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Moving and Packing tips

Flickr/Diselfliege Congrats on your new home! Now you just have to figure out how you're going to pack and move everything without breaking the bank, your fragile lamp, or your back. Good thing we put together this list of 10 easy moving and packing tips that will make your move dead simple. How do we know these tips will make your move dead simple? We asked expert movers, packers, and professional organizers to share their best tips. So sit back, grab a snack, and dive in! 1. Get rid of everything. Okay, maybe not everything, but the more unused and unnecessary items you eliminate from your home, the less stuff you'll have to pack up, haul across town, unload, and organize. Be ruthless with your stuff. That coat you think is cute but haven't worn in four months? Donate it. The very first coffee maker you ever bought that flavors your morning brew with little pieces of rust? Trash it. Doing a massive preliminary purge will have the single biggest impact on the efficiency and ease of your entire packing process. 2. Sort things by category. Instead of spending a day cleaning out your entire bedroom, spend an afternoon sorting through every article of clothing you own. Scour every coat closet, dirty clothes hamper, and laundry room until you've got all your clothes in one place. Then sort. Do the same thing for books, shoes, important papers, and the like. 3. Schedule a free donation pickup. Save yourself a trip to your local Goodwill and schedule a free MakeSpace pickup. In addition to picking up and storing practically anything (including furniture), we'll also pick up your donation and drop it off to Goodwill - at no extra charge. Pro Tip: If you'd like to donate to a different charity, use donationtown.org to schedule a free pickup at your home. All you have to do is put your giveaway items in boxes and leave them on your doorstep. The good men and women of Donation Town will then pick up your stuff and deliver it to a local charity of your choice. 4. Set aside stuff to sell. You probably have a few items you no longer want, but would love to get a little money for. If that's the case, set these items aside and determine where you can sell them. If it's furniture, Craigslist or AptDeco might be your best bet. If it's brand name clothing, you could try Poshmark or a local consignment store. For specialty items like a gently used Coach purse or your collection of 90's Beanie Babies, get on eBay. Once you have everything sorted, set a date on your calendar to visit the nearest Buffalo Exchange or craft descriptions of the items you plan to sell online. 5. Research professional moving companies. Research is never fun. Yelp and Google will overwhelm you with the sheer volume of choices for moving companies to hire, but don't give in to the pressure and pick the first four-star rating you see. A moving company can often make or break your entire moving experience, so it's important to get it right. The more effort you put into finding a reputable company with excellent customer service ahead of time, the less hassle you'll have on moving day. Make sure to read the company's list of services, fine print, and refund or damage policies, too. For example, some companies don't lift items that aren't in boxes (so your stuffed-to-the-brim duffel bags won't make the cut), while others ask for full payment several weeks early. Find out the specifics so there are no unwelcome surprises come moving day. 6. Pick the right moving day. Hire your movers at least a month out so you can plan accordingly. If you have a flexible schedule, play around with potential moving dates and try to find the cheapest time of month to make an appointment. Moving companies are busiest on weekends, so if you can skip the Saturday chaos and schedule your move for a Tuesday, you might get a significant discount. 7. Map out the best way to get to your new home. Whether you're moving to NYC, across the country, across state lines, or just to a neighboring town, you're going to need an efficient travel route so you don't waste your move-in day sitting in gridlock traffic or pulling over three different times to type an address into your GPS. Figure out the easiest, most efficient way to get where you're going. Look up potential highway construction schedules ahead of time. And take traffic, detours, and necessary stops into account when you're making your plan. 8. Create a master moving to-do list When you move homes, you inevitably end up having 600 different things to do and remember. Don't let all these tasks and important reminders, no matter how seemingly obvious, slip your mind. Write them down somewhere. Put them in the Notes app on your phone, in the to-do list app Wunderlist that professional organizer Anna Bauer recommends, or go old-school with a giant yellow legal pad. No detail is too insignificant. You just remembered the name of the little bookstore in town that will accept your used novels? Write it down. Not sure which novels to donate? Here's how to decide what books to keep or get rid of. You stuck that extra screw from the broken drawer next to the sink? Take note. You have to return your cable box to your provider at least one day before you leave? Jot it down. 9. Put moving tasks on your calendar. Take your organization a step further and spend an evening mapping out everything you have to do. Get an oversized calendar and mark the empty white boxes with important daily tasks to prepare for your move. Tuesday: Call moving company. Wednesday: Sort through toiletries. Thursday: Buy new sheets. An added bonus to using the calendar method is that breaking up your tasks by day makes them seem more manageable. Also, don't forget to add "celebrate with wine" somewhere in there to give you something to look forward to. 10. Get moving boxes from your local liquor store. Pay a visit to your local liquor store (that's where you can buy the aforementioned wine) to see if they recycle their used boxes. If so, ask if you can grab a handful so you're saving a little paper in your moving journey. Just make sure the boxes are very gently worn and that you only use them to hold lightweight items like linens and towels. You don't want to deal with ripped boxes and broken valuables on the big day. Union Flats

