Editor’s Lighting Tip: Worried you missed a spot? Step back from the Christmas tree and look at it with your eyes crossed. Where you see dark holes, rearrange Christmas lights, and fill in voids. Editor’s Lighting Tip: Thin out branches before decorating to make each light and ornament have more presence. Editor’s Lighting Tip: Use three 100-light sets per foot for a fresh Christmas tree, and 50-light strands for an artificial one....

“I recommend keeping the braid on the loser side—nothing too tight—as this can help with shedding and also make it appear more voluminous,” notes celebrity stylist Cody Renegar. “Keeping hair in a braid can also help prevent breakage caused by applying heating tools often used when styling hair.” Deaundra Metzger, celebrity stylist, agrees, adding that hair braiding is an excellent way to preserve your hair. It prevents breakage and minimizes or eliminates the need for heat styling, both of which are important for thinning hair....

“When we think of an emergency fund, we simply want to make sure that someone has cash on hand for anything that’s unexpected,” says Lauren Anastasio, CFP. “Whether it’s a matter of getting you from one paycheck to the next, transitioning from that lifestyle of living paycheck to paycheck, or something a little more substantial, like the ability to support yourself should you lose your job, it really can serve in a variety of fashions....

References to serotonin and serotonin-boosting habits, activities, and even foods are common in today’s social media-based mental health discourse. But is improved happiness and well-being as simple as trying to increase your supply of this one single neurotransmitter? In truth, not everyone can benefit from a serotonin boost—in fact, too much serotonin in your body can actually make you feel worse (although serotonin toxicity is often a reaction to medication)....

“It can be very lonely to look for a job, manage your career, or start a business, and you don’t have to do it alone,” says Lindsey Pollak, multigenerational workplace expert and author of Getting from College to Career and Recalculating: Navigating Your Way in the New World of Work, coming out this fall. “There are so many people who have experience and wisdom who can benefit you, support you, guide you, and make your life a lot easier....

To bring seasonal cheer indoors when staging your home, consider adding accessories like pillows or blankets (in bright red or orange for fall and winter or cooler colors for summer) or sprucing up your kitchen by placing a tray of cinnamon sticks or a bowl of lemons on the counter. Scents and fragrances, like apple and pumpkin in fall and winter or fresh cotton and linen in summer, can also entice home buyers during open houses....

To combat this flavor fatigue, I decided to visit the sauce section at my local Trader Joe’s. After experimenting with almost all of their condiment options—and there are a lot to choose from—I narrowed down my top five sauce picks. Keep these Trader Joe’s sauces in the fridge to save a boring weeknight dinner, and stock up because I have a feeling you’ll want more than just a drizzle....

Outdoor Activity Ideas Plant a spring garden (or even just a plant or two). See the cherry blossoms. Have a picnic at the park. Seek out the first crocuses, snowdrops, and other spring flowers. Go for a run. Take a hike. Play softball. Ride a bike. Enjoy the spring weather at an outdoor café. Visit a farm to see the baby animals. Walk on an empty beach. Play a round of golf....

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Break out of (boring) crunch mode and power up your trunk with this Pilates-inspired core exercise routine, created by Kit Rich, NASM-certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor in Los Angeles. Complete this workout set three to four times a week for stronger, sturdier midsection. (B) Lift knees toward chest so shins are nearly parallel to the floor; extend arms straight out. Pull knees toward shoulders, keeping upper body still. Bring knees back to starting position....

Swap out your face wash for an oil cleanser “Oils cleanse the skin, plus they have inherently hydrating properties,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. His pick: Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil ($32; dermstore.com)—a soothing, soap-free formula (eczema skin approved!) that helps prevent the drying effects of water. Slather on a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid This ingredient is a humectant that pulls water into the outer layer of the skin and holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, says Dr....

That’s where self-awareness comes in. “Self-awareness is about looking at who you are in a way that acknowledges how you impact others [and] how they impact you,” explains therapist Marcelle J. Craig, LMFT. It also involves understanding your emotions and internal narrative, allowing you to lead a fulfilling life. “It’s the first step to changing and growing,” says Craig. On that note, the practice of self-awareness is just that: a practice....

Editor’s Tip: If you use edible items, toss them at the end of the season. Fold a short length of ribbon in half and insert the ends between the body pieces for a hanging loop. Hand-stitch the body pieces together, catching feet and hanging ribbon as you stitch. Leave a 1-1/2-inch opening in the body; turn and stuff with polyester fiberfill. Stitch the opening closed. Create a hanging tassel by cutting and stacking three six-inch pieces of ribbon, knotting them in the center, and gluing the ribbons to the bottom of the foam ball....

Stretching not only increases your flexibility and range of motion, but it will also improve your performance in workouts and all physical activity. By stretching, you increase blood flow to your muscles and even help relieve stress and calm your mind, and it’s one of the best ways to ward off injury. “Regular stretching is one of the most important keys to preventing injuries during normal everyday activities as well as health and fitness programs,” says Michael Pappas, PT, the CEO and cofounder of Pappas Physical and Hand Therapy in Providence, R....

For example, in many modalities of psychotherapy, you can expect to sit across from a therapist, who will ask direct questions to get to the root of what’s bothering you. But rather than having you attempt to figure out solutions on your own while you share your problems (though that does occasionally happen), your therapist may make specific suggestions for new ways to think and behave to help you feel happier and more in control....

Shiplap can be identified by the 90-degree angle of the joint connecting the boards. However, several other types of wood paneling do look similar and can be used to create a similar aesthetic, namely V-groove and beadboard. Plywood: Instead of expensive shiplap boards with rabbets, some designers and bloggers install inexpensive wooden panels (even sheets of cheap plywood cut into 5 7/8-inch-wide strips) that are then nailed to the wall, leaving a small gap between boards to resemble real shiplap....

The AAD explains there are two types of aging, intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic is the aging your genes dictate, while extrinsic is the type of premature aging caused by lifestyle and environmental factors, which we have a hand in. First and foremost, you should be wearing sunscreen every single day. Even on cloudy days and while sitting on airplanes, you’re susceptible to harmful rays that can lead to wrinkles, sun spots, and skin cancer....

For starters, it’s more of a hunt with no guarantee of finding pieces that will align with your style. Also, shopping consignment usually means doing a bit of research beforehand and using a sharp eye mid-shopping in order to know what you’re buying and how much you ought to spend. To better navigate the thrill of the consignment furniture hunt, abide by these expert tips and tricks. “Don’t be afraid to grab pieces you love, even if you don’t have the entire look you are going for just yet....

Interestingly, winter squashes are actually grown in the summer and harvested in the fall. They tend to have thick skin, allowing them to be stored for several months, so they can be enjoyed throughout the winter. Not only is winter squash a sweet, rich addition to your menu, but it’s also loaded with nutrients, fiber, and healthy omega-3 fat. Ranging in size, shape, color, and flavor, winter squash can be prepared in endless different ways....

RELATED: This Discrete Exercise Mirror Saved My Fitness Routine in the Smallest Room I’ve Ever Lived In—and It’s $700 Off This is the time of year when you should show up and show out without any apologies. December was filled with back-to-back holiday parties, last-minute gift shopping, and prepping for the dropping temps, so you might not have had a chance to figure out your party attire for the big night yet....