Furnish Your Home

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We are so happy that The Glendon is becoming your new home. Los Angeles has so many great restaurants and activities for you to enjoy during your days off of work. Whether you take a stroll on the beach or a run through our many parks, Los Angeles will become your new home within a few weeks. However, before you explore outside, it is time to get your place furnished inside. You may be worried that it will be hard to find furniture, but Los Angeles has so many great shops that all of your design dreams can come true. 

Do you need some design inspiration? We recommend starting off at Pottery Barn. Pottery Barn is a little less than three miles away from your home at The Glendon. Their unique and creative furnishings will give you an idea of what you want your home to look like. Do you want more of a modern or classical feel? One day in Pottery Barn will give you the direction you need to start furnishing your home.

Now that you have your design scheme, head to Pampa Furniture on W Pico Blvd. This upscale shop has home furnishings and decor for your new apartment. They have small and large pieces for your living room, dining room and bedroom. You can head to their website to see what they have in store before you buy. With their one-of-a-kind pieces, you may find a perfect centerpiece for your living room or bedroom at this local store.

Now that you have your big pieces, head to Bed Bath and Beyond on West Olympic Blvd to get your bedroom and bathroom supplies. It is a short 12 minute drive from your home at The Glendon. This store has so many colors and patterns to choose from, it will be easy to find one that matches your design scheme. They even have home appliances that you may have forgotten to bring or pack with you. Check out their website for the great deals they have every day.

We hope you love your new home at The Glendon. With these great stores all within 15 minutes of your new home, your new apartment will be ready to live in within a few days.

Los Angeles Marathon

Runners to the start line! One of Los Angeles' biggest races, the Asics LA Marathon, is just a little more than one week away! While the deadline to register has passed, there are plenty of other ways to get involved in March 15's marathon events, whether it's attending the health and fitness expo or being a spectator on race day! Here are more details on the best places to watch, including Westwood, from the marathon website:

Find out more about the unique neighborhoods that participants in the ASICS LA Marathon pass through on their way to the Finish Line in Santa Monica!

ELYSIAN PARK
The community of Elysian Park includes the actual park, which is the second largest park in LA as well as Dodger Stadium, the third oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and largest by seating capacity. Dodger Stadium has been home to the Los Angeles Dodgers since its opening in 1962 and has been host to games of eight World Series, the 1980 MLB All-Star Game, and the finals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

CHINATOWN
Built in 1938, Chinatown serves many different ethnic groups in Los Angeles. Although originally inhabited primarily by Chinese immigrants, the area has grown to include many Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Thai immigrants who began coming to the area after the Vietnam War. Chinatown remains a popular tourist destination with its stylized, modern Chinese architecture and countless curiosity shops, but mainly serves the local immigrant community.

OLVERA STREET 
Located in the oldest section of Downtown Los Angeles and a part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, Olvera Street is a colorful marketplace reminiscent of old Mexico. Home of the Avila Adobe, the oldest structure in Los Angeles, Olvera Street was the heart of Mexican community life until 1848. A campaign in the 1920s sought to capitalize on a resurgence of Mexican culture and rebuild Olvera Street into a cultural center. In its present form, Olvera Street draws millions of visitors a year to its quaint, romantic vision of old Mexico.

LITTLE TOKYO
As the cultural center for Japanese Americans in Southern California and one of only 3 official Japantowns in the United States, Little Tokyo plays a large role in Japanese-American relations. Although it is no longer an ethnic enclave for local Japanese, the area is still a focal point for Japanese celebrations and culture. Visitors flock to the area to take advantage of the traditional Japanese restaurants, shopping, and arts.

BUNKER HILL
An affluent residential enclave in the early 20th century, Bunker Hill once housed lavish Victorian-style houses that became home to upper class residents of Los Angeles. In 1955, Bunker Hill was redeveloped into an area with modern plazas and buildings. It currently is home to several skyscrapers as well as the Los Angeles Music Center. Home to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theater, Mark Taper Forum, and Walt Disney Concert Hall, over a million people visit the Music Center each year to watch performances by its four internationally renowned performing arts companies.

