About House & Home: Stay Cool as the Summer Heats Up

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Last week, I complained about the cool temps and torrential downpours we've been receiving. But after talking to my sister, who lives on the East Coast, I take back most of my complaints. With record-breaking heatwaves, humidity so thick she can barely breathe, and pollution rates at an all time high, I dedicate this week's newsletter to her and all our readers who are trying to keep their cool in the grueling summer heat. Keep Cool Without Air Conditioning My sister and I reminisced about the summer when we shared an apartment and spent 10 consecutive nights sleeping on the small balcony that barely held us both, all because the building's air conditioning system had shut down. While we all depend on AC, there are times when it's just not available - like at the office picnic or an outdoor wedding - and that's why you need to read this article. See More About:  air conditioning  ceiling fans  swimming pools How to Manage Your Lawn in a Drought Humans aren't the only ones to suffer in the heat, our gardens, trees and all things green depend on rain to be at their best. So, what do you do to keep your lawn healthy during a drought? Find out. See More About:  lawn maintenance  lawn care techniques  building a healthy lawn Heat Stroke First Aid Worrying that their kitties might develop heat stroke, my nephew uses a wet sponge to soak the cats' fur then places them in front of a fan. While pets can suffer from heat stroke just like people, their symptoms are more difficult to diagnose. Check out this great article that covers everything from causes to symptoms to cure - all in one place. See More About:  heat stroke  puppy first aid  62 Water-Saving Ideas for Outside Your House Most cities enforce water bans during heatwaves, and that means we each need to conserve as much as possible. Of course, we should be trying to save water even when we're not experiencing a drought and this article provides easy ways to do just that. Like collecting water from the roof to use on the garden or using a tuna can to measure your sprinkler's output - brilliant! See More About:  drought tolerant  water conservation landscaping  water-wise pathways House & Home Ads Bathroom Design Bathroom Ideas Bathroom Tile Lawn Maintenance Heat Stroke Symptoms Featured Articles Make Your Apartment Look and Feel Bigger The 9 Best Scrapbook Pages of Summer 2011 What is the Hawthorne Effect? Start a Home Decor Business How to Keep Bees Easy Urban Garden Ideas   More from About.com 10 Bathroom Remodels There's nothing worse than a bathroom remodel that looks like it belongs in a gas station. If you're looking for inspiration, you'll find it in these luxe, lush photos. More> Inspired Bathroom Tile Choices New tile can transform your bathroom in countless ways, whether you're looking for a playful, colorful child's bath, a cool and elegant sanctuary, or a bold sophisticated escape. 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 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: DIY Outdoor Projects

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Where we live, our summer is turning out to be a wet, soggy one. Not only do I miss the sun and heat that the rest of the continent is experiencing, but it means that all the outdoor projects I'd planned to do are put on hold until we have a few days without rain. But if you're lucky enough to have a free weekend and the sun is shining bright, here are some DIY projects that will give your home a beautiful summer glow. Refinish Your Wood Deck I used this easy-to-follow guide to refinish our deck last month, when the rains weren't so bad. And I'm so glad I did as I watch the water beading on the redwood planks, knowing my deck will survive the torrential downpours and the scorching sun if we ever get any. See More About:  wood deck refinishing  wood deck staining  power washing a wood deck Paint Your Roof White Have you heard of painting your roof white to save money on electricity bills? It's a very cool idea that will help the planet while making your house look and feel refreshed. See More About:  roofing with asphalt shingles  home remodeling online calculators  how roof pitch affects roofing materials Add Stone to Your Landscaping Last summer we put in a flagstone walkway and planned on adding a stone wall this year. So I was excited to find this comprehensive guide to incorporating stone into your yard. It even comes with some great tips and suggestions. Now, if only the weather would cooperate... See More About:  curb appeal  stone landscaping  hardscape Create Curb Appeal Check out this extensive list of ways to add curb appeal to any home. Some tasks can be done in a couple of hours while others make a great weekend project that the whole family can help with. See More About:  adding curb appeal  house colors  home construction House & Home Ads Outdoor Furniture Outdoor Patios Outdoor Decks Outdoor Design Outdoor Tile Featured Articles Make Your Own Baby Shower Gift 80 Ways to Share Your Cat's Picture What is Integrated Pest Management? Ask Your Laundry Question Save on Movie Tickets A Guide to Organic Wine   More from About.com Romantic Road Photo Gallery Explore the enchanting medieval towns, vineyards, and historical castles of Germany's Romantic Road. More> Guide to Oktoberfest 2011 All the details you need to enjoy the beer, sausage and Bavarian Oompha bands at Germany's best festival. 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 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Prepare Your Home for Summer Guests

