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Super-Simple Ways to Add a Splash of Color to Your Home

September 15, 2016 by

Curious about color? Even adding the smallest amount of color to your decor can make a huge difference. Here are some tips to help you add a splash of color to your home—without having to pick up a paint brush!

  • Start out with a generous amount of neutrals. These colors will act as your canvas or blank slate that you can add to.
  • Don’t use too much of one color, or it can become a big blur. You want to stick to a formula of using 60 percent of the dominant color and 30 and 10 percent of two other different colors to balance everything out.
  • Blending masculine colors with feminine colors can really bring a room together.
  • Consider using black when decorating. It will add some visual depth to a space. You could also use white to make a room feel more modern and fresh.
  • Use something with a pattern, like a throw pillow or piece of artwork, to pull colors from.
  • Work with a color palette to help transition the colors from room to room. This helps bring everything together and makes the rooms feel cohesive.

These 6 Lessons in Color Will Change the Way You Decorate [One Kings Lane]
Ideas for Decorating with Color & Pattern [About]
The 12 Rules of Decorating with Color [Pure Wow]

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How to Give Your Bathroom a Spa Makeover

August 18, 2016 by

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a spa in the comfort of your own home? Your bathroom is a private, quiet space and it’s where you go to take a nice relaxing bath or shower to de-stress. All you need to do is add a few more elements to create your own spa atmosphere at home. Use these hacks and tricks to give your bathroom a spa makeover.

  • Use minimal decor and a clean, simple style to achieve a serene and spa-like setting.
  • Soften your lighting and get a relaxing feel by installing lights with dimmer controls.
  • Create a barrier, such as a dramatic shower curtain or large plants, to make yourself feel a bit transported
  • De-clutter your bathroom by keeping your toiletries well organized or hidden.
  • Keep your bath salts and soaps in attractive containers. The presentation of everything will really make a difference.
  • Invest in a towel warmer or use towel-warming bars.
  • Use lavender or jasmine scented candles or oil diffusers. Aromatherapy is a huge part of a spa atmosphere.
  • Create a playlist of relaxing and meditating songs to play while you’re soaking in the tub.

Bathroom Decorating Ideas: 5 Ways to Make Any Bathroom Feel More Spa-Like [Apartment Therapy]
6 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Feel Like a Spa [Popsugar]
10 Affordable Ideas That Will Turn Your Small Bathroom Into A Spa [Improvenet]

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Healthy Ways to Indulge a Chocolate Craving

August 4, 2016 by

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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Revamp a Lampshade with these Fast and Easy DIYs

July 21, 2016 by

Finding just-the-right lamp to match your decor can be tricky. Why not get creative and style your own? All you need is a simple base and a shade of any kind that you can revamp. Follow these fun tips to create the lamp you've been dreaming of.

  • Using fabric to cover your lampshade is a beautiful and affordable way to revamp your lamp. All you need to do is make yourself a template with newspaper and cut it out to perfectly cover your lamp. Then, cut your fabric to match your template. Use fabric glue to place it on and you've got a unique, beautiful shade.
  • Line your lampshade with gold using liquid gold leaf paint and stained glass foiling tape. Make sure to use a lampshade with a plastic lining so the liquid leaf doesn't seep through the shade. Use a foam brush to paint it on and put a clear topcoat on so the paint doesn't tarnish.
  • Use spray paint to create a unique pattern on your lampshade. All you need is the paint and a fun stencil to use as a pattern. A chevron pattern can really transform your lamp and can go well with any kind of decor.

How to Transform a Lamp Shade with Fabric [Just a Girl and Her Blog]
Lampshade Decorating [Plaster & Disaster]
4 Creative Ways to Do a Lampshade Makeover [Bob Vila]

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Quick and Easy Potluck Recipes

June 16, 2016 by

So you were invited to your first of many summer potlucks this summer, and you’re totally stumped on what to bring. If you’re searching for the perfect recipe for a group, you’ll want something that’s easy to make and easy to serve, but still really delicious. Here are three unique summertime recipes that are also potluck-friendly.

Key Lime Bars [myrecipes.com]
If you’re in charge of bringing the dessert, these key lime bars are the perfect addition to any potluck. They’re the perfect blend of sweet and tart, and although they’re made entirely from scratch from crust to filling, they’re still simple to prepare.

Salsa for a Crowd [tasteofhome.com]
While salsa is a dish that feeds a lot of people at once, it’s still a really easy dish to throw together. This unique, summery salsa recipe combines corn and black beans with the usual tomatoes and spices to create the perfect topping for tortilla chips, pita wedges, or even tacos.

Sunny Broccoli Salad [midwestliving.com]
Bring a side dish that’s both delicious and healthy when you prepare this broccoli salad. It takes just 20 minutes to make, and unexpected ingredients like low-fat mayonnaise, bacon, and sweet raisins create a punch of flavor that will have all of the other guests asking for your recipe.

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Spring-Clean Your Meal Plan With These In-Season Fruits and Veggies

May 19, 2016 by

Everyone knows that the springtime is one of the best times of the year when it comes to produce. From ripe, juicy fruits to lush, green vegetables, lots of your favorite foods come back into season in the spring. Here are just a few of the fruits and vegetables that you have to look forward to.

