DIY Party Decorations

Are you attending or planning a summer party? Here are some great DIY decorations that you can incorporate into your theme. These are all budget friendly and can be made in your home. You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.




1. Burger balloons
There's just no way your barbecue can't look better with burger balloons. These cute DIY ones spotted on Studio DIY.









2. DIY Happy hour marquee
This is perfect for a chill cocktail social this summer (but also cool enough you might want to leave up all year). Spotted on A Beautiful Mess.








3. DIY eucalyptus chandelier
A gorgeous natural chandelier of eucalyptus will bring good looks and good smells to a Sunday brunch table. Seen on Inspired by This.








4. Marbelized and metallic placeholders. Perfect for setting the table at a Sunday brunch. Seen on tuts+.

5. Cool drink stirrers
These DIY drink stirrers made out of old jewelry will add detail to a chill cocktail social. Seen on A Side of Sweet.








6. A DIY Mini Pennant Banner In any colors you want to set the mood, make a few or make many to create a festive feel to your space, indoor or out.








7. DIY Ideas: 10 Party Lighting ProjectsMood lighting is perfect for sparking conversation. DIY some fun lights to hang and add instant creativity to a room or outdoor area.








8. DIY floor pillowsFunctional and fun? Perfect for a sci-fi outdoor movie night, yes, but also great for extra seating. Pair this project with fun, silly or colorful fabric and it becomes even more festive.








9. Photos as festive art
Whether you make some oversized posters (maybe sci-fi movie posters?) or create a festive grouping of small photos that fit a party theme, photos can add a festive feel to a party.








10. Welcoming pineapple piñata Silly? A little. A blast? Definitely! Make a few for hanging in a backyard for a barbecue. Via Studio DIY.









11. DIY Paper flowersA beautiful brunch is made even more beautiful by flowers, but if you don't want to splurge on the real things, consider DIY paper flowers.








12. Party Decorations for (All) the AgesWill numbers play a theme for your summer gathering? DIY decorate accordingly.








13. Oversized Balloon with FringeNothing says party like a balloon! These DIY oversized ones with fringe are a bit more sophisticated and definitely fun. You can use any colors that fit your party's theme!

Graduation Gifts

High School Graduations are always around this time of year. This means many people have endless trips to graduation parties and gifts to hand out. It can be hard to come up with unique gifts for each person, but these are some great creative ideas. There are gifts that can be funny to gifts that will be handy in their studies.





Yahoo has come up with ten great creative gifts for the person that is tired of handing out money. There is everything from a joke gift of dice to the working girl survival kit. Keep reading to learn more.




10- The Working Girl Survival Kit : WishingFish.com is home to this neat little invention. Life's little snags sometimes get the best of ladies on their average work day. In this 10" x 3.5" case, is a plethora of tools for the average new working woman. The Working Girl Survival Kit contains toothbrush/paste, lip balm, stain remover, band-aids, tissues, lotion, and many more extremely helpful items. The container itself is a snazzy-looking silver briefcase, that will more than likely become your graduate's best friend.

9- Student Decision Dice: Graduates with a healthy sense of humor will love the "Student Decision Dice." This little silver pair of dice carry the options: Sleep, Go to Class, ATM, Party, Study, or MTV. Costing at around $12, this is a neat present to add to any graduate's gift basket.

8- Memories and Moments Celebrated Through Art: If you happen to be very close to your graduate, then the "Memories and Moments" tribute is the perfect present. Created by MemoryLane.com, this customized piece of art is comprised of all the memories, symbols, and artifacts from your graduate "giftee's" life. The print itself is created from keyword information that you supply to the artists. They then take the keywords and create a "Memory Lane" out of them. It'sthe perfect gift for the quirky individual who's not a huge fan of sappy sentiments.

7- One Share of Microsoft Stock: What better gift than a piece of the "rock." Snatch up this creative gift from OneShare.com. With Microsoft currently being the world's #1 software company, there are fewer innovative ways to bestow congratulations upon your graduate gift recipient. The share comes with an engraved stock certificate, and costs around $70. What's more, your giftee will receive an annual report, dividends, and ONE shareholder vote.

6- Money Maze Bank: This present is actually fun for any age. This clear cube houses a ball which must be guided through the cube's internal maze, in order to open the door, and release the prize (cash, or other monetary gift) inside. The maze-cube itself costs $13 or so. The monetary gift you place inside is up to you!!

