Life

When my husband came home from work and told me that the next day would be his last at his job, we went into immediate emergency cost-cutting mode. And we quickly learned that the easiest place to slash the budget, in principle, was one of the most painful in practice: our food expenses. We love food—eating it, cooking it, talking about it, sharing it. And an embarrassingly large percentage of our budget went to food—good ingredients, kitchen equipment, eating out.

You know IKEA, right? Obviously, who hasn’t heard of IKEA! Most of us have spent many hours inside of IKEA, not exactly trapped, but shopping for so long, the store begins to feel like a maze we don’t actually know how to get out of. At least there are Swedish meatballs to snack on when you’re losing stamina during a shopping trip. Now, if you’re a big lover of IKEA, you surely say the retailer’s name often. Chances are, you’ve been saying it entirely wrong.

Have you ever wanted a limited edition item so badly, you were willing to fight someone for it? If you answered yes, you don’t need to feel too guilty for that, because you’re not the only one. Apparently, people are so obsessed with a new cup released in Starbucks in China, they’re actually getting into physical altercations in stores. Starbucks has many stylish mugs and tumblers available for sale at each location.

“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.” – Your cat, probably, telling the dog who is really in charge. If your cat seems to channel their inner Cersei Lannister on a daily basis, then we have the perfect gift for them. Every “Game of Thrones” fan has been sitting with bated breath since 2017, just waiting for the day new episodes will arrive. We only have a little over a month until season 8 premieres on April 14, 2019.

Have you ever looked at your cat and wished you could live their life? They get to spend every day lounging around. If they get up to move, it is usually from the comfort of your bed to spread out on the couch. Their food bowl is always mysteriously refilled without them having to lift a paw. They get treats whenever they want. The spoiled house cat honestly has the perfect life. Which means you might just have the perfect life too.

If you thought your library card was only good for borrowing books, then think again. Turns out you can score access to all sorts of awesome stuff with nothing more than your library card—usually for free. Don’t believe us? Here are eight things you probably didn’t realize you could do with your library card. Who knew your library card could also grant you access to some pretty cool streaming platforms?

Designing a cozy home isn’t just about on-point aesthetics. Have you ever thought about how your home actually makes you feel? Interior designers and therapists alike believe home design influences your well-being and emotions, and can even exacerbate your anxiety and stress levels. Whether you are facing clinical anxiety or situational stress, creating a peaceful living space is a great first step toward preventing—and managing—stressful emotions.

In between juggling film and TV roles, being a wife, mother and getting her zen on with the help of organization photos, Kristen Bell somehow managed to find time to launch a line of baby products with her husband Dax Shepard. This week, the couple announced a collection of baby goods named Hello Bello, an adorable moniker that pairs well with Kristen and Dax’s reputation for being unbelievably cute at all times. There’s even a nod to K-Bell’s favorite animal—the sloth.

Life is stressful enough as it is—so make this the weekend you stop putting unnecessary pressure on yourself when it comes to hosting. Does your house need to be impeccably clean with a three-course dinner planned and a carefully crafted evite in order to have a good time? No. Is it easy to get swept up in appearances and pretend it does? Absolutely.

We all work so hard to make our homes beautiful, relaxing spaces where we can host our friends and family. So what if I told you that by merely uttering one little word, you could derail all the positive, beautiful attributes of your home in the eyes of your guests? Please, lovelies, never say this! “Sorry about the mess.” “Sorry it’s so hot in here.” “Sorry, we’re out of milk.” Sound familiar?

There’s no question about it, IKEA is a great resource for affordable and stylish furnishings, but it can can sometimes feel like a hassle to shop at the Swedish retailer’s stores, especially when you are in a hurry. After spending some time at one of their stores this weekend, I have a few tips to help you get in and out faster.1. Pre-plan your trip.

Because staying focused isn't always easy.

WHOA.

Get your Easter list prepped and ready, you’re going to want to head to Target before the holiday comes. Chip and Joanna Gaines’s Hearth & Hand with Magnolia at Target has an Easter collection launching February 24 and you’re going to want every item for sale. The entire collection can help you craft the perfect holiday Instagram.

