The BLOG

Moving house can have some unwanted effects on the behavior of your pets. As a result of having their lives turned upside down and finding themselves thrust into an alien environment, some dogs wind up regressing in their potty training. When this happens, it requires a firm but gentle hand to correct.

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Follow these tips.

Resolve to start from scratch. Your first step should be to put your dog on an hourly potty schedule so that he quickly identifies when and where it’s appropriate for him to go to the bathroom.

A $51.1-million-dollar box office debut is nothing to scoff at. Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby has been the talk of tinsel town since its release, and from the roaring 20s fashion to the Art Deco décor, we can’t get enough of all things Gatsby (DiCaprio isn’t too bad either!). To get the Gatsby-inspired look in your own home, we’ve rounded up a mix of Art Deco décor, 1920s essentials (ashtray and bar cart included, of course) and a nod to the novel with a Rolls-Royce figurine.

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Almost a month ago I took the plunge and moved from Tucson to Boston, an idea I’ve had for almost two years. Now that I’m here, though, I’m pretty miserable. I can’t stand my roommates and I miss Tucson. The life I thought I’d be living simply isn’t here. I don’t want to give up—it’s only been three weeks since I moved!—but I’m having such a tough time. Help!

—Becky

Hey, Becky.

First of all, what you’re describing is totally normal. You may not have realized it was coming, but you are in a major period of transition, which can sometimes be confusing and stressful.  

You had an identity in Tucson. It was comfortable and familiar. Your habits, routines, roles, the people you spent time with and community you were a part of were well established and in balance with your personal values and beliefs.

RELATED: Guide to Cross-Country Moving eBook

It’s the blog about nothing…and everything. So reads the tagline of Bower Power, but the popular blog is far from being about “nothing,” covering home improvement projects, décor, and the family life of Katie and Jeremy Bower and their two little boys. Having recently moved in 2011, the couple shares their experience house-hunting, moving and decorating the new place. With some impressive DIY skills, smart household budgeting and an eye for design, the Bowers are transforming their house into a beautiful home—and documenting the process each step of the way.

DIY, Bower Power Style

As avid DIYers, Katie and Jeremy have tackled a wide range of home improvement projects, from small décor accents to dry-walling and laying down flooring. But even this do-it-yourself duo will opt to hire professional contractors when necessary. “We definitely love taking on every single bit that involves home renovations—with a few exceptions,” Katie explains. “When it is cheaper to hire out, or better for us physically or mentally, we have no shame in shelling out money for a pro.”

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Finishing their basement was just such a scenario. As Katie recalls, “We tackled dry-walling our den and kitchen in our first house. We took it from studs to finished product and got sick for weeks because the drywall dust was intense and we were newbies. When the time came to finish our basement, we decided we would hang the drywall but hire out a mud man to take it the rest of the way. It saved us so many hours and we weren’t choking on drywall dust for weeks. Best money ever spent.”

FAIR founders Alexandre Koiransky and Jean-François Daniel in a quinoa field.

Although moving can be stressful, it marks a time to celebrate a new home, new friends and neighbors, a new neighborhood and a new lifestyle. Whether you are throwing a housewarming party or choosing a housewarming gift for a friend, we have a celebration gift idea for the sustainably minded, 21-and-over set: a toast with FAIR Spirits, a fair trade, socially responsible spirits company.

Paul Bungener, the company's representative in the United States, says that because FAIR's Quinoa Vodka is the smoothest and tastiest vodka on the market, it would make the perfect celebration drink for a housewarming party.

RELATED: Housewarming Party Guide eBook

Bamboo was once touted as a “green” flooring option, but some experts say that the chemicals and glue used to hold the bamboo strands together are anything but green. Avital Andres, lifestyle editor for Sierra, a publication of the Sierra Club, says, “Bamboo is a sustainable product because it grows so quickly, but to create bamboo floors, the product is glued and treated with chemical products.”

