Life

Project by: Sabrina Soto Location: Studio City, California Designer Sabrina Soto (of HGTV fame) converted her garage into a bright, breezy workspace that boasts air conditioning, a wall-sized pinboard, a to-die-for pegboard, acres of cabinet space, and a garage door that allows her to let in fresh air and natural light—perfect for photoshoots!

If conveying your innermost thoughts via the written word isn’t exactly in your wheelhouse, allow us to kindly encourage you to knock the dust off those essay-writing skills you acquired back in the day. Because the only thing that stands between you and some cushy lakeside digs are a mere 200 words. According to Curbed, the owners of this gorgeous Catskills cabin are holding an essay-writing contest with plans to give the Bethel, NY home to whoever comes up with the most convincing words.

So… it’s not date night and you don’t have any major plans, but that doesn’t mean you have to be relegated to a night of watching Netflix on the couch. If you and your partner are bored of the same TV routine, there are plenty of little ways to switch it up without leaving—or straying far from—home, or putting in too much effort when you’re already tired from a long day. Need some suggestions? Here are 10 you can try tonight.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From Kitchn → The One Cleaning Tool You Really Need in Your Kitchen

(Image credit: Maria Speidel) From Kitchn → We Went to the Nation’s Biggest IKEA; Here’s What We Saw and Learned

Big news from Pinterest today. The social network and image sharing platform debuted a suite of visual discovery tools today, one of which turns your camera into a search tool. “Humans are visual creatures. We use our eyes to decide if something looks good, or if it matches our style,” the company says in its announcement blog post. “Pinterest is built for open-minded discovery. Just like when you’re out window-shopping.

(Image credit: Emma Christensen) From Kitchn → 21 Essential Recipes to Make in Your Microwave

(Image credit: Lisa Freedman) From Kitchn → This Tiny Kitchen Project Makes Me Smile Every Day

(Image credit: Quentin Bacon) From Kitchn → An Infused Vinegar Cleaning Spray That Actually Smells Great

(Image credit: Erika Tracy) From Kitchn → How To Clean Greasy Kitchen Walls, Backsplashes, and Cupboards

(Image credit: Lauren Volo) From Kitchn → Here’s Why the Martini Glass Is the Worst Glass in the World

(Image credit: IKEA) From Kitchn → Our 3 Favorite New Things from IKEA

(Image credit: @melissa_hartwig) From Kitchn → 8 Questions for Whole30 Cofounder Melissa Hartwig

(Image credit: Shawna’s Glamorous Custom Kitchen, photographed by Gina Bianciello for The Kitchn) From Kitchn → 3 Ideas to Steal from This Under-the-Stairs Pantry

Morgan’s dream of living in Europe was a topic even on her first date with her partner Matt. “Matt had never been to Europe before, but it wasn’t long until we booked out first trip together and he caught the travel bug,” writes Morgan. Three years after that first date, Matt got the opportunity to open his company’s European office. And they had a pick of pre-approved countries like Ireland, England, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands!

(Image credit: Top Table Design) From Kitchn → 10 Valentine’s Day Cards for Food Enthusiasts (and Pun Lovers)

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From Kitchn → 10 Awesome Bloggers Share Their Most Popular Soup Recipes

(Image credit: bikeriderlondon) shutterstock From Kitchn → 5 Things to Know About Cleaning Up Breakfast

(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From Kitchn → The Newbie Guide to Brewing a Better Cup of Coffee

(Image credit: Lauren Volo) From Kitchn → 5 Things You Really Shouldn’t Be Putting Down Your Drain

(Image credit: Kelli Foster) From Kitchn → How Breakfast Has Changed

(Image credit: Susanna Hopler) From Kitchn → 5 Kitchen Tools That Make Whole30 Easier

(Image credit: Susanna Hopler) From Kitchn → Make DIY Cake Toppers with Pipe Cleaners

Moving in with strangers can be a nerve-wracking experience, but sometimes a necessary one; you need people to split the rent with, after all, and you might not know anyone in town or have local friends who are also looking for a new place to live. You need to know, then, that the key to turning strangers-you-live-with into close friends (or at least amicable roommates) is simple communication.

(Image credit: Amazon) From Kitchn → These Are the Most Stylish Kitchen Organizers We’ve Ever Seen

One of the most motivating things you can do, both for your cleaning and organizing efforts AND for your attitude and outlook, is to have people over now and then. Now don’t get all shy on me – you don’t have to turn into a Martha-level “Entertainer” (note the capital E) – this is simply about recognizing that you are someone who truly cares about their home.

