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Monday, August 26, 2013

10 Easy Care Houseplants…


For everyone who has purchased that lovely pot of greenery at the nursery and, optimistically brought it home, only to watch it whither and die…read on!




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While I am sure there are a lot of plants that will thrive and grow in your home…today I will be featuring the top 10 and some tips to get you on the way to a green thumb!
 
1. Schefflera
 
 
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2. Sanseveria
 
 
 
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3. Philodendron
 
 
 
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4. Dieffenbachia
 
 
 
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5. Lucky Bamboo
 
 

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6. Calathea
 
 
 
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7. Croton
 
 
 
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8. African Violet
 
 
 
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9. Orchid
 
 
 
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10. Aglaeonama
 
 
 
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Houseplant Care and Tips
 
 
Light: Most houseplants need bright indirect light. A west facing window can be too bright and hot and may burn the leaves, yet a dim corner away from a window can cause the leaves to wither and die. Here is an easy to remember, general rule of (green) thumb…if you can read by the natural light in a room, its probably bright enough for most houseplants.
 
 
Plants that grow in High Light
High Light = as much light as possible/within 3 feet of a sunny window
Yucca – Fiddle Leaf Fig – Croton – Weeping Fig – Succulents – Calathea

 
Plants that grow in Medium Light
Medium Light = moderately lit area/within 8 feet of a sunny window
 
Dieffenbachia – Schefflera – Spider Plant – Lucky Bamboo – Orchid
 
 
Plants that grow in Low Light
Low Light = poorly lit area with no direct sun/bright enough to read by day
 
Philodendron – Sanseveria – Peace Lily – Aglaonema – Corn Plant
 
 
 
Water: Do not follow a strict watering schedule, but do check your plants regularly and learn their preferences. Always water plants thoroughly – until water drains out the bottom of the pot. I like to set mine in the sink or tub to allow them a few minutes to drain. There should be an inch or two of space from the soil line to the lip of the pot. Never let the pot stand in drainage water as this will cause root rot.
 
Tips: Liquid fertilizers are the easiest way to feed your plants and offer the best results. Feed foliage plants more often in spring and less frequently in winter – follow directions on container. Blooming houseplants usually require more feeding – like African Violet and Orchid. Finally – remember to dust your houseplant leaves seasonally! Dusty leaves provide a haven for harmful insects and inhibit your plants ability to absorb light and thrive.
 
For more tips and information see the Lowe's post on Houseplants for Beginners here. They offer excellent advice and even more house friendly, easy to grow plants.
 
Hopefully these tips and plant suggestions will help you fill your home with beautiful greenery to enjoy daily.  Please share your favorite houseplants and any tips you may have to help us all develop our own Green Thumb!


Sharing at:  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Serenity Now
 

 
 
 
 
 


Thursday, August 22, 2013

My Fiddle Leaf Fig…


Look what I bought today…


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Inspired by the many beautiful images of this great looking house plant…
 
 
 
oversized woven baskets / fiddle leaf fig trees
 
 
 
I decided to give it a try. The reason I say this is because if you know anything about Fiddle Leaf Figs…you know that they are very temperamental and not the easiest houseplant to maintain.
 
I have read many a blog post asking for advice on how to keep this from happening…
 
 
Sorry Tiffany!
 
I dropped mine into a big brass bucket and placed it in a sunny corner of my hallway…
 
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He should be happy here, under the skylight…
 
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I have read that Fiddles like as much indirect light as possible. I think the watering habits will be the tricky part. For now, he is happy and healthy…
 
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Wish me luck!
 
 
Not so sure you are ready to take on a Fiddle Leaf Fig? Stay tuned for my next post…
 
 
 
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I will give you the names of
10 Easy Care Houseplants that don’t need much to stay happy and healthy!
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, August 16, 2013

Walk In Closet Dreams…


I am on a mission lately…and I have one word to describe it…ORGANIZATION!



Clever ideas: store bedlinen sets inside their pillowcases
 
 
 
25 great ways to organize a bathroom!
 
 
 
Manhattan Modular Storage Drawers
 
 
 
From cabinets, to drawers, to closets…I am cleaning, purging, and organizing. This week I ordered several pieces of the above closet system from the Home Decorators catalogue.
 
 
 
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Their Manhattan Storage Collection has just what I was looking for. You can mix and match the pieces to create your own personal arrangement for your space…and I love the white finish. I have been pinning closet inspiration on my Pinterest board Closet Ideas for months…
 
 
 
Walk in Closet with White Cabinets
 
 
Love this look…white cabinetry and a center island to make use of the center of the room.
 
 
 
Another fun DIY closet project - add wallpaper to the back of your closet to make your closet pop!
 
 
 
dressing room
 
 
 
Adding some beautiful wallpaper is a perfect way to customize the space. I also think a round ottoman and pretty chandelier are a MUST have!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add some closet art! Simple white Ikea frames showcase bags and labels from favorite shopping trips and brands.
 
 
My current state of mind is perfect timing to take advantage of the Home Decorators promotion and sale of 10% off and free shipping…
 
 
 
 
 
 
The items I ordered should be here next week! I am excited to be one step closer to making this closet dream a reality!
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, August 9, 2013

Getting Creative @ Home Blog Tour…It's my turn!


