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How to Design Your Own Floral Arrangement

January 21, 2016 by

Think that you have to visit a professional florist to find a magazine-worthy arrangement? Think again! With these simple tips for designing your own floral arrangements at home, you can fill your space at Lincoln Green with gorgeous flowers or even give them as affordable gifts to friends.

  1. Choose the perfect vase. Choose a vase that will fit the flowers that you have on hand, or if you don’t have a designated vase, use something like a mason jar, pitcher, or other household vessel.
  2. Using florist’s tape, create a grid across the top opening of the vase. Leave approximately one-inch squares in between the tape to keep the flowers separated and evenly spaced.
  3. Mix up textures by using a wide variety of different types of flowers. Contrast delicate baby’s breath with big, leafy blooms and eucalyptus branches.
  4. If you’re feeling a bit intimidated by the idea of mixing and matching, make a statement by using a large quantity of just one type of flower. Whether it’s classic red roses or purple hydrangeas, all flowers look beautiful when trimmed into layered lengths that eventually create a rounded arrangement in a short vase.

Flower Arranging 101 [Martha Stewart]
Elegant, Exquisite, Easy Flower Arrangements [Real Simple]
How to create perfect floral arrangements [Sunset]

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How to Host a Great Football Party at Lincoln Green

December 17, 2015 by

It's football season! If you're a fan, most of your Sundays will be spent gathered around the TV, cheering on your favorite team, and relaxing before the start of another work week. If you'd like to share your passion with friends and family, why not host a football viewing party? Here are a few tips to ensure your party wins big with your guests:

1) Reposition the TV.
A football viewing party is the one type of party where the television takes center stage. Be sure that the TV is easily viewed from different areas around the room so that all of your guests can get in on the action. Similarly, you might need to rearrange your furniture to provide the best vantage points.

2) Decorate for the occasion.
Head to a discount party supply store to pick up football-themed wares for your event. Paper cups, plates, a tablecloth, and inexpensive football decor will add a festive flair to your party, and they shouldn't cost you too much money.

3) Serve food buffet-style.
The only thing better than the game itself is the excuse to indulge in finger foods! Provide your guests with handheld treats and eats so they can keep their eyes glued to the game. If you prefer, position your buffet table away from the TV area so guests can mingle during commercial breaks.

How to Host a Football Party [eHow]
Host a Super Bowl Party [BHG]
5 Foolproof Football Parties [MyRecipes]

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How to Keep Your Fridge Squeaky Clean

November 19, 2015 by

From dripping leftovers to forgotten lettuce from months back, there are likely a few things in your refrigerator that could use your attention. Here are a few simple ways to keep your fridge clean once and for all.

  1. Clear everything out. Start by going through the contents of your fridge and throwing away anything that’s past its expiration date. Leave everything on the counter until you’re done cleaning inside.
  2. Unplug. Unplug the refrigerator from the wall so that you can leave the door open while you clean without wasting energy.
  3. Clean inside drawers. Remove the drawers and rinse them out in the sink or bathtub. Use warm, soapy water to remove germs.
  4. Wipe the shelves. Using a spray bottle of multipurpose cleaner, wipe down all of the shelves and walls inside. You may even be able to slide the shelves out for easier access, depending on the model of refrigerator.
  5. Clean under jars. Before putting the food back in the refrigerator, be sure to check the bottoms for any grime or leaks. Wipe them off so that they don’t dirty your now-clean fridge.

How To Clean the Refrigerator [The Kitchn]
Refrigerator-Cleaning Tips [HGTV]
How Should I Clean My Refrigerator? [Cleanipedia]

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Safety First! Read These Halloween Safety Tips

October 22, 2015 by

Your kids can’t wait to put on their costumes and go trick-or-treating, but as a parent, Halloween might make you nervous. It only makes sense to take the necessary precautions before allowing children to go from door to door, and these simple tips will help you to keep your kids safe while still letting them have fun this Halloween season.

