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Dependable Virtual Destinations for Apartment Decor and Accessories

December 17, 2015 by

It’s no secret that shopping online often yields affordable results, and the same goes if you’re looking for home décor items and accessories for your apartment. Any renter on a budget will love to browse those finishing touches that really make a house a home, and these are some of the best places to find them.

Urban Outfitters
While you may already shop at the trendy clothing retailer for all of your favorite T-shirts, Urban Outfitters also offers a great selection of stylish home goods. From eclectic art prints to colorful duvet covers and even mid-century modern inspired furnishings, you’ll find a number of great items on the convenient website.

Wayfair
If your home décor style is classic with a touch of modern, Wayfair is just the place to shop online. Here you’ll find chevron print area rugs, gold metallic picture frames, and antique-inspired clocks to hang on the wall.

CB2
For those who prefer sleek, minimal décor and bold pops of color, CB2 is a great option. Discover things like low-profile sofas, interesting throw pillows, and industrial bar stools, or browse the limited edition art selection to find affordable pieces from some of the biggest up-and-coming artists in the art world today.

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Deliciously Simple Holiday Cookie Recipes

December 3, 2015 by

Even if you don’t have time to decorate intricately frosted holiday cookies this year, you can still maintain the cookie tradition with a simpler recipe that's just as sweet. Check out these great ideas for holiday cookies that are easy as pie.

White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies [Real Simple]
Your guests will be dreaming of a white cookie this year after they sample one of your delicious, homemade macadamia cookies. This recipe is a classic, and it’s also incredibly easy to perfect.

Raspberry Sandwich Sugar Cookies [Pillsbury]
Bake a perfectly festive batch of these star-shaped sandwich cookies with a dollop of raspberry jam in the center, and they’ll add a bit of cheer to any dessert table. Because they call for refrigerated cookie dough, you can take a major shortcut without anyone being the wiser!

Pretty Package Cookies [BHG]
If you can’t resist icing sugar cookies but want something a bit simpler than an elaborate Santa Claus, these adorable present-shaped cookies will do the trick.

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies [Martha Stewart]
You just can’t go wrong with a batch of good old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies, and this recipe is one that everyone would love to find in their stocking. Plus, the three-step recipe means that you can whip them up before those last-minute visitors arrive.

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Breathe New Life Into Your Bedroom’s Decor With These Simple Tips

November 19, 2015 by

Your bedroom should be a place of rest and relaxation, but in your effort to keep things understated and minimal, you might make the décor seem a bit boring. Here are some ways to breathe new life into an outdated bedroom—while still getting a good night’s sleep.

  1. Switch out your side tables. One of the most affordable ways to update your bedroom is by switching the side tables with something unique. Opt for slim shelves mounted right to the wall if your room is small, or go for something larger than a nightstand, such as a full-sized desk, if you have the space to spare.
  2. Add a duvet cover. If you want to change your bedding without investing in an entirely new set, cover your existing comforter with an affordable duvet in a bold, fun print or spa-like white.
  3. Add a headboard. If your current bed doesn’t have a headboard, create one using a large painting, a rectangular tapestry or even an antique door.
  4. Put some art on the walls. Many people forget about decorating the walls in the bedroom, but it can make all the difference. Frame some black and white family photos or even pretty vintage wallpaper squares in colors that match your décor.
  5. Switch the window treatments. Brighten up a bedroom with sheer curtains—it may even help you get out of bed in the morning.

5 Decorating Ideas for Bedrooms [Real Simple]
5 Small Ways to Give Your Bedroom a Big Boost [Oprah]
Freshen Your Bedroom with Low-Cost Updates [Better Homes & Gardens]

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Seeking Original Artwork? Here’s Where to Shop for It Online!

October 22, 2015 by

Furnishing your home with original artwork is a very fulfilling hobby, but unfortunately it can also be very expensive. There are quite a few websites that offer artwork created by independent artists for much less than gallery prices, which makes them beneficial to both you and the artist. Here are a few of the best.

