Yet as the owner of the Seattle-based plant store Urban Sprouts, I’ve come across too many people with an outright fear of plants. “Can’t grow a thing,” they’ll tell me. “I can kill a plant just by looking at it.” I must disagree, and that’s why I wrote The Inspired Houseplant ($17; amazon.com), a guidebook for even those who aren’t great at caring for plants. While it’s true that certain types of plants are better suited to certain owners, the beauty, joy, and health that plants bring are accessible to everyone....

The worldwide sale starts today, October 11, and continues through tomorrow, October 12. While this isn’t a “second Prime Day,” as some outlets have referred to it, the sale features tons of deals on shopper-loved and best-selling products at prices unheard of outside of Black Friday—giving you “early access” to those discounts. Car Cache Purse Holder, $13 (was $20) Roam Bike Phone Mount, $13 with coupon (was $25) Satina High-Waisted Fleece-Lined Leggings, $13 (was $15) Care Touch Lens Wipes for Eyeglasses, $13 (was $17) Spacesaver Vacuum Storage Bags, $15 (was $19) ​​BergKoch Splatter Screen for Frying Pan, $8 (was $11) Greenco Clear Stackable Organizer Containers, $13 (was $15) Serene Evolution 18-Sound Portable White Noise Machine, $15 (was $20) Bean Envy Cold Brew Coffee Maker, $13 (was $16) Mixology & Craft Whiskey Stones, $12 (was $15) Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs and Cats, $12 (was $30) Rak Extendable Magnetic Flashlight, $15 (was $30) Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Pot Strainer, $14 (was $15) iPrimio Mighty X Double Sided Carpet Tape, $13 (was $16) Aulett Home Bacon Grease Container With Strainer, $13 (was $25) Sailead Sun Visor Extender for Car, $14 (was $18) Holiday Spirit Mini LED Christmas Lights, $13 (was $15) Dylonic Exfoliating Brush, $12 (was $14) Tresalto Auto Trim Removal Tool Set, $10 (was $14) Greenco Countertop Bamboo Paper Towel Holder, $11 (was $14) Hate Stains Co....

This post contains affiliate links to products for your convenience. If you purchase via my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Free Printable Disney Cars Games & Activities I’m sharing a few awesome free printable Disney Cars games and activities courtesy of Disney. I printed these out over the weekend to try with my 4-year-old and they were a huge hit, especially after going to the Cars 3 tour!...

If you’re looking for simple ways to save energy at home (even if it’s to lower your electric bill), check out these energy-saving tips. Whether you’re using gas or electricity to heat and cool your home, these tricks will help you save energy and cut electricity costs. Energy-saving Tips To save money, do some things yourself. “Add weather stripping to drafty doors and caulk drafty windows,” says Zillow Lifestyle Expert Amanda Pendleton....

1. Choose Hardy Shrub Varieties The best way to increase your shrubs’ chances of surviving a cold winter is to select plants that are suited to your climate. When selecting shrubs, trees, and other plants, check your hardiness zone and other required growing conditions to get the best possible plant for your location. If you have a shrub that regularly struggles through winter, consider replacing it with a species that is more suited to the unique growing conditions of your landscape....

Can Opener First up is the can opener in your kitchen drawer. According to studies, most can openers harbor bacteria like salmonella and e.Coli. Here’s how to clean a can opener the right way: Toaster Crumb Tray Next, it’s time to decrumb your toaster! The standard 2- or 4-slice toaster often has a removable crumb tray. But if you don’t know about this hidden compartment, you may still be shaking your toaster upside down to remove crumbs....

On the flip side, donations can be difficult right now, with many organizations closed or switching to remote work. Plus, there are some things we would normally place at the top of our “to toss” list that we’re definitely hanging onto during quarantine. As you declutter your closet, kitchen, and bathroom, here’s what to do with the stuff you no longer need, as well as the items we’d recommend keeping, at least for right now....

“Everyone creates organic waste in their kitchen or from their yard, and funneling that waste to a landfill releases methane gas, carbon dioxide, and pollutes waterways,” explains Nate Salpeter, cofounder of Sweet Farm in Half Moon Bay, Calif. “Composting creates a renewable cycle with endless benefits for gardens, agriculture, and our entire food system.” Many neighborhoods across the nation offer composting bins where you can drop off your organic materials without having to do more than that....

The only problem when choosing the right hue for your home? Narrowing down all of the options. The subtle undertones make picking a true gray paint color even more challenging. So we asked the paint pros at major paint companies to share their bestselling and most popular grays. They also explain how each unique tone influences a space. Next time you want to repaint a room, choose one of these six expert-approved gray paint colors, and skip the painter’s remorse....

