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New to Feng Shui? Here’s How to Get Started

August 18, 2016 by

Feng shui may be an ancient Chinese practice, but its ideas for creating a clean, comfortable and inspiring home are still very useful today. If you’re new to feng shui, these simple tips will show you how to get started creating positive energy and great flow throughout your home.

  • Clear out the clutter. The first thing you’ll want to do is get rid of all of the clutter in your home. Feng shui focuses on minimalism and flow, and clutter will only get in the way of your end goal.
  • Rearrange your furniture. Next, rearrange your furniture so that you can easily move from room to room. Don’t block doorways or windows, and be sure to place important items like your desk and your bed across from the door. This promotes the flow of energy.
  • Promote clean air. Refresh the air in your space by adding lots of air-cleaning houseplants throughout. You’ll also want to frequently change any air filters and open windows to allow in fresh air whenever possible.
  • Choose different colors in different rooms. Colors represent emotions in feng shui. Consider using soft, soothing blues and greys in the bedroom, powerful reds in the office, and sunny yellows in the kitchen or den.
  • Create a map. For more help, create what’s called a “Bagua” map of your home with each zone corresponding to a different aspect of feng shui.

Feng Shui 101 for Your Living Space [Wonder How To]
Feng Shui Decorating Tips [Real Simple]
Feng Shui 101: Getting Started With the Basics [Inhabitat]
Balance & Prosperity: Feng Shui 101 [Ask Men]

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Clean Up Your Home at Nalle Woods Naturally With These DIY Household Cleaners

June 16, 2016 by

Looking for a way to save a bit of cash while also removing chemicals from your home? Make your own cleaning products! It’s easy to duplicate of the most common household cleaners using all-natural ingredients, and they’ll even help to turn your home at Nalle Woods into a green household.

  • Glass Cleaner: Combine 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice to create a DIY window and glass cleaner. You can even add in your favorite essential oil for a fresh scent.
  • Laundry Detergent: While many store-bought laundry detergents are filled with chemicals, this homemade version is made using only natural ingredients. Combine a box of Borax with a box of baking soda and 1 bar of organic bar soap (such as Dr. Bronner’s). Then, blend it all together in a food processor until it reaches a powder form.
  • Bathroom Tile Cleaner: Remove grime from tubs and sinks using this all-natural bathroom cleaner. Simply mix baking soda with liquid castile soap and use it as a scrub.
  • All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Borax, 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide, and 2 cups of hot water to create an all-purpose cleaner that you can use anywhere in the home.

Make These 69 DIY Cleaning Products For Pennies [Popsugar]
The Original Homemade Laundry Detergent DIY Natural]
27 Chemical-Free Recipes for DIY Spring Cleaning [Greatist]

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Handy Home Decorating Tips for Beginners

February 18, 2016 by

Whether you just moved into your rental at Nalle Woods, or you simply haven’t gotten around to decorating yet, it helps to have a bit of a plan in place before you begin decorating. Here are a few basic interior decorating rules that all renters should memorize to create a beautiful and inspiring space!

  1. Make changes slowly. Instead of heading out to a big box store and purchasing all of your furniture in one day, start with the bare essentials and work slowly from there. That way, you can be sure that you’ll end up with high quality investment pieces that will last for years to come.
  2. Incorporate different shapes. While most furniture features squared edges, such as sofas and tables, it’s important to incorporate circular and rounded pieces to balance things out. Try adding a circular dining table in an eat-in kitchen or a round rug in the living room.
  3. Add accent colors to neutrals. Instead of overdoing it with one color, furnish your room in soft neutrals and add pops of color throughout.
  4. Work with the architecture. If your home has a unique feature, such as a bay window or non-functioning fireplace, appreciate it for its charm. Play up this feature instead of fighting against it to add personality to your space.

Interior Design 101: 5 Rookie Mistakes You'll Never Make Again [Apartment Therapy]
The 7 Rules of Interior Design [Zillow]
The 3 Principles of Interior Design [HGTV]
6 Basic Interior Design Rules [Suite.io]

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Want to Decorate Your Apartment Without Emptying Your Wallet? Here’s Where to Shop!

January 21, 2016 by

Want your apartment at Nalle Woods to look like something out a home design blog? If know the right places to shop, you can transform your rental into the home of your dreams — without emptying your bank account! Here are three great stores where you can buy stylish home decorations for less.

