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Easy DIY Home Decor Projects You Can Do in a Day

April 10, 2015 by

If you love to do DIY (do it yourself) projects around the home, but you just don’t have the time during the week, don't fret! Here are a few impactful DIY projects that you can complete in less than one weekend day.

Terrarium Gardens [sunset.com]
Give your home’s interior a designer-inspired look by creating a trendy terrarium for every room. All you need are a few glass vessels in your chosen sizes and shapes, some well-draining potting soil, and small rocks or sand for extra drainage. Arrange air plants, succulents, or ferns inside to make your own container gardens in just a few hours!

Glitter Pendant Shade [realsimple.com]
If you love the look of retro hanging pendant lamps, you can make yours even more fabulous by adding light-reflecting glitter inside. By simply brushing the interior with the adhesive Mod Podge and sprinkling on a heavy dusting of colorful glitter, your lampshade will become instantly glamorous and festive.

DIY Stenciled Bookcase [realsimple.com]
Breathe new life into an old bookcase by appying a stencil to the back of the bookcase. Go with a bright paint color and stencil to add a fun pop of color and pattern to your room. Achieve the same effect by wallpapering the bookcase.

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Learn How to Sew With These Fun and Easy Projects for Beginners

April 3, 2015 by

If you want to start learning how to sew, the best way to begin is by trying a few simple projects. Here are three great tutorials that will help you to learn the basics, all while creating cute and functional crafts that you can use afterward!

Brigitte Headscarf [Tilly and the Buttons]
This colorful project from sewing blog Tilly and the Buttons provides all of the instructions that you’ll need to create a wearable headscarf with retro ‘50s appeal. You choose the fabric in colors and patterns of your choice, then simply follow the step-by-step instructions to topstitch the scarf.

Makeup Pouch [Noodlehead]
If you’re looking for a sewing tutorial that’s slightly more complex, you’ll love this cute makeup pouch from the blog Noodlehead. You can use any type of scrap fabric that you have lying around, and in this tutorial, you’ll even learn how to sew on a zipper.

Valentine’s Day Ruffled Tea Towel [craftaholicsanonymous.net]
Not just for February 14, this adorable tea towel makes the perfect gift for a loved one or decoration for your own home. It features multiple layers of fabric that you’ll attach using a tool called a ruffler foot, as well as a towel leash to keep it securely in place.

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How to Style a Bed Just Like in the Catalogs

March 27, 2015 by

Many people dream of diving into the cushions and blankets of beds photographed in interior design magazines and catalogs, but you may not realize how simple it is to make that type of perfectly styled bed a reality. Use these smart tips to improve your bed — and likely improve your night’s sleep as well.

  1. Make a tier of pillows. Whether you have a headboard or not, creating a tier of pillows always looks aesthetically pleasing. Start with two extra-large pillows in the back, then add one shorter set of standard queen sized pillows in the center. Finish with one or two throw pillows in the front to make a statement.
  2. Use a minimal color scheme. If you don’t feel confident enough to mix and match colors and patterns, simply use a minimal color scheme with one bright, bold pop of color. Use white, grey, or simple pinstripes for your duvet and pillows, then add a fun throw or small pillow in an accent hue.
  3. Add texture. If your bed looks a bit flat, add bit of texture by incorporating one faux fur, velvet, or chunky knitted item.
  4. Use an alternative headboard. If you don’t have a headboard, don’t fret. Use an antique door, large tapestry, or DIY wood palette headboard to add eclectic style to your room. Or for a more traditional look, a tufted or wooden headboard can be used as the bed’s focal point.

How To: Style a Bed 3 Ways [Style Me Pretty: Living]
How to Style a Bed [The Everygirl]
How to Make the Perfect Bed [Pottery Barn]

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Test Your Knowledge About the Moon With These Fun Facts

March 20, 2015 by

You see the moon on a daily basis, but how knowledgeable are you about Earth's only natural satellite? NASA's Common Moon Misconceptions page is setting the record straight about the moon. Here are a few common moon misconceptions:

False: The moon makes its own light.
True: The moon simply reflects light from the sun.

False: The moon travels around Earth every 24 hours.
True: It takes the moon 27.3 days to complete a revolution around our planet. It completes a full rotation on its axis in the same amount of time.

