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Where to Shop Holiday Hostess Gifts

December 17, 2015 by

So, you were invited to a holiday party, but now you’re unsure about what to purchase for the party’s hostess. Although you’re certainly not required to give a pricey present, it is polite to give a small token of your gratitude for the fun gathering. Here are a few great sites filled with gift ideas for the holiday hostess.

Mark and Graham
Mark and Graham’s hostess gift selection includes a number of seasonal goodies that can all be completely personalized. From leather-wrapped cocktail shakers to rustic coasters and linen dinner napkins, these monogrammed gifts will be a hit at any holiday party.

Jonathan Adler
The popular interior designer is beloved for his modern, stylish home décor collections, and his website includes a number of gift suggestions at any price range. Browse candles scented like your favorite cocktails, plush throw blankets and much more.

Terrain
If your hostess has more of a rustic, vintage-inspired style, Terrain is the perfect place to shop for a thoughtful thank-you gift. The site features trendy plants and topiaries to brighten up any home, as well as soaps, candles and cheese boards ideal for future get-togethers. Whether your budget is large or small, Topiary’s gifts also come at price ranges that just about anyone can afford.

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Easy Thanksgiving Decor Projects You Can Make Yourself

November 19, 2015 by

Making your own Thanksgiving decor is a great way to add personal touches to your family’s dinner and save a bit of money on pricey store-bought centerpieces. Here are three gorgeous ideas for Thanksgiving decor that even the least crafty host can make at home.

Grapevine Pumpkin [Bob Vila]
For only around $3, you can create a 3D pumpkin centerpiece made from simple grapevine. This craft store staple is stiff and easy to mold into any shape that you like, so all it takes is a bit of bending to create the plump pumpkin shape. Simply cut some shorter pieces to create the pumpkin’s stem and you have a unique, handmade centerpiece in just a few minutes.

Fall Monogram Wreath [Pinterest]
Greet your guests at the door with a beautiful wreath made from fallen leaves. Simply take an antique picture frame, arrange colorful leaves in the shape of your last initial inside and hang it on the door using decorative ribbon.

Pumpkin Planters for Succulents [Martha Stewart]
Succulents are a very popular design trend, so you might want to incorporate these adorable desert plants into your Thanksgiving decor. To make them a bit more autumnal, simply hollow out a miniature pumpkin or squash and plant the succulents inside.

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Beware of These Three Surprising Sources of High Fructose Corn Syrup

November 5, 2015 by

Avoiding high fructose corn syrup seems like it would be fairly easy if you read your labels and eat a plant-based diet. However, there are still ways in which this artificial sweetener can find its way into the food you eat. Here are three surprising sources of high fructose corn syrup that you might want to avoid:

  1. Salad dressing. Low-fat or not, many salad dressings contain high fructose corn syrup as a main ingredient. Make your own with oil and vinegar dressing or buy organic to avoid this.
  2. Honey-roasted peanuts. There are only seven ingredients in this sweet snack, and corn syrup is one of them. Choose raw or oven-roasted nuts instead.
  3. Ketchup. It might be no surprise that ketchup includes sugar, but some brands contain exceedingly high amounts. Look for all-natural brands or use ketchup sparingly.

Corn Syrup in Unexpected Foods [Huffington Post]
Surprising Products That Contain High Fructose Corn Syrup [Divine Caroline]
(Not So) Sweet: Surprising Foods Containing High Fructose Corn Syrup [Babble]
6 Popular Foods with High-Fructose Corn Syrup [FitDay]

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Want to Decorate Your Apartment Without Emptying Your Wallet? Here’s Where to Shop!

October 22, 2015 by

Want your apartment at Christina Mill to look like something out a home design blog? If know the right places to shop, you can transform your rental into the home of your dreams — without emptying your bank account! Here are three great stores where you can buy stylish home decorations for less.