Pier 1 Imports
Pier 1 Imports isn’t exactly a budget store, but with its frequent sales and affordable versions of designer pieces, it can save you a great deal anyway. Shop here if you’re looking for a gold metallic side table, plush faux fur pillows, or luxurious frames for dressing up your walls. Don't miss the clearance section for even deeper discounts!

H&M Home
That’s right: the trendy clothing store now offers an equally affordable selection of home decor items, and they’re just as stylish as you might expect. From bedding sets for less than $50 to funky shower curtains and even marble print kitchenware, this is the perfect place to find all of the hottest decorating trends.

Z Gallerie
If your style is a bit more luxe, you’ll love the upscale touches without the upscale price tags that Z Gallerie has to offer. This popular home goods store is well known for its ornate wall mirrors and elegant tableware, but you’ll even find sofas, sectionals, and other affordable furniture pieces.

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Deck the Halls With These Holiday Decor Ideas

December 3, 2015 by

Everyone loves a nice wreath on the front door and some stockings on the staircase, but with a bit of holiday cheer and seasonal inspiration, you can create completely unique decorations that will make your home the most festive one on the block. Here are some holiday décor ideas to try this year.

  1. Create a berry branch centerpiece. Instead of purchasing pricey flowers and struggling to arrange them before guests arrive, simply step outside and gather some branches for a more rustic centerpiece. If you prefer something more colorful, try berry branches instead.
  2. Don’t forget the doorway. Greet guests before they even get inside by decorating your doorway with evergreen garland, fresh poinsettias and a bright red bow.
  3. Add lanterns. Arrange some vintage lanterns in shades of red, silver and black at the entrance to your home. If you place them inside you can fill them with tall pillar candles, or you can even use flameless candles if you put them outside.
  4. Deck the pendant lights. If your kitchen has hanging pendant lights, wrap them with festive garland or even tinsel for a festive look.
  5. Add colorful candy dishes. Create candy dishes that are just as pretty as they are tasty by filling a clear bowl or vase with striped peppermint candies.

13 Stylish Holiday Decorating Ideas [Real Simple]
11 Easy Holiday Decorating Tips from Top Bloggers [House Beautiful]
101 Fresh Christmas Decorating Ideas [Southern Living]

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How to Keep Your Bathroom Clean and Clutter-Free

October 22, 2015 by

It’s not uncommon to accumulate a whole lot of clutter in your bathroom. If you want to finally clean out your bathroom and make it a bit more functional, however, all it takes are a few simple tips to show you how. Here are some great ways to keep your bathroom clean and clutter-free.

  1. Clean out the cabinets. Whether your bathroom has a standard medicine cabinet, an under-sink cabinet or both, it’s always smart to toss out your unused products and make room for the essentials. Clear everything out, wipe down the shelves and add storage bins where you need them.
  2. Update your towel storage. You may feel stuck with the one towel rack that you have, but you can always add a hanging towel rack over the door to create more hanging storage.
  3. Add a shower caddy. If your soaps and shampoos are taking over the shower ledges, keep them corralled with a shower caddy. Invest in one that hangs over the showerhead, or use a portable one that you can tote back and forth between showers.
  4. Add shelving. If all else fails, add your own shelving anywhere that you need it in the bathroom. Store products in baskets or bins to help keep the shelves neat and tidy.

Quick Tips for Organizing Bathrooms [HGTV]
10 Tips to organize your bathroom [She Knows]
Store More in Your Bath [Better Homes & Gardens]

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Helpful Study Tips for Students of All Ages

August 20, 2015 by

Students from sixth grade all the way up to graduate school struggle can find studying to be a daunting task, despite how different their curriculum may be. Use these helpful study tips to improve your own studying or to help your struggling child.

  1. Review before bed. While it’s not the best idea to study when you’re overly tired, there’s some benefit to studying right before bed. Your brain strengthens new memories while sleeping, so you’re more likely to remember what you learned if you look at the information right before falling asleep.
  2. Create mnemonic devices. Whether you’re trying to remember complex chemistry concepts or the states and their capitals, it often helps to create a little story or other mnemonic device using people or objects that you’re already familiar with. For example, make a poem out of the first letters of each of the planets for a child who is struggling with an elementary science class.
  3. Create practice tests. One of the only ways to really test your knowledge is by putting yourself to the test. Download pre-made practice tests online or enlist a study partner to quiz you on the topic.
  4. Write instead of typing. Many studies show that the human brain is more likely to remember something that you write by hand than something that you type, so leave your laptop at home the next time you take notes.

