Monthly Archives: December 2011

Everyone knows Santa loves cookies.  What does Santa not love?  Electrical fires from faulty decorations and trips to the ER on Christmas Eve. Before you tack those reindeer up over the fireplace, keep the following safety tips in mind, and ensure that everyone survives the holiday season unscorched—literally. Decorate at an age-appropriate level And by [...]

There’s no two ways about it:  building a home as a married couple can only be learned through trial and error.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t get some pointers along the way.  Below are some things to ponder when making that biggest of moves. Think about what it could look like, not only what [...]

“Carbon footprint” is the term used to describe the total amount of fossil fuels used by an individual, organization, or building—in other words, how many greenhouse gas emissions you’re personally responsible for.  In America, most people have a pretty sizable footprint.  So what can you do to reduce your energy use, even when renting from [...]

Maybe you don’t feel like following a dog around the city, plastic bag in hand, just waiting for the inevitable. Perhaps cats seem too aloof, and fish just aren’t givers.  Or maybe you just want to impress your house guests without redecorating the whole place.  Well, look no further!  Here are some interesting and unusual [...]

Most of us inherit something from family or friends, and it’s not always a hunk of cash or heirloom furniture pieces.  While it’s tempting to throw away everything that Grandma stuffed in her closets just to be done with it, repurposing some of these old things can save you money, preserve fond memories, and reduce [...]

It’s that time of year—the time for increasing your daily calorie intake by 100% and drinking more themed cocktails per week than you normally see in all those months that don’t have Christmas lurking at the end of them.  So what does your open-bar choice say about you?  Keep reading for our boozy drink breakdown. [...]

Major household appliances are usually—unlike so many things these days—built to last.  So when your refrigerator stops working or your washing machine breaks down, you could save money repairing it yourself or with the help of a professional.  Below are some tips to do-it-yourself repair, knowing when to call a professional, and when to throw [...]

There are plenty of blogs out there for the crafty of heart, who use every holiday as an excuse to cut and glue, thread and hang.  But what if you have kids who need both attention and something fun to get them in the holiday spirit?  Read on for some simple ideas to pass a [...]

If you’re like me, the beginning of December can mean dread.  How will I ever find something that my mother will actually use?  Something my picky brother cannot criticize?  And when will I have time to shop for such gifts?  Well, dear reader, you may have noticed that we’re big fans of Etsy.com, and your [...]

As Frosty the Snowman would remind us, we’re in the midst of  the “most wonderful time…of the year!”  However, that also means that the busiest time of year is upon us. Now that  apartment guru Ron Leshnower has warned you about the perils of decorating, here’s our short list to guide you through a picture-perfect December! [...]