If your daily coffee shop habit is starting to make an impact on your wallet, it may be time to start getting caffeinated at home. You don’t have to settle for an inferior cup, however; simply follow these tips to brew coffee just like your favorite barista!

1. Start with high-quality coffee. It may seem obvious, but one of the best ways to brew a great cup is by using great coffee! Try to purchase coffee as soon after it was roasted as possible, such as from a local roaster. Also, buy it in small quantities to ensure its freshness.
2. Just add water. Fresh, filtered water, that is. Because water is the foundation of your coffee, it should taste fresh and free of chemicals such as chlorine.
3. Grind beans on the spot. Instead of grinding all of the beans at once at the grocery store, invest in a home grinder so that you can grind them as you use them. Also, be sure to vary the size of the grounds based on what type of brewing system you use. For example, use a coarser grind for a French press and a fine grind for espresso.
4. Use the proper ratio. To brew the perfect cup of coffee, keep in mind that you should use a ratio of 5 tablespoons of coffee to 16 ounces of water. This amount will brew two standard size cups, but you can double it to make more.

How to Brew Coffee [NCA]
9 Rules for How to Make a Perfect Cup of Coffee [Eating Well]
How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee [Real Simple]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr DeaPeaJay

If you love New York-style pizza, pasta, and other Italian fare favorites, check out Mama Mia’s Italian Grill. Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night spot or a delicious dinner option for the whole family, this casual eatery provides the perfect backdrop for just about any type of meal.

Lunch consists of classic New York pizza with a variety of different toppings, and there are also fresh, healthy salads to go along with them. For dinner, Mama Mia’s menu switches to hearty pasta dishes and traditional Italian fare favorites like chicken piccata and shrimp scampi. Fresh bread comes with every meal, and the little ones will love the tasty kids' menu.

The restaurant is also BYOB, so you’re encouraged to bring your own beer or wine to enjoy with your meal.

Mama Mia’s Italian Grill
8200 Spencer Highway
Pasadena, TX 77505
(281) 479-4477
www.facebook.com/pages/Mamma-Mias-Pizza-and-Pasta/129766193744336?fref=photo
www.yelp.com/biz/mama-mias-italian-grill-pasadena

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/cyclonebill

Did you know that there are many affordable stores that sell furniture and decorations made specifically for apartment dwellers? Here are two websites to shop for apartment-friendly decor items!

Ikea
Ikea is everyone’s favorite one-stop apartment shop, beloved for its hip, modern aesthetic and impressively low prices. Here you’ll find everything from the perfect trundle bed to an artistic temporary light fixture that won’t jeopardize your security deposit, as well as all of the rugs, photo frames, and plants in between. Ikea also carries a wide variety of space-saving solutions for small spaces, which will help you to organize your space and keep it free of clutter.

West Elm
If your budget is slightly higher, West Elm is an equally stylish website with a bit higher quality selection of apartment decor items. Midcentury modern-inspired sofas and end tables are comfortable and compact enough for an oddly shaped apartment living room, while the wide selection of elaborate bedding, curtains, and rugs add a splash of color and texture to a cookie cutter living space. West Elm also offers a wide assortment of kitchen wares that can maximize space any kitchen.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Jeremy Noble