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January 2019
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6 Gardening Tasks for January1/16/2019 ![]() A magnificent year of gardening lies ahead of us, but if you can't wait to get started, that's okay! Today we might be crying 'here comes the snow' but before you know it we will be singing 'here comes the sun'! A magnificent year of gardening lies ahead of us, but if you can't wait to get started, that's okay! There are actually lots of awesome winter garden tasks that you can add to your to-do list to get you through January. Take A WalkTake a walk around your property with a notebook and look for ways to improve your footprint and land usage. Some examples could be recycling more, adding a compost pile, using less water. Some of these you will have to add to that ol' to-do list for warmer seasons, but some you can try now. Try implementing some of your ideas and see how it goes. Tidy UpIf you haven't cleaned out the fall beds yet, now is a good time. If you have, there may still be more to clean. Pull out your tools and give them a solid cleaning. Then sharpen them and rub some vegetable oil on the metal to make sure they're all in ship shape and ready to go as soon as the ground thaws. Day DreamWhile you're walking the garden, and once you're back inside and warm, start dreaming of what you'll do in the spring. Will it be a beautiful flower bead or an edible bounty? Begin sketching and planning how you might rework your garden design. Head over to Pinterest or pull out those garden magazines and get the ideas flowing. Feed The BirdsIf you're struggling to get into the gardening groove while the skies are all heavy and grey, this could help. Fill up those bird feeders and attract some wild songbirds into the yard. Nothing chases away the winter blues like bird song. Sit by the window and watch them delight in their winter feast. Think SmallWhile you're working on those big garden plans, think about what plants you want to start from scratch. Organize and make a list of the seeds you have and the seeds you need to purchase still. Create a timeline of when they can be started indoors and begin buying the supplies you need. It might be too early to start them now, but those days will be here soon. Garden IndoorsStart a mini indoor herb garden in your kitchen. Choose the herbs that you most associate with summer flavors. Incorporate them into your meals in the dead of winter and continue dreaming of the gardening season to come. CALL IN THE PROFESSIONALS FOR YOUR LANDSCAPING NEEDSEVERGREEN GENE'S OFFERS PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPING AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES THROUGH THE STATE OF MARYLAND. WE ARE HERE TO MAKE SURE YOUR GARDENS AND GROUNDS LOOK AS BEAUTIFUL AS POSSIBLE YEAR-ROUND. INTERESTED IN HOW WE CAN HELP YOUR GARDEN LOOK ITS BEST? GIVE US A CALL AT (410) 766-6877 OR VISIT US ONLINE. TO SEE EXAMPLES OF OUR WORK AND GET MORE HELPFUL GARDENING TIPS, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, GOOGLE+, PINTEREST, LINKEDIN, HOUZZ, AND TWITTER.
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7 tips to planning a bathroom renovation1/15/2019 When planning a bathroom renovation, you need to choose a design option that meets your existing and future needs. This may be a simple renovation to replace fixtures or a complex project to change the layout and enlarge the bathroom. Our guide to planning a bathroom renovation will give you plenty of food for thought so you can decide how to proceed. 1. Bathroom layoutThink about your current bathroom layout. Is it flexible enough to meet your existing or future needs for space and storage? Is there anything about the layout that bothers you, e.g. perhaps it's noticeably cold or drafty while taking a bath or feels cramped and poky? Get a bathroom designer in to assess the structure carefully so you know the limits of your bathroom. The proposed renovation must either fit the existing structure or the required structural changes must be possible. They can also draw you up a basic draft of the best layout for the space. 2. FixturesWhen it comes to fixtures, it's a good idea to create a wish list of everything you want in your bathroom reno. After all, modern bathrooms are all about pampering, as well as functionality. Even if you have to cut your list back at a later date due to budget or size constraints, at least it'll be a conscious decision, and not because you didn't realise you could have it. Fixtures you might want to consider for a new layout include: His & hers sinks 3. Lighting
Think about the existing lighting. Is it visually pleasing or is it outdated? Does it use energy efficiently? Does it give out adequate light or do you need more overall light or task lighting? Ideally, a bathroom should have a few layers of lighting including:
