That said, if you do want to knock their socks off, we have some ideas for over-the-top forts they’ll be talking about for years to come. Building blanket forts can take as much time as you like, be done over and over again with new twists and variations, and be enjoyed for minutes, hours, or days before you take it down and start anew. We think this ranks up there with one of the best things to do indoors (if not the best)....
In the years since I said au revoir to France, I kicked my two-toast-a-day habit—but Nutella’s popularity has exploded. You can buy Nutella clothing, visit a Nutella cafe, or even join 31 million other people and become a fan of it on Facebook (that’s more fans than U2 has!). I still have Nutella for breakfast every once in a while (and, um, eat it straight out of the jar), but there are lots of reasons to lighten up on your consumption....
Monograms are a perfect way to add a touch of personalization to your decor—they’re often used in decor on throw blankets, pillows, yard decorations, and more—and they seem more popular now than ever. But how do you make a modern monogram in a world where family members don’t always share a surname? And how do you make monograms feel fresh and contemporary, rather than dated? We talked to experts to get their ideas for designing a decorative monogram that speaks to today’s lifestyle....
But if you’ve resisted the roasting pan for fear of it taking too long, overheating the house in warmer months, or if you’ve had a bad experience that ended in mushy oblivion, we have the easiest way to upgrade your roasting game that’ll solve all three of these issues. Simply preheat your baking sheet in the oven as it heats up. Why? First, it’ll save you time. As soon as you turn on the oven, place your pan inside and let it get hot (about 10 minutes is best, but this is forgiving) as you simultaneously prep your produce....
Make a whole set of bats in an afternoon, and pair the oversize creatures with an assortment of our popular giant spiders for the ultimate Halloween display. How to Make Oversized Halloween Bats Supplies Needed Black plastic hangers (6 per bat)Heavy duty black trash bagsZip ties, 3-inch sizeZip ties, 8-inch sizePipe foam insulation, ¾-inch size cut down to 12-inch piecesWire cuttersScissorsBlack electrical tapeBlack faux furHot glue Follow these easy how-to instructions to make your own oversized Halloween bat decor....
How to Make a Smoothie Step-by-Step Calling all creative types! There are very few rules when it comes to DIY smoothies. Just about any fruit works, so choose based on your favorite flavors, seasonality, and any food intolerances or preferences. Just remember this simple formula: Fruit + Juice + Dairy/Dairy Substitute + Ice = Easy Smoothie Recipe Win. Follow our Test Kitchen pro tips below to design your own smoothie recipe, then learn how to transform it into a smoothie bowl and how to give it an über-rich and creamy consistency....
Clearly, customizing a martini to your specific palate is important. If you’ve been drinking them for years, you probably know exactly how you like yours, but if you’re new to martini land, welcome! We recommend tinkering with a few different ingredients (and ratios) to find what suits you. No matter how you mix it, H. L. Mencken was real woke when he said, “Martinis are the only American invention as perfect as a sonnet....
A common refrain and misconception is that good negotiation is all a confidence game, and those who don’t do it well just need a shot of self-esteem. Another common misconception is that women and BIPOC candidates are less likely to negotiate. But research shows that while we do ask, we do not get. (Or worse, we ask the “right” way and still do not get.) So why don’t we shift our mindset?...
Choose five paint colors that are similar enough to blend together, yet have enough definition to be distinguishable. If you like, add a sixth color for a pop. Our color pop is the blue that represents the sky above the sunset in our inspiration photo. We used Sherwin-Williams Ravishing Coral SW6612, Papaya SW6661, Inventive Orange SW6633, Dishy Coral SW6598, Teaberry SW6561, and Interesting Aqua SW6220. 2. Plan the Bands Divide the wall into five or six horizontal bands....
In this episode of Play Money, Lomas gives you a plan of attack for a perfect dinner party on a $25, $100, and $1,000 budget. Under $25 Dinner Party For under $25, Lomas keeps it simple—a tasty mushroom risotto, some roasted asparagus, and a glass of wine for each guest, from the bottle she opened for her risotto. “Trader Joe’s Two-Buck Chuck is a great value,” she says. “When you’re cooking, you don’t have to worry about if a wine is super tasty, but I had a glass—and who’s going to turn down wine?...
