Stainless Steel Friend or Foe

Are your stainless steel appliances working for you or are you enslaved by them?  Are they friend or a foe?  A few years ago we built a new home.  Like most women I wanted the latest and most popular trends for my kitchen.  I have always heard that you should put the most money into your kitchen and your bathrooms.  So I decided to get stainless steel appliances.  And don't get me wrong, I think stainless steel appliances are sleek, classic and beautiful. THAT IS WHEN THEY ARE CLEAN AND WITHOUT FINGERPRINTS, SMUDGES, WATERMARKS AND SUCH!  I work myself silly and drive my family nuts trying to keep them shiny and spot-free.  So if we were to build another home I don't know if I would choose stainless steel for my appliances or not.  PROBABLY!  I probably would if that was the trend. And yes I would be enslaved to them and not know if they were friend or foe.

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Cleanups around the Kitchen

Laundry Tips

Shop Taste of Home Individual Products Baker's Treasures 3-Book Set N/A N/A 3 19.99

Don't Trash Your Treaures

Don't trash your treasures!  Instead put them to a different use.  An old vintage window shutter might become a unique way to display Christmas cards.  Old glass canisters will take on a new look in the bathroom.  A glass door knob could be just the perfect touch to tie back your curtains.  Display your family photos on a vintage wooden ladder.  Ideas are limitless.  So move it around, paint it, repurpose it, transform it, but definitely "Don't trash your treasures"!

Get in There and Dig!

The first day of the month brings about a lot of great deals if you don't care to get in there and dig.  Dig, search, and wait in line.  It's all worth it when you find your favorite brand of pants for $2.15 and they still have new tags.  Cashmere sweaters, down vest, jeans, shirts, pants, and much more.  American Eagle, Hollister, Ann Taylor, Victoria Secret, and Ralph Lauren.  Lamps, wreaths, pictures, and frames.  Cookbooks, decorating books, and novels.   Wow! The latest Harry Potter book in hardback.  It looks like it has never been cracked open.  Crowded aisles, long lines, smiling people, and carts filled to the rim.   Check it out!  Goodwill Saturdays.  First day of the month and 1/2 off tags. Take yourself, take your daughter/son or husband, take your friend.  Something for everyone!  If you don't care to get in there and dig!

Fashion Finds.

Dress and Boots $14.00.

Goodwill a great place to find items to redesign or recycle.  Check out: 

No More Ugly Ducklings

What's In Your Purse?

"I can't find my keys!"  I thought I put them in the side pocket.  Oh there is my fingernail file that I was looking for.  Oh, well.  Now where are my keys?  Wow! Why does anyone need four lipglosses?  And two of them are the same color.  Back to my keys.  I really need to start using the keyfinder.  That is such a neat little gadget.  You hook it to the side of your purse and there they are when you need them.  "Then why don't I use it?"  Lotion, coupons, receipts, open bilfold, gum, gum wrappers, ooh...gum wrapper with gum, earrings, more receipts, date book (need to schedule time to clean out my purse), and much more.  Finally keys!!! 

Does my purse say something about me?  About my home, my life?  Unfortunately it kind of does.  I am constantly organizing but never organized.  I love shopping for baskets, containers, and folders.  Everything I need to get organized.  I am "a work in progress".  Just ask my girls.  Ask them where the  toaster is?  The cookie sheets?  The cups?  Etc.  Odds are that I have reorganized the kitchen AGAIN.  Searching for that perfect arrangement.  The one that makes sense. Then why do I find myself here, in a state of disarray? 

I guess life is like our purses.  Sometimes you can find what you are looking for.  Sometimes you have to dig for it.  Sometimes you hang on to things you don't need.  And occasionally it gets turned upside down and you have to pick up the pieces and put it back together again.  

Now where is that phone bill that I need to pay?

What is in your purse?

Approval From the Little Birds

I shared my thoughts and ideas with my girls about becoming a "blogger" and developing an outlet for my thoughts,  ideas, expertise(if you will) and projects.  They seemed to be excited not only for me I might say, but maybe for themselves as well.  A little focus off of them gives them some room to grow and breathe.   I read my first blog to them and approvalling they said, "Mom that's actually really good".  They were giving me tips an ideas.   And of course that made my heart swell.  So in ""Emptying the Nest" could I actually be creating companions, friends, with a common interest.  Hmmm...Time will tell. 

I hope all of you empty nesters will feel free to share your ideas and thoughts as well.  Maybe we could be in this "nest" together.