It’s probably time to ditch your black plastic utensils.
Research suggests that there’s a high chance that black plastic can contain concerning levels of toxic chemicals, including flame retardants, which can leach into food during cooking.
Odds are, not everything black and plastic in your kitchen contains such chemicals. But experts say that it’s impossible to tell for sure whether the black spatula in your utensil crock is contaminated. That’s because the source of the chemicals seems to be recycled plastic from e-waste, and labeling on recycled content can be inconsistent.
If your spatula, stirring spoon, or other kitchen gear is plastic and black, and if it comes into contact with heat when you’re cooking or serving, use this news as an excuse for an upgrade.
Hallmark movies lie to you: Holiday magic doesn’t simply appear out of nowhere. You have to create it yourself.
And of course, creating magical moments with twinkling lights, a fresh (or fake) pine, and the sweet scent of freshly baked cookies sometimes takes real, messy effort. Think wrestling with tree stands, untangling cords, and arguing with your partner or roommate over how to hang the ornaments. But decorating doesn’t need to be difficult. We’ve pulled together some suggestions to make setting up for the holidays (and pulling it all down a few weeks later) an easier, more festive experience for everyone involved.
Welcome to Ask Wirecutter, where deputy editor Annemarie Conte helps you figure out how to make the most of your stuff in real life. If you have a shopping conundrum for our advice columnist, submit it using this form.
Dear Wirecutter,
My boyfriend leaves a paper trail. I still don’t know where he gets all of these papers—mail? the office? notes he’s taken and never thrown away?—but I know where they end up, which is everywhere. Do you have any suggestions for how to corral his papers so he can keep them and I don’t have to stare at his stupid piles?
JB
Dear JB,
Stupid piles! Many people are familiar with them, either because they’re pilers themselves or they are enraged-by-piles people. (For those of you who live with a piler and are not enraged by the piles, please share your secrets to calm with the rest of us!)
I’m a self-loathing piler. I make them. I see them. I can’t stop them. But I do my best to contain, manage, and hide them by forcing myself to spend some time each week (20 minutes, a six-song playlist, or one episode of Schitt’s Creek) dealing with that molehill so it doesn’t become a mountain.
There is hope for compromise and change here, but your BF needs to be on board.
Kincardine, ON – Local man Allan Terry has expressed his belief that the Democrats need to improve their messaging and policy efforts if they want to win the next Presidential election, charmingly revealing that he thinks there will be another fair and free Presidential election in his lifetime. “Clearly Democrats need to totally reshape their […]
REGINA, SK – A new study conducted by researchers at The Littlest Hobo Memorial University has uncovered a starling trend; in 95% of cases, most hero dogs’ attempts to get help are ignored by human authority figures. “Going back through hundreds of incidents of children having fallen down wells and similar crises, we found that […]
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No one is saying you need all ten of these styles. Hardly. But like shoes and boots, some styles of sweaters are better for some scenarios, while other styles excel at other times. Sweaters can be one of the easiest ways to elevate an outfit, bridging the gap between casual and formal. We’re going to do a deep dive today about the different types of men’s sweaters, along with some of the pros and cons that accompany them.
Pros: The foundation, even though some would say a V-neck should be the first style mentioned. (We’ll get to v-necks.) Super versatile. As classic as it gets. Can be dressed up or down. Widely available at numerous price points, from cheap to pricey, and in tons of different fabrics (from cotton to cashmere). Different styles of knit, from slim and smooth to chunky cable, can totally change the look and feel of the sweater.
Cons: Can be tough to dress way up, since layering over a dress shirt can sometimes look a little restricted. Not always. Just sometimes. Not everyone likes a crewneck depending on the fabric (if you find wool itchy). It’s a pullover, so taking it on/off for layering purposes & temperature regulation can leave you with crazy “I just took my sweater off” hair.
Pros: The V-Neck is arguably as foundational as the crewneck. Widely available in various fabrics (and often for super cheap), it’s one of the easiest to style with anything from an open-collar OCBD to a suit and tie. V-shape can accentuate athletic frames. It’s an ideal partner for cool to cold weather layering, as shown above.
Cons: Almost always needs to be layered over something (unless it’s a shallow v + you don’t have much chest hair… or you’re a Suitsupply model). These are also pullovers, so taking it on/off for layering purposes & temperature regulation can leave you with crazy “I just took my sweater off” hair.
Pros: Extraordinarily comfortable. Can see extra use as outerwear in fall and spring. House-sweater style chunky knits can feel like wearing a nice cozy blanket. Easy on/off avoids that pullover-sweater-hair situation.
Cons: Some see them as “grandpa” sweaters, although that rep has faded in recent years. Usually more expensive since they’re beefier in fabric and construction.
Pros: An easy to execute style-move many are afraid to try. Pretty much the perfect layer, since unlike pullovers, you can take it on and off without making your hair look like you just stuck a fork in an electrical outlet.
Cons: Maligned as “Mr. Rogers” style. Which is odd, since Mr. Rogers was about as good as it gets as a human being. Some of us used to think cardigans are frumpy and unstylish. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Pros: Oozes “I know what I’m doing here.” Projects confidence and style. Keeps your neck warm in the colder months, and thinner styles layer quite easily underneath suits and sportscoats.
Cons: You’ll get comments. A turtleneck is like a magnet for people to either pay compliments or make snide remarks. Can be difficult to find on the cheaper side that actually looks good and keeps its shape.
Pros: A half-zip over a shirt and tie is a pretty well-accepted “cheat” in terms of business-casual formality… as long as the fit is nails. Zip gives a little more room to pull on and off over coiffed hair, much more so than a crewneck or v-neck.
Cons: Can look a little… “Dad”/Manning-cast (NO ELI!*nsfwish) Zipper teeth around the Adam’s apple… yikes. Zipper in general = harder to dress all the way up.
Pros: Super cozy yet rugged. Warm. A great option for those that don’t like the floppiness of hoodies, but want a little extra protection for their neck. In fact, these are often made in heritage-style sweatshirt fleece, mimicking a sweatshirt without the bulkiness of a hood or pocket up front.
Cons: Obviously bulky around the neck area, and unlike the cardigan style alternative, not as easy to get on/off for on-the-go layering.
Pros: As easy-wearing as its short-sleeved brother, the sweater polo is simple and straightforward, making it versatile and pairable. While this type is usually a smoother fabric like merino wool, textured options can make layering a lot more interesting.
Cons: Kind of tied to the polo itself in the formality scale. Difficult (though not impossible!) to dress all the way up. Can feel weird to wear a t-shirt or undershirt under, which many will want to do with wool versions.
Pros:Not the same as a sweatshirt. Often made of merino or even cashmere. Very easy to wear while staying comfortable and not appearing stuffy. Layered under a casual sportcoat it can look trendy but still put together… although some would disagree, as that trend might have seen its day come and go.
Cons: Arguably the least formal, and can sometimes be mistaken for simply wearing a terry/fleece style sweatshirt. Look for slimmer cuts, often without the kangaroo pocket up front, and a little texture always helps to make the style intention more clear.
Pros: The perfect way to dress up, without really dressing up, and thus can be a nice mental boost on those days when you could use it. It’s also the the best portmanteau in Menswear – ALL HAIL THE “SWAZER.”
Cons: Since it doesn’t have the structure of a traditional blazer/sportcoat… these can sometimes look a little schlumpy. But that really depends on the model/version. Some can wear almost just like a blazer. Others are more like a cardigan. They can also often be expensive. Critics would say these are neither here-nor-there. They’re not dressed up, they’re not casual. But that’s also why some of us love them.
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