How green are bamboo floors, really? Slightly more so than wood laminates, which are also treated with chemicals, and vinyl tile, which is neither long-lasting, sustainable, recyclable or healthy.

RELATED: Flooring Options That Look Like Wood for Every Budget

Gary Wagner of Green Distribution, a manufacturer of sustainable building products, says, “If you want the look of wood floors, you should stay away from wood laminates or engineered floors because they contain adhesives that can cause health problems.”

He adds, “When the surface gets worn, it can't be refinished like real wood. Neither can bamboo.”

Whether you choose wood or another material, doing your research in home flooring can help you create the sustainable home of your dreams.

Depending on your perspective, decorating and personalizing your new home after a move can be a source of stress or enjoyment. Either way, once you’ve unpacked the last boxes and cleaned all the surfaces, you’re faced with a blank canvas and a million decisions. Which color scheme will you choose? How will you arrange your old furniture, and what new furniture do you need? Where will you hang your artwork, how will you organize your closet … and where on earth will you find the time to do it all?

My Move is thrilled to announce our partnership with Julie Richard of Shelter Interiors + Design. One look at Julie’s blog and you’ll understand why we can’t get enough of her colorful, polished, cool-yet-comfy design aesthetic. As our Resident Design Expert, Julie will dispense actionable design advice and inspiration to help take the stress out of decorating your new space.

RELATED: Envision Your Room with Our Virtual Design Tool

We’ve all been hearing it for ages: Stop throwing your money down a hole by renting, grow up, and buy yourself a house (we just channeled our fathers there for a second). Sure, there are lots of reasons to delve into the world of homeownership. It’s a worthwhile investment in your future, you’re building equity, you get tax breaks when you own, and it’s a symbol of financial independence. Furthermore, in many areas of the country, now is a great time to buy a home. Interest rates are good, and you can even take advantage of foreclosed properties and find yourself a sweet deal. The lure of homeownership can be a seductive siren’s song, especially when you start daydreaming of making your home your artist’s canvas. A little paint here, some sprucing up there, and suddenly, you have a home that is as unique as you.

But. There’s always a “but,” isn’t there?

Sometimes, it’s better to rent, even when the market is good. And yes, even when you think you’ve saved enough for a down payment, occasionally, it’s in your best interest to wait on purchasing a house.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Not sure about your career situation? Considering making a big move in the near future? If the answer to either of those is “yes,” then don’t buy a house. “Renting is a great option if you're not sure how long you'll be in a place,” said Bob Renshaw of Renshaw Property Management in Tennessee. “This is especially true for people who may get transferred or who anticipate moving around.”

RELATED: 5 Areas to Consider When Deciding to Rent or Buy

National Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 17th this year, coinciding with National Bike Month and National Bike to Work Week. But for many people, bicycling to work is not something they do for one week in the spring. It's a way of life.

Whether you're biking to work in order to save gas money, be more green, or squeeze some exercise into your busy life, it's important to do it safely. Sharon Campbell, a Certified Safety Specialist, says, “Many people overestimate the benefits of the exercise versus the very real dangers of cycling on city streets.”

That's not to say you shouldn't commute through your city. Just make sure you're a proficient rider and that you're doing it safely. We got some pros to weigh in.

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You’ve got your diploma in your hand, two internships under your belt and four years’ worth of cram sessions in your head. You’re all set to go into the world on your own, right?

Not necessarily. About half of young adults between 18 and 24 live with their parents or had temporarily moved back in with them, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2011. In a barely-recovering economy, some recent grads are opting to move back in with the folks while they look for work, build up savings, or gain their footing. Others are moving back for convenience or personal preference.

Regardless of the reason, after a few years of independence, many of these “boomerang kids”—and their parents—have to adjust their lives when returning home. Katelyn Gilday, who moved home after graduating from Shippensburg University, had occasional clashes with her folks due to the close quarters.

“I didn't think much about what it would be like,” she says. “I just knew I needed a job and to save up money, so I didn't even consider the hardships because there were no other options.”

Here are some tips to make your transition as easy as possible.

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