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From a quick dip to cool off to an entire afternoon of lounging and splashing, one of the best parts of summertime is jumping into the pool on a hot day. Whether you have a swimming pool in your own backyard or take advantage of the community pool, it’s always important to make safety your top priority.
Sometimes it’s easy to take pool safety for granted, but even older children and strong swimmers can be caught off guard. The American Red Cross offers valuable and lifesaving tips for pool safety, including:
Read more: Home Pool Safety – American Red Cross.
Another idea from PoolSafely.gov is to designate a Water Watcher. This is a great way to relax and avoid the “I thought you were watching the kids!” argument. You can even download a card with specific items the Water Watcher can do to help prevent a tragedy.
Download: Designate a Water Watcher
Let us know – what are you best tips for ensuring safety around the pool? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Lennar’s Scrapbook is a special place where new home shoppers, buyers and owners share their favorite home milestones, including one of the most exciting parts of buying a new home – the building process. So what goes into building a new home? See the process through the eyes of real Lennar homeowners sharing their experiences through Scrapbook. From selecting the homesite to closing day, we’re honored to follow along on this incredible journey.
You’ve visited the Welcome Home Center, toured model homes, and selected your dream floorplan….
Soon, this patch of land will be your home sweet home.
This is an important moment in your home’s life, as everything else will be built upon a strong foundation. The dream is becoming a reality!
It’s time to go vertical! Your once empty homesite is starting to look more like a home every day.
Your home’s personality starts to shine with the addition of brick, siding, stucco or other exterior finishes per your home plan.
From paint to cabinets and countertops, you’re getting closer to a finished home!
Your new home is ready and closing day has arrived. Your keys are waiting!
Welcome to your new home! Time to unpack, settle in and make new memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Stages of construction and materials can differ depending on your part of the country. The Lennar team at your community will walk you through each step and answer any of your home building questions. {Learn more: A step-by-step guide to the homebuilding process}
Looking to move quickly? No problem! Lennar has beautiful brand new homes ready when YOU are. Find your new home now on Lennar.com.
It’s the final week of our 6 Weeks of Spring Cleaning series! Anyone with children knows that the toys and clothes of all sizes seem to multiple each week. Before you begin to the enjoy the lazy days of Summer (we can dream right?), finish your Spring cleaning by organizing the kids’ rooms and play areas. Amy Langle shares the STOP Clutter Method, perfect for getting – and keeping – the kid’s clutter under control.
Is your child’s room overflowing with outgrown clothes and too many toys and stuffed animals to count? If so, then it is time to de-clutter and simplify. Does this sound easier said than done? Depending on the child’s age, they may not know that you made some changes. If you have oder kids, then get them involved. It’s a great way for them to understand the process and help when cleaning up on a day-to-day basis.
I suggest using the STOP clutter method. It is well-known for its efficiency and really does work. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Organized by Cynthia Ewer explains:
The STOP clutter method is an easy way to help you make the other-wise difficult decisions about your clutter. Working with short bites of time, STOP clutter session force decision making, bring order to a space, and ensure that the survivors are all organized and put away before the session is over. The name helps you remember the stops to this clutter-clearing method. To STOP clutter, follow this sequence:
SORT items into needed and unneeded categories.
TOSS unneeded items into collection boxes.
ORGANIZE the survivors.
PUT AWAY out-of-place items.
Supplies needed: timer, boxes, garbage bags, lidded plastic shoeboxes or stackable containers.
Time each segment in 15-minute increments. Ready… set… GO!
Start with a section of the room, shelf or drawer. Pick up an item and ask your child the question: Is this something we want to keep, to put away, to give away, or throw away? There may be some resistance from your child, so give them choices and options. Let them feel like they are in charge of making the decision. Show them three similar items and let them know they can choose the one they like best to keep.
When the timer bell rings, reset and begin to toss the trash. This is also the time to sort the items you will sell, giveaway or donate into the designated boxes or bins.
Sort the keepers and separate like with like. This is a good organizational learning tool for children. Use clear boxes with lids so that your child can see what’s inside.
Stack and store the newly sorted kid’s toys.
Professional organizer and event planner, Amy Langle, was born to organize. From companies looking to streamline to busy moms wanting to simplify, Amy loves helping clients organize their lives. Learn more at amylangle.com.
If you’re like us, you’ve been putting off tackling the garage on your Spring cleaning checklist. It’s a big job, but Springtime is a perfect opportunity get outside, enjoy the beautiful weather, and transform your garage into a well-organized storage space for your home. Summer is just around the corner, but it’s not too late for Spring cleaning! Check out weeks 1-4 of our series.
Is your garage a catchall? Do you dream of parking your car in there one day? Believe it or not, this is my favorite part of the home to organize!
Shop Vac – A heavy-duty wet/dry shop vac will make your job so much easier when trying to keep your garage clean and dirt-free.
