:root{
  /* Palette: light orange, two browns, two beiges */
  --orange:#f4a259;--orange-h:#ee9140;
  --brown-d:#4a3426;--brown:#8b5e3c;
  --beige:#f6efe2;--beige-d:#ead9bd;
  --bg:var(--beige);--paper:#fffaf1;--ink:#3a2a1f;--muted:#6b5645;--line:#dfcdb0;--sand:var(--beige-d);
  --serif:"Iowan Old Style","Palatino Linotype",Palatino,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;
  --sans:system-ui,-apple-system,"Segoe UI",Roboto,"Helvetica Neue",Arial,sans-serif;
  --max:1200px;--side:300px;
}
*,*::before,*::after{box-sizing:border-box}
html{-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%}
body{margin:0;background:var(--bg);color:var(--ink);font-family:var(--sans);line-height:1.55;font-size:16px}
img,svg{max-width:100%;display:block}
a{color:inherit;text-decoration-color:rgba(58,42,31,.35);text-underline-offset:3px}
a:hover{color:var(--brown)}
h1,h2,h3,h4{font-family:var(--serif);font-weight:600;line-height:1.2;margin:0}
p{margin:0 0 1em}
ul,ol{margin:0}
.wrap{max-width:var(--max);margin:0 auto;padding:0 20px}
.wrap--narrow{max-width:760px}
.sr-only{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0 0 0 0);white-space:nowrap}
.skip{position:absolute;left:-999px;top:0;background:var(--brown-d);color:#fff;padding:10px 14px;z-index:100}
.skip:focus{left:0}
.hp{position:absolute!important;left:-9999px!important;opacity:0}
:focus-visible{outline:3px solid var(--orange);outline-offset:2px}

/* utility + masthead */
.utility{background:var(--brown-d);color:#f3e6d3;font-size:.8rem}
.utility__in{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;gap:16px;min-height:34px}
.utility__tag{margin:0;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:.72rem}
.utility__links{display:flex;gap:18px;align-items:center}
.utility__links a{color:var(--orange);text-decoration:none;font-weight:600}
.utility__links a:hover{text-decoration:underline;color:#ffc58a}
.utility__follow a{margin-left:10px;color:#f3e6d3;font-weight:400}
.masthead{background:var(--paper);border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);position:relative;z-index:30}
.masthead__in{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:24px;min-height:88px;position:relative}
.logo{text-decoration:none;display:inline-flex;align-items:baseline;gap:.4em;color:var(--brown-d)}
.logo__the{font-family:var(--serif);font-style:italic;font-size:1rem;color:var(--brown)}
.logo__main{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:2.05rem;letter-spacing:-.01em;font-weight:600}
.logo__main i{font-style:italic;color:var(--brown);font-weight:400;background:linear-gradient(transparent 62%,var(--orange) 62%,var(--orange) 90%,transparent 90%);padding:0 .08em}
.nav-toggle{display:none;background:none;border:0;width:44px;height:44px;cursor:pointer;padding:10px}
.nav-toggle span{display:block;height:2px;background:var(--brown-d);margin:5px 0}

/* header search */
.head-search{position:relative;display:flex;width:min(360px,38vw);margin:0}
.head-search input{flex:1;min-width:0;padding:11px 14px;border:1px solid var(--line);border-right:0;border-radius:3px 0 0 3px;font:inherit;font-size:.95rem;background:#fff;color:var(--ink)}
.head-search button{background:var(--orange);border:1px solid var(--orange);color:var(--brown-d);border-radius:0 3px 3px 0;width:46px;display:grid;place-items:center;cursor:pointer}
.head-search button:hover{background:var(--orange-h)}
.head-search__list{position:absolute;left:0;right:0;top:calc(100% + 4px);background:var(--paper);border:1px solid var(--line);box-shadow:0 14px 30px rgba(74,52,38,.18);list-style:none;margin:0;padding:6px 0;z-index:60;border-radius:3px}
.head-search__list[hidden]{display:none}
.head-search__list li a{display:block;padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none;font-size:.92rem;line-height:1.3}
.head-search__list li a small{display:block;color:var(--muted);font-size:.74rem;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:2px}
.head-search__list li a:hover,.head-search__list li a.is-active{background:var(--sand);color:var(--ink)}
.head-search__list .more a{border-top:1px solid var(--line);margin-top:4px;font-weight:600;color:var(--brown)}

