Where to Buy Furniture and Home Decor That Won’t Bust Your Budget

Finding stylish home decor and furniture doesn't have to bust your budget. Visit the following stores to find unique and trendy home decor and furniture at prices that won’t break the bank!

  • Cost Plus World Market is an affordable retail store that sells unique home furniture, decor, rugs, curtains, gifts, coffee, wine, and so much more. They offer original, high quality items at a great value. World Market brings the beauty of global markets to you and their large selection of original items is constantly changing. They have stores all over the nation and you can also shop online.
  • Christmas Tree Shops offers a surprising variety of items that are always changing, at prices you won’t find anywhere else. The buyers at Christmas Tree Shops travel all over the world to find products that are distinctive and intriguing.
  • Pier 1 Imports is well known for their fun, inspiring, colorful, and unique furniture and decor. They use fashion-forward trends and even handcraft exclusive items with the customer in mind. The products at Pier 1 can really inspire and ignite your creativity.

Herndon’s Local Talent Takes the Stage at the NextStop Theatre Company

When was the last time you went to the theater? No, not the local cinema—a live theater with professional stage actors! If you're like most, it's probably been some time. If that's the case, you should book tickets for an upcoming production at NextStop Theatre Company.

NexStop is a professional black-box theater tucked away inside a renovated warehouse structure. Here, the NextStop Theatre company practices and performs a number of stage productions the whole year round. In addition to scheduled performance events, educational programs are available for all ages. NextStop Theatre Adventures, for example, is a week-long program for kids to get their feet wet in drama. Improv workshops, audition techniques, and stage acting classes are open to adults.

Make sure to visit NextStop's website frequently to see updated schedules. There's something magical about stage performance that just can't be captured on screen!

NextStop
269 Sunset Park Dr
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 481-5930
www.nextstoptheatre.org

Redecorating? Here’s How to Get Gutsy with Color and Design

Bold style and colors can transform your home to make it feel more fun and happy. If you’re looking to liven up your home and really make your space more exciting, follow these tips for some inspiration.

  • Use a large, oversized reflective object, such as a light fixture, to assert dominance on everything else in the room.
  • Experiment with design objects and put them out of their element. Something like placing a rug on the wall can really make a statement.
  • A patterned piece of furniture can be a great addition to your space. Something like a floral pattern on a sofa or polka dots on a chair can make an impact.
  • Turn one wall into a modern piece of art. Even using a simple splash of color on one of your walls can make a huge difference.
  • Use a patterned light switch plate instead of the plain old white ones for a fun little pop of color.
  • Instead of filling a vase with flowers, use a large leaf with a unique shape.

12 Bold Color Tricks to Try in Every Room [HGTV]
22 Ways to Be (a Little) More Daring With Your Decorating [HGTV]
Daring Decor Additions: Take Your Design Up A Notch With These 5 Striking Style Ideas [Apartment Therapy]

Job Hunting? These Tips Can Help You Nail That Interview

Going to a job interview can be stressful, but adequate preparation can help relieve some of your anxiety. The more you prepare, the more comfortable you will be during your interview. Here are some tips to help you nail your next interview.

  • Practice answering typical interview questions and take time to think of examples to use that will highlight your skills.
  • Lay out your interview attire the day before your interview. Make sure it is neat and clean and appropriate for the company you are applying for.
  • Bring a portfolio and several copies of your resume to hand out in case there is more than one person interviewing you.
  • Take some time beforehand to drive past your interview location so you know exactly how long it will take to get there and where you will park.
  • During the interview, remain calm and relaxed. Your body language says a lot about you and you want to appear confident.
  • Always follow up an interview with a thank-you that reiterates your interest in the position.

7 Interview Tips That Will Help You Get the Job [About]
12 Surprising Job Interview Tips [Forbes]
16 Job Interview Tips and Hacks That Are Genius! [The Interview Guys]

Interesting Facts About Chocolate You Might Not Already Know

You may consider yourself a bit of a chocoholic, but there’s a lot you might not know about rich, decadent chocolate. Before you grab that tasty square of dark chocolate or have a scoop of chocolate ice cream for dessert, read up on these interesting chocolate facts!

  • It takes many cocoa beans to make chocolate. Between 300 and 600 cocoa beans are needed to make just one kilogram of chocolate!
  • There are three different types of cocoa used in modern chocolate making. Forastero cocoa is harvested in the Amazon and used in 90% of the world’s chocolate; Criollo beans are grown in Central and South America and are the rarest types of beans; Trinitario beans are hybrids of the other two.
  • Cocoa beans must be roasted just like coffee beans to create chocolate.
  • Ever wondered what the percentage on a chocolate bar refers to? It describes how much of the bar’s weight comes from the cocoa bean, and it impacts the darkness of the bar.
  • Dark chocolate is good for you. It's packed with antioxidants and is believed to help reduce blood pressure and improve the cardiovascular system.
  • Eating dark chocolate every day can cut your risk of heart disease by one-third.
  • The ancient Aztecs and Mayans once used chocolate as currency. People used cocoa beans to buy food, tools and livestock.

