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Cullen Ormond
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Before & After: Bold Black Cabinets Give a Modern Edge to a “Dated ‘80s” Kitchen
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Ina Garten’s 14 Best Hosting Tips of All Time
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10. Master mess-free muffins.
Before you host, your life may feel like a never-ending to-do list. The last thing you want is to repeat a step you previously completed. Avoid any redos in the kitchen by planning ahead with these mess-free muffins. The secret to success is simple: Grease every inch of your muffin pan — including the top. This hack avoids broken or damaged muffins and makes transferring them from pan to plate easy.
11. Decorate desserts effortlessly.
Ina shared her hacks for mess-free muffins, but what about mess-free cakes? Consider it handled — or at least, with this trick, you’ll have it covered. Before decorating cakes on your cake stand, Ina recommends placing parchment or wax paper on the stand and cutting it into small triangles. As you work around the cake, you’ll see the tiny triangles sticking out; seamlessly pull them out when finished. You’ll have a mess-free cake stand that rivals one from the pros. (This video shows how to do this step-by-step around the 18-minute mark.)
12. Indulge in boozy beverages (and treats!).
Love alcohol and dessert? Ina is no exception. That’s why, this holiday season, mix the two to create one delicious dessert. Ina’s three-ingredient boozy limoncello desserts earn an automatic green check in our book; they’re easy to make and delicious. Part lemon-flavored alcohol, part ice cream, topped off with garnish and voilà! It’s the elevated ice cream float that’s too decadent to miss.
13. Perfectly plate portions.
Ina provides another simple hack that will have you whipping up restaurant-style cakes (or muffins) in seconds. Before plating your slice of cake, spread just a couple of spoonfuls of fruit jam in a circle on a small plate (using the back of the spoon), then lay the slice of cake on its side and garnish with a few fresh berries. It’s the tiny details that will make a world of difference.
14. Serve in style.
Sure, Ina will assemble her table to her liking, but when grabbing food, she leaves that up to her guests. She lets them grab as much or as little as they need, and the way she does so is by planning ahead with the proper serving platters, particularly this one. This Le Creuset oval platter is dense enough to block moisture absorption to prevent cracking, crazing, and ripping, and the nearly nonstick glazed interior easily releases food for a quick cleanup. Plus, it looks so stylish when laid on a table, ready to dive deep into!
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Brittany Romano
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I Tried “Texas Trash Pie” and It’s So Easy I’ll Be Making It Every Weekend
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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.Texas sure knows how to dessert. Over the past few months alone, we’ve covered the Lone Star state’s fruity Texas Pie, crunchy Cowboy Cookies, decadent Texas Mayo Cake, and *heavenly* Banana Pecan Crunch Pudding. So of course, when I heard that Texas also has a dessert called Texas Trash Pie, I couldn’t help myself. Not only is it pie (which I never turn down), the filling is custardy, chocolatey, and full of all kinds of sweet and salty snacks. Essentially, it’s the pie of my dreams.
This beloved pie is actually a replica of a similar pie served at Royers Round Top Café, a family-owned restaurant based in the tiny town of Round Top, Texas. Known for being a “cross between a candy bar and a pie,” this recipe has that same feel as Kitchen Sink Cookies or Snack Drawer Bars. It’s a sweet treat made salty with beloved snacks, mixed together into a dessert that you can eat at once. It’s perfect for the kind of person who loves flaky sea salt on their chocolate chip cookies, aka, me (or everyone). With all of the promise of Texas Trash Pie being the dessert of my dreams, I decided to give this recipe a go.
How to Make Texas Trash Pie
Thankfully this recipe is super easy to remember — the measurements for all of the filling pieces are the exact same: 1 cup each!
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt a stick of unsalted butter in a large microwave-safe bowl.
Crush up enough pretzels and graham crackers to get a cup of each. Then in that large bowl with the melted butter, toss in the crushed pretzels and graham crackers, as well as one cup of pecan pieces, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, and caramel bits. Pour a 14-ounce jar of sweet condensed milk then mix the filling until everything is evenly combined.