ANGELENO HEIGHTS
The second oldest community in Los Angeles, Angeleno (Angelino) Heights is known for its concentration of Victorian style homes that has made it a popular backdrop for Hollywood. Although a large area of Angeleno Heights was destroyed to make way for the Hollywood Freeway, it is now recognized as a historic district, and any new construction has to resemble original architecture in scale and materials.

ECHO PARK
Once the home of the Los Angeles film industry, Echo Park has always attracted the creative, underground, and independent elements of society. Echo Park has been to home to many luminaries, among them, Ayn Rand, Steve McQueen, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jackson Pollock. The dynamic community is known for its historic architecture (craftsman-style homes), diversity, and commitment to preserving the vibrant community.

SILVER LAKE
A neighborhood known for its eclectic gathering of hipsters and creative types, Silver Lake is home to a wide variety of ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Silver Lake has become the center of alternative and indie rock in Los Angeles annually hosting two large street festivals that feature local musicians as well as national musicians, many of whom got their start in the area.

LOS FELIZ
Named after Rancho Los Feliz, one of the first land grants in California, Los Feliz was part of the rancho and was developed into a bustling community. Bordering Griffith Park, Los Feliz is an affluent community that was home to many early movie studios including Walt Disney's first and second studios. Mickey Mouse was “born" in Los Feliz as Disney drew the first image of the character in his uncle's garage in Los Feliz.

LITTLE ARMENIA
Little Armenia was “born" when Los Angeles bestowed the name on the East Hollywood neighborhood in 2000. However, Little Armenia had been thriving with Armenian businesses and restaurants since the 1970s. Although no longer the major neighborhood for Armenians in Los Angeles, the community still features culturally based celebrations and traditions.

THAI TOWN
With the largest Thai population outside of Thailand, Los Angeles is home to the only Thai Town in the world. Thai Town began in the 1960s and further grew in the 80s and is home to many Thai restaurants, markets, and stores. Songkran, the Thai New Year, is the biggest celebration each year as Hollywood Blvd is closed down for a parade and entertainment.

HOLLYWOOD
Hollywood became famous in the early 1900s due to an influx of entertainment-related businesses. Quickly becoming synonymous with dreams of stardom, Hollywood began attracting tourists to the spots that were populated by film stars. Although most entertainment studios and broadcasters have moved from their original locations, Hollywood Blvd is still one of the biggest tourist destinations in all of Los Angeles. Hollywood & Highland Center is home to the Dolby Theatre, which annually hosts the Academy Awards. Also featured in Hollywood is the world famous TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman's), the Pantages Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

SUNSET STRIP
The best-known portion of Sunset Blvd, the Sunset Strip is the name given to the stretch of the street that passes through West Hollywood. The Strip is known for its collection of boutiques, restaurants, rock clubs, and nightclubs. Since the 1960s, the area has transformed into a haven for music groups who perform at clubs including Whisky a Go Go, Pandora's Box, the London Fog, and Viper Room.

WEST HOLLYWOOD
As part of “Route 66", the stretch of Santa Monica Blvd that runs through West Hollywood is home to the most popular gay and lesbian scene in Los Angeles. Home to gay nightclubs, bookstores, and cafes, Santa Monica Blvd represents civic and community pride for residents of the area. West Hollywood annually hosts “the largest street party in the world" every Halloween when the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval takes over Santa Monica Blvd.

BEVERLY HILLS
Beverly Hills is home to one of the most affluent neighborhoods in all of California and anchors the area's “Platinum Triangle" with Bel Air and Holmby Hills. With the world-famous zip code of 90210 and destinations such as Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills is known around the world as one of the most glamorous places to shop and visit. Because of its desirable location, Beverly Hills has long been residence to Hollywood elite who seek respite from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.

CENTURY CITY
Century City is a small, but important business center as many law firms and executives with ties to the entertainment industry have offices there. Formerly a backlot for 20th Century Fox, the area has always had a strong connection to the entertainment industry with ABC Entertainment, MGM Studios, Univision Communications, and Creative Artists Agency all currently or formerly headquartered in Century City.

