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6 Unique Ways to Display Family Photos in Your Home at BLVD l Loudoun Station

June 17, 2016 by

If you want to show off photos of your family in your home at BLVD l Loudoun Station, you may be looking for ways that are more unique than the traditional frames. Here are a few fun and creative ways to display family photos anywhere in the home.

  1. Create a Polaroid wall. Display everyone’s favorite retro photos with a wall of Polaroids. Simply line them up in a square, a circle or even a heart shape — no frame required.
  2. Hang them from wires. Attach thin wires to your wall using small hooks and hang your photos from matching binder clips.
  3. Use a pants hanger. If you have a few wooden, clamp-style pant hangers hanging in your closet, use them to display larger photos and prints.
  4. Turn them into coasters. If you’re completely out of wall (and shelf) space, turn your family photos into coasters. Many websites offer personalized coasters and other types of accessories at affordable prices.
  5. Use clipboards. Visit your local office supply store and purchase a few classic wooden clipboards. Simply clip your photos to the board, hang it from the wall, or prop it up on a shelf.
  6. Make a chalkboard gallery wall. If you have a large chalkboard in your home, turn it into a gallery wall by drawing your own frames in chalk around your favorite family photos.

27 Unique Photo Display Ideas That Will Bring Your Memories To Life [Buzzfeed]
20 Cleverly Creative Ways to Display Your Cherished Photos [DIY & Crafts]
A Plethora of Creative Ways to Display Your Favorite Photos [Apartment Therapy]

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Cool and Unexpected Uses for Coconut Oil

June 16, 2016 by

Coconut oil may be having a moment in the wellness world, but this do-it-all oil has actually been in many people’s rotations for years now. If you’re looking for ways to really get your money’s worth with that economy-sized jar of coconut oil, here are just a few unexpected ways to use it!

  1. As wood polish. Coffee table looking a bit worse for the wear? Give it a new lease on life by placing a small amount of coconut oil on a soft, clean rag and rubbing it on the surface in small circles.
  2. To season cast iron skillets. If you’re not sure how to properly care for your cast iron skillet, frequently rubbing it down with coconut oil is a good place to start.
  3. To soothe skin irritations. From diaper rash to eczema, coconut oil is a wonderful way to soothe all kinds of rashes and irritations. You can even rub it on minor cuts and burns to prevent scarring.
  4. In place of coffee. Take a small spoonful of coconut oil each morning when you wake up for a quick energy boost that’s just as good as coffee.
  5. As shaving cream. Rub coconut oil all over your legs, face and anywhere else you shave to act as an all-natural shaving cream. As a bonus, it even prevents red bumps and ingrown hairs.

21 Miraculous Uses for Coconut Oil [Wonder How To]
31 of My Favorite Uses for Coconut Oil [Thank Your Body]
Everything You Need to Know About Coconut Oil [Shape]
101 Uses for Coconut Oil [Wellness Mama]

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

June 10, 2016 by

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.

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

June 3, 2016 by

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]

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Job Hunting? These Tips Can Help You Nail That Interview

June 2, 2016 by

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]

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Interesting Facts About Chocolate You Might Not Already Know

May 27, 2016 by

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]

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Decorate Your Walls On the Cheap With These Affordable Art Websites

May 20, 2016 by

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.

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

May 19, 2016 by

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]

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

May 13, 2016 by

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.

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4 Home Coffeemakers So Beautiful, They Double as Decor

May 6, 2016 by

If you’re a coffee fan who takes the home brew very seriously, you’re likely always on the hunt for new kinds of coffeemakers. These four tried-and-true options are longtime favorites of coffee lovers around the world, and best of all, they’re just as beautiful as they are functional.

  1. The French Press. The class French press is a favorite for more than just the delicious coffee it produces. With its tall, cylindrical shape, elegant handle and its plunger at the top, this simple coffeemaker is also one of the most attractive. Modern versions come in stainless steel styles, geometric shapes and even eye-catching colors.
  2. The Pour-Over. Many high-class cafes are adding pour-over brews to their menus, and you can create the same strong cup of coffee at home with an affordable pour-over dripper. These feature a triangular shape that fits a special filter right inside, and they’re often made of natural ceramic.
  3. The Turkish Coffee Pot. Brass Turkish coffee pots look very elegant, and their long, angled handles are decorated with ornate designs that add an eclectic look to your stovetop.
  4. The Stovetop Espresso Maker. Even the cappuccino fan can get in on the decorative coffeemaker action. Stainless steel stovetop espresso makers are common throughout European households, and they look truly charming sitting on your stove.

The Best Coffeemakers [Real Simple]
10 Pretty Coffeemakers for the Perfect Cup [Refinery 29]
10 Museum-Worthy Coffee Designs for Your Kitchen [Thrillist]

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