Monthly Archives: March 2017

Spring Cleaning Hacks

Spring Cleaning Hacks

The spring season is finally here and for some it means warmer weather and sunnier days, but, to others it means spring cleaning!

There is a lot to talk about when it comes to clutter in our homes. Often, what seems like clutter is simple disorganization. Take a little time to put some systems into place and all of that clutter will magically disappear. Here are some quick organization hacks to help make your home orderly.

  1. Put a wine rack in your laundry room. Organize items like dusters, cleaning gloves and flashlights by installing a vertical wine rack on the wall. It will corral those items you use frequently and keep them in easy reach.
  2. Make your bed. One of the first things all new military recruits learn to do is to make their beds properly. It may sound trite but having a made bed instantly make the room look neater, and you will feel better too.
  3. Divide and conquer. Use clear plastic boxes in your drawers and on shelves to organize. For example, place shoe boxes side by side in a drawer to sort socks by color or store camisoles, wristlets or scarves.
  4. Tame your Tupperware. The plastic storage food containers we use in the kitchen gets notoriously messy. Use a clear box to store all the lids on their sides, like a file. Next, stack the containers inside one another.
  5. Get a utensil holder. Add a round ceramic pitcher near the stove to hold all the utensils you most frequently use. The rest? Put them in a drawer.
  6. Organize kitchen drawers. Add dividers or containers to keep your items from being jumbled.
  7. Tackle bathroom counter chaos. The bathroom counter is often the scene of a beauty product explosion. Curb the chaos by adding a lazy Susan in the cabinet. If all you have is space under the sink, go for a double lazy Susan. The top rail keeps small items from toppling over.
  8. Use magazine racks. Libraries and airline clubs know that keeping papers and magazines organized keeps the whole place neat. Get a standing magazine floor rack with multiple sections to put all your reading materials in one place instead of spread out on top of tables, end tables and night stands.

Will spring cleaning be at the top of your to do list this spring season?

 

Beauty and the Beast – Movie Review by Sandra Costanzo

Beauty and the Beast – Movie Review by Sandra Costanzo

There is no question why Beauty and the Beast was a box office hit this past weekend. From the wardrobes to the fabulous cast performances, the entire film was truly a fairytale.

From start to finish, I felt that the film stayed true to the original story. Aside from that, I was amazed by the gorgeous wardrobe. My favorite was Belle’s iconic yellow dress. Her dress took 12,000 hours to make. It also required 3,000 feet of thread and 2,160 Swarovski crystals. Talk about glamorous!

Another amazing part of this film was the magical scenes and sets. One of my favorites was the Beast’s castle. His castle was surrounded by and enchanted forest that many of the scenes took place in. This forest featured real trees, hedges and a real frozen lake. The most surprising thing that I learned was there was 20,000 icicles. The enchanted forest also took 15 weeks to complete. Another thing about the Beast’s castle, is that the ballroom floors design is inspired by the ceiling of the Benedictine Abbey in Germany. The detail throughout the film was another touch that made this story even more memorable.

Disney has been on a roll with their live action remakes and this one if just as magical. It’s the perfect film for all the young and the young at heart. If you’ve seen it already, comment on what your favorite part was!

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Melting Snow and Water Damage

Melting Snow and Water Damage

The snow storms that recently hit New York State has left us with snow, sleet, ice and slush! As the snow begins to melt, it is important to protect your home from potential flooding and water damage. A few small actions taken now, will help ensure a dry house!
  • Move snow on the ground away from your home. The farther away from the structure of your house, the better.
  • If you have a sump pump, be sure to examine, test, and clean it! Test your sump pump by pouring water into the pit. Make sure the discharge hose carries the water several feet away from the house to a well-drained area.
  • Remove snow from your gutters and be sure to check your gutters regularly to make sure they are clean.
  • Most importantly, consider where your surrounding snow is going to melt! Using this strategy will help you locate where the best spots are for all that left over snow.

A flood can happen at any moment, to anybody! Call our office today and speak with one of our Flood specialists in regards to a flood policy for your home. It is better to be safe than sorry. Protect your home today.

(516) 249-5200
www.chedwards.net