Rise And Shine

(Image courtesy of Phil and Pam Gradwell)

Waking up in the morning is no one’s favorite task - especially now that it’s getting cooler outside and the days are shorter. If you find yourself dragging in the morning, you’re not alone - one survey found that more than one third of Americans hit the snooze button before getting out of bed!

Jump starting your morning and creating a few extra minutes before you leave for work doesn’t have to be difficult. If you want to put a spring into your step in the morning, simply follow a few of these tips courtesy of writer, Carolyn Purnell, atApartment Therapy.

• Have a drink.

Drinking water as soon as you wake up will help stimulate the body and help you stay awake. I always keep a glass of water on the nightstand, ready for that morning sip.

• Program the coffee maker.

Relatedly, programming the coffee maker to go off so that coffee is ready for me in the morning is a big help. The sound of the grinding and the scent of the coffee are big pick-me-ups. If it's still too tough to rouse yourself for a cup, put the pot near your bed. There's nothing wrong with having a bit coffee in bed as long as you actually wake up to drink it and refuse the impulse to linger there for hours.

• Drink something before you sleep.

By the time your alarm goes off, you will probably have to use the bathroom and won't be able to go back to sleep comfortably.

• Don't allow yourself to reason with yourself.

This is probably my biggest wake-up mistake. I resolve the night before to wake up early, but of course, my groggy 6 a.m. brain tells me that it's better for me to get enough sleep or that the world will wait if I rest for five more minutes (which inevitably turns into forty-five). You can convince yourself of a hundred different reasons to stay in bed when you're still tired, even if it's not really the best course of action. Try to shut off all that "logic" and force yourself to make getting out of bed a physical, automatic routine. Train yourself to respond immediately to the alarm without relying on conscious willpower. This article suggests using daytime exercises to instill the habit of getting up right away.

• Have something to look forward to.

It's much easier to get out of bed when you focus on something you actually want to do instead of on the drudgery of what you must do. Try setting aside a few minutes in the morning for a ritual that will help you look forward to waking up. Maybe it's coffee in bed, the time to flip through a design magazine, or a shower with a special soap. Or, if there's nothing ritualistic that strikes your fancy, try to think of a getting-up reward the night before. Maybe you want to read another chapter in that book you can't put down, or perhaps you want to treat yourself to a fancier-than-usual breakfast. Whatever it may be, try to give yourself something that will help you start the day right.

• If you wake up before your alarm goes off, get out of bed.

If you go back to sleep or wait for the alarm, chances are, you'll feel drowsier. Follow your natural sleep cycles, seize the day, and embrace those extra minutes if your body tells you it's time to get up.

• Do something active.

You may not have the time or energy for a full-blown exercise routine every morning, but get your body moving somehow. Bop around a bit more than usual while you get ready in the morning or add a few minutes of jogging in place to the routine. I take three minutes to dance to whatever pop tune is striking my fancy. (Today's was particularly good.) If you can't even muster the energy to get out of bed, just force yourself to wiggle around under the covers or tense and un-tense your muscles several times to get your body in gear.

• Take a shower as soon as you get out of bed.

The water and change in temperature will get your circulation going. I also recommend a shower gel with mint or some other invigorating scent to help make you more alert. I've also heard of keeping a peppermint or lemon by your bedside to help facilitate the wake-up process through aromatherapy.

• Remind yourself of what you have to do.

Fixing these things in your mind at night might make it harder to relax and get to sleep, so it can be helpful, both as nighttime catharsis and morning wake-up, to note your to-do list on a small whiteboard or a piece of paper kept on the nightstand. It will help you feel at night like you have those things handled, or at least noted, for the following day, and it will give you more reason to get up in the morning.

• If none of this works, there's the obvious tip of setting the alarm clock across the room.

Get Happy At Home Next Year

(Image courtesy of Pink Sherbert Photography)

The New Year is just around the corner and with it comes the perfect time to make a few small changes for a happier and healthier 2015. This year, don’t forget to remember your unique San Francisco apartment when it comes to making your 2015 resolutions.

Though we’re sure you love spending time in your beautiful apartment, there is always room for improvement. If you’re looking for ways to enjoy living in your apartment more, or to just feel more comfortable at home, we can help. These nine ideas from writer, Adrienne Breaux, at Apartment Therapy will have you shrugging off your at home stress in no time! Don’t believe us? Keep reading to see for yourself.

1. The idea that your home has to be perfect all the time

Sticking to a cleaning schedule, having everything in its place in your entryway's landing strip, folding the laundry as soon as it comes out of the dryer and never having even one dirty dish stacked in the sink are all great things to aspire to (as well as whatever else might be on your "perfect" home list), but cut yourself some slack. Life gets in the way. Sometimes you need to take care of you before you take care of the laundry. Striving for your own personal ideals is fine as long as you leave room to be human every now and then — and remember to not beat yourself up or point out the negatives when guests come over.

2. Feeling like you need to be more cheerful or seasonal than you are

We advocate decorating your home for the seasons — we think it makes the year going by much more noticeable and enjoyable. But hey, if you've never been a Halloween kind of person, don't stress yourself out wrapping your front yard bushes with fake spider webs just to keep up with the neighbors. Enjoy the seasons in your own way — as small as simple as it means to you.

3. Thinking your home has to be finished to truly enjoy it

Spoiler alert: Your home's probably never going to feel "finished." Never completely, anyway, as homes tend to always be in a state of evolution. So waiting until it's finished to enjoy it? Futile. Learn to strike that balance of aspiring to a better a home for yourself (plan ahead for projects efficiently) and meditating on being grateful for the home you've got right now. And learn to ignore those things you don't love that can't be changed in order to focus in on the things you do love and make your home enjoyable.

