Getting started on your own personal herb garden

Although there’s nothing exactly wrong with the dried stuff you get from the supermarket, nothing beats the taste imparted by fresh herbs in a meal. One of the best ways to get your culinary game to the next level is to have a small garden of herbs, which can be periodically harvested as needed to add that extra kick into your dishes.

Image source: tastefulgarden.com

First things first, we’ll have to ask ourselves where, exactly can we grow plants. Some people can dedicate an entire yard’s worth of space to a produce garden that includes space for herbs. Plants do tend to grow better if they have space to expand; herbs themselves can be rather large plants and they flourish when grown in the ground. Those who don’t have yards or want to maximize space can settle for pots. Those who can afford the extra space can get the best of both worlds and plant in large pots.

Herb gardens are all about location. Pick a place that receives ample sun, where the soil drains well. The closer it is to the kitchen, the better. Pots have the advantage of being mobile and somewhat easy to label and organize, and if one place in the home has better lighting conditions (but no available soil), the herbs can be moved there with little fuss. 

When growing herbs, it’s important to keep them organized. In indoor and outdoor settings, labels are an excellent way of knowing which herb to harvest and trim without having to memorize what they look or smell like.

Image source: hgtv.com

Design student and amateur culinary artisan Marc Hagins here. Visit my blog for more of my culinary and artistic escapades.

Four Basic Interior Design Styles Defined

Interior design comes in a range of formats and arrangements and sometimes it gets confusing which one will be best for your home. You may leave knowing what sets an interior design style apart to the professionals but this knowledge may be a lot handier than you might realize. Here are four basic interior design references for your next home project.

Image source: decorilla.com

1. Modern

Modern designs are well suited for small spaces, as they amplify the illusion of space. Modern is a broad term that typically refers to homes with clean, crisp lines and simple color palette. Materials commonly used are metal, glass, and steel.

2. Contemporary

Modern and contemporary are two styles that are frequently used interchangeably. But contemporary design focuses on the present trend. It refers to the design trends of the moment.

3. Industrial

The industrial style draws inspiration from a warehouse or urban loft. There’s a sense of unfinished rawness in many of the elements. You get the rugged feel from exposed brick, ductwork, and wood.

Image source: impressiveinteriordesign.com

4. Scandinavian

Scandinavian is all about simplicity as demonstrated in Nordic countries. Scandinavian furniture often feels like art, although it is simple and inexpensive. It focuses on the functionality of furniture. The other common characteristic of these type of design is its all-white color palette.

Hi there, Marc Hagins here. I’m a huge fan of the New York Knicks. I also enjoy comedy and HGTV’s interior design and DIY shows. Follow me on Twitter for similar updates.

Kristaps Porzingis: Time to let the unicorn loose

For much of the past years, the unicorn moniker has become widely used in the NBA. It is generally given to players who had the size and skills of a center or a power forward and a guard’s technical abilities, including outside shooting, lateral quickness, ball handling, and passing. In the NBA, there are probably four to five “unicorns,” and one of them is the seven-foot-three Latvian Kristaps Porzingis.

Image source: dailyknicks.com

When the New York Knicks drafted him in 2015, not many people knew that they were getting a future NBA star. Most of the Knicks’ fans present in the draft even booed when it was announced that the team chose him as the fourth overall pick.

These past two seasons, Porzingis had displayed flashes of his seemingly unlimited potential by posting solid statistics in both offensive and defensive ends and showing his comfortability in being the go-to guy.

However, many people feel that Zinger could have done much better if only he were not shackled by the ineffective system former Knicks team president Phil Jackson had implemented and the presence of disgruntled star Carmelo Anthony.

But with one of them already out of the picture (Jackson has recently resigned) and the other willing to be traded to another team or take a step back, it is now time to unleash Porzingis and let him develop into the star that will bring the Knicks back to its former glory.

Image source: hoopshabit.com

Marc Hagins here, a longtime fan of the New York Knicks. If you want to read more about the NBA franchise, subscribe to this blog.