False: One side of the moon never sees light.
True: Because the moon constantly rotates, there is no "dark side" of the moon; there is simply a side we cannot see. It's more accurately referred to as the moon's "far side."

False: There's no gravity on the moon.
True: The moon does have gravity, but it's less than we're used to on Earth: about 1/6 of Earth's gravity!

Learn more about the moon on NASA's website.

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Party Safe: Tips for Serving a Safe Food Buffet

March 19, 2015 by

When you have a large group of people over for dinner, serving food buffet-style ensures that everyone gets exactly what they want. But how can you be sure that everything stays fresh, from appetizers to dessert? Here are a few tips for serving a safe food buffet.

  1. Buy foods at the proper temperature. Things like fried chicken, casseroles, and ice cream should be kept at the same temperature from the store to the buffet table, as changing their temperatures too much can cause food to spoil.
  2. Know the proper temperatures. Hot food should be kept between 140° and 165° Fahrenheit, while cold food should be kept at 40° Fahrenheit and lower.
  3. Don’t leave food out for longer than two hours. Be sure to include preparation and serving in your count.
  4. Use the proper tools. To ensure that food is kept at the proper temperature, use things like slow cookers, warming trays, and nesting dishes in bowls of ice. To prevent guests from mixing foods, make sure that you provide a separate spoon, spatula, or tongs in each dish. Also provide individual bowls for dips to discourage guests from double-dipping.

Serving Up Safe Buffets [FDA]
Serving Prepared Foods Safely [Whole Foods]
Holiday or Party Buffets [USDA]

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5 Interesting Facts About Artist Edgar Degas

March 13, 2015 by

The stunning paintings of young dancers and women by Edgar Degas are well loved by many arts patrons. Degas used his classical techniques and merged it with his avant-garde, impressionistic tendencies to create singular portraits of modern life in Paris during the late 1800s. There are a few things you might not know about this important artist, like these five facts:

Degas initially studied law.
At the request of his father, Degas enrolled into the Faculty of Law of the University of Paris. It didn’t suit him well, and Degas left the school two years later to study his true passion—art—at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts.

Degas never married.
For all of the time he spent with women, drawing, painting, and obsessing over them, Degas never took a wife. He had intimate relationships throughout his life, occasionally with famous artistic women like Mary Cassatt, but the painter remained a bachelor until his death.

New Orleans was his second home.
Degas was born in Paris to a French father and American mother, who was from New Orleans, Louisiana. As an adult, Degas spent much of his time between the two cities, often staying for long periods in New Orleans during the French-Prussia War. His painting "The Cotton Exchange at New Orleans" was inspired by the city and was the only work purchased by a museum during his lifetime.

He collected art.
Degas was a rare type of artist who enjoyed financial success, unlike many of his contemporaries. This allowed him the ability to purchase artwork to create a collection that included work from Cézanne, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.

He stopped painting.
Toward the end of his life, Degas suffered from terrible sight problems. Embittered by this problem, Degas stopped painting altogether. He focused on sculpture, experimented with photography, and promoted his own work. By the time he died in 1917, he had stopped his artistic endeavors altogether.

Edgar Degas [Biography]
Edgar Degas Biography [Edgar Degas]
Edgar Degas Biography [Modern Art Muse]

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How to Make Your Own Spring Floral Arrangement

March 6, 2015 by

These fast and easy tips will help you to create a florist-quality spring floral arrangement that you’ll be really proud to display in your home.

  1. Begin with the color palette. If you want to mix and match flowers to create your own bouquet, it’s best to have a color palette in mind. Stick with muted tones, a blend of bold primary hues, or variations of one color to create a cohesive look.
  2. Create a space for each flower. Cheat by creating a sort of grid guideline inside of the vase. Place a piece of chicken wire flat inside of the opening, or even create a crosshatch of durable florist tape across the surface of the vase. The goal is to have a series of 1-inch squares where you can place each type of flower.
  3. Start with the largest flower. Create a base by adding the largest flower (or branch or fern) in the center.
  4. Add the thickest flowers. Arrange thick, heavy flowers around the tallest one in the middle.
  5. Finally, add accent flowers. Add tulips, daffodils, roses or other eye-catching accents last.

