Posts

BANKING Save Up for Big Purchases Throwing down a card for something you think you need ASAP—like a new guestroom mattress before the in-laws visit—can seem like a good idea…until the bill comes. When you’re itching for a spendy item, Accrue holds you accountable. Choose your splurge from one of its partner brands (Casper, Smile Direct Club, fine jewelry companies, and more) and make a savings plan. Get cash rewards (like $120 off a mattress) as you hit your goals....

How She Made the Built-Ins To construct this DIY storage solution, Basnight first planned out the space using painter’s tape on the wall, marking where each shelf, drawer, and clothing rod would go. Once the space was mapped out, it was time to start building. On her blog, she detailed the entire process, from choosing the materials (she went with maple plywood), to cutting each piece, to spray painting everything and installing the drawers....

Betsy Ellis, school nurse in Memphis. Jenny Kuzjak, emergency-room nurse in Charlottesville, Virginia. Julie Kardos and Naline Lai, pediatricians in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and founders of the blog Two Peds in a Pod. Sara Moulton, TV chef and author of Sara Moulton’s Everyday Family Dinners ($35, amazon.com). Ilana Rosengarten, graphic designer, blogger (mommyshorts.com), and New York City resident with an impossibly small kitchen. Jennifer Rubell, author of Real Life Entertaining ($27....

Well, maybe not that last one. If toilet cleaning doesn’t quite fit into your list of beloved romantic activities, you’re not alone. And you feel pretty much the same way about taking out the trash, folding laundry, and vacuuming. Relationship buzz-kills, every last one. For its Modern Love and Household Responsibilities survey, Yelp asked 2,000 Americans with partners (split evenly between men and women) how chores affect their relationships—and more specifically, which chores they look forward to the least....

Paint the Stair Railings Too often, transitional spaces such as staircases are overlooked as opportunities for bold design moves. But design pro Gina Gutierrez of Gina Rachelle Design didn’t miss a chance to make a statement. By painting the stair railings Pitch Cobalt, Gina draws your eye up the stairs, inviting you to explore the second floor. To balance the space, she painted an interior door the same hue but left the rest of the room fairly neutral so these splashes of color can shine....

Editor-Loved Beauty Deals Honest Beauty Crème Cheek Blush, $13 (was $16) Aquaphor Lip Ointment and Sunscreen, $4 (was $5) CeraVe Facial Renewing Night Cream, $14 (was $22) Mineral Fusion Setting Powder, $22 (was $33) L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Set, $15 (was $20) O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream, $11 (was $15) It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Product, $11 (was $12) Biore Charcoal Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, $6 (was $8) Bio-Oil Skincare Oil for Scars, $15 (was $27) Mineral Fusion Eye Shadow Trio, $21 (was $29)...

To come up with these recommendations, we extensively researched faux fur blankets while considering factors like material, style, size, and care. For expert tips on how to shop for faux fur blankets, we consulted Alicia Cheung and Eva Bradley of interior design firm studioHEIMAT. “If you want a more ‘real’ look, going with a blanket with more pattern or variation will look better than, say, a solid color,” says Cheung....

“When evaluating [the best stick vacuums], it needs to be lightweight, and be able to transform into a hand vac,” says Allen Rathey, director of the Indoor Health Council. “If it’s a battery-powered stick vacuum, you want one with a high-powered, replaceable lithium-ion battery, as this drives suction.” Functionality, accessories, battery life, storage, and ease of cleaning are also important factors to consider. To narrow your search for the best stick vacuums, we extensively researched the most important features, accessories, and designs available on the market from top brands like Dyson, Shark, Samsung, and more....

I spent the last few years overhauling my beauty bag to swap out my longtime go-tos for cleaner options in hopes that my acne and eczema would improve. Thankfully, my new investments paid off, but I struggled to find an impressive mascara until Honest Beauty sent me their two-in-one lash primer and mascara to test. After trying nearly a dozen other options that disappointed me, I was delighted to find an under-$20 option that met my new standards, lasted all day and through workouts (with no flaking or smudging) while making my lashes look long and thick....

“A napkin ring adds a touch of elegance to any table,” says Raquel Skrobarczyk, owner and principal designer at Heather Scott Home & Design. “And since people have been staying home by themselves these last few years, they want to go all out when entertaining. When putting together a table, they want to bring out special plates, table linens, and napkin rings to make everyone feel special and appreciated.” To arrive at the 13 best napkin rings, we researched a variety of choices available online, keeping in mind dimensions, material, and number per set....

