Forget spring cleaning, I always get the itch to clean up and clear out in January. And my first place of attack is always the kitchen. If the kitchen is clean and organized, I feel like I can handle anything. If the kitchen is a mess, I feel out of sorts. Here are my best [...]

The way I see it, most New Year’s resolutions are frustrating and ineffective because they are about turning inward. I’ve always found more success reaching out instead. That’s why I’ve made this list of 12 goals for 2012, one for each month to make this my sweetest year yet. Will you join me?
January – Reconnect [...]

Love them or loathe them, pet costumes are part of the Halloween tradition now. (I personally find them endlessly amusing.) Poor, innocent pets across the country will soon be subjected to their owners’ imagination, sense of humor, and possibly their glue gun. Isn’t it great? Here’s a parade of my favorite ideas. Some of them [...]

Next Sunday is Grandparents Day and there’s no better way to celebrate than creating a memory book, put together by the family and presented to Grandma and Grandpa. It’s a guaranteed out-of-the-park home run, filled with love and nostalgia (two things grandparents go gaga for).  Purchase a simple three-ring binder and fill it with special [...]

Packing a school lunch for one, two, or many each day can create a tornado of chaos in the kitchen. A little organization can keep the job simple (and easy enough for most kids to do themselves). Here are some great tips to keep your school lunch sanity intact:

Designate a drawer in the kitchen to [...]

Here’s a fun activity for the kids that will get them excited for the upcoming school year: personalized pencil cases! You only need a few simple supplies, a quiet summer afternoon, and a reluctant back-to-schooler to get started.
Personalized Pencil Cases
Pencil case
newspaper or magazine
colored paper
scissors
Modge Podge
sponge brush
Directions
Cut out strips of newspaper or magazine to cover the [...]

Sometimes it feels like a race to use your fresh fruits and vegetables before they go bad. Here are some simple tips to keep your favorite summer harvests fresher, longer. (I think some of them will surprise you.) Say it with me, long live the produce!
Tomatoes: Keep tomatoes out of the fridge to extend their [...]

Road trips can be times of transportation bliss or the stuff of nightmares. Protect yourself from the Are-we-there-yets and the Do-I-have-to-turn-this-car-arounds with these tips for a perfect road trip.
1. Anticipate needs. Being prepared for all manner of road trip woes will, ironically, prepare you from being woeful. Stock your car with the following: jumper cables, [...]

Like a miniature enchanted garden, terrariums are a decorative, attractive, and easy way to bring the outdoors inside. They are perfect for urban areas, screened porches, and anywhere that could use some green. Creating and maintaining your own terrarium is a fun creative process and easier than you think!

Containers
Nearly any water tight, clear glass or [...]

If you’re ready to clear out some clutter and make a little cash, a yard sale is a great way to go. Use these tips from the pros to get the best results.
1. Do your homework. Check with your neighborhood and city regarding any signage restrictions. In the weeks before your sale, visit other yard [...]