Month: October 2019

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‘Ninth House’ Keeps Watch Over Bloody Mysteries

Ninth House, by Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo’s new stand-alone thriller is set at a dark, twisty alternate version of Yale, where the famed secret societies practice world-manipulating magic — with sometimes deadly results.

(Image credit: Beth Novey/NPR )

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Hosting a Dinner Party Is Stressful, But These 5 Items Are Chill

We all have that one engaged friend who just seems to have it all together—you know, the person who’s just a living, breathing definition of “adulting.” She’s got impeccable style, her home is decorated perfectly, and she cooks the most delicious meals for her S.O. (and friends) while balancing work and, well, life.

Not that you’re complaining (everyone loves a good home-cooked meal every once in a while!)—you just want to find a way to support her. Okay, fine, and maybe you want to reap as many benefits while you can, too. The secret to doing so is hitting up Macy’s; the retailer has the kind of gifts that’ll set anyone up for a successful get-together.

So whether you’re shopping for someone else’s wedding gift, are the bride-to-be yourself, or just want to feel like you’re adulting too, these are our top picks for impressing guests.

When you’re hosting a dinner party, a lot of chopping is involved, so you need a set of knives that get the job done—and get it done well. This 15-piece set is sharp, durable, rust-resistant, and even comes with eight steak knives. In addition, there’s a paring knife, a serrated utility knife, a bread knife, a chef’s knife, sharpening steel, and kitchen shears, all of which fit perfectly into a chic wood block that’ll look great on top of the kitchen counter. If all your knives are in one place, there will be less scrambling when you’re in prep mode.

The real secret to hosting a successful soirée? Making a one-pot meal, and this stove-top French oven can do just that. (It’s perfect for roasts, stews, and generally anything that’s being slow-cooked.) Aside from looking super chic, it’s also insanely durable—the knob can withstand temperatures of up to 480º. Basically, throw a bunch of stuff into the pot, cook it on low for hours, and you’ll have minimal things to clean. Genius!

If people are coming over for dinner, you gotta give them some appetizers too. But if your oven is already in use, a convection oven is just what you need. (There’s no shame in popping in a few different favorites from Trader Joes, either.) Regardless of what you’re making, this countertop oven lets you bake, broil, toast, roast, and more. It even comes with a smart LCD screen you can easily control, and the element IQ will put the heat on to where you need it, from 80º to 480º.

Obviously every dinner party needs a good playlist and an even better speaker. This one has a deep, rich base, and is voice-compatible with Android and IOS systems. Oh, and did we mention that you can play music via Wi-Fi, bluetooth, or cable, making it easy to adjust as the night goes on?

Arguably the most important part to hosting friends for dinner is having an inviting tablescape. High-fired terra-cotta dinnerware (dinner and salad plates, bowls, and mugs) have a subtle texture and will truly elevate any meal. The best part? This set is dishwasher- and microwave-safe—no handwashing necessary!