10 DIY Home Decor Ideas to Decorate Smart and Cheap

For the longest time, my brain immediately went blank when I heard “cheap home decor ideas.” In my mind, “cheap” meant the opposite of chic. Plenty of research and several experiences later, I’ve picked up a thing or two about affordable decor for home projects that cost next to nothing but definitely make a huge difference. Let’s go over them together. 

10 Home Decorating Ideas on a Budget 

1. Swap Out Throw Pillows

I saw someone refresh her entire living space just by switching out her throw pillows. She didn’t even buy new ones. She just opted for old fabric and a beginner-friendly tutorial. If you’re trying to decorate on a budget, this is probably the easiest win. Swapping pillows is like giving your home decor a mood change without doing anything risky. No paint, no hammer, just a zip and a fold.

2. Wallpaper the Inside of a Bookcase

A friend once used peel-and-stick wallpaper to line the back of an old IKEA bookshelf, and it looked like she bought it from West Elm. That’s one of those decor ideas that make a subtle difference. If you want budget-friendly texture and color without overwhelming one room, try it. You’ll need good print, a ruler, and something to smooth out the pattern.

3. Thrift a Lamp and Repaint It

Someone in my neighborhood group posted a photo of a ceramic lamp she got for $6 at Goodwill. She painted it matte black and used a linen shade, and the whole thing looked designer. I tried the same DIY project, and now it’s the coziest part of my reading corner. Moral of the story: thrift stores are goldmines if you’re on a tight budget and willing to paint a little.

4. Repurpose Old Frames for Wall Art

If you’re not sure how to decorate a bare wall but don’t want to commit to a gallery setup, try what I saw in a decorating ideas thread: frame leftover fabric, wallpaper scraps, or postcards from flea markets. It’s low effort, no stress, and easy to swap when you’re bored. Add a few frames in different shapes and you’ll have something decorative that feels like you.

5. Use Wallpaper as a Headboard

In a small apartment I once saw online, the owner stuck a rectangular patch of printed wallpaper behind the bed. If you’re trying to decorate without a headboard, try this hack. A bold geometric print or something textured works best if your room needs a little drama.

6. Hang Curtains Higher than the Window

This one is a pure visual trick: Hang curtains about six inches above the frame to make the space feel larger. You’d be shocked what that does to your home decorating game. Even cheap panels can look high-end this way. It pulls the eye upward and helps the room feel taller, which is perfect if you’re dealing with builder-grade basics and tight ceilings.

7. Pick and Paint an Accent Wall

I’ve seen a home decor makeover where they painted just one accent wall in deep green. The distinction of the wall made the clutter fade into the background. Do you have to go with deep green? Not necessarily. Clay red, bright yellow, or any other bold paint color works as long as it matches your current decor. 

8. Facebook Marketplace Furniture Swap

My cousin wanted a new coffee table but didn’t want to spend a dime. She used Facebook Marketplace to swap her old one for a mid-century side table with way more charm. It was such a genius budget decorating move. You can totally reuse or trade an old piece for something that fits better, even if all it needs is a sanding and polish.

9. Try Area Rugs in Weird Spots

Someone once told me they use area rugs not just under sofas but even in their hallway. At first I thought: weird. But, in rentals, it’s one of the best cheap ways to warm up cold floors or distract from tired tiles. If your living space feels like something you wish you left in the past, try this. Patterns help hide stains and add texture instantly.

10. Add Greenery (Even Faux)

I once helped a friend stage her place for an auction. The one thing that made it look like a beautiful home? Plants: some real, some faux. We tucked them on shelves, hung one near the window, and filled a corner with a giant snake plant. Greenery will always fit into any decor setup, really.

Conclusion 

I’ll be honest: I didn’t apply all of these ideas when decorating my home. There’s only so much you can do to transform a space without making it seem like it’s just showing off everything you got from several yard sales, anyway. However, if you ever need easy DIY ideas to make your space look better, have at any of the ones in this article. 

Best Vegetarian Dinner Recipes (They Can Be Ready in 30 Minutes or Less)

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I honestly believe that in an ideal world, weeknight dinner would take just a few ingredients, minimal cleanup, and be done in 30 minutes or less. Especially if you’re on a vegetarian diet, dinner recipes need to work hard without feeling like work. While I haven’t created that ideal world, I have tested enough easy vegetarian recipes to know which ones actually make for dinner you’ll want to repeat. Some are classic vegetarian recipes. Some are meatless miracles in disguise. And if you’re vegan? Don’t worry. There are meatless meals here that can flex to fit your preferences.