Nontraditional Ways to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

May 5th is Cinco de Mayo. This holiday commemorates a military victory that took place during the Franco-Mexican War in which the outnumbered Mexican troops halted France's army. Festivities in U.S. communities with high Mexican-American populations tend to be bigger than those in Mexico (Cinco de Mayo is a minor holiday in its native country) and are often full of parades and historic reenactments of the battle. In fact, the prevalence of Cinco de Mayo in the U.S. just goes to show how much of an influence Mexican culture has had on its neighboring country. If you're observing the holiday, here are four ways to honor it: 1. Color your home Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo with colors galore, including, of course, red, green and white. Bring the joy of the holiday to your home by sporting bright and saturated tones. While the colors of the Mexican flag are a good place to start, yellow, pink, orange and blue are also up for grabs. One way to bring the brilliant hues into your home and also enjoy spring, is to decorate with fresh Cinco de Mayo flowers. Any brightly colored bouquet will make a beautiful addition to the festivities. 2. Prepare an authentic meal The conflict that took place on Cinco de Mayo in 1862 is also known as the Battle of Puebla, named after the town where the event occurred. Many celebrations of Mexico's victory include dishes native to the area, such as mole poblano. After all, according to Business Insider, Puebla is the foodie capital of Mexico, so whipping up traditional cuisine is both a tasty and appropriate way enjoy the day. Chicken tinga, chalupas and molotes are all other iconic foods to try on Cinco de Mayo. Do some research into ingredients that are native to Puebla to plan your menu. 3. Go to a museum To truly understand the history of Cinco de Mayo, or to better appreciate Mexican culture, consider seeking out a Mexican-American museum or cultural center in your community. See if the locale is holding any festivities or hosting special exhibits. If not, you can still learn a lot from the material already available. This is also a great celebration option for families with kids, as your little ones will have the opportunity to explore a new culture. Call the museum ahead of time to see if it has programs for kids. You can also create a worksheet before going to the museum for your children to fill out while you're there. 4. Enjoy local festivities In addition to observing Mexican culture by visiting a museum, you can experience Mexican-American traditions by checking out festivities where you live. Whether it's attending a parade or watching a re-enactment of the Battle of Puebla, you're sure to find something new and exciting if you live in a diverse community. If your town doesn't observe Cinco de Mayo with as much flair, you can watch parades on TV or online to enjoy the celebrations. 5. Attend a concert Discover another part of Mexican culture by attending a concert. Not only will seeing live mariachi give you more insight into Mexican culture, but it also supports the artists and can be a fun time - few things are more energizing than live music.

