Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2026-09-16T08:01:00

(BPT) – If you love classical music and opera, Italy is more than a great place to hear it — because along with Germany, Italy is where Western music was born. When you hear “do-re-mi” or read musical notation, you’re experiencing innovations born in Italy 1,000 years ago. Opera began in Florence some 400 years ago, and the piano was invented there a century later. Even today, the language of music remains Italian: allegro, adagio, crescendo and forte. Experiencing that musical heritage in the places where it was created adds an entirely new dimension to an Italy trip.

For more than 80 years, Perillo Tours has been introducing American travelers to the country’s art, history and culture. And for third-generation owner Steve Perillo, that culture has a special personal connection: He is a classically trained pianist and composer who studied at Boston University’s School of Music.

“Whether you’ve studied music as I have, or simply loved music all your life, traveling to Italy is a must,” said Perillo. “Hearing a soprano delivering an aria in the same opera house where it premiered, or listening to an orchestra playing music just miles from the birthplace of its composer — these are experiences you’ll never forget.”

Here, Perillo shares five Italian destinations where travelers can experience the places, theaters and traditions that helped make Italy one of the world’s great musical capitals.

1. One fine day …

… you’ll make a pilgrimage to the birthplace of renowned composer Giacomo Puccini. If you thrill to arias like “Un Bel Di” from Madama Butterfly, “Quando M’en Vo” from La Boheme and “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot, you know how much Puccini means to opera. In Lucca, you can visit Puccini’s birthplace museum and attend concerts celebrating his works. The Puccini Festival is held each summer at nearby Torre del Lago, through Sept. 5 this year.

Lucca’s storied history is evident from its architecture, like its striking 16th-century tree-lined city walls — and you’ll probably do a doubletake the first time you spot large oak trees growing atop the 148-foot-high, 14th-century Torre Guinigi.

Relish in the beauty of Lucca as part of Perillo’s Vesuvius Tour, including visits to Rome, Sorrento, Florence, Capri, Venice and Pompeii.

2. “In fair Verona, where we lay our scene”

Best known for inspiring Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Verona is home to the spectacular 2,000-year-old Arena di Verona, one of the world’s most famous open-air opera venues. You can attend performances of classics there, like Aida, Carmen and La Traviata. While enjoying the city’s sounds of opera and Shakespearean romance, be sure to savor the local cuisine, including risotto all’Amarone, a creamy rice dish cooked in Verona’s best-known red wine.

Verona is a highlight from Perillo’s new Lakes, Wine & Romance tour debuting in 2027, where you can discover the timeless elegance of Northern Italy on a breathtaking journey through the sparkling Italian Lakes.

3. Music on every street corner

From street food to street performances, the lively coastal city of Naples brings to life popular favorites like “O Sole Mio,” plus signature foods including wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and tri-colored Neapolitan ice cream.

The rich heritage of Naples blends opera, folk and classical music, transforming the city into a living stage where you’ll hear music everywhere you go. Naples is also home to the oldest continuously operating opera house in the world, the magnificent Teatro di San Carlo.

Two of Perillo’s tours include Naples: the 15-day North Classic and 12-day North Continental.

4. If you can make it there …

Legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini once said, “La Scala is the lover who made me despair the most.” The world’s most celebrated opera house, Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, is a must-visit for opera, ballet and classical music enthusiasts. The La Scala Museum features a fascinating array of costumes, rare instruments, set designs and memorabilia showcasing the history of European music.

Also boasting historic art and architecture like Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” and the medieval Sforzesco Castle, Milan is a vibrant fashion hub. The gorgeous shopping gallery Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II tops Milan’s list of must-see venues.

Perillo’s North Classic tour includes cultural sites in and around Milan.

5. Bel Canto and beyond

Fans of the coloratura stylings of famous works like The Barber of Seville need to visit the birthplace of composer Giachino Rossini. UNESCO City of Music Pesaro hosts the internationally acclaimed Rossini Opera Festival every August. You can explore the composer’s life, manuscripts and personal belongings at the beautifully restored Casa Rossini. The entire city of Pesaro celebrates Rossini’s legacy, from monuments and museums to piazzas and cafes inspired by the composer.

While in Pesaro, take time to admire the stunning Sfera Grande sculpture and hike the beautiful clifftop trails of Parco Naturale Monte San Bartolo.

