Janes-List.com » Lifehacks

“Junk” to always keep in your trunk

Kelly — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:18:00 +0000

I‘ve been known to kill my car battery while charging my cell phone (I now have multiple chargers all over my house). The first time it happened to me, I was fifty miles away from home at a friend’s house, my hubby was in the field and neither my friend nor I knew how to jump it.

Despite growing up with two brothers and a lot of male cousins, I never learned how to perform the most basic car maintenance; I always had someone to do it for me. Now I am proud to say that I know how to jumpstart and recharge my battery on my own and it’s just as important for you ladies to know how to do the same, as well.

I’ve compiled a list of practical roadside gear to keep handy in your vehicle at all times. These items will keep you and your vehicle alive until the pros arrive, should you ever find yourself stranded.

Extra cell phone battery. The minute you find yourself in a bind is the exact moment your cell phone will decide to die on you, so keep an extra battery in the glove compartment and use it only in the event of an emergency.

Jumper cables. If you only keep one thing in your trunk, make sure it’s a pair of these.

Black & Decker Electromate 400. This rechargable power station does it all: recharges your battery without the help of another vehicle and includes an air compressor for your tires. I found this one at Walmart for $97.

Gas-O-Haul. This cardboard box has a built-in metal container that holds one gallon of gas. The best part is that it folds flat for easy storage. All for $14.

Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Kit. This kit includes a flashlight, radio, emergency blanket, food bars, a poncho, first aid kit and much more, all in a little backpack for easy storage and transport.

Number for a tow. A lot of drivers have towing covered under their car insurance, so it’s a good idea to always keep a number for a towing company in your cell phone. You never know when you’ll need to call the cavalry.

Happy travels!

Speed cleaning 101

Kelly — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:14:19 +0000

Our house has been on the market a little more than two weeks and we’ve had a number of potential buyers come in and out during that time. Some have given us a day’s notice to prepare, while today’s all but knocked on the door while I was still in my pj’s!

Whether you’re selling your home or are pressed for time and want easier ways of cleaning, there are ways to thoroughly clean your home without spending your day off doing so. Below are a few tips that have cut my cleaning time in half:

Stick to a routine. My entire house doesn’t need to be cleaned every single week, but I do have a dog who sheds so vacuuming the floors and furniture is part of my daily cleaning ritual (especially now that the house is on the market.) If you stick to those areas that get dirty or cluttered faster, you’ll avoid having to clean the whole house more often.

Work smarter, not harder. I used to use a bunch of different tools to clean my house: newspaper and white vinegar for streak-free mirrors, windows and stainless steel, dust cloths for furniture, swiffer for blinds and ceiling fans, along with a bevy of different cleaning solutions.

After reading an article about the wonders of microfiber cloths in one of my many home decor magazines, I bought a five-pack of them at Marshall’s and went to work. I may be the last on the block to discover this, but they are amazing! I can use them on everything-furniture, mirrors, windows, glass, the kitchen sink, you name it, and it saves me some dough on paper towels. Throw them in the wash to disinfect and restore their plushness.

Use less cleaner. Do you pile on the cleaning solution, thinking it will clean your bathroom sink or mirror better? Think again. Spray less to clean less. Spray cleaner directly on to a microfiber cloth and hit only dirty areas-instead of wiping down the entire back door, just hit where kid’s fingerprints have been left behind. You’ll cut your time in half.

Photo by swgrlimited

Another smart trick is to clean from top to bottom. Clean counter tops first and then vacuum or wash floors. You’ll save yourself having to go back over things

Organizational tips from the experts

Kirsty — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:01:23 +0000

When you’re juggling a full-time job, supporting your deployed husband, community and social commitments, a household, pets and kids it’s enough just keeping all the balls in the air without dropping one. Forget slowing down to ensure your life is well-organized – there’s just no time. But consider for a moment that if you simply tried a few easy methods to stay organized that the result may even increase your productivity.

Decluttering delight. One of my favorite blogs for organizational advice is Unclutterer: Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Subscribe to their RSS feed to get expert advice, organization strategies, product reviews and more. Along the way you’ll pick up some important personal productivity and even interior design tips.

Make a list, check it twice. You don’t go holiday shopping without a list, why would you grocery shop without one? You will probably say that you don’t have time. Well, I don’t know about you, but without a list, I’m destined to wander aimlessly down each aisle, even back and forth a few times, to try to remember exactly what I’m looking for. The best grocery shopping organizational expert I know turns out to be my mom, who created an Excel spreadsheet to keep her on task in the grocery store. People stop her in her tracks to ask her where she got this list, and she’s letting us post it here for you all to download.

