DIY

exploring a Home Design Store

| kristencastillo

I write often about home decor and design so it was inspiring to go to a Home Depot Design center,  here in San Diego.  There are only three The Home Depot Design Centers — one stop shops for kitchen and bath design — in the country.  

They recently invited me to attend their “festive fete” and it was a dream for anyone who loves decor and design. There were so many colors and options for household appliances from stoves and pizza ovens to washing machines and refrigerators, to cabinetry, and draw pulls, bathroom hardware, and more. 

One of my faves? The working wall display of shower heads demonstrating water pressure for various models. So visual and fun!

How many times have been shopping for household items and wonder how well they actually work!? This lets shoppers test the household items before buying.

The celebration included getting a custom wreath, made right in front of me.

How to keep pests out of your garden

| kristencastillo

It’s National Gardening Day. My Creators Syndicate article has tips on how to keep pests out of your garden.

Here’s an excerpt:

“‘Garden pests seem to make it their mission to undo all of our hard work,'” says Marjory Wildcraft, the founder and owner of The Grow Network, noting that signs of pests include wilted leaves, black spots, shriveled growth and bumps on fruits.

“Be on the lookout for these garden foes: caterpillars that eat foliage, stems and stalks; mealybugs, which suck the sap and the life out of plants and cause them to develop moldy leaves; and slugs and snails, which prefer low-hanging plants with damp soil in shady areas and eat holes in plant leaves.”

Read the full article below:

https://www.creators.com/special-sections/spring-lawn-and-garden-2022/319755

Make Your Own “Snow” Day

| kristencastillo

If your kids are bored this holiday season, here’s a fun activity: making “snow” at home. Warning: this can get messy so I recommend doing it outside or in an area that’s easy to clean.

My son, who is in second grade, did this activity recently as homework. It only requires two ingredients – baking soda and hair conditioner. I recommend using cheap conditioner or even conditioner you’ve gotten while traveling.

Here’s the recipe: mix 2 1/2 cups of baking soda with 1/2 cup hair conditioner. Then let your kids smush it together. You can mold it into snowmen or simply use it as a wintery backdrop, which is what we did.

Enjoy your snow day!