Life

Parenting is hard. It’s also a lot of other things, but a truer three-word sentence has never been uttered. We’re all learning as we go—reading parenting books as we encounter the challenges that make us realize why we need parenting books, and spending every evening after the kids are (mercifully) in bed wondering if we’re doing it all wrong.

With all the corny gift guide clichés and tacky holiday-themed products available this time of year, picking the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your partner can be tricky. That’s why it pays to put a bit of thought into figuring out what constitutes a good gift ahead of time. To help, we called on two of our favorite New York City-based relationship experts: psychotherapist Lisa Brateman, and Dr. Jane Greer, author of “What About Me?

Whether it’s “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” or “The Seven Year Itch,” the combination of lighthearted romance and witty banter between potential soulmates is intoxicating. Though while it’s a popular and fun form of escapism, romantic comedies stray far from the truth. Relationships rarely start with a meet-cute, and thanks to heightened airport security measures, it is really hard to reconcile at the gate.

It’s one thing to go down the line of your classic romantic comedies and pick your favorite couples, but what about the great debate over who had the best digs? Here to settle the score is the definitive ranking of romantic comedy heroine’s apartments. From Bridget Jones to Vivian Ward, here’s who decorated it best.

Let’s all be honest: The best place to spend Valentine’s Day is on your couch. Whether that means snuggled up with someone special, snuggled up with a half gallon of ice cream, or there by yourself because you are perfectly happy being single, it doesn’t matter. Plop down on that comfy couch turn on some holiday appropriate television and voilà—the perfect Valentine’s Day. Need some options as far as what to watch?

For the second time in the past several months, the internet is abuzz with an awful lot of *feelings* regarding the possibility of “Friends” leaving Netflix.

There are so many things to love about Trader Joe’s, and their affordable flowers are a big one. So if you’re looking to save a few bucks on this floral-heavy holiday, we’ve asked our editors—and even the grocer’s plants and flowers team—their secrets to getting the most gorgeous bouquets for a bargain. We chatted with the people who brought us the perfect combination of wine and succulents to get the insider scoop.

There’s no denying it. We all watch romantic comedies for one reason and one reason alone—escapism. Sure, maybe you and your S.O. actually did have a meet-cute, or perhaps you really do have a best friend whose only purpose in life seems to be helping you find yourself.

Yes, we know: Everyone says you have to read “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” before its adaptation arrives in theaters this August. But in case you’re looking for others, here are a few more to get through before they hit big (and small) screens near you. West’s hilarious and intelligent essay-collection-slash-memoir is being turned into a Hulu series starring SNL’s Aidy Bryant, coming out on March 15.

It’s about that time for your Netflix queue to come in like a lion and out like a lamb. This is what’s new on the streaming service for March, and what’s getting dropped. Catch Bradley Cooper in his most perfect role (outside of Jackson Maine), alongside other faves like Amy Poehler, Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, et. al. in this classic camp movie. Can you believe??

If you’re a loyal fan of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you’ve probably gotten into a duel or two over which novel is best in the series. While each individual has their opinion, we got an inside look at the most Googled Harry Potter book by state—and the results might make you Moody, pun intended. Furniture brand Joybird released a study that showed the highest searched Harry Potter title in each state throughout the U.S.

We have strong feelings about a lot of things, but until recently, towel quantity wasn’t one of them. In a hilariously earnest social media post, writer Yashar Ali tweeted about bath towels, specifically the number of towels adults should ideally own. Fortunately, Yashar doesn’t have quite as many towel categories as Monica Geller, but he did start what became a wildly popular towel meme based on his suggested that there should be 50 towels per adult couple.

If your kind of a vacation involves a whole lot of HGTV inspiration, then do we have the dream retreat for you. Frequent fans of Waco’s wonder duo, Chip and Joanna Gaines, are probably familiar with the couple’s collaborator, Jimmy Don Holmes. Holmes often participated in “Fixer Upper” renovations, putting his special touch on the projects with his intricate metalwork.

There’s always that friend. You know, the one with 76 unheard voicemails, 150 unread texts, and—gulp—15,964 unread emails in her inbox. (Or maybe that “friend” is you.) Either way, keeping your inbox uncluttered or even reaching Inbox Zero can feel like impossible feats of #adulting. But digitally cleaning house doesn’t have to be your least favorite chore.

