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How to Prevent Smoke Smells in the First Place Be sure the fireplace damper is open before starting a fire and remove the ashes after every use. Have the chimney flue inspected and cleaned yearly. Do not leave cooking food unattended in the oven or on the stovetop. Do not allow cigarette or cigar smoking indoors. To help confine cigarette smoke to one room, close doors to the rest of the house....

Until now, at least. We’ve polled the pros for the best tips for buying, hanging, and storing Christmas lights with minimal stress and strain, so you can focus on coming up with the best Christmas card sayings and shopping for Christmas gifts. Follow these tips, and you’ll be sipping eggnog and staring at your very own Christmas lights in no time. How to Buy Christmas Lights Before shopping, do a little prep work to make sure you get everything you need in one go....

Hosting Thanksgiving Outside The weather may be a factor in whether your Thanksgiving plans are successful. But unless the day is downright terrible, you might still be able to gather for a short time to enjoy a little turkey and stuffing with friends and family. (And if the weather is horrible, consider penciling in a rain date a day or two later so you can still enjoy your time together.)...

She started by taking everything out of her cabinets and assessing whether she still needed or used each item. Then she measured the cabinets to determine how much space she had to work with. Next, it was simply a matter of sorting everything into categories that make sense (i.e., all hair products together, all face care together, etc.) and finding the right bins to keep everything tidy. In many cases, Haley opted for storage options that were designed for closets and kitchens, but still work perfectly in the bathroom....

“Every mom is different,” says Kristen Chase, publisher of Cool Mom Picks. “She may want a day with the baby or without the baby.” So, think about what the new mom in your life would appreciate most, and try to plan a gift or activity around that. If you need some inspiration, take a look at some foolproof Mother’s Day ideas below. Chase recommends putting the baby’s handprint or footprint on the card, since it is, technically, from them....

Large eggs—opt for free-range, if you can—work best for this technique, but depending on your microwave strength and egg preparation preference, any size can work. How to Poach an Egg in the Microwave: As you’ll see, microwave poached eggs yield a slightly runny yolk. If you prefer your yolk to be more solid and cooked, just leave the egg in the warm water for a few extra seconds so it can firm up....

Turning your house upside down and addressing home remodeling costs is stressful enough, but doing so while bickering over every last detail with your partner? Now that’s a headache. Maybe that’s why a study from Houzz found that 12 percent of couples considered separation or divorce mid-remodel. Sure, certain DIY projects are known for causing arguments, but that statistic is still pretty surprising; we’ll be the first to admit life offers far more challenging hurdles than selecting a backsplash or conquering that enormous kitchen remodel cost....

Additionally, make sure to check hours, regulations, and closures, as many parks have made special accommodations to their typical rules to ensure the safety of their visitors. While at the park, you will also want to avoid high-traffic spots, busy peak hours, and public use areas like barbecues, restrooms or picnic tables to reduce contact with any possibly contaminated surfaces. Lastly, if you do not feel fully comfortable with heading to a public outdoor space, you can always transform your backyard into the picnic outing of your dreams!...

According to the American Kennel Club, the average annual cost of dog ownership ranges widely—from $14,480 to $93,520. That price tag includes food, treats, dog toys, beds, leashes, and routine veterinary care, among other things. Cats, meanwhile, cost about $634 annually, or about $53 per month, according to the ASPCA. Much like with dogs, this estimate considers the cost associated with cat food, medical expenses, treats, toys, and more. The reality, however, is that the expense associated with pet ownership can vary widely; for the savviest owners, there’s a long list of money-saving hacks to use throughout the year....

Indeed, fall is fleeting enough as it is, and we’d rather not waste a single piece of that precious fruit that you just hauled back from your apple picking adventure. You have far too many apple pies, crumbles, cider cocktails, and other apple recipes to tackle. The secret? Your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Remember that step one in wasting less fruit is avoiding storing certain types of produce too closely together....

How to Store a Whole Onion Whole onions don’t need to go in the refrigerator—in fact, it’s actually not a good place to store them. The fridge is a cold and humid environment, which can cause onions to soften and spoil. The best place to keep whole onions is somewhere dark, cool, dry, and well-ventilated. A perforated basket or bin in a kitchen cupboard checks all the boxes and would be an ideal location in which to store onions....

To buy: Tamara Dark Distressed True Blue Shirt, $118; mavi.com. Rachel Flare Ultra High Rise Instasculpt Jeans, $199; dl1961.com. Loran Deep Hemp Jacket, $128; mavi.com. Infinite Necklace, $195; maisonmiru.com. Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Sneakers, $65; converse.com. Rings, models own. To buy: Mainstay Cotton Catalina Pop Over, $115; buckmason.com. Sheri Slim Jeans, $119; nydj.com. Nouveaux Puff Earrings, $118; jenny-bird.com. Christian Dior vintage silk scarf, stylist’s own. Emaline Heeled Sandals, $140; vionicshoes....

How to Tell if Pecan Pie Is Done Jiggle vs. Wobble There’s an easy art to learning how to tell if pecan pie is done: It’s simply the difference between a little jiggle and a full-on wobble. When you check your pie for doneness, gently and carefully hold it by one edge, then give it a little shake back and forth. If the filling is flowing in a wavy movement from the center to the edge, your pie isn’t set quite yet....

How Long to Bake Pumpkin Pie We suggest 60 to 70 minutes as seen in our (delicious) recipe for maple pumpkin pie. To avoid a soggy crust or overdone pumpkin custard, blind baking is your friend, says Valerie Luck, founding partner and chief executive pie officer at Honeypie Cafe in Milwaukee, Wis. “I recommend baking pumpkin pies on a lower setting than most recipes call for and for a little longer—so 300 to 325 degrees for maybe an hour or more,” she says....

The best way to avoid a completely filthy bag is upkeep: Take wet gym clothes and any food garbage or leftover lunch out of the pack as soon as it gets home, and gently clean stains with mild dish soap as soon as you notice them. Wipe down the bag regularly, and keep it dry on the inside to avoid mold. Before you give it a thorough wash, check the care label, likely located in the main compartment....

When removing potential pesticide residue from blueberries, aim to prevent smashing and bruising in the process. Timing is also important. We tapped experts in New Jersey, a state that grows some of the most renowned blueberries in the country, for their best tips. Here’s everything you need to know. Why You Need to Wash Blueberries Unlike bananas or citrus fruit, blueberries don’t have a peel to protect them. They are fully exposed to the hazards of growing, harvesting, shipping, and storing....

How to Wear Ankle Boots With Jeans Wearing ankle boots with jeans is a great way to ease into the bootie trend if you’re just not sure what to pair them with. Whether you are dressing your jeans up or down, there are different types of ankle boots you can wear to stylishly assist in the process. Cropped jeans and ankle boots are a match made in heaven. Cuff the hems—instead of tucking them into the boots—for some major ankle action....

Hydrangeas are one such bloom that can wilt over time. Fortunately, it’s possible to extend the life of seasonal hydrangeas with a simple trick that will leave your flowers looks refreshed in a matter of minutes. Avoid Using a Fridge to Keep Blooms Cool In general, most cut hydrangeas prefer cool environments—but don’t be tempted to put flower arrangements in the fridge to keep cut stems cold. “This is one of the first things we advise against,” says Christina Stembel, the CEO and founder of Farmgirl Flowers....