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Browsing Tag: Living Room Decor

3 Accessories Anyone Can Wear….

If you are someone who doesn’t have much of an interest in fashion or trends, it can be hard to put together an outfit. The good news is, all it takes is adding a few staple items to your closet to enhance your look. No matter your age or style, these pieces are timeless and don’t need to break the bank.

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Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Belts

The great thing about belts is they are functional and add style to your look. There are a variety of belts out there. From wide leather belts to dainty, intricate ones. When deciding on where to start it is best to consider quality. An accessory like this can last you a long time so you don’t have to buy another one. Something to consider would be if it is real leather and where it is made. Many people like to buy American-made products to support the jobs in the country. You also want to think about the look you are going for. Some people prefer a traditional, simple look. Other people may prefer a more stylish, trendy look. No matter what your style is, there is a belt out there for you.

Hats

Another way to take your wardrobe to the next level is by adding a hat. There are a ton of styles out there so you are sure to find the one that fits the look you’re going for. If you are at a sporting event you may throw on a baseball cap with that team’s logo on it. If you are going out, you may add a fedora or wide brim to dress up. When it comes to headwear, the possibilities of how and what to wear are endless.

Watches

A watch can be worn with almost any outfit, for any occasion. Men and women wear them when they are working out, going to a nice event, or just doing their everyday routines. Not only does a watch tell you the time, but some can also track your fitness stats and heart rate. This accessory is not only stylish, but it is also functional. A watch is something you can have for a very long time. When you are choosing a watch, consider how long you will have it and the quality it should be.

Deciding what you need in your closet to complete your wardrobe can be overwhelming. The best place to start is having a few key accessories that you can wear all the time, with multiple looks and styles.

Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

My friend Margarita, made these cookies a few weeks ago and shared them with me, and OMG!!!! I was in shock at how good they were for cookies made with rolled oats and no flour. The entire week after, I could not stop thinking of them. So far we have made them 2 times already. This is probably one of the best recipes I have shared with you, honestly. They remind me of protein bites but even better!!! Bon Appetit!!

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Adapted from ambitious kitchen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup natural creamy peanut butter
  • 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup rolled oats (gluten-free if desired)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2/3 cup chocolate chips, dairy-free if desired
  • Flakey sea salt for sprinkling on top

Instruction

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small bowl mix together the oats and baking soda; set aside.

In a large bowl mix together peanut butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Mix in dry ingredients with a wooden spoon, then gently fold in chocolate chips.

Roll cookies into 2-inch dough balls and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. BARELY flatten the top of the cookie with your hand. The dough should be pretty sticky so if you find this method annoying, simply use a cookie scoop to drop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. The cookies may not be as round in shape and perhaps a bit thicker, but that’s okay, they will still be delicious!

Bake cookies for 9-12 minutes and remove when edges barely begin to turn a golden brown. The cookies may look a little underdone, but they will continue to cook once you remove them from the oven. 

Cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle each cookie with flakey sea salt. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough. Makes 16-20 cookies.

Recipe Notes

You can use less sugar or less chocolate chips — I have tried using 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup chocolate chips and they turned out great.

Feel free to substitute almond butter or another nut butter in replace of peanut butter.

Geometric Rugs, Do You Dare?

For the past 2 days, I saw 2 incredible rooms with the most beautiful geometric rugs. It really got me thinking..do I need a geometric rug? Maybe on my stairs or in my office. YES!! I think I do. I of course went to Google for some inspiration and found some really fab options. Statement rugs are in!!! They are all the rage and I need to hop on this wagon for sure!! The David Hicks carpets are my absolute favorites. I definitely like the hexagon design but they all are beautiful!!! I have to say, as usual, I saved the best for last. The room designed by Nina Draddy stopped me in my tracks. I love love love it. That is exactly how I want my office to look….someday!!!!!

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My Favorite by Nina Draddy Designs…. This is what my new home office is going to look like!!!

This is for the guys….5 tips feel comfortable and look sharp while working from home!

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Image Pixabay

Calling all our guy readers…Just because you’re spending all your weekdays now working from home doesn’t mean you can’t still look sharp! Of course, as any guy knows, the trick is to look good while still feeling comfortable. Your home office probably doesn’t have the same suit-and-tie requirements that your old office did, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still look put-together every day. In fact, some studies have even shown that changing out of your pajamas and putting on a more dapper outfit can have positive psychological effects that might even boost your motivations and improve your work product. For men who want to look great but feel comfy while working from home, here are some of the top clothing tips to remember.

1. Unpredictable Weather Patterns? Dressing in Layers Is Key

Do you live in an area with totally unpredictable weather patterns that seem to change every fifteen minutes? If so, dressing in layers is key, especially if you like to spend part of your workday working from your balcony, patio or backyard. If the temperatures are cool in the morning but get hot by midday, for instance, a light T-shirt topped with a suave jacket could be the answer. Check out these key pieces perfect for layering:

  • A cotton V-neck shirt
  • A light jean jacket
  • Pants that can be adjusted into shorts
  • Mid-length khakis

2. For Work Video Calls, Professional Shirts Made With Comfy Materials Are a Go-To

Just about everyone at this point has had the experience of needing to hop on a video call for work in the middle of the day, and when this happens, looking professional is essential. However, your bottom half may not matter as much since it won’t be on camera! That means that even if you’re still rocking your sweatpants, you’ll want to pull on a classy dress shirt. The trick here is choosing soft, comfy materials like cotton or polyester blends, so you won’t get that stiff, starchy, scratchy feeling that all too often comes with high-end professional shirts.

3. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Comfortable Underwear

You might think that having plain versus pouch underwear might not make a big difference to your comfort levels at home, but a simple trial of comfier underwear could prove you wrong. Comfortable undergarments like boxers made from stretchy materials, for instance, can actually have a big impact on your overall level of comfort. This makes sense since it’s the most basic layer of your outfit! To be cozy overall, start at the core level with a solid pair of underpants.

4. On Work-From-the-Couch Days, Consider Tailored Hoodies

On days where there are no work calls to worry about, tailored hoodies could be the way to go. Hoodies are casual enough to wear while working from the couch from 9:00 to 5:00, but if you choose one made with nice materials and get it tailored, it could look snazzier on you than you realize!

5. Don’t Forget About Keeping Your Feet Warm, Too

Although it’s totally fine to go barefoot all day while at home, if you get chilly indoors or live in a colder climate, part of completing your outfit and staying cozy is keeping your feet warm, too. There are plenty of options for slip-on shoes that look great but feel comfortable, too – just try a pair of leather boat-style shoes that are fleece-lined on the inside, for instance.

Maybe your commute now involves moving from the bed to the couch and your pet dog is essentially your coworker, but just because you’re working from home all day doesn’t mean you have to start dressing poorly. With the right outfit planning, it’s totally possible to dress for success while still feeling comfortable. For any men interested in keeping up dapper appearances without compromising on comfort, these five clothing tips are key.

4 DIY Apps To Improve Your Home Right Now

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There are many ways that you can improve your home whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or some beautiful new artwork. With the help of arts and crafts tutorials, there are many decorative items that you can make to beautify your home. To give you plenty of DIY ideas and other options, check out these four neat apps.

1 . Craftgawker

If you’re looking for some excellent crafts ideas then you’ll just love the craftgawker app. Here there are thousands of DIY projects, including the work of top craft bloggers across the globe. It’s simple to use, once you’ve found a project you like simply click the photo and you can learn how to make it. A few of the key features include:

  • Browse the crafts projects by categories, popularity, or your favs.
  • Save the projects you love and add notes about each one.
  • Share your pics on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.
  • Get quality projects, curated by a team of craft experts.

Looking to customize your bookshelf? Want to make a cute table runner? Craftgawker offers plenty of project ideas to help you decorate your home.

 2. Make It Yourself- DIY Crafts App

Make It Yourself is another great app for DIY craft ideas. Whether you want to make decorations, simple homeware, or upcycled furniture items, this app has plenty to inspire you. There are lots of simple crafts decorations you can make for your home whether it’s decorative vases, bunting, cushion covers, or wall hangings. If you’ve got a knack for crafting and you want some extra ideas to motivate you, you won’t be disappointed. For plenty of easy DIY ideas, this is the app you need!

3. Hutch 

Hutch is an app that uses 3D tech to help you make virtual adjustments to your rooms. All you have to do is browse through the Hutch catalog, and pick out the homeware that you like. With the help of VR, you can test out different objects, styles, and designs, (before you choose to buy anything). Play around with colors, and create the virtual home of your dreams. All products are to scale, and the app has a simple interface that is easy to use.

4. Saatchi Art

Want to improve the interior design of your home? What you need is some beautiful artwork. Saatchi has plenty of gorgeous pieces, whether you’re looking for photography, paintings, sculptures, or screen prints. Plenty of new artists sell on here, so you can find some very unique and affordable things. Saatchi Art also has a VR setting, so you can test out different pieces of artwork in your home. Don’t forget to set the filters according to your style and budget.

Improving your home:

Once you’ve spruced up the inside of your home, it’s time to get outside and look at boosting your curb appeal! There are plenty of ways you can enhance the exterior of your home all you need to do is get creative. Whether it’s improving your yard, a new driveway, or even graffiti removal, there are plenty of options. Improving your house both inside and out is a fantastic way to enhance your lifestyle and make the most of your home.

Ash Wednesday Recipe (It’s from TikTok!!!)

I have seen so many people on Instagram making this simple Feta & Tomato Baked Pasta recipe, featured on TikTok, all over the world. It has become so popular that Finland ran out of feta cheese. The ENTIRE COUNTRY ran out!!!! The prep time is only a few minutes and within less than an hour you have a pretty good family meal. I have not made it yet but my friend blogger, Lemon Stripes made it yesterday and totally inspired me. Plus I read that it is totally worth the hype. Here you go, let me know in the comments below if you make it.

Baked Tomato and Feta Pasta:

(adapted from www.lemonstripes.com & The Washington Post)

Ingredients:
2 pints (17 1/2 ounces / 500 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes

4 cloves garlic

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Kosher salt

1 block Greek feta cheese

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Freshly ground black pepper

12 ounces medium-length dried pasta, such as campanelle, rigatoni or rotini

Fresh basil leaves, for serving

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. Place tomatoes and garlic in a baking pan and toss with 1/4 cup of olive oil and sea salt.

3. Place the block of feta in the middle of the tomatoes and top the whole thing with crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, and black pepper.

4. Bake for 40 minutes or until the feta is slightly browned and the tomatoes are totally blistered.

5. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to box instructions. Be sure to save 1 cup of the pasta water before you drain it!

6. Mix up the tomatoes, feta, and garlic with a fork (I also broke up the garlic with a garlic press) to form a sauce.

7. Stir the pasta into the sauce and add pasta water, a little at a time, as needed.

8. Top with torn basil and serve.

9. Enjoy!