Whether you’ve been hosting Thanksgiving dinner for years or if this your first time, preparing the yearly feast can definitely be overwhelming. The pressure to present the perfect holiday dinner can be intense, even if it’s pressure you put on yourself. Combined with a larger than usual audience (your entire extended family), it’s easy to understand why the holidays conjure stressful images for those who are in charge of meal prep.
 

One of the main factors that leads to high levels of stress on Thanksgiving is the fact that so many dishes must be prepared and served at the same time for things to be considered “successful.” This requires a great deal of coordination and planning, and even a small error in judgement can cause your plans to

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The home décor style known as ‘shabby chic’ has been embraced by homeowners and renters alike all around the world. Because of its focus on imperfection, shabby chic design appeals to those who prefer a home that feels and looks lived-in and comfortable rather than perfect and austere.
  If you’re interested in incorporating the shabby chic design style into either your home’s interior, exterior (or both), you’ll want to try to find the right balance of rustic, weathered pieces combined with new décor items so that your home feels eclectic and welcoming.
  Try adding some of the below listed components and elements to your existing home design to give your living space a simple, elegant shabby chic makeover:

 
• Texture variety: By

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Have you ever walked into a friend’s home and felt an immediate sense of comfort? It might not be immediately obvious why a particular abode feels so cozy and comforting, but there are a multitude of little things you can do to make your home feel just as welcoming.

 

Take a look around the rooms in your home where you most often welcome guests. If these areas feel like “something’s missing,” you can try adding a few items to turn up the ambience-meter. Some homes have more of a welcoming ambience than others just on their own, but if your house or apartment lacks built-in charm, don’t despair! By answering the following questions, you’ll know better how to make your home more inviting.

 

Is your own personal style evident?

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Fall weather has arrived in much of the country, and with it comes a desire to partake in autumn-inspired activities. Apple-picking, haunted hay rides and pumpkin carving are among some of the most popular things to do at this time of the year.
  Whether you’re carving your pumpkin with or without kids this year, it can be a blast! Most people have experienced at least one jack-o-lantern “fail”, but if you follow some basic guidelines, you’ll be more likely to end up with a handsome looking result.
  For pumpkin carving success, be sure to follow these 5 basic steps:
  1. Select the right kind of pumpkin and tools for carving – The smaller the pumpkin, the more difficult it will be to work with, so choose one that’s large enough to…

If you’re a parent of school-age children, the time has rolled around once more to start packing lunches. Finding creative ways to entice your kids to eat what you pack is a challenge for all parents. Just as we would get bored eating the same food every day, so too will our kids. It’s important to offer them a variety of interesting foods, but it can be tough to constantly come up with new ideas.

 

Keep in mind the following tips while gearing up for another school year. These ideas will help streamline your lunch-packing process:

• Store all of your lunch materials and containers together. Designate a large drawer, cupboard shelf or section of your pantry solely to boxes, containers, bags, clips, plastic utensils, juice boxes,

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