Get answers, advice, and solutions to your biggest lifestyle questions — like where to buy the best candles, how to get a great night’s sleep, and tips to nail your next WFH job interview — to level up your life at home.
September 1st came and went without our Hogwarts letter arriving in the mail. That doesn’t mean we didn’t plan our trip to Hogwarts for this year. If you’re an avid Harry Potter fan, you can now show off your house pride in style whenever you travel. Recently, Pottery Barn released a Harry Potter home decor line full of incredible bedding sets and bedroom decor. But did you know that Pottery Barn’s sister site, PB Teen, sells Harry Potter luggage?
You know that saying, “Like mother, like daughter?” Well, there’s a reason it’s so widely used. Many of us recall thinking at a young age, I’m never going to be like my mother when I grow up. And yet, here we are, reflections of the very person we thought didn’t understand what we were going through—only to realize later on in life that they went through it, too.
Whether your day job involves sitting at a desk, driving to sales calls, or bent over your phone responding to emails and texts while you run around town, we all could use stretching breaks throughout the day. “Stretching is very important, but not in the way people think, says K. Aleisha Fetters, M.S., C.S.C.S. You’re not thinning out your muscles, she says.
Are you addicted to single-serve coffee? We can’t blame you. It’s fast, convenient, and of course, delicious, but unfortunately, also super wasteful. (Even the inventor of the Keurig K-Cup has expressed regret over inventing the technology in the first place.
What is it about the beginning of fall that always brings out the back-to-school spirit in us? It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you graduated school, there’s something about September that makes us want to turn over a new leaf and be more productive. So, we get organized, set bigger goals for ourselves, and buy some super chic office supplies.
In grade school, everyone had a least favorite subject. Maybe you really didn’t like reading, so English was boring for you. Or maybe you struggled with math and science and felt left behind during those classes. Honestly, did anyone enjoy running the mile in gym class? Sure, sometimes gym gave us an excuse to stand around and talk to our friends, but more often than not, it was awful.
Grab some Eggo waffles, Christmas lights, and put on a “Ghostbusters” costume, it is time to head to the Upside Down. For Halloween this year, you can get the pants scared right off of you at a “Stranger Things” haunted house. You might want to be careful, not everyone is ready to face the Demogorgon alone. “Stranger Things” became one of the most popular TV shows shortly after it debuted on Netflix in 2016.
Minimalism is all the rage in decor. From Marie Kondo to the airy white images floating around Instagram, it’s hard to escape the burgeoning love for simple living. I used to joke with colleagues that soon, the new minimalist trend would be to toss out your furniture. Well friends, it’s finally happened. The furniture-free movement is the newest home decorating trend—and it’s all in the name of optimal health and minimalist living.
A morning gone wrong can make us feel like the rest of the day is doomed, a thought which might all too easily become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Of course, there are things like the proverbial (and actual!) spilled milk that we can’t control, but there are plenty of things we can. Setting ourselves up for success in the morning is one of them. And it starts with the last ten minutes of the night before.
You can buy clothing for your cat, fancy beds for your cat, and even a little gem to cover up their private bits. But did you know you can also buy a tent for your cat? Though, be advised, you should probably never take your cat camping with you. Australian company Cat Camp has created the first specialized cat tent. Because why should humans be the only ones who can have all the fun going camping?
Living with a cat can be very beneficial to your health. It has been proven that cats can reduce your stress and anxiety, lower your blood pressure, and decrease your risk of heart disease. But it isn’t always easy living with cats. We have to clean up after them, we find their toys all over, and often times their stuff takes up too much space in our homes. If you live in an apartment, you know that there is a limited amount of space you have for furniture.
Little money-saving habits don’t ever feel like they’re doing much in the moment, but in the long run they can add up to significant savings. And, no, we’re not talking about the same well-worn advice to brew your own coffee or bring your lunch to work. These are at-home habits, most of which involve a minor change in your routine and might only take a few seconds each.
Store-brand products aren’t usually something to get excited about. They’re cheap and … that’s about it. But Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand of products are a bargain-hunter’s dream because they are not only economical, but also often top-of-the-line.
Moving more often than most people has taught me to be smarter about the whole thing. And in honor of me moving—again—next week, I'd love to share my biggest moving secret.
Have you ever stumbled across an Instagram influencer who seems to constantly travel the world in luxury? Now, have ever dreamed about doing it? (We know the answer is yes.) Well, now might be your chance. Vidanta, a collection of luxury resorts across Mexico, just launched their “World’s Best Job” campaign—and the name says it all.