A pantry staple that’s one of the healthiest legitimate superfoods out there? Oats. Ask any RD or MD, and they’ll tell you that you should be eating more of them. They’re incredibly versatile, affordable, and nutritious. Have you written off oats just because you despise eating oatmeal for breakfast? “I get it,” says Mia Swinehart, MS, RD. “I love a good bowl of oatmeal, but sometimes it’s fun to change things up a bit and keep healthy eating exciting....

1. Rustic Fall Door Decor Pair items collected from flea markets with natural elements to outfit your front door with farmhouse-style fall decor. Here, a galvanized metal funnel holding an assortment of vibrant fall foliage serves as a simple fall door decoration. Framing the entrance, a tall bundle of cornstalks and an antique ladder draped with colorful feed sacks add height and prominence to the display. A variety of salvaged finds form pedestals that elevate pumpkins and create a more dynamic look....

DO think about your family’s lifestyle. “When considering renovation, my best advice to you is to think about the people in your home and how you would like the spaces to function,” says interior designer Natalie Papier. The goal should be to increase your home’s efficiency and functionality—then, once you have that figured out, think about the aesthetics of the space. DON’T lose the forest for the trees. “Some people don’t approach renovations as a whole,” warns designer Eduardo Rodriguez....

Sofia Mascotena, co-founder of bespoke travel planning company Naya Traveler, says that travelers have a lot to gain from taking self-care-focused vacations. “We’ve noticed as well, that those who embark on wellness trips have a tendency to feel inspired to stay on the wellness path long term, even planning to revisit the destination, or exploring new, unknown ones,” she says. So there are more than enough reasons to travel for self-care, the first being, quite simply, that you deserve it....

Whatever the cause, it’s important to gently tend to your strands and scalp, nourish your body, and avoid mistakes that can make matters worse. We asked hair pros to share some of the most common no-no’s people make with thinning hair, and some of them might really surprise you. “Less is more when it comes to hair products for thinning hair,” says Dhaval G. Bhanusali, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Medicinals....

1. Not knowing the enemy. Identifying the weeds in your garden can help you figure out the best strategy for controlling them. “One key aspect I encounter with gardeners trying to win the battle with weeds is not knowing what the weed is or anything about it,” says North Carolina Extension Agent, Alison Arnold. “Being able to identify the weed will give information on how to manage it.” For starters, it helps to know if you are dealing with an annual, perennial, or biennial weed....

To get you inspired, we’ve rounded up the best gifts for women for every celebration. Whether you need a great gift for her birthday, Mother’s Day, or just because, these unique gift ideas are sure to impress. We’ve got options for the aspiring home cook, someone who desperately needs a spa day, and even the person who’s always losing track of their keys. We also tapped two gifting experts—Laura Jenning, founder and CEO of Knack, and Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s trend expert—for tips on how to choose a more thoughtful gift for women....

“Prevention is better than a cure,” says Janine Darby, MD, a double board-certified physician in family and obesity medicine. “Attending important medical check-ups can help you understand your body and develop positive habits that set your health up for greater success down the line.” From STI screenings to skin checks (and some important boosters along the way), read on as experts help us break down the most important health appointments to keep in your 20s and 30s, including what to know before you go....

No matter which dinner idea you choose, be sure to keep a few avocados for your morning toast, or one of these nine avocado breakfasts. Tri-Tip Roast with Grilled Avocados This avocado dinner will expand your grilled fruit horizons. Halved, pitted avocados join red wine vinaigrette-basted steak on the grill for a supremely summery meal. Recreate it indoors on a grill pan (such as the Lodge Cast-Iron Reversible Griddle, $35, Target)....

If mom would rather stay in, plan an at-home spa day for the two of you, or snuggle up for a movie marathon on the couch. If you can’t celebrate in person, plan a virtual cooking date, or host a virtual game night for you, your mom, and a handful of other mom-daughter friends. No matter what you do, you’ll appreciate the extra time spent together—and it may even inspire an annual tradition....

You’re almost guaranteed to find these nine thrift store items on your next vintage adventure. Shop with an open mind and keep your eyes peeled. Make sure you scan shelves from top to bottom; sometimes, the best finds are just out of reach. Whether your new accessory becomes part of a gallery wall or earns a spot on your fireplace mantel, there is a perfect place in your home to showcase your latest vintage finds....