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Every summer relatives descend on our home for at least a couple of weeks, usually with a few kids and sometimes even pets, in tow. And for the three weeks prior, every member of our household is stressed by the amount of prep we need to do. Like transforming my husband's office into a spare bedroom and my work area into a restful sleeping space that can hold at least a couple of kids. Help! Guest Room Update on a Budget Our guest bedroom is hideous. It looks like a first-year dorm room with it's icky green walls and mismatched furniture. I've tasked my husband with updating this space. At first he protested, until I sent him this article - now he can't wait to get started. See More About:  planning a guest space  bedroom decor  lighting 5 Essentials for a Guest Room When my husband began the room makeover, he couldn't check off even one of the five essentials on this list. Now I feel sorry for guests who visited us last year - no wonder my sister looked so tired. See More About:  guestroom furniture  decorating rooms  9 Ways to Clean When You're Hosting Guests The probability of guests arriving is always enough motivation for our family to do a thorough clean. But this year, because of our hectic schedules and a recent change to our relatives' schedule (they're arriving sooner rather than later), we need an easy guide to getting our home spic and span. See More About:  entertaining  holiday guide  How to Adjust the Shower Head for Tall Relatives I'm tall. I don't usually fit under most shower heads. But until I read this article, I didn't realize that our own shower head should be adjusted before my brother-in-law arrives. According to this guide, it isn't too difficult to do and believe me, your tall relative will thank you - profusely. See More About:  bathroom fixtures  bathroom repairs  diy plumbing House & Home Ads Shower Kids Summer Camps Summer Dresses Bedroom Office Space Featured Articles Before You Adopt a Puppy How to Grow Tomatoes 10 Tips for Designing a Home Office DIY Mini Scrapbooks Summer Tree Care Gardening Warm-up Exercises   More from About.com Career Quizzes Not sure what you want to do when you grow up? Take a career quiz to see if your dream job is a good fit for your interests and skills. More> Self Assessments No quiz can magically tell you what to do with the rest of your life, but a combination of self assessment tools can help you decide. 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 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement

About House & Home: Summer Wedding Celebrations

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House & Home From Diane Schmidt, your About House & Home Editor Summer is the time for all things bridal. Whether you're reciting your vows in front of family and friends or throwing rice and offering best wishes, we have what you need to make the most of summer weddings. How to Choose Flowers When I got married, I didn't choose my flowers very carefully. I'd forgotten that my best friend, and the only person standing up with me, was allergic to the lilacs that comprised my bridal bouquet. I suppose it made a memorable ceremony, but I just wish I'd made a better, and less sneeze-inducing, choice. Get Inspired: Kate Middleton's Hand Embroidered Dress If you need a little inspiration as you hunt for that perfect dress, or if you're just a little curious as to the details on Kate's wedding attire, look no further. These photos and descriptions are enough to make a girl's heart race. See More About:  hand applique  quilt patterns  sew and turn applique Unique Wedding Gifts We're attending four weddings this summer with three out of the four brides being related. This means they'll be comparing notes to see if we gave them the same gift. But with this helpful and extensive list of unique gift ideas I'm bound to find something perfect for each happy couple. See More About:  appliances  coffee and tea  cutlery and knives Should You Buy a Home Before Marriage? While this article might not help you plan your upcoming nuptials, it does offer some practical and useful advice for those of you exchanging vows in the near future. For anyone about to tie the knot and contemplating a new mortgage, I'd highly recommend reading this first. See More About:  first-time home buyers  real estate agents  home inspections House & Home Ads Wedding Planning a Wedding Unique Wedding Ideas Jewish Wedding Music Sample Wedding Vows Featured Articles Eco-friendly House Paint Are Old Kitchen Tools Worth Anything? What to Name Your Fish Garage Door Repairs and Maintenance How to Troubleshoot HDMI Connections What's that Weed?   More from About.com Healthcare Careers Have you been dreaming of working in the medical field? Here are a few things to consider before moving forward with your career plan. More> Medical Job Search From clarifying your goals to successfully interviewing, these six steps can help you obtain a rewarding and profitable medical career. 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 © 2011 About.com   Advertisement