Installing a Light Fixture - My Laundry Room Lightup

I have one final project to brighten up my newly updated laundry room, and it is installing the beautiful new light fixture I just got from Westside Wholesale!
Isn't she a beaut? Replacing the lighting in a room can be a quick and easy update that makes a big difference! So today I'm sharing how to install a light fixture and giving you a sneak peek into my laundry room makeover.

The old fixture seems to be having a bit of a tough time keeping this room well lit. With space for only a single bulb, and a low wattage bulb at that, it left much to be desired.

The new fixture I've chosen for this space is a Kichler Transitional Semi Flush Light Fixture, and it has a bit of sparkle that really adds a streamlined glam I'm looking for in this room. It was really important for me to find a fixture that made a subtle statement, so the size was very important...this particular Kichler fixture measures 15" x 11.5" making it perfect for my 9' x 6' space. It will stand out, yet not take too much attention away from the rest of the space. Ever the practical decorista I also made the number of bulbs a criteria for my search. 3 bulbs were perfect to brighten up the space!

While looking for the perfect light fixture I learned that not all lights are created equal. Here are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing the perfect fixture:

• Decorative lighting vs. Bright light: Sometimes we get sidetracked by style...remember that if it is the primary source of light, you want to choose a fixture designed to adequately illumine the space. Look for something that supports a higher wattage and/or has the specs for multiple bulbs. Sometimes you can find the same style fixture in a variety of sizes to suit the task at hand. 
• Size for the space: Consider visual weight. If the fixture engulfs the room, or alternately appears significantly dwarfed by the space, you need a new fixture. Lighting should not be overlooked as a decorative element, it is equally important to help pull the entire space together.
• Directional Lighting: From ceiling mount, to wall sconce, to floor lamps and everything in between, your choices will come in a style that directs the light up, or down. Occasionally (such as with a shade) the light will incorporate both an upward and downward glow. Consider the location of the light and its purpose; If you want an item in the room to be illuminated (such as art, bookcases, the stairs in a stairwell, etc.), look for downward illumination. If your needs are more for general lighting to brighten up the entire space, up-faced lighting bounces off the ceiling and tends to flood a room more adequately. 
• Mix & Match: The different types of lighting you can bring into a space will lend itself to a variety of important elements. Mood lighting, task lighting, general lighting...each have a part to play. Remember that there is no need to choose one over the other, you can combine general lighting with a companion for mood lighting as well! Go on, have your cake and eat it too!

One final tip...before shelling out the big bucks to install your new fixture, why not give it a try on your own? Notwithstanding random quirks such as massively high ceilings, it is a project that can usually be done in a short period of time, and just about anyone can do! 

Watch my youtube webisode here on installing my new fixture in this space:

Here is that sneak peak into my laundry room I promised, but don't miss out on the big reveal! I'll be sharing all the before and after's, as well as tips to decorate for the practical needs of the laundry room. See you there!

Coupon Binder Tour

Coupons and price matching have been the only way I have been able to stay on a tiny budget.
I am what I like to call a "health-nut couponer". I am a vegetarian  who believes unprocessed food is the way to go, I prefer all-natural cleaners, I don't wear make-up or use perfumes and have very few toiletries, and I don't like to shop...and even I find good use for couponing and price matching. If I can, I suppose anyone can. Now that you think I'm some kind of weirdo *chuckle*, let me introduce you to my coupon binder, which helps me coupon without spending a lot of time cutting coupons!

One of the greatest reasons I hear for not couponing is how time consuming it is. Well it doesn't have to be! I want maximum savings for the things I do buy, but I don't want to spend more than 15-20 minutes per week creating my shopping list & preparing my coupons. I have organized myself and my coupon binder to best accommodate this.

Take a tour of my Coupon Binder via my Youtube webisodes: 

Saving Is All In the Details
At some point I will do an entire post on how I maximize my savings, but for the sake of this coupon binder tour I just wanted to briefly touch on a couple coupon basics I follow. 

1. Use a Coupon Database: As I mentioned in the webisode, I use a coupon database to do all the coupon and sales matching work for me. They match the sales for that week (from your personal store) with the corresponding coupons leaving you free to do other things! There are quite a few databases to choose from, so you should be able to find one that has your favorite stores!

