THE 30 DAY SCHEDULE

1. Surface clean living room and kitchen (pick up stray items, dust, sweep, vacuum)
2. Clean bathrooms (toilets, showers, floors, walls, mirrors)
3. Surface clean bedrooms (put away toys, clothes, dust)
4. Surface clean “extra” rooms (basement, office, play room)
5. Surface clean living room and kitchen
6. Clean bathrooms
7. Clean all interior windows (white vinegar and newspaper works great and is cheap!)
8. Sweep and vacuum all floors in the house (don’t forget stairs)
9. Surface clean bedrooms
10. Deep clean living room (mirrors, baseboards, dust artwork)
11. Clean bathrooms
12. Clean out closets (hang up clothes, mittens, jackets, hats)
13. Surface clean “extra” rooms
14. Deep clean bedrooms (organize drawers, check under bed, tidy closet, dust artwork, fans, lights, mop)
15. Surface clean living room and kitchen
16. Deep clean bathrooms (clean inside drawers, inside of trash cans, tops of mirrors, tile, mop)
17. Clean all door knobs, phones, entertainment equipment (remote controls), switch plates, banisters and other things that are repeatedly touched.
18. Clean out the refrigerator, take stock of food, organize pantry
19. Clean entryway, sweep porch (if you have one), clean out car (because they’re often our home away from home)
20. Surface clean living room and kitchen
21. Surface clean bathrooms
22. Surface clean bedrooms
23. Sweep and vacuum all floors in the house
24. Clean linen closet, straighten towels, sheets or regular closet if not applicable
25. Surface clean living room and kitchen
26. Deep clean kitchen (scrub appliances, wash trash cans, base boards, wipe down and straighten cabinets)
27. Surface clean bathrooms
28. Surfaces clean bedrooms
29. Clean one item you’ve been meaning to get to and haven’t (deep clean your stove, wipe down all light fixtures, tackle a particularly unruly area)
30. Sweep and vacuum all floors in the house

Juicing is a quick and delicious way to get the recommended daily dose of fruits and vegetables—and it’s not just a health-food trend. Juicing has caught on in the culinary world, with juice bars popping up in cities across the country, and pre-packaged options available at many major food retailers.

But it can be easy, fun and more economical to make your own juice at home. Plus, you can get creative and experiment with different ingredient pairings and combinations. From set up to clean up, here are a few tips on how to juice that will help keep the process simple and stress-free.

The appliance:

When choosing a juicer to purchase, consider the type of juice you’ll be making most often as well as the amount of space in your kitchen.

If orange juice, lemonade and other citrus-based beverages are your preference, invest in a citrus press instead. They’re smaller — taking up less counter space — and many have citrus-specific fruits such as pulp control.

For a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, opt for a centrifugal juicer, which uses metal teeth, a centrifugal motion and a filter to separate pulp, skin and other elements from the liquid to create smooth, super-fresh juice. Many centrifugal juicers can handle whole produce, meaning there’s no cutting board required.

Whole-fruit juicing reaps health benefits from every part of the produce in a thicker, more filling, smoothie-like beverage. For a fully mixed smoothie that’s super-smooth, look for a powerful blender. This multi-purpose appliance is ideal for the home chef, as it goes beyond juice and can be used for a wide range of recipes, such as soups, butters, sauces and more.

Pro tip: Keep clean-up in mind when selecting a juicer. Washing requirements can vary, though most modern juicers are designed for quick and easy cleaning. Some are dishwasher-safe, provided it’s placed on the top rack, while others require washing by hand.

Easy does it:

To help incorporate juicing seamlessly into your daily routine, prepare as much as possible beforehand. Cut up fruits and vegetables in advance, and place pre-measured combinations into bags or containers and store in the freezer so they’ll be ready to put right in to the machine. (If you’re whole-fruit juicing, storing produce in the freezer also means you won’t have to add any ice to the mixture.) Also measure out yogurt, juices and other mix-ins. While learning how to juice, remember that a little prep equals a lot of time saved—which can make all the difference on a busy morning.

