TIPS Archives

DO THIS BEFORE THANKSGIVING

September 16, 2021

Sharing simple tips to prep the salt and pepper shakers simple before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving will be here before you finish the Halloween candy. It will be here because Hallmark and Starbucks tell us it’s fall (in August). So now is the time to do all the things you will wish you had done before Thanksgiving.

Pin this under tips!

PREP THE SALT & PEPPER SHAKERS BEFORE THANKSGIVING

STEPS TO PREP SALT +PEPPER SHAKERS

Gather all of your salt and pepper shakers and your salt and pepper.

Next, here is a tip I tried and it worked well. Place a damp paper towel on the counter and then set out your salt and pepper shakers. The damp paper towel holds the salt and pepper

HOW TO LOAD THE SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS

Next, load those petite seasoning vessels with salt and pepper. Now the debate starts here. Yes even salt and pepper shakers are a hot topice. The question is do we still want to use the two hole shaker for the pepper or is it better to use the two hole shaker with salt?

I found my pour was better when I raised the pepper above the mouth of the shaker. I mean it’s still messy, but the paper towel gives you a fighting chance.

You will feel great knowing it’s done because no one wants to pause while prepping the Thanksgiving table and fill (spill) salt and pepper over every kitchen surface.

Sidenote: Who decided shakers require microscopic holes the size of a needle.

I know what some of you are thinking. There is plenty of time to do Thanksgiving and holiday prep details. Right?

But, right now between Hallmark’s Autumn Leaves and White Christmas go ahead and haul out the salt and pepper shakers and get ‘er done before Thanksgiving.

What are some other time-saving tips you like to do now before the calendar says it’s two more sleeps until Thanksgiving?

Please share in the comments!

Here’s another weekly hack (tip) to start your Mondays!

In the meantime, stock up on the salt and pepper. Who knew ground pepper was so pricey.

Please pin for later on your Thanksgiving or Tips or Hacks Pinterest boards!

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HOW TO ADD QUIET TO YOUR DAY

September 2, 2021

Sharing a few ways on how to add quiet to your day

I can’t believe this happened to me this year.

I kicked this habit and traded it for a new one. My new year goal was to read more and scroll less.

Except, most nights I am seven minutes into a book recommended by this lady

and just like a squirrel- I pivot.

I start to Google “insert any number of random thoughts running through my mind” on my Ipad. Like what’s on sale at Pottery Barn or this Netflix documentary. The bots are winning. I was doing everything that the documentary told me not to do online. So here are five simple habits to add quiet to the day.

Even the squirrels need a nap.

HOW TO ADD QUIET TO YOUR DAY

1. Turn off the notifications on your i-phone. As a blogger and Realtor, I had one too many pings.

Go to settings, scroll to notifications and turn off notifications.

2. Set up an auto-message on your phone when you are driving. If someone texts you the sender receives an auto-response that you are driving and I will check my phone when I am parked.

3. Adjust the ringer, alerts for your phone’s activity. Are you seeing a trend here? My husband has a tone for every text, ban charge, sports and news update. Go under settings and scroll down to “sounds and haptics.” It’s right under “notifications.”

4. Practice a hobby. There is nothing that gets me outside of squirrel mode other than grabbing my camera and practice taking still photos of a pillow. It completely removes me from my thoughts. Whatever your hobby find 15 minutes to practice.

5. Coloring or Puzzles. During Covid College our youngest son unwinded after Zoom classes at the kitchen counter with a box of Crayola ( Made in the USA Youtube series) and a Paw Patrol coloring book.

Before I knew it I was coloring alongside him and doing my best not to chat about the name of every Crayola crayon I grabbed.

What do you do to add quiet toy your day? I would love to hear what works for you and maybe include it in a future blog post.

In the meantime, these Sunday hacks help make Monday a little easier.

Looking for a once-a-week newsletter on Saturday mornings. It’s quiet and deo

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HOW TO MAKE INDOOR PLANTS LOOK BIGGER

August 12, 2021

Sharing a simple tip on how to make indoor plants look bigger.

I haven’t tried to make anything look bigger since middle school. #wink

How many of you have ordered a fake plant online and were disappointed when it arrived in a box that was less than 24″ long? That’s what happened to me when I ordered a cute little olive tree from one of my go-to cheap decor sites.

It wasn’t the height of the plant it was the base. And the base made the tree look so tiny (and cheap). So I gave it a proper base.

Just like Meghan Trainor’s pop favorite – It’s all about the base.

