Source: Apartment Therapy

Since we get tons of requests from our readers for floorplans of the spaces we show here on Apartment Therapy, we thought we’d share a simple and painless way to create your own floorplan drawings with Google SketchUp…

[Read the full post in Apartment Therapy]

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Home Office Makeover

March 30, 2010

Source: unplggd.com

Some home offices are just a quaint place to stash your computer while others become the workhorse room of the home. Sometimes an office can feel a little bland and utilitarian when your “decor” so to say, is really the bare bone necessities that you need to get your work done. A desk, a file cabinet, chair, computer and basic shelves don’t have to be the only things in your space, here’s a few suggestions to make things feel more like home and less like the office!

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1. Internet Public Library and Librarians’ Internet Index

IPL merges collections of resources from the Internet Public Library (IPL) and the Librarians’ Internet Index (LII) websites. This site breaks down information by subject, geographical location, and even by age (there are links to kid and teen resources).

2.  New York Public Library Images

Over 300,000 images digitized from primary sources and printed rarities, including historical maps, vintage posters, rare prints, photographs, and more.

3.  Statistics

Statistical files from a variety of governmental sources arranged under 24 topics, such as education, foreign economics, foreign trade, government finances, health, science, and weather.

4.  FedStats

Government statistics produced by more than 70 federal agencies.

5.     Consumer Price Indexes

Monthly indexes for the U.S., the four Census regions, and some local areas.

6.    CIA World Factbook Information by country, including statistical information and outline maps.

7.     Frequently Asked Questions from the Modern Language Association

8.  Online!: a Reference Guide to Using Internet Sources – Includes the full text of four chapters from this helpful book.

9.  Evaluating Internet Resources (from ISU)

10.  Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism : Documentation Guidelines (Duke University)

11.  Online Writing Lab (Purdue University)

Contains writing guides, grammar tip sheets, style manuals, research paper guidelines, and more.

12.      Statistical Abstract of the United States

13.  Thomas: Legislative Information

Full text of all versions of House and Senate bills searchable by keyword(s) or bill number, as well as full text of the Congressional Record and daily proceedings on the House and Senate floors.

14.  US Census Bureau

Contains recent statistical information (as recent as a few months).

15.    FACSNET

Links to qualified sources and background material on a wide range of public policy issues.

16.  Directory of Open Access Journals

This service covers free, full text, quality controlled scientific and scholarly journals. There are now 4570 journals in the directory. Currently 1778 journals are searchable at article level. As of today 339848 articles are included in the DOAJ service.

17.  Citation Generator

Select the type of source – book, magazine, website, etc. Then fill in the blanks for the requested information and submit. It creates a properly formatted citation that you can copy and paste into your bibliography.

The Peninsula Apartments are conveniently located right across from UMass Boston. Many of our residents attend undergraduate or graduate school in the area. For those who are in school or anyone who is a life-long learner, Wednesday posts relate student issues.

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1. 6.5-quart Dutch oven

for browning meats, cooking up chili, simmering spaghetti sauce, sauteing vegetables, frying chicken – this pot does it all. It is indispensable for one-pot meals and is a workhorse that functions as well on the stovetop as it does in the oven.

2.  Wooden spoon/spatula

The graduated taper of this wooden utensil makes it as useful for scraping as for stirring. Feels good in the hand and you don’t have to worry about plastic leeching into your food.

3.  Chef’s knife

It can be used to dice, slice, cut – you know, this is your go-to utensil any time you need smaller pieces.

4.  Cutting Board

It saves your counters and it encourages food to stay in place as you cut it.

5.  Toaster Oven

I love appliances that serve more than one purpose and this one does. Toasts bagels, bread and pastries nicely, but it also can do double time as a second oven for small casseroles, baked chicken, or roast vegetables.

6.  French Press or Coffeemaker of your choice

I prefer the bold taste of ground coffee squeezed through a french press, but then again, some people have called it rocket fuel. If you prefer a milder caffeinated beverage, a drip coffeemaker may better suit your needs.

7.  Tongs

Flipping, reaching, moving, tossing, protecting hands from hot foods and dishes – this is the one utensil that helps me channel my inner Anthony Bourdain.

8.  Nested glass bowls

These store easily in a small kitchen, and are great for mixing sauces, dressings, marinades or preparing your ingredients mise en place.

9.  Timer

Prevents disasters, especially if you are distracted by telephones, UPS deliveries, or blog-surfing!

10.  Measuring cups and spoons

Elongated measuring spoons are the key to fishing spices out of narrow bottle openings. Be sure to get both liquid measuring cups (usually glass with a spout) and dry measuring cups. (flat top)

Monday blog posts are devoted to different aspects of apartment living.  Look for organizational tips, information about meeting neighbors, even advice about how to get along with your roommate.

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Weekend To Do List for March 12

March 12, 2010

CSB presents Black Grace Dance Company new Paramount Theatre March 12-14, 2010
Dropkick Murphys in concert House of Blues (Special St. Patrick’s Boston Series) March 12-17, 2010
Boston Celtics (basketball) vs Indiana Pacers TD Garden March 12, 2010
Boston World of Wheels Expo Bayside Expo Center Match 12-14, 2010
Berklee’s 42nd High School Jazz Festival (largest in [...]

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Weekend To Do List for March 5

March 5, 2010

New Boston walking tour: “The Pahk Street Tour” by UnOfficial Tours of Harvard begins March 5, 2010
“Becky Shaw” Gina Gionfriddo play, Huntington Theatre: BU Theatre March 5-April 4, 2010
National Golf Expo, Seaport World Trade Center, March 5-7, 2010
CSB presents Max Raabe “A Night in Berlin” new Paramount Theatre March 6, 2010
Boston [...]

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Weekend to do List for February 26

February 26, 2010

Black Eyed Peas in Concert TD Garden Feb 26, 2010
“Paradise Lost” American Rep Theatre, February 27-March 20, 2010
Boston Celtics vs New Jersey Nets TD Garden February 27, 2010
Boston Blazers (lacrosse)  vs Washington Stealth TD Garden February 27,  2010
Chinese New Year Celebration Parade &  Hong Kong Restaurant 1:00 pm Harvard Square February 28, 2010
25th Regatta Bar [...]

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Ask the Designer

February 25, 2010

Dear Kathy,
I am having a few friends over for a party, and I am wondering… what is the best way to arrange the furniture in my living room?
-Social Sue
Dear Sue,
I am so glad you asked this question! The wrong furniture arrangement can really hinder conversation and the flow of a party.
If you have a focal [...]

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New to Cooking? Try these Dinner Basics

February 22, 2010

1.  Chili
Dice an onion and saute in olive oil over low heat for 5 minutes.
Add 1 lb. ground beef and saute until brown.
Add 3 or 4 14 oz. cans diced tomatoes (in their juice) to the pot.
Add one can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed.
Add 2-3 tablespoons chili powder, depending on how fiery you like [...]

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Weekend To Do List for February 19

February 19, 2010

Chinese New Year: Year of the Tiger! Chinatown Boston Celebration Feb. 21, 2010
Reservations open online for Restaurant Week Boston Friday, February 19, 2010
“Stick Fly” Lydia Diamond play, Huntington Theatre: Wimberly Theatre  Feb. 19-March 27, 2010
63rd Running Of The Brides Filene’s Basement Event, Hynes Convention Center, Feb. 19, 2010
“Roni Horn AKA Roni Horn” Exhibition Institute of [...]

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