Tips For Organizing Cosmetics

Have a drawer full of loose lipsticks and mascaras? I know every time I buy a new lipstick I come home to find one just like it in my bathroom makeup drawer. Sometimes it seems easier to buy a new eye shadow than dig through bathroom drawers to find the one you already have. Makeup also doesn’t last forever and making sure cosmetics are up to date can seem like a daunting task. Using cosmetics storage that keeps everything sorted and easy to find is the best way to keep track of what makeup you do have and what makeup you need to buy.
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Tips To Get Your Kitchen Ready For The Holidays

With the holidays on the way it’s the perfect time to get your kitchen prepped for all that entertaining. Get a head start and whip that fridge and those cabinets into shape by ensuring storage is organized and everything is easy to find so you don’t have to make any last minute trips to the grocery store.

Making sure you have everything needed for a big family dinner can be daunting, but by stocking up in advance on the things you can you can means you’ll have less to buy at the grocery store right before the holidays.
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Shed Organization For The Non-Handyman

One of my favorite leisure-time activities is maintaining my garden and landscaping the spacious yard that surrounds the house. Unfortunately, winter-time in my region is not just hibernation time for bears – my yard tools and gardening supplies too have an extended stay in the shed awaiting them from October to March.

While I have the good fortune of owning a home on a large piece of land, my property only has one shed to store all my tools. Our home does not include a garage; it only has a carport that is built into the house, storing extra tools there was not an option because they would be too exposed to the elements.
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Cedar's Your Best Friend For Clothes Storage

Fall is here and as temperatures cool it’s the perfect time to bring out those warm sweaters and cozy coats. Transitioning your wardrobe to fall can be easy as long as cold weather clothes have been properly protected when not in use. With the right storage you don’t have to worry about finding your favorite sweater full of moth holes or in desperate need of a trip to the dry cleaners.
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Getting the Guest Room Ready for Holiday Visitors

Let’s face it, most of us do not have a room that is dedicated just to guests. More often than not, our guests are sharing a space with a computer, a treadmill, toys, or some combination of those items.

During the holidays in particular, guest-stays tend to be longer and you want them to be comfortable, assuming you want them to come back, of course.

Here are solutions to some common problems that plague the guestroom:
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De-Stressing Holiday Travel

For many people, the decision to hit the open road for a long road trip during the fall season can be a double-edged sword. As I mentioned before in my last post, there is typically less construction during the fall and the weather tends to be more bearable (as in the weather is not too hot – I’ll get into the reverse of this later on). On the other hand, there are quite a few drawbacks to traveling during the fall and winter months. Some of these include the likelihood of inclemently-cold weather and devastatingly brutal pre-holiday traffic in October and November – not to mention the typical issues you deal with on a road trip during any time of the year. For me, the best way to stay cool, calm and collected during a long road trip in the autumn season is to prepare ahead of time. I ensure all of the organizers and travel comfort items I need are packed away, a key to successful travel.
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Incorporating Fall Colors into your Home Decor Scheme

Of all the seasons, fall has the most distinct, recognizable color palette, by far. It also happens to be one of the most soothing and user-friendly color palettes, a cinch to incorporate into one or more rooms of the home.

Whether you are wanting to make long-term changes to your room’s decor scheme or just simply want to get in the mood for autumn and the upcoming holidays, I’ve got some great picks and ideas for you!
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Getting Into The Fall Spirit

Every time the season changes, I like to throw a party to celebrate it. Not necessarily on the actual date, but when it really starts to feel like that season. As we all know, winter tends to drag on, spring pushes itself as far as it can, and summer (especially this year) just can’t seem to let go. So right now I’m making plans for my “welcome” party for fall. And boy is it welcome! I am so ready for a change. Fall’s party is always really exciting for me because it’s my favorite season change. By this time, I’m sick of sunny days and warm weather. I’m tired of hearing that monotonous drone of the air conditioning unit. I don’t need another backyard barbeque!
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Tips For "Cozifying" Your Home

Fall may have officially started already, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to prep your home for what’s to come: shorter days, cooler weather, and finding pleasure indoors. I have a word for this, and it is “cozify”. I just got started on cozifying my home, even though it still feels a little like summer. What I do is introduce cozy items to my surroundings like plush fabrics and pull out appliances like the slow cooker and electric tea kettle. To me there is nothing like a cup of hot tea, a comfy chair, a warm blanket and a good book on a rainy autumn day.
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Winterize Your Home - Part 2

Now that we’ve had our fun in the garden, it’s time to get serious about winterizing our homes.

But don’t worry, we’ll keep it simple.

