Room To Talk BlogYour Home. Your Way.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re cheering for the Denver Broncos or the Seattle Seahawks this weekend-- either way, you’re going to want this delicious fruit dip gracing your Super Bowl food table!  Let’s be honest- in a few months a lot of us won’t even remember what two teams played in the Super Bowl- but I promise you won’t be able to forget the amazingness of this fruit dip!  

If you’re like me and are still feeling a little sick of rich, fatty appetizers from the holidays, you’ve got to try this stuff!  I mean, it’s not actually health food, but you eat fruit with it, so that has to count for something right?  It only calls for 3 ingredients and it will literally take you 60 seconds to whip up.

Here's what you need:

1 8oz. package cream cheese (I use fat free)

1 7oz. bottle marshmallow creme

3 Tbsp orange juice + a little bit of grated orange rind (I just squeeze an orange, but you can use canned orange juice too)

Simply whip the cream cheese & marshmallow cream together, then add the orange juice & rind, and BAM.  You're done!  

Plop it in a pretty bowl and cut up some fruit and Voila!

 Enjoy!!!

January means 3 things to me:

1. It's freezing!  When will it be spring?

2. I Hope I don't fail my New Year's Resolutions.

3. Time to deep clean and de-junk my home.

I don't know if it's the whole idea of starting over in a brand new year, or if after putting away all of my Christmas decorations I'm simply ready to simplify my life- but either way, January tends to be the month that I go through every closet, nook and cranny and get rid of the stuff we've accumulated over the past year that we don't want/need taking up space.  As much as I dislike the month of January (no offense anyone), it is actually pretty refreshing to get things organized!

houzz via pinterest

If you're like me, going through your closet is the hardest part.  It's completely overwhelming, especially when you have attachment issues like I do to clothing & shoes!  So, here are 6 tips to help make going through your closet a successful project--

1. Get a friend or family member to act as a "voice of reason"- this person can't have emotional attachments to anything in your closet or it will backfire!

2. If you haven't worn it in more than a year, toss it. (Unless it's your wedding dress)

3. If it doesn't fit, toss it.  Don't hold on to clothes that are too big (duh)- and if you have to hang on to a pair of "skinny" jeans to help you with your weight loss goals for the year, just keep one or two pairs.  No use in wasting space holding onto something you can't even wear.

4. If you wouldn't buy it at the store right now, toss it.  

5. If it's out of style, toss it.

6. Get rid of something in your closet every time you buy something new!  That way it your closet will never get overpacked.  

2010 was Turquoise.

2011 was Honeysuckle.

2012 was Tangerine Tango.

And 2013 was Emerald.

This year, The Pantone Institute has named "Radiant Orchid" as the color of 2014! 

via pantone

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, explained, "An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today's society. An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health.  It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm." 

It's safe to say that we'll be seeing this dreamy purple hue everywhere this year- from men & women's fashion, to makeup counters, to interiors!  Radiant Orchid is a great complement to both neutrals & brights, and it can re-energize any sleepy, boring space.  Be on the lookout in 2014 for orchid colored bedding, patterned pillows, artwork, small appliances, and tabletop accessories!  Here are some beautiful Orchid interiors to start getting you inspired.... 

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elle decor via pinterest

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via marcus design inc

You look at the clock. Your heart practically stops beating, and you break out in a cold sweat. PANIC ENSUES. You lost track of time, have guests coming over in 20 minutes, and your house is a COMPLETE DISGUSTING DISASTER........ At times like this don't you wish you were Mary Poppins?  Life, and cleaning your house, would be so much easier!  

If you find yourself in this predicament, take a long, deep breath.  All is not lost in the world.  It might sound crazy, but all you need is ten minutes to turn your house from loathsome to lovely.  

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Ten minutes!  That's like less time than a shower!  Or a long commercial break!  So set the timer for 10 minutes, follow these five steps, and trick your friends into thinking you've been cleaning all day!

1. Make 2 Piles

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Everything that's out of place and strewn about can be put into one of two piles.  A trash bag, or a "put away" basket.  Simple as that.  Since time is of the essence, don't worry about getting everything back to it's proper home right now.  Once it's full, hide the "put away" basket in your bedroom closet and you can tackle it later:) 

2. Clean off the Countertops

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You've only got ten minutes.  Forget dusting, mopping the floor, or scrubbing toilets.  Totally unnecessary!  The one thing you can't afford to skimp on?  Cleaning off your countertops!  After all, clean kitchen and bathroom countertops do wonders when it comes to making your home look cleaner than it really is!  No time to load the dishwasher?  I've learned from experience that the oven serves as a great place to hide dirty dishes! (Just make sure you don't forget they're in there before turning it on again.)   

3. Fluff the Pillows

caitlin wilson textiles via pinterest

Once all of the blankets/toys/projects are put away in your family room, take 20 seconds to straighten the sofa cushions and fluff the throw pillows.  It might seem like a silly waste of precious time, but it will make everything look so put together.  Because who really lives day to day life with perfectly fluffed pillows on their sofa?  Your guests will think you've been cleaning for hours!

4. Run the Vacuum

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One of the best tricks when it comes to getting your friends to think you've been slaving away cleaning is to pull out the trusty ole vacuum.  If you have time, run it over the kitchen floor, but if not, no problem.  Simply vacuum the front rug and the room you'll be spending the most time in.  Vacuum lines speak louder than words my friends!

5. Make it smell good

This is probably the easiest step, but it could be one of the very most important!  Light a candle, plug in your scentsy, spray air freshener- do whatever you have to do to get yummy, happy smells going on!  If your house smells clean, people will only assume that it is clean!

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And there you have it!  Now go trick all of your dinner guests!  

Just like frosting makes a cake look and taste SO much better, design accents and accessories sprinkled around your home add a greater sense of sophistication, elegance & beauty to the overall look and ambiance of your space. You can have some fantastic design elements going on, but they can come across as boring or unfinished if you don't take the time to incorporate at least a few great accessories.  

As it turns out, silver and gold are two of the hottest must-have accents for 2014!  Don't you think they make everything look and feel so classy and pretty?  Just remember: if you're looking to add a little wow factor to your home, look no further than silver and gold!

via casa de valentina

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In addition to white being everywhere, another trend that Wendy, our bedroom & dining furniture buyer, noticed at the High Point Market was BLING!!!  If you love glamour, sparkle and razzle-dazzle, then get excited!  It looks like mirrored goods, crystals, metals, and bling are going to continue to be hot commodities for the next six months in the furniture and design world!  Here are some of showrooms she took photos of at the market....

 I'm LOVING all of it.  What about you??

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I hope that 2013 was a wonderful year for you and yours,

and that 2014 turns out to be even better!

I always love when the new year rolls around because it signifies new beginnings & starting fresh.

So go set some goals, evaluate your life, and make this year count!!

Thanks for reading!