clothing

Here’s How Often You Should Wash All Your Clothes

by

No one enjoys doing laundry. It’s time-consuming, boring and can be expensive if you have to pay for a water bill or go to the laundromat. With that in mind, it can help to wash your clothes only when necessary. It might seem like the right thing to do to wash your outfits after every wear, but unless your clothes are soiled and sweaty, it’s not really necessary.

So how often should you wash all your garments? Insider pulled recommendations from the American Cleaning Institute and Real Simple to build this helpful chart below. Use this handy guide to help figure out when you need to do laundry.

how-often-wash-clothes
Insider

Some items, like socks, underwear and T-shirts, should indeed be washed after every wear. Jeans and coats fall on the opposite end of the spectrum, as you are pretty safe to wear them numerous times before you wash.

What do you think? Do you agree with these recommendations?

These 10 Companies Are Behind Almost Everything We Eat And Drink

by

While walking down the grocery aisle, you see hundreds of different brands.

While there seems to be an endless supply of brands to choose from, there are just 10 companies that control a large portion of every food and beverage brand in the world. These companies are: Danone, General Mills, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Kellogg’s, Mars, Mondelez and Associated British Foods.

That means our favorite soda brand is most likely owned by the same people packaging our can’t-live-without teas and bottled water. Check out the chart below from Oxfam (a conglomerate of nonprofits that work together to fight poverty around the world) that shows the corporations behind many of our favorite brands:

behind-the-brands-illusion-of-choice-graphic-2048x1351
Oxfam

Note: This infographic was created in 2013, so some of the information may no longer be accurate, though much of it still is.

Oxfam is pushing for these companies to make positive changes, and for customers to understand who is controlling the food they buy in stores so that they, too, can monitor how these companies are treating their employees or sourcing their food. The infographic created by the charity shows how so many of the brands we see in stores are connected with a different brand in another aisle. Oxfam’s website, Behind The Brands, gives brands ratings based on factors like environmental practices and workers’ rights.

Check out Oxfam’s scorecard, and keep reading in order to really understand how boxed rice is connected to gum take a look at which brands belong to the 10 companies.

Mars

Known for its chocolate brands, especially M&M’s but also the company behind Uncle Ben’s Rice, Orbtiz gum and Starburst.

chocolate
Mars

PepsiCo

The holder of the well-known sports drink Gatorade, PepsiCo doesn’t stop at beverages. It also houses the brands to some of your favorite chips including Lays, Cheetos and Sun Chips.

gatorade photo

Kellogg’s

Not only does Kelloggs make cereal and Eggo’s, but it owns Pringles, Nutri-Grain and Town House, too.

Kelloggs photo
Photo by Zanastardust

Nestlé

Forget just chocolate, the company has all things Wonka, Gerber and even sparkling water brand Perrier.

Kit Kat photo
Photo by renaissancechambara

Mondelez

The list of brands for Modelez is extensive including Cadbury, Ritz, Wheat Thins, Oreos and Trident Gum.

cadbury photo
Photo by JeepersMedia

You Won’t Believe Which Leggings Trend Is Back In Style

by

Most of us know that fashion is cyclical. What once was cutting-edge becomes yesterday’s news as new cuts, colors and combinations become en vogue. And what’s old is new again, and this is certainly true in the case of… wait for it… stirrup pants! That’s right, these ’80s gems are back in style.

One question for you: why has it taken so long for this style to come back? No longer do we have to endure our leggings riding up our legs and looking too short. No longer will our leggings look wrinkled and lose. No longer must we tuck and re-tuck them into our boots. Stirrup pants are making a comeback on runways, and I for one couldn’t be more excited.

Cape and #StirrupPants ??#Marni

A photo posted by SamiaGrand (@samiagrand) on


I can still remember the pastel purple stirrup leggings I had as a child. I loved those pants until there were holes in the knee. I have been searching for a new pair ever since. Here are a few of the many pairs flooding the stores this fall, plus a few ideas of how you can wear them.

1. Standard Black

Ballet flats, heels or boots will all look amazing with this newest closet necessity. You can dress them up for a night on the town or go slightly more casual for daytime wear.

Express Black Stirrup Stretch Legging, $39.90

2. Athleisure Wear

These pants will be perfect for all your yoga moves as well as for lying around on the couch. The best part is that no matter how you move the bottoms will stay put. Plus, how fun is this pattern?

Knockout By Victoria’s Secret Yoga Stirrup Tight, $64.50

3. Jeggings 

That’s right stirrup jeggings are now available for daily wear. Pair them with an oversized sweater, a blouse or even a T-shirt. These are sure to be your new go-to pants.

Stirrup Jegging, $178