Rosa ‘Honey Perfume’ brings bright color and inviting fragrance to Southern gardens. These cultivars are Floribunda roses, deciduous shrubs in the family Rosaceae, and their showy blooms appear in eye-catching peach, apricot, and yellow hues. The blossoms are deeply fragrant, which is where they get the apt name “Honey Perfume.” While we love red and pink roses, peachy flowers will always have a place in our gardens, and with a fragrance this memorable, we look forward to these blooms season after season.
As they grow, ‘Honey Perfume’ roses form a compact shrub that grows to 4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. Their full, frilly blooms appear in summer—usually in May—and continue until frost. They bloom in abundant clusters and can be counted on to rebloom throughout the year. They’re grown for their attractive appearance as well as their strong fragrance. The foliage is deciduous and dark green.
According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, these roses are “best grown in medium moisture, slightly acidic, well-drained garden loams in full sun. Tolerates some light shade, but best flowering and disease resistance generally occur in full sun.” They thrive in full sun with regular water and maintenance. The Missouri Botanical Garden recommends that gardeners “water deeply and regularly (mornings are best). Avoid overhead watering. Good air circulation promotes vigorous and healthy growth and helps control foliar diseases. Summer mulch helps retain moisture, keeps roots cool and discourages weeds. Remove spent flowers to encourage rebloom.”
‘Honey Perfume’ roses were hybridized by Dr. Keith W. Zary in 1993 and have become garden favorites in the decades since they appeared. Plant your own, and you’ll soon see why so many Southern gardeners covet their fragrant blooms.
TikTok star Siya Kakkar has died at 17 years old. Her manager, Arjun Sarin, confirmed to ET that Kakkar died by suicide at her home in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday, June 24, around the hours of 9-10 p.m.
Sarin told ET he had talked to Kakkar earlier in the day, noting, “She sounded very normal, just like we talk every day.”
“I can just say she was one of the finest artists and her focus was not money,” he added. “Her focus was to work for her happiness.”
Kakkar, who lived in India, was known for her dancing and has more than 1.9 million followers on TikTok. On Thursday, Delhi Police told local news outlet India Today that Kakkar died at her residence on Wednesday night and had been battling depression in the four days prior to her death. Sarin told ET that he was not aware of the Tik Tok star receiving any online threats.
The manager also spoke about Kakkar’s death to India Today on Thursday, saying, “I had a word with her last night for a new project and she sounded normal… This must be due to something personal…work wise she was doing well.”
“Me and my company Fame Experts manage lots of artists and Siya was a bright talent,” he continued. “I am heading to her home in Preet Vihar.”
Sarin’s management company posted a smiling picture of Kakkar on Thursday on Instagram and mourned her death.
“Rest in peace @siya_kakkar 💔,” the post reads. “We will always miss an artist like you. May God give all the strength to her family.”
April 4, 2024 update:
The Delhi Police is investigating the reason behind TikTok star Siya Kakkar’s death by suicide and said that her phone has been seized. Siya Kakkar, 16, died by suicide at her residence in New Delhi on June 25.
While her phone has been seized, Delhi Police has not been able to unlock it as yet. Officials will seek help of Siya’s family to unlock her phone in order to check her call records.
What happens when the reason you’re not getting your zzz’s is because of your partner? Maybe they snore, roll around too much or blast the AC. This might just call for a “sleep divorce.” With the help of matrimonial attorney and author of The New Rules of Divorce: 12 Secrets to Protecting Your Wealth, Health, and Happiness, Jacqueline Newman, let us explain.
What’s a “sleep divorce”?
Simple: A sleep divorce is when a couple makes the mutual decision that they’re not going to sleep in the same bed for the sake of wellness. For instance, if the bed is too soft for one person, maybe they sleep on the couch, pull-out, guest room or perhaps even purchase a new bed. If snoring is the issue, the couple may decide to sleep on different floors of the house.
But isn’t sleeping separately bad for marriage?
Au contraire! The word “divorce” probably makes you think it’s a bad thing, but according to Newman, a sleep divorce actually restores a lot of marriages and relationships. In fact, the whole point of a sleep divorce is to salvage or at least improve the relationship. If sleeping together means one or both partners is losing sleep, then sharing a bed might actually be bad for the marriage.
How is sleeping in separate beds good for a relationship?
If your partner is the reason you’re not getting a solid eight hours, your anger and contempt could escalate to a whole new level. A sleep divorce could prevent these negative emotions from simmering to a boil. When we’re better rested, we’re healthier and happier, making us better partners because we’re able to show up.
But what about sex?
If you like your sex with a side of sleep, get it done and then retreat to your preferred sleeping arrangements. Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean your relationship has failed; you’re just at a new stage.
Sold. So, how do I ask for sleep divorce?