You know that feeling when you’re on a first date or you’re meeting someone new and they ask you what your hobbies are? Unless you’re proudly dedicated to something like painting or playing a sport or an instrument, there’s this moment where you wonder “What are my hobbies?” as if you’ve suddenly forgotten all the things you like to do in your spare time. The good news is, you can change that.

Tucked away in the gated Ocean Park community in San Juan, The Dreamcatcher guesthouse features nine unique rooms and three suites, each one featuring its own distinct style. And though The Dreamcatcher became a beautiful space organically, co-owners Sylvia and Stephan put in countless hours and hard work, as most major renovation projects require.

(Image credit: Gillian Vann/Stocksy) From Kitchn → 5 Things to Know About Coffee Stains

It’s always amazing when a pal goes out of her way to show you that she’s thinking of you, so here are some ideas on how to spread those fuzzy feels yourself. If you have a Thelma to your Louise, text her just as you’re turning off your alarm clock, or live for those happy hours you have after work, then show her just how much you care!

(Image credit: Erin Wengrovius) From Kitchn → Is Coffee Actually Good for You?

(Image credit: Caylin Harris) From Kitchn → How To Etch a Personalized Mug

(Image credit: Geraldine Campbell) From Kitchn → When (and Why) You Should Spring for the Good Champagne

(Image credit: Africa Studio) shutterstock From Kitchn → 10 Things to Do After Any Party

(Image credit: Everett Collection) shutterstock From Kitchn → 15 Ways to Practice Kindness in (and out) of the Kitchen

I’ve never been a person who’s good at New Year’s resolutions. I’d always set my sights on a bunch of lofty aspirations and then wind up dropping off after a few months or a few weeks, never getting to exactly where I’d hoped I would by the time the next December 31st rolled around. And it always felt terrible, because I thought I was failing. In 2016, I decided to try something new.

(Image credit: Michaela Cisney) From Kitchn → 10 Important Things We Learned About Grocery Shopping This Year

Whether you’ve been contemplating moving in to a small space with a significant other, friend or roommate or are just curious about how two people can fit all of their stuff into so few square feet, you’ll want to check out Marni and Laine‘s illuminating answers to these small space sharing questions — you’ve probably been too polite to ask. Marni: I think we’re good at talking it out.

I’ve been setting New Year’s goals and resolutions for like, forever. Every December 31, I sit down to craft a super long list of things I want to achieve in the New Year. Every year, I tick a few things off my list, which feels incredible, but the things I don’t accomplish make me feel like I didn’t do enough. (Sound familiar?) Instead, for 2017, I’m doing things a little differently—opting for New Year’s intentions instead.

When it comes to making more money, we tend to focus on working hard, landing that new job or getting that promotion—often overlooking how powerful our thoughts are at manifesting our reality. When you change your relationship with money, you might find that you’re able to hang on to more of it. Here, I’m sharing four of my favorite money habits that will help keep you in an abundant state of mind. Anytime money flows into your life, feel gratitude for it.

After much contemplation, we are still having trouble thinking of a moment in which wine wasn’t winning, and this year has been no exception. The much talked about beverage is arguably the cool kid of boozy drinks. As if they’d been stored in a cellar until optimal maturation, the multitude of wine-inspired ideas that continually gushed forth in 2016 prove that nearly everyone and everything wants to be associated with wine.

(Image credit: Maria Siriano) From Kitchn → 5 Ways to Make a Mason Jar Feel Gift-Worthy

(Image credit: Laura Volo) From Kitchn → 17 Make-Ahead Recipes for Christmas Dinner

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From Kitchn → 10 Ways to DIY a Christmas Tree Out of Things That Are Not Trees

Stumped on what to bring for your office secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange? Don’t just bring another coffee mug—make a mug cake kit! It’s super simple, under $10, and when you add a nip of Baileys, you’re sure to win at the holidays. A mug Cellophane bag Baileys nip Baker’s twine Ribbon Spoon Recipe card (one per page / four per page) Recipe dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt) 1.

As we head into the scary winter months, our admiration for everything Scandinavian seems to grow exponentially with each degree the temperature drops. How does Sweden rank among the happiest countries when it has such dark, cold winters? In search of some answers, we turned to Niki Brantmark, the blogger behind My Scandinavian Home, who lives in a townhouse by the sea in southern Sweden.

With all the hustle and bustle of the season, it can be hard to actually enjoy the holidays. Between traveling, seeing family, gift shopping, hosting and attending dinners and parties and more, there’s so much potential for stress to bog you down. It can be especially difficult when you’re part of a couple, because that usually means doubling everything—double the travel and family visits, double the dinners and parties to attend, and of course, more gifts to buy.

Floating from party to party isn't easy when you're not a social butterfly.

