Life

Oh, the joys of online shopping. Not only can you bypass crazy long checkout lines and cramped dressing rooms, you get all the stuff you ordered delivered straight to your front door. The only drawback: Returning items that don’t work for you can be trickier when the post office gets involved. That’s why it pays to know ahead of time which stores have stellar return policies, so you can have a totally worry-free online shopping experience.

Even if you aren’t a self-proclaimed “morning person,” creating a solid AM routine can set the tone for your day. If right now that “routine” includes 30 minutes struggling with the snooze button, followed by guzzling coffee while simultaneously blow drying your hair and responding to your email, you might be ready to switch things up. Who better to borrow some inspiration from than some of the healthiest people out there?

I asked a woman out to dinner, to a place I’d been wanting to try. As is often the case with New York dates, we began talking logistics. The IKEA closest to me is a trek from my apartment. Hopping in a cab feels unadventurous when the Brooklyn behemoth painstakingly made sure it’s accessible by ferry. Without knowing this woman long enough to tempt a Gilligan’s Island-level fate, we chose the next best option: riding our bikes.

“There’s a pot pie in the oven made by a guy named Cookie Puss, who works at the hardware store. It’s 7 degrees outside. We have plastic hanging over the kitchen doorway to block the dust from the sander. There’s beer, and Kid Rock on the radio. We make Pigpen look clean. It’s our Detroit Valentine’s day.

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I’ve always been in love with the idea of hosting dinner parties. My mother used to host game nights at our house when I was a kid, and she’d also throw parties for milestones throughout the year. As a 20-something adult, I’ve loved venturing into the playful, well-appointed world of hosting. But working with a tight budget, mismatched flatware (I know we have another fork somewhere around here), and small spaces means the way you go about it looks a little differently.

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If you’ve ever considered going into business with family, look no further for role models than Jonathan and Drew Scott. Having found fame as hosts of the hit HGTV reality series Property Brothers, the pair really brings home the bacon. And by bacon, we mean money. And by money, we mean a combined net worth in the millions. Property Brothers Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott have flipped their way to a combined net worth of $20 million according to CelebrityNetWorth.com.

Every year the impending arrival of the Super Bowl incites a parallel culinary sport: churning out lighter takes on wings, healthier spins on classic dips, and “fresh” appetizer ideas beginning (but not ending) with kale chips. But you know what? Just like Thanksgiving, there’s no call to go off-script with the Super Bowl. Just like you want marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, I want seven-layer dip and hot wings.

(Image credit: Sarah Rae Smith) From Kitchn → How To Polish a Stainless Steel Sink with Flour (Really!) null

If you look forward to busting out Scrabble or Monopoly as often as possible, we have good news. Every night is game night at this board game themed Airbnb in Claremont, Florida, outside of Orlando. Looks like Disney World and Universal Studios aren’t the only central Florida attractions. Dubbed Great Escape Lakeside, the 13 bedroom house sleeps a whopping 43 people and is basically a theme park in its own right. And with each room comes a different theme.

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The biggest fight I ever had with my husband in a public setting was over a TV. We’d decided to put a television in our living room after a few years of hiding the object in our bedroom and were at Target to pick one out. Facing off in the electronics department, we had an epic showdown over whether we’d buy a big, black box, smart TV or the super cute retro-style little Crosley number that would fit in scale and style with the room it was bound for.

Booking a stay at a traditional hotel is fine and dandy, unless you’re ready for accommodations that move you in a different direction – literally. Capitalizing off the architectural design theme of movement, Guntû is an upscale floating hotel that travels along the shores of Japan’s Seto inland sea. Japanese architect Yasushi Horibe created this unique vacation-themed vessel, which seems like the easiest way to kick up your heels and get your sea legs at the same time.

When the White House requested to borrow a Vincent van Gogh painting from the Guggenheim, the New York museum had a crappy counteroffer: a used gold toilet. In a September email published by the Washington Post, the White House’s Office of the Curator requested to borrow the post-Impressionist work, entitled Landscape with Snow, for the official residence (which, the Post notes, is a common practice).

Aiming to escape your responsibilities by “getting lost” in the wilderness? Well, you might as well do it in style. This charming “Lost Cottage“, located in the lush hills of southwestern Ireland, is the perfect place to wander aimlessly and take in your surroundings for a bit. Situated on 85 acres, the sweet escape is now available as a vacation rental.