In a bathroom reno, a lighting update may be as simple as replacing the existing fixtures with new ones or as complex as a complete redesign. If you're adding a lot of new features, then you may need new wiring and outlets for increased loads (e.g. whirlpool tubs or underfloor heating). 4. Colour ideasChoosing a colour scheme is one of the most important factors of a bathroom reno. The right colours will make you want to spend time in your new bathroom, not avoid it. You may have set ideas on the colours you want to use, or you may need more time to research ideas on interior decorating sites. If you're not sure where to start or don't want to get it wrong, here are some ideas to help you out:
5. Storage requirementsNot enough bathroom storage is a common complaint for many homeowners. So make sure your new bathroom takes care of all your storage needs. Think about how many people will use the bathroom on a regular basis. If it's an ensuite for a master bedroom, for example, then you won't need as much storage as a family bathroom does. What items do you want to store in the bathroom for ease of access: towels, toilet paper, extra shampoo, toothpaste? What kind of storage do you want, inbuilt or freestanding? Even if you have a small bathroom you can get creative by adding inset shelving to a wall, a corner or above the doorway. 6. Tiling heightChoosing the right tiling height is important when renovating because it will affect the overall look and feel of the bathroom. As well as the cost. You can tile to a certain level, for example, to the top of the window or door architrave. You can also have different tiling levels in the one bathroom or you can tile to the ceiling. All will have a different effect on how the bathroom will look. Speak to a bathroom designer about tiling to get professional advice on what will work in your space. 7. What to budget?A complete bathroom renovation, in general, cost you between $20,000 and $30,000, a luxury bathroom renovation over $50,000. At the end of the day, the overall cost estimate of the bathroom renovation will be affected by how labour intensive it is, (e.g. tilers, plumbers, builders) and the how many luxury features you add. To keep within your budget, prioritise your wishlist and avoid a bathroom renovation blowout by:
If you'd like to find out what's possible in terms of a bathroom renovation in your space, get in touch with the team at Bubbles Bathrooms today – we look forward to hearing from you! The post 7 tips to planning a bathroom renovation appeared first on Bubbles Bathrooms.
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You are used to seeing ants scurrying around your patio or driveway, ant hills protruding out of your grass, and even ants who've made their way into your home marching in a trail toward your pantry in warm months. Seeing ants in your home in New England in the winter could signal a serious problem, though. What Happens to Ants in WinterIn the winter months, most ants go into hibernation mode. Their body temperatures drop and they become sluggish. They prepare their colony for winter, sealing up their ant holes and burrowing into the warmer ground or behind tree bark. How Ants Survive the WinterUnlike humans, ants can go for a long time without food. They eat a lot of food in the fall to fatten up and prepare for winter. They huddle in groups to stay warm and protect the queen in a dormant state. What It Means if You See Ants in the WinterIf you see ants outdoors in the winter, it's likely there's been a warm spell that tricked them into coming out to seek food. Once the temperatures drop again, they will go back into hibernation. If you are seeing ants inside your home in the winter, it likely means that they've formed a colony inside somewhere. While they won't come indoors from outside in the winter, they will certainly remain active if they are already there. Why You Should Call in the ProfessionalsWhile ants in your home at any time of the year becomes a nuisance that you don't want to deal with, ants in your home in the winter is a much bigger problem. Having an ant colony infest your walls, attic, basement, or even pantry, can be damaging to your family and home. At a minimum, ants can invade your pantry and spoil your food. At worst, some ants, like carpenter ants, can actually cause structural damage. Our professional technicians are experts in dealing with ants in New England homes. We will work with you on exclusion techniques to eradicate the colony and rid your home of these pesky ants. Call us as soon as possible if you suspect a winter ant infestation!
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It's the Little Things #301/13/2019
The post It's the Little Things #30 appeared first on Clean Mama.
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3 Laundry Room Resolutions For 20191/12/2019 Maybe, after watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix, you decided you needed to overhaul your laundry situation ASAP. Or maybe “wall cabinets for laundry room” has been on your wish list for a while now and 2019 is the year you finally check it off! Either way, home organization is a common resolution and the best way to achieve it is by setting small, actionable steps you can actually accomplish. Here are three things you can do to spruce up your laundry room this year.
