8 Ways To Use a Bowl In Your Home
Cambria has recently mentioned her affinity for bowls in the home and I have to wholeheartedly agree. They’re perfect for use all around your space, not just for a bowl of cereal! Here are a few suggestions on how to get more from your bowls:Now admittedly the bowls in the photo above aren’t the greenest of nature but they still convey the point we’re looking to illustrate below. See where else you can put them to use (besides your tool chest) from the tips below!1.
Jul 15, 2020
Review: The Hastens Excelsior II
Bed: Excelsior II with BJX Mattress Top Manufacturer: Hastens Retail Price: $13,350 I just received a new bed to test for October, so it’s time to weigh in on the bed I tested for the whole month of September — the Hastens. My nutshell review: awesome bed, awesomely expensive. I LOVE this bed for two reasons: 1. I sink into it wonderfully and sleep really well and 2. it has zero smells or textures that are toxic or off-putting. Ten beds to go.
Jul 15, 2020
5 Things To Do With Extra Sofa Pillows
The small pillows that came with my sofa upon purchase didn’t really accent anything as their name might suggest. I wanted something a little brighter and jazzier. Instead of keeping those pillows shoved in the back corner of the linen closet, try putting them to use with one of these 5 ideas:1. Remove The Covers: By removing the pillow covers, you can switch them out to be any color, pattern or style you want. It seems obvious, but is an easy one to forget.2.
Jul 15, 2020
Take This Quiz To Find Out What You Need to Change About Your Work-From-Home Setup
Your productivity and health will thank you later.
Jul 8, 2020
Sewing Masks for My Community Was a Gift for Everyone Involved
I joined a local mask-making group on Facebook, where a small army of amateur sewers gathered online, dusted off their sewing machines and did what we could with all our hearts.
Jul 7, 2020
There Are 5 Quarantine Cleaning Personalities—Which One Are You?
Plus some tips that can help you harness your energy, or triggers to look out for to avoid burnout.
Jul 1, 2020
These 3 Relationship Rules Will Solve Your Fights About Falling Asleep During Netflix
The point of watching a show together is to watch the show *together*.
Jun 24, 2020
This New CDC Study Finds that One-Third of U.S. Households Are Cleaning Wrong
New evidence from the CDC found many people are cleaning incorrectly—and engaging in unsafe cleaning behaviors.
Jun 17, 2020
I Tried 5 Different Tricks to Cure My Insomnia—Here’s What Worked, and What Didn’t
It may take a little time and strategy, but those glorious hours of shut-eye are worth your while.
Jun 9, 2020
6 Cat Breeds for People With Allergies (And Why There’s No Such Thing As Hypoallergenic Cats)
If you’ve ever Googled around for hypoallergenic cat breeds and come up with exactly zero results, that’s because hypoallergenic cats don’t really exist.
Jun 8, 2020
We Asked 29 Celebrities to Share Their Ideal Bedtime, and This Was the Most Popular Answer
Even if it never actually happens...
May 26, 2020
I Worked From Home For A Year Before Coronavirus—But Here Are 6 Things I Needed to Switch Up
I saw people panic about how difficult working from home may be, and part of me thought, “OK, I’ve got this handled.” But then... I didn’t.
May 15, 2020
The Best Thing You Can Do With 20 Minutes and a Piece of Paper, Especially if You’re Feeling Anxious
Weekend Projects
"Getting out of your head" is sometimes the best remedy for a looming anxiety spiral. But I, for one, don't want to miss what my thoughts might be trying to teach me.
May 15, 2020
5 Things You Might be Forgetting to Disinfect, According to an Epidemiologist
If you find relief in spraying and wiping down every possible surface right now, don't forget to focus on disinfecting these five things, as recommended by an epidemiologist.
May 11, 2020
5 Things You Need to Know About Cleaning Your Face Mask, According to a PPE Expert
“I always recommend that you change your mask like you change your underwear: daily."
May 5, 2020
One Simple Change You Can Make to Your Entryway to Help Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus
Good hygiene isn’t just about washing your hands and wearing a mask.
May 1, 2020
Your “Work Self” is Gone Now That Your Coworkers Have Seen Your Apartment
Zoom calls can feel like a low-key treasure hunt of subtle clues about who our professional peers and colleagues really are. Here’s why you should embrace it.
