Blog Posts

11 Laundry Mistakes

Are you using too much detergent? Overloading the washer? Overdoing the bleach? Find out the answers to these questions and more, and pick up some smart laundry tips in the bargain. Mistake 1: Rubbing Stains Furiously This can make the stain worse and possibly wear away the fabric. Instead, be gentle and methodical. Treat the stain as soon as you can; the less time that elapses, the more success you'll have. And always use a white cloth so that colors can't transfer. Dab, rather than rub, working from the outside in to keep the stain contained. Mistake 2: Using Too Much Detergent Excess suds can hold dirt pulled from clothes and get caught in areas that won't always rinse clean, like under a collar, leading to bacteria buildup. The remedy: Use only half the amount of detergent that you normally do, then gradually increase that amount if your clothes are not coming out as clean as you would like. An exception: If you have hard water, you may actually need more soap than you are using. Check the recommendation for hard water on your detergent bottle. Mistake 3: Filling the Washing Machine Incorrectly When washing in a top-loader with liquid detergent, you should first fill with water, then add soap, then add clothes, right? Well, no. This protocol from the past was meant to prevent residue on the fabric and the machine. But modern detergents are phosphate-free and not harmful to clothes the way old formulas were. As long as you're not using bleach, don't add clothing after the water (a pain, because clothes can float). Instead, use this order to distribute detergent best: clothes, then water, then soap. Mistake 4: Washing an Item That Has a "Dry-Clean" Label This isn't necessarily a blunder. Most items that say "dry-clean" can be hand washed and air-dried. This includes natural fibers, such as linen and most silks. First check for colorfastness; moisten a cotton swab with mild detergent and dab it on a hidden seam to see if any dye comes off. If not, go ahead and dunk the garment in soapy water just once or twice, then rinse and immediately roll it in a towel to extract moisture. However, you should stick with dry-cleaning for certain categories: leather, suede, silk dupioni, anything with embellishments, and structured pieces (like blazers). Mistake 5: Not Zipping Zippers All the Way to the Top Metal teeth can snag delicate and woven clothing that's being washed in the same load. Mistake 6: Overusing Bleach Think twice before you reach for the bleach: You actually don't need it to get rid of protein stains, like blood, sweat, and tears. (Okay, maybe tears are not a big laundry issue.) One natural option: Toss stained socks, tees, and undies into a big pot of water with a few lemon slices and bring to a boil for a few minutes. Mistake 7: Not Leveling Your Washing Machine IIf your washer is not level, vibrations can damage your floor and prematurely wear out key components, like the shock absorbers and the tub bearings. (Plus, there's that terrible noise.) Place a level on top of the machine and adjust the feet, which typically screw up and down, accordingly. If this doesn't help, beef up the floor with a 1/4-inch-thick piece of plywood that's a little larger than the machine's base. It will help absorb vibrations. Mistake 8: Letting the Dryer Rest Between Loads Some folks like to wait an hour after one cycle concludes before putting in a new load. But in fact, running back-to-back dryer loads is smart and efficient. It lets you take advantage of retained heat from the previous cycle, cutting down on energy usage. Mistake 9: Ignoring the Permanent Press Setting on Your Dryer This medium-heat cycle with a cool-down period at the end is a proven crease curber. More tips: Don't pack clothes in; they need to float freely or they'll wrinkle. (Note: Ditto for the washer. Stuffing it can create wrinkles and prevent your clothes from getting clean. On top of that, it can put pressure on the machine's bearings and shock absorbers, causing them to wear down prematurely.) And procrastinators, take note: It really does eliminate creases if you fold clothes when they're still hot, right out of the dryer (or, if you prefer, right out of the pile that you dumped onto your bed). Give each item a quick shake so wrinkles don't set in. If you don't have time to fold a load immediately, shake out the pieces and lay them flat in the laundry basket, one on top of another, while they await further attention. Mistake 10: Tossing Socks in Willy-Nilly Here's a sock-saving tip: Place socks in the washer tub first, so they're less likely to attach themselves to other garments and then go missing. Mistake 11: Not Cleaning Your Dryer Even though you empty the lint filter after each use (right?), lint buildup can clog the duct over time and become a fire hazard. A sure sign that your dryer is clogged? It takes more than an hour to dry a load. Once a year, detach the hose from the back of the dryer and snake a long brush through to push out lint (20-foot dryer vent brush, $35, gbindustrialdirect.com ). Also scrub the lint filter once a year with a small toothbrush and a bit of detergent. Rinse, then air-dry completely. 520 Park Avenue

