Posts

Spring Seasonal Perennials for Shade These spring flowers will brighten any shady area. These seasonal perennials are planted in low light, and they’re low-maintenance. They also have a low risk of attracting pests. You can count on these early bloomers to kickstart your garden every spring. Barrenwort (Epimedium) Bleeding heart (Dicentra) Columbine (Aquilegia) Primrose (Primula) Foamflower (Tiarella) Bergenia Heart-leaf brunnera (Brunnera) Hellebore (Helleborus) Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium) Lungwort (Pulmonaria) Viola Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum)...

In this episode of Play Money, Elyse Love, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, shares three complete skincare routines for $25, $100, and $1,000 total. With a few key products—a cleanser, an antioxidant, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen—you can create a simple and effective skincare routine. Keep reading for Dr. Love’s favorite products for each routine, or watch her explain each one in depth in the accompanying video....

Sponsored by: Tillamook – all ideas are 100% honest and my own My oldest son is pretty picky when it comes to food. There are only a couple of things he likes – and one them is orange (aka cheddar cheese). Another is bacon. And a third is bread. I took him to grab a hamburger the other day and when he opened it up and saw white cheese, he immediately decided he was having none of it because he wanted the orange cheese....

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Potato Skins One of my favorite appetizers is buffalo chicken dip. To be honest, I’m a little obsessed with buffalo chicken dip. I’ve made regular dip, buffalo chicken flautas, buffalo chicken cups, buffalo chicken rollups, buffalo chicken egg rolls, more! It’s only natural that I’d combine buffalo chicken dip with another favorite of mine – potato skins. I normally like the crispy potato skins that are filled with cheese and bacon but decided to change things up with this recipe and combined them with my favorite buffalo chicken flavor instead....

If you are grappling with indecision about real trees vs. artificial Christmas trees, know that it’s okay to review the pros and cons of both before making a commitment. Some may choose live trees because they’re more eco-friendly, but cost, maintenance factors, and personal preference typically reign supreme. If you’re still torn, here’s what you need to know to make the best choice this holiday season. Pros and Cons of Artificial Christmas Trees Artificial Christmas trees are typically made with pieces of steel that mimic the shape of a tree trunk and branches....

That doesn’t mean you have to don a veil and set up a hive for honeybees; Rent Mason Bees has made it super easy to play host to gentle native bees that don’t need hives. The company will send you simple kits that contain all the supplies you need, which you then send back later in the season, so you don’t need to deal with maintenance. Rent Mason BeeRent Mason Bees will ship either mason or leafcutter bees to you....

“There is extensive research validating the topical effects of vitamin A on anti-aging, anti-acne, reduction of hyperpigmentation, and preventative skincare applications since its first publication in 1943,” says Genesis Velazquez, a cosmetic chemist and founder of Elitegen Innovation. And yet, with all the research, one thing still remains wildly unclear to the public: the difference between retinol and retinoids. With that in mind, we chatted with Velazquez, as well as two dermatologists and a celebrity esthetician about the topic....

On a mission to regain control over my wavy hair, I explored Sephora’s clean hair care aisle and discovered the woman-owned Dae hair brand. Immediately, I was drawn to the Monsoon Moisture Milk Hydrating Shampoo and Monsoon Moisture Hydrating Conditioner duo—yes, the minty hue was eye-catching, but the desert-derived botanical ingredients are what sold me. Meadowfoam seed oil, moringa leaf extract, and cactus flower extract combine forces to replenish hair with potassium, vitamins, and antioxidants that strengthen strands while preventing breakage and restoring deep moisture for a gentle glossy finish....

As a skincare-loving shopping editor, I’ve tried many of them for myself, and my favorite by a mile is the Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum. This serum is part skincare, part makeup, and all beneficial for my face. As the name implies, it enhances my skin’s natural glow by evening out any hyperpigmentation, providing light coverage where I need it, and nourishing with several trusted skincare ingredients. The anti-aging hero hyaluronic acid is able to plump and hydrate skin while fine lines are smoothed away via squalane and peptides....

When I originally started my coat search, I thought I wanted to purchase one by a different well-known brand. But my search did a hard pivot when I happened upon the REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie 2.0 that’s currently available in gray, teal, and red in sizes XS to 3X. Don’t let the name fool you; this is far more than a hoodie. Instead, it’s a packable jacket that folds down into its left pocket should you ever need to compactly store it while traveling....