Pier 1 Imports
Pier 1 Imports isn’t exactly a budget store, but with its frequent sales and affordable versions of designer pieces, it can save you a great deal anyway. Shop here if you’re looking for a gold metallic side table, plush faux fur pillows, or luxurious frames for dressing up your walls. Don't miss the clearance section for even deeper discounts!

H&M Home
That’s right: the trendy clothing store now offers an equally affordable selection of home decor items, and they’re just as stylish as you might expect. From bedding sets for less than $50 to funky shower curtains and even marble print kitchenware, this is the perfect place to find all of the hottest decorating trends.

Z Gallerie
If your style is a bit more luxe, you’ll love the upscale touches without the upscale price tags that Z Gallerie has to offer. This popular home goods store is well known for its ornate wall mirrors and elegant tableware, but you’ll even find sofas, sectionals, and other affordable furniture pieces.

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Handy Storage and Organization Tips for Renters

September 17, 2015 by

There are a number of smart and design-savvy ways to clear the clutter from your space and add storage, and it just takes a few clever tricks (and maybe a weekend) to get it together.

  1. Add under-bed storage. Whether you use store-bought shoe boxes or even wood palettes, adding storage underneath the bed is a great way to get shoes, clothes, and even books out of sight.
  2. Tackle the closet. Don't feel limited to the two or three clothing bars in your closet. Add your own temporary shelving, shoe racks, and other storage items from the local home goods store.
  3. Add additional bathroom storage. Create your own storage by hanging shelves or even investing in an affordable over-the-toilet storage system.
  4. Use double-duty living room furniture. Instead of letting clutter take over your living room, use furniture that doubles as storage. Try an antique chest as a coffee table or a sofa with hidden storage inside.
  5. Add a kitchen island. Adding a simple kitchen island is an affordable way to create more room for cooking.

7 Storage Ideas Worth Considering [PopSugar]
12 Big Ideas for Creating More Storage Space in Small Apartments [Rental Living]
8 Decorating Tips for Renters [Lowe’s]

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Sink a Fork Into These 4 Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

August 20, 2015 by

Even the pickiest eater in any family loves macaroni and cheese. Whether you make it with creamy goat cheese and flavorful spices or good old-fashioned cheddar and milk, mac and cheese is a fun dinner treat that unites the family around the table. These macaroni recipes offer a variety of different takes on the beloved pasta dish.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese [Food Network]
With a consistency that’s more like a casserole than a pasta, Alton Brown's awesome baked macaroni and cheese recipe is ideal as either a hearty dinner side or a decadent main course. Sharp cheddar gives it the cheesy flavor that you love, but bay leaf and paprika add a sophisticated bit of spice to take it to the next level.

Macaroni and Cheese [Pioneer Woman]
The Pioneer Woman’s traditional mac and cheese recipe uses the usual elbow macaroni noodles and cheddar cheese, as well as an egg for extra texture and ground mustard for a boost of tangy flavor.

Perfect Macaroni and Cheese [Martha Stewart]
Martha Stewart can do no wrong when it comes to adding a gourmet twist to family favorites, and her macaroni recipe does not disappoint. This recipe serves 12 people, so it's ideal for dinner parties.

The Best Macaroni and Cheese Ever [Kitchen Treaty]
This is a true cheese lover's mac and cheese recipe. It’s extra gooey, and it even recommends an optional bacon topping. Need we say more?

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Spruce Up Your Space With Finds From These Two Retailers

August 6, 2015 by

Did you know that there are many affordable stores that sell furniture and decorations made specifically for apartment dwellers? Here are two websites to shop for apartment-friendly decor items!

Ikea
Ikea is everyone’s favorite one-stop apartment shop, beloved for its hip, modern aesthetic and impressively low prices. Here you’ll find everything from the perfect trundle bed to an artistic temporary light fixture that won’t jeopardize your security deposit, as well as all of the rugs, photo frames, and plants in between. Ikea also carries a wide variety of space-saving solutions for small spaces, which will help you to organize your space and keep it free of clutter.

