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Sometimes, it’s hard to know what to say or do for kids whose parents are serving in the military. Sometimes, all they really need is a hug from mom or dad. Daddy Dolls, based in Jacksonville, North Carolina, may not quite be the real deal, but it’s certainly a thoughtful gift that will put a smile on these children’s’ faces. “Daddy Dolls was created in 2005. My daughters were ages three and nine months when my husband, Justin Dyal, left for deployment....

These days, as we stay at home amidst the coronavirus pandemic, we’re looking for all of the entertainment and distraction we can get. Though we can’t travel, we’ve loved touring the magnificent Biltmore Estate with their virtual grounds and garden tours in Asheville, North Carolina. Now, we’re all about teleporting ourselves to George Washington Vanderbilt’s 19th century home, which has been featured in nearly 20 feature films ranging from The Swan in 1956, starring Grace Kelly to 1994’s Forrest Gump, with Tom Hanks taking on the eponymous lead role....

While the show takes place in Seattle and nearby towns, we recently learned the series was actually filmed further north in British Columbia. According to The Sun, the show was filmed in both Burnaby, a city that’s partly of the Vancouver metropolitan area, and Vancouver itself, the sprawling port city located on the Pacific Ocean. If the show reminds you of another soapy recent Netflix release, you’re not alone in drawing the comparison to Virgin River, the small-town drama that’s set in the woods of Northern California....

Tucked into the hills of North Mississippi, this town was named after Oxford, England, in hopes of attracting the state university. It worked: The University of Mississippi opened its doors in 1848, and today Oxford is the region’s quintessential college town, celebrated as a literary wellspring and an SEC sports powerhouse. “Ole Miss is a huge partner for our community,” says Rosie Vassallo, director of retiree attraction with the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation....

I love to cook. Hosting friends for dinner, cooking for big family meals, or just creating a magical meal just for me, I love it all. Cooking is my form of self-care. I taught myself to cook watching PBS and Food Network shows in college. For my birthday one year, I made two giant lasagnas and had my friends over. I formed a habit of baking chocolate chip cookies while I studied for finals every semester....

Phyllis George, the former Miss America turned broadcast television pioneer, has died. She was 70. A family spokeswoman told CBS News that George died Thursday in Lexington, Kentucky, after a decades-long fight with a blood disorder called polycythemia vera. George was born in Denton, Texas, on June 25, 1949. She attended North Texas State University before becoming the 50th Miss America in 1971. Her magnetic personality and boundless energy made her a beloved household name....

Four months and counting of this ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and it appears this new practice of social distancing will remain the norm for quite a while. But we are becoming fatigued of staying home. While some businesses are trying to find ways to resume business safely from drive-in concerts to patio dining at restaurants, there are still things we miss. One of those things? We miss actually leaving the house and going to the movies, not just streaming from the couch....

February has almost sprung up on us, and our must-haves for the month are not winter parkas nor warm blankets, wine nor whiskey, but rather the seasonal delights we look forward to all year long: Spangler Candy Company’s Sweethearts Candies. The Sweethearts Candies brand, which dates back to 1902, decided to mix things up this year by releasing new heart candies featuring 21 sayings inspired by popular love song lyrics from the last seven decades, per a company press release....

No Southern church cookbook is complete without Ms. Pearl’s Famous Red Velvet Cake. Or her name may be Ms. Bessie, Mrs. Banks, or even just Grandma. But in every town and community across the South, there exists the little lady who makes every church potluck complete with her version of the holiday-red cake with fluffy white frosting. The red velvet cake is so ensconced in Southern culture these days you’d feel safe assuming the cake was born here, perhaps centuries ago, in the kitchen of a cook bent on making a recipe that would impress her family or neighbors....

Many college stadiums, professional sports teams, PGA tournaments, and concerts require fans planning to bring a bag to opt for a clear option. Though it’s a request made for security purposes, carrying a clear stadium bag also makes the entry process a breeze because the contents of your bag can be viewed quickly. The Vorspack Clear Stadium Bag meets security requirements while also offering you plenty of room at an affordable price point, and some shoppers even opt to use it for travel....