5- Leather-bound Journal: Memories are best documented in personal journals. And for $22, this leather bound, artisan made journal is the ideal gift for graduates. Whether he/she decides to leave home, or pursue opportunities close to home, this journal reeks of sophistication. The traveling journal comes from Renaissance Art, and is gift wrapped in a handmade chenille pouch.

4- Tailgating Cooler With Grill: Football fans will adore this handy little invention. The portable kit contains an actual grill with small fold out legs. (The grill portion is stored inside the cooler.) It also doubles as a cooler for all your graduate's icy beverages. Accessories also include a (3) piece BBQ set, shoulder strap, and a waterproof compartment for food items. An ice pack, as opposed to loose ice cubes should be used in the cooler so as to reduce the weight, and preserve the physical integrity of the unit. For just $80, this is one gift that will keep on giving semester after semester.

3- Safety Girl Roadside Emergency Kit: Every young woman on the road (especially a new high school graduate) should have an emergency kit. The Safety Girl Roadside Emergency Kit, costing only $30,appeals to the stylish and eccentric survivor. Featuring such items as bottled water, safety pins, handy-wipes, and instructions on changing tires and jump starting a dead battery---your giftee will love the snazzy carrying case, and appealing look of the products inside.

2- Mini Money Stash Container: In times of need, the Mini Money Stash Container can be more than a lifesaver. This gift is essentially a metal container (brass, aluminum, or stainless steel) which attaches to the graduate's key chain. The container itself is able to hold rolled dollar bills (preferably large denominations, since it's not that large). In the event of an emergency, like a purse or wallet being stolen, it's a great idea to have some back-up emergency cash. What's great is that this engravable gift (from Sunshine Products USA) costs under $50.

1- Wallaby Trip Kit: Everyone knows that dormitory rooms and bathrooms are typically short on space. Unless your graduate is staying at home, or living on his/her own, more than likely an organized place for toiletries is in order. Magellan's Travel Supplies offers a Wallaby Trip kit which contains all the most necessary compartments for small toiletry items. This swiveling bag also hangs on doorways so that access to personal effects is quick and easy.

Better Night's Sleep

What is keeping you awake at night?  There are five simple reasons in your home that could be preventing you from getting your nightly shut eye.   A good amount of sleep is crucial for staying healthy and active.   You can learn more at apartment therapy.

PROBLEM #1: ALLERGIES

Is your stuffy nose keeping you from getting shut eye? Seasonal allergies are one thing, but dust mites are with us all year round. Your bed is Disneyland for those little critters, who thrive on all the dead skin cells your body provides.

Fixes: Vacuum your room with a HEPA filter and clean your bedding as often as you can— including your pillows, which you can throw in the dryer for 15 minutes to kill off any existing bugs. Instead of scented detergent, use a few drops of eucalyptus oil in your laundry. Put hypoallergenic protective covers on your mattress and pillows. And lastly, strip your mattress before you go out of town to give it time to air out. (I won’t rile up pet owners by suggesting you ban furry loved ones from the bedroom, but it’s worth thinking about.) Read more onbedroom allergies here.

PROBLEM #2: LIGHT

Your room is too bright at night. Whether it’s coming from the outside, a nightlight, the television screen, or your blinking alarm clock, any light keeps your body fooled into thinking it’s not sleeping time.

Fixes: Buy really dark curtains, or add liner, to block out street lamps. Also turn off electronic devices and remove anything else that emits brightness. (If you’re worried about getting up in time, try covering your alarm clock instead.) Lastly, swap out higher watt lightbulbs in your bedside lamp for dimmer ones; these will aid the transition as you’re winding down from the day by reading in bed at night.

PROBLEM #3: TEMPERATURE

Some nights you're too hot, and other times, it's too cold. Sleep is induced when you are at rest and your core body temperature lowers. If your heat is on too high (or too cold for that matter), your internal thermostat fluctuates which leads to restless sleep.

Fixes: Everyone is comfortable at different temps, so experiment to find the right one for you. There's no right answer but cooler is generally better - start in the 65 degree range. There are always fans and blankets to help you regulate, but know that bedding material makes a difference too; memory foam pillows and mattresses, for example, are hotter than more traditional ones. If you are still having trouble staying asleep, look into bedding and pads that keep you cooler at night.

PROBLEM #4: NOISE

There’s the 5 am garbage truck variety that’s impossible to ignore. But when it'stoo quiet, the slightest disruption can reach epic proportions and you find yourself focused on that weird hum or dripping faucet. Either way, you need a way to soundproof your sleep.

