Despite the fact that they are fairly common in landscaping, you may find yourself asking what is a pergola? Pergolas are simple structures with an open roof constructed with poles and beams. These structures create a defined space great for eating areas or walkways and can provide some shade when sitting under it. Many people decide to grow vines climbing up the posts and through the roof beams, which adds even more shade and depth to their landscaping. Check out these beautiful pergolas and maybe you’ll be inspired to build your own! 

via Backyard Unlimited

via HGTV

via HGTV

via Buzz

via Amazing Interior Design

via Room Decorating Ideas

Don't you want to put one in your yard right now? 

You can never have too many grilled chicken recipes on hand! If you're looking for some new, interesting recipes for your BBQs this summer, check out some of these delicious ones below. 

Grilled Citrus Chicken

via Bon Appetit

Doesn't this look so fresh and delicious? Some chicken, some oranges, and some lemons and you've got yourself a gourmet meal. 

Chicken Under a Brick

via Weber

Grilling chicken under a brick will give your chicken crispy skin and perfect grill lines.

BBQ Chicken Tostadas

via Traeger

A different take from just having a piece of chicken, chop up your grilled chicken and make a delicious tostada!

Balsamic Grilled Chicken and Zucchini

via Delish

If you like balsamic vinegar, you'll love this chicken. Try it with your favorite vegetables and a green salad for a complete meal. 

Check out all of the grill options available at RC Willey and let me know how you liked these recipes! What grilled chicken recipes are your favorite? 

With the start of summer, it’s time to start finding some books for kids. When I worked as a middle school English teacher it was obvious every year which kids had been reading over the summer and which ones hadn’t. Kids who had read over the summer were ready to go the first day and kids who had slacked off had to spend time reviewing what they had forgotten. Scholastic has done research on the subject and has said that “learning or reading skill losses during the summer months are cumulative, creating a wider gap each year between more proficient and less proficient students. By the time a struggling reader reaches middle school, summer reading loss has accumulated to a two-year lag in reading achievement.”

As a 6th grade English teacher, I found that there are some books that almost every kid will love. Here are five of my favorites below! 

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Age range: 9 - 13

Lexile Measure: 700L

In this fantasy novel, two kids named Kendra and Seth find out that their grandfather is the caretaker of Fablehaven, a refuge where mystical creatures are protected from extinction. While exploring Fablehaven, Seth breaks a rule that causes chaos. Kendra and Seth have to work together to save their family, Fablehaven, and all the creatures who live there. If you kids love magical creatures, this is the book for them! Best part - this is a series so if they like the first one, there are more books to read!

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Age range: 10 - 14

Lexile Measure: 680L

The city of Ember is a city completely lit by electricity. Lightbulbs line the streets and heat lamps help plants grow. The only problem is that power sources are failing and the whole city is in danger of ending up in complete darkness. Lina and Doon, two kids who live in Ember, discover an old map with instructions on how to get out of Ember. Not only do Lina and Doon need to figure out the instructions on the map, they need to figure out a way to get everyone in the city of Ember to follow them to safety. Good news! This is also the first book in a series!

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Age Range: 12 - 14

Lexile Measure: 760L

Jonas lives in a world where everything is perfect. There is no war, no conflict, no fear, no pain, and no choices. Everything is decided for you by someone else. At age 12, each child is chosen for a specific job. Jonas is chosen to become The Giver, the only person in the world who has memories of pain, pleasure, and truth. Learning these things completely changes how Jonas looks at the world and interacts with his peers. Again, this is the first book in a series!

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Age Range: 7 - 10

Lexile: 670L

This historical fiction novel takes place during WWII and tells the story of a young Danish girl named Annemarie and her best Ellen, who happens to be a Jew. When Ellen’s family is forced to go into hiding, Annemarie’s family takes Ellen in and pretends she is part of their family. Eventually, Annemarie is faced with a dangerous task to help save Ellen’s life.  

Hatchet by Gary Paulson

Age Range: 10 - 15

Lexile: 1020L

Brian is on his way to Canada to see his dad when the small plane he is riding in crashes into a lake. As the only survivor, Brian is left completely alone in the wilderness with only a hatchet to help him survive. He needs to figure out a shelter, how to get food, and how to live every day in the wilderness completely alone.

