Category Archives: Lifestyle

How to Feng Shui your Home

Flickr Creative Commons: Avia Venefiea

Making sure that your home is balanced with Feng Shui, should be a top priority of any homeowners. This ancient style of Chinese decoration can promote a comfortable home and balanced life. To achieve this in your home you must incorporate pieces pf wood, fire, earth, water, and metal. By having all of these things perfectly placed in your home, your home will feel balanced and peaceful. The description of these objects and their power was originally written in an article by HGTV.

1) Wood: By having wood, plants, trees, flowers, or wood furniture, you are incorporating wood into your home. By doing to, you are stimulating creativity,flexibility, strength, and intuition. If you lack the right amount of wood, you home can feel stagnant, depressing, and bored.

Flickr Creative Commons: Markus Grossabler

2) Fire- By having bright shades of colors, candles, a fireplace, or animal prints to your space, you are increasing the amount of fire within your home. In doing so you are increasing your enthusiasm and leadership. Make sure not to have to much fire, because it can lead to anger and aggression. The perfect balance can increase your self esteem and self worth.

3) Earth- To add earth shapes into your home, you must includes earth colors, like beige, green, and brown. You could also add low/flat rectangular objects and pictures of landscapes. By increasing the amount of earth in your home, you will feel a sense of grounding and stability. The earth tones with create focus and relaxation.

Flickr Creative Commons: Matthias Ripp

4) Water- To include water in your home, you should include mirrors, fountains, deep blue colors, and free form shapes. By including water in your home your will increase your wisdom, insightfulness, and patience. Having to little of water, can promote loneliness, isolation ad stress.

5) Metal- This one is simple to accomplish, as long as you have metals like gold, silver, or iron within your home. This can also include bricks, stones, and natural pastel gray and silver colors. By including metal in your home you are promoting clarity and logic.

By including water, metal, earth,fire, and wood, you will have a balanced home and more satisfying life. Click on the links below for several different ways to arrange these five things in your home!

http://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/bedrooms/feng-shui-your-bedroom

http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/19-feng-shui-secrets-to-attract-love-and-money-pictures

http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/feng-shui-inspired-before-and-afters-pictures

Top 5 Most Expensive U.S. Cities to Buy a Home!

Flickr Creative Commons: Ron Cogswell

The price of property is so darn expensive, especially in these cities. Here is a list of the most expensive places to purchase a home, if you would like the full list click on this link. Even if you can’t buy in these locations, you can still dream about your millionaire lifestyle and mansion!

1) Manhattan, New York

Surprise, Surprise, Manhattan takes the top spot! These location, in the heart of New York City is the perfect location for the rich and the famous. With over “177 listings priced over 10 million dollars” (CBS), it is no wonder it takes the top spot.

2) Los Angeles, California

Again, what a shocker! The second largest city in the United States has the second highest property prices. Nestled in lower California and practically paradise, it is not surprising that Los Angeles has “87 homes that cost over 10 million dollars” (CBS).

3) Malibu, California

California Represent! This beautiful location, just outside of Los Angeles is home to many stunning beaches and famous celebrities! It also has “65 homes listed at over 10 million dollars” (CBS).

4) Miami, Florida

I love Florida! It is beautiful!! Located i the very south of the peninsula, Miami takes the fourth sport for most expensive city to purchase a home. With such a prime location and wonderful scenery, It has “60 homes listed over 10 million dollars” (CBS).

5) Beverly Hills, California

“Beverly Hills, thats where I want to be!” Weezer said it right when they described this beautiful area tucked away near Hollywood hills and Los Angeles. Also, they are alone, because Beverly Hills is home to over “58 homes over 10 million dollars” (CBS).

5 Ways to Prevent Waste in your Home!

Ever wonder how you can get rid of the waste in your home? Look no further, because here are just five simple tips that you can do to make your home waste free and environmentally friendly. While this list is just five things, there are more things you can do! Look at the rest of your options on Zero Waste Tips.

1) Invest in Reusable Bags, Glass Jars, and Dish Rags

Flickr Creative Commons: Axel Tregoning

Instead of using all of that plastic and paper, eliminate it with reusable bags, glass jars, and dish rags. By using reusable bags, you no longer have to collect all of those grocery store plastic bags under your sink and hope to use them later. Instead eliminate completely by bringing canvas bag to the store and put your groceries in them. In addition, instead of using plastic sandwich bags, use jars and Tupperware (not plastic) to hold your food and lunch.

