Fancy living in the Modern Family house? Well, you can!

Lifestyle

Mar 14, 2014

The Dunphy house featured in ABC’s Modern Family is up for sale for $2.35million.

The house is situated in the Los Angeles neighbourhood, Cheviot Hills.

The house is listed by LA Luxury Real Estate and has four bedrooms.

Though a few scenes were shot in the home, they are now mostly done at studios, though the exterior continues to be used.

It has also been reported that in exchange for the use of the exterior, the new owner could get a fee from ABC studios.

We wonder what real estate agent, Phil Dunphy, would think of this!

The home was first sold in 2006 for $1.97million.

Even more lies from the Kardashian Kamp

Uncategorized

Mar 12, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It seems Kris Jenner’s family home was not the only fake house to be shown on Keeping Up with The Kardashians as the truth comes out about Kourtney Kardashian’s home.

The eldest Kardashian sibling has admitted that the home they used on E!’s reality show is very different from the home the 34-year-old shared with her soon-to-be husband Scott Disick for three years.

According to RadarOnline, the couple sold their home in 25435 Prado de Las Peras, after they purchased Keyshawn Johnson’s Calabasas home at the start of the year.

However, the home they apparently lived in during the show was number 4532 and is an entirely different house from the one they sold.

The mum-of-two’s sister Kim Kardashian insists the lie was for the family’s safety.

She said: “My old home in Beverly Hills was really my home and I would get people showing up at all hours, ringing my gate and had to call the police on several occasions. It was so unsafe … After that we realized how unsafe it is to show the exteriors of our homes.”

10 hobbies that are way more fun than watching TV

Lifestyle

Mar 10, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It’s time to go old-school.

Put down the laptops, phone, switch off the TV and get happy!

These hobbies will give you a sense of well-being – see which one suits you best.

1. Reading
Join a library and get lost in the thousands of other worlds out there.

2. Cooking
Cooking may look stressful on the TV shows but in your kitchen it can be a relaxing and tasty hobby to have. Your family and friends will definitely appreciate it!

3. Walking/Hiking
Get out there and see the world on foot. It’s far more beautiful that way. Check out all of the amazing walks that are right on your doorstep.

4. Running
Running is almost a therapeutic activity for so many people. Start with a walk-jog-walk if you are new to it. You will find running will be your time to think and be free.

5. Knitting
This hobby isn’t just for your nan! Who doesn’t love a warm woolly scarf in autumn? Pick your own colours and click, click away content and relaxed.

6. Candle-making
A cheaper way to make your home smell lovely. Great for giving as gifts too!

7. Writing
Write anything you want: poetry, short stories, your day, anything! Just write. As Hélène Cixous said: “Write yourself. Your body must be heard.”

8. Gardening
It is very rewarding to see a garden come to live from your own work. Even if you don’t have a garden, that shouldn’t stop you from growing herbs on your kitchen sill.

9. Decorating
Get into home improvement! Use your home as a blank canvas and make it into whatever you like. Use DIY as much as you can for personal touches.

10. Jewellery-making
There is so much inspiration out there, choose your style and create it!

Clever ways to reuse old scarves

Lifestyle

Mar 3, 2014

by Amber Saunders

If you have old scarves lying about that you never wear but still can’t bear to part with, use these tips and recreate something fab!

1. Pillows
Put your sewing skills to the test and create a unique pillow for your couch or bed.

2. Stylish camera sling
If you’re going on holiday or travelling, create a stylish and comfy sling for holding your camera around your neck.

3. Pictures
If you have a particularly pretty patterned scarf then why not frame it and hang it on your wall.

4. Skirt
A scarf can make the perfect skirt – just make sure it’s secure! If you like it enough you can always make the change permanent with a sewing machine.

5. Belt
Twist your scarf around a belt for a burst of colour and pattern on a plain outfit.

6. Ballet bows
Dress up your plain ballet flats with a cute bow made from the fabric of an old scarf.

5 ways vinegar can make your home gleam and smell fresh

Lifestyle

Feb 26, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Plain old white vinegar has the ability to clean your home from top to bottom. It brings up a great shine on tiles and silver and has amazing deodorizing properties.

Use vinegar in the following ways for an economical and thorough way of cleaning your home.

1. Tiles
Mix vinegar with some warm water and use on your tiles to bring up a great shine and get rid of stains.

2. Microwave
Use vinegar to shift those tough stains in your microwave.

3. Stainless steel hob
Using vinegar on your hob will make the silver gleam and break down any food residue.

4. Drains
Because of its incredible deodorizing properties, vinegar can clear up any lingering smells caused by your drain. If mixed with some baking soda it can also unclog your drains.

5. Smelly rooms
Whether it’s smoke, wet dog or perhaps that salmon from last night, vinegar is the solution! Simply place a bowl of vinegar in the area that smells and wait for an hour or two. Although it will smell like vinegar for a while, once you throw it away all the offending smells will have disappeared! Magic.

5 things to collect that will look good in your home

Lifestyle

Feb 24, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Collecting things is fun, they can look good and it’s a way of making memories. These items will make your home cute and kitsch.