Pumpkin Recipes

Tis the season - pumpkin season that is. Thank you, Starbucks, for starting the infamous trend that has become more of a phenomenon among the autumn-obsessed food lovers since 2004: pumpkin spice EVERYTHING. For those of you keen on gourd-inspired recipes, you'll be happy to find 3 different ways below how you can spruce up your meal with pumpkin: Pumpkin and Pork Cheesy Stuffed Shells Recipe serves 4 prep time: 40 minutes, including pumpkin roasting active time: 1 hour total time: 1 hour 40 minutes 1/2 small pumpkin, about 1 1/2 cups small dice 5-6 fresh sage leaves grapeseed, or other neutral oil, as needed salt and freshly ground pepper 1 small onion, diced 1/2 lb ground pork 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes salt and freshly ground pepper 16 large pasta shells 1 cup shredded mozzarella, divided 2 cups marinara sauce Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Peel and cube the pumpkin (In the photos, I sliced, but cubing will cook faster and eliminate the need for you to cube later). Place on a baking sheet (I lined my baking sheet for easy clean up) and toss with 1 tablespoon of oil. Season generously with salt and pepper. Nestle 5-6 fresh sage leaves into the pumpkin. Bake for 20-25 minutes until slightly golden and very tender. In a frying pan, heat up a touch of oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook, until slightly soft. Add the pork, and cook, breaking up, until golden brown and cooked through. Stir in the sage and red pepper flakes. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and place in a bowl. By now your pumpkin should be nice and tender. Remove from the oven and stir into the pork mixture. Let everything cool slightly so that you can touch it comfortably. Be sure to leave the oven on as you're going to bake the casserole. While the pork-pumpkin mix is cooling, cook the shells according to the package and drain. Typically I never rinse pasta, but in this case, we want to be able to touch the shells, so rinse off in cool pasta. Mix 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella into the pumpkin mix and give it another taste and adjust seasoning accordingly, if needed. Spread out 1 cup of marinara sauce in a square (8 or 9 inch) oven-proof casserole dish and set aside. Stuff each shell with a generous amount of filling, placing the stuffed shells in the sauced dish. Stuff all the shells - you may have leftover filling, which tastes great on it's own, or you can lay it on top of the shells. Top the shells with the remaining 1 cup of sauce and remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella. Bake the dish for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is golden. Remove and let cool slight before enjoying! Pumpkin Queso Fundido Total Time: 2 hr 20 min Prep: 20 min Cook: 2 hr Yield:6 to 8 servings Level:Easy 1 2 -to-3-pound sugar pumpkin 8 ounces dried chorizo, diced 1 jalapeno pepper (remove seeds for less heat), chopped 1 4 -ounce can chopped green chiles 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 cups shredded mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese Chopped fresh cilantro, for topping Tortilla chips, for serving ADD CHECKED ITEMS TO GROCERY LIST From our sponsor Try it. Don't like it? Money Back Guarantee. We stand behind the quality of our meat and produce. Freshness Guarantee *If you don't love our produce, bring your receipt back for a full refund. Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice off the top 1 1/2 inches of the pumpkin and discard. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp. 2. Heat the chorizo in a medium pot over medium-high heat until the fat begins to render, about 5 minutes. Add the jalapeno, green chiles, cumin and cayenne and cook, stirring, until the jalapeno softens, about 2 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, until the flour is slightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the cheeses. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cheese melts and the mixture is creamy, about 3 more minutes. Place the pumpkin in a small baking dish and fill the pumpkin with the cheese mixture. Add 1 inch of boiling water to the baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake until the pumpkin is tender, about 1 hour, 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is golden and bubbly, 20 to 25 more minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with tortilla chips. Pumpkin spice pancakes ** makes 8 pancakes 1/2 C all-purpose flour 1/4 C whole wheat flour 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp each nutmeg, all-spice & ginger pinch of sea salt 1/4 C pure pumpkin puree 1 tbsp maple syrup 1 C almond milk 1-3 tbsp vegan butter for cooking Heat a non-stick pan to medium / medium-low and pre-heat oven to 200 F. You'll place the pancakes on a baking sheet or plate in the oven to keep them warm while you cook. In a mixing bowl combine the flours, spices, baking powder, and sea salt together with a fork. Add pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and almond milk and whisk together until well combined. Use a 1/4 cup for each pancake. Lightly butter the pan with some vegan butter. I like using a paper towel to spread it evenly around the pan. Scoop batter into the center of the pan. Once it starts to bubble all around and the edges of the pancake are slightly cooked through, that's when you flip it. It's approx. 2 minutes each side. Be sure to adjust your burner temperature as you go as the pan will get really hot half way through. Serve with more vegan butter and real maple syrup! 520 Park Avenue

