Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
dimanche 28 février 2016
Unlikely Friends Are the Cutest Pair of Baby Animals Ever
For some animals, love knows no bounds. This is the case with Laura the piglet and Marina the kitten, two rescues at Santuario Igualdad Interespecie in Chile. When Laura was brought in from a slaughterhouse, she found a friend in Marina. Volunteers at the shelter put them together since they were both still babies, and they have become forever friends. Check out the video the shelter posted of the two of them snuggling (Laura is even wearing a pretty dress! We cannot deal!), and find even more photos and videos of them on Santuario Igualdad Interespecie's Facebook page.
samedi 27 février 2016
18 Hacks For the BEST Chicken in the Land
Are you ready to freshen up your chicken-cooking routine? We're not talking about taking on sous-vide. These hacks offer little ways to boost the flavor of your chicken, like using ghee instead of butter - 100 percent doable and totally worth it. So what are you waiting for?! Read on for more chicken-cooking tips.
30 Luscious Milkshake Recipes That Will Make You Crave Summer
Sometimes you just need a milkshake. And I'm not talking about a simple vanilla shake, either. I'm talking about the ones you see here, like salted pretzel Nutella hot fudge, birthday cake, and lavender latte milkshakes. The best part about these ridiculously over-the-top treats is that you can make them right at home - no need to go to Black Tap in New York and pay $15 for one. These are recipes you'll want to keep on hand so you can try every single one this Spring and Summer.
13 Creative Ways to Have More Fun in Your Own Backyard
Skip renewing your water park pass, because your boring backyard is about to become a bad memory. Whether it's the squeal-worthy pleasure of swinging from a tree or the deep relaxation of soaking in an outdoor tub, these backyard additions will add a sense of adventure to any home.
Source: David Tsay for Domino
13 Creative Ways to Have More Fun in Your Own Backyard
Skip renewing your water park pass, because your boring backyard is about to become a bad memory. Whether it's the squeal-worthy pleasure of swinging from a tree or the deep relaxation of soaking in an outdoor tub, these backyard additions will add a sense of adventure to any home.
Source: David Tsay for Domino
25 Lip-Smackingly-Good Recipes That Combine 2 of the Best Things, Pasta and Bacon
Two of life's greatest foods are pasta and bacon, and when you combine them, it's pure heaven. If traditional pasta carbonara is the only way you've experienced the two together, it's time to up your bacon-y pasta game. Keep reading to find recipes for butternut squash and bacon macaroni and cheese, one-pot lasagna with bacon, slow-cooker five-cheese chicken bacon pasta, and more carby deliciousness.
10 Things Stylish Moms Know About Interior Design
As a first-time mom with a baby on the precipice of mobility, I can personally attest that childproofing the home is a daunting proposition. Of course, my first priority is to make everything as safe as possible for my son (bye bye, beloved vintage brass and glass coffee table), but I would be lying if I didn't admit that the idea of giving up my carefully curated selection of home decor makes me sad.
The design of my home is a reflection of my identity, and I want my child to enhance that, not usurp it. Sure, my husband and I quickly abandoned our vow to maintain a toy-free living room and, after numerous spit-ups, our precious new sectional is not so precious anymore – but that doesn't mean I want my home to become one giant, padded playroom.
Enter: Jennifer Wundrow and Heather Kendall Brock, owners of Nest Design Co., Inc. These ladies have given me hope that I can make my home baby-friendly without sacrificing my personal style. They've applied their superstylish interior design skills to many a kid-filled home, and they say it is absolutely possible to have a gorgeous, stylish home avec bébé – if you follow their 10 commandments of childproof interior design. Check out what they had to say below.
- Thou shalt not wait to decorate your dream house. "We think being afraid to do it while your kids are young is the biggest mistake. Make your home your retreat and enjoy your time living there with your family. Set rules but don't wait."
- Thou shalt design in a way that makes sense given the age of the children. "If we are designing for a family expecting a baby or with young children, it's different than designing for a family with older children," explain Jennifer and Heather.
- Thou shalt use indoor/outdoor fabrics. "Its easier to clean and more durable for sticky fingers."
- Thou shalt swap an ottoman in for a coffee table while children are young. "They have soft edges that won't hurt precious heads and are super functional for the family in general - add a tray when you are entertaining, purchase an ottoman with storage so you can hide away toys and blankets, etc."
- Thou shalt stay away from microfiber. "We actually feel that microfiber is one of the worst materials for stain and spill camouflaging. We much prefer a natural fiber (linen, cotton, wool) or an indoor/outdoor material that looks like linen. They are easier to clean because they are made up of natural fibers, a misconception by most."
- Thou shalt keep fragile, expensive, or important piece out of reach. "These pieces are much better off at a higher location so you don't have to feel precious or nervous about them. For example, since the coffee table is a play zone for most children, keep a tray, books, and other objets that aren't fragile on the table."
- Thou shalt not let children's toys takeover the house. "Designate spaces for your children's toys. It's not realistic to think the kids' toys aren't going to spill out of their rooms, but if you have special organization for these items, it won't feel like they are taking over. Make it easy for them to help clean up, like baskets where they can put their things.
- Thou shalt have plenty of baskets. "They are pretty and they help hide toys. They also make it easy for the kids to help with the clean up."
- Thou shalt have a beautiful but unfussy kitchen counters. "Quartz or porcelain countertops have come a long way and now emulate the veining that a natural marble has. We love using this type of material for kitchen countertops because they don't stain or etch and are much more durable than the alternatives."
- Thou shalt teach children the importance of nice things early on. "Never say never [to any home item]! Teach your children the importance of certain things at an early age so they know the rules."
You Might Also Like:
How to Have the Most Unique Nursery on the Block
10 Things Stylish Moms Know About Interior Design
As a first-time mom with a baby on the precipice of mobility, I can personally attest that childproofing the home is a daunting proposition. Of course, my first priority is to make everything as safe as possible for my son (bye bye, beloved vintage brass and glass coffee table), but I would be lying if I didn't admit that the idea of giving up my carefully curated selection of home decor makes me sad.
The design of my home is a reflection of my identity, and I want my child to enhance that, not usurp it. Sure, my husband and I quickly abandoned our vow to maintain a toy-free living room and, after numerous spit-ups, our precious new sectional is not so precious anymore – but that doesn't mean I want my home to become one giant, padded playroom.
Enter: Jennifer Wundrow and Heather Kendall Brock, owners of Nest Design Co., Inc. These ladies have given me hope that I can make my home baby-friendly without sacrificing my personal style. They've applied their superstylish interior design skills to many a kid-filled home, and they say it is absolutely possible to have a gorgeous, stylish home avec bébé – if you follow their 10 commandments of childproof interior design. Check out what they had to say below.
- Thou shalt not wait to decorate your dream house. "We think being afraid to do it while your kids are young is the biggest mistake. Make your home your retreat and enjoy your time living there with your family. Set rules but don't wait."
- Thou shalt design in a way that makes sense given the age of the children. "If we are designing for a family expecting a baby or with young children, it's different than designing for a family with older children," explain Jennifer and Heather.
- Thou shalt use indoor/outdoor fabrics. "Its easier to clean and more durable for sticky fingers."
- Thou shalt swap an ottoman in for a coffee table while children are young. "They have soft edges that won't hurt precious heads and are super functional for the family in general - add a tray when you are entertaining, purchase an ottoman with storage so you can hide away toys and blankets, etc."
- Thou shalt stay away from microfiber. "We actually feel that microfiber is one of the worst materials for stain and spill camouflaging. We much prefer a natural fiber (linen, cotton, wool) or an indoor/outdoor material that looks like linen. They are easier to clean because they are made up of natural fibers, a misconception by most."
- Thou shalt keep fragile, expensive, or important piece out of reach. "These pieces are much better off at a higher location so you don't have to feel precious or nervous about them. For example, since the coffee table is a play zone for most children, keep a tray, books, and other objets that aren't fragile on the table."
- Thou shalt not let children's toys takeover the house. "Designate spaces for your children's toys. It's not realistic to think the kids' toys aren't going to spill out of their rooms, but if you have special organization for these items, it won't feel like they are taking over. Make it easy for them to help clean up, like baskets where they can put their things.
- Thou shalt have plenty of baskets. "They are pretty and they help hide toys. They also make it easy for the kids to help with the clean up."
- Thou shalt have a beautiful but unfussy kitchen counters. "Quartz or porcelain countertops have come a long way and now emulate the veining that a natural marble has. We love using this type of material for kitchen countertops because they don't stain or etch and are much more durable than the alternatives."
- Thou shalt teach children the importance of nice things early on. "Never say never [to any home item]! Teach your children the importance of certain things at an early age so they know the rules."
You Might Also Like:
How to Have the Most Unique Nursery on the Block
6 Tips For Decorating Your Boyfriend’s Apartment
If you're bold enough to offer to help decorate your boyfriend's apartment, first of all, you deserve a high five. Next, you may need to know a few things before you get started to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
After bravely volunteering to decorate my boyfriend's room, I quickly realized the extent of what I was promising. I thought I was going to be able to just decorate it however I wanted. These guys think they want to hand over all of the control, until the process actually starts. That's when I realized how much of a compromise this was really going to be and ended up learning a lot from the experience.
6 Tips For Decorating Your Boyfriend’s Apartment
If you're bold enough to offer to help decorate your boyfriend's apartment, first of all, you deserve a high five. Next, you may need to know a few things before you get started to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
After bravely volunteering to decorate my boyfriend's room, I quickly realized the extent of what I was promising. I thought I was going to be able to just decorate it however I wanted. These guys think they want to hand over all of the control, until the process actually starts. That's when I realized how much of a compromise this was really going to be and ended up learning a lot from the experience.
Celebrate the Beauty of Spring With 25 Green Pea Recipes
Even if you hate peas, these recipes will change your mind. Spring is almost upon us, and we can't wait to get our hands on seasonal Spring produce, including green peas. Some of these are light and bright (avocado, asparagus, and pea salad), and others are ridiculously indulgent (bacon and pea macaroni and cheese), and all will be devoured by everyone who tries them.
16 Inspiring Drought-Friendly Gardening Tips
Making do with less water is the new reality for gardeners and homeowners. Because of droughts across the country, and particularly in California where the state is mandating a reduction in water usage, many people are getting creative when it comes to cultivating greenery in their yards.
Even the pros are getting in on the less-water movement. Landscape experts Johanna Silver and Lauren Dunec Hoang created a drought-tolerant landscape for Sunset magazine's New Backyard Cottage and Garden project, an endeavor that focused on indoor small-space design as well as a well-planned exterior space. The topic is further explored in the magazine's new easy-care gardening book.
Johanna and Lauren, who are also editors at Sunset, combined their expertise to design a lawn-free expanse that still focuses on beautiful greenery. We spoke with both women to learn about their inspiration and to pick up some tips on how to create beautiful exterior spaces that are still drought-friendly.
Is Chrissy Teigen's New Cookbook Worth All the Hype?
Chrissy Teigen is one of my top five favorite celebrities, and I've been dying to get her cookbook, Cravings: Recipes For All the Food You Want to Eat, since I found out about it through her Instagram. My immediate response was to comment, "@boyfriend, Christmas present plz." Since then, I've been stalking the sh*t out of her Instagram and drooling at the cookbook photos she's been posting for months. If you're one of those people thinking, "What is a model doing coming out with a cookbook? There's no way she eats like that," let me stop you there.
The culinary-school-trained cook is known for bringing honesty, humor, and sass to the table and will put you in your place if you try to put words in her mouth: "I don't want to seem like one of those annoying 'I can eat anything I want anytime' chicks. It's just that I wanted to be honest in this book about the kinds of food I love, the kinds of food I crave," she writes in the book's introduction. Chrissy told Eater, "I didn't want it to be a celebrity cookbook where you're not sure if they really cook or if they just put their name on something. I wanted people to know that these are really the recipes that we love at home."
So you can imagine my squeal of joy when an early copy made its way into my hands at work, and my exclamation of "oh my god" as I opened the cover and turned to page 4 - the photo is everything (spoiler: it's from the photo shoot where John Legend ate chicken wings off her butt). Let's just take a moment to talk about the photos: they are so gorgeous and make me say "I want to make that" every single time I turn the page (they're by photographer Aubrie Pick). Plus, the book scores major points for including photos of Chrissy and John eating breakfast sandwiches in bed, demonstrating the definition of relationship goals, etc. It's like a food magazine and a fashion magazine had a baby.
Then comes the food. The food. I've never been more excited to flip through a cookbook in my life. The book is broken up into sections entitled Breakfast All Day, Soupmaster, Salads (For When You Need Them), Noodles and Carbs, Thai Mom, Party Time, Sh*t on Toast, Vegetable Things, Things That Intimidate People but Shouldn't, and Supper. Being the carb-obsessed Italian that I am, I immediately lit up at the "Noodles and Carbs" section and knew I had to make the Lemony Arugula Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, which is one of Chrissy's "top five in the book."
If there's one thing I know well, it's pasta, and let me tell you . . . this pasta is amazing. Here's everything that's in it: pancetta, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, LOTS of black pepper, parmesan, and arugula. It's like a combination of spaghetti aglio e olio and cacio e pepe - heavy on the garlic, spice, and cheese. I've only made it once and I can already tell it's going to make its way to my list of go-to easy dinners.
Also at the top of my must-try Chrissy recipes was a soup - she doesn't call herself the soup master for no reason, I assumed. So I tried out her chicken pot pie soup with crust crackers because her intro spoke to me: "This needs to be in some sort of hall of fame. It needs a ribbon in the county fair, its own show on TLC. They will literally put anything on television." While I'm pretty sure you won't see a show on TLC sometime soon called Chicken Pot Pie Wives (no promises), I am sure that this deserves to be in the soup hall of fame. It's way easier than scratch-made chicken pot pie, and more enjoyable, too. Scooping up the creamy, hearty soup with crispy, pie-crust crackers is basically the definition of eating comfort food.
After my experience cooking from a book I've thought about for a long time, I can say it lives up to the hype 100 percent. Chrissy officially has my soupmaster-nickname approval, and I know that I'll soon crave much of the food in Cravings.
16 Inspiring Drought-Friendly Gardening Tips
Making do with less water is the new reality for gardeners and homeowners. Because of droughts across the country, and particularly in California where the state is mandating a reduction in water usage, many people are getting creative when it comes to cultivating greenery in their yards.
Even the pros are getting in on the less-water movement. Landscape experts Johanna Silver and Lauren Dunec Hoang created a drought-tolerant landscape for Sunset magazine's New Backyard Cottage and Garden project, an endeavor that focused on indoor small-space design as well as a well-planned exterior space. The topic is further explored in the magazine's new easy-care gardening book.
Johanna and Lauren, who are also editors at Sunset, combined their expertise to design a lawn-free expanse that still focuses on beautiful greenery. We spoke with both women to learn about their inspiration and to pick up some tips on how to create beautiful exterior spaces that are still drought-friendly.
32 Obsession-Worthy Artichoke Recipes For Spring
From simple steamed 'chokes to elaborate artichoke-spinach-stuffed mushrooms, these recipes feature a thorny thistle that we sure do love. If you heart artichokes, too, keep reading for more than 30 ways to serve it up this Spring produce.
- Additional reporting by Erin Cullum
Best Vet Assistant Ever Comforts Puppy After Surgery by Holding Her
As animal-lovers, we know that those who work in veterinary clinics and shelters are some of the most amazing people ever. They go above and beyond to save animals and do everything they can to better the lives of those in their care. Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter surgical assistant Dennis Moses is no exception. When this puppy, Baby Meesha, was coming off her surgical anesthesia and started to get scared, Moses cuddled her and soothed her to calm her down. Watch the video to see the adorable moment, and check out even more amazing animal videos.
Best Vet Assistant Ever Comforts Puppy After Surgery by Holding Her
As animal-lovers, we know that those who work in veterinary clinics and shelters are some of the most amazing people ever. They go above and beyond to save animals and do everything they can to better the lives of those in their care. Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter surgical assistant Dennis Moses is no exception. When this puppy, Baby Meesha, was coming off her surgical anesthesia and started to get scared, Moses cuddled her and soothed her to calm her down. Watch the video to see the adorable moment, and check out even more amazing animal videos.
21 Times the Best Thing About Food Was the Surprise in the Middle
For obvious reasons, eating stuffed foods is more fun than eating non-stuffed foods. If you've had cupcakes and Oreos together, but not actually together, now's the time to try it. Keep reading for 21 glorious recipes - from caramel-stuffed cookies to cheese-stuffed garlic bread - that get their appeal from what's found inside.
vendredi 26 février 2016
Property Brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott Confess to . . . Kissing Fans
Have you ever watched Property Brothers on HGTV and thought, "I want to drink with those guys"? Well, we got to live that dream when Jonathan and Drew Scott swung by our NYC office for a game of Never Have I Ever. And, wow, did we learn a lot. From kissing fans to true confessions from Drew's girlfriend, Linda Phan, this is one drinking game you have to see to believe.
Property Brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott Confess to . . . Kissing Fans
Have you ever watched Property Brothers on HGTV and thought, "I want to drink with those guys"? Well, we got to live that dream when Jonathan and Drew Scott swung by our NYC office for a game of Never Have I Ever. And, wow, did we learn a lot. From kissing fans to true confessions from Drew's girlfriend, Linda Phan, this is one drinking game you have to see to believe.
The Free Trick to Getting the Most Flavor Out of Your Coffee
Source: YouTube user Philz Coffee
If your coffee is tasting flat, you can instantly improve the flavor with one incredible trick: aerate it. Aerating, or introducing air to the coffee, creates smoothness and rounds out the bitterness of the coffee, lending for a smoother, creamier cup. But how can you easily aerate coffee without fancy equipment? Allow me to explain:
I first discovered this information from a coworker, software engineer Vadim Todorov, while we were brewing our in-office Philz coffee. He said, "Have you noticed our Philz coffee doesn't taste quite like actual Philz?" FYI, Philz is some of the best coffee in the Bay Area. (For the record, I know we sound like annoying SF brats, but we're serious about our coffee around here, people). "That's because you have to aerate it." Vadim took his cup of coffee along with an empty cup over to the sink. He stretched the cup of coffee toward the top of his head and poured it into an empty cup around hip level. He did this process back and forth a few times. The result was a slightly foamy cup of black coffee. "I do that to my wine sometimes to aerate it and bring out the flavor. I thought I would try it on coffee, and it worked," he explained.
Source: Instagram user erincullum
It's true - I always noticed the unique, cascade-like pour-over technique at Philz (watch it in the above video), but I wasn't sure of the reason behind it. Sure enough, when I asked about it after ordering my favorite coffee, the Mint Mojito, my barista explained that aerating the hot water helps "extract the flavor of the beans" and improves the overall flavor. This is the drink, which, by the way, has no steamed milk - it's an iced coffee drink that's topped with this wonderfully light and airy foam thanks to the way it's prepared. To be clear, you can aerate your water or brewed coffee, depending on the type of coffee machine you have.
As mentioned before, the process of aeration also works in wine - it's the real reason people swirl their wine around in the glass, not just to seem like a fancy-ass wine connoisseur; getting "more oxygen into the wine" helps it open up and release the aroma and flavors. So, the next time you're unimpressed with your cup of coffee or glass of wine, try this out! You might be the one sharing the tip with your coworkers or friends.
This Is What Fuller House Would ACTUALLY Look Like in San Francisco's Housing Crisis
Fuller House in the Real San FranciscoFull House is back! Have mercy! Here's what the show would look like if they got San Francisco living right.
Posted by AJ+ on Friday, February 26, 2016
Whatever happened to predictability? The San Francisco housing crisis, that's what. And in this depressingly accurate spoof of the Full House Netflix reboot, Fuller House, the insane price of the show's iconic real estate is front and center. A bevvy of social issues happening in the California city as a result of steep prices also make an appearance in the video, and it's enough to elicit a sad chuckle - the best way to choke back tears - from anyone with experience struggling to pay for housing in the Bay Area.
So sit down with the milkman, the paperboy, and the four roommates you need to afford a tiny apartment's rent, and watch how Fuller House would actually look in the San Francisco of 2016.
This Is What Fuller House Would ACTUALLY Look Like in San Francisco's Housing Crisis
Fuller House in the Real San FranciscoFull House is back! Have mercy! Here's what the show would look like if they got San Francisco living right.
Posted by AJ+ on Friday, February 26, 2016
Whatever happened to predictability? The San Francisco housing crisis, that's what. And in this depressingly accurate spoof of the Full House Netflix reboot, Fuller House, the insane price of the show's iconic real estate is front and center. A bevvy of social issues happening in the California city as a result of steep prices also make an appearance in the video, and it's enough to elicit a sad chuckle - the best way to choke back tears - from anyone with experience struggling to pay for housing in the Bay Area.
So sit down with the milkman, the paperboy, and the four roommates you need to afford a tiny apartment's rent, and watch how Fuller House would actually look in the San Francisco of 2016.
How to Throw a '90s-Themed Wedding
Weddings are sentimental. The '90s are nostalgic. Combine the two and what do you get? One unbelievably rad party in celebration of your marriage. Keep reading to find out the decor that will take your wedding back to the days when Mary Kate and Ashley were actresses, Michael Jordan ruled the court, and Mariah Carey dominated the charts.
