💝 An important factor we assessed in our testing for the best online flower delivery service: how true the arrangements were to their online photos: wrctr.co/374GITF
Left: how the flower arrangement we ordered from our top pick appeared on its site
Right: the flower arrangement we received
Left: how the flower arrangement we ordered from Costco, our budget pick, appeared on its site
Right: the flower arrangement we received
Left: how the flower arrangement we ordered from our also-great pick appeared on its site
Right: the flower arrangement we received
⚠️ Okay, that's it for the top picks.
Here's some "expectations vs reality" from some of the competition:
The bouquet we ordered vs the one we got (this particular arrangement no longer appears on the brand's site)
The flower arrangement we ordered
vs
the one we got
Unfortunately, this one was nearly 2x what we paid for other flowers we tested + many of the blooms arrived looking tired. We had to throw them out 4 days after receiving them.
What we ordered from 1-800-Flowers vs what we received
Though our arrangement was pretty enough, it wasn’t as interesting as those from our picks.
Also, it barely resembled the listing online. (To the company’s credit, the blooms still looked like new a week after delivery.)
What we ordered vs what we received
The bouquet was beautiful, but some of the lilies in our arrangement were slightly damaged + the leatherleaf fern filler wasn’t as attractive as the filler in our other picks.
What we ordered vs what we received from our previous budget pick
The arrangement was beautiful & blooms were fresher than many others we tested.
The only reason we no longer feature it as a pick is bc one simply cannot buy from it reliably right now due to stock issues 💔
FINAL NOTES:
If you’re shopping for someone who lives somewhere you aren’t familiar with, then an online flower delivery service can be a great tool.
Still, it’s worth noting that many of the popular online flower services use local florists to fulfill orders.
FINAL NOTES (cont.)
In theory, you can cut out the middleman (& maybe save a little $) by ordering your own flowers from the florist directly, using a quick Google search for what’s available in the area
Just keep an eye out for any customer review pics for IRL expectations 💙
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In the mid-2000s, Blue Microphones had a great reputation for sound quality and a retro-futuristic design aesthetic when they released the Snowball, their first foray into USB mics.
At the time, there were few options for a decent, affordable USB microphone.
Meanwhile, the desktop content creation boom was just beginning.
Just some of the things that were quickly gaining popularity:
A common question: Can you get addicted to lip balm?
According to the dermatologists we spoke with: Not really. If you find yourself reaching for lip balm constantly, it’s probably out of habit. Is it a true addiction? Not in the sense that there's a chemical dependency on it.
A board-certified dermatologist compared overuse of lip balm to other common behaviors: "Some people scratch the back of their head. Some people pick at their nails." But again, there's no evidence that lip balm is chemically addictive or causes withdrawal symptoms if you stop.
If your balm isn’t working, or if it’s irritating you, try switching formulas.
Although there’s no single ingredient that always causes irritation, try avoiding lip balm that has menthol & camphor. Any kind of added flavor or fragrance has the potential to irritate some people.
1. Enable two-factor authentication for your Apple account
Go to "Security" > [Your name], then tap "Turn on two-factor authentication"
After you set it up, even if someone has your password, they shouldn’t be able to access your account w/o also having your phone or computer
2. Set a strong passcode (& consider disabling Touch ID or Face ID)
Tap "Settings" > "Touch ID [or Face ID] & Passcode". If your phone supports Face ID, make sure the "Require Attention for Face ID" option is enabled so that your phone can’t be unlocked when your eyes are closed
(THREAD) During a wildfire, you’ll need to change your filters more often than you would under normal air conditions, and there are a few indicators that can help you know when it’s time to replace one. wrctr.co/2RMEbpa
According to an air quality engineer & filtration expert:
"If I lived near the wildfires & didn’t find the cost prohibitive, I’d probably change a 3-month filter every month during the season. Or possibly after each major event— say if a fire gets close enough to be a big deal."
Note that wildfire smoke is a complex mixture, incorporating both:
(📚THREAD) Reading is a great way to pass the time—especially while you’re stuck at home—but it can quickly get expensive. Here’s how to read more while spending way less: wrctr.co/2ZLRxpM
1. Shop at your local independent bookstores!
Sign up for their newsletters: Many bookstores offer discounts & announce sales every so often, but you can’t take advantage of discounted pricing if you don’t know about it.
Also, ask your local bookstore if it offers frequent-buyer cards or free memberships.
Plus, many independent bookstores offer discounts to teachers, librarians, and book-club groups. If you think you might be part of a population privy to discounts, don’t be afraid to ask.