Archive for home
Listen To Your Mother
Posted by: | CommentsI’ll admit it. I’m guilty of trying to do too many things at once. Between getting the kids ready for school, cleaning the house and all of the other “mom jobs”, I do find myself handling a million things and probably not being the most efficient.
It hit home for me this week while on a call with my mom. It was a busy day and I was working around the house while talking to her on the phone and then I realized that I missed half of what she said. Seriously? She deserved better. I should have sat for five minutes to listen… really listen and then I could have continued my housework. Someday I’m really going to want that five minutes to talk to my mom and someday I’m going to be the mom calling my girls and hearing their exasperated and busy life taking over on the other end of the phone.
So, as I work on staying true to what I preach – I’ll begin small. I’ll take the 5 minute call and really listen.
Love to Love Your Home
Posted by: | CommentsAlexis from Clean, Smart, Simple Style had a wonderful idea for the upcoming week centered around loving your home. If you haven’t stumbled by her blog yet, please do. It is smart and full of wonderful ideas. I am taking her challenge to post about working with what you have, not fighting against it and learning to love your home. I’d love to hear your thoughts about what you love about your own home.
I have a very small kitchen and living area. I also live in an area of incredibly large homes. Needless to say, this has been intimidating when it comes to entertaining. I’ve really spent the last year forcing myself to just get over it. Entertaining is really all about feeling welcome in the space and not at all about how much space you have. I’ve been branching out, entertaining more and it has been wonderful.
I can prepare an entire Thanksgiving dinner in my tiny kitchen, so a small appetizer party should be a piece of cake. After all, Julia Childs had a very small kitchen and you can’t tell me that anyone ever turned down a invitation to her home. I also spent time really giving my small kitchen some character implementing art or items that make me happy and warm the space. I found some great artwork via Etsy and made a collage of things I love. Check out Eva Juliet, ShutterRose and 74 Lime Lane.
Julia Child's kitchen via Country Living
I have a few suggestions for those with a small space, or for those that might feel intimated by hosting a party.
1. Make your space something that makes you happy. If your kitchen is clean, organized and filled with your personality, then you’ll be confident in it.
2. Little things can make your guests feel comfortable in your home. A place to hang their coat, clean towels in a clean bathroom. It might sound silly, but I’ve been to plenty of large homes that are dirty or chaotic and it makes me uncomfortable.
3. Versatile furniture. I’ve put together a little collection of great space savers on Pinterest. Think about items that can do double duty and will work for storage too. Simple items like a drop leaf table can really make entertaining easier. I have a drop leaf wall mounted table from Ikea in my kitchen that I can put up for extra counter space, or take down when I need space to move around.
4. Don’t feel like you need to be a graduate of the Food Network to throw a party. I love simple things like a well done cheese plate with almonds. Simple appetizers from Trader Joe’s complimented with one thing that you’ve made on your own will work just fine. If you are relaxed and having fun, then your guests will follow.
5. At the end of the day, if you love your home and feel happy walking through the door, then your guests will too.
My home may not be large, but it is filled with the things that make my family happy. I am now learning to open up and share that more often and with confidence.
6 Simple Ideas for a Clean Under Control Holiday
Posted by: | CommentsIf you feel overwhelmed by holiday decorations and the extra work involved, take a deep breath and use some simple strategies to stay in control. Your home can still stay clean and sane even with the holiday decor in place. Here are 6 quick tips for keeping the holiday decor under control for a clean manageable home:
- Decorating for the holidays does not mean tchatchkes need to explode all over your home. If time is in short supply then limit the number of decorations that you put up. More is not always better.
- If you purchase a new decoration then recycle an old one. This is an important but simple strategy to keep from accumulating too many decorations.
- Group decorations in areas. For example – a cluster of Santa figures can not only make a cute display, it also make the set up and take down faster.
- Focus on the decorations that have family meaning. An ornament tree that has a collection of ornaments from over the years is a great way to share memories with your kids. It also keeps ornaments in one central spot instead a spread all over the house.
- If you have a live tree, then keep a routine. Check the tree each day for water levels and use a small vac to get rid of the needles.
- Take ten minutes each morning to run a vacuum through the house and/or a quick microfiber mop in high traffic areas. A quick dust twice a week will keep the dust bunnies away.
“I am sharing my holiday home decor and cleaning tips for the chance to win prizes from The SITS Girls and Great Cleaners.”
Using trays is a great way to easily move decor around so that you can easily clean/dust underneath. Check out this wonderful display via The House of Smiths for inspiration.
Source: thehouseofsmiths.com via Kalli on Pinterest
Creating Memorable Gifts with Old Photos
Posted by: | CommentsLast week I posted a video 5 Quick Tips for Digitizing Old Photos. This week I would like to share some wonderful projects and gifts to share and display your digitized photographs.
One of my favorite finds is the Kodak Pulse digital frame. This frame is perfect for a grandparent or the technically challenged because it is wifi enabled. I purchased one for my mother last year and it is hands down the best gift I ever gave her. I’m able to log in from my home to upload new photos and transition out some of the old. She loves the surprise of coming home to see new photos of the kids and there is no fuss on her end.
A family cookbook can make a wonderful holiday memory. Imagine a photo of your grandmother next to a recipe for her famous apple pie. Cookbooks are easy to make via sites like Snapfish and Shutterfly. Other ideas to utilize your photos via a photo website would be a calendar or stationery.
This next idea via the amazing Sweet Paul will certainly impress. Imagine all of your holiday gifts wrapped in old family photos. I must say the process looks easy and it will certainly add meaning to your gift.
