Get Your Move On

(Image courtesy of Jason Saul)

Though moving to a new place is exciting, we all know that it can be a stressful time. Between packing up rooms, organizing boxes, downsizing items and coordinating your move times, it can quickly become a daunting experience.

If you’re not looking forward to your move, we can help! With these simple steps courtesy of renters.apartments.com you’ll be packed up and ready to go in no time! Don’t believe us? Keep reading to find out how!

Create a Timeline

As soon as you know your moving date, write it down on a calendar. Then, you know exactly when all the packing has to be finished. You can also schedule the movers, fill out a change of address form at the post office and write a reminder to contact utility companies about switching service.

Organize the Supplies

With your timeline in place, get down to business. Make sure you have enough supplies before you start packing, though. Otherwise, you’ll become frustrated and lose you packing momentum. Suggested packing supplies include:

• Packing tape
• Boxes, suitcases and bins of all sizes
• Permanent markers in several colors
• Cushioning materials including bubble wrap, foam, towels and sheets

Get Rid of Stuff

The less stuff you own, the less you have to move. That means you save time and money because you don’t have to pack up stuff you no longer need, want, use or love or pay someone to move all your unwanted stuff.

• If the items are broken or have missing pieces, toss them.
• Sell gently used items at a yard sale or consignment shop, and apply the money you make going toward moving expenses.
• Donate gently used items to a charity.

Pack Each Room

You are now ready to begin the packing process. Start with the items you don’t use very often. They might include books, artwork or collectibles. Remember that heavy items go on the bottom of the box, and wrap fragile items securely in cushioning materials.

You should also give each box a label. Use a different colored marker for each room, and include the contents, room and number. So, the first box of kitchen items you pack might be labeled, “Baking Dishes, Kitchen, 1” while a bedroom box might have the label, "Sheets, Master Bedroom 25." On a master list, record each box number along with its contents. This system ensures you can also easily find your baking dishes or bed sheets in an instant, and it helps your movers place each box in the right room of your new home.

Remember to consult your packing plan throughout the moving process. It keeps you organized and reminds you to turn the utilities on in the new apartment or verify that the movers will arrive on time. It also reduces the stress of a move and makes setting up your new home easier. With your plan, you’re set to unpack, host a fun apartment warming party and tell all your friends how to pack for a move.

Bust It Out!

(Image courtesy of Mark Van Laere)

We all have those little projects around the house that we can’t wait to get finished. Starting them is a breeze, but then...another project comes our way and all the progress that we’ve made seems to fall to the wayside.

If project ADD is striking down your efforts every turn there is a simple solution. Rather than getting bogged down in a project try one of these simple tricks, courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com. You’ll be relaxing and enjoying the rewards of your hard work in no time!

1. Identify exactly what it is

This might sound a little too simple, but when you've got so many things swirling around in your head — from work stuff to family stuff to trying to remember to pick up almond milk on the way home — it can help to quite clearly identify what it is you actually want to get done. Don't have a sort of vague "make the closet look nicer" idea; tell yourself you want to organize your closet, completely making sure everything has its own place. It's the same with setting intentions; get specific.

2. Break it down into its absolute smallest parts

Don't just write "organize pantry" on your to-do-list and expect to get that done. You've got to narrow it down into all the tiny actions that are required to complete the task. And I mean tiny. From buying the necessary organization tools, to throwing away old or expired items to dividing the space to adding labels, give each task its own line on a to-do-list. Then, put it in the order that it has to be done, making a special note for things that have to happen before you can begin (like gathering tools or supplies). This will make sure that you don't keep putting off your project because you forget you've got to grab some supplies before you can actually start it.

3. Prioritize and do less

After you break a project or task down to its absolute smallest parts, now's a great time to really consider what actually needs to be done, and to choose the priorities. Decide what needs to be done and start on the vital tasks, first. But also consider not doing as much stuff. Do you really need to polish all your shoes before you organize them? It's admirable to want to try, but not at the risk of not doing any of it because you get burnt out.

4. Post it

I'm a big fan of large white boards scribbled with goals on it. It's hard to run from the truth when it's staring you in the face. This can be especially nice if the thing you want to do has a lot of tasks that need to be completed to finish it. It can just be on a sheet of paper, but the point is to get it out of your head and in front of your eyes so your brain can wrap itself around the project at hand.

5. Set a real day and time for it

Don't just set a goal and then not set a deadline — it may continue to stay undone for awhile. Find a day and time you can dedicate to tackling the project. And then keep the appointment as if it were a work appointment (or perhaps, like it were a spa appointment). And the best time to actually schedule getting started? Right now! (Starting ASAP prevents procrastination.)

6. Chip away at it regularly

If this isn't the sort of project that can be tackled in one afternoon or weekend, make sure it gets done (and doesn't end up in half-way finished land) by chipping away at it regularly. Set a weekly appointment to work on it, tiny task-by-tiny-task, until it's finally completed. Use an app or an alarm on your phone to keep you on track.

