Good news for those who plan to build a home in 2021 (or maybe weren’t planning to, but can be swayed by a stunning house plan!): the Lowcountry Farmhouse, along with all of the house plans from Southern Living, are 10 percent off exclusively for Real Simple readers from now through January 10, 2021 with the discount code RS2020 entered at checkout. Build the house plan as is (we honestly wouldn’t change a thing), or customize it to fit your family....

To buy: $250 (was $350); amazon.com. This Bissell model is power personified in a vacuum. It has a motor that spins up to 420 miles per hour while cleaning at the top end of its three different settings—quiet, every day, or max. The Iconpet vacuum is cordless, so you can move around without being restricted by the length of a power cord, and seamlessly transitions to a handheld vacuum or a high-reach cleaner for different tasks around the house....

The StoveShelf, which gained instant popularity when it went viral on TikTok, is a clever kitchen accessory that instantly converts the unused space above your stove into a functional shelf. The magnetic shelf is available in three sizes: 20 inches and 24 inches for smaller ranges, and 30 inches for standard stoves. The ability to keep your cooking essentials within reach makes cooking at home feel much more streamlined. Plus, since there’s no assembly or installation required, renters don’t have to worry about causing holes or damage....

Silver candlesticks from Replacements Ltd. cast a glow across a tablescape anchored by a tablecloth made of paisley fabric from Duralee. Vintage stemware mixes with “Bicos” amber tumblers from Vista Alegre. Dinner and salad plates are from the “Trianna” collection for Lenox. Juliska’s “Isadora” placemats weave gold onto the table. Candlesticks don’t have to come in pairs. Buy mismatched patterns in varying heights, like these from Replacements Ltd., to guarantee a glowing report for your centerpiece....

The shorts are a part of Walmart’s Free Assembly line, which has really stepped up its staples in the last year. The brand’s latest collection offers on-trend pieces that are easy on the environment and your wallet. Shoppers all over the internet can’t stop raving about the collection’s underrated and under-budget jeans—all made from sustainable materials. And I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw its popular jeans shorts on sale for only $11....

How Cacao Nibs Are Made Cacao nibs are harvested from the cacao plant, which grows pods filled with cacao beans. The beans are shelled, dried, fermented, and ground up into the crunchy, bitter, intensely chocolate-tasting bits known as cacao nibs. Cacao vs. Cocoa When cacao gets heated at high temperatures to reduce its bitter edge, it becomes known as cocoa. Unfortunately, this process causes the bean to lose some of its nutrients....

“There certainly is an argument to be made that no debt is good debt,” Smith says. “But borrowing money and taking on debt is the only way many people can afford to purchase important big-ticket items like a home. While those kinds of loans are usually justifiable and provide value to the person taking on the debt, there is another end of the spectrum that involves debt that’s taken on carelessly....

Here are some basic educational tips and warning signs to consider when deciding if a reverse mortgage is right for you—or for someone you love. What is a reverse mortgage, and who is eligible to get one? Reverse mortgages are also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs). Homeowners over age 62 (or a married couple in which at least one partner has reached age eligibility) can use this loan product to cash out some of their home equity to cover living expenses and to improve cash flow....

“It’s often said that an empath is not only keenly aware of the emotions [of others] around them, they [also] experience these emotions as if they belonged to them,” explains Adolph Brown, a clinical psychologist, speaker and educator. “Empaths are also known to have exceptional abilities to nurture and heal.” As it turns out, the world is packed with empaths. Research suggests that about 20 percent of the population may be “highly sensitive,” or empaths....

The IPA began its modern transformation with West Coast-style IPA. A decade ago, these bitter bombs were all the rage as the American craft brewing movement became mainstream. Lately, though, IPAs have become more varied, measured, and even refreshing. How different can two IPAs be? (Worlds!) How can you find the IPA for you? (First, you must know the styles!) A quick rundown will prep you for this eye-opening beer style....

