Just Melancholy

Our homes should be our havens–the beacon of comfort and love, right? Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” This is the kind of feeling–the kind of sentiment–that we want to create for ourselves and our family. Sometimes it is hard to make that transition from a house to a home. Here are few ways to make your house feel like your home:

• Pay It Off: I know this seems easier said than done, but it is possible. Many people try not to create an attachment to things that are still making payments for. Maybe this is to help them not be so upset if they lose it somehow. There is a new program offered by U1st. It is called the money merge account. Basically, it uses every unused penny in  your account and puts it towards your mortgage. They say it can pay off a 30 year loan in 7-11 years.
•  Add Personal Photos: Just by adding this personal touch, you’d be surprised at how quickly you house really will feel like your home because you are surrounded by memories of loved ones.
• Add Your Own Style: When you decorate your house, add some spice to it. Let it reflect your personality.

Ok. My birthday isn’t until but November, but it doesn’t hurt for a girl to dream, right? Yes, it is true. I already know what I want for my birthday. Let’s just say that I like to be prepared. Here are my top three:

• New China: Ok, this doesn’t have to be new. Some china replacement dishes would be nice too–especially since I am kind of attached to my current china dishes.

(This isn’t my set, but I love these!)

• Designer Shoes: Yes, this might be a little eccentric, but I’ve never had a pair. Why not ask for these for my day of birth?

• Disneyland!:I admit; I absolutely adore Disneyland. Who wouldn’t like being able to act like a kid again (when it is socially acceptable!)!?

Living in luxury is less about big ticket, expensive items than it is a state of mind.  You can live lavishly without breaking the bank and what woman doesn’t like the sound of that?

• Splurge on just one set of luxury linens to have the best night’s sleep ever.  My favorite? Valentino 1200 thread count Egyptian cotton sheet set (yea, I really splurged - 300 bucks for one set, but sooo worth it).
• Go for the plush towels.  You may think there is not much of a difference between the $5 towel and the $20 one…but trust me there is.  Treat your skin to the best with micro-cotton or Egyptian cotton towels…the more plush the better.
• Fresh flowers in your home is the perfect way to create a relaxing and luxurious ambiance - and they’re free!  Take a walk out in the garden or along trail, pick the wildflowers, and create a beautiful arrangement to adorn your home.
• Fill your home with candles - they can create a romantic and relaxing setting and make your rooms smell great!
• Splurge on bath goodies - from essential oils to bath salts to opulent body wash, treat yourself to the best.  You can always find great steals for high-end bath products online and at discount stores, such as TJMaxx.
• Small architectural details such as crown molding or tiling, are relatively easy and inexpensive to install.  Do one project at a time to give your home the look and feel of luxury.
• Install a new shower head.  It may seem silly but installing a new, updated, modern shower head will make showering a much more pleasant experience.  These days, they have shower heads that control water pressure, temperature, and flow.

One of the great things about the summertime (other than the beautiful sunshine, of course) is all the holidays that we get off of work. Memorial Day is coming up and then is followed by July 4^th. I really want to do something…not local…for these days. Go on a mini-weekend adventure or something like that. Here are some of my top choices:

· Disneyland: Who doesn’t love going to the place where you can be a kid forever? Granted, it will be incredibly crowded, I am sure.

· Cabin Rental: It might be nice to get away from the hustle and bustle and rent a cabin somewhere. I’ve seen that Greer Arizona has some great cabins in the beautiful mountains.

· Home: Or maybe I’ll just relax at home.

What are your plans for the summer holidays? Maybe I can steal some of them.

Mother’s Day was a success! Well, not for me; I’m not a mother yet. But my mom really received some incredible and useful things (don’t worry, nothing like a toaster or vacuum). My mom is an avid gardener and because the weather continues to get warmer, she is getting a little antsy about not having new gardening equipment and accessories. So this year, all my siblings and I pitched in and bought her a smorgasbord…no, a cornucopia of gardening supplies. She was absolutely ecstatic. But her favorite among all her goodies was her gardening hat…and then maybe her floral print gardening gloves. Now, we just have to figure out how to top this next year.

