by | Sep 9, 2012 | Around the Home |
Remnants of hurricane Isaac recently brought heavy rains into our area over the course of three days. The total rainfall was over three inches; but we needed it.
After it rains, it seems like the house gets really dirty. Having two dogs that regularly shed is even more of a need to clean the house. The vacuum cleaner I have now sucks up the dog hair; but after a while, it gets clogged and my hubby or I have to clean it out. I have been looking at different vacuum cleaners. I came across a vax vacuum cleaner on the vax website that offered different variations of machines. Their mascot Gatsby is too cute.
My ideal vacuum cleaner
1. Picks up dog hair
2. Not heavy to lift
3. Cleans hardwood floors
4. Good price for good quality
I just vacuumed my carpet when this picture was taken.
I have carpet on my platform where my baby grand piano is located. To keep the carpet clean I vacuum at least once a week. The color of the carpet is a blush rosy pink so dirt and pet hair is noticeable. I have a beagle and a collie. Even though they have short and long hair the shedding is quite substantial. To keep the hair from overtaking the house, my hubby and I have to comb them at least twice a week. After we comb them, it looks like we could almost knit a small sweater. But by grooming them we keep the house looking in tip top shape. We love are doggies so combing them is also a good time to play with them too.
I was looking at an article from Better Homes and Gardens, How to Clean Carpet. It gives great tips on how often you should clean your carpets and what to look for in finding a vacuum or steam cleaner. Carpets are in investment so I want to make sure that I am doing my best to keep them clean so they will last for years.
Next Cleaning the House episode I will discuss dusting.
by | Sep 5, 2012 | Around the Home |
Hi Bubbling Readers,
Hope your week is going great!
Prayed for rain and its been raining in Missouri last weekend and this week. Actually seeing green grass is such a sight from the brown grass that was sun parched during this summer.
My hubby and I have really been going through our home and making a list of projects that we want to do to spice up the charm of our home. An example of my dream front door is in the style below. Notice the door is very Celtic inspired, you can see more examples of exquisite craftsmanship. This design below really gives me ideas about what I want for the door on my porch.
Todd Doors in Oak Majestic
I am really looking into how to pick the right door so I have been doing some research. This Old House has an article on its website, “How to Pick a Front Door,” by Dan Vandevort. Entry doors need to be strong enough to withstand the weather. Doors that are not able to take the four seasons will have to be replaced more often, so it is so good to get the best the first time around.
Picking a storm door
My hubby and I had a storm door installed last October because we have two doggies. It is good to have that buffer of a storm door before they run outside. The glass is quite long on the door because we want our beagle to be able to look out of it. He loves to look at birds and squirrels. The doggies’ view is important so that was one of the design qualities that we wanted. Remember that you have to take the whole family into the design considerations so please take your time when you are making plans. These little guys have to be part of the design too.
Things to consider when picking out an entry door or storm door
1. The door needs to strong and able to withstand the weather. Meaning rain, sun, snow, the elements and still look just as good when you bought it.
2.Consider the whole family when making design decisions. We could not go only by a pretty design we really had to take into consideration how would the doors be used.
3. Get two or three estimates when getting a door installed and make the best decision on your budget and your plan.
There are a lot of things to consider; but when you have a plan your home projects will go smoother.
by | Dec 21, 2011 | Around the Home, Beauty, Fashion |
Boy! a lot has been going on. This is a Christmas Tree heavy post so please be forewarned. Christmas time is here and I hope everyone is enjoying this time and not getting caught up in the holiday rush. My hubby and I decided to get a real tree for the second year in a row. Last year was we purchased our first real tree; but we didn’t have the appropriate stand. We had to nail rope to the wall to keep the tree steady in a plastic bucket. We were newbie live tree owners, so that was our first time and we didn’t know.
This season Hubby picked up a stellar tree from one a favorite nursery of ours here in town.
Hubby picking up the tree
It looked so nice and couldn’t wait to get the tree off of the JEEP.
Well, my hubby brought the tree into the house and put it up fairly easily. We bought the tree stand instead of using the five-gallon bucket from last year. It took maybe ten minutes to get into the stand and up; instead of the two-plus hours it took last year with the bucket and the rope. After we placed it in the stand, we moved onto the decorations and the other beautiful ornaments like trumpets, shoes, purses, cowboy hats, crosses, gold reindeer, etc. I have two other trees in the house that are smaller not live trees that will be featured in another post.