Contain yourself. Utilize a resource like the Container Store, where you’ll not only find organization tips, but lots of tools to get your home and office in order. Getting organized required important infrastructure changes. Take it one step at a time. Start with your closet. You’ll appreciate your beautiful clothes, shoes and handbags more (and be less tempted to shop for new things) if they are well organized and neat. Once you’ve mastered the closet, take on the pantry, your files and anything else that will help you to be more productive.

Photo by: erseenu4

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Tools to manage a household crisis during deployment (Part One)

Kirsty — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:07:02 +0000

It is inevitable. When your husband deploys, you will have to deal with a household crisis that you would never have thought you would have the gumption to deal with on your own. My personal horror stories – flat tire on the way home, death of a close family friend, surgery for my dog – aren’t even as bad as many that I’ve heard. But every incident I dealt with made me much stronger after the fact because I learned great tools to manage a crisis at home during a deployment.

Accept Reality. Right now the ball’s in your court and yours alone, because during a deployment, you have no backup. Once you accept the fact that you have no choice but to take action in a crisis, you will naturally start to muster up the confidence to take on any situation.

Be Calm. After all, what’s the alternative? I can’t think of a crisis that would be better handled if someone was hysterical. Try deep breathing and create your own “deployment mantra” that you can silently chant to channel your tension.

Filter Information. We’ve discussed key ways to interact with your husband that will result in an A+ deployment in a previous post. It is important to remember to be careful about what you share with your husband while he is deployed for two reasons. First, and most obviously, because you don’t want to add to his stress. But second, because he may not have the capacity to react the way you’d expect him to at home or in the field. That’s a sad fact that can end up being hurtful to you, so it’s best to avoid it all costs.

The truth of the matter is that you are stronger and more capable than you think. I don’t care who you are. You just have to trust in yourself and follow these tools and you can sail through any household crisis. Next week in Part Two, I’ll identify great resources to help you with specific crises.

Photo by: dustpanalley

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Quick fixes for show-stopping curb appeal

Kelly — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:31:04 +0000

Whether you’re looking to sell your home or just want the best-looking house on the block, there are a number of things you can do, all in a day’s time, to achieve show-stopping curb appeal. Since I am currently preparing to sell my own home, I thought I would share some of the ways I’ve boosted curb appeal:

Powerwash. Over time, mold, mildew and plain old dirt accumulate on siding where the sun doesn’t shine, leaving a dirty, and sometimes green, film. The easiest and fastest way to get rid of it is with a powerwasher. Most home improvement stores rent them by the hour or day, including Lowe’s, Home Depot and TruValue. Just hook it up to your garden hose and get to work. You’ll be amazed at the results.

Paint. It’s amazing the difference a little paint can make to any room, and it is no exception when it comes to the exterior of your home. Revive faded shutters with a coat of latex exterior paint in a semi gloss finish, add a pop of color to your front door or paint terra cotta planters for additional bursts of color.

Mulch. This is the icing on the cake when it comes to landscaping, pulling everything together and presenting a unified, well-manicured look. You can buy it by the bag or have it delivered by the yard. Either way, your front yard just won’t look the same without it.

Plant flowers. Flowers add color, texture and shape to every landscape. Whether in pots, window boxes, beds or borders, they provide show-stopping color all summer long. Now that we’re halfway through the summer, home improvement stores sell quart and gallon-sized annuals and perennials at discounted prices, so be sure to pick some up today!

Photo by Exterior Encounters

Gift ideas for the guy who has everything!

Kelly — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:34:19 +0000

I don’t know about you, but holidays, birthdays and anniversaries have become a source of anxiety for me. My husband is the hardest person to shop for simply because I have exhausted my gift-giving ideas, outdoing myself in recent years (additions to the Harley, wind surfing lessons, the latest and greatest from Garmin.)

So for those of you who may be in the same boat, I have compiled a few ideas that may save you some time and frustration when thinking of ideas for your husband’s next birthday, anniversary, welcome home, or “just-because” gift.

Garmin Forerunner 405 A little on the pricey side, this is a great gift for the runner, biker or hiker who takes fitness seriously. Tracking time, distance, pace, heart rate and calories burned, it is the only GPS-enabled sport watch with automatic wireless downloads.

Watch. You can’t go wrong choosing a timepiece to commemorate an anniversary, promotion, retirement or birthday. Blue Nile offers an impressive variety at wholesale prices, starting under $100 and including brands like Citizen, Tag Heuer and Baume and Mercier. (It’s also a great site for women’s jewelry at unbelievable prices! )

Bose in-ear earphones. With three sizes of ear tips, a comfortable fit is guaranteed while providing the highest quality sound. These earphones are incredible!

