<p class="financial-disclaimer"><i>When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/commerce-on-insider-inc/">Learn more.</a></i></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.pjtra.com/t/S0BLS0NKQERGRklFS0BKSUxMSw?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dartagnan.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">D'Artagnan</a> is an organic, antibiotic- and hormone-free meat purveyor that's been playing the DTC game since 1985.</li><li>Specializing in French standards and delicacies alike, you'll find everything from humanely raised beef, poultry, and lamb to wild game, caviar, and truffles.</li><li>D'Artagnan remains a staple for us when we want to splurge on decadent meats, and it's been a chef favorite for over 30 years.</li></ul><p>In 1985, Ariane Daguin and George Faison were working in a New York City charcuterie shop, when a farmer walked in and pitched his foie gras — the first to be domestically raised and produced in the United States. After the shop owner declined to sell said foie gras, Daguin and Faison formed a duo and took on the farmer's proposal, founding D'Artagnan.</p><p>First, the brand started out supplying lobes of foie gras directly to restaurants, but soon branched out with a whole line of game meats and humanely raised, free-range, organic, antibiotic-and-hormone-free livestock and poultry. To ensure quality and consistency — both where animal husbandry and processing are concerned — Daguin and Faison developed a network of around 1,500 small farms nationwide. </p><p>Today, you can find D'Artagnan in specialty stores and supermarkets all around the United States, but it's through the brand's online shop that you can buy everything from wild truffles and uncured Wagyu beef bresaola to semi-boneless quail, caviar, rolled wild boar shoulder, and, yes, foie gras (for now — pay attention to changing laws).</p><p>I've been buying from D'Artagnan (on special occasions) for over 10 years, and while I have always been familiar with certain items (namely the muscovy duck breast and the chicken), I decided to retest the brand and get a better scope of its product line. My sensory memory has not failed me: across the gamut, everything was just as I remembered it, and the entire array of charcuterie further affirmed D'Artagnan's place among the best and most inveterate DTC brands from which to buy high-quality and responsibly raised, processed, cured, and uncured proteins. Here's what I ordered.</p><h2>Everything I ordered</h2><p><div type="image" title="dartagnan4" height="900" width="1200" msid="77009490" hostid="261"></div></p><h3><a href="https://www.pjatr.com/t/S0BLS0NKQERGRklFS0BKSUxMSw?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dartagnan.com%2Fartisanal-dry-cured-saucisson-sec-pork%2Fproduct%2FCHASAU044-1.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Artisanal Dry-Cured Saucisson Sec, Pork</a></h3><p>"This is the sort of dry sausage you'd find handmade in the mountains of France," my French taste tester exalted as her eyes rolled back in equal parts ecstasy and nostalgia. Ever upset with the charcuterie at our disposal stateside, this is the only one that's gotten her approval.</p><p>It's a milder, middle-of-the-road crowdpleaser that's not likely to offend. A little salty, the pork is the centerpiece here, and there are no surprises. Garlic, white pepper, celery extract, and nutmeg are obliquely present flavors, but not so much as to detract your attention from the meat.</p><h3><a href="https://www.pjtra.com/t/S0BLS0NKQERGRklFS0BKSUxMSw?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dartagnan.com%2Fartisanal-dry-cured-saucisson-sec-duck%2Fproduct%2FCHASAU046-1.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Artisanal Dry-Cured Saucisson Sec, Duck</a><a href="https://www.pjtra.com/t/S0BLS0NKQERGRklFS0BKSUxMSw?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dartagnan.com%2Fartisanal-dry-cured-saucisson-sec-duck%2Fproduct%2FCHASAU046-1.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"></a></h3><p>For brevity's sake: If you like duck at all, you'll probably love this stuff.</p><p>Because it's ground duck, you can slice this a little on the thicker side, but be prepared for a heavy, herbaceous, Chinese-five-spice set of flavors. Clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic, and black pepper stand out, and there's a semi-sweet finish.</p><p>This is a leaner sausage, but the richness of dark duck meat more than makes up for the lack of fatty acids therein.</p><h3><a href="https://www.pjtra.com/t/S0BLS0NKQERGRklFS0BKSUxMSw?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dartagnan.com%2Fartisanal-dry-cured-saucisson-sec-wild-boar%2Fproduct%2FCHASAU045-1.html%3Fdwvar_CHASAU045-1_freshFrozenWeight%3Dfresh-CHASAU145%23q%3Dwild%2Bboar%2Bsaucisson%26start%3D1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Artisanal Dry-Cured Saucisson Sec, Wild Boar</a></h3><p>This is a gamier, funkier, dry sausage. It's something that you'll often get with wild boar and other game, and you either love it or hate it. There is a bit of an iron-y, gamey kind of finish reminiscent of offal. If you like organ meats, your palate should have no trouble at all accommodating this, and it's nowhere near as strong as liver, kidney, or tripe. Again, it's not for everyone, but if you're looking for something different — and especially if you're familiar with wild boar — it's a star.</p><p><div type="image" title="dartagnan3" height="900" width="1200" msid="77009492" hostid="261"></div></p><h3><a href="https://www.gopjn.com/t/S0BLS0NKQERGRklFS0BKSUxMSw?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dartagnan.com%2Fwagyu-beef-bresaola%2Fproduct%2FCHAHAM023-1.html%3Fdwvar_CHAHAM023-1_freshFrozenWeight%3Dfresh-CHAHAM023%23q%3Dwagyu%2Bbeef%2Bbresaola%26start%3D1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Wagyu Beef Bresaola</a></h3><p>There may well be nothing quite so decadent in D'Artagnan's product line (or on the earth's surface) as the Wagyu Beef Bresaola, a hand-crafted, air-dried Wagyu beef eye round. An Italian style charcuterie, you could think of it as a red-meat version of prosciutto, though it's much less briny, richer, and a touch fattier — maybe closer to an Iberian jamon, which is exactly how you'll want to treat this at the cutting board. In other words, you should not approach this 1.75-2.25-pound work of art with anything less than a deftly sharpened samurai sword. Thin, almost translucent slices are paramount to enjoying one of these, and if you come up short you might think you were chewing salted leather. Granted, the same goes for most if not all whole cuts of cured meat.</p><p>The portion, 1.75-2.25 pounds as mentioned above, is about 18 inches long and as round as a fist, meaning you'll serve one massive gathering for hors d'oeuvres, or you and your choicest loved ones for at least a few nights. Just make sure someone with some good knife skills makes it to the party.