Welcome To Our Blog

Some Flowers Are Just Heaven Scent

05/18/2012 07:48:00

WELCOME

TO OUR FRIDAY

FIND OF THE WEEK

With Spring in the air

and gardening on everyone's list,

we turn our thoughts this week

to the world of spring & summer flowers ...

The Gardenia

Who can't resist the smell of this fragrant and heavenly flower.

Gardenias are a heat-loving evergreen also known as Cape Jasmine.

Plant in spring or fall, spacing plants 3 to 6 feet apart.

Select a site with full sun to light shade and moist, rich, well-drained soil.

Gardenias prefer acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0.

For maximum effect and enjoyment, plant Gardenias

near a deck or window where you can enjoy the flowers' fragrance.

The plants grow from 2 to 8 feet tall and wide, depending on the variety.

Most gardenias grow into a round shape with dark green, glossy leaves

and white, fragrant flowers that bloom from mid-spring into summer.

Avoid planting gardenias near a concrete walk or foundation

where the pH maybe too high for good growth.

Gardenias love the heat, but still require at least

an inch of watering each week.

To help retain moisture and reduce weeding,

apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch.

Feed monthly during the growing season with an acidifying fertilizer.

Prune in early spring to shape the bush, and deadhead

after flowering to encourage more flowering.

With a little care and alot of love, Gardenias can bring a wealth

of fragrance and beauty to spring and summer gardens.

Don't forget to pick a flower or 2 and bring indoors,

where you can enjoy the beauty even on rainy summer days.

But today is Wednesday ...

05/09/2012 12:41:00

WELCOME

TO QUICK TIP TUESDAY'S

But today is Wednesday ...

Even as a Professional Organizer we sometimes struggle

with the same issues as everyone else, lack of time.

Over the years I have created habits and systems

that keep me and my customers focused & successful.

But let's be honest, sometimes life

just throws you an unexpected curve ball

that has to be played.

The child who is sick, the car that breaks down,

the family pet that dug under the fence

you now have to scurry the neighborhood to find ....

The important thing to remember is to

get back ON TRACK the next day.

Don't make excuses or allow yourself to start finding ways

to escape from developed systems or routines

that keep you on track with your goals.

Be kind to yourself and remember that just because

TODAY came with unexpected surprises,

come TOMORROW....

you are back IN CONTROL again.

The Door to Creative Decorating

05/04/2012 10:33:00

WELCOME

TO OUR FRIDAY

FIND OF THE WEEK

If you've ever been to a Salvage Center

or Builders Recycling Center,

you know the treasures

you can find ...

photo courtesy of etsy.com photo courtesy of todd baker @ flicker.com

There are literally hundreds of Antique Door Knobs,

that come in a variety of styles,colors, shapes & materials.

There is no end to the fun, creative, and even elegant ways

you can use old antique doorknobs to give your

towels, coats, hats, and more a vintage feel.

photo courtesy of: doorknobs.com

This beautiful "pieces of the past"

can be found at a local Salvage Centers

as well as local Habitat for Humanity ReStore Centers

that stock vintage building supplies.

Dressed for Organization

04/27/2012 12:43:00

WELCOME TO OUR

FRIDAY

FIND OF THE WEEK

Every woman needs a little black dress

To stay organized with ...

What woman doesn't have tons of fun and flirty jewelery they need to store, without the clutter of multiple jewelry boxes and the tangling of necklaces or bulky pieces that just don't seem to fit.

Jewelry armoires are great, but

finding space for yet another piece of furniture can sometimes be a problem, not to mention the clutter additional furniture can lead to.

This little black dress by Umbra® is a stylish way to store earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

The two sided organizer hangs

on a rod or a hook to maximize space and swivels

so you can see your jewelry collections more easily.

This fashion forward and fun jewelry organizer features 39 vinyl pockets on one side

and 24 hook and loop closures

on the other.

The Umbra TM Jewelry Organizer retails for $19.99

at local home organization stores like Bed Bath & Beyond and The Container Store.

How to Organize Healthy

04/17/2012 23:14:00

WELCOME TO

QUICK TIP TUESDAY'S

Bins, boxes, cases, and containers ...

They all work great, but are the products inside

the real problem?

image by: CoolFreeImages

You may have found some great solutions for keeping your bathroom products organized, but most consumers forget to also keep their products healthy. Do you know what the shelf life is for the makeup products you store? When was the last time you checked the labels and expiration on prescription and over the counter medications?

Most makeup products can be keep for up to one year,

with the exception of faster dryer products like mascara,

which maxes out at about 4 months.

What about prescriptions and over the counter medicines? They too have a shelf life that needs to be disposed of in a timely manner. Where some medications may become less potent over time, there are others which actually increase in potency and can cause serious side effects or death. For this reason alone, keeping an organized bathroom cabinet, is a healthy way of keeping your home and family safe.

image by: Real Simple

It may seem like a great way to keep those household budgets down, but in reality, keeping expired products can be a costly mistake.

Friday's Find of the Week

04/13/2012 12:35:00

WELCOME TO OUR

FRIDAY

FIND OF THE WEEK

Looking for something unique and shabby chic?

Tired of boring bargain basement shower curtains?

image: Ballard Designs

This excluxive burlap shower curtain with off white bullion fringe

from Ballard Designs,

is sure to capture the attention of family and guests.

Burlap gives texture and a sense of natural beauty.

Best of all you can dress it up, for a formal look,

or play up the shabby chic earthy quality,

for a customized look that is all your own.

For details go to:

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/burlap-shower-curtain-with-bullion-fringe/linens-fabrics/bath-linens/14812?listIndex=0

How To Create Colorful Wall Arrangements

04/11/2012 00:08:00

WELCOME TO

QUICK TIP TUESDAY'S

Do your photos crave color?

Do you struggle with how to arrange photos

so they tell a story?

image: Decorating on a Dime

Here's a quick tip for arranging those family photos,

while also adding some color and fun.

1.) Choose a frame color and finish for your grouping.

Choose a complimentary style like brushed nickel,

and repeat that finish in different shapes,

or for a more traditional look approach,

select a repeating frame of the same style and color,

like the photo above.

2.) Now that you have selected a frame,

choose the colors for your photo mats.

Note this process works best with B&W or Sepia tone photos.

Choose colors that are complimentary to your room,

but in a darker or lighter shade than your walls,

or a more playful punch of varying bold colors.

3.) Select how you want to tell your story ...

Do you want each line to tell a short story,

or do you want the wall to tell a longer story like a book,

that you read line to line filled with action and adventure?

4.) Layout your frames on the floor in the design pattern you

have chosen and re-arrange as needed until you find that

perfect style that says "you".

5) Measure, hang, and there you have it ....

A customized, colorful, and creative wall

that tells a story of the people who live there,

and the road traveled along the way.

Friday's Find of the Week

04/06/2012 11:59:00

WELCOME TO OUR

FRIDAY

FIND OF THE WEEK

No matter if you are celebrating

Passover in Blue or Easter in Pastels,

this time of year is all about

the celebration of festive color ..

image: benjamin moore

Few things have the instant makeover impact

that painting a room can provide.

What better way to celebrate color, than with

quick drying zero-VOC paint by Benjamin Moore.

With Natura Paints by Benjamin Moore, you can create new color

and move back into the room the same day.

For a complete look at the colors available, go to www.BenjaminMoore.com

Letting It All Hang Out

04/03/2012 18:42:00

WELCOME TO

QUICK TIP TUESDAY'S

Need a new way to store all those beautiful tablecloths

you just cant seem to find room for?

Why fold, stuff, crease, and wrinkle beautiful tablecoths,

when you can just hang them.

By using a standard pants hanger found in stores,

you can hang even your most treasured family tablecloths

in less space, while keeping them iron fresh and ready to use.

Blue Ribbon Easter Ideas

04/01/2012 13:37:00

Set Your Easter Table

to Springtime

Break away from traditional baskets and bunnies, and set

a table of Robin's Egg Blue.

Here flower petals are used to make soft nests for chocolate covered eggs and holiday theme candies.

Branches covered in butterflies give it that extra special Springtime look that

is soft and subtle, but very memorable.

If fun and festive is more your style, try artificial grasses nestled in a small cup, along with colorful springtime plates, and a carefully positioned egg displaying your guests name, for a fun and creative way to welcome family and friends to your holiday table.

Whether your holiday plans are traditional and subtle, or fun and festively colorful, Easter is a time for celebrating growth, renewal, and the joy of family and friends.