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Deck the Halls With These Holiday Decor Ideas

December 3, 2015 by

Everyone loves a nice wreath on the front door and some stockings on the staircase, but with a bit of holiday cheer and seasonal inspiration, you can create completely unique decorations that will make your home the most festive one on the block. Here are some holiday décor ideas to try this year.

  1. Create a berry branch centerpiece. Instead of purchasing pricey flowers and struggling to arrange them before guests arrive, simply step outside and gather some branches for a more rustic centerpiece. If you prefer something more colorful, try berry branches instead.
  2. Don’t forget the doorway. Greet guests before they even get inside by decorating your doorway with evergreen garland, fresh poinsettias and a bright red bow.
  3. Add lanterns. Arrange some vintage lanterns in shades of red, silver and black at the entrance to your home. If you place them inside you can fill them with tall pillar candles, or you can even use flameless candles if you put them outside.
  4. Deck the pendant lights. If your kitchen has hanging pendant lights, wrap them with festive garland or even tinsel for a festive look.
  5. Add colorful candy dishes. Create candy dishes that are just as pretty as they are tasty by filling a clear bowl or vase with striped peppermint candies.

13 Stylish Holiday Decorating Ideas [Real Simple]
11 Easy Holiday Decorating Tips from Top Bloggers [House Beautiful]
101 Fresh Christmas Decorating Ideas [Southern Living]

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Check Out These Surprising Facts About Cranberries

November 19, 2015 by

Once the weather starts to gets chilly and the holidays roll around, you likely want to bake all of the cranberry desserts that you can think of. But how much do you really know about this tart winter berry? Here are a few interesting facts about cranberries.

  1. Cranberries grow in swamps and bogs. They grow well throughout much of North America, and there are more than 3,500 different species of cranberries found in areas from the icy cold polar regions all the way to the tropics.
  2. Contrary to popular belief, cranberries don’t grow in water. These small berries grow on low vines throughout marshes, and when it comes time to harvest them, farmers flood the marshes with water and the air-filled berries float to the top.
  3. Americans consume 20 percent of the country’s annual cranberry intake during Thanksgiving time. There are 400 million pounds of cranberries consumed each year, and 80 million of those pounds are eaten during the week of Thanksgiving.
  4. Cranberries are filled with vitamin C. In fact, hundreds of years ago American ships carried vessels of cranberries because they were known to prevent scurvy. Although they didn’t know it at the time, it was due to the berry's high amounts of vitamin C.

Cranberry Facts and History [University of Maine]
Find out what cranberries can do for you! [Wisconsin Cranberries]
Cranberry Facts [Teacher Vision]
Cranberry Facts [Wisconsin Rapids]

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How to Keep Your Bathroom Clean and Clutter-Free

October 22, 2015 by

It’s not uncommon to accumulate a whole lot of clutter in your bathroom. If you want to finally clean out your bathroom and make it a bit more functional, however, all it takes are a few simple tips to show you how. Here are some great ways to keep your bathroom clean and clutter-free.

  1. Clean out the cabinets. Whether your bathroom has a standard medicine cabinet, an under-sink cabinet or both, it’s always smart to toss out your unused products and make room for the essentials. Clear everything out, wipe down the shelves and add storage bins where you need them.
  2. Update your towel storage. You may feel stuck with the one towel rack that you have, but you can always add a hanging towel rack over the door to create more hanging storage.
  3. Add a shower caddy. If your soaps and shampoos are taking over the shower ledges, keep them corralled with a shower caddy. Invest in one that hangs over the showerhead, or use a portable one that you can tote back and forth between showers.
  4. Add shelving. If all else fails, add your own shelving anywhere that you need it in the bathroom. Store products in baskets or bins to help keep the shelves neat and tidy.

Quick Tips for Organizing Bathrooms [HGTV]
10 Tips to organize your bathroom [She Knows]
Store More in Your Bath [Better Homes & Gardens]

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Where to Shop Quirky-Cute Kids’ Lighting Online

September 17, 2015 by

You don’t want your little ones to feel afraid of the dark every night at bedtime, which is why every child’s room should contain a fun and functional light that chases away the monsters that live under the bed. Here are three great places to shop for quirky-cute kids’ lighting online.

The Land of Nod
This mega-popular kids’ online retailer offers modern furniture and home decor items that will make your kids’ rooms look a whole lot more stylish. Their selection of kid-friendly lighting sources includes lamps in the shapes of clouds, nightlights with cute faces, and colorful floor lamps that channel classic mid-century designs.

ModCloth
If you’re looking for lights that even quirkier, ModCloth is your online go-to for all things sweet and silly. Check out updated versions of the usual light socket nightlights and retro-inspired wall lights, as well as twinkling string lights that add a festive flair.

HearthSong
From plasma ball lights that produce bolts of electricity wherever you place your fingers to funky, miniature chandeliers and machines that create shooting stars indoors, this unique online retailer offers one of the most creative selections of quirky kids’ lighting.

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Helpful Study Tips for Students of All Ages

August 20, 2015 by

Students from sixth grade all the way up to graduate school struggle can find studying to be a daunting task, despite how different their curriculum may be. Use these helpful study tips to improve your own studying or to help your struggling child.

