Celebrate The New Year In Style

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After the chaos of hosting endless gatherings this holiday season, the idea of inviting people over to ring in the New Year may seem like an insurmountable task. Just because you decide to have people over to celebrate the changing of the calendar doesn't mean that you need to fret over throwing the party of the century. One of the best aspects of hosting a New Year's get together is how hands-off the process is.

By following just a few simple steps (that require very little actual prep work,) you can host the party that your guests will be talking about all year. This article from renters.apartments.com has a quick list of everything you’ll need to have a great New Year’s bash in the comfort of your own home. Keep reading to learn more:

1. Booze. Ask people to BYO, but have your own on hand too. Maybe cover the champagne toast and ask your guests to bring their libation of choice for the rest of the night.

2. E-vites. Send these out early so as to claim dibs on your favorite people, give them time to find something fun to wear, and generally relieve your guests of a month of thinking, ‘What the heck am I going to do for New Year’s?’

3. Food. After the unending feast that is late November thru December, the stakes couldn't be lower here. Anything fancier than pretzels in a bag (pretzels in a bowl, even) is above-and-beyond territory.

Finally, ambiance. Music, lighting—all good. But if wedding albums on Facebook have taught me anything this year, it’s that a cool backdrop for picture taking is where it’s at.

Here is a quick guide for making your own fancy photo backdrop on the cheap:

Step 1: Choose your location. If you’re in a rental, you probably have lots of plain white walls. Pick one in an area that won’t disrupt traffic. If you want to be really ambitious about it, empty out a closet and use it as a bona fide photo booth.

Step 2: Remove any artwork, furniture, etc. from the wall area and stash it out of the way. Measure the area you want to cover. Even if you have no plans to do the math, it’ll be nice when you’re at the store later to have a rough idea of how many 3-inch doilies it would take to cover the wall.

Step 3: Hit the dollar store. Cheap materials are great for backdrops because they’re temporary, don’t need to be durable, and anything shiny, sparkly, or textured looks nifty on film, regardless of quality.

Suggestions include:

• Streamers (twirled or hung flat along a curtain rod or dowel, like this)
• Glitzy fringe (like this backdrop, which is made with sheets of fringe taped in overlapping rows to a cardboard background)
• Strands of twinkle lights (draped over a dowel or clothing rack and then layered with a sheet of sheer fabric, like this)
• Doilies or metallic paper disks (hung as a vertical garland)
• Balloons (if you spring for the helium kind, tape their strings at varying heights like these, or blow them up yourself and staple them close together on a cardboard background)
• Or anything else that strikes your fancy at the dollar general, after perusing this idea board.

If you really want to do it up, add some props. Tiny hats, huge glasses and any variety of mustache on a stick are trendy, but I’m partial to cardboard cutouts of celebrities, those streamer things that pop, and traditional party hats for the New Year’s theme.

Once the decorations are up, just add people, a camera, booze and stir!

Any fun party games for a New Year’s Eve apartment party? Share them in the comments below!

Host The Party Of The Season

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Every year, the holiday party invites roll in from friends and families all over the country. With the cramped time over the holidays, there’s no way that you’ll be able to make it to them all AND host your own. There are many different ways to give your party the holiday touch that will have your friends carrying over the yule logs and eggnog.

Before all the planning is done and the invitations are all sent out, there are a few things you need to consider to make your party a success. This article from renters.apartments.com has all the information you need to keep your guests waiting for santa in style.

Personal Invites

It all starts well before the day of the event with a personal invite. We’re talking about real-life paper invites, not run-of-the-mill evites that could sit in a person’s in-box for days before peaking interest. A mailed invitation is going to get noticed right away. Adding a personal note to each is a nice touch that will make a guest feel like their presence at the party is really welcomed.

Décor in Addition to Refreshments

If you want everyone to really get in the holiday spirit a little decorative flare never hurt. Being a good host is all about the details so don’t skimp on the décor. It’s all about creating a conducive party atmosphere that starts at the entryway.

Have fun with it by picking a theme that will play into the decorations, food and beverages.