Include Pesaro and any other destination in a Perillo Custom Vacation by creating a customized travel experience from a library of suggested itineraries for Italy and Greece to fit your personal preferences — or collaborate with a Perillo Custom Vacations expert to develop a unique trip based on your interests, timing and budget.

Since 1945, three generations of the Perillo family have perfected the art of traveling to Italy, making Perillo Tours America’s leading tour operator to the country. Crafting itineraries that perfectly balance sightseeing, free time and activities, Perillo offers glimpses into each Italian city and region’s rich traditions. A growing company, Perillo has expanded to new destinations offering fully escorted tours to Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Hawaii. For parties of 10 or more, Perillo’s Custom Groups creates bespoke itineraries to various European destinations.

Andiamo! Visit PerilloTours.com to plan your trip today.

2026-09-15T07:01:00

(BPT) – Fall has a way of inspiring a fresh start at home and motivating you to dive into all kinds of projects. From swapping out your wardrobe and closet cleanouts to decorating, DIY projects and even a big move, a seasonal reset can feel exciting. With packed fall schedules, finding simple, low-stress ways to get it all done can make a big difference. A few clever shortcuts can help save time, cut down on extra supplies and make bigger projects feel much more manageable.

One MVP in your cleanup kit might surprise you: Hefty^® Ultra Strong™ Large Trash Bags. Their large 30-gallon capacity makes them a convenient go-to for bulky, heavy or oversized items that come with big cleanup jobs, like moving, decluttering, garage organization or home improvement — and they’re available in a variety of fresh scents like Fabuloso^® Lavender.

This fall, embrace these big cleanup moments with helpful tips from the experts at Hefty^®.

Storage hacks for your fall closet reset

As fall approaches, it’s time to make room for the bulkier winter clothes about to take over your closet. Pack summer outfits into a Hefty Ultra Strong Large Black Trash Bag, then use a vacuum to suck out the extra air and tape the bag closed. This DIY vacuum-seal hack helps compress clothes, so they take up less storage space while also keeping them covered and protected from dust until it’s warm again.

For hanging clothes, don’t bother taking everything off the hangers. Keep 5-10 items together, cut a small hole in the bottom of the bag, and slide the hanger hooks through. Pull the bag over the clothes and tie it closed at the bottom. When it’s time to unpack or switch your wardrobe again, simply hang the whole bundle back up.

Pro tip: When the summer months roll back around, reverse the closet reset and use the same hack to compress and store your bulky winter clothes until next season. These closet hacks are great for moving, too!

Think beyond the box on moving day

Whether you’re moving into your first dorm, upgrading to a new apartment or getting the keys to your first home, moving marks an exciting new chapter, but can easily be a stressful event. Hefty Ultra Strong Large Trash Bags offer an easy alternative to boxes for soft, bulky items like bedding, towels, pillows and clothing.

Unlike boxes, bags are easier to fit into open spaces in a car or moving truck, making it possible to maximize the room you have. For a dorm move, they also mean fewer empty boxes to immediately get rid of while you’re trying to unpack and settle into a small space.

Keeping a few large trash bags on hand can also be useful during those final hours of packing, when there always seems to be one more item that needs somewhere to go. Instead of running out to get another box, you already have an easy packing solution ready.

Pro tip: Once you’re unpacked, put the bags to work again for move-in cleanup or use them to store bulky, off-season clothes and bedding.

Make your closet purge easier to sort

Reach for Hefty Ultra Strong Large Trash Bags to sort and organize clothing, shoes and any other items as you clean out closets throughout your home. These large, sturdy bags make it easier to pack and transport bulky items, whether they’re headed to a clothing exchange, consignment shop or another destination.

Pro tip: Give yourself three categories before you start: keep/store, donate or sell. Having a designated bag ready for each category keeps the cleanout moving and prevents second-guessing.

Conquer the post-party mess

The party may be over, but cleanup doesn’t have to put a damper on the fun. Keep Hefty Ultra Strong Large Trash Bags handy so bottles, cups, decorations and other party waste can go in one place. With a little planning before guests arrive, you can make the end-of-night cleanup even easier.

Pro tip: Put bags near high-traffic spots, like the snack table or drink station, before guests arrive so cleanup happens as the party goes instead of all at once when the night ends.

Celebrate your creativity without the cleanup chaos

DIY projects are a great way to express your creativity and refresh your space for the season without breaking the bank. But they can also get messy fast. Keeping Hefty Ultra Strong Large Trash Bags nearby can help contain scraps, packaging, dirt and debris as you work.

