The HOLIDAYS are here!!!!

Well, we conquered Halloween, now it's Thanksgiving, then it's Christmas & New Year's. Wow! The last several months of the year are always hectic, but don't worry, enjoy them. If you're stressed, then those around you will feel it too. I know, it's easier said than done. Here are a few helpful hints. 1-Plan for the big things. Let the small things happen as they come. 2-Let your personality show in the way you decorate. 3-Don't overdo it. Keep your decorations fun, not too busy. Also, don't stress yourself out by doing too much. Make the holidays fun for you & your loved ones. Be safe & have a wonderful holiday season!

Inspiring Ideas for Decor

Have you ever been someplace that you wish you could bring home with you? Sure you have. We all have. Well, you CAN bring it home with you. At least the idea of it. It's simple & easy. Look at your pics of your favorite place, pick out the key elements that captured your interest, go to your local plant nursery & show your pics & let them help pick out some plants that match, pick out some decorations that match, don't worry about it being too different than other yards (you want to be different), lay out your plants & decorations & rearrange until you're satisfied, then actually plant. Make sure you don't plant until you are completely satisfied with the placement. Now, instead of you "Keeping up with the Jones", you are the Jones that everyone else tries to keep up with. You can also decorate the inside of your house this way.
You can have a lot or a little. There is no wrong way to do it. Have fun with it. Here are some themes to play with: Southwestern, American Indian, Desert, Victorian, Colonial, Retro, Antique, Rustic, Beach & Whimsical. Not sure which one suits your fancy? Try looking at travel magazines, or go to your computer & search the web. It's just as fun looking for ideas as it is actually doing the decorating. Have everyone in your home help. That way everyone will feel as excited as you to come home. It might actually help make your kids want to stay home more.
You don't have to do it all at once. Do it a little at a time. That way you don't have to break the bank. It really is a labor of love. Another easy & inexpensive idea is to take the post cards, pics & plane tickets from your favorite vacation & putting them in picture frames. Now you have instant memorabilia. What fun!

Summer Savings

We're not just talking about money. We're talking about time, space & hassle too. If you're planning a backyard BBQ, try organizing things ahead of time. Try to visualize what you plan on eating, how much you'll need, where everyone will sit & what music & activities you'll have. Trust me, it beats having a boring BBQ. It may seem to be too much, but if you organize your supplies (crafts, cleaning, clothes, etc), you'll be amazed at how much space you actually have. This way, you'll know where everything is when you need it. If you concentrate on planning, visualizing, organizing & storing, then you'll be ahead of the game & it will be less of a hassle & a lot more fun.

Spring has Sprung

Put a spring in your step. Start getting your yard ready for Spring. Rake up the dead grass & get the family involved. Weed your plant/flower beds. Get your pool stuff dusted off. Get the lawn chairs washed off. If you are not sure how you want your yard to look, get colored pencils or crayons & draw an idea of what you want your plants & flowers to look like & where you want them. Decide what yard decorations you want. Put your bird feeders & bird houses out. Enjoy the beautiful flowers & budding trees about to explode.

SPRING into action!

Are you ready for Spring? Most of us are ready to welcome the coming Spring. Is your home & yard ready for Spring? You should start getting the colorful & whimsical items to decorate your yard. There are a lot of interesting new items that can help you spruce up your place. Get rid of the winter blues by adding some vibrant color. You'll be amazed at how a little color can boost your spirits. Whether you want a little colorful simplicity or you want to take a walk on the wild colorful side, there are items for everyone out there. Go for it!

Welcome to 2009

Wow! 2009 is already here. Where did the time go? I hope everyone had a safe & happy holiday. Now it's time to gear up for the new year. I know, it's early, but spring is close & summer is right behind it. You should start thinking about what you want your decor to look like for the summer. If you prepare for it now, it won't be as hectic setting up when the time comes. Just imagine yourself laying by the pool in the hot sun or playing outdoor games with family & friends. It won't be long. Just be patient.

Don't overload yourself w/ putting all your winter stuff away at once. Pace yourself. Put it away little by little. Reward yourself w/ little breaks after one chore is done, then do another. Make it a family thing. If everyone pitches in, it will be done that much quicker. A family that works together, plays together.

Look for after Christmas sales. That way, you can have a lot of things done for Christmas next year, plus it's a great way to save money. You can also buy summer things now because they are off season. Everyone likes to save money.

Another great idea is to start putting loose change in a piggy bank. It's a good way to save for summer camping trips & vacation spending money. Ask the kids or grandkids what they want to do this summer. If you have an idea now, it's something that everyone can work & save towards.

Any ideas? Please let us know & we'll try to spread the word!