When relocating to a new area there are many difficult obstacles to overcome, like finding a new place to live, finding a date, finding your way around town and most importantly finding a job. With the economy threatening a recession and the unemployment rate escalating in many cities, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a job. Luckily, ForRent.com is making it easier for you to search for jobs in your area. If you visit the Relocation Center you can rummage through multiple job listing sites for openings and apply to ones that meet your skill set. So while the idea of moving to a new area is still scary, ForRent.com can help make the process a little bit easier. Visit ForRent.com and look for a new job today!

Spring is here! YAY!! But as the warm weather approaches, so does all the pollen and allergens that can aggravate your sinuses! Its not just outside allergens that can help create a Rudolph nose, but also the inside of your apartment! Here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful to allergy proof your home!

Concentrate on the Bedroom!

According to Angel Waldron of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, you spend about 80 percent of your time in your bedroom! So it’s logical that should be the first place you start. Believe it or not, dust mites live in your bed! Somewhere around two million of them! They take residence in your pillows, mattresses, bed springs, blankets and comforters. “These mites are the number one indoor allergen, and their population peaks in July and August.”[1] So do your part in controlling them and it’ll go a long way toward helping your allergies. Be sure to wash your linens in the hot cycle frequently. Another tip is to purchase allergen-proof pillows and bed covers. I had both of them growing up and they helped relieve my symptoms!

Manage the Pet Hair!

While I’m an animal lover as much as the next person, there is some pet dander that I just can’t be around-specifically cats! And apparently I’m not alone. “Approximately 10 million people are allergic to cat dander, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.”[2] Cats have the most allergens followed by dogs and rodents. So to control your animals’ dander make sure you keep your pet off your furniture, including your bed! Bathing your pet once a week also makes a big difference in cutting down on allergens.

Keep Pollen Out!

With the warmer weather coming, people tend to have their windows and back doors open to let in the fresh air. I know I love doing that! Turns out that could be a huge contributor to my allergies! Doing that brings the pollen inside your apartment! So if you don’t want the runny nose, watery eyes, and stuffed up feeling-keep those windows and doors closed! Especially during the time of day the pollen count is at it’s highest, which is between 5:00-10:00 am.

Get Rid of Mold!

Who wants mold in their apartment? I know I don’t! The very thought of it gives me the shakes, but it happens! The biggest hotspots for mold happen to be in your bathroom and your closet! The bathroom is one of the wettest places in your apartment. The combination of heat and dampness is optimal for mold growth. So make sure you do your part to prevent it from starting. A few tips to help with bathroom mold is to make sure you circulate the air before and after your shower. Use the fan during the shower and open the door for 5-10 minutes afterwards. Also be sure to stretch the shower curtain after your shower so all the water can drain and the material can dry out. Wash your bathtub, shower door, walls, etc, if you see any mold. Use rubber gloves and a mixture of bleach and water. Doing these few steps will not only prevent your allergies, but also your health and the appearance of your apartment!

So there you have it. A few tips I’ve learned from AOL Real Estate about how to allergy proof your apartment! I know this spring the outdoor allergens are going to create difficulty for some, but at least when you get inside you won’t have to worry about too many irritants!

Are you experiencing some difficulty decorating your apartment? As I’m sure you already know, decorating a small space so that it looks good and works well can be a challenge. There are several factors to take into consideration when you’re trying to figure out the style, space limitations, paint restrictions, budget, etc. So I’ve compiled some quick apartment decorating tips that should help get your creative juices flowing.

While you’re focusing on the aesthetics of your room make sure you remember it needs to be functional as well. You’ll need places to store your mail, groceries and paperwork. Whatever requires your daily attention must be readily available! You can have organization without sacrificing your style just by having colorful/patterned/textured containers to store those items in. Various shelving units also help with organization. Multi-functional pieces, such as storage ottomans which provide seating and storage, are a bonus as they make your smaller space work better for you.

If you’re in an apartment like mine, you aren’t allowed to paint the walls. This makes it tough to express your true design. However, there are plenty of alternatives to paint for putting color on your walls. For example, you can do a temporary mural, a large framed poster/artwork, fabric, etc. One thing I’ve tried at my apartment is cling stickers. I found them at the Dollar Store! In my guest bathroom there are little shells and fishes swimming on my walls! It’s completely different than any other decorative element I’ve tried, but it works and best of all: they don’t hurt the walls! So don’t be afraid to think outside the box when you are decorating your space.

