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Learn How to Manage Clutter — Not Hide It!

September 15, 2016 by

If you find yourself tucking away all of that extra clutter every time you clean your home, you may wonder how you can get rid of it for good. Instead of managing the clutter in your home, these smart, space-saving tips will show you how to control your clutter by getting rid of it completely.

  • Take an assessment of your clutter. Where do you notice clutter the most in your home? Is it in the junk drawers in your kitchen, the entryway area or your bedroom closet? Make note of those places where clutter always seems to accumulate so that you can focus the majority of your energy there.
  • Invest in storage systems. If the current storage systems in those areas just aren't working, it's time to reevaluate them. If clothes are always tumbling off of the shelves in your bedroom closet, add some affordable plastic drawers from your local home goods store; if you're always tripping over shoes in the doorway, add a stylish shoe rack.
  • Get rid of clutter-prone areas. Those junk drawers that are always overflowing? Get rid of them! If you don't have that go-to spot for disposing of those unused items, you'll be forced to really think about where they go — or if you need them at all.
  • Make it a part of your routine. If you don't usually think about where to put certain items, you might want to start. A big part of keeping a clean home is developing clean habits, so before you toss those shoes or that extra junk mail aside, take pause and deal with it right on the spot.

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Create a Chic and Stylish Entryway With These Pro Tips

August 18, 2016 by

Your entryway has the power to wow or bore guests as soon as they step into your apartment, so it's important to make sure you spend ample time on its interior design. If you're just getting started glamming up your entryway, here are a few tips that should help get the ball rolling.

  1. Create a vignette. First things first: find an entryway table. That's where you'll put your hallway vignette. It's part functional, part aesthetically pleasing. Include a tray to collection your keys and loose change when you walk in, but also add strictly decorative touches such as candles, flowers, and other odds and ends that reflect your style.
  2. Add a mirror. When you're working with a cozy entryway, you can really expand the space (without knocking down any walls) by just hanging a mirror. Find one that fits in with the rest of your aesthetic, perhaps a round, vintage mirror for last-minute touch-ups before you walk out the door, or maybe a more contemporary square mirror if that jives better with your minimalist decor elsewhere.
  3. Glam up your walls. Creating a gallery wall is a surefire way to engage your friends as soon as they walk through the door, especially if you create that gallery wall using personal photos in artfully mismatched frames. You can also use mirrors of different shapes and sizes, however, for the ultimate space-creating effect.
  4. Throw down a runner. When you're interior-designing, don't forget about the real estate underfoot, either. Spruce up your floor with a chic, colorful runner.

How to Style an Entryway [The Everygirl]
Small Apartment Entryway [Pinterest]
21 Ways to Enhance an Entryway [Real Simple]

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Go For the Old! Here’s What to Look For at The Local Thrift Store

July 21, 2016 by

Whether you're looking to add a touch of character to your home or simply trying to save some money on must-have furniture items, shopping at thrift and antique stores is a great choice. Before you set out on your thrifting journey, learn about the best items to look for on your hunt.

  • Solid wood pieces. Anything built of solid wood likely means it's built to last. Inspect tables, desks and bed frames to see if they're made of real wood instead of particle board or laminate materials.
  • Mid-century modern items. The mid-century modern movement is having a big comeback, so you can feel confident that these items will stay in style for years to come. Seek out chairs and sofas with tapered wooden legs, sleek desks and tables with metal hairpin legs, and items made of sturdy teak wood, which was popular during this era.
  • Woven or imported rugs. While purchasing a new rug can cost you a pretty penny, you'll often find trendy vintage styles for much less at the thrift store. Search for woven styles, Southwestern patterns or imported designs, like Persian or Moroccan rugs.
  • Vintage picture frames. Picture frames are also pricey when purchased new, so you should always take a look around for metal or wooden frames at the thrift store. Even if it already has a photo inside, you can take it out and start fresh with your own print.
  • Kitschy electronics. While purchasing an old TV can be a bit dangerous (many thrift chains don't even sell them anymore), you should keep your eyes peeled for antique radios, clocks, and other analog items that are now collectibles.

