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(Image credit: IKEA) Two monumental things happened to me in June 2008: my son was born and an IKEA opened a mile from my apartment. Any New Yorker who's stood in line in the bowels of Port Authority to take the shuttle bus back and forth to the Elizabeth, NJ IKEA will understand that these events were nearly on par with each other. I'm a lifelong renter and IKEA products have come to the rescue for many of my rental conundrums over the years. Here are, in my opinion, the most renter- friendly IKEA products out there to know about. SCHOTTIS shades are an easy and cheap way to get your windows covered fast . They're great for privacy when you've just moved into a new place or, like me, you're taking your sweet, sweet time deciding on more permanent window coverings . The shades attach with an adhesive strip so you don't have to drill into the wall. You can cut them to size to fit windows 35.5" or less. IKEA has just come out with a similar shade in bl...

Looking for a place for your parents can be as daunting as understanding all of Facebook’s constant updates. So how can you find the right place where they’ll feel at home and still have their independence? Camden Royal Oaks is the answer! Camden Royal Oaks is Houston’s best non- assisted apartment community for those 55 years and older. Sweet Home Royal Oaks With access to over 90 social and fitness events a month, your parents will have a hard time deciding what they want to do each day.   Activities range from: Coffee socials Quarterly ‘Royal’ event Spanish classes Line dancing Wine and guitar in the garden Check out their monthly calendar event for more! Camden Royal Oaks also hosts four fitness classes a week ranging from: Sit-to-be-fit Line dancing classes Yoga, Morning and Evening Zumba Gold Check out their monthly calendar event for the schedule.   It’s All About That…. Location Camden Royal Oaks is conveniently located in the heart of the Westchase District. Residents ...

You’re expecting a baby…congrats! Whether this is your first or fourth bundle of joy, one thing is true—you need certain items to survive the first year. Take a look at any registry list and you might become a bit overwhelmed by all the “musts”—cribs, strollers, pacifiers, diapers and car seats are just the tip of the iceberg. And if you happen to be an apartment-dweller, or live somewhere that is void of ample space, deciding which products you actually need is even trickier. Below we’ve rounded up 10 items you definitely want (nay, need!), all of which are smaller than typical and/or can be easily stored when not in use. Because when you’ve only got a few hundred square feet of space to live in, you don’t want to be swallowed up by all that baby gear. THE CRIB You may have always dreamed of lying your sweet baby to bed in a sleigh crib, but a teensy nursery—or no nursery at all—likely rules that dream out. What to do? Well, first, don’t scrimp on quality. Just because you need a sma...

Italy is known for some of the best foods in the world. It's home to some of the greatest bread, pasta, gelato, and wine, as we all know, but there are a lot of other delicious dishes that are lesser known, yet equally amazing. This past summer I got the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Italy, making my way around several parts of the country and trying a ton of amazing foods that honestly, I now wish I would've eaten more of. You simply have  to visit Italy at least once in your life — I insist. I understand that the number of food options can be overwhelming and you might be unsure what to eat in Italy. So, the following is a list that my fellow Spoon members and I have put together for you on 50 of the foods that you absolutely must try there (although, I'd certainly advise you try more if you can). 1. Tomatoes Tomatoes ( pomodori ) are a huge part of Italian food culture , as they're the backbone of the most terrific sauces, soups, salads, and more. The mos...

CLOSE Family- friendly spots in NYC Wochit The Hills on Governor's Island. (Photo: Timothy Schenck 2016) During the last two weeks of summer, when summer camp is over but school has yet to begin, getting the kids out of the house is a must. And if you're not jetting off to Europe — or even heading down the shore — you're going to need a plan. Lucky for you, we have one. From a ferry ride out to Governor's Island to a tour of an aircraft carrier, from 65-million-year-old fossils to playful sea lions , very much alive, we have curated six fun trips to New York City that promise to keep your child not only occupied, but entertained. We've even included plans for lunch.  Kids' decor:: Little girls' backyard dream house comes to life Going 'round:: Take a spin on these magnificent carousels Governor's Island Governor's Island is a pretty magical place to escape to for the day, and there really is something for everyone in the family to enjoy. The ...