Help! I’m Sick of the Holidays!

Posted on December 17, 2012 by sharper

Follow Fido’s example and find your favorite December distraction to cheer you up when the holiday cheer just gets too much to handle.

When you’ve overdosed on holiday cheer, maintain your sanity with some fun December distractions to keep you from getting sick of the holidays.

Here are some holiday strategies that will help you keep calm and celebrate on.

Project
There’s no better way to distract yourself than with an intricate project. When you have holiday time to spare, dig in to a new experience or tackle a project you’ve been putting off. Learn origami, paint your bedroom (landlord willing!) or finally organize your pantry.

Practice
One wise way to maintain your holiday sanity is to start a new practice, even if it’s only for a few weeks. Dust off your yoga mat and take a yoga or Pilates class. Lace up your sneakers and go for a 30-minute daily walk. Or ditch the holiday hustle and bustle and meditate. Just five minutes of exercise or stillness now and then might break you out of your holi-daze.

Peruse
Need to escape your family and friends for a few hours? Pick up a book. You can drift off into make-believe for a half hour or a whole day. If you still have the Christmas spirit but need a break from socializing, check out goodreads holiday recommendations for favorite Christmas-themed books. (And don’t forget that your local library has thousands of books for free, so you can save your money for holiday shopping!)

Popcorn
What’s the #1 December distraction of all time? Movies! Run away from the holiday celebrations and relax with a giant bowl of buttered popcorn in front of the big screen. It’s dark, no one knows you and there are tons of holiday blockbusters hitting the theaters right now. Lights, camera… inaction!

Pooch!
Look to your furry, four-legged friends to remind you of the true spirit of holiday time. Dogs and cats are never impatient or disappointed. They always want to enjoy being together with you, blithely unaware of the stresses of the season – even when you insist they don a silly costume for the holiday card photo! Let your pets inspire you to truly live in the moment.

Maintain your sanity this season with fun distractions that will help you when you are, let’s face it, totally sick of the holidays. Forget, for a while, all the decorations, carols, and gift exchanges: just do whatever makes you smile!

Photo Credit: Shutterstock / JStaley401

How to Create DIY Holiday Vases

Posted on December 14, 2012 by tpham

Repurpose old ornaments and display them in beautiful glass vases for a simple centerpiece.

One of the best parts of the season is decorating and spreading the holiday cheer. This year, creatively get your apartment ready for the holidays and the New Year without stress. We’ve come up with a few ideas on creating fabulous centerpieces and holiday vases for your space. Read on for our ideas.

Glitter Vases
These glitter vases will add glam to your space, and they can be repurposed for throughout the year. You’ll need:

Use a cylindrical vase, and apply a thin layer of Mod Podge on the interior of the vase using a foam brush. Next, dump a generous amount of glitter inside of the vase, and then roll the vase in your hands. Tap the side of the vase to get the glitter to evenly coat the Mod Podge. Dump out the excess glitter, and allow the vase to dry before displaying flowers.

Snowy Vases
Our infographic showed you how to create display-worthy centerpieces from recycled wine bottles.

Spray a coat of primer on three empty wine bottles. While drying, pour Epsom salt on a paper bag. Next, spray the dried empty bottles with craft bond spray adhesive, and then roll the bottles in the Epsom salt. Allow the adhesive to dry before handling. Display the vases on a silver platter. Add flowers or glittered branches to the vases.

Vegetable Vases
A lot of the holidays are centered around the feast, so why not create centerpieces with more food items?

Wash and dry your vegetables. Cut off a small piece at the bottom of each vegetable to allow them to stand upright. Then, cut off the top and get ready to core the vegetable. Core and dig out the middle. Repeat this with the rest of the vegetables. Fill your new vases with flowers and candles. Use a tray or a cutting board to keep everything together.

Ornament Vase
Bring all the elements of Christmas together with these simple ornament vases.

