Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Do's and Don't of a Great Party Guest

How many holiday parties do you have this year?  Make sure you know what is appropriate for what kind of party with the blog below.  We have gathered seven tips that will get you through this holiday party season. You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.








DON'T:

1. Show up right on time.
For most people it's second nature to show up at least 15 minutes late to a big gathering, but the perpetually punctual may have trouble with this. If you find yourself arriving at party within 15 minutes of the stated start time, nip around the corner for a coffee, or hang out at a bookstore for a bit, or just sit in your car. This will give your host a little breathing room and ensure that you don't walk in on them doing frantic last minute preparations.

A few exceptions to the rule: dinner parties, where it's rude to show up more than 15 minutes late. And any party where you know the hostess very well and feel comfortable offering to help out — in that case your punctuality (or even earliness) will probably be welcomed.

2. Bring something that requires a lot of prep.
If you're bringing something to the party, good on you. But don't bring something that will require a ton of prep space or kitchen time on the party end. Chances are your host has been cooking all day and counter space in the kitchen is at a premium. If you're in there chopping things and looking for bowls and knives and whatnot, things can get chaotic.

3. ''Ghost' without saying goodbye to your host.
You don't have to make a big deal of announcing your exit to every guest at the party, but you should at least find your host and let them know that you had a lovely time but unfortunately you have to leave. This will keep them from fielding questions about what happened to so-and-so all night long.
DO:

1. RSVP.
The art of the RSVP is dead, y'all. The number one gripe I hear from friends who host parties is that people don't RSVP, or they do and then don't show up, so it's almost impossible to tell who is coming to your party and how much food you need. So if you get an invite to a party, and you think you'd like to go, click 'yes'. Really, it's not that hard.

2. Offer to bring something.
Chances are good that your host will say you don't need to bring anything at all, just yourself, but offering anyway is standard party etiquette. It's also a way to help your hostess defray the cost of the party, which sometimes can run pretty high. And if you are asked to bring something, for gosh sakes, don't take it home with you at the end of the night (unless your host specifically asks you to).

3. Talk to people you don't know.
Sure, all your friends are at the party. But these are all people you'll see again — how are you gonna meet new people if you just stick with your group all the time? Go by yourself to get food or drink — this is a pretty natural time to chat up people you don't know. Talking to new people is also a HUGE favor to your hostess, who will have to worry less about guests who don't know a lot of people at the party.

4. Say thanks.
Throwing parties is lots of fun, but it's also hard work. And when you work hard at something, it's nice to have somebody else say: hey, thanks. Good job. Traditional etiquette dictates that you send a mailed thank-you note to your host: in modern times, this might seem a little over the top, but thanking your hostess when you leave (and maybe even in an email or text message the next day) will always be appreciated.

Gifts That Won't Break The Bank

The holiday season means there are many parties and gift giving events we all have to attend. However, these prices can add up after attending all of your holiday functions. We have found a few gift options that will not break the bank. Your friends and family will also appreciate these thoughtful gifts. You can learn more atApartment Therapy.





Give Your Time

Be it babysitting, dog walking or heck, even watering your neighbor's plants, your time is a valuable commodity and spending it for someone else, especially for something they need, is a great gift idea that will always be appreciated.



Give an Experience

Some experiences will cost you (like a trip or a show) but they don't have to. Surprising a loved one with a visit to a special place, to see a sorely-missed person or just with a unique, new experience that you can do together will probably be the best gift of the season and one they're likely remember for years to come.


Use Your Skills

Are you really good at doing something? We bet you are. We bet it's a valuable skill that other people would love to get a piece of. Why not use your baking, sewing, photography, graphic design or DIY skills to help someone you know who needs help in your area of expertise? You will feel so much more satisfied sharing something you love with someone you love than you would by charging something on your credit card.

5 Ways to Use Spent Coffee Grounds

Do you know those coffee grounds that you thought you could not use? There are five ways that you can re-purpose spent coffee grounds. Keep reading this blog to learn how you can use them for cleaning, compost, and other various home solutions. You can learn more at The Kitchn.





1. Compost

The great thing about sticking to simple brew methods that use only a paper filter and coffee grounds is that both are compostable. Used coffee grounds happen to be rich in nitrogen, which makes them great for composting. (Worms love coffee almost as much as you do!) In a compost pile, aim for a ratio of one part leaves to one part fresh grass clippings to one part coffee grounds. Keep in mind that freshly brewed coffee grounds won't have the same effect on your garden; you need to be sure that they have broken down and composted first.

2. Clean dishes

Because of the rough texture of coffee grounds, they work great as an abrasive, which means you can use them to clean tough-to-wash dishes. Simply place some grounds into a cleaning rag and twist the ends with a rubber band to secure them in place. Then you have an excellent DIY coffee sponge to clean with.

3. Exfoliate

Just like coffee grounds are a good abrasive for cleaning your dishes and kitchenware, they can also serve as an exfoliant for your skin. Simply mix with equal parts olive oil and massage into your skin. The coffee grounds exfoliate, while the olive oil serves as a moisturizer.

4. Fix furniture scratches

Have a kitchen table that needs a little love? Mixed with warm water and vinegar, coffee can be rubbed into scratches to keep your furniture looking good as new.

5. Keep your refrigerator fresh

Similar to baking soda, coffee grounds can serve as a deodorizer. Simply place a bowl of grounds in your refrigerator to suck up all the bad smells.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you have a great Thanksgiving break!

Holiday Travel Tips

Are you traveling home for your holiday breaks?  If you have to go close or far, these tips will help you survive the traveling season.  Keep reading and you can learn more at Apartment Therapy.

Air travel anytime can be a hassle, but during holiday rush times, it can really get stressful. The crowds, delays, winter weather, a packed schedule once you arrive at your destination; it all adds up. But, there are things you can do to make the whole process easier. Start planning now to avoid headaches later:

1. Get smart about carry-on policies:

While most common airlines in the U.S. are still offering free carry-ons, Spirit and Frontier no longer offer free carry-ons, ONLY personal items. Think anything small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Rumor has it that many airlines in the U.S. are going to be switching their policies soon, so watch for potential mark-ups. Spirit charges $100 for a carry-on at the gate and Frontier charges $50.

