We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Prepare for the Holiday Season
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Decorating on a Budget
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Monday was National Pierogie Day
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.
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:
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
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.
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
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Apartment Tips to Steal
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
