon) clear fishing wire Command Brand party ceiling hooks Instructions (recommend you do this with two people) Step 1 – Have one person hold the hula hoop at the approximate height you want them to hang....

Parsley has also garnered a healthy reputation for being among the top disease-fighting herbs, recognized by the CDC as a powerhouse plant for its high nutrient density and ability to help ward off chronic illnesses. Curious to know more about this deeply green garnish? We’ve broken down some of parsley’s top health benefits below and made it easy to add to your diet with some of our favorite recipes....

However, not everyone looking to reevaluate their relationship with alcohol (particularly after the holidays) wants to stop imbibing completely. Sometimes, people just want to be more thoughtful about what, and possibly why, they’re drinking as part of a focus on their overall health, while still enjoying the occasional glass of wine. This is where Damp January comes in. Damp January allows you to set your own goals for a month of mindful drinking....

Long white: Thin-skinned, all-purpose potato with firm, waxy texture. Round white: Thin-skinned potato with firm, waxy texture; best for boiling and frying. Round red: Thin-skinned potato with firm, waxy texture; good for boiling. Russet: Thick-skinned potato with dry, mealy texture; good for baking and frying. Purple: Violet-purple potato with purple meat and dry, mealy texture; best for baking and frying. Retains its color when cooked. Yellow: Several varieties with golden, thin skins, creamy yellow meat, and smooth texture; good for boiling and frying, some for baking....

Ranch Water is rumored to be the brainchild of a rancher in West Texas, who invented it about six decades ago. In its present form, this pleasantly uncomplicated drink is made with just three ingredients—tequila, plenty of fresh lime juice, and Topo Chico. While some may say any carbonated water will do, Ranch Water aficionados claim that Topo Chico, which is more carbonated than your average seltzer, is key to making Ranch Water so deliciously refreshing....

I didn’t think it was possible (for me at least) to not only look cute but also feel great in what I’m wearing while cooking and eating a very large meal until I received a sample of the Spanx Faux Suede Leggings. In fact, after wearing these leggings all day from proofing my rolls in the morning to packing up doggy bags for my family, I was so comfy that I fell asleep wearing them on my couch....

To buy: $229 (was $300); amazon.com or samsung.com. Here’s how the Jetbot works: Using the company’s Dual Spin technology, two pads attached to the Jetbot spin at a fast rate while the robot itself turns and moves around the room. Its smart sensor system detects walls, furniture, stairs, and even carpets, so the robot mop won’t fall down steps or get your spot-clean-only rugs wet. It comes with eight cleaning modes such as “focus mode” that concentrates on a particular area, “manual mode” that allows you to control the robot with a remote, and “edge mode” that deep cleans the edges of your walls....

Highlights: Sarah’s past work includes writing commerce pieces across several categories, including goods for the home, kitchen gadgets, fashion, beauty, and skincare for LoveToKnow Media.Prior to becoming a writer, Sarah worked in live daytime television at The Wendy Williams Show in New York City for over five years.She holds a B.A. in Communications & Social Interaction from SUNY Oswego. She’s also a millennial mom who’s contributed personal stories and parenting pieces to Motherly....

“Massive price gains are pretty common all across the U.S.,” says realtor.com chief economist Danielle Hale. “We’re talking double-digit price gains over a year ago.” While it may be tempting to cash in right now and make a profit on your house, there’s plenty to think about before you put that For Sale sign out front. And unless you’re downsizing or moving to a cheaper market, selling your house now may not make financial sense....

These Levi’s skinny jeans give you that polished look that’s ideal for the office while still feeling relaxed enough to wear around the house. Made with a blend of breathable cotton, durable polyester, and stretchy elastane, the jeans slip right on and contour to your shape. You’ll also love that they’re very soft against the skin, so you won’t want to trade them for leggings when you get home. Trust us, they’re that good....

