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That said, taking on a gingerbread house can be a treacherous endeavor (and we mean beyond the obvious Hansel-and-Gretel reasons). Baking, building, and beautifying an entire structure is daunting. Many go for the pre-cut gingerbread house kits, which is a fine choice. But if you think this might be the year to finally try one yourself, we’ve got instructions. And we spoke with Kathy Krupa, culinary expert and food stylist at Wilton, about what you should know about gingerbread before you’re knee-deep in icing trying to keep the roof from crumbling....

“Unfortunately, we can confirm that there is an unprecedented shortage of our products,” the brand explained in a statement. “We are still endeavoring to resolve this issue that has been caused by several spiraling events, including unexpected crop failure from the spring chili harvest.” Per an earlier warning from Huy Fong Foods in April, this year’s chili pepper crop was negatively affected by harsh weather conditions, making the spicy food currently hard to come by....

To buy: $23 (was $45); aerie.com. Ridiculously soft and seriously comfortable, this bralette has become my go-to on the days (and nights) when I want that unique in-between feel. It’s made from a mix of nylon and spandex that’s designed to adjust specifically to your body while you wear it; even if your size fluctuates a bit, the bra will change with you, thanks to its floating, lightly padded cups meant to mold to your shape....

More than just a mop, the PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner is a 10-in-1 cleaning device decked out with accessories that can transform the steam mop into a truly all-purpose cleaner. The tool works on all common types of flooring like tile, hardwood, and vinyl, as well as carpet. And the detachable handheld unit allows you to steam clean more than just floors, so you can get to furniture, counters, and beyond....

“I make sugar cookies and I like them pretty thick and it is hard to roll them out evenly,” wrote one reviewer. “This is perfect, and I mean perfect…This works amazingly well.” “After having them for just short of a week I can tell they are a great buy,” wrote one shopper. “These are very sturdy, and clean up easily in both a sink and the top rack of a dishwasher....

The Smartake Drawer Organizer set comes with 13 plastic trays in five different sizes. Each tray has anti-slip silicone pads to help it stay in place, so you don’t have to worry about items sliding around when opening and closing drawers. The brand emphasizes how versatile these organizers are, recommending that customers use them for everything from desk accessories and cosmetics to silverware and even food products in the refrigerator....

Leggings, running shorts, and bike shorts are still in style, but exercise dresses are gaining in popularity. Part of the reason why people love them so much is likely because styles like the KuaCua exercise dress combine a dress, a pair of shorts, and a bra together into one seamless garment. That paired with the general “less is more” approach that shoppers like to follow during the summer when temperatures reach their peak has many people talking....

According to a recent statement from Mexico’s Agriculture Ministry, the U.S. has temporarily suspended avocado imports from Michoacan—a state in western Mexico—after an American inspection officer received a threatening call to his official cell phone. Though the exact nature of the call is unknown, the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) decided to pause all avocado inspection procedures while the threat is being assessed. An investigation is currently underway....

That said, if you’re someone who experiences weak, sparse, or misshapen eyelashes, your sleep mask may be the hidden culprit. So how can you ensure you’re getting a goodnight’s rest without sacrificing your lashes? We tapped industry experts to find out how a sleep mask disrupts your lashes and how to protect lashes (natural and extensions) overnight. Sleep Masks and Eyelashes Sleep masks have tangible benefits. Studies show that when you get sufficient and restful sleep, it can offer anti-aging benefits....

Behr’s pick for 2023 Color of the Year is a warm, welcoming white with glossy tones. Unlike the stark white colors popular in the early 2000s—and as indicated by its name—this rich color is intended to serve as a canvas for expert and amateur home decorators alike to use however they want to create their desired look. With Blank Canvas, think versatile, timeless, and tranquil: The color works in both private and shared spaces and can work as a focal color or a foundation to build on for more layered spaces....

In the media room in her Portland Project, Henderson used Waterloo. The slate blue hue is rich and sophisticated, so it works with, rather than fights against, a naturally dark room. “Current mood is the polar opposite of the ‘safe neutrals’ people tend to gravitate towards. It’s a rich, sophisticated color perfect for bringing drama to a room and would look stunning in a small space such as a powder room or entryway....

