Beginner Landscaping Tips

Landscaping is a great way to add beauty to your home, add curb-appeal – basically making it pretty. I like pretty but a great landscaper can be expensive, however there are many things you can do yourself and you may even find yourself a new hobby! Because of the availability of landscaping resources in various magazines and online tutorials, more and more people are getting interested in trying to do a simple new project.

Since the emergence of "DIY" or "do-it-yourself" landscaping, many people are trying to beautify their homes. Below are a few things to think about as you decide if DIY landscaping is for you.  

First-timers: some things to think about:

~In landscaping, harmony and balance are very important.

~Limit their choices to avoid being overwhelmed, and confused with so many options.

~Limit the extent of landscaping options to be able to come up with a successful one.

Read: Don’t try to do too much at one time. Start small, get a success and then do it again. No need to rush. Enjoy the journey, the process; you’ll feel better and get better results that way too.

For beginners, some more things to consider:

~ the budget allotted
~ your skills
~ the average climate or weather condition in your location,
~ personal preferences in designs and tastes,
~ the availability of miscellaneous resources.

Also remember: for longer lasting landscaping success, think about ensuring that your landscape project has a year-round theme to ensure it will never be outdated when seasons change.

Solution:

Create a combination of plant-selection that contains flowering trees or shrubs with fall foliages.

Layering done right!

Specific tips to get you on your way:

~ Layering the garden’s flower beds when planting to achieve a uniform or standard look in the garden is a must.

~ Planting beds in rows that include those filled with tall plants, those planted with the next tallest plants, and those containing the shortest plants can do layering.



Mixing the use of "annuals" to supplement "perennial" colors of flowers. In landscaping, it is best to use perennial flowers for flowerbeds because these have longer span of life. However, perennials only bloom in a specific period of time, so it is best to supplement the bed with annual plants to fill up the empty space when perennial are not in bloom.

Evergreens

Lastly, learn to use "evergreens" for continuity will ensure the success of your very own landscaping. Although landscaping is more on trees and shrubs, this doesn’t mean that one cannot include other plants such as evergreens. This type of plant is perfect for it opens up more space, provide uniform structure, and a view of variety.

Need a Pick Me Up!? Try this!

Routines can be efficient but they bring no excitement and many times, I think its boredom that plays a key role in many unhappy marriages, parenting relationship, and work commitments. Boredom is a killer so to combat boredom, try to add a little zest. Get outside of your comfort zone. Try something small and then go BIG!

Add a little spontaneity, veer off course and see where it takes you. Stop playing safe and start playing! When doe right; it makes your life so much more enjoyable! Here are a few ways to bring it into your life.

FILL YOUR HOME WITH GOOD MEMORIES, but don’t stop there add to those memories with a little silliness!

Don't take yourself too seriously! Have Fun!

Remember your pre-school picture where you are smothered in dirt and you still managed to flash a somewhat toothy grin? Remember your prom picture where you wore a hideous dress, bad make-up and a hairstyle you still can’t quite describe- it looked bad, but you had a great time and whenever you see that picture, it puts you in a good mood!  Take those pictures out of hiding and paste them all over your home! Everyone posts perfect professional pictures, sterilized smiles and with back story but try something different- put your memories out front because that is where real life is lived- the life that has meaning and makes you happy! Seeing these memories triggers a part of the brain that recalls that memory and connects it with good moods. It’ll also be a conversation piece- sharing stories and laughs with everyone who enters your home and it’ll make them smile too and recall their great stories too! With a lot of good memories haunting your home, what’s not to smile about?

HAVE AN ARTSY HOME

Fun and Youthful will help your mood!

