Promising review: “I originally bought the 7-inch moon for my husband as a gift of ‘I love you to the moon and back’ for our anniversary… Well, I loved his moon so much that I kept stealing it from our bedroom and taking it to the living room. So I bought myself the 5.9-inch moon to compare sizes and have one to call my own. As it turns out, the slightly smaller 5.9-inch one is just as amazing as the 7-inch.
These moons charge up fast with a cord (with a cool ‘blue moon’ color when charging) and then once charged, they are completely free from cords or any connection dependence. They light up with a very detailed real moon surface design in white or yellow, and it will totally mesmerize you. You can literally ‘hold the whole moon in your hand’ and use it as a cordless and battery-free lamp, a nightlight, a lantern, or quasi-candle in the dark. The wood stand is sleek and super easy to assemble, and is a perfect accent to any room décor. These moons are the best gift for friends, family, co-workers, kids, pets and spouses.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four sizes and three colors).
The stigma attached to cockroaches makes them the nemesis of all apartment dwellers. Seeing roaches inside an apartment causes all kinds of issues, which is why nobody wants them around. Fortunately, there are concrete steps for how to get rid of roaches in your apartment.
Are roaches common in apartments?
The awful truth is that roaches are common everywhere. According to Pegasus Pest Control, cleanliness does play a role in what attracts roaches to a particular residence though. “There are living conditions that will suit cockroaches more. Like us, they need food and water to survive.”
Having a home where food gets left out or a kitchen with crumb-covered counters is a definite welcome sign for roaches. Things like dirty dishes left in the skink too long and even pet food sitting out in your dog’s bowl can both contribute to a roach problem. Especially in an apartment building where another tenant is on the messy side, if you’re not keeping things clean, the roaches already in the building may pay you a visit.
It’s best to assume all apartment buildings have roaches, maybe even a few different kinds. Whether it’s only a few or a larger population, behave proactively in your own space to keep them at bay.
What’s causing the roach issue?
You may lump all roaches into one category of creepy crawlies, but there are actually different types that can cause a cockroach infestation.
The most visible type are German cockroaches. These are small and light brown and don’t get longer than about 3/4 of an inch. You can identify German roaches by the two stripes visible on the plate behind their head. A German cockroach will live anywhere but prefers inner-city environments. These guys are pretty resilient to insecticides, so you may have to think outside the box when it comes to pest control tips. Making your own traps is your best bet.
Other roaches you may see in your apartment include the:
Brown-banded cockroach
American cockroach
Smoky brown cockroach
Oriental cockroach
Of course, the only kind of cockroaches you want to see are dead ones, but it’s never a bad thing to know more about what you’re dealing with.
Why do you have a roach infestation in your clean apartment?
Even if you’ve put all your food away and meticulously cleaned your kitchen, you can still end up seeing a roach or two. A clean apartment is a great way to deter roaches, but there’s something else they’re looking for that your apartment has no matter what — water. “Roaches need moisture to survive and this search for water will bring them into even the cleanest of homes,” according to Northwest Exterminating.
Leaky pipes or a drippy faucet, things you don’t associate with dirt at all, call out to roaches. It’s why you often see them in bathrooms in addition to the kitchen. Roaches eat a lot, but they also get thirsty. They can hide under refrigerators or air conditioning units to drink the condensation or even try to sneak a sip from a pet’s water bowl. Roaches may like dirt, but their needs are much bigger than grabbing a quick snack off your dirty dishes.
How to get rid of roaches in your apartment
Cockroaches are quick, sneaky and adaptable pests that are very hard to eliminate. They are also harmful to have around, as carriers of bacteria and other infectious agents, with the potential to contaminate food. Because of this, it’s important to address the issue immediately after you spot one of these unwelcome house guests. And yes, we’re talking about how to kill cockroaches.
While these are some of the most common methods to get rid of cockroaches in an apartment, you’ll most likely end up needing a combination of them in order to get a roach-free home.
1. Attract roaches using bait
Often the safest and most effective, baits work over an extended period of time to kill roaches. They’ll either kill on contact or use an unlucky few to carry the poison back to their buddies. Gels, bait stations and bait traps are available at most hardware stores, drug stores or supermarkets. Since roaches love nearby food sources, giving them bait to snack on instead of your own food can help prevent future infestations.
After you identify where the roaches are hiding, based on where you usually see them, place the bait, in containers, as close as possible. If you want the roaches to carry the bait back, make the container easy to escape. If you want them to stay put, consider jar traps. You can also target areas where food and moisture are most readily available. For any cracks or small areas, use gel bait. Change out the bait every three to six months.
