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There are a few Christmas party themes that always come to mind this time of year. Ugly Sweater, cookie exchange, white elephant gift exchange, Elf, and of course The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. I’m a big Dr. Seuss fan so I absolutely love all the fun colors and whimsical Who-things down in Who-Ville so it was a no brainer to make some fun Grinch brownies for this year’s Christmas treat plate!...

These sales usually include accessories, as well, so keep an eye out for discounts on add-ons like mattress pads and toppers. (If you’re not ready to buy a whole new mattress, a great mattress topper can help extend the life of your current mattress.) “You can definitely negotiate at these brick-and mortar stores,” she says, on everything from pricing to financing for your new mattress. Of course, you’ll have to qualify for any financing programs the way you might for a car loan....

If you’re looking for the best ways to keep your family safe as you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or New Year’s Day, the CDC just released its expert guidance to help you modify your plans to help reduce the risk (without reducing the holiday fun). If you’re looking to stay as safe as possible, you probably already know that the CDC says that virtual gatherings are the way to go this year if you’re celebrating with anyone who is outside your household....

All About Protein Protein content determines how much gluten the flour will form, which in turn affects the textural quality of your baked good. Flours with a high protein content create more gluten, which provides a strong and dense structure. Those with a lower protein content form less gluten (lower protein and less gluten get you a light and airy structure-think ‘LLL’ for Lower protein, Less gluten, Light texture). Let’s take a closer look at each of these four flours-from high to low protein content—and chat about the best uses and substitutions....

Whipped Cream Frosting Whipped cream frosting is made similarly to plain whipped cream: Mix confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and a little cream of tartar (about ½ teaspoon for every pint of cream) for stability. Because it’s neutral in flavor and super airy and light, this frosting is a great choice for stacked berry cakes. For maximum volume and the smoothest texture, chill your bowl and whisk before starting, and use well-chilled heavy or whipping cream....

The set includes five machine-washable cloths that slip onto the three blades on the sturdy plastic handle. The dusting sleeves do all the work without using any kind of cleaning product, but you can also wet them to remove stuck-on grime. Since the cloths are reusable, you don’t have to worry about constantly buying new cloths or producing lots of waste. To buy: $8 (was $13); amazon.com. The blades are able to dust both sides of two blinds at once, helping you save time cleaning with this duster....

While the personal blender may not take up much counter space, don’t let its size fool you: The small-but-mighty appliance boasts a 1,100-peak-watt motor, which can pulverize ice and other frozen ingredients with ease. For added convenience, you can blend directly into the 24-ounce single-serve cup, attach the spout lid, and take your smoothie to go–all without having to wash any additional dishes. One five-star reviewer raved about the size and convenience of the Ninja Personal Blender compared to their standard blender: “I was getting tired of hauling out my big old blender to make smoothies,” they said....

The chilled chaos eventually reaches its threshold every couple of months, which prompts you to throw out a few items here and there. But without performing a proper refrigerator revamp, you’ll be stuck on the same loop for years. “When people try to organize their fridges, they often don’t take everything out of the shelves and drawers,” says organizing expert Barbara Reich of Resourceful Consultants. “People think that they’ll be able look at everything and assess the best plan of action by leaving everything in its current position....

To learn self-sufficiency, kids need to occasionally dust themselves off (literally and figuratively) without your help. “Most parents know what their children are capable of but step in to make things easier for them,” says Sheri Noga, the author of Have the Guts to Do It Right: Raising Grateful and Responsible Children in an Era of Indulgence. Remember: Long-term benefits—a teenager who knows how to do her own laundry, for example—trump momentary discomfort....

To buy: $25; amazon.com. “Better than all my Lululemon shorts easily,” wrote one five-star reviewer, who added, “I’ve told everyone who will listen, these are the shorts every woman needs.” The high-waisted style even has a zippered side pocket that can hold your phone, keys, and credit card while you work out. “It’s very deep, so [you] can store bulky keys in it and exercise without worry,” said another shopper, who titled their review “Lululemon dupe....

