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Condo Blues
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A professional writer who asks why can't decorating and DIY be as easy as it appears on TV? I also write news and reviews about design, home decorating, crafts, DIY projects, green environmental living, and everything else that makes home ownership a
Recent Posts Tagged With 'cleaning and organization'
How Do You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions?
I find that I’m better at keeping my New Years Resolutions if I make them when I need them. Sometimes I even make them in the middle of the year. That way I usually come up with something specific... ...
Easy Personalized Appliqué Dog Towel
While rooting though the clearance section at Bed, Bath, and Beyond I came across an orphan bamboo towel for super cheap. Not so good for my original purpose - new towels for my bathroom, (so Santa... ...
33 Realistic Ways to Green Your Gift Wrap
I like wrapping gifts. I have quite the reputation as a good wrapper, yo. It doesn’t have to be hard, expensive, or wasteful. I’ve developed many tips and tricks for wrapping beautiful gifts through... ...
9 Outdoor Fix-Ups that Lower Heating Bills
Winterizing the outside of your home in order to lower your energy use, save money, and lower your heating bills is as easy as a walk around the house, a walk around the outside of the house that is.... ...
6 DIY Recycling Ideas for Non DIYres
It only takes a short drive to go from my city that has a formal recycling program for glass, paper, metal, and plastic to tiny rural town America that tried and failed to make their city... ...
Practically Green
When I got my free review copy of Micaela Preston’s book Practically Green Your Guide to Ecofriendly Decision-Making I devoured it in almost one sitting. Yeah, I liked it that... ...
I Have a New Friend, Her Name is Alice.com
Alice.com is a web store where you can buy household cleaning and sundries online and have they shipped directly to your door. Their free shipping has appeal. I thought it was a great idea but I... ...
A New Use for Old Nail Polish
I ran over a broken glass bottle and got a flat tire on my bike. I also got a major workout because I had to push my bike 3 miles home instead of riding it. That’s the “Blues” part of Condo Blues in... ...
8 Steps to Reducing Household Trash
As an experiment, I saved all my plastic trash for one week and posted it Condo Blues and later on Fake Plastic Fish: Show Us Your (Plastic) Trash. These were the items I threw away in the trash.... ...
How to Make Nontoxic Blowing Bubble Mix
As The World’s Most Fabulous Aunt (trademark pending) I like to do fun things with my nieces and nephews. Preferably in a way that won’t kill them. Or maim them. Because hoo-boy! Parents can get... ...
Smelly Washer Winnah!
The mystical and magical random number generator selected bettycd the winner of my Smelly Washer Giveaway! Thank you to everyone who entered the contest and above all – Congratulations Betty! For... ...
EcoSmart Organic Insect Repellent Giveaway
Mosquitoes find me tasty. Being covered in welts is embarrassing, not to mention itchy. While I want to keep the bugs away, I don’t want to do it with chemical laden repellents full of DEET if I... ...
Save Time, Money – 7 Reasons Why You Should Christmas Shop in July!
Here’s a big tip to help you save money this Christmas. Start your holiday shopping now. Early. Way early. July early even. Don’t go hating. At first, I thought this was nutty too. And of course I... ...
Does Your Washing Machine Smell Musty? (Review and Giveaway)
Since I wipe it down the inside gaskets on my washing machine and let it air dry after each use, I figured I was OK in the musty smelling washing machine department even though I didn’t run the... ...
A Baby Food Jar Chandelier?
I’m always on the lookout for ideas and ways to reuse empty baby food jars. Let me tell you I have one of the most organized Condos around thanks to baby food jars! “Um, Lisa,” you say, “We know the... ...
Mushrooms Growing on My CHAIRS?
I walked onto the patio and saw a dark blob on one of the chairs. Thinking it was a leaf, I tried to brush it off. It didn’t work because… … mushrooms are growing in between the tiles of my... ...
Stylish DIY Dog Toy Storage
I have a dog. He has toys. He likes to help me decorate The Condo by artfully placing his toys all over the living room and our bedroom. Blitzkrieg clearly needed a toy box. Most dog toy boxes have... ...
10 Not So Green Confessions or Non-Eco Indulgences - Take Your Pick
This month’s topic for the Green Moms Carnival is Green Confessions. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone and that even the green super heroines that make up the Green Moms Carnival all have their... ...
5 Nontoxic and Natural Bleach Alternatives
I like bright white laundry but I don’t like to use chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach has some nasty chemicals in it and if you’re not careful you could ruin your clothes (looks pointedly at Husband... ...
How to Save Money and Make Things Last – Date It!
The Condo Blues Law of Oops dictates that I will run out of something only when I’m in the middle of using it to do something like cleaning, baking, or in a project. Just so I won’t run out of... ...
What Can You Make From Broken Copper Pipes?
My cell phone rings. “We’re going to be at the farm this weekend. Would Blitzkrieg like to come over for dinner? We’d love to see our granddog.” It’s my mother in law. And yes, she just invited the... ...
How to Fight Green Fatigue
Earth Day is fast approaching. I have to admit that I’m excited because there are a few events I want to attend so I meet some fellow greenies in person. I’m also holding my breath because by the end... ...
Nature’s Source Natural Cleaner Review
Cleaning products and methods are an easy and inexpensive way to go green or to start greening your home. I get email from readers who want to clean green but don’t want to make their own cleaning... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my web...
How to Season and Wash a Baking Stone
Scene: A lazy Saturday morning. Lisa is snoozing her life away snuggled under 7 blankets on her bed. Husband enters the room. Husband: Lisa, wake up. I already took Blitzkrieg out side for a potty. Me: “…….” Husband: I made scones for breakfa...
Are ecostore Plant Based Cleaners Grease Fighters?
I make some of my household cleaners but I’m always looking for other options. I don’t always have the time to whip up a batch of new cleaner and there are some cleaners that I just can’t make. I want those cleaning options to be safe to use ar...
What are Your Favorite Essential Oils?
I first got into essential oils back when I started performing at the Ohio Renaissance Festival. Many of the booths there sold (and still sell) essential oils straight up and in blends for any and all uses you can think of depending upon the vendor o...
How to Make Powdered High Efficiency Laundry Detergent
My old washing machine died beyond repair. I replaced it with a High Efficiency (HE) washing machine. Since HE washing machines use less water than conventional washing machines (and save more electricity and water in the process) you have to use a l...
An Easier Way to Clean with Vinegar
Cleaning with vinegar converts know that a 5% acidity solution of white vinegar will clean and disinfect a countertop (although you don’t want to use it to clean a marble countertop – trust me on this one), deter a kitchen ant invasion, and kill ...
Can You Wash a Plastic Bath Poof?
Not to be too TMI about it but normally I like to use a loofah in the shower/bath for all of my exfoliating needs. Side note: Did you know that loofah is a type of squash that grows on a vine and not a sea sponge? Really! Well, you smart people out ...
Clean Well All-Natural Hand Sanitizer Review and Giveaway
I have the worst luck when it comes to using public restrooms, porta potties and the like – I always seem to use them right before they are scheduled to be cleaned, which means more often than not, they’ve run out of soap, water, paper towels, et...