22 Science-Backed Study Tips to Ace a Test [Greatist]
10 Tips to Study Smart and Save Time [Lifehack]
Adults in College: 10 Secrets to Success if You Haven’t Seen a Classroom in Years [Back to College Blog]
Top 10 Study Tips for Busy Adult Learners [Back to College]

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How to Decorate With Serving Trays Around the Home

July 23, 2015 by

You likely make use of serving trays when you entertain, but have you ever considered a tray's use outside the kitchen? There are a number of creative, modern ways to use serving trays around the home, and these simple tutorials will show you how.

  1. In the bathroom. Corral your everyday beauty essentials instead of letting them take over the bathroom sink by using an attractive tray. Choose one with taller edges so that small bottles don’t slide off of the sides, and be sure to display your prettiest products inside.
  2. In the office. Add a serving tray to your desk to keep office supplies, pen holders, paperwork, and business cards from cluttering up your desk.
  3. On the coffee table. Make your coffee table vignette look even more catalog-worthy by adding a large, attractive serving tray to your design scheme. Fill it with coasters, candles, and a large flower vase.
  4. Make your own. If you can’t find a serving tray that you like (or that fits your budget), make your own using a plain white tray and scrapbook-style paper. Cut the paper to fit the inside of the tray and secure it using double-sided tape.

Styling Trays for Every Room In Your Home [The Art of Living Well]
Paper-Lined Desk Tray [Lulu The Baker]
De-Cluttering The Dresser With a Cake Stand! [Ruffles & Truffles]

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Let the Sunshine In: DIY Spring Home Decor Projects

April 16, 2015 by

After your spring cleaning is complete, you may start to feel like your home could use a bit of a decorating revamp, as well. No matter your budget, you can easily give your home a springtime makeover with DIY home decor projects. Here are just a few of the best spring-themed decorating projects for every room in your home.

Colorful Egg Window Dressing [familycircle.com]
Set to work crafting colorful paper eggs that will dress up those newly cleaned windows. This simple tutorial only requires multicolored construction paper and some scissors to complete, and it’s easy enough that even the kids can help out.

Heart-Shaped Sachets [countryliving.com]
Freshen up your drawers and closets with these adorable DIY sachets. Simply take some scrap fabric in a pattern that you like, cut out two heart shapes, and sew them together around the edges. Fill them with potpourri just before you sew them closed, then seal them shut and enjoy the scent.

Daffodil Flower Care [marthastewart.com]
One of the best ways to spruce up your home for the springtime is by adding fresh flowers wherever you can. Freshly cut daffodils are the picture of spring, but they can often be difficult to care for. This tutorial will show you how to properly cut daffodils and arrange them in a vase in a way that even a florist would admire.

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Calling All Teachers: These Pinterest Boards Are Head of the Class!

March 19, 2015 by

Being teacher is an incredibly fulfilling job, and Pinterest is one of the most beneficial tools on the Internet to help make the most out of your classroom. From funny quotes to creative lesson ideas, the Pinterest teaching community offers something for all types of educators. Here are three of the best teaching boards on Pinterest.

Classroom Management
Teaching a class isn’t all fun and games, and this helpful board offers a number of tips and tricks for organizing your classroom and keeping everything running smoothly. Here, you’ll find creative ways to motivate your students, plus fun decorations that double as educational resources and printable worksheets to bolster your lesson plans.

Classroom Organization
Any teacher will tell you that staying organized is the key to a happy classroom, and this board is filled with ideas to help you do just that. Creative sign-out sheets will help you to keep track of all of your students, while bins and cubbies make great spaces for organizing all of your classroom supplies. There are even printable labels, worksheets, and calendars that all teachers will love.

Teacher Quotes
At the end of the day, teaching is all about maintaining a sense of humor. These inspiring and often hilarious quotes are filled with inside jokes that only fellow teachers will understand.

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