7. Talk yourself into — and through — it 

Don't doubt the power of persuasion — especially when it comes from you! Talk yourself into the project by visualizing how great it will feel to finish. Talk yourself through it by countering all your excuses about giving up like you would if it were a friend saying these things aloud. Be your own annoyingly optimistic cheerleader.

What's Your Vintage?

(Image courtesy of Derek Gavey)

Now that summer is here, many people forego heavier drinks for light and fruity cocktails - but what get together would be complete without a fantastic glass of wine? If you’re like us, the idea of sipping a heavy red wine during the hot, sticky summer months just doesn’t sound appealing.

If you want to give your wine list an upgrade for the summer, this article from apartmenttherapy.com has just what you’re looking for. Peruse this list of light, fruity summer wines to find your next favorite!

Vinho Verde

In Portuguese this translates to green wine and it’s the perfect drink for hot nights in Lisbon. A young, tart white wine this one is a crowd pleaser as it’s easy on the palette and great for drinking in the sun or after a long day in it.

Caprice de Colombelle

This French wine is robust for a white and has great notes of pear that evolve on the tongue. It goes well with chicken dishes or Brie cheese. This wine is pretty widespread as far as its exportation in the States so ask your local wine merchant if they carry it (and if they don’t, to start to!)

Santo Wines

These Greek wines from the island of Santorini are all delicious! From the sparkling wine to the dry red Vedema (as seen in the image) these wines are Dionysius approved. If you ever get to Santorini, a visit to this winery is a must as it sits high on the hills giving a view of the entire island and the caldera.

Wollersheim Winery’s Prairie Fumé

This semi-dry white wine believe it or not comes from Wisconsin. Naturally yes, it pairs well with cheese being from the land of cheese, but the experts at Wollersheim Winery, who won Winery of the Year at the San Diego International Wine Competition in 2012, know what they’re doing. The Prairie Fumé has won more awards than we can list here, including, “Blockbuster Wine of the Year” for its delicious orange and grapefruit flavors. Pairs well with grilled foods, pasta and seafood.

Sineann Yates Conwill Vineyard’s Pinot Noir

You don’t have to say goodbye to reds in the summer but you will want to lighten your palette’s load. Do that with a great Oregon Pinot Noir, fruity and light but still with plenty of evolution as it travels down the tongue, this wine is one to savor on a special summer night – we recommend the 2012 vintage.

Do you have a favorite warm weather wine or recipe? If so, share it with us!

Fresh Look For Your Space

(Image courtesy of Maegan Tinatri)

Cabin fever strikes at the most inconvenient times - even at the beginning of spring! If you’re tired of looking at the same furniture in the same spots, simply going outside may not be enough to make you feel better. There are plenty of simple solutions to keep your living space feeling fresh, even without an expensive trip to the furniture store to buy a new couch.

Simple changes in a limited space can make a BIG difference when it comes to home decor. If you’ve got some spare time, and are willing to put in a little bit of elbow grease, you’re living room (or bedroom, or kitchen, etc.) can feel brand new in no time. Follow these simple tips from renters.apartments.com to see what we mean!

Keeping a fresh perspective is key.

Have you ever noticed how different a room looks when you stand in a new corner, sit in a new chair or stand on a table to replace a light bulb? If your living room has been arranged the same way for multiple weeks, months or even years, it can almost be shocking to catch a view you haven’t seen before. It lends to the refreshing feeling of new and exciting, and it’s good to keep the room juices flowing for this reason- especially if no plans for moving are in your future.

Planning ahead isn’t necessary.

Rearranging on an impulse can be extremely therapeutic. The idea here is to think less, do more. The freedom derived from an act as simple as rearranging whenever you feel like it can take form in other parts of life as well. If we’re open to change with our things, perhaps we’ll also be more open to encouraging change within ourselves. So next time you come home to the same annoying couch/bike/TV combo, crank up some music and slide some things around.

Start with removing tables, chairs and lights.

Keeping these items in the other room will allow you to focus on larger placements such as couches, bookshelves and entertainment systems. The right setup for now will present itself much easier when the room is emptier- think about how fun arranging stuff in a brand new, empty apartment can be. Add the little things later, keeping light placement in mind throughout the entire process.

Use the process to downsize on stuff.

If you find that every time you rearrange, the same light gifted to you last Christmas gets put in the corner on a table and never used, give it away. If you love that trio of comfy recliners but one always seems to get in the way of your morning stretches, give one the boot and chances are you won’t miss it. Care for your things but don’t be tricked into relying on them. As our lives and needs change, so should the things we keep inside of our homes.

Do you have a favorite tip to freshen up your apartment that we missed? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Clean Up While You Green Up

(Image courtesy of Dan Brady)

Do you know what happens to the chemicals in your commons household cleaners when you've rinsed them down the drain? Often times they end up in our water and soil effecting the environment around us. Who would've thought cleaning would leave such a mess!

