Friday the 13th

So it’s Friday the 13th any superstitions comes to mind?

Well, honestly I had a rough start and my Friday didn’t went well as plan but I didn’t lose hope. Work went well. We started decorating our office and of course with the help of my co-workers it made things a lot easier. I just wish they would helped out a little bit more.

Got home same time but the mood was tainted. Managed to make some errands and watched Denzel Washington and John Travolta’s movie Taking on Phelham 123. Not a bad movie at all.

Kids retired early and I am wondering what tomorrow gonna be like? Ever plan of how your day will start and how it will end but all of sudden a big detour happens and make everything upside down.

Well, enjoy your weekend and do some productive. Take care and be positive!!!

25 Useful Tips…

Save: The date
At the beginning of the year, note birthdays, anniversaries, or other important events in a date book or PDA, and while you’re at it, jot down a “send card” or “mail present” message to yourself a week before each event. Unless you have a huge roster of kith and kin, the process shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes. Friends and family will think you’ve got an elephant’s memory and will gush with gratitude. Of course you have to check the calendar every week or two, but it’s worth a little effort for that big reward.

Save: Tax returns
The good news is that you don’t have to rent a storage cubicle to handle the piles of paperwork. You can toss supporting personal documents after three years and supporting business materials after six. Be sure to shred any items that include your social security, credit card or account numbers, and recycle the ragged results.

Save: Classic clothing
Forget the fads and hold onto clothes that will stand the test of time: a great pencil skirt; a never-goes-out-of-style suit; sleek neutral slacks; a camel hair coat; a tailored white button-down shirt; great-fitting dark denim jeans and the like. Keep these classics in mind next time you’re tempted by fashion’s flavor of the moment. Go ahead — get wild with accessories, but there’s something to be said for bonding with the basics.

Save: Family photos
Place family snapshots in acid-free archival albums (lightimpressionsdirect.com) to make sure they’ll be in happy-to-hand-down condition for generations to come. Remember to make prints of your digital photos so they don’t get lost or forgotten on your hard drive.

Save: Home improvement records
If you intend to sell your house at any point on down the line, you’ll be able to show potential buyers what you’ve invested in the property, and the records may also help lower your tax bill when you sell the house. For more information, visit realtytimes.com.

Save: Plastic take-out food containers
You’re probably already reusing these freebies to store leftovers or to pack picnic goodies. But did you know that they’re also great for storing craft supplies like beads, buttons, magnets, and thread? Even unused portions of mixed craft paint can be stored in the condiments containers. As long as it fits, it’s got a home. Label each container using a china marker, stack, and store.

Donate: To a good cause or save for a yard sale
Whether giving away the goods or saving them for a sale, package them now in clearly marked cardboard boxes that can be stashed in the attic, a dry garage, or your basement until yard sale season commences, or until you have time to visit your local charity drop-off center. Be sure to keep an inventory list of what you donate to share with your accountant at tax time. A write-off is very likely.

Donate: Old clothes and bags
Any clean piece of clothing, bag, or shoes that you haven’t worn in the last 18 months. Dressforsuccess.org will let you know where you can contribute business wear to aspiring career women in need. Or check your local Good Will or Salvation Army for specific drop off days, times and article restrictions.

Donate: Old computers or electronics
Before donating any piece of electronic equipment, make sure that it’s functional and reusable. It’s always best to check with your local donation organization to see what their requirements might be. If your electronics or computer equipment have simply bitten the dust, it’s important to recycle or dispose of them properly. To find out how, visit the Environmental Protection Agency at epa.gov.

Donate: Toys
It’s great to give castoffs a second chance to bring fun to kids in distressed situations, but remember that donated dolls, games, etc. should be clean, safe, complete, and in generally good condition. If you wouldn’t let your kid play with it, then that one-armed G.I. Joe and money-less Monopoly game should be sent to the big toy store in the sky.

Donate: Books you are finished with
Books that you’ve read, especially paperbacks, or whose pages have remained unrifled for more than a year. Why not mark the boxes of yard sale candidates now with the prices you plan to charge? 50 cents for paperback? $1 for hard covers? Consider giving art books and good-condition hardcovers to a local library, school, or college.

Donate: Rarely used small appliances
Come on, when was the last time you whipped up Belgian waffles? And that fruit drying thingamajig is taking up way too much room in the cupboard.

Donate: Unused exercise equipment
Be honest. If you haven’t used the NordicTrack since ABBA was a hit, don’t torture yourself with its guilt-inducing presence. Besides, if you truly want to start a health regimen, you’ve got the best, completely free equipment already: your feet! Did you know that a half-hour of brisk grocery shopping burns around 130 calories? And here’s even better news: A Vanderbilt University study shows that if you add laughter to any behavior, even sitting on your rump, you’ll burn 20 percent more calories. Now that’s something to giggle about.

