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Yard or Garage Sale Dos & Don’ts
Do you want to have a successful yard sale this year? Maybe you are getting ready to move or maybe you have just been decluttering and would like to make a little extra cash for your stuff. If you have a lot of things to get rid of, it may be worth having a yard sale. Donation centers can get overwhelmed and we should always avoid throwing perfectly good things in the trash. (Of course, if something is stained or broken you shouldn’t inflict them on donation centers either.) Yard Sale Dos… Understand your reasons for having a yard sale. Do you just want to get rid of things or do you need…
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Traditional Stairway & Hall Makeover Part One
Do you have a traditional stairway and entrance hall in need of a makeover? A friend reached out to me for some advice on paint colours to choose for her stairway and hall makeover. She already decided on the neutral Cloud White by Benjamin Moore for the walls, but wanted something different for the stairway. Keeping the traditional character of the home in mind, she wanted to create a warm and inviting space that pays homage to its history. Step One…Making repairs to the traditional stairway… The impetus of this makeover was an unfortunate hole in the wall when my friend’s son fell down the stairs. (He’s fine.) The plaster wall had to…
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How to Reverse Downsize
If you are facing the daunting challenge of downsizing you might want to try reverse downsizing. What is reverse downsizing, you ask? It is the process of downsizing where you focus on what you love and use to keep. Everything else you know you can let go. There are similarities with decluttering with Swedish Death Cleaning, the Kon Mari method and the container or boundaries method. The earlier you begin this process the better. If you are planning on a move, reverse downsizing may help you focus on what to take. How much time do you have? If you get in the habit of decluttering while you are young, it will be that…
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How to Refinish Leather Chair & Ottoman
My latest DIY project has been refinishing my leather chair and ottoman. It had become worn, faded, stained and had extremely cracked arms. Although I think some natural wear adds to the patina, I wanted to restore them to prevent further damage. After watching some You Tube videos I decided to give it a try myself, and although they didn’t turn out perfectly, I am happy with the transformation. Leather chair & ottoman before. Supplies needed for leather chair & ottoman refinishing… cleaner… The first step is to thoroughly clean the leather to get rid of any grease, dust or dirt. I used the cleaner I’ve had for years, but you can get…
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Small Space Decorating and Organizing Tips
Do you live in a small space? Whether you live in an apartment or a small house, you know that having enough storage space for all your “stuff” can be a challenge. You may not be a minimalist, and your style may be an eclectic mix of different styles. What do you really need to create an inviting, comfortable, organized space that suits you and your lifestyle? Small space furniture… Furniture size… One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen is the use of wrong-size furniture for the space or function. Be careful buying a sofa or dining table from a big showroom because they look a LOT smaller there. Before buying any furniture…
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Spring Cleaning 101 Brief History & Tips
It’s that time of year again when our thoughts turn to refreshing our homes with a good spring clean. Spring time is a time of rebirth and renewal. After a long, cold, dark winter we want to embrace a brighter and more energized home. Deep clean all the areas that don’t normally get cleaned. Today we can deep clean our interior areas at any time of year that works for us. As the weather warms though, we can also tackle more outside tasks, like washing windows and cleaning out the garage. A brief history of spring cleaning… The practice of spring cleaning has been around for thousands of years, originating in different religions…
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Curate a Wardrobe That Works for YOU
What is in your wardrobe? Do you only have clothes that make you feel and look your best? Is everything in your closet suitable to the lifestyle you live now? Sometimes it takes a while to figure out what we really need in our wardrobes. Styles change, jobs and seasons of life change, and so do our bodies. What do you need in your wardrobe? We all have twenty-four hours in a day. If you don’t already know what you do in those twenty-four hours, track what you do for a month. Are you a stay-at-home parent? Do you go out to work and what type of work do you do? How many…
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Maximizing Food Storage in (Pantry) Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers
No pantry, no problem. If you lack a walk-in pantry, you will need to utilize your kitchen cabinets and drawers. Are you are looking for ideas to maximize your food storage in cabinets (& drawers)? Continue reading to get my favorite tips. Pantry “closet ” 2014 when I used to eat a lot more processed food. I’ve never had a walk-in pantry and the closest I came was a small converted closet. I have experimented with many different organizing tools over the years – baskets and bins, special racks, over the door hooks, turntables, trays, risers, etc. Adjustable shelves in my Ikea cabinets has also been a game changer. Assess available space in…
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IKEA Kitchen Update – What Worked & Regrets
It’s been a few years since I completed my Ikea kitchen and decided it was time to give an update. For the most part I still love it, but I do have a few regrets. Are you looking to do a kitchen reno? Even if you aren’t planning on using Ikea cabinets, you might want to consider the benefit of my experience. Ikea Kitchen Update…Cabinets Feature Flexibility… One of my favorite features of Ikea cabinets is their flexibility. I used the Bodbyn style cabinet doors & drawers. Cabinet and under-cabinet lighting is my #1 favourite feature. Shelf placement can be adjusted to different heights. Shelves are available in glass or MDF. Extra “hidden”…
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Why You Should Go Through Everything You Own At Least Once a Year
Do you go through everything you own every year? Once upon a time we all had very little, just a few things our parents gave us. As time went on, we acquired more and more. You may have decluttered some over the years – clothes that didn’t fit you or suit your style anymore. Maybe some household goods or personal items moved on when you moved. That’s great, but if you have stayed in the same place for a long time, you probably have more than you think you do. Yard sale stuff. Benefit #1 for going through everything you own…Money As time goes on, we may forget what we own. Maybe it…
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Make a Meal Planning System