Apr 28, 2020
Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Disinfect Your Floors
As with all disinfecting, it makes sense to take a targeted approach.
Apr 23, 2020
9 Alternatives to Cloth Bath Mats
I love the feel of plush bath mats, but mine usually end up staying tamped down, accumulating dog hair, and generally not being nice and fluffy. Given that I recently learned I have a few household allergies, I’ve decided it’s time to forgo the cotton rug.I’m considering these options, most of which are naturally antifungal; others are aromatic. All I know is I won’t miss having to shake out and wash my cloth bath mat.1.
Apr 21, 2020
Do You Have a “City Persona” and a “Country Persona?”
We recently started talking about meeting your neighbors and it got me thinking about the variety of ways that people in different parts of the country (or the world for that matter) interact with each other in small ways, day-to-day. I’ve always realized that I act differently towards other people depending on the city I’m in, but that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s something of a cultural necessity.
Apr 14, 2020
What to Do Before, During, and After Someone (Like a Plumber or Landlord) Enters Your Home
Know it before you need it: Here's what an epidemiologist recommends for maintaining health and safety during essential in-home visits.
Apr 14, 2020
My New Favorite Eye Mask Is Like a Weighted Blanket For the Face
It's like wrapping a tiny weighted blanket around your head.
Apr 13, 2020
These Gyms and Fitness Brands Are Offering Free Virtual Workout Classes to Do At Home
From full-body workouts to yoga and meditation sessions, there's something for everyone.
Apr 10, 2020
9 Things Smart Shoppers Ask Themselves Before They Buy Furniture
Don't pull out your wallet just yet.
Apr 2, 2020
The Best Home Items To Use When You Don’t Have Workout Equipment, According to Fitness Experts
No fitness equipment? No problem.
Apr 1, 2020
This $15 Journal Helps Me Feel Less Anxious Before I Go to Bed
It helps me be more intentional for tomorrow, too.
Apr 1, 2020
6 Laundry Tips an Expert Thinks You Should Know During the Coronavirus Outbreak
To learn more about the best (and most hygienic) laundry practices during a pandemic, we spoke with a laundry expert.
Apr 1, 2020
7 Habits You Need to Start (Right Now) If You Suspect Someone in Your Home Is Sick
Here are seven steps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends if you’re living in the same home as a sick person.
Mar 31, 2020
Sleep Better with Black-Out Curtains: Sources for Buying & Making Them
Being awoken by the sun is actually good for you, but there are times when darkening a room aids in sleep especially for napping children, shift workers or others with non traditional sleep schedules and for blocking artificial night time light such as from a streetlamp. Blackout curtains also are energy saving (keeping heat from escaping in the winter and the hot sun from heating up your room in the summer) and help block or muffle outdoor noise.
Mar 29, 2020
So... Someone Sneezed Into the Air. Here's What to Do Next.
You can’t always predict when a cough or sneeze is coming on. And you definitely can't control roommates who won't take their health seriously.
Mar 28, 2020
From Dance Parties to Book Clubs, Here Are the Best Video Apps for Each Home Activity
Not all video apps are created equal!
Mar 27, 2020
Here’s How To Exercise Your Dog Indoors, According To a Professional Trainer
Keep your dog happy and healthy, without leaving the house.
Mar 27, 2020
You Can Virtually Hike Grand Canyon National Park and See the Colorful Rock Layers Up Close
Walk along the hanging cliffs and canyon walls, and get ready for the breathtaking views.
Mar 26, 2020
Here’s How to Work From Home with Your Partner, Kids, Roommate, or Parents
Regardless of the household dynamic, one thing is for certain: working from home together isn't always easy.
Mar 25, 2020
4 Reasons Why You Should Keep Your Daily Routines When Working From Home
It could help your productivity, among other things.
Mar 24, 2020
From Tokyo to Washington D.C., This Virtual Tour Lets You Visit Famous Cherry Blossom Sites Around the World
The destinations were picked by local guides, so you're in good hands.
Mar 24, 2020
4 Simple Habits of People Who Always Go to Bed on Time
Sleep procrastination is a real thing. Here's how to stop.
Mar 24, 2020
10 At-Home Spa & Beauty Products for When You Can’t Leave the House
In case you're missing those regular salon trips.