Good luck with your summer reading plans! The library near my house had a long list of suggested titles for this summer, so if you're stuck, don't forget to look there. Do you have any suggestions of books for kids? 

RC Willey has two furniture stores in Las Vegas.

If you've never been to an RC Willey furniture store, let me give you a run down on what we have to offer. First of all, we have everything you could need to decorate your living room. From sectionals to sofas, area rugs and recliners, and of course lamps and tables. We also offer interior design services so you can mesh your current home furnishings with your new items. When you enter our furniture store, just ask our greeter to point you to the living room furniture department. A friendly salesperson can answer any questions you may have, and if you choose to buy a new sectional or another large piece, we can arrange delivery for you. In fact, we even offer instant credit and payment plans to help you finance your new living room group.

The RC Willey furniture store in Las Vegas is located at 3850 S Town Center Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89135. 

The RC Willey furniture store near Las Vegas is located at 20 N Stephanie Street Henderson, NV 89074.

Growing basil in your yard is the perfect way to have access to your favorite herb whenever you want! Whether you are planning on planting a herb garden or have a sunny window sill available, having basil on hand will make whatever you’re cooking taste even better. To become a pro at growing basil, check out the tips below. 

via The Kitchn

Pick a sunny spot for your basil plants. Basil needs sun for at least six hours a day so watch your yard or, if you’re planning on keeping your basil inside in a pot, watch your window sills to find a place that has a lot of sun exposure.

Basil is sensitive to cold, so make sure the ground is about 70° F before you put them in the ground. If you are starting from a seed, start them indoors about six weeks before the last frost of the season and then transfer them to your garden.

via Bonnie Plants

Plant your basil seeds or seedlings between 10 - 12 inches apart and make sure your soil is moist but well-drained. It’s very important to have great drainage or your plants will struggle to grow. Also, think about planting your basil next to your tomatoes - it’ll make your tomatoes taste better!  

Harvest your basil frequently by pinching off the stem right above where the leaves are growing. The more you harvest your plant, the bigger it will get. Only harvest up to 2/3 of the plant at once to keep it healthy. Be sure to remove any flowers on your plant as the basil leaves start losing flavor once the plant has flowered.

Don’t you want to just make a Caprese salad right now? Better yet, what about a Caprese sandwich? Good luck growing basil!

Summer is the season of garage makeovers. If you get a pit in your stomach every time you pull into your cluttered garage or if you fear for your life each time you pull something off of a shelf, check out these tips for a total garage makeover. 

via Consumer Reports

Create “stations” in your garage to help you stay organized. Think about what is in your garage and what you use it for. If you can designate specific areas - garden, workshop, outdoor toys and gear, everyday objects, etc. - you will know exactly where to go when looking for something.

via The Better Garages

Keep everything off the floor. Hang bikes on the walls, install shelving or storage options and hang a pegboard to store tools and small objects.

via Essential Tools

For tall tools such as rakes, shovels, or spades, create a tool holder to keep them upright and organized.

via A Bowl Full of Lemons

Use the area around the door into the house to create a mudroom. Install shelves, hooks, and cubbies to store muddy boots, swim gear, beach towels, and anything else you’d rather not have brought into the house. Label your boxes so that you're able to find everything quickly and easily!

Any tips that I missed? Good luck with your garage makeovers!

 Don't you hate when you are in the middle of cooking something and you realize that you are missing just one ingredient?  ONE!  Basically my worst nightmare is loading my three preschool and younger aged children into the car, driving to the grocery store, and taking them all inside with me just to pick up one lousy thing.  It really makes me want to cry just thinking about it.  

I thought I knew a lot of cooking/baking hacks until I started researching for this blog post!  I mean, I always substitute applesauce for oil in cakes, and I usually always make my own buttermilk, because who remembers to buy that at the grocery store?  If you're like me, and do whatever possible NOT to have to run to the grocery store on the fly, check out this all encompassing substitution chart below.  You can thank me later when it saves you from last minute grocery shopping!  I kind of want to blow it up and hang it on my fridge.....

Source: eReplacementParts.com blog

Do you have any cooking/baking hacks that weren't covered in this list?
If so, please share!

