4 Tips for Summer Cookouts

The warm weather is here, and all you want to do is bask in it! Planning cookouts, holidays, and weekend parties... They can be a little hectic to plan, so don’t get caught behind schedule.
Plan ahead with these 4 tips:

1.    Plan the menu ahead of time. Give about a week at least for the menu to be planned; then you’ll have time to run to the store for the things you need.

2.    Have ingredients and utensils ready. Immediately following the menu, make sure you have the ingredients to cook with and the utensils to eat with.

3.    Cook things the day before. There are several dishes that can be done in advance, such as pasta salads, potato salads, and more. Food like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken can be cooked the day of so they’re fresh and hot.

4.    Ask guests to bring a dish. You don’t have to do it all! Have your guests bring something yummy. Sometimes you can get a new delicious recipe from it.

5 Tips Before You Start the Moving Process

The entire moving process can be grueling. You may not realize just how much stuff you have until you have to go through it all. Below are 5 tips to do before you start the whole moving process:

1.    Declutter. Get rid of things that you wouldn’t want someone else moving for you. It may be an extra expense. Why pay movers to move boxes of things you’ll never use again?

2.    Pack things you don’t need right away. Packing things before you start moving will give you less of a headache later. Winter gear is a great example. I doubt we’ll be getting snow in May (in Chicago, you never really know though!)

3.    Label boxes properly. Write down the room it’s from and going to, along with what’s inside the box. A box has a lot of surface area so don’t be afraid to get into detail, if you think it will make unpacking easier. You can label boxes way ahead of packing and moving, too, if you want to make sure you have enough boxes to pack certain items.

4.    Make your home generic. In order to sell your home, you have to make it less you and more of a place that buyers can imagine themselves in. Take down memorabilia and photos to help better spin their imagination.

5.    Deep Cleaning. Whether you’re doing it yourself or hire someone, deep clean at both the old and the new place.

Summer Time

You’re going to be spending more time outside now so make it beautiful and relaxing. Buying, building, or salvaging outdoor décor can spice up an area. The smallest touches can have a huge impact.
You also want to make it fun for your kids. Go through the shed or play box that stores their outdoor toys. Toss any that are broken or they’ve outgrown. Donate ones they won’t enjoy, but someone else might. Make room if you decide to keep it or plan on getting them new toys (if need be).

Mother’s Day Mayhem

If you haven’t yet noticed the aisles in stores screaming at you that Mother’s Day is approaching, then consider this your final warning. Rather than giving your mother a cheesy last minute gift just for the sake of giving her something, make it from the heart.
Housework never stops, so see how you can help her with it. Be mindful of the system that’s already been set up, and continue that system yourself. Perhaps there is an area of the house that has gotten a little out of control. Help her organize and declutter it (or, do it for her!). Gifts that actually give her a chance to relax will be valued more.

National Scrapbooking Day

Scrapbooking is a perfect way to blend creativity and nostalgia. This Saturday is National Scrapbooking Day so below are some tips on products and organizing photos.
  • If photos are not already grouped by date, set them in piles of 5 year increments or by holiday/celebration.
  • Group your supplies by product.
  • Make sure you have everything you need before you get down to scrapping!
  • Have a separate space just for tackling your scrapbook. With large sheets and lots of supplies, it’s easy to take over a whole room.
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