Chow Down on a Real Philly Cheesesteak at Pappa Geno’s

Grilled onions, steak, and Cheese Whiz. Those are all the ingredients necessary to craft a truly authentic Philly cheesesteak. At Pappa Geno's, an establishment more than a thousand miles away from the City of Brotherly Love, chefs closely observe this Philadelphia culinary tradition. The "Philly style steak and cheese" is just one of their creations, though.

They also recreate the classic Philly cheesesteak with a few fresh additions. Try the Smothered Philly, which includes a layer of zesty brown gravy on top, or the Freaky Philly, served with all the fixings: Cheese Whiz, American cheese, grilled onion, brown gravy, and Italian hot oil peppers. You can also go for another East Coast eat: the hoagie. The Hot Italian hoagie is stuffed with ham, Genoa salami, and provolone in addition to veggies, mayo, and Italian oil. The veggie hoagie, on the other hand, forgoes meat in favor of plant-based ingredients.

Pappa Geno's
1801 Ella Boulevard
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 863-1222
www.pappagenos.com
www.yelp.com/biz/pappa-genos-houston

Keep Your Bathroom Fresh With These All-Natural Scents

Here are a few quick, all-natural tips that will add a fresh, clean scent to your home's bathroom.

  • Add an essential oil diffuser. Essential oils are some of the most potent natural scents, and by adding a few drops to a wall outlet diffuser, you can easily permeate the air with fresh, clean fragrance.
  • Hang a eucalyptus bundle in the shower. Eucalyptus gives off a woodsy scent that's much fresher than a store-bought air freshener. Hang a bundle in the shower so that every time you run the hot water, the scent fills the whole room.
  • Fill a mason jar with baking soda. Baking soda is one of the best natural substances for dissolving odors, so fill a mason jar with the stuff and place it in a central location in the bathroom.
  • Make your own potpourri. Instead of purchasing pre-made potpourri at a home goods store, customize your own using only the scents that you love most. Dry some of your favorite flowers, and then add them to a jar and sprinkle them with some essential oils. For an extra touch, add things like cinnamon sticks, citrus peel, bark or pinecones.

6 Clever & Safe DIY Bathroom Deodorizers [Care 2]
Check Out These 10 Simple Ways You Can Make Your Home Smell Fresh [ViralNova]

Ready to Say Goodbye to the Gallery Wall? These New Wall Decor Ideas Will Spruce Up Your Space

While the mix-and-matched gallery wall was the biggest wall art trend of the past few years, you may be a bit tired of this eclectic style. If you’re looking for a new (but equally easy) way to spruce up your walls at Reserve at Garden Oaks, get some inspiration from these exciting ideas.

  1. Hang a tree trunk slice. Visit your local craft store or even a lumberyard and purchase a few large tree trunk slices. Sand them down and stain them, or hang them as-is for a truly rustic look.
  2. Create cool frames using Washi tape. If you’re tired of the hefty price tags (and the holes) that come with traditional frames, try creating one-dimensional frames out of colorful Washi tape. Create designs that are sleek, ornate, traditional or even a little wacky in all of the shapes and sizes that you desire.
  3. Hang a vintage map. If you have a large wall space that you just don’t know how to cover, try using a large vintage map. These are fairly easy to come by online or at your local thrift store or on sites like Etsy.
  4. Display antique ceramics. Collect an assortment of antique plates and baskets from antique stores or family members and display them using hanging plate racks.
  5. Frame your records. If you’re a music fan, frame your favorite records using square frames designed especially for that purpose.

10 Impressive DIY Wall Art Projects from Our House Tours [Apartment Therapy]
Washi Tape Wall Art Ideas [Apartment Therapy]
50 Beautiful DIY Wall Art Ideas For Your Home [Decoist]

Learn How to Manage Clutter — Not Hide It!

If you find yourself tucking away all of that extra clutter every time you clean your home, you may wonder how you can get rid of it for good. Instead of managing the clutter in your home, these smart, space-saving tips will show you how to control your clutter by getting rid of it completely.

  • Take an assessment of your clutter. Where do you notice clutter the most in your home? Is it in the junk drawers in your kitchen, the entryway area or your bedroom closet? Make note of those places where clutter always seems to accumulate so that you can focus the majority of your energy there.
  • Invest in storage systems. If the current storage systems in those areas just aren't working, it's time to reevaluate them. If clothes are always tumbling off of the shelves in your bedroom closet, add some affordable plastic drawers from your local home goods store; if you're always tripping over shoes in the doorway, add a stylish shoe rack.
  • Get rid of clutter-prone areas. Those junk drawers that are always overflowing? Get rid of them! If you don't have that go-to spot for disposing of those unused items, you'll be forced to really think about where they go — or if you need them at all.
  • Make it a part of your routine. If you don't usually think about where to put certain items, you might want to start. A big part of keeping a clean home is developing clean habits, so before you toss those shoes or that extra junk mail aside, take pause and deal with it right on the spot.

Track 21 Indoor Karting & More: Start Your Engines, Reserve at Garden Oaks!

If you consider yourself fun-loving and perhaps a bit competitive, you’ll love Track 21 Indoor Karting & More. This indoor go-kart facility hosts well-maintained tracks for both kids and adults, complete with sharp turns and thrilling straightaways where the race gets really intense. Visitors of all ages can rent their own go-karts, or if you’re a more experienced driver, you can even see what it feels like to be a professional racecar driver on the F-1 track.