Lately, I’ve been trying to start an online business…or at least come up with some sort of idea that could potentially be lucrative. After pretty much spending my whole weekend researching products online, I think I’ve found my true calling–PURSES! There are so many varieties to sell, it is sure to make some major moolah. I am pretty sure that I am going to use dropshipdesign. That way, I won’t have to worry about finding space in my one room apartment to put all the beauties! Take a look at some of the lovelies I would love to sell. Heck, I’d love to own all of them!

Now, all I have to do is come up with a name for my online shop. Any ideas?

What’s a SAHM? A stay-at-home-mom!Some women prefer SWAT–smart women with available time

Whatever your acronym, remember that stay at home mom’s aren’t limited to domestic work. Here are some of the top stay at home jobs:

1. Data entry
   1. There are may businesses that outsource data entry. If you type well, consider this option!
2. Professional bloggers
   1. If you can develop a blog that gets lots of readers, you can sell ad space, featured posts and more.
3. Dropshippers
   1. Dropshipping is a way to sell wholesale items through online auctions without having to house any inventory. Read user testimonials of DropshipDesign.
4.  Yoga/Pilates/Aerobics instructors
   1. Make your home a haven of fitness and wellness!
5. Paid surveys
   1. Believe it or not, some companies will pay you to take online surveys for customer feedback.

These jobs may or may not be for you, but they’re worth looking into!

The economy is in a slump–and we are all suffering from it. Many people are looking for ways to earn a little extra money in order to make ends meet. Recently in the news, some even had sell family heirlooms in order to pay their bills. It is true that our nation’s economy is in a sad state of affairs.  Here are a few ideas to bring in a little extra money:

• Babysit/Daycare: There are many people who work and don’t have regular help with their children. If you have time, why not watch a few more kids–especially if it means you can pay your mortgage on time.
•  Sell Online: There are many ways to do this. One of the most popular sites for online retail is eBay. Also, consider using a dropshipper. That way,  you won’t have to store the stock in your house. It will be ship directly from their warehouse to the buyer’s home. There are many different dropshippers to choose from, but the best I have seen is Doba. I found this great resource. It is a video where the CEO of Doba explains the process.
• Odd Jobs: If you have a skill in a certain area (yard work, cleaning, car repair), more than likely someone is looking for your services. One of the most effective ways to advertise your work is by word of mouth. You do a great job with one customer and they will be happy to spread the word for you.

Are you bikini ready?

{photo via Victoria’s Secret}

Getting a hot bikini bod for summer doesn’t have to be an arduous process.  In fact, just practicing a few simple things can help you start to implement a healthier diet and lifestyle.

• First and foremost, in order to lose weight and get in shape, you have to burn more calories than you consume.  Sucky, right?  Think again - burning calories can be fun.  You just have to find a physical activity you enjoy.  Swimming, dancing, tennis..anything that gets your heart rate up counts!
• When the munchies strike, wait it out!  Cravings typically last no more than 15 minutes, so hang tight and it will pass.
• The beginning of the day is when you need the most energy, so don’t skip breakfast!  Get a hearty start to the day with a protein-packed breakfast (try eggs and breakfast meats).
• Try taking (as directed) a weight loss pill.  It can help you shed a few pounds and get motivated to get in shape!
• Snack smart.  One of the best and healthiest snacks in the summer is fruit. It’s in season, affordable, tastes great, and has very few calories.  Try frozen fruit for a sweet treat that will take longer to eat and taste more like candy.
• Drink lots and lots of water.  It will not only help you stay hydrated, but can help curb hunger and cravings.  Avoid drinks that are loaded with sugar, salt, or carbonation to avoid bloating.