One day, years ago while I still let my cat outside, I got a phone call. “Your cat is sleeping on my bed!” Oh? I replied. “Yeah. And he ate all my cat’s food. Again. What are you going to do about it?”

“Um. Do you have a cat door?” I asked. Yes was the answer. I thought hard what to say besides “How is that my problem!” But instead, I asked what kind of food she fed her cat, and I agreed to buy the same brand, so he wouldn’t need to roam to find food he liked better than his own.

These days, pet doors are a lot better than a simple hole cut into a door with a piece of flimsy plastic or carpet stapled over it. Keep the neighbor’s cat, raccoons and other unwanted creatures out, while letting your own pet come and go.

Modern pet doors are insulated, more secure and look pretty good, especially if all your trim is white. They can be installed in a door or even the wall or a glass door. Mount through a wall, and have a contractor or DIY a handsome wood surround to match your wood trim for a finished look.

High tech electronic doors are programmable to the time of day, and the animal wears a “key” tag on its collar. But they are pricey, from $150 for the Endura flab shown below on up to $400 for a large opening one for dogs on Petdoors.com! But if you need the security, this is the way to go. Burglars can often fit through a dog door for a medium to large dog.

A more moderately priced version for cats has a magnetic key goes for around $65 on the PetSafe website.

Pet doors are great for indoor use, too. If you have a cat and a dog, you can place your cats’ food and water inside a room, and keep the dog out. You won’t need thermal properties or security unless your dog is the same size as your cat! Basic locking cat doors, suitable for interior doors like this one start at around $13.

Check out Frontgate for this attractive tension pet gate fordoors, complete with a cat door if your cat can’t jump very high…

Let us know your ideas, we’d love to hear what you think!

Until next time!

-Elaine Bothe

Photos courtesy of Frontgate, PetSafe and PetDoors

Looking for the perfect wedding or anniversary gift? Perhaps you just want to get a big jump start on your holiday gift list.  Or maybe you want to spoil yourself with luxurious designer bedding from Jennifer Adams Home.

Well, you are in luck!

Starting today through June 24th, Jennifer Adams Home bedding will be 50% off as part of our "10 Day Summer Sale."  From duvet covers to our Eternal Sheet Sets, the gift of a good night's sleep is just a click away.

The sale excludes Slumber Sheet Sets and the Furniture Collection by Jennifer Adams items.

Visit www.jenniferadamshome.com for more information.

Article by Jennifer Adams

Dealing with tracked-in  mud and dirt from yourself and your family is hard enough. Add in your dog, and it gets even harder. A floor mat at the door helps a lot, but can’t contain all the dirt and water in the wettest seasons.

Hardworking laundry rooms often double as mud rooms. Many of us enter our homes through a back door or garage through a laundry room, rather than the front door. While not always very welcoming, a certain amount of utility is pretty necessary.

A fun and very useful recent trend that deals with dirt and dogs is a dog shower. Like this one at right, as seen in Coastal Living Magazine, and built into a laundry room, garage, mud room or even outdoors, it’s a space where you can easily bathe your dog, your kids, rinse off sports gear, tend plants, fill mop buckets, dry boots and much more. Tile, fiberglass or stone, dog showers look like half height regular showers and are fitted with handheld showerheads mounted low. Some even have raised floors so you don’t need to bend over so far.

Make it big enough for your dog. If you have a small dog, up to miniature Schnauzer or a Westie, a standard shower size with a 36 inch square floor will be plenty of space to get your arms in there and allow your dog to move around. If you have a larger dog like a Lab or Retriever, a tub-size shower will work much better. Giant breeds may need an outdoor space.

Plan an easy to clean drain and use a drain strainer. Whether you opt for a fiberglass pan or a fully tiled floor, use a proper size drain with sturdy pipes. You will need to clean it often. Ask your plumber or contractor for assistance selecting the proper equipment.

Use water resistant finishes at the floor and walls. You will have a lot of water splashed around! Talk with your contractor for more information. Not only the finishes need to be waterproof, the subfloor and walls themselves need to be more durable than a typical laundry room wall or floor. 

A handheld showerhead will be useful for washing not only your dog but the shower itself. You can use a standard fixture that you would use in any shower. Your dog will appreciate having warm water! Match the finish to the plumbing throughout the rest of your house for a consistent and upscale look.

Look to your kitchen or other bathrooms for tile ideas, or, have fun and shop for some cute dog themed tiles like these. 

Dog owners usually have some great ideas. Let us know what you’ve done!

Photos courtesy of Coastal Living Magazine, cute tiles by Margaret Licha and Kallweit Graham Architecture by way of Houzz.

This Sunday, June 16^th, is Father’s Day.  This special celebration honors fathers, fatherhood, paternal bonds and the influence these men have had in our lives.