Pour the filling into a frozen pie crust. It will seem overfull, but don’t worry, it will reduce down when the chocolate and caramel pieces melt during the baking process. Just make sure to press down the filling so it’s even on the top and firmly in place inside the pie crust so nothing overflows while baking.
Bake the pie for 35 minutes in the oven. Once finished, remove the pie and let it rest for 30 minutes before slicing.
My Honest Review of Texas Trash Pie
While this pie had lots of elements to make it a salty dessert, I was actually surprised by how sweet it was. All of that added chocolate and caramel, mixed in with the shredded coconut and sweet condensed milk, overpowered the salty snacks that are also in the dish.
The original pie — which is still served at Royers Round Top Café today — actually does not have pecan pieces in it, according to their menu online. However, this recipe by Southern Living does add in the pecan pieces, and given how sweet this pie is, I think that was a great call.
I almost feel like I could have had less chocolate and caramel in there and really let the salty pretzels and pecans shine. However, this is also coming from a person who certainly would pick something salty over sweet, so super-sweet desserts aren’t typically my thing in the first place.
I was also hesitant when I saw that shredded coconut was one of the main pie ingredients because I’m not a huge fan of coconut. Typically coconut-flavored things turn me off, but thankfully, the coconut flavor is very subtle when comparing it to all of the other overpowering flavors in each bite.
Needless to say, if you’re a person who loves a sweet dessert and feels hesitant about trying the Texas Trash Pie because of all of the salty elements in it (as well as the coconut) don’t be fooled — you’re going to love every bite of this pie.
Three Tips to Make Texas Trash Pie
If you can’t find caramel bits, try chips: While caramel bits are a type of bagged candy you can buy for this pie, they may not be so easily accessible depending on what store you like to shop at. If you can’t find them, I recommend swapping them out with caramel chips, which are typically found with the other chocolate chips in the baking aisle of the grocery store. Can’t even find chips? You could also buy a bag of soft caramels and slice them into smaller pieces, which should make for an extra ooey-gooey consistency.
Blind bake the crust to make it flakier: While this recipe technically does not call for you to pre-bake your frozen pie crust, if you want an even flakier crust with your pie–and a less soggy bottom–you could blind bake the pie crust in the oven for 10 minutes before filling it. Just be sure to defrost slightly and prick the pie crust with a fork to avoid an uneven bake. Feeling extra ambitious? Make your pie crust from scratch!
Serve with vanilla ice cream: Seriously, don’t skimp out on this step. While whipped cream could be an option for topping this pie (kudos if it’s homemade whipped cream), I highly recommend going for a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even gelato instead. This pie is crunchy and savory making it the perfect pairing for that creamy scoop.
Get the recipe: Texas Trash Pie
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Kiersten Hickman
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People Are Just Discovering How to Remove Rust Spots on Knives (and It’s Basically Free)
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On our last camping trip of the season, I discovered our one and only camp kitchen knife had patina and was beginning to rust. Once home, I promptly forgot about it, as one does, until I saw this TikTok describing a simple way to remove rust stains. In an effort to procrastinate on more pressing tasks, I prioritized cleaning our camping knife on the cusp of winter (when we will not be camping). Because it just made sense!
In the video, Chantel Mila encourages viewers to “Remove rust spots instantly using baking soda and lemon juice.” She uses half a lemon to scrub juice and baking soda on the surface of the knife, and the rust disappears. I always have lemons on hand, so I grabbed the camp knife from the garage and got to work.
I’m going to have to call bull on the “instantly” claim. There was nothing instant about this removal process. I saw so little progress initially, that — despite knowing a base neutralizes an acid — I tried the baking soda with the lemon. As expected, it didn’t make a difference.
Next, I added some salt to the knife as an abrasive. I saw some significant improvement, but at this rate I was going to be scrubbing the knife until our next camping trip. At this point — apologies to Mila — I turned to Google. Popular knife maker Wüstof cautions, “Do not use abrasive sponges,” but luxury knife maker William Henry says it’s OK to use steel wool. Since this was just my camp knife, and not my santoku knife, I decided to risk it. I gently scrubbed the lemon juice on the knife with a fresh ball of steel wool, and the spots quickly (and finally) lifted.
