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These videos can be addicting, but should you actually try the cleaning methods you see on TikTok in your own home? With the help of experts, we analyzed three popular TikTok cleaning trends to avoid—plus one CleanTok method worth trying. Skip It: Stylish Laundry Room Displays The Trend The laundry-supplies-in-fanciful-apothecary-jars look that was popularized on Pinterest has seen a leveling-up on TikTok, where refill videos are popular for their ASMR and visually pleasing elements....

Buy It: All-Clad Fry Pan Set ($60, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Cuisinart Nonstick Skillet ($30, Target) Buy It: Joyva Tahini ($8, Target) Buy It: Calphalon Square Grill Pan ($30, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Whether you’re looking to wind down, spend time with loved ones, get creative, or do a little bit of everything, we’ve gathered the best primary bedroom ideas, from traditional to trendy. Find design ideas for small bedrooms, large ensuite bedrooms, and rental spaces alike. Browse these decorating ideas to give your primary bedroom a well-deserved makeover. What We Love: Floor-to-ceiling shades of pink make the room not only appear taller but also keep the focus on the patterned headboard....

Of course, cost savings isn’t the only reason to plant an herb garden, but it may be the best reason to motivate you this year. Not only do herbs take a smaller area to grow than many other edible plants; they also can be relatively costly if you buy them at the grocery store rather than growing them yourself. Let’s break it down. If you want to make a delicious herb chicken for dinner tonight, you may need to purchase two to three different herbs....

What Are Heirloom Seeds? A seed variety is typically considered an heirloom if it existed more than 50 years ago, but some plant experts only classify seeds cultivated before World War II as heirlooms. Either way, like the name suggests, heirloom seeds have been around a long while. Why? Because they have unique and special characteristics that people want—a string bean with a pretty purple-speckled pod instead of plain green, for instance....

Although designing a happy home is highly personal, certain elements can contribute to more joy around the house, according to a new report from online interior design service Modsy. In partnership with social psychologist Lindsay T. Graham at UC Berkeley’s Center for the Built Environment, the company commissioned a survey of more than 1,500 people to determine how the design of homes impacts wellbeing. The results provide a blueprint for designing with happiness in mind....

Buy It: Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Cook & Carry Slow Cooker ($50, Target)

Pumpkin Snack Board This Halloween snack recipe is less, well, recipe, and more art project! Use dried apricots, clementine slices, dried figs, black grapes, cantaloupe, orange sweet pepper slices, baby carrots, and blackberries to assemble a smiling jack-o-lantern face a la Baker Mama. Feel free to mix in a few cookies, cheese balls and cheese crackers for a sensible snack mix that will please ghouls of all ages. Tip: Stack triangular cookie cutters on top of your platter to make an evenly-sized nose and eyes....

According to a recent survey conducted by the online home security resource SafeWise, more than three in four Americans have experienced package theft in their lifetimes. And the COVID-19 pandemic has only made the issue worse, as shoppers venture out to shop in stores less frequently. The report notes that more than half of Americans plan to shop online more this year than they did in 2020, and additional deliveries mean more opportunities for theft....

Despite the fact that you’ll be using it in small doses, if you bake every day or only once a month, you’ll likely be utilizing vanilla extract fairly often. So next time you run out unexpectedly or if you prefer another vanilla-flavored option, consider one of these vanilla extract substitutes. Unlike imitation vanilla, most of these subs for vanilla extract can stand toe-to-toe with the real thing and deliver a familiar rich, rounded flavor that can complement the other dessert recipe components....

Then on Sunday, I am happy to wake up early to a chorus of “Happy Mother’s Day,” and a homemade breakfast feast, complete with homemade cards, inexpensive flowers, and syrupy hands. We usually make Mother’s Day a family fun outing and go to the zoo or to an early spring baseball game. Whatever we do, it’s nice to spend the day together. Well, this year we’ve had plenty of days together as a family....

1. Build a DIY Outdoor Bar Outdoor bars and kitchens aren’t limited to expensive built-in setups. You can create your own backyard bar with a few stacks on cement blocks and a wood countertop. Line up counter-height patio chairs around the outside for seating and decorate with climbing vines or potted plants. To add cooking capabilities, roll up the grill alongside the bar and use the countertop to keep ingredients and cooking utensils close at hand....

1. Cutting Boards Cutting boards are one of the most versatile kitchen tools. They’re perfect for food preparation, and their stable surface makes cleanup a breeze. Plus, most cutting boards have a long life if properly maintained. If you’re using a plastic cutting board, simply run it through the dishwasher after each use. If you’re using a wood or bamboo model, clean with hot, soapy water. When to Replace: Retire cutting boards when they show signs of wear, such as deep groove marks or an unstable surface....

“Fortunately, there is much to be grateful for even if you’re marking it [Thanksgiving] at home with yourself,” explains Tracy Thomas, Ph.D., psychologist and founder of Dr. Tracy Inc., an emotional training company in California. “As an emotional scientist who helps people build the emotional strength they need to succeed, one of the most important shifts a person can make is to deepen self-connection. This opens up the ability to experience everything more deeply, peacefully and enjoyably—regardless of external circumstances....

Buy It: Circulon Nonstick Bakeware 10-Inch x 15-Inch Baking Pan ($26, Walmart) Buy It: Mike’s Hot Honey ($9, Walmart) Test Kitchen Tip: Test oven-fried chicken’s doneness by inserting a meat thermometer ($28, Bed Bath & Beyond) into the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone.

What You Need Gray latex paint24×36-inch art canvasPaper towels or cotton cloth16×20-inch screen for screen printingPainters tapePlastic spoonsScreen drawing fluidSqueegeePlastic cupsScreen fillerOld toothbrushCardboardPolar fleecePermanent acrylic screen printing ink (we used coral, gold, dark blue, and gray) Step 1: Apply Base Paint Brush gray latex paint onto canvas, mixing with water as necessary to create a watercolor look. Wipe the canvas with paper towels or a cotton cloth for a mottled effect....

Test Kitchen Tip: Set your slow cooker to “warm” to keep the fondue texture flowing and dunkable all evening long. Test Kitchen Tip: Prefer strawberries or mixed berries? Try them instead of raspberries in the bar batter. Test Kitchen Tip: Once you master the apple version, try this as a healthy pear dessert. The firm fruit also works well in this slow cooker dessert. Buy It: OXO Good Grips Cookie Scoop, $17, Sur la Table

Because shrubs come in all sizes, horticulturists often have a hard time distinguishing between a large shrub and a small tree. Before you choose a shrub or a small tree for your border, determine the mature size of the plant, and consider how the plant will fit into the overall garden when it reaches adult size. Small shrubs, such as dwarf fothergilla (F. gardenii ‘Blue Mist’), are perfect for compact garden areas....