This year has been a weird one to say the least. With the beginning of school just around the corner for most of the country, I thought it would be fun to share some ideas to celebrate the big milestone! I put together ideas that work for anyone – whether you’re homeschooling, in person schooling, virtual schooling, or a combination of both. They’re great ways to celebrate the return to school at home with your kids right now!...

Below are 40 essential ingredients—organized by pantry, fridge, and freezer—that put in major overtime, along with 20 easy recipes you can make with them. If you spot an ingredient you’re lacking (or that the grocery store is sold out of), don’t sweat it. You can either omit it, or find a substitute in one of our guides. Pantry Staples Brown rice, quinoa, farro, and/or barleyLentilsPastaPolentaPotatoes, sweet potatoesOnions and garlicCanned beansCanned brothBread crumbsRed or white wineJarred marinara sauceCanned tomatoesNuts and nut butterBalsamic vinegarNutritional yeastOlive oilSalt, pepper, and spices...

Clean the interior twice a year. No need to unplug the refrigerator—that will waste energy. But do move the food to a cooler. Wipe the walls and the shelves using a cloth and a mix of dish soap and water, says Varun Rajasekaran, an engineering manager at Kenmore refrigeration. Rinse and dry thoroughly. To clean the door seal, wrap a credit card in a cloth, dip it in soapy water, and glide it into the grooves....

Wall painting is pretty subjective, so white paint might not be right for your space or lifestyle; plenty of dark paint colors are just as beautiful on walls, trim, ceilings, and more. But if you’re considering white walls, these extra benefits might just push you closer to making that decision. (If that is the case, the next step is learning how to pick a white paint color.) Leigh Spicher, the national director of design studios for the homebuilder Ashton Woods offers some smart design facts about this vibrant color....

Whether you have a table just for the kids or everyone is sitting together, set a special place setting for the little ones with these free printable placemat designs. Chances are the kids will be a little distracted during the meal—whether they’re coming down from a sugar high from searching for eggs or anticipating the post-meal hunt. These placemats will keep them occupied since each one is a coloring page complete with a word search....

“The War on Drugs has been a war on people—particularly people of color,” Schumer wrote in a statement, alongside Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Ron Wyden of Oregon. “Ending the federal marijuana prohibition is necessary to right the wrongs of this failed war and end decades of harm inflicted on communities of color across the country.” According to their statement, the three Democratic senators plan to release “a unified discussion draft on comprehensive reform” in the early half of 2021....

Top Boy Baby Shower Themes I’ve planned quite a few baby showers in the past few years. There’s something about owning a party blog that makes everyone think you’ll be great at coming up with a fun way to celebrate a new parent to be! I’ve already shared girl baby shower themes, Halloween baby shower themes, and tons of baby shower games, so I thought it was about time to share some of the best baby shower themes for boys!...

On top of all that, chicken soup has the Mom seal of approval. However, the last thing you want to do is whip up a complex recipe when you’re not feeling well. These simple chicken soup recipes are healthier than canned soup and won’t take you all day to make. So garner up a little energy and get one of these soups started today. Get the recipe: Classic Chicken Soup....

Mistake #1: Not Washing Clothing Before Storing It You’re not going to be wearing this clothing for a while, so there’s no need to wash it, right? Wrong! Storing clothing with food stains and odors on them not only makes it harder to remove the stains later but can also attract bugs and pests. Instead, wash or dry-clean clothing and treat any stains before storing away your winter clothing. Plus, future you will be thankful when you open bins full of clothes that are ready to wear in the winter....

Here, we’re mapping out five exceptionally fun and beautiful routes throughout the U.S. that showcase the best of each unique region. Roll through Texas for three full days of museums, bar hopping, and world-class barbecue; or wind your way up the coast of Maine for a week of freshly caught fish, epic antiquing, and timeless New England charm. Ready to hit the road? Whether you have a few days or more than a week, these unforgettable road trip routes are the ultimate way to satisfy pent-up wanderlust—no passport required....

While they might give you an instant lift, sweets will drop your energy soon after consuming, leading you to a vicious cycle of always wanting more. Not to mention the fact that sugar negatively impacts sleep, so the next day you’ll be extra tired and craving that quick hit of energy even more. So how to stop this endless loop and get through the afternoon without the crutch of sugar?...

A 2019 survey by Mint on holiday gift-giving found that 61 percent of Americans preferred to receive cash over other presents, but only 19 percent said they were willing give cash as a present. Perhaps they didn’t know about these creative, digital ways of giving money that don’t involve cash. “Being creative with your gift can elevate it to a level of significance that has lasting and loving connectivity,” says Gift Card Granny CEO Jason Wolfe....

Whatever the reason, cars are one of those odd investments that rarely, if ever, pay any returns. The moment you buy a car, it starts to lose value—some cars more quickly than others. There are, however, ways that you can try to minimize the inevitable loss, making sure your car is resale-ready when you want to move on to the next one. Choosing a car that’s reliable, popular, and made by a company that’s typically held in high regard will help you get more money for it when it’s time to sell....

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If you’re looking for a big Easter feast to enjoy via takeout, or you’re hoping to eat out, there are still plenty of restaurants that are open on Easter this year. Whatever your dining plans are, make sure to call ahead to your local restaurant or reach out to them before Easter weekend to see if they will be open. Even if national chains are open on Easter, individual restaurants may choose to close for a number of reasons—and you don’t want to come home empty-handed and with empty stomachs....

To find the best gel nail polish kits, we researched dozens of options and considered factors such as set size, polish colors, and dry time while narrowing down this list. For expert tips on how to properly apply and take off gel nail polish, we spoke with Anna Popov, a New York City-based nail artist with a studio in Staten Island. “If you’re doing your own gel mani, it’s important to properly prep,” says Popov....

For those wavering on making the switch to darker, moodier paint colors, these rooms might offer a little inspiration—and the final push needed to pick up a paintbrush. An All-Gray Living Room Yes, it’s gray, which is generally considered neutral. But a shade like Mole’s Breath by Farrow & Ball has a stronger accent than the neutral grays of late. This maximalist living room strikes a monochromatic color scheme with tons of shades of gray—which, with the right tint, can increase feelings of happiness and calm—plus plenty of natural light to keep it from crossing into oppressively dark territory....