Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:27 AM
Do you want to decorate your apartment for the holidays?
Everyone wants to be festive, but you do not want to spend a lot of
money if you are leaving for the holidays. Here are some great
inexpensive tips on how to make your apartment a holiday wonderland.
- Personalize and hang stockings for your family. – this
can be a fun project and very inexpensive. Purchase plain stockings and
paint, glitter, felt, etc. and create your own designs for your
stockings.
- Remember in Elementary School when you used to make paper snow
flakes in art class. Flashback to those times and make your apartment a
winter wonderland with this easy art trick.
- Hang ornaments from the stairs and or ceiling. Just make sure you do not damage the walls or ceiling while doing this.
- Use some ribbon and ties to put around chairs and lamps. This adds some festive spirit to even the smallest furniture.
- Make a giant present out of your door by using some wrapping paper
and a bow. It instantly looks festive and adds so much holiday spirit
to your apartment.
- Use holiday cards that you receive to decorate the walls in your apartment.
- Play Christmas music on your ipod or on Pandora!
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:25 AM
We hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:23 AM
We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday!
Posted by Larimer Associates on 8:59 AM
Do you get too many greeting cards over the holidays? Here are some great ideas for what to do with them after the Holiday season is over! Have you tried any of these!
1
Scan or Photograph: Keep digital copies of important cards. File them
by year, occasion, or filtered in your digital photo album.
2 Turn into A Book: Send your greetings to Cards for Keeps and they'll transform them into a bound book. If you're feeling crafty, you can try doing this yourself by following the blog Something Turquoise's DIY tutorial.
3
Reuse: I love well designed greeting cards. So much thought has gone
into the design, so why not turn it into something else? As long as
you're okay with losing the greeting part of the card, you could frame
it, cut it up and use it for another project, make it into a gift tag,
etc. The options are endless!
4 Turn into A New Card: Much in
the same vein as above, a card does not need to be used just once. If
it's a folded card, cut it in half and use the front as a postcard.
5 Donate to a Charity: Before you toss any unwanted cards, consider donating them. St. Jude's Ranch for Children will recycle used greeting cards and turn them into new holiday and greeting cards. You can also purchase their recycled cards to support their programs and services.
For more information see
Apartment Therapy.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:51 AM
Do you need a quick and easy cookie recipe for the holidays? Here is a great one that will make you delicious cookies in just a few minutes of your time.
For more information see
Delish.Com
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:25 AM
Here are some great shopping survival tips and
tricks to help you get through the next month. If you love Christmas,
but hate the shopping this blog is for you.
The leftover turkey is wrapped up and stowed in your refrigerator, the Thanksgiving pies have been devoured, and you’re ready
for a long vacation. Unfortunately, the Christmas shopping
season kicks off with a vengeance even before you’ve had time to make
that cold turkey-stuffing-cranberry-sauce sandwich.
Don’t stress out yet—we’ve shared some
tips for saving money and staying sane while navigating holiday shopping
madness.
Make a List
Write down everyone you plan to buy a gift
for, no matter how small the gift may be. Include ideas of what to give
each person,
along with the maximum amount you’re
willing to spend. Don’t forget to list the people who will receive
holiday tips, such
as your doorman, babysitter, and mail
carrier. This will help you manage your holiday budget.
Start Early
Don’t wait until after Thanksgiving to
start buying holiday gifts. Keep your eyes open all year round for items
friends and
family would like; it’s often when you’re
not looking for something specific that you stumble across the perfect
gift for
Dad or your best friend Jenny. Once
December hits, you’ll be glad that you already have some people crossed
off your list.
Just make sure to keep all your advance
gifts in a designated (and hidden, if necessary) spot so that you don’t
forget a purchase
you made months in advance.
Do Online Research
If you’re unsure of which specific item to
buy (for example, you want to buy your husband a digital camera but
don’t know
what brand or model is best), search for
reputable online reviews. You’ll have to pay a small subscription fee,
but Consumerreports.org has hundreds of expert reviews on everything from laptops to baby strollers to breakfast cereals. Or check sites with user
reviews and ratings, such as Amazon.com or Cnet.com, to find out which products have the most positive feedback. To find the best online price, use a comparison shopping site,
such as Pricegrabber.com.
Get No-Cost Holiday Shipping
Last-minute shoppers, here’s a gift for you. On December 17, 2012, more than 1,000 online merchants, like Best Buy and L.L.Bean, will offer free shipping with delivery by Christmas Eve. (Go to freeshippingday.com for details.) Prefer to get your Christmas shopping done early? Peruse this list of popular e-retailers that offer gratis shipping now through December 20.
Do It Yourself
There’s an abundance of homemade pickles, hand-knit hats, and handcrafted stationary these days, thanks to a growing obsession
with all things crafty, artisanal, and homespun (just look at all the unique things for sale on Etsy.com).
If you’re creatively inclined, avoid mall madness altogether and bake a
batch of cookies, sew personalized tote bags, or
make beautiful earrings for friends and
family. If you need to learn a new skill, look into classes in your
neighborhood or
invest in a how-to book—there’s one for
just about every craft out there.
For more information see
Real Simple.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 8:42 AM
We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Spend some time
with your friends and family and remember everything in life that you
are thankful for.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:50 AM
You just have to make it through this week of work, and then you get
to go home for Thanksgiving. No matter how long your drive is, you need
to make sure you are prepared for holiday travel. Keep reading to find
out how to prepare for your road trip.
Planning to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with
family and friend? You won’t be alone. The AAA forecasts 42.5 million
Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving
holiday weekend, marking a 4-percent increase over last year. Before
you embark, consider these tips to help prepare you and your car for
whatever challenges might be faced on the road.
1. Fuel up. Don’t head out on a long trip without a
full tank of gas. In addition to topping off the tank, also check fluids
and tire pressures before you leave.
