Hey, thanks

This week for "Hey Thanks" I'd like to send a big shout out to my home girl, the Starbucks Siren.

Your hair is long and wavy, covering your bountiful bosom. Your tails are numerous. Well, okay, they're just double, but STILL that makes you a very rare siren, my Starbucks Siren. Your gingerbread latte fills my heart with glee this holiday season (even if it does taste conspicuously like the Pumpkin Spice Latte you promote for the Fall season... tricky tricky, little siren...) Nevertheless, your over-priced, caffienated coffee-ambrosia helps me get through my cold, early mornings at work. And for this, I will be forever grateful.

Pre-Holiday Prep: The Bathroom

If you're lucky enough to have a spare bathroom for your guests, you may not have to do much work to get it in tip-top shape for your guests to use. However, if you will be sharing a bathroom come this holiday season, you're going to want to remember to complete a few tasks before allowing your guests to use it unarmed. After all, if you cook like Aunt Wilma, some of your guests may be spending ample time in there for "post-meal festivities."

Clean
This might sound obvious, but I mean really clean. Get all those nooks and crannies that you don't ever really notice because you use the bathroom every day and have learned to live with it. I like to start with a blank canvas, so I clear out all the little dishes, bottles, rugs, and vases leaving empty surfaces. Dust the top of cabinets, empty the trash can, clean the corners of your tile, shower, tub, sink, etc. Clean behind the toilet, wipe down window sills, and clean any dust off of vents (p.s. if you have dust on your vents, you should probably be changing your filters up there, too). Sweept, mop, bleach, and scrub the whole place down. Once you've done this, you're ready to start filling in the room again.

The sink
Your sink should be uncluttered. Refrain from placing lots of flowers, frames and figurines in your bathroom. It's not an art gallery. If you want your guests to have something to look at while they're in there, leave them some magazines in a cute box or rack. Put away your toothbrushes if you're one who leaves them out normally (as we do) and really, your guests aren't impressed by your sweetly carved soaps in the shapes of different fish. They're confused about whether or not to use them. I usually suggest leaving out only a simple bottle of liquid hand soap, a candle, and a hand towel (hand towels may also be located on towel racks in the bathroom). A small lamp is acceptable as well. Another exception (if you have room) would be your small set of bathroom canisters containing things like cotton balls and Q-tips. These could also be placed on an open shelf, or on the back of the toilet tank if necessary. You get the idea, yes? You want your sink counter to be clean and free of clutter so that your guests can easily identify your unspoken boundaries about which products to use.

The Shower
Again, your shower should be spotless. Clean that hair off the tiles and drain and CLR that lime build-up, please. Most of your guests will remember to bring their own toiletries, but just in case, you should replace your used bar of soap with a NEW bar. Do not make your guests use the same soap that your husband uses to clean his back and chest hair. For the love of God. While you're at it, make sure your soap dish is clean and doesn't have that soapy build-up that we often neglect.
On the subject of shampoo and conditioner, be warned. You may leave yours in the shower. However, be aware that guests may take this as a sign that they are allowed to use your products as well. If you use pricey or very specific products, you may want to consider replacing them with a more generic set for the duration of your hostessing gig. You can always bring yours out of the cabinets when it's your time to shower.

Linens
In our Guest Room post, we discussed leaving a set of towels in the room for your guests. However, towels should also be accessible in the bathroom. Hung on towel racks, folded under the sink or in the storage cabinets. Just make sure they're clean!

Other things to remember:
Inform your guests of how to use the shower. Some have three knobs, some have one, some have a hot and cold, some have a hot, cold, and shower/tub lever. Just give them a quick tutorial so they don't have to stand there naked, scratching their head and trying to figure out your fancy bathing contraption.

Decor
I mentioned keeping things clutter-free, but just as in the guest room, minimal decorations can be used. I mentioned using a small lamp and adding a candle- preferably scented. The windows should also be covered to allow privacy when bathing.

Medicine Cabinet

I know you don't want to think that any of your guests would ever snoop in your medicine cabinet, but the truth is, some people do. If you have things that you dont' want your cousin's new boyfriend to know your popping, put them in a safe place while you have visitors.

