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What’s Your Interior Design Personality? Find Out Here!

December 2, 2015 by

Are you partial to chic, modern furnishings, or is your interior design style more of the cozy, vintage-inspired variety? Knowing exactly what types of furnishings you like best will make it much easier for you to decorate your home at Riverfront Heights. Here are a few great online quizzes that will help you to zero in on your specific interior design personality.

What’s Your Decorating Style?
This quiz from Coastal Living asks a series of very abstract questions about your lifestyle, your drink preferences, and even your preferred clothing style to help you figure out your interior design style. It also makes recommendations for decorating ideas once your results are in.

Style Maker Visual Quiz
Take this visual quiz from Stylish Home is best for visual learners, as it shows you a series of photos in order to help you determine your home decor preferences. Instead of simply asking you what types of furnishings you like, it actually shows them to you to help get a more accurate response.

Decorating Style Quiz
Better Homes & Gardens offers this fun mix of visual and word-based questions regarding your decor preferences, your personality, and your unique needs. Once you complete the quiz, it offers a general idea of your home decor personality.

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Fall Craft Projects Your Kids Will Love Making

November 3, 2015 by

Whether the kids are too young for school or they’re home for a holiday break, the fall season provides ample time for fun family crafts. Here are three DIY projects that will bring out the artistic side in your little ones.

Pumpkin Spice Playdough [smallfriendly.com]
Even if you’ve made your own playdough before, you’ve probably never seen one quite like this. Adding pumpkin pie spices to the usual recipe gives this moldable dough a fall-inspired scent, while a bit of food coloring adds autumn colors like red, orange, and yellow.

Apple Stamping [sweetlittlepeanut.com]
You may remember making stamps out of apples a child yourself, but this is one craft that truly stands the test of time. Simply cut small apples in half and let the kids use the flat sides as stamps with fall-colored paints. Best of all, this craft is fun for everyone from babies to toddlers and even your pre-teens!

Scribble Lantern Tutorial [valariebudayr.typepad.com]
There is some truly beautiful natural light come fall, so make the most of it with these paper lanterns that you can place on a sunny windowsill. The kids can scribble all over them with regular crayons to create a colorful look that’s even better when it catches the light.

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Irresistible Football-Themed Finger Foods for Game Day

October 6, 2015 by

Game day is coming up, and you’re already wondering what to add to your viewing party menu. Finger foods are always a convenient option, but you might want something a bit more sophisticated than the usual nachos and corndogs. Here are three great football-themed finger foods that even the most foodie guests will love.

Zesty Popcorn Mix [bhg.com]
Instead of grabbing a bag of snack mix from the grocery store, make your own using flavorful herbs, spices, and other ingredients. This recipe shows you how to create a sweet, spicy, and salty mixture using unlikely combinations, such as dried apricots, cayenne pepper, and popcorn.

Shanghai Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Sauce [myrecipes.com]
For an Asian-inspired appetizer, these tasty spring rolls have a gourmet taste without the gourmet preparation. Simply combine ground pork, fresh shrimp, and vegetables with a homemade sweet chili sauce on the side, and wrap the whole thing up in spring roll wrappers to create a handheld dish your guests will devour.

Football Cheese Ball [allrecipes.com/]
Transform the usual cheese ball into a football to make the perfect dish for your upcoming game day bash. This one is especially great if you’re pressed for time, as it’s very easy to whip up and serve with your favorite crackers.

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How to Breathe New Life Into Old Wooden Cutting Boards

September 16, 2015 by

Your pricey cutting board looked so rustic and professional when you first bought it, but after years of slicing, chopping, and quick wipe-downs, it’s looking a bit worse for the wear. Instead of investing in a newer model, use these smart tips for breathing new life into your current one.

  1. Wash with soap and water. While you likely don’t usually wash your cutting board with soap and water, you’ll want to do it now to remove any bacteria. Try to move quickly so that the water doesn’t soak in.
  2. Buff out scratches. Use a medium-grade sandpaper to buff out scratches from the surface of the cutting board. Go over it again with a very fine sandpaper to smooth the surface and take it back to its original texture.
  3. Create a mineral oil and beeswax mixture. Microwave one cup of USP-grade mineral oil with 1/2 teaspoon of beeswax. This should only take about 45 seconds.
  4. Oil the cutting board. Rub this mixture into your cutting board by hand. Rub with the grain, then let it sit for several minutes before wiping the excess with a clean cloth.
  5. Dry the cutting board. Allow your cutting board to dry overnight, then give it one last wipe-down with a dry cloth.
  6. Add a beeswax topcoat. Rub just beeswax into the surface of the now-oiled cutting board to create a glossy finish.

​How to Refinish a Kitchen Cutting Board [Homeguides]
How to Revive Old Cutting Boards [The Shabby Creek Cottage]
How I Refinished My Grandma’s Old Dough Board [Brown Eyed Baker]

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Curtains 101: How to Choose and Install the Right Window Treatments for Your Apartment

September 9, 2015 by

One of the fastest, most fail-proof ways to breathe new life into your home's decor is by swapping out your window treatments. Here are a few smart ways to help you choose the perfect curtains for your apartment and install them to best suit your specific space.

  • Choose the right size. When choosing curtains or drapes, go for something that is approximately 2 to 2.5 times the width of your windows. As for the length, make sure that they touch the floor when you hang them at the top of the window (or slightly above).
  • Keep it sheer. Unless you want to use your curtains for privacy, it’s best to go for something sheer so that you don’t block natural light.
  • Choose high quality hardware. If you have the extra funds, choosing a pricier type of curtain rod can make all the difference. This creates a more luxurious look, and you may find that the rod stands up to daily use a bit better than cheaper options.
  • Hang them high. Most interior designers recommend hanging your curtains all the way at the ceiling instead of just above the window. This creates a dramatic, catalog-worthy look and adds the illusion of height.
  • Add Roman shades. If heavy curtains aren’t your style, add Roman shades in a color that matches the rest of your room instead.

8 Window Treatment Ideas [Apartments.com]
Decor PSA: Hang Curtains High & Wide [Apartment Therapy]
Ask a Designer: How Do I Choose Window Treatments? [House Beautiful]

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The How and Why of Post-Workout Cool-Downs

August 4, 2015 by

While the suggested cool-down period may seem unnecessary, experts agree that it is actually one of the most essential parts of your workout. Here are a few reasons why you should cool down after exercising — and how to do it properly.

  • Know the effects. Working out raises your heart rate, dilates your blood vessels, and increases your body’s temperature. Cooling down helps bring these factors back to normal gradually.
  • Care for your muscles. Cooling down should also include thorough stretching, as it reduces the build-up of lactic acid in your muscles and prevent cramping or stiffness.
  • Walk until you’re cooled down. Walk for at least five minutes, or longer if your workout was very intense. Stop once your heart rate gets back to 120 beats per minute.
  • Stretch thoroughly. Stretch each of your limbs for at least 30 seconds, making sure that you don’t bounce or overextend your muscles. Make sure to breathe while you’re stretching.
  • Stay hydrated. As with all parts of exercise, you should make sure to drink water after working out to help prevent dehydration.

Warm Up, Cool Down [Heart.org]
How to Stretch After a Workout [Nerd Fitness]
7 Crucial Stretches for Post-Workout [Cheat Sheet]
Recovery: The Truth About Stretching [Web MD]

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The Skinny on Fats: 5 Facts You Need to Know

July 7, 2015 by

When it comes to losing weight and maintaining a healthy diet, calories aren’t the only things that you should be concerned with. Fats are an essential part of a healthy eating plan, but if consumed in excess they can also be very dangerous. Here are five key facts about fats.

  1. There are four main types of fats: saturated fats, trans fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. As a general rule, saturated fats and trans fats are the “bad” fats, and they should be avoided.
  2. All fats contain nine calories per gram, no matter which type of fat it is. Just because monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are better for you, they can still cause you to gain weight just as quickly as the “bad” fats if not limited.
  3. Fats are necessary because they promote cell growth, protect your organs, and give your body energy.
  4. Even if a pre-packaged food is labeled “trans fat-free,” it might still contain saturated fats, and vice versa. Real, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean meats are always a healthier choice.
  5. Fats are a major part of a healthy diet, depending on which foods you choose. Things like vegetable oils, nuts, fish, legumes, avocados, and low-fat dairy products are good sources of healthy fats.

Know Your Fats [American Heart Association]
Different Types of Fat [Health Check]
Choosing Healthy Fats [HealthGuide.org]
Fats 101 [American Heart Association]

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Three Surprising Sources of Lactose

June 2, 2015 by

Millions of Americans suffer from lactose intolerance, a sensitivity to foods that contain the natural sugar lactose. Most often, lactose is found in dairy products such as milk and cheese, but there are some foods that contain it that you might not know about. Here are three surprising sources of lactose you should look out for:

  1. Lunch meats. Cold cut meats are great for having on hand for a quick sandwich, but they're often made with processed ingredients that include lactose. Even a small amount could be harmful to those with sensitivities. So the lactose intolerant sure to purchase farm-fresh deli meat when possible.
  2. Nougat. This creamy sweet filling in candy bars contains lactose. There are many other candies that contain lactase as well, so do your research before you indulge.
  3. "Non-dairy" creamer. This tricky label might seem like a safe choice for lactose intolerant individuals, but many brands of this milk-derived substitute still contain trace amounts of lactose. Avoid it altogether and use soy- or almond-based creamers.

8 surprising sources of lactose [Best Health Mag]
Lactose Intolerance [National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse]
Learn to Detect Hidden Lactose [Cornell Women’s Health]
What is Hidden Lactose [Lactaid]

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Hey Residents, Read All About It!

April 8, 2015 by

Check back for helpful information about pop culture, recipes, health and fitness, and much more! Thanks!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous
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