I’ll just admit it right now, I’m a sucker for young adult lit, especially dystopian young adult lit that includes a good love story. I used to read a ton before I had my son two years ago. I think I read the entire Hunger Games series in probably three days, but that’s another story. And then I took a three year break from reading all together. When I had a few days all to myself for my Southern Living trip, I finally read the Divergent series and fell in love with reading all over again....

Design fans can diversify their Instagram feeds by following these35 talented black designers and creatives, although there are many, many more you’re sure to want to follow along the way. The work of these designers represents a wide range of styles—from high-end interiors, to bohemian-style homes, to ultra-modern apartments—so you’ll find lots of design ideas and plenty of inspiration. Clicking “follow” is just step number one. Then, hire these designers for upcoming home projects, purchase their work, and listen to and share their stories....

To buy: $11, target.com. To buy: $10, target.com. To buy: $10, containerstore.com. To buy: $14, crateandbarrel.com. To buy: $20, petco.com.

How often: At least once a week. Or consider an alternative sponge, like this silicone scrubber. How often: If you have a synthetic pillow that you never wash, plan to replace it about every 6 months. If you wash your synthetic or down pillows at least twice a year (here’s the best method), they should last up to 3 years. How often: Replace a plastic loofah about every two months....

To buy: $40 for two; getopenspaces.com. To buy: $20; ikea.com. To buy: $120; rakkudesigns.com. To buy: $5 for 10; draperjames.com. To buy: $100; optimusluggage.com.

There’s little to no shopping involved either: You can use twinkling lights and shiny ornaments you have on hand, plus beautiful bowls, favorite pieces of art, and even meaningful jewelry you’ve collected over the years. Adding bursts of greenery doesn’t have to mean a trip to the flower shop—you can easily forage for branches and a variety of leafy greens right in your own backyard. Just keep in mind: To tie all of your updates together, it’s a good idea to stick with a limited palette....

A pantry staple that’s one of the healthiest legitimate superfoods out there? Oats. Ask any RD or MD, and they’ll tell you that you should be eating more of them. They’re incredibly versatile, affordable, and nutritious. Have you written off oats just because you despise eating oatmeal for breakfast? “I get it,” says Mia Swinehart, MS, RD. “I love a good bowl of oatmeal, but sometimes it’s fun to change things up a bit and keep healthy eating exciting....

“Most buyers today shop for homes online, making a home’s web appeal just as important as its curb appeal,” says Jeremy Wacksman, Zillow’s chief marketing officer. “To sell a home fast, you want to attract as many potential buyers to your listing as possible. Featuring high-quality, staged listing photos and videos are a great way to boost your home’s virtual appeal and help it stand out in today’s competitive marketplace....

1. Wear Sunscreen Every Day—and Get a Hat You Love You probably hear this all the time, but it’s so important for people of all skin types and colors. Sun exposure is the number-one cause of premature aging. Ultraviolet light from the sun (or tanning beds) breaks down collagen and elastin, which keep skin from starting to crease and droop. Use a moisturizer with at least SPF 15 every day (use SPF 30 if you’re very fair)....

Interior designer Lisa Gilmore also predicts that summer 2022 will be all about “off-the-beaten-path blues,” as we get more creative than the classic combo of blue and white. “Using a blue that pulls a purple base is refreshing, exciting, and unexpected. To me, Benjamin Moore’s Watertown 818 does just that!”

If the records aren’t scratched and the tapes still play, some secondhand stores will accept them. Popular albums can be sold on eBay, Etsy, or other sites. Take a critical look and sort out anything you know you’ll never read again. Donate books that are still relevant and in readable condition. Outdated materials, like that 2002 book on how to code, can be recycled. Sort through your collection to find any candles with just a small amount of wax remaining....

To safely dispose of paint, turn it into a solid by mixing it with kitty litter. Let the mixture dry out for one hour before throwing it away. If the gear is in good condition, consider donating it to your local recreation center. Or sell your items on a site like playitagainsports.com, which is dedicated to used sports equipment and fitness gear. One caveat: Check that gear like strollers and cribs don’t have any recalls and ditch older items that might not be up to modern safety standards....

Why Inflammation Can Be a Problem “Many chronic diseases have been linked to inflammation such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and arthritis,” explains Ale Zozos, M.S., RDN. Constantly fighting low-grade inflammation is also tough on the body and can lead to a weakened immune system over time. Supporting your body in its inflammatory response is a multi-pronged approach that includes adequate sleep, healthy eating habits, and a few beneficial lifestyle changes....

Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, is here to help you tackle your purchasing decision confusion. These are the foods she says are worth spending extra on—flavor, sustainability, and health-wise—and those you never need to shell out for. 4 Splurge-Worthy Foods Extra Virgin Olive Oil According to Cassetty, a quality extra virgin olive oil is worth the splurge because it hasn’t undergone extensive processing. “It has all of the properties that make olive oil special, like anti-inflammatory and polyphenol compounds,” Cassetty explains....

So what happens when we don’t have our date with Mr. Sandman? As Ashley Magovern, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Manhattan Dermatology in Manhattan Beach, Calif., explains, when we don’t sleep, our rest doesn’t get to go into its nightly ‘fix it’ mode. “Like the rest of our body, our skin repairs damage and inflammation that has wreaked havoc during the day,” she explains. Even if your body has adjusted to little rest, your body is still experiencing stress....

“If you have a large selection of bras in rotation, you can go longer than six months before replacing your bras if you’re caring for those bras properly,” says Ali Cudby, author of Busted and Fit My Bras, and founder of Fab Foundations. “Putting your bras in the dryer breaks down the elastic much more quickly, so save your bras from an untimely death by letting them air dry and hand wash them when possible....

Here’s a guide designed to help you through each phase of the home buyer’s journey. Making an Offer and Negotiating the Close Bid smartly.Work with your real estate agent to research the sale prices of comparable homes in the area and use those figures to help determine your initial offer.“Actively listed comps are not accurate, as those are asking prices; make sure to look at the sold prices [for comparable properties],” says Scott Gorelick, a real estate agent and owner of California-based Concrete Real Estate agency....

A fixture of high-end hotels and gyms, a towel warmer is an electrified stand or container that—you guessed it—keeps your towels toasty before your shower. A fresh, warm towel automatically makes you feel like you’re at a spa, sending a wave of serenity washing over you. To buy: $112 (was $161); amazon.com. The device itself is shaped like a bucket, so it doesn’t require the same installation headache as a heated towel rack....

To buy: $23 (was $30); amazon.com. Installing it doesn’t require any tools, drills, or unsightly suction cups that lose their grip over time. You simply clean the wall, affix the adhesive film, hang the shelf, and wait at least 12 hours before placing any products inside. “I was looking for a way to get everything off the small ledge of my combined bathtub/shower and this shower caddy was the perfect fix,” one reviewer said....