Articles
For Hillsboro, Oregon

Do you feel like your home is too cluttered? It is important to keep your home neat and organized, but many people do not know where to start. That's why we're providing 11 small ways that you can organize your home in one day! From organizing a closet to cleaning up the kitchen, these are small changes that will have a big impact on how clean and orderly your home feels. 1. Pick Up and Put Away Clothes One of the easiest places to start is with your clothes. If you have clothes lying aro…

Day hiking is an excellent way to get outside and enjoy nature. It can also be a great opportunity to exercise, explore new hiking trails, and spend time with friends or family. If you are planning a day hike soon, we've compiled a list of 10 must-haves that will make all the difference! 1. Good Shoes or Hiking Boots This one might seem obvious, but many hiking beginners simply forget to wear good footwear. It's important that you have a sturdy hiking shoe or hiking boot with adequate ank…

Entering the search for a new job can be an overwhelming and difficult task. You may find yourself spending hours on job sites, applying to job opportunities that you are not quite qualified for, or feeling like there are just not any good jobs out there. But before you start doubting your own abilities and giving up, take some time to read this post about six tips to help you confidently approach the job search. 1. Set a Goal Before you start job hunting, set a goal or multiple goals for…

Privacy is an important part of any outdoor space. There are plenty of ways to create more privacy outdoors, whether it's for your backyard, patio, or even an apartment balcony. In this post, we'll cover some simple solutions that will help you get started! Grow Ornamental Grasses Ornamental grass is a wonderful option to create some privacy around your outdoor space, and it's also relatively easy to maintain. Some ornamental grasses can grow to be over 8 feet tall! Pair these with some t…

Finding a new primary care provider can be tough. There are many factors to take into consideration, and the "right" primary care provider looks different for every person. Here are a few factors you should consider when choosing a new primary care provider for yourself or your family. Location How far away is the potential primary care provider from your home or work? Do they take appointments after hours or on weekends in case of emergencies? If you have kids, what do their office hours…

Many people are unaware of the benefits public libraries provide to communities. From free Internet use to library programs for all ages, the library has something for everyone! Let's discuss 6 great reasons why you should visit and support the library in your community. 1. Free library cards It's true—most public libraries offer free library cards! Supporting your local library means supporting the love of reading and learning for people from all walks of life. Most library cards are f…

Do you find yourself with clothes overflowing out of your closet and dresser? Are you frustrated with the lack of storage space in your home? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, these tips are for you. Let's discuss 5 ways to help maximize your closet space in order to keep everything organized and looking great. 1. Add Shelves Adding shelves inside your closet can greatly expand your storage space. You can install shelving on the walls of your closet or simply add a bookshelf. Stacking upward can utilize any empty space you have between the ceiling and the floor. 2. Utilize Bins or Baskets Bins and baskets are great for storing smaller pieces of clothing such as socks, underwear, or jewelry. These will allow you…

Fire season is in full swing in the United States and Canada, and it's never too soon to take action. Even if you're not in an active evacuation zone, the air quality outside can become unhealthy in a matter of hours. Your home should be a refuge from the smoke, but what if it isn't? Here are a few easy ways to help improve air quality inside your home during fire season. Inspect and Upgrade Your HVAC System One of the best ways to prepare for potentially unhealthy air quality this fire s…

Back to school season may be coming right around the corner, but summer break isn't over yet! To ease your kids back into school mode, we came up with a list of five educational summer activities you can squeeze into your schedule before your child returns to the classroom. 1. Summer Reading Club or Reading Challenge A summer reading club is a summer program that keeps children engaged with books and can get children back into the mindset of learning. You can visit your local library to s…

Plastic is a very common material found in our everyday lives. From grocery bags to plastic containers, this material can be upcycled and reused in many different ways. If you have any old plastic containers that you want to reuse instead of toss out or recycle, read on for a few clever ways to upcycle them! 1. Plastic Bottle to Self-Watering Bulb Why buy a new self-watering bulb when you can reuse old plastic bottles? You can upcycle any size plastic bottle to make self-watering bulbs fo…

