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DIY Doormat

The first thing you (and your guests) see when you get home is your doorstep to your apartment at Willow Hill! Hopefully your guests aren’t waiting too long, but you might as well give them something cute to greet them. There are so many cute doormats that you can find at any budget and in any style here in Puyallup, WA. This week’s blog has some suggestions. Express yourself by creating your own design. Head to Buzzfeed for a simple tutorial on making your own. You’ll need a doormat and a few craft supplies, including paint, duct tape, and a paint brush. There are also instructions for if you want to print out text and design a cute message for your mat. If you’re feeling less artistically inclined, we’ve found a few mats you can purchase for your door! We’re in love with the “Hey Bear” mat from West Elm. Find the link to purchase right here . This cat face doormat from Houzz is a fun find that pays homage to your furry friends! Reach for the stars with this Constellations doormat from Anthropologie. You can find lots of different designs and styles of doormats. These are not only cute to look at, but they are functional, as well. This is where you can wipe off your feet after being outdoors. You can express your personal style with your doormat, too! Consider purchasing a few different ones and switching them out each season. These are a fun way to make a first impression for your guests. Add something extra to your doorstep with a fun wreath or monogram on your door! You can even bring your doormat inside your door for a place to leave shoes and outdoor items like umbrellas. We hope you love this DIY idea and that you can find something that works for your style! Thanks for reading Willow Hill Blog. Check back next month for more apartment living tips and tricks.

Eat a Better Breakfast

Drive-thru breakfast sandwiches are certainly a great way to start any morning, but after a while, your body is going to need something a little more nutritious. Here at Willow Hill, we are all for starting your day with something yummy in our bellies. Eating breakfast, no matter what you eat, is certainly a good thing. But this meal is a great opportunity to add some vitamins and nutrients into your daily diet. Breakfast on the go is something you’re probably used to if you start school or work early in the morning, so you’ll want something that can be easily transported. For a little bit of a rustic take on the typical breakfast dish, we turn to Martha Stewart. This recipe for charred tomatoes on toast is a comforting dish that even packs some veggies into the first meal of the day. What could be better? Find the recipe below: Ingredients 4 slices rustic bread, toasted 1 clove garlic, peeled 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing 4 large eggs Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 4 small tomatoes, such as cocktail or Campari, halved Directions Rub toasted bread with garlic and brush with oil. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium heat. Crack eggs into skillet and cook, undisturbed, until whites are set, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a plate. Increase heat to medium-high. Brush cut sides of tomatoes with oil. Sear, cut sides down and undisturbed, until charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer 2 tomato halves to each piece of toast with a spatula and lightly mash. Season with salt and pepper and top with fried eggs. These ingredients are probably items you’ve got on hand anyway, but this is a delicious twist on your usual boring toast. We hope you enjoy this fun breakfast idea. Thanks for reading!

New Movies

At the end of the week, we think seeing a movie is a fun and relaxing activity. Head to your local theater and check out one of these new releases sometime this month in Puyallup, WA. Below we’ve listed some that you can expect to see in your local theater. The Shack (March 3) — After suffering a family tragedy, Mack Phillips spirals into a deep depression that causes him to question his innermost beliefs. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a mysterious letter urging him to an abandoned shack in the Oregon wilderness. Despite his doubts, Mack journeys to the shack and encounters an enigmatic trio of strangers led by a woman named Papa. Through this meeting, Mack finds important truths that will transform his understanding of his tragedy and change his life forever. Before I Fall (March 3) — When a popular teen girl is killed in a car crash, she relives the critical day seven times and makes changes in an attempt to affect the outcome; in the process, she changes as she tries to make up for previous heartless, self-absorbed behavior and gains a better understanding of herself and others. As she evolves and makes the connections necessary to save a bullied, depressed girl's life, she comes to accept her own fate. Lavender (March 3) — When a woman struggling with memory loss returns to the childhood home where the rest of her family was massacred, strange clues within her photos suggest she may be responsible. Kong: Skull Island (March 10) — Scientists, soldiers and adventurers unite to explore a mythical, uncharted island in the Pacific Ocean. Cut off from everything they know, they venture into the domain of the mighty Kong, igniting the ultimate battle between man and nature. As their mission of discovery soon becomes one of survival, they must fight to escape from a primal world where humanity does not belong. We hope you enjoy these movies this month! Thanks for reading!

