Tag Archives: simple

Garage Organization Tips You Need To Know

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Garage Organization Tips You Need To Know

If you are currently rooting through your home looking for small DIY jobs to pass the time, you might not have yet considered the garage. Our garage is as much a part of the home as any other but, sadly, it becomes a dumping ground all too often with no rhyme or reason. Today, we want to show you how you can easily organize your garage and keep everything as tidy as can be.

With a more organized traditional or Wooden Garage, you will be amazed at the possibilities that open up. Renovated garage spaces can make excellent workshops for crafts or workout studios. Here are our simple tips for organizing your garage to make it into a functioning part of your home once more:

Clear out clutter:

Over the years you may have accumulated a lot of things in your garage such as random tools, partial tins of paint, and other knick knacks that don’t fit in the house. Now is the time to go through your garage and get rid of anything you don’t need. By clearing out some space in your garage you will open it up for better storage ideas, and it will make the space feel more like an actual room.

If your garage has become a full fledged storage space, it is going to be a difficult job to clear it out. This is especially true if you have a lot of heavy items like furniture, machinery, lumber, or metal. If you need extra help cleaning your garage, it is a great idea to look into Garage Clearance Services to take care of the heavy lifting and removal for you. Your garage will soon return to being a functional space with the assistance of a professional team.

Secure the door:

It is important before you do anything else with your garage that the door is secure and safe. You can hire a garage door installer to help you update your door, and be sure that if you choose a rolling door that there is plenty of space around the area for it to open and close. Updating the door will not only make the garage feel new and fresh, but it will increase your security and give you peace of mind. When you come to change or renovate your garage it would be worth speaking to a specialist like the professionals at B&D Garage Doors who will be able to provide you with the best ergonomic option to help save room while keeping your home safe and secure.

Make use of plastic trays:

Plastic trays will soon become your best friend as you try to organize and improve your garage. You can buy steel shelving similar to warehouse shelves and buy plastic trays to fit inside which can hold all of your tools, spare paint tubs, and random items such as bungee ties and wire. Labeling your plastic trays with the contents of them can also be a helpful trick to use.

Hang up tools:

When you have large garden tools such as an axe, rake, shovel, or hoe – it is a great idea to hang them up rather than standing them awkwardly in a corner of your garage. You can install hooks cheaply or even use sturdy nails in the wall and hang these larger objects so no one trips over them. You might also want to consider hanging up bulkier items like bikes and tires using a platform. Incorporating sturdy structures like the Auxx Lift 1400 in your garage will give you access to vertical storage and allow for a clutter free ground level.

Use your paint:

If you are short on space and have some random partial paint tins in the garage, why not use them to spruce up the place? A well placed white or cream on your garage walls can make all the difference to the space and it will allow you to get rid of empty tins rather than waste paint that is perfectly good.

Utilize vertical space:

When you have a garage and a lot of things to put in it, it is a good idea to make the most of vertical storage. This means using hooks and shelves on the walls of your garage to maximize how much you can store safely away from the floor, or even looking at places like The Smarter Garage to get some inspiration as to what you could do with vertical storage. You will be amazed at your garage’s transformation from this simple hack. Such an effective way to clear clutter!

Using these small tips, you should be able to make a positive change to your garage this winter and store all the things in a much more organized fashion!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

4 Ways To Create A Low Maintenance Home

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4 Ways To Create A Low Maintenance Home

Even though you’re spending more time at home at the moment due to the coronavirus pandemic, you don’t want to be spending all of your time cleaning it! It’s nice to have a home that you can just sit and relax in without thinking about what jobs need to be done or being surrounded by clutter. It can sometimes feel like housework is never-ending, but that doesn’t have to be the case at all because with a little work up front now, you could create a very low-maintenance home. This would be like a gift to yourself and mean that you can sit and enjoy your home while doing things you like, such as reading and watching TV, knitting, or playing games with the family.

Choose Easy Flooring:

When you have flooring that has gaps or joint lines, you have a lot more dirt to clean as this type of flooring gives it a place for dirt to settle. Look into flooring services to find something that would suit your home and give you an easy life when it comes to cleaning, something that means you’ll only need a broom and a mop to keep it clean. There are plenty of options when it comes to flooring, so you won’t find it difficult to get something to suit your home, needs, and budget.

