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Bye-Bye Blisters: Love Your Shoes and Wear Them, Too

June 12, 2013, 1:05 pm
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Brokers Tell All: 10 Ways to Boost House Value

June 13, 2013, 6:44 am
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Do those home improvement projects really pay off?

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(ThisOldHouse.com)
Create Space

Knock out a non-structural wall, or even remove that kitchen island. Anything that opens the space and creates a sense of flow in the house is generating a response from buyers who can afford to be choosy. For the price of a few hundred dollars, you'll transform the feel of the house. "Right now buyers want a wide open floor plan, the living room right off the kitchen. They are into big spaces," says Kristin Wellins, Senior Manager of Program Development for ERA Real Estate.

Seattle broker Reba Haas says a kitchen island can be an asset, creating needed storage space. But if the kitchen has enough cabinets, it could pay to haul the island away. Haas says homeowners might want to consider a moveable island. "You can adjust them to your needs," she explains.

READ: The Best Whole House Before & Afters of 2013

(ThisOldHouse.com)
Prune, Limb, and Landscape

Tangled trees and unkempt bushes can obscure views, darken interiors, promote mold, and block a good look at the house.

"People forget about their trees more than almost anything," says Roger Voisinet, a thirty-year veteran of the Charlottesville, Virginia real estate market. Yet, landscaping is one of the top three investments that bring the biggest return. According to a 2007 survey of 2,000 brokers conducted by HomeGain, an online real estate marketing site, an investment of around $400 or $500 dollars in landscaping can bring a return of four times that. "It could really make a significant difference in the price. Nobody likes to spend money, but landscaping might even be the most important thing, even if owners have kept up the house," says Voisinet.

Reba Haas agrees, "Overgrown landscaping is a problem at all price points." Haas says it hurts with marketing too. "People say, 'Where's the house?" If buyers can't see what they are getting, they just move right on."

And if neglected, mother nature may go wild at considerable cost. Voisinet looked at one house recently where a fallen limb from a poorly cared for tree caused $2,000 in damage.

READ: Trade Secrets for Easy, Low-Cost Upgrades

(ThisOldHouse.com)
Let in the Light

The number one item on the 2007 HomeGain survey, lighting — everything from a dimmer switch to the increasingly popular sun tubes — noticeably enhances a home's appeal. California broker Robert Bailey says, "Dimmers allow you to create a mood."

He's a booster of sun tubes, too. Less expensive than framing in a skylight, sun tubes—also known as light pipes, sunscoops, and tubular skylights—use reflective material to funnel natural light from a globe-capped hole cut in a rooftop down through a ceiling fixture and into a room. Bailey says with tubular skylights, sunlight is nice, and moonlight is even nicer. "I'm putting six of them in my house. I don't need a skylight, but I do want the natural light."

A few other ways to light things up: Fix broken panes, make sure windows open, and consider lights that use motion detectors to turn themselves off. Remember high wattage bulbs make small spaces feel larger, and soft lighting brings warmth to empty spaces.
 

(ThisOldHouse.com)
Don't Put Off Care and Maintenance

Before thinking about a fancy upgrade to the kitchen, address the basics. Insulate the attic, repair plumbing leaks, replace rusty rain gutters, inspect the furnace and the septic system, replace or repair leaky windows, install storm doors, weed the flower beds. As broker Robert Bailey says, "What you don't notice as a weed, I see as a weekend of work."

These kinds of fixes go a long way toward value. Jessica Gopalakrishnan with HomeGain says, "Starting with a couple hundred dollars on a few things could increase the value of your house by a few thousand dollars. People are surprised by that. It's exciting. People think they have to put in a lot of money to see a big difference and they really don't."

Investing in maintenance and repairs is not only moneywise; it could also be crucial to a sale. Brokers and agents from across the country say the houses that get attention in this buyers market are in tip-top shape. John Veneris, the regional vice president of the National Association of Realtors in Downers Grove, Illinois, says, "What's important in this market, now more than ever, because there is so much inventory, the houses that sell are in pristine condition and are priced to the market."
 

(ThisOldHouse.com)
Go Green

If maintenance and repairs are in hand, Virginia broker Roger Voisinet says put the greenbacks into green efficiency. If your heating or air conditioning systems are old, "new ones are so much better, with savings of up to 30 to 40 percent." Another example he points to: for $7,000 for the unit and installation, with $2,100 back in green tax credits, a solar-powered water heater could save you as much as 80 percent on your water-heating bills.

Research published by The Appraisal Journal estimates that energy savings add twenty times the annual savings to the value of your property. Though Voisinet cautions, "a lot of appraisers don't know that yet," he says buyers appreciate now what appraisers will recognize later: Energy savers make your house more desirable. Says Seattle broker Reba Haas, "Do the update green, because everyone is now, for the first time in five years, asking about the utilities."
 

