Lifestyle

4 Tips for Hosting a Successful Dinner Party

September 4, 2014 by francis

Inviting friends over for a home cooked meal sounds like a great idea—until it comes time for the meal planning, cooking, and house cleaning that go into hosting a dinner party. Don’t fret, because these simple tips will show you how to host a stress-free gathering and even have enough time for a glass of wine before your guests arrive.

Be honest about the guest list. Before planning a dinner party, ask yourself whom you really want to invite. Limit your list to only a few people if you live in a smaller place, and try to invite people whom you think would get along well.
Plan the meal in advance. Never leave meal planning and shopping until the day before. Browse recipes about a week in advance, and go shopping a few days before. This leaves the day of the party for you to cook and prepare your home.
Set a comfortable table. Make sure that your guests have plenty of napkins, water, and other necessities to limit the time you spend running to the kitchen.
Enlist some help. There’s no shame in asking a friend to help you host your party—in fact, this could even make it more fun.

How to Prep a Flawless Cocktail Party [My Home Ideas]
101 Party Do's & Don'ts [House Beautiful]
How to Host a Dinner Party so Everyone Enjoys It [Lettuce Eat Kale]
Do’s and Don’ts of Hosting a Dinner Party [Rue Daily]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Phil Hawksworth

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Apt Decoration, Entertaining, Home Decor, Interior Design

How to Manage Your Time More Effectively

August 5, 2014 by francis

Whether you’re a student or a business professional, procrastination is faced by anyone with a looming big project or a hectic schedule. It’s important to manage your time wisely when you’re working on a deadline, and these smart tips will help you to reduce stress and accomplish much more each day.

Make a list. This tried-and-true method may seem obvious, but you would be surprised how much a to-do list can help with managing your time more effectively. To-do lists help forgetful people to stay on top of all of their daily tasks, and they force frequent procrastinators to hold themselves accountable for the items on the list.
Prioritize. You may be tempted to complete smaller tasks first, but it’s actually much more effective to prioritize based on which jobs are more important or timelier. Complete pressing tasks first, and then move on to the rest of your work.
Create a distraction-free zone. Whether you work in an office or in your home, be sure to clear your workspace of all clutter before beginning your daily tasks.
Don’t overexert yourself. The most organized people are the ones who realize when they’re spreading themselves too thin. Turn down jobs or favors that you don’t feel like you have enough time to complete, as this may result in shoddy work (not to mention a whole lot of added stress).

How to Manage Your Time Effectively [University of Kent]
Manage Your Time More Effectively to Accomplish More Each Day [Right]
How Does One Manage Time More Effectively? [Forbes]
Managing Your Time and Study Environment [Bucks County Community College]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/[Duncan]

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Business, Career, DIY, Self-Help

These Watermelon Desserts Make Summer Even Sweeter

July 8, 2014 by francis

Equal parts sweet and juicy, watermelon is the quintessential summertime treat, most aptly enjoyed as a palate cleanser between bites of hot dogs and potato salad. But there are many ways to enjoy this popular melon beyond the barbecue! If you want to delve a little deeper into the culinary world of watermelon, give these three dessert recipes a try:

Watermelon Sorbet [New York Times]
Watermelon's high water content proves the melon to be a refreshing snack on a scorching hot summer day. This recipe for watermelon sorbet takes that thought one step further by freezing the melon to create a flavorful frozen treat. Requiring only a food processor and a freezer, this recipe couldn't get much easier!

Cool Watermelon Pops [Taste of Home]
The kids will love this one: Half watermelon-flavored gelatin, half frozen limeade, these adorable ice pops are designed to look just like watermelon—complete with chocolate chips for the seeds! This recipe requires a few steps to reach the final product, but pint-sized chefs will gladly help see the process through to the end.

Fresh Mint and Watermelon Soda Floats [How Sweet It Is]
Fresh mint, watermelon, and carbonated soda are blended together in this recipe, a take on the classic root beer float. Post-blend, the mixture is strained through a sieve, then poured over top of a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Whether you sip it through a straw or tackle it with a spoon, this recipe will surely bring out the kid in you.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Joy

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Desserts, Recipes, Seasonal, Watermelon

4 Uses for Coffee Beyond Your Morning Mug

June 3, 2014 by francis

You already think coffee is a lifesaver, but what if we told you that it has other uses aside from your morning mug? There are a variety of different ways to use coffee beans, grounds, and coffee itself, and many of them have nothing to do with that morning jolt of caffeine. Here are some helpful ways to use coffee around the house.

Exfoliate your skin. If you usually use a cream-based face wash, turn it into an exfoliant by adding coarse coffee grounds. Wash your face as you normally would, and the grainy texture will slough away dry, dead skin cells.
Freshen the air. In rooms like the kitchen or bathroom, use coffee as a unique air freshener. Place a small bowl of coffee grounds somewhere out of the way to mask and absorb odors.
Scrub pots and pans. If your pots and pans are covered in grease but you don’t want to take steel wool to the non-stick surface, try coffee instead. Smear some grounds all over the surface of the pan, and then use a sponge or thick rag to apply pressure in small, circular motions.
Create a natural insect repellant. Sprinkle some coffee grounds in closets, on an outdoor patio, or anywhere that bugs frequently visit.