• Moneysavingmom.com 
• Couponmom.com 
• Thekrazycouponlady.com
• Southernsavers.com

 I also recommend finding a coupon blog or database that serves only your local region, it will be a bit more specific and often list unadvertised deals in your neighborhood. I pretty much just do whatever my local coupon blogger tells me to do! *wink* A big shoutout to my awesome local deal matchers: Sisters Shopping On A Shoestring, and The Coupon High!

2. Make A Plan & Stick To It: Create a budget, menu plan, and shopping list. These three items can make all the difference in how much you spend! I cannot stress enough the importance of planning ahead...however you decide to do it, whatever methods you choose, plan ahead! You'll save gads of money and learn to buy efficiently. Even if you never coupon, you can cut your grocery spending just by sticking to a menu plan and corresponding shopping list! If you base your menu plan/shopping list on sale products from that week, you'll do even better!

3. Find An Execution Method That Is Flexible With Your Lifestyle:
My coupon and savings habits change based on how crazy life is at the moment. When I have more time for shopping trips I lug my entire coupon binder around with me, and it allows me maximum savings. When I'm strapped for time, I have my shopping list which I stick to, and carry my little poly vinyl pocket with just the coupons necessary for this shopping trip. Then I stick precisely to my list, which means I stay precisely on budget. 

Happy Saving!

Wallpaper, Wallpaper, On The Wall...

Mmmmnnnooooggrrrrbleghhh. Oh hey... sorry about that. I was just looking over the bathrooms in my house and eeeggghhh...huh there I go again. I've been putting off these two bathroom spaces for 2 years because of the wallpaper. No, it's not that it will be that difficult to remove it, it's just that I hate removing wallpaper. I moved here from a house that had 3-5 layers of old outdated wallpaper on every single wall surface. Yes, I said 3-5 layers on EVERY SINGLE WALL! I spent 5 years peeling wallpaper so I am NOT fond of it! After moving into this house, I decided to take a couple years off *wry grin*. Well, at least I can say I have learned a few things about wallpaper removal. Let me tell you, I have done it all... it took a while but I finally came to the conclusion that the simple method is the best.
I can't avoid it any longer, the girls bathroom is especially in need of a little TLC. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to share what I have learned about wallpaper removal while I prep my two bathrooms for painting.

No More Gimmicks
Nothing is more frustrating than spending money believing a product that promises easy and effective result but to no avail. One thing I have learned after trying professional steamers, and myriad of sprays and goo, is that they all have their own unique type of hassle. The reality is that good wallpaper removal can't be guaranteed, the success of removal all depends on the age and type of the wallpaper, and the condition of the wall beneath. No matter what method you use, if something bad is going to happen, none of these methods will prevent it. I figure if you are going to have to pick your poison anyway, and what will be will be, why bother spend the money? Might as well use a free method... 

The Free & Simple Method
I use a spray bottle with warm water, and a taping knife as a scraper. Wait, let me show you...

This may seem overly simple, but it turns out that it produces the same good results on easy peel wallpaper, and the same set of frustrations with old wallpaper or badly primed walls. It's all about learning how to tell what you are up against before peeling, or what to do when the going gets tough. 

You Never Know What You'll Find
Wallpaper removal is a gamble. You might discover multiple layers, with each layer getting older and harder to remove, or it might turn out to be a breeze! Just know that if you decide to remove your existing wallpaper you may have to deal with more than you bargained for.
The best you can do to "check" is use an exacto knife to score the wallpaper near an out-of-the-way corner, and gently peel back that scored segment. If the wall is primed and painted underneath you are likely to have a quick and easy removal. If there is a second layer of old wallpaper without a plasticy substance, or the wall is not painted, you might risk pulling off pieces of drywall, or bubbling of the wall surface.

Avoiding Removal
If you hate your wallpaper, but don't want the hassle of removing it, you do have options... 

Paint Over It: If the seams are tight well done seams, and there is no bubbling of the paper, you can use an oil-based primer to paint over your wallpaper. Be sure to use a brand that is not too "wet" (or at least leave the primer open for a few days to thicken up) otherwise you might create bubbles or unwanted texture that will show up when your top coat dries. 
Wide Seam Tip: If your seams are a little further apart than you like, and you are good at mudding, you can fill in gaps in seams with just the tiniest bit of plaster. 