We are not going to cover some of the more serious items, like pipes, as you may want to turn to a professional for those important items. Instead, we will focus on what the average person can do to get ready for winter.
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Tips For A Great Game Day

Think you have everything you need for game day? Make sure you don’t end up empty handed with these must have tools. From remotes to snacks there are a few key items you want within reach of your favorite seat so you don’t miss any of the action.
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Lifestyle solutions - Wilshire Bedroom sets - sale ends 10/12/12

Get a great deal on the Wilshire Bedroom Set from Lifestyle Solutions while supplies last. This collection features a hardwood construction with a luscious 8-step cappuccino finish.

One of my favorite things about this bedroom collection it is that it is 100% gender-neutral. Ladies and gentlemen happily agree on this set thanks to its clean, modern lines and dark brown espresso-like finish. Dress it up with linens of any kind to match your bedroom decor style!

Available as a Four Piece Set for $50 off and as a Five Piece Set for $149 off (Queen or Eastern King).
An easy update for your bedroom before the holidays kick into gear! Sale ends October 12.

Walker Edison Furniture Up to 15% off thru October 22nd

Select Bunk Beds from Walker Edison are on Sale! (Plus a few other pieces for around the house). Bunk beds are pretty hard to beat when it comes to organizing small bedrooms. And, contrary to popular belief, they are not just for kids rooms. Bunks are also a great choice for the guest room, especially this Metal Futon Bunk Bed which is running $50 off and has a twin bunk on top with a fully functional futon below.

Another choice is the Full Bunk Bed at $30 off which has a twin on top and full on the bottom, perfect for tweens and teens. Other deals from Walker Edison Furniture include a solid wood TV stand reduced by $30 with a chic, transitional look to match any home decor.

Outfit your home with new affordable furnishings with these easy deals! Sale ends October 22.

Oars Up! Holiday Cooking Time is Rapidly Approaching

Fall is officially here, and the holidays are just around the corner! Do you have all the tools and gadgets you will need in the kitchen to whip up your favorite meals? Now is a great time to organize those cupboards and take stock of what you have and what you will need. If you keep a detailed list on hand, you can take advantage of those great grocery store sales as they pop up over the next few months.

Get Your Kitchen in Order
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Fall Furniture Finds

Fall seems to be the time to update your living room, at least that’s what furniture manufacturers seem to think! To prove it, there is an array of living room furniture sales going on throughout the weekend, including these fun modern sofas and seating pieces from Diamond Sofa which are up to 10% off, but only through September 30th!

If you like a look that is just a touch more classic, check out these deals:
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Summer Clothes Storage 101

One of the most well-known and oft-recited laws in the world of fashion is, “Never wear white after Labor Day”. Of course, this strict rule of thumb begs the question: Where does one keep all of those white garments during the fall and the winter?

While some fashionistas are blessed with walk-in closets that provide ample amounts of space to store your off-season outfits, the vast majority of us have to make do with what we have and find a way to squeeze those out-of-season duds into what available space we have left.
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Setting Up Your Dorm for Learning

What an exciting time it is, moving away from home and starting your new life away at college. But don’t forget that you are there to learn and study, not just play all the time! When you are setting up your desk area or “office” at the dorm or apartment, keep in mind some of the following strategies for learning success!

Quiet – Anyone who has lived in the same house (or room!) with two other people knows that it is virtually impossible to study through a bunch of noise. Roommates should set up a block of time (or two) each day that is reserved for quiet studying only. That means no cell phone chatting, TV watching or loud music.

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Cooking in the Dorm – Yes, You Can

I’ve seen some pretty creative uses for a George Foreman grill, mostly while I lived in the dorms. Cooking for yourself in a dorm is possible, and actually it is a great way to cut down on meal plan costs during that first year of school. Freshman dorms don’t typically come with kitchens. All you are going to have in your room is a sink (if you’re lucky) and some electrical outlets. But add a few small appliances to the mix and you can cook many meals from your home away from home! Before moving in, contact your roommates and see if anyone can bring any of the following items with them.

Here are some ideas to get you started:
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Dorm Room Cooking 101

Dorm room cooking doesn't have to mean peanut butter sandwiches and ramen soup for dinner every night. Having just the right kitchen essentials can make it easy to whip up a meal just like mom makes but in the comfort of your own dorm room kitchen.

No kitchen is complete without a nonstick skillet on hand. Perfect for making a stack of pancakes on the weekend or scrambled eggs before running off to class, a non-stick pan makes it easier to keep food from getting burned and, obviously, stuck, making it a must have dorm accessory. The Stainless 12" Fry Pan – Nonstick combines the best of both worlds, with a sturdy stainless steel base and durable non-stick coating.
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Waste Cans As Decor - Who Knew?

A small dorm room can be a difficult space to add your own personal style to. Since dorm rooms usually come outfitted with beds and desks it takes the right dorm accessories to bring a one of a kind look to the cookie cutter dorm room. With so little space it's important to add functional items, like desk lamps and bed linens, but that doesn't mean they have to be boring! Use these functional pieces as a way to add a fun color or texture to the room.

