Sarah Fishburne, director of trend and design at The Home Depot, advises sticking with the basics. “Some of the most successful projects for beginners are the simplest, such as painting, landscaping, and installing blinds,” she says. “Limiting the scope of your projects at the beginning will help build confidence and knowledge before you take on more complex DIY projects.” It might be tempting to get out the sledgehammer and demo those kitchen cabinets on your own but, unless you know what you’re doing, even prep work can damage your bottom line if you wind up making a costly mistake....

How to Store Potatoes The key to making your potatoes last is to keep them in a cool, dry, dark place. Some ideal storing options include the pantry, a cardboard box, or a brown paper bag. If you want your spuds to truly thrive for as long as possible, keep them in a well-ventilated area that’s about 50 degrees, and make sure they aren’t exposed to sunlight. When potatoes get too much sun, they produce a toxic compound called solanine....

Keep in mind that these tips for stretching shoes work better on natural materials such as canvas and leather—shoes made of polyurethane and other synthetic materials tend to shrink back to their original size over time. How to Stretch Shoes Tip: Apply a little leather conditioner after you stretch your shoes to help keep the leather in tip-top shape. RELATED: How to Make Any Type of Shoe More Comfortable To use a shoe stretcher, start by spraying the parts of the shoe you want to stretch with a shoe stretching solution, which can help relax the fibers of the leather or canvas so they can expand....

The solution: Keep those pores clear. “Avoid oil-based moisturizers and makeup,” which could potentially clog pores, says David E. Bank, a dermatologist and the director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, in Mount Kisco, New York. Choose oil-free lotions and a powdered mineral foundation instead. Exfoliate three to four times a week with a mild scrub or a washcloth, and after exercising (or on especially sweaty days), use a glycolic face wash, such as Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 3% Facial Wash ($39, sephora....

What is hormonal acne? Acne is caused by a combination of factors including—but certainly not limited to—excess sebum production, clogged pores, inflammation, and bacteria buildup on the skin. In some folks, however, hormones are the main culprit. As Joshua Zeichner, M.D., board-certified dermatologist in New York City, explains: “Hormonal acne refers to breakouts that occur in women around the time of their menstrual cycle, as the fluctuations in hormones stimulate oil glands, leading to acne flares....

Their recent spice release is no different. The Mushroom and Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend is made from a divine mixture of kosher salt, dried porcini and white button mushrooms, dried onion, mustard seed, red and black pepper, and thyme. Once you taste it, you’re going to want to sprinkle it on everything, which is convenient considering how flexible its flavor profile is. What Is Umami? Umami is often referred to as the fifth taste (in addition to sweet, salty, sour, and bitter)....

But have you ever considered how many vitamins and nutrients go to waste when we discard perfectly viable parts of produce during meal preparation? The USDA estimates that food waste in the United States makes up about 30 to 40 percent of our food supply, which is inexcusable. “Root-to-stem cooking—a fancy term for fully using a fruit or vegetable—is a great way to both minimize food waste and maximize nutrition and flavor,” says Jennifer Patzkowsky, MS, RDN, LDN, Corporate Dietitian at Publix....

Why You Need to Wash Grapes Grapes belong to the Dirty Dozen—an annual list of produce with the highest levels of pesticides, compiled by the Environmental Working Group. The EWG recommends splurging on organic grapes, but not everyone can afford to buy organic produce, which can get quite expensive. If you opt for regular, non-organic grapes, take extra care when you’re cleaning them to remove as much pesticide residue as possible....

Getting Started Metal studs save money and are easy to install. Metal studs have precut holes designed to accommodate electrical and plumbing lines. When running NM cable through metal framing, inspect the holes to be sure there are no rough or sharp edges that could damage insulation. Always use the special bushings designed to protect wiring. What You Need ScrewdriverTin snipsStrippersVariable-speed drillLineman’s pliersNonconducting ladderBushingsCableBoxes for metal studs Step 1: Insert Studs Cut metal studs and channels with tin snips....

If you’re an avid outdoor exerciser, there’s no need to let the summer heat or scorching sun sabotage your fitness habits altogether—but you do need to make a few tweaks to stay safe and healthy (read: avoid heat exhaustion, dehydration, muscle cramps, and the like). And this is even more important for groups who may be more sensitive to high heat, like adults over 65 or people on certain medications such as diuretics, beta-blockers, antihistamines, tranquilizers, or antipsychotics, says Alexis C....

