Ask Anna

How to Clean Grease Splatters

This seems to be a very common problem for many of you so I thought I’d address it today. Here’s an email from one of my readers: “We recently moved, and have found a problem that I cannot clean! There is a thick, oily residue on the underside and top of our microwave as well as a rough layer of the same on the cabinets above the microwave. I’ve tried cleaning it with a Magic Eraser and baking soda and it didn’t touch it. If you have any ideas, I would be seriously grateful!“ Unfortunately I know exactly what you’re… Read More

How to Reupholster a Chair

A couple weeks ago I set out looking for the perfect chair for my office. I found the perfect chair at a local consignment shop and it had even been recently redone. Pretty cute, right? Well unfortunately when I got it home and put it next to my desk the colors were too close and it clashed terribly. So I decided to give it a total makeover. I purchased a can of Valspar spray paint and got to work covering up the blue. The chair had been covered in chalk paint and I guess… Read More

Video Tutorial: How to Paint a Perfect Line

Many of you may have already read my post on how to paint a perfect line. I wrote this post ages ago but I still get lots of emails asking me to explain the steps more clearly. I’ve been wanting to put together a video tutorial for you but I hadn’t been planning on painting any stripes, until my recent bathroom makeover. I hope this short video helps explain {more clearly} the steps for painting perfect lines, but as always, please feel free to email me if you are still confused. 🙂 Here’s the finished product! Did you know this… Read More

Teaching Kids to Save Money

Happy Friday Tatertots & Jello readers! It’s a little weird being here on a Friday, instead of Wednesday, but I’m excited to get to kick off the weekend with you! A couple days ago on my blog, I wrote a post about how, as parents, it is so important to teach our kids about money. My daughter is the perfect age {three} to start participating in the family chores so I decided it was also a good time to start talking to her about money. I decided that instead of just giving her a list of chores, I would “hired”… Read More

Mason Jar Vases {Gift Idea}

I came across the idea for these vases on Pinterest a few weeks ago {here’s the original post}. I was thinking they would make great Teacher Appreciation gifts but I ran out of time so I decided to make them for Mother’s Day gifts instead.Supplies: Mason Jars Spray{I used the color Robin’s Egg} Craft Paint Burlap Twine {or ribbon} A stencil {purchased or made by you} Paint for the stencil Foam brush Glue gun The first thing I did was spray paint the Mason Jars. While they were drying I cut my own stencil, using my Silhouette. I decided… Read More

How to Clean Silver

For Malea’s princess tea party I borrowed my mother-in-laws silver. It used to be my husband’s grandma’s so it’s beautiful, antique and it was very very tarnished. I wasn’t planning on polishing it but then my mom told me a super easy trick that takes no time at all! Here’s what you need: A large pot or a large sink Foil Baking Soda Hot water Tarnished Silver Line the kitchen sink, with foil. Pour about 1 cup of baking soda into the bottom of the sink and then fill it with boiling hot water. If you only have to polish… Read More

How to Stay Motivated when Organizing & De-cluttering

I received this question from one of my Facebook readers and I think it’s a great question because I know we all struggle with this to a degree. Here are her questions: “I am doing the proverbial spring cleaning….going through my closet and cupboards and throwing stuff out in mass quantities….just barely the tip of the iceberg at this stage. My question is how do I stay motivated? I do this every year and fizzle out before I am done…..and then I have the same unused cups in the top shelf, the same unused sheets in the linen closet….the same… Read More

How to Keep Hardwood Floors Clean

I’ll be honest, I probably only mop about once a month. It’s hard to find time to mop the floors when I have a busy 3 year old running around the house all day! However my floors stay spotless by spending about 30 seconds a day cleaning them. What’s my secret? Washcloths. Source I have a drawer of white washcloths next to my kitchen sink, and every day I pull out a new one. I use the washcloth all day long for wiping down the counters, oven, microwave, etc. At the end of the day I give my floor a… Read More