How to Propagate Philodendron by Stem Cuttings You can root philodendron stem cuttings in either a small container of potting soil or a cup of water. To make a cutting, use a clean, sharp knife or garden snips ($14, The Home Depot) to remove a piece of stem about 3 to 6 inches long. It’s best to make your cut just above another leaf on the stem. This allows the rest of your plant to neatly produce more shoots and leaves from that point, and your cut stem will also have plenty of room for forming new roots....
What Is Salt? Salt is a crystalline compound called sodium chloride that is most commonly used to preserve and season food—but there are many types of salt that all render a distinct texture, taste, and purpose for your cooking needs. The differences between a salt’s color, shape, and taste are attributed to the location the salt is mined and how it is harvested. For example, Himalayan salt comes from the Himalayan Mountains and gets its appealing pink color from the minerals (like magnesium, iron oxide, potassium, and calcium)....
First, soak the workout gear in a mix of one part distilled white vinegar to four parts cold water immediately after wearing them. Not enough time in the day to work out and wash? Don’t sweat it. Leverette says it’s okay to wait a few days but avoid re-wearing, which will cause body soil (dead skin cells, sweat, and body oils) to set in and bacteria to multiply. “Wash with a heavy-duty detergent that contains enough enzymes to ‘bust’ the oily body soil,” Leverette says, noting that Tide and Persil are the top-ranked brands....
Rest assured, there’s still time to act, whether you start saving for retirement at 25, 35, or 55. Whatever your retirement goals—maintaining your current lifestyle, upgrading, or making a dramatic move—we’ll help you find the right path forward. Our experts guide you one step (and life stage) at a time. If You Haven’t Started Saving You’re not alone. A 2019 Federal Reserve Board report revealed that 25 percent of working Americans have nothing saved for retirement....
If you regularly have trouble getting a full night of rest—whether you struggle to fall asleep, have issues staying asleep, or experience some frustrating combination of both—read on for how to sleep better using these science-backed and expert-approved strategies. If your sleep schedule is currently all over the place, the best way to start working toward a consistent and healthy pattern is to wake up at the same time every single day (yes, Saturday and Sunday, too!...
Perhaps you’ve built a bar in your backyard for this unprecedented summer, or just gotten creative with your rooftop to recreate your favorite going-out experience. Maybe just the concept of hosting a fun, delicious, and safe gathering has paralyzed you with anxiety, but Real Simple is here to help you unwind, socialize, and sip at a distance. Have hand sanitizer at the ready and create your socially distanced bar with these DIY drinks that guests can mix up themselves!...
“Would you ever let your child climb behind the wheel of a car and drive away without instruction, practice, or tips on how the car works? Of course not, because doing so could have a devastating outcome,” says Gregg Murset, a certified financial planner and the founder of chore and personal finance app BusyKid. “The result of a child growing up without a clue of how to earn or manage money can be just as problematic to the entire family....
Best Tools to Fix a Clogged Shower Drain If you’re wondering how to unclog a shower drain, the answer requires a few tools and household supplies. Stock a bucket with screwdrivers, a flashlight, a drain claw ($7, The Home Depot) or a wire coat hanger, latex gloves, white vinegar, baking soda, and a plastic garbage bag for containing debris. Keep a toilet plunger, a handheld plumbers snake ($54, The Home Depot), and commercial drain cleaner handy in case they’re needed for your clogged shower drain....
On This Episode Once you’ve paid off your debt, established an emergency fund, and started investing for retirement, you’ve got your financial fundamentals in place—but is it enough to afford the future you want for yourself? And if not, what should you do next? This week, Stefanie interviews certified financial planner Douglas Boneparth about how to prioritize your savings and investments and what to consider after you’ve maxed out your retirement accounts....
While we appreciate impeccable luxury cosmetics that accomplish exactly what they promise, we don’t always love the price tag that accompanies them. That’s why we love this time of year. Starting today through Cyber Monday, (November 28) you can score 20 percent off during Ilia Beauty’s sitewide Black Friday sale using code WONDERLAND at checkout. Whether you’re knocking some holiday shopping off your list or are looking to upgrade your makeup bag and skincare shelf, Ilia Beauty has you covered with conscious formulas backed by SPF....