You don't have to worry about threatening the eearth in order to keep your home and clothes clean and smelling fresh with this one simple idea: instead of opting for store bought, chemical-laden cleaners, simply make your own at home. This article from apartmenttherapy.com has all the tips you need to get started!

1. Get all the ease of laundry pods with these DIY laundry bombs that include vinegar, epsom salts, and essential oils. From Savvy Sugar.
2. I haven't used dryer sheets in years, but I'm tempted to try this smart, inexpensive option from Radical Possibility.
3. If you're going to make your own spot remover, you may as well try a recipe created by the mom of a preschooler. From The Prairie Homestead.
4. Make your sheets smell especially nice with this floral-scented linen spray fromStyle Me Pretty.
5. Bleach is terrible for the environment; give it up and keep your whites white with this homemade solution instead. From Nourishing Joy.

Do you have a favorite DIY cleaning idea that we've missed? Leave us a comment and share it with us!

Stir It Up

(Image courtesy jtiano)

If you’re like us, you know it’s the little details that bring any great social gathering together. Of course it’s important to have a great menu but it’s the little details that let your guests know that you really took the time to prepare for them. Though they may not say it, all guests love to feel appreciated!

For that reason, it may be a fun project to craft your own stirrers for your next cocktail party. Adding a little unique flair will help a little fun - not to mention your guests may be able to tell their drinks apart! These ideas courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com are sure to give you the inspiration you need to get started. Keep reading to learn more:

The Crafted Cocktail Stirrer

While this may take some arts and crafts experience and a trip to the art store, it will also create a fun project for you to do over an afternoon before a get together or a party. First, you will need pieces of wood or plastic as your actual stirrers. They must be long enough to reach the bottom of the glass and still stick out of the top of the drink by a good few inches so that stirring can actually be done. Ideally, nothing should be added to the portion of the stirrer that will be immersed in the drink itself, as this could come off in the drink. But above the drink line, if you will, there’s nothing but creative freedom. Maybe attach rubber pencil holders to the end of each wooden stirrer, or small different colored puff balls of yarn for a fun addition to each drink. The creative crafting is only limited by imagination here.

Edible Cocktail Stirrers

Being able to eat your cocktail stirrer is a whole new level of drinking, if that makes sense. This has been done with specific drinks before and is always fun, as long as it adds to the flavor of the drink itself. For bloody mary’s, for example, consider using celery as your cocktail stirrer. For a sweeter drink, like a white Russian, consider using a stick of hard chocolate as the stirrer, though this might ultimately dissolve if left in for too long. A toothpick of olives works well as a stirrer for a martini, as does a strip of carrot, which will make a delicious bite or two after the drink is finished. This might take some experimentation to totally get right, but it’s very memorable when you do.

Found Cocktail Stirrers

There are items at your disposal that will work well as cocktail stirrers. Small plastic or wooden gardening dowels actually make excellent cocktail stirrers—just let your guests know they are totally sanitary. Long dull nails could also work, though they should be stainless steel and clearly cleaned to assuage any fears of unsanitary stirring conditions. These are more extreme ways to come up with your own cocktail stirrers, but if used with the right drink and the right crowd can be really cool.

Unplug to Recharge

(Image courtesy of Charles Dyer)

We know you’re all busy. With an endless list of things to do and places to be, technology like cell phones and iPads keep us connected to everyone at all times. During the day being connected can make our work and social engagements easier, but at night it can mean the difference between a goodnight’s sleep and no sleep at all.

Instead of sacrificing your sleep, why not separate yourself from your cell phone? One blogger did just that - at night she began putting her phone away in order to get the optimal level of sleep. In this blog fromapartmenttherapy.com she takes a look back at the last four months to document how her routine has changed. Keep reading to find out what she discovered:

About four weeks ago, I declared that I was going to stop keeping my iPhone at my side overnight. I'm happy to stay that I've stuck with the plan, and the results have been positive across the board.

First, thanks to everyone who expressed support for the idea. Telling you about the plan and knowing I wanted to report back were key in getting me to stick to it.

These days, my lonely little phone spends nights on the TV room coffee table, or on a particular window sill in a well trafficked hallway of my house. On the few nights where I've gone on autopilot and brought the phone into my bedroom, I've tucked it into the top drawer of my dresser so I won't be tempted to waste time looking at social media feeds before sleeping or when I first wake up. I've used my laptop from bed at night once or twice more than I would have before, but never for as long as I'd use my phone (which I'd attribute to the device's size).

While I expected to notice the change the most at night, the morning has been the biggest improvement. Using a dedicated alarm clock has actually helped me get up earlier. I'm hitting snooze less often; the alarm has only one, pretty annoying sound. But really, it's the peacefulness of letting my mind ease into wakefulness, rather than checking to see who's shared an interesting photo of flowers or dogs, that makes me happiest about reshaping my habits.

What do you think? Would you be able to unglue the phone from your hand to help your sleep schedule? Leave us a comment and let us know!