On the spectrum of Harry Potter fandom, I’m somewhere in the middle. Thanks to Pottermore, I know my houses (Hufflepuff and Horned Serpent at Ilvermorny, the American equivalent of Hogwarts), my Patronus (fox), and my wand (redwood, phoenix feather core, 12 and a quarter inches, pliant). I’ve read the original books and seen the movies, but I won’t win any trivia competitions, and I’m in no rush to sit through the five-plus hours of “Cursed Child.

If you’re like me, you subscribe to a bunch of streaming services. While they’re not particularly expensive, those monthly fees can add up. But there’s some good news for the multi-streamers among us: Spotify Premium members can get Hulu for free. Yep, totally free. If you’re already paying the $9.99 to listen to Spotify ad-free, there’s a new perk. The Verge reports that you can bundle the basic Hulu plan into your account for no extra monthly charge.

“The Simpsons” is in its 30th season—and now holds the title of the longest-running primetime scripted series. Over three decades, we’ve seen hundreds of versions of the opening theme, ending with the family together on the couch, in a home most Americans would probably recognize. That said, Springfield (and its surrounding areas) has some other pretty awesome places to live. So here’s a selection of the coolest pads in “The Simpsons” universe.

Reroute your owls to deliver The Daily Prophet to your new address because you’ll never want to leave this Harry Potter rental. Located in Salem, MA, this private room can fit two guests, and ideally those who can revel in the extra attention to detail. Just one mile from the train station, this room was crafted by a host with experience in the toy and games industry.

These days, it’s hard to come across a person who doesn’t already have a side hustle, whether it’s running an Etsy store, driving for Uber or Lyft or renting out a spot on Airbnb. But most of those take a lot of work. A far more flexible way to earn some pocket change would be something like Indeed’s Job Spotter app. Instead of uploading selfies to Instagram, Job Spotter gives you more than just likes and follows.

They say that a dog is man’s best friend, but having a pet can wreak some serious havoc on your interior design game. From hopping on your pristine couch to chewing on the leg of your dinner table, even the most house-trained pets don’t know how to care properly for your home. Nobody wants to live in a space that’s half-chewed up or covered in dirt, but what’s the alternative? Getting rid of precious Fido? Absolutely not!

Have you ever been forced to defend your TV viewing habits? One of the most grating examples of this is trying to explain why you keep watching the same shows over and over again. Honestly, if you don’t already know why I’m dedicated to rewatching “Nurse Jackie” every few months, then you might want to check out a new study from the University of Chicago. Long story short: Rewatching stuff you’ve seen a million times before just makes you feels good.

Since announcing their engagement in November 2017, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been nonstop busy with traveling the world, making public appearances, and building a life together. And with a baby coming around the corner (as in this month!), the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s lives are about to get a whole lot busier—and they just made it a million times easier for us common folk to follow along with their new Instagram account.

Today is National Siblings Day, a day to celebrate just how wonderful it is to have your siblings in your life, and also to post embarrassing pictures of them. For some, siblings aren’t just the people you spent your childhood with—believe it or not, some siblings choose to live together out there in the real world. Before you scoff at the entire idea, yes, living with a sibling can be hard—there can be a lot of baggage there—but it can also be wonderful.

I think it was the famous father, donut lover, and American prophet Homer Simpson who said, “Mmm, I’m a toasty cinnamon bun,” while wrapped up in his bedsheets one morning. While that does sound delicious, when you do wrap yourself up in sheets like Homer did, you’re really more of a human burrito, right? That’s why I’m sure Homer would be the first in line (or online?) to buy the latest food-based item going viral: a literal burrito blanket.

Just south of San Francisco, close to the idyllic Highway 1 views of California’s picturesque cliffs and beaches, lies a tiny mushroom dome cabin in the woods. It’s one of the world’s most popular Airbnb listings and, for just $130 a night, it could be yours to sleep in. The Mushroom Dome cabin is in Monterey Bay and is surrounded by 10 acres of woods that make perfect hiking trails.

What we might love most about Airbnb‘s existence is the astounding variety of stays travelers can now experience. If you can dream up a lodging scenario—anything from a treehouse to a mansion—you can likely find it on Airbnb. And yes, that includes the former homes of celebrities. There’s no denying the allure of being physically present in a space that one of your heroes once called home.