WESTWOOD
Home to UCLA, Westwood is an affluent community in West LA centered around the mixed residential and business high-rises on Wilshire Blvd. Westwood Village, a shopping district with a small-village atmosphere, is home to many upscale shops, restaurants, and the historic Fox and Bruin Theaters. Also located in Westwood is the Los Angeles California Temple, the second-largest temple operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, home to the Church's missionary efforts in Los Angeles.

VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION
The largest of the VA's health care campuses, the Los Angeles VA serves thousands of veterans every year. The sprawling campus features the Wadsworth Chapel, a Victorian style building built in 1900 as a Catholic-Protestant dual chapel that allowed both Catholic and Protestant soldiers to worship at the same time, on either side of a double brick wall. The Chapel has been closed since the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, but was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

BRENTWOOD
Originally planted with soybeans and avocados, Bentwood is now one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in all of LA. Home to the Brentwood Country Mart, the Mart grew to fame as celebrities were used to grow its cachet. Because of the cozy, one-stop-shopping experience, celebrities helped popularize the location as it became a local, Hollywood haunt. Even today, celebrities are spotted frequently taking in the atmosphere and shopping at the Brentwood Country Mart.

SANTA MONICA
Santa Monica is a beachfront city situated on Santa Monica Bay. The wide beaches, upscale shopping, and tourist hotels make Santa Monica a destination for millions every year. Among its many landmarks include the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, which has stood for over 100 years and has been popularized through television and movies. The Pier and its famous Ferris Wheel are an iconic scene that represents the “fun in the sun" culture of Los Angeles.

Repairing Apartment Damages

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If you’re moving into a new apartment soon or have had a few minor accidents in your current apartment, there are many common types of damage that you can repair yourself without having to bring your landlord into the picture. From stains to scratches, accidents happen to the best of us. Learn how you can fix these problems with a little help from Apartment Guide.

Small Holes

After taking down the photos from your gallery wall, you probably noticed the many small holes left by nails that were used to hang the frames. Patching small holes left by nails, tacks and screws is simple and will leave the walls looking great again.

You’ll need some spackling paste, a putty knife and some sandpaper. Squeeze a small glob of the spackle into each hole, then use the putty knife to spread and blend it over the hole and wall. Once the spackle is dry, use the sandpaper to lightly sand the area, especially around the edges, to leave a smooth, flat wall.

Scuff Marks

Though scuff marks likely aren’t going to cost you any of your security deposit, they make the apartment appear dirtier than it is.

Since I seem to make an inordinate amount of scuffs on the walls of my apartments, I typically don’t try to tackle them all– just really noticeable and large ones. A magic eraser works wonders to get rid of them, so pick up a couple and your walls will be white again in no time.

Large Holes

Now it’s time to tackle that large hole you hid under your favorite painting. Mending large holes in drywall isn’t as easy as some of the other fixes, but it will most likely cost you less than if you were to let your landlord handle it and deduct it from your deposit.

Pick up a mesh repair patch at the hardware store to use with your spackle. Then, cut the patch so that it fits over the hole and the surrounding wall. Cover the patch with spackle, and after it dries, sand down the edges so they blend into the wall completely.

Broken Blinds

Another common damage issue I’m guilty of is bending or even breaking some of my window blinds. Before moving out, dust your windows and blinds, and make sure none are bent or cracked. If bent, do your best to straighten them out as much as possible.

If you can’t straighten them, or if one of the blinds is broken, look for blinds of the same size and color at your hardware store. Replace the broken slat with the new one, and your landlord won’t ever know the difference!

Carpet Stains

If you’re a red-wine drinker living in a carpeted apartment, you probably know a thing or two about removing carpet stains. Tackling stains before they get a chance to set will help your carpet look better overall, but before moving out, peruse the carpet for any stains you might have missed.

