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  • Ina Garten’s Easy French Trick for Cooking the Best Pot Roast I’ve Ever Tasted

    Ina Garten’s Easy French Trick for Cooking the Best Pot Roast I’ve Ever Tasted

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    Pot roast is one of those classic cold-weather dishes that never goes out of style, like beef stew or chicken noodle soup. Even though it’s a fall mainstay, pot roast can also get a bad rap, with a reputation for being bland, boring, and consisting of dried-out beef with overcooked vegetables. 

    I happen to disagree. A good pot roast can truly be great with a balance of slow-cooked flavor, melt-in-your-mouth tender beef, and perfectly cooked vegetables. All you need is the right recipe. I’ve personally tried a few different pot roast recipes over the years, but was never really able to settle on my ultimate go-to. That is, until I tried one from the legendary Ina Garten that includes a surprising addition that I’ve incorporated time and time again: cognac.

    Most pot roast recipes ask you to deglaze the pot after searing the meat with either beef broth or red wine. In her recipe, Ina deglazes with a combination of red wine and cognac. The addition of cognac adds a fruity, spicy flavor to the sauce that makes this recipe stand apart from others I’ve tried. 

    Plus, this addition is subtle enough (but still impactful) to allow you to be creative without clashing with other ingredients. Because pot roast itself is a combination of pretty basic flavors and techniques, there’s a lot of room to riff and build something with deep flavor tailored to your specific tastes and preferences. You could swap out carrots for parsnips, you could add some spice, you could add a dash of fish sauce to bump up the umami — the possibilities are endless. 

    Tips for Making Ina Garten’s Pot Roast

    Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn

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  • 6 “Smart” Kitchen Upgrades You’ll Regret Not Splurging on, According to Realtors

    6 “Smart” Kitchen Upgrades You’ll Regret Not Splurging on, According to Realtors

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    Unlike in other parts of the home, when it comes to smart tech in the kitchen, there can be a fine line between utility and gimmick. Several designers and real estate pros were quick to point out their least-favorite smart “upgrades” in the kitchen for everyday use, and as Laura Chappetto, principal designer at Element Design Network, sums up, “Much like anywhere else in life, some tech can bring ease and convenience … but too much can be overwhelming and remain unused.”

    So what’s the sweet spot? What appliances can you add to your kitchen that will actually enhance your aesthetic, simplify your life, and possibly increase your home value? I talked to design experts, Realtors (and real home cooks!) for the best kitchen upgrades you’ll regret not splurging on.

    “Hands down, smart lighting is the most popular and accessible smart upgrade,” says Angelique Kreller, an interior designer with Australian brand Yabby. Sebastian Jania, owner of Ontario Property Buyers, adds that there’s great bang for your buck on this investment, since “it’s relatively inexpensive and the kitchen experience can be greatly enhanced by this. Dimming, color adjustments, scheduling, and other capabilities are available with smart lighting, which can consist of switches, fixtures, and light bulbs that can be operated via voice commands or applications,” he says. 

    Ariel Baverman, a top Realtor for Coldwell Banker Realty, says she puts smart bulbs in regular fixtures so she can turn on all or some of the lights in a room without even getting up. “Also, I can turn them on and off remotely or by command, meaning if my hands are full carrying things at night, I don’t have to put them down and won’t be stumbling around in the dark.”

    While technically not a kitchen or cooking appliance, the washer and dryer can often be found in the kitchen due to the convenience of sharing a water line. If this is the case, having smart laundry appliances can add a lot of appeal and usefulness to its nook in the kitchen. 

    “The big draw on those is a remote start and being able to see if the cycle is complete,” Baverman says. “App connectivity lets you know where it is in the cycle. And if you go to work all day and don’t want your clothes to sit there wet, you can load it up in the morning and start it remotely to sync with the time you get home, then put it in the dryer immediately. Or, if you’re one of those people who just forgets that you put a load in the wash, the app will remind you!” Goodbye, mildewy rewashes!

