Monthly Archives: December 2017

Looking to Buy a New Home? Here Are Some Things to Consider First!

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Buying a new home can be scary and very stressful. Say you’ve found a home that you love, should you just jump in and buy it? Objectively the answer is no. We found this article with several things to consider before putting an offer on a home. We hope that this will help you not have any buyer’s regret. Good luck!

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From the article:

Visit at various times of day
The windows that let in so much light during the day may be a peeping Tom???s dream at night. That seemingly quiet residential street may be a noisy, highway-feeder street during morning or evening rush hour; or it may be near impossible to get from your quiet street across traffic and onto the feeder street in the morning. The adjacent school may seem like a nice perk if you???re buying in the summer, but during the school year, daily playground noise and extra traffic may be more than you bargained for.

Talk to neighbors
How many people in the neighborhood own their homes? Sometimes it???s hard to tell at first if you???re choosing a neighborhood that???s primarily rental houses.

Get a home inspection
Virtually all houses have defects, according to National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents. Some will be obvious and most will be curable. But knowing what needs fixing can help you negotiate a lower price ??? or at least prepare you for costs you???re soon to incur. Strongly consider getting inspections, too, for lead paint, radon and wood-eating pests.

Ask for utility bills
You may adore the Cape Cod architectural style or the high ceilings and walls of glass in a modern home ??? but those winter heating and summer cooling bills may push your monthly payments beyond affordable. Ditto for the water bills you???ll pay to maintain a pristine landscape.

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In the market for a home and don’t want to use a Realtor? Checkout this article about why you should use a Realtor when buying a home for busy homeowners that could be of interest to you.
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For all the things to consider click here: http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/14-things-to-consider-before-buying-home.aspx

Looking for Some Cheap Winter Family Fun? Checkout These Ideas!

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It can be hard to come up with fun family activities in the dead of winter. Especially activities that are free or almost free. We found this article with 100 different activities. We hope that you find some you and your family will enjoy!

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From the article:

Winter brings with it snow, hot chocolate, fires and CABIN FEVER!

In an effort to direct all the pent up energy my children have, I made a list of 100 free or inexpensive activities for us to do. I hope they inspire you to spend quality time together as a family.

  • Nerf dart gun war!!
  • Work a 1000 piece puzzle.
  • Cook Snickerdoodle cookies.
  • Play a classic board game (Sorry, Clue, Chutes & Ladders, Candyland, Monopoly just to name a few).
  • Pillow fight!!!
  • Build a snowman. Think creatively. It can be 6 inches tall, look kind of like Jobba the Hut, or be have a red scarf.
  • Watch a movie marathon. Anne of Green Gables, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, 80s movies, Little House on the Prairie, Lord of the Rings, Disney Princesses, or Toy Story would all make great movie marathons on a dreary winter day.
  • Play shadow puppets in a dark room with a lamp or flashlight. Then make stick puppets from your shadows.
  • Read aloud a classic children’s book.
  • Color in a coloring book. Our local dollar store has seasonal coloring books.
  • Build a house with Lincoln Logs.
  • Snowball fight!!!
  • Cook chocolate chip pancakes for supper.
  • Attend a free children’s craft/building clinic at Lowe’s or Home Depot.

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Looking for educational electronic toys? Checkout this article on educational electronic toys for busy parents article that could be of interest to you.
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For all the ideas click here: http://stephaniesmommybrain.blogspot.com/2011/02/100-free-or-cheap-family-activities-for.html

Looking for a Better Way to Organize Your Gift Wrap? Checkout This Idea!

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Organizing gift wrap can be such a pain! It constantly unrolls itself, can get crushed, the list goes on and on. Then along with the gift wrap there are so many more items that go along with it like ribbon, gift tags, gift bags, tissue paper, greeting cards and scissor. It can become a disorganized nightmare very quickly. In order to create order from chaos we felt it important to share this post on one way to better organize your gift wrapping stuff. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

There are endless amazing ways to store gift wrap, such as an over the door organizer {genius idea} or under bed storage bins. I knew I had more supplies than what an over the door organizer could accommodate; I also knew I may want to remove the closet door all together someday. I also wanted to keep the wrapping supplies in my studio, which is where I work, craft, project and pretty much spend every last waking second. Lastly, I wanted to set up a station that could potentially transform into a packaging station for my shop someday, if/when I get to that point. Occasionally I ship things and keep shipping envelopes and packaging materials on hand, therefore, it only makes sense that these items live here as well. I was longing for the wrapping paper to be stored in an easy to access way, which would allow for it to stay nice and neat in-between uses. Oh! And my ribbon collection also. I had tried one of those sweet ribbon boxes, and was even planning on DIY’ing a few more, but I ultimately decided that there was a better, space saving solution.