According to Time.com, dads “get short shifted” on their special day, but they are okay with it.  According to the National Retail, “the amount consumers spend on Father’s Day gifts has been significantly less than the average spent on Mother’s Day.”

The article explains that “it’s not about dishonoring or loving dad any less.”  In fact, it comes down to three reasons:

• Dads really don’t want anything.
• The providers of the family don't feel it’s right for their children to shell out green for a gift.
• The items they really want are either too expensive or they purchase them on their own time schedule.
  

Often times, the cards or suggested gifts from websites often target our father's "time away" from us rather than the shared moments. Grocery store card racks or the Father's Day gift display focuses on golf balls, ties, pens or other items for work.

So what is child to do to celebrate the Big Guy in their life? Here’s a couple of interesting cards and DIY gifts we discovered on Pinterest:

DIY Gift Card Holder
Thinking about getting your Father a gift card? Go beyond the tie and shirt with this cute homemade card can be used with leftover card stock, glue and a sharpie. Extra credit for adding buttons!

Too Cute “DadGlasses”
Does your father wear glasses? Create a gift that's a bit more of the man you see day to day with this printable "glasses" card from Mr. Printables.

For the Grill Master
Is your father the Grill Master? Why not spice up his next backyard adventure with homemade spice rub? Scour the Internet or use this delicious creole rub for chicken.

Or perhaps, if he is more into hamburgers, hotdogs and sausages, this homemade ketchup recipe may hit the spot.

For the Sweet Tooth
Did anyone say bacon? No? Maybe they should! This tasty Whiskey, Caramel, Marshmallow Bacon bark is sure to hit your father's sweet tooth!

Happy Father's Day!
-- Weegee Sachtjen

The arguments for indoor-only cats go both ways. I agree that it’s in a cat’s nature to roam and hunt. But in our urban society pet ownership is pretty gratuitous, though hugely rewarding and fun. I certainly would not be as happy without my pets.

But I’m convinced by personal experience that cats will live longer and perfectly happy lives if they are kept indoors. After several trips to the emergency veterinary hospital in the middle of the night after a cat got hit by a car, in a cat fight or attacked by dogs, coyotes or raccoons, fighting flea infestations, and cleaning up extra dirt and oil stains after a cat rubbed underneath a car, you have to wonder if it’s worth the risk and expense.

And that’s not to mention the dead songbirds and rodents one of my cats used to bring in! Or neighbors’ complaints… the list goes on. We brought that cat indoors once we adopted a second cat who had always been indoor only. He adjusted just fine.

You can provide a safe place for fresh air and sunshine for your indoor cats. Enclosed porches or “catios,” terraces, sunny windows, cat runs, fence toppers and many other structures offer extra room for play and lounging.

The key is a sturdy frame and wire mesh with holes small enough your cat can’t climb through. Window screening is not strong enough to keep cats safe, you need something stronger. Cedar wood holds up well to the elements, but will turn gray if you don’t stain or seal it. If you want to keep your cats in and bugs out, add screening on the outside of the wire mesh.  The website for Catio Showcase has a bunch of great ideas for both DIY and professionals.

If you have a yard, make tunnels that go from one window or cat door to another, along the top of fences, or to a series of larger play areas. Cats don’t usually dig but they are good climbers, so make sure the space is fully enclosed at the sides and top.

Plants and water features can be fun for your cats as well. Use pet safe plants of course. For a list of toxic plants, see this list on ASPCA’swebsite. Keep in mind that any dirt may be used as a litterbox, so mulch planters with river rock.

What have you built? Let us know your ideas!

Until next time!

-Elaine Bothe

Photos courtesy of Elaine Bothe, Catio Showcase and Sally’s Cathouse. For more helpful indoor cat tips, see the Community Concern for Cats website.

Article by Jennifer Adams

Dogs and cats are members of the family for so many of us. We buy birthday presents for them, dote on them and try to take them everywhere, at least if they’re a dog.

Most pets are not picky about their environment, but we are. It’s in our nature to make other creatures comfortable, including the family pets. Plus, it’s fun. But mixing in typical pet furniture might not always blend so well with your sense of style.

Watch for the upcoming release of our own Jennifer Adams Pets line for some beautiful options that you and your pets will be proud to own. But until then, here are some of my tips for living beautifully with your pets.

Bedding: Your pets should not be sleeping on your bed, they need a comfortable bed of their own. Dogs can be noisy sleepers and take up a lot of space especially when they’re hot, leaving less room for you. And, the extra dander, hair, dirt and moisture from your pets add to allergens and potential mold and mildew issues.

Dogs like a lot of padding, and if they have a nice bed of their own they may prefer it to your sofa. Dogs also want to be in the same room as you, so you may need more than one dog bed if you don’t want to lug it from room to room. If the bed doesn’t match your décor, buy or make a washable cover that does. Or, use a sheet or reversible blankets in a nice color. Buy a set, so you can rotate them frequently through your washing machine to reduce dirt and odors.

