Blissfully Domestic » HOME BLISS

Simple and Cute Valentine’s Day Centerpiece

Leigh Dusek — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:07:24 +0000

How to Make a Simple Valentine’s Day Centerpiece

Supplies for the Valentine’s Day Centerpiece:

Burlap (amount depends on the size of your Valentine’s Centerpiece)
Trim, ribbon or other in the length to trim the edges
Watering can, Vase, or something creative to hold flowers.
Fake or Real flowers.
Permanent Marker
Double Sided Tape H
Hot Glue Gun.
Sewing Machine (not required, but nice)

Cut out a rectangle of burlap appropriate for your table. Then sewe double stitch around the edges. This isn’t required, but helps prevent fraying.

Lay out the ribbon and trim to measure and cut it, then hot glue the ribbon in place. Be careful it doesn’t stick to your table during this step.

Use a red permanent market to write love on one corner and xoxo on the opposite corner.

A cheap, tin watering can from Walmart makes a great container for flowers and can be reused for many other projects, including a spring arrangement. Fake white flowers will also make the seasonal transition.

A 40 pack of red heart doilies for $2 and white rosette finish off the arrangement.

got a 40 pack of red heart doilies for $2 and made a quick white rosette to finish it off.

Double-sided tape holds the doily in place and hot glue holds the rosette to the doily.

From start to finish, this project took me less than 30 minutes. It was super easy and I love how it turned out!

How to Clean Hardwood Floors

Amanda Wynant — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:24:34 +0000

Clean your wood floors with ease.

Image Credit: Mirage Flooring

Hardwood floors are absolutely lovely in a home. They look great with almost any décor and can make a small space seem much bigger. In the winter, they stay a bit warmer than tile floors. They are more hygienic than carpeted floors and more durable than linoleum.

For all the positive traits of wood floors, they do have one tiny drawback. They can be tricky to maintain. In order to keep them looking their best, wood floors need to be cleaned often and cared for without the use of harsh chemicals or abrasive tools. Here’s a little guide to help you keep your wood floors in tip top shape – without a lot of hassle.

Choose a mild cleaning solution.

Supermarket shelves are laden with a variety of wood floor cleaners today. Prices range from $5 to $15 for a 32 ounce bottle of cleaner. Though many of them do an excellent job of cleaning, there’s no reason to shell out such big bucks to keep your hardwood floors looking beautiful.

Look no further than your kitchen pantry for an effective wood floor cleaner. For sealed wood floors, use a mixture of ¼ cup white vinegar to 1 gallon water for your wood floor cleaner. If you wish, you can include a few drops of essential oil to add a pleasing scent to your homemade floor cleaner.

To clean unfinished wood floors, try a strong brew of black tea. Around 10 tea bags to 1 gallon of hot tap water should do the trick. Allow the solution to steep for at least 20 minutes before use. The tannins in black tea will naturally clean and brighten a dull wood floor.

Image Credit: Michael Bentley

Select the best cleaning tools for the job.

The most essential cleaning tool for hardwood floors is the classic dust mop. Most dust mops are made from wool or micro fiber and glide easily across a wood floor attracting dust and dirt as they go. They are gentler than a broom and the heads from dust mops can normally be tossed into the washing machine for repeated use. If you prefer a regular broom for the job, make sure it has soft, fine bristles that won’t scratch up your floors over time.

Valentine’s Decorations for Romantic Atmosphere

Christine — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:09:15 +0000

Romance = Love + Atmosphere

Want to bump up the romantic quotient of your home? It’s an easy equation…

You already have the love in your home, so all you need to do is add the right atmosphere.

But how do you achieve this romantic atmosphere? The following suggestions will get you on your way:

Red roses, candles, candies. They are the obvious, of course. But don’t avoid them just because they aren’t original…decorating with these staples scattered around your home is a nod to tradition.

Layer upon layer of RED. Here’s a stylist secret…red is one of the most difficult colors to match exactly. Ever try to find a red scarf that picks up perfectly the red of a blouse? Invariably it’ll be off a wee bit…too yellow or too blue. Use that to your advantage when decorating for Valentine’s Day and don’t worry about matching; a monochromatic red palette can be dynamic as no other color can!

Chalk it up. Or flour it up. Or sugar. Or… Decorations don’t need to be permanent objects…a rock garden adorned with hand-drawn hearts is a loving touch, as is a platter with sugar (or flour) hand-poured in the shape of a heart (or use a cookie cutter for different effects), or drawn in a cappuccino’s froth. The love is permanent, even if the decoration isn’t.

How to Sponge Paint Stencils on a Cabinet

Leigh Dusek — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:49:24 +0000

I have a hutch that has been passed down to me through my family. The hutch is over 150 years old, and my aunt spent hours sanding down the layers of black paint before my mom gave it to me. I adore it, so I wanted to paint it somewhat classic but make it my own. I’ve taken off the front cabinet door to stencil something. I’ve never stenciled before but I’m excited to start.

To Sponge Paint with Stencils you will need the following Supplies:

- Cabinet door painted the base color you want.

- Stencil of your choice

- Blue Painters Tape

- Foam Stencil Stampers OR Stencil foam roller.

- Paint color you want the stencil to be. (crafters acrylic paint is cheap and comes in almost any color)

- Poly or sealer for the cabinet

- Fine or very fine hand sander

First, I went to Michael’s to grab these new Martha Stewart stencils and foam stampers. I got the Martha Metallic paint glaze and the stencil I ended up using can be found at Home Depot. I usually find my paint supplies at Home Depot or a craft store, you can find a good mix in those places. Now I’m sure that a lot others can use the cheap stencils or foam stampers. I just happen to LOVE these stencil designs, and since I am a novice, I chose to use pro stampers. They weren’t too expensive and they’re very reusable.

Keep going to see the tutorial!

Heirloom Seeds: Should Open-Pollinated Plants be Part of Your Garden?

Chris McLaughlin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:02:07 +0000

Photo by Mercedesfromtheeitghties

The first thing you need to know about heirloom or heritage plants is that they’re always open-pollinated. This means that the seeds from that plant’s fruit can be saved, replanted and the resulting plant (and fruit) will be a replica of the parent. It’s great news for both home gardeners and farmers because this means that potentially, the gardener never has to purchase those particular seeds again.

