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Low-Cost Ways to Transform Your Living Space

April 16, 2015 by

Redecorating projects are fun in theory, but the actual process can be stressful and time-consuming. Here are a few affordable ways to transform your living space without much effort at all.

  1. Hang an eclectic collection on the walls. While the gallery wall is a tried-and-true favorite, you can create some visual interest in your space by hanging a collection of just about anything on the walls. Try a few vintage silver serving trays from the local thrift store, or use old postcards from places where you’ve traveled.
  2. Change the color scheme. Rely on textiles to give your space an instant makeover. Changing the color scheme of the pillows on your bed or the textiles in your bathroom can have a major impact on the feel of the room.
  3. Add plants. Not only do plants freshen the air in your home, they also add a pop of color and visual interest that can’t be replicated outside of nature. Choose low-light plants meant for indoor spaces.
  4. Invest in a large rug. Choose a large, colorful rug that draws your eye to the center of the room.

40 Living Room Decorating Ideas [Real Simple]
6 Clever Ways to Transform Your Living Room [House Beautiful]
Designer Secrets: Transform Your Space with Texture [Apartment Therapy]

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Check Out These Creative Uses for Wallpaper

March 19, 2015 by

If the thought of adding wallpaper to your home makes you cringe, you may want to rethink your opinions on this seemingly outdated wall covering. There are a number of creative uses for wallpaper that have nothing to do with your walls, and don’t worry: there’s no outdated paisley print here.

  1. Line a bookcase. If you have a hand-me-down bookcase that’s a bit of an eyesore, dress it up with a fun, colorful wallpaper backdrop. Simply remove the shelves and stick on a solid or printed wallpaper that goes with the rest of the room’s decor.
  2. Line drawers. Instead of lining your drawers with plain old drawer liners, get a bit more creative by lining them with leftover wallpaper.
  3. Dress up a dresser. Cover an entire dresser, the sides, or just the drawer fronts to bring a bit of color and a pop of pattern to your bedroom.
  4. Transform tray tables. If you want to add chic side tables to your living room but you’re on a bit of a budget, make over affordable tray tables using wallpaper. Simply stick the wallpaper to the tops of the tables, then create an attractive vignette using books, a lamp, or a few romantic candles.
  5. Frame it. If you have a very small amount of wallpaper that you love, turn it into a piece of DIY art using a simple, store-bought frame.

12 "Off the Wall" Places to Put Wallpaper [Bob Vila]
Unexpected Uses for Leftover Wallpaper [Real Simple]
9 Unexpected Ways to Decorate With Wallpaper [Good Housekeeping]

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How to Reduce Your Daily Caffeine Intake

February 19, 2015 by

You might feel like you simply can’t function without your morning coffee, but that boost of caffeine may be doing you more harm than good. Caffeine addiction causes you to rely on drinking coffee, soda, and energy drinks throughout the day, and it is also proven to contribute to stress and anxiety. If you want to cut back on the amount of caffeine you consume per day, these simple tips will make it easier.

  1. Examine your intake. Studies show that 200 milligrams of caffeine or less is a healthy amount for the average adult to consume per day. This translates to about two strong cups of coffee, so this is an easy way to decipher how much you need to limit yourself. If you can’t make it through the workday without that third cup in the afternoon, that’s a good place to start.
  2. Gradually cut back. Quitting caffeine cold turkey is just as painful as quitting any other bad habit. To prevent headaches, grogginess, and other signs of caffeine withdrawal, mix your usual coffee with a bit more decaf every day, or work your way down to just two cups of coffee instead of your usual amount.
  3. Be smart about caffeine. Once you know that you can only have two cups per day, you should choose when to drink them wisely. If you feel most tired early in the morning and around 2 p.m., plan on drinking your cup of joe about an hour before those times.

Easy Ways to Reduce Caffeine Intake [U.S. News]
How to Lower Your Caffeine Intake Without Headaches [Fitday]
10 Ways to Start Your Day Without Caffeine [Everyday Health]
Caffeine [McKinley Health Center]

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How to Choose the Right Houseplant for Your Home or Office

January 22, 2015 by

Whether you have a green thumb or you just can’t seem to keep a plant alive, there is truly an indoor houseplant for just about everyone. Here is a list of the best houseplants for the home or office, and some of them require almost no care at all.

  1. Geranium. This green flowering plant features long stems with lush leaves at the end, and it will thrive all year round if placed near a sunny window. Best of all, the sturdy geranium won’t suffer much if you miss a watering, so it’s a good fit for forgetful plant owners.
  2. Golden barrel cactus. Cacti are especially great plants for those who don’t want to water their plants daily, as they only need watered about once per month. This particular type of cactus is especially large and unique looking, though it only grows to about 1 foot tall.
  3. Jade plant. Jade plants are some of the most popular houseplants because they grow to be quite tall and impressive-looking when placed in bright sunlight. Because they are succulents, they also store a great deal of water in their leaves and require watering very infrequently.
  4. Aloe. With its numerous healing properties and its long, spiky appearance, it’s easy to see why people love aloe plants. With bright light, an aloe plant can grow to 3 feet tall.

Houseplants for the Forgetful Gardener [Better Homes and Gardens]
How To Choose the Right Houseplant [Bayer Advanced]
Houseplants for People Who Can't Grow Houseplants [This Old House]

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Popular Shopping Sites for Stylish Apartment Decor

December 18, 2014 by

There’s no denying that modern furniture is having a major comeback, but the expensive price tags that often accompany those shell chairs or teak credenzas are often too much for the average shopper. If you want to furnish your home with mid-century modern-inspired furniture for an affordable cost, these three websites can help.