There are endless amazing ways to store gift wrap, such as an over the door organizer {genius idea} or under bed storage bins. I knew I had more supplies than what an over the door organizer could accommodate; I also knew I may want to remove the closet door all together someday. I also wanted to keep the wrapping supplies in my studio, which is where I work, craft, project and pretty much spend every last waking second. Lastly, I wanted to set up a station that could potentially transform into a packaging station for my shop someday, if/when I get to that point. Occasionally I ship things and keep shipping envelopes and packaging materials on hand, therefore, it only makes sense that these items live here as well. I was longing for the wrapping paper to be stored in an easy to access way, which would allow for it to stay nice and neat in-between uses. Oh! And my ribbon collection also. I had tried one of those sweet ribbon boxes, and was even planning on DIY’ing a few more, but I ultimately decided that there was a better, space saving solution.

Once all of the dowels were installed, I blasted some tunes, dumped all of my gift wrap supplies on the floor of my studio and spent a few hours organizing it all into bins and baskets. Now, when I look into the closet under the stairs, I see this beautiful site!

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Looking to organize your craft room? Then checkout this article with craft room organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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For all of the pictures and ideas click here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/12/diy-gift-wrap-organization-station.html

Looking for Easier Ways to Clean and Organize Your Kitchen? Get Help Here!

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The kitchen is the heartbeat of the home. A lot goes on in there and it’s where people gather. It’s also hard to keep it clean and organize since it’s one of the few rooms that everyone uses. In order to help you out we found this article with 31 different ideas. We hope they help!

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If you need Hammond dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Carve Out A Spice Niche
Spices and herbs play a big role for many people when it comes to cooking and these petite packages can take up a lot of storage space. Utilizing a spice rack that???s mounted onto the inside of a cabinet door allows you to keep your spices organized and make use of an unused space, leaving you the option to utilize your cabinets for store something else, like your pots and pans.

Use A Tension Rod To Hang Cleaning Products

Clean Your Blender Quickly
After making a smoothie or using your blender to chop up the garlic, you can quickly clean it by pouring in warm water and a tiny bit of dish soap. Top the blender with the lid and turn it on and now it???s all clean! Just make sure to give it a quick rinse after to get rid of the soap residue.

Clean Your Stainless Steel Appliances With Glass Cleaner
Glass cleaner will give your stainless steel sink and appliances the same streak-free shine that it does for glass and mirrors. Using a glass cleaner will also help to remove any fingerprints. Just spray a few times on a microfiber cloth and make like the karate kid by ???waxing on, waxing off???. Rinse thoroughly and dry your towel.

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Looking for garage organization ideas? Checkout this article about garage organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/kitchen-hacks-31-clever-ways-organize-and-clean-your-kitchen.html

Feel Like Life is Moving Too Fast? Adopt These Traits of Slow Living!

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Life seems to be going by faster and faster every year. There doesn’t seem to be anything that can be done about the outside world moving so fast but within our own homes the ability to slow down and enjoy life more is within our hands. In order to help you out we found this article all about slow living. We hope it helps you enjoy life more!

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From the article:

What do urban gardens, the home canning craze, the resurgence of vinyl records and the renewed popularity of old-timey crafts have in common? They???re all ways of addressing the same issue: rushed modern life. Boiling farm-fresh berries on your stovetop for jam lets you experience the satisfaction of producing something for yourself that you would normally buy in a store. Knitting a scarf during your train commute helps you savor a sliver of time in your day that would otherwise be a chore. But crafts and cooking aren???t the only ways to access slow living ??? you can begin today with a practice as simple as looking up and noticing the clouds.

Why Go Slow?
A better question might be: Why on Earth are we trying to go so fast? There???s no need to move at a snail???s pace, but slowing down enough to move through your day with purpose helps calm frazzled nerves, make more personal connections and, paradoxically, allow you to feel you have more time than when you???re rushing around.

How to Begin
One of the first steps in learning to live slow is to recognize that slowing down is a choice open to us all. If this is a busy time in your life, it may be tempting to think that you don???t have time to slow down ??? but there are always ways to go a bit slower, no matter how much is on your plate. You can start small! As you read through the suggestions, make a mental note of one or two you???d like to try today.

The Roots of Slow Living
The slow-living phenomenon has its roots in the Slow Food movement, started by Carlo Petrini in the 1980s in Italy. Favoring mindful eating and conversation rather than what had become the norm ??? gulping down food and racing back to work ??? Slow Food aims to provide an antidote to fast food. Slow living is an expansion of this simple idea of slowing down enough to enjoy your life, from how you eat your meals to the way you get to work to how you spend your free time.

Ideas for Slowing Down Your Meals
– Sit down at a table and eat from a real plate, even if the food is takeout.
– Take a full, deep, centering breath before you begin.
– Put your phone/laptop/book away and simply focus on each bite.
– Invite coworkers to share a meal at lunch rather than eating alone at your desk.
– Make an effort to gather with your family at dinner.

Other Ways to Slow Down Your Life
Rethink your commute. The morning and evening commute can be quite stressful. One way to embrace slowness is to modify or even do away with a traditional commute. Could you ride a bike or scooter ??? or walk ??? to work instead of driving? Take public transportation instead of a car, or ask your boss about telecommuting one or more days each week?

