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In this muggle world, there are Harry Potter fans, and then there are Potterheads. And in the case of third grade teacher Tressa Bargella, her classroom layout makes it very clear where her wizarding loyalty lies. This year, Bargella decided to transform her classroom into Hogwarts 2.0, ultimately making her lucky students wizards-in-training. When approaching the classroom, you feel like you’re walking through Platform 9 3/4 with brick exterior and luggage perched in the corner.

Years before all of America fell in love with Making It‘s romantic, sensitive, and highly skilled quiet man Khiem Nguyen, the master craftsman who captivated judges and fans alike on Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman’s new TV competition for creatives on NBC, I was lucky enough to get to know Khiem and his now-wife Amanda McKeever as fellow DIYers, dog parents, and Boston to Austin expats.

Turns out that Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London’s ‘Hogwarts After Dark’ isn’t the only festivity we get to look forward to this year. From November 17 to January 27, 2019, muggles and wizards alike will get to witness the Studio transform into a winter wonderland for the second year in a row, thanks to ‘Hogwarts in the Snow.

We’ve found the luggage to bring to Platform 9 3/4, the home decor that will make your corridor feel cozy, and even the books to read in-between classes. But one thing we’ve yet to cover is how you can determine what House you’re truly meant to be in—until now, that is. Target has introduced the Real Talking Sorting Hats for their wizarding shoppers to invest in.

Perfect Night In is a series where we ask actors, artists, entrepreneurs, and beyond how they’d spend the ultimate luxury—a blissful evening at home. Designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent are the epitome of a power couple. They rescue homeowners in desperate need of renovations through their TV show “Nate & Jeremiah By Design,” they started an exclusive furniture line with Living Spaces, and they are fathers to two kids, Poppy and Oskar.

It turns out that “Home Sweet Home” goes far beyond just where you live. IKEA just released their Life at Home Report 2018 and the findings show that the traditional concept of “home” has evolved significantly in recent years. The annual report nailed down five core emotional needs that embrace the feeling of home: privacy, comfort, ownership, security, and belonging.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for season three of “Insecure.” In the finale of what Issa Rae calls a “starting over again” season of “Insecure,” our main character, Issa Dee, takes a look around her new-ish apartment on the night of her 30th birthday, unpacks those boxes sitting in the corner and finally starts to decorate her new space. Why now? Issa is finally starting to have clarity in a way that we haven’t seen before. Picture Issa Dee, season one.

Perfect Night In is a series where we ask actors, artists, entrepreneurs, and beyond how they’d spend the ultimate luxury—a blissful evening at home. Catherine Zeta-Jones has left little to no stone unturned in the acting world—from portraying Velma Kelly in the screen production of “Chicago” to starring in the critically acclaimed Broadway show “A Little Night Music.

Perfect Night In is a series where we ask actors, artists, entrepreneurs, and beyond how they’d spend the ultimate luxury—a blissful evening at home. If you’re a longtime fan of Grace Bonney’s lifestyle blog, Design*Sponge, you’re in good company. In fact, the author recently launched a print magazine and a podcast called just that: Good Company.

It’s no secret that the Queen is a worldwide traveler. Ever since taking her rightful place on the throne, she has been jetting off to countries left and right to maintain good relations with the U.K. While the 92-year-old royal might not be crossing country lines as often as she used to, the years of experience have surely helped her gain a plethora of travel hacks and knowledge.

When bullet journaling blasted onto my radar a few years ago, it was because of all the Instagram-perfect Pinterest fodder from folks who were creating stunning works of art masquerading as calendars and trackers in their impeccable dot grid notebooks.

Last month, I found myself yell-whispering at my iPad. I had flipped on HGTV and stumbled upon an episode of House Hunters during a flight to Ohio. The house hunting couple decided to move to Costa Rica because the husband saw a YouTube video about sloths. So naturally, he wanted to have a sloth as a neighbor along with an ocean view as they searched the market for their budget-friendly dream home.

If you’re thinking about throwing out those old Beanie Babies stuffed in the back of your childhood closet, stop right there. Turns out those plush toys might be your ticket to making an online fortune (if they’re in good condition, of course!). Despite the growing popularity of other e-commerce sites (read: Amazon), eBay has remained the go-to place to buy and sell rare goods, including Beanie Babies.

Perfect Night In is a series where we ask actors, artists, entrepreneurs, and beyond how they’d spend the ultimate luxury—a blissful evening at home. Since the “Sister, Sister” days, actress Tia Mowry has kept busy in both her professional and personal life. For one, Mowry has starred on her own TV series “Tia Mowry at Home” that has aired on the Cooking Channel since 2015.