</p><p>In keeping with tradition, and out of respect for all things good and decent surrounding beef, you're not going to have any surprising, exciting, or interesting flavors or herbs stealing the show here. Think mostly muscly, dark meat (from the eye round) and a little celery salt, the way any good chef would treat a cut of steak.</p><h3><a href="https://www.pjtra.com/t/S0BLS0NKQERGRklFS0BKSUxMSw?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dartagnan.com%2Fsliced-jambon-de-bayonne-french-prosciutto%2Fproduct%2FPDRJB004-1.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Jambon de Bayonne</a></h3><p>On the (relatively) lighter side, the paper-thin, pre-sliced Jambon de Bayonne is just salty enough to qualify as ham. Anything you'd do with prosciutto you could easily do with Jambon de Bayonne.</p><p>To earn the label Jambon de Bayonne, pigs need to be PGI-certified (Protected Geographical Location) to prove that they're raised in the Bayonne region of France, and the salt used for curing comes from Salies-de-Bearn.</p><p>D'Artagnan's Jambon de Bayonne is cured for at least 12 months "where the warm wind of the Pyrenees Mountains meets the humid air from the ocean." That may or may not mean anything to you, but if there were ever a ham for summer, it is Jambon de Bayonne. It's the perfect accompaniment to melon or other summer fruits.</p><p><div type="image" title="dartagnan quail" height="900" width="1200" msid="77009494" hostid="261"></div></p><h3><a href="https://www.pjatr.com/t/S0BLS0NKQERGRklFS0BKSUxMSw?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dartagnan.com%2Fsemi-boneless-quail%2Fproduct%2FFQUMA004-1.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Semi-Boneless Quail</a></h3><p>If you're familiar with small game birds, you know fairly well what you're getting, but these quail come with the assurance of D'Artagnan quality.  There won't be bits of plumage left to pluck out, and they're partially deboned so you have less work to do. </p><p>Raised in open barns and fed an all-grain diet, these are rich, dark-meat quail as they were intended to be eaten, and with v-shaped grill pins already in place, they're all set for stuffing and grilling or smoking.</p><p>If you want small game birds that don't require a lot of work, you'll have a hard time finding ones as well-prepared for you as D'Artagnan's — I myself haven't found anything close as of yet.</p><p>I brined mine in a few herbs and stuffed them with garlic and bay leaves before smoking them for about an hour. However you decide to cook them, just take note of how small they are, and, incidentally, how quickly they'll cook.</p><p><div type="image" title="dartagnan2" height="900" width="1200" msid="77009496" hostid="261"></div></p><h3><a href="https://www.gopjn.com/t/S0BLS0NKQERGRklFS0BKSUxMSw?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dartagnan.com%2Fmuscovy-duck-breast%2Fproduct%2FFDUMU009-1.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Muscovy Duck Breast</a></h3><p>Like the quails, D'Artagnan's Muscovy ducks (large ducks native to Central and South America) are raised to full maturity in open barns.</p><p>The meat from these ducks is on the leaner side, and the skin is much thinner (and also much leaner) than what you'd find on, say, a Peking duck. Whatever you do with your Muscovy duck breasts, you can think of them as a healthier alternative to chicken and turkey.</p><p>I smoked mine and it came out a little on the dry side, which is grounds for any and all ridicule, but I've personally bought D'Artagnan Muscovy duck breasts every year or so (on special occasions), and as a lean, dark-fleshed fowl, it's about the best you'll find anywhere.</p><p><div type="image" title="dartagnan boar" height="900" width="1200" msid="77009502" hostid="261"></div></p><h3><a href="https://www.pjatr.com/t/S0BLS0NKQERGRklFS0BKSUxMSw?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dartagnan.com%2Fwild-boar-shoulder-boneless%2Fproduct%2FFBOSH002-1.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Boneless Wild Boar Shoulder</a></h3><p>Usually, I'd recommend buying pork shoulders on the bone, especially if you're looking to end up with pulled pork. The flavor really comes out when you leave the bones in, and if you're slow-smoking, it helps keep the meat from drying out, too.</p><p>But this rolled and tied wild boar shoulder is something else, and you might consider braising it in the oven instead. Because I already had the duck breasts and the quails going on the smoker, I tossed the shoulder on, too.</p><p>Like the wild boar saucisson, it is a darker, redder, and richer meat than what you'd get from farm-raised pork. D'Artagnan's wild boar is wild-caught (trapped) in Texas, where the animals forage on grass, roots, nuts, fruits, acorns, and grains, according to the brand.</p><p>If you decide to smoke this cut, consider setting it on low smoke (maybe 160 degrees Fahrenheit) for eight to 12 hours, or even longer depending on how you like it and how your smoker works. If you'd rather eat it as a roast, you could slow-cook it at around 250 Fahrenheit until it reaches the desired internal temperature.</p><h3><div type="image" title="dartagnan" height="900" width="1200" msid="77009508" hostid="261"></div></h3><h2>The bottom line</h2><p>Are you going to find more affordable charcuterie? Yes, and that goes without saying. Are you going to find more affordable foie gras, caviar, and truffles? That's up for debate. But you are getting high-quality <keyword id="6181" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Food">food</keyword> that's fully organic, antibiotic- and hormone-free, and about as humanely raised and processed as anything on this fair planet. If you've got the money, or you're looking to splurge for any and all reasons, we're convinced that there's no safer bet than D'Artagnan.</p><p><strong>Pros: </strong>Top quality charcuterie and other artisanal delicacies delivered right to your door</p><p><strong>Cons: </strong>On the pricey side, packaging could be more environmentally friendly with biodegradable foam</p>

D'Artagnan is my go-to meat delivery service when I feel like splurging — they sell everything from humanely raised beef, poultry, and lamb to wild game, caviar, and truffles

US Army jungle warfare expert rates 10 jungle warfare scenes in movies

