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5 Stylish Alternatives to the Traditional Nightstand

September 15, 2016 by

Whether you're working with limited space or you're simply looking for something more unique than traditional furniture, there are a number of reasons why you might want to skip the usual squared nightstand and opt for something a bit more tailored to your needs. Here are just five great alternatives to the usual bedside table — and even a few that aren't tables at all!

  1. A chair. Visit your local thrift store or a stylish home goods store to pick out chic chairs that can double as bedside tables. They're perfect for creating a base for your current reads and an alarm clock, or if you prefer to go the minimal route and leave the chair's base bare, you can even use it to sit on.
  2. A sturdy shelf. If you only have a few feet to spare on either side of your bed, simply attach a small shelf to the wall and use it as a compact nightstand alternative.
  3. A vintage milk crate. Hunt for these rustic wooden crates at local antique sales or even the farmers market if you're looking for a bedside table with a bit more personality. Simply flip it upside down or on its side, depending on how tall you want your "table" to look.
  4. A desk. If you're on the other side of the bedroom spectrum and actually have more space than you know what to do with, use a desk as your nightstand. That way, you can fill empty space and create a private area for answering e-mails or planning your week.
  5. A bar cart. Everyone loves the retro bar cart, but this piece isn't just designed for housing your favorite spirits. Use it in a guest bedroom to provide your guests with a carafe of water, fresh flowers, toiletries and more.

Rethink the Table: 22 Bedside Alternatives [Brit + Co]

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Budget-Friendly Ways to Decorate Your Home at Savannah Lakes

August 18, 2016 by

While you can’t make permanent renovations in a rental, there are a number of ways to add your own personality to the space in a truly budget-friendly way. Here are just a few ideas for decorating your home at Savannah Lakes — even if you’re on a budget!

  • Spraypaint large, wall-sized canvases (or a series of two or three) from the local art supply store in bright, bold shades. This is an easy way to add a pop of color to your walls that mimics the effects of a new paint job, and it makes it affordable to create your own simple artwork.
  • Mix and match furniture from the local resale store to create a kitschy, cool effect that looks straight out of a design magazine. This is also a great way to save a good bit of money on big ticket items, such as sofas and lounge chairs.
  • Bring in elements of the outdoors to create a warm, natural look throughout the home. Fill vases with stark branches, add seashells to small bowls, or fill a large jar with pinecones for seasonal dwcor.
  • Create your own headboard by simply covering a flat, wooden board the size of your bed with a high quality fabric. Leave the top open and stuff it with pillow filling, and then add tufted details or nailheads along the outer edges.

32 Budget-Friendly Home Decorating Ideas [Country Living]
Budget Decorating [HGTV]
20 Low-Cost Decorating Ideas [Real Simple]
20 Thrifty, Frugal & Inexpensive Decorating Ideas [Apartment Therapy]

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Super-Simple Ways to Refresh Your Apartment’s Decor

July 21, 2016 by

If you feel like your apartment's decor is looking a little tired, don't fret. You don't have to save up for months to complete a total overhaul of the place; instead, you can make a few quick tweaks designed to have the ultimate impact. Here are five ideas to get you started.

  1. Reupholster a dying chair. If you consider yourself a solid DIYer, then reupholstering a chair should be no large feat for you. Perhaps you already have a comfy chair at home that you can reupholster, or maybe you'll have the added perk of being able to find one at your favorite thrift store. Either way, head to the craft store to choose a fabric you like, then use an online tutorial to help you make over your chair.
  2. Paint your throw pillows. There are countless ways to spruce up throw pillows, from slapping on a new case to painting them with colorful stripes. Use the method that suits your style (and time constraints).
  3. Make over your headboard. If it's your bedroom that needs the facelift, start with its focal point: the bed. You can recreate your headboard easily and cheaply, in various ways. For instance, hang a curtain panel across a metal bar for a contemporary twist on the typical headboard.
  4. Mix and match different rooms' accents. Maybe you already have all the components you need to update your apartment within its four walls. If you have certain decorations that distinguish a room, try swapping them between other spaces in your home to create a new aesthetic. For example, you could move the end table from your living room into the guest room, and repurpose the bedside table as a new end table instead.