How amazing would it be to have your life be like a movie? Think about it: You’d have a great wardrobe, iconic one-liners, and, of course, a home that has #goals written all over it. Naturally, we can’t talk about stunning, on-camera homes without bowing down to Nancy Meyers.

“Game of Thrones” may be coming to an end, but the most-licensed program in HBO history can live on in the memories of superfans with a serious case of wanderlust. Throughout the years, the show has filmed in 10 countries, including Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Morocco, Malta, Spain, Croatia, Iceland, United States, Canada, and Scotland. Hotels.

Much of the appeal of watching “House Hunters” is playing detective, tuning into side comments and reactions that hint at what the ultimate house will be. You’ll be tempted to learn the secret to predicting the outcomes, like me. However, you might sincerely regret it once you know because all future “House Hunters” viewings will be forever changed. Consider yourself warned, far more than I was before embarking on this experiment, which began with a Reddit thread.

If you can dream it, you can find it on Airbnb. The vacation rental service gives you the chance to stay in some truly remarkable spaces. You can rent homes once owned by famous celebrities, stay overnight in converted train cars, and get cozy in the tiniest tiny houses you can imagine. If you like your vacation rentals to be an experience, we found your next destination: an alpaca ranch.

In the southwest of England lies a tiny house in Salisbury, a medieval cathedral city near Stonehenge. Two guests can cozy up in the studio-style space with a bed meant for stargazing. The hut includes a tiny wood-burning stove in the corner of the main living area that’s equipped with bench seating and a wooden table, plus kitchen appliances (tea kettle definitely included). Every morning, guests are treated to fresh bread, marmalade, granola, and muesli.

Want to make your Disney vacation last forever? Try smelling it.

Brace yourselves, die-hard Fixer Upper fans: One of the show’s former contestants says the HGTV series’ opening scenes are fake. So, hearing that a portion of a reality show is staged isn’t the most outrageous thing to stumble across our thresholds.

Few activities feel more gratifying than successfully piecing together a complicated jigsaw puzzle, or maybe we’re just easy to please. Either way, they’re great for the brain and they put considerably less strain on our eyes than the incessant scrolling of social media feeds. But what about a puzzle that doesn’t have a definite finish line?

Earlier this year, I wrote a 3-part series about my recent experiment with capsule wardrobes: why I did it, how I did it, and what I learned. While many of you seemed to like the idea of capsules and the posts themselves, a common comment was that you’d prefer to see real-life examples of what a capsule wardrobe looks like— i.e., my own wardrobe. Gulp. There were a few reasons I didn’t do this the first time around.

Q: I live in a condo with a concrete structure, so the soundproofing is pretty good. Unfortunately, I hear everything that is going on in my upstairs neighbors’ kitchen, through the range hood vent. Whenever I’m in my kitchen at the same time as they are, I turn the range on so I don’t hear them, but it is a little bit annoying and loud in the morning. I’m also wondering if they can hear me from their kitchen… Does it happen to anyone else?

Q: My husband and I are in the process of buying a new home that we’ll be moving into with our two dogs. In our current home we use two stacked tension dog-gates to keep the dogs in our dining area when we want the kitchen or living room to ourselves but we’re not sure what to do in the new house. The new home is an open floor plan and the smallest space we could gate is about 7.5′ across.

You may be ready for a relationship, but what about your apartment? If dating is on your mind more than ever, it may be a good time to make some home improvements. You don’t need to do much to turn your home into a date-friendly abode; a few simple changes can make a huge difference. From bedding upgrades to organizational changes, here’s how to make your apartment more relationship-ready.

Road tripping is a laidback way to see a lot of places you might not get to otherwise. But if you’re the type who prefers to be extremely thorough, here are five routes that pack a lifetime of traveling into one trip. UPenn senior data scientist Randy Olson has determined the most efficient path to hit up every national park in the lower 48. That’s 47 parks in total. The trip can be accomplished in about two months if you’re not dilly dallying.

The design world is ripe for dad jokes — you know dad jokes, don’t you? They’re a particular brand of clean, G-rated jokes that almost always result in the listener groaning and rolling their eyes? They usually involve puns, too. Like that guy who walked around IKEA, torturing his girlfriend with product puns — total dad joke master.

Looking for a small escape from winter? Luckily, there’s a charming resort in Sarasota, Florida that has a fleet of tiny houses just ready to be booked. Tiny House Siesta near Siesta Key Beach has eleven such homes for rent in all shapes, sizes, colors, and themes.

