Best Beach Picnic Snacks

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Vacations to the beach or day trips to the beach are incomplete with something delicious to snack on throughout the day. But not everything is good for the beach! You need the perfect treats to fuel you for more fun all day in the sun. What do you like to snack on at the beach? Here are some great ideas and recipes from the Kitchn.


Packing food for a picnic in the park is pretty easy. But when your picnic happens to be on the beach, there's a new set of rules and a few more factors to consider before filling your basket or cooler.

For starters, there's the sand. It's totally obvious, but no matter how hard you plan and how many precautions you take, it inevitably ends up everywhere. Including your sandwich. There's also the wind — the beach can be breezy, which means that sand and salt swirl around, attaching themselves to anything that's remotely sticky, wet, or, let's face it, edible.

Keep that in mind the next time you're packing up for a day at the beach, and remember that even when you have a cooler, some foods hold up better than others. Of course you can always pack the basics, like crackers, chips, nuts, and dried fruit, but it's good to have something a little more substantial.


8 Foods to Pack for a Day at the Beach

1. Wraps

I always opt for wraps over regular sandwiches when packing lunch for a day at the beach. For one, it's just fun to coil things up in a tortilla or collard leaf. But more importantly, when the fillings are tucked away on the inside, they're better protected — plus wraps are easy to eat with one hand.


Recipe: Spicy Lentil Wraps with Tahini Sauce


Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato Wraps with Caramelized Onions and Pesto

2. Fried chicken

The only thing better than hot and crispy fried chicken, is leftover cold fried chicken the next day. Especially when that "next day" happens to be at the beach. Fried chicken is a summer staple; it holds up well in a cooler, and it's pretty easy to eat without getting mouthfuls of sand.


How To Make Finger-Licking Fried Chicken

3. Skewers

Because food on skewers is always more fun! Whether you go for fruit, veggies, or meat, kabobs make great beach fare. This is a hands-off (read, sand-free!) meal that's utensil-free and easy to eat, with even easier cleanup.


Recipe: Tomato & Mozzarella Caprese Skewers


Recipe: Bryant Terry's Grilled Vegetable and Tofu Kebabs

4. Whole fruit

As much as I love fresh cut-up fruit, sandy fingers diving in and out of the bowl puts a big damper on the party. Whole fruit is much more suited to a day at the beach. Peaches, nectarines, apples, and grapes all make a sweet choice.

5. Couscous or pasta salad

I've had a lot of experience with these two, and they tend to hold up well in the heat. Also, even if a few grains of sand make their way in, they'll easily get lost in a jumble of couscous; you might not even notice.


Recipe: Broccoli and Feta Pasta Salad

6. Charcuterie

True, cheese and salami might not be great choices if you're going to be out for hours in the heat of the mid-afternoon. But if you're eating right away or going at sunset, these bites are easy to pack, require no assembly, and can be eaten without utensils.

7. Lettuce wraps

These may seem overly complicated, but this is our suggestion in lieu of a salad. Wrap up some chopped vegetables or other components in big, oversized leaves of iceberg lettuce. Then wrap in foil, so you can just peel it back and eat.

8. Cookies

Don't forget dessert! Cookies are a simple finger food to curb your post-lunch sweet tooth. You won't hear me say this often, but it's probably best to skip anything chocolate to avoid a melty mess.


Recipe: Peanut Butter & Jelly Icebox Cookies


Recipe: Reverse-Engineered Biscoff Cookies

What are your go-to foods for a day at the beach?

Read more »

Sun Safety In The Summer Months

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

With this intense heat comes some serious danger. The heat wave coming on can be battled by following some simple tips. Staying out of the sun and keeping yourself hydrated are just a few of the things you can do to keep yourself safe. For more head to Patch.com.


With a brink-of-summer hot spell settling over Southern California this week, authorities urged the public to take some simple common-sense steps to avoid heat-related ailments.

Temperatures are expected to be 15 to 25 degrees above normal across Southern California through the end of the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

A heat advisory for San Diego County’s deserts is scheduled to remain in effect until 7 p.m. Sunday. High temperatures this afternoon were expected to range from 109 to 114 degrees, and from 110 to 115 degrees on Thursday.