Are you thinking what I thought? How did I not know this? I mean I help sellers stage their houses before they list. And I never thought to supersize the planter to make the top half of the plant look bigger.

I discovered this when I reviewed this photo of this plant. He’s been around forever. He was in a bucket. Just chilling in the family room. Until we refinished our floors.

And then while moving everything from the main level to the lower level I haphazardly stacked this plant into the basket.

And something magical happened. My little “I don’t know what type of plant this is” just grew.

HOW TO MAKE INDOOR PLANTS LOOK BIGGER

And there it was a simple tip on how to make indoor plants look bigger. It works just as well on both faux and real plants.

I used everyday buckets and baskets around the house. It turns out I have a Homegoods-worthy stock room of baskets.

I even used it with some stems in a vase. I beefed up the container and my floral stems just looked so much more substantial.

To a wider, shorter bucket. I bent the stems to adjust for the shorter bucket.

I never loved the container for my Fiddle Leaf Fig tree (the container came with the Homegoods tree).

But then when I switched it out for something with more texture it changed the look of the tree. And, then I added a larger pot with texture and ta-da.

Here is one more example with my fern. I had him in a tall urn for years.

and then after our family room remodel I moved him into an olive basket. The larger bucket made the fern look larger too!

What do you think? Take a look at your indoor plants. If they need a little boost look for a basket. Would love if you pinned this tip!

And would you sign up for the Weekend Edit where I share my projects from the previous week in one email?
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5 TIPS TO LOSE THE LOVE HANDLES

August 6, 2021

Sharing 5 tips to lose the love handles without missing your favorite foods

Chloe, our Bernese Mountain dog, lost ten pounds this spring. Our veterinarian is thrilled.

Dr. Vicker likes his patients’ lean and he says the same tricks work for their human family members.

It turns out the way to lose those love handles was what our veterinarian suggested for Chloe.

Eat less.

It sounds so simple when you read those seven letters.

I noticed after the holidays my jeans were snug and my waistline had an extra inch (or two) on both sides. Oh wait, were those love handles?

I worked out regularly but started a few bad habits during our extended staycation.

It was time to end a few bad habits like when I quit this one.

5 TIPS TO LOSE THE LOVE HANDLES

And you know what I rediscovered? A feeling I had not experienced in years. Years!

Hunger pains.

Over the past year, I got into a terrible habit of snacking whenever my tummy grumbled. And my 45 Goldfish for 140 calories turned into a half bag of Goldfish …. every afternoon.

Here’s how I lost a few pounds and tackled that love handles. And I mean a few. I hate to diet and do not do well with restrictions.

Here’s how I did it.

1. Start every morning with 20 sips (gulps) of water.

Think about it what is the first thing you drink in the morning? If you say coffee this tip will work well with your early morning routine.

While my coffee percolates I drink 20 sips (gulps) of water. I like my water in a glass and so I don’t love a Nalgene bottle. My daughter uses something like this to get her water in for the day.

2. Stop eating 3 hours before bedtime.

This habit snuck up on me. Last year, I would snack my way through an entire Costco-size bag of popcorn while watching Netflix.

Now, I go to bed hungry which was a feeling I had not felt in years. I make exceptions when we have dinner out with friends or family, but I think this tip is the one that jumpstarted my metabolism

3. One glass of wine.

Glass, not a bottle.

Nothing goods happen when I pour a 2nd. Again there are exceptions, but one glass of wine forces me to slow down and drink water.

4. Make less look like more

I have the same breakfast most mornings- one egg + one egg white and 2 strips of turkey bacon. When I purchase my turkey bacon the first thing I do is take my kitchen scissors and cut the strips down the center (of the entire package).

Visually I have 2 strips of turkey bacon. And after a few days, you don’t miss that 2nd, 70 calorie strip of bacon.

I did the same thing with my turkey sandwich. I went from a whole sandwich to a half. And, then I did this to it. I added apples and spinach to my sandwich. It’s so good-even my younger son does it with his sandwiches.

5. Add greens to everything

Now if you are a real foodie this may be unconventional, but I add spinach leaves to many meals. I add spinach to my sandwiches, I layer my plate or bowl with spinach when we have pasta or nibble on spinach leaves as I prep for dinner.

6. Serving Size Chocolate

In my kitchen, I have a drawer dedicate for my sweet tooth. The second I cut out chocolate (or give it up at Lent) I will binge my way through a bag of M&M’s (full size). . And over the course of the year, I grabbed larger handfuls. Now I pay attention to the serving size and deduct a few M&M’s or my favorite cocoa dusted almonds from that serving size.

