KimoStowell, Why not follow his Tweets on Twitter

Design Tips from Hawaii

• Design Tip of the Day: When hanging several pictures at a time in a grouping, arrange the pics on the floor first and create a stencil...TBC
• Design Tip of the Day continued: Tape the stencil on the wall and use it as a guide to place your nails or hooks, Good luck & Aloha kakou!
• Aloha Kakou! Design tip of the day: When you want a calm feel to a room, use a monotone palatte of cool colors like blues, greens, & browns.

Super fun tweets!

Forsythia in bloom over Kansas City! Skin care on my mind!

Forsythia blooming in my backyard is my own barometer of Spring. At this time of year, I love to think about skin care... So out with old and in with new:

• Most powders, concealers and lip balms are anhydrous (they don’t contain water), so they can last for a couple of years, says Dr. Pugliese.
  
• Cleansers and moisturizers often contain fatty acids, which can turn rancid quickly. Toss after six months.
  
• Multiuse products such as 3-in-1 sticks and creams can spread germs from lips to eyes and cheeks. Wipe the surface before switching areas, and discard or replace after six months.
• Pencils can last several years unless you wet the tip with saliva or water. To be safe, sharpen before each use.
  
• Mascara should be tossed after three months without fail. The tube is a breeding ground for bacteria,” says Dr. Pugliese.
  
• Foundations can last up to a year if you keep your fingers away from the bottle. Instead, use a sponge to apply.
  

Green Thought! Which is worse Hummers or Toilet Paper?

I found an article about toilet paper on ecogeek.org. As Americans, we seem to enjoy our 3-ply toilet paper. It is not a "good thing" for the environment because many of the TP makers use virgin wood.

ECOGEEK and the New York Times suggest purchasing recycled toilet paper... Our company took that to a new level: We converted to recycled and unbleached toilet paper. Lets help our environment and do the switch to recycled toilet paper!

Another option is to investigate the European ways of bum cleanliness: The Bidet. I will research this idea for my next blog post!

I am so over Martha Stewart...

Don't get me wrong... I admire the pictures in her magazine, website and email tips of the day. The latest daily tip entered my inbox and I was incensed. Who, in this economic malaise, would promote a cleaning bucket filled with the following:

1. All-purpose and glass-cleaning sprays, 
   
2. Sponge, 
   
3. Toothbrush, 
   
4. Squeegee, 
   
5. Scrub brush, 
   
6. Hopsacking... What in the world is this and no I don't feel like googling it?
   
7. Terry-cloth towels in washcloth and hand-towel sizes
   
8. Rubber gloves over the rim to dry
   

I am lucky to use rags created from torn up sheets and old abused towels. I use an environmentally sound all purpose cleaner, this does cost some bucks but lasts a long time. In addition, I don't have to use rubber gloves to clean. My suggestion is to keep cleaning simple!

Spring has Sprung...

Martha Stewart always writes and talks about Spring Cleaning at this time of year to help all us mortals get motivated. Each day, I receive a tip of the day in my "inbox" from Martha Stewart. Sunday's tip is Spring Cleaning Checklist. Below, I list some outlandish Spring Cleaning missives:

• Reseal Grout Lines
  
• Polish Metal Door and Window Hardware
  
• Wax Wooden Furniture and Floors
  
• Wash Window Screens
  

There are some easy and non taxing tips, too!

• Dust Books and Shelves
  
• Ensure Fire Safety
  
• Discard Expired Cosmetics and Beauty Products
  
• Donate Clothes
  

Go check out the checklist and see what else you can do to Spring Clean!

BOOK: "This Year I Will..." by M.J. Ryan

"Time is a created thing. To say "I don't have time" is to say, "I don't want to." Lao Tzu
Ryan's book is about setting and achieving realistic goals: "How to cultivate new habits."(pg. 7)

I really enjoyed this book to help motivate me in areas where I feel stuck!

It's been a long time since I watched a good Horror movie!

I used to watch so much horror until I had kids... Need I expound. Now that the kiddos are older, I've been jonesing for a good flick. 

Keeping it simple, I look for a top rated flick at amazon.com... Too many titles. My search left me bereft, especially after reading reviews by twelve year olds. That age group is just too gung ho for the violence factor.

Feeling disconnected and wanting to reconnect, I realized my two best buddies from college are involved in a major website dedicated to horror movies... duh!

The Ultimate Horror Movie website

I decided on the vampire genre... Lost Boys, Interview with a Vampire, The Hunger, Underworld. 

Try out Don's website to find any type of horror movie that could tickle your tastebuds.