Start Improving that Home of Yours

The past year has brought a recession and with that we have all turned to cost-effective measures like clipping coupons, eating in instead of ordering out, and turning down the thermostat while layering up in sweaters. This year instead of spending money on a hefty vacation, my family decided to put our dollars into something we’d get more years of enjoyment out of – our home. We added a large deck off of our family room, which enabled us to spend many summer evenings watching the fireflies in the backyard and laughing with good friends and lots of snacks. Some deck furniture and a nice gas grill completed the effect and gave us a new sort of family room for the milder months. And that makes me think of a home improvement tips calendar. Sometimes the simplest things like a new coat of paint, an inexpensive coffee table, or some different light fixtures can really make a room feel comfortable, homey, or bring that touch that adds some balance and makes your home feel like, well, your home. What better way to invest in your life than to include some new touches so that your home is more a reflection of you.

In the Winter Months, I'm Just Scraping By

Winter seems to rear its ugly head earlier and earlier each year. This year, it pounced before autumn had officially finished up. But the days of icy car windows had arrived even earlier than that. Back in November, I heard the grunts of my husband as he trudged outside into the brisk morning only to shout angrily and then open up the garage anxious to find an ice scraper to help remove the frost from his windshield. To keep things simple for all drivers in my household, I stock our vehicles with at least two 10 inch heavy duty polar ice scrapers in each car. Why two you ask? Well, you never know when you might break one overdoing your back window. Plus, you might drop one in the snow on a dark wintry night and not be able to find it. Or else you might be like me where you chauffeur two youngsters around who will play with anything that they can get their hands on – and will then proceed to hide anything that they can get their hands on. Be safe, not sorry. Trust me, when I say that you must have two of these handy ice scrapers in your car.

Make Mine Red.... or White.... I'm Not Fussy

Before we know it, the time will come to ring an old year out and a new year in. Most people celebrate the start of a new year with some version of bubbly whether it’s champagne, sparkling cider, or a bottle of wine. I’m a fan of wine to unwind after a long day or to share a bottle with a group of friends while we nosh on appetizers. But a little pizzazz to the party never hurts. When you’re handing out the wine stems, give me the light up wine glass. A girl has to have a little fun once in awhile! I like to lay claim to my glass and not mix it up with the others on the table, so a wine petal set keeps me aware of which one of those glasses of merlot is mine. Did you toss the cork after you opened the bottle? Not to worry as there’s nothing like a frost classic wine stopper to make your cabernet look sexy. Never go to a gathering empty-handed. I recommend showing up with a bottle of pinot or zinfandel in a Koozie karrier wine tote. You’ll be the life of the party.

Gift-Giving without the Visions of Visa Bills Dancing in Your Head

The stress is on as all of us head to the malls or boot up the computer to do some last minute shopping before the holidays arrive in full force. My suggestion to make holiday gift-giving a bit more simple is this: make a list of each and every person you have to buy for. Then, as you purchase your presents, next to each individual’s name write down what you bought and how much you spent. Cross off each name once you’ve bought the appropriate gift. It simplifies gift-giving and allows you to see what you are spending BEFORE January’s Visa bill makes an appearance. Oh, and allow me to share a favorite gift that you can give to just about anyone on your list: your parents, your secretary, that neighbor who takes in your mail when you are on a business trip, your son’s teacher, even yourself! It’s the Holiday Snowflake Basket. Another great gift for the person who can’t get enough java is the Retro Christmas Coffee Collection. Got a tea lover in your life? Then may I suggest the Retro Holiday Tea Collection? And if visions of sugar plums are dancing in your head, try the Nutcracker Suite, a drum stock-piled with yummies for the season.