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Where to Shop Teens’ and Tweens’ Room Decor Online

June 16, 2016 by

Tweens and teens love to express themselves through their bedroom decor, but you still want their rooms to look organized and put together. Lucky for the both of you, there are a number of stylish furniture and home goods websites that you and your teen will love. Here are two of the best.

Wake Up Frankie
If your daughter loves things with bold, feminine flair, she’ll simply adore Wake Up Frankie. This website carries a wide variety of duvet covers, pillow shams and sheet sets in crazy prints like chevron and polka dots, and each one comes in bright shades of black, pink, and neon yellow. Matching windows and canopies help to complete the look, while headboards, accent chairs, and chandeliers offer an elegant, vintage feel to any room.

Ikea
Ikea is a great place to find stylish, modern bedroom decor and furniture at budget-friendly prices. The website contains beds that fit in any space, coordinating bedding in fun, minimal patterns, and plush throw pillows and rugs to create a comfortable feel. Ikea also carries unique light fixtures and modern decor accessories to add a pop of color to your teen’s room.

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Learn How to Store Your Bike Indoors (Without Wasting Space) With These Handy Tips

May 19, 2016 by

Many people ride bikes to and from work, around the city on the weekends, or even on long-distance rides out of town. If you're an avid cyclist, however, you're likely familiar with the constant struggle to store your bicycle when you're out of the saddle. Here are just a few smart places that you might not have considered to help keep your bike out of the way.

  • Over a doorway. If your apartment has high ceilings, there might be a few feet of precious wall space above the doorways. Use a ladder to install a bike rack above a door and watch as you free up ample floor space when you store your bike.
  • Hang it vertically. While most people hang their bikes horizontally, this takes up far more wall space than you might like. Instead, invest in a vertical bike stand to hang your bike on its end.
  • Use a gravity stand. If you and your roommate or partner each have your own bike in the apartment, use a two-bike gravity stand. These handy stands are sleek and minimal, don't require drilling in to your walls and can even hold two bikes upright.
  • Hang it on a door. Many smart cycling companies sell over-door bike racks that support your bike on its wheels over a door. This is a perfect storage solution if you don't want to add hardware to your precious walls.

Gallery: The 10 Best Bike Storage Solutions [Complex]

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Home Beauty Treatments You Can Make Yourself

April 21, 2016 by

Nothing feels better than getting a facial or a fresh blowout, but unfortunately, these types of beauty treatments can be pretty pricey. Luckily, you can mimic their results in your own home at Avana Six Pines, often by using common items that you already have. Here are a few rejuvenating beauty treatments that you can make yourself.

  1. Create a nourishing hair mask that restores each strand by combining common foods from the refrigerator. Simply mix together one egg yolk, one tablespoon of mayonnaise, 1/4 of an avocado, and two tablespoons of olive oil, and then let the mask sit on your hair for one hour before rinsing.
  2. Give yourself an at-home sugar scrub that sloughs off dead skin and leaves your body feeling smooth and rejuvenated. Combine equal parts coconut oil and brown sugar with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, then rub it all over the next time you’re in the shower.
  3. Do a DIY facial using a mashed banana mixed with two tablespoons of heavy cream, one tablespoon of honey, one tablespoon of flour, and one tablespoon of water. Let the mask sit on your face for 10 minutes before rinsing. The banana reduces redness and adds smoothness, while the heavy cream is very soothing and leaves a soft, supple feeling behind.

10 All-Natural Beauty Fixes [Woman’s Day]
Crazy Beauty Tricks That Really Work [Whole Living]
Our Favorite All-Natural Home Beauty Treatments [Fitness Magazine]
10 DIY Beauty Treatments [Seventeen]

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Tackle Spring Cleaning With These Helpful Tips

March 17, 2016 by

The change from winter to spring is typically accompanied by a desire to have a bright, clean home. You're tired of the dingy, cold effects of winter snow and ice, and everything just feels a bit less than fresh. If you’re planning a spring cleaning routine but don’t know where to begin, these seven tips will help you get started.