The steel wool did the trick, and my camp knife is no longer covered in rust and patina. It’s also not scratched and no worse for wear from a gentle application of steel wool. If you’re not willing to risk scratches, the salt and lemon combo will get you to the same place eventually — assuming you’re more patient than I am. The lemony smell makes the work more pleasant, and if you have the time and inclination, the long route is definitely best.
If you’re like me, however, and you want to remove the spots and get on with your life, I won’t tell Wüstof you used steel wool. Promise!
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Meg Asby
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The $15 Target Decor Find Every Thanksgiving Table Needs
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Because my mother-in-law has hosted Thanksgiving for the last few years, my mom decided she’d try it out this year. She rarely hosts large get-togethers (she’s more into intimate dinner parties), so I figured I could get her something to help on the decor front. My mom has always had great style and taste, which meant I was on the hunt for something functional but ultimately showstopping — and luckily, I stumbled upon the most whimsical Thanksgiving decor at none other than Target. The John Derian Collection is an assortment of autumn-inspired pieces, serving bowls, and trays that give a classic yet magical vibe. One piece in particular, however, stood out as the most efficient and charming for my mom’s table setting: the $15 3-Piece Fall Vegetable Stoneware Cheese Knife Set.
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L. Daniela Alvarez
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I Tried Good Housekeeping’s Favorite “Top-Tier” Lazy Susan, and It’s One of the Smartest Designs Ever
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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.
And trust me — it was a great choice for my first-ever lazy Susan. Its raised edges keep snacks from flying out of the turntable during the requisite centrifugal force testing (i.e., “Look how fast I can make it turn!”), and the structure is so sturdy it can withstand even the most enthusiastic spinning. The non-skid base keeps the turntable firmly in place, and the interior also includes an anti-slip surface, so items stay upright even when the organizer is only partially full.
The top trays can be removed for easy access or, as Good Housekeeping notes, to “make room for tall items below,” such as a bottle of olive oil. The removable sections really are a must. The turntable itself is large — 12 inches in diameter and 9.66 inches tall — which is great for capacity, but makes it tricky to move when fully stocked. The grab-and-go compartments are easy to transport to the prep counter, and it’s a breeze to remove and replace them. It also makes cleaning them much easier!
I wondered if the turntable would be off balance with the trays removed, but it can still spin easily even when heavily weighted on one side. For an affordable plastic organizer (currently on sale for $23.29), I was impressed with the structural integrity.
Initially I wanted to place this “cabinet organizer” in my refrigerator, but it’s too tall for my space unless my family suddenly stops drinking milk. Instead, it lives in my pantry cabinet as intended, where it holds snacks for easy access. The two-tier design makes use of previously wasted vertical space, and I can reach items in the back without emptying the entire cabinet.
I use the turntable in the kitchen, but it can be utilized in any room of the home. My daughter has already asked me to buy another to store her makeup, which means I’m not the only person ogling organizers after all. Well, well, well, how the turntables … you get the idea.
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Meg Asby
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Curvy Cabinets Are the Hottest New Kitchen Trend, According to Interior Designers — And We’re Obsessed
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Curves have been steadily making waves in the interior design world from bean-shaped sofas to swivel chairs and windows, but softer edges are now making their way into the kitchen too — and they just may be here to stay. In lieu of geometric shapes, some designers are opting for rounded kitchen islands, shapely drawers, and even curvy kitchen cabinets. Steering clear of harsh lines can create a more playful cooking, hosting, and entertaining space, while still elevating the room, particularly when it comes to cabinetry. So we talked to design experts about the trend, where it’s going, and how to get the look.
“I think the standard kitchen cabinets and boxiness of kitchens have gotten boring to some,” says Amber Guyton, the interior designer behind Blessed Little Bungalow. “I’m a big fan of adding curves and non-traditional, unique elements to kitchens that will give visual interest without affecting its functionality.”
Etsy Trend Expert Dayna Isom Johnson has also noticed an uptick in curves and rounded shapes when it comes to general kitchen decor like twisted candles and rounded lighting fixtures. “We started to see wavy, curvy, and relaxed edges in home decor gaining popularity late last year, and it’s only grown since,” explains Johnson. “It’s become a go-to trend because it brings together elements of fluidity, texture, and personality that can be carried out throughout the kitchen space.”
