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!

Make the time-saving Party Cup Box at your next office party

At the last party, I was putting ice in the cups and pouring pop when people were arriving for the party. I felt very behind, like I didn’t have enough done by the time the party started. So, with the help of an empty freezer, I invented the Party Cup Box!

The Doctor is back! Let’s celebrate with Doctor Who-themed home goods

I just purchased this Doctor Who travel mug — or this travel-mug shaped TARDIS. This reminds me, do we have any Whovians in the house? This home goods post is for YOU: The Doctor Who-themed housewares roundup. All things TARDIS blue, timey wimey, wibbly wobbly, bigger-y on the inside-y, and perfect for your Whovian habitat.

Host your own panty party

Over a decade ago one of my best friends and I unintentionally started a holiday. It started as a party — which it still is — but it was so much fun to do that we did it again and again and never stopped. It’s been going for over a decade now. Somewhere along the line the ladies (oh yeah: it’s ladies-only) who participate started referring to it as their favorite holiday of the year. It’s The Panty Party and it is just as awesome as it sounds. Provided you think that it sounds SUPER awesome.

Make your own Sonic Screwdriver

Homies, this twelve-year-old is about to school you on how to build your own Sonic Screwdriver. I KNOW, I KNOW: I was super excited when I found out this video existed, too.

Thoughts and considerations when trying to raise a proud Tlingit daughter

My husband and daughter are Alaska Native; they are Tlingit. I am an even blend of nearly all things considered Caucasian. In our home we tend to embrace the Tlingit culture stronger than anything else, because, frankly, it’s so much more interesting than the average middle-class white-girl way that I grew up. The greatest thing about being a hybrid family is that we can choose what’s wonderful about being Tlingit. We love hunting, gathering, beautiful Tlingit art, the fantastic jewelry and Tlingit dance.

Use Go Plates to comfortably eat at parties

Drinking and nomming while party mingling just got easier with the mother fucking Go Plate.

Being pregnant means we’re not alone: giving pause to this stage of my son’s life

Right now, and for the next four months, it’s just him and me. He is just mine. And I am just his. And that’s it. It’s just the two of us — roaming this Earth together. And as lonely as I feel sometimes, I need to pause and realize, that I am never, ever, alone.

How I learned to stop worrying and love the domestic arts

I am a shit housekeeper. My culinary background is in microwave dinners and take-out. I didn’t think anything of it until it came time to move in with my now husband. We moved into a lovely house (check), I bought some lovely lipstick (check), I found a strand of pearls at a garage sale (check). So why the hell is the laundry always in a pile, the dishes never done, the floor all dirty and most of the things I cook are gross, mushy approximations of food?