July 2013
 

 
Hello from Mahlah!

  

Ok yes it's Summer, but do I really need an excuse to be obsessed with freshly organized and designed spaces???? Anytime of the year is great, but yes Summer is inspiring. Happy colors, patterns, and designs are all around in the garden, in magazines, and in the stores. 
 
Butterfly Beauties

 

Butterflies are a classic, happy insect that we all love to see flying by on a summer day. Here are fun tributes to our fluttery little friends.  
Decorative Dish 
Amazing Pendant  
Belt Buckles
Happy Storage 
Cool Door Knocker 
Folding Table 
Stylish Pillow

 
Organize that Trunk!
 
Ever feel like you practically live in your car? The trunk of a car can quickly become a cluttered heap of spare clothes, jumper cables, water bottles, beach toys, dog toys, yesterdays lunch......need I go on?
Certainly there are things in there that we like to have on hand when we are out and about. Some of these items are there for our safety. Keeping all this organized is just as important as keeping our home and office spaces tidy. 

Here are some recommendations for doing just that. 
  • Use a bin, bag, or basket that is not likely to tip over and can easily be taken in and out of the trunk.
  • Decide what items you want to always have in the trunk. Gather these items and organize them into this bag.
  • If you always have a spare outfit, tooth brush, and a brush, contain those types of things into a smaller bag to live within the larger one.
  • Emergency supplies should also have their own bag within this big one.  
  • Perhaps you need more than one large bag, bin, or basket? That's fine so long as you are still able to use the truck as intended. In other words, is there room for the groceries?
  • Use an organizing beauty bag (like the one pictured below) to wrangle small things like chapstick, tissues, and sunscreen.
  • If a lot of trash seems to collect in the car then designate a can or bag for trash and empty it frequently.
  • As a rule for both yourself and your passengers, any items you get in the car with should exit the car with you unless they "truly" belong there or are on their way elsewhere via your car. This means the kids toys, your paper work and mail, and definitely today's lunch.
  • Make a point to clean out, reorganize, and vacuum out your car at least every other week.  
Organizer

Great Trunk Bag
About the Author

 



Interior Designer Mahlah Karpavage has had a passion for design since childhood. As an adult she followed her passion by earning her BFA in Interior Architecture & Design. She now owns Design Me By Mahlah an Interior Design, Organizing, Home Staging business in Santa Cruz County, California.

My Links
 
 
Healthy Home Tip
 
Fiberglass Tub Scrub

Ever scrubbed and scrubbed at the stains on your fiberglass bathtub/shower to no avail? One of my loyal readers sent in this great tip for tackling those impossible stains. Warning: This gets messy:)
The stains are likely mineral build up. Normal measures cannot touch it and having your tub resurfaced could cost  $600 or more.

You will need:
  • Baking soda
  • Vinegar 
  • A pumice stone(curved is preferable)  

What to do:

  • Create a paste with the baking soda and a little water. Plaster it all over the stains. 
  • With a squirt bottle squirt vinegar all over the plastered areas until it fizzes like crazy.
  • Let sit and drip for about 15 minutes.
  • With the pumice stone scrub the heck out of the stains.  
  • Rinse away the goodies.  
  • As a bonus the baking soda and vinegar are excellent drain cleaners. 
Thanks Lynn D for the great tip!
Featured Business 
 

Devi Pride Photography

Santa Cruz, Ca.


Devi Pride voted best photographer in the Santa Cruz Goodtimes and Santa Cruz Weekly in 2013, has the gear and skill to make your listing stand out! With attention to detail and understanding of light, Devi showcases the beauty of every space.

"Devi is also an excellent portrait photographer. Check out my bio picture above to see an example for her amazing work. Devi and I are also collaborating on Home Staging and Real Estate Photography Packages. "
Mahlah Karpavage

Visit her website to see her beautiful portfolio of work.