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Showing posts from October, 2016

This Pre-Teen Bedroom (and Bath!) Would Make Kate Spade Proud

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When Shay Geyer, the owner and designer of IBB Design Fine Furnishings, decided to give her 10-year-old daughter's bedroom and bathroom an update, it wasn't because they lacked color or creativity. The original design included every shade in the rainbow, but it was intended for a four-year-old and she felt her daughter had outgrown it. Take a look at the before: IBB Design So to bring the space up to pre-teen speed, she decided to stick with the colorful palette, but add in bold black accents and patterns inspired by Kate Spade and Tory Burch — and the results are something we firmly believe both famous brands would swoon over.   First, Geyer wanted to make the room more functional, creating a space where her daughter could hang with friends, study,  and  sleep. So she opted for a lofted bed — plus a custom-made day bed for non-sleeping hours. (Two beds? Thanks, mom!)  The bright blue paint makes the loft the room's focal point, while stripes on the day bed and polka d

12 Festive Desserts for Fourth of July

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Because sweets just taste better dressed in red, white, and blue. Courtesy 5 Minutes for Mom Rice Krispies Sparklers Dessert on a stick doesn't get much more patriotic than this. These treats are simple to make and won't keep you tied to your seat. Get the recipe at 5 Minutes for Mom » Courtesy Belle of the Kitchen Ice Cream Sandwiches This jazzy recipe turns store-bought cookies and ice cream into a homemade masterpiece. Firework-like sprinkles are the perfect embellishment for the season. Get the recipe at Belle of the Kitchen » Courtesy The View from Great Island Fruity Yogurt Popsicles These striped treats only require three ingredients (Greek yogurt, blueberries and raspberries or strawberries), but look like a professional made them. Get the recipe at The View from Great Island » Courtesy Lauren's Latest Triple Berry Layered Cream Cake This stacked confection can double as a striking table centerpiece (if your guests can contain themselves for long enough). Get t

11 Tweets That Say Everything You Think When You Watch HGTV

Who are we kidding? When it comes to killing a couple of hours, forget Netflix — people wanna know what's on HGTV.  For whatever reason, the channel is really good at reeling folks in with their how-to shows on any and everything home improvement, garden, and craft. They binge-watch episodes, dream of ways to date its hosts and even have their kids on board ready to watch, too. All in all, HGTV has become a way of life, and its fans are taking to social media to share their all-too-familiar addictions — and we can't help but laugh at the realness of it all.  When you understand that HGTV is the true definition of treating yourself. My therapist recommended more "me time" so it's 7:45 PM on a Monday night and I'm in bed watching House Hunters. — Jeff Heimbrock (@jheimbrock) February 23, 2016 But unfortunately, Netflix just doesn't understand your current life choices. You definitely still have qualms about the people who end up on the shows.  People on

The Tiniest Cottage in Cape Cod Is Also the Cutest

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VRBO You don't have to be a  House Hunters  addict to know that beach houses on Cape Cod, part of Massachusetts's tony coastline, are some of the priciest homes you can buy in the United States. But, there are deals to be had — if you're not looking for a lot of space, that is. Meet the area's tiniest home, a mini cottage that's within walking distance of the Nantucket Sound beaches and offers its residents a whopping 162-square feet. For the relatively low price of $$,000 (that's $$$ per square foot, for anyone keeping score at home), you don't get much house, but hey, location, location, location. From the outside, this cedar shingle-bedecked house is the expected quaint style we see on Cape Cod cottages, but it ups the cute factor with romantic white trim and a few hydrangeas to boot. Inside, the one-room space is way less expected: The cathedral-style ceiling is painted (wait for it) a pale pink. Really, the whole place is a dream come true for anyone