  • Strawberries. Whether you choose fresh fruit salads or a decadent pie, you can use strawberries in lots of delicious recipes that are perfect for warm weather days.
  • Asparagus. Looking to add a side of greens to your dinner? Asparagus tastes its best from March through June.
  • Cherries. With a great deal of fiber and potassium, sweet cherries are some of the springtime's tastiest and healthiest fruits.
  • Radishes. If you're looking for a unique veggie to add some color to your salads, radishes are the perfect choice (and they're also packed with Vitamin C!).
  • Apricots. Add them to yogurt or simply bite right in, because apricots deliver a healthy dose of potassium, Vitamin C and fiber.
  • Artichokes. Once it's warm enough to fire up the grill, your guests will love a side of char-grilled artichokes with their main course.

Spring Produce Guide [Food Network]

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How to Keep Leafy Greens Fresher Longer

April 21, 2016 by

Don’t you just hate it when you attempt to buy a healthy batch of vegetables at the grocery store, only to have them go bad before you can even eat them? By using these simple tips, you can learn how to prolong the lifespan of your veggies and keep your greens fresher for longer.

  • Don’t leave leafy greens on the counter. While many types of produce (such as apples and potatoes) are okay when left out in the kitchen, leafy greens are much delicate and require cooler temperatures for safekeeping.
  • Wash them. As soon as you get your greens home, wash them with an all-natural vegetable cleanser and dry with a salad spinner to remove any chemicals, dirt, or pests.
  • Remove bad leaves. If you notice any brown spots on your greens, carefully remove them to prevent them from spoiling the whole bunch.
  • Don’t store them on a shelf in the refrigerator. Because everything in your refrigerator is not created equally, greens cannot by stored in the same way as, say, Chinese food leftovers. Instead, place them in the designated crisper drawer.
  • Plan how you’ll eat them. To prolong their lifespan further, plan to eat fresh salads using greens first and sauté or stir fry them once they near their wilted phases.

Leafy Greens [FreshDirect.com]
How to Store Leafy Greens in the Fridge [The Sprouting Seed]
How to Store Your Leafy Greens to Make Them Last Longer [Eat Local 365]

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Bring Spring in Bloom with These Crepe Flower Tutorials

March 17, 2016 by

Whether you’re decorating for a bridal shower, a child’s birthday party, or you simply want to spruce up your home for the spring season, crafting crepe flowers is an easy project that really makes an impact. These blossoms look beautiful, but they last a lot longer than the real thing! Here are three great tutorials for creating crepe flowers at home.

Martha Stewart’s DIY Flowers [marthastewart.com]
Martha Stewart’s website includes a number of different ways to make various types of crepe flowers. The single-petal method produces lush, full blossoms, while the tulip version is great for creating a bouquet of life-like flowers to display in your home or give as a gift.

Crepe and Watercolor Flower Tutorial [craftberrybush.com]
If you’re interested in creating the most realistic crepe flowers possible, this is the tutorial for you. It involves first using crepe paper to form the petals themselves, then gently painting the petals with watercolor paints to create the gradation that you find on a real flower. By spritzing the petals with water, you can even get them to curl a bit in a truly realistic way.

DIY Crepe Paper Flowers [thebridescafe.com]
This simple tutorial is perfect when you don’t have a lot of time, but you still want to get beautiful results. All it takes is a bit of crepe paper, floral wire and tape and some microbeads to form the flower’s center.

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How to Style and Organize a Bookcase

February 18, 2016 by

Sure, bookcases are meant to hold your book collection, but that doesn’t mean that yours should look like a jumbled mess. Turn your overstuffed bookcase into a focal point in your home with these simple, designer-worthy decorating tips.

  1. Organize all of your books in an attractive way. Whether you organize them by color to create a rainbow effect or by height for a unique pattern, you should consider book placement before anything else—it is a bookshelf, after all!
  2. Add knickknacks. While knickknacks may make you think of a cluttered grandmother’s house, modern versions will add an artistic flair to your shelves. Hunt for vintage brass or ceramic objects at local thrift stores, pick up small sculptures on your travels, or simply place green plants throughout.
  3. Fill it with frames. For a personal touch, frame photos of your friends or family and place them upright on the shelves. Or, if you want to create a more unique effect, attach the frame with a small nail to the front of the bookshelf where a corner meets.
  4. Step back and admire your work. To ensure that your bookshelf looks as good from afar as it does up close, frequently back up and reconsider the placement of each item.

How to Decorate a Bookshelf [Decoist]
How-to Beautify Your Bookcase [Coastal Living]
22 Ways to Arrange Your Shelves [Real Simple]
Flip for Decorating: The Bookcase [House Beautiful]

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Cool and Unusual Uses for Fabric Softener Sheets

January 21, 2016 by

While you likely already know that you can use fabric softener sheets for, well, making your fabrics softer, you may not know that there are a number of other uses for these handy household items. Here are just a few smart and surprising things to do with your dryer sheets.

  • Wipe up fine, powdery spills like flour or makeup using dryer sheets, because the anti-static properties help to pick up these hard-to-scoop messes.
  • Likewise, dryer sheets also make great DIY dusters for shelves, television screens, and baseboards.
  • Freshen up musty places by placing dryer sheets inside of your smelly winter boots, gym bag, or in a musty closet.
  • Remove pet hair from just about any surface (including your clothing) by wrapping a dryer sheet around your hand and gently running it over the surface.
  • In the summertime, stuff dryer sheets in your pockets to repel mosquitos.
  • Remove hard water stains from faucets and the door of a shower by running a dry dryer sheet over the surface.
  • End static on your hair and clothing in the winter by running a dryer sheet all over yourself.

10 New Uses for Dryer Sheets [Real Simple]
20 Household Uses for Used (Yes, Used) Dryer Sheets [Apartment Therapy]
25 Alternative Uses for Fabric-Softener Dryer Sheets [Curbly]

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