Activities For The Park

Even if your budget's tight, you can find ample adventures at a park. Whether your local park is a small neighborhood green space or an expansive national park, take advantage of your nearest recreational area and plan an outing for the whole family, no matter how young or old. If you don't have kids, these activities are still fun if you're a kid at heart! Use these suggestions to get your crew off the couch and out into the sun for some healthy, free (or cheap) warm weather fun. Classic Playground Activities If you're packing little ones, hit your neighborhood or community parks for fun and exercise that goes beyond the swing-set. Your kids will have a blast scrambling up rope nets and navigating obstacles in fortresslike play ports. See-saws, giant slides, monkey bars, pint-sized zip-lines and mini rock-climbing walls are just some of the wonders you'll find at park playgrounds. And, of course, there will be swings! So pack some sunscreen, snacks and juice boxes and head to the park for some full-body fun. Your kids will be building strength, agility and confidence, and laughing all the way. Have a Picnic Can you ever be too young or too old for a picnic? Grab a basket and blanket for a lazy, languid feast on a grassy park lawn. Or load some hearty fare into a backpack and hike to the perfect spot near a waterfall or to a peak with an endless view. If you're heading to a park with a lake or pond, take along some extra bread to feed the ducks Play Ball Many community parks have tennis courts and fields for soccer and baseball. They offer leagues for organized sports, but you don't have to be on a team to enjoy playing around with a ball. An open field is a great place to practice kicking around the soccer ball or have a game of catch. Show up with a ball and you just might find enough willing players for a pick-up game. Learn About Nature Are you interested in some close encounters of the natural kind? State and national parks teem with wildlife, both the stationary and the ambulatory kinds. You can expose your children to the wonder of nature and learn about native plant and animal species that inhabit various environments. Take along your camera to capture the weird and wonderful things you find. Later, you can make a scrapbook detailing your discoveries. Take A Hike Local, state and national parks offer many different opportunities for hiking. Some are short, easy treks to breathtaking scenery; others are major climbs that test your endurance. Preparing for a big hike can be a fun and healthy family activity, too. Some parks even have trails for those with physical limitations or special needs. Check the Web site of the park you have in mind to learn about don't-miss scenery, special features, the length and challenge rating of trails, and whether or not pets are welcome. Special Events Parks cater to families and often host fairs, carnivals and special events to get your attention. The activities depend a lot on the type of park. Look for carnivals with games, races and inflatable play objects at community parks. Turn to state and national parks for events that introduce you and your kids to outdoor and high-adventure sports like orienteering, archery, fishing and canoeing. Holidays are big events for parks, too. They offer activities like Easter egg hunts, winter wonderlands, parades and firework displays. Set up a Challaenge Parks offer big, wide-open spaces perfect for staging a race, obstacle course or other family challenge. Break up into teams for a relay race. Designate age groups for foot or bicycle races. Bring a few simple props and set up your own family field day. Here are some examples: Hula-hoops or jump ropes for an endurance challenge Eggs and spoons for a balance-testing relay challenge Soccer ball for a dribbling challenge Plastic cups and water for a balancing-on-the-head race challenge Rope for tug-of-war and three-legged race For high-adventure challenges, look for parks that offer canopy tours, rock climbing or zip-lines Scavenger Hunt A scavenger hunt is a great way to explore numerous areas of a park in a relatively short time. Make a list of things you would find at your particular park, and divide your group into teams. Give each team a list and a bag to collect items. Include supplies like a camera if challengers need to prove they climbed to the top if a hill, or paper and a pencil to take a rubbing if they have to find a particular statue. Finally, determine a place to meet after gathering all the items on the list. The first team back with everything on the list wins. Prizes can be a free pass on cleaning rooms or the winner's pick for dessert. Conversely, the losing team might have to do something for the winners, like cook dinner. Frisbee or Frisbee Golf Need we state the obvious awesomeness here?