2. Do a little dusting
Roach traps that use dust come in three different types — silica, diatomaceous earth and boric acid. The first two damage and desiccate a roach’s exoskeleton while the boric acid is toxic when ingested. This strategy is useful since they can get rid of roaches that simply walk through the dust.
The safest option is diatomaceous earth, which is a completely organic insecticide that actually kills roaches, fleas, ticks and bed bugs. It’s a great preventive option, as well, if you want to avoid a cockroach infestation.
To use, sprinkle a light dusting where roaches like to hide — inside cabinets, behind appliances and around cracks in kitchens and bathrooms. Reapply every three to four months.
Boric acid, while one way to get rid of roaches, shouldn’t necessarily be your go-to choice. Since it’s toxic, you don’t want to use boric acid in an apartment with pets or young children. Cockroaches must eat boric acid for it to do any damage, as well, so it might take longer to kick in.
3. Set a trap
Traps are for the brave souls who don’t mind dealing with the disposal of live roaches. You can buy them or make them at home. Sticky traps will stop a roach in its tracks and you can usually find them at your local hardware or drug store.
One homemade option requires a jar and some tempting food. Put a moist piece of bread and some slices of raw potato in an open jar. Then, line the inside walls of the jar with petroleum jelly and set in an area you’ve seen at least one roach. You’ll attract cockroaches with the food but they can’t climb back out. To dispose of the roaches you catch, fill the jar with soapy water and screw on a lid.
4. Use what’s in your pantry
It may surprise you how many ingredients you already have at home that will deal with cockroaches. Incorporating staple items from your pantry can make dealing with these pests quicker, cheaper and faster.
To really attract roaches to your bait stations, mix brown sugar and baking soda. The sugar will tempt the cockroaches to visit the bait and the baking soda will kill them when it’s ingested.
Although you’ll still need a shopping trip for this one, you can make your own dry bait stations around your apartment by mixing equal parts powdered sugar, yellow cornmeal and borax. Cockroaches will walk through the bait and then clean themselves, ingesting the poison. This bait is also toxic to humans and pets, so use it with care.
If you’re looking to repel these pests, think citrus. Roaches hate the smell. If you don’t have citrus-scented cleaners on hand to spray, strategically place citrus peel or even citrus pulp around your home. You’ll not only repel roaches but make your home smell sweet.
Using your own pantry ingredients to create effective bait stations for roaches is as simple as pulling out those staple items just about everyone keeps on hand.
5. Hire a professional exterminator to treat an infestation
This is an extreme solution ideally meant for an actual roach infestation. You should contact your property manager before going this route since your lease may include this type of maintenance. To be effective, an exterminator should spray the entire building, which is why you should loop in your property manager to handle the bigger picture.
If you’re wondering what your exterminator is spraying around your home, chances are it’s a combination of insecticide and insect growth regulators. This second ingredient works by disrupting how roaches grow and produce. It may not kill the adults, but it will stop new roaches from joining their parents. The insecticide will take care of the older guys.
What can I do to get rid of roaches forever?
While there’s no guarantee you won’t see a roach again, once you’ve gotten rid of them, there are a few tips to make sure you’ve gotten rid of roaches for good.
Alert your property manager that you’ve taken steps to deal with roaches in your own apartment. Since it’s most likely a building-wide problem, your property manager should take steps to have the whole building treated. If they don’t already have an exterminator coming in to get rid of roaches, it might be time.
Keep things dry, avoid clutter of any kind, even if it’s temporary and store food in plastic containers with tight seals. Sweep up crumbs, wipe down countertops and clean spills quickly. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight and avoid having too many cardboard boxes laying around, as well. These all tempt new roaches to come exploring.
Make sure garbage is in tightly-sealed containers which you empty regularly.
Give your apartment a once-over for small cracks in doors, windows or walls. If you find any, ask your property manager to seal them or do it yourself if you’re able.
Get rid of soap bars and house plants. Cockroaches like these items, too. You can replace bar soap with liquid soap where possible, like at the kitchen sink and in bathrooms. If you want to keep your house plants around, smear a little petroleum jelly on the outside of the pots so it is too slippery for the roaches to climb.
Work in some light cleaning on a regular basis. You especially want to get out that vacuum cleaner at least once a week to remove potential food sources for cockroaches and keep your apartment clean.
