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Learn How to Manage Clutter — Not Hide It!

September 15, 2016 by

If you find yourself tucking away all of that extra clutter every time you clean your home, you may wonder how you can get rid of it for good. Instead of managing the clutter in your home, these smart, space-saving tips will show you how to control your clutter by getting rid of it completely.

  • Take an assessment of your clutter. Where do you notice clutter the most in your home? Is it in the junk drawers in your kitchen, the entryway area or your bedroom closet? Make note of those places where clutter always seems to accumulate so that you can focus the majority of your energy there.
  • Invest in storage systems. If the current storage systems in those areas just aren't working, it's time to reevaluate them. If clothes are always tumbling off of the shelves in your bedroom closet, add some affordable plastic drawers from your local home goods store; if you're always tripping over shoes in the doorway, add a stylish shoe rack.
  • Get rid of clutter-prone areas. Those junk drawers that are always overflowing? Get rid of them! If you don't have that go-to spot for disposing of those unused items, you'll be forced to really think about where they go — or if you need them at all.
  • Make it a part of your routine. If you don't usually think about where to put certain items, you might want to start. A big part of keeping a clean home is developing clean habits, so before you toss those shoes or that extra junk mail aside, take pause and deal with it right on the spot.

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Home Beauty Treatments You Can Make Yourself

April 21, 2016 by

Nothing feels better than getting a facial or a fresh blowout, but unfortunately, these types of beauty treatments can be pretty pricey. Luckily, you can mimic their results in your own home at Avana Six Pines, often by using common items that you already have. Here are a few rejuvenating beauty treatments that you can make yourself.

  1. Create a nourishing hair mask that restores each strand by combining common foods from the refrigerator. Simply mix together one egg yolk, one tablespoon of mayonnaise, 1/4 of an avocado, and two tablespoons of olive oil, and then let the mask sit on your hair for one hour before rinsing.
  2. Give yourself an at-home sugar scrub that sloughs off dead skin and leaves your body feeling smooth and rejuvenated. Combine equal parts coconut oil and brown sugar with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, then rub it all over the next time you’re in the shower.
  3. Do a DIY facial using a mashed banana mixed with two tablespoons of heavy cream, one tablespoon of honey, one tablespoon of flour, and one tablespoon of water. Let the mask sit on your face for 10 minutes before rinsing. The banana reduces redness and adds smoothness, while the heavy cream is very soothing and leaves a soft, supple feeling behind.

10 All-Natural Beauty Fixes [Woman’s Day]
Crazy Beauty Tricks That Really Work [Whole Living]
Our Favorite All-Natural Home Beauty Treatments [Fitness Magazine]
10 DIY Beauty Treatments [Seventeen]

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Tackle Spring Cleaning With These Helpful Tips

March 17, 2016 by

The change from winter to spring is typically accompanied by a desire to have a bright, clean home. You're tired of the dingy, cold effects of winter snow and ice, and everything just feels a bit less than fresh. If you’re planning a spring cleaning routine but don’t know where to begin, these seven tips will help you get started.

  • Set all clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Savings Time.
  • Change the batteries in things like smoke detectors, remote controls, and alarm clocks.
  • Flip or rotate your mattress to ensure that it lasts for years to come.
  • Protect hardwood floors against scratches by adding padded, adhesive discs to the legs of chairs and tables.
  • Clean the refrigerator using a few teaspoons of baking soda diluted in hot water. Also be sure to toss out expired or unused food items.
  • Wash pillows to prevent seasonal allergens common in the springtime from accumulating inside.
  • Re-stock cleaning supplies to prepare yourself for any number of household messes and spills that come with the spring season.

Spring Cleaning [Martha Stewart]
28 Spring Cleaning Tips [Country Living]

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How to Choose the Lighting That Best Complements Your Space

June 4, 2015 by

Want to show your apartment in the most flattering light possible? Use these smart tips for choosing the right type of lighting for every room in your home.

  • Illuminate your foyer and hallway with bright, cheery lighting. Add a floor lamp directly next to the front door that will light your way when you come home at night, and consider placing a bright lamp on a side table in the hallway so that you can easily see where you’re going.
  • Add soft, soothing light in the bedroom, as this is supposed to be a place of relaxation. Try using a small lamp with a lower-watt light bulb.
  • In the living room, you can add a tall, arched lamp next to the couch for a stylish look and to add additional lighting when you’re lounging around at night. If the light bulbs in the overhead light are too bright, switch them out with something less glaring.
  • Add a hanging pendant light right above the kitchen table. There are many options that don’t require hardwiring, so you can easily hang them and switch them out when you move.

How to Choose the Right Lighting for Each Room [WikiHow]
How To Choose The Lighting Fixtures For Your Home – A Room-By-Room Guide [HomeDit]
How to Choose the Right Size Lighting Fixture [LightsOnline.com]

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How to Plant Your Very Own Windowsill Herb Garden

May 21, 2015 by

Want to have fresh herbs right at your fingertips — without having to stop at the grocery store or farmers' market? Consider growing your own! Use these simple tips for planting a windowsill herb garden right in your own apartment.