No drop cloth? No problem! Cut open and spread a large trash bag beneath your workspace to help catch debris while painting, repotting plants, crafting or tackling other home projects. When finished, simply roll up your makeshift trash bag “drop cloth” with the mess inside for a quick cleanup.

Pro tip: For larger projects, overlap multiple trash bags to create a wider protective surface.

Put a fresh, feel-good spin on cleanup

Taking out the trash may never top your favorite-things-to-do list, but that doesn’t mean the routine can’t get a small upgrade. Hefty Ultra Strong Large Trash Bags come in scents like Fabuloso Lavender, White Pine Breeze, Fabuloso Watermelon and Fabuloso Peach. Pick a scent that fits your space and bring a little freshness to an everyday chore.

However you’re updating your space this fall, a few clever shortcuts can make the process easier from start to finish. With less time spent managing the mess, you’ll have more time to enjoy the clean, organized space you created. Find the right versatile solution for your next big cleanup project at Hefty.com.

2026-09-15T07:01:00

(BPT) – During this time of major technological upheaval and uncertainty, many have concerns about what the AI evolution means for the U.S. job market. For leading AI Builder and technology services provider Cognizant, the key to growing the economy lies in focusing on the American worker. In fact, the company’s research finds that AI could unlock $4.5 trillion in U.S. labor productivity and $1 trillion in additional U.S. economic value over the next decade.

“We believe AI will create significantly more jobs than it displaces, and shifts greater value, wages and accountability to the frontlines of America’s workforce,” said Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant. “The opportunity now is to build those pathways quickly, so American workers and enterprises capture that value first.”

Building on that belief, Cognizant is taking steps to ensure that more U.S. jobs — and job training — is in line with the needs of the future.

Hiring new college grads for the AI era

This year, Cognizant is hiring 1,500 U.S. college graduates from across the country to fill newly created AI-era jobs in the company.

To find these new employees, Cognizant is drawing on partnerships with the University of Georgia, Arizona State University and the University of Kentucky, as well as its role as a national program sponsor of registered apprenticeships with the U.S. Department of Labor.

“We’re hiring American graduates and standing up new American job categories specifically for the AI era,” added Kumar.

The new roles the company has created and is currently hiring for include Frontier Certified Engineer (FCE) and Frontier Business Operator (FBO), which are both part of Cognizant’s AI-era professional job family.

• FCEs work directly with client organizations to reimagine and realign business processes for today’s AI-enabled environment. FCEs will specialize in rethinking how work gets done, identifying where AI can reshape operations, eliminate friction and create lasting competitive advantage. The FCE role requires both strategic thinking and technical fluency, making it one of the most consequential pivot points into the AI-era workforce.
• FBOs take an equally critical approach. Tasked with taking full ownership of operational results, they’ll manage a blended workforce of human and digital labor including deploying AI agents, automation and human judgment in concert to drive business outcomes.

More simply put: Where Frontier Certified Engineers redesign the map, Frontier Business Operators navigate it in real time.

Cognizant is building a leading enterprise AI implementation position among frontier AI providers, and American workers trained in these roles get direct access to the tools defining the AI era. Cognizant holds more than 15,000 Claude certifications, the most of any Anthropic partner globally, and 5,000 Codex certifications, as one of a small group of global OpenAI Codex partners while Google Cloud is expanding its Gemini Enterprise partnership with Cognizant around Frontier Certified Engineers and scaled client execution.

Just how effective is Frontier AI capability?

The company’s new approach and groundbreaking roles are already delivering impressive measurable results for real-world clients. A Frontier Certified Engineer and Frontier Business Operator pod recently reimagined a large food-service company’s account-management workflow into 17 production AI agents.

The result? The effort reclaimed roughly 11 hours per account manager each week.

Committing to the future

In addition to creating, hiring and training for new roles to meet the moment, Cognizant has joined RAISE US, a new bipartisan national coalition. Ravi Kumar S sits on its Advisory Board alongside leaders from Amazon, Anthropic, Bank of America, IBM, Microsoft and the OpenAI Foundation.

Furthering its commitment to training the workforce of the future, Cognizant’s global Synapse skilling initiative has already surpassed its original goal of training one million people a full year ahead of schedule, prompting the company to double its ambition to train two million people by 2030.

