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Reader question: “How can I go for a lighter hair color without paying for monthly root touch-ups?” —Maxine Freedman As we discussed last week, the fresh hair color that you leave with at the salon probably won’t look so fresh a month later. This can partly be chalked up to fading and oxidation, but there’s also the more obvious reason of new growth. Honestly, I could take a page from this topic because I recently went blonde, and well, roots (IYKYK)....

Mercedes O’Brien, the Atlanta-based brains behind the cocktail kit service Sippn at Home, knows how important it is to make a killer alcohol-free cocktail. Dry January—aka Dryuary—became popular in 2013, and since then, there’s been a growing interest in drinking less. In fact, according to data from Nielsen, non-alcoholic beverage sales have increased significantly. O’Brien agrees. “I’ve been transitioning more into non-alcoholic drinks. I think it’s only going to rise in popularity,” she says....

Here are six basic yoga poses that specifically target tense muscles in the neck, upper and lower back, and hips, which tend to get tight and strained during times of extreme stress (or even after sitting at a desk all day). And bonus: You can do these stretches for free at home, no fancy yoga studio or equipment required. They’re low-impact and beginner-friendly, so you can work them easily into a daily fitness or stretching routine....

Below, check out all our favorite home decor trends spotted in the Real Simple Home, and get inspiration for your next interior design refresh. Take a Virtual Tour of the Real Simple Home Here! Checkerboard Checkerboard rugs, pants, and vases, oh my! Even though this pattern is anything but new, it’s undergone a massive revival throughout fashion and home interiors recently. Interior designer Erin Wheeler of Sunny Circle Studio has been loving the trend, and she added a neutral-toned checkerboard rug in the bold-colored guest bedroom to add pattern to the space without overwhelming it with another bright shade....

To find the best gel nail polish kits, we researched dozens of options and considered factors such as set size, polish colors, and dry time while narrowing down this list. For expert tips on how to properly apply and take off gel nail polish, we spoke with Anna Popov, a New York City-based nail artist with a studio in Staten Island. “If you’re doing your own gel mani, it’s important to properly prep,” says Popov....

Like many other holidays around this time of year, Kwanzaa incorporates gift-giving into its week-long festivities. On the last day, New Year’s Day, people exchange Zawadi (“gifts” in Swahili). Kwanzaa prioritizes gift-giving that is meaningful, tied to African heritage, and often handmade. Gifts must align with Nguzo Saba (the seven principles): Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith)....

To find your home’s hidden storage space, you can toss seven things right now–and never miss them. Start with the items that demand the most real estate, then dive into the smaller ones. By the time you’ve made it through the list, you’ll have plenty of room for this year’s tree and the ever-growing present stash. Once you’ve tossed the artificial tree that’s seen better days and the broken ornaments you’ve been hanging onto for sentimental reasons, you’ll have more space for new decorations....

7 Wine Tasting Party Ideas Rather than leaving it up to chance, have guests Venmo/Cash App/Apple Pay for the vino, so you can be deliberate about the selections (and ensure you don’t end up with ten bottles of the same rosé wine … although there could be worse things). Or designate specific wines for guests to bring. Then pick one of the wine-tasting menu themes below to guide your selections....

Many of these subscription-based retailers offer handmade treats, fresh dog food, and eco-friendly toys that are safe for your canine companion. You can even sign up for subscriptions that are specifically designed for your dog’s age and size. Keep reading to find the best dog subscription box for your beloved pooch. Best Overall: BarkBox Best for Dog Food: The Farmer’s Dog Best Customizable Subscription: BoxDog Best Sustainable Dog Subscription: PupJoy Best Dog Treats: Chewy Best for Puppies: PupBox Best for Dog Bandanas: Dapper Dog Box Best Gifts for Pet Parents: Dog Mom Box...

“Mold growth typically occurs in out-of-sight wall cavities as a result of water damage from flooding or leaks,” explains Darren Hudema, director of training and technical services at PuroClean, which provides mold and water damage remediation services. “Before you know it, mold creates a toxic environment in your home, compromising the quality of the air you are breathing in every day.” But what causes mold? To thrive, grow, and multiply, mold requires four ingredients, Mike Powell, professional engineer, mold assessor, mold remediator, certified home inspector, and owner of Red Flag Home Inspection, says....