Turns out that red double decker buses aren’t all hop on, hop off. Located in the village of Hartland, Devon—about a four-hour drive from London—is the Bertram’s Hotel, a bright red converted bus that provides a one-of-a-kind overnight stay.
Yes, it might technically still be summer, but Starbuck’s PSL announcement does not lie: fall is upon us. With autumn comes the thought of foliage—the crisp, vibrant swirl of colors that are short but sweet. And while we have a while longer before the hues actually shift, Smoky Mountains National Park is giving leaf peepers a head start to plan their fall adventures accordingly. The team just released their annual interactive foliage map, updated for 2018.
Life can be taxing sometimes. With busy work schedules, family responsibilities, and financial obligations to worry about, staying optimistic throughout day-to-day life often feels all but impossible. But fret not my stressed out friends: There’s hope to be had. We called on life coach Annie Lin of New York Life Coaching for advice on how to keep positive in everyday life, and she had lots to share.
When it comes to styling your home, you want everything to be functional, yet also fit into your aesthetic, right? Obviously! For cat owners, this can often be a struggle. There’s one item that cats need to use every single day that will not fit any aesthetic there is out there. The litter box. We understand that our furry, four-legged friends can’t help that they need to use a litter box to go to the bathroom, but that doesn’t mean we have to like it.
Many little girls grew up pretending to be a princess and dressing up in fancy little dresses. If you grew up watching The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, and more, chances are you wanted to be just like them. Maybe you pretended to be Belle because you’re a brunette. Or maybe you wanted to be Mulan, so you could prove to all the boys at school you could kick their butt.
The call of the open road and cross-country adventuring are more attractive when you have a place to sleep, a place to cook, a place for all your gear, even a place for your pups, right there in the back seat. And more attractive still when it’s in a vehicle that’s easy to drive and easy to park anywhere (even stealthily on city streets), that doesn’t require towing, and that doesn’t require a trip to the DMV for a special license.
There is not, at press time, an Oscar for best onscreen abode. But, with new the Best Popular Film category joining the Academy’s prestigious lineup, now could be the perfect time to add one. In the past few years, cinema has given us glimpses into some pretty cool houses. Some, like the ultra-modern robo-mansion from “Ex Machina,” may be easy frontrunners, while others have flown under the radar.
You know that feeling you get when you walk inside of Target? You are just going on a Target run to get toilet paper and milk. Yet, 45 minutes later you’re at the check out with items from the $1 section, a new shower curtain, rug, and a pair of workout pants from Champion. You never mean to spend $300 at Target… it just happens! Well, the feeling you get when you’re shopping there has a name – it is the “Target Effect.
Have you been collecting succulents or other small plants recently? If you don’t have a garden of your own, chances are you’ve got a plethora of plants adorning your apartment. There is actually a reason you might love to have green little plants around your place. Green space is good for your mental health. According to a recent study, symptoms of depression can be reduced when people in urban areas have access to green space.
Inflatable chairs did not die in the ’90s. Unless you count that one time your cat popped your chair with its nails. In 2018, inflatable chairs are back and even better than before. Sure, you might not be 10 anymore, but no one is ever too old for an inflatable chair. Picture, this, is it 1999, you’re watching Space Jam for the 30th time on VHS tape while you listen to your Spice Girls and *NSYNC CDs. All of your best friends are at your house for a sleepover for the weekend.
If you’ve ever done a home renovation you know what comes along with it. Gut-shredding, teeth-grinding, hair-pulling, night-terrors stress. It is an absolute wonder why any of us would ever do it again. But, maybe as is the case with other painful things like tattoos, or (I hear) childbirth, we seem to forget in our headlong rush to start that next project just how bad it can be.
We hate to ruin any holiday travel plans you might have, but the next time you sit in an airplane seat, you might want to think twice before leaning your head back. First, it was reported that bed bugs can be transported on their human hosts to airplanes. Now, it only makes sense that lice can be transported too. Who knew these infestations of bugs enjoyed traveling so much? A few weeks ago, it was reported that a case of bed bugs had been found on an Air India flight.
At first, the real estate agent page for Karen Rayment looks like your standard sales representative page, but scroll down and you'll find she has "Particular Taste" in music.
No matter the journey, in-flight service can vary wildly. In my experience alone, I’ve encountered flight attendants who are delighted to bend over backwards for their passengers and others who are more stern and tight-lipped. But apparently there is an insanely easy tip for getting on any cabin crew’s good side to receive first-class service at your economy seat — and you don’t even have to do any superficial schmoozing.