This Turkey Farm Celebrates the Season With Birds of a Different Color

Flock to Gozzi's Turkey Farm in Guilford, Connecticut, and you won't find the neutral-hued turkeys we've all come to expect. Nope, the stars of Gozzi's Farm are much brighter — even neon! — than that. The vibrant turkeys, which range in color from orange to pink to green, are a tradition at the farm that dates back generations. It was in 1940 that third-generation owner Bill Gozzi's grandmother started displaying the birds to amuse local children. The bright idea really flew off. According to Gozzi, kids come by the busload on school trips, while senior citizens make the pilgrimage in vans. Visiting the turkeys is also an annual outing for many families, such as Christa Trudeau's. Trudeau has been going to the farm since she was 2 years old, never skipping a year. Now she brings her own children to see the birds. "It's just so bizarre," Trudeau told Today.com. "It seems almost like a cartoon. It's like a fantasy, it seems so unrealisti

How to Marbleize Easter Eggs With Nail Polish

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For many families, it just wouldn't be Easter without tiny colored PAAS tablets fizzing into cups of vinegar, ready for egg-dying. This adorable decorating idea from Mom.me applies the same nostalgic dunk-and-color technique, but with a much more impressive result. Plus, we're sure you already have the materials you need to make them. Take whatever pretty nail polish colors are languishing in your makeup bin (neon coral seemed like such a good idea at the time), and swirl into cups of water to create the marble effect. Baby pink and mint green look better on Easter eggs than your fingers, anway. Watch the video to see exactly how it's done. From: Good Housekeeping US By Lauren Piro

This Tiny Apartment Is Full of Hidden Surprises

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When it comes to small-space living, efficiency is key. For the everyday apartment dweller, that might mean outfitting your kitchen with some extra hooks, or owning a dining table that can double as a desk. But this sleek pad, designed by Yo! Home, laughs in the face of your pedestrian efforts. Instead, it employs ingenious architecture and modern technology to nearly double its footprint. For instance, can you guess where the bed is?  Courtesy of YO! HOME Here's a hint: Look up.  Courtesy of Yo! Home And that's just the first surprise. The dining room table lowers into the floor until no trace of it is left. Imagine that: A studio that can host a dinner party that segues into dancing, if the mood strikes. There's also a "pocket kitchen" hiding behind cabinets, more storage space in the floor, and even a drop-down movie screen. It's literally everything you want (and maybe more than you already have) in 430 square feet. Here's a closer look at how desi

Inside the Stunning Home Built for Chipotle's Founder

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Trulia All those "Guacamole costs extra" charges can certainly add up. While Chipotle has made headlines as of late for investigations into food safety, we're taking a look at another newsworthy development: the home built for founder Steve Ells, which is currently on the market for $ million. Located in Denver, Colorado, this contemporary mansion has a private feel — in fact, it doesn't feel like it's in the midst of a city at all. That's because of its strategic location on a 1/3-acre plot of land that overlooks the golf course of the Denver Country Club. Just take a look at the backyard, which seems miles away from the hustle and bustle. Trulia The interior presents a similar study in contrasts. The Douglas fir beams bring organic texture, while the industrial-style windows flood the space with sunlight. Though the floorplan is open, the design has an intimate feel that comes through features like built-ins, dark wide-planked flooring, and soft lighting

9 Dreamy Paper Flower DIYs to Swoon Over

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These impressive blooms give fresh-cut stems a run for their money — and last way longer. Atta Girl Says Wispy Petals Rosy, translucent tissue paper packs an ethereal punch when layered into bursting blooms. Get the tutorial at Atta Girl Says » Lia Griffith Baker's Bounty Patterned cupcake liners make a respectable stand-in for carnations or peonies with a little trimming. Get the tutorial at Lia Griffith » Classic Play Sunny Wreath Dip-dyed cotton swabs are the starting point for this circle of happy daffodils. Get the tutorial at Classic Play » Freutcake Layers of Crepe Flexible, colorful crepe paper is a handy material for crafting realistic-looking flowers (and a cute watering can doesn't hurt either). Get the tutorial at Freutcake » Damask Love Punch Power This wide variety looks difficult to recreate, but paper punches (like these circular ones ) do most of the work, so you easily end up with a uniform look. Get the tutorial at Damask Love » Studio DIY Gentle Giant