Why You Should Own a Daybed

The daybed. It's that piece of furniture that graced your childhood room (or was that just me?) that you resented because it didn't look like a "real" bed, but now, as an adult, you realize is far more chic and useful and full of potential than you ever gave it credit for. The daybed is a really smart solution to tiny space living. It's a sofa and a bed, all in one, and can be styled with pretty pillows and throws while you're not sleeping on it so your space comes off more like a living room than a bedroom. They are as deep as a twin bed, so when being used as a sofa, they are extra deep and down right delicious to cuddle up on. Now, the daybed comes in many varieties. Some take the form of an extra deep bench, which lends a very European sense to your home. Others, and my personal favorite, are more traditional with a back and arms, and can be used everywhere from the bedroom, to the living room, to the porch/balcony/patio to dens and offices. Heck, it's even worth trying on in the dining room! Check out these 15 gorgeous rooms where the daybed is the star. (Image credit: Domino ) Designer and blogger Lauren McGrath (who works with her mother Suzanne for their firm McGrath II ) employed a faux-bamboo daybed in her 250-square-foot New York studio apartment, featured in Domino . (Image credit: KK Living ) Corners in rooms can be tricky, especially for furniture. A bench-style daybed is the perfect solution, like the one above from KK Living . (Image credit: Elle Decor ) Sometimes while you work really, really hard, a power nap is in order, right? Having a daybed in your home office (like this one from Elle Decor ) is just as convenient as it is lovely. (Image credit: Vogue ) Of course heralded shoe designer Bruno Frisoni of Roger Vivier would have a home in Tangier as fabulous as the one featured in Vogue , complete with facing daybeds, the perfect set up for afternoon tea and lengthy conversations (or catnaps). (Image credit: House Beautiful ) Featured in House Beautiful , designer Stephen Shubel smartly created a dual-purpose furnishing for the above project, where cubbies come together as the base for a daybed. This would be a great space-saving solution for a small living room: bookcase and sofa in one! (Image credit: Coastal Living ) Daybeds should have a much greater fate than just living indoors all the time. This lovely porch from Coastal Living shows one hanging from rope for the ultimate porch swing. (Image credit: Free People ) This plant-happy corner, spotted on retailer Free People's website (though the product is no longer available), channels our inner Justina Blakeney jungalow. (Image credit: Urban Outfitters ) Here's inspiration from another retailer, this time, it's Urban Outfitters . We think a daybed like this one would work really well to separate spaces in an open (or small) floor plan. (Image credit: Hickman Interiors ) Chicago-based designer Tracy Hickman created a cozy and inviting porch setup with an ultra-deep daybed. We can see ourselves lounging around all summer and fall on this baby. If you want to try the look, remember to pick a material for the frame that will wear well outdoors (the one above is teak), and that the cushions are made of outdoor fabric, which will resist fading and mold/mildew. (Image credit: Madog Bolig ) It's hard not to have a room crush on this Copenhagen space, seen on Mad & Bolig . The pop of cerulean blue from the daybed energizes the neutral finishes. (Image credit: Homedit via Mi Casa ) A daybed is the perfect solution for a spare bedroom, where you want to create space for overnight guests, but also leave room for a desk. Opting for a daybed rather than a bed saves space since you can push it up against the wall length-wise, leaving more walking room. (via Homedit ) (Image credit: Citizen Atelier ) Talk about swoon-worthy! Just imagine leaning back, reading a book, maybe dosing off for a few minutes, and then digging your toes into a shaggy, puffy rug. This room (featured in an inspiration gallery on Citizen Atelier ), is a (literal) dream. (Image credit: Land of Nod ) A deep daybed in a common room is a great spot to curl up and kick back with your little ones (or anyone, really). (via Land of Nod ) (Image credit: Emily Henderson ) Emily Henderson absolutely falls into the "I have a design crush on her" category. Her daughter's nursery features a vintage daybed so she can get in plenty of baby snuggles. 520 Park Avenue http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-daybed-is-the-glorious-piece-of-furniture-youre-probably-not-using-but-should-be-234052