2) Buy Recycled Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, and Tissues

If you must use paper products, make sure that they are recycled! By doing so you are eliminating a lot of waste and saving the environment for considerable destruction.

3) Use Natural Cleaning Supplies and Machine Washable Rags and Mops

Much like using reusable bags and glass Tupperware, by using dish rags, machine washable mops, and natural cleaning supplies, you are eliminating the waste of many paper products (such as Swiffer). In addition by using natural cleaning products you are eliminating your use of toxic chemicals, that pollute both your home and environment.

4) Turn Older Clothing Into Something New or Donate it!

Instead of just letting your clothes sit in a draw, reuse them or donate them! To reuse them, you can cut them up in to new clothes that you love again, make a blanket, a rug, or even a reusable shopping bag. Otherwise donate them and give them a new life with someone else.

5) Collect Compost and RainwaterFlickr Creative Commons: Chalon Handmade

By collecting rainwater and compost, you are helping to eliminate waste in the environment. By collecting rainwater you can eliminate water usage. Use the rainwater to water plants and gardens. By collecting compost, you can use it as fertilizer and nutrients for plants and earth. Instead of throwing it in the trash to sit in a landfill, bring it back to the environment, by fertilizing new life!

Top Five Most Haunted Places in Minnesota

Flickr Creative Commons: Trevor Cameron

Everyone thinks that Halloween and Fall are the time to be fearful and scared of ghosts. However, this is not the case. A Haunting can occur on all days, at any time, and where ever. However there are times of the day and situations that heighten the probably of a sighting. The first is when it is around 3 AM in the morning. Known as the bewitching hour, it is the perfect time as it is dead silent and ghost can communicate better. Secondly, any time during electrical storms, thunderstorms, rain, or solar flares. These times produce energy within the supernatural world of which many paranormal beings feed from. For these cases, it actually seems like spring is the best time to have a paranormal sighting, as the weather and the time is conducive. For this reason, this weeks blog is all about the most haunted places in Minnesota.

1) Wabasha Street Caves, St. Paul MN

This first and most well known supernatural sight would be the Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul. These caves claim to fame is that they were home to many famous gangsters. The gangsters occupied these caves to conduct all of their illegal activity. This illegal activity led to a few deaths in the caves, and rumor has it that they still haunt the place today.

2) Camp Ripley, Fort Ripley MN

This military fort located near Brainerd Minnesota, is home to many warriors stuck in limbo. Many people have reported seeing old soldiers wander the fields and highways near the fort carrying old weaponry. In fact, my friend from this area told me one of the creepiest stories. As she was driving home with her mom, she passed the camp. As she drove she taught she saw a man on the side of the road, looking like he was about to cross. However as she approached the man, evaporated!! She reported that the man was wearing a bowler hat and clothing from the early 1900s.

3) Anoka State Hospital, Anoka,MN

Anoka State Hospital, used to be an asylum. This asylum was one of the only ones in Minnesota at the time and only took cases that were the most extreme. The hospital was desperately under funded, leaving many of the patients to be ill attended to. Due to the funding many patients were left to wander the property or placed into straight jackets. Even with all this cruelty, the most haunted part of the hospital, is the tunnels that connect the different parts of the property. These tunnels, meant to make transportation of the patients easier, became its own labyrinth, leaving many patients stranded and hopeless. With little other foreseeable options, many of the patients hung themselves. To this day, many of the staff at the hospital refuse to use the tunnels as the give off a creepy and haunted vibe.

4) County Highway 21, Warren, MN

This portion of the highway , located on the border of North Dakota, is said to have a hitchhiker ghost. This hitchhiker will ask for a ride from people and get into the car. As the ghost and the driver pull away, the hitchhiker evaporates from the car! People who have experienced this eery tale, say it is one of their more troublesome experiences.

5) Darling Lutheran Church, Little Falls, MN

This church has one of the most twisted past. Back in 1905 the violent murder of young women, Miss Anne, was committed within the church walls. It is reported that two black men entered the church that night and strangled miss Anne. Her body was found beaten and bruised. It is said that to this day her spirit still haunts the church today.