CB2
CB2, a smaller division of the pricey furniture store Crate & Barrel, carries equally high quality furniture and decor pieces with more modern styles and lower price points. Here you’ll find the low, rectangular sofas that modern furniture enthusiasts love, as well as other sleek furniture pieces, industrial-style lamps, and rugs, bedding, and textiles with geometric prints and patterns.

Design Within Reach
Design Within Reach carries all of the beloved modern furniture classics that you can’t find anywhere else, without the exclusivity of many private sellers. From Eames chairs to Herman Miller sofas, these are pieces that normally require extensive waitlists or knowing someone “in the business” in order to acquire them. This furniture selection is the real deal.

BluDot
If you prefer a minimalistic style with modern flair, BluDot is the place to shop online. These sofas, accent chairs, beds, and dining sets are all inspired by mid-century classics, but they’re readily available and much more affordable, even to budget shoppers.

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Have an Interest in Home Renovation? These HGTV Shows Are for You!

December 4, 2014 by

If you have an interest in home restoration—while watching other people do all the work!—you’ll love HGTV’s hours of programming dedicated to home renovations. Here are two of the network’s most popular home makeover shows.

Beachfront Bargain Hunt
While beachfront properties can be very expensive, the budget-savvy homebuyers on Beachfront Bargain Hunt get the most bang for their buck by purchasing fixer-uppers and, well, fixing them up. Watch as dingy old beach huts are transformed into glamorous getaways right along the shore, and you’ll find yourself dreaming of the ocean yourself.

House Hunters
To someone who loves home design, there are few things more fascinating than getting a sneak peak at someone during their home buying process. HGTV’s House Hunters is the network’s cornerstone program—and for good reason. The show follows a very vast variety of different types of people as they search for condos, single-family homes, apartments, and even old firehouses turned into industrial city lofts in just about every city across the country.

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These Hiking Apps Can Help You Explore the Great Outdoors

November 20, 2014 by

Many people love hiking because it offers an opportunity to get outdoors and leave technology behind, but a number of new smartphone apps aim to make your hiking experience even better. Lace up your boots, grab a canteen, and set out into the wilderness with these great hiking apps.

AllTrails
Discover all of the hiking and biking trails in any given area with the AllTrails app. This app features detailed maps of your area with the national parks and hiking trails marked with pinpoints, and it even provides lists of information about each place. Reviews written by fellow hikers make it even easier to choose the perfect trail for your activity.

Map My Hike
If you’re an avid hiker, keep tracks of each hike you take with the Map My Hike app. Log details like pace, route, distance, and elevation in the convenient log book, and even keep track of the calories you burned if you hike to lose weight.

Walkmeter GPS Pedometer
This app operates just like a pedometer for your smartphone, but it also offers a number of other information as well. Start the GPS when you begin your hike, and the app will provide graphs and charts of your calories, pace, and distance at the end of the trail.

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4 Brunch Casseroles for Everyone’s Favorite Weekend Meal

October 16, 2014 by

Is there any meal better than brunch? It marks the end of a long work week, and it allows you to sleep in and still enjoy your favorite breakfast foods. If you prefer to host a brunch at home rather than battle the crowds at trendy eateries, these simple and elegant casseroles make truly scrumptious main courses that your guests will love.

Sausage Brunch Casserole [AllRecipes]
This traditional casserole incorporates hearty breakfast meats, eggs, and a fluffy crescent roll crust to create a filling brunch dish. Pair it with lighter sides such as fruit or a green salad to even things out.

One Dish Blackberry French Toast [My Recipes]
French toast is a delicious breakfast treat, but it can be difficult to make for a large group of people. If you want to enjoy the flavor of French toast without all of the dipping and grilling, this casserole takes just 20 minutes to bake and can even be prepared the night before.

Sunday Brunch Casserole [Bakerette]
Combining eggs, bacon, veggies, and hash browns, this simple and filling casserole includes just about every breakfast food into one indulgent main course.

Brunch Casserole [Betty Crocker]
This casserole includes a hearty assortment of meats and cheeses to create a dish that will leave even the hungriest members of your family feeling satisfied.

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Coupon Apps for Apple Devices

September 18, 2014 by

Everyone could use a bit of extra cash between paydays, and by taking advantage of coupons, you can increase the amount of extra money you have each month.

Here are two apps that can help you to get started:

GeoQpons
For avid shoppers on tight budgets, it can be a constant struggle between putting a bit in savings or splurging on that great new bag. With the GeoQpons app you’ll always be alerted about the best sales and deals going on at your favorite stores, so you can afford to go shopping even if you’re on a budget. GeoQpons also offers coupons for grocery stores like Costco and Walmart, so you can use it to help save on your weekly grocery trip.

Coupons.com
If you prefer to shop online, Coupons.com is a great app that offers online discount codes as well as the more traditional coupons. The app offers sections for in-store offers, online coupon codes and essential grocery coupons, and it even links to your credit card to help locate special cardholder savings.

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4 of the Web’s Best Recipes for Banana Pudding

August 21, 2014 by

Banana pudding is sweet and rich, with a creamy taste that people of all ages simply adore. It’s also a very simple dish to make at home, and it serves a large number of guests at one time. Here are a few of the best banana pudding recipes from around the web.

Banana Pudding IV [All Recipes]
When you’ve only got a few minutes to spare, this banana pudding recipe comes together quickly and easily.

Easy Southern Banana Pudding [Kraft]
Use simple vanilla wafers to create this banana pudding in just 20 minutes or less.

Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding [Paula Deen]
True to Paula’s signature style, this recipe is rich, creamy, and truly decadent.

Banana Pudding Recipe & Video [Joy of Baking]
Visual learners will love this tasty recipe because it includes a simple video to help you along.

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