    Built into your range or wall, smart ovens are conventionally sized ovens that allow you to control and monitor their functions through an app. Chappetto says they’re even the “most-loved smart appliance in our clients’ homes.” Sell My House Fast Owner and Founder Daniel Cabrera adds that the preprogrammed settings common to them “facilitate better results for home cooks — it’s an investment you’ll never regret, especially when the situation requires precision and convenience.” 

    Kreller confirms that preprogrammed settings can be particularly valuable for home cooks, taking the guesswork out of cooking by adjusting the temperature and time based on the dish. “It’s nice to be able to put your dish in the oven and trust it will be hot and perfectly cooked when dinnertime rolls around,” she says. Jania adds that it’s especially nice to be able to control and keep an eye on your cooking while running errands or being elsewhere. 

    Additionally, Baverman adds a spiritual note to the value of smart oven functionality. “Some people also like having a Sabbath feature on their wall ovens or ranges because depending on how observant you are, these settings can help you have hot food during Shabbat and other holidays where turning on and off a ‘fire’ or power is prohibited.”

    4. Countertop Smart Ovens

    If you don’t want to splurge on a high-end built-in smart oven, no worries. They come in countertop sizes, and Braverman says she “loves” hers. “They often have an air-fryer setting, and if you’re cooking for just one to two people, it’s the perfect size for my Le Creuset stoneware baking dishes for cooking or reheating.” She’s used the programs for chicken, fish, steaks, burgers, cookies, and mini pizzas, yet is impressed that “there are still dozens of settings I haven’t even yet explored on it, even though I’ve had it for years!”

    5. Digital Pressure Cookers

    “Anything with a timer to delay start is really great, especially for people who can prep the meal ahead of time like an in-appliance mise en place,” Baverman says. And best of all, they’re useful investments you can take with you into any home.  

    For instance, slow cookers do all the work of making dinner for you while you’re out during the day. You can program micro computerized rice cookers to start cooking or steaming your meal to be ready at a specific time, and digital pressure cookers cover nearly any kind of cooking. “There’s nothing better than setting things up in a cooking appliance so that it starts later in the day, and I can come home to a freshly cooked meal,” she says. 

    Some of us can’t go without our morning joe, and programmable coffee makers have been around for quite some time. Kreller enjoys the freedom of being able to have fresh-brewed coffee “before you even step into the kitchen,” and advanced technology has made it possible to go far beyond your old-school drip. For instance, different models like the KitchenAid KF8 fully automated espresso machine or the Spinn coffee maker can make espresso, Americanos, cappuccinos, cold brew, and a medley of other barista-level concoctions using centrifugal brewing tech via one tap, or even directly from an app.

    Making Your Kitchen “Smarter”

    Other than lighting swaps, some of the brightest “smart” choices you can make for your kitchen are ones you can take with you, making them a doubly beneficial investment. For big buys, smart ovens might be the only major built-in kitchen appliance worth splurging on, unless your washer and dryer are also located in the kitchen and you plan on leaving them behind, according to the pros. Either way, the most important thing to keep in mind is how often you plan to use the features these appliances offer to justify the upgrade.

    Do you have a favorite “smart” kitchen upgrade you swear by? Let us know in the comments below!

    Su-Jit Lin

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  • Joanna Gaines Just Released Owala Water Bottles in Two “Beautiful” Colors (I Need Both!)

    Joanna Gaines Just Released Owala Water Bottles in Two “Beautiful” Colors (I Need Both!)

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    If you follow Joanna Gaines, you might find yourself getting lost in her Instagram, mesmerized by her elegant sourdough bagel-making or her beautifully decorated kitchen. The interior designer and host of Magnolia Table has built a dedicated following.

    Recently, she announced the launch of a new collaboration subtly on her Instagram stories, and shoppers are racing to get their hands on her latest drop. 

    The 24-ounce insulated stainless steel water bottle, priced at $27.99, is available exclusively at Target. It comes in two gorgeous fall-inspired colors: “Copper Bells,” a warm rusty brown, and “Peace Pine,” an earthy olive green. This bottle features a built-in easy-clean straw and a wide-mouth opening, allowing you to enjoy your water in two different ways. It can keep your drinks chilled for up to 24 hours and includes a convenient carry loop, ideal for attaching to your bag during those autumn hikes among the vibrant foliage.