Laundry detergent is a bulky buy, so most homeowners only keep one in the house at a time and replace it when they run out. While storage savvy, this approach sometimes leaves us in a pinch. Like when we turn on the washer only to learn we're out of detergent. Oops! To avoid running out of supplies right when you need it, store liquid detergent in a beverage dispenser - clearly labeled, of course. Whenever you want to find out how much detergent you have left, you can simply lift up the top and take a peak. For powder detergent, use a clear jar with a wide brim. This will allow you to easily scoop the product out when doing a wash, and keep your eye out for low levels. While storing detergent this way is convenient, it's also cute! If you want your laundry room to be more aesthetically pleasing, this is an easy swap that can really make the space more stylish.
When you have wall cabinets for laundry room essentials like soap and dryer sheets, it makes washing clothes a million times more enjoyable. You no longer have to use your appliances as shelves and can finally keep things in order. You can also utilize the space in your laundry room cabinetry for any clothing related items, such as an iron and hand steamer. Having everything in one place really helps to streamline chores. Storage hacks, like installing a fold out drying rack inside a cabinet, also help to make the most of your laundry room - even if the room is on the smaller side.
Your laundry room is probably home to more than just laundry supplies, which is totally fine. Just make sure any miscellaneous items have a proper place. Use plastic storage bins and caddies to keep similar things together. For example, kitchen cleaning supplies in one bin and stain removers in another. When each thing belongs somewhere, you are more likely to return it there and maintain organization. You can even label your storage bins and caddies for added reinforcement! At The RTA Store we help make your dream home a reality with RTA (Ready To Assemble) and Pre-Assembled cabinets and accessories. Whether it's your kitchen bathroom, laundry room, home office, bar room or TV room, we offer the same (if not better) quality you would find at any retail store, but for a fraction of the price. Stop by our website or give us a call and let us make your dreams come true with the help of our free room design tool!
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Nothing is guaranteed in this life. Around any corner, some accident can occur. While accidents differ in their severity, it's always a good idea to be prepared. Insurance is one way to future-proof yourself against the worst and to make sure you aren't taking a financial hit out of the blue. Consider the below to be the primary type of insurance policies you may need. Home InsuranceIf you own your home, then this is a legal requirement. Even if you don't own a property, there are other types of home insurance that you should know about. Home insurance offers unexpected benefits including that it can cover you against an injury that someone else suffers while on your property. Depending on the coverage you pay for, you may be able to claim the following:
These are some of the standard options, but there are others that generally cost extra. You can also claim any damage that might occur to your personal belongings. For example, with the right coverage, if you spill water on your laptop and it stops working, you would be able to claim that through your insurance. One thing that doesn't always come as standard is natural disaster insurance. However, if this is something that you are concerned about, then speak to your insurance company to see if it can be added. InsuranceJournal.com reported, of 2017's 330 natural disasters, insurance losses were over $134 billion showing the importance of being covered. Life InsuranceSome companies will offer a level of life insurance as part of their care package for employees, but outside of that, there are a couple of options. Term life is the most common. This covers you for a selected period. This is the more cost-effective option. Whole life, as you might expect, covers an individual for a lifetime. This type of insurance often comes with money guarantees and is continuous as long as you keep making payments. There are some things to remember with life insurance. If you have suffered from a life-threatening illness, then it can be harder to find coverage. Still, some providers tailor policies for such individuals. Some will require a medical exam, while others can include other family members. Travel InsuranceTravel insurance coverage can be taken out to insure individual trips. There is also accident insurance that can protect you in the event of baggage loss, injuries, and even accidental death. Your health or life insurance is unlikely to cover you when abroad, and medical bills can be expensive. To save money on your travel insurance, you could choose only to get travel medical insurance. However, most of the time, this will not cover you in the event of delays, cancellations, or anything other than health-related claims. Annual travel insurance protects you all year round. If you travel often, then this might be the most relevant type of travel insurance for you. If you are embarking on a holiday that involves extreme sports, such as snowboarding, skiing, or surfing, then you may wish to check if you need to an extra layer of insurance as you may not be covered in the event of an accident. Medical InsuranceDepending on what health plan you choose, you can expect to pay a percentage of any medical costs. The percentage gets lower the higher the level of coverage. Here are the four levels of coverage. The individual pays the remainder of the medical costs:
Below are the five most common types of medical insurance plans
Car InsuranceMost states require auto insurance before you get behind the wheel. There are a few types to remember.
