Posts

The Best Chainsaw

Image
Chainsaws can be catastrophically dangerous, but they’re a lot easier to use safely when they’re compact, light, and reliably powerful. In testing over a dozen new cordless tools in recent years, we were happy to realize most people can usually bypass the full-size version in favor of a smaller, safer pruning saw — and everyone can skip gas chainsaws entirely. from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/GLvMaXH via IFTTT

Extravagant Socks — And 7 More Gifts for the Dregs of Winter

Image
In this edition of The Gift, we’re sharing a few closet upgrades that would delight any giftee this February. Plus: 36 gifts that scream “self care.” Even I, a major proponent of Little Treat Culture, who lives much closer to the “opulent” than “practical” side of the shopping spectrum, have to draw the line somewhere. And for me, that line is these $100 socks . I simply cannot justify spending a Benjamin on a single pair for myself — no matter how ultra-luxe they feel, how soft the cashmere is, how much the little IYKYK tag makes them cool to other sock snobs, or how much our style editor gushes over them. (“Now that I’ve experienced these socks,” she says, “it’s hard to go back to anything else.”) All of that said: Few things would delight me more than receiving these socks as a gift. They perfectly embody one of the golden rules of gifting: Get them a thing they use every day, but way better. And today, on what seems to be the 78th day of February, as I trudge through another ...

Your Wardrobe Needs More Versatile Blouses. Here Are 8 Terrific Ones.

Image
On the quest to build a versatile wardrobe, it’s easy to acquire a closetful of staples that are tasteful but bland, or trendy pieces that quickly lose their charm. Tops and blouses are especially prone to this Goldilocks predicament (this one’s too boring, that one’s too extra), but there is such a thing as “just right.” We spent three months researching and testing blouses and found a healthy handful of styles that strike the balance between practicality and personality. These top types are meant to be utility players, multitasking (yet not dull) pieces that you can put to work day after day, season after season. In museum terms, think of these as your permanent collection — the reliable standbys that keep you in business, and keep you inspired, as other exhibits come and go. Read on to see which blouses can serve as invaluable building blocks for your wardrobe, and check out the specific styles we recommend in each category, all of which have been vetted by a body-diverse panel o...

The 8 Best Facial Cleansers

Image
Face-washing is task that pops onto your to-do list twice a day, in the morning and before bed , so it should feel like a treat, not a chore. It’s easy to find a good-enough facial cleanser that removes dirt, grime, sunscreen, and other residual skin-care products. It’s harder, however, to come across one that does all of that without leaving skin feeling sensitive, stripped, and generally shrink-wrapped. And the trickiest thing of all? Discovering a face wash that also adds an element of delight and self-care. We’ve been living this search (and lathering various washes) for months. We tested 41 cleansers and sent 21 of them to panelists sorted by skin type. Ultimately, we arrived at eight frothy, foaming overachievers. No matter your budget, we have a basic, gentle wash and a luxe, frothy option for sensitive skin; a foaming cleanser and a gel option for oily and acne-prone skin; a hydrating cleanser ; an exfoliating cleanser ; a cleanser for normal skin , and an upgrade option...

4 Ways to Make a Bathroom Safer

Image
In this edition of Clean Everything, we share 4 upgrades to prevent falls in the slippery, steamy area. Growing old in your home offers a lot of benefits — but also a lot of risks, particularly as dexterity and balance decrease with age. But you can reduce many of those risks by reevaluating the things in your home and how you use them. ( Our new room-by-room tour , built on years of testing and research, is a good place to start.) The bathroom, for instance, poses more physical hazards than any other room in the house — thanks to the slippery surfaces, limited square footage, and low visibility. But a few simple upgrades can deter falls and make any bathroom safer for just about anybody: from Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World https://ift.tt/MoSgBTj via IFTTT

The Best Baby Swings

Image
A baby swing is a decidedly optional piece of baby gear, but it can feel like a lifesaver when you need a spot to soothe a fussy baby. (Keep in mind that swings are designed for supervised use when your baby is awake only.) We conducted more than 30 hours of research, which included interviewing child-safety experts. And we’ve spent 20 hours testing 10 different models since 2017, landing on three recommendations. That said, swings rely on a battery- or AC-powered motor to function, and these motors are notoriously faulty. Customer reviews for even highest-rated swings include complaints about motors malfunctioning or failing over time. Top pick The best baby swing Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing Handy features — like an auto shutoff and a motor that defaults to the last setting used — set this swing apart from the competition. It also sits higher off the floor than the other models we tested. $150 from Target The Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing is designed to ...

It’s Not Just a Spoon. It’s a Kunz Spoon.

Image
When I first laid eyes on a Kunz spoon nine years ago, during an early gig as a line cook, I scoffed and thought: It’s just like any other spoon, right? I was unequivocally wrong, and I quickly learned why. My first day on the job, I was tasked with plating dozens of orders of chickpea hozon, a fermented chickpea dip, and I struggled to dollop the thick paste into a tiny bowl using a silicone spatula. As the orders kept flooding in — and my frustration mounted — a fellow cook pointed me toward my soon-to-be saving grace: a Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon . They lent me their Kunz spoon out of pity, and by the end of my shift, I’d become a convert. In the restaurant industry, it’s common knowledge that Kunz spoons reign supreme, and having one is an unofficial sign that you mean business. Walk into any professional kitchen (or watch an episode of The Bear ), and you’re bound to encounter at least one of these spoons. After I finally acquired a Kunz spoon of my own, my confidence in the kitche...