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No matter how small your backyard may be, it’s still brimming with landscape design potential. “In a smaller backyard every square foot counts,” says landscape architect Edmund Hollander of Hollander Design. “Think of how you may want to use it, live in it, and look at it—al fresco dinners or sitting around a fire pit can be magical experiences.” green garden furniture in a small garden Credit: Getty / Carol Yepes While mapping out a small backyard can be tricky, Keith Williams of Nievera Williams says with the right furnishings, it’s actually a breeze....

martha-stewart-9780307462886-a01-art-r3.jpg martha-stewart-9780307462886-a01-art-r3.jpg martha-stewart-9780307462886-a01-art-r3.jpg martha-stewart-9780307462886-a01-art-r3.jpg If you’re following Martha’s adventures on Instagram and the Martha blog, you’ll know that she’s traveling in the Philippines for business this week. As a keynote speaker at the ANC Leadership Forum, a national event held in Manila hosted by the Philippine’s major cable-news network ANC, our founder spoke about her own life’s journey and shared advice for aspiring entrepreneurs—including the best time to start your day....

bell pepper varieties Credit: Johnny Miller bell pepper varieties Credit: Johnny Miller bell pepper varieties Credit: Johnny Miller bell pepper varieties Credit: Johnny Miller Crisp, crunchy bell peppers are one of the easiest ways to add color to your plate. Available in hues of green, orange, red, and yellow, bell peppers shine in an array of dishes. We love them cut in half and baked with a vegetarian filling, diced and added to a crisp salad, and simmered in a hearty stew....

Does your hair seem frizzier than normal? Even worse: Perhaps you’re experiencing more breakage. Whatever the case may be, the method you use to dry your hair could be to blame. Using traditional terry cloths to roughly towel dry hair is deleterious to your strands and can lead to both frizz and breakage. Enter microfiber towels. Made from ultra-soft, non-snag fabric, they speed up drying time sans damage. Ahead, some of the best microfiber hair towels on the market today—so you can try out these routine-changing tools for yourself....

wedding ceremony arch Credit: Mariel Hannah Photography A Sunday wedding has a very different personality than a wedding on a Friday or Saturday night. While all three can be a lot of fun, a Sunday wedding has more of a low-key vibe, while a Friday or Saturday affair is all about the party. That’s probably because most guests will have the next day off to relax and recuperate. Though a Friday or Saturday may be preferred by guests, sometimes the advantages of a Sunday wedding are too good to pass up: discounted rates, lower minimum head count, availability of your favorite venues and vendors....

duck orchids Credit: Heiner Cuno via Flickr There’s something magical about the doppelgangers you find naturally growing off of bushes and in swamps around the world. The flying duck orchid is no exception. Scientifically known as Caleana major, you can find this flower in Australia. When it blooms-which happens between September and February-it produces petals that come together to look similar to a duck in flight. But there’s a lot more to this orchid than its adorable looks....

When it comes to natural sweeteners, you can’t go wrong with honey or maple syrup, but if you want to expand your arsenal of saccharine ingredients, look no further than panela sugar. Wonderfully sweet and decadent, panela offers a deep flavor profile that can elevate your favorite dishes. But what is panela sugar, and, perhaps most importantly, how do you use it at home? Read on to learn about the sweetener, including our favorite ways to use it in your drinks, desserts, and more....

cat playing in living room Credit: Martin Deja / Getty Images There’s nothing coy about a dog: When your Lab wants to play, he’ll drop his tennis ball at your feet and shoot you a big, goofy grin. But cats tend to play things a little cooler. Our feline friends can be harder to read, and are above (as in far, far above) begging for a feather toy. In other words, they’re no basic Bichons....

Women Arguing Credit: Getty Images Although most people are familiar with the term “bridezilla,” the concept of a “momzilla” might seem a little foreign. This moniker applies to a mother of the bride or groom who is being extremely difficult, high-maintenance, and trying to take control of the entire event. “A ‘momzilla’ tries to take over wedding planning, typically because they’re the ones paying for it or because they’re trying to relive their own wedding experience vicariously through their children,” explains Kelly Heyn, wedding planner and owner of SociaLife Event Planning....