Sheriff’s department officials advised those venturing into the region’s swelter-prone eastern regions to hike wilderness areas to take basic precautions, starting with making sure a friend or family member is aware of the planned outing, the destination and the expected return time, just in case something unforeseen occurs.

The agency also recommended avoiding solo hikes; dressing in suitable attire, including boots, hat, sunglasses, gloves and a helmet, if necessary; choosing trails appropriate to physical-fitness level; and bringing along sunscreen, a fully charged cellphone, a flashlight, a map, a GPS device, a first-aid kit, a multipurpose tool or knife and a whistle, along with ample food and water.

State workplace-safety officials called on employers with outdoor workers to protect them from the intense temperatures.

“During times of sustained high heat, it is especially important that employers take the necessary steps to prevent heat illness for their outdoor workers,” said Christine Baker, director of the state Department of Industrial Relations.

California’s 10-year-old regulations for heat-illness prevention were amended effective May 1. The changes clarify requirements related to the provision of water rest and shade protections for all outdoor workers, which are detailed in Cal/OSHA’s guidance on the new requirements.

Employer requirements under the heat regulation include:

-- training for all employees and supervisors about heat-illness prevention;

-- provision of cool, fresh water as close as practicable to the work area at no cost to workers;

-- shade provided whenever the temperature rises above 80 degrees Fahrenheit and enough shade to accommodate the number of workers taking a break;

-- encouragement of employees to take cool-down rests and monitoring for symptoms of heat illness; and

-- acclimatization to ensure that workers, especially new hires, safely adapt to increased temperatures during a heat wave.

Special high-heat procedures are also required when temperatures reach 95 degrees or higher and workers are at greater risk. At these times, supervisors must take the following extra precautions:

-- observe workers for signs and symptoms of heat illness;

-- hold pre-shift meetings on safety and remind workers to drink water frequently;

-- require that workers take a cool-down rest every two hours; and

-- ensure effective communication systems are in place so that emergency assistance can be summoned immediately if necessary.

Cal/OSHA inspects work sites in outdoor industries such as agriculture, construction, landscaping, and others throughout the heat season. Through partnerships with various employer and worker organizations in different industries, the agency also provides consultation, outreach and training on heat illness prevention.

Read more »

Clean Habits = Clean Home

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Cleaning your whole home can be difficult. But cleaning in smaller sections can make it easier. If you adopt these 4 cleanly habits, you can cut down on your cleaning time. These 4 tips from Apartment Therapy can help you become a cleaner person.


Want a cleaner home? One that gets cleaner easier, stays cleaner longer, and doesn't feel like the act of cleaning dominates your life? There are four habits that can be life-changers; could they change yours?

Carve out (and schedule) your cleaning chunk

We have provided you with a lot of different cleaning schedules over the years. What they've all got in common is that at some point in time you've got to carve out time where you pull out cleaning supplies and do a little scrubbing. The trick is knowing what excuses you're using (→ How to Motivate Yourself to Clean Regularly, For People Who Hate Cleaning), plan treats/fun/blackmail for yourself accordingly and then actually physically schedule your time chunk in your calendar/phone. And then you want to keep that cleaning date. It'd be great if you can make it a regular block of time you keep at the same time each day/week/month, but you've got to work with what complements your lifestyle.

Find the tools that work for you (no judgments)

Hey, if keeping an identical set of cleaning supplies in every room of the house (so you don't have to walk all.the.way.across.the.house when you want to clean a room) helps you keep your home clean, then you do you, you know? Or, if keeping those-really-expensive-but-super-handy cleaning wipes on hand helps you keep on top of things in between deep cleanings, no judgment on our part. We encourage you to try cleaning alternatives, but don't be afraid to go back to the tools and styles that work for you.


Don’t fall in love with (all) your stuff

This is pretty much the definition of "easier said than done." But think about trying on — and practicing — a home mindset of recognizing which core things really make a difference in your home - and which are just taking up space. Love your most treasured items such as your art, family heirlooms, and the items that have stories to them. But then work on cultivating a don't-give-a-flip attitude about the other small things in your home that aren't really special to you and might be better off in the outbox for donation day. Continuously working on that kind of in-or-out mindset will make it easier to make decluttering decisions in the future.

