Household management and home hints Books

Book SynopsisGive Mum the gift of time to unwind with this relaxing activity journal from Mrs HinchTHE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER''A must for fans'' Mail on Sunday ________________Hello! Mrs Hinch here! Welcome to your very own Hinch activity journal!This little book is all about giving yourself the gift of time out: time to plan, time to dream, time to relax, time for us to have a bit of a giggle and a de-stress.We all live such stressful lives and it can be hard to take a moment just to breathe, but I want this book to be all about YOU. Something that we can all enjoy together.So, make yourself a cuppa and curl up with this journal on the sofa in the mornings, or use it to wind down every evening before bed; whenever you need a bit of calm - just don''t forget your crystal pen, as there are loads of relaxing, light-hearted activities for you to have fun with. Plus plenty of pages for you to plan your own Trade ReviewA must for fans of the phenomenon that Mrs Hinch. This journal lets you plan your 'hinching' and provides activity suggestions * Mail on Sunday *Get your Hinch on after the Christmas madness with to-do lists and plenty of relaxing, light-hearted activities to just have some fun with * Heat Christmas Gift Guide *Focuses on giving yourself the gift of time out, time to plan, relax, destress and dream. A dip-in, dip-out gift, ideal if you only have a few minutes to yourself over Christmas. * Talktalk, Books to put on your Christmas wish list *Best Christmas Gifts * Daily Record *Best Gifts for Christmas * Scotsman *

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Book Synopsis#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The authors of The Home Edit and stars of the Netflix series Get Organized with The Home Edit teach you how to apply their genius, holistic approach to your work life, on-the-go necessities, and technology.At home or on the go, you don''t have to live like a minimalist to feel happy and calm. The Home Edit mentality is all about embracing your life—whether you’re a busy mom, a roommate living with three, or someone who’s always traveling for work. You just need to know how to set up a system that works for you. In the next phase of the home organizing craze, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin go beyond the pantry and bookshelf to show you how to contain the chaos in all aspects of your life, from office space and holiday storage to luggage and pet supplies. Get to know your organizing style, tailor it to your family’s lifestyle, and lead the low-guilt life as you apply more genius ideas to every aspect of your life.Clea and Joanna are here to remind you that “it’s okay to own things” in the quest for pretty and smart spaces. With The Home Edit Life, you’ll soon be corralling phone cords, archiving old photos, arranging your phone apps by color, and packing your suitcase like a pro.

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Book SynopsisA follow-up to Black Dog's bestselling Country Wisdom and Know-How, the Country Wisdom Almanac provides hundreds of ideas and methods for living the good and simple life, plus information on weather, gardening, buying produce and cooking by season, holidays, frost dates, moon phases, and more. Divided into the four seasons and then organized into 373 individual tips, the Country Wisdom Almanac presents a wide variety of ways to live a simpler, more self-sustained life year round. Each season offers home-improvement ideas (wallpaper a room in the Fall or build a stone wall in the Spring), crafts (create gorgeous homemade decorations for Christmas, Halloween, or the Fourth of July), recipes (use seasonal produce to create fresh, healthy meals), gardening advice (what and when to plant in order to get the maximum results from your land), and more. Also included is year-round advice on caring for pets, creating your own health and beauty remedies, canning and preserving food, and more. Each season opens with a list of holidays and a guide to in-season produce. Appendices cover average weather by city and month, frost dates, and moon phases.

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Book SynopsisAn easy-to-read, idea-packed guide for anyone who wants to be more organized—and who doesn't?Everyone has overflowing closets and desk drawers, countertops loaded with kitchen gadgets, and overstuffed computer desktops. We dream of getting organized—but what's a disorganized person to do? In this book, professional organizer Stacey Platt comes to the rescue with empowering ideas on putting and keeping things in order.Like earlier titles in the series, such as the best-selling What's a Cook to Do?, this book offers easy-to-scan and access solutions to everyday aggravations: How do you keep from misplacing your cell phone or house keys? What's the best way to organize the fridge? How do you pack efficiently for a trip? This user-friendly book, illustrated with stylish, full-color photography, is up-to-date on the latest technologies for organizing everything from music to family photos.Here are hundreds of ingenious solutions for gaining control of clutter so you can live happily in your space. There are quick solutions as well as one-hour projects—from organizing your emails so you can find your passwords to sorting the area under the bathroom sink—that readers can tackle, one weekend at a time, with big payoffs. From the kitchen to the home office, the bedroom closet to the car, this thoughtful guide will help readers carve out more space and more time.

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Book SynopsisTake control of everyday disorder. With strategies for everything from keeping track of mittens and scarves to combining two households, Donna Smallin takes a personalized, nonjudgmental approach as she explains how to assess different situations and decide where to start organizing. Whether you’re craving a more functional closet, having trouble planning meals for your family, or trying to make sense of your finances, this straightforward guide offers proven techniques for living an efficient and clutter-free life.

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Book SynopsisClean smarter, not harder. Donna Smallin shows you how to quickly and effectively clear clutter, destroy dirt, and restore order. With 500 plain and simple strategies for efficiently eliminating the mess in every room, you’ll discover how easy it can be to maintain a clean home without devoting hours on end to housework. Learn how to use a spare minute here and there to shorten chores and free up more time to do the things you love.

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Book SynopsisGet rid of the clutter — and keep it away! Organizing expert Donna Smallin shows you how to enjoy the happy, healthy, and inviting home you long for with hundreds of time-saving, clutter-busting tips. Smallin’s simple and manageable approach helps you focus on the things that will make the biggest difference in the least amount of time. Clear away the clutter once and for all, and discover the peace of mind that has been hiding underneath.

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Book SynopsisProtect yourself, your children, your pets, and your home from bugs — without using harsh or toxic chemicals! Herbalist Stephanie Tourles offers 75 simple recipes for safe, effective bug repellents you can make at home from all-natural ingredients. For protection from mosquitos, ticks, and other biting insects, there are sprays, balms, body oils, and tinctures, with scents ranging from eucalyptus to floral, lemon, vanilla, and woodsy spice. There are also recipes for pets, such as herbal shampoo, bedding formulas, and flea-and-tick collars and powders. And Tourles includes repellents for the home, such as sachets that repel moths, carpet powders that repel fleas and ants, and essential oil repellents to keep your pantry pest-free. A detailed ingredient dictionary explains the properties of all the herbs, essential oils, and other key ingredients.

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Book SynopsisStep-by-step projects to tidy up every room in your house, from the largest prestige home-organizing brand in North America

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Book SynopsisAcross the globe, billions of unused items sit in our homes taking up valuable physical and mental space. What would it feel like to clear your space, and life, of excess junk? Liberate yourself from domestic chaos, toxic relationships and a desk piled high with incomplete tasks. How to Go Clutter Free will make you richer in space, time and money, and pave the way for a tidy, calm and happy life. Featuring 100 clear and simple decluttering tips, this hassle-free, easy guide will help you to: • Identify and ditch excess. • Create more space for the important things in life. • Tidy your home, mind and life. • Replace mess and confusion with calm and clarity. Table of Contents0

