Dry clean only?!!

I got a very nice used winter coat from a thrift store, it's made of three materials: suede, polyester and acrylic. The care instructions in the tag tell you to only dry clean it by a leather professional, but I really didn't want to spend all that money in dry cleaning (yes...I'm that cheap). Plus they use chemicals that are harmful for the environment. 

I've been searching on the Internet and the material that should not get wet is suede. Suede is a type of leather with a fuzzy surface. Now, I spent a while considering taking it to a dry cleaner but didn't make up my mind, winter is getting close, the weather is getting colder even here in Florida. I wasn't going to wear it dirty ether, especially coming from a thrift store. I was also afraid to wash it myself, but at the end I dared to do it! I knew I could fail or I could succeed. 

I washed it in the machine with cold water, used baby shampoo and hung it to dry. I think it still looks good.

Outdoor family time

In order to complete Monday's post about doing things together with your child, I will be sharing the fun afternoon Ella and I had yesterday.

We began our outdoor time finding the hidden treasure (which was only a box I hid in the backyard, no big deal) but yet really fun for her. We went outside with props and toys and played many improvised games (made up by ourselves). We collected some leaves and seeds. We made bubbles and took many pictures of nature but the best thing of all... Ella took her own pictures too.

IDEA: Give your child the camera, let him choose and take pictures by himself, that way you can see what is interesting for them. 

It was a great day and great family time.

Do it together

Doing different activities together is one of the things that makes a family be happy and healthy. Like most kids, one of our daughter's favorite thing to do is paint and color. But she enjoys it the most when Ramon or I join her. 

Got my hands dirty painting with the little one. 

TIP: Display the things you do together, whether is a craft or piece of art, anything you and your child create. I display the drawings we make on her bedroom door. She is proud of the things she makes by herself but we also feel she is proud of the things we have done together. 

Timber!!!?

Don't worry, we are not bringing down any trees (I just wanted to give an interesting name to this post), but definitely we want to trim the branches of the trees around our house. Some of them represent a danger to our safety especially one that leans towards our house from the neighbors backyard. Because living in Florida we often get hit by hurricanes, we thought it was smart to trim the dangerous branches that are over the house. Also, the numerous amount of leaves they shed is killing the grass. 

This is a picture I took of a random falling tree in our area.

I started digging on the Internet and there are interesting things about tree trimming that are important to know:

Tree trimming is not used only for safety but also for aesthetics and even for health reasons. First of all, if a tree is causing damage to your property you're not permitted to go to your neighbors house and cut down his tree, but you're allowed to trim the tree branches up to your property line. You know who the tree belongs to by where the trunk is located. 

Also, if your neighbors fallen leaves are damaging your lawn know that there is nothing you can do about it but to trim the branches or rake the leaves everyday. 

The burning flame

Ahhh... candles. We love them, they make our homes look cozier, feel warmer, the scented candles make your house smell like many different aromas from lavender to apple pie. They create a mood that a light bulb will not achieve... candles are great for your home.  But at the same time they concern us a little since a burning candle in your home is a big risk of fire.

These rocks hold the wax that drips from the candles.

Here are some precautions:

The first precaution and the most important one for me is to never leave the candles unattended and always AWAY FROM CHILDREN. We prefer lighting them when our little one is asleep.

We light our candles in candle holders made specifically for candles, is the safest way to burn them.

Do not place candles near fabric or paper, there should be an appropriate distance between the candle and these materials.

Have the right kind of candle holder. The best materials are ceramic and glass (they don't melt like plastic or heat up like metal).

Keep your candles away from drafts.

We love them too much to stop using them so let's take precautions instead. 

What's in your bag?

Since I was a little girl I've always liked to hang around with bags full of all sort of stuff, even if I was staying at home. Now I'm older and my bag is still a big bag full of things but not precisely unnecessary things.

Always consider what items you really need to have in your purse. For every person these items vary (since each person is different) but there are always some essential things that everyone needs.

For people with beauty routines, make up, brushes and tissues are essential.

People with hygiene routines, don't forget the hand sanitize, toothbrush, soap or deodorant.

When you're on medication don't forget your medicine and of course a bottle of water. 

For adventurers a multi-task tool or a Swiss knife. 

For creative or inspired people don't forget art sources (music player, camera, and of course the handy notepad).

For people with children don't forget there is a whole other list: 

*Snacks (crackers, fruity snacks, juice box, etc).

*Something for entertainment (colors, paper, some toys).

*Neosporin and band aids (in case they fall).


NOTE: Don't forget your house keys and always remember your wallet with your ID...oh! And never leave the house without money. 

Do you work better in order or in chaos?

I ask this question because as strange as it may sound, actually some people feel more comfortable working in a chaotic and messy environment. Probably because keeping an organized work area or office is not an easy task. I mean, how do you keep everything in its right place when you have to work on the computer, call the client, take notes, print samples, and at the same time you need to grab a snack, and hold the doll your kid is giving you.

The work space (when it's clean).

I actually know people that say they have a system and are able to feel comfortable working in their own mess. They know where everything is...tossed!

If you are not messy because you like it but, like me, it just gets out of control, then here are some ideas that might help:

1. Keep a trash can close to the desk. 

2. Use a calendar, a planner and a notepad for to do lists or any information you need to write down.

3. Have a bin for things that don't belong in your work area. 

4. Have a phone line in the office. (If is the wireless then you might leave it there and forget to charge it).

5. Use shelves, bins or drawers for storing and organizing papers.

Good luck keeping that space clean!

Fun upcycling

We like to recycle the cardboard boxes and packages but once in a while we get creative and make up a game or a toy using our trash, especially cardboard which is our favorite.

