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3 Clever Uses for Coffee

June 16, 2016 by

Aside from its magical powers in the morning, coffee also has a number of other uses that you might not even know about. Here are a few clever, new uses for coffee.

  • Use coffee grounds as a deodorizer. Simply fill an open bowl with the grounds and let them absorb bad smells in the kitchen, an older car, or even in the refrigerator. Likewise, you can also scrub your hands with coffee grounds to remove smells after cutting onions or working with motor oil.
  • Create an all-natural dye. Steep coffee grounds in hot water, then use the liquid to add color to clothing, craft projects, and paper.
  • Make your own facial scrub. Many top-name beauty brands are already adding grounds to their exfoliating products, as the moist grinds are said to help remove impurities and brighten the complexion.

Top 10 Uses For Used Coffee Grounds [Curbly]
13 Surprising Uses for Coffee [Reader’s Digest]
16 Genius Uses for Coffee [All You]

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Update Your Wardrobe by Hosting a Clothing Swap at Avana Grove! Here’s How!

April 21, 2016 by

Wondering what to do with all of those clothes that you just don’t wear anymore? Many thrifty fashion lovers nowadays are starting to host clothing swaps, during which groups of friends get together to trade their gently worn clothes, shoes, and even accessories. Do something good for your budget and even for the environment by using these tips to host your own clothing swap at Avana Grove!

  1. Decide on the perfect group. Choose a manageable group that you can fit comfortably inside of your home. While you don’t want to go overboard with people, you’ll likely want to invite at least three or four friends to ensure ample swapping opportunities.
  2. Send out detailed invites. Be sure to describe how the swap will work and exactly how many items to bring in your invitation, email, or text message.
  3. Create a comfortable swapping area. Set up an area in your living room or other common space where you can set up chairs, snacks, and other essentials. Designate a spare room as a "changing room."
  4. Take the reins. Since many of your guests have likely never done a swap before, get things started by demonstrating how to browse the clothes and swap for items. You may even want to give people a limit on how many items they can take home.
  5. Bring refreshments. Once the swap is done, keep the mood light by socializing over snacks and drinks.

How to Hold a Fashion Swap Party [WikiHow]
10 Tips for Hosting a Successful Clothing Swap [Woman’s Day]
13 Rules for a Successful Clothing Swap [Oprah]

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Hosting a Party at Avana Grove? Check Out These Handy Portion Planning Guides!

January 21, 2016 by

One of the hardest parts about planning a party is deciding how much food to prepare. It’s every host’s fear to imagine running out of appetizers, but it’s just as frustrating when you’re left with way too many leftovers! Before your next gathering, check out these helpful tips for portion planning and avoid these entertaining mishaps.

  • Consider this: on average, a guest will drink between three and four drinks every four hours or so. You might also want to keep in mind that a standard bottle of wine equals four to six glasses, while a two-liter of soda equals about 10 glasses.
  • For appetizers, imagine that each person will eat approximately five per hour. If you’re serving only appetizers and hors d’oeuvres, add two or three to that number.
  • For your main course, choose things like meat and vegetables to make it easy to dole out portions. If you’re serving something like stir-fry or pasta, imagine that the average person will eat approximately a four-ounce serving.
  • Once you get to dessert, it’s safe to assume that each person will have only one piece — although it’s always smart to get a few extras just in case.

How to Estimate the Food You Need for Your Memorial Day Picnic, Barbecue, or Pool Party [Delish]
How to Calculate the Amount of Food You Need for a Party [Livestrong]
Food & Beverage Quantities to Order [Planning Helper]

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How to Select the Perfect Holiday Tree

December 3, 2015 by

So you’ve committed to purchasing a live tree this holiday season, but now you’re not quite sure what to look for at the retail lot. Don’t fret, because these smart tips for choosing the perfect evergreen will ensure that you purchase the perfect one for your space.

