I haven't seen a movie in the theater since the James Bond that came out in 2006...Casino Royale, was it? It just doesn't make sense to pay someone to watch your children so you can pay to go watch a movie and not talk to your spouse. There are occasions when I prefer not to talk to Rhett at all, but I'd rather give him the silent treatment at home for free than pay a lot of money to sit silently beside him in a dark theater.
Really though, let's be honest. How many great movies come out in a year anymore? I've heard The King's Speech was magnificent (will rent, I swear!) but there's not much on I want to see. Perhaps it's because I've become so enamored of home renovation as a hobby that the only thing that would interest me is some bio pic of an interior designer? Who knows.
All this to say I did not watch the awards shows (nor did I really pay attention to what the stars were wearing...tsk, tsk) this year but I will give a little nod to Hollywood and begin a tradition of my own.
Starting this month and continuing once a month, I, Scarlett, will bestow my own awards for excellence in all things related to the home (since that seems to be my main hobby these days). Just five awards in each installment, none of this "best supporting item to support the supporting item which you are currently using in place of another item" jumbo. The prestigous awards, henceforth called the EmCees, will also have a new theme each month, and all suggestions for future themes can be sent to renovatingtara@gmail.com.
Due to the time of year, March's theme is Spring Cleaning! Here are the winners...
*Best Overall Cleaning Line*
Meyer's. This stuff is the best thing I have used yet. First, it's budget-friendly. You can pick it up at Target for around what you'd pay for other products. Second, it smells great. The Geranium scent (pictured above) is what we use to clean bathrooms (hand soap, countertop spray, room freshener) and we like the Basil in the kitchen. It also comes in Lemon, Apple and Lavender. Third, it's easy on surfaces like granite and is environmentally friendly. My Real Simple for April even mentioned it (hint: they recommend using the Geranium dryer sheets on beds between the matress pad and fitted sheet- nice idea!). Honestly, best stuff out there.
Available at Target (or similar stores, but warning: you may have to shop around for the fragrance you want!) and priced from $4 and up.
*Best Cleaning Gadget to save you time*
I used to mop. Like with a bucket and water. It was miserable.
I love to clean (really- my grandmother used to give me Comet and a sponge so I could clean her sinks when I was little!) but moping has always been a nightmare. It took WAY too long and was the kind of chore that I couldn't do unless I had a good long time to devote to it. And who has that? Thus, I avoided cleaning our floors at all costs.
Until now. Tara is 95% hardwoods (we ahave some marble in the entryway) and Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner paired with a simple Scotch Brite Hardwood Floor Mop have made my life so much easier.
Both the gadget and the cleaner are relatively inexpensive, and with a few sprays of Bona and a quick once-over with the mop, my floors are as clean as new. I can easily do sections at a time (entryways, anyone?) so "mopping" takes minutes. As for cleaning? You can snap the microfiber cloth off the mop and throw it in the wash. Hallelujah!
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaners, available at Home Depot (or online). About $11 for a 32 oz. bottle.
Scotch Brite Hardwood Floor Mop, available at Target for under $7.
*Best Cleaning Gadget for the kitchen*
This is a bit like cheating since I want to focus on kitchen gadgets in the future, but if I don't mention this so you can pick one up the next time you're running errands I'll feel like a bad friend.
Oxo's Soap Squirting Palm Brush is the best thing you can have around when you're doing those blasted dishes. It's easy to use, easy to clean, and makes doing dishes...you guessed it...easy. I think my mom put this one in my stocking, and I bet she'd have wrapped it up with gold ribbon if she knew just how much I would love it! The bristles are nearly impossible to wear down, but if you do, you can buy replacements without buying an entirely new brush. Fill it with Dawn Pure Essentials Dish Soap (no smell, and a drop creates a gazillion bubbles!) and you've got dishes done in no time.
Available at amazon.com for under $7.
*The ONE thing you must own if you have kiddos*
The Splat Mat.
I hardly even had to think about giving this one an EmCee. It should get 2! This handy (reversible!!) mat from one of my favorite stores, the Land of Nod, is perfect under high chairs and art tables. My oldest daughter even used it on the floor under her playdough (or cookie dough!) and it looks JUST a good today as it did when she was born. I'd tell you to buy one even if you don't have kids- you'll need it for something. And the cheery patterns are an added bonus, for sure!
Available at http://www.landofnod.com/ for $39.
*Best Cleaning Indulgence*
Isn't that an oxymoron? Cleaning is no fun and far from an indulgence, right? Listen, kids. While cleaning is something you HAVE to do, it shouldn't be all utilitarian and no fun. Thus, my cleaning splurge is anything by the fabulous line, The Good Home Co.
Their Beach Days fragrance is something I loved the moment I smelled it- really! My oldest daughter and I were shopping in Franklin and we suddenly had to ask a shopkeeper if we could use their restroom. The hand soap was Beach Days, and I was hooked from that second on, sniffing my hands for the next hour. In fact, I asked the store owner where she bought it and ran across the street to get some of my own! Middle Tennesseans, they carry it at The Iron Gate (http://www.theirongateonline.net/) and run out frequently. I am currently using the laundry detergent for all my hand-washables and am more motivated than ever to do my delicates. Moral of the story: you're more inclined to do your chores if whatever you are cleaning with smells delicious!
Available online at goodhomestore.com and priced from $9.
So no more excuses, dear readers- get cleaning! Next month, EmCees will be awarded to the top home improvements under $50. Really! They're out there, and they are, in most cases, instant updates with a lot of wow! All they require is a little creativity, not a lot of cash. Remember, I'm not for spending money unless it's worth it. Movies may not be a great investment, but April's EmCees are! Bonus- No formal wear necessary.
I LOVE Mrs. Meyer's geranium scent, but I've had trouble finding that scent. They always have the lemon and lavender, but not the geranium. Maybe I should just get it online. I also really love J.R Watkins products. They come in really stylish, old-fashioned looking containers.
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