While this practice has become more mainstream in recent years, it’s worthwhile to analyze its true benefits, drawbacks, and effectiveness. We spoke with experts to understand how smell impacts our overall health and well-being. Consider this your 101 guide to creating an aromatherapy ritual. What Is Aromatherapy? Nova Covington, a certified aromatherapist and the CEO of Goddess Garden, notes that aromatherapy uses plant-based botanicals that are distilled from the plant....

Reader question: I’ve always been proud of my full lashes, but within the last couple of years, I have noticed they no longer hold a curl for longer than an hour. Any suggestions? —Roberta Montes It’s fairly easy to curl your lashes at home in just a few seconds, but the challenge comes in keeping that curl for longer than a few minutes. Unfortunately, it’s possible to be making many mistakes for something that seems relatively foolproof....

My son has his first full day of school today. They had a half day yesterday but it was only like two hours, so I’m not counting it. I missed the big back to school rush for our schools, but I thought it’d be fun to share a this fun back to school activity that you can do with kids regardless of if they’ve started already, just going back, or are staying at home again this year!...

¼ cup brown sugar 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour 2 tablespoon butter ⅓ cup chopped walnuts Dark Chocolate-Raspberry Banana Bread Prepare Banana Bread as directed, except stir 1/2 cup dark chocolate pieces into the batter with the walnuts. After spooning batter into pan, use the tip of a spoon to swirl in 1/4 cup raspberry preserves. After bread stands overnight, in a small microwave-safe bowl combine 1/3 cup dark chocolate pieces and 1/2 teaspoon shortening....

Even if you haven’t had time to deck out your house with wreaths and garland, the right candle can transform your home into a holiday oasis. Bath & Body Works is already one of our go-to brands to shop for candles, and the retailer just gave us the perfect excuse to stock up on favorite seasonal scents just in time for the holidays. Bath & Body Works Holiday Candles on Sale...

That said, experts note that there are certain home interior items worth spending money on, and these items can improve your quality of life and pay off (or increase in value) over time. After all, a good piece of artwork has the potential to transform a space and transcend time, and a well-made lighting fixture can elevate a room and set the mood. From small, yet impactful trimmings to big furniture pieces (there’s one that kept coming up above all others), read on for the top home decor items interior designers says are the best investment....

The #popartnails hashtag has been used more than 38 million times on TikTok, and just one glance at the first results may find you thinking you’re literally watching a cartoon. Keep reading for more details on the fun, year-round style, and how to achieve the many variations of the look at home. What are cartoon nails? Cartoon nails provide a three-dimensional effect with a one-dimensional finish. “It’s a fun take on pop art for the nails,” Gerstein explains....

To buy: $15 (was $17); amazon.com. “I have used expensive serums and moisturizers, and none come close to this,” writes the shopper above. The simple, but thoughtful formula is to thank: A single gram of hyaluronic acid can hold up to six liters of water, and the serum combines the acid with three ceramides, niacinamide, and panthenol. According to another satisfied customer, the mix “plumped up and moisturized my under eye area so much, I’m not self conscious about it anymore....

“If you ruin anything, just cover it with a salsa and eat it in a taco.” -Pati Jinich, chef, host of PBS’ La Frontera and Pati’s Mexican Table, and author of three cookbooks. Her latest is Treasures of the Mexican Table “The best cooking advice I have received came from my Master Chef mentor, Saverio Stassi. First, that in the kitchen, nothing is personal. As cooks we are under a lot of pressure and tend to raise our voices, but once service is over, that should all be left behind....

Choose furniture that doesn’t block your view from one area to another. Try open-sided bookcases, glass or acrylic tables, and chairs with slender profiles, which will fill your room with comfort and utility without making it seem congested. Keep It Skinny Furniture that is trim and fit will suit your small spaces best. In choosing a sofa, for example, one with fat rolled arms and a multi-cushion back will seem too inflated....

Towels That Are No Longer Absorbent Are you washing your towels the right way? If not, you could end up with dull, dingy, and non-absorbant linens after a while. The most likely culprit here is excess fabric softener. It can coat terry cloth with a waxy, water-resistant film that ruins the very mission of towels. To dissolve the buildup and restore the fluff, wash the towels the next few times with 1/4 cup white vinegar added to the rinse cycle, and skip the softener in the future....

