Get Out And Enjoy The Sunshine

(Image courtesy of Dean and Natasha)

The scenery in New Mexico is absolutely stunning. With an abundance of wildlife parks and conservation centers, New Mexico is teeming with scenic elements to make your heart flutter. Though there are a few too many parks around to take the time to see them all, we can give you a few suggestions to narrow down your search for the perfect day trip.

Are you and your kiddos ready to get out and enjoy the beauty at some of the best parks in Albuquerque? You can’t go wrong if you follow some of these suggestions from renters.apartments.com! Keep reading to learn more:

Botanic Garden

An oasis of color in the desert. The Botanic Garden is open from nine to five on weekdays and can be found at 2601 Central Ave. NW. The Botanic Garden is really something of a shocker. Step in from the midday heat of the Southwestern sun and you'll be surprised to find thousands of samples of local and exotic flora. The park stays open until six on weekends and on certain holidays, so if you want to take an evening trip, you need only wait until Saturday or Sunday to take in the sights of the Albuquerque Botanic Garden.

The Biopark and the Albuquerque Zoo

Located at the Albuquerque Biopark, the Albuquerque Zoo boasts animals from around the world, everywhere from Africa to Australia and Mexico. Giraffes, apes, lions, and even llamas and alpacas that you can pet. Show up on select days during the summer and you can even give a giraffe a handful of feed while you pet him on the nose. The Albuquerque Zoo can be found at 903 Tenth SW where it is open from nine to five on weekdays.

Roosevelt Park

You're going to be surprised to see this much shady green grass in New Mexico. We're known for our scenic red vistas, our cliffs and big skies uncluttered by dense forestation, but the Roosevelt Park offers biking and walking paths all shaded by lush green trees and thick grass. Disc golf is popular at the Roosevelt Park, and you couldn't ask for a better place to walk your dog, take a date or spend the day with the kids. You can find the Roosevelt Park at Coal & University SE.

New Mexico may seem like a dry desert when you first arrive, but take some time exploring the parks of Albuquerque and you'll see that there's so much more to the Land of Enchantment than sand and sun.

Is your Kitchen Clutter Free?

(Image courtesy of Barney Livingston)

This one is for all the cooks out there. How many times have you been so engrossed in cooking a complicated recipe only to discover half-way through that you’ve fun out of counter space?

If this problem seems to come up more and more often while you’re cooking, it may be time to look at the appliances in your kitchen to determine what you really, truly can live without. Don’t believe us? Read through this list courtesy of builddirect.com and we’re sure you’ll be rethinking some of your less-used appliances.

1. Toaster

Let’s start radically by challenging tradition, shall we? While a toaster might seem like a can’t-live-without item, it’s really an unnecessary kitchen tool when you really look at it. The pop-up toaster was only developed in the way we recognize it by 1913. Before that into the late 1800s, a broiler or a skillet was used for making toast. You can do that too!

To use the broiler for toast, put bread on a baking sheet and slide it onto the top rack of the oven. If you prefer to use a skillet, set it over medium-high heat and flip the bread from side to side until it turns that golden shade of brown. No problem!

2. Microwave

“Ack! Are you insane???”

Well, it might seem even more radical to suggest that a microwave should be anything less than totally central to your kitchen. But, one thing to consider is the relationship that you have with your kitchen as far as what you actually do while you’re in it. For instance, how central is your microwave, really, to the daily meals you’re preparing in your kitchen? Ask yourself this question, and then decide whether or not the counterspace or cabinet space your microwave takes up is really justified.

Also, think about where your microwave might serve you better outside of the kitchen. If you use your microwave to make popcorn, warm up hot chocolate, or to heat up other snacks while you’re spending time in front of the TV, or on board game night, or kids craft time, then maybe the microwave should be more central to those activities in family rooms, or living rooms.

You could do worse than to match up the function of your microwave with the kinds of activities it supports. And it’s your house, so you get to decide where everything goes, even if tradition says otherwise.

3. Sandwich maker

In your quest for a minimalist kitchen, small appliances that have only one function (like your toaster!) are prime candidates for demotion on your countertops. Sandwich makers have a certain appeal. But, unless your really expanding on ways to use it, or are maybe writing an eBook about the versatility of the sandwich in modern cuisine, it might be time to give your sandwich maker its walking papers when it comes to taking up countertop space.

