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No matter how big or small the gathering, Libby Rawes, interior designer at Sharp + Grey Interiors explains that there are two details that make a home feel especially inviting. “I love to make a home feel comfortable right when you walk in,” Rawes said. “Choosing comfortable furniture, lots of texture, and soft materials that are casual, but elevated begs people to sit and stay awhile.” And for summer, she opts for natural colors like blue and green, linen accents, and fresh flowers....

If you’re looking for home and kitchen deals, you’ll find tons of items that will help you prepare for holiday cooking, like this Le Creuset Dutch oven that’s 47 percent off and this set of four Staub baking dishes that’s 54 percent off. For the fashionistas, there’s a lot of clothing and accessories on sale, too. Check out this classic Longchamp tote bag that’s 20 percent off and these heeled booties that are perfect for any occasion....

We reached out to nutritionists and dietitians to share their best suggestions for what to order the next time you want a healthier fast-food lunch or dinner. Here’s what to order at some major chains: Panera Bread “Panera has limitless options when it comes to healthy meals, simply because they have a pretty extensive menu,” says Kora Bruno, a nutritionist and private chef. “My go-to’s offer ingredients that include all food groups and offer a higher nutritional value....

To buy: From $14; amazon.com. The pillow covers are made of 100 percent polyester satin, which is more durable than silk and is machine-washable. The cases are available in standard, queen, and king sizes with 23 color options to choose from, including beige, champagne, coral, ivory, lavender, gray, and more. The envelope closure design prevents pillows from slipping out while you’re sleeping, too. One five-star reviewer said these pillowcases are a “10/10” for their curly hair....

Preventing the living room from becoming a drop zone is its own challenge, but the problem can feel less pressing if the items that actually belong there are already organized. If there is less in the room already, those mysterious add-ons that always seem to pile up won’t seem so overwhelming—and there may even be more space for storage. Plus, once clutter is cleared, the room will feel completely clean, not just halfway there....

Whether you’re catching up on emails, watching a tutorial, or referencing a recipe while you cook, it’s unlikely that your phone is ever lying flat on a service. Instead, it’s almost always at an easy-to-view angle. So you don’t have to keep your phone out of sight on the counter or—worse—keep picking it up and placing it back down while you work, the Omoton adjustable cell phone stand securely holds your phone and enables you to find your best view....

Using an air fryer requires non-stick cooking spray, but that often results in splatters, stains, and residue left inside. The racks from my air fryer were usually left with charcoal-looking particles and they became harder and harder to scrub off. I found myself frustrated after nearly every use when I had to remove the compartments and scrub them endlessly in order to keep my air fryer in pristine condition. The brush is made of 100 percent premium stainless steel bristles, which prevents it from damaging the surface of your air fryer and its grill racks....

Crafted from real wood, these recipe binders are fully customizable. They can be engraved with a message of your choice, which is particularly special if it’s a gift for a home chef you know. If it’s not, go ahead and get your own name carved big and proud for your own special recipes. Speaking of, there are five different page styles and colors to choose from, including white grid paper, pre-designed recipe templates, and even bright red unlined pages....

How to Grow Corkscrew Albuca Native to South Africa, Albuca spiralis is a type of succulent that sprouts its distinctive, coiled leaves from a bulb-like base that sticks out a little from the soil. Like most succulents, this plant prefers things on the warm and dry side. It will be happiest in a clay pot with a drainage hole and in temperatures above 60°F. If you set it outdoors, you’ll need to bring it in whenever the weather gets colder than that....

To buy: $26 (was $40); amazon.com. The holiday party-ready dress is made from 65 percent cotton and 35 percent polyester, so you can know you’re wearing breathable fabrics rather than something itchy like wool. Plus, it has a zipper closure, a timeless V-neckline, a tulip-style hemline, and an attached belt that you can choose to tie however you like. Most importantly, shoppers say all of these things about this dress combine to create a comfy fit and feel....