Once your group is all tapped out from car racing, hop on over to the full laser tag course for even more fun. With 8,000 square feet and two stories of futuristic fun, this laser tag course might be one of the most impressive in the area.

To book a private party at Track 21 Indoor Karting & More, visit the facility’s convenient website.

Track 21 Indoor Karting & More
4815 Highway 6 N
Houston, TX 77084
(281) 200-2600
www.track21houston.com

How to Decorate Your Apartment Using Affordable, Colorful Tapestries

Decorating your apartment may seem expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. By simply recycling those old tapestries that you loved so much in high school, you can create a chic, eclectic look for no money at all. Here are a few creative ways to decorate your apartment with tapestries.

  1. Create a headboard. If your simple bedframe doesn’t contain a headboard, create the illusion of one with a tapestry. Simply hang one behind your bed and keep the rest of your bedding simple to let the tapestry take center stage.
  2. Cut it into a smaller size. If your large, busy tapestry seems overwhelming, try cutting it into a smaller size to hang above a table or in an irregular wall space.
  3. Brighten up a bare wall. If you have a wall that you just don’t know what to do with, it may be the perfect place for a tapestry. Because these oversized wall hangings are too large for many spaces, they’re the perfect way to cover a whole wall in one simple step.
  4. Use them as curtains. Drape your tapestry over a simple curtain rod, or sew a loop at one end to make it function like traditional curtains.
  5. Make your own tablecloth. Cover a small dining table with your tapestry to create a colorful tablecloth.

Hanging Tapestries as Wall Art [Apartment Therapy]
Colorful Tapestries & Wall Hangings [Apartment Therapy]
How to Decorate With Tapestries [SF Gate]

Raise a Glass to a Romantic Evening Out at Cork Cafe

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a beer fanatic, you'll find something to please your palate at Houston’s Cork Cafe. This wine and beer bar is equally laid-back and elegant, with a list of high-quality wines and craft beers that's so lengthy, you may have a hard time choosing the perfect glass. However, the knowledgeable staff is always on hand to offer a recommendation or to explain the intricacies of each unique option. There are wine bottles and glasses lining just about every square inch of the walls, and Cork Cafe even offers elegant bar bites, like baked brie and artisan flatbreads, to pair with your beer or wine.

Cork Cafe’s handsome interior is stylish and comfortable, with intimate two-seater tables and tall stools along the wine bar. A dark, neutral color palette and glowing light fixtures make everything feel quite romantic, which is likely why Cork Cafe is such a popular date night destination.

Cork Cafe
25712 Highway 290
Cypress, TX 77429
(281) 758-1682
www.corkcafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cork-cafe-wine-and-beer-cypress-3

Happy Fourth of July!

Wishing you a Fourth of July filled with pride, honor, and lots of fun!

How to Decorate Using the Principles of Feng Shui

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese belief that states that the way your home is organized will, in turn, influence everything else in your life. From your finances to your inner happiness, the aspects that feng shui influences are limitless. If you want to decorate your home in a way that better serves your feng shui, use these basic principles.

  • Keep things minimal. First and foremost, improve your home’s feng shui by getting rid of everything that you don’t need—including furniture, clothing and even kitchen supplies. This will leave you with more space for movement, creativity, and positive energy.
  • Maximize natural light. Take down heavy drapes and blinds and replace them with sheer curtains that allow in as much natural light as possible.
  • Add plants. Feng shui emphasizes the importance of having green plants to clean your home’s air and add a peaceful look to every room. Try options like jade plants and aloe plants that require little maintenance.
  • Leave entryways clear. Feng shui says that the doors allow positive energy to flow into your home, so be sure to leave yours clear.
  • Face the doors. Important pieces of furniture, such as your desk and your bed, should always face the door of the room without sitting directly in front of it.

Feng Shui 101 for Your Living Space [Wonder How To]
10 Easy Feng Shui Rules You Should Follow [Kris Carr]
Feng Shui Decorating Tips [Real Simple]

How to Play Host or Hostess — Without the Stress!

Whether you're throwing a dinner party, planning a birthday bash, or having family over for the holidays, these simple tips will teach you how to play host or hostess without the unnecessary stress.

  • Start early. At least a few weeks ahead of time, start to think about the major details: the number of guests, the menu, and anything that you may need to rent. This will start to ease you into party planning mode and avoid any last-minute surprises.
  • Prepare ahead of time. Make as much of the food ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it so that you don’t spend the entire day in the kitchen. This way, you’ll just have to reheat and add the finishing touches.
  • Create enough seating. Even if you don’t have a large dining room table to fit all of your guests, you still want to make sure that everyone has a place to sit. Borrow chairs from a neighbor or invest in floor cushions for a more casual affair.
  • Set the mood. Play fun music, clear out any unnecessary furniture to create more space for socializing, and plan a few games in case of any awkward lulls in conversation. These are tried-and-true tricks that will prevent your party from hitting a slump.

Dos and Don’ts of Hosting a Dinner Party [Rue Mag]
How to Host a Dinner Party so Everyone Enjoys It [Lettuce Eat Kale]
101 Party Dos & Don'ts [House Beautiful]
Entertaining [My Home Ideas]

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