Saturday, December 31, 2011

MAKING THE NEW YEAR SIMPLER IN EVERY WAY

There are so many ways you can simplify your life for 2012, and forever. Here are just a few in point form - I'll elaborate in the new year on each point, and others if you have some to share too. You may like some and choose not to follow others, but if you commit to even just a few, you'll recognize the pleasure in living a simpler life.
  • reduce the clutter in your life
  • get rid of your lawn
  • stop buying clothes that need to be dry-cleaned or ironed
  • leave your shoes at the front door
  • run all your errands in one place
  • drive a simple car
  • move to a smaller home
  • change the way you shop
  • get rid of all but one of your credit cards
  • split a restaurant meal
  • do one thing at a time
  • just say no
  • forget nail polish
  • build a simple wardrobe
  • ...
 Create a low maintenance garden with no grass to mow...
 Instead of polish, buff your nails - it never chips and your hands will always look clean...
Take your boots off at the front door and only keep the pairs you are currently wearing there...

I hope in the new year you find simplicity in life, making you wonder why all the little changes you made weren't done long before.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

RIBBED GLASS APOTHECARY JAR


This week when I was out shopping I came across what to me was a beautiful, and practical, apothecary jar for a mere $9.99. I knew when I saw it exactly what I was going to use it for - my cats' food. It would replace the old one so yes, I was going to recycle the old tin so as not to store another 'thing' in the house.

So practical was this to be - glass for easy cleaning and a screw top so that the odours stay nicely inside. And with it being so pretty, I could keep it on the counter, right near the cats' bowls so it would be easy to just reach in and take some out with the scoop at feeding times.

So what is the problem? My husband's hand doesn't fit very well into the jar mouth. He can still manage, but he's not happy, and for him, this is not more practical for this reason.

SO..., go back to the old or stick with the new? We are giving the new pretty one until the new year to give it a try. I have not as of yet gotten rid of the tired old tin the food used to be in, but once we decide...

I'll keep you posted, but my guess; I will win and the jar will stay.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

CHANUKIAHS TO MAKE - BECAUSE ALMOST ANYTHING CAN BE USED TO RING IN THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

As long as there are 8 + 1 candles, you can arrange almost anything to make a Chanukiah to celebrate Chanukah. Here are some simple ideas for making your own if you don't happen to have one, or want to have more than one going at the same time. Such a nice tradition.
Use a row of mason jars - here are two examples - with fish tank rocks or without - do keep the middle one bigger, not smaller, to make it seem more 'real'.

I love this shot glass idea made with little glass beads. If you do this, be sure not to use plastic beads - they will melt when the candle burns down.
I love this one too, which is just lining up several single candlestick holders - note how the middle one should be taller than the other eight.

You can make use of so many things to use as a Chanukiah (Hannukiah). Consider drilling holes in a rock from outside - 8+1. Take your kids bead box and see if there are glass ones that will fit a small candle - line them up and glue two together for the middle one. Or simply take a plank of wood, drill holes, put some tin foil in each to look like a cup and you're ready.

Have any other suggestions? Would love to have them incorporated into this entry under comments.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

LED LIGHT BULBS TO MAKE THINGS EASIER

If you have pot-lights, like I do, you know how hard it can be to get those light bulbs replaced when they burn out! As mine burn out, I have chosen to replace them with LEDs. They are very costly but are said to last for up to 25 years! Now that would certainly make things easier for me! And with the new technology of them, they are now dim-able too!! Brilliant!
 There are so many to choose from, like this screw in kind, like the ones I personally have.
And ones with this type of connection, like I used to have in some of my track lighting. Plus, of course, many more, so there is now a bulb for virtually everything. And don't discard them if you hate fluorescent - there are many types of light emissions to choose from too.

The most important thing to remember is not how much you spend up front on these things, as they do cost exorbitantly more, but that they will save you money in the long run by saving energy. Not to mention that you won't have to constantly replace them!

Monday, December 19, 2011

SIMPLE EVERYDAY TRICKS FOR THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE - HUH!

