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“I recommend keeping the braid on the loser side—nothing too tight—as this can help with shedding and also make it appear more voluminous,” notes celebrity stylist Cody Renegar. “Keeping hair in a braid can also help prevent breakage caused by applying heating tools often used when styling hair.” Deaundra Metzger, celebrity stylist, agrees, adding that hair braiding is an excellent way to preserve your hair. It prevents breakage and minimizes or eliminates the need for heat styling, both of which are important for thinning hair....

You have to swipe through this insane before-and-after RV makeover. Kayla Miller (@plumprettydecoranddesign) transformed heavy drapes, ancient green carpeting, and clunky cabinetry into a spacious, airy hangout. Thoughtful touches, such as a lip on the bottom shelf to hold baskets in place during transport, speak to the unique needs of an RV. Kevin and Mandy (@188sqft) are the ultimate RV power couple. They both work remotely—sometimes very remotely—and live in their camper full-time with four furry friends....

It doesn’t necessarily have to be anything fancy; start by designating one flower bed for growing your favorite perennials and annuals for cutting. Then, if you find that you’re using more flowers than you can grow in one season, you can always expand later on and plant a larger bed or multiple cutting beds. You’ll have cut flowers whenever you want, plus a full, gorgeous garden! How to Start a Cut Flower Garden Starting a cut flower garden is as easy as planting any other bed, but the location is a little more important because you don’t want all those chopped-off stems front and center....

Kantrowitz recommends allocated investments in the 529 based on how old your child is. This means choosing a more aggressive investment mix—like 80 percent or more in stocks— when your kid is young, so if the market does crash, you have time to recover and the losses will be minimal. “As college approaches, you should shift into a mix of investments where there is low or no risk of loss, to lock in the savings,” says Kantrowitz....

“It’s important to teach your kids about credit early on, because establishing good credit takes time,” says Erin McCullen, head of consumer deposit products at Bank of America. “Building credit from a young age through responsible habits can help pave the way for major purchases and life moments, since credit impacts future living arrangements, the ability to purchase a car, and even employment opportunities.” Here are ways you can teach your kids about credit so you can set them up for financial wellness and security down the line....

Research published in 2018 in the journal Behavioral Sciences found that creative arts therapies (art, music, dance, drama) prevent stress and improve stress management. “[These creative activities] give us a temporary respite from focusing on whatever day-to-day problems we’re experiencing,” says Chloe Carmichael, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety. “Plus, opening up our creative capacity can help make us more effective problem solvers, which can reduce stress....

One of the best things you can do for your vision and long-term eye health is to eat a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats and sugar, says Christine Joy, OD, a VSP Network doctor. Specifically, vitamins A, C, E, and zinc are especially beneficial to your eyes. As it turns out, a lot of the produce and ingredients that are in season in the fall are especially high in these key vitamins....

What exactly is an Instant Pot, anyway? This wonder machine is a programmable, electric pressure-cooker, which means it combines heat and pressure to cook food in about half the time of traditional methods. Most models also have settings for sear, sauté, steam, slow-cook, and simmer. You can also use the Instant Pot to cook rice, make yogurt, and walk your dog. OK, that last one was just wishful thinking, but the Instant Pot really can cook almost anything....

Healthy 8 is a colorful mix of carrots, cabbage, celery, jicama, and broccoli—basically everything you need for the base of a nutritious meal without any washing and chopping. Throw it into your favorite chili recipe for an added dose of vegetables that even picky eaters won’t notice. For an easy and fast weeknight meal, grab some pre-cooked rice or quinoa, veggies pulled from the freezer, and baked or grilled protein of your choice....

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines zero-waste as the “conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials.” All of this is done without harming the health of humans or our planet’s natural resources. While corporations and manufacturers can adopt the concept on a larger scale, incremental efforts at home can make an impact, too. If you’re looking for a place to start, Lily Cameron, co-founder of blog, book, and former store Wild Minimalist, suggests making small, purposeful choices to be more eco-conscious....