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Book SynopsisIncludes a guide to ethical shopping and investing Your introduction to taking simple steps towards sustainable living Packed with practical and realistic advice, Green Living For Dummies is a comprehensive guide to minimising your impact on the world around you.Trade Review"Green lifestyle advice for the eco-aware." (Ethical Corporation Magazine, March 2007) "Essential reading" (Mature Times, Tuesday 16th May) "Green Living For Dummies is a unique book on how to live a greener lifestyle that provides practical, realistic advice" (Prizes Galore, June 2007) "This book offers clear, practical, realistic advice on simple lifestyle changes…" (Finance Daily, June 2007) "...introduction to taking simple steps towards sustainable living, a comprehensive guide to minimising your impact on the world around you…" (Irish Examiner, 2nd June 2007) "Everything you always wanted to know about sustainable living", (Organic Life, September 2007) "If you're eager to do your bit for the planet, but need more guidance on how to go about it-, you need this book!" (Best, 4th September 2007) "If you want to make some major changes but don’t know where to start, this guide offers practical advice…"(BBC Good Homes, November 2007) "...the essential companion for anyone just starting on their green journey... has helpful hints that even seasoned greenies will appreciate." (House & Home Ideas, November 2007) "Each area is clearly marked and split into simple sections with actions for the reader to follow." (Resource UK, January 2008)Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part I: Your Environment, Your Responsibility 7 Chapter 1: Being Greener for the Good of the Planet and Its People 9 Chapter 2: Understanding the Environment and Its Problems 25 Part II: Living a Green Lifestyle 43 Chapter 3: Living in a Green Home 45 Chapter 4: Acting Green at Home 67 Chapter 5: Getting Green in the Garden 89 Chapter 6: Waste Not, Want Not: Minimising Your Rubbish 107 Part III: Green Shopping 127 Chapter 7: Living to Eat or Eating to Live? 129 Chapter 8: Wearing It Well 155 Chapter 9: Banking on Your Ethics 167 Part IV: Thinking Green Outside the Home 181 Chapter 10: Implementing Ideas for a Greener Working Environment 183 Chapter 11: Going Green at School 195 Part V: Travelling Without Doing Any More Damage to the Planet 205 Chapter 12: Choosing Your Transport Wisely 207 Chapter 13: Expanding the Green Car Evolution 223 Chapter 14: Becoming a Green Tourist 235 Part VI: The Part of Tens 249 Chapter 15: Ten Great Sustainable Actions You Can Take Today 251 Chapter 16: Ten (Or So) Informative and Fun Web Sites 259 Chapter 17: Ten Green Ideas to Try 263 Chapter 18: Ten (Or So) Things to Tell Your Kids about Sustainable Living 269 Chapter 19: Ten Green Projects to Get the Whole Community Involved 277 Appendix: The Best Green Web Sites 285 Index 295

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Book SynopsisPeople appreciate that living smaller is easier on their bank balance, their time and the environment. Magazines and newspapers are featuring these smaller wonders more frequently. Now is the time to re-present fundamental small-house design strategies - complete with whole-house case studies for homeowners eager to simplify smartly.

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Book SynopsisMartin Holladay has been making weekly postings to his 'Musings of an Energy Nerd' blog on Green Building Advisor since January 2009. Along the way, he has gathered a devoted following of energy nerds who await his weekly musings with rapt anticipation. For the first time, the 50 most popular postings have been assembled in book form to give homeowners a great opportunity to live a more energy-efficient life in their homes. The book begins with an overview of energy priorities, and a discussion of what we mean by terms like green and sustainable. Martin presents several options for energy upgrades for an existing house (from replacing windows to adding superinsulation) before looking at ways to improve the energy efficiency of a new house. Separate chapters follow on HVAC, domestic hot water, appliances and renewable energy, before the book wraps up with an eye-opening chapter on useless products, scams and myths.

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Book SynopsisEveryone has baking soda on hand to help cookies rise and keep the pantry smelling fresh. But this simple compound also has dozens of other applications for health, cleaning, gardening and even crafting. In The Baking Soda Companion, Suzy Scherr explains just how useful this all-natural pantry staple can be. Make extra-fluffy scrambled eggs, clean the coffee pot, soothe bug bites, mix up toothpaste and shampoo, remove stubborn grass stains, repel garden pests, and more. This is a straightforward, informative guide for anyone who wants to incorporate simple, affordable and natural solutions into their day-to-day routine.

