You are here: Home / Archives for Miscellaneous

How to Make Fondue at Home

March 19, 2015 by

Going out for fondue is usually a luxury reserved only for celebrations or special date night dinners, but did you know that it’s actually easy to make your own fondue at home? Use these recipes to create a restaurant-worthy fondue station at your next dinner party.

Cheese Fondue [foodnetwork.com]
Classic cheese fondue is the cornerstone of this trendy culinary style, and this recipe incorporates a blend of shredded Swiss and flavorful Gruyere with a few basic seasonings to create a creamy cheese dip. Keep some fondue forks or wooden skewers on hand to dip crusty bread or blanched veggies into the homemade cheese sauce.

Chocolate Fondue [marthastewartweddings.com]
If you prefer to experiment with at-home fondue for dessert instead of dinner, this simple recipe will surely be a crowd pleaser. Dip fresh fruits or even marshmallows into the chocolate-y finished product.

Garlic, Spinach and Cheddar Fondue [kraftrecipes.com]
For a more casual gathering, this creamy mix of spinach and cheddar with a hefty dose of garlic is simple to make, but just as delicious as fancier fondues. Pair it with fresh veggies and a variety of crackers to avoid the mess of fondue forks. This cheesy dip can even be served in a slow cooker if you don’t own a proper fondue pot.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Put a Spring in Your Step With These Springtime Decorating Tips

March 13, 2015 by

After spending an entire weekend checking off items on your spring cleaning checklist, you’re likely ready to add a few fun, spring-themed touches to your freshly cleaned home. It doesn’t take a big budget to decorate your home for the changing season, however; all it takes is some creativity and these adorable decorating tips.

  • Use natural items wherever possible. Go outside and gather blooming branches, pebbles, and other organic objects to use in your DIY decor. Arrange them in a clear bowl on the center of the table, or corral them in a wicker basket for a chic, natural look.
  • Switch out your throw pillows. Add a burst of citrus-inspired color to your living area just in time for spring by replacing your usual throw pillows with bright, cheerful alternatives.
  • Add a bit of green. Nothing says springtime like live plants in the home, so make a stop at your local nursery to pick up a few for your home. Ferns are an especially good idea because they make a big impact and are easy to care for.
  • Change your doormat. If your current doormat looks a bit worse for the wear from all of those heavy winter boots, switch it out for something fun and colorful or even a mat with a cheeky greeting.

Easy Spring Decorating Ideas [Midwest Living]
Inspired Spring Décor [Better Homes & Gardens]
10 Decorating Ideas for Spring [Style at Home]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Interior Design 101: Decorating Tips for Beginners

March 6, 2015 by

So you didn’t go to school for interior design? No big deal; you can still transform your home into a designer-worthy space using just a few simple tips. These handy tricks will show you how to inject a stylish, inspiring look into any room in your home.

  1. Use symmetry. If you’re unsure of how to arrange the furniture in a room or hang frames on a wall, simply keep the idea of symmetry in mind. Symmetrical rooms are more pleasing to the eye, so try adding two sofas facing one another to help balance your living room.
  2. Consider the scale. Be sure to choose furniture in a size that fits your specific room. Choose large, overstuffed items for more open rooms and compact, apartment-sized furniture in smaller spaces.
  3. Choose a focal point. If the majority of your furniture is fairly plain, invest in one statement piece as an accent. Try a colorful chair, a large, framed painting, or an ornate rug.
  4. Use color to your advantage. Choose the color scheme of a room based on what type of emotion you want the room to convey. For example, use soft, soothing tones to encourage relaxation in a bedroom.
  5. Mix new and vintage pieces. While a room full of thrift store furnishings may look mismatched, using all brand new furniture looks impersonal. Combine the two styles for a designer look.

Top Interior Design Tips for Beginners [Bliss at Home]
Interior Design 101 [Visual.ly]
What are Some Interior Design Tips for Beginners? [Wise Geek]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Host a Successful Toy Swap With Your Friends, Family and Neighbors

March 5, 2015 by

If your children are too old for their current toys but you can’t bear to simply toss them out, you may be interested in hosting a toy swap with fellow parents. A toy swap enables you to swap your child’s old or unused toys with those of other children, bringing home a whole new haul of toys without spending a penny. Here are a few tips to help you pull off a successful toy swap.

  1. Create a list of guests. Try to pick guests who you feel comfortable with, who have children in varying ages, and who live fairly close to one another.
  2. Choose the perfect location. Because of the group of people and the large amount of toys, you’ll need to hold the swap in a large, fairly spacious room. If you don’t have this type of space in your own home, see if someone else would be willing to lend their living room.
  3. Send out invitations and guidelines. Emailing invitations seems to be the most convenient way to get the word out, so include a list of guidelines for the swap at that time. Describe what types of toys to bring, if they should be cleaned beforehand, how many toys to bring, and if there are any items that you won’t accept.
  4. Make it fun. Set out snacks, make sure everyone understands the rules, and keep things light-hearted!