Digital camera. The Olympus Stylus SW camera not only captures all your special moments in brilliant detail, but is also waterproof to 33 feet, crush proof to 220 pounds and freeze proof to 14 degrees Farenheit. The world’s “toughest” camera comes in different colors and can easily survive the roughest of deployments, vacations and daily life.

Johnny Cash Greatest Hits. Who doesn’t love the “Man in Black”? A great stocking stuffer or “just because” gift.

Digital videocamera. The Flip Mino UltaHD is the world’s smallest high-definition camcorder, boasting 4GB of storage and up to 60 minutes of recording and is small enough to fit in his pocket.

REI gift certificate. If your husband is into “gear”, despite the never-ending bins stored in your garage, this should be at the top of your list. Let him decide what he wants or needs and save yourself the hassle of trying to guess.

Dane Cook audio CDs. ISolated Incident, Retaliation, Rough Around the Edges make perfect stocking stuffers and are a great pick-me-up when he’s on deployment.

Sopranos box set. Bring him up-to-date with a box set of his favorite shows. Perfect if he missed the last season while on deployment or if you want to catch him up on the shows you’ve been watching.

Photo by: tum_camen

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Where to find the best deals online

Kelly — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:22:20 +0000

With gas prices slowly creeping higher, more and more people have turned their shopping efforts online. Not only does the Web offer the widest range of sizes, styles and colors of hard-to-find items, but you can also find great bargains and even free shipping. You just have to know where to look. Save time and find the best deals and lowest prices on the following websites:

www.Amazon.com Much more than a bookstore, you can find everything from baby gear, toys and electronics to home accessories, makeup, movies, clothing and much more on this easy-to navigate site.

www.Endless.com Nothing accessorizes your outfit better than a new pair of fabulous shoes! This well-stocked site offers hundreds of brands from Nine West to Marc Jacobs and Kate Spade and offers free overnight delivery. Search by size, color, brand, style or price and view each shoe from many different angles.

www.Umbra.com If you love affordable modern design, this is the site for you! Find decorative accessories, furniture, draperies, wallpaper and hardware for every room in your home. The site also offers a line of eco-friendly products and a wide array of sale and clearance items.

www.DogGoneGood.com If you love dogs as much as we do here at Jane’s List, you will not be disappointed in this site. Offering an incredible selection of items ranging from dog training gear to travel, dog decor, gifts, treats and collars and leashes, it’s easy to find everything you need for your canine companion.

www.REI.com Having a hard time deciding what to get your hubby for birthdays or Christmas? Look no further than REI online, where you can find extra closeouts, discounts and incredible bargains on hiking, cycling, skiing, fitness, camping and snowboarding gear. Your husband will thank you!

www.NewEgg.com Shop for computer parts and electronics on this site,which offers an unbelievable selection, excellent customer service and low shipping costs.

www.MoMAstore.org This online store for the Museum of Modern Art offers mass-produced designs on furniture, art, decorative accessories, books, games, jewelry and lighting at incredibly lower prices.

Photo by AdRocket1

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How to distress furniture…it’s easier than you think!

Kelly — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:00:43 +0000

When my husband and I got married, I merged our decorative styles and tastes as best I could. The only thing that didn’t “mesh” was his knotty pine bedroom set.

I love a challenge, so, on his last deployment, I bit the bullet and, without the slightest idea of what I was doing, I set out to distress the entire set, including a head and foot board, dresser, mirror and end table. With a bold new paint color and light distressing, the set is much easier on the eyes. You can do the same with furniture you already own or a great pieces you find at a garage sale. It’s amazing what paint and a little elbow grease can do!

My husband's knotty-pine dresser before painting and distressing...yuck.

After two coats of paint and some light distressing.

What you’ll need:

120-grit sand paper

Latex primer (NO oil-based) in a color slightly lighter than your paint color

Semi-gloss latex paint

Tack cloth

Paint brush

Small paint roller

1. Start with a clean surface. Clean the piece thoroughly, removing any dust or dirt.

2. Sand. Use 120-grit sand paper to smooth rough edges and remove paint. Wipe clean with a tack cloth.

3. Prime. Apply one coat of primer and allow to dry.

4. Paint. Apply two coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next coat.

5. Distress. Using sand paper, roughly sand the edges of the furniture where wear and tear are most likely to occur-corners, sides, around drawers. You can also brush on a clear protective finish, if you like.