West Elm
If your budget is slightly higher, West Elm is an equally stylish website with a bit higher quality selection of apartment decor items. Midcentury modern-inspired sofas and end tables are comfortable and compact enough for an oddly shaped apartment living room, while the wide selection of elaborate bedding, curtains, and rugs add a splash of color and texture to a cookie cutter living space. West Elm also offers a wide assortment of kitchen wares that can maximize space any kitchen.

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5 Essential Tools Every Kitchen Should Have

July 23, 2015 by

Whether you’ve just moved into your first apartment, or you’re simply an inexperienced home chef, buying the proper tools for the kitchen may seem pretty overwhelming. Before you head out to the kitchen supply store, read up on this list of essential items that every kitchen should have — and avoid purchasing items that you’ll likely never use.

  1. A chef’s knife. While it’s okay to purchase inexpensive, mid-level knives for spreading and slicing soft foods, every kitchen should have at least one high-quality chef’s knife. Splurge on this multi-purpose knife to avoid a potential injury when cutting something tough, such as meat or crunchy vegetables.
  2. A cutting board. Instead of chopping veggies and herbs right on the kitchen counter, use a large wooden cutting board to make the job safer and more sanitary.
  3. Kitchen shears. Cut fat from meat, stems from herbs, and slits in bread dough with handy kitchen shears.
  4. A cast iron skillet. Because you can use it on the stovetop and in the oven, a cast iron skillet is versatile and useful.
  5. Measuring cups and spoons. Instead of eyeballing amounts of ingredients, get more out of your recipes by carefully measuring each item. Invest in high-quality cups and smaller spoons that encompass the most common measurements.

Essential Kitchen Tools [Cooking Light]
The Kitchn's Guide to Essential Prep Tools & Utensils [The Kitchn]
My Essential Kitchen Tools [Ruhlman]

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How to Create an Orderly (Yet Still Stylish!) Kitchen

June 18, 2015 by

Want your kitchen to look stylish — without giving up its functionality? It is possible to make your kitchen both chic and tidy, and these smart tips will help you to get started on your kitchen re-do.

  • Add open shelving. Take the doors off of your kitchen cabinets to store attractive plates and bowls in a way that doubles as a design feature. The more eclectic the better, so mix and match to your heart’s content.
  • Take advantage of countertops. Store the items that you use most in attractive jars along the countertops. Use mason jars or colorful containers to store utensils, coffee, and even dried pasta.
  • Add magnetic strips. Use magnetic strips to keep knives on display against the wall, or use them to organize metal spice containers.
  • Purchase hanging rods. Most home goods stores sell rods that come with numerous S-shaped hooks that you can use to hang things like can openers, measuring cups, and even coffee mugs.
  • Add artwork as a backsplash. Create your own unique backsplash by stacking vintage frames or colorful prints against the wall.
  • Use Lazy Susans. Lazy Susans are some of the most essential items for organizing a smaller kitchen. Use them for spice jars, baking supplies, smaller glassware, and anything else that you can’t easily reach.

How to Style Kitchen Countertops [The Everygirl]
How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets [Better Homes and Gardens]
Why Didn't We Think of That? 18 Genius Kitchen Organizing Tips from Our Readers [The Kitchn]

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Learn to Bake This Simple Black Forest Ice Cream Pie

May 21, 2015 by

When you think of the easiest baked goods to make at home, pies usually aren’t top on the list. After rolling the dough, making the filling, and adding all that elaborate crust decoration, making a pie seems downright difficult. This delicious Black Forest Ice Cream Pie recipe is so simple, it will put all of your pie-baking fears to rest.

Black Forest Ice Cream Pie

12 sugar ice cream cones, broken into pieces
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1 pint chocolate chip ice cream
1 pound fresh or thawed frozen cherries, pitted (about 3 cups)
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch

For detailed instructions on preparing this Black Forest Ice Cream Pie, visit Oprah.com.

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