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Deck your Desk

If you spend any time at a desk during the day, you’ll know what it’s like to feel bored and uninspired. We think your desk is a place of collaboration and innovation. As long as you can foster those kinds of thoughts, you're in the right place. Whether your desk is in a common space, your bedroom or a cubicle, try one of these ideas from the Willow Hill Blog. Keep it clean! A cluttered desk means a cluttered mind. (Or so the great Michael Scott says on The Office .) If you feel this way too, keep your space tidy. Have a garbage nearby for empty coffee cups or snack wrappers. Wipe off your desk, mouse, and keyboard. Use canned air to get crumbs and dust out of little spaces. Use screen safe wipes for your laptop or PC screen. Have chargers handy for your phone and other handheld devices. If you work in a shared space, use headphone or earbuds to keep your music to yourself. Listening to music or a TV in the background can be helpful for focusing, however for others it might be too distracting. Find what works for you and stick to it. To stay inspired at work, consider hanging a vision board above your desk. This is simply a collage of pictures or phrases that encourage you to set and reach goals. Keep books nearby which you can easily reference when needed. As far as decor, pick things that aren’t distracting but spark a sense of joy when you see them. Artwork by people you know and love is a fun way to add something whimsical to your space. An inspirational quote in a frame will remind you of your favorite words. A small plant (even a fake one) adds a touch of freshness and life to your desk. Candles can add a calming touch to your space as well. We hope these tips keep you inspired to work harder and better! Have a great month here in Puyallup, WA. Thanks for reading.

Host an Oscar Party

Celebrate Oscar season by throwing a Hollywood-themed bash in your Willow Hill apartment! We’ve got some ideas for treats, activities, and movies for your Oscar evening here in Puyallup, WA. Get in the mood for award winning by watching one of these past Oscar winners. Try watching One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) or Gone With the Wind (1939) for an old classic. For some fantasy, watch Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). Titanic (1997) or Shakespeare in Love (1998) are great award-winning romance movies you’ll certainly love. As for the party, encourage your guests to dress up to keep with the old Hollywood theme! Visit a local thrift shop for a vintage-looking getup a la Audrey Hepburn or Cary Grant. Create a photo booth backdrop for some fun Instagram pictures! Even your own hashtag for the event will be fun for your guests who love to snap photos. Consider hiring a few photographer friends to show up as “paparazzi” for your guests! Vote on your favorite movies of the season and which ones you think will win. Create voting ballots for your guests. Award the winners with pretend Oscars made from small plastic figurines spray painted gold. For decorations, try one of these fun ideas from Better Homes & Gardens. We especially love the sparkly stars. The bow tie napkins add a really authentic touch your guests will certainly love. Certainly, any decorations of the gold and glamorous persuasion will be just right. Don’t feel like you have to have a Star Wars sized budget either! Your local dollar store is a great place to start when planning decorations for your party. Fun drinks like sparkling cider or champagne will certainly keep with the glamorous theme. Small decadent desserts will make your guests feel like celebrities. Have fun at your Oscar-themed party and don’t forget to watch the actual award show!

Get Organized

After the holiday season of baking and cooking for your friends and family, your cupboards in your apartment could probably use a makeover. We’ve found some great ideas that we can’t wait to share. We think these organization ideas from Stacy and Charlie are perfect for your pantry. Use file storage to hold like items. Label the containers so you’ll know just what’s in it — as well as what you’re out of and what needs to be replaced. This mason jar storage idea from Mums Make Lists uses mason jars to store items of all types, from yarn to matchsticks and sewing supplies. The clear glass makes it easy to see what’s inside, and it’s even more convenient because you can fill a whole shelf with the jars. You can also put utensils on the counter in a pretty jar or vase. This will add functionality to your kitchen. Plus, a pretty vase on your counter is always a good idea! If you only use your waffle maker once a year for your holiday breakfast, or if your cake platters only get used on birthdays, consider moving these items to a closet or storage space. Add a Lazy Susan in the fridge to make it easier to find condiments or sauces while cooking. Purchase stacking shelves to add almost double the space in your cupboards. Be picky about what goes in your cupboards in the first place. Don’t keep large items that are taking up space. Clean out the pantry and fridge periodically so you have more space for fresh foods. Create a space with all cleaning products, detergents, and soaps in order to keep them away from other foods and avoid contamination and spillage. Purchase a spoon rest for cooking — this will help keep the kitchen clean even while you might be making a mess. Keeping your kitchen organized will save time and space. It can even save money! If you can see exactly what is in your cupboards you’ll know what to purchase and avoid buying duplicate items at the grocery store. Thanks for reading Willow Hill’s blog! Makes 24 bars (8 rows, 3 columns). Bars will keep for several weeks in an airtight container. We hope you enjoy this easy and delicious recipe. Thanks for reading Willow Hill blog!

