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How to Add Texture to Your Decor

April 7, 2015 by

Even if you have all of the essential furniture, a room can still feel "off" without the warm, cozy textures that really make a house a home. Here are a few smart tips for adding designer-inspired textures to any space!

  1. Toss in some throw pillows. If your sofa (or your bed) is looking a bit bare, dress it up using a mishmash of throw pillows in varying textures. Luxurious silks, faux furs, and simple cottons are all great options, and don’t be afraid to combine colors and patterns, as well.
  2. Add a blanket. One way to make your room look magazine-worthy is by draping a blanket across a bare surface. Think the arm of a chair, the back of the sofa or the foot of your bed.
  3. Add woodgrain to the walls. Even if you live in a rental, you can add the rustic look of woodgrain to any room in your home by creating a large-scale art piece made of recycled wood.
  4. DIY a tile backsplash. If your lease permits it, adding a tile backsplash is a great way to add texture in the kitchen. There are a number of temporary options that can even be removed when you move out.
  5. Hang curtains. Any interior designer will tell you that no room is complete without some type of window treatment. Make a room feel cozier with elegant curtains hung a bit higher than the window frames.

Make an Impact with Texture [Better Homes and Gardens]
Ten Ways to Add Texture to a Room [Apartment Therapy]
Home Décor: 10 Tips to Add Texture [Right @ Home]

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How to Brew Coffee at Home, Just Like a Pro Barista

April 3, 2015 by

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]

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These Two Wedding Registry Sites Can Help You Take the Plunge

March 27, 2015 by

When it comes time to register for gifts for your wedding, it can be difficult to choose the right places to meet your style and your needs. It’s best to keep in mind that you want high quality items that will last a good while, but at prices that your guests can afford. Here are two great wedding registry websites that will make your decision a bit easier.

Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn’s wedding registry is separated into neatly organized sections that help you to create your registry from start to finish. It features a simple registrant information page that allows you to create your couple profile, and it even enables you to decide where you’d like each gift shipped and your preferences on receiving gift cards from guests. Once you fill out your registry, Pottery Barn also makes it easy for friends and family to find your profile and navigate the gifts that you’ve selected.

Williams-Sonoma
The popular kitchenware store offers an impressive wedding registry site that’s packed full of cooking and entertaining items to help you create the kitchen of your dreams. Easily create and manage your registry with just a few fill-in-the-blank questions, then select the items that you love from Williams-Sonoma’s expansive inventory.

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8 Tips to Keep You and Your Children Safe in the Kitchen

March 20, 2015 by

Though it seems like fun to let your children help cook dinner, kitchen injuries are more common than you may think. These thought-provoking tips will show you how to keep yourself and your children safe while cooking.

1. Roll up your sleeves before using the stove. Long or draping shirt sleeves can catch fire if they come into contact with a hot stove, so make sure to dress appropriately when cooking.

2. Turn pots and pans inward. If the handles of your pots and pans hang off the edge of the stove, children can bump them and sustain dangerous burns.

3. Practice frequent hand washing. Encourage children to wash their hands before and after cooking to avoid spreading germs.

4. Take precautions with raw meat or eggs. Clean countertops, utensils, and containers carefully to prevent foodborne illnesses from meat and eggs.

5. Don’t let your children lick the spoon. While kids love to eat batter from cake or cookies, raw egg can make them sick. Tell them they can have the first taste after baking is complete.

6. Check food temperature. Using a food thermometer to check internal temperatures after cooking or baking will help ensure that food is safe to consume.

7. Sharpen knives. It may seem counterintuitive, but dull knives require much more force than sharp knives and can result in more injuries.

8. Always supervise your children. The most fun part about teaching children to cook is spending time together, so don’t forget this important tip!

Keeping Your Kitchen Safe [National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute]

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Travel Etiquette Tips Every Jetsetter Should Know

March 13, 2015 by

When you’re planning a big trip, you likely think about what to pack, what travel arrangements to make, and which sights to see once you arrive at your destination. But do you ever think about travel etiquette? Proper etiquette on airplanes or buses is something that most people don’t think about until they’re faced with an awkward situation. Avoid uncomfortable run-ins with fellow passengers with these smart tips:

  1. Start in the gate area. At the airport, try to take up as little space as possible in the gate area. Don’t leave bags or other luggage on empty seats, as these places often get very crowded.
  2. Stick with your zone. Although it might be tempting to board your plane early, boarding zones are created for a reason: to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.
  3. Recline kindly. Before you jolt your seat backward and hit another passenger’s knees or jostle his or her computer, simply turn around and ask if it’s okay.
  4. Don’t rush off the plane or bus. Even if you’re in a hurry, it’s important to let the seats ahead of you exit the plane first.
  5. Navigate the airport or subway station like a highway. This means always stay to the right while walking. If you’re on a moving walkway, walkers should stay to the left, standers on the right.

