One thing I really love about this place though is the sheer number of windows. We have this lovely French windows in the [...]]]> Okay, for some updates on our new apartment. We’ve been buying stuff gradually and we’re only getting curtains this week. Can you imagine living in a home without curtains?? Yeah, me too.

One thing I really love about this place though is the sheer number of windows. We have this lovely French windows in the living room that I just love to stare out of. It also saves energy because we don’t use a lot of air conditioning. The problem with these windows though, is keeping the glass clean.

This is quite a feat because there are two kids in the house. I take so much pride in my windows that I’m forever trying to keep them clean. I love how efficient spray cleaning liquid is, only thing is that a lot of them contain harmful properties which are not good especially when there are children around.

So I’ve been looking for a green alternative and I came across Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Window Spray, Lemon Verbena, 24-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6). It’s environmentally safe (which is really important to me because of my babies); it has a nice fragrance, which isn’t too overpowering and it’s really affordable too.

If you’re looking for a safer and healthier alternative for your glass cleaning, this seems to do the trick.

I’m having fun coming up with different ideas for decorating. We are on a really tight budget so that means we have to get really creative. Luckily I’ve been a faithful follower of Kathleen Wilson for over four years now and [...]]]> We just moved into a new apartment and by new I mean totally empty.

I’m having fun coming up with different ideas for decorating. We are on a really tight budget so that means we have to get really creative. Luckily I’ve been a faithful follower of Kathleen Wilson for over four years now and I’ve benefited a lot from her advice.

She specializes on tips for decorating on a budget. Anyway, when I knew I would have decorate our new apartment, I went to dig into my archives (I received her newsletters) and also visited her website.

My vision for the apartment is a place that is classy but cozy. There are 2 babies in the house, well… one baby and one toddler so I want them to be able to play and feel at home. That means no myriad glass and porcelain stuff unless it’s really high up. But that’s now what I’m after anyway.

So the spaces I will be working on?

The Living room

The master bedroom

The children’s room

The kitchen

The study and

The bathrooms (2 of them).

I can’t wait to start. Luckily for me, Kathleen Woodard has also published a book to help me do just that and it’s available on Amazon.com. It’s called Quick Decorating Ideas Under $20: The Budget Decorator’s Bible. Click the link to find out more about it.

The most common problem most people have with getting rid of clutter and getting organized is not knowing how to begin or where to get started.

So it gets put off until…later.

Of course, the reasons are usually decent.

For one, there’s a lot going on [...]]]>
Photo credit: haml from morguefile.com

The most common problem most people have with getting rid of clutter and getting organized is not knowing how to begin or where to get started.

So it gets put off until…later.

Of course, the reasons are usually decent.

For one, there’s a lot going on in our lives. We go in so many directions and there never seems to be enough time to get anything done.

And it’s easier to put organizing off because you think it’ll take up too much time right now.

The other priorities — like eating and sleeping (minor things, right?) of course take first on the list.

But getting organized doesn’t have to take a lot of time every single day.

And if you don’t start getting organized, even just a little bit at a time, there are some very real negative affects that, well, could kill you.

A little drastic… I know.

But the affect clutter and disorganization has on your health is very, very real.

It adds stress to your already busy life.

It sucks away your energy and makes you tired.

In many people, it increases the symptoms of depression.

But enough of the negative stuff!

Here’s how we can benefit from being organized and getting rid of clutter…

• More sleep.
• A better mood every day.
• Better relationships.
• Easier house management.
• Your bills get paid on time.
• More space.
• More time to do things you actually enjoy!

This is all very real stuff and getting organized should not be put on the back burner any longer.

But I know…it’s still too easy to put it off for “later.”

I will admit, the here and now makes it easier to pile things on the counter, on chairs and tables or toss things in closets and drawers.

It’s too easy to put things down and ignore my simple and important rule of “touch it once.”

Though, like I said earlier…clutter can be deadly.

No joke.

Back in January of this year a 62 year old woman from Washington was found dead under nearly six feet of dishes, boxes and “clutter” that apparantly collapsed on her.

A very sad, and very drastic story.

Take this poor woman’s life back about thirty years. How many days went by when she procrastinated and said she would “get to it tomorrow.”

Now I hope your situation is not as drastic but reality is reality. And unless you get things under control right away, you just don’t know what a disorganized house can lead to.

At the very least I bet you’re feeling stressed and a little frustrated with a real desire to simplify your life at home.

It’s not a lot to ask, is it?

And we all know stress is not good.

But maybe your situation isn’t so out-of-control, and you just want to get rid of clutter and get your things in order.

Or you need to manage papers better because once in a while you forget to pay a bill that was sitting somewhere in a pile (because you don’t have a real system for your bills — which you need.)

No big deal, right?

After all, what’s a $5 payment here or a $35 late fee there?

It adds up.

So how ’bout you take a step towards ending clutter in your home and getting organized…before it kills you?

Have you thought of having a log home? Or do you already have one? If you do, maintaining it can be a breeze but only if you have the right tools like Sikkens Products. A log home is [...]]]>
Photo credit: jdurham from morguefile.com

Have you thought of having a log home? Or do you already have one? If you do, maintaining it can be a breeze but only if you have the right tools like Sikkens Products. A log home is a great way to have a vacation home.

There are several reasons why people choose to have vacations homes. These vary from the need to spend time alone to just getting away with a group of people. If you have a family though, a vacation home can come in handy.

If you have a family vacation and cannot afford to travel, a vacation home that is not too far away is ideal. It is a chance to take the kids to somewhere different and being away from home is a great way for the family to bond.

It is easy to think that a vacation home automatically means overseas or the Hamptons. But it doesn’t necessarily fall into that category. You can have a beautiful log home in the woods or the seaside. A good coat of Sikkens Cetol SRD should keep your log home in good condition.

If it is an old family log home and you need to spend some time alone on a personal retreat, don’t let the Log Home Stains discourage you. They can be handled. Go ahead and take your personal vacation in your log home.