Make Your Own Granola

If healthy eating is at the top of your New Year’s resolutions list, this granola will be the perfect addition to your morning. Making your own granola is a great way to control the amount of sugar and additives in your food. Adding breakfast to your morning routine helps you stay full and energized all morning long. Eating breakfast kickstarts your metabolism for the day. This recipe for chewy chocolate chip homemade granola bars comes from This Week For Dinner . Ingredients 4 cups rolled old-fashioned oats 1 cup brown crisped rice cereal (you can use regular crisped rice; I like brown because it’s a little healthier, I get it at Sprouts and Barbara’s Bakery is my favorite brand) ? cup whole wheat flour ½ cup shredded or flaked unsweetened coconut Heaping ? cup brown sugar 1 cup chocolate chips (regular or mini) Generous ½ teaspoon kosher salt ? cup coconut oil (you can also use canola oil as a substitute, but the best texture comes with coconut oil) ? cup honey 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Instructions Preheat oven to 325º F. Combine oats, crisped rice, flour, coconut, brown sugar, chocolate chips and salt. Mix well. Combine oil, honey and vanilla. Whisk well. Add to dry ingredients and mix well (stir a lot...and then stir some more!). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Pour granola bar mixture onto the lined cookie sheet. Press mixture out into a large, uniform rectangle, about 9″ x 13″. If your hands are damp when you push the mixture into shape, it won’t stick to your hands as much. Bake for about 30 minutes until golden and dry to touch (watch out, it’s hot!). (I bake for 14 minutes, then rotate the pan, then bake for 14 minutes more.) If you use canola oil or your coconut oil was in liquid form, the bars may spread a bit during baking. As soon as you take them out of the oven, use a spatula to push all the edges back in, so you get your original rectangle. Cool on the baking sheet for 10-20 minutes until completely cooled. Slide granola bar along with parchment paper onto a large cutting board. Cut into bars using a long serrated knife - bars need to be completely cooled before you cut them. Makes 24 bars (8 rows, 3 columns). Bars will keep for several weeks in an airtight container. We hope you enjoy this easy and delicious recipe. Thanks for reading Willow Hill blog!

Introducing Our Amenities

No matter what goals you’ve set for the new year, at Willow Hill our amenities will help you achieve what you set out to accomplish. Get glowing with our tanning beds! Our tanning facilities let you have that sun-kissed summer color all year long. If you’ve never used a tanning bed before, they’re a great way to get some light in your life and color to your skin. Just remember to consult a doctor or dermatologist before using the beds. Consider using a tanning lotion (one made specifically for tanning beds) in order to boost your tan and make it last longer! Using body lotion after tanning is a great way to extend the life of your tan, as well. If you feel warm or itchy after using the tanning bed, wait a few days for your skin to heal. Always use protective eye wear inside the tanning bed. Having a bronzed glow all year long is a great way to relax and take some time for yourself — which we think should be at the top of anyone’s resolutions list! If you’ve set a goal to get more work done or improve your grades, our computer lounge is a great place to start. Set aside a specific time each day to get work done. Make sure to eliminate distractions so you can be as effective as possible. Using time wisely will help you accomplish more during the week. Many resolutions are fitness-based. If yours are, too, you are in luck! Our on-site fitness center is a great place to start. Take advantage of the machines and equipment. Create a workout routine that will focus on any area in which you want to improve. If you’re unsure where to start, head to Pinterest or YouTube for workout ideas. Bring a tablet or phone along with headphones and listen to music while you workout. This will keep you moving and motivated. Good luck accomplishing all your goals for 2017 in your home in Puyallup, WA! Thanks for reading!

Indoor Herb Garden

We’re excited to teach you how to plant your own herb garden this month. Cultivate your green thumb by planting some fresh herbs in your kitchen in your apartment in Puyallup, WA. These can be used for cooking, and in decorative pots they can look cute, too. Herbs are the keys to flavor. There’s no shame in using dried herbs, but growing fresh herbs yourself is well worth the effort. Many herbs repel insects, pack great health benefits, and are pretty simple to maintain. Luckily, you don’t need a huge backyard to grow your own indoor herb garden. These happy plants easily grow in small spaces, from your bedroom window to your kitchen counter. Choose which plants you would like to showcase in your own home! Keep in mind that some need sunlight so place them near a window. Basil. Basil, known for partnering with Italian-inspired dishes, also plays well with Asian cuisine. Purple basil acts as a beautiful garnish when you are trying to impress guests. There are many different varieties of basil and all offer different flavors, so make sure you know which type will offer the right flavor for your recipe. Chives. Very closely related to garlic, onions, and shallots in flavor and like these vegetables, chives also drive away pesky bugs like aphids and mosquitoes. Because of their high levels of sulfur, they also prove to be a natural anti-inflammatory and are a great addition to your herb garden. Parsley. This herb is great with many Italian and Middle Eastern dishes. Have you ever tried it in pesto? How about tabbouleh or salad dressing? Definitely put it in your lasagna — it’ll change your life. Unfortunately, parsley tends to attract bugs, so be sure to keep an eye out for these freeloaders and stop the problem before it gets out of control. Rosemary. Rosemary is a great herb to add to fish, lamb, chicken, turkey, sautéed mushrooms, and root vegetables — pretty much every dish that goes along with your holiday meal. Definitely make sure to infuse it with your olive oil — you won’t regret it. For more information on planting herbs, this infographic will be helpful! Good luck with your garden. Thanks for reading the Willow Hill blog.