feels like home » Tips and More

Resolutions To Simplify Home and Life.

admin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:53:58 +0000

1. Eliminate clutter.
2. Lower your standards.
3. Institute daily clean ups.
4. Identify your pressure points.
5. Plan your menu.
6. Eliminate paper clutter.
7. Practice saying no.
8. Unsubscribe. Unsubscribe. Unsubscribe.
9. Get it done early.

Read more: http://organizing.yourway.net/9-resolutions-to-simplify-your-home-life/.

Frugal Christmas Decorating Tips.

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:48:57 +0000

1. Cut Fresh Greenery
2.Shop Thrift Stores
3. Use What You Have
4. Create Your Own Decorations
5. Host a Christmas Decor Swap

Read more: http://http://decorating.yourway.net/5-frugal-christmas-decorating-tips/.

Closet Clean-up.

admin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:38:18 +0000

Cleaning up the closet, at least mine, is one of my to-do lists before the year ends, but I’m targeting to do it before Christmas. I have a few items there that I am not able to use and I just have to let them go as I don’t want a cluttered cabinet. I guess, I’m ok with just a handful of clothes since I really don’t go out much. For tips on cleaning up our closet spaces, these might be of help.

1. Anything you don’t LOVE.
2. Anything you don’t need.
3. Anything that’s too small.
4. Anything that’s too big.
5. Anything you have multiples of.
6. Anything that doesn’t fit your lifestyle.
7. Anything that doesn’t “go” with your other items.
8. Any empty hangers.
9. Anything that’s not yours.
10. Anything that you can’t wear.

Read more: http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2011/02/07/10-things-that-shouldnt-be-in-your-closet/.

For Clogged Drains.

admin — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:05:06 +0000

To get your drain running again (without resorting to chemicals worthy of a hazmat suit) pour ½ cup soda, then ½ cup vinegar, down a clogged drain. Cover it with a wet cloth, wait 5 minutes, uncover, and flush with steaming-hot water. {via http://pinterest.com/}

Simple Tips To Improve Your Home.

admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 13:37:48 +0000

Here are simple tips and projects that you can personally do to add improve and maintain your home. No need to hire someone to do it as I know that these are doable. We actually did some of these in your humble home, too.

1. Update your door hardware and color– Refreshing the look of your door is a simple and straightforward to way to change the look and feel of your home.

2. Improve your exterior lighting — Ensuring that you have adequate lighting by your front door, your path and spot lighting to highlight your plants and shrubs, ensures that your home is not only secure, but also gives it impact after dark.

3. Maintain your windows.

4. Focus on your landscaping — Maintaining healthy shrubs, plants, trees and turf is vital to ensuring curb appeal.

5. Repair your driveway.

6. Repaint the exterior — Keeping the paint fresh on your exterior ensures that the colour you feel in love with remains bright and current.

7. Keep it neat and tidy — Don’t neglect cleaning your front porch, driveway and garage.

Source: http://www.housewifebliss.com/.

Keep Off The Pests.

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:27:31 +0000

For Wasps. Cut off the top 1/3 of a large soda bottle, then flip the top so that the bottle neck is facing down into the rest of the bottle. Once secure, fill the bottle part way with soda. Wasps will enter the bottle but will not be able to get out.

For Ants. Spray the area with Vinegar for a temporary measure. It will confuse the ants and have them looking for another path.

For Flies. Mix basil oil with water and spray your kitchen, or better yet plant a few pots of basil in your kitchen, the scent will deter them.

For Mosquitos. Keep your lawn cut short and remove any stale water that collects in your garden.

{Source: http://www.housewifebliss.com/}

Spring Cleaning Tips.

admin — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 06:57:04 +0000

1. Initiate monthly purges.
2. When in doubt, throw it out.
3. Focus on one room / area at a time.
4. Find a system that work for you — there is more than one right way.
5. File your papers.
6. Make a place for clothes that needs to be fixed.
7. Go through one box, shelve, drawer, bin, cabinet at a time.
8. Don’t let your emotions win.
9. Make your bed — every day!
10. Do a few minutes every night before bed or every morning before work.
11. Tackle your junk drawer.
12. Make to-do lists every day.
13. Get your family involved.
14. Keep a basket in your car for car clutter.
15. Barter with a friend.
16. Use organizing containers you already have.
17. Create a place for all your tax papers.
18. Don’t let junk mail come into your home home.
19. Deep clean one room each week.
20. Clean out your wallet and purse.
21. Utilize your freezer.
22. Vow not to procrastinate!

{http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2011/03/11/22-tips-to-get-organized-for-spring/}

The Backseat Clean-up.

admin — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:20:48 +0000

I am planning to get a new bag. No, not the ridiculously expensive, designer brands bags. I am thinking big bags, or the Osprey Backpacks kind of bags. I want to leave a bag in the car, which contains some toiletries and extra clothes and maybe some snacks. And so I won’t need to prepare our essentials everytime we go out. I actually have a small bag in there, but it doesn’t hold that much stuff. Anyway, I came across this list of the basic items that we can have stored in the car.
* diapers and wipes
* pajamas for the kids
* extra shirt for us
* Band-aids, neosporin, and medicine
* Water bottles and snacks
* blanket
* waterproof bag for wet stuff

And for the front console:
* change for parking {and toll fees!}
* pens
* hand sanitizer {I always have a bottle of alcohol, as well. And face powder. I even have a mosquito repellant in there.}
* napkins {I have wet wipes, too}

Now this is a valid reason to go to the mall and shop for a bag. And yes believe it or not, I am also quite excited to do some organization in the car.

{http://smallnotebook.org/2011/01/05/the-backseat-clean-up/}

Ways To Use Coconut Oil.

admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:17:16 +0000

It’s nice to have come across these uses of coconut oil as such is abundant, and quite affordable, from where I am.

* as a moisturizer
* to control frizzy hair
* as a digestion aid~ a spoonful a day seems to help keep constipation away
* in place of other oils {such as canola and vegetable} in cooking/baking
* to grease the pan {perfect for pancakes and waffles}
* frying {mmm, think coconut shrimp!}
* in place of shortening or even butter, if you happen to run out
* to promote healthy milk supply in nursing mothers

Read more: http://simpleorganic.net/the-wonders-of-coconut-oil/.

Surprising Uses for Vinegar

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:16:27 +0000

1. Meat Tenderizer
The acid in the vinegar will help to break down the meat and you’ll end up with a deliciously tender dinner.

2. Drain “Un-Clogger”
Mix vinegar with baking soda and salt for an inexpensive, chemical-free way to clear a clogged drain.

3. Mattress Cleaner
Remove dirt and stains from your mattress by blotting with a clean cloth dipped in vinegar.

4. Fabric Softener

5. Rust Remover
Just pour a little vinegar on a suborn rusty screw and it should come right out.

6. Hand Cleaner
Simply pour a bit of vinegar over your hands if they smell like onions, garlic, or if they are stained from berries. Then wash with soap and water to remove the vinegar smell.

7. Weed Killer
Try heating some white vinegar until it’s hot, but not boiling. Then pour it on cracks in your driveway, sidewalks, or anywhere else you want to kill stray grass and weeds.

8. Kitchen Disinfectant
Just pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and use on all your hard surface.

9. Hair “Shiner”
Restore the shine by following your normal shower routine with a vinegar rinse {1/2 cup vinegar and 1 quart water}. Just remember to rinse the vinegar out with plenty of water so the smell doesn’t linger!

10. Nail Strengthener

Read more: http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2011/01/24/ten-surprising-uses-for-vinegar/.