2. Be prepared. Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Stock your car with an emergency kit—especially a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, and some basic tools. Also, bring water and extra snacks, just in case.
3. Pack smart. Check your vehicle’s load capacity to
make sure you aren’t putting too much weight in the car. On most new
cars, the total weight you can carry is printed on a placard (sticker)
inside the driver’s door jamb. This load rating includes all the
passengers and cargo. Also, make sure your gear is packed properly and
will not be a hazard if you stop short.
4. Track it. A portable GPS navigation system
will help you get where you’re going, making it easy to find gas
stations or restaurants along the way. Traffic-enabled devices can warn
of roadway congestion, and all units can assist in finding an alternate
route. Also, a navigator can help direct emergency services to your
location, should something happen. (See "Video: Don't let a GPS navigator steer you wrong.")
5. Kid prep. If you’re driving with kids, make sure
you pack enough snacks, water, games, videos/DVDs, and music to keep
them occupied during your journey. (See our "10 tips for a stress-free road trip with kids" for more advice.)
6. Traveling with pets. Be sure to secure your pets,
either with harnesses and seat belts or by placing them in a crate.
Animals can be a dangerous distraction when driving and physical threat
in an accident, should they travel about the cabin or escape onto a busy
motorway. Bring water, food, toys, leash, and clean-up supplies—you
never know.
7. Be patient. During busy travel times, expect to
hit traffic. It may make sense to drive late at night or early in the
morning to avoid the rush and ensure you get to your destination on time
and with minimal stress. A GPS device with traffic information and an
exit guide can help you navigate around congestion and help find desired
pit stop locations.
8. Don’t be distracted. Cell phones and driving
don’t mix, so if you need to send a message or make a call, hand your
phone to a passenger or pull over. It’s not worth risking your life or
others on the road.
9. Buckle up. Always use your seat belt, make sure
children are properly secured in a car seat and are seated in the rear
seats if they are under 13.
10. Watch for weather. If you’re driving in wintry
weather, make sure you clear off the snow and ice for better visibility,
allow for longer braking distances, and reduce your speed. (Check out
our winter driving guide if you are headed to a snowy location.)
11. Keep control. There could be a variety of
scenarios on the road, but if you stay calm and be prepared you can get
through any challenge. Check out our story “Surviving the worst-case scenarios” for more on driving in fog, snow, or if you car has brake failure, overheats, or your tire blows out.
For more information see
Consumer Reports.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:18 AM
This free event features pie tastings and demos from the best chefs in Santa Fe. The event will take place on Saturday November 10th from 1pm-5pm. You will get to try various pies and bid on your favorite pies. The proceeds go to the "Building Hope Project" through The Food Depot.
Free event features pie tastings & demos by Santa Fe's top chefs;
raffles, and holiday pie auction to benefit The Food Depot's 'Building
Hope Project'
If you love pie (and who doesn't?), don't miss the Santa Fe Harvest
Festival's 2012 event, Holiday Pie Mania, on Saturday, November 10th,
1:00-5:00 p.m. at Builders Source Appliance Gallery, 1608
Pacheco St.
Enjoy delectable tastings as you watch Santa Fe's top chefs demonstrate
how to make their signature holiday pies (recipes provided). No time to
bake this season? Bid on your favorite holiday pies, to be freshly
baked in time for your Thanksgiving and other holiday celebrations.
Admission to Holiday Pie Mania is free – plus you will be able to
"share a piece of the pie" with those who need it most: proceeds from
the pie auction and raffles will benefit The Food Depot's "Building Hope
Project." The project's goal is to build a 16,000-square-foot
warehouse on Siler Road that will significantly increase The Food
Depot's capacity, allowing distribution of 10 million meals per year. http://thefooddepot.org/
Holiday Pie Mania's emcee will be well-known local Chef John Vollertsen
(aka "The Pie Piper") and sponsors include Blue Star, KitchenAid, Sub
Zero and Wolf.
For more information see
New Mexico.
Lincoln Place
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:09 AM
We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:55 AM
Starting now there will be many occasions that gift wrapping will
occur. Kids birthday parties to Christmas there is always something to
wrap a present for. Here are some great tips on creating an easy
present wrapping station in your house. This will prepare you for the
whole year, including the hectic holiday season.
Yeah, we went there. Consider this the first salvo of the holiday
season, for we are here to talk about organizing gift wrapping supplies.
Of course, there are many occasions that could arise between now and
the end of the year which would necessitate wrapping a gift, so if it
makes it any easier to swallow, let's pretend we are posting this to
make packaging your Aunt Tilly's birthday gift a little bit easier. But
the reality is the sales and shopping will begin more sooner than later,
and this project puts all of your wrapping needs at your fingertips.
Open up a random closet in your domicile and see what is hanging on
the back of the door--some ties, a few belts or possibly a handbag or
two. Jen at I Heart Organizing
recently featured an impressive use of that often wasted space, an
uber-organized gift wrapping storage station, courtesy of Cassie from Hi Sugarplum.
It has it all--tags, tape, scissors, ribbon, bags and anything else you
could possibly need. Using a modular rack system and a series of
baskets allows for large and small items to live harmoniously side by
side and doesn't allow an inch to go unwasted.
The metal magnet strip is a great addition, as is the birthday
reminder sheet. While we may never achieve organizational prowess to
this degree, we figure anything beats our current system of...well, no
system at all.
For more information see
Apartment Therapy.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:54 AM
Are you having a Halloween Party for your friends this
year? If you do not have a lot of money to decorate, you can still have a
spooky apartment for the party. Here are six cheap do it yourself
Halloween decorating ideas.
This Halloween,
get creative and use supplies found in your home for green-friendly Halloween
decor.
Planning ahead for Halloween will
allow you to budget, as well as reduce the environmental impact of the
festivities. Rather than purchasing every Halloween décor piece from the store,
consider making your own by reusing supplies found right in your home. To go
green this Halloween, read on for our suggestions of taking old things in your
house and turning them into new, spooky decorations.