Given that you may or may not be able to paint, accent pieces play an important role in getting the maximum impact. In any room you’ll notice the items that carry the most weight, meaning the items that have more vibrancy or add an interesting element to the space. They can include lamps, vases, curtains, pillows, etc. Whatever your motif, add an accent color, shape or pattern with these items; it’ll provide the extra glam that you’re looking for. For example, a paper lantern floor lamp or a unique arch lamp will create visual interest while being functional and cohesive to your design.

I hope these tips help you on your way to creating your stylish apartment. Do you have any more useful ideas to share? I know we’re all in the same boat trying to find unusual decorating ideas with our restrictions, so let your ideas flow!

You have enough on your plate this month with Easter rolling around, pictures needing to be taken and baskets to be assembled. Why not have your little ones help you out this Easter dinner? Below are really easy and simple recipes for you and your little helpers!

Edible Easter Bunny Salad



Ingredients:
Pear halves
Raisins
Miniature marshmallows or cottage cheese
Lettuce
Apple slices or Almonds

Directions:
Place a lettuce leaf on a plate. Add the pear half on lettuce, for body. Insert raisins for the eyes and nose. The ears are made from apple slices or almonds and a miniature marshmallow or cottage cheese become the bushy tail.

Banana Pops

Ingredients:
• 2 Bananas
• Honey (or melted chocolate)
• Dessicated Coconut (or rice krispies)
• Popsicle sticks
• Plates
• A baking dish lined with baking paper
Directions:
1. Peel the bananas, then cut them in half and push Popsicle sticks into the bottom of both pieces of banana.
2. First, Roll the bananas in some honey, and then in the coconut.
3. Place the banana pops on a baking tray lined with a sheet of baking paper and then freeze.
4. Your banana pops will be ready to eat the next day

Source: dltk-kids.com & amazingmoms.com

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

In the United States there are many festivities to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. It goes back to the first celebration in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737 where the first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade took place on March 17th.

From the major cities like Boston or New York to your home town. Here is a brief list of some major festivals, parades and events happening in the U.S. Feel free to add your city’s celebrations to our list!

Savannah, Georgia
Savannah’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade usually takes place on March 17th, regardless if it’s during the work week. However for 2008, the parade will take place on Friday, March 14th to honor Holy week in the Catholic faith. The parade route changes each year but usually travels through Savannah’s Historic Park District and Bay Street. In additional to the parade, Savannah’s Waterfront Association has an annual celebration on Historic River Street which mimics Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street.

New York City, New York
According to Wikipedia, the New York parade has become the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world with more than 150,000 marchers and close to 2 million spectators on the street! The parade marches up 5th Avenue in Manhattan and ends by the U.S. 69th Infantry Regiment.

Seattle, Washington
A unique fact I did not know is that Seattle and Galway, Ireland are sister cities given that Seattle has many Irish residents! The annual Irish Week Festival is enormous and includes activities such as Irish step dancing, food, historical and modern exhibitions and Gaelic lessons. It starts on March 14th and goes through the 17th.

Chicago, Illinois
The dyeing of the Chicago River has been a tradition for over 40 years. While many cities have tried to mimic it, none can get as true of a St. Patrick’s color as Chicago’s river can. This year the dyeing is to take place on March 15th. Chicago also has a St. Patrick’s Day parade that takes place on the same day.

San Francisco, California
On March 15th, San Francisco will have the 156th anniversary of its Saint Patrick’s Day parade. At the end of the race there will be a family festival with games, music and various other ‘green’ activities!

If you enjoy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, there are many options to choose from! Regardless of where you are, cheers to you having a great time!

Source: Wikipedia.com

We all know to wear green on St. Patty’s day or else you’ll get pinched! But do you know who the day actually celebrates? Do you know who Saint Patrick was and why he is remembered? If you’re like me and don’t know or simply want to read more on Irish culture, read on!

The holiday to commemorate St. Patrick takes place on March 17^th, the date on which Patrick is said to have died. He was taken into slavery by Irish Raiders and escaped after six years of captivity. Guided by visions from God, Patrick began religious training and returned to Ireland after his ordination to be a priest. Saint Patrick was known for bringing Christianity to Ireland so the Irish had a feast to honor him and from there the holiday has emerged. To many Irishmen this holiday is a religious one to memorialize St. Patrick and to others it is a day to celebrate their heritage and all things Irish. Originally March 17^th was a holiday in Ireland where all pubs were required to close, however in 1995 the Irish government decided that this would be a good day for tourism and a way to showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Today, especially in North America, there are many celebrations all over the world such as parades & festival, wearing green, eating Irish food and/or green foods and drinking is how’s it’s celebrated. The symbols of this holiday are usually leprechauns and shamrocks.