4. Feeling like you have to DIY

We think tackling home improvement projects by yourself is a great idea! It's a fun way to save money, customize something in your home exactly how you want it and get that feeling of accomplishment when you're done. But it's not for everyone. Don't feel bad one bit if you just don't have the skills or desire to DIY something. If you want to learn, make time. If you don't have time, don't feel bad about calling in reinforcements.

5. Feeling guilty that you don't entertain more

Yep, we do think you should be sharing your home more. If it's a place you love to be in and that inspires you, filling it with your friends is another way to add richness and beauty to a home you've worked so hard creating. But work sometimes takes over your life. Or family drama just takes up a lot of your energy. If you want to entertain more but never do because of fear, then yes, get rid of those self-imposed limitations and get to entertaining! But if you're not entertaining more because you don't want to, don't worry! For some people being a great guest is just as rewarding as being a great host.

6. Feeling insecure about other people's homes because you compare your style

Ahh Instagram. The greatest app for simultaneously being inspired and insecure at the same time. But it's not just your friends' houses that might be inspiring jealousy; soaking up ideas from designer or professional homes with budgets four times more than yours can go from inspiring to dejecting pretty quickly. So get grateful for what you have more often. Aspire to more, but don't worry about what you can't have. Remind yourself over and over that you're only ever seeing the best angles of other homes — not the corners full of kid's toys and clutter. Know that no one will ever have the exact home that you've created — because you've infused it with your own personality and there's no one else like you!

7. Avoiding problems around the house and making them worse

In home and in life, avoiding problems won't make them go away. Nine times out of ten, they'll make things much, much worse the longer you put off dealing with them. So whether it's talking about a conflict with your roommate or getting that garbage disposal fixed, take a deep breath, dive in, ask for help if you need it and get that uncomfortable task over and done with as quickly as possible.

8. Feeling like you need to define yourself by your possessions

This is pretty tough, actually, because people who like the look of design usually like stuff. And loving everything you've collected over the years is not wrong. But defining yourself by what you own — that can be a bummer. Because then people putting down your style will hurt a lot more. Losing any of those things (or needing to declutter them every now and then) will be painful and sometimes impossible. Cultivate a practice of loving everything you own — but not needing things. Declutter regularly. Be intentional with purchases. Get out of the house every now and then.

9. Putting everyone and everything's needs before your own

It's getting cliche to hear at this point, but it seems we all need reminding of it pretty often: Put your own oxygen mask on first, then everyone else's. Next year, get into the habit of putting yourself first — before cleaning your house, getting the kids to school, before work. This is a hard-to-hear task, and parents will often just not be able to accomplish it. But it's worth putting energy in. And one way you can work on this is by simply filling your daily schedule with you-things first, then filling around it. See the first idea above about perfect homes.

Creating A Realistic Resolution

(Image courtesy of Carol VanHook)

The New Year is just around the corner and now is the perfect time to begin looking back on the previous year and taking stock of all your successes - and failures - of the previous year and decide what you'd like to accomplish in the coming year.

If you're dreading the idea of writing lists and strategizing for the coming year, there's no need to worry. These three strategies from writer, Eleanor Busing, from Apartment Therapy will walk you through setting realistic and achievable goals. 

1. Think about what worked this year. That is, what you enjoyed, what enriched your life, what you want more of in 2015. Goal-setting doesn't have to be about creating a New You every 12 months, and in fact it works better when it's cumulative. Take some time to revisit your goals for past years, examine the successful (even semi-successful!) ones and think about how you can continue to build on them. For me, I plan to carry over (ideally improve on) my thrice-weekly yoga practice and my Thursday evening French class, as well as my hard-won savings habits.

2. Limit your goals. I've mentioned my fondness for a "top five" around here before. If you think about it, it's the perfect number for anything: enough so that you're challenging yourself, not so many that you're overwhelmed. You may prefer two goals, or ten, but the important thing is to have a reasonable, achievable number.

Another way to focus your goals is to divide your life into categories, and think of a single intention for each area. For instance, you might consider categories like home (goal: finally find some art for the landing wall), relationships (goal: get off Tinder and practice striking up random conversations, old-school style) and career (goal: try not to write my weekly Apartment Therapy article during my lunch hour moments before it's due). I mean, those are just examples.

3. Ask yourself "Why?" So maybe you want to run a marathon next year. Or buy your first home. Great goals! But why do you want to do those things? What feeling will they help you achieve, or value that you hold dear do they support? Being honest on why we want things helps us clarify if in fact we do want them, or if something else will help us achieve the desired outcome (maybe a half-marathon will give you the same sense of fulfillment, or a lease with a landlord who's okay with some DIY?) It's also good to know that we're focusing on targets that will truly make us happier.

Bonus tip: Practice gratitude. Speaking of happy, it seems easy to avoid these days, especially in the arena of goal-setting. As soon as we've achieved something, we're after bigger and better ambitions. Taking time to appreciate what we do have and have achieved makes future goal-reaching all the sweeter.

Makeover Your Bedroom

(Image courtesy of Emily May)

If you're like us, your bedroom is the one place in your home where you feel like you can be completely unique with your design. Unlike the living room, bathroom and kitchen there's not nearly as much traffic that comes through - leaving the space almost completely to you.

If you're getting bored with your personal space, don't panic. There are plenty of ways to update your look without completely overhauling your decor. Just follow a few of these simple tips courtesy of Apartment Therapy and you'll be on your way to a revamped bedroom.

