3 Decluttering Tips

Do you know about a local garage sale in the area?  It is time to declutter your apartment, and then you can take things to the sale. However, starting the decluttering process can be a challenge for anyone.  Apartment Therapy has some great tips on how to get started in this process.  They understand the challenge, and they want to make it as painless as possible. So, go ahead and get started, you will feel great after!

Where do you begin when it comes to cleaning out your home in preparation for finding stuff to sell at a garage sale? Well it turns out it's pretty similar to regularly decluttering your home; only after you've combed through drawers and closets, you'll be evaluating if there's anything you can make a little dough on.

This weekend, declutter, evaluate and set aside:

1. Declutter You're going to start looking for things to sell in a garage sale in the same way you would if you were aiming to declutter your house. This is about getting rid of the stuff you no longer need and seeing if you can make a bit of dough from it. Check out these posts on tips for decluttering, including methods for letting go of items that you might not need but are still attached to:

• How To Declutter Your Home
• Rethinking Your Space: How To Declutter and Edit a Room
• 5 Ways to Declutter: Conquer Clutter Before It Conquers You
• Breaking Up With Your Belongings: Decluttering Tips for the Sentimentalist
• 5 Questions: Deciding to Keep or Purge
• Decluttering Idea to Consider: Letting Go of Leftover Furniture

2. EvaluateNext you want to evaluate from your pile of recently decluttered items what the best sellers are going to be. Items like furniture, garden tools, power tools, household items (like dishes), sporting equipment, bicycles, and children's clothes, books and toys tend to do really well at garage sales.

Are these the only things you should try selling if you decide to hold a garage sale? Of course not! Doesn't hurt to try something else, right? But it will help in thinking about marketing and laying your garage sale out to know what your best sellers might be. While you're going through your stuff, also consider setting aside any items you might want to just give away for free — this is a common tactic to pulling in folks to your garage sale.

3. Set aside

Find a place in your home you can set aside your items for the sale. Those in tiny homes just might not be able to find a big enough place, but it you've got the room, distancing yourself from the items will help make it easier to see them go on sale day. And if you want to get ahead, organize your items by category so pricing is easier.

A few more things to think about:

Valuable, unwanted items should be sold somewhere else 
As someone pointed out in the comments of the last garage sale post, you aren't going to get a ton of what you paid for a piece at a garage sale, where folks are often looking for a deal. Valuable items you find around the house you no longer have a need for might be served better with online sales.

Check for recalls

Especially with children's toys, you might want to research the product online to see if it's been a part of any consumer safety recalls, so you don't end up selling unsafe products to anyone. 

What have you found to be some of the best sellers at garage and yard sales? What are you always on the hunt for when you shop for deals at garage sales? Share in the comments below!

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13 Fun DIY Party Decorations

Are you attending or planning a summer party?  Here are some great DIY decorations that you can incorporate into your theme.  These are all budget friendly and can be made in your home.  You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.

1. Burger balloons
There's just no way your barbecue can't look better with burger balloons. These cute DIY ones spotted on Studio DIY.

2. DIY Happy hour marquee
This is perfect for a chill cocktail social this summer (but also cool enough you might want to leave up all year). Spotted on A Beautiful Mess.

3. DIY eucalyptus chandelier
A gorgeous natural chandelier of eucalyptus will bring good looks and good smells to a Sunday brunch table. Seen on Inspired by This.

4. Marbelized and metallic placeholdersPerfect for setting the table at a Sunday brunch. Seen on tuts+.

5. Cool drink stirrers
These DIY drink stirrers made out of old jewelry will add detail to a chill cocktail social. Seen on A Side of Sweet.

6. A DIY Mini Pennant Banner In any colors you want to set the mood, make a few or make many to create a festive feel to your space, indoor or out.

7. DIY Ideas: 10 Party Lighting ProjectsMood lighting is perfect for sparking conversation. DIY some fun lights to hang and add instant creativity to a room or outdoor area.

8. DIY floor pillowsFunctional and fun? Perfect for a sci-fi outdoor movie night, yes, but also great for extra seating. Pair this project with fun, silly or colorful fabric and it becomes even more festive.

9. Photos as festive art 
Whether you make some oversized posters (maybe sci-fi movie posters?) or create a festive grouping of small photos that fit a party theme, photos can add a festive feel to a party.

