Americans love their pets. According to a recent report by NBC news, Americans will spend more than $60 billion — yes, billion — on their pets in 2016. Clearly, people are taking the term “furbaby” to heart and treating pets more like members of the family. In keeping with this theme, more and more people […]
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9 Easy Storage Options to Consider and Tips to Use Them Efficiently
Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from “Make Room for What You Love,” the latest book just released from Seattle author Melissa Michaels, the creator of the popular blog The Inspired Room. 1. Lidded boxes, baskets and small trunks Keep an eye out for lidded boxes and small trunks at flea markets, garage sales or […]
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Facing the Plastic — Why the Federal Government is Banning Microbeads
If you have ever used an exfoliating body wash or facial scrub from a major manufacturer, chances are you’ve used a product containing microbeads. While these tiny particles may be good for removing dead skin, they are bad news for the environment. Beginning in 2017, microbeads found in many personal care products will be banned […]
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Retro Soda Pop Frames
Bottle caps are among many kids’ favorite things to collect (perhaps for kids at heart too). If you’ve got an abundance, instead of discarding or thinning out your collection, use them for a weekend crafts project. Besides, your kids are asking for something to do — here’s a way to have a little fun together. […]
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Tips for Your Next Plein-Air Dining Party
When you live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, you learn to take full advantage of the often-fleeting warm summer days — and nights — including outdoor dining as often as possible. En- plein-air dining is easy and fun, and you don’t need to speak French! Whether preparing for a weeknight meal or a party for […]
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Downsizing: 10 tips on how to ‘right-size’ your next home
Tiny houses are currently “big” so to speak, but really, how many people can actually live and function in a 350-square-foot home after living in 2,500 square feet or more? Downsizing is a popular topic for sure, but there is another small home movement on the forefront, and that is the smaller, well-appointed home (1,000 […]
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Greening Your Kitchen
Kitchens have evolved from being the backwater to the epicenter of the home. Therefore, it is more important than ever to ensure the environmental health of this multitasking room for the comfort and safety of all occupants. From the simple to the complex, here are a few tips on how to up your kitchen’s sustainable […]
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5 Ways to Get Your Kids in the Kitchen (But Not Get in Your Way)
My three kids spend so much time with me in the kitchen. Daily, we chop, we mix, we bake, we stir, we do life together around our island and over food. At this point, they are trained professionals when it comes to helping mom out with food prep, but it hasn’t always been that way. […]
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Zucchini
There is an urban legend that a New Jersey law makes it illegal to place zucchini in other people’s cars or leave it on a neighbor’s porch. The humor in this illustrates just how prolific this commonly grown vegetable plant can be, and how difficult it can be to dispose of excess produce. Recently, a […]