My parents own an internet famous cat named Pompous Albert. With more than 140,000 followers on Instagram, appearances on People Magazine, Inside Edition, The Dodo, and BuzzFeed, (not to mention commercial deals with Honda), he has quickly risen to fame. Meanwhile, I’m a grownup with a college degree and full-time job just trying to survive adulthood. Pompous Albert and I both had a normal childhood.

We’re not sure why everything is just plain cuter in miniature, but one thing is for certain: a complete scale model of your own home, both interior and exterior, made entirely out of LEGO, just might be the sweetest thing ever. Inspired by her twins and a lifetime love affair with building miniature homes, Shari Austrian recently launched Little Brick Lane — an Etsy shop that will turn photos and plans of your house into scale models built from LEGO.

Today was the one year anniversary of Donald Trump’s inauguration—and one year minus a day since more than two million people around the world marched in what was likely the largest single-day demonstration in recorded U.S. history. Both events kicked off a turbulent year marked by protest: days later, for instance, demonstrations erupted across airports following the ban of visitors and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries.

We love Costco — and its famously generous return policy — but is there a point at which consumers abuse their rights to, well, always be right? Does a woman in California returning her dead Christmas tree in January fall into the category of shameless retail returns that should not be refunded?

If you fly a lot, it makes sense to get a credit card with airline rewards. Now, if moderately priced Swedish furnishings are your thing, IKEA just released a card for you. The retailer announced back in January their plans to launch a branded credit card in the United States that will also provide additional financing options for “major home projects,” as initially reported by trade publication Chain Store Age.

Welcome to dystopia. Here, magazine ads contain both coupons and pregnancy tests. Yes, you can now pee on an IKEA ad to see if a) you qualify for a discount, and b) you’re pregnant. This very real ad will tell you if you’re with child and if you are (mazel tov, by the way), you’ll receive a coupon for cribs. According to a story in AdWeek, Swedish advertising agency Åkestam Holst created this, um, innovative ad to run in Swedish women’s magazine, Amelia.

Did you have Polly Pockets as a kid? I sure did. Those tiny little choking hazards lived in minuscule worlds tucked inside jewel-toned compacts. And like many things I wish I still had even decades after they got passed on to cousins or thrift stores, I often contemplate hunting some down on eBay. And apparently, I’m not alone. Well it turns out, if you’re stricken with the nostalgia bug, it could cost you.

We’ve talked a bit about ASMR here in the hallowed Apartment Therapy halls, with this Oddly IKEA video and this post about ASMR improving one writer’s sleep life, but haven’t fully investigated this internet phenomena. Well, now there’s a series of ASMR videos that incorporate none other than Harry Potter.

We probably wouldn’t have pegged the Queen of England as one of those holiday decor stragglers, but it turns out that Elizabeth II is a February type of gal. According to Architectural Digest, the Queen and Prince Philip keep their halls decked until February 6th every year. That means they’ve got tinsel and candy canes kicking around until almost Valentine’s Day!

Anyone who’s searched for a way to save more money has probably heard of the 52 Week Challenge. It’s a way to slowly build up your savings throughout the year—you start by putting aside $1 on week one, $2 on week 2, and so on until you reach week 52, putting aside $52 that week. In total, if you follow the 52 Week Challenge, you’ll save $1,378 by the end of the year. Easy enough, right? While it sounds like a great idea (and if it works for you, keep it up!

While we can get swept up in all the holiday cheer, it’s possible to forget that not everyone is having a jolly happy season. Non-profit organization Option B is sharing ways you can help out your friends and family who are having a hard time during the holidays. Option B is an organization started by Sheryl Sandberg that’s meant to help build resistance in the face of adversity, such as grief, discrimination, or assault.

My mom ends every phone conversation with me “drive carefully.” I could be sitting on the sofa in my living room (frankly in most cases I am) and those will still be her parting words to me. On New Year’s Eve – and most other holidays—that salutation gets even more emphatic given all the alcohol flowing this time of year and the heightened potential to encounter drunk drivers on the road. In fact, a new analysis from Alcohol.

One pet hotel in India is completely redefining what “pampered pooches” actually means, with amenities for your doggos during boarding or day care that take “lap of luxury” to the next level.

