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Turn Your Home at The Marquis at Canyon Ridge Into a Workout Studio With These Simple Tips

February 26, 2016 by

Want to break a sweat without hitting up the gym? These simple workout ideas will show you how to create a space for exercise in your own apartment at The Marquis at Canyon Ridge.

  1. Do yoga. With so many online yoga classes and free tutorials, you can get in a complete yoga class right at home. Clear away clutter and extra furniture, dim the lights, and even light a few candles to create that yoga studio atmosphere (even if you’re just in your living room).
  2. Sweat it out with cardio. Start by clearing the furniture out from the center of your living space, and then pop in an instructional workout DVD. If you’re worried about the sound disturbing your neighbors downstairs, do your workout on a thick area rug or a non-slip exercise mat.
  3. Do some strength training. Invest in small-scale strength training equipment to build muscle even without pumping iron. Things like exercise bands, hand weights, and kettlebells are perfect for toning your biceps even in your apartment.
  4. Create a circuit. Many trainers agree that circuit training is one of the most effective types of exercise. Create your own at-home circuit by working with your apartment’s furniture, including step-ups onto a chair, crunches with your feet under the sofa, and sprints up and down stairs.

How to Build a Home Gym Anywhere [Men's Fitness]
Fitness Pros Weigh In: Essentials of a "No Frills" Home Gym [Apartment Therapy]
10 Small-Space Home Gym Hacks for Your Tiny Apartment [Brit + Co]

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Try Your Hand at the Bridge and Torch Problem

February 19, 2016 by

There are a large number of “river crossing puzzles” in the world of logic puzzles, in which people must cross a river with a variety of constraints. One of the most popular of these puzzles is the Bridge and Torch Problem, which tests your logic skills and your rational thinking. Though it may seem like a simple enough question, the answer to this tricky word problem eludes many of the people who try to solve it.

In the Bridge and Torch Problem, four people approach a riverbank at night. The narrow bridge nearby can only hold two people at a time. They only have one torch, but it has to be used when crossing the bridge. It takes Person A one minute to cross, Person B two minutes to cross, Person C five minutes, and Person D eight minutes. Two people crossing the bridge together must move at the slower person’s pace.

Can all of the people cross the bridge in 15 minutes or less? Once you reach an answer, check it here!

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Fun DIYs to Give New Life to Unwanted Household Items

February 12, 2016 by

Instead of tossing out those household items that seemingly have no use anymore, give them new life by repurposing them into something useful. This not only helps you to save a bit of cash, it also helps to reduce your waste production and show a little love to our environment. Here are a few fun DIYs for making over unwanted household items!

  1. Turn empty condiment bottles into squeeze bottles for dispensing pancake batter. Just make sure you thoroughly clean them out first—no one wants to eat ketchup-flavored pancakes!
  2. Turn an ornate vintage picture frame into a vanity tray. Simply add a pretty fabric instead of a photo, lie it flat, and fill it with perfume bottles, makeup, and more.
  3. Clean the fine “hairs” out of corn on the cob by using a dry toothbrush that you don’t use anymore.
  4. Hang an old rake upside down and use it as a rustic necklace holder.
  5. Portion toddler snacks perfectly by filling the cubes in an ice cube tray. They are the perfect size for berries, pretzels, cheese cubes, and chocolate candies.
  6. Purchase a vintage window shutter from a garage sale or thrift store and use it to display important memos, mail, and photographs. Simply clip wooden clothespins along the slats and even add S-shaped hooks for keys.

50 All-Time Favorite New Uses for Old Things [RealSimple]
6 New Uses for Old Things [Country Living]
25 New Ways to Use Your Old Stuff [HGTV]

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Dependable Virtual Destinations for Apartment Decor and Accessories

February 5, 2016 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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5 Interesting Facts About Frank Sinatra

February 2, 2016 by

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]

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Beware of These Three Surprising Sources of High Fructose Corn Syrup

January 29, 2016 by

Avoiding high fructose corn syrup seems like it would be fairly easy if you read your labels and eat a plant-based diet. However, there are still ways in which this artificial sweetener can find its way into the food you eat. Here are three surprising sources of high fructose corn syrup that you might want to avoid:

  1. Salad dressing. Low-fat or not, many salad dressings contain high fructose corn syrup as a main ingredient. Make your own with oil and vinegar dressing or buy organic to avoid this.
  2. Honey-roasted peanuts. There are only seven ingredients in this sweet snack, and corn syrup is one of them. Choose raw or oven-roasted nuts instead.
  3. Ketchup. It might be no surprise that ketchup includes sugar, but some brands contain exceedingly high amounts. Look for all-natural brands or use ketchup sparingly.

Corn Syrup in Unexpected Foods [Huffington Post]
Surprising Products That Contain High Fructose Corn Syrup [Divine Caroline]
(Not So) Sweet: Surprising Foods Containing High Fructose Corn Syrup [Babble]
6 Popular Foods with High-Fructose Corn Syrup [FitDay]

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How to Help Your Child Learn to Ride a Bicycle

January 5, 2016 by

If your child is bored with training wheels and wants to learn to ride an adult bike, you likely have a number of concerns. However, as long as you keep safety and comfort in mind, teaching your kid to ride a bicycle can be a quick, painless process. Follow these helpful tips to best instruct your child how to push off, pedal, and cruise on his or her new "big kid" bike.