Essential oils, which are essentially (see what we did there?) concentrated plant parts used for aromatherapy, are ultra-trendy for a reason. Not only do they smell good; essential oils can be used around the house to clean, soothe, and set the mood. Having a hard time sleeping at night? Studies show lavender might help. Tummy problems? Grab your peppermint oil. Looking for a non-toxic way to de-germ your countertops?

It is official! The next ride to hit Universal Orlando’s Wizard World of Harry Potter has been unveiled. For the last year, people have been speculating what exactly would replace the closed Dragon Challenge and many theories have been thrown around. Now, some of those theories have been proven to be true! The next ride to open at Universal will be Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

We need 5 cups of their coffee potion ASAP.

When you’re not feeling well, it doesn’t matter how old you are, it is nice to snuggle up with something soft and warm. If that happens to be a stuffed animal, there is no shame here, there’s a reason everyone loves stuffed animals! They can be extremely comforting and soothing. Experts have even said it is totally normal for adults to sleep with stuffed animals, as they are considered transitional objects that can give us a sense of comfort.

It starts with good intentions. How many of us have, in an effort to shake off the stress of the workday, ended up in a daze on the couch? Whether you spend your evenings bingeing on Netflix or mindlessly scrolling social media, the post-work lull can compromise productivity and, in the end, keep you from truly relaxing. So why not set your post-work self up for success? All it takes is a little intention.

Did you grow up thinking your hometown was kind of boring? Or maybe you thought the name was silly and hated it? Well, at least you didn’t grow up in a town that is literally named Boring. That’s right, Boring is a town name in the state of Oregon. Can you imagine telling people that is your hometown? Thanks to Estately, we now know some of the weirdest named towns in the U.S. Estately is a national real estate company.

Set sail in 2020!

The most magical place on Earth is about to go intergalactic: Word on the design streets is that a Star Wars hotel is coming to Disney World in Orlando, and this collision of fantasy worlds undoubtedly has space geeks and theme park enthusiasts pumped. The new luxury resort at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge theme park will be the first of its kind, and true to form, Disney has plans to go all out (of this world) with the hotel design.

If you’ve ever commuted by train, bus, or bike or regularly hike with your dogs, then this genius new hybrid to-go container will no doubt solve one of life’s pressing problems—by combining your water bottle and travel coffee mug in one. No longer do we have to literally juggle beverage containers while trying to channel an octopus, or choose between life-giving caffeine and hydration.

Everyone shows love differently. The Five Love Languages, developed by counselor and author Gary Chapman, sum up the most common ways we give and receive love. Chapman’s theory is that every person has a primary “language” for loving, which is how they naturally show their affection to the people closest to them. Curious how your roomie or partner’s love language comes out at home?

We’re seeing more and more dream jobs where the lucky employee gets paid to travel the world. There’s usually some unbelievable perks, and most require skills like photography and social media content creation—but this gig is different. That’s why the latest dream job we spotted really stands out. One woman is hiring a personal designer to travel the world by her side.

Whether you’re trying to tighten the belt this year, or you’re one of those people who can’t stand the thought of paying any more for something than you have to, scouring the sale and clearance sections at your favorite stores is probably a habit.

Do you take roughly 500 photos when you go on vacation? And then spend the following 10 weeks after your trip sharing “TBT” pictures on Instagram? No shame here, we all are guilty of doing this, at least once. Everyone likes to show off their best side on the ‘gram. If this is something you think you’re a pro at, you might just be able to get a job out of it.

Everyone hates baggage fees, whether they’re unexpected or not. But clearly, the airlines know how to make a bundle off them: In 2017, US airlines collected $4.6 billion in checked baggage fees. Enter: LugLess, a new travel startup that offers a cost-competitive alternative to checking bags. The company is hoping that customers are willing to part with the traditional baggage-checking model in order to score cheaper luggage shipping rates.

If you live in a tiny home, you’re faced with living a full life with less space—and less stuff. This makes going to Target a difficult task for tiny homeowners, because, well, they’re just as tempted by all the cute, quirky, and cool things in the aisles as you are (the Target effect is real, y’all!) But it also means that these residents are experts at cutting through the clutter to find the best problem-solving products while shopping.