Meal planning can help you save time, money and maybe help you to eat healthier too. With the high cost of food these days, who can afford to let food go to waste? If you are a busy person, having a strategy can help you have nutritious meals and still get out the door in time without blowing your budget. My Filofax Domino, personal size recipe binder. You can see my Favourite Recipe Binder here. Step One of Meal Planning System… Recipes Make a list of your family’s favourite meals for breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Or, you might only want to meal plan for dinners that you cook. It’s entirely up to…
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Counter-Depth Fridge Organization Tips
Counter-depth fridges have their own organization challenges. Obviously they aren’t as deep as other fridges and there is less room in the freezer. Prioritizing what you really need to keep in your fridge is crucial. Also recognize that organizing a fridge will be constantly changing, as the food stored changes. Click here to read Fridge Organization for Optimal Food Safety Organize in zones… Like a standard depth fridge, you need to organize your food in the appropriate zones. You need to place certain foods in the coldest parts of the fridge, ethylene sensitive and ethylene producing fruits and vegetables in others. Place a fridge thermometer in different parts of your fridge to see…
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Ten Frugal Tips My Mother Taught Me
With real inflation going through the roof, you might be looking for some ways to save money. We have been spoiled with rampant consumerism and the ease of access to almost everything. My parents both grew up during the Great Depression and World War 2. They lived through rationing and adopted a frugal mindset that lasted their whole lives. Some of their frugal tips got passed down, although I confess I didn’t always follow them. I thought it might be fun to share some of the frugal tips my mother (and father) taught me. Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without… The above phrase became an idiom of the…
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How to Do a No Spend/Low Spend Challenge
You may want to try a no spend challenge. You may have overspent a little over the holidays, or you may just have a hard time making ends meet. When you are trying to organize your finances, this can be a great way to reset or help you reach a goal. It may also help you to get to know yourself better to understand why you spend the way you do. When you understand your triggers you can take steps to change your bad habits and realign with your values. What is a No Spend Challenge? A no spend challenge is just that. It can be easy, moderate or extreme. Of course you…
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Planner Tips for Beginners
Planning is a crucial part of being organized. Are you a beginner to the planner world? (Yes – that is a thing.) Do you use a planner, or just keep it all “in your head”? Or do you write things down on scraps of paper, which you frequently lose? Maybe you use one for your work schedule and appointments only, but they can be used for so much more. Are you tracking your water intake or exercise? What do you need a planner for? Everyone’s situation is different. Writing down appointments and special occasions are an obvious need for everyone. A planner can also help you keep track of your goals, to do…
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Christmas Gift Ideas You Can Make
There is something extra special about receiving a gift that is home-made. You know the person giving it put time, thought and effort into it. It may, or may not, be less expensive than a purchased gift… And some things you can’t buy in a store. Give the Gift of Your Time… Do you have any special skills or specific interests? Think of how you can share these in a way that would be beneficial to the person you would like to give them to. Last year I made gift certificates on Canva for a few of my family members for interior car detailing. I have a great deep extraction cleaner for upholstery…
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Common Holiday Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
I’m sure everyone has been stressed out because of holiday mistakes. Knowing what those mistakes are is the first step in avoiding them. Holiday Mistake #1…Forgetting what’s most important… The reason for the season is not supposed to be promoting commercialism to the extreme. (Although I’m sure big businesses and banks would disagree.) It is being with the people we love, sharing good food, good times and being grateful for life’s blessings, whatever your religious beliefs may be. Vintage Santa’s sleigh that I re-use every year. Holiday Mistake #2…Over Spending… An obvious mistake, I’m sure you guessed, is over spending. From the gifts to the food, the parties or events to travel expenses,…
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Favorite Recipes – Creamy Tuscan Chicken
A new favorite recipe of mine is this creamy Tuscan chicken which can have variations to suite your tastes.. Tuscan chicken recipe ingredients… 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced. 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or butter salt & pepper ( *For a variation use pork chops instead of chicken.) For Creamy Parmesan Garlic Sauce: 1-2 cups chopped fresh spinach or 4-8 cubes frozen 8oz. sliced mushrooms *Optional. 3-4 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup chicken broth 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup cream 1/4 cup butter 1 tablespoon flour 1/2 teaspoons salt & pepper 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes *optional 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes *optional Cooking the chicken… Cook chicken…
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Front Door Painting DIY (& What Not to Do)
Painting a door is easy – right? Well, that depends on the door. My front door had a large window in it and I think it was a custom made. The plastic frame had got yellow over time and I wanted to spray paint it. The wood parts of the door also had a lot of scratches and gouges. I had painted it turquoise several years ago, but was ready for a change. Before – turquoise paint and yellowed frame. Step One Front Door Painting…Prep Tools & Supplies… Cordless drill Electric paint remover or heat gun. Extension cord. Scraper Sander & sandpaper Polyfilla spackling Painters’ tape Small foam roller & paint tray. Paint…
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10 Organizing Tips for the Home Office
Organizing all those different supplies, books, files, electronics, etc. in your home office can be daunting if you have a lot. Do you have an entire room for your home office or just a small space? Your home office may be a multi-functional space and have some unique organizing challenges. The following tips may help. Home Office Tips #1, #2 & #3…Declutter First… As always, go through everything and declutter what you no longer need, love or want. If you keep all these things you will just be organizing clutter. Start in one area – one drawer, one bookshelf, one file cabinet, one desk area and work your way around. Consider how you…