/* nav */
.nav{border-top:1px solid var(--line)}
.nav-list{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0;display:flex;justify-content:center;gap:4px;flex-wrap:wrap}
.nav-item{position:relative}
.nav-link{display:block;padding:14px 16px;text-decoration:none;font-size:.82rem;letter-spacing:.09em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:700;color:var(--brown-d)}
.nav-link:hover{color:var(--brown);box-shadow:inset 0 -3px 0 var(--orange)}
.sub-toggle{display:none}
.dropdown{display:none;position:absolute;left:0;top:100%;min-width:240px;background:var(--paper);border:1px solid var(--line);box-shadow:0 12px 30px rgba(74,52,38,.14);padding:10px 0;z-index:40}
.dropdown ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}
.dropdown a{display:block;padding:8px 20px;text-decoration:none;font-size:.95rem}
.dropdown a:hover{background:var(--sand);color:var(--ink)}
.dropdown .all a{border-top:1px solid var(--line);margin-top:6px;padding-top:12px;font-weight:700;color:var(--brown)}
.nav-item:hover .dropdown,.nav-item:focus-within .dropdown{display:block}

/* page shell: content + sticky signup card (upper right, under the header) */
.shell{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) var(--side);gap:40px;align-items:start;padding-top:8px;padding-bottom:10px}
.shell--solo{grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr)}
.shell__main .wrap{max-width:none;padding:0}
.shell__main .wrap--narrow{max-width:760px}
.shell__side{position:sticky;top:16px;padding-top:26px}
.nl-card{background:var(--paper);border:1px solid var(--line);border-top:5px solid var(--orange);border-radius:4px;padding:20px 20px 18px;box-shadow:0 6px 18px rgba(74,52,38,.08)}
.nl-card__kicker{font-size:.7rem;letter-spacing:.13em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:700;color:var(--brown);margin:0 0 .5em}
.nl-card h2{font-size:1.4rem;color:var(--brown-d);margin-bottom:.4em}
.nl-card h2 em{font-style:italic;color:var(--brown)}
.nl-card p{font-size:.9rem;color:var(--muted)}
.nl-card .nl-form input[type=email]{flex-basis:100%}
.nl-card .nl-form button{flex-basis:100%}

/* kicker / meta */
.kicker{font-size:.72rem;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:700;color:var(--brown);margin:0 0 .5em}
.kicker a{text-decoration:none}
.badge{display:inline-block;margin-left:8px;padding:1px 7px;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:99px;color:var(--muted);letter-spacing:.06em;font-size:.65rem;vertical-align:1px}
.meta{font-size:.8rem;color:var(--muted);margin:0}

/* thumbs (placeholder art by category) */
.thumb{position:relative;overflow:hidden;background:var(--sand);aspect-ratio:5/4;display:grid;place-items:center;color:rgba(255,250,241,.95)}
.thumb--wide{aspect-ratio:16/9}
.thumb--hero{aspect-ratio:3/2}
.thumb img{width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover}
.thumb .ico{width:34%;height:auto;max-width:96px;opacity:.95}
.thumb::after{content:"";position:absolute;inset:0;background:radial-gradient(circle at 80% 15%,rgba(255,255,255,.22),transparent 55%);pointer-events:none}
.thumb--hiring-pros,.tile--hiring-pros{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#f4a259,#c9782d);color:var(--brown-d)}
.thumb--repairs,.tile--repairs{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#8b5e3c,#5c3b25)}
.thumb--lawn-landscaping,.tile--lawn-landscaping{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#b98550,#86592f)}
.thumb--maintenance,.tile--maintenance{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#dba46c,#a8703b);color:var(--brown-d)}
.thumb--building-remodeling,.tile--building-remodeling{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#6b4a33,#4a3426)}

/* cards + grids */
.card{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px}
.card__media{display:block}
.card__title{font-size:1.2rem;margin:0 0 .35em}
.card__title a{text-decoration:none}
.card__title a:hover{text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:var(--orange);text-decoration-thickness:2px}
.card__title--xl{font-size:2.2rem;letter-spacing:-.01em}
.card__dek{color:var(--muted);font-size:.98rem;margin:0 0 .6em}
.grid{display:grid;gap:28px}
.grid--4{grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr)}
.grid--3{grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr)}

/* home */
.hero{padding:26px 0 10px}
.hero__grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.7fr 1fr;gap:30px}
.hero__side{display:grid;gap:24px;align-content:start}
.hero__side .card__title{font-size:1.15rem}
.section{padding:30px 0}
.section__head{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:baseline;border-bottom:2px solid var(--brown-d);padding-bottom:8px;margin-bottom:22px}
.section__head h2{font-size:1.45rem;color:var(--brown-d)}
.section__head h2 a{text-decoration:none}
.viewall{font-size:.8rem;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;color:var(--brown)}
.tiles{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(5,1fr);gap:12px}
.tile{display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:10px;aspect-ratio:1;color:var(--paper);text-decoration:none;border-radius:4px;transition:transform .15s;text-align:center;padding:8px}
.tile:hover{transform:translateY(-3px);color:var(--paper)}
.tile--hiring-pros:hover,.tile--maintenance:hover{color:var(--brown-d)}
.tile__ico{width:34px;height:34px}
.tile__label{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:1rem;line-height:1.2}

