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The best way to clean shoes varies depending on the material. Most footwear can be cleaned using a solution of mild dish soap and water, but certain types of shoes, including mesh sneakers and suede shoes, require special care to avoid damaging the material. We’ll walk you through how to use simple household items, such as baking soda, distilled white vinegar, and a toothbrush, to remove grime and discoloration from your footwear....

According to Google trend data, search interest in sage green reached a record high this year, with the color currently beating out emerald and mint as the most-searched shade of green. “Sage is a lighter, more muted shade of green, so it creates a calming effect in just about any space in the home,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “It also has such strong ties to the greenery and nature that surrounds our home, so it really helps bring the outdoors in and make a space feel more grounded....

The first step in growing juicy and delicious watermelons is to choose what type you want to grow. There are three main kinds: Early season, main season, and seedless watermelons. Within those categories, you can choose flesh that’s red, pink, yellow, or orange. An early-season watermelon is sometimes called an icebox melon because it grows to a petite size that easily fits on a refrigerator shelf. It takes the shortest amount of time to mature, about 70 to 75 days....

Editor’s Tip: For the best visual effect, your window box should be at least as wide as the window, but should not extend more than three inches beyond the trim on each side. Related Video

You don’t have to be a regular at Santa’s workshop to master this bow. Our technique is easy enough for beginners and works for all kinds of ribbons. If this is your first time making an intricate bow, we recommend starting with a wire-edged ribbon, such as this plaid wired ribbon ($9, Walmart) we used. The wiring will allow you to style the bow’s loops, easily hiding any imperfections....

This technique for how to make ice cream cake involves freezing three baked 9-inch cakes, then layering them with ice cream. You’ll get the perfect cake to ice cream ratio with every bite. Prepare for kids and adults alike to cheer when you bring out this dessert. How to Make Ice Cream Cake at Home Start with a boxed cake mix or see our from-scratch cake recipe tips below to make an ice cream cake that’s even more unforgettable....

Materials List Printouts of artwork with a print for each separate color layer Three 10×14-inch screen-printing screens Heavyweight (at least 40#) paper: light blue Water-soluble screen-printing paper ink: ivory, green, dark red Step 1 Gather your materials. Center artwork on cardboard, and mark corners with a pencil. Center screen with flat side down on top of artwork; mark corners. Remove screen and artwork. Step 2 Place printout of screen 1 on cardboard; align with marks....

How to Water Succulents Indoors Sedums, Sempervivum (commonly called hens-and-chicks), jade plants, kalanchoe, aloe vera, and Sansevieria (also known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue) are popular choices for indoor plants. Succulents also include cacti, which generally need less water than other succulents. Rather than giving these water-thrifty plants little splashes of water here and there, give them a good soaking until water runs out the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot....

Plant Person: “My favorite thing about home is my plants. We have loads! My partner and I have very green fingers! They may soon take over because we have sooo many.” Never Fear: “We moved around a lot because of my father’s work, so I think there was always a sense of adventure. Because of that, I have never been afraid of traveling, experiencing new things, and meeting new people....

Cottage cheese is one of the more polarizing foods out there; some are repulsed by the texture, and others could eat it as a meal by itself. If you love cottage cheese, this is a safe space. While I wouldn’t say I’m obsessed, I’ll eat it as a side with a little salt and pepper every once in a while. Since I enjoy both foods, I decided to try the trend for myself to see if it was good enough to replace my usual avocado toast....

Use this technique for dyeing Easter eggs with silk ties that have sentimental value (like Grandpa’s old ties), or have fun thrift shopping for inexpensive silk material. When choosing your fabric, look for bold patterns with many colors. Darker shades of purple, red, blue, and green transfer best, while pastels and light colors will give you a more subtle design. Add the finished eggs to your Easter basket or use them as part of your annual egg hunt—these brightly colored decorations are sure to stand out....

Fungus gnats love to lay their eggs in damp potting soil. The eggs become larvae, which feed on fungi in the soil (hence their name). The larvae are around 1/4-inch long with a shiny black head and an elongated, white-ish transparent body. In addition to fungi, they also like organic matter and will sometimes eat plant roots or seedlings. A slime trail that looks like traces of slugs or snails across the top of the soil is another telltale sign of fungus gnats in your houseplants....

Get the recipe: Thai Chicken Breakfast Meal Prep Meal planning for breakfast is one of the easiest ways to make busy mornings run a little more smoothly. Between overnight oats, freezer breakfasts, and overnight slow cooker recipes, a little bit of planning now can lead to quick and easy breakfasts tomorrow, for the rest of the week, or even in a month or two. To prep for tomorrow, try overnight oats....

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This color change is gradual, so you’ll likely see some yellow, some pink, and a few multicolored flowers all at the same time as the plant continues blooming from early summer through late fall. Even the unopened buds have the same color as a glass of lemonade streaked with deep pink. Luckily, the ‘Peach Lemonade’ rose doesn’t need special care or conditions to grow in your garden. These roses are recommended for USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9 and grow best in an area with full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day) and well-drained soil....

Spring Seasonal Perennials for Shade These spring flowers will brighten any shady area. These seasonal perennials are planted in low light, and they’re low-maintenance. They also have a low risk of attracting pests. You can count on these early bloomers to kickstart your garden every spring. Barrenwort (Epimedium) Bleeding heart (Dicentra) Columbine (Aquilegia) Primrose (Primula) Foamflower (Tiarella) Bergenia Heart-leaf brunnera (Brunnera) Hellebore (Helleborus) Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium) Lungwort (Pulmonaria) Viola Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum)...

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If you are grappling with indecision about real trees vs. artificial Christmas trees, know that it’s okay to review the pros and cons of both before making a commitment. Some may choose live trees because they’re more eco-friendly, but cost, maintenance factors, and personal preference typically reign supreme. If you’re still torn, here’s what you need to know to make the best choice this holiday season. Pros and Cons of Artificial Christmas Trees Artificial Christmas trees are typically made with pieces of steel that mimic the shape of a tree trunk and branches....

That doesn’t mean you have to don a veil and set up a hive for honeybees; Rent Mason Bees has made it super easy to play host to gentle native bees that don’t need hives. The company will send you simple kits that contain all the supplies you need, which you then send back later in the season, so you don’t need to deal with maintenance. Rent Mason BeeRent Mason Bees will ship either mason or leafcutter bees to you....

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