First things first: “The decision to split the bill should happen before you sit down for dinner,” says Toni Dupree, an etiquette coach with Etiquette & Style by Dupre in Houston. “Not when the wait staff brings the check.” “If, and only if, everyone agreed to split the bill before the meals are ordered, then it is OK to evenly divide that check when the bill arrives,” confirms Karene Putney, CEO of Etiquette Etiquette....
While they might give you an instant lift, sweets will drop your energy soon after consuming, leading you to a vicious cycle of always wanting more. Not to mention the fact that sugar negatively impacts sleep, so the next day you’ll be extra tired and craving that quick hit of energy even more. So how to stop this endless loop and get through the afternoon without the crutch of sugar?...
To save you from salad buyer’s remorse, we tried and tested the salad selections from everyone’s favorite affordable grocer. And we came up with a definitive ranking of the best six options on the shelves. You can find the salad kits in the produce section alongside the bagged lettuces, and the boxed salads are over with the rest of the prepared foods. Some TJ’s salads are fine but didn’t make the cut for our favorites....
1. Go meat-free a few days a week. Research has found that vegetarians can save at least $750 per year. Only one or two vegetarian meals per week make a difference, cost- and healthwise, says Mary M. Flynn, Ph.D., R.D., a research dietitian at The Miriam Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Brown University in Providence, RI. For example, subbing beans for chicken in a vegetable stir-fry once a week could save roughly $400 annually and meet your protein quota....
With ideas for freestanding shelving units and creative wall-mounted storage, the following garage shelving ideas will help you organize your space. 1. Freestanding Shelves Freestanding shelving units are an excellent organizing tool to use for anything from holiday decor to cleaning supplies. They’re relatively inexpensive, available in a variety of sizes and finishes, and allow for customizable heights to fit your needs. Look for garage shelving made of heavy-duty metal with the option to add caster wheels for effortless rearranging....
Proper sweater organization almost always calls for them to be folded on a shelf or in a drawer. This is because hanging sweaters can cause the fabric to stretch and create bumps on the shoulders. Whether you possess an abundance of knitwear or just a few favorites, prefer bulky styles or fine cashmere, the following sweater storage ideas will help keep them tidy and in tip-top shape. 1. Use Shelves to Create a Boutique Look Any closet, regardless of size, deserves a wow factor when you open the door....
“Think about how you use space and lay out furniture accordingly, making sure to define zones for entertaining, sleeping, and working from home,” says interior designer Heather Hilliard. “Tuck one or two ottomans under a console table to pull out into the space when you need extra seating for guests. Try to include pieces of furniture that can have more than one function, like a desk that can be used as a dining table....
But the devil, as they say, is in the details. Although making compost isn’t rocket science, there is a little science involved. A few missteps in the process can lead to some serious frustration. Here are tips to avoid the following common composting mistakes. 1. Using Only One Pile or Bin It’s always best to have at least two piles or a double-chamber bin, so while your first batch matures, you can add new waste material to the second bin chamber or pile....
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 6 feet tall Buy It: Grape Crush New England Aster ($18, Breck’s) Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 4 feet tall Buy It: Goldenrod Wildflower Seeds (from $6, Etsy) Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 8 feet tall Buy It: Giant Maximillian Sunflower Seeds ($8, Etsy) Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 5 feet tall Buy It: Red Jewel Helenium ($28, Breck’s) Growing Conditions: Part shade and consistently moist soil Size: To 3 feet tall Buy It: Chelone lyonii Tiny Tortuga/Turtlehead ($13, Etsy) Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 4 feet tall Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 5 feet tall Buy It: Blue Fortune Anise Hyssop ($25, Breck’s) Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist soil Size: To 12 feet tall and wide...
Even if you’re not selling your home in the years ahead, decluttering your space will give your family its own fresh start. Not sure where to begin? Here are 10 things you can toss from your living room right now and never miss. Not selling your house? Try this trifecta: Clear the nightstands, draw the curtains, and make the bed for an instant room refresh. You may need to reconsider the room’s layout or remove some unnecessary pieces in order to fix the flow of your space....
Fortunately, those aren’t the only perks that you can score when you own an EV. Check out these electric vehicle benefits that may just convince you to take one for a test drive (or bring one home with you). 1. You can fill up an EV as easily as you charge your phone If you have an outdoor outlet or charger available at home or at work, all you’ll have to do is plug it in, and your car will be charged and ready to go—no more visits to the gas station, ever....
Certainly not Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, nutrition and wellness expert and co-author of just-released Sugar Shock (consider it the bible of spotting sneaky sources of sugar in foods and finding healthier replacements). According to Cassetty, the key to eating desserts that are delicious and won’t wreak havoc on your health—sleep included—is stocking up on snacks and other ingredients that are low in added sugar, meaning the type of sugar that’s added to foods during preparation or processing (versus natural sugar, found in small amounts in fruits, vegetables, and dairy)....
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Who decides who is invited—the guest of honor or the host? Since the host bears the expense of the party, it is up to her to determine the number of guests she’s comfortable accommodating. If the shower is not a surprise, the host should give the honoree that figure and ask whom she’d like to invite. For a surprise party, the honoree’s college roommate trumps the host’s book club buddies (sorry)....
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*Tip If you like, soak the scraped-out seeds in a bit of water in a small bowl 15 minutes to help remove the clinging squash flesh. Rinse seeds and pat dry. Toss with 1 tsp. neutral oil and a pinch each salt and black pepper. Spread on a small baking sheet. Bake until toasted, 10 minutes; set aside to cool. Sprinkle over squash, beans, and salad before serving. Related Video
When Should I Take a Cutting of My Geranium? Early spring and late summer are the best times to take a cutting of your geraniums. This is when the plant tends not to be in full bloom. Even though this is the ideal time, a cutting can be taken whenever you want. In warm regions, you could even root geranium cuttings during the winter months (in colder areas, you could propagate indoor geraniums)....
13 years with Better Homes & Gardens brandOver 75 bylines in BH&G print magazinesHands-on experience (and formal education) in restaurant kitchens and FOHLongtime member of (and contributor to) the International Association of Culinary Professional (IACP) Related Video