What is it about succulents that makes them so addictive? Every time we go to Home Goods or Whole Foods, we wind up buying a new succulent, without having anywhere to put it. Our windowsills are lined with them, the coffee table has at least three, so does the dining room table, and don’t get us started on our dressers. Succulents are one of the cutest home trends out there. Did you know that besides coming in different shaped pots, there are actually different types of succulents?

Today was an emotional roller coaster, to say the least: Everyone thought “Friends” was going to be ousted from Netflix starting January 1, 2019. But now the country can rest easy, because the popular sitcom is going absolutely nowhere. The rumored deadline was going to fall on the sitcom’s fourth anniversary of when it was first available on the streaming service, and fans expressed their outrage all over social media.

You know how they say never meet your heroes? Well, they were certainly not talking about Tim Gunn. You’ll be pleased to know that the affable mentor from “Project Runway” is just as lovely in real life as he is on TV. But you might have to wait a little while before he returns to your screen; Gunn, along with host and executive producer Heidi Klum, announced their exit from the fashion competition show in September to develop a new series for Amazon.

January is looking to be a great month for books—so much so that I’m preordering six novels right now. Here’s a little mystery, a little family drama, and a little dystopia to keep you occupied during your winter hibernation. There is a solar eclipse in Iran in 1979 and in France in 2012, and those two timelines run through the novel.

Legendary organizational guru Marie Kondo is back in our homes thanks to the release of the Netflix original series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.” The show’s debut on New Year’s Day came at the exact time when so many of us have resolved to be better versions of ourselves, because what better way to feel like a new person than (finally) decluttering your space?

Every Harry Potter fan has been sorted into a Hogwarts house at some point in their life. And if you haven’t, thanks to Pottermore, you can easily find out what house you belong in if you don’t already know if you’re a Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, or Hufflepuff. Each of the Hogwarts houses has a specific set of traits that explain why they were sorted into that house. Gryffindors are known for their “nerve, chivalry, daring, courage, bravery and determination.

Who hasn’t spent a day or two on the couch bingeing home improvement shows? Whether it’s HGTV or the DIY Network, we’ve all been sucked into the renovation zone via our TV screens. Now, the folks at Joybird have analyzed data to determine which programs are the most popular across the country. It may or may not come as a surprise, but HGTV’s “Flip or Flop” scored the number one slot.

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be completely dedicated to love, however, sometimes the sky-high expectations often lead to jitters, anxiety, and ultimately disappointment, when it’s supposed to be a relaxing day spent with your nearest and dearest. Well, interior design wizard Bobby Berk is here to save the day.

For the second time in the past several months, the internet is abuzz with an awful lot of *feelings* regarding the possibility of “Friends” leaving Netflix.

It’s about that time for your Netflix queue to come in like a lion and out like a lamb. This is what’s new on the streaming service for March, and what’s getting dropped. Catch Bradley Cooper in his most perfect role (outside of Jackson Maine), alongside other faves like Amy Poehler, Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, et. al. in this classic camp movie. Can you believe??

If you’re a loyal fan of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you’ve probably gotten into a duel or two over which novel is best in the series. While each individual has their opinion, we got an inside look at the most Googled Harry Potter book by state—and the results might make you Moody, pun intended. Furniture brand Joybird released a study that showed the highest searched Harry Potter title in each state throughout the U.S.

We have strong feelings about a lot of things, but until recently, towel quantity wasn’t one of them. In a hilariously earnest social media post, writer Yashar Ali tweeted about bath towels, specifically the number of towels adults should ideally own. Fortunately, Yashar doesn’t have quite as many towel categories as Monica Geller, but he did start what became a wildly popular towel meme based on his suggested that there should be 50 towels per adult couple.

If you’re like me, you subscribe to a bunch of streaming services. While they’re not particularly expensive, those monthly fees can add up. But there’s some good news for the multi-streamers among us: Spotify Premium members can get Hulu for free. Yep, totally free. If you’re already paying the $9.99 to listen to Spotify ad-free, there’s a new perk. The Verge reports that you can bundle the basic Hulu plan into your account for no extra monthly charge.

Reroute your owls to deliver The Daily Prophet to your new address because you’ll never want to leave this Harry Potter rental. Located in Salem, MA, this private room can fit two guests, and ideally those who can revel in the extra attention to detail. Just one mile from the train station, this room was crafted by a host with experience in the toy and games industry.

These days, it’s hard to come across a person who doesn’t already have a side hustle, whether it’s running an Etsy store, driving for Uber or Lyft or renting out a spot on Airbnb. But most of those take a lot of work. A far more flexible way to earn some pocket change would be something like Indeed’s Job Spotter app. Instead of uploading selfies to Instagram, Job Spotter gives you more than just likes and follows.

