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The multi-use blanket has a heavy-duty waterproof bottom layer, which will block all moisture and keep you dry even when the ground below you is wet or damp. The top layer is also water resistant. During a recent picnic, I accidentally dropped my soda, spilling it all over the blanket. One quick shake later, and ALL of the liquid was gone and the blanket was left completely dry. It’s also padded and insulated on the inside, keeping it super comfortable to sit and lay on no matter the terrain....

And do it all she does. But her skills haven’t developed without work, dedication, and some swallow-your-fear moments. “My first time using a power tool, I was terrified,” she says. “I had an older circular saw from a garage sale and was worried the blade would fall off and possibly kill me. I made my husband watch from afar (just in case) and made my first cut.” Ever since, she’s been cutting and Kreg jigging and pocket screwing her way to a beautiful home, tackling ambitious projects like her living room built-ins and her sunny walk-in closet....

With color, Weiss had to do a bit of negotiating. “She definitely pushed us out of our comfort zone,” Meegan says. While Benjamin Moore Simply White coats the majority of the walls, Weiss chose strategic spots for bold hues, including a credenza with royal blue panels in the family room, zingy yellow and green stripes on dining room chairs, and ochre upholstery for the living room sofa. “Lauren brought this bold, bohemian layer that we just love,” Meegan says....

These are just a few guidelines interior designer Anelle Gandelman regularly recites to clients to ensure a favorable design experience. And when a new project emerged 30 minutes outside of New York City, she applied an extra dose of firmness to a client with meticulous standards—Anelle herself. Anelle and her husband, Glenn, were leaving an old house with spaces that no longer worked for them and their two growing boys, Josh and Tyler....

Today, nearly every square inch of the front yard (previously an expanse of compacted turf) is planted with the kinds of airy grasses and wispy flowers that are often found in Iowa’s prairies. Norris relies heavily on Midwestern natives but mixes in plants well-suited to his climate. (Favorite sources include prairiemoon.com and thepollennation.com.) Selecting only plants that grow shorter than 3 feet tall helps prevent the meadow from feeling overwhelming, though it is hardly tamed....

When Atlanta architect Stan Dixon shook hands over a deal to work on a multiyear project on Chicago’s North Shore, he was determined to achieve an aged and historical aesthetic even though he was tearing down what existed and starting from scratch. The homeowners, a young city-dwelling couple who were relocating to the suburbs to raise their family, wanted to live in a home that read old. Getting to that point, of course, would require a deep dive into research and a strong commitment to detail....

Plants for Creating the Small-Space Spring Garden Plan 2 Bearded iris (Iris ‘Dusky Challenger’): Zones 3-10 7 Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus): Zones 3-9 5 Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata): Zones 2-8 3 Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica): Zones 5-9 5 Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor): Zones 3-8 7 Violet (Viola labradorica): Zones 3-8 If you aren’t able to find the exact cultivars listed above, substitute with others that have similar colors, shapes, and sizes. And because some plants can become overly aggressive and spread out of control in certain climates, always check which species are considered invasive in your area before planting....

An alluring blend of mismatched but coordinated elements cleverly comes together to greet guests. Porcelain plates boast diverse patterns but display similar gold trim. Linens walk on the wild side in a jungle-print runner but also go traditional in classic damask napkins. Even the flatware offers a surprise—varied designs on each utensil. Fabricut Table runner in “Capture Gold” cotton and napkins in “Erudition Gold” linen. Pier 1 Imports “Whitewash” rattan placemat....

Hibiscus Care Must-Knows Hibiscus are easy-to-grow plants that require very little maintenance, and they like well-drained soils. During hot summers, be sure to water hibiscus daily to prevent them from dropping any flower buds due to heat stress. Full sun exposure will ensure they develop the most amount of flowers possible as well as stronger branches. The branches may need some supplemental pruning to help shape the plants and prevent them from being too sparse....

1 8 ounce carton light dairy sour cream 2 tablespoon coarse brown mustard 1 tablespoon honey ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ cup milk Milk Caramelized Red Onion 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ of a medium red onion, thinly sliced

To Store: Place candied chickpeas in a covered container. Chill for up to 3 days.

Bacon-Cheddar Twice-Baked Potatoes: Prepare as above, except in Step 2 stir in 1/3 cup cooked, crumbled bacon along with the sour cream; substitute cheddar cheese for the Gruyere cheese. Southwestern Twice Baked Potatoes: Prepare as above, except in Step 2 substitute snipped fresh cilantro for the chives; substitute Monterey Jack cheese with jalapenos for the Gruyere. Serve with purchased salsa. Omit optional chive garnish.

First things first: You won’t need to cook a whole feast this year, so plan a small scaled-down menu of a few favorite dishes. Then, use our Thanksgiving wine pairing guide to choose a bottle to enjoy while dialing in to the Zoom call. Or, skip the classics and build a Thanksgiving charcuterie board instead—paired with your all-time favorite bottle, of course. Then, use our free Thanksgiving wine labels to dress up your bottle....

½ cup margarine or butter 1 teaspoon vanilla 4 cup sifted powdered sugar ½ cup milk

1 cup raw unsalted cashews Boiling water ½ cup water Dash sea salt

“I love to restore old buildings, and if I can’t find an old building, my second favorite thing to do is to build something brand new with as much recycled material as I can possibly get,” she says. Every room in the Fischer, Texas, home is filled with vintage pieces, most of which she found and restored or repainted to match the theme of the house. The house is only 460 square feet, but that didn’t stop McKinley from turning it into a hardworking home....