Travel Etiquette Dos and Don'ts [Travel + Leisure]
10 Travel Etiquette Tips [TripIt]
Whose Feet Are Those? Negotiating Air-Travel Etiquette [The New York Times]

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These Pro Tips Can Help You Plan Your Dream Vacation

March 6, 2015 by

Planning a vacation on a budget? These expert tips will show you where to save, where to splurge, and exactly how to turn that dream vacation into a reality — one step at a time.

  1. Choose a location (rationally). Think of the top five places that you would visit in the world, then narrow it down to just one place by considering what’s most important to you. For example, if you’re looking for adventure, a sleepy coastal village may not be the best choice.
  2. Determine your budget. You’ve likely already saved up some money to put toward your vacation, but ask yourself honestly how much you’re comfortable spending. Factor in airline costs, lodging, and day-to-day expenses.
  3. Choose when to go. Now that you have a budget and a location, do some research about when that destination is the most affordable. Be cautious, however; while you don’t want to go at the peak of tourist season, you also don’t want to go too far into the off-season when many local businesses are closed.
  4. Find affordable airline tickets. Because this is usually the most expensive part of any international trip, you want to be very smart about your plane tickets. Check travel comparison several times throughout the week to find the best rates, and don’t forget to look into smaller carriers.
  5. Book lodging. Save this for last, as there are usually a wide variety of places from budget hostels to luxury resorts where you can rest your head.

How to Plan a Vacation [WikiHow]
How to Plan Your Dream Vacation [USA Today]
How to Plan Your Next Vacation in One Breezy Sitting [Mashable]

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Follow These Tips for Bakery Quality Cookies Every Time

March 3, 2015 by

If you’ve ever wondered how to get that deliciously moist, chewy cookie consistency that you normally only find at your favorite bakery, all it takes is a bit of inside knowledge. Here are some expert tips that will help you to bake better cookies at home.

  1. Use a high-quality cookie sheet. Although stainless steel cookie sheets are a bit pricier, they make all the difference when it comes to your cookies. Dark colored sheets may cause your cookies to burn on the bottom, which results in an overcooked, dry texture.
  2. Be sure to use soft butter. Many at-home bakers skip this step and use cold butter to save time, but letting the butter melt a bit can work wonders when it comes to the texture of your cookies.
  3. Know which ingredients to use for your desired consistency. If you like cookies that are thinner and crispier, add more sugar. For cake-like cookies you can add an extra egg, and for a coarse, crumbly texture, simply add baking soda.
  4. Only bake one sheet at a time. Baking multiple cookie sheets at once can cause them to bake inconsistently, so try to use only one sheet at a time. If you’re short on time you can bake a few sheets at once, but be sure to rotate them frequently.

Cookie Tips – Secrets to Making Perfect Cookies [What’s Cooking America]
Tips for Baking Perfect Cookies [Macrina Bakery]
Tip: The Secret to Baking Perfectly Browned Cookies Every Time [The Kitchn]
Tips for Getting That Perfect Cookie Texture [Baking Bites]

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Find Local Fare at Food Co-Ops

February 27, 2015 by

A food co-op is a grocery store that is collectively owned and operated by its members, and it normally focuses on local products. Even though you might not realize it, you likely have a food co-op in your area. Here are a few ways that a food co-op can improve your relationship with food.

  1. They’re more convenient than most farmers markets. Although farmers markets are also great ways to shop locally, they’re usually only held once a week (and not at all in the winter months). Food co-ops, on the other hand, are just as convenient as a traditional grocery store.
  2. They help to support local farmers. These days, local farmers are much fewer and farther between than they were in the past, and food co-ops are some of the most important things to help them continue to make a living by farming.
  3. Expect to become a member. In exchange for providing fresh, local produce, meats and baked goods, most food co-ops expect their shoppers to become members. This usually means paying yearly dues and receiving a type of membership card before you’re able to shop in their store. If you’re dedicated to supporting local agriculture or improving your diet, these dues are more than worth it.

How to Find a Food Co-Op in Your Area and Score Some High-Quality, Super-Cheap Eats [Lifehacker]
What is a Food Co-Op? [WiseGeek]
What is a Food Co-op? [Kitsap Food]

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Today in History

February 27, 2015 by

1960 – US Olympic Ice Hockey Team beats USSR 3-2 en route to gold medal.
1963 – Mickey Mantle of NY Yankees signs a baseball contract worth $100,000.
1964 – The government of Italy asks for help to keep the Leaning Tower of Pisa from toppling over.
1973 – White Sox slugger Dick Allen signs 3-year $750,000 contract.
1992 – Tiger Woods, 16, becomes youngest PGA golfer in 35 years.

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Today in History!

February 26, 2015 by

1949 – USAF plane began 1st nonstop around-the-world flight.
1955 – "Peter Pan" closes at Winter Garden Theater NYC after 149 performances.
1977 – 1st flight of Space Shuttle (atop a Boeing 747).
1983 – Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album goes to #1 & stays #1 for 37 weeks.
1985 – 27th Grammy Awards: "What's Love Got to Do With It", Cyndi Lauper wins.
1987 – NBA's Michael Jordan's 58 points in one game is a Chicago Bulls record.

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