Let’s get into these weeknight wins. 

Ten 30-minute Vegetarian Dinner Recipes

1. Creamy Gnocchi with Spinach and Feta

There’s something about gnocchi that just makes me feel like I have my life together, even if I absolutely do not. I sauté spinach in butter, dump in a bag of store-bought gnocchi, and stir in some feta until it all starts to look like an actual vegetarian dinner and not just ingredients. It’s creamy, salty, soft, and a little tangy. And it’s always ready in 30 minutes, which is the only requirement around here.

2. One-Pot Cacio e Pepe with Ricotta

When I want to feel like I know what I’m doing in the kitchen (without actually doing anything), I make this. Boil noodles, toast some pepper, stir in cheese, and plop in a scoop of ricotta. It’s the easy vegetarian dinner I keep making just to prove to myself that 20 minutes and one pot can taste like something I’d order on a good day.

3. Mac and Cheese with Butternut Squash

This is for those days when I want mac and cheese, but also feel the overwhelming need to pretend to be healthy. I roast butternut squash, blend it into the cheese sauce, and mix everything into elbow pasta. Add some paprika, maybe a little parsley if I’m feeling alive. Don’t ask me why this goes under healthy vegetarian recipes when it’s basically cozy carbs with marketing.

4. Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpea Tacos

This is what I make when I’m feeling dramatic but still want something quick and easy for dinner. I toss cauliflower and chickpeas in cumin and paprika, roast them till golden and smug, then smash everything into tortillas with yogurt or hummus (depending on the day I’ve had). It’s meatless, crispy, and warm, and sometimes I even remember to add lime. A vegetarian main dish that behaves like comfort food? I’m in.

5. Tahini-glazed Sweet Potato Bowls

Some meals look like you planned your life out in advance. While this is not one of them, it’ll require you to roast sweet potato chunks, wilt kale in the same oven heat, and drizzle everything with a suspiciously good tahini dressing. Serve it over quinoa if you want to impress no one but your gut.

6. Stuffed Bell Peppers with Rice and Beans

I only make these when I want something that feels like effort but isn’t. Halve bell peppers, fill with rice and beans, top with cheese (lots), and roast until the tops look like they’ve got a tan. This vegetarian version of taco night gives me leftovers for lunch the next day, if I don’t eat them straight out of the baking dish at midnight.

7. Tofu and Veggie Fried Rice

Make this when you want takeout but also want to pretend you’re financially responsible. To start, pan-fry tofu until it’s actually crispy (don’t skip the cornstarch), throw in rice, soy sauce, whatever vegetables are dying in the fridge, and stir until it smells like dinner. If not for this quick vegetarian dish, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t know what emotional support feels like.

8. Spicy Lentil and Kale Quesadillas

Lentil paired with kale quesadillas? It’s the “I don’t want to talk about it, I just want to eat” kind of meal. Mash cooked lentils, sauté them with kale, and slap them between two tortillas with cheese. Heat till golden, cut into triangles, and dunk in salsa or sour cream or hummus or whatever’s in reach. It’s warm, melty, vaguely vegan-adjacent, and checks every dinner box I care about.

9. Black Bean Enchiladas with Hummus Drizzle

The only reason I even call this an enchilada is because I roll things into tortillas and bake them. It’s literally canned black beans, shredded cheese, and store salsa. But the kicker? I skip enchilada sauce and use lemony hummus as a drizzle. It’s one of the best vegetarian tricks I pull when I want dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. 

10. Hearty Vegetarian Chili with Crunchy Toppings

Having vegetarian friends over and needing them to think you’ve been cooking all day? Simmer black beans, chickpeas, tomatoes, and spice into something that looks serious.   Toppings—yogurt, cilantro, lime, and crunchy tortilla chips—will do the rest of work, and you can pretend they were a planned garnish. It’s filling, warm, and somehow still only takes half an hour or less.

Final Thoughts About These Easy Vegetarian Dinner Recipes 

I bet 30-minute vegetarian meals have never sounded so good, right? Save these for the next busy weeknight when you want a vegetarian meal with real flavor and texture, but you’ve already decided takeout’s not the answer. 