Put things back

There are a lot of variations of this idea in keeping a home clean. There's the grab-something-every-time-you-leave a room trick, ensuring that items always eventually make their way to their homes in your home. There's the act of pausing after finishing an activity like cooking and taking a minute to tidy up before sitting down to eat. The result is the same any way you want to approach the idea: Your home will not get as messy or cluttered if you fold in the simple act of putting things back where they belong immediately after using them.

Read more »

Cool Down With A Delicious DIY Treat

Image courtesy of Cathy on Flickr

Summer can get hot so you’ll need some help cooling down. What’s better than a yummy popsicle? Not only is it delicious and chilling, but it’s healthy too! These fruit popsicles from Sally’s Baking Addiction will hit the spot and keep you cool on stifling summer days.

Ingredients:

• 1 large ripe banana, peeled, cut into chunks, & frozen
• 12 large strawberries, sliced in half
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice (or orange juice)

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

• Popsicle mold (here is the one I own)

Directions:

1. Blend all of the ingredients together on high speed until smooth - about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed as you go.
2. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds. If your popsicle mold has slots for sticks, you can insert them before freezing - if not, freeze for 2 hours, then put a wooden popsicle stick in the middle (that is what I did). Continue to freeze for an additional 6 hours or overnight - overnight is recommended for easy removal.
3. Run popsicle molds under warm water to easily remove. Eat on a hot day. Enjoy!

Read more »

Happy Independence Day Weekend!

Happy Independence Day! We hope your weekend is filled with friends, family and fun!

Read more »

7 Ways to Stay Sun Safe This Summer

The first day of summer was yesterday and with this weather heating up, we’re in for a sunny summer! Keeping your skin protected from the sun’s rays is smarter than lying out and soaking them up all day. You can enjoy the sunshine while still staying safe. These tips and facts from Real Self will help keep you safe from the dangerous UV rays.

Summer's almost here, and you know what that means: outdoor festivals, backyard barbecues, and days at the beach! Unfortunately, there's nothing like a sunburn to put a damper on the fun, not to mention leave behind some pretty unsightly tan lines.

However, there's more to using sunscreen than preventing crazy patterns and itchy skin. Any time a RealSelf user asks our doctor community how to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging, their #1 tip is to wear sunscreen daily. Not only is UV radiation the most common cause of facial aging, but 90% of skin cancer is caused by exposure to the sun. (An even scarier statistic is the fact that one in five Americans are expected to develop the disease in their lifetime.)

You may think your avoiding UV damage isn't always as simple as "my moisturizer has SPF 15." To help you avoid the risks of too much exposure, we turned to dermatologistDr. Susan Van Dyke and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) to bring you these seven facts about proper sun protection:

1. Anything greater than SPF 50 provides the same protection
"A 50 SPF blocks 98.00% of UVB light (the burning rays) while a 100 SPF will block 99.00%,” says Dr. Van Dyke. “This level of benefit [to either] is of course contingent on applying enough and reapplying frequently."


2. Makeup and moisturizers with sunscreen aren’t always enough
Unless your makeup/moisturizer provides broad spectrum sunscreen and is reapplied throughout the day, it isn’t enough protection for all day sun exposure. According to ASDS, it’s fine if “you are only walking to your car from work or going into the store. But if you are going to spend a few hours outdoors, then you need to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen."


3. You need to reapply every 2 hours
"The active ingredients in sunscreen break down when exposed to UV light," says Dr. Van Dyke. "To maintain the SPF on the label, you need to keep reapplying as the ingredients lose effectiveness: every 2 hours, more often if you sweat or swim."


4. You should use one ounce to cover your whole body
According to ASDS, “Research shows that many people put on about half of the amount of sunscreen they need, so be sure to lather it on." And don’t forget the sensitive skin on your lips: Use lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher.


5. It’s not a free pass to suntan all day
"Sunscreen is not 100% even in the best of cases," warns Dr. Van Dyke. "Realistically speaking, few of us follow guidelines perfectly. If you really want to save your skin, the best approach is to use sunscreen, cover up (hats, sunglasses, SPF clothing), and seek shade."


6. Tanning oil with SPF 10 doesn’t count
“Less than an SPF of 15 doesn't protect you from the cancer-causing side effects of sun exposure,” says Dr. Van Dyke.


7. Don’t wait til you’re in the sun to apply
“Sunscreen should be applied one-half hour before going outside, giving the skin time to absorb it,” says ASDS.