Keep Things Simple:

Keeping things simple not only makes your home look clean and tidy rather than cluttered, but it also helps you to keep it clean and tidy. When you have fancy moldings on your walls, they will do nothing but collect dust, protruding edges will attract spiders and webs, detailed light fittings will want dusting regularly, and blinds or shutters collect dirt. All of this creates more jobs for you; however, if you do like your home to be full of ornaments and trinkets, then put them in easy reach so that dusting is not an even bigger task.

Choose Stain Resistant Fabrics/Materials:

If you have children and often spend your time wiping up after spills, then choose furniture with materials such as leather or fabrics that are durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean. This way, you won’t have to spend your time scrubbing and trying to get pen marks or food stains out of furniture that you love.

Declutter:

When you have fewer things in your house, you automatically will have less mess, and when you have less mess, you have less stress. Having a clean and tidy house will make you feel calmer and more relaxed. If you declutter your home and donate or sell things that you don’t need or use anymore, then not only will your home look cleaner but there will be fewer things to clean. Total win/win!

If your house is feeling cluttered from larger pieces like furniture, you might want to think about storage solutions. That way, you will be able to hold onto these items while still having the space to roam freely in the house. Companies like Page Street (or a similar one in your local area) provide storage containers for rent so your items can be held in a safe space. Less furniture means less items to collect dust or be damaged from every day wear and tear.

Cut your cleaning time significantly with the tips above and get back to your Netflix marathons! 😀

Featured Image By: Wokandapix from Pixabay

Ill Fitting Face Mask? Try This Quick Tip!

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Ill Fitting Face Mask? Try This Quick Tip!

Hello! It is so important to wear a face mask right now to help with the spread of COVID-19. It is also so important that your face mask fits well and that there are no gaps anywhere that leave parts of your face exposed. I love my cloth masks, myself, because I find that they fit much better than the surgical masks, which are very loose on me.

My mom is a very petite lady and has the cutest little face. But that means that some cloth masks can be really big on her. This past week, she told me her secret for improving the fit of her masks and it is so simple and smart that I just had to share it with all of you:

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If the top half of your cloth mask slides past your nose and can open up to expose the inside, then all you need is a bag of coffee grounds for the solution. Actually, all you need is the silver safety seal on a bag of coffee grounds to help keep it fresh.

Once your seal has been acquired, all you need to do is slide it up to the top crease of your mask through the opening. This will then act as a clamp so that you can tighten the top half, much like the tops of the blue surgical masks.

This quick fix has improved my mom’s mask game tenfold and all it takes is a bag of coffee. So, grab your favorite blend, keep caffeinated, use this tip, and pass it along to anyone who might find it helpful! 🙂

What are some of your fixes for an ill fitting mask? Where do you find the cutest face masks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Simple Popsicle Stick Halloween Craft

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Simple Popsicle Stick Halloween Craft

Hi! Lil Red may not be the craftiest gal in the bunch but, I’ll be damned if I don’t try my best with my clients when we’re creating something together. One of my pals had a plethora of Popsicle sticks so I figured we could try to do a Halloween craft with them by painting them into little ghosts. While my client opted for making names of his loved ones out of the sticks (So sweet!), I made the following for Johnny’s desk at work and something special for my crafting partner. Check it out:

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I started my crafting palooza with something easy by painting the Popsicle sticks white and making little ghost faces with Sharpie markers once the paint was dry. Simple, yes, but they turned out so cute I decided to try my hand at a few more designs even though they were going to be much harder for my non crafty self.

I thought a Frankenstein stick would look awesome and I knew Johnny would love it so I looked up a picture of ol’ Frank and did my best. While the green paint on the stick dried, I practiced drawing his face several times on paper before I Sharpied in the final effort and, frankly (lol), I couldn’t believe how good it turned out. In fact, it ended up being Johnny’s favorite creation.

After seeing my Frankenstein, my client asked me if I could make him a Barney one. I told him I’ll see what I can do and got to work on two Barney themed Popsicle sticks. In honor of the Barney Halloween episode that he loves, I painted a stick purple with green polka dots, just like the pumpkin Barney had in the show.

The real challenge, now, was going to be making Barney’s face because I can’t draw for crap. Lol, like with Frankenstein, I looked up a picture of Barney and practiced drawing his face while the purple base paint dried. Once I was satisfied, I Sharpied in the face of the friendly purple dinosaur and I thought it turned out great. I added a green tummy and his yellow toes and my client was so happy with what I made him, which is all that matters to me.