4 Foam Roller Exercises For Your Apartment

Foam Roller Lower Back Foam rolling - where you literally roll your muscles on a piece of foam to help loosen them up - might not be the most "showy" exercise on the planet (hello weightlifting), but it can play an important role in keeping your muscles loose, thereby reducing soreness and helping avoid injury. If you're searching for a way to help yourself stretch, you should consider adding foam rolling to your routine. Regularly rolling your muscles out can help you maintain flexibility and your range of motion too. Certified trainer Robbie Davis, who started his career 20 years ago working with the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team, has created these four exercises that apartment renters who live in small spaces can perform. If you do these exercises a few times per week, expect to notice a significant difference in the way you move, says Davis. Consider rolling before or after exercise. What you'll need: a soft, carpeted area or a yoga mat, and a foam roller. General tips: You'll want to ensure you have proper positioning before you start rolling. It's also important to roll slowly to allow your muscles to release. Foam Roller Calves Calves Sit upright on the floor with your legs out in front of you so your body makes an "L" shape. Slide the foam roller underneath your legs so it rests right below your calves near your ankles. Place your hands flat on the ground on either side of you, and lift your weight off the ground. Slowly push yourself forward and backward, rolling up and down both your calf muscles. Tip: For added intensity, cross your feet and focus on each leg individually. Foam Roller Quads Quads Lie on the floor face down and place the foam roller between the ground and the area right above your knees. Be careful not to roll directly on the knee. Plant your hands in a push-up position, lifting yourself up so only your hands touch the ground. Use your upper-body strength to move your body back and forth, rolling across your quads. Tip: For added intensity, cross one foot behind the opposite knee so your legs make the number "4" and focus on one leg at a time. Foam Roller ITBands IT Bands Before we get into the specifics of this exercise, we want to give you some background information on your IT bands. Your iliotibial band, or IT band, is a ligament that starts at the side of your hip and ends at your shin. Tight IT bands can contribute to injuries and can be painful too. Turn so you're lying on your left side, then push your upper body up with your left hand so you're resting on your left elbow. Bend your right knee and plant your foot on the ground in front of your left knee. Lift up off your hip and place the foam roller at the top of your IT band, or just below your hip. Push your body forward and backward, slowly rolling along your IT band. Repeat on the right side. Tip: For added intensity, press firmly against the roller, inching along any tight spots. Foam Roller Foot Feet Stand up straight and place the foam roller under one bare foot. Push into the roller as your foot rolls up and down, working the heel, arch and sole. Repeat on the opposite foot. It's best to stand near a wall if both feet are on the roller so you can catch yourself should you fall. Keep one foot on the ground if balancing is something you struggle with. Tip: For added intensity, angle the foot to roll along your instep or the arched middle part of your foot. Union Flats