2. Pre-pay for checked bags:

If you are going to use checked bags or you are flying on Spirit or Frontier, pay for your bags when you buy your flight to get the best price. This will require you to buy through the airlines' respective websites, but it's worth it to save the money.

3. Use a bag that fits under the seat, but maximizes space:

The average space under the seat of an airplane is about 20 inches tall and about the same width. This isn't much space, but it often goes unused. With all the changes in flight policies, I guarantee you'll be using it a lot more. I've been test driving a few bags that maximize space and offer enough room for one laptop, a small purse and three days worth of clothing and have landed on one that is 18.5 inches wide and 13.5 inches high - just the right amount of real estate to actually be useful. In fact, I found it holds just as much as my traditional carry-on roller held.

4. Ship presents directly to your family and friends:

There are two ways to be smart about this: plan ahead and shop online only and then ship items directly to recipients. Or shop small items and use flat rate shipping at the Post Office to send your items in bulk. Both options prevent huge total spending increases and guarantee quick delivery.

5. Pre-order gifts from local retailers and pick up when you arrive at your destination:

Searching for the best local shops at your holiday destination is a great way to support local communities. If they don't have online ordering, simply call. Most shops are happy to hold items for you if you are willing to pre-pay over the phone. Even most big box stores will let you place an order online and pick up the item at your destination of choice as long as they have a local store there.

6. Print your boarding passes at home:

Holiday travel ultimately means lines. Lots of lines. Avoid one of them entirely by checking in for your flight before you leave the house and printing your boarding pass at home too.
7. Be smarter with your smartphone:

Did you know you can Google any flight number in the United States and get instant flight status? This is a simple life saver that can keep you in the loop when airlines aren't doing a great job of giving you updates. Additionally, apps likeTripIt keep track of multi-leg travel plans with even more ease by setting up the trips like a calendar.
8: Pack external battery power in your carry-on:

Power charging stations are becoming more and more common at airports, but there are never enough. Get a backup charger with an Anker External Battery or something similar.

9. Avoid Uber Surge Pricing:

Uber is a great way to get to the airport, but I would bet that won't be the case during the holidays. Surge pricing could mean your ride to the airport is more expensive than the trip itself. Consider a service like Lyft instead or, better yet, take public transit. If those aren't options, ask around— lots of people at your workplace or in your neighborhood are probably also traveling for the holidays and splitting parking may be the cheapest route.

10. Travel on the holiday itself:

The day before a major holiday is always a headache at the airport and can often be the most expensive flights. Check flights on the holiday itself and just try to get in early. You'll not only save money, you'll save a ton of time.


What are your tried and true travel tips?

Get Your Laundry Done

Do you find yourself at the end of the month or week with piles of laundry. The "laundry monster" is something that no one wants to see. However, there are ways to prevent this giant pile up of dirty clothes. Here are some great tips on how to keep away the laundry beast from showing up in your home. You can learn more atApartment Therapy.







Anyone else at war with piles upon piles of laundry? It never occurred to me how much motherhood and laundry go together, but here we are! While it's still an uphill battle, I have learned that some things (when I actually do them) help keep the relentless laundry situation under control.
FIVE STEPS TO TAMING THE LAUNDRY BEAST:


A load a day.Obviously, this will be way too excessive for some people, but for anyone with a couple kids or more, this amount of laundry is just about right —and will save you from a day or more that's consumed by catching up with laundry. Early on in my homekeeping life, I came across Flylady. Her mantra of "A load a day keeps CHAOS away" has been burned into my memory, in large part because I've found it to be true in my experience. (Note: "CHAOS" stands for "can't have anyone over syndrome.")

Follow through with each load.Load goes in the wash, then the dryer (or hung to dry), then gets folded or hung and then gets put away. My laundry troubles come when I linger too long between steps and loads begin to pile up at the clean end. I like to "save" folding for when my kids are in bed and I watch a TV show, but if I'm behind at all, then this means piles that I probably won't get through will be waiting for me... and grow and multiply. If I really mean business with keeping up, I'd fold right after the load is dry and then put it away. Honestly, this never happens. I'm still learning.

Address your sticking point.Usually there's a part of laundry that's a bit more of a mental block and this is what makes the piles grow and multiply. For me, it's putting the clothes away. I like putting the clothes in to wash and dry. And I even enjoy folding. But putting the clothes away is just not my favorite thing to do, and, alas, I often end up with several baskets of clean, folded laundry waiting to be put away.

Set up strategically.For me, this means that I have to think about putting clothes away before I start folding them; I have to make putting them away as painless as possible. I set out separate empty laundry baskets per room or person and put folded clothes in piles according to which drawer they go into. I also have hangers at the ready for clothes that need to be hung.

Make it fun.As with many chores in life that just have to get done, take a page out of Mary Poppins's book and make it fun. Turn on some music, make a party out of it, or reward yourself with a treat (chocolate, 15 minutes of pleasure reading, staring at the miraculously empty laundry baskets, whatever) when you accomplish either the laundry task as a whole (is anyone out there ever caught up with laundry???) or the part you dread most.
I'm going to go take my own advice and put away the piles of folded kids' clothes so my son doesn't have to dig for clean Ninja Turtle undies after bathtime tonight.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Fun Facts: The movie "Halloween" was made in only 21 days in 1978 on a very limited budget. You can learn more here. 

Delicious Halloween Treat

Slimy Bog Balls do not sound like something you would want to eat. However, Martha Stewart has come up with a great recipe for your next Halloween party. These delicious snacks made with pesto are perfect to fit in with the Halloween theme next week. You can learn more about the recipe here.

Ways to Preserve Your Pumpkin

Do you pick a pumpkin every year? You probably do not want your pumpkin to rot after only a few days. We have gathered some great tips on the jack-o-lantern season. These will help you pick the best pumpkin and keep it fresh as long as possible. You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.



3 Tips for Picking a Good Pumpkin

The best way to ensure the longevity of your Jack-o’-lantern is to begin with a healthy pumpkin. While there’s no such thing as the "perfect" pumpkin, there are several things you can look for to get your Jack-o’-lantern off to a great start.