Paper Over It: I hate the idea of making more layers of wallpaper, but there are times when it is merited. In these cases be sure place your seams fairly close to where the original seams are. Unless the old wallpaper seams are flawless, they can show through the second layer of wallpaper once the glue dries...better safe than sorry.

Solving Paper Removal Problems

Peeling Dry Wall: I hope your mudding is good. *grin* There isn't much that can be done besides mudding over the peeled areas...short of papering over your mishap.

Bubbling Paint: Perhaps the dry wall isn't peeling, but it seems as if paint is bubbling and peeling with each piece of paper you pull off the wall. It may be a flat paint, or it may be that it isn't painted at all. Either way, allow it to dry thoroughly, then use dry wall sandpaper to sand the peeled edges. In some cases that will take care of it, in others you may have to use a light coat of plaster and mud around the edges to hide any irregularities. 

How to Remove Paper Around Impediments: Bathrooms particularly can be difficult to remove wallpaper from because of all the impediments; the toilet gets in the way, the light fixture, the vanity, towel bars, etc. Rather than removing every fixture, lightly score around these items using an exacto knife before peeling back the wallpaper around it. 

Good luck with your wallpaper removal! I hope your experience is smoother going than mine! *wink*

DIY Board Game Storage Unit

Some of you know I'm crazy about European board games. It is the one hobby my husband and I have in common, and we just got back from the Origins Game Fair! WAHOO!! And now you know why I have been AWOL the last week and a half, between family visiting (and gaming), and the game fair (and gaming), and gaming...well, it was a great vacation! But now I'm baaaack!
Ok, so I may love a good board game, and I am all about my hubby trading games to build a fantastic collection for our family, but let's face it, I'm still a decor happy woman. That means I don't want to see our game collection piled up on shelves in my living room. There has to be a better more attractive solution, especially now that he has come home from Origins with a dozen new games. 

Devising the Ultimate Game Storage System

This game storage system has to accommodate my husbands game storage OCD particulars as well as mine, and boy are we one particular couple!
We started out by storing our games in a drawer, but our collection soon outgrew the drawer, and I was not happy with open book shelf storage. The solution? I built two simple cabinet bases designed to store our board games, and stacked my bookshelves on top! It fulfills both our need for game storage, as well as attention to game preservation details. There are two nearly identical bookcase units, but the bases contain a couple small differences I will show you. 


Tour My New Game Storage Unit: I'm eager to show you both units, how well they work, and what organization method I use to sort my games!

Storage Particulars
The great thing about this manner of storing our games is that it is customized to meet all our storage needs and satisfy our varying points of OCD. That means no twitching for either of us! *grin*

Store Games Upright: In our opinion games should never ever be stored on their sides. Game pieces are jostled about when flipped on their side and you open to a chaotic mess. Um, no, not ok. 
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Games must be stored out of the sunlight to avoid fading boxes.
Avoid Stacking: When you stack games one atop the other, over time the roof of the box below begins to sag. The only games I stack are lightweight  
Line Shelves: Over time boxes tend to "stick" to painted shelves and can risk peeling your game box. Shelf liner works wonders to keep your boxes protected.
Use Flat Pull-Out Shelves: Don't use drawers or pull-out shelves that have any lip to it, it makes it difficult to reach in and grab a game. Straight flat shelves enable you to slide a game out without having to "claw" at it to get a grip. Also be sure that your drawer slides are the correct length to pull shelves out far enough to allow the game behind to be easily lifted without having to move other games out of the way.
Personalize Organization: We opted to organize our games by categories then from top to bottom by frequency of play. Our categories are "Family Games", "Friend Favorites", "Rosenburg Games", and "Everything Else". Whether you go by alphabetical order or categories, customize it to how you and your family thinks. And definitely label!!
Add the Bells & Whistles: Add door pulls to the pull-out shelves if it makes it easier for you to grab...my husband preferred it without, but find ways to customize your storage to be most effective. 

Whether you build your own DIY storage unit, or add pull-out shelves to an existing one it is definitely worth the extra effort! I promise to share the building details in the near future. *wink*

Garden Fever Prt. 3: Building Raised Sub-Irrigation Beds

Why Raised? Why Sub-Irrigated?
Do you really have to ask? My raised beds sit on my deck and are as work-free as a garden can get! They are self watering, requiring a refill once every two months, and they help extend my summer planting season. Oh, and as for weeding, well...what weeding? *swoon* I love my little deck garden! I promise to give you another peak later in the summer when all my little seedlings are fully grown.

