About House & Home: Host a Back-to-School Party

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Our next-door neighbor, Dave, thinks our street needs to get together to celebrate the approaching first day of school. Besides the fact that he's happy to see his five children back in the classroom, he says it's a great way for the neighborhood kids (and parents) to have a last summer party before the onslaught of homework, team practices and winter hibernation. I couldn't agree more. Host a Back-to-School Party While the adults celebrate the first day of school, some kids dread the thought of returning to the classroom. But getting friends together before the first bell rings is a fun way of reintroducing your kids - after a long summer break - to their social network. Create a Homework Area Before your kids get back to routine, it's a good idea to get them organized. One way is to create an area in your home dedicated to homework. Even if this illicit groans from little ones, you'll find that an inspiring space can help turn groans into grins come report card time. Pack a Waste-Free School Lunch While green isn't a color we associate with school lunches (unless it has to do with eggs and ham), we can all help the environment by taking some simple steps to packing a waste-free school (and office!) lunch. Back to School for Your Dog Kids aren't the only family members returning to school. Like my friend, who recently enrolled their beloved family dog in obedience school. And just like his kids, in order to succeed, my friend needs to ensure that his dog has the right supplies, has been enrolled in the right school and that both he and the dog are ready to work. Find out more. House & Home Ads Party Ideas Back to School Year Bounce House Party Party Planning Theme Church Party Decor Featured Articles Sew Your Own Durable Back Pack What is Biodynamic Farming? When to Reduce the Price of Your Home How To Install a Sump Pump Child Proof Your Home Common Electrical Mistakes   More from About.com Plan a Unique Vegas Wedding The minister, music and champagne are just the beginning -- why not get married aboard a helicopter or have a pirate swing in to deliver your rings? Arrrr! More> Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Add a Splash of Color to Your Home

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Fall is a wonderful time to think about adding new color to your home. All those deep reds, burnt oranges and lush yellows - a way to bring a little taste of nature indoors with these great tips from our Home and Garden Guides. Feng Shui Color Guide If you're not sure which colors to use in what rooms, then check out this great guide to colors that will not only enhance your living space, but also your peace of mind. House Paint Color Charts The exterior of the house is a different story. While the interior feels a little more manageable, the outside often seems overwhelming. The good thing is, no one can see that you missed a spot or that places are a little uneven. However, color becomes key. Use this great chart to create the perfect exterior. House Painting Rules I tend not to read instructions. It's a terrible habit that has caused me more problems than I care to count. It's the reason why my husband won't let me near anything that requires a manual. But when it comes to painting rules, I suggest going by the book. It'll save you loads of money, time and your favorite sweater, too. Take it from me. Add Colorful Candles Now, if you're not up to painting your home, then why not add some colorful accents? Candles are the perfect solution to a tired look. They provide a splash of color during the day, then at night they really shine. And better yet? Make your own! House & Home Ads House and Garden Fashion Magazine Garden Decorating Fine Garden Magazine Home Decor Magazine Featured Articles What is Blossom End Rot? 7 Best Glass Cleaners All About Daybeds What do Fish Eat? Should You Boycott BP? Still Time to Grow Lettuce   More from About.com Plan a Unique Vegas Wedding The minister, music and champagne are just the beginning -- why not get married aboard a helicopter or have a pirate swing in to deliver your rings? Arrrr! More> Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Rejuvenate Your Home

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Fall is a time for rejuvenation - not the spring-cleaning kind when you tend to declutter your home - but a time to make a fresh start with changes around the house. Like new colors, both inside and out, and revamping rooms and decor that have grown a little tired from the hot summer months. Top 10 Painting Tips and Tricks I'm a terrible painter. But just because I tend to get more paint on the floors than the walls doesn't mean I should give up just yet. Not after coming across this article on how to apply paint perfectly. Give Your Home's Exterior a Facelift The outside of our house looks pretty much the way I feel - limp and tired and burnt from the endless sun. So while I take some much-needed time out in the bath, I've given my husband this article on how to revamp our worn exterior - the house's, that is... 10 Components of a Beautiful Yard The yard is the next thing on our fall rejuvenation list. While we should have tackled this in the spring, autumn is a perfect time to revamp our front yard and turn it into the envy of the neighborhood. Give Your Home a Loft-Like Makeover I love lofts. They're roomy and open and exude an air of city-chic and sophistication. But our house is far from loft-like. In fact, it's more barn-like. But this article inspired me to look beyond our house's structure to the decor - features I can definitely do something about. House & Home Ads House and Garden Fashion Magazine Garden Decorating 944 Magazine Gardening Magazines Featured Articles Back-to-School Crafting DIY Swimming Pool & Spa Cleaning 10 Common Lawn Care Mistakes Housewares Everyone Should Have Plan a Housewarming Party Herbal Fly Repellent   More from About.com Plan a Unique Vegas Wedding The minister, music and champagne are just the beginning -- why not get married aboard a helicopter or have a pirate swing in to deliver your rings? Arrrr! More> Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Home Buying and Selling Mortgage Rates at 50-Year Low How to Do a Short Sale Where to Get a Mortgage Advertisement

About House & Home: It's (Almost) Back-to-School Time

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor With just a month left of summer freedom, there's a lot to do to prepare kids for the upcoming year, including getting the latest school gear, purchasing just the right dorm room furniture and making sure your kids are organized and ready to be back in the classroom. Let the countdown begin. Essential Back-to-School Gear For me, going back to school means shopping for new backpacks, pencil cases and lunch boxes. But did you know that certain types of paper could cause unnecessary eye strain? Me either! Get Your Kids Organized My nephew is completely disorganized. To help him get organized, my sister thought it would be a good idea to have him come up with a reasonable schedule for the upcoming school year. Of course, the first thing my nephew scheduled was time-off for good behavior. Back to School Laundry Even though summer is usually the messiest month, what with ice cream drips, grass stains and fruit juice spills, school brings a whole new crop of stains that you never knew existed. Like the time my nephew used correction fluid to draw a Tyrannosaurus Rex on his new pair of jeans. Dorm Room Furniture Essentials My first dorm room contained a bed, a lamp and a desk that looked like something I used in first grade. My roommate, who'd anticipated the antiquated furniture that comes with most college dorms, had brought with her all the things a freshman needs. Like furniture that holds together when you sit on it. House & Home Ads Cool Kids Clothes Dorm Room Bedding Going Back to School Kids Bounce House Kids Backpacks Featured Articles 14 Summer Scrapbook Page Layouts Before You Buy A House How to Stop Constant Meowing Plan a Party in the Great Outdoors Summer Tree Care Prevent Fires in the Home   More from About.com Plan a Unique Vegas Wedding The minister, music and champagne are just the beginning -- why not get married aboard a helicopter or have a pirate swing in to deliver your rings? Arrrr! More> Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About House & Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement