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How to Make the Holidays Less Stressful

December 17, 2015 by

With all of the gift buying, cookie baking, and crowded homes filled with out-of-town visitors, you may forget that the holidays are supposed to be a time of fun and relaxation. Here are a few smart tips that will help you to take the stress out of the holidays and better appreciate time spent with family.

  1. Ask for a wish list. Instead of stressing out about buying the perfect gift for a loved one, just ask for his or her wish list. There’s no shame in asking what everyone wants to ensure that you feel confident about your purchases.
  2. Create a budget—and stick to it. Although it’s easy to overspend when you want to spoil your friends and family members, it will only leave you feeling more stressed afterward. It’s entirely possible to purchase thoughtful gifts within your means, provided that you set a budget for your gifts.
  3. Say “no.” You don’t have to attend every holiday party, volunteer to bring a side to every family dinner or even host the festivities at your own home. Carefully consider which things you’ll actually have time for, and say no to everything else.
  4. Keep things simple. Instead of trying to make your holiday celebrations the best on the block, focus on simply spending time with the family over a delicious meal. The rest will work itself out.

Peggy's Top Five for Stress-Free Gift Giving [Emily Post]
Our Stress-Less Holiday Guide [She Knows]
10 Steps to a Less Stressful Holiday [Parents]

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Where to Shop Quirky-Cute Kids’ Lighting Online

November 19, 2015 by

You don’t want your little ones to feel afraid of the dark every night at bedtime, which is why every child’s room should contain a fun and functional light that chases away the monsters that live under the bed. Here are three great places to shop for quirky-cute kids’ lighting online.

The Land of Nod
This mega-popular kids’ online retailer offers modern furniture and home decor items that will make your kids’ rooms look a whole lot more stylish. Their selection of kid-friendly lighting sources includes lamps in the shapes of clouds, nightlights with cute faces, and colorful floor lamps that channel classic mid-century designs.

ModCloth
If you’re looking for lights that even quirkier, ModCloth is your online go-to for all things sweet and silly. Check out updated versions of the usual light socket nightlights and retro-inspired wall lights, as well as twinkling string lights that add a festive flair.

HearthSong
From plasma ball lights that produce bolts of electricity wherever you place your fingers to funky, miniature chandeliers and machines that create shooting stars indoors, this unique online retailer offers one of the most creative selections of quirky kids’ lighting.

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Dependable Virtual Destinations for Apartment Decor and Accessories

November 5, 2015 by

It’s no secret that shopping online often yields affordable results, and the same goes if you’re looking for home décor items and accessories for your apartment. Any renter on a budget will love to browse those finishing touches that really make a house a home, and these are some of the best places to find them.

Urban Outfitters
While you may already shop at the trendy clothing retailer for all of your favorite T-shirts, Urban Outfitters also offers a great selection of stylish home goods. From eclectic art prints to colorful duvet covers and even mid-century modern inspired furnishings, you’ll find a number of great items on the convenient website.

Wayfair
If your home décor style is classic with a touch of modern, Wayfair is just the place to shop online. Here you’ll find chevron print area rugs, gold metallic picture frames, and antique-inspired clocks to hang on the wall.

CB2
For those who prefer sleek, minimal décor and bold pops of color, CB2 is a great option. Discover things like low-profile sofas, interesting throw pillows, and industrial bar stools, or browse the limited edition art selection to find affordable pieces from some of the biggest up-and-coming artists in the art world today.

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Make Your Own Trick-or-Treat Bags With These Easy DIYs

October 22, 2015 by

Whether you’re preparing for Halloween for your own kids or you just enjoy handing out candy to the little ones in your neighborhood, it’s always fun to make trick-or-treat bags filled with tasty candy. Use these easy DIY projects to create your own bags that no one else will have.

DIY Trick-or-Treat Buckets [simplykierste.com]
If you’re only making one or two treat bags, this fun DIY project will show you how to make very sturdy bucket-style options using a recycled ice cream tub or a similar bucket. Simply wrap Halloween-colored felt around the entire surface, and then add your kids’ names using foam stamps and craft paint.

Pillowcase Trick-or-Treat Bags [marthastewart.com]
Take the classic pillowcase trick-or-treat bag and make it a bit more decorative with this easy tutorial. Use heavy rope or string to create a drawstring closure at the top, then take iron-on patches and create a fun ghost face that’s right on theme with the evening’s spooky festivities.

Candy Corn Trick-or-Treat Tote Bag [positivelysplendid.com]
If you’re an avid crafter with basic sewing skills, this candy corn tote bag is a fun project to work on in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Simply sew together white, yellow, and orange fabrics in the shape of the chewy candy, and then add a handle to make it easy to carry while collecting candy.

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Easy Decorating Tips Every Renter Needs to Know

September 17, 2015 by

Decorating the bare walls of your new apartment may seem overwhelming at first, but even if you’re not a professional interior decorator, you can create a magazine-worthy rental by following a few simple tips. Here are just a few smart tricks that you should know before hitting the home goods store.

