The Ultimate Pitch List

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Are you getting frustrated with your home being messy? You know that you need to clean it out, but do not know what exactly to pitch. Do not worry anymore, because we have created the ultimate pitch list for your house!

Old Beauty Products

Makeup has an expiration date and tends to expire rather quickly. Expired makeup and beauty products can be harmful to the health of your skin. Here is what to do:

  • Pitch and replace any mascara that you have had longer than three months.
  • Pitch and replace foundation and concealer a year from the purchase date.
  • Pitch and replace your lipsticks, eyeshadows, and blushes two years after the purchase date.

Spices

We use spices for their flavor and aroma, but some of your spices may have begun getting dull. Here is what to do:

  • Go through your spices and sniff the older ones. If you notice that they do not hold a scent anymore, pitch them.
  • Also, throw away any spices that you notice do not have flavor while you are cooking.

Junk Mail

Mail can begin to pile up quickly. We tend to receive unnecessary mail and magazines that never get sorted. Here is what to do:

  • Sort through all of your current and past mail. Make piles to distinguish which mail you need to keep and which mail you need to pitch.

Linens

Over the years, homeowners begin to obtain more and more linens. You do not need to keep all the linens you have ever owned. Here is what to do:

  • Go through your linen closet and only keep two per bed. By doing this, you will always be using one set of linens, and you will always have one clean set.

Old Toys

Toy bins can become overfull with unused toys. Cleaning your family’s toy bin can make your current situation less hectic, and new purchases feel less unnecessary. Here is what to do:

  • Sort through your family’s toy bin and find all the toys that you do not need.
  • Toys that are overused, dull, and outgrown can be pitched or given away.
  • Do not keep toys that have broken parts, because they may be hazardous.

The Fridge

Clear off the inside and outside of your refrigerator. Here is what to do:

  • Notes, photos, mail, and reminders pile up on the outside of our refrigerator and most times, we do not even read what is there.
  • Clear off everything from your refrigerator and buy a mini chalkboard for family reminders. If you compile all the messages onto the chalkboard, it will leave room for your fridge to do what it does best.
  • Also, pitch any old and expired food from your fridge.

This list is a simple start to cleaning out your home. Notice we said: start. The journey to getting your home the way you want it begins here. Stay tuned for more information on how to clean out your house. Thanks for reading!

Super Bowl Sunday Party Dip Ideas

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You have invited all your friends and bought decorations for the house, but there is still one thing you are struggling with–what food are you going to serve? The food for the evening can be one of the most time-consuming tasks of throwing a party. We want to help you not spend as much time in the kitchen during this party. Our solution is for you to serve dips. Dips can be served with a variety of food options and can be quite filling. Switch up your party’s food routine and choose to serve a varied selection of dips.

French Onion Dip

This dip is a classic, to say the least. French onion dip has earned a place in many hearts from its bold and flavor-filled taste. This dip can be paired with toasted cheesy bread or crackers.

Pizza Dip

There is nothing more traditional than a good, old fashion pizza dip. Party-goers will love this flavorful dip, and you can pair it with bread slices or pita bread.

Queso Dip

Can you say YUM? If you are a cheese fan, you will be running to this dip time and time again to delight in its creamy deliciousness. Traditionally, tortilla chips pair well with this dip but try adding some soft pretzel bits around the dish.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

This has become a recent trend at many house parties, and we completely understand why. It has a creamy base with a pleasant, spicy kick to it. This tasty dip pairs well with bread, crackers, tortilla chips, celery, etc.

Guacamole

Nos Gusta!! Include this dip for your party-goers to indulge in its creamy goodness. It pairs well with lime-flavored tortilla chips!

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Let us pretend this one is as healthy as it sounds. This creamy dip will indulge your taste buds and leave guests chatting. Pair this dip with toasted bread or tortilla chips.

Hummus

This dip adds a variety to your selection because it is perfect for your vegetarian and vegan friends. We also want to make sure that there is an option available to everyone and having a hummus dip will definitely help to assure you. Buy an original flavor hummus and separate it into different bowls. In each bowl, add a different topping to add variety and flavor. You can create flavors like a roasted red pepper or garlic-herb hummus. Pair this dip with pita and a selection of raw vegetables (celery, carrots, broccoli, etc.).

Is there a dip you love to make for parties? Share your favorite dip with us in the comment section.

Strange Hacks that Actually Work

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Are you looking for natural ways to solve your common household problems? Well, look no further. With just a dryer sheet and tablespoon of baking soda, you can make these problems disappear.

Dryer Sheets:

1. Dried Paint on Brush:

We all have a tough time removing dried-on paint from our brushes, but you do not need to worry anymore with this easy hack! All you need to do is place a dryer sheet at the bottom of bucket and fill the bucket with warm water. Place your paint brushes inside of the bucket and let them sit for about thirty minutes. After thirty minutes, they will be completely clean!

