So it is time to clean it UP.... the holiday decorations are (or should be) down, the house is grey, the scale is grey, the sky is grey ... How about taking the time to freshen & accessorize your house for an immediate ray of sunshine?

Even if you just pick 3 of these tips, you WILL smile:

1) GET rid of those NASTY dishtowels ... you know the ones I mean!! They have just become dog towels!! PLEASE buy a few new pretty, dishtowels to match your kitchen & personality. (We should be cutting down on paper towels anyway; make these inexpensive kitchen linens your friends!!)

2-BRING out a BUD VASE -- an antique bottle or recycled juice bottle will do -- ONE sprig of holly and small evergreen cutting in a sweet bud vase by your sink or computer WILL brighten your day!! Smaller vase ... less to put in it!

) 3) Sharpen (OK ... have the kids do the sharpening) all the PENCILS in your house & put them in a clear jar or flower pot! You just created a piece to show off ... not hide in THAT drawer!

4) USE a pretty SOAP DISH for your sponge -- which, BTW, should match your kitchen colors, and should be changed frequently!!

5) Clean off that COFFEE TABLE ....recycle all magazine, catalogs. NOW, put out fresh RED TULIPS & 2 pretty things that YOU want to look at (no one else in the family will even notice!!) -- A total of 3 things --- NOT ONE item more!! How about a candle, a photo album, a box for the remote controls, YOUR favorite book or piece of pottery!

6) Take everything OFF the front of the FRIDGE!!!!!! It will feel like you lost weight! Ok ... maybe just one sweet or funky set of MAGNETS!

7) Buy new THROW PILLOWS ... especially if you can’t launder yours! New throw pillows are like a new lipstick!! Get your punch of COLOR
without the PUNCH of a Credit card bill for a whole room redo!

8) Consider CORD COVERS for your lamp cords that are exposed -- I am thinking hallway, or side table --- pretty, finished & CHEAP!!

9) Mom said, "No labels on the table." This goes for DISH SOAP too! Get a basket, cache pot, tin box to be your sink-side accessory to organize your soaps, lotions, vitamins!! Just line with a paper towel ...

10) Finally, Take the wreath off THE FRONT DOOR ... it is time for your snowman decor or even Valentines!! Your smile will start as you enter your home!

 

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Hillary Tattersall is known as the Accessory Queen. And for good reason! As owner of Chicks Pick's, a pop-up boutique and web store (www.chickspicksbyhillary.com), Hillary works with hundreds of designers and magazine editors to create products that the hip & modern mom loves! She lives in Loudoun County with her family and will be giving I Am Modern moms weekly hints and tips to freshen up either their homes or their personal fashion style. She is also Modern Style Guide Guru.  She welcomes your thoughts, comments, and questions.

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