Hosting a Party? Check Out This Handy Food and Drink Calculator!

It seems that every time you host a party, you never prepare the right amount of food and beverages. From the time that you overshot the buffet and had leftovers for months to the last minute drink run at your last shindig, something just doesn’t add up.

Luckily, this handy food and beverage calculator from Real Simple will help you to calculate exactly how many refreshments to make for your party size. Simply enter the number of guests that you’re expecting and whether or not their children are also invited and the online tool will do all of the food and beverage planning for you.

The calculator’s results detail how many bottles of wine, cases of beer, and even ice to purchase. It also details cheese by the pound, hors d’oeuvres by the piece and a number of other food options. Take the results with you to the grocery store and you can be sure that you’re getting exactly the right amount of everything for your party.

Party Food and Beverage Calculator [Real Simple]

Three Space Saving Ideas for Apartment Renters

With all the stuff we have in our lives, our apartments can get pretty crowded. Each item might seem like a necessity, making it hard to part with anything. One solution? Maximize your space by finding space-saving storage solutions. Here are three ideas:

Hang pots, pans, and utensils
In many homes, the kitchen becomes a magnet attracting stuff, causing cabinets and drawers to fill up fast. One solution is to use hooks to hang stuff like mugs, utensils, and pots and pans. That way it'll be out of the way when you need to use the counter space, but ready at hand when you're set to cook.

Use your dresser drawers effectively
Dresser drawers offer storage to complement your closets. And one simple trick can help you use them more effectively: store your clothes filed front-to-back (like you'd do while shelving books) instead of simply stacking them.

Find multi-use furniture
An ottoman can double as storage for blankets and pillows. The space beneath your bed can hide plastic storage containers, and some bed frames even include drawers. Multi-use furniture can keep your stuff stored… and out of sight.

17 Space-Saving Solutions for Small Kitchens [Houzz]
Top 10 Space-Saving Household Projects [Lifehacker]
10 Ways to Maximize Space in a Small Bedroom [Freshome]