Inspect the skin. When you select a pumpkin, keep an eye out for gouges or blemishes. While dings and dents may give a pumpkin character, they also invite rotting and pests.

Poke and prod. If a pumpkin is even a little soft in the patch or pile, the rotting process is already underway. What begins as a small, soft spot can grow into a large, caved-in mess overnight. Look for a pumpkin with even color and firm flesh. Poke around to find one that doesn’t give when pressed gently.

Pick local. Purchasing from a local pumpkin patch means your pumpkin has been spared the bruising and battering that comes along with being shipped across the country in a back of a truck. Check out Local Harvestfor a listing of pumpkin growers and U-pick farms in your area.




Understand What Makes a Pumpkin Rot

Once you’ve found your perfect pumpkin, it’s time to dig in. But first, it is important to understand the factors that lead to pumpkin rot. Pumpkin skin provides a protective layer from the elements. Once the skin is broken, organisms like fungi, bacteria, molds and insects are able to enter and begin breaking it down. Oxidation and dehydration also contribute to the rotting process, which means from the moment you make the first cut, the clock starts ticking.

Many methods for sterilizing and preserving pumpkins involve the unnecessary use of harsh chemicals and environmentally unfriendly solutions. Common tricks include using bleach or apple cider vinegar, but Mat says NO to this. Bleach is dangerous and apple cider vinegar will only attract bugs.




5 Natural Ways to Extend the Life of Your Pumpkin

Scrape and discard the "pumpkin guts". When prepping your pumpkin for carving, be sure to scrape and discard as much of the pulp (aka “pumpkin guts”) as possible. The cleaner and drier the pumpkin interior, the slower the rotting process.

Clean with peppermint dish soap. Dilute one tablespoon of peppermint dish soap such as Peppermint


Castile Soap in a quart of water. Pour into a clean spray bottle. Lightly spray the inside of your pumpkin. Peppermint is an antifungal and will slow the decomposition process, significantly extending the life of your pumpkin.

Consider refrigerating overnight. If you live in a warm climate, consider placing your carved pumpkins in the fridge at night instead of leaving them on the porch. Spray your pumpkins with the


Castile-water mixture and wrap in a trash bag prior to placing in the fridge. This process will rehydrate your pumpkins each night.

Consider soaking overnight. Another way to rehydrate your pumpkins is to fill a large bucket, bin or tub with cold water. Soak pumpkins overnight. Typically, pumpkins set out for less than a week won’t need rehydration, especially if you live in a cool climate. If you notice yours beginning to wilt, however, take them for a dip!

Use a fruit fly trap. Much like any other produce you bring into your home, pumpkins attract fruit flies. Drawn to rotting fruit and vegetables, fruit flies will expedite the process, leaving a damaged pumpkin and an infestation behind. Natural fruit fly solutions, like Aunt Fannie’s FlyPunch! or this DIY mixture, are a poison-free way to prevent fruit flies from settling in to do damage. Your pumpkin lives to see another day, and your home remains free from invaders.

Stay on a Budget

Do you go to the grocery store and end up leaving with more than you should? Here are ten tips on how to keep a grocery budget and stick to it! These tips will help you avoid the temptations at the grocery store, and you may end up saving money in the future. You can learn more at The Kitchn.


Grocery budgeting is a science, and an art. So much must be balanced: time, preference, income, store availability, seasons, life situations, and more. These are my top 10 tips for creating a grocery budget—and sticking to it.

1. Track what you actually spend for a month.

Before you can make a realistic grocery budget, you have to have a realistic idea of what you usually spend. You might spend more on food (including drinks and eating out) than you realize. Start tracking what you spend for a month. Keep your receipts.

Whether you use a spreadsheet or a Word document, or just paper and pencil, it can be helpful to divide your food expenses into itemized lists. Drinks: coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, juices, mixers. Fresh produce. Frozen meals. Baking items. Meat. The key is to track everything that you consume.


Pro tip: to make this easier when you go back through your receipts, load your groceries from cart to cashier in itemized groups.
2. Budget per month, but plan per week.

I track my income monthly, so I also track grocery bills monthly. Some people track weekly; it's a personal preference. I've found it's easier to stick to a monthly grocery bill, as I often go for two weeks without shopping. On the other hand, it is equally key to plan your meals per week, to avoid eating out or ordering in. I suppose you could plan your meals for an entire month, but for me that's not realistic. Having a rough idea of what we'll be eating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner helps me shop accordingly.
3. Name your priorities.

I'm learning to tell myself, "If this, then not that," as I shop for groceries. There are certain items that I prioritize for my wellbeing, such as fresh foods and basic whole foods. Towards the end of a month, I'll nix fringe items before cutting out my priority items, such as that new flavor of tea, juice, optional toppings for meals, and desserts.


→ More on my priorities: 8 Foods to Always Spend Money On
4. Don’t eat out.

Just don't do it. Eating out is the Trojan horse of grocery budgeting. It sneaks into your monthly budget and destroys everything you've worked so hard for. Dramatic, yes, but true. We eat out for special occasions or with friends, but have made it our personal policy to never eat out as a response to laziness. Knowing your priorities and keeping basics, frozen double batches, and quick meals on hand can help with this.
5. Prize (and plan) variety.

...Or you will eat out, unless you have a willpower of steel. Plan variety into your grocery lists to stay well and keep food enjoyable. Some people can eat ramen for a month in the name of saving money. I can't. However, I'm also the kind of person who finds something they love and wants to eat it endlessly... a habit which always results in me tiring of that food for months afterward. So I try to plan budget-friendly meals that I know I'll enjoy, and rotate those meals throughout several months.
6. Keep a fridge list

Keep a running list on your fridge and write down items that you need as soon as or shortly before you run empty. This is a basic tip but it can make all the difference between grocery runs that result in spending sprees or incomplete shopping.
7. Learn to love your leftovers.

They are your friends. They will feed you while protecting your budget. Invest in a good set of glass food storage containers—your food will last longer with better flavor. Plan meals that make good leftovers, and if you're feeling ambitious, make double or triple batches and freeze.
8. Don’t be duped by coupons.

