With their vibrant colors and lacy frills, dainty, crisp-crusted French macarons are the perfect Valentine's Day baking project. But these lovely little delicacies are temperamental enough to stump even the most accomplished chefs. Even if you follow a detailed recipe down to the letter, a batch of macarons can go very wrong very quickly. Thanks to humidity, an unreliable oven temperature gauge, Read more

If there's one thing I could eat every day, it's chocolate and fruit. Chocolate-covered strawberries are one of those decadent desserts that people save for special, romantic occasions, but I don't really understand that. This technique for dipping your strawberries in melted chocolate is so simple, it can and should be enjoyed regularly. While many recipes tell you to melt chocolate and butter Read more

This week, I'm inspired by bright spaces that weave in weathered antiques and fresh greens for a look that feels light but lived in. Mixing modern trends with vintage pieces is my favorite recipe for achieving a contemporary look that still has soul. This time of year, it's easy to find tons of examples of people incorporating this type of style into their homes. Check out this gallery and get Read more

The holidays and peppermint go together perfectly, don't they? You can find the red- and white-striped candy everywhere this time of year – all over grocery stores, on Christmas trees, and even swimming in mugs of hot chocolate. We've rounded up five of our favorite peppermint recipes. Each one of these sweet treats gives you the refreshing, peppery burst of peppermint flavor. Read more

Don't be spooked by all of the fun finds out there this month! Halloween is many mamas' favorite time of year — and for good reason. Costumes, candy, and giddy tots are the perfect recipe for a holiday built around fun. We're covering Halloween all month long, but there are still a few items that we want to put on our wish list. Check them out, and then tell me which you are most excited about Read more

Whether it's cold weather, the flu, or a lousy mood, there's nothing like the pick-me-up that a bowl of soup can provide. Instead of feasting on calorie-laden, cream-based soups, make one of these healthy recipes instead. Whether you're a meat eater, vegan, or vegetarian, you'll find the perfect soup to fit your diet. Read more

ABC's Pan Am starts this Sunday, and I can't wait to watch the series premiere to see if it can captivate audiences just like Mad Men! The show will be an interesting glimpse into yesteryear, and if you're just as fascinated by this period, take a peek at Pan American's Complete Round the World Cookbook, which was first published in 1954. With the show's premiere fast approaching, it was time to Read more

With as many recipes that we make, we've learned plenty of simple tips from sheer experience. But over the years, we've also taken guidance from culinary celebrities, cooking demos, and restaurant chefs. Everyone from Michael Symon to Ming Tsai has played a role in how we cook and entertain at home. Curious to know the sagest advice we've gathered from famous chefs? Keep reading to find out. Read more

How many diet apps do you have loaded in your smartphone right now? Mine is kind of a graveyard of apps tried and failed, while others just didn't meet my diet and exercise needs. Enter Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker (Free) from the folks at CalorieCount.About.com. This app is the first I've seen to include both an activity log and food journal, alongside speech recognition (no more scouring Read more

Food and tech aren't necessarily natural best friends, but there are plenty of ways that these two life necessities can come together. Take these five high-tech options, each helpful for discovering new dishes and recipes. Hungry for inspiration? Try one of these suggestions for finding something new! Read more