“The AI economy will be built by people who know how to work with AI, not by AI alone,” said Kumar. “Cognizant is proving that at scale, in American classrooms, on American campuses and inside American statehouses, and we intend to keep leading.”

Learn more about how Cognizant intends to help grow the technology workforce through direct investment in the American training infrastructure at Cognizant.ai.

2026-09-14T10:01:00

(BPT) – Diarrhea in pets has a way of showing up at the worst possible time, leaving pet parents scrambling for answers and unsure whether to wait it out or call the vet. It’s one of the most common reasons pets feel under the weather, and it’s not always obvious what will actually help.

Ahead of National Cat & Dog Gut Health Awareness Day on September 21, Purina Veterinary Nutritionist Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM, shares some tips on what pet parents should know about easing their pet’s tummy troubles as soon as possible and keeping their gut healthy so it’s less likely to happen again.

What’s causing your pet’s diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a common complaint in both dogs and cats, with a wide range of potential causes, but there are two common culprits: diet and stress. A sudden food switch, a change in routine, new construction noise, or even a new pet or baby in the house can all play a role.

3 ways to help your pet feel better

1. Slowly introduce new foods

“If you’ve recently introduced a new food, it might not be sitting well with your cat or dog,” said Dr. Cline. “A slower introduction, or mixing it with their usual food, can help their stomach adjust.” If your pet’s diet has not changed, a temporary switch to a highly digestible or fiber-enhanced diet may help. Confirm with your vet before making any changes.

2. Provide a quiet environment

If things have been chaotic at home lately, give your pet a way to reset. For cats, that could be a place to escape the hustle and bustle, like a cozy hideaway or a special box of their own. Dogs tend to do best when sticking closely to their routine. Extra one-on-one attention and a chew toy can also help burn off nervous energy.

3. Consider a supplement

For extra support, skip the human medicine cabinet and stick to supplements designed specifically for pets.

“The best supplements for pets are created in collaboration with veterinarians with expertise in health and nutrition,” said Dr. Cline.

FortiFlora Diarrhea Response Kit for pets (dogs; cats) with occasional diarrhea from Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements is one option. Developed by Purina scientists, it pairs FortiFlora Response stick packs for short-term use to help firm loose stools with FortiFlora sachets — the No. 1 vet-recommended probiotic brand to support digestive health*, no prescription required. FortiFlora Response stick packs contain kaolin and pectin to soothe the GI tract during times of loose stool, and come in an easy-to-mix, liver-flavored powder you can pour right into your pet’s bowl.

“Diarrhea can be difficult for pets and pet parents, but having a plan takes a lot of stress out of it,” said Dr. Cline. “Keeping something like the FortiFlora Diarrhea Response Kit on hand means you’re ready no matter when it strikes.”

Additional signs to watch for

It helps to note how long the diarrhea lasts and any other symptoms that show up. These details can point to whether there’s a bigger issue.

“If you notice vomiting, changes in appetite or energy, or diarrhea that isn’t improving or worsens within 72 hours, it’s time to call your veterinarian,” added Dr. Cline.

2026-09-14T08:01:01

(BPT) – Key takeaways:

• Sandwich generation caregivers are challenged with care, costs and concerns for two generations simultaneously.
• The stress of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s is at a higher intensity and longer period than other situations, but also brings joy and connection with loved ones.
• Dementia caregivers need professional caregiver help to understand the neurodegeneration and progressive nature of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other diseases, and to help with their own burnout.
• Professional in-home caregiver services from Comfort Keepers provides older adults with expert care, helping adult daughters or sons with a trusted partner so they can have breaks, and spend more quality time and make joyful memories with their parent.

By Sherri Snelling, gerontologist and Comfort Keepers spokesperson

If you are a caregiver who belongs to the sandwich generation, you are performing a delicate balancing act: caring for children and older parents, maybe while also working. You stretch your time, energy and emotional resources thin and have little time for “me time” or self-care. The good news is, while caregiving can be disruptive, it is also one of the most powerful expressions of love. The key is finding ways to connect joyfully with aging parents, and being proactive in getting help so you can enjoy your time together.

According to the 2026 National Day of Joy survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Comfort Keepers, 93% of aging adults say being cared for by an adult son or daughter has brought them closer together, and 96% of caregivers in the sandwich generation say family comes first. The strength of these familial bonds is clear, but that does not mean you do not need support as you try to meet the needs of your children, your parents and yourself.