Don’t Let Guest Drive After Too Many

No host should let a guest drink and drive. Take the responsible route and line up rides ahead of time. Whether that be designated drivers, cabs or a chauffeur service if you want to go really ritzy. If someone is refusing to get a ride and wants to drive do what you can to keep them at the party and have bottled water on hand for them to drink. The only thing that will sober someone up is time. Enlist the help of others to convince the person that the best idea is for them to let some else get behind the wheel.

Plan Out Entertainment

Conversation can be great, but it’s always good to have a little entertainment planned out ahead of time. Whether that be musical, board games or activities give your guest something to do while they are at your place. Think about several ideas beforehand to make sure you have all the entertainment needs covered on the day of the party.

Do a Lot of Preparation

If you’re running around the entire party there’s a good chance you won’t be having the best time and that can rub off on your guests. Thorough preparation before the party will ensure that you can relax with your guests during the shindig.

A few things to do beforehand include:

• Creating a playlist so the music is on autopilot.
• Prep as much of the food as possible the day before and store it in your fridge.
• Use lists when shopping.
• Come up with a schedule of things to do during the party so you can make sure you have everything you might need.
• Keep food and drinks delicious yet simple. Mix in pre-made items that just need to be popped in the oven and kept warm.
• Set up a self-serve bar that has everything your guests may need. You may also want to consider getting an ice chest to keep nearby.

These five things are what every seasoned host has mastered, and you can too. Pretty soon you’ll gain the reputation of knowing how to throw a holiday party, and next year you can expect the RSVPs to roll in right away.

Cooking Up Some Kitchen Decor

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Every kitchen has mostly the same features like a refrigerator, a stove, a microwave, a table and chairs, but what makes your kitchen unique? We’re all individuals and our traits should be reflected in the room we spend the most time in!

From the furniture and silverware that we choose down to the color of the walls, your kitchen provides ample opportunity to express yourself. This article from renters.apartments.com has a few great ideas to insert a little more personality into your kitchen. Keep reading to learn more!


Change up your walls: Instead of choosing rich, deep colors for your first project, you will likely feel more comfortable with a neutral like beige or gray. These colors won’t date the room and will prevent you from possibly getting quickly tired of a more drastic color palette.


Brighten up the kitchen: Use mirrors to capture the sunlight and bounce it around. Try putting a mirror across from a window or on a wall that corners against the window wall for the most light distribution.

Make seasonal changes: Moving the kitchen furniture into a 'summer arrangement' can optimize your space and give it a more airy feel. Make it light and breezy - think about removing some of the furniture and decorations for a lighter feel. Open those curtains and let the sun shine in!

Use slipcovers: Slipcovers over your chairs can soften the room and add to your decor. For the holidays, try using special covers in holiday patters or colors. For a nice summer change, use white cotton or canvas slipcovers on the chairs.

Get ideas from the pros: Look in magazines, books, television or the internet to get a flavor of the accessories and designs you would like to see in your kitchen. If you see a kitchen decorated in a way that you like, think about how you can duplicate the same decor in your home.

Decorate with cookbooks: You can make a nice display with your cookbooks. Try grouping them in interesting configurations with some lying down and some standing. Don't put small books next to tall books but align them in graduating sizes.

Warm it up with rugs: Area rugs can add a splash of color or cover up an old or unmatched floor. When buying rugs, measure your space so you can be sure to get the right rug size. Rugs used under a table should be large enough to also accommodate the chairs when fully pulled out.

Bring the outdoors inside: Don't be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Plants provide interest and soften up the room. For above the cabinets or hard to reach places, silk plants work just as well as real ones, however, if you do buy silk, go with a good quality arrangement that looks realistic.

Change your look with accessories: A few strategically placed accessories can change your kitchen from dull to dramatic! Choose a theme and you could give your kitchen a whole new look just by replacing some key accessories like toaster covers, dish towels, canister sets, salt and pepper shakers and pot holders.