Like many of you, I was one of those teenagers that worshipped the sun.  I hardly ever burned and so I didn't see the point in wearing sunscreen.  Once I hit 25 I realized I didn't want to turn into a piece of leather when I got old, and so I drastically changed my sun habits.  I might take my protection to extremes now, but there is no such thing as being too careful in my book.  

Am I the only person that has felt confused while trying to pick out a bottle of sunscreen?  It's overwhelming!  As Americans we love pretty packaging, but after talking with my dermotologist and doing extensive research I've learned that most of the sunscreens out there (especially sold at the supermarket) aren't doing nearly what they claim to.  In fact, some of them are straight up bad for your health.  

The best way to really find the right sunscreen is to start asking the right questions.  Take a moment to go over these common sunscreen questions to make sure you've got the facts straight....

 What does it mean when a sunscreen label boasts Broad Spectrum Protection? Protects from both UVA and UVB light rays.  UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, and UVB rays contribute to sunburn. (* Keep reading below.*) While many bottles claim to provide broad spectrum protection, it's actually very false.) 

What does SPF (Sun Protection Factor) actually mean? Measures protection from UVB rays. To calculate, you times the SPF number by 10, and with sunscreen applied, that is the amount of time you can be in the sun with burning.  Unfortunately, high SPF's can create a very false sense of security.  I have totally had the mindset, "the higher the spf, the better"--- and that just isn't the case.  Here is a breakdown of the percentages of UVB rays that are blocked by different SPF levels.

SPF 15- blocks 94% of UVB rays
SPF 30- blocks 97% of UVB rays
SPF 45- blocks 98% of UVB rays

As you can see, once you hit SPF 30 it really doesn't make much of a difference to go any higher.  Also, the higher the SPF, the higher chemical concentrations contained (without offering any real additional sun protection).  My doctor told me to stick with SPF 30 and to make sure that I'm diligent about reapplying.  Interestingly enough, the EWG advises to avoid sunscreens with a higher SPF than 50 altogether! 

If SPF targets UVB rays, how do I target UVA rays?
Looking at SPF can be helpful, but also misleading as it doesn't measure the amount of protection from UVA rays.  Many American sunscreens claim to be "broad spectrum" on their label, but their UVA protections are in reality very inadequate.  UVA protection in American Sunscreens maxes out at about 15 to 20 SPF.  Yikes!  In order to achieve the best UVA protection possible, look for sunscreens that have mineral ingredients. 

What kind of minerals should I be looking for in my sunscreen?
ZINC OXIDE!  Most dermatologists will agree that the only real way to prevent skin damage, sun aging, and adequate UVA protection is by using zinc oxide sunscreens.  It offers better protection from UVA rays than titanium oxide or any other sunscreen chemical approved in the U.S. Zinc starts working right when you put it on becuase it sits on top of the skin and literally acts as a physical barrier.  If you are thinking of the white paste lifegaurds wore 30 years ago--- don't fret.  Zinc sunscreens have improved a lot over the years and they run on like any other sunscreen.  A few other minerals that are good (although zinc oxide is the very best) in protecting against UVA rays are: titanium dioxide and avobenzone.  As you can see, these three ingredients not only target UVA rays, but they are also rated the least toxic of ingredients in sunscreens.  Win, Win!

How much sunscreen do I need to apply? 

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people apply "1 ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass" of sunscreen each time they apply it.  Most people only apply 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen, which in turn lowers the amount of SPF your body is actually getting.  Ex) Ever put on SPF 50 sunscreen and still got burned?  If you don't put an adequate amount of sunscreen on, even an SPF 50 sunscreen can end up acting more like an SPF 7!  I had no idea!!

How often do I need to reapply?

Lots of people think they just need to apply it once when they first go out, and that it will protect them all day.  This could not be further from the truth. REAPPLYING IS KEY!!  Apply 20-30 minutes before being exposed to the sun, and reapply at LEAST every 2 hours-- even less if you are swimming or sweating.  

When do I need to put sunscreen on my face?
Every single day.  Whether you are going to the beach or just running errands, wearing a good sunscreen on your face daily is a must.  I know a lot of women are leery about adding another moisturizer to their makeup lineup, but there are lots of awesome facial sunscreens that come as tinted moisturizers.  I put mine on first thing in the morning, before any other makeup.  I couldn't live without it!  