Use terra cotta pots that will fit your ball ornaments. Spray paint the pots with the metallic spray paint, and allow them to dry. Next, remove the hanger tops and fill the ornaments with water. Cut the poinsettia, and place the flower in the ornament. Nestle the arrangement in the pot. Instead of poinsettias, you can cut off a small piece of your tree to add to each of these ornaments.

Ornament Vase 2
If you have lots of leftover ball ornaments, here’s another idea for an ornament vase. You’ll need:

Cluster three tall glass vases together. Fill each vase with ball ornaments. Add character to each vase by adding various sizes of the ornaments. An optional step is to tie a bow out of shiny ribbon on the outside of each vase.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/lucop

Toast to a Rockin’ New Year’s Eve With Our Playlist

Posted on December 13, 2012 by mprice

Make sure your New Year’s Eve party is lively with our playlist.

One of the most important considerations when planning a New Year’s Eve party is making sure that your playlist is on point. You’ll want a great, high-energy mix of danceable tunes that everyone can enjoy, while including a few classics for those who love the oldies and some slow jams for the lovers. So if you’re staying in this New Year’s Eve and are ready to bust a move with your friends, throw on our playlist to keep your guests’ toes a-tappin’.

“1999” by Prince
Even though the year has come and gone, “1999” is a timeless classic and one of the best New Year’s Eve themes because of its overarching “carpe diem” sentiment. Plus, it’s a funky, dance-worthy anthem that deserves a place on any party’s playlist.

“New Year’s Eve” by Snoop Dogg
This breezy, smooth hip-hop song begins appropriately with a New Year’s Eve countdown and is peppered with sound clips of popped champagne bottles. So when this song comes on, do as Snoop does, and grab a glass and make a toast to the good life.

“You Only Live Once” by The Strokes
What better time to consider your mortality than at the dawning of a New Year? This upbeat pop rock song reminds us that you do, in fact, only live once, so best to start living it up while you can.

“I Wanna Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles
Ramp up the nostalgia factor with this sugary, classic pop song, perfect for friends and lovers on the dance floor. Whether or not you were born in the Beatles era, most everyone can appreciate the sweet sentiment of this song.

“Jaan Pehechaan Ho” by Mohammed Rafi
Fans of indie cult classic “Ghost World” will recognize this song from the film’s opening sequence. Everyone else will probably recognize it from the recent Heineken commercial. In any case, “Jaan Pehechaan Ho” has to be one of the most energetic and happy songs around. You just can’t not dance when this song comes on.

“Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey
A classic party rock anthem, your New Year’s Eve gathering is almost guaranteed to transform into an impromptu sing-along when this song comes on. Whether you grew up listening to this song on the radio or are just fondly recalling your frattier years, you can’t go wrong with this feel-good power ballad.

“D.A.N.C.E.” by Justice
French electro house duo Justice is no stranger to making disco-fied club bangers that somehow manage to bring out the dancer in all of us, even your most wallflower-esque friend. This groovy bassline-driven track features a sing-songy kids’ chorus that practically begs you to sing along.

“Rock and Roll All Nite” by Kiss
There’s no pussyfooting around here – with “Rock and Roll All Nite,” Gene Simmons and his face-painted crew single-handedly championed the concept of the all-nighter. While we may not agree with the band’s choice of outfits, we can’t deny that this song will keep your party rocking.

“The New Year” by Death Cab for Cutie
Seattle, Wash.-based indie rockers Death Cab for Cutie turn up the self-indulgent emo despondency on this track that begins “So this is the New Year / And I don’t feel any different.” After several hard-hitting party anthems, your guests might enjoy taking advantage of this break to catch their breath.

“Next Year” by Foo Fighters
Another tender slow song, “Next Year” shows grunge rockers Foo Fighters getting in touch with their softer sides, making it a fabulous choice for your party’s slow dance interlude.