Donate: Old eyeglasses
North Americans toss 4 million pairs of glasses each year. UniteForSight.org makes sure that castoffs are put to good use in developing countries. Your local Lion’s Club will also accept donations that will go to sight-limited seniors and other needy recipients. And don’t forget prescription sunglasses, because everyone can use a great set of shades

Recycle: Unread mags and newspapers
Bundle up any newspaper or magazine that you haven’t read within a week of receiving or buying it. You may think you’ll get back to it, but the odds are against your ever making it to the back page.

Transform: Old Socks
If your big toe has liberated itself from sock-bondage, use the less-than-perfect foot cover as a furniture or shoe-buffing mitt.

Transform: Tattered clothes
If your former toddler’s tees, or any other of your clothes, are too stained to risk donation without deep embarrassment, repurpose them as cleaning rags.

Cancel: Catalog subscriptions
52 million trees are used each year to make the paper for the 19 billion catalogs that we receive. Shopping online will keep at least a leafy oxygen-producing tree or two alive a bit longer. And catalogchoice.org will help you cancel all your subscriptions for no charge.

Toss: Anything past its expiration date
Anything in your pantry or freezer that has passed its expiration or “best if used by” date. If you’re not certain how long something’s been in the old igloo, say “sayonara,” and next time label tightly wrapped items with the date you place them in cold storage. Generally speaking, foods should be kept in the freezer for only two to three months before use, so that trout from your 1995 vacation might have to go. And never refreeze food that has been defrosted.

Toss: Outdated medicines
The current cost of some drugs might tempt us all to hold onto them as long as possible, but a number of medicines do more than lose their potency over time – they can become dangerous. Unfortunately, there’s no perfect way to dispose of over-the-hill pills and expended elixirs, but never pour them down the drain or in the toilet. Experts recommend that you scatter loose pills in with other trash to avoid children finding a tempting bottle. Adding kitty litter to liquid medications and putting the absorbed results in your bagged waste is probably the easiest way to get rid of syrups and such. But perhaps just as important as how you dump drugs is how you store them. Unless advised otherwise, they should be kept at an even room temperature, and sadly, the humidity of a bathroom can reduce the effectiveness and longevity of almost all medications. A high cabinet in a temperate spot is your best bet for smart and safe storage.

Toss: Bad Cans
Periodically check your pantry for any canned food items that might be swollen, badly dented, have rust spots, or that spurt when opened. You’re not just saving space — bacteria from tainted canned foods can be dangerous to deadly.

Toss: Left-out leftovers
Any perishable food that’s been left at room temperature for two hours or more is basically a breeding ground for bad things. This does make me wonder how I survived an entire childhood of bag lunches that sat in the cloakroom for much longer, but happily you can be more well-informed than my mom. And remember that no matter what, anything that contains mayonnaise or eggs should be kept consistently refrigerated.

Toss: Flammable materials properly
Partially used cans of paint or other flammable items that haven’t been used in a year should be disposed of according local toxic waste restrictions. Be sure to consult your disposal center for details and DO NOT pour these or other solvents down the toilet or drain. Paint that might be needed for touch-ups can be stored in airtight recycled take-out containers.

Toss: Yarn and string scraps in your yard
Bits of leftover twine and yarn are perfect liners for a bird’s nest or robin roost. Place these bird goodies on bushes in your yard as the weather begins to warm, and odds are that you’ll be keeping a feathered friend and her brood a bit toastier this season.

Donate, Recycle, or Toss: One old item
Get rid of one item you think you simply can’t part with. In a short spell you’ll probably find that you barely remember what it was that made you hold onto it so tightly. Letting go of the old, both literally and symbolically, is liberating and good for the soul. It might also remind you that “things” aren’t worth nearly as much as those you love.

Pillow Talk

Arranged on an all-purpose Ikea Stockholm sofa, this collage of pillows is a concept-driven blend of texture, scale and shape. The mix is kept from spinning out of control and into a random hodgepodge by (1) the unifying theme of plant imagery conveyed in strong colors, and (2) the repetition of figurative patterns set against solid neutral backgrounds.

A symmetrical arrangement is inherently easy on the eyes because the brain processes patterns more quickly than it does erratic layouts. Rather than have pillows of all one size, which would be monotonous, the narrow lumbar pillow at the center draws the eye in from the grouping’s outer edges. In terms of color, the bright, aquatic blues vibrate in their close contrasts to one another, while the white trim work makes constant reference to the sofa’s upholstery.

A cascade of pillows, roughly ordered from large to small, left to right, replaces the couch’s back cushions and transforms it into a daybed, irresistible to anyone inclined to recline. No two pillows are alike here, but the handcrafted textures and red theme pull them all together. An embroidered throw stretched across the seat gives the impression of a full-length cushion.

