Gardeners from all over have claimed that newspaper is a great tool for preventing unwanted weeds.  Spread the paper four sheets thick over the ground where you want to plant.  Get it wet, and cut a hole big enough for the roots of the plant that you are putting in.  Once you’re finished putting the plant in, spread a thick layer of soil over the paper.

Have a Tupperware container that has a bit of a stink to it?  Sometimes it can’t be completely rinsed out, so crumple up some newspaper to absorb the smell.  Just let it sit in the Tupperware overnight.

Using paper towels or cloth rags to clean windows and mirrors can leave behind streaks and tiny residue.  Use a sheet of newspaper instead for an even clean.

Newspaper can be a very useful tool when it comes to your shoes.  Stuff some into wet shoes in order to absorb any moisture and odors.  Balled up newspaper is also a great way to preserve the shape of a nice pair of leather shoes or boots.

Wrap underdeveloped fruits and vegetables to quicken the ripening process.  Tomato growers have been known to cover some of their slower produce with newspaper to get them to just the right level of freshness.

Moving sometime soon?  Use old newspapers to wrap breakable items and stuff empty space in boxes.  Once you get settled in your new place and start to unpack, use sheets of newspaper to line your cabinets, dresser drawers, or bathroom shelves.

You can also use colorful sections like the funnies as unique gift-wrapping paper.  Kids, especially, will love getting to read a quick comic while waiting to open their gift.

Don’t toss those old newspapers into the recycling quite yet.  Instead, get creative and give them a new purpose in your home.  Know of any other great uses for newspaper? Share them here!

If you have any carpeting in your apartment, it’s a good idea to always have some accident cleaner on hand.  Check out your local pet store for a brand specific to your pet, and make sure it fights odors as well.  Even with a well-trained pet, it’s a good idea to have the carpet cleaned every 12-18 months.  If you’re renting an apartment, the office should have a good guide of available services.  You can also rent a steam carpet cleaner and do the job yourself.  Just be careful not to let the carpet sit wet for too long, as this can allow mildew and bacteria to grow.

Make sure you’re using an appropriate amount of time to exercise and play with your pet.  Take your dog down to the local park to let him socialize with other animals, or take your pet out on a nice, long walk.  Ensuring that your pet has enough exercise is important not only for his health, but so he doesn’t get bored and start chewing on the furniture and other off-limit items.

If you’re just getting started on house-breaking, or your pet tends to get into mischief when you’re gone, consider investing in a crate or a baby gate.  A crate can be a big help to destructive animals when you’re at work or school.  Make sure that it’s the right size: big enough so he doesn’t feel cramped, but not too big where he’s got a ton of room to make a mess.  A baby gate can also be helpful.  Just gate your pet off in the kitchen or other area, give him a few toys to play with and a fresh bowl of water, and be on your way.  Try to be conscious of how long you’re gone, though.

Communicate with your neighbors about your pet, as well.  It can be frustrating to renters when a neighbor has a loud or destructive animal, so make sure you let them know you will work to take care of any pet-related problems that come up.  This not only makes you a better neighbor, but if there is a problem then they’ll be more likely to come to you first instead of going straight to management.

Make sure to pet-proof your place before bringing any animal home (covering wires, etc.) and research the animal that is right for you.  Knowing that you are truly ready to have a pet and taking the proper precautions in preparing for it can make all the difference.

Use old CD cases to hold your favorite pictures.  They slide right in, and can be used as wonderfully festive place holders at a dinner party or regular photo frames around the home.

Old disks can be transformed into beautiful, decorative bowls.  Start out by preheating the oven to 250 degrees.  Place a small, oven-safe bowl on a baking sheet and place the CD on top of the bowl.  Let bake in the oven until the disk begins to soften.  Remove from oven and use a spoon to gently press the CD into the bowl and mold the sides.  Fill the hole and let dry.

Use old CDs as new tea light candle holders.  Decorate the disk and glue a piece of felt to
the underside to create a soft padding between the disk and other surfaces.  Place a small votive or tea light in the center of the disk.  You may even choose to surround the disk with leaves, a wreath, or flowers.  Make sure that your flame is at a safe distance from any flammable add-ons. With the shiny side face up, this candleholder will create a nice warm glow.

Build some muscle with those old CDs by turning them into 10-lb dumbbells.  You’ll need about 75 on each side of a threaded rod, and some bolts to hold them in place.  Check out the details here.

