Los Angeles-based designer Lorena Cortez uses her passion for photography, film, and styling to promote her online pinup-inspired store, Ruby Rae Clothing, on Instagram. “I was intentional about the content I was putting out to be not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye but also promoting my brand. My favorite way to promote myself is through parallax-style videos that I shoot and edit myself,” says Cortez. So before you launch your business on Instagram, take some time to figure out the things you are interested in and how you want to showcase them....

First, choose a large non-stick skillet or ceramic pan. The pros use heavy stainless steel skillets are many, but if you’re a beginner, it’s not worth the stress or the risk of tearing a pricey fillet on an imperfectly prepared pan. To be safe, just use a non-stick skillet. Set it on the stove and get it hot over medium-high heat. Next, choose vegetable oil or another neutral-flavored oil like canola, safflower, or grapeseed....

But if you haven’t braved making yogurt from scratch in everyone’s favorite multi-function appliance, you’re seriously missing out. ‘Yogurt’ is actually a pre-programmed setting on every Instant Pot model (save for the Lux), so there’s nothing to be intimidated about. Why make homemade yogurt? To begin, a tub of Greek yogurt at the grocery store can cost upwards of $10, so making it from scratch could save you major money—particularly for those of us who eat yogurt every morning for breakfast....

Due to its hefty weight and hearty texture, acorn squash can take quite some time to roast. (Follow our complete instructions for cooking acorn squash in the oven.) If you’re in the mood for stuffed squash but have to get dinner on the table in less than an hour, we recommend using your microwave. Your microwave can be more than just a vehicle for reheating leftovers or popping popcorn. In fact, it’s a super-efficient way to quickly cook vegetables....

Going from mayhem to organized isn’t as difficult as you may think. Whether your space is teeny-tiny or awkwardly large, you just need to nix the clutter, create a spot for everything, and focus on pragmatism above all else. To become a pro at laundry room organization, start with these expert tips. Remove Everything & Declutter Before starting your reorganization project, take stock of everything in your laundry room and remove anything that isn’t working in your favor....

Organize Your Entryway There’s a reason the entryway of your home is often referred to as a “drop zone”—and unfortunately, it’s because your kids likely drop everything right on the spot when they walk in the door. But you can easily transform the space (and hide the clutter) with a few key organizational tools. Edit mercilessly. There are probably plenty of items in the entryway that you don’t use regularly right now....

“Exercise is hugely beneficial to our overall health and so it is very important for all of us to find a way to exercise safely, and with confidence, during the pandemic," says Gwen Murphy, PhD, MPH, epidemiologist and the director of epidemiology for LetsGetChecked. “Exercise will help us to keep our blood pressure down, and can help improve our mood, energy level, and even help us sleep better. In these stressful times, these things may matter now more than ever....

One Week Before Thanksgiving: Plan Your Menu and Secure Your Turkey By the Thursday before Thanksgiving you should have planned your menu, cleared out your fridge, and have a turkey on the bottom shelf. Knowing which Thanksgiving sides and other dishes you want to serve will help save you time at the store—cue the grocery list—and with preparing and serving your menu. Need help plotting the feast? “Think about making things that you can reheat and it won’t affect the quality,” Matijevich says....

The struggle is real, agrees fitness trainer Kayla Itsines, co-founder and head trainer of Sweat, the health and fitness app, who hears it often from her millions of Instagram followers and workout devotees. To start working out and really stick with exercise, make it a habit instead of relying on motivation. Motivation changes over time, Itsines says, but a habit will never let you down: “Habits help you push forward even when you have low motivation....

Granted, knowing what to eat and actually doing it are two very different things. Happily, small tweaks to your kitchen environment can nudge you toward meaningful changes. These seven strategies will help you build brain-boosting habits and enjoy your time in the kitchen more, which Ramsey says is just as important. “Sure, eating for brain health is about consuming the right foods to feed your brain cells and help prevent inflammation....