Things to Do in the Snow Have an epic snowball fight.Build a snowman.Go sledding.Catch snowflakes on your tongue.Make a snow angel.Hit the slopes.Go snowshoeingWatch the snow falling Things to Eat and Drink in Winter Bake cookies and share them with friends. Drink hot buttered rum. Make a pot of mulled wine or spiced cider. Make a big batch of chili. Bake a pie. Make (and enjoy) eggnog. Make snow cream. Bake cinnamon rolls....

“Castor oil is extracted from the castor bean, which is the seed of the Ricinus communis plant,” says Dr. Sheel Desai Solomon, a board-certified dermatologist and founder Preston Dermatology + Skin Clinic in Raleigh, North Carolina. “Though the plant is technically native to tropical Eastern Africa, it’s managed to journey around the world and can be found in the southeastern region of the United States.” According to Solomon, castor oil is rich in omega-6, omega-9, and vitamin E, which mean it’s a nourishing and hydrating ingredient....

We tested 22 heated mattress pads in our Lab and evaluated them on effectiveness, comfort, durability, and value. For expert safety advice, we spoke to Brianne Deerwester, communications coordinator for the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). “When purchasing heated mattress pads, be sure to only purchase those which have been certified and tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL),” says Deerwester. “NRTLs test and certify electrical equipment and other products to ensure that they meet current safety standards and are safe with proper use....

However, as the age-old adage goes, “time heals all wounds,” and the good news is that there are many ways to support your recovery after a breakup. (Besides playing Beyoncé’s “Me, Myself and I” a couple hundred times. Just me…? OK.) One not-so-talked-about recovery method includes reading breakup books—yes, you read that correctly. When you’re going through a tough time—whether it’s post break-up or another unsettling life transition—a good book can be an excellent source of comfort and healing....

Although often used in rural settings, picket fences can be a useful, beautiful part of several garden types and settings, offering a range of practical uses and accents. Here are a few creative ideas to consider for picket fences. Place the picket fence farther inside property line. Many picket fences are sited right at the edge of a yard, in the slim space between the sidewalk and the property’s edge....

1. Plastic Dry Cleaning Bags and Hangers If you own a lot of dry clean-only clothing, it’s likely you have a large collection of dry cleaning bags and hangers taking up space in your closet. Now’s the time to toss them all. Recycle the paper and toss the plastic (or stash them outside your closet—they make great tarps for your next painting project). And to cut down on the future closet clutter, remember that you can always politely ask your dry cleaner to skip the plastic....

“In the morning, a few simple breathing techniques and movements will clear away the aches and stiffness of the body while clearing the cobwebs out of your mind,” says Tory Schaefer, national director of yoga operations at Life Time in Minneapolis. You’ll also start the day more energized. Meanwhile, “at night, a yoga practice will help reset everything so your bed becomes a sacred space rather than a think tank of residue from the day....

Reader question: Can you recommend some good clarifying shampoos? —@shannon.albright Sorry to break it to you, but if you use dry shampoo and other styling products, go a few days between washes, or rinse your hair with tap water (i.e. all of us), you have a lot of buildup in your hair—even if you can’t see it. And no, the solution isn’t just to wash your hair more. In fact, your shampoo actually contributes to the problem....

It’s not merely the transition from playtime to the work and school week. Many of us stay up later on weekend nights and sleep in during the day, messing up our circadian rhythms and making us grumpy and irritable when the alarm goes off on Monday morning. The stress of starting the week may even affect our health. In fact, a 2004 study found that blood pressure tends to be highest on Monday mornings, while another concluded that Monday is the most common day of the week for heart attacks....

And after adjusting some Christmas traditions over the past few years, we’ve found that the pandemic didn’t just change the way we celebrate the holidays, it also changed the way we decorate for them. Many people are skipping the traditional red and green decor for playful, nontraditional accents. Others are embracing the nostalgia of the season, decorating with vintage Christmas decorations and retro-inspired accents. With so many possibilities, we’re more excited than ever to bust out the ornaments and start wrapping gifts....