Cats usually like to be partially hidden or up higher than the floor, so provide soft perches next to windows, high enough for the cats to look out a window. A simple cardboard box is pretty appealing to most cats. A prettier solution is a basket, or, better yet, a few baskets placed in safe, quiet and sunny spots around the house. Line with a towel or two that match your décor, and let your cat think she discovered it on her own.

If your cat insists on sleeping on your bed, which is usually the warmest place in the house, use a washable sheet as a bedspread and put an extra fluffy towel or two and a fuzzy throw blanket at the foot. The cat will likely prefer that to your pillow, but that’s not a guarantee. Cats can be pretty hard to convince!

To help disguise the appearance of fur on your floors, pick an area rug that is easy to vacuum, and in a color that matches your pets’ fur. But when the fur is on the floor, it may have a different color than when it is on the animal. Carpet may not be the best choice in case of accidents, however, and can be difficult to keep clean. I have a friend who shopped for a rug with a clump of her cat’s fur in her hand. She picked the color that did the best job of hiding the fur!

Hard flooring surfaces such as tile, stone or linoleum are also pet friendly, because they’re easy to clean and wood floors scratch easily under pet toenails. Unless your cat or dog is all dark brown or black, mottled colors hide dirt and fur better than solid dark colors. Slip resistant flooring is just as important for your pets as it is for people.

Most of all, if you have pets, have fun and be OK with your house not being perfect. You’ll get some flaws and damage, no matter how hard you try to protect things. Buy inexpensive, washable, durable materials. Aged, weathered and distressed furnishings won’t look more damaged with the extra wear and tear. 

Do your pets rule the house? Let us know your great ideas for accommodating your pet’s needs!

For more tips, see this great interview of Nate Berkus living with his two dogs, Emma and Henry on the Tails Pet Media Group website and this article on “9 Tips for a Chic, Pet-Friendly Home” on the HGTV website. Photos courtesy of Jennifer Adams Home,

Out of the five W's we are taught in school, the most important one to me has always been "When?"   I like to know what time it is, how much time I have left and how much time has passed.

On my wedding day, the most important element of the day of schedule was how long the ceremony would take.  I wanted to know at what point I would be married and past the nerve-wrecking part of the day. In short, I'm a very time-centric person.

A few weeks ago, I was looking over old entries of this blog and there was one theme that popped up with regular frequency: "If your home is your castle, then your bedroom is your innermost sanctuary. You spend more time in your bedroom than any other place in your home. It should be a place of comfort and relaxation -- a well-thought out bedroom will help you get better sleep, and you will feel much healthier and happier for it!"

One of the tips from Jennifer Adams for getting a better night's sleep is to clear the room of technology that may be a source of distraction or sleep disruption.  This includes televisions, hand-held devices and laptops.  For me, this obviously meant unplugging the alarm clock.

I was interested to see just how often I looked at the alarm clock.  For the first week, I took a cue from diet programs and kept an informal journal of how often I woke up in the night to focus on the alarm clock.  The first night, it was about seven times.  I woke up SEVEN times to learn how long I have slept and how much more time I had to get some zzz's. I interrupted my sleep to learn how much more I can have.

It was at that moment that I realized I needed to make a change and break my bond with the alarm clock.  The nightstand beside my bed has three shelves.  The alarm clock and bedside lamp are on the top.  The second shelf holds my various journals while the third contains the books I am currently reading.

The first week, I moved the alarm clock to the second shelf.  This shelf is just below the bed level, which means I would have to make an effort to roll over and look down to view the alarm clock.  The second week, I dropped it down to the third level, where I would have to roll over, look down and tilt the alarm clock up towards me.

This week, I unplugged the device and put it away in a closet. By removing the alarm clock, my bedroom has become a place of comfort, relaxation and sleep.  My bedroom has become my sanctuary.

Here are a few tips if you are considering eliminating the alarm clock in your life:

1) Need an Alarm Clock to Wake Up?
Consider putting the device in an adjoining bathroom or closet.  Turning the alarm clock so it faces the wall or using a wind-up will produce excellent benefits.

2) Don't Go Cold Turkey
If you are one of those people that can alter your routine or habits in the blink of an eye, I applaud you . . . and I'm incredibly jealous.  Take little steps, like I did with the shelves, to break the habit of having an alarm clock in the room.

3) Using Other Devices as Alarm Clocks
Many people use their phones, tablets or i-devices as their alarm clocks.  The idea of a completely tech-free room is a bit counter-culture for everything is mobile and boundaries get blurred. You can continue to use those devices as an alarm clock, but consider putting them on the other side of the room at least 30 minutes before bed and out of your immediate reach in the morning.  Studies have shown that artificial light exposure between dusk and the time we go to bed makes it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Besides, there are good reasons to resist the urge to check email, read your social media outlets prior to getting out of bed.