To wrap up our crafting, I made a Jack-O-Lantern stick to complete Johnny’s spooky set. Both my client and I had a blast with our arts and crafts hour and I was so happy to come up with something that was simple but we both enjoyed so much. Oh you crafty, huh?!

Would you consider yourself crafty? What is something that you have made that you are proud of? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Tattoo You: Family Portraits Edition

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Tattoo You: Family Portraits Edition

Hello!! This past month, I treated myself to a tap out tattoo session AKA nine hours straight of getting work done. I prefer this method, as I can get a lot done at one time and my tattoo artist, Emily, completed nine tattoos and some touch ups during our time together. I love everything I got but I am particularly enamored with these family portraits I got on the side of my lower leg. Check it out:

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A lot of my tattoos are from comic books that I love but I also find inspiration when I’m scrolling through social media and see something cool. At some point, someone on my Facebook timeline posted the example picture that my tattoos are based on and I fell in love. I decided that I would like to do something similar with my own family and my tattoo artist made the perfect depictions with just lines and patterns.

My tattoos are in the following order:

  • Grandma, Grandpa (Dad’s side)
  • Grandma, Grandpa (Mom’s side)
  • Mom, Dad

Emily told me that the hardest part of sketching out these tattoos was making each silhouette look like the person despite not having a face. I say that she knocked it out of the park and I can see the likeness of all of my loved ones perfectly. In my parent’s house, all three of these pictures have been on the shelves in the living room for as long as I can remember and they have always been some of my favorites. I am proud to have something so beautiful to commemorate each family member and I have not been able to stop looking at my legs since I got the tattoos!! (PS: If you are considering getting tattooed, here is some useful information on: Which places hurt the most when getting tattooed).

Do you have any tattoos? Which one is your favorite? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Hi, How Are You?

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Hi, How Are You?

Hi there! Recently at work, I took a client through a McDonald’s drive thru for lunch. I pulled my car up to the speaker and greeted whomever was working with a standard “Hi, how are you?” A very young and shocked sounding male voice told me “no one ever asks me how I’m doing, I guess I’m doing pretty good”. We chatted for a few seconds and he took my order, then I pulled up to his window to make the transaction.

A barely twenty-something year old kid who looked miserable, at best, had the voice I could finally put a face to. However, when I pulled my car up, he gave me a huge smile and thanked me for “being cool”. My heart somewhat broke and exploded. Broke because this young man working at a Micky D’s right off of the highway had a high point in his day just because I asked him how he was. Exploded because something so simple improved how he felt and, therefore, it made me feel good.

After I rolled up to the next window, I proceeded to give his compliments to the manager because he deserved it. He was prompt and kind and I wanted his day to continue to be the best. When my client and I drove away she told me “I think you made his day” and I told her that he made mine too.

Times are crazy right now. COVID and political unrest do not make for the most ideal living situation! But, times are never too crazy to be friendly to everyone you encounter and I think this story definitely can attest to that. ❤

How has someone made your day recently? How have you made someone’s day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fun Family Fiesta

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Fun Family Fiesta

Hello! Sometimes my schedule can change at the drop of a hat. Clients might cancel and I am left with a huge chunk of free time. For example, a few Wednesdays ago I only had to work with my morning client and not my afternoon one so I decided to go to my mom and dad’s place afterwards. Johnny would be at work and then band practice and I didn’t particularly want to spend all evening playing Animal Crossing… Again!

After I was done at work, I headed to chez parents. During the drive over, I gave my sister a call and she happened to be free too, which meant her and her daughter could join all of us for some family fun and a Taco Bell dinner party, as per my request. We spent time outside in my dad’s gardens but, mostly, we all just hung around and enjoyed each other’s company.

It is always such a treat when several members of my family can get together at one time and I know everyone had just as great of a time as I did. Since COVID, I still see my friends through Skype and social distance hang outs but that doesn’t happen often. However, I see my family numerous times throughout the week and that definitely helps. Even the shortest visits lift my spirits and, afterwards, I never fail to have an extra pep in my step.

A family Taco Bell night seems like such a simple pleasure but I am still looking back at it fondly a few weeks later. It was just so fun and the impromptu Hump Day dinner party kept me in a happy place as I finished up my work week. While going out frequently is not an option for me with such high risk clients, I have learned how to still have a good time with nights in. And you know what? Those nights in are awesome!

If these crazy times have you in a slump, you might need some quality family time to get yourself back in gear. Schedule a take out dinner “party” of your own and enjoy!

