5 Steps to Pumpkin Carving Success

Monday, October 24th, 2016 at 2:41am.

Fall weather has arrived in much of the country, and with it comes a desire to partake in autumn-inspired activities. Apple-picking, haunted hay rides and pumpkin carving are among some of the most popular things to do at this time of the year.
  Whether you’re carving your pumpkin with or without kids this year, it can be a blast! Most people have experienced at least one jack-o-lantern “fail”, but if you follow some basic guidelines, you’ll be more likely to end up with a handsome looking result.
  For pumpkin carving success, be sure to follow these 5 basic steps:
  1. Select the right kind of pumpkin and tools for carving – The smaller the pumpkin, the more difficult it will be to work with, so choose one that’s large enough to…

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How to Decorate the Exterior of your Home for Fall

Tuesday, October 11th, 2016 at 2:01am.

Seasonal decorating is fun regardless of the time of year, but fall is an especially popular time of year to add cozy touches to both the interior and exterior of a home. Because of its simplicity and affordability, outside decorating in autumn is something everyone can participate in.
  Fall brings about comforting feelings of nostalgia for many people, along with cooler temperatures that turn our minds toward spiced coffees and warm muffins in the oven. The scents of fall beget memories of our childhoods that most of us look back on fondly.
  Here are a number of ideas to spruce up your home’s exterior as you find yourself getting into the autumnal spirit:

 

Make it colorful

While the colors of fall are typically darker and…

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How to Decorate the Interior of Your Home for Fall

Monday, October 3rd, 2016 at 2:16am.

As the intense heat of summer begins to sizzle out, the relief of the cooler autumn air is almost always welcomed with open arms. With a hint of briskness and steaming cups of pumpkin-flavored coffee, fall brings with it a cozy feeling that makes it a favorite season for many.

 

When it comes to fall décor, outdoor designs range from autumnal-colored wreaths and multi-colored gourds to scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns for those who like to get into the spirit of Halloween.

 

If you’re in love with this time of year or if you simply have a penchant for seasonal decorating, you most likely want your home’s interior to give off an autumn vibe as well. A few well-placed items are all you need for just a hint that fall has arrived. If you want to…

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Outdoor Activities for Your Kids in Your Backyard

Tuesday, September 6th, 2016 at 1:44am.

As a parent of young children, you’re naturally always on the lookout for new ways to keep them entertained. Kids typically have boundless energy that they need an outlet for – and if you don’t provide them with one, they may end up creating mischief to have fun while you’re not looking. Needless to say, you’ll thank yourself later for planning fun activities when your children are engaged, safe and out of harm’s way.

 

If you’re lucky enough to have your own backyard space, choose from this awesome list of activities that won’t cost you a bundle of money:

 
• Outdoor finger (or brush) painting

 
• Gardening for kids

 
• Picnicking 

 
• Scavenger hunt

 
• DIY Art camp – set up easels and have your kids…

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Tips for Organizing Your Homeschool Room

Wednesday, August 24th, 2016 at 5:22am.

Whether you’re just delving into the homeschool world or if you’re a seasoned homeschooler, you may find that organizing your home is one of the bigger challenges you’ll face. In order to be successful learners, your children need space to be able to learn, read, write, experiment and more!

 

Some parents are able to dedicate a room to homeschooling, while others like to create learning areas throughout the home. Either way, what follows are some tips to help make the most of whatever space you have:

 

• Invest in at least one set of shelves – You can find excellent organizational shelves at Ikea, specifically the Kallax series, but you can make almost any type of shelving work for you. If you’re on a tight budget, you may even be able…

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How to Preserve and Display Family Heirlooms in Your Home

Friday, July 22nd, 2016 at 2:45am.

 

Some of your most prized possessions may be items that you’ve acquired from an older family member. This is especially true if it’s been passed down through many generations. Family heirlooms are a great way to remember your origins and honor your ancestors. They are also often delicate due to their age, and therefore must be cared for meticulously.

 

If you have one or several family heirlooms that are especially meaningful, take equally special care to preserve them. There are a number of guidelines to follow when caring for heirlooms or antiques to ensure that they maintain their structural integrity.

 

• Keep paper, documents and books dry. Any heirlooms made from paper are extremely susceptible to damage from water, so store…

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In Home Studios – Behind the Scenes

Tuesday, June 21st, 2016 at 3:00am.

In Home Studios – Behind the Scenes

Whether you’ve just purchased a brand new house that has room for an in-home studio or you’re rehabbing an older home to include a personal recording studio, the concept may seem a bit overwhelming at first. However, once you learn which essentials you’ll need, you may actually find the process to be surprisingly easy.

 

Perhaps “easy” isn’t the right word; however, an in-home studio doesn’t have to be so complicated as to overwhelm you before you even make any headway. Starting with abasic recording studio is ideal for anyone who is just starting out.

 

Your budget will have a lot to do with the equipment you’re able to start off with. An important thing to remember is that recording equipment truly…

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DIY Man Cave for Dad

Monday, June 13th, 2016 at 7:39am.

DIY Man Cave for Dad

Women often have a space in the home to call their very own – a place where they can relax and find peace in their day. This may be in the form of a makeup room, dressing room, reading room, sewing room, craft room, sitting room or even a chef’s kitchen for the woman who relaxes through cooking.

 

It seems only fair, then, that the man of the house should have such a place to unwind, too. Through popular media, such escape areas for men have been dubbed “man caves,” which makes them sound utilitarian and unappealing. Regardless of its name, a man cave can be an attractive getaway spot if you’re ready to get creative.

 

Depending on your budget and the look you’re going for; use ideas from this list to build the man cave…

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Top Gadgets for your Kitchen

Monday, May 16th, 2016 at 3:41am.

Top Gadgets for your Kitchen

 

If you’ve just moved into a brand new home or are simply in the mood to update your cooking routine, there are a multitude of exceptionally “cool” gadgets currently on the market that will make food prep more fun than ever before.

 

• Drop

  -The combination of an ultra-modern cooking app and an accompanying small scale, Drop allows you to measure ingredients without using any measuring cups or tools. The Drop scale measures the weight of each item you add to your mixture, telling you when to stop on the Apple screen of your choice. You’ll also have access to interactive recipes, ingredient substitutions, and the ability to share your creations on all social media platforms.

• Cherry…

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Fun Party Food-Art with Kids

Monday, May 9th, 2016 at 1:59am.

Fun Party Food-Art with Kids

 

 

If you’re throwing a party for one of your children, whether for their birthday or another holiday, you’ve undoubtedly given a lot of thought to the party theme, décor, favors, activities, cake design (and flavor), invitations, food, party location, the guest list, and about a million more nitty gritty details.

 

A quick glance at Pinterest will give you a plethora of suggestions to make any child’s party unforgettable. However, in the interest of maintaining your sanity, we recommend that you don’t try to live up to the perfection that exists only on Pinterest. Focus on keeping it real, and when we say real – we mean real fun!

 

No child’s party is complete without some fun games,…

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