“All My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem
Aging hipster James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem reflects on life, love and the importance of friendships in this sentimental dance ballad. Grab all your closest friends for this one, which features lyrics like “And if the sun comes up / And I still don’t wanna stagger home / Then it’s the memory of our betters / That are keeping us on our feet.” Just make sure a box of tissues is close at hand.

“Good Life” by Kanye West
“Good Life” is all about the celebration of finally making it in life, being able to appreciate and afford the finer things while paying homage to where you came from. It’s the perfect popping bottles anthem. So this New Year’s Eve, take heed of Kanye’s advice: “let’s go on a living spree.”

“How Deep Is Your Love?” by The Rapture
New York dance-punk veterans The Rapture are guaranteed to bring out all your guests to the dance floor during this seven-plus-minute disco banger, which ends with an epic saxophone solo.

“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M.
With all the Mayan doomsday predictions floating around this year, this song by Athens, Ga.-based alternative rockers R.E.M. particularly rings true for 2012, earning it a coveted spot on our playlist. So pour another drink, remind yourself that you’ve lived to see another year and tell yourself “I feel fine.”

“One More Time” by Daft Punk
Quintessential French electronic duo Daft Punk crafted the ultimate celebration song with this worldwide hit. Grab your friends and loved ones, hit the dance floor and party on into the wee hours of the night.

“Auld Lang Syne” by Die Toten Hosen
No New Year’s Eve playlist would be complete without including this traditional Scots-poem-turned-folk-song, sung around the world at New Year’s Eve gatherings. Turn your party on its ear by concluding the night with a fast-paced, fiery version performed by German punk band Die Toten Hosen, who even tosses in a few ad-libbed lyrics.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/knape

Holiday Wishes Come True: The Ultimate Gift Guide for Her

Posted on December 11, 2012 by jgrimes

“Wow” her this Christmas with gifts she’ll love, including a sparkly phone case, dazzling jewelry and pretty bags.

The rumor is that women are hard to shop for, but as long as the gift is sparkly, vintage, stylish, pleasantly fragranced or practical, the lady in your life is bound to love it. Easy, right? Don’t worry; we’ve selected a number of gifts in a variety of price ranges to help you decide what to get the lady in your life, whether she’s a friend, girlfriend, sister, mother or spouse. No matter the budget, the perfect gift is available in your price range.

Under $15
Let her sparkle and shine this holiday season with all that glitters, particularly with the Glitter Notebook ($12.50), available in three colors, or the Glitter Case for iPhone 4 ($14.99 for pink), both from J. Crew.

Give a gal with a sweet tooth the gift of sugar with Fiona’s Candy ($12.95) from Williams-Sonoma. These 14-ounce vintage-style glass jars hold attractive, delicious candy in eight flavors, such as Champagne Bubbles, Gummy Flowers and Root Beer Drops.

It’s possible to give high-end cosmetics – when they come in cute miniatures. The Stila “Harvest” lip glaze trio at Nordstrom contains three flattering shades – one bestseller and two new, exclusive shades – for the bargain price of $12.

Under $30
The Voluspa “Maison Blanc – Pink Citron” two-wick candle ($16) at Nordstrom both looks and smells delicious. Any girl would love the vintage pink and gold container and the pleasant citrusy smell, and since the candle is 11 ounces, she can use it for a long time.

The sturdy, laminated cotton-canvas Printed Makeup Pouch ($20 and $25, depending on the color) from J. Crew is the perfect gift for the girl who craves style and organization. Sold in a black and white bow print and a red and pink striped print, this makeup pouch is also leak-proof.

For the gift that makes her say, “Wait, what is this?” and then “Cool, thanks!” check out the Charmed Hair Ties ($24) from Anthropologie. Sold in a set of three and in your choice of three coordinating colors per set, these jeweled hair ties are the perfect elegant accessory, and she’s sure to not already have them.

Under $50
The perfect wear-with-anything accessory, the Crystal Starlet Earrings ($35) from J.Crew will remind her of Old Hollywood. Whether she wears gold or silver, these earrings are designed to flatter with their dress-up or dress-down capability.

