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Names like Tru Earth, Earth Breeze, Earth Hero, Net Zero, Dropps, and BioKleen are just some of the companies vying for consumer attention. And the offerings and value propositions of these more recent entrants are exciting for people wanting to do their part to save the planet without busting their budgets. Not only are these companies reducing the plastic pollution associated with laundry routines, they are also reducing the carbon footprint associated with the industry and baking charitable environmental initiatives into their business models....

RELATED: Here’s How to Shop Safely During the Coronavirus Outbreak It’s also a good idea to invest in a UV light machine, which has been proven to kill the coronavirus. Phonesoap ($80; phonesoap.com) uses scientifically proven germicidal UV-C bulbs to sanitize your entire phone. Coral UV 3-in-1 Sanitizer ($169; coraluv.com) is big enough to fit all your belongings and blast them together in one run. If you opt for this method, Purikh advises exposing your belongings to at least 30 minutes of UV light....

Yes, there are certainly benefits of not having to report to the office (less chaotic mornings!), but when you’re a new hire trying to learn the ropes, make a stellar impression, and prove yourself—the lack of water coolers and true face-time makes settling in particularly tricky. How are you going to strike up a casual conversation, build relationships with colleagues, or present an idea in a brainstorm? Who do you go to if you have an HR-related question?...

For example, let your beautifully wrapped presents serve as decorations until they’re ripped open on Christmas morning, or consider hanging holiday cards from your stair banister to add a pop of color and cheer. Add some elegant Christmas trees to your repertoire of decorations, or create an edible version to sweeten your entryway. Using our simple ideas as inspiration, we’ll show you how to procure what’s already around your house to customize a festive look this Christmas....

While there are thousands of tote bags available in stores, it can be difficult to find one that is equal parts fashionable and functional. So to help you find the best options out there, I tested multiple tote bags to see which ones live up to the hype—and which ones don’t. During my search, I tried over 20 different bags but managed to find just seven sturdy totes that are not only built to last, but are also stylish enough to wear practically anywhere....

First Dates Are Inherently Awkward—Here’s Why Why do first dates feel so weird, anyway? Christie Kederian, Ph.D., psychologist and licensed marriage and family therapist, says it has a lot to do with the wide range of thoughts racing through our minds. “On a first date, there’s a lot that’s happening psychologically,” she says. “You’re having to juggle multiple layers in your mind.” The first layer is reconciling that you’re going out to spend time with someone you previously may have never laid eyes on....

One of the best things about the world’s newfound TikTok obsession are all the beauty products that have been discovered from the platform. With so many products on the market, many products are unfortunately overlooked in the oversaturated space. With the help of these short demo videos, you can discover some super clever finds that serve to make your life just a little easier during these crazy times. Here are some of our currently trending favorites....

To buy: $48; kiehls.com. To buy: $52; sephora.com. To buy: $15; target.com. To buy: $48; sephora.com. To buy: $39 for 60 pads; ulta.com. To buy: $62; littlebarnapothecary.com. To buy: $23; ulta.com. To buy: $59; sephora.com.

Beauty companies have long used this practice with body scrubs and lotions. But nowadays, more makeup brands are doing the same, creating products that take on the smell and/or the appearance of food. Companies are creating vegan products that are solely made of organic materials, utilizing those strong scents. Some of their flavored products are even safe enough to eat. Although we don’t advise actually consuming them, here are some of our favorite food-inspired beauty products....

You’ll be surprised by what ordinary items can be transformed into beautifully intricate snowflakes. Clothespins become dazzling tree ornaments, reinforcement stickers (yes, that utilitarian office item you’ve had tucked in your drawer forever) become gorgeous gift tags for the very best Christmas gifts, ribbon helps transform an inexpensive throw pillow into seasonal décor, paper straws turn into whimsical window hangings, and well, you get the idea. What’s even better? All these fun snowflake crafts can be completed in an hour or less; with minimal supplies, too....

But gifting money has a lot of questions around it. How much money can you gift to your family? How do you gift money to a child? Is just adding money to a Visa gift card a great gift? And how do you ask for money as a gift? According to Swann, the amount of money you gift depends on your budget, your relationship with the giftee, and the type of occasion....

Well, we went ahead and did the hard work for you by reaching out to manicurists who are very tapped into the nail scene. They filled us in on the top trending dark nail colors for fall and winter, which means you spend more time admiring your new mani/pedi and less time hemming and hawing over which hue to pick. Best Dark Nail Colors Our pick: Essie Force of Nature (10; target....

While getting in your steps, you can download a podcast episode or two to catch up on the news, take a deep-dive into pop culture, learn a thing or two about history, or even raise your heart rate just a little bit more with a true-crime thriller. Here are a few podcasts to add to your library that will have you walking even further just so you can finish the episode....

There’s now an entire cottage industry devoted to solo travelers, including companies catering to solo women travelers looking to stay safe, solo millennials hoping to make friends, and even seniors wanting to get out and see the world on their own terms. Truly, I can tell you from first-person experience that traveling alone can be a dream. After all, you can get up whenever you want, eat whatever you want, see whatever you want, spend time doing whatever you want, and go to bed whenever you damn please without answering to anyone along the way (other than the voice inside your head)....

If you’re in the latter group, you may be looking for ways to cope. Should you avoid the news, or wallow in it? Will you feel better by sharing your thoughts on social media, or worse? Yes, it’s a cliché but you can start by taking a deep breath—literally—says Diana Winston, director of mindfulness education at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center. It won’t change the outcome of the race but that simple act has been scientifically proven to help curb anxiety and refocus your attention....

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