1. Paint the walls — or just one wall — in a really bold (but still soothing) color.

2. Add a colorful coverlet to your bed.

3. Layer rugs on rugs for an eclectic look.

4. DIY a big, puffy headboard for a super cozy look.

5. Hang an oversized piece of art above your bed.

6. Or hang a small piece off center, for a touch of the unexpected.

7. Or go one further and add a gallery wall behind the bed.

8. Choose traditional nightstands to add a little texture to a modern space.

9. Add an oversized plant.

10. If your bedroom is big enough, pull your bed away from the wall and let it be the center of attention.

11. Paint a smaller piece (like your nightstand) in an eye-popping color.

12. Hang a mobile above your bed, because why should babies have all the fun?

13. Pair two mismatched nightstands for a little contrast.\

14. Hang a rug (or a funky textile) over the head of your bed.

15. Use one or more low tables as a nightstand...

16. And lean art on top of them.

17. A simple bulb, with the cord looped a few times around a hook hanging from the wall, makes for a funky bedside light.

18. Hang a picture ledge over the top of your bed and use it to display a rotating selection of artwork.

19. Create an accent wall behind the bed with some funky wallpaper. (This one is 'Genuine Fake Books' by Deborah Bowness.)

20. Take the 'rug as headboard' look to a whole new level with an oversized sisal rug. (This one is from Eco Chic.)

21. Lean an antique ladder against the wall and cover it with string lights for some unusual atmospheric lighting.

22. Hang a metal wall sculpture above the bed. (Find one at an antique shop or on Ebay.)

23. Wrap a gallery wall around a corner.

24. Hang a curtain behind the head of the bed — it's easier than a canopy, but still gives a soft, classic feel.

25. Hang a mirror on the curtain for a little sparkle.

26. An Otomi quilt will bright up your room on even the darkest of days.

Light It Up

(Image courtesy of joan!ta)

The amount of light in your home can have a dramatic effect on how you feel while you're there. Though your unit may have amazing large windows that let in tons of natural light and afford you a great view of San Francisco, as the days get shorter you may find your sunlight lacking.

Though it may seem impossible, brightening up your home on these shorter days doesn't need to be a chore. Just follow a few of these tips courtesy of Apartment Guide to get feeling good about your space.

Whether you add a few additional lamps or get creative with hanging lights, plenty of ways exist to keep your rental bright throughout the winter. We’ve gathered a few of the best tips for brightening your rental space through the use of lighting.

Keep Shades Light

Since you probably want to avoid drilling into the ceiling of your rental, much of your lighting is bound to be in the form of floor lamps or end table lamps. The good news is that lamp shades offer an opportunity to really show off your style, so you can handle the whole daylight savings time issue with grandeur.

Floor Lamps

To keep your apartment as bright as possible, stick to light-colored lamps shades. Think white, cream, light gray, or similar hues when selecting a lamp shade. Darker lamp shades will filter out a considerable amount of light and may leave you sitting in the dark.

String Additional Lighting

If you still need more light once you have lamps set up, consider buying string lights, also known as fairy lights. While you may associate this type of lighting with the twinkle lights around a Christmas tree, there are other options available.

Designers now offer string lights with large bulbs, black or silver string, and a sleek modern look. Buy a decorative wooden ladder and string lights around it; set up your pyramid shelves in the corner and adorn the piece with string lights; or simply string them around a window.

Accessorize with Wireless Lights

Some rentals have a limited number of electrical outlets, and rewiring your home is not an option as a renter. Turn to wireless lighting that operates on battery power and is extremely mobile. Wireless LED candles, for instance, offer ambiance and go on with the flip of a switch.

Best of all, faux candles don’t pose the same fire hazard as an actual candle. Tap lights are also wireless and a good way to illuminate shelves or other small spaces. These lights are typically small and round, activated when you apply a small amount of pressure to the top of the light.

Use Mirrors to Maximize Lighting

Add a few mirrors to your rental space if you don’t have a lot of room or money for new lighting. Mirrors propped up against your walls won’t damage the drywall, and can reflect light from your lamps and other home lighting.

Mirrors create the illusion of more lighting sources, and doubles the amount of light that bounces around your apartment. Place larger mirrors next to a floor lamp and small wall mirrors adjacent to end tables with a lighting fixture.

Space Out Your Lighting

Now that your space is outfitted with several floor lamps, a few strands of string lights, and a handful of large mirrors–take a moment to consider the placement of each piece. Don’t put all the lighting in your living room, for instance, while neglecting to consider your dining nook.

Instead, space out your lighting fixtures. Put at least one light source near each corner of larger rooms. Place your mirrors within a few feet of a lighting fixture; this allows them to better reflect the light out into the rest of your space.

Lighting your new apartment should be at the top of your daylight savings to-do list. If you neglect to properly light your apartment, you will soon realize that it’s not possible to enjoy all of your lovely decor in the dark.

Thanksgiving On The Run

(Image courtesy of John Morgan)

We know you’re excited for a great dinner this Thanksgiving, but if you’re like us you may be a little behind on your shopping and cooking for the big day.

We know the time constraint around the holiday can get a little stressful, but if you’re not prepared yet you don’t need to panic. Using a few of these simple tips from allrecipes.com you’ll have your Thanksgiving meal prepared in less time than you thought possible. Keep reading to learn more.

Turkey: You might not have time to defrost a whole turkey, but that doesn't mean you have to take it off the menu all together. There are many ways to prepare turkey that don't involve a whole bird:

• VIDEO: Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
• Stuffed Turkey Legs
• Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breasts
• Marinated Turkey Breast
• Citrus Turkey Roast 

Stuffing: Stuffings and dressings don’t necessarily need to be prepared inside a turkey. Bake your favorite stuffing in a casserole dish--covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for about 10 minutes to brown the top. Voila!

• VIDEO: Pecan Apricot Stuffing
• Wild Mushroom Stuffing
• Bread and Celery Stuffing
• Slow Cooker Stuffing
• Awesome Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing 

Cranberry Sauce: There's always the option to buy it canned. But these recipes are so easy, it's worth it to make one from scratch:

• VIDEO: Tangerine Cherry Cranberry Sauce
• Cranberry Sauce II
• Cranberry Sauce I 

Gravy: Here's a recipe that simply calls for turkey broth and a few other magical ingredients (chicken broth can be substituted)--easy peasy! And if you can make gravy ahead of time, you'll cut down on the chaos in the kitchen.