Mason Jar
Pumpkin
If you have canning jar lids laying around, this project will give them a new
purpose. Gather together lids of the same size. String the lids together, tying
the string tightly. Evenly spread the lids around. Next, stick cinnamon sticks
in the center. To create leaves, cut some out of burlap. This goes perfectly as
a centerpiece on your dining room table or coffee table. It can also be placed
on a shelf on top of books.
Head in a
Jar
If you’re looking for creepier decorations, this one is perfect for you. Use a
wide mouth jar for this project. You’ll also need a great picture that goes in
the jar. It needs to be a flattened image of a head. Run a quick search on a
search engine, and you should find some great examples. Print this image on
thick and slick paper, making sure it will fit into the jar. Roll the picture
and place it in the jar, making sure it fills up about ¾ of the circumference
of the jar. Fill the jar with colored water. This can be placed in the fridge
to creep out the midnight snackers. On Halloween night, drop a few glow sticks
in the jar for added ambiance.
Tin Can
Luminaries
To upcycle old soup cans, use them for luminaries. If you have several cans,
create a design in the cans, from ghosts to spelling out “BOO.” To start the
project, fill the cans up with water and stick them in the freezer. This allows
you to hammer a design into the cans without denting the cans. Use a nail and
hammer to create the design. Once the ice melts, dump the water and place tea
lights into each can.
Mummy Cereal
Boxes
Old bed sheets in your linen closet that don’t fit any beds in your home are
perfect for this DIY Halloween craft. Cut the fabric into thin sheets. Then,
take empty cereal or cracker boxes and cover with the white sheets. Once the
box is covered, tuck the end in. Optional: attach googly eyes.
Halloween
Garland
Take old cardboard paper towel rolls and paint them pumpkin orange. Then, slice
them into thin strips and create pumpkin shapes. Use twine to string the
pumpkins together and hang on your wall.
Bat
Mobile Head out
to your backyard and pick up one or two sticks from the yard. You’ll also need
clear thread, or fishing line. For the bats, you use thin cardboard, such as
cereal or cracker boxes. Cut several bats from the cardboard, and hang the bats
to a branch. Hang in various lengths.
For more information see
Apartment Guide.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:52 AM
Cheese, Bacon, and Potato are just some of the types of pierogies you
can have. Monday was national pierogie day. They are Polish version of
the a tortellini. Make sure to check out this great how to pierogie
recipe.
Whether you spell it pierogi, piroghi or pierogie, authentic homemade pierogies are a delicious treat and a Pittsburgh tradition.
Here in Pittsburgh we eat more than 11 times the pierogies of any other
city in the nation, according to a recent survey, with pierogi fillings
ranging from standard potato and cheese to sweet prune. A popular
Pittsburgh business, Pierogies Plus, ships pierogies as far away as Alaska and Hawaii. The Pittsburgh Pirates even hold a pierogi race during the bottom of the 5th inning at every Pirates home game.
Sour cream in the dough is a favorite secret of many Pittsburgh pierogi makers.
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour, plus extra for kneading and rolling dough
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup sour cream, plus extra to serve with the pierogi
- 1/4 cup butter, softened and cut into small pieces
- butter and onions for sauteing
- ingredients for filling of your choice (potato & cheese filling recipe below)
Preparation:
Pierogi Dough
To prepare the pierogi dough, mix together the flour and salt. Beat
the egg, then add all at once to the flour mixture. Add the 1/2 cup sour
cream and the softened butter pieces and work until the dough loses
most of its stickiness (about 5-7 minutes). You can use a food processor
with a dough hook for this, but be careful not to overbeat. Wrap the
dough in plastic and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes or overnight; the
dough can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Each batch of
dough makes about 12-15 pierogies, depending on size.
Prepare the Pierogies
Roll the pierogi dough on a floured board or countertop until 1/8"
thick. Cut circles of dough (2" for small pierogies and 3-3 1/2" for
large pierogies) with a cookie cutter or drinking glass. Place a small
ball of filling (about a tablespoon) on each dough round and fold the
dough over, forming a semi-circle. Press the edges together with the
tines of a fork.
Boil the perogies a few at a time in a large pot of water. They
are done when they float to the top (about 8-10 minutes). Rinse in cool
water and let dry.
Saute chopped onions in butter in a large pan until onions are
soft. Then add pierogies and pan fry until lightly crispy. Serve with a
side of sour cream for a true Pittsburgh pierogi meal.
Homemade Pierogi Tips:
- If you are having a hard time getting the edges to stick
together, you may have too much flour in the dough. Add a little water
to help get a good seal.
- If you don't want to cook all of the pierogies right
away, you can refrigerate them (uncooked) for several days or freeze
them for up to several months.
- You can fill pierogies with pretty much anything you
want, though potato and cheese is the most common (recipe below). Sweet
pierogies are often filled with a prune mixture.
Potato, Cheese & Onion Filling:
Peel and boil 5 large
potatoes until soft. Red potatoes are especially good for this. While
the potatoes are boiling, finely chop 1 large onion and saute in butter
until soft and translucent. Mash the potatoes with the sauted onions and
4-8oz of grated cheddar cheese (depending on how cheesy you want your
pierogies), adding salt and pepper to taste. You can also add some fresh
parsley, bacon bits, chives, or other enhancements if you desire. Let
the potato mixture cool and then form into 1" balls.
For more information see
About.com
Posted by Larimer Associates on 5:48 AM
Make the most of your apartment, big or small, with these great tips from Joanna Smith at
Better Homes and Gardens. We've pulled the top three here, but check out the full post
here.
It's
tough to maintain openness in a crowded apartment room, but choosing
armless furniture helps create an airy, unfettered look, giving the
illusion of more space.
"Floating" furniture makes for a great floor plan, but it leaves a wide expanse of boring sofa-back in the open.