<p><a href="https://amzn.to/2INdGfn" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Melissa and Doug Facebook</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></strong></a></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>A high-quality toy will keep youngsters engaged for hours on end in screen-free imaginative play, doesn't require additional purchases, and will stand up to abuse.</strong></li><li><strong>I like the toys offered by <a href="https://amzn.to/2LoDcJB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Melissa &amp; Doug</a> because they are made of high-quality materials, provide my 5-year-old with plenty of fodder to let his imagination run free, and keep him away from screens.</strong></li><li><strong>Though the company's toys tend to be slightly pricier than other brands, they are built to last and are backed by a "100% Happiness Guarantee."</strong></li></ul><p>When talking with other parents of preschoolers, toys and screen time are always popular topics. How do we help our kids resist the allure of YouTube and other streaming media? This is where the brand Melissa &amp; Doug comes up.</p><p><a href="https://amzn.to/2LoDcJB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Melissa &amp; Doug</a> got its start when the husband-and-wife team of Melissa and Doug Bernstein started making fun, educational toys in Doug's parents' garage in 1988. Today, the Connecticut-based company has about 1,000 employees worldwide and offers a broad range of plush toys, arts and crafts, wooden puzzles, and other educational toys. The company's stated mission is "to ignite imagination and wonder so children discover themselves, their passions, and their purpose."</p><p>There are several reasons parents are talking about <a href="https://amzn.to/2LoDcJB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Melissa &amp; Doug</a>. The company offers a "100% Happiness Guarantee," which it highlights on every page of its website. It states: "We design every toy to the highest quality standards, and to nurture minds and hearts. If your child is not inspired, give us a call and we'll make it right."</p><p>The company is also committed to tech-free free play with campaigns like #TakeBackChildhood. Through its products, <a href="https://amzn.to/2LoDcJB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Melissa &amp; Doug</a> regularly champions play that reveals passions, promotes problem solving and creativity, develops resilience and grit, builds social skills, and sharpens cognitive skills.</p><h2>What products does Melissa &amp; Doug offer?</h2><p>There are a number of ways to shop for Melissa &amp; Doug products. You can look at products available for specific ages. They have categories ranging from <a href="https://amzn.to/2FAo7Rp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">birth</a> to <a href="https://amzn.to/2XaheRJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8+ years old</a>. You can also explore its offerings based on categories, such as <a href="https://amzn.to/2XCVCg8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outdoor play</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/2RE3g4D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">puzzles</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/2XcIUW3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">games</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/2NhgUfz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">learning and education</a>, and <a href="https://amzn.to/2LoDcJB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more</a>.</p><p>The company sells more than 5,000 different toys so we won't cover them all here, but here are some of its most popular items:</p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2XGXEMB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suspend Family Gam</a><a href="https://amzn.to/2XGXEMB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">e</a><a href="https://amzn.to/2XGXEMB" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> ($14.42)</a></strong>:Designed for ages 8 and up, this is a fun balancing game that nurtures hand-eye coordination, interpersonal skills, and cognitive skills. 1 to 4 players take turns balancing the odd-shaped game rods on the base.</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/2FGcVTr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wooden Building Blocks Set</strong></a><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2FGcVTr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> ($16.99)</a></strong>: For kids ages 3 to 8 years old, this is your classic building blocks set. The set comes with 100 durable pieces in nine different shapes and four colors.</li><li><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2RzDuyu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Slice-and-Bake Wooden Cookie Play Food Set ($16.99)</a></strong>: The Cookie Play Set is ideal for little bakers between the ages of 3 and 5. It comes with 12 pretend cookies, 12 toppings, a baking sheet, a spatula, a knife, and an oven mitt.</li><li><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2RBdO4w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pull-Back Vehicles ($21.24)</a></strong>: This one is for the babies and early toddlers. The set includes four vehicles that you can zoom around the house simply by pulling back and letting go. The police car, fire truck, family car, and school bus are made of soft materials so you don't have to worry about injuries or damage.</li><li><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2IR4uXv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">On the Go Water Wow! Fairy Tale ($4.99)</a></strong>: For kids 3 to 6 years old, this activity pad uses an easy-to-hold water pen to reveal fairy-tale-themed images.</li></ul><p>To see all that Melissa &amp; Doug has to offer, <a href="https://amzn.to/2LoDcJB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">visit the company's store on Amazon</a>.</p><h2>My son had a blast with the Animal Care Center</h2><p>Melissa &amp; Doug sent my 5-year-old, Bucky, and me its <strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2INdGfn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Animal Care Veterinarian &amp; Groomer Wooden Activity Center</a> (currently on sale for $169.99 on Amazon)</strong> along with four play sets. The Animal Care Center is one of its higher-end pretend play toys. At 35.5-inches high by 26.5-inches wide by 33.5-inches long, it has become a focal point in Bucky's play area. Below, I will go into our firsthand experiences with the role-play center.</p><h2>Set-up process</h2><p>Assembling the <a href="https://amzn.to/2INdGfn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Animal Care Center</a> took a long time; there's no getting around that. There are so many parts and pieces and 30 pages of instructions. That said, the two-hour building process was easy, and the instructions were simple to follow. I just turned on some tunes and went to work.