These pressures can become even more intense and complex when a parent is living with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or another progressive, degenerative condition. Studies have found the intensity of dementia caregiving creates more stress, anxiety and depression, and these caregivers spend twice as long in their caregiving role. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia caregiving is an average of 9 years versus 4.5 years for other types of family caregiving. Caregiving becomes a marathon, not a sprint, creating the need for professional help to maintain your physical and mental energy.

How do I maintain my well-being while caring for my aging parent?

Caring for yourself is one of the biggest challenges for family caregivers. The additional time needed to care for someone with dementia or a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s while maintaining work-life balance and raising children makes the sandwich generation dementia caregiver sacrifice their own social, emotional and physical health. You may also be burdened with the stigma of diseases that affect the brain and avoid social interactions and conversations. Thus, you feel all alone.

This isolation means many adult children carry the entire caregiving burden alone, and feel they cannot or should not ask for help. Time is spent on physical and administrative caregiving tasks like tracking medical appointments, administering medications, managing insurance paperwork, getting groceries and prepping meals. What gets lost are the small moments of joy that really matter: enjoying a meal together, looking at old photos or sharing common interests like music, nature or crafts that create quality of life for the older parent and the adult daughter or son.

2026-09-10T11:01:00

(BPT) – Since AI entered the workplace, organizations are changing fast, and their teams can’t keep up. Nearly three-quarters of frontline workers surveyed report experiencing skill gaps, according to a recent McKinsey survey, and those gaps are bound to widen as AI accelerates the pace and volume of product innovation and process changes. The pressure to close that gap often falls on the teams who build training for customer-facing roles — sales enablement, customer success, support, IT, Product Marketing and operations — and the L&D teams whose resources are being stretched to their limits.

It’s why a growing number of companies are turning to Articulate, whose AI-powered platform is built to help customer-facing teams create training to help build their skills in the era of constant, rapid change.

“You can’t buy the training that matters most to your business off a shelf. It’s specific to your products, your customers, your way of working,” said Monika Saha, Chief Commercial Officer at Articulate. “For most businesses, that kind of proprietary training has always been the hardest to get right and the fastest to go stale, and AI has only shortened its shelf life. That’s what we’re making easier to build and maintain.”

A platform built for every team

Articulate is the market-leading platform for building proprietary workplace training. Its newest release extends that capability in two directions. Nova, an AI agent built into Articulate 360 and backed by 20+ years of learning science, gives L&D teams more range. Frontline brings the same learning science and quality standards to teams across the business.

Frontline is built for the teams closest to the customer. It empowers sales enablement leaders, support managers and more to build training directly. Those teams can build their own training while still operating within the standards L&D already set, including brand guidelines and governance.

Nova is an AI agent that handles complex workflows that used to span multiple applications, including multi-format translation, AI-avatar video and training kit generation. Each is grounded in instructional design principles, turning information across the business into training that people can learn, retain and apply. Nova is built into every eligible Articulate 360 subscription.

New enterprise integrations connect Articulate to the tools teams already use, from source material through publishing: pulling content from Google Drive and OneDrive, and launching training creation directly from Claude, ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. On the publishing end, teams can publish training directly to Thinkific in one click, or use Connected Packages.

As organizations rethink how they prepare employees for a rapidly changing workplace, the focus is shifting from simply adopting AI to helping people grow with it. By combining their deep expertise in learning science and what’s possible with AI, Articulate is helping build a workforce ready for whatever comes next.

2026-09-09T09:01:02

(BPT) – As costs steadily rise, navigating today’s economic landscape requires a fresh look at how households handle their daily expenses. New research from AARP reveals just how central family support has become in managing everyday essentials — almost half (41%) of all grandparents actively step in to help cover basic necessities like groceries, clothing, and other household items. This averages to $2,654 annually, which is more than the average monthly retiree Social Security benefit of $2,071.

“Navigating a new economic era doesn’t mean sacrificing life’s simple pleasures or connection with loved ones,” says Trae Bodge, lifestyle and shopping expert. “It’s about being strategic with your monthly expenses. By leveraging discounts and loyalty programs for everyday needs like groceries, dining, gas, wireless, and even travel, you can quietly save hundreds of dollars a year that can be reinvested into the things you love most.”