    On TikTok, this collaboration featuring Owala water bottles is gaining popularity, with excited fans and shoppers rushing to Target to get their hands on the collection.

    One person commented on this clip detailing a shopper’s journey heading to Target to get the water bottle, “It’s so pretty!” While another person called out how empty the shelves were, saying, “Target, it’s time to stock up.”

    Ashia Aubourg

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  • I Don’t Frost My Cakes, I Rely on This Brilliant 2-Ingredient Trick Instead (It Takes Less than 5 Minutes!)

    I Don’t Frost My Cakes, I Rely on This Brilliant 2-Ingredient Trick Instead (It Takes Less than 5 Minutes!)

    It’s the biggest time-saver.
    READ MORE…

    Kristina Razon

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  • The “Excellent in Every Way” All-Clad Pan You’ll Reach for Every Single Day Is $120 Off — But Only for a Limited Time

    The “Excellent in Every Way” All-Clad Pan You’ll Reach for Every Single Day Is $120 Off — But Only for a Limited Time

    Nikol SlatinskaCommerce Shopping Writer at Apartment Therapy

    I’ve loved magazines for as long as I can remember, which is what motivated me to study journalism in college. My proudest accomplishment since graduating has been landing a job in New York and moving to the city of my dreams.

    In my role at Apartment Therapy, I’m most passionate about making my home look organized and sophisticated and helping our readers do the same — often at a discount. Although I cover my fair share of newsy pieces and sale posts, my work focuses on long-form service articles that help our audience make informed shopping decisions.

    In my free time, I enjoy reading about fashion and design, watching reality TV, and exploring New York.

    Nikol Slatinska

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  • This Viral Cauldron at HomeGoods Has Shoppers Running to Find One (You Can Cook with It!)

    This Viral Cauldron at HomeGoods Has Shoppers Running to Find One (You Can Cook with It!)

    Morgan PryorCommerce Assistant Editor at AT Media

    I’ve been a full-time journalist since 2023, but my experience in the field goes back further. I graduated magna cum laude from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where I developed my own major called Culture Writing and Criticism. While working my way up to Editor-in-Chief at the school blog, I earned a number of bylines at TV Guide Magazine, CNN, Decider, and Texas Monthly.

    At those publications, I mostly focused on art and entertainment. However, I’ve always loved shopping, writing reviews, and service journalism — which is what led me to giving commerce writing a try as an intern at CNN Underscored. There, I had a ton of fun producing beauty and fashion shopping stories, which ended up preparing me first for my work as AT’s commerce editorial assistant and now as assistant editor.

    I’ve long been passionate about interior design and taken pride in the appearance of my space, whether it was my dorm room or my first tiny studio. Exploring that interest professionally has been a dream, and I love thinking about a product from every angle and figuring out if it’s really worth it. As someone who was recently on a student budget and works with a small living space, I especially like to find and share items that are compatible with that lifestyle. In my eyes, a great product equally delivers on style and function, ideally at an affordable price point.

    Morgan Pryor

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  • This Forgotten Detail Instantly Dated My Newly Redone Kitchen Cabinets (But the Fix Was Easy!)

    This Forgotten Detail Instantly Dated My Newly Redone Kitchen Cabinets (But the Fix Was Easy!)

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    Painting cabinets and swapping out the knobs and pulls are always the easiest first steps when it comes to a no-demo kitchen reno. And fortunately, it’s a (relatively!) affordable and approachable way to dramatically change the look of your kitchen. With only swapping wall paint and one fixture, my 1950s kitchen got a whole new look by trading a black-and-white paint job on the cabinets for a dark green. But as soon as I was done, I realized I’d made a mistake. 