  1. Measure the space. Be sure to decide where you’ll place your tree before you leave the house, and then measure both the ceiling height and the width of the area to make sure that the tree fits (and doesn’t look too small).
  2. Give the tree a good shake. To check if a holiday tree is in good health, give a branch a good shake. If only a few of the needles fall off that means that the tree will retain its lush color and lovely fragrance.
  3. Measure the tree’s base. Before you even measure the tree itself, measure the base. It should be as straight as possible and at least 6-inches-long in order to fit into a tree stand.
  4. Compare the tree to your space. Once you find a tree that you love, use a tape measure to measure its height and circumference. The tree should be a few inches smaller than the area that you measured in your home.

Selecting Your Tree [National Christmas Tree Association]
Pick the Perfect Christmas Tree [Reader’s Digest]
Christmas Tree Glossary [Martha Stewart]
How to Pick the Perfect Christmas Tree [This Old House]

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Bring Fall Indoors With These Festive Wreath Tutorials

October 22, 2015 by

Who says that a wreath has to hang outside? There are a number of fun and creative ways to make DIY wreaths that bring the beauty of fall indoors, and many of them don’t cost a dime to make. Here are three great wreath tutorials for you to try this weekend at Avana Grove.

DIY Apple Wreath [thewoodgraincottage.com]
While an actual apple wreath would likely be too heavy to hang, this one uses faux apples from the craft store to achieve the same effect. All it takes is some hot glue, a Styrofoam wreath mold and some burlap to hang it.

Glitter Wreath [homemadebyjill.blogspot.com]
If you’re looking for a fun wreath project that the kids can do, too, this one is a great choice. They’ll enjoy cutting out the small leaves from heavy cardstock, and they’ll enjoy it even more once it’s time to sprinkle glitter all over.

Fall Wheat Sheave Wreath [bhg.com]
If you prefer something with a more natural look (and a quicker preparation), this tutorial is one of the simplest you’ll find. Simply gather some dried wheat and tie it together with a piece of oversized ribbon in a fall color, then attach the whole thing to your door (or anywhere else that can use a bit of decoration).

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Must-Read Tips for a Perfectly Carved Pumpkin

October 8, 2015 by

Carving a pumpkin may seem like a fun, relaxing autumn activity that you can do together as a family, but if you’ve ever actually attempted to carve a pumpkin, you know that this isn’t always the case. Carving the perfect pumpkin is possible, however, and these simple tips can help you get there safely and without too much stress.

  1. Start by choosing a pumpkin with a flat bottom so that it won’t roll around while you try to carve it.
  2. Cut the top of the pumpkin on an angle, so that once you scoop it out and replace the stem it won’t drop down inside.
  3. Soak the pumpkin in a bleach solution for one or two hours before carving to lengthen its lifespan. After you carve it, dry thoroughly and rub the edges with some petroleum jelly to prevent it from shriveling.
  4. While it may seem like a waste of money, it’s very helpful to purchase a kit of knives designed especially for pumpkin carving. Using a common kitchen knife that is too big or not sharp enough can be dangerous for everyone involved.
  5. If this is your first time carving a pumpkin, choose a pattern with bold features and large details to make it a bit easier.
  6. Cut out your stencil and either trace it directly onto the pumpkin or tape it on with clear tape before carving.

8 Pro Tips for Carving the Perfect Pumpkin [Good Housekeeping]
Pumpkin Carving Tips – How to Carve a Jack-o'-lantern [About Food]
How to Carve a Pumpkin [Martha Stewart]

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Neat and Nifty DIY Projects for Your Kitchen

September 17, 2015 by

While you may not be able to pull off a full kitchen renovation in your rental, you can make the space function better for your needs by crafting up a few simple projects. Here are just three useful DIY projects that will improve your kitchen space and help make it your own.

Dip-Dye Wooden Spoons [housebeautiful.com]
Looking to add more color to your kitchen without going overboard? This simple tutorial will add rainbow hues to your wooden kitchen utensils, and best of all, it takes less than an hour to complete. Store them upside down in a large ceramic jar to show off their fun new makeover.

Additional Cabinet Storage [lifehacker.com]
If the items in your kitchen cabinets are always stacked precariously on top of one another, you could likely benefit from additional storage. Add a tension rod for additional storage, or add a classic Lazy Susan so that you can reach things like spices and small jars with ease.