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Book SynopsisWe all know how important it is to reduce our environmental footprint, but it can be daunting to know where to begin. Enter Kathryn Kellogg, who can fit all her rubbish from the past two years into a 16-ounce jar. How? She starts by saying “no” to straws and grocery bags and “yes” to a reusable water bottle and compostable dish scrubbers. In 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste, Kellogg shares these tips and more, along with DIY recipes for beauty and home; advice for responsible consumption and making better choices for home goods, fashion and the office; and even secrets for how to go waste free at the airport. “It’s not about perfection”, she says. “It’s about making better choices.” This is a practical, friendly blueprint of realistic lifestyle changes for anyone who wants to reduce their waste.Trade Review"... an engaging read brought to life with witty, relatable anecdotes, and just enough science to gently hammer home the point." -- The Irish News

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Book SynopsisThis fascinating compilation of accumulated wisdom includes traditional sayings and superstitions to explain whether, and why, they still work today. With advice on the practical necessities of cooking, gardening, housekeeping and health, as well as proverbial wisdom concerning good behaviour for children, adults and life in general. AUTHOR: Ruth Binney has been studying the countryside and nature for over 50 years. She holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and has been involved in countless publications during her career as an editor. She is the also a bestselling author having published numerous books on the gardening, countryside, country sayings and customs. Ruth lives in Yeovil, Somerset. 100 b/w illustrations

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Book SynopsisCan we get a feeling of spaciousness and well-being in an apartment when the available space is very limited? This book shows that not only is it possible, but often the solutions turn the house itself into a unique and singular space. These types of projects are also a challenge for architects, since they require bringing into play all their ingenuity, technique and talent.

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Book SynopsisFrench Women Don’t Get Fat meets The Little Book of Hygge in this lively, sophisticated, and practical illustrated lifestyle guide that shows how to enjoy la belle vie—to live like the French every day—transforming your house into a home defined by beauty, family, and accessible elegance.How do the French create the elusive and alluring sanctuaries they call home? This question long intrigued Danielle Postel-Vinay. Thanks to a chance encounter with a French expat in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and years of immersive research, she embarked on a quest to discover the secrets of the French home aesthetic.Experiencing first-hand la belle vie—the beautiful life—Postel-Vinay now shows everyone how to create their own French sanctuary, a home sweet maison, no matter where they live. Providing more than just interior decorating and design tips, Postel-Vinay teaches you how to foster the warmth, beauty, and rituals inh

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Anyone who’s moved 10 times in 11 years deserves applause—and, in Wenzke’s case, congratulations. Her concept of ‘happy moving,’ admittedly an oxymoron on the surface, will feel attainable for readers who go through the exercises, checklists, quizzes, and just generally great emotional, physical, and mental tips she shares here.” — Booklist (starred review) “Ali Wenzke writes from experience, having moved ten times in 11 years in seven different states (preach, girl). The author takes you through every stage of moving—before, during and after—with practical step-by-step tips as well as a much welcomed positive attitude to get you through the trenches. ” — PureWow “If anyone knows moving tips for lower-stress transitions, it’s her, and her comprehensive guide to managing the moving process includes everything from moving tips and checklists to suggestions for making friends in new cities.” — Real Simple “Wenke lays out her own method for tackling the big pre-move decluttering, KonMari-style. Whether you’re making your own move this summer, or are just looking to revitalize the home you’re already in, these tips will help you feel lighter and more organized in no time.” — Bustle “Whether you are preparing for your first move or your tenth, whether you are moving across the country or down the street, The Art of Happy Moving will make all impossible moving-related tasks seem possible.” — BookTrib

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Book SynopsisFar more than a guide to homemaking and being a fine host—although it is definitely all that too—The Inviting Life is about how to live each day with a desire and determination to turn the ordinary into something lovely. It’s also a book about why we should bother. Whether the subject is décor, ambience, shopping, feeding weary travellers, mixing cocktails, planning dinner parties, or getting yourself motivated for spring cleaning, Laura Calder affirms the value of our everyday activities and shows how beauty, creativity, and delight have the power to change the world. This one-of-a-kind book is both a page-turning narrative about Laura’s own hosting and home-making adventures and an invaluable work of reference. It’s a spur to ideas for everything from creating a welcoming living space and making a respectable salad, to putting guests at their ease and writing a thank-you note worth receiving. Written with candour and humour in Laura’s

