Looking for something different this weekend?  When was the last time you checked out the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium?  This is a great time to visit because the animals are much more active in these warmer, but not hot, temperatures. The Zoo is approximately a 40 minute drive from Catalina Club.  It is open each day of the week including holidays.

Hours vary so check out the website, most days are 9-5, click here, Columbus Zoo

Admissions are under 2-Free, 2-9 $7.99, 10-59 $12.99  Parking is $5 per car.

Another great idea is COSI. In case you are not familiar, Cosi is the Center of Science and Industry.  Its a great interactive Science Museum with an Extreme Screen Theatre.  Located in downtown Columbus, its a short 30 min. drive from Pataskala.

Hours are M-Sat 10-5 and Sun 12-6.  Admission varies depending on which exhibits you choose to visit.  Click on their website for more details, COSI

If you have just moved in Catalina Club or have been around awhile and are ready to give your apartment some much needed style, it doesn’t need to cost a fortune. We may dream of our living room looking like the displays at Pottery Barn, but reality is we are stuck with a collage of hand-me-downs.

A simple way to bring all that mis-match of colors together is through wall art. Wall art that you make….and your name doesn’t have to be Leonardo.  Example, you have a tan/brown tweed sofa and a blue recliner. Purchase two large canvas frames from Hobby Lobby (closest is Chantry off Brice/Rt70). Check the sale ads as they go on sale every few weeks, click here,  Hobby Lobby.  In the craft paint section purchase the same shades of tan, brown, and blue that match your furniture and painters tape (or masking tape). Paint large bold strips of color on the canvas’s in whatever design you like, just paint the second one to look like it was laying on the first and you peeled it away. Get creative and add a circle of color. Let dry and cover with a sealer if you want a sheen. Canvas frames are light weight and a simple nail will hold it. Avoid hanging your art exactly centered on the wall, bring it down between center and the top of your furniture.

Kick it up a notch by adding an art light to the top of each. Lowes or Home Depot carry these that plug in a wall outlet. If you art is above your sofa, the sofa and the frame help hide the cord. Check out fabric at Hobby Lobby or JoAnns (at Taylor Square) and find fabric with your blend of colors. Cover all your pillows with solid colors and your accent blend to help tie your theme together. If you don’t sew or know someone who does, purchase iron on hem tape to bind your pillow seams. Frame pieces of your accent fabric like you would a picture for another piece of coordinating art. No matter what hodge-podge of colors you are stuck with, repetition of those colors through the room and combining them together with art and fabric will make your unique design look as though it was done with purpose.

Have fun and if you want more creative apartment decorating ideas, check out Rental Digest.