By Richard Moy, Cheapism.com

Quality espresso machines under $200For many coffee aficionados, it's easier to hand over a few dollars for an espresso from a favorite shop than to shell out a few hundred dollars for a home machine. However, you can find semi-automatic espresso makers that are not only priced around $100 or $200 but also earn kudos for user-friendliness, even from consumers daunted by the idea of operating one. If you get your daily fix from a coffee-shop cappuccino or latte, an affordable home espresso machine can start saving you cash within months.

Related: Rice Cooker Reviews

Here are Cheapism's top picks among home espresso machines for consumers on a budget:

• The DeLonghi EC155 comes equipped with a stainless-steel boiler and a swiveling milk frother for making espresso drinks. Buyers of this machine rave about its speed and reliability in online reviews, especially given its $80 price point.
  
  
• The Nespresso Citiz C110 stands out among semi-automatic machines because it's so easy to use and

"African American" History month is an extension of Negro History Week, which was founded by Carter G. Woodson. The first celebration of Negro History Week was in February of 1926. The month of February was chosen so that the celebration would coincide with the birth dates of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas.

Carter G. Woodson was born in Virginia, in 1875, to former slaves. He grew up to become a Harvard trained historian who believed that he could only escape poverty through education. He also believed that un-denied truth would prevail over prejudice, so he set out to establish a way to disseminate the historical contributions of "African Americans". Through his determination, along with the determination of Minister Jesse E. Moorland, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) was established. It was this association that sponsored the first Negro History Week in 1926. Today, this association is known as the Association for the study of

I just need a place to blab, and ramble on and on, bout things in my head that I need to get out. Thoughts that will most definitely include every possible emotion at one point or another... In some ways I need this place of mine to be one that will allow me to treat these blog posts as a diary, only this diary is one where ppl may feel free to "put their 2 cents in".

Recently I fulfilled my duties and closed out my contract with the family at my job, as they have moved to Chicago. I have been on vaca. for the last 2 weeks, and lemme tell ya, after working 12.5 hr days for 3-4 months and caring for twin 3yr. old boys, It was much needed time off. Of course, it is coming to an end tho, as I prepare to return to work nannying for a new family.. I am very excited to start this new chapter of my life. I have been able to get some things doen that I have had to keep putting off for a while, and I aslo have been taking total advantage of (1) sleeping in, and (2) enjoying time with my

Christian Ishizaki number 17

by Julia Bainbridge, Bon Appétit

There are some tried-and-true gifts on this list. A candle, for example. (Granted, it's the most luxe candle of them all.) And a garden rake, for those green-thumbed Moms out there. (This one comes from British designer/food writer Sophie Conran.) But we've also got herbs you can grow in a tin (perhaps Mom's an apartment-dweller?), moisturizer made by a primo olive oil producer, and a chic coffee sleeve made by a crafty guy named Jimmy Choo. Here's what we're giving Mom this year--maybe you will, too.

Matt Duckor1) Is it wrong to buy one for mom and one for yourself? With this platter, we might not care. High Street Market Large Blue Calico Platter, $78; highstreetmarket.com










Related: 18 Recipes for Mother's Day Brunch

Matt Duckor2) "Just add water" never rang so true. Pop open the lid, add some water, set the can on the windowsill, maybe talk to it a little bit, and pretty soon, you've got basil. Grow your own basil garden or chilli plant in a tin, $8 each;

Who said you have to keep things neutral? Your living room isn't Switzerland-there's no need to play it safe. If you like it loud, don't be shy about turning it up. That's right, go ahead and hoist a flag in your favorite hue, no matter how bright. And a coat of paint is the quickest route to a bright space. Pick the color that floats your boat the most, whether it's marigold, pomegranate, cobalt, or emerald. Sound hard to pull off? Take a look at this gallery to see some of our favorite vibrant gathering spaces, which might just inspire you to take your own living room from comatose to colorful.

By: Penelope Wood



Lucky Stripes
Lucky Stripes

If you love bright colors but can't narrow it down to one, try painting your wall with stripes of all of your favorite hues.

See More of Our Favorite Colorful Living Rooms


Also See: Add a Pop of Color With Wainscot Stripes







So Shocking
So Shocking

Love pink? Don't be shy about it: paint your gathering space in your best and brightest.

See More of Our Favorite Colorful

By RedPlum for GalTime.com

Give your home a facelift! You want to give your main living space a facelift before summer comes to bring some life to your home, but you don't have a diva's design budget? No problem! We turned to online coupon giant RedPlum and its Mom-Saver-in-Chief Lisa Reynolds for some simple ways to spruce up your space without spending a whole heck of a lot, if anything at all.

· Rearrange your living space. You can make a dramatic difference rearranging instead of redecorating --simply use what you already have. Switch out lamps, pillows, area rugs, picture hangings and even window coverings from room to room. De-clutter and rearrange to give your room a new look. Consider adding warm, personal and cozy touches like a vase of fresh flowers from your back yard or tie a group of blankets together with a big ribbon and place on the couch.

Look Online for Inspiration · Look online for inspiration. Instead of purchasing glossy home décor magazines or hiring an interior designer, look to Pinterest , one of the