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Book SynopsisThis little book of cleaning is both giftable and unique, and provides easy, practical and sustainable tips to turn your space into a healthy, calm and organized environment. Improve your personal wellness with a clean home.Let this ultimate book on all things cleaning bring order and calm to your life as you learn the best and most efficient cleaning solutions, from natural and organic cleaning tips to ways to reduce germs and create a healthy living space. Whether you are an experienced cleaner or a beginner, this compact book will provide useful tips and tricks to keep your space clean, decluttered and calm. Perfect gift for new homeowners, recent college graduates and for those seeking to declutter their home and create a peaceful space Practical schedules for daily, monthly and yearly cleaning Focus on natural and organic cleaning tips with solutions one can even find in their own pantry Compact and uniq

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Book SynopsisEverything you need to know about laundry, cleaning, and basic home repairs—from the TikTok star who made bluing a thing, showed you how to fold a fitted sheet, and taught you to properly use your (caulk) gun.“[Melissa Pateras] makes chores enjoyable in her bawdy debut. . . . Doing laundry has never sounded so fun.”—Publishers WeeklyMelissa Dilkes Pateras is the most competent housekeeper, DIY-project master, and home repair genius that you’ve ever fantasized about becoming. When she followed her kids on to TikTok, she discovered a community hungry for her approachable, tongue-in-cheek advice on everything from balls—dryer balls, that is—to why color-coded closets are a spiritual experience. She doesn’t expect you to know what you were never taught, and she doesn’t care about transforming your home into a minimal, beige Instagram post; she simply wants to help make your life easier.Whethe

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Book SynopsisA grand encyclopedia of country lore by famed Texas folklorist Jerry Mack Johnson.

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Book SynopsisFrom waterproofing basements to checking home heating and cooling systems for leaks and contaminants, Jeff May's Healthy Home Tips helps renters and homeowners alike make sure that their homes are clean and healthy places to live.Trade ReviewIf your nose gets congested, you develop a sinus headache, or your asthma often gets worse after an hour or two at home or at work, buy one of Jeff's books to find the cause and a way to fix it (and he didn't pay me to say this). -- Paul Enright, MD WebMD 2008 Accessible language, step-by-step instructions, and clear, identifying diagrams and photos. AARC Times 2008Table of ContentsIntroductionPart I: Mold, Mildew, and YouDilemma 1: Mold, Inside and Outa. My BasementA Crawl Space under the HouseAn Unfinished BasementA Finished BasementMoisture Control at the ExteriorFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiesb. My AtticInspectionsMoisture ControlPipesRepairsStorageFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiesc. Rooms in BetweenMusty OdorsRooms with WaterRooms without WaterSoot, Not MoldFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiesd. Floods and LeaksFloodsInsuranceLeaksFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiese. The Garagef. Heating and Cooling SystemsAir Conveyance SystemsOther Kinds of Heating SystemsHumidificationCentral DehumidificationHot-Water HeatersFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiesg. Property I Want to Buy or RentFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiesh. Hotels and AutomobilesFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental SensitivitiesI. Outside the BuildingDilemma 2: Confirmation and Remediationa. Testing for MoldTesting on My OwnHiring Professionals to TestFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiesb. Cleaning it Up MyselfBathroomsThe KitchenPersonal Possessions and FurnishingsRegular Household CleaningFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiesc. Hiring Professionals to RemediateFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental SensitivitiesPart II: Problems Other than MoldDilemma 3: What and Where?a. Rooms with WaterBathroomsThe KitchenLaundry AreasIndoor Pools and Hot TubsFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiesb. Other Rooms and Their ContentsBeds and BeddingCarpetingFurnitureHome Office EquipmentFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiesc. Smoke and Harmful GasesFireplaces, Wood Stoves, and CigarettesGasesFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiesd. Heating and Cooling SystemsAir Conveyance SystemsGas-Fired EquipmentOil-Fired EquipmentFireFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiese. Pets and PestsPetsPestsFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental Sensitivitiesf. Renovation and ConstructionRenovationConstruction MaterialsAsbestosLead PaintFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental SensitivitiesDilemma 4: Everday CleaningFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental SensitivitiesDilemma 5: TestingFor People with Allergies, Asthma, or Environmental SensitivitiesConclusionAdditional ResourcesIndex

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