One
thing apartments often have going for them is open wall space. Rework a
pair of sturdy bookshelves into an attractive storage wall…Cover them
with curtains that match or complement your window treatments
Posted by Larimer Associates on 8:46 AM
Playdough, silly putty, and sludge are three favorite words of many
children. However, buying these products in the store over and over
again can be expensive. Here is a simple easy recipe to make silly
putty in your home. The kids can even make it with some supervision.
For one small batch:
1/2 bottle of glue (or 1/4 cup)
a little less than 1/4 cup of water + 1/4 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon borax
Food Coloring
Borax is so easy to find! And it’s cheap. Just look in the laundry
section of the store. One box is enough to make about a million batches
of Silly Sludge.
To make Silly Sludge, first start by measuring and pouring the glue into
a glass bowl. It doesn’t have to be glass, but it will be easier to
clean if it is.
Then add a little less than 1/4 cup of water and stir it until it’s
mixed up pretty well. The amount of water doesn’t need to be exact at
all!
Add in a tiny bit of food coloring. Like even one drop if you can. If
you add too much, you may get some on your hands when you play with it.
Mix it up until the color is combined.
Set that bowl aside. Now measure out 1/4 cup of hot water and stir in
1/2 teaspoon of Borax. Mix it around until the Borax dissolves. It may
not all dissolve, but mostly is okay. The hot water really helps.
Now comes the fun (and educational) part! Pour the Borax mixture into the glue mixture and stir.
Almost immediately, the Borax causes the glue to make a polymer chain
(which means, it makes the glue’s molecules stick together). It’s pretty
cool!
If all of the water doesn’t absorb into the Silly Sludge, it’s no big
deal! Move the Silly Sludge out of the bowl and play with it! The more
you play with it, the better it gets. You can store it in a small zip
lock bag.
For more information see
Love and Laundry.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:18 AM
Free admission to the state fair does not happen very often. However, today only, you and your family can go to the state fair for free. Make sure to go today to check out the rides, foods, and events at this years fair. Also, an added bonus, parking is always free this year!
The New Mexico state fair is offering free gate admission all day Wednesday, Sept. 19.
State Fair General Manager Dan Mourning says the goal is to make the fair affordable to everyone.
"We
want every New Mexican to be able to enjoy the event we've worked so
hard to put together, and we understand that the economy is still pretty
tough out there for most people in our state," said Mourning.
Regular
price admission will be in place on Thursday, Sept. 20, but they are
offering half-price all-day ride wristbands on that day only.
Parking is free everyday throughout the State Fair.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:52 AM
Every time your child has a new favorite color they want new accessories to match. Well there is a way to help their changing tastes without spending a fortune. Duct Tape is the way to fix their bike helmets without buying a new one every other week.
Many of us have been there: staring at a hole in a shoe, a torn
backpack, or possibly a damaged car fender. Lacking the time or skill to
repair them properly, we reach for the duct tape, slap it on and go
about our business.
Considering the fact that repairing things with duct
tape is common enough to be an oft-lampooned stereotype, a duct tape
makeover would seem to be an easy target for ridicule. But things are
not always as they seem, as this project illustrates.
While not usually known for being fashion forward, duct tape takes center stage in this project. Anna from My Life and Kids
was tired of looking at her kids' tired old helmets. Instead of buying
new ones, she thought outside of the box and decided to employ some
decorative duct tape. The finished product speaks for itself.
While she had the tape out, Anna got a bit more crafty and made her
daughter a color-coordinated basket for her bike out of a cardboard box.
Who knows what she will tape up next?
For more information see
Apartment Therapy.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:28 AM
The end of the month is National Parks free admission day. It is a great way to take a weekend trip with a family for a low cost. There are 10 parks on the list in the New Mexico area that all have interesting sights to see. Make sure to schedule this free admission day on your calendar.
More than 100 national parks that usually charge admission fees are free for all on National Parks Free Entrance Days.
We’ve got a National Parks free admission day coming right up on Saturday September 29, 2012 to celebrate National Public Lands Day. It’s a great excuse to take a day trip, get outside, and make the most of the last great days of summer. So consider this a heads-up to plan ahead.
Parks that usually charge admission but are free on September 29 include the New Mexico National Parks on this list:
The next round of Free National Parks Entrance Days are
on November 10-12 for Veterans Day weekend. So mark your calendar now.
For more information see
ABQ on the cheap.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 12:13 PM
Do you want to learn about dinosaurs? The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the public, but this Sunday anyone can enjoy the center for free. This beautiful center has breathtaking views, hiking trails, and great programs. So go check it out, on this one public day of the year.
The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is usually closed to the
public, but on September 2 you can explore, hike, enjoy the scenery, try
geocaching and the solar telescope, and hear about dinosaurs.
The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in Cedar Crest is open to all this Sunday September 2, 2012, from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission is free. According to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science Facebook page (they operate the center) the theme this Sunday will be
What is a Dinosaur?
Usually the 128 acre piñon-juniper forest with over 5 miles of
walking trails is only open to school groups, but this Sunday anybody
can turn up to hike, spot wildlife from the observation deck and bird
blind, do geocaching, or even have a picnic. During the open day a solar
telescope will be available to view the sun.
Sandia Mountain Natural History Center open day:
- When: Sunday September 2, 2012
- Time: 9 am - 4 pm.
- Where: Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, Cedar Crest
- Price: Admission is free!
For more information see ABQ on the Cheap.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 12:08 PM
Apartment Storage can be tricky when you have a lot of stuff and not a lot of space. However, there are ways to work with what you have to give you extra space to hide and store things around your apartment. Read below to find out some excellent tips on how to successfully store things in your apartment.
- Get stuff up off the floor. There's only so much
area under foot. When you have your extra belongings in corners or
stacked next to the entertainment center, you aren't doing yourself any
favors. The best way to open up your small digs is to clear some floor
space. You'll finally be able to get around the place to see what other
space options are available.
