Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

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  • How to Organize the Perfect Pantry   

    Is your kitchen pantry in need of a little love? With constant shuffling and the addition of new items, it can be easy for the pantry to become difficult to navigate. Pantry chaos can make finding what you need a challenge. However, these quick and easy solutions will help you stay organized and create an easy-to-use pantry. Restore order in your kitchen and cut out chaos with our tips to organize the perfect pantry!

    How to Organize the Perfect Pantry

    Want more clever home hacks and tips? Check out Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate video tips & guides on YouTube!

  • Great Thanksgiving Hosting Tips to Help Your Holidays Run Smoothly

    Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays of the year: You eat delicious food with your friends and family and create memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. However, hosting Thanksgiving isn’t as carefree as attending a Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, it can become stressful if you don’t have any practical hosting tips under your apron. Fortunately, all of the Thanksgiving hosting tips you need can be found right here:

    bhgrelife.com - Great Thanksgiving Hosting Tips to Help Your Holidays Run Smoothly1. Check Your Oven Before the Big Day

    You may think your oven is top-notch, but if you forget to check it, then go to cook the turkey only to find out it’s lacking heat, Thanksgiving won’t be a fun experience – for anyone. Always make sure your oven is in great working shape before the big day.

  • Cozy and Colorful Home Decorations for Fall

    It’s time to prepare for the coziest season of the year. Fall has officially arrived, which means big comfy knits, pumpkin spice aromas, beautiful foliage, and cozy nights. If you’re wondering how these warm and comfortable elements can be used to enhance your home this season, it’s time to check out these cozy and colorful fall decoration ideas.       

    bhgrelife.com - Cozy and Colorful Home Decorations for FallTrade Out Flowers in a Vase for Leaves

    Fall foliage is arguably one of the best things about the season. Add those stunning and warm hues to your interior by finding an empty, clear vase and putting it to good use as a showcase for a vibrant fall leaf collection.

  • Ask a Pro: An Outdoor Housewarming Party in Autumn

    A new home is a cause for celebration, but what if you move in during cooler weather months? Interior design expert and Dream Team member Jennifer Adams has the answers to stay warm during an autumn outdoor housewarming party in the latest edition of Ask a Pro!

    Ask a Pro: An Outdoor HouseWarming Party in Autumn - bhgrelife.com

    Q. Hello, Jennifer! I’m about to host a housewarming party in November to celebrate my new home. Can you help me with a theme? I plan to have it in my backyard under white tents. Thanks!

    —Samantha T.

    A. Congratulations on your new home! I love the idea of having your party outdoors. Add festive outdoor lighting and portable heaters if you live some place that will be chilly.

    One of my favorite non-holiday-based November party ideas, depending on the timing of your party and if you like red wine, is to do a “Release of the Beaujolais Nouveau” theme! The French celebrate this on the third Thursday of November when the newest red table wines come out, but you don’t have to wait that long. Find some inexpensive Beaujolais Nouveau, which is on the light, fruity, sweet side. Pair with fruit, cheeses, sliced roast beef, beet salad, or figs with goat cheese, all perfect for party foods!

    If your party is earlier in November, consider a Mexican theme for the Day of the Dead. It’s a little more than just Halloween, and you can go all-out with a Mexican menu, which is always a crowd pleaser.

    Other ideas include an apple or pumpkin theme for your menu. Have a tasting of hard ciders or pumpkin beers! Pair with fruit, cheeses, crackers or bread and other savory snacks. Let me know how it goes! I’d love to see your photos on social.

    —Jennifer A.

  • 7 Halloween Recipes that are Frighteningly Delicious

    Halloween isn’t just about dressing up in fun and spooky costumes; it’s also a time to dress up your food. Pair your costume this year with some of these spooky yet delicious recipes bound to frighten (and delight) your guests. Hopefully, they are daring enough to taste them!

    To help you in your spooky process, we have compiled a few recipes to scare and impress your guests:

    7 Halloween Recipes that are Frighteningly Delicious - bhgrelife.comPumpkin Cheesecake Truffle Mummies Bake from Creme de la Crumb

    This particular dish is pretty spooky, complete with mummy faces and eyes on the end result! Not only is this recipe cheesecake-based, which is always a fan-favorite, but it also incorporates a favorite seasonal flavor: pumpkin. Combined together, they make a delicious mummy bite-sized snack. In addition, this is an easy-to-make, no-bake treat.

  • How to Arrange Flowers Like a Pro

    You can arrange flowers like a pro with our easy how-to video guide! Skip the florist and the price tag, with these simple tips that turn any group of flowers into a stunning arrangement. Get started here:

    How to Arrange Flowers Like a Pro:

    First, choose a vase that works best with your arrangement. Remember that a flared opening will help stems lean naturally, adding dimension. Gather your choice of 5 types of flowers and 2 types of leaves, 1 to 1.5 times the height of the vase. Cut the stems at an angle. Arrange the stems in a web and incorporate the leaves as filler.

    Now you have an arrangement that is beautiful and better than the flower shop!

  • 4 Important Purchases to Make for Your First Home

    Congratulations! You’ve just purchased your first home. There’s no denying that this is a very exciting time in your life. Becoming a homeowner will bring many new opportunities your way, the first one being a chance to go shopping! As a first-time homebuyer, there are some things you need for your home that you may not have needed previously.  So grab a piece of paper and pen because it’s time to create the ultimate first-home shopping list.

    Bhgrelife.com - 4 Important Purchases to Make for Your First Home1. Lawn Equipment

    One amazing thing about owning a home is that you own the lawn, the grass, the flower beds, and everything else comes with the property. However, this also means you have to take care of what you own, and unless you’re hiring a landscaping company, you will need to purchase some lawn equipment. Here are a few useful tools to help with lawn maintenance and get you started in your outdoor maintenance:

     

     

     

    • Lawn mower
    • Weed whacker
    • Weed puller
    • Water hose and sprinkler
    • Ladder

  • Decadent Carrot Cheesecake with Butterscotch Maple Glaze

    When in need of a sweet treat that will spark your taste buds or something to bring smiles to the faces of your guests, this delicious carrot cheesecake will do the trick! Take a bite, and let the flavors melt in your mouth. Follow this recipe, and everyone will be savoring over your homemade treat.

    Decadent Carrot Cheesecake Recipe

    Ingredients:

    • 1 box carrot cake mix (Duncan Hines)
    • 1 cup hot tap water (for soaking carrots and raisins)
    • 2 eggs
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • ½ cup chopped walnuts, plus extra for garnishing

    For the maple cheesecake:

    • 2 (8 oz. packages) cream cheese
    • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
    • 1/4 cup maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 eggs

    For the butterscotch maple glaze:

    • 1/2 cup butterscotch chips
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 tablespoon heavy cream

    Steps:

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
    2. Place carrots and raisins included in cake mix in 1 cup of hot water and soak for 5 minutes. Drain and squeeze out any excess water.
    3. Combine dry mix, eggs, ¼ cup vegetable oil in a bowl.
    4. Add in the drained carrots and raisins and walnuts. Combine well.
    5. In a separate large bowl, beat together with an electric mixer the cream cheese, maple syrup, sugar and vanilla until a smooth consistency is achieved. Beat in the eggs.
    6. Add 2 cups of the cake batter to the bottom of springform pan.
    7. Spread 1 cup of the cheesecake batter on top of the carrot cake in the pan.
    8. Add in remaining carrot cake batter, and top again with the remaining of cheesecake batter.
    9. Bake in preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until cake is cooked through when a toothpick is put in center comes out clean.
    10. Cool at room temperature. Remove the side off from pan, transfer to a platter.
    11. To make the glaze, put into a small bowl the chips, syrup, and butter. Melt in microwave for 45-60 seconds. Add the heavy cream and whisk until smooth.
    12. Glaze top of the cake as desired and sprinkle chopped walnuts.

  • 5 Amazing Tips for a Successful Housewarming Party

    Do you have a new place, and are you ready to share it with those you love? There’s nothing better than involving friends and family in the joy of your new home and set-up, so when you’re ready, you should consider throwing a housewarming party.

    In need of inspiration to make it truly successful? Here are some housewarming party tips that will take your hosting to a whole new level and will help you set roots in your new community.

    Bhgrelife.com - 5 Amazing Tips for a Successful Housewarming Party1. Decide on the Type of Housewarming Party

    The first step is to decide on the type of housewarming party you want to host. There are many different kinds, and determining which one is best for your needs will help set the mood, theme, and the to-do-list before your grand unveiling. It’s a good idea to take into consideration the following housewarming party ideas, but remember, this is your party, so you can combine a few ideas together to create the event to your liking. Here a few options to consider:

    The Open House, where guests can mingle and come and go as they please. This is best when:

    • Your guest list exceeds the number of available seats
    • You don’t want to plan housewarming party games or activities
    • You’d like small groups of visitors coming in so you can provide personal tours

    Party Before Unpacking, where guests can visit before your new home is fully decorated. This is best when:

    • Your guests want to see the house now instead of weeks down the road when you’ve finally unpacked everything
    • You want a more casual party
    • You want to mingle with close friends to relax in your new home after a big move

    Decorating Housewarming, where guests can visit before you’re done furnishing your space, and can make a game of contributing to the final look and feel. This is best when:

    • Your home isn’t completely set up yet, but you’ve unpacked and are ready to have people over
    • You want your friends’ suggestions for decorating and need inspiration
    • You want to design party activities around the set-up of the actual ambiance of your new home

  • Five Ways to Decorate a Coffee Table

    The coffee table often serves as the hub of your living area. It doubles as a functional hot-spot and a decor focal point! We all love to decorate a coffee table for maximum appeal, and convenience, with items we already have at home. From books, to trays, to flowers, see below for our 5 easy tips to style your coffee table:

    5 Ways to Decorate a Coffee Table

    1. A stack of pretty books is one easy way to showcase your coffee table’s elegance with simplicity.
    2. Add a simple tray with some accessories to improve your coffee table’s style.
    3. Group similar items together on your coffee table to create a streamlined and organized look.
    4. Layer in decorative pieces to create a perfectly designed look for your coffee table.
    5. Arrange your items in a truly chic way by grouping items together of a similar color palette together.