How to Throw a '90s-Themed Wedding
Weddings are sentimental. The '90s are nostalgic. Combine the two and what do you get? One unbelievably rad party in celebration of your marriage. Keep reading to find out the decor that will take your wedding back to the days when Mary Kate and Ashley were actresses, Michael Jordan ruled the court, and Mariah Carey dominated the charts.
2 Hacks For the Smoothest Hummus Possible
At its most basic, there's not much more to making homemade hummus than blitzing together cooked chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and a couple choice seasonings like lemon juice, garlic, or cumin. Next-level, Mediterranean-restaurant-grade hummus takes hardly more effort, thanks to two simple tricks.
If you have more time to spare, start by cooking chickpeas from scratch, then use your fingertips to rub off the tough skins before blending together the naked chickpeas, tahini, and other ingredients. If time is at a premium, glean this tip from Victoria Granof's Short Stack Vol. 17: Chickpeas: To revive canned chickpeas, first drain and rinse the chickpeas before adding them to a saucepan with enough cold water to cover and a pinch of baking soda; bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and simmer for 10 minutes before draining and using in the recipe. The combination of heat and baking soda softens the chickpea skins, making them blend up smoother.
Jamie Chung's Dog, Ewok, Is Cuter Than Cute
As part of Petco's Think Adoption First initiative, Jamie Chung is speaking out on how much adopting her dog, Ewok, has impacted her life. "Opening my heart and home to an animal in need was the obvious choice and the special bond Ewok and I share is more than I could've dreamed," she said. Watch the adorable video to see more of her and her husband, Bryan Greenberg, and Ewok, and learn more about Petco's adoption program here.
Jamie Chung's Dog, Ewok, Is Cuter Than Cute
As part of Petco's Think Adoption First initiative, Jamie Chung is speaking out on how much adopting her dog, Ewok, has impacted her life. "Opening my heart and home to an animal in need was the obvious choice and the special bond Ewok and I share is more than I could've dreamed," she said. Watch the adorable video to see more of her and her husband, Bryan Greenberg, and Ewok, and learn more about Petco's adoption program here.
The 1 Homemade Condiment You Should (and Can) Make Immediately
If you already make your own salad dressings, then why not take it a step further by preparing your own condiments, too? One of the easiest and most decadent ways to dress up salads, appetizers, meats, and even desserts is balsamic glaze. It only requires one bottle of balsamic vinegar and 10 minutes. Here's the really easy method.
The 10 Commandments of Buying Furniture on Craigslist
When it comes to finding gently used furniture at a great price, there's no better resource than Craigslist. It serves up a vast selection of geographically desirable goods you can search through from the comfort of your computer. All you need to find the perfect piece is a good eye, lots of patience, and a bit of insider know-how. In the end, your extra work pays off not only in money saved, but also in the satisfaction of a room thoughtfully made.
Before you log on, read our 10 Craigslist commandments below.
- Thou Shalt View Gallery Images
Love at first sight happens in used-furniture shopping just as in romance. Don't waste your time clicking through post after post when you can quickly eliminate all the unattractive oak tables from your coffee table search with a quick glance through the listings in gallery mode. It's the difference between a quick speed-dating lunch and a lengthy blind-date dinner.
- Thou Shalt Search Specifically
Kelly from View Along the Way has an easy trick for refining your search when you know exactly what it is you want. If it's a Hollywood Regency dresser you're after, for example, put quotes around the search term ("Hollywood Regency dresser"), so you're only seeing search results that contain those three words together. Otherwise, your results could end up including every single post that contains any of your search words. Talk about overwhelming!
- Thou Shalt Search Broadly
If a specific search isn't fruitful, take a step back. Enter search terms as someone who doesn't know what they have would enter them. Sometimes you have to "dumb down your searches," HGTV host Emily Henderson says on her blog, Style by Emily Henderson. An "antique chest of drawers" search might unearth a midcentury Paul McCobb dresser. Unfortunately, the only way to know if a fabulous designer find is out there is to search, search, and search some more through the sea of junk that comes up with the same terms.
- Thou Shalt Look Where the Deals Are
When looking for the hidden gems amid all the garbage on Craigslist, you have to think outside the box and start looking creatively. A dealer is less likely to give you a great deal than an owner, so only search among owners. An old farm table might have been listed under the antiques category rather than furniture, so explore other relevant categorizations. The perfect Jonathan Adler rug you've been lusting after might be just outside your predefined geographical range, so search for it in all the Craigslist posts within a drivable area.
- Thou Shalt Be Patient
As Vanessa Brunner of Houzz warns, "You're going to have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince. Be persistent and don't give up." This might mean searching multiple times a day - in bigger cities, postings are refreshed constantly, so a few hours can make a big difference - and sticking with it until the furniture piece of your dreams pops up.
- Thou Shalt Set Search Alerts
When there isn't time to search religiously, do as Gwen from The Makerista does and take advantage of Craigslist's sale alert feature. "The sale alert button is your new best friend if you are wanting to find something specific," she says. You'll have to set up a Craigslist account when you get started to manage your alerts, but after that you'll start receiving email alerts directly to your inbox when matching items appear on the site.
- Thou Shalt Be Ready and Willing to Act
When you finally find that special something you've been searching for, you have to act fast to convince the seller you're the best buyer before someone else scoops the piece out from under your virtual nose. A good place to start is by offering to pay in cash and pick up that day. On Oh Happy Day, blogger Jordan Ferney advises that sellers are looking to get rid of items as quickly and efficiently as possible, so you'll have more luck getting the seller to pick you if you can make him or her confident that you're a fast-acting, reliable, and serious buyer.
- Thou Shalt Negotiate
There's no harm in simply asking a seller if he or she will take a lower price. Craigslist is a haggle-friendly platform, and the worst a seller can say is "no." In this case, Sherry and John of Young House Love suggest that you can make a stronger case by referencing Craigslist postings of similar items listed at lower prices or by comparing the used asking price to the original retail price.
- Thou Shalt Beware of Red Flags
Lifehacker writer Melanie Pinola cautions shoppers to keep a look out for red flags, such as an abundance of typos, commercial product images only (you want to see the actual item for sale in their home), an ad that's posted in multiple cities, or deals that seem too good to be true. All of these could signal a scam.
- Thou Shalt Buy Safely
Don't put yourself in a vulnerable situation when it comes to making the product exchange. Bring a friend and meet in a public place, such as a police station parking lot. "Do not go into anyone's home that you do not know. Ask that they set the furniture in the garage for you to view," advises Suzanne from Suburban Spunk.
16 Italian Soup Recipes to Get You Through the Chilly Winter Months
There's no disputing that Italians know their way around a pot of soup - pasta e fagioli, minestrone, and Tuscan white bean soup immediately come to mind. This collection of recipes includes variations on each, plus Italian-American options like slow-cooker chicken parm soup (really!) and lasagna soup.
The 10 Commandments of Buying Furniture on Craigslist
When it comes to finding gently used furniture at a great price, there's no better resource than Craigslist. It serves up a vast selection of geographically desirable goods you can search through from the comfort of your computer. All you need to find the perfect piece is a good eye, lots of patience, and a bit of insider know-how. In the end, your extra work pays off not only in money saved, but also in the satisfaction of a room thoughtfully made.
Before you log on, read our 10 Craigslist commandments below.
- Thou Shalt View Gallery Images
Love at first sight happens in used-furniture shopping just as in romance. Don't waste your time clicking through post after post when you can quickly eliminate all the unattractive oak tables from your coffee table search with a quick glance through the listings in gallery mode. It's the difference between a quick speed-dating lunch and a lengthy blind-date dinner.
- Thou Shalt Search Specifically
Kelly from View Along the Way has an easy trick for refining your search when you know exactly what it is you want. If it's a Hollywood Regency dresser you're after, for example, put quotes around the search term ("Hollywood Regency dresser"), so you're only seeing search results that contain those three words together. Otherwise, your results could end up including every single post that contains any of your search words. Talk about overwhelming!
- Thou Shalt Search Broadly
If a specific search isn't fruitful, take a step back. Enter search terms as someone who doesn't know what they have would enter them. Sometimes you have to "dumb down your searches," HGTV host Emily Henderson says on her blog, Style by Emily Henderson. An "antique chest of drawers" search might unearth a midcentury Paul McCobb dresser. Unfortunately, the only way to know if a fabulous designer find is out there is to search, search, and search some more through the sea of junk that comes up with the same terms.
- Thou Shalt Look Where the Deals Are
When looking for the hidden gems amid all the garbage on Craigslist, you have to think outside the box and start looking creatively. A dealer is less likely to give you a great deal than an owner, so only search among owners. An old farm table might have been listed under the antiques category rather than furniture, so explore other relevant categorizations. The perfect Jonathan Adler rug you've been lusting after might be just outside your predefined geographical range, so search for it in all the Craigslist posts within a drivable area.
- Thou Shalt Be Patient
As Vanessa Brunner of Houzz warns, "You're going to have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince. Be persistent and don't give up." This might mean searching multiple times a day - in bigger cities, postings are refreshed constantly, so a few hours can make a big difference - and sticking with it until the furniture piece of your dreams pops up.
- Thou Shalt Set Search Alerts
When there isn't time to search religiously, do as Gwen from The Makerista does and take advantage of Craigslist's sale alert feature. "The sale alert button is your new best friend if you are wanting to find something specific," she says. You'll have to set up a Craigslist account when you get started to manage your alerts, but after that you'll start receiving email alerts directly to your inbox when matching items appear on the site.
- Thou Shalt Be Ready and Willing to Act
When you finally find that special something you've been searching for, you have to act fast to convince the seller you're the best buyer before someone else scoops the piece out from under your virtual nose. A good place to start is by offering to pay in cash and pick up that day. On Oh Happy Day, blogger Jordan Ferney advises that sellers are looking to get rid of items as quickly and efficiently as possible, so you'll have more luck getting the seller to pick you if you can make him or her confident that you're a fast-acting, reliable, and serious buyer.
- Thou Shalt Negotiate
There's no harm in simply asking a seller if he or she will take a lower price. Craigslist is a haggle-friendly platform, and the worst a seller can say is "no." In this case, Sherry and John of Young House Love suggest that you can make a stronger case by referencing Craigslist postings of similar items listed at lower prices or by comparing the used asking price to the original retail price.
- Thou Shalt Beware of Red Flags
Lifehacker writer Melanie Pinola cautions shoppers to keep a look out for red flags, such as an abundance of typos, commercial product images only (you want to see the actual item for sale in their home), an ad that's posted in multiple cities, or deals that seem too good to be true. All of these could signal a scam.
- Thou Shalt Buy Safely
Don't put yourself in a vulnerable situation when it comes to making the product exchange. Bring a friend and meet in a public place, such as a police station parking lot. "Do not go into anyone's home that you do not know. Ask that they set the furniture in the garage for you to view," advises Suzanne from Suburban Spunk.
This Insane Watermelon Skinning Trick Will Make Your Jaw Drop
We all know how to cut watermelon into cubes and slices, but how many times have your guests really been impressed with those shapes? One former NASA engineer, Mark Rober, figured out the coolest party trick that presents the fruit in a way you'd never imagine.
Rober takes two watermelons close in size - the first he skins completely by removing outer slices with a knife, then smooths its surface out with a dish scrub. The second watermelon is cut into two equal halves and then gutted entirely. Place the skinned watermelon into the empty vessel, and you've got yourself a twist-apart melon.
Watch the video and try it out for yourself!
21 #MealPrep Ideas That Are Anything but Boring
Do you #MealPrep? Meal prepping, or making your weekly breakfasts, lunches, and sometimes dinners ahead of time, is the craze sweeping the nation. Many self-confessed meal preppers often take to Instagram to show off their ingenuity and handiwork. People on special diets, such as Paleo or those on Weight Watchers, have long enjoyed meal prepping, since it can be hard to pick up dishes that conform to their strict needs on a whim.
Now, meal prepping is going mainstream as more and more people try to get a handle on the week ahead. It's also a great way to ensure you eat healthy and often for less than buying meals out. In fact, meal prepping is getting a downright gourmet makeover - check out these 21 inspiring examples of #mealprep!
Related stories:
How to Turn an Ikea Coffee Table Into the Bedroom Bench of Your Dreams
With this simple hack, Jess Blazejewski of Style Me Pretty Living shows us how to turn an inexpensive coffee table into a gorgeous luxe bench.
This bench was actually repurposed from a $60 coffee table! We painted the legs gold, then wrapped a piece of velvet like fabric over a precut piece of foam using nothing more than a staple gun. Boom, done! I am a little in love with this project and feel like of all of our ideas, this one really feels the most luxe, the most high end.
Materials
Gold spray paint
1 yard fabric
1 1/4 yards of 2″ thick, 24″ wide foam sheet
Yardstick
Sharpie
Scissors
Pliers
Staple gun
1/4″ staples
Costs and time: $100 per bench (plus some tools from around the house - scissors, pliers, staple gun)
1 1/2 hrs. per bench
Instructions
1. Use pliers to twist off the metal tabs on the bottom of the long table. Pull them straight up and straight down a few times and they should pop right off.
2. Spraypaint the frame of the table gold and let dry 1 hour.
3. Trace the composite board of the coffee table with the sharpie on the foam sheet. Cut out the foam sheet along the lines with a bread knife.
4. Cut the fabric to be 8″ wider and longer than the table base.
5. Layer the foam sheet, then fabric, on top of the base. Staple gun the fabric to the underside of the base to secure it. At corners, fold the fabric to make a nice seam and then staple.
6. Place the base on the top of the gold frame and your bench is ready to go!
Check out more great stories from Style Me Pretty Living:
How to Turn an Ikea Coffee Table Into the Bedroom Bench of Your Dreams
With this simple hack, Jess Blazejewski of Style Me Pretty Living shows us how to turn an inexpensive coffee table into a gorgeous luxe bench.
This bench was actually repurposed from a $60 coffee table! We painted the legs gold, then wrapped a piece of velvet like fabric over a precut piece of foam using nothing more than a staple gun. Boom, done! I am a little in love with this project and feel like of all of our ideas, this one really feels the most luxe, the most high end.
Materials
Gold spray paint
1 yard fabric
1 1/4 yards of 2″ thick, 24″ wide foam sheet
Yardstick
Sharpie
Scissors
Pliers
Staple gun
1/4″ staples
Costs and time: $100 per bench (plus some tools from around the house - scissors, pliers, staple gun)
1 1/2 hrs. per bench
Instructions
1. Use pliers to twist off the metal tabs on the bottom of the long table. Pull them straight up and straight down a few times and they should pop right off.
2. Spraypaint the frame of the table gold and let dry 1 hour.
3. Trace the composite board of the coffee table with the sharpie on the foam sheet. Cut out the foam sheet along the lines with a bread knife.
4. Cut the fabric to be 8″ wider and longer than the table base.
5. Layer the foam sheet, then fabric, on top of the base. Staple gun the fabric to the underside of the base to secure it. At corners, fold the fabric to make a nice seam and then staple.
6. Place the base on the top of the gold frame and your bench is ready to go!
Check out more great stories from Style Me Pretty Living:
This Is a Fixer Upper Fan's Dream Vacation
Have you ever watched a Fixer Upper reveal and fantasized about what it would be like to live in the house? Now you can find out! A couple of former Fixer Upper homes are now available as vacation rentals on HomeAway. For about $380 a night, you can get cozy in the charming 1930s house from season 3 or soak up the Mad Men vibes in the mid-century modern house from season 2, which Joanna described as her favorite reno of all time! Check out the dreamy rentals below, buy a flight to Waco, and then start planning your HGTV dream vacation, complete with visits to Baylor University and Magnolia Market!
10 Supersized Foods That Prove Bigger Is Better
Bigger is better, at least when it comes to these foods. If your love of Oreos, pizza, and peanut butter cups is real, you're going to want to try out these supersized versions. Watch the video to see each final product, and then find each recipe below.
- Giant Oreo cookie
- Giant ice cream sandwich
- Giant Hershey's bar cake
- Giant peanut butter cup
- Giant ice cream Snickers bar
- Giant pretzel
- Giant Twix bar
- Giant cookie cup
- Giant doughnut cake
- Giant pizza slice
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography
This Is a Fixer Upper Fan's Dream Vacation
Have you ever watched a Fixer Upper reveal and fantasized about what it would be like to live in the house? Now you can find out! A couple of former Fixer Upper homes are now available as vacation rentals on HomeAway. For about $380 a night, you can get cozy in the charming 1930s house from season 3 or soak up the Mad Men vibes in the mid-century modern house from season 2, which Joanna described as her favorite reno of all time! Check out the dreamy rentals below, buy a flight to Waco, and then start planning your HGTV dream vacation, complete with visits to Baylor University and Magnolia Market!
Brace Yourself: Here's What the Tanner's Home on Fuller House Is Worth IRL
To Full House lovers, there's one San Francisco landmark even more iconic than the Golden Gate Bridge: the Tanner family's sublime Victorian. While the real-life house, located in the Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood, has changed quite a bit since the exterior shots were filmed in the late '80s (bye bye, signature red door!), it remains a destination for the show's legion of fans.
As the Tanners prepare to take up residency in San Francisco once again on Fuller House, we couldn't help but wonder how the family's prime real estate would fare in the city's inflated market - San Francisco has recently been declared the least affordable city, the most expensive US city for renters, and the most costly place to buy a house.
To find out, we consulted top-producing San Francisco agent at McGuire Real Estate, Regine Familet. She's brokered deals on the same block as the Tanner's beloved "painted lady," and knows the San Francisco market intimately. Regine looked at the sales price of comparable homes in the neighborhood, the specs of the actual house used in the exterior shots, and a floor plan derived from the show's set to calculate what the home's current market price would be.
"A four-bedroom Victorian with attic and multiple outdoor spaces on one of the best blocks in Lower Pac Heights can easily fetch over $3 million in today's market, and with the right renovations (more bathrooms!) and possible expansion - much, much more," says Regine. With a gut overhaul of the interior, Regine estimates that they could garner north of $3.5 million.
Equally as impressive as the home's value is how much it appreciated since Full House left the air in 1995. That year the average house in Lower Pacific Heights sold for $441,929, according to data compiled by McGuire Real Estate. In 2015, the data shows that the average sale price in the same neighborhood was $3.846 million. "Given when they purchased their 4-bedroom house, the Tanners would be euphoric for what it is worth today," declares Regine.
Brace Yourself: Here's What the Tanner's Home on Fuller House Is Worth IRL
To Full House lovers, there's one San Francisco landmark even more iconic than the Golden Gate Bridge: the Tanner family's sublime Victorian. While the real-life house, located in the Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood, has changed quite a bit since the exterior shots were filmed in the late '80s (bye bye, signature red door!), it remains a destination for the show's legion of fans.
As the Tanners prepare to take up residency in San Francisco once again on Fuller House, we couldn't help but wonder how the family's prime real estate would fare in the city's inflated market - San Francisco has recently been declared the least affordable city, the most expensive US city for renters, and the most costly place to buy a house.
To find out, we consulted top-producing San Francisco agent at McGuire Real Estate, Regine Familet. She's brokered deals on the same block as the Tanner's beloved "painted lady," and knows the San Francisco market intimately. Regine looked at the sales price of comparable homes in the neighborhood, the specs of the actual house used in the exterior shots, and a floor plan derived from the show's set to calculate what the home's current market price would be.
"A four-bedroom Victorian with attic and multiple outdoor spaces on one of the best blocks in Lower Pac Heights can easily fetch over $3 million in today's market, and with the right renovations (more bathrooms!) and possible expansion - much, much more," says Regine. With a gut overhaul of the interior, Regine estimates that they could garner north of $3.5 million.
Equally as impressive as the home's value is how much it appreciated since Full House left the air in 1995. That year the average house in Lower Pacific Heights sold for $441,929, according to data compiled by McGuire Real Estate. In 2015, the data shows that the average sale price in the same neighborhood was $3.846 million. "Given when they purchased their 4-bedroom house, the Tanners would be euphoric for what it is worth today," declares Regine.
50 Recipes That Star the Greatest Ingredient of All Time: Parmesan Cheese
You know when the waiter asks you to tell you when there's enough parmesan, and you remain silent for a solid 30 seconds? There just aren't enough words to describe how magical this cheese is, and it makes basically anything savory taste better. All of the following recipes have parmesan in their ingredient list, but don't feel restricted by any measurement, because a never-ending amount of parmesan is always a good idea.
5 Ways to Make Award Night More Fun
Between television, music, and movies, getting through award season can get boring pretty quickly. Sweeten things up this year by using these creatively fun tips to get the party started while you root for your favorite celebs to take home their well-earned golden trophies. Check them out ahead.
5 Ways to Make Award Night More Fun
Between television, music, and movies, getting through award season can get boring pretty quickly. Sweeten things up this year by using these creatively fun tips to get the party started while you root for your favorite celebs to take home their well-earned golden trophies. Check them out ahead.
Gordon Ramsay Tries Girl Scout Cookies For the First Time - Hates Them, Obviously
Jimmy Kimmel learned that chef Gordon Ramsay had never tried Girl Scout cookies, so he brought out the three most popular flavors for the chef to try. "I'm going to first of all warn you, this is almost like sacred territory you're entering here, OK? There's the American flag; there's Willie Nelson; and Girl Scout cookies. Those are the only three things we care about." But that didn't stop the chef from being honest - brutally honest - about his opinion of them. Spoiler: he spits out the Thin Mint. After that, all Jimmy could muster is, "Well, Gordon Ramsay's visa just expired, so . . . "
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