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Preparation Picture a scene in which you’re having dinner with your partner. You decide to pitch your well-considered idea of hiring a vinyl-spinning motown DJ to play your wedding only to have your fiancé look at you aghast declaring, “But my friends will only dance to pop music!” Ironically, there’s no need to cue the record scratch sound effect here, as you probably guessed your opposite styles would collide in surprising ways throughout the planning of your wedding....

Preparation Most of us reach for a roll of paper towels on the regular. Maybe you want to grease a baking pan, or perhaps you need to mop up a small spill—those are just a couple of the hundred or so reasons we might need a sheet or two. But paper towels are not something we want rolling around on the counter, but hiding them under the sink isn’t practical: No one wants to stoop down and dig through the cabinets every time there’s a spill....

Preparation Ladybird beetles—or ladybugs, as they are more commonly known—can be found in a variety of climates across the United States. They normally live in wooded areas, fields, and gardens—and are actually a beneficial insect to have around your yard, since they act as mini-exterminators. “They eat plant-damaging pests, like aphids, mealybugs, and others,” says Michael D. Duncan, the national technical manager at pest-control company Truly Nolen of America. “When you find them in your home, according to folklore, they will bring you good luck....

Preparation As a new season arrives, many of us take it as an opportunity to declutter our closets and maximize our space. And when the pandemic hit, it was realization that our relationships with our clothing has changed. “Cleaning out clothes that no longer serve you can prepare you to usher in what’s next,” says Tomlin, “whether you’re saying goodbye to the pair of sweats you’ve worn all year or the ‘hard pants’ and heels from your pre-pandemic past....

Preparation Nearly every home cook has experienced one culinary crisis or another, from scorching a pot of chili to serving a holiday turkey that’s dry as leather. (Pass the gravy, pronto!) Among the most frustrating? Following a recipe to the letter, only to wind up with say, tasteless Paprika Shrimp or bland Chicken Biryani, lacking the necessary heady scent of cardamom, cumin, and coriander. So, what went wrong? Chances are, the spices that give your prized dish its distinctive flavor have long exceeded their lifespan—or you may not be storing them properly (or both)....

Preparation Summer is when you want to spend as much quality time with your family and friends as possible, and sharing a meal—especially outdoors—is a great way to do just that. This season, prep, cook, and serve your favorite recipes in stylish new cookware. Le Creuset just launched a cayenne hue, and the spicy, summer-worthy color can be found on a number of their most popular cookware pieces. Pick up the Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven ($160, lecreuset....

I’ve just returned from some time in Italy… where I ate loads of well-deserved pizza and pasta. But my body is done with all of that, and it’s begging me to eat a little cleaner for a couple weeks. This salad is good for that. Tossed with a light dressing, it’s one that will fill you up for sure. This salad is reminiscent of the three bean salad of yesteryear… which happens to be my favorite bean salad ever....

Imagine making pancakes in the morning only to find that you are out of your favorite maple syrup. This can be disappointing, especially if you are looking forward to the sweet and caramel flavor it gives your pancakes. However, there is no need for it to ruin your day. There are alternatives you can use to replace this topping. Here’s what you need to know. What Makes Maple Syrup Special?...

This mix of mayo, sharp cheddar, bacon, almonds, and green onions is the stuff of legends. It’s thick and decadent with mouthwatering textures! I can’t think of a dish more deserving of its name than this. Also, don’t let its moniker intimidate you. This dip might be rich, but it’s a lot more budget-friendly than you think. Serve this at your next get-together, and trust me, your guests will rave about it for days....

Preparation There are a number of different tulips that show their sunny faces every spring, and while this flower variety is among the most widely-recognizable (and beloved) seasonal blooms, fewer people know what makes each of the specific varieties unique. Ahead, discover 10 of the most common and popular types of tulips—most of which grow in USDA hardiness zones three through eight—according to Peggy Anne Montgomery, a horticulturist with the garden media group representing FlowerBulbs....