10 Most Surprising Celebrities from the Mid-west

Being that we are realty company from Minnesota, it is important to show a little Midwestern pride! One way to do this is to honor the celebrities that came from the Midwest. Here are a list 10 celebrities you would have never have guessed are from the Midwest!

1) Ashton Kutcher

Flickr Creative Commons: David Shankbone

This handsome fellow known for his roles in That 70’s Show, The Butterfly Effect, Just Married, and Valentines Day, was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Such a talented actor, does the Midwest proud!!

2) Melissa McCarthy

Flickr Creative Commons: IPAvocat

Ah Melissa McCarthy, you are such a wonderfully hilarious and beautiful woman! Taking her talent to Hollywood, she has starred in major t.v. series like, Gilmore Girls and Mike and Molly, as well as popular movies, The Heat, Identity Theft, and Bridesmaids. Such a popular and well liked actress, does her hometown of Plainfield Illinois proud!

3) Bill Murray

Flickr Creative Commons: David Shankbone

Popular actor and Hollywood funny man, Billy Murray is from Evanston Illinois. Known for starring in What about Bob, The Royal Tenebaums, and Lost in Translation, Bill Murray has created quite a name for himself in Hollywood.

4) Elijah Wood

The bearer of the one ring, the hobbit always up for adventure, and A list celebrity Elijah Wood is from Cedar Rapids Iowa. Known for his leading role in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and the TV series Wilferd, Elijah Wood, has transitioned from a childhood actor, to popular, down -to -earth, and wonderful adult celebrity.

5) John C. Reilly

Yet another, funny man in Hollywood, John C Reilly has been making you laugh through his major roles in Step Brothers, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Such incredible talent can only be made, in the heart of the Midwest, Chicago Illinois.

6) Betty White

Betty White is an amazing women that has been a part of Hollywood for over 50 years! This amazing actress from Oak Park, Illinois and has had major roles in Hot in Cleveland, Golden Girls, and the Proposal.

7) Chris Farley

Flickr Creative Commons: Alexander Plushev

One Hollywood’s greats taken too soon, Chris Farley was from Madison Wisconsin. This hilarious and upbeat actor is known best for his hysterical SNL Skits, Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, and Beverley Hills Ninja. With so much potential, it is sad to have lost his talent and big personality.

8) Jessica Biel

Flickr Creative Commons: Themeplus

Minnesota represent!!!! This dashing beauty, popular actress, and wonderful women was born in Ely Minnesota. Known for her roles in The Illusionist, Valentine’s Day, and Elizabethtown, she represents her home state amazingly.

9) Mark Ruffalo

Oh Mark Ruffalo, you are adorable! Born in Kenosha Wisconsin, he took his talent and lovable personality to Hollywood to star in major films like The Hulk, 13 going on 30, The Avengers, and Now You See Me. Way to go Mark Ruffalo!

10) Steven Spielberg

One of Hollywood’s most well known directors, Steven Spielberg is from Cincinnati Ohio. His talent and brilliant cinematic eye has helped to create some of the best films ever produced. He best known for his work in ET, Jurassic Park, and Jaws, Saving Private Ryan, and War Horse.

5 Animal Care Tips to Prepare your Home for Spring

Flickr Creative Commons: Nguyen Hoangnam

It is officially spring!!! No more winter blues or cabin fever! It is time to take you and your animals outside and enjoy the nice warmer weather! However, before you do, read this list of tips and tricks to protect your home and yourself before your pet’s spring season mayhem.

1) Help with Removing Pet Stains and Odor
As a pet owner, you know how it goes, a pet is messy, dirty and can track in a lot of things from the outside. In spring, this can be even worse, because things tend to be more muddy. That is why it is good to know a few good tricks for removing pet stains and odors. Fortunately the Humane Society has your back with these simple pet stain and odor removing tricks.
2) Find your Cure to Shedding

Flickr Creative Commons: Chris Isherwood

Pet shed all year round, it is a part of their nature. However it seems that spring brings about a whole new type of shedding. For homeowners this can unfortunately be a predicament, as they do not want their home covered with fur. Luckily, Martha Stewart has some suggestions to rid your home of fur and some tip to control your pets shedding.
3) Find New Toys for Spring

Flickr Creative Commons: Michael Gil

If your a Minnesota native like me, you understand that your pets have been inside most of the winter. However, as spring rolls around, the pets and yourself get more antsy to go outside and play. That is why it is important to get some new pet toys for spring. If you are confused on what to buy, check out these two sites for dog and cat toys.
4) Protect your Home from Flies and Ticks

Tick and flea season is upon us! Protect your pets and loved ones by using flea and tick controlling products. This way your animals can play outside and you won’t have to worry about them bringing the outside back with them. For the best protection for your animal, consult peteducation.com to find which products will work best for you!

