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How to Create an Eye-Catching Vignette

January 21, 2016 by

While design magazines and blogs make it seem effortless to throw a few things together on a shelf and make it look stylish, in real life, it’s not quite as easy. If you want to learn how to create a magazine-worthy vignette, these simple tips will show you the way.

  1. Start with a blank slate. No matter what type of finished product you have in mind, it’s always best to start with a blank surface so that you can really visualize where things will go.
  2. Gather complementary colors. Before placing the items in your vignette, make sure that they all look good together. They don’t have to match exactly, but they should look purposeful together.
  3. Start with the largest item. Place your largest item first, whether it’s a lamp or a vase of flowers.
  4. Think of layers. Place items at varying heights and depths, such as a couple of large frames against the wall and smaller candles at the front. You can also stack books horizontally to offset the vertical items.
  5. Play with spacing. Move objects a few times, then step back and admire your work to find the right spacing.
  6. Consider texture. Finally, create texture in your vignette. Incorporate lush plants, flowers, feathers or even a woven basket as a finishing touch.

Creating a Well-Styled Table Vignette [Jenna Burger]
8 Tips for Making Beautiful Vignettes [HGTV]
Rule of Three and Odd Numbers [Cecilia Walker Design]

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Handy Home Decorating Tips for Beginners

January 7, 2016 by

Whether you just moved into your rental at Residences at Gramercy, 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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5 Interesting Facts About Frank Sinatra

December 17, 2015 by

Frank Sinatra’s voice made him quite possibly the most popular singer of the 20th century, delivering personal lyrics and irresistible melodies with command and flair. He was a tough guy with a softer side, and American audiences simply couldn’t get enough of Ol' Blue Eyes. Here are some of the most interesting facts about Frank Sinatra.

  1. Frank Sinatra was so inspired by Bing Crosby that he dropped out of high school to pursue singing as a career. He performed at local nightclubs in the Hoboken, New Jersey, area and even got some air time on the city’s radio stations.
  2. After noticing his local success, bandleader Tommy Dorsey invited Sinatra to join his band. Sinatra and Dorsey enjoyed two years of hit songs together, but eventually Sinatra quit to pursue a solo career.
  3. In just three short years between 1943 and 1946, Sinatra released 17 Top 10 singles.
  4. In addition to his incredible voice, Sinatra was also a talented actor. He made his film debut in 1943 with the movie Higher and Higher, and in 1953 he won an Oscar for From Here to Eternity.
  5. Though Sinatra was signed to Capitol Records for the beginning of his recording career, he left the label to start his own label, Reprise, in the late 1950s. Warner Bros. bought Reprise, and Sinatra then started his own film production company, Artanis.

Are you a Sinatra fan? Tell us which song by Ol' Blue Eyes is your favorite!

Frank Sinatra [Biography]
Frank Sinatra Biography [Rolling Stone]
About Frank Sinatra [MTV]

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Where to Shop Holiday Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything

December 3, 2015 by

Just about everyone knows that one person who seems to have everything, and they’re likely the most difficult to shop for on your holiday gift list. Stop worrying about what to buy and use these fun and unique online shopping sites as gift-giving inspiration.

Perpetual Kid
If your friend or family member is a bit of a child at heart, Perpetual Kid is the perfect place to shop for holiday gifts. This site is filled with things that are wacky, whimsical, and even a bit unusual, and they’re guaranteed to surprise even the most difficult person on your list. From retro candies to notebooks shaped like cheeseburgers to magnetic Scrabble boards, you’ll find an endless supply of silly gifts that just about anyone will love.

Uncommon Goods
Everything at Uncommon Goods is, well, uncommon, which is perfect for the person your list who seems to already have everything. The site’s inventory includes upscale home goods, beer-themed accessories, and hard-to-find kitchen supplies, and many of its items are also customizable. Browse Uncommon Goods by the type of person you’re shopping for, the style of gift that you want to buy, or even your price range to find the perfect gift.

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Get in the Fall Spirit With These DIY Home Decor Projects

November 19, 2015 by

If you want to add some fall flair to your home without spending a fortune, you'll love these unique fall decor craft ideas.

Autumn Leaf Candle Holder [Country Living]
Use a simple mason jar and the first fallen leaves to create this autumnal candle holder. Use a bit of decoupage to attach the leaves to the sides of the jars, then watch as they light up against the flicker of a candle inside.

Newsprint Covered Pumpkins [paintedfurnitureideas.com]
Add a vintage look to the usual fall pumpkins by covering them with black and white newspaper. All it takes is a few minutes of gluing and a couple hours of drying to achieve this chic, understated look.

Metallic Acorns [twoityourself.com]
Acorns are everywhere come fall, so why not bring them inside the home for a touch of rustic decor. This project involves drying the acorns, painting them with a metallic spray paint and filling a clear lantern with the now-shimmering acorns. Display the finished project on your coffee table or a wall shelf to help welcome the autumn season.

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Fall Is Here! Read About the Health Benefits of Pumpkins and Squash!

November 5, 2015 by

Now that fall is here, your meal plans are filled with pumpkins and squash. You love these foods because of their delicious taste and cooking versatility, but did you know that they’re also filled with health benefits? Here are just a few of the most beneficial nutrients in pumpkins and squash.