Try using baking soda or carpet cleaner first. If that’s not strong enough to remove the stains, consider renting a carpet cleaner from your hardware or grocery store. They’re easy to use, and your carpets will be unrecognizably clean when you’re done.

Scratches on Hardwood

Renters love apartments with hardwood floors because they’re much easier to clean than carpet, but they do have one common problem with them: Hardwood is easy to scratch. There are a couple of quick fixes for the shallower scrapes, though.

Many people swear by the walnut method, which involves rubbing a raw walnut along the scrape until the scratch blends into the rest of the floor. This method works well, just not on deep scratches and darker woods.

For deeper scratches, look for a wood-colored marker or pencil at the hardware store. These products are specifically made for filling in and disguising the scrapes.

General Dirtiness

Deep cleaning your apartment is generally recommended to ensure you get your full deposit back, and to give your landlord less of a headache when he or she is trying to ready the unit for the next renter.

Give everything a good wiping, sweeping and dusting, but spend extra time in the kitchen and bathroom. The refrigerator, microwave, oven and stove should all be thoroughly cleaned, along with the toilet, shower, tub and sink.

Avoid Apartment Fever

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Whether or not we have winter weather, spending too much time in your apartment around your roommate or significant other can make you go a little crazy. So while you may not literally be snowed into your apartment, you can still get “apartment fever.” How can you create little spaces for yourself or times for yourself to take at least a mental break? Apartment Therapy offers these tips for when you need some alone time.

Stagger when you're home

Even crazy-in-love couples may need a few minutes (or hours) apart every day and it's okay to talk about it. Try staggering your schedules to carve out some time when each of you gets to be alone in your apartment. Maybe your mate goes to the gym before work but he could switch to after work to give you a free hour at night. Maybe you can start going into the office early instead of getting a head start at home. There are always little tweaks that can give you some alone time.

Create a physical barrier

Just because you're both home doesn't mean you have to be interacting. It's totally acceptable to close a door, close a curtain or unfurl a screen to give yourself the illusion that you're alone while you think, meditate or just chill.

Create a mental barrier

If you really are squished in and need a minute to reflect, something as simple as putting on headphones with your favorite music may be enough to give you a little mental break. Or simply say to your partner that you need some quiet time sans interruptions and go sit in your favorite chair with your nose buried in a book. Works every time.

What tips do you have for keeping your sanity in a tiny apartment?

Budget-Friendly Art

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Artwork is a great way to put a finishing touch on a room’s decor, but filling your apartment with art can quickly get expensive and not all of us have an inner Picasso. However, there are plenty of options for affordable artwork, besides flea markets and thrift stores. Style at Home has these suggestions:

1 Get 'em while they're young

The most affordable artwork comes from emerging artists, often for three figures or less. If you want your collection to include "name”"artists, expect to pay more -- a lot more -- due to supply and demand, and because costs must recoup expenses like a dealer’s cut, studio maintenance, assistant salaries etc.

If you're keen to buy art you love, which is the approach you should take because your chances of making a future killing on "investment" pieces aren’t great, truth be told, browse the local gallery circuit to see what’s on display at the independent galleries.

Check the websites of galleries in your city and subscribe to their e-newsletters so you’ll know whenever a group show is coming up. Bring your cash or checkbook and strike if you see something you love: it may go fast.

2 Buy art books

Art books are another option. If you love browsing, keep your books in an accessible spot on the coffee table. Or if you're not averse to a bit of slicing, cut out a page and frame it so you can enjoy it all the time. Carte Blanche, V.2: Painting came out in 2008 and features a juried selection of work from Canada’s top emerging, mid-career and established painters. (Volume 1 focuses on photographers.)

3 Turn your vacation shots into wall art

Print your digital vacation snapshots onto photo transfer paper and transfer them onto a canvas. Mount the canvases onto the wall, unframed.

4 Enlist the kids

Frame your kids' paintings. Or give them a canvas or board and glue gun (if they're old enough), and let them go nuts on a mixed media project. Who knows, maybe Jr.'s the next Marla Olmstead, a child prodigy artist featured in the doc My Kid Could Paint That. Olmstead's abstract canvases, compared by The New York Times and BBC to Jackson Pollock and Wassily Kandinsky, have sold for thousands of dollars!