I think too many times in our home, we try too hard to conform and be regular. I am a big believer in, if you find yourself in a rut- try something new, different, out there- do something to feel alive! Life is too short to stay confined if you’re unhappy and unfulfilled. It doesn’t have to be big. Start small with watching a movie you would never choose to see (you may be surprised and like it). Try a new food or maybe start with your home. A new comforter that screams anti-you! Blue plates or dessert first... Try something different and when you are ready: be bold, big and crazy! Try décor that doesn’t take itself too serious if you really want to add some fun back into your space, If you can’t remember the last time that you’ve been fun then you’ve really aged, badly! LOL

I think starting in the home is a great idea. Sometimes we get caught in habit and the home is a great place to shed those ideas and add in some life. Recollect the atmosphere of fun. I think with some thought ideas and touches, you can easily add some fun back into your home. Color, patterns, décor, art- can all make drastic changes with just a few easy tweaks. Be careful: seek some help (magazines, blogs, internet, decorating shows… but most importantly have fun! Nothing is unchangeable or life-threatening, so if you go a little crazy or it looks a bit looney, don’t fret. It really is about the journey of you. Did you have fun because if not, stop, reassess why and try again!

FEEL-GOOD FOOD… YUM

For me, feel good foods are foods that make you feel good- its that easy. It will be different for each person. It can be sweets, soups, steak, mashed potatoes, ice cream, sushi- the list can go on forever. Some people think your feel good food should not be eaten everyday and devalues the feel-good-ness of the food. Maybe?  But it is undeniable that certain foods have the miraculous capacity to make you feel better after eating it.

Cupcakes are connected to good memories for me!

These foods are more than just taste good, they are usually connected with feel-good memories- and feel good memories are great as they help lower stress, makes you smile and have an overall feeling of contentment.  The thing about feel good foods is that, no apology is necessary! That’s one of the best features of youth and should be the best thing about feel good foods. If it’s a nice day outside, or you had a crummy day at work, grab the kids, go out to the local ice cream shop, maybe one of them by the side of the road where you can sit out and eat ice cream, or maybe go to your freezer and head out to the backyard with all the trimmings for great sundaes and do nothing but laugh, get sticky and remember those lazy summers as a kid, even better, make those same memories for your kids over your favorite feel-good food. How’s that sound?

Alcohol can also be an option. I am a huge proponent of happy hour. Drinks and food discounted, sitting around the table with my girlfriends, laughing, talking, trading stories and did I say laughing? I love those moments together, eating half-price sushi and drinking half-price martinis while we laugh (yes, I love to laugh!), joke, kid, play together. Happy hour can be at your home too. That’s a great feel-good moment for me!

The point is… Stay young, stay fun and stay passionate about life. Three ways to bring happiness into your home; try one today and tell me how it worked for you!

Moms: You Need To Relax!

The old saying… “No rest of the weary”, may seem like your life right now. As spring approaches, we get busier with kids practices, more job responsibility, spring cleaning chores, and commitments with friends- where it seems there is no time left for us. Does that sound like your life?

Moms take care of family and home, but who takes care of her?  If you are a busy mom, you must learn to value yourself as a person and schedule personal time.

Each of us has the capacity to nurture others but that type of care takes its toll. 

Think about it like this:

• A car is filled with gas to make it run.  Eventually the gas runs out and your car won’t move unless the car is replenished with fuel.  The same goes for you.  Emotional issues can develop when you don’t take the time to take care of your emotional well-being, not to mention the physical results of emotional neglect.

 Don’t be ashamed to sit for fifteen minutes doing nothing, but that’s only a small start. In the springtime, relaxing outside under a tree is a perfect getaway from the pressures of the day.  Reading a book for 30 minutes or listening to music uninterrupted, maybe even participating in your favorite hobby or activity (or maybe this is the time to pick one up) can give you a stress release.

For me, I enjoy gardening and sewing. I started them about 3 years ago and as an urban girl with no background in either- I found them quite relaxing and I loved seeing the end result. I took pride in my corn stalks and when I made a shirt (that looked like a shirt I could wear out in public); I reveled in the fact that I made them with my own two hands. Both activities seem totally out of my personality, but I love them and they help nurture my spirit, my emotional well-being and my creativity as an individual set aside from mom, wife, employee, friend, sister, daughter; it’s just me!

