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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 If your current sheets and duvet feel drab and outdated, upgrading to chic white bedding will give your bed a timeless look that's just like a four-star hotel.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.

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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]

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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]

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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.

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Keep or Toss? Decluttering Rules to Live By

August 25, 2015 by

You’re not exactly a pack rat, but you definitely have more than a few items in the back of your closet that you haven’t looked at in a few years. Most people would say that their homes could benefit from a bit of de-cluttering, and these helpful tips will show you just how to do it.

  • Keep papers within reach. By keeping papers within eyesight, you’ll be more likely to deal with your paper mess before it accumulates into something much more difficult to manage.
  • Ask a few questions. When you’re going through the items in your home, ask yourself questions like: Have I used this in the past year? Does this benefit my life? Is it broken? If, so can I fix it? If you say no to most of these questions, put it in the donation pile.
  • Create a donation pile. Speaking of that donation pile, start one! You’ll feel a lot less guilty about getting rid of your unused items if you know they’re going to someone who will really appreciate them.
  • Clear off surfaces. After you clean out hidden spaces like closets and under the bed, make a rule that you’ll always keep surfaces like counters and desks free of clutter. Not only will your home feel more organized, this will ensure that it looks more organized, as well.

18 Five-Minute Decluttering Tips to Start Conquering Your Mess [Zen Habits]
25 Ways to Clean Out the Clutter [Good Housekeeping]
Keep or Toss: Questions & Tips to Help You Declutter [Apartment Therapy]

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Pucker Up! Here Are 6 Ways to Clean With Lemons

July 28, 2015 by

Not only do lemons smell great, they’re also packed full of naturally disinfecting properties that are said to be safer and gentler on your household than store bought cleaners. If you want to make the switch to a green cleaning routine, check out these tips for cleaning with lemons in every room in your home.

  1. Clean the copper bottoms of frequently used pots and pans by sprinkling coarse salt on half of a lemon and scrubbing away.
  2. If you’re unsure of how to properly disinfect wooden cutting boards, rub lemon juice onto stained areas and watch as they fade away overnight. You can also use lemon juice to clean your cutting boards after each use.
  3. Remove odors from your microwave by filling a cup 3/4 of the way full with tap water, then adding two tablespoons of lemon juice. Heat the mixture to boiling, and then let it sit for approximately 10 minutes to fully dilute odors.
  4. Create an all-purpose cleaner for countertops and tables by filling a spray bottle with diluted lemon juice.
  5. Clean grout from the bathtub or shower by using lemon juice and an old toothbrush. Simply dip the toothbrush in the lemon juice, then scrub until the debris disappears.
  6. Polish the faucets on your bathtub and bathroom sink by gently rubbing them with half of a lemon and coarse salt.

Cleaning With Lemon Juice [DIY Network]
24 Things You Can Clean With Lemon [Mother Nature Network]
10 Ways to Clean the Kitchen with Lemon Juice [How Stuff Works]

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How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar Beyond the Kitchen

May 26, 2015 by

Many natural cleaning enthusiasts have been touting the amazing benefits of apple cider vinegar for years, but vinegar's list of uses often ends in the kitchen. You may be surprised to find that there are a number of other ways to use apple cider vinegar in every room in your home. Here are a few of the best.

  1. Use it like an odor eliminator. Instead of masking odors with a perfume-heavy scented spray, neutralize odors by letting a dish of apple cider vinegar permeate the air.
  2. Clear your sinuses. Sip some warm water with a bit of apple cider vinegar to help break up mucus in your sinuses and even kill the bacteria that causes the common cold. (Be sure to consult with your doctor first.)
  3. Soothe sunburned skin. Instead of using a cream or lotion, rub sunburned skin (or bug bites, rashes and poison ivy) with apple cider vinegar to relieve the itch naturally. Do so at the instruction of your physician.
  4. Rinse hair. Many people cite apple cider vinegar as the source of their shiny, silky locks. Mix 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 4 cups of water and use it as a weekly hair rinse.

