June  2013
 

 
Hello from Mahlah!

  

With Summer's arrival we can finally enjoy fresh blooming gardens, beautiful sunny days, and freshly designed outdoor spaces.
It's a great time to sell your home or prepare for a move.  It's time for de-cluttering, completing little projects around the house, and home staging.  
 
Making the Perfect Bed

 

In home staging it's very important to make the perfect bed. But why should it not be even MORE important to make the perfect bed in our everyday lives?

 Now I'm not talking about starched sheets and perfectly ironed pillow cases. What I'm talking about is designing your bed with cozy, happy, fabulous, and interesting bedding.   

I like to mix colors, patterns, and textures to create a really interesting arrangement. Rather than purchasing the shams that match the duvet cover, consider getting another color or pattern that compliment the duvet.

 

Here are a few examples. 

 

 

Perfect Fit
 

Getting organized does not have to be boring. I like to use fun bags/totes, baskets, and containers to keep things tidy.
Consider finding the ideal container for each type of item or task. For instance, if you go to the gym often then it's great to have a "gym bag" designated for the task. What if there was a bag or basket devoted to other frequent tasks in your life? Here are a few of my own personal organizational items. 
File Folder Organizer Fits In My Work Bag 

Perfect Work Bag 
Desk top files 
Beach Bag Packed & Ready 
Paint Decks To Go 
Drafting Supplies 
Like these totes? Find more at the link below. 
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
 
Healthy snacks ready to go!
In our busy lives it's far to easy to reach for already prepared processed foods, fast food, or no food at all!! I'm just as guilty as the rest.

My solution is to take a little time at least once a week to prepare some foods that I can grab and go that are healthy, yummy, and filling. Here are a few ideas. 
 
- Cut veggies and and fruit up so they are easy to snack on or take on the go.
-Cook extra chicken or other meat to make into chicken salad and use for sandwich/wrap fillers. 
-Prepare extra oatmeal or muesli to eat cold or easily heat up on the stove for a quick yummy breakfast or midday pick-me-up snack.
-Bake some fresh cookies, muffins, or other goodies to snack on through the week.
-Boil extra eggs to turn into egg salad or add to a salad for protein.
-Whip up a batch of pasta salad to munch on for a few days.
-Cook a large batch of your favorite soup. 
-Portion foods into containers that you can take with you or easily eat at home.

 
Featured Business 
 

Here is a list of fabulous professionals in Santa Cruz County who can help you sell your home or purchase one successfully and with less stress.

  

Realtor

Tammi Blake

http://www.lighthouserealty.net/agents.html 

 

Mortgage Consultant 

Char Longwello  

http://www.rpm-mtg.com/clongwello

 

Home Stager

Design Me By Mahlah

http://www.designmebymahlah.com/ 

 

Real Estate Photographer

Devi Pride Photography

http://www.devipridephotography.com/ 

 

Cleaning Service

Tracy Taylor & Sunrise Cleaning Service

http://www.sunriseclean.com/ 

 

General Contractor

Elite Construction

http://discoverelite.com/

  

Painter

Jim Koch Painting

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Koch-Painting/116724905069659?fref=ts 

 

  

 

 

Networking
 
 

SCM Business Girls, Felton California 

 

All women in business in the Santa Cruz area are invited to be a part of a weekly networking group for women in business. Every Thursday morning from 9-10 at the Felton Satellite Center, business women come together to share their talents with each other and network! The group in a non-member based group where any business woman is welcome to attend whenever she can. There is an opportunity to participate in a 10 minute or less business pitch/presentation to the group. $5 gets you in and coffee is included. Bring your business cards and start your Thursday being inspired by and networking with like-minded women in business! Visit the website below for more info.