But, what makes a vegetable (or flower or fruit) variety an “heirloom”. It actually depends on whom you ask. Heirlooms were brought to America by immigrants world-wide. Rich with culture, many of these family heirlooms have wonderful stories attached to them. They’re favorite family vegetables whose seeds had been saved and passed down from generation to generation.

Many people consider that any variety that has a generational history — and a story– to be called an heirloom. Some don’t label an open-pollinated plant an heirloom unless it can be traced back 100 years. Although there’s no “officially-official” standard for heirlooms, today most gardeners agree that an open-pollinated plant that’s been handed down through families for 50 years is an heirloom variety.

Photo by Hello-Julie

What Can Heirloom Plants Offer The Home Gardener?

Now that we’ve talked about what heirlooms are, let’s explore what heirlooms can do.

Fantastic flavor – Of course, any vine-ripe vegetable grown in the home garden (hybrids included) beats store-bought vegetables any day of thee week. Still, most heirlooms have a flavor factor that the prolific hybrids simply can’t match. These food plants were handed down generation after generation were selected and grown expressly for taste. Commercial hybrids are created for uniformity in color, shape, and size. As well as for yield, transporting abilities, and the ease of machine-harvesting. This isn’t to say that there aren’t delicious hybrids — there certainly are. But heirlooms come in a vast sea of varieties (and therefore, flavors) to please the palate.

Adaptability – Heirloom plants have an inherent ability to adapt naturally to their environment. This includes acclimating to the soil they’re planted in and as well as the specific climate. Historically, as vegetable varieties adjusted to their environments they also developed resistances to local pests and diseases. In other words, there were strong, viable plants suited to every area. Because these plants evolved naturally, nothing was mechanically altered (and therefore given up) and their fruit was able to retain their delicious flavors.

Control – Food is a basic human necessity and he who controls the seed controls the food supply. Unfortunately, five companies control all of out commercial seed world-wide. They can do this because they literally own the seed. Heirlooms are owned by no one — and everyone. They give you control over how your food is grown, what’s put on it, and which vegetable types you’ll grow.

Links to Our Heritage – Of course, heirlooms weren’t always called “heirlooms”. In fact, the term “heirloom” wasn’t even used until the 1980′s! They were those traditional vegetables grown in gardens everywhere. They were the staples of life. Some of the heirlooms that have been preserved by family seed-saving go as far back as 2000 years or more. Connected to those seeds is the history of our ancestors and who they were; giving us a basic definition of who we are. In a nutshell, seeds are a living heritage for people. We can hand down antique furniture, jewelry, and paintings, but none of these are living things. Along with great stories come the variety names. Monikers such as Beaver Dam, Moon & Stars, and Lady Godiva pumpkins, Rattlesnake and Dragon Tongue beans, Tall Telephone peas, Mascara and Drunken Woman, Frizzy-Headed lettuce always bring a smile…and questions.

By the way, the above characteristics belong to the open-pollinated veggies that aren’t necessarily considered heirlooms. They just may not have the extensive history as their counterparts.

How to Transition from Holiday to Winter

Christine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:52:41 +0000

Suffering from post-holiday let-down? The decorations are put away, kids are back in school, and life is back to “normal.”

But normal doesn’t have to be boring. Why not embrace the season and spruce up your home’s decorations for Winter? With a few key concepts in mind, you can add some festivity to your home’s interior that can bring some sparkle and zip back into your daily routine.

Aglow for Winter. The holidays tend to be full of rich, warm tones. Chances are you have a few candles in your rooms in these colors; consider replacing them them with some in white, ivory, or soft yellow.

Bring the Outdoors In. Branch out! The herb section of your grocery store has beautiful sprigs…think outside of the box and use them to decorate. They lend an unexpected green flair to a table setting or in a mini-sized vase…and they will infuse the air with a fresh, crisp scent.

Mudroom Makeover – Revamp Your Entryway

Amanda Wynant — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:16:21 +0000

Give Your Entryway a Makeover

Most homes have an entryway of some sort. Some boast an entire entrance room, while others open directly into the front room or another living area. No matter the size of your entrance, you can make it an organized and functional space for the needs of your family.

Determine your needs.

What kinds of things are lying around your front door right now? Do the kids leave boots and shoes at the door? Are backpacks, purses and jackets in a pile just inside the house? Take a couple days to note the kinds of things that tend to clutter up your front entrance and find storage solutions for your needs.

There’s a solution for every chaotic entryway.

Is a mountain of shoes threatening to erupt near your front door? Don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to conquer Mount Shoelace. One of the easiest things to do is find a simple bench to place near your front door. Several pairs of shoes can be stowed under a bench, without looking messy – and it also provides a handy place to sit for putting shoes on and taking them off.

Has a herd of wild backpacks and forlorn jackets surrounded your front entrance? There’s a simple fix for that too. Install a coat hook in the foyer, for every member of the family – and maybe a couple extra for guests. You may want to install some up high, for adults and a few at kid-level to make them accessible for everyone.

Are hockey sticks, basketballs, baseball mitts and soccer cleats making it hard to enter the home without putting on a team jersey and playing defense? Consider the purchase of a mudroom locker for your entryway. It has coat hooks in the center, storage drawers underneath and cubbies above for maximum entryway organization.

Here are some more organizational ideas for your mudroom.

How to Hang a Light Fixture

Kelly — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:22:31 +0000

In every house that I have ever lived in I’ve had to replace light fixtures. The first time I replaced a light fixture I was expecting a new baby, and I had purchased a light to match the baby room decor. I hadn’t given a thought to the fact that I would have to install the light fixture. Thankfully for my budget my Dad was an experienced light fixture hanger, and as is common with lots of dads he was more than happy to come hang my light fixture for me, especially as I was very, very pregnant.