Soooo, have you created your self-watering container garden yet? Wait what? You didn't see that post? Well ok, then you must start with Part 1: Starting Seedlings of my Garden Fever series, then go to Part 2: Container Gardening, and this is the last post in this 3 part series. If you have, then please, by all means...onward!

Necessary Materials
Bed Building Materials
These are the materials I used to build one raised bed, however you can simply adjust the dimensions to suit materials on sale or your desired height, length, and width. There is one reason alone why I chose the type of wood I did...it was cheap. It was $1.89 per 8 ft. board cheap!!! So believe me, if I could have found taller cedar boards at that smashtastic price, I would have used them. *wink* Basically I spent $12 to build two raised beds after purchasing 4 - 8 ft. boards, one piece of framing wood, and some soil . I used leftover deck stain & seal left in my garage by the previous owners, and  I salvaged castors from a piece of roadside furniture. 

To Build One Raised Bed

• 2 - 1 in. x 7.25 in. x 8 ft. Cedar Board
• 1 - 1 in. x 1.5 in. x 8 ft. Framing Lumber
• One Salvaged Pallet 
• 1 1/2 in. Deck Screws
• Deck Stain & Seal
• Castors (optional)

Sub-Irrigation System Materials

• 3/4" PVC Pipe & Cap
• 4" Drain Pipe
• Thick Plastic Sheeting (vapor barrier)
• 1/2" Vinyl Tubing
• Top Soil
• Garden Soil

How-To Build Your Own Raised Sub-Irrigation Bed
Again, some things are just better shown in action...so I will show you via video how to build your bed, and install the sub-irrigation system. If you watched the video I did on how to create self-watering planters here then you should know the idea is the same, however the materials are a little different. 

Drainage Tip
If your garden is on a second story deck, or you just don't want it draining all over your deck floor, be sure to place a plastic drip pan under your vinyl drain tube. Or you can just do what I do, allow it to overflow into one of my planters. 

Create a Shade/Greenhouse Covering
I saw this idea on Pinterest and it really appealed to me.
Use the leftover PVC pipe to create holders for a "shade" useful for those especially hot days. 
This will be very helpful for your transplanted seedlings as they acclimate. They usually can't withstand an entire day of sun, but now that they are being kept moist from the roots up, and have a shade until they are ready, nothing can get them down! 

•  Use Two Hole Straps to attach the PVC to your beds. You can attach them to the outside of your bed. Or attach them hidden on the inside of your bed before filling with garden soil. 
• Purchase a thinner bendable PVC that can loop over top of your raised bed. 
• Create a shade by cutting garden cloth to size over the loops.
• **TIP: if you created long narrow beds like I did, push them side by side and loop your shade over both as in the picture below. 

Even better, late fall replace the garden cloth with the leftover plastic sheeting to transform your bed into a greenhouse and extend your growing season. Use your plastic sheeting in the early spring and even into the summer for heat-loving plants... it also can help to warm the soil up in spring before seeding into it. 

Enjoy your raised beds! I know I will...

Garden Fever Prt.2: Container Gardening

True to Ursula fashion, each year I am all-over-the-place excited to start my garden in spring, then comes vacation time... inevitably, my overly large garden takes a hit that it never fully recovers from. Some plants struggle to stay alive while I am out of town, or those insidious weeds make a power play for my poor little garden (and usually win), or worst Jack Frost comes to town early in the fall to rob me of part of my harvest! *sigh* However it happens, my garden has never quite  made it to my dreamy ideal... This year I'm preparing to go to battle. My garden will be ready to pack a punch to whatever decides to attack this year! I'm going for work-free, self-watering, organic & natural, bug-repelling techniques, and I'm sharing all the how-to's!
Last week I shared how I started my seedlings here, this week, I'm focusing on the container part of my garden, then  join me as I show you how to build raised beds here!

Container Gardens For Less

A container garden is easy to prepare and care for, but can cost a lot of money when you need to spring for lots of large pots. Save some money by opting for plastic planters and painting it to suit your design. And of course, search thrift and hardware resale stores for pots first! 
I found a ton of small plastic pots at a Habitat for Humanity Restore for pennies! Cha-ching! I also managed to find medium and large plastic pots at Walmart last year for $3 a piece as the  planting season ended, you can usually find their large plastic pots for $5 - $7, so it is still a cheap find compared to ceramic pots. 
Another fantastic idea is to use large buckets (like the ones you purchase in the paint section of the hardware store), or outdoor rubber storage bins. 