    These were the original cabinets, and I had failed to notice one little detail: The hinges were a shiny finish and style that screamed out-of-date. Now, if I were beholden to all things original all the time, I’d want to keep them as is. But in an effort to bring the kitchen into 2024, with just some fun nods to the era (hello, vintage pink wall oven!), my plan was to add some contemporary hardware to the cabinets. Realizing anything I liked would clash with the vintage chrome hinges stopped the plan in its tracks. 

    And I stayed frozen — until talking with a cabinet refinishing specialist. I wasn’t sure if it would be a huge lift to replace the hinges, as I was sure I wanted something hidden, or something that better matched the rest of the kitchen. Brandon Butler owns Louisville Cabinet Rehab here in my city, and he was kind enough to talk me through how to replace those old, dated hinges (which is easier than it sounds!). 

    He said what we most likely have here is chrome. Thanks to an electroplating process that made it easy to mass produce hardware, that was incredibly popular in the 1950s, and although it may not be quite as simple as popping off a knob or a drawer pull, it’s a simple enough project to DIY, Butler said. (Although preferably, it would have been done at the same time as painting the cabinets, but I digress.) 

    How to Replace Outdated Kitchen Cabinet Hinges

    If you’re an avid DIYer, you should have no problem making the swap. He recommends using a drill to carefully loosen the screws on each hinge, then remove the screws and hinges. Be sure to keep your cabinet doors in order, or even stick a piece of tape on each one along with the opening it goes to, identified with numbers so you’ll know which one goes to which when you’re done.

    It’s easy to find replacement hardware hinges; a quick search turned up a slew of options like these at Lowe’s, or these on Amazon, and for anyone with a heftier budget, these beauties at Rejuvenation. Just be sure you’re getting the same style, i.e. surface-mounted (although if yours are hidden, this may not even be an issue!). And remember to check that the size will more or less match up with the ones you’re replacing. 

    What’s even better news? The holes don’t actually have to line up — which would really narrow down your hinge options — according to Butler. His tip if they don’t: Get some thin, double-stick tape, place it over the hole you’re going to use to mount the new hinges, drill through it, and put your screw in. You might have to tap out new holes for the others, he says, but the plate will cover the old ones. 

    And that’s it! I wish I’d done it when the cabinets were being painted, but I feel confident enough now to pick out some hardware, then find hinges that will match and make the swap. Before long, without too much of a time or money commitment, we’ll have beautiful, original cabinets that don’t scream 1957.

    Buy: Berta Full Overlay Frameless Soft Closing European Hinges, Set of 6, $12.88

    Dana McMahan

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  • The 4-Ingredient One-Pan Dinner I Make Week After Week During Fall

    The 4-Ingredient One-Pan Dinner I Make Week After Week During Fall

    Kristina RazonDeputy Food Editor at The Kitchn

    Before joining The Kitchn, I worked for Serious Eats. I was initially hired as the office manager, but quickly transitioned into a role as editor and recipe developer. Prior to my time there, I spent more than 10 years in professional kitchens in Washington, D.C.; Boston; and New York City. I’ve worked as a line cook, baker, culinary teaching assistant, pastry chef, and kitchen manager.

    I have an MS in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College, and a Culinary Arts Certificate from Boston University. I’m the author of a self-published ebook titled A Guide to Northeast Grains, an introductory guide to baking with regional flours — specifically buckwheat, einkorn, emmer, rye, spelt, and triticale.

    I love teaching home cooks how to make good food in their kitchens, whether it’s sharing a recipe for a quick and easy dinner or a super-delicious dessert, or writing about how to make the best tomato toast.

    Kristina Razon

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  • My Favorite Hot Dogs Ever Are Finally at Trader Joe’s — For Way Cheaper (I Got 4 Packs!)

    My Favorite Hot Dogs Ever Are Finally at Trader Joe’s — For Way Cheaper (I Got 4 Packs!)

    I’ve already waxed poetic about these dogs, but I’m more than happy to say it again: A&H hot dogs are plump, snappy, and beautifully smoky, which adds an extra layer of flavor. Growing up keeping kosher, my options were very limited. (I couldn’t, say, sample my way through 10 different brands.)