I am not a fan of scales. I get weighed at my annual exam and I weigh myself in January.

But there is a little accountability so I do weigh myself on Tuesdays until my habits stuck like a Simone Biles landing.

Now I can’t even imagine not starting my day without 16 oz of water.

DOG WATER BOWL HACK

July 6, 2021

Sharing a dog water bowl hack you can find at the grocery store.

Do you know when you are rushing out the door and you scan the dog’s water bowl and it is nearly empty?

And for a split second you think oh there’s plenty. But what do you do? You always put down your bag(s) and grab the water bowl.

And then after filling the water bowl you walk back across the kitchen floor or patio, like walking a tightrope, not wanting to wobble over like a Weeble. (80’s reference).

Here is a dog water bowl hack for your furry friends on those busy days.

Oh, and the dog days of summer when dogs are outside more enjoying the sunsets.

If you are a follower of Everyday Edits you know I love a good hack. Like this one.

And if your dogs need a new dog bowl here is a cute elevated dog dish.

DOG WATER BOWL HACK

I stumbled into this hack when I bought a plastic beverage dispenser at Kroger for under $8.000. I planned on using it for brewed tea.

Until I got it home and the dispenser was too big for the refrigerator.

And I thought this oversized, too big for the fridge beverage dispenser is perfect for Chloe and Elliott and the dog days of summer.

I added ice and water.

Now it’s just a little water bar for the dogs.

And the best part was the beverage dispenser with spigot fit on top of their dog dish tray.

Looking for a yummy dog treat to pair with the beverage bar? Try these homemade dog treats.

This Made in USA dog bone cookie cutter will set you back a few dollars and will make your dog treats too cute!

Shop for the dog days of summer. It’s never too early to shop for Halloween costumes for your dogs. ;0)

How to Keep Patio Cushions Dry + Video

June 28, 2021

Sharing how to keep outdoor patio cushions dry.

But first, do you remember the scene in Steele Magnolias when M’lynn screams when she realizes Shelby’s brothers have decorated her honeymoon car with …um? Well, that’s the same reaction I have when we are minutes from hosting a backyard BBQ and I attempt to plump the outdoor patio cushions only to realize it is a soggy patio cushion.

The rain and snow have to go somewhere. And, the cushion just soaks up the rain or snow.

After a rainstorm,our backyard looks like a drip-dry station for patio cushions.

And, then on some random day, while taking a kitchen trash bag for the 14th time I came up with an effortless way to keep patio cushions dry.

HOW TO KEEP PATIO CUSHIONS DRY

Sometimes the best ideas are based on the premise; do not overthink the solution to a problem.

The solution is simple and most of us have to look no further than under our kitchen sinks.

How to Keep Patio Cushions Dry

Last summer, with a forecast of more than two days of rain, I worried about how to keep my outdoor patio cushions from getting soaking wet. It wasn’t practical to bring them inside for every afternoon thunderstorm.

But, who wants to sit in a soggy patio cushion when the weekend comes around? I needed a solution that did not tie me to the weather app every afternoon.

And, then inspiration struck when I grabbed a handful of plastic kitchen bags.

It turns out plastic trash bags are a great resource to keep the foam cushions dry.

STEPS TO KEEP PATIO CUSHIONS DRY

Use kitchen size plastic bags with ties
Unzip the pillow cover and remove the foam cushions
Stuff the foam cushion into the kitchen plastic bag.
Tie the bag shut and place the wrapped foam cushion back into the pillow covers.

You can watch the video tutorial on my Youtube Channel.

That’s it! And, it works. The reality is when the rain penetrates the pillow cover the cover dries after an hour of sunshine. Sadly, it’s the foam cushion that traps the water.

Those wet patio cushions lead to fun stuff like mold spores.

Who wants to sit on a cushion full of mold and mildew?

Thanks for stopping by! Now go cover those patio cushions!

Want to join the Everyday Edits community for tips and one hour projects? Click here.

HOW TO FIX SAGGING COUCH CUSHIONS WITHOUT BATTING

June 24, 2021

Sharing a hack to fix sagging couch cushions- it’s like Botox for cushions.

I have a couch cushion hack today that does not involve batting.

HOW TO FIX SAGGING COUCH CUSHIONS

For most homes, the couch anchors the room. So you can see where sagging couch cushions easily make the space look tired.

And, no amount of strategically placed throws can hide the sag.