Change your cabinet pulls: There are so many different styles of cabinet pulls these days - figural, wooden, ceramic, glass - you should be able to find a design that matches your new decor easily. They are easy to install yourself and your friends will think you got new cabinets!

Add a border: Wallpaper borders are easy to put up and can add color and interest. You can use them at the top of the wall or go with a less traditional use underneath the cabinets. Use them at chair rail height to break up long walls. An even less expensive (but more labor intensive) alternative is to use stencils and paint.

Where To Eat Dinner in Seattle

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No matter what we like to eat, or how adventurous we are when it comes to new cuisine, it’s always nice to switch up regular dining habits from time to time. Seattle offers an expansive variety of unique variety of bistros, bars and restaurants to choose from to add a little something different to your favorite meal of the day.

Branching out to new restaurants can present a problem-how do you decide where to go? This article from seattlemag.com lists some great restaurants in the city we all love. Keep reading to discover a new place to go for dinner tonight!

Hitchcock

Chef and owner Brendan McGill goes out of his way to shop well from local farmers, and then he lets those stellar ingredients do the heavy lifting. The applewood-fired oven is put to good use, scenting the perfectly cooked pork chop and the legendary chicken. Best bet: the always inspired name-your-price prix fixe menu. Dinner nightly. 133 Winslow Way E, Suite 200; 206.201.3789;hitchcockrestaurant.com

Restaurant Marché Bainbridge

We’re smitten with former Canlis chef and cookbook author Greg Atkinson’s Northwest-inspired bistro on Bainbridge Island. Atkinson is a pro, and it shows: The perfectly cooked steaks and salmon are paired with carefully considered sides. More pluses: friendly service and a stylish dining room. Lunch and dinner Tue.–Sat. Winslow, 150 Madrone Lane; 206.842.1633;restaurantmarchebainbridge.com

Ballard/Shilshole

Bastille

Ballard Avenue’s Parisian-style brasserie comes alive after dark, when the vintage light fixtures cast the fashionable crowd in a flattering golden hue. The best choices are plats du jour (such as a tender-crisp boneless quail). At brunch, the fluffy omelets and the farmers’ market people-watching (from tables in the cozy, enclosed patio) is top-notch. Brunch Sun., dinner daily. 5307 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.453.5014; bastilleseattle.com

Bitterroot

This hip corner spot in Ballard turns out the best barbecue we’ve tasted in Seattle in a long time, especially the ribs and the brisket. Plus brown liquor (the vanilla-scented creamed old fashioned is great) and a choice lineup of local beer. Lunch and dinner daily. 5239 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.588.1577; bitterrootbbq.com

Cafe Besalu

The heady scentof butter wafts out of James Miller’s tiny neighborhood bakery each time the door opens, inviting neighbors to come inside. Miller’s croissants, pastries and quiches are nothing short of superb, and the warmth of the windowed storefront space lingers. Breakfast and lunch Wed.–Sun. 5909 24th Ave. NW; 206.789.1463; cafebesalu.com

Delancey

The humble pizzeria that Brandon Pettit runs with his wife, Molly Wizenberg (creator of food blog Orangette), is such a hit there’s still often an hour’s wait. Pettit’s outstanding pizza has a chewy, salty, smoky crust and bright house-made tomato sauce. Craft cocktail bar Essex is a sparkling addition with its list of house-made bitters. Dinner Wed.–Sun. 1415 NW 70th St.; 206.838.1960;delanceyseattle.com

Honoré Artisan Bakery

Next door to Delancey is this quaint bakery where the buttery croissants rival Ballard’s other fab bakery, Cafe Besalu. But those caramelized canelés? Those shattering macarons? That kouign amann (a layered sweet-salty pastry from Brittany)? Perfection! Breakfast and lunch Wed.–Sun. 1413 NW 70th St.; 206.706.4035; honorebakery.com

La Carta de Oaxaca

Easily Seattle’s most authentic Mexican restaurant, La Carta has a menu that’s eminently craveable. You’ll love the hand-mashed guacamole with house-fried tortilla chips and tender chicken in Oaxaca’s signature sweet, sultry black mole. The tequila/mezcal display is particularly well researched. Lunch Tue.–Sat., dinner Mon.–Sat. 5431 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.782.8722;lacartadeoaxaca.com

Paseo

The pink food stand, with outdoor seating only, is hard to miss; see listing under FREMONT for full description. Lunch and dinner Tue.–Sat. 6226 Seaview Ave. NW; 206.789.3100;paseoseattle.com. Cash only.