How Often Should You Clean

With a busy schedule to keep, how often do you really need to clean your apartment home? By taking care of these 6 little-thought-of places, you can keep your home at its best and healthiest. 1. Microwave Contrary to popular belief, microwaving your food does not burn away bacteria enough to counterbalance the spray of food from crackling bacon or explosive chili. Leaving your microwave as the last kitchen appliance to clean is setting you up for a bout of food poisoning. Running a heavy sponge over its inner walls, and sending the glass plate through the dishwasher every two weeks will keep your microwave safe and healthy. If you haven't done in it a while, apply some bleach to a rag for the first clean to burn out those long-term bacteria growths. 2. Bath Tub A report by Huffington Post speculates that a bathtub is even dirtier than your toilet. Bacteria lingering in your bathtub can cause more than a surprise bout of flu that takes you out of commission; harmful skin infections can be spawned off a bathtub left unattended, so be sure to give it a once-over with heavy soap once a week. If this is its first cleaning, hit it with some bleach to clear out the existing illnesses waiting to happen. 3. Floor The eye is instantly drawn to the floor when entering the room, so even if the rest of your home is pristine, a dirty floor will equate a dirty home. When you see an accumulation of pet hair and crumbs, it's time to give it a once-over with a vacuum, and mop up dirt as you see it on your hardwood. However, filth can gather out of sight that leave floors unsafe for pets and children. Set a schedule to vacuum, or sweep and mop, once a week, and be guaranteed harmful mildew or grime lingering in your floor is eliminated. This will provide a smoother feel, and make it less of a daunting task when you do get around to a major clean. 4. Table Tops and Pictures Forgetting to brush off your ceiling fan once in awhile can aggravate respiratory issues such as asthma, and bacteria naturally gathers on coffee tables and bedside stands - things we rarely clean our hands before touching. To prevent breathing problems with guests and to safeguard your health, take a rag with disinfectant to your picture frames and table tops. This leaves them shining, clean of dust, and bacteria free. For your ceiling fans, don't go for the feather duster - it'll only spread it around. Take a bath towel and wrap it around the blade, dragging it towards you so that the dust is collected rather than scattered. These 10 Unexpected & Damage-Free Decor Ideas make it even easier to have a stylish home that isn't difficult to keep clean. 5. Computer You might run your virus scanner every week, but it's not the insides of this home essential you need to worry about. A study conducted by CNN said that computer keyboards are over five times dirtier than our toilet seats, and while we all make sure to use a paper toilet when opening a public bathroom door, rarely do we put on gloves before using our laptops. Once a week, power down your digital buddy and don't hold back in rubbing it down with a rag and disinfectant spray, scrubbing over the mouse while you're at it. 6. Kitchen Counters We leave dishes and food on them, use them as impromptu seats, and our pets even have free range of counter tops when we're not looking. Kitchen counters are more prone to bacteria than any other table top, so set aside a time for scrubbing with bleach and soap once a week. If you do dishes more often, then give the counters a once over with your sponge as you finish, and save the heavy-duty cleaning for once every other week. Keeping It Clean A general rule of thumb is to clean once a week, but when you don't have the time to tackle your whole home at once, you can still have a place that's beautiful and healthy. By focusing on these six little-thought-of things, you can eliminate the most bacteria and keep your home safe until you can carve out a spring cleaning day.

