Posts

As far as studying goes, everyone has a method that works best for them. Some people prefer typing out notes while others enjoy watching online videos to retain information. But according to a new study, the very best way to learn something new is to write it out (and to write it out by hand, not on a computer). Per a recent study published in the journal Psychological Science, Johns Hopkins University researchers found that handwriting is a “surprisingly faster and significantly better” way to learn skills....

From basil to mint to the super versatile parsley, fresh herbs are available in your grocery store year-round. Their fragrant flavor and bright green color will liven up just about any dish, sweet or savory, as well as cocktails. Get to know some of the most popular varieties of fresh herbs and how to keep them fresh once you bring them home. Plus, try out our smart method for preserving their essence....

jocelyn-graham-wedding-hands-1150-s111847-0315.jpg Credit: Meg Smith 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 jocelyn-graham-wedding-hands-1150-s111847-0315.jpg Credit: Meg Smith Photography jocelyn-graham-wedding-hands-1150-s111847-0315....

Silver is a precious metal that’s used to create your favorite jewelry, cutlery, serving platters, candlesticks, and more. If you have some of these accessories displayed around your home, you know as well as anyone that their shine isn’t permanent. Contact with sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide in the air, can cause silver to tarnish over time, giving your beloved pieces a dull, unfinished look. Unlike rust, tarnish—a thin layer of corrosion that forms over certain metals—can be easily dealt with....

It’s a fact we all know well: Dust doesn’t quit. And while it may feel that dust returns almost as soon as you wipe it away, keeping it at bay—and maintaining those squeaky-clean surfaces—is actually easier than you thought. The secret involves consistency and working smarter, as opposed to harder. Ahead, tips from Melissa Witulski, a cleaning exert at Merry Maids, which will help you keep those dust bunnies from colonizing....

soil illustration Credit: Illustration by Sara Boccaccini Meadows soil illustration Credit: Illustration by Sara Boccaccini Meadows soil illustration Credit: Illustration by Sara Boccaccini Meadows soil illustration Credit: Illustration by Sara Boccaccini Meadows It is the life force of any landscape. It grounds and nourishes plants, and fends off pests and disease. Before you plunge seed or sapling into your soil, consider its health. To get—and keep—yours in top condition, we asked Elaine Ingham, Ph....

Boiling water is about as basic as it gets. It’s also a technique steeped in myth and hearsay, but you’re not here for those old wives’ tales. You just want to find out how to boil water faster, whether to cook your favorite pasta or to blanch a vegetable as your meal’s side dish. We’ll get there, but first, let’s weed out the falsehoods. One particularly stubborn myth is that adding salt will make the water take longer to come to a boil....

fantastic beast window silhouette in house Credit: Frank Frances fantastic beast window silhouette in house Credit: Frank Frances fantastic beast window silhouette in house Credit: Frank Frances fantastic beast window silhouette in house Credit: Frank Frances Some ideas look good on paper, but the Halloween decorations below turn that humble medium—from yesterday’s front page to crafters’ crepe—into sinister, spine-tingling scenes. Greet visitors with a howling hellhound, grab their attention with an otherworldly wall display, or go goth at dinner....

When you think about springtime, fresh blooms, seasonal fruit, and pastel colors likely come to mind. Another (arguably less fun) seasonal association? Spring cleaning. But why do we deep clean our spaces at this time? According to the experts, it’s simple: The warm weather makes a maximum refresh possible. “With the ability to open windows and shake the rugs, spring is the perfect time for decluttering and deep cleaning,” says Andy Telatnik, the director of marketing for retail at Bona....

mother spraying bug spray on child's arms outdoors Credit: galitskaya / Getty Images mother spraying bug spray on child's arms outdoors Credit: galitskaya / Getty Images mother spraying bug spray on child’s arms outdoors Credit: galitskaya / Getty Images mother spraying bug spray on child’s arms outdoors Credit: galitskaya / Getty Images The arrival of warmer weather brings a lot of exciting things, including longer days, backyard barbecues, and trips to the beach....

