yumiandlaurie

Uuuuah! Grrrrh! Oooogosh! Yes, that’s on point, please let this ‘Tool Man’ first grunt out. If you have no idea what’s that, I’m sorry. Well, so you’re now thinking ‘it’s time I give my garage that well-deserved upgrade?’ That may prove to be the most wonderful idea ever this year. See, the garage is often a neglected, messy space. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little organization, we can derive much use from our garages and also modernize them by boosting their form, function and thus adding value to our houses. Below are garage upgrade plans that can be knocked out in a week.

 

·        Insulate your Garage Door

This can swing the temperature within your garage to a 300⁰C cooler in summer and roughly the same in reverse during winter. Nowadays there are myriad of DIY kits that can help apply insulation to most part of your garage door interior. This is extremely vital especially if you have an appliance running out in the garage like a storage freezer. However, considering that this adds extra weight to your garage door, it’s good to ensure that your garage door can accommodate the extra weight.

·        Construct a workshop or crafting corner

Turn a spare wall into a temporal garage studio for woodworking projects creations. You may need to commence by building a workbench then equipping the neighboring area with operational and organizational features like storage containers, drawers, and hangars. Other features worth such consideration include a sink, track lighting and power outlets-where possible.

 

·        Resurface and Paint the Concrete Floor

Resurface your outdated garage flooring with fresh epoxy gloss. Flooring made of epoxy is durable and can handle massive traffic. Additionally, they’re water resistant and dust proof, a factor that makes cleaning up the garage flooring very easy and fast.

·        Ensure working in the garage is more comfortable

Apparently, there are few quick ways to add some extra comfort while working in your garage. Considering this, adding an anti-fatigue mat in front of your workbench will greatly reduce leg fatigue and heel pain. Installing a wall-mount fan and motion sensor to flip the power on and off the fan when you’re inside will also ensure you stay cool.

 

·        Come up with storage solution for your garage

I’m yet to hear someone say ‘My garage has over-sufficient storage.’ However, there are massive DIY solutions for going nut with garage storage. For instance, you may need to get some hooks and pegboard to hang some of your tools. Look for a freestanding shelving unit that caters all your car wax, cans and paint. Throw away all the odds and ends that lack a place to fit. Hang the bikes on the ceiling space.

 

·        Relocate the mudroom into the garage

This is especially ideal for those with kids. Moving your mudroom to your garage ensures the mess is kept in an area that’s supposed to get dirty. Especially when located near the entrance to the house with hand coats and backpacks for storage of shoes, hats and anything your kids require. This area could also double as storage for sports equipment. To get fancy, you may consider building a bench area for sitting.

 

·        Give the overhead door curb appeal

Add visual interest to the exterior by replacing the old garage door with a more fascinating and innovative option. For instance, use imaginative materials like glass and integrating smart technology to upgrade into larger doors. Adding such creative upgrades increases organization, and reduce the amount of upkeep. Say goodbye to clutter and regular cleaning this year, thank me later.

 

·        Monitor how your garage doors open or close

Failure to close your garage door can be hazardous now that thieves and animals are on the prowl. This way, you can consider building an open garage alert system or monitor your door’s status with your phone and sensor system.

 

·        Organize Your Garage into Zones

Divide your garage’s space into distinct zones so that it becomes easier for you to find things and put them away faster

 

·        Lighting

In place of the standard bare bulbs that lack functional light, you may need to consider the long fluorescent light bulbs for your garage lighting since they illuminate the whole space. Also, ensure you include light switches and lights to every entrance of the garage. Though seemingly simple this upgrade can greatly impact how your garage looks and functions.

 

·        Add Color to Cabinets

You may need to paint a new color onto your cabinets to add a splash of color thus beautifying the place.

 

Bottom Line

Though often neglected, it’s now vivid that the need to upgrade your garage can’t be understated. Of course, having the necessary tools is worth every consideration. Would any of you head to a music festival without a portable charging solution to enhance their iPhone? That’s food for thought, cheers!…

As The Eco Chic World emerges and grows, so do I. Little did I know when I embarked on this journey of creating my own business, that I would be entering a world where people are pleasant to do business with and open to new ideas and new people.

How refreshing… As I sit at my desk and cold call new potential customers, I am finding that most people give me the opportunity to introduce myself and listen to “my pitch about the blanQuettes™ and my company. No “We’re not interested, no thank you, it doesn’t seem like something we want….” Instead I hear “Sounds great. I’d love to see it! We are always looking for new products, thank you so much for calling!”

It is clear from the response I get all over the country that we have a fabulous product (of course I believe this) and that people involved in the “green eco chic” movement are open, passionate, and kind. It is a feeling that yes, we are all trying to make money, but we care about the bigger things in life. We care about the planet, people, and making a difference. I have been in the business world for many years in different capacities and as we all know it is cut throat and hard out there. But I must say, the eco chic world is kinder and gentler.

