You are here: Home / Archives for Miscellaneous

Create a Cozy, Chic Look in Your Bedroom With These Simple Steps

September 20, 2016 by

To improve your sleep, create a relaxing atmosphere, and add a chic look to your bedroom, all it takes are a few smart upgrades. From incorporating plush textures to changing up the color scheme, these simple tips will show you exactly what to do.

  • Replace your current bedding with crisp, white bedding. If your current sheets and duvet feel drab and outdated, upgrading to chic white bedding will give your bed a timeless look that's just like a four-star hotel.
  • Create storage for every loose item and stray article of clothing. If you constantly find yourself tripping over clutter, head to the home goods store and invest in additional drawers, bins and other storage items.
  • Frame some art to dress up your walls. Choose soothing nature scenes, neutral abstract prints or framed family photos that will make you feel calm and relaxed.
  • Add throw pillows and blankets that will add additional depth to your bedding. Choose one statement pop of color or something in a fun faux fur for some soft, eye-catching texture.
  • Update the lighting by replacing the current bulbs with muted lights or bulbs that imitate natural sunlight.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Stay Cool (and in Shape!) With These Summer Fitness Tips

June 28, 2016 by

Taking your workout outdoors this summer? Staying hydrated and maintaining your body’s electrolytes and salts is crucial, especially during hot weather. Keep these tips in mind before breaking a sweat this season!

  • Running at the right hour of the day is important. You want to avoid exercising outside between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. because the sun is strongest then.
  • Wear light colors to reflect the sun and opt for cotton or other lighweight, sweat-wicking fabrics. Also be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF.
  • You want to drink 7 to 10 ounces of water every 15 minutes, even when you’re not thirsty. Continue to drink water before and after your workout.
  • Refrain from drinking hot coffee before your workout. It can leave you dehydrated and can prevent your body from cooling down effectively.
  • Eat a snack with protein and carbohydrates 30 minutes after your workout.

5 Ways to Exercise Safely in the Heat [U.S. News]
8 Tips for Exercising in Summer Heat [Active]
Essential Tips for Outdoor Exercise [Arm & Hammer]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Working From Home? Add These Essentials to Your Home Office

April 26, 2016 by

In an era when working from home is becomingly increasingly common, there's a great chance that at least one member of your household occasionally works remotely. That means there's probably a home office (or, at least, a desk and chair) tucked away somewhere in your apartment. If you want to make your work-from-home space a more pleasant workplace, here are four components you should add.

  1. An office chair that's both chic and comfy. Any chair that you'll be sitting in all day long should be equal parts aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. So when you search for your home office chair, don't prize form over function, or vice versa—they're both important. Test drive as many chairs as it takes to find the one that keeps you comfy and jives with your office style.
  2. A lamp emitting warm light. When you work in a standard office, you're forced to make do with whatever the lighting situation is there. But when you work from home, you have the final say over the atmosphere in which you spend your day. So instead of accepting harsh overhead lights as an unavoidable reality, find a cute lamp that cloaks the room in a warm, glowing light to make working more enjoyable.
  3. A set of floating shelves. If you're running out of room in your desk drawers to stow those stacks of post-it notes, improvise more storage space by adding floating shelves. They're not only functional pieces, but also a design statement—plus, the display will force you to keep the office supplies organized.
  4. A coffee maker. Okay, so a coffee maker isn't a design element first and foremost, but it can be if you choose the right one. Find a coffee maker with a four-cup pot in a hue that suits your space, and fire it up as soon as you start working in the morning. It might help you dive into the day a little bit easier. You can also opt for a an espresso machine or electric tea kettle, depending on your caffeinated beverage of choice.

Essentials for a Home Office [The Every Girl]
17 Surprising Home Office Ideas [Real Simple]
5 Mistakes Everybody Makes Decorating Their Home Office [Apartment Therapy]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Corral Clutter and Create Beautiful Vignettes Around the Home Using Serving Trays

March 22, 2016 by

If you’re looking for an affordable way to add high style to your home, using serving trays is a great idea. On countertops, dressers, and even on the bed, serving trays add a designer-inspired look to any surface in the home. Here’s some inspiration for styling trays.

  1. Add a serving tray to your coffee table to corral remote controls, display magazines, and hold decorative objects. You can even add scented candles to create an enjoyable ambiance.
  2. Use serving trays in the bathroom to organize your everyday essential products. Add one to the back of the toilet if you’re lacking in cabinet space, or use one under the sink to hold lotion and soap bottles upright.
  3. Place a serving tray next to the front door to create a drop-off place for your keys, cell phone, and other items that would normally amount to clutter.
  4. Center a kitchen island by adding a decorative tray for displaying flower vases and plants. You may also want to add your favorite cookbooks to keep them within reach.
  5. While serving trays are originally used for serving food and beverages, they’re just as great for serving breakfast in bed—or even a midnight snack. If you enjoy relaxing with a good book and glass of wine at night, use a serving tray to avoid spills.

