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Useful, ridiculous roommate things on Etsy

Java — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:05:01 +0000

Why, hello there Etsy! What do you have for me and my roommate? Let's start with useful:

Magnetic reminder notepad. Stick it to the fridge to track things like rent, bills, chores, groceries, and more. Each sheet covers a week and you get 52 of them... which means the pad might last longer than your roommie.
Secret hiding place. Cool, velvet-lined secret chamber is discreet, classy. Perfect for hiding small valuables you steal from your roommate.
Artsy-fartsy chalkboard. So much better than some dumpy whiteboard you'd get at Office Depot.
Snotty attitude card. There's a little bit of sugar on the front, to help make the medicine on the back go down.

And now the ridiculous:

Clean/dirty dishwasher sign. Here's a tip on how to keep your dishes straight. When they're dirty, leave the door latch in the unlocked position; when they're clean, leave it locked. There, I just saved you $8.
Wingman dogtags. A good wingman knows that the element of surprise is key to any successful mission. These little guys will blow your cover every time – it's hard to jump on those grenades when they can see you coming!
Personalized art. This is kind of like those 'Best Friends Forever' picture frames that your Mom gives you with a picture of you and some dweeb you only hung out with during the summer between 7th and 8th grade and then never spoke to again, but Mom keeps that damn picture & frame up on the mantel and refuses all pleas to remove it.
Dragon thing that maybe you put on the wall or something? I don't know why Etsy files this one under 'roommate.' I would totally dig this screened onto a black silk shirt or kimono, but as a wall decoration it's gauche.

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Zany Zooey Deschanel décor for your home

Espresso — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:02:39 +0000

Some are different from others, and don’t get me wrong, that is not necessarily a bad thing! No, not at all! And the different ones, when it comes to apartment décor, might blur occasionally the line between nice furnishings and amazing ones. By channeling Zooey Deschanel’s persona in New Girl, we discovered some décor that would make the zaniest of roommates feel at home. Oh, deer! If you want to put the ‘er’ in bonkers, you can always choose pieces that are completely unnatural or forced into your décor. Unless you are going for the Game of Thrones look, the only rule you should abide by is the one that says color is a must! On one such occasion a wooden stag head is advisable to give you that extra push towards quirkiness.

The rules of the mundane do not apply to the world of the eccentric. For us, from now and then, pigs actually fly, and they do so by contrasting with an otherwise well behaved wallpaper. If you have more personality than advisable, do not be afraid to pour it into your home!

Remember, be as eclectic as possible! Weird collections, random items, things that aren’t usually considered décor are your friends. Try going for a palette that is as bold as possible. If you are eccentric enough, I’m sure you have a color you are obsessed with. If you think you could live with it, why not give it a try?! Yellow – which I personally hate – bodes well for all the little miss sunshine out there! Good luck and may your choices be forever bold!

Third Thursdays on Tempe’s Mill Avenue

Sweet Tea — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:09 +0000

So you’ve likely heard of the downtown Phoenix monthly event, First Friday. Well it looks like Tempe has caught on with the theme and has established a monthly special event of its own known as Third Thursday, but they’ve made it entirely their own. First Friday is host to hipster gallery shows and street vendors; Tempe has decided to go a completely different direction and cater to their ASU/Scottsdale crowd. Third Thursday jumps off this May 17^th with the M.A.D. Couture Challenge. Nine Mill Avenue District businesses and ten local fashion designers are taking part in this month’s fashion-centric event. A full-scale runway will take over Mill Avenue all the way from 4^th to 6^th Streets, with the first model hitting the catwalk at 5pm. With so many designers you’ll get an eyeful for four straight hours accompanied by live and DJ music. Though a huge fashion buff, I am particularly excited for the Social Media Scavenger Hunt! With a grand prize of $250 in Mill Avenue gift certificates, you’ll be given a clue about a list of locations on Mill avenue via twitter or Facebook and the first group to snap a picture at the correct locations and post to the various social media sites, wins! Third Thursday’s slogan of “expect more” seems to be a bit of a jab at their downtown predecessors, so we’ll have to see if their clear ambition to be bigger and better than First Friday will result in a well organized, big-time hit in Tempe. I hope so because this event sounds like a lot of fun to me! The Couture Challenge is to run from 5pm to 9pm and is completely and utterly free. I’ll definitely be sure to swing through and check out the latest in Phoenix local fashion, especially since the items on the catwalk will actually be pieces I am able to afford. If you’re planning on participating in the scavenger hunt, you better be ready because it’s on! For more info about Third Thursdays and this particular upcoming event in general, visit the Mill Avenue District Website