If you’re seeking serenity that only a waterside escape can provide, consider holing up in this charming submarine-inspired tiny home on the Scottish coast. Roderick James Architects applied their experience with building cabins, houseboats and treehouses when designing the stylish seaside pod known as Airship 002. Fashioned from weatherproof heavy duty aluminum and stainless steel components, the Airship 002 sits on a 4-acre plot of land in Drimnin. The 3.
Here we go again! Another celebrity has put one of their homes on the market and this time, it is the iconic Cher. The superstar singer/actress recently was promoting her role in the new film, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, but in classic Cher fashion, she’s been busy multitasking. She is now selling her Beverly Hills compound for a cool $2.499 million. Compared to some celebrities, this is a steal in terms of price. The 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home is 3,089 square feet.
Everyone loves Disney, right? It’s been around since we were all kids and we grew up with the movies and TV shows. There’s no denying that The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King are more classic than the older films, like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. You might think you’re a big Disney fan because you love the movies, but anyone who has been to a Disney park knows that park goers are another level of fans.
Most of us take on a lot of different roles in life. You’ve got to be the housekeeper, bookkeeper, nutritionist, chef, personal shopper, stylist, events coordinator, therapist, bodyguard, CEO and assistant of You, Inc.—all the time, around the clock. Oh, and cheerleader too, if you hope to have the stamina and enthusiasm to do it all over again tomorrow.
Full disclosure: I’m the last person to give advice about not worrying. I was up half the night last night thinking about everything currently going wrong with my home renovation. Trust me, if it wasn’t that it would be something else. But look, there’s plenty of actual Bad Stuff happening out in the world—none of us need to add to that worry load. So take a look at a few things around the house that I believe we can just strike off the list.
Is there anything worse than feeling unproductive? We all need lazy days, but if you weren’t intending to be lazy and chill, and you actually needed to get stuff done, then being unproductive is pretty bad. For some reason, it feels like productivity justs plummets during the summer. There is a reason behind that and you shouldn’t feel bad if you finding yourself lacking productivity during June through August.
According to the Boston University sustainability department, an average shower uses about 5 gallons of water per minute. That means if you shorten your shower by just 2 minutes each day, you can cut your water use by 10 gallons at a time. It really adds up–with major impacts to your wallet and the environment. Whatever your goal–lowering your bill or just your water usage overall–it’s quite the challenge to try and shorten your time in the shower.
Have you ever seen a crowd going apes**t over a world-renowned art museum? Well, you could soon bear witness to this phenomenon, that is, if you’re one of the lucky visitors who get to take the new 90-minute self-guided tour of all the paintings in the Louvre that appeared in Beyonce and Jay’s recent music video. OK, so tourists will definitely be required to keep their reactions low-key (please see: European etiquette rules).
Think about your mom or grandma’s kitchen, in 2018 they might seem a little bit outdated (if they haven’t been remodeled). Some older kitchens have butter churns, crockery pots, pull-out cutting boards and more. Some things might have gotten replaced over the years, but others have stuck around. Now, the pull-out cutting board your mom used to slice and dice every vegetable imaginable isn’t actually a cutting board. It was created for an entirely different purpose.
Slip into your seashelled sanctuaries, star-kissed space holders. This month in the cosmos finds us craving deep emotional retreat, and learning how to live with our longings, even when they can’t immediately manifest in the external world. The Sun spends most of the month in feel-it-to-heal-it Cancer, and the sign of the crab asks us to tuck into our secret shelters and childhood hideaways, to protect our tenderness, and to lean into our loony inner lifeworlds.
Jon Snow and Ygritte finally got their happy ending – IRL that is. Any Game of Thrones fan knows that on the show, Ygritte did not get such a happy fate. And we have no idea what will happen to Jon, will he sit on the Iron Throne? Will he just be by Daenerys Targaryen’s side? We won’t know until the TV series concludes in 2019 (yeah, we’re not mad we’ve already waited one year and still have another to go).
Every summer, we try to take extra care to apply sunscreen any time we know we’re going to be in the sun. However, even people have a hard time remembering how often they need to reapply sunscreen (every 60-90 minutes, depending on the brand of sunscreen you use). While you were concerned about your own skin, did you ever think to apply it to your dog? If you spend hours outdoors with your pet during the summer, they also need protection from the sun.
Have you ever wanted to live in Walt Disney World? Honestly, what Disney lover hasn’t wanted to take up shop in Cinderella’s Castle. Living like a princess is pretty much the dream that every kid had. However, while living long-term in Cinderella’s Castle isn’t actually an option, you can live at Disney World now. Any Disney fanatic that is on the market for a new home should look into Golden Oak.