A healthy sleep divorce means the decision is mutual. Newman advises that the couple has to be on same page. “If one person derives huge amount of comfort from snuggling and connection, weigh your needs. Make the decision together.” And if you’re the partner who isn’t so into a sleep divorce, don’t just dismiss the idea, especially if your partner will experience this as rejection. Instead, like every other aspect of your marriage, make sure to communicate, be vocal, address needs and make compromises. Divorce granted.
A hairstylist with 24 years experience has shared before and after photos to reveal just how much the right hairstyle can transform a person’s face shape and highlight their best features.
Cutting this woman’s long locks to just below the shoulder helped to accentuate her neck and cheekbones. The hairdresser said she also took into consideration her complexion and the proportions of her client’s body.
From unruly mane to gorgeous curls! Jurgita said she considers not only a person’s hair color, but their eye color, hair texture and face shape when cutting a client’s hair – and the results can take years off.
Jurgita also divides her clients into four categories – named after the four seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Winter people have dark hair colour but light eyes, while a summer person has light eyes and ashy tones in their hair, like the woman pictured here who updated her look with a new colour and shorter crop.
From honey blond to platinum: Jurgita said she pays particular attention to a person’s eye color to make sure their hair pops. This lady’s shorter, slicked back look shaved years off her.
A client went from straight and tired to shorter, wavy and chic. Jurgita, who said she thinks of herself as a kind of hair architect, explained: ‘It’s like creating a painting. You first analyze what colors you’ll “paint” with. And only after you have all of your colors ready, after you know your client’s type and look at the shape of their face and hair texture, only then do you start “painting”.’
Jurgita said cutting hair was not just about trimming but bringing her client’s personality to the forefront. She transformed a client’s hair from mousy brown to pale pink and gave her a much shorter crop.
The hairdresser said she believes it’s her calling to bring out people’s inner beauty and help them feel confident enough to experiment with their looks, enabling them to find what works best for them. This woman’s new ash blonde style accentuates her hazelnut eyes.
Making women happy and connect with their femininity is at the core of what Jurgita does. This woman’s new style and highlights give her a younger, more edgy look.
While every person’s hair is different, Jurgita said she always had a knack at seeing which cut would best suit a client. She mellowed this woman’s blonde hue with honey highlights and gave her a chic bob.
Jurgita said she likes to see her client’s make-up free to see their natural features, so that she knows how best to accentuate them. This woman looks younger thanks to a darker shade of strawberry blonde.
Jurgita is not afraid of trying bold styles, like adding these purple highlights for a more fun, individual look.
Her haircuts bring structure to the face by faming her client’s features. This woman’s jawline and cheekbones are more accentuated after cutting her hair at the shoulders.
Jurgita said she wanted to help women find confidence in their own femininity by picking the right color for them. When you take a seat, get ready to discover yourself. She checks your face shape, natural features, and body type. It’s not just about copying the latest trends; it’s about finding what’s uniquely YOU.
Over the last few months, we’ve really come to appreciate the great outdoors. From large lawns, to teeny balconies and concrete courtyards, having an outside space has become a must-have for many. Yet not all backyards are made equal. Once shabby, dysfunctional or downright ugly, these yards have all been completely transformed on a shoestring budget, thanks to some rather creative DIYers. Pretty and imaginative, these bargain glow-ups are sure to add fuel to your next project.
Before: old shabby driveway
During lockdown, Paula realized her children had nowhere to play in their hometown of Barnoldswick, Lancashire. Restricted to a single hour’s exercise a day, she knew it was time to turn her redundant driveway into a space the whole family could enjoy. “The boys needed a nice, safe place to play,” says Paula. “And I needed somewhere private where I could sit outside.”
The project was straightforward yet effective and her cramped and boring driveway is now a chic and stylish ‘yarden’ that oozes Scandinavian appeal. Paula bought some faux turf and a pastel lounge set, adding lanterns and plants to her newly decorated space. She also installed new fencing and painted it in a cool slate tone. As for Paula’s children, they love their new outdoor space. “Hearing the boys giggle and laugh as they play out there genuinely brought me happy tears,” she says.
To keep themselves occupied during lockdown, Jemma Evans and her partner decided to take on a DIY project that would see them transform a vacant and rather uninviting space in their backyard. Usually used for family barbeques, Jemma wanted to turn the small patio area into the ultimate alfresco kitchen.
Costing around $370 to create, Jemma’s husband took on the construction work using posts and joists from a previous project. The pair already had a small decking area, so they simply expanded it to make room for a barbeque and a pizza oven. Since shop-bought pergolas can cost thousands, Jemma’s partner decided to make one from an old sail. A bamboo furniture set finishes the space beautifully.
Bee stings are one of the most annoying parts of summer. But in most cases, they’re easy to treat at home.