The most important tip is to find ways to use your bedroom for relaxation, sleep and romance.  It may mean unplugging in order to fully unwind.

Let me know how your "unplug" goes!

Until next time!
--Weegee Sachtjen

Image Courtesy of BHG.com

Article by Jennifer Adams

Are you a dog person when your spouse likes cats? Do you see things in black and your partner sees white? Opposing viewpoints can be exciting when it works, adding spice and fun. When it doesn’t work the result is chaotic and busy.

In décor, opposites work really well to create contrast and excitement in a room. Use color accents to draw the eye around a room, or to create a bold focal feature.

Here are some of my tips on how to successfully use contrast in your décor.

Contrast with Color. From classic black and white to a more modern take in gray and ivory, or even brighter colors can take boring to bold in a flick of a paintbrush. This room, at left, photographed by Simon Upton for Elle Décor of a design by Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller, is an elegant combination of grayish brown and ivory. 

Alone, these two contrasting colors create a peaceful and luxurious room, and the red bookcase adds an exciting focus. This approach is great for the end of a hall or walkway, or to balance another strong focal feature in a room, such as a massive fireplace.

Contrast with Texture. Rough and smooth, fuzzy and shiny, new and old, busy and plain are ways to use contrast in texture. Prints on fabric and patterns also count as texture. If you have a monochrome room of mostly whites or one color, varying texture is a great way to keep the room interesting. In the photo at the top of this article, appearing in Elle Décor and photographed by William Waldron, the draperies’ grid pattern contrasts the tonal fabrics on the furniture, walls and rug to create a subtle interest.

Go nuts, contrast with everything! The vignette shown in this photo below, taken by Eric Piasecki of a design by Gideon Mendelson appearing in House Beautiful, beautifully shows how modern, shiny pieces (the yellow chest) contrast with the traditional texture and style of the wallpaper and fabrics. As if the color wasn’t interesting enough, the edgy art and traditional style chair balance each other for a fun, eclectic yet pulled together look.

Have fun, be bold and if it doesn’t work, change it later. Bathrooms, living rooms, family rooms, halls and entries are good rooms to experiment with contrast because you can try things easily and inexpensively. Paint, throw pillows and accessories are easy ways to try a new color or texture.

Show us your ideas! I’d love to see what you’ve done in your house!

Photos courtesy of Elle Décor and House Beautiful.

Prints can add a bold, fun statement to your big day.  From dresses to runners, how printed fabric can make a lasting impression.Whether you are fond of stripes, dots, and chevron or floral, prints can add a bold, fun statement to your big day.

Picking out your own fabric and incorporating it into your wedding is a great way to add a personal touch to your event.  Here are just a few ideas for adding prints to your wedding or next big event:

Go Bold with Runners
Table runners are long narrow decorating accessories that run the length of the table and add a bit of depth to the centerpiece.  They also are used to add a bit of drama and color to the underlying tablecloth. Replacing the standard burlap or single colored organza will add a playful note to your wedding decor.

This bold runner featured on The Cake Blog will break the mold on your sweet day.

Looking for something a bit more rustic or reminiscent of backyard picnics? Think bright colors and fun prints, including this red and white gingham runner from Rustic Wedding Chic.com.

Runners are also easy to make.  All you need is a couple of hours, some fabric and a sewing machine.
Here are some tips for determining yardage needed from Sew, Mama Sew!

Your Dress in Prints
For those seeking to wear something other than white for your wedding day, a dress made from a fun, printed fabric will make a big impact. Depending on the print itself, less is often more. With that in mind, perhaps just use the print as a highlight to your dress, such as this one from OneWed.com.

Or go all in with a fun, floral print as I did for my April wedding:

Get the Groom in on the Fun!
Let the "prince" have fun with the prints! As you can see in the photo above, my husband selected a bow-tie in a floral print.  Grooms and their groomsmen can get into the "prints" groove with patterned suits, a colorful bowtie or an interesting fabric vest, such as this image from My Wedding Reception Ideas Blog.

Whether rustic, romantic, modern, edgy or spunky, there is a print out there that will reflect you and your partner's personality.  If you tie your patterns of choice into your invite or thank you note, you will create a "brand" that will tie the entire wedding together.

Happy Hunting!
-- Weegee Sachtjen

Who has enough closet space? I know I don’t! And I’m not a clothes horse, either. I do have a lot of bicycling clothes and coats though. So does my husband. In our house we share just a single 8-foot wide “reach-in” closet in our bedroom. 

With additional shelves above the hang bar and shoe shelves below, our closet is more efficient than many, and we do pack a lot in there. And we do have other closets in our house. 

While I would love to convert our spare room to a beautiful closet that looks like a high end retail store, like this dream closet shown above from Poliform, my reality is far from that. More affordable and more realistic solutions are available from stores like Ikea or the Elfa line from The Container Store.