10. Welcoming pineapple piñataSilly? A little. A blast? Definitely! Make a few for hanging in a backyard for a barbecue. Via Studio DIY.

11. DIY Paper flowersA beautiful brunch is made even more beautiful by flowers, but if you don't want to splurge on the real things, consider DIY paper flowers.

12. Party Decorations for (All) the AgesWill numbers play a theme for your summer gathering? DIY decorate accordingly.

13. Oversized Balloon with FringeNothing says party like a balloon! These DIY oversized ones with fringe are a bit more sophisticated and definitely fun. You can use any colors that fit your party's theme!

10 Creative Father's Day Gifts

Are you trying to find a unique way to wish your Father a Happy Father's Day?  We have found some unique and creative ideas for the Dad in your life.  These ideas are pretty easy to make, and it will be something he remembers for a long time.


The IBtimes has some great ideas that are inexpensive and from the heart.  Keep reading to learn more below!

On June 15, 2014 the world will celebrate Father's Day and it is an opportunity for you to let your dad know what he means to you and your family. A thoughtful token of love can make fathers feel way more loved than an expensive gift. Let him know how great he is with a gift that will show your efforts and tell him that he is cared for. Here are top 10 budget-friendly, DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Father's Day gift ideas.

1. Father's Day Greeting Card: One of the best ways to let your father know that you love him is making Do-It-Yourself Father's Day greeting card. Put the creative hat on and think of cool and unique idea to make card that will show your effort and bring a smile on his face. Also, pen a beautiful message for him inside. This gift will definitely fit in your budget.

2. A Book: If your father loves to read books then buy him the one he would love to read. Find out the genre he loves. If he is a traveller, buy him a book about the place he loves the most. If he is a geek, buy him a book about new cool technology. Or if he loves to cook, buy him a recipe book. For techie dads you can even purchase an e-book or an audio book. He is bound to treasure this gift forever.


3. A Toolkit: A basic toolkit makes for a perfect father's day gift idea. It is something that will always help him in difficult life situations.

4. Gadget Cases: Another Budget-Friendly Father's Day gift can be a gadget case. Buy a fancy case that will protect your dad's most valuable gadgets. He is simply going to love this thoughtful gift.

5. A Music CD: Mostly everyone loves music. Compile a CD of his favourite music that he can listen to on the run, in the gym or any other place. Your dad is going to cherish your efforts each time he plays it.

6. A Planner: Fathers often live a hectic lifestyle, with lots of chores to complete in a day. To make his life simpler and organized, buy him a planner where he can jot down all his appointments, things-to-do and plan his days in advance.

7. Surprise Him With his Favourite Meal: One of the best father's day DIY gift ideas is to surprise him with his favourite meal. Take your mother's help and cook everything that he relishes. A special supper will delight him.

8. Personalized Gifts: There are a variety of things available that one can personalize. Pick a white tee and just create something special. You can even gift him personalized magnets, mugs, playing cards and more.

9. A Photo Album: Collect the pictures of your family and create a photo album and present him as a father's day gift. These are the memories that he can store with him forever. One can also opt for digital photo album in USB drives or digital photo keychains. This is an affordable, DIY gift that he can keep with him all the time and look at anytime he feels lonely.

10. Gifts for Dads Who Like to Stay Fit: Even though you can't buy expensive gym equipments for your dads on Father's Day, you can substitute them with some essential items. One of the best yet budget-friendly Father's Day gifts is to buy him gym earphones, some cool towels, gym gloves, a sipper and more. These affordable father's day gifts will definitely make him feel loved and cared for.

Make Your Apartment a Home

Do you want to come back from a long day at work and feel like you are at home? The way you design and decorate your apartment can determine if it feels like an apartment or a home. We have some great tips below to help you feel more comfortable in your apartment.

What can affect this feeling in your home? If the furniture you have isn't comfortable, or randomly thrown together, it can make your apartment feel less inviting. The colors and decor can change how you feel when you enter your space. Follow these simple tips, courtesy of renters.apartments.com, to start feeling at home in your new home! 

Design for Use

The difference between a home and just another room is how much you really dwell in it. If you're ready to think of your apartment as a living space and not just where you crash at night, start designing your environments around their utility. Approach kitchen improvement projects around making it easier and more fun to cook and host company, tackle your bedroom as a pursuit of true coziness and relaxation, and think of your living room as a great leisure space just waiting to emerge from the blank canvas of the floor plan.