Here are a few tips to help you fit in much needed “mom” time.

The thing is, not all of them will work for you. I know a few won’t work for me, but the idea is to get you think about how you can insert some of “you” into “your life”. Check them out here:

1. Get up early if you have to.  When you have kids, the day begins at a hurried pace.  Once you hit the ground running, there is no stopping you.  Waking 30 minutes to an hour ahead of time means quiet solitude to drink your coffee, read a book, meditate or listen to music.  (As a non-morning person, I tried this and it doesn’t work for me. Try it and see if it works for you, if it does, congrats!)

2. Turn ordinary experiences into major events.  When you take a bath, add candles, bubble bath, quiet music and/or an inflatable bath pillow.  Your regular bath has now become a spa level experience.  If you watch a movie, turn out the lights, pop a bag of microwave popcorn and curl up on the couch. (One thing that I do, is I love going to the movies and I love going to the movies alone so I go to the second-run theatre which shows movies for discount prices, and I sneak off you 2 hours and take in a movie. The best part is I get to see the movies I like without grumbling, convincing or stress).

3. Ask your significant other for help.  Kids love their mothers but time spent with dad is important too.  Let them bond with dad while you go shopping for a new outfit or root around in the garden.  Since the time is yours, do whatever you like.  (The point here is when you do get time alone, I know that cleaning is important, laundry is never done- but in the grand scheme of things use this time for you and don’t feel guilty for getting a pedicure or a zumba class or making pottery with the girls.)

4. Use the Boy Scout motto.  Always be prepared and you can spend more time in a relaxed mode.  Fix lunches the night before.  Iron clothes for the next day and place backpacks by the front door so kids can grab them on their way out.  The fewer things you have to do throughout the day, the calmer you will be with your family and not experience burnout. (Prep is always good. Prioritize and anything you can do not rushed and stress-free is going to help you stay calm and less frantic! For me, I take a week’s worth of lunches and breakfasts into work at the beginning of the week and so no matter what, I have something to eat and I am not forced to go out to fast food, I am not stressed if I leave my lunch at home that day and I have more control over my time. I bring milk for cereal that I have stashed in my desk and oatmeal packets and OJ as well.) 

5. Take exercise breaks.  When you get a few minutes the last thing you want to do is exercise but getting a little physical activity in your day has far-reaching implications.  Exercise helps you to think clearly and stretches the muscles.  Also, stress will drain away as powerful endorphins are released into your system.  Do jumping jacks during a television commercial or jog to the bus stop to pick up the kids. (One of my friends suggested this as well and maybe it’s just not for me. I like exercise that is structured so this isn’t something good for me, plus I like my TV watching time to be lazy, but try it and see if it gets your exercise mojo working! If not, do get out and work that cardio, core and strength training. It is well worth the effort and time. Try joining a gym with childcare, that does help or maybe the YMCA, so when the kids are at practice or swim lessons, you can exercise and everyone stays happy!)

6. Laugh at regular intervals.  Keep a funny calendar cube on your desk or subscribe to a daily joke site.  Laughing releases stress and can lift your spirits significantly.  It also keeps the abs tight. (I read a study once about how much children laugh compared to how much we adults laugh as we age and boy, that was a sad statistic! 300 to 15… Definitely laugh MORE, laugh LOUD and laugh OFTEN. Get back to being silly. Play with your kids! Play with your significant other. Play MORE. Play like you life depended on it!) 

Moms, you must take care of "YOU"!  Your family would miss you if you were not around to love and care for them, so that alone should make you realize just how important you are!  You owe it to yourself and you deserve a break from the daily hustle and bustle. Moms, learn to relax and that is an order!

Happy Spring!

Home Organization 101: Easy Steps to a Clutter Free Home

Home Organization 101

I know when I first moved into my new apartment, it seemed like I had so much space.  But as I began to unpack, which I dreaded, of course – I realized even more so what I pack rat I was.  What am I going to do with all this stuff? Where will it go? It was time for me to take a long hard look at “my stuff” and weed out the unnecessary and get organized!