After finding my couch a lovely new home on Craigslist, I began my hunt for a beautiful, yet easy-to-clean replacement. As I debated upholstered cotton blends vs. tufted velvet vs. microfiber, one option surfaced on my Instagram feed that checked all the boxes: Article’s Sven Leather Sectional in Charme Tan. Was it durable? Check. Was it easy to wipe clean? Check. Was it beautiful? Double check. No one was more surprised than I was to find that this leather sectional was actually my dream sofa....

So I was thrilled when The Ted Lasso crew released the shortbread recipe they use for said biscuits–and realized they’re incredibly easy to make. (It’s been all over TikTok and the internet ever since.) Odds are you already have everything you need in the kitchen right now—it’s just 2 sticks of butter, a pinch of salt, ¾ cup confectioner’s sugar, and 2 cups of flour. The Ted Lasso biscuits were very rich and buttery, and simply divine fresh out of the oven with a cup of tea....

I’ll be the first to sign up to spend my day wandering around IKEA while snacking on Swedish meatballs and admiring every BESTÅ combo I pass. I’ve spent weekends doing just that, but when I found myself in a new apartment, in a new city, with no car, I realized that my preferred IKEA shopping experience just couldn’t happen. I turned to IKEA delivery, and I was ecstatic with the results....

While we appreciate impeccable luxury cosmetics that accomplish exactly what they promise, we don’t always love the price tag that accompanies them. That’s why we love this time of year. Starting today through Cyber Monday, (November 28) you can score 20 percent off during Ilia Beauty’s sitewide Black Friday sale using code WONDERLAND at checkout. Whether you’re knocking some holiday shopping off your list or are looking to upgrade your makeup bag and skincare shelf, Ilia Beauty has you covered with conscious formulas backed by SPF....

I went through most of my 20s resigned to the fact that I’d be living more like a pauper than a prince—though I’d be rich in life experiences, right? I thought financial advisors and “wealth managers” were for the wealthy—trust fund kids and tech moguls. But the pandemic—and all of the career and financial uncertainty it brought with it—made me realize the importance of long-term planning and investing. I’ve socked money away over the years, but never with any concerted goal, and I never felt confident enough to invest in the stock market....

Enter: face-lifting patches, i.e. face tape, which essentially create the illusion of a facelift without actually having to go under the knife. It’s an appealing alternative with seemingly promising results, but the long-term ramifications are questionable. We spoke with two dermatologists to learn more about the non-invasive, at-home wrinkle-reducing practice to get their thoughts. First, what are wrinkles and why do we get them? Wrinkles, i.e. lines and creases on your skin, are a natural by-product of aging....

What Is Kale? A member of the cabbage family, kale is a leafy green that’s related to Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and other cruciferous veggies. It has been growing in popularity thanks to its wide variety of health benefits and high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. In the past, American farmers grew kale leaves largely as a garnish, but it’s been a widely-used vegetable throughout Europe and other parts of the world like Asia, South America, and Africa since before the Middle Ages....

Aioli is typically considered to be a “fancy mayo” because it’s luxuriously glossy and has a thicker consistency. But the main difference between mayo and an aioli is that aioli is always emulsified with garlic, in addition to other flavors and spices. Sure, mayo is delicious all on its own, but it’s so simple to alter and elevate it into something completely different. Here are some of the most delectable mayo-based dressings and sauces that can be thrown together in just minutes including a homemade Russian dressing recipe and a recipe for flavorful chipotle mayo....

From savory meat sauces to hearty rice blends, and tasty dressings and dips, you can cook up a dish of pretty much any cuisine. And for those evenings when you can’t muster the strength to throw a meal together, TJ’s has your back, per usual. We put together a list of our all-time favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes using only three Trader Joe’s ingredients. Keep some of the below items in your freezer, fridge, and pantry so you can quickly whip something up in a pinch and finally say sayonara to weekly takeout!...

Have your own social dilemma for Michelle to solve? Tell us about it at modernmanners@realsimple.com. You’re Not Invited SHIRA: I’m having a destination wedding, and we want to keep it super-small. What’s a classy and nice way of saying on our e-invite, “We are getting married, but really, no pressure to come!” We genuinely don’t want too many people there. MICHELLE: Wow! Congratulations on getting married. Finding a life partner is pretty special....