DIY Spring Flower Arrangement by Ashley Woodson Bailey [Design Sponge]
How to Make a Cool Flower Arrangement: 8 DIY Ideas for Spring [Stylecaster]
Simple Spring Centerpieces [Better Homes and Gardens]

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What’s In Season? Your Guide to Spring Produce

February 27, 2015 by

Spring is a bountiful time of the year when it comes to fresh produce, but it always helps to know exactly what’s in season. If you want to purchase only the freshest, most flavorful fruits and veggies and ensure that they last as long as possible in your fridge, use these helpful tips for understanding spring produce.

  1. Artichokes. Whether you use them on pizzas or add them to your salads, artichokes are a great way to add flavor and nutrients to your meals. Their main harvest takes place during the springtime, so look for the ones with close, compact leaves and clean-cut stems.
  2. Asparagus. This popular veggie is found in a number of high-end restaurants, but you can easily prepare it at home if you purchase it fresh in the springtime. The thickness doesn’t necessarily indicate tenderness, so don’t overlook thinner or thicker spears at your grocery store.
  3. Carrots. While carrots are commonly found in grocery stores year-round, they taste best during the spring season. Only purchase bundles that are firm to the touch for maximum freshness.
  4. Leafy greens. Nutrient-rich veggies like chard, kale, and other cooking greens tend to turn bitter during hot summer months, so purchase them in the spring for the best taste.
  5. Fennel. If you’ve never cooked with fennel, experiment with this green (a relative of celery) when it comes into season during the warmer springtime.
  6. Grapefruit. Create a nutritious breakfast by adding grapefruit, which starts to become plump and juicy in January.

Spring Produce: Your Guide to Picking the Best [Greatist]
What’s in Season? Spring [Fruits and Veggies More Matters]
Fresh Spring Fruits and Vegetables [About Food]

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Are You Washing Your Hands Correctly? Find Out Here!

February 20, 2015 by

Washing your hands thoroughly can help to prevent you from contacting diseases, reduce the risk of food borne illness, and can even stop you from spreading germs if you’re already sick. Here are a few tips that will show you the correct way to wash your hands.

  1. Apply soap and water. First, completely soak your hands with warm water. Apply as much soap as you need in order to cover both hands—remember, the more the better.
  2. Rub palms together. Vigorously rub your palms together in a circular motion to clean germs from the center of your hands.
  3. Clean between fingers. Clean the hard-to-reach places between your fingers by placing one hand on top of the other as if you were holding hands with another person. Rub the fingertips from one hand between the fingers of the other hand, and then switch.
  4. Clean fingernails. Rub the fingernails of one hand across the palm of the other hand to remove dirt and germs. Clasp the hands together with the backs of your fingers to the opposite palm, and then rub the hands back and forth.
  5. Rinse and dry. Rinse hands completely with water, and then dry them with a single-use paper towel. Don’t forget to use the towel to turn off the faucet in order to prevent contacting more germs, and then toss it away.

When & How to Wash Your Hands [CDC]
How to Wash Your Hands Properly by Mary Calvagna, MS [BIDMC]
Clean hands protect against infection [World Health Organization]

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Six Fascinating Facts About the Solar System

February 19, 2015 by

Dark, mysterious, and rarely traveled, outer space piques the curiosity of people young and old. If your daydreams take you on intergalactic adventures, check out NASA's facts about the planets:

1) The average temperature on Venus is about 900 degrees Fahrenheit. Some areas on this planet are hot enough to melt lead. Likely due to Venus's extreme temperatures, no evidence of life has ever been found on the planet.

2) Mercury is the fastest planet in the solar system: A year on Mercury is equal to 88 days on Earth! Mercury is also the smallest planet in our solar system; it's a little smaller than Earth's moon.

3) Mars is cold and desert-like. It has seasons; however, the conditions of its atmosphere does not allow its surface to retain liquid water for long.

4) Enveloped by rings of ice and rock, Saturn is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. The planet has three orbiting moons.

5) The winds on Neptune can reach up to 1,600 miles per hour, making Neptune the windiest planet in the solar system.

6) Jupiter has plenty of moons with different climates. One of the four largest moons is covered in ice, while another one of Jupiter's moons is the most volcanically active in the solar system.

Learn more about our solar system by visiting the Solar System 101 page on NASA's website.

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