5 Ways to Gear Up For The Holidays
bwsit • November 7, 2017

As we drift into holidays most of us know that our workload is about to increase significantly — thanks to the upcoming holiday seasons. There are just so many details to take care of from deciding on menus, preparing the house for overnight guests — not to mention for the big feasts and casual get-togethers to come. Then there’s brainstorming a gift list, shopping, wrapping decorating —- aaagh! It can all feel overwhelming if you let it. The secret is to make a concise list and then take care of each item on it over the coming weeks. Here are 5 things to be sure to put on that list …

1. Clean the House

Whether you’re just having local family and friends over for a holiday feast, or you’re expecting overnight guests, or casual drop-in visits over the next several weeks, you’ll want to make sure that your house is clean, bright and welcoming. If you can manage it, now’s the perfect time to spring for a professional deep cleaning. It’ll cost you, but it’s worth it considering what a super job they do!

Once the house has been deep cleaned, you’ll only have to do some light cleaning to keep it looking company-ready for the duration of the holiday season.

2. “Winterize” Your Decor

Replace warm-weather decor with things that are more in keeping with the season. You might switch out pastel or floral throw pillows for some with richer, spicier colors in heavier fabrics like corduroy or velvet, for example. Ditto for your window treatments. Billowy sheers are wonderful with summer breezes, but winter’s chill may call for an insulated window treatment like a cellular shade in the guest room, for example, to keep drafty windows from making your overnight guests uncomfortable. You might also think of layering a rich drapery over woven window blinds for a warmer look as well as some added insulation. (If you’re in Central Alabama, be sure to check with the experts at  Just Blinds  for the very best in window treatments and installation. Feel free to  contact us  to learn more about our products and services.)

Don’t forget to add a little ambience with candles for instant atmosphere, and bowls of potpourri to get your home smelling as good as it looks!

3. Plan Your Menus

If you’re cooking for a crowd, start planning your menu now. Include things that you can make ahead of time so you’re not overwhelmed by trying to do it all at once. (For example, you can freeze cookie dough and slice it for fresh-baked cookies for unexpected guests who drop by unannounced. You can also freeze pies before you bake them, so they’ll only need baking the night before or the morning of the big dinner party.)

4. Rethink Your Gift List

Instead of wracking your brain trying to come up with the “perfect” gift for each person on your list, consider themed gifts like cozy knit hats for nieces and nephews or gift cards for the bookstore for your siblings. We all get so caught up in the retail frenzy of gift-giving that we tend to forget that the gifts we give one another are really meant to be symbolic of the good will and sharing spirit of the holiday season.

5. Have a Plan for De-Stressing

Between work, household chores and duties, and the super-rushed pace of the holiday season, it’s no wonder that many of us feel frazzled at this time of the year. That’s why it’s so important to squeeze in small but meaningful treats for yourself like a massage at a local day spa, a soothing soak in the tub, or a drive through a neighborhood that’s beautifully decorating with shimmering lights. After all, taking time to “smell the balsam” is essential to actually enjoying this special time of year rather than just feeling like it’s one big blur of things you’ve “got” to do!

And in the end, there’s only so much you can do, so instead of striving for a “perfect” holiday season, concentrate instead on opening your home to friends and loved ones, and accepting that your best effort and a welcoming home is all the perfection you need!