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Beauty and the Budget

Kirsty — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:27:42 +0000

A tale as old as time…it’s easy to rack up an ugly credit card bill when spending for health and beauty. But thankfully, during times when you have to tighten your belt, it’s also one of the easiest areas to cut back. Look for these top ways to be beautiful on a budget:

Sample: I never leave a department store makeup counter, Sephora or Ulta without first asking for any samples to take along with me. Having worked behind the counter myself, I know we’re always happy to make a customer happier by offering them a new sample.

Buy Generic: While I don’t encourage you to switch all your products to the generic brands. There are some products that are equally effective without the label. Do a little research, quiz your friends on what they use and then test out some less expensive versions of your favorite products. You may even end up finding an alternative you like better than the original.

Learn a new skill: Think of how much money you could save each year if you eliminated your biweekly manicure. Probably as much as $500. So after your next one, swing by Sally Beauty for a professional manicure set. Try to keep up with your nails at least once a week to ensure they are always looking as nice when the manicurist does them. Same rules apply to your eyebrows. Tweezing regularly to maintain your shape is one way to blow off a major beauty bill.

Be honest: Ask your hairstylist or colorist for a hair-do that will last hold up for eight to ten weeks instead of the requisite six. If you can’t come back every six weeks, you shouldn’t feel bad about that at all. But communicating this important point will make sure that you will indeed be able to stretch out the haircut for a few more weeks than intended.

Work out alternatives: We do endorse keeping your gym membership if you can possibly afford to, but if not, the following alternatives may be attractive to you. It’s summer after all, and nothing beats an early morning jog or bike ride. Otherwise, there are plenty of very inexpensive ways to work out for cheap. For instance, skip that Yoga class when you can buy My Yoga 2 Go practice cards for less than $20 and practice your favorite poses at your own pace, on demand.

Go back to school: If you really need that massage or spa treatment, look up your local cosmetology school. You can often get a great deal here on a large menu of services and you’re helping a student prepare for his or her future career. If you live in a bigger city, you can find training programs for some of the nation’s top salons. The best haircut I ever had, cost me $15 in London at the Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy. I just happened to have a hairstylist with 20 years experience who was there for a brush up course. If I visited him in own salon I can’t imagine how much I would have paid. This was a risk that definitely paid off!

Photo by: loosepunctuation

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Summer gardening: blooms you can count on!

Kelly — Sun, 17 May 2009 12:15:20 +0000

One of the best parts of living in the coastal Carolinas is, no doubt, the extended gardening season. The second the weather gets warmer, I make a mad dash to Home Depot to buy as many plants and flowers as I can load into my trunk. Below are some low maintenance, high performing flowers and plants, perfect for a summer landscape.

Lantana

"New Gold" Lantanas, one month after planting around my front porch.

Lantana are drought-tolerant, heat-loving, low-maintenance annuals that boast mounds of golden yellow blooms from spring through frost. They thrive in full sun and don’t have to be watered, sprayed or fertilized. The blooms spread over over one foot wide and high and also attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Impatiens

Bright-colored impatiens are a perfect choice for shady spots.

Impatiens look gorgeous in beds, planters and borders, providing bursts of vivid color from spring through fall. Available in a range of colors, from snow white to every shade of pink and red, impatiens perform best in part sun to full shade. Water regularly for show-stopping color.

Begonias

Pink begonias that have doubled their size in the two weeks since I planted them.

One of America’s favorite flowers, begonias are prized for their blooms as well as their waxy leaves. Begonias are versatile, working well in beds, hanging baskets and containers. They flourish in the shade but can thrive in sunny spots as long as they are watered regularly.

Asparagus fern

This mighty asparagus fern is two years old.

Asparagus ferns are aggressive growers and are another plant that requires very little maintenance. They thrive in full sunlight, but will also do well in shadey spots. Clipping their leaves back causes the plant to grow bushier. Water regularly.

Hosta

Variegated hosta

Hostas are among the most diverse perennials for a shady garden. The come in a range of sizes, shapes and colors, are prized for their beautiful foliage and produce delicate purple flowers in summer. Like daylilies, they can be split at the root for additional plantings. Water regularly.

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Gardening 101

Janes-List.com » Lifehacks

“Junk” to always keep in your trunk

Most Commented Posts

Speed cleaning 101

Most Commented Posts

Organizational tips from the experts

Like this post? Then you will love...

Tools to manage a household crisis during deployment (Part One)

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Quick fixes for show-stopping curb appeal

Most Commented Posts

Gift ideas for the guy who has everything!

Like this post? Then you will love...

Where to find the best deals online

Like this post? Then you will love...

How to distress furniture…it’s easier than you think!

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Beauty and the Budget

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Summer gardening: blooms you can count on!

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