</p><p>The hardest part of the set-up process was keeping Bucky from playing with the <a href="https://amzn.to/2INdGfn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Animal Care Center</a> while I was putting it together. I'd recommend assembling it after the kids go to bed with a beer in hand. Be careful, though. I accidentally put the sign on top backward so that the grooming center sign faces the veterinary area and vice versa. So, on second thought, lay off the beer. Fortunately, Bucky didn't seem to mind my screw up.</p><h2>What makes the toy stand out</h2><p>The long set-up was well worth it.</p><p>My wife and I got a kick out of watching Bucky engage with his imagination as he groomed and performed health care to his stuffed animals. It was incredibly cute and heartwarming. Since I didn't finish assembly until around bedtime, we had to tear him away from the care center to put him to bed. When we woke up the next morning, Bucky was already back at it taking care of his imaginary pets.</p><p>After Bucky played with the <a href="https://amzn.to/2INdGfn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Care Center</a> for a few days, his interest naturally started to wane. This is when we introduced the other play sets. Below are a few details about each set:</p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2YgyeSH" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Examine &amp; Treat Pet Vet</a><a href="https://amzn.to/2YgyeSH" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Play Set ($25.43)</a></strong>: Of the animal play sets Melissa &amp; Doug offers, the Examine &amp; Treat is the most popular. The 24-piece set comes with a tote bag, pretend vet medical equipment, and a plush cat and dog. Bucky was fascinated by the recovery cone, and it gave us an opportunity to teach him why dogs needed them.</li><li><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2X7uSFf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Feeding &amp; Grooming Pet Care Play</a><a href="https://amzn.to/2X7uSFf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Set ($23.15)</a></strong>: This set also has 24 pieces, such as grooming supplies, pretend treats and food, food bowls, and another plush cat and dog.</li><li><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2Ry8yyo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tote &amp; Tour</a><a href="https://amzn.to/2Ry8yyo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Pet Travel Play Set ($17.27)</a></strong>: The Tote &amp; Tour set has 15 pieces, including a collapsible food and water dish, a leash, a harness, a collar, and name tags for the plush dog and cat included. But, Bucky's favorite part was the soft pet carrier. He liked to put as many stuffies as possible into it to bring with him in the car.</li><li><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2XGmpsg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wash &amp; Trim Dog Groome</a><a href="https://amzn.to/2XGmpsg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">r Play Set ($28.59)</a></strong>: This set has 20 pieces of pet styling and bathing essentials. This is the only set that only comes with one plush animal, a dog. When you install batteries (not included) into the play blow dryer, it actually blows a little bit. Bucky had fun with that.</li></ul><p>The sets appear to have given Bucky an increased interest in our real cats. Rather than terrorizing and chasing them, he's now much sweeter to the cats. Apparently, he's shifted from seeing them as his playthings to nurturing them.</p><p>My son isn't alone in his enjoyment of these sets. The Animal Care Center and its associated play sets are among the first toys kids go to when they come over. It's pretty common to find one of Bucky's friends walking around the house with one of the plush cats or dogs in some state of veterinary or grooming treatment.</p><h2>Cons to consider</h2><p>You really need to have some of the play sets or at the very least a large assortment of stuffed animals to get the most out of the Animal Care Center. I wish it came with some of the pieces you find in the sets, such as the veterinary and grooming equipment.</p><p>In the four sets, there's a total of 83 different pieces. Though there's plenty of room to store everything in the Animal Care Center, we do end up with toys all over the place. Fortunately, we are used to Legos, and these toys don't compare to having bricks all over the floor just waiting to destroy the bottom of your feet.</p><h2>The bottom line</h2><p>Overall, I strongly recommend giving Melissa &amp; Doug toys a try. The company has a broad enough array of products so there's sure to be a toy that engages a little one in your life and keeps them from the mind-numbing screens. And, if your child doesn't like the toy you get, you can take advantage of the 100% happiness guarantee.</p><p>Though Bucky takes after me and prefers kitchen play sets, he still had a great time with the Animal Care Center. From my experiences, kids between the ages of 3 and 6 gravitate toward it. I just recommend picking up at least one of the veterinarian or groomer sets to go with it.</p><p>If the Animal Care Center doesn't seem appropriate for your child or it's just out of your price range, I strongly recommend browsing the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/2596407011?_encoding=UTF8&amp;field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Melissa%20%26%20Doug&amp;ref_=bl_dp_s_web_2596407011">Melissa &amp; Doug store on Amazon</a> for gift ideas. I'm certain you'll find something that appeals to the youngster in your life.</p><p><strong>Pros:</strong> 100% Happiness Guarantee, durable construction from quality materials, imaginative play without the use of screens</p><p><strong>Cons:</strong> Expensive</p><h3><a href="https://amzn.to/2INdGfn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy the Melissa &amp; Doug Animal Care Veterinarian &amp; Groomer Wooden Activity Center on Amazon for $169.99 (originally $199.99)</a></h3><h3><a href="https://amzn.to/2LoDcJB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shop other Melissa &amp; Doug toys and play sets on Amazon</a></h3><p class="tagline"><p><a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/insider-picks">Subscribe to our newsletter.</a><br><br>Find all the best offers at our <a href="https://coupons.businessinsider.com/">Coupons page</a>.<br><br>Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks">Insider Picks</a> team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.</br></br></br></br></p></p>

 My 5-year-old and I played with Melissa & Doug toys and discovered the hype surrounding the company is well earned 

