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Room
by Room Welcome home!
Sweet Dreams
Here are just a few ideas: a comfy chair covered in decorative pillows and a blanket throw; a quiet fan; a calming pool; an area rug you can sink your toes into; and scented candles. Don't overlook the basics of making your bed a great place to sleep! Here's where to start. Register for these bedtime basics:
Bedroom Tip: Changes in season typically call for a change in your blanket. Wool or acrylic is best for staying warm in winter, while 100% cotton is a breathable, natural fiber to keep you cool in summer. Keep in mind: There is more to choosing sheets than just picking the color and pattern you like the best. Thread count (the total number of threads woven into each square inch of fabric) is the yardstick of quality for sheets. The higher the count, the closer the weave and the stronger, softer and longer-wearing the linens will be. There are a few tricks to caring for your sheets. The easiest sheets to keep are cotton. They machine wash beautifully, easily releasing soils, and require bleach only for extremely difficult stains. Fabric softeners are not needed, as cotton grows softer naturally with repeated washing. Cotton/polyester sheets should be machine washed on a warm/permanent press setting, and flannels should be washed and dried on warm settings. Jersey sheets should be washed in warm water and dried on a low setting. Creating a Bathroom Creating
a Bathroom
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For each half bath, register for these powder-room basics:
Keep in mind:
Don't forget to add your personal touch with these necessities:
Tub Tip: Mildew tends to build up in hot, damp places where air doesn't circulate — like the inside of your shower curtain. To remove mildew, sponge the area with a solution of 1/4-cup bleach to two cups of water.
There's no question life can be stressful. It seems that just when you've successfully managed to juggle the demands of work and home, some new wrinkle comes along, and it's a whole new ballgame.
That's why it's so important to have an at-home refuge you can escape to when things get to be too much. Whether it's your favorite armchair, complete with cozy throw and your favorite book, or a pan-rattling bake-a-thon in the kitchen, your at-home escape needs to be your own.
The bathroom is a great place to customize because it has everything you need to relax. It's private, it's cozy, and it comes complete with the most relaxing amenity of all: a bathtub.
How do you get started? Begin with what you know best: yourself. Take a few minutes to think through your favorite things, and how you can incorporate them into your at-home spa. Then, be sure to include these nice extras on your registry. Your guests will jump at the chance to help you pamper yourself!
One easy first step to creating your at-home spa is to incorporate your favorite colors into your bathroom. Do you like bright yellows? Cool blues? Clean whites? Towels, bath mats and countertop accessories can help make these colors stand out.
Even better, towels and bath mats can be their own source of luxury. Pick thick towels and mats, and consider adding a fluffy terrycloth robe to wrap up in after your bath, as well. Sinking your toes into a luxurious bath mat wrapping yourself in a soft, thick towel these are extra treats that will help take your spa experience even further.
Add a vase of your favorite flowers for a soft, natural fragrance, or light a few candles. Turn on some soft music, or put a calming pool nearby for the soothing, natural sound of running water. Set your favorite book close by, and make sure you have your favorite bubble bath or bath beads on hand.
Plan to spend at least an hour in your at-home spa. You need enough time to relax completely, without worrying about what's next on the agenda. After you've lingered in your bath, soften your skin with your favorite scented lotion. If possible, slip into some comfortable pajamas or loungewear to help you carry that relaxed feeling out of your at-home spa, and back into Real Life.
And remember, you can always change your at-home spa. Switch the towels or add a new fragrance. Boost the luxury level on your bath mats, buy a new bottle of after-bath splash, or add a massager to relax those tense muscles. The idea is to adapt your special place to meet your special needs.
Hail to the Chef
Focus on Flatware
A Touch of Glass
Must-have Electrics
Cookware
Tip: Check the scratch-resistance of the cookware you purchase. Some
pieces are made to handle metal or plastic utensils; others require using
plastic or nylon tools and avoiding abrasive scouring pads or steel wool.
Knowing a few key terms and definitions can really help you register for a variety of cookware pieces that will fit the way you cook.
Pan Styles: There are dozens of pans to choose, from saucepans to fry pans to roasters. If you are just starting to create a pan collection, select the basics first. A 10-piece set is a great choice.
Handles: Handles come in four materials: phenolic (high heat plastic), metal, wood and ceramic/glass. Many handles stay cool during stovetop use. Remember though, all handles get hot in the oven. Always reference manufacturer's care instructions for handle heat tolerance information.
Lids: The most important function of a lid is to trap steam. Therefore, it must fit the pan's body properly. In general, the snugger the fit, the better.
Material: Most cookware is made of stainless steel, aluminum or is hard-anodized. All can have a nonstick-coated or uncoated surface. Nonstick is beneficial because it has the ability to release food for easy cleaning.
Stainless Steel - 18/10 means 10% of the pan's content is nickel. In general, the greater the nickel content, the better the quality. The number 18 stands for the chromium content, which is the same for all stainless steel. This pan type wins points for durability, because it resists dents, scratches and stains.
Aluminum - This material is an excellent conductor of heat. Thickness is the key element of quality. The thicker the pan, the better the heat dispersion, reducing the chance of "hot spots." An aluminum pan heats up quickly and evenly over the total surface, including the side walls.
Hard-Anodized - A hard-anodized surface is twice as hard as stainless steel. This pan type was originally developed for commercial use, but is produced today for consumers. If you purchase a hard-anodized pan without a nonstick coating, you should use butter or oil to keep food from sticking.
"Flatware" - a term often used interchangeably with silverware - refers to the knives, forks, spoons and serving utensils that you use to eat and serve.
Spotless
Tip: Letting knives, forks and spoons sit in foods that are very salty
or very high in acid (vinegar, citrus fruits and pickles) can leave unsightly
marks. Keep stainless away from "silver polish" too; these products
are too harsh and will dull stainless steel's natural luster.