Custom furniture: Worth the cost?

Kombucha — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:03 +0000

If you’re struggling to find the perfect furniture to fit the space or design of your San Francisco apartment, it may have crossed your mind that rather than trekking around all the furniture stores in your community, looking for that perfect sofa, table or bed that does not exist, perhaps you could just have somebody make your dream item for you. Custom furniture has historically been a luxury reserved for the uber wealthy, but recently it has become more common for everyday folks like you and I to be able to commission our very own, one-of-a-kind, perfect fit piece of furniture. Streamlining of the production process, high volume sales and the convenience of online marketing have made it easier for companies like BuildASofa, which sells custom couches made to your specifications, to function and thrive. Custom sizing, custom colors and patterns, custom sections and leg options are among the customizations offered. You’ll pay more than you would if you picked up your new couch at Costco or your local furniture dealer, but you’ll also get exactly what you want and can have it shipped nationwide. Sometimes, after getting super frustrated during a furniture search, it may seem smart to pay premium just so you can get exactly what you want. Of course, craftsmen who make custom pieces from start to finish, especially those focusing on wood, will tell you that they cannot create a truly one of a kind piece (that’s artistic as well as functional) without a high price point and a long lead time. If you are ready to venture toward the realm of the truly upscale, designed to your own specifications, try a made-to-your-sketch furniture designer like Custom Furniture Design.

Contests, giveaways, other free stuff in Philly

Eiskaffe — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:55 +0000

Don’t we all love free stuff? Don’t we adore the chances of winning something with minimal effort? Of course we do! Philadelphia’s media is pumping out free stuff to the public all of the time. You’ve just got to know where to find it and when to enter. Below are a few upcoming contests and giveaways from local media that can provide you with ample summer fun. Get there for free! Wherever there is, you can now win the opportunity to get there for free. CBS Philly is giving away free gas cards during the Great Gas Card Giveaway. For your chance to win, tune in to Eyewitness News Mornings each weekday from 4:30am-7:00am on CBS3 or 7am-9am on CW Philly WPSG. During the broadcast, a secret word will be revealed. Enter the code online to start cruising in the fast lane for free. You’re never too old for Universal Studios. And even if you thought that you were, why pass up a free vacation? Win a vacation package for four to Universal Orlando Resort including roundtrip airfare, three nights hotel accommodations, tickets to see Blue Man Group live, admission to Wet n’ Wild Water Park, Universal Studios and Universal’s Island of Adventure. Get in on the newest rides including Spider-Man, Shrek, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. Get sexy for less. Get fit and increase your confidence with a free annual fitness pass via YMCA. Brought to you in a joint effort by CBS Philly and The YMCA of Philadelphia and Vicinity, a family package of tickets will be given away to one lucky contestant. Participate in individual training or group activities like tennis, badminton, racquetball and more. The contest will pull winners throughout the spring so apply today!