The next time I needed to hang light fixtures, however, I had dad come over again but this time I had him show me how to do it, so that I wouldn’t be so dependent upon his help. Turns out it is really pretty easy to hang a light fixture, and here are the steps so that you can avoid calling your dad over or even worse have to pay an electrician come over and do it for you.

photo credit: NatalieMaynor

Turn off the power to your old light fixture at your breaker box. Now I’ve heard you can just turn off the light switch, and you’re good. But I’m not one to take risks with electricity. To be extra safe you can test your light fixture with a circuit tester.
Remove the old light starting by removing the canopy of the light fixture, and then remove the screws connecting the light fixture to the cross bar of the light box. Then disconnect the wires to the old light fixture and remove the light.
Test to see if your wires are hot. Usually the black wire is hot, the white is neutral, and the bare or green wire is ground. If your light fixture was working, and your wires look like this, you can skip this step. If, however, you have something different you may need to test your wires (with the power on) with a circuit tester. The hot wire lights up the circuit tester. Turn the breaker back off and label the hot wire with black tape.
Make sure your light box can hold your new light fixture. Most ceiling boxes that are attached to the framing of your home are large enough for a 50-pound light fixture, but if you are hanging something heavier you may want to install a fan brace box that can be bought at any major hardware store. If you need a new bracket you can install one now, however it is possible to use the old bracket.
(Jump to page 2 for the rest)

How to Creatively Fill a Large, Blank Wall on a Budget

Leigh Dusek — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:05:53 +0000

Do you have an empty wall in your home you have no idea what to do with? It can be a big wall or a nook that just needs something. In my old home I had such a big wall that needed breaking up. Now I have an empty wall in a nook with a slanted ceiling. I love collages on walls of all types, however the holes in walls drive me crazy. I also love to change things up on a regular basis and need flexible options. When I discovered how to make floating bookshelves I was hooked. You can make them big or small and use as many as you need for your space.

As a bonus, floating bookshelves are very cheap! See Page two for directions:

Planning Your Spring Garden: Using Flowers for Color

Chris McLaughlin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:09:23 +0000

Photo by kckellner

The impact that color has on the senses is undeniable. Color affects the mood of the garden, and affects the people who view it. Many of us are working with gardens on the smaller side. But, color principles are basically the same; no matter what size the garden. The first thing to keep in mind is that anything you want in color will benefit from you taking a glance or two at the color wheel.

Second, repetition creates unity throughout the garden — and the eyes love unity.One way to create unity is to repeat your colors in order to tie the garden-picture together. So, how many plants should you use per variety? The easiest technique is to apply the “Rule of Odd Numbers.” Plants look the most natural when planted in odd numbers, such as three, and five.

Photo by Tom Bech

Warm Up Your Room with Texture

Barbara — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:58:20 +0000

There are as many ways to play with texture as there are with color, to warm up your interiors for the kind of change you need. Just take Mother Nature’s toolbox as your guide, especially since nearly all of the man-made textures we have invented are meant to replicate those in nature. A room that is all slick surfaces (glass, ceramic tile, metals) will seem cold and uninviting if it has no other textures to complement the cool. Wood and stone in their natural state have a course, matte finish, but when polished will feel smooth and will reflect light.

DIY Recipes for Green All-Purpose Cleaner: How to Make Eco Cleaning Solutions For Your Home

Prerna Malik — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:53:22 +0000

Cleaning your home with toxin-filled, chemical-laden cleaners? Think that making your own green cleaner is too much trouble or too expensive? Think again. Let this year be the year when you green your home and what better way to start than by never replacing that bottle of all-purpose cleaning solution.

Yes, here is a simple, effective DIY recipe for an eco-friendly and green cleaner. Best part, it is quick and cheap too!

Ingredients:

½ cup white, non-fruit, distilled vinegar
½ cup water
¼ teaspoon baking soda or sodium bicarbonate

Method:

In a plastic spray bottle, pour the vinegar and add the baking soda. It’ll froth up instantly, so do this in the sink so that you don’t have any spills on the floor.
Add the water. Shake it up nicely.
You can use this cleaner to clean glass, countertops, your child’s highchair, toys, and pretty much everything else too.

Should you not have vinegar handy, here is another eco-friendly cleaning solution to the rescue:

Ingredients:

2 cups hot water
½ teaspoon washing soda or sodium carbonate
A few drops of liquid soap

Method:

Simply mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake it up to dissolve the washing soda, and you’re all set to clean up in an easy and eco-friendly way.

Green cleaning solutions are not expensive or intensive to make. In fact, it is SO easy to mix them up that once you get started, you’ll never spend another dollar on commercial cleaning solutions. Plus, you’ll have the added peace of mind that the toys you just wiped don’t have any chemical or waxy residue on them. So, go ahead, make your own green cleaner and clean your home green this year!

Photo Credit:Karyn Christner

5 Indoor Home Improvement Projects for Inclement Weather

Kelly — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:51:28 +0000

“Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.” Don’t you just love that song? It’s one of my favorites. But it’s not so entertaining when you actually are trapped inside your house going stir crazy because inclement weather is wreaking havoc with your plans. But all is not lost when mother nature decides it’s time for you to stay inside for we have five indoor home improvement projects that you could be working on during these cold, winter months.

1. Degrease Your Kitchen: Grease builds up on some of the weirdest places in the kitchen such as on top of your fridge, on top of your oven hood, etc. And being trapped in your house due to inclement weather you might think that you are unable to take care of this problem as you don’t have the cleaning products needed. But did you know that you can use 1 part ammonia to 3 parts water to cut through grease? It works like a charm. If you don’t have ammonia 1 part vinegar to 1 part water can also do the trick, but be sure to spot check before you clean.

2. De-Spot Your Carpets: I always seem to get black ring around the baseboards on my white carpets. But did you know that you can use 1 part rubbing alcohol to 1 part water to get rid of that ring? I’ve used that formula for years to get rid of my black ring either by using it in my carpet steam cleaner or by hand. Just be sure test a spot first to make sure that the formula doesn’t remove color from your carpets. Also you might get a comment from a child complaining that your house smells like that thing that the nurse at the doctor’s office uses before they give you a shot.

3. Get Those Closets Organized: If you’re like me a lot of stuff came in because of the holidays and you are needing to find room for all of it. Being trapped in your house offers you the perfect opportunity to clean out and get rid of all that you may not need or use any more. Be sure to call for your various local charities for pick-up your left-overs at your home when the weather clears up.