Trends come and go, so if you’re skeptical about a more rounded kitchen renovation, especially if you don’t have an open floor plan, straying from traditional clean lines may actually offer some added practicality in addition to aesthetic appeal. Guyton uses a curved cabinet — seen above — for extra storage space to store wine, barware, cookbooks, and seasonal dining decor, keeping the objects closed off from the room, but also visually open with glass doors.
“Their design facilitates efficient space utilization, particularly in corners, maximizing storage capacity in areas that might pose challenges for standard, rectangular cabinets,” explains Ginger Curtis, designer and CEO of Urbanology Designs.
Particularly with open-concept floor plans, the curves create a softer transition between spaces such as your kitchen and your living area. However, while the space will look more blended, the curvy shape will undoubtedly become the centerpiece of the room.
“Curved cabinets can also soften the overall design, fostering a welcoming atmosphere. Their high degree of customization allows for integration into various kitchen styles making them a versatile choice,” says Curtis. “A curved cabinet can serve as a focal point, drawing attention and imparting a touch of sophistication to the kitchen, showcasing an innovative and unique design choice that adds a sense of freshness and creativity.”
Despite their sophisticated beauty, curved cabinets can be a larger expense than their sleek and boxy counterparts, especially if you’re looking to get them custom made for your space. If you’re not, there are plenty of options on Amazon like this arched bookshelf, and on Urban Outfitters like this stunning storage cabinet.
There are some alternative ideas if you want to add more curves to your kitchen without doing an entire cabinetry renovation.
“If this cost is too much to swallow, consider just doing the kitchen island or a curved statement piece like a wine or china cabinet, buffet, or stools to add to the space,” suggests Guyton.
Johnson also recommends keeping the look cohesive by incorporating curvy objects like round cutting boards and circular decorative dishes. “This makes the rounded edges in the space look purposeful and pleasing to the eye — and the curvy designs add a touch of elegance,” explains Johnson. “We have a feeling that arches are going to be everywhere in 2024.” Time to ride the wave!
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Emma Taubenfeld
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Target Just Dropped the “Cutest Ever” $5 Glass Holiday Containers — Get Them Before They’re Gone
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According to the beloved Buddy the Elf, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is by heading to the seasonal decor aisle at Target — or at least I think the quote went something like that. While the retailer has great finds year-round, it certainly doesn’t skimp on the holiday season — and in case you were wondering, the festive steals hit the shelves early this year. Bullseye’s Playground, previously called the Target Dollar Spot, now has $5 glass jars shaped like gingerbread houses, snowmen, and Christmas trees, and they’re perfect for decorating and organizing this year.
If you’ve never perused the bins at Bullseye’s Playground, you may want to make a pit stop next time you’re at your local store. The section is full of curated bargain finds and seasonal gems, typically within the $1 to $5 range, and the hot ticket items don’t last long.
In the video, which has close to 50,000 views and counting, the creator shows off the “cutest ever” glass containers featuring intricately etched detailing that make for the most festive storage jars. If you’re looking to add some subtle holiday cheer to your home, these are definitely the way to go. Fill the jars up with your favorite holiday treats, whether that’s green and red-wrapped Hershey’s Kisses, candy canes, Christmas cookies, or a bag of green and red M&M’s for a stunning kitchen counter decoration. The tight seal on the lid will keep your treats fresh and ready for munching throughout the season (if they’ll last that long).
If you’re hosting this year, you can also use any of the three jars for silverware, fill them with coffee pods for your coffee bar, or load them up with toppings when you set up a festive hot chocolate bar. You can also take these out of the kitchen and use them in the bathroom or elsewhere to hold toiletries, trinkets, or for some DIY potpourri to make your home smell like the holidays.
Of course, as functional as these jars are, nothing says your decor has to be practical — fill them with festive ribbons, tissue paper, tiny ornaments, or marbles for holiday accents throughout your home. The possibilities are truly endless, so get creative! If you’re not near a Target, they also seem to be circulating on secondhand sites like Poshmark, Mercari, and eBay.