So this St. Patrick’s Day when you put on your green clothing and shamrock head bands, remember Saint Patrick and all he had done for Ireland.

“May good luck be your friend in whatever you do and

may trouble be always a stranger to you.”

-Irish Blessing

Source: History Channel

The warmer weather will be here soon. Everyone is starting to rummage through their home for ‘spring cleaning’ and getting organized for 2008. So while you’re focusing on the home front, why not consider an update to your home decor? According to MSN Shopping there are 5 trends that are really stylish for this spring.

Black & White

The pairing of these two serve as a perfect backdrop to a full spectrum of hues & shades of color. A current popular combination with black and white is accenting them with aqua and coral. Using them can add a cool, elegant and cosmopolitan appeal to your home. But if you’re looking for a classic look, explore variations of white such as warm ivories and icy arctic white. Using different textures (rugs, wall paper, furniture, etc.) around your space will complement each other nicely. I have loved the black and white combination since college and in my apartment I have this trend in my kitchen with the ever popular color aqua as an accent color on place mats and dishes.

Primary Colors

When you think of spring the typical color palette that comes to mind is pastels. However, this year that isn’t the case. Look for more tropical punch color combinations with vivid shades of cobalt blue, ruby red, deep forest green and splashes of juicy citrus colors. You could use this décor element for accent pieces such as pillows, vases and artwork.

Nature Inspired

The use of natural colors, textures and materials is gradually becoming a more popular trend in home décor. Peaceful colors like pale blues and minty greens work especially well in bedrooms and bathrooms. And I’ve seen numerous color schemes mimicking the ‘change of color’ season with burgundies, oranges and olive greens. Along with color, incorporating materials of nature such as bamboo and sticks work well in your design. A relatively inexpensive way to add interest and color to your room would be to frame botanical/forest prints.

Country Get-A-Way

A recent post of our ‘Romantic Get-A-Way on a Budget’ was about creating a one time get-a-way vacation for your loved one. Why not incorporate that into the design of your home instead of just for a holiday? If you particularly enjoy the simple life of country living, then have a room in your home focused around that. Use weathered, whitewashed wall treatments and handcrafted furniture. For inspiring ideas think of a faraway place and let your imagination run wild!

Beach House

Do you know a better way to have an airy, relaxed and comfortable feel to your home than by decorating it like a beach house? A casual and simple look would be a perfect retreat. Patterns in pastels and stripes work best and your color scheme should be limited to soft, natural shades like sky blue, aqua and peach. I personally have my bedroom and bathroom decorated in what I like to call ‘beach chic’. I have pale blue, cream, khaki and brown incorporated with bold stripes and touches of the ocean everywhere. To accomplish this look make sure you pay attention to detail by using seashells, driftwood or nautical instruments.

For the first time, it appears that I may be up with the trends. My apartment seems to be in good shape for decorating in 2008. What about yours?

Source: MSN Shopping; www.msn.com

Holidays are always the hardest time to stay on your eating plan. Sweet little temptations are constantly popping up. Seems like we’re still recovering from all the sugary snacks at Christmas and now we have to battle the constant chocolate ads everywhere for Valentine’s Day! So to try and help all you health consciences individuals, here are some tips to help you stay on your eating plan.

Obviously your best option to maintaining your healthy eating plan this Valentine’s Day is to cook dinner at home. Cooking at home will allow you to control the portions and ingredients being put into your meal. However, most people prefer to take their loved ones out during this holiday to show them how much they care. If you & your sweetie aren’t particular about how you celebrate, then opt for cooking at home. Not only is it healthier, but it’s almost always cheaper!!

Next tip is moderation. I’m not even going to say, ‘don’t eat sweets’ because that’s not realistic. Part of sticking to an eating plan is making realistic goals for yourself and you and I both know that not eating ANY kind of sweet on, or near, Valentine’s Day isn’t feasible! Especially since all these little goodies are around the office, your friend’s place, school, etc. So the big key here is to keep it in moderation. Try not to eat too much chocolate or candy, or cut a smaller piece of cake/pie/brownie/etc. Also try and pair your treat with some fruit. Eating a smaller piece of your indulgence with a piece of fruit will fill you up faster, while also preserving your eating plan. This moderation tip also applies to any alcoholic beverage you have at dinner. Although you are sharing a romantic evening with your special someone, try to limit yourself by only drinking one glass. Also make smart choices when it comes to your particular beverage; drinking a glass of wine has a lot less calories than a margarita!

