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Curtains 101: How to Choose and Install the Right Window Treatments for Your Apartment

April 16, 2015 by

One of the fastest, most fail-proof ways to breathe new life into your home's decor is by swapping out your window treatments. Here are a few smart ways to help you choose the perfect curtains for your apartment and install them to best suit your specific space.

  • Choose the right size. When choosing curtains or drapes, go for something that is approximately 2 to 2.5 times the width of your windows. As for the length, make sure that they touch the floor when you hang them at the top of the window (or slightly above).
  • Keep it sheer. Unless you want to use your curtains for privacy, it’s best to go for something sheer so that you don’t block natural light.
  • Choose high quality hardware. If you have the extra funds, choosing a pricier type of curtain rod can make all the difference. This creates a more luxurious look, and you may find that the rod stands up to daily use a bit better than cheaper options.
  • Hang them high. Most interior designers recommend hanging your curtains all the way at the ceiling instead of just above the window. This creates a dramatic, catalog-worthy look and adds the illusion of height.
  • Add Roman shades. If heavy curtains aren’t your style, add Roman shades in a color that matches the rest of your room instead.

8 Window Treatment Ideas [Apartments.com]
Decor PSA: Hang Curtains High & Wide [Apartment Therapy]
Ask a Designer: How Do I Choose Window Treatments? [House Beautiful]

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Your Kids Can Hone Their Math Skills on These Fun, Free Websites

February 19, 2015 by

It can be difficult to help a child who is struggling with math, whether they’re learning basic elementary addition or complex algebraic equations. If your son or daughter needs a bit of extra practice outside of the classroom, these fun and free math websites can help improve their skills and make them excited about learning.

Knowledge Adventure’s Math Games
Knowledge Adventure is a colorful website that enables users to tailor math games to their child’s specific grade level. Each game features adorable cartoon characters, exciting graphics, and fun levels that are so silly, your little one may not even know that they’re also educational.

Math Playground
This rainbow-hued collection of games spans math-related topics like addition, multiplication, fractions, and pre-algebra. Kids can navigate the site’s easy-to-use features entirely on their own, or you can browse by grade level to find games related to the specific areas where your child is struggling.

Fun Brain
Fun Brain is an educational website that offers fun games in a variety of different schools subjects, and its Math Arcade section includes five games perfect for elementary students. Choose between games like Space Slingshot and Math Baseball to make learning arithmetic fun for your child.

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How to Choose the Right Throw Pillows for Your Home’s Decor

January 22, 2015 by

Incorporating throw pillows into your bedroom or living room is a cheap and easy way to update a home’s decor, but with the overwhelming number of options, it may be intimidating to choose the perfect ones. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best throw pillows for your space.

  1. Consider the size. Are you purchasing throw pillows for a standard-sized couch or your king-sized bed? The size of the space makes a big difference when choosing the perfect pillows, so be sure to consider sizes before purchasing. Eighteen-inch square pillows are best suited for a bed or sofa, while oversized pillows of 24 inches or larger create a more lounge-style feel in a living room.
  2. Choose a color scheme. Black and white throw pillows create a mod effect, while bright shades of pink, green, or blue liven up a drab space. Even if you plan on purchasing patterned pillows, stick with one singular color scheme for a designer-worthy look.
  3. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Get creative by mixing and matching different sizes, shapes, and patterns. If you stick to your chosen color scheme, it’s easy to pull off a more eclectic look.
  4. Add pillows in unexpected places. Toss some large, cushion-style pillows on the floor, add some in a window nook, or place one on a desk chair for a cozy feel.

Decorating With Throw Pillows [Real Simple]
Tips On Choosing Throw Pillows [Décor Love]
How to Choose Decorative Pillows for the Living Room [Overstock]

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Laundry and Clothing Care Basics Everyone Should Know

December 18, 2014 by

Doing the laundry is a necessary annoyance, but modern amenities have done a lot to make this weekly chore a less daunting. Here are the basic rules for properly washing and caring for your most essential articles of clothing.

  1. Sort by color. You’ve likely heard that you need to separate your lights from your darks, but this step is especially important when washing denim or new clothes that have yet to be washed.
  2. Use the right water temperature. As a general rule, wash delicate clothing that could shrink or bleed in cold water. For heavily soiled items, whites, and towels, use hot water instead.
  3. Use the proper detergent. Not all detergents are created equal, so choose a type specially formulated for cold water, hot water, or even a brand made with color-safe bleach to remove stains from colored clothing. As a bonus, using the right type of detergent can even extend the lifespan of your clothes.
  4. Secure buttons. Dab a bit of clear nail polish in the center of shirt buttons to help prevent them from loosening. Even better, learn how to replace one yourself if you frequently wear button-down shirts.
  5. Keep zippers smooth. Rub zippers with wax every few weeks to keep them from catching or sticking.

Laundry Basics – Sorting it Out [For Better Living]
How to Care for Your Clothes [How Stuff Works]
Keep Your Clothes Clean and Bright [She Knows]
4 Clothing Care Skills Millennials Probably Don’t Know (But Need to Learn) [Real Simple]

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Bring the Fall Season Indoors With These Home Decor Projects

November 20, 2014 by

The change in seasons from summer to fall is one of the most dramatic, from the colorful leaves filling the trees to the acorns strewn across the ground. Bring the beauty of autumn into your home with a fun and creative DIY project that you can customize to your own liking.

Pumpkin Basket How-To [Martha Stewart]
If you usually decorate your home with plump pumpkins, get a bit more creative this year by turning one of those pumpkins into a basket to hold fresh flowers, pine cones, or other decorative accessories. Use a keyhole saw to hollow out the pumpkin and create a handle across the top that looks just like a real basket.

Fall in a Jar [Midwest Living]
Natural terrariums are some of this year’s most popular DIY projects, so make one that’s filled with fall by using these simple instructions. Fill a glass terrarium with bright green moss, then top it with miniature pumpkins and cut leaves for a perfectly autumnal look.

Botanical Leaf Pages [Real Simple]
You’ve likely seen vintage-inspired framed botanical prints lining the walls of chic homes, so create your own just in time for fall by using a few fallen leaves and some wax paper. Using a standard iron on low heat, press rows of leaves together between two sheets of wax paper and get creative with the arrangement.

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Hosting a Summer Cookout? Read These Food Safety Tips!

August 21, 2014 by

Barbecues and cookouts are very popular in the summertime, but the warmer temperature can be dangerous when it comes to keeping food fresh. Here are a few tips that will help you safely handle food at your next outdoor gathering.

  1. Wash your hands. This may go without saying, but many people don’t wash their hands as often as they should when it comes to handling food. Be sure to wash up before preparing food, after handling raw meat, and any time you’re serving guests.
  2. Beware of cross-contamination. Raw meat, eggs, and other bacteria-prone food items are the most common culprits of cross-contamination. Prevent the spread of bacteria by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat and vegetables.
  3. Cook meat thoroughly. Even if you’re cooking over the open flame of a barbecue, it’s important to make sure that the meat cooks entirely through. Hamburgers should reach at least 160°F, while poultry should be 180°F or higher.
  4. Keep foods cold. If you’re serving potato salad or other dishes with dairy in them, make sure that they stay cold all day long. This means packing them in ice, using a well-insulated cooler, and even keeping them in the air conditioned car during transportation.

Seasonal Food Safety – Selections for Spring and Summer [USDA]
Food Safety for Summertime [MDH]
Picnic Eating and Outdoor Dining [Home Food Safety]

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