Clear Clutter from Everywhere in the Bathroom With These 4 Tips

If you’re short on space in your bathroom, it can be difficult to keep things neat and organized. Since many renters share their bathroom with guests, however, you’re likely always looking for ways to clean it up quickly. These 4 tips make it easy to banish clutter from the bathroom—and keep it clean for good.

  • Consider the essentials. Most renters store much more than they actually use every day in their bathrooms. Go through the contents of your medicine cabinets and under-sink storage areas and get rid of all of those specialty products and expired items (or at least find somewhere else to store them).
  • Add additional storage where it’s needed. If you can’t find enough storage in your bathroom after you purge your essentials, it may be time to create your own. Add wall shelves, a storage unit over the toilet or even just a few baskets under the sink.
  • Invest in matching sets. If your bathroom is often filled with mismatched towels, get rid of the ones you don’t use and attempt to create a matching set. By replacing those old, faded towels with bright, fluffy new ones (and cutting down on the amount of towels in general), you’ll reduce unnecessary clutter.
  • Add over-door storage. Hang an additional towel rack over the back of the door to give wet towels ample room to dry.

Decluttering the Bathroom [HGTV]
Small Bathroom Ideas: 5 Effective Decluttering Tips for a Tidier Space [Apartment Therapy]
Cut Clutter in the Bathroom: Easy as A-B-C! [Organized Home]

Decorate Your Walls On the Cheap With These Affordable Art Websites

While you may not be able to afford a priceless work of art for your walls, that doesn't mean that you can't decorate your home with beautiful paintings and inspiring prints. From works by independent artists to reproductions of well-known pieces, there are a number of smart ways to turn your home into your own personal gallery. Here are just a few great websites that sell affordable artwork online.

Society6
With art for everyone from the minimalist to the bohemian, Society6 is one of the most modern and varied art websites. Not only can you purchase framed and unframed prints in all sizes, you can also buy the same designs in the form of smartphone cases, T-shirts, and even tapestries.

AllPosters.com
If you still love the look of hanging a poster of your favorite movie or band on your walls, try All Posters. This expansive online store offers high-resolution posters of almost any pop culture icon, as well as reproductions of classic works of art.

Etsy
Etsy is well-known for its handmade jewelry and quirky vintage apparel, but you'll also find handmade art from little-known artists. Browse abstract paintings, original photography and colorful prints for very affordable prices.

Crafty DIY Projects That Every Cook Can Use in The Kitchen

Picture the kitchen of your dreams. Is it neat and organized? Stylish and chic? Or perhaps it's a combination of all the above! Either way, these do-it-yourself projects can help you add storage and personality to your kitchen!

Copper Paper Towel Holder [almostmakesperfect.com]
Love modern design? If so, this copper paper towel holder will add some modern style to your cooking area. The end result may look expensive, but the materials are very affordable — and it's easy to make!

Tiered Fruit Basket
Display fruits and vegetables without taking up counter space by making this three-tiered hanging fruit basket. Its sturdy chains make it able to hold a good deal of weight, while its wooden bases create flat surfaces for your produce to rest upon. [alwaysrooney.com]

Stitched Hot Pads [purlsoho.com]
Whether you're looking to add a pop of color to your kitchen or to add to your collection of textiles, these adorable stitched hot pads are the perfect project. Even the most novice crafter can easily stitch together the fabric scraps used for these hot pads, and by mixing and matching fabrics, you can create a whimsical look that's sure to bring some big style to your space.

How to Keep Fruit Fresher Longer

Are you guilty of buying fresh produce only to have it spoil a few days later? You're not alone: Studies have found that Americans throw away a fourth of all the produce they buy! Here are some tips to help keep your fruits fresh as long as possible.

  • Fruits such as avocados, tomatoes, mangoes, melons, apples, and pears will ripen quicker if they’re left sitting out on your countertop.
  • Keep your other fruits away from bananas. They emit gases that will speed the ripening of any fruits that are nearby.
  • Fruits such as grapes, citrus, and berries should always be refrigerated.
  • Refrain from washing berries until you are ready to eat them. You want to store them in a dry and covered container.
  • To extend the freshness of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit, store them in your crisper drawer or in a mesh bag in your refrigerator.
  • Once fruits are fully ripe, you can refrigerate them to help them last a little longer. However, for the best flavor, you want to return them to room temperature.
  • One of the worst things you could do for a fruit is to store it in an airtight bag. The lack of air flow speeds up decay.

