July 2017 Blooms

Here's the bloom report for this month!

Rosemary

Mint

Hydrangeas (finally!)

Daisies

More Hydrangeas

Look at this one!

Potentilla "Mango Tango"

Coreopsis

Lavender

Lacecap Hydrangea - This hasn't bloomed in 10 years!!

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Penstemmon

Astilbes

Obedient Plant

**Since most of my hydrangeas are blooming on the side of my house where I can't see them often, I cut some and put them in water by my kitchen door.  I'm enjoying these beauties all day long!

Get Organized - Part 2

If you need some practical help for getting organized, here are a few easy tips!

1.  Use Magazine Holders, Small Baskets, and Shower Caddies to corral small items like water bottles in the kitchen cupboard, hair styling tools in the bathroom, socks and underwear in your closet.  I was at Aldi today and I snapped these photos of so many organizers!!  Yes, I take pictures of baskets and shelves all the time:)  I can't resist!

2.  Use Ice Cube Trays, Egg Holders, and Bins in drawers to keep things tidy.  I use an egg holder to organize my jewelry in a dresser drawer!

3.  Put Baskets on high shelves with lightweight items to use that space efficiently.  I keep pajamas and off-season clothes in these high baskets in my closet.

Here's a link to an excellent list of Good Housekeeping's 
101 Best Organizing Tips.  Enjoy!

101 Best Organizing Tips

Get Organized - Part 1

If you're bogged down with stuff, then maybe it's time to 

get your space organized.  Here are a few quick tips to 

help you start!

1. Reclaim Dead Space - Think about using the space you have most efficiently.  Hang items on hooks, put up shelves, reclaim corners, etc.



Look at how my friend used a small corner space in her bathroom to store all these necessities!!

2. Think Vertical - Use towel bars to hang items in kitchen cupboards.  Hang pots on walls.  Get grocery bags in a holder on the wall.  Hang jewelry on command hooks!

3.  Institute the "One In, One Out" Rule - You'll never get ahead of clutter if you constantly add to your stuff and never purge.  If you buy a new dress, donate and old one.  If you get a new pair of shoes...you get the idea.  Get into the habit of donating unused items to charity.  It's the right thing to do!

Stay tuned for Part 2!

June 2017

Here are my blooms this month!

Veronica

Ornamental Lilies

Red Hot Pokers

Bachelor Buttons

Blanket Flowers

Climbing Roses

Love in a Mist

Lemon Drop

Coral Bells

Roses!!

Blanket Knock-Out Roses

Penstemon (Bees LOVE these flowers!)

How to Have a Great Yard Sale

This a great time of year to clear out closets, cupboards, drawers and attics.  If you have some energy, you can turn all that unwanted stuff into cash by having a yard sale.  I do this almost every summer.  Here are my best tips:

1. Display your items on tables neatly, or on top of tarps with prices visible.  Most folks don't want to root through boxes.  The neater your items are, the more you will sell!

2.  Price everything!  Don't just say "Make an offer."  That intimidates most people.  When people tell me to make an offer I usually respond "I don't want to insult you, so please let me know what price range you are thinking about."  They usually are expecting way more money than I am willing to pay for an item, so I'm glad I asked first!

3.  Don't expect department store prices.  People at yard sales don't care that you spent $120 for that item.  It's a yard sale, not Saks 5th Avenue.  Your spending history is now irrelevant.  People want bargains, and you want to get rid of stuff.  So, make people happy, price things low, and be willing to take lower offers.  I've seen sellers turn away customers with high prices and then donate all their items at the end of the day because no one would buy!  Remember your goal is to unload extra stuff!

4.  Don't hover over customers or try "hard sell" tactics.  Leave people alone to make up their own minds.  If they leave without buying, thank them for stopping buy.  No pressure, just happiness:)

If you want to really clean out and make some extra cash, these tips have worked for me.  Happy Yard Sailing!!

May 2017 Blooms

Here's what's blooming in my yard!

Sage

Roses

Bachelor Buttons

Blooming Ground Cover

Potentilla Buttercup

Bearded Iris

Clematis

Potentilla Apple Blossom

Campanula

Obedient Plant

Salvia

Clematis

Sweet William