Happy 28 Day!!

Celebrate 28 Day this month by taking 28% off your Apt528 order, today and tomorrow only!!  Enter 28DAY at checkout.

Want more great deals?  Shop the Apartment 528 sale this week and save up to 25% off select merchandise.  Don't wait...sale ends Saturday!

There's more!  Now thru Saturday, get FREE SHIPPING on all orders!!

Enjoy :)

How to Host Like a Pro

Hosting for thanksgiving?  You're braver than I am!  Having everyone to your place can be a big to-do and often requires more work than you'd think, especially if you're trying to impress your in-laws or your friend's opinionated girlfriend.  Here are a few tips to help you get ready.





General:

• Pick a subtle scent.  Air fresheners are nice and can really set the mood but don't pick a fragrance that's too strong or that overpowers the smell of the delicious food you're making.
• Get out the games.  If you'll still be cooking when people arrive, have something out for them to entertain themselves with like a couple of board games or a pack of cards. 
• Make a party playlist.  I usually go for more mellow songs by my favorite bands so we can talk without loud drums drowning us out!  Make sure there's nothing too offensive in your list...you probably don't want Eminem pumping with your nieces and nephews around.  If it's a mixed crowd, pick a variety of music that everyone will like.  You can even ask guests to bring their ipods or favorite CDs and switch them around every half hour or so.
• Wrangle your pets.  If you don't know all your guests super well, it's best if your cats and dogs make only a small appearance at the party.  As someone who's not a fan of pets that don't live in a tank or cage, I can tell you it's not fun to have someone's cat constantly rubbing against your leg or see them climbing on the table near the food.  You may think it's cute that Fluffy licked the cheese plate.  I don't.  Gross!  Some guests may be afraid of dogs and not know how to tell you they feel uncomfortable.  Even friends who love your dog most likely won't want him pawing at them ALL night.  Be prepared to have your four-legged friends sequestered in a room or outside for part of the night.  Give them plenty of food, water, and toys so they're not too lonely and bored.  Let them out every now and then or make sure someone goes in the room to check on them a few times. 

Entryway:

• Have a place for people to put their coat, shoes, umbrella, etc.  Make room for them in the coat closet or direct them to the room where they can put their stuff.  Also have a door mat ready to go so they're not tracking rain/snow/mud/grime into your apartment.  
• If you don't want them to wear shoes in your place, put a pair or two of your own shoes by the door so they get the hint.  If you have a few extra bucks to spend, head to the dollar store and buy a few $1 slippers for guests who have cold feet, especially the ladies who are wearing pantyhose or tights.  Put the slippers in a basket by the door and maybe add a cute sign so people know they're for the taking.

Bathroom:

• Stock the bathroom with extra toilet paper, feminine products, a plunger, air freshener, and first aid supplies (Dollar Tree has good supplies for only $1). Make sure they're put away but easy for guests to find.  Now no matter what they need, you'll have it!  As for the toilet paper, put out a brand new roll before people arrive, that way they'll most likely never have to change it.
• Clean your bathroom thoroughly!!  People are nosy and will look everywhere!  I can't tell you how many times I've gone into the guest bathroom after a party to notice that the shower curtain's pulled back a little from people peeking in.  Make sure your shower is clean and doesn't look like something out of a horror movie. Remove any toiletries or medicine that you don't want your guests to see if they look into your medicine cabinet.  Clean the toilet, get any gunk off your sink, and empty the trash can.
• Have hand towels ready.  Put out clean, fresh towels so people know where to dry their hands.  I've gone to several parties where the only towels around are the hosts' bath drying towels.  The thought of rubbing my clean hands on the same towel they used to dry their entire body isn't appealing!  If you're a paper towel person, put out a new roll.

Kitchen:

• Clean the kitchen.  The last thing you want is your in-laws finding last month's lasagna.  Not cool!  Make sure everything you or your guests may need from the fridge is accessible and move other items to the back.  Empty the trash and dishwasher so they're ready to be loaded at the end of the night.  Don't forget to sweep the floor...crumbs are no ones friend.
• Double check your dishes and silverware.  It's awkward when you go to someone's house and end up with a glass that has food from the dishwasher dried on it.  How do you kindly and discreetly ask for a new glass?  Check that everything came out clean so people won't be left with dirty utensils.