Love putting up ornaments (OPI nail polish)
The tree is a 6 1/2 foot Scottish pine and it looks so regal. I like to decorate with sparkly decor and other ornaments to make the tree different and unique. By the way polish on my nails is Keep Me On My Mistletoes and Spark-tacular! Top coat from OPI.
Back to the tree — The ornaments are mostly passed down from both of our parents and some that my hubby and I have collected over the years.
When I look at this tree I see memories and new traditions created. I don’t know about you; but I think about what it really means and Christmas does not have a price tag with it. Christmas is the birthday of Jesus! Both of my parents are with the Lord and it makes me think about love and happiness which money cannot buy.
Merry Christmas!
Have a Wonderful Blessed Merry Christmas!
by | Oct 26, 2011 | Around the Home |
I love fall and my hubby and I was running some errands this past weekend and saw these gigantic mums from afar in vibrant colours. We had to stop and take another look and the mums just so happen to be 3 for $18 at this local nursery. This was a weekend of great deals!
The mums we had bloomed in April and our yellow mums unusually bloomed the whole summer so this is a good year for mum planting.
Purple mums
Oh the colour! Doesn’t it make you smile, I know it does. Come on smile!
Vibrant Orange blooms
The mums we bought from our nursery were a really good size.
Rose Blush mum
Tip
A mum is a perennial so if you want it to last year after year you have to take it out of the pot it came in and plant it in the ground. Cut the leaves once the entire plant turns brown around December or so.
This post is linked to:
Whimisical Wednesday
and
by | Sep 16, 2011 | Around the Home |
After being off a week on vacation celebrating my hubby and my 12 year anniversary, this week at work has been full. A good week; but a full week. I am now ready to chill for the weekend.
This is a long time coming; but my hubby and I were finally able to redecorate our bedroom. Designs have been flowing in our heads.
We found this painting while searching for the furniture; and I fell in love with it. The name of the painting is Dancers Practicing; but I also see a finished garment being modeled. Me being dreamy again.
Picture for the Master Bedroom
We have been looking for years for bedroom furniture. We just could not find what we wanted. And the ones that we really liked were also really expensive. We recently purchased a new mattress for our bed. We decided that it was now time to buy a new bed frame. My long-time dream of mine has been to get a canopy bed with tall columns. And if it was in cherry wood, that would the icing on the cake. With an idea of what we wanted, we ventured out to the furniture stores to see what we could find. We went to one furniture store and the representative said that they do not sell canopy beds due to the economy right now. What? No canopy beds? I guess you could say that my style is more extravagant than others; but that is what I have always liked. I would have thought that they would have had at least one canopy suite available.
Not deterred by one store’s lack of style, we found exactly what we wanted at Value City Furniture. When we first saw the Barcelona Bedroom Suite, we immediately knew that it was the one that we wanted. Columns, Yes! Canopy, Yes! Cherry Wood, Yes! We had to decide if we wanted to purchase only the bed frame or do we go all out and purchase the additional matching pieces. The bed frame was an excellent value; but when you add in the chest of drawers, the night stand, the dresser and the mirror; we realized that we were getting an extraordinary value that could not be passed up. We loved the wood carving details and we knew that getting the complete set was the only option.
Barcelona Bedroom Suite
I just love the Corinthian style bed post columns!
Bed post column Corinthian style columns
The Linens
Quilt: I love toile so that screams charm and sheer comfort.
Shams: Toile
Pillow case: I sleep on a satin pillow case because it is great for my hair (reduces breakage). It is not good for me to sleep on a cotton pillowcase.
Sheets: 400 Thread count yellow sheets (contrast with the cream and red toile quilt).
Here are a couple of tips to make your bedroom your safe haven:
1. Remove clutter.
2. Take out all work materials and computer equipment.
3. Take out the Television if you can. I know that this is dependent on the space you have.
4. Turn off all the noise to get a restful night’s sleep.
5. Put on your favorite sheets and your plush comforter. Total luxury!
The bedroom should be clutter-free and without chaos. We deal with so much stuff during the day, whether we are at work or just dealing with the cares of the day. The bedroom should be a place of peace.
I consider my home a castle because God blessed me with it. I want each room in my castle to look beautiful. When I come home from work, I open my door, I walk in my house and say my goodness this is really wonderful. Just puts a smile on my face.
by | Jul 5, 2011 | Around the Home |
Gio
Gio in his 4th of July bandanna. Gotta be stylish and have fun!
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