If you are looking for a comfortable and modern bed with built in nightstands look no further than the Meti Bed.

The 1930s Hollywood glam trend is on a roll this year but how can we fit this fabulously chic style into our modern decor? If you want to add the over-the-top glamour of this style to your home without turning the whole place into the set of Some Like it Hot, try adding just one piece of furniture like the elegant Whitney Velvet Sofa with a few mid-century modern accent pieces.

The Whitney Sofa is fully upholstered in a smooth and soft velvet fabric with button tufting accents from head to toe. It’s crystal clear, spherical acrylic feet peek out from under it, adding yet another element of luxurious style. The color is a blush pink that stands out without being overpowering when complemented with white, gray and neutral colored decor items. Aside from the 3 paneled abstract wall decor which features a few splashes of a similar pink as the sofa in the mix.

A geometric, white square coffee table with a tray top to keep items secure and to prevent spillage create a contemporary loft combined with cottage home feel. A fresco-secco painted wall technique in gray highlights the modern gray carpet.

Tie the room together with a easy to maintain house plant like this succulent cactus to bring the outdoors inside.  Hollywood chic blush pink with modern minimalist white and gray make an absolutely stunning color combination in a simple and stylish setting.

Originally posted here: sixdifferentways.com

Heat on the fritz this winter or perhaps you don’t have heat in your home? No problem! There is a cool way to keep your rooms toasty warm and add a little fun to the mix as well.

I spent a week staying in a friends spare room in their attic this past holiday season, they had to prepare quickly for my arrival as it was unexpected but they did an awesome job! The highlight of the space upstairs – their faux fireplace which served as both a powerful and visually pleasing space heater during my stay!

Unlike other space heaters, they are in an enclosed space for safety and to add to the appeal of looking like a “real” fireplace.

What looks like coals or burning wood light up red with a screen in the background with yellowing flames rising up to show you it is on. Plus, it makes a great nightlight and is very soothing while asleep.

Knobs on the front allow you to control the temperature manually.

Most space heaters even come with a tiny remote control to be able to manipulate the temperature.

The electric fireplace is relatively quiet, it was so realistic I could have sworn I heard crackling like a real fireplace though or perhaps it was just my imagination!

You can opt for a more modern looking electric fire place or one that has more of that classic style to it.

Electric fireplaces are portable and you can plug them in just about anywhere as long as you have a power outlet! These are a great alternative during those colder winter months!

After all the madness of the holidays are done and most of us have the day off on New Years, it is the perfect day to treat yourself to whatever it is you feel like doing. A lot of us don’t even know what to do with ourselves if we are so used to working or doing things for other people. Give yourself a holistic treatment day, one where you can revive your mind, body and spirit for the year ahead.

This year I’ve moved my entire house, shuffled around in the kitchen and went to all sorts of different music events to support my friends – the sneakers that have held up better than any other pair I’ve ever had are Sambas by Adidas.

Why are these shoes so good that I am dedicating an entire blog article to them?

Because they really are that good and here is why.

I’ve had my pair of Sambas since 9th grade of high school, yes, I am currently 29 years old. Sambas are made for indoor soccer and that’s why they are so excellent for not slipping.

I have to admit even if I’m not cooking in the kitchen, moving my apartment or dancing around at shows, these make all-around wonderful sneakers. If they make little ones for youngsters, I also suggest these sneakers as they are more likely to prevent falls.

I prefer the Samba Classics – but any Sambas with the nonmarking gum rubber outsole for excellent grip will work well. Sambas are made of synthetic leather with a suede overlay for abrasion resistance and durability, plus they are lightweight and ultra comfortable. They easily form to the foot after a few times of wearing. Brand new Sambas are about $100 but they last for years so they are definitely worth the investment. You want to avoid used ones, as again they form to your foot.

Did I mention they look good with a lot of different outfits too?

These are definitely the perfect sneakers for chefs, cooks, movers, busy parents or anyone who is quick on their foot and frequently on the move.

Link: sixdifferentways.com

If you’re planning to have New Years Eve at your house this year, I have some great New Years Eve party tips to help you throw a sophisticated and fancy celebration for the upcoming year!

Fancy New Years Eve Party tips:

Dress Code: Go into the New Year with style. Require you and your guests to dress up for the event. You don’t have to go as far as making it black tie but semi-formal to formal attire always makes the party feel a lot fancier. Suits, dresses, skirts, nice sweaters, slacks – ask your guests to dress to impress!

Food: Make a nice “nosh” spread. Prepare an appetizer tray with goat cheese, water crackers, grapes, strawberries, fig spread, different types of olives and toothpicks! For a heartier meal, try foods that can be served in small portions. If you’re not a great cook or don’t want to try your hand at something new – there are plenty of places that would be more than happy to cater. No fried food like buffalo wings, leave that for events like the super bowl.

Beverages: Champagne and wine. Try Laurent Perrier Brut for champagne and explore different white and red wines for the occasion. Have non-alcoholic beverages too – there are plenty of non alcoholic champagnes and apple ciders out there. I would stay away from hard liquor unless you have places for people to stay for the night.

Music: Before putting the television on to watch the ball drop – jazz music is always a nice touch, you don’t have to stick to that elevator jazz either you can spice things up with a little it more soulful or bluesy jazz to keep the night energized.

Games: Card Games like poker are great for events like this, but if you want a few laughs in the mix as the wine and champagne starts to kick in – try Cards Against Humanity – an adult card game sure to bring a good time.