“A throw blanket offers so many different functions and adds color and texture to a room, as well as being used for warmth and comfort,” says Anki Spets, owner and designer of AREA Home in New York, New York. Since throw blankets are available in so many different fabrics, colors, and sizes, you can find a blanket for every style and budget. To find the best throw blankets, we researched a variety of selections in multiple sizes and assorted materials....

To speed up your shopping process, we researched dozens of bedding brands and stores and vetted them for material quality, product variety, certifications, and return policy. For more insight on what to consider when buying new bedding, we’ve also turned to Andrea May, interior designer at Andrea May Interiors. “Buy the best quality sheets for your budget,” May says. “[And] forget uber thread count. Thread count has been hyped, but it’s less important than material content....

We spent hours researching planners to find the best options while considering factors such as layout, size, length, and extra features. We also spoke with Megan Sumrell, time management and productivity expert, and Erik Pham, CEO of the health and wellness publisher Health Canal, for insight and tips on what to look for when buying a new planner. “When shopping for a new planner, it’s important to consider what features are most important to you and what type of layout you prefer,” says Pham....

Tinned Fish Revolution Earlier this year, a TikTok video featuring a tinned fish date night went viral. In 2023, Laurentia Romaniuk, Instacart’s trends expert, expects to see the continued rise of creative, shareable tinned fish spreads. “Tinned fish is not only starting to play a bigger role on our plates, but it’s also expanding our horizons, taste buds, and appreciation for trying new things, which adds to the appeal,” she says....

The brand has also extended its Holiday Price Match Guarantee through December 24, matching competitor’s pricing within 14 days of your purchase. To take some stress off of deal hunting, we curated a list of the top deals in home, beauty, style, and kitchen that will prepare you for the gifting season with unmatched value. Use your Target Circle membership to gain access to extra savings opportunities. We made deal-hunting simple and have compiled a list of the 33 best Target Cyber Monday deals you can’t miss from popular brands like Keurig, Hamilton Beach, Revlon, Remington, Nutribullet, and more....

To find out which ice makers are the best on the market, we tested 15 popular models in our Lab and evaluated them on performance, capacity, and portability. In addition to Pistolesi, we also sought the advice of Natasha Pietramala, Senior Licensing & Product Manager for Curtis International LTD, manufacturer for Electrolux, for expert advice on how to shop for an ice maker. Our top pick is the Luma Comfort Countertop Clear Ice Maker for its ability to produce 24 cubes of ice that were equal in size in 23 minutes, all while remaining practically silent....

And since the start of the new year is always a great time to make changes, you may want to grab a few upgrades for your home, wardrobe, or beauty bag. There are deals galore on fresh bedding, cozy winter clothes, and top-rated skincare. Best Health and Wellness Deals Safe+Mate Case-Mate Adult Reusable Face Mask Set, $14 (was $25) Jumbl Disposable Face Mask 100-Pack, $12 with coupon (was $19) Fitbit Versa 3 Fitness Smartwatch, $209 (was $230) 321 Strong Foam Roller, $27 (was $45) Goplus Folding Treadmill, $340 with coupon (was $500) Sporzon Neoprene Coated Dumbbell Set, $50 (was $84) BalanceForm Wide Grip Kettlebell Set, $51 (was $80) Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Set, $40 (was $55) BalanceFoam GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat, $16 (was $30) Schwinn Fitness 810 Treadmill, $700 with coupon (was $1,299)...

To help you choose the best milk frother, we tested 26 models in our Lab, assessing them on usability, design, performance, and range of features. In addition to Han, we spoke to two other coffee experts to get their input on what makes a quality milk frother: Bailey Manson, the Director of Innovation at Intelligentsia Coffee, and Josey Markiewicz, Senior Director of Coffee Quality at La Colombe. Our top pick is the ElitaPro Double Whisk Handheld Milk Frother for its affordable price point, ability to produce quality foam from different milk types, and its extra features, including a stand for your countertop and an additional whisk attachment....

While tackling shedding is a reality of pet ownership, there are tools you can use to make cleaning up after them less burdensome: think combs, rollers, or vacuums. Before you purchase a pet hair remover, the most important thing is to consider what items you’ll be using it on. You may need more than one remover to cover every nook and cranny. To find the best pet hair removers, we researched an assortment of options that tackle different areas with different methods....

While tackling shedding is a reality of pet ownership, there are tools you can use to make cleaning up after them less burdensome: think combs, rollers, or vacuums. Before you purchase a pet hair remover, the most important thing is to consider what items you’ll be using it on. You may need more than one remover to cover every nook and cranny. To find the best pet hair removers, we researched an assortment of options that tackle different areas with different methods....