Have you ever been forced to defend your TV viewing habits? One of the most grating examples of this is trying to explain why you keep watching the same shows over and over again. Honestly, if you don’t already know why I’m dedicated to rewatching “Nurse Jackie” every few months, then you might want to check out a new study from the University of Chicago. Long story short: Rewatching stuff you’ve seen a million times before just makes you feels good.

Since announcing their engagement in November 2017, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been nonstop busy with traveling the world, making public appearances, and building a life together. And with a baby coming around the corner (as in this month!), the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s lives are about to get a whole lot busier—and they just made it a million times easier for us common folk to follow along with their new Instagram account.

I think it was the famous father, donut lover, and American prophet Homer Simpson who said, “Mmm, I’m a toasty cinnamon bun,” while wrapped up in his bedsheets one morning. While that does sound delicious, when you do wrap yourself up in sheets like Homer did, you’re really more of a human burrito, right? That’s why I’m sure Homer would be the first in line (or online?) to buy the latest food-based item going viral: a literal burrito blanket.

Just south of San Francisco, close to the idyllic Highway 1 views of California’s picturesque cliffs and beaches, lies a tiny mushroom dome cabin in the woods. It’s one of the world’s most popular Airbnb listings and, for just $130 a night, it could be yours to sleep in. The Mushroom Dome cabin is in Monterey Bay and is surrounded by 10 acres of woods that make perfect hiking trails.

What we might love most about Airbnb‘s existence is the astounding variety of stays travelers can now experience. If you can dream up a lodging scenario—anything from a treehouse to a mansion—you can likely find it on Airbnb. And yes, that includes the former homes of celebrities. There’s no denying the allure of being physically present in a space that one of your heroes once called home.

“Game of Thrones” may be coming to an end, but the most-licensed program in HBO history can live on in the memories of superfans with a serious case of wanderlust. Throughout the years, the show has filmed in 10 countries, including Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Morocco, Malta, Spain, Croatia, Iceland, United States, Canada, and Scotland. Hotels.

Much of the appeal of watching “House Hunters” is playing detective, tuning into side comments and reactions that hint at what the ultimate house will be. You’ll be tempted to learn the secret to predicting the outcomes, like me. However, you might sincerely regret it once you know because all future “House Hunters” viewings will be forever changed. Consider yourself warned, far more than I was before embarking on this experiment, which began with a Reddit thread.

If you can dream it, you can find it on Airbnb. The vacation rental service gives you the chance to stay in some truly remarkable spaces. You can rent homes once owned by famous celebrities, stay overnight in converted train cars, and get cozy in the tiniest tiny houses you can imagine. If you like your vacation rentals to be an experience, we found your next destination: an alpaca ranch.

In the southwest of England lies a tiny house in Salisbury, a medieval cathedral city near Stonehenge. Two guests can cozy up in the studio-style space with a bed meant for stargazing. The hut includes a tiny wood-burning stove in the corner of the main living area that’s equipped with bench seating and a wooden table, plus kitchen appliances (tea kettle definitely included). Every morning, guests are treated to fresh bread, marmalade, granola, and muesli.

Brace yourselves, die-hard Fixer Upper fans: One of the show’s former contestants says the HGTV series’ opening scenes are fake. So, hearing that a portion of a reality show is staged isn’t the most outrageous thing to stumble across our thresholds.

Few activities feel more gratifying than successfully piecing together a complicated jigsaw puzzle, or maybe we’re just easy to please. Either way, they’re great for the brain and they put considerably less strain on our eyes than the incessant scrolling of social media feeds. But what about a puzzle that doesn’t have a definite finish line?

Q: I live in a condo with a concrete structure, so the soundproofing is pretty good. Unfortunately, I hear everything that is going on in my upstairs neighbors’ kitchen, through the range hood vent. Whenever I’m in my kitchen at the same time as they are, I turn the range on so I don’t hear them, but it is a little bit annoying and loud in the morning. I’m also wondering if they can hear me from their kitchen… Does it happen to anyone else?

The design world is ripe for dad jokes — you know dad jokes, don’t you? They’re a particular brand of clean, G-rated jokes that almost always result in the listener groaning and rolling their eyes? They usually involve puns, too. Like that guy who walked around IKEA, torturing his girlfriend with product puns — total dad joke master.

Looking for a small escape from winter? Luckily, there’s a charming resort in Sarasota, Florida that has a fleet of tiny houses just ready to be booked. Tiny House Siesta near Siesta Key Beach has eleven such homes for rent in all shapes, sizes, colors, and themes.

