Winter Weather Weapon No. 1—The Electric Blanket

I’ve spent the past 10 days complaining about the unbearably frigid temperatures that have slammed into the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast regions of the country… and today is no different. While the rest of my family is rejoicing because the mercury actually climbed into the teens today (we’ve been dealing with below zero temps for more almost two weeks) I simply refuse to take part in the festivities. I’m cold. Forgive me if I don’t consider 16 degrees cause for celebration. And, no, dear daughter you can’t wear shorts today (poor child was baking under the Hawaiian sun … Continue reading →

Lighting and Your Home: The Master Bedroom

I am a lighting fiend. I blame it on my poor vision. For years I suffered from frequent headaches, eyestrain, and yes, on one occasion I accidentally paired navy blue shoes with black pants (and that was with my contacts on). I finally determined I am someone who functions better with proper lighting. It may sound cliché, but don’t underestimate the proper placement of lighting in your home. It can save you from sore eyes and some most embarrassing fashion disasters. My ophthalmologist provided me with the following preferred placement measurements for different lights: A General Rule to Remember: For … Continue reading →

Transforming Your Bedroom Into A Valentine’s Day Retreat

Still trying to pay off those credit cards you maxed out during the holidays? Then the prospect of taking a Valentine’s Day trip to Aruba may be out of the question this year. In today’s world, money can be tight, but just because you don’t have extra cash doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice a romantic evening with your sweetie this February 14th. Forget about dinner at a crowded, overpriced restaurant and reservations at the cute B&B across town. You can create a memorable night of romance in your own home. With a few decorations, some imagination, and the right … Continue reading →

Finding The Bed and Making It: Bedroom Tips

The bedroom is often the last room in the house to be cleaned, especially when guests are coming. Under the bed is the catchall hider of things that have no home. Above, it is the receiver for coats, books, magazines and anything or anyone lying in or near hallway closets and such. Here are some easy tips about how to keep the bedroom looking its best, whether company is coming or no. Read on. Making The Bed If you get into the habit of making your bed as soon as you get out of it, it will become second nature … Continue reading →

Cleaning In The Shower: Singing in the Rain

The shower is that wondrous place where anything can happen. People sing, dance and some have even been known to compose music while taking a shower. Consider those old standbys, “Singing in the Rain” and “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”, for example. What better inspiration than the shower and what can you do to keep it at it sparkling best? Read on for some answers, whether you are more comfortable wet or dry. Shower Doors To remove soap scum and buildup, wash the doors with distilled white vinegar. If you have an old sour bottle of white wine, offer … Continue reading →

Are You A Sheet Snob?

Are you a sheet snob? I don’t mean a sheet hog… as in you have a tendency to steal the sheet and blankets from the person with whom you share a bed. I mean do you refuse to sleep on a bed unless it is fitted with sheets that have a thread count of less than 800, 500 or 200 (the higher the thread count the softer the sheet–200 is standard)? A new study shows that most home good’s buyers are reluctant to purchase sheets that are under 200. My take on that is this: most stores don’t offer sheet … Continue reading →

E-Mail And The Bedroom: No, No And No!

Is there room in the modern boudoir for two lovers and a laptop? For some, the answer is an unequivocal no, but for others, well… wait a minute please. Some may say that the social phenomenon of doing e-mail in bed is really the new form of alienation of affection among couples. In the case of the computer in the bedroom, three really can be a crowd not to mention a crime against the flow of romance, which is so important in a relationship. Let’s face it. The bed should be for crumbs, sleeping, reading and sex, but not necessarily … Continue reading →

What is A Day Bed and… What Happens At Night?

The main difference between a day bed and others is that it resembles a couch much more than a bed. The back of the “couch” serves as the day bed’s headboard. It differs from a futon in that the futon does not have a headboard. A futon must also be folded in order to be used as a bed, while the mattress on a day bed does not fold (or bend or spindle or mutilate in most instances). Most people consider a day bed more comfortable than a futon because it uses actual twin size mattresses. On the other hand, … Continue reading →