Posts Tagged ‘home decor’
15 Inexpensive Home Upgrades to Install Before Summer Ends
Author: Andy Andersen
Summer may be coming to an end, but there’s still time to get ahead before the hustle and bustle of back-to-school season. Here are 15 inexpensive home upgrades you can consider completing before summer ends:
1. Convert a Dormant Room
If you have a spare bedroom in your house that currently serves no particular purpose, now is a great time to convert it into something you’ll love. Converting an empty room into a gaming room, study, or hobby area can save you space in other areas of your house and revitalize a dormant interest as well as a room.
2. Motion-Sensor Lights
Installing motion-sensitive lighting for your home is pretty affordable these days and will save you on your electricity bills as well. Get a motion-sensor light for your porch for energy efficiency and extra security.
3. Soft-Close Drawer Slides
Make your drawers quieter and safer by installing soft-close slides. They’re inexpensive and easy to install. Once you have them, you’ll be surprised at the difference they make. No noise, no pain, and at an affordable price. It’s an upgrade you can’t afford to not look into.
4. Ceiling Fans
Looking for an energy-efficient upgrade? Save on cooling costs for the rest of the summer and install some ceiling fans in your home. You’ll be able to cut back on how much you use the AC as you transition from summer to fall.
5. Replace Ornate Lighting
Chandeliers and other ornate lighting fixtures have become outdated and cumbersome for the modern home. Today’s market offers a plethora of great looking contemporary lighting fixtures you can replace them with. Take the time to research how you might achieve greater energy efficiency and look for lighting choices that will cut back on electricity.
6. Temperature Control Sheets
Looking for a way to save on both heating and cooling costs? Look no further than temperature control sheets. This high-tech, low-cost bedding option absorbs and releases heat according to your body temperature, ensuring a comfortable night’s sleep with the added assurance of saving money.
7. Matching Kitchen Appliances
Get rid of your old, mismatched appliances and invest in a set that matches your kitchen. You may not have the funds to do it all at once, but even if you replace your appliances over time, the uniform look you end up with can really revolutionize your kitchen’s decor.
8. Re-paint Your Walls
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as giving your walls a new look. Re-painting your walls in a brand new color or shade is a fun, affordable way to make your home feel like a whole new place. Get it done before summer’s end and you’ll have a whole new home experience for the holidays.
9. Rearrange Your Furniture
Sometimes all your house needs is a simple rearrangement of what’s already in it. Rearranging the furniture can mark the beginning of a new, exciting chapter in your daily life, especially if you do it strategically to create better flow of traffic from room to room. And the best part is, it won’t cost you a dime.
10. Interior Shutters
You may be looking at your windows and noticing that your old blinds are a bit of an eyesore. Luckily for you, interior shutters are a hot commodity in today’s home market. Because of their popularity, you can find affordable quality interior shutters to give your windows a complete makeover just in time for fall.
11. Blackout Shades
High quality blackout shades like these are a window treatment specifically designed to instantly darken a room. Whether you have a nursery, media room, or master bedroom that you’ve never been able to completely darken the way you’ve wanted, blackout shades are an affordable way to finally get the job done.
12. Add Crown Molding
Crown molding is a popular, budget-friendly way to elegantly re-cap your walls. With a variety of do-it-yourself options out there, installing a new crown molding in your home may be just the right upgrade you’ve been looking for.
13. Install a New Dishwasher
Most new dishwashers are designed to conserve more water than previous models. If your dishwasher is getting old, it may be worth your while to get a new one. Though you may have to fork out some cash upfront, the money you’ll save on water will be well worth it.
Modern kitchen interior and furnitures
14. Give Your Kitchen Cabinets a New Finish
If repainting your walls is a task that seems a little too daunting at the tail end of the summer, consider refinishing your kitchen cabinets. Your cabinetry is the face of your kitchen, and giving it a new color or shade will make the whole kitchen pop.
15. Install a Water Filter
You’ll save money and the environment by ditching the store-bought water bottles and installing a water filter. This may also give you and your family the incentive to drink more water from day to day. In this sense, a water filter is an opportunity to keep the whole family healthy and environmentally friendly.