• VIDEO: Make-Ahead Gravy
• Savory Turkey Gravy

Mashed Potatoes: Try these recipes for some extra-special mashed spuds:

• VIDEO: Perfect Mashed Potatoes
• Holiday ONLY Mashed Potatoes
• The Best Mashed Potatoes
• Red Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes Secret Recipe

Salad: It doesn't take much time to make a great salad. Cases in point:

• Super Easy Spinach and Red Pepper Salad
• Hot Bacon Asparagus Salad
• Green Bean and Feta Salad
• Garden Vegetable Salad
• Apple Avocado Salad with Tangerine Dressing
• Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Store-Bought Short-Cuts: Don't overload yourself by trying to bake everything from scratch. Here are some things you can pick up at the store and no one will be the wiser:

Pies: hit the local bakery or grocery store for some pumpkin, apple, or berry pies. Add homemade touches by serving with real whipped cream and a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Dinner rolls: Whether they are frozen or fresh from a bakery, you can still get that "right from the oven" effect by wrapping them in foil and warming them at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, while you’re baking the stuffing.

Easy appetizers: put out some fresh veggies, chips, or crackers with a delicious dip:

• Artichoke & Spinach Dip Restaurant Style
• Baked Onion Dip I
• Louisiana Crab Dip
• Amy's Cilantro Cream Sauce
• Dill Vegetable Dip

Need help with the timing? Here's a handy checklist to keep you organized:

Last-Minute Thanksgiving Timeline

Crock Pot Recipes Perfect For Fall

(Image courtesy of Tamara McCauley) 

Thanksgiving is looming and we know that you're working hard to prepare a meal that will leave your guests delighted and full (and maybe a little sleepy). With all the work that you're putting into preparing for your holiday gathering and meal, we're sure there's not much time left for cooking your own dinner!

You don't have to go hungry! Take a look at a few of these easy crock-pot recipes courtesy of Apartment Guide. These  perfect-for-fall recipes are tasty and filling. Be careful not to eat too much or you won't have any room left for turkey!

Affordable Crockpot Family Meal

Great-tasting and nutritious family meals need not be expensive and fussy when we let the crockpot do the hard work for us. For instance, nothing beats the toil of a long day better than opening your apartment door to the welcoming fragrance of Cranberry Pork Roast in a silently simmering crockpot.

Rich in protein and antioxidants, fresh fall cranberries and oranges provide affordable twist to this savory dish while the rest of the ingredients are easily found in most kitchens. The secret to this delectable dish is to use the freshest, leanest pork loin you can find. Two pounds of pork is good for eight servings.

Start by mixing a cup of chopped cranberries with some orange juice and its grated peel, a tablespoon of chopped onions and grated ginger. Add apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Pour half of the mixture in the crockpot, add the pork, then pour the remaining mixture to cover the meat.

Seal the crockpot and set on Low for seven hours. You need to check just once to see if the meat comes off tenderly with a fork. Carefully transfer the pot roast to a serving dish and slice into desired thickness. Top with the cooked cranberry mixture its ready to serve. Yummy!

Easy Crockpot Dish to Share or Save

Crockpot cooking is heaven sent for those times when we need to whip up a hefty batch of meals. This Slow-Baked Mac and Cheese recipe is an easy and cheap crockpot dish yet packed with protein and calcium.

Ready in two and a half hours, it’s best to share to friends and neighbors alike or to save for a dreary fall afternoon. A half pound of elbow macaroni is good for about 10 people. You probably have most of the ingredients just sitting in your kitchen shelf or fridge like milk, eggs, butter and cheese.

In a bowl, mix a cup of any regular milk with a small can of evaporated milk. Add three beaten eggs and two squares of butter. Season with salt and pepper, then whisk away until smooth. Pour this mixture in the crockpot and add about three cups of finely shredded cheese (cheddar and mozzarella are fine). Lay the cooked elbow macaroni on this mixture, gently leveling with a spatula or the back of a spoon, then top with half a cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Seal the crockpot and set on High for 30 minutes, then reduce the setting to Low for two hours. A fine custard-like coating will set on top of the dish. Sprinkle with leftover grated Parmesan cheese and toasted bread crumbs. Serve and share!

Fun and Fuss-Free Crockpot Dessert

Who would think that dainty treats can be made out of crockpots, simply using the most ubiquitous fall produce and some sweets from the candy store? Wait until you scoop out a spoonful of Hot Crockpot Caramel Apples, a slow-cooked dessert rich in fiber and vitamins.

This fragrant treat calls for cheap candied confections in place of expensive sauces, and yields five large servings or ten if shared, within four hours. It’s a fun recipe too, and great to prepare with kids (and kids at heart).

Peel and core five whole apples and fit them on the crockpot evenly. On the cored slot of each apple, pour two tablespoons brown sugar, two cinnamon candies (such as Red Hots), two caramel squares and one tablespoon butter. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon if desired. Then slowly half a cup of apple juice over the filled apples.

Seal the crockpot and set on Low for 4 hours and its ready to serve. Scoop out each apple into individual dessert plates then pour the thick creamy sauce over each apple. Delightful!

A Feast Fit For A King

(Image courtesy of Tim Sackton)

Hosting your friends and family for the holidays is one of the most enjoyable parts of the season. Though enjoying a hot meal and a good conversation with your favorite folks is one of the best part of the season, sometimes all the cost that goes into a lavish feast can leave our wallets a little drained.