The Kitchn's Guide to Storing Fruits and Vegetables [The Kitchn]
Keep Fruits & Vegetables Fresher Longer [American Heart Association]
Spoiled Rotten – How to Store Fruits and Vegetables [Vegetarian Times]

Looking to Upgrade Your Bathroom? Try These DIY Projects

The bathroom is often one of the most neglected rooms in any home, but with a few simple updates, this high-traffic area can become a soothing oasis. Transform your rental bathroom into an at-home spa with these stylish (and affordable!) DIY projects.

  1. Improve the lighting. If your bathroom is dull and dark, brighten things up by adding lighting that works for you. You can switch out pendant lights (as long as you're able to switch them back when you move out), or add hanging lamps around the sink to add additional lighting.
  2. Create your own custom shelving using reclaimed wood. Just about everyone could use a bit of extra storage in their bathroom, and it's easier than you think to gain extra space. Try hanging antique wood crates on the wall, or make your own shelves by tying wooden shelves on hooks with some rustic ropes.
  3. Weave your own bathmat. Add a colorful, eclectic look to your bathroom by weaving your own bathmat. Use fabric rope in a variety of colors to create your own unique color scheme.
  4. Add vintage furniture. If you have unused space in your bathroom, fill it with furniture pieces that you might not usually expect to see in a bathroom. A small armoire or even an antique vanity looks chic and unexpected — and best of all, it adds some extra storage.

The 10 Best DIY Bathroom Projects [DIY Network]

Working From Home? Add These Essentials to Your Home Office

In an era when working from home is becomingly increasingly common, there's a great chance that at least one member of your household occasionally works remotely. That means there's probably a home office (or, at least, a desk and chair) tucked away somewhere in your apartment. If you want to make your work-from-home space a more pleasant workplace, here are four components you should add.

  1. An office chair that's both chic and comfy. Any chair that you'll be sitting in all day long should be equal parts aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. So when you search for your home office chair, don't prize form over function, or vice versa—they're both important. Test drive as many chairs as it takes to find the one that keeps you comfy and jives with your office style.
  2. A lamp emitting warm light. When you work in a standard office, you're forced to make do with whatever the lighting situation is there. But when you work from home, you have the final say over the atmosphere in which you spend your day. So instead of accepting harsh overhead lights as an unavoidable reality, find a cute lamp that cloaks the room in a warm, glowing light to make working more enjoyable.
  3. A set of floating shelves. If you're running out of room in your desk drawers to stow those stacks of post-it notes, improvise more storage space by adding floating shelves. They're not only functional pieces, but also a design statement—plus, the display will force you to keep the office supplies organized.
  4. A coffee maker. Okay, so a coffee maker isn't a design element first and foremost, but it can be if you choose the right one. Find a coffee maker with a four-cup pot in a hue that suits your space, and fire it up as soon as you start working in the morning. It might help you dive into the day a little bit easier. You can also opt for a an espresso machine or electric tea kettle, depending on your caffeinated beverage of choice.

Essentials for a Home Office [The Every Girl]
17 Surprising Home Office Ideas [Real Simple]
5 Mistakes Everybody Makes Decorating Their Home Office [Apartment Therapy]

Spring Into Shape With These Outdoor Exercise Tips

The dreary winter cold can leave you in a bit of an exercise rut, but the springtime sun makes everyone more motivated to get outdoors and get in shape. These exercise tips will help you get in your best shape ever—all while experiencing the great outdoors.

Buddy up.
There are a number of different reasons why working out with another person is helpful, but the number one reason is because it’s more fun! You’ll look forward to working out much more if you have a friend by your side, and being outdoors will be that much more motivation.

Improve your gear.
It’s beneficial to have the proper shoes and workout attire, especially when you’re exercising outdoors. Warm thermal shirts are important for the days when it’s not quite springtime weather, and breezy, breathable fabrics help once the temperature reaches its full potential. Having the proper outdoor running shoes can also prevent injuries and make you feel more comfortable on the pavement.

