Leslie Saul, architect and licensed interior designer with Saul & Associates, says to start by asking: “How many blackouts do you need?” or “Are you looking for thermal properties over the windows as well?” Having these questions in mind can make all the difference. Founder of The Drape, Angela Boswell, says that you can test out curtains with just one rule: “100% blackout should block the light from a cell phone camera....

The Equipment Mixology is all about balance, especially when you’re whipping up drinks as simple as these. Sure, you can pour some gin and vermouth in a glass and call it a martini, but it probably won’t taste very good if you don’t measure first. So keep the correct tool for measuring ingredients in the right ratios, known as a jigger, close by. I’m also a strong proponent of good glassware—just like with wine, a crumby glass can make even the best of cocktails taste flat and imbalanced....

In such a busy, hectic holiday season, we don’t blame you. (Okay, we blame you a little—have you seen our extensive holiday shopping coverage?) In all seriousness, a last-minute gift doesn’t mean you don’t care. It just means you lost track of time. We’ll let you in on a little secret: The best last-minute gift is a subscription. Not only is it the gift that keeps on giving, but a subscription also provides a plausible reason for not having a physical item to open on Christmas morning, without the vague impersonality of a gift card....

And who better to tap for projected dining trends than some our nation’s top tastemakers: The chefs, restaurant owners, registered dietitians, culinary school instructors, grocery product managers, and bartenders that set the stage for foods we line up for (masks on and at a distance, please), follow on social media, and what we cook for our families at home. What’s in store for 2021, you ask? A lot—and like everything in life of late, it’s going to look very different from any pre-pandemic predictions....

Many meal prep apps focus on calorie-counting and weight loss—which are admirable efforts, when appropriate—but sometimes meal planning comes down to simply getting a delicious, satisfying meal on the table. Finding an app that will do that (and not send ill-timed reminders about exactly how many calories are in that pizza) is key. Fortunately, plenty of apps out there focus on the organizational aspect of meal planning. The best ones store recipes, offer suggestions, and maintain grocery store lists—all while making sure you always have an answer to, “What’s for dinner tonight?...

Check the seed packet to help you figure out when to sow your seeds in your DIY pots. Usually, it’ll be about six to eight weeks before the average last frost date in your area (so if that’s April 15, count back from then and make sure you start your seeds on or after March 18). Once your seeds have sprouted, make sure to provide them with as much sunlight as possible (or use grow lights)....

Maybe you’ve overlooked tart cherry juice in the past. Or perhaps you were skeptical, thinking, “What is tart cherry juice good for anyway?” Here are some compelling reasons it may be worth adding tart cherry juice to your cart. What Does Tart Cherry Juice Taste Like? Before diving into tart cherry juice benefits, you may wonder how tart cherry juice tastes. It’s quite tart, yes, but also sweet. It’s somewhat reminiscent of drinking an unfiltered red wine, with a bold richness and some slight sediment at the bottom....

1. Use as Decoration Window treatments serve as pretty accents in the kitchen. In areas outside the work core, such as breakfast nooks, consider hanging floor-length curtain panels, which offer big doses of color and pattern when they flank a large bay window or a set of sliding doors. On a smaller scale, a colorful swag draped over a single window can also make a bright statement. Roman and roller shades reveal texture and pattern when they’re lowered, and stationary valances and cornices highlight windows where you want to draw attention....

You won’t want to miss these discounts on all kinds of well-known home products and brands, including iRobot, KitchenAid, Crock-Pot, Staub, Bissell, and more. Find a new desk to work from home, like this simple style or this adjustable standing desk. You can also shop this chic glass coffee table for 63% off. Check out deals on kitchen appliances and cookware, like this Ninja air fryer, and bathroom accessories, including shower curtains and towels, all for up to 79% off....

The big names and the micro, village-specific amari tend to share some qualities. They are generally bitter, often sweet, and veer into worlds of nuances. Italy knows hundreds, if not thousands, of amari. Here are five, each great for mixing or sipping neat. Aperol. If you have interest in cocktails, you’ve probably heard of Aperol. It’s the business ingredient in an Aperol spritz, a cocktail featuring the amaro, Prosecco, and a splash of soda....