The next time you're picking out sunscreen, here's what you should look for:

Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide
Minimum SPF 15, ideally 30-50
Broad spectrum UVA/UVB (UVB causes burns, but UVA is also damaging to the structure and health of skin)
Water resistance if you'll be swimming or sweating

Read more »

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there doing their best to be role models for their children. Thanks for everything!

Read more »

Exercise Might Not Be Fun But It Is Beneficial

Exercising is difficult, no ifs, ands or buts about it. But when it comes down to it, exercising can benefit you in ways you might not have even realized. There are a million reasons why you don’t want to work out but Care2 has 7 reasons that prove that you should.


Starting a new exercise routine can be daunting, and the long-term benefits can often seem too far off to motivate us to give up an extra hour of sleep in favor of hitting the gym. But luckily, there’s plenty of instant gratification to be had when you work out. Need some motivation? Keep reading for seven ways your workout will benefit you immediately.

It’ll boost creativity.

A thirty-minute aerobic workout can increase your creativity for up to two hours post-exercise, according to one study. Want to supercharge the effects? Take that workout outside—spending time in nature boosts the cognitive benefits.

It’ll improve your mood.

Runner’s high is real—and you don’t need to be fast to experience it. In a study of college students jogging at low, medium, and high intensities, all reported feeling better after exercising, regardless of intensity.

It’ll boost your metabolism.

Whether you lift weights or prefer cardio, exercise boosts your metabolism within minutes—and it keeps going even after you’ve finished your workout, helping you burn more calories long after your cool down.

It’ll improve your skin.

It may take a few weeks of exercise before you start seeing improvements to your abs, but the effects on your skin are immediate. Exercise increases your body temperature, boosting blood flow to your skin and giving you that healthy glow.

It’ll help you at work.

Big meeting? Fit a short workout into your morning. One study found that participants who completed 15 minutes of stationary cycling had faster reaction times on working memory tasks, possibly because intense bursts of cardio make make your attentional and memory resources more efficient.

It’ll boost your productivity.

Another way more time at the gym can improve your time at the office? The boost in productivity—one study found that replaced two and half work hours a week with exercise increased employees’ self-rated productivity and decreased sick days.

It’ll lower your blood pressure.

Just one workout can lower your blood pressure for up to 16 hours. And over time, exercise can be just as effective as some medications for lowering blood pressure.

Read more »

Mental Health Awareness Month

When you feel worn out and run down you need to change your habits. A few easy lifestyle changes are all that’s needed to improve your mental and physical health. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Mashable has compiled 7 simple things you can do to feel better when you’re at your worst.

Here are seven quick ways to improve your overall mental health.

1. Walk outside.

Skip the gym and head for the great outdoors. While exercising in itself is a great boost to your mental health, going for a walk or run outside has even more vital health benefits. Studies show you'll exert more effort, and will have increased signs of "vitality, enthusiasm, pleasure and self-esteem," as compared to staying indoors.

2. Take vitamin B12.

You've always known taking vitamins is important, but do you know about the benefits of B12?

Studies have shown that a severe deficiency of B12 can lead to depression, anxiety, paranoia and more harmful problems. Get your B12 dosage from pill supplements, or by eating foods such as eggs, poultry and dairy products like milk.

3. Write simple goals.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness says setting simple, well-defined goals like, "I will smoke one less cigarette, each day, for the next three weeks," is a great way to actually accomplish something. Set goals for yourself in relation to your mental health (such as, "I will take two minutes each day to focus on breathing"), and be as specific as possible.

Once you've accomplished that goal, reward yourself!

4. Listen to slow, calming music.

Plenty of studies have shown that performing tasks while listening to classical tracks such as Pachelbel's "Canon in D Major" soothes your mind and reduces anxiety. If you're not one for classical music, opt for other tracks that are slow and simple.

5. Use lavender oil.

Put a bit of lavender oil on your pillow. Studies show that the essential oil canimprove your sleep quality and help battle insomnia. If you don't want it on your pillow, try drinking a bit of lavender tea before bed to soak up its healthful benefits.

6. Spend money on someone else.

You know that victorious feeling you get when you find the perfect gift for someone? That's your happiness levels skyrocketing. Studies have shown that people who buy something for someone else feel happier throughout day. And you don't have to break the bank every time -- spending $5 for someone else is perfectly effective.

