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If you’ve been snubbing carnations in your gardens, containers, and fresh-cut arrangements because of their reputation as an ordinary bargain bloom, you’ve missed out. “The first thing that comes to mind for a lot of folks when they hear carnations is a generic flower that you always see from the store,” says Chris Link of Plant Addicts. “But carnations are the second most popular cut flower—behind the rose—in the world for a reason: The plants are easy to care for, produce a lot of flowers, the flowers are quite beautiful—especially if left natural—and the flowers have a very strong and spicy fragrance....

` You’re Invited Franchise Logo View Series 6 Accidents to Expect at Your Summer Parties—and How to Avoid Them 16 Best Shatterproof, Durable Dish Sets for a Season of Outdoor Entertaining Our 14 Favorite Front Porch Decorations for the Fourth of July 3 Summer Hostess Mistakes to Avoid During All of Your Warm-Weather Soirées Whether you’re known for hosting the creepiest haunted house in your neighborhood or for providing post-trick-or-treating snacks to tired parents and overexcited kids, moving your Halloween celebration outdoors offers multiple benefits: You can feel safer gathering in a group, enjoy the crisp autumn weather, and skip the mad rush to clean your home before the party....

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....

` You’re Invited Franchise Logo View Series 6 Accidents to Expect at Your Summer Parties—and How to Avoid Them 16 Best Shatterproof, Durable Dish Sets for a Season of Outdoor Entertaining Our 14 Favorite Front Porch Decorations for the Fourth of July 3 Summer Hostess Mistakes to Avoid During All of Your Warm-Weather Soirées From your neighborhood cocktail party to your annual cousins’ cookie baking day, your Christmas tree will get plenty of use as a photo backdrop, which is why you want to make sure it complements—and doesn’t overshadow—the rest of the image....

Martha and Snoop Dogg Credit: Jason LaVeris / Getty Images Martha and Snoop Dogg Credit: Jason LaVeris / Getty Images Martha and Snoop Dogg Credit: Jason LaVeris / Getty Images Martha and Snoop Dogg Credit: Jason LaVeris / Getty Images If one person has true authority in the kitchen, it’s our founder. Martha has been teaching people how to make everything from simple weeknight dinners to complex desserts for decades, so it’s a big deal anytime the multi-hyphenate learns a cooking technique she wasn’t already well versed in....

When we think about caffeine, our mind jumps straight to our morning cup of coffee. But there are other ways to reap this ingredient’s benefits, as well, especially when it comes to skin care. “Caffeine, often ingested for its stimulant effects, can affect the skin as well, both when it is ingested and when it is applied topically,” explains Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and the chief medical correspondent for Certain Dri....

woman towel getty Credit: PeopleImages/Getty Images woman towel getty Credit: PeopleImages/Getty Images woman towel getty Credit: PeopleImages/Getty Images woman towel getty Credit: PeopleImages/Getty Images The importance of protecting our skin against the sun on a daily basis—not just when we’re headed to the beach and not just in the summertime—has been drilled into our brains. But finding a natural sunscreen that you actually want to put on your face every single day can be challenging....

chicken-chili-stew-167-d111325_sq chicken-chili-stew-167-d111325_sq chicken-chili-stew-167-d111325_sq chicken-chili-stew-167-d111325_sq Meal planning, cooking, and eating are essential parts of life for practically everyone on the planet. These vital activities can also provoke a huge range of feelings for each and every person who takes part in them—and one end of this emotional spectrum is feeling overwhelmed. There are so many ways to feel burned out by cooking, so it’s actually a profound act of self-care to take a close look at the approaches that work best for you as an individual, and set yourself up for success by using them....

generic sunscreen bottle on towel by pool Credit: Rawpixel / Getty Images generic sunscreen bottle on towel by pool Credit: Rawpixel / Getty Images generic sunscreen bottle on towel by pool Credit: Rawpixel / Getty Images generic sunscreen bottle on towel by pool Credit: Rawpixel / Getty Images As is the case with many skin care products, the sunscreen market is vast and overwhelming. From organic and vegan formulas to lotions and sprays, as well as iterations available from both familiar drugstore brands and high-end labels, it can be difficult to figure out which SPF is right for you....

Going gray is a natural part of life and if you’ve chosen to let your salt-and-pepper strands flourish, it’s important to know how to protect them. “There is an old tale that gray hair is thicker and wiry, but actually gray hair is thinner because it’s lacking some of the girth that melanin provides,” says celebrity hairstylist Aviva Perea. Going gray happens for a variety of reasons including genetics, exposure to pollution, and stress, in addition to the very healthy growing-older process....