Here are some of our strategies:

If there are two of you and one closet, divide the available space in half and respect it. Find or make a natural divider in the closet. In ours, the hang bar has a bracket at dead center, so we use that. The nice thing is that neither of our hangers can slide past the bracket into the other’s space.

If you’re using a handy on-line closet design system, like this one from Elfa, design two closets, each in half the space of your full closet. I found these automated designs often divide the available space in thirds, which is a hard way to divide anything between two people.

If one of you has a lot more clothing than the other, and there is plenty of space, talk to each other about a dividing line that is not a perfect half. If you’re the one with more clothing, realize your spouse or partner is giving up his or her rightful ownership to half the space even if it is completely obvious you have more stuff. Make sure your partner has enough space, take what is left, and if you still need more space, either rotate your clothing seasonally into another closet or get rid of some of it.

Decluttering is never a bad idea. Keep things you don’t wear out of the main closet space, and donate it if you haven’t worn it for more than a year. Trust me, unless it’s a very special item, you won’t wear it again. Ever. If you have less stuff, you’ll have more space for the stuff you actually do use.

Maximize your closet space with extra shelves or a closet organizing system. My house has a lot of original clear fir shelving in all the closets. I would not be happy about removing it, so I added a full-width shelf with cubbies above the existing one and at the floor for extra shoe storage instead of installing a full closet system. Plus, I added a bunch of hooks at the back of the door on my side for jackets, robes and sweatshirts.

“His” and “Hers” closets work, too, if you actually have them. In most houses there is only one closet per room but if you’re lucky you have two. Draw straws or discuss who gets the big one if they’re not equal. If one is big and the other is tiny, use the small one for jackets, linens or sporting goods, and split the big one in half.

Usually it’s pretty obvious what to do, but talk about it if it’s not. How does it work at your house? Let us know!

Until next time!

Elaine Bothe

For more tips, see this great article on Apartment Therapy. Photos courtesy of Poliform and Elfa by The Container Store.

Article by Jennifer Adams

Congratulations, you’re moving in together! You just got married! Or, you’re in a committed relationship and are ready to take it to the next level. Or you’re moving back home, or having a child move back in with you. Or, getting a roommate. Whatever your circumstances are, a little planning before combining households will help keep things smooth.

There will be plenty to discuss than just décor. Talk about chores, pet responsibilities, child care if necessary, curfews, splitting finances and errands. Many potentially relationship-ending misunderstandings come from sharing finances and different preferences for cleanliness, entertaining hours and events. Food and beverage separation is another big topic!

Here are a few of my favorite tips for successfully sharing a household, especially if you’re engaged or in a committed romantic relationship.

Talk with a lawyer to work out some of the financial logistics, or at least talk with each other and write down your ideas before moving in. Some questions to address are whose name(s) go on the lease, agreement, loan or title, and how will the utilities be split up.

 “Purge before you merge.” If you have less stuff to move in the first place, you’ll have fewer items to deal with later. For some really interesting information on how to handle things if you have a different attitude toward stuff than your partner, read “11 Ways to Merge two Households into One: a Must for Newlyweds!” by Rivka Slatkin, published on Yahoo! Voices.

Keep the best and toss the rest. Donate the ratty pots and pans, keep the nicer ones until you can shop for new stuff together. Allow each other to keep a few sentimental objects or favorites, especially if they’re small. If there is truly something you cannot agree whether to keep or toss, literally put aside your argument. Unless it’s alive, like a plant or pet, box it up and save it for a year. Open it up again later and see what you both think.

Try hard to blend your décor styles if they’re radically different. Keep the public areas of the home neutral, though private areas like bedrooms and baths can be more personal. If you have duplication of furniture, for example, two sofas, put the nicest one where it will get the most use. Be creative, if you have two dining tables, use the smaller one as a desk!

 Look for similarities in your furnishings such as wood tones and color. Use those together for a cohesive look, and accent with contrasting items. Take turns choosing what art goes where if you’re struggling. Flip a coin to see who goes first!

If possible, choose your new home together so you’ll start fresh, as equal partners. If that’s not feasible, start by cleaning out the clutter and starting with a clean of a slate as possible. Paint in neutral colors, choose important pieces like your bed together, and have fun putting it all together.

Lastly, make sure you each have a corner or whole room to call your own. A desk, a "man cave," a hobby center, something, someplace in your new house that you can express yourself will be rewarding. As much as you may now have a life together, try to indulge in a separate interest. 

Share your personal stories! We want to know what went well or what went wrong. For more information, see the “Tips for Combining Households” here, from Apartment Therapy.

Photos courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens website.