4. Clean the Insides of Your Windows: For some of you, you may have plastic put up to for extra protection against the winter cold. But if you have a newer home or have installed storm windows, now is the perfect time to get the insides of the windows clean. All you need is newspaper and a spray bottle filled with 1 part ammonia and 3 parts water. (Yes…just like you used to degrease your kitchen!) This is a perfect project for little hands who might have come to you complaining that they’re bored.

5. Get Rid of that Ugly Wallpaper: Did you know that April is one of the best months to get a good price on paint and wall coverings? So being trapped in the house due to inclement weather is the perfect time to get that ugly wallpaper off of your walls and get them prepared for paint. All you need is 1 part ammonia with 3 parts water in a spray bottle to cut through that glue and a scraping tool.

Being trapped in the house does not have to mean that you have to be non-productive. Instead look around your house to see what you can use to get some much needed home improvement projects completed. You might find that mother nature is in fact doing you a favor.

12 Easy Ways to Green Your Home in the New Year

Prerna Malik — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:47:09 +0000

Its January and time for fresh starts, clean slates and yes, greener living. If you’ve set yourself some eco goals for 2012, here is more help. 12 super easy but high impact tips to green your home and enjoy a more planet-friendly year. Pick one for each month and you’ll have a greener home at the end of the year.

1. Switch to Cloth

One of the easiest changes you can make to go green at home is to switch to cloth instead of paper for table napkins, kitchen dusters and cleaning wipes.

2. Make Your Own Face Scrubs

Using green cosmetics is easier than you think. Simply mixing up brown sugar, cinnamon powder and some olive oil can help you make your own sweetly scented face scrub. Using coconut oil instead of chemical-laden lotions will keep your skin glowing and nourished. Here is some more inspiration for greening your beauty routine.

3. Reuse Glass Jars

Glass jars can be reused and turned into attractive gifts, canning jars or even, containers to store stationery and craft supplies. You can even keep quite a few jars in the craft closet to let the kids paint them during art sessions.

4. Reuse As Much Paper As Possible

Paper is easily trashed and wasted. However, you can easily reuse notepaper that has one side written on it into scribble pads for the kids. Save gift wrapping paper and recycle it for craft projects, scrapbooking or even, wrapping gifts again.

5. Turn Old Clothes into Cleaning Rags

You know that raggedy t-shirt that you want to trash? Cut it up into squares, serge the edges and you’ll have a neat set of cleaning cloths ready in next to no time. You can do the same with any old, cotton clothes and use them to dust, mop and clean up after a child’s exuberant painting session.

6. Install CFLs

Installing CFLs is one of the best decisions you can make to turn your home into a green zone. Not only will you be saving energy, you’ll also be saving money in the long run. Start with one room, if budget is a concern and then, move to the other rooms in subsequent months.

7. Switch to Organic Produce

Want your refrigerator to be a storehouse of good health? Make the switch to organic produce and you’ll be eating healthier produce, free of pesticides and toxic chemicals. Not only will your family be eating wholesome food, the planet too will be a happier place.

8. Save Water

Saving water doesn’t need a lot of investment. What it needs is paying attention to how we’re using or misusing water. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or using a bucket to bathe instead of the shower everyday are some of the easiest things you can do to save gallons of water.

9. Refuse to Use Plastic

Are you still use plastic grocery bags? Make the change now. Switch to reusable cloth totes to bring home your organic produce and you would have a greener home at the end of the day.

10. Line Dry your Laundry

Want to save energy, money and the planet? Start line-drying your laundry. Again, like with most eco-friendly practices, this one too is easy and economical. All you need is a clothesline to hang your laundry and let the sun do its job, naturally.

11. Green Your Household Cleaners

Want a clean home but no toxins? Simply make your own household cleaners using ingredients from your kitchen cabinet. Vinegar, baking soda, salt and lemons are all that you need to have a germ-free, sparkling home in next to no time. If making it sounds time-consuming, you can make green cleaning possible by switching to store-bought eco-friendly cleaning solutions.

12. Ditch Bottled Water

Finally, stop that influx of plastic bottles entering your home by drinking water from the humble tap. Fill up reusable glass bottles and carry them when heading out. If chemicals in water is a concern in your neighborhood, invest in a water filter. You’ll make up the initial cost by saving on all that bottled water you buy when out and about.

So, how would you be greening your home this year? Share with me in the comments below.

Photo Credit: D.Sharon Pruitt

6 Tips for Cleaning Out the Clutter for the New Year

organizingguru — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:43:23 +0000

The New Year is here! Let’s start off on the right foot by clearing the clutter out of our lives and homes for the New Year. To help you I have come up with 6 tips to help you clear out the clutter for the New Year.

Just start! There is no time like the present. Just pick a room or area and get started. Close the Facebook tab and get moving.
Get the right tools. Make sure that you have everything you need to get started like trash bags, boxes and sharpies.
Donate! Can someone else use those things you no longer use? If so why not donate it to your favorite charity or church.
Be realistic. Whether you are going through clothes or pans be realistic about what you actually can wear or when was the last time you have used that pot. If it has been over a year get rid of it. Don’t keep clothes that are too big for you or too small. Live in the present.
Organize for the life you live now. Don’t try to organize your home for how you lived in the past. Organize it for how you currently operate. That is the only way to be successful at organizing is to take into consideration how you and your family move through your life now.
Enlist help. Whether it is a friend or a professional organizer have someone to help you clear out the clutter. Having someone there with you helps the time and the process go by faster. Especially with paperwork. If you feel that working with a friend or spouse is not a good idea then get help from a professional organizer.

There you have it! 6 tips for cleaning out the clutter for the New Year. Make this the best year yet for getting organized. What tips do you have for cleaning the clutter out for the New Year? Share them in the comments below.

Storing Christmas Decorations for Next Year

Amanda Wynant — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:30:39 +0000

Well, it’s over. Christmas carols, frantic shopping, eggnog, grown men running around in Santa suits – it’s all behind us until next year. Now we face the less than jolly chore of taking all the Christmas decorations down and storing them nicely so we can reuse them. Here are some tips on properly storing lights and décor for next year.

