Tidbit Tuesday :: bedside table decor

Let's not forget that not only is our bedroom our private place but it should be a place to unwind and wash away worries of the day.

Your bedside tables (and your dresser) is an area to display your favorite personal things.

I like to shop in unexpected departments to find unique pieces that I can use in different areas of my home, in an unconventional way.

Perhaps finding a vintage plate or serving platter from the dining department to nestle neatly on your bedside table to hold any jewelry being discarded at the end of your day is an idea you could implement.
Just like before, I've come up with a list of items for your bedside table.

5 essentials to your bedside table:

- a nice reading lamp
It can be clean and simple within a neutral shade (no pun intended) or something a bit more radical to introduce flavor and spice

- a couple books for reading
Nothing says comfort and casual like snuggling into your bed, wrapped in down and luxury and grabbing a good read before beddy bye

- a tray, plate, a lid to a box
Something to hold loose ends discarded from your pockets, wrists, or neck to neatly nestle by your side. Anything will work so long as you enjoy it and it serves the purpose.

- a carafe and glass for water
Fill the carafe each night with cold distilled or sparkling water (whichever you prefer) for those middle of the night thirst bursts. We could all stand to drink more water. Not only does it cleanse every part of our body from the inside out, it's refreshing, nourishing, and detoxifying.

-candles
Go crazy! Tea lights, tapered, pillar, scented, soy based, white, bold colored, big, small, short or tall. Light, set the mood, and enjoy! (Lather, Rinse, Repeat). It's amazing what a couple of lit candles can do for any mood.


And as I've stated before, objects in 3's gain more impact. Whether be it books or candies. Think in Three :)

Now: I didn't add this to my list but I think it goes without saying. Fresh flowers in a beautiful vase adds life to any corner of a drab bedroom and will also make the place smell fresh. If you enjoy fresh flowers the way I do, pick some up and place accordingly. Even if it's not an everyday ritual, it could certainly be a routine on special occasions.


For more ideas stay tuned for a never ending supply of home tips, tricks, and everyday topics. And if you need advice, I'm always available.

Thanks for stopping by.

Millard Moving Madness

I'm sitting quietly on the carpeted floor in our lower level living room with a small dog at my side (always so loyal and loving) and a mind that is stacked with thoughts like my garage with boxes. I am surrounded by peace and quiet. Two of my most favorite companions ... that don't visit nearly enough.

The entire Mavropoulos household sleeps snuggled in warm beds and mama is busy getting everything neatly organized for the grind tomorrow that never seems to cease. Not only do we mothers never get a sick day but we are also responsible for knowing where every little "important" object be at any given time during a move that any member of the family might inquire of at any given time. "Mom?!.. Where's that purple pencil that smells like grape? It was with my socks I threw in my bedroom on the floor on the Thursday before the move?!...All the while standing there like they should have hands on hips, tapping a foot on the floor, checking their watch to time my mommy searching skills, always sizing me up. I'm freaking exhausted. Then snow?! It was 74*F yesterday. Winter jackets were the least on my mind to be quite frank. So today I'm THAT mom that dropped off Jaxon to school in what could have been mistaken for summer-esque attire praying a recess break is completely out if the question. (Growing up in Nebraska, I should've known better) Tsk Tsk to me!

So...

We're back at home. The house in Millard I've blogged about in the past and compared our family to the waves and the house to the shore, we're always moving in and back out it seems.

We're here for good [[fingers crossed -as well as toes]] and everyone is happy about it. I remain full of peace and optimism. We need roots for these children to continually be able to branch out and blossom and that's exactly why we are here once again.

I find myself more happy about it now than before. I am unpacking boxes like a professional box unpacking machine. Whoever packed them must have been a bit OCD (and perhaps even making her way through the nesting period) Each one packed with precision inside, everything carefully wrapped in newspaper or maneuvered in such a way you'd truly think I was a professional. I've moved so much I've gotten pretty good at it. But I don't pride myself on the moving part, it's the "setting up shop" part I find so intriguing. Every box with handwritten tags stating the contents inside and which room it should be shown toward. It's so easy and THAT is the reason for 2 months before moving I was harping on my husband to get moving supplies. Things like this take tact and organization so our lives can be put back together in a timely fashion. Men just don't get anything tactful, organizational, and they surely are not concerned about time let alone doing it fashionably.

