Laura Moreno

Your clothes dryer is one of the biggest energy hogs in your house. Turn these 10 tips into habits, and you'll see the difference in your bill. We all know that line-drying our laundry under the sun is the green thing to do. Some of us actually enjoy it. But what if you live in a city apartment? What if it's been pouring rain for two days straight? What if you just can't cope with wrangling 75 clothespins today? Thank God for modern appliances. Just keep in mind that your clothes dryer is one of the biggest energy hogs in your house, often using more electricity than a newer refrigerator and dishwasher combined. Nationwide, according to Green Building Advisor, clothes dryers account for a whopping 6 percent of all household electric use! Here's how to dry with less energy - and less money. You can turn these 10 tips into habits in no time. 1. Get as much water out of the clothes as possible If your washing machine has the option, go with the fastest spin cycle. (Front-l...

It's that time of year again! So many pleasant things are happening: the holidays, lots of good food, parties to attend, gifts to give, and visits with friends and family. You might also be reminded that it's finally time to make plans to re-do the kitchen, update the baths, or finish the basement. Your family budget is probably another big thing that's on your mind this time of year. When it comes to updating their home, many homeowners think that getting good design puts remodeling out of reach. The truth is that a high-quality, well-designed project is a great investment that can actually save you money in the long run. What's on Our List? The items on our wish list for you – this holiday season AND all year long – are probably on your remodeling wish list, too. Your lifestyle requirements and budget are at the top. We take a look not only at the budget, but also at creative design possibilities that make the most of everything in the remodeled space: from traffic ...

The winter season brings it's fair share of snow, assuming you live in a region where snow is common. Even so, painting a home in the cold is not exactly ideal, even for painting professionals. Instead of breaking out the winter jacket and earmuffs, it might actually be better to focus on your home's interior instead. While you'll want to get the exterior painted eventually, it's better to wait for a more ideal climate than to brave the frigid weather. Consider these four reasons why interior painting is a great place to start this season.   Take Advantage of Your Holiday Vacation If you're snowed in, consider this perfect timing to take a closer look at your home's interior. Even if you aren't snowed in, chances are you've taken some time off work and have some time to kill anyway. Just make sure you purchase the paint you want to use beforehand in case you do get snowed in. While you're at it, it may be good to purchase other supplies commonly fou...

You are used to seeing ants scurrying around your patio or driveway, ant hills protruding out of your grass, and even ants who've made their way into your home marching in a trail toward your pantry in warm months. Seeing ants in your home in New England in the winter could signal a serious problem, though. What Happens to Ants in Winter In the winter months , most ants go into hibernation mode. Their body temperatures drop and they become sluggish. They prepare their colony for winter, sealing up their ant holes and burrowing into the warmer ground or behind tree bark. How Ants Survive the Winter Unlike humans, ants can go for a long time without food. They eat a lot of food in the fall to fatten up and prepare for winter. They huddle in groups to stay warm and protect the queen in a dormant state. What It Means if You See Ants in the Winter If you see ants outdoors in the winter, it's likely there's been a warm spell that tricked them into coming out to seek food. Once t...

by Ryan O. As we begin the new year, let's look at some of the new trends we are seeing from kitchen interior designers predicted to be big in 2019! The color pair that is everywhere in kitchens: NAVY BLUE/WHITE Navy Blue is appearing in magazines and showrooms right now not as a color for accessories, but as the color of the new kitchen cabinet. This is a darker blue that in some parts of the fashion world, can be treated as neutral as a sophisticated looking hue. We are veering away from the monochromatic kitchen, specifically, the all-white kitchen which requires effort to maintain. This hue is often paired with white and creates a high contrast, elegant look. You will even see a more specific version, LACQUERED NAVY, referring to the smooth lacquer finish of drawers and cabinets. Stylistic without being safe, this sapphire color will be an instant classic. Fans of the series "Doctor Who" have even referred to this color as "Tardis Blue" named after the iconi...

Learn how to start an overwhelming organizing project to make it more manageable and bring order to your space! I admit, there have been times when I have walked into a messy room with the intention of getting it organized and then walked right back out again because the task felt so overwhelming! I mean,... The post How to Start an Overwhelming Organizing Project appeared first on Just a Girl and Her Blog .