Dare To Be Domestic

How To Add A Lil' More Time To Your Day

When you’re busy, you’re busy.  That’s why I’m all about shortcuts when it comes to getting your home organized and cozy. 

Speaking of shortcuts to save time, I found some really cool websites that get right to the point.  I give you the Top 3 websites for those with a busy lifestyle—all a little silly but fun and informative too:

Surfing The Web

Wanna surf the Web and use as little physical energy as possible?  Visit www.stubleonit.com.  This site is great because it lets you create an account and jump from interesting site to interesting site according to what you like.  Go ahead stumble up on it!

Watching  A Movie

I always fall asleep in the movie theater, lol.  Ask any of my friends.  I found a cool site where you can catch up on both new and classic movies.  The site is called www.angryalien.com and it features 30 sec renditions of your favorite movies.  You’re guaranteed to laugh your butt off.  Wait did I mention each movie is staring a ensemble of rabbits?  Check it out!

Reading The Newspaper

If you're not a blog reader you’ll get a kick of having all the top newspapers summarized for you in one easy place.  Check out www.patspapers.com.  If you find something you like feel free to get a hard copy and read to your heart's content!

And sometimes we have too much time on our hands…  

Microscopic Art
Uploaded by funnytoo

Beatbox Fame Game
Uploaded by loranger

And finally, just when you think you’d rather not cook, take a look at why advertising can get the best of you.  It’s a simple reminder that sometimes it's worth the time and effort!  All images from www.thewvsr.com 

My Grandma Taught Me Everything I Need To Know & Didn't Need To Know

Don’t you just love a good urban legend?  A few days ago I had a great conversation with my beloved Grandma Betty.  During our conversation, I flashbacked to the days I lived with her and recalled her rules and myths she had about housekeeping—and everything else in life.  Today’s blog is an ode to Grandma Betty.  Hi Grandma Betty! 

The Top 7 Things You Can Do To Bring Good Fortune To Your House And Life, according to Grandma Betty… Remember, it’s the little things that make a house a home, so:

1. For all you ladies who carry pocketbooks or bags, never put them on the floor.  It’s known to bring bad fortune in the areas of money and finance.  
2. Never use the same knife in the peanut butter as you do in the jelly and vice versa.  This is not so much a myth, but Betty hates seeing little pieces of jelly in her peanut butter!
3. As soon as you get up in the morning make up your bed, or the rest of your day will a messy experience.
4. When making a sandwich always align the crusts on your bread.  Why?  It’s good luck of course and looks so pretty.
5. Black eyed peas should always be on the menu for New Year’s Day.  Yeah, that’s good luck too.
6. Always wash out any jars you plan to recycle or even trash.  It allows the jar to start its next life journey nice and clean.  It's like you're giving a little gift to the earth.
7. If you are driving and an animal crosses your path, use your fingers to make an "X" in order to "erase" the moment.  (But, I suggest you don't start this because once you do, you will never stop!)

Now remember these are just urban myths.  I’m not saying they are not true, but I’m also not saying I’m gonna be leaving my bed unmade in the morning.  LOL!  I’m sure there are other urban myths about homeLife – if you have one please let us all know.

The Geeks Guide To Cleaning: Hilarious!

Happy Friday. Here's a little video that sums up the way I feel about cleanliness and clutter. Enjoy!

My Top 5 Home Trends of 2008 That Should Die And Maybe Should Have Never Been Born.

A recent article in the LA Times inspired this entry.  My choices, however, are a little more fun.  Check them out and let me know if I forgot anything.  (Oh yeah, above is our favorite blogger Perez Hilton at his worst.  How very Britney of him.)

So now I give you my Top 5 Home Trends of 2008 That Should Die And Maybe Never Should Have Been Born:

5. Generic IKEA Art (especially the Audrey Hepburn print)

What kind of world would we live in if we all had the same art in our homes?  I often wonder when the world is over and they find the remains of our millennium will they think IKEA was some kind of GOD?  

4. Stemless Champagne Flutes (not to be confused with stemless wine glasses that "Rock")

Okay, I actually bought these and have spilled more champagne then I’ve drank.  This is a prime example of good design gone bad.  Just give us the stem back.  I mean we only use them once a year - New Year's Eve.

3. Mean Door Mats

The “GO AWAY” and other mean door mats are kind of annoying.  You may have seen them with other sayings like “Beware” and “Don’t Want None.”  If your neighbor has the balls to put one of these mats out, think hard before sending lil’ Sally over to sell her Girl Scout Cookies.  Rude!  Though, the Google mat is classic!

2. Mirrored Furniture

I’m kinda torn on this one because I think it's cute but all wrong at the same time.  I imagine having these pieces in your home would feel like living on a 1970’s porn set.  Plus, I don’t want to see my reflection while searching for underwear.  It’s almost as bad as black lacquer furniture.  Actually maybe not. 

1. TV Frames

I have an idea!  Let's put a big old frame around our perfectly almost unnoticeable flat screen TV so it can call more attention to itself – NOT.  I feel the same way about TV frames as I do about Sketchers (yes, the shoes) – I feel a little throw up forming in my throat.  Enough said!  Chechecheche!  (That's the sound I make when I laugh.)

I know I may have offended a few of my friends, and I do apologize.  I think it will be alright though.  Did I miss any?  I Dare You To Be Domestic!

Everything Your Mama Told You Not To Do!

Happy Friday everyone!  I  have to start by apologizing because I know I promised the big reveal on Kristi's apartment makeover, but this week has been crazy with so many projects in progress.  I can't wait to share them with you soon!  In all the hustle and bustle, I haven't had time to photograph Kristi's amazing apartment transformation.

To make it up to you, I have some fun Friday laughs all relating to the home, of course.  I should give you a warning that you might not want to watch these videos at work because they are super funny!  Just keep it quiet; I don't want you to get fired in today's economy. 

Here are some of my favorite Youtube videos of everything your mom told you not to do in the house.

Mom always said, "Don't play on the furniture."  This video is long but its buildup makes it all the funnier...

Mom also always said, "Don't dance in the house, you'll break something."  This poor girl was giving it her all when...

Again, Happy Friday and don't do anything that will have you end up on YouTube.  DJ

A Mop Plus Wet Pantyhose Equals A Disaster!

Here's a little Friday treat - well, I guess it depends who's watching LOL! 

There was a time when I would watch music videos from sun up to sun down.  Now I just don't have the time.  But a few weeks back my friend Mel sent me this video because of all its domestic imagery.  Well, the only image I got was one for a disaster.  Here's what I learned from watching Ashanti in her "Good Good" music video:

1. Cans are not a good substitution for hair rollers – although very creative.
2. It might not be the best idea to mop the floor in wet pantyhose.
3. If you vacuum the floor wearing sunglasses, how will you know if you are actually picking up any dirt?  Answer:  You won't.
4. If you grocery shop in black leather gloves can you really feel how ripe your fruit is?
5. I wouldn't recommend cooking on a gas range while wearing a feather ensemble.  Could get scary!

Despite all of Ashanti's domestic no-no's,  the song is pretty good.  What do you think?  Happy Friday!