8 Delicious Toothpick Appetizers That Are the Perfect Party Foods

Skip the utensils and plates with these party-ready toothpick appetizers. Pickle Poppers This toothpick appetizer idea is like ajalapeno popperwithout the spice. Simply stuff a halved pickle with a cheese mixture, wrap it in ham, and bake. Credit: Hannah Bigot Pop in a toothpick to hold the poppers together and to make it easy for social snacking. Glazed Ham Balls Carson Downing Nothing says comfort like this Midwestern classic. Cider Cheese Fondue Is there anything better than melty cheese?...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 269 words · Amy Pearson

8 Designer Tips for Increasing Natural Light in Your Home

Bring more sunlight into your home for a brighter, more open feel. While natural light is incredibly versatile, it can also be a little tricky to work with. To help you harness the full potential of natural light in your home, we turned to the pros. Credit:Tom Merton / Getty Images Andy Weier is the principal and co-owner ofRockledge Design + Architecture. He studied Interior Architecture at UC Berkeley and has worked locally in the residential interior space for several years....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 224 words · Kirsten Boone

8 Designer-Approved Ways to Try the Wallpaper Ceiling Trend

Draw the eyes up with the latest home decorating trend. Wallpapered ceilings are the latest unexpected decor choice designers are loving. “Try mixing bright colors and/or coordinating prints between the walls and the ceiling,” she says. Credit:Courtesy of Bobbi Beck Rees and Mellan-Matulewicz share their best decorating advice to help you create the right look. Small Spaces As with any bold design trend, Rees suggests starting small. Bedrooms Elevate a bedroom andgive it a sophisticated makeoverwith a wallpapered ceiling....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 163 words · Kelly Montoya

8 Dessert Bar Recipes Great for Sharing with a Crowd

Inspired by candy bars or classic pies and desserts, these big-batch bars will be gone in a snap. Plus, a no-bake option. Lemon Bars Tart and tangy lemon bars are a great fit forsummer cookouts. Credit: Blaine Moats The flaky bottom crust on these dessert bars is super simple to make. Top the gooey, citrus-packed filling with a dusting of powdered sugar for a little extra sweetness. Copycat Musketeer Bars Craving dessert bar recipes with a taste of nostalgic candy bars?...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 316 words · Taylor White

8 DIY Leprechaun Trap Ideas to Bring the Folklore to Life

Create St. Patricks Day memories with these fun leprechaun trap ideas to craft with the kids. For decades, children have been trying to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. But what about St. Patrick? Credit:Courtesy of Ms. Harli’s Honeys / Instagram What is a Leprechaun Trap? Then set them loose with craft supplies! Check out a few of our favorite versions to inspire your own DIY leprechaun trap ideas....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 304 words · Teresa Small

8 DIY Outdoor Christmas Decorations You Can Make in an Afternoon

Deck your front porch with a cheery holiday project. Once thestockings are hungand the tree is decorated, extend yourChristmas decorto the outdoors. TheseChristmas yard decoration ideaswill be the envy of the neighborhood this season. Credit: Carson Downing Add a plaid ribbon to a plainwoven basketto instantly make it look specifically designed for a Christmas display. This would also be a pretty way to store kindling by the fireplace. Surprise your mail delivery person with a fewholiday treatsfor an extra dose of Christmas spirit....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 219 words · Robert Bryant

8 DIY Squiggle Decor Ideas for a Playful Home

This ’80s-inspired home decor has never looked so good. If your childhood bedroom was covered in the iconic ’80s neon squiggle print, you’re in luck. Keep reading to learn about our favorite DIY squiggle home decor projects. Credit:Carson Downing Usea leveland painters tape to create horizontal and vertical lines. Connect your straight lines with irregular curves and loops. Squiggle Bench Jazz up your entrywaywith a DIY squiggle bench. Credit:Carson Downing...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 352 words · Julia James

8 DIY Ways to Make Your Home Smell Like Fall

DIY Pumpkin-Spice Room Spray It wouldn’t be fall without its most ubiquitous flavor:pumpkin spice. Skip the latte and opt for a fragrant fall air freshener instead. Spritz the air freshener around the room as needed for a burst of fall fragrance. Credit: Werner Straube For a citrusy seasonal blend, try combining bergamot, lemon, and wintergreen. Place rattan reeds into your DIY diffuser to disperse the fall fragrance. DIY Fall Simmer Pot...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 322 words · Andrea Schaefer

8 Easy Cinco de Mayo Party Ideas for an Outdoor Fiesta

Host your own Cinco de Mayo celebration to celebrate Mexican culture! Host a fun-filled fiesta to celebrate Mexican culture! Place stems of bright flowers and bold cactus plants in oldglass jarsto set the mood for a Mexican fiesta. Credit: Blaine Moats Let the party begin! Look for similar glasses at discount home stores, vintage shops, oronline stores. Pair bright plates and napkins with metallic utensils for holiday-appropriate color. Credit: Blaine Moats...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 141 words · Nathan Bell

8 Easy Home Improvements That Instantly Upgrade Your Home

Make your home feel like your own with these simple indoor and outdoor DIY projects. Brie Goldman A house might just be a structure, but a home is a sanctuary. It’s a reflection of your personality and a source of comfort. Credit:Brie Goldman Some of the most rewarding upgrades are small, personalizedDIY projectsthat improve functionality. Easy Exterior Upgrades If street-facing, exterior home improvement projects canimprove curb appeal. Make changes that will help you enjoy your outdoor space for longer throughout the year....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 363 words · Dana Wood

8 Easy-to-Grow Ornamental Grasses for Shade

Thesegrasses almost effortlessly brighten up shaded areasof your landscape, adding instant texture and movement year-round. The dry seed heads add natural music to the garden when the wind moves through them. After this ornamental grass for shade is established, it tolerates both drought and wet conditions. Credit:Peter Krumhardt It has good deer resistance. Size:36 inches tall by 18 inches wide Hardiness Zones:38 2. Group 5 to 7 plants together to create cascading texture through a planting bed....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 544 words · Alexis Griffin

8 Edible Weeds You Can Forage in the Wild (or Your Backyard!)

Instead of resenting the presence of garden weeds, you could add these wild plants to your plate. Weeds have a publicity problem. “It’s like garbage. Young dandelion leaves can be used like any other greens in your favorite recipes.Credit: krblokhin/Getty Images “A lot ofwhat is and isn’t a weeddepends on what we value.” It’s packed with nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids, too. Wong recommends picking just the tips of a young plant toadd to a salad with feta cheese and olives....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 269 words · Louis Sanders

8 Egg Substitutes Our Test Kitchen Swears By

In the world of baking, every ingredient plays an important role in even the simplest recipe. Eggs are one of the most common ingredients and are often key players. They provide stability, structure, leavening, nutritional value, and more. Credit:Kathryn Gamble Without these processes, the final product can lack the intended texture or flavor. Some ask the baker to separate the two parts and incorporate them at different times. Why not just throw it all together?...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 296 words · Michelle Mercado