This type of Tannenbaum may cause you to do a double-take this year: upside-down Christmas trees are the talk of the holiday season. But why? And where did they come from? These topsy-turvy trees have been popping up everywhere from Instagram feeds to hotel lobbies and perhaps even your family’s living room. And while decorating an upside-down Christmas tree may be considered a new holiday decorating challenge, there are undeniable benefits....

mustard-jar-caps-055-comp-med109951.jpg Credit: Johnny Miller mustard-jar-caps-055-comp-med109951.jpg Credit: Johnny Miller mustard-jar-caps-055-comp-med109951.jpg Credit: Johnny Miller mustard-jar-caps-055-comp-med109951.jpg Credit: Johnny Miller Looking for ways to become a more confident cook at home? Our food editors are here to help. Each week, we’re shining a spotlight on the exciting things happening in the Martha Stewart test kitchen. Our editors will share their best cooking tips, favorite products, new ideas, and more in our weekly series, Out of the Kitchen....

There are a lot of sweet treats you could make for Valentine’s Day, but nothing tops a big, beautiful heart-shaped cake. It’s a dessert that nobody will be able to resist. You may think the only route to a heart-shaped cake starts with using a special cake pan, but we’re here to tell you that this just isn’t the case. The technique we’re sharing does not require any special equipment beyond a round and a square cake pan, which you likely already own....

home exterior cedar shingles and Hardie Artisan planks Credit: Anice Hoachlander home exterior cedar shingles and Hardie Artisan planks Credit: Anice Hoachlander home exterior cedar shingles and Hardie Artisan planks Credit: Anice Hoachlander home exterior cedar shingles and Hardie Artisan planks Credit: Anice Hoachlander In addition to its foundation, walls, and beams, your home is built on the decisions you make. Some are big ones—replacing the roof or the water heater—while others are smaller, daily choices that arise every time you step in the shower, flick on the lights, or do the laundry....

‘Tis the season for fancy holiday menus, festive home décor, perfectly wrapped presents, and of course, a beautifully flocked Christmas tree for all to see and enjoy. However, pet owners—especially those who have curious cats and other domestic creatures—know all too well the type of temptation and mischief this time of year brings. While your home’s Elf on the Shelf keeps a constant watchful eye, you likely aren’t able to monitor your dog or cat all day (or night) long....

The world feels like a very uncertain place these days, but one thing is for sure: Practically everyone has taken up baking. If recent retail reports are any indication, it’s likely that you have stocked up on butter, flour, and yeast. Online searches around bread, no-knead bread, and banana bread have reached all-time highs. Although we’ve been encouraged to “socially distance” ourselves, sharing baked goods feels like the neighborly thing to do....

` Net Worth Logo View Series Five Steps to Take Now to Catch Up on Retirement Savings How to Start a Retirement Fund at Any Life Stage How to Maximize Your Retirement Accounts Three Things You Need to Know If You’re Considering Early Retirement When Michael Toth, president and founder of Inspired Kitchen Design, talks with clients about how to make their dream kitchen a reality, he asks these questions: “What would a day in your dream kitchen look like?...

` What’s for Dinner Franchise Logo View Series 18 Cozy, Comforting Winter Dinner Recipes You’ll Make on Repeat Our Favorite 20-Minute Dinner Recipes for When You Need a Home-Cooked Meal Fast What’s for Dinner This Week: Quick Chicken Puttanesca, Sheet-Pan Sausages With Squash, and a 15-Minute Vegetarian Meal What’s for Dinner This Week: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken, Beans-and-Greens Stuffed Peppers, and More Easy, Broiled Dishes Hot summer nights call for keeping it cool in the kitchen; that means pairing down our dinner routines, especially when it comes to using the oven or stove....

twice-baked ham croissant served on a gray plate Credit: Gieves Anderson twice-baked ham croissant served on a gray plate Credit: Gieves Anderson twice-baked ham croissant served on a gray plate Credit: Gieves Anderson twice-baked ham croissant served on a gray plate Credit: Gieves Anderson Your Easter dinner was well-received by the entire family, but there will always be some food left uneaten at the end of the feast. Instead of thinking about leftovers as a negative, start looking at them as money in the bank, meals (or at least parts of meals) to come....

Retiree Active lifestyle walking outdoors Credit: kate_sept2004 / Getty Retiree Active lifestyle walking outdoors Credit: kate_sept2004 / Getty Retiree Active lifestyle walking outdoors Credit: kate_sept2004 / Getty Retiree Active lifestyle walking outdoors Credit: kate_sept2004 / Getty Experiencing arthritis and inflamed joints with age is common among adults, but according to a new study, one routine part of your day could help battle these conditions. Recent research published in Wiley Online Library noted that walking could keep knee pain at bay for those with osteoarthritis....