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CIARAN O’NEILL

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Ciaran O’Neill

CREATING A WELL ORGANIZED KITCHEN Whether you're whipping up a gourmet meal for friends and family or simply reheating leftovers, a well-organized kitchen makes everything easier. Making your kitchen more functional doesn’t always require a full remodel—sometimes, all it takes is optimizing what you already have to create a kitchen that truly works for you. As far as layout goes, you’re probably not going to be able to change a lot, but additions like a credenza or hutch for extra storage and serving space can keep the essentials within reach and the not-so-essential items stored away without creating clutter on the countertops. Drawer and cupboard organizers can be instrumental in keeping everything easily accessible and prevent your most commonly used tools from getting lost. Stick to grouping similar items together to not only cut down on visual clutter, but also to help you know what you’re running out of when putting together a grocery list. Using clear containers and baskets helps you see at a glance what you’re looking for and investing in a label maker is a common suggestion from professional organizers as well. Once everything in your kitchen has a home, you’ll want to ensure you have adequate lighting throughout helping you find what you’re looking for as well as create a more open and airy feeling to the room.

780.445.8109 • ciaran.oneill@century21.ca

Ciaran O’Neill

7 TIPS FOR MAKING MOVING DAY A LITTLE EASIER Moving is exciting but also quite stressful. No matter how much you plan ahead and organize everything to the last detail, something is bound to pop up and cause you to pivot one way or another. To help mitigate what could possibly go wrong, here is a list of

tips from movers you may find helpful. 1. Take pictures. Before you unplug your electronics or start packing your favourite photo shelf, take a picture so you can refer to it when setting it back up at your new home. 2. Label and colour code boxes by room for easy unpacking, but also list what's in each or take a photo of the box before sealing so you can easily find items. 3. Use things you own as moving boxes - garbage cans, suitcases and laundry baskets have to move too, so fill them up with possessions so you're not moving them empty.

4. Measure furniture and doors at your new place to ensure your pieces will be able to make it into the new place with ease. 5. Use linens, towels, blankets, etc. to

wrap delicate pieces, dishes and awkward shaped decor items.

6. When you disassemble furniture, store all the hardware in a sealable bag, label it and tape it to the furniture it belongs to. 7. Try to be packed prior to moving day with the exception of your essentials so

you're not dealing with last minute packing headaches and can instead focus on moving. 780.445.8109 • ciaran.oneill@century21.ca

Ciaran O’Neill

REPAIRING YOUR LAWN BY OVERSEEDING Overseeding is a common way of fixing a lawn that has seen better days. While spring is typically the best time to overseed, late summer can also work especially if you're trying to boost your curb appeal before selling or you’ve recently moved into a new home with a patchy yard. Follow these five steps to bring your lawn back to life: 1. Before planting, prepare the lawn so the seeds have a good foundation for growth. Start by mowing the lawn (bag the clippings) then give it a good rake to remove any dead grass or debris. If you want, now would also be a good time to aerate the lawn. 2. Once your lawn is prepared, spread compost or enriched soil to create an even layer for the seed to be planted in. It doesn't have to be a lot; a quarter of an inch is enough for seeds to germinate. 3. Fertilize with a starter fertilizer designed to boost growth in brand-new grass. 4. Once the soil and fertilizer are applied, it’s time for seeds. Experts suggest mixing a few different types of grass seeds to create a more adaptable lawn but you can always consult your local gardening center to see what's available and grows best in your area. 5. Water the overseeded area daily for at least a week, keeping the soil consistently moist to encourage germination. Avoid walking on the newly seeded areas until the grass has grown to match the height of your existing lawn.

780.445.8109 • ciaran.oneill@century21.ca

Ciaran O’Neill

DRYING HERBS FOR YEAR LONG USE When planting herbs in the garden or even a container on the balcony, it's easy to grow more than you can consume by the end of the season. A great way to preserve the freshness, and to harness a strong flavour, is to dry them for use throughout the coming months. Herbs like oregano, thyme, lavender and rosemary can be dried by simply tying a bunch together and hang them upside down in a dry, dark and cool place. They're good to go when they crumble easily. If you're not patient enough to use that method, or don't have a dry, dark and cool place to hang herbs for a few weeks, then you can use your oven. Simply place the leaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them on the lowest setting until the leaves start to crumble. Herbs with a higher moisture content, like basil, mint, parsley and cilantro can be dried in the oven or a food dehydrator. Storing the dried herbs requires air tight jars or containers and a pantry or cupboard where they won't be exposed to sunlight. Dried herbs should last about a year when stored properly, but always give them a sniff test before use as they lose their smell when they're starting to lose their flavour. Dried herbs have more flavour than fresh, so remember to adjust your favourite recipes accordingly.

780.445.8109 • ciaran.oneill@century21.ca