I'm unpacking things as if this first snow of the season is actually freshly fallen for Christmas and Santa just came and brought me all sorts of the "goods". And with the chill in the house that this fully charged November has brought to us, it resembles the holiday quite nicely. A hot cup of tea, candles lit, pandora app playing my "Tears for Fears" station (that I wouldn't openly admit) continuously dancing around to like a small school child. Life is perfect! (at this very instance) :)

I'm so super ecstatic about getting the home settled properly during the next couple cold weeks. I'm making mental notes and physical sketches of ideas that are playing through my head at a constant stream like these 80's tunes coming out of the ol' iPhone.

I'm finding new and inventive ways to get everything nice and neatly back to a "home" in the house. However, I have not even begun to dive into the abyss of my packed books from throughout the years. Kindle?!.. Not for this old lady!! (I'll be 28 in a dozen days btw and this is a live conversation I had with Jaxon while tucking him in last night:
J: "Mom? (it's always a question as if answering or not answering to it makes any sort of difference) in 13 days how old will you be?"
A: "28"
J: "Geez...you are old!"
A: [[snickering]] "you think 28 is old?!"
J: "ancient"
I told him that at his ripe age of 5 (almost 6) that I'm certain I thought 28 was old too but also went on to explain that although it may seem old, I'll be around for a WHOLE lot longer so he better get used to it. :)
And...
Back to the books... (sorry for drifting afar) I haven't got room. I refuse to go digital or technical (aside from iPhone) in any aspect and nothing compares to the feeling of opening up a book whether it be old or new, read or reread or never read, grabbing it by the binding out of hiding, feeling the crisp paper, smelling the dust flee from the pages with each turn. [sigh] With my hot cup of coffee (or tea in this case) in
a peacefully quiet dark house lit only by candlelight it's absolutely utopian. But I need a bookshelf errrr... library to house them in and STAT!! As much as I love the books, they haven't got a home. :(

Project!!! :)

stay tuned for updates and progress on the house. There shall be plenty, I've got a ton to do and better get to it!

Tidbit Tuesday : Top off those tables

What gives a room that finished, designer look?... Accessories!! (my favorite part) And table top surfaces are a great opportunity to showcase your very own style and personality.

To make it easy, I have come up with 5 no fail essentials for the perfect table top display

- a tray
- a decorative box
- a little prized piece or sculpture
- a small stack of books
And for extra credit?
- a bouquet of flowers

The best part?.. With a little of my guidance, we can achieve this entire look for less than $50 and a few minutes examining your personal style sense.

What's best about this tip is that this combination of accessories can work for any style.

For a traditional look, use a wooden tray with a ceramic vase and keep the color scheme simple and in the same family.

For a more elegant look simply use an antique silver tray with your bouquet of flowers nestled neatly in a glass or crystal vase along with the box and sculptural piece.

Scale is important when selecting such items. This pertains to anything in your home. You wouldn't want the vase, nor the flowers, to be too tall with the chance of easily toppling over or even obstructing the view to any of the other seats in the room. It might make conversation over coffee with friends a bit awkward and uncomfortable.

And Remember to layer! Layering the items adds detail and visual interest. And grouping the vase, box, and sculpture together (upon the tray) will draw the eye to your beautiful setting.

Groupings of 3 (or odd numbers) are always more visually appealing. Strange huh? But it's tried and true so follow along...


Next week, we'll discuss how to achieve this same low cost method on your bedside tables or nightstands.

Tidbit Tuesday

A master bedroom should appeal to both sexes.

When you are selling, your master bedroom should appeal to buyers of both sexes. Get rid of features that seem too gender-specific. Paint the walls a neutral color, and choose bedding that matches. Then accessorize with items that complement the overall color scheme.

Keep it clean and simple

2108 Westside Drive in Council Bluffs

A dear friend of mine asked for assistance in preparing her home for the market. The house is cute, quaint, clean, quiet & charming.

The home is in good condition and would make a great starter home for a single, a couple, or a small family. It's close to the interstate and yet centrally located close to parks, schools, and grocery shopping all on a quiet curvy street on the outskirts of town. And?!.. No neighbors behind you so taking advantage of the great outdoor space for grilling and chilling out back is ideal.

My professional staging services consisted of de-cluttering, depersonalization of the space, a little dusting and cleaning up, rearranging, adding decorative pieces to accentuate the homes features and wah-lah! It's ready for the perfect buyer!

Open House is Sunday from 1-2:30 pm . Stop on to take a peek or call the agent for a private showing.