16 Genius Uses for Coffee [All You]
13 Surprising Uses for Coffee [Reader's Digest]
20 Unusual Uses for Coffee [Yahoo!]
Top 10 Uses for Coffee Grounds [Curbly]

CC-BY-SA-3.0/Flickr/stirling noyes

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Coffee, Cooking, DIY, Food

5 Picnic Recipes to Make This Summer

May 6, 2014 by francis

Having a picnic is on just about everyone’s bucket list each summer. There’s something so enjoyable about eating on a blanket outdoors, but you may start to get a bit tired of the same sandwiches and potato salad year after year. Here are five unique recipes to pack in your picnic basket this summer.

Summer Crab Rolls [Cooking Light]
Seafood lovers will adore these light, slider-style mini sandwiches topped with flavorful crab cakes.

Couscous Salad Cups [Cooking Light]
Forgo the usual mayo-heavy salads in favor of something healthier and just as tasty. This couscous salad is served inside of lettuce “cups” for easy serving even while outdoors, and the feta adds something extra to the simple recipe.

Belle’s Hamburger Buns [AllRecipes]
Instead of using flavorless, store-bought hamburger buns, make your own light and fluffy version right at home. Prep them ahead of time and then bake for just 20 minutes to impress your guests with homemade bread for burgers on the grill.

Curried Chicken Salad with Apples and Raisins [Cooking Light]
If your picnic companions have more adventurous palates, they’ll love this chicken salad recipe with a kick of curry. It’s not quite as creamy as the usual chicken salad recipes, so it tastes fresh and filling on either bread or crackers.

Watermelon and Strawberry Lemonade [AllRecipes]
You need a refreshing drink to wash down all those picnic treats, and this fresh, fruity lemonade is just the thing. Blend ice with strawberries and watermelon for a uniquely sweet drink that also quenches your thirst.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/bortescristian

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Food, Picnic, Recipes, Seasonal

Use This Calculator to Find Your Recommended Fruit and Vegetable Intake

April 1, 2014 by francis

How many fruits and vegetables should you eat each day? It’s a common question, but many people don’t realize that there is no right answer. The recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake varies from person to person, and it depends on factors like age, gender and physical activity level. This simple online calculator from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can help you find yours.

Enter some simple info into the calculator, and it will estimate how many servings of fruits and vegetables you should be eating each day. It will also suggest staying active by undertaking a certain amount of exercise each day.

Once the calculator determines your recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake, it explains the best ways to meet those goals. For example, one small apple counts as one cup of fruit, and only 6 baby carrots count as 1/2 cup of vegetables. If the calculator recommends that you eat 2 cups of fruit per day, you can easily meet that goal before lunchtime!

How Many Fruits and Vegetables Do You Need? [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

Public Domain/Public Domain

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Apartments in Houston, Fruits, The Augusta, Vegetables

Track Your Exercise With These Running Logs

March 4, 2014 by francis

If you love running and constantly try to beat your own best time, online running logs are incredibly helpful tools. Even if you’re a beginner runner, these handy logbooks can help you to keep track of your runs and praise yourself for a week with no days off. Here are two online running logs to help you find the motivation to keep on running.

LogYourRun
If you’re simply looking for a straightforward, no-nonsense running log, this one is for you. LogYourRun offers an exercise log where you can enter your runs, track your weekly times, distance, and pace, and even keep track of your weight. It offers maps of the best running routes in your area, and the impressive import feature allows you to import data from your mobile device or other websites.

MapMyRun
Specifically tailored toward your area, MapMyRun is a mobile app and online website that helps you train for an upcoming race or simply compare your personal runs. It allows you to create a challenge and alerts you once you’ve met your goal, and it also includes pre-made training plans that act just like a running coach. With a simple interface and a handy mobile platform, MapMyRun is a great tool for any tech-savvy runner.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/timtak

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Exercise, Fitness, Running, Weight Loss

Happy Presidents’ Day

February 17, 2014 by francis

Remembering the courage and vision of past and present leaders, we honor and share the spirit of Presidents' Day together as a nation.

Filed Under: Lifestyle

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2014 by francis

Wishing everyone a day filled with fun and happy memories!

Filed Under: Lifestyle

Simple Kitchen Organization Tips

February 4, 2014 by francis

Kitchens are often cluttered with pots and pans, spices, snacks and leftovers. But these brilliant tips from handy home websites will help you organize your kitchen at The Augusta!

Try a Lazy Susan
These revolving trays are helpful anywhere that clutter normally takes over, including spice shelves, snack cabinets and even the refrigerator.

Store items by frequency of use
In cabinets and drawers, pull things that you use every day to the front or put them on the lowest shelves, and leave the rest for the hard-to-reach places.

File plastic containers
Rather than stacking the lids of plastic leftover containers in a messy pile, file them in a drawer like you would papers.

Get a chalkboard
It can serve as a fun grocery list, silly message board or even a calendar for the whole family.

Place a wire shelf in the fridge
Add more storage in cramped refrigerators with elevated wire shelving.

24 Smart Organizing Ideas for Your Kitchen [Real Simple]
Kitchen Organizing Tips [Martha Stewart]
8 Smart Organizing Tips for the Kitchen [Tidy Mom]
22 Kitchen Organization and Storage Tips [Better Homes and Gardens]