Post No.3 in our Spring cleaning, "Tip sharing week"

Accessories! I'm a great believer in integrating the outdoors into my rooms wherever possible. Now that doesn't necessarily mean filling the place with plants: not that I've got anything against plants, but they do have to worked into a decorative scheme in the same manner as all accessories: with control!

So, what do I mean by “integrating the outdoors”? Well, I love to echo the spirit of the current season in our rooms. Not long ago we posted an article about warming up your rooms by adding splashes of colour, because we all need to feel “enrobed” with texture, and rich, comfortable additions to our living space, when external temperatures are anything but comfortable and warm.

Of course, as we move into Spring days and nature starts it's yearly push, our warmly-wrapped living areas start to feel a little...stifling and over-dressed. So, when you feel that change in the air, take it indoors with you! Look around your home to see where you can lighten things up and make your surroundings match the new season...

Post no.2 in our Spring cleaning, "Tip sharing week"

Grandmother's favourite ingredient No.2: baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) Baking soda is a cheap and effective general cleaner that can spruce up your surfaces and fabrics all around the home. It's a light abrasive and a natural disinfectant and sanitizer, so it's tough on stains and germs, but won't “etch” porous surfaces, such as marble. It's cheap, readily available and better still, it's kind to the environment. Here are some reasons why a box of baking soda more than earns it's place in your cleaning basket...

Welcome to our Spring cleaning "Tip sharing week"

Day1: Grandmother's special ingredient: distilled white vinegar

As green issues become more pressing, each of us are staring to become more aware of the potentially harmful effects of our everyday actions, so today's post will hopefully encourage us to think about more environmentally friendly ways to clean areas of our home. And there's an added advantage: these solutions save us money!

Today's we're looking at how distilled white vinegar can help out around the home. Why vinegar? Simple: distilled white vinegar contains the highest acid content of all vinegars, so its cuts through grease and grime naturally, leaving any “good” bacteria intact to help comabt germs and infection.

Here are some tricks that our grandmothers used to make thir homes sparkle and shine, long before chemical cleaning products arrived on the scene...Solutions for occasional jobs:

Spring forward!

Officially here in a couple of days, we Montrealais had a taste of Spring earlier this week, and it was glorious! What a difference a few rays can make. My step felt lighter and suddenly the day felt full of promise.

Although I had to admit that the feeling faded slightly (only slightly though, I love springtime) when I came home and encountered the spring sunlight trying to battle it's way through winter-wrapped window panes. Yes, you all know what I'm talking about (well some of you will I'm sure...It can't ONLY be me can it?) Grimy windows!

 But, there has to be reason why our grandmothers termed the phrase “Spring cleaning”. So to be able to fully appreciate the lovely balmy days ahead, let's get prepared now!..