Preparation Beauty and fashion were Lakshmi’s bread and butter when she was a model in the 1990s, a career she embarked on to pay off her college loans. But food—real food—was her first love. A native of Chennai, India, who moved to the U.S. at age 4, she started collecting cookbooks in her teens, and spent her free time in the kitchen during her modeling days. She’s since served as producer and host of Bravo’s Top Chef, now in its 19th season, written five books, and created Taste the Nation, her documentary series for Hulu that explores America’s rich culinary culture (she’s 14 episodes in, with a new season due out this fall)....

Preparation Thanksgiving feasts look fairly similar across the country: turkey with all the fixings and pie for dessert. There are, however, a few different dishes that make their way on the table depending on where you live. A perfect example? Stuffing and dressing—those savory dishes with the crumbly bread base and perfect consistency that falls somewhere between a pudding and a custard. For families in the South, dressing might make an appearance; those who reside in the Northeast are more likely to serve stuffing....

Preparation Holiday shopping means different things to different people. Some people start early, purchasing gifts for everyone on their list well in advance of Thanksgiving. Others wait until the very last minute, grabbing presents just before stores close for the holiday. And then there’s those who shop during the sweet spot right in the middle, which just so happens to coincide with Black Friday and Cyber Monday—and this means they get great finds for the best prices of the season....

Preparation A myriad of natural, botanical-based beauty brands entered the market over the last decade, leading to the dawn of the clean beauty movement. Rose Marie Swift, the founder of RMS Beauty, was one of the first to develop a range of living ingredient-based products; today, you can walk into mainstream beauty stores and purchase her creations. Many beauty enthusiasts, channeling the ethos of these brands, hope to develop some of their own beauty products at home, often using only ingredients found in the fridge or pantry....

Preparation Easter is just over a week away, and most Americans would agree that one of the best parts of the holiday is seeing baskets brimming with sweet treats. Two recent studies have revealed the most popular Easter candies across the country. According to a RetailMeNot customer survey, 26 percent of Americans ranked Reese’s Mini Peanut Butter Eggs as their favorite Easter candy, closely followed by Jelly Beans, which received 24 percent of the votes....

Preparation When you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party, the last 24 hours of the calendar year turn into a blur of decorating, setup, and cooking. But when you’re freed from those duties for the day—either because you’ll be a party guest or because you’ll be celebrating quietly with a glass of Champagne—you can spend New Year’s Eve day any way you want: reflecting on the year behind you, planning for the one ahead, clearing your physical (and mental) clutter to ring in a fresh start, relishing in your favorite hobbies, and relaxing with family and friends....

Preparation You are going to look gorgeous in your wedding dress, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for unexpected spills, splits, or splashes. You never know what might happen on your wedding day—foundation could drip on your dress right before you walk down the aisle, someone could step on your train and leave you with a broken hem, or your bustle could break while you’re busting a move on the dance floor....

Biscoff cookies were invented in Belgium in 1932. Since then, they’ve become iconic cookies with a unique flavor. With the help of the invention of Biscoff butter, commonly known as cookie butter, this flavor has made its mark. This is a list of 20 Biscoff recipes that are sure to satisfy any appetite. Whether you’re looking for decadent desserts or a comforting drink to warm you up, this list is full of your new favorite Biscoff recipes....

A bag of frozen beans doesn’t sound exciting at all. They’re bland on their own, but that’s what makes them a fantastic addition to dishes. I love how green beans add crunch and nutrition to a dish, without overpowering its flavors. They’ll thaw and cook very quickly, which makes them a breeze to work with. These green bean dishes are all delectable and super easy to make. They’re a perfect addition to any meal, too!...

Preparation Do you often get a full night’s sleep and still wake up feeling exhausted? According to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, there are several lifestyle factors that may dictate how alert you feel after waking up. The study found that people who exercise consistently, eat a breakfast with carbohydrates, and maintain steady blood sugar levels tend to feel more lively. To obtain their findings, the researchers collected data from 833 adults ages 18 to 65....