The Stars Above Beautifully Soft Pajama Set looks comfortable before you even put it on. The set, which is made from 95 percent modal and 5 percent spandex, includes a long-sleeve top and pants. Both pieces have contrasting white piping for a fun classic pop, and you can choose from four classic colors as well as two prints (leopard and pink stripes, respectively). To buy: $30; target.com “These are the softest, coziest pajamas,” wrote one of the 200 five-star reviewers, who also noted the Target women’s pajamas fit true-to-size....

With these chances, it’s no surprise that prospective homebuyers have been going out of their way to make these offers. “Our quarterly report reveals that 57 percent of agents have seen buyers leverage their own retirement or securities funds to pay cash for a home,” says Laura Tonelli, home trends expert at HomeLight, a San Francisco-based real estate referral company. In addition, she says that 49 percent of real estate agents polled have seen buyers take out a home equity loan or home equity line of credit for this purpose, and 38 percent of agents have seen buyers get short-term loans from friends or family....

We came up with six delicious ways to work the sweet side of your machine. Sure, you could make similar versions in the oven, but the slow cooker provides a slow (duh) even heat that, for some cakes, is far superior to the traditional oven treatment. Our Slow Cooker Cheesecake, for example, sets up with a delectable custard-like texture, with no water bath required. And we suggest scooping the Chocolate Pudding Cake straight from the slow cooker into the dessert dish....

There’s a myriad of markdowns happening right now, but we have our eyes set on Spanx. With over 100 best-sellers discounted up to 30 percent off, Spanx’s end-of-summer sale is not one to miss. You can shop customer-loved pieces, including skorts, seamless thongs, and workout leggings. Even the brand’s workwear marvel, the perfect pant, is on sale for $38 off. While we’re nearly in September, the hot temperatures aren’t letting up any time soon....

I’m sure you don’t need to be convinced that this sweet little fiber-filled fruit is near-perfect. Regardless, I’m going to try. For starters, a serving of strawberries packs more vitamin C than most citrus fruits. “One cup of strawberries packs 85 milligrams of vitamin C. That’s over 140 percent of the daily value for vitamin C and more than what you’d get from a single orange,” says Jenn LaVardera, RD, a nutrition expert for Naturipe Farms....

Because picking the best bathroom faucet isn’t always easy, we spoke to Lonnie Thomas, founder of the faucet review site Mr. Kitchen Faucets, to get expert insight on what to look for when shopping for these devices. “When choosing bathroom faucets, you should look at how easy they are to install, whether or not they come with instructions, what type of finish (brass, chrome, nickel, etc.) they have, and if there is an anti-scald feature on them,” Thomas says....

“There is nothing better than outdoor curtains to soften a space and create an incredible ambiance for an afternoon or evening on your patio,” says Chantelle Hartman Malarkey, an interior designer, and lifestyle expert. “A set of outdoor curtains can create dreamy diffused sunlight and protect against harsh UV rays, rainstorms, or wind.” To find the best outdoor curtains, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind the size, material, and number of panels included....

To come up with these recommendations, we thoroughly researched the best shoe cleaners on the market and narrowed down our list based on type, shoe material, and more. We also spoke with Eduard Shimunov, owner of Cobbler Express Shoe Repair in New York City, for expert tips on how to keep your shoes looking new. Our top pick, the Reshoevn8r Original Kit, is ideal because it comes with wipes, a cleaning solution, and a brush, making it easy to use as a spot treatment or clean your entire shoe....

When shopping for measuring cups, think about your daily lifestyle and how you’ll use them. Since they’re not one size fits all, we’ve found the best cups for both liquids and dry ingredients in a variety of styles. “Dry and liquid ingredients should be measured differently, using cups for dry ingredients and liquid measuring cups for liquids,” says Jen Pattap, baker and founder of Piece of Love Pastries. Consider whether you want to display the cups or tuck them in a drawer or cabinet, how large of a set you’ll need, and how much storage space you have....