Organization . Amazing . Everyday

Being organized is in your DNA! I envy organized people because they know where everything is in their homes. Ask an organized person where something is and they will tell you exactly what shelve or closet it is in and what is right next to it.  NO wasting time looking for their other black shoe, car keys, a missing sock or something even more important.

Organization does not have to be an extreme and most people fall in the middle of the spectrum, like me! I will admit to spending a lot time looking for things…and I am an empty nester. Having a family can thwart the most organized person efforts.

So when I was invited to join OlioHop’s 15 bloggers writing about organization and clutter I immediately agreed…then panic set in for a few minutes. Being a managing partner of a residential cleaning company I see every client’s home before they begin service….first hand knowledge of where most clutter ends up in peoples homes.

Think you can guess which room it is? It is the laundry room. Yep, no matter how neat and organized the rest of the house is…it is the laundry room where items line the floor, odd socks and everything else that does not have a place ends up.  I get the same response from most clients….just clean the laundry room floor.

So I set out to design the perfect laundry room using Olioboard 3D to create my mood board. It was so easy! There are a ton of tools and you can upload your own images. I am so inspired by the results I plan to redecorate my own laundry room.

My mood board for the perfect Laundry Room

Storage space is the key to keeping this room organized because most LR lack storage. The 2 large storage cabinets flanking the appliances allow for plenty of storage and easy access. Each unit has 3 large compartments and the higher ones can be used for detergent and household products. The lower one is great for kids to store bookbags, shoes and sports equipment.

While the flat surface of the dresser is perfect for folding clothes the drawers give added storage. The wooden planter boxes ...a stylish way to hide the items which usually line the floor of your LR.

Being organized is really about storage space and without enough of it is hard to achieve. This look can be achieved without spending a ton of money. Personally, I love to find a good piece of furniture in thrifts stores and re-purpose.  

Being organized and removing clutter from your home is "freeing"! No more closed doors in my house!

I mentioned several other bloggers participated in Oliohop and I peeked at a few!  Happy to say they are awesome so please read all of them for more tips. 

1. Lesley of @chaoticallycrea --               

BLOG: http://chaoticallycreative.com *chaoticallycreative*

2. Kate of @DabbleInChic --                    

BLOG: http://dabbleinchic.blogspot.com *kdsessoms*

3. Selma of @DesignerSelma --              

BLOG: http://blog.selmahammer.com *selmahammerdesigns*

4. Colette of @frugalfinds1 --                    

BLOG: http://frugal-finds.net *cconway915*

5. Julie of @gosimplysavvy --                   

BLOG: http://gosimplysavvy.com/blog *julieatsimplysavvy*

6. Joanne of @homestyling101 --            

BLOG: http://homestyling101.blogspot.com *homestyling101*

7. Jennifer of @iheartorganize --              

BLOG: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com *iheartorganzing*

8. Marilyn of @Marilyn_Russell --            

BLOG: http://design-magnifique.com *marilyngrg*

9. Tamara of @myurbaneclectic --           

BLOG: http://myurbaneclectic.com *tarcher*

10. Lindsey of @pinkletandc:                    

BLOG: http://pinkletandc.blogspot.com *lindseypinks*

11. Antoinette of @PUSHinteriors             

BLOG: http://pushinteriors.blog.com *PUSHinteriors*

12. Katrina of @seasideinterior                 

BLOG: http://seasideinteriors.ca  *seasideinteriors*

13. Stacy Naquin of @StacyNaquin         

BLOG: http://stacynaquininteriors.com/blog *stacynaquin*

14. Ana of @whitelinenintrs                      

BLOG: http://whitelineninteriors.net/blog *whitelineninteriors*


Don't forget to try Olioboard!


www.olioboard.com

Steam . Amazing . Everyday

Courtesy of Tumbler

Find it hard to believe it is the end of April and the Wisteria is in bloom. Most people asked if we named the company after Desperate Housewives of Wisteria Lane and the answer is "NO". Wisteria, the flower, starts out as a small vine and needs support to grow but once it takes root it is evasive and can grow for hundreds of years.....so you can see why we named our company Wisteria Cleaning. A metaphor for success! Today's blog is not about flowering wisteria... so onto the real topic of the day.