How To Organize a Toy Swap or Toy Exchange [About Parenting]
How to Host a Toy Swap [30 Handmade Days]
How to Throw a Toy Exchange [Shareable]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Create a Home “Command Center”

February 27, 2015 by

There are likely days when it maintaining your—or your family's—day-to-day schedule can prove to be a daunting task. Why not consider creating a central home command center? You can rely on this single location to keeping things running smoothly in your abode. Here's how to do it:

  1. Choose the perfect space. Whether you pick an unused wall in the kitchen or a small nook in the living room, just about any centrally located space in your home will do.
  2. Post a bulletin board. This is essential for displaying notes, recording missed phone calls, or posting bills with near-approaching due dates.
  3. Add a calendar. Keep everyone’s sports schedules and work trips on file with a large calendar in your command center. Encourage your family members to write their upcoming appointments on the calendar so that there’s no missed communication as the date approaches.
  4. Take advantage of shelves. Whether you have a full bookcase or a simple hanging shelf, shelves are important for storing file folders, medical records, and bins for spare keys and other essentials.
  5. Cut the clutter. To avoid clutter in your command center, weed out the junk mail, magazines, smelly gym bags, and other unimportant items.

Do you have tips for staying organized? Please share them!

How to Organize the Family Command Center [Real Simple]
Family Command Center [Pinterest]
Done in a Day: Family Command Center [Southern Living]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Take the Stress Out of Home-Cooked Meals

February 20, 2015 by

For as long as you can remember, there’s always been a certain pressure to provide your loved ones with a nightly “home-cooked meal.” Although it may sometimes feel like it’s impossible to prepare an elaborate dinner on busy weeknights, these smart tips will show you how to take the stress out of the classic home-cooked meal.

  1. Start meal planning. Sure, making a home-cooked meal is difficult if you don’t have all the ingredients or don’t know what to make. By planning a week’s worth of meals on Sunday evening, you can get your cooking schedule under control.
  2. Make preparations. Many at-home chefs use their weekends as a time to prepare the bases for the week’s meals. You can cook a dozen chicken breasts, bake a casserole, or even begin to marinate a steak to save yourself time the night of.
  3. Choose basic recipes. If you don’t have time to experiment with fancy recipes from cooking magazines, choose recipes that you already know and love. Just because your favorite spaghetti and meatballs is pretty basic doesn’t mean that it’s not home-cooked.
  4. Make it from scratch, but not entirely from scratch. Don’t feel like you have to crush your garlic by hand or chop each vegetable individually for your meal to count as home-cooked. Buying frozen veggies or garlic powder works just as well.

10 Secrets of Home Cooks (And How You Can Become One, Too!) [Real Simple]
6 Tips for Stress-Free Family Meals [Right @ Home]
How to Plan Your Weekly Meals, Stress Free [Lifehacker]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Transform Your Apple Device Into a Sound Machine

February 19, 2015 by

Sound machines are smart devices that provide unassuming, natural background sounds to lull you into sleep or to create a relaxing environment for meditation. Although these types of machines can be pricey purchases, your iPhone or other Apple device can work just as well if you have the right apps. Here are three affordable (or free) apps that will transform your Apple device into a sound machine:

Relax Melodies
This app offers more than 50 soothing sounds that promise to help you fall asleep in 20 minutes or less. Users can combine sounds or melodies into a customized mix, or choose from the pre-made sound combinations that are already designed to relax your mind and body.

Rain, Rain Sleep Sounds
If you prefer the natural sound effects of a classic sound machine, this app is for you. It uses the sounds of rainfall, ocean waves and even the outdoor experience of rain against a tent to turn your bedroom into an oasis of whatever is most relaxing to you.

White Noise Ambiance
White noises are unobtrusive background sounds that fill the silence without sounding distracting. If you have trouble falling asleep in a silent room, this app offers 21 common relaxing sounds like campfires, floor fans and even a summer thunderstorm.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Where to Shop for Quirky Gifts for All Occasions

February 13, 2015 by

Instead of doling out another restaurant gift certificate or boring sweater for a holiday or birthday, why not try a gift with a bit more personality? If you have a friend or family member with a great sense of humor, check out these fun websites for quirky gift ideas.

Omoi Zakka Shop
This online site of this Philadelphia-based retailer is filled with minimalist trinkets like cubed planters, brass bottle openers, and enamel kettles that make the perfect gifts for just about anyone in your life who appreciates quality knick knacks with a story to tell.

Paper Source
Whether you’re shopping for a child, father or significant other, Paper Source has gifts organized by recipient to make shopping easy. Here you’ll find customized notepads, candles, coffee mugs, and more.

ModCloth
The popular vintage clothing retailer has an equally adorable gift section for both men and women. Beer glasses, home goods, and wall art items in cute and quirky styles make the perfect fun presents at affordable prices.

Joy
This fun and feminine shop carries a wide array of quirky gifts for your sister, girlfriend, or best friend. Pineapple shaped jewelry holders mingle with markers shaped like lipstick and miniature sewing kits on this sweet site.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How Pinterest Can Help You Streamline Your Skincare Routine

February 6, 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.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Where to Read About Tech and Gadgets Online

February 5, 2015 by

If you love all things technology, you’re likely always on the hunt for the latest products and most recent gadget news. The Internet is filled with sites dedicated entirely to fueling your technology addiction, but these three are some of the very best.

Gizmodo
Although its name sounds silly, Gizmodo is a website for serious technology aficionados (or those looking to learn more about it). You’ll find journalistic articles describing the latest trends and advancements in the area of electronics, incredible life hacks and technology news from around the world—and even from outer space.

TechCrunch
With a number of different product reviews and gift guides, this is the site to surf when you’re choosing between smartphones or looking to purchase a new computer. TechCrunch also posts fascinating articles from the world of technology and high-quality TCTV online shows that are both funny and informative.

Engadget
On Engadget, you’ll find photos, videos, must-read news stories and a wide variety of different types of media all entirely dedicated to technology. The site also offers the Engadget Daily, a roundup post of quick snippets of the most recent tech news, which makes a fun read first thing in the morning.

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

Pin It on Pinterest