Love These Festive Jars? Then You’ll Also Like…
Unfortunately, Bullseye’s Playground doesn’t sell any products online, so you’ll have to head over to your local Target to find these adorable jars. With all the buzz online and the overflow of excited comments on the TikTok videos, you may want to go soon — they could be gone before you know it. Luckily, Amazon has several similar options for each shape — the gingerbread house, the Christmas tree, and the snowman — that ship right to your door for just a few dollars more than Target’s.
Buy: Sliner Christmas Tree Candy Jar, $36.99
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Emma Taubenfeld
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28 Super-Clever Thanksgiving Hacks That Will Make You So Grateful
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1. Use a fork to peel potatoes.
Get those spuds under control by sticking a fork in one end and using it as a handle while you peel. No more wet taters slipping around while you prep!
2. Score and boil potatoes for a quick peel.
Rather than go at the potatoes’ skin before boiling, you can use a knife to score them through the center before boiling and cooling for super-easy peeling.
3. Rock and roll your way to cut vegetables.
For big, hard vegetables like butternut squash, this hack shows how to rock the vegetable back and forth as you cut it for easy and safe chopping. Just watch those fingers!
4. Peel and mash potatoes at the same time.
In a TikTok hack so viral it became legendary, @lorafied shows how to use a wire cooling rack to peel and mash potatoes in one simple step. Just boil potatoes whole, slice in half lengthwise, and push each half skin-side up through the rack into a bowl.
5. Wear goggles when cutting onions.
You’ll find thousands of results for onion-cutting hacks on TikTok, but Tiffani Thiessen demonstrates the most effective one: wearing safety goggles to keep your eyes tear-free.
6. Use water to thaw a turkey in hours (not days).
7. Create your own roasting rack.
Roasting turkey on a rack is the best way to allow the hot oven air to circulate around the bird, ensuring crispy skin all over. If you don’t already have a roasting rack, form a ring with aluminum foil to place in the bottom of your pan so that your turkey is propped up while cooking.
8. Spatchcock your turkey.
For a quicker-cooking bird with blissfully crispy skin, you’ve gotta go with a spatchcock. Cutting out the bird’s backbone may seem daunting, but this step-by-step video from @dadwithapan shows you exactly how to do it.
9. Use compound butter for a mess-free, flavorful bird.
One particularly great but messy way to get a tender, well-seasoned turkey is to add butter and herbs under the turkey skin before roasting. Simplify this task with a homemade compound butter loaded with salt and spices that you can easily slip under the skin.
10. Get clumpy spices out of the jar.
If it’s been a minute since you’ve used your dried spices, they might not pour out as easily. To loosen them, turn your spice jar upside down as you would to shake it, and then twist the lid back and forth in a semi-circle motion.
11. Use frozen onion rings to top green bean casserole.
12. Brown the butter in your cast iron for better skillet cornbread.
Save time and build flavor with this trick: Pop a couple of tablespoons of butter into your cast iron skillet and put it in the oven while it preheats. By the time the oven heats up, you can add your batter, and your pan will be ready to go.
13. Customize pre-made biscuit dough for gourmet dinner rolls.
14. Make gravy ahead of time.
Perfecting your gravy at the last minute is as stressful as it is unnecessary. Make gravy in advance and then refrigerate or freeze until you’re ready to serve; then, just reheat it on the stove.
15. Use tongs to stem kale.
16. Keep gravy warm in a Thermos.
17. Keep a stash of soft butter.
Butter makes everything better, but softened butter takes it one step further. Have it ready for sauces and potatoes by putting a wrapped stick on your counter the day before. Throw a stick on a fancy plate for the table, too.
18. Use salt to chill wine bottles quickly.
19. Save time with big-batch drinks.
Instead of crafting individual cocktails, a task you definitely don’t have time for on Thanksgiving, whip up a batch of autumnal sangria and serve it by the pitcher.
20. Make “pumpkin pie” charcuterie.
21. Use a paper towel as a pastry brush.
Egg wash is a non-negotiable for a beautiful golden-brown pie crust, but if you don’t have a pastry brush to put it on with, don’t worry — Daphne Oz shares how to use a paper towel instead.
22. Prep your pie crust weeks in advance.
Some things are best done à la minute, but pie crust isn’t one of them. If you’re planning on baking for Thanksgiving, cross those pie crusts off your list ahead of time and keep them in the freezer until you’re ready to bake.