Roaches are pests. They carry diseases and nobody likes them. But, you don’t need to battle to go from live bugs to dead roaches. These steps make it easier to prevent cockroaches from thinking your apartment looks like a sweet new place to call home.
Learn how to get rid of roaches in your apartment
The sad truth is, it’s not if you’ll see a roach in your apartment, but when. They’re most likely already living in the walls because they’re already everywhere. All you can do is expect a roach problem at some point and focus on keeping your home as uninviting for them as possible. And, if they do appear, be quick to get rid of anything that roaches consume or that may attract them to your apartment.
Since cockroaches aren’t the only pests that can invade your space as an apartment-dweller, practicing good habits to keep your home pest-free, in general, is always a good rule of thumb.
This holiday season you want your bar heavily stocked and constantly equipped for unexpected house guests – we all have those friends who just show up at your doorstep, ready for a good time! Don’t worry about having the house clean or appetizers prepped because let’s be real, all that really matters is your ability to whip up a festive and fun drink. Since we’ve already got you hooked up with great cocktail recipes, it’s time to beautify your bar cart and make it holiday-ready!
What is my fail-proof styling secret? A few ok, a lot! of gold accessories!
get your shop on: pillow // bottle opener // coasters // floor lamp // ice bucket // stool // glass // table // jigger // straws // shaker // tray
Gold just makes everything shine a little brighter, no? I can’t help but continually want to add more hits of gold to the loft. I’m currently banking my wish list on my “Golden Glam” eBay Collection. I’ve been stocking it with way too many gold pieces for one bar to handle so feel free to shop away and take some off of my hands. While you’re there, you can also follow my “Let’s Throw a Party” collection full of favors and fun things to make your entertaining season merrier!
Because believe me, you’ll want to throw a few more fabulous fetes than you had originally planned this season! Guests won’t even notice the dishes in the sink because with a bar that looks this good, no one will ever even make it into the kitchen.
If you’re in the mood to make some extra cash this holiday season who isn’t!?, share my eBay collections for a chance to win a {crazy!] $25,000 eBay Shopping Spree! See official rules here.
My eBay Collections were curated as part of my collaboration with eBay #followitfindit and Style Coalition. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34’s doors open!
When you have a need or a problem, there’s usually a solution that can be bought. Buying a solution is often the easiest and fastest way to solve a problem — but it also can be the most expensive.
When my husband and I were in debt-repayment mode and had our discretionary spending locked down, I began to see that there are alternative solutions to problems that I once thought could only be solved by buying something. Sometimes quality counts, but more often than not, I would choose a solution that required spending more than necessary, when some forethought might have yielded a solution that was less expensive (or even free). Or maybe if I had stopped to think about it, I’d have realized it wasn’t a critical problem, and I could just choose to do nothing about it.
We set a strict budget while we were paying off our debt, so it was necessary to think about alternatives before every purchase to meet our payment goals. The great thing is that it became ingrained in me, and it’s something I continue to try to do. Here are some of the techniques I use.
Repair what you can Repair what you have instead of replacing it. You can do this with clothes, appliances, furniture, and cars. I know someone who used throw away a shirt when it was missing a button rather than paying to have it mended, or learning how to sew on a button himself.
But even if you’re not apt to go the do-it-yourself route, sometimes paying for a repair is worth it when it’s something that is expensive or difficult to replace. Last year I took my boots to a shoe doctor for the first time. I was ready to replace them, but I thought I’d try a repair shop first, and I was pleasantly surprised. The boots were re-heeled, the leather was conditioned, and they looked good-as-new. It would have been much more costly to replace them.
Delay spending Put off the purchase. People do this if they lose their jobs or if they live paycheck-to-paycheck and run out of money at the end of the month. I do it as a game when the credit card closing date is coming up, just to keep the number as low as possible.
Simply shelf the issue for the time being. Give it a week or two. (Or 30 days.) You might even think of a better solution during that period.
You also can do this with regular services. See how long you can stretch out time in between haircuts, for example, especially if your cut is low-maintenance to start. Stretching it out just four more weeks in between appointments reduced what I spend in a year by one-third. And you know, so far my hair is just fine.
Rent, trade, borrow, or take Can you borrow or trade for a solution? If you want a book or a DVD, try out a service like Book Mooch or Swaptree. Try renting tools if you won’t use them enough to warrant owning them. See if friends or family members will let you borrow a tool or appliance (just be sure to send a lovely thank-you note).