For the stylish hippie-chic chick in your life, purchase the Envirosax Market Bag ($39.95) from Red Envelope. This set of five attractive polyester, reusable bags solves the paper versus plastic dilemma, and each bag holds as much as two plastic grocery bags and up to 44 pounds. Plus, they’re machine-washable and waterproof.

Soft, feminine and universally appealing, the Philosophy Amazing Grace Layering Gift Set ($49.50) at Sephora is a great gift for any woman, especially one who frequently travels. The soap-and-water-scented set contains a combination shampoo, bath and shower gel, 2 oz. perfume and body butter.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/sjlocke

Apartment Guide’s Holiday Gift Guide for Him

Posted on December 11, 2012 by tpham

Surprise the man in your life with one of these suggested gifts.

Whether you’re shopping for your friend, boyfriend, brother or dad, you know that he isn’t the easiest person on your list to shop for. He is easygoing and probably already has everything he could ever possibly want. But every guy deserves something special under the tree. Give it a little thought, and consider what he really needs or what he does for hobbies. If you’re still unsure, read on for Apartment Guide’s suggested gifts for him.

For the Sports Enthusiast
The Nike+ Fueldband ($150) tracks daily activity, including running, walking and various activities, as well as each step taken and calories burned. The user sets a goal, and the band’s LED display lights up to show your progress throughout the day. And to stay accountable, the user can share his activity and achievements on Facebook, Twitter and Path.

For the golfing man in your life, check out this palm-sized GPS unit ($180) to calculate distances on various golf courses. The data is simultaneously displayed on its monochrome LCF screen. The device measures the length of drives, and it automatically detects the golf course and hole you are playing from its preloaded database of 35,000 courses.

Staying hydrated is crucial, so motivate him to drink more water with this insulated, wide-mouth stainless steel drinking bottle ($20). It is insulated with a double wall, which keeps drinks cold for more than 24 hours or hot for at least 12 hours. It doesn’t have that plastic taste, and the bottle never sweats.

To keep him in-the-know, consider purchasing a subscription to a sports magazine. View a list of the top-selling magazine subscriptions on Amazon. Subscriptions range from $5-50, depending on the magazine. A few suggestions include ESPN The Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Golf Magazine and Outdoor Life.

For the Cocktail Connoisseur
Keep his spirits high and cold with non-diluting whisky cold stones ($40). These stones keep your drinks chilled without diluting the flavor like melted ice. Each set comes with 12 stones that will never lose their cooling ability.

A remote control cooler ($80) is the perfect gift for any guy. If he can’t miss any minute of the big game, this cooler will keep him in his seat while delivering a cold brew. The cooler holds and keeps cool up to 12 drinks in ice, and the four wheels makes it easy for the cooler to glide over indoor floors and carpets, as well as outdoor surfaces.

For the Techie
For the techie in your life that is connected in every way possible, get him a mobile power station ($41). IOGEAR’s power station will give up to two devices a reliable charge while you’re on the go. When you’re back home, plug the power station to a wall power outlet to charge the station before heading out again.

A new pair of headphones makes a good gift for any music lover. These Id America Spark In-Ear Headphones ($35) are compatible with iPhones, various Apple products, as well as most devices with a 3.5 mm jack. They include an advanced in-line microphone module, feature a unique design and provide good comfort.

The washable keyboard ($36) by Logitech features an easy-to-clean design. The keyboard has drainage holes that makes it easy to hand wash and dry. Twelve shortcut keys give you instant access to email, Web browsers and the music player. This is the perfect gift for a germaphobe or someone who eats and drinks regularly while at his/her computer.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/justme_yo

Pick Holiday Traditions You’ll Celebrate!

Posted on December 10, 2012 by sharper

Follow your bliss at the holidays! Add your own little twists to toast traditions — and start your own!

‘Tis the season to celebrate just the way you please!