Don't let the worry about budget constraints put a damper on your celebration! Adhering to a few of the following tips from The Kitchn will have you enjoying your Thanksgiving with your family without the worry. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Accept help and go potluck.
Are you trying to be the holiday hero, tackling the entire menu? Why mess with the spirit of Thanksgiving? This is a potluck-style holiday at heart, so accept help and get everyone involved. My extended family does a potluck style Thanksgiving like this every year and it's a great way to cover all the essentials, start a few of your own traditions (we always have oyster stuffing, thanks to a very distant streak of New England heritage), and share costs.

→ Small Household Budget Tip: If you are only cooking for your immediate family, find a friend in the same situation and split your groceries. You save money by getting only the ingredients you need, and you'll avoid the very American tradition of typing "What do I do with leftover turkey?" into your search engine for three weeks afterwards. It's a win-win!

2. Stick to your shopping list.
Write out a menu and budget and stick to them. Take your Thanksgiving list along on your regular shopping trips for the month of November and try to pick up non-perishable items during store sales. Bread, for example, is often on sale and you can freeze it until needed and then make your own breadcrumbs.

3. Make your menu from scratch.
Outlaw pre-made items from your shopping list, including special spice packs (if you have spices in your cupboard at home), powdered mashed potatoes, pre-made stuffing, and pre-made pie crusts and pies. You're usually paying for packaging and end up with a lower-quality product. Instead, buy a bag of potatoes and peel, boil, mash, and butter them by hand. Make your own stuffing with leftover sliced bread, onion, celery (cheap, seasonal produce), seasoning, and broth. Slice sweet potatoes and sprinkle them with brown sugar, salt, and pecans, and broil them in the oven.

You probably won't feel like you're saving much with each small choice—but those small choices add up and can really shave dollars off your final bill.

4. Do without the alcohol.
There's so much food on Thanksgiving, it can be its own soporific! Or, if you simply must have wine with your turkey (and you're hosting for more than just your immediate family), ask someone else to bring a bottle or two.

5. Prioritize the dishes you love the most.
Who needs 15 side dishes? Pick your priority foods (the absolute must-haves to complete your Thanksgiving tradition) and simply make less.

This brings me back to my first point: If you're serving fewer dishes, you'll be less tempted to buy a plethora of cheaper, pre-made options and instead spend more time creating high-quality dishes. And if you're like me, you'll buy a pint of heavy whipping cream, whip it up, and totally smother your homemade pumpkin pie with it. (And with that on hand, who really cares about anything else?)

6. Decorate with what you already have.
Buying Thanksgiving-themed decorations can be a slippery slope. Once you start, you just keep going in pursuit of that perfect look. Buy a few quality, versatile pieces that you can bring out each year — avoid the fake leaves, themed napkins, and cheap centerpieces — and use what nature offers (dried grasses, herbs, and decorative gourds). A little goes a long way.

Think Before You Buy

(Image courtesy of Wicker Paradise)

There's something satisfying about the idea of taking a piece of furniture and making it your own. The process of finding a quality piece of furniture and deciding how you want to make it your own.

Though it can be fun to start a new project, it's important to note that buying used furniture is a whole different game then going to the store and picking out your own custom pieces. The Ten Commandments of Buying Used Furniture from Apartment Therapy, has just the ground rules you need to make your thrifting experience a success! Keep reading to learn more.

1. Thou Shalt Look for Tags - This should be first on the checklist: flip the piece over and see if there's a tag. If it says IKEA, boohoo. If it looks like it's from the 70s and reads Thayer Coggin, put a sheet and some caution tape around it as camouflage, then run — don't walk — to find someone to help you haul it home.

Random side note: This isn't to say that you can't take home the IKEA item; just don't invest money in re-doing it. See this side table/stool thing? I bought it at some random secondhand store in Burlington, Vermont. I think it was like $20 and it reminded me of these so I quickly bought it. As soon as I got it home, I flipped it over and — lo and behold — there was the dreaded Walmart sticker. Ah well. Live and learn. It's still in my living room, and will do for now, but I shouldn't have even paid twenty bucks for it, and certainly would never bring it to some guy to refinish.

2. Honor Thy Lines - It's all about looking past the baby-puke green or cat-shredded fabric that's on it now, and envisioning what it could look like in a luxurious velvet material, or a solid neutral. Squint if you have to. The top picture is something I found on Craigslist a ways back. I loved the tufting and smallish scale for a Chesterfield-style sofa. I bought it for $40 and got it re-done, and here it is now:

For other inspiration, the women at Chairloom are always doing great work.

3. Thou Shalt Not Worship False Furniture - If you're not sure of its origin, or don't care, then just take a look at the quality of the construction. Does it look like solid wood or veneered MDF? Are the joints dovetailed, or just nailed or held together with hardware? Is it sturdy? In this age of knock-offs, make sure you are looking at the real deal, and not just crappy furniture posing as something nicer.

4. Thou Shalt Sit On It - It's one thing if it's pretty (or has the potential). It's a whole other thing if it's the most uncomfortable thing you've sat on since the concrete amphitheater of 2008. If you hate how it feels now, you'll hate it even more $500 - 1000 later.

5. Thou Shalt Examine Any Cushions - Foam is actually pretty pricey, so if you can re-use existing cushions, it'll save you some money. If the foam is as hard as a rock, and crumbles under your fingertips, it's time to add another line item to the reupholstery budget. If the foam's still firm, then all you'll need is new covers.

6. Be Not Afraid of Simple Fixes - If a table has just a few scratches, and only needs minimal love, consider whipping out your own mouse sander and spending an hour or so on it. Similarly, it's easy to replace a cushion if that's all a chair needs. Chances are good that the results will outshine any effort.

7. Thou Shalt Not Kill Strong Odors & Pests (Easily) - If a cat peed on the sofa at some point, or you suspect bed bugs, then think twice about your find. If there is a strong smell of kitty, or smoke, know that there is vinegar in your furniture's future. In the case of bugs, I don't think you want to touch it with a ten foot pole.

8. Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness to Your Wallet - Don't get swept up in that $60 price tag, without considering the very real expense of getting it re-done. Even with re-usable cushions, you'll still have to purchase yards of fabric, then pay someone to upholster it. Mentally calculate what it will really cost you when all is said and done. Is it worth the expense?

9. Thou Shalt Not Covet - This is easy to ignore in the excitement of finding something that you really like. Do you really need it, and do you have space for it, both before and after it gets redone? (For the record, I'm still working on this one, but I still recommend it to others.)

For example: I got this sofa off Craigslist for free a couple of years ago, and couldn't part with it. I love the chrome against the fabric and it's otherwise very basic, clean and in good shape. For years I moved it around to various awkward spots in my home and garage. Then, as part of the August Style Cure, I finally traded in the Scandinavian crack den look and redid the room, along the sofa. In this instance, I'm glad I hung onto it, even if it did take a while.

10. Remember Your Day of Rest - Make no mistake about it; this will probably be a pain in the ass. If it's a large piece, you'll likely have to find help moving it, and you might have to rent a van to get it home, then again to the re-upholsterer. Is it worth sacrificing a part of your precious weekend, before you even factor in the cost? Do you want to spend your time sanding off scratches? If you work hard and have limited time off, sometimes it's okay to forgo a time-consuming project, and head out to brunch and the farmers market instead.

So there you have it. Now go, live wisely, and may the furniture gods look kindly down upon you.

Carve It Out

Halloween is finally here and we're sure you've dusted off your decorations and crafted the perfect costume for the festivities. However, if you're still looking for a way to really make your fall pop, a carved pumpkin may be the perfect way to make your house stand out from the crowd. This blog from apartmentguide.com has some simple suggestions to make your pumpkin art stand out this year. Keep reading to learn more. 

Carve a Character

You definitely don’t need to be an artist to create a charactor jack-o-lantern. With patterns for sale and printable versions available online, all you have to do is figure out what image you want to carve. Deciding will be the hardest part, as there are printable designs depicting the New York skyline, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Peanuts characters, haunted cemeteries, and fire-breathing dragons, for example. Make your selection, tape it to the pumpkin, and get carving.

Pumpkin-Eating Pumpkin

Cannibalistic squash may sound frightening, but these innovative designs where a larger jack-o-lantern has been carved so that it is chowing down on a smaller pumpkin showcases the perfect mix of art and fright. Smaller pumpkins may be placed intact, inside the gnawing jaw carved with gnashing teeth, or squashed with pumpkin pieces spewed about. Another clever idea is carving the larger pumpkin to appear as if it is being split open from a mighty, small pumpkin bursting out.

Find a New Fruit

Here’s some trivia for your next cocktail party: pumpkins are actually fruits. Although carving a pumpkin has grown into a tradition, there are plenty other fruits to carve. Pick a different fruit, such as melons or gourds, when selecting your carving medium. Carving out oranges is a great way to do a small project that can easily line your apartment windowsill or table top, plus the smell will be amazing!

Drilling in Designs

If the only tool you have ever used to carve pumpkins is a giant knife, you are limiting yourself. There are several tools sold in pumpkin carving sets, but opting for your drill offers the opportunity to make some unique designs. Small drill bits can be used to create delicate patterns. Use a paper doily for the design for a super swanky pumpkin. Use several sizes of drill bits to create designs that will let the light shine out from all sides of the pumpkin. A favorite drill design is etching words or spooky sayings into the pumpkins.

Unusual Colors

With orange as one of the official colors of Halloween, it is no wonder that jack-o-lanterns are also traditionally orange. Mix it up by selecting some of the more unusual pumpkin and squash varieties for a white, yellow, green, or multi-colored palette. For over-achieving Halloween decorators, pick pumpkins in several colors and sizes to make for an impressive scene.

Painted

Painting a jack-o-lantern is a sure hit with any parent who does not want the mess or danger of scooping out pumpkin guts and carving designs. Little ones can let their creativity flow as they finger paint their spooky masterpiece. Those wanting to create a frightening scene or trendy decoration can use painter’s tape to plan out their design. Some paint on a jack-o-lantern face, others opt for a chevron pumpkin complete with glitter paint.

Jeweled Jack-o-Lantern

Similar to painting, this is a no-mess way to decorate a pumpkin that can decorate your front step or balcony for weeks without ever rotting. Those who love all things sparkly can bling out a gourd with jewels of any size, shape, or color. Simply attach the jewels with craft glue or a hot glue gun. An elaborate Day of the Dead theme would be really over-the-top in rhinestones.

Eerie Glow

Candles inside of jack-o-lanterns are so last millennium. This is the 21st century, so you have loads of options for lighting up your pumpkin. Battery-operated candles get rid of the risk of fire, and can be left inside of pumpkins even when you are not home. Decorate in color by using colorful glow sticks inside the pumpkin for another safe lighting option; your neighbors and landlord will love it.

Relax At Your Dinner Party

(Image courtesy of Elin B)

We all love to get together with friends. Whether it be a group outing, or a nice sit down dinner it's always a nice to gather a group of people that you care about and simply send time together. One of the best ways to make sure you get to spend time with the people that you care about most is to invite them over to your unique San Francisco apartment for a home cooked meal.

As if hosting a dinner party wasn't stressful at the best of times, sometimes small hiccups in the plan arise that can max out the stress level of anyone. These tips from Apartment Therapy  will help you to navigate any number of the uncomfortable situations that arise when large groups get together. Did we miss any? Leave us a comment and let us know! 

1. Uh-oh. You're in a terrible mood. You had an incredible picnic planned - but it's rained. You and your spouse had an argument just before everyone arrived. You didn't get any sleep the night before, trying to bake that 12-layered cake. If your plans just didn't work out, you're cranky, stressed out or have a sour mood for no reason at all, remember: your party is not about you, it's about your guests. It's fine to tell a best friend or spouse "I'm really disappointed things aren't working out," but don't keep bringing conversation at the party back to your mood or what you wish was happening or what you'd planned to do. If you can't shake the blues, go into the bathroom, take a deep breath, smile, come out, pop on a favorite CD, let yourself dance and laugh.
2. Something's gone wrong with the food. It's burnt. It's over-salted. Or worse: you cooked a meat stew for a vegetarian. Or a satay stir-fry for someone with a peanut-allergy. Just order take-out. Don't try to start from scratch. Don't serve the food (don't even think about "picking out the meat"). Be honest with your guests. "I'm sorry, I made a mistake, I tried," is a great way to start. Grab the take-out menus from your favorite local places. Take a vote on what people would like to eat. No one minds a great pizza, especially since it will come quickly. But remember - you're paying! If a good friend offers to chip in, fine, but don't ask to split the bill.
3. Surprise! Someone's turned up unannounced. Don't make a fuss of it, don't even mention it - instead, be warm and welcoming. Set an extra place at the table, and if you're worried you won't have enough food, take a look in your refrigerator/pantry for any of the following: bread, chips/crackers and salsa or dip, olives, dried fruit, fresh fruit, salad ingredients, frozen peas, cured meats, or, if you're particularly skilled, whip up some last minute cornbread, biscuits, or cookies for dessert.
4. You've been waiting for an eon...but that last guest still hasn't arrived. Try calling again. If you can, find out their estimated time of arrival, and if it's within the next 15 minutes, then wait to eat. If you can't get in touch, or they have no idea when they'll make it - go ahead and eat, but put together a plate food and tuck it away in the oven to stay warm. When your late guest does arrive, be warm and welcoming, even if they are often late. If you would like to address a friend's chronic problem with lateness, do so at a time you are both relaxed and there's no one else around.
5. He/she just won't stop gossiping. Emily Post, the great master of etiquette, said that conversation should be about something, not about someone. If you have a gossip-a-holic over for dinner, where discussion about someone who is not present seems to linger - change the subject. You can do so by directing open ended questions to other guests about topics that were just recently discussed.
6. No one can get a word in edgewise. If you're an extrovert, you know how easily this can happen. There's silence, and once you start to fill it, you end up completely taking over. As a host, help the helpless extrovert by deflecting attention away from them in the first available moment (even if you have to talk over them a little) by asking an open-ended question (one which requires a whole lot of information rather than just yes/no) of a guest you know has something new in their life to talk about, for example, "What are your plans this summer?" or "Tell us about that creative project you've been working on". Follow that discussion up with further questions that clarify ("How/what/why/when exactly...?"), reflect on ("I'm amazed/astounded/interested by...") or summarize ("So, you're telling me...") what your less-talkative friend has shared about.
7. An argument has broken out between guests. However conflict-averse you may be, remember that your fundamental job as host is this: to create a comfortable environment for all of your guests. This means, if a heated argument or negative, unwanted speech enters the conversation, it is absolutely your job as host to veer conversation back to healthy territory. An offensive or argumentative comment can be met with an "I'm sorry, you're joking, right?" (with a not-too-subtle note of disinterest) from you, which will give your guest the chance to say "yes" and move on. If they persist, be clear, firm but friendly: "Come on, guys, this is not the time or place for this." If talking won't work, separate the parties involved. Have a good friend take the more agitated party to a private spot in your home to cool down.
8. You're ending the night with a drunk dinner guest. Oh dear. Don't get frustrated or embarrassed, instead, stay calm as you speak to your guest and remember to smile, which will help your guest to be relaxed. Offer food and coffee, and perhaps have a friend take them into another room to chat alone, so they don't embarrass themselves in front of the group. Take their car keys away, and either offer them a place to sleep or, when they're ready, have a friend drive them home.

What's That App Again?

(Image courtesy of Johan Larsson)

If you're like us, you can't go anywhere without your phone. Whether you're just texting, snapping photos for your Instagram, checking the weather or looking for a great restaurant to try, your first source for information is your smartphone.

With such a demand for easier access to information, it's no wonder that start-ups are popping up on a daily basis and being based in the Bay Area, we're right in the middle of the action! Read what writer Kim Lucian from Apartment Therapy had to say about the new app craze that seems to be hitting us. Do you agree?

I get press releases on a near daily basis that go something like this... "check out our innovative new start-up." The services range from the ordinary (housekeeping, art curating, personal shopping, flower delivery) to the less than ordinary— a service that provides you with a personal valet to park and retrieve you car for you as needed, and the now infamous "Yo" app.

While I am well aware that living in a city known for its techie fever means I'm probably exposed to more of this than most, I have to admit, it gets a bit overwhelming. While there are definitely a few "startup" services that I have come to love (Open Table, Bloom That and Lyft to name a few), I've started to wonder... at what point are we getting ahead of ourselves?

As a good friend recently pointed out, "start-up" is just a trendy word for a new business and when you look at it through that lens, do we really need a business to address every one of life's little inconveniences? Or should we, I don't know, suck it up, put on some pants and go to the store ourselves once in a while?

What "start-ups" do you love and what do you think crosses the line into the unnecessary or just plain ridiculous? Leave your response in the comments below.

Plan To Cook, Cook Your Plan

(Image courtesy of U.S. Army)

Budgeting for your monthly groceries is a necessary evil. Though it's difficult to stock your kitchen properly without keeping and eye out during shopping trips, getting the perfect balance to your monthly meal budget can be quite a challenge. Thankfully, writer Michaela Cisney from The Kitchn understands the struggle and has compiled a working list of tips to create the perfect budget for your needs. Look below to learn more. 

