5 years of editorial experience producing digital contentBachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Graphic DesignHas contributed to a variety of brands at Dotdash Meredith, including BHG.com, Better Homes & Gardens, Storage, Do It Yourself, I Did It, Secrets of Getting Organized, Color Made Easy, 100 Ideas Flea, and Midwest Living Emily began working at Dotdash Meredith in 2015 when she was selected for the Dotdash Meredith (previously Meredith Corporation) Apprenticeship program as part of her college education at Drake University....

Welcome Warmly Even when it leans laidback, Southern hospitality is always in fashion. It starts before you even enter a home, with what’s known as curb appeal—an inviting exterior look that says “Oh, hey, come on in”. In Southern Casual style this could translate into cheerful flowering planters flanking the front steps or a brightly-painted front door (see more on color below). A porch is a perfect spot for passing the time, with somewhere to sit and sip a cool drink or a fun seating option like a swing....

One common misunderstanding about Pinot is the idea that it’s inaccessible. Sure, the grapes are finicky (high maintenance and hard to grow, etc.), but that doesn’t mean Burgundy or bust. Pinot Noir grapes grow all over the world and produce highly worthwhile bottles of wine, each with its own unique flavor profile. “While common aromas and flavors associated with Pinot Noir are cherries, raspberries, and strawberries, the taste of Pinot can vary significantly from region to region, which is what makes the process of trying each one so fun,” says Jonathan Cristaldi, a sommelier and Vivino contributor....

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Creeping thyme between pavers adds a wonderful scent when its leaves are stepped on. Irregularly spaced and sized flagstones boost the garden’s carefree nature. A large urn offers visual relief from the densely planted yard. A California lilac (Ceanothus) beside the path adds a lovely fragrance and color. Gray river rock provides interest as filler between the irregularly placed flagstone pavers on the path from the front door around the side of the house....

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Best Wisteria to Grow The name to look for on plant tags is Wisteria frutescens, commonly called American wisteria. This species is native to the southeastern U.S., and it’s hardy in Zones 5-9, meaning it’ll grow in most areas of the country. American wisteria vines can reach dazzling heights of up to 30 feet. They act like a combination of a shrub and a vine, growing thick, woody stems over time that can wind around fences and, if given a trellis, scramble up the sides of a house....

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So now that you know how to spot a dragon fruit, let’s dive into dragon fruit benefits in terms of flavor and nutrition, how to cut a dragon fruit, and the most important part: how to eat dragon fruit. Ahead, is our complete guide to what is dragon fruit good for. You’ll learn something new whether you’ve eaten dozens or zero before. What is Dragon Fruit, Exactly? Also known as pitaya or strawberry pear, dragon fruit is an oval-shaped, vibrantly-colored tropical fruit that grows on a family of cacti called Hylocereus....

When Hostas Bloom Hostas bloom for about three weeks, usually somewhere between May and September, depending on the variety. Each plant sends up several long stalks, called scapes, with flower buds along its length. Each flower only lasts a day when it opens. When to Cut Hosta Flowers If you want to enjoy the hosta flowers in a bouquet, cut each scape when only two flowers on it are open; the rest will gradually emerge over two weeks inside your home....

Create a Holiday Planning Binder Use it to stay on track over the holidays. Place lists for gifts, cards, invitations, menus, grocery shopping, and to-dos. Include a countdown calendar to help you plan when you will get everything finished. Spread the workload over a number of weeks to avoid last-minute stress. Organize Gifts About a month before the holidays, write a list of gift recipients, ideas for what they’d like, where you’ll buy these items, and the estimated cost per gift....

So how do you measure sugar correctly? Follow along as we show you how to measure sugar of every type, including granulated sugar, powdered sugar (aka confectioners’ sugar), and brown sugar. Yes, there are some differences between these, and our Test Kitchen tips are here to guide you. We’ll also cover which cups and tools you should use for all sugar measurements. How to Measure Sugar Before learning how to measure sugar, you need the right measuring tools....

Recommended Washing Frequency The following recommendations are meant as general guidelines rather than hard and fast rules. Remember, a sniff check is still a quick and easy way to determine when it’s time for a wash. And of course, common sense applies here: Even if you can get by with washing a particular shirt every five wears in the winter, you’ll have to wash it more often during the sweltering summer months....

You can easily find photos of the giant red ornaments around the building’s exterior, lit-up trees brightening the street outside, and the glowing tree at the marquee, but there’s a lot more that goes into Christmas at Radio City. Read on to find out how the Radio City Music Hall gets decked out, with insider details from a Rockette. The annual tradition of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular started in 1933 and has been one of New York’s favorite holiday activities since its opening....

“Throughout history, we’ve been told our boobs are the problem—that they’re too big, too small, or uneven in size—when misguidance and a lack of fitting options have been the problem all along,” says Ra’el Cohen, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer at ThirdLove. Ready for an upgrade? We asked Cohen to help break down what to look for when shopping for a bra so you don’t have to deal with uncomfortable fits ever again....

How to Carve a Turkey: Step-by-Step Carving a turkey is an important part of any holiday feast, but it can be a daunting task for first-timers and pro slicers alike. Luckily, we have step-by-step tips for carving a turkey. We’ll walk you through the best way to carve a turkey so you’ll be ready come Thanksgiving dinner. The first step to carve a turkey is really not a step at all....

Although it’s often overlooked, the garbage disposal is an essential item on your kitchen cleaning checklist. Make the process easier by utilizing the natural cleaning materials you already use to clean countertops and kitchen appliances. The best way to clean and get smells out of a garbage disposal is a combination of the methods outlined below. These tips for how to clean a garbage disposal will remove odor and grime while helping to keep the appliance running smoothly....