National Pet Week: How to Pamper Your Pets

Posted on May 6, 2013 by mprice

Give your furry friends some love during National Pet Week.

Our pets make us feel special every day with their playful natures, unconditional love and unwavering loyalty, so it only makes sense to show them a little gratitude every now and then.

Sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, National Pet Week promotes responsible pet ownership, celebrates the human-animal bond and raises awareness of veterinary medicine. So in honor of National Pet Week, treat your furry friends to a day of love and pampering and show them how much you care. Here’s how.

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Spruce up for Spring: Freshen up Your Home (Infographic)

Posted on April 16, 2013 by tpham

Click the image to view the full infographic.

Looking to freshen up the look of your home? Spring is the perfect time to organize and accessorize your space to welcome the season of renewal.

Scroll down to learn more about our Spring Clean Sweepstakes.

Incorporate pops of color to each room by adding bold and bright colored accent pieces, such as picture frames and flower vases. Ring in spring with unique and creative floral displays.

For more tips and ideas on sprucing up your apartment this spring, click the infographic for our suggestions. And while you spruce up your apartment for spring, don’t forget to spring clean your budget.

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Storage Tips for Small Apartments

Posted on March 20, 2013 by mprice

Feeling trapped by stuff in your small apartment? Take control with our storage tips.

Moving into an apartment you can afford sometimes means opting for a smaller space.

Find your perfect apartment now!

But if you come with a lot of baggage, it can be difficult to figure out where to put all your stuff.

Maximize your storage space by following these simple and clever techniques below.
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Spring Cleaning Alternative: DIY Fixes for Old Items

Posted on March 18, 2013 by mprice

For a quick cabinet fix, experiment with different knobs and pulls.

Even though we’re getting closer to spring cleaning, no need to toss things out and buy new replacements. With a little elbow grease and some inventive TLC, you can have the items in your apartment or home looking like new, without spending a lot to do so.

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Cabinet Couture
Perhaps nothing takes more abuse in your kitchen than your cabinets. All it takes is a fresh coat of paint to make them like new again. Update your kitchen’s look just by removing the cabinet doors and repainting them. For easy-to-reach cabinets, create additional functionality by painting one of the doors with chalkboard or dry erase board paint, turning it into a handy space for jotting notes and grocery lists. Change out the handles and hinges to something more modern, or add a touch of vintage charm. Stores like Anthropologie offer drawer pulls and knobs of all shapes, sizes and price points, so pick a decor style and experiment.

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How to Host a Dinner Party in Your Apartment

Posted on February 20, 2013 by tpham

Whether it’s for a special occasion, holiday or just because, a dinner party is a great excuse to get together to enjoy the company of others, eat delicious food and perhaps indulge in a few adult beverages.

Hosting a dinner party in your apartment doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little creativity and DIY flair, you’ll have a great night with close friends.

Gather a list of guests and use our tips to help throw a glamorous dinner party in your apartment.

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Guest List
Look at your space and figure out how many guests you can seat comfortably. You want to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere – not a space where your guests can barely move and are bumping into one another.

Dining Table
If you don’t have room for a dining table in your apartment, take advantage of furniture you already have in your space. Use a dresser, desk and other available tables in your apartment to create one large surface. Heights may vary, but knowing that things don’t have to be perfect will take a lot of the pressure off of the host/ess. If you’re inviting neighbors, don’t be shy and ask to borrow a few chairs for the night – and you can even ask very close friends attending to bring their own chairs.

Another important aspect to hosting a party is the seating arrangement. If you are having assigned seats, arrange it so your guests can be near someone new. Split couples up, and don’t sit your work colleagues next to one another. This will force your guests to mingle and break out of their comfort zones.

Décor
Keep your decor simple. Add bold-colored, low-profile floral arrangements to the dining table and throughout your apartment. Dim the lights and add a few candles to create an intimate atmosphere.

Food and Drink
Make sure you’re aware of dietary preferences and requirements in advance. You don’t want to prepare a large meal that only a select few of your guests can enjoy. If a guest has dietary restrictions that are unusual, feel free to ask for suggestions on what will work for them.

For your dinner menu, keep it simple and delicious. Choose dishes that can be mostly prepared ahead of time so you can spend more time with your guests and out of the kitchen. A sample menu could include a green salad, crusty bread and lasagna. Remember to not cook anything you’ve never tried before, and avoid potentially messy foods like spaghetti or lobster. If it’s easier, set up a buffet-style area so your guests can serve themselves. This frees up space on the dining table.

For drinks, provide bottled waters, sodas and beer to keep possible spills to a minimum. For adult beverages, you don’t have to get the most expensive bottle, but provide something that your guests will enjoy. Consider making a punch, like a champagne punch, that becomes your “signature cocktail.” When your guests offer to bring something, it’s okay to encourage them to bring a bottle of wine they like.