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.

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.

If you shop on a budget, what are your top tips? Share in the comments below!

Organizing Your Kitchen

(Image courtesy trec_lit)

When you move into a new apartment, one of the most time consuming tasks can be deciding how to fit all of your possessions into your new place. Though it can be exciting and fun to get everything placed and put away, the kitchen has it's own set of challenges. 

If you're like us, the kitchen is always the last room to be put away as it takes the most time. Writer Erin Roberts from apartmenttherapy.com has broken down three of the best strategies to organize your kitchen to put the pieces in the puzzle. Keep reading to learn more. 

1. Like Items with Like Items. This can take on many forms. Cereal bowls can go with all the other cereal bowls and wine glasses can go with all the other wine glasses, or items can be grouped in sets, such as the Fiestaware bowls going with the Fiestaware plates and the matching mugs. Grouping like items means they can stack inside one another or form tidy, uniform rows, and eliminate questions about where a particular item might be hiding. I had personally always preferred organizing by item type, but I recently reorganized my cabinets so that each of my sets of dishes has its own space (I have two sets, a vintage Corelle set that belonged to both of my grandmothers and a new, classic white set that was a wedding gift) and I find that I'm actually rotating my use of dishes more than when they were all housed in one space.
2. Except. . . When Grouping Items by Function. Yes, it seems the like items rule was just made to be broken. If you only use your mugs and cereal bowls in the morning, you're better off storing them together near your coffee maker than letting them clutter the area reserved for the rest of your dishes. My parents' always set up a coffee and tea area in one of their cabinets, with mugs, sugar, honey, and stirring spoons, with the coffee maker and a magically always full basket of pastries on the counter below. Or if you don't have a coffee habit, but have a collection of bar glasses like I do that are only used for cocktails and parties, by all means give them a separate area to call home and let them take their cocktail shaker and pitcher friends with them.
3. Get Things Out Where You Can See Them. There's been a huge uptick in the popularity of open kitchen shelving in recent years. We've even recently discussed how open shelving keeps you honest when it comes to keeping a tidy, organized kitchen. While open shelving is certainly the extreme version of getting things out where you can see them, the trick I've learned from my parents is to simply keep out and use all of those serving platters and cake stands that tend to get relegated to the tops of closets or similar hiding spots, only to make an occasional appearance around the holidays. I do keep some serving pieces out on open shelving, but I also use serving bowls to corral produce on my counter, or I grab a pitcher from the shelf above my drinkware to use as a vase, and I stash a few lightweight platters upright behind my dinnerware for casual hummus and veggie plate dinners with my husband. Like so much in the kitchen, I use these things because they're there, where I can see and reach them, instead of hidden away somewhere.

Art To Get You Talking

Decorating is one of our favorite parts of moving. When filling a new space, it's almost as though you've got a completely blank canvas to work with - have fun with it! If you're moving into one of our custom units, don't you think you need to feature art as unique as your space is?

These top five picks from writer Courtney Lochner at renters.apartments.com might be just the thing to add the perfect pop of color to your apartment - and who knows, they could spark some interesting conversations. Take a peek for some one of a kind art. 

1. What’s black and white and read all over? Okay it’s a newspaper but, this print made me think of that old riddle. Almost a zebra quality albeit with a splash of red, this photograph of simply tights and red shoes adds drama and a major pop of color and interest.

2. It Girl. A giant face full of color will instantly add wow factor. This print has enough colors to make up for a virtually colorless design plan, so let it do all the work for you. (Pictured above).

3. Color Blocking. Color blocking has been the rage in the fashion world so why not apply it to your home? This is a great way to add a ton of color without having to choose a specific image you are committed to (thus the beauty of abstract art). It is what you want it to be.

 

4. Colonel Deer. How can you not want to talk about Colonel Deer? Love him.

5. At the Moulin Rouge by Toulouse Lautrec. This is my personal pièce de résistance. The original hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago and I became so obsessed with it, that I had 1st Art Gallery paint me one to my specific size needs.

What's Your Office Style

(Image courtesy of Nick Keppol)

We all have those days when getting to the office seems like an impossibility. For such occasions we all need a place to sit and focus. Though you don't need to devote an entire room to your workspace, the fact remains that you need a place where distractions are minimal and all your essential tools are within easy reach.

Though the word 'workspace' doesn't quite conjure images of exciting decor, that doesn't mean your home office has to be boring. This quick and simple quiz from renters.apartments.com will help you pinpoint what elements make up your ideal workspace, and goes so far as to offer a few suggestions for great pieces to pull the perfect look together. Keep reading to play and learn more.

1. I’m simplistic and do not have a need for a lot of storage:

A: Yes – then try the Gunnar Desk for Z Gallerie, its simple design will match your minimalist taste

B: No – The Design Workshop from CB2 could be a great solution for you, tons of storage and shelving with the option for matching add-ons like file cabinets if you need them

2. I’m a visual worker and like to have notes and reminders available:

A: Yes – then you need a chalkboard and bulletin board – create the system that works for you withPottery Barn’s Build Your Own Components System

B: No – then perhaps all you need is a little desk organization, try the Kvissle collection from Ikea

3. I want a super comfortable computer chair even if it looks like an office chair:

A: Yes – go for the SAYL chair at the Herman Miller Store, it’s pricey but your butt and back will thank you

B: No – you prefer a more natural looking chair, it is your home after all. Try the Boss Office Chair from Office Depot, it’s a classic that will never go out of style.

4. I like a neutral space so I can concentrate, no bright colors or art:

A: Yes – spice up your space with some simple stripes and keep the rest clean and white. Black and white striped rug from Crate & Barrel

B: No – give your office a punch of color, the kind you wouldn't get in most real offices with this NuLOOM Alexis Moroccan print rug from Overstock in whatever color you fancy.