Maintenance

Keep a plunger on hand for emergencies. If the toilet gets clogged, laugh it off, and just unclog it. There are several different remedies to this problem if the plunger just won't work, so take advantage of your Google search engine!

Remember these easy tips for keeping your abode's commode ready for guests, and it will be smooth sailing this holiday season!

What did we forget? Any suggestions about what you like to have in your guest bathroom?

Pre-Holiday Prep: The Guest Room

As the Holidays quickly approach, it is time to start making sure your guest accomodations (or guest sofa/ air mattress as the case may be) are in shape for housing actual humans (as opposed to all the junk you've thrown in there over the past year. The good news is, at least your Christmas Decorations are shoved into the closet in there and you don't have to climb into the attic this year, right?). So let's talk a little bit about what makes a guest room truly inviting (but not TOO inviting. We don't want them over-staying their welcome. Sorry Aunt Wilma.)

First, your guests will appreciate a room that is decorated- but subtly. This means clean, bright accessories, soft bedding, and some sort of window treatment up for privacy. This does not mean making the guest room look like a minimally decorated jail cell- or on the opposite end of the spectrum, over-doing it with a theme or being overly fussy about the entire affair. Ask yourself, "What do I need to feel comfortable in my own room at home?". The answers may surprise you. Never once have I said to myself, "I'd really like to have ten thousand throw pillows on my bed, and pictures of someone else's dog and ancestors everywhere." So what are some things that guests consider necessary?

Clock
Yes. Your guests would like to be able to see what time it is. This can be a digital alarm clock, a wall clock, or a small table clock. Be sure to stay away from clocks that chime on the hour such as Grandfather and Cuckoo clocks. Nobody likes their holiday snooze interrupted by the Big Ben Chimes- unless they're actually in London, that is.


Trash can
Think about all of the trash one acquires during travel. Magazines, receipts, gum wrappers, price tags, fruit cake, etc. It is more convenient for your guests to be able to simply dispose of these items in their room rather than have to ask where to find the trash can in the kitchen.

(Note: if this is a room that is used for other activities when not housing guests, be sure to clean out the trash can before your guests arrive.)

Mirror
This is one thing that I can NOT do without in a guest room- especially if the guest room does not have an attached bathroom. Usually, your guests are considerate enough to not wish to commandeer your bathroom for the hour it takes them to get ready in the morning. Give them the courtesy of a mirror that can be moved, propped up, or hung in an area where they can do their hair, make-up, contacts, trim nose hairs, etc, discreetly without the rest of the house tapping their foot while they wait. Consider placing it on a small console or vanity table near an electrical outlet.


Towels
I know, you go through the whole tour when they get there and say, "Towels are kept above/ under the sink/ above the toilet/ in the hall linen closet etc etc" but why not just give them a set of their own towels to have waiting for them when they arrive. This saves them the embarassment of yelling from the bathroom door whilst naked for someone to please bring them a towel because they forgot where to find them.


Closet Space
I get it. We all use that guest room closet for something different. A craft station, seasonal holiday decorations, wrapping paper, out-of-season clothing, illicit drugs, or whatever. But your guests may need some of that space too. Clear some things out and organize, organize, organize so that your guests don't get buried under and avalanche of fabrics and glitter every time they open the closet door. The same goes for dresser drawers. Keep your sexy lingerie collection somewhere else for the weekend. Please.


Blankets and Pillows
As I mentioned before, your guests will not likely require hundreds of decorative throw pillows, but they may require one or two extra pillows for sleeping. Make the bed as usual, then store an extra pillow or two in the closet or beside the bed for them. You should provide both lightweight and heavy blankets for your guests, as well as a throw in case they would like to squeeze in an afternoon nap!


Clean Sheets
While we're on the bedding subject, please, for everyone's sake, make sure your guests' sheets are clean! This especially goes for anyone planning to use a sofa-bed. Nothing is more disgusting than pulling out a mattress at the end of a long day of Turkey-eating and finding food crumbs and old socks all over your bed. Sick.