If your current work situation requires a lengthy commute that really drains you, perhaps you could begin to explore other work opportunities closer to home. Even if you can???t do anything to ease your commute, see if there???s some minor tweak that would make it a more pleasant experience. For instance, you could leave earlier to avoid the worst traffic, or use the time to listen to a meditation recording or audiobook.

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Looking for fast cleaning tips? Checkout this article about fast cleaning tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/53565478/list/slow-living-101-tips-for-turning-off-the-chaos

Looking to Get Rid of Stress in Your Life? Try These Ideas!

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As parents we all have a lot of stress in our lives. Stress is just a fact of life but how we deal with the stress is most important. We found this article with 10 different stress busting ideas. We hope they help you deal with the stress in your life more efficiently!

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If you need Hammond condos dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

The daily pressures of family life can consume our peace of mind as easily as they consume our energy. How can we find serenity amid the chaos — and hold onto it for more than a fleeting moment? Here are 10 strategies from the experts.

Be Here Now
Like the sixth-grader worrying about the SATs, our minds constantly bring future worries into the present. Richard Carlson, Ph.D., author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff (Hyperion), calls this “anticipatory thinking.” “The best way to avoid stress is to immerse yourself in the moment,” he says. And avoid the trap of comparing notes with other parents about how busy you are.

Take a Break
Let’s face it: We’re never going to finish everything on our “to do” lists. In fact, as director of the Stress Program at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Witkin finds that the average mother runs 21 minutes short per day. Usually, the first thing to go is relaxation time. “We’ll never have any downtime unless we schedule it,” she says. You should be able to complete this sentence: “What I do every day to relax is….”

Just Let Go
“We have to recognize that chaos is a part of life,” says Carlson. “Then we must recognize our own contribution to it. That’s the only part we can control.” The irony is that by taking steps that seem to signify giving up control — like “outsourcing” certain household jobs — you will actually be gaining more freedom to enjoy your family life.

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Looking to create a better work / life balance? Checkout this article with helpful tips for work life balance for busy parents that could be of interest to you.
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For all the ideas click here: http://www.parenting.com/article/10-stress-busting-tips-for-busy-moms

Love the Idea of Beverage Bar? Make Your Own!

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Having a place for beverages outside of the kitchen fridge is important in some homes depending upon the amount of drinks consumed. If you’d love one in your home take a look at this article we found on how one homeowner added one to their home. We hope it gives you ideas for your own home!

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If you need Baton Rouge dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

How to build a beverage bar: this is one of those projects that we all agree was worth it! This unorganized, cramped closet was really wasted space. It was a place for me to stash anything and everything that I didn???t want to look at or deal with at the time. This space is underneath the stairs between the dining room and hall to the kitchen. It was the perfect spot to create a beverage bar out of this closet.

Our kitchen counters are sort of chopped up so being able to move the coffee pot and supplies has freed up a section on the kitchen counters. The beverage bar will also be a great place to sit desserts when we hold family functions.

Here is the useless space before we cleared it out. This is exactly how it looked for years.

DIY-Beverage-Bar-from-converted-closet-700x933

We bought the mini fridge and the slide in cabinet from Home Depot. The cabinet comes in different sizes so measure your space to see what size will fit.

The butcher block was purchased at Ikea. We drove to Charlotte and loaded it up. It was 6 feet long and was enough to make the top, a shelve and a couple of extra cutting blocks for my kitchen.

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Looking for storage ideas? Checkout this article about storage cabinet ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://athomewiththebarkers.com/how-to-build-a-beverage-bar/

Looking to Hang Some Pictures? Learn How Here Regardless of Type of Wall!

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Hanging pictures can really make a house a home. It also can be extremely difficult depending upon what type of material you are wanting to hang your picture on. In order to help you out we found this article with helpful step-by-step directions on how to hang pictures on a variety of surfaces. We hope it helps!

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If you need Condo association dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Whether you’ve got plaster, brick, drywall, concrete, stucco or tile, this guide will help you hang anything and (nearly) everything on your walls hassle free.

Brick
Supplies: Brick Spring Clip, Measuring Tape, and Screw Driver
Steps:
1. Measure size of the wall prior to purchasing a spring clip to determine the size you will need.
2. Place the bottom of the clip at the base of the brick.
3. Push clip against top of brick until it locks in.
4. Hang picture and ensure it will hold weight prior to letting go of the frame.

Tile
Supplies: Cooling Oil, Anchor, Screw, Hammer, Painter???s Tape, Carbide or Diamond Tip Drill Bit, and Power Drill
Steps:
1. Measure and plot point on wall using painter???s tape.
2. Attach chosen drill bit and soak in cooling oil for approximately 5-10 seconds.
3. Start slowly drilling into painter???s tape on tile. Slowly apply light pressure and increase speed until you complete drilling the desired hole length.
4. Hammer in the anchor and drill in screw. Hang picture

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Looking to design your home? Then checkout this article about principles for interior design that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.sheknows.com/home-and-gardening/articles/1054127/how-to-hang-things-on-any-wall