When it comes to taking on home improvement projects, words like daunting and impossible come to mind. There are little changes you can make, though, that will improve the appearance of your home without too much effort. Here are five easy ways to give your house a facelift:

1. Declutter — Go into every room and closet of your house and remove five items. No cheating — removing trash does not count (although, go ahead and remove garbage while you’re at it). Take out five items that are taking up space that you don’t really need. If you can’t remember the last time you used something, get rid of it. Having a clean and clutter-free space will instantly improve the appearance of your home — it will also help you feel calm and relaxed in your space. Donate these items to charity or Goodwill.

2. Shelving & Storage — Shelving and storage are great ways to add some organized flair to your house. If you have a lot of knick knacks sitting around your home, display these on shelves to keep your living space clean and decluttered. Shelving can also can make a room appear larger by drawing the eyes upwards. Plus, it serves as wall art!

3. Window Treatment — Window treatment can do absolute wonders for making a room look complete. Your window treatments don’t have to be expensive. Simple, inexpensive, or even DIY drapes liven and brighten any space. Choose bright and cheery colors to liven up a window. Check out this tutorial on how to make a DIY cornice — this window treatment is perfect for above a kitchen sink.

4. Paint — I know what you’re thinking: “You said this would be easy!” Painting does take more effort than these other tips, but it can be cheap and easy if you’re strategic with your paint. Instead of painting your whole house, choose a couple rooms to add accent walls to. An accent wall is simply a wall in a room that has a different paint color than the rest. Start with a small wall that you’re confident you can handle. Find a paint hue you love that’s in your budget. When you’re done painting, arrange a collage of photos for a trendy touch.

5. Go Outside — Sometimes, we spend so much time worrying about the interior of our house that we forget about giving the exterior a facelift every once in a while. And while the inside is for you to enjoy, remember that the outside of your house is what other see on a daily basis. There are some simple ways to give the outside of your house a lift. Picking up debris and sticks in your yard is easy, and your kids can help with this, too. Sweep your entryway, get a new “Welcome” mat, and make yourself a DIY springtime door wreath. Add some bright springtime flowers, like petunias, around your house. Or, if you live in an apartment or don’t have a yard, add some potted springtime plants to the exterior of your home.

Do you have any easy tips to improve the home?

Image Sources:   Made By Girl,  Inara Studios, Better After   

What post holiday cleaning tips and suggestions do you have?

Bad habits can be difficult to change. But, there are some habits we never want to get rid of because they work for our lifestyles or personalities.

Like putting like things together.

Like color coordinating the clothing in your closet.

Like using labels on shelves.

Like putting things back immediately after using them.

Do these work for you? They really work for me.

Well, when you put two people with two different sets of habits together, and both think their way of doing things is fabulous, who’s right? Especially, when one of them (me) thinks the other one (not me) is wrong? Does it really matter who’s right (yes)?

Aaaand, is there ever a time to keep a bad habit just because it’s too hard to break? Instead of breaking it (even though it’s wrong), maybe a work-around is better? So, if someone (not me) has a habit of not using hooks for clothing and prefers the floor instead, should the other someone (me) force that person into submission?

Or, should that person (me) find a work-around like this?

This chair by Lunar, that strikingly resembles a hanger, was designed to “honor, celebrate and playfully interact with those [bad] habits through their design.” Would some of us (me) find this, er, solution acceptable? Do we really want to “honor” a bad habit? Hmmm… Did I mention that these are the same folks who came up with the hamper chair?

This is just one of many bad habits that are out there, right? What about the others already invading your life? Should you look for an alternate solution or keep the fighting the good fight?

But perhaps the most important questions is this: Who’s right? The person celebrating life’s less organized activities or the person (me) who likes order…and using hooks?

Welcome to our regular “Transformers” feature (click link and scroll down to see them all).  A transformer is a thing that started out as one thing, has been rehabbed, and now functions as another thing.  A transformer can also be a thing that is really another thing all at the same time. Check out our latest find…

I soooo wish this new find was already on the market, but sadly, it’s not. It’s called Hampered Seating by Lunar. Basically, you throw your dirty laundry in it, and when it’s full, you sit in it.

It’s an interesting concept and I wonder if it would really work well as seating. It could be a nice conversation starter, though…but then that would mean inviting people into your bedroom or leaving the chair in your living room.

Check it out and let me know if you would use this transformer.

Source:

Lunar.com

Check Out These Other Transformers

Check out these tips on how to reduce clutter in your home by returning guest author, Sarah Beckman.

Do you dread going home at the end of the day because of a messy house? A seemingly unconquerable mess can make life’s stresses seem worse.

The key to keeping your house clean and organized is getting rid of clutter. Less stuff means more room for the possessions you actually need. If you haven’t already, read my previous post How to Declutter your Small Bedroom. You can apply these decluttering tips to any room in the house.