Spring Cleaning

It’s just about that time of year! We made it through winter and now is the time for a fresh start as spring makes its way. Spring cleaning is a little more than your typical cleaning routine. This is the time to get down and dirty and clean out those places that you never really think to reach! Don’t feel like it all has to get done in an afternoon. In fact, it’s better if you take a few days to accomplish this task; that way everything gets the attention it deserves. Living in an apartment, you probably have some sort of security deposit, and spring cleaning is a great way to ensure you’re taking great care of your home. About Spring Cleaning, Martha Stewart says, “Your spring cleaning may never become effortless, but you can make the project more manageable -- and even enjoyable.” Below, we’ve listed a few places in your apartment you might want to tackle this spring! Cabinets are a great place to start. They collect dust and food splatters, so wipe down doors and handles. Then take things off of shelves and wipe those down, as well. Use a soft rag with some warm water. If you need something a little more heavy duty, try something like disinfectant wipes. Windows, of course, should be cleaned as well. If you have access, clean the outside of them, too. Clean off mirrored surfaces, including tables or frames. While you’ve got the glass cleaner handy, go ahead and wipe off your car windows, too! The refrigerator is a pretty big task, but you can certainly do it with some organization. Take all food out of fridge and put it on your kitchen table. Get a warm rag and wipe off shelves and drawers. Be sure to do the outside and handles. Go through food and throw out all items that are expired or won’t be eaten. Old leftovers should be thrown out and containers thrown in the dishwasher. Countertops are a spot you’re probably cleaning often anyway. Spring cleaning is a great time to move appliances and clean underneath and behind items. Wipe down appliances as well, empty crumbs from toaster, clean off blender bases and standing mixers, and soon your apartment will be sparkling. Thanks for reading Willow Hill Blog.

DIY Home Project

Implementing 2017 design trends in your doesn’t have to feel impossible. You also don’t have to star on an HGTV show to know how to execute an aesthetic in your home. It also doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Anyone can DIY a project for their home in no time. The best thing about DIY is usually it’s cheaper than purchasing from a store so you can try out lots of different trends before you invest in a high-quality piece. Of course, designing your Willow Hill apartment’s interior is a process. Be patient as you look for items that really speak to you. A collection of pieces will have more meaning in the long run because of the effort you put into finding them. Each piece should tell a story. When you’re first starting out, though, invest more in the things you absolutely need like a table or couch and a budget for vintage prints will come later on. Another plus with DIY is that you can put your own spin on any project. Choose colors and textiles that really work with the vibe of your home. If you don’t feel like your home has a “vibe” or a “theme” yet, that will come with time! Half the fun is deciding what you love and where those items will fit in your life and home. First, this Watercolor Wonderwall opens up a ton of possibilities. As mentioned, colors can be customized to fit your own preferences. Find the DIY right here on Vintage Revivals. Adding functionality and style to your space is this cute basket. Store the “less pretty” items in it. You can find this tutorial here . The project was inspired by an item spotted at Anthropologie. It only takes a few supplies to make it — it’s a win-win! We hope that you enjoy creating and designing your Puyallup, WA apartment this month. Thanks for reading.

Dinner Ideas

Thinking about what to make for dinner is probably not your idea of fun. We thought we would round up a few recipes you’ll certainly love making in your Willow Hill apartment this month. From Pioneer Woman comes this sour cream noodle bake. Find the recipe here . This dish was created by Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman. She says, “This really is yummy, guys, and can be made ahead of time and refrigerated, unbaked, until you’re ready to pop it in the oven. Delicious, easy weeknight grub.” It’s basically a mix of really hearty, flavorful ingredients into a great dish you’ll fall for. For something on the lighter side, try this idea from Listotic for baked spaghetti squash. The site says, “It is a super healthy substitute to regular pasta because it is much higher in nutrients, gluten-free, and quite a bit lower in carbs and calories. And by the way, kids love it too!” These Parsley butter potatoes from Foodie Crush are the perfect side dish to any dinner. Find the recipe here . About these tiny potatoes, the site says, “Baby red potatoes are the simple cook’s dream side dish. They’re creamy in texture. They cook quickly. You don’t have to skin them. And they’re easy to prepare no matter what your method. Roasting. Grilling. Smashing. And like here, with your basic quick boil in water.” For a delicious treat after your meal, try this one from Amanda’s Cookin. This Chocolate Lasagna is a layered dessert made with pudding, whipped cream, and a delicious crust! If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, try planning out a week at a time. That way as you’re thinking of recipes and purchasing ingredients, you can do it all at one time. Doing so will help to save time and money during your grocery trip to your closest Puyallup grocery store. We hope you love these easy dinner ideas. Thanks for reading.