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Today’s Imponderable: Do Penguins Ever Get Cold?

April 1, 2016 by

Penguins sure are adorable with their silly waddle and their tuxedo-inspired coloring, but they’re actually much tougher than they seem. These cold-climate birds live in the snow and ice, and they make it seem pretty effortless. Don’t penguins ever get cold?

First of all, penguins are quite hefty for their size. Emperor penguins weigh around 66 pounds, much of which is a thick layer of fat underneath the skin, which means that it takes them quite a bit longer to cool off than it would smaller birds. Penguins’ feathers also help to shield them from the Arctic climate. Unlike most birds’ feathers, the feathers on a penguin are very short and have an under-layer of wool-like down, which keeps them warm and dry. As for their feet, penguins have a much more developed circulatory system that enables them to adjust blood flow to the feet depending on the temperature. And, if you’ve ever watched penguins in a zoo or on television, you know that they have the impressive tendency to huddle together in a group to keep one another warm!

Penguins don't freeze, but they do get very, very cold [New Scientist]
Do Penguins Get Cold? [Super Science]
How Penguins Survive Cold Conditions [Cool Antarctica]
Why Penguins’ Feet Don’t Freeze [Today I Found Out]

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Expert Tips for Creating an Eye-Catching Vignette

March 25, 2016 by

If you have a hallway table or bedroom dresser that could use some sprucing up, the table vignette may be the way to go. A vignette is simply an embellishment that consists of different elements arranged harmoniously, from blooming flowers to vintage picture frames. The exact contents of the vignette are up to you (consider shopping around at thrift stores), but there are a few rules you should follow when you actually go to create the vignette. Here are four of the top suggestions, gleaned from the internet's interior design experts.

  1. Pick a focal point. Before you randomly start arranging knick-knacks on a coffee table, pick an element that will anchor your vignette. For example, it might be a vintage vase filled with flowers or artsy twigs. It could be a pretty picture frame with a personal photo or postcard. Regardless of what it is, make sure the focal point meshes with the colors and style of the rest of your home.
  2. Let light win over dark. If you don't already have a focal point in mind, consider using a cool lamp. When creating a vignette, it's imperative that you put it somewhere where the light can accentuate it—and what better way to do that than to make the light a part of it?
  3. Use the rule of threes. Interior design experts often adhere to the rule of threes, which essentially states that when grouping design elements, you should opt for odd numbers over even numbers. It creates a focal point that naturally draws the eye.
  4. Create depth and texture. You should also vary the arrangement of your vignette elements in order to intrigue onlookers. Instead of placing each piece in a straight line, pull some forward and push others back. Pick candlesticks or books of varying heights. Choose different textures. This will keep your vignette interesting and eye-catching.

Creating a Well-Styled Table Vignette [Jenna Burger]
8 Tips for Making Beautiful Vignettes [HGTV]
Rule of Three and Odd Numbers [Cecilia Walker Design]

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Fresh Salsa Kicks Off Every Tex-Mex Feast at Dos Tequilas Grill

March 24, 2016 by

Crispy tortilla chips, freshly blended salsa, and an icy margarita kick off most meals at Dos Tequilas Grill. The chips and salsa arrive at each table free of charge, and the signature margaritas are worth a few of your hard-earned dollars. Pick from the Gold margarita, El Patron, or a frozen marg, and peruse the menu of Tex-Mex fare while a bartender whips it up for you.

If the chips and salsa aren't filling enough to offset your appetite, order a starter such as the crab quesadillas, the chicken nachos, or the fresh guacamole. Just make sure that you save enough room for Tex-Mex "specialites" like the seafood enchiladas, which feature crab meat, shrimp, and scallops, or the chimichangas filled with beef, chicken, seafood, veggies, or beans. Burritos, salads, and soups round out the menu at Dos Tequilas Grill in Leesburg.

Dos Tequilas Grill
525 E. Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 443-0262
www.dostequilasgrill.amawebs.com
www.yelp.com/biz/dos-tequilas-grill-leesburg

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Follow These Tutorials to a Cool and Kitschy Macrame Plant Hanger

March 18, 2016 by

Macramé may have originally gained popularity back in the 1970s, but the kitschy weaving craft is coming back in a big way. If you love plants and you’re always looking for fun new ways to display them, you may even want to try making a macramé plant hanger of your own. Here are a few tutorials to help you get started!