Below are some "before" and "after" pics of the property. If you or anyone you know may be interested in the property itself, or for advice and tips on how to get your home ready for the market, please inquire at ashleydawn14@hotmail.com or call 402. five nine five. zero zero five two

Before(s):

                        


                                                                              After(s):

http://searchia.npdodge.com/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=11-2226&searchkey=e55a93fa-a055-c458-9d2d-9c353e4bdadf&npp=20&sr=1#.TpOTtte4ihg.facebook

Tidbit Tuesday

Here's your sign:

Grimy bathroom walls are a major red flag to buyers.

Here is an easy way to get rid of surface mold: Mix a spray bottle with one part water and one part bleach. Just spray it on the wall, and watch the mold disappear. Give it a fresh coat of paint (in amy neutral shade) and your grimy bathroom will go from red flag to red-hot!!

The inventory of homes for sale is currently close to unlimited. As the seller, you have to get your home in shape and set the bar high for the other homes in comparison or you'll have no chance of selling, let alone fast.

It's all about appearance and a little elbow grease and mild cleaner can do wonders for any home.

If assistance is needed in prepping your property for the market, let's talk and I'll certainly assist in any way possible to make your property the most desired in the area.

Email inquiries to:
Ashleydawn14@hotmail.com or call me at 402. Five Nine Five. Zero Zero Five Two

And Happy Tuesday to you and yours! :)

Carpet Cleaner = Magic Worker

This dreary and dreadful Monday morning has gone easy breezy in the Mavropoulos household. All kids woke up (in good, well rested moods), dressed to impress, fed the breakfast for champions, lunches packed that will warm their little souls on this chilly day (October has graced us today and it's not exactly the 80 degree weather we've had the last couple days), faces washed, teeth brushed, hair combed, assembled with all the bags and sacks needed to continue with their day. They were out the door in their autumn best and on their way.

As soon as I blew kisses to the car fully stocked like a school bus en route to their educational endeavors of the day, a flutter of excitement overwhelmed me and a smile graced my face.

I knew I could dive into deep cleaning the carpets with my most valuable treasure that I hold near and dear.

This small home appliance is not the top of the line nor the creme de la creme. It's a Bissell little green machine and judging by it's capability, it's name has little impact on setting the image for it's amazingness.

My morning has been spent on all fours, ruthlessly uplifting stains and spots from the carpet left by the previous tenant. It's been A great success! I'm not being sarcastic. I'm grateful for such modern day housewife conveniences. (Simple pleasures make me happy)

If you know me, you know carpet and I don't exactly love each other. I actually detest it's entire existence when stretched from floor board to floor board forming a sea of infested intertwined mass of fibers. Gross :/

Now the presence of a beautiful woven area rug done up in well fashion to coordinate with accessories, throw pillows, or curtains to add that "pop" of color is an easy design element that can be accomplished by any amateur.

To have a home completely covered in wood floors or a cold tile, although absolutely stunning, makes sense to have such said rugs laid down periodically. It's like a frog jumping from lily pad to lily pad to avoid touching water, we could act as children and jump from warm rug to warm rug as to not let our feet touch the cold surface. Although a cozy pair of fuzzy slippers with a nice rubber bottom to avoid any accidental spills will suffice and warm your tootsies all in good style :) I have pairs that coordinate with all of my pajamas.

I'm an obsessive compulsive neat freak maniac mother of my home and I try my absolute best to keep everything sanitized and sparkly. But carpet?! ... There is just no telling what allergens and absolute disgust and filth resides deep down to the pad.

My son was prescribed an allergy medicine he is to take every night before bed, as well as a nasal spray to mist into the cavity to clear any debris that causes the sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes. And I know such irritants are found in the air surrounding us, we are constantly in contact with it, breathing it but the carpet too?! Icky!!! Sicky!!!

When I redo the house, the floors will not consist of carpet upon carpet upon woven interlaced mass of a mess. Its just a piece of mind knowing that dirt and dust can be swept up and mopped up and anything spilled doesn't seep to the depths of the abyss of synthetic fibers.

However, if you do have carpets (and small children) do your family a favor: Invest $100 at your local Sears or Target for a Bissell little green carpet conquering machine. It does wonders... And you'll feel so much better knowing if any accidents happen, YOU (and your magic wand) can handle it!

Please note: there is no need for me to label "before" and/or "after" on the attached pics. Pictures speak a thousand words and in this case, a thousand and one.

Now?!... What shall I dive into next? It's not even noon and my mission has been accomplished