<ul class="summary-list"><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/billie-eilish">Billie Eilish</a>'s March 2019 debut album has cemented her place at the top of the <keyword id="32141" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="pop">pop</keyword> charts.</strong></li><li><strong>At the 2020 Grammy Awards, Eilish broke records, becoming the <a href="https://www.insider.com/billie-eilish-second-person-win-four-major-grammys-one-year-2020-1">second person in history to win all four major Grammys in one year.</a></strong></li><li><strong>While the singer-songwriter has amassed a huge following, one of the most enthusiastic sections of her fan base is <keyword id="10879" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="YouTube">YouTube</keyword>'s <keyword id="2072363" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="ASMR">ASMR</keyword> community.</strong></li><li><strong> Her brand of bedroom pop blends in key aspects of ASMR to create a hyper-intimate <keyword id="6354530" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="music">music</keyword> listening experience. To take a closer look at Billie's ASMR appeal, we spoke to YouTube creator <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE6acMV3m35znLcf0JGNn7Q">Gibi ASMR</a>.</strong></li></ul><p><em>Following is a transcript of the <keyword id="21654" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="video">video</keyword>.</em></p><p><strong>Narrator:</strong> <keyword id="4507185" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Billie-Eilish">Billie Eilish</keyword>. Teenage pop sensation, first musician born in this century to get a No. 1 single, the female artist to log the second most Hot 100 songs at one time, and ASMR icon?</p><p>Yep, one look at YouTube will tell you just how popular Billie is in the ASMR community. The platform is full of ASMR-inspired covers, or whisper tributes, of her music. There's a reason Billie's a favorite of the ASMR crowd. Her music uses key principles of ASMR to redefine the sound of pop, and that's the secret to why she's the industry's fastest-rising superstar.</p><p>ASMR is short for autonomous sensory meridian response, the brain tingles people feel around the head and spine in response to certain triggers. Some of the most common triggers are whispering.</p><p><strong>Producer:</strong> Deep stretch. Let's breathe in and out.</p><p><strong>Narrator:</strong> Rhythmic sounds and movements, and crisp, amplified acoustics.</p><p><strong>Producer:</strong> Plastic bottle. [tapping] Of hand sanitizer.</p><p><strong>Narrator:</strong> You can also find these elements in Billie's music. ♪ Walk in wearing fetters ♪ ♪ Peter should know better ♪ ♪ So you're a tough guy ♪ ♪ Like it really rough guy ♪ ♪ Just can't get enough guy ♪ ♪ Don't ask questions ♪ ♪ You don't wanna know ♪</p><p><strong>Gibi:</strong> In "Bury a Friend," she definitely, like, the voice quality is what sticks out to me. You know, she's saying, like, "I wanna end me." ♪ I wanna ♪ ♪ I wanna end me ♪ It's, like, almost like a whisper, and it gives you the chills.</p><p><strong>Narrator:</strong> This is Gibi, who The New York Times described as "the LeBron James of touching stuff." She's an ASMR creator with over 2 million subscribers on her YouTube channel, and like many ASMRtists, she's also a big Billie fan. In March, when the singer dropped her debut LP, "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" her label reached out to Gibi and commissioned her to do an ASMR read-through of Billie's album.</p><p><strong>Gibi:</strong> [whispering] What do you know? Why aren't you scared of me? Why do you care for me? It sounds like she is right up on the mic and just, like, barely letting the sound out, and she sounds gorgeous. ♪ Into your ocean eyes ♪</p><p><strong>Narrator:</strong> That hushed, tingly, whisper quality of Billie's voice? ♪ Don't you know too much already? ♪ Narrator: It's supposed to sound like that. According to Billie's sound mixer, when it comes to her vocals, "everything is close-mic'd and whispered." The goal, he says, is to always have Billie's vocals sound "super-present." It's as if she's right there, murmuring directly into your ear. Another thing Billie seems to share with ASMRtists is a passion for foley sound. To produce a range of different sounds for their followers, ASMR creators borrow a lot of techniques from foley artists, the people that recreate everyday sound effects for movies and TV. [crunching] Similarly, Billie and her brother-slash-producer, Finneas, DIY a lot of the sound effects they use in her songs. The metallic scraping sound that marks the upbeat of "You Should See Me in a Crown"? [metallic scrape] That's a recording of Finneas sharpening a knife. [metallic scrape] ♪ Visions I vandalize ♪ And the horror-movie sound of a whizzing drill in "Bury a Friend?" ♪ Calling security, keeping my head held ♪ Billie captured that on her phone at a dentist appointment. [whooshing] To some people, the sounds of a dentist office might seem more nightmarish than relaxing, but dentist role-plays are actually very common in ASMR.</p><p><strong>Gibi:</strong> [whispering] The mirror tool. [light whirring]</p><p><strong>Narrator:</strong> And so are many types of drilling sounds, from dental drills [light, high-pitched drilling] to power drills. [loud drilling] Then there's the intro to Billie's album, which opens with a surprisingly loud and slightly gross recording of Billie sucking the saliva out of her Invisalign. [plastic tapping and slurping] Those kinds of wet, slurpy mouth sounds will be familiar to any fans of the video genre mukbang, which means "broadcast eating" in Korean. [slurping] There's a major ASMR component to mukbang videos, as they often involve a lot of very loud slurping, which some ASMR fans find hypnotic. [slurping and smacking] Whether mouth noises are your thing or you like to stick with paper crinkling and finger tapping, chances are you're listening to ASMR through headphones if you want to get the optimal effect. And the same goes for Billie's music. The singer's been called "the first pop star made for AirPods."</p><p><strong>Gibi:</strong> When you do listen to Billie Eilish with headphones, you can hear all of the instruments and the beats, and everything sounds like its own individual thing, and I could totally see where that is similar to the sounds or, like, the layered sort of technique that a lot of ASMRtists use when they find a pleasant sound. So, like, you know, if it's something like her snapping: ♪ I like it when you take control ♪ Or just, like, a really simple beat. [crisp beat]</p><p><strong> Narrator:</strong> Crisp sounds, which are among the most common ASMR triggers, are also a key part of Billie's production. ♪ Out ♪ The clean base and minimal percussion that form the skeleton of her beats leave plenty of space for her unusual sounds and samples. ♪ Sleeping ♪ ♪ You're on your tippy toes, creeping ♪ Take the song "Bad Guy," for example. Where you'd usually have a snare drum keeping the song's pulse, there are just soft yet super-amplified finger snaps. ♪ Bruises on both my knees for you ♪ ♪ Don't say thank you or please I do ♪ There are also strategic gaps of silence to emphasize the weirdest moments in the song, like at the end of the chorus, when Billie's voice suddenly breaks up into a million little pieces, making it sound like she's croaking into a fan. ♪ I'm the bad guy ♪</p><p><strong> Gibi:</strong> You can catch all of the tiny sounds and noises, so it feels extremely immersive. Compared to other music that maybe is, like, a little more flat, I feel like Billie's music is extremely 3D.