Ray’s Boathouse & Café

Head to Ray’s upstairs café, where breathtaking sunsets and standard-issue seafood dishes are a Seattle tradition. Downstairs, Ray’s seaside dining room reopened in January after a renovation, and chef Wayne Johnson (formerly of Andaluca) has taken over the kitchen. And then there is that view. On a clear day, the Olympic Mountains fairly jump into your lap. Café lunch and dinner daily; restaurant dinner daily. 6049 Seaview Ave. NW; 206.789.3770; rays.com

Skillet Diner

All your big-boned Skillet faves, including the burger, the waffles with fried chicken, that kale Caesar—plus a few new Scandinavian dishes, such as Swedish meatballs—are here at the new diner in Ballard. See listing under CAPITOL HILL for full information. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 2034 NW 56th St.; 206.922.7981; skilletdinerballard.com

Staple & Fancy Mercantile

Ethan Stowell’s Ballard dinner house is a pleasantly funky space with a constantly changing menu, served family style. We love the peekaboo view into neighboring The Walrus and the Carpenter. Dinner daily. 4739 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.789.1200; ethanstowellrestaurants.com

Stoneburner

Our review will appear in December. Jason Stoneburner’s eponymously named Italian eatery lives in a richly decorated, sprawling space at the foot of the swank new Hotel Ballard. On the menu: house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, small plates and local veggies galore. Brunch Sat.–Sun., lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner daily. 5214 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.695.2051; stoneburnerseattle.com

Veraci Pizza

The traveling wood-fired pizza ovens that helped pioneer Seattle’s mobile food trend churn out some of the most flavorful, inventive, cracker-thin-crusted pizza combinations—by the slice or the whole pie—in this casual, cozy family-friendly neighborhood spot. Lunch and dinner Wed.–Mon. 500 NW Market St.; 206.525.1813; veracipizza.com

The Walrus and the Carpenter

Renée Erickson (Boat Street Cafe & Kitchen) has made quite the splash with this breezy small-plates eatery and oyster bar, where raw, on-the-half-shell beauties are the stars. Dessert and cocktails are particularly good. Dinner daily. 4743 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.395.9227;thewalrusbar.com

Looking for even more restaurants in Seattle and on the Eastside beyond the ones on this list? Visit our Restaurant Guide.

Keep Your Spirits Up While The Snow Falls

(Image courtesy of Micky**)

The late fall and winter are full of fantastic sights and great activities to keep you busy. Though we are on our toes preparing for the holidays and taking part in all the festivities around us, sometimes the lack of sunshine and shorter days can take a toll on our overall happiness. Feeling sad during the coldest part of the year can make the winter seem like it will stretch forever, so it’s important to keep your summertime attitude while the snow falls.

There a few simple tricks you can use to keep a smile on your face during the cold weather. This article fromapartmentguide.com has some great ideas to keep you active and your spirits high while the temperatures dip lower. Keep reading to learn more.

Indoors

• Bring the light in. One of the most effective ways to combat winter depression is with the use of an artificial light box. These small boxes, found online for upwards of $60, mimic outdoor light and are generally used for at least 30 minutes at a time to help adjust your body’s sleep cycles. You can even make your own by repurposing a wooden filing box from Ikea and purchasing some fluorescent bulbs. You can also brighten up your apartment by keeping blinds open and curtains drawn, allowing as much natural light in as possible. Sit near a window, either at home or at work, to take advantage of the sunlight. In terms of décor, use light-colored fabrics, wall treatments and rugs in your apartment during the winter to reflect light.

