Winter is in the Air
Ben Feingold | Fabricare Center Owner
The last few months of the year always seem to fly by. It seems like a marathon of holidays, between Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah, and the New Year. Before you know it, we’re packing up our holiday décor, making resolutions, and heading into January.
I try to savor the holiday season each year, knowing how fleeting it is. Now that Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is the next big one on tap. We’ve got family coming in from out of town, so it’ll be a busy week, trying to pack in as much family time and fun as possible. My son’s second birthday is also Thanksgiving week as is Hanukkah, this year. All that being said, we’ll be hosting a lot of celebrations and gatherings for our friends and family at our home this month.
With family coming in, we have lots of prep to tend to around the house. The house needs be cleaned, yard needs to be spruced up, menus need to be picked, and food and gift shopping needs to be done. There is also decorating and planning fun excursions. While we can’t help you with everything on your to-do list, we can definitely take a few things off your plate.
Need us to your refresh your towels and bed linens? We got it. Want to steam and press your table linens (table cloths, runners, placemats, napkins, etc)…no problem, we’re on it. Planning to turn on those outdoor heaters and dust off the fire pit so you can entertain outside? Go ahead and send in your patio cushions, pillows, and outdoor rugs…we’ll take care of them for you.
Bottom line, we can help with all of your dry cleaning and laundry needs during this fun but incredibly busy time of year! This way you have more time for the fun tasks like cooking and shopping, and most of all more time to spend with your loved ones. Early Thanksgiving wishes to you and yours!
Kind regards,
Create a Healthier Home Through Smart Updates
Many homeowners looking to improve their living spaces seek out upgrades that can add visual appeal, improve functionality or increase resale value. However, some updates can also benefit the mental and physical health of those who occupy the space.
While making your home healthier can involve simple steps like decluttering, swapping out cleaning products for natural versions and opening windows to let in more fresh air, there are other projects that can be done to create longer-lasting results. Consider these ideas to create spaces that are not only functional and beautiful but also impart a sense of well-being.
Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
Changing the color of a room can transform your space while also positively impacting your mood. Bright, warm colors like yellow may be uplifting while cooler shades like beige, pale green and soft blue can be soothing. Repainting can also help prevent mold and mildew growth on walls while repelling dust and allergens.
Upgrade Your Flooring
Made of natural materials, hardwood flooring is not only attractive but is a hygienic, easy-to-clean choice. The organic beauty and grain of the wood creates an intrinsic connection to nature. You can set the foundation for your living spaces with an option like artisan-crafted Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. Each floor is handcrafted, one board at a time, from sustainably sourced timbers.
Add Natural Light
If your home lacks adequate natural lighting, adding or replacing windows and skylights can allow more sunlight into your living space. This offers several benefits, including an improved sense of well-being and increased productivity, not to mention the potential cost savings when you install energy-efficient versions.
Modernize the Kitchen
From appliances to countertops, there are a variety of kitchen upgrades that can make your space healthier. Incorporating automated technology like a touchless faucet can reduce the amount of contact with germs while a water filtration system can improve the quality of your drinking water. Updating your countertops with a non-porous material like quartz, which replicates the look of natural stone, provides a contemporary aesthetic, and the antimicrobial surface will not harbor bacteria or viruses.
Create a Bathroom Oasis
Even a small space like the bathroom can benefit from wellness-focused updates. Soaking tubs and spa showers with hydrotherapy showerheads can help reduce stress and provide a mental respite. Additionally, a heated towel rack not only brings a touch of luxury but can reduce energy usage and keep towels free of mold and mildew between washes.
Healthy Holiday Baking Swaps
Many holiday hosts tend to pull out their most treasured family recipes when entertaining loved ones. After all, taste is the most important aspect of most holiday spreads, particularly when it comes to favorite baked goods and desserts.
Lemon Cake
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Servings: 30
1 1/3 cups Pompeian Light Taste Olive Oil, plus additional for oiling pan
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 cups whole milk
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tablespoons grated lemon zest, plus additional for garnish (optional)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup limoncello
Powdered sugar, for garnish (optional)
Dried sweetened lemon rings, for garnish (optional)
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- Oil 8-by-12-by-2-inch pan with olive oil and line bottom with parchment paper.
- In bowl, whisk flour, sugars, salt, baking soda and powder.
- In another bowl, whisk 1 1/3 cups olive oil, milk, eggs, lemon zest, juice and limoncello. Add dry ingredients; whisk until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 60-75 minutes until top is golden and cake tester comes out clean.
- Transfer cake to rack and let cool 30 minutes.
