Home & Organization

This post is in partnership with Thirty-One Gifts, however, as always opinions are 100% my own.

Must Have Spring Thirty-One Items

As many of you know we are Empty Nesters and we have been spending time on finding ourselves after so many years of being a parent. While we are still parents we recently moved our daughter and her family out of state and my mom heart both broke and swelled up with pride. But that is another story for another day, today we are going to be talking about some of my favorite items I received while I was gone. 

Each time the UPS man brings a Thirty-One box I’m like a kid on Christmas morning. So after a long drive home from moving Liz, getting home at almost midnight to a Thirty-One box I was elated. But once I opened it, I knew that I would be styling and profiling and rocking the Pink Blush items as we ushered in February as well as March. But if the truth be told, it will probably be my go to purse into April and May because we all know I love the Spring. 

So what other goodies were in my box you ask? 

Well, let me tell you. There was six pieces in all and my favorite part is that I can mix and match several of them to customize your bag to give it a new look. Yes please, that is one of my favorite parts about Thirty-One products. 

The Studio Thirty-One Classic Build Your Own bag comes in a variety of color schemes, patterns and styles, but you can switch up the shoulder strap, the flap or even the bag itself is available in 5 different colors. Hook me up!! Changing the flap to match your outfit is a simple as picking a new flap and zipping it into place. Talk about fun and function it is about the same size as the Midway Hobo Bag so it will get lots of use here at the Gray household.

I also received two out of the 21 Studio Thirty-One Flaps in the colors of Rose Blush Pebble and the Twill Stripe. Now, I can start collecting a few of the gorgeous flaps that will match my bag flawlessly. I believe that my first purchase will be the Tapestry Floral that you can see below.

Next up was the Convertible Belt Bag also in  Rose Blush Pebble which can also be wore as a “fanny pack”. I can’t wait until my next press trip where I need a small bag for the amusement parks or the red carpet because this is perfect bag for both of those locations. It has 4 card pockets and ample room for the essentials like lip gloss, cell phone, cell phone charger and whatever else I need to include. Thirty-One Gifts has upped their game and gave an all new meaning to the belt bag that can even work as a crossbody. *I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect crossbody bag for awhile now, and this one is just perfect. For storage of the Convertible Belt Bag, I chose to keep the straps curled up on the inside of the bag, and then kept the plastic bag that it was shipped it. I added a fabric softener sheet to keep it smelling fresh and will use it at least four times a year. 

Rubie Mini Bag

Last, but certainly not least is the Rubie Mini bag also in Pink Blush Pebble helps me organize my purse contents and allows me to stay organized even on the go. I went from 2 different bags to just one to keep all my “stuff” organized and I still have lots of room for everything. Plus my All About The Benjamin’s fits like a glove so no more digging around trying to find everything I need. Now I just need to order a Midnight Blue Wristlet Strap and my life will be complete. Well, until next month, because you know once you are a Thirty-One customer you know just how “disorganized” you really were before.

Start Planning Upcoming Holidays with Thirty-One

But don’t forget about upcoming holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day and even Father’s Day. Create your own bin as the perfect gift for every holiday coming up. There is nothing better than a personalized gift all year long I promise!

8 Mindblowing Tips That Will Help You Decorate and Style Your Bathroom into Somewhere Amazing

It might be one of the smallest rooms in your home but it gets a lot of use every day, which means you want a design that lets you enjoy your time spent in the bathroom and makes sure that every inch of space is used effectively.

Here are some top tips to give you some inspiration and ideas for remodeling and styling your bathroom, including why you need to draw up some design plans before you start, tips on how to create the illusion of space, plus ideas for making the most of the wall space available.

Take the time to plan it all out properly

One of the best tips you can take on board is to take your time planning and designing your bathroom, using a professional if necessary, to be certain that your ideas will actually work and the finished project will look as good as you hope.

You could get ideas from Unique Vanities, for example, regarding the style and features that you want to see in your bathroom but you also need to put it all down on paper and work through your plans by drawing a proposed layout and working out how much of a budget is going to be required.

Bathroom designs vary greatly and you might decide that you want a wet room or something customized, so it is well worth planning everything out before you start any work, so that you know everything works once you get underway.

Make the most of mirrors

Interior designers have long been aware of how you can use mirrors to create the illusion of space and extra light, which are two key attributes you often want in a bathroom.

Mirrors can instantly add scale to a room and using them to cover one of the bathroom walls will have the effect of making you feel like you are walking into a room that is much larger than it actually is.

You also want mirrors in your bathroom for practical reasons, so it can be worth blowing some of your budget on an ornate mirror or something modern that makes a design statement.