7 Ways to Decorate With Trays [Home Goods]
10 Creative Ways to Decorate with a Serving Tray [Kirklands]
See Why Trays Are the Ultimate Decorator’s Trick [One Kings Lane]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Design Your Own Floral Arrangement

February 23, 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 Monarch Mills 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]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Get the Most Storage Space Out of Your Freezer

January 26, 2016 by

If you’re looking for a way to add extra storage space to your current freezer, these smart tips may be of service.

  1. Know what to freeze. Start streamlining what you freeze in the first place by knowing what will last and what won’t. In general, leafy vegetables, dairy products, and fried foods are not meant to freeze.
  2. Separate items into portions. If you’re freezing something that would otherwise stick together after freezing, such as chicken breasts or soup, separate it into serving-sized portions so that you can easily thaw only the part that you need.
  3. Use containers. Instead of piling all of your food into one large pile in the freezer, invest in freezer-safe storage containers from the local home goods store.
  4. Use labels. Label everything in the freezer, from individual food items (unless they’re still in the original packaging) to your storage containers.
  5. Mind the door. The door of the freezer is the warmest part, so don’t store things that can easily melt on its shelves. Save this space for less delicate foods, such as nuts, alcohol, or frozen fruits.

Fridge and Freezer Organization [The Container Store]
The Best Way to Organize Your Freezer [The Kitchn]
8 Better Ways to Keep Your Freezer Super-Organized [Good Housekeeping]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Create a Stunning Holiday Tablescape

December 22, 2015 by

If you’re hosting your family’s holiday dinner this year, you likely want to create a beautiful table that will complement the elegant meal. Here are a few tips for creating a holiday tablescape that would rival any professional decorator’s.

  1. Avoid clutter. While you want to decorate the table a bit more elaborately than on a normal day, you also want your guests to be able to comfortably reach for the cranberry sauce.
  2. Choose a color scheme. Seasonal red and green is always a classic combination, but a holiday tablescape also looks beautiful in shades of silver, gold or stark white.
  3. Add candles. One quick and easy way to take your table from everyday to extraordinary is by adding candles all over. Think tall candlesticks in glass holders, delicate tea lights or even short pillar candles inside of a lantern.
  4. Add a bit of greenery. Whether you choose festive poinsettias or a wreath of evergreen, adding some greens to your tablescape is an absolute necessity.
  5. Use textiles. Add a large, intricate tablecloth to give your dinner an elegant feeling, or simply disperse placemats at each place setting for a casual yet stylish look.
  6. Add name cards. If you have a seating arrangement in mind, be sure to make artistic name cards for each person’s seat.

5 Stunning Holiday Tablescapes [Good Housekeeping]
22 Gorgeous Holiday Tablescapes [iVillage]
Tips for Creating a Homemade Holiday Tablescape [Dummies.com]
5 Tips for a Beautiful Holiday Tablescape [One Sweet Appetite]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Dieting? These Foods Can Help You Lose Weight!

November 24, 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]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Dependable Virtual Destinations for Apartment Decor and Accessories

October 27, 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.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Save Money This Halloween

September 28, 2015 by

Halloween is a favorite holiday for many people, but if you’re not careful it can also become very expensive. But how can you create the perfect costume without spending a lot on its various parts? These simple money-saving tips will show you.

  1. Make your own costume. No matter which way you slice it, one of the best ways to save money around Halloween is by forgoing the pricey costume stores and making your own costume.
  2. Take advantage of thrift stores. Thrift stores are often filled with great components for many different types of Halloween costumes, and they’re much less expensive than craft or clothing stores.
  3. Be smart about decorations. Instead of splurging on Halloween decorations from expensive home goods stores, shop around at discount stores first. Places like dollar stores and, again, thrift stores are great places to check. You can always wait until closer to Halloween to decorate, as stores often put their decorations on sale later in the month.
  4. Save on candy. If your neighborhood is filled with children, handing out trick or treat candy can also get very expensive. To save money, purchase one type of candy in bulk from a bulk food store instead of buying numerous different types.

10 Ways to Save Money This Halloween [Lifehack]
4 Ghoulish Ways to Save Money this Halloween [Reader’s Digest]
5 Tips For Saving Money This Halloween [Money Crashers]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,
Next Page »

Pin It on Pinterest