In the latest data-analytics news from Captain Obvious, one new report has quantifiably named New York City the dirtiest city in America — by far. Leading the top 40 cities in the U.S. on combined filth factors as collected by the EPA, the U.S. Census, and the American Housing Survey, the Big Apple was considered especially rotten for its above-and-beyond litter and rodent issues.

You may know David Burtka through a number of accomplishments. It might be his theatrical performance in productions like “The Play About the Baby,” or his appearances in episodes of “How I Met Your Mother,” or his current profession of being a successful celebrity chef. (And yes, of course we know he’s married to the wonderful Neil Patrick Harris.) A graduate of Cordon Bleu, Burtka now runs his own catering company, Gourmet M. D.

Happy World Book Day!

Have you ever wanted to tell people how you’re feeling before you even see them? We’ve all had those days. The ones where you’d much rather communicate with a series of eye rolls and grunts than by speaking actual words. They tend to always happen before coffee has been dispensed. Well, if you like to make your feelings very clear, but also love designer things, you’re in luck. Thanks to Hypebeast, we now have more details on the Virgil Abloh x IKEA collection.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and if you haven’t bought something yet, you should probably work on that ASAP. Moms work so hard to make our lives manageable and happy, they deserve everything we can give them. Have you ever got your mom a gift and instantly known she didn’t like it? She’s too nice to say it, but you just knew when you saw her face. Well, if you’ve been stuck on what to get your mom for the big day, you can get an answer now thanks to Reddit.

Not that we ever doubted it for a second, but magic does exist. Harry Potter fans know this to be true, but now we have proof to share with others! Fans of the series can actually spend a night in a replica of Hagrid’s Hut. How magical does that sound? Hagrid is easily one of the most beloved characters in the entire series.

Going to the zoo is a very popular American past time. Every little kid has gone on a school field trip to the zoo at one point or another. Still, as adults, many of us are fascinated with going to the zoo to see all of the animals. Some people fear that going to the zoo isn’t perpetuating the containment of animals, but that isn’t the case. A vast majority of zoos and aquariums in the U.S. are AZA accredited.

Dear Alice, Since we’ve moved in, we’ve learned the hard way that one of the downsides to the new construction is really poor sound absorption, it’s so bad to the point that we can hear their dogs claws on the floor. Anytime their kids run around (which is fairly often) it sounds like a stampede and it’s genuinely disruptive. For example, if we’re watching TV we actually have to increase the volume so we can hear it!

I am buying this for everyone in my life.

I’m 27 and my mom still gives me an Easter basket every year. When I make it home before zooming off to my cousins’ house for a massive “Greekster” celebration (lamb on the spit and all), my sister (who’s 31) and I are both showered with little surprises in colorful baskets as though we haven’t aged at all. As I’ve gotten older, the presents themselves matter less than the love my mom still puts into them—they’re part of our family history.

Is your best friend your soulmate, your person, your #1 cheerleader, and everything in between? Of course, they are, as they should be! Best friends are the reason that we get through the tough moments in life. Obviously family and significant others contribute to this, but our BFFs are the people we go to for everything under the sun. If you and your best friend are the textbook definition of obsessed with each other, listen up!

That is if you can hide from your boss while doing so.

Do you enjoy being right? Of course, you do, who doesn’t? If you love to make bets with your friends about the endings of your favorite TV shows and movies, you’re going to want to check this deal out. If you’re a “Game of Thrones” fan, chances are you’ve already put a lot of thought into who will sit on the Iron Throne. Every GoT fan has spent quite a bit of time debating with their friends about who will rule Westeros.

When it comes to air travel, it seems as though there are polarizing issues just about everywhere that divide passengers. Do you stand up well before it’s your aisle’s turn to exit or not? Do you prefer the window or not? Do you only travel with a carry-on or not? And, of course, one of the most controversial questions: do you recline or not recline? And moreover, how do you go about reclining when you do?

Laptops? Flat-screen TVs? Jewelry? Nah. In rural Kentucky, the thieves are going for barn doors. And some are laying the blame on “Fixer Upper’s” Chip and Joanna Gaines. A story in Tuesday’s Courier Journal revealed that barn wood thieving is a significant problem, particularly in Kentucky, where there are more old barns per square mile than any other state. So far, theft cases have been reported in at least 13 Kentucky counties.

Dear Readers, You may not realize it, but Apartment Therapy Media is a kind of weird and quirky corner of the internet. We got started back in the good old blog days when you could just roll your thoughts, ideas, and musings down a page, throw in a bad photo or two, and then open up this starkly empty box at the bottom called Comments to see what people would say in return. Over the years, as we added more writers with more perspectives, more readers came along for the ride.