- Take an inventory. You can't know where you need
the most space (for large or small items) until you know what you really
have. Take an inventory and sort your belongings by category. Anything
you don't need or want should donated or pitched.
- Purge. Now that you've gotten rid of the easy to
dispose of stuff, purge items you haven't used in a long time. Some
experts say you should lose anything you haven't used in a year or more,
but even if you aren't that ruthless, you probably know which items
you're just hanging onto because you're reluctant to make a firm
decision. An occasional purge is good for the soul. It'll make you feel
lighter and faster on your feet.
- Make space in the closet. Closets are notorious for
being crowded and disorganized. Re-organize your closet bound stuff and
invest in modular storage to put it in. A sixteen-inch deep shelf might
do much better as two eight inch shelves filled with bags and shoes.
Modular storage systems are less expensive than you might think and can
create tons of space. Even the area near the ceiling can be pressed into
service with small hooks for belts and scarves
- Buy vacuum bags. These nifty bags make storing
extra linens and winter items, like heavy coats, easier. They have an
opening that fits on the reverse flow nozzle on your vacuum cleaner and
removes the air between layers of fabric. You can double or triple your
space this way, and protect your fabrics from moisture and dust too.
- Use stackables, fold-downs, and hidden storage.
That foot rest you've been using could be swapped out for a modern model
with a hollow center. It's an instant storage chest waiting for linens
and other items. Need another table for when guests come to call? Try a
drop leaf variety that can be shallow or sprawling depending on the
occasion. These flexible furniture solutions and many more can reduce
the number of larger items you need by being creative multi-taskers.
Less big stuff cluttering your apartment means more area for . . .
everything else.
- Employ open shelving. All that empty wall area can
be used for storage with the addition of some freestanding or wall
mounted shelves. Some of your kitchenware and even personal items are
probably attractive enough to display, so get decorating. For items that
are too utilitarian to keep out in the open, use containers, like
attractive woven baskets or boxes. You can decorate and store at the
same time.
- Invest in door and shelf racks. Outsized items can
be a bear to store. Pot lids, colanders and even spices can take up more
than their fair share of shelf area. Wire racks help hold lids, stack
dishes and corral spices; you can save more of your precious cupboard
space for important stuff, like food.
- Use under the bed and wasted space. Yes, we're
recommending that you use the area under the bed, but with some
provisions. Invest in plastic under bed containers to keep items dust
free. From sweater minders to shoe racks, you can usually find something
to store your under the bed items of choice in. If you've exhausted the
under the bed area, how about the inside of your luggage? If you only
travel a few times a year, it may be worth it to store winter or summer
clothes in your travel bags. It's also an inspired spot for unused
pillows, a parka, or fuzzy robe.
- Stay organized. No storage system will work if you
don't use it. Once you do get everything up, put away and displayed the
way you want it, take the extra fifteen minutes a day to keep it tidy.
For more information please see
SuperPages.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:53 AM
The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is something the city waits for all
year. Hundreds of hot air balloons fly through the air with spectacular
color. This fiesta is a tradition in Albuquerque and has been around
for 41 years. Tons of different sponsors and groups participate in the
balloon fiesta making it something that everyone in New Mexico goes
to.
National Geographic and CNN have featured the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta as a “top travel destination.”
National Geographic lists the Balloon Fiesta in its “Best Fall Trips 2012” story that covers 10 places to travel to this autumn.
CNN’s online travel section mentions the event in its feature “7
breathtaking ballooning adventures.”
The piece highlights Albuquerque’s
fall climate, air currents and the Balloon Fiesta’s “remarkable
displays” including the balloon glows and mass ascensions.
The 41st Balloon Fiesta takes place October 6 through October 14. For
details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs visit online.
Read the National Geographic report here. The CNN report is here.
For more information see
BizJournals.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 1:03 PM
Decorating
your apartment can be hard when you are on a budget. However, do not fear there are ways to decorate your
apartment that won’t break the bank.
These tips will make your apartment look it is out of a magazine without
the price tag.
Your apartment can have the appearance and
feel of a well lived in home. The mindset that your apartment has to be
cold and uninviting should be the farthest idea from your head. Apartment
living is a great way to save money and you have the freedom of moving around
as you please. Decorating your apartment cheaply will make you feel good
when you entertain, and when enjoying your place on your own. Here are ideas to
cheaply decorate and furnish your apartment and to make it the best it can be.
SALES: Yard, garage, and discount stores are the
best place to find décor items for cheap! Furniture, wall décor, and storage
items don’t need to be bought brand new. You can find beds and couches
and spruce them up with mattress covers and slip covers.
ONLINE
CLASSIFIEDS: Websites
like Craigslist, Backpages, and other free online classifieds are great resource
for finding décor. Often time’s people are moving out of their homes and
need to get rid of items fast and cheaply. Estate sales are also
published in online classifieds as well. Estate sales are trying to sell the
belongings of a deceased person. They can also be from individuals who can’t
financially afford their belongings. Take advantage of these because the items
may be hard to find bargains!
DO IT
YOURSELF: Believe it
or not, you and some friends may be able to assemble anything you put your mind
to. Do it yourself tables, chairs, and entertainment centers can save you
money. Stores like Ikea have made their entire business centered around
merchandise that you can assemble yourself. Ikea has décor and storage
ideas for every budget, and every assembly skill level.
LOFT BEDS: Loft beds are a cheap way to accommodate
several people in a small space. Loft beds are reminiscent of bunk beds,
which take advantage of vertical space. Loft beds can be bought at furniture
stores, garage sales, or check college dorm and apartment bulletin boards for
quick sales. Even if you don’t have a lot of people in your apartment, loft
beds can house a bed on top and a desk area beneath to save valuable space in
your bedroom.