Plants for Creating the No-Fuss Sun-Loving Garden Plan 1 New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’): Zones 4-8 3 Thread-leaved tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’): Zones 4-9 2 Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’): Zones 3-9 1 Hollyhock (Alcea rosea): Zones 3-9 3 Blazing star (Liatris spicata ‘Floristan Weiss’): Zones 4-9 1 Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Zones 5-9 1 Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’: Zones 3-10 1 Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Zones 5-8 The back layer of this vignette is built with hollyhock, butterfly bush, and Russian sage....

Full-Fat Cheese Stick Wrap “My primary go-to snack is a cheese stick wrapped up in a mini high-fiber wheat wrap,” says Marjorie Nolan Cohn, RD, CDN, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. “I choose regular cheese sticks, not the low fat or fat free variety. I love this snack because the cheese stick is high in protein, the wrap is high in fiber, and because I’m not avoiding fat (in the cheese stick) it keeps me full for longer....

At a highly demanding job, the idea of completely signing off and leaving work untouched for hours on end can be anxiety-inducing. The alternative, of never really logging off and being always on, however, can perpetuate an even worse cycle of stress. A 2016 study, conducted by authors from Lehigh, Virginia Tech, and Colorado State universities, looked into the particular impacts of email as a job stressor—and found that email hinders workers’ ability to recuperate outside of work....

What makes this “impressive,” cloud-like foot massager stand out from the pack is its ability to promote blood flow, reduce swelling, and alleviate pain not only in feet but in calves and ankles as well through an adjustable bar. The device has three levels of intensity ranging from gentle to strong and five different comfort modes to pinpoint specific aches and pains: rolling massage, compression therapy, sway function, heat function, and quiet mode....

Enter: The Wellington Cabana accessory from State Bags, a special collaboration with REAL SIMPLE. Made with a lightweight TPU material so your essentials will stay bone-dry, this chic tote bag is transparent so you won’t have to fish around blindly. It features a main compartment, detachable pouch for your valuables, and soft webbing strap to sling comfortably over your shoulder. Thanks to its no-frills design, the accessory goes well with pretty much everything, from casual cutoffs to dressier ensembles....

All you need to install the light bar are the four hanging Command strips that come with it. The cord-free light bar uses a lithium ion battery, which you can recharge with the included micro USB charging cord. Customers say they’ve installed it under everything from cabinets to sinks to home bars, and even in their closets, too. One reviewer specifically loves how easy it is to carry this light bar around....

As a young married couple, the Sibolds, both originally from Canada, lived in various spots in the United States from New England to California. A career opportunity moved them to Australia. After that, they came back to New England, this time to a home in the Boston suburb of Wellesley, Massachusetts. When they first moved into their Wellesley house, Cynthia and Bill’s interior design priorities focused on the music room and playroom to accommodate their three young children’s leisure time and interests....

USDA’s Two-Hour Rule No matter what food you’re traveling with this holiday season, it’s important to pack according to the two-hour rule. “The USDA recommends that perishable foods must be refrigerated within two hours of being cooked, or one hour if the temperature is 90 degrees or above,” explains Bob Gravani, PhD, and a member of the Institute of Food Technologists. “After two hours, perishable food will enter the ‘danger zone’ (between 40 and 140 degrees), which is where bacteria can multiply quickly and cause the food to become unsafe....

The great new product? Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce: 6.7 ounces of vibrant, addictive, spicy chile paste. In fact, it’s so popular, there is currently a production delay due to high demand. However, they should be back in plentiful supply soon, and the wait will be worth it. A taste of this paste is something. Its heat is slow to build. First, you get a rush of deeply vegetal flavor that not many hot sauces or pepper pastes have....

3 common types of frying pans Made from: iron, which heats slowly but evenly and stays scorching hot. Best for: searing a nice crust on meats, such as chops and steak (not good for acidic foods, like tomato sauce, as the iron reacts, imparting a metallic flavor). How to clean: Detergents strip the seasoning. Instead, wipe clean or scrub with hot water. For stuck-on bits, rub with 1/2 cup kosher salt, then rinse....