Coupons are great — if they are for items that you need and from brands that you like. Too often, coupons trick customers into buying unnecessary items "because it's a good deal." Furthermore, generic versions of many items in the coupon book are even cheaper than the price you'll pay for a discounted name brand item. So if you find a coupon for an item that you usually buy, celebrate and purchase. Otherwise, steer clear and seek out cheaper options.
9. Stock when there’s a sale, but don’t overstock.

Sales are the cousin of coupons: they can often dupe customers into buying more because it's "a great deal," not because they need that item or can even use that quantity. On items that keep well, stock up with sales.

But a common mistake is to buy a few extra items of each product, thinking that you're saving time and money by not having to return later to the store. I did this for years before I realized I was still shopping at my usual rate, buying a few extras of this and that each time, which was inflating my grocery bills. Unless you live hours from a grocery store, this sort of pseudo-bulk shopping isn't helpful.
10. Take the time to comparison shop.

The suggestion of comparison shopping is inevitably met with a chorus of voices protesting the efficiency of "driving all over" just to find cheaper items. And I would have to agree. I used to shop at a closer grocery that was more expensive, than transitioned to a larger, cheaper store much further away, then began shopping at three different stores, with a separate list for each. Now I'm back to shopping at the closer store that's a bit pricier. Time and driving costs must always be factored into budgeting. There are still a few items that I will buy once a month at the larger, more distant store, but I don't have the time to go to several stores on each grocery run.

However, I also comparison shop within stores: some items are cheaper in the international aisle, or the yogurt in the organics aisle, for example, might be on sale when my usual yogurt selection isn't. So pick the stores that are most efficient for your shopping, familiarize yourself with your options, and make a plan.

11 Things We Wish We Knew About Senior Year

Do you want to make sure you have the best senior year? Here are eleven things that everyone should know about their senior year in college. Career advice, social tips, and how you can really enjoy one of the best years of your life. You can learn more here.



1. Network, network, network. Networking is like life. It might be awkward, but you have to deal with it... and it never gets any easier. The more out of college you are, the less of a chance you'll have to talk to prominent people in your industry. I remember when our college would throw networking nights and I would just mingle with friends in a corner eating the free food. Now I want to kick myself in the face because, like, WHO WAS THERE?! WHO'S EMAIL/PHONE NUMBER COULD I HAVE GOTTEN THAT I WOULD BENEFIT FROM NOW? WERE THE FREE CALORIES WORTH IT?! WERE THEY?!

2. Your resume probably isn't special. Unless you're some sort of prodigy, your resume probably looks like everyone else's. Sorry, but it's true. Not everyone has had 4-6 internships, but a good chunk of people have. Not everyone has started a blog or has a perfect GPA, but you're not the only one who's accomplished such things. Even if you have a pink scented resume, Elle Woods already did that. Now a green scented resume... That's different. But the content -- it's probably the same as plenty others. You're not special. And if you stop thinking that, your transition into post-grad life -- unemployed OR employed -- will be much easier.

3. Stop talking to your ex(es). Don't waste your mouth's time and energy talking to some boy you used to know. Don't waste your fingers' time and energy texting (or snapping?) some guy who you are either never getting back together with -- or at least never should get back together with. You only have a number of months left in college. Spend that time and energy on someone else. Even if nothing comes of it, at least you had new experiences and met new people. At least you didn't waste your time dwelling on the past, rather than looking towards the future. And years later, you won't look back at your college self sneaking to his place on a random weekday night to hookup without telling your friends and think WTF was I doing?!

4. If you have dreams of moving somewhere, move there right after college. Don't say you're going to wait a year after you've settled into a routine. Chances are, you might become too comfortable. Don't wait three years because you're going to try and save up enough money to move -- you never will. The later you wait, the more settled down people will be with their lives and groups of friends. Moving to a new city in your mid or late 20s is like transferring schools. It's always harder to find your place after everyone else has already found theirs. So if you know you want to take a leap, DO IT NOW. If you find you don't like it, all you have to do is go home or try somewhere else. Sure you might have to or choose to move later in life, but don't delay it if you already know that's what you want.

5. Stay in touch with all those people from your internships! It might be awkward giving someone a random phone call on a random day weeks or months after your internship ends, but it will make you stand out. It will make so-and-so remember you. And it will probably lead to a job one day -- whether it's at that company or at a company they can refer you to. You never know who knows who. And who wants to have all these awesome internships on a resume and years later have absolutely no contacts from said awesome companies? It sucks.

6. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone has a friend who gets a job months before graduation, and whether that is you or not -- who cares. Everyone forges a path for them self after college and everyone's road is different. You didn't do anything wrong because so-and-so got a job offer and you're still stuck searching and applying. Sure, getting a job after college is based on your experience and abilities, but it is mostly based on timing and luck. You might have all the connections in the world, but if none of them have an opening they know of for you, you're out of luck (for now). You also have to find a company you personally click with. Just because you're qualified for a position, doesn't mean you will have a connection with the person interviewing you. Is it luck if the person interviewing you for a job went to the same high school as you and hires you because you have that in common? Yeah. There's plenty of hoops to jump through when finding a job. It will happen when it happens.

7. Save. money. Everyone kept saying save your money, but then Urban Outfitters opened up down the street from my senior year house and it was all downhill from there. The rest of my money went to Lean Cuisines and booze. You have no idea how long you're going to be unemployed after college ends, so it's good to have savings just in case. Even if you do have a job lined up, you're still going to want some money in the bank. What if you have to move? What if you have to buy a new computer? Or a car? When you're a few years older and barely getting by because... alcohol, you're going to wish you saved money in college.

8. If you're not 150 percent feeling your relationship, end it. After college, you'll be thrown into the real world where the chance to meet prospective hook ups and significant others in person is slim to none (it's goin' down... I'm yellin' Tinder). You won't meet a new batch of people your age every couple months in class (unless you go to grad school, but still, not the same). You won't be able to go to your college bar on Friday night and be surrounded by people you know. You won't be able to just go home with some dude from the bar because in the real world, you can't just go home with randoms. 1. They most likely don't live within walking distance of your place and 2. They could be a murderer or a rapist. You only have a short time left of the college life. Do you want to graduate and feel like you wasted time you could have spent mingling and hooking up with others on some guy you weren't 100 percent interested in to begin with? Probably not.