Once you sort through your belongings and throw away the trash, you’re left with items that someone can make use of. Don’t let these belongings sit in your garage or basement. They could become damaged from heat/cold/moisture – and it’s likely you’ll never eliminate them from your space.Instead, follow these tips to get rid of your clutter:

Garage Sale

To make some money, have a garage sale. Remember, the key to a successful sale is pricing your items to sell. If you have antiques or items you suspect are valuable, get them appraised. But for most household items and clothes, $5 and under will clear them away from your house – which is the ultimate goal. Use one of the methods below to get rid of items left from the sale.

Consign

Consignment is another way to make money off used items. Consignment shops are usually picky about what items they accept and sell, so reserve gently used clothes and goods for consignment. Be sure to ask the shop what percentage of sales they keep and you get.

Goodwill and the Salvation Army

With stores nationwide, chances are there is a local Goodwill or Salvation Army where you can donate your used items. They accept most items, from clothes, to toys, appliances, and furniture. The Salvation Army even offers a scheduled pick up of your goods. With both, be sure to get a slip to write your donation off your taxes.

Specialized Charities

If you have special items like business attire or formal gowns, research if there are organizations in your area that pair specialized goods with people in need. For example, Dress for Success is an organization that donates business suits to women who can’t afford them. And many communities have a charity that donates used prom dresses to girls who couldn’t afford to go to prom otherwise.

Schools, Churches, Homes

Most schools, churches, or homes for children and homeless adults accept clothes and outerwear. Donating to these types of organizations is rewarding because you know the items will be used and recycled within your community.  Plus, these organizations give items to the needy at no cost, unlike organizations like Goodwill and Salvation Army that charge a low-cost for goods.

About the Author

Sarah Beckman is a writer and editor at Affordable Scarves where she develops content on celebrity style. As a lover of fashion, she must keep her closet organized at all times!

Connect with Sarah: Web |  Twitter | Tumblr

Ok, ladies and makeup loving people everywhere, this post is for you! Check out these tips from Sarah Beckman, on how to keep your favorite beauty products in order.

Makeup has a way of amassing — and then spreading into various drawers, bags, and anywhere else you happen to drop a lipstick. But for the sake of organization, cleanliness, and getting the most out of the investment, it’s important to keep your makeup collection clean and organized.

Follow these four steps to achieve makeup organization:

1. Eliminate the Excess. If you have boxes or drawers of makeup you hardly touch, throw away what you don’t use. Also keep in mind expiration dates:

• Keep liquid and cream foundations 6 months tops.

• Concealers last 8 months.

• Powder products (loose and pressed) are good for a year.

• Never keep mascara for more than 3 months.

• Lip products, eye pencils, and creamy products are good for a year.

If you come across a product that you can’t put a date on, throw it away. Also throw away makeup that is discolored or has an odor. Nasty infections can result from using old makeup.

2. Clean it up. Once you trim down your collection, it’s time to clean. With a clean rag or paper towels, wipe off the outside and inside of every container that has makeup on it. Also, take time to clean your brushes. In an ideal world, you should clean your makeup brushes every day, even if that means using a quick brush-cleaning spray.

Brushes need thorough cleanings with soap and water as well. Here’s how:

• Eyeliner brushes should be washed daily, while eye shadow brushes can go 3 days at the most.

• Blush, foundation, powder, and other brushes used for the face should be cleaned with soap and water weekly.

To clean, run the brush under warm water until all the hairs are wet — be sure to hold the brush downwards so water doesn’t get under the metal part that connects the hairs to the handle (it’ll come apart). Lather up the hairs with a small amount of shampoo. Squeeze the hairs under warm water until the water runs clear and soap-free. Reshape the brushes and place them on the edge of a counter so the hairs are over the edge. This will ensure they dry evenly.

3. Organize. Now that your makeup and brushes are clean, it’s time to organize it all. Store your makeup near the mirror you use to apply your face. If you stand in the bathroom, designate a bathroom drawer and use a cosmetic drawer organizer to keep everything in place. If drawer space is limited, consider an over-the-door beauty organizer that has small pockets.

If you’re looking for a new way to keep makeup organized, consider purchasing a vanity. You’ll have a perfect place to sit and apply makeup. If you’re looking for a decorative way to store your brushes, fill the bottom of a wide-topped vase with glass gems (from a craft store). Your makeup brushes will stand upright with this storage method!

4. Moving forward. Once your makeup station in order, keep it clean and organized! Be sure to keep track of when you purchase makeup by labeling it. When you’re buying makeup, only purchase what you know you’ll use — and don’t get 20 different eye shadows that are nearly the same shade!

About the Author

Sarah Beckman is a writer and editor at Affordable Scarves where she develops content on celebrity style. As a lover of fashion, she must keep her closet organized at all times!

Connect with Sarah: Web |  Twitter | Tumblr

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Organize Your Makeup

I’ve been loving the NatGeo channel lately and watched The Animal Extractors (Episode: Polar Bears in Peril) a couple of weeks ago. One of the featured animals: Nine-banded Armadillos. It turns out that they’re loving a particular cemetery in sunny Orlando, Florida. Well, they don’t care about the sunshine since they only come out at night.

This is a one way love affair because the staff at the cemetery hate that the armadillos are digging up the cemetery grounds. The proverbial icing on the cake is that these critters are not native to Florida. They just like it there.