2. Fingerprints on Stainless Steel:

Sometimes it is frustrating to own stainless steel appliances because fingerprints love them as much as we do. You do not need to worry about finding ways to clear off fingerprints anymore because all you need is a dryer sheet. That is right, simply wipe a dryer sheet across your appliance, and the prints will be removed.

3. Pet Hair:

Owning pets is amazing, but you do not necessarily want to display their hair on you everywhere you go. The solution: run a dryer sheet over your clothing and car seats to remove pet hair. Bonus: it will leave you smelling amazing.

4. Stinky Shoes:

Get rid of smelly odors in your shoes by placing a dryer sheet in your shoes while you are at away from home.

5. Dusty Decorations:

If you do not have a duster, that is no problem because dryer sheets once again save the day. Run your dryer sheets over all your decorations for a quick, easy clean.

Baking Soda:

1. Smelly Areas:

If you love to cook, you understand that sometimes certain foods make your hands smell. To remove that icky scent, create a paste of baking soda and warm water. Rub your hands together for about one minute and you will notice a difference. Afterwards, make sure to wash your hands off with warm soap and water.

2. Meat Tenderizer:

If you are looking to tenderize your meat naturally, cover it in baking soda by patting it into the product. Put it in your refrigerator to set for about four hours then rinse off the baking soda before you begin cooking.

3. Cleaner Produce:

We do not want dirt and pesticides on our produce; therefore, baking soda is a simple solution. Take one tablespoon of baking soda and mix it together with a cup of warm water. With a bristle, dip into your paste and begin gently scrubbing away any residue left on the produce. Make sure to rinse away all baking soda with water before you begin cooking.

4. Gross Sponges:

Instead of purchasing new sponges, get rid of stains and odors by placing your sponges in your sink basin with 1/2 cup of baking soda and two quarts of warm water. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes.

We hope you enjoyed these strange hacks that actually work. Do you have any tips for other readers? We would love to hear from you below in the comment section.

Tips for Developing a Realistic Cleaning Schedule

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Do the dishes seem to be piling up lately? Or maybe you have neglected dusting the past couple of weeks. While it is essential to keep a clean house, with a hectic schedule, it can be a challenge to clean your entire home adequately. Well, we have got you covered. Below are some helpful tips to ensure that your house gets thoroughly cleaned:

Schedule It

It is just that simple. Perhaps, the most reliable way to ensure that you clean your home is to put it on your calendar and stick to it. Making a home cleaning schedule for your entire house is important because it makes you feel less stressed and more likely to carry out the assignment. Pencil in an area of the home that you plan on attacking during the week. The key to making sure this method is successful is to create a realistic cleaning schedule. So if you know that you have to work an extra shift on Tuesday, it would not be wise to schedule a hefty cleaning project for that night.

Take Inventory

The only way you can create a realistic cleaning schedule is to take inventory of what exactly needs your attention in your home. Do the closets need to be decluttered? Or maybe you need to dust and clear off the bookshelf. Grab a pen and paper, and walk around your home to determine what needs cleaning.

List The Rooms

What rooms require regular cleaning? Areas of the home like the kitchen, bathroom, and your bedroom probably need frequent cleaning when compared to other rooms in the house. These rooms are used more often. Leave the other areas in the house that you do not occupy as frequently such as the guest bedroom or maybe a formal living room off of your cleaning schedule.  You can implement them in seasonally or when you are expecting to have guests.

Trial Run

Take your cleaning schedule for a trial run by trying your best to stick to it for a month straight.  Limit the time you spend cleaning each area so that you do not overwhelm yourself.

For more great tips and tricks, check out our blog hub at Fulton Homes.

 

 

How to “Make” The Perfect Bed

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There is nothing quite like collapsing in your bed at the end of a busy day. But what if we told you that there was a way that you can make your bed even more comfortable? We believe that the perfect bed setup is not far from your reach. With our tips and tricks, you can make your bed feel like you are spending the night at a five-star hotel. Do not believe us? Check out our tips below to get inspired:

First Things First

To begin, you will want to gather all your linens. The quality and style of your bedding are all up to you, but we suggest selecting something of quality that matches your room’s interior while also being comfortable. The higher the thread count, the higher the luxury. If it is within your budget, opt for a thread count of at least 600. Otherwise, your bedding should include:

  • Plastic/Fabric Mattress Cover
  • Fitted Sheet
  • Flat Sheet
  • Pillows and Pillow Covers
  • Comforter

Crisp & Clean 

As much as you may hate ironing, there is nothing better than wrinkle-free, crisp sheets. Ironing large sheets on a standard small ironing board may be difficult; therefore, you should try covering a table and use the surface to iron out your bedding. You will find that you can effortlessly slide into bed with warmed, wrinkle-free sheets.