RELATED: 5 Things You Should Always Do to Keep Your Home Safe Before You Go on Vacation RELATED: 5 Clever Energy-Saving Tips You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner If you’re expecting a package but aren’t at home when it arrives, you’ll get a notification as soon as it hits your doorstep, which can help prevent package theft. You can also have contactless interactions with visitors, neighbors, and delivery drivers. At night, the motion sensors alert you to the presence of possible intruders, giving you extra time to call for help....

What is fatty fish? The American Heart Association recommends eating two (3.5 ounces, cooked) servings of fatty fish per week. Fatty fish include salmon, albacore tuna (the canned stuff), mackerel, herring, lake trout, and sardines. Fish is a great source of protein, but its real benefit is the omega-3 fatty acids it contains, Largeman-Roth says. Not only do omega-3s lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, they are also vital for brain health....

Curious to know what condiments to have on hand at your summer BBQ and beyond? Keep reading to find out which sauces, dips, and more are totally on-trend. Another BBQ option that should be on your radar is 365 by Whole Foods Market Shawarma Marinade. The condiment is made with balsamic vinegar, garlic, cumin powder, and more, and pairs perfectly with thinly sliced meats. In the Middle East, shawarma is a popular dish that consists of meat cut into thin slices, stacked in a cone-like shape, and roasted on a slowly-turning vertical spit....

Most of all, I’m looking forward to the months in the year when wearing warm, cozy sweatpants all day is not only accepted, but embraced as choice behavior. And my favorite pair that recently topped my all-time list of best sweatpants ever? Madewell’s MWL Superbrushed Easygoing Sweatpants, which reviewers can’t stop buying and have called the “softest loungewear ever.” Having worn the pants for weeks now, I am fully on board with the hype....

A new brand of innovative food storage containers, called Silo, launched a Kickstarter campaign earlier this year–and after meeting with the founder and seeing the containers in action, I’m convinced that this revolutionary, vacuum-sealing system is the food storage solution we’ve all been waiting for. Rather than stashing food in plastic containers with mismatched lids that have been warped from too many runs through the dishwasher, Silo’s stylish containers are made from durable, BPA-free Tritan TM plastic that’s microwave- and dishwasher-safe....

Of all the fall closet staples, nothing is more important than a comfortable jacket. The perfect fall jacket is something that’s thick enough in the daytime to add warmth to your button-downs and sweaters without sacrificing an ounce of style, and the best one I’ve worn recently is Quince’s Organic Comfort Stretch Chore Jacket—which only costs $40. I’ve been waiting all summer to be able to pull out this versatile piece, and so far it has gotten me endless compliments wherever I go....

Strip the bed and replace your setup with one of Bedsure’s quilt sets, which is heralded by reviewers as the perfect fall bedding. Because the quilt (and its two matching pillow shams) are constructed out of a soft microfiber, you won’t be sweating during any blip of heat or shivering on the coolest nights for the next few months. And now’s an opportune time to pick up your autumn bedding since each size is on sale, with the full/queen set ringing in at just $32 right now....

As the owner and interior designer of Eye for Pretty, she knew she could use her skills to reflect the style she shares with her husband, Patrick, and their two sports-loving children. And the one spot where things were especially coming together was in the laundry room. “We’ve owned three homes, but we never had a proper laundry room,” Salceda says. “Our washer and dryer were always located in the garage....

Whether or not dresses are in your everyday rotation, a T-shirt dress is a great piece. The midi-length Merokeety T-Shirt Dress checks many of the boxes of a go-to T-shirt dress: The pull-on style is easy to wear, it’s designed in neutral shades, and it’s machine-washable. To buy: $26 with a coupon (was $43); amazon.com. The dress is available in 20 colors and patterns, including plenty of striped options, and it’s made from 95 percent polyester and five percent spandex....