The Fixer Upper family just got a little bit bigger! Our favorite Texas family just welcomed their fifth child together. Chip and Joanna Gaines son was born today and he’s already a part of the coolest family in the house-flipping business. The Gaines family was already six strong until baby number 5 and now baby makes 7! Previously, the handy parents had two sons and two daughters, but now the boys outrank the girls.
Maybe it’s the beautiful weather—or maybe it’s the surge of long weekends—but there’s something about summer that makes us want to pack our bags and go somewhere fabulous. To help get your summer off to an awesome, jetsetting start, we asked 15 designers about their favorite vacation spots. Whether you’re craving an all-American road trip or a week abroad, consider your summer travel plans set.
It’s only just about to be summer, but Chip and Joanna Gaines are already thinking about back to school. The former Fixer Upper stars’ latest collection of Hearth & Hand with Magnolia pieces at Target are perfect for upgrading your (or your kids’) workspace. “I love this collection because it has something for everyone and every workspace,” Joanna tells A Bullseye View.
Do you remember the Barbie camper from when we were kids? It was two different shades of pink and it came with a swimming pool attached. It was one of those must-have Barbie items from the ’90s that absolutely everyone went crazy for. It looks like French artist Benedetto Bufalino might have gotten a little Barbie inspiration on his latest project. He revealed his newest work, which if you’ve been following him, you know includes a lot of cars turned into something else.
Attention all doggie mums and dads: FUNBOY and BARK have teamed up to create the ultimate summertime accessory for you and your furry companion. The luxury floatie brand has introduced a dog-sized version of their most popular floats—the retro pink convertible and the yacht—available on barkshop.com and funboy.com. HEY YOU, DOG PERSON! Wanna win a Pimp My Float Bundle and a whole bunch of BarkShop toys to cruise around with? Just mosey on over to the link in bio to enter!
Have you be searching the market for a new home? Maybe you want a summer vacation home or maybe you’re on the lookout for something new. If you have a spare $9 million, Ben Affleck has put his home on the market. The ˆactor recently listed his 87-acre Hampton Island Preserve. It is right off the coast of Georgia and considered to be one of the crown jewels off the coast. It overlooks the North Newport River and honestly, that view is unbeatable.
“How was your day?” Every couple sharing an evening meal together has asked this question. It’s a fine question; you care about each other, after all, and are genuinely interested in what happened that day! But sometimes, especially for couples who’ve been together a long time, dinner conversations can settle into the same grooves night after night — work talk, complaining about the subway, what’s new with the kids.
Fixer Upper fans, it is time to rejoice! While our favorite HGTV is no more, that doesn’t mean our favorite Texas family is done fixing up houses. There is only so long that the Gaines family can stay away from projects that need a lot of work. Even though Joanna Gaines is due to give birth this summer, the design master has revealed that there is a new project for the Gaines family.
Going on vacation is supposed to be relaxing and fun. But 9/10, everyone always feels like they need a vacation from their vacation. There is always so much to worry about before you leave. You need to check your luggage to make sure you packed everything you meant to. When you’re actually on vacation, you are worrying about your house and your pets, hoping that they are being good for the sitter. How many times have you stressed about turning the stove off before you left the house?
Have you ever thought of using your time off from work for a staycation? This is when you don’t actually go anywhere on vacation, but you instead take time off and enjoy your city/area. Staycations are gaining popularity in recent years. As expected, some cities are much better than others for staycations. If your city doesn’t have much to offer, then that probably isn’t going to be the best city to staycation in.
Have you ever wondered where your money disappears to each month? You work hard; you know you make it—yet it seems as though you never have any, or at least not as much as you think you should after you pay your bills (and Uncle Sam takes his portion). It’s like it goes into some giant universal dryer that only spits out part of what you put in—obviously stashing the rest of it away in that secret place where the matches to all of your socks are sent.
This might be the homebody in me talking, but I happen to think date night at home is better than date night out in nearly every way. The drinks are cheaper. The clothes are comfier. And, if you have the right game, it can be a really fun night for you and your love to get competitive and cuddly all at once. Based on recommendations from Amazon, Board Game Geek, Reddit’s /r/boardgames and my own experience, here are some of the best two-player games for couples to play on their own.
Though Michelle Obama spent eight years in one of the biggest houses in the country, she didn’t always live such a spacious lifestyle. In promoting her new book, Becoming (out November 13), Michelle shared a sweet photo of her with her parents on Instagram, reminiscing about her “cramped apartment on the South Side of Chicago.
