California Lilac Lavishly laden with blue flower trusses in spring, frost-tender wild lilacs (Ceanothus) are deceptively rugged. Their tough roots control erosion; their evergreen leaves are water-thrifty. In cold climes, plant deciduous, white-blossomed New Jersey tea. Fragrant Daphne Nosegay clusters of Daphne odora bear a sweet scent of mingled rose and anise in early spring. Daphne, including the evergreen ‘Marginata’ with yellow-edged leaves, thrive in warm climes. Fragrant Viburnum carlesii is a fine cold-hardy alternative....

To buy: $65 (was $90); amazon.com. New to the love of Uggs? Try their most classic style: the Women’s Koola Short Fashion Boot at 28 percent off. This mid-shin option has a soft suede upper, a combination sheepskin and faux fur interior, cushioning sock liner, and durable EVA sole. The chestnut color goes with everything (trust me, I’ve worn them everywhere) and they’re easy to slip on and off, making them ideal to sink into during winter when you’re constantly chilly....

Related Video

Related Video

How to Get Started on a Kitchen Remodel The best way to start a kitchen remodel is by making a wish list. There’s no cost to dreaming. List features you’ve always wanted, group them according to must-haves, nice-to-haves, and fun-to-haves, and number them by importance. “I advise all my clients before they start a remodeling project to create a file of pictures and magazine tear-outs of rooms that ‘speak’ to them,” says Keri Davis, a certified kitchen designer (CKD) in Lake Oswego, Oregon....

Related Video

Related Video

Related Video

But don’t just take it from me—dermatologists, estheticians, and hairstylists tout shea butter’s benefits for both skin and hair. Below, we’ve asked the experts for their take on why to use shea butter, how to apply it, the best products with shea butter (if you don’t want to use it raw), and much more. Benefits of Shea Butter on Skin Shea butter is an excellent emollient that hydrates and creates a barrier that locks moisture in....

Related Video

Related Video

Related Video

“Just as dinner parties have moved from formal and fancy to more relaxed and uninhibited, so have trends in dinnerware,” says Forrest. “We’re seeing a growing trend towards more patterned and maximalist styles, which signifies a move toward more freedom over our own dinner tables, and more freedom to entertain however we’d like.” That said, Forrest mentions that fine china is just as popular now as it has always been—but the patterns have gotten more colorful and fun....

“Consider unique and well-crafted items that match his interests,” she says. “Some options I love include a climbing-inspired mug for the outdoorsy guy, a dopp kit for those who travel often, or a custom guitar wall mount for the musician. And when in doubt, opt for a custom or personalized gift made just for him.” With these guidelines in mind, we rounded up the best gifts for men for all occasions....

Another one of the bakers we spoke to, Erin McDowell, recipe developer and cookbook author, advises consumers to research the capabilities of a stand mixer before buying. “Some mixers are developed more for bread baking, for example, while others can’t handle the motor use of long mixing times for something like, say, brioche,” she says. Anna Gordon, founder of New York City-based The Good Batch bakery, recommends choosing a stand mixer based on your long-term baking needs....

“Sometimes you lie on a mattress and think it’s not for you, when the real problem is that you haven’t found the perfect pillow pairing,” says Mary Helen Rogers, vice president of marketing and communications at The Better Sleep Council. If you’re in the market for a new pillow and looking for one that’s comfy and soft you may want to add down pillows to your list. “Down pillows are soft, puffy and supple, and known for ultimate luxury,” Rogers says....

A top-loading washer eliminates the need to bend over when loading and unloading the machine and gives you clearer visibility into the drum so that no sock gets left behind. Many of the top models also come with advanced technology, like smart features and an array of cycles, to make doing the laundry easier than ever. While front-load washing machines are typically more energy efficient than top loaders, Stuart Eason, founder of professional appliance servicing company, Appliance Expert, suggests that anyone on the hunt for a new washing machine would do well to opt for a high-efficiency model to greatly bring costs and energy consumption down....

And no matter what your recipient is into—whether it’s a glass of wine, a classic set of sweets, or a bit of pop-culture fun, there’s a luxe advent calendar out there for them. Whether you opt for a 12-day or full 24-day version, order right now—many of the most popular ones sell out long before December! (And don’t forget to splurge on an adult advent calendar for yourself, too!) This generously sized wooden advent calendar gives off that cozy hygge/Scandi vibe....

Editor-Loved Labor Day Sales Clarks Women’s Trish Rose Loafers, $42 (was $85) Ocahuel Large Woven Tote Bag, $48 with coupon (was $68) Stiroll Slim Leather Apple Watch Band, $17 (was $30) Cerave Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Facial Cleanser, $17 (was $19) Evridwear Exfoliating Dual Texture Shower Gloves, $7 with coupon (was $11) OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover, $8 (was $9) Zesica Flutter Sleeve Smocked Maxi Dress, $31 with coupon (was $52) Smirly Bamboo Cheese Snack Board Set, $29 with coupon (was $56) L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Two-Pack, $8 (was $12) MainBasics Bath Shower Loofah Set, $8 (was $12) Fiona’s Magic Laundry Hamper Basket, $44 (was $50)...

“Your body actually has more bacterial cells than human cells,” says Katie Goldberg, MCN, RDN, owner of Katie Goldberg Nutrition. Probiotics are one of the most-discussed forms of this healthy bacteria that keep our systems running at peak condition. So we spoke with nutrition experts to get the actual probiotic definition and to discover the truth about whether we need to worry about including more probiotic foods and probiotic supplements in our routine....