A variety of backyard lighting ideas can help you illuminate your hangout zone and add a magical element to your space. Achieving a bright and glowy look is also easier than you think. From a charming string of well-placed bistro lights to pro landscaping solutions, these backyard lighting ideas will make your outdoor space the ideal place to spend time and enjoy the company of loved ones. Highlight Architectural Elements Call attention to your home’s exterior in all the right ways with strategic lighting placement that highlights all the most stunning aspects of your abode’s architecture....

Get the plan for this DIY birch log coffee table. Nailhead Trim Coffee Table It’s easy to upgrade a thrift store or flea market find. Paint a secondhand coffee table a fresh shade before lining the edges with nailhead trim. Rather than pounding in the individual nailheads, use nailhead trim purchased on a roll. Simply hold the trim along the edge of the table and tap finishing nails into the predrilled holes....

After writing about home goods for the past few years, I’ve had my eyes on a set from Parachute for quite some time, and when I finally got to test out the sought-after brand’s sateen sheets, they did not disappoint. They’re silky, smooth, and sumptuous—enough to make my unimaginably small bedroom feel like a luxurious hotel room. Made of 100 percent Egyptian cotton, the sheets are soft yet durable. And while they feel reminiscent of cool silk, the fabric lacks an obvious sheen and can be cleaned in a washing machine....

Your favorite client or coworker (you know, the person you don’t complain about over dinner every night) for making your life easier. Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who have made a difference in caring for you or a loved one. Your children’s teachers, caregivers, and coaches for their expertise and devotion. Someone who gave you a gift ages ago that you find yourself treasuring or using constantly. Re-thank that person. Your favorite anybody....

Offers to buy now and pay later are more and more common online with the rise of installment payment services (technically point-of-sale loan providers) such as Affirm, Afterpay, and Klarna, all rising buy now, pay later (BNPL) stars in the U.S. With some 23,000 retail partners in the U.S. between the three services, these payment options are almost ubiquitous sights for online shoppers. You may recognize the names, but understanding how Affirm, Afterpay, and Klarna (and services like them) work is a whole other matter....

To buy: From $30 (was $46); amazon.com. With an oversized cut, Uaneo’s shacket can easily be worn as a jacket over sweaters and on its own for the perfect off-duty, slouchy weekend look. It’s such a versatile piece that shoppers have paired it with jeans and boots, worn it over turtlenecks, styled it on top of leggings, and even matched it with skirts and a top. In other words, it truly is the closet “staple” that many call it....

There’s no one-size-fits-all to bullet journaling: Some people prefer colorful, doodle-filled pages to accompany their methods, while others simply need to jot down list after list in black ballpoint to pull it all together. Then you must choose between bound journals or notebooks with coil binding, white or ivory paper, and B5 and A5 sizes. You have several options available, so it’s understandable if you get overwhelmed, especially if you’re new to bullet journaling....

SlipToGrip created its Washer Be Quiet non-vibration pads for preventing the shaking that can occur during washing and drying. You can choose from a four- or eight-pack of the rubber coated stainless steel pads that are made to universally fit all types of laundry machines, absorb the vibrations, and resist wearing out over time and continued use. The soft, layered rubber pads are non-slip and safe for use on multiple floor types, including linoleum and hardwood, too....

Ekouaer Lace Trim Nightgown in Gray To buy: $25; amazon.com. “Very soft and comfortable and it’s not hot,” one shopper said. “I wanted something cool for summer. Am not a summer person, so I wanted something I can wear at night and not worry about being too hot and sweaty at night.” Its design features include side slits, a V-neck, lace trim, and pocket detailing on the chest—but it’s the comfortable and lightweight knit fabric that makes the tee-style nightgown a favorite....

That all changed after I received a sample of the Saatva Linen Sheet Set. I was excited about the prospect of sleeping in these sheets after touching them with my hands. They’re slightly textured, since they’re real linen, but they’re also incredibly soft and even out of the box, they felt cooler than the temperature of my room. Plus, as someone who, admittedly, cares about things like this, the expensive-feeling box (complete with a ribbon-tied bow) the set came in elevated the entire experience from the moment I received it in the mail....