10 Ways to Redecorate Without Spending a Dime [Bob Vila]
Give Your Bedroom a Money-Saving Makeover [All You]
How to give your room an instant makeover [Homedit]

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Wallet-Friendly Ways to Revamp and Rejuvenate Your Rental’s Decor

June 16, 2016 by

Regardless of how on-trend your decor was when you initially adorned your apartment, it's only a matter of time before you feel like your surroundings are outdated. But when a home makeover isn't really in the budget, you might feel stuck with the interior design you've got. You aren't, though. There are tons of budget-friendly approaches to decorating that can spruce up your apartment. Here are just three of them to get the creative juices flowing.

  1. Upcycle existing embellishments. If your home-decorating instincts take you to Amazon, let your money-saving instincts lead you to Pinterest instead this time. Look for DIY ways that you can revamp that old coffee table or update worn throw pillows. It might be as easy as picking up a can of spray paint or some ribbon and fabric glue.
  2. Frame free pieces of "artwork." You don't have to break the bank on a piece of art in order for it to add something to your room. Prints or photos from magazines and books can have just as great an impact on the aesthetic of your bedroom or living room as expensive artwork. Just find a cheap frame at Target or the thrift store to complement your makeshift work of art.
  3. Break out the sewing machine. If you're handy with a needle and thread, there's a lot you can do in your apartment without spending much money. For example, you can easily create new curtains or pillowcases. These are both simple ways to spiff up your apartment that conserve both time and money.

Budget Decorator: 15 No-Cost Ways to Invigorate Your Space [Houzz]
15 Budget Decorating Secrets [HGTV]
The 10 Most Important Tips For Decorating On A Tight Budget [freshome]

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

May 19, 2016 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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Six Amazing Animal Facts

April 21, 2016 by

You know the difference between mammals and reptiles, amphibians and fish, but we bet they didn't teach you these fun facts in biology class:

1. Just like the human fingerprint, every cat's nose sports a ridged pattern that's unique only to them. The same can be said for the pattern on a dog's nose.

2. A hummingbird's wings can flap up to 80 times per second. The tiny bird is the only bird with the ability to fly backwards.

3. Killer whales (a.k.a. orcas) aren't whales; they're actually dolphins. The largest member of the dolphin family, killer whales have no known predators. They're even higher on the food chain than the great white shark, which orcas are known to hunt and eat.

4. Polar bears have black skin.

5. Only female mosquitoes bite. The itchiness that results from the bite is your immune system's reaction to the insect's saliva. The more you scratch, the more your system goes into overdrive, so hands off that bite!

6. Owls have a reputation for being wise, but this predatory bird is actually quite dumb. Owls are known to be difficult to train, as the bird is only wired to hunt rodents—and that's about it.

25 Amazing Facts You Didn’t Know About Animals [List 25]
27 Animal Facts That Will Brighten Your Day [Buzzfeed]
Top 10 Crazy Animal Facts You Don’t Know [Listverse]
Animal Facts [Science Kids]
10 Amazing Facts About Animals [TIFO]

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No Green Thumb? No Problem! Grow These Houseplants at Savannah Lakes!

March 17, 2016 by

Even if you haven’t had the best luck with plants in the past, that’s no reason to give up on having a greenery-filled home. While certain houseplants are very finicky and seem to die as soon as you glance in their direction, others are hearty, resilient and made for people whose thumbs aren't exactly green. Here are just a few.

  1. Succulents. The desert native succulent plant is beloved by many for its very sparse watering schedule. Because it only needs watering once a month or so, this trendy houseplant is perfect for forgetful owners.
  2. Aloe plants. The unique looking aloe plant is another one that doesn’t need much watering (or even much sunlight). Simply give it a bit of water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
  3. Cast-iron plant. There’s a reason this great plant has a name that’s tough as nails: the cast-iron plant can tolerate everything from low light to changes in the atmosphere like a champ.
  4. Snake plant. The high-reaching snake plant (sometimes called mother-in-law’s tongue) not only offers a stylish, impactful look, it can also survive in low light and with sporadic waterings.
  5. Jade plant. This gorgeous plant will live for years without much care at all, eventually growing into a small tree with a large enough pot.