Be a Good Host
Prepare everything ahead of time in order to spend quality time with your party guests. Make an effort to connect with every guest, and be sure to introduce your guests to one another. Instead of just introducing your guests by name, add an interesting fact that could help jump-start a conversation. For example, “Joe, this is Jennifer. She just got back from a trip to Spain.” If you’ve invited a mix of work colleagues and personal friends, avoid talking only about work. Create conversations in which everyone can participate.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/arsenik

Create DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts in Your Apartment

Posted on February 11, 2013 by mprice

Don't spend a fortune on flowers this Valentine's Day. Make origami roses instead.

Don’t want to spend a fortune on flowers this Valentine’s Day? Make origami roses instead.

Valentine’s Day can get rather pricey, as marked-up red roses, designer chocolates and jewelry are the typically expected gifts on this day of love. But you don’t have to break the bank this year to give your true love a gift he or she will cherish and remember. With a little creativity and some DIY know-how, you can create budget-friendly Valentine’s Day gifts in your apartment that will stand out from the usual offerings. Here are some ideas that make our hearts flutter.

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Everlasting Love
Don’t spend a fortune on a dozen roses that will just end up wilting or a box of expensive chocolates that might not get eaten. Instead, get crafty and give your sweetheart a bouquet of long-lasting origami roses. Hit up your local craft store for origami paper, and take a look around your apartment for the basics like scissors, glue and a pen. Or, create your own origami chocolate box. Then, fill the box with these easy homemade Oreo truffles for a simple, creative gift she’ll eat right up.

More about Valentine’s Day:
Shake Up Your Valentine’s Day Routine
How to Do Valentine’s Day For Less Than $50
Ways to Celebrate Singles Awareness Day

Customized Coupons
Instead of relying on store-bought cards, why not create a customized coupon booklet that entitles your sweetie to a number of goodies around your apartment? Many websites offer free templates that you can download and use to create your own coupons. The only thing that’s required is some glue and a little creativity. If you’re having a hard time coming up with coupon ideas, stick to the basics; just about anyone can appreciate the gift of a day of cleaning around the apartment or a week of hearty, home-cooked meals.

Food for Thought
Speaking of meals, the most budget-friendly Valentine’s Day meal you can have is one you prepare yourself – and your sweetheart will swoon over how much thought and effort you put into it to make the evening that much more special. So skip the subpar prix fixe menus and packed restaurants and pour your heart into a homemade dinner. Start off with something to set the romantic mood, like this salad with fresh raspberries and marinated artichoke hearts. For the main course, try something simple yet healthy like Baked Chicken alla Milanese. End this special meal with a rich, decadent dessert like Mocha Pots de Crème.

Say it With Technology
If your significant other is a music lover, there’s no better gift than the gift of music. Hijack his or her iPod or MP3 player and create a playlist full of love ballads or special songs that have played an important part in your relationship. Or, take one of those old USB flash drives you have lying around your apartment and add photos of moments you’ve shared. You can even get a little crafty and attach a personalized Valentine’s themed keychain.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/dhavatar

Need Some Home Décor? Check Your Recycling Bin

Posted on January 30, 2013 by jpalmer

Those old road maps can be a surprising source of decor if you frame them.

Decorating your house or apartment can get really expensive, really quickly. But decking out your pad doesn’t have to break the bank. Below are a few things you probably have lying around that you can recycle into beautiful home décor.

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Calendars and Maps. Sure, maps are kind of old hat now that you’ve got that spiffy new GPS with turn-by-turn directions, but there’s no need to throw them out. Cut out an interesting stretch of land from your travels, frame it, and you’ve got instant art. The same thing goes for last year’s art calendar. Those iconic images you admired for just one-twelfth of the year can now be enjoyed year-round.

More about Decor:
Unexpected Places to Find Decor Inspiration
Repurposing Old Items to Decorate Your Apartment

T-shirts and Sweaters. With a little stuffing and some thread, those old items of clothing can become attractive and cozy throw pillows.

Doors. Old doors salvaged from demolished houses or barns can find new life throughout your home as decorative yet functional pieces and accents. Turn a barn door into a dining room table. Turn an old door into a headboard for your bed. Hinge three doors together, give them a splashy coat of paint and use them as a privacy screen. The sky’s the limit!

Older Fixtures. Even fixtures from an older house—or your old house—can find new life in your new abode, and many can be found cheaply. Turn decorative ceiling tiles from an old building into a kitchen backsplash. Replace your dingy plastic tub with an old claw foot model. Replace handles, hinges and drawer pulls with their older, more rustic counterparts.

Containers. You never know when an old vase, flower pot or umbrella stand might come in handy as an indoor planter or other conversation piece. Sometimes all it needs is a good scrubbing and a little spray paint to become something brand new.

These are just a few ideas for turning old items into beautiful new decorations for your home. With a little time and imagination, you can turn almost anything into a vibrant conversation piece for your place.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/DNY59

DIY Unique Jewelry Displays

Posted on January 10, 2013 by tpham

Is your jewelry jumbled in a pile? Use our ideas to properly display (and show off) your jewelry.

Long necklaces, long earrings, studs, rings, bracelets and bangles…oh my! How do you organize your jewelry? Do you dump it all in a drawer or hang your necklaces around a door handle? Do you often lose one earring in a pair? We have a few suggestions for not only organizing your jewelry but also putting it on display. Below are a few unique do-it-yourself and repurposing projects to properly display (and show off) your beautiful jewelry.