There are your basic campers, and then there’s the Draper RV by Land Ark. If you’re familiar with the company, that means you’ve probably already fawned over the previous model, the all-black, super sleek and, dare I say, sexy Drake RV. Founders Brian and Joni Buzarde model all Land Ark designs after their tiny house, and their signature homes on wheels prove that you don’t have to sacrifice sophistication just because you’re working with a smaller space.

This April we will be celebrating our 15th birthday. For me, it will be a celebration of growing, doing better and better work over the years, and staying true to our mission.

There is an interesting belief that people are either dog people or cat people. But any general animal lover knows the more the merrier! Why limit yourself to just one species when you can appreciate them all? However, some people do tend to stay away from cats for a somewhat valid reason, though I personally ignore it. Cats can really aggravate allergies. You’ll meet people who cannot even go in the same room as a cat for 30 seconds without practically bursting.

Is there anything that smells worse than a wet dog? Probably, but it is not a smell that you want to linger in your house. After a bath, every dog has a moment of intense “zoomies” where they sprint around the house and get their wet dog smell on just about everything. As much as we love to watch our dogs run around and act a little crazy, there is a way to avoid this smell getting on your couch, bed, and carpet. Now, your dog obviously can get wet from more than just a bath.

Harry Potter fans, get ready to dip into your little sacks of money and pull out all of your Knuts, Sickles, and Galleons. You’re going to need some money for the newest addition to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. It is official, you can now visit Gringotts Wizarding Bank! Warner Bros. Studio Tour London opened “The Making of Harry Potter” back in 2012, as a way to preserve set pieces from the Harry Potter films for fans to experience for many years to come.

Looking to make a major lifestyle change? It’s as easy as clicking your mouse–thanks to the many prefab houses available on eBay. (Okay, maybe you’ll need to send a couple e-mails back and forth and send in some paperwork.) Here, five modern-looking tiny houses you can buy on eBay right now, which encourage a minimal lifestyle and are typically eco-friendly to boot. And just a quick caveat: know what’s included when you buy (and what’s not).

As January turns into February, it would seem that the harsh cold weather is here to stay. One day we have temperatures in the 40s, and the next, it’s a frigid 5 degrees. With these fluctuating temperatures comes dry skin and brittle, damaged hair. The winter weather can even take a toll on those who don’t color or use heat tools, or those who already have silky hair. One way to combat dryness is using a hair mask to help keep your locks hydrated.

According to well-traveled individuals, it takes a bit of skill to ensure that you sleep well on sleeper trains, but one way to avoid those problems is to try catching some ZZZs in a vehicle that doesn’t move like a fabulous train car tiny house. Anyone who suffers from motion sickness (plus those who don’t) will be happy to board Platform 1346, a former World War II-era troop car-turned-vacation rental near the Smoky Mountains in Maryville, Tennessee.

We did the math, and the benefits of being a Costco member actually work out in your favor on this 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. If you watched the Golden Globes, you witnessed Darren Criss hitting a major career milestone when he won Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film, beating out big names like Hugh Grant and Benedict Cumberbatch.

The first big storm of 2019 hit over the weekend, some areas saw inches of snow, while others saw freezing rain. The weather plummeted to far-below freezing, with areas in the East Coast getting slammed with temperatures below 5 degrees and with the wind chill, it felt even colder. It officially means that winter is here and we’re in for a brutal one. You might want to rethink your definition of freezing after looking at this picture.

We’re too busy laughing to use the KonMari method right now.

Who didn’t love Polly Pocket growing up? It was one of those toys you could play with for hours on end. If someone pulled out a little Polly Pocket set right now, that would be the easiest way to tell who the ’90s kids are in the room. The Pocket name comes from the fact that the dolls came inside of pocket-sized compacts. Once you opened the case, it formed a dollhouse that the tiny figurine could fit inside. Along with the dollhouse, Polly Pocket had a huge wardrobe.

It looks like Midge was ahead of the millennial pink trend!

Booking my trip to Aspen ASAP!

We’re not sure – does this spark joy or no?

Planning to head to Target this weekend to aimlessly wander the aisles? If you’re a parent, that aimless Target run is actually going to benefit you tremendously. Everyone knows that babies are not cheap. They are growing every day, spitting up on their clothes, and bursting through diapers left and right. Infants go through onesies in the blink of an eye. It would seem that Target understands just how much it costs to raise a child.