A few things to remember, so you don’t get overwhelmed:

1. Home organization is a step-by-step process. 

2. It will take more than a day or even a week to get everything to a manageable level.

3. But once you do, staying organized is an easier task. 

May not be best helper, but sure is cute!

4. Don’t go at it alone… if you have a family, enlist their help. 

5. Another reason it’s important to enlist their help is… as they pitch in- they will learn a thing or two about controlling clutter in their life. 

 Organizing is a win-win for everyone. Although it may not feel that way at first! J Where to start:

1. Start with the high traffic areas.  The living room and kitchen are usually the two most used rooms in the house.  Everything gets dropped on a counter or the couch in these two places.  Concentrate on getting everything set up the way that you like it before moving on to another room.

2. Use storage containers.  Over the years, the style of storage containers has upgraded to be pretty as well as functional.  Instead of storing containers in stacks in the garage, purchase ones that match your décor in each room and integrate them so that no one would even notice they were being used for storage.

Staying organzied while organizing!

3. Divide items into categories.  You can use heavy duty trash bags for this part.  Everything that you find can go into a pile: KEEP, TRASH, DONATE, and RELOCATE.  Items that will stay in that room are to keep.  Things that you don’t need or are broken can be thrown away.  Clothes or furniture still in great condition can be donated and scheduled for pickup by the Veteran’s association or Goodwill.  Anything that definitely belongs in another room can be labeled for relocation when you get to that room.

4. Remove everything from drawers and cabinets.  This is a time-consuming process but it is easier to start with an empty space and fill it instead of simply pushing things around.  If you line things up on the counter, someone else can help by putting the items in some type of order.

Use space efficiently. Shelf to ceiling, if possible!

5. Make use of all of your available space.  In the kitchen, for example, appliances or extra containers can be stored on top of the cabinets provided they don’t extend all the way to the ceiling.  That’s extra storage space without benefit of a storage container.  Also use the top of the refrigerator for cereal boxes and breakfast food like boxes of instant oatmeal or grits.  In the bedroom, shoes and winter clothes can go into flat storage bins that slide easily under the bed or the dresser.

6. Label your containers.  Use tape and a permanent marker to identify the contents of your storage containers.  Avoid writing on the actual container in case they are reused and the contents are changed.  Labeling also makes for easy identification if you decide to sell or give away a container of books or something.  You won’t have to open each container to locate them.

Organizing your entire house takes time.  Start maybe, room by room, remember there is no rush there is no race. But, once it is done, returning everything you use to its proper place will maintain that same level of organization- so keep it up. But clutter and disorganization cause undue stress, affects depression and discontent in the home. All of which can be positively affected by home organization.

Happy Organizing!

Beautify Gardens with Stepping Stones

Garden Ideas - Stepping Stones

Using stepping stones as part of your landscaping is a great way to personalize your space but it can also doubles as a keepsake! Stepping stones are so versatile, I want to convince you to use them at your home today.

Stepping stones (either handmade, store bought or made via a kit) are a great way to personalize your garden, walkway, or landscape! They add color, personality, or theme to any outdoor area. They can also be a great keepsake gift, memorial or tribute to a lost loved one, adored pet or favorite thing (butterflies or your husband’s favorite NFL team)!

Another great reason to love stepping stones are that they can make great gifts, especially handmade ones which are super easy to do and super easy to personalize. They are so easy even the kids can do one for a favorite grandparent or aunt and uncle.

Want to buy some great ones, check out:
Click to search Stepping Stones here

But as a bonus, I’m actually thinking about showing you how super easy it is to do a handmade version for yourself.  Check out a step-by-step guide to maiking them, go to http://www.wowkeepsakes.blogspot.com/2012/03/stepping-stones-makes-great-easy-diy.html  Easy DIY project for you and your family to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It’s really cheap and easy to do that you can even make several matching ones if you were so inclined for a walkway in your garden. I am thinking about putting it on youtube. What do you think? Vote here!  Leave your comments below...

