Every year I’m shocked at how early holiday decorations come out at stores. Here I am walking around in my flip flops looking for a new tray to serve drinks outdoors or by the pool and the aisles are already filled with bows and tinsel and greenery and giant stuffed snowmen!

But according to HGTV’s design team, it’s never too early to start planning a new look for the holidays. Shop early and you’ll be sure to find enough yardage of the ribbon you want. Wait until November or December and you’ll likely be out of luck trying to fluff up the wreath that’s been stuck in storage for years.

Here’s a great link to new Christmas tree ideas which may help inspire a new tree or a whole new theme for your holiday home: http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/15-christmas-tree-decorating-ideas-pictures

For 30 more fresh and festive ideas, visit: http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/our-most-festive-holiday-decor-ideas/ad?slide=20.

And before you toss these ideas aside, take a close look at the calendar. How many weekends are left before your big holiday event? That’s a shock too, isn’t it? Time to hit those holiday aisles!

A true glamour lover doesn’t let the size of their domicile dictate design choices. Be guided by your love of glitz, gold and go all-out-luxe with your decor picks and use this style cheat sheet to put together your ultimate pad.

Read the source article at Apartment Therapy

The idea of 3D-printed products for the home is admittedly a little out there, even Jetsons-esque. The gadgets and gizmos a plenty on sale throughout the internet may run the gamut from completely bizarre to actually interesting (and normal), but no matter where they fall on the spectrum, something that came from a printer (that’s not a sheet of paper with words on it) is certainly a conversation starter.

Read the source article at Apartment Therapy

In Jaya, Maggie, and Steph’s household of artists in Silver Lake, nearly every piece is handmade or upcycled by friends, family, or one of the talented roommates themselves. They’ve rounded out their decor with accessible modern pieces, beautiful books, and lush plants—and now you can get the look!

Read the source article at Apartment Therapy

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, July is National Blueberry Month! Native to North America, blueberries are grown in 35 out of 50 states. That translates into supplying roughly 95% of the entire world’s crop.

It’s no wonder then that from blueberry pies to Blueberry Hills, these blue beauties are oldies but goodies and we can’t get enough of them!

Luckily, blueberries are packed with nutrition. They are loaded with antioxidants and have been shown to help with brain, eye and vascular health. Plus, not only are blueberries low in calories and high in fiber, they are packed with plant compounds that may promote healthy aging. In fact, preliminary studies focused on blueberry consumption have shown improved motor skills and a benefit in age-related short-term memory function. Blueberries may also provide other benefits such as supporting cardiovascular health and a healthy urinary tract.

While it may be too hot this month to turn on the oven to bake a pie, you can try these blue healthy treats in lots of other ways. Here are some ideas from Whole Foods you might want to try:

• Add fresh or frozen blueberries to a smoothie.
• Have a bowl for breakfast, snack, or dessert – plain, or topped with yogurt, granola, a little shaved chocolate, a few chopped roasted nuts or a small dollop of sour cream.
• Add them to any breakfast cereal; dried blueberries make a great raisin substitute for oatmeal or any cooked cereal.
• Try blueberries in a green salad.
• Make tabouli or couscous salad and add some blueberries right along with your chopped veggies
• Add fresh or frozen blueberries to pancakes.
• Puree blueberries with blueberry juice and freeze in popsicle molds.
• Cook blueberries with a little apple or blueberry juice and then use as a sauce for yogurt or ice cream.
• Why not try blueberry sauce over grilled chicken, turkey, or pork?
• Add them to any fruit salad. They are great with chopped bananas and peaches.
• Spread peanut or almond butter on toast. Top with blueberries (press them down slightly to help them stay put).

According to Whole Foods, when shopping for fresh blueberries, choose firm, dry berries that have a subtle, whitish bloom over a uniform blue-black color. The chalky bloom is a sign of freshness, not mold. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator and eat them within a few days. Don’t wash them until you are ready to eat.

Do you have a favorite blueberry recipe you’d like to share? Send me an email; I’d love to try it!

Source: Whole Foods