Also, don’t forget to check out sites like Freecycle for furniture, appliances, toys, and more. Items are given away for free; you just pay for the gas to pick up your stuff.
Plan ahead Many times we overspend because we’re pressed for time. Maybe you have to get a last-minute Christmas gift for a picky relative. The mall is typically where we end up in that kind of situation, and it’s not likely that you’ll find the perfect gift at a killer price when you’re in a hurry.
Planning ahead gives you the time to find the perfect gift at a great price, or maybe even free if you’re really creative.
Planning ahead isn’t limited to gifts. You can plan ahead for travel, social events, house guests, and more. You can plan your expenditures for any situation that you know about ahead of time.
Find creative solutions to achieve your goal There’s usually more than one way to solve a problem or reach a goal. Craving Chinese take-out? Try making stir-fry at home. Want to have a fun Saturday night with your friends? Throw a potluck or host a game night instead of meeting at a restaurant. Bored and feeling the urge to shop? Try reading a book, going for a walk, or doing something creative.
I’ve found the most inspiration from fellow bloggers:
Instead of completely redecorating a room, try a bit of wallpaper and a fresh coat of paint.
Rather than buying new furniture, consider how a few yards of fabric might breathe new life into the furniture you already own.
Hate the fit of a dress, but love the fabric? Consider a refashion.
Overwhelmed by the expense of baby gear? Find frugal ways to make it yourself.
A quick Google search usually provides new solutions I might not have thought of on my own.
Do nothing Just ignore the need and try to do without. A lot of times if you simply do nothing, you find it’s not as bad as you thought. The best personal example of this was our decision to do nothing about replacing our second car. We also do this when we’re swept off our feet by fancy kitchen gear, and then realize that our cast iron Dutch oven may not be as gorgeous as a porcelain enamel Le Creuset, but it gets the job done.
Make a habit out of questioning your purchases, and try a quick Internet search to see if there’s a less expensive solution out there.
What about you? What have you done lately to improvise, get by with what you have, or find a cheap solution, instead of buying something new? Share your tips!
A seemingly inconspicuous home in Bristow, VA, with a bizarre basement captured everyone’s attention, making it this week’s most popular listing on Realtor.com®.
From a “Where the Wild Things Are”–designed kid’s bedroom to a possibly “Ghostbusters”-inspired basement, the theme is certainly the brainchild of the home seller’s imagination. The 3,013-square-foot home boasts a mostly traditional design—until you head to the basement. That’s when things get very weird.
Other real estate offerings that made the popularity list include a magnificent Georgia estate featuring every luxury imaginable, a Florida mansion looking to set a record, and a California beauty where Stevie Wonder once lived.
For a full look at this week’s 10 most popular homes, keep on scrolling.
Price: $2,100,000 Why it’s here: This French-inspired chateau features a barrel-vaulted orangerie.
Originally designed to house fruit trees in the winter from the 17th to 19th centuries, this orangerie with its barrel-vaulted ceiling, brick floors, and seven pairs of French doors was simply designed to capture the picturesque backyard views.
Built in 1973, the three-bedroom, 4,726-square-foot home features a modernized chef’s kitchen, a library with built-ins, and three fireplaces. The living room boasts antique French corner cupboards.
The 6-acre parcel includes a guest cottage and gardens reminiscent of Versailles.
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Price: $169,000 Why it’s here: Built in 1800, this antique barn features two silos and an original milk house. It’s being sold as is.
The 1-acre property is dotted with pine, walnut, chestnut, and fruit trees. An additional 1.6 acres is also available for purchase.
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Price: $1,295,000 Why it’s here: This magnificent home comes with a front-row view of Pike Lake.
Built in 1969 atop a hill, the four-bedroom house features a vaulted tongue-and-groove ceiling and hardwood floors throughout 4,226 square feet of living space.
The living room boasts a gorgeous stone fireplace and lots of windows. There are three bedrooms on the main level and one downstairs. The lower level also includes a family room with a wood-burning fireplace.
A dock and boatlift come with the property, which is already pending sale.
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Price: $239,000 Why it’s here: This adorable and affordable abode has been entirely modernized on the inside.
Built in 1980, the three-bedroom farmhouse offers 1,813 square feet of living space. The open floor plan boasts an enormous, front-to-back living room with a gas fireplace and a kitchen with custom cabinetry and granite countertops. The primary suite upstairs comes with a sitting area, and a loft space would be ideal for a home office.
