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    The Most Regrettable Decorating Mistake You Can Make

    There are plenty of opportunities to make mistakes in life. And yes, many that *could* be made while decorating your home.Maybe you’ve made a few blunders yourself! I know I have.So what is the most regrettable decorating mistake you’ve ever made?Painting a room the wrong color?Ordering a sofa that is too big or too small for your intended room?Buying a free standing cabinet that won’t fit up the stairs?So many possibilities.
    I happen to think one of the most regrettable mistakes we can make in our own home is simply not following our heart.
    Maybe we aren’t inspired in our home because we:
    worry too much about what others will think of our choices.
    followed the style or advice of someone else and chose things that didn’t really speak to us.
    make choices for our room based on what we think is the safest option
    fear making a mistake
    don’t know how to pull together what speaks to us.
    stay paralyzed or stuck in a rut and don’t make changes at all.

    When we make decisions based on peer-pressure, fear or worry, our home probably doesn’t speak to our heart.
    Sure, even when we follow our heart it’s possible to make mistakes. And maybe lots of them! Hahah! BUT THAT IS OK! Most design mistakes aren’t fatal. PRAISE HANDS! Having fun with our home and trying things is how we can discover what works for us, what we love and what speaks to us. Mistakes could cost money, so definitely on major purchases, it’s wise to give it some good thought before you place an order. But most mistakes are not impossible to correct, so don’t fear!
    Oftentimes misstep turns into a happy accident. Mistakes can give us the opportunity to get creative or try something unexpected that we end up loving even more than our original idea.
    Taking a risk or trying something different can lead us to have a home that speaks deeply to us.
    When we put our heart and soul into being creative and not worrying so much, it brings us more JOY.
    A home you love takes time, but let it be an enjoyable process.
    A home that sparks more joy and connection is worth taking a risk on, don’t you think?
    A couple of things for you today:Speaking of sparking joy, the beautiful wood and glass diffuser you’ve seen in my home (the ARIA) IS BACK in STOCK for new members. It’s only while supplies last (and won’t return for at least a month due to Covid limitations) so you’ll want to grab it quick if/while it’s still available! I’ve got fall oil samples to send to new members, too!! Get the Aria Diffuser premium starter kit here.

    If you’re already my YL member and you didn’t get my fall recipe cards recently, let me know in the comments and I’ll send you some happy mail!
    What are some decorating mistakes you’ve made? Did any of them turn into a happy accident? I want to know!
    PS. I’ll share a happy decorating story with you in a week or so, it was an unexpected situation but but I LOVE IT!
    Photos: House & Home
    Related blog posts:
    Make Your Home Your Own
    How to Decorate: The Slow Process to a Style You’ll Love
    Catch up on my 2020 Fall Nesting Series:
    Tips to Decorate Your Fall Living Room
    Cozy Fall Throw Blankets
    My Favorite Fall Decor in My Cozy Fall Shop
    14 Ideas for a Cozy Fall Kitchen
    Make Your Home the Coziest It Can Be (3 Take Away Tips)
    Fall Puttering Playlist
    Cozy Self-Care Corner Must-Haves
    Four Essential Home Making Practices for Every Season
    Fall Nesting and Doormats
    How to Dwell Well This Fall
    How to Decorate with Faux Fall FoliageTimeless Pieces for Your HomeHospitality and Joy are Not Cancelled (Decorate your Porch)How to Make Your Home Smell Cozy and Inviting
    How to Create a Memorable Fall Home + Cozy Diffuser Blends More

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    Marie Kondo’s New Virtual Class Is Here to Get Your Home in Order

    If your home has been brimming with clutter for far too long, Marie Kondo’s latest foray just might help you. The popular organizer, who stands by ridding your space of everything that fails to spark joy, has just launched an online course that’s available on her site, KonMari.com, for just $39.99.
    While Kondo has already garnered an impressive fan base with her organizing books and hit Netflix show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, that showcases real people tidying under her guidance, she’s hoping to win over those who prefer a more direct teaching style. “When you reassess your belongings and organize your home, you set the stage for a huge transformation,” Kondo tells Good Housekeeping.