5 Skip the canvas and button up

Toronto's Gallery TPW offers a set of 10 buttons featuring the photo-, text- or found-art based designs of 10 up-and-coming artists in Button Glutton 2006. Mount them inside a shadow box, or take a more creative approach by pinning them onto cushions or upholstery. The cost? A mere $50 plus $5 shipping.

6 Make like Andy Warhol

The Pop Art provocateur was right: commercial packaging design can be beautiful. The next time you find yourself admiring some packaging, mount it. Or take a cool can (Chinese water chestnuts, Italian pasta sauce, artisanal coffee) and use it as a cool, recycled flower pot.

7 Buy student work

Many art and design colleges and universities have end-of-the-year studio sales. They're a great way to pick up paintings, prints, mixed-media and textile pieces from the next generation of emerging artists at cut-rate prices. Search your local institution’s website for details.

8 Frame your old LPs

CDs and digital music files are convenient. But the golden age of album-cover art definitely was during vinyl’s heyday. (This may be one of the reasons why vinyl's currently undergoing a resurgence among music fans these days.) Got some great album covers kicking around? Display them in custom frames.

9 Rent before you buy

Ultimately, the best way to support living artists is to buy their work. But if you're not sure you can live with an expenditure in the up-to thousands of dollars, consider "testing" the goods by renting them first. The Art Gallery of Ontario, for instance, rents pieces for as little as $20/month. A portion of rent can usually be applied towards the purchase of a piece if you realize you can't live without it. And if you're commitment-phobic, renting lets you enjoy art while supporting your local gallery.

10 Give some, get some

And now for something a bit different: If you're thinking now's the time to bust some taboos or confront your body-image issues, consider signing up to be a nude figure model. (Journalist Emily Yoffe of Slate.com did it to humourous effect here). For safety's sake, only work in a studio setting at an established art college or school. See a sketch of yourself that you like? Speak up: chances are you can either buy it cheap or get it for free from the student artist. Bonus: getting paid to hold those poses!

Tiny Decor Updates

"MINT GREEN COLORBLOCK CHEVRON Throw Pillow by nataliesales | Society6" by Wicker Paradise
is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

After the holidays can be a very “blah” time of the year. Chances are you’re itching to be outdoors more, you’re working full work weeks again and, overall, you’re bored. Take this time to make some decor updates to your apartment! No matter what your expendable income is, you can update each room in your apartment for less than $50. Apartment Guide offers these suggestions for each room:

The Living Room

Dress up your windows: Bright curtains can liven up a space in no time, and they don’t have to cost a lot of money either. Look online or at discount department stores for some pretty patterned curtains that will jazz up the windows and add some color to the white walls.

Switch out your throw pillows: A couple of throw pillows won’t break the bank, and your plain couch will look super spiffy. Make the room look even more put together by matching the colors in your pillows to those in your curtains.

Prettify your coffee table: Use a pretty tray to keep your coffee table organized and stylish. Place some magazines or a coffee table book on the tray next to a small vase or scented candle.

The Bedroom

Change your lamp shades: New lamp shades can completely alter the look of a room in an instant. Not only will they add a new style to your bedside tables, but they can also change the quality of light in the room – use them to make the bright light in your bedroom a little softer.

Stack some baskets: Tackle clutter and add some decor at the same time by picking up a couple of stackable baskets to keep in one corner of the room. Throw in some blankets or clothes you don’t wear often, or anything cluttering up your shelves.

Make your own headboard: A quick search on Pinterest will show you just how many DIY headboard ideas there are out there, and some of them can be created pretty cheaply. Even simply hanging a curtain on the wall at the head of your bed can pull the room together.

The Kitchen

Change the hardware: As long as your landlord gives the OK, a great way to change the look of a small apartment kitchen is to switch out the cabinet hardware. For apartments that don’t have very many cabinets and drawers, this can be a super cheap and easy project.