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Top 6 Chanel Boutiques We’re Dying to Visit

June 13, 2013, 6:54 am
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We’ve scoured the over 180 mono-brand boutiques worldwide looking for the house’s most luxe outposts.

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(Courtesy of Chanel)
Chanel Flagship, France

The 31 Rue Cambon Flagship takes you back to the beginning as Coco Chanel's legendary apartment is located on the third floor, beneath her former workshop.

(Courtesy of Chanel)
Chanel Ginza Boutique, Tokyo

It's no surprise that Chanel went full throttle for its Tokyo flagship with a 10-story-high LED wall facade that flashes patterns and images.

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Seinfeld's Hanging With Some New Friends

June 13, 2013, 6:57 am
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Tony Awards Become More Lovefest, Less Competition

June 13, 2013, 11:41 am
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6 Ways to Fight Hair Frizz

June 13, 2013, 9:04 pm
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The 5:2 Bikini Diet: Lose Up to 14 Pounds in a Month?

June 13, 2013, 11:17 am
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Does this plan really work?

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(Harper Collins)
Slim spaghetti with cherry tomatoes, spinach and balsamic, 91 Calories

Slim spaghetti is a carbohydrate-free spaghetti that you buy from health food shops. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it can be helpful when you want a proper plate of food for less than 100 calories. Don’t be put off by the weird smell when you first get it out of the packet; rinse the spaghetti thoroughly in warm water and the smell will disappear.

Serves 1. Preparation time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 100g (3½oz) slim spaghetti (8 cals)
  • ½ tsp olive oil (14 cals)
  • ½ garlic clove, peeled and crushed (2 cals)
  • 10 cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters (23 cals)
  • 50g (1¾oz) baby leaf spinach (12 cals)
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp good-quality balsamic vinegar (12 cals)
  • 1 fresh basil leaf, torn
  • 5g (1/8oz) Parmesan cheese, finely grated, to serve (21 cals)

Preparation:

  • Cook the slim spaghetti according to the packet instructions.
  • Heat the olive oil in a wide saucepan over a medium heat, add the garlic and fry for 1 minute until just cooked.
  • Add the cherry tomatoes, stir well and cook for 4 minutes.
  • Add the spinach to the pan, stir, cover with a lid, and cook for 1 minute further.
  • Uncover, stir in the slim spaghetti and season well with pepper.
  • Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook through, 1 minute more.
  • Add the torn basil and serve with a little Parmesan sprinkled over the top.
(Harper Collins)
Garlic and Parmesan Popcorn, 130 calories

This is a quick and easy snack. Be sure to move the pan while the corn is popping to prevent it from burning.

Serves 1. Preparation time: 1 minute. Cook time: 4 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • ½ tsp sunflower oil (14 cals)
  • ½ garlic clove, peeled and crushed (2 cals)
  • 20g (¾oz) uncooked popping corn (72 cals)
  • 10g (1/3oz) Parmesan cheese, finely grated (42 cals)
  • A pinch of salt
  • A pinch of cayenne pepper

Preparation: 

  • Heat the oil and garlic in a small lidded saucepan. When the oil is hot, add the popping corn, cover with the lid and cook over a high heat for 1 minute.
  • When the corn begins to pop, move the pan back and forth over the heat until the popping subsides.  Remove the pan from the heat and carefully remove the lid; some corn may still pop.
  • Add the Parmesan, salt and cayenne, toss to coat, then transfer to a bowl to serve.
(Harper Collins)
Low-fat chocolate pudding, 255 calories

This dessert is ideal for when you're in need of a chocolate pick-me-up on your fast day.

Serves 4. Preparation time: 10 minutes, plus 4 hours chilling.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups whole milk (297 cals)
  • 1 tbsp butter (112 cals)
  • ½ cup caster (superfine) sugar (394 cals)
  • 2 level tbsps cocoa powder (unsweetened cocoa) (62 cals)
  • 2 level tbsps cornflour (cornstarch) (142 cals)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (12 cals)

Preparation:

  • Heat the milk and butter together in a medium-sized saucepan over a gentle heat until the butter has melted. Set aside 4 teaspoons of the sugar and stir the rest into the pan until dissolved.
  • Meanwhile, place the cocoa, cornflour (cornstarch) and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl and stir well to make a smooth paste.
  • Pour the paste gradually into the saucepan, whisking constantly. Continue to whisk while you increase the heat to high and cook until thick and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Spoon the mixture into 4 ramekins or small glasses and sprinkle a teaspoon of the reserved sugar over each one (this prevents a skin from forming).
  • Leave to cool, then cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 4 hours until set.
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10 Things You Didn't Know About the American Flag

June 13, 2013, 9:37 pm
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10 Last-Minute Father's Day Gift Ideas

June 13, 2013, 9:44 pm
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It's still not too late!