While the financial impact can be felt across entire family ecosystems, small, intentional adjustments to recurring expenses can create significant relief for every generation.

Leveraging Your Loyalty

Commuting, school drop-offs, and family visits can quickly rack up gas expenses, but you can leverage smart fuel loyalty programs as an effortless way to lower costs. By linking an AARP membership with Exxon Mobil Rewards+™, you’ll earn extra points on everyday fuel purchases, convenience store items and car washes. Plus, members are awarded double points on dedicated member day, which convert directly into cash savings at the pump. For a limited time, new Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app users can earn up to $10 in points. Earn $5 on your first in-app fuel purchase and $5 on your second in-app fuel purchase.

Making Your Money Travel Further

It’s not always about where you go, but who you get to travel with along the way. As travel costs continue to rise, your travel budget can quickly become derailed. Save up to 35% off base rates with Avis when you choose to Pay Now or Pay Later at the counter — giving you the perfect combination of savings and flexibility. Book by September 30, 2026, and enjoy travel flexibility that fits your plans. Use AWD #A359824 to unlock your savings.

When you plan ahead, you can save up to 20% off the Standard Rate at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts depending on how you book. Perfect for travelers looking to save on their last summer trips. Planning Labor Day travel? For a limited time, book with Choice Hotels^® and receive 15% off two or more night stays during the annual holiday weekend.

Connecting Without the Extra Cost

Staying in touch with those closest to you is essential, but high cellular bills don’t have to be. Families can find immediate relief on monthly wireless bills through Consumer Cellular, which offers AARP members two lines of unlimited talk, text, and data for just $55 per month with no contract required.

Beyond staying in touch, you shouldn’t have to stress your wallet over gathering for a family meal. When dining out, look for family-friendly restaurants that offer discounts. AARP members enjoy 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at participating Denny’s, making weekend breakfasts or casual dinners even more budget-friendly. Or get something to go. McAlister’s Deli offers 10% off in-store, in-app and online orders.

Premium Products Without Premium Costs

As we all know, kitchen appliances can break down or become dated and need replacement from time to time. Fortunately this doesn’t have to break the bank. AARP members save 10% or more on the full line of GE Appliances online at the GE Appliances Store, including GE^®, Profile™, Café™, Monogram^®, Haier and Hotpoint^® major appliances, as well as everyday need categories including refrigeration, laundry, cooking, clean-up, and small appliances. Plus, you also receive in-home delivery, installation, and haul-away services.

Navigating the economy is easier once you start taking full advantage of available resources. To explore all the ways you can save on everyday essentials, visit aarp.org/save.

2026-09-09T16:43:00

(BPT) – You spend a lot of time, effort and hard-earned money building a wardrobe you love. Whether you’re dressing for the workweek, heading out for a special occasion or simply trying to keep your favorite pieces looking their best, proper fabric care can make a difference. The same goes for household items and linens that require thoughtful care to maintain their quality.

These investments should maintain the quality and ensure fabrics stay looking their best for as long as possible by taking good care of them. And that doesn’t necessarily mean making more trips to the dry cleaners.

Enter the LG Styler^® Steam Closet from LG Electronics, an at-home solution designed to make everyday garment care easier. This home steam closet combines everyday convenience with premium fabric care so you can refresh, deodorize, sanitize and care for your clothing and linens with ease. Whether you’re preparing for a busy work week, refreshing your clothes after a long commute or getting ready for a special occasion, LG Styler helps to simplify your routines while delivering elevated care at the touch of a button.

Everyday Care, Made Easier

Keeping your best clothes in top condition throughout the week doesn’t have to add another chore to your routine. LG Styler takes the effort out of daily garment and household care at home. Thanks to new features on select models such as Dual TrueSteam^® technology, Dynamic MovingHanger™, multiple refresh and care cycles, built-in HandySteamer™ and EZ Fit PantsPress™, the LG Styler can handle fabric refresh, wrinkle reduction and sanitization automatically. LG Styler’s Dual Inverter HeatPump™ also helps to avoid damage while refreshing clothes and drying delicates.

The result? Clothes look and feel fresh without washing or ironing, while wrinkles and odors are reduced with minimal effort. By helping you refresh garments between washes and reduce reliance on traditional dry cleaning, LG Styler can also help extend the life of treasured pieces.

