Meet Lisa
I may be 4' 11", wear pink flip flops, and chew bubble gum—but I take design and construction VERY seriously.
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Hey Gang,
With the weather heating up, homeowners are heading outside to spruce up their greenery. If the gardening bug has bitten you, there are tons of backyard options based on your style, needs, space and location, though some fundamental gardening rules are universal. Here are a few tips that anyone can use to make their gorgeous garden grow.
Work the soil when it’s relatively dry. Tending to wet soil can be damaging, so you’ll also want to provide adequate drainage for the soil.
Know your area. Use USDA or Sunset zones to help pick plants that will grow properly in your region. Not all flowers are meant for all climates, so this will save you a lot of time and work.
Start a compost pile. Use Mother Nature to help feed your plants.
Water the soil deeply. Saturate the soil with about an inch of water once a week, as simply wetting the surface doesn’t reach the root and could actually harm the plants.
Rotate your veggies. If you have a vegetable garden, rotate the crop annually. Growing the produce in a different spot each year will reduce the risk of contaminating the crop with disease that may linger in plant residue.
Do you have an gardening advice? Share your tips in the comments below!
Ciao,
Lisa
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Hey gang,
Mother's Day will be here this Sunday (May 13th), and instead of going the traditional route and getting mom flowers or a card, try this simple and elegant gold-dipped stemware idea that I came across on Momtastic. You'll only need a few items, and these glamorous glasses will be ready in no time!
All you need is:
Metallic gold spray paint, masking tape, newspaper and wine glasses.
Wash the wine glasses thoroughly, then wrap tape around the base of the wine glass. Leaving the are that you would like to paint exposed, and cover the rest of the glass with paper.
Spray the exposed area from at least 1 1/2 feet away to give the glass an even coat of paint. Let dry and repeat if needed.
Repeat for all of the glasses in the set, and pair with mom's favorite bottle of wine for an extra special treat!
Do you have any DIY Mother's Day gift ideas? Leave your tips in the comments section!
Ciao!
Lisa
Related Stories:
DIY: Smart Ideas To Make Your Life Easier
Photo Credit:Momtastic
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Hey Gang!
If you're in Cape Cod this Saturday, come see me at the HYANNIS Design Showroow for Mid-Cape Home Center's Spring Home Show. I'll be there from noon until to 2pm, answering questions and sharing tips and advice on spring organizing, decorating, house staging and much more! While you're there, you can also enter to win a $10,000 kitchen cabinetry makeover! Find out more information about the Spring Home Show here.
What types of questions would you ask me during the Spring Home Show?
Ciao!
Lisa
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Hey Gang!
Sometimes there are some simple tricks you can use to make your life a lot easier! Here are a few do-it-yourself ideas I found that could help you out:
Hiding wood scratches
Rubbing a walnut over scratches and dings in your wood furniture will help to hide the scratches.
Picking up hard to reach items
Picking up small items in hard to reach places can be a huge pain! If you secure a nylon stocking over the vacuum hose, you can get it very easily.
Linen Storage
Easily keep track of your bed linens by putting them inside of their own pillowcases!
For more amazing tips and tricks that will make your life easier, check out TheFrugalFairy.
What's your favorite tip or trick for making life easier?
Ciao!
Lisa
Photo Credits: ApartmentTherapy, Instructables, MarthaStewart
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Hey Gang!
While you're still working on your spring-cleaning, I thought I'd give you some tips for organizing your kitchen! It can be tough to figure out what to do with all of your pots and pans. Check out this HGTV video that shows you how to make the best use of your kitchen space:
What other tips do you have for keeping your kitchen organized?
Ciao!
Lisa
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Hey Gang!
Decorating your home can be fun but it can also be very pricey. To stay within your budget, try to use old items and make them new again. I came across a cool and inexpensive do-it-yourself project on My Design Folder that will leave you with an endless supply of flower vases! All you need are: empty bottles, glass paint and nail polish remover!
- Put the glass paint and a small amount of nail polish remover inside of the empty bottle.
- Mix them together until the paint covers the entire bottle.
- Personalize the outside of the bottle! Write words or draw pictures on it.
- Let the paint dry for a few days
What other cool d.i.y. ideas do you have? Leave them in the comments below!
Ciao!
Lisa
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Hey Gang!
There are many ways to get your home ready for Sunday's Easter festivities! Check out these decorating ideas you can easily put together with Easter eggs:
Easter Egg Wreath
Easter Egg Garland
Easter Egg Centerpiece
What are your Easter decorating ideas?
Ciao!
Lisa
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Hey Gang!
If you're looking to bring some positive energy into your home, you can easily do so by simply adding the color yellow! Check out this HGTV video that shows you how to use yellow to brighten up your kitchen without overdoing it:
What other colors do you use to improve your mood?
Ciao!
Lisa
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Hey Gang!
Spring has officially started and that means it's time for spring-cleaning again. It may seem a little overwhelming at first but it can be quite easy if you plan ahead. Check out these tips for making your spring cleaning like a spring breeze:
Make a checklist - Before you begin, make a list of all of the places you want to clean around your house. It's also a good idea to make a list of cleaning supplies you will need.
Create a realistic schedule - Spring-cleaning is a lot of work but if you make a schedule and stick to it, you can finish it up in no time! Keep in mind, you most likely won't be able to get it all done in one weekend.
Throw away unwanted items - Before you get to work, you'll want to throw away items that are cluttering your home. This will make the cleaning process much easier.
Clean - It's best to clean your entire house when you do your spring-cleaning, but you'll want to focus on key areas such as your windows, drapes, refrigerator and bathroom. Also, make sure to dust your home thoroughly.
Organize - Part of the cleaning process is making sure everything is put away in its correct place. Storage bins and organizers can be very helpful!
What are your spring-cleaning tips?
Ciao!
Lisa
Photo Credits: TLC, Newbeehomeschooler, ECampusBlog, SmithBlogOnline, Squidoo
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Hey Gang!
Since Saint Patrick's Day is this weekend, I thought I'd give you some ideas for green decorating. But, I'm not talking about the color. "Green" or eco-friendly designs have become a big hit and it's also better for the environment. Here are a few simple tips for redesigning your home while being environmentally friendly at the same time.
- Use natural materials that can be recycled. Furniture and other products made from wood, natural stone, bamboo and wicker are all recyclable and great for the environment. While products made from natural materials can be pricier, they last!
- Turn your old items into something new. Instead of throwing away your old album covers, frame them! Or, reupholster your old furniture with eco-friendly fabrics.
- Use energy efficient appliances. Make sure your refrigerator and other kitchen appliances carry Engery Star ratings.
Check out this video HGTV featured that shows a "green" kitchen remodel.
How are you "going green" in your home?
Ciao!
Lisa
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