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 Magnetic ideas can come from anywhere! As the cold Winnipeg winter sets in so does the imprint of your seat on the couch, but there are plenty of fun crafts that can cure your winter blahs and brighten up your apartment. Let’s start with decorative magnets.
Personalized Magnets
Personalized magnets are fun to create and can make cute little gifts for the favourite people in your life. To get started, stop by a craft store such as Michaels and pick up a package of adhesive magnet sheets. You may also be able to find the sheets at your local Dollarama. The sheets are already adhesive, so the only other materials you need are scissors, photos or old magazines. Simply pull the paper off the back of the magnetic sheet, affix your chosen images and cut them out in whatever shape you’d like.
Here are some inspirational ideas to get your wheels turning:
Magnetic Poetry
Poetry magnets have been popular in stores for ages but they’re easy to create yourself. Go through old magazines and cut out words or sentences that inspire you — the more eclectic the colour and font the better. If you’re making your decorative magnets as a gift, think about a theme that’s fitting for the person or occasion –friendship, happiness, congratulations, or even just plain silliness.
Magnetic Photos
Digital photos are readily accessible now thanks to the Internet. Go through your Facebook page or Flickr account and find some photos you enjoy. You can print them on most digital printers. If you don’t have a printer, copy the photos to a flash drive and take them to your local Walmart Photo Centre for printing. The digital booths at Walmart also allow you to add text or borders to your photos to make them especially personalized and unique.
Paint Swatches
Websites like Kuler are great for colour and design inspiration. And you can make your own seasonal creations by grabbing some paint samples from Home Depot or McDiarmid Lumber, cutting out the colour squares you like and turning them into magnets.
The possibilities are endless. What creations will you come up with?
Tags: apartment crafts, apartment life, craft ideas, crafts for Winnipeg winter, decorative magnets, how to make decorative magnets, magnetic photos, magnetic poetry, personalized magnets, Winnipeg apartment life, winnipeg crafting, Winnipeg crafts, winter craft ideas
 Uncategorized | admin January 27, 2012 |  Comments (0)
 Delicious Garlic Chicken Wings! After the holidays we all want to start watching our wallets and our waistlines – easier said than done.
The cold weather can make you feel sluggish, and picking up dinner on the way home to your Winnipeg apartments is often a more attractive option than taking the time to cook. Cooking your own meals however, even if just for one, is a great way to save money. It’s also much healthier than living off of take-out food. Below are a few ideas for easy, cost effective and healthy cooking at home.
It Starts at the Grocery Store
Planning your meals in advance just plain works. Try to choose recipes that use similar ingredients. That way you won’t be discouraged from buying items that can perish quickly, like fruits and vegetables. For example, steamed asparagus can be cooked all at once and you can set aside some to add to a salad later in the week.
Buying larger amounts of non-perishable staples is always a good idea. Things like rice and canned soups can be bought on sale and are very versatile for cooking delicious meals. Many soups have healthy recipes right on the label that you can cook and freeze for use as leftovers or lunches throughout the week. Items like meat and cheese can also be portioned into Ziploc bags and put in the freezer for later use.
Recipes Online
Even if you don’t have cookbooks laying around your apartment, you can always find recipes online. Sites like epicurious and allrecipes let you search for recipes by specific ingredients, which is especially handy when you’re looking to use up anything in your fridge. You can also set up online binders with programs like livebinders, to save, organize and make notes on recipes you like.
Try Creating Take-Out Classics at Home
Sometimes you just crave the taste of take-out food. There are actually quite a few take-out style foods you can make quite easily at home. Below are a few links to videos and resources that show you how to cook take-out food for less in your Winnipeg apartment. And they even include some Sushi!
Take-Out Recipe Videos:
• Fried Rice
• Fried Pickles
• Spicy Tuna Rolls (Sushi)
• Garlic Ginger Chicken Wings
Take-Out Recipe Links:
• Quick & Easy: Classic take-out recipes ready in 30 minutes (Canadian Living)
• Quick Better-Than-Take-Out Recipes (Martha Stewart)
• Take-Out-Inspired Recipes (Good Housekeeping)
• 9 Take-Out Classics, Done At Home (Huffington Post, Food52.com)
Happy Cooking!
Tags: apartment cooking, cooking in your Winnipeg apartment, dining on a budget, meal planning, online recipes, take-out recipe links, take-out recipe videos, take-out recipes, takeout recipe links, takeout recipe videos, takeout recipes, Winnipeg apartment cooking
Winnipeg Apartment Ideas | admin January 16, 2012 | Comments (0)
 Who's doing the dishes tonight? Sharing a living space can be difficult. No matter how well you get along with your potential roommates, you need to understand that there will be challenges once you start living together, especially in the dishes department.