Today is day five of the Getting Creative @ Home Blog Tour…and it is my turn to share!


 
 
 
I have decided to share and tour some of my most popular posts on Chalkboard Art…
 
 
 
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Last year my mom found this large frame at a garage sale and bought it for me. I knew instantly that I wanted to turn it into a chalkboard canvas for my wall. See my step by step tutorial here.
 
 
 
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see full post here
 
 
This was my first chalk drawing on my new canvas…
 
 
 
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see full post here
 
 
It was inspired by the fact that my oldest son had just graduated from high school and we were preparing for his departure to college.  As you can imagine, it was a bittersweet day when he left and started this exciting life chapter…
 
 
 
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see full post here
 
 
We all love to decorate a little bit for the holidays, and having this chalkboard canvas is the perfect place to start…
 
 
 
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see full post here
 
 
Speaking of holidays and special occasions…birthdays are the best time for a some celebratory chalk art…
 
 
 
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see full post here
 
 
Having this chalk board canvas has been such a fun and creative place to celebrate all the seasons…
 
 
 
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see full post here
 
 
Find a favorite quote to share ~ this one is by Audrey Hepburn…

 
 
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see full post here
 
 
Here is my current art, inspired by our summer vacation at the beach…
 
 
 
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see full post here
 
 
See more of my chalk art and inspiration on my Pinterest board titled Chalkboard Art.
 
 
Thanks for visiting and letting me share one of my favorite places to create! I hope you enjoyed touring around my blog and found some creative inspiration for your own home.
 
 
Here are all of the featured blogs for today…
 
 
 
 

Be sure to stop by all the blogs on the tour…see full schedule here.

It has been a fun week participating in the Getting Creative @ Home Blog Tour. I have found new blogs to read and blog friends to visit!

I would like to send out a HUGE Thank You to Julie over at Lilacs and Longhorns for organizing the tour…and to all the amazing bloggers who shared!




  

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Day Four of Blog Tour…


Today is day four of the Getting Creative @ Home Blog Tour


 
 
Stop by and visit the featured blogs…


 

See entire schedule here.

Be sure to check out the Haven @ Home Pinterest Board here for more fabulous DIY ideas and projects.

I am excited to be sharing my tour tomorrow…so be sure to stop by here and visit!






Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Day Three of Blog Tour and Word of the Month…


Today is day three of the Getting Creative @ Home Blog Tour



 
 
Stop by and visit the featured blogs…


 
 
See entire schedule here.

Be sure to check out the Haven @ Home Pinterest Board here for more fabulous DIY ideas and projects.



Word of the Month ~ August 2013
 
 
…light
 

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Definition:   a particular illumination, something that enlightens or informs


As we all know, there are several definitions of the word “light” depending on the context in which you are using it. For this post, I have chosen the above photo of myself, at the ocean, illuminated by the setting sun over the beautiful calm sea. In this particular moment, I felt enlightened and oh-so-happy. Happy to be enjoying a family vacation, happy to be at the beach, happy to be able to appreciate this incredible sunset…just light and happy. I hope that you are able to find, and appreciate the light moments in life. Summer is the perfect time to slow down, sit outside and enjoy a cool drink in the shade, take the time to feel happy and enlightened.


…a year of tranquility
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Day Two of Blog Tour and a Clever Tip…


Today is Day Two of the Getting Creative @ Home Blog Tour!



 
 
 
Stop by and visit the featured blogs…
 
 
 
 
See entire schedule here.

Be sure to check out the Haven @ Home Pinterest Board here for more fabulous DIY ideas and projects.

Speaking of Pinterest Boards, one of my most popular boards is titled Clever Tips. This is where I pin and share helpful tips on just about everything including Health & Beauty, Home Décor, Organization and more!


Today I want to share a clever way to prevent the dreaded shifting duvet cover…



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I know…not an earth shattering problem, but annoying just the same. I just cannot stand it when my down comforter shifts inside my duvet cover and ends up all balled into one corner…right?
 
 
Well fear no more…I found a clever way to keep that tragedy from happening! While purchasing a new comforter the other day, I noticed a little photo on the package that had a simple solution to this issue…
 
 
 
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available at Target
 
 
 
 
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Corner tabs to help prevent shifting…Brilliant!!
 

The only problem was that my current duvet cover does not have ties in the corner to tie to the corner tabs…bummer. Not a problem, I will just add my own ties…brilliant again!
 
 
 
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I gathered my supplies…some grosgrain ribbon and thread…and in about 5 minutes solved one of earths major dilemmas.
 
 
The only ribbon I had was thicker than I wanted so I just cut it down the middle to create two strips about 8” long…
 
 
 
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First, turn your duvet cover inside out…and locate each corner seam. Then simply stitch each strip of ribbon to the inside seam…
 
 
 
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So quick and easy!



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Once you have all four corners done, tie each strip to the corner tabs on your comforter…



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That’s it! Flip it right side out and you are done! Now you have a fluffy bed cover with nice full corners…
 
 
 
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Even the bottom corners stay put…



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I love a simple and clever solution like this!  See more Clever Tips here.


Sharing this Clever Tip at...
Timewashed, Uncommon Designs, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Serenity Now, Classy Clutter, The Shabby Nest, It's Overflowing, Glitter, Glue, and Paint,
 
 
 
 
 
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