Source: sweetpaul.typepad.com via Kristin on Pinterest
Imagine your family photos displayed on a family tree. A lovely gesture to begin a family party via The Knot.
Source: weddings.theknot.com via Kristin on Pinterest
What about your old photos displayed on the family table?
Source: stylemepretty.com via Kristin on Pinterest
I have more for you too! Please visit my Pinterest page to see more ideas including gift tags and displays. What ideas do you have for using your family photos?
Perfectly Savvy Finds
Posted by: | CommentsYes, I’m a major fan of clear containers and glass jars – it’s my thing. I stumbled across a storage DIY for kids crafts and just had to share it with you. You can read more about this Perfectly Savvy Find as well as other clever ideas via House to Home. The project consists of a plastic animal glued on the lid and then spruced up with spray paint.
Simple + Clever = LOVE.
Source: housetohome.co.uk via Kristin on Pinterest
Perfectly Savvy Finds
Posted by: | CommentsWe are always thinking about ways to make our homes more energy efficient and the Boost Box is an easy way to install and use some new energy efficient ideas in your home. There are 9 different Boost Boxes or kits that take the mystery out of finding ways to save water, money and energy. I think they’d make a great housewarming or even a birthday gift for a friend that is concerned about being eco-friendly. There is also a Kid Boost Box and according to the website, every item in the box can be installed by a 5 year old with adult supervision. What a great way to begin a conversation with your kids about saving energy.
Please Welcome the Organizing Diva
Posted by: | CommentsI have a fun treat for you today – Maureen Nuccitelli – a.k.a the Organizing Diva is stopping by the Imperfect Home for a visit. She has put together a two part series centered around a well stocked kitchen. Her post today is all about having the right tools so that you can cook with skill, ease and efficiency. This list is perfect for a young couple starting out or even as a reference to fine tune your own kitchen.
Please download and share via Scribd and then swing by the Organizing Diva for lots of fantastic advice. Thanks Maureen!
PartIEssentialToolsWell-StockedKitchen
Cablemover.com and a Giveaway
Posted by: | CommentsI have a fantastic new resource to share with you today and to sweeten the deal there is a giveaway too.
Millions of Americans will move this summer and Cablemover.com will make it easy to connect cable TV, phone an internet service all in one stop. The site makes it easy to find a provider and allows movers to quickly and easily schedule digital cable, Internet and phone service in their new home. The service has been recommended by HGTV’s Lisa Laporta as well as tech guru David Gregg and they have also provided a number of tips on the site for incorporating technology into your home.
I also found a number of other moving resources on the site including moving tips from Libby Langdon, (one of my favorite designers) as well as tips for moving with kids and eco-friendly moves.
If you are planning a move or if you are a Professional Organizer then you should bookmark Cablemover.com because it can be a valuable virtual moving resource.
Our friends at Cablemover.com have graciously donated a $25.00 E-Gift Card to Home Depot for one winner within the U.S. In order to win, I must be able to EASILY contact you via e-mail, so please make certain that your comment is linked to an email or to a blog where I can easily find your information. One winner will be selected using Random.org & contest will end at 12 am EST on Thursday July 21st, 2011. You do not have to be moving to enter this contest.
Receive one entry for the $25 gift card giveaway for each option below. For each option please leave a separate comment here on IH telling me what you did…
- Like the Imperfect Home on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter (@savvyspaces)
- Tweet about the giveaway
- Post the giveaway on your Facebook page or blog
- Comment here and leave your favorite moving tip
This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. I was compensated for my time and participation with the campaign. Opinions are my own.
Good luck!
Gift Wrap Station
Posted by: | CommentsI want one – I really do. It has been on my “to do” list for a long time now and so it must be done. Summer is the perfect time for me to come up with a gift wrap station before the demands of the fall hit home. My current situation is fine, I have all of my wrapping supplies together in a tote under the bed. It works, but I want something more…. sexy. I’ve compiled a few here, but please stop by my Pinterest board for more and let me know your favorites. I also found a link on the Lowe’s website with a great DIY tutorial on how to design your own. I hope my husband is reading this post…..
I like this option from Martha and I have the perfect spot – Here is the direct link w/ instructions
Here is a cute and easy solution
Cute hamper turned gift wrap station = beyond clever
5 Ideas for Purchasing Versatile Furniture
Posted by: | CommentsI’m a huge fan of versatile furniture and finding new uses for old things. We just finished a major overhaul at our home as we transitioned our ancient television and finally upgraded to a flatscreen. I’m proud to say we completed the task by moving things around and repurposing the furniture we already had to do the job.
Here are 5 considerations for finding versatile pieces;
1. Is it a multipurpose item? If you are looking for a coffee table you may want to consider a storage ottoman. Many now come with a tray top so they have multiple uses.
2. If purchasing furniture for a child, make certain it is a transitional piece. Ikea for example carries a number of items that will transition and grow with the child.
3. Neutral tones of fabric can always be changed with pillows, throws and slipcovers.
4. Is there another use for your purchase down the road? I found some incredibly creative examples below.
5. Look for pieces that can change with your space. Dining tables that have leaves so they can expand or or decrease in size depending on your space. A couch that has a sofa bed or can convert to a chaise to accommodate different rooms as you move.
I know you have ideas and I’d love to hear examples of how you’ve repurposed furniture in your own home. Take a look at the clever ideas below and please feel free to link and share your own.
Laundry center made from a cabinet
This is fabulous – DIY kitchen from possibly a nightstand
Source: theegglestonfamily.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest
Hutch to desk
Source: theinspiredroom.net via Yasemin on Pinterest
Simple solution to remove drawers and instant craft station
Source: designspongeonline.com via Eva on Pinterest