With a fresh perspective, a little money, and a few hours of manpower you can add some simple upgrades that will improve your home just in time to enjoy the benefits all winter long.
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The Perfect Gifts for a Quilter {Guest Post}
Author: Alyssa Craig
If you are lucky, there is someone in your life who loves to quilt and is always working on their latest quilting project. If you are even luckier, than you have been a recipient of the result of their hours of hard work. Now it is time to shower this loved one with presents. Whether it be their birthday, Mother’s Day, an anniversary, Christmas, or simply a way to show you care, there are many gifts you can give your favorite quilter. Here are some ideas to get you started, no matter what your budget allows.
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For a quick gift, an early jump start on your stocking stuffers, or a smaller gift to accompany another one, here are some suggestions that will be easier on your wallet:
Pin Cushion – These come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, beyond the classic tomato, that you can choose to fit your quilter’s personality.
Sewing Needle Case – These cases also come with many designs and fun quotes on them.
Wrist Pin Cushion – For easy convenience during projects when they need to stay close to the fabric.
Seam Ripper Necklace – Created from an actual seam ripper, these necklaces will be endearing to your quilter. You might even consider getting one made out of a seam ripper of theirs (just make sure it is not their favorite!).
Necklace or bracelet charm – Help start a new tradition of accumulating small charms for a necklace or charm bracelet.
Fun Signs – There are many adorable signs for their sewing room such as “She who dies with the most fabric wins” and “ Any day spent sewing is a good day”.
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If you have a little more available to spend on this quilter, you may consider some of these fun gifts to add to their already growing quilting collection.
Small Ironing Board – A small ironing board with short legs and minimal length will fit well next to their sewing machine, making the process more convenient.
Sewing Phone Case – So they can show off their passion for sewing and quilting everywhere they go.
Portable Cutting and Pressing Station – For those who may frequently help others with their quilting projects.
Rotating Cutting Mat – A must have for getting those different shapes cut just right.
Quilted Tote Bag – For an extra personal touch, this is a great gift you can even make yourself!
Quilt Display Board – Not all quilts are made to be used, especially those made out of materials that have special significance. A display board for these special quilts is a great way to show your quilter you value their hard work.
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Should you be lucky enough to have an unlimited amount of funds to shower your quilter with all the gifts their heart could desire, take a look at these suggestions.
Perfect Stitch Machine – This add-on machine is designed to help give their next quilt a professional grade stitch. It is compatible with many popular sewing machine brands and is comfortable for your quilter. You can also set up preferences to be saved for different users.
Fabric – One of the recurring costs of quilting is of course the fabric. Your friend or loved one would love a new selection of fabric for their next quilt. You can even take them with you and have them select their own material.
Quilting Class – You may also consider buying them a class or set of classes to learn new techniques or improve on the skills they already have. There are websites that provide online lessons or you might check with your local quilting store or community center.
LED Sewing Machine Light Kit – All of that sewing can be hard on your quilter’s eyes, so get them a light kit to help them better see the work they are doing.
Divided Basket – Either create or purchase a large basket with dividers and pockets on the outside, for your quilter to store all of their supplies in one handy location.
Regardless of the occasion or the flexibility of your budget, there are many options to show your favorite quilter that you care. They will love these personalized gifts most because they show you care about something that is important to them.
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Disclosure: I received the Aromatherapy Shower Kit in order to facilitate this review, however, opinions are 100% my own.
Hello friends, after a long, strenuous workout the first thing that I want to do is take a long, hot shower….naw…who am I kidding, you know I don’t engage in long, strenuous workouts! I do however, work hard around the house and if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen my recently painted basement.
Whether your strenuous exercise comes from a workout with weights or from house and yard work, sometimes you want more than just a plain hot water shower. The Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit turns an ordinary shower into a personal spa.
Aromatherapy is an ancient therapeutic practice with many benefits including improved mood and energy, reduced inflammation, increased blood circulation, improved skin tone and reduced stress.
The Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit comes with one shower arm and 3 essential oil pods. These pods contain 100% organic, pure and sourced from the finest oils in the world however, they do not leave an oily residue. There are no harsh chemicals or additives and the pods are recyclable.
There are six Essio Essential Oil Blends and the kit I received contained the following blends:
Breathe which is a refreshing blend of peppermint and eucalyptus that helps to clear the sinuses, decrease congestion and stimulates the entire body.
Passion is an blend of mandarin orange, lavender and patchouli which is a sensual aroma that arouses the mind and senses.
Unwind is an uplifting fragrance of citrus with spice and floral tones, creating a sense of lightness and stress relief.
The essential oil pods last for approximately 3-5 showers and these scents as well as others can be ordered directly from www.essioshower.com.
The Essio aromatheraphy shower arm is easy to install and extends beyond the length of a normal shower head with a gentle pull. After removing a pod from the tray, take off the cap and attach it to the end of the arm with a gentle 1/4 counter-clockwise turn. Turn on the water then tilt the pod downward under the stream of water to experience a spa shower.
I am excited to announce that Essio is offering my readers a chance to win their own Aromatherapy Shower Kit, but you need to enter quickly because this sweepstakes will end at midnight November 27th click this link to enter: http://bit.ly/1uSWBTY
If you want to order a kit now to be given as a holiday gift, you’ll receive 25% off any order at www.essioshower.com, by using the code SAVE25 at checkout. Good luck!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
Me workout…haha very funny!
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Hello friends and welcome to Wellness Wednesday.
As the daylight hours get shorter and the temps a little chillier your mood may begin to mellow. Gone are the long sunny days spent outdoors and you may feel like hibernating at home.
Now is the perfect time to indulge the senses with affordable yet comfortable items that will enhance our mood and not break the bank.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links provided by Postpresso.
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Hello friends and Happy 4th of July Weekend!
Summer is a great time to spruce up your home with a few accent pieces and Cents of Style has extended it’s holiday sale but hurry it ends tomorrow, Sunday (7/6/14).
Take advantage on getting some great home decor items currently on sale for 60% off and FREE SHIPPING with the code HOMEDEAL.
Fashion Friday- Home Decor 60% off & FREE SHIPPING with Code HOMEDEAL
Here are a couple great deals you won’t want to miss:
Cotton Pillow Covers- $13.18 shipped.
There are a lot of different colors and styles to choose from. This is a great way to give your home a fresh new look for a low price. Put new covers on your current pillows.
Rod Iron Name Hooks- $6.78 each shipped.
Perfect for a mud room or bathroom.
So take a break from the heat of the grill and pick up a few hot bargains from
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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I’ve been working in West Chester, PA for almost 7 years, yet had never gone to the QVC Outlet which is less than 10 miles from the office. Today seemed like a perfect day to get out and window shop because I vowed not to buy any clothing in October. I am not a Monk and I broke my vow with a few items that were too hard to resist. Truth be told I was specifically looking for the Wendy Williams’ Adorn line, but they didn’t have it, must be too new.
The QVC Outlet has a lot of great bargains including summer season clothing marked 70% off, purses and shoes 60% off, home decor 40% off and jewelry 60% off. There was a very large assortment of purses, however, none of them “spoke to me” so none of them came home with me. I did fall in love with a pair of Anne Klein Kitten Heels and had to decide between black, beige or grey/lilac. I chose the grey/lilac because I’ve never had this color, and the price was right at only $20.48. I also purchased a Susan Graver skirt, $8.84; a Joan Rivers watch, $13.94; and a Melania Trump charm bracelet, $14.68, total with tax was $59.46. Now no more shopping until November, must only shop my closet!!!
Seasonal Home Decor – 40% off
This dress would look great with a pair of boots – $8.12
Shoes and too many purses to chose just one – so got none!
Aren’t these adorable?
I purchased the watch and skirt
Had to take picture of this customer’s boots – she purchased them from T.J. Maxx for $39.00, I hope they have them next month!!!
Have a fantabulous weekend – Smooches!
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