Who wouldn’t love a Christmas present scavenger hunt to find what Santa left them this year? Old-School Christmas Scavenger Hunt Some of my absolute favorite memories from Christmas mornings when I was growing up was when my parents would hide our big gifts at the end of a Christmas scavenger hunt. Sometimes they’d make it a little more complicated and send us around the neighborhood to different friends’ houses to get our clues....

Reader question: Easy eyeshadow palette recommendations, please! I’m terrible at eyeshadow! —Sherry Pyles For makeup novices, strategic pigment placement—i.e. eyeshadow—can be preeetty intimidating. With no straightforward guide on what goes where and so many potential places to swipe (crease, inner corner, outer corner, middle lid), how’s a girl to choose the right blend of hues? If you’re new to eyeshadow but curious to dip your toes into more color, welcome!...

Why Jar Opener Tools Are a Good Investment (Plus Who Benefits Most From Jar Openers) While feisty, tightly-fit jar lids can affect even the most dexterous humans on the planet, more jars will likely trouble us as we age and lose grip strength or notice achy joints. “I recommend jar openers to all my patients with arthritis since they often struggle with daily activities because of the constant pain during and after using their hands,” says Yeiddy Ferreira, an occupational therapist at Westmed Medical Group in Purchase, New York....

So, what’s the best prepared meal delivery service for you? The answer will depend on what you want from your food—whether you’re looking for the best value, the most options, or the healthiest ingredients. Here are the best heat-and-eat delivery meal services for every type of customer. Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services of 2022 Best Overall: Freshly Best Value: Daily Harvest Best Variety: CookUnity Best Gluten-Free: Epicured Best for Keto: Factor Best Vegan: Mosaic Best Organic: Sprinly Best for Weight Loss: bistroMD Best for Seniors: Magic Kitchen Best Allergy-Friendly: The Good Kitchen...

That being said? Vitamin C is a pretty lofty member of the immunity-enhancing ensemble. Fact is, this particular vitamin is a big part of taking proactive measures to boost your immunity. Consuming vitamin C and probiotics can help to support recovery from viral infections. Vitamin C supports immune system function and iron absorption, and because your body doesn’t produce or store vitamin C, daily intake through the foods you eat is a top priority....

1. Instantly Fix Any Room “Curtains. Naked windows are not always the best for all rooms,” Berk says. “I love bringing in texture and softness through window treatments. Whether that means you use a Roman shade or floor-to-ceiling panels, the textiles will do a lot to soften hard lines.” Berk recommends hanging linen curtains. They’re thick enough to hang gracefully while allowing light to filter through. 2. Find Your Style Ask yourself about things that have nothing to do with design....

Browns range from dark and saturated to lighter shades like caramel and tan. A common color for more traditional settings, brown can bring drama to modern looks as well. Reynaert points to accents like modern-retro mushroom table lamps and traditional gingham tablecloths as quick and easy ways to incorporate brown. But this is not an accent-only color. Brown walls add warmth, complement trendy moody decorating styles, and act like any other neutral by letting architecture or decor stand out....

The entire collection is crafted with eucalyptus made from natural wood pulp. The material feels silky-smooth against the skin and absorbs excess moisture in even the highest temperatures. Since the fibers are ultra-smooth (we’re talking no wrinkles for dust or dirt to hide in), even those with bothersome allergies can sleep comfortably. As an added bonus, the sheets and duvet covers—which are dyed with natural ingredients such as turmeric, rose petals, bark, and gardenia—can be run through the wash and tumble-dried....

According to a study conducted by Princeton University in 2010, a person’s happiness increases until they reach an annual income of $75,000—and then plateaus. Meanwhile, a more recent study from Purdue University found that emotional well-being can be achieved on a salary that’s between $60,000 and $75,000. However, participants who earned a $105,000 salary noted that their happiness had decreased since previously earning less. According to Shari Greco Reiches, wealth manager, behavioral finance expert, and author of Maximize Your Return on Life, this money-buying-happiness (to a certain extent and not beyond) logic centers on the adherence to adaptability—aka “lifestyle creep....