Happy Easter

Helpful Tip Friday

Do-It-Yourself Paint Sample Egg Garland

Image from ThrivingHomeBlog.com

Easter is so much fun to decorate for, its like bringing Spring inside!  Here is one of our favorite Pinterest crafts found on ThrivingHomeBlog.com to help you put some Spring in your celebration!

     This craft requires cardboard or thick cardstock, paint samples, scissors, hole punch, and ribbon.  Large paint samples will give your eggs more options on color patterns.  (Another cute take on this craft is to use Easter or Spring themed scrapbook paper, craft paper, or card stock.)

     Using he cardboard, or thick card stock, creat an egg shaped tempate.  Then, use the template to outline an egg shape as desired on your paint samples.  Then, use patience to cut out as many eggs as you want/need for desired length of garland.

     Punch two holes at the top of each egg to weave your ribbon through.  "Line the eggs up in the pattern you would like, (ombre, rainbow, random, etc.) and weave your ribbon through.

Image from ThrivingHomeBlog.com

The best part of this project is that it is a great craft for kids as well and to do as a family!

Elegant and Rustic Dining

Tripton Dining Group

     These usually conflicting styles are perfectly resolved in the Tripton, by Ashley Furniture.  The vintage casual table and server, with their plank style and detailed metal legs, are foiled against the elegant, roll backed, upholstered chairs.

Wacky Wednesday

Evolution Bench by artist Nacho Carbonell

 

 WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?

Evolution Lover's Chair by artist Nacho Carbonell

 

DO YOU NEED ASSISTANCE?

Evolution One Man's Chair by artist Nacho Carbonell

Just...just why?  WHY?

Contemporary 5 Piece Dining Set

Hyland Dining Set

     The Hyland offers a great contemporary look as a 5 piece dining set.  Table and four chairs make up this beautiful arrangement.  The group is available in dining height or counter height.

Small Spaces, Modern Look

Kimonte Dining Group

     This little lovely adds modern style to any space.  Its compact size is perfect for small spaces and casual eating.  The simple line design is complemented by a very dark brown finish.  Adding to its appeal are upholstered stools with stitching detail.  The group looks great with two or four stools in Ivory, Dark Brown, or mix and match both.

Helpful Tip Friday

Defeating Clutter

Image from blog.ManhattanMiniStorage.com

Clutter becomes that unwanted house guest you can't get rid of.

FlyLady, flylady.net

        This really can be the biggest problem to cleaning.  According to FlyLady, clutter is CHAOS, it can't be organized!  This Spring, lets commit to stopping clutter with these simple tips:

1. Identify Problem Areas

     Do you ever say, "I'm going to clean the Living Room today!"  Then, BAM, there's that one spot that when you walk in the room, it just pulls you down, kills your mood?

     "Hot Spots" (flylady.net) are dumping grounds where you things tend to build up, such as a table by the front door, a certain counter in the kitchen, etc.  Learning where these spots occur and how to fight them can help keep your home from being overrun.

2. Develop a "Do it Now" Mentality

A lot of the time, clutter doesn't accumulate from a one time mess, it is a pattern of, "I'll clean it up later".

     Retrain yourself to do it now! David Allen, "Getting Things Done", suggests taking the time to make a decision in the moment and not setting stuff aside for later.  Also, cleaning up after ourselves the first time means we don't have to force ourselves to come back later to take care of a mess.

3. Pencil It In

Give yourself some deadlines or schedules.  It gives you a goal to work towards and helps keep you on track.

     This works for the big stuff and big goals or projects, but also for the day to day stuff.  Schedule a morning routine for getting out the door in the morning, difficult with or without kids, and a routine for at night.  This, aside from making sure you've carved out enough time for a relaxing shower and getting the dishes done, gives a great head start for the next day.  Its easier to get going in the morning when you  already have your clothes ready and lunch packed.

4. Habits, Habits, Habits

Rome wasn't de-cluttered in a day you know.

     Habits to keep our lives free of clutter will take time, won't always b executed perfectly, and will change as our lives change.  Keep working on training yourself to "do it now" and set routines.