KIDS AND YOUR SANITY!

Hate the mess? Having children does not necessarily mean a messy home. Making organization fun for them will also return your sanity as well.

via Better Homes and Gardens

Use colorful bins and LABEL!

I know it seems like another task to label but your kids will follow more if you teach them and label their bins. It will give them a sense of ownership.

via Better Homes and Gardens

Set up hooks and a bench at the entry of your home or at the entry of your child's room.

via Hobby Lobby

I never realized how important this is but having a command center is something I think everyone should have, kids or no kids. After all, we have letters, bills, shoes and other paraphernalia that will accumulate and create a mess if we don't have a space for it. Add bins at the bottom of the bench and label with each child's name.

Use a desk organizer, cork board/blackboard/whiteboard for their study.

Well, you're not the only one who needs this! Your kids do as well. They'll be studying for at least 16 years after all! For those with asthma, use a whiteboard. For older kids, a cork board and a blackboard is fun!

Place a bin near their bed.

I honestly don't know why my son has so much things near his bed. I solved the problem by adding a bin. It relegates his mess to one container! Sorry, son, you star in this role!!

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A LOCAL GUIDE TO MATTRESS SIZES

I know it's confusing. We have so much mattress sizes in the market. Practically everything when you think about it. The notorious problem here when you buy beddings is that lengths are always different, even height! A good basic guide is to follow the Uratex sizes with 75" length.  

via Uratex

Uratex

Uratex is a local Filipino brand loved by the whole nation for their quality foam and bed products. 78" as far as a I know is a special size and therefore, made-to-order.

Common sizes:

Single = 36" x 75"/78"

Double = 48" x 75"/78"

Full = 54" x 75"/78"

Queen = 60" x 75"/78"

King = 72" x 75"/78"

via Dexterton Mattress Gallery

Simmons at Dexterton

Simmons is a world-class brand and I have to admit, I finally purchased one last year! It was quite a splurge but my body thanks me for it! Watch out when they have a sale as you can get as much as 30% off!

Single/Twin = 39.4" x 75"

Full = 54" x 75"

Queen = 60" x 75"

Asian King = 72" x 78"

King = 72" x 80"

American King = 76" x 80"

California King = 72" x 84"

Eastern King = 78" x 80"

via ph.tempur.com

Tempur

I was contemplating between this and Simmons, however, I did decide to go with the former. I have no experience (aside from pillows) with the Tempur mattress but for those mattress snobs out there, this is absolutely perfect!

100 cm x 200 cm = 39-3/8" X 78-3/4"- equivalent to single

135 cm x 190 cm = 53-1/8"X 74-3/4" - equivalent to double

152 cm x 203 cm = 60" X 80" - equivalent to queen

180 cm x 200 cm = 71" X 78-3/4" - equivalent to king

193 cm x 203 cm = 76" X 80" - equivalent to American King

200 cm x 200 cm = 71" X 71"

I told you it was confusing! I will not even get into the different heights as there is so much! Just one last reminder before you buy your mattress. Check where to buy the beddings as these are all different sizes. Unfortunately, one size does NOT fit all. I hope somehow this enlightens you a little bit. Buying a mattress is not as easy as it seems. Do your research and go visit the mattress showrooms! On another day, I'll give you some tips on how to choose your mattress type.

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EASY TIPS FOR A HEAVENLY BATH

I always imagine myself relaxing in a hot shower with a high pressure spray raining down on me! Before we even talk about showers, what are the main essentials that we need to have a relaxing bath?

First and foremost, if you are still in the process of building your bathroom, place a niche or ledge! Make it as wide as you can afford! You'll need the space and the sleek design of this simply makes it drool-worthy!

What if you already have a bath and have no intentions of renovating at the moment? Buy a shower caddy. That's the very least. I've stayed in a few Airbnb's that don't provide either! Think of function. Where will you put your shampoo, conditioner, body wash and the like?

Second, place some baskets for your extra toilet paper. Or you can use a ledge. You do have a toilet roll holder, right? If you don't, now's the time to place one.

Third, have a small tray for your toiletries near the sink. Just like in the bath, all your beauty products or manly products for those men out there need a proper container to look neat and tidy! Don't stay in the bath section. Try looking at ceramic or porcelain trays in the home area of your department store. This will be cheaper and still look amazing!

If you have a tub, need I say more? Yes, again, a niche, basket or tray will make your products look better and easier to clean as well.

I believe in stimulating the senses for a more enjoyable and relaxing bath. Use scented candles or diffusers for an enhanced bath experience. Use lavender for relaxation or an apple scent for a fruity energizing day. 