If you get stung by a bee, a normal reaction can include redness, swelling, and pain near the wound. These symptoms should subside within a few hours, and you can use ice, anti-itch cream, and Advil or Tylenol to help relieve them sooner.
But if you have an allergic reaction to a bee sting, you may want to seek medical attention. Here’s what you should know to treat your bee sting.
How to treat a bee sting
Bee stings are typically more of a nuisance than they are dangerous. Most people have a mild reaction that doesn’t last longer than a few hours.
If you experience a normal, localized reaction, you should be able to effectively treat your bee sting at home, says David Cutler, MD, family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center.
First, it’s important to immediately remove the stinger from your skin, if it’s still there. You’ll see a small black dot at the sting site, if so.
Some types of bees — like honey bees — have barbed stingers that remain in your skin. Other types — like carpenter bees, or venomous insects like wasps — have smooth stingers that stay attached to the insect, and they can sting you multiple times before flying away.
You won’t need to remove a stinger if you’re stung by a wasp, hornet, or carpenter bee. But if a honeybee stings you and the stinger remains in your skin, it can continue to pump toxins into your body, which will make symptoms worse if it’s not removed.
Here’s how to remove the stinger:
1. Use a scraping motion with a flat, blunt object like a credit card across the affected area to remove the stinger.
2. Don’t try to pull the stinger out with tweezers or your fingers — this could result in even more venom squeezing into the skin.
3. Once the stinger is removed, wash the site with soap and water.
After you remove the stinger, you can use a few remedies to treat the pain, itchiness, and swelling that can accompany a bee sting:
Apply ice or a cold compress at the sting site for about 20 minutes every hour to ease pain and reduce swelling. You should wrap the ice in a cloth or towel to protect your skin.
Use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to help reduce itchiness at the site.
An over-the-counter antihistamine like Zyrtec or Claritin can also reduce itchiness.
Pain relievers like Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help reduce pain, swelling, and general discomfort.
Spray or creams that contain an anesthetic, like Solarcaine, can also help ease pain or itchiness. These are widely available over-the-counter.
Other natural remedies like applying honey, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar to the sting site might help some people, Cutler says, but there’s not much scientific evidence that these treatment methods are effective.
What to do if you have an allergic reaction
About 5% to 7.5% of Americans will experience an allergic reaction to an insect sting at some points in their lives, according to the Journal of Asthma and Allergy.
Signs of an allergic reaction from a bee sting include:
Hives
Excessive itchiness that persists past a few hours
Swelling in other areas of your body, in addition to the sting site
Abdominal cramping
Dizziness
According to Cutler, most allergic reactions are mild or moderate, and can still be treated at home with antihistamines and ice. But some allergic reactions are more severe.
In fact, about 3% of adults who experience insect stings develop a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, which does require immediate medical attention. It’s estimated that 90 to 100 Americans die every year due to anaphylaxis from an insect sting.
Signs of anaphylaxis can occur within minutes of a sting and include:
Trouble breathing
Chest tightness
Swelling of tongue or throat
Difficulty swallowing
In the case of anaphylaxis, you must be treated with an adrenaline injection, known as epinephrine. This counteracts the hormones your body releases in response to the sting and prevents your body from going into shock, Cutler says.
If you’ve had a mild or moderate allergic reaction to an insect sting before, you should discuss this with your doctor, as this may increase your risk for anaphylaxis in the future. Those at risk can get a prescription for an epi-pen, which allows you to administer epinephrine yourself if you have a severe reaction.
When to see a doctor
Most of the time, you should be able to treat your bee sting at home. However, it is still important to monitor symptoms and seek medical attention immediately if you experience any signs of anaphylaxis, like difficulty breathing or lightheadedness.
And if you do experience a moderate allergic reaction to a bee sting, you should discuss it with your doctor afterwards, because you could be at a higher risk of having a more severe reaction if stung again.
Let’s have a blast celebrating Independence Day because we are 250 years old! Ready, set, enjoy!
Ok, attend the towns parade, or go on a family bike ride (with bikes decked out in 4th of July party decorations). Head to the ballpark or consider putting together a baseball game in the front yard. Skip the theater and set up a backyard movie night to watch The Sandlot. You can also give everyone in the family a dish to make and a summer party idea to execute. This holiday will still be one for the books thanks to any one of these family-friendly 4th of July ideas.
4th of July Scavenger Hunt
Age Group: 6-14 years Difficulty Level: Easy Materials Needed:
Printed scavenger hunt list
Small prizes or treats
Pencils
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Create a list of patriotic items hidden around your house or yard
Include items like something red, something with stars, a flag, something that makes noise
Give each child a list and pencil
Set a time limit (15-30 minutes depending on age)
Award small prizes for completion
Backyard Fireworks (Safe Options)
Age Group: 3+ years (with supervision) Difficulty Level: Easy Materials Needed:
Sparklers (for older kids)
Glow sticks
Confetti poppers
Bubble machines
Patriotic streamers
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Set up a designated “fireworks” area in your yard
For younger kids, use glow sticks and confetti poppers
Older kids can handle sparklers with adult supervision
Create “fireworks” by throwing patriotic streamers in the air
Use bubble machines for a magical effect
Safety note: Always have water nearby and never leave kids unattended with sparklers.