A fancy mirror can become the centerpiece of your bathroom and offers style as well as practicality.

Think about a corner sink

Having a small bathroom might mean that you can end up shuffling around the sink to get to the other side of the room but one way of combatting that scenario is to install a corner sink.

Using a corner to install a sink will tick all the right boxes in terms of saving space and you don’t have to compromise on looks for the sake of practicality.

A corner sink is a great solution if you have a small bathroom and it might allow you to open the shower door without worrying about hitting any of the furniture.

Try a vanity that floats your boat

A floating vanity unit will work a neat visual trick in making the room seem bigger by freeing up some floor space and it gives you options if you do want to utilize that free space underneath.

If you think that the corners of your vanity unity might still get in the way you can always opt for a rounded style, which will add some flair to your design at the same time.

Create some extra shelf space

A classic dilemma when designing a bathroom is the fact that you need to make room for lots of accessories and items that you use on a daily basis, but might not have a lot of wall space to accommodate them.

A good way of creating some extra storage space is to extend the sink counter over your toilet.

This is often a wasted space which can then be transformed and it will look appealing as the shelving will be streamlined to encompass the toilet and the sink.

Think big patterns

You might think that when you are deciding how to decorate your bathroom it would be better to stick to plain colors and textures to create the visual impression of space.

A design trick worth considering is to use a large-scale pattern which actually does an excellent job of tricking your eyes into thinking that the room space is extended.

Think about being bold with your patterns, like a wide stripe, for instance, and you could be rewarded with a finish that manages to make your bathroom look bigger, not smaller.

Always a towel to hand

Your aim is probably to try and keep the bathroom neat and tidy as well as attractive and one way of doing that is to keep the towels on display to a minimum.

A good solution would be to keep your spare towels hidden away in a nearby closet and mount a towel bar on the bathroom door.

This will give you easy access to a towel when you need it without it spoiling the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom.

A faucet solution that works whatever your chosen style

The ultimate aim in most bathroom designs is to free up as much square footage as possible in order to make the room as comfortable and open as it can.

If you consider the idea of using a wall-mounted faucet in your design plans you could easily be achieving two important aims at the same time.

When you use a wall-mounted faucet it gives you the opportunity to install a narrower sink or vanity, freeing up more floor space. 

The bonus to this design trick is that it is a solution that tends to work in most design settings, so you can enjoy a sleek ultra-modern look with your wall-mounted faucet, or you will also find that it works just as well with a more traditional design too.

If you follow some of these design tips that professionals use regularly you should be able to create a bathroom that works well from a practical point of view, but also has that enviable wow factor.

Pergola Expansions The Perfect Way to Compliment Your Patio

A Pergola is an excellent choice for adding an enhancement to compliment your existing deck or patio area or to expand your outdoor entertainment area.

Landscape improvements add additional value to the selling price of your home, and it improves the aesthetical appeal of your property.

What Are The Advantages Of Building A Pergola?

A pergola is a great space when you want to enjoy a relaxing afternoon or evening outside in the garden. A retractable shade can be added to provide more protection against light rain or the harsh sun. 

Design Considerations

When you’ve decided on installing a Pergola, you can either have it custom designed, or you can buy a kit from a US manufacturer and have a professional install it for you.

Materials Used When Installing A Pergola

Pressure-treated wood – are a budget-friendly option with a decent lifespan, but over time this material is subjective to warping, checking or cracking over time. The appearance can be complemented by staining or painting.

Wood – are one of the most desirable options as it contains natural oils which provide resistance against rotting, fungi, termites, insects, shrinking, warping and decay. Popular wood types for pergolas include Redwood, cedar, mahogany and teak. Adding an effective sealant can provide adequate protection against weather conditions, chipping or cracking. Wood is an excellent choice for either a free-standing pergola or one that is built as an extension to an existing feature.

Vinyl – is a great choice when you’re looking for a pergola that requires little maintenance. The pergola builders can add a few coats of paint but keep in mind that the colour choices are somewhat restricted.

Metal – is an ideal choice when you’re looking for a sturdy and durable pergola of a significant size. Regular maintenance is required by adding a sealer to act as a rust deterrent.

PVC – by using a compact PVC type you can have a highly resistant Pergola for outdoor use. This type of material requires little to no maintenance and are not faced with problems associated with having wood or metal Pergolas.

Fibreglass – are one of your priciest material considerations but has remarkable benefits due to the durability of the material the pergola can span over larger distances without the need to install as many posts. Fibreglass can be painted in any colour and the paint will last longer.

