Living

It’s the perfect time of year to refresh your home and, lucky for you, there are tons of simple tips and tricks to help you this season. Smelly sink? Crush lemon rinds in your garbage disposal and follow with cold water to dispel odors.

Ethically sourced jewelry retailer Jianna Jewelers has announced its new space at Houston’s luxury Kirby Collection. Jianna, founded in 1986 in Mumbai, prides itself on being transparent while providing handcrafted gemstones from responsible mines in Australia, Africa, Canada and Russia.

Flowers are blooming, and so is your wardrobe. Donae Cangelosi Chramosta, owner of Houston’s The Vintage Contessa, lends her expertise for curating the perfect spring outfit for any occasion.

When Six Flags reopens for the summer season on May 4, a new name will be just one of many changes for the water park.

We’ve all heard the saying “for every minute of anger you lose 60 seconds of happiness,” but maybe we should change that to “you lose another degree of financial health.”

Do you want to be a better listener? Here is an advanced practice drill. Listen to someone you really disagree with. It should not be a challenge to find someone in today’s political climate.

Before the days of GPS I sat in the passenger seat with a map unfolded on my lap.. I’ve always been a big fan of maps and have happily adjusted to Waze. And I’ve been known to enjoy an adult beverage. So how fun is it that the two are combined on the Map Engraved Barware collection from Uncommon Green?

This February, the Galveston Bay Foundation teamed up with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, hosting a volunteer-led crab trap removal event. Over 100 derelict crab traps were removed from the area, alongside the rescue of a native diamondback terrapin turtle.

Getting a ticket is no laughing matter. But taking a required online defensive driving course can be with Improv Comedy Traffic School. Created 20 years ago by Improv Comedy Club as an alternative to boring classes, these state-approved online classes offer a convenient way to complete a defensive driving course.

Donae Cangelosi Chramosta co-owns The Vintage Contessa & Times Past and has been in the luxury retail business for more than 20 years. A lover of all things vintage with a passion for fashion, her family and friends coined her “The Vintage Contessa.” She is an international wholesaler and luxury retailer, boasting brands such as Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Cartier and many more.

Here is a breakdown of podcasts to check out no matter your career, interest or lifestyle:

My fiancé and I recently began watching “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” on Netflix. Two episodes in, we got to work on our closets, clearing up more than half of the space in both areas.

When your life becomes busier by the minute, it can be hard to find time to think of Valentine’s Day gifts for your special someone. Here are some gift ideas that are quick and easy but still show you care:

Charlotte toddler Annie was watching “Sesame Street” late December when her mom, Amanda, thought she heard Grover say the “F” word. Annie’s dad (my son Thomas) replayed the segment, agreed it was debatable, posted it to Reddit, launching a top listing, 124,000 views, 3,400 comments and an international sensation.

Americans have answered the call to recycle more, but their good intentions are causing major issues in the recycling stream. Here are a few tips to help get your home and office recycling right:

Deadlines come quicker than you think, but with an agenda on hand, you’ll never fall behind. See which agenda is right for you:

Many people journal to pass the time, relax or keep a log of their accomplishments, but did you know that it can benefit your mental and even physical health?

Dr. Sheekha Sethi of Cohen Eye Associates sees firsthand how makeup can affect eye health. Reactions to cosmetics can develop gradually over time, causing contact dermatitis, a specific reaction that happens when skin or the immune system comes into contact with something that aggravates it.

American Heart Association’s revolutionary movement, Healthy for Good, inspires people to create lasting changes in their health and in their lives. Make 2019 the year to be “healthy for good,” with the following tips:

Experience a rejuvenation and transformation in health and beauty this year, with Share Wellness & MediSpa body sculpting treatments. Share Wellness offers two options, UltraShape Power and VelaShape III. UltraShape Power is a state-of-the-art treatment for fat reduction in stubborn areas.

Whether you’re a traditionalist and like the feel of pages in your hand, or you prefer to download your books, indulge this January in honor of National Book Month.

From sifting through hundreds of titles to finding age-appropriate stories, encouraging your child to read can be tough. To help, Amazon has launched Prime Book Box, a subscription book program to encourage the love of reading with books delivered every one, two or three months.

Another year comes to a close in Houston, and there is a lot to reflect on as well as to look forward to:

The Vintage Contessa is partnering with Styling Social Justice, a podcast she co-hosts for a festive giving challenge: “Health and Safety Giving for the Holidays.”

I was a few steps ahead of my son Thomas and his daughter Annie, nearly 20 months old, when we visited the mall weeks ago. I instinctively snapped a quick photo and posted it on Facebook.

The Crescent City and pecans have long been linked. The sweet, creamy, French confection known as a praline first gained American fame in New Orleans, when almonds were substituted for native Louisiana pecans.

One Word 365 says by choosing your word, it becomes the compass that directs your decisions and guides your steps.

On Tuesday, Air Force One or “Special Air Mission 41,” as it was named for this mission, landed in Houston to transport Houston’s most honorable resident to lie in state at our nation’s capitol.

Houston interior designer Ginger Barber was one of 15 designers in the country chosen to participate in Vaughan Designs’ first-ever “Made in the Shade” campaign.

Don’t wait for the office party to get in the holiday spirit. Volunteering with your coworkers is a great way to bring in holiday cheer. Below are a few ways your office can give back this season: