Ideas & Tips — Home

The thought of a smoothie usually calls to mind the bright colors and tart flavors of the various fruits that are commonly used in blended concoctions, but the smoothie is so much more than that. Namely, the form of a smoothie can be used to convey any number of flavors and ingredients, including thematic seasonal blends. Also, seasonal smoothies are often much healthier than their non-smoothie counterparts, such as pumpkin pie and eggnog, so they are a good choice for people looking to stick to a diet without missing out on the flavors of the holidays. Don't put your blender...

When you spend Thanksgiving at someone's home, you know they've spent all day cooking up a feast and preparing the house for guests, so you'll want to bring something along to show your appreciation of their efforts. When choosing a host gift, it's important to consider your host's particular tastes, but there are a few categories that many good host gifts fall into. Useful in many situations, sometimes even during the meal itself, these versatile host gifts will make your hosts want to invite you back next year: A serving bowl: Oftentimes, hosts who are taking on the Thanksgiving meal for...

We've previously discussed on this blog how to put together your own bar cart, which adds panache to any home. However, if you aren't a big drinker or you don't always keep liquor on hand, you don't have to be left out of this hot decorating trend! Here are 8 tips for making an at-home coffee bar: Delivery is key: Half of the fun of setting up a bar area is finding a pretty table or cart on which to put it. The same principle applies when you are putting together a coffee bar.  Fresh flowers: Fresh flowers immediately elevate...

There's nothing better than a bouquet of fresh flowers to brighten up your home, unless it's a bouquet of fresh flowers that you put together yourself. You don't have to be a professional florist to learn how to make your own beautiful arrangements. Here are some tips for beginners:  Decide on a flower arrangement design: Better Homes & Gardens Magazine recommends to decide on a color scheme before shopping for flowers. Then, when you go to buy flowers, you know you're picking up colors that work well together. the key is to be "open-minded" and see what you are drawn to....

Many people think that if they don't have an entire extra room, then they can't have a home office. However, even the tiniest spaces — like an extra closet or pantry — can be turned into stylish work places. Here are some tips to get you started: Add light: It's crucial that an office space have proper lighting, so if you are converting a closet then be sure to hire an electrician to add wiring. A combination of overhead and lamp light creates ideal conditions for working.  Include desk accessories: Elegant accessories in stainless steel can elevate your desk style....