Etsy
Etsy has become the internet’s go-to spot for handmade art and home goods, and for very good reason. This online marketplace enables independent artists to create an online shop and sell their goods, whether those goods are paintings, sculptures, or even wall hangings made out of old license plates. Best of all, you can search Etsy by keywords to find exactly what you have in mind for any room in your home.

Fine Art America
If you’re looking for more traditional paintings or photography for your home, Fine Art America is a great resource. This site features artwork from artists and photographers from around the world, at all price points.

Zatista
While many online art stores sell reproductions of famous works, Zatista offers only unique, original works that none of your neighbors will have. If you live in a small town or city that isn’t teeming with art galleries, this is the ideal way to browse thousands of pieces from artists who could be the next big thing.

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These Two Wedding Registry Sites Can Help You Take the Plunge

September 17, 2015 by

When it comes time to register for gifts for your wedding, it can be difficult to choose the right places to meet your style and your needs. It’s best to keep in mind that you want high quality items that will last a good while, but at prices that your guests can afford. Here are two great wedding registry websites that will make your decision a bit easier.

Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn’s wedding registry is separated into neatly organized sections that help you to create your registry from start to finish. It features a simple registrant information page that allows you to create your couple profile, and it even enables you to decide where you’d like each gift shipped and your preferences on receiving gift cards from guests. Once you fill out your registry, Pottery Barn also makes it easy for friends and family to find your profile and navigate the gifts that you’ve selected.

Williams-Sonoma
The popular kitchenware store offers an impressive wedding registry site that’s packed full of cooking and entertaining items to help you create the kitchen of your dreams. Easily create and manage your registry with just a few fill-in-the-blank questions, then select the items that you love from Williams-Sonoma’s expansive inventory.

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Healthy Rice and Potato Dishes That Won’t Weigh You Down

August 20, 2015 by

Starches and whole grains are important for feeling energized, but if eaten in excess, they can make you feel heavy or weighed-down. These delicious and nutritious recipes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute incorporate rice and potatoes into your diet in a way that benefits your body and provides proper portion sizes.

Delicious Oven French Fries
Though fast food French fries are anything but healthy, this oven-baked alternative provides the same classic taste without the added fat and salt.

Wonderful Stuffed Potatoes
By stuffing a baked potato with low fat milk and cottage cheese instead of the usual sour cream, you can save calories and still get the same savory taste.

Candied Yams
The holiday favorite gets a healthy makeover in this fast and easy recipe, with sweet brown sugar and tangy orange juice for a boost of added flavor.

Scallion Rice
The addition of green onions and bullion gives this simple, low-calorie rice dish a little something extra, and makes it perfect for eating with a variety of meats, vegetables or stir-fries.

Sunshine Rice
Perfect for pairing with grilled chicken or for eating on its own, this rice recipe contains unique ingredients like hot sauce, almonds, and lemon juice for a distinctly flavorful taste.

For more healthy rice and potato dishes, visit the NIH website by clicking here.

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Have a Penchant for Color? Here’s What Your Home’s Decor Says About You!

July 23, 2015 by

Whether you love the chic, soothing touch of relaxing neutral shades or you're partial to bright, bold pops of color, your home’s color scheme says a lot about your personality. Use this guide to find out exactly what your color choices mean for your lifestyle.

  • Orange. If you notice a lot of bright bursts of orange throughout your living space, it means that you’re confident and expressive. Orange expands your mindset and fosters creativity.
  • Pink. Pink is the color of romance and sensitivity, which makes it a perfect choice for a bedroom or a warm, cozy living room.
  • Blue. If you’re partial to blue, it likely means that you’re organized and driven. This color helps to limit clutter and encourages deep thinking.
  • Green. The color green is often related to money, but it is also the color most commonly found in nature. People who are partial to green are likely in tune with life’s riches, both physical and emotional.
  • Red. Red is one of the most stimulating colors, and it is often attributed to people who are self-confident and fearless.
  • Yellow. Those who prefer yellow in the home are deeply intelligent and conversational. This color helps to enhance positive thinking.
  • White. Often associated with freshness and simplicity, white is perfect for those who view their home as a respite from the outside world.

How to Fix Your House with Color [House Beautiful]
Color Meanings [Interior Designpedia]
Room Color and How it Affects Your Mood [Freshome]

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Allergic to Dairy? Watch Out for These Surprising Sources of Lactose!

July 9, 2015 by

If you’re lactose intolerant or a strict vegan, you likely already avoid food products with lactose in them. This is a fairly simple way to cut lactose out of your diet, but did you know that there are quite a few other products that contain hidden lactose in their ingredient lists? Here are three surprising sources of lactose.

  1. Medications. It may seem hard to believe, but your prescription medication or that over-the-counter pain reliever may contain lactose. The most common culprits are birth control pills, quick-dissolve Vitamin D tablets, and digestion remedies, but there are often others on the list as well. Because many brands use the sugar as a filler or base, it’s a common ingredient in many medications that come in pill form.
  2. Grain mixes. Pre-packaged items like waffles, cookies, potato chips, and granola bars may contain lactose in the same what that medications do. The lactose sugar is used as a filler that helps the rest of the ingredients to stick together, and even if you purchase a boxed mix that you bake yourself, it’s often difficult to avoid the lactose.
  3. Processed meats. It may seem strange that meat products would contain lactose, but it’s often found in processed types like hot dogs, sausages, and lunchmeat-style cold cuts. To avoid the lactose, purchase kosher or an openly lactose-free brand instead.

8 Surprising Sources of Lactose [Best Health]
Lactose Intolerance [NIDDK]
Learn to Detect “Hidden” Lactose [Cornell Women’s Health]
Hidden Sources of Lactose [Lactose Ninja]
What is “Hidden” Lactose? [Lactaid]

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Are You Left-Brained or Right-Brained? Take These Quizzes to Find Out!

June 18, 2015 by

Most people know the old study that says that people who are left-brained are more organized and logical, while people who are right-brained are more creative and spontaneous. If you’re unsure about which side of the brain is your dominant side, these fun and fascinating quizzes can help you to find out.

Left Brain / Right Brain Test [PsychTests]
This online quiz from PsychTests helps you to zone in on your dominant brain hemisphere by offering a series of 12 situations with options for how you would respond to each one. At the end, you’ll receive a detailed description of your results based on your unique personality.

30-Second Brain Test [Sommer+Sommer]
Sommer+Sommer created this fun game to help you discover more about the way that your brain thinks and operates. It tells you whether you use your brain’s right side or left side more by giving you a series of photos, mini games, and simple quizzes to analyze.

Are You More Right-Brained or Left-Brained? [Buzzfeed]
This quiz from Buzzfeed is more straightforward, offering a list of traits and asking you to check off all that apply to you. One section of traits applies more to those who are right-brained, while the other section relates to people who are left-brained.

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Transform Your Ordinary Bookcase Into a Showcase With These Simple Tips

May 21, 2015 by

If you frequently find yourself admiring stylish bookcase vignettes on interior design websites, you’re not alone. While these beautiful shelves look effortless online, it can be much more difficult to create one in person. Here are a few simple steps for creating a designer-worthy bookcase — without giving yourself a headache!

  1. Alternate books. Instead of lining your books up library-style, alternate their direction by also adding stacks of horizontal-facing books. You can even place a small paperweight or candle on top of those stacks to add more visual interest.
  2. Organize books by color. If your bookshelf is filled to the brim with reading materials, make it look more organized by arranging the titles by color to create a rainbow effect.
  3. Unify mismatched knick-knacks. If your collection of knick-knacks looks a bit shabby, unify the set by painting them all one color. Try a stark white, a bold primary hue, or a fun pop of neon.
  4. Decorate the insides of the shelves. Give your bookshelf itself a makeover by adding a bright coat of paint or a layer of wallpaper to the backs of each shelf.
  5. Add artwork. Instead of just using books and knick-knacks, turn your shelves into an art gallery. Prop up a frame or even hang a picture from the front of the shelves where their corners meet.

Bookshelf Styling Tips: The Basics and Beyond [HGTV]
Styling a Bookshelf: 10 Homes That Get It Right [Design Sponge]
10 Tricks for Styling Your Bookshelves [Style Me Pretty: Living]

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