In a cat’s eyes, the Christmas tree is just a big green cat tower, and the dangling garlands and delicate ornaments are simply toys to paw at. This season, you can prevent unnecessary cat-astrophes by planning ahead to keep both your Christmas tree and your feline friends out of harm’s way. We turned to veterinarians and pet experts for advice on how to cat-proof a Christmas tree. These tips will keep your cat safe from dangerous decor items (you definitely want to steer clear of tinsel) and keep them from ruining your perfectly-decorated Christmas tree....

Luckily, if you’re struggling to stay sane in your too-quiet (or crowded and distracting) at-home office, there’s something you can do about it. Fill the silence, get inspired, and recreate the energy of a creative, productive environment by downloading a podcast to listen to while you work. Not everyone can have a podcast (or music or a TV show) playing while trying to get work done, but many folks find that the added background noise helps boost their focus and make the hours fly faster....

“If you have a large selection of bras in rotation, you can go longer than six months before replacing your bras if you’re caring for those bras properly,” says Ali Cudby, author of Busted and Fit My Bras, and founder of Fab Foundations. “Putting your bras in the dryer breaks down the elastic much more quickly, so save your bras from an untimely death by letting them air dry and hand wash them when possible....

But it’s not just an expert technique: If you love all things DIY beauty, you can adopt this approach at home, because—spoiler alert—it’s actually pretty easy. Here, brow experts explain what eyebrow mapping is, plus the easiest way to do it. What Is Eyebrow Mapping? “Brow mapping is a process used to create symmetry between both brows when styling,” explains celebrity brow stylist Melanie Marris, CEO and founder of Brow Code....

Annual vs. Perennial Begonias Botanically speaking, an annual is any plant that completes its life cycle (seed to seed) in one growing season before naturally dying. Plants that survive winter in the landscape, blooming and growing again each year, are called perennials. Many plants from tropical areas, such as most begonias, can live for years, but are often treated as annuals because they won’t survive freezing winters outdoors. However, if you brought frost-tender begonias indoors, they would continue to grow so they aren’t technically annuals....

However, retailers often follow well-established trends when offering discounts at certain times of the year. Whether it’s the post-holiday deals, like January’s annual white sales for linens and housewares, or the outdoor and garden goods that get discounted in the fall. With careful planning, you can save money in the long run by looking for sales that pop up at predictable points throughout the year. According to Bankrate, TVs tend to go on sale before the Super Bowl, in January or early February....

I’m a Disney fanatic, like I sing Disney songs pretty much daily and I’ve already introduced my almost two-year-old to pretty much every Disney movie I can think of kind of fanatic. And that includes the newest Disney release, Big Hero 6. My toddler sat and watched the entire thing on my lap. You guys, it was a miracle. I don’t know what it is with him and being fascinated with friendly white things, but he just loves Baymax....

Read our buying guide below to see if a composite granite sink is right for your kitchen remodel. Composite Granite Sink Advantages Granite composite sinks provide an attractive alternative to traditional stainless-steel or porcelain sinks. These are some of the material’s top selling points: Composite Granite Sink Disadvantages It’s important to understand both the pros and cons before you choose a granite composite sink for your kitchen. Here are some of the downsides of this material:...

Given all this pro-hydration advice, it’s no wonder some people feel pressured to force themselves to drink eight glasses of water each day—even if, in truth, it’s not really in their best interest. Don’t get us wrong: water is absolutely an essential part of our overall health, and becoming dehydrated can lead to all sorts of problems. But where hydration is concerned, it is possible to drink too much water....

The answer really depends on whether you’re an independent contractor, running a business from home, or are an employee of a business or corporation owned by someone else. Here’s a closer look at the dos and don’ts of writing off a home office on tax returns. Translation: “If you are a W2 employee with no business entity [of your own] then there are no options to write off your home office,” says CPA Mike Jesowshek, host of the Small Business Tax Savings podcast....