
Choose Local: Why Supporting Small Businesses Matters This Shopping Season
As the holiday season approaches, consumers are bombarded with endless Black Friday deals. During these high-profile shopping days, when big box retailers and online giants often dominate the market with massive sales and promotions, choosing to shop at small and local businesses can make a big difference. While Small Business Saturday is a day specifically dedicated to shopping and supporting small businesses, the importance of choosing local businesses extends to the entire holiday shopping s…

8 Common Services of Jewelers (in Addition to Selling Jewelry)
Jewelers and jewelry stores are more than just showcases of glittering gems and precious metals. Many offer a range of services that cater to lovers of fine jewelry and those seeking professional assistance. Let's explore the lesser-known services that jewelers provide in addition to selling jewelry.
Custom Jewelry Design
One of the most cherished services offered by jewelry stores is custom jewelry design. Skilled jewelers work closely with clients to bring their dream pieces to life. Wh…

3 Ways to Provide Mental Stimulation for Your Dog
Ensuring that your dog is happy and healthy is probably one of your top priorities. To that end, keeping your dog mentally stimulated is vital.
What are the best ways to do this? Giving your pet opportunities to do lots of chewing, learning tricks, and exploring are three easy things that get the job done.
1. Chewing
The simple and natural act of chewing gets your pup’s brain working. It takes singular focus and concentration; in a way, chewing is a form of canine meditation.
…

Reversible DIY Home Improvement Projects for Renters
If you rent your home or apartment, you know that home improvement upgrades are not always an option. However, there are many easy, affordable, and reversible ways to make your apartment or rental feel more your style. These simple upgrades can give your space a whole new look without breaking the bank (or violating your lease agreement).
What is a Rental-Friendly Upgrade?
A rental-friendly upgrade is a temporary and affordable way to make your apartment or rental feel more like home.…

3 Book Club Benefits and Tips for Getting Started
If you are an avid reader, you likely enjoy spending as much quiet time as possible wrapped up in a good book. Reading doesn't have to be only a solitary pleasure, though. Starting a book club can be a great way to combine your love of reading with insightful social interaction. Here are some of the benefits of launching your own book club and tips for organizing one.
1. Book Clubs Help You Engage Deeper in Reading
Those who read a lot often breeze through their reading material and q…

How to Support Local During the Holidays
It’s nearly Thanksgiving, which for many people means gathering together with family or friends, giving thanks, and sharing a meal. Thanksgiving also means Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are just around the corner. This weekend of sales is a great way to further show thanks and appreciation for the small businesses we know, like, and trust. Let’s go over a few reasons why we should all #ShopSmall this holiday season and support our local small businesses.
Why Sho…

Common In-Season Vegetables to Eat This Winter
Getting your daily dose of vegetables is essential, but it's also important to consume in-season vegetables. Vegetables that are in season are not only flavorful and widely available, but they also offer great nutrition.
1. Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts are cruciferous vegetables that may protect against certain cancers like stomach, lung, kidney, and breast cancer. These delicious and crunchy vegetables may even help combat certain health issues like high blood pressure, high cholester…

October is National Eat Better Eat Together Month!
This October, it’s more important than ever to focus on healthy eating.
That’s because October is National Eat Better Eat Together Month! This is the perfect opportunity for families and friends to meet together at the table and enjoy good food that is both healthy and delicious.
Eating Together as a Family
If you’re looking for ways to make the most of National Eat Better Eat Together Month, here are a few ideas:
Make a point to slow down and eat together as a family at t…

3 Reasons to Donate To Your Local Thrift Store
Spring cleaning season is among us, which means it's time to figure out what to do with your unwanted items. Instead of letting your items pile up in storage or be thrown away, you should consider donating them to a local thrift store. If your items are desirable and still in good condition, there are many benefits to donating. Let's go over three of them!
Your Items Will Be Given a Second Chance
Donating to a local thrift store is a great way to "reduce, reuse, recycle" your unwanted…

January 20th is National Cheese Lover's Day!
Not to be confused with National Cheese Day on June 4th, National Cheese Lover's Day is all about the people who love everything cheesy. Be it brie, bleu cheese, mozzarella, or the classic cheddar, celebrate yourself today with your favorite cheesy dish from a local restaurant in your area or a homemade charcuterie board. The cheesier the better!
…

Last-Minute Gift Ideas for the Expert Procrastinator
Searching for last-minute gift ideas for the holidays? You're not alone. Whether you're a chronic procrastinator or this holiday season has sprinted by and taken you by surprise, here are a few down-to-the-wire gift ideas to draw inspiration from.
Gift Cards
Gift cards are a classic last-minute gift idea that can work for nearly everyone on your list. Gift cards are convenient to find, quick to buy, and they let the recipient choose exactly what they want from their favorite place. You ca…