Wedding guest books were originally a functional souvenir for the wedding couple that helped them remember who attended their big day event, organize thank you notes and even start a formal address book.  This format has evolved into more of a memory keepsake for the newlyweds with signatures or little love notes from friends and family.  Some people even incorporate Polaroid or photo booth snapshots into a "love note" collection.  There are even wedding day-versions of "Mad Lips" to help loved ones share their thoughts on the newly-wedded couple.

Unfortunately, these keepsakes usually get stored away with other mementos and without a second thought to the sentiment stored within it after the wedding day.

Guest books are really meant to be a long-lasting memento of the big day and of those who made it complete with their love, laughter and support. Why not create a guest book that will serve as a keepsake to be viewed over and over again?

That was the thought process behind my "Guest Book Canvas" idea.  My husband and I wanted something that went beyond just signatures in a book or "love recipe" cards.  We wanted something that we could hang on the wall and cherish long after the wedding.
Read more »

Summertime is a great time for moving. Kids are out of school, people are getting married, houses sell well, plus the weather is usually good so your vintage leather sofa won’t get destroyed in Uncle Bob’s pickup during a rain storm or on the way out to the moving van.

No question about it, moving is a chore. Here are some ideas on how to make sure you get your stuff safely from here to there, whether you’re hiring it all out or moving it all yourself.

1. Declutter as you pack, room by room, shelf by shelf. Have some boxes set up for “Recycle” and “Donate.” If you haven’t used it in a year, get rid of it. Save yourself time and only carefully box up the stuff you’ll move. Have your kids do the same thing. It’s OK to get rid of books!

2. Use what you have as packing material. Wrap your dishes carefully in your clean dishcloths, kitchen towels, and pillowcases. Use your bath towels, sheets and blankets for the big stuff: planters, lamps and accessories. Not only will you save money by not buying extra packing materials, you’ll save time by not needing to wash all your dishes after wrapping them in newspaper (the ink can be very difficult to remove from glassware) or going to buy more wrapping paper. Fill the voids between stacks of dishes and at the top with other clean towels, clothing, socks, etc.

Save or scrounge boxes. If you have room, keep them together to save time, or flatten them to conserve space until you need them. Uline, UBoxes and Office Depot sell new boxes, you may be able to find used boxes for sale near you. Alien Box and Rent-A-Green-Box rents these green reusable, stacking plastic containers, there may be a similar company near you.

3. Label all your boxes as you pack them, with the room name they’ll go into and the date. Add important details of the contents like “pots and pans” or “living room books” so you’ll know what you need to unpack immediately.

4. Box everything, even if it’s lightweight. Lampshades, baskets, fake flowers, lamps, fans, throw pillows, etc. are all awkward and often fragile, so they need protection. Nest the lampshades and baskets to save room. Boxed items can be stacked to save room in the truck or trailer. Nothing slows a move down more than tiny loads of ungainly items.

5. Use small boxes for books and heavy stuff. Trust me. These get ungainly fast.

6. Don’t wrap stuff that doesn’t need it. You do not need to wrap each utensil, fork and spoon separately. Do keep them together. Wrap the sharp knifes carefully for safety.

7. Clean and repair stuff before you pack it. Keep dusting rags and tools handy and if you can’t fix it, get rid of it.

8. Keep similar stuff together. Chances are you’ll find stuff easier if they share the same space in your new house. Unpacking will go faster, too. Take the contents of each drawer, pull out stuff to get rid of and pack the rest into a single pillowcase, including the organizers, after you clean them of course! Put all these pillowcases into a single box marked “Under Kitchen Sink,” “Her Dresser Top Left,” “Pet Grooming Stuff” or whatever.

9. Don’t throw away menial stuff that you think you’ll replace when you move, such as cleaning supplies, yard tools, etc. Even if it’s nearly worn out. If you don’t pack it, it’s likely you’ll need it right away when you get to your new house, after you forget to replace it.

10. Do throw out old makeup, lotions, shampoos, etc. Move only the stuff you’re using now. Also use the opportunity to get rid of all the old foods and samples in the back of your pantry, the old batteries, pens, outdated coupons, maps and phone books.

11. Pack up essentials separately, as if you’re going on a trip. Toiletries, a few changes of clothing, a few towels, medicines, your pets’ food and dishes, what you’ll need for a few days until you get everything unpacked.

12. Only open and unpack a box if you need something in it. Store these less essential boxes, and in a year or so, if you haven’t opened a box, you probably don’t need it.

13. If you’re moving within the same city, consider loading up your car with the most fragile things each trip even if you’re hiring professionals. You won’t need to stress out yourself or your friends.

14. Don’t try to do everything in one day. Start weeks early. Packing takes time, especially if you need to clean and de-clutter as you go. Start with the least used stuff first, and don’t get into a box again until it’s in your new house!

15. Use the right tools for the job if you're doing it yourself. In addition to trucks and trailers, U-Haul rents or sells moving blankets, hand trucks, dollies, appliance straps, water bed and aquarium pumps, and a huge variety of things that will make your life easier. 