    Andrea Kaufman

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  • If You Spot This “So Cute” Halloween Find at HomeGoods, Grab One for Your Kitchen

    If You Spot This “So Cute” Halloween Find at HomeGoods, Grab One for Your Kitchen

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    If the cooler weather and changing leaves outside make you excited for all things fall and spooky season, then you are going to want to make a trip to your local HomeGoods as soon as humanly possible. Shoppers are absolutely loving the latest baking find on HomeGoods shelves: cast-iron cauldron measuring cups. They’re perfect for anyone who loves all things witches and Halloween.

    You can now find a set of iron cauldron measuring cups at your closest HomeGoods. The retailer offers four tiny cast-iron cauldrons with different measurements that are often used while cooking and baking: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup. Each cauldron has tiny circle handles on each side, they stack together nicely so they don’t take up too much space in your cabinet. Or your countertop, because, hey, they would make for a cute spooky decoration in your kitchen.

    While HomeGoods does not sell its products online, you can grab the whole set in store for $14.99 — if you can find it, of course. With so much customer interest, we have a feeling these mini cauldron measuring cups are going to sell out fast. Better make a trip to HomeGoods before they fly off the shelves. You can also check T.J. Maxx and Marshalls for the item because the stores often sell the same or similar items.

    HomeGoods shoppers are loving this new find so much, they’re actually asking the original poster @bakedrizzledust on Instagram to take the video down so less people will discover them, giving shoppers a better chance of actually finding them at their local stores. “Omg, need this for my witchy kitchen,” writes an enthusiastic HomeGoods fan. “My ghouls! I need these,” jokes another.

    Now with the perfect spooky measuring cups, it’s time to bake all of your favorite Halloween treats, like these ghost cookies or this graveyard cake. Or for something with fall vibes that isn’t exactly Halloween inspired, we’re big fans of these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and these maple doughnut bars.

    Kiersten Hickman

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  • This Clever IKEA Hack Creates the Most Stylish Kitchen Storage Using the Famous BILLY Bookcase (for Under $200!)

    This Clever IKEA Hack Creates the Most Stylish Kitchen Storage Using the Famous BILLY Bookcase (for Under $200!)

    For less than $200.
    READ MORE…

    Olivia Harvey

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  • Jennifer Garner’s Double-Stacked Kitchen Cabinets Are Ingenious

    Jennifer Garner’s Double-Stacked Kitchen Cabinets Are Ingenious

    They solve a classic kitchen storage issue.
    READ MORE…

    Olivia Harvey

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  • I Finally Found a Fridge Cleaning Hack That Works, and Now I’ll Use It Forever

    I Finally Found a Fridge Cleaning Hack That Works, and Now I’ll Use It Forever

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    The sensible part of me knows that cleaning is morally neutral. But somehow nothing can trigger a flood of self-judgment quite as quickly as my fridge slipping into a state of chaos. It’s ridiculous but human, and I have always yearned to master fridge organization and achieve perpetually perfect shelves.

    In my small kitchen, I have petite countertops and a roomy refrigerator. Unpacking groceries and washing shelves and drawers means that my counter space becomes completely monopolized for a few hours, and combined with a busy schedule, this creates a bad procrastination dynamic. 

    The shelves would get messier, more disorganized, and stickier as I yanked leftovers, sauces, and fresh produce in and out. Breaking point would arrive, at which juncture I would take a morning to empty everything from the fridge; declutter expired items; haul things to the compost heap; clean and dry the interior and all shelves, drawers, and containers; and then put it all back. 

    I felt stuck in this toxic cycle until I stumbled onto a simple hack. I had been dabbling in “cleaning as you go” as a regular practice, jumping on tasks that would take me less effort to do right away than compiling a to-do list for later. One day, I opened the fridge door and decided to clean and organize a single shelf. Exultant, I realized I could easily repeat this over the following few days, without sabotaging my schedule, until the fridge was spotless.

    I realized that if this fridge-centric version of “cleaning as you go” worked, I would never have to wait for a miraculously free weekend to clean my entire fridge — and let the shelves and food fall into an ever more questionable state of decay.