How much do you love bread? There are so many ways to enjoy bread, whether you’re eating a standard roll before dinner or enjoying a slice of avocado toast. We all have a favorite pizza place because of the dough used there. The same goes for bagels because we all know that some bagel spots reign supreme over others, anyone from New York or New Jersey would argue that to the death.

People often debate whether cats or dogs are better. We don’t have any definitive proof which animal is better, but one might better for you. According to a new study, dog owners are happier than cat owners. Who can be unhappy when their dog gives them kisses? Now, this isn’t to say that cat owners aren’t entirely unhappy, but it would appear that dog owners are happier.

An ABCs print or poster is a popular piece of nursery decor, but some parents really go all out when it comes to displaying those essential 26 letters. Here are 25 creative examples, from wood and cardboard letters to decals to string art and much more. Row One: 1. McKenzie’s Modern Traditional Mix 2. DIY Feature Wall Baby Nursery on Project Nursery 3. Jude’s Nautical Big Boy Room 4. Lincoln’s Easy As ABC Room 5. Baby G’s Elegant Gender Neutral Nursery Row Two: 6.

It is that time of year again, Disney fans! The new Disney mugs from the Starbucks “Been There” Series Pin Drop Collection have arrived. Somehow, Disney and Starbucks continue to release new mugs that have us throwing our cash right at them. Do we really need six mugs? Of course, we do! Disney travelers that frequent Walt Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California know that these mugs are sold in the Starbucks franchises located inside the parks.

It is finally spring! Springtime means we can enjoy the beauty of nature, now that those cold and dreary days of winter are behind us. Is there anything more refreshing than looking at flowers blooming after spending weeks on end surrounded by dull gray skies? Of course not! If you’re a fan of cherry blossoms, you’re in luck! You don’t need to drive all the way to Washington D.C. to enjoy the National Cherry Blossom Festival (though it is something incredible to see).

Now that we’re officially done with winter and spring has sprung, we’re headed toward better weather days. We can expect to see some beautiful flowers blooming shortly. However, before we get flowers, you know how the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” The rain isn’t too awful unless you have dogs. Every dog owner knows that with rain comes mud and with mud comes muddy paws.

Do you have a pretty deep love of your bed? Is it your hardest goodbye each morning and your fondest hello at night? Yeah, same here. We love to sleep and we especially love to be cozy in our beds. If sleeping for two months straight sounds like something right up your alley, then you might want to check out this opportunity from NASA. Yes, NASA, as in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Independent reported that NASA is looking to pay volunteers $18,500 for 60 days of work.

Imagine a realtor showing a modern home in 2019 with no dishwasher, no refrigerator, no infrastructure for a home security system. Imagine waking up in your apartment on a Saturday morning and having no easy way to brew a cup of coffee. That would be a home without women. It makes sense that women made such significant contributions to improving the efficiency, safety, and productivity of the home—that’s where they spent most of their time, given that other work options were limited.

Ever since “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” we can’t stop fantasizing about a dreamy getaway in Greece. This cozy Halkidki hideaway makes the ideal backdrop for your private Mediterranean adventure—musical numbers not required. This cozy wooden cabin is nestled on the Halkidiki, Chalkidi peninsula in Northern Greece off of Central Macedonia. The 365 square-foot tiny home is fully equipped with a plush double bed, cozy bathroom and kitchen, and an outdoor shower.

Do you feel like you can’t officially start your morning until you make your bed? Well, it turns out that there’s more anecdotal evidence that this simple task could contribute to your productivity. In a survey of 1,000 people, the company Best Mattress Brand determined how bed-making affects productivity and health.

Bees are more important to the environment than most people realize. There are a lot more to bees than just their delicious honey. They pollinate 90% of the world’s plants by transferring pollen from one plant or flower to another. The average honeybee can visit up to 2,000 flowers in one day! But sadly, despite how essential honeybees are to our ecosystem, their populations have declined over the last 60 years.

Calling all Harry Potter fans: the Hogwarts Express is real. You can actually board the train and go for a ride. Though, we cannot promise you that once you get off the train you’ll be in Hogsmeade. While the train exists, that doesn’t actually mean that Hogwarts is real. Though, we can keep dreaming. How many times have you fantasized about riding the Hogwarts Express?

We’re finally approaching the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The first day of spring is March 21 and it cannot come soon enough. To say we’re tired of all the snow and gloomy weather that winter has brought would be an understatement. If we could break up with winter, we totally would and we’d never call it back. With spring approaching, that means warmer weather, and with that, it means we’ll finally get to see some beautiful flowers!