Add a rug: Replace your old rug by the sink with something new, colorful and fun. Over time kitchen rugs can become dirty and discolored. You can feel free to clean it thoroughly, but splurging on a new one shouldn’t break the bank either.

The Bathroom

Add a coat rack: If you have some extra wall space, hang up a decorative coat rack for your robes and extra towels. The colorful array of towels will add some brightness to your walls.

Frame some photos: Almost anything looks great in a beautiful frame, so you don’t have to be a professional photographer to make some hangable artwork. Spend an afternoon walking around a park or neighborhood and take some colorful pictures. Print them out at a drugstore, frame them, and hang them on your bathroom wall.

Choose a fun shower curtain: The most obvious big change you can make in a bathroom for $50 or less is replacing the shower curtain. Something new and colorful will update the room’s overall style immediately.

Illuminate Your Space

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A new year signals a new, fresh perspective on things - like your apartment style! If you’re not in the mood to complete big projects like moving around furniture or painting, there’s something simple you can do that will make all the difference in your apartment’s atmosphere - let the light in! Your apartment will feel bigger and happier by brightening it up with these tips from Apartment Guide:

Keep Shades Light

Since you probably want to avoid drilling into the ceiling of your rental, much of your lighting is bound to be in the form of floor lamps or end table lamps. The good news is that lamp shades offer an opportunity to really show off your style, so you can handle the whole daylight savings time issue with grandeur.

To keep your apartment as bright as possible, stick to light-colored lamps shades. Think white, cream, light gray, or similar hues when selecting a lamp shade. Darker lamp shades will filter out a considerable amount of light and may leave you sitting in the dark.

String Additional Lighting

If you still need more light once you have lamps set up, consider buying string lights, also known as fairy lights. While you may associate this type of lighting with the twinkle lights around a Christmas tree, there are other options available.

Designers now offer string lights with large bulbs, black or silver string, and a sleek modern look. Buy a decorative wooden ladder and string lights around it; set up your pyramid shelves in the corner and adorn the piece with string lights; or simply string them around a window.

Accessorize with Wireless Lights

Some rentals have a limited number of electrical outlets, and rewiring your home is not an option as a renter. Turn to wireless lighting that operates on battery power and is extremely mobile. Wireless LED candles, for instance, offer ambiance and go on with the flip of a switch.

Best of all, faux candles don’t pose the same fire hazard as an actual candle. Tap lights are also wireless and a good way to illuminate shelves or other small spaces. These lights are typically small and round, activated when you apply a small amount of pressure to the top of the light.

Use Mirrors to Maximize Lighting

Add a few mirrors to your rental space if you don’t have a lot of room or money for new lighting. Mirrors propped up against your walls won’t damage the drywall, and can reflect light from your lamps and other home lighting.

Mirrors create the illusion of more lighting sources, and doubles the amount of light that bounces around your apartment. Place larger mirrors next to a floor lamp and small wall mirrors adjacent to end tables with a lighting fixture.

Space Out Your Lighting

Now that your space is outfitted with several floor lamps, a few strands of string lights, and a handful of large mirrors–take a moment to consider the placement of each piece. Don’t put all the lighting in your living room, for instance, while neglecting to consider your dining nook.

Instead, space out your lighting fixtures. Put at least one light source near each corner of larger rooms. Place your mirrors within a few feet of a lighting fixture; this allows them to better reflect the light out into the rest of your space.

Lighting your new apartment should be at the top of your daylight savings to-do list. If you neglect to properly light your apartment, you will soon realize that it’s not possible to enjoy all of your lovely decor in the dark.

Be an Ideal Party Guest

"Happy 2009!" by Ginny is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

From Christmas to New Year’s Eve, you’ll surely be making the rounds at parties throughout the next couple of weeks. Whether it’s a boss or colleague you’re trying to impress or your friends and family, keep these tips (courtesy of Apartment Therapy) in mind and you will be at the top of the invite list next year!