    It’s been a year since I’ve implemented this hack and I can confidently say it works. I now almost exclusively follow what I think of as the one-shelf-per-day approach. Here’s how it goes down.

    My “One Shelf per Day” Fridge Cleaning Hack

    As soon as the fridge starts looking a little rowdy, I shift everything from the top shelf onto the others, disposing of any spoiled items as I run into them. If you have more food than space, you may need to place some items on your countertop, but this could also be a sign that you need a ritual to reduce fridge clutter.

    With the shelf clear, I slip it out and wash the glass with hot water and soap, together with my dishes, and let it dry. After wiping the interior around the shelf, I slide it back and re-pack. The next day, I tackle the shelf below it in the same way, then the next, and so on, until I’m down to the produce drawers. If I’m feeling particularly pumped, I might do two shelves in a day, but as a recovering overachiever, I’m pretty careful not to bite off more than can easily be added to my daily kitchen cleaning tasks.

    There are two other rules. Always work downwards, so you’re not showering crumbs and fridge crud over freshly cleaned shelves, and use a non-toxic, food-safe cleaning solution, such as a DIY-infused vinegar spray or some dish soap diluted in water.

    As you can tell, dreams do come true. I have the refrigerator of my dreams (minus French doors) and never have to block out the bulk of a beautiful Sunday morning to grapple with fridge grime ever again.

    This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: I Finally Found a Fridge Cleaning Hack That Works, and Now I’ll Use It Forever

    Daniela Klein

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  • These “Gorgeous” $12 Cups at T.J. Maxx Are Already Flying Off the Shelves for Halloween

    These “Gorgeous” $12 Cups at T.J. Maxx Are Already Flying Off the Shelves for Halloween

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    Looking to upgrade your glasses for the spooky fall season ahead? Then you’re going to want to take a trip to T.J. Maxx soon. The discount retailer has adorable new sets of its popular icon glasses, with fall icons that are perfect for those spooky cocktails you can’t wait to make as soon as the weather gets colder.

    You can grab three different icon glasses at T.J. Maxx — pumpkins, ghosts, or bats — for only $12.99 a set. These old-fashioned tumblers hold 12-ounces of liquid, making them the ideal glass to have when it’s time to mix your favorite fall cocktails, like this autumn sweater cocktail, a Sazerac, or a black magic sangria. These glasses are clear, with hand-painted icons dotted around the glass.

    If you want something that’s even more colorful and on-theme, you can snag these dotted painted icon glasses, still $12.99 a set. There are orange glasses with black cats, and black glasses with white ghosts. The glass sizes are still 12 ounces, similar to the other icon glasses.

    Shoppers are excited about these new icon glasses, saying they “need” to snag a set (or a few sets) as fall and Halloween draw closer and closer. “They’re so good,” comments one eager shopper. “BRB going now,” says another shopper ready to make a trip to their local T.J. Maxx.

    If you can’t find these glasses at your store, don’t worry; there are other ways you can get your hands on similar spooky icon drinking glasses. Crate & Barrel has similar glasses with ghosts, pumpkins, spiders, and bats. These glasses are a bit pricier at $12.95 each, but with the different options this means you can mix and match your set. Want to buy one of all four? Crate & Barrel makes that possible.

    Kiersten Hickman

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  • Before & After: “Lackluster” White Kitchen Cabinets Get a Gorgeous Pink Makeover

    Before & After: “Lackluster” White Kitchen Cabinets Get a Gorgeous Pink Makeover

    There are countless shades of pink.
    READ MORE…

    Cullen Ormond

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  • My Grandma’s Fruit Fly Trap Works Every Time and Costs Basically Nothing

    My Grandma’s Fruit Fly Trap Works Every Time and Costs Basically Nothing

    How to Make a DIY Fruit Fly Trap with Apple Cider Vinegar

    To create a easy, low-cost fruit fly trap, you’ll need a jar or bottle, some dish soap, apple cider vinegar, and plastic wrap. To make the trap, you’ll add apple cider vinegar and dish soap to a jar, wrap plastic wrap tightly around the top, and poke a few holes. The fruit flies will be attracted to the apple cider vinegar and get trapped inside the jar.