Displays of Affection

Custom Photos Display and Wall Art

Want something different hanging on your wall? Want something everyone is going to talk about and ask you where did you get that from? Need something unique, different and exciting? I’ve got just the thing. Spring is here so why not spruce up your decorating with a personalized, totally customizable display of art work in your home or office now. Easy to do and the photo will easily become the focal point of any space.

While surfing the web, I can across a really cool website that allowed you to take your personal photos and customize them in all kinds of really cool ways and it was free. Not only free, but you could save the pics for your own personal use or print them using their sister service www.zazzle.com (at quite reasonable prices in a variety of products). It couldn’t get any easier!

So, what is this magic site, you ask… it is www.Befunky.com and funky it is (but in a good way). The site is easy to use and navigate. You could have a new photo in a matter of mere minutes, seconds if you’re a quick decision maker. Trust me, once you start using this site, you will be a pro and totally addicted.

Here are a few examples!

Make your lil terror into a work of art!

Fav pooch can be an Andy Warhol tribute!

Romantice any photo, expecially scrapbookers!

The photos can them be converted into products for yourself or as gifts for others. They have a great selection like posters, t-shirts, cups, magnets, etc...

So if you are looking for a new cool way to display your favorite photos, blow them up and use one of the many stylized editing features available at http://www.befunky.com/. Once you try it out, check back here and share your experience with us, I’d love to hear from you and see some of your creations.

If you're not that creative, get great wall art and posters at All Posters. They have a great selection and something for everybody from modern art to movie posters for those into pop culture, romance and even inspirational. Check them out here!

How To Have Color Confidence!

Picking a paint color can be an anxiety inducing event for many people. White, off-white, eggshell, beige is even a difficult choice but what if you want something more daring or interesting, so how do you pick the right color or palette? I’ve come up with a few ways to make this decision a little bit easier for you. These ideas should be able to calm your color choosing woes and help even the pickiest of colorist embrace change.



No such thing as cheating!



1. There is no such thing as cheating!

Check out magazines and photographs and websites and once you find something you like… use it. Trust me, those experts, writers and bloggers didn’t put that stuff out there for their health. They don’t care if you pick their palette or steal their color combos- it’s the exact opposite. They want you to and hopefully share with them and their readers how you choose their look, why you choose their look and how much you loved their ideas!



Add color with accessories!



2. It’s okay to keep your walls white, insert color via accessories and furnishings



Now, I know you are wondering how this can be an article on color confidence and I’m saying it’s perfectly okay to stay white. Because it is. Everyone is not the same and you may not be ready to embrace wall color change (for whatever reason), it’s okay- take baby steps and use color in other creative ways.

3. Look to nature and natural color combos

Nature should be our muse. Let your favorite season guide your color choice. If it matches and looks good in nature, then it should look good in your living room. Just try not to be so literal and that nature palette should work. Remember: nature does not automatically mean brown (tree bark) or green (like grass), think big. Citrus fruits, gardens, landscapes….

Daring color combos can be found in nature!

4. Pick a signature multi-colored show piece (like upholstery, a painting or vases) and let that be your jump off point.

You can pick color combos from that muse item and you choose a wall color to accent that signature piece. It doesn’t get much easier than that and because the color accents your beloved signature piece, you are more bound to love it that much more.



Pick a signature piece to decorate around!



5. Lastly, if you choose a color, painted your walls and you just don’t like it… don’t fret, it’s just paint.

Paint can be re-painted! It takes time and a little bit of cash and maybe some sweat equity- but low and behold, it is not a disaster or unable to be undone- use this time to look at the color you chose, decide why you don’t like it and that may direct you to the color you will love (on the 2^nd go round).

Re-painting ins't too bad...

All-in-all, my advice for color confidence is to have fun, choose surroundings you love and remember, its only walls. Not permanent so get out there and be bold!