Be Festive!

So I didn't realize I had quite the following. As you can see, I haven't done much posting on this blog. Lots of reasons for that...

However, I'm happy to announce that my efforts have been turned to a few new websites.

So Festive! is a site that is dedicated to holiday ideas and traditions. It is updated at least once and week and I am always looking for guest posters.

Guest Books by Mel creates classy photo guest books for any occasion. Check it out! Its the perfect alternative to those boring guest books you know you'll never read again.

Hope to see you over at the new sites!

Keep a package of tissues in your purse. You never know when you'll need one!

Thursday Cleaning

I HATE doing all the cleaning on Saturdays. Who wants to be cooped up inside all day long when there are more exciting things to do on a weekend? That is why in my house I have designated Thursday as our cleaning day. We do all the dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and bathrooms on Thursday evenings so we only have to do a quick pick-up on Saturday. Pick a day that works best for you!

Using too many cups?

If your house is anything like mine when I was growing up, you will find lots of cups spread across the counter. My dad would get frustrated if we put his cup in the dishwasher because he was "keeping it to use later". But, if you are like me and can't stand the clutter on the counter, here is a simple solution. Give everyone a water bottle that fits in the door of the fridge. When they are thirsty, they can get a cold drink of water without dirtying one single cup.

For the little guests

When you know your dinner guests will bringing children, set up a little table for them using plastic dinnerware. Cover the table with paper and let them use crayons to entertain themselves. They will think drawing on the table is so fun!

Thank-You

Don't forget to pack a 'thank-you' card in your purse or suitcase when you are out and about. There will be plenty of times when you wish you had one.

A "grape" idea

When you are taking grapes somewhere (in a lunch, picnic, etc), put a paper towel in your bag or container. It will soak up the moisture from the grapes and keep them crisp and fresh!

Lucky you

Try spraying your sheets with your favorite perfume before you go to bed. It will make you feel like a million bucks! Ironing the sheets can have a similar effect.

Tea Lights

Use tea lights to set the mood for a romantic evening. The more the merrier!

Keep that camera handy

Life happens fast. So keep your camera in a busy part of the house like the family room or kitchen. That way you can capture all of those candid moments before it's too late.

Freeze those bananas

When you have extra bananas, freeze them. You can just plop the whole banana right in the freezer. When you are ready to use it for bread, muffins, or smoothies, just pull it out and let it sit in room temperature for a few hours. No need to dirty another container to freeze them.

Set your alarm 10 minutes earlier

I already admitted that I was not a morning person. However, waking up 10 minutes earlier than usual will help you start your day off right. Especially if you have kids, giving 10-minutes to yourself before they wake up can help you get mentally prepared for the day. Use this time to do exercises, read, or just enjoy the peace and quiet.

Making exercise easier

If you are like me, I sometimes have a hard time motivating myself to exercise. Here are a few tips of how to make it easier and more enjoyable:

1. Plan out each day when you will exercise.

2. Exercise with someone else.

3. Sign up for a local race. Knowing that you have already registered may motivate you put on yours shoes and get out the door.

4. If you aren't a morning person (and believe me, I'm not) don't exercise in the morning. Pick a time when you feel your liveliest.

Daily sunshine

Summer is gone.

Fall is here to stay.

Be sure to still get 5-minutes of sunshine

to make for a better day.

Coming Soon: 2-Minute Tip

In 2 days,

2-Minute Tip
will officially begin.

What that means for you:

You will get a tip-of-the-day
in 2 minutes or less...

so you can spend your valuable time
doing the things you love.

Tell your friends and stay tuned
for common sense tips that aren't always that common.

Extra set of keys

Have an extra set of keys for your car and house in a convenient location. When you are running around with your head cut off searching for your keys, just grab the extra set and find them later. Now you'll never need to be late again because of your keys.

Buyer beware

Last Christmas, I was shopping for scotch tape to wrap some gifts. I bought some just a few days before Christmas at Wal-Mart. When I returned a few days after Christmas to return a few things, I noticed that the regular price of the scotch tape I bought had significantly dropped in price.

Beware: stores will charge more for high-demand items during peak seasons. Stock up on tape, ribbon, and wrapping paper during the off-season.

Substitute for Buttermilk

If you ever need buttermilk for a recipe and you don't have it on hand or don't want to run to the store, use vinegar.

Mix 1 Tablespoon vinegar with 1 cup milk for the correct ratio. Then use the amount called for in your recipe. This works great for buttermilk syrup-a favorite.

Keep a stash of gifts on-hand

You will never know when you will need a gift on-the-spot. You might have a wedding to attend, your kids might have a birthday party to go to, or you might be meeting with friends for a holiday get-together.

When you are out shopping at you see good deals, buy them. Keep them in a secret place (in case you need them for your own children). I prefer under the bed. Then when you need a gift, you will save yourself money, hassle and stress as you select a gift from your own collection. Even storing candy bars or little items come in very handy.

Keep a water bottle with you

Whether you are a student, a mom running errands, or a working professional, keep a water bottle with you always. Drinking water throughout the day will help you feel rejuvenated and will help curve those snack cravings. There are plenty of options out there to match your taste and preferences.