 

 

A Step-by-step Guide to Launching Your Techwear Clothing Brand on Instagram

Launching your techwear brand on Instagram is a smart choice this year. After checking the stats and making some purchases through the app myself, I, like many other people, have come to believe that Instagram has a strong influence on buying decisions. In one survey, 72% of respondents said that they bought something because of content that they viewed on the sunset-colored app. In this blog, I’ll explain how to launch your techwear brand on Instagram in three simple steps. 

3-Step Guide to Launching Your Techwear Brand on Instagram 

Step 1: Establish a Strong Brand Identity 

This step is essential for anyone who wants to start a clothing brand, whether they’re going into techwear or not. Since you’ve already defined your niche (techwear), your next stop is identifying your subniche. Will you be offering cyberpunk wears? Athletic techwear? Designer techwear? Just knowing that you’ll be using #futuristicfashion or #techwearfits isn’t enough. 

Plan a consistent aesthetic grid. Your posts should share a coherent style (lighting, color tones, layout) so your brand “look” is instantly recognizable. If you’ve planned to show your techwear in action using dynamic rather than flat product shots, stick to that plan. 

Step 2: Build a Content Strategy 

Between you and me, everybody misses the days when hashtags like outfitoffuture and urbanfashion still had enough bite to push your engagement rate through the roof. These days, you need a content strategy. In your content strategy, you map out the types of content you’ll post, when you’ll post them, and how often you’ll post them. 

Data shows that video content receives about 67% more engagement than photos. This means that you need to make sure to prioritize Reels and Stories if you aim to build your brand on IG. For posting frequency, fashion brands currently use ~6 Reels per month, so that’s a fine target to start with. And update your stories every day.

Step 3: Activate Your Community and Let Them Market for You

Techwear brands serve a niche audience. To make sure Instagram pushes your clothing line to the right target audience, you need to pull out all the stops—and that starts with community.

According to an article I found by Cloudriff while researching this blog, 84% of consumers trust a brand more when that brand shares user-generated content. What should you do with this information? Encourage user-generated content by asking customers to share photos of themselves in your gear using a branded hashtag. Repost those photos (with credit) to strengthen bonds and build social proof.

You don’t have to wait for your clothing company to blow up in your target market before you get content. Start small. Ask your friends (especially the ones who aren’t camera-shy) to model your pieces and post about them. They should tag your account and use your hashtag to increase your visibility faster.

You can also run contests or giveaways that encourage people to tag friends or create posts with your products. This provides more user-generated content and introduces your brand to new people.

Take it a step further with challenges (like “style your tech jacket for fall”) that get IG users involved in a fun, low-barrier way. And use feedback tools such as Stories polls or quizzes to ask what designs your audience wants next. It makes them feel part of the process. That kind of engagement keeps them coming back.

3 Techwear Brands on Instagram to Inspire You

Still anxious? Don’t think posts under #techwearclothing will get anywhere? New to fashion marketing and already doubting your potential for success? Same. But seriously—look up these techwear fashion brands on Insta:

Guerrilla Group (@guerrillagroup_co)

Guerrilla Group is this Taiwanese techwear label that leans hard into sci-fi and post-apocalyptic vibes. Every drop comes with some weird, detailed backstory that makes you feel like you’re buying gear for a futuristic uprising. Picture dark lookbooks and animated teasers, and you have a pretty accurate idea of what their Instagram looks like.

ACRONYM™ (@acronym.gmbh)

ACRONYM is this super influential German techwear brand (founded by Errolson Hugh) that basically helped pioneer the whole genre. They use Instagram to tease drops and flex all the design details like their wild “Speedlock” zipper system. Posts like that are pure gold for tech-savvy fashion nerds… which, yes, I proudly am one of.

Vollebak (@vollebak)

If you want a live example of how to build a community around your brand, go check Vollebak’s IG page. The UK-based adventure-tech brand started in 2016 and has pulled off 100% year-on-year growth since then. Their Instagram is packed with these wild “product science” visuals such as extreme closeups of copper in their Full Metal Jacket or videos showing how water just slides off their Eiderdown Puffer.

Conclusion 

This blog post covers the basics of how to launch a clothing brand in the techwear niche on Instagram. Right now, most techwear brands on the app obsess over how their futuristic hoodies are eco-friendly and waterproof. Cool, but you can absolutely go above and beyond those same talking points. Leverage the platform for real visibility, tell a fresher story, and your startup will do better than fine. 

