In an age when every bar and restaurant in town seems to flaunt a mixologist, most people we know continue to steer clear of slinging drinks at home. But why wait for a night out to enjoy your favorite cocktail? Empower yourself by stocking a home bar; then throw a party to celebrate. Our handy guide breaks down bar ideas, tools, serving pieces and more. Read on and be inspired by our home bar essentials—that’s the spirit.

The Drinks

Word to the wise: Start small. You can always add to your collection later. Start with a set of foundation spirits for creating cocktails:

• • Gin (think: G&T, Martini, Gimlet, Negroni)
• • Whiskey / Bourbon (think: Old Fashioned, Manhattan)
• • Tequila (think: Margarita, Paloma) Tip: Look for brands made with 100% agave
• • Vodka (think: V&T, Martini)
• • Dark Rum (think: Dark & Stormy, Cuba Libre)
• • Light Rum (think: Daiquiri, Mojito)
• • Bitters (think: Manhattan, Old Fashioned)
• • Campari (think: Negroni)
• • Ginger beer (think: Dark & Stormy)
• • Simple syrup (1:1 sugar boiled in water; use for sweetening your spirits)

The Mixers

Again, start small. The list below will give you an arsenal broad enough to stir up a bevy of beverages for your group:

• • Seltzer
• • Tonic (Don’t skimp on an inexpensive brand)
• • Fresh-squeezed juice (lemon, lime, orange)
• • Cointreau (think: Margarita)
• • Sweet Vermouth (think: Manhattan, Negroni)
• • Dry Vermouth (think: Martini)

The Garnishes

You can take or leave garnishes, but if you’re up for it, they look fancy (and add to the fun):

• • Maraschino Cherries (artisan as opposed to artificial)
• • Mint leaves (and other herbs)
• • Citrus peel
• • Olives

Serve with Verve:

• Glasses: 6-8 each highball, Old Fashioned, and stem
• Bar cart: If you’ve got room, a bar cart doubles as eye candy. Simply roll it over for the party. (Keep it in a darker place when not in use; sunlight spoils spirits.)
• Tray: Whether on a bar cart or in place of one, trays take your setup to the next level (and keep them neat).

Accessories

Unless you develop a taste for more complicated liquid creations, there’s no need to get fancy:

• • Shaker (shaken cocktails)
• • Cocktail-mixing glasses (stirred cocktails)
• • Bar spoon
• • Springed strainer
• • Jigger (a.k.a. a shot glass, for measuring)
• • Muddler (for crushing herbs and citrus)
• • Ice bucket
• • Ice cube trays, smasher, Lewis bag
• • Tongs
• • Spirit decanter

Party Essentials:

• • Napkins (enough for few per guest)
• • Ice (for a crowd)
• • Recipe cards printed with your favorite cocktails (Call your favorite bar and ask for that recipe you love. Chances are they’ll be flattered and spill their secrets.)
• • Snacks (Fill bowls and dishes with spiced nuts, crackers and cheese, and pretzels.)

Bath Towels 101: How to Choose Towels

Shopping for towels is a touchy process. Sure, you want to buy towels that feel soft and luxurious, but what does ‘gram count’ really mean? And how do you tell the difference between Turkish cotton and Egyptian cotton or pick from a rainbow of colors and patterns? Before you throw in the towel too soon, take some time to read our handy guide below. We’ve gathered and grouped everything you need to know about how to choose towels into five key categories, from size and weight to construction, so that your search will go as smooth as possible.

• SIZE

Towels come in a variety of sizes that you’ll want to consider before your purchase. A standard bath towel for drying off after a shower or bath is 27” x 52”, while a bath sheet is slightly larger at 35” x 60”. A bath sheet offers more coverage, allowing you to fully wrap yourself. If you’re on the hunt for smaller options, hand towels are 16” x 30”, while square washcloths are 13” x 13”.

• WEIGHT

Bath towel density is measured in grams per square meter (GSM), and this number varies between 300-900. A 300-400-gram towel is thinner and lighter, making it ideal for the gym or the kitchen. These dry quicker than heavier towels. A 400-600 GSM is a medium weight towel that’s great for the beach, and can be used as everyday bath towels. And finally, a 600-900 GSM is dense and absorbent, which makes it feel extra luxurious but requires a bit more drying time. With our towels, we like to strike the perfect balance of thick, fluffy and absorbent, yet light enough to be quick-drying.

• COTTON TYPE

Everyday towels are often made of standard cotton. Egyptian cotton, on the other hand, is the more luxurious option because it’s made with longer, denser loops of thread that absorb moisture and trap warmth. Another highly absorbent and durable option? Turkish cotton.