</p><p><strong>Narrator:</strong> A big reason Billie's music sounds so three-dimensional is that her mixes are specially crafted to dance from one of your ears to the other. When her voice splits up into two or three tracks, it sounds like you have a different Billie in each ear. ♪ Pearly gates look more like a picket fence ♪ ♪ Once you get inside them ♪ ♪ Got friends but can't invite them ♪ ♪ Hills burn in California ♪ ♪ My turn to ignore ya ♪</p><p><strong>Narrator:</strong> In the final riff of "Bad Guy," you'll notice her bouncing from left to right in your headphones. ♪ I'm only good at being bad ♪</p><p><strong>Narrator:</strong> This is what's known in ASMR as the stereo effect, or binaural effect, binaural meaning two ears. ASMRtists use special techniques to produce this effect for their listeners. [light scratching]</p><p><strong>Gibi:</strong> You are using a microphone that can track your movements, or, in my case, I would use two microphones. I kinda want to talk a little bit more about the mall situation. Where I grew up, the mall and the movie theater were right next to each other. If I get closer to the right one, you hear it more in your right ear. Closer to the left, you hear it in your left ear, and it really helps with immersion and making everything sound more intimate, like you're right there and the music or the sounds of ASMR is happening around you.</p><p><strong>Narrator:</strong> So Billie takes a page out of the ASMR playbook by trying to simulate the acoustics of a 3D environment in her music, and this makes listening to her a full-sensory experience, which, at times, can get pretty intense.</p><p><strong>Gibi:</strong> In "Xanny," she has the ear-to-ear movements. If you're wearing headphones, it sounds like she's going back and forth. ♪ I don't need a Xanny ♪ Which is really interesting because it's sort of paired with the distortion in the same song, which is, like, actually loudly uncomfortable to listen to.</p><p><strong>Narrator:</strong> It's probably because her voice often sounds like it's encircling you. Many people find watching ASMR videos unsettling at first for the very same reason. It sometimes feels like the person in the video is physically in the room with you, but that intense intimacy might be the secret behind the power of both ASMR and Billie's music. ASMR is thought to be related to a phenomenon called "frisson," named after the French word for "shiver." Often, frisson is most closely associated with music. Music-induced frisson refers to the pleasurable chills that some people may experience while listening to a song, like the goosebumps or shivers that Billie fans often describe getting from her music. The most well-developed theory about music-induced frisson comes from a music cognitive psychologist named David Huron. This theory states that frisson is actually related to fear. According to this theory, when a song contains a surprising element of some kind, like a sharp and unusual sound effect... [metallic scraping] ♪ Step on the glass ♪ ♪ Staple your tongue ♪ ♪ Bury a friend ♪ Or a voice that suddenly sounds like it's jumping around in space... ♪ Don't give me a Xanny now ♪ That provokes an instinctual fear response in your brain. This defensive reflex is so short-lived, it probably won't reach consciousness, because, in short, the rational part of your brain recognizes there's no threat and quickly inhibits your fear center. That's when you'd feel the tingles. It's the suppression of your fear that's so pleasurable.</p><p>OK, so what does this have to do with ASMR and with Billie's music? Well, because ASMR closely resembles frisson, some scientists believe it might be set off the same way, but with a different initial fear cue. One possibility is that what brings the tingles when you're watching an ASMR video is the perception of physical closeness with the person creating the sounds. Because of the acoustic techniques that many ASMR creators use and the feeling of intimacy that they cultivate, it can feel, at times, like they're entering your personal space, something that makes humans and most animals go into high alert. Billie's vocals and soundscapes create the same unnerving sense of closeness. ♪ Drinking you down like I wanna drown ♪ ♪ Like I wanna end me ♪ ♪ Step on the glass ♪ ♪ Staple your tongue ♪</p><p>Essentially, her music is designed to make your brain and body react. It combines the musical cues that are linked to frisson with the physical cues that may well be linked to ASMR. There are a lot of unexpected musical events in Billie's songs. The startling sound effects [ringing] and new vocal harmonies that seem to come out of nowhere, then there's all the sonic trickery that makes her voice sound like it's moving around spatially, sometimes even approaching or surrounding you. It creates that illusion of proximity. The almost-too-close-for-comfort feeling that you'd get from an ASMR video. Billie Eilish combines all of these techniques to make some of the most spine-tingling music to ever hit mainstream, and if her smash debut is any indication, this tingly sound just might be the future of pop. ♪ My Lucifer is lonely ♪</p><p><em>EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published in October 2019.</em></p>

How Grammy award winner, Billie Eilish, harnesses the power of ASMR in her music

The 24 Items Everyone Should Have In Their Kitchen

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Yuri Kochetkov</span></p><p class="caption">An honor guard opens the door as Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) enters a hall to attend a meeting with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, October 1, 2015.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Good morning! Here's what you need to know.</p><p><strong>Global manufacturing is looking sick. </strong>The latest J.P. Morgan Markit <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/global-manufacturing-activity-is-looking-sick-2015-10">global manufacturing PMI fell to 50.6 in September, below the 50.7 level of August, to the lowest level since July 2013</a>. Anything above 50 signals growth, but the pace is extremely modest. </p><p><strong>Eurozone producer prices are coming.</strong> At 10 a.m. <keyword id="6354868" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="UK">UK</keyword> time (5 a.m. ET) eurozone producer prices for August will be released. The figures often give a good indication for future consumer price inflation. Analysts expect producer prices to have fallen 2.4% in the year to August, the steepest drop since February. </p><p><strong>Mondelez is reportedly looking for a buyer for its cheese and grocery business in Europe.