Houseplants for People Who Can't Grow Houseplants [This Old House]
How To Choose the Right Houseplant [Bayer Advanced]
Houseplants for the Forgetful Gardener [Better Homes & Gardens]

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Cheese, Please! How to Make a Memorable Cheese Plate

February 18, 2016 by

For the avid foodie, there are few things in life more beautiful than a good cheese plate. If you want to create a truly gourmet quality cheese plate for your next dinner party or holiday gathering at Savannah Lakes, use these simple tips for assembling the perfect spread.

  1. Consider the basics. Before beginning, consider how many people you’ll be serving and what other types of food you’ll have. This will help you to determine how much cheese to buy.
  2. Determine quantity. For an hors d’oeuvre, your cheese plate should include one to two ounces of cheese per person. If you plan on serving it after the main meal, pare it down to just one ounce per person.
  3. Choose the perfect serving platter. Invest in a sturdy cutting board, a marble cheese platter, or an attractive slate slab.
  4. Choose the cheeses. Lighter options, like goat cheese and fresh mozzarella, are great options for before dinner, while fuller bodied cheeses include cheddar, aged gouda and bleu cheese.
  5. Create a theme. If you’re still unsure of which cheeses to choose, create a theme. Pick cheeses from one specific region of the world, or opt for cheeses that are all made from goat’s milk.
  6. Organize. Spread your cheeses out on the platter for easy cutting, and be sure to offer a different knife with each kind. You’ll also want to serve complementary breads and crackers alongside.

The Perfect Cheese Platter [Real Simple]
How to Set Up a Cheese Platter [Food Network]
Creating the Perfect Cheese Plate [Food and Wine]

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Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With These 3 Brownie Recipe Sites

January 21, 2016 by

There are few desserts more wonderful or more decadent than a chocolate brownie. The gooey chocolate batter, warm, melting icing, and extra nuts or raspberry swirls really make this one dessert that just about everyone adores. If you want to add some truly unique brownie recipes to your recipe box, these delicious websites can help.

All Recipes
All Recipes’ Best Brownies section is a round-up of the top brownie concoctions submitted by the site’s users. Each one features step-by-step instructions and a complete shopping list of ingredients to make your baking process even more convenient. Try a classic recipe with powdered sugar on top for a kid's birthday party, or experiment with a spiked Easy Kahlua Brownie that the adults will love.

Food Network
The hosts of the Food Network’s top baking shows all offer their very best brownie recipes on this wonderful page of the network’s website. From caramel-filled Knock-You-Naked Brownies made by the Pioneer Woman to dark Cocoa Brownies courtesy of the people of Good Eats, each host puts his or her own touch on this classic dessert.

Cooking Light
If you want the taste of an indulgent brownie without the extra calories, Cooking Light has just the recipes for you. Each recipe uses low-fat or light ingredients, and the nutritional information is plainly listed to help you stick to your diet goals.

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How to Create a Chic and Stylish Bar Cart

January 7, 2016 by

Bar carts are the types of finishing touches that add a major pop of designer flair to any room in the home. From the living room to the dining room, adding a well-curated bar cart will really give your home the type of 1950s style that is right on trend. Here are just a few tips for creating a truly chic bar cart.

  1. Start with the perfect cart. Scour flea markets and thrift stores for an authentic vintage bar cart. If you can’t find one there, try purchasing one at an affordable furniture store or even using a small three-tiered bookshelf.
  2. Choose your spirits. The types of spirits that you add to your cart really depend on your personal preferences. Investing in three or four bottles of common spirits like vodka, gin, and bourbon is a good place to start.
  3. Add your glassware. Next, invest in new or secondhand sets of wine glasses, low tumblers and martini glasses. You may even want to add decanters to fill with mixers or to trade out unattractive liquor bottles.
  4. Add the accessories. Fill a glass jar with stirrers, add a small cutting board for slicing lemons and limes and even add stacks of mixology books for the finishing touches.

How to Style a Bar Cart [The DIY Playbook]
How To: Create and Stylize the Perfect Bar Cart [Guest of a Guest]
Assembling the Perfect Bar Cart [Primer Magazine]
How to Style the Perfect Bar Cart for Any Party [HGTV]

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