Mar 23, 2020
The Easiest Way to Sanitize Your Bed Sheets, According to a Laundry Expert
Even if you have access to a washer, you might want to take this extra maintenance step just to be sure you’re not sleeping in a literal bed of germs.
Mar 23, 2020
Feeling Stressed? These Meditation Apps Are Free Right Now
Om-mazing.
Mar 22, 2020
How to Sleep in the Midst of a Global Pandemic
If you feel like you're sleeping worse than ever, you're not alone.
Mar 22, 2020
How Long Can Germs (Like the Coronavirus) Live on Surfaces at Home?
Researchers are only beginning to understand how long the novel coronavirus can survive on surfaces, but here's what we know.
Mar 22, 2020
Here Are the Aquariums and Zoos Sharing Live Videos of Animals, Because We All Need This Right Now
Sometimes there’s no better relief than watching a cute animal at play.
Mar 20, 2020
You Can Virtually Tour These Lush Gardens Around the World to Celebrate the First Day of Spring
What better way to welcome spring?
Mar 19, 2020
Do I Really Need 8 Hours Of Sleep Every Night? And 10 Other Things We’re Told Are Mandatory
Here’s what you need to know to rest easy.
Mar 18, 2020
The Free “Video Voicemail” App That Helps Me Stay in Touch With My Long-Distance Best Friend
Marco Polo has given me a way to hold special people close in my life regardless of our physical distance.
Mar 18, 2020
Saturday Assignment: Remove Household Rust With These 5 Natural Remedies
Rust is a quiet, subtle things that sneaks up on your pans, pots, servingware and even some furniture. The weekend’s a perfect time to rid your metal of this pesky unsightly element. And guess what? There are five eco-friendly ways to remove rust, most of which came from you, our readers! Rust comes in many different forms, but the most common in households is rust from iron oxides, where metal is exposed to water or air moisture and becomes oxygenated.
Mar 18, 2020
I Tried 5 Home Office Tips To Make Me More Productive—and Here’s What Worked
Most of them are tiny changes that cost no money at all, and all of them helped me feel more productive, settled, and happy with my at-home work environment.
Mar 17, 2020
My Latest Obsession: The Hot Water Bottle
We’ve had freezing temperatures in San Francisco this week, which is way worse than getting them in, say, New York. Our windows are old and drafty and not insulated for this kind of weather. In fact, I’ve lived in two apartments with no heat at all. It’s not uncommon here, where temps don’t tend to dip below 50. But this season, my Chilean boyfriend turned me on to the hot water bottle. I hadn’t used one since I was a kid with the flu.
Mar 13, 2020
Clothes Versus Closet: Does Your Home Dictate the Size of Your Wardrobe?
In other words, does the size of your closet determine how many clothes you keep/buy/give away? Does a studio apartment mean having an ultra-efficient capsule wardrobe, or do you just store your sweaters in the oven? I lived in a studio apartment for years and years, and had a reasonable/small closet to work with. I stored my clothes, jackets, and shoes in the closet and my socks, underthings, and workout gear in bins on an overhead shelf.
Mar 11, 2020
Bathroom Decorating Ideas: 5 Ways to Make Any Bathroom Feel More Spa-Like
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to get away and treat ourselves to a spa weekend, like every weekend? Well, if that dream is a bit out of your reach for financial or practical reasons (we’re all probably in this boat!), there is still something you can reach for: A more spa-like bathroom that melts the day’s worries away or gets you in the best, relaxed mood to face the day. These six ways are affordable and should work in just about any bathroom (even small or windowless ones!
Mar 11, 2020
Personal Challenges: 18 Fasts to Improve Your Health, Wealth & Outlook
Lent. No-shave November. By nature, people love to challenge themselves. Changing the routine for a short time gives us a temporary pass to explore another lifestyle — one without meat or with the addition of a lumberjack beard, perhaps. Breaks and fasts can definitely be fun, but they can also teach you a lot about yourself. With a definite expiration date looming on the horizon, people find more willpower to stick to a diet plan or household budget.
Mar 11, 2020
5 Simple Ways to Make Your Home a Haven
Lately my day job, combined with being almost seven months pregnant, is leaving me pretty tired by 5 p.m. I’ve been thinking more and more about what makes my home a comfortable place to be — something anyone can relate to. Here are some of our best tips for making your home a cozy place that you’re always happy to come home to. 1. Diversify lighting. I’m a proponent of having three points of light in a room.
