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How to Ease the Itch of Bug Bites and Poison Ivy

September 3, 2015 by

Bug bites and poison ivy are inevitable in the summertime, but that doesn’t mean that you have to itch and scratch your way through the season. If you’re looking for a way to ease the irritation of these common warm weather ailments, these all-natural home remedies can help.

  • Ice cubes. Simple, quick, and gratifying, the common ice cube is one of the most effective ways to relieve the itch of bug bites. Just wrap an ice cube in a paper towel and hold it on the bite for a few minutes to induce numbing.
  • Tea bags. Press a wet tea bag on a bug bite to draw out toxins and minimize itching through the tea’s natural astringent.
  • Baking soda paste. For bug bites and poison ivy alike, creating a paste of baking soda and water will neutralize the pH and relieve itching.
  • Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar also neutralizes the pH in your skin, so swabbing some on poison ivy or insect bites will quickly alleviate the itch.
  • Soap and water. If you’re fortunate enough to catch poison ivy as soon as you touch it, immediately wash the affected area with lukewarm, soapy water to rinse off some of the oil.
  • Oatmeal baths. If the damage is already done and you have itchy poison ivy, take oatmeal baths in cool or lukewarm water to relieve itching.

DIY: 7 Best Natural Mosquito Bite Remedies [Gardenista]
Poison ivy: Tips for treating and preventing [American Academy of Dermatology]
9 Genius Ways To Relieve Bug Bites [Women’s Health Magazine]

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Keep These Measurement Conversion Charts Handy in the Kitchen

August 20, 2015 by

You don’t have to be an expert at math to be a good cook, but it certainly helps to commit a few essential measuring equivalents to memory. For those less-used measurements, however, there are some helpful lists you can keep on hand in the kitchen. Bookmark these two websites of cooking measurement conversions for easy reference.

  1. Measure Equivalents [USDA]
    Find any metric to U.S. conversion on this chart along with cups to teaspoons, tablespoons, and ounces. You can use this website to convert gallons to quarts, quarts to pints, and pints to cups.
  2. Cooking Measure Equivalents [Info Please]
    This website provides a quick reference for converting table- or teaspoons to cups. It also has the essential conversions for the metric system to the American system of measurements. So if you're ever wondering how many grams are in an ounce or milliliters are in a tablespoon, check out this page on Info Please.

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Check Out Major Home Renovations on These HGTV Shows

August 6, 2015 by

There’s something so entertaining about watching skilled carpenters and designers take an old, outdated house and, with a few coats of paint or some new cabinets, turn it into something entirely fresh and modern. Follow along with some of HGTV’s most popular home renovation experts on these immensely entertaining shows.

Property Brothers
Hosts Jonathan and Drew Scott are some of HGTV’s most beloved hosts due to their quirky personalities and the always-entertaining bond between twins. On their HGTV show, Property Brothers, realtor Drew convinces potential homebuyers to buy a fixer-upper instead of the overpriced home of their dreams. Over the course of an hour-long episode, designer Jonathan completely renovates the more affordable (if less admirable) home into something even better than the house they originally imagined.

Cousins Undercover
On this equally entertaining HGTV show, cousins Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri are on a mission to reward do-gooders in a community with a well-deserved home makeover. The show’s recipients include selfless teachers, single parents, and dedicated doctors, the stories of whom will surely tug at your heartstrings. If you’re a fan of happy endings and beautiful home renovations, Cousins Undercover is for you.

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How to Safely Exercise Outdoors During the Summer

July 23, 2015 by

Even if you’re a very fit person, exercising outdoors in hot summer weather can be dangerous. Unless you take the necessary precautions, the heat and humidity can cause dehydration, dizziness, and exhaustion. Here are a few smart tips to help you exercise safely outside all summer long.

  • Stay hydrated. This one may seem obvious, but dehydration is the leading cause of illness and injury during hot weather exercise. Be sure to drink a lot of water not only during and after exercise, but also beforehand to fuel your body for your workout.
  • Choose smart times. Because the sun is lower (and so is the temperature) during the morning and evening, these are the smartest times to exercise outdoors.
  • Wear the right clothes. While you might wear sweatpants to exercise outdoors in the fall, you should invest in something lightweight and absorbent in the summer. Try synthetic fabrics like Spandex and Lycra, as these wick away moisture.
  • Listen to your body. Even if you’ve only been running for 10 minutes, that might be too much for your body in the dog days of summer. If you start to feel lightheaded and dizzy while exercising, make sure that you stop or slow down, no matter how long it’s been.

5 Ways to Exercise Safely in the Heat [U.S. News]
8 Tips for Exercising in Summer Heat [Active]
Essential Tips for Outdoor Exercise [Arm & Hammer]

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How to Give a Second Life to Glass Jars and Bottles

July 9, 2015 by

There are a number of creative DIY projects that you can use to transform empty bottles and jars into something truly beautiful. Here are three great ideas to try this weekend!

Tequila Bottle Hummingbird Feeders [blog.diynetwork.com]
In this creative tutorial, you’ll learn how to flip your old tequila bottles on their necks – literally – and turn them into eclectic hummingbird feeders. All it takes is some colorful wire, beads and a spout at the bottom.

Yarn Wrapped Bottles [thecraftedlife.com]
Create a colorful display of tiered bottles by wrapping a few different shaped bottles in stripes of colored yarn. After you’re done, you can even use them as flower vases.

Etched Oil and Vinegar Bottles [thecraftedlife.com]
If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at glass etching, this simple (and functional) tutorial will walk you through your first attempt with some beautiful results.