• CONSTRUCTION

Towels made with combed cotton means that their fibers are combed to remove shorter threads and debris, leaving the strongest and longest threads to be woven into the bath towel. This process ensures durability and prevents pilling. Ringspun cotton is made with long and short fibers twisted to create a smoother, finer yarn while terry cloth is made with larger thread loops and woven with extra yarn. Also, look for towels made with banded edges to reduce fraying.

• STYLE

Towels can add the warm, finishing touch to a bathroom, so consider selecting a stack in a fun accent color or pattern. Another option is to stock your cabinets with colors based on the season (i.e., bright beachy colors in spring/summer, cooler colors in fall/winter). The most classic choice is fluffy white towels, which look timeless and work with any style or setting.

Notes on Care:

The best way to make your towels last longer is to take proper care of them. Before using your towels, wash them once to help set their color, improve absorbency and reduce any lint. Also, avoid using fabric softeners since they can leave residue and create stiff texture.

By putting a little time and energy into the selection process, you’ll find towels that add both style and comfort to your bathroom.

Some of the coolest ideas for DIY Art for your home.

Art For Your Walls

Though moving into a bland rental apartment with lots of decor limitations can be a bummer, it doesn’t mean you’ve got to stay stuck with a home you don’t love — or that doesn’t express your personality. Use one or more of these proven tricks for renters for a big impact on the look of your space — without spending a lot of money, either.

1. Paint or personalize an existing furniture piece

You might not be able to paint your walls thanks to a strict lease, but one of the easiest ways to inject a lot of personality into a room is by painting on a lot personality (in the form of color, texture or pattern) to an existing piece of furniture. Remember though, that you don’t have to do a lot to bring about a big personality change — even just a well-placed design detail can be attention grabbing and put your mark on a space.

2. Dabble in removable wallpaper

Wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to make a room scream “you,” but of course, if you can’t paint, you probably think you can’t have wallpaper, either. Well, you’d be wrong. Today’s selection of removable wallpaper is more impressive and personality-filled as ever, and worth delving into if you’re looking for something to really make your rental stand out. With a bold or colorful enough pattern you wouldn’t have to even use a lot; just one wall or one part of a wall could do the trick. And of course, you could use non-removable wallpaper in non-permanent ways (like framing) to add personality, too.

3. Layer rugs

Unless you’re quite lucky, you might not have the best floors in your rental. In fact you might even have old carpet. The thing you’re going to want to try is layering rugs. Though it’s true it might come off a bit bohemian (and if that’s not your style, this might not work for you), but layering small to medium rugs over floors you don’t love gives you control over disguising those floors, and creating your own hip look under your feet. And since buying smaller rugs to layer can be more affordable than buying big versions, you can save some money. Or you can try and keep to budget by DIYing patterns on more affordable rugs, too.

4. Nail the lamp game

You’re going to want to really ace the lamp lighting situation in your rental for several reasons. One — great lighting creates an undeniably awesome atmosphere that can make even the most blandest of blank rentals look warm and inviting. And two, dynamic lighting in a space is always a great addition to someone’s style. And since you might not be able to do any drilling in the walls or ceiling to hang pendants or install wall-mounted lights, upping your lamp game is a natural and easy way to add personality to a rental. Don’t neglect upping each individual lamp, either, by tackling old lampshades. It can be a fun DIY way to add a spot of color or pattern.

5. DIY big art

Hey if you can afford to buy a giant art piece, all the more to you. For the rest of us, we’ve got to get a little crafty to add personality to our rental spaces. A big DIY piece of art is an awesome way to do that (and depending on the project idea, could be easy too). If you can’t drill into your rental walls, consider leaning your art.

6. Incorporate big mirrors

Mirrors are one of the easiest ways to shake up the kind of wall decor you’ve got in your home, reflect a lot of light and, if you play your cards right, show off your personality, too. Look to thrift stores, Craigslist or garage sales to score really giant mirrors that you can DIY the frames of to add bold color or pattern.

7. Add temporary pattern in the kitchen or bathroom

The kitchens and bathroom of boring rentals can be some of the blandest rooms of the whole home. Often small and sometimes even windowless, when you’re stuck with plain white or beige cabinets and walls, you might feel a little confused about how to add personality into these spaces. So go straight for the backsplash. There are lots of ways you can use temporary products to mimic the look of boldly tiled backsplashes in the kitchen or bathroom that will make the place look like it got a remodel.

Material and Care At a Glance

Save your leftover coffee, coffee grounds and even coffee beans to use in  unexpected ways around the house.

-Next time you make a pot of coffee, pour some into ice cube trays. Once frozen, you can use them to chill iced coffee without diluting it.

-For smoother skin, mix coffee grounds into regular body lotion to make it exfoliating.

-Deodorize unpleasant kitchen smells (such as in the freezer or refrigerator) by placing a small bowl of coffee grounds anywhere you want odors absorbed.