23. Make cute desserts out of store-bought pie.
This TikTok from @athomewithshannon gives two options for making individual desserts from a store-bought pumpkin pie. Choose between mini pies and chocolate-covered pumpkin pops, or make both!
24. Pack up leftovers in disposable muffin tins.
Don’t send your guests home empty-handed. Take @brunchwithbabs’ suggestion for using disposable muffin tins to pack up Thanksgiving leftovers for your guests. This way, everyone gets a little bit of everything without needing five storage containers to hold it all.
25. Pull, wash, and label platters in advance.
Save yourself the trouble on Thanksgiving day by getting out the platters you plan to use a day or two in advance. If they’re dusty, give them a little wash, and use Post-It Notes to label each platter so you’ll know what goes where.
26. Create a gorgeous Thanksgiving buffet station on a budget.
27. Expand your table for extra guests.
If your dining table isn’t quite big enough for the food and the people, you might have already thought of adding a square folding card table to the end of your dining table. Instead, add a folding table of the same length as your dining table (rather than width) to one side and cover it all with a big tablecloth to create one massive, feast-worthy table.
28. Triple-bag your trash.
Trash cans fill up fast during the holidays, and you don’t want to have to stop what you’re doing to line the bin every time one reaches peak volume. Instead, triple-bag the bin in advance.
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Stephanie Ganz
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Before & After: A Cold Modern Kitchen Gets a Warm Cottagecore Upgrade
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Before the renovation, the fridge door literally fell on top of Ananya.
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Cullen Ormond
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The Surprising Reason Why I Iron My Dining Table (and Yes, You Should Too)
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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.
Growing up, my family only ate dinner together on holidays. We bonded in plenty of other ways — playing spades, frequenting yard sales, and watching classic sitcoms — but eating meals at the table was not one of them. So, of course, I became completely obsessed with family dinners as an adult. I think it was the novelty, or maybe I felt like I was tapping into my Brady Bunch roots (I grew up in a blended family of six kids, three boys and three girls). Whatever the reason, I became quite serious about dinner (just ask my college roommate!) — but there was just one problem.
As a person whose knowledge of family dinner was acquired through television (kidding, mostly), I understood that candles and/or flowers were a required part of the experience. Since I’m not a fan of fresh flowers, candles became a constant at my table, and still are — which means that candle wax perpetually dots the wood surface. Ugh.
Here’s what programs like Bewitched never show you: Samantha scraping candle wax off the table. (Though, now that I think about it, I suppose she just had to twitch her nose.) After scraping candle wax off my table for years, I finally bought a candle snuffer, thinking that would solve the problem. Wouldn’t eliminating the need to blow out the candles prevent wax from spewing across the table? It helped, but not enough.
Hundreds of candles later, I found the one solution that works every single time to get the wax off: I iron my table.
Why (and How) I Iron My Dining Room Table
Here’s how it works: I place a napkin over the dried wax spots and set a warm iron on top of the napkin, just long enough for the melted wax to adhere to the fabric. The table is instantly cleared of wax, even in the tiny grooves of the surface, no scraping required.
I’ve never had any trouble with this method, but if you’re worried about wax in your washing machine, I’ve read that the iron trick works just as well with layered paper towels. You can also pop the cloth in the freezer and, once frozen, the wax should peel right off.
If you don’t own an iron (team steamer forever), you can use a hair dryer to melt the wax and then scrape it off with a credit card or a butter knife if you do so very gently. Since scraping was the task I was trying to avoid in the first place, I’m sticking with my iron.
Now that my kids are adolescents with busy activity schedules, dinners together don’t happen as frequently as I would like, but I don’t stress over it. Other than a mild obsession with family dinner, I turned out just fine. And when we do get to light candles together, I know that I won’t have to scrape (and potentially ruin) the table after dinner. And truth be told, ironing the wax away is almost as easy as a nose twitch.