Capsule Wardrobe Essentials That Don’t Just Look Good on Instagram

Here’s how I think of it: a capsule wardrobe is a smaller wardrobe filled with pieces you actually want to wear, not those that you think look good on your favorite influencer. 

For many people, this is the point where they start to think of white t-shirts, straight-leg denim, an oversized button-down, and 2 pairs of shoes that do the heavy lifting (hi, white sneakers and loafers). The goal? Fewer clothes, better outfit ideas, and no more blank stares into your closet. 

A good capsule includes wardrobe essentials like a trench coat, a black dress, and a crewneck cashmere sweater. If you don’t really dig these pieces, that’s fine too. The general idea is that your clothing choices should fit into a timeless wardrobe that skips trends and leans into what you can wear everyday without giving yourself a five-minute pep talk first.

Capsule Wardrobe Essentials for Women in 2025

1. White T-shirt

No capsule wardrobe examples are complete without a white t-shirt, but that’s not because there’s anything really exciting about it. It’s just there for you, and it’ll fit under a blazer, with denim, over a tank. You’ll wear it more than you expect, especially on days when you’re convinced you have nothing to wear (you do—it’s this). 

2. Straight-leg Jeans

If you’re only keeping one pair of denim, let it be a straight-legged one. Straight-leg jeans play well with oversized shirts, tiny tanks, loafers, sneakers, etc. I’m giving bonus points if they work for both everyday wear and the occasional dressy-ish dinner.

3. Oversized Button-down Shirt

There are button-down shirts and then there’s the oversized kind that makes an outfit even when you weren’t trying. This one works with leggings, jeans, skirts—and bloated tummies. If you’re creating a capsule wardrobe, just get one already. 

4. Tote Bag

A good tote should hold your water bottle, laptop, receipts from three months ago, and still count as part of the outfit. Capsule wardrobe tip: go for something neutral, easy to pair, and not too precious.

5. Outerwear 

Whether it’s a trench coat, a light puffer, or something vintage and secondhand, your outerwear should work harder, preferably with a neutral tone, solid structure, and the ability to layer without bunching weirdly. 

6. Black Belt

If you’ve never thought much about belts, that’s fine. Most people haven’t. But now that we’re on the subject, picture a simple black belt over a blazer, through trouser loops, or added to a loose dress. Suddenly, the outfits feel thought-through, yeah? That’s how far belts can take you. 

7. Tank Top

There’s the ribbed tank top you wear out, and the stretched-out one that should’ve been cut into rags three months ago. You only need the first kind. 

8. Denim Shirt

The denim shirt wants to be thrown on—open, closed, of tied up. It’s one of those basic items that works overtime without looking like it’s trying to prove anything. It even forgives wrinkles.

9. The Hoodie

Somewhere between dressy and “I give up,” there’s a hoodie you can wear with jeans and not feel like you should apologize. Go for one in a solid neutral, avoid logos, and try to check if it feels like the softest version of calling it a day.

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Scratch

Here’s how to start.

1. Start with what you already wear

Capsule wardrobe tips often start with shopping lists, but you’re better off beginning in your laundry basket. Pull the blue jeans, tee, cardigan, and crossbody bag you keep reaching for. If you wear it regularly, it earns a place. The capsule wardrobe is a collection, darling, not a performance.

2. Declutter without self-punishment

You’re not Marie Kondo, and you don’t have to be. Try this: set aside anything that doesn’t fit, makes you itch, or has you saying “I’ll wear this once I tailor it.” If you haven’t touched it in a year, you probably don’t need to wear it. 

3. Work with five core types of pieces

A solid capsule wardrobe base includes a great pair of blue jeans, a well-constructed jacket (maybe a Khaite dupe), a cardigan, a neutral handbag, and a white tee. From there, mix in timeless pieces that make you feel confident.

4. Buy slowly, and stop when it’s enough

If you’re buying clothes to fill a gap, fine. But don’t go on a haul in the name of personal style. Stick to high-quality pieces in neutral tones that you can mix and match. Grab denim skirts, blazers, chic coats—things that work every season, not just fall and winter.

5. Reassess twice a year

Twice a year, look into your closet. Notice what you’re reaching for and what just hangs there. If you’ve outgrown a trendy blouse or that one Khaite-inspired jacket just doesn’t work, admit it to yourself and let them go. 

Conclusion 

The idea of a capsule wardrobe can feel a bit too curated when you first meet it. But building a capsule wardrobe will transform your closet into a meeting point for clothes you love, wear regularly, and don’t have to overthink when getting dressed.