It’s kinda like Botox-there’s only so much sag the toxin can lift.

And, then there’s the elephant in the room- who wants to sit in the middle of the couch where you sink. It’s like sitting at the kid’s table at Thanksgiving.

And, then you need to move to a filler- something to plump up the slump.

My hack does not use batting, but rather something you likely have in your linen closet.

Pillows! I ordered these Made in the USA pillows this spring when I shared how to clean down pillows.

Well, I had an idea and I tested it out on my couches.

My couch has foam cushions inserted into the couch-essentially this is an oversized pillow for a couch.

I thought it was going to be a sweat session to add pillows to the insert.

I was surprised at how little wrangling I had to do to get this pillow into the back of the couch pillow cover.

It immediately plumped up the back cushion. The best part no lumps or bumps. The pillow straightened the slouch.

This is an easy peasy hack with no batting or lumps.

Here’s a recent pillow hack if you are staging a bedroom before listing a home. It’s literally a pillow flip.

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HOW TO UPDATE BEDROOM DECOR FOR LESS MONEY

June 1, 2021

sharing simple ideas on how to update bedroom decor without breaking the budget

After my second vaccine, I got a little achy and feverish. Not nearly as bad as I anticipated, but enough that I retired to our bedroom to “work.” It was a chance to test out some small decor updates.

For less than $100. And, I have a few tricks on how to stay under budget.

HOW TO UPDATE BEDROOM DECOR

This sign says it all about our lifestyle. My decor decisions are based largely on our Bernese Mountain dogs.

Berners are known for their side-eye ;0)

I bought a beautiful coverlet at Pottery Barn and it was not on the bed ten minutes before one of our Berners jumped on the bed … with a dog bone.

Ever since I read this article about what NOT to buy at Homegoods I now buy these sheets and buy coverlets and pillow shams at Homegoods.

I cannot spend money on bedding when this is a regular occurrence at our house.

3.To mix it up for the seasons this year I bought these fluffy pillow covers. Switching out pillow covers is an easy and budget-friendly way to update a space.

They are a little out of my wheelhouse, but the pop of coral is fun for a space that is heavy on furniture and our planked wall behind our bed.

I snagged this sign here and it is a favorite. It makes me smile whenever I enter the room.

I try really hard not to be matchy-matchy on opposite sides of the bed so I added a faux plant to the side next to the window.

I do love to pair navy and green in my decor.

PIN FOR LATER

Before you go .. you might like these empty nest empty bedroom updates.

HOW TO MAKE A RENTAL FEEL LIKE HOME

May 13, 2021

Showing renters (or parents of renters) how to make a rental feel like home.

Hi there! If you don’t know my story I am a Realtor® by day and a home blogger at night. In this year’s crazy (Denver-everywhere) market many young professionals and families are reluctantly renewing their leases until the market settles.

I am here to cheer all of you renters (or parents or renters) and show you how to make a rental feel like home.

5 THINGS TO MAKE A RENTAL FEEL LIKE HOME

1.Extension Cords

Extension cords are the workhorse for rentals where outlets might be in awkward spaces. Some of you might have seen this tip on my youtube channel.

I have a box dedicated to these guys. I found mine for like $7.00 from Target. Extension cords are so useful around the house. Especially helpful when you have them handy before moving that huge heirloom piece from your grandmother.

2. Oversized Frames

Stick with me on this one because you might be thinking, “I can’t nail prints into the walls, Laura”

I got you. If you buy oversized frames you can tilt those frames on an entry table or dresser. Oversized frames add height, color and personality to a space.

Never underestimate the power of a tilt. Just tilt it and forget it.

This print below is tilted and you may recognize the pattern from this hack.

3. THROWS + PILLOWS

Did you ever think why hotels always feel like a hotel and yet an Airbnb or a VRBO feels more like home?

Throws and pillows.

Yep, a throw and pillows are what every renter needs in their home. It’s a commitment that you are staying awhile.

4. BASKETS

Want to score double points on how to make your rental feel like home?

Add a basket.

Baskets add a healthy balance between clutter and containment-especially in a small rental.

5. NOISE BUSTERS

When I work with first-time buyers they always share what they don’t like about living in a 10 story apartment rental. The noise. Not all rentals have adequate noise abatement measures.

Open a window just a smidge (depending on what floor you are on in your building). Add a strand of bells, petite wind chimes or dream catchers. Just something that reminds you of the fresh air and the stillness in early mornings.