Keep Your Pets Cool This Summer

The weather in the summer months is ideal for outdoor activities, exploration and fun. But with the recent spike in temperature, you always want to keep your pet's health in mind. Be sure to take precautions with your pets in the heat so you can both enjoy all that summer has to offer. Start with these five tips to help keep your pets cool: Never leave your pet in a hot car. Ever. Even for a minute with the AC running and the windows cracked. On an 85-degree day, the temps inside a car with its windows cracked can break 100 degrees in minutes. Some states are even pursuing laws that would make leaving your pet in a hot car a criminal offense. Save exercise for very early or very late in the day. Your pets can still get their daily walks in the summer months if you make smart choices about when the exercise occurs. Outdoor temperatures are significantly lower early in the morning and late at night when the sun is not so intense. Plan to exercise your pets in those cooler hours. Seek out shady outdoor spaces. If you do spend time outdoors in the heat of the day, seek out parks and outdoor spaces that provide plenty of shade. Allow your pet to take frequent breaks in the cooler shade. Provide plenty of water. Whether you are in your apartment or out for a walk, provide your pet with fresh, cool water to drink. Pack a small bag with a bowl and a few bottles of water to take along if you leave home. Recognize the signs of heatstroke. Any pet can succumb to heatstroke, but overweight, very old or very young pets are especially at risk. The Humane Society warns you to watch for these signs of heatstroke: heavy panting glazed eyes rapid heartbeat difficulty breathing excessive thirst lethargy fever dizziness lack of coordination profuse salivation vomiting deep red or purple tongue seizure unconsciousness Your pets count on you for protection, so keep them healthy and cool all through the summer! https://www.forrent.com/blog/apt_life/keep-pets-cool-summer/

3 Sign of a Good Property Manager

Many of you are starting the hunt for your first apartment. You've thought about location, your budget, your must haves and your deal breakers. However, one item that people often overlook when they are apartment hunting is making sure that they also pick the right Property Manager. A bad Property Manager can totally ruin your first apartment experience. But here are three signs of your next home is managed by a good Property Manager: Responsive and keeps open communication with residents. When your dishwasher breaks, or you're having pest problems, a good Property Manager will be responsive in a timely manner. They usually handle repairs and keep you in the loop. Remember that some problems may be your responsibility if they are so specified in the lease. For example, some rental agreements will list home appliances that will be the resident's responsibility to repair or pay for repairs. So before you overload your washing machine with three weeks worth of clothes, check up your rental agreement first and know what you're responsible for, and what your community is responsible for. Respects your privacy. A good Property Manager will understand that while you are renting out their apartment, you are creating a home for yourself and deserve privacy and respect for boundaries. Except for emergency repairs (burst water line and like), a respectful Property Manager will give you notice if they need to stop by the apartment and will schedule the visit so that you can be home. They will not make changes to your apartment without asking you, or give negative feedback about your decorating style or how you are using the space, as long as you are not in violation of your lease. It's important to establish this boundary with them early on and a good Property Manager will respect that. Explains your rental agreement clearly and answers your questions honestly. Are you in charge of your own utilities? Which ones? Do you have a grace period for late rent? Where are you allowed to park a car if you have one? A good Property Manager will write out the rental agreement very clearly so that everyone is on the same page for what the rules are, and what the expectations are. If you ask a question about the lease, look to see if the manager answers a question easily and honestly. If their answer is vague, maybe they are hiding something? Do they avoid questions? Nothing is worse than finding out that something is written and finalized in the lease when you didn't mean to agree to it. Make sure you understand everything and know what you're getting yourself into. When you're moving into your first apartment, you are probably also starting a new job or new school and you have enough to worry about without having to deal with a bad Property Manager! Do your homework and if you feel uneasy about renting from a particular place, move on. It's ok to wait until your find a place where you feel more comfortable with the landlord. You may even need a reference from them later on in life, so pick someone you can get along with and trust! Luckily you've found 520 Park Avenue , and you can rest assured that the building, manager and staff are up to par!