7. Meditate.

We know this is constantly touted as the mind-clearing fix-all, but it's for good reason. Mindful meditation can increase the brain's emotional regulator, and can help combat depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia and more. Start slowly by meditating for three to five minutes per day in order to get comfortable with silence.

Read more »

Have you spoken with your landlord since you moved in? Living in an apartment isn’t always a walk in the park. It could benefit you tremendously if you establish a positive relationship with your landlord. Follow these tips from Lifehacker to get the most out of your apartment living. http://lifehacker.com/top-10-tricks-for-better-apartment-living-1441257482


Apartment hunting can be stressful, and living in an apartment isn't always a picnic either. From noisy neighbors to horrible landlords and tight spaces, things can get dicey. But with the right tricks up your sleeve, living in an apartment can be awesome. Here are ten ways to make that happen.

10. Find the Perfect Pad

The first step to better apartment living is, obviously to find a good apartment to begin with. It takes a little research, but with a bit of patience you should be able to find a nice apartment in the neighborhood you want. Check our five favorite apartment search tools to get started, and be sure to bring this checklist with you toask the most important questions while you hunt.

9. Cultivate a Good Relationship with Your Landlord

When you're looking for an apartment, don't just look at the unit—pay close attention to the landlord too. Avoid future problems by getting everything in writing, documenting the condition of the apartment, and knowing your rights. Hopefully you won't have too many problems, but if something ever does go wrong, make sure you hold your landlord accountable.

8. Save on Rent (and Moving Costs)

Many landlords are willing to negotiate on price, as long as you aren't competing with a bunch of other tenants. Try negotiating on things like pet fees or parking spaces rather than the actual rent cost, which can be tricky. The easiest way to save money on rent, though? Move in the winter, rather than the summer, when there's less competition. In fact, data shows that mornings at the beginning or end of November is the best time to search. Photo remixed from originals by The Noun Project, Maurizio Pedrazzoli, and Bev Sykes.

7. Upgrade It (Temporarily)

One of the major downsides of apartment living is that you can't upgrade a lot of things that are older or not as nice as you'd like. You may not be able to redo the entire kitchen, but you can perform a lot of temporary upgrades (old school or high-tech) that will make things look a little nicer and work a little better. Plus, if you want to put in the work, try talking to your landlord—they might be okay with you making a bigger upgrade, especially it if ends up saving (or making) them money in the long run.

6. Ease Roommate Tension

If you're living with roommates, you have a whole new set of things to deal with. For example, you have to divide up all your expenses, and share a close quarters living space. The former can be easily managed with a service like Splitwise, and almost everything else just means you should have a conversation and set ground rules early on. Of course, if you just get stuck with a horrible roommate, there are ways to "evict" them, too.

5. Deal with Noisy Neighbors

When you live in a house, your neighbors are separated by...well, another house. When you live in an apartment, your neighbors are separated by what always appears to be paper-thin "walls." If your neighbor is prone to loud music, lovemaking, or dance dance revolution binges at 1am, you have options. Obviously you can have a conversation with them, but depending on the circumstances, it may pay to go to the management or send them more subtle messages. Of course, you could just fill out this complaint form and slip it under their door too. And if you don't have any noisy neighbors...make sure you're not the noisy neighbor. Image remixed from YuriArcurs.

4. Avoid the Dreaded Rent Increase

Just because you got a good deal on rent at the beginning doesn't mean you're in the clear. Landlords increase rent all the time, and if you aren't prepared, you'll end up paying more next year than you did this year. Luckily, it may be avoidable. First, make sure it's even legal for them to do so, and see if you can negotiate them down(much like you did with the initial rent). This form letter may help you out, too.

3. Save on Energy Costs

Like upgrading your fixtures, some energy-saving measures are more difficult to pull off in an apartment, but you can still do a lot. For example, you can still install window shades, install a programmable thermostat, use energy efficient light bulbs, and more. In fact, most of our best energy-saving tips should be applicable to apartment living—just make sure you check with your landlord before you start tearing anything apart or sealing up doors and windows.

2. Make It Feel Like Home

You may not be able to repaint your apartment, install new carpet, or make any other permanent changes, you can still customize it and make it feel like home. Use photos and frames creatively to keep the walls from looking too bare, and add a large rug or other floor covering to switch things up. Stick to good design principles and a little can go a long way, at least until it's time to buy your own place.

