How to Defrost a Turkey There are three ways to safely defrost a turkey. One of the most common ways to achieve a perfectly thawed turkey is in the refrigerator, but plan ahead because it takes the longest (days!) and takes up a lot of space. Another go-to and quick-ish way to defrost a turkey is submerging it in cold water. It’s undeniably more hands-on since it requires changing the water every 30 minutes, but it’s the next best option if you missed the window to defrost the turkey in the refrigerator....

1. Practice Prevention Even indoor cats should wear a collar with a tag that displays a phone number and other relevant contact info. Get your pet microchipped by a vet too—that way, if his collar comes off, anyone can have his chip scanned at a vet’s office or shelter. (Remember to keep your contact details up-to-date in the microchip registry.) If you allow your dog in the yard, make sure your fence is secure....

Gardenia Growing Basics If you live in the warmer regions of the country (USDA Zones 8-11) you can grow gardenias outdoors where they’re easier to maintain. Growing gardenias indoors during cold weather is where it gets tricky. The basic indoor gardenia needs are bright light, humidity, and regular watering. So try to put your plant in your sunniest window, set it on a saucer of rocks with water part way up the saucer to add humidity, and water it as soon as the top inch of soil feels dry....

Waffles + Mochi may be targeted to the preschool set, but in the grand tradition of the best of kids’ entertainment (we’re looking at you, Muppet Show and Phineas and Ferb), it’s a perfectly entertaining and engaging way for grownups to spend a few hours, too. The premise is simple: Waffles (the love child of a frozen waffle and a Yeti) and Mochi (a tiny, squeaky little sweet treat) ventured out from their land of frozen food in a quest to become great chefs—and they get a job at the supermarket run by Michelle Obama (or “Mrs....

A sunny-day savings fund is a rainy-day savings fund in reverse. It’s for all of those wonderful things you want to spend money on—without going into debt. What to Use a Sunny-Day Savings Fund For An Amazing Vacation We love a vacation, but they can get expensive fast unless you learn to be a frugal traveler. According to a study by CreditDonkey, the average cost for a vacation for a family of four runs about $4,580....

The good news is that getting your machine clean—and keeping it that way—is a few spritzes away. The Real Simple Clean Washing Machine Cleaner & Deodorizer smells like a citrus grove and does the hard work for you. Simply spritz the all-natural formula around the interior of the machine, wait 30 minutes, then start your next load of laundry. The plant-based enzyme spritz won’t harm clothes—and is safe to breathe....

As for its inclusion in Youth to the People Triple Peptide + Cactus Oasis Serum, hyaluronic acid comes in four different forms. Made to penetrate every layer of skin with moisture, the 4D hyaluronic acid is combined with another anti-aging favorite, peptides. Together, the ingredients should firm, moisturize, and plump up skin. As Susan Weinkle, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of South Florida, tells Real Simple, “When you hydrate the skin from outside, you make fine lines less noticeable....

This year it feels like I’ve been sharing a ton of things that work if you’re looking for virtual Christmas games (like this fun Christmas trivia game) or if you want something that works for people spaced around a room (like Christmas music bingo). But I feel like I’ve been missing the heart of my typical Christmas party games and where I started – hilariously unique games that will have everyone laughing....

While we may love every minute, all the activity can become stressful if your kitchen is cluttered with so much stuff you can’t find what you need or even have room to roll out a pie crust. Now is the time to prep your kitchen so you are ready for the holidays. These 12 spots in your kitchen are the key things to declutter before the holidays. 1. Countertops Does anyone have enough counter space during the holidays (or any time of year, to be honest)?...

Whether it’s your first Mother’s Day or your 50th, these hilarious memes about moms will have you doubled over laughing in no time. (And if it’s a loved one’s first Mother’s Day, consider sending a few memes with some gifts for new moms to reassure her that everything she’s feeling is normal.) Remember when picking out clothes was fun? You can’t fault their fashion instincts, at least. Finally, you get it....

Sponsored by: Cricut. All opinions are honest and my own. This post also contains affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. And the answer is a resounding no – you don’t have to buy vinyl or any other materials. There are a TON of Cricut paper projects you can make, and they’re often the easiest and cutest of all!...