Have you tried ironing your table? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
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Meg Asby
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Trader Joe’s Just Brought Back Its Famous $5 Fall Decor Gem — Get It Before It’s Gone
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I’m a fall girlie through and through, and like many, the first crisp day of the year gives me an indescribable thrill. And since I do the bulk of my grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s, I look forward to the rollout of fall items every year. Pumpkin Greek yogurt, apple cider, a melange of squashes — but my favorite fall item at TJ’s isn’t even food. If you follow your nose towards a distinctly spicy aroma, you’ll find the cinnamon brooms.
A cinnamon broom is basically what the name implies — though it’s not used for cleaning like the brooms we keep in our utility closets. It’s a bundle of raw pine twigs usually tied together with twine, then pressed with cinnamon oil. Cinnamon brooms are said to have origins in the Middle Ages and connections to witches who believe that pine cleanses dwellings of harmful energy and cinnamon oil heals and protects. When combined and hung on the back of your door, the cinnamon broom is meant to bring luck and good fortune into your home.
But for me? I just love the smell. I do indeed hang the cinnamon broom on the back of my front door, that way I get a big welcoming whiff of fall spice when I walk in the door — a much warmer and more welcoming scent than other autumn scents, in my opinion. It’s sort of like a reed diffuser in the way that it starts out with a strong scent and gradually fades, so I usually replace them every two to three weeks during the fall (luckily they’re only $4.99 and I’m at TJ’s once a week to grocery shop). If you find the scent to be too strong at first, try leaving the broom in the plastic packaging for the first week, then open the bag or take it completely out when the scent has dissipated a bit. Trader Joe’s also sells cinnamon whisks, mini versions of the full-sized brooms that add a milder scent to your home and can be easily hung all over your kitchen or dining room.
According to the Trader Joe’s megafans online, the store starts selling the cinnamon brooms around September 1, and they likely start to disappear from shelves around the time holiday items hit critical mass, around mid- to late November. If you want to snag this spicy piece of festive decor that fills your home with what I’d call the scent of joy, go now!
Love the Cinnamon Broom, but Not Near a Trader Joe’s? Then You’ll Love…
Fear not, if you end up missing the cinnamon broom season, you can also find them at Michael’s, Joann, or Home Depot, and if you’re not near any of these (bummer!), you can purchase this similar style of scented broom from Amazon. (Aldi sells their own version, too.) You can also refresh your cinnamon broom or make your own with foraged twigs sprayed with cinnamon oil, or put a simmer pot on the stove with cinnamon sticks and any other additions you prefer for a delightfully light autumn scent.
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Caroline Mullen
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This Seasonal $25 Le Creuset Dupe Has Already Sold Out Once — Here’s Where to Get It
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Prepare to serve up the holidays in style — for less!
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Brittany Romano
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Before & After: A “Claustrophobic” Kitchen Gets a Dreamy Neutral Treatment
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This family of seven finally feels comfortable spending most of their time here together.
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Cullen Ormond
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The Only Apron You’ll Ever Need, According to Pro Chefs
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While cooking has never been my strong suit — my husband has happily taken on the role of home chef — I’ve always appreciated the beauty of making a gorgeous meal from scratch. Because my husband loves to cook, I’ve been wanting to splurge on a nice apron for his upcoming birthday. Throughout my research, I’ve learned that not all aprons are created equal — even if they serve a similar purpose. From bakers to grill masters to hosts who only make light bites, every cook needs a trusty apron to keep them clean while preparing a delicious meal. So, I set out to find the very best of the best.
I reached out to Ericka Sanchez, a recipe developer, food stylist, and cookbook author, and Jakob Miller, former chef, barbecue expert, and founder of Barbecue Pals, for their expert insight so cooks of every kind can look and feel like a total pro.
“A good apron should be crafted from high-quality materials that are both durable and comfortable to wear for long hours in the kitchen or by the grill,” says Miller. “Adjustable straps are essential for achieving a perfect fit, while pockets come in handy for storing small tools, recipe cards, or even your phone.” Here are the experts’ picks for the best aprons for every kind of chef.
What’s your favorite apron? Let us know in the comments below.
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L. Daniela Alvarez
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Before & After: Pink Cabinets Brightened a “Regrettably Neutral” IKEA-Clad Kitchen
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Yes, thats the before. Just wait until you see the after.
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Cullen Ormond
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