9. Don't stress out if you don't have a job set for yourself right after graduation. Life isn't going to end if you don't know what you're going to do after you graduate. Until you get a job, enjoy your freedom. Enjoy your summer. Once you start working, you'll be working forever (unless your plan is to marry rich and not work, which is actually not a bad plan). Summer days will be spent in the office and if you want to go away or take time to yourself, you'll have to get permission. For now, you're free to do whatever you want (depending on how much money you have of course, which probably isn't a lot, so whatever). EMBRACE IT. You'll find something eventually.

10. Do something (anything!) that makes you stand out from the crowd.Imagine if I had started a blog during college, rather than after. With a website on my resume prior to graduation, prospective jobs might have looked at me a little differently. If you can do anything to show your skills and ambition, DO IT. If you create a website, it doesn't even have to be a successful website. Just the pure fact you do something on your own in addition to school and internships (and after you graduate, applying to jobs and going to the beach), will surely make you stand out from all those other college grads out there.

11. Enjoy yourself. Because after you graduate college, you will never experience anything like it again. I'm not saying it's all downhill from here, because it's not, but it's different. Right now, you're young. You're carefree. Your friends either live with you or live down the street from you. And guess what? They have nothing to do other than spend time with you (and write a paper or two... but, like, who cares about that?). So party it up, my friends. Make memories. Take pictures. Gain 15 pounds during Senior Week. Soon enough, you won't want to go back to college, but -- if you do it right -- you'll definitely miss it.

Forget the Defrosting

We always forget to take our dinner out of the freezer. However, there are certain foods that you can cook right out of the freezer. You do not need to worry about defrosting or setting these ingredients out. They are ready as soon as you take them out of the bag. You can learn more at The Kitchn.


The more hectic life gets with work, friends, and family, the more grateful I am that freezers were invented. A well-stocked freezer full of fruits, vegetables, and homemade meals has enabled me to eat more healthy and not spend money on takeout.

The downside of a lot of frozen foods, however, is that they usually need to be thawed in order to cook or reheat well. But did you know there are still plenty of foods out there that you can cook straight from the freezer, no thawing necessary? Here are our seven favorites!

1. Bacon

Whether you want to fry up a big batch of bacon for a leisurely weekend morning or just need a slice or two to flavor a dish, there's so much fat in bacon that it can thaw and start cooking in a pan in just a few minutes. Make sure you freeze the bacon in individual slices first so that it's not frozen into one big block.


2. Fruit

We all know that frozen fruit is a great way to add texture and keep smoothies cold, but if you bake with frozen fruit, there's no need to defrost it — just mix it straight into batter or dough. If you're making a compote or fruit syrup, just throw it straight into the pot and start simmering.



3. Vegetables

Because frozen vegetables are usually frozen at the peak of freshness, they're a great, healthy choice to always have a stash of. Small vegetables like peas and corn can quickly cook and cool down in soup, and you can even throw mixed frozen vegetables straight into a skillet pasta.


4. Dumplings

Since Asian dumplings can be a bit time-consuming to make, make a big batch and then freeze them for a quick and satisfying snack or weeknight meal. Dumplings cook best straight from the freezer since thawing them will make the wrappers sticky and cook up soggy.


5. Pasta

Similar to Asian dumplings, fresh uncooked pastas and filled pastas like ravioli and agnolotti freeze extremely well. Don't thaw them or the pasta will start to stick together. Frozen pasta only takes a minute or two longer to cook than fresh before it's ready to be tossed in your favorite sauce.

6. Cooked Rice

Did you know that day-old rice makes the best fried rice? It's a great way to use up leftover steamed rice, but if you're not ready to fry up the rice just yet, stash it in the freezer. If frozen properly, the rice freezes into individual grains that you can just toss right into the wok or frying pan when the fried rice craving hits.


7. Fish

Skip the thawing of frozen fish — all you have to do is rinse the fillets off, pat them dry, and get cooking. It'll take a few more minutes to cook than a piece of fresh fish, but now you have no excuse not to have fish for dinner on a weeknight!

Make Your Baking Top Notch

Do you love to bake?  We always enjoy making sweet treats for our friends.  However, we have found five tips to help bring your baking skills to the next level!  The Kitchn has gathered some easy ingredients to use to make your next baked good the best it can be. 

1. Espresso Powder

Instant espresso powder is the unsung hero of deep, dark chocolate cakes. A little of the intense coffee powder brings depth to chocolate recipes without being overwhelming, but you can also up the amount if you're inspired to take a mocha route instead. It's also great to keep on hand for recipes calling for brewed coffee, especially if you're not the type that typically drinks a lot of it at home.



More about espresso powder
Espresso Powder in the Kitchen: What's it Good For?
Recipe: Dark Molasses Gingerbread Cake
Recipe: Peanut Butter & Espresso Truffle Blossoms



2. Chocolate Baking Bars

While chocolate chips are a handy pantry staple to have around, nothing beats a real chocolate bar. Unlike chocolate chips which have additives and stabilizers to help them keep their shape, pure chocolate bars have unrivaled flavor and versatility.

You can shave a bar for decorations or cut them into irregular pieces to stir into chocolate chip cookie dough — odd-shaped pieces create random small and large pockets of chocolate and distribute widely and melt beautifully here.



More about chocolate bars
Five Reasons to Keep a Chocolate Bar on Hand
Recipe: How To Make Chocolate Ganache for Any Dessert
Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Bars







3. Real Extracts

You can't replicate the flavor of real vanilla extract. Period. It may seem like a costly purchase, but you can easily make a big bottle at home with some cheap liquor and a few vanilla beans instead.

Fake extracts contain chemicals that almost but don't quite replicate the flavor of the real stuff, and the gap there will really throw off the taste of what you're making. The real stuff will infuse it with natural flavor. So ditch the imitation and invest in real vanilla, almond, or even coconut extract to really enhance your next batch of sweets.