  • Choose the window. An herb garden requires at least five hours of direct sunlight per day, as well as a temperature of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Buy starter plants. Unless you’re an expert gardener, your best bet is to start with grown plants rather than seeds. Chives, oregano, mint, rosemary, and thyme are among the easiest herbs to grow indoors.
  • Choose the right pots. Most people use terra cotta pots for their herbs because they are attractive and affordable. Be sure to choose pots with holes at the bottom for drainage and a saucer underneath to catch excess water. Herbs do well in pots that are 6- to 12-inches deep.
  • Add well-draining soil. Herbs require a lightweight potting mix that prevents against common diseases. Add 2 to 3 inches in the bottom of your pot, gently add the herb, and then cover to about an inch below the top of the pot.
  • Don’t over-water. Herbs require a regular watering schedule, but they don’t need to be watered every day. Water close to the soil, avoiding the leaves, whenever you notice your plant drooping.

Windowsill Herb Gardens [Epicurious]
10 Most Common Herb Garden Mistakes [About Home]
How to Start an Indoor Herb Garden [Spark People]

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Where to Shop for Temporary Wallpaper and Wall Decals Online

May 7, 2015 by

When living in a rental, temporary wallpapers and removable wall decals add a fun pop of color or pattern to your space, but they can be easily taken down at the end of your lease. Here are just a few online retailers that sell different types of temporary wallpapers and decals.

Swag Paper
With a name like Swag Paper, it’s no surprise that this site sells wallpaper that’s cool, chic, and statement-worthy. Geometric diamonds, Art Deco designs, and minimalist poppy flowers are just a few of the wallpaper styles, and you can purchase strips in different heights to get exactly the amount that you need.

2Modern
If your style is a bit more colorful, 2Modern offers retro-inspired wallpapers and options with big, bold stripes. You’ll even find children’s wallpaper covered in zoo animals, robots, or silly cityscapes that the little ones will love.

Blik
Blik offers temporary wallpapers in traditional strips to cover the whole wall, but it also carries more unique designs like stick-on headboards and individual decals. Add a large tree in your living room, a sea of fish in your kitchen, and even some music notes in a child’s room.

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How to Clean Your Home Using Fresh Lemons

December 18, 2014 by

If you’re trying to cut down on the harmful chemicals that you use in your home, one of the best ways to do so is by cleaning with fresh lemons. This decades-old cleaning trick not only makes your home smell great, it also acts as a natural disinfectant to help rid your home of germs. Here are a few ways to clean with lemons.

  1. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle coarse salt on the pulp. By using gentle scrubbing motions, you can use this natural combination to clean discolored brass.
  2. Scrub the grout from between ceramic tile in the shower by sprinkling lemon juice onto an old toothbrush.
  3. If your microwave looks (and smells) less than fresh, clean it with a lemon. Simply heat ¾ cup of water and two tablespoons of lemon juice just until it almost boils, then let it sit for 10 minutes and wipe with a damp cloth.
  4. Dilute lemon juice in a spray bottle with water and use it to lightly disinfect countertops.
  5. Remove stains and bacteria from wooden cutting boards by rubbing as hard as you like with lemon juice and a scrub brush.
  6. Soak plastic food containers in lemon juice and water in order to remove built-up food odors and stains.

24 things you can clean with lemon [Mother Nature Network]
10 Ways to Clean with Lemon [iVillage]
How to Use Lemons to Clean Your Home [Quick and Dirty Tips]

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These Halloween Party Games Are a Ghoulish Good Time

October 16, 2014 by

Whether you’re the class parent or you’re planning a party at home, there are tons of fun Halloween-themed party games that your little ones will love. These activities are lively and just a bit spooky, which make them the perfect games to play before trick-or-treating.

Mummy Wrap [fun.familyeducation.com]
This one is a classic, but it only gets more fun every time you play it. Start by dividing guests into two teams, and then choose one “mummy” on each team. Give each of the other teammates a roll of toilet paper, and then see which team can wrap their mummy from head to toe first.

Pop Goes the Pumpkin [marthastewart.com]
Attach an oversized foam board to an empty wall, then attach orange balloons in the shape of a large pumpkin to the board. Next, allow kids to pop the balloons with dull pins (or darts for older kids) to uncover candy and small treats hidden inside.

Silent Movie [momswhothink.com]
Even if your kids are too young to appreciate classic horror films, they’ll love creating their own in this fun game. Collect silly movie props like costumes, makeup, and strange household items, then divide the kids into two teams and give them a set amount of time to each create their own silent films. After the time is up, hold a “screening” of both performances.

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How to Save Time and Money in the Kitchen

August 21, 2014 by

Between family, friends, work, and errands, there's typically little time left in the day for cooking a wholesome, healthy meal. Whether you're cooking for one or preparing a feast for your entire extended family, these time-saving cooking tips can help you stretch those seconds in the kitchen.

1) Keep your cabinets well-stocked.
Before you make a trip to the grocery store, do a quick assessment of your cabinets. Are you low on essentials such as rice, flour, cooking stock, basic seasonings, and pasta? Keeping these kitchen staples on hand will prevent hiccups in your meal planning process down the line. Consider printing this handy grocery checklist from Martha Stewart.

2) Plan ahead.
Establishing a meal menu for the week will not only make dinner prep easier, it'll also help you save money. Scan the newspaper for coupons, then flip through your grocer's circular for any notable bargains. Afterwards, plan a menu based around the food that's on sale. For instance, if chicken is being offered at a discount, capitalize from the deal by creating a chicken-centric menu for the week. Assemble oven-ready dishes, such as casseroles and soup stock, that you can freeze and eat at a later date.

Menu Planning: Save Time In The Kitchen [Organized Home]
Save Time in the Kitchen [Martha Stewart]
5 best time-saving cooking tips [EatingWell]

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