Losing your luggage can be a living nightmare. On top of not having access to your stuff while your traveling, you have the daunting task of filing claims and filling out lengthy reports to look forward to—and even then, the safe return of your luggage isn’t guaranteed. It’s no surprise then that more and more travelers are signing up for traveler’s insurance—i.e.

Amidst the planes to catch and parties to attend, it’s easy to forget what the holidays are really about—expressing appreciation and gratitude. Doing this is known to warm our hearts more than any gift under the tree, seasonal dessert, or festive fête. Getting in touch with the true meaning of the season doesn’t require a massive check or hours spent in a soup kitchen (though these are great options, too).

When we first visited illustrator Lisa Vanin’s Toronto studio apartment a couple of years ago, I was so impressed by how she made 390 square feet so livable. Cozy colors, vintage finds, a distinct living room and bedroom area—Lisa’s clearly a small home arranging wizard. But can living in such a small space be sustainable — mentally or physically — for the long haul? Can one thrive in under 400 square feet for years and years?

If you’re a politically minded person settling in for a long holiday break of doing not very much and you’re ready to get your stream on, you may find yourself facing a dilemma. You want to watch something good, or at least entertaining, but you don’t want to support the work of, well, creeps (pause while I cover my bases— alleged creeps).

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New year, who dis? We can’t believe it’s almost 2018, and Netflix is cementing that fact by letting us know everything that’s due to hit the streaming service next month. After a month of holiday parties and cheer, it’ll be a welcome distraction to cuddle up and dig in to some new—and old—favorites. Here’s what we’re looking forward to.

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Way back in 2014, Mindy Kaling and her TV show alter ego graced us with one of the most punny holiday decor items to ever exist: A wreath decorated with photos of Reese Witherspoon. A Wreath Witherspoon, if you will. Well, the style statement is back—perfect for the big year both women have had. To recap: In season 3, episode 11, aptly titled “Christmas,” celeb-obsessed Mindy Lahiri arrives as boyfriend Danny Castellano (played by Chris Messina) is decorating the tree.

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They may be a couple of royal tykes, but Prince George and Princess Charlotte may never really call Buckingham Palace home, according to Marie Claire. The younger generations of England’s monarchy seem to have a different view royal life, that doesn’t include actually residing in the 775-room estate.

Jennifer Aniston isn’t on Instagram, but today, her house was. The A lister is popping up on SmartWater’s feed and stories, as the brand spent the day at her house in Bel-Air. jen making the most out of her day. ☁️? A post shared by smartwater (@smartwater) on Dec 4, 2017 at 8:08am PST There’s a peek at cozy, yet minimal living room, featuring a curved gray sofa, a fuzzy pillow, and some brass… lighting? Wall decor?

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After photos of Carrie’s home went viral, we asked her to share her feelings about it. The following has been edited for length and clarity. Think about some of the comments you’ve heard while touring people through your home. Chances are good that guests have said things like, “Oh, I love your art collection,” “That sofa is amazing,” or “Your home is so cozy and bright!

Did you know that you can find incredibly stylish, modern jewelry on Etsy? You can, if you just know where to look. We’ve rounded up a few of the best pieces, to save you the trouble of hunting. Any one of these would make an excellent gift for a friend or loved one, or even for yourself — we’re not telling. It’s always nice to have a few statement necklaces to reach for to add a little something else to an outfit, and this geometric piece fits the bill perfectly.

At a time of year when family tensions run high, and travel stress and politics can make you lose your faith in humanity, we’re grateful for these Instagram dogs whose Thanksgiving posts are just too pure for this world. Yes, I am one of those “dog moms” who created an entire Instagram account for her pups and their rescue (@KeepAustinWhippet, if you’re so inclined).

Last week I asked a number of stylish, smart people who happen to live in teeny tiny homes to share their advice for hosting holiday dinners and gatherings. Their tip and lessons were enormously helpful! In this post, I asked them to tackle the subject of overnight guests — something I struggle to deal with in my small-ish one-bedroom apartment.

Do you cringe at the thought of how many holiday cards are tossed in the recycling (or worse, the trash bin) come January 1st? If you’re trying to be more waste-conscious, or have friends and family who are, you might want to consider alternatives to traditional greeting cards. After all, you’re not a grinch. But the struggle to maintain your waste-conscious lifestyle during the holidays and still join in the generous spirit of the season is real.