The holidays are over and chances are you have a Target gift card or two burning a hole in your pocket. But before you go blow it all on one fun but frivolous item—guilty!—you might want to consider all the amazing home essentials you could spend yours on instead. To prove our point, we rounded up ten practical products to buy at Target, starting at just 5 bucks. From cleaning tools to luxury sheets, here are the best things to buy for your home using your Target gift card.

When two of the most popular home building trends collide, you can expect nothing less than stellar results. Guaranteed to put stars in your eyes is this absolutely charming two-story shipping container house from CargoHome. Its stylish tiny digs are roomier than your typical micro home, plus it smartly incorporates the perpetually cool concept of upcycling shipping containers into its chic living spaces.

If you have Airbnb envy, you’re not alone. After all, it seems so simple: Rent out your place and reap the rewards. But contrary to popular opinion, it’s not that easy—and there are definitely things that can go awry (and they will!).

There are glamping tents and treehouses, teepees and covered wagons. But the latest trend in unique vacation rentals? Shipping containers. If you’ve been curious about the tiny house trend—but want something a teeny bit bigger—take one of these eco-friendly homes for a spin. They may be small, but at $100 or less per night, they’re big on value.

It’s official: 2019 is here and it’s time to get your money right. We called on Priya Malani, co-founder of Stash Wealth, a financial planning firm for millennials, for advice on how to better handle our money in the New Year. From setting up a different savings account to signing up for automatic withdrawals, here are five money-savvy tips to jumpstart your 2019 financial goals.

It is 2019 and it is safe to say that there are plenty of people thinking about the carbon footprint we’re leaving on this planet. If people aren’t concerned with that exactly, they are thinking of their waste consumption. The average person produces nearly five pounds of garbage in just one day. That’s over 1,600 pounds of garbage in one year, from just one person. As people begin to worry more and more about our impact on the planet, there are exciting changes happening.

What dog lover doesn’t want to wear their pet’s face on them every day? Every proud pet owner wants to show off their furry friend any way they can. Now, pet owners can get a pair of custom slippers to show off their undying love of their pet. Cuddle Clones, a company known for selling stuffed versions of your beloved pets, now sells custom pet slippers. You can get a pair of slippers from the company that looks like your dog, your cat, and even your horse!

It’s a new year—and time to up your hustle. More and more people are turning their passions and creative outlets into profits, by making them their side gigs. In fact, according to Pinterest, searches for “side hustles at home” are up nearly 700 percent! So to make your moneymaking endeavors a little easier, we rounded up some of the best jobs you can take on in 2019 to supplement your income.

“Me applying Marie Kondo's KonMari method to all aspects of my life”

Just look at the tiny Pusheen details throughout the entire cafe!

We’ve seen that many travelers have been eager to indulge in the #camperlifestyle. This includes scouting the perfect sites to explore and sleep in, but most importantly, shopping around for a camper that will make for the perfect road trip. Add incredibly cute, family-friendly, and comfortable into the mix, and you’ll get the Summit: a charming teardrop trailer from Colorado Summit.

Here’s some fun trivia for you: January 4 is National Trivia Day. And what better way is there to celebrate than to partake in a fun little pop quiz of your own? From classics like Trivial Pursuit to newer games like Wits & Wagers, here are 10 of our favorite trivia board games—for National Trivia Day, game night, or just a random night at home. This iconic board game is beloved by trivia purists and game-night lovers alike.

There’s a website that allows you a temporary escape by swapping homes with a stranger—and it could be the getaway you’ve been looking for. Like the 2006 romcom “The Holiday,” Love Home Swap lets users list their homes and then browse through others to swap. If you’re going through a rut and need a quick change of scenery, or just want to escape your comfort zone and try something new, this might be an oddly simple solution.

If you love the beach and cozy retreats, we’ve found the glamping getaway for you. This oh-so-quaint retro caravan set on the Pohutukawa Coast in Beachlands, Auckland, is available for rent and accommodates two. You can snuggle up with your S.O. on the plush double-size bed that also serves as a table. The playful, light-filled accommodation is complete with a small kitchen outfitted with a gas stovetop and under-bench oven.