  1. Never let your kids trick-or-treat alone. This one may seem obvious, but it’s one of the most important things that every parent should keep in mind at Halloween. Even older children shouldn’t go to strangers’ houses alone, so always make sure that a trusted adult is supervising a group of trick-or-treaters.
  2. Stay visible. Since most trick-or-treating takes place once it starts to get dark outside, you should make sure that your children stay visible to passing cars. Add reflectors to your kids’ outfits, and be sure to send them off with a bright flashlight for navigating dark streets.
  3. Avoid unpackaged treats. Tell your children to never accept homemade treats from strangers while trick-or-treating. Also, be sure to inspect candy for any signs of tampering with the wrapper before allowing kids to dig in to their stash.

Halloween Health and Safety Tips [CDC]
Halloween Safety Tips [American Academy of Pediatrics]
Halloween Safety Tips [Safe Kids Worldwide]

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How Pinterest Can Help You Streamline Your Skincare Routine

September 17, 2015 by

Whether you’re 16 or 60, everyone needs a great skincare routine to keep their skin looking its best. Pinterest is an entertaining resource for everything that you want to know about skincare, including the best products on the market today. Here are three Pinterest boards that will help you to streamline the way you care for your skin.

Organic Skincare
If you want to improve your skin without using harsh chemicals, the Organic Skincare board is filled with all natural remedies that really work. These tips recommend organic products like pure coconut oil and raw cane sugar to cure just about any ailment of the skin, and it also offers recipes for masks and cleansers that you can make at home.

Care Tips
From superfoods to help improve your skin from within to the best sunscreens to use on acne-prone skin, this board features tips for improving your skin at all ages. There are also a number of recommendations for the best drugstore skincare products so that you can care for your skin without emptying your wallet.

Skin Tips
Browse the Skin Tips Pinterest board by sections like homemade skincare, the best beauty products, and beauty secrets to find the best ways to care for any type of skin. Whether your skin is dry, oily, or acne-prone, this board has a remedy that will improve its look and feel.

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Dieting? These Foods Can Help You Lose Weight!

August 20, 2015 by

Dieting is never easy, but once you know the right foods to eat you'll start to see the pounds melt away. Here are a few smart foods that will help you to lose weight and stay fuller for longer.

  1. Beans and legumes. Foods like black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas are high in fiber, which builds muscle and helps to keep you feeling full. Beans are also very inexpensive, and they’re a great alternative to meat for those who are vegan or vegetarian.
  2. Dark chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth that just won’t quit, it doesn’t have to sabotage your whole diet. Dark chocolate is a great alternative to sugary milk chocolate, cakes, and cookies, and it is also lower in calories. Just be sure to mind your portion sizes!
  3. Eggs and turkey sausage. Eating a protein-packed breakfast will help you to stay on track for the rest of the day. Eggs are great because they’re versatile and can be prepared a number of different ways, and lean turkey sausage is much lower in fat than traditional pork sausage. Eat this meal with a side of fresh fruit to start your morning off right.
  4. Avocado. You may think that you need to avoid eating fat in order to, well, lose fat, but healthy fats like avocado are actually an important part of any lean diet. The oleic acid found in avocados helps to quiet hunger, and these superfoods are also packed with fiber and protein.

9 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [WebMD]
Best Superfoods for Weight Loss [Health.com]
15 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [Good Housekeeping]
Use These 8 Foods to Help You Lose Weight [U.S. News]

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How to Care for Your Kitchen Knives

July 23, 2015 by

You use your kitchen knives almost every day, from slicing your morning banana to chopping vegetables for dinner at night. Because good knives can be expensive, you likely want to keep them in top working condition. Here are a few simple tips for properly caring for those important cooking knives.

  • Don’t let them soak. It may be tempting to simply toss your knives in with the rest of your soaking dishes, but avoid doing so. This can cause the knife to bend or get scratched, and it can also be dangerous if someone reaches their hand under the water.
  • Don’t run them through the dishwasher. Likewise, the dishwasher can also dent or ding your knives. Instead, wash them thoroughly by hand after every use.
  • Don’t store them in a silverware drawer. This is especially important for renters who might not have much extra space in the kitchen. Instead, invest in a small wooden knife block that you can keep on the counter, or at least use a knife sheath to keep the blade safe.
  • Keep them sharp. In order to get the best results from your knives, you need to sharpen them frequently. Use a honing steel or a knife stone if you’re comfortable doing it yourself, or if you’re not, you can always send them out to be sharpened by a professional.

Caring for Kitchen Knives: Dos and Don'ts [About Food]
How to Take Care of Your Knives [David Lebovitz]
How To Care For Kitchen Knives: 6 Common Mistakes [Huffpost Taste]

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Want to Make Your Own Bedroom Headboard? Check Out These DIY Tutorials!

June 18, 2015 by

Purchasing a new headboard can get pretty expensive. Luckily, there are a number of creative ways to craft a headboard — or at least something that resembles one! Try out one of these awesome DIY tutorials for unique headboard alternatives.

Under $40 Wooden Headboard [echoesoflaughter.ca]
With a few pieces of scrap wood and some keen measuring skills, you can create this rustic, designer-inspired headboard in less than one afternoon. It’s also easy to customize to your specific bed size.

DIY Ruffled Fabric Headboard [bhg.com]
If you’re looking to add a sweet, feminine touch to a bedroom, this fabric-covered headboard is the perfect DIY project. If you’re not an expert seamstress, don’t worry: you don’t need to have any sewing skills, because this project only requires a simple hot glue gun, spray adhesive, and a drill.

Simple DIY Headboard [starsforstreetlights.com]
If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, this classic design is the perfect choice. A cardboard base makes this project inexpensive, but cutting the board into an elegant shape and covering it with a luxurious fabric makes it look anything but.

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How Much Do You Know About the ‘80s? Take These Fun Quizzes to Find Out!

May 21, 2015 by

The 1980s were all about hair metal, neon colors, and totally tubular lingo, but it may be difficult to remember the specifics about this wonderfully over-the-top decade. Take these fun online quizzes to discover just how much you remember about the ‘80s.

The Totally 80s POP CULTURE Trivia Quiz
With cheesy photos from the best in ‘80s pop culture to go along with each question, this quiz is just as much fun to look at as it is to take. From cast members from sitcoms like Who’s the Boss? to the names of analog video games, you’ll have to stretch your memory pretty far in order to ace these questions.

The Ultimate ’80s Kids Trivia Quiz
If you were a kid growing up in the 1980s, you likely remember a whole different type of music, movies and television than adults who were teasing their hair and rocking acid wash jeans. Take this quiz to see how much you remember about your childhood years.

Do You Know the '80s?
Well, do you? From the fashions to the movie stars, this quiz covers just about everything that you loved most about the ‘80s. It’s also only ten questions long, so you can test your knowledge in just a few minutes.

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Think You Know All About the ‘70s? Take These Fun ‘70s Trivia Quizzes!

April 16, 2015 by

It was a groovy time, baby, so test your knowledge about the 1970s to see how much you remember about this decade of peace and love. These online quizzes are filled with questions about the music, fashion trends and movies that became popular in the ‘70s, and some are some go so far back that you may not remember them at all.

Can You Answer These 14 1970s Trivia Questions?
Fourteen questions may not seem like many, but when they’re as tricky as these they may leave you stumped for quite a while. From the biggest news stories of the decade to chart-topping singles from some of the world’s most famous bands, this quiz covers just about every aspect of the 1970s.

‘70s TV Trivia
Do you fancy yourself a bit of a television history buff? If so, this quiz about ‘70s television trivia is just the one for you. Test your knowledge about everything from The Brady Bunch to The Jeffersons all in one simple quiz.

TV In the ‘70s
It may be another quiz about 1970s television, but this one is much more in-depth than most. Answer questions about shows like Laverne & Shirley and the Mary Tyler Moore Show and rack up points toward becoming a true 1970s trivia guru.

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