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(Reuters)
Sports Tickets

If your father is into sports, take him to an upcoming game. Most retailers let you buy tickets online and print them out at home, so you can slap them into a card, hand it off to dad, and work out the rest of the details — like transportation or tailgating plans — later on.

(Reuters)
Concert Tickets

Sports might not be dad's thing, but what about live music? Summer is the season for big concert tours, and 2013 offers plenty to choose from. Paul McCartney,Willie Nelson,The Beach Boys, Rascal Flatts,Bob Dylan, and the Doobie Brothers are just some of the acts making their way across the country. Click on one to find out if they're coming to a venue near you.

(Netflix)
Streaming TV or Movie Subscriptions

A subscription to Netflix only costs a few dollars a month, but it provides hours and hours of entertainment. Sign your father up for a streaming subscription, or arrange for him to receive his favorite DVDs by mail. And if he's already got Netflix, check out Hulu Plus to see if they carry entire seasons of his favorite shows. Both services offer trial periods too, so dad can try it before you buy it.

(Clockwise from bottom left: Microbrewed Beer of The Month Club, Craft Coffee, MilkMade)
Gift of the Month Clubs

What's your father's weakness? Coffee? Hot sauce? For Father's Day, how about signing him up for a gift-of-the-month club that will deliver his favorite indulgences to his doorstep? Check out Craft Coffee if dad likes a good cup of joe, Hot Sauce of The Month if he likes his spice, or Birch Box if he likes a clean shave. There are also services that send ice cream (MilkMade), wine (Wine of The Month Club), Italian cured meats (Salumi Society) or beer (Microbrewed Beer of The Month Club), to name just a few.

(Reuters)
Food

If dad already has everything he needs, he'll always appreciate food. Surprise him with a homemade dessert or order up a whole barbecue feast and bring it to his house. If it's not too late, you can also try booking a table at his favorite restaurant or steakhouse. And if it is too late, print him out a generous gift certificate from Restaurant.com and let him choose when he'd like to go.

(Dollar Shave Club)
Shaving Needs

We don't know your father, but we're guessing his face grows hair. And you can bet he's sick and tired of buying expensive razors to shave it all off. Dollar Shave Club can take care of all that dirty work for him, and deliver high-quality razors (and other shaving needs) straight to his door for a fraction of the price he'd pay at the store. But of course, he won't be paying for any of it. You will.

(Reuters)
A Massage

Dad gets stressed out just like the rest of us, and what he needs is a proper massage to beat those knots out of his aching back. This year, find a local spa that offers gift certificates and buy your father a nice rub-down, preferably at a place that also has a steamy sauna to relax in beforehand.

(Reuters)
Lottery Subscriptions

Ever since you can remember, your father has played the same lottery numbers: your birthday, your mom's birthday, your siblings' birthdays, and his old jersey number from back when he claims to have played some sort of sport in high school. On Father's Day, surprise him by buying a year's worth of those tickets in advance. Several states offer subscriptions which you fill out (and also pay for) online. Plus, if dad wins big, he'll probably share.

(Reuters)
Booze

Is there a liquor store on the way to your father's house? Good. Grab him a bottle of the good stuff — the kind of booze he won't buy for himself. (It's also worth asking the clerks if they sell gift bags or bows.)

(Reuters)
A Bunch of Gift Cards

Gift cards are polarizing. Some people embrace the opportunity to spend somebody else's money at a specific store; others would rather have the cash. We don't know how your dad feels about this kind of stuff, but if he likes to try new things, give him a multitude of gift cards to places he might like. A coffee shop, a restaurant, a hardware store, iTunes, an electronics boutique — the possibilities are endless. Bonus points if you have time to shove them all into a new wallet that he can keep in his glove box.

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Seasonal Strawberry Cheesecake

June 14, 2013, 6:34 am
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Jennifer Aniston Talks Hair: Why She Hated 'The Rachel' and Loves The Duchess

June 14, 2013, 6:48 am
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Taylor Swift & Dita Von Teese Sizzle At The Fragrance Awards

June 14, 2013, 7:50 am
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Ask Diana: I'm Sick of Dealing With My Boyfriend's Baggage

June 14, 2013, 9:52 am
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The Weekly Wrap: What You May Have Missed

June 14, 2013, 2:12 pm
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PHOTOS: Thigh High Boots Are Having a Serious Moment

July 8, 2013, 7:23 am
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The Home Hair Color Spectrum, Decoded

July 8, 2013, 8:46 am
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Pro advice for choosing do-it-yourself hair color

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Choosing a Shade
  • Have realistic expectations. When it comes to choosing a shade. Cucinello says to ask yourself, "What are you trying to achieve, and what is your level of commitment?" Are you willing to keep up the maintenance of colored hair?
     
