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The only problem? “Curtain shopping can be so confusing unless you’re a designer,” says Mary Beth Christopher, founder and principal designer of MBC Interior Design. With thousands of different options to choose from, finding the right curtains can get overwhelming. But knowing where to turn makes the process easier. To streamline your search, we spent hours researching stores that sell curtains, assessing their selections based on size, variety, and price....

The 10 Best Early Prime Day Deals Overall Merokeety Women’s Striped T-Shirt Midi Dress, $35 with coupon (was $46) Thread Spread 800-Thread-Count Cotton Sheet Set (Queen), $52 with coupon (was $85) Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Sauteuse Oven, $230 (was $300) Apple AirPods Pro, $175 (orig. $249) Bissell 2999 MultiClean Pet Upright Vacuum Cleaner, $140 (was $196) L’Oreal Paris Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $24 (was $33) True and Co Women’s True Body Lift Scoop Neck Bra, $27 (was $58) Eufy by Anker RoboVac 30C Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $180 (was $260) Apple iPad Mini, $410 (was $499) Keds Women’s Champion Canvas Sneakers, $37 (was $50)...

We put 38 of the best air purifiers through a series of tests in our Lab, assessing them based on their design, noise levels, features, effectiveness, and overall value. For expert tips on buying and using air purifiers we spoke with Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards. “People spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors, and indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air,” says Mendez....

To pick the best clothes steamers, we tested 29 of the most popular models on the market, assessing each one’s effectiveness, ease of assembly, design, and overall value. Our top choice is the Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Fabric Steamer for its multiple steam settings, impeccable steam performance, long steam time (for a handheld), and extra accessories, including a built-in crease clip. Who it isn’t for: People looking for a handheld steamer that they can travel with....

Fermentation is used to produce some of our most beloved and common foods, including alcohol, yogurt, and sourdough bread. Not so scary, right? Fermentation is a natural phenomenon that humans have been using for culinary benefits for centuries. All over the world, fermented foods play key roles in diets. Whether it’s kimchi in Korea, Kefir in the Middle East, or sauerkraut in Germany, people all over the globe have long recognized both the deliciousness and potent nutritional benefits....

To find the best dishwasher detergents, we spent hours researching some of the most popular options, looking at factors like type (such as pod, powder, or gel), size, formula, and overall value. We also tapped Derek Chiu, co-founder and director of the cleaning service UrbanMop, for expert insight on how to choose the best dishwasher detergent for your home. “It is essential to choose a quality dishwasher detergent as this can make the difference between spotless dishes and having to re-run the dishwasher or washing them by hand,” says Chiu....

“The key in any eczema cream is to find a gentle, hypoallergenic product,” says Ife Rodney, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Maryland’s Eternal Dermatology. “When it comes to eczema and skin creams, it’s essential to pat your skin dry (and not completely dry your skin), so there’s still moisture, then apply large amounts of a gentle moisturizer to your skin.” Rodney adds that these should be “hydrophilic,” meaning they melt into your skin and bond with the water left behind to reinforce the protective skin barrier....

To help you find the best gardening gloves for your gardening needs, we tested 17 gardening gloves in our Lab and assessed them based on quality, comfort, design, durability, and value. Our top pick is the Amazing Stuff For You! Gardening Gloves for their secure and comfortable fit, good grip, and ability to hold up well during various types of yard work. Read on to learn more about our top picks and how to choose the best gardening gloves to use for your home garden....

“Most healthy adults may benefit from using a massage gun,” says Anthony Maritato, a licensed physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist. “The best places on your body to use a massage gun include all muscle or fatty tissue areas,” he adds. To find the best massage guns, we researched a range of options while considering intensity, weight, attachments, and battery life. We also spoke to Kelsey Decker, an NSCA Certified Personal Trainer and Education Coordinator for StretchLab....

We also interviewed three space heater experts: Gary McCoy, a store manager for Lowe’s; Jeffrey Edwards, Regional Chief Engineer, Home Appliances & Electronics, at Intertek; and Randy Light, Senior Merchant at Home Depot. Our top overall recommendation is the Better Homes & Gardens Freestanding Fan Forced Portable Fireplace for its impressive heating capabilities, important safety features, easy portability, and the fact that it doubles as a fireplace. (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by Real Simple’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith....

If you time it right, however, you can snag a deal and the perfect oven or dishwasher that fits your space and your budget. These experts have some tips on how you can save money by shopping during the best time of year to buy appliances. Then, armed with that information, Schwartz says you can time your purchase around a major sale, getting the best deal on a replacement instead of rushing around to buy something at full-price the day your dryer dies....

Unlike many traditional standing desks, the Fezibo L-Shaped Corner Standing Desk has an electric lift system that adjusts the height from 27.6 to 47.3 inches with the push of a button. In other words, it’s suitable for both sitting and standing, and its L-shaped design is perfect for small rooms where a corner may be the only available space. The two-in-one desk is currently marked down to $305, which is a bargain when you consider the typical combined price of a desk and quality standing desk converter....

The rise in interest in these books is reflected in bookstore sales, bestseller lists, and now, even public library requests. OverDrive, a digital reading platform for libraries and schools and the creator of the Libby app, recently released data on the top ebooks and audiobooks being requested right now. Demand for popular anti-racism and social justice books has increased as much as 10 times what it was in the two weeks before May 26, and overall circulation for the category has increased about 297 percent....

Not surprisingly, hits like overnight oats, avocado toast, and pasta chips all made the cut, and the latter has garnered more than 1.1 billion views. As the Nutrimuscle team noted, many of the recipes that landed in the top 10 are also relatively healthy. “The rise of food trends on social media such as ‘FoodTok’ has encouraged younger generations to get in the kitchen and learn to cook meals from scratch, which is vastly healthier than relying on ready meals and fast food,” Alex Parren, certified nutritionist, explained....

Top Picks

To buy: $24 (was $33); amazon.com. The set comes with one medium and two large containers that fit everything from blueberries to iceberg lettuce, peaches, bananas, and more. The containers have a built-in vent filter that regulates the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide to prevent produce from overripening, and an elevated base tray that separates food from moisture. In order to achieve the best results, the brand recommends placing one type of unwashed, uncut, and unprepared food in each container....

This meant the process behind choosing the Color of the Year had to break with tradition, too. After much deliberation, the company landed on a new color: Very Peri, a vibrant shade of periwinkle blue with energizing violet-red undertones. Ahead of the announcement, we chatted with Lee Eiseman and Laurie Pressman, the executive director and vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, respectively, about the meaning and process behind the Color of the Year 2022....

For those who didn’t catch the Shark Tank episode featuring the tool, here’s how it works: Each Wad-Free square has four perforated tabs designed to hold each corner of either a flat or fitted sheet. Simply attach the device to your sheets before putting them in the washing machine, and it’ll prevent your bedding from ending up in a jumbled wad throughout the cleaning cycle. Then, put your sheets in the dryer with the tool still holding onto the corners....

During this hectic chapter, it can be easy to overlook some details, including the nuances of what maternity leave actually involves—financially, legally, and otherwise. But this is one area you won’t want to leave until the last minute, as doing so can have a variety of ramifications. Here’s a closer look at what you need to know about maternity leave before heading home with your new baby. Most notably, the FMLA applies to “eligible employees of covered employers....