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No-Fail Ways to Introduce Print and Patterns into Your Decor

September 6, 2016 by

To make your living space more interesting, experts suggest using at least three different patterns for your room. Mixing prints in a space can add more color and can give your room a unique atmosphere. Follow these simple tips to incorporate color and patterns into your decor without overwhelming your space.

  • Start by choosing a large, bold pattern that will determine the main focal color of your room.
  • Create a uniform look by using different patterns that are close in color.
  • Create a statement wall by using patterned wallpaper. This is a simple way to help choose your main pattern and color scheme.
  • Use a bright patterned rug to create a statement piece that will bring the whole space together.
  • Use dark shades against light or vivid colors to create contrast.
  • Mix up patterned pillows with your wall art or coffee table accessories for a simple pop of texture and color.
  • If you are still unsure about mixing different patterns, select a solid base color to act as a canvas for all of your patterns. This will make it easier to mix in other classic patterns such as black and white stripes.

23 Ways to Mix Patterns in Your Home Decor [Brit + Co]
Ideas and Guidelines to Mixing & Matching Patterns in your Home [The House of Smiths]
Using Color, Pattern, and Texture in Home Decorating [For Dummies]

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Everything Green is New Again With These Cool Ways to Display Houseplants

August 2, 2016 by

Instead of the usual terra cotta pots and windowsill planters, why not try displaying your houseplants in a new and innovative way? If you're feeling a bit blue about the current state of your in-home greenery, try out one of these fun and stylish ways to show off your plants.

  • A hanging air plant. Air plants are truly unique, as these spider-like greens require absolutely no soil to grow. Because of this, it's easy to display them just about anywhere you like! Search the web for hanging ceramic planters that dangle from the ceiling to display your air plants.
  • A framed wall hanging. Love succulents? Rather than displaying them in the usual pots, line a picture frame with chicken wire and moss and grow a succulent garden right on your wall.
  • A zoo of planters. If you're a fan of all things fun and whimsical, create your very own "zoo" of clay plant pots. Browse stores or websites for planters in the shape of animals (you might be surprised just how many you find!) Fill them with succulents, cacti, or small plants and arrange the whole gang on a tabletop or sunny shelf.

Planters [Etsy]
20 Unforgettable Indoor Plant Displays [Decoist]

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Stay Cool (and in Shape!) With These Summer Fitness Tips

July 5, 2016 by

Taking your workout outdoors this summer? Staying hydrated and maintaining your body’s electrolytes and salts is crucial, especially during hot weather. Keep these tips in mind before breaking a sweat this season!

  • Running at the right hour of the day is important. You want to avoid exercising outside between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. because the sun is strongest then.
  • Wear light colors to reflect the sun and opt for cotton or other lighweight, sweat-wicking fabrics. Also be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF.
  • You want to drink 7 to 10 ounces of water every 15 minutes, even when you’re not thirsty. Continue to drink water before and after your workout.
  • Refrain from drinking hot coffee before your workout. It can leave you dehydrated and can prevent your body from cooling down effectively.
  • Eat a snack with protein and carbohydrates 30 minutes after your workout.

5 Ways to Exercise Safely in the Heat [U.S. News]
8 Tips for Exercising in Summer Heat [Active]
Essential Tips for Outdoor Exercise [Arm & Hammer]

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

June 14, 2016 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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Decorating with Color? Learn the Meaning Behind Your Favorite Hues

June 7, 2016 by

When decorating, follow your instinct and incorporate colors that make you feel energized and inspired. Here’s how to figure out the meaning of the colors that you’re drawn to and how to incorporate them into your home.

  • Blue represents the color of the waves in the ocean and should be used to be calming, healing, and relaxing. It also exemplifies the feeling of security and dependability.
  • Green represents newness and life. It is a balancing color that stands for growth, abundance, and nature.
  • In decorating, red is a very powerful color. It is exciting and powerful and represents luxury, passion and romance.
  • Purple is a very spiritual color that represents abundance and dignity.
  • Yellow is a color that gives you a happy and uplifting feeling. It is a great sociable color so it’s recommended for your kitchen, dining room, or living room areas.
  • Grey represents “the rock” and stands for solidity and support. It is probably the most popular neutral in decorating because it can seem nondescript.
  • White can have a way of making you feel clean, pure, and innocent. It represents hope and openness and is very inviting.
  • Decorating with the dramatic color black can bring a sense of elegance and sophistication to your space.