Expert Advice by Just Blinds

What Your Window Treatment Says About You: A Personality-Based Guide

April 23, 2025
Your selection of window treatment products and services is not merely about getting a job done. Rather, if you look hard enough, you can find direct correlations between the type of person that you are and the window treatment that you select. We have created this personality-based guide to help you best discover what kind of window treatment truly matches your spirit. The Dependable Type: Wooden Blinds You are the person that all of your friends can count on. You are the type of person who truly sticks to your plans when you make them, and you are the type of person who will choose wooden blinds for your home. Privacy is important to you when selecting your blinds, and that is why you find yourself pulled into the idea of putting up wooden blinds. Besides that, they happen to be highly functional, and that's not something that you are willing to pass up either. The Planner: Blackout Curtains Those who value truly getting the most value out of their blinds or anything else that they install in their homes will think very carefully about their options. For those people, going with blackout curtains makes a lot of sense. They want to gain as much value as possible out of their options, and they know that they can significantly improve their quality of sleep and so much more when they opt for blackout curtains. These also happen to be a great option for those who work night shifts or other odd hours and yet still want to enjoy their sleep. They need blackout curtains to help increase the quality of that sleep and allow themselves to get their day started right. The Tech Enthusiast: Smart Shades They roam among us: The type of people who are quick to adopt any new technology and get to work figuring out how it can improve their lives. These people are great because they are not afraid to take a risk and because they help to move our society forward. They simply want to get more out of each day, and they often do so by adopting and using the latest technologies. These individuals will gravitate towards smart shades for the following attributes: Innovation - Who wants to stick with the boring old ways of shading one's house? Smarter options are now available, and you better believe that the tech enthusiasts among us are willing to latch on to them. Efficiency - These shades are a more efficient option for those who care about that kind of thing. They can be easily activated and set up to open or close automatically (how cool is that?!). Progressive - The "cool" factor is a big deal for people who fall into this category as well. They might not admit to it right off the bat, but they care deeply about what others think about them. As such, they want window shades that have that cool factor attached to them. The Dreamer: Sheer Curtains Finally, we land upon the dreamer. This is the person who views every day for the possibilities that it can bring. They are not scared off by those with a negative attitude. If anything, they believe that they can change those people! Instead, the dreamer wants sheer curtains because they bring in soft light, open spaces, and bring about a feeling of possibility all throughout the house. Sheer curtains are the ideal option for someone who classifies themselves in this way. They will receive plenty of compliments on their curtains, and they will appreciate how open they are to the world.  Which kind of person are you and which window treatment option makes the most sense for your personality? For more inspiration and ideas, reach out and contact us today.

5 Unexpected Places Homeowners Are Installing Outdoor Shades

March 13, 2025
We all know and understand the concept of installing outdoor shades on a patio. It is the classic way to create a cool and comfortable space for yourself and your friends to spend some quality time together outdoors. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is limiting to think that the patio is the only part of one's property where outdoor shades are appropriate. There are some surprising and unexpected places where homeowners have taken to installing outdoor shades recently. We want to take a look at some of these to provide you with ideas for your next home improvement project. 1) Balconies Some homes are built quite close together, and some homeowners naturally feel like they would like to do more to protect their privacy. Although their neighbors might not intentionally be looking through their balconies, it is easy for the human eye to drift. Thus, some city-dwelling homeowners have made the choice to install outdoor shades in this area. On top of keeping prying eyes off of your property, outdoor shades also block the sun rays from your balcony as well creating a more comfortable space to spend some time. 2) Outdoor Kitchens One of the most delightful social experiences that someone can have is to invite over a large group of friends for a meal cooked outside. It gives everyone the opportunity to share stories, laughes, and a bit of food all at the same time. Of course, this is best done in an outdoor kitchen. Your outdoor kitchen is a space where you should feel comfortable and have the ability to entertain a large group of people all at the same time. This means looking at installing outdoor shades to provide an extra layer of protection from the heat of the sun. Thus, this has become another area where homeowners are quickly installing outdoor shades. 3) Poolside Lounges Now we are really talking! Who doesn't love to kick back with their favorite cold beverage and spend some time relaxing next to the pool? That is what you can enjoy more completely when you set up a poolside lounge with outdoor shades. Poolside lounges are meant to be a place where you can spend several hours at a time. However, it can get pretty hot while doing so if you don't put some outdoor shades in place. Get those shades up so you can let all of your worries melt away as you take in the smell of pool water and sunscreen. 4) Garden Areas Do you enjoy a little gardening in your downtime? You might like it even more after setting up outdoor shades that protect you from the excessive heat of the sun. Gardening is labor-intensive work and can take several hours of diligent labor to do it properly. However, you don't want to overextend yourself and end up getting physically overworked. Keeping some of the sun away is an excellent way to ensure that you don't overdo it. Just make sure that you check up on the sunlight needs of the various plants that you intend to put into your garden before installing outdoor shades. 5) Exterior Windows Did you know that it is possible to reduce your energy bills by installing outdoor shades? It's true! If you place outdoor shades on the exterior windows of your home, you can reduce the strain placed on your air conditioning by naturally reducing the overall temperature within your living space. This means less money out of your pocket and more money for working on your next project.  There are many interesting places where homeowners are installing outdoor shades these days. For more creative ideas on what you can do with yours, reach out and contact us now.