For more information go to
Fresh Home.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:46 AM
The ABQ Biopark zoo is opening a new exhibit on August 5th. This new exhibit is all about amphibians and their natural habitat. Most of the frogs featured in this exhibit are endangered, and they are being put in this program to breed and keep the population alive. Make sure to go check out this new exhibit, and see the amphibians like you never have before.
The ABQ BioPark Zoo opens its new exhibit, Amphibians: Life on a Limb,
on Sunday, August 5. The facility offers a rare glimpse into the world
of frogs and other amphibians and helps save endangered species.
One third of amphibians are threatened with extinction due to habitat
loss, pollution, climate change and diseases. A pioneering Coqui Conservation Lab
allows guests to watch as BioPark herpetologists care for critically
endangered coqui frogs, helping ensure their survival through breeding
and reintroduction programs.
"Amphibian populations are rapidly declining and many
species are on the brink of extinction," said Doug Hotle, Curator of
Reptiles & Amphibians. "It's exciting to showcase these amazing
animals while we help protect them. We want future generations to enjoy
frogs, too."
At 700 square feet, the exhibit is intimate with a jungle-like
ambiance. Jewel-like tanks are filled with a diverse group of
amphibians, and visitors get an extraordinary peek into their
environmental significance. Guests will encounter strange and stunning
species like poison dart frogs, hellbenders, aquatic caecilians and
sharp-ribbed newts.
From 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on August 5, guests can enjoy hands-on
discovery stations and talk with amphibian keepers. The amphibian
exhibit is included with regular admission and will be open daily during
the Zoo's regular business hours.
Amphibians: Life on a Limb kicks off the New Mexico BioPark Society's "Nurture Your Love of Nature" Capital Campaign.
For more information see
CABQ.gov.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:35 AM
Kitchens can become the most cluttered room in your house. However, with a few simple steps your kitchen can become more organized and user friendly. This will help you know where things are, and it will make cooking a little more enjoyable for you.
Whether you've just moved into a new space, are settling into a
summer rental, or are just frustrated with your kitchen, here are some
ideas to help you arrange your kitchen for maximum cooking and cleaning
efficiency that will making mucking about in the space a lot more fun.
Start with what you have: You may love them, you
may hate them, but unless you've got the money for a full scale
renovation, your sink, stove and refrigerator aren't going anywhere.
Their position will dictate where everything else goes. Cleaning them
up (Magic sponges, Barkeeper's Friend, Mrs. Meyer's All Purpose Spray,
Bon Ami and those curly stainless steel sponges sometimes called Kurly
Kate's, are my weapons of choice), inside and out, can go a long way
towards making them presentable.
Create stations: Taking a cue from restaurant
kitchens, mentally assign stations for all of the tasks that you do in
your kitchen: cleaning, storage, prepping, cooking, putting food away. I
bake a lot, so I also have a baking station.
Organize items according to task: The point is to
organize the kitchen so that there's as little unnecessary movement as
possible. If, after you've washed the cutlery from tonight's dinner at
the sink, putting it away means walking across the kitchen to do so,
chances are it will never get put away, no matter how pretty the cutlery
drawer organizer is.
Move things around so that what you need is in arm's reach:
Cutlery and dishes should be near the sink; spices and cooking
implements, whether rubber spatula or skillet, should be near the stove;
put knives and chopping boards near your prep area; store sugar, flour,
rolling pins, cookie sheets and standing mixer near your baking area.
Out of reach: Put things you rarely use — the
turkey platter you pull out at Thanksgiving, the holiday-themed cookie
cutters — higher up or lower down. Having to get on a ladder, or even
bend your knees, means you'll use something less frequently.
If necessary, buy two of everything: I use cinnamon
for cooking and for baking, so I've got one canister near the stove and
one in my baking area. While I'm not suggesting you buy two food prep
machines, consider doubling up on little items like spices and spatulas.
Merchandise your storage: Yes, I confess, my
kitchen is always ready for its close up. I like my kitchen organized, I
also like it pretty. Arranging items by size and color as well as by
how often you use them can go a long way towards making your time in
this room pleasant.
Pretty but also useful: If the canister that you
use to store flour is hard to open, it's not useful. Before you buy
something, try it out in the store and consider how you'll use it. Does
it feel substantial in your hand but also light enough that it's easy
to use? Can you open a container with one hand? I've removed rubber
sealant rings from many a flour container in order to make them easier
to open.
Stick with the place you've given for things: With
everything in my kitchen assigned a spot, it's easy to see what I have
and what's missing. With a quick glance into my refrigerator, I can
tell that I'm out of butter or milk or low on veggies. Since I always
keep these things in the same place, a glance at my kitchen cupboards
tells me I'm out of glasses and I'd better get washing!
For more information and other apartment tips go to
Apartment Therapy.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 7:28 AM
This Saturday head to the Route 66 Summerfest. There are activities for the whole family including a climbing wall, dancing, car shows, and delicious food. There is a stage and beer garden for the adults, and there is a trolley for the kids. This is a great event to get your family out of the house, and enjoy the beautiful weather we have been having.
There’s nothing like a street festival to make the most of summer – and is there anywhere better for a street festival than Albuquerque’s old Route 66 herself? We think not. Join in the party on Saturday July 21, 2012, for free live entertainment, car cruise, and more…
Route 66 Summerfest in Nob Hill kicks off at 2 pm through 10:30 pm on July 21, and the free festivities include a car show, live music and dancing, kids’ activities, an arts and artisans’ market, tours of Nob Hill, and sidewalk sales. Some highlights:
The KidZone offers a schedule of activities including yoga, sumo wrestling, climbing wall, dances, and a jump rope performance, on Central Avenue between Wellesley and Tulane.
New Mexico Route 66 Association’s Car Show all afternoon on Central between Carlisle and Aliso, with the 12th Annual Neon Cruise starting at 8:30 pm.