1. Use Your Space Wisely

You hear it all the time, but the most useful apartment tips we encounter always have to do with saving space. It makes sense, since apartments can be pretty tight fits—especially if you're renting in a big city. You can save a lot of space with cheap household products, though—like command hooks, bed risers, and over-the-door storage racks. Just remember: use your vertical space when you don't have horizontal space, especially where it's easily out of sight.

Read more »

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there. Have a beautiful weekend!

Read more »

Light Your Way To A Good Night's Sleep

(Image courtesy of Lisa Risager)

Tossing and turning at night is frustrating. There are a number of different reasons that we may not be getting the sleep we need when then sun is down. Reasons such as sleeping with your phone, procrastinating at bedtime or sleeping next to a serial snorer can be enough to ruin a good REM cycle for the night.

If you've tried everything to get your snooze on and nothing's working, the secret may be in the amount of sunlight you're exposed to during the day. Writer, Carrie McBride, from Apartment Therapy examines how moving your work space closer to the window can actually help you fall asleep at night. Keep reading to see what she has to say.

Researchers found a measurable difference in the length nighttime sleep between two sets of office workers: one seated near windows and the other seated far from windows or in windowless rooms. Subjects wore a device on their wrists that measured both daytime light exposure and sleep activity. The lucky workers near the windows were exposed to 173% more light during the workday and slept about 46 more minutes each night than their window-poor counterparts.

The study co-author called light "the most important synchronizing agent for the brain and body" and stressed the health benefits of daytime light exposure. So, if you have a home office, try to situate it near a window. If you can't, at least eat your lunch or take some calls near a window and take a walk in the sun if you can.

If your out-of-home office setting is too dark, try to get your co-workers on board to rearrange the office, change the shades or invest in some full-spectrum artificial light.

Fiat lux!

• Impact of windows and daylight exposure on overall health and sleep quality of office workers: a case-control pilot study. Ivy Cheung et al. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. June 2014 (must be a subscriber to read the full article).
• A good summary: You're Losing Sleep Just by Working in a Windowless Cubicle by Belinda Lanks on Bloomberg Business News.

Read more »

Happy Earth Day!

We'd like to wish a Happy Earth Day to everyone out there! Let's all take a moment to appreciate our planet and enjoy nature!

Read more »

Make a Bold Decor Move

Photo courtesy Wicker Paradise

We have all seen something on Pinterest that we thought would look so cool, but then said, “I could never do that.” Yes, you can! Aside from things that you may have to ask your landlord for permission for, there are still many things you can do to take risks as you decorate--from furniture, to rugs, to accessories. So here’s that motivation you need to actually put those Pinterest boards to use, courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

1. Decide to do it — This is both the easiest and hardest part. You've thought it through, debated endlessly and now it's time for a simple yes or no. It's liberating! No more, "Gee, I'd really like to have..." or "Someday I'll try a..." That day is today! Don't dawdle, say yes and don't look back.

2. Get inspired — Time for the eye candy. You have a general plan, sure, but browsing some great inspirational images will help you really nail down what you love and what turns your stomach (and with risky decisions, it's usually one or the other). This is also when you'll start to get really excited about your project, which will further cement your decision to do it. Remember: this is fun!

3. Tell everyone — Now that you've made your decision, it's time to share. Telling everyone your plan is an insurance policy that you'll actually follow through. You're accountable, see? Sure, people will have their own opinions (and may decide to share them, unsolicited) but that won't bother you because you're solid in your knowledge that you've made the right decision for you.

4. Baby steps — Don't get overwhelmed and derail your decision. No matter how big or small, breaking down your project into baby steps will help you see a clear, do-able path to the finish line. It may be scary to paint a wall pink, but it's not scary to drive to the paint store — you can do that. It's not scary to grab some paint samples, piece of cake! Now, wash your wall, no problem. Baby steps are everything.

5. Repeat after me: nothing is permanent — There's nothing you can do to your home that you can't undo; it's as simple as that. Don't overthink this. If you don't like it, you'll try something else. Yep, you've spent some time and money to learn what you don't like (a very valuable lesson by the way) and next time you'll do better. The journey to your perfect home is never-ending and that is part of the fun, so don't be afraid to make a mistake once in a while.

