The Guy In 2A's NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS 2011

1. Clean my apartment more- I like to think I keep a clean place but I do realize there is a big difference between picking up after myself and actually cleaning.

2. Conserve the Water- I know it's awful to keep the water running when I am not using it, but sometimes I am just lazy. This year I vow to not leave the tap running while brushing my teeth. You would be flabbergasted to see how much water we waste while brushing teeth. Read this article and see how you can save the fish!

3. Wallpaper A Room In My Place- This was on my list for 2010 and I never pulled the trigger. I've actually had a sample of the wallpaper I picked out for over eight months. This year I am going to buy a few rolls and do a wall in my place. I'll keep you posted on this and make sure to take a pic. This is the print I like that I found @ Walnut on Beverly.

4. Keep My Shower Liner & Curtain Mildew Free- I know, right? It's such a pain in the ass to hang a shower liner however looking at that moldy liner in the shower is just nasty. I'm gonna spend the $3 it costs and buy a new one. Also do you know you can actually wash the shower curtain in the washing machine. Add vinegar or a little baking soda to the detergent and it will be like new!

5. Learn to Cook- Seriously I want to learn how to cook and not just re-heat! I saw this cool place where you can take beginning cooking lessons and it doesn't look so intimidating. Hurry cause classes start January 10th!

6. Switch to a Single Server Coffee Maker- These are one of those inventions that make me think WTF why did this take this long (like when they finally figured out how much more comfortable it is to just print the tag of your t-shirt right into the inside rather than having an itchy hanging tag that says Jockey). Anyways back to the single serve coffee maker. It's so practical, easy to clean, and leaves very little waste.

7. Clean Out My Closet- and take it to Good Will. Here are some tips. If you haven't worn it for a year, throw it out. If you are keeping wool sweaters, turtlenecks and winter jackets cause you may move back East, don't! If it was in the "maybe" pile last year then put it in the "YES" pile this year.

8. Bang the Girl In 2C- Ha! Just wanted to make sure you are still reading this! But really I would like to get up the nerve to at least ask her out on a date.

9. Clean Out All My Drawers- in the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. If that menu from that restaurant that went out of business in 2005 is still in your drawer throw it out, if you still have a prescription that says expires 4/2007 throw it out, if your jelly says good before June 2010 and you still haven't even cracked the seal throw it out!

10. Meet At Least One Neighbor- I have been in my new apartment for one year now and I am embarrassed to admit I have not said hi or introduced myself to any of my neighbors. No more uncomfortable elevator rides or midnight runs to the trash chute.

I really want to wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year and it's gonna be a great 2011 for all of us!!!!!!!

TIME MAGAZINE PERSON OF THE YEAR: The Guy In 2A

TIME magazine couldn't be more proud to name The Guy in 2A as their 2010 Person Of The Year. It really wasn't until the early summer that we saw the emergence of what many have referred to as the "Zuckerberg of apartment living." Whether you stumbled upon, tweeted, re-tweeted, shared, tagged, or liked him, there really was no way to avoid this phenomenon.

What sets The Guy in 2A apart is that he is not afraid to take on the real struggles that we face. He set the rules of age appropriate shopping at IKEA, told us how to properly maintain our bathrooms, and gave inside tips to the ladies on how to land a husband.

In late August, rumors first leaked that Kathryn Hepburn may just be The Guy in 2A's Grandmother. Later in November, a rare video surfaced confirming this lineage. Downplaying his relationship with his Grandmother, The Guy in 2A continued to post about topics that mattered to him. He has told us many things when it comes to home furnishings and decor: that lime green is the new orange and grey is the new black; that storage beds are in and sleigh beds are out; that Lucite is a trendy alternative to wood; that globes are cool but kaleidoscopes are rad.

In a few short months, he has achieved elite status by attaining his 750th fan on facebook. We asked The Guy in 2A to reflect on his recent exposure. He said, "It didn't really hit me to one of my fans grabbed me on the street and declared, "OMG it's the straight Nate Berkus!" (true story) (well, mostly)."

What will 2011 bring to The Guy in 2A and his loyal following? He told us that he refuses to be a flash in the pan, even though his recent success seems to be taking a toll- "I use to blog for the helluvit but now I have to blog to stay relevant." 2010 was a great year for The Guy in 2A, but expect even more helpful tips and household hints in 2011.

HO-HO-HO!!!! 5 Fun Unique Gifts For This Holiday Season

Sick of getting those crappy Holiday gifts from Aunt Myrna, the bad tie that your cousin Steve gets you every year, or that horrible picture frame from the girls at the office?? Here are 5 must-haves for this holiday season. All these are some great gifts that can be used in your place to start the New Year off with a fresh new look.

1. The EX-Knives

I'll get right to the point with this product - it's a wicked cool design for a knife holder and certainly a lot more edgy of a gift than the standard old block of wood. I'm not sure who the designer might have been thinking of when he created this, but I definitely like the results. And it includes five knives! Buy it here and you can still get it in time to put under the tree!

2. A Vacuum from the Jetsons

The Neato XV-11 robotic vacuum ($400; neatorobotics.com)

As the next generation of robotic vacuum cleaner, it is far superior to others. Instead of relying on random luck, the Neato uses some sort of laser-based room-mapping system, so it knows where it's been. When it senses that it's running out of juice, it works its way back to the charging base, recharges, and then continues its job. You can check this out more and watch a video here.

3. Your Own Soda Maker

SodaStream Genesis Soda Maker turns water into soda in seconds and is the smarter way to enjoy your favorite carbonated beverages. Just fizz, flavor and enjoy. It is quick, easy and requires no cleanup. With SodaStream you'll save on lugging, storing and disposing of bottles and cans of store-bought soda. You can fizz and flavor to your taste, without high fructose corn syrup or aspartame. Enjoy regular, diet soda and energy drinks, or create your own seltzer or flavored sparkling water. This seems like the "must have" kitchen gift of the season. I have seen them in Williams Sonoma, Crate&Barrel, and I found this one at Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

4. Flip Cam:

Clearly if you don't own your own HD Flip-Cam by years end you're just not that cool.

Hey and The Guy In 2A has just hooked you up with this great promo code to get you a free tripod for your new cam.

5. You Know I Love My Coffee Table Books

This one by Phaidon is in stock for the Holidays. An extraordinary photographic history of the first decade of the twenty-first century charting the political, cultural, sporting and newsworthy moments that shaped the last 10 years. The sequel to Phaidon’s New York Times best-selling Century: One Hundred Years of Human Progress, Suffering, Regression and Hope.Arranged in chronological order, 500 painstakingly selected photographs highlight events that affected us all as well as quieter moments shared by just a few. Historical texts accompany every scene depicted, while five thematic essays explore politics, art, sport, science and the environment over the period

I wanted to get these out to you in hopes there is still time for you to send Santa your wish list. That is assuming you have been good little boys and girls this year.

Happy Holidays,

The Guy In 2A