7 Ways to Prepare Your Car for Winter Driving
Winter driving can be hazardous when the weather conditions include ice, snow, or freezing rain. To prepare for winter driving conditions, it's important to take a few safety precautions with your vehicle. Let's go over seven of them:
1. Inspect Your Tires
A good place to start your preparations is by checking the condition of your tires. This includes checking your tread and your air pressure. Tire traction is extremely important in snowy and icy conditions, so you may want to get th…

QLED vs OLED vs UHD Flat-Screen TVs: What is the Difference?
If you are in the market for a new television but don't immerse yourself in the world of constantly-evolving technology, you might be left wondering what kind of TV display is right for you. When searching for a new TV online or in-store, you'll probably find prominent descriptors such as QLED, OLED, UHD, and 4K—but what do these terms really mean and what differences do they make in a TV display? Let's briefly go over the definitions and differences so you can be more informed when you make …

5 Fun and Easy Fall Crafts for Kids
Fall is a wonderful time of year to use your imagination and enjoy fall crafts with the kids. Here are five fall craft ideas that will keep the little ones entertained and provide some handmade fall decor for your home!
Pumpkin Painting
Pumpkins are a fall staple and perfect for kid-friendly crafts. However, carving pumpkins can be quite messy, time-consuming, and hazardous (since knives are involved). An easy alternative is to paint pumpkins instead! Pumpkin painting is fun and safe for …

4 Ways You Can Support the Art Scene in Your Area
Do you love art and want to support the local art scene in your neighborhood? If your answer is a resounding "YES!" we have four ideas to help you do just that.
Attend Local Art Shows or Pop-up Art Gallery Exhibits
A great way to support the local art scene is by attending art shows or art gallery exhibits in your area. You will be able to view a variety of different types of art from local artists and creators, as well as have the opportunity to support their work directly through donati…

How to Give Your Bathroom a Refresh Without Breaking the Bank
When you hear the phrase "bathroom renovation," do you cringe and see dollar signs? If you do, you are definitely not alone. All too often, when buying older homes and apartments, bathroom renovation prices can mount up quickly, replacing this fixture and that appliance until your wallet can't take it anymore. Luckily, bathroom reno does not have to break the bank, and in this article, we will be breaking down the four easiest and most affordable ways to renovate your bathroom.
DIY
This f…

3 Ways to Repurpose a Child's Old Clothes
Your child is constantly growing and needing new clothes almost every year, but don't be too quick to toss their old clothes. While one great idea is to donate the clothes to your local thrift store or clothing drive, you can also repurpose a few things with one of these three creative methods.
1. Turn Old T-Shirts Into a Quilt
Consider sewing your child's old T-shirts into a quilt. This is a creative option to help your child be able to keep their old favorite shirts and think of the mem…

Spice Up Those Dull Rental Walls With These 3 Tips
Moving is—without a doubt—stressful. The process can become even more stressful when you're moving to a rental or an apartment that desperately needs some flair but doesn't allow basic decorating necessities like a coat of paint or, well, nails. Don't fret just yet—we're serving up three ways to spice up the dull walls in your rental without breaking the bank or the rules.
Painting Isn’t Allowed…Now What?
Nearly all rental spaces outlaw painting, and while the rule is reasonable, it can also be irritating when the white walls have faded to gray or blind you during an otherwise-enjoyable sunny afternoon.
One easy and clever workaround to the "no painting" conundrum is to cleverly hang curtains or tapestries with push pins or …

3 Great Ways to Plan the Perfect Spring Picnic
The perfect spring picnic begins with a few fabulous ideas and a little planning. The following tips will help you put together an unforgettable springtime feast that your family and neighborhood friends will love.
1. Pick a Location
Location is one of the most important elements for creating a perfect spring picnic. Select an area in your community that captures the essence of spring at a local park or relaxing beach area with blooming trees and foliage. Picnic spots that are easily acce…

Eating Seasonal and Locally Grown Produce Can Prompt Health Benefits
Most store-bought foods contain artificial flavors, high salt, sugar content, and little nutritional value. Today, there is a widespread use of pesticides and other harmful chemical toxins in agriculture. Foods that must remain fresh for extended storage usually will contain high amounts of these unwanted toxins.
1. Local Seasonal Produce Contains More Nutrients
The longer a food source must be preserved—in order to survive long shipping distances and sitting on grocery store shelves—…