Colorful Polyester Rope Hanger [hgtv.com]
With this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a macramé hanger using only a few colors of polyester rope, a carabiner, and a screw hook. The actual plant hanger itself is fairly simple, but wrapping the multicolored string around the top adds a fun pop of color.

Sturdy Macramé Plant Hanger [lowes.com]
If you’re looking for something that’s a bit sturdier to hang a particularly heavy plant, this is a great tutorial. It uses clothesline instead of the usual yarn or polyester rope, as well as 18-gauge steel wire and a chain ring for added reinforcement.

Mini String Planters [blog.freepeople.com]
For something quicker and easier, this cute tutorial from the Free People blog uses standard yarn that you might already have stashed away at home. This is a fun tutorial to do while you relax in front of the TV, and the finished product is a great way to hang small air plants or succulents in miniature pots.

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Spring Into Shape With These Outdoor Exercise Tips

March 17, 2016 by

The dreary winter cold can leave you in a bit of an exercise rut, but the springtime sun makes everyone more motivated to get outdoors and get in shape. These exercise tips will help you get in your best shape ever—all while experiencing the great outdoors.

Buddy up.
There are a number of different reasons why working out with another person is helpful, but the number one reason is because it’s more fun! You’ll look forward to working out much more if you have a friend by your side, and being outdoors will be that much more motivation.

Improve your gear.
It’s beneficial to have the proper shoes and workout attire, especially when you’re exercising outdoors. Warm thermal shirts are important for the days when it’s not quite springtime weather, and breezy, breathable fabrics help once the temperature reaches its full potential. Having the proper outdoor running shoes can also prevent injuries and make you feel more comfortable on the pavement.

Experiment with exercises you haven’t tried before.
You probably haven’t jumped rope since gym class, but this fun and simple outdoor activity burns up to 208 calories in just 20 minutes. Swimming is another fun outdoor activity, and starting slow with a few leisurely laps makes it much less intimidating.

Spring Training Fitness Tips [Shape]
Great Spring Exercise Ideas [Fitness.com]

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Large Houseplants That Make a Major Statement in Your Home at BLVD l Loudoun Station

March 11, 2016 by

Adding houseplants to your home adds a pop of green color and a feeling of freshness, but they can also make a decorative statement. Instead of the usual small ferns and succulents, try adding these large-scale houseplants to a bare room in your home at BLVD l Loudoun Station.

  1. Dracaenas. This inexpensive plant comes in many sizes, but its cane form is the largest and most impactful. It features long, curved leaves that extend all the way up the length of the cane, creating a lush look that’s perfect for bare corners of a room.
  2. Palms. If you prefer a tropical look, palm plants are a great choice. These come in a variety of styles, though if you’re worried about how it will hold up, purchasing a higher quality palm is recommended.
  3. Fiddle Leaf Fig. For renters with lots of sunlight, the fiddle leaf fig tree works well in many spaces. This type of tree contains large, green leaves that grow tall and wide to fill those empty spaces.
  4. Norfolk Pine. If you love the smell of pine trees during the holiday season, you can have that in your home all year round with a Norfolk pine. This needle-covered tree grows well in bright or indirect sunlight, and it can even grow to be up to 20 feet tall!

The 15 easiest indoor house plants that won't die on you [Today]
5 Tall Indoor Plants [Ambius]
Large House Plants [Guide to Houseplants]

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Pick Your Own Blueberries at Eagletree Farm

March 10, 2016 by

Eagletree Farm may be best known as the place to pick strawberries in June, but it also churns out barrels of sweet, fruity wines. You can come to the farm to buy a bottle, or check them out at McKeever's Pub in McLean. The nearby restaurant offers up glasses of the Tannat, which comes in a dark rouge hue and tastes of black cherry. whereas the white Viognier trends more toward cool and crisp, slightly acidic and full of sweet, fruity undertones.

If you're just in it for the blueberry picking, though, head to Eagletree Farm in June or July (when blueberries are perfectly purple and plump). You won't be slowed down by or overcharged for any gimmicks or extras here. It's solely a blueberry patch where you and your friends or family can run around, plucking fresh blueberries right from their stems. By the time you leave, you'll probably have enough fruit to make a few batches of blueberry pancakes or a blueberry-flecked coffee cake.

