Posts

If you’re a sensitive sleeper or lack the ability to sleep on the move, red-eyes may be exhausting. Here’s the silver lining high above the clouds: You—yes, even you—can actually sleep on an airplane, but you need to follow a few strategies. You know the rules of what you can bring on a plane—consider these the rules of a sleep-supportive flight. From the decisions you make the day of takeoff to your carry-on packing strategy, here are some tricks of the how-to-sleep-on-a-plane trade, straight from frequent fliers....

The good news: With a few simple tricks to reduce the amount of fresh produce we toss, we could have a massive impact on the environment (and on our grocery expenses). One of the most common mistakes that leads to food spoilage is storing fruits and vegetables too close together. A build-up of ethylene gas will cause them to go bad. The produce with the greatest amount of this compound are apples, melons, apricots, bananas, tomatoes, avocados, peaches, pears, nectarines, plums, figs, and some other fruits....

How to Tell if Cheesecake Is Done While you might think the toothpick test is a good idea to test cheesecake for doneness, think again. Using a knife or toothpick to test a cheesecake may create a crack in the top. This method does not give an accurate test for cheesecakes made with a large amount of sour cream, as you wouldn’t get a clean result at the tip of the knife....

Reader question: They say you shouldn’t wash your hair that often, but shouldn’t I wash it after a workout? How can I wash it less? — @lromance16 Washing your hair is a cyclical nightmare. OK, maybe nightmare is a bit strong, but it certainly takes away from your precious sleep time and is something you just can’t seem to escape. The not-so-funny irony is that we wash our hair because it gets oily, but washing produces more oil....

Step 2: Cut batting. Measure the entire width of the headboard, including the outer edges of each post (the batting will go around the posts, too). Next, measure the height of the headboard; double it. Cut a swath of polyester quilt batting (buy it at fabrics stores) to these dimensions. Step 3: Drape fabric. Drape batting over tension rod and posts, allowing it to fall evenly over the back side of the headboard....

A paint sprayer, as the name implies, sprays paint onto a surface with the use of a trigger on the device. This tool helps shorten a project’s timeline and improves the paint finish quality. However, a paint sprayer generally uses about 33% more paint than a roller, so make sure to plan ahead when buying paint. Take a look at this helpful guide to learn how to use a paint sprayer....

If you’re an avid outdoor exerciser, there’s no need to let the summer heat or scorching sun sabotage your fitness habits altogether—but you do need to make a few tweaks to stay safe and healthy (read: avoid heat exhaustion, dehydration, muscle cramps, and the like). And this is even more important for groups who may be more sensitive to high heat, like adults over 65 or people on certain medications such as diuretics, beta-blockers, antihistamines, tranquilizers, or antipsychotics, says Alexis C....

Why You Need This Skill Once you know how to wrap a present, you’ll know forever. You can pull out your gift-wrapping knowledge for all occasions to come. You can face last-minute gifts with the confidence that you can give them a good presentation in minutes. So gather your materials, find a box to practice with, and get wrapping. (And if you’re still having trouble, study up on gift-wrapping mistakes to avoid....

I thought that caveat could be a dealbreaker until I found the Brightech Sky LED Floor Lamp, a space-efficient fixture shoppers say is “by far the brightest lamp” they’ve ever owned. After poring over its thousands of five-star reviews, I signed my lease and added it straight to my cart. I’ve had the lamp for about a month now, and the difference it’s made is—quite literally—night and day. Its natural-looking light has already improved my mood, and it’s taken my work-from-home video calls to another level....

The Hamilton Beach Personal Blender came into my life when I moved into my second New York apartment, which features ample counter space so it can be left out all the time. I wanted a smoothie maker, specifically. I read reviews, weighed the options, and decided to take a chance on this extremely affordable option. To buy: $20; amazon.com. Now you’re thinking, “But what about the routine! Get to the routine!...