Recently, a few twitter friends tweeted me questions on how to resolve simple household problems. I am flattered when this happens, so thank you! But what really struck me was my answer to each question was the same...use a steamer.  I will tell you I am not being paid to endorse any steamers only relaying our experiences.

The virtues of using steam to clean your home are endless but I will give you a few facts.

• Kills 99.98% of surface germs and bacteria
• Environmentally friendly - you use only water
• No cleaning products necessary
• Cost for steamers are around $130 and will pay for themselves quickly
• The list of what you can clean with a steam is only limited to your imagination 

Don't stop reading yet... let me make a believer out of you.

The tile entryway is in my sister Rosemarie's house and is about 5 years old. During this time she used traditional cleaning methods and products and the grout is discolored.

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Now do have your attention? This is the same entryway after she used a handheld steamer. The grout is white again and the silver trim is even shinning. If you think she scrub awhile the answer is no.  Steam quickly loosens the dirt and grim and then wipe with a rag.

I swear this is my favorite use...because trying to get price stickers off of vases, mirrors, glasses or china has ruined many of good manicures. Steam will take the sticker right off and the adhesive too. 

Hand held steamers come with a variety of attachments. So I felt compelled to try each and every one.  I was a steaming machine! Window screens, gas grill, stove top, micro waive, glass window on oven door, glass shower door, bathroom tile, toilet seat and base, sliding glass door track, door knobs, tile floor and freshen drapery and pillows. Carpet - Steam will get rid of impression marks in carpet left from furniture or the Christmas tree stand. Hit with steam and fibers will pop back into place.

Steam cleaning is addictive and I rank it right up there with my IPhone and IPad. Can't live without them.

Bedding . Amazing . Everyday

Oh! Does this bed make me want to hop under the covers and lay in the lap of luxury. The whole room screams serenity, romance and "Do I really have to get up to go to work".

If you notice the star of the show is the bed and the bedding! White on white and the texture on the comforter is the kicker. How you dress your bed creates ambiance and can change your mood just by walking into it.

Dressing the perfect bed is easy and can fit everyone's price range. Color choice is personal but I love white on white bedding. Love the serene, romantic and timeless look. You can add additional pieces to a white linen collection over time. Not necessary to have each piece matchy matchy. White is the easy color to remove stains so don't shy away!

Making a Bed

If you have an older mattress add a feather top mattress...you will not be sorry.

Sheets -I like cotton sheets and purchase the highest thread count I can afford but the feel is also important. So yes, I am the person who opens the pack of sheets for a feel test. If you try this be discreet. My favorite are Royal Velvet Antique Sheets from Bed Bath and Beyond.

• Place a fitted sheet on the box spring and mattress
• Lay the top sheet with the decorative side facing down. 
• Add a blanket perfect for the season and then fold the decorative part of the sheet over the top.
• Add the comforter you love and a throw blanket on the foot of the bed.

Pillows! How many are too many? I am sure you have had a few complaints about the number of pillows on the bed. Experts recommend a Euro Sham, Standard Sham, Bed Pillow and a accent pillow not only for look but each has a purpose. Euro Sham is perfect for people who like to prop a pillow and read in bed. 

Now to finish off the spa treatment there is a few tricks. Wrinkles on pillow cases can be smoothed out with a spray bottle of water. Simply spritz and smooth. Add a few sprigs of lavender to the bottle and spritz the sheets...the scent will lull you to sleep.

And now a peek at a few inspiration rooms...

Adore the blue throw blanket...

Chandelier and gray walls....

I see a young girl feeling special while she dreams...