Peony plants produce large, fluffy, and often delightfully fragrant flowers; they come in a plethora of colors and, depending on the variety, might even showcase several shades. Known for their deep green leaves and large, sometimes top-heavy flower heads, these perennials don’t need much care after their initial planting—but there are still several tasks to carry out throughout the year to ensure that your plants come back strong and healthy. Ahead, Kaylyn Hewitt, the lead floral designer at The Bouqs Company, shares how to care for your peonies in spring, summer, fall, and winter....

Snowe Hostess Set in Brushed Gold, Credit: Courtesy of Snowe Home ` You’re Invited Franchise Logo View Series 6 Accidents to Expect at Your Summer Parties—and How to Avoid Them 16 Best Shatterproof, Durable Dish Sets for a Season of Outdoor Entertaining Our 14 Favorite Front Porch Decorations for the Fourth of July 3 Summer Hostess Mistakes to Avoid During All of Your Warm-Weather Soirées Snowe Hostess Set in Brushed Gold, Credit: Courtesy of Snowe Home Snowe Hostess Set in Brushed Gold, Credit: Courtesy of Snowe Home...

escort-cards-020-d111649.jpg Credit: Raymond Hom THE TOOLS Escort-card templateCover paperPen or markerTape HOW-TO Download the escort-card template.Cut the shape from three different-colored sheets in your event palette. Fold each cutout in half, then write (or have a calligrapher write) names on the outside and table numbers inside.Secure them to a wall (or foam board) with tape. THE DETAILS “Soleil” and “Peace” matte cover papers, $8 for 25 sheets, and Astrobright “Fuchsia” cover paper, $7 for 25 sheets; paperpresentation....

vitamin softgels in hand Credit: Evgeniia Siiankovskaia / Getty Images vitamin softgels in hand Credit: Evgeniia Siiankovskaia / Getty Images vitamin softgels in hand Credit: Evgeniia Siiankovskaia / Getty Images vitamin softgels in hand Credit: Evgeniia Siiankovskaia / Getty Images The benefits of vitamin D shouldn’t be underestimated: This nutrient is essential to your body’s function, and taking it in supplement form can keep your bones strong, help your muscles move, and support your immune system as it fights infections....

Guests Clinking Champagne Flutes During Toast Credit: Blush Wedding Photography ` Martha Stewart Weddings View All A Musical Festival and a Green Couch Inspired This Couple’s Whimsical Garden Wedding in California 9 Wedding Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2023, According to Wedding Planners and Event Designers 7 Wedding Dress and Accessory Trends Every Bride-to-Be Needs to Know About in 2023 Princess Eugenie Is Pregnant With Her Second Child—and Is Due This Summer...

Getting eight hours of sleep overnight helps us feel refreshed and ready to face the day ahead, but that isn’t the only way to prime our minds for productivity. Per a recent study published in the journal JNeurosci, researchers out of Northwestern University found that napping for 90 minutes while the sun is up allows us to better learn new motor tasks due to improved focus. The study authors uncovered these findings by performing their own experiment: They tasked participants with attempting a difficult motor task with and without sleep (the study’s volunteers played a game on the computer, which included moving a cursor with particular arm muscles)....

cleaning bbq grill with red wire brush Credit: Konev Timur / Getty Images cleaning bbq grill with red wire brush Credit: Konev Timur / Getty Images cleaning bbq grill with red wire brush Credit: Konev Timur / Getty Images cleaning bbq grill with red wire brush Credit: Konev Timur / Getty Images Is your outdoor grill your summertime sidekick? If so, you probably turn to it regularly, since grilling is an efficient, fun, and flavorful way to cook—and often results in less mess than using the stove....

Even if you use a mattress protector—and virtually all mattress manufacturers and experts suggest you do—your bed can get dirty over time. Dust mites and sweat can seep down into the mattress’ fibers, causing stains and unpleasant odors. And since you can’t simply toss your mattress into the washer when it needs a refresh, it’s easy to assume that cleaning yours is a hassle. But our experts assure us that it is not....

From the sweat and oils of your skin to the floors and other surfaces your yoga mat comes into contact with, the rectangular piece of fabric sees a lot of action. That’s exactly why keeping your yoga mat clean an important part of your workout regime. We spoke with two yoga professionals to get the dos (and don’ts) associated with cleaning your yoga mat. healthy older woman stretching on yoga mat Credit: Getty / Robin Skjoldborg Hidden Germs Your yoga mat can be a breeding ground for germs, according to Ingrid Yang, M....

Snacks on deck, a big screen, and your favorite film: There’s nothing quite like going to the movies. Unless, of course, you’re able to recreate this experience in your own home. Especially now, when many production companies are offering streaming tickets for their latest releases, settling in for an at-home movie night has its draws. The only thing you really need is the space. “A home theater is more than just a place with a larger than average screen for movie-watching,” notes Vivian Torres, the lead designer at Havenly....