Wallet-Friendly Ways to Revamp and Rejuvenate Your Rental’s Decor

Regardless of how on-trend your decor was when you initially adorned your apartment, it's only a matter of time before you feel like your surroundings are outdated. But when a home makeover isn't really in the budget, you might feel stuck with the interior design you've got. You aren't, though. There are tons of budget-friendly approaches to decorating that can spruce up your apartment. Here are just three of them to get the creative juices flowing.

  1. Upcycle existing embellishments. If your home-decorating instincts take you to Amazon, let your money-saving instincts lead you to Pinterest instead this time. Look for DIY ways that you can revamp that old coffee table or update worn throw pillows. It might be as easy as picking up a can of spray paint or some ribbon and fabric glue.
  2. Frame free pieces of "artwork." You don't have to break the bank on a piece of art in order for it to add something to your room. Prints or photos from magazines and books can have just as great an impact on the aesthetic of your bedroom or living room as expensive artwork. Just find a cheap frame at Target or the thrift store to complement your makeshift work of art.
  3. Break out the sewing machine. If you're handy with a needle and thread, there's a lot you can do in your apartment without spending much money. For example, you can easily create new curtains or pillowcases. These are both simple ways to spiff up your apartment that conserve both time and money.

Budget Decorator: 15 No-Cost Ways to Invigorate Your Space [Houzz]
15 Budget Decorating Secrets [HGTV]
The 10 Most Important Tips For Decorating On A Tight Budget [freshome]

Happy Spring!

Spring has sprung! What is your favorite thing about Spring?

Tacos el Costalilla: One of Alexandria’s Most Delightful Mexican Restaurants

This unassuming restaurant actually serves up some of the best street-style tacos in Alexandria, so pay it a visit. These aren’t boring tacos loaded with sour cream and beans – they’re served authentically, just a tortilla wrapped around meat with lime juice, onions, and cilantro. Accessorize them with your choice of salsas and other toppings from the self-service bar and you’ve got an incredible meal for just a few dollars. Some of the best options are the Pastor (spicy pork, cooked to tender perfection) and the amazing beef tongue – not normally a delicacy, this place has mastered how to wring every drop of flavor out of it. It’s actually worth making a special trip to Tacos el Costalilla on weekends to try the pozole. This hearty pork stew made with kernels of hominy is topped with fresh vegetables. It’s very time-consuming to make, but you can taste the care in every bite.

Tacos el Costalilla
7862 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22306
(703) 704-9088
www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g30226-d2142385-Reviews-Tacos_El_Costalilla-Alexandria_Virginia.html
www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-el-costalilla-alexandria

How to Squeeze Every Inch Out of Your Apartment’s Square Footage

Use these smart, simple tips for squeezing every inch out of your apartment’s floor plan and you’ll be amazed at how much extra space you'll find!

  • Choose multifunctional pieces. Get rid of all of the furniture in your home that doesn’t play double-duty as something else. Choose sofas with built-in storage, a bed with hidden drawers, and a television credenza with a bookshelf to minimize the wasted space that comes from having too much furniture.
  • Arrange… and rearrange. Arrange your furniture as many times as it takes to find a perfect flow. You’ll want to be able to comfortably walk from room to room without bumping into things, which takes some trial and error. If something doesn’t fit, it likely means that you don’t have use for it.
  • Think vertically, not just horizontally. Many people forget about the horizontal space that they’re missing when furnishing a room. Add stacks of shelves on every wall, hanging organizers on the backs of doors, or new, custom storage systems from floor to ceiling in the closet.
  • Maximize natural light. Finally, replace dark drapes with sheer curtains to allow in as much light as possible and make your space feel brighter.

How to Maximize Space in a Small Apartment [Freshome]
Ten Apartment Organization Tips to Maximize Space [Forbes]
How to Maximize Your Apartment Space [For Rent]

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

May your day be touched with a little bit of the luck of the Irish!

Get Centered First Thing in the Morning at Grounded Coffee Shop

At Grounded Coffee Shop in Alexandria, local coffee lovers stop in for hot cups of fresh, flavorful coffee before a day at work or an afternoon of running errands in the area. This colorful coffee shop is very homey inside, and it is furnished with leather couches, rainbow-hued walls and handmade artwork decorating just about every surface.

There is a glass display case overflowing with desserts and other baked goods, and Grounded Coffee Shop even offers savory dishes like homemade quiche and croissant breakfast sandwiches to give you fuel for the day ahead. The friendly baristas whip up steaming cups of drip coffee and classic espresso drinks at the espresso bar, and there are also iced teas, frappes and fruit smoothies made fresh on the spot. Settle in with a good book on a relaxing day off, or play one of the café’s board games over cappuccino with a group of friends.

Grounded Coffee Shop
6919 Telegraph Road
Alexandria, VA 22310
(703) 341-6612
www.groundedcoffeeshop.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grounded-coffee-shop-alexandria

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, visit our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends April 30th, 2016. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

Where to Shop Unique Art and Wall Decor for Kids’ Rooms

Your kids' bedrooms should be the most fun rooms in the house when it comes to decorating, and that means that you likely want to keep them as colorful and creative as possible. If you’re looking for wall art designed especially for the little one that will add some flair to their bare walls, these are three great places to shop.

Minted
This hip wall art retailer has an entire section of its site devoted solely to art for kids. Expect to find minimal prints of cute quotes, personalized designs with your child’s name. and watercolor paintings of animals, crayons and other sweet scenes.

The Land of Nod
The Land of Nod is a favorite amongst stylish parents with a flair for all things mid-century modern, and its selection of kid-friendly art is just as adorable. It includes handmade weavings and tapestries in bright colors and soft neutrals, as well as framed prints, fun maps, Periodic Tables, and other educational prints.

Etsy
If you’re looking for something truly unique, Etsy has a number of sellers who create their own handmade art just for the little ones. Simply search for children’s art to discover the best the site has to offer.

Try the Best of Southern Barbecue at Jackson 20

Southern hospitality and cuisine receive a high-end twist at Jackson 20, a popular tavern and restaurant in Old Town. Here, the focus is on authentic Southern barbecue and comfort food, with a seasonal menu that shines a spotlight on local ingredients. Start off with the wood-roasted acorn squash and the charcuterie board. The house specialty is the ribs, where the meat melts right off the bone. For dessert, try the triple chocolate mousse cake or the banana pudding, and wash it down with an espresso martini!

Behind the bar, Jackson 20’s mixologists are always crafting new and exciting drinks, but it’s the classic mint julep that many diners recommend. The restaurant also serves bourbon, craft brews, and globally sourced wines.

Jackson 20 Tavern & Restaurant
480 King St
Alexandria, VA, 22314
(703) 842-2790
www.jackson20.com

Beware of These Three Surprising Sources of High Fructose Corn Syrup

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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