And again, is there a better place for your sandwich maker? Basement family rooms, bar areas in recreation areas, and even in outdoor dining spaces might be a better choice for single-function appliances like this.

4. Extra dishes

You know that hideous floral dinnerware that your well-meaning neighbor gave you? Drop it off at the nearest secondhand store. You might keep stuff like that around in your cupboards and cabinetry, just in case you ever have more guests than your regular set of dinnerware can handle. But if that happens, renting plates from catering companies or borrowing them from friends and family are always viable options. Your well-meaning neighbor won’t even notice.

5. Deep fryer

While your doctor probably wouldn’t argue with you if you gave up completely on those treats from the fryer, getting rid of your deep fryer doesn’t mean you have to go without the goodies. A sturdy saucepan and a thermometer will get the job done, and you’ll have one less bulky item hogging your counter or cupboard space.

6. Rice Cooker

Here’s the thing. You don’t really need a rice cooker. All you need is a saucepan with a lid. Cooking rice on the stove top is almost as easy as using a rice cooker.

My method? It’s one-part rice, two parts water, cover and set to boil, turn off the heat completely when boiling is achieved. Then, let it sit with the lid on for about 15 mins. Easy peasy.

7. Popcorn maker

You got rid of the microwave in the kitchen, and now the popcorn maker is on the chopping block, so what are you going to eat on movie night? Once again, making popcorn on the stove top is a solution. Granted, making popcorn on the stove isn’t as easy as throwing a bag of popcorn in the microwave or using the popcorn maker, but you still end up with a delicious treat—and a new skill to add to your growing list of culinary feats.

And like you did with your microwave, maybe this is just a matter of re-location rather than changing your approach to making a buttery treat. Move that popcorn maker into the family room where you play your boardgames, or watch movies. Redefine where your appliances are according to your needs. This is your space. You get to decide where things go. Simple.

8. Extra knives

That big wooden block sitting on your counter probably only has a few slots that see frequent action. A chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife are all essential, but that’s really all you need. Keep them sharp, keep them clean, and say farewell to all the knives that you kept around for reasons that may now escape you.The same goes for that drawer (you know the one, everyone has one …) with the jumble of mysterious implements with uses that remain to be a mystery. Clear that out and be brutal about how often you use each item in there. You’ll thank yourself later.

Pillows And Flowers And Armchairs, Oh My!

(Image courtesy of BISSON)

If you’re like us, you can never get enough of exotic design ideas. Often when you’re creating an idea for a space it can be easy to be drawn into the comfortable - and usually playing it safe comes at the price of a visually stunning room.

If you’re a bit timid when it comes to the idea of “letting it all hang out,” with your interior design, there are still options to create an elegant, yet eye catching room. These easy principles, courtesy of renters.apartments.com, are inspired by French decor and will leave you saying oui. Don’t believe us? Keep reading to find out more.

Snow White.

The most common theme you’ll find in French design starts with white. This means a fresh and clean palette where you can artfully add in soft pastels to bring color. Walls are often white with white wainscoted detailing and crown molding. Plush white sofas are also a must. Don’t overwhelm a room with color, keep white the clear theme – the ultimate goal is a clean palette. To keep things from going too white and mod, the toiles and florals come in….

It’s a Toile World After All.

Nothing says French faster than a toile print. For anyone who loves whimsy, these are your dream fabrics. Fairy-tale-esque scenes are printed in repeat and can be used as curtains, throw blankets, pillows and more. If the farm scene isn’t your thing, try the Chinoiserie toile.

Pillows and Flowers and Armchairs - oh my!

French design is nothing short of sophisticated yet it simultaneously should invite you to step in and have a seat, a comfy seat that is! Why? Because they understand the power of decorative pillows. Pillows invite but also make statements. If white is your overarching palette, you need pillows to provide your pops of color and break up the monotony. The French are known for choosing quality fabrics so don’t cheat yourself here, a cheap pillow will look cheap. Williams Sonoma has top notch options.

Perusing Paris you’ll remark upon how many flower shops there are, this is because the French love to bring life into their homes and what better way to do so with flowers? Try it out for a month and I’m sure you’ll soon get addicted to this little indulgence, this joie de vivre.