It occurred to me that the clutter in our lives can be just like these grave digging creatures. Both hang around places they don’t belong and are not wanted. You definitely want to avoid being like armadillos. Besides, they’re not very cute…rabbits are cute…these guys, not so much.

Ways to Avoid Being Like Ugly Night Creatures

1. Don’t dig for your stuff.

Have I mentioned that Armadillos are great diggers? Have you seen their claws? Fortunately for us humans, claws are not part of our body landscape, so why go through the trouble of digging? Put things where they belong after each use. Avoid the scavenger hunt – or clutter grave digging – and save yourself some time AND lots of frustration.

2. Don’t create dangerous situations.

Armadillos destroy the grave sites by tunneling through the soil. Can you say collapsing headstones and sinking caskets? You might not have caskets in your home (I hope), but leaving things hanging about can be hazardous to you and your family…and anyone who visits you. Are those stacks and piles of stuff complementing your decor? Or, just letting you practice getting up after you trip over them?

3. Don’t let your stuff get out of control.

Know what else armadillos are good at? Steady breeding. That means lots of them because they have no natural predators in the US. Don’t let your stuff grow and explode out of your space. If you have room for 10 things and you have 50 things, you have to become a natural predator and control the spread of clutter. You may have some hard decisions to make, BUT you’ll be happy in the long run and really start enjoying your space.

Getting rid of your old and expired meds doesn’t have to be complicated, but it’s not safe to simply throw them out in the trash or down the drain since they can end up in our water system. There are things you can do before you throw them away, or you can find a pharmacy that has a disposal program.

Not sure which pharmacy has a take-back program? Visit DisposeMyMeds.org to find one that’s in your neighborhood. This website also offers resources and a tool kit for families about medication safety, as well as Medication Use Safety Training for Seniors.

If you decide to take the DIY route with discarding your old meds, check out these tips from The Office of National Drug Control.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Find a Drug Take-Back Program in Your Area

Isn’t frustrating when the thing you’re looking for is blocked by some other thing so you can’t get to it? This just adds more time to your search and your frustration will grow when the thing that is blocking the thing you really want is also blocked by other things. Fun, yes?

And, then you just walk away and go buy another one of the things that you were looking for originally. So, now you have two (or three or four) of the same thing.

How do we get ourselves in this kind of sour pickle? It’s simple really. Nothing has a permanent home and, if they do, they’re not put back where they belong. See, simple. And hard.

Because you’re busy. And working on a really important project. TWO really important projects. On the weekends when you would normally clean up and organize. And, because you don’t wanna. Because you really want to hang with your friends. Or, sleep. Because your 2-year old kept you up all night.

But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And, this is broken record time. I know you’ve heard me say this a million gazillion trillion times (or is that million trillion gazillion?): Just do a little bit every day. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Good enough is good enough. Besides, who can keep up with perfect?

Oh, and get help. Any breathing body will do…though it would be nice if that body was friendly. And took you to lunch afterwards.

So, what does this have to do with a screwdriver, butter knife, and Craig’s List? Have a look…

Many thanks to my client who let me take a picture of this funny comic on her bulletin board. J

November 22nd was the kick off for the Pretty Neat Contest.  In case you haven’t heard, there’s a $250 prize waiting for the person who’s organizing tip or short cut is chosen as THE BEST. I don’t get to choose…the authors of Pretty Neat, Sarah and Alicia, will do that at the end of December.

Go ahead enter as many tips as you’d like! Just be sure that you leave them in separate comments.  That will help me,too. The blog with the most accumulated tips also wins $250. So, go gather the hundreds of tips that you’ve got locked away in your brain…

…and in the meantime, here’s a tip that I really liked from Pretty Neat along with quick video from a real mom on how her nightly routine helps her to keep it together.  Did I mention that she has five children under five? Yes, five under five. Wow.

Deb’s Pick: Pretty Neat Wisdom ~ Bigger Buts Aren’t Better [Excerpt from Pretty Neat]

In some cases, bigger butts might be a plus, but when it comes to “organizational buts,” not so much. Have you found yourself putting off your tasks until __________? Have these words come out of your mouth:  ”BUT, I can’t _________ right now because I don’t have enough time!” Let me just tell you that your but’s gettin’ bigger. Don’t believe me?

Here’s what Alicia and Sarah had to say…

“Bigger isn’t better when it comes to organizational buts. The cumulative effect of too many excuses, and thus, too much ‘white noise,’ from disorganized thigns in your life is negative. When you postpone tasks, you continue to carry those unfinished to-do’s which saps you of energy, diminishes your confidence, and keeps you treading water instead of moving forward.”

Definitely wise words, don’t you think? Now, go make your buts smaller!

Advice from Mom of Five Under Five [Video]

Alicia and Sarah interviewed hundreds of women nationwide for their book about getting sanely organized. This video shares the organizational shortcut used by one of them: Kerry Lyons. Kerry is a mom of two, who went for baby #3 and ended up with…identical triplets! Yep, you read that correctly: she went from two to five in a short 9 month period.

See how she keeps it together with the help of a few nighttime routines.

Click here to enter your own organizing tips and shortcuts