On-the-go:

A well-made juice requires a worthy vessel, as it will likely be consumed on the way to work, school, sports practice or other event. Find one that fits your needs, whether it’s keeping the drink cold, fitting in the car cup holder, showcasing your personal style, or all of the above. Because knowing how to juice means you can fill your to-go cup with a healthy concoction, instead of that third cup of coffee.

Ready to Juice?

Maximum extraction

Feed leaves and herbs into the juicer with more solid/juicy ingredients—such as celery, apple and cucumber. This helps to extract the most juice possible from the leaves and herbs.

Varietal show

Play with different varietals of apples. They really change the tone of the juice. A Granny Smith is going to be very low gylcemic and tart, bringing a brightness to your juice, while a red delicious is going to be sweet and earthy.

Anything Goes

Go to your local farmers’ markets and have fun shopping. You can juice just about anything—even potatoes. Everything has a unique flavor and medicinal quality.

Organic is best

It’s so beneficial to use 100% organic ingredients when juicing and to stay with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Not only is this better for your body, it’s also better for our world.

Don’t get rid of the rind

Lemon and lime rind bring more of the fruit’s essential flavor to juice as well as additional health benefits.

Think outside the juice glass

Get inspired by favorite dishes, salads and desserts and see if you can capture those flavors in a juice.

The greener the better

Greens are so good for the body and mind. If you don’t do straight-up green juice yet, try tempering a green juice by adding apples, lemon and ginger.

Let the party begin

Juice is great for you health, and it can also be great for entertaining. Consider fresh juice cocktails on the spot for your next party. Just prep your ingredients and have the juicer set up and ready to go.

Ripe is right

Make sure your fruits and veggies are ripe. If it doesn’t taste good to bite, it won’t taste good to juice.

Ta-ta latte

Replace a morning or afternoon coffee with a juice. It may seem counter-intuitive at first, but watch the miracles unfold—glowing skin, a clear mood, better digestion, alkalinity and weight loss.

Cocktail Glass 101

Now that mixology has taken the bar scene by storm, craft cocktail bars are as ubiquitous as coffee shops. But you don’t have to pay a barkeep — or even leave your home — to enjoy a high-level drink. Instead, mix one at home. With a fully stocked bar, all you need is a solid cocktail glass collection. Then you’re on your way.

Types of cocktail glasses abound, and with good reason: Red wine needs space for its flavors to fully emerge. Martini glasses’ long stems keep you from warming the ice-cold drink with your palms. Narrow champagne flutes allow higher levels of CO2 to rise to the top of the glass, giving you that effervescent tingle. And fear not: There are plenty multipurpose glasses as well. To help you create the perfect collection, we built you an easy-to-decipher cocktail glass guide so you can toast with the most.

Lay the Foundation

Before you inject your personality and style, it’s important to lay a solid foundation — quantity, entertaining style, care and storage. Our rule of thumb: You should have the same number of red and white wine, beer and cocktail glasses as you do dinner plates (roughly six to eight of each). Accidents happen, so we suggest procuring a few extra of each style to have on hand as well.

Next, consider your entertaining style. Do you throw casual get-togethers or more formal affairs? Stemless barware generally reads as more relaxed (most is dishwasher-safe); formal settings call for stemmed glassware, most of which requires hand washing. A selection of acrylic drinkware is ideal if you entertain outdoors, while heavier styles are best reserved for the dining room.

Assess your storage capacity to determine how much surface area you’ve got. Stackable styles are more durable and work best in smaller spaces. If you have room to display cocktail glasses side by side in a sideboard or on a bar cart, you can look to stemmed designs such as martini glasses and champagne flutes. And though these days most drinks seem to have a designated glass, those short on space can get away with a more multipurpose design.