Fans work too! A fan generates a bit of a breeze in a stale room and adds some white noise to your surroundings. I have this one and it has several settings.

And, speaking of windows – window ledges offer a bit of additional space. Think of a window ledge as a console table.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Here are a few wall decor options that don’t require nails.

These work well if you are allowed to use these.

How to Decorate a BEDROOM ON A BUDGET

7 IDEAS TO DECORATE YOUR FIRST PLACE

Here is a fun gift for young adults living on their own for the first time.

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MONEY SAVING TIP FOR ONLINE SHOPPING

April 12, 2021

my favorite money-saving tip for online shopping enthusiasts

Does anyone shop at Overstock with the jumbo wheel of price savings when you land on their page? I always “win” 15% off, but I have yet to figure out how to redeem the savings at checkout. Today I have a money-saving tip for online shopping. And, the best part is you never have to remember the sale code at the top of the site that always disappears at checkout.

MONEY SAVING TIP FOR ONLINE SHOPPING

Here’s a money-saving tip for online shopping purchases that is like spinning the discount wheel at checkout.

I am talking about the Capital One extension on your browser. You don’t have to have a Capital One account or card.

STEPS

1. Google the Capital One Extension in Chrome (or your browser).

It’s super easy and takes a few seconds and works with the major browsers.

My screen shows a “remove from Chrome” because I have the extension installed.

When enabled successfully you will see an italicized grey “S” at the top of your screen.

Here is the direct link to add the extension to your browser.

2. Next time you shop online and you get to the checkout page something magical happens at checkout. The shopping extension searches quietly in the background for any potential coupon codes tied to that retailer.

The next screen will show something like this:

At the same time that you get to apply coupon codes to your purchase, you also accumulate credits (money) for future purchases on popular sites. I used mine to buy a Homegoods electronic gift card. And turned around and applied that credit to these chairs.

The best part is you never have to remember the codes at checkout. I am always surprised when the familiar pop-up window appears at checkout. I ordered popcorn tins for my kids for Valentine’s Day and I got $10 off the order.

Now, sometimes the retailer may not have any coupons and then this message pops up:

You have the option to ad your credit card for future purchases but I just skip that step as I don’t like to store my credit cards with retailers.

That’s it! Here is just one of the items I purchased at Pottery Barn last winter when both our boys returned home in mid-March. I got the discount and then I got a reminder to “cash out” for an electronic gift card. I chose Homegoods for my gift card.

Sometimes you feel like you hit the lottery when you get more than one discount.

Here is the direct link to add the extension to your browser. It will add a grey “S” at the top of your screen that let’s you know it was enabled successfully.

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5 TIPS ON HOW TO REARRANGE A ROOM

March 25, 2021

Sharing tips on how to rearrange a room before the couch ends up on the porch

My family is no longer surprised when they come home and see a couch in the middle of the entry or a coffee table in the kitchen. Even Elliott knows to just stay out of the way.

Rearranging rooms and kitchen cabinets is what I do when I have a free afternoon or a snowstorm.

One of my first friends, when we moved to Denver, was a neighbor. She was the friend who told me about the house we now live in had just come on the market. She shared this at a Bunko game. My husband refers to it as the most expensive Bunko game ever. But when it came to how to arrange a room my petite little friend who could fit in my pocket AND she can paint lines without tape, was to …

clear the room.

Yep, my friend Julie suggested the best way to envision how to arrange a room was to clear it out and start with a clean slate.

It seemed like lots of effort to move, shove and scoot furniture across the floors, but I tried it and explained to the family why the living room was empty.

This little idea on how to arrange a room was exactly what I needed.

Not only was I clearing the room, but it cleared my head of the clutter.

And, it got rid of lingering preconceived ideas of where the couch should be positioned in the living. room.

I get it- clearing a room may not always make sense. It was hard enough to get the couch into the living room, now I have to take it out of the same room?

So here are a few workarounds if you can’t clear out an entire space.

5 TIPS ON HOW TO REARRANGE A ROOM

1. Clear the accessories

When we recently scheduled to have our hardwood floors refinished we had to remove all of the furniture from the main level. I started with the small stuff like the accessories. You guys I counted almost a dozen lanterns.

My basement looked like the HomeGoods clearance section on Sunday evening.

2. Roll up the rugs

Rugs can be a little pushy with their preconceived furniture arrangement ideas. So removing the rugs is a great visual to see what your furniture could look like if it wasn’t married to a 9×12 rug from 2008.

