Quick DIY projects, lush evergreen accents, and items you already own can combine to create a stunning holiday mantel. When friends and family come to celebrate the holidays, your tree won’t be the only item receiving compliments. These seven holiday mantel ideas will help you show off your style and come together in minutes. 1. Upgrade Your Christmas Garland A traditional pine garland stretches across the base of this fireplace mantel....

But sleep isn’t just a cozy reward after a long day—and it’s certainly not a sign of laziness or weakness. Sufficient sleep—which for adults is defined as getting at least seven hours per night by the CDC—is an absolutely vital driver of every physiological system in the human body. When we’re sleep deprived—which more than one third of adults are—our health and wellbeing can suffer in myriad ways: mental, physical, and emotional....

Decluttering can be very emotional because so much of what we hold onto has memories attached. In addition to the physical effort, it can be overwhelming if you think you must work on every cluttered area at the same time. That’s usually when we just give up. But, here are nine easy, low-stakes items you can declutter with no regrets. When you’re ready to get started, gather four plastic bags or cardboard boxes....

While we all have good intentions after cooking a meal, we often rush to put away our leftovers and end up doing it improperly. This includes using the wrong food storage containers and taking meals from the table to the refrigerator too quickly. Another factor to consider when it comes to food storage safety is shelf placement. After a long trip to the supermarket, we try to put our perishables into the refrigerator before they spoil, placing items on shelves without much thought....

Single Curtain Panel with Tieback Single-panel curtains cover one window and are made with a single piece of fabric. Single-panel curtains can be store-bought or custom-made with various finishes at the top (pinch pleat, box pleat, classic straight hem, etc), says Shannon Eddings of Shannon Eddings Interiors in Austin, TX. “They are typically made of linen, voile, or velvet, but can come in all sorts of fabrics,” she says. Eddings adds that she typically uses rings to hang almost all curtains....

A tangy cabbage slaw topping balances the richness of the fried shrimp, and then lime, hot sauce, and sliced scallions seal the deal. Related Video

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A light touch is helpful when you’re carving through etched pumpkin sections, like when you’re creating this upside-down bat’s carved eyes. Try using a long pin tool, like the one you use to prick the stencil pattern, to gently pierce the etched section using a twisting motion. For cutout sections bordering etched sections (like the sections forming the bat’s nose), saw gently and slowly along the etched border to prevent accidental breakage....

Remember, you don’t need an expensive bottle of champagne if you’re mixing it into a champagne punch, Bellini, or other fun drink. The flavor of the sparkling wine is likely tempered by juice, liqueur, and other ingredients in your champagne cocktail. And while New Year’s Eve may be the biggest champagne holiday of the year, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying one of these cocktails any time you’re feeling festive....

There are a number of subscription companies that cater to different dietary needs: Some are geared toward weight loss, while others are ideal for those with food sensitivities, like gluten. The best vegan meal delivery services offer a wide variety of exciting, flavorful cuisine that’s made from high-quality, sustainably sourced produce. We’ve carefully evaluated and reviewed the existing delivery options, and here are our top picks for vegan meal delivery services....

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Watermelon radishes, which are available from late fall through spring, add a gorgeous pop of color and make the dish look stunning. They should be firm, free of blemishes, and feel heavy for their size. If you can’t find them, regular radishes have a comparable flavor. Related Video

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Trained and experience bartender skilled in mixing cocktailsAuthor of two different mixology cocktail recipe booksFood and cocktail writer for Better Homes & GardensCocktail mixer and demonstrator Related Video

We consulted Star Maye, chef and co-owner of Anzie Blue in Nashville, Tennessee, to learn her tips for elevating a classic chicken pot pie recipe. The pro’s tips range from making your own crust, to straying away from the classic fillings. RELATED: 6 Easiest Ways to Cook Chicken Breasts—Including Grilled, Fried, and More You should also feel comfortable switching up the meat, or even skipping it. With a nice blend of vegetables, a vegetarian pot pie can be super satisfying....

Tretinoin, a type of retinoid frequently used to treat acne, is getting new life as an anti-aging ingredient, and dermatologists say it can be extremely effective in reversing signs of aging like fine lines and dark spots. To understand why (and to determine if it could be for you), you first need to know how it works. “Although people often think of retinols and retinoids interchangeably, they are not exactly the same,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City....

Here, three people share their favorite ways to connect to those who live near them. Plus, find nine inspiring stories of neighbors helping each other, pulled from Nextdoor, the social network for neighborhoods. Read on and experience the value of simply being a good neighbor. Do These 3 Things If You Want to Get to Know Your Neighbors Say Good Morning In Laura Ingalls Wilder’s These Happy Golden Years, Laura spends her weekdays boarding with a wretched frontier family while teaching in a one-room schoolhouse....

How to Hang Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper Before you begin, note that peel-and-stick wallpaper typically adheres best to walls with a smooth texture and an eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss finish. Check the wallpaper manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the product will stick to your type of walls. To ensure you purchase the correct amount of removable wallpaper, carefully measure the space, you plan to cover. Buy slightly more wallpaper than you think you’ll need to accommodate mistakes and tricky areas such as windows, doors, or tight nooks....