Over-night guests 

• Have multiple blankets available.  This is something my mom taught me.  If you stay at her house, you'll find at least 2 or 3 blankets in the guest room.  It allows you to control the temperature without having to ask your host for a blanket if you get cold at night.  To save yourself on laundry, just put one blanket on the bed but let them know where the extra blanket is. This way if they don't get cold, you only have to wash the first blanket.
• Always have extra toiletries.  Yes, my mom taught me this too.  The drawer in her guest bedroom has extra toothbrushes, lotion, toothpaste, Q-tips, soap, etc. so if I forget to pack something when I come to visit, I don't have to run to the store.  Now I do the same for my guests.  It doesn't have to be anything fancy.  If I need to buy a new toothbrush, I buy the 2pack instead of just one, then I put the extra in the guest bedroom...super easy.  For lotion, you can squeeze some out of your own bottle into a travel container and have it available.  Once again, the dollar store is the perfect place to get everything you need for only $1.  Even hotel samples you've been saving are fine.  If you're sharing a bathroom, let them know they can use your body wash and toothpaste in case they forgot theirs.
• Magazines and books are always appreciated.  Just one more thing I learned from my mom!  She always has magazines perfectly arranged on the guest room dresser when we come.  It gives you something to do if you want to relax or read in bed.  If your guests read them, great.  If they don't, it's no big deal since it only took you a minute or two to put the books out!
• Hash out wake-up times the night before.  If you get up early or like to sleep in, let your visitors know so they don't feel like they're waking you up or slowing you down.  If you're sharing a bathroom, try to shower at night so they can use the bathroom whenever they want the next day, or let them know what time you shower in the mornings so there's no confusion.
• Invest in a bag of coffee, powder creamer and a cheap coffee maker.  We don't drink coffee but my grandpa does so I bought a cheap, $7 coffee maker from Walmart, a container of powdered creamer and a bag of Dunkin Donuts coffee.  Now, anytime he comes we can make him a cup.  The last thing you want is a cranky, under-caffeinated visitor!
• Have breakfast foods out and ready so they don't have to search through your cabinets if they get up before you. 

Happy Hosting!

The Weekender: Think outside the crate

This week I came across a craigslist post from a guy selling a bunch of milk crates.  It got me thinking...what would I do with 50+ crates?  So I did a search and came across a couple of blog posts dedicated to milk crate DIY.  Talk about genius!

 {images via MISS}

{images via Apartment Therapy}

The chair above has me strongly considering using milk crates as the base for the couch I'm making.  They're super sturdy and it'd be a great eco-friendly project.  Not a fan of the blue vinyl cover though.  I'd face them in wood with a dark walnut stain.

Unfortunately someone else bought the crates before I could snatch them but next time I'm not going to hesitate, I'll just go for it.  You never know what you can make out of random everyday objects.  Shipping pallet platform beds, bathtub couches (a la Breakfast at Tiffany's), shopping cart chairs.  There are endless possibilities if you force yourself to see beyond the ordinary.  What do you think?  Are these designs for you?  What's the most out-of-the-box DIY you've seen or done?

{image via Design Sponge}

{image via Reestore}

{image via Inhabitat}

Product Roundup: Get Carving!

Thanksgiving will be here next week.  To make sure you're prepared, here are a few colorful items to help you carve your turkey like a pro.  Each item is from Zappos.  Thought they were all about shoes?  Think again.  Zappos now carries housewares and offers the same free shipping and easy returns that you're used to.  The index cutting boards are my favorite...neat, organized, and bright!!