Decorations: Golds and silvers are perfect. If you want clean up to be easy you can stick with paper and plastic, also – don’t get every single thing on the shelf that says “Happy New Year” that can be a little too tacky. If you have a porch or backyard, purchase a few sparklers to light up the night.

And there you have it! It’s really that simple to create a fancy New Years eve party especially if you and your friends have left the bar hopping scene, you brought the New Year in with a sophisticated edge!

Stomach pain or tummy aches throughout the day can affect our sleep schedule, our performance at work can negatively affect our attitudes if its regularly occurring. Abdominal pain can also be hard to judge what the source is, and it’s not as simple as just removing a particular type of food like an allergy. If the pain is severe and intense, it may be best to visit a physician and may be a symptom of a more serious condition.

However, here are some simple drinks that are great remedies to consistent tummy aches that don’t need to involve the costs or hassle of a doctor’s visit.

1. Water, but with Lemon.
This might seem obvious, but physicians recommend 8 glasses of water a day, and many drink well below that number. Drink water throughout the day, but add lemon to at least 2 – 3 of those glasses; lemon has been shown to have some benefit with abdominal pain. Water hydrates, cleanses and flushes out the system while lemon helps break down food, easing the work of stomach acids.

2. All-Natural Ginger Ale.
Ginger has been used throughout history for digestion woes, but some are averse to chewing on pure ginger root. A great way to get the benefits of ginger is simply Ginger Ale. Try to aim for a brand no high fructose corn syrup, and you have a great drink to calm an upset stomach.
3. The Rolling Treatment
Still having stomach cramps? Try this treatment! Prepare a very strong chamomile tea in the morning before breakfast. After drinking, lay down on your left side, your abdomen, and then your right side for 5 minutes each. The tea will spread through your system as you “roll,” and is one of the best natural ways to cure stomach pain. For the tea, use 1 heaping tbsp of dried chamomile flowers per cup of hot water, and you can also use 2 teabags of chamomile instead of 1 teabag for maximum effect.

And there you have it, 3 simple drinks you can make in the comfort of your home. Simple drinks like this can go a long way in getting rid of those stomach cramps for good!

More: sixdifferentways.com

I’m sure you’ve seen incense sticks, they are sold everywhere from gas stations and  convenience stores to candle shops and bookstores, but did you know there are some woods you can burn that have a natural aroma which works the same way as an incense stick purchased from a store?

Palo Santo Wood

1 Day til’ Christmas Countdown: It was the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a – oops! we forgot to put out cookies and milk for santa!

It’s best to not wait until the last minute to get everything done before Christmas morning, especially if we have curious children who want to know if Santa is real or not – but sometimes with late deliveries, work, kids and preparations, it’s difficult to remember to get everything done. Below is a Christmas Eve checklist to make sure we have everything in order so Christmas Day is a merry day to remember!

Christmas Eve Checklist: 

Make sure the christmas tree lights are on!

Wrapped our gifts and hid them in the trunk of our car (this is the best hiding spot for kids who snoop around to see where the goods are).

Made a little area for Santa’s treats – use a small table or a fold up tv dinner table, put out milk and cookies, write a little note for santa. Don’t forget about the Santa’s reindeer! You and your kids can collect leaves, twigs and vines to put out for the reindeer to eat. 

Make sure to drink some of the milk and take a bite out of one of the cookies after the kids are asleep – leave a handmade and handwritten note from santa to your kids – make it extra special. Get rid of the reindeer food.

Make sure those kids are fast asleep – most kids get very excited the night before Christmas in anticipation for Santa, let them stay up an hour or more so they are extra sleepy, have them take a warm bath and give them some warm milk before bed. You can even play light, soothing music so they aren’t woken by any sounds.

Once you are sure they are fast asleep, quietly place the gifts under the tree

Don’t forget the stocking stuffers!

Make christmas breakfast the night before so you can just stick it in the oven to warm it on Christmas morning. This way you won’t miss any of the action.

Have a large garbage bag for recycling ready for the discarded wrapping paper to go in to make clean up easy.

Have your camera ready for christmas morning – take lots of pictures to see the smile on everyone’s faces!

Read more here: sixdifferentways.com

4 Days til Christmas Countdown: A very healthy and super easy snack kids can make themselves for christmas this year are Grinch Fruit Snacks – you may be thinking? ANOTHER fruit snack? But this one is made of actual real fruit, they can make it themselves and you pop on the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas as they munch on these for the full effect!

What You’ll Need:

• Banana
• Green Grapes
• Strawberries
• Mini Marshmallows
• Toothpicks
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas Movie (I prefer the animated one but you could always opt for the 2000 Ron Howard film)

If you want to show your kids how to make them, I recommend ages 5 and up, only because the toothpicks have sharp edges.

First cut the banana using a knife. Slice the banana. Place off to the side in a bowl or container. Wash the strawberries using room temperature water. Cut the tops off of the strawberries and toss in the trash. Place to the side. Wash your grapes with room temperature water. Take a toothpick, stick it through your grape, banana, strawberry then top it off with a mini marshmallow.

I thought lining the fruit up then just sticking toothpicks through would be faster but the grapes have a tendency to roll around so doing it one by one is best.

To make it easy for your kids, set up the ingredients in sort of an assembly line formation, especially if you have a multiple kids so they can work together to create their healthy Grinch Fruit Snacks!

See the rest here: sixdifferentways.com