By Jillian Kramer and Blythe Copeland Today, revelers know Mardi Gras as the bead-throwing, mask-wearing, parade-going party that overtakes the streets of New Orleans in the weeks before Fat Tuesday. But long before it was a staple in Southern culture, Mardi Gras was celebrated for centuries across medieval Europe. Mardi Gras traveled in the 17th and 18th centuries from Rome to Venice and, later, to France. It was celebrated each year on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, or the beginning of Lent on the Roman Catholic calendar....

flat sheet duvet cover Credit: Pippa Drummond flat sheet duvet cover Credit: Pippa Drummond flat sheet duvet cover Credit: Pippa Drummond flat sheet duvet cover Credit: Pippa Drummond Flat sheets look neat in a linen closet because they’re easy to fold, but do they do anything for a bed or the sleeper? If you’ve been wondering about this—and maybe even discussed this with friends—check out some pros and cons, according to interior designers....

groom bridesmaids blue Credit: Audrey Hall & Melanie Maganias Nashan Do you maintain many coed friendships? Then you might find yourself face-to-face with your male buddy as he’s nervously asking you to serve as a “groomswoman” in his wedding. Naturally, you’re ecstatic to stand by your friend or relative as he’s tying the knot, but given the nontraditional nature of your new role, you might wonder about some of the logistics and details....

Knitting sweater Credit: Shanna Sullivan Knitting sweater Credit: Shanna Sullivan Knitting sweater Credit: Shanna Sullivan Knitting sweater Credit: Shanna Sullivan If you love to knit, then you likely know that creating anything from blankets to sweaters usually comes down to two techniques: arm knitting or traditional knitting. These approaches actually have a lot in common. Whichever method you use, the yarn makes the stitches the same way. The defining difference between the two techniques involves your tools, says Anne Weil, the designer behind Flax & Twine and author of Knitting Without Needles: A Stylish Introduction to Finger and Arm Knitting....

white bedroom with black beams and door to deck Credit: Amy Bartlam white bedroom with black beams and door to deck Credit: Amy Bartlam white bedroom with black beams and door to deck Credit: Amy Bartlam white bedroom with black beams and door to deck Credit: Amy Bartlam You return to your bedroom at the end of a long day, after the work is done. This calm place becomes that much more tranquil if you fill it with earth-friendly pieces and textiles—you can rest easy know that you kept your footprint low when curating the room....

It’s simply the truth: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks save lives. They also, however, increase the occurrence of the phenomenon called mask mouth or mask breath. Ahead, Dr. Gerry Curatola, DDS, a dentist with Rejuvenation Health and Rejuvenation Dentistry, explains what this ailment is, what causes it, and, ultimately, what you can do to fight it. woman holding mask Credit: Getty / Oscar Wong Oral Microbiome Mask mouth involves the disruption of the oral microbiome due to regular mask wearing, says Dr....

alisa-barrett-wedding-invite-16-s113048-0716.jpg Credit: Tonhya Kae Photography There’s nothing more frustrating than realizing that a good portion of your guest list didn’t bother to mail back their response cards-especially when you provided a pre-addressed and stamped envelope! While your outrage is understandable, you also have to realize your wedding might not be the most important thing to everyone on your guest list, so you may have to (gently) ask them for an answer....

lavender-candles-330-d111166.jpg Credit: Gabriela Herman lavender-candles-330-d111166.jpg Credit: Gabriela Herman lavender-candles-330-d111166.jpg Credit: Gabriela Herman lavender-candles-330-d111166.jpg Credit: Gabriela Herman With the advent of mass-­produced candles in the 19th century (not to mention electric lights), candle making disappeared from the list of regular, ongoing household chores. But machine-­made candles just don’t have the lovely shapes or the lush colors of homemade candles. And even learning the basics of the craft provides rich rewards. The tools and methods of home candle making are almost as simple today as they were five thousand years ago....

chef Annie Mahle cooking in a boat galley Credit: Courtesy of Annie Mahle / Storey Books chef Annie Mahle cooking in a boat galley Credit: Courtesy of Annie Mahle / Storey Books chef Annie Mahle cooking in a boat galley Credit: Courtesy of Annie Mahle / Storey Books chef Annie Mahle cooking in a boat galley Credit: Courtesy of Annie Mahle / Storey Books Good things may come in small packages, but when it comes to cooking, small kitchens present quite a few challenges—is there enough counter space to prep food and still have our beloved Instant Pot?...

Your home’s exterior is exposed to sun, wind, pollutants, dirt, and even bugs and animals. These elements take their toll: Over time, you’ll notice that your siding, deck, or driveway has become discolored or damaged. Luckily, there’s a solution. Power washing your house is an easy way to boost its curb appeal, prime surfaces for painting, prevent damage, and bring the façade back to its original glory. To help you do just that, we asked Lowes Project Expert Hunter Macfarlane and Brian Manke, the product manager at Stihl, to share exactly how to power wash your house....

cat wall shelving Credit: weselldream via Etsy When we live with feline companions, consider how our living situations affect them. You can design your home around the social and developmental needs of your animals. And one of the ways that you can make your home more comfortable for them is by installing cat shelves in your home. “Cat shelves are shelves specifically made for cats,” explains Amy Kohlbecker, cat care manager at the Best Friends Animal Society....