If you are on the hunt for new furnishings or decor, plan a little shopping this Memorial Day and take advantage of some great sales. About.com's furniture expert, Abe Abbas, has put together a guide to finding the best deals this Memorial Day, and I've shared the link to his article below along with other tips to help you save big on furniture and decor.

Of course, this holiday isn't really about shopping. I give thanks to those who have served and fought for the safety and freedom of our country, and I remember with grave appreciation those who have died while doing so. And to all of those who are still serving, many heartfelt thanks from me to you, and many blessings of safety on you and your family this Memorial Day and beyond!

Many of you may be finishing up school and preparing to leave for college (congrats!), or you may be sending a child off to school for the first time (sob!).

Decorating a dorm room or apartment need not be expensive, and when you make good use of your space, living in tight quarters can be a bit fun. To help you along, we've put together a complete resource for all of your dorm room decorating and planning needs.

So check out our articles, make a plan, and then go shopping... on a budget, of course! Living comfortably your first year in college can help ease the pressures of school and the challenges of change. Best of luck to you!

After an unseasonably long cold stretch, the temperature in my city finally oh finally switched back to warm this week. I've been waiting for this to get working on my backyard.

We have spent the past two years completely relandscaping the front yard (that's my before and after in the photo), and now it is my long-neglected backyard's turn. Husband already bought the supplies to set the foundation for our new deck, but I'm going to be busy installing pavers that will eventually form the flooring of our new outdoor backyard "room."

If you are interested in creating your own oasis, you don't need a ton of time, money, skill or space to carve out your own outdoor retreat or entertaining area. May these ideas inspire you to take it outside!

I am the daughter of a literature and English teacher, and I live in one of the areas where F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda made their home. So yes, I am a huge fan of Fitzgerald's writings and have already planned a date with Husband tonight to go see The Great Gatsby.

Though I am a fan of Fitzgerald's novels, I don't envy the lifestyle of Nick Carraway or his friends. However, the style of this period is quite another matter. I am also a fan of art deco and deeply appreciate the strong lines and sleek sophistication of this era.

If you would love to incorporate a bit of The Great Gatsby's style into your own home, the articles below should help you celebrate the Roaring Twenties in style. And hope to see you at the theater tonight!