Even if you’re lucky enough to have a Winnipeg apartment equipped with a dishwasher, problems are bound to arise. Below are some tips to keep the inevitable dishes war at bay.
Scheduling Works
Creating a dishwashing schedule is a good idea when first moving in together. Take 10 minutes to create some guidelines. Should dishes be done once a day? If your schedules are similar, maybe the person who cooks should be exempt from washing the dishes. Alternating weeks is also an option. Also keep in mind that schedules can be interrupted, so try to stay open to compromise.
Communication Can Prevent…
Talking to each other is important. Even if you think your roommate is the worst dish dumper in the history of apartment living, there are likely some things that you do that make them equally crazy so, think before you explode. Ask yourself: is there a reason my roommate is neglecting to follow our dishwashing agreement? Taking the time to discuss problems with an open mind is guaranteed to bring better results than brooding about them silence.
Making It Easier
Rinsing dishes after you use them is a great way to prevent an ugly, smelly dish pile and it only takes two seconds. Using parchment paper or aluminum foil to line baking dishes is another way to avoid sticky situations.
Dirty dishes are inevitable, but with a little roommate communication and compromise your dishwashing conundrum can be quashed without starting a full-blown war.
Okay. You wash. I’ll dry.
 Clutter free! We’re on the cusp of 2012, which means a new year and a fresh start for your Winnipeg apartment. Although right now your mind may be focused on where you’re going to celebrate the New Year, come Monday your going to want to focus on what you can do to make 2012 your best year ever. The key to your success begins at home. Below are a few tips for starting off 2012 on the right foot.
De-Clutter Your Apartment
Unless your Winnipeg apartment has a storage locker you may find yourself holding on to a lot of things that you rarely use. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself when was the last time you used something and when are you planning to use it in the future. If you’re unsure of either answer it might be time to let it go. Pack up CDs, books and clothes you no longer use and donate them to Goodwill. Not only will you feel better about less clutter, you’ll also get some good karma for the New Year. Read more de-cluttering tips here.
Rearrange Your Furniture
A change of scenery is always a nice way to start off the New Year and a great motivator to keep those positive changes coming. Before you start moving things around on a whim take the time to plan it out. Take a piece of paper and map out your idea. It also helps to take some measurements so you know your efforts won’t be in vain.
Consider things like electrical outlets and wall hangings when creating your plan; there’s no point in moving your television to the other side of the room if it will hide your favorite painting or leave you with no place to plug it in.
You may not have the same manpower you had during your initial move into your Winnipeg apartment so try a product like EZ Moves Furniture Sliders to help you move heavier furniture without damaging floors. Similar products can also be purchased at Home Depot, McDiarmid Lumber and even Walmart.
Get Your Spring Cleaning Done Early
When rearranging your furniture make sure to take the opportunity to get a good cleaning done, especially in all those crevices you’ve ignored in your regular cleaning routine. If you have numerous carpets in your Winnipeg apartment you may even want to rent a Rug Doctor and really get a deep down clean.
It sounds like a lot of work, but take it one room at a time and in just one day you’ll feel like a new person – which is always a wonderful way to start off the New Year!
Happy New Year!
Tags: de-clutter your apartment, de-cluttering tips, de-cluttering your apartment, declutter your apartment, decluttering tips, decluttering your apartment, how to declutter your Winnipeg apartment, how to-de-clutter your Winnipeg apartment, reorganize your Winnipeg apartment, Winnipeg apartment decorating
Winnipeg Apartment Ideas | admin December 31, 2011 | Comments (0)
 Happy Holidays! It’s the holidays and that means spending time with family and friends, but it also means budgeting. If you’re planning on hosting any holiday gatherings in your Winnipeg apartment here are a few tips to ensure your get-together is safe and fun for your guests while also being courteous to your neighbours.
Food
Snacks are a must have for every get-together but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a bundle on an extravagant feast. Hosting a potluck where everyone brings an appetizer is one option, but you can also create easy delicious appetizers that will wow your guests without breaking the bank. These tried-and-true recipes are easy and always a hit:
Entertainment
Create a holiday playlist with smooth festive songs to play quietly in the background when guests stop by. Couple your holiday playlist with some cinnamon scented candles and your apartment will feel festive even if you don’t have a tree. Kids are easily bored by adult conversation and babysitters can be difficult to find so, if you have any friends with children, have a go-to holiday kids movie for them to watch. A few fun family movies to consider are How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express, or Home Alone. Or, if you want to get out for a few hours with the kids, check out the new holiday movie listings at WinnipegMovies.com.
Gifts
As much as you’d love to buy gifts for all of your friends, time and money are not always permitting, but you can make small gifts quickly and on a budget. One idea is to make a dry rub such as Cajun spice for holiday cooking and put it in little jars with ribbons around them. Gifts like this are thoughtful, useful, easy and affordable.