Clockwise from top left: Joseph Joseph Index Cutting Board Set, $65; Bodum Hand Mixer, $64.95; Shun Kai Pure Komachi2 9 Piece Set, 89.95; Rachel Ray 10-Piece Cook Set, $163.99; Emile Henry 9" Baking Dish, $30

Etsy Shop of the Week: Inaluxe

Getting ready for Christmas?  Need a housewarming gift?  Stop by Inaluxe for a few cards and prints.  Each piece has a life of its own with colorful, mid-century themes and layers of texture.  I especially love the folksy animal prints.  Your white walls won't be bored with a few of these hanging around!

Currently, Inaluxe is having a giveaway.  Enter before the 21st for your chance to win a gorgeous print!  Click here for more info.

All I want for Christmas is...Home Security

Making your Christmas list for Santa?  Don't forget to add the SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security System.  Invented by two city dwellers who were tired of watching their friends' apartments being robbed, SimpliSafe is made especially for renters and city folk.  The wireless system comes pre-programmed and is ready for you to setup in just a few easy steps...no more spending your lunch break waiting for an installer to come out! Just mount the keypad and door sensors using the included 3M strips (which hold well and come off cleanly when it's time to move), set the base unit in a convenient location, and you're done.

{pic via SimpliSafe}

The $199 starter kit comes with everything you need including a keypad, 2 door sensors, a keychain remote, window decals (to warn would-be robbers that you're protected), and the base station.  You can order more sensors, remotes, and even a panic button as needed.  The keychain remote is what got me.  It lets you turn the alarm on and off as you come and go from your apartment.  According to Unpluggd's test lab review, if you can work your car alarm, you can work this security system.  Awesome!

The sleek white base unit fits right in with your decor. {pic via Unpluggd}

For a $14.99 monthly service fee you also get 24/7 emergency dispatch protection should your alarm go off or for $19.99/month you can also receive texts and emails to let you know when your family/roomies come and go from the apartment or if someone breaks in.  Add the low prices to the fact that SimpliSafe has no contract, and it's much cheaper than conventional alarm systems AND you can take it with you when you move...finally someone's thinking about us renters!

If security's not a big issue and you're just looking for peace of mind, try the $1 door alarms from Dollar Tree...they're super cheap and work well.  We've used them without a problem.  Home Depot and Lowe's have similar door alarm kits although they don't do much more than the dollar version.

Keep safe!

Etsy Shop of the Week: HelkatDesigns

No matter what country you hail from, you'll love Helkatdesigns.  The soft, vintage-inspired prints have a modern twist that makes them perfect for any style apartment.  The folksy animal pillows are great for cozying up to on a warm night while the flag pillows will have you feeling patriotic in no time.  Grab one for a friend and another for yourself!

 

 

{images via Helkatdesigns}

Weekender: Dry Erase DIY

Want a dry erase board on the cheap without the boring white background?  You could make your own using smelly, expensive dry erase paint.  OR go the easy (and cheap) way and frame your favorite fabric, paper, all for under $10.  Dry erase markers easily wipe off glass making picture frames the perfect dry erase board alternative!

Tips...

• Thrift and dollar stores are a great place to find frames for a steal.  You can also buy framed art on clearance,  remove the art and insert your own.  I got my black frame at Family Dollar for $6.  Ikea has cheap frames too.
• Make sure you DO NOT buy a frame with acrylic instead of glass.  They're priced lower but the dry erase markers will NOT come off!!  I learned this the hard way :(
• If you want cheap fabric, head to the remnant section of the fabric store.  Wrapping paper is also an affordable solution.
• If you're making a calendar, make sure the frame is at least 14" x 18" or else you won't have much room to write in the squares with a dry erase marker.  
• Use ribbon or electrical tape to make the lines for your calendar or to do list.  I chose electrical tape because it's relatively thin, comes in many colors, and comes off the frame without leaving any residue. 
• For a desktop dry erase frame, add floor protectors to the back so it can easily slide around your desk.  You can get a pack for $1 at Dollar Tree.
• Write away!

Free Shipping!

FYI, the Apartment 528 Store is now offering $7 ground shipping for orders over $25 and FREE shipping on orders over $50.  Can't beat that :)

And for those looking to spice up their bedroom or kitchen, check out our new towels and pillowcases!