• Watch what you consume. Fight against the cravings and limit your intake of carbohydrate-rich foods, which will only cause a sugar crash. Instead, fill your diet with healthy foods that promote alertness and mental energy, like salmon, blueberries, whole grains, vegetables and nuts. Avoid self-medication with caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine may give you a brief jolt of energy, but it can also cause anxiety, muscle tension and other issues. Alcohol is a depressant, which can exaggerate symptoms. Try sipping on herbal tea instead, or if you must indulge, have a glass of heart-healthy red wine with dinner.

• Don’t oversleep on weekends. While it may be tempting to catch a few extra Zs on cold winter weekends, doing so can actually prevent you from fighting against the symptoms of SAD. The goal is to keep your body in sync as much as possible, so try waking up and going to sleep at the same time each day, even on weekends or days off from work.

Outdoors

• Load up on light. To drag your body out of its natural tendency to want to sleep all the time in the winter, take several breaks throughout the day to get as much natural light as you can. Get outside and go for a walk in the morning before work, or eat lunch outside during the day. In addition to getting some exercise, you’ll also increase your body’s capability to produce Vitamin D, both of which can lift your mood.

• Socialize. While the crummy weather and cold spells may have you looking longingly at your couch, it’s important to stay social instead of hibernating for the winter. So call up a few friends and make plans to do something fun, like grabbing coffee or checking out that new romantic comedy. Being around friends and family for even just a few minutes a day can make you feel better.

• Stay active. Just because the temperature is less than ideal doesn’t mean you should slack off on your workouts. Engage in regular aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes three days a week for optimal results. Plan your workouts for early in the morning, so you stay energized throughout the day. If your schedule doesn’t allow for a pre-work workout, studies show that early evening exercise can prevent fatigue during the evening, so plan on working out two hours before bed so your body and brain have enough time to settle down before bed.

Get Involved In Your Apartment's Social Scene

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You live in a great apartment community with many opportunities to open your door and meet the neighbors. Hanging out in the fireside lounge, the terrace or the fitness center will open you up to meeting many of your neighbors. Though we have many resident events and activities, your social interaction with your neighbors doesn’t have to stop there.

Meeting the people living around you is only first step in creating friendships. This article from apartmentguide.com has some great tips to get you started hanging out with your great new neighbors. Keep reading to learn more.

Hang-out prep tips

Rule #1 of hanging out is finding people to do it with — but you don’t want to jump the gun on this. You need to scope out your apartment community and ease into conversation to find out which neighbors are “hang-out-able.”

Luckily, it’s easy. Just walk around. Linger at the mailbox (not too long, stalker!) and say hello to anyone who looks interesting. The same goes for the pool, gym, dog park and even the parking lot. The more mobile you are, the more people you meet.

Once you’ve created a few “hello, how’s it going” relationships, start stretching out your conversations to see whether you have common interests. When you find a few peeps that like the same things you do, it just might be time to take your hang-out to the next level.

Chill one-on-one

Now that you’ve pegged a few potential hanger-outers, a one-on-one meet up will give you a chance to get to know them better. Two-person hang-outs can be a little intimidating because it’s up to you to keep the convo flowing, but it’s the best way to focus on your new friend and build a rapport.

Now, this face-to-face time doesn’t necessarily mean sipping herbal tea and commiserating about the girl/guy who broke your heart in 4th grade. Keep your first hang-out light and casual, but be yourself. Set up a plan to play tennis, go for a walk, carpool to the grocery, or sit by the pool after work. Easy-going chit-chat and a no-pressure vibe will help you find out whether your new friend is ready for a group hang.

Host a group hang

Hanging out in a group is super fun when you have the right people in the room. Definitely invite the one-on-one hangers who seem like they’d get along with a variety of personalities. Then organize a larger hang-out event in your apartment community – a party, by any other name!

Consider hosting a dinner party, book club, wine tasting, game night or cookout by the pool. You can cast a wide net by posting flyers at the mailboxes and on bulletin boards to invite the entire community. Or keep it smaller and only invite people on your floor or in your building, as well as the folks you’ve hung out with individually.

