Spring Cleaning!

Spring is right around the corner and it’s time to dig out from winter’s doldrums. There’s an hour more of daylight which means more time to get things done around the house – including a jump start on spring cleaning!

For some tips on how to make your spring cleaning as efficient and effective as possible read below, then let us know what you do as part of your spring cleaning routine!

Spring Cleaning Tips:

 Make sure your tools are ready! Use a clean mop head, empty out the vacuum filter and pull out your gloves! Keep your cleaning supplies in a bucket with you as you move around the house.

Go room to room with a trash bag. Gather everything that needs to be thrown away from each room including trash, papers, receipts, old magazines, etc.

Dust from top to bottom which allows all dust and lint to accumulate and be vacuumed at the end of the process. Work from left to right, top to bottom.

Spray bathroom or kitchen hard surfaces with cleanser and let sit while you work on other areas of the house. The longer the cleanser sits the easier it will be to wipe up without too much scrubbing.

Don’t feel like you need to clean each room at a time. Focus on a task such as dusting and dust the whole house. Then focus on windows, floors, baseboards, etc. without spending all day working in just one room.

For more ideas on Spring Cleaning check out Pinterest for checklists and helpful hints. 

Ideas for that Tax Refund

Tax time may not be your favorite time of year, but if you’re expecting a refund you can use that money in a variety of ways to improve your current lifestyle.  While getting a refund feels good, financial experts agree that the best way to leave tax season is by breaking even. A refund means the government is giving back your extra money that you could have been saving and building interest on all year. However, if you do get a refund back, here are three ways to put it to work for you.

Down payment on a new home or home renovations.  Use your tax refund towards a down payment on your new home or towards home renovations.

The average tax refund of $2000-$3000 can be a nice bonus towards your new home savings plan, or to make those updates you've always wanted.

Pay off debt.  Take the money and use it to pay off debt or make extra mortgage payments. Pay off a chunk of that student loan or get rid of credit card debt.

Save for retirement.  Place your refund into your retirement savings 401K or IRA. Your refund will continue to grow over time as interest accumulates. The earlier you begin saving the better!

These are just a few of the ways you can put this “found money” to work for you. What plans do you have for your tax refund?

Time to Spring Forward

When you go to bed Saturday night be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour. Daylight Savings Time officially begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8.  That is of course unless you reside in Arizona or Hawaii, two states who have chosen to opt-out of the time change.

Daylight Savings Time originated in Germany during WWI as a way to conserve fuel used on artificial lighting. The practice was eventually adopted by the United States and occurs the second Sunday in March. Daylight Savings Time ends in the fall always on the first Sunday of November. 

Sleep experts claim that the average person takes 2 or 3 days to adjust to the new schedule since the change will result in losing an hour of sleep. To ease the transition, try to go to bed a little earlier than usual and stay away from caffeine. Expose yourself to sunlight as early as possible in the morning to help reset your internal rhythm.

Looking to switch things up?

Looking for home inspiration? Interested in the latest design trends? All you need is a computer or smart phone to find out all you ever wanted to know about new home design.

Meet Houzz – one of the newer social media sites out there with an emphasis on home design. Houzz is a website with over 5 million photos of new homes, home décor, remodeling, landscaping and furnishings.  In addition to photos, Houzz allows you to learn about professionals in the industry, contact them and rate them. You can also purchase some items directly through the Houzz website. Houzz is a free site but does require an account for full access. Sign up with your email or through Facebook. Visit www.houzz.com.

For more home inspiration ideas try Pinterest.  While Pinterest is not exclusive to home design like Houzz, it has become a popular means of finding and storing visual ideas.  Pinterest allows you to store your favorite photos on boards to come back and revisit later. You can also click the photo to go back to it’s original website if you would like to find out more. Like Houzz, the site is free but does require an account for full access. Visit www.pinterest.com.

Have you found inspiration for your home on one of these sites or others?

Color of the Year

Every year the Pantone Color Institute selects it’s “Color of the Year”  for use in fashion, beauty, graphic design and interior design. This year’s color is Marsala, Pantone 18-1438.  Marsala is an “earthy wine red” that is both “hearty and stylish”.

For interior design purposes, Pantone sees Marsala as a versatile statement color good for both rugs and upholstery.  As an accent color Marsala is a perfect fit for tabletop décor, linens, placemats, bedding and throws. Marsala adds a touch of elegance to any room and is especially fitting for the kitchen and dining room.

The Pantone Color Institute has been choosing a color of the year for over 15 years.  The institute makes this decision based on global research in fashion, entertainment and technology.

What do you think about the 2015 Color of the Year? Will you incorporate it into your home this spring?

At-Home Valentine's Date Ideas

So the weather forecast for the weekend is cold and it’s Valentine’s Day.  Time to celebrate by staying in!

Staying home for Valentine’s Day doesn't have to be boring. Avoid the crowds, traffic and winter weather with these fun at-home date ideas.

1. Cook together! Gather up all of the ingredients for a fancy dish you've been wanting to try. Put on some favorite music and get cooking!
2. Picnic Indoors.  Spread a tablecloth on the living room floor, light some candles or the fireplace and enjoy a casual dinner of your favorite picnic fare.
3. Reminisce! Pull out your wedding album, old letters, photos from when you first met!
4. Watch a romantic movie. Pop the popcorn and pull out the candy. Snuggle under a blanket and enjoy.
5. Be creative! Paint a picture together, work on a puzzle, dream about the future, dance in your living room!

What are your plans this Valentine’s Day? Any ideas for a stay-in date?

Valentine's Ideas from the Midlands

Looking for a unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day with your sweetheart? These Midlands locations are one step ahead of you and ready to help!

Find dinner specials at local eateries like Saluda's - $49 per person for a three course meal. Or try the Melting Pot's Valentine Special for $130 a couple.

Learn how to make your own sushi at Saki Tumi by appointment only on February 14th.

For a more active Valentine's adventure choose from several 5K races taking place that Saturday including the aptly named Cupid's Chase which supports local residents with mental and physical disabilities.

If the great outdoors is calling enjoy a cruise on the Spirit of Lake Murray from 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Round out your evening with the USC Symphonic Winds and Wind Ensemble at the Koger Center of the Arts.

For more information on these events and more click HERE