In the latest data-analytics news from Captain Obvious, one new report has quantifiably named New York City the dirtiest city in America — by far. Leading the top 40 cities in the U.S. on combined filth factors as collected by the EPA, the U.S. Census, and the American Housing Survey, the Big Apple was considered especially rotten for its above-and-beyond litter and rodent issues.

You may know David Burtka through a number of accomplishments. It might be his theatrical performance in productions like “The Play About the Baby,” or his appearances in episodes of “How I Met Your Mother,” or his current profession of being a successful celebrity chef. (And yes, of course we know he’s married to the wonderful Neil Patrick Harris.) A graduate of Cordon Bleu, Burtka now runs his own catering company, Gourmet M. D.

Happy World Book Day!

Have you ever wanted to tell people how you’re feeling before you even see them? We’ve all had those days. The ones where you’d much rather communicate with a series of eye rolls and grunts than by speaking actual words. They tend to always happen before coffee has been dispensed. Well, if you like to make your feelings very clear, but also love designer things, you’re in luck. Thanks to Hypebeast, we now have more details on the Virgil Abloh x IKEA collection.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and if you haven’t bought something yet, you should probably work on that ASAP. Moms work so hard to make our lives manageable and happy, they deserve everything we can give them. Have you ever got your mom a gift and instantly known she didn’t like it? She’s too nice to say it, but you just knew when you saw her face. Well, if you’ve been stuck on what to get your mom for the big day, you can get an answer now thanks to Reddit.

Not that we ever doubted it for a second, but magic does exist. Harry Potter fans know this to be true, but now we have proof to share with others! Fans of the series can actually spend a night in a replica of Hagrid’s Hut. How magical does that sound? Hagrid is easily one of the most beloved characters in the entire series.

Going to the zoo is a very popular American past time. Every little kid has gone on a school field trip to the zoo at one point or another. Still, as adults, many of us are fascinated with going to the zoo to see all of the animals. Some people fear that going to the zoo isn’t perpetuating the containment of animals, but that isn’t the case. A vast majority of zoos and aquariums in the U.S. are AZA accredited.

Dear Alice, Since we’ve moved in, we’ve learned the hard way that one of the downsides to the new construction is really poor sound absorption, it’s so bad to the point that we can hear their dogs claws on the floor. Anytime their kids run around (which is fairly often) it sounds like a stampede and it’s genuinely disruptive. For example, if we’re watching TV we actually have to increase the volume so we can hear it!

At just $20 on Amazon Prime, you just can’t go wrong.

It sleeps up to 14 people, so you can take the whole crew and escape into a world of glamour and mystery.

I am buying this for everyone in my life.

I’m 27 and my mom still gives me an Easter basket every year. When I make it home before zooming off to my cousins’ house for a massive “Greekster” celebration (lamb on the spit and all), my sister (who’s 31) and I are both showered with little surprises in colorful baskets as though we haven’t aged at all. As I’ve gotten older, the presents themselves matter less than the love my mom still puts into them—they’re part of our family history.

KonMari madness has taken hold of America. Purge your closet! Rid yourself of excess! Dump your bad boyfriends! Diagnosing clutter is easy when you’re being plonked on the head by expired cans of tuna every time you open an overstuffed closet—what’s more difficult to diagnose, however, is schedule clutter.

Is your best friend your soulmate, your person, your #1 cheerleader, and everything in between? Of course, they are, as they should be! Best friends are the reason that we get through the tough moments in life. Obviously family and significant others contribute to this, but our BFFs are the people we go to for everything under the sun. If you and your best friend are the textbook definition of obsessed with each other, listen up!

That is if you can hide from your boss while doing so.

Do you enjoy being right? Of course, you do, who doesn’t? If you love to make bets with your friends about the endings of your favorite TV shows and movies, you’re going to want to check this deal out. If you’re a “Game of Thrones” fan, chances are you’ve already put a lot of thought into who will sit on the Iron Throne. Every GoT fan has spent quite a bit of time debating with their friends about who will rule Westeros.

If you’re a tequila lover, you might know that the agave-based liquor was first invented in Tequila, Mexico—a short drive away from the country’s second-largest city of Guadalajara. What you might not know (and will probably be excited about) is that there is actually a tequila barrel hotel there that you can stay in, literally on the grounds of a distillery. I was lucky to get a chance to stay there courtesy of the Guadalajara Tourism Board.