The secret door in the tree made made out of cardboard trash.

You can upcycle your garbage and turn it into fun and useful items. Plastic bottles are great for many recycled crafts even for decorations for the home. We have used also those cardboard tubes that are inside the paper rolls, they are very popular for crafts and have many uses.

Here's an old project we made back when we lived in the apartment. The purpose was to control some wires in Ella's old room.

We covered the cardboard tube with fabric to make it look better.

And this was the result. Yep, I didn't get what I expected but... you get my point, convert the waste materials into items you and your family can use and at the same time have fun crafting these ideas.

Boredom

We know that today's life doesn't allow you to feel bored. But even that way we find ourselves involved in boring situations, like stuck in traffic, doing the dishes, waiting in the doctor’s office or waiting in line. Well, none of these activities have to be boring if you know how to take advantage of the situation.



Illustration of Ella and I made in a waiting moment.



For example, if you're waiting for the bus you can use this as an inspiration moment to look around you and realize the inspiring things you can find, study your surroundings and turn them into a creative idea. 

You can make it interesting using these situations to imagine ideas for a photograph, a TV commercial, a short film, ...something creative. Use this moment to sketch, draw or even write. Is fun and it also could be useful. Also try listening to music, which is very uplifting and at the same time helps you develop your creativity in many ways.

TIP: Hang out with a large purse or bag and fill it with everything you need and you think you don't need. Be ready for these moments of boredom. You should have pencils, notepads, a music player and anything else you think could avoid a void moment.

There should be no reason to feel bored, everything has its purpose find fun in everything you do. I know is hard to avoid routine and make every day be a different day. Then let's try routine with a twist. Carpe diem and appreciate every moment of your life, is the great gift. 

Doing chores

Doing chores is part of everyone's life. I clean a little every day so that way I don't have a lot of things to do on Saturdays. I scheduled Saturdays as official cleaning day, which sometimes varies depending on the circumstances.

Doing laundry is one of the things I hate the most because it involves IRONING and this is so time-consuming, it doesn't depend on your speed so there is no way you can do it faster... Nope, those wrinkles take their time to disappear!

After washing this pile of clothes comes the next step... my nightmare!

Looking on the Internet for a more effective way to do chores I found a "Weekly chore schedule" in www.home-ec101.com, see the link here.

Weekly chore schedule:

Monday: Laundry day.
Tuesday: Do the floors. Also pick up items that are misplaced and wipe down.
Wednesday: Errand day. Also clean the car and the entryway of your house.
Thursday: Bathrooms deep cleaning day.
Friday : Deep cleaning the kitchen and also dusting.
Saturday: They make it project day.
Sunday: Is plan the week day.

They also give you a very good tip: "The more stuff you own, the more it must be cared for, don’t be scared to get rid of items you don’t love".

I don't like to dedicate a lot of time to do house chores but at the same time I want a clean house and clean clothes. Do chores in a smart way so you can also enjoy time with your family and do the things you love.

Cleaning the closet

Many clothes and shoes Ramon and I have in our closet no longer fit us or we just no longer use. Instead of keeping these clothes is definitely better to make space for those that do fit us. So the first thing to do is to get rid of what you don't use. For me donating to someone who needs them is the best thing to do. You can also drop things off at Goodwill, Salvation Army or you can swap clothes with friends.

Take a peek into my closet!

I have always been advised to put away the winter clothes stored in a bag or a box when they are not in use, it makes sense but for some reason I like to keep all my clothes together in the same place. I just move the ones we use less to the end of the closet.

TIP: Put away for a while those clothes you hardly ever use but you think you need, if you don't miss anything then you really don't need them.

Cleaning your closet will save you time when getting dress, that way you don't have to go through everything else you don't use.

Inspiration everywhere

I talked a few posts ago about how being outdoors and right in your backyard you can find things that inspire you. I know I speak a lot about inspiration, but the thing is that people live with it everyday, it's around us and some people don't even notice. I believe that in order to generate creative ideas inspiration must be the first step. That's why is so important.

These are some of my dresses' patterns, which are also part of my everyday inspiration.

So inspiration is easy to find, you can find it everywhere. I also believe that creating brings more inspiration and it turns into a cycle.

 

The great laundry area

Yes! Now is the great laundry area, not the lame laundry area anymore, and it only needed a few changes. With a little cleaning and a low budget we made doing laundry a chore like any other, I hated it before but now it's okay, I can bear it.

I finally solve the problem with the sign and the best thing is that I was able to use the one I made myself, it feels better to have DIY artwork around the house.  I used the shelf to lean the picture against the wall, why not?!

Things you love but don't know where to put

We have this beautiful lamp my mom gave us when she was here a couple of months ago, the thing is that we can't find the right place to put it.

In our bedroom we already have two, and Ella's bedroom, the kitchen, and the living room are not an option for this lamp. I think that if an object means a lot to you then you definetly have to find a place for it. Somewhere you can display it or have it exposed, not in a closet getting all dusty, after all, things are to be used.

Anyways, we know we will find a place for this beautiful paper lamp which we love and means a lot to us!

What to hang on this wall?

I have probably talked about this a thousand times, but I have my reasons! This is the most important wall in the house and we still haven't decided what to hang on it.

Ramon suggested that maybe we should put a question mark like this one. I don't know if he was joking or serious.

I was thinking that probably a large mural would be the best choice, or maybe a wall decal. If the mural doesn't result then I would have to go with other options, like grouping framed art just as we did in the dining room. I really would like to have a mural wall behind the sofa, but they can get a little pricey.  Let see what happens.

If you have any ideas, please help us.