Posts

In the same way that hiring a personal trainer isn’t going to help you reach your health goals unless you put in the work, downloading a home organization app isn’t going to make a clutter issue disappear without some effort from you (and anyone else who lives in the home). Fortunately, helpful organizing apps make the process easier; they can even offer personalized tips and tricks along the way or help refine and polish an already successful organizing system....

Finding the right cleaning solution for your home’s specific needs, though, can be a challenge, since there are so many types of products available with many different variations on use, strength, longevity, and more. To make your shopping experience a little bit easier, we’ve narrowed down the best tile and grout cleaners there are, doing thorough research on the category and considering factors such as type, formula, and application. We also spoke with Melissa Maker, founder of Clean My Space, to get an expert’s take on what to look for when shopping for these products and how and what they’re best used for Tile and grout cleaners are essential to tackle issues like “hard water and soap scum and body oils left behind after a shower,” explains Maker....

Several semi-homemade side-dish saviors at Trader Joe’s have piqued my interest. I might just stock up to reduce stress while hitting all the traditional fall flavors. In case you want to join me for a halfway-homemade holiday… Instead of Candied Sweet Potatoes, Try… Trader Joe’s Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Roasted Pecans This refrigerated side dish gets steamy and ready to serve after about three minutes in the microwave. There’s melted butter and a pinch of cinnamon in the mash....

To find the best bamboo sheets, we tested 22 sets in our Lab and evaluated them based on quality, texture, breathability, durability, and value. For expert advice on what to look for when shopping for bamboo sheets, we spoke with Jeffrey Kambak, CEO of U.S. operations at The Trident Group (a textiles manufacturer) and vice president of the Home Fashion Products Association. We also received tips from Jolanda Thomas, associate product development merchant at The Company Store, who says the main characteristics of bamboo sheets are “silky, soft, and cooling....

We tested 27 electric leaf blowers in our Lab and evaluated them on their effectiveness, battery life, ease of use, portability, noise level, and value. For expert insight, we spoke to Gary McCoy, Lowe’s store manager. “An electric leaf blower is a low-maintenance machine that is both lighter and quieter than gas-powered models,” says McCoy. Our top pick for the best electric leaf blower is the Ryobi 18V One+ 280 CFM Jet Fan Blower because it’s lightweight and easy to handle, while still providing lots of leaf blowing power....

To find the best sheets for every sleeper, we put 68 sheet sets to the test (both in our Lab and at home) to evaluate their quality, breathability, durability, value, and more. We also considered factors like material, weave, and certifications when coming up with this list. For expert advice on what to consider when shopping for bed sheets, we spoke to Preeti Gopinath, the program director of the textiles department at Parsons School of Design....

“They allow you to clean your floors using only steam, so you can deep clean your floors without using any harsh cleaning solutions,” says Bailey Carson, home care expert at Angi. There are steam mops with basic features that make it quick and easy to clean floors, while others have a accessories and tools that make it easier to clean other hard surfaces. To help you decide which steam mop is the best option for your home, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind each model’s weight, power cord length, and water capacity....

We researched a variety of electric kettles, considering factors like material, capacity, and bonus features. We also spoke with Ashley Lim, a Certified Tea Sommelier and Founder and CEO of Mansa Tea, who says that “unlike a traditional tea kettle, an electric kettle gives you the convenience of getting the right temperature with a press of a button.” Our top pick is the Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle for its large 1....

To find the best mold removers, we spent hours researching products, considering factors like type, ingredients, and compatibility with different surfaces. We also received tips on how to choose and use mold removers from Michael Rubino, founder of HomeCleanse and author of The Mold Medic. “Using a cleaning product to tackle mold typically depends on the type of surface in question, which can be porous, such as fabrics and carpet; non-porous, such as finished wood and sealed countertops; and semi-porous, such as leather furniture and some types of plastic,” says Rubino....

Today, the 31-year-old and fiancée´of actor Jason Statham launched her new beauty website, Rose Inc., and with it, debuted the sections, style, and tone she’s crafted in her role as editor-in-chief. With her creation, we become privy as readers to not only her insider knowledge but also the tips and beauty scoops of her peers, who have spent years in the spotlight honing their skin-care and makeup routines. One of the site’s sections is called Hero Product: “Because some beauty products truly rise above the rest, and like anything, the best deserves a little extra attention....