Tubs and bins – My personal preference is clear so that I can see what is inside, however some my prefer solid for this exact reason. Either way, label the bins with the contents inside for convenience.
Storage Rack – This is an important piece to organization. I recommend the NewAge Pro Series heavy-duty rack. It is durable and allows for much needed storage space.
It may sound daunting, but the first thing on the agenda is to remove everything from your garage. Yes… everything! Use your driveway or yard as a staging area. As you remove the contents of your garage, create designated areas for the following:
Items to keep – Keepsakes, pictures, holiday decorations, etc.
Donate – Things that are in working order, but you no longer need. Find a local drop off center or schedule a pick up by your favorite charity.
Garbage and recycle – Not sure what or where to recycle? Check out these handy guides.
Hazardous waste – Items such as old paint cans and auto supplies. Go to your county website to find a waste management and recycling center near you for drop off.
To go through – As you go through this process if you cannot quickly decide which of the above areas the item or box belongs then create a “to go through pile” and circle back around to it.
1. Line up your bins and put items away accordingly by category (keepsakes, photo albums, holiday decorations, etc.).
2. Label each bin with a label maker. If using a clear bin, I suggest typing out the label in a large font on a piece of paper. Put the paper in the bin with the label facing out so that you can easily read it.
3. Before setting up the storage rack, take a shop vacuum to the inside and clean as well as you can to create a clean space to work with.
4. Return the bins to the storage rack.
Professional organizer and event planner, Amy Langle, was born to organize. From companies looking to streamline to busy moms wanting to simplify, Amy loves helping clients organize their lives. Learn more at amylangle.com.
Is Spring cleaning putting you in the mood to get organized? It’s Week 4 of our Spring Cleaning series, and Professional Organizer Amy Langle brings us helpful tips for keeping your bathroom neat, clutter-free and well organized. A few simple and inexpensive changes can transform your bathroom into a peaceful and tranquil setting, while keeping essentials within easy reach.
1. When it comes to the bathroom I think neat, clean and uncluttered with acrylic organizers. The space-efficient design allows you to utilize your cabinet and counter space more efficiently. Acrylic organizers are not only useful for your hair and skin products, but are also a great way to keep your beauty regimen easily accessible.
2. Create more storage space by using under the sink organizers. Cabinet Sized elfa Mesh Easy Gliders are a perfect solution to bathrooms that lack drawer space. The sliding design offers easier access and helps you reach the items stored in the back of the cabinet.
3. Not sure where to house your hairdryer? Use an over the cabinet hair dryer holder, like this one, to free up space.
4. An over-the tank bathroom étagère is perfect for bathrooms with pedestal sinks or lacking in counter or cabinet space. The shelves can be used to display bath and hand towels, containers and extra rolls of toilet paper.
5. Lacking space to hang bath towels? Try an over the door towel rack for a sleek look while being efficient with space.
Professional organizer and event planner, Amy Langle, was born to organize. From companies looking to streamline to busy moms wanting to simplify, Amy loves helping clients organize their lives. Learn more at amylangle.com.
Welcome to part three of Lennar’s 6 Weeks of Spring Cleaning series. This week, we’re tackling the laundry room. Amy Langle shares her expert advice on getting this small, but very important, room of your home clean and organized. Be sure to check out Week 1 and Week 2 of the series.
Do you have any spring cleaning tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!
Tips for laundry room organization
Save time and energy on laundry day with a triple-sorter hamper. This household essential gives you back valuable time in your day by sorting whites, colors, and darks ahead of time. Sorters come in different models, however, I recommend one on wheels for convenience. Also, one with removable, washable bags keeps moisture and odors from building up. This item can be found in most home improvement departments including Lowe’s, Crate and Barrel and Target.
Free up floor and shelf space with a wall mount ironing board and iron holder. One like this model from Crate and Barrel, includes a cradle that allows you to put the iron away while still hot.
In the market for a new iron? Try one with a push button retractable cord for safety and convenience.
Save energy costs by using a drying rack. Extend the longevity of your clothes with this natural dryer alternative. In addition, most have the expandable feature that allows you to fold up for compact storage. This item can be found in most home improvement departments.
If you are in the habit of cleaning the lint trap of your dryer after every use, you are on the right track. Take it a step further a few times a year and deep clean the dryer unit. Remove the lint trap and use the nozzle attachment of your vacuum to remove any dirt and lint that may be in the body of the dryer. This is also a good time to clean out the dryer exhaust. To do so, loosen the clamp and remove the exhaust off the dryer. Vacuum any lint and dirt that may have gotten lodged in the exhaust. Re-attach the dryer exhaust when done. By taking these steps you will make your dryer work more efficiently and prevent safety issues, like dryer fires.
Professional organizer and event planner, Amy Langle, was born to organize. From companies looking to streamline to busy moms wanting to simplify, Amy loves helping clients organize their lives. Learn more at amylangle.com.
