Budget-Friendly Ways to Decorate Your Home at Avana Woodridge

While you can’t make permanent renovations in a rental, there are a number of ways to add your own personality to the space in a truly budget-friendly way. Here are just a few ideas for decorating your home at Avana Woodridge — even if you’re on a budget!

  • Spraypaint large, wall-sized canvases (or a series of two or three) from the local art supply store in bright, bold shades. This is an easy way to add a pop of color to your walls that mimics the effects of a new paint job, and it makes it affordable to create your own simple artwork.
  • Mix and match furniture from the local resale store to create a kitschy, cool effect that looks straight out of a design magazine. This is also a great way to save a good bit of money on big ticket items, such as sofas and lounge chairs.
  • Bring in elements of the outdoors to create a warm, natural look throughout the home. Fill vases with stark branches, add seashells to small bowls, or fill a large jar with pinecones for seasonal dwcor.
  • Create your own headboard by simply covering a flat, wooden board the size of your bed with a high quality fabric. Leave the top open and stuff it with pillow filling, and then add tufted details or nailheads along the outer edges.

32 Budget-Friendly Home Decorating Ideas [Country Living]
Budget Decorating [HGTV]
20 Low-Cost Decorating Ideas [Real Simple]
20 Thrifty, Frugal & Inexpensive Decorating Ideas [Apartment Therapy]

Old Town Spring: A Historic Experience for the Whole Family

Founded by settlers in the early 19th century, Spring began as a hub for railroad development and industrialization in Texas. As the economy flourished, Spring also became a destination for trade and business. Much like the rest of the United States, Spring was hit hard by the Depression in the 1930’s and took time to rebuild. The town subsequently reemerged several decades later and grew into a hotspot for festivals, events, and tourism in Texas. Today, Old Town Spring is recognized as one of Texas’ leading attractions. Visitors can wander the streets to feel history or visit the local Spring Historical Museum to learn more of the town’s journey.

These days, Old Town Spring is most well-known for its quaint, welcoming storefronts and businesses that maintain an old-timey feel along Main Street. It also garners attention for annual gatherings, including the popular Texas Crawfish & Music Festival and PetFest, an adoption event that places furry friends with loving families.

Old Town Spring
405 Main Street
Spring, TX 77373
www.oldtownspring.com
www.yelp.com/biz/old-town-spring-spring

Vintage Finds at Camille’s Antique Boutique

Add a girly touch to your decor with items from Camille's Antique Boutique in Spring. This former art teacher has amassed a delightful collection of vintage furniture, knick-kacks, china, and clothing. The shop has an ever-changing selection of painted antique furniture in French Country and Shabby Chic styles as well as historic chandeliers, antique china and more. Pick up a floral tea set, lace table cloth and host a tea party. Or bring your friends and browse through their closet of vintage women’s clothing and accessories with everything from dresses, hats, jewelry and more.

Camille's Antique Boutique
218B Main Street
Spring, TX 77373
(281) 528-8779
www.camillesantiqueboutique.com
www.yelp.com/biz/camilles-spring

Hubbell & Hudson Kitchen: Soups, Salads and Sandwiches to Make Lunch Easy

When you’re out and about in The Woodlands and looking for a casual place to stop for lunch, Hubbell & Hudson Kitchen will make your midday meal easy and delicious.

This laid-back eatery serves a casual menu of new American classics, including mostly soups, salads and sandwiches made with fresh, creative ingredients. There is a large salad bar filled with healthy toppings, as well as a wide variety of burgers in styles to suit anyone’s tastes. Sandwiches like the Seoul pork and turkey Brie make unique lunch options, while eggs Benedict and French toast make equally tasty choices for breakfast or brunch.

Hubbell & Hudson Kitchen is set up a bit like a market on the inside, with a coffee bar, a fresh produce section, to-go soups and sandwiches and even a gelato counter that makes the perfect dessert once you finish your healthy lunch.

Hubbell & Hudson Kitchen
4526 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 203-5650
www.hubbellandhudson.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hubbell-and-hudson-kitchen-the-woodlands

Where to Shop Host and Hostess Gifts Online

Going to a party in the near future? It’s polite to bring a gift for the host or hostess, but it may be difficult to decide what to give. Luckily, there are a number of fun and affordable websites are packed full of great ideas that anyone will love. Here are three of the best places to shop for host and hostess gifts online.

Uncommon Goods
This foodie-friendly website is filled with gift ideas perfect for any avid entertainer. From self-chilling wine glasses to sets of unique salts and pizza cutters in silly shapes, these unique items make great host or hostess gifts.

Mark & Graham
If you’re looking for a gift that’s a bit more personal, Mark & Graham offers many items that can be customized with the recipient’s initials. Add etched initials to the side of a set of goblets, a copper ice bucket, or even trendy Moscow mule mugs, or create your own complete set of stylish barware.

Terrain
For the host with more romantic tastes, Terrain’s selection of pressed flower sachets, bottleneck vases, and enamel candlesticks are truly a delight. You’ll also find decorative candies and bottled cordials that are a bit more affordable for those on a budget.

