Down Time

The holidays and first few weeks of the new year tend to be a little slow for real estate, so it’s a good time to catch up on projects you’ve been thinking about… or avoiding!

CHIC (Pearl)

My biggest procrastination is taking down holiday decorations. There’s nothing wrong with spreading happy vibes all year round, but candy canes and Christmas trees don’t really vibe with Valentine’s Day! So I use this time to get our house back to normal.

GEEK (Kevin)

You know where to find me whenever there’s a little down time: getting in some DIY action around the house. I just installed new bathroom cabinets, and I’m still riding high on perspiration and power tools. On to the next project… when I have the time!

Home Resolutions

We’ve already told you about our personal resolutions for the new year, but what are some resolutions you can make to keep your home functioning at its best?

Get your winter gardening on!

It may be colder and cloudier outside, but winter can still be a productive time in your garden. Need some tips for making the most of the slow season?

CHIC (Pearl)

Believe it or not, winter is the perfect time for planting. Visit your local nursery to pick up whatever varieties of bulbs they have in stock, grab a guide on Google, and get your Spring plants in the ground now. While you’re digging around, be sure to clear out all the dead plant material in your garden to make room for the healthy plants and keep pests at bay. And that compost you’ve been collecting? Now’s your chance to mix it in with the topsoil to give your bulbs an extra boost of nutrition.

GEEK (Kevin)

Need a break from planting? Try your hand at pruning deciduous plants (the ones that lose their leaves in winter) like fruit trees, vines, roses, maples, and more. Start by getting rid of all the dead weight, then focus on aesthetics like thinning out crossed or rubbing branches. Just remember not to trim more than 30% of the plant if you don’t know what you’re doing. You may end up inadvertently harming the plant. Don’t know what kind of plant you’re pruning? Take a picture to your nursery and ask a pro.

Chic vs. Geek: Trick or Treat?

CHIC (Pearl)

I am 100% on Team Treat. Halloween is the only night all year when it’s socially acceptable to dress, eat, and do (just about) whatever you want. And it’s not too scary to end up with half a bowl of candy left over after the kids get their fill of the door-to-door routine. But don't eat too many sweets or you'll get sick!

GEEK (KEVIN)

I’m all for Halloween, but it’s not about the fun and games for me. It’s about scaring the living heck out of people! Every year, I try to convince Pearl to let me turn our home into a giant haunted house. I even promise to clean up all the fake blood before Thanksgiving. She hasn’t said “yes” yet, but hey, a boy can dream.

Chic vs. Geek: Keeping Clutter Off Your Countertop

It seems like every time we need something in the kitchen, we can’t find it because of all the appliances, trays, bowls, and other stuff taking up our countertops. So how do we cope?

CHIC (PEARL)

Anyone who tells you kitchens are supposed to be messy never had to clean up after family dinner! Personally, I need some motivation to keep my surfaces clear. So I try to add some style to kitchen organizing, like fancy jars for non-perishable ingredients, dividers for frequently-used utensils, and elegant hanging racks for pots and pans.

GEEK (KEVIN)

There is no reason you can’t solve your kitchen clutter issues with some very simple storage strategy. Figure out where and when you need this pot or that spatula, and find a drawer or cabinet to store them when they’re not in use while keeping them readily accessible when you’re in the heat of your culinary artistry. It will save you time and stress!