4th of July Water Balloon Fight
Age Group: 5+ years Difficulty Level: Easy Materials Needed:
Red, white, and blue water balloons
Water source
Towels for cleanup
Small prizes for participation
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Fill balloons with water ahead of time
Divide kids into teams
Set boundaries for the “battlefield”
Give each team an equal number of balloons
Let the splashing begin!
Have towels ready for drying off
Parade Your Bike
Age Group: 4-12 years Difficulty Level: Easy Materials Needed:
Bikes, scooters, or wagons
Streamers
Balloons
Patriotic decorations
Zip ties or tape
Playing cards (for spokes)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Attach streamers to handlebars with zip ties
Weave patriotic ribbons through spokes
Attach balloons to the back of bikes
Clip playing cards to spokes for noise
Plan a route around your neighborhood
Lead the parade playing patriotic music
Take a Family Bike Ride
No neighborhood 4th of July parade this year? No problem. You and your immediate family can have your very own private parade by decorating your bikes with flags, streamers, and ribbons, and setting off together for a few casual laps around the block. The ride will help everyone work up an appetite before the celebratory barbecue.
Play Patriotic Games
Spark some fun family competition with Independence Day-inspired games, like stars-and-stripes tic tac toe or tossing red, white, and blue water balloons. Should the weather not pan out, you can also keep kids entertained inside with a round of Go Fish—from a patriotic card deck, of course.
When it comes to planning your garden, bee balm is a perennial that offers both aesthetic appeal and function: Known scientifically as monarda, bee balm blooms with tube-shaped petals in shades of pink, red, violet, and purple, and certain varieties can even be used to make tea. The plant also turns your yard into a haven for critically important pollinators. “Bee balm is a great native perennial in the northeast U.S.,” says Marshall Green, nursery manager and co-owner of Primex Garden Center. “Bee balm is a fantastic nectar source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and makes a beautiful display in a perennial border or sunny area in any garden.”
Where to Plant Bee Balm
Bee balm thrives in a spot with “sun, sun, and more sun!” says Green; look for an area that receives six hours or more of full sunlight every day. Most types grow best in well-drained soil, though you’ll find that some types of bee balm have more flexible growing requirements. “Rich soils with sufficient organic matter will produce healthier plants, but some species, such as M. punctata, can tolerate sandy soils,” says native plant expert Mikaela Boley, horticulture educator for University of Maryland Extension Office in Talbot County. “M. didyma, or scarlet bee balm, prefers moist, loamy soils.” Native species can grow as high as four feet and, as a relative of the mint family, will spread quickly, making them best-suited to in-ground planting. Even so, Boley says that smaller cultivars can grow in a container without overwhelming their dedicated space.
How to Care for Bee Balm
Bee balm is generally considered to be a low-maintenance plant. “If monarda is happy it requires very little care,” says Green. “Deadheading will improve the overall look of the plant and may prolong its bloom time but will not promote another bloom cycle.” The plant is susceptible to a disease called powdery mildew, which is easily treated by planting in full sun to ensure the leaves dry properly, thinning the plants to improve air circulation, or cutting it back and letting it regenerate. “While somewhat unsightly, powdery mildew rarely is detrimental to the plant and does not affect its’ herbal properties,” says Boley. To prepare the plant for winter, Green recommends cutting it back to the ground after a hard frost—usually in late October or November—and lightly mulching it. Another option, says Boley, is to allow the stems—either at full height, or cut back to 12 to 18 inches—to remain until the end of the winter. “This provides shelter, food, and overwintering habitat for birds, mammals, and insects. Many of our beneficial insects overwinter in plant material, and by cutting back and removing that material, you take away those resources.”
What to Plant with Bee Balm
The distinctive tube-shaped flowers, vibrant colors, and dramatic height make bee balm a pretty complement to other common backyard plants. “In my opinion it looks great with taller summer flowering perennials like black eyed Susan, echinacea, or garden phlox,” says Green. Boley suggests planting bee balm with “other prairie or meadow-like species,” including butterfly milkweed and rough goldenrod. “The key strategy is to plant a variety of plants that will bloom at different times throughout the year; this provides a greater variety of nectar and pollen source for our pollinators,” she says. Since bee balm spreads so efficiently, it might also ward off invasive plants or weeds. “For those with plenty of sunny space, bee balm will fill in nicely and create a very natural-looking landscape,” says Boley.
