Library Book Crisis

Have you ever scrambled around, charging through your house looking for lost library books? Or worse, forgetting that you even had the books in the first place until you get a notice from the library? I can share a little solution that works well for us. We have books from our local public library plus books that my son checks out from his school library. Since I started this system, I have never lost a book or have been late with one yet! And even better, this solution helped resolve a misunderstanding that could have cost us some real money. … Continue reading →

Fix up those Finds

I stopped in dollar store to pick up some stocking stuffers when my husband and I were out Christmas shopping. It’s a chain store, so I’ll have to go to one closer to home to see if they have the same or similar items. I found nice pieces for ceramic bath set there. I had promised myself not to buy anything that wasn’t Christmas gift related or a necessity, so I didn’t buy them at the time, but I rather wish that I had. They weren’t the color I wanted but they were large, heavy ceramic pieces. I had seen … Continue reading →

Home Monitoring Systems For The Sick Or Elderly

I am very blessed to still have my grandparents in my life. However, they are no longer spring chickens and they are often the source of worry for me (and my parents who live a few miles away from them). The fact is, whether you live in the same house as your elderly loved ones or thousands of miles away (like I do), their health and well being is likely a major concern. Which is why I instantly fell in love with a new product that allows you to monitor mom and dad or grandma and grandpa from your own … Continue reading →

Simple Decorating Ideas Using Wallpaper or Border

Wallpaper doesn’t turn too many people on any more. Borders, once all the rage, are equally unexciting today as far as many people are concerned. However, it really depends on how you use them. There are creative ways to achieve a tasteful look with these materials. For a stylish look, choose a subtle texture or print that will blend with your overall wall color. It will add interest without standing out too much. Alternatively, instead of creating a border around the entire perimeter of the room, you may want to create a focal wall. Stenciling an inspirational message onto the … Continue reading →

Home Decorating Tips: Walls

In a previous blog I wrote about my tour of our local Builders Association’s Parade of Homes. I walked away with a several decorating ideas—some that I would seriously consider applying to my own home—others, well; let’s just say I would have a hard time duplicating. The following are some trends and ideas I learned and thought I would pass along to you. If you decide to apply any to your own home, please feel free to let me know how it turned out. In my last blog I wrote that the Home Builders Association’s spokesperson I spoke to insisted … Continue reading →

“Fluffing” Your Home

Would you like to breathe new life into your home, but don’t have a huge budget to work with? Why not try “fluffing” your home? What’s “fluffing?” It’s a term coined by interior decorators to describe an affordable way to add new life to a room without having to break your back (or the bank) in the process. Does this sound familiar? You look around your home and see drab walls, sagging floors, and antiquated plumbing—all things that require a pretty penny to fix. You decide to spend the money to repair the essentials, but then you find there’s no … Continue reading →

Fall Decorating and Home Improvement

I love the fall, when the weather starts to cool down, but I also love to be warm and toasty when it begins to get chilly. While we are currently experiencing Indian Summer in my area, I know it won’t be long until those chill winds begin to blow. It’s time to start warming up the home décor and cozying up the nest before winter sneaks in. Start warming up your home today with some of these great touches! Towel Warmers I thought I was smart bringing towels fresh from the dryer into the bathroom with me. Well, towel warmers … Continue reading →

Dream Homes

By far the thickest part of our Sunday newspaper is the real estate section. While I am currently not in the market for a new home, each Sunday I always find myself paging through the giant stack of ads… wishing, hoping, dreaming… just plain wondering who it is that is able to afford these monstrous mansions listed in the millions of dollars. And mind you, I live in a relatively small midwestern city. I’m not talking about purchasing property in New York or San Francisco. So, a few million will get you a substantially large parcel of land with a … Continue reading →

Your Home

Making your home feel like your own can be harder than it sounds. We don’t always choose things that are in line with our tastes, and this occurs for various reasons. Maybe you have a very different sense of style than that of your spouse. Maybe you just aren’t sure what look you’d like to achieve. Perhaps it’s a matter of budget or time or you move frequently. Whatever the reasons, you can overcome them and make your house feel more like your home. One good way to start is by choosing a color scheme that you and your spouse … Continue reading →

Whimsical Touches

Does your home look like a showplace? I have seen some very beautiful homes and they don’t exactly lend themselves to whimsical touches. Or, do they? I have been surprised on many occasions to observe something fun or whimsical in the middle of a stately design plan. No matter how lovely your home is, don’t be afraid to add some whimsical touches. As long as they work, they won’t take away from your design. It’s especially important to add some lightness and some fun if you have children. That’s what one woman did who owns a great home in Chicago. … Continue reading →