Painting Plastic Pots
The terra cotta paint color on these thrifty plastic pots wasn't doing anything for me. Well I say, when design fails...spray paint! 

IMPORTANT: When you spray paint your pots, please ensure your pots are empty, and please please do not spray paint the inside where your soil will  go. ONLY paint the outside and the inner lip to where the soil will start. It is better to ensure you are not contaminating your soil. A layer of clear protective spray paint will help ensure the paint doesn't scratch off over time. 

Before

After

Turning Your Pots Into Sub-Irrigation Planters (SIP's)
The challenge with container gardening is ensuring your plants stay watered...or maybe that's just me! Either way, there are many benefits to creating sub-irrigation planters... 
1. Eliminates the need for frequent watering
2. Aerates the soil
3. Waters plants from below, which helps most plants thrive and is especially good for plants such as tomato plants.

How SIP's Works
1. All SIP's require a space or container to store water under the soil in the base of your planter. Recycled milk or juice containers are often used, I use soup and butter containers...be sure to only use plastics rated at the safest EPA ratings of #2, #4, & #5.
2. Next it requires a pipe that goes from the surface to the underground container for you to fill your water storage container. 
3. It requires a medium that will wick the water up through the soil to your plant. Although many people use cotton, the soil itself can be that agent and works best!
4. Last it requires a method of drainage to prevent over watering and let you know when your water storage container is full. This can be a drilled hole at a specific height, but for planters (where the holes are at the base), a container or plastic tarp barrier to hold the water until it can reach a certain height before draining is needed. 

How-to Video
Here I will demonstrate how to turn your existing pots into sub-irrigation planters. It is a very easy process, and you can turn several pots into SIP's in an afternoon!

Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Drainage Important?
Different plants have different needs, but continuously over saturated soil can cause disease in even some of the most thirsty plants. So good drainage is key!  

Alternative Drainage Materials: Using a plastic bucket just smaller than your planter is the easiest method, however thick vapor barrier plastic used for painters tarp will work as well. An alternative to purchasing plastic is using grocery bags. It has the same EPA rating as the tarp plastic, and best of all, it's free! Just check for holes, and layer several bags.

How Does the Water Flow from One Storage Container To The Next?
Are you scratching your head wondering why the fill container and the reserve container aren't connected? The strips you cut in the bottom of those containers is all it needs...the water flows out of the fill container across the floor of the plastic tarp or container into the reserve container, and the rest is leeched through the tightly packed top soil all around it. Don't worry, trust the science of it...it works. *wink* With a little time, both containers will fill with water, and as the soil above loses moisture the water will continue to be drawn up as needed. 

Where Did you Get Your Water Storage Containers & Drainage Container?
The containers I'm using for water storage are recycled butter containers, sour cream containers, and soup containers you get from ordering take out! Look for safer plastics encircled by a #2, #4, and #5, which your thicker butter containers usually are.
The drainage container (also a safer plastic choice) was an old paint mixing bucket that had never been used...you can find buy them new in the paint section for about $2. 

How Do I know When My SIP is Full or Requires Refill?
The water will begin to drain out of the base of your planter. Then you will know that the fill container, the reserve container, and the drainage container is full. For the first few weeks check deep in the soil for moisture so you will know when your SIP's are empty in need of a refill. In the future you will begin to get a feel for how much water it can take, and how much time passes before needing to refill. 

Cap Your PVC Fill Tube:
Purchase caps to fit your PVC pipe. It will ensure that bugs and dirt can't get into your fill container. It will also prevent evaporation.


Container Gardening Details
Success in container gardening is in the littlest details... so here are a few things I recommend you do:

Choose The Best Soil
The benefit of container gardening is getting the soil right at the outset. Take that extra time to choose the best! In my family buying organic isn't usually a great financial option, so this is my chance to have organic fruits and vegetables!

Prevent Weeds
A couple minutes to add a bit of weed barrier will make life so much easier in the long-run, in addition it will help prevent moisture in the soil from evaporating as quickly increasing the effectiveness of your SIP's. 
You can use weed barrier/garden cloth, some leftover plastic from your SIP project, or even a black garbage bag. 
Place over top of your soil and your fill pipe, cut a hole to accommodate the fill pipe, then tuck the edges into the soil. Cut an X where you will plant. 

