Page 6 - Allisons Newsletter, Lakewood Village - Aug 2018

home and living
IN THE HOME

BEAT THE HEAT IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

by Kathryn Weber

here are times during the
summer when you have got
T to have some relief from the
heat. And whether fans are sitting on
the floor, nestled in the window or
hanging from the ceiling, not all fans
are created equal. Some are noisy,
some don’t really move the air well,
and some are simply aggravating.
Here’s how you can get some cool
relief with the help of some devices
that get the job done.

A QUIET COOL
There are few things that make
a hot situation worse than a noisy
fan. That goes away with the Dyson
Air Multiplier Table Fan (www.
bedbathandbeyond.com). This
is perfect when you need a little
air movement or to give your air
conditioner a boost. Because there
are no blades, there’s no worry about better answer, but you want one 500 feet of living space and vents doesn’t work quite as hard.
little fingers being hurt. It also has a that looks better than a standard out any external window. Cool and If you’re just overheating in bed,
high-tech style that just looks cool. box fan propped in the window. For efficient and at about $400, you get there’s a fan for that too. The BedJet
For sleeping, a vertical stand fan is that, the Bionaire Twin Reversible cool dehumidified air that will help (www.bedjet.com) has a small fan
a good option. One of the quietest Airflow Window Fan, available at you feel more comfortable.
on the market is the Dyson stand Amazon.com, can move hot air out Another options is the Frigidaire that goes under the bed, and an
fan, but at almost $400, you may of the house or cool air in and fits Portable Air Conditioner (www. attached blower blows air under the
want it to do more than blow air. neatly in a window. homedepot.com), which brings the sheets. If you’ve had problems with
Another option is the Lasko 42-inch temps down and has a cool look that’s night sweats or hot flashes or just
Wind Curve (www.bestbuy.com). At COOL PORTABILITY not the same, old white box. can’t cool down at night, this could
around $50, you get a tall, space- and You can also try a portable air be what you’ve been looking for; it
money-saving fan that can help you conditioner. These portable units THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX can also blow warm air during the
get your cool on. But what if the cool can be moved wherever you need The Vornado Whole winter, making it perfect for cold
air is outside your house and you some extra cooling, such as in the Room Air Circulator (www.
need to move it indoors? living room during the day and the bedbathandbeyond.com) will help toes. n
bedroom at night. The Koldfront you feel cooler and give your air
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY Portable Air Conditioner, available conditioner a break by being able ©2018 Kathryn Weber. Distributed
A window air fan might be a at Amazon.com, will cool up to to raise the thermostat so that it by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
MINIMALIST LIVING:

PARING DOWN AN OVERSTUFFED, CLUTTERED HOME

by Kathryn Weber After clearing the tops of furniture
and counters of extra decor items
inimalism is a movement and unnecessary appliances, you
that’s catching on with may find that you like the look
Mhomeowners. Downsizing, because you don’t use or need
moving to tiny homes, decluttering certain items. Duplicates especially
and living with minimal belongings create unnecessary accumulation
has grown in appeal. After years of and clutter. If you have five specialty
excess stuff and the square footage spatulas, you may find that you
to store it all, it’s hard not to see really, truly only use one or two of
the allure of living with less. But, them on a regular basis.
you don’t have to pare down your This approach is a good way to
home to its bare bones to benefit. help you edit your items. Keep only
With thoughtful attention to your those things you use frequently. A
belongings and possessions, it’s specialty item, like a cherry pitter or
possible to strike the right balance strawberry huller, can be replaced
in your home that’s comfortable by a quality paring knife. Look,
without feeling spare. too, at personal items, removing
only those things you use most and
YOUR VISION enjoy the most. A good example of
Everyone has their own idea of this in a bedroom or bathroom is
what living minimally means. For fragrances. If you find that you wear
some, it’s a room that has very little the same two scents all the time,
furniture and decor. For others, give away the other six bottles that
it’s relieving their overstuffed are gathering dust.
drawers, closets and cabinets. Yet Other areas that are prone to
for others, a minimalist lifestyle can over-accumulation include holiday into your home. Fill your home LOVE AND APPRECIATION don’t buy it; over time, if you do
also mean downsizing their home. decor, office supplies, clothing, and closets with only those things As you begin to live with less, this combined with continued and
Understanding what minimalist and beauty items. It’s easy to over- that you use and most enjoy. By you may find you appreciate regular editing, your home and
living means to you and how you accumulate with the abundance doing so, you’ll do what minimalist and enjoy the items you do life will be filled with less stuff but
envision living, is the definition that of accessible, inexpensive items, maven Marie Kondo, author of have instead of dealing with contain much more enjoyment. n
matters most. warehouse shopping and an “The Life-Changing Magic of the pressure that comes with
ingrained belief that owning more Tidying Up,” says sparks joy. Her overabundance and excess.
REDUCING stuff equals success. Instead of belief is that every item in your Before making new purchases ask ©2018 Kathryn Weber.
An important first step in buying in bulk, buy in love. Truly home should give you a deep and yourself if you really, truly love Distributed by Tribune Content
minimalism is to remove excess. love what you purchase and allow abiding pleasure. or need a particular item. If not, Agency, LLC.
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