Air Vents Especially when they’re hidden behind furniture or located high up near the ceiling, air vents can be easy to overlook. But once you spot how dusty they’ve gotten after months (or, eep, years!) of neglect, you’ll want to add them to your regular cleaning routine. The concern here is that when neglected, dirty air vents circulate dust around your home, which you and your family will then breathe in....

What Are Peel and Stick Countertops? Peel and stick countertops are exactly what they sound like: a wallpaper-like material with a sticky backing that you adhere directly over your existing countertops. They come in a variety of colors and styles, including faux marble, granite, gold, soapstone, and concrete. “Most peel and stick countertops consist of a PVC vinyl base, onto which an image or pattern is printed. The manufacturing process is similar to that of vinyl flooring, though the quality and durability isn’t as good in comparison,” says Dan DiClerico, a home expert for HomeAdvisor....

This easy chocolate truffles recipe is packed full of silky chocolate, protein, and sweet flavor. They’re simple to make and one of the best desserts to make for Valentine’s Day or any other time you’re craving chocolate! Definitely a truffle chocolate recipe you’re going to want to keep. With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, I thought it’d be fun to make a healthier version of one of my favorite desserts – chocolate truffles....

Want to know how to bleach a white shirt? How about what to do with all of that leftover bleach? Try making these custom DIY bleached shirts to wear all summer and fall long. Why Bleached Shirts? I never knew that kids could be so messy. I mean, sure I sort of knew but this summer took messy to a whole new level as we tried out all the things on our summer bucket list....

Many of these ideas don’t require buying anything new, but simply updating the items you already own with custom touches. A builder-grade bathroom mirror looks high-end when you add a frame, while a dated wooden headboard turns luxe once wrapped in elegant tufted fabric. These small-budget, big-impact changes will make your dream home more affordable than you ever thought. “After adding the furniture into my office, I realized that the white paint seemed like it could use some additional texture to really warm up the space....

All these recipes are also great to bring as a guest to a holiday meal, and pair well with the traditional Thanksgiving feast. Here’s how to start Thanksgiving on an extra tasty note this year. Easy Thanksgiving Dips When it comes to the Thanksgiving feast, dips are often overlooked in favor of soups and bread (we see you, crescent rolls!) but we promise they’re worthy of a spot on your Turkey Day menu....

Find them shelled or in the shell and toss these tiny green soybeans into everything from soups to stir-fries to your grazing board during cocktail hour (steam then sprinkle with flaky sea salt for perfection). You can even find freeze-dried edamame to munch on when you need a healthy, crunchy snack. Here are all the nutritious reasons to keep a bag (or two) in the freezer at all times....

The perfect setting for cuddling up with a good book or relaxing with yet another Gilmore Girls marathon consists of decor designed with warm autumnal colors and soft textures like velvet and chunky knits. And don’t be afraid to incorporate pieces that aren’t inherently “fall looking”—you can still get that comfortable feel without overwhelming your space with yellows and oranges. Early Access Fall Decor Deals Ogrmar Handmade Velvet Pumpkin Decor Set, $17 (was $27) Stonebriar Rustic Wood Round Serving Tray, $20 (was $60) Eddie Bauer Reversible Throw Blanket, $22 (was $40) Yankee Candle Cranberry Chutney Candle, $17 (was $28) Anduuni Decorative Knitted Pillow Case, $17 (was $26) Naturl Pampas Grass Decor, $18 (was $29) Tiny Land Fall Garland Pack, $11 with coupon (was $20) Safavieh Dallas Shag Area Rug, $165 (was $800) Serene Spaces Living Birch Bark Candle Set, $26 (was $30) Tiny Land Fall Front Door Wreath, $44 (was $55)...

On some level, this isn’t surprising. Food price increases happen naturally. Once upon a time, chocolate bars cost a few cents and you could get a vending machine drink for a single coin. The difference between food prices in past decades and now is largely a product of inflation of the U.S. dollar, which steadily drives up prices. Usually, this happens at a barely noticeable rate that becomes obvious only when we view food price differences over many years or decades....