Urban Wheels Show with alternative transportation on Central between Aliso and Morningside, and the motorbikes, scooters and bikes will also join the Neon Cruise at 8:30 pm.
Summerfest music (in partnership with the New Mexico Jazz Festival) starts at 2 pm on two stages, with a great line-up including headline acts Cadillac Bob & the Rhinestones at 8 pm on the East Stage (Central & Washington) and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band performing at 9 pm on the Main Stage (Central & Girard).
Route 66 Cork & Tap has its own stage and beer garden, with music including Mala Mana and
En-Joy and local breweries on site, at Central and Sierra.
Art and Artisan’s Market showing local arts and crafts between Dartmouth and Bryn Mawr.
World’s Longest Stroll Dance attempt to grab the Guinness World Record at 4:30 pm. They need more than 221 people to beat the current record, so join in at Central and Solano, opposite the Route 66 Malt Shop.
Free trolley rides courtesy of ABQ Trolley Co along Central Avenue from 2-9 pm, as a shuttle to save your aching feet!
Check out the full schedule of Route 66 Summerfest events and times. They also have a very handy map so you can see what’s where.
For more information and coupons for the event go to
ABQ on the Cheap.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:21 AM
Are you stressed out about your family, your household, or yourself? These tricks will make your life easier, and give you just a little more time to breathe.
Keep a marker in the freezer: If you're the type of
person who cooks a lot and freezes the leftovers, or someone who likes
to buy in bulk, keeping a marker in the freezer might mean the
difference between "what is this?" and "here's the pasta sauce I made
last summer when the tomatoes were at their peak". Use it to label and
date whatever you're freezing. Bonus: no more frozen mysteries, no more wondering where to find a marker to label stuff.
Collect pint size versions of your favorite toiletries and store them in your suitcase:
This is one of those silly ideas that I used to scoff at until the TSA
changed the rules and mini became the rule. Whether it's a flight
across the country, around the world, or a quick overnighter, keeping
small size versions of your toiletries in your suitcase means you're
always ready to go. Since all the things I like and need don't always
come in small sizes, I pick them up whenever I see them. Bonus: No last minute scramble, and they don't take up valuable real estate in your already crowded linen closet.
Pack up your beach or ski stuff: As for traveling,
so for sports. In my beach bag I store sunscreen, a towel, a blanket,
bathing suits; my ski boots share space with my ski clothes, handwarmers
and another stick of sunscreen. Bonus: always ready to go.
Hang your keys on the back of your front door or have your
lock changed so that it's one of the kind that you have to lock from the
inside: When I moved into my home it was already equipped
with one of these locks. Not only do I always know where my keys are,
but I don't have to worry about accidentally locking myself out
(something my neighbors have done). Bonus: safe, sound and, with no morning key scramble, sane.
A pen and a pad by my phone's charger: I used to keep them by my landline, now I keep them by the charger. Same purpose — taking notes — different era. Bonus: Being prepared to write down every detail, whether it's directions or a grocery list.
Arranging the medicine chest by how things are used:
Yeah, this one's had me called crazy, but since I no longer rub
toothpaste into my palms thinking it's handcream, the last laugh may be
mine. Especially if you're as blind as I am without my glasses, this
little bit of organization brings a lot of order to your morning. Bonus: a faster morning.
Having a place for everything in the refrigerator:
Especially if you bake a lot or live with someone else, having a place
for everything not only brings a little more sanity to your cooking
times, you can see, right at a glance, if you actually have enough eggs
or milk or butter — whether it's for that cake you were thinking about
making or for breakfast. Bonus: no more overbuying.
Keep your daily meds in the refrigerator: Vitamins
or prescriptions, I keep them in the fridge next to the milk. I know
I'll be reaching for the milk for my morning coffee and when I do, it'll
remind me to pop my pills. Bonus: Less chance of forgetting whether you already took them today.
Have a box for your first aid supplies and medications:
If you have kids, keeping meds in the refrigerator might not be a
great idea. But then, neither is keeping them in the medicine chest.
Sure, you might want to make a place for your cough medicine if you're
right in the midst of battling something nasty, but most of us have
stuff around that we only grab on occassion. Stick it all in a pretty
box (or a lock box if you have wee ones in the house). You may want to
date stuff (even medicine has a shelf life); in which case, do as with
the freezer and keep a marker in your box. Bonus: a medicine cabinet filled only with things you need, and knowing where everything is when you actually need it
Keep a set of cleaning supplies in the bathroom and in the kitchen:
Avoid a marathon cleaning session by wiping down the sink (and, if you
shed as much hair as I do, the floor) each morning with a rag and
spritz of cleanser, or try those packages of pop up wipes. Supplies in
each wet room means you're more likely to have them at hand, keeping
these rooms clean. Bonus: Saturday mornings having brunch instead of cleaning.
Empty your pocket change into a jar by the door each night:
This is one of those silly things a friend told me they did once when I
asked them where they'd found the money for something (we were both
equally broke at the time). It may seem super old skool (and it is) but
it's also a painless way of saving and avoids the rattling hangbag or
ripped pocket syndrome. Bonus: change for the laundry and less guilt about a splurge for the home.
Clean while you're on the phone:
Whether it's doing the dishes, swishing the toilet, Swiffering the
floor or feather dusting the counter tops, here's a simple way to
multitask. Bonus: no mindless phone eating (my personal downfall).
The next time you line your trash can with a new bag, stick
an old dryer sheet in the bottom and line the bin with all the trash
bags at once: Then all you have to do is pull out the old bag; the new one's already in place. Bonus: come party time or a big mess, at least you won't be scrambling for trash bags.
Keep your laundry supplies at the bottom of your hamper:
Are you sensing a theme here? Guilty. Also guilty of not having a
lot of storage space. Also in my laundry bag: a roll of quarters,
stain stick (it's right where I need it so I can treat a stain before it
goes in the hamper). Bonus: the detergent and the laundry sheets also act as deodorizers for my dirty clothes until I get around to washing them.