The holidays may have their own history, but don’t be afraid to keep your own favorite traditions, ditch the duds and create entirely new ways to celebrate with your family and friends.

Here are some ideas for maintaining a holiday theme while adding your own twists to tradition.

Pick your perfect party
Kicking off the holiday season with a fantastic party is a great tradition, but you don’t have to stick with the same old cocktail weenies. Pick the holiday party that suits you and your guests’ style. Host a unique season opener party for the holidays you celebrate this time of year. (Christmas carol karaoke, anyone?)

Gift exchanges are always a fun option, especially when you pick out-of-the-ordinary themes like dollar store trinkets, quirky cocktail napkins or best (meaning worst!) re-gifted items.

If your friends are scattered around geographically, why not try a holiday hangout online? It’s not like being in the same place together, of course, but it is a way to share the spirit of the season.

If your holiday spirit takes a while to kick in, postpone your party for New Year’s Day or early January when everyone could use a post-holiday boost.

Communicate creatively
The thought of sending out holiday cards makes some folks seriously stressed. This year, relax and create a well-wishing strategy that works for your busy holiday schedule and your budget.

If you are short on time and money, send e-cards to family and friends. In this time of iEverything, it’s acceptable to post an online holiday greeting to your email list or Facebook friends. The best part is that you don’t have to prepare your thoughts so early in the season; you can wait for the right moment when the holiday spirit strikes you.

If you prefer more traditional paper cards, mix things up by creating a custom card design through an online vendor like Folded Words. Online card design sites like this and others feature fun templates which allow you to add your own sentiments or photos based on your favorite card theme.

To make your mailing strategy easier, use a handy web-based contact list like Postable, which creates a special website where your friends can enter their mailing addresses, building your address book for you!

Make your own kind of calendar
Follow the fun tradition of counting down to whichever wintertime holiday you celebrate. In the Christian tradition, Advent calendars track the days to Christmas, with various treats or gifts associated with each day. In a similar way, you can use your own special calendar to count down to whatever day or season you look forward to, be it Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Year’s or Boxing Day. The key is to have fun and make it unique to your family’s tradition. Check out these ideas for cool containers you can adapt to your custom holiday calendar.

Start a new giving tradition
Often we get wrapped up in the tradition of “what are you going to get me this holiday season?” Why not flip the switch and establish a new type of holiday celebration where you give away instead of gather up?

One giving option is to plan a special day during the holidays where you meet with your friends and family to volunteer at a local homeless shelter or food bank. It’s a great way to share your holiday cheer beyond your own home. Or consider supporting an organization like Heifer International which lets you donate food and other needed items to help challenged families thrive in other countries.

This holiday season, challenge yourself to establish traditions that are truly meaningful and fun, ones you’ll want to celebrate for years to come!

Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Konstantin Chagin

Don’t Be an Angry Elf: Watch the Top 10 Holiday Movies

Posted on December 6, 2012 by jgrimes

Would you adopt this Christmas tree? Charlie Brown felt sorry for one just like it in “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

Few things make us feel the holiday season is upon us like seeing our favorite holiday movies, coupled with decorating the tree and sipping on hot chocolate or egg nog. These movies invoke a sense of tradition, calm us and remind us of Christmas memories with songs, humor and touching moments. Listed from newest to oldest release, here are our picks for the top 10 holiday movies.

Elf (2003)
When Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) finds out he’s not actually an elf, he leaves the North Pole and Santa’s Workshop for New York in search of his dad, a not-so-kind publishing executive who’s on the Naughty List. While trying to win his father’s affection and put him on the Good List, Buddy meets Jovie (Zooey Deschanel), his coworker-turned-love interest, and teaches New Yorkers how to have Christmas spirit again.

Love Actually (2003)
Ten different storylines intersect in this British comedy centered on the five weeks until Christmas, in which romances are revealed and hearts are broken. The new Prime Minister has feelings for his catering manager, a struggling novel writer falls for his housekeeper, a man is in love with his best friend’s new wife and two people employed as body doubles find a personal connection even when they’re in awkward situations. Through these stories and more, learn why “love actually is all around.”