Gifts For People Who Have to Work the Holidays

While most of the country is snuggled away with their families for the Holidays, there are folks with certain jobs that require them to work, like Police Officers, Fire Fighters, hospital personnel, caregivers, transportation operators, and on-call maintenance technicians, to name a few. If you find yourself needing any one of these hard-working individuals (who have given up time with their own families to help those in need), show them a nice gesture of gratitude by giving them a small gift. We've put together some items that are unique, useful, and a thoughtful way to say "Thank you" and "Happy Holidays": Compact Planter ($5, ikea.com) Clay pots have nothing on this scalloped planter. They're so cheap, you could gift a few to kickstart that herb garden your mom has been talking about putting together. ($5, ikea.com) Clay pots have nothing on this scalloped planter. They're so cheap, you could gift a few to kickstart that herb garden your mom has been talking about putting together. Bath Bomb ($7, lush.com) Give the gift of some me time with this intergalactic bath "bomb" from Lush. When she drops the peppermint bomb in the bath, it dissolves and changes the color of the water to a bright neon - but won't wreck your tub. ($7, lush.com) Give the gift of some me time with this intergalactic bath "bomb" from Lush. When she drops the peppermint bomb in the bath, it dissolves and changes the color of the water to a bright neon - but won't wreck your tub. Icing Combs ($10, amazon.com) Even great bakers need a little extra assistance to achieve a perfectly frosted treat. Gift this set of six combs, and maybe they'll bake you a cake to say thank you. (A girl can dream.) ($10, amazon.com) Even great bakers need a little extra assistance to achieve a perfectly frosted treat. Gift this set of six combs, and maybe they'll bake you a cake to say thank you. (A girl can dream.) Cube Clock ($9, amazon.com) Minimalists will appreciate this wooden alarm clock. Clap your hands or tap the side to make the display the time appear. It'll peace out when you pass out. ($9, amazon.com) Minimalists will appreciate this wooden alarm clock. Clap your hands or tap the side to make the display the time appear. It'll peace out when you pass out. Pop Art ($9, amazon.com) This classic Roy Lichtenstein comic costs less than a daily latte, and can look fancy in the right frame. ($9, amazon.com) This classic Roy Lichtenstein comic costs less than a daily latte, and can look fancy in the right frame. Wine Mouth Fix ($9, amazon.com) Your Malbec-obsessed mommy friend will LOL when she sees these wipes - then she'll want to give them a try. They're supposed to help remove wine stains from your teeth after you drink a glass of red, and they come in a convenient compact with a mirror. ($9, amazon.com) Your Malbec-obsessed mommy friend will LOL when she sees these wipes - then she'll want to give them a try. They're supposed to help remove wine stains from your teeth after you drink a glass of red, and they come in a convenient compact with a mirror. Best Beanie ($8, amazon.com) Knit beanies are no longer just for the ski slope. This one comes in 11 different colors that'll match everything in your guy's closet - and hide his hair on those off days. ($8, amazon.com) Knit beanies are no longer just for the ski slope. This one comes in 11 different colors that'll match everything in your guy's closet - and hide his hair on those off days. Puppy Love ($8, amazon.com) Anyone who loves dogs will be able to relate to this touching novel about the relationship between one dog and his owners over his lifespan. If you wanna go for round two, the movie comes out in January. ($8, amazon.com) Anyone who loves dogs will be able to relate to this touching novel about the relationship between one dog and his owners over his lifespan. If you wanna go for round two, the movie comes out in January. R2-D2 USB ($7, amazon.com) The new Star Wars movie comes out right around the holidays, so show your nieces and nephews you know what's up with this USB drive shaped like R2-D2. ($7, amazon.com) The new Star Wars movie comes out right around the holidays, so show your nieces and nephews you know what's up with this USB drive shaped like R2-D2. Butterfly Art ($7, amazon.com) Let your teen decorate her room with these realistic, 3-D butterfly stickers. The set includes 19 different butterflies that look amazing together or spread out on the wall. ($7, amazon.com) Let your teen decorate her room with these realistic, 3-D butterfly stickers. The set includes 19 different butterflies that look amazing together or spread out on the wall. Cat Tails ($9, amazon.com) This ring stand won't stop your friend's cat from knocking things off your niece's dresser in the middle of the night, but it will give her an easy way to organize her small accessories. ($9, amazon.com) This ring stand won't stop your friend's cat from knocking things off your niece's dresser in the middle of the night, but it will give her an easy way to organize her small accessories. Hanging Candleholders ($4, cb2.com) For the friend whose backyard you're already jealous of, these hand-blown glass candleholders will make it even lovelier. They can be hung alone or grouped together for a shimmering chandelier effect. ($4, cb2.com) For the friend whose backyard you're already jealous of, these hand-blown glass candleholders will make it even lovelier. They can be hung alone or grouped together for a shimmering chandelier effect. Sweet Words ($10, maggielouiseconfections.com) You can customize these dark chocolate boxes with up to three letters. Spell out a loved one's nickname, or give them to a college kid with their university's letters. ($10, maggielouiseconfections.com) You can customize these dark chocolate boxes with up to three letters. Spell out a loved one's nickname, or give them to a college kid with their university's letters. Tree Cuddlers ($3, target.com) You'd have to be crazy not to fall for these adorable ornaments. Buy a whole herd to give someone's tree a cozy update. ($3, target.com) You'd have to be crazy not to fall for these adorable ornaments. Buy a whole herd to give someone's tree a cozy update. Bubbles with Benefits ($6, target.com) For each sudsy bar sold, Hand in Hand donates one, plus a month's worth of clean water, to a child in need. Comes in three different holiday scents, like Juniper Berry and Winter Woods. ($6, target.com) For each sudsy bar sold, Hand in Hand donates one, plus a month's worth of clean water, to a child in need. Comes in three different holiday scents, like Juniper Berry and Winter Woods. Eyeliner Kit ($5, elfcosmetics.com) You get five colored eyeliners plus a sharpener for less than your morning coffee in this kit. Perfect for mastering glittery holiday makeup looks, like this year's mega-popular candy cane eyeliner. ($5, elfcosmetics.com) You get five colored eyeliners plus a sharpener for less than your morning coffee in this kit. Perfect for mastering glittery holiday makeup looks, like this year's mega-popular candy cane eyeliner.