</strong> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-exclusive---mondelez-seeks-european-cheese-and-grocery-asset-sale-sources-2015-10">Mondelez International is exploring a sale of its European cheese and grocery business, which could be valued at around $3 billion (£1.98 billion)</a>, according to people familiar with the matter, as it sharpens its focus on snack foods and refreshments.</p><p><strong>Pacific trade talks are on a knife-edge.</strong> Trade ministers from a dozen Pacific nations meeting in Atlanta <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-pacific-trade-pact-talks-move-into-third-day-hang-in-the-balance-2015-10">extended talks on a sweeping trade deal into a third day in a move officials said would either produce a breakthrough or send them home</a> with the future of the agreement in doubt.</p><p><strong>Asian markets are mixed. </strong>Hong Kong's Hang Seng is up 2.75%, followed by the Shanghai Composite, up 0.48%, but Japan's Nikkei is sagging, down 0.23%.</p><p><strong>Economists expect a big boost in US payrolls. </strong>The Labor Department's monthly employment report, due on Friday at 1:30 p.m. UK time (8:30 a.m. ET), <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-us-job-growth-seen-accelerating-leaving-fed-closer-to-hike-2015-10">will almost certainly show the US economy is growing enough to push the jobless rate lower in the coming months</a>.</p><p><strong>Japan's jobless rate edged up slightly.</strong> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-japan-jobless-rate-edges-up-to-3.4-in-august-2015-10">Japan's jobless rate edged up to 3.4% in August, up slightly from the previous month and higher than analysts' expectations, official data showed Friday</a>. That was higher than July's 3.3% rate. Analysts had predicted the August rate would remain unchanged from the previous month.</p><p><strong>The EU antitrust chief says the bloc doesn't have an anti-US bias.</strong> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-eu-antitrust-chief-says-apple-google-cases-show-no-us-bias-2015-10">Europe's antitrust chief dismissed on Friday accusations of anti-US bias over her decision to go after Google</a> for abusing its Internet search dominance and Apple over an Irish tax deal, saying such talk was a fallacy.</p><p><strong>The US will hit its debt ceiling around November 5. </strong>The federal government will hit a legal debt limit and be unable to borrow more money around Nov. 5, US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said on Thursday. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-treasurys-lew-says-us-will-hit-debt-ceiling-around-november-5-2015-10">In a letter to lawmakers, Lew said the federal government would likely have less than $30 billion (£19.81 billion) in cash at that point</a>, straining its ability to pay its obligations.</p><p><strong>JP Morgan is reportedly paying the lion's share of a credit default swap settlement.</strong> JPMorgan Chase is set to pay almost a third of a $1.86 billion (£1.23 billion) settlement to resolve claims that a dozen big banks conspired to limit competition in the credit-default swaps market, Bloomberg reported. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-jpmorgan-to-pay-most-in-186-billion-swaps-price-fixing-settlement-bloomberg-2015-10">JPMorgan is paying $595 million (£392.95 million), Bloomberg said, citing people who asked not to be identified</a> because the firms haven't disclosed how they're splitting costs.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pablo-escobar-cocaines-biggest-kingpin-life-death-2015-9">Pablo Escobar: The life and death of one of the biggest cocaine kingpins in history</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="phNnBrdzpKXE2oFtDyJRVBKwhim_ZHgP" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

10 things you need to know before European markets open

<p>We've previously written about <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/21-clever-uses-for-household-items-2013-4?op=1">clever uses for everyday objects</a>, but you can never have enough life-hack <keyword id="42772" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="tips">tips</keyword>.</p>
<p>In a recent <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/">/r/AskReddit</a> thread, the <keyword id="334157" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Reddit">Reddit</keyword> community dug deep to come up with even more <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/">neat uses for everyday objects</a> that are easily found in the home.</p>
<p>Some of their responses were absolutely genius. Here are some of our favorites:<br /><strong></strong></p>
<h3><strong>1. Remove sticker residue with baking soda</strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftygoat/2385083235/sizes/o/">Flickr/Crafty Goat</a></p></div></div></div></strong>"<em>To remove sticker residue, make a mix of baking soda and just a couple drops of water and rub it over the goo. I prefer that method over using smelly solvents or oil that I'd have to wash off with soap." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbwhka">truckstruck</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>2. Use unflavored, non-waxed floss to cut softer foods</strong></h3>
<p><em><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharedappetite/6479736101/sizes/l/">Flickr/Shared Appetite</a></p></div></div>"Use floss to cut cheese." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbqtzj">TurnaboutBeggings </a></em></p>
<p><em>"It's also good for cake, or really any softer food that needs to be cut." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbrj64">-GregTheGreat-</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>3. Store a slice of bread with cookies to keep them moist</strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22614743@N08/2172513889/sizes/l/">Flickr/lavalady18</a></p></div></div>"</strong><em>Put a slice of bread in a box of cookies to keep the cookies moist. I don't know how this works but my friends who tried it were as surprised as I was that it does work." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbrow7">bankergoesrawrr</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>4. Use the clips on cheap clothing hangers as bag clips<br /></strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aliveafter/7755506240/sizes/o/">Flickr/AliveAfter.com</a></p></div></div></div>"</strong><em>Cut the clips off of the cheap pants/shorts hangers from retail stores and use them as potato chip clips." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbuskk">evo_overlord_lite</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>5. Create a make-shift slow-drip plant waterer with empty hot sauce bottles</strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/2eklectik/3529254339/">Flickr/2eklectik</a></p></div></div>"</strong><em>Clean out your bottles of Texas Pete or other hot sauce, fill with water, and stick upside down in the soil of your potted plants if you're going to be out for a couple weeks!" - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbt5j3">not_an_armadillo</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>6. Tie a rubber band around a jar lid to get a better grip<br /></strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/canarsiebk/4372461525/sizes/o/">Flickr/canarsiebk</a></p></div></div>"</strong><em>When you can't open a jar, wrap a rubber band around the lid. It will give you a better grip." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbwu96">redlptop</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>7. Hold a nail steady with a comb when hammering<br /></strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15382551@N07/7382054188/sizes/o/in/photolist-cfjXwm-9XvJBY/">Flickr/texasrose2007</a></p></div></div></div>"</strong><em>Use a comb to hold a nail in place while you strike it with your hammer." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbwgy7">blight231 </a></em></p>
<p><strong>8. Coat cheap jewelry with clear nail polish to avoid green or black stains on the skin<br /></strong></p>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamsofscotland/7199222144/sizes/h/">Flickr/pandasinfedoras</a></p></div></div>"</strong><em>If you put clear nail polish on cheap rings and earrings, they won't leave green marks on your skin." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbwaay">the_drama_llama</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>9. Sharpen knives with the bottom of a coffee mug</strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tessenwee/2220932449/sizes/l/in/photolist-4ofRQM-xjuUQ-7cyKEz-38RUiz-8DRQRC-8MVt7P-681caQ-q9yLL-biGfRK-7waYMU-azvxwg-bjzzt4-7kNLB9-5VZipV-5W4Cfm-7Ts1Fw-bjzCsr-dkyi7z-bjzyZx-7AAEAf-738J1g-dYXNt4-bjzxyk-4hM1Es-bjzw8P-5qkTVF-69keiY-bjzxa4-apZvoT-aqmCi8-bjzywZ-bjzKFH-bjzwGn-5mdqG3-5hVpHq-asCJVo-2y7uhp-njcce-dPHDMn-66i4JK-5hZjSX-3MUvUB-66i5f4-9wWVD4-7E1cSi-8D2DYe-dUyWM-5WphAV-8r4ToC-aocYcW-6rZg77/">Flickr/Tracy27</a></p></div></div>"</strong><em>The bottom of ceramic coffee mugs are great knife sharpeners." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbwey7">GrandRaptorino</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>10: Use a potato to get a broken lightbulb out of the socket</strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/c_mel/3289004019/sizes/l/">Flickr/cmelvindiesel</a></p></div></div>"</strong><em>If you break a lightbulb still in the socket, you can use a potato to take it out.</em><br /><em>    1.    TURN OFF POWER TO THE LIGHT!</em><br /><em>    2.    Cut potato in half.</em><br /><em>    3.    Jam potato in over the broken glass of the lightbulb.</em><br /><em>    4.    Unscrew.</em><br /><em>    5.    Throw out that potato half." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccc09fq">dongbeinanren</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>11. Keep pizza from becoming chewy in the microwave with a glass of water</strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/curryrojo/5589676161/sizes/o/in/photolist-9vWxYV-fJXY8M-6ixGWW-a4zQNi-6LU675-7HL7R5-cCRkGd-fzNrWw-621biM-eUxbgW-8WZLqk-c441Qq-89AdFq-miBEk-99nrm-99nrG-d3d9kQ-4TgPoV-6Qmees-Rs1nS-4vJHM7-4Nm3n5-4NgPDD-8nk5RX-8t1hXo-6itykT-aSeBCr-7TxeMK-7TxeZD-9HjXge-8Gb4ar-4NgGGx-4NgJ5t-6tu8Vg-5kfpHZ-3ieSiT-JH5fS-AfUWU-tHhgv-oiKU9-cjLnp-8Bz6rz-4gVhRq-58o3Xn-8JFsFS-8TDHux-bywRE1-5xje4Y-9G1kN8-9AYZ6h-9AYM4N/">Flickr/CurryRojo</a></p></div></div>"</strong><em>If you don't want your pizza crust to become chewy in the microwave then put a glass of water in the microwave while you reheat your pizza." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbvh4q">Uncle_Oj</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>12. Use salt to fix a spill on your carpet</strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/michellekblades/4626769361/sizes/l/">Flickr/Michelle.Blades.</a></p></div></div>"</strong><em>Salt can save your carpet after a spill. Just completely coat and cake that spill in salt immediately after getting rid of the majority of the spill with a rag or something. The salt will absorb the remaining liquid as it dries, taking the stain with it, and then you just have to vacuum to clean up." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbxmuy">ExpiredDustyMuffin</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>13. Remove stuck on labels or stickers with mayonnaise<br /></strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kapowaz/4444971319/sizes/l/">Flickr/kapowaz</a></p></div></div>"</strong><em>Any sticker on anything, mayonnaise. Smear.. Let sit.. Peel." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbyylt">CalistaDodd</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>14. Rub latex gloves on furniture and clothes to get rid of pet hair or lint</strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/majicdolphin/3341417145/sizes/l/">Flickr/Ma?icdölphin</a></p></div></div>"</strong><em>Use a latex glove to remove pet fur or lint from clothing and furniture. Put a pair on and sweep repeatedly to one side. It's like magic. Much better than a vacuum cleaner or those sticky sheets of paper." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbzcf0">notalwayshere</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>15. If rice doesn't work, set a wet phone on a dehumidifier to dry it out</strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59795725@N04/7098342285/sizes/l/">Flickr/Rod Rayner</a></p></div></div>"</strong><em>I've tried the rice bag before with no success. I happened to soak my phone twice (TWICE) this weekend, and also happened to have just purchased a dehumidifier. I figured if it could dry out an entire basement, it couldn't hurt to set my wet phone on top. Sure enough, less than 6 hours later, good as new. Both times." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccby368">Pants-down</a></em></p>
<h3><strong>16. Use a dryer sheet to filter hair in the sink when shaving</strong></h3>
<p><strong><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source">Youtube Screen Grab</p></div></div>"</strong><em>When I shave, I get a used dryer sheet wet and place it over the drain to act as a filter for hairs. It'll stick to the sink if the water isn't too strong (which might encourage reducing your water consumption)." - <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1mqu82/what_are_some_neat_uses_for_an_everyday_object/ccbtu06">Tylrt</a></em></p>

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