5) Reduce your Animal’s Winter Weight with a Diet Change

During winter animals get less of a chance to play outside and burn off some of their energy, causing them to pack on a few pounds of winter weight. So as the spring rolls around, putting your animal on a diet can help them get back their sprightly figure and enjoy their spring summer that much more. For tips, check out V.C.A Animal Hospitals weight reduction plan for cats and dogs.

The Green Lifestyle and Your Home

Ecological awareness is very important to our modern society. As our globe and populations mature, we are beginning to understand the personal effect they are having on our globe, resources, and health. Each day we are becoming increasingly aware of our carbon footprint. This awareness can be factored into any remodeling or construction of the home. Now, building and gaining certification of a green home is a possibility with the LEED, a program that is helping citizens in America to achieve an Eco-friendly lifestyle. While this program is not for everyone, as it is very expensive and laborious, it is important to know your home possibilities and small steps you can take in your home to be more environmentally conscious. Engaging in LEED, whether in major construction project or minor upgrades, can lead to increased value of your home, healthy home environment, and decreased price of bills.

Now, what is LEED exactly?
The LEED Program, “Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design”, offers people the best and latest possibilities in green living (USBGC 1). They are sponsored and given certification through the United States Building Council. LEED offers its clients with any range of “energy and environmental design”, whether it is commercial, residential, small or large (USBGC 1).

How can I obtain certification? What does this mean for me?
LEED certification happens when your home has meet the level of green requirements, built into the program. Based off of a point system, costumer’s can be either a “certified, silver, gold or platinum” builder, based on the number of requirements you have met (USBGC 2). In becoming certified, your home will be effectively a green building, further increasing the value of your home.

Flickr Creative Commons: Shelia

Okay, but does this program really apply to me?
Of course! Even if you’re not certified, looking into their plans of green construction can give your ideas of how to make your home ecologically friendly. What’s more, is that if you do indeed plan to participate in LEED, they have many different possibilities. Whatever your decision is, their main objective is to provide any costumer with homes that are “healthy, provide clean indoor air, and incorporating safe building materials to ensure a comfortable home. Using less energy and water means lower utility bills each month” (USBGC 3).

Cool, but why should I considered changing my home and lifestyle?
1) Having an ecologically forward home, point blank, increases its value! As stated by Michelle Wardlaw in Realtor.org , “Going green has proven to be more than a trend; many people now seek out this way of living and want homes and communities that are more resource efficient and sensitive to the environment”(1). Thus proves that the demand and value for green homes in on the rise.
2) You have done your part to aid the environment!By taking even the smallest steps to green lifestyle, you are decreasing the environmental strain that you put on your environment.
3) You have helped your community! Not only have you cleaned up and preserved your neighborhood, but by participating in the program, you agree to build locally. By only purchase local materials, you are decrease the carbon emissions produced in their transportation. In addition, you are supporting your local economy!
4) You will save money! Also stated by Michelle Wardlaw, in Realtor.org, “the higher a home’s energy efficiency, the more money is potentially saved in monthly heating and cooling costs”(1). Meaning that the more ecological efficiency your home has the lower your bills will be.
5) You have done a great thing!Be proud of yourself! You have done a great thing and set a great example to those around you!

Given the facts above, and the information about global warming, think about making the switch to incorporating the green lifestyle into your home. You truly can only benefit!

Gym vs. Home chores: Which one burns more calories?

Do you ever feel guilty for staying home and cleaning your house instead of going for a jog, hitting the gym, or missing your yoga class? Well, fear not dear reader we have good news! You might burn more calories staying home and doing chores than lifting weights! Don’t believe us? No worries, take a look at this infographic and tell us if you were surprised as much as we were.

Source: Yourgreenpal.com

Minimalist Home Decor: Simplify Your Life

This movement has been around since the early 1960’s. Like a lot of past trends, this one is making its way back into our modern lifestyle. Both in fashion, and in home decor. For some, it’s a lifestyle they decide to adapt for several different reasons; be it less clutter, cleanliness, or even because they just simply like it.