    Organizing expert Marie Kondo
    KonMari Media, Inc.

    The KonMari Method™: Fundamentals of Tidying online course includes 10 lessons, where Kondo breaks down exactly how to tackle different tidying tasks throughout a home. She’ll share step-by-step instructions, practical tips, and, of course, tons of visual inspiration to make organizing as stress-free as possible. Plus, there are product recommendations as well as a downloadable checklist along the way.
    “People are spending more time than ever at home, so this course is an opportunity to help them tidy up and rediscover their joy,” Kondo says. “Rather than a dreaded task, I see tidying as a celebration. It’s an act of gratitude for the items that support you every day – and the first step to living the life you’ve always wanted. It is my hope that the magic of tidying will help people to create a bright and joyful future – especially during these uncertain times.”
    Ready to give Kondo’s online course a try? Register for it here.
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    8 Myths About Disinfecting, Busted by Cleaning Experts

    [product contentProductId=’3c9ba2b0-6db7-4f2d-af0a-4bb592134478′ mediaId=’d57dea5d-6dac-45b7-b5ee-4aa36cc9f734′ align=’right’ size=’medium’][/product]
    The amount of information swirling out there around the most effective cleaning (and sanitizing, and disinfecting) practices can be dizzying — and often, misleading. What’s likely true is that your home and the surfaces in it aren’t getting the thorough clean you think they are.While strategies for cleaning are aplenty, one way to take guesswork out of the equation is to stock products that are a one-two punch, like Weiman Disinfectant Granite & Stone Wipes. But you also need to know how to use them appropriately.
    To squash the most common misconceptions around sanitizing and disinfecting, we consulted with resident cleaning expert Carolyn Forte, director of the Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute to help us bust some cleaning myths.
    Myth: Sanitizing is the same as disinfecting.
    Though commonly used synonymously, cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are three separate things, says Forte. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), cleaning removes any visible dirt, dust, and debris from a surface by washing and rinsing, typically with soap and water, but it does not automatically disinfect.
    [image id=’47a15e94-c699-48f2-b96b-f0ffa316146b’ mediaId=’e4246df2-a149-4988-8f04-c984470f0dd1′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’1×1′][/image]
    Sanitizing mitigates the risk of illness by reducing some of the bacteria identified on a product’s label.
    And if you want to be truly thorough, you’ll need to disinfect, which kills most of the bacteria and viruses identified on a product’s label.
    Myth: All cleaning products disinfect.
    Check your products, says Forte. Read the fine print on the label closely. If you’re still not sure, look for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number on the label, says Forte. Then, type that number into the agency’s database for specifics on what type of bacteria and viruses are in its crosshairs.
    Myth: If a sanitizer or disinfectant is effective enough, it can cut through layers of dirt.
    [image id=’974ef69b-cae3-4d8f-87a5-6bad57cf9b19′ mediaId=’3ee43935-918b-4d6f-a35d-3188ac3af774′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]
    To adequately sanitize or disinfect a dirty surface, it needs a quick wipe down first. Always check the instructions on the packaging for specifics. Weiman Disinfectant Granite & Stone Wipes, for example, suggests cleaning (soap and water will do just fine!) any visibly dirty surfaces prior to disinfecting.
    Myth: Plant-based cleaners don’t work.
    When used properly, plant-based disinfectants can be just as effective as chemical cleaners—they just might work more slowly, says Forte. But, like chemical-based cleaners, not all formulas are created equally. Again, look for ones approved by the EPA and follow package instructions closely.
    Myth: Vinegar can kill germs.
    [image id=’26b7132f-9915-4e8f-96ad-b63f5fd31b44′ mediaId=’4a2db878-2c5f-4f8f-8285-39bb808c2a03′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]
    According to the CDC and NSF (a public health and safety organization), though vinegar is a suitable cleaner — remember, that means it’s adequate for removing anything visible from a surface — vinegar and vinegar-based cleaning products are not registered with the EPA as disinfectants. Furthermore, the effectiveness of these household solutions against germs and viruses hasn’t been proven. To ensure you’re properly disinfecting, opt for registered products instead.
    Myth: A bleach and water solution can be used for days or weeks to disinfect.
    So you’ve whipped up bleach and water solution to tackle all of those dirty spots in your home, but wound up with extra? Toss it. (You can safely dispose of these small amounts of bleach by pouring it down the sink while the water runs.) “A fresh solution needs to be made each time you want to use it,” says Forte. “Once mixed with water, bleach loses its effectiveness after about a day.”
    Myth: Disinfecting products work instantaneously.
    [image id=’827b6551-f289-4f05-9fd6-2cb0698199d2′ mediaId=’b864baa2-0253-4d1e-9185-aed5c6506fd4′ align=’center’ size=’medium’ share=’false’ caption=” expand=” crop=’original’][/image]
    Proper disinfecting takes time. No matter what product you use, it’s essential to check the product directions for how long hard, non-porous surfaces must stay wet for the most effective germ killing, says Forte. Weiman Disinfectant Granite & Stone Wipes, for example, kill 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria touted on the label, including Influenza A Virus H1N1 and Respiratory Syncytial (RSV)—but only if the surface in question remains wet for four minutes.
    Myth: Soft surfaces, like pillows and upholstery, can be disinfected.
    “Disinfectants work only on hard, non-porous surfaces,” says Forte. “Many are safe to use on soft surfaces and do kill germs, but they sanitize, not disinfect.” Remember: Sanitizers do reduce your risk of exposure, but not as thoroughly as disinfectants do.
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    Drew Barrymore's Flower Home Fall Collection Just Dropped on Walmart's Site