DON'T:

1. Show up right on time.

For most people it's second nature to show up at least 15 minutes late to a big gathering, but the perpetually punctual may have trouble with this. If you find yourself arriving at party within 15 minutes of the stated start time, nip around the corner for a coffee, or hang out at a bookstore for a bit, or just sit in your car. This will give your host a little breathing room and ensure that you don't walk in on them doing frantic last minute preparations.

A few exceptions to the rule: dinner parties, where it's rude to show up more than 15 minutes late. And any party where you know the hostess very well and feel comfortable offering to help out — in that case your punctuality (or even earliness) will probably be welcomed.

2. Bring something that requires a lot of prep.

If you're bringing something to the party, good on you. But don't bring something that will require a ton of prep space or kitchen time on the party end. Chances are your host has been cooking all day and counter space in the kitchen is at a premium. If you're in there chopping things and looking for bowls and knives and whatnot, things can get chaotic.

3. ''Ghost' without saying goodbye to your host.

You don't have to make a big deal of announcing your exit to every guest at the party, but you should at least find your host and let them know that you had a lovely time but unfortunately you have to leave. This will keep them from fielding questions about what happened to so-and-so all night long.

DO:

1. RSVP.

The art of the RSVP is dead, y'all. The number one gripe I hear from friends who host parties is that people don't RSVP, or they do and then don't show up, so it's almost impossible to tell who is coming to your party and how much food you need. So if you get an invite to a party, and you think you'd like to go, click 'yes'. Really, it's not that hard.

2. Offer to bring something.

Chances are good that your host will say you don't need to bring anything at all, just yourself, but offering anyway is standard party etiquette. It's also a way to help your hostess defray the cost of the party, which sometimes can run pretty high. And if you are asked to bring something, for gosh sakes, don't take it home with you at the end of the night (unless your host specifically asks you to).

3. Talk to people you don't know.

Sure, all your friends are at the party. But these are all people you'll see again — how are you gonna meet new people if you just stick with your group all the time? Go by yourself to get food or drink — this is a pretty natural time to chat up people you don't know. Talking to new people is also a HUGE favor to your hostess, who will have to worry less about guests who don't know a lot of people at the party.

4. Say thanks.

Throwing parties is lots of fun, but it's also hard work. And when you work hard at something, it's nice to have somebody else say: hey, thanks. Good job. Traditional etiquette dictates that you send a mailed thank-you note to your host: in modern times, this might seem a little over the top, but thanking your hostess when you leave (and maybe even in an email or text message the next day) will always be appreciated.

5 Things to Take Care of Before Your Holiday Travels

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The time is almost here for those long-awaited days off and heading out of town for the holidays! Of course you’ll remember to pack and wrap all of the presents, but there are some things to take care of before you leave that are probably at the bottom of your list, if they’re even on there at all. Don’t forget to take care of these quick tasks, courtesy of Apartment Therapy, before you leave town!

1. Clean out stinky spots

The trash cans (not just the kitchen one — think about cans in your bathrooms, office or bedrooms), dishwasher, fridge and coffee maker can all be nightmares to come home to if they've been left full of stuff to rot and get stinky while you're away. Empty them all out before you go, but also give them a quick swipe to clean them.

2. Security check

Doors, windows, garage door — are they all closed and locked? Are blinds and curtains closed? Are you leaving a car at your place? Make sure you don't have any valuables in sight. Leave a light on or check your light timer. Can you go a step farther and lock gates to your home and other entrances, too? Make a quick sketch of your floor plan and all the things that need locking, and make check marks as you walk around the house. You can keep that sheet with you as you get on the road in case you get any of those "did I lock that?" feelings.

3. Save energy and protect from damage

Unplug all your electronics. Check the heating system and your water heater — are they turned down low to save energy? Even consider shutting off the water lines to your washing machines to avoid leaks or accidents while you're away. Make sure all your appliances are turned off like the stove, oven, coffee maker and others.

4. Water plants

Give all your green lovelies a nice long drink before you go, and move them to the optimal spot in your home — where the best light is and a spot where they won't get cold drafts (if that's something they wouldn't like).