1. Add a Playful Touch to Fall Porch Decor Use a red wagon as a vessel to hold a bountiful arrangement of colorful pumpkins and gourds for a playful addition to your fall front porch. Greet guests with this festive array of green, white, orange, and yellow seasonal produce, as well as colorful mums ($27, Walmart) and tall fall foliage placed on rustic wood crates for added height. If you’re worried about squirrels getting into the pile of pumpkins, sprinkle red pepper flakes on and around the pumpkins, spray them with lacquer spray, or coat them with a layer of petroleum jelly to help them stay shiny and damage-free all season long....

One of the biggest problems with summer is that it’s so hot. Too hot often to be outside unless you’re going to get wet in some way. Might be why so many of my summer bucket list items include water in some way! This post is all about ways to keep people cool during summer get togethers whether it’s a huge pool party with the entire neighborhood or just trying to keep the kids cool in the backyard!...

Christmas cards have changed a lot in the last few years: Photo cards are all the rage, digital or e-cards are almost as popular as paper ones, and foil-printing is the look du jour. But the task of finding the right phrases to use in your annual send remains the same. They’re sort of like Christmas quotes or gift exchange ideas in that way. The difficulty lies in finding the perfect term to represent your family and share holiday cheer with the recipient....

Thanks to one of Trader Joe’s newest products, we can now enjoy this beloved fruit as a bubbly beverage! TJ’s new sparkling watermelon juiceseriously tastes like summer in a can, and is made with fresh, not-from-concentrate watermelon juice and has no added sugar. Enjoy it chilled, straight from the can, or mixed with your favorite liquor. But if you’re really looking to impress your guests, try out one of these irresistible summer watermelon cocktails....

Design fans can diversify their Instagram feeds by following these35 talented black designers and creatives, although there are many, many more you’re sure to want to follow along the way. The work of these designers represents a wide range of styles—from high-end interiors, to bohemian-style homes, to ultra-modern apartments—so you’ll find lots of design ideas and plenty of inspiration. Clicking “follow” is just step number one. Then, hire these designers for upcoming home projects, purchase their work, and listen to and share their stories....

Setting time aside for your money doesn’t have to be boring or scary. Light some candles, grab a snack, take some deep breaths, and think of it as self-care; changing your approach to budgeting is important to make the whole thing more routine. Here are some expert tips that will have you budgeting like a pro in no time. “A lot of people think that you have to have these complicated budgets, these complicated spreadsheets—and you grow to that,” says Tonya Rapley, millennial money expert and founder of the financial education and lifestyle blog My Fab Finance....

These negative relationships to money—formed by anything from childhood experiences to long-term debt in adulthood—can be connected to financial trauma, which can, in turn, inform and hinder the ways that people interact with money in daily life. We talked with experts to learn more about financial trauma, what it can look like, and the steps you can take to resolve it. What Is Financial Trauma? Dr. Galen Buckwalter, a psychological research scientist and chief science officer at Happy Money, is one of the leading experts on financial trauma....

Sure, you can always gift experiences, like tickets to a show or a cooking class, but if you want a more tangible, environmentally-friendly gift idea, here are a few eco-friendly gift ideas to get you started. Price at time of publish: $175 Price at time of publish: $40 Bonus: Each board is a unique work of art, as no two have the same configuration of caps. Price at time of publish: $249 Price at time of publish: $145 Price at time of publish: $85 Price at time of publish: $95 Price at time of publish: $13 Price at time of publish: $19 Price at time of publish: $92 Price at time of publish: $83 Price at time of publish: $100 Price at time of publish: $499 Price at time of publish: $195 Price at time of publish: $45 They’re also sweat- and splash-proof, and sound great, too....

A few years back I had the chance to talk to one of the producers from the Christoper Robin and pick her brain about producing a movie with such iconic characters. My burning question about the film was whether Christopher Robin (aka Ewan McGregor) sings in the film. I’m a diehard fan of Moulin Rouge so I had to know if we’d get to hear that amazing voice again! Her response?...