The Tree & Ornaments – Storing your artificial Christmas tree properly can save you hundreds of dollars over the years. If you have the original box – that may work for a few years, until it becomes worn and weathered. When the box is ready for recycling, an economical option is a Christmas Tree Storage Bag starting at around $15.

To store your breakable ornaments, use a couple of empty wine boxes from the grocery store. They’re perfect – and if you call ahead, most stores will gladly hold them for you. If you need something more weatherproof, consider this Ornament Storage Box for just under $25.

Removal & Storage for Indoor & Outdoor Lights – It’s tempting to pull all the lights down, throw them into a pile and then begin sorting. But you’ll save yourself time and hassle if you plan your storage as you’re removing the lights. Save empty wrapping paper tubes, paper towel rolls and large rectangular pieces of cardboard for this job. For regular indoor/outdoor light strands, as you remove each cord, tape the female end to the top of the cardboard or tube and just wrap the bulb strand around and around until you reach the end. Then use a marker and masking tape to indicate where you use the particular strand – is it the one that’s long enough to cover the mantel or one for the tree?

For icicle lights, lay each strand out flat. Gather four or five strands together and secure them with a twist tie. Continue gathering strands until you reach the end. Then use the above method for wrapping them around a roll or piece of cardboard. When you’re finished, wrap the whole thing with plastic wrap to keep the grouped light strands secure.

Store all the lights in a large plastic tub and place bubble wrap or other padding between layers to prevent breakage when stacking or moving bins around in storage.

Outdoor Inflatables – For your giant inflatable Santa snow globe, make sure it’s completely deflated and dry. Then store it in the original box with safety information and instructions when possible. If you no longer have the box, inflatable decorations can also be folded and stored in plastic storage bins.

Wreaths & Garland – For greenery and garlands, the most important thing is to make sure to cover them so they aren’t full of dust next year. A large plastic bin is perfect for garland. To store a wreath, wrap it in a kitchen trash bag and secure it with a twist tie. Store it at the top of container of other Christmas decorations, in a plastic bin. If you prefer a more durable container made just for a wreath, try a Wreath Storage Box for around $10.

Stockings, Linens and Christmas Towels – All your cloth Christmas decorations should be laundered, if necessary, and stored together in boxes or plastic bins. You may also want to store your scented Christmas candles in the same box – to eliminate the musty smell they might get while in storage.

Label all your boxes and bins specifically as to what’s inside on the top and on at least one side of the container. You’ll be so glad you did this when you start thinking about Christmas next year.

Image Credit: christmaslightsetc

Image Credit: bastiansolutions

Image Credit: forchristmas

Green Living Goals: 12 Simple Steps to Self-Sufficiency

Prerna Malik — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:41:32 +0000

The New Year is just around the corner and it is time for you to set your goals. Notice, I don’t say, “resolutions”. Yes, goals are what you’ll need to set if you need to move forward with eco living and a greener lifestyle.

Here is a month-by-month goal checklist for you to enjoy a self-sufficent, earth-friendly life in the new year:

January: Declutter, Recycle and Reuse

The start of the year is perfect for getting the clutter out and taking a good, hard look at what can be recycled or reused. Involve the kids in the recycling process as you get rid of toys that are no longer played with or clothes that don’t fit. Use this month to reflect upon all the “stuff” that you have and probably set a spending goal for the family so that you don’t end up replacing your clutter with more clutter as the months go by.

February: Eating Green and Healthy

February is perfect for setting the healthy eating goal. Begin the month by buying organic groceries, menu planning so that you can cook from scratch without losing your sanity and, exploring DIY options for family favorites like granola and cookies. Eating healthier is not only better for your family but also for the planet. Organic produce is free of pesticides and chemicals that eventually enter the earth and also, cooking from scratch means you’re consuming less processed and packaged foods.

March: Greening Your Laundry

The crisp air and sunny days in March are perfect for going green with laundry. Switch to organic detergents and line dry your laundry. Not only will you be saving money on power bills, you’ll be saving the environment too! This is also a great month to think about water conservation and reuse grey water too.

April: Grow a Kitchen Garden

Ahh, the weather is great and perfect for growing yourself a kitchen garden. Gardening can be a real fun eco activity for the kids and can help you grow your own organic herbs and vegetables. Even, if you live in an apartment, a “garden” of potted plants can easily be grown.

May: Plan Green Celebrations

Its almost the middle of the year and while you may have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries in the past few months, use May to plan for eco-friendly celebrations. Going forward strive to celebrate every occasion in an eco-friendly manner using reusable crockery and cutlery, cloth napkins and linen and food that is free of chemicals and preservatives.

June: Go Green with Cleaning Home

Summers are perfect for switching to eco-friendly household cleaners. Just make sure that you dispose of chemicals carefully and safely. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make your own all-purpose cleaner using just vinegar and water. Save money, go green and have a clean home too. Wow, win-win!

July: Plan Eco-friendly Activities with the Kids

The kids are at home and you don’t want them planted in front of the television, right? So, set yourself the goal of planning fun and frugal eco-friendly activities for them. Regardless of how old a child is, you can always teach him about being green while having fun. From spending time in that organic garden of yours to making crafts, there is plenty to choose from.

August: Buy Eco and Green Back-to-School Supplies

Planning for back-to-school season is in full swing now and while you may be tempted by all the deals to buy the latest, fanciest, cutest, backpack or lunch box, stop. Can you reuse what your children already own? If not, don’t buy lead-laden, PVC-filled school supplies. Opt for natural and eco school supplies such as reusable snack sacks, tree-free notebooks as well as organic cotton backpacks.

September: Spend Time with Grandparents

Yes, this is a green living goal. Why? Because grandparents can teach children SO much about living an eco-friendly life. From baking cookies from scratch to having fun without technology to natural home remedies, grandparents are a storehouse of eco learning. Let your kids quiz them about how life was in their time and make positive changes in their own lives.

October: Enjoy an Eco-friendly Holiday Season

Yes, it is only October but goals need planning to be successful. So, plan now to enjoy a green and eco holiday season. From using good-for-you treats for Halloween to planning to rent your Christmas tree, you need to prepare in advance if you want to enjoy the holidays without hurting the planet.