In all this, keep the point in mind, which is this: to have a collection of thoughtfully curated essential items that lower decision fatigue. So build your wardrobe around pieces you can wear today, and you’ll want to wear tomorrow. 

10 Small Living Room Ideas with TV (Fireplace Fans, You’re Covered Too)

I love small living rooms. They’re cozy, contained, full of potential. But making them feel homey? That’s the hard part. So many living room designs look great online but fall apart when you try fitting a TV in a small living room. And the moment you walk into the lounge, the clutter makes it feel like the whole room would pick your opponent’s side in a fight. If you’re in the same pickle, the design ideas below might just save your sanity. 

My Favorite Small Living Room Ideas with TV

1. Wall-mounted Frame TV with Floating Shelves

A friend had this gallery-style frame TV that looked like a painting when it wasn’t on. That changed how I now see a blank wall. Mount your television at a comfortable viewing height and add two floating shelves for plants and remotes. It’ll define the TV wall without cluttering your living space. If you want the screen to matter less but still be there, this is one of the best living room ideas with TV you should try.

2. Corner Armchair + Wall Sconces

One of the more clever room layout ideas I’ve spotted came from a rental with no overhead light and nowhere to center the TV. They pushed the TV to a corner, added an armchair facing it, and used wall sconces for light. This kind of layout can turn a small space into a cozy and inviting spot instead of a screen shrine.

3. Wallpaper to De-emphasize the TV

If there’s a particular wall that feels too empty but you don’t want to fill it with frames, try wallpaper. I used a bold pattern behind the screen, and it helped de-emphasize the TV without hiding it. Especially in small living rooms, it keeps the screen from dominating. One dark leafy print made the room feel layered, less techy, and more styled. Bonus: it also disguised a wall patch I never fixed properly.

4. Sleek Console with Open Shelves

This one came from a home design blog post I bookmarked a few months ago. In the inspo pic, they used a sleek TV console with open shelves. The main detail was that the back was cut out so the wall color peeked through. It works way better in small apartments than bulky units. Light passes through and cords stay hidden. 

5. Gallery Wall with a TV Tucked In

Instead of centering the screen, hang it slightly off to the left, then build a gallery wall around it: I’m thinking photos, a dried flower, a postcard. When next the TV is off, it won’t feel like a black hole. If you’re styling a living room with a TV and want it to feel more personal, start here.

6. Dark Paint and Seamless Wall

I got this idea from a show set in a moody apartment. The walls and ceiling were the same dark grey. Painting the entire wall and ceiling one color made the screen sit in space better, and in a dark room, it somehow made the room feel bigger. I’d recommend this for anyone sick of contrast lines.

7. Fireplace as the Anchor

Yes, mounting the TV above the fireplace is controversial. But where there’s no other obvious wall, you might as well do so, then flank the TV with two art prints to keep it from looking like a showroom.

8. Poufs Instead of a Coffee Table

When space is tight, a big coffee table can make a cozy living room feel cramped fast. How about switching yours out for two poufs and a small tray? It’ll give you plenty of seating, more footrests, and less visual bulk. 

9. Light Source Trick with Oversized Sofa

The best small living room ideas may not always come from expensive interior designers. They may come from mistakes. I once bought an oversized sofa without measuring. It barely fit, but it ended up creating a natural divide in the room. I paired it with a tall side table and a low light source behind it, and the screen tucked into the corner didn’t matter anymore. The main seating area was the star.

10. One Wall, Multiple Zones

A work friend of mine had just one usable wall and a lot of stuff. She arranged furniture in vertical zones: TV up high, bookshelf below, tiny desk to the side. Just like that, you can make your small space feel like it was made for your TV without compromising your layout. 

Conclusion 

Plenty can work in a small living room if you’re thoughtful about layout. Instead of letting the TV be the focal point, make it blend into the bigger picture. In small living rooms, the goal is to make the whole room feel balanced. Your guiding principle? Treat the TV as part of the design, not the main element. our space will feel just right.

10 Easy Dinner Recipes for Beginners (Who Are Definitely Over Frozen Pizza)

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I can’t say how many times I’ve been at this point: typing “easy dinner recipes for beginners” into the trusty Google search bar, tapping “send,” and keeping my fingers crossed for suggestions that I can recreate in less than 30 minutes. After building a rich search history, I’ve put together my own list of quick and easy dinner recipes that could really come in handy on a busy weeknight. 

