The 'C' word...

Sorry to be the carrier of potentially unnerving news, but Christmas is just around the corner. Now. it's not that I don't love Christmas. I do, it's just that the couple of years that I have mis-timed getting myself prepared for it it was a little... stressful!

So, this year I thought I'd share the announcement: It's time to plan people; to get ahead of the game, and to prepare for.... more people!

Let's start in the Kitchen: This is where it all happens, 'the heart of the home' and where traditions unite, with food as the center-piece. So, with food in mind, try to pin down the quantity of visitors that will be gathering around your table.

How many mouths are you sure to be catering for? and how many may get added to the guest list?  And how many days will you be cooking for: A. just the family? B. family and friends? and C. family, friends, plus 'gatecrashers'? Once you have an approximate idea of the numbers, planning becomes childs play.

Clear the decks. I know Spring is the time to clear out the cupboards, but I think Granny missed a trick when she didn't mention Christmas-time (or maybe they didn't have so many people over in those days). Believe me this is THE time to slim down the contents of your cabinetry. Arm yourself with a large garbage bag and systematically throw all the leaking, past the date, or 'will never get used' food stuff.

Here's a tip: If you're a herbs and spices lover like me, a great way to save on waste if is to combine all the 'end of packets' into a seal top container and use it as a spice rub for meats. Add a handful of brown sugar and you're good to go.
And if you're drowning in open packets of cookies and biscuits, which are still good to eat, then whiz them up in a food processors, add some melted butter and Voila: a base for a cheesecake or lemon tart. Or you can give them to the dog/the birds/or the bin!

Once you've back to the basics, then make sure everything is in the right place: coffee and tea- making bits stored together in reach of the kettle/coffee machine. Make space for some specialty chocs and biscuits to serve quickly alongside a coffee, and you can enjoy those drop in guests from the moment they arrive.

Check your pots and pans: honestly, if they're finished, they're finished! Dump them, a pan that sticks and burns will not help the stress level when you're in a rush to get plates filled. Most supermarkets carry an affordable range of sauce and fry pans. Invest. make it a present to yourself if needed, but trust me, you'll be happy you did.

Count your plates and flatware. Running short on Christmas day should not be an option. Make provision for breakages, and those stuck in a running dishwasher. Same as for pots and pans, hit the supermarket, Ikea or even the Dollar shop if the budget's tight. Stick to white and they'll never come in wrong.
My favorite place to find flatware is at charity stores and garage sales. I love to mix old pieces together. Who said everything has to match? Add in some old glassware, and you'll end up with a wonderfully festive table that's cost a little but looks fantastically eclectic. Keep the theme going by using an assortment of colorful, fabric napkins It adds to the look, and you'll save yourself stressing-out if you don't have a matching set.

So happy hunting and check back in soon for some tips on how best to prepare for those 'sleep-over' guests. Julie

Be prepared!

As temperatures drop, we automatically adjust our wardrobes, pulling out winter woollies and overcoats, but how long do we spend making sure our homes will make it through the winter season? Sound familiar? Then read on:

Homes need to breath, whatever the weather, but there's a big difference between aeration and down-right draughty! If your home leans towards the latter, now's the time to get to grips with the cause, and solve the problem. And the sooner the better.
You'll see the result in your heating bill, and you'll feel the physical benefits immediately. And don't be tempted to stop the gap with a rolled up comforter (yes, we've all been there), all it does is trap in the moisture (where air passes, moisture is never far behind) and adds to the problem.

Let's take for granted here that your windows and doors are in OK condition. If so, then the cause of your draughts will probably be caused by the joint between the window and the wall. Take a look. If you see cracked/mouldy joints then look no further.

• Scrape out old joints and deal with any peeling paint
• Wash the area thoroughly with a specialist mold deterant, that will knock spores on the head and reduce the chance of it returning
• Leave to dry
• Then re-seal with silicon (I usually use paint with a mold retarding ingredient around windowsills, to help protect the area from future attack). Job done!

If you're windows and doors need replacing, but your budget just won't stretch this year, then let's look at some low-cost 'bridging' solutions...

• Deal with the joints (see above) this is usually where most air enters
• Wooden windows and doors can be brought back from the brink by using the wood hardening product on the market. Check out your local hardware store. These products can literally 'stop the rot', but be sure to follow the directions to the letter!
• Single pane windows can be turned (temporarily) into double glazing with plastic sheets that stretch to fit with the application of heat. (Think cling-wrap). So dig out the hair dryer and get blowing
• Use fabric! Our ancestors created curtains, not for the decorative effect, but out of necessity. Yes, you guessed it: to keep out draughts! So be bold, frame windows and doors with lots of lovely fabric that can be pulled across to keep winter at bay, and add a super cosy feel to your home. And it needn't be expensive! I love using those natural cotton decorators sheets: large widths and cheap as chips, but they really do the job and fit into both modern and more traditional settings, adding an eclectic touch at a great price. Or use simple cottons and line, or better still, interline (basically that's making a sandwich of cotton, filler, cotton) and get sewing. No sewing machine (or no desire to DIY-it?) than check out your local Ikea.

