You’re Probably Packing Your Luggage Wrong — This Infographic Can Help

Even though you’ve aced the course at efficient packing, complete with mastering origami-style folds and deploying color-coded cases, you still might be wasting time and space in that suitcase of yours by packing too much. After all, the idea isn’t to cram your entire wardrobe into a toteable space-sac, it’s to stow away your most versatile + essential items — plus a few bonus outfit options — so that you can look like a perfectly put-together you at your home away from home. So the next time you’re preparing for take off, remember to make space in your brain for this visual aid that’s bent on helping you travel light with the most basic of must-haves.

To pack the most optimal number of underwear, or really any one-wear clothing item, trust this infographic vs your instincts. With its handy help, the numbers are fairly easy to calculate.

Pick the number of days you’ll be traveling from the top row, then follow its corresponding column down to see the relation between how many pairs to bring — including the ones you’ll wear the day you leave (side numbers) and how many times you’ll have to wash them (table numbers). Gold numbers mean you’ve maximized your stash, using up the exact number of skivvies as days you’re gone. If that’s cutting it too close for you, at least you’ll have enough room in your bag to bring along a roll of quarters for the impending out-of-town wash. And you could always squeeze in a pair of Dear Kate yoga pants juuuust incase…

What tricks + tips do you follow to make you the most efficient packer ever? Share your travel hacks in the comments below.

(h/t Vox)

Whenever our kitchens are a mess — it tends to feel like a metaphor for our life also being somewhat of a mess. You know the scene: When there are baking dishes and leftovers all over the place, mismatched Tupperware pieces spilling out of your cabinets, restocked pantry goods haphazardly stuffed into the wrong spots... It can be hard to deal when our kitchens are out of sorts.

If you're looking to declutter your kitchen, then you've come to the right place because we rounded up some of the coolest kitchen cabinet organizers and organization inspiration for your own kitchen in 2023. These babies save space without sacrificing style, which will make whipping up those one pot spring dinners way more fun. Keep reading for everything you need to know about how to organize kitchen cabinets.

How To Organize Kitchen Cabinets

Photo by RDNE Stock project

The most important thing to focus on when organizing your kitchen cabinets is maximizing space. That just means making the most of the space that you have, because no matter how big your cabinets are, if they're filled to the brim with items that don't have a dedicated spot, it's going to feel cluttered.

Focus on keeping similar items together, using up vertical space by stacking where you're able (like with bowls or glasses) and making sure that every object has a dedicated space.

Kitchen Cabinet Organization Ideas

Brit + Co

Use your cabinets to hold more than just kitchenware — display books and plants to bring some personality into your kitchen. You don't have to save all the fun for your bedroom and living room!

Image via Beazy/Unsplash.

If you live in a small apartment, or just don't have cabinets, you can still take part in the fun. Use the space above your sink or your countertop to add your own shelves. This is a great option because when you're doing it yourself, you can customize the storage to your needs.

PMQ For Two

If you don't want to stack your plates (or you don't have the room for all the designs to have their own stacks), set them upright instead with a DIY plate rack. (via PMQ For Two)

Brit + Co

Okay, so this one isn't technically cabinet organization, but it will definitely save you room in your cabinets. DIY this wine rack that will move your wine bottles from your cabinets onto the wall and add color to your room at the same time.

The Home Edit's organization tips are totally inspiring thanks to their efficiency and their color. Grabbing bins from somewhere like The Container Store or Target can help you contain your products so they don't end up spread across your shelf, and they also make it easier to stack your items since they won't fall over.

Don't underestimate the power of labels. When you buy your bins, tubs, and other organizers, write what you intend to store inside on all the containers and make sure that the corresponding product is always inside. That way, you'll have one bin of flour instead of multiple half-empty bags. Plus, it just looks prettier!

Image via roam in color/Unsplash.

For a quick update on the system you already have, stack your plates so that like plates are together, with the biggest plates are on the bottom — this will ensure they sit together in a way that takes up the least amount of room.

Make sure all the rims of your glasses are touching when storing them in your cabinets, and when you're organizing mugs, face the handles toward each other so there's less empty space and more room for new mugs. Because let's be honest, we can always buy new mugs.

A Beautiful Mess

Don't forget to use up the space on top of your cabinets too! Grab some baskets to organize new bottles of olive oil, bags of coffee, or cleaning supplies that you get from the store. (via A Beautiful Mess)

Kitchen Cabinet Organizers

If you love to stay hydrated (ie: you have nine water bottles in your cabinet), then you should grab a product like this YouCopia UpSpace Bottle Organizer ($25+). It'll keep all your water bottle snug together so that you have more room for all your mugs. Speaking of...