Fixes: If it’s too loud, wear earplugs as a first resort. Or, try a white noise machine or app —or even a basic fan— to drown out any noises that violate your REM cycle. If it’s really bad, get as far away from the offending noise as possible. Either move your bed to another wall to dampen neighbor noises, or, if you have the option, try swapping your current bedroom with another room entirely. Read more on bedroom noise here.

PROBLEM #5: MATTRESS

Having a healthy, comfortable, supportive mattress is critical to a good night's sleep.

Fixes: Flip your mattress with the seasons, alternating between end-over-end and side-over-side rotation. If it's time for a new one, check out Danny Seo’sgreat tips on mattress shopping. A couple of years ago, Maxwell also experimented with different mattress brands for twelve months and wrote about it in his Year in Bed series.

Happy Mother's Day!

We wanted to take a moment to wish all the mothers a Happy Mother's Day! Make sure to call your mom, grandma, aunt, or loved one today to tell them Thank You!

Remove that Stain!

We have all had the stain in our clothing items that refuse to come out.  There may be a solution that you do not know about though.  Did you spill red wine on your dress at a party, or did someone spill it on your carpet? Don't let your favorite Emory University shirt get ruined by a stain.  You can learn more cleaning tricks at Apartment Therapy.

STAIN REMOVAL STAPLES

I find the best way to deal with stains is to be prepared. I keep my cupboard stocked with enzyme detergent (best for removing protein-based stains such as food or sweat), rubbing alcohol, baking soda, Borax, and clean absorbent rags.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

I also follow these general guidelines: 1. Never apply heat (iron or dryer) to a stained piece of clothing until the stain is completely removed; and 2. Read the clothing label for washing instructions before cleaning. If the stain is on upholstery or carpet, the goal is to dissolve the stain with a solvent (often water or club soda) and pull it out with something more absorbent than the upholstery/carpet, like a sponge or rag. If using a harsher cleaning agent, make sure to test for colorfastness before accidentally bleaching the dye out of the fabric.

Some of the most common and most annoying stains are from red wine, ballpoint pen ink, and vegetable oil. Here are some techniques for cleaning them up.

RED WINE ON CLOTHING

1. When discovered, immediately saturate the stain with club soda, cold water, or white wine.
2. Blot with an absorbent cloth.
3. Sprinkle with salt and let stand 1-2 minutes, then rinse in cold water and rub stain out.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until it stops fading.
5. Rub liquid enzyme detergent into the stain and let stand 3-4 minutes, then rinse in cold water. Do not use natural bar soap or stain could set.
6. If stain is still visible, apply a spot stain remover.
7. Launder with liquid enzyme detergent.

WINE ON CARPET

1. Blot up as much wine as possible.
2. Soak the stain in club soda or cold water. Blot, and if necessary, repeat.
3. Make a paste out of water and either Borax or baking soda. Rub it into the stain and let dry.
4. Vacuum, and if necessary, repeat.

PEN INK

1. Place stained fabric on top of an absorbent cloth. Blot with water or rubbing alcohol (whichever removes more ink) until no more ink comes off stain.
2. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric.
3. If stain remains, lay it out in the sun to bleach the rest of the stain.

OIL

1. Apply a laundry presoak or clear (undyed) dish soap.
2. Wash in the hottest water safe for fabric.

If you have any useful stain-fighting tips, please let us know in the comments!

Moving into Clairmont Reserve?

Are you excited to move into Clairmont Reserve next year?  We are very excited to have you in our community! Emory University and the surrounding area is a great place to live and learn.  Here are some great moving tips for next year! You can learn more here.

MAKE A CALENDAR

When planning a move, it's helpful to draw up a calender beforehand, to prevent tasks from taking you by surprise. Make your best estimate of the time it will take to pack and transport your belongings, and then, for safety's sake, add an additional 20 percent.

MEASURE THE SPACE

Before moving your possessions, carefully measure both the space of the apartment itself and the hallways and staircases that lead to them, to make sure they'll fit. This is particularly important with large furniture and mattresses. There's nothing worse than purchasing a California king mattress, only to realize the staircase is too narrow to accommodate it.

CLEAN UP FIRST

Before your apartment becomes crowded with furnishings, take advantage of its emptiness to do a thorough cleaning. Change the toilet seats and disinfect the fridge. Also, if you have any concerns about pests, including roaches, rats and bedbugs, the period before you move in is the time to spray and set traps.