/* signup forms */
.nl-form{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px}
.nl-form input[type=email]{flex:1 1 220px;padding:13px 14px;border:1px solid var(--line);font:inherit;background:#fff;color:var(--ink);border-radius:3px;min-width:0}
.nl-form button,.search-form button,.contact-form button,.btn{background:var(--orange);color:var(--brown-d);border:0;padding:13px 22px;font:inherit;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.02em;cursor:pointer;border-radius:3px;text-decoration:none;display:inline-block}
.nl-form button:hover,.search-form button:hover,.contact-form button:hover,.btn:hover{background:var(--orange-h);color:var(--brown-d)}
.nl-form button:disabled{opacity:.6;cursor:wait}
.btn--ghost{background:transparent;color:var(--brown-d);border:1px solid var(--brown-d)}
.btn--ghost:hover{background:var(--brown-d);color:#fff}
.nl-msg{flex-basis:100%;font-size:.88rem;margin:2px 0 0;min-height:1.2em}
.nl-msg a{font-weight:700;color:var(--brown-d)}

/* bottom signup band (right-aligned form, directly above the footer) */
.bandbar{background:var(--beige-d);border-top:4px solid var(--orange);margin-top:40px;padding:42px 0}
.bandbar__in{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.1fr 1fr;gap:40px;align-items:center}
.bandbar__kicker{font-size:.72rem;letter-spacing:.14em;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:700;color:var(--brown);margin:0 0 .5em}
.bandbar h2{font-size:2rem;color:var(--brown-d);margin-bottom:.3em}
.bandbar p{color:var(--ink);margin:0}
.bandbar__form{justify-self:end;width:100%;max-width:460px}
.bandbar__form .nl-form{background:var(--paper);padding:14px;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:4px}

/* listing */
.listing{padding:26px 0 40px}
.listing__head{padding:12px 0 28px;border-bottom:2px solid var(--brown-d);margin-bottom:30px}
.listing__head h1{font-size:2.5rem;margin-bottom:.2em;color:var(--brown-d)}
.listing__head p{color:var(--muted);max-width:60ch;margin:0 0 1em}
.chips{list-style:none;padding:0;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px;margin:0}
.chips a{display:block;padding:6px 14px;border:1px solid var(--line);background:var(--paper);border-radius:99px;text-decoration:none;font-size:.88rem}
.chips a:hover{border-color:var(--orange);background:#fff3e3;color:var(--brown-d)}
.crumbs{font-size:.8rem;color:var(--muted);margin:6px 0 10px}
.crumbs a{color:var(--muted);text-decoration:none}
.crumbs a:hover{text-decoration:underline}
.crumbs i{font-style:normal;margin:0 7px;opacity:.5}
.pager{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;margin-top:40px;font-size:.92rem}
.empty{color:var(--muted)}

/* article */
.article{padding:22px 0 30px}
.article__head h1{font-size:2.6rem;letter-spacing:-.01em;margin-bottom:.4em;color:var(--brown-d)}
.article__dek{font-size:1.2rem;color:var(--muted);font-family:var(--serif);margin-bottom:1em}
.byline{font-size:.86rem;color:var(--muted);padding:12px 0;border-top:1px solid var(--line);border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);margin:0 0 28px}
.sponsor{font-size:.8rem;color:var(--muted);margin-top:-10px}
.article__img{margin:0 0 28px}
.article__img figcaption{font-size:.8rem;color:var(--muted);margin-top:6px}
.prose{font-size:1.1rem;line-height:1.75}
.prose h2{font-size:1.65rem;margin:1.7em 0 .5em;color:var(--brown-d)}
.prose h3{font-size:1.3rem;margin:1.5em 0 .4em;color:var(--brown-d)}
.prose ul,.prose ol{padding-left:1.3em;margin:0 0 1.2em}
.prose li{margin-bottom:.45em}
.prose blockquote{margin:1.5em 0;padding:.4em 1.2em;border-left:4px solid var(--orange);background:var(--sand);font-family:var(--serif);font-size:1.05rem}
.prose blockquote p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}
.prose hr{border:0;border-top:1px solid var(--line);margin:2em 0}
.prose code{background:var(--sand);padding:1px 5px;border-radius:3px;font-size:.92em}
.prose a{color:var(--brown);font-weight:600}
.tags{list-style:none;padding:0;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px;margin:28px 0}
.tags a{font-size:.8rem;padding:4px 11px;background:var(--sand);border-radius:99px;text-decoration:none;color:var(--muted)}
.article__nl{margin-top:36px;padding:26px;background:var(--sand);border-left:5px solid var(--orange);border-radius:4px}
.article__nl h2{font-size:1.45rem;margin-bottom:.2em;color:var(--brown-d)}