Home Alone 2 (1992)
You may not believe it, but Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) has once again been left out of his family’s Christmas travels, except this time he wasn’t left at home; he boarded the wrong plane. While the rest of the McCallisters go to Miami (“where they don’t have Christmas trees; they have palm trees”), Kevin is off to New York. He deviously checks into a swanky hotel, befriends a homeless woman and soon runs into the former Wet Bandits, now the Sticky Bandits. Thanks to his aunt and uncle’s home being renovated, Kevin manages to save Christmas and reunite with his family in true New York style.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Clark Griswold, the ultimate family man, wants the perfect Christmas tree, decorations and family gathering. Unfortunately, the multiple eccentric members of his extended family and two snobby neighbors threaten to ruin his plans, while his penny-pinching boss may thwart his mission to give his family the ultimate gift – an in-ground swimming pool. Thanks to comedic relief by Cousin Eddie and holiday décor that refuses to light, Clark’s Christmas is both hilarious and touching.

A Christmas Story (1983)
So popular that one channel plays it for 24 hours straight on Christmas Eve, “A Christmas Story” follows Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) in his pursuit for a Red Ryder BB gun. Despite repeated “You’ll shoot your eye out!” warnings and a series of mishaps that threaten to thwart his plans, including a run-in with a mean Santa Claus, Ralphie manages to have a good Christmas with his family.

Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
In the original cartoon version of Dr. Suess’ tale, a grumpy green grouch looks down on the noisy, joyful Whos of Whoville below, who delight in Christmas spirit and song. The Grinch enlists the help of his happy dachshund Max to steal all of the Whos’ Christmas presents and decorations, in hopes of snuffing out their holiday cheer. Instead, the Grinch catches some of that Christmas spirit himself.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Charlie Brown is depressed about Christmas becoming so commercialized, and his friends are doing nothing to prove him wrong – Lucy wants the biggest, fake tree for the Christmas play, the kids in the play want to modernize it and Snoopy is trying to win a neighborhood lights and decorating contest. When Charlie Brown rescues a scrawny baby tree, the only live one in the lot, the other kids laugh at him, but once he recites the second chapter from the gospel of Luke, the kids come around to the true meaning of Christmas and help Charlie Brown’s tree look fantastic.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
When Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) takes over the job as Santa at Macy’s flagship New York City store on 34th Street, he does such a great job that visitors to the store begin to question if he really is Santa. When Kris insists he is, a witch hunt ensues to prove Kris is mentally unstable and dangerous, while Kris works to restore Christmas spirit in Susan (Natalie Wood), the young daughter of Macy’s event director Doris (Maureen O’ Hara), who leads the charges against him.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Repeatedly honored as one of the best movies of all time, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is the two-plot story of how an angel earns his wings and a down-on-his-luck banker and family man learns to love life again. When George Bailey (James Stewart) tries to commit suicide on Christmas Eve, an angel shows him what life would be like if he was never born, and George realizes he had more influence on the good in his town and the world than he thought.

A Christmas Carol (1938)
Based on Charles Dickens’ novel of the same name, “A Christmas Carol” tells the story of wealthy-but-rotten Ebenezer Scrooge (Reginald Owen) as he reflects on his life, hosted by the ghost of Scrooge’s old business partner, who shows him his past, present and future. The past shows him when he was more innocent and kind, the present shows him how his treatment of employee Bob Cratchit has affected Cratchit’s own family and the future shows him dying alone and later being robbed and ridiculed. Overnight, the experience turns Scrooge into a generous, compassionate man, who embodies the Christmas spirit.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/R_Koopmans

Beat the Holiday Blues With 5 Ways to De-Stress on a Budget

Posted on December 5, 2012 by mprice

You don’t have to break the bank to de-stress this holiday season.