As with most much-loved dessert recipes, nailing any homemade apple pie recipe comes down to two things: technique (find the best method according to Chef Thomas Keller) and top-quality ingredients, meaning the apples you use. Growing up, I was always under the impression that Golden Delicious was The One for pie. “They don’t taste great raw,” my mother would say, “but that soft, mealy texture is ideal for baking. Who wants to crunch into a crispy apple when eating pie?...

My husband isn’t a huge dessert fan. He’ll eat some ice cream here or there and sometimes even a snickerdoodle or too. But really he’d rather eat appetizers than dessert. The one exception is cheesecake. He loves a good cheesecake. So I’m always trying to come up with new cheesecake recipes for him to try. I’ve done mini cheesecakes, sopapilla cheesecake, and even Oreo cheesecake. And now the lastest is these strawberry cheesecake bars, and they may be my favorite cheesecake inspired recipe yet!...

Weed your garden first thing in the morning. It’s a really pleasant way to start your day; I like to do it while enjoying my coffee. And since the ground is still moist from the dew, the weeds are easier to pull. — @vtfarmgirl Join a garden club in your area. I’ve benefited from a wonderful set of teachers and mentors who are passionate about gardening, the environment, and giving back to their community....

Miso soup rings a bell, yes? Well, miso, a nutritious fermented condiment made from soybeans and sometimes rice and other grains, can be used in way more than just miso soup. It can turn a pot of homemade mashed potatoes—yes even the kind without any milk or cream at all—into an umami-rich pot of comfort. Here’s how to make mashed potatoes without milk: Start by boiling red potatoes with onion to infuse them with flavor from the very beginning....

“There is not a single class of ingredient that can rival the track record that retinoids have for proven scientific results,” says Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, PhD, a New York City–based dermatologist. Other experts are equally enthusiastic. Susan Weinkle, a dermatologist in Bradenton, Florida, calls retinoids skin care’s heavy lifters. “I tell patients that regardless of how much time or money they have, sunscreen and a retinoid are the most important anti-agers to use,” she says....

So what now? Guessing you’ve considered kicking the habit and making craft coffee from scratch, but took one look at how much one of those at-home milk frothers cost—let alone the price of most espresso machines—and threw in the towel. Who could figure out how to use one of those things without caffeine in their system anyway? Don’t give up. We have a simple solution to your every homemade steamed-milk struggle....

To buy: $9 (was $18); amazon.com. “I love these sweatshirts! It’s a nice loose fit overall, it’s soft, the neck is wide enough to easily go over your head, and it doesn’t shrink,” shared a shopper who called the sweatshirt a “great buy” and noted that they already own three sweatshirts and plan to buy more. “This sweatshirt is extremely soft on the inside and comfortable to wear,” added another reviewer....

It might surprise you, but canned goods can often be just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts in the produce section. “Buying canned goods typically provides equal value nutrition-wise compared to fresh items,” says Leslie Bobo, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Los Angeles. “Most of these items are canned right after being harvested, and they do not lose nutrients in the canning process.” Canned food can also be more accessible, and often more affordable, to those who don’t have access to fresh produce year-round, adds Bobo....

Crushed Red Pepper This is the most versatile way to add heat. Stir into hot oil at the start of cooking to diffuse its kick. Bay Leaves One leaf’s delicate, herbal qualities add dimension to a simmering sauce or broth. Ground Cinnamon Yes, it gives desserts a warming, nostalgic touch, but it does the same to savory dishes. Combine a pinch with ground coriander and cumin in a chickpea stew....

Are eye creams a scam? It’s a well-supported conspiracy in the skincare world that eye creams are nothing more nor less than regular moisturizer with a different consistency. Which is not to say that a retinol-hyaluronic acid-vitamin C eye cream is bad for you, just that a quality facial moisturizer will contain all or some combination of these things already. If you’re investing in a good facial product, you might reconsider doubling down on a redundant under-eye cream....