The great thing about these Better Houseware Undershelf Cup & Mug Hooks ($10 for two) is that since they hook around the top of a shelf, they don't take up any room at the base.

One way to make sure you save room is to use up vertical space instead of horizontal space. That's why we love the Chrome Roll-Out Bakeware Organizer ($66), which stacks all your muffin tins and cookie sheets on their end. Trust us: this will save you tons of room.

Your fruit deserves a comfy spot to hang out in, so grab a Macrame Fruit Hammock ($30) that will keep fruit off the counter. Cute!

The great thing about a container like the Everything Organ Cabinet Depth Pantry Bin ($101+) is that it's clear because you know what you have at all times. You won't have to pull out the bins to see what's inside!

Use an Expandable Countertop Organizer ($38) in your cabinets — or use it on your counter to clear out your cabinets). We love that this pick's expandable because that means you can move it around to different areas, no matter how big the area is.

A pot organizer like this one from MUDEELA ($22) will keep all your pots and pans together, and you won't have to put up with the noise of when they're stacked on top of each other.

You can't forget about the spices! A rack like this Spice Rack($25) will keep all your spices together and make accessing them a whole lot easier.

Some mDesign Metal Pull-Out Baskets ($21) will create organization within your cabinet the way that cubes do. It's like a two-in-one storage space!

Check out our email newsletter for more kitchen cabinet organization ideas, and more cleaning tips and tricks.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Christmas cookie decorating is holiday tradition for us here at B+C, so we were so stoked to find this recipe for paleo cookies that adds a healthy twist to this classic holiday dessert. These sweet treats will shine among the rest of your Christmastime tablescape, and they are super easy to make. Plus, they'll pair well with just about any Christmas dessert. Just combine your paleo-friendly ingredients to prep the dough, let it sit overnight, then bake for ten minutes! The best part about this recipe is of course, all of the fun holiday-time shapes you can cut. Consider this recipe your go-to for healthy cookies, though, since you can make them year-round in any shape you like. Let's get to decorating!

Ingredients for Paleo Christmas Cookies

Brit + Co

For the cookies:

  • 1/2 cup grass-fed salted butter, softened
  • 6 tablespoons raw honey
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

For the frosting:

  • 6 tablespoons coconut butter or coconut manna
  • 1/4 cup cacao butter
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey
  • Plant-based food coloring
  • Vegetable-dyed sprinkles, for topping*
* Look for vegetable and fruit-dyed food coloring and sprinkles in natural grocery stores or online, and avoid artificial colors to keep these cookies Paleo friendly!

How to Make Paleo Christmas Cookies

Brit + Co

  1. Add the softened butter and honey to a large mixing bowl. Cream the mixture together using a handheld mixer until it is smooth. Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract and whisk until they are well combined. Pour in the almond flour, coconut flour, and baking soda, and continue mixing until the batter has come together smoothly.
  2. Separate the dough into two, and place each one on top of a piece of plastic wrap. Roll each dough into a ball, then flatten to a thick disk, cover completely with the plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to firm up for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove one of the dough discs from the refrigerator, unwrap the plastic and place the dough on top of a piece of parchment paper, then top it with another piece of parchment paper. Use a roller to flatten out the dough to about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch thick. Work quickly with your favorite Christmas cookie cutters, and use a thin spatula to lift the cut cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  4. Bake the cookies in the oven for 10 minutes. Let them cool for a few minutes, then place on a wire rack for further cooling. Gather the leftover scraps back into a ball in the plastic wrap or parchment paper and place it back in the refrigerator, while working with the other piece of dough. Do this in batches to keep the dough from getting too warm and so you don’t overcrowd the baking sheet.
  5. While the batches of cookies are baking, use a small saucepan to lightly melt the coconut butter and cacao butter together over low heat on the stovetop. Remove the pan from the heat when the ingredients have just melted together. Stir in the desired amount of honey, then set aside to cool and thicken up slightly. If you are using food coloring, add in the desired amount into the frosting mixture (1-2 teaspoons of green or red should do the trick). If you plan on only using white frosting, only use a small amount of honey, as it can make the frosting an off-white or light brown color.
  6. After the cookies have completely cooled, decorate them with the frosting and sprinkles as desired. If you don’t have any professional piping tools, an easy fix is to place the frosting in a plastic sandwich bag and remove all the air when sealing the top. Cut a tiny tip off one corner of the plastic bag, then gently squeeze and pipe over the cookies. Use one plastic bag or piping bag for each color of frosting. Top with corresponding sprinkles and enjoy!