November: Be a Green Beauty

The holiday season is perfect for revamping your skincare and beauty routine and switching from chemical-laden lotions and makeup to natural, homemade and eco products. You can easily make your own face scrubs and lotions using ingredients that are right there in your kitchen. So, make that switch.

December: Celebrate!

Yes, you green living goal for the last month of the year should be to celebrate everything that you’ve done in the past year. From greening your laundry to switching to eco-friendly cleaners to cooking from scratch, you’ve come a LONG way this year. So, take the time to celebrate the fact that with each month, you’ve come closer to living a life that is good for you and the planet.

What green living goals will you be setting yourself this year? Let me know in the comments and I’ll be your personal cheerleader!

Photo Credit:lululemon athletica

Decluttering Goals for the New Year

Amanda Wynant — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:39:53 +0000

Four Decluttering Strategies for 2012

If you break out in hives at the mention of clearing out some of the priceless treasures collecting dust in your home – you’ve got to meet my new friend Kathi Burns.

Kathi is a Board Certified Professional Organizer, of San Diego and the author of the book, How to Master Your Muck. She gave me a few painless tips to help even the most hopeless packrat make some attainable decluttering goals for 2012.

Goal #1 – Organize your storage spaces. These are your closets, drawers, pantries, cabinets and dressers. Are your current organizational systems serving you well? Set a goal to work for ten minutes a day on storage organization for two weeks.

When sorting through drawers and cleaning out closets, Kathi says, “Realize that everything you decide to keep will require a piece of your energy. At a minimum, it will require energy to store, maintain, remember to use and eventually get rid of anyhow.” She tells her clients, “If it takes more energy than it gives you, you should let it go.” She concludes, “The more stuff you own, the more energy it takes to maintain your lifestyle. If you want more energy, own less stuff!”

Goal #2 – Own less stuff. Eliminating things we’ve collected over the years can be incredibly difficult. There are questions you can ask yourself to determine if an item is a keeper – or something to toss. Kathi suggests these: “Do you love it? Do you need it? Do you use it?” If the answer to all of these questions is no, then you should probably throw it out.

Now – you may be thinking, “I love my entire collection of coffee table books that are stacked up throughout my home, lining the halls and blocking entrances.” Kathi says, “You need a predetermined, controlled, confined amount of space for everything you own – then you know when you have too much and you need to purge.” Limit your collection to one bookcase, and begin to weed out the items that aren’t your absolute favorites.

Use this tactic with children too. When the three bins of toys are overflowing, it’s time to donate some to charity. Kathi suggests explaining to your children the donation process. “Kids have huge hearts. Sometimes when you explain about charity, kids are more willing to let go of things.”

For kids who are prone to hoarding, she suggests this strategy. “When the child isn’t around, select an item that you’d like to donate. Put it high in the closet for a week or two and see if your child asks for it. If he does notice, and wants it back – ask him what he wants to get rid of in order to keep it.”

Goal #3 – Designate a place for everything and put things where they belong. Start a habit of putting things away. Kathi suggests using a method she calls the Ten Minute Bin Secret. Once a week, take an empty bin into one room in your house. Spend 2 minutes filling the bin with things that don’t belong in the room. Then use the remaining 8 minutes to deliver those items back where they belong. Get the whole family involved. On Saturday, designate ten minutes of clean-up time. Ask your husband to use the Ten Minute Bin Secret in the master bedroom; kids can take an empty bin into their bedrooms and you can focus on the kitchen and living room. At the end of ten minutes, your home will look and feel a lot neater.

Goal #4 – Manage landing zones. If your family tends to drop backpacks, jackets, purses and shoes at the front door, your entryway can begin to look like a junkyard. Place a bench near the front door. And install sturdy hooks above. Kids can put their shoes underneath the bench and hang jackets, purses and backpacks on the hooks.

If junk mail, bills and magazines tend to pile up on your kitchen countertop, set up a work zone in a corner of your kitchen. Kathi says, “Paper is a big issue for most people. Mail comes in every day and if you don’t have a tactic for getting rid of it, it piles up.” She recommends storing paper vertically, so you can see everything and things don’t disappear in a pile.

These four goals can transform your home and help you live more peacefully in the coming year. According to Kathi, “Being organized is an ongoing process.” Commit yourself to the process this year and experience more freedom and less chaos. For more fantastic tips on home organization and the like, check out Kathi’s website at www.addspacetoyourlife.com.

Image #1 Credit: addspacetoyourlife

Setting Organizational Goals For The Coming Year

organizingguru — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:39:49 +0000

Photo Credit: Faingoon

The Holiday season is in full swing and before you know it the New Year will be upon us. Usually around the first of the year people usually sit down to set goals for the coming year and write down what they want to accomplish.

We have goals for all types of things, but what about getting organized? Yes, it is usually on the list, but how much time do you put into actually mapping out what you want to see organizationally in your home, office or life? Do you just write down the generic “I want to get organized”? If so then it won’t happen. Sorry to bust your bubble, but if you want to accomplish any real organizing goals you are going to have to get specific.

I want to give you a leg up on setting some organizational goals for the coming year. If you do them now you will really be organized coming into the New Year.

Here are some examples of some organizational goals that you can use to get started.

Organize my closets

Organize my paperwork

Set up a filing system

Clean out the garage

Set up a system for …

Clean out my car and keep it that way by cleaning it out once a week.

Organize my kitchen

You get the idea. The point is to be specific in your goals. What do you want to see? Do you want to organize your living room so that you can host a party? If so then write it out just like that. The key is to write it down and put it where you can see it everyday. Visualize in your mind what you want your home to look like, your office to look like, your life to look like. Then write down the appropriate tasks and steps needed to make that vision a reality.

You want to get started now. Don’t wait. If you write down your organizational goals and put them where you can see them then you are more likely to accomplish them.

What are your organizational goals for the New Year? I will go first: I want to finish organizing my home office and I want to go completely paperless.

Now it’s your turn! Leave one of your organizational goals in the comments below.