Run knife around edge of pan, invert cake onto rack and let cool completely, 2 hours. - Sprinkle with powdered sugar, lemon zest and lemon rings right before serving, if desired.
5 Steps to Design a DIY Dream Closet
Whether you’re a stylist with an eye for fashion who chooses each garment carefully or the laid-back type who can rock the first outfit you find each morning, the closet provides a location for inspiration. Turning bland closet space into a truly eye-catching room calls for a little planning and DIY creativity.
Plan it out
Creating the perfect closet space begins with your ideas. Think about the details such as how you want the space to look and the amount and type of storage you need. Envision everything from colors and finishes to the physical shape.
Focus on practicality
Once you’ve dreamed up your ideal closet, compare your ideas with the space you have available and adjust your plans to fit your footprint and budget. This step allows you to get creative with ways to maximize your space and use every available inch to create a closet that gives you the function and aesthetic you desire.
Keep it organized
A beautiful closet likely won’t mean as much for you if it isn’t functional, and organization is a key to true functionality. Keep your space organized in a stylish manner with an option like the ClosetMaid Revolution Storage Ottoman, a convenient, easy-to-assemble, multi-use piece designed for closets or any area of your home. Able to hold up to 12 pairs of shoes, its rotating design maximizes storage for functional appeal.
Remain detail-oriented
It’s not just the structure that can bring your dream closet to life; little touches can add up in a big way. Upgrade your light fixture, for example, and look for other ways to personalize the space for a look that’s all yours, such as shelving to display treasured photos or keepsakes, or a spot on the wall for a vision board to draw inspiration from as you begin each day.
Change up the color
Introduce light and personality into your closet with rich color and style. Add accent color on the walls behind your clothes or incorporate color with the structural elements. On-trend finishes can help make the space pop by complementing the colors of your wardrobe.
How to Make the Holidays Less Stressful for the Whole Family
Between changes in routine and visiting family (or having them visit you), the holidays can be emotionally overwhelming for children and adults alike, even in “normal times.” Add in inclement weather, the desire for a perfect holiday and parents still working, and you have a perfect cocktail for emotional meltdowns.
“The key to enjoying whatever this holiday season brings is to acknowledge the range of emotions the entire family may be feeling and hold space for those feelings,” said Ariel Acosta from KinderCare’s Inclusion Services team. “By working on a few key things now before the heightened expectations and busyness set in, families can build a toolbox of skills that will help make the season less stressful for everyone.”
Consider these tips to help families prepare for a less stressful holiday season.
Find ways to destress as a family – Throw on some music and have a dance party. Incorporate some simple yoga moves or stretches into your day to create mindful moments. Help your children create a list of calm-down techniques to choose from when they start to become overwhelmed or as a way to reset after an outburst, such as taking a deep breath.
Set expectations for greetings – Talk with your children about your family’s expectations around greetings and help them think of and practice different ways to say hello, such as a hug, handshake, high-five, wave or verbal greeting. Giving your children options ahead of time allows them to choose the greeting that feels most comfortable in the moment. To lessen the pressure, make sure family members and friends understand what you and your children are comfortable with. For example, “It looks like Zazil doesn’t want a hug right now, Auntie Mei. Perhaps a high-five would be better.”
Give your children (and yourself) grace – Talk with your children about the range of emotions you feel throughout the day. This can help them learn emotional literacy and flexible thinking. It also normalizes feelings. When a big feeling does happen, remember to connect before you correct by labeling and validating your child’s emotions: “I can see that you’re really sad we have to leave the party. Leaving makes me feel sad, too. What would help you feel better?”
If your child is engaged in unsafe behaviors, like hitting, wait until after everyone is calm before talking about what could be done differently next time.
“How you handle your mistakes can be a powerful example for your children,” Acosta said. “Once you’re calm, explain what happened to your children. Start by naming your emotion, apologize if you didn’t handle your feelings well and let your children know what you plan to do differently next time. ‘I was really mad you two were arguing and I yelled. I shouldn’t have done that. Next time, I’m going to try to remember to take some deep breaths to help me speak more kindly.’”
SERVICE SPOTLIGHT – Table Linens
With the holiday season just around the corner it’s time to make sure your table is ready to shine for your family and friends. Let our master cleaners professionally clean your table linens and tablecloths. Making sure that your table is set to impress and add to the holiday memories.
Contact Fabricare Center Cleaners to schedule a free pickup today.
Get 20% off
with code: Table20
Limit 1 per customer. May not be combined with any other offers. Only valid on table linen service. Expires: 11/30/2021