Springtime relief from winter weather is often, sadly, overshadowed by the suffering that comes from seasonal allergies. But you may not be as helpless against them as you think. Here are some sneaky little mistakes you might be making that, once remedied, could help give you some much-needed relief so you can actually enjoy the flowers and warm air and bird songs. Typically, air filters should be changed every three months. However, if you have pets, you’ll need to change them more often.
If you were one of the folks—like me—hoping bullet journals would be a flash-in-the-pan lifestyle trend, I have to report that we’re wrong. Bullet journals are here to stay. Why did I write off bullet journals for so long? (Pun absolutely intended.) Well to me, they seemed like they existed as a sort of vanity project—an Instagram-worthy journal where perfect people can showcase the elements of their perfect life in perfect handwriting.
Move over, Himalayan salt lamps. There’s a new trend in town. Himalayan salt lamps, known for their orange glow and dubious air-cleansing properties, have had their time to in the spotlight, but it looks like these accent pieces are about to be dethroned by the latest addition to the well-decor scene: selenite lamps. Bonus: These new crystal-based mood boosters are already one step ahead in the looks department. Selenite lamps are made out of a naturally semi-translucent form of gypsum.
Booking a vacation is supposed to be relaxing, right? You go away for the sole purpose of escaping your day-to-day life for a week. But the actual process of planning that vacation can be a hassle. You can search multiple different sites to find the best deal and still feel like you totally missed out. If you are trying to book a flight, KAYAK is a great place to look. But what about where to stay? Hotels can be pricey, even at “discounted” rates.
When it comes to grocery shopping and my food budget, the worst thing that can happen isn’t running out of food (although that’s pretty close) — it’s discovering that half of the precious produce I bought just two or three days ago has already gone bad. It’s no fun finding mushy apples or a wilted head of lettuce that I so carefully wrapped and stored in the crisper.
Renovations came come in all shapes and sizes. Most often, we see homes transformed. But sometimes, very unique renos happen, where a building that formerly hosted one activity becomes something entirely different. Just look at this former Dutch church that was made into a library and museum. Have you ever traveled to a major city, like New York or Paris, and noticed beautiful 19th-century architecture?
What’s not to love about CVS? Not only is it brimming with affordable beauty products and home essentials, it’s by far one of the easiest drug stores to save money at while shopping. Don’t believe us? We did our research and dug up nine awesome money-saving secrets for shopping at CVS that you probably didn’t know about. Read ahead to find out how to score even better deals next time you raid the local drugstore.
Channel your inner Chip and Joanna Gaines. This Mississippi Victorian mansion truly needs every ounce of Fixer Upper spirit that there is in the world. If you love historic homes and big renovation projects, you’re going to want to pull out your checkbook and buy this house ASAP. From a first look, this crumbling Mississippi mansion might be off-putting. Who wants to spend thousands of their hard-earned money on something that is falling apart?
Have you ever wanted to live like you were rich and famous? If you said no, why are you lying? Maybe you don’t want the fast and dangerous lifestyle that might come with wealth, but everyone dreams of having a lot of money, at least once in their lifetime. John D. Rockefeller sure had that dream and he accomplished it ten times over. The oil industry business magnate became cemented in the history books when he became the first U.S. billionaire.
Lagom is a Swedish lifestyle trend that just won’t quit. Defined loosely as “everything in moderation,” the concept of lagom (pronounced law-gum) is all about finding balance in your everyday life. To help us better understand the concept of lagom, we called on Niki Brantmark, creator of My Scandinavian Home and author of Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life, to break it down.
The architectural community is abuzz with the news that the first stateside IKEA hotel could be coming soon. Reportedly, the Swedish home goods giant has plans to expand its stake in the hospitality industry by converting the Pirelli Tire Building in New Haven, Connecticut into lodging.
Life is better in Finland. Proof? A recent report from the United Nations finds that the Nordic nation’s inhabitants are the world’s happiest, as Finland ranks highest in top indicators of well-being, like income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity. (Norway, Denmark and Iceland take the next three spots, so clearly we should be taking these Nordic countries out for coffee and politely asking them to tell us everything).
Reboots can either be the absolute worst, or they’re the best thing to happen to TV. It’s frustrating that some showrunners just won’t let a series end. But then there are instances where they know what’s best and bring back the show we really needed – thank god Trading Spaces is back! In a world where HGTV reigns supreme with 20 different house-flipping shows, the Trading Spaces reboot is a breath of fresh air on TLC.