The last and one of the most important tips is to exercise! If you are already setting your mind on the fact that you are going to treat yourself this Valentine’s Day, then make sure you exercise to counteract the effects. I know for myself, I am exercising just a little bit longer the day before, the day of and the day after, while also sticking to my normal eating routine. Hopefully my increased gym time will neutralize the increased sugar intake.

Do you have any useful tips to maintaining a healthy eating plan this Valentine’s Day?? Please share them!

Has someone ever done something truly romantic for you in your apartment? When you got home there was a little surprise? One time I went on a family vacation w/out my boyfriend and when I got back I had a dozen roses lying on my bed strategically mapped in the shape of a heart w/a card!

Given the season of love, we’re posting ideas for little romantic gestures for your special someone. Most of them don’t require too much preparation, but some preparation will make the act that much more meaningful!

- Cooking his/her favorite meal. This idea can be something elaborate such as a starting from scratch entree, sides and dessert. Or it can be something simple and intimate such as breakfast in bed. Either one will truly be appreciated & remembered!

- Organize a scavenger hunt! In your apartment you can place little items for your honey to find. Sweet notes or poems, little surprise gift boxes, etc. The amount of fun you’ll have planning it and he/she will have searching for it will be remembered for years to come! And always have it end in a place where you’ll meet him/her!

- Dancing! You and your sweetheart can dance the night away. This is more directed to men for women, as women would typically like this gesture more. But when she is doing something else, like cooking, just take her hand and ask for a dance. Music or not make no difference, just as long as you gaze into her eyes! (If you’re a talented singer, serenading her could be a nice touch!)

- Make a soothing & relaxing bath! This tip is also more directed to men for women, as women would typically like this gesture more. However, that’s not to say that some men wouldn’t! When he/she gets home from work, have rose petals leading to the bathroom in your apartment. Candles already lit and peaceful music (or whatever kind of music he/she would prefer) playing. This little gesture will be greatly appreciated as most people don’t take the time to pamper themselves-even when they REALLY need it!!

- Make a picnic in front of the fireplace in your apartment! So you have this awesome amenity in your apartment-a fireplace. Ever used it? Why not make a romantic evening centered around it? Have a blanket laid out in front, a warm fire going, and food that you’ll both enjoy. After dinning, cuddle up next to one another!

- Movie night! Whatever kind of movie your sweetie is into, be sure and rent (or purchase) several in the genre. Even go as far as preparing ‘normal’ movie theater food. Such as popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, candy, soda, etc. Have the lights off and enjoy ‘snacking’ while watching his/her favorite flicks! (A big factor in your sweetie enjoying this is if you don’t complain about his/her movie preferences!)

What romantic gestures have someone done for you? Did a room in your apartment get a total makeover? Let us know! Sharing ideas with us will help someone else this Valentine’s Day!!

Anyone from Virginia can tell you that ‘Virginia is for LOVERS’ has been our tag line for many years. It’s on at least 80% of the tourist merchandise sold at Virginia Beach’s oceanfront!

Hand in hand, Virginia and Valentine’s Day truly is for LOVERS! This great state offers romantic settings and picturesque landscape for your special day. From the boardwalk at Virginia Beach’s oceanfront, to the nightlife in downtown Norfolk; from the spectacular scenery of the Appalachian Trail to the beautiful and historic inns of Williamsburg, Virginia has everything to offer you and your special someone during Valentine’s Day and all year long!

So what does the LOVERS state have in store this Valentine’s Day? There are Wine Country Tours of Virginia’s majestic Wineries taking place from February 9^th-17^th. At Breaux Vineyards there is a Chocolate and Cabernet weekend on February 9^th-10^th, bringing two enticing elements for Valentine’s Day-chocolate and wine! The Cooper’s Landing Inn Romantic Valentine Dinner, the James River Plantation Valentine’s Candlelight Dinner & Tour as well as the Land Rover America’s Polo Cup Valentine’s Gala which all take place on February 14^th.

Virginia has magnificent attractions for all LOVERS! So this Valentine’s Day celebrate it right, with the state that accommodates you and your special someone! Go to Virginia!

Source: Virginia.org