/* pages */
.page{padding:22px 0 50px}
.page h1{font-size:2.5rem;margin-bottom:.6em;color:var(--brown-d)}
.prose-form{margin-top:24px}
.contact-form{display:grid;gap:14px;margin-top:20px}
.contact-form label{display:grid;gap:5px;font-weight:600;font-size:.92rem}
.contact-form input,.contact-form textarea,.search-form input{padding:12px;border:1px solid var(--line);font:inherit;border-radius:3px;background:#fff}
.search-form{display:flex;gap:8px;margin-bottom:26px}
.search-form input{flex:1}
#search-results .result{padding:16px 0;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line)}
#search-results h2{font-size:1.25rem;margin:0 0 .2em}
#search-results h2 a{text-decoration:none}
#search-results p{margin:0;color:var(--muted);font-size:.95rem}
.notfound{text-align:center}
.report h2{border-bottom:2px solid var(--orange);padding-bottom:.2em}
.report .callout{background:var(--sand);border-left:5px solid var(--orange);padding:14px 18px;border-radius:4px;margin:0 0 1.6em}
@media print{.utility,.masthead,.nav,.shell__side,.bandbar,.footer,.noprint{display:none!important}body{background:#fff}.shell{display:block}}

/* footer */
.footer{background:var(--brown-d);color:#eadcc6;margin-top:0;padding:46px 0 26px}
.footer a{color:#eadcc6;text-decoration:none}
.footer a:hover{color:var(--orange);text-decoration:underline}
.footer__top{padding-bottom:30px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.16)}
.footer .logo{color:#fff}
.footer .logo__the{color:var(--orange)}
.footer .logo__main i{color:var(--orange);background:none}
.footer__brand p{color:#d6c4a9;max-width:56ch;margin-top:12px}
.footer__cols{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:30px;padding:32px 0}
.footer h3{font-family:var(--sans);font-size:.75rem;letter-spacing:.14em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--orange);margin-bottom:12px}
.footer ul{list-style:none;padding:0}
.footer li{margin-bottom:8px;font-size:.92rem}
.footer__social a{display:block;margin-bottom:8px}
.footer__legal{font-size:.8rem;color:#bba98f;margin:0;padding-top:22px;border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.16)}

/* responsive */
@media (max-width:1100px){
  .shell{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:6px}
  .shell__side{position:static;order:-1;padding-top:16px}
  .nl-card{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:6px 24px;align-items:center}
  .nl-card__kicker,.nl-card h2{grid-column:1}
  .nl-card p{grid-column:1}
  .nl-card .nl-form{grid-column:2;grid-row:1 / span 3}
  .grid--4{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr)}
  .tiles{grid-template-columns:repeat(5,1fr)}
  .footer__cols{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr)}
}
@media (max-width:820px){
  .nav-toggle{display:block}
  .masthead__in{flex-wrap:wrap;min-height:72px;padding-top:8px;padding-bottom:12px;gap:10px 12px}
  .logo__main{font-size:1.6rem}
  .logo{flex:1}
  .head-search{order:3;width:100%}
  .nav{display:none;border-top:1px solid var(--line)}
  .nav.is-open{display:block}
  .nav-list{display:block}
  .nav-item{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line)}
  .nav-link{flex:1}
  .sub-toggle{display:block;background:none;border:0;width:52px;font-size:1.4rem;cursor:pointer;color:var(--brown-d)}
  .dropdown{display:none!important;position:static;flex-basis:100%;box-shadow:none;border:0;background:var(--sand)}
  .nav-item.is-open .dropdown{display:block!important}
  .nav-item:hover .dropdown,.nav-item:focus-within .dropdown{display:none}
  .utility__follow{display:none}
  .bandbar__in{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:20px}
  .bandbar__form{justify-self:stretch;max-width:none}
  .hero__grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}
  .hero__side{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}
  .grid--3{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr)}
}
@media (max-width:620px){
  .nl-card{display:block;padding:14px 16px}
  .nl-card > p:not(.nl-card__kicker){display:none}
  .nl-card h2{font-size:1.2rem}
  .shell__side{padding-top:12px}
  .utility__tag{display:none}
  .utility__in{justify-content:center}
  .grid--4,.grid--3,.hero__side{grid-template-columns:1fr}
  .tiles{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr)}
  .card__title--xl,.article__head h1,.listing__head h1,.page h1{font-size:1.9rem}
  .prose{font-size:1.05rem}
  .footer__cols{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}
  .utility__tag{font-size:.64rem}
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){*{transition:none!important}}