All posts in for the home

Marshmallows Roasting on an Open Fire (kind of)

by Jenny on March 7, 2013 in for the home, lifestyle with No comments

We all remember summer nights sitting by a campfire telling stories and roasting our marshmellows to perfection. Unfortunately it has been far to long since I have engaged in this pastime. The business of adulthood coupled with life as a downtown urbanite leaves little time for and access to a roaring open fire. When I came across this little gadget, The Indoor Flameless Marshmallow Roaster, I couldn’t help but smile. The product manufacturers claim that this indoor roaster will be able to to produce campfire-worthy toasted marshmallows without the need for an open flame. All of your marshmallows will be toasted over a stainless steel electric heater, which means it is safe and easy to use even with children around. There is also a divided tray which will hold a ready supply of chocolate, graham crackers, or candies to go along with your marshmallow recipes. A quartet of stainless steel forks have been thrown into the mix to hold your marshmallows securely over the roaster.

Wouldn’t this be the perfect way to end a dinner party. A DIY dessert that will have all your guests waxing nostalgia about their childhood campfire memories.

Keep Your Closet Neat and Tidy With These Simple Tricks

by Jenny on August 29, 2012 in for the home, Organization with No comments

1) Take EVERYTHING OUT and reorganize by type and color. While you are doing this – get rid of anything you don’t need. If you are unsure about getting rid of something – tag the hanger and date it. If you wear the item remove the tag if you don’t and the tag exists 6 months later – GET RID OF IT. First organize your pieces by type and then color code them. I normally go light to dark but this is up to you.

2) Use matching hangers for a clean and organized look. We suggest using Huggable Hangers because of their space saving 1/4″ profile. They have a velvety finish that prevents clothing from falling off and protects delicate garments. Don’t let the slim look fool you. These hangers are strong enough to hold your winter coat.

3) Display your jewelry and accessories in a neat and easy access manner. We love this hanging jewelry organizer from Bed Bath and Beyond. For items like scarves, hats, and purses either put them in clear bins (you can’t find what you cant see) at the bottom of the closet or use a shelf divider to keep them neat and organized on display.

4). Shoes. We all love them. We all probably have to many pairs. If you collect heels try putting them on display with this wall rack system. Another trick to keeping your shoes organized is an over the door shoe organizer. Stand your boots up on the floor of your closet and keep them upright by inserting a rolled magazine into the leg of the boot.

5) Make sure your laundry bin is easily accessible. This prevents little piles from forming at the bottom of the pile. I like to have multiple laundry bags or bins. One each for – dry cleaning, hand washing, regular laundry.

The Perfect Hanging Drapes.

by Jenny on May 31, 2012 in for the home with No comments

I was researching window coverings for my new apartment and have decided on long drapes. I love long curtains but I sometimes find they don’t hang straight. Apartment Therapy (one of my favorite blogs) has come to the rescue again with a simple DIY fix. Put some change in the bottom hem – on the corners. Most curtains already have a slot there. If not just cut a tiny whole in the corner of the hem and fill it with some nickles! GENIUS!

The Smells of Summer

by Jenny on May 16, 2012 in for the home with No comments

My favorite fragrance company, Jo Malone, has just come out with amazing line of scent diffusers for their home collection. Can’t wait to get one and enjoy the fresh smells of summer in my house! At $79 I probably can’t get one for every room.

Understated. Sleekly designed. These Diffusers effortlessly and continuously add an enveloping scent to any space.

Linen Closet Rescue

by Jenny on April 26, 2012 in for the home with No comments

Do you find that every time you go to change the sheets on your bed you spend forever hunting through your linen closet for all the matching parts of the set? Well Martha Stewart has come to the rescue again. Check out her brilliant organizing technique for bed linens. Tuck the sheet set inside one of its pillowcases, and then stack according to size (twin, full, queen, king) or by the room you use the sheets in (master bedroom, guest room.) Brilliant Martha. Brilliant.

How To Properly Fold A Sweater!

by Jenny on January 5, 2012 in for the home with No comments

This past weekend as I tried to clean up the holiday disaster that was my bedroom I became increasingly frustrated trying to fold my sweaters to fit them neatly on the shelves. To me – sweaters are like the dredded fitted sheet. They never fold properly always with a sleeve hanging here or there.

So Monday morning as I sipped my morning coffee I was delighted to see this article in the Globe and Mail. Hallelujah! A step by step guide to folding a sweater. Department store folders you’ve got nothing on me!

The jist:

1) Lay the sweater flat face down – neck facing you.

2) Make sure all the seams match up and that the collar and the bottom line up. You can also cheat a little by using an 8.15 x 14in piece of cardboard!

3) Now what to do with the sleeves – you have two options. 1) Fold the sleeves across to the opposite shoulder and then fold each side to meet in the middle 2) Fold the sweater itself on each side two inches away from the neck. Sleeves should be parallel to the garment.

4) Fold the sweater in half or tuck the bottom under and fold into thirds.

Now – marvel at your perfectly folded sweater!

Hanging Aquarium

by Jenny on October 21, 2011 in for the home with No comments

I’ve been searching for the right accent feature for my living room. I think I have finally found it – A hanging aquarium with built in LED light. Great for any end table or book shelf. To purchase click here