Instead of aimlessly stacking your shelves with the entire kitchen cabinet, Emerie Forehand, interior designer at Decorist, explains the elements that create a highly-curated kitchen aesthetic. “Function is key for your open shelving,” Forehand said. “I like to use items that they use everyday, like their plates, glassware, and coffee cups—that way, they’re easier to grab and unload from their dishwasher.” After placing tableware on the shelves, Forehand suggests using decorative filler items, like fresh potted herbs like mint and rosemary to add greenery (and flavor to your cooking), tea canisters, and mixing bowls....

But with so many options, it can be difficult to figure out which service is the right fit for your needs. There’s a variety of factors to consider: Is budget the top priority? Or a solution that will provide multiple dietary options? To help you decide, we’ve rounded up the best meal delivery services by category. Best Meal Delivery Services Best Overall: Sunbasket Best on a Budget: Dinnerly Best Variety: Hungryroot Best Vegan: Mosaic Foods Best Gluten-Free: ModifyHealth Best Meal Kits: Blue Apron Best Prepared Meals: CookUnity Best for Kids: Nurture Life Best for Families: HelloFresh Best for Seniors: Magic Kitchen...

Apparently, it’s not just me. This “do I really look like that?” phenomenon has been dubbed “Zoom dysmorphia,” because, while it’s not what you look like IRL, it is what you look like in the breakout room. While most of my trouble spots have been easy to disguise with makeup and lighting, my neck area is still an issue. “We use the phrase ’tech neck’ to describe the creping, sagging, and wrinkling of the skin around our neck and décolletage that is exacerbated simply by our positioning when we’re using our phones and computers,” explains Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City....

The Bissell spin mop is one of the most clever powered options on the market because it’s designed with two durable rotating pads that scrub sticky substances, dirt, and pet accidents with the push of a button. The spin mop comes with two sets of microfiber pads to customize your cleaning: a coarse, scrubby option and a soft, plush one. Once assembled, the pads rotate in opposite directions to buff out mud, pet stains, and scuffs, per shoppers....

So, what can be done to remedy this besides bombing the place with air freshener? Enter the simmer pot. It’s simply a pot of warming water with herbs, extracts, and other good-smelling additions that work quickly to create a naturally better-smelling home. Think of it as a DIY scented candle but with fresher ingredients, a further reach, and more staying power. Even better, you likely already have many of the key ingredients and can quickly pop them on the stove before guests arrive....

I’m definitely swapping my breezy summer bedding for more cold-weather-friendly flannels and weaves (hello-o heathered cashmere!), and adding a neutral, elegant wool throw to the end of my bed. As a bonus, new customers also get 10 percent off its entire site; automatically applied at checkout. And Brooklinen’s not just top of line for bedding. It also has spa-worthy robes, silk pillowcases, weighted blankets, diffusers, and more. Each of these add to a comfy, warm atmosphere that makes it oh-so-difficult to leave my apartment....

Eliot, who was first introduced to meditation at the age of 9, is the expert you want on your side when it comes to feel-good breathing exercises. After facing several near-death experiences—including almost drowning and surviving the Thailand tsunami in 2004—Eliot came back to yoga and meditation, leaning on these two practices—both of which are deeply connected to breathwork—to center himself once again. But can his work and techniques actually change your body’s temperature?...

You’re supposed to replace your mattress every few years, I know, and my mattress is certainly getting close to the end of its life. Until last summer, I’d been hoping that my mattress would last just another year or so, until my next move, when I had planned to replace it. I woke up day after day with an aching back, though, and when even the best lower back stretches didn’t help, I knew I needed a quick solution....

Since I had zero experience painting furniture, I chose a paint that would essentially be fool-proof: chalk paint. It’s a type of paint that adds a fully matte, chalky appearance to any piece of furniture, but it can also be used on other surfaces, such as brick, glass, and cement. It can be distressed with sandpaper for a vintage, worn-in look, or left alone for a smooth, solid wash of color....

While washing your hands with soap and water is better than using hand sanitizer, for those times when you’re on the go and simply can’t get to a sink, here’s how to mix up your own DIY hand sanitizer. But 20 seconds feels longer than you think—it’s the time it takes to hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Want some more modern musical inspiration? CNN has recommended hand-washing tunes for every decade....