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Travel

10 Items You Should Always Keep in Your Car for Emergencies (They Could Save Your Life)

Car troubles always seem to come at the worst times, and if you aren't prepared to deal with them, the situation can go from simply inconvenient to potentially dangerous (and not to mention, expensive, too). So, to keep yourself safe and ready for anything, it's important to stock your car with essentials that will help you out in a crisis. Simply storing a handful of items in your trunk—and making sure you know how to use them—will equip you to manage unfortunate breakdowns, flat tires, and more. Here are 10 things you should keep in your car at all times to make sure you're prepared in case of an emergency. Chargers Our phones can be one of our most important tools during an emergency, so you'll want to make sure your car is stocked with chargers to keep you on the grid. In addition to car chargers, it's also smart to keep a portable charger on hand in case you're stuck in a situation with low phone charge and a dead car battery. First-aid kit A first-aid kit is essential for both mild and major emergencies. If you're on a long road trip and someone gets a headache, for example, it's great to have some pain relievers in your kit. In more serious instances, like a car crash, you'll also want to be sure to have things to clean and disinfect wounds, gauze and bandages, tweezers, and more. Water and Snacks If you end up stranded on the side of the road and you aren't able to get your car back and running on your own, it may be a while before someone can come to help you. So, it's important to make sure you have what you need to stay hydrated and energized. Store water bottles in a small cooler out of direct sunlight, along with a handful of nonperishable snacks. Things like nuts, dried fruits, and protein bars are good choices for providing sustained energy. Flashlight A flashlight is a key part of any emergency preparation kit. If you end up stranded with a flat tire or dead car battery at nighttime, you'll need a flashlight on hand to work on a solution. Storing a real, old-fashioned flashlight in your car also means you won't need to rely on your phone's flashlight, which could waste precious phone battery you need for other purposes. Just be sure to also store an extra set of batteries along with your flashlight to ensure you don't run out of light. (Keep in mind that if stored in extreme temperatures, batteries may corrode.) Jump-start supplies Jumper cables are probably one of the first things that come to mind when thinking about car emergency essentials, so you may already have them on hand. However, it's not enough to just have them in your trunk; you also need to know how to use, and you need to rely on another car to get your vehicle back up and running. An alternative to jumper cables is a jump starter, a portable battery device that allows you to jump-start a vehicle without the need for an additional car. It doesn't hurt to keep both emergency options in your car, and you can always store them with some written instructions on how to use them in case you forget. Map We've all become pretty reliant on GPS for directions, whether that's through the car navigation system or a phone app. So, if you're ever in a situation where neither of these options are available, it's helpful to have a good old-fashioned map on hand. Blanket If your car gets stranded in cold weather, it's important to make sure that you and the rest of the passengers can stay warm. In addition to keeping a couple standard blankets in your car for winter travel, you'll also want to have some emergency blankets, which are specifically designed to reflect your body heat and keep you warm. It's also smart to keep an extra pair of gloves and other warm winter accessories anytime you're traveling in cold weather. Emergency Warning Devices If you're stranded in the middle of nowhere at nighttime or in poor weather conditions, emergency warning devices—like flares and reflectors—will help alert others that you're in need of help. You can use emergency flares to send a signal from farther away and reflectors will provide visibility for nearby drivers and prevent accidents. Tire Repair Kit In the case of a flat or punctured tire, make sure your car is equipped with all the tools you need to repair or replace a tire. Knowing how to repair or replace a tire can save you money by keeping you from having to call for help or get towed. Don't forget a spare tire that can help get you to a tire shop and some written instructions on how to replace a tire. Traction Aids In the case of snowy or icy conditions, be sure to stock your car with traction aids that will help to keep you moving. Things like rock salt, sand, and cat litter can all help to get your tires out when you're stuck on ice or a snowbank.