Therapists call this sort of rehashing of past events rumination. When constant rumination causes you anxiety or influences all of your decisions too heavily, it can become extremely debilitating. We asked experts to help us explain why it happens and how to stop ruminating for good. What Causes Rumination? According to Jud Brewer, MD, PhD, associate professor and director of research and innovation at the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, it’s important to recognize when your mind starts to spiral into rumination, or as he likes to call it, “review and regret....

The Best Barbecue Tools and Techniques The first thing to consider is your equipment, namely your grill. Weber Original Kettle grills ($165; amazon.com) are sturdy, reliable, and will last a lifetime even if you don’t treat it exactly right (I mean, that thing lives outdoors). A 22-inch model will give you plenty of grate space so you can cook up bigger pieces of protein—think, whole chickens or a few racks of ribs—along with your side of vegetables, toast, or even dessert....

Unfortunately for laundry-phobes, bras fall under the hand-washing category—but for good reason. Taking the extra time to carefully hand wash your lingerie actually extends the shelf life of your most trusted underwires. To help us better understand the ins and outs of bra care, we looked to Ra’el Cohen, the chief creative officer of ThirdLove, for answers. Why do bras need to be hand washed? Ultimately, hand washing is the best way to preserve your bra’s shape and extend its longevity compared to throwing it in the washing machine....

Admittedly—in an era when social media, emails, and text messages are the preferred methods of communication—sending a handwritten letter feels a bit old-fashioned. In fact, thank-you notes have been traced back to as far as the 15th century. But the truth is, appreciating your loved ones (and good manners in general) will never go out of style. To help bring the storied tradition to modern times, a few etiquette experts share everything you need to know about writing and sending thank-you notes....

When the coronavirus pandemic led to a city-wide lockdown in New York last March, I realized that I wouldn’t be making it to a salon for a trim anytime soon. It was the perfect time to grow out my hair, which, after the first few months, became the longest it’s ever been, falling just past my chest and comfortably by my waist. With length came volume, and my hair became what I can only describe as a heavy curtain that my thin, feeble hair ties were no match for....

Enter Caffeinated and Homebuyer Educated—a free virtual workshop organized by Chicago-based real estate advisor Emily Kaczmarek and loan consultant Bill Pendley for potential first-time homebuyers. What pulled me in right away was the fact that the workshop was also for people who might be a few years away from buying their first home, like me. The event description said the goal of the workshop was to “alleviate any stressors to those who are considering a home purchase in the future, whether that be in the next few months or years down the road....

So when I learned that there were at-home microdermabrasion devices that could exfoliate my tired-looking skin and deep-clean my pores, I was very excited to give it a whirl. Here’s how it went, and everything you need to know if you want to try it. There are actually hundreds of home Microderm wands (who knew?!), but I opted to test out PMD’s Personal Microderm Pro Elite ($299; ulta.com). Between the glowing reviews, customizable settings, and sleek, self-contained packaging, I was intrigued....

But when you think about the impact that this significant amount of red meat might be making on the environment, it’s no surprise that IKEA has considered more sustainable ways to sell its famous Swedish meatballs. Enter the Plant Ball, a plant-based alternative that has just 4 percent of the carbon footprint of the real-deal meatballs. IKEA’s announcement today states that the Plant Ball was designed with one intention: to recreate the meatball without meat, meaning its vegan alternative actually tastes like meat and doesn’t compromise taste or texture....

As with any choice, it comes down to cost, convenience, and time. A new survey from New York City-based real estate site StreetEasy and renovation matchmaking service Sweeten reveals how a renovation and a move compare, and the findings may surprise you, especially if you assume that cutting ties with a current home and moving into a fresh, new one is easy. The survey findings are based on a survey of New York City homeowners (predominantly apartment-owners), but it reveals some interesting arguments for staying put and renovating or moving that anyone can use, wherever they live....

You can crank out three dozen of these sweet little iced balls in an hour, so it’s a great go-to for serving a crowd. Get the recipe: Angeletti Store these cookies between sheets of wax paper in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll keep for up to 2 days (if they last that long). Get the recipe: Jam Sandwich Cookies These shouldn’t be confused with French macarons (with only one “o”), which are delicate, airy sandwich cookies with a layer of filling in between, resembling a brightly colored Oreo....