This time of year, it’s not uncommon to have several parties or get-togethers to attend. Here are a few ideas on hostess gifts or home gifts you can bring along with you to show your gratitude. These beauties aren’t confined to the holiday season — bookmark this post for future parties, too!
An herb bouquet. Head to the grocery store and pick up an array of fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme. Then, bundle them together and tie with an elegant ribbon for a rustic-chic bouquet that’s also quite functional: your host can use it as fragrant decor or incorporate it into his or her cooking routine!
A bouquet of tapered candles. We’ve got another non-floral bouquet idea: candles! Tapered candles are a must-have for creating dinner party ambience, so your host will be grateful to have them. Remember — scent is a matter of personal taste, so opt for unscented. Plain white is classic, but if you know their color scheme, you can choose a hue that works with their decor.
Specialty chocolates. Pick up a few bars of dark chocolate at the store, and tie them together with a ribbon. Who doesn’t like chocolate?!
A magazine… with a subscription. Grab a copy of your favorite home magazine, like Real Simple or Better Homes and Gardens, and wrap it up for your host. Order them a subscription online and let them know you’ve just gifted them a full year’s worth of great reading when they unwrap their first issue.
Pretty paper napkins. Search for packages of paper napkins at stores like T.J. Maxx or even grocery stores like The Fresh Market. Choose a few complementary packages, and bundle them together with twine. Fabulous and functional.
A steel water bottle. Brands like Swell (and Sip by Swell at Target) offer high-quality, steel water bottles that retain both hot and cold temperatures. Find them in a variety of cute prints!
Pet treats. If your host has four-legged friends, why not bring them a gift instead? Create a simple basket stocked with pet treats and toys as a fun hostess gift alternative.
You’ve just scored an amazing piece of artwork… but now you have to hang it. Making sure your art is level and at the right height can be intimidating and requires a little bit of math, but check out our infographic below for a step-by-step guide on how to hang artwork. Whether you opt for a single, show-stopping piece or a detailed gallery wall, artwork can give your home a museum-like feel. Let’s hang!
How to hang wall art.
It’s not hard to find best practices for apartment hunting online, but what if you’re looking for apartment hunting tips for couples? We’ve got everything you need to know to find the perfect apartment space for you and your significant other.
Apartment hunting individually or as a couple can be similar in many ways. But there are certain factors to consider that are unique to approaching the process as a pair – just like deciding how to spend the holidays or making big purchases.
If you’re launching into an apartment hunt with that special someone, check out these 3 things that’ll make the process faster, easier and more enjoyable for both of you.
This is a largely ignored step that can save couples a ton of hassle and disagreements. Before launching into your couple apartment search, make sure to write separate lists of each of your apartment negotiables and non-negotiables. Then, combine all your non-negotiables into one list and make this your starting point.
If the list seems too long, cut it down by eliminating items that both of you don’t feel strongly about. Be sure to completing this exercise before going into the process. This will be instrumental in avoiding nasty surprises later on.
For example, are there certain locations that won’t work for one of you? Is a community pool a necessity or are both of you willing to forgo that amenity? Questions like these help both partners get on the same page and narrow down the apartment search criteria.
Separating the necessities from the “icing on the cake” items will help speed up the apartment search process tremendously.
Okay, we get it, you do everything together. But when it comes to apartment hunting as a couple, this isn’t the most efficient strategy.
We suggest maximizing the fact that there are two of you. You can cover twice as many locations, online resources and showings if you split the search process between you both. There will be times when you need to research a listings site or attend an apartment appointment as a pair. But tackling some of the legwork separately can make your apartment search twice as effective.
To avoid any miscommunication or confusion, make sure to keep each other in the loop through cc’d emails, pictures and regular touch bases. As far as visiting apartments solo, that’s what FaceTime is for.
When you decide to rent, you’ve most likely discussed a timeline for research, appointments, the application process, etc. However, it’s best not to place a hard deadline on when to make a decision.
Unless there are factors like a new job or the birth of a child to consider, it’s best to leave plenty of room for research, discussion and changes of heart. Renting an apartment as a couple shouldn’t be rushed, and if one person isn’t 100% on board with a particular place, it’s best to wait rather than try to convince them otherwise.
Apartment hunting with a significant other can be an exciting time. But it can turn ugly if both parties aren’t open to reaching common ground. It’s important to consider your partner’s point of view and be clear about your own needs and non-negotiables.
As long as you know what to stand firm on and what to let go, you’ll be moving into both of your dream apartment in no time!
Finding the ideal apartment is a big part of the puzzle when moving as a couple but there are many other moving-related tasks to consider as well. If you’re moving in the near future, check out CableMover’s Custom Moving Guide for personalized tips, tools & timelines for your move – your way.
Guest blog by CableMover
‘Tis the season to overindulge. Fortunately, these cleansing smoothie recipes serve a multitude of purposes: they’re perfect for on-the-go fuel while you’re busy getting in the holiday spirit, and they’re packed with healthy ingredients that will help your body detoxify from the inside out. Follow along with these recipes for delicious drinks that can boost your immune system, provide key nutrients like fiber and potassium, and — most important — still taste great!
This smoothie produces a beautiful green color and a hint of exotic flavor. Kiwi is a powerhouse for vitamin C, and pineapple and celery help keep you hydrated.
Ingredients:
Recipe:
Combine all ingredients and blend. For a thicker smoothie, add ice and/or freeze pre-cut kiwi, banana, and pineapple in advance.
Berries are the star of the show in this smoothie, which blends up to a vibrant shade of purple. Oats add extra protein while berries boast antioxidants that can help stimulate the immune system and fight sickness.
Ingredients:
Recipe:
Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Substitute almond milk for coconut milk if desired.
It’s dark and rich, but it’s also good for you!
Ingredients:
Recipe:
Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Substitute water for almond milk if desired to create even more depth of flavor.
Looking to spruce up your living room? We’ve collected some fantastic ideas for creating a functional living room that’s big on style. Incorporate some (or all!) of these tips into your space, and folks will flock to this cozy spot in no time.
Lighter colors are typically best for a living room because they can make a space feel larger and more airy. If your living room is part of an open floor plan, opt for a color that complements your kitchen decor to create a cohesive look.
Even if you have carpet, an area rug helps designate the confines of the living room and adds an extra layer of comfort and style. Area rugs can introduce texture and color into a space, and can also serve as a basis for choosing other decor like curtains, pillows, and artwork.
When possible, opt for wipe-clean seating like a leather couch, or slipcovers that can be easily removed and washed. If the aim is to create a room everyone can enjoy (maybe even furry friends!) you’ll want to rely on pieces that are as functional as they are comfortable. When in doubt, choose dark colors for your furniture to help hide stains, and keep the rest of your decor light and airy.
Choose double-duty pieces like storage ottomans or trunks that can double as coffee tables. Then, fill them with living room essentials like board games, spare batteries for the remote, and extra blankets. Oversized wicker baskets filled with accent pillows are another way to incorporate texture while also adding storage.
Most living rooms are a primetime spot to watch TV, so use this simple trick to know how far away to place the TV from the sofa: multiply the size of your TV by 1.5. For example, if you have a 40″ television, the sofa should be at least 60″ (5 feet) away. Remember to place the TV at the right level so that your eye naturally gazes toward the middle of the screen when you’re sitting on the sofa.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