Is your mouth watering yet? Check out our newsletter for more delicious holiday recipe ideas!

Recipe development and photography by Sarah Anderson.

It’s a happy day when we get to put away our sweaters and jackets and pull out our sundresses and sandals for warmer weather, which (we swear) is just around the corner. Organizing your closet can seem like a daunting task, but creating a simple system for success can make it manageable and even enjoyable. When you start each morning by opening your closet and see the picture perfect image of organization, you know you’re going to have a good day. Not only does it look good, but it makes getting ready so, so much easier. We talked to THE queen of organization, Jill Pollack, who runs a whole business helping women get organized. Here’s what she told us.

Hack 1: Keep your staples front and center

Photo by Liza Summer

“People always ask me, ‘what’s your system?’ But it’s different for everyone,” Pollack says. “Do you think a skirt is casual? Do you wear more color or neutrals? For many people, their work and going out attire overlap.” Pollack recommends that instead of sectioning your closet into work clothes, going-out clothes and the like, think in simple terms and keep your staple items in front so they are easy to find. “Black tie clothes are for a rare occasion, so stick them in the back of your closet or a whole other closet all together.”

Hack 2: Don't be overly sentimental

Photo by Kassandre Pedro

You must learn to let go of those items you are never going to wear, like the jeans you keep thinking you’ll fit into someday or the t-shirt that you wouldn’t be caught dead in but reminds you of freshman year of college. “If you haven’t worn it in over a year and your weight and lifestyle have stayed pretty much the same, pass on it,” Pollack says. Other items Pollack says you need to chuck — anything irrevocably stained, not worth repairing, clothes you’ve tried on at least three times this year and rejected and items that make you feel unattractive.

Hack 3: Store seasonal items cleanly and neatly

Shutterstock

Pollack says the best way to keep your clothes in good shape when you are going to go months without wearing them is by first making sure they are clean, neatly folding them and sticking them in a cedar chest.

Hack 4: Create a system for shoes based on your closet size

Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva

Unless you have a shoe organization system set in place, your shoes are going to end up in a big heap on your closet floor. “If you have room for shelves, I like putting shoes there, at eye level,” Pollack says. “If you have a lot of closet floor space, I like double and triple shoe racks. But a hanging shoe rack works too.”

Shop Closet Organization Items

Amazon Basics Non-Slip Suit Clothes Hangers

Follow us on Pinterest for more design inspo!

This post has been updated.

Main image by Anastasia Shuraeva

Why am I just now learning that Costco sells caviar?! After a quick catch on social media, I’m totally hooked on finding the TsarNicoulai Caviar Tasting Flight Gift Set in stores.

This find comes at just the right time, too. Christmas and New Year’s are upon us, and the Costco caviar gift set is the perfect hosting hack for leaving a lasting impression on your guests – especially the ones with a bit more bougie palette.

Costco

The Tsar Nicoulai Caviar Tasting Flight Gift Set is directly inspired by Tsar Nicoulai’s award-winning caviar café in San Francisco – IYKYK. The set features 4 “unique” grades of “top-quality” caviar, with each respective grade sourced from a single sturgeon. The very luxe set is completed with a spread of smoked sturgeon, blini, and crème fraiche.

Costco

The Costco caviar (can’t believe I’m writing that!) can serve 4 to 8 people, so it’s practically perfect for a holiday dinner party or cocktail hour. It arrives with 4 caviar spoons made from Mother of Pearl – can someone say “bougie?!”

Rachel Claire / PEXELS

Costco shoppers have granted the caviar set 4.4 out of 5 stars. Here’s some promising reviews to really help you seal the deal:

  • “We bought it as a trial and pretty happy with the purchase. Even with the full price getting smoked sturgeon which we like a like it's a wickedly good deal. If you want to elevate your dining experience this might be one of the ways to do it.”
  • “This was amazing for my 79th birthday experience. My father taught us that to appreciate caviar you have to serve it "right". My Russian Vodka days are over so we utilized some of our favorite Hard Seltzer and of course some finely chopped hard boiled egg and onion which this time was a scallion. The secret is to to place the whole doctored up blini with the caviar into your mouth in one bite so that all the flavors merge at once. Highly recommend this fabulous treat!”
  • “This set is outstanding value! We used this set for a Vodka and Caviar tasting party we were having. All the caviars were excellent and the addition of sturgeon was a nice touch. Highly recommend.”

Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS

The Tsar Nicoulai Caviar Tasting Flight Gift Set is currently $50 off through December 31, 2024. This savings opportunity is only available online, so don’t wait to snag it for your holiday plans before it sells out! Originally $250, you’ll only pay $200 for the best fancy holiday snack around.

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Mushrooms act as a wholesome, earthy base for easy, one-bite Christmas appetizers. Once the stems are twisted off, the ‘shrooms can be filed with a host of flavorful toppings like bacon, cheese, and aromatic veggies, then roasted or slow-cooked until bubbly and tender. Start prepping your turkey, because we have irresistible stuffed mushroom recipes below.

Slow-Cooked, Stuffed Mushrooms

Brit + Co

Feast your eyes on a stuffed mushroom that’s filled with spinach-artichoke dip. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

Brit + Co

If you don't have a ton of time to bake your mushrooms, this is literally the perfect appetizer. It can be served cold, but between the onions, olives, cheese, and tomatoes, there are so many amazing flavors your guests won't even care. (via Brit + Co)

5-Ingredient-Stuffed Mushrooms

A Spicy Perspective

The star ingredient in these Asian-inspired bites is plum sauce, which offsets the savoriness of pork sausage, sesame oil, and mushrooms. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Jalapeño-Cream-Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms

Peas and Crayons

Looking for a healthier alternative to deep-fried jalapeño poppers? These baked bites, which still taste indulgent, fit the bill. (via Peas and Crayons)

Chorizo-Stuffed Mushrooms

The Real Food Dietitians

These vibrant, slightly spicy ‘shrooms make a flavorful appetizer for a Mexican-inspired meal. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms With Hollandaise

Foodie Crush

These three-cheese hollandaise-drizzled mushrooms are the new brunch attraction in town. (via Foodie Crush)

Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms With Garlic and Gouda

Peas and Crayons

Make a platter of these, and your seafood-lovin’ friends won’t know what hit them. (via Peas and Crayons)

French-Onion-Soup-Stuffed Mushrooms

The Veg Life

These mushrooms pack all of the flavors of French onion soup, including the signature cheesy crust, into one convenient bite. (via The Veg Life)

Goat-Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms Wrapped in Bacon

Port and Fin

These cheesy mushrooms are wrapped in a crispy bacon hug. (via Port and Fin)

Spanakopita-Stuffed Mushrooms

Wholesome Yum

Flaky, feta-rich spanakopita is a staple at cocktail parties. Enjoy a low-carb version by replacing the pastry with mushrooms. (via Wholesome Yum)

Easy Pizza Portobello Stuffed Mushrooms

The Girl on Bloor

These stuffed mushrooms are basically just mini pizzas, and what could be better than that? Nothing. (via The Girl on Bloor)

Vegetarian, Italian-Stuffed Mushrooms

Bowl of Delicious

You don’t need meat to give stuffed mushrooms a robust flavor. These get plenty of pizzazz from shallots, garlic, parmesan, and herbs. (via Bowl of Delicious)

Bacon-and-Blue-Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms With Creamy Hot Sauce

The Food Charlatan

These saucy bites will be a welcome addition to any spread, be it a game-day party or movie night. (via The Food Charlatan)

Vegan, Pesto-Stuffed Mushrooms

Hummusapien

This guilt-free appetizer gives you a healthy dose of greens from spinach and basil. (via Hummusapien)

Shrimp-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Little Spice Jar

You’ll be transported to a little restaurant by the sea when you take a bite of these mushrooms. The breadcrumbs on top add a crunch that complements the tender shrimp. (via Little Spice Jar)

Italian, Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms

The Chunky Chef

These breakfast-friendly ‘shrooms would make a deliciously unexpected side to sweeter pancakes or French toast. (via The Chunky Chef)

Buffalo-Chicken-Stuffed Mushrooms

My Life Cookbook

Whether or not you’re keto, you’ll find many things to enjoy about these low-carb, high-fat mushrooms like cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chicken, and a touch of hot sauce. (via My Life Cookbook)

Goat-Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms

Food Fanatic

In this case, stuffed mushrooms are really just an excuse to eat ample bites of gooey goat cheese, and we’re all for it. (via Food Fanatic)

Pizza-Stuffed Mushrooms

Plain Chicken

If you ask us, you can have pizza without crust but never without cheese. Enjoy all the flavors of a meat lover’s pie in these easy, stuffed mushrooms. (via Plain Chicken)

Curry-Potato-Stuffed Mushrooms

The Pretty Bee

Indian flavors, including garam masala and coconut milk, fill these white button mushrooms. (via The Pretty Bee)

Follow us on Pinterest for more stuffed mushroom recipes *and* more amazing ideas!

This post has been updated.