The holidays are quickly approaching, which means that people are gearing up for parties, family get-togethers and gift shopping. But in addition to being a time of happiness and joy, the holiday season can be a source of stress for some of us. Luckily, there are ways to de-stress without breaking the bank. Read on to find our favorite ways to relax on a budget.

Get Polished

We’re a fan of manicures because they’re pretty and we love getting a hand massage. But we’re not on board with their often expensive price tag and added tips, so grab a couple of girlfriends and the latest chick flicks, pick up a few bottles of your favorite nail polish and have a manicure party in your apartment. You’ll save a few bucks while strengthening your friendships.

Mini Massage

You don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars for a massage to get its relaxing benefits. Even a simple, 30-second massage can help you tame stress. Rest your elbows on a desk and place your thumbs under your eyebrows on either side of the bridge of your nose. Let the weight of your head rest on your thumbs for 10 seconds. Then, pinch your eyebrows with your thumbs and index fingers. Hold for a few seconds, then move your fingers a half-inch out. Repeat until you’ve covered your entire brow.

Best Face Forward

Recreate the plush, spa-like atmosphere at home by giving yourself a DIY facial. Find a soothing space, take a deep breath and sip on some homemade cucumber water while you try the following self-spa facial treatments, made from ingredients you most likely have lying around your apartment.

For Dry Skin: Frozen Egg and Honey Facial Mask

1 egg
½ cup coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon honey

Beat the egg in a small bowl until frothy and well mixed. Slowly add the liquid coconut oil and honey, beating until your mask is the consistency of mayonnaise. Take an empty toilet tissue roll and set one end in a clean bowl. Spoon mixture into the roll and place in the freezer overnight. To use, peel away the top one-quarter-inch of the roll and smooth the frozen stick over your face. Leave mask on for five to 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

For Oily Skin: Grapefruit and Parsley Face Mask

3 tablespoons very fine oatmeal
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
½ large grapefruit
Olive or sunflower oil

Mix first two ingredients in a bowl. Add grapefruit juice until a soft paste forms. Let the mixture rest for five minutes. Spread soft mixture over your face and let dry for approximately 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, following with toner and moisturizer.

Pore Cleansing Strips

1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
1 ½ tablespoon milk

Mix two ingredients and microwave for 10 seconds to slightly warm. Using a clean cosmetic brush, apply to nose and chin area, avoiding the eye area. Allow mixture to dry for 10-15 minutes and form a stiff film. Peel off the film.

Break a Sweat

Exercise has been known to be a great, natural stress reliever. Keep in mind the goal of getting your heart rate up to around 100 to 120 beats per minute. If you don’t have the time or budget to hit the gym, jog a few laps around your apartment building, or run up and down the stairs. You can even try jumping rope or doing jumping jacks in your living room.

Take a Breath

It may seem like a no-brainer, but most people don’t realize they are holding their breath during times of stress. Instead of keeping all of that negative energy inside, take a deep breath, pulling air in from your diaphragm rather than just your chest.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/StephePhoto

Get Your Apartment’s Kitchen Holiday-Ready With These Space-Saving Ideas

Posted on November 29, 2012 by sroman

Get your apartment’s kitchen holiday-ready with these space-saving ideas.

At the holidays, the kitchen often becomes the focus of family gatherings and parties. But in most apartment kitchens, space is at a premium. If your holiday plans call for entertaining or hosting friends at your home, having an organized kitchen will assist with meal preparation and help keep your holiday hub show-ready!

Check out these easy space-saving ideas to keep your apartment’s kitchen organized this season.

Magnetic Spice Rack

Ever thought about how much shelf space you’d save by eliminating all of the little bottles in your cupboards that contain spices and seasonings? A revolving spice rack is one option to stack and store all of your spices in a compact space, but it still needs room to stand on your countertop. The Large Magnetic Spice Rack from A Place for Everything takes up zero counter or shelf space, and it looks cool! Made from 18-8 stainless steel, each individual spice holder is clear on top and magnetic on the bottom. They will stick to your refrigerator, or they can be arranged on the included stainless steel back plate.