  1. Pumpkins contain a great deal of vitamin A, which boosts the immune system to prevent you from getting sick once the seasons change. Vitamin A also helps to maintain the health of your eyes.
  2. The carotenoids that give pumpkins their bright orange color protect you against heart disease, prevent wrinkles on the skin and even fight off the free radicals that cause cancer.
  3. Pumpkins are great for digestion because they contain a good deal of fiber. The fiber also balances your blood sugar and lowers bad cholesterol, which is especially important as you age.
  4. Just one serving of butternut squash offers 35% of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C. This essential vitamin can greatly reduce your risk for heart attack.
  5. Acorn, butternut and spaghetti squashes are filled with anti-inflammatory properties, which alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and soothe aching joints.

Eat Your Pumpkin! 9 Reasons Why It's Good For You [Mind Body Green]
6 Health Secrets of Winter Squash [Organic Authority]

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Update Basic Magnets and Pushpins WIth These Fun Tutorials

October 22, 2015 by

Who says office supplies have to be boring? Here are a few crafty ways to transform your basic pushpins and magnets into something eye-catching, playful, and perhaps a bit chic.

Bottle Cap Magnets and Thumbtacks [marthastewart.com]
Start saving up those used bottle caps, because you’re certainly going to want to try this adorable DIY project from Martha Stewart. Simply glue a small photo inside of each bottlecap, then use contact cement to attach them to the magnets and pushpins and create a tiny photo gallery.

DIY Gold Magnetic Letters [inspiredbycharm.com]
If you loved making silly words and phrases from those colorful magnetic letters as a kid, you’ll enjoy this chic, updated version just as much. Just cover those childish magnets with luxe gold spray paint for a modern, updated look.

Washi Tape Clothespins [designertrapped.com]
By covering affordable wooden clothespins with different types of colorful washi tape, you can create this fun project in less than an hour. Add adhesive magnets to the backs of each clothespin to use them on the refrigerator, or line them up on a wire to hang photos from a wall.

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Kick Back This Weekend With These HGTV Shows

September 17, 2015 by

Love watching home shows? Check out these two home renovation programs.

Fixer Upper
Fixer Upper is a fairly new HGTV show that follows married couple Chip and Joanna Gaines as they pair wary homebuyers with run-down, older houses in the Waco-Dallas area. The couple sees the potential in these older homes and helps the buyers to renovate them back to their former glory, from the intricate crown molding to the gleaming hardwood floors. All of the Gaines’s renovations feature a rustic charm that’s very unique to Texas, and once you see Joanna’s storage shed filled with potential design elements that she purchased from junk shops around town, you might become a fan of the show.

House Hunters Renovation
The most DIY-heavy of the House Hunters shows, House Hunters Renovation focuses on homebuyers who don’t mind getting their hands dirty when purchasing a new home. The hour-long show follows the usual formula of a buyer choosing between three potential homes, but the last half of the program is dedicated entirely to the renovation process after they've purchased the property.

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These Recipes for Fresh Strawberries Are Berry Delicious

August 20, 2015 by

Strawberries taste delicious all on their own, so imagine how tasty they’ll be when expertly combined with other creative ingredients. If you want to make sweet and savory dishes that utilize your favorite fruit, these strawberry recipes are a great resource.

Berry “Pizza”
This dessert combines the rich, tangy taste of ricotta cheese with sweet and fragrant strawberries into individual pies. Flour tortillas create the crust, while the ricotta imitates the cheese of a more traditional pizza pie. If that’s not already enough, the small, individual sizes of these desserts are just simply adorable.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Bread
Make a sweet breakfast treat that the whole family will love with this recipe for Strawberry Cream Cheese Bread. The cream cheese adds a creamy texture, while the chunks of fresh strawberries create a lovely pop of pink color. The end result is dense and sweet, and it tastes perfect when paired with a steaming cup of hot coffee.

Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos with Strawberry Salsa
Fish tacos are a lunch or dinnertime favorite, but they’re only enhanced by the sweet and spicy taste of a homemade strawberry salsa. Add an avocado sour cream dipping sauce, and this dish will secure a place on your list of favorite recipes!

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Four Fascinating Facts About Humans in Space

July 23, 2015 by

Are you fascinated by space exploration? Do you dream of joining the 12 people in history who've walked on the moon? Before you don your space suit, check out these interesting facts about humans in space!

1) Before you can even think about becoming an astronaut, you must log at least 1,000 hours of flying in a jet aircraft. This will prepare you, at least somewhat, to go from zero to 17,000 miles per hour in less than nine minutes on the Space Shuttle.

2) Once you've been launched into space, astronauts receive 3.8 pounds of food a day. Most of the food is precooked and processed so that it doesn't require refrigeration. Some fresh fruits and vegetables are on board, but they must be consumed within the first couple days. Astronauts can season their meals with ketchup, mustard, and taco sauce, among other condiments provided on the Space Shuttle.

3) The food consumed during Apollo 11 included bacon squares, sugar cookie cubes, beef stew, and fruit cake. The astronauts quenched their thirst with coffee, fruit juice, and orange drink.

4) On Earth, space suits weigh a whopping 280 pounds. It takes the better part of an hour to put on a space suit, and each astronaut wears special undergarments.

For more interesting space facts, check out NASA's website.

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