Last but not least, think about your aesthetic sensibility, color and personal taste. The possibilities are endless: Your collection can be mismatched or more streamlined and refined; you can choose all clear glass, or more colorful options. Perhaps you throw annual events that call for specific glasses (margarita and/or shot glasses for Cinco de Mayo). The most important lesson of all: Your collection should work for you.

Beer

Every beer drinker knows that glassware matters: Snifters’ downward curl intensifies aroma; wheat beer’s ubiquitous foam needs space to roam — hence the requisite wide top of its namesake glass. IPAs, Porters, and Pilsners each have their own classic shape, designed expressly to maintain body and taste.

If you’re short on space or enjoy serving a variety of beer when you entertain, try something multipurposes: A tulip-shaped glass’s pinched middle helps maintain aroma while its wide top stands up to foam. Designs that start wide and taper gradually toward the bottom work just as well. If you’ve got room or are a beer aficionado, stock a tasting set with multiple shapes to give guests options.

Wine

Wine snob or not, you want your wine glasses to show you know your stuff. For those with a bit of wiggle room, stock bar carts, cupboards, shelves and sideboards with an assortment of shapes and sizes — even a set or two. Go unconventional and try etched glasses on for size, or incorporate a square base or stemless shape into your collection. And rest assured that no one will turn her nose down at a classic, versatile style.

If you’re tight on space, stackable wine glasses are a fantastic choice — plus, they’re dishwasher-safe for quick clean-ups. Order a streamlined set, or mix styles and juxtapose contemporary with vintage, feeling free to play with details (think raised dots and cut glass).

Cocktail/Barware

The same rules apply for cocktail glasses as do for beer and wine: Whatever mixed drink you prefer — from martinis to negronis, Manhattans to margaritas — there is a glass for each. But if you’re short on space, you can stock a set of smart-looking multipurpose glasses and no one will know the wiser. Swill martinis from classic V-shape stemware, or go contemporary and sip from something sturdy and stemless. Margaritas belong in their namesake glass, as do pours of whiskey. But every cocktail looks good in a coupe glass or tumbler — especially if they have an extra bit of visual detail in terms of color and/or craftsmanship.

Now that you’ve got the tools to tackle your cocktail glass collection, you deserve to sit down with a glass yourself. Cheers!

In an age when every bar and restaurant in town seems to flaunt a mixologist, most people we know continue to steer clear of slinging drinks at home. But why wait for a night out to enjoy your favorite cocktail? Empower yourself by stocking a home bar; then throw a party to celebrate. Our handy guide breaks down bar ideas, tools, serving pieces and more. Read on and be inspired by our home bar essentials—that’s the spirit.

The Drinks

Word to the wise: Start small. You can always add to your collection later. Start with a set of foundation spirits for creating cocktails:

• • Gin (think: G&T, Martini, Gimlet, Negroni)
• • Whiskey / Bourbon (think: Old Fashioned, Manhattan)
• • Tequila (think: Margarita, Paloma) Tip: Look for brands made with 100% agave
• • Vodka (think: V&T, Martini)
• • Dark Rum (think: Dark & Stormy, Cuba Libre)
• • Light Rum (think: Daiquiri, Mojito)
• • Bitters (think: Manhattan, Old Fashioned)
• • Campari (think: Negroni)
• • Ginger beer (think: Dark & Stormy)
• • Simple syrup (1:1 sugar boiled in water; use for sweetening your spirits)

The Mixers

Again, start small. The list below will give you an arsenal broad enough to stir up a bevy of beverages for your group:

• • Seltzer
• • Tonic (Don’t skimp on an inexpensive brand)
• • Fresh-squeezed juice (lemon, lime, orange)
• • Cointreau (think: Margarita)
• • Sweet Vermouth (think: Manhattan, Negroni)
• • Dry Vermouth (think: Martini)

The Garnishes

You can take or leave garnishes, but if you’re up for it, they look fancy (and add to the fun):

• • Maraschino Cherries (artisan as opposed to artificial)
• • Mint leaves (and other herbs)
• • Citrus peel
• • Olives

Serve with Verve:

• Glasses: 6-8 each highball, Old Fashioned, and stem
• Bar cart: If you’ve got room, a bar cart doubles as eye candy. Simply roll it over for the party. (Keep it in a darker place when not in use; sunlight spoils spirits.)
• Tray: Whether on a bar cart or in place of one, trays take your setup to the next level (and keep them neat).