Should I use spray sunscreens?

In theory they sound like a good idea because they are convenient and quick...... but it's best to only be used in a pinch. Two reasons to stay away: it's hard to know if you've covered all areas of your body, especially if you are outdoors when you apply it.  Wind and weather can affect how much of it actually makes it onto your skin.  Also, spray sunscreen is pretty controversial because of accidental inhalation, especially in children.  If you are going to use it, make sure you apply inside, cover your child's face while spraying, and use a lotion sunscreen on their face. 

Go, and choose wisely.

Hopefully this information will help you make the most informed decisions when purchasing sunscreen for your family this summer!  You should definitely take the time to do your own research and check the ingredients on the bottle before you buy, but the EWG has an incredible Guide to Sunscreens where you can look up specific sunscreens to see how they measure up in safety, UVA/UVB balance, etc.  Check it out!  It's gold.  

Also, just to make it easy on you, here are the BEST BEACH AND SPORT SUNSCREENS and the BEST KID SUNSCREENS ranked by the EWG. I bought Blue Lizard Sensitive and Blue Lizard Sport on Amazon and so far have been very happy with it.  

Knowing how to paint a room will not only allow you to give your house a facelift, it’ll save you lots of money! Painters can be expensive, and you shouldn’t have to sacrifice that accent wall you’ve always wanted just because of your budget. Once you’ve picked your paint color, follow these instructions and you’ll know exactly how to paint a room. 

via Jane Fargo

PREP YOUR ROOM FOR PAINTING

This means moving and covering furniture, taking off cover plates from outlets and light switches, and repairing any damage the wall has. You’ll want to scrape off any flaking paint, patch small holes with putty, and sand the walls smooth. Be sure you clean the area you are painting after you’ve prepped it by wiping down the walls and removing any dust.

BUY YOUR PAINT AND SUPPLIES

Keep in mind what paint finish you should use on the surface you are painting and know how much area you will need to cover. One gallon of paint covers about 400 square feet. One gallon usually will cover a small room like a bathroom and two gallons can cover most average sized rooms.

When buying your supplies, be sure you have purchased the correct roller and brush for the job you are doing. There are many different types of rollers meant for a variety of textures or paint types. If you have questions, be sure to ask at the paint counter and they can help you find the proper materials.

via DIY Network

CUT IN

Cutting in is the process of painting the edges of your room. You will do this with a brush rather than a roller. Dip a third of your brush into the paint and without scraping the sides of the brush, paint around the edges of the wall you are working on. Hold the paintbrush like a pencil and use smooth strokes, making sure you catch any drips.

ROLL ONTO THE WALLS

Dip your roller into the paint and roll it over the paint tray liner a few times to even everything out. Starting with the edge of the wall, roll the paint gently onto the wall in a zigzag motion. Overlap your lines and make sure you have covered top to bottom before starting your next line. Do not press too hard on the roller and reload the roller with paint frequently. Gently roll over any drips to smooth things out. Apply two coats for best coverage.

via Home Tips

PAINT THE TRIM

Once you’ve painted the walls and the paint has dried, place painters tape on the wall above the trim and on the floor to avoid a mess. With a brush, use smooth motions to paint the wall moldings, door frames, window frames, and any other trim in the room. Carefully remove the painter’s tape before the paint has completely dried to have the neatest lines.

CLEAN UP

Return any excess paint in the roller tray back to the paint can. Use a brush to get as much paint back into the can as possible. Run your brush and rollers under warm water with soap to remove any dried paint, rinse until the water is clear, and hang them up to dry.

Hopefully this helps! Now that you know how to paint a room, what’s your next project?

How do you feel about round tables in dining rooms and kitchens? If you have the right space, a round table can be perfect! Not only do they fit in places other tables won’t, it’s easier to squeeze in a few more chairs when you’re entertaining. These are five of my favorite round tables available at RC Willey right now. 

via RC Willey

via RC Willey

via RC Willey

via RC Willey

via RC Willey

Check out all of RC Willey's dining room furniture to find everything that you need. Would you pick round tables for your home?