16. Enjoy. Take breaks, moving is hard work but it can be fun. It’s an exciting change, make the most of it!

Let us know your ideas, we’d love to hear what you think. Horror stories are fun too.

Until next time!

-Elaine Bothe

Photos courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens website, Alien Box, U-Haul and UBoxes. For more moving tips, see “Moving Tips” on TLC’s “How Stuff Works” website.

Article by Jennifer Adams

You spend more time on your mattress than on any other piece of furniture you own. And because quality sleep means so much in how you feel during the day, it’s critical that your mattress is comfortable and works really well for you. If it’s not, it’s time to find a new one.

If you’re like most people, you should expect to replace your mattress at least every ten years, no matter how much you paid for it. Get a new mattress every five to seven years if you have back problems, allergies or other medical issues, or if it’s simply no longer comfortable. Our bodies and sleeping patterns change over the years, so something that is comfortable now may not be down the road, even if there’s nothing wrong with the mattress.

And, with June weddings, graduations, people moving after the school year and many other reasons, many mattress stores hold additional sales in May, particularly over Memorial Day Weekend. The new models come out in the summer, so the stores want to reduce their inventory.

Tip 1. Relax. Don’t get hung up too much about hitting the sale. It’s easy to get carried away with the crowds. The critical thing is to get the right mattress. If you’re not sure, don’t buy one. Come back another day when it’s less crowded.

Tip 2. The best mattress for you is the one within your budget that you find the most comfortable. Once you find it, stop looking! You’ll only find ways to spend more money. If you find a comfortable bed within your budget, you should be fine for a few years with all but the very least expensive mattresses. If they’re comfortable, even cheap ones may be perfectly fine as guest beds or for other infrequent uses.

Tip 3. Give yourself an orientation to the industry and what’s out there. Do some research before you set a budget. Like shopping for a car, don’t buy one right away. Look at ads and visit several stores to get a general sense of the price ranges and the sales pitches. Lie down on a few. Ask about warranties. Some require you to purchase a new box spring or platform and a mattress protector, some don’t.

Don’t count on actually being able to compare mattresses store to store. Unlike car dealers, mattress manufacturers send differently labeled products to each store. You can, however, find something comfortable and that’s what counts.

Some retailers offer protection plans, find out what it covers and how much it costs. Consumer Reports’ website has a great Mattress Buying Guide as well as a lot of extra information. You may need to have a subscription to see all the ratings, but it’s worth poking around to see what’s there.

Tip 4. Know your sleeping habits. Just because a mattress is labeled “firm” doesn’t mean it’s the best mattress for you. Do you and your sleeping partner, if you have one, have similar tastes? Do you sleep on your back, side or stomach? If you sleep on your stomach, you’ll need a firmer bed. If you’re a side sleeper, look at softer beds. If you sleep on your back, or back and sides, you’ll probably like something not too firm and not too soft, but “just right.”

Tip 5. Box Spring or not? “Box springs” are the foundation on which the mattress sits. Box springs are usually sold with a paired mattress. Sometimes, however, the same box spring with different colored ticking is sold with many different mattresses from the same manufacturer.

With less expensive mattress sets, the “box” may have no springs at all, it might be just a wood box with a light layer of padding and a matching cover. It’s helpful to know what you’re getting, and a quality box spring can make a difference in the way your bed feels.

And some mattresses, such as the “memory” foam beds may not need a box spring at all, so are good options for a sleek and contemporary platform-style look. You may need more support for a mattress of this type, however.

Tip 6. All beds need air circulation around them so never place mattresses or box springs directly on the floor. Many mattress stores have very inexpensive metal frames, some may even give you one with your mattress purchase. Use it if you don’t have anything else. Because of humidity changes, and the heat you emit at night, your mattress needs to dry out. 

Prevent mold and mildew growth and allergens, protect yourself and your investment. Also use water resistant mattress protectors, sometimes the warranty will require it.

Tip 7. Strategies for saving money include starting at the back of the store. The most expensive mattresses are usually closest to the front, says Consumer Reports. Other ways to possibly save some money are to shop special promotions at major retailers, such as “year-end closeouts” and “mis-match sales” where the box spring fabric doesn’t match the mattress. Be aware that these may just be marketing ploys or may even be returns or refurbished mattresses or they may not be really any different than any other sale. Just make sure you know what the return policy may be and what the warranty covers. As long as you know what you’re getting, it’s comfortable and in your price range, go for it!

Manufacturers’ showrooms and outlets may also be a less expensive option. Also, less-familiar regional factories, such as Parklane Mattresses, based in Vancouver,Washington, often build mattresses for hotels, resorts and as in-house brands for department or warehouse stores. Many of these have factory-direct stores either at or separate from their factory.

Sometimes they build mattresses in custom sizes or for special needs. They might have some special one-off that got refused, or a close-out line that they need to unload.