3. If it doesn’t make sense to move the bed, move the side tables, lamps and ottomans. Those benches and can be manipulative and play tricks with your mind.

4. With your room opening up after the first three suggestions run through your house and find your favorite furniture pieces. I shared this find a few weeks ago and have a few places where it may land.

I essentially shopped my house instead of HomeGoods or an outlet.

5. Finally grab the painter’s tape and a tape measure. The 2nd best advice I got with furniture arrangement was to outline the furniture with painter’s tape.

It is a great visual for spacing out furniture pieces.

Finally, here is one more tip related to moving furniture. I shared it on my youtube channel if you want to take a look.

Pin for later!

Thanks for stopping by for my quick tips for everyday edits.

THIS LIGHT HACK TAKES SECONDS

February 12, 2021

this hack takes seconds to install and makes life a little easier… curious?

Am I the last person on the planet to discover this light hack? It takes seconds, SECONDS, to install and a screwdriver is optional for installation.

Once the sun sets I can’t see anything without lights. I have tripped over more shoes, dogs and tennis balls in a dark hall or staircase.

One day my family is going to find me sprawled out in a hallway with a tennis ball off to the side with Elliott and his side eye.

As a Realtor showing properties after 5 pm in the winter means stumbling to find the entry lights and hoping the lightbulbs in the stairwell work.

LIGHT HACK

Wait until you see this motion-activated light in action. I installed it in our entry hall closet after this closet hack. I made a short video below to demonstrate! Or, you can watch in my youtube channel. I am up to five followers ;0)

DETAILS

Not only does this bright light turn on with movement it also turns off after inactivity.

I found these motion-activated lights at Home Depot across from the cleaning supplies. You can also buy it from your kitchen table here.

I thought what a great idea for cabinets, crawl spaces or entry closets.

It can be installed with a screwdriver (it comes with screws and no drywall anchors needed).

I have since purchased several from Home Depot and was thrilled that if you don’t want a long-term commitment with a motion activate light it includes double-sided tape to install or tiny little screws.

This motion detector light is the coolest thing since light timers. And as a Realtor and home blogger, this is a great option for vacant homes, under kitchen sinks and hall closets.

I am going to purchase these for my sellers to install in closets (buyers always open closets … even if it’s with gloves & bleach wipes this year).

Have you seen these motion-activated lights? Where do you use them?

DO THIS BEFORE A FURNITURE DELIVERY

January 5, 2021

do this one thing before a furniture delivery to save you aggravation and/or back pain

Have you ever had a bed delivered with box springs, headboard and footboard? Did you forget to do something before the delivery crew started up the stairs? Let’s just say after the delivery crew left I was attempting a combat crawl under our bed.

Any guesses?

If you made the same mistake you know the answer.

DO THIS BEFORE A FURNITURE DELIVERY

Buy or find, find and install an extension cord before a furniture delivery arrives at your door.

There is not much clearance between the outlet plug and a large, heavy bed frame or 7- foot hutch. I was under the bed breaking a sweat as if I was disabling a glitter bomb just under our new king-size bed and frame and mattress.

THE POWER OF AN EXTENSION CORD

All I had to do was wiggle myself close enough to insert the 2-flat prong extension cord into the outlet that was directly behind the headboard.

Because the bed frame was attached to both the wood side rails and the footboard- the only heavy object moving was me.

I shared a little video below as a reminder.

Now, after have three additional queen-size beds were delivered in as many bedrooms I made sure to install an extension cord (even if I don’t need it in that moment).

You never know when you will have a noise-canceling machine, phone chargers or a mini-fan next to your bed.

Now, I share a friendly reminder with my buyers to buy extension cords before move-in day

As long as there are electricity and heavy furniture there will be a need for an extension cord.

This reminder comes in handy during the holidays if your kids want twinkle lights above their headboards or if you want lighting behind your grandmother’s hutch.

Oh, and this same reminder works if you recently had your floors refinished. The last thing you want your husband to do is to slide a hutch a few inches to the left to fit the lamp into the electrical outlet.

I have a box just for extension cords in my coat closet turned supply closet.

Before you go here is a little video reminder I had fun with.. watch the end where I throw my college-age boys under the bus ;0).

Please pin for later!

Before you go here is another tip for closets and cabinets.

10 Things You Can Clean with Castile Soap

November 12, 2020

Sharing the many uses and things you can clean with a bottle of Castile Soap.

Who knew I judged soap. I thought this particular top of soap was for a different buyer. Someone who pays a lot of money on a product to shower once a week. #nojudgement

It turns out Castile soap is a trend and I do love a cleaning trend.

