Did you know that bleaching clothes can be possible without the use of any bleaching agent?

During the time of Moses, Cleopatra, Jesus Christ, and other people of old times, there was no bleaching powder for clothes. But how did they clean and bleach the clothes, papers and other materials? Simply wet the cloth and place it under the sun. Before it dries, pour or splash water several times. Although the whole process may take about four hours, the water vapor and sunlight will produce enzyme that removes stain and brings the cloth back to its original color. In this way, no toxic or chemical pollutants are produced.

A little bit old school but isn’t it a brilliant idea?

From there I started building my small dream for this small place. It’s pretty fascinating. I feel like I am just playing a doll house.

Over time, I fill each room with necessary fixtures and furniture. Before in my living room alone, there was just a single rack, a 21 inch television set on it my PC table and a white mono-block bench.

Also before I used to just crash to my mom’s kitchen each time I need my tummy stuffed. But I realized I’m under a weight-loss management program and designing my own meal plan can only be possible if I do it myself. Over at moms I can only grab what’s available. That cannot be. I have to be consistent. I figure I need to provide myself ways to do that and so I’ve created this mini kitchen – equipped with necessary kitchen tools plus I also bought this new small fridge where I can stuff my own supplies.

Can you imagine how narrow my living room space has become now?

What if I tell you I just added this new corner set in it?

Then I can finally say I’m done adding things up! For my living room, that is.

Back in he days my late father is fond of growing fruit bearing trees including several variety of banana trees but we lost most of them when Ma and Pa decided to move to another place– our current home. When he died in 2003 my little brother assumed his fascination and was able to grow different fruit trees in our yard. We have two durian trees that are set to bear fruits next year, rambutan ( a pinoy version of Lychee), the solo variety of papaya, guava, kalamansi and of course the two varieties of banana – the sweet silk (tundan as they locally call it) and cardava banana.

Back to banana… each time a tree bears fruit we never fail to feast on it. My brother loves to cook as much as he loves to raise fruit trees.

It is Sunday and kids are gathered up all around and so he made us a platter of this fried bananas for our afternoon snacks. Hmm… treats like this is best savored especially when served hot and fresh out from the pan. Kids love it crystal white sugar coated while we adults like it buttered before dipping it into sugar. Oh, and with coffee on the side.

Another popular banana snack or dessert dish which we also do occassionally is called minatamis na saging (sweetened banana).  It is banana plantains boiled in coconut milk and caramel sauce. Will talk more about this dish on a separate blog post soon.

11. Get the fresh breezy feel with light pastels. Stronger, darker hues bring sophistication, but it also provides warmth to a large space, making it more intimate and cozy.
12. Open up a room with curtains. Those that hang from the ceiling and drops all the way to the floor adds height to a room.

13. Bring nature in. Have potted plants in the living room; flowers on your bedroom nightstand and fruits or vegetables displayed on the kitchen table.

14. Get soft and luxurious bedroom linens. Not only is it visually appealing, but it also gives you a feeling of warmth and comfort at first touch.

15. What’s on your home office desk? Add little aspirations such as pictures from your recent trips with your family or a coffee mug that reminds you of your happy memory.

16. Choose textures that relax the senses. A tiled floor feels cold to the feet but rugs or wooden floors have the opposite effect. Expensive bedspreads are worth it because it makes you want to curl up and escape the stress of the day.

17. A bedroom retreat doesn’t mean no colors or patterns. Introduce them through pillows and bolsters and sheets that pick up the colors in your bedroom.

18. Add area rugs to your floor. Along with floor pillows, they breathe new life into any room, and they can also define spaces.

19. Perk up your furniture. Add washable slip covers or throw blankets on a sofa’s backrest. Put cushions on wooden chairs to give it a move comfy look.

20 Toss or donate everything that you don’t need. Find a place for everything that’s left so it’ll be easier to clean up. And don’t buy new things unless you absolutely need them. Check out the The Three Box Strategy.

21. Clear your house of clutter. Start with surfaces – from the coffee table to the nightstand to that bedroom chair. Clean surfaces act as balm on the brain. It’s soothing, especially when you’re stressed.

22. Go for furnishings with clean lines. There’s no visual clutter so the eyes aren’t distracted. Plus slender furniture makes the room feel spacious.

23. Scent your room with essential oils. Relaxing scents like bergamot, chamomile and lavender. Buy potpourri or make your own air freshener. Ina spray bottle with 50ml water put a drop or two of your favorite oils and spray.

24. Install under cabinet lights. It brightens dark counter top spaces, making puttering in the kitchen a pleasant exercise and forces you to keep your kitchen tops clean and clutter-free.

25. Go for blue. Color therapy experts say it has a calming and relaxing effect. It affects the autonomic nervous system, the part that operates without your conscious control to lower the heart rate and blood pressure, and slows the breathing.

26. Display wall art in a grid. The center arrangement and the even spacing create an orderly look. If you feel it’s too formal, mix it up with different sizes or style.

27. Finally, mix and match colors with restraint.

In her book, The Organized Life, Stephanie provides tips, checklists and easy to follow guidelines for organizing not just your home but every part of your life as well. For controlling clutter, which she defines “whatever gets in your way”, she offers the three box strategy.

1. Label three boxes: “KEEP”, “NOT SURE”, “TOSS”.

2. Quickly sort items into appropriate boxes.

3. Whenever an item slows you down, that’s your cue it belongs in the “not sure” box.

4. When you finish this rapid sort, put the “Keep” items back where they belong.

5. Get rid of whatever landed in “Toss” – donate or sell.

6. Steer clear of this area for a week.

7. Return and repeat the process with the “Not Sure” items. You’ll find you’re mentally ready to put some of last week’s “Not Sure” into the “Toss” box.

8. Use this process as many times as necessary until you’re satisfied with the amount you’ve discarded.