Smooth Criminal 

Sometimes, the corners of your mattress can cause the mattress pad to bunch up at the center which makes your sleep feel uncomfortable. To prevent this from happening, you can secure the elastic edges with a safety pin or corner fasteners. In doing so, you will guarantee a budge-free sleep.

The Perfect Fit

The fitted should fit tight. Pull it until it is taut and secure it by tucking the edges underneath the mattress. Remember that you never want your fitted sheet to be too tight or too lose. It may take some trial and error before finding the perfect set for your bed.

The Icing on The Cake

After properly making your bed, make sure you add a cozy comforter to spread over the center. The comforter adds an extra layer of comfort. Plus, your comforter is where you can get creative with different designs and styles. Whatever style you choose, be sure to base it off of your room’s design to create a consistent flow.

What is your favorite aspect of your bed? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.

Fulton Homes: Built Right

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At Fulton Homes, we understand that purchasing a home is an investment.  With real estate on the rise, now is the time to buy; however, finding the perfect home for you can be a daunting task. At Fulton Homes, we take pride in making quality homes to meet your needs and more. Here are three reasons why we believe you should choose Fulton Homes:

Location, Location, Location
An important factor in any house hunt is the location.  Arizona offers a wide variety of diverse cities, suburbs, and rural areas to meet your needs.  Our Arizona homes are carefully placed in locations that are convenient to freeways, shopping centers, and employment areas. We know the area, and we build the perfect communities.

Quality Matters
What really matters in construction is the quality!  Our homes offer high-quality finishes in every aspect.  From our countertops to our floors, we have put together a selection of choices to create your dream home.  Your home should be built to last, and we plan to excel in creating that for you.  We have passed the test of time with our highly respected and well-built communities!  To us, quality matters!

Built Right and Made Easy for You
We believe having your home built should be fun, not an overwhelming process.  We have a design center available in person and on the web for your convenience.  We strive to make your building process is as simple and efficient as possible.   Your time matters and we thrive to make your home design easy.

Consider the many benefits of having your home built by Fulton Homes.  Let us tailor your next home to your needs! Please do not hesitate to call or email us to learn more.  We would love to help you create your dream home.

 

How to Use Tropical Colors in Your Home’s Design

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Summer may feel like a ways away, but before you know it, spring will be making its entrance in March. While we have to wait for winter to end, right now can be a great time to consider redecorating your home in light, airy vacation colors. From bright, sunny yellows, bursts of oranges and lush greens, tropical colors can also be used to warm up your home.

Using tropical hues in your home does not mean that you have to paint your accent walls or other architectural features with vivid colors. Nor do you need to swap out furniture. Instead, when going with a tropical design, less is always more. So what does that mean exactly? Let’s take a look!

Light Fixtures

Swapping out bland or neutral tone lighting fixtures for ones that give a tropical or festive vibe can help add life to your space. Try to find fixtures that feature Carribean hues like orange, coral or canary yellow. You can even get creative and opt for fixtures with organic elements like seashells to truly capture the look. You may be surprised how switching out such a simple decor piece will attract the attention of your visitors.

Accent Pillows and Throws

An easy way you can use tropical colors in your decor is by incorporating pillows and throws that have beachy colors. This is an inexpensive way to make to recreate that lovable vacation-feel in any room.

Beach-Inspired Accessories

If you really want to make a significant impact, you can accessorize different rooms with beach trinkets. Seashells, beads and other island-themed accessories can be used to emphasize the tropical theme; however, you do not want to use a lot of these accessories within one space because it can be overwhelming and distract from other design elements in the room.

Patterns and Textiles

Do not be afraid to use vibrant island colors on your textiles and patterns. You can use tropical colors in your furniture fabrics and even on the floors with an area rug. Be sure to mix and match solids and patterns to create the perfect island look.

What is your favorite part of tropical design? We would love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section.

Must-Try Wall Decorating Ideas

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Your walls structure the overall design of your rooms.  Investing in wall décor can make a massive impact on your room’s overall aesthetics.  Think about it, your walls are like a blank canvas.  You can use them to express yourself and enhance the design of your room.  Do not leave your walls empty and bland.  Try incorporating these simple tricks to your space to spruce up your walls this year:

Tapestry

Your walls can come to life by adding textured and patterned tapestry.  This textile wall decorative can indeed add substantial warmth to your room. In fact, wall tapestry is excellent for insulating your rooms and comes in a wide selection of colors and patterns.  Hanging tapestry is simple, stylish, and easy. You can incorporate a canopy look or even use rods to change up the style seasonally.