ORDER FURNITURE AND UTILITIES IN ADVANCE

If you're purchasing new furniture for your apartment, remember to order in advance, as there is often a few days' lag time between purchase and delivery. The same is true of utilities, such as electricity and gas, as well as cable and the Internet. Plan ahead to avoid spending your first night on the floor in the dark and cold.  

MOVE IN ON A QUIET DAY

If possible, schedule your move for a quiet day, such as a weekend. Move-ins are stressful all by themselves, but can become well nigh intolerable if you're competing with heavy traffic. If you expect the move to be quick, avoid rush hour and do it in the middle of the day.

KEEP THE FURNISHINGS SIMPLE

When moving into your first apartment, that heady rush of independence can cause you to want to go all out with the furnishings. However, consider first how long you're planning to stay in the space: if your lease is short, you may be out quickly. Keep your furnishings simple and adaptable to a number of different spaces.

CHANGE THE LOCKS

Unless your apartment is brand new, you're not the first person to live there. After you've moved in, ask the permission of your landlord to change the locks.

Schedule for Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning is something that everyone dreads, but it is important in any household. Have you started your spring cleaning yet? Read this blog for some great tips on how to make your spring cleaning that much easier. You can learn more at allstate.



Make a list of what needs to be cleaned in each room.

Lists help me stay organized – especially if I have a huge project, like spring cleaning, on my plate. Before I even get started, I walk through each room and write down what needs to get done. Writing a list out also helps me make sure I have all the cleaning materials I need before I get started, saving me tons of time later. It’s a pain in the butt when you have to stop everything to run out and buy more carpet cleaning solution.

Make your playlist.

I have a cleaning playlist that includes the Black Keys, Boston and the Rolling Stones. Listening to music while I clean just seems to make things go by faster. Of course, you don’t have to make a playlist; you could always just turn the radio on to your favorite station.
Get a trash and donate box/bag.

As you go through each room, make sure to declutter. Throw away old magazines and papers from the previous year. Put items you no longer use or need, like that book you bought 10 years ago but never read, in the donate box. Once you’re done cleaning your whole house, itemize your donate pile because you may be able to deduct those donations on your taxes.
Work on one room at a time.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you want to clean your entire home all at once. Try writing down all the rooms in your home on a piece of paper and checking each one off as you go. If you can work on at least two or three rooms each weekend, you’ll get a lot more done and still have free time on the side.

Set an amount of time to work on each room.

I know I can get easily distracted, looking at items I’d forgotten or old photographs, and before I know it I’ve spent the entire day cleaning just one single room. Set a timer so you don’t fall into this trap. You can also use the timer to give yourself a little break here and there. Much like a list, it helps keep me on track. Trust me, I get easily distracted.
Get some help.

Don’t do all the cleaning yourself.


Recruit your kids, significant other or roommates to help you out. I know that when my roommates and I pitch in together to clean the kitchen, it takes about half the amount of time that it takes when I do it myself. To be honest, if those who live there make the mess, they should also help clean it.
Start from the top and work your way down.

This is just the law of gravity –


clean from the top of the ceiling to the floor. Knock all the dusty cobwebs from the corner, wash the curtains, clean the windows, dust the furniture, vacuum the furniture and finally vacuum the floor.
Use natural cleaners.

Many chemical-based cleaners emit hazardous fumes. Some cleaners when mixed together can even emit toxic fumes that can seriously hurt you. Vinegar is a great substitute to use in your bathroom or kitchen and as a general household cleaning solution.

My grandmother had sworn off “newfangled” chemical cleaners some years ago. She only cleans with vinegar. It makes sense, though, because the acidity of vinegar is extremely high at a pH level of 2. A study in the Journal of Environmental Health found that vinegar is comparable to bleach when killing harmful bacteria like E. coli.
Be patient.

My dad always told me to work smarter, not harder.


Take your time and let grimy surfaces, like the ones in your bathroom and kitchen, soak in your cleaning solution. Work on something else on your list while your cleaner does the hard work.
Reward yourself at the end.

For me, having something to look forward to at the end of a long day of cleaning sure makes things go a lot faster. Plus, you worked hard and deserve it. Treat yourself.

OK, so these ideas won’t make all the dirt magically disappear, but the tips above can make the process a little less agonizing. Just remember to pace yourself. You don’t have to do everything in one day.