Editor’s Tip: Plates are for decorative use only. Making a made-to-fit pincushion is also kid-friendly. Wrap the fabric around cotton stuffing (both available at crafts stores) and use fabric glue to seal the seam. Related Video
Buy It: All-Clad Nonstick Square Griddle ($48, Williams Sonoma) Buy It: CorningWare French White Ceramic Oval Casserole ($30, Bed Bath & Beyond) Test Kitchen Tip: Class up this breakfast-for-dinner recipe by topping the hash with sour cream, a bit of jarred horseradish, and a pinch of freshly snipped herbs. Related Video
Editor’s Tip: Want to make your pumpkin planter last year after year? Instead of planting your flowers directly into the pumpkin, place a potted plant inside the cavity and remove it once the season is over. Related Video
Test Kitchen Tip: Swap teddy-bear-shaped crackers for graham crackers for a kid-approved twist on this slow cooker cake recipe. Test Kitchen Tip: To make this dessert year-round, swap out fresh peaches when they’re not in season and use frozen instead. Related Video
To help jump start your search, we scoured the market looking for worthy finds to suit everyone on your list. From candles to cocktail kits, any coworker, friend, or family member will appreciate receiving one of these presents during a Secret Santa exchange. Secret Santa Gift Tips If you’re looking to rock the secret Santa gift exchange, skip the standard gifts like gift cards or basic gift sets and really get personal, says expert gifting curator Laura Jennings for gifting site the Knack....
Sugars cross-link our collagen fibers or twist around each other, making it more difficult for our body to repair. Glucose and fructose also link the amino acids in collagen and elastin, causing glycation end products, or AGEs. In other words, sugar can age us, too. “Although this happens in many different organs—not just the skin—skin is somewhat more prone to this damage because the damage caused by AGEs is also stimulated by ultraviolet light,” Sarkar adds....
Learn how to build an industrial pipe shelving unit like the one in this kitchen. Entryway Floorboard Shelf If your entryway is too narrow for a table or bench, hang a DIY shelf instead. This one holds mail and artwork and serves as a place to drop keys and wallets as you walk in the door. A bracket shelf made from the home’s old floorboards added the perfect amount of storage space to hold a small basket for drop-zone clutter....
Tip: To cut fresh herbs, place leaves in a measuring cup or bowl and snip them with kitchen scissors. For herbs with tough stems (like rosemary), strip the leaves from the stem first. Tip: For easy handling, halve sweet peppers lengthwise—then remove stems, seeds, and membranes. Tip: Stir onions continuously as they are caramelizing to prevent sticking and burning. Tip: Add more Mediterranean flavors to your meal by serving our mouthwatering Peanut Baklava (see recipe below)....
We’ve put together our best eco-friendly entertaining ideas to help you plan your next backyard bash. With easy swaps, like compostable utensils and repurposed party decor, you can plan a fun and sustainable celebration. 1. Send Digital Invites Consider sending digital invites for at-home events, like backyard rehearsal dinners or baby showers, that typically require a paper invitation. You can still create pretty correspondence (sites like Canva help you design a digital invitation for free) to text or email to your guests....
Add a bowl of vintage ornaments to your Christmas tablescape or decorate your tree with a bright collection of jewel-tone baubles. You might already be familiar with vintage Shiny Brite ornaments even if you didn’t know they had an official name: They’re the fun, candy-colored glass ornaments that are coated in a silvery sheen. They were produced in huge quantities in their heyday of the 1940s, and many of the originals are still in circulation....
1. Choose Pumpkins Wisely Pumpkin plants can be quite different from each other, depending on variety, so it’s important to select the right one for your climate and available space, advises Darrell Geissler who grows thousands of heirloom and hybrid pumpkins on his farm in Iowa. For example, in short-season areas in northern regions, it’s best to grow quicker-maturing varieties or start them early indoors. And some larger varieties such as ‘Jack-o-Lantern’ can grow vines as long as 17 feet so they need plenty of space to ramble....
To update your look without investing a ton of time (or extra cash), check out the key products makeup artist Moani Lee used on the moms featured in our magazine (and for more ideas, follow her on Instagram). Whether you’re looking to erase fine lines around your eyes or just want to learn how to have more fun with your getting-ready routine, let these go-to products inspire you to shake things up this season....
1. Meaning Behind the Name Believe it or not, you can tell a lot about hydrangea plant care by its name. Hydrangea is from Greek descent: “Hydro” means water and “angos” means jar or vessel. And in fact, hydrangeas need lots of water to thrive. 2. Hydrangea Symbolism The symbolism behind the hydrangea flower differs with culture and time period. In Japan, hydrangeas are said to be a sign of gratitude because ancient emperors would give them to their maidens as a sign of thanks....
No matter which onion family plant you pick, aim to stock up on firm ones that are blemish-free with little to no distinguishable scent when whole. Store onion family vegetables of all kinds in a cool, dark place that’s well ventilated. Only refrigerate once peeled. Sliced or chopped, grated or minced, each different type of onions can add a unique flavor dimension to your dish. Opting for the onion variety best suited for the job will ensure the best (and most tasty) finished product....
There’s nothing like waking up to a decorated Christmas tree with a few presents under it on Christmas morning, especially if you have little ones. As you celebrate the holiday at home this year, use these festive ideas to make Christmas morning extra special for your family. Whether it’s as simple as preparing a special breakfast or dressing in matching pajamas, every tradition adds up to create Christmas memories that will last a lifetime....
Often, an area rug is the first purchase I make for a new space, creating the inspiration for my future aesthetic or simply cheering me up as I forge a new home for myself. The right rug can blend with your decor, define it, or contrast in a visually pleasing way, making the choice of color, design, and style all the more important. Now is the perfect time to browse for area rugs on Wayfair—the retailer reduced prices for its Way Day sale, which runs from October 26 and 27....
There are more than 3500 posts under #thanksgivingcharcuterie on Instagram, so it seems we’re not the only ones intrigued by these delectable holiday displays. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite images to help inspire your own holiday snacking. Follow these steps to build your own Thanksgiving charcuterie board, and borrow inspiration from these gorgeous photos to give your board a festive holiday spirit. Set this year’s holiday board apart by sticking to a theme....
The couple added brightness to the great-room by whitewashing everything—beams, walls, and fireplace bricks. Even 1970s wall paneling looks like cerused wood after a decorative paint finish was applied. Then Erin further lightened the mood: Notice the “Beware of children” sign on the mantel? “You need to have some whimsy,” she says. Pillow-lined window seats at both ends of the light, bright space beckon budding readers, and the ottoman is sometimes a racetrack, sometimes a doctor’s exam table....
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Apple’s FaceID—the technology that allows for unlocking devices via facial recognition—has been a godsend since its first release in 2017. But it’s not a flawless feature if and when your face is partially obscured (e.g., if you’re wearing a mask or covering). The iOS 14.5 update was made to help, but the catch is that you have to have an Apple Watch (an Apple Watch Series 3 or later version, to be exact)....