Swimming is a great form of exercise that is often overlooked, but it can be an excellent way to stay fit, strengthen your body, and relieve stress. Let's discuss a few benefits of swimming as a form of exercise! Swimming is Easy on the Joints Swimming is considered a low-impact exercise, which means it puts very little pressure on your joints. Compared to running or other high-impact cardio, swimming puts less stress on your body while still giving you a good workout. The buoyancy of the…

Discovering local history and culture is a fantastic way to spend your spare time and learn about where you live. Whether you are looking for something fun to do with kids or friends or want to find out more about the neighborhood you live in, here are a few activity ideas to get you started: 1. Look for Local Tours One of the best ways to learn about the history of your town is to find local museums, historic sites, and other attractions that offer local tours. You may also find walking …

Growing your own vegetables is not only a great way to save money, but gardening can also be very therapeutic and rewarding. However, if you live in an apartment or have a small yard, gardening might seem impossible. With some creativity and clever gardening techniques, it's possible to grow some of your favorite veggies even if you've got limited space! In this article we will discuss five vegetables that are perfect for gardens of any size. Tomatoes Tomatoes are a gardening staple and c…

Do you have trouble drinking enough water throughout the day? Drinking water is one of the most important things you can do for your health, yet many people struggle with drinking water regularly because they don't feel like they have time, they forget, or they don't enjoy it. Let's go over 10 simple ways to make drinking water an easier task! 1. Carry water with you Our first tip is to carry water with you in a water bottle or water jug so that you always have water to drink. You can als…

If you have a pet, regular grooming is essential to keep them happy and healthy. While grooming might just seem like a nice bath and a fresh haircut, there are many underlying benefits you might not realize. Let's discuss five of the main reasons why regular pet grooming is necessary for your pet's wellbeing. Prevent Tangling and Matting One of the biggest reasons to have your pet groomed regularly is to brush out tangles and prevent matted fur. If never brushed or maintained, medium-to-l…

Wondering why your dishes aren't getting as clean as they used to or why your dishwasher smells weird every time you open it? That usually means it's time for a deep clean! Cleaning your dishwasher regularly will help extend the life of your dishwasher and make it run more efficiently. Signs to Look For There are a few telltale signs that mean it might be time to clean your dishwasher. You notice staining in places on dishes that weren't there beforeThe water doesn't drain away after y…

While 4th of July is all about celebrating the United States' independence (and eating good barbecue), it can become dangerous once fireworks are involved. During unprecedented dry weather and in places where wildfire danger is high, it might be best to skip the fireworks during your festivities this year. Luckily, there are plenty of fun and safe 4th of July activities you can try instead. Celebrating at Home Set up an outdoor movie theater at home and watch your favorite summer movieMak…

With heat waves becoming more common and more extreme, it's vital to find ways to stay cool. Unfortunately, for those without air conditioning, it can be a difficult task. Whether you're worried about heat exhaustion or simply can't get comfortable, here are our top 5 tips to help keep your body temperature down during the heat. 1. Close and Cover Your Windows Heat easily sneaks into your home through windows. To keep the hot air out, close all of your windows and keep curtains shut to mi…

When you compost your food scraps or yard debris, you can feel good knowing that you are recycling your food waste and providing rich nutrients for plants and soil. Even if you don't use your compost in a garden, composting now can help reduce methane emissions from organic waste in landfills. Composting is one small way to care for the environment while helping your garden grow! Let's get into more about how (and why) you should start composting. What is Composting? Composting is the nat…

Smart locks are a relatively new technology taking the home security industry by storm. These smart locks use Bluetooth and/or WiFi to communicate with your phone, allowing you to lock and unlock your door from anywhere, anytime. There are many benefits to having smart locks for your home, but the new technology can also bring some downsides and concerns. What is a Smart Lock? Smart locks are smart home accessories that let you secure your home without the need for a physical key. Most sm…