Color and Light

The cheapest, most functional way to establish a real decorative aesthetic is with careful color and lighting concepts. Look into whether your lease allows you to paint the walls. A fresh coat of the right color can really personalize a room. Even if you're not allowed to paint, you can start thinking of other kinds of decor along a color scheme that makes your home feel more intentional and personal. It's also a good idea to have plenty of lighting to open up each room and make the space feel more inviting.

Think Beyond the Now
Even if a given apartment is just a temporary arrangement, that doesn't mean everything in it has to be temporary as well. When you furnish and decorate your space, invest in items you'll want to see in your next home as well. By putting the effort and money into your belongings now, you'll feel literally and emotionally more invested in the space, plus you'll be less likely to have to start from the beginning the next time you move. Every chair, poster and candlestick can be the start of a continuous story, rather than just a lost chapter.

Add Some Life
Tending to your space or something within it is a great way to make your rental feel like home. When you're ready, bring a pet or some plants into the apartment so you'll have something you can help thrive in your environment. If you opt for something practical like a small garden of fresh herbs like mint and basil, you'll also have another reason to step into the kitchen and make your home a source of physical and spiritual nourishment. Apartment gardens are often as easy as a few potted plants on a windowsill, or even a small DIY project to install a floating shelf near a source of light.

Match the Mismatched

Especially when you're just starting out, it's pretty common to have a mishmash of furniture acquired more out of convenience than an eye for catalog perfection. Making a matching set just takes a little extra work, though. If you have wood, plastic or metal furniture, a fresh coat of paint can make them into companion pieces. Leather and fabric seating are good options for slip covers an upholstery, which will also increase the longevity of furniture that's either at risk of wear or is worn already. Taking on these small-scale DIY projects is not only a fulfilling and productive use of leisure time, it's also a great way to develop new skills that will serve you well when you're ready to take on larger home improvement projects in the future.

No matter how small your apartment or how short your stay, there are plenty of things you can do to improve and customize your space. A little effort and TLC will definitely make your rental feel like a home you're happy to call your own.

Five Places That You May Have Forgotten to Clean

Did you not get everything done that you needed to this weekend? You can start now to make your cleaning plan of attack for the week. Here are five places in your home that often get ignored while cleaning.  Make sure to include these places on your to-do list for the week. You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.

1. Interior and cabinet doors
Interior door dirt is a strange thing. You hardly notice it when your doors have grime around the handles and edges from hands opening and closing them, but it's noticeable to guests. Grab a duster, a bucket of warm water mixed with a tiny bit of dish soap and a soft rag. After testing to make sure what you're using doesn't damage the door's surface (especially if it's painted) gently wipe away the residue left behind by hands after removing any dust first. And don't forget about your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors! I don't know about anyone else, but I always forget to tackle these, but when I do, I feel like I have a near-brand new kitchen and bathroom!

2. Light fixtures
We've written about this before. It doesn't take long, but cleaning out the poor dearly departed bug bodies in your overhead light fixtures will not only eliminate unsightly bug silhouettes but it will also allow a little bit more light to shine in (important for making smaller spaces seem more spacious).

3. Ceiling fans
Now's the time to clean your ceiling fans so they don't fling dust bunnies across the room when you turn them on when warmer weather comes. The best trick to cleaning these without getting yucky fan blade dust everywhere? Grab an old pillowcase, slip over a fan blade and dust into the pillow case, containing the offending dirt particles and keeping them falling to the ground (or your face).

4. Windows & blinds
I honestly never think to clean my windows. But man does it make a world of difference when I do. Remember, small spaces benefit from as much light as they possibly can get, and cleaning your windows will let more light in — more than you'd imagine! And dusty, dirty blinds are just unseemly and no match for a home you try to keep clean regularly. Luckily, folks with small spaces usually don't have as many windows to clean!

5. Baseboards
Yep, this was posted about last weekend. Did you tackle them then? If you did, you can totally skip this one because they're probably still pretty clean. If you still haven't tackled this often forgotten home chore, find your favorite tip in this post and then consider this chore! Again, smaller spaces means smaller square footage so you might not have too many baseboards to clean!