April 2009

11 Easy Tips for Green Living at Home

by Susan on April 22, 2009

in Chit Chat

greenlivingHappy Earth Day!

For 2009 I’ve resolved to live a little greener.  I’m not planning on installing solar panels or buying a hybrid just yet – I’m going to start with little green baby steps to live in a manner that better suites the environment AND my wallet. I call that a win-win!

This first stage of green is what I call the low lying fruit of eco living. These are things I can do in my home to help create a mindset for greener living. I’ll save the big stuff for my 2010 resolution!

  1. Curtain Call: Open drapes during the day to let the sun in, close them at night to keep the cold out.
  2. Bag It: Use cloth bags at the grocery store
  3. Rags are In: Buy oodles of microfiber rags and use them in lieu of sponges and paper towels. I keep one at the kitchen sink, and replace it every day. Just keep a basket near the washing machine for towels and/or wet stuff.
  4. Recycle: cans, glass, paper and plastic (you know the drill, time to be consistent!) Remember, reusing something in a new way counts too!
  5. Drink Up: Add a filter to your tap and drink local to kick your bottled water habit
  6. Unplug: Unplug kitchen appliances when not in use. Plug electronics into power strips that can be easily switched off when not in use (that includes chargers!).
  7. Dry Smart: Clean out your dryer vent and set dryer to automatic dry without the cool fluff option.
  8. Clean Up: Skip the heat dry option on your dishwasher – just run it at night time.
  9. Chill Out: Lower the thermostat and put on a cozy sweater or throw (better yet, just snuggle more!)
  10. Shower with Love: Lower the temperature of your water heater (shower with a friend, anyone?)
  11. Lights Out: Use energy efficient light bulbs. Better yet, turn off lights when not in use. How about candlelight instead?

There you have it…if I can do it, so can you! What other ways are you living greener in your home?

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Top 10 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

by Susan on April 20, 2009

in Entertaining,Holiday

It’s almost time for that annual event.  Forget the flowers, buffet lunches and chocolates (ok, maybe keep the chocolates).  Let’s get real.  Here are the top 10 gifts us mom’s could really use, but probably won’t come right out and ask for:

1.  Paint a room for her (without flinching)

No editorial comments or eye roles.  To prepare yourself, just look in the mirror and practice saying “yes dear” until you can say it without sweating.  You need to trust that she knows best here.  You’ll love it when it’s done!

2 . Command Central in disguise

This “Madeline Smart Technology™ Make-Up Table” from Pottery Barn is a smart work station disguised as a dressing table (or is that a dressing table disguised as a work station?).  Either way, very cool.

The hinged top reveals a mirror (so that’s what I look like when I’m working!), and there are three hidden power strips in the back for plugging in hair dryers or laptops, whichever you need.  Add a couple handy supply drawers, a fresh X-shaped trestle base and voila …you’ve got a happy mom!

pbsmartdesk

3. A gift certificate for heavy spring cleaning.

You know what I mean…clean the drapes and the baseboards type of work.  The result? A home with that new house smell and a happy wife/mom.  Priceless!

4. Wonder Woman Hottie Hoodie

Need I say more? This is hot. You can get it from Amazon.

wwhoodie

5.  Red Retro Step Stool

Just like at grandmas! I could just see myself perched on this cute stool, chatting on the phone to a friend and (wearing my Wonder Woman Hoodie to match).  Best of all, no more asking for help to reach things in the upper cabinets.  On sale at Lehman’s.

redstepstool1

6.   The Gift of Nature

Get her a Gift Certificate to her favorite garden center and time to plant, putter, or whatever else she wants to do with her selections.

7.   Portable GPS (purse size and cute)

What can I say.  It’s cute, only 5 ounces so it fits nice in your purse.  No more admitting you don’t know where you are.  Probably does more than really necessary (the product description used the word “serious” about 20 times), but hey, aren’t mom’s worth it? From Amazon.

gps2

8.  A Day to herself to do whatever she wants, no questions asked.  Just because.

Take the kids and go.  Anywhere.  And don’t ask her what she will do with her time – that will just make her feel pressure to make it productive time.  If she wants to wander around an empty house in her jammies all day, so be it.