A palette of black and white is a deceptively simple concept—the two-tone scheme feels clean, modern and anything but drab, thanks to contrasting patterns. And grouping items in odd numbers is a classic design trick: They make a stronger impression because the eye instinctively reads each component, whereas in even-numbered groupings the eye automatically sorts the components into pairs.

Three designers go behind the seams to share their pillow principles. Their strong (and sometimes conflicting) ideas reveal that, as always, an object’s beauty depends on its beholder.

John Robshaw says, “I like opulence and more! more! more! Some people use only two pillows on a giant sofa, which I think is too fussy and precious, but I’ll put them in a big pile on the floor—it’s much more sculptural that way. Try odd-shaped and big pillows. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, then make your own or ask your dry cleaner to make you one with your favorite fabric. Have more pillows than you need so that it’s not as if you’re trying to draw with only three colors. Overbuy and mess around.”

Unlike John, designer Sheila Bridges takes the “less is more” approach with her pillow preference. “I design pillows I’d want to live with in my own home. I prefer square pillows for their symmetry, and I like a crisp, tailored look, which is why I don’t use a lot of fringe or tassels. I don’t mind a little embellishment, but I don’t want anything that would make the pillow uncomfortable.

Breathable, natural materials like linen and cotton are my favorites. They’re easier to clean than silk and feel good against the skin. I love florals and stripes, too. You can mix the designs if you have a color that ties the pillows together.

I don’t care for a ton of pillows on the couch. If you’re collecting, that’s one thing, but too much of even a nice thing makes an object lose its uniqueness. Pairs create balance, and a single in the middle of a love seat will make the pillow seem special.”

If you’re still confused about which pillows will complement your home, designer Michele Varian offers a few shopping dos and don’ts:

Lose the swatch.
“A lot of times, people bring their sofa swatches in to make exact matches between pillows and their sofa. But I don’t think the eye is so sophisticated that an exact match is necessary.”

Shop early.
“Another mistake people make when they buy pillows is that they wait until they’re nearly finished designing a room, when they don’t have a lot of juice left—financially or mentally. Start looking at pillows early, even if you can’t purchase them for a while. Even more than architecture, textiles and color can transform a space. They’re what we respond to first.”

Buy what you love.
“What I’d like to achieve with my pillows is the antithesis of people walking around with swatches: I’d like people to purchase pillows because they love them, much in the same way a person buys a handbag or a piece of clothing because she can’t live without it.”

Nate’s Decorating Essentials

Cool Lamps

Lighting is one of the easiest ways to modify any room. “Overhead lighting is harsh—it’s horrible and it makes everyone look horrible,” Nate says. “Find really cool lamps. It’s very easy to do and it changes the entire feeling of the room.”

New Wall Hangings

Consider putting objects on your wall that aren’t necessarily art. Nate was inspired to hang this antique wooden sifter he found on the Internet by Oprah’s guest house in Santa Barbara, where she hung an antique wooden coin above her doorway.

Sea Life

Want a sophisticated look for not a lot of money? Try some coral or a starfish.

“This may surprise you, America, but I believe that every room should have a piece of sea life,” Nate says.

A Unique Chair

Nate says every room has to have one great odd chair. “And here’s the tip—the chair does not have to match everything else in the room,” Nate says. “The room will be much, much more interesting if it doesn’t.”

Framed Notes

Ever wonder what to do with all of the notes that you have hanging around your house from important people in your life? “Frame them,” says Nate. “I have done it for years.”

One-page notes are the easiest to frame. Keep that in mind the next time you write someone a letter or thank you!

Interesting Books

Take this decorating opportunity to learn more about yourself. “If there’s a subject out there that you’re interested in—photography, boating, whatever it is—books throughout the room are not only a great way to enhance the design of your room, but you might even learn something.”

Vacation Mementos

Nate says that overall, the most essential advice is to personalize your space. “And that means bringing things back from vacation, like these slippers that I brought back from Greece this summer,” Nate says. “You might not think that you can put these in a bookcase, but when you do, your guests get to know something about you and about where you’ve been.”

*****As seen at Oprah and Oprah.com

Natura

Homemade Soap
The rich, earthy scents of homemade soaps are sure to please your special someone. Tied into a stack with raffia or twine, two or three bars are beautiful and special because you handcraft them with love. Create your own with instructions from this Simple Soap Making article.

Homemade soaps make for a great gift. Using the best materials, you can make fun and fragrant soaps, colorful soaps and soaps of all different shapes and sizes. This project, when paired with homemade bath salts, makes for a perfect gift basket. And these soaps are so easy to make that you can really get creative!

