Debbie Carlson

Work from home master class: 4 Chicago WFH veterans give tips, talk perks

March 23, 2020 at 6:08 p.m.

Working from home sounded great when you could do it occasionally, but now just about everyone is in full-blown WFH mode amid the spread of the coronavirus. We know what's...

Cool new products that would have been at the massive Home Show canceled over coronavirus — from a cannabis edibles infuser to a self-changing garbage can

March 13, 2020 at 3:16 p.m.

Coronavirus fears caused the cancellation of Chicago's massive The Inspired Home Show, which can bring in up to 60,000-plus attendees, but we were still curious about what new products would...

Feeling stressed? Make your home a cozy retreat

February 6, 2020 at 9:57 p.m.

Raise your hands if this seems like the longest winter ever. Wait, aren't they all? OK, to be fair, as Chicago winters go, this one thankfully has been pretty mild....

Books bound to please your most stylish friends

December 19, 2019 at 11:26 p.m.

If you are looking for the perfect gift for your most stylish friend, several new books are bound to please. While the words "icon" or "legendary" get thrown around loosely,...

Black Friday is around the corner, but with Cyber Monday and retailers flogging sales constantly since early November through December, has it lost its cache as the day with the best prices? No, say shopping experts. Black Friday (and really, Thanksgiving night) sales are the real deal. If you shop only at one time of the year, do it then. "If you're going to shop, you're going to see more stuff on Thanksgiving and Black Friday than Cyber Monday," said Michael Bonebright, consumer analyst with DealNews.com, who has followed Black Friday shopping trends for several years. Cyber Monday has deals, too, but more general and strictly online, he said. Here are 10 tips to win Black Friday.

10 essential Black Friday shopping tips from the pros

November 20, 2019 at 4:36 p.m.

Black Friday (and really, Thanksgiving night) sales are the real deal. (Debbie Carlson/Chicago Tribune)

Has Black Friday lost its cache as the day with the best prices? No, say shopping experts.

10 essential Black Friday shopping tips from the pros

November 19, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.

Black Friday is around the corner, but with Cyber Monday and retailers flogging sales constantly since early November through December, has it lost its cachet as the day with the...

CBD bath salts and a nice cup of tea — it’s time to de-stress

October 15, 2019 at 2:12 p.m.

It's been a tough year: political maneuvering, weird weather and a volatile stock market, not to mention the every day stressors. But don't let life's nasties get you down. When...

Our favorite coffee makers for National Coffee Day, Sept. 29

September 27, 2019 at 6:18 p.m.

Ah, coffee. The heady scent of fresh roasted beans can perk us up even before the first sip. Coffee has become more than just a drink, having moved from the...

10 coolest lunchboxes for back to school

August 29, 2019 at 2:45 p.m.

Today's kids lunchboxes are a far cry from their flimsy metal box ancestors. Upgrades include bento-box-like compartments like Alessi's high style lunch box, which has three separate containers to keep...

Try a cold-water shampoo or rinse to lock in moisture and make your hair shinier and reduce frizz.

10 summer hair care tips for naturally curly hair

August 12, 2019 at 6:07 p.m.

Those beautiful curls and waves of curly hair hide a secret — they're thirsty. Because curly hair coils and curves, it makes it difficult for the natural oils in the...

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