Acrylic Painting Tips For Beginners

Acrylic paints are versatile, vibrant, affordable, and can be painted on almost anything. That’s why it’s an easy choice for beginners who want to learn to paint. But unlike oil paints, acrylic paints are notorious for drying up very quickly. If you’re not careful, it will end up ruining your project. Here are some beginner tips for acrylic painting.

Keep your brushes from drying up

Always keep a container of water next to your painting palette so you can easily rest the tips of your paint brushes when you’re not using them. This way, the paint will easily wash out before drying up.

Image source: ytimg.com

Work fast

This will take you some practice. But working fast will ensure your paint will stay smooth and responsive. When you can’t work fast, you can use a tube of acrylic retarder to slow down the drying time.

Don’t use too much water

When mixing colors and applying paint, put just enough water to mix. Too much water will make the acrylics lose their quality and thick texture.

Image source : willkempartschool.com

Cleaning your brush thoroughly after use When you’re done painting, rinse out the brushes first with water, then with a mild soap. Make sure no paint is left in the bristles because these will stiffen them.

Hey, March Hagins here. I’m currently attending RSID at Providence. I’m hoping to one day become a furniture designer. I’m also a passionate painter. Visit my blog to know more about my work.

2 Easy gourmet recipes to impress your date

You know what they say about the way to a man’s heart being through his stomach, right? Well, it’s true as long as the dish is lovely. Here are 2 simple gourmet recipes to impress your date’s palate.

Image source : foodandwine.com

Salt-baked leg of lamb with olive oil potatoes 

Ingredients: 

 1 tbsp olive oil 

 5 – pound bone-in leg of lamb 

 6 cloves garlic, sliced 

 kosher salt and black pepper 

 thinly-sliced lemon 

 rosemary 

 Method: 

 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Brush oil on the bottom of a baking sheet. 

 2. Cut 1/2 –inch-deep slits all over the lamb, about 50 cuts. Stuff garlic into slits and season with salt and pepper. 

 3. Place the lemon slices and rosemary springs. 

 4. Roast the lamb for 1 hour and 45 minutes. 

 5. Let rest for 20 minutes before slicing. Serve warm. 

Cheddar-stuffed burgers with pickled slaw and fried shallots 

Ingredients: 

 1 avocado chopped 

 1 tspn fresh lime juice kosher salt and ground pepper 

 1 ¼ pounds ground turkey 

 1 cup cheddar grated ½ small red onion grated 4 whole-wheat hamburger buns 

Method:

 1. Heat the grill to medium high. 

 2. Mix avocado, lime juice, and salt and pepper in a small bowl. 

 3. In a medium bowl, mix the turkey, cheddar, onion, salt, and pepper with your hands. Use your            hands to make patties. 

 4. Grill the burgers, 8 minutes per side. Grill the buns, 5 – 10 seconds per side. 

Image source : cookingpanda.com

Hi, I’m Marc Hagins. I’m passionate about the arts. I study furniture design and hope to get a career in designing furniture chairs. Visit my blog to know more.

Nifty Tricks For Your Next DIY Projects.

DIYs are a crafty’s way of life. If it’s doable, it’s done. These do-it-yourself projects are fun to do and they’re so awesome you’ve probably never heard of them.

1. Tomato planter

As a green thumb and a DIY enthusiasts, this one hits home with me. Save your big soda plastic bottles, cut the bottoms off, put in tomato seeds and pour some soil. Then, hang it up and water it regularly, watch in awe as your tomatoes grow. This works well for herbs too.

Image source : typepad.com

2. Yarn-wrapped jar lamps

Find a glass jar, wrap around a yarn (be creative with the pattern), and paint it, peel the yarn away and air-dry it. Once it’s dry, put in some candle and you’ll have yourself a gorgeous DIY lamp.

3. Shoe-holder planter

Another gardener’s trick. You know those over-the-door shoe holders? Find an old one use it to grow herbs outside your kitchen, your patio, or balcony wall.

4. Pebble placemat

Next time you go to a beach, find as many flat pebbles. Place the stones in circle felt or wood, use a hot glue to stick them on. This placemat is perfect for garden tea parties.

Image source : instructables.com

Hi there! Marc Hagins here. I’m a fine art student studying in Rhode Island School of Design. I specialize in designing chairs. Add me on Facebook to know more about me.