-Rid stubborn smells from hands after cooking by gently rinsing them with coffee grounds.

-Coffee grounds can help clean grimy, grease-stained objects such as pots and pans – just be careful of light-colored items that might be stained.

-Diminish cellulite with this easy trick: Mix warm coffee grounds with any basic massage oil and rub onto skin. Caffeine (an ingredient found in many skin creams) can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

-Repel insects (particularly ants and slugs) by sprinkling coffee grounds anywhere you want to keep bugs out.

-Many experts say that coffee is the secret to ultra-shiny strands. Brew a pot of coffee, let it cool, and then rinse over wet hair in the shower.

-Fix light furniture scratches by rubbing damp coffee grounds onto the mark. You should see an instant improvement.

-Steep coffee grounds in hot water to make a natural, sepia-colored dye for Easter eggs or crafts.

-Liven up a clear decorative vase by putting coffee beans in the bottom, then use as a holder for makeup brushes or pens.

-The nitrogen in coffee grounds can help fertilize plants that require acidic soil, such as roses and hydrangeas.

-Before cleaning a fireplace, sprinkle any leftover ashes with coffee grounds to prevent dust and ash from polluting the air in the room.

-Keep pets out of the garden by sprinkling a mixture of coffee grounds and orange peels in the area.

-Absorb odors by sprinkling coffee grounds in the soles of dirty shoes.

-Coffee grounds are great for composting.

Baking soda can do a lot more than just sit in the back of the fridge. Try these easy tips and put baking soda to work in every room of your house!

1. Skip produce washes—just put some baking soda on a damp sponge, scrub and rinse.
2. Soak hair brushes and combs in a mixture of 1 teaspoon baking soda and a small amount of warm water. Rinse and dry.
3. Before you store your patio furniture for the season, scatter baking soda under chair cushions.
4. Keep your grill clean all summer long by putting some baking soda on a damp brush, scrubbing the grate, then rinsing.
5. Freshen rugs by sprinkling baking soda on carpet, wait at least 15 minutes (preferably let sit overnight), then vacuum up.
6. Add 1 cup of baking soda to your next load of laundry (along with your regular liquid detergent) to get clothes cleaner and brighter.
7. Remove baked-on residue by shaking a generous amount of baking soda on pots and pans. Then add hot water and dish detergent, let sit for 15 minutes and wash as usual.
8. Deodorize a funky-smelling hamper. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the hamper (or over dirty clothes) to keep items fresher until laundry day.
9. To brighten a dull floor finish, dissolve ½ cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water. Mop and rinse for a shiny floor.
10. Make your own bathroom scrub by mixing ¼ cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add vinegar to give it a thick, creamy texture.
11. To put out a grease fire, scatter baking soda over it by the handful to extinguish flames.
12. Clean the dishwasher and coffeemaker by running an empty cycle with baking soda.
13. Add ½ cup baking soda to your bath for an at-home spa treatment.
14. To shine tarnished silver, combine three parts baking soda with one part water. Rub onto silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
15. Sprinkle baking soda in the kitty box, then add litter on top to keep smells to a minimum. Or make a DIY litter, mixing a small box of baking soda with 3 inches of sandy clay.
16. Use baking soda to brush your pets’ teeth.
17. For instant relief from bug bites, sunburn and poison ivy, mix baking soda with a little water and apply it directly to the sore.
18. Pour in 1 cup baking soda followed by 1 cup hot vinegar to quickly unclog the kitchen drain.
19. Fight dandruff by tabling the shampoo for a few weeks and massaging your wet scalp with a handful of baking soda instead.
20. Gargle with baking soda, or use it as mouthwash.
21. Soak toothbrushes in a mixture of ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup water; let brushes stand overnight for a thorough cleaning.
22. Make a fluffier omelet by adding ½ teaspoon baking soda for every three eggs.
23. Use a pinch in a gallon of freshly-brewed iced tea, to take out the bitterness and prevent cloudiness.
24. Scatter baking soda on icy sidewalks―it’s not as corrosive as salt.
25. Discourage weeds by sprinkling baking soda into the cracks on your driveway and walkways.
26. Surround Fido’s food bowls with baking soda to keep pests away.
27. Mix a little baking soda into your conditioner and lather on your hair to keep it healthy and resistant to split ends.
28. Have heartburn? Create an antacid by mixing ½ teaspoon of baking soda with ½ cup of water.
29. To clean a toilet, add ¼ cup baking soda to the bowl, swirl, then scrub.
30. Exfoliate your skin with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to one part water. Apply gently with your fingertips in a circular motion, then rinse
31. To deodorize a drain, pour about ½ cup baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ cup vinegar. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clean residue. NOTE: Use this method only if your pipes are metal. And never mix with other cleaning solutions. Don’t try this if you’ve recently used a commercial drain product.

Decor Ideas