I glanced through the magazine supplement that comes with the weekend paper, this morning. I noticed that there were two pages of tips for managing your kitchen and giving your home a mini-makeover. Excellent, I thought, I will read them when I get home from taking my daughter to school. I might find a little gem of inspiration over my morning coffee. I'm crazy about household tips.
After reading both pages, I was sorely dissappointed. The kitchen article gave such insight as "throw away anything past it's expiration date". Um, I think I already knew that handy hint. It also encouraged readers to "shop at a time that's convenient for you". Seriously? These were the best the author could come up with?
On to the home mini-makeover, which was no better. In a nutshell, it said to paint your front door, and buy new linens for your bedroom. Those are obvious, although legitimate, suggestions, I suppose. But the tip for choosing sheets left me scratching my head. It said "solid colors or striped sheets work best". What does that mean? Best as in more comfortable, more esthetically pleasing, less expensive, more durable? I guess if you prefer plaid or paisley, they won't work as well.
I think my favorite of all, though, was the number one tip for brightening a dark bathroom. "Increase all light-bulb wattage". Not only does that strike me as more a bit of common sense than a helpful tip, it's also a little irresponsible. They didn't bother to mention that most light fixtures are labeled with a maximum bulb wattage that you shouldn't exceed. If you're already at the maximum wattage, you need to add another source of light.
I didn't get any of the great tips I was hoping for. No great ways to use left-overs, or recipes to make in 20 minutes. There were no hints for getting perfect miter cuts on crown molding or inventive window treatments. Cleaning tips, one of my favorite categories, were overlooked altogether.
So here's where you come in. Since I didn't get my "tip fix", I want you to leave me one (or more) of your favorite tips in my comments. Any category is fine; cooking, cleaning, decorating, budgeting, energy saving....I want to see them all! Give me what you've got!
Willoughby
After reading both pages, I was sorely dissappointed. The kitchen article gave such insight as "throw away anything past it's expiration date". Um, I think I already knew that handy hint. It also encouraged readers to "shop at a time that's convenient for you". Seriously? These were the best the author could come up with?
On to the home mini-makeover, which was no better. In a nutshell, it said to paint your front door, and buy new linens for your bedroom. Those are obvious, although legitimate, suggestions, I suppose. But the tip for choosing sheets left me scratching my head. It said "solid colors or striped sheets work best". What does that mean? Best as in more comfortable, more esthetically pleasing, less expensive, more durable? I guess if you prefer plaid or paisley, they won't work as well.
I think my favorite of all, though, was the number one tip for brightening a dark bathroom. "Increase all light-bulb wattage". Not only does that strike me as more a bit of common sense than a helpful tip, it's also a little irresponsible. They didn't bother to mention that most light fixtures are labeled with a maximum bulb wattage that you shouldn't exceed. If you're already at the maximum wattage, you need to add another source of light.
I didn't get any of the great tips I was hoping for. No great ways to use left-overs, or recipes to make in 20 minutes. There were no hints for getting perfect miter cuts on crown molding or inventive window treatments. Cleaning tips, one of my favorite categories, were overlooked altogether.
So here's where you come in. Since I didn't get my "tip fix", I want you to leave me one (or more) of your favorite tips in my comments. Any category is fine; cooking, cleaning, decorating, budgeting, energy saving....I want to see them all! Give me what you've got!
Willoughby
Comments
I can't think of any great new tips I have heard lately to share here, but these are a couple old ones maybe some of you haven't heard: Paste (not gel) toothpaste will polish silver, and Mr. Clean Magic Erasers really are magic at cleaning just about anything including permanent marker.
I know I could have done better, and I'm not a writer or Master Gardener.
Anyway - we use unprinted newspaper to clean our windows (with vinegar of course). The unprinted paper doesn't leave any lints like paper towels do.
(You may know this one already). :)
As for tips, I don't have anything that will knock your socks off. But I do my laundry in cold water. Wash and rinse in cold. It saves energy and in my opinion, the clothes are just as clean.
Not terribly exciting, but true :-)
Have a great week Willoughby. Hope you're feeling 100% again.
xo
I am obsessed with cleaning. My DIL gave me an Ultimate Cloth for Christmas. I was very skeptical at first. You wet this thing and wring it out and it cleans windows and mirrors streak free without any cleaning product. I went on to TV and Computer screens,marble appliances, blinds, shower soap scum, grease, even tar off the car...all without a drop of cleaner. I'm sold on this thing.
When cooking, I always make big batches of entrees and freeze them in the desired quantities. That way I can always bake a potato and toss a salad (or something just as easy) and pull out an entree to serve up a good meal. What a lifesaver this has been!
From the hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa, ya'll have a wonderfully blessed day!!!
they are cute...
upstairs in my bedroom i put a vase with some flowering branches..did that ever help....
hope you're feeling well, my friend
love,
kary
xxx
RoseArt brand "washable" markers are anything BUT washable! Especially when applied to skin. Or as lipstick. I had visions of all the other parents whispering to their kids to "stay away from that Goth chick!"
Also, I never sit still when I'm on the phone. I take that time to dust, put things away, or empty the dishwasher. Seems silly but the time adds up.