Several young couples today opt to buy a house, rather than rent. As we know, rent prices are steadily increasing while wages are not. However, that is material for another blog. Therefore, investing in real estate becomes the best choice. With this is money-saving mentality, it’s only normal millennials seek out modern lifestyle choices that can be economical yet trendy.

Now that we’ve answered as to why this movement has become a new setting trend, we’ll now give you some examples, and tips on how become a minimalist yourself. Or at least decorate your house like one.

Tip #1: One room at a time.

The purpose is to get rid of clutter. Odds are you’ll have a lot of it in several rooms. Don’t overwhelm yourself with trying to figure out what you’ll be doing with every tiny little thing in every single room of your house. After all you’re trying to change to a perhaps different lifestyle, and doing that won’t happen overnight. It’s a process, don’t rush into it.

Tip #2: Furniture.

If you’re moving into a new house than this might be easier for you, if you’re redecorating than there is some serious thinking to be done. What goes? What stays? Without compromising comfort or livability the essential question to always ask yourself is: “Do I need it?”. Think that sometimes less, is more. Whatever you find yourself thinking could be tossed/donated and don’t need, then do so.

Photo by: Cyril Caton / Flickr: Creative Comons

Tip #3: Clean surfaces, walls, and floors.

Think of it as starting new. Don’t clean the floors and put everything “you think you will need in the future” in storage. Decluttering means getting rid of it entirely. This also means storage itself. Other than perhaps winter gear, there shouldn’t be too much in there. This goes with wall decor too. If you’re into art, then try to think of your living room as an outfit. Does everything match? It is too much? If there the answer for the latter is yes, then donate it or toss it. Keep it simple, and even cleaning will become easier and less of a hassle.

Photo by: Tom Baugis / Flickr: Creative Commons

Tip #4: It’s not all black and white.

Although some people go with the classic white minimalistic type of decor, you don’t have to. The point is for your home to look clean and neat. Solid colors can help you do that. Same goes with the windows, for instance. Many people like to go for the floral, patterned window curtains. But, if you’re trying to stick to the decluttered look, go with clean, neat patterns. Or just one solid, simple color. Going with no curtains at all is also an option. Natural light is great, anyways.

Photo by Jeremy Levine / Flickr: Creative Commons

Well dear reader this is where we end our post. Tell us in the comment section below what you thought, and if you see yourself in the near future being a minimalist or decorating your house like one.

Find the original article here.

5 quotes about Minnesota by Famous People

A lot of past and present influential characters have come out Minnesota; politicians, singers, actresses, actors, athletes, etc. The midwest has and always will be a part of them. That is why after reaching stardom, they look back and acknowledge how fortunate they were to be born and raised in Minnesota. Here are some quotes by some of these Minnesota natives:

1. Al Franken

“I grew up in Minnesota, where we treasure our tradition of civic engagement — and our record of having the nation’s highest voter participation.”

2. Bob Dylan

“Well, in the winter, everything was still, nothing moved. Eight months of that. You can put it together. You can have some amazing hallucinogenic experiences doing nothing but looking out your window. There is also the summer, when it gets hot and sticky and the air is very metallic. There is a lot of Indian spirit. The earth there is unusual, filled with ore. So there is something happening that is hard to define. There is a magnetic attraction there. Maybe thousands and thousands of years ago, some planet bumped into the land there. There is a great spiritual quality throughout the Midwest. Very subtle, very strong, and that is where I grew up.”

3. Garrison Keillor

“Minnesota is a state of public-spirited and polite people, where you can get a good cappuccino and eat Thai food and find any book you want and yet live on a quiet tree-lined street with a backyard and send your kids to public school. When a state this good hits the jackpot, it can only be an inspiration to everybody.”

4. Sean William Scott

“I grew up in Minnesota and everyone is so nice there. It is like Fargo. Everyone’s so chipper and you make friends just grocery shopping. We kill each other with kindness.”

5. Jim Ramstad

“The Minnesota spirit of compassion and help for people in need has moved countless Minnesotans to step forward to provide relief for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.”

Well dear reader, this is where we end our post. If you’re from Minnesota you’ll probably relate to many of these personalities’ opinions. If so, feel free to leave a comment and tell us which one you related to the most. Have a great Thursday!