Dried fruit is sweet, snackable, and can be taken on the go a heck of a lot easier than a few easy-to-bruise bananas or bulky cartons of berries. But if you’ve ever reached the bottom of a bag in a single sitting and found yourself wondering how this snack stacks up nutritionally—you’ve come to the right place. We tapped nutrition expert Amy Shapiro, RD, to give us the lowdown on our dried fruit addiction....

For a limited time, shoppers can grab more than 130 already-on-sale sweaters and winter shoes for an extra 50 percent off—so when you use the J.Crew discount code SALETIME at checkout, that means you’ll save as much as 87 percent off original prices. With closet staples like cashmere turtlenecks and fluffy moccasins lined with faux fur available for less, just know you won’t be cold for much longer. To buy: From $53 with code SALETIME; jcrew....

When you consider stagnating wages, mounting student loan debt, persistent racial and economic oppression, and other factors that make it hard to get ahead—it’s not surprising that Gen Z and millennials are poorer than their parents and grandparents. Despite the frustrations this economic divide causes, experts say our actions and mindsets around money can significantly impact our present and future quality of life. Why Financial Inequality Persists To address the wealth gap in our own lives, it’s important to contextualize economic inequality at large....

For retailers, this tax can be a way to offset other rising costs related to inflation and supply chain issues. Retailers might also charge more for pumpkin spice items to capitalize on consumer fears of missing out on these seasonal items that are only around for a brief period of time, and might sell out due to their popularity. So, aside from the PSL, what are the seasonal foods that have the highest pumpkin spice tax?...

Yet, the spotlight makes sense for the midnight blue bottle. Over 39,000 shoppers have decreed the formula worth a five-star rating, and over 5,000 have added their two cents on why it’s so good. The highlights: It clears up dander incredibly quickly, cleans hair, adds a nice shine, and aids hair growth as a pleasant side effect. To buy: $11 (was $17); amazon.com “This stuff is absolutely amazing. I had severe dandruff that was so bad, I could shake my head and it would come off,” writes one person, who says they were one step away from heading to the dermatologist....

Luckily, when creating the open living room and kitchen in the 2021 Real Simple Home, we had the help of two professional designers: Delia Kenza focused on the kitchen and Natalie Papier planned the living room. Here are their top tips for making an open layout floor plan work. Keep scale in mind. “If you decide to have an open floor plan, make sure you consider scale,” says Kenza. “You don’t want the kitchen to overpower the rest of the space....

True to Chihuahuas’ short stature, this stencil fits short, wide pumpkins best; it even prints out in landscape to better accommodate those glorious ears! But if your pumpkin is tall and skinny, reduce the pattern size with a photocopier to fit. To carve: Start with a pumpkin that’s been hollowed out from the bottom. Select the side you’re planning to carve, and scrape the interior pumpkin wall thinnest on that side....

If you see lots of weekend excursions and quick trips home in your future, opt for the Bigger Carry-On. To be ready for study abroad, the Medium is a spacious checked bag that’s built to last. Invest in both for a complete set that will see you through everything. This option is the perfect combination of an unbeatable price, twin XL sizing, and solid colors that work in any space....

Made from the same cloud cotton material used for some of Parachute’s popular quilts, robes, and duvet covers, the new placemats, napkins, table runners, and tablecloths have an almost blanket-like appearance that’s equal parts casual and elevated. The 100 percent Turkish cotton is soft to the touch and the fabric is yarn-dyed and washed in neutral beige and coal colors that won’t fade. Order one of each for a cohesive tablescape or mix and match the fluffy pieces with other textures for a dynamic presentation....

Growing up, my mother also used to make pecans to bake one of my favorite desserts: pecan pie. And while the sugary-sweet delight may not be the healthiest of options, it doesn’t take away from the fact that pecans are downright delicious. And luckily, childhood memories aside, pecans have proven to be quite nutritious and heart healthy. Where Pecans Come From According to NutHealth.org, pecan trees are the only major tree nuts indigenous to America and are produced by a species of hickory tree....