Way to Improve Productivity in Your Home Office

It's quite common nowadays for a number of us to hold remote freelance jobs, be entrepreneurs, or digital nomads. If that applies to you, then it's important for your home to be designed to maximize productivity and efficiency. You should strive to balance competing feelings of "home" and "office," so you can stay productive yet comfortable in your residence. So what makes a home the perfect office? It's not simply visual aesthetics that make a difference in the surrounding environment. Psychology and science also explain how designing layouts, managing work space, and placement of objects can improve productivity in your environment. 1. Manage and Have Ownership of Your Work space Regardless of whether your rental is owned by your property manager or your apartment is shared with roommates, the act of bearing ownership and making decisions regarding your work space can be empowering. This is supported by research that demonstrates work space management increases productivity. This is due to the fact there is a sense of social identity associated with your space use. Psychologists have asserted that decorating office work space with personally meaningful items projects identity, which gives feelings of permanency, control, and privacy. If you're living with other housemates, you can take this ownership to the next level through enforcing "home office hours". Are you working from 10AM-4PM in your home office on Tuesdays? Mark it in an agreement with your cohabitors so they don't throw a ruckus in the living room while you are working on your project three meters away. It's important to dictate your needs to not only those who work with you, but live with you. 2. Pick Rounded Furniture For a Better Feel Purchasing new furniture can either be an overwhelming or exciting process. With so many decisions to make - the color, size, type, and material - it's one that requires careful consideration since these items make up your environment. According to a study, layout and furniture that is curved and rounded, as opposed to straight-edged, makes the furniture appear more pleasant and inviting. This is because the roundedness triggers more brain activity that is associated with appreciation and aesthetic recognition. So when you're selecting your office chair and desk, be sure to weigh in carefully on the types and sizes you have available. While it might be more feasible to have a rectangular desk as your main work space, you can also explore the option of buying a small round coffee table to place on the side as well. 3. Choose the Right Colors For Your Work Performance Color psychology examines how color has an impact on moods and emotions. With that in mind, it's pertinent to choose the right color scheme for your office as it can affect your performance and productivity. Different colors and lighting will have different psychological effects. For example, red is a color that is very strong and attractive. It can stimulate us and gives us the impression that time is passing quicker. Brighter light levels are also more suitable for analytical and critical thinking. A dimmer environment can also cultivate creativity and imagination, which can be beneficial for idea generation in the work environment. Don't let a poorly selected color distract you from what's important and hinder your ability to work. If you own your apartment or if your property manager permits, you can choose to paint your wall a color reflective of your working needs, which can have a huge overall effect on your environment. If not, you still have choice over your furniture color, which can also have an impact on your performance. 4. Bring Nature Indoors You may be working with tenacity over your work desk for hours continuously and not have the chance to step outside to perambulate around the neighborhood. Hence, bringing in plants inside your home office can be a great idea to brighten up your work space. In fact, research has proven that office plants can help workers deal with demanding tasks and decrease stress levels while enhancing productivity by 12%. Another way to make the most of your home office is to have a window with a view. A window facing natural landscape would be ideal as it balances out the tension you have from your work, and fosters tranquility and relaxation in your mind. On the other hand, if you reside in an urban area, plants are still a great alternative to revitalize your work setting regardless.