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Gardening

8 Late-Summer Flowers That Keep Pollinators Coming Back, Even into Fall

One of the joys of gardening is seeing native bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds feeding on the nectar of the flowers you've planted. But with many species blooming in spring or early summer, there's often a gap in food supply for these beneficial pollinators during late summer and early fall—a crucial time of year. You can help close that gap for the pollinators in your area—and extend the season for colorful blooms—by planting native plants that flower in late summer. Here are eight late-summer blooming flowers to consider for your garden. Anise Hyssop Anise hyssop, a member of the mint family, is known for tall, abundant spires of tiny purple flowers. It's native to the northeast US but thrives in regions with a similar climate as well. Pollinating insects like solitary native bee species are attracted to its nectar. Plant anise hyssop in an area with moist, well-drained soil that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Joe Pye Weed Another North American native that pollinating insects love is Joe Pye weed. This perennial blooms in late summer with heavy clusters of dark pink to purple flowers. The blooms attract beneficial bugs thanks to their scent, which is reminiscent of vanilla. Give Joe Pye weed full sun and moist, well-drained soil. While many native plants don't require regular fertilizer, Joe Pye weed needs a little nutritional boost to bloom if planted in poor soil. Cardinal Flower This native plant gets its name from its spikes of bright red flowers, which bloom from midsummer until early fall—when pollinators are most in need of nectar sources. It requires full to part sun and moist soils that are neutral to acidic in pH to thrive. The plant will self-seed aggressively, so consider that when choosing your planting site. Note that cardinal flower is toxic to both people and pets.1 Helenium Also called sneezeweed, helenium blooms in summer and fall with cheerful flowers that may be shades of yellow, orange, and red. Put this plant in a spot that has moist, well-drained soil and gets at least six to eight hours of full sun each day. Deadheading can help plants bloom continuously, which benefits the bees and butterflies that seek their nectar. Divide and replant helenium after three years to keep it looking healthy. Garden Phlox Low-maintenance garden phlox is available in a wide range of colors, including shades of purple, pink, and white. Its blooms attract pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This North American native plant grows best with full sun, well-drained soil, and regular watering, especially in times of drought. Goldenrod Goldenrod is a hardy North American native plant that provides nectar to pollinating insects in late summer and fall when they need it most. It's also ideal for planting in sites with poor soil. Give it full sun and a spot with good drainage to attract pollinators like bees and monarch butterflies to your garden. Avoid overfertilizing to keep plants from becoming leggy. Blazing Star Blazing star, also known as liatris, attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Its spikes of dense, long-lasting blooms in shades of purple or white appear in summer and last through fall, helping to fill the late-season nectar gap for pollinators. Give it full sun and well-drained soil for best results. When watering, avoid getting the foliage wet to help prevent fungal issues. New England Aster Along with goldenrod, New England aster and other late-blooming aster species provide much-needed breeding habitat, food sources, and overwintering sites for beneficial pollinating insects, including native bees, wasps, flies, moths, beetles, and butterflies.2 Their purple, pink, or white flowers look great alongside goldenrod in your garden, too. These fast-growing plants can even bloom in their first year of planting. Give New England aster full sun and moist, well-drained soil to help it thrive.

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Travel

How to Avoid 'Airplane Ear' So Your Ears Don't Pop on Your Next Flight

It’s a feeling that air travelers know all too well: an uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, popping sensation that takes over your ears as your plane lifts into the sky or touches down on the tarmac. The condition is more commonly known as “airplane ear,” and according to the Mayo Clinic, it happens when the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in the environment are out of balance. Symptoms of airplane ear can include ear pressure, a feeling of fullness in your ear, and muffled hearing. You’ve probably experienced it firsthand, but you might not know how to deal with it. If you’re a frequent sufferer of airplane ear, try these expert tips before your next flight to keep the discomfort in check. Nissim Khabie, MD, is a board-certified otolaryngologist at Ears, Nose and Throat Speciality Care of Minnesota. Brian Taylor, AuD, is the senior director of audiology at Signia. Who Experiences Airplane Ear? “​​Everyone will react differently to pressure changes,” says Nissim Khabie, MD. Our ears pop when we experience a change in air pressure and our Eustachian tubes—which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat—can’t handle the change, according to Khabie. Many people won’t experience any ear discomfort on a flight if their Eustachian tubes are working properly, says Brian Taylor, AuD, the senior director of audiology for Signia. If your Eustachian tube doesn’t work properly—like when you have a cold or suffer from Eustachian Tube Dysfunction—you can take a few preventative steps to ensure the pain and pressure is as minimal as possible. How to Protect Your Ears While Flying Consider Over-the-Counter Options If you have a cold or allergies, Taylor suggests you take an over-the-counter decongestant pill about an hour before boarding. During flights longer than two hours, an over-the-counter nasal spray can be used about 20 minutes before takeoff and again about 30 minutes before landing. If your flight is shorter, Taylor says one dose should be enough. “The pressure and pain are more pronounced on the descent, so it's important to have the nasal passages as clear as possible at that time,” he explains. If you have high blood pressure, exercise caution using these meds. It’s also important to take these steps if you’ve been sick recently. Use Earplugs For people who are generally susceptible to airplane ear, earplugs can be great tools. “Specific earplugs designed to help reduce the pressure in the ear canal reduce how quickly the pressure changes,” Khabie says. Thankfully, disposable earplugs are often sold over the counter. Try Pressure Equalizing Have you ever heard that yawning or chewing gum before takeoff and landing can reduce ear pain? Taylor explains that these simple behaviors can be all it takes to ward off airplane ear. “For someone with normal Eustachian tube function, yawning, swallowing, or chewing gum might offer some relief during flight,” he says, emphasizing that it’s normal to experience a mild amount of pressure as the altitude changes. However, if you have congestion, Taylor says these steps likely won’t be enough—that’s when you should consider over-the-counter interventions like nasal spray and decongestants. In addition to helpful behaviors and over-the-counter solutions, staying hydrated can help, too. Be sure to drink plenty of water while you wait at the gate, and keep it up on the flight. Ask Your Doctor For frequent fliers who struggle significantly with airplane ear even after trying the suggested precautions, Khabie said ear tubes can be an option. Ear tubes—tiny, hollow tubes usually made of plastic or metal that are inserted via a surgical procedure—allow air into the middle ear and prevent fluid from building up behind the eardrums, according to the Mayo Clinic. “If ear pain and pressure linger after the flight more than about a week, consult your healthcare professional; sooner if the pain is severe,” Khabie says.