Mar 11, 2020
Easy DIY Project: Making Your Own Cloth Napkins
I’m not quite ready to go off the grid but I try to be eco in small ways, like turning off the faucet when washing dishes, keeping lights off in rooms I’m not using, and not using paper towels. Using cloth napkins is just one of those things that I’m hooked on. A few stats from Earth911 help put things into perspective: 13 billion pounds of paper towels are used in the U.S. every year.
Mar 11, 2020
The Ultimate Guide to Making Any Rental More Energy Efficient
Think that because you don’t own, you have no control over your home’s energy use? Not true! Here’s our ultimate guide; full of links to quick, easy and yes, even inexpensive, ways to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your bills (your landlord will thank you!). Most of these changes are likely to pay for themselves in energy savings over the duration of your rental.
Mar 11, 2020
10 (Non-Renovation) Renovation Ideas For Renters
If you’re a renter, then you’re probably thinking about taking a mental checkout from our October theme (Green Building and Renovating). I can’t renovate. I can’t even paint! you think. Don’t worry, my friend. We have solutions for you, too! We call it the non-renovation renovation— temporary yet effective ways to dramatically change your home without sacrificing your security deposit.
Mar 11, 2020
Making the Switch To Glass Food Storage Containers
Back in March, I took the No New Plastic for a Month Challenge, and it inspired me to replace all of my plastic food storage containers with glass, and I haven’t looked back. Below the jump, you’ll find out how I transformed my refrigerator.First, I did some research to find the everyday glass food storage containers I now needed. I opted for Duralex Lys Square Bowls because they are stackable, made of tempered glass, and square in shape.
Mar 11, 2020
The Big List: 49 Smart, Money-Saving Creative Reuse Ideas
We get excited about stylish, functional, and innovative creative reuse ideas, from the myriad ways you can reuse a jar, to uses for chipped tea cups, antique bread bins, vintage card catalogs, bubble wrap, wallpaper scraps, even old gym floorboards. Here’s a big roundup of some of our favorites… The Many Amazing Ways to Reuse a Jar: • 10 Simple Uses for Spaghetti Jars • Crafty Uses for Baby Food Jars • Don’t Throw Out That Jar!
Mar 11, 2020
A Microbiologist Shares How “Target Hygiene” Cleaning Can Help When Everyone’s Getting Sick
We’ve got good news for you: You probably don’t have to spend all day disinfecting.
Mar 11, 2020
How Bad is it to Clean Bare-Handed?
You know you should wear gloves to clean, but knowing and doing are two very different things.
Mar 10, 2020
How to Clean and Disinfect Your House Keys
You're waging a valiant defense against germs. But what if you found out you were pawing a germ magnet every day, multiple times, without a second thought?
Mar 10, 2020
Here’s Everything the CDC Wants You to Know About Cleaning Your Home Right Now
Here's a condensed version of the health agency's recommendations for how healthy people should be cleaning their homes right now.
Mar 10, 2020
The Counterintuitive Way My Family Saves $100 a Month on Our Monthly Bills
Month after month, I would look at my bank statement and resolve to spend less on food. The solution to that problem? Accepting reality.
Mar 10, 2020
I Tried a Hands-Free Automatic Soap Dispenser at Home and I’ll Never Go Back
Knowing how easily and quickly I could wash up turned a switch on in my brain that kept committed to hand-washing.
Mar 8, 2020
Please Don’t Use Tito’s Vodka to Make DIY Hand Sanitizer, Begs Tito’s Vodka
Twitter users were claiming that the drinking alcohol can be used to make a homemade hand sanitizer.
Mar 5, 2020
The DIY Sanitizer Recipes You’re Seeing Everywhere Don’t Work—Here’s the Right Way to Do It
Some people are taking sanitizing matters into their own hands (pun intended). Here's why that won't work.
Mar 5, 2020
3 Disinfectants You Can Use If You Can’t Find Clorox Wipes
Brand loyalty is great, but the best product is the one you can find (or already have at home).
Mar 5, 2020
I Tried the Charlie App for Just One Month and Saved Hundreds on Amazon
It’s nice to have someone—even a robot penguin—looking out for me.
Mar 2, 2020