DIY Seed and Plant Markers for the Garden

Chris McLaughlin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:56:03 +0000

Photo by Renee’s Garden

There are as many ways to create seed and plant markers as there are gardeners. Basic techniques such as Popsicle sticks or names painted on rocks are one of the easiest ways to go. But my favorite way to label seeds in my garden is to sue the seed packets themselves.

The first reason that I like to use them as markers is because they’re lovely looking in the garden and to be honest, while I adore anything garden “functional”, my girlie-heart yearns for “pretty”, too. While I don’t purchase seed packets for their beauty alone, there are companies that put that little extra something in their seed packets. Botanical Interests, Renee’s Garden, Peaceful Valley, and BBB Seed immediately come to mind.

Photo by Peaceful Valley

Probably the best reason to use the seed packets as markers is that you always have the seed specifics on the variety, growing directions, and plant picture right where you need them most — next to the plants that you’re tending. Of course you can’t just leave the seed packet willy-nilly in the sun, rain, and wind as they tend to disintegrate or become lunch for a passing snail or slug.

To protect the packets from the elements, I’ve been known to take them to a friend’s house who has a little laminating machine. One they’re laminated, tape or hot glue a craft stick to the back of the marker and sink it into the soil. Instant character for your garden even before the seed germinate!

Photo by BBB Seed

If you don’t have access to a laminating machine, purchase some clear contact paper, measure your packet and cut a piece that’s 1/4 of an inch bigger around all sides to make a good seal. Lamination will be firmer than the contact paper, but you’d be amazed at how well it’ll hold up.

In place of taping or gluing a craft stick to the back of your marker, hit up some garage sales and find some old silverware. Then just weave your protected packet through the tines of the fork.

Photo by Le Petite Poulailler

Fabulous Christmas Centerpieces for the Table

Barbara — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:44:01 +0000

A simple arrangement for Christmas

Creating your own unique centerpiece for Christmas can be so much fun, it’s hard to think of it as a “chore” – and it’s a terrific way to express your individuality!

Most centerpieces consist of some basic elements:

Greenery, whether real or faux
Candles, which can be tapers or fat pillars or even votives – or a mixture of sizes and heights

To these we’ll add one or more (but not too many) of the following:

A Nativity scene,
Snowmen,
Santa,
Carolers,
Nutcrackers,
Fresh flowers or seasonal houseplants such as poinsettia, Christmas cactus, amaryllis,
A Christmas village,
“Ice” sculptures,
Ribbon, preferably wired, in coordinating colors to complement your china or linens,
Floral “picks” such as ivy, berries, poinsettia blossoms, silver bells or ornaments – available in craft and hobby stores

: A gingerbread house centerpiece

If you’ll be using a festive tablecloth and napkins, choose these before gathering together the other elements, because the color scheme will be influenced or even determined by these linens.

Remember that your guests will want to see over the top of the centerpiece, or at worst, through it, to see each other. You will need to decide how high your tallest element is, whether it’s branches twined with tiny lights, or tall candelabra.

Beginning with that tallest piece, arrange the items in an interesting but relatively compact group, and then add the decorations such as the ribbons, florals, and bits of greenery. If you are using lights, make sure that the battery pack can be hidden among the greenery or other objects, and make sure that the batteries are fresh. You won’t be able to easily change them once the centerpiece is finished.

: Tall tapers make an impact

More ideas:

Use a footed cake stand or a glass bowl to hold tree ornaments for the center element
Polished apples and oranges studded with cloves make a homey and delicious-smelling centerpiece, which can be embellished with sticks of cinnamon and plaid ribbon
A miniature train set, battery operated, could wind around a Christmas village (works best with a long rectangular table)
Look for vintage “bobeches” to adorn your candleholders, or cut them out of cardboard and glue tiny Christmas ornaments or tinsel to them.
Christmas music boxes, in various sizes, make a pretty arrangement, especially with pretty ribbons laced around them
A prettily wrapped gift box filled with colorful tissue could hold scented potpourri or pinecones (also available at craft and hobby stores)

You might want to remove any scented parts of the centerpiece before serving dinner, so that the fragrance doesn’t overwhelm your diners.

Finally, check any fresh florals or houseplants frequently and keep them from drying out. Make sure that candles are firmly settled in their holders and won’t easily tip over. Keep pets and small children from nibbling on any of the decorations, especially live plants and tiny ornaments and berries.

Check out the photos accompanying this article for examples of wonderful holiday centerpieces, and don’t forget to take pictures of your own masterpiece!

Hanukkah Table Decorations

Christine — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:32:20 +0000

It’s the holiday season, and with that comes…holiday decorating! If you are planning a Hannukah celebration in your home, or just want to boost the celebratory mood in your house, consider the following when putting together your table decorations:

Add Some Shine Color Scheme with Metallics. Add golden bowls, goblets, or chargers to the table for extra elegance and to play off the gelt candy.

Go Rustic. Perhaps a wooden board painted in (a food-safe) traditional blue hue for the challah…sometimes less is more. Let the symbols of the season speak for themselves.

Branch Out. Hang Hanukkah dreidels from a chandelier with blue ribbon, or from branches spray-painted gold or blue and placed in a vase. Place this in the center of the table, and scatter more dreidels around the base.

Create a Modern Menorah. Line nine clear glass votives with white candles down the center of your table; each placed on an upside-down blue tumbler (adhere with secure double-sided tape), the center being of a larger size.

Incorporate Other Traditions. Pomegranates are a symbol normally associated with Rosh Hashanah, but there is no reason why this gorgeous fruit can’t adorn your Hanukkah table as well. The vibrant colors lend a pop to any palette, and their unique shape is always eye-catching.

Most importantly, enjoy this special season with loved ones. In the end, that’s all that matters…the memories created will be about time spent together.

Home Bliss is Looking for New Blissfully Domestic Writers

AngEngland — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:50:58 +0000

Share your creativity with a vibrant online community.

Blissfully Domestic is looking for a couple more writers in the Home Bliss topic area! We’re seeking the creative, crafty and graphically-gifted.

Home Resource Printables Creator for Blissfully Domestic

Is your best friend your Brother P-Touch? Do you create labels, printables, and home resource spreadsheets, oh my? Blissfully Domestic is looking for a blogger who craves the organization that comes from checklists and charts.