On a recent trip to HomeGoods, I found a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s brand of Castile soap. With multi-purpose products in demand, I grabbed the last bottle.

And, then on a trip to Costco, I found a 2-pack of Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap. I felt like maybe if it was at Costco and HomeGoods it was something I needed.

Sound familiar?

It turns out this mix of organic oils soap is one of the most versatile cleaners for you and your home.

The peppermint scent is like cleaning with a candy cane in a bottle.

And, with 50 ounces of Castile soap, I needed to clean something.

10 THINGS TO CLEAN WITH CASTILE SOAP

In full disclosure, the bulk of my research consisted of me turning the bottle 180 degrees to read a convenient list on the label.

body wash
facial wash
shampoo
dog wash
all-purpose cleaner
fruits + vegetables cleaner
laundry
all-purpose floor cleaner
spray plants to discourage bugs
laundry
hand soap
dish soap
dog dishes and toys

And, you can dilute this multi-purpose cleaner to extend its reach in your house. There are other brands, I am just sharing this brand because it kept popping up in my shopping carts.

THE HISTORY OF DR. BRONNER’S FAMILY BUSINESS

As I read the label I was curious about the family behind the brand. I decided to study up on the history of this family-owned company

Reading this article about the family business and Emmanuel Bronner reads like a movie script.

I have a few actors in mind.

And, if you follow Everyday Edits you know I love to support Made in the USA products.

10 THINGS YOU CAN CLEAN WITH CASTILE SOAP:

The peppermint smells amazing. I checked out the company online and it turns out they sell other products in the popular peppermint scent.

I plan to add Castile soap to this list.

How do you use Castile soap around your house? Let me know in the comments and I will add the suggestions and the source (you) to my list!

5 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS HACKS FOR WINTER

October 30, 2020

We can thank a guy named George for these daylight-saving hacks. After all, George proposed the idea of daylight savings in 1895. But adjusting the working hours to end with the sunset has been around for centuries.

You can read up on the fun facts about the history and the satirical writings by Benjamin Franklin on the subject of daylight savings.

Or, we could just watch our dogs.

Elliott thinks dinner is earlier than the day before based on the sun’s location as it sets over the Colorado mountain range.

I shared this photo of Elliott on Insta the other day. Elliott just waits for me to finish up in my office so he can have the early seating option for dinner.

Daylight Savings Hacks

Several of these daylight savings hacks come from my Realtor life. Last year, I had a semi-vacant listing in the middle of the winter. Besides having to shovel the vacant driveway, I wanted the buyers to not have to fumble with the lights when they walked through the front door in November.

I wish I had installed a few of these. #ad

As we set our clocks back an hour for a glorious “extra” hour on Sunday, here are a few daylight savings hacks I use with my listings (and sellers). And, these same hacks work well in our own homes as the sun descends for the day. These are the shorter days of our lives …until spring.

Daylight Savings Hacks

Lighting Add a lamp next to the front door for easy access when you arrive home. The last thing we want in the winter is to have our foot in a walking boot from a misplaced step on a stair tread. True story for me last winter.

2. Timers Lighting plays a big part in how we respond to a space. And, not all homes (or my parents) are prewired for smart technology to light up a house.

My mom always placed timers around the house when we went on vacation. So this tip comes from her.

The good news is an old-fashioned timer is an inexpensive way to add light to different rooms at different times of the day.

And, I think additional lighting in the winter just picks up our mood.

Sidenote: I can’t wait to have my Christmas tree set to turn on at the end of the day.

Tip: I gave our daughter and her accounting friends’ lamp timers last tax season with their customary late-night schedules.

3. Inexpensive Outdoor Solar Lights Solar pathway lighting comes in a variety of styles and price points. Many can easily be placed (shoved) into the yard (easier before the ground freezes).

Solar pathway lighting works well around the front and back doors.

If you don’t have a front yard solar lights work just as well in a planter by the door.

I ordered these lights because they are level with the ground

Arriving home with additional lighting on the porch is great for a home that looks empty from the front of the house.

And, even if many of us are not arriving home after the end of the workday, it is still a warm, cozy feel to see lighting on our porches or paths.

4. Strand of lights

If you are short on sunlight for the solar option you can opt for a strand of lights and tuck them inside a planter. It works year-round and it adds some additional lighting around your front door (or back door) if you have a detached garage.

I hid a strand of lights in this painted glass pumpkin. I shared how I painted glass with these photos.