I once fell upon a whole collection of 'grandmas' blankets (gosh, was THAT a find), that created an instant cottage feel when hung. The fact that some were too small (how did they sleep in such narrow beds?) to fit the windows wasn't a problem. I just edged them in a contrasting fabric and 'voila' a unique way to add personality and warmth without breaking the bank.

My tips:

1. If you have a whole house to do, and you can cut and sew in a straight line (seriously, it is that simple) than invest in a sewing machine: it pays for itself in no time.
2. If money is tight, broom handles, plant poles and canes, and even metal rods make great alternatives to expensive curtain poles. Mount them with individual hooks or rings, paint them them to fit your existing scheme or leave them 'raw' to add to that eclectic or country look. 

Whichever way you decide to tackle a draught problem, you can be sure that your home and the environment will thank you for it. And if you do take the DIY route, you'll be amazed at the satisfaction you'll feel, having not only solved a problem on a budget, but by creating a unique look for your interior. Good luck!

Need more space? Look in another place!

Is your home stretching it's seams to breaking point? Then why not think about giving your garage a makeover. 

While a garage figures high on the wish list of many home-owners, it's often the area we invest in least, but kitting out the garage with practical storage solutions takes the stress of stretched interiors, making your home seems larger and easier to live in! A wise investment in time and money that has a direct impact on home comfort.

But first things first: it's very important to check the “bones” of the building for damaging damp.
If you find water penetration, call in an expert to find out where it's coming from, but once you've identified the problem, check out the DIY solutions on the hardware shelves. They allow you to patch your own leaky roof and waterproof walls and floors at a fraction of the price a bringing in a professional. Look out the RustOleum brand, they have a complete range of waterproofing products that are custom made to be used by home-owners and give top grade, and long lasting results. I'm a big fan.

Then heat it up! Think about adding electric space heaters to create a warmer environment. It may tempt you to get started on those long planned DIY projects, as well as keeping future dampness at bay. And remembering that heat rises, you'll get double the benefit if you have rooms above your garage, and it doesn't have to break the bank.

Fixed or mobile heaters start at under $60, but choosing one with timer and temperature settings, and the capacity for quick heat will take you up to $100 or more: Worth the stretch. Comfort is key to how often you use the space for anything other than parking!

Next on the list? Floors: The latest epoxy flooring kits make transforming stained and dirty concrete floors kids play. Allow around $ and a long weekend to create a non slip, easy clean finish fit for the family saloon. And walls: Who said colour was just for interiors? Create a cool environment and paint with attitude! No need to be neutral here. Go bold and think outside you usual decorative comfort zone by creating a look that might not work inside your home.

Storage, storage & more storage! 
Free floor space with wall hanging solutions for larger tools and bikes. Your local hardware store should stock a varied choice from under  $10 a piece. And make walls work harder with shelving. Starting at under $30 a section, free standing plastic shelving can be a lower cost alternative to metal shelving or built in solutions, but shop around and carry wall and ceiling measurements with you. And remember, whatever shelving you buy, take the time to fix it to the wall to prevent future accidents!

Most major hardware stores, and superstores offer a wide range of solutions to stock your shelves: boxes, baskets, crates and drawer units in a choice of materials. Pick what's most suited to your needs, then take the plunge and invest! Luckily, plastic and cardboard storage is relatively inexpensive, so you can splurge without guilt and get your garage in shape in no time for small bucks.

If space is still a problem, with Snow-Do's, ski's and winter tires taking up valuable space, then maybe a small storage unit is the answer? National storage companies are geared up for smaller needs and don't charge for visiting your unit. Prices are surprisingly affordable from $30 a month and will free space for things you use on a more regular basis. Check out our site partner Public Storage for great deals and a professional approach to keeping your belongings safe and sound.

Making the space work for you: Do your DIY projects warrant a tool box or a tool cabinet? A wood-working wall? or a smaller bench? Add a work surface and all of a sudden your garage can double as a project room.

The moral of the story here is that space is always a luxury, and the more you can organize the space you have the better. If you think carefully about all the areas in your home, you can often create additional useable space that eases off other rooms. And you never know, you may be tempted to take up a new hobby!

Happy DIY-ing, and happy "hobby-ing"! Julie

Christmas is coming

And it's coming soon!
We all know how quickly days run away with us on the lead up to Christmas day, and I'm always promising myself I'll get prepared earlier, that this will be the year I'll not have that last minute stress-fuelled shopping dash as the 25th looms!

So, I was very proud to get this years resolution off to a great start when I fell across a wonderfull winterland of greetings cards and small gift solutions, not to mention some scrumptious handbags! when walking through Montreal's "vieux port" district last week.

Here's the address if you get the chance to drop by: 445 Rue Saint-Sulpice, Montréal QC, H2Y 2V7
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!