I’d been looking for denim in straight leg or mom styles (since, like many millennials, I’m guilty of owning way too many pairs of skinny jeans), and the moment I came across this pair, I knew they were the ones. They’re high-waisted and ankle-skimming, with a cozy stretch fit and medium-wash coloring. Best of all, they come in short and even extra-short lengths (in addition to regular, long, and extra-long in the 000-20 size range), giving me cautious hope when I grabbed a short pair off the shelf that they’d actually be the right length....

One of the most fun parts about my job as a shopping writer is discovering new brands, and I first heard about Quince from my friend and fellow lifestyle writer, Nina Huang. No sooner had Nina mentioned that she had tried and loved a few of Quince’s pieces than I found myself eagerly perusing the online retailer’s website. I learned that the brand’s mission is to create beautiful pieces you want to wear again and again, and the way Quince favors neutral color palettes makes that easy....

1. Keep Cleaning Supplies Where They’re Easy to Grab To make all of these habits easier to adopt, you’ll want to stash cleaning supplies and tools in a convenient, easy-to-reach spot. Store a good-smelling cleaning spray (I’m obsessed with this lavender and thyme-scented one) under your kitchen sink. And leave a cleaning cloth dedicated to wiping counters and appliances out on a hook or towel rack. When cleaning essentials are easy to reach, you’ll have one less excuse to procrastinate on cleaning....

Jenni Kayne Home offers a collection of classic neutral styles across bed, bath, kitchenware, and home decor. Its multi-purpose, luxury products can be used or displayed in different ways, making them ideal investments or gifts for the holidays. From thick Alpaca Basketweave Throws to Frayed Linen Placemats, you’ll bring comfy holiday vibes to your household. And as an extra holiday treat for Real Simple readers, you can save 25 percent by using code SEASON25 (excludes furniture) at checkout....

The truth is, a serving size of food is not the same as a portion size of food. So what’s the difference? And how does your serving size affect your portion size, and vice versa? To get to the bottom of it, we tapped Jessica Green, a registered dietitian and nutritionist, to break it down. What Is a Serving Size? Simply put, a serving size is a specific and standardized amount of food like 1 cup, two slices, or 30 grams....

Known for its wide range of figure-enhancing and flattering shapewear and underwear, the editor-loved brand replicated its success with this simple yet chic fall maxi dress you’ll want to wear again and again. The blend of modal and spandex gives the ribbed piece its coveted stretch and super soft, “cozy” texture that customers say feels like wearing a “second skin.” The square neckline complements the long sleeves, for a comfortable and stylish fit....

With an average 4.7-star rating from over 650 customers, the Sinen Candle Wick Trimmer is made of durable stainless steel and has clippers that are sharp enough to cut through even wood wicks. Before lighting your candle each time, all you have to do is trim the wick about an eighth of an inch. Not only will this help prevent the jar from turning black, it’ll also make your candles last so much longer since they’ll burn properly....

To buy: From $26 (was $50); amazon.com. With a breathable memory foam cushion, a stretchy knit design that molds to the shape of your feet, and a removable insole that you can easily switch out with other orthopedic options if you prefer, the Cleo flats have it all. They’re “the most comfortable flats” one shopper found in recent years. Reviewers pair them with everything, including jeans, skirts, and long maxi dresses, and they’re comfortable enough to wear all day, whether it’s to work or a casual outing....

As we approach the holiday season, we’re more intentional with our spending. This year, you can skip the Black Friday countdown. Mega retailers like Walmart have already rolled out Black Friday-worthy deals on all the home goods, electronics, fashion finds, and essential holiday kitchenware at the top of your wish list. Without a doubt, one of the best deals we’ve come across is on the Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart Pressure Cooker, which dropped from $82 to just $50....

“The entire home was very 90s before the renovation,” she says. The couple decided to start working on updating their kitchen first, and once they saw the dramatic difference a modernization made, they couldn’t resist a project in the nearby bathroom. “We didn’t actually budget for the bathroom at all until we saw the finished kitchen,” she says. The room was covered in a cream shade, from the countertops to the backsplash, and had a vanity that was punctuated by a large mirror....