For plants that require less moisture to maintain health, try different types of "weed barriers". Mulch, *gravel, or even *river rocks make a pretty barrier. These do require some maintenance, as weeds can still sprout, but it makes a difference as opposed to not using any barrier at all. 
*Gravel or rocks can be used for plants that love heat only...the rocks will reflect sunlight onto your plants and absorb heat into your soil. Be careful to keep vegetables that "hang" off the rocks or they will burn. 

Make Plants Movable
There are benefits of being able to move your plants as needed, and once you add water to your SIP it will be quite heavy, so adding a castors is beneficial! 

• In the case of an unexpected frost, I like to move my plants into the garage. 
• Newly planted seedlings can't take direct sunlight, so I may keep them in the shaded part of my deck until they are ready for full sun. 
• To extend my gardening season I can start them early indoors (garage or sun porch), move them outdoors during the summer, then back indoors again during the winter months. 

I love the idea of placing all your small potted plants together in a garden wagon. Since I have a variety of pots too small to turn into SIP's, it is beneficial to have them all grouped together so they can be spray watered all at once. A wagon would make it easy to contain them, and to pull in and out of a garage or sun porch if needed! I'm keeping my eye open for wagon sales. 

What great tips do you have for creating the ultimate container garden? I'd love to know! Next week, I'm adding raised beds to expand my container garden into my dream deck garden!

Menu Planner

The Eleventh Hour Cook

How? How is it that the entire day went by and I STILL don't know what to make for dinner? I find myself entering dangerously close to the "whine" line, where the kids pave the way for the dinner hour with complaints of hunger that grow increasingly more pathetic. Just as I enter that last half hour,  the kids rolling on the floor dramatically holding their little tummies, I frantically grab at the first box of what-ever-that-was to "whip up" something. Forty minutes later I am sighing with relief, as the kids and hubby wolf down their admittedly mediocre food, and I am safe for yet another day...until breakfast when I will do this dance all over again!
Nope, I don't want to do this forever...That's how I eventually came up with the perfect solution! I created an easily reusable Menu Planner, one that includes a much needed idea section. 

Saving Solution

Yep, I can't decide if the worst part of cooking is the clean-up or the 2 hours before when you're racking your brain for ideas on what to cook. Well, no more sir! I'm not sure how to elude the monstrosity that is my kitchen after cooking (I'm a ridiculously messy cook), but I refuse to settle for menu mediocrity. So menu planning strategy it is! I have been employing this menu planner for a few months now and it has been my saving grace! We are eating healthier meals, it takes less time to prepare meals, I am saving gads of money, and we have culturally diversified our meals more than ever! It's a win-win-win-win!
Here are just a few menu planning tips you should employ to gain all of these benefits:
To save money: Pick one day to in advance to plan your meals. Create your menu and shopping list at the same time by browsing the sales ad's as well as your cupboard.
To save time: a menu plan gives you the opportunity to prepare entire meals or parts of a meal in advance, use a crock pot whenever you can. Do double duty by choosing meals that have a common ingredient and prepare (pre-cut, pre-soak, pre-wash, pre-cook, etc.) that ingredient all at one time for both dishes
To save your health: Try a new dish and a new seasoning every couple weeks. Keep the food pyramid in mind when menu planning, and include more fresh fruits and vegetables. If you need to, prepare your vegetables, and salads the week in advanced...you'll be more motivated to eat what has already been prepared.
To diversify: Try a new dish and a new seasoning every couple weeks. Glean inspiration from Pinterest Pins, or go online to a recipe directory such as allrecipes.com .

How It Works

Why sticky tabs? I like my menu planner to be tactile, and I am constantly changing my mind, or moving my meals around. This allows me to do so easily, without constant erasing or scratching out ideas. You would think these page marker sticky notes would lose their stickiness over time, as long as they are housed between two laminated sheets, they will not come off, or lose their stickiness.
The how to use is easy...besides the obvious grid/post-it operation, there are a couple little tricks I use to keep my menu planner working for me. The menu planner is divided into two parts: The Weekly Planner, which I reference to see what is being made for each week of the month. The Menu Ideas section, which is where I take from to populate my weekly meal plan.