Love the doors and tile but would change the comforter...

Rustic and beachy at the same time...

When I grow up...

Thinking of painting the floors in my guest bedroom white....

Buying linens is not an everyday purchase and usually we only buy them when we redecorate our bedrooms. But for my money...just updating and making your bed special with the right linens and pillows will change your room...

Sleep Tight...

Inspiration and photos from Pottery Barn, Pinterest, Google Images and BHG

Spring . Amazing . Everyday

Today is the first day of spring and I should be busy writing a post about spring cleaning.  But the  temperature feel more like May and I have a full blown case of spring fever.  My brain is saying keep the course but my heart is screaming get outdoors, plant a garden, take a ride!

So I listen to my heart and changed out my dinning room center piece to something a little brighter. Something saying spring is here...

Next stop was Lowe's  to purchase pansies and mulch. Love fresh mulch...it screams spring as it defines my day lilies and tulips which are have already surfaced.  As I loaded six bags of mulch into the cart one thought went through my mind..."this is why more women are not mass murderers..we can't carry the dead body."  I am still thinking this when approach the checkout and the young male employee make a face because the bar codes on the bag are facing down.  Little did he know how lucky he really was since I  cannot carry dead weight. I admit it is not a spring like thought! By now I have worked up a hunger and there is only one place for me to go!

Stewart's Root Beer Stand, a landmark for many,  has stood in this spot since 1940. Owned and operated by the same family the entire time.  It opens in March and closes in October. It is a ritual of spring around here...the place I went as a teenager to hang out, the place I took my kids to and now my grandchildren. Generations of families come back every year and it is no different for my family. Of course, I  could not resist sending pics to my children and sisters. Everyone has their favorite order! Hot dogs, Pork Roll, California Burgers...

Yep...they only have car side service. The” carhops”  are male and wear white uniforms. So nostalgic!  I was greeted the same way he greets me every year "Hello Gorgeous" which makes my day. While I was waiting for my order, I noticed an elderly women waiting for a takeout order at the counter. Seems my carhop guy was not allowing her to pay for her order. I could over hear her saying "if you do this I can't come here anymore". Depression area people are a proud bunch and she reminded me of my grandmother. The carhop gently rubbed her arm, kissed her on the cheek and sent her on her way.  Secretly, I could have hugged him because despite her protest he made her day!

So as I sat in my car eating my cheesesteak sandwich, I thought "yep" it is Spring! Flowers ate blooming, I am wearing flip flops, just witnessed such a sweet act of kindness and tomorrow ....

I will write the post about spring cleaning!

Betty

Inspiration from Google Images and my photographs

White . Amazing . Everyday

Family Photo 2009

I have a thing for "White"! Look at how it pops even against the almost white sandy beach in Florida. Ironic that I am the person wearing the blue top but I swear my skirt was white. Guess I missed the memo about wearing a white top. My love affair with the color "white" sometimes battles with my love affair for black but I do love .....

 the look of a crisp white shirt on women

and a man in a white shirt

the perfect pair of white jeans in the summer

 little girl in white party dresses

little boys in white canvas sneakers

any table dressed in white linens, white dishes and white flowers

and the elegance of a white living room.

Like all good romances spills and drips occur. My knight in shinning armor begins to yellow and take on a grayish hue. But this time I know it will work out because of a little advice I read in a woman's magazine years ago...

Cascade Dishwasher Detergent removes most any stain from fabric. Easy enough, just soak item in  hot water and one ActionPac.

Really! I successfully removed mustard, coffee, grass, blood and more stains from my whites. Recently, my daughter treated the cushion covers on her couch and removed everyday dirt marks a professional cleaner was not able to remove. 

So now you know my secret to keeping my love alive with the color "white". 

Inspiration for this blog came from @lynneknowton & @gimletstyle images are from our family photo, Pinterest, County Living Magazine, Crewcut Kids and Google Images