If you were to hand someone your phone right now, what would the camera roll look like? A few snaps from recent date nights, a couple pictures of your loved ones, and roughly 500 photos of your pet, right? You just can’t help yourself, they fell asleep in the cutest position and you had to snap a couple (50) pictures of them! Don’t be ashamed, every pet owner has been there. Chances are, if you are a dog lover, your camera roll is just photo shoot after photo shoot of your pet.

When you think of the name Ford, your first thought probably isn’t about dogs and it is focused on big trucks, right? Same here. Well, if you’re not up-to-date on Ford’s other ventures, pet owners will be pleased to learn that Ford has begun creating doghouses and they’re perfect for pets that can get a little skittish during thunderstorms and fireworks displays.

Christmas is now just days away. People are scrambling to buy last-minute gifts and rushing to wrap everything to get it under the Christmas tree. Maybe you’re one of those down-to-the-wire shoppers or maybe you have had everything purchased before November even was underway. No matter how you shop, buying little things the days leading up to Christmas always seems to happen. How is it that we always tend to spend more than we planned on when Christmas rolls around?

It is that time of year again! Christmas is just days away and Mindy Kaling has her Wreath Witherspoon hung on her door. Not familiar with a Wreath Witherspoon? It is Mindy’s decorative Christmas wreath that is adorned with photos of the beloved actress, Reese Witherspoon. Mindy first debuted her wreath in a 2014 episode of her hit TV show, “The Mindy Project.

Let’s just say your family doesn’t exactly resemble a perfect Hallmark gathering of super connected cousins or in-sync siblings. And, if you feel like these relationships are bordering on toxic or if there’s abuse, addiction, and estrangement to contend with, too, it’s more than likely that you’re regarding the holidays with no small feeling of dread. Despite all of this, you can have an intact holiday.

Going to the movies can be a lot of fun, but do you ever feel like something is missing? Besides $30 from your wallet, that is. You can go to the movies with your best friend or your significant other, but there is one movie buddy who isn’t allowed at the theater. Your dog. Anyone who has spent their weekend binge-watching TV shows and movies on their couch with their dog knows that your pet is often the best movie buddy. They don’t talk during the previews.

Have you ever looked at your dog and wondered what they would look like with pants on? Would they look ridiculous or would they look so cute, you’d have to take 500 pictures of them? It is 2018, you don’t have to wonder anymore, because there is a company that sells leggings for dogs. Walkee Paws are “patent-pending stretchy doggy leggings. They are designed to protect your dog’s paws from dirt and germs for everyday walks.

This year, daring decorators are flipping the holiday decorating script and dreaming of a goth Christmas. Home decor site Wayfair is reporting a 70 percent increase in searches for black Christmas trees this year, and according to the artificial tree retailer Treetopia, black is the second most popular color (after classic green) in six locations: Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Delaware, and Washington D.C.

Gift-giving season means we all have to be a little stealthier about our online shopping—especially if you share accounts with the people you’re trying to surprise. Or maybe you found the perfect thing to finish your shopping list, but don’t want to give your credit card info over to the Amazon machine to get it. Whatever your reason for wanting to shop incognito, we have the answer: Amazon Cash. Amazon Cash, my friends, the answer is Amazon Cash.

If you have a few extra hundred dollars hanging around, you can celebrate Christmas in a castle! Highclere Castle, which was featured on “Downton Abbey,” hosts a few Christmas events. It might be too late for Christmas dinner at the castle, but you can still buy tickets to sip some champagne and sing carols. In associate with RAF 100 Appeal, Highclere Castle is hosting a Castle Tours, Carols and Magic event.

Wish you were on vacay every day? Some tourist destinations across the United States also make terrific places to live. Weather aside, these cities have amenities that year-round residents love—whether that’s as an emerging wine region, outdoor recreation activities, an impressive arts and culture scene, or great sandy beaches. Here’s where you can live the dream all year long—even after the piña coladas melt. The good news: You can live on an island year-round.

They say idle hands are the devil’s playground. Or is it an idle mind? When our twitching fingers tap from “add to bag” to “checkout” before we know what happened, it certainly feels like our good intentions of not spending money uselessly have been thwarted by a devilish boredom that whispers, pitchfork held aside, to go on ahead and just check to see if there are any good sales.