Category Archive

Life

We launched as Offbeat Home in 2011, but it has become clear that the site is about much more. In 2013, we relaunched as Offbeat Home & Life, with an expanded focus on Relationships, Budget & Career, Travel, and Style. This is the category for the non-home/rest of life stuff!

The coolest Whovian bathroom decor in all of time and space

The return of Doctor Who (this past weekend) is basically a holiday ’round these parts. Last time when I celebrated the season premier of Doctor Who, I rounded up all my favorite Whovian home goods. This time, in true Megan style, I’mma do a Doctor Who bathroom roundup!

Let’s talk about debt-reduction programs: Do they actually do what their over-enthusiastic radio ads say?

My husband and I have recently gotten pretty serious about getting out of debt. We’ve recently been paying more attention to those radio commercials that promise to “forgive your credit card debt!” Has anyone ever had any luck with those companies? Do they actually what their over-enthusiastic radio ads say?

FU A/S/L: I’m starting to care a little bit less about labels

It’s something unique to computer-goers of the Internet era: It’s important, we reasoned, when you’re taking to a stranger on the Internet that they know some important things about you in a succinct manner. A/S/L — age, sex, location. What religion we are. What our political leanings are. Our sexual orientation or gender presentation. Our favorite quotations or song lyrics. Things about us that are symbolic of our personalities, our likes and dislikes; our whole self. It’s a form of branding, and for years we were proud of it. It happened while I was on Facebook: I noticed that I was the only one going through a labeling crisis.

Where do you find awesome shirts that fit tall people?

I have a great love for fun t-shirts. My husband is the same way, but he faces one hell of challenge:

You too can be awesome and do your own bead work!

You can make anything really pop by adding beads, or sequins, or BOTH! Know what you want your garment to do, and you can use bead work to make it happen. Here is your sweet and simple tutorial on doing bead work (and being AWESOME).

How to get the most bang for your buck with your technology

My significant other and I live on one main income — mine, as a freelance writer. The number-one impediment to my budgeting experience has been technology. Here’s how I’ve learned to deal…

Accio awesome DIY Harry Potter wand display

A while back, I discovered Harter’s Wands on Etsy. You send them the screenshot of your wand from Pottermore, and they will make one to the exact specifications. Only, what do you do with a wand once you have it? You make a wand display plaque, of course!

Is there merit to merit pay?

My company is about to institute merit pay. Anyone work for a company where this has worked for them? How do I make sure I have “merit” without losing my soul to playing the merit game?