Send us your thoughts and stories! For additional information, see Consumer Reports, and the Ask.com article “Best Time of Year to Buy a Mattress” by Brendan Gibney. Photos courtesy of Jennifer Adams Home and Parklane Mattresses.

Every few years the cycle starts all over. Seems like my friends talk to each other and coordinate all their weddings and house warming parties together in the same year. Then, there’s a space of a few years -- nothing! Until the babies start to show up.

So, every year I go through the same thought process, what makes great gifts for weddings, engagements and house warming. Beyond a blender, tired, I mean tiered canapé tray or a framed wedding invitation (the first one is lovely, the second goes great at the office, the third or fourth, well...) I like to buy useful things that are nicer than what someone would ordinarily buy for themselves, but not so fancy they won’t actually use it. You need to be specific and yet generic at the same time.

Trust the registry. Find out if the couple has one and stick to it to make it easy on yourself and them, or buy a gift card for the same store.

Bedding sets! It’s amazing how many people skimp on their bedding or use hand-me-downs, especially if they are setting up a household. Shameless plug: our Jennifer Adams Home sheet sets are not only luxurious and beautiful, they’re easy care and not that expensive. Check out the website for special bridal sets and basics, and watch for our rotating schedule at a Costco near you.

Nice kitchenware. If you have some money to spend, heavy duty pots or pans like this one from All-Clad, quality knives, or a sturdy ceramic coated skillet set are gifts that will last a lifetime. If you’re on a budget, a stack of matching kitchen dishcloths and towels will be useful and appreciated. Or, a set of glass mixing bowls, Or, buy gift cards for places like Target or Costco so they can fill in their own collection.

Support their hobby. Buy a gift certificate at REI if they like to camp, bike, ski or hike, Bass Pro Shops if they hunt or fish, Kitchen Kaboodle if they like to cook. That way they can spend money on what they need. If they’re serious about their hobby and you’re not, it’s likely you’ll pick the wrong thing or choose something they already have.

House parts. Any new home or rental will need some personalization, even if it’s a simple as tools, paint if allowed, throw rugs, lamps or yard and garden stuff. Gift cards for Home Depot or Lowes will come in handy for most anyone!

What are your favorite wedding and house warming gift ideas? Share with us!

Until next time,

--Elaine Bothe

Photos courtesy of Kitchen Kaboodle, Jennifer Adams Home, and Home Depot .

Article by Jennifer Adams

Entertaining outdoors, festive barbeques, kids playing croquet, summer memories are particularly fun. Whether in your backyard or a picnic in the park, keeping everyone happy outside isn’t any more difficult than indoors, with a few considerations.

Here are some things I recommend when someone asks me about entertaining outdoors.

1. Holiday lights aren’t for only for Christmas any more.

 Remember being sad when the holiday lights come down? Merchants and shopping districts first figured out that leaving the lights in the trees look festive year round. They will look nice at your house, too. Hang from the fence, around your patio cover, from a tree or even around retaining walls and other outdoor structures.  Checkout these beauties from Target.

2. Dishware should be durable.

Even if you don’t have kids, dishes seem to get banged up more often outside. And, plastic ware has come a long way from the ugly stuff we had growing up. Plastic wine glasses and barware come in as many sizes as the finest crystal, and this outdoor collection from Pottery Barn rivals the prettiest china!

Paper plates have come a long way, too, but it’s more elegant to go with something reusable. Trays and carts keep drinks, food and bar ware handy, and make it easy to carry in and out of your indoor kitchen.

3. Accessorize just like you do inside.

Lanterns stand in for electric lamps, though those are available too. Lighting Universe has about a hundred! Some are battery operated, some plug in. Most look like ones you’d use indoors, too.

Throw pillows look inviting and add color, and throw blankets are useful when the evening chill comes on.

Candles, shells, trays, artful pieces of wood and stone, anything that can be outside make great decorative items on tables and as centerpieces to feather out your patio as nicely as your living room.

4. Heating and cooling, patio style.

Even though you’re outside, it’s nice to be comfortable regardless of the weather. Costco has a nice collection of patio heaters fueled by propane, many can heat an area up to ten feet away.

Shade is the ultimate way to stay cool. Umbrellas, trellises, large trees and patio covers all help add shade. Vines or panels of fabric hung like airy draperies at the edges of a structure will also help keep the sun from being too bright.

Misters help you stay even cool if it’s really hot and dry. Misters can be attached to umbrellas or at the perimeter of your patio or trellis. Target has a nice selection of misting kits.

  

If you have humid weather, add a ceiling fan for an architectural look if you have a patio cover or trellis. Contact a professional electrician for proper installation and fixture selection.

What are your favorite outdoor entertaining tips? Share them with me, I'd love to hear about it!

Photos courtesy of Target and Pottery Barn.