1. Books
Books entice everybody – guests will love scanning your shelves and seeing what you like to read. There are so many great ways to put your books on display, you’ll easily find one to suit your home.

2. Teapots
Teapots are homely and there are so many beautiful ones out there. Put them on display or even out in the garden with flowers in them.

3. Seashells
Collect seashells from every beach you go to. When you have enough, you can create a framed display with the name of the beach underneath. Perfect for the bathroom.

4. Clocks
Clocks come in so many shapes and sizes, hang them on a wall for a unique presentation. They will have to be for aesthetics only though, unless you want to go crazy from all the ticking!

5. Teacups
Teacups are always cute and give a soft, feminine touch to your home. Collect them in all colours and patterns for a shabby-chic feel. Use them as quirky pots for small plants for your windowsills.

Lauren Conrad sells her Laguna Beach home for how much?!

Lifestyle

Feb 21, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It looks as if Lauren Conrad is cutting ties with her hometown and moving on!

Her beach house in Laguna, pictured below, has now been listed on the property market for $2.795 million and is a three bedroom house with a bright and spacious kitchen and living room. Built in 1966, in a Cape Cod inspired style, this home was bought by Conrad in 2009 for $2 million.

The reality star, who recently became engaged to William Tell, currently resides in a property, pictured below, in Brentwood, California which she purchased last April.

Impractical things we really want in our dream house

Lifestyle

Feb 19, 2014

by Amber Saunders

These features are either ridiculous or ridiculously expensive – so why do we want them so badly?

1. An aquarium sink

2. A swing-set table

3. A bathroom with a terrifying glass floor

4. An indoor slide

5. A town in a kid’s room

Furnishing your home with wooden pallets

Lifestyle

Feb 17, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Who knew these wooden pallets could have so many great uses? And we’re not even sure what they’re for in the first place, to be honest.

Find inspiration on how to cheaply and simply update your home for a rustic look – we love all of these!

Wooden pallets can be used as base for a sofa, a headboard, the base of a bed (if you can afford a mattress and not a bed this is genius!) or a lovely coffee table.

Creating the perfect office or study space

Lifestyle

Feb 14, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It’s difficult to study or work from bed (no matter how hard we try) because we associate it with sleep and rest.

In the same way, it is difficult to study or work in the living room because we normally watch TV and switch off mentally in there.

A space needs to be created in which you can stimulate yourself and be in full mental capacity. Use our tips to make your creative space a haven.

1. A window
A space with a window means you will be able to air the room efficiently and this will drastically improve your concentration. Rooms that are hot and stuffy may feel cosy but will also make you feel sleepy.

2. Plants
Having one or two plants in your study/work space will allow the air to be purified as well as aesthetically pleasing. See which plants require the least attention.

3. Inspirational quote
Hang up some inspirational quotes, either your own ones or famous ones, to remind yourself what you are working so hard towards and what you want to achieve.

4. Brightness
A bright room with lots of natural light will be more enjoyable to work in as well as more stimulating for the mind. Light coloured furnishing and walls will help you concentrate better than darker colours which are more associated with relaxing.

5. Noticeboards
Use one noticeboard for important reminders and another for more fun things like photos of friends and family, funny quotes, cinema stubs etc.

5 ways to make your home cosier

Lifestyle

Feb 12, 2014

by Amber Saunders

1. Warm colours
If your walls and furniture portray a warmth, you’ll notice an instant change. Oranges, reds, greens and browns are much cosier colours than whites or pastels.

2. Mixed fabrics
Mix your fabrics and patterns to add a sense of cosiness to your living room. Mismatched pillows and blankets will make the room instantly snug.

3. Plants, herbs and flowers
The addition of some nature into your home will not only purify the air but it is aesthetically pleasing.

4. Wood
The addition of wooden furniture, panels or floors to your home will make it feel warm. Think about the portrayal of cosiness you get when you think of the inside of a ski chalet. Bring that to your home!

5. Candles and scent
Candles give a home a dim, romantic light and calmness. Smell is also a very powerful way to give your home a cosy feeling, it’s as simple as putting some orange peel into a saucepan – click here to learn how!

6. Embrace your clutter
Cosy homes are ones that embrace book collections, duck figurine collections and all types of memorabilia. Cosy homes are not minimalist.

Indestructible houseplants

Lifestyle

Feb 10, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Plants are really important in a home not only to add atmosphere and decoration but also to help purify the air.

It can be difficult with a busy, hectic lifestyle to find the time to care for plants which is why they inevitably die.

We’ve chosen our favourite indoor plants that require little attention and maintenance while still getting all of the benefits of having greenery in your home – perfect!

1. Rubber Plant
This plant requires medium light and is quite a striking plant to have in your home.

2. Peace Lily
The perfect Irish home plant this requires low light and low humidity.

3. English Ivy
This pretty plant requires moist soil and a cooler temperature than many other indoor plants.

4. Jade Plant
This is a really long-lasting plant that requires little watering but bright light so keep it on a window sill for maximum growth.

5. Aspidistra elatior
This plant is nicknamed the “cast-iron” plant as it is virtually indestructible surviving in the hands of even the most negligent of owners. Low light and low humidity.