First take the time to populate the Menu Ideas section. Go crazy, write on post-it page markers all the dishes you've ever wanted to make... the dishes that make you look like a superstar, the trusty dishes you cook weekly, etc. I went on Pinterest for inspiration and went wild! 

Next glean dishes from your Menu Idea section to populate your Weekly Menu. This is also the time to make your shopping list.

You know , it is far easier to show than to tell: Watch my Youtube Menu Planner webisode to see how, and gain a few important details.

How to Make Your Own

Simple. Customize, print, laminate, punch holes, and start populating your menu planner! 

I've done most of the work for you, but I won't take away the fun of personalization! Below you will find the Menu Planner printable in word format that you can download and customize, or in pdf format for those who want to print and use as is. Just remember, the word format will be a little discombobulated and needs to be downloaded to view and alter.

If you do not own a laminator, use Scotch brand full-sized self-laminating sheets, just follow the directions on the package.

Customization & Assembly Tips:

Type in Your Own Categories: My categories are: Drink Ideas, Salad & Appetizer Ideas, Breakfast Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Dinner Ideas, and Dessert Ideas. Use as many pages per category as you like. Decide your layout and page order, and place pages back to back so they will be double sided before laminating.

Type in Your Own Subcategories: My planner contains subcategories according to the way I plan and search for meals. Personally I think of my meals by predominant ingredient or meal base: Grains, Bread, Pasta, Potato, Vegetables & Legumes, and Sides. 

A more "normal" labeling method would probably be: Appetizers, Bread, Pasta, Soup, Salad, Sides. Or perhaps label according to cultural food type: Asian, American, African, Indian, Italian, etc. The ideas are endless, the point is to divide up your sections according to the way you think. 

Color-code Subcategories with Post-its: Keeping your subcategories further defined by using one or two colors in each section will make it quick and easy to put the stickies back in their place when not in use. Don't forget to customize your stickies too! I chose to use Post-it page marker signets, but I loved the adorable Martha Stewart brand 1 1/2" x 2" size as well!

Change the Font & Colors: While you're already customizing, why not make it suit your personal style? Whether you change the font, or the colors, or drastically change it, you'll be more motivated to use something you put a little work into.

Customizable Word Format (must be downloaded to be viewed properly)

• Weekly Menu Plan Sheet
• Menu Idea Sheet-Breakfast
• Menu Idea Sheet-Lunch
• Menu Idea Sheet-Dinner
• Menu Idea Sheet-Salad & Appetizer, and Drinks
• Menu Idea Sheet-Dessert

Print Ready PDF Format

• Weekly Menu Plan Sheet
• Menu Idea Sheet-Breakfast
• Menu Idea Sheet-Lunch
• Menu Idea Sheet-Dinner
• Menu Idea Sheet-Salad & Appetizer, and Drinks
• Menu Idea Sheet-Dessert

Let me know how you customized your menu planner! Upload pictures to facebook and tag HomeMadebyCarmona. I hope you find it as helpful as I have!

Warranty & Manual Storage

I fear my office space. Seriously, I think my mountain of papers are out to get me. I've decided to take this task one small project at a time, or maybe I'll just leave the boxes of mystery papers on my husbands doorstep with a note and run away (metaphorically speaking of course, as we share a doorstep...). 

My first project will be to organize my warranties and manuals... well, reorganize since my first attempt failed miserably. For a while I stored them in a binder with clear sheet protectors. The Problem: heavier manuals began to weigh the sheet protectors down and they would sag below the binder.  Eventually I could not fit anything more into the binder, or the second binder, and I refused to buy a third, there had to be a better solution! 

After testing several different methods, I discovered that using a simple accordion file worked best for my needs. This bad boy holds the thickest manuals manufacturers can throw at me! Not to mention that it was the most inexpensive option I could find. I have seen some very snazzy binder methods, but when I went to purchase all the specialty inserts and miscellaneous items I needed, I quickly realized that the entire endeavor would be pretty pricey. I went home empty-handed dreaming up ways to make this work.



Not only have I found a system that works, I have also discovered a few tricks to store things in the most effective way possible.
Sometimes it is the simplest things... A few leftover photo album refill pages, some craft baggies, and the old sheet protectors help keep my accordion filing system neat and tidy. There is just nothing more satisfying than seeing a well organized item with rows of labels!



Some things are just best shown: 
I hope this little tour of my warranty & user guide filing system is helpful.