​Color 101: Learn the Underlying Meaning of Your Favorite Shades [HGTV]
What the Color of Your Living Room Says About You [House Beautiful]
FENG SHUI COLORS: Find out the meaning of colors and how to use them successfully in your home [Feng Shui & Beyond]

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

May 3, 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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5 Spring Vegetables and How to Choose Them

April 5, 2016 by

Lots of things are in bloom in the springtime, including a number of nutritious vegetables. However, it can be difficult to decide what to purchase when you’re faced with the overwhelming possibilities in the produce aisle. Here are a few veggies that are in season in the spring, plus tips for choosing the freshest of the bunch.

1. Artichokes. Look for artichokes with tight, firm leaves that are deep green in color. Be sure to avoid ones with black spots, because this means they’re old and already rotting.

2. Asparagus. The thickness of the asparagus doesn’t matter, but you’ll need to check if it’s bright green and firm. Avoid bunches that are drooping or peeling.

3. Peas. Whether you’re looking for snow, sugar, or snap peas, you want to choose pods that are almost translucent.

4. Spinach. Spinach is one of the most nutrient-rich vegetables, but you should choose only fresh leaves to maximize its health benefits. Look for bunches that are darkly colored with no signs of yellowing or breaking.

5. Rhubarb. This isn’t the most common vegetable, but rhubarb is delicious in a number of sweet dishes from pies to cobblers. Avoid limp stalks and seek out ones that are deep red in color.

Spring Clean Your Diet [Cooking Light]
Spring’s Best Fruits and Vegetables [Real Simple]

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Feel the Burn With These 6 Low-Impact Workouts

March 1, 2016 by

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or simply looking to begin a workout routine from scratch, low-impact workouts are often just as beneficial as more explosive styles. Here are a few low-impact workouts that will take it a bit easier on your body while still showing major results.

  1. Kettlebell swings. Any exercise that burns up to 600 calories in just 30 minutes should be on your list, and that’s just what you’ll get with kettlebell swings.
  2. Swimming. If your gym has an indoor or outdoor pool, try swimming some simple laps to get in a great cardiovascular exercise that burns fat without putting much impact on your body.
  3. Barre classes. This trendy, ballet-inspired workout actually lives up to the hype. Barre’s sequences of pliés, squats, and repetitive arm movements are proven to burn major calories, and they also go easy on your joints.
  4. Cycling. If you love running but simply can’t handle the strain that it puts on your knees and ankles, try cycling instead. The average hour-long class burns between 600 and 750 calories.
  5. Power yoga. While all types of yoga are beneficial to your health, more traditional styles don’t particularly burn a lot of calories. If you’re looking to lose weight, try a power yoga class instead.
  6. Fast-paced walking. Speed up your usual walk to torch calories without going too hard on your joints.

Low-Impact Exercises That Burn Major Calories [SparkPeople]
8 Low-Impact Workouts That Still Burn Major Calories [Shape]
8 Low-Impact Workouts That Torch Calories [Prevention]

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Five Things You Might Not Know About Madonna

February 2, 2016 by

Née Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, Madonna's illustrious career has taken her far away from her Michigan hometown. Here are five facts you may not already know about the "Material Girl."

1. Having sold 200 million records worldwide, Madonna was named the world's most successful female recording artist of all time by The Guinness Book of World Records.

2. Madonna hates the color orange.

3. Madonna auditioned for the leading role in the '90s film The Bodyguard, but the part went to Whitney Houston.

4. While trying to make a name for herself as a dancer in New York City, Madonna worked at a Dunkin' Donuts.

5. Madonna was married to Sean Penn from August 16, 1985, to September 14, 1989.

· 50 Fascinating Madonna Facts [contactmusic]
· Madonna Fast Facts [CNN]
· Madonna Tribute: 12 Fascinating Facts [Extra]

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Sate Your Craving for Chocolate With These Molten Lava Cake Recipes

January 5, 2016 by

Molten lava cakes are the ideal dessert for a dinner party or other social gathering because their individual sizes give each person a little cake of their own to enjoy. When you cut into these warm, moist desserts an explosion of hot chocolate sauce spills out, which gives the cakes their fun name. If your mouth is already watering, try one of these molten lava cake recipes for dinner tonight.

Molten Chocolate Cakes [Food and Wine]
Food and Wine’s gourmet spin on the dessert classic brings an air of sophistication to the usual molten lava cake. Bittersweet chocolate and unsalted butter provide a rich, complex taste, and the thick chocolate inside is just the icing – or, rather, the lava – on the cake.

Molten Chocolate Cake [Pioneer Woman]
This recipe from the Pioneer Woman is just as indulgent as her other recipes, and the addition of an extra egg yolk ensures that the inside is even more runny than most lava cakes. Serve them with homemade whipped cream for an extra special treat.

Red Velvet Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes [Half Baked Harvest]
This recipe not only uses a red velvet cake exterior, but a chocolate ganache center as well. If that doesn’t already sound decadent enough, a coconut whipped cream topping should do the trick.

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