Fill out the Printables application form and show us what you can do!

Do you decorate with a stellar DIY flair? We're looking for you!

DIY Decorating or Organizing Blogger

Do you spend your days looking through decorating magazines only to say, I can make that? Blissfully Domestic is looking for a blogger who knows what’s hot but is determined to make it herself. Do you only put your glue gun down long enough to write up a tutorial so your friends can join in the fun? You’re the blogger we’re looking for.

Fill out the DIY application form to strut your stuff!

Creative Container Displays for Forcing Bulbs Indoors

Chris McLaughlin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:31:56 +0000

Photo by The Bitten Word

As the coldest months of the year set in, the growing season is considered either behind us or ahead of us. Either way, our landscapes look naked after the flowers of spring, summer, and fall hang their dresses up for the winter. Of course, the plants that live inside our homes are tickled pink to have the gardener’s attention all to themselves.

I actually look forward to spending quality time with my houseplants along with the bulbs that I’ve forced to bloom while most flowering plants are outdoors sleeping. If you’ve conjured up an image of a non-descript plastic post holding a single amaryllis bloom, you’re missing the big picture. There are endless possibilities for creativity with flowering bulbs.

Amaryllis photo by The Greenery Nursery

Great bulbs for forcing indoors

First of all, don’t stop at the typical amaryllis bulb that all the big box stores are promoting at this time. Notice that I’m not saying don’t purchase the amaryllis; just don’t stop there.

Daffodils
Hyacinths
Amaryllis
Crocus
Grape hyacinths
Easter lilies
Paperwhites
Snowdrops
Dwarf iris
Striped squall
Freesia

Some of these bulbs varieties will need some chilling before being planted and some will not. Be sure to do a little research on those that you’d like to force indoors. Also, when you purchase them ask if they’ve been pre-chilled.

If you’re partial to elegant decor, stick with a single bulb variety (in one or two colors) and a beautiful container. Mixing bulb varieties either with each other or other types of plants offers a more relaxed display, but just as fun and surprising.

Photo by James Qualtrough

Creative Containers for Indoor Bulbs

Second, don’t ever settle for the plastic pots! You can do better than that every time. Think about the decor and feel of the room where the display will be placed and stick with that style, you can’t go wrong. Keep an eye out for containers of unusual shapes and sizes.

Terra Cotta pots
Glazed pots
Baskets
Wood boxes
Copper tubs
Wardian Cases (Victorian terrariums)
Glass Containers or bowls
Vases

Photo by Charles D P Miller

Groundcover for Indoor Garden Displays

Covering any bare soil (if you’re planting in soil) puts a finishing touch on any indoor bulb display. You can use “inanimate mulches” such as dried moss or pebbles, or you use a “living mulch” such as grass.

Colorful glass stones
Pea gravel or pebbles
Glass mulch
Tiny sea shells
Sphagnum Moss
Dried green moss
Grass
Living moss
Baby tears
‘Elfin’ thyme

Photo by Pizzodisevo

You can also try staggering the blooms for a longer display buy planting several bulbs into the container. One week later, add several more bulbs and finish planting the container. One of my favorite pairings is to plant miniature daffodils and dwarf iris bulbs into a long, rectangular container. I then plant grass seed over the entire surface. The planting resembles bulbs coming up in a lawn and is always a conversation piece. And yes, I end up having to use scissors to “cut” the grass on occasion!

Outdoor Christmas Decorating Beautifully and Safely

Amanda Wynant — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:13:25 +0000

There’s no better way to bring Christmas cheer outdoors than decorating your home and landscape with lights. We checked in with Carl Dimock, Christmas lighting expert and owner of Rain or Shine Window Cleaning, in Sammamish, WA, to get some tips on how to decorate your home for Christmas, with safety and style in mind.

Before you begin your outdoor decorating, make a plan. Measure the areas you’d like to illuminate and determine your budget. LED lights are the new “green” choice for Christmas lighting because they use 80-90% less electricity and can last about five times as long as incandescent bulbs. The downside is, they are about five times as expensive as incandescent bulbs and they aren’t as bright. Either way, be sure the lights and extension cords you use are UL tested and approved for outdoor use.

If possible, enlist a partner to help you decorate. Plan to decorate your home in the daylight on a day when it isn’t raining or snowing. Test all your light strands before you begin. Also check the tag at the end of the strand; it should indicate how many strands you can link together without tripping breakers or popping fuses. Dimlock says, “You should always use a GFCI protected outlet to minimize dangerous shocks.”

Image Credit: Lowes

According to Dimock, “One of the easiest ways [to attach lights to the home] is with plastic clips to the gutters and shingles.” You’ll need one clip for every 1.5 – 2 feet of lights. If you don’t want to climb up and down a ladder to hang your lights, try an extension pole designed for the task.

Begin at the top of the home and work your way down. Keep the lights on while decorating so that you can determine any outages as you go. If you plan to use icicle lights around the eaves, Dimlock recommends using small staples instead of clips for a more secure attachment. Another tip when using icicle lights is to buy commercial grade or higher-end versions. They are longer, will hang better and will look nice all season.

Dimlock says, “Deciduous trees in the yard look best when individual branches are lit. I usually run an extension cord up the trunk to the first major branches. And I like to roll the string into a ball (making the sure the female end is inside the ball). Then I plug it in and start wrapping up the tree.” Make sure the cord plugs are up off the ground and taped to the base of the tree with electrical tape to ensure they stay dry during inclement weather.

Decorating shrubs can be easily done with light strands. Just wind the lights around in curvy random formations – until you are satisfied with the look. Net lights can also be used and are super quick and easy. You simply put the center of the net at the top of the bush and let the lights drape down around the plant.

Use a timer to minimize on energy costs. Set the lights to come on at dusk and off well before dawn. During the holiday season, save your empty paper towel rolls and wrapping paper rolls. Then wrap the lights around the rolls when you take them down in January to avoid the tangled mess next year.

Outdoor Christmas lights and decorations are easy to install and can help make your holidays special and your neighborhood festive. Enjoy the merriment of this season!