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“Electric blankets are a form of dry superficial heat which can increase blood flow to superficial soft tissue of the body and relax minor forms of tension and tightness,” says Karen Sorbo-Gangola, a senior physical therapist at Pure Healthy Back Troy. To find the best heated blankets, we had 11 testers put 27 electric blankets to the test at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. Using a pre-determined methodology, testers evaluated and scored each pick based on seven categories: quality, feel, effectiveness, heat, durability, ease of use, and value....

If you have a deck, you should opt for a quick-dry, lightweight rug made from plastics, says Lindsey Neff, head designer of Larkspur Botanicals. “Deck rot can be an issue if a thick rug lays soaking on the deck,” she says. “I love rugs made from recycled plastic because they’re chic and eco-minded.” To help you navigate your options, we spent two days testing 31 indoor/outdoor rugs in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, to evaluate their appearance and performance....

There are many varieties of pool covers, from ones designed specifically for winter months to ones that double as safety nets for children and pets. When shopping for a pool cover, it’s most important to keep in mind your pool’s individual needs based on factors like size, shape, and local weather. You should also look for key qualities such as ease of installation, durability, and maneuverability. We took these factors into account, as well as read hundreds of customer reviews, as we set out to find the best pool covers of every type....

​​"Storage capacity is the first and foremost thing consumers should consider," says Anthony Starck, president and CEO of Luxury Appliance Wholesalers, a Maspeth, New York-based luxury appliance consulting service. “If they have a large, active family and perhaps entertain, they would naturally want a larger unit.” No matter what size kitchen or what size appetite you and your family have, there are many options to keep your dairy, produce, and frozen foods fresh and tasty....

For example, this Le Creuset mini round cocotte is just $19 and would make a fantastic gift for someone who likes to cook—and it arrives before Christmas. Make sure your home is cozy and clean this holiday season with a new air purifier, memory foam pillows, and a portable carpet cleaner. But don’t wait to shop—the Very Merry Deals Event ends on 12/21, so check out all the discounts now....

Test Kitchen Tip: Use a piping bag with different tips to create dots and stars with the frosting.

Pendant light conversion kits convert a light fixture from boring to beautiful in a few minutes. Each kit is a little different, but we’ll walk you through the general steps. Before beginning this project, make sure you have access to your electrical box and you know how to turn off breakers. Make a Stunning Geometric Pendant Light What You Need Recessed light converter kit with an adjustable bar, socket adapter, mounting bar, round metal plate, decorative medallion, and hardware (we used one from Westinghouse)Power screwdriverPendant light fixture and mounting hardware...

A “soup” can be labeled one of the following: Bisque is a rich, thick, smooth soup that’s often made with shellfish, such as lobster, crab, or shrimp. Broth or Stock is a strained, thin, clear liquid in which meat, poultry, or fish has been simmered with vegetables and herbs. While normally used as an ingredient in other soups, it can be enjoyed as a light course on its own. Bouillon (pronounced bool-yaan) is basically the same as broth, but the term refers to commercial dehydrated products sold as granules or cubes....

Enter cake wraps. These handy decorations aren’t exactly new, but they’ll make your cake decorating projects much, much easier. Often made of sugar (and also called wafer paper or sugar sheets), some bakeries use them to create gorgeous patterns and images on cakes, but you can use them at home, too. Buy It: World Map Wafer Paper The beauty of cake wraps is that they look professional, but you can order them online and apply them to your homemade cakes....

There’s no wrong way to celebrate this holiday: Take inspiration from some of history’s most powerful women and spend the day getting involved with a cause you care about or simply call your girlfriends to encourage them. And of course, learn about the history of the holiday and the women who helped create it. The History of International Women’s Day Two years after the women gathered to demand voting rights and equal pay in New York City, an International Conference of Working Women was held in Denmark, where more than 100 women from 17 countries gathered to discuss those rights....

Career website Zippia recently published a state-by-state guide of the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes, and not all of the results were what we expected to see. The company compiled Google Trends data from November 2019 to determine what recipes were searched on Google in each state in the days leading up to the big holiday last year. If people in Nebraska searched, “how to make green bean casserole,” more than any other Thanksgiving-related recipe, Zippia concluded this was their most popular dish....

Download our gingham painting guide.

Pineapple Delight These beautiful tea bomb creations by Rebekah and Sally of @hivecakeshop feature pineapple guava white tea and Earl Grey tea from David’s Tea. The outside is adorned with edible flowers for a stunning finish. It’s easy to see why the sister-owned bakeshop is already selling out of these fast. Everything Pink Galaxy Dreams Sipping one of these tea bombs by Maria of @beautyanddasweetz seems like the perfect way to end an evening before heading to dreamland....

Whether your yard requires a high-pressure jet, a gentle mist, or anything in between, the Innav8 hose nozzle has you covered thanks to its 10 spraying patterns. Ideal for long periods of watering, the nozzle features a no-squeeze design and a rubber-coated handle. In other words, you won’t have to worry about your thumb getting sore or tired because you don’t have to continuously hold down a handle. Customers also rave that the nozzle is well-built and comes with a gasket (and an extra one) for precise fitting....

Long-blooming, easy-care perennials such as coreopsis, daylily, and pincushion flower provide colorful blooms from spring through fall and lush foliage when not in bloom. Evergreen boxwood, dwarf Alberta spruce, and yew shrubs provide structure even in winter and don’t need much pruning. A concrete urn planter filled with annuals of your choice serves as a focal point in the center of the bed. Plants for Creating the Dooryard Garden Plan A....

Plan Your Party Creating the perfect trail mix doesn’t have to involve a lot of spices or baking. Instead of using seasoning to flavor your trail mix, flavored nuts. These flavored almonds add bold flavors to any mix—which means less prep time for you! Let guests make their own mixes, or use our yummy trail mix recipes to create the perfect mix of goodies. Step 1: Grab the Goodies The first step to a fun trail mix bar is the goodies....

To store in freezer or refrigerator Prepare as directed through Step 2. Transfer to airtight containers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace (p. xx). Seal and label. Freeze up to 6 months or store in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt ⅓ cup shortening 4 tablespoon cold water

In 2013, when the actress and her talent manager husband, Bradford Bricken, purchased the 1960 modern ranch—originally designed by architect Perry Neuschatz of the famous Neutra Group—it was dark and dated. But the couple was looking for a project, not only to create a home that fit their style but also as a way to heal after suffering three miscarriages. With the help of friend and interior designer Seyie Putsure, they covered the wood paneling in white paint, which welcomes the rainbow of Virginia’s favorite hues....