Laura Kristine Miller has been writing and editing home design content for over 10 years. Before joining the Real Simple and Better Homes & Gardens teams, she was an editor and strategist for content that focused on subscription-based companies and homeowner services across all of Meredith’s websites. For five years, Laura developed and edited articles that focused on equipment that property owners could use to maintain their acreages. Laura fell in love with all things home as the associate editor of Better Homes & Gardens’ special interest magazine, Refresh....

In midsummer, this shrubby plant can be topped with button-like yellow blossoms that some gardeners think detracts from the overall appeal. Lavender cotton may not even bloom in areas where it is borderline hardy. Lavender Cotton Care Must-Knows When planting lavender cotton, consider its native Mediterranean climate where it prefers well-drained and gritty soil. It will not tolerate excessive moisture. This is especially important during wintertime because this plant does not like wet winters and is likely to die from root rot....

Maggie Meyer Glisan graduated from the University of Missouri with a journalism degree, with an emphasis on magazine design. She also minored in business, which has equipped her to become an entrepreneur.

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt ¼ cup shortening ¼ cup butter, cut up, or shortening ¼ cup ice water Crust (Pick One): Half of a 15-ounce package rolled refrigerated unbaked pie crust (1 pie crust)Pastry for a Single-Crust Pie (page xx)Purchased frozen 9-inch unbaked pie shell. (Remove 1/2 cup fruit mixture before adding to pie shell; place the 1/2 cup filling in a 6-ounce custard cup and sprinkle with some of the crumb topping....

¼ cup maple syrup ¼ cup water

To smooth the transition from pots to garden, add compost into the planting holes for your roses and clematis. Make planting holes at least twice as wide as the pot they came out of, then backfill halfway with a 50-50 blend of topsoil and compost. Reduce transplant shock by watering your newly planted roses and clematis with a transplant fertilizer. Vitamin B-1 is usually a key ingredient in these fertilizers....

She has her Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Tufts University and a Master of Science in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University. In addition to her freelance work, Maya also has 15 years of experience in digital media and communications. Maya currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, three kids, many fish, and a lizard. 

1 cup red grape tomatoes, halved ¼ cup coarsely chopped cilantro ½ cup remaining frozen whole kernel corn ⅓ cup green olives, halved (optional)

½ cup green olives in brine, drained, pitted, and finely chopped ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, finely chopped ¼ cup finely chopped bottled roasted red sweet pepper 1 tablespoon capers, drained and finely chopped 1 large clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper Dash crushed red pepper 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil A zesty spread that is wonderful on sandwiches of every description.

3 large yellow onions (2 1/2 pounds total) 2 tablespoon unsalted butter 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper ½ cup water, broth, or dry white wine For the Multicooker Beef Broth 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound beef chuck roast or meaty beef shanks 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 pound beef bones, knuckles, and/or marrow bones 1 large onion, unpeeled and coarsely chopped (2 cups) 2 large carrots, coarsely chopped (1 1/2 cups) 2 large celery stalks, coarsley chopped (1 1/3 cups) 1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms 1 tablespoon tomato paste 3 thyme sprigs (optional) 1 bay leaf 2 tablespoon soy sauce ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste...

As vintage and secondhand decor becomes more popular, so has thrift shopping. Flea markets, thrift stores, and resale sites like Facebook Marketplace are filled with hidden gems. However, it does take a bit of patience to comb through items to score amazing finds. Whether you’re looking to furnish your home on a budget or want to find unique furniture designs to incorporate into your space, here are our tips on what to look for (and what to avoid) when thrifting furniture....