(Image credit: Heidi Murphy of White Loft Studio) From Kitchn → 5 Cute & Easy Ways to Package Cookies for Gifting

Let’s be real: The holiday season is stressful. While a part of me gets super excited for all the delicious feasts, the festive decorations, the gifts, and the magic that fills the air, another part of me feels overwhelmed. This holiday season, I’m committed to letting go of certain things and taking the pressure off myself so that I can go back to just enjoying the holidays like when I was a kid. Here, five things I’m saying no to this holiday season.

So you’ve decided to start bullet journaling. Welcome to the BuJo club! To get you started, we put together a little starter kit for you with all the goodies you need to kick off your bullet journaling adventure. The best part: It’s pretty wallet-friendly totaling just under $50. → BuJo Curious? The Things to Know About Bullet Journaling Before You Get Started First things first: you need a nice notebook. There’s really no right or wrong notebook for bullet journaling.

(Image credit: Maria Siriano) From Kitchn → The Little Secret to Pouring the Right Amount of Wine (No Matter What Glass It’s In)

(Image credit: Emma Christensen) From Kitchn → 3 Reasons You Probably Shouldn’t Throw Out Your Old Baking Sheets

Meeting new people should be a fun experience, but making small talk feels more like a chore than anything. Going to parties, seeing distant family over the holidays, talking to new people at bars—they all can become daunting and super emotionally draining after a while. Sometimes it’s so hard to know what to say, you just don’t want to say anything.

(Image credit: Mariyana Misaleva/Shutterstock) From Kitchn → 5 Things to Know About Red Wine Stains

Despite what it might feel like to a five-year-old, we know that the holidays are about more than just exchanging presents. If you’d like to instill that important lesson in your own family—or maybe just simplify your gift-giving this season with a clever little game that can also help save some money—we’ve got a gameplan for you. Instead of going hog wild at the mall this year, implement this four-word rubric to guide your gifting: Want, Wear, Need, Read.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From Kitchn → Steal This Smart Way to Display Your Holiday Cards

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From Kitchn → Sweet Holiday Gift Idea: DIY Apple Cider Caramels

When it comes to doing gift exchanges, you know the standard options—Secret Santa and White Elephant exchanges are fun ways to celebrate the holidays with friends, coworkers and family, but you’ve probably done them dozens of times. If you’re in want of a more creative way to give gifts this year, here are a few ways you can liven things up a little, while still giving fun, thoughtful gifts to your friends and loved ones.

(Image credit: Sabra Krock) From Kitchn → 10 Snacks We Love for Last-Minute Guests

Because sometimes you're overbooked or just don't want to go.

Bullet journals (or BuJos for short) are definitely having a moment right now. Everywhere you look—Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest—there’s bullet journal fever. If the cult-favorite organizational system has piqued your curiosity but you are not quite sure if it’s for you, we’re walking you through a few key things you need to know before you decide to BuJo or not to BuJo. First off, don’t let the word journal fool you.

(Image credit: Susanna Hopler) From Kitchn → 10 Gifts for the Coffee-Obsessed

(Image credit: jakkapan) shutterstock From Kitchn → Is It Really OK to Not Wash Your Coffee Cup?

"Decorating for the holidays" often feels like an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, but there's another way to do Christmas.

(Image credit: Morgan Childs) From Kitchn → How I Hosted Thanksgiving in My 195-Square-Foot Apartment

The holidays can be a truly lovely time of year, with parties, delicious dinners, and family and friend reunions—but they can also be super stressful (travel and fundamental differences among family members can all lead to disaster). The dynamics change even more when you’re in a brand new relationship, especially if it happens to be the first time you’re meeting your partner’s family. Of course, you want to make a stellar first impression and have a great time.

(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From Kitchn → 6 Tips for Setting Up a Thanksgiving Buffet

Oh, bless the nosy relatives and awkward acquaintances that we see this time of year. They mean well, right? They don’t want to hurt our feelings. They don’t mean to pry. And yet, oooof— navigating the holiday table can feel like House of the Flying Daggers, but instead of daggers it’s questions about jobs and housing and love interests and income and life goals and babies, all zinged at us over mashed potatoes and Nana’s famous dinner rolls.

When Amelia, who runs the design business Urban Cottage NYC, moved into her 490 square foot Hell’s Kitchen studio apartment, she was ready to live small. What she wasn’t willing to do was give up the feeling of having different rooms. “I still wanted to feel like I had a real dining room, where friends could hang out, or where I could write or sew or do projects while watching TV,” she writes. As you can see from her house tour, she totally aced the furniture placement.

(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From Kitchn → 10 Ways to Be the Best Thanksgiving Guest