5. Make sure your neighbors have the info they need

If your neighbors are watching your home for you while you're away, make sure they have keys to everything, phone numbers (and alternative numbers) to reach you if there's ever a problem. If they're watering plants, make sure they know how much and when to do it. Let them know if you'll need the garbage cans brought in or to the curb. Typing up a quick FAQ sheet to leave for them is often helpful.

Are You Making These Hosting Mistakes?

"Holiday Cookies" by Whitney is licensed under CC BY 2.0

‘Tis the season for holiday gatherings! If you’re inviting friends and loved ones over to your apartment this season, or have in the past, you understand that hosting is hard work and can be stressful! While your friends and family don’t expect every single detail to go perfectly, there are some main areas you can focus on to make sure your guests have an enjoyable experience! These are mistakes you’ll want to avoid at your holiday party, courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

1. Expecting guests to help themselves to food and drink.

Don't expect that your guests will know to help themselves to the beer in the fridge, or that they'll be able to find those cookies tucked away in the back of the kitchen. Guests may not be comfortable enough in your house to go hunting around, so make sure everything is in plain sight.

2. Not thinking about flow.

When you're arranging furniture and thinking about where to locate food and drinks, consider how people will move through the house. Generally everyone is going to walk in the door and then go straight for the food and drink, so make sure there's a clear path to the goodies. Think about places where bottlenecks will form and try to eliminate them by creatively moving furniture — if, for example, you have a small kitchen, putting out food in a different room will keep everyone from winding up uncomfortably jammed into a tiny space.

3. Thinking you have to provide seating for everyone.

Unless you're hosting a dinner party, your guests will probably spend most of the party on their feet, chatting. Usually people will only sit down at the very end of the party, when most guests have already left, so provide one or two conversational groupings of chairs, but don't feel like you have to have a seat for every single person. You don't want to wind up with a whole roomful of people, awkwardly standing around a bunch of unused chairs.

4. Serving food and drink that take a ton of prep on the day of.

If you have your heart set on on serving handcrafted cocktails at your party, hire a bartender (or enlist a friend to do the honors) — otherwise you'll spend your whole party mixing and shaking, secretly resenting your guests for having such a good time. Pitcher drinks will make your guests just as happy, and allow you to enjoy yourself too. The same goes for food that requires elaborate preparation — opt for something simpler, or even better, supplement with some appetizers from the frozen food section. With some creative plating, your guests will never know the difference.

5. Not having a plan for music.

You don't have to hire a band or come up with the World's Most Creative Playlist — but you do need something playing when guests arrive. Music provides a little background noise to make people comfortable during those awkward introduction stages, and it also helps set the tone for the entertainment to come.

6. Forgetting to check the thermostat.

A bunch of people all together in a little room = lots and lots of body heat. If you're having a large gathering, you'll probably want to do something — turn of the heater, open up windows, maybe even turn on the A/C for a little while — to cool down the room before people arrive, so you don't wind up with a sweltering apartment two hours later when it's too late to do anything about it.

7. Leaving your guests to introduce themselves.

Especially if you've invited friends who don't know anyone else at the party, don't just welcome them and put a cocktail in their hand and then leave them on their own. Make sure to introduce them to one or two other folks at the party so they're not floating around on their own.

8. Trying to do everything on your own.

Hosting a party is more than a one-person job. No matter how much you prepare ahead of time, you'll probably find yourself scrambling to get things ready at the last minute. If you enlist help — a spouse, a family member, a close friend — you'll be able to spend the first few minutes of your party greeting your guests, and not running around in the kitchen while they awkwardly stand about. (And chances are your friends will be happy to help.)

9. Forgetting to relax and enjoy yourself.

Which party would you rather go to — an event with perfect decorations, food, and drink, with a stressed-out, frazzled host, or a less closeup-worthy event where the hostess is relaxed and having a good time with her guests? Your guests feel the same way. You're the host, and your mood will set the tone for the rest of the party — so relax, have a drink, and let the little things work themselves out.