Knee pain can come on suddenly, or develop over time and hurt for an extended period. While there are numerous causes of knee pain, Knauf lists the most common as muscle weakness, referred pain from the low back or hip, arthritis, foot issues such as flat feet, direct trauma, poor alignment, poor body posture, auto accidents, excess weight for your body type, and overuse. If you’re dealing with knee pain, identifying the cause is crucial....

Do the Dishes It’s all too easy to let dirty dishes pile up in the sink, but skipping this daily chore can make your home smell, or worse, attract pests. If you have a dishwasher, committing to this daily task becomes much easier. Instead of waiting for dishes to reach critical mass before loading them into the dishwasher, skip the sink entirely and get in the habit of loading each cup, plate, and utensil as you use it....

1. Maximalism “Color is everywhere! This is an era of maximalism and embracing color is a large part of it,” says Lonsdale. But getting color right can be a daunting task if you don’t know where to begin. Gibson says the best place to start is by selecting a color family that speaks to you and your aesthetic goals. “When you’re choosing your tile color, you should select a color that will bring you joy and suit your style in the long term....

Orange Pecan 2003-1B, Valspar Tangerine SW 6640, Sherwin-Williams Summer Peach Tree 088, Benjamin Moore Melon Sorbet P190-3, Behr Coral Silk PPG1195-5, PPG Fairhaven Peach 135C, Pratt & Lambert Coral Clay SW 9005, Sherwin-Williams Audubon Russet HC-51, Benjamin Moore Arizona Dust 2003-8A, Valspar Fresh Croissant S250-4, Behr Deco Shell P180-1, Behr Daring SW 6879, Sherwin-Williams Phoenix Sand 017, Benjamin Moore Sierra Pink 136D, Pratt & Lambert Youthful Coral SW 6604, Sherwin-Williams...

Karen Graham, RDN, functional medicine dietitian, learned about the different types of cinnamon after touring a spice farm in Costa Rica and observing how cinnamon is processed. (You might also be surprised to learn that cinnamon actually comes from tree bark!) “This is where I learned that there’s only one ’true cinnamon,’ and it’s native to Sri Lanka. It’s called Ceylon cinnamon.” As Graham explains, not all types of cinnamon are alike, and there are a few things you should know before buying the first one you see....

That said, you’re probably already eating a number of foods that are past their prime, and the sky hasn’t fallen. That’s because a “best by” or “use by” date typically tells you when the product will be at its highest quality—not whether or not it will make you sick. In many cases, you can still eat them for a number of days with no ill effects. Whether or not some of these ingredients are still technically safe to eat, you may notice a change in their taste, color, or texture (eek)....

The lilac’s scent is what makes a lilac a stand-out plant in the garden—its scent is stronger in full sun and is commonly used in perfumes and soaps. If you have lilacs in your yard, you know how precious it is to see them bloom. Most blooms only last a few weeks each year! The Bloomerang lilac is one the of few types of reblooming lilacs. Check out the following six of our favorite surprising facts we unearthed about this amazing shrub....

Reader question: “Can you recommend some lipsticks that will stay put when eating?” —Lauren Brooks I love lip products; I hate reapplying them. This antithetical conundrum is the reason why I’m often sporting a bold color in the morning and nothing at night, so I get it. You want to maintain a statement lip throughout the day without having to whip out a pocket mirror every hour and confirm you’re not feathering....

Storage Mistakes: How to (Not) Store Wine and Spirits His key factors are as follows: No direct sunlightAs cool and stable temperature as possibleLow vibration “In my own apartment, I have a wine cooler for better bottles, but a majority of my wines are kept on racks in a dark foyer and they live just fine,” he says. Finally, it’s important to keep wines with natural corks stored on their side to maintain the cork’s integrity....

1. Moth Orchid Being a plant parent to moth orchids (also called Phalaenopsis) requires some patience. After blooming, these plants need time to regenerate before putting out another round of flowers. An orchid will drop its previous blooms so it can give all its energy to new flowers. With the right care, you can usually get it to rebloom two or three times a year, though the flowers might be a little smaller....