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Preserve the Tastes of Summer With These Easy Canning Recipes

June 18, 2015 by

When the weather begins to heat up, it can only mean one thing: Berry season is upon us! Preserve the flavors of summer for a bit longer by canning your favorite warm weather fruits. Here are a few easy summer canning recipes.

Peach Preserves [allrecipes.com]
Few fruits taste more like summer than juicy peaches, and this recipe for sweet peach preserves is just as delicious as an actual peach. Spread it on crusty bread, your morning bagel or even hearty biscuits once colder weather strikes.

Pineapple Chili Salsa [freshpreserving.com/]
Most people don’t live in the type of climate where pineapples grow, but these tropical fruits certainly do feel like summer even if they’re store-bought. Make a zesty pineapple salsa to last you all winter long using those whole pineapples from your local grocer.

Strawberry Refrigerator Jam [thekitchn.com]
Strawberries are just as delicate as they are delicious, so elongate their short lifespans by using them in a simple, basic jam. This easy recipe is perfect for even the most novice jam-makers, and it tastes much more special than name brand versions. Best of all, it only takes a surplus of strawberries and a bit of sugar to make.

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Clutter Cramping Your Style? Here’s How to Get It Under Control!

June 4, 2015 by

So you might not be the neatest person in the world, but that doesn’t mean that you have to deal with clutter cramping the style in your apartment. There are a number of smart, simple ways to de-clutter your space without spending hours cleaning every day. Here are just a few tips for managing the mess.

  • Think function, not fashion. Sure, that matching furniture set might look great, but that doesn’t mean that it actually works in the room. Having too large furniture (or even too much furniture) is a surefire way to make a room look cluttered. Downsize to maximize your space.
  • Create a place for everything. Go through your home and make a note of everything that doesn’t have its own designated space, from the stack of mail to your everyday beauty products. Invest in small bins or drawer organizers where you can toss things to keep them out of sight.
  • Add shelving. Keep things off of the floor by adding shelving anywhere that clutter frequently accumulates. Add attractive bins or boxes that you can put things in.
  • Spend a few minutes. Take a few minutes before bed each night to make one final sweep of your home, putting things away and getting organized. Waking up to a tidy house will make you want to get in the habit of de-cluttering.

Clear Clutter and Take Control of Your Life [All You]
Clutter Control in 10 Steps [Family Circle]
25 Ways to Clear Clutter [Style at Home]

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Add These Two Fiber-Rich Foods to Your Diet

May 21, 2015 by

One of the most effective ways to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight is by adding more fiber to your diet. Men under the age of 50 should eat 38 grams of fiber each day and women should eat 25 grams, according to current dietary recommendations. If you’re not sure which foods to choose to meet this daily need, here are two surprising sources of fiber to incorporate into your diet.

  1. Apples. This old-school snack is a remarkably good source of fiber, with 4 grams per medium-sized apple. Any food that contains more than 3 grams per serving is considered a good source, so adding one to your day actually might keep the doctor away.
  2. Avocados. This creamy fruit is a super source of fiber. One medium avocado contains 14 grams, along with vitamins B, E and K. While they are high in fat, only 4 grams are saturated so you’re actually boosting your healthy fat intake.

The 16 Most Surprising High-Fiber Foods [Greatist]
High Fiber Foods: 7 Surprising Sources [ Huffington Post]
The Most Surprising High Fiber Foods [Health]

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How to Decorate With Serving Trays Around the Home

May 7, 2015 by

You likely make use of serving trays when you entertain, but have you ever considered a tray's use outside the kitchen? There are a number of creative, modern ways to use serving trays around the home, and these simple tutorials will show you how.

  1. In the bathroom. Corral your everyday beauty essentials instead of letting them take over the bathroom sink by using an attractive tray. Choose one with taller edges so that small bottles don’t slide off of the sides, and be sure to display your prettiest products inside.
  2. In the office. Add a serving tray to your desk to keep office supplies, pen holders, paperwork, and business cards from cluttering up your desk.
  3. On the coffee table. Make your coffee table vignette look even more catalog-worthy by adding a large, attractive serving tray to your design scheme. Fill it with coasters, candles, and a large flower vase.
  4. Make your own. If you can’t find a serving tray that you like (or that fits your budget), make your own using a plain white tray and scrapbook-style paper. Cut the paper to fit the inside of the tray and secure it using double-sided tape.

Styling Trays for Every Room In Your Home [The Art of Living Well]
Paper-Lined Desk Tray [Lulu The Baker]
De-Cluttering The Dresser With a Cake Stand! [Ruffles & Truffles]

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Deep Discounts Await on These Flash Sale Shopping Sites

April 16, 2015 by

Shopping online is a great way to save money on unique items that you can’t find anywhere else, and members-only flash sale websites make those savings even greater for those who join. Membership is free, and sales only last a day or two, meaning that if you like what you see, you should pounce! Here are a few discount shopping sites for everything from clothing to home goods.

Joss and Main
With its wide selection of curated designer furniture pieces, Joss and Main is a site that interior design lovers would shop whether it offered discounts or not. Lucky for you, the members-only site does offer membership discounts, and many of them are up to 70% off.

Fab
Fab is one of the most versatile discount shopping websites, offering a wide range of products and new, featured design deals every day. With home decor items, electronics, and even clothing and accessories for men and women, Fab offers savings on products for all areas of your life.

One Kings Lane
One Kings Lane is an online marketplace for designer and vintage items for the home. You must become a member in order to browse the site, but once you join you’ll receive up to 70% off of the shop’s furniture, kitchen tools, and other items for the home.

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