Eagletree Farm
15126 Harrison Hill Lane
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 777-5954
www.facebook.com/EagletreeFarm
www.yelp.com/biz/eagletree-farm-and-vineyard-leesburg

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Reduce Neck Cramps and Other Workday Ailments With These Ergonomic Furniture Ideas for Your Home Office

March 4, 2016 by

Do you feel stiff and sore after a long day spent in front of the computer? Even telecommuters struggle with an achy neck and shoulders, but luckily, working from home makes it so that you can set up your workspace in a way that feels comfortable. Here are desk and chair ideas to make your home office more ergonomic.

  • The standing desk. If you start to feel stiff and cramped after 8 hours sitting at your desk, eliminate the sitting entirely with a modern standing desk. These high desks are proven to reduce the user’s risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease, and they also keep you feeling alert and focused.
  • The saddle stool. Instead of slumping forward in your traditional desk chair all day, try switching it up with a saddle-style stool with casters on the bottom. This type of “active seating” encourages the user to sit up straight, improving your posture and allowing for easy movement around the room.
  • The ball chair. You may look a little silly sitting on one of these ball-shaped chairs, but they’ll sure make the workday more fun. Perch on top of the ball and you’ll engage your core while you work.
  • The laptop riser. If you can’t afford to invest in a whole new desk, try adding a simple laptop stand. This raises your laptop up to eye level, eliminating that arch in your neck that leads to cramping and stiffness.

These Active Desk Chairs Want To Transform The Way You Sit [Huffington Post]
Five Health Benefits of Standing Desks [Smithsonian.com]
Ditch Your Office Chair for a New 'Standing Desk' [Wired]

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How to Add a Pop of Color to Your Existing Decor

March 3, 2016 by

While a nice, neutral color palette is a great way to make your home feel chic and polished, things can also feel a bit drab without any color. If you’re looking for a way to add a pop of color to your home at BLVD l Loudoun Station without going overboard, these tips will help.

  1. Add a throw pillow. Even if you already have throw pillows on your furniture, adding just one more in a bright, complementary color may be all that you need. Try one bold shade and keep the others simple by using textures or patterns in neutral hues.
  2. Freshen up your window treatments. Replace your blinds or shades with sheer curtains in a fresh color. If you don’t want to commit to one color, try curtains in a repetitive pattern with an accent color throughout.
  3. Add some bright artwork. If your walls are looking a bit bare, try framing some colorful prints that are much brighter than the rest of your decor. This is a great way to maintain your existing style while still brightening things up a bit.
  4. Add colorful chairs. Update a home office or your kitchen table by swapping out the matching chairs with something in a contrasting shade. You may even want to paint your current chair in a bold turquoise or rich red!

Top 10 Tips for Adding Color to Your Space [HGTV]
10 Surprising Ways to Add Color to Your Home [House Beautiful]
Five Ways To Add Color to Your Home This Week [Apartment Therapy]

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Turn Your Home at BLVD l Loudoun Station Into a Workout Studio With These Simple Tips

February 26, 2016 by

Want to break a sweat without hitting up the gym? These simple workout ideas will show you how to create a space for exercise in your own apartment at BLVD l Loudoun Station.

  1. Do yoga. With so many online yoga classes and free tutorials, you can get in a complete yoga class right at home. Clear away clutter and extra furniture, dim the lights, and even light a few candles to create that yoga studio atmosphere (even if you’re just in your living room).
  2. Sweat it out with cardio. Start by clearing the furniture out from the center of your living space, and then pop in an instructional workout DVD. If you’re worried about the sound disturbing your neighbors downstairs, do your workout on a thick area rug or a non-slip exercise mat.
  3. Do some strength training. Invest in small-scale strength training equipment to build muscle even without pumping iron. Things like exercise bands, hand weights, and kettlebells are perfect for toning your biceps even in your apartment.
  4. Create a circuit. Many trainers agree that circuit training is one of the most effective types of exercise. Create your own at-home circuit by working with your apartment’s furniture, including step-ups onto a chair, crunches with your feet under the sofa, and sprints up and down stairs.

How to Build a Home Gym Anywhere [Men's Fitness]
Fitness Pros Weigh In: Essentials of a "No Frills" Home Gym [Apartment Therapy]
10 Small-Space Home Gym Hacks for Your Tiny Apartment [Brit + Co]

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