Read more »

Happy Easter!

We'd like to wish everyone out there a Happy Easter! Here's hoping today is a great day!

Read more »

DIY Like a Pro

"Rope Napkin Rings DIY -Beach Table Decor -1" by Maegan Tintari
licensed under CC BY 2.0

Do you spend hours a day on Pinterest in search of projects to do in your spare time? Does the sound of Martha Stewart’s name make you insanely happy? If you live for a good craft project, then you are a member of the DIY (do it yourself) club! If you want to actually get around to doing some of the projects you’ve pinned, make sure you have these essential items and tools, courtesy of Apartment Guide, on hand!

1. Mod Podge

If you’ve never heard of this stuff/used it, let me tell you, it’s amazing. It might sound like the name of an ’80s pop rock band, but this decoupage medium actually comes in handy for a number of different projects.

It acts as a glue and sealant to attach anything from fabric to paper and glitter to a number of different surfaces. With Mod Podge, you can make your own jewelry, decorate mason jars, customize sunglasses, update your nightstand and more.

2. Washi Tape

Even if you have zero craft skills, washi tape is so easy to use. It feels like masking tape, but it’s adorned with different colors and patterns, so it’s much prettier.

Not sure where to use your washi tape? Here are a few easy project ideas to get you started:

• Wrap washi tape around a toothpick and cut the tape in a triangle shape to form cute cupcake toppers
• Adhere washi tape to your keyboard to create colorful keys
• Line the inside or outside of a lampshade with washi tape of your choice
• Wrap washi tape around unsightly chargers or routers
• Cover pieces of tile with strips of washi tape to create coasters

3. A Drill

Every DIYer should have a power drill in their arsenal of craft supplies.

Yes, it can be a pricey item, but if you craft often, the drill will end up paying for itself. Use it to put furniture together, hang art on the wall or make your own jewelry.

4. A Hot Glue Gun

A hot glue gun can be a quick and easy alternative to sewing, and once you apply the glue, there is very little drying time. This DIY tool is especially perfect if you love to make jewelry and little decorative projects. I plan on using my glue gun to create a monogram out of all my leftover wine corks.

Hot glue is also great for fixing things, like putting that handle back on your favorite mug or reattaching the bottom of your shoe. No matter what you end up making with your glue gun, just make sure you proceed with caution. After all, it has “hot” in its name for a reason.

5. A Sewing Kit

Don’t quite have the funds for a sewing machine yet? Then a simple sewing kit will do.

It typically contains mini scissors, needle threaders, and some colored thread so you can sew buttons and embellishments onto that new pillow you just made or fix the tear in your favorite shirt.

Don’t have the first clue about sewing? Watch a few tutorials on YouTube to help get you started.

6. A Rotary Cutter

If you plan on working with fabric, you’ll definitely want to have a rotary cutter on hand. This tool can slice through fabric like a knife slices through butter. Of course, a rotary cutter can be used to cut other thicker items as well, such as cardboard or foam board.

Make sure you have a gridded cutting mat to go along with your rotary cutter. You don’t want to cut your fabric directly on your kitchen counters, as the tool could easily make marks and scuffs on their surface. Plus, the mat allows you to form straight, precise lines.

7. Scissors

Scissors are a must-have for any crafter, but you can no longer get away with that dull pair sitting in the back of your drawer.

Invest in new pairs of regular scissors and fabric scissors to help you out with any DIY project you want to tackle.

8. Paint Tarps

As you probably know, DIY projects can tend to get messy quickly. Paint tarps are always there to help clean up that mess.

Whether you’re painting, using lots of glitter or spray painting something, lay down a tarp beforehand to prevent your floors or rugs from getting stained. If you do make a mess, try making your own DIY cleaning spray.

9. Painter’s Tape

You can’t get accurate lines while painting if you don’t have painter’s tape.

Use the tape to paint an accent wall in your apartment (if your landlord allows), or wrap some of the tape around kitchen utensils like ladles and wooden spoons to give them a quick splash of color.

10. Measuring Tape

Building a new coffee table or bookcase for your apartment? You’ll need this tool to measure the room in which you’re placing these items to make sure there’s space.

From hanging wall art to sizing fabric, a measuring tape will come in handy throughout your DIY days!

Read more »