Decluttering the Bathroom: Continued.

I finally figured it out! While I did like the white pails I was previously using as storage in my small bathroom, they just didn't look quite right with the rest of the bathroom decor. Fortunately, I figured out that I could use my Pottery Barn small wire baskets (previously used in the kitchen)

It's nice to get those frequently used items off of the tiny counter top, and yet still keep them within reach. I hung them just to the side of the mirror, between the mirror and the etagere. In other news, why is it so hard to take a good picture of the bathroom without having something unwanted show up in the mirror? Perhaps I'll master a good shot by the time I'm done with this room! 

Small wire baskets and 3M hooks add easy storage!

5 Cleaning Tools that will make your life easier.

Because I've been in cleaning mode since summer break began, my five things for July are some of my favorite cleaning aids that I have around the house. Of course, since I am in the UK right now, the bore of cleaning is so wonderfully far away! Even so, I do really love these products, and if you've never used them before it's worth a look!

1. Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner Sheets
These flushable sheets are fantastic. While the bathroom gets a solid cleaning once a week, anyone who lives with a man can tell you that a bit of daily maintenance is necessary to keep it looking clean. These sheets are the solution; quickly wipe down surfaces, and flush away!

They're flushable!
Visit: http://www.scrubbingbubbles.com/Products/Pages/bathroom-wipes.aspx

2. Dirt Devil Easy Lite Hand Vacuum
This has got to be the best value ever. This mini vacuum cleaner is just awesome. It picks up cat litter, cleans carpet on stairs, is cordless, and, unbelievably, is only $15.99 at Target.com! This will not replace a full vacuum cleaner of course, but for quick pick ups it is fantastic. It may have been the best purchase I made this year.

The best little vacuum around! Just be sure to follow the instructions for how to charge it, and empty it  after each use. 

3. Magic Eraser
By now most people have heard of or experienced personally the magic of the Mr. Clean magic eraser. Let me give you an example of its power: when my husband (then boyfriend) moved out of the man cave he shared with four other guys, I used the magic eraser to cut through two years of food residue on their microwave, leaving it in a pristine state. At that point, I knew I had found something special. I use it a lot now to remove scratches from my white walls!

Less than $3 for a two pack from Walmart.com.

4. Shout Color Catchers
Seriously, are there still people out there doing laundry without these incredible little sheets? Reds, blues, blacks, pinks- you name it, you can throw it all together along with a color catcher and you don't have to worry about your colors running. As the name suggests, this product "catches" any running dyes, so your clothes are safe! Less than $4 at Walgreens.com.

No more obligatory laundry separating! 

5. Keyboard Duster
When is the last time that you cleaned the keyboard on your laptop? They make all kinds of air dusters these days, but they are bulkier and less attractive than the traditional brush. You can pick up a duster brush by Brushtech for under $10 on Amazon.com.

Throw it in your pencil holder along with the writing utensils and it is hidden away but still close by for quick cleaning. 

Decluttering: The Bathroom

The journey continues, as I strive to achieve my New Year's goal of decluttering. I really want to find some way to get things off of the counter around our small bathroom sink. Here's what I came up with today:

"Brush" holds toothbrushes and toothpaste; "Wash" is for facial and hand soap (also currently holding contact solution). 

It isn't quite there yet; the look of the pails isn't exactly what I was going for yet. The pails and letters actually came from my office, which I had to clean out after graduation. I will continue to work on this, but for now at least my counters are clear! 

Deal Alert!

The Pottery Barn Warehouse Clearance event is on! There are tons of huge markdowns. I'm most excited about the Lori Paisley bath set. The towel set below is only $9 for two towels!

Hosting 101: Creating a welcome tray for guests and more!

Today's topic goes back to hosting. We've had guests the past two weekends, which has been wonderful! One thing that I like to do *special* for my guests is to create a welcome tray. The tray holds a welcome card (I actually have these printed in four different languages that I switch out for fun- what can you expect when you are staying with a French teacher??). Inside the welcome card, I've written out the name of our wireless network and the password. Also on the tray is a half-litre carafe for water ($8 at Michaels) and a glass cup. I also sometimes use San Pellegrino bottles instead of flat water. Finally, add a couple of mints to round it all out!

In the attached guest bathroom, I hang fresh towels and washcloths, and there's a small laundry basket for guests to throw the towels into when they leave (ps- I got this at HomeGoods for $12!). Inside of the medicine cabinet, there is an extra toothbrush and travel size soaps and shower products. Hopefully these little touches help show how happy we are to have them!

Quick weekend projects for renters!

Because little changes can make a big difference, here are some quick inexpensive ways to improve the look of your apartment or rental home! I know you've heard all the basics- add paint, a rug, and artwork- but here are some you may have missed:

Bead-board style covers, $6.97 at the Home Depot. 