9.  PowerDock

I just like the name “PowerDock”! But seriously, wouldn’t it be nice to get all those iChargers under control?  Charge up to four iPods or iPhones at a time.  Also improves the chance that you’ll know where you left it! It may not cause world peace, but it will improve family harmony, and comes in white or aluminum.  Available at Amazon.

(Side note:  Don’t have an iPod or iPhone yet?  Include one w/this gift for extra credit!)
powerstation

10.   Dream Dinners Gift Certificate

For the busy mom with things to do besides cooking, Dream Dinners is a great way to get dinner on the table.  Bonus – she’ll spend less time at the grocery store!  I’ve done this many times, and I’m completely sold on it!  The food was great, and I saved ALOT of time!

And of course we want the handmade cards too.  And breakfast in bed would be nice.  That’s the part that makes our eyes tear up with delight.

If you see something that strikes your fancy, forward this post to those who can make it happen for you (or, just shop for yourself!) and know that you’re worth it! :)

Now, what would you add to the list? Which is your favorite idea?

***disclaimer*** I ended up picking out what I wanted for Mother’s Day, and it’s NOT on this list!  So I guess #11 is a Digital SLR camera so I can bring you better photos here on this blog.  :)

{ 13 comments }

Updated Bedding (it’s spring!)

by Susan on April 19, 2009

in Bedrooms,Decorating

As you may remember, I got a new (huge) mattress a few months ago and shared my dilemma on how to dress it properly in the post What do a bra and mattress have in common.  Well, spring has finally sprung here in Connecticut, so I thought I should share my seasonal bedding change with you!  Yea, just $40 from T.J. Maxx for a duvet cover was all it took! (Had the blanket and pillow already):

summerbedding

Here’s the “cozy” version we’ll bring back out on the fall:

cozy bedding

Happy spring everyone! :)

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The Ultimate Sports Room

by Susan on April 16, 2009

in Kids & Play Rooms

I was doing a staging consultation on a lovely home this week.  All was as expected, until I entered the basement.

There, before my startled eyes was the most thorough tribute to any football team I had ever seen.  Now I’m not a big sports fan, but I felt the energy in this space as if I had 50 yard tickets for the big game.  I felt the wind in my hair, the sound of the crowd, the smell of spilled beer (wait, that part  might have been real).  Game on!

50 yard line

As I entered the room, I was greeted with a humongous big screen tv and a purple (yet a manly purple) bar with glass block that lit up at the flip of a switch.  The faux mountains behind the bar also had a switch to add a blue glow coming from behind them.

bar

In true manly fashion, there were four (that’s 4) loungers set up side-by-side for optimal viewing.

chairs

Now have you noticed the ceiling yet (or are you still overwhelmed by it all?)  It’s always good weather for a game in here!

ceiling

Now sports fans…just when you thought it couldn’t get any more spectacular, check out the full bath (from door behind the bar).

bath

But wait….there’s more through the far door in the bathroom…

workout

I know…amazing.  But what do they do during half time?  Play pool….what else!?!

pool

I don’t think it matters whether you’re a Vikings fan or not…you’ve got to appreciate the energy in this room.  And since the basement is typically the last room viewed on a home tour, there’s a good chance any sports-loving guy is going to give a thumbs up for this house!

Thinking about making your own Man Cave? Check out these 10 Tips for Designing a Man Cave while Preserving Family Harmony!

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Earthy Bling for a non-traditional Easter

by Susan on April 9, 2009

in Entertaining,Holiday,Kitchen & Dining,Other

paintingpots2

We’re hosting a small, casual Easter dinner party at our house this year.  Because we’re serving barbecued ribs from the grill instead of traditional ham, I wanted to alter the party décor to match the casual tone.

Instead of using place cards, we’re going to use terracotta pots.

We’ll paint the body (up to the rim) silver and gold, and then write each guests name along the rim with a terracotta marker.

I delegated the painting to my kids, so no two pots look alike!

[click to continue…]

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