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Nina Metz: ‘WandaVision’ plays games with sitcom tropes, but takes a risk that the post-rerun generation won’t get the gag
If you spent any kind of time in front of the television during your childhood and you’re over the age of 40, you’ll recognize the TV tropes — and in some instances, the specific shows — referenced in the new Marvel series “WandaVision” on Disney+. In the early going, the show eschews your typical superhero storyline in favor of something cheeky and bizarre, plunking down two MCU characters — the magically inclined Wanda Maximoff and her android beau Vision — into various sitcom templates of old. The first episode (and much of the second) is in black-and-white, and it hearkens back to everythi...
Chicago Tribune
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Dahleen Glanton: As first lady, Melania Trump always stood by her man
Melania Trump never found her voice as first lady. For four years, she could not distinguish herself as anything other than Donald Trump’s wife. Like her husband, she didn’t care for White House traditions. She performed her duties, including decorating for Christmas, begrudgingly. She promoted her own initiative, “Be Best,” halfheartedly and ineffectively. Prior to leaving the White House on Wednesday, she again broke protocol by refusing to meet with the incoming first lady. The unofficial obligation has long been considered a ritual of the peaceful transfer of power from one administration ...
Chicago Tribune
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Simple, inexpensive home improvements for living and selling
PHILADELPHIA — Jocelyn and Pete Lockard are planning major renovations after they close on their home in Phoenixville in January. They’ll redo the kitchen and renovate the main bathroom while they sell their Kensington home. Overall, Jocelyn said, they’re looking to make their new living space “really open and welcoming and cozy and conducive to our lifestyle” for the couple and their toddler, while making sure the home appeals to potential buyers if the family decides to sell in a decade or so. But one of the elements that excites her the most is relatively simple: the soaking tub she envisio...
The Philadelphia Inquirer
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Design Recipes: 10 quick ways to refresh your home in 2021
Looking for ways to give your home a new look in the new year? Start with quick, easy refreshing techniques that won’t break the bank. Whether you are looking to redo an entire room or elevate certain areas of your space, here are some great tricks of the trade to help get you started. 1. Paint . Nothing refreshes a space or can give it a new look quicker, easier and less expensively than paint. 2. Reupholster or slipcover. No need to toss the sofa or chair that may have started to look a bit worn around the edges. Instead have it reupholstered, or add a slipcover. 3. Refinish. Love a great fl...
Tribune News Service
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Design Recipes: Try these wintertime touches for your home
Wintertime is officially here, and for many of us that means frosty mornings and colder days. While you may not want to bring winter indoors (frosty mornings are much better left outside!), you can re-create the beauty of the season indoors and deck your home out in subtle details that pay homage to winter in a number of ways. Draw inspiration from the season and re-imagine your home with these beautiful and elegant wintertime touches. Candles Cozy fires and flickering candles are the essence of winter. Few things can add a sense of warmth to a home like candles. Best of all they’re fun, versa...
Tribune News Service
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Welcome Mat: Ideas for your tree after Christmas
Ideas for your real tree after ChristmasIf you're interested in repurposing your tree once the holiday is over, you can, Oakland County officials say. They've teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation for some suggestions that go beyond putting your real tree in the garbage: — Firewood: Because they are sap-heavy trees, evergreens tend to burn hot and fast, making them ideal for bonfires. Trees should be dried out for a few months before burning. — Mulch: Whether it's with woodchips or needles, mulch is a great way to keep your yard trees healthy and moist during the cold season. Pine needles co...
The Detroit News
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Television Q&A: Does HGTV pay for lodging, renovation on 'Love It or List It'?
You have questions. I have some answers. Q: When the selected family on “Love It or List It” allows Hillary to renovate and decorate their home to achieve the look they would like versus buying a new home, they obviously would be out of the house when the renovation is going on. Does HGTV cover the cost of their temporary living arrangements? If the owners choose to list the house, is it generally sold with updated interiors and furnishings we see on the show or would any of that be removed prior to the house being sold? If the owners keep the house, do they pay for any of the renovation and d...
Tribune News Service
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Design Recipes: All about valances
From formal to flat, casual to swag, valances come in all shapes and sizes. Valances you may ask, are they still in vogue? The answer is, did they really go out of style? Home décor covers a wide spectrum, and one’s personal style and taste certainly plays an important role. Window coverings in general, whether traditional drapery, shades, blinds and yes valances can make an appropriate statement depending on your home and personal style. VALANCES. IN OR OUT? Valances for many, is a must in order to help finish a space. The so called “icing on the cake”. Valances in most instances need to be c...
Tribune News Service
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The joy of gifting
The tree is lit, the table is set, and your home is smelling of Frasier fir and holiday tidings. There is nothing left to do but sink back into your beautiful plaid pillows and kick your feet up….wait a minute…presents! If you are like me, all year long I see items where I think “this would be perfect for so and so!” and then promptly forget each and every idea once gift buying season comes around. Few things give me as much joy as seeing (or in hearing over the phone this year) how much a loved one has enjoyed a present I’ve gotten for them. With 2020 throwing a wrench in normal holiday gathe...
Tribune News Service
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Design Recipes: 10 tips to enhance a guest room
As many ponder the possibility of hosting perhaps one or two family members for the holiday season, creating an inviting guest room may be top of mind. Guest bedrooms in many homes are discarded spaces. Sometimes they are clutter filled and only cleared just hours before a guest arrives. While in other instances, guest bedrooms are left dark and empty, a shrine to the guest who shows up once or twice a year. Guest bedrooms serve as a welcome message to your guests and should be treated as an opportunity to welcome your guests in style. Here are my top 10 tips for ways to enhance the guest bedr...
Tribune News Service
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