Experiment with exercises you haven’t tried before.
You probably haven’t jumped rope since gym class, but this fun and simple outdoor activity burns up to 208 calories in just 20 minutes. Swimming is another fun outdoor activity, and starting slow with a few leisurely laps makes it much less intimidating.

Spring Training Fitness Tips [Shape]
Great Spring Exercise Ideas [Fitness.com]

5 Interesting Facts About Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra’s voice made him quite possibly the most popular singer of the 20th century, delivering personal lyrics and irresistible melodies with command and flair. He was a tough guy with a softer side, and American audiences simply couldn’t get enough of Ol' Blue Eyes. Here are some of the most interesting facts about Frank Sinatra.

  1. Frank Sinatra was so inspired by Bing Crosby that he dropped out of high school to pursue singing as a career. He performed at local nightclubs in the Hoboken, New Jersey, area and even got some air time on the city’s radio stations.
  2. After noticing his local success, bandleader Tommy Dorsey invited Sinatra to join his band. Sinatra and Dorsey enjoyed two years of hit songs together, but eventually Sinatra quit to pursue a solo career.
  3. In just three short years between 1943 and 1946, Sinatra released 17 Top 10 singles.
  4. In addition to his incredible voice, Sinatra was also a talented actor. He made his film debut in 1943 with the movie Higher and Higher, and in 1953 he won an Oscar for From Here to Eternity.
  5. Though Sinatra was signed to Capitol Records for the beginning of his recording career, he left the label to start his own label, Reprise, in the late 1950s. Warner Bros. bought Reprise, and Sinatra then started his own film production company, Artanis.

Are you a Sinatra fan? Tell us which song by Ol' Blue Eyes is your favorite!

Frank Sinatra [Biography]
Frank Sinatra Biography [Rolling Stone]
About Frank Sinatra [MTV]

Damage-Free Ways to Display Wall Decor at Marquis at Katy

When you live in a rental, you want to leave behind as little damage as possible to keep the unit in top shape (and insure that ever-important security deposit). In many cases, that means finding new and creative ways to hang posters, paintings, and other wall decor without taking a hammer to the walls. Here are just a few ideas for creating damage-free wall displays.

  • Use Command strips. These handy tools from the trusted 3M brand are lifesavers for many renters. Simply stick the sturdy adhesive back to your frame, stick the other side to the wall and attach the two with the equally strong Velcro strips. When it comes time to move out, they simply peel off the wall without leaving any residue behind.
  • Try monkey hooks. Monkey hooks are complicated looking metal hooks that are actually quite simple. The slim, curved devices have long ends that push into the wall and create a hole not much larger than a pinpoint, and then they push back out of the wall to create a loop that can hold frames weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Stick on poster putty. For lightweight wall hangings without frames, tried-and-true poster putty is always a safe bet. Simply tack on small dots of this unobtrusive putty to hang posters without nails or tacks showing through—or damaging your walls.

How to hang a picture without hammer and nails [SheKnows]
Hang Pictures on a Wall [Lowe’s]
How to Hang Pictures Without Destroying Your Walls [Lifehacker]
How To: Hang a Frame Without Leaving a Mark [Apartment Therapy]

Healthy Ways to Indulge a Chocolate Craving

Many people have a sweet tooth that creates a craving for chocolate, but while the occasional indulgence is okay, eating too much chocolate could be the end to your healthy diet. Here are a few healthy ways to eat chocolate that will keep you right on track when a craving strikes.

Chocolate Tart with Hazelnut Shortbread Crust [Eating Well]
Make this seemingly decadent dessert the next time you have friends over for dinner, and no one will even know that it’s actually healthy. With just over 250 calories per serving and six grams of protein, you’ll get the taste of chocolate without feeling weighed down.

Black Bean Brownies [Chocolate Covered Katie]
While the addition of black beans to brownies may seem strange at first, you won’t even be able to taste the protein-packed beans when they’re masked by the rich, dense chocolate flavor. These brownies are also flourless, which is great for low-carb diets.

Healthy Homemade Chocolate [Wellness Mama]
Instead of grabbing a fat- and sugar-packed candy bar from the checkout counter at the grocery store, make your own healthier version at home. This recipe includes only four ingredients, and because they’re all natural, you won’t have to worry about ingesting any chemicals and unnatural ingredients.

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