Cheese Grater
Sounds strange, doesn’t it? This one is rather simple, but it’s an easy and unique way to display your earrings. You can make it your own by spray painting the grater with a color that goes well with your décor. First, spray paint the grater with a primer. Once it is completely dry, cover the grater with a color of spray paint that you like. Let that coat dry, and if needed, add an additional coat of spray paint. Use the holes to display your earrings.

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Branch
This one is simple, and you can use supplies you may already have around your apartment. First, head outdoors and search for a small branch. Next, hammer smaller nails into the branch on the same side. To attach to your wall, hammer two larger, stronger nails into the wall, and prop the branch on the nails. Next, hang your necklaces from the nails on the branch.

Rake
To continue the theme of repurposing old items, enter the garden rake. Living in an apartment means not having to worry about raking leaves in the fall. So repurpose that old rake and turn it into a jewelry holder. Take a head of an old rake and clean it off. If you’re feeling spontaneous, prime and spray paint the rake to match your décor. Next, tie jute twine around the top part of the rake for extra earring storage. Mount the rake head with a screw onto the door of your closet or on the wall. Use this to hang your necklaces.

Knobs
Craft stores, antique markets and stores like Anthropologie all have collections of old door knobs, drawer knobs and drawer pulls. Install small knobs on the wall to hang your necklaces and bracelets. Select three or five different knobs that go with your décor to display your jewelry. Drawer pulls are perfect for rings and earrings.

Picture Frames
You have several options to display your jewelry using picture frames. One way to display your earrings is to attach picture wire to the back of a frame. Use an old frame, if possible, and repaint it with acrylic or spray paint. Attach picture hanging wire to the back of the frame with a staple gun. If you don’t have a staple gun, use small thumb tacks. Repeat this step several times until your frame is filled up. Space the rows about 2.25 inches apart. Place this on top of a dresser, chest of drawers or your bathroom counter.

Another option is to attach a peg board to the frame. Prime and spray the picture frame to match your décor. Next, attach a peg board to the inside of the frame with Gorilla glue, and apply some weight. If you want the peg board to be a different color, paint it before attaching it to the frame. Then, attach small accessories to the peg board, such as baskets and hangers. The baskets are useful for rings, bracelets and stud earrings. Use the hangers to display your necklaces.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/Hofmeester

Revamp Your Apartment This Spring

Posted on January 8, 2013 by tpham

Pantone’s color of the year is Emerald. Incorporate this in your decor in 2013.

Take a look around your apartment. Is it ready for a décor revamp? Spring is right around the corner, and this is the perfect opportunity to freshen up your space and give it an updated look.

This year, new trends are popping up, including incorporating Pantone’s bold color of the year, as well as an emphasis on art. If you’re looking to step outside of the box and be daring in your décor, 2013’s your year. Read on to learn how to incorporate 2013’s décor trends into your apartment.

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Add Pops of Color
Painting isn’t always an option for apartment dwellers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add pops of color throughout your space. Pantone, an industry leader who sets the tone for home décor, announced its color of the year for 2013: Emerald. According to Pantone’s website, “emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world.” To add color to your walls without painting, frame emerald-inspired paintings in a set of three or cover a large canvas with an emerald-colored fabric. You can also incorporate the color with accent pieces, such as throw pillows, blankets, vases or picture frames. Or, if you’re feeling extra daring, consider painting a piece of furniture, such as a dresser, TV stand or side tables.

Shine Brightly
Energy-efficient LED lighting products are still a hit in 2013. This includes cove, tray ceiling, toe kick, and under- and above- cabinet lighting. Finishes for lighting include chrome and polished nickel, which appeal to Generation “Y” and baby boomers.

Incorporate Patterns
One way to spruce up your décor is by adding patterns, though the key is to not overdo it. One of the trends present during Spring/Summer 2013 Fashion Week was stripes. Stripes bring movement into a room, and designers will likely to incorporate this trend in their decorating this season. Mix and match different sized stripes for a rug or accent pillows. If your big furniture is neutral, consider adding in a bold accent piece, such as a striped accent chair, which will add a spark to your space.

Another trend in patterns for 2013 is incorporating botanical prints. This includes floral prints and plants. Avoid going overboard, as adding a select few prints will go a long way. To make it subtle, make black and white prints of illustrations and attach them to colorful card stock. You can also line the back of a bookcase with botanical images.

Use Metallic Finishes
Metallics are making a comeback this year. Brass is back, and it is easy to incorporate into your space – not to mention it is affordable. Change out your plain lamp base for one with a brass finish, and consider changing your knobs and cabinet pulls to brass. Golds are also in style this year and can be added to your décor through a starburst mirror, accent pieces or a mirror. And don’t forget about chrome and silver – they’re around to stay.

Repurpose Wood
Though this isn’t a new trend, adding repurposed or reclaimed wood to your space will be big this year. Combining wood with metal is a popular trend. This could include a desk with an iron base and a wood top. Wooden trays, cutting boards and coasters should be showcased in your apartment.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/murboy

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

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