1 Add more nature to your decor.
What makes a home feel homey? A 2021 study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology tried to pin down those subjective factors. A major commonality was "greater naturalness." (Maybe that explains why December's holly and Christmas trees give us all the cozy feels.) As summer fades and we stay inside more, harness the power of nature by bringing the outdoors in-with houseplants, a bowl of river rocks on the table, dried flower arrangements, or a stack of wood next to the fireplace. For even more ahhh, don't forget throw blankets, says Breegan Jane, an interior designer in Los Angeles and HGTV host. "If you're looking to give your home an extra dose of autumn goodness, one of the easiest things to do is incorporate fall colors from nature," she says. "Put away the bright, summery hues and bring out those thick knitted throw blankets in earthy sienna, green, and auburn."
2 Switch up your apple game.
We're serious! See, there are more than 100 apple varieties in U.S. grocery stores, and around a dozen new ones are introduced every year-many bred specifically to beat the classics (sorry not sorry, mealy Red Delicious). So drop the McIntosh (OK, just gently put it down) and mix things up! For a greater balance of sweetness, acidity, crispness, and juiciness, try Cosmic Crisp, developed at Washington State University, and SnapDragon and RubyFrost, bred at Cornell University, suggests Lane Selman, a professor at Oregon State University and the director of the Culinary Breeding Network, which includes plant breeders, farmers, and culinary pros. Or go to usapple.org to see what's available in an orchard near you. Once you stock up, store the apples in a paper bag in your fridge's crisper drawer. They should last for weeks, even months.
3 Seek out more help at work.
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Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Real Simple.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Christmas in the Desert
This Palm Springs home may be low on snow, but it's big on holiday cheer.
Treat Yourself
These festive sweets all start with a clever store-bought shortcut, so you can stay as cool as a...log of slice-and-bake cookie dough.
Appy Holidays
Not a typo! We'll be noshing our way through the season on these partyworthy nibbles. And we wish the same for you and yours.
Gift Guide
Got a few folks who stump you every year? Who may have regifted last year's present just as soon as they could? This is for you and for them. Pretty, fun, and even fabulous stuff at any price point. Every one is a keeper.
Now Hear This
If closed captions have become your best friend and it sounds like everyone around you is mumbling, we've got the latest feedback on why you're having hearing trouble-and what you can do about it.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
...is, actually, all the time! Whether you're looking to venture into the wintry world, stop to smell spring flowers, soak up the summer's warmth, or swim in fall's colors, these are the places that deliver.
A NO-STRESS GUIDE TO GIFT GIVING & RECEIVING
It's the thought that counts, right? Right?!
5 FINANCIAL MOVES TO MAKE BEFORE 2025
Don't drop the ball ahead of the ball drop!
NOT-SO-TALL TAILS
Three of the sweetest doggo adoption stories you ever did read
ELIMINATE PET HAIR
It's time to reclaim your sofas, carpets, and black pants.