Don’t Forget to be Courteous and Safe
Always keep the noise level to a minimum and, if you know guests will be stopping by, let your neighbours know ahead of time or invite them over to mingle. Having a list of cab numbers on your fridge is always a good idea. Take the time to check the Yellow Pages and make a list of the lesser-used cab companies like Spring Taxi. They give great service and they’re usually much quicker.
Wishing you a safe, warm and wonderful holiday!
Tags: entertaining on a budget in your Winnipeg apartment, holiday apartment ideas, holiday appetizers, holiday ideas for Winnipeg apartments, holiday movies, Winnipeg apartment Christmas ideas, Winnipeg apartment holiday ideas, Winnipeg Apartment Ideas, Winnipeg movies, Winnipeg taxi services
Winnipeg Apartment Ideas | admin December 23, 2011 | Comments (0)
 Yikes! Don't let your apartment freezer get to this point. Decorating and maintaining a kitchen in your Winnipeg apartment is not always an easy task. Whether you have limited cupboard space, older appliances, or little to no counter space, the challenges can sometimes seem endless. Below are a few tips for making the most of your space and maintaining your appliances.
Cupboard Storage
An easy way to double your cupboard space is by making use of all of it. Plastic shelving tables can be purchased at most dollar stores or at Walmart. Placing these over your stacked plates can give you an extra surface for storing more dishes or pantry items. Another option is to screw hooks into the tops of the cabinets to hang mugs and cups, freeing up the base of the cupboard shelf for storage.
If you have minimal pantry space try putting a Tupperware container underneath your sink for imperishable items. Decorative canisters for coffee, flour, sugar and rice are also a nice way to free up some space, as they can be placed on top of the refrigerator.
Defrosting your Refrigerator
Not all fridges require regular defrosting but it can be very helpful for even newer, frost-free models. Defrosting helps your apartment refrigerator run more efficiently and cool at the proper temperature, which will also save you money on electricity. When planning to defrost, keep the purchasing of perishable items to a minimum and store what’s left in your fridge in a cooler or a box with ice so that nothing spoils. eHow Home has a great step-by-step guide to defrosting your fridge.
Cleaning your Oven
If you’re starting with a fairly clean oven, one way to keep cleaning easy, economical and at a minimum is by using a mixture of baking soda and water. Mix equal parts in a spray bottle, coat any black grimy areas once a day when the oven is COOL and let it sit. If you spray when the oven is HOT you’ll have a whole new mess on your hands. Use the cool spray technique for a week and then wipe down the oven with a damp cloth. The result will be an odorless, clean oven. Drip trays under the burners are removable and fairly easy to clean with dish soap and hot water. Don’t wait until they get too dirty, or your kitchen will fill with smoke whenever you use an element.
No one really enjoys cleaning, but a small amount of regular effort will result in peace of mind and a much happier living space!
 Black and White. Simple but classy. Winnipeg bachelor apartments can be tricky to decorate, especially if you have little or no interest in home décor. Personally, you want your Winnipeg apartment to be a comfortable living space, especially when the winter chill sets in, but you also want to avoid looking like a clueless decorator when you have company. Don’t fret fellows! It’s not as difficult or expensive as you might think, as long as you adhere to some simple rules.
Furniture
Stick to basic colours to avoid guesswork. Simple black and white colour schemes are both classy and masculine while allowing you to add little pops of colour that will never look out of place.
Leather couches are a great investment and they’re easy to clean, which means you won’t have to worry as much about spills when you’re chilling with the boys.
Instead of a whole bedspread ensemble for a bed that will inevitably never get made, try a simple duvet with a fitted sheet. Shake out the duvet when necessary, spread neatly over your sleeping area and voila! Bed made in less than 30 seconds.
Organization
Find an entertainment unit with several cupboards and drawers to keep knick-knacks and remote controls out of sight. If you have an octopus of wires connecting your many electronics, keep them tidy and hidden by securing them with twist ties.
Bookshelves can double as both room dividers and storage space. If you’d like to keep the contents of the bookshelf hidden, cover them with a solid coloured tablecloth, which can easily be cleaned by tossing into the wash.
Decorating
Keep it simple and easy. Take some outdoor photos with a camera or Smartphone and have them printed in black and white at a Walmart Photo Centre. Hang them on the walls with some black or stainless steel frames and you’ll instantly bring consistency to your decorating.
Plants are also a great idea for adding a little life to a smaller space. Find something easy to care for like a cactus or some bamboo shoots in a vase.
You’re now officially a tasteful bachelor apartment decorator!
 Did you remember to plug your car in? “Will my car start today?”
Now that winter has officially arrived, you won’t be the only one asking that question.