Pictures

A picture is worth a thousand words. Photos are great for creating a focal point inside a room.  You can use an image with particular colors that you are trying to highlight within your space.  Consider using a picture that adds to your theme or helps create a statement.  You can even get a large picture for the room or add a bunch of pictures in a gallery wall setting.  The fun, creative ideas are truly endless.  Just be sure to invest in frames that complement your space.  Look for frames that match your woodwork or consider going with neutral frames like black or white.

Shelves

Perhaps, the most functional wall décor you can try to add to your home is shelving.  Shelving is excellent for showcasing décor yet also serves a functional purpose for storage.  Consider floating shelving under your television to store electronics or maybe a bookshelf in your den for reading. These are all great ways to help add to your space, cover a wall, and keep the space functional and beautiful

No matter what route you choose to go, enhancing your walls is the perfect way to spruce up your home’s design.  Just remember to consider your theme and the colors you want to highlight within your space, the rest will follow. Thanks for reading!

 

How to Step Your Entertainment Game

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From family dinners to gathering your friends for a Friday game night, do you often find yourself hosting everything at your house? If so, you know that hosting in your home can sometimes be quite stressful. Like most hosts, you take gatherings at your place serious which is why we are going to show you how to create an atmosphere that is always ready for guests:

Entertaining Outdoors

Do you love entertaining outdoors during the summer months? Well, when you bring the party outdoors, you will need to make sure the backyard is equipped with cozy accessories. Be sure to load up your back patio with items that make your guests want to relax, stay a while even. You can add plush pillows on hard chairs and soft throw blankets to keep your guests warm. You can also light candles on the table tops to set the perfect cozy atmosphere as the sun sets.

In The Kitchen

As the heart of the home, the kitchen is where your guests will feel most at home. If you are planning on having a dinner party, avoid making the prep area off limits. Set out the drinks and platters of food inside your kitchen for your guests to freely enter. Allow them to serve themselves appetizers before the meal starts. By doing so, you do not exclude yourself from the party, but you can interact with guests while you make dinner.

The “Good” China

Think about it, when exactly do you pull out the “good stuff?” It does not have to be a holiday or a black tie event for you to pull out your prized dishware. An intimate gathering is a perfect time to serve your guests with your good china. What better way to make your guests feel special, and get to use your dishware?

Overnight Guests

If you plan on having overnight guests, you should create the ultimate cozy sleepover. It can be done by making sure the guest room and bathroom are well stocked with extra towels, sheets, toiletries, and other supplies.  Keeping the guest quarters well stocked with basic essentials will make them feel comfortable during their stay.

Ample Seating

The one thing that can make or break your an event is not having enough seating. While your guests will likely want to mingle with each other, at some point, they will want to take a seat. Make sure you have seating for at least half of the guests that will be attending your home gathering.

What is your favorite way to entertain? We would love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section.

The Minimalist Challenge

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Does your home life feel a little too cluttered?  Do you struggle with letting go of objects, clothing, and furniture that you do not use?  If so, you may be interested in learning about minimalism. Minimalism is a lifestyle; it does not happen overnight.  You can, however, set small goals to help kickstart your journey.  Becoming a minimalist can have your home feeling cleaner, more spacious, welcoming, and less cluttered.  If you are interested in starting this journey, we put together five places to start with some helpful tricks and tips. Let’s take a look!

The Closet

Our closets can become mayhem of storage and unused clothes.  To begin your journey, separate your clothes into three categories: clothes you frequently wear, clothes that you think you may still want, and clothing you never wear.  The clothing that you think you may want to keep, try putting them in another closet or even donation boxes.  If you do not look to wear it in ninety days, chances are, you will not miss it.  You can donate those clothing items as well.  You can use this trick on shoes as well.  It is a simple trick but an effective way to help slowly clean out your closet.  Try doing this task at least four times a year to reduce unwanted clutter.

The Kitchen and Pantry

The kitchen can quickly become home to expired foods and the notorious “miscellaneous drawer.” Organization is key in the kitchen.  Throw out all of your expired foods, and begin organizing your pantry.  If your home has a “miscellaneous drawer,” try to assign each object a place inside your home. A drawer for everything without a designated spot will not do. Everything in your home needs to have a place in which it belongs. Begin to eliminate household duplicates such as scissors and cooking utensils to clear up more space.

Furniture

Being a minimalist means having a keen eye for functionality. Having a “less is more” mindset when furnishing your home is vital.  Try to use items that serve multiple purposes. Your furniture should serve a purpose, and you want to try to be selective on how much space all your furniture uses.  You do not have to eliminate comfort; however, you should be able to easily justify why every piece of furniture is in a room.

Like we mentioned before, becoming a minimalist is a lifestyle.  It will not just happen overnight, and it will take a cognitive effort daily to improve.

We wish you the best in your minimalist journey! For more great tips and tricks, visit our blog hub.