11 Facts About Chocolate [Do Something]
10 Fascinating Facts About the World of Chocolate [Listverse]
Facts about Chocolate [Purdy’s]

The Ice House Cafe: Where Jazz Is the House Specialty

The Ice House Cafe in historic Herndon is a popular little dining nook with a wonderful atmosphere and inventive menu. Duck in and enjoy some tunes this weekend while you share a memorable meal with someone special. Jazz is the house specialty, with talented musicians rotating in and out frequently. You'll hear it all from smoky singers and the blues to contemporary classics and the exciting sounds of New Orleans.

The menu at The Ice House Cafe includes delicious dishes such as asparagus oscar with crabmeat and a Maltaise sauce. If shellfish is your thing, order the oyster Rockefeller, which comes with 12 fresh oysters baked with fresh spinach, applewood smoked bacon, mozzarella cheese, and Pernod. There are a number of steak, fish, and poultry cuts that will knock you off your feet as well. The ostrich steak is the most "out there" and popular item on the cafe's menu.

The Ice House Cafe
760 Elden St
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 437-4500
www.icehousecafe.com

Decorate Your Walls On the Cheap With These Affordable Art Websites

While you may not be able to afford a priceless work of art for your walls, that doesn't mean that you can't decorate your home with beautiful paintings and inspiring prints. From works by independent artists to reproductions of well-known pieces, there are a number of smart ways to turn your home into your own personal gallery. Here are just a few great websites that sell affordable artwork online.

Society6
With art for everyone from the minimalist to the bohemian, Society6 is one of the most modern and varied art websites. Not only can you purchase framed and unframed prints in all sizes, you can also buy the same designs in the form of smartphone cases, T-shirts, and even tapestries.

AllPosters.com
If you still love the look of hanging a poster of your favorite movie or band on your walls, try All Posters. This expansive online store offers high-resolution posters of almost any pop culture icon, as well as reproductions of classic works of art.

Etsy
Etsy is well-known for its handmade jewelry and quirky vintage apparel, but you'll also find handmade art from little-known artists. Browse abstract paintings, original photography and colorful prints for very affordable prices.

Host Your Own At-Home Wine Tasting With These Pro Tips

Having a wine tasting in the comfort of your home is an inexpensive and simple way to find new wines you might love. Invite a few friends over, gather a group of bottles, a cork screw, and maybe some food to pair with the wine, and you’ll be good to go. Follow these simple tips to help host your next get together!

  • Gather a white tablecloth, big wine glasses, spittoons, crackers, and some coffee grounds to use as an odor neutralizer between wines.
  • Prepare your wines to their ideal temperatures. Serve white wines at around 50 degrees and red wines at around 60 degrees. Open the bottles at least 30 minutes before you plan on serving.
  • If you’re planning on serving a variety of different wines, be sure to start with the least refined and work your way to the most refined. You should always start with the lightest wine first.
  • Pour the glasses an inch below the equator, or the widest part of the glass.
  • Don’t rinse the glasses between servings, as water can dilute the wine.
  • After tasting all of the wines, discuss with your guests the aromas and tasting notes of them all and your likes and dislikes.
  • After listening to everyone’s thoughts, re-taste the wines to see whether they have changed with aeration.

How To Have The Perfect Wine Tasting At Home [The Huffington Post]
How to Host a Wine Tasting Party [Real Simple]
How to Host a Wine Tasting [Food & Wine]

Turn Your Apartment Into a Happy Home With These 5 Mood-Boosting Design Tips

Your home should be a place for inspiration and relaxation, not just a place to store your belongings. Improve your rental's overall mood with these design tips that are sure to bring the "happy" back into your happy home.

  • Improve the lighting. It's no secret that natural sunlight improves your mood, so you want to maximize the amount of it that flows through your home. Switch out heavy draperies or blackout curtains with light, sheer curtains or bamboo blinds, and even replace fluorescent lightbulbs with modern bulbs that mimic the look of sunlight.
  • Create a place for everything. Target the areas in your home that collect clutter, such as the area around the front door or the always-overflowing recycling bin. Think of smart solutions for the storage in these areas to create a better flow throughout the home.
  • Add some plants and flowers. Studies show that adding some green to your home makes you happy, so fill small pots with leafy green plants, stylish succulents, or blooming flowers.
  • Redecorate in soft colors. If you're having trouble relaxing in your bedroom or feeling inspired in your home office, try switching up the color palette. Adding stark white bedding or soft colored throw pillows will create a calming effect in these frequently used areas.

The Sugarland Run Stream Valley Trail: A Quick Escape to the Great Outdoors

Take your morning or evening runs to the Sugarland Run Stream Valley Trail, a beautiful escape from stresses of everyday life.

The Sugarland Run Stream Valley Trail is a small part of a larger trail system throughout Fairfax County. This trail is approximately 3 miles long with roughly the same distance in auxiliary trails. While these paths are paved, too, what you're getting is a beautiful view of the local flora and fauna with some stream crossings, as well.

This trail is perfect for a nice stroll or jog. You could even bike or take your dog along for a peaceful walk. If you're environmentally conscious, consider bringing along a bag and some gloves to help keep the path clear of trash. Everyone should be able to enjoy this beautiful path that's so close to home.

Sugarland Run Stream Valley Trail
Town of Herndon Line
Herndon, VA 20170
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/trailmap-sugarlandrunsv.htm

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