There is a raised slab off the back porch with gas and water hookups.
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Price: $1,300,000 Why it’s here: From barrel-vaulted ceilings to a built-in bed, this magnificent estate features every luxury imaginable.
The five-bedroom home sits on 7 private acres. It was built in 2020 and boasts 6,821 square feet of living space. From the reading room with a built-in bookcase to a dog washing room, every member of the family was thought of when constructing this home. An extraordinary chef’s kitchen boasts a wood-beam ceiling, custom light fixtures, high-end appliances, and an oversized island.
The first-floor primary suite is surrounded by windows and features a glass-enclosed shower, two vanities, and a soaking tub. The lower-level entertainment area has a roll-up garage door that leads to a wet bar.
The professionally landscaped property also boasts a six-car garage, an apartment loft, and a pool with a spa.
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Price: $1,652,000 Why it’s here: The historic Creole cottage was originally built circa 1798 as a neighborhood kitchen and bakery. (Gen. Andrew Jackson was believed to have eaten here in 1815.) It later became the home of Beat Generation writer William Burroughs, according to the listing.
The 2,800-square-foot, three-bedroom floor plan features original transoms, baseboards, hardware, and doors. An updated kitchen offers stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops. The library features built-in, floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Primary suites can be found on both levels.
The property also claims to contain “one of the largest gas-lit, private, bricked courtyards in the Quarter,” according to the listing.
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Price: $59,900,000 Why it’s here: This spectacular, waterfront estate could set a sale record in Delray Beach if the sellers get anywhere close to their asking price.
Built in 2008, the 19,055-square-foot mansion features nine bedrooms and 17 bathrooms. The palazzo-inspired design features custom finishes, built-in bookcases, and a marble fireplace.
Designing the estate was a labor of love for homeowner Massimo Musa, who flew artists in from Florence, imported limestone from Mexico, and sourced other products from South America, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The 1.5-acre lot also boasts fountains, an oceanfront pool and spa, and a covered loggia with an outdoor kitchen. There is also a carriage house for guests.
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Price: $299,000 Why it’s here: Who needs house guests when your house is decked out with dolls?
Dolls adorn the shelves and line the stairs. There’s even a life-size statue of Elvis, and one of the three bedrooms is designed in his honor. Another is overflowing with dolls lined along the walls, crowded in cribs, and tucked away in a scary bassinet centerpiece.
Seemingly, every inch of the 2,832-square-foot home is staged with toys.
If you dare to go downstairs, there’s another doll on a riding horse. The creep factor notwithstanding, the doll-filled house has already attracted one buyer and is pending sale.
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Price: $10,999,999 Why it’s here: Stevie Wonder once lived in this Hollywood Regency estate. The legendary singer-songwriter is said to have leased the home from 2011 to 2015.
Located in the Trousdale Estates neighborhood, the 6,217-square-foot spread features a grand foyer with a soaring ceiling. There are four bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
The residence was built in 1970 and has since been updated. A chef’s kitchen serves up high-end appliances and an enormous center island.
The property also comes with a four-car garage, a home gym, a pool, and a covered loggia.
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Price: $699,900 Why it’s here: While the exterior might appear traditional, the basement is anything but.
Built in 2015, this four-bedroom home comes with many amenities, including a spacious kitchen with a granite countertop and a center island and a family room with an exposed-brick accent wall. But wait until you venture downstairs.
The finished basement features a hidden room complete with a creepy, blood-red floor and black brick walls.
“Truly a unique feature you won’t find anywhere else, and you’ll have to see to believe,” the listing states.
The corner lot also features an oversized garage and stamped concrete patio. All this and a recent price reduction could perhaps tempt a brave buyer.
If you caught last week’s No Makeup Home Tour, then you may have spied some major sneak peeks of my yet-to-be-finished living room. I’m embarrassed to say that my living room has sat stagnant since we moved into our house nearly 18-months ago. There are a multitude of reasons for…
The post My Living Room Plans appeared first on Apartment34.
Fear is not a most welcomed feeling and we spend a great deal of time and energy trying to avoid it. Yet all that goes out the window when it comes to horror stories, which tap into an emotional masochism of sorts, captivating us with their harrowing tales, jump scares, and carefully picked creepy houses. […]
The post 13 Real-Life Houses Haunted by Their Dark Past appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.
Your place is sparkling clean. So why are roaches attracted to your apartment? Dive into the possible culprits and learn how to get rid of those pests for good!