→ Learn how to make your own: How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract



4. Turbinado Sugar

Coarse, natural cane sugar is baking's secret weapon. It's less refined than white or regular brown sugars, so it has a more robust flavor, and it's beautiful and sparkly to boot. Sprinkle some on your next batch of muffins for added crunch, or roll a log of sugar cookie dough in it before slicing and baking to add elegance without much extra work.



More about turbinado sugar
Turbinado Sugar
Recipe: Molasses Spice Cookies with Orange Sugar





Recipe: Toffee-Chocolate Chip Shortbread

5. Flavored Baking Chips

Last, but not least, keep some flavored baking chips other than chocolate on hand. Swapping out or replacing some of the chocolate chips in a recipe with cinnamon, toffee, or caramel chips is a fun way to turn a trusted recipe into something new and fun. Plus, they'll even appease those few people in the world who don't like chocolate!

Get a recipe
Chocolate Chip and Toffee Shortbread Cookies
Giant Gooey Cinnamon Biscuits

Improve Your Sleep

There are many devices and apps that will tell you why you are not sleeping! However, this new device not only tracks your movement but environmental conditions that may cause you to wake up. Keep reading and check out Apartment Therapy for more information on this new device.

There are plenty of devices and apps that track your sleep, but not many that explain why you're waking up. Sense is a ball that sits on your bedside table and records changes in sound and light that might wake you. It corresponds to a "Pill" that clips on to your pillow that records your movement, and an app that gives you a full report of the night, so you you can do something to get some more shut eye.


• This Smart Sleep Tracker Tells You Why You're Not Getting Enough Sleep |Co.Exist

Make That Twin Bed Feel Like a King

Do you not have enough room in your apartment for a big bed? Just because you could not buy that King, does not mean you can not feel like you have a giant bed to come home too. We have some great tips on how to make that small bed feel like it is from a hotel. Keep reading and check out Apartment Therapy for more information.

Blessed with only enough room for a twin bed? Trying to make a double work for two while you save up for that California king? Buying a bed that's properly in proportion to your space (or your budget) means you're usually left wishing there was a little more room to spread out at night.

Not all of these strategies will work for your life, and some of them only give you extra space visually. But when you're desperate for a few extra inches of sleeping space, it just might help you get through the night.

Go monochromatic with linens.

It's fun to get punchy with patterns, but to visually maximize the size of your bed, stick to an array of solid colors in the same color family; whites with other light colors give the biggest boost.

Be a minimalist with pillows and throws.

Most people sleep with too many pillows beneath their heads at night. Figure out what you really need on the bed, then stash the rest of it in a storage bin. The exception? A neatly folded plush comforter can actually make your bed look bigger.



Grab a headboard (or a big piece of art).

A headboard does more than keep you from losing pillows. It visually frames your bed, making the whole thing look more substantial in both big and small rooms. In lieu of a headboard, a large-scale piece of art (just smaller than the width of your bed) hung above can work in the same way and make the bed a focal point in the room.

Add a bench to the end.

A well-proportioned bench can actually elongate a bed for taller folks or pets who like to sleep at your feet. It's tempting to snag a storage bench for the extra space, but if you've got a small room to start with, a bench with lean legs won't take up more visual real estate.


Kick pets (or kids) out of bed.

My tiny dog manages to take up as much room in our queen bed as either one of his human companions. I'm thinking it might be time to wean him off of sleeping with us so we can reclaim our space.

Save the bed for sleeping.

Stop watching TV or surfing the web in the bedroom. Treat your boudoir as the sanctuary that it is and you might find your small bed seems that much more calm and inviting at the end of a long day.

New Creative Workout Ideas

Are you bored with running and the gym? These are not the only ways to stay active. We have some great ideas on how to mix up your daily workout. Have you ever thought about skateboarding or an aerials class? Keep reading and check out designsponge for more information.




1. Aerial Silk – After my first silks class with Laura, I couldn’t believe how sore I was or how little I could actually do on the silks. Just lifting myself up was a challenge. Each class, I’m able to do a little bit more and that is all the motivation that I need to keep coming back. And most importantly, it’s so fun!!!
2. Skateboarding – A couple of years ago, Grace mentioned that she wanted to try longboarding so on her birthday, I surprised her with a lesson for the two of us in McCarren Park. We had so much fun that we went straight to Bustin Boards and picked out longboards. When the weather is nice, I skate into work almost every day (This was the video that hooked both of us).
3. Roller Derby – This is a great one for community bonding as well as having the added benefit of keeping you healthy. (Here’s a great NYTimes article about Roller Derby Classes)
4. Hula Hooping – The first time I realized someone could be good at hula hooping, I was at an outside concert here in Brooklyn. I couldn’t stop staring at a girl with four hula hoops, grooving to the music.
5. Trapeze – I’ve got my hands full with Aerial, but watching people do trapeze makes it seem pretty fun. (And you end up with killer arms.)
6. Trampoline is another one that falls into the circus skills. When I take aerial, I watch the folks do tricks on the trampoline – my favorite trick is watching them bounce on their backs as they run up the wall. (Like this)
7. Surfing – A couple of summers ago, I took surfing lessons in the Rockaways. It was amazingly fun, but the 45 minute train ride out the beach made it a little tough. I’m tempted to try a Surfset Fitness class (as seen by Grace on Shark Tank!)
8. Synchronized Swim Team – If you don’t have one in your town, you should start your own. (To get you inspired, here are the Brooklyn Peaches)
9. Barre Classes – Barre classes seem to be everywhere lately and if you loved dance class as a child, this might be for you. (Just do an online search for Barre Classes in your area)
10. Indoor Climbing – I’ve yet to try outdoor climbing, but I have great fun at Brooklyn Boulders. It can be a little nerve wracking to climb up, but once you become obsessed with finding the right path to the top, it’s addictive!

Back to College

It is almost time to go back to class and Texas Tech University!  Are you ready yet?  We have gathered some great tips on how to have a great start to your next year as a Raider.  Keep reading and check out College Countdown for more information.