This project is perfect for Home Mavens who’ve never made their own soap before. This method is called “melt and pour,” using a pre-made soap base instead of creating the soap from scratch. Soap base comes in blocks, available at most craft stores. It is easy to melt and work with and contains all the ingredients of finished soap, except for color and scent. When you get comfortable with this method, you can move onto more advanced techniques, which involve a chemical reaction using oils or fats and lye.

Step 1: Bring Everything Together

As with any project that involves melting and pouring, you need to be prepared before you start or you’ll waste time and ingredients. Bring all your ingredients and tools together, and take the time to rearrange your work area to give you and your friends plenty of room.

Step 2: Cut the Soap Base

Weigh the empty glass measuring cup. Cut the soap on the cutting board and place the chunks into the measuring cup. Place the cup on the scale and subtract the weight of the empty cup. Keep adding soap chunks until the weight is the same as the amount the mold will hold.

Step 3: Melt the Base

Cover the cup with a clear plastic film and place in the microwave. Heat for one minute at a time, repeating until all the chunks are gone.

Another method is to use a double boiler on your stovetop over low heat.

When the soap is completely melted, remove and stir the soap.

Step 4: Liquid Additions

While the soap is still in the measuring cup and in its liquid state, add your ingredients. A pleasing scent, like lavender, is added using fragrant oils, like essential oils. When adding scented oils or other fragrances, a good rule of thumb is .25 ounces per pound of soap, but you can add more if you want.

Color is added with dyes that are safe to use in soap for use on your skin. For adding soap-safe dyes, a good rule of thumb is about 10 drops per pound.

Gently stir with a whisk as you add the liquids. Don’t stir too hard or you’ll get bubbles.

Step 5: Solid Additions

Slowly pour your materials into the liquid soap. Some great materials to add are regular (not instant) oats, ground herbs and spices or teas. At your local craft store, you may be able to find scrubbing materials like clays, jojoba beads and loofah. If you can’t find them in a craft store, search online using the term “soap making supplies.” Gently whisk these ingredients into your soap.

Step 6: Pour

Slowly pour the soap into the mold and then set aside for safekeeping. Use a rubber spatula to spread the soap evenly to make sure it sets properly.

Step 7: Pop Out Your Soap

When the soap becomes hard, popping the bars out should be easy. If you come across stubborn bars, try running hot water over the back of the mold. Trim off any imperfections with your knife.

Your soap is ready to use as soon as it’s out of the mold, so enjoy!

Clean-Up

Fill a sink full of warm water and a couple drops of Dawn^® Original, then quickly dip your molds in. Don’t scrub your molds or use a lot of soap, as the plastic will absorb some of it and transfer it to your next batch. Scrub your whisk, spatulas and knife with Dawn^® with Odor Eraser. Use your dishwasher and Cascade^® 2in1 ActionPacs to easily clean the rest of your utensils.

Earth-Inspired Jewelry
The imperfections of hand-shaped metals and irregular stones will remind your loved one of the organic beauty of nature. Look for jewelry that features pendants in the form of flowers or birds. For a bright and colorful look, seek out pieces made with recycled glass beads.

A Textile for Toting
Give your special someone a gift of style that makes more than a fashion statement. Canvas or natural fiber bags make shopping easier and save countless disposable bags from heading to a garbage heap. You can even personalize the tote with fabric paint, markers or iron-on designs.

Gardening Gift Basket
Create a starter kit for a beginner or seek out hard-to-find seeds and decorative garden markers for a more advanced gardener. For more ideas about items to include, check out this article about creating unique gift baskets.

Refreshing Ideas
Help your nature-lovers get their essential water while being kind to the environment at the same time. Give the gift of a water purifier and some attractive re-usable water bottles so it’s easy to stay healthy and hydrated on the go.

Recycled Stationery
Give your unused stationery a new life as beautiful, handmade paper. Your loved one is sure to notice how each piece has a unique shape and texture of its own. You may even get one back as a thank you note! To get started, read this simple, how-to guide on handmade paper.

Nature Guides
Bird, flower and tree guides are a great reference to keep on a windowsill or pack for a hike. Or frame a map of your loved one’s favorite nature preserve. You can also supply colorful pins so they can mark their favorite trails.

Beautiful Specimens
Consider artwork made from or inspired by actual elements of nature. Pressed flowers or butterflies can be framed for display or made into functional décor. For example, you can create pressed flower coasters to give as a gift.

Wholesome Goodie Basket
Natural fare may be just the treat your loved one is hoping for. Arrange homemade bread and a sampling of cheeses into a gift set. For an avid hiker or park visitor, pack a picnic basket of fruits and nuts. Here are more travel-friendly food ideas, including a delicious peanut and fruit granola recipe.

Photographic Inspiration
A photographic calendar makes outdoor inspiration part of your loved one’s everyday routine. Another idea is a coffee table book, which offers them a special way to show their interest in the outdoors to friends, family and visitors to their home.