Quick and Easy Pasta Dishes

1. Classic Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

The classic spaghetti aglio e olio is plain: spaghetti boiled in salted water until al dente, drained from the water, and coated in sautéed garlic and red pepper flakes. On most days, I’m happy with the garlicky goodness and silky satisfaction that comes with this easy weeknight dinner. And on days when I don’t want to feel like I’m just scrambling together another one of the quick and easy dinner ideas, I throw in canned chickpeas, some broccoli, and shred some leftover (but very well preserved) rotisserie chicken into everything. 

2. Creamy Mac and Cheese with Peas

Delicious recipes that remind you of easy family dinners? That’s mac and cheese with peas. It all comes together in about 20 minutes or 25, tops. The first ten minutes: boil macaroni, drain pasta water, and set the macaroni aside. For the rest of the 10 or 15, I melt butter, whisk flour in, add milk, stir in cheese, and then fold in the pasta and peas. Then all I need is a good sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and I’m set. 

3. One-Pot Cacio e Pepe

My one-pot magic takes about 20 minutes to make. Basically, you’re toast black pepper over medium heat, boil salted water inside the same pan, and then add pasta. After boiling the spaghetti, drain most of the water from it. Then, stir in cheese into the spaghetti after removing the pot from the stove. 

One-Pan and Sheet Pan Meals

4. Sheet Pan Chicken with Roasted Broccoli and Carrots

You won’t have to wait forever to get dinner on the table. Just preheat your oven to 425°F, toss chicken thighs, broccoli, and carrots onto a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, and that’s it. 

5. Bruschetta Chicken Bake

Do you have a handful of ingredients and a craving for comfort food made with chicken? Bake chicken breasts glazed with mixed tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and Italian seasoning topped with sprinkled mozzarella. It goes well with pasta and rice but I personally prefer serving it with crusty bread. 

6. Teriyaki Salmon with Red Peppers and Kale

You know what else you should try when all you want in the world is an easy weeknight meal? Teriyaki-glazed salmon fillets that have  roasted bell peppers and kale cutting through their buttery-sweet salty and slightly tangy flavor. It takes 15 minutes out of my lifetime for the salmon to cook until it flakes with a fork and the vegetables are tender—and I don’t mind at all. 

Stir-fry Recipes for Beginners 

7. Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Whenever I see “stir fry” in any easy dinner recipes for beginners, I bookmark it. I’m all for quick dinners, and stir-frying chicken, garlic, and broccoli in hot oil gets me there fast. 

8. Chickpea and Cauliflower Stir Fry

This is one of the easiest recipes to make. I give it extra points because it requires onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and spices. If you want to deepen the creaminess of the chickpeas, add a splash of coconut milk. 

Creative and Nutritious Dinner Ideas

9. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Black Beans and Kale

Looking for easy recipes when I don’t have an appetite is hard, so I often turn to sweet potatoes roasted on a baking sheet at 400°F. Sometimes, after stuffing the sliced soft potatoes lengthwise with kale and black beans, something inspires me to top the potatoes with shredded cheese and sour cream. Since my palate is quite mild, I prefer not to use crushed red peppers. But you should totally use them if you want your easy weeknight dinner to also be spicy. 

10. Rotisserie Chicken Tacos with Roasted Cauliflower

One thing those in my friend circle have learned is that I don’t think there can be too many simple recipes perfect for busy weeknights. Take cauliflower tossed with olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet and roasted in a preheated oven, for example. If all you have to do is fill tortillas with roasted cauliflower and heated shredded chicken for dinner, you’d do it in a heartbeat, right?

Conclusion 

Okay, I have to clear something up: easy meals won’t come to you on their own. Depending on what you’re making, you might need to dice some veggies, sauté fresh ginger, add the pasta, or let rice cook in the background. Just keep your mind on the glory of chicken tenders, creamy chicken, tomato soup (or whatever’s in the works) and you’ll get through it.

Beans – the super food for you

There are a couple reason why I like beans. First of all they are good for the environment. Research shows that out of all the types of crops, beans use up very small amounts of water to grow. I believe the figure is something like 55 gallons of water for 1 pound of beans, while at the same time it takes between 1000 and 1500 gallons of water for the same amount of beef.