Create a beautiful CD sun-catcher.  Start out by gluing the label sides of two CDs together.  Heat the tip of a sharp needle or nail and push through the top of the glued CDs.  This will create a hole for wire or thread.  Do the same on the bottom to string multiple disks together.  As you string the disks, consider adding beads between for added shine.  Hang outside to reflect the light.

There are tons of ways to recycle those old disks with just a few simple steps.  A little time,
patience, and creativity is all you need to give your obsolete CDs or DVDs new life.

Hosted at the historic Renaissance Center, the brunch features delicious chef-carved prime rib, a gourmet omelet station, grilled salmon, garden-fresh vegetables and so much more!  Top off the morning with a crisp glass of champagne, a nice hot cup of coffee, or one of the assorted fresh juices available.

If you’re on a budget this year, steer clear of the stores and try making a unique, hand made gift instead.  Pamper Mom with her own homemade body scrub.  All you need to whip this up is: body oil, Epsom or sea salt, a jar, and some lemon zest.  Mix together a cup of the oil with two cups of salt (for finer grain use sugar).  Add some lemon zest to give it a nice hint of color and a fresh, summer scent.  Then package and you’re done!

Give her the gift of scented relaxation with a vintage tin candle that will look and smell great.  Using pre-waxed wicks with a tin base, place the wicks in the tin, wrapping around a skewer placed over the top of the tin to hold in place.  Melt down your desired amount of wax.  Pour in to the tins and let harden for about 24 hours.  Trim the excess wick, and enjoy.

For a healthier treat, rather than sticking to the usual chocolates, try cooking up your own
batch of homemade granola.  Combining your favorite ingredients like cinnamon and coconut in a big bowl, this easy-to-make concoction bakes in the oven and looks great when delivered in a stunning glass jar.

Make this Mother’s Day one that she’ll remember forever.  Showing even the littlest bit of appreciation can go a long way.

First thing to do is go through your entire closet and decide what you love and want to keep, what needs to be fixed up or repaired, and what can be donated or thrown out.  Ideally, this should be done every six months or so.  Doing this on a regular basis will leave room for new items and also keep your closet from looking too stuffed or overcrowded.

Next, get rid of any old wire or broken hangers and replace them with a nice set of coordinated plastic ones.  When you hang your clothes, group similar pieces together (dresses with dresses, t-shirts with t-shirts, etc.)  This will help clean up the look of your closet, and will keep you organized in the future when you’re picking out an outfit.

For items that can’t hang, consider different storage methods.  Hanging hooks on the back wall of the closet, or on the back of the door, can be a great way of displaying belts, bags, scarves, and other accessory items.  Don’t worry about doing any damage to the wall surface; Scotch Command has great adhesive hooks that come off without making a mark.  Use colorful containers or collapsible shoe racks to keep shoes together so you won’t have to spend time searching for a pair in the future.

Another great way to save space: remove out-of-season items.  In the winter, gather up shorts and tank tops and box or bag to pack away until it starts warming up.  Space bags are a great for this.  Just vacuum out the air and store flat under the bed or in another area of the home.

You might also choose to coordinate your clothes based on color or by outfit, but by following at least the few steps above, you’re sure to have a much cleaner looking closet in no time.

Grab a few different colors of tape and an old blanket or towel to create this cool new rug.  Cover the towel with strips of duct tape, going either horizontally or vertically.  Once you’ve covered the towel, line the edges by folding strips of tape around the ends.  Lay it out by the front door or find a spot for it in your home for a unique look.

Want a new way to play chess or checkers?  Grab an old square box, some duct tape and pipe cleaners to begin.  Flip the box over and draw an 8 x 8 grid on the bottom.  Using two different colors of tape, alternate with each square, until the entire board is covered.  Each row should begin with the opposite color as the one before it.  Wrapping different size coins in tape, either write or use pipe cleaner to distinguish pawns from queens, etc.

If you’re headed to summer school or the beach, consider carrying your things in style with a duct tape tote bag.  All you need is a 10×18 scrap of fabric, some duct tape, and scissors to get started.  Fold your fabric in half vertically, and cut two squares (1” high and 1 1/2” wide) out from the bottom corners.  Open up your fabric, making sure the wrong-side is face up.  Start layering strips (horizontally) of duct tape to cover the entire inside.  Cut
away the excess tape from the sides.

Next, fold your bag back in half, tape side facing out.  About 1” from the top, measure out a 4×1 rectangle for the handle.  Make sure to mark on each side.  Cut along the lines drawn. Then, use a strip of tape to fold the top edge of the bag inside, creating a nice, clean edge.  (You can place magnets underneath the tape here as a latch).   Next, staple about ½” in from the edges of the bag on both the left and right sides. Open up the seams and tape flat.
Close up the bottom corners.  Then, turn your bag right side out!