Lighting
It's always nice to provide a lamp beside the bed, or a nightlight in the bathroom and/ or hallway so that your guests can see where they're going. After all, they may not be familiar with the layout of your home.


Other amenities:

TV with remote
Just saying. Sometimes you're NOT the hostess with the mostest and people would rather be watching Full House re-runs.

Flowers
It just makes people feel at home!

Phone
Most of your guests will have a cellular phone (or three), but for those who do not, or do not wish to use them, you may consider placing a phone in the guest room to provide your guests with privacy during their phone calls.

List of Local Sights and Activities
Okay, I know this is sort of anal and hyper-organized, but sometimes your guests will have a lot of downtime while they're visiting you, and it might be nice for them to go explore if you live in a particularly interesting area. Things like hay rides, Christmas Light Displays, Theatre shows, Historical Landmarks, and beautiful beaches can be highly entertaining for your out-of-town guests! You can skip this if you live anywhere in Oklahoma, as I do. Just include a flyer for the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and call it a day.

Chocolate/ Cookies. Obviously.

Have I forgotten anything? What are some things you absolutely cannot live without while away from home?
Next up, preparing a shared bathroom for guests!
All images courtesy of Country Living

Fake plants...

We've discussed my hatred for fake plants (here, here, here, here, and who could forget my infamous nod to the faux foe on Halloween of 2007, pictured below)


Well, they've struck again, and this is an example of how these fake fawns could REALLY cost you if your house is on the market. Do us all a favor and at least dust them.... no just throw them away.

For your Monday Viewing Pleasure

You guys know I'm all about artwork. You also know that I'm a fan of tattoos, even though I have yet to be brave enough to get one. And one other thing you may know about me is that I can find the beauty in almost anything- but I can also find the humor in almost anything. That being said, I present to you the awesome atrocity that is UgliestTattoos.com.

This one clearly captures the pain our Native Americans suffered when rednecks started tattooing poorly illustrated and insulting pictures of them onto their bodies.


This one speaks for itself, really.


Reasons to make sure your tattoo artist is at the very least, literate. Missing something, my buttery salty friend? I think so...

And finally, yes, that is a cat fetus.

Go there and laugh (but please be warned that some of the images submitted to UgliestTattoos.com may be considered graphic and/or offensive. You've been warned)

While you're at it, here are some of my old favorites:

People Of Walmart

PassiveAggressiveNotes.com


Awkward Family Photos

Lovely Listing

OH and this, because Ryan and I seriously can't stop laughing about it...


Happy Monday!

Perpetual Paris

You may have already seen this, but I just can't stop thinking about this awesome Perpetual Paris calendar! It's by Little Brown Pen. You should also check out the video below to see the making of:


And with New Years coming up quickly, it would be awesome to have this pretty piece of art to count the days! Pretty rad, huh?

Hey, thanks,

Veterans


As today is Veterans Day, I'd like to take some time to say, "Thank you" to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our country and our freedoms. I think I speak for all of us when I say that now, more than ever, we are so grateful for your service. Thank you, and God be with you.

This is an issue close to my heart, as I am a military wife. So more specifically, I would like to take a personal moment and thank a few people close to me to whom I am extremely grateful.

My sister, Alex is such a creative, strong, beautiful young woman- although you probably wouldn't be able to guess it in this picture. It's my favorite because she's wearing the BCGs (what we call "Birth Control Glasses"). Sucker.

Okay, sorry, Alex. Here's one of my favorites. Much better

I'm also very grateful to my Daddy. He's a crazy, crazy man... and I love him for it. Thanks, Pop. This is a photo of the two of us from my brother, Erron's wedding.

More than anyone in the world, I am grateful to my husband, Ryan. He's such a wonderful, strong, brave man and the best husband I could have ever asked for.
He returned from his second tour in Iraq on October 31st, 2008. This is our first moment together after his 15 months of being gone. I can't even describe the feeling to you....

And this video is from his return of his first tour in Iraq. He got to come home a little early, so he decided to surprise his family. It makes me cry every time- especially the moment between him and his dad. So special:

And most of all, I am grateful to God for keeping all of these people safe. Please continue to bless our troops, their families, and our leadership within the country as we face this time of change...