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Fashion & Beauty

Really Great (And Mostly Affordable) Spring Basics

We are ready up here for spring (had a few mid 60s sunny days in February which is always such a tease). I’m mostly just fantasizing about spring break (sun! warmth! very little wifi!). So as I went shopping I found a decent amount of stuff that I LOVED, mostly on the affordable side (which is all relative I know). And per usual I try on a LOT more that I don’t love or wouldn’t bother to show you, so these are my favorites :) Solid long sleeve shirt with a raglan sleeve that looks so casual and still fun. 10/10 love that shirt. The pants are the famous Madewell darted barrel jeans in a cream (not bright white which always makes me nervous!) and this time I sized down to make them fit a bit more flattering. The Milano Birks I’ve had for years and I was pretty proud of myself for putting on a belt, which makes me feel VERY pulled together (bandana is old Clare V. but they sell something similar). A great thin white top (very Doen-esque) that is easy to tuck and perfect for humidity or high heat. I paired it with Gap’s new Bermuda short (which are long and not too tight but not too wide). They are GREAT (see them below in cream). But for those of you who like the skirt route, we LOVED this denim prairie style skirt – medium-weight, but has a nice thick hem at the bottom to keep some sort of structure. Would also just be cute with a sweatshirt or a tank top (this look was a bit too “church” for me, but admittedly pretty cute). HUGE fan of this short sleeved sweatshirt (it’s coming with me on spring break for mornings). It 1/2 tucks really nicely, looks cute with shorts, jeans, skirts, athleisure – just a real win for when you want to be casual but still look fun. These are the white versions of the longer Gap shorts – BIG FAN. Clocking in at $24.99 this is my summer “play dress” – tie anything around its waist, throw on sneakers (with socks if you want to be cool, I do not) and go have fun. I could even play pickle ball in it, perfect for long walks to the village for a beer – just so easy and affordable. This shirt was a splurge, but my goodness it’s so pretty. It’s coming with me for spring break because it’s cotton so it’s still really breathable (so good for dinners with bugs but still warm at night). While this is Farm Rio (which typically is very resort wear) I think this is a solid spring and summer top that I will wear ALL THE TIME. A solid denim short and breezy white top with cute stitching (so great for hotter climates). And I even paired with more of a statement necklace which is pretty dang cute. While the leopard pants are certainly not “affordable spring basics” (I love them BTW) the shirt sure is. It’s from The Gap and is so flattering and looks very high end, IMHO. Here I’m wearing a small (which I returned for an XS) so it runs pretty big. It’s rather long (which I stuffed into my leopard stretch pants, as you do) and the buttons on the sleeve are so pretty. I LOVE this shirt (dark denim is a thing right now) and it comes in white and black as well. But yeah, the leopard hot pants are giving RHONJ in a way that I’m actually into (but dressing them down with a sweatshirt might be the better move). I was so intrigued with this convertible Gap top – very architectural and cool. The buttons unsnap, going from a longer shirt with a tail to more of a cropped boxy shape. I’m wearing an xs and it’s still pretty oversized. I really liked it but ended up returning it just because I didn’t think I’d wear it that often (since I don’t go into an office). The skirt is a new mini from H&M that is pretty dang cute (and I bought the top to match – denim post coming soon!).

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