  1. Review before bed. While it’s not the best idea to study when you’re overly tired, there’s some benefit to studying right before bed. Your brain strengthens new memories while sleeping, so you’re more likely to remember what you learned if you look at the information right before falling asleep.
  2. Create mnemonic devices. Whether you’re trying to remember complex chemistry concepts or the states and their capitals, it often helps to create a little story or other mnemonic device using people or objects that you’re already familiar with. For example, make a poem out of the first letters of each of the planets for a child who is struggling with an elementary science class.
  3. Create practice tests. One of the only ways to really test your knowledge is by putting yourself to the test. Download pre-made practice tests online or enlist a study partner to quiz you on the topic.
  4. Write instead of typing. Many studies show that the human brain is more likely to remember something that you write by hand than something that you type, so leave your laptop at home the next time you take notes.

22 Science-Backed Study Tips to Ace a Test [Greatist]
10 Tips to Study Smart and Save Time [Lifehack]
Adults in College: 10 Secrets to Success if You Haven’t Seen a Classroom in Years [Back to College Blog]
Top 10 Study Tips for Busy Adult Learners [Back to College]

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How to Decorate With Serving Trays Around the Home

July 23, 2015 by

You likely make use of serving trays when you entertain, but have you ever considered a tray's use outside the kitchen? There are a number of creative, modern ways to use serving trays around the home, and these simple tutorials will show you how.

  1. In the bathroom. Corral your everyday beauty essentials instead of letting them take over the bathroom sink by using an attractive tray. Choose one with taller edges so that small bottles don’t slide off of the sides, and be sure to display your prettiest products inside.
  2. In the office. Add a serving tray to your desk to keep office supplies, pen holders, paperwork, and business cards from cluttering up your desk.
  3. On the coffee table. Make your coffee table vignette look even more catalog-worthy by adding a large, attractive serving tray to your design scheme. Fill it with coasters, candles, and a large flower vase.
  4. Make your own. If you can’t find a serving tray that you like (or that fits your budget), make your own using a plain white tray and scrapbook-style paper. Cut the paper to fit the inside of the tray and secure it using double-sided tape.

Styling Trays for Every Room In Your Home [The Art of Living Well]
Paper-Lined Desk Tray [Lulu The Baker]
De-Cluttering The Dresser With a Cake Stand! [Ruffles & Truffles]

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Deep Discounts Await on These Flash Sale Shopping Sites

June 18, 2015 by

Shopping online is a great way to save money on unique items that you can’t find anywhere else, and members-only flash sale websites make those savings even greater for those who join. Membership is free, and sales only last a day or two, meaning that if you like what you see, you should pounce! Here are a few discount shopping sites for everything from clothing to home goods.

Joss and Main
With its wide selection of curated designer furniture pieces, Joss and Main is a site that interior design lovers would shop whether it offered discounts or not. Lucky for you, the members-only site does offer membership discounts, and many of them are up to 70% off.

Fab
Fab is one of the most versatile discount shopping websites, offering a wide range of products and new, featured design deals every day. With home decor items, electronics, and even clothing and accessories for men and women, Fab offers savings on products for all areas of your life.

One Kings Lane
One Kings Lane is an online marketplace for designer and vintage items for the home. You must become a member in order to browse the site, but once you join you’ll receive up to 70% off of the shop’s furniture, kitchen tools, and other items for the home.

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How to Reduce Your Daily Caffeine Intake

May 21, 2015 by

You might feel like you simply can’t function without your morning coffee, but that boost of caffeine may be doing you more harm than good. Caffeine addiction causes you to rely on drinking coffee, soda, and energy drinks throughout the day, and it is also proven to contribute to stress and anxiety. If you want to cut back on the amount of caffeine you consume per day, these simple tips will make it easier.

  1. Examine your intake. Studies show that 200 milligrams of caffeine or less is a healthy amount for the average adult to consume per day. This translates to about two strong cups of coffee, so this is an easy way to decipher how much you need to limit yourself. If you can’t make it through the workday without that third cup in the afternoon, that’s a good place to start.
  2. Gradually cut back. Quitting caffeine cold turkey is just as painful as quitting any other bad habit. To prevent headaches, grogginess, and other signs of caffeine withdrawal, mix your usual coffee with a bit more decaf every day, or work your way down to just two cups of coffee instead of your usual amount.
  3. Be smart about caffeine. Once you know that you can only have two cups per day, you should choose when to drink them wisely. If you feel most tired early in the morning and around 2 p.m., plan on drinking your cup of joe about an hour before those times.

Easy Ways to Reduce Caffeine Intake [U.S. News]
How to Lower Your Caffeine Intake Without Headaches [Fitday]
10 Ways to Start Your Day Without Caffeine [Everyday Health]
Caffeine [McKinley Health Center]

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Let the Sunshine In: DIY Spring Home Decor Projects

April 16, 2015 by

After your spring cleaning is complete, you may start to feel like your home could use a bit of a decorating revamp, as well. No matter your budget, you can easily give your home a springtime makeover with DIY home decor projects. Here are just a few of the best spring-themed decorating projects for every room in your home.

Colorful Egg Window Dressing [familycircle.com]
Set to work crafting colorful paper eggs that will dress up those newly cleaned windows. This simple tutorial only requires multicolored construction paper and some scissors to complete, and it’s easy enough that even the kids can help out.

Heart-Shaped Sachets [countryliving.com]
Freshen up your drawers and closets with these adorable DIY sachets. Simply take some scrap fabric in a pattern that you like, cut out two heart shapes, and sew them together around the edges. Fill them with potpourri just before you sew them closed, then seal them shut and enjoy the scent.

Daffodil Flower Care [marthastewart.com]
One of the best ways to spruce up your home for the springtime is by adding fresh flowers wherever you can. Freshly cut daffodils are the picture of spring, but they can often be difficult to care for. This tutorial will show you how to properly cut daffodils and arrange them in a vase in a way that even a florist would admire.

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

March 19, 2015 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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