Yes, it is a challenge to build a business but I am so glad I chose to Go Green. I have the opportunity to be a part of a changing world and meet fabulous people along the way.…

If you haven’t already seen it, get up and RUN to the movie theater and see the movie Julie & Julia.  First, I absolutely LOVED both Meryl Streep and Amy Adams in this movie…they definitely get my vote for an Academy Award.  Meryl Streep played Julia Child to a tee, with her walk, the way she spoke and that laugh…it was pretty spot-on.  The movie itself really makes you feel alive and not only that, it really makes you want to get out and start doing exactly what it is you love to do in life.

But the food….mmmm…from the very first dish they made on screen my mouth was watering, I found myself having a hard time concentrating on the rest of the movie as the dishes looked marvelous.  But one of them in particular really grabbed a hold of me….The Bruschetta.   Watching them bite into those big juicy tomatos and the juice running down their chins with the large piece of crusty bread made me almost faint with hunger.  I have had Bruschetta before both from the store and at restaurants…but in all honesty, it tasted just like salsa to me.

SO, of course, I decided to venture out and make it from scratch.   I went to a market called Fresh Market and bought all the Heirloom tomatoes I could get my hands on.  I ended up with a mixed variety of small yellow, red, and green ones (these looked so interesting I had to taste them on my way home in the car and they were wonderfully sweet, I felt as if I were eating a piece of candy), and then I also got big plump yellow tomatoes as well as beef steak tomatoes, fresh basil, and the finest Pecorino cheese I could find.

As I mixed the tomatoes and saw the wonderful array of colors I just knew it was going to be good.  I gently toasted the bread in the pan with olive oil and then dressed the pieces like an artist.  I felt like I was in the movie Like Water for Chocolate as I added as much love into this dish as I could muster up.  I slowly and precisely grated the cheese on top of each one and tenderly placed them on a long white platter to show off their colors.  I was so proud of how well it turned out that I had to take a picture of it!

I decided it would pair well with a sparkling wine so I pulled out a special bottle of Champagne from my collection and as everyone sunk their teeth in, there was complete and utter silence….

That’s a pretty good indication of a successful dish if I do say so myself!  Give it a try.   So simple, but so good.…

Yumi and Laurie products are created using organic cotton and bamboo. These sources are not only great for you, your home and your family, but also an environmentally sound choice.

Why Organic?
For an item to be “Certified Organic,” its fiber must be grown in accordance with strict, uniform standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations. Certification includes inspections of farm fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the standards which have been set.

Conventional farming relies upon toxic chemicals. They mix with the soil and effect future vegetation and animal life for years to come. Organic farmers use natural composting, crop rotation, beneficial insects and predators instead of these synthetic fertilizers to intelligently grow crops that are better for you and the earth.

Why Bamboo?
Bamboo is a sustainable material because of it’s high rate of growth and reforestation. Bamboo fibers are biodegradable. Petroleum based synthetic textile fibers stay in our earth’s system long after you dispose of them. Bamboo is truly unique: not only is it a highly durable fabric enduring many machine washings with grace, but it feels as soft and luxurious.

Bamboo is naturally antimicrobial. Bamboo is great for your skin as it wicks moisture away. A cross section of Bamboo fiber is a matrix with many microscopic gaps. Bamboo fiber breathes thereby keeping you cooler, drier and more comfortable.

Why Organic Cotton?
Like conventional coffee production, conventional cotton production also leads to poisoning of the soil and the product, this can cause various health problems for the farmers that grow it and the people who use the products.

The problem of poisoning due to chemical insecticides and pesticides is so acute that thousands of farmers in developing countries are risking their lives with this livelihood.

Organic cotton production, on the other hand, ensures a healthy life for the farmers producing it, those around them and those that buy their products.

Yumi & Laurie, Inc. is taking a pro-active, farmer friendly, Earth-friendly stance.

The more we support these organic farmers by spending money on their organically grown cotton and bamboo, the smaller the human footprint will be on the Earth.…

• Y&L Products are naturally soft and luxurious
• Can be used in all seasons, and are machine washable
• Are richly sophisticated and manufactured using the highest quality fibers available
• Are antimicrobial and make for a wonderful night’s rest for those with allergies
• Can be used to wrap yourself up in while reading a book, watching a great movie, lounging at the pool, or as a guest blanket
• Are a new and innovative design in spa bedding
• Can be customized to compliment your environment
• Makes a wonderful and thoughtful gift
• Are wonderful decorative throw that looks great in all decors
• Are made from 100% Certified organic and sustainable materials.

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