Shop Custom, Antique and Modern Baubles at Robichau’s Jewelry

Since 1986, Robichau’s Jewelry has been decorating bare necklines, wrists, earlobes, and fingers with one-of-a-kind jewelry found only in The Woodlands. What began as a collection of just 12 pieces of jewelry has evolved into a comprehensive inventory of engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and more. And because the shop also sells vintage and estate jewelry, you may find a truly unique piece for yourself or a loved one.

If you can’t find that unique piece you were hoping for, you can create your own jewelry with Robichau’s custom services. Use the 3D jewelry design system that allows you to see—and touch!—your custom design before it’s even cast. In fact, this family-owned jewelry shop is one of the only jewelers in the area to give its customers a same-day custom jewelry model!

Robichau’s Jewelry
Panther Creek Shopping Center
4775 W. Panther Creek Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 367-7807
www.robichausjewelry.com
www.yelp.com/biz/robichaus-jewelry-the-woodlands

Easy and Effective Ways to Combat Stress

Everyone gets stressed out from time to time, but if it starts to interfere with your day-to-day life, you could be dealing with something a bit more serious. The next time you start to feel those overwhelming feelings creeping on you, try these simple tips for combating stress naturally.

  • Don’t let it go too far. It’s much easier to manage stress when it first begins than when it starts to spiral out of control, so watch out for the warning signs early. If you can tell that it’s going to be a stressful week, prepare in advance so that you can manage your tasks without becoming overwhelmed.
  • Address the physical side effects. While stress itself is mental, its side effects are often physical. When you start to get jittery or your feel your heart racing, do some relaxing stretches, practice breathing exercises, or simply close your eyes and count to 10 to counteract those feelings.
  • Watch your diet. Before you start stress eating or grabbing unhealthy fast food while rushing to work, stop and plan your meals. What you eat can have a big impact on your mental state, so be sure to try to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to stay energized. Try to steer clear of caffeine!
  • Do something silly. Take a break from life (even if it’s just for five minutes) to laugh at a silly video or dance it out. Sometimes that’s all you need!

Top 10 Instant Stress Busters [Lifehacker]
7 Best Ways to Bust Stress [SheKnows]
15 Easy Ways to Bust Work Stress [Men’s Health]

Belly Up to the Reclaimed Wood Bar at Fielding’s Wood Grill

Try one of the hippest eateries in town for lunch or dinner when you visit Fielding’s Wood Grill. This casual eatery may have a rustic décor, but its ambiance is very modern, from the iPad bar to the expansive selection of craft beers and cocktails. The sleek leather booths make the perfect spots for a laid-back work meeting, and if you’re looking for place for a first date, you’ll love to pull up a bright red stool at the reclaimed wood bar.

Fielding’s Wood Grill offers an upscale menu of responsibly sourced American fare, including gourmet burgers made of 100 percent natural Black Angus beef and even homemade buns. Milkshakes are made from scratch using Milk King Dairy milk, while healthy eaters will love the restaurant’s green salads and items from the rotisserie and wood grill.

Fielding’s Wood Grill
1699 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(832) 616-3275
www.fieldingswoodgrill.com

Keep Up With Your Favorite Football Teams With These Websites

Football is one of the most popular sports in the country, and for many people it’s a Sunday afternoon staple. If you want maximum football coverage even when there’s not a game on, these entertaining websites are great resources.

NFL
It might seem obvious, but the NFL’s official website is home to some of the most detailed football coverage available online. You’ll find news headlines from both college football and around the NFL, plus transactions, playoff coverage, and injury reports to keep you more informed than all of your football fanatic friends. The NFL website also features crystal clear video footage, league schedules, stats, and scores for every team from the Broncos to the Bills.

ESPN
The reliable television sports network also offers its extensive football coverage online, with in-depth analyses and articles that you won’t find anywhere else. ESPN offers weekly projections, rankings, and scoring leaders from all of the most popular teams as well as fantasy football resources that will help to make you the top team in your league.

George Mitchell Nature Preserve: 1,700 Acres of Natural Beauty in The Woodlands

Even the most inexperienced hiker will enjoy spending the afternoon at the George Mitchell Nature Preserve, a scenic and fun-filled outdoor retreat in The Woodlands. This well-maintained park encompasses 1,700 acres of preserved natural areas managed by the Montgomery County Spring Creek Greenway, which connects more than 12,000 acres of forest in the area.

Inside the preserve, you’ll find a 2-mile-long hiking trail that offers a bit of a challenging hike through the lush, green forest, as well as an additional 3 miles of mountain biking trails for avid bikers. These safe and secure trails are covered in natural, sustainable tracks that offer proper support and footing without taking away from the beauty of nature. If you prefer to walk along the water, the Bedias Lake paths are also great options, offering a bit more leisurely stroll through this verdant park.

George Mitchell Nature Preserve
Spring Creek Greenway
The Woodlands, TX 77380
www.thewoodlandstx.com/parks/george-mitchell-nature-preserve.php

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