Did you know you can use a walnut to rub out scuffs from wood? Go figure!
Did you drop something small on the floor like an earring? Put a stocking on the vacuum hose!
Yesterday I burnt my thumb - wish I had some of these in the freezer! That Aloe Vera gel you get in pharmacies? Freeze them in ice cubes then store in a baggy for soothing relief for any kind of burn. Especially handy in the summer beach months.
Brilliant - put the entire sheet set inside one of its pillow cases - neat and easy to find the whole set!



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

TRAVEL AND WHICH LUGGAGE TO BRING



It is really quite simple - get rid of all the luggage you have that you don't use anymore. Only keep the ones that are currently airport friendly. What does that mean? It means that no matter how full you make it, most carriers will accept its weight with no overcharges. If you think about those luggage sets that have the XL, medium and small pieces, get rid of the XL one. They will always go over in weight and you'll have to pay more, not to mention that you'll have to pull more too!

And while we're on the topic of luggage, don't forget that if you are travelling with someone else, put half of each of your clothes in each of your suitcases. That way if one luggage is lost at least you will both have some things you can change into until it is found.

So simple! Now just do it. The next time you put your things out for a charity to pick up, put it all into one of those luggage's you don't use anymore and tag it for removal. Done.

PS As in this photo, try rolling your clothes. It takes up way less space and if you only take that medium luggage, you'll need it.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

MY KINDLE INSTEAD OF BOOKS

I always thought I was a purist when it came to reading and that I couldn't give up my books. I loved turning the pages, skimming ahead and behind for notes, quotes or turned down pages with inspirational notions... but then I got a Kindle. It was a mother's day gift from my family so I've had it for several months now. It all started after trying to read the biggest book I have ever taken to the tub with me, and it just didn't work! Epiphany - a kindle would solve that problem!

It took a while to get used to not turning pages and visually seeing the pages I read with pages to come at a glance. But alas, I was a convert. I loved that I could read with one hand to leave my other hand free for, ahem, a glass of wine. I loved taking it with me on holiday with more than one book in tow without the added weight. I love that no one ever knows what I'm reading, what page I'm on, or how far along in a book I am when I sit in the subway or while on holiday at the pool. And most of all, I love that my bookshelves are not getting more cluttered with books I tended to buy and not borrow.

I think I have simplified my life! With one easy button on the computer, I choose a book and a minute later I can start reading. That's simple! I don't have to worry about giving away, lending or getting back for re-reads a whole stack of books that tend to accumulate. That's simple! I love that if someone wants to buy me a book as a gift, they still can for my Kindle. That's simple! And with time, it will even pay itself off as the books tend to be slightly less expensive than paperbacks and I did tend to always buy.

I'm a happy Kindle owner. What are your thoughts on the Kindle or other e-Readers?

Friday, December 9, 2011

DO NOTHING


Yup, do nothing. Sounds odd and maybe even exhausting, but if you learn to do absolutely nothing you will hopefully realize how silly it is to be running all the time. Start with an hour, or even 10 minutes, and just sit. Don't read, don't watch TV, don't talk to friends, just do nothing. It's not meditation, it's simply being with your thoughts and learning to relax. How simple is that?

Work up to a longer periods of time and schedule it into your hectic lives - it really helps simplify your life and what could be more relaxing than that?

PS Learn from a cat - they do it best!!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

FORGET CALL WAITING


It's a little thing but if you get rid of your call waiting, life can be simpler. If you still have a land line, like I do, and also a cell phone, like I do, then there really is no need for this nuisance of a feature. I really hate when I am on the phone with someone and in the middle of a thought they say 'oh excuse me, it's my other line'. It really makes me feel unimportant. And if you personally have this ridiculous feature, you are complicating your life by having the possibility of having to deal with two people at the same time.

If the second caller has something that important to say, they can leave a message or call your cell (and leave a message there too if need  be). And really, how often is something so important that one can't wait to be called back?

Simplify your life by getting rid of call waiting - trust me, it's so worth it. And you'll save the expense too!*

*I do get this feature for business, but not for your personal life.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

WHITE DINNERWARE DISHES



White dinnerware to me is always the perfect solution for your everyday basic set. I find the food you prepare always looks better on white dishes. And of course they are easy for stacking on open shelves as they always look neat since there is no pattern.

Boring? I like them layered with old dishes sets that you perhaps inherited or found at flea markets or garage sales for a once in a while lift. That's where you can have fun on the days you just don't feel like being too simple.