One Solution for Many Uses

Clothing isn’t the only thing that can benefit from more thoughtful care. LG Styler extends refresh and allergen-reduction capabilities to everyday items throughout the home. Its Heavy-Duty Sanitary cycle safely handles delicate items, outerwear and unwashables, while its capacity can accommodate household items like pillows, backpacks and pet gear, all with chemical-free steam care.

This means you can freshen items you can’t or don’t want to put in a washing machine, at the same time reducing allergens like pet dander or dust mites from daily life. It can also help extend the life of clothing and household essentials, keeping them fresher and in better condition.

Designed for Real Life

You don’t need a large space or complicated installation to bring the LG Styler into your home. It’s designed to fit seamlessly into modern living spaces without requiring renovations or major lifestyle changes. The LG Styler’s Plug & Go installation requires no plumbing, simply plugging into a standard wall outlet, while its slim footprint can fit easily in closets, bedrooms or laundry rooms.

LG Styler is available in multiple sizes and finishes, making it an easy-to-install solution that works in small spaces and fits busy households, with options to match any lifestyle or budget. You can also get LG ThinQ^® app connectivity, which helps you access specialty care options and lets you remotely check the unit’s cycle time for effortless care. The combination of thoughtful design, convenience and performance reflects LG’s broader commitment to reliable home appliances.

Discover how the LG Styler can make everyday garment and household care easier at LG.com and appliance reliability details at www.lg.com/us/reliable-home-appliances.

2026-09-08T23:01:00

(BPT) – A sandwich is an easy lunch you can quickly make in the morning as you help your kids get ready for a new school day. But the real beauty of a sandwich is that it’s infinitely customizable. The only limit is your child’s imagination. That’s why this back-to-school season, Nature’s Own — the nation’s No. 1 selling loaf bread brand — and Make-A-Wish are inviting families to bring a little more creativity to the daily school lunch ritual with its Sandwishes campaign.

The campaign features one-of-a-kind sandwich recipes as unique as the wish kids behind them. Whether your child prefers a fresh and savory sandwich like Olivia’s Bright Harvest Bacon Bite, a sweet treat like Eliana’s Banana Boost Super Swirl or a cheese-forward lunch like Luke’s Mediterranean Magic Melt, the digital cookbook has plenty of creative recipes to try.

The spark behind the campaign is simple yet profound: Sandwiches may use the same ingredients, but no two are the same, just like wishes. It’s the combination of ingredients like a smear of avocado, a surprising pop of berry jam or slices of crisp apple that takes an ordinary lunch and transforms it into an extraordinary meal.

A wish comes together in the same way. When you combine a child’s imagination with care, coordination and community support, what may seem like a typical request to visit a theme park, meet a celebrity or travel to a tropical location becomes a treasured memory that has a lasting impact beyond the day the wish is granted.

“When I found out my wish was being granted, I had just gotten out of a six-week stay in the hospital and PICU,” said wish kid Elizabeth, the creator of the Berries N Cream Dreamwich. “I had missed competing at cheerleading worlds and was facing a life-changing diagnosis, so having my wish granted gave me hope and something to look forward to. Being part of Make-A-Wish still reminds me of that.”

Isabella, the chef behind the Jam-Packed Joywich, was inspired by her wish to give back to the community that gave her hope.

“As I got older, I discovered a love for volunteer work and working with charities,” she said. “As I moved into high school, I found a career that would allow me to do that: corporate social responsibility. Now a junior in college, and after completing my internship with Make-A-Wish, I’m pursuing the dream of giving back so I can share the same hope I received with other kids and families.”

A slice of hope for the back-to-school season

The partnership between Nature’s Own and Make-A-Wish isn’t limited to sandwiches. The bread brand has committed $500,000 to support Make-A-Wish through 2026, helping fund life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The Sandwishes campaign builds on this financial support by giving families a simple way to be part of the mission by exploring wish kids’ recipes and learning how they can help bring more wishes to life.

“We’re grateful to Nature’s Own for helping bring our wish kids’ creativity to life in such a joyful, accessible way,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “Through the Sandwishes campaign, families can connect with the imagination behind each wish while helping Make-A-Wish deliver hope and joy to children with critical illnesses. Partnerships like this make it possible for us to reach more children and families with the life-changing power of a wish.”

To explore more delicious wish kids’ recipes that you can sample this school year and learn more about the campaign, visit NaturesOwnBread.com/Wish.