Accessories

Unless you develop a taste for more complicated liquid creations, there’s no need to get fancy:

• • Shaker (shaken cocktails)
• • Cocktail-mixing glasses (stirred cocktails)
• • Bar spoon
• • Springed strainer
• • Jigger (a.k.a. a shot glass, for measuring)
• • Muddler (for crushing herbs and citrus)
• • Ice bucket
• • Ice cube trays, smasher, Lewis bag
• • Tongs
• • Spirit decanter

Party Essentials:

• • Napkins (enough for few per guest)
• • Ice (for a crowd)
• • Recipe cards printed with your favorite cocktails (Call your favorite bar and ask for that recipe you love. Chances are they’ll be flattered and spill their secrets.)
• • Snacks (Fill bowls and dishes with spiced nuts, crackers and cheese, and pretzels.)

Bath Towels 101: How to Choose Towels

Shopping for towels is a touchy process. Sure, you want to buy towels that feel soft and luxurious, but what does ‘gram count’ really mean? And how do you tell the difference between Turkish cotton and Egyptian cotton or pick from a rainbow of colors and patterns? Before you throw in the towel too soon, take some time to read our handy guide below. We’ve gathered and grouped everything you need to know about how to choose towels into five key categories, from size and weight to construction, so that your search will go as smooth as possible.

• SIZE

Towels come in a variety of sizes that you’ll want to consider before your purchase. A standard bath towel for drying off after a shower or bath is 27” x 52”, while a bath sheet is slightly larger at 35” x 60”. A bath sheet offers more coverage, allowing you to fully wrap yourself. If you’re on the hunt for smaller options, hand towels are 16” x 30”, while square washcloths are 13” x 13”.

• WEIGHT

Bath towel density is measured in grams per square meter (GSM), and this number varies between 300-900. A 300-400-gram towel is thinner and lighter, making it ideal for the gym or the kitchen. These dry quicker than heavier towels. A 400-600 GSM is a medium weight towel that’s great for the beach, and can be used as everyday bath towels. And finally, a 600-900 GSM is dense and absorbent, which makes it feel extra luxurious but requires a bit more drying time. With our towels, we like to strike the perfect balance of thick, fluffy and absorbent, yet light enough to be quick-drying.

• COTTON TYPE

Everyday towels are often made of standard cotton. Egyptian cotton, on the other hand, is the more luxurious option because it’s made with longer, denser loops of thread that absorb moisture and trap warmth. Another highly absorbent and durable option? Turkish cotton.

• CONSTRUCTION

Towels made with combed cotton means that their fibers are combed to remove shorter threads and debris, leaving the strongest and longest threads to be woven into the bath towel. This process ensures durability and prevents pilling. Ringspun cotton is made with long and short fibers twisted to create a smoother, finer yarn while terry cloth is made with larger thread loops and woven with extra yarn. Also, look for towels made with banded edges to reduce fraying.

• STYLE

Towels can add the warm, finishing touch to a bathroom, so consider selecting a stack in a fun accent color or pattern. Another option is to stock your cabinets with colors based on the season (i.e., bright beachy colors in spring/summer, cooler colors in fall/winter). The most classic choice is fluffy white towels, which look timeless and work with any style or setting.

Notes on Care:

The best way to make your towels last longer is to take proper care of them. Before using your towels, wash them once to help set their color, improve absorbency and reduce any lint. Also, avoid using fabric softeners since they can leave residue and create stiff texture.

By putting a little time and energy into the selection process, you’ll find towels that add both style and comfort to your bathroom.