Chi-who what? Famous glass blower feted at Dallas Arboretum

Earl Grey — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:36 +0000

[caption id="attachment_9947" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Art by Dale Chihuly"][/caption] Now through November 5^th, the Dallas Arboretum will be hosting an outdoor installation by glassblower and artist Dale Chihuly. Dale Chihuly (pronounced Chuh-hoo-lee) is probably the world’s most famous glass blower and artist. Okay, okay, Chihuly is pretty much the world’s only famous glass blower, but he’s world renowned for a reason: his work is freaking awesome. Picture the glass chandelier in the lobby of the Bellagio in Las Vegas, only amidst the beauty of the gardens. Since 2001 Chihuly has been installing his glass works in gardens around the world including Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago and the Royal Botanic Gardens near London. For his twelfth outdoor exhibit, Chihuly is heading to Dallas and installing a display of works in the gardens of the Dallas Arboretum. Through July, the Arboretum, in addition to keeping its regular hours, will be open from 6 pm – 10 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (Wednesdays only in August and Wednesdays and Thursdays only from September on) for a special Chihuly Nights display in which the installations will be artfully lit up. Yes, it is worth it to go twice to see it both by day and by night. No, you can’t do both and only pay admission once, as the park will be closed every day from 5 pm to 6 pm. The garden’s annual summer Tuesday and Thursday concert series is still on, although expect higher ticket prices on concert nights. You can bring a picnic (with alcohol, mind you) and make a nice little night of it, though. Wednesday night tickets are prepaid only with limited availability. This is the best option to avoid the crowds for a more relaxing viewing; just make sure to plan ahead.

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Decorating ideas for your small Chicago apartment

Macchiato — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:41 +0000

Creating a comfortable home in a rental can be quite challenging, considering we’re not all living in generous penthouses. There are a few tricks we can resort to, to maximize space and decorate in style. Coffee tables, armchairs, stools and other small furniture pieces can be easily used to adorn and personalize your apartment, without having to dig too deep in your pockets. When starting from scratch, it’s very important to have a clear idea about how you want your place to look like before heading out to browse the stores. At this time, Pinterest is your best friend. When looking for new design, pictures can be enlightening. Once you find something that catches your eye, you may start looking for something similar around the city. Luckily for you, Chicago has got so many great stores to shop for furniture that you won’t have any trouble finding exactly what you want. Coffee tables stopped being plain and colorless a long time ago, now they come in so many shapes, textures and styles that they can instantly transform any space you put them in. Just have a look at how effective and trendy this end table made of a tree stump can be. Absolutely gorgeous! [caption id="attachment_9921" align="aligncenter" width="202" caption="Image via Pinterest"][/caption] Praha in North Center is a great place to find unique, antique-looking and stylish items at reasonable prices. You can be a little bit dazzled at first by the large mix of home goods on display but if you want my advice take a breath and dig in. You won’t be sorry. They’ve got some real gems hidden in their cute store, lots of large and small furniture pieces, all fabulous in their own way, from comfy chairs and adorable accent tables to art and vintage trinkets, lamps, mirrors and other cool vintage home décor. [caption id="attachment_9922" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="Image by G Travels via Flickr"][/caption] As the name suggests, Affordable Portables is also a good option when you’re hunting for bargains. They have an extensive collection of reasonably priced items, ranging from bedroom furniture to desks, wall units, bookcases, sofas, futons, cocktail tables, and much more. [caption id="attachment_9923" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Image via Apartment Therapy"][/caption] The RoomPlace is one of those places you never get tired of coming back to. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for rearranging your living room or just want to find some accent pieces, their showroom is the best start. The shop features a large variety of furniture for the entire home, including loveseats, recliners, ottomans, sofas and occasional tables. My favorite is their medieval style Ellery collection which combines metal, glass and wood for the most stunning visual effect.

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See cool free stuff at Barnes Foundation grand opening

Espresso — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:57 +0000

These days, it is not uncommon to see people swarming and elbowing each other over the launch of new gadgets or toys, even if they are bound to be soon outdated by new ones, or even more tragic, outdated by their own counterparts. It’s all about who picks the apples first! But how about people swarming and elbowing each other to get to the opening of a new museum?! Now that is a rare sight! One that is about to unfold in Philadelphia with the grand opening of the new Barnes Foundation on May 19. “Go big, or go home!” seemed to have been the organizers’ motto, because they have prepared quite an extensive array of events and activities. Between May 26 and 28, the Barnes Foundation will have 56 consecutive hours of free access and activities. You should expect the Black Pearl Orchestra, Relâche, Peter Tang’s Chinese Music Ensemble and AfroTaino Productions. The activities have been designed to cater to the needs and whims of every family member, so if you are bringing along the little ones to the museum, check the schedule for kid friendly activities such as learning to make a simple clay press mold, arts and crafts, storytelling and many more. The grownups will be able to attend at concerts, book signings, films, discussions, tastings, dance performances and yoga. In addition, you will get the opportunity to see the art! You can find the complete schedule here, but be warned, plan your weekend! Make reservations, decide what you want to see and participate at, and make sure to check ahead for availability. Crowds are usually fun, but not as much when you’re the only one left out.