1. Choose your courses carefully.

Some colleges have what’s known as a “shopping period,” in which students can add and drop courses to their hearts’ content. If you have this opportunity, being a smart shopper can set you up for success. In the first week of school, try sitting in on a number of classes that you’re interested in and qualified for. Getting a sense of the workload and the professor’s teaching style for each class will help you make an informed decision when it comes time to finalize your schedule. By choosing the courses that are best for you, you’ll maximize your GPA at the end of the term.

2. Treasure your syllabi.

When you get the syllabi for your classes, don’t just toss them into your backpack and never look at them again. Treat them as your guide to getting an A. As soon as you get them, make a master schedule with all the deadlines and assignments you’ll have for the rest of the term. You can do this by using a regular calendar or day planner, or a more high-tech tool such as Google Calendar or iStudiez Pro—whatever you’re most comfortable with. See when your crunch times are and set alerts for when you have to start key projects. You should also reread your syllabi often, as they may contain the teachers’ expectations, guidelines for writing papers, clues about exams, and other tips that will come in handy throughout the semester.

3. Start studying as soon as possible.

Lots of students view the beginning of the semester as an opportunity for slacking off. There isn’t much homework yet, the first test seems far away, and they’re still in a post-summer haze. But this is actually the perfect time to get a leg up on your studies. Keep up with all your assignments and, if possible, read ahead. The more you get done now, the easier it’ll be to keep your head above water when the work starts pouring in.

4. Make connections from day one.

The first day of class can be pretty nerve-wracking, but it’s also the best time to forge new relationships. Everyone is in the same boat, and students haven’t yet pigeonholed themselves into groups or cliques. It’s easy to make friends in the beginning of the year: just lean over and introduce yourself; the other person will probably be happy you’ve broken the ice. Having people you can depend on in class is important for a number of reasons. When you’re absent, you can get class assignments and notes that you missed. You can study for tests together—explaining a concept to somebody else is one of the best ways to learn. And of course, having a friend in the seat next to you makes going to class much more enjoyable!

5. Establish healthy habits.

This is the perfect time to develop smart strategies for sleep, diet, and exercise. If you forge these habits now, before you get distracted by tests and assignments, you’ll be more likely to stick with them in the long run. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep a night, and keep a regular bedtime even on the weekends. Set up a schedule for exercising at least three times a week. And get in the habit of eating well, not skipping meals, and packing healthy snacks to eat on campus. Remember: your brain can’t function at full capacity unless you treat your body right!

Make Your Morning Latte Better!

We love a good caffeinated drink to wake up in the morning! However, there are ways to make your normal iced latte even better! This blog will tell you how to make your own homemade iced lattes better than ever. You can learn more at The Kitchn.

Here are five things to try to make that homemade iced latte oh so worthy worthy of a warm summer afternoon.

Now of course, there are those who will tell you that putting milk and a sweetener in good coffee is practically sacrilegious. I agree.

Only 35% of Americans take their coffee black, which I think has more to do with the fact that we're used to bad coffee than it does that we love milk and sugar.

But really good coffee doesn't need to be diluted with milk and sweetener; it's good on its own; in fact, if it's made with quality beans, it's better on its own. Adding milk and sweetener is almost a must if you're drinking cafeteria style coffee that's been sitting on the warmer for too long, but when you're going for a pour over of craft roasted beans, you want the coffee all to itself.

That being said, I do have one exception: iced lattes. Because come on, an iced latte is a tasty thing, especially on warm summer days. It's sort of like if you're a wine lover. Inevitably when it's hot out, and you need a refreshing late afternoon drink, you'll take the sangria now won't you?

So, how to make the best iced latte? The standard milk and sugar route is boring and expected, you need something different.

1. Create homemade syrups

Forget sugar, make your own simple syrups. All you have to do for homemade syrups is to start with a basic simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water ratio) and then figure out a flavor that will pair well with your iced coffee or cold brew.

→ How to make simple syrup: Straight Up: DIY Simple Syrup

Here is where you can get creative. I am intrigued by the blackberry syrup fromHow Sweet it Is, made with fresh blackberries, sugar and water. Cardamom syrup perhaps?

→ Try a recipe: Recipe: Homemade Caramel Syrup for Your Coffee

2. Pair almond milk and a dash of almond extract

You can easily make your own almond-flavored creamer by adding in a few drops of pure almond extract. Pair it with almond for an extra dose of almond flavor.

3. Use coconut milk

Coconut milk is a popular iced latte ingredient in the non-dairy crowd. It works well because of its very creamy consistency. In fact there's even a recipe for making coconut cold brew by adding in toasted coconut with the coffee grounds before adding in the cold water.

4. Use your blender

If you want the ultimate in a summer drink then you're going to want your coffee blended. It's easy to make blended coffee drinks at home, which allows you to make them cheaper and healthier than they would be at a cafe. Try this recipe for a Mint and Choco Frappucino, made with dates instead of sugar and cocoa nibs as well.

5. Spike it!

It's summer after all, and if you want to add a little booze to your iced coffee then have at it. You can make your own coffee liqueur and mix that in with your iced drink, or take a tip from the bartenders making craft coffee cocktails and experiment with flavor combinations. Amaretto perhaps?

Add Storage to Any Space

It does not matter how big your apartment is, everyone can always use a little more storage. Squeezing storage out of small spaces is something Apartment Therapy is great at teaching renters about.. Keep reading this blog, and check out Apartment Therapy to learn how to gain storage in any kind of apartment.

One of the biggest challenges of small space living is... where does all the stuff go? If you feel like you've maxed out all your storage but you still have things that need a home, this post is for you. Here are ten often-overlooked spots where you can squeeze a little extra storage out of a small space.

Above: Hang a set of wall-mounted shelves above a radiator. Spotted on VT Wonen.

The space above your door is the perfect place to mount a shelf to store books and other sundries, as spotted in the New York home of Ashlina Kaposta of The Decorista.

→ Small Space Storage Solution: Look Above the Door

What about above the bed? If you mount the shelf high enough, you won't have to worry about bumping your head when you wake up. Photo from Share Design.

