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For many, tossing items in the dryer is almost an autopilot task, yet it directly impacts the longevity of materials in our homes. “Clothing is a big investment, and being able to take care of that investment is something that is very important,” says Shawn Ashby, Whirlpool laundry brand manager. If you haven’t shopped for dryers in a few years, buying a clothes dryer might feel a bit overwhelming. Today’s dryers are more sophisticated than even five years ago, and they offer many new and powerful features....

“Laminate surfaces are extremely popular but do require special attention if you want to maintain their quality and look,” explains Leanne Stapf of The Cleaning Authority. “Laminate floors specifically are made of wood composite—so it looks just like hardwood flooring but is a fraction of the cost. One thing to keep in mind [is that] you can’t refinish laminate, so you’ll want to take extra care of these floors to avoid costly replacements....

“A stand mixer for the home baker is an investment that could (and should!) last your whole baking life,” says Erin McDowell, a cookbook author and food stylist. “My grandma even passed down a hand mixer to me that still ran great after 30 years of use.” Our team tested 22 of the best stand mixers on the market by using them to make batches of cookie dough, bread, and whipped cream in our lab in Birmingham, Alabama....

They also wanted the collection to be both pretty and functional (like the gorgeous woven baskets that double as both storage and decor), filled with pieces that can actually be used, rather than decor items that just sit on a shelf. “We want people to feel confident when they place these items in their home and welcome others in,” Jenny says. “We want them to feel proud of their home and spaces and to serve meals on these dishes to their family and loved ones....

That means Halloween shoppers will be stocking up on classics like Candy Corn, Snickers ($3, Walmart), and Tootsie Pops ($3, Target) more than ever before. To help you decide which goodies to add to your next grocery store pickup, the candy experts at CandyStore.com put together a list of the most popular Halloween candy in every state, based on how many times each candy was purchased over the last several years....

Why Reading Corners Are Seeing a Surge in Popularity Now At its heart, a reading corner is simply an area dedicated to being the perfect spot to read. A quiet place to unplug is the perfect antidote for today’s fast passed and ultra-connected lifestyle, and making a space in your home that acts as a refuge from the world is a sensible style choice. It’s not just internet influencers who are setting up reading areas, either....

The Worst Thanksgiving Sides, According to Americans Everyone has an opinion on what Thanksgiving side dishes belong on the table. Honestly, I’m a bit shocked by the lack of appetite for candied yams (aka sweet potatoes where I live) and sweet potato casseroles. There’s just something about adding the perfect amount of sweet flavor to the rest of the savory items on the plate. To each their own, though. I do, however, completely understand the low interest in a salad....

The Most Popular Fruit Pies in America Gurney’s used Google Trends search interest data to see which fruit pies reigned in all the states. There were 16 fruit pies named, with flavors such as strawberry, grape, and key lime taking in the most wins. You can check out the full list of pies over at Gurney’s, but here’s how the top six fruit pie flavors in America stack up. These states chose pineapple pie:...

“These outdoor solar lights were so fantastic, I thought I would share just in case you are like me and shop and research endlessly to find the perfect product,” said one shopper who typically doesn’t write reviews. They added that the lights “installed easily,” look “as good as the images on the reviews, if not better,” and have performed well even in the rain. The commercial-grade, weatherproof LED string lights are easy to set up, too....

Liz of @targetovereverything was able to hunt down these adorable black and white tumblers with skull, pumpkin, and black cat designs. The best part about these is that they glow a vibrant neon green in the dark. It will be the perfect way to have a little light for those spooky Halloween movie marathons. Last year, a matte black spiked tumbler took over the Starbucks community. This year, Rachael of @spookythankfulmerry picked up a shiny, metallic black one....

Each of these three homes has a unique buy-it factor that sets them apart on the market, including vintage charm, a gated community in California, and a contemporary lodge with its own elevator. Take a deeper dive into these $1.1M homes and see what your money can buy you in different parts of the United States. Oxnard, California: $1,025,000 Square feet: 3,041 Lot size: .21 acres Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3 Listed by: Clarice Arteaga, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Property Shoppe...

Much like driftwood that has been fretted until nearly polished, so this well-loved California home is equal parts organic beauty and effortless grace. “We didn’t want to build a ‘wow’ house,” Jeannette says. “Nothing overstated. We wanted something open and comfortable. But we also needed a beach house that could be abused, not only by salty sea air, but also by kids.” For this multitiered task, they called on designer Ohara Davies-Gaetano, a Traditional Home 2018 New Trad honoree with an eye for both relaxed refinement and family-friendly living....

“As they planned this house, every holiday was thought of,” designer Carolyn Kendall of Alcott Interiors says. “Family is very important to them. Their dream house had to be a cozy place to gather.” To set the stage, Kendall and architect Ron Farris shaped rooms with timeless bones: coffered ceilings, fine millwork, mullioned windows. “The Rechters like a traditional look, so we gave them a very classic house,” Kendall says....

Not all rosy maple moths are as brightly colored as the one Lavoie spotted, but they still stand out from other species. The stripes on their wings can be yellow, cream, or white with pink on the edges. One variety called Alba, which lives in Missouri, can even be all white with just a few pink markings. Rosy maple moths have been spotted as far north as Canada and as far south as Florida....

“We knew we wanted to live in the city, but as we began house-hunting, we realized we were coming up short with what we could afford,” Erin says. “Ken found the duplex the night it hit the market, and we were intrigued by the financial sense it made.” (They rent out the upstairs unit). Erin was immediately sold on the gable roof, half-timbered facade, and arched opening between the living and dining rooms....

That paint job inspired other DIY projects, which ultimately gave her the confidence to tackle a biggie: the Minneapolis house she lives in with her husband and their sons. Since moving into the 1910 house, Alison has DIY’d her way through plenty of quirks, cleverly problem-solved, and refreshed the old house inside and out to make it hers. She describes the home as a mix of Scandinavian, modern, and midcentury....

Plants for Creating the Fall Harvest Vegetable Garden Plan 1 Cabbage 8 Bush green beans 16 Carrot 12 Snow pea** 2 Broccoli 4 Leaf lettuce 4 Cilantro 2 Dill 2 Parsley 4 Spinach **Plant the peas in a circle around a tall tomato cage. Each of these crops comes in all sorts of varieties. Feel free to choose your favorites, or experiment with new-to-you cultivars. Get the Free Fall Harvest Vegetable Garden Plan The garden plan for this design includes an illustrated version of the planted garden, a detailed layout diagram, a list of plants for the garden as shown, and complete instructions for installing the garden....

When he sees the 18th-century carved pedestals in the dining room, Dennis also sees his beloved Aunt Rhonda. When he places heirloom china on the table, he remembers cherished time spent with Michael’s grandmother. When he sets out an inherited tea service, he sees his own dear mother. Places set with Francis 1 sterling flatware and gilded china from Michael Basso’s family collection furnish a festive tone in a dining room illuminated by a circa-1850 French chandelier and sterling candlesticks from Brooke Astor’s estate....