One way to ensure stress free winter parking at your Winnipeg apartment is to plug in your vehicle. Over the past several years Globe General Agencies has made conscious efforts to conserve energy and the environment by installing Intelligent Parking Lot Controller (IPLC) plugs for all our Winnipeg apartments.
IPLC plugs are set to deliver a certain percentage of power depending on the outside temperature. This helps to conserve energy by not wastefully delivering power when it is not required.
As the outside temperature gets colder, the IPLC plugs at your apartment are designed to increase the time that power is delivered to your vehicle. Many experts state that a vehicle only needs to be plugged in when the outside temperature reaches -20 °C, and that at most, it only needs to be plugged in for approximately 2-3 hours.
You might notice flashing lights on the IPLC plugs, but don’t be concerned! If there are no lights visible you need to contact the on-site Resident Manager at your apartment so that we can resolve the issue. If you notice the green or red light flashing however, it could mean that there is an issue with your vehicle and you may need to have your cord or plug checked.
Thanks for helping us conserve energy! Stay warm!
 Quilts make beautiful wall hangings when secured properly. Hanging paintings, pictures, quilts and other decorative items in Winnipeg apartments isn’t always a straightforward task.
Your hanging method will vary depending on the type of walls in your apartment and the size and weight of the object. Below are a few things to consider with regards to safely and securely adorning your apartment walls.
Know Your Walls
All walls are not alike. Many newer apartments have drywall, which is fairly easy to perforate with a nail, but many older Winnipeg apartments have plaster walls, which require special attention due to the possibility of cracking.
If you’re unsure about what kind of walls you have, ask your landlord. Also note that if you create any holes in your apartment walls, you are required to fill them in before you leave or you risk losing your damage deposit.
Plaster Walls
When dealing with plaster walls you must be very delicate in an effort to avoid cracks and chips. Adhesive hooks are by far the easiest hanging solution to use on these types of walls, but are not always an option due to bumpy surfaces.
It is often a good idea to use masking tape on the area of the plaster wall where you plan to drill or nail. This will help prevent any future cracking or chipping. And if you’re hanging something a little heavier using a wall anchor, drill a smaller pilot hole first, before making the larger hole to fit the anchor.
Don’t Forget the Basics
We all know the saying “measure twice, cut once.” This is also true for multiple wall hangings or objects requiring more than one nail to secure. There is nothing worse than going through all the trouble of hanging something only to realize that you’ve made the holes too close together or too far apart.
Take a pencil, mark where you want to hang your object(s), and measure the distance you would like to have between the items or the nails TWICE. Follow this by drawing a line from mark A to mark B (don’t worry, pencil is fairly easy to erase from walls), then hold a level on the line to make sure your object will display straight.
If you don’t have a level you can download a free level app for your smart phone that works great in a pinch.
Happy hanging!
Tags: apartment walls, decorating apartment walls, hanging things on plaster walls, how to hang a quilt, how to hang pictures, plaster walls, wall hanging tips, wall hangings, winnipeg apartment walls, Winnipeg apartments
Winnipeg Apartment Ideas | admin November 21, 2011 | Comments (0)
 Holiday apartment decorating on a budget. Cozy snowman. The holiday season is fast approaching and you may want to start decorating your Winnipeg apartment just to get into the festive spirit. Decorating an apartment however, can be a bit more complicated than decorating a house. Below are a few tips for giving your Winnipeg apartment a holiday feel – safely and without breaking the bank.
Holiday Décor
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on decorating your apartment in an effort feel festive. A glass bowl filled with bright coloured Christmas tree balls is a simple way to brighten your living room. Or try filling different sized mason jars with pine needles and small tree ornaments and line them up on a shelf.
Christmas Trees
Real Christmas trees aren’t usually allowed or recommended for apartment dwellers due to fire safety regulations. Furthermore, when real trees start to dry out, taking them down and getting them out of your apartment can be a messy, dangerous hassle.
If you would really like a tree why not try a small artificial tree. They’re safe, easy to put up and most of them can actually look as nice as a real tree. Canadian Tire has a good selection of artificial trees at reasonable prices. You can also try Kijiji or a second hand store if you’re not looking to invest too much money.
Lights that Save Money
If you’re planning on putting up an artificial tree, make sure to get energy saving lights such as LED lights, to do your part for the environment and keep your hydro bill at a minimum. You might think that wrapping paper and packaging are the leading environmental killers during the holiday months, but experts say that Christmas lights are the major culprit.
To get an idea of how much your Christmas lights are costing you, try this online energy cost calculator. You might be surprised. Candles are a beautiful option and they don’t use electricity, but you must remember NEVER to leave lit candles unattended. To be on the safe side, mini-electric tea lights give the warm glow and realistic flicker of candles without the hassle. They’re quite affordable and can be purchased at most home décor stores such as Jysk.
Have fun getting festive!
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