  • Don't believe the box. Boxed hair color is designed to make you think the color on the box is what you're going to get after you apply it.To determine the actual result, you need to use your imagination. "Think about your existing color and add it to the artificial color on the box. Those two shades combinedwill be the resulting shade."
     
  • Less is more. Permanent dye will not lighten or lift previously dyed hair. "A common mistake people make, is dyeing over their previously dyed hair resulting in a darker shade," says Cucinello.  If you only need to touch-up your roots, then only dye your roots using the same brand and shade you last used. Then you can use an all-over gloss to boost the previous color.

READ: What to Know Before Making Your Hair Darker

Shade Guide:

Knowing what undertones a particular shade has will help you to predict and hopefully achieve the color you desire.

  • Ash: Cool undertones. A great neutralizer that may be used to cancel out any red color.
  • Auburn: Deeper brown copper, orange-red undertones.
  • Blue black: "Think Elvis," says Cucinello. Super cool with the highest concentration of black.
  • Bronzed: Warm with a hint of coppery-red undertones.
  • Burgundy: Deep, cool red with a violet-blue reflection (neutral for reds).
  • Caramel: Soft, dark blonde with yellow undertones.
  • Chestnut brown: Soft, mousey brown.
  • Chocolate brown: Rich brown with a "pop"— a color just about anyone can pull off.
  • Deep, rich, darkest, or lightest: Anything described as such should be taken literally.
  • Golden: Warm yellow undertones.
  • Mahogany: Deeper, reddish undertones.
  • Natural: Dyes with this description are perfect for gray coverage. Has yellow and blue pigments to cover gray.
  • Soft Black: Believable black. "It won't make you look goth," says Cucinello.
Pro Tips:

Cucinello offers these pro tips:

  • How committed are you? Color aside, there are many types of dye to consider such as permanent, semi-permanent, and gloss.
     
  • Choose an application type. "For all-over, even coverage (especially for longer hair), go with a mousse application. For root touch-ups that need more precision, go with an applicator bottle."
     
  • Length and condition of your hair. If you have long hair, you will probably need two boxes of dye. If your hair is totally fried, Cucinello advises skipping the box and seeing a professional.
     
  • What's your skill level? Choosing the right color is only half the battle. Dying your hair at home is messy! "If you don't want to risk getting dye all over your home and skin, partner up with a friend," says Cucinello. 
     
  • Wash your hair the night before. Use a clarifying shampoo to wash your hair the night before. This will rid your hair of any residue and help the color adhere to your hair.
     
  • Invest in quality haircare products. If you're going to skimp on a professional dye job, at the very least Cucinello says to splurge on shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair, which will help your color last longer and stay vibrant.
     
  • Mix shades. If you're feeling extra daring and confident, Cucinello says you can mix two different shades of the same brand. For example, adding some red to brunette will give your color more depth.
     
  • When to visit the salon.  You should never attempt a major color change, or give yourself highlights at home — especially before an important event.  Also, if your hair is really damaged or more than one color, it's time to see a professional. "Anything more than enhancing your current color should be done at a salon," says Cucinello.
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Buns Aplenty: How to Use Up Those Pesky Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns

July 8, 2013, 10:36 am
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Never Waste a Hot Dog (or Hamburger) Bun Again

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( Nancy Einhart)
Sub For Breakfast Toast

Toast the buns for an egg, cheese, and bacon sandwich or to make kid-approved cinnamon toast. If you want to get fancy, use a hamburger bun in place of an English muffin in a poached egg and prosciutto breakfast sammy.

( Anna Monette Roberts)
Go the Deli or Panini Route

Cold cuts and sloppy joes taste great paired with soft, spongy buns. However, if the buns were left out and are borderline stale, grill them up in a panini. Opt for something savory like cheese and ham, or satisfy your sweet tooth with Nutella and strawberries. Everything always tastes better with cheese, so try making the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich.

(Susannah Chen)
Skip the Meat for Seafood

Don't think you can look at another hot dog or brat ever again? Take things a different direction by brushing hot dog buns with butter, heating them over the stovetop until golden brown, then stuffing them with lobster salad or buttered lump crab meat. Alternatively, fill burger buns with poached shrimp, avocado, lettuce, and aioli for a new take on a shrimp sandwich.

(Sara Yoo)
Incorporate With Dinner

Make basic croutons to toss in salads or breadcrumbs to top over mac and cheese and casseroles. For a surefire way to clear those buns off the table, make a batch of garlic bread.

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Can Chocolate Give You Youthful Skin?

July 8, 2013, 11:42 am
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Love Your Legs With This Swim Workout

July 8, 2013, 1:07 pm
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Homemade Chocolate and Orange (or Mint) Wafers

July 8, 2013, 2:16 pm
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Lara Ferroni's unbeatable recipe for these popular cookie treats.

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