Home Decor Exchange Newsletter - HDE Connection

It's best to start with the essentials. Even though you think you'll being doing so much "studying" you won't have time for sleep, a bed is still necessary. Think small here, now think even smaller. If you toss and turn when you sleep, you either need to break yourself of that habit or cushion the floor beside your bed. Actually, single beds aren't that bad, and that's what you'll need here, a basic single bed, no bells and whistles. Another option here is a futon. Futons get a bad rap, but some actually are comfortable, and of course double as a sofa-ideal for late nights playing X-Box, er, studying.

Make Your Dorm Room a Place Everyone Wants to Be

The long, hot summer is almost over and college students everywhere will soon be headed back to school. Time to start prepping for classes, thinking about hectic schedules and, of course, decking out that dorm room.

Many students will put more priority on the latter than others. There's always one room on each floor that stands out from the rest as being "the room" everyone wants to spend time in. Want to make it yours? The trick is to start planning early. The ideal setup will be a place that allows your personality to shine, while incorporating all the necessities of dorm life living.

A good place to start is with where you'll lay your head at night. Ask ahead of time how big the bed will be. Many schools provide extra-long twin beds that will require special sheets and bedding. This time of year, that size is easy to find in many cool colors and designs at discount and department stores. And, keep in mind, the mattresses colleges provide aren't necessarily the most comfortable so invest in an egg crate. They only cost around twenty dollars and can mean the difference between waking up well-rested or dead-tired. Once you have your sleeping situation taken care of, invest in some throw pillows to add a bit of pizzazz, so your bed can double as a sofa when you have your friends over.

The next most important thing -- to your academic well-being anyway --will be the study area. Some people work best at a desk, while others prefer to sit on the bed or in a beanbag chair on the floor. Regardless of where you decide to set up shop, you're bound to need additional lighting. Invest in a halogen floor lamp, a desk lamp or both. You'll also need some kind of shelving to keep your textbooks and notebooks organized. Milk crates are a good and inexpensive option. They can be stacked so they won't take up much space -- which is at a premium in a dorm room -- and they also make great tables to rest drinks and dinner plates on.

Back-To-School Tips for the Savvy Mom

When the end of summer finally rolls around it can be difficult to see past all the beach-bumming, lemonade-sipping and sun-soaking you've enjoyed for the past few months. But before you know it, the kids are going back to school and, once again, good old mom is busy arranging car-pooling schedules, packing lunches and helping with math homework.

Even though after-school activities and weekend baseball games can weigh heavily on a time-starved mom, hope is not lost. With a few adjustments to the daily routine, moms everywhere can finally enjoy some time for themselves during the back-to-school season, while still maintaining a happy household.

Cook Smart, Eat Smart
Save time during the week by preparing meals ahead of time. Buy universal ingredients like chicken, vegetables, sauce and cheese to create a variety of dishes without having to over think it.

Decorating Your Home: 5 Style Tips That Cost Less Than $50

Do you dream of adding style to your home but don't have a lot of money? Don't despair! There are 5 things you can do that will help your house look beautiful without spending much money.

1. Declutter your home.

Nothing zaps a great look like clutter. Look around you. Do you have paper plies or mail stacks? Do you just add to your knickknack collection rather than rotate your select favorites? When was the last time you saw the front of your refrigerator? Simple solutions that cost very little money are to invest in nice office trays, pretty bulletin boards and frames for your child's artwork. Make the trash can handy to immediately toss unwanted mail. Taking away the clutter will make your space appear larger and help your treasured objects be emphasized rather than lost.

2. Make display surfaces pretty.

A key element in houses that are decorated by a professional rather than want-to-be is the art of accessorizing. Flat surfaces such as mantels, bookcases, and coffee tables are the perfect places to restyle for less. The one important point here is to keep it simple. Bookcases should only be 2/3 full. A mantle should not have mirror above it (a very dated look) - choose artwork instead. Place no more than three items on an end table - cluster these varied but related items together for more impact.

From HDE's Beauty & Fashion Corner: Brighten Your Look in Just 5 Minutes a Day!