Orange you glad I didn't say banana?

The color orange may be one of those scary colors that you cringe at when viewing colors to palce within your home. I am here to say...do not be afraid, orange is your friend.

When color analysts say that all colors "come back" into interior fashion they could not be more correct. For those of you out there that are of a certain age like myself can remember back to the 1970's when the color burnt orange was very popular in the interiors of homes. Well, here it is again...burnt orange.

The color orange is used to assist us in times of caution...construction signs and safety equipment. It is also used to celebrate holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving...a great autumn harvest color. And it also looks great on clothing and the interior of any home!

So go ahead and use this beautiful color on your clothing and in your homes, as orange has reared its colorful head once again...and will again in another few decades.

Jill Ragan Scully named Charter Member of WFCP Advisory Board

Read more here!

Wood, Tiger? Not what you'd think :)

So sorry to be off topic today, but today is the first day of the Chinese New Year!

I have always been a believer in the Chinese Zodiac. I am not Chinese, not even a little. Ever since I was little girl I remember sitting at the local Chinese restaurant with my parents eating dinner. We would all read the Zodiac calendar on the restaurant place mats and I have known for many years that according to the Chinese Zodiac calendar I am a Tiger. We are strong, protectors of our family and it is said that if you have a Tiger in your family that you are protected.

Well today is the beginning of the Chinese New Year and it is the year of the Tiger. We (Tigers) are supposed to have a great year this year...I am hoping that this is a great "sign". Additionally I also found out today that according the the Chinese calendars there are different types of Tigers (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water), and I am a Wood Tiger according the year in which I was born.

What is your Chinese astrological sign?

Have a wonderful week!

Seeing white yet?

The East is still digging out from a snowstorm that they experienced last week, it pounded them with foot upon foot of almost endless snow. Here in the Midwest we are once again getting hit with 3 days worth of snow, not as bad as the East but nonetheless unwelcome by most. I thought the next few entries would be a great time to talk about tasks to tackle as you are stuck in your home.

Is there a correct place to hang art? Yes. About 6 inches above a table or sofa or at eye level in the rest of the home. Hang in small groups if possible in similar color groupings to bring interest to various areas throughout your home.

On a roll....more organizing

I realize that JANUARY is national "get organized" month and I am a little late in sharing all of these organizational tips. But the way I look at it, we can always find NEW great ways to organize ALL of the time.

I wanted to share a source that has been great for me personally as well as professionally over the past 2 years. Her name is Audrey Thomas, owner of Organized Audrey LLC. She helps people learn skills and techniques to get the organized, drive their productivity, increase efficiency and help them juggle the demands of work and home. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing her speak in person 2 years ago during a special luncheon with my local chamber of commerce.

She has a free newsletter called Transforming Times and this publication is filled with GREAT information each and every month about organizing and taking control of your life. If you have time to go to her website she also has numerous free articles that are EXTREMELY helpful for all types of organizing!

Organize your closets...organize your life!

My husband and I recently made the decision to organize our closets! First and foremost we are starting with our master bedroom walk-in closet. This particular area in our home has been the catch-all dumping ground for all of the things that we aren't sure what to do with for the past 7 years. We are anxiously awaiting the time in the near future that we can consider this an extension of our master bedroom.

It all started one day last week when I was watching Fine Living Network and saw an advertisement for EasyClosets.com. I went to their website and was thrilled at all of the options that they have and FREE DESIGN service to boot!

I went through the website and followed the directions...they had a lot of great information and the inspiration pictures were fabulous! It was like a dream...crisp white baskets, pristine folded piles of sweaters and shoes neatly stacked in rows. I was hooked! I went immedaitely upstairs and took measurements of our closet and entered in all of our information. But I was clueless as to what to do with it! If you have ever had the displeasure of viewing our master bedroom closet it is a strange shape, complete with nooks and crannies galore. I opted for the FREE DESIGN service just to see what they could do with our crazy closet.

2 business days later, I have a great 3-D design and the ability to make numerous changes as I see fit. I am so excited to execute this plan I can hardly stand it! I can't wait to move on to the next closet!