7 Surprising Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar [The Dr. Oz Show]
25 Ways Apple Cider Vinegar Will Change Your Life [Mamavation]
15 Reasons to Use Apple Cider Vinegar Every Day [Mind Body Green]

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Add a Touch of Color to Your Space With These Easy-Care Blooming Houseplants

April 27, 2015 by

If you want to breathe new life into your home’s decor, there are few better ways than by adding a few blooming houseplants. These unique plants give you a pop of green and a burst of bright color from their blossoming flowers, and they’re surprisingly easy to care for.

  • Begonia. Although most people think of begonias as outdoor plants, they also look beautiful inside your home. Types with fibrous roots work best indoors, and they bloom almost continuously throughout the year.
  • Peace lily. This elegant plant features a beautiful, white flower against its lush green leaves, and it’s one of the easiest to keep alive. The peace lily even does well in low light.
  • African violet. If you’re looking for a plant that will last for years to come, this is the one to choose. Their purple, red, or white flowers bloom almost year-round.
  • Orchid. Although orchids can be quite finicky plants, they flourish when placed in bright, indirect sunlight. Plus, they’re some of the most beautiful flowering houseplants.
  • Geranium. If you’re prone to forgetting a few waterings here and there, the geranium is the plant for you. These vibrant flowers thrive in dry soil between waterings, and they really bloom when placed in a bright window.

Flowering Houseplants [About Home]
The 16 prettiest and most colorful indoor flowering plants [Today Home]
16 Drop-Dead Gorgeous Flowering Houseplants [AOL Real Estate]

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All-Natural Household Cleaners You Can Make Yourself

March 24, 2015 by

Yes, cleaning is a mundane chore, but it doesn't have to give you a headache—from chemicals, anyway! Making your own green household cleaners is easier than you might think. All you need is a few ingredients you probably already have at home. Here are three recipes for do-it-yourself cleaners that are equal parts effective, eco-friendly, and easy on the wallet.

1. Excellent Homemade 3-Ingredient All-Purpose Cleaner [Apartment Therapy]
Combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, two cups water, and one cup hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Suitable for a variety of cleaning tasks, this all-purpose solution can tackle everything from grimy windows to greasy stovetops. According to the pros at Apartment Therapy, the key to this recipe's effectiveness is the hydrogen peroxide, which is said to be a more powerful cleaning agent than vinegar.

2. DIY Tub/Shower Cleaner [Fabulessly Frugal]
If you have blue Dawn liquid soap and vinegar, you can tackle tough soap scum in your bathroom. Simply heat 12 ounces of white vinegar in the microwave, pour it into a spray bottle, add 10 ounces of blue Dawn, then gently shake the mixture. The key here is to use blue-colored Dawn; don't substitute another dish detergent.

3. Easy Laundry Soap [Potholes and Pantyhose]
This DIY version of laundry detergent will cost you a mere $.05 per load. The recipe requires one bar of Ivory soap and two cups of super washing soda and borax. You'll also need a blender or cheese grater for shredding the soap.

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Simple Projects for New Crocheters

October 21, 2014 by

With its relaxing, repetitive process and its beautiful end results, crocheting is a craft that’s just as functional as it is fun. Even if you've just learned the basics of crocheting, there are a number of projects that you can complete with very little experience. Here are four of the best novice crochet projects:

Baby Hippy Hat [lotsofnicethings.com]
Make a new baby look sweet and stylish with this simple hat that’s inspired by hippie-chic styles. The multicolored stripes can be customized to any color scheme, and the warm ear flaps will keep a little guy or girl’s ears from catching a winter chill.

Easy Crochet Bracelet [craftaholicsanonymous.net]
Create a handmade bracelet for yourself or a friend with this impossibly simple crochet tutorial. Worsted weight yarn provides a sturdy texture, while a large wooden button creates a matching closure for easy removal.

Crochet Stars [rubyandcustard.com]
This simple crochet project creates adorable stars that can be incorporated into blankets, used as coasters or simply to help you hone your crocheting skills.

Infinity Scarf [finecraftguild.com]
Infinity scarves are some of the easiest types of scarves to make, and lucky for new crocheters, they’re also perfectly on-trend. This pattern creates a chunky, warm infinity scarf in any color of your choice.

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