Stone or brick – many people prefer stone or brick when building a pergola as it is an excellent choice for matching the exterior of your house, mainly when built as an extension, attached to the outdoor walls. This material requires very little maintenance and are highly tough and resistant.

Conclusion:

An outdoor pergola can be an excellent addition to your outdoor entertainment area, garden or patio and apart from providing cover it has a tremendous decorative appeal. 

Pergolas can be installed in different sizes or shapes, and you have a selection of material choices. You can even consider combining more than one material to match your budget and unique style. 

Rising Waters: How to Protect Your Home After a Flood

In 1900, a Galveston focused hurricane and related storm surge, resulted in 8,000 fatalities and more than  $602 million in damages. According to records, this was the most destructive and deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history.

While catastrophic disasters and floods like this are rare, there are other flooding incidents that can seem devesting to homeowners. Regardless of if your home is flooded by a natural disaster (like the one mentioned above), a burst pipe, or another entity, there’s one thing that’s clear, you need to act fast.

When it comes to your home and rising water, you don’t have time to wait. Each day or even hour you put off taking action can lead to more issues and more damage.

If you need to know what to do after a flood, and how you can help save your home, use the tips and information found here.

Check for the Presence of Any Other Risks

Flood water alone is a huge risk; however, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, you also need to check for signs of structural damage, cracked foundation elements, holes, and check with the utility company before entering the structure.

It’s also important to have a quality flashlight on hand and turn off all electrical and water sources inside your home. Even in cases where the power isn’t turned on, you should go to your home’s fuse box and turn the main breaker off. Be sure to turn off the individual fuse connections, too. This ensures if the power does come back on, you aren’t standing in electricity charged water.

Ventilate the Space

The longer moist air and water stay in your home after a flood, the more likely there will be significant damage to the structure, and there will be more health risks to you and your family. After just 48 hours of being flooded, mildew, fungus and mold can begin to grow. These all pose extremely serious health risks, and create a bad, musty odor. Also, water can begin to rot and warp wood, ruin virtually all types of insulation, compromise your electrical wiring, disintegrated wallboard and more.

During the day, when the weather is dry, you should open all of the doors and windows in your home. Make sure to close them each night when the humidity goes up.

It’s also a good idea to open any closet doors, and dresser or cabinet drawers. If you notice the drawers are difficult to open due to swelling, then remove the backs of your cabinets to help increase the airflow to these areas.

It’s smart to use window air conditioners, dehumidifiers and fans to dry out the air, too. Something you should avoid doing is turning on your heating system or air conditioner if the ducts or equipment was in water during any point when the home was flooded.

There are a number of restoration companies, such as restorationeze.com, that can help provide advice and guidance, and even assistance with ventilating a home or another structure after a flood occurs.

Mitigate Mold Damage

As mentioned above, mold can begin to form in as little as 24 to 48 hours. This means you need to act fast. In addition to ventilating the space, you also need to remove any wet contents. This includes bedding, carpeting, furniture and more. If an item has been wet for under 48 hours then you may be able to salvage it; however, you need to consider if it is worth the restoration cost.

After a flood, you may feel confused and overwhelmed. While this is normal, you also need to act fast to help prevent additional damage to your home and belongings.

I partnered with PurpleTrail to bring you this post, however, as always opinions are 100% my own.

Tips to Make the Most out of Your Planner

Every single year I get a planner and I use it for about a month, and then it gets pushed to the side. But this year I partnered with Purple Trail and I know that this is one year I will use my planner every single day of the year!

Why is this year different?

First of all, it is the first year that I designed my planner and it includes everything I wanted in my planners all of these years. I could personalize my favorite “theme” on their website, so I went with a coffee themed planner and added my name to the front of the planner.

Second, when you open your planner to the first page, you have “This Planner Belongs To” page so if you happen to lose it, it can easily find it’s way back to you.

Third, all of the holidays for 2018 and 2019 are listed in the front, which allows you to easily plan your year with no meetings on Easter Sunday or another important holiday.

Fourth, It has a 2018 Calendar and 2019 Calendar layout that includes all 12 months. 2018 is on the left and 2019 is on the right, but the colorful planner page makes it easy to read and of course fun to use!

Fifth, I can start using this calendar in December of 2018 and it will last me until November 30, 2019. (Just in time for holiday planning & gift giving.

Sixth, Each month has a tab and it has a page that you can keep track of birthdays, events and important things to remember. Then, when you turn the page you have a month layout so you can see the entire month at a glance. Then to the right of that calendar is a section for notes. PERFECTION!