Store your bedlinens under your mattress: I don't
know about you, but I don't have loads of extra space to use for storing
sheets and pillowcases. Instead, I fold up everything and stick it
underneath the mattress (or between the mattress and the boxspring),
next to my life savings (just kidding, though I'm sure you're thinking
this idea's just as insane). (In the same vein, I also store my towels
by hanging them on the back of my bathroom door). Bonus: Everything's close at hand, and I get that ironed look without ironing.
For more tips check out
Apartment Therapy.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 12:04 PM
It is July, which means kids are starting to get bored with playing
outside or going to the pool. Then the very popular phrase is spoken
from your child's mouth, "I'm bored". If this phrase comes out of your
child's mouth too often, here is the perfect cure so your kids can never
claim they are bored again.
Some years ago we asked you
what you do when your kids declare, "I'm bored!" It's an affliction
that is especially rampant during the summer when days are long and
activities are fewer. It's taken a while, but we think we've found a
clever cure for the boredom blues: the I'm Bored Jar.
Shay from Shaydes of Life
recreated a vivid memory from her childhood with the "Bored Jar". She
remembered her mother having one, and so she passed the idea on to a
close friend. Using any kind of vessel you want, you put scraps of paper
with activities written on them inside. Whenever someone claims she is
bored, she must choose a paper and do whatever is written on it.
The trick is to include some undesirable activities, like "take out
the trash" or "vacuum your room." With only a few of these and a
majority of fun ones, kids take their chances when they declare they are
bored: you just might pick "clean the toilet," or you might get "go get
some ice cream." It's a clever way to provide activity for those
moments when inspiration is thin, and yet the zingers discourage kids
from finding themselves bored in the first place.
For more ideas for your kids this summer go to
apartment therapy.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:39 AM
These are ten items in your household that you should clean regularly. It only takes a minute to clean them, and it will make your household healthier.
What do I love about cleaning? When it's done! Usually the dirtiest
things in my home are the ones I forget about completely and, thus,
never clean. Luckily, that's easy to fix; if you have ten minutes, you
can get these ten chores done today.
1. Sponge -- Although you should be regularly replacing your kitchen sponge (right?), you can increase its mileage by nuking your damp sponge in the microwave to kill bacteria.
2. Ceiling fan -- If you switched on your fan this
summer only to have dust fly everywhere, then spend a minute here. Make
your life infinitely easier by cleaning each blade inside an old pillowcase to trap falling dust.
3. Kitchen towel -- Even though I regularly wash my
bathroom towels, I tend to forget to throw the kitchen towel in the
wash. Now, I have four or five so I can rotate more often and quit
wiping my clean hands on a greasy towel.
4. Cell phone -- Turn off your phone and let it cool
down. Clean the casing with a slightly damp cloth and straight alcohol
(which evaporates quickly). For the screen, polish with a plain
microfiber cloth, because alcohol could damage the protective coating.
5. Pillow -- You spend more time with your pillow than with most of your friends. Freshen it by tossing it into a hot dryer or out in the sun every so often.
6. Lint trap -- Checking it after every load is a
good habit, but let's be realistic! Go clear it out right now so your
next load will dry faster and save energy.
7. TV Remote -- Snacking and channel surfing don't
mix. Wipe down the remote with a damp cloth and a 50:50 mix of water
and rubbing alcohol. Careful with the buttons! If you're feeling
ambitious, use a Q-tip to get in between them.
8. Silverware organizer -- I don't know about you,
but those little trays in my silverware drawer collect gunk like nothing
else. I'm eating off those forks! Take out the silver and give it a
soapy wash.
9. Makeup brushes -- Your brushes touch your face
every day, clean 'em often. Just swirl in a cup of mild, soapy water,
rinse, reshape and air dry. Easy!
10. Showerhead -- If your shower is losing power, fill a plastic bag with white vinegar,
put it over the shower head and secure it with a rubber band. Leaving
it on overnight should soak away the deposits that block your pressure.
For more cleaning tips check out
Apartment Therapy.
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:32 AM
On select Thursdays, the ABQ Art and History Museum will be offering free admission. These Thursdays include talks and special events. There is no charge from 5pm and the hours of the museum are extended to 830pm. The next special event is this Thursday which includes a chocolate artisan and historian.
The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History offers free evening admission on select Thursdays (usually the third Thursday of each month), with talks and special events on those evenings.
On the Albuquerque Museum free Thursday evening there is no charge for admission from 5 pm and hours are extended until 8:30 pm.
The next free museum evening is this Thursday June 21, 2012, and they had me when they mentioned “sample chocolate”. The theme is Ancient Americas Family Night, with the aforementioned chocolate samples and the chance to hear about chocolate from Mark Sciscenti, a chocolate artisan and historian. (Some people get all the good jobs.) Meanwhile, children can make art inspired by the ancients (I assume they’re not talking about Mr Cheap) and at 7:30 pm the Aztec dance group PAZ Ehecatl will perform for all. Sounds sweet, huh? In more ways than one.
Visitors can also grab a snack at the Slate at the Museum cafe and browse the museum gift store.
Admission to the Albuquerque Museum is also free on:
Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm
All day on the first Wednesday of the month
Even on free days and evenings, expect to pay the usual fees for special exhibits.
The regular admission price is:
$4 for adults, or $3 for New Mexico residents with ID.
BUT out-of-state visitors can get the same $3 deal for adults if they buy tickets to Albuquerque Museum online and print them out at home.
$2 for seniors (65+) wherever you hail from
$3 for youngsters aged 13-18
$1 for kids aged 4-12.
Children aged 3 and under go free.
If you’re new around these parts, the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History is located at the corner of Mountain Road and 19th Street, in Albuquerque Old Town.
For more information head to
ABQ on the Cheap.