  1. Safety first. Before you do anything else, get your child properly fitted for the right bicycle helmet. Even if he or she already has a helmet, it’s very important to have one that fits properly and provides the adequate amount of protection for learning to ride a bike. You can do this at just about any bicycle supply shop or sporting goods store.
  2. Scout locations. When it comes to riding a bike for the first time, location is key. You want to find a flat, paved street or parking lot with no traffic or a low, gently sloping, grassy hill, depending on your child’s preference. Show him or her both areas and see which feels more comfortable.
  3. Prepare the bike. You can’t just remove your child’s training wheels and expect him or her to speed away. Take off the training wheels and then begin by removing the pedals and lower the seat. Begin by showing your child how to balance, brake, and turn on the bike with no pedals, and then put the pedals back on. This is the final stage, so get the camera ready!

How To: Ride a Bike [Real Simple]
How to Teach a Child to Ride a Bike [REI]
How to Lean to Ride a Bike in 15 Minutes [Better Homes & Gardens]
Teaching a Kid (and Adult) to Ride a Bicycle [iBike]
Teach Your Child to Ride a Bike [Disney Family]

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How to Keep Your Fridge Squeaky Clean

December 2, 2015 by

From dripping leftovers to forgotten lettuce from months back, there are likely a few things in your refrigerator that could use your attention. Here are a few simple ways to keep your fridge clean once and for all.

  1. Clear everything out. Start by going through the contents of your fridge and throwing away anything that’s past its expiration date. Leave everything on the counter until you’re done cleaning inside.
  2. Unplug. Unplug the refrigerator from the wall so that you can leave the door open while you clean without wasting energy.
  3. Clean inside drawers. Remove the drawers and rinse them out in the sink or bathtub. Use warm, soapy water to remove germs.
  4. Wipe the shelves. Using a spray bottle of multipurpose cleaner, wipe down all of the shelves and walls inside. You may even be able to slide the shelves out for easier access, depending on the model of refrigerator.
  5. Clean under jars. Before putting the food back in the refrigerator, be sure to check the bottoms for any grime or leaks. Wipe them off so that they don’t dirty your now-clean fridge.

How To Clean the Refrigerator [The Kitchn]
Refrigerator-Cleaning Tips [HGTV]
How Should I Clean My Refrigerator? [Cleanipedia]

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Thanksgiving Dessert Alternatives to Your Basic Pumpkin Pie

November 3, 2015 by

Sure, everyone loves pumpkin pie, but the old standby dessert may start to feel a bit tired over the years. If it sounds like blasphemy to write off your annual Thanksgiving pie, you’ll quickly forget your guilt once you read about these equally sweet, mouthwatering dessert alternatives.

Cranberry Orange Parfait [foodnetwork.com]
Add a tangy, zesty flavor to your holiday dinner table with mini parfaits that are just as pretty as they are delicious. A combination of heavy cream, rich vanilla, and orange marmalade creates a thick, pudding-like base, while chopped pecans add a bit of flavorful crunch that makes this dessert truly decadent.

Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake [smittenkitchen.com]
If you simply can’t bear to part with your pumpkin dessert, breathe new life into it with a cheesecake base and a bit of bourbon. This cheesecake features a graham cracker crust, pumpkin cheesecake filling, and bourbon-infused sour cream topping that's equally creamy and sweet.

Apple Blueberry Crumble [dinnerwithjulie.com]
For your guests who are die-hard pie fans, this traditional fruit pie topped with a thick, flavorful crumble is the perfect ending to the Thanksgiving meal.

Fig Tart [chezpim.com]
Figs may traditionally be a Christmas treat, but this fig tart is so good that your guests won’t even notice. It only takes five ingredients for the filling and three ingredients for the crust, so it’s also incredibly simple to make.

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Something’s Afoot: Clever Shoe Organization Ideas

October 23, 2015 by

It’s not uncommon to have shoes strewn about your entire apartment, from the doorway where you first slip them off to the bedroom where you try on dozens of pairs before deciding on one. With these smart tips, however, you can finally create a system for organizing all of those sneakers, heels, sandals and slides — and they’re a whole lot more interesting than your traditional shoe rack.

  1. Add shelves. If you’re particularly proud of your shoe collection, show them off by displaying your most beautiful pairs on shelves stacked from floor to ceiling. You can even use a bookcase if you have one.
  2. Use photo ledges. For high heels, purchase photo ledges from your local craft shop or home decor store and dangle pairs of shoes from them by the heels.
  3. Keep them in their boxes. If you want to keep your shoes protected while in storage, save their boxes (or purchase new shoe storage boxes). Attach a photo of the pair inside to the exterior of the box to make finding a specific pair a breeze.
  4. Use antique items. If your home decor style is a bit more rustic, use an antique ladder or an old apple crate as shoe storage in any room.
  5. Utilize under-bed space. For out-of-season pairs, store them in flat plastic storage bins under the bed.

10 Clever and Easy Ways to Organize Your Shoes [DIY & Crafts]
13 Creative Ways To Organize Your Shoes, Inspired By Pinterest [Who What Wear]
25 Creative Shoe Storage Ideas [Guiding Home]

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