Budget Decorating

I love the HGTV show Decorating on a Dime. This clip shows a great way to give your bedroom a quick face lift on a low budget. This headboard is awesome and costs a fraction of what you’d spend in a furniture gallery.

My only advice would be to make it mount on legs instead of drilling it to the wall. This way you can still move your bed around the room for any future rearranging.

Have you ever made your own furniture?

Apartment Warming Party Ideas

Congratulations on your new apartment! If you’ve recently moved into The Apartments at Arboretum, you may want to have an apartment warming party to show-off your new pad to friends.  Here is a helpful checklist from MyRentalPad.com to have a successful party.

• Plenty of seating (it’s better to have it and not need it that to need it and not have it)
• Plenty of hor d’ourves, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks for your guests
• Be sure to plan for the dietary needs of your guests – some may eat vegetarian or vegan (What? Don’t look at me! They are your friends.)
• If you do plan on serving alcohol, be sure to make arrangement for everyone to get home safely or spend that night at your place.
• Be sure to have plenty of entertainment. Karaoke, beer pong, board games or recipe swapping, whatever you choose for you and your guests be sure to keep them adequately entertained.
• For crying out loud, get a haircut, shower and a fresh change of clothes on. You’re a host – act like one! Be gracious. Be sure your guests’ needs are met.
• And remember, if all else fails, break out that batch of brownies. That will get things going.

So there you have at a starter list, at least. You have to own this thing. Make it epic. Add your personal touches to make this apartment warming uniquely yours.

New Olympic Poll!

So far the USA is in the lead with 24 medals during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics! Vote on our poll to the right and let us know what’s been your favorite to watch!

Camp Bow Wow

Check out Camp Bow Wow! They are now offering residents of The Apartments at Arboretum 10% off!

Fat Tuesday Party

Tonight for Fat Tuesday Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse is having their 2nd Annual Mardi Gras celebration from 5:30-9:30pm.

They serve creole cajun cuisine year-round so it’s only fitting for them to have the largest party in town for the occasion. There will be a mask contest, beads and plenty of authentic bayou food. Cover is just $5.

I think it will be the place to really indulge before Lent. Hope you have a great time if you make it out! Happy Fat Tuesday!

Happy Valentine’s Day Apts at Arboretum!

We’d like to wish all the residents at The Apartments at Arboretum a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hope you enjoy it with someone special and that you eat all the chocolate you want.

“The eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them: there ought to be as many for love.” ~Margaret Atwood

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jikido/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Valentine’s Weekend Plans

Not looking forward to dealing with the busy crowds in all the restaurants this weekend for Valentine’s Day? I found this video clip from the Today Show with Colin Cowie, party planner for the stars, with tips on how to celebrate at home with your love, friends or family.

He gives great tips for ideas of ways to celebrate at home in a more intimate, relaxed setting.For couples he suggests a dinner and movie night at home. You can pre-order lobster tails, shrimp and oysters and pop in a romance like Casablanca or 9 1/2 weeks. Looking for a more fun and less-romance? He suggests inviting friends over for wine, drinks and snacks. Finally, if you don’t have a sitter and will need to include the little ones in your Valentine’s Day celebration, he suggests a family brunch, complete with heart-shaped pancakes and strawberry toppings.

I thought this clip was really helpful. I plan on celebrating early with my husband. We’re headed to a Broadway play and dinner tonight, then this weekend I think I’ll make the heart-shaped pancakes with our 20-month-old.

How are you going to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?

Super Bowl Monday

If you’re like me then the thought of getting-up early to go to work tomorrow is not very exciting. Your tummy’s full, maybe your throat is sore from screaming at Peyton Manning through the TV or perhaps you’ve drank a little too much a certain beverage. Either way, I’m sure many of us would love to just sleep and take-in all the excitement of the Saints victory.

I found this website that is dedicated to making Super Bowl Monday a national holiday. I totally agree with the folks who made this site. Some of the the suggested names for this holiday-to-be are Super Monday, American Sports Day and my favorite, Lombardi Day.

If this ever passes, it would be the first holiday dedicated to sports. We can all cross our finger, but I think it’s not too likely.

Do you think the Monday after Super Bowl merits a holiday?

Cheesy Football

Looking for a great appetizer and dip idea for the upcoming Super Bowl this Sunday? I found this awesome recipe here for a cheese ball that’s in the shape of a football. It’s great with crackers or tortillas! Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8 ounces)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped green onions

1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Roasted red pepper strips

Directions

1. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and mayonnaise on medium speed until well blended.
2. Add onions, sugar, if desired, salt and black pepper; mix well. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight.
3. Form cheese mixture into football shape; roll in pecans.
4. Garnish with sliced roasted red pepper strips for the “lacing,” if desired.

Makes about 30 servings.