  1. Incorporate storage wherever you can. Choose furniture items that contain built-in storage, and make sure to hang shelves in spaces like the kitchen or bathroom.
  2. Replace the hardware. Showerheads and drawer pulls are easy to replace to reflect your style. Hit up your local hardware store and invest in a high-pressure, filtered showerhead, and then choose kitchen and bathroom pulls in whatever style you like. You can easily switch these back once you move out.
  3. Work around a rug. Unsure about the color scheme for a room? Choose a rug first, then decorate around it since it will likely be the largest item in the space.
  4. Add temporary wallpaper. Try temporary wallpaper in a fun color or edgy pattern to create a designer-inspired look that you can easily remove.

The 10 Commandments of Rental Decor [PopSugar]
5 Easy, High-Impact Rental Decorating Ideas (That Can Move With You) [Apartment Therapy]
6 Ways to Decorate Your Rental—Without Losing the Deposit [Oprah]

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Plan Your Dream Wedding With Help From These Two Websites

August 20, 2015 by

The wedding-planning process is an exciting time in the life of any bride or groom, but it can difficult to know exactly where to start. Whether you're planning backyard nuptials or an elaborate affair on a tropical island, these two image-heavy websites can help point you in the direction of your dream wedding.

Style Me Pretty
Arguably the most popular wedding blog out there, Style Me Pretty posts user-submitted photos from newlyweds. Each post tells the story of the bride's day through beautiful photos, which are supplemented with wedding planning advice and tips from the bride.

Once Wed
Similar to Style Me Pretty, Once Wed is eye candy for brides-to-be. Ooh and aah over images of real brides' gowns, bouquet, and shoes, then scroll down to learn how she coordinated her bridal party, decorated her tablescapes, and decided upon invitations. Borrow some of her ideas for your own wedding.

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

July 23, 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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Where to Shop for Temporary Wallpaper and Wall Decals Online

June 18, 2015 by

When living in a rental, temporary wallpapers and removable wall decals add a fun pop of color or pattern to your space, but they can be easily taken down at the end of your lease. Here are just a few online retailers that sell different types of temporary wallpapers and decals.

Swag Paper
With a name like Swag Paper, it’s no surprise that this site sells wallpaper that’s cool, chic, and statement-worthy. Geometric diamonds, Art Deco designs, and minimalist poppy flowers are just a few of the wallpaper styles, and you can purchase strips in different heights to get exactly the amount that you need.

2Modern
If your style is a bit more colorful, 2Modern offers retro-inspired wallpapers and options with big, bold stripes. You’ll even find children’s wallpaper covered in zoo animals, robots, or silly cityscapes that the little ones will love.

Blik
Blik offers temporary wallpapers in traditional strips to cover the whole wall, but it also carries more unique designs like stick-on headboards and individual decals. Add a large tree in your living room, a sea of fish in your kitchen, and even some music notes in a child’s room.

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How to Get the Best Prices on Furniture

May 21, 2015 by

Purchasing furniture can be a big investment, and it can take quite a toll on your bank account no matter your budget. Here are a few smart ways that can help you save money on furniture while still investing in high quality pieces that will last for years to come.

  • Don’t fall for zero percent down. Many furniture stores offer deals like this in order to get you to purchase all of your furniture at once, but it usually isn’t worth it. Instead of paying a large markup for zero percent down, be patient and space out your purchases to get what you really want.
  • Visit estate sales. If you’re searching for bargains, estate sales are a great option. You can often find gently used furniture that was once very expensive at a markdown, provided that you don’t mind hunting for buried treasure.
  • Seek out floor sample sales (and ignore most other types). While most furniture sales are gimmicks or hardly very helpful, you’ll get the best bang for your buck from a floor sample sale. Because these items are technically “used” (though only in the store), they’re always marked down significantly.
  • Shop at furniture outlets. Instead of shopping at discount furniture stores full of poor quality pieces, shop high quality items with very minor damage at a furniture outlet.

Furniture Shopping Tips: The Best Secrets For Furnishing A Home On A Budget, From Real People [HuffPost Home]
How to Save Money When You Buy Furniture [About Home]
How to Buy Furniture [WikiHow]

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Handy Tips for Quickly Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

April 16, 2015 by

Hardboiled eggs provide a healthy, protein-packed snack, and you'd be hard-pressed to make egg salad without them! Still, peeling all of those hardboiled eggs isn’t quite as rewarding as eating them. Here are a few smart tips to help you peel hardboiled eggs quickly and efficiently.

  1. It starts with cooking. Make your hardboiled eggs easier to peel by cooking them properly right from the beginning. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the eggs by one inch, and be sure to heat it to a rolling boil before turning off the heat and covering the pot.
  2. Run the egg under cold water. Once you remove your eggs when they're done cooking, halt the cooking process by running them under cold water.
  3. Crack the egg. Gently but firmly drop one of your cooked eggs on the countertop until it is completely covered in cracks.
  4. Roll. Next, roll the egg across the surface of the counter with the palm of your hand to loosen the shell and prepare it to slide off.
  5. Peel from the large end. Finally, begin to peel the egg starting with the larger, wider end. If you did all of the other steps properly, it should come off in one fell swoop.

What Is the Best Way to Peel a Hard-Boiled Egg? [Real Simple]
The Food Lab: The Hard Truth About Boiled Eggs [Serious Eats]
5 Egg Hacks: How To Peel A Hard Boiled Egg, The Easy Way [Epicurious]

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