Pocahontas

Hooked on Cloth Napkins

Not just napkins, but pot holders and tea towels too. Let's just say that I have purchased a lot of napkins, quite a few pot holders, and several tea towels, all cotton and all beautiful:)) And why not? There may be hard times ahead, and I will not need to purchase a napkin again, in my life time.I also bought un-papertowels www.etsy.com/shop/picnicbasketcrafts - they are organic cotton flannel, used for all kinds of clean up.

Here are the Etsy sites:

www.etsy.com/shop/btaylorquilts

www.etsy.com/shop/branchhandmade

www.etsy.com/shop/ohlittlerabbit

www.etsy.com/shop.floradorainc

www.etsy.com/shop/picnicbasketcrafts

Final guest house...erm, shed.

Who wouldn't want to live here? Manochehr came in and asked me if I wanted window boxes for flowers, and I said...ummm, will I have to keep them watered or can I pull an Aunt Becky and put fake flowers in them?

Even the landing is lovely. Manochehr is revealing his artistic side. I'm trying to think of way that I could incorporate some color without ruining it...maybe paint the door raspberry? The trim turquoise? I may have to leave it as, since it's so pretty already, but you know by the number of times that I change my blog background that I am dying to color it up.

My New Best Friend - Electrolux

The title of this is a bit of a misnomer, because when it comes to floor cleaning, my real best friend is Judy, my housekeeper helper. But when she isn't due for a few days, or even a week, then I want something easy - and these two tools fit the bill. The Bissell steamer I've had for about a year, and I like it a lot, though it hasn't revolutionized my life like the Electrolux has.

This vacuum (bottom photo) is amazing for several reasons:

1. rechargeable...so super handy dandy

2. light in weight

3. powerful for it's size

4. it has 2 ways to remove the dust from the dust cup, so easy. The second way (the first being the obvious way) is to use the hose from your central vac when it's out for your regular vacuuming - it fits up to a hole in the canister so that you can just vacuum out the dust cup without ever taking anything apart - which is much cleaner.

5. it is agile...this little baby can turn on a dime.

6. it's slim so easy to store

7. can be used on any floor/carpet surface

8. it has a hand vacuum attachment

9. mine is a pretty gold color.

10 there are two special attachments for small specialized jobs.

It only has a downside if you expect it to be your regular vacuum - it's not nearly powerful enough for that, but if you use it to do quick clean ups, in between your bigger cleaning with the central vac - come on, who wants to bring out the 3 miles of hose and power head for a quick clean up - then you will love this vacuum.

So, first I go over everything with the Electrolux, and then if needed go over again with the Bissell Steamer...which is also very easy to use, but you know, it's corded, needs water, you have to move everything out of the way...I only do if I have to, but I whip the vacuum out every day.

I bought mine at Costco for $99, however, in July, it's going on sale for $79.

Removing WonderUnder™ from the Bottom of your Iron

I had WonderUnder™ stuck to my new, beautiful Rowenta iron - who's main purpose is for sewing...from my Christmas projects. I decided today, to get that gunk off. One sure way, is to go out and purchase this Hot Iron Cleaner from Faultless - available at Wal-Mart and probably elsewhere.I decided to try an internet learned trick first. Place an old towel on your ironing board, and lay out 2-3 dryer sheets (some websites say to use 'used' dryer sheets, some not - I used unused dryer sheets) on top of the towel. Run your hot iron over the first dryer sheet, then over the old towel, then back to another dryer sheet. I had to repeat this 3 times. I used 2 cheapo dryer sheets first, then a Bounce™ dryer sheet. It may have worked faster if I'd started with the Bounce™ sheet. It seemed to get the most off the fastest. After each swipe - again run over the old towel. This saved me a trip to Wal-Mart and some dough...and it worked very well. My iron looks like new again. The online community is so helpful!

Some favorite things...random order:-)

Counter stools - it's harder than you think to find the perfect counter stools. For one thing, great stools cost a lot more than you would think. I have been looking for 7 YEARS, and last week, I found them. Bernhardt Smithsonian swivel stools, wonderful quality and half price, PLUS, if you can believe this, I had a forgotten store credit of $250! The stools were meant for me, and happily the price was good too or in this economic environment I may have been forced to walk away.

I have also discovered two amazing skin/makeup products - that are too good not to share. The first is Olay Definity Color Recapture SPF15 Tinted Moisture. On a day when you only want sheer coverage, this is perfect. It goes on smoothly, isn't greasy, blends well, moisturizes lightly and is anti-aging and anti-wrinkle...ok I don't know how you prove that...but that's the promise:-) I wear light-medium. The fairest isn't really super fair, so the very light skinned are out of luck. It's really lovely, and boasts sanitary dispensing.

Next up is Victoria's Secret Very Voluptuous Extreme volume Mascara...my lashes are not curly or thick, but this mascara both thickens and, more amazingly, curls. I've used mascaras that say they curl, but they do not really curl...this one does.

Pretty Organization

I saw this pretty use of tea cups on the Martha Stewart website on April 28th 2008...I love the idea and have shared it before, but thought it worth documenting here again. Speaks to the soul much more than plastic boxes.