→ More Space-Saving Solutions for Small Bedrooms

Use the space above your kitchen cabinets to store cookbooks, as in John's Sunlit Studio (from out 2013 Small Cool Contest).

Or try this: put baskets above the cabinets for lesser-used kitchen items, as in this home from Better Homes & Gardens.

Mount the lid of a mason jar under the bottom of your cabinets. Then use the jar to store little things that you want to be in easy reach. Spotted on House to Home.

→ More Smart Solutions for Small Kitchens

Make the most of the space in your home with a long, low console that goes under a window. Spotted on My World Apart.

→ Small Space Secrets: Swap Your Bookcases for Wall Mounted Shelving

Park a catch-all basket under a console table, as spotted in Jessica & Scott's East Coast Nest.

Another place to squeeze out a little extra storage is the back of the door to your medicine cabinet. These stick on pods are great for organizing makeup, or, if your medicine cabinet is made of metal, you can add magnets to the smaller things you use the most (lipstick, mascara, etc) and attach them to the inside of the door.

→ 10 Small Space Storage Solutions for the Bathroom

And don't forget about the inside of your cabinet doors. You can hang small hooks there for things like measuring spoons that you use often and want to be in easy reach. 'Baking Pantry in a Cabinet' DIY from Jenny Steffens.

Tips for Your First Apartment

We can not wait to have you move into ULofts this fall! Is this your first apartment? We know this can be overwhelming, but take a look at these great tips before you move in this fall. You can learn more at hackcollege.

Make a Checklist

It’s easy to think that you’ve got your bases covered when you first move in, but things will always be forgotten. Be sure to make a checklist of everything you need to do and get — including things on this list — in order to enjoy a less stressful move-in.

And you might forget some of the most basic tasks you need to complete, so be sure to have that list on you while you’re out running errands. For instance, getting extra keys made will ensure you never have any late-night mishaps.

Have a Move-in Budget

If you’re getting your own place, it’s going to get expensive fast. Any savings you may have had will likely be drained without some smart frugal moves and a tight move-in budget. The worst thing you could do is furnish your apartment with new things, especially since you’re in college.

Hit up Craigslist or family members for the essentials, including furniture, appliances, and even knick-knacks, to help you save money. You’d be surprised at how many great (non-bug-infested) pieces of furniture you can find for cheap on Craigslist. After all, spending an entire month’s rent on a new couch is ridiculous when you’re working a college job.

Speaking of appliances, don’t go overboard when you’re out shopping and find yourself with a juicer, ice cream maker, and smoothie machine. Your apartment likely has a microwave; beyond that a coffee maker andtoaster/toaster oven should suffice.

Write a Thorough Move-in Report

You should not even think about rushing through your first apartment move-in report. If there’s a crack in a tile, make sure you describe it in vivid detail. (For Game of Thrones fans, that means describing your apartment’s flaws like George R.R. Martin describes food.)

Taking pictures of any sort of pre-made damages upon move-in is also a great idea. Send those in to your landlord or complex manager to ensure you’re not falsely blamed and later charged for things they “missed.”

Don’t Wait to Report Problems

Upon arrival, it’s a good idea to make sure everything in your new apartment actually works. Your landlord may have maintenance come in for some last-minute fixes and that’s the perfect time to check for any other problems and get them sorted out.

If any additional problems present themselves soon after, don’t wait to report those to your landlord or management company. They’re more likely to give priority to your issues since you’re new.

Learn to Cook

If most of your meals in the last few years consisted of quick microwavables, dining hall pizza, and ramen, then you owe to your body and budget to learn how to cook. Not only will eating at home save you tons, it’ll give you the opportunity to eat healthier.

It is a big time investment, though, so you need to be willing to make time and not cave into the “busy” schedule excuse. Turn it into a thing by inviting friends over for a dinner-study session and have everyone split the cost of ingredients. There should be plenty of leftovers and you’re using that time to not only get schoolwork done, but to socialize as well. Multitasking at its finest.

5 Tips to Cook Faster

Are you always on the run? Classes, activities, work and sports can get in the way of a balanced meal. Here are some ideas on how to save time cooking. These tips cover shopping, storage, and preparation. You can learn more here.



1. Buy Meat in Bulk

Doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for hamburger, chicken breasts, or fish, the best deals in the meat department come in the largest packages. At home, immediately divide those big packs into individual servings and put each one in a Ziploc bag. Add your favorite spices or marinade and then freeze ’em so you have instant entrées that just need to be grilled or baked. To save money, check out hangar steaks. They’re tasty, high in protein, and very inexpensive, says chef Josh Eden, of NYC’s Ten Ten restaurant. “Just cut them across the grain to keep them tender,” he says.

2. Keep Produce Fresh Longer

Don’t just chuck everything you buy into the fridge. Tomatoes, avocados, squash, and citrus are better off sitting on a cool countertop for a few days instead of being blasted with cold temperatures. Never wash veggies before storing either; just keep them in a loosely rolled plastic bag. You can also hit ’em with a dash of olive oil first. “The oil keeps them from going bad as quickly,” says Guillermo Tellez, executive chef at Square 1682 in Philadelphia.

3. Embrace Cubism

Instead of drinking the red wine leftover from that marinara sauce you made, pour some into an ice cube tray and freeze until you need it. You can do the same thing with fresh juice, pasta sauce, pesto, gravy, even broths and vegetable stock.

4. Rescue Leftovers

Got rice that came with your Chinese take-out? Nuke it with a little water and butter to bring it back to life.Leftover veggies? Add a couple tablespoons of water before reheating them. Stale bread or crackers? Scatter them on a baking sheet, sprinkle with a little water and reheat in the oven at 350º until warm and crispy.

5. Shop Like a Chef

Stock up on pantry staples like spices, olives, canned beans, and tomatoes, says Matthew Accarrino, the executive chef at San Francisco’s acclaimed SPQR. “They have a long shelf life and will broaden your ability to be creative, spur of the moment.” Always have on hand: whole oats (use in place of bread crumbs in meatloaf and meatballs for extra fiber and vitamins); whole- grain tortilla shells (to make quesadillas, bake them for crispy taco shells, or cut them in pieces for “homemade” pita chips); and light sour cream