    Meg Asby

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  • The 2-Ingredient Sour Cream Dip I’ll Never Stop Making

    The 2-Ingredient Sour Cream Dip I’ll Never Stop Making

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    I’m a fussy snacker. Unlike those with simple snacking tastes, I am unsatisfied by eating an apple or munching a handful of nuts. I crave something more substantial. The problem with this is that I also want a snack-size portion of my “substantial” snack, which is a tall order (if anyone has a line on three-bite burritos, hit me up). Sometimes I’ll find myself eating two bites of leftovers as a snack, which is both strange and not really what I wanted in the first place. 

    One of my all-time favorite MVP snacks is classic French onion dip with plain potato chips. The problem is, to have a snackable amount of dip, you have to make the whole batch, which requires a full pound of sour cream for one packet of French onion soup seasoning. That’s simply too much dip outside of a party setting. Recently however, in the throes of a real craving, I stumbled upon a life-changing snack time hack that has upped my game forever: leftover ramen packets.

    I regularly buy dried instant ramen noodles at the supermarket to use in recipes that don’t require the seasoning packet. I feel wasteful just throwing the little packet away, however, which has led to me housing an increasingly overflowing container full of them on a high shelf in my kitchen. I never quite knew what to do with them, so they just sat there. That is, until I found myself really craving French onion dip and super frustrated that I had the sour cream and the chips, but no Lipton packets. 

    Years ago I spent a lot of time developing a recipe for homemade French onion dip, so I have a deep knowledge of what it takes to re-create it, and the truth is I couldn’t get that round MSG umami from anything other than beef bouillon. Do you know what’s close to bouillon and comes in a convenient, single-serving packet? Ramen seasoning, and I had a ton. 

    Why Ramen Seasoning Makes the Perfect 2-Ingredient Dip

    Tips for Making Dip with Ramen Seasoning Packets

    Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn

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  • The Simple Appliance Cord Solution We’re Using Everywhere

    The Simple Appliance Cord Solution We’re Using Everywhere

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    When you’re buying new kitchen appliances (especially ones that are as beautiful as they are functional), it makes sense that you’d want to keep them on display. After all, who has time to delve into the backs of their cabinets every time they want to make some toast or brew a cup of tea?

    However, one less-than-ideal thing that comes with having lots of appliances is that they come with cords that can quickly look messy. To solve this, a TikToker shared two creative hacks on how to keep them in order and (mostly) out of sight.

    TikToker @ash.tho often shares home and lifestyle content with their 267,000 followers. In a series called “Everything Has a Place,” they share small changes that can make a big difference when it comes to apartment living. In one clip that now has over 206,000 likes, they show how you can easily keep your countertops tidy for free with cable ties off of bread packaging, or for just a few bucks, cord holders that can easily be stuck onto the side of appliances.

    “You already know I love hiding things behind other things,” they began. “So that I never have cord showing, I’ve spent my whole life using these, like, twist ties that you get on bread.”

    While that’s a genius method in itself, it can get a little bit fiddly. In an upgrade from their twist tie hack, they have begun using special cord holders that make things so much easier.

    “They’re backed with adhesive, you can put it on the actual item or the outlet itself, “and you just wrap the cord around,” they explained.

    Emma Kershaw

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  • I’ve Made This Creamy Parmesan Zucchini Every Week This Summer

    I’ve Made This Creamy Parmesan Zucchini Every Week This Summer

    The beginning of August marks zucchini season for me. Sure, it’s been showing up at the farmers market — and my garden, finally! — for the last couple of weeks, but this is when the real bumper crop of summer squash hits. My local farmers are trying to get rid of all their zucchini every Saturday morning. I can score big ones for just $1 each, so I typically walk out lugging way more than I should be — because who can pass up a deal like that?
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    Lindsay Funston

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