    Drew Barrymore launched a daily talk show last week, but that hasn’t stopped the star from keeping her FLOWER Home collection for Walmart at the top of consumers’ minds. The stylish furniture and home decor line’s fall offerings just dropped on Walmart.com, and as to be expected, every item reflects Barrymore’s vibrant, boho aesthetic. And like previous home releases, she turned to everyday wonders to fuel her creative process. “Inspiration comes from everywhere,” Barrymore said in a press release. “Something that you love in life can become something you love in your home. Curate your love of life and live right in it.”
    From colorful botanical prints to eye-catching abstract patterns, the eclectic FLOWER Home collection for the new season includes peel-and-stick wallpaper designs, plus an impressive assortment of seating, tables, lighting, curtains, wall art, ceramics, and much more. And the best part is that Barrymore’s collection won’t blow your budget at all. For instance, you can find a set of rattan storage baskets for $45, a wood console table for $299, a floral apron for $12 — just to name a few great pieces.

    Courtesy of FLOWER Home

    You might think the reasonable price points mean the star had to be willing to sacrifice quality, but that isn’t the case, according to Barrymore. “My design process is that I care about every detail … every color-way, every pattern, and every shape,” she said.Barrymore’s attentiveness shows. Just about every trendy product in the FLOWER Home collection can easily be mixed and matched with items in your existing space, making them perfect for a simple fall home refresh. Take a look below at some of our favorite pieces in the new FLOWER Home line for fall.

    Shop Drew Barrymore’s FLOWER Home Collection for Fall

    The Enchanting Aviary Table Lamp
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $79.00

    Carved Wood Storage Cabinet
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $299.00

    Mid-Century Accent Chair
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $299.00

    Antique Brass Arch Floor Lamp
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $120.00

    Rattan Oval Wall Mirror
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $69.00

    Rattan 3 Tier Hanging Basket
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $34.00

    Gallant Green Ombre Glass Drinkware
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $25.00

    Butterfly Metal 5″x7″ Photo Frame
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $22.00

    Vintage Palm Shower Curtain
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $25.00

    Vintage Floral Chair Cushion
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $13.00

    Vintage Floral Yellow Peel & Stick Wallpaper
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $35.00

    Vintage Palm Green Peel & Stick Wallpaper
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $35.00

    Sapphire Scalloped Tassel Napkin Set
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $24.00

    Tropical Toile Bird Appetizer Plate Set
    Drew Barrymore Flower Home walmart.com
    $16.00

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