Beans – super food for you

Access to safe and clean drinking water is unfortunately not possible everywhere on this planet of ours. Even California experienced serious water shortages up until the recent rains. Growing food that requires a lot of water to grow is close to insanity in situations when there aren’t that much water to begin with in a given area.

Like I already mentioned, compared to other foods, beans take very little water to grow. Not only that, but they are extremely healthy for you. They are a protein rich food. Not as much as meat of course, but they are going to be a decent enough source of protein for a healthy diet. As always you should consult with a nutritionist for a more balanced diet plan.

But if you are looking for a way to save the environment and eat healthy at the same time, you should try adding more beans to your diet. They are good for both you and for mother nature, so it’s a win-win situation all around. What kind of other super foods do you eat?

High tech clothes for keeping yourself anonymous

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This article talks about the union of tech and fashion, my two loves. Our privacy has been under attack on all sides by governments, corporations both offline and especially online. Even when going out in public, there are individuals who feel the need to take pictures of everything. It’s been like this for quite some time now. We’re recorded everywhere we go. This might be good from the public safety angle, but one can’t help wonder where do you draw the line?

Anti-surveillance clothes for protecting your anonymity

Two companies have started working on anti-surveillance clothes that will help you fight against CCTV cameras with facial recognition and just cameras in general that are trying to take your pictures.

Clothes that prevent facial recognition

First we’re going to be taking a look at a concept clothes design that has the ability to confuse CCTV cameras with built-in facial recognition.

 

The basic gist of this “technology” is for the clothes to have this pattern featuring faces on them. By doing this the facial recognition sensors are going to be confused and they won’t be able to detect your face. This trick apparently works, but you would stand out quite a lot wearing clothes with this type of pattern, don’t you think?

Super reflective clothes by Chris Holmes

Next up is a super reflective clothes line from Chris Holmes. It’s actually available for purchase, but it’s a bit pricey. Hoodie costs around 230$.

 

What these super reflective clothes do is they reflect back the camera flash so that everything else in the picture becomes darker. This only works with cameras that have flash. If nothing else you won’t be looking weird for wearing these, as the clothes are just mildly reflective. There’s no weird patterns on them or anything like that. Interesting concepts, but they are just a gimmick at this point.

Footwear recommendations for spring 2017

Spring is just around the corner and I thought that I should give my recommendations on what I think are going to be trendy footwear designs for this coming spring season. Before we begin let me just say that I’m not any kind of professional and this is just my personal opinion and speculation.

Gwens footwear recommendations for spring 2017

This spring I can definitively see sandals being very popular. Preferably lightweight, without heals and light colors. According to the weather forecast we’re in for a surprisingly warm spring

Lightweight sandals seem like the perfect choice for that type of weather. Even if spring isn’t going to be warm, there’s still summer that will most definitely require sandals. Sandals with heels are okay if you’re visiting formal events. I have already started shopping for sandals. I visit thrift stores and used clothes stores in the Sacramento area to do my shopping.

 

For the most part I’m lucky and I manage to score great looking items for very cheap prices. Colors that I want are hard to find though, which is a bit of a letdown, but hey, same thing can happen when buying new. Anyway, those are my recommendations for footwear for this spring season. Hopefully you’ll like my picks. What do you recommend?

Ikea hack – plant shelves on the cheap with Hyllis shelf unit

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One of the things that I really enjoy doing is Ikea hacking. If you’re unfamiliar with Ikea hacking, it’s when you combine 2 or more Ikea items and you create a whole new piece of furniture for your home decor. Goal is also to do it on the cheap, to save money. What I’ll talk about today isn’t really an Ikea hack, since I’m not hacking as much as I’m just writing a recommendation for the Hyllis shelf unit.

Plant shelves on the cheap with the Hyllis shelf unit

Recently I wanted to add plants to my living room. Some greenery would be nice on the eyes and let’s not forget that plants are also good for improving air quality.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that I don’t really have anywhere to put the plants. In other words I needed a shelving unit. After visiting local hardware stores I was taken aback by the prices. Truth be told, their shelves were massive, very heavy. I’m guessing they are for tools. Ikea it is then, I thought to myself. Not sure why I didn’t look there right away.

 

Soon after opening up the Ikea website I found the Hyllis shelving unit. It’s a shelf unit made from galvanized steel. Perfect for plant shelves where it’s possible to get the shelves wet when watering them. They are just 15$ and assembly was a piece of cake. I wholeheartedly recommend this shelving unit if you’re looking for a place where to put your plants.