Finally, the French armchair is a staple in any French home. Often called the Louis XV chair, these delicate but sturdy chairs anchor a room and add the final touch. These chairs come at a price however so shop around. You can easily find a great option at Restoration Hardware but you may save yourself some money by scouring antique shops first. Consider having the chair reupholstered to suit your taste. The chair seen here was refinished and reupholstered by Time Treasures Antiques & Restoration.

Bon, you have a great starting point for French-ifying your home, bonne chance! And s’il vous plaÎt, share your favorite French design tips as well!

Organize Your Digital Side

(Image courtesy of Mercy Castro)

Let’s face it - us and technology are inseparable. No matter where we go, we all typically are carrying phones, ipads, smart watches and, no matter what, most of us are always within five minutes of a computer. With all this tech floating around, it’s easy to start hoarding digital documents.

Though they don’t take up physical space, digital files can quickly bog down your gadgets and slow down your systems. And if you don’t have an adequate system for organizing your files, your productivity can suffer! If you need help decluttering your tech-side check out these easy tips, courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com, will have you clearing megabytes in no time! Keep reading to learn more.

1. Delete Unused Apps: It's ridiculously easy to figure out what applications you're not using on your computer. On a Mac, simply organize Applications by date last opened and whatever is on the bottom is used the least. On a PC, simply check the application info to see when you last used the application, if at all.

2. Outlook's Email Sweep: It's easy to get lost in a pile of old emails. Between social networking alerts and daily newsletters, your inbox is probably cluttered. For Outlook users, Sweep makes it possible to delete these emails automatically by setting timers. For example, you can set a rule to delete all Groupon emails after they haven't been opened for 10 days. You'll also notice you can choose to delete ALL emails from a sender when you delete one.

3. Use Finder to Delete Drafts: If you're on a Mac, Finder's search feature is handy for finding files across your hard drive quickly and simply. Every few months, I search for the word "DRAFT" and delete any drafts that are older than a year. Ultimately, I've decided the final version of a file is what I will need to reference in the long term. Try to come up with a timeline that makes sense for you.

How do you keep your digital life decluttered?

Pin To Win

(Image courtesy of Brent Schmidt)

It can be tough deciding on new decor for your living space. If you're like us, when in need of some creative ideas for decorating you wander over to Pinterest to see what other fantastic creations other users have put together. By designing boards with specific areas of interest, finding your new couch or coffee table is easier than ever.

Though Pinterest is pretty intuitive, there are still a few strategies you can use to make the platform even more manageable. If you're wondering how to use Pinterest to your advantage, take a look at these easy tips from apartmenttherapy.com. You'll be a Pinterest decorating all-star in no time!

Decide on a budget: This is my first step when I'm using my Pinterest to save a little cash. Yup, an item may be beautiful but if I don't choose to pay over five hundred dollars for a swing arm bedside lamp, there's no point in pinning it to this board (though it may go on the dream bedroom board).

Let your gut be your guide: Though you may have decided you want a beige sofa, if you find yourself drawn to that red couch, pin it. After a few days of pinning, when you take a look at your board, you may find that you've pinned a dozen red couches. Maybe it's time to rethink your decor around that red couch you really want instead of the beige one you think you should be buying.

Consider using a secret board: If you have a number of followers who are likely to repin the items you're coveting, especially if they're things that are one of a kind or limited stock, you might want to make this particular board secret. True, there are only a limited number of secret boards but, if you're actually using this board to pin items you are about to purchase, this board will soon be deleted.

Use one board per item you are actually ready to buy: This board is less inspiration and more perspiration: ie, it's a board that you're putting to work to help you make a decision on something you're prepared to plunk down cold hard cash on. ideally, the lifespan of this board will only be a few months.

Overpin before looking at your board and making a decision: Give yourself at least a few days of pinning before you look at your board. That way you'll have enough choices to compare and contrast before picking the one that best matches your needs in terms of price and style (and discovering that you really want a red couch!)

Shy away from repinning: I learned this one the hard way. I'd repinned a rug from someone else's board and when I went to purchase it, I discovered it was out of stock (and had been out of stock for a few months!). If you do repin something, take a few moments to click through to the actual site and make sure it's something that is in stock and purchasable (not just an inspiration photo from someone's blog).

Give yourself a time frame: In that same vein, if you're using Pinterest to find actual items to purchase, give yourself a timeline within which to do it, since items do get sold out or become discontinued.