But if you are like me and work from home, that isn’t going to be enough room to plan out your days. So if you turn the page, you can plan out your entire week with the use of the columns. **The weeks start on Monday and end on Sunday so it’s perfect for planning those bigger projects. Plus, there are extra columns for brainstorming, list making, and so forth each month. And there is an added bonus, each month is a different color to make the planner fun to use and keep you organized as well. WINNING!

After each of the 12 months, you can add in ADD-ON Pages. YES!

So I had them add the following:

To Do List: We all have them and mine seems to always grow, so this will be perfect for breaking down my list of things that I need or want to accomplish.

Notes: The notes section is perfect for jotting notes down while at meetings, interviews and so much more and a must have for my paper pencil side of my brain. Plus, they are in the planner so I won’t lose them when I am traveling. WIN-WIN!

Checklist: Did I share on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Snapchat? Did I drink all my water for the day? When do I have time to exercise? With the Checklist feature, I can easily build all of that in and I have everything in one handy location.

Important: Did I mention this is important?? Never miss another Birthday, Event, Anniversary or Milestone because they is ample room to list them so you don’t forget them. Also a great place for planning out gift giving, so you don’t over or under by presents for everyone in your life.

And last but not least, do yourself a favor and add in the Die-Cut Sticker Pack & Pocket Folder which allows you to purchase stickers to make your planner more fun. But also it comes with some stickers that will make your planner even more fun to use.

Make 2019 the Year to Commit to using a Planner

One of the things I did to organize all of my fun colored pens, scissors and things I use in my planner is to place them all in a plastic storage box that I can keep in my “office” bag. Because my office often times moves from one place to another I won’t have to dig around to find what I want. Don’t buy one with the intention of not using it, otherwise, it just becomes clutter in your household. Commitment is one of my resolutions in 2019! If I start something, I want to finish it and so far so good as we round out 2018!

How do you make the most out of your planner? Check out PurpleTrail for all of your personalized planner needs. I promise you won’t ever purchase a stock planner again!

3 Reasons to Buy Property in New Jersey

Real estate investors often say that the three things which matter most when choosing a property are “location, location, and location.” This idiom is popular for good reason — selecting a property in a prime location can ensure that your investment grows accordingly. Investors who pick the right area to purchase a home, condo, or multi-unit property can see their investment doubling or even tripling over the years.

One of the hottest housing markets which has yet to be completely tapped out is New Jersey. Here are three reasons to add New Jersey real estate to your list of considerations.

It offers value in price and square footage

One of the hallmarks of a great state to invest in is this: great value in terms of property price when compared to square footage. Both in terms of median and average property prices, New Jersey ranks lower than the national averages by property, making it a steal when it comes to value.

In cities like Camden or Trenton, median prices for homes are in the low to mid $100,000s, while even more upscale areas like Union City and Jersey City have average prices per square foot at or under $620. Surprisingly, one of the safest bets in New Jersey when it comes to investments, Atlantic City, has a median home price around $250,000, with the price per square foot coming in at just under $175. These low numbers (in comparison to other areas in the country) give New Jersey a lot of potential value to investors.

It offers positive rental returns

Median home price and a low cost per square foot are important factors to consider when investing, but so is a return on investment. Even if you’re able to invest in low-priced homes, you won’t be able to reap the rewards of such an inexpensive property without positive rental revenue.

Thankfully, many of New Jersey’s cities offer excellent returns. While Atlantic City’s return is about 1.4 percent, cities like Camden and Trenton offer average returns of 4 percent and 6 percent respectively, well above the national average. If you’re new to the rental market, it’s advisable to obtain a tenant screening report free of charge before offering a lease. Various online services allow you to easily share your property and make the most of your role as a landlord, all while protecting your investment.

It is ripe for Airbnb

If you are looking for a less traditional approach to renting out your property, monetizing your investment through Airbnb may be a good choice. While it’s more of a gamble, Airbnb can offer higher returns than traditional rental agreements, particularly during months of peak travel. For example: in Elizabeth, New Jersey, average Airbnb rental income is about $2,400 with a 65 percent occupancy rate, compared to a traditional rental arrangement netting only $1,700 a month on average.

With so many different tenants rotating in and out of your home, it’s wise to consider ways to protect your investment with insurance. Nowhere is this as important than when you’re listing a condo. If you’re looking for condo or co-op insurance in New Jersey, you’ll easily find policies that give you peace of mind when it comes to the property itself, as well as your personal belongings and furniture.

When it comes to investing in real estate, New Jersey brings plenty to the table. With a high return on investment, and moderately priced median home listings, many of the state’s most popular cities prove to be a major boon for investors looking to make traditional or non-traditional rental income. Best exemplified by cities such as Alloway and Atlantic City, New Jersey is a safe state to invest in, due to its inexpensive and admirable property offerings.