Meet the Dirty South’s masters of the BBQ grill

Eiskaffe — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:45 +0000

Once you know how Atlanta does barbecue, you’ll know barbecue. I like bragging on Atlanta whenever I can. When Memorial Day rolls around and everyone is claiming that they’ve got the best BBQ in the nation, I like to raise the flag for Atlanta. There is a bit of deception to it, though. Unlike Texas or Kansas, Georgia doesn’t have a school of thought when it comes to grilling. That’s what makes us so unique. The state, particularly the capital, boasts a hodgepodge of grilling techniques that blend timeless traditions with modern twists. Super saucy, dry rubbed, marinated, smoked—you name it and we represent it proudly. Explore the best BBQ restaurants in Atlanta and you’re really getting a national tour of some of the best grilling practices in the country! Fox Brother’s BBQ has been racking up local awards for years now. That’s not bad for siblings who never intended to open a restaurant in the first place! Now they’ve opened multiple locations around town, making their delicious food more accessible. They bring robust flavors from Texas to Atlanta tables. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack Doesn’t that name just spell BBQ success? It’s everything that you imagine a good BBQ joint to be. A bit rough around the edges and easy to underestimate until you actually taste the food. Then you’re blown away! Fat Matt’s is also a music hall and you’re required to have a tie (not necessarily wear it in the traditional since) if you want to enter. Find a good representation of Southern tradition here. Heirloom Market- Anybody can slather enough sauce on a piece of meat until it tastes good but you don’t know fantastic food until you have fine cuts of meat served with experctly crafted seasonings, sauces, and sides. Welcome to Hierloom. Chefs here bring inspiration from the rolling hills of Tennessee and distinct Atlanta style.

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Your guide to summer TV premieres

Eiskaffe — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:53:53 +0000

Oh the brainless, wonderful glory of prime time TV is here to save the day... that is, if you decided to keep your cable. Most of us have had these days: we get home from work with to-go food in our arms. It feels like too much effort to actually take off our shoes, so we will kick them off unromantically and listen to their thud against the wall and floor. Numb, exhausted, and famished we will collapse onto the couch with our food and exert our last ounce of energy into flicking on the TV. Some shows are perfect for de-stressing and simply being entertained. Sure, we could be watching something remotely educational or researching the role we could play in ending some sort of world pandemic but…we’re too tired. Fortunately for us, there is a brand new season of delightful distractions on the way: Keeping up with the Kardashians is back for its 7^th season, premiering May 20^th on E! Entertainment Television. This season: Kourtney will take yet another blood test; we will likely see less of Lamar *sincere sad face*; we will see more than we’d like of Kanye *another sincere sad face*; Kim will pose even more unnaturally whenever the camera is on her; and viewers will want to steal everything out of any Kardashian gals' closets. Of course it will be entertaining! Pretty Little Liars is also up for its summer premiere, kicking off on June 3^rd. ABC Family couldn’t be prouder of its teen mystery drama success and the network is glad to show the world more of the cute faced, wonderfully dressed, rebellious little brats. Of course everyone is wondering, now that “A” is revealed, what the heck is the show going to be about? True Blood whips out its fangs on June 10^th, making HBO subscribers around the world very happy people. The new season is bound to bring even more gore! The Vampire Authority is no doubt going to start laying down the law and we may see a beloved cast member or two in danger. Score! What summer premiers are you looking forward to?

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Useful, ridiculous roommate things on Etsy

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