Know of any other great duct tape crafts?  Share them here!

Treat yourself to an unforgettable night at the Rialto Square Theatre.  This magnificent performing arts center hosts nearly 100 events per year, though its astonishing design is enough to wow its visitors.  The Rialto features over 100 crystal chandeliers, eighteen Corinthian-style columns, and a dome similar to the Pantheon in Rome.  Check out the upcoming show schedule and mark your calendar!

For a fun night of music, drinks, and dancing, check out Will County’s premier live music establishment the VEN-U.  Every weekend, this multi-floor, multi-room venue features incredible local and national bands playing everything from pop to metal and both originals and covers.  Rock out for a night in the heart of downtown Joliet.

Grab a friend or take the family out for a night of bowling at Town & Country Lanes.  With over 44 lanes, you can stop in for open-bowling or join in on a league.  Summer leagues start up in the beginning of May, and all who participate have the chance to win a trip to Hawaii.  Birthday parties, fundraisers, and kids bowling are also available, so be sure to check it out.

Want to get outside for an afternoon?  Check out one of the area’s several golf courses and challenge yourself to a beautiful 18 holes.  Mistwood Golf Club is centered around a serene 65 acre lake and is designed to put your skills to the test.  It’s also home to the Illinois Women’s Open.

Have any other favorite local activities?  Share them here!

Once you’ve checked out the rules, start thinking about the kind of space you want to create.   Do you use your patio more for entertaining others or for enjoying a moment
alone?  Your outdoor space is an extension of your apartment, so design with you in mind!

Going green is a great way to add some life, and color, to your patio.  Some potted plants in the corners, or hanging pots with creeper vines or flowers can create a cool and peaceful environment.

Consider adding a table and chairs or a small sofa to relax on.  Consider the elements when buying these pieces, though.  Plastic or treated metals and woods are good materials when it comes to withstanding the sun and rain.  If you’re short on space, you might want to consider multipurpose seating like a comfy storage bench.

You can create your own mood with different lighting options.  Lanterns and electric candles are a great way to give your patio a warm glow, and wrapping string lights along your railing or around a tall plant is a fun, festive way to give your space some shimmer.

With a few basic steps underway, you can add accessories like artwork or a rug to really make the space your own.

Have a large collection that you just can’t seem to part with?  Turn them into a comfy, stylish quilt.  Familiarize yourself with the process of quilting online, then simply cut each shirt into a square and piece them together with a sewing machine. You’ll probably need between 12 and 40 shirts depending on your preferred blanket size.

If you’ve got a favorite tee that just doesn’t fit anymore, consider turning it into a work of art.  Cut the shirt to fit any frame and pop it up on the wall for a new, unique piece.

A more stylish way to use an old shirt is to turn it into a scarf.  Start out by cutting away the bottom hem and everything above the armpits, so all that’s left is the body.  Cut ¾ inch strips horizontally across the shirt.  Then, take each strip and stretch it so the edges curl, layering them all on top of each other.  Take a scrap piece of fabric to tie them all together, and there you have it.

Another option is to turn your tees into yarn.  Check out this great tutorial at Craft Passion for detailed instructions.  Later, you can use your yarn to create colorful dish towels, pot holders, and more.

Looking for more ideas?  Take a look back at our previous post for added design and up-cycling inspiration.

Take part in the “Toughest 10K in the Midwest” on April 14^th with Joliet’s Rockdale Ramblin’ Run.  Over 500 runners took to the streets last year for this challenging
event and more are expected to come out this month.  Register now for just $35!

After the race, you might want to head on over to the Joliet Public Library to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Titanic.  The infamous passenger liner went down on April 15^th, 1912 after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean.  Check out the display of actual artifacts and take part in a full day of educational activities.

Also this month, Rialto Square Theatre hosts the Tony® Award winning Broadway musical Damn Yankees tomorrow on April 3^rd.  Come see the story of a baseball fan who
sells his soul to the Devil for a chance to take his favorite team in the pennant race against The New York Yankees. This fiendishly funny production is a home-run hit that you won’t want to miss.

Other music lovers might want to check out Bruce in the USA on April 13^th.  It’s a high-energy music tribute featuring Matt Ryan from the World Famous Legends in Concert cast.  Come out and enjoy the music of the Boss and the E. St. Band for a night that you’ll never forget.

There’s always something going on downtown in Joliet, and our apartment communities are just minutes away.  Live, work, and play all in the same place.