Two is always better than one, which is why Lennar is excited to feature two new luxury communities in Ontario at beautiful West Haven. Amberly Lane and Carriage House offer enough space, convenience and modern flair for any homebuyer.
The Amberly Lane community features three generous one or two story floorplans with 2,042-3,217 square feet of living space. Each three to four bedroom home comes equipped with solar and gourmet inspired kitchens. For those looking for even more square footage, the Carriage House community offers up to 4,134 square feet of living space and up to seven bedrooms. Both communities feature quality craftsmanship, private parks and easy access to shopping and other nearby amenities.
Both Amberly Lane and Carriage House collections feature The Home Within a Home® floorplan. The Home Within a Home are designed specifically for multigenerational households. This floorplan is ideal for families looking for a home that can accommodate dual living situations. Lennar’s buzzed about The Home Within a Home suite includes a separate entrance, living space, kitchenette, bedroom, full bath, and walk-in closet.
The SUPERHOME at Carriage House is a larger, supersized The Home Within a Home and offers all the same features and encompasses a sprawling 4,134 square feet. Buyers can have up to seven bedrooms with the suite, offering a bedroom with retreat or optional second bedroom. Lennar designed this unique floorplan to be incorporated into the main home in a way that allows it to be a separate yet adjoining space.
“We are so excited to invite the public to tour both of our new luxury communities,” said Tara Conklin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Lennar Inland Empire. “We are confident that with our selection of high-end features, The Home Within a Home and Superhomes at West Haven, we’ve created a place buyers are going to love to call “home.”
All homes at West Haven include Lennar’s highly sought after Everything’s Included® package, which features granite slab countertops, upgraded maple cabinetry, GE stainless steel appliances, Nexia™ Home Intelligence home automation and countless other upgrades, all included as standard. Buyers will fall for several hi-tech energy-efficient features already included in the homes, such as tankless water heaters, low VOC paint, radiant barrier roof sheathing and much more.
For more information or directions to the community, please call (888) 203-9186 or visit www.LENNAR.com.
With hundreds of communities nationwide and homes designed for first-time, move-up and luxury homebuyers, Lennar has grown to become one of the nation’s leading and most respected homebuilders and proudly remains steadfast in their commitment toward quality, value and integrity. Lennar has a longstanding history of building exceptional homes in only the most well planned and desirable locations throughout the country.
Did you know that a typical baby needs 10-12 diapers a day, at a cost of $100-$120 a month? Diapers can be an expense that many families struggle to meet. To fill this need and assist local families, five Southern California homebuilders have come together to support the First Annual Builders for Babies diaper drive event, May 1st in Southern California.
Lennar’s California Coastal and Inland teams are hard at work with a goal to raise 1 million diapers to benefit shelters throughout the area. The highlight of this year’s event is the Builder Diaper Home Competition – showcasing a home from each builder created out of diapers!
Please take a moment to check out the diaper homes from each builder, vote for Lennar, and learn more about Builders for Babies.
Professional organizer Amy Langle is back this week with more spring cleaning tips. This week we’re cleaning out the closets and putting away the warm winter wardrobe. Ensure that your clothes are well-protected and maintained with these simple tips.
If you missed it, don’t forget to check out Week 1 of the series.
It’s that time to put away our sweaters and winter clothing, and bring out the spring dresses, cool tops and trousers. Portable storage closets found at Target for under $40 are one way to keep your winter wardrobe neat and winkle-free. If going this route, make sure the portable storage closet has ventilation to avoid clothes smelling musty. If space is a factor, storage bags or plastic totes are an efficient way to store clothing under a bed or in a closet.
Prepare clothing for storage
Before putting any piece of clothing away, it is important to clean it first to help prevent moth and other pest damage. Clothes moths and carpet beetles are the biggest culprits. Both insects lay eggs which are too small for us to see. They feed on wool, fur, down, feathers and other animal-based material.
Preparation is important – you don’t want to find out you have a moth problem when unpacking next winter season. Cleaning the material before storing will help rid clothing of eggs and other stains that may attract the pests.
Protect your clothing
There are several over-the-counter products you can choose to deter unwanted pests. I recommend using cedar, lavender or other natural products that are environmentally safe. Cedar planks (10 pack under $20 at Bed Bath & Beyond) are an effective way to discourage adult moths and beetles. The strong odor of the cedar is important to maintain. If you no longer can smell the cedar, lightly rub with sandpaper to replenish the odor.
Storing your clothes in an enclosed storage closet or container will also help maintain the repellent’s effectiveness. Please note that deterrents do not kill the egg, just repel the insects, so cleaning in an important step in storing your clothes properly.
Professional organizer and event planner, Amy Langle, was born to organize. From companies looking to streamline to busy moms wanting to simplify, Amy loves helping clients organize their lives. Learn more at amylangle.com.