This sticky goodness isn’t only for eating and spreading; it can come in handy when baking mouthwatering desserts too. So now you have an excuse to pick up a jar and put it to good use with these recipes using marshmallow creme. (And, hey, if you don’t use the whole container, all the better for snacking!) Dulce de Leche Fluff Brownies Can you say: ultimate decadence? These brownies are a brilliant idea for what to do with marshmallow fluff....

In Texas, many devotees of the region’s slow-smoked beef brisket and pork ribs prefer their barbecue in a hot, vinegar-based dressing. For this style, try a rich, refreshing hometown brew like Shiner Bock ($8 for six cans) from Shiner, Texas, to help soothe the burn. Or try any beer with some malty sweetness to balance the heat along with some hoppy, tangy notes to complement the tartness of the vinegar—such as an amber lager....

That’s the shocking finding from a study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters. Researchers analyzed 231 makeup products from around the U.S. and Canada and found PFAS, (a collection of toxic chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in 52 percent of the products sampled—including ones that did not even list them on the label. These toxic substances are typically found in Teflon and stain-resistant coatings like Scotchgard....

There could be several reasons for the lower branches dying on your spruce. If the upper branches provide too much shade, the lower branches naturally die off. Also, several diseases can contribute to branch dieback. Cytospora canker is a fungus that attacks spruces and causes branch death. Look for white oozing sap on the dead branches—usually back near the trunk. There is no cure for cytospora; remove the dead branches and cankers to prevent further spread....

My love affair with teak and oak walls has its roots in childhood: I grew up in the Midwest, where I can confidently say that every house and business park built before 1995 featured at least one wood-paneled wall. Sure, many painted over it when it went out of style, but it was still there. Wood Paneling in the Past I spent my childhood playing in wood-paneled basements. We watched movies on cable in the wood-paneled den....

This simple act of prepping your ingredients prior to cooking is vital to making sure you have enough of all the ingredients needed to prepare the recipe. This way, you won’t need to step away from your dish and risk overcooking your fish while you chop up the remainder of your onions. The simple, yet effective method may seem time-consuming initially, but will end up saving you a lot of time in the long-run....

One of the most widely available services is Instacart, a grocery delivery service where personal shoppers select your items from the store and then deliver them to your door. You can often get same-day delivery (even within an hour), depending on your location. Store options are vast, and include major retailers such as Albertsons, ALDI, Costco, CVS, Kroger, Loblaw, Publix, Sam’s Club, Sprouts, Wegmans—even your local pharmacy, fishmonger, wine shop, Sephora store, or Sur La Table is likely on Instacart....

Each family brings its own traditions, memories, and heirloom recipes to the table, and every year ushers in new trends. While our great grandmas probably never could have imagined that they could cook nearly an entire Thanksgiving meal in an air fryer, or that their descendants would spend a holiday or two celebrating virtually during a global pandemic, they must be looking down proud of the fact that we continue to (try to) recreate their signature pumpkin pie and green bean casserole recipes....

Pick up an inexpensive Father’s Day gift to go with these activities (and don’t forget the homemade Father’s Day card!) and plan to spend the day celebrating dad. Enjoy the Outdoors Together Find a hiking trail, go for a family bike ride, or head to a local park to enjoy the outdoors. As long as you’re outside and spending time with Dad, he’ll be sure to have a great Father’s Day....

The Best Black Friday Robot Vacuum Deals Best Tested Vacuum: iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum, $179 (was $274) Most Affordable: OKP Life K2 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $90 (was $400) Airrobo P20 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $100 (was $200) ILife V3s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $100 (was $160) iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum, $349 (was $550) Shark AI Ultra Robot Self-Empty XL, $400 (was $650) Eufy by Anker RoboVac G30 Robot Vacuum, $180 (was $319) Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum with Object Recognition, $799 with coupon (was $1,300) Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid, $320 (was $650) Neabot Q11 Robot Vacuum and Mop, $320 (was $400) iRobot Roomba j7 WiFi Connected Robot Vacuum, $349 (was $600) Ecovacs Deebot N8+, $400 (was $700) Neato D9 Intelligent Robot Vacuum, $298 (was $500)...