Anyone who has any sort of interest in house-cleaning appliances has likely seen or heard about the Bissell. The before-and-after photos by shoppers of the suction-powered carpet and upholstery cleaner in action is engrossing to say the least. (Or just gross, depending on the result.) You can use the tool for other areas in the home as well, including upholstered sofas and chairs that are stained or worn, and one woman found out that—for some furniture—once is not enough....

Good news for hungry North Carolinians craving a honey butter chicken biscuit: It looks like Whataburger is headed your way. The quickly expanding chain is aiming to open a spot on Charlotte’s south side, reports the Houston Chronicle, who is always on the Whataburger beat. Apparently the Charlotte Observer first spotted that a permit had been filed to transform an old bank in the Glenkirk neighborhood into the latest outpost of the beloved restaurant....

Peacock Boutique The city’s purveyor of trend-conscious labels—Helmut Lang, Notte by Marchesa, Derek Lam, Missoni—is the place to go to graduate from the predictably fanciful Derby hat to statement-making “fascinator,” the ornate head-piece made popular by Kate and Pippa Middleton. In the weeks leading up to the races, the shop carries Philip Treacy (a favorite of celebs and the royal family), and Katerina Miaoulis of Australian-based MemSahib Couture is in the store taking custom “fascinator” orders that start around $265....

Centuries ago, Native Americans came to this part of Arkansas to experience what they believed to be the healing waters of its natural hot springs. People still come here for that, but there are all kinds of things to do in Hot Springs besides visit bathhouses. Historic Bathhouse Row started booming here between the late 1800s and early 1900s, with tourists coming from everywhere to relax and have a soak in a posh mountain spa....

If you haven’t caught up on season four of Yellowstone, consider this your advanced warning to hop to it. The season finale back in January saw Beth and Rip finally make it official, Kayce found his vision, regardless of how unsettling he might have found it, and Jamie had to make the ultimate choice. But what happens next? Well Yellowstone fans, you won’t have that long to wait. Paramount Network announced Wednesday on their Instagram account, season 5 would premiere on November 13....

Mother-daughter time is special no matter what you’re doing. But traveling together is a bonding experience you’ll never forget. Here are the top seven reasons you should take a trip with your daughter this year, and every one after that. Travel prep is a bonding experience. Planning your trip means that the two of you will be constantly engaged in conversations about where to go, what to do, and how to pack....

It’s always nice to fall into a bed outfitted with clean sheets. The only problem is that clean sheets usually require a well-made bed. That means inevitably putting the bottom sheet on halfway, realizing you’ve got the wrong end on the mattress, and starting over from the beginning. Luckily, we’ve unearthed a tip that could do away with that frustrating bit of housework. WATCH: How To Style The Perfect Bed...

Another day, another reason to visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Not that you needed any more incentive to pay a visit to the beloved mountain town, but Anakeesta just unveiled its biggest addition of the year. This week marks the debut of Black Bear Village, the final phase of the outdoor adventure park’s whopping $6.5 million expansion, which boasts a new outdoor stage, splash pad, fine dining restaurant, taproom, and views upon views of the Great Smoky Mountains....

I thought I knew about Beautycounter, then the Countertime Collection arrived on my desk. The rest is history. To give you an idea of my skin type, I’m combination-to-dry with fine lines around my eyes. It’s also fairly sensitive—one brisk walk in cold weather will leave my cheeks red and my skin flaking for days. That being said, retinol is a hard nut for me to crack. I was able to use Olay’s Retinol24 line with success as long as I applied sparingly and also followed up with an additional moisturizing cream....

As a New Year’s Resolution, I decided to wear more lipstick—and when I set my mind to a goal, I go all in. I started the year with a bang, wearing a different shade of red lipstick every day for a week. While the experiment taught me that I can definitely pull off a red lip (as I write, all it takes is a little bit of confidence), I also discovered that I’m not in the mood for such a bold look 24/7....