1. Change out the switch plate covers.
If your rental is like mine was, it came with basic beige switch plate covers. Against our bright white walls this just looked dirty. For only about a dollar a piece we got white ones at Home Depot which blend it nicely and quietly. You can find even more stylish ones that are still around ten bucks. I like this bead-board inspired cover below. This is something that is so often overlooked but it could not be easier!


2. Add color without painting. 

This table runner is actually a $5 scarf!

At a recent Home Show, I heard HGTV host Sabrina Soto speak out against how "easy" it is to paint a rome. It's actually not that cheap, she argued, and it can be really hard to choose a color before seeing how it looks in a particular room or at a certain time of day. I know a lot of young people, especially grad students, don't stay in their rentals for long, so putting all the time into painting and then repainting before moving out can be a real hassle. So, assuming your walls aren't horrible, add color through curtains and bright table cloths or colorful blankets. Not only is this faster and cheaper, but you can take it with you when you go. Did you know you can find drapes for under $10 a panel at Walmart or Target? I bought my lovely curtains for $8 at Walmart. Easy fix! And my favorite thing is to bring in bright vibrant colors through table runners (see my post on using colorful scarves for this). My dining room walls are bright white, but it feels like my most colorful room because of these inexpensive additions.

Curved tension shower rod, from Bed Bath and Beyond ($39). 

3. Change out the shower rods and/or shower heads. 
Our shower/tub combo is a typical size, but upgrading to a curved shower rod made it feel much more spacious. And because they make curved tension shower rods now, no drilling is necessary. Of course, if you don't want to spend the money on a curved one (ours was about $30), you can find an array of fancier tension rods to make your shower look more regal! I also decided to add a second tension rod with a valence to my guest bathroom. By the same token, it is easy to unscrew an old dingy shower head and replace it with a new one (they start at only ten bucks!). Just be sure to check that the new shower head installs into the wall the same way your old one does (some newer models install into the ceiling).

Our French themed guest bath. I added the valence for a hint of toile!

4. Change out the light bulbs. 
Landlords are likely to be drawn to the cheaper light bulbs that leave the space looking eerily florescent. Upgrade to nicer ones to "brighten" up a room! It is also pretty easy to add dimmers, which can feel really luxurious!

5. Customize your closet. 
Thanks to tension rods, 3M sticky products, and easily installed floating shelves, you actually have some flexibility with your closet. If you only have one shelf in your closet but some overhead space, add more storage space. Put hooks on the backs of the closet doors for coats or bags. If you've got floor space, try out some of the closet organizing systems available at Target. I've got a nine cubby hole storage block that fits under one of the shelves. I needed this type of storage more so than additional hanging space. The bottom line is that you can make some adjustments!

Springtime hosting: Part II

Friday marked the end of my semester. Though there was still final grading to do, with all of my personal assignments behind me I felt a definite sigh of relief. Not to mention, this past weekend offered many reasons to celebrate! My grandparents made their first trek to Maryland to visit us, and Monday marked the anniversary of our first year of marriage! We were blessed with beautiful weather all weekend long, and I tried out some new looks to greet my guests!

First: Remember the wedding I was at earlier this month? As a favor the women were all given woven scarves from Ecuador! I decided to use mine as a table runner, and it looked so cheery adorning the table for our morning breakfast! 

Second: To keep things interesting, I moved around some items that have served other uses in the past. A blue Ball mason jar filled with faux flowers from Michaels and a small wire basket holding washclothes were added to my French themed guest room. I also love the "Salle de Bains" (bathroom) sign I bought for less than ten bucks from PB last year! 

Baskets 20% off!

I love baskets. They keep me organized and look great! I use baskets to hold extra blankets or pillows, for under-the-bed storage, to keep my closet tidy, and to organize my home office. For our wedding we were given several Savannah baskets from Pottery Barn, which I love! Right now, all PB baskets are on sale, so I went in search of more! Also check out Target for great affordable baskets! And don't dismiss the dollar tree; last summer I snagged several baskets for a dollar or less!

Bright, mini green baskets in my pantry! Dollar Tree.

The Savannah Magazine basket from Pottery Barn is great for displaying the  Wake Forest alumni magazine!

This basket from Target holds extra blankets in my guest bedroom. I love the mini chalkboards!

Skipping Stones and Bubble Baths!

When my husband and I lived in Michigan, we made it a point to travel around and see as much of the state's natural beauty as possible. During our travels, we collected stones from four of the great lakes (Huron, Superior, Erie, and Michigan). The stones are a great reminder of fun vacations! To display them, I bought three tall, clear vases from Target and placed them along our soaking tub in the master bath. It's probably the cheapest decorating trick ever, and adds a serene feel to the room!