However you choose to organize it, a group hang-out is a great way to relax and get to know more people in your apartment community, as well as introduce them to each other.

Avoid awkward moments

Remember, hanging out properly is a skill. You don’t want to come off as the person who will never leave a party. Until you get to know people better, keep your interactions short and your conversation light. If you get invited to a hang, don’t be the first one to show up and the last one to leave. Arrive 5-10 minutes after start time, bring a drink or snack and leave while the energy is still up. People will love hanging out with you, and you’ll likely get invited back.

Be mindful that if someone doesn’t seem interested in hanging out, there’s no need to push the issue. Just move on; there are plenty more people in your apartment community who will be worthy hang-out buddies.

While this may seem like a lot of guidelines for something as simple as hanging out in your apartment community, it’s smart to start off on the right foot. Once you get a solid crew of people to hang with, your social agenda at home will be set!

How To Keep Your Bed Toasty Warm This Winter

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Now that the weather is starting to get colder, it gets harder and harder to get out of bed in the morning. Between the lack of sunshine to wake you up and the chill that hangs in the air, we understand why you may want to spend a few extra minutes buried in your pillows and blankets.

Though it may be counter-productive to helping you get up in the morning, using the right bedding will help you stay toasty as the nights get colder. This article from apartmentguide.com walks us through some of the best accessories to keep your bed warm. Keep reading to learn more!

Down comforters are what’s up

For fluffy warmth, it doesn’t get much better than down. Your most expensive down comforters – designed to be covered by a duvet, or just thrown on top of the bed as they are – will be filled with 100 percent goose down, but a more affordable alternative is a comforter filled with a mixture of down and feathers.

These comforters come in a variety of fill powers, which describes the quality of the down. A higher fill power means you’re getting higher-quality down, and it probably means you’re paying more money. If you live in Alaska, it might be worth it; if you live in Florida, probably not. And definitely look for a comforter that’s baffled, meaning there are pockets sewn in that trap the down in an evenly distributed pattern.

Depending on the fill power, down comforters range in price from about $40 to several hundred dollars.

There are also a few down alternative comforters out there that’ll still keep you plenty warm, but without costing you as much money. Expect to pay anywhere from $25 to about $500 for a high-end down alternative comforter.

Curl up under fuzzy flannel sheets

Switching out lightweight sheets with something fuzzier is pretty common for most people when the nights start to get chilly. Flannel sheets are made from cotton or a cotton-wool blend and are warm and soft, yet lightweight. You’ll pay about $20 for a low-end queen set of flannel sheets, up to about $180 for a high-end set.

Power up with heated mattress pads and electric blankets

Electric blankets are a more efficient way to stay warm than turning on the heat.

When it’s really frigid, there’s no shame in turning to electricity to keep yourself comfortable – sure, it’ll cost you money and energy, but it’s a more efficient way to stay warm than turning up the central heat. Heated mattress pads and electric blankets create a warm cocoon under your blankets. Turn them on a few minutes before crawling into bed and you’ll be welcomed into a blissfully cozy pocket. Turn them off before you fall asleep – the blankets on top of you will keep the heat trapped, and you’ll be snug as a bug all night long.

Expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $100 for a queen-sized electric blanket or mattress pad. You can spend more if you want to be fancy, but it’s probably not worth it.

Warm up with wool blankets

In the centuries before electricity, people used wool blankets to keep themselves warm at night. Today, those same properties apply – a thick wool blanket on your bed will do wonders to keep you comfy and cozy. Just be sure to have them dry-cleaned, because you know what happens to a wool sweater when you put it in the dryer, and that’ll happen to blankets as well. And when winter’s over, store wool in a sealed chest where moths can’t get to it.

Prices will vary depending on the size of your wool blanket and where you buy it.

Most affordable option: Hot water bottle

It’s not glamorous, but it works. Boil some water on the stove and pour it into a temperature-safe water bottle. If it’s too hot to handle right away, wrap it in a cloth until it cools down a bit. Keep it close to you while you’re in bed, and you’ll be surprised at how toasty you’ll be.