If you're looking to inject a little fun and color, try the vintage style of the Retrobin. With a foot peddle design this trash can is perfect for keeping trash contained and also has a sleek bullet shape that gives it some style.
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Clip-On Lamps - A Dorm Necessity

It might be the start of the semester, but it won't be long before midterms and late nights studying are here. Having a comfortable and functional workspace is key for cutting down on stress. The right lighting is necessary for keeping tired eyes from getting strained. Whether you have a dorm room with lots of space for a large desk or a compact work area, a clip on desk lamp is a convenient way to add adjustable lighting wherever you decide to study.
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Coffee Makers - A Back To School Money Saver

“I never drink coffee at lunch. I find it keeps me awake for the afternoon” - Ronald Reagan

Perhaps as the president of the United States, Ronald Reagan was able to find time to take a nice long afternoon nap, but as a returning college student, you know sleeping through Philosophy 322 is just not going to get the job done (or the degree earned!). For many students that are preparing to head back to college for the semester, a piping hot cup of Joe can be the perfect antidote to a monotonous Geology instructor with a penchant for using the scientific name of every mineral.
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Easy, Quick Lighting Ideas

One of the easiest ways to give any room, inside or out, a makeover is to simply switch up the lighting. Lighting is one of the most important, and often one of the most overlooked, parts of a room’s decorative theme. Thankfully, it is also easy to tackle yourself, and very affordable.

Here are some easy, quick ways to freshen up the lighting around your home without the help of a contractor. Add one of these projects to your DIY short list for the summer!
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Window Box Planters Tips

For me, nothing says summer like gardening. In the same way that fall would not be the same without raking leaves, summer would not be the same without watering, weeding, deadheading and fertilizing. Not surprisingly, container gardening has surged to new levels in recent years, as many people rediscover the joy of gardening. Gardening in pots and larger containers, like this large raised garden, has many advantages over ground level gardening. One of them is water conservation.
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Outdoor Seating Choices

Ah, there is nothing like summertime! It is my favorite time of the year – the weather is exceptional and the days are long and fulfilling. I love spending my free time outdoors during the summer when the weather is nice. In fact, one of my favorite activities is just sitting out in the sun, enjoying the warmth while I relax reading a book or listening to some music.
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Important: Keep Hydrated This Summer

My cousin is an office manager for a team of salt-minors just outside of Barstow, CA. If you know anything about that part of Southern California, it is one of the hottest, unforgiving climates in the country. For a point of reference, it is about 50 miles from Death Valley.

Summers in Barstow can get up into the 100’s, meaning it is very important for the team of minors to stay hydrated at all times, especially because they are performing hard manual labor. Just a week ago, they had a scare when one of the guys passed out from heat stroke. He ended up being ok, but my cousin wanted to be sure that nothing like this ever happened again.
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Graduation Gifts for Him

In keeping with our graduation gift theme (cuz it's not too late!), here are some great gift ideas for guys! When a young adult graduates from college, you want to look for a gift that is truly special and, most importantly, useful. Theoretically, your student will be setting up a new life for himself, which may include moving out on his own.

Here is a list of fun graduation gift ideas for that special guy in your life:
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Old Faves Get a Modern Look

Sometimes it seems to me that much of the good stuff has already been invented. I’m not talking technology here, I’m thinking more along the lines of stuff for the home. But many of us prefer a more modern look to our home decor style, so how can we incorporate these old fashioned items into our contemporary decor scheme? If you are a weekend DIY-er, you can certainly update the look of a piece of furniture simply by changing up the color. If you are me, you simply look for already -made fashionable upgrades to some old time favorite home accessories.
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Outdoor Furniture - Pick of the Season

If you’ve got the outdoor space, you should definitely consider adding an outdoor bench to your patio furniture collection. Why? Because no other piece of furniture beckons you to come and sit, relax and enjoy a bit of nature like a garden bench does. Maybe it’s because we grew up sitting on benches at parks or at Grandma’s house, I don’t know for sure. All I know is that a garden bench adds charm and functional seating to any outdoor space.

My pick of this season is the Garden Leaves Park Bench, which features a beautiful cast iron leaf design on its back. Why? Read on…
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Bed Risers, Organizer’s BFF

I think many professional organizers will agree with me that Bed Risers are a wonderful tool for getting the house organized, starting with the bedroom. Whenever a client has run out of room in her closet and is desperate for more storage space, the first place I look is under the bed. And if there isn’t any space down there, she is always relieved to hear that we can create that space in an instant.

Bed risers come in all shapes and sizes, here are some of my favorite picks and tips on using them:
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