What is your favorite restaurant? How often do you get take out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Smoky Cauliflower Bites Recipe

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Smoky Cauliflower Bites Recipe

Hello! As I get older, I have definitely been trying to eat more healthy. AKA more fruits and veggies and less Taco Bell, lol! But, seriously, sometimes it’s just a hassle to make a healthy meal – especially after a long day at work. Quick and easy recipes are the name of the game in my household and this super simple/speedy recipe for Smoky Cauliflower Bites makes for a delicious and ultra fast appetizer for your fam:

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Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 3/4 tsp. sea salt
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
  • 1/8 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 medium head cauliflower, broken into florets

Directions:

  1. Combine all of your dry ingredients and mix into the olive oil, then pour over your cauliflower florets. You might want to let it sit for a few hours, shaking every so often to let the flavored oil sink in on all of the areas it might have missed.
  2. Preheat oven to 450 and transfer into a baking pan and roast until tender – about 15 to 20 minutes. This recipe is by Courtney Stultz of Weir, KS and I have no rights to it!

My client’s brother makes these cauliflower bites often and it is my absolute favorite treat. Last week, he so generously bought a head of cauliflower for me and mixed up the dry ingredients into a zip lock bag so all I would have to do is cut the veggies and heat it up at home. It was such a sweet gesture and I was eager to make it because it is so delicious in every sense of the word.

After fifteen minutes of roasting in the oven, my cauliflower was ready to eat and it was just as good as when my client’s brother makes it. I love all of the seasonings that drench the cauliflower because they add quite a bit of heat to it but it was never overpowering. Johnny and I dipped our bold and smoky cauliflower bites in Ranch dressing and enjoyed it as a side dish with our dinner. Ranch or sour cream is a good bet to have handy with you just in case there’s a little too much “oomph” for anyone at the table.

Easy as pie to make and tasty any time of the day, make these Smokey Cauliflower Bites to spice things up at your next family dinner!

What is your favorite veggie recipe? How do you eat healthy at home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

8 Things You Can Do To Make Your Kitchen Better This Week

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8 Things You Can Do To Make Your Kitchen Better This Week

If you’re looking for ways you can make your kitchen better this week, you’ll find eight ideas you can try below. Making your kitchen better doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on new items and remodeling. The ideas below should be fairly easy to implement, and they should actually make a big difference to your kitchen! The kitchen can be the hub of the home, a place to prepare food, eat together, do homework, and catch up over coffee. It’s a multi purpose room so the days of having a cold and uncomfortable kitchen must be forgotten. Read on for more:

Install Under Cabinet Lighting:

Under cabinet lighting can add something special to your kitchen, helping to light it effectively and giving it a unique appearance. This can also save energy, as you are eliminating the need to light the entire room. The bulbs burn cool, and they don’t require much power, either. The right lighting really can transform the space and turn your kitchen into the place to be to mingle. These bespoke home bar fixtures are an excellent example of how cabinet lighting can be used to elevate your kitchen. If you are hoping to turn your kitchen into a gathering area, a home bar or coffee corner is a great place to start.

Come Up With A Better Storage Solution:

Better storage solutions are so important in the kitchen, as there are many items that could easily make the place look overrun with junk. For example, your herbs and spices, cutlery, cleaning products – all of these things are usually kept in the kitchen, so you’ll need to come up with solutions for all of them. You can make cupboards more effective by hanging hooks on the back of the doors to hang things that you frequently reach for, such as dusters, cooking implements, and more. Smart storage solutions are essential in any modern day kitchen and will help you to utilize the entire space.

Older kitchen designs often lack sufficient storage for the modern home owner. If you still find that your kitchen is looking cluttered even with clever storing techniques and you’d like to improve it, it might be time for a renovation. Kitchen renovations offer a huge property value boost and can transform the space into an area that is conducive for cooking and mingling. To get started, simply enter a search for “Kitchen Remodel Westminster” (or your local area). The team you choose will work with your ideas and turn your kitchen into the place to be – clutter free.

Freshen Up Your Cabinets:

Your cabinets are one of the main features of your kitchen. A fresh coat of paint can work wonders for them, especially if you decide to go for a brighter color to give the room some personality. If you’d rather, you could always look into a cabinet refinishing service to make your cabinets look like new again without having to replace them.

Build A Rack For Your Pots and Pans:

A rack for your pots and pans can look great and save you a lot of hassle when cooking. This is great for homeowners that enjoy cooking and will mean no more hassle having to put pans away in a small cupboard, making a racket every time you take something out!