2026-09-08T13:21:00

(BPT) – No matter where you live, you can be at risk for short- or long-term power outages. Between extended heat waves, hurricane season, wildfire risk and upcoming winter storms, the aging power grid can’t always handle the many challenges Mother Nature dishes out.

For National Preparedness Month this September, learn about the range of options that are available for reliable solar power backup, whether you live in an apartment, suburban home or rural area.

What backup power generator is right for your home?

Knowing what’s available in terms of size, portability and power output can help you make the right choice, so you’re not overbuying or investing in backup power that won’t be enough for your household’s needs.

Here are some of the options available from Jackery, a global leader in home backup, innovative solar generators and green off-grid energy solutions. The Jackery Power Station that will work best for your situation depends on how much space you have, and how much power output you’ll need.

A kitchen necessity: FridgeGuard

This is a versatile option for anyone who wants to safeguard the heart of the home: your refrigerator. FridgeGuard is the world’s slimmest smart fridge backup, a design-forward solution that’s built to keep refrigerators running during power outages, which is especially valuable during a heatwave when food safety storage is at risk.

FridgeGuard’s ultra-slim design makes it easy to incorporate into almost any size apartment or home. It’s built with a wall-mountable 2.6-inch profile designed to blend seamlessly into your kitchen, and you can tailor its orientation with floor-standing, bracket-mounted or wall-mounted options to fit any layout. Set it once and you’re always ready: Just plug it in, keep it connected to your fridge, and let FridgeGuard deliver ≤10 ms UPS-level backup automatically when outages happen. With 1024Wh of capacity, FridgeGuard can run a refrigerator for up to 15 hours, recharges via AC, solar or car power, and pairs with an additional FridgeGuard for 2048Wh of capacity when more runtime is needed.

Compact energy backup: HomePower 2000 Plus v2 and HomePower 1000 v2

These units are both part of Jackery’s newly expanded home backup lineup specifically designed for remote workers, apartment dwellers and homeowners who want reliable backup power and energy independence, but in a more compact footprint.

• HomePower 1000 Plus V2 is small and compact, making it ideal for apartment dwellers or homeowners in big cities due to its compact size that doesn’t compromise on output. Its 1800W power station is built to fulfill dynamic energy needs for a wide range of everyday and professional backup power scenarios. In addition to home backup during outages, this unit is portable enough for use on outdoor work like job sites or film shoots, and electricity-equipped camping. The HomePower 1000 Plus V2’s modular architecture allows it to scale up to 11 kilowatt hours (kWh), with the addition of up to five 2 kWh expansion batteries.
• HomePower 2000 Plus V2 is great if you live in suburban areas, as it can be stored away with ease, but also has enough power to keep you going during extended blackouts, especially as it’s expandable with add-on batteries. Its 2kWh capacity backup battery is ideal for a small household to endure an outage of up to 8 hours, while the 2400W rated output (4800W peak surge) can power essential appliances like refrigerators, electric ovens and microwaves.

Larger capacity backup power: HomePower 3600 Pro Max

If your home needs larger capacity, or you live in more rural or remote locations, you may want to consider the HomePower 3600 Pro Max. While it’s still ultra-portable and ready to roll effortlessly from the kitchen to the garage as needed to power your fridge, water pump, dryer and more, one unit runs it all: power heavy-hitters like the dryer, the AC, even an EV charger at 240V, while lamps and laptops keep going at 120V, no switching required. Start at 21.5kWh, or pair two units for 43kWh when a home needs more.

The HomePower 3600 Pro Max installs via Manual Transfer Switch and automatically switches to backup power in under 10ms when the grid goes down, so the fridge, WiFi, and lights never miss a beat. It recharges multiple ways, including solar and standard AC power, and offers automatic backup protection without the noise, fumes or complexity of traditional gas generators.

Longevity across the entire Jackery lineup

In all of these Jackery backup power options, their LiFePO4 battery chemistry is engineered to retain at least 70% capacity after 6,000 full operating cycles (about a 16-year average lifespan), along with eco-friendly, off-grid recharging via solar panels or vehicle setups for long-term emergencies.

Take the first step toward reliable backup power

Ensuring that you have sufficient home backup power gives you and your family more peace of mind, no matter the season or what’s happening with the power grid. Emergency preparedness is all about having backup power just in case you need it, any time of year.

Visit Jackery.com to learn more about being prepared with your own portable power station.