5. Install an Over Lite

I love, love, love this OverLite. It is a motion-activated light that is perfect for closets, cabinets, or ceilings where you do not have a light fixture.

The best part is this light can be attached with screws or tape adhesive (both included). #ad

We installed one in our entry closet and I love it! This light is bright and automatically shuts off after so many seconds of no motion.

Sometimes I have to wave my hand above my head to re-activate it, but usually, I am in and out of our hall closet.

This motion activated light works great under a kitchen sink or if you need additional light near the furnace.

This would be great for house guests or grandparents who may not be as familiar with a home’s layout when it is dark.

With daylight savings, this is the perfect time to add a little light in a closet or dimly lit garage.

Enjoy the extra hour of sleep tonight! I would love for you to join my once-a-week newsletter, The Weekend Edit, for other tips and one-hour decor projects for the weekends.

WEEKLY IDEAS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER PAINT & WHY

October 15, 2020

how to store leftover paint in mason or recycled jars

Even with three months at home, I found excuses to not organize the gallon size cans of leftover paint in the garage. But I found time to watch 97 episodes of the Gran Hotel with English subtitles.

But after six months with my husband happily working from home I found a reason to spend a few hours in my garage sorting through the leftover paint.

In the garage, staring back at me I had over a dozen gallon size paint cans and just as many quart size cans.

If my right elbow twinged when I picked up the paint I stored it back on the garage shelf. That meant there was more paint than a jar could hold.

If there was no “give” in the paint can the paint had dried up from a lazy paint lid?

But if there was less than 1/4 of a can of paint I gave it a proper mason jar and screwtop lid.

Here is how I store that last 1/8 of a Hale Navy or Kendall Charcoal paint can. You guys some of these (Made in the USA) mason jars have stored paint for more years than the paint color was on the walls.

My daughter’s bedroom was pink for a very hot minute.

Can we agree that everything looks better in a mason jar?

Most of my nearly empty cans or plastic containers looked like this when I pulled them out of the garage shelf.

See below for a quick review of how I store leftover paint.

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER PAINT

Round up mason jars or recycled glass jars with lids.

Tip: Use the wide mouth and/or shorter mason jars for touchup paint tasks.

Mason or recycled jars work best for that 1″ of paint at the bottom of the can.
Label the color and finish. I include the paint # too because Home Depot color matches the top brands.
I used these labels and it includes a chalk pen.
Store the jars in a cool or temp stable spot. I store my mason jars in this closet.

Tip: I keep a few foam brushes in the closet so I can grab a jar of paint and make a quick touchup.

But a funny thing happened when I transferred the paint into mason jars.

It had nothing to do with paint. It was like when the Grinch realized Christmas wasn’t about packages and bows. Well, neither was the task of how to store leftover paint.

Nope, the best reason was organizing the leftover paint motivated me to clean and tackle those nagging home maintenance tips like the taunting you paint touchups.

Once I sorted through the paint I ended up with empty shelves. Empty!

And, then once I had the leftover paint in mason jars with cute labels it motivated me to tackle those nagging paint touchups. With the leftover paint in jars I no longer postponed touchups because of the thought of sorting thru paint cans and hauling up paint cans for a dozen touchups.

It was liberating!

Mason jars make everything prettier and more manageable. I now keep touch-up paint in mason jars in this closet.

And, for those wondering if that paint “keeps” in a mason jar. The short answer is yes. I found these jars online and sometimes they are on sale at Kroger.

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1. Start every morning with 20 sips (gulps) of water.

2. Stop eating 3 hours before bedtime.

3. One glass of wine.

4. Make less look like more

5. Add greens to everything

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How to Keep Patio Cushions Dry

STEPS TO KEEP PATIO CUSHIONS DRY

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PIN FOR LATER

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1.Extension Cords

2. Oversized Frames

3. THROWS + PILLOWS

4. BASKETS

5. NOISE BUSTERS

MONEY SAVING TIP FOR ONLINE SHOPPING

STEPS

5 TIPS ON HOW TO REARRANGE A ROOM

1. Clear the accessories

2. Roll up the rugs

LIGHT HACK

DETAILS

DO THIS BEFORE A FURNITURE DELIVERY

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THE HISTORY OF DR. BRONNER’S FAMILY BUSINESS

10 THINGS YOU CAN CLEAN WITH CASTILE SOAP:

Daylight Savings Hacks

Daylight Savings Hacks

4. Strand of lights

5. Install an Over Lite

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER PAINT

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