Lastly, play some tunes! A cool way is for this Kohler Moxie shower head that incorporates the speaker in the shower. Another way is to simply put some bluetooth speakers and play from your phone.

This is why going to the spa is always a peaceful and idealistic experience! It's the combination of sight, sound and smell that adds to the scene. So why not try this in your own bath? You'll come to love it!

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FROM HELL'S KITCHEN TO HEAVENLY COOKING

One of the things I wish I planned really well when I built my house was the kitchen. The funny thing is, in my previous house, the kitchen was well planned! In this post, I will discuss the importance of having a pantry no matter how small your space is. 

As a practice, most of us probably only do groceries once a week. Perhaps at the most twice a week. What does this mean? We need storage for our groceries--from our condiments, spices, flour to rice, pasta, canned goods, drinks and maybe snacks as well. That is why even if you live in a studio, having a pantry is something you should plan for.

How do we start? First, determine how you work in the kitchen. Do we simply cook a simple meal? Or are you an aspiring chef or even a baker? All of us have different needs. List down the things you normally buy to ensure that all is planned for. 

Next, measure your space. Where do you put your pantry? Here are some inspirational photos that will help you in planning your space. 

via Better Homes & Gardens

Even a small pull out cabinet like this will help.

via The Cabinet Knobs Company

I love these canisters and shelving! Very neat and easy to see everything.

via Better Homes & Gardens

You can add open shelves. The problem with exposed storage is that if you're not organized, your space will look unkempt.

via We are the Brauns

Next, consider using pantry organizers. This may seem expensive at the start but if you don't have a carpenter who can actually do everything you need for you, a simple pantry organizer will save you time and trouble. You'd be thankful when you have one. 

via Wayfair

Finally, when you organize your groceries, have a system. Categorize according to type of food. This will make it easier for you to find things in a snap. Think of it like a bookshop. How do you find the books you like if it isn't arranged according to genre? In the same way, apply this concept and you'll be cooking and enjoying your meals in no time!

via Mrs. Meyers

CREATIVE WAYS TO ORGANIZE YOUR MAKEUP STASH

Makeup is every girl’s best friend.

Admit it: You are obsessed with it too! Whether you use it to cover blemishes, highlight your facial assets or solve complexion issues, I know makeup is your secret sanctuary when it comes to boosting your confidence.

Don’t you hate it when you can’t find your favorite lipstick or your go-to shade of eyeshadow? From the number of products you own, from primers, to powders to lipliners, I understand that tracking down one specific product from a number of items can be very frustrating.

So if your makeup collection is in need of a major fix, these simple hacks and solutions will get you back in order.

Keep your brushes in jars or drinking glasses.

You can reuse jars, or buy mason jars for your brushes.

In the same way, lipsticks and other tubes look so glam in these acrylic holders. Simply add faux pearls.

via AliExpress

For powders, use a narrow holder similar to the one below.

You can actually make use of a pencil case to hold all these in. I do like the one in the photo  because there are dividers.

via Aliexpress

Remember, the important thing about organization in whatever room it may be is to have a system. That means have categories. Keep the same/similar ones together. That way it will be easier to put things back the way they should be and also help you in easily finding the makeup you need. Some categories that can help get you started: brushes, lip glosses, lipsticks, eye makeup, blushes, face powders, primer. If you have a huge collection, you can even sub-categorize them, for instance, lipsticks can be segregated according to brand.

Finally, corral your collection into separate bins, even going so far as to labeling it for easier access and use.

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DESIGNER SECRETS TO MIXING INTERIOR STYLES

It's not often that we find purists of one design style. After all we are human, and humans are complex. So we gravitate towards two or three design styles. But how do you mix them without looking like a big mess?

via Pinterest

First, think of your shell – that means your walls, floor, ceiling. Use a single style for your shell. For instance, a good design mix is industrial chic. That would mean a warehouse base with large expensive windows, raw cement floors, and exposed ceiling. Pair this with glamorous and traditional but chic furniture. The combination of raw and sophisticated furniture and accessories makes this a design statement.

Second, stick to a color palette. Use furniture and furnishings that are in the same color palette.

Third, try contrasting styles. My mentor's abode is primarily Filipino with touches of the classic. He makes this work by using predominantly one style and adding a few pieces like his silver Egyptian chairs. A mix of 70/30 is a good ratio to work with.

Lastly, don't be afraid to mix patterns together. The rule is to always follow your color palette for a sophisticated outcome. It adds a designer touch to your space!

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