When it comes to air travel, it seems as though there are polarizing issues just about everywhere that divide passengers. Do you stand up well before it’s your aisle’s turn to exit or not? Do you prefer the window or not? Do you only travel with a carry-on or not? And, of course, one of the most controversial questions: do you recline or not recline? And moreover, how do you go about reclining when you do?

Laptops? Flat-screen TVs? Jewelry? Nah. In rural Kentucky, the thieves are going for barn doors. And some are laying the blame on “Fixer Upper’s” Chip and Joanna Gaines. A story in Tuesday’s Courier Journal revealed that barn wood thieving is a significant problem, particularly in Kentucky, where there are more old barns per square mile than any other state. So far, theft cases have been reported in at least 13 Kentucky counties.

Now that the weather is finally getting nice (sorry, friends and family in Chicago), you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Hmm, it’s been quite awhile since I’ve gone on vacation.” (And if you’re not, wow, lucky you!) If you’re like the average American, you’ll probably let this thought pass by and go back to your day-to-day (or that growing pile of work that’s been landing on your desk.) But I am here to tell you: Take that time off!

Dear Readers, You may not realize it, but Apartment Therapy Media is a kind of weird and quirky corner of the internet. We got started back in the good old blog days when you could just roll your thoughts, ideas, and musings down a page, throw in a bad photo or two, and then open up this starkly empty box at the bottom called Comments to see what people would say in return. Over the years, as we added more writers with more perspectives, more readers came along for the ride.

How much do you love bread? There are so many ways to enjoy bread, whether you’re eating a standard roll before dinner or enjoying a slice of avocado toast. We all have a favorite pizza place because of the dough used there. The same goes for bagels because we all know that some bagel spots reign supreme over others, anyone from New York or New Jersey would argue that to the death.

People often debate whether cats or dogs are better. We don’t have any definitive proof which animal is better, but one might better for you. According to a new study, dog owners are happier than cat owners. Who can be unhappy when their dog gives them kisses? Now, this isn’t to say that cat owners aren’t entirely unhappy, but it would appear that dog owners are happier.

For those times when you need a little more motivation (and cash flow).

Many of us thrive on routine, but when things become too cyclical, time can feel like it's speeding up.

An ABCs print or poster is a popular piece of nursery decor, but some parents really go all out when it comes to displaying those essential 26 letters. Here are 25 creative examples, from wood and cardboard letters to decals to string art and much more. Row One: 1. McKenzie’s Modern Traditional Mix 2. DIY Feature Wall Baby Nursery on Project Nursery 3. Jude’s Nautical Big Boy Room 4. Lincoln’s Easy As ABC Room 5. Baby G’s Elegant Gender Neutral Nursery Row Two: 6.

It is that time of year again, Disney fans! The new Disney mugs from the Starbucks “Been There” Series Pin Drop Collection have arrived. Somehow, Disney and Starbucks continue to release new mugs that have us throwing our cash right at them. Do we really need six mugs? Of course, we do! Disney travelers that frequent Walt Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California know that these mugs are sold in the Starbucks franchises located inside the parks.

There’s no shortage of tiny houses on Instagram. Just enter #tinyhousemovement into your IG search bar and you’ll find an ample array of tiny house living accounts, offering an endless amount of (super) small space design inspo. And even if you know deep down you’ll never take the tiny house plunge, that doesn’t mean you can’t live vicariously through someone who does.

Crack open the cans of eggshell paint, and rev your vacuum cleaners, astral voyagers. April ignites the cosmos with a clean, clear call to action, as Aries energy urges us to refurbish, renew, and re-dedicate ourselves to our one-of-a-kind designs. This particular season comes locked and loaded with Pluto power. The lordess of the underworld, this planet’s position in April is a crushed red velvet carpet invitation to relish taking responsibility for our own existences.

Standing your ground isn’t always easy. No matter how confident you feel about something, being openly assertive with others when communicating your needs is an entirely different beast. So we called on Antonia Di Leo, licensed therapist and clinical director of Andrea Cornell Family Therapy for advice on how to be more assertive from day-to-day.

If you’re anything like the average American, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates you spend just over $164 per day, with the bulk of that money going towards housing, transportation, and food. But in 2016, the median income per capita was estimated at just $33,205—that’s $26,855 less than the average American is spending each year. Yikes, that math just doesn’t add up.