Hang Pots and Pans

Install a hanging rack above your kitchen counter or island to save space in your cabinets — and make your pots and pans easier to find. Place them near the range or oven for convenient access.

Storing Knives

Here’s an amazing tip from the queen of kitchen organization – Martha Stewart! Say goodbye to bulky knife blocks or dangerous drawers filled with loose sharp utensils by transferring your knives to a shallow drawer lined with artists’ drawing-board liner (available at most art supply stores). The fabric wipes clean easily and has a slightly rubbery surface to keep knives in place.

Hanging Bike Baskets

Bowls filled with fruit can add a pop of color to your kitchen, but not everyone has precious counter real estate to spare for a large bowl or basket. But if you have some spare wall space available, purchase a few baskets designed to hold fishing tackle or those that hook onto a bicycle’s handlebars. These baskets come with holes in the back and can be easily hung on a kitchen wall with hooks, or onto a peg board. Choose a few to hold kitchen tools, potatoes or fruits and vegetables that don’t need to be kept in the refrigerator.

There are many stylish ways to save space in your kitchen, and with a bit of planning and creativity, you’ll soon be hosting and toasting in the most organized kitchen on the block!

Photo credit: iStockphoto/mattjeacock

Cheap and Green Ways to Wrap Gifts

Posted on November 28, 2012 by mprice

Wrap a Christmas present in brown craft paper and simple twine for a cheap and green alternative to expensive wrapping paper.

Wrapping presents during the holiday season makes gift-giving more special and personalized, but if you have a number of people to purchase gifts for, it may not be within your budget to splurge on fancy, seasonal gift wrap, ribbons, bows or other decorative wrapping accessories. Luckily, there are many budget- and eco-friendly ways to wrap gifts using everyday items you might have laying around your apartment. You’ll save money, and your friends and family will appreciate your thoughtfulness and creativity.

Newspaper

Wrapping gifts with newspaper is probably the easiest and cheapest way to wrap presents. Choose the Sunday comics or a similarly brightly-colored page, pair it with some inexpensive twine and you have an eco-friendly wrapping solution.

Craft Scraps

If you’re a crafty person or someone who enjoys home decoration projects, chances are you might have scraps of fabric or wallpaper just laying around your apartment. Turn those scraps into something fabulous by repurposing them. Fabric or cloth swatches are great for wrapping up oddly shaped gifts, while you can coordinate old wallpaper leftovers to match up with the theme of your present.

Maps

Generally printed on sturdy paper meant to last a long time, maps are a colorful, unique, budget-friendly alternative to more expensive gift wrap. Head to the nearest tourist center and pick up several for free, or rummage through your glove compartment or basement for old maps that you haven’t used in a while.

Brown Paper Goods

Turn up the shabby chic factor this holiday by wrapping gifts in plain brown kraft paper and tying the gifts with simple twine. Or, use paper bags as DIY gift bags. Add a pretty, colorful ribbon as a finishing touch.

Printable Gift Wrap

Many websites like gift-wrapit.com and familyshoppingbag.com offer free wrapping paper that you can print from your computer onto regular paper or cardstock using any printer. Simply type “printable wrapping paper” into your Internet browser, select the pattern you like best and print away.

DIY Bows

Instead of spending money on a bag of gift bows that will just end up getting thrown out, it’s surprisingly easy to make your own gift bows out of old magazines that you have laying around the apartment. To get started, you’ll need a page per bow and some double-sided tape. Cut the page lengthwise into nine ¾-inch-thick strips at the following heights: three at 11 inches, three at 10 inches, two at nine inches and one at 3 ½ inches. Twist each strip to form loops at both ends, making a circle out of the smallest. Secure the ends with a piece of double-sided tape. Layer and stick the strips together, starting with the longest. End with the circle in the center.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/KristianSeptimiusKrogh

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