As with many types of insurance, a deductible will often be required. The lower the deductible, the higher the overall price of your insurance is likely to be. Of course, everyone hopes that none of these are ever needed, but it is always best to protect yourself against the unexpected.
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![]() Try chalk paint on plastic pots for an easy makeover that you'll love, especially if you match the paint to your home decor! I found my set of plastic plant pots at our local Walmart. Each one is $5 and I love the quality. They are heavy, sturdy, and the fake dirt inside is solid. [...] The post Chalk Paint on Plastic Pots – An Amazing Makeover! appeared first on Pet Scribbles.
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Organizing a Home Office1/10/2019 I assume we are all similar in that when the new year comes around, we all make resolutions to stay on track. I crave order and organization, so I always spend the first few days of the new year putting my home back together after all the holiday madness and entertaining. Since I work from home, I often begin by organizing my home office. I partnered with Snapfish, and I am sharing unique, personalized ways to organize yourself (and office). Although I use an electronic calendar, I love having a calendar on my desk that I can view quickly. I am in love with this Woodblock Desk Calendar. There are so many design options to fit every decor style and personality. It gives me a month view at a glance, and this calendar would also make a wonderful gift! Are there any other list makers out there? I love the feeling of accomplishment and checking things off my list. Thanks to my customized softcover journal I am going to stay organized and on task this year. I added my logo to this gorgeously designed planner and am ready to tackle the new year! I sit at my computer desk for way too many hours, so I love this custom mousepad. It is easy to make, and you can instantly warm up your workplace with a personalized mousepad. Although I chose to keep my mousepad simple with just one photo, Snapfish offers so many customization options in their product builder:
You will instantly feel like a designer, and it so fun (and easy) to play around with all the options. I have a design background, and I have used lots of various programs over the years. This program offered by Snapfish is SO easy and well done! I am looking forward to writing thank you's with my new customized folded notecards. I was so impressed with the quality and price that I am planning to order some notecards just for my business. I feel ready to tackle 2019 thanks to my custom office product! Creating it was so easy, and I love that I have personalized supplies that look fantastic and function well! Whether you are looking to get organized and wanting a unique gift for friends or family, I highly recommend creating Snapfish photo product. Happy New Year! This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Snapfish. All opinions are 100% mine. Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest The post Organizing a Home Office appeared first on Sincerely, Sara D..
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organizing your linen closet1/9/2019 We don't have a typical linen closet in our home, so I made my own by adding 2 cabinets in the master bath.
They have glass doors on them so it helps me to keep everything inside neat and organized. I wanted to show you one of them today and show you how I keep it organized in hopes that it will help you if you are planning on organizing your linen closet. If you are new to my blog you probably don't know that I keep my keurig coffee maker in the bathroom. I know it's not typical, but it works for me, as it is behind doors and it's very convenient in the mornings. I like to keep mugs in there as well so I don't need to run out to the kitchen to get them in the morning. Can you tell I am a "coffee first" person? Keeping them in a pretty tray makes them look like they have more of a purpose, and keeps it from looking messy. I like to stick with one color towel, and white always, as they bleach nicely. The baskets on the top shelf hold misc. items that aren't in pretty packaging and don't need to stand out. I do have a lot of pillow shams, and I like to keep them in a tray as well and stacked nicely by color groupings. It makes it easier when I am switching out pillows for the seasons. The twin for this cabinet sits on the other side of the vanity and holds extra sheets, jewelry, makeup, lotions, etc. If you are interested in any of the items I used, you can click the links below! Galvanized tray {similar} Cabinets {similar} xoxo
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Custom Cabinets For Master Bathroom1/8/2019 When it comes to deciding what kind of cabinets you want to put in your kitchen or bathroom, we always tell our customers that the options are endless! Where To Find Your |