Cutting Board Tablet Stand [countryliving.com]
If you frequently use your iPad or other tablet to look up recipes or listen to music in the kitchen, keep it protected by creating your own stand out of an old cutting board. Simply attach a wooden Scrabble tile stand to the bottom to hold up the tablet, then prop up the entire cutting board using an old door stop on the back.

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Transform Your Ordinary Bookcase Into a Showcase With These Simple Tips

August 20, 2015 by

If you frequently find yourself admiring stylish bookcase vignettes on interior design websites, you’re not alone. While these beautiful shelves look effortless online, it can be much more difficult to create one in person. Here are a few simple steps for creating a designer-worthy bookcase — without giving yourself a headache!

  1. Alternate books. Instead of lining your books up library-style, alternate their direction by also adding stacks of horizontal-facing books. You can even place a small paperweight or candle on top of those stacks to add more visual interest.
  2. Organize books by color. If your bookshelf is filled to the brim with reading materials, make it look more organized by arranging the titles by color to create a rainbow effect.
  3. Unify mismatched knick-knacks. If your collection of knick-knacks looks a bit shabby, unify the set by painting them all one color. Try a stark white, a bold primary hue, or a fun pop of neon.
  4. Decorate the insides of the shelves. Give your bookshelf itself a makeover by adding a bright coat of paint or a layer of wallpaper to the backs of each shelf.
  5. Add artwork. Instead of just using books and knick-knacks, turn your shelves into an art gallery. Prop up a frame or even hang a picture from the front of the shelves where their corners meet.

Bookshelf Styling Tips: The Basics and Beyond [HGTV]
Styling a Bookshelf: 10 Homes That Get It Right [Design Sponge]
10 Tricks for Styling Your Bookshelves [Style Me Pretty: Living]

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How to Add Organic Touch to Your Home’s Decor

August 6, 2015 by

Going organic doesn’t end at the grocery store. In fact, there are a number of different ways that you can incorporate organic elements throughout your entire home. Here are just a few great ways to add a natural touch to the decor in your living space.

  • Create a nature-inspired vignette. If you admire something beautiful on your morning walk, such as a unique branch or a particularly interesting stone, add it to a stack of books on a tabletop to create a flawless vignette.
  • Create stone hot pads. Glue smooth, flat stones to the surface of simple kitchen hot pads to keep your countertops protected from hot pots and pans.
  • Choose natural rugs. Soft, organic materials like jute and hemp look beautiful when woven into a rug, and they’re much friendlier on the environment than synthetic versions.
  • Create organic centerpieces. The next time you host a dinner party, fill a ceramic vase with foraged tree branches or add pine cones to a clear bowl for a unique centerpiece inspired by the outdoors.
  • Change up your drapes. One of the simplest ways to bring the outdoors in is by allowing as much natural light as possible into your home. Switch out heavy drapes with soft, sheer panels to maximize the light.

Decorating with Natural Elements [Better Homes & Gardens]
10 Simple Ways to Bring the Outdoors Inside [Freshome]
Decorating with Natural Elements from Natural Kitchen and Home [Pinterest]

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Shop for Stylish Organizational Products at These Popular Retailers

July 23, 2015 by

Organizing your home may seem like a daunting task, but when you invest in chic, stylish organizational products at popular home decor stores, it becomes a whole lot more, well, fun! Here are just three great retailers that offer storage bins, shelves, baskets, and home office supplies to help you get your mess under control.

West Elm
If you love the look of mid-century modern home furnishings, this popular retailer is for you. West Elm offers everything from basic baskets for corralling blankets in the living room to hanging wall shelves made for organizing mail and magazines, and you can feel confident that each item will add major modern flair to any room in the home.

CB2
For anyone whose home decor style is modern and minimalist, CB2 offers a great selection of clean-lined containers, wall-mounted storage shelves, and even multipurpose furniture that plays double duty as a storage unit. Whether you're looking for something futuristic or something simple, you'll find both in this wide selection.

Urban Girl Office Supply
If you work from home, get your office organized with fun, colorful office supplies from this eclectic online retailer. You’ll find bright neon paper trays, designer name file folders, and even patterned labels to help you locate everything once it’s neatly tucked away.

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