Next week marks the beginning of every traveler’s least favorite time to fly: the holiday season. Between busy airports where human beings are on their absolute worst behavior to flight cancellations and delays, it’s a stressful time to be on the move.

(Image credit: Rachel Joy Barehl) From Kitchn → 10 Things to Clean Now Before the Holiday Season Gets Going null

One of the keys to being a good host? Anticipating your guests’ needs. When friends or family come to stay with you, you make sure they have clean sheets and towels and know where the bathroom and the garbage is — so you’ve got the basic important things covered. But there might be a few things that you’re forgetting to tell them (and for some of them, they might be too embarrassed to ask) that they should definitely know.

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For many small space dwellers, the thought of entertaining over the holidays—inviting friends and family into a teeny amount of square feet—is plain daunting. Don’t let the challenge of hosting in a small home get in the way of your dinner party dreams this holiday season, though. Not only is entertaining in a small space possible, it can be downright pleasant! And these real small-space dwellers share their tips, advice, and lessons learned.

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, many people are starting to think about the things they’re thankful for. But sometimes—especially when things get stressful and you’re dealing with a major life change—it can be hard to get into the right frame of mind or even remember the things you’re grateful for.

Britney Spears is an undoubtedly an artist of her generation—and now she can claim that title in a more traditional sense. The pop star can add “painter” to her resume, and one whose work even sells for $10,000. All in the name of charity, of course. In early October, the pop star posted a video to Instagram spending a whimsical afternoon in her Southern California home.

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It’s been over six weeks since Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20, and the island is still having major issues restoring power. That means (among many other things) businesses haven’t been able to reopen so that people can return to work. But employees at HomeGoods and its sister stores have one less thing to worry about.

If you wandered over to Instagram or Pinterest at all during October, you probably saw your share of carved pineapples instead of pumpkins (yes, this is apparently a thing). Not satisfied with just being a symbol of summer, the tropical fruit is also aiming to take over Christmas by standing in for your fir or pine.

As the holidays are approaching and the year is winding down, many people are starting to think about all the people and things they’re thankful for. Practicing gratitude is pretty standard during the holidays, but it’s also something you can do all the time to be more mindful and help you focus on more positive things even when you’re feeling down.

Nowadays whenever an airline is making headlines, it’s usually ranges from bad news to very bad news. But Southwest Airlines just released some news that is…good? Bad? It sort of depends on your general outlook; the airline will now offer surprise, pop-up, in-flight concerts.

As holiday party season quickly approaches, you may find yourself revisiting all of your party habits. Do you show up early, same bottle of wine in tow? Arrive late empty-handed but full of good cheer? Keep a series of excuses in a draft folder on your phone and just sit the whole thing out all together?

Do you typically reserve your usage of Google Maps for finding places to go and things to do that don’t scare the crap out of you? If that describes you, then a) welcome to the fearful fold, fellow reluctant Halloweeners, and b) you probably won’t be mapping any of the locations on this list of 31 haunted places to visit that the search engine has taken painstaking measures to compile.

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For an introvert and homebody like me, it takes a lot of energy to get psyched enough to head out to a party. Mainly because I just know I’ll get stuck in a conversation about something I’d rather not talk about, probably with someone I’d rather not talk to. In those situations — where a once-pleasant conversation takes a turn for the worse and I need a fast out — I find it helps to heed the Boy Scout maxim and “be prepared.

Let’s just get one thing out of the way: yes, I am completely aware that candy corn is just sugary wax. I will readily admit that it’s kind of gross when you think about it too much. I will even admit that it has a weird, fake taste. But guess what? I still love it. And that’s okay. During the rest of the year, I forget that candy corn exists. But every year, come September 1st, it’s like a light switches on and suddenly I’m craving it again.

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Check the attic.

If glamour and camping equal glamping, that must mean floating while camping can succinctly be described as flamping, right? Who knows, but that’s our (really weird) attempt at describing The Shoal Tent by Smith Fly, an inflatable floating raft with a tent topper that allows campers to sleep on the water. Obviously, traditional camping rules don’t apply if you’re using this tent.