  • Set all clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Savings Time.
  • Change the batteries in things like smoke detectors, remote controls, and alarm clocks.
  • Flip or rotate your mattress to ensure that it lasts for years to come.
  • Protect hardwood floors against scratches by adding padded, adhesive discs to the legs of chairs and tables.
  • Clean the refrigerator using a few teaspoons of baking soda diluted in hot water. Also be sure to toss out expired or unused food items.
  • Wash pillows to prevent seasonal allergens common in the springtime from accumulating inside.
  • Re-stock cleaning supplies to prepare yourself for any number of household messes and spills that come with the spring season.

Spring Cleaning [Martha Stewart]
28 Spring Cleaning Tips [Country Living]

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Corral Clutter and Create Beautiful Vignettes Around the Home Using Serving Trays

February 18, 2016 by

If you’re looking for an affordable way to add high style to your home, using serving trays is a great idea. On countertops, dressers, and even on the bed, serving trays add a designer-inspired look to any surface in the home. Here’s some inspiration for styling trays.

  1. Add a serving tray to your coffee table to corral remote controls, display magazines, and hold decorative objects. You can even add scented candles to create an enjoyable ambiance.
  2. Use serving trays in the bathroom to organize your everyday essential products. Add one to the back of the toilet if you’re lacking in cabinet space, or use one under the sink to hold lotion and soap bottles upright.
  3. Place a serving tray next to the front door to create a drop-off place for your keys, cell phone, and other items that would normally amount to clutter.
  4. Center a kitchen island by adding a decorative tray for displaying flower vases and plants. You may also want to add your favorite cookbooks to keep them within reach.
  5. While serving trays are originally used for serving food and beverages, they’re just as great for serving breakfast in bed—or even a midnight snack. If you enjoy relaxing with a good book and glass of wine at night, use a serving tray to avoid spills.

7 Ways to Decorate With Trays [Home Goods]
10 Creative Ways to Decorate with a Serving Tray [Kirklands]
See Why Trays Are the Ultimate Decorator’s Trick [One Kings Lane]

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How to Keep Leafy Greens Fresher Longer

January 21, 2016 by

Don’t you just hate it when you attempt to buy a healthy batch of vegetables at the grocery store, only to have them go bad before you can even eat them? By using these simple tips, you can learn how to prolong the lifespan of your veggies and keep your greens fresher for longer.

  • Don’t leave leafy greens on the counter. While many types of produce (such as apples and potatoes) are okay when left out in the kitchen, leafy greens are much delicate and require cooler temperatures for safekeeping.
  • Wash them. As soon as you get your greens home, wash them with an all-natural vegetable cleanser and dry with a salad spinner to remove any chemicals, dirt, or pests.
  • Remove bad leaves. If you notice any brown spots on your greens, carefully remove them to prevent them from spoiling the whole bunch.
  • Don’t store them on a shelf in the refrigerator. Because everything in your refrigerator is not created equally, greens cannot by stored in the same way as, say, Chinese food leftovers. Instead, place them in the designated crisper drawer.
  • Plan how you’ll eat them. To prolong their lifespan further, plan to eat fresh salads using greens first and sauté or stir fry them once they near their wilted phases.

Leafy Greens [FreshDirect.com]
How to Store Leafy Greens in the Fridge [The Sprouting Seed]
How to Store Your Leafy Greens to Make Them Last Longer [Eat Local 365]

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Festive Cocktail Recipes for the Holiday Season

December 17, 2015 by

Holiday treats don't have to arrive in cookie or candy form! Here are three holiday-themed cocktail recipes that even the most knowledgeable home bartender will appreciate.

Easy Blender Eggnog [realsimple.com]
Instead of buying the pre-packaged eggnog, make your own by using just a few common ingredients and a standard kitchen blender. Heavy cream, sugar, and eggs create the drink’s signature rich consistency, while some good brandy adds that deliciously dark flavor.

Mulled Wine Sangria [myrecipes.com]
Update your favorite summer drink for the chilly winter season by simmering red wine in warming spices like cloves and cinnamon. Combine it with sparkly club soda and served chilled with some refreshing orange slices floating throughout.

Candy Cane Cocktail [marthastewart.com]
For guests who prefer drinks with a sweeter flavor, this fun candy cane cocktail will surely be a hit. It’s made with strawberry vodka and crème de menthe combined with some tart cranberry juice that creates a lovely pink color, and lining the rim of a martini glass with crushed candy canes adds an even more special look and a fresh, minty flavor.

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