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But this year, I’m putting some tech muscle behind all those new habits I’d like to create and goals I’d like to set. Because smartphones, smart homes, and yes, a few fun tech gadgets can be just the thing to help prod even the biggest procrastinators and most willpower-challenged goal setters (ahem, me) toward New Year’s resolution success. Whether your goal is a healthier, wealthier, or wiser New Year, you’ll find just the right strategies to help make you a New Year’s resolution success story....

Now, more than ever, people are seeking ways to decompress, process and manage their feelings and thoughts. However, stay-at-home orders and social distancing regimens have forced psychotherapists to adjust quickly to a new normal of teletherapy sessions. What’s more, online therapy services—like TalkSpace, Wysa and others—are booming in membership as the population struggles to cope with the impact of COVID-19. Seeking advice and guidance from a professional is always a smart healthy choice to make, but how can we get the most out of these online appointments?...

One of my all-time favorite board games, okay party games, is Outburst. I love it because while you have to guess items within a specific topic, you don’t have to guess the exact one – you have ten to choose from! This year for Thanksgiving, I decided it would be fun to make my own set of Thanksgiving outburst cards so families could play at home. All with a Thanksgiving theme!...

1. Handmaid’s Tale Original run: April 26, 2017 — Present Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Joseph Fiennes, Ann Dowd The award-winning dystopian series, based on a 242-page book, is renewed for a fourth season, so you know it has to be pretty good. The plot features a Second American Civil War wherein a totalitarian society forces fertile women, dubbed “handmaids,” into child-bearing slavery. Of course, they don’t call it that (they see it as God’s work), and the hierarchical regime of social classes ignites a war between the powerful government who controls it and the people they subjugate....

Types of Sunlight for Plants Full sun, part sun, part shade—what does it all mean? Sifting through light requirements on plant tags and then lining those up with the conditions in your yard can be tricky. Here’s a rundown of terms and definitions commonly used in gardening. Full sun: six or more hours of direct sunlight per day. The sunlight doesn’t have to be continuous; a plant might receive 2 hours of sunlight in the morning and another 4 hours in the afternoon....

To come up with this list of the best utensil organizers, we thoroughly researched the market and narrowed down the options based on type (like a drawer tray or countertop crock), material, and compartments. For expert tips on how to organize utensils and silverware, we spoke to Anita Fortes, professional organizer and founder of A Neater Life. The first step to getting your utensil drawers organized, according to Fortes, is having a good old-fashioned declutter....

Each year, paint companies and color experts reveal their picks for the shade that best encapsulates the current period. Their choices for paint color of the year often draw on trends in pop culture, fashion, technology, and design from around the world, and the results are starting to roll in for 2022. Minwax is the latest major paint company to announce its selection, but there will be more to come....

Sure, we could tell you to smile and be nice, but this isn’t just about making friends and being liked; it’s about establishing a solid and genuine foundation for your new colleagues to respect you, trust you, collaborate with you, and enjoy both your presence and input. This, in turn, will help make your job easier, since everything’s so much simpler going forward if you manage to make a good first impression....

Every holiday season, popular gifts like Apple AirPods and Roomba robot vacuums, tend to sell out or become backordered. Right now, these items are in stock and marked down, but that may not last long. Experts have predicted shortages and delays that are likely to hit various categories in the coming months, including Thanksgiving turkeys and trendy toys. Best Smart Home and Electronics Deals Fire TV Stick 4K Streaming Device, $34 (was $50) Echo Dot Smart Speaker Smart Bulb Bundle, $25 (was $55) Apple AirPods Pro, $179 (was $249) Apple AirPods (Wired Charging), $109 (was $159) Kindle, $60 (was $90) Kasa Smart Plug by TP-Link Two-Pack, $15 with Prime (was $20)...

To find the best brooms, we spent hours researching the various options on the market, considering factors like broom style, bristle material, handle design, and overall value when coming up with our picks. We also spoke to two cleaning experts—Renee Kraus, CEO of Renee’s Cleaning Services, and Johnny Pallares, owner of De La Rosa House Cleaning—for advice on how to choose the best brooms for different cleaning tasks and surface types....

“Urban and suburban gardeners alike can benefit from indoor garden systems,” says Leslie Halleck, pro horticulturist and author of Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers. They’re for “just about anyone,” she says: “those who want to grow plants but lack adequate outdoor space, those who want to grow small amounts of veggies, microgreens, and herbs year-round, or those who just want to get a jump on the planting season....

To come up with these recommendations, we tested 27 percale sheets in our Lab and evaluated them based on quality, texture, breathability, durability, and value. For expert tips and insight on what to look for in percale sheets, we spoke to Jeffrey Kambak, CEO of U.S. operations at The Trident Group (a textiles manufacturer) and vice president of the Home Fashion Products Association. Kambak says percale sheets are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, however, many consumers still don’t know what to look for when shopping for them: “There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” says Kambak....

We also interviewed Deborah Young, a textiles expert with more than 25 years of experience in the industry, and learned that the most effective cooling materials are often made from either naturally breathable fabrics that absorb sweat, or manufactured fibers that keep you at a comfortable temperature throughout the night. Our top pick is the Sleep Number True Temp Blanket, which stands out for its versatility, comfort, and hi-tech design....

“Wood stain acts as a sealer for your deck, helping to keep out both moisture and pests, such as termites, which can lead to damage like mold, mildew, and wood rot,” says Michael Clarke, founder of Pulled, a digital platform that helps homeowners find and hire service providers for home projects. The winter can be an especially brutal time for your deck—snow and rain sinks deep into the wood and freezes, causing the planks to split....

To round up the best electric blankets, we tested 27 popular models in our Lab and had testers evaluate them on quality, feel, effectiveness, heat, durability, ease of use, value, and bonus features like programmable timers and dual controllers. For expert safety advice, we spoke to Brianne Deerwester, communications coordinator for the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), and Jennifer Schallmoser, media relations specialist for the National Safety Council (NSC), about their tips for selecting and using electric blankets....

When choosing a heating pad, it’s important to search for one that suits your individual needs. If you’re trying to ease lower back pain or stay warm on a winter night, an oversized pad that can lay flat on your bed is your best bet, while a more compact and flexible pad is abetter choice for someone trying to soothe achy joints, like knees or elbows. To help you find the heating pad that will work best for you, we turned to real reviews from shoppers who have tried them out and shared their experiences....

With so many reusable grocery bags on the market now, trying to figure out which option is best for your household can turn into a research-intensive project. If you hate carrying multiple bags, you might prefer an oversized tote (like Household Essentials’ canvas utility tote) that can hold more items, while people with limited storage space should consider collapsible versions (like Earthwise’s carryalls) that will fold flat. To help you find the best reusable grocery bags for your needs, we’ve turned to reviews from real customers who have purchased and grocery shopped with these bags themselves....

To buy: $33 (was $60); amazon.com. The blow-dry brush may look like a traditional hair tool, however, its clever design dries and styles your strands at the very same time. The brush uses three heat settings that are easily adjustable at the bottom and has two types of bristles made to volumize hair as you brush it. With 1,100 watts of power, the Bed Head brush heats up well and fast....

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?...

I have to admit, I’m a sucker for fruit pizza. I don’t know if it’s my mind playing tricks on me and thinking oh there’s fruit, this is a healthy dessert option, or what. But I love it. I know traditional fruit pizza using a sugar cookie crust and there are plenty of those out there that are delicious. I’m likely share a recipe for one myself soon. But for now, I wanted to share a unique take on it – instead of a sugar cookie crust, this fruit pizza uses a soft brownie crust thats then topped with a cream cheese layer and sliced fruit....