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And why not leave the harsh chemicals behind while you’re at it? Crack open the windows, press play on a new audiobook, and read on for a room-by-room breakdown of DIY cleaning concoctions you can whip up using many of the essential ingredients found right inside your home (more all-natural solutions in our comprehensive guide). Not the DIY type? Discover our top picks for green cleaning products that can be purchased at a store near you....

First, you’ll need to become familiar with the main adversary to any cookie’s freshness: air. Prolonged exposure to open air makes starchy foods stale. Air exposes these foods to greater evaporation (even if through just a slit in a plastic bag), making them dry. Think of a drink left out overnight: There will be less of the liquid in that cup in the morning, and cookies work in a similar way....

Perfume Degradation Perfume degradation starts the moment you open the box. Even though primarily decorative, perfume boxes actually serve a super important purpose in keeping the fragrance away from light, preventing oxygen from getting inside the bottle, and maintaining a stable temperature. While boxed, the fragrance doesn’t have much exposure to oxygen until the first whiff, and so any internal changes will start from there (like a wine after it is uncorked)....

When you’re inactive for long periods—think sitting at your desk, commuting, or watching TV for hours—the muscles that move and stabilize your hips can get tight (or, more technically, short). A large muscle group called the hip flexors—which originate in your low back and cross over your hips and are largely responsible for hip flexion (any knee-to-chest movement)—can tighten and constrict when they aren’t stretched, strengthen, and utilized (or moved) frequently enough....

We asked hairstylist Tatum Wetzel to share a game-changing waterfall braid tutorial to elevate your next romantic occasion (complete with a secret stylist tip). This cascading waterfall braid with curls is easy to recreate and helps show off those long locks in a whimsical, flirty way. What You Need Elastic bandsHair pinsTexture powderHairsprayBrush and comb Remember: Grab a new piece of hair from above the braid that’s forming, place it in the middle, and drop it down....

Aside from my collection of workout-ready leggings, my go-to stretchy pants are a pair of lounge leggings from Alo Yoga. While you could certainly tackle a yoga or Pilates class in these moisture-wicking tights—they’re made of a softer version of the brand’s performance fabric—I prefer wearing them to run errands and relax at home. The high-waisted leggings have a thick ribbed waistband that feels comfortable, not restricting, around the lower part of the stomach....

To buy: From $255 (was $300); amazon.com. This hybrid mattress combines the comfort of memory foam with the support of an innerspring, featuring multiple layers of both. At its base, a perimeter of 360 individually wrapped coils provides body contouring and lumbar support, while atop, three layers of upholstery-grade support foam, soft quilt foam, and temperature-regulating high-density gel memory foam combine to form 3.25 inches of cushioning. The result is a padded mattress that provides the firmness you need and the comfort you seek, together setting the stage for the type of restful sleep you deserve....

Highlights: 8+ years as a professional writer and editorFounder of the travel site justpacked.comBachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary After transitioning to an in-house content role at a fashion brand, she entered the world of freelance writing, focusing mainly on travel and eCommerce. From there, she founded the travel website justpacked.com, which publishes packing lists and product recommendations. Lydia’s writing has appeared on several of Dotdash Meredith’s sites (including: Travel + Leisure, Brides, InStyle, Real Simple, Shape, and PEOPLE) as well as those outside the company (including: Condé Nast Traveler and Garden & Gun)....

With more than 100 items, the new Container Store x KonMari collection covers everything from closets, to kitchens, to home offices. There’s even an adorable selection of baskets and bookshelves for kids’ rooms. You can shop the collection online now (you’ll have to sign in to or create a POP! account to see all the products), and in stores on January 15. “When I was looking to develop products, I wanted a sustainable line that would spark joy and deliver the versatility and expertise The Container Store is famous for,” says Marie Kondo in the press release....

The Kate Spade Summer Sale allows you to take 20 to 40 percent off of just about everything on the site, excluding home items and select products, depending on how much you spend. To break it down, if you spend more than $200, you can save 20 percent; if you spend more than $400, you can save 30 percent; and if you spend more than $600, you can save 40 percent....