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Clean up the Hall or Entryway in Style

When your spouse and your kids come through the front door, do they leave a trail behind them? Coats, backpacks, books, briefcase, mail, keys, and just about anything else imaginable may land in roughly the same area, the entryway or the hallway. Well, you’d probably like to clean these areas up and keep them neater and more organized. This is especially true with wet and wintry weather coming soon or perhaps already being upon you. There are some great options you can choose to help you shape things up –and keep them shaped up- in no time. Boot Trays Have … Continue reading →

Too Many Decorations!

Once upon a time, we lived in a small, one bedroom apartment. We did not have children. We did have two cats and we thought that they were our children, but since the cats enjoyed staying alone in the house and sleeping all day, we were somewhat deluded. Then came the child. Just one. And with her came a larger home, and with the home came an extraordinary number of seasonal decorations. All right, so we bought the last two, but they seemed to proliferate as the child came along. If you too are wading in seasonal decor, here are … Continue reading →

The Golden Rule of De-cluttering

The “golden rule” when it comes to getting rid of clutter is take out as much as you bring in. While it’s not really possible to do so precisely, it’s a good goal to shoot for. After Christmas is the perfect time to work on this strategy. It’s also a great time to teach it to your kids, and they will thank you later. Even if you organized and purged ahead of time, there are probably some things you can still part with. Around here, there are many. While it may take a little more effort to convince the kiddos, … Continue reading →

Organize Your Mornings: Get in Gear

Backpack, backpack! No, I’m not singing along with Dora the Explorer. I’m mimicking early morning cries of children who can’t find their belongings. You may also hear similar sentiments coming from adults, such as, “Keys! Where are my keys?” Every household has gear that its members need to be able to find as they begin a new day, from purses and jackets to sporting uniforms and science projects. Getting gear organized is a good way to make mornings more peaceful. No one has to run around searching for things at the last minute, if these items have a place and … Continue reading →

Entertaining: Party Tips

One of the best pieces of advice for throwing a great party is to make sure you’re organized. Sure, that can cover a lot of territory, but it’s really all just basic stuff. Try these tips: Check the Weather and Be Ready for it If it’s wet or muddy outside, you’ll need to be prepared to store shoes and boots when people take them off as they enter. Shallow boxes or bins beside the door will help keep footwear organized, off your carpets, and out of the walkway. You may need something larger than you’re your typical welcome mat too. … Continue reading →

Problem Areas

What’s your biggest problem area when it comes to keeping your home neat and tidy? Every home has problem areas. Some have more than one, because not only do they have common problem areas but they also have those unique to their home or family. Common Inside the front door is one space that is an issue for many. Family members come in and kick off shoes, drop jackets and bags, or forget to wipe their feet. The back door area may also have similar troubles of its own. Playrooms may be problematic for some families, because they can all … Continue reading →

Finding More Space

Wouldn’t it be great if you could add a few extra feet to your home here and there? Heck, even a few extra inches would make a difference in some cases. Well, you might be surprised by just how much unused space there really is in your home. Behind Doors You might find that there is a good deal of space behind bedroom doors. Even those that open into the room, as many do, can open quite wide while still allowing for some added storage. If you can find or build a shelf that is about as wide as the … Continue reading →

Home: Week of October 23-29, at a Glance

This week, Marjorie kicked us off with the first article of the week, Preparing for the Dinner Party, and she finished up for us with, Other Interesting Party Ideas. She has shared a variety of great tips for entertaining and giving wonderful parties throughout the past several weeks. If you missed any of her posts, be sure to check them out when you have time. Michele began with, House Tips—How To Save A Bird, and finished up with, Product Review: Leaf Collectors, on Saturday. Michele does a great job of finding unique and interesting topics to share and she also … Continue reading →