Make Sure You Have Task Lighting:

Task lighting is crucial in any kitchen. You need to see what you’re doing when you prepare food, so make sure you choose the correct bulbs and ensure that it is in the ideal position. Having dimmer switches, lamps, and other lighting options can be helpful when you have people over. You won’t want bright task lighting when you’re eating a meal!

Lighting is one of the many things that can be improved with smart home technology and can be especially handy in areas like the kitchen or living room. Even your kitchen appliances can benefit from this type of automation! If you are making upgrades to your kitchen, researching luxury home technology experts near you can help bring your space up to speed with the latest improvements. Lighting alone can make a huge difference in a space when it is perfectly customized to your needs.

Swap Out Your Hardware:

Your hardware is one of the easiest and most cost effective things to change in your kitchen. You can find all kinds of options to suit the look you want to achieve, and it’s really easy to change drawer pulls and things yourself. You could even swap out your old tap for a new, more modern looking one. Making small changes like this takes very little effort and won’t cost too much money.

Add A New Backsplash:

A new backsplash in your kitchen can help to give the room some personality. Obviously, a backsplash is great because it stops you from getting marks on the wall when cooking, but this is also an opportunity to show off your style and bring some interest to the kitchen. Tiles can look great, but you need to make sure you’re comfortable with grouting and all of the other things associated with installing a backsplash. You can get really creative here, so check out some ideas before you go ahead to make sure you’re happy with the result.

Install Underfloor Heating:

Underfloor heating is an amazing addition that you’ll only truly appreciate when you head down to the kitchen for your morning coffee and realize you don’t need to wear socks or slippers to stay comfortable. Nothing wakes you up quite like a cold kitchen floor in the morning, but underfloor heating can make it so much more comfortable and cozy.

Keep yourself occupied for a few days and have your kitchen looking amazing with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pexels

3 Simple Ideas To Inspire Your Bedroom Renovations

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3 Simple Ideas To Inspire Your Bedroom Renovations

If you are keen to spend some of the time that you are forced to spend indoors during the coronavirus crisis in a productive way, why not embark on some home renovations? While your living spaces might already be looking stylish and on-trend, think about moving upstairs and focusing on your bedroom. This should be a room that exudes relaxation, tranquillity, and calm. This is the space of your home where you rest your weary bones and strive to achieve unbroken sleep every night. If you are keen to have a go at flexing your interior design muscles in your bedroom, take a look at these three ideas:

Color:

The color palette that you choose for your bedroom needs to be relatively mooted. This doesn’t mean that you can’t inject areas of brighter or bolder hues, but the walls of your room should be relatively bland. White, cream, or pastel shades are more conducive to restful spaces. If you are more of a bold tone lover, think about using the fabrics, throws, and cushions to add texture and pattern in your space. Try and choose a theme of colors. If you like warmth, white, yellows, and reds could be inspirational. If you love natural tones, greens, oranges, and chocolate browns can be ideal. Whip up some local artwork or family photographs and personalize the space alongside your relaxing color palette to make your bedroom cozy and customized.

Storage:

Some bedrooms are blessed with amazing floor space meaning that you can easily install some fitted wardrobes and a couple of chest of drawers alongside a rocking chair and bedside tables. Storage never becomes an issue and your clothing can be housed with ease. However, if your bedroom is an unusual shape or it’s a little small, you need to think outside the box to maximize storage and stop your room from feeling cramped. Go for something more bespoke for the space. You may worry about what’s the average price of a custom closet, but there are easy ways to keep costs down. Go for minimal compartments, less extravagant materials and finishes, and forego the glazed door options. A custom closet will look incredible and it will keep your clothes, shoes, and knick-knacks safe.

Flooring:

Some of us are lucky enough to have original wooden floorboards if we live in period properties. If you have oak flooring, get it sanded and waxed and lay a lovely large rug on top to protect your feet and maintain a cozy feel. If you want to emulate this look but don’t have the authentic features, go for a cheaper man made laminate that utilizes a walnut, oak, or birch veneer. These look fantastic and are easy to fit with a tongue and groove system. If you prefer carpet and a plush softness underfoot, get a decent underlay and a long pile twist to give you that luxurious feel.

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Love the chandelier!

Revolutionizing your bedroom should be fun. Use these inspiring ideas and enjoy giving your bedroom a makeover!

Featured Image By: Pexels