A flatware place setting consists of five pieces: dinner knife, dinner fork, teaspoon, dessert fork and soup spoon. Plan to register for 8-12 flatware place settings, the same number as your dinnerware.
Here are a few facts that will help you get the right flatware set for your lifestyle.
Most quality stainless steel is actually a metallic blend. You may notice a designation that says "18/8" or "18/10" on the package. That means the pieces have a steel base with 18% chrome for strength, and 8 or 10% nickel for shine. It's a mark of quality, your assurance that this flatware will last through years of daily use.
Style Tip: Want a new, stylish way to display your flatware at a buffet? Try wrapping each set of knife, fork and spoon in a napkin, then tie it with a festive bow. Not only does it make an especially attractive presentation, but guests have an easier time helping themselves.
Glassware Tips: "Stemware" is the term
used for wine glasses, champagne 
goblets,
brandy snifters, or any glass that has a stem. Stemware is designed to
be held by the stem, so your hand won't affect the temperature of wine,
champagne or other spirits.
"Barware" refers to any kind of glass without a stem, the kind used for mostly everyday cocktails and beverages. Juice glasses, water tumblers, beer mugs — all these fit the "barware" label.
To prevent chipping, store your glasses on a cabinet shelf lined in paper. Stand them upright so odors and moisture won't get trapped inside. Most glassware is dishwasher safe — to prevent breakage, just make sure glasses aren't touching each other when they're going through the wash cycle.
Must-have glasses:
*Why 13? So you always have an extra if one accidentally breaks!
For entertaining, consider these items:
Let's face it you're not marrying your kitchen. You want to get in, get the meal prepared, and get out as quickly as possible. Minimal dicing, slicing, whisking and washing — for maximum fun time with your new spouse.
Here's the secret all great cooks know: a few smart appliance choices, and you'll never slave again.
The Sharper, the Better.
If you've ever sawed away at a carrot or mangled a tomato, you know the
importance of a sharp knife. Not only does it make cutting and chopping
easier, it's also faster — and safer. Dull knives are a lot more
likely to slip and take a chunk out of anything handy (the countertop,
your finger) than a sharp knife.
Also, add a reliable knife sharpener to your Gift Registry. You'll be able to keep your knives razor-sharp with minimal fuss.
Voilá! Instantly Minced.
Take our word for it: your kitchen needs a food processor. There's a wide
variety of food processors on the market today, from the deluxe to the
basic, and the style you register for will depend on your cooking needs.
Regardless, you'll save lots of time mincing and chopping with a food
processor: drop a few cloves of garlic into the bowl, press the button,
and voilá! You'll have perfectly minced garlic, without the by-hand
hassle. These handy little gadgets also work great for chopping onions,
grinding nuts or grating softer cheeses.
You Could Do This by Hand
But Why Would You Want
To?
Compare for a second. With handheld can openers,
you align everything perfectly and crank away
only to have to start
over every five centimeters and fish the razor-edged lid out of the can
when you're done. With an electric can opener, you hook the can onto the
device and press a button. A few seconds later, you've got a perfectly
opened can, and the lid's a safe distance away from your fingers, ready
for disposal.
Actually - is it a comparison at all?
Blend It, Baby!
You'll actually end up using your blender more than you think you will.
It's great for festive, iced drinks, of course, but you'll find it handy
for mixing other liquids, as well. Use it to combine ingredients for a
smooth sauce, whip up some mousse, or make a puree. The incredible speed
of a blender makes it a faster alternative to your mixer, and that ready-to-pour
container saves you on cleanup, too.
The Unforgettable Extras
When you register, be sure to include all those extra "wish list" appliances
you've been dreaming of: a coffee maker, breadmaker, or grilling machine,
for example. Your guests will appreciate the wide selection, and you'll
enjoy all the time you save with each new appliance.
It
never fails: you've got guests coming over, and setting the table is the
last thing on your mind. An hour before party time, you find yourself
in the dining room, staring in panic at a bare table, a fistful of flatware
and absolutely zero idea which fork goes where.
Don't fret. Keep a few, tried-and-true guidelines in your back pocket, and you'll be able to set a stunning table in a snap.
Step 1. Formal or casual? It makes all the difference.
All your table-decorating tactics are driven off one basic distinction:
is your party formal or casual? Setting
for formal gatherings usually requires linens, your special-occasion
dishes and much more flatware. On the other hand, setting
for casual get-togethers is the opposite end of the spectrum: placemats,
everyday dinnerware, and only the flatware basics.
Step 2. Make sure everything's clean.
As a guest, there's nothing worse than discovering dust in your water
glass. So, make sure your glasses, dishes and flatware are clean before
they go on the table. Usually, there will just be a little dust to bust
… take a clean dishtowel, and wipe the culprit from your glasses
and plates.
Step 3. The flatware fiasco.
Still wondering which fork goes where? Here's a tip: forks are always
on the left. In fact, your flatware is always arranged for a right-handed
person … unfair, but true. Forks on the left; knives and spoons on
the right. Arrange your silverware in the order it will be used; remember,
your guests work from the outside in, so the first things used should
be the furthest things from the plate. The sharp edges of the knives point
toward the plate.
(And if you still can't remember what goes right and left, try this: the word "right" has five letters, as do the words "spoon" and "knife." The word "fork" has four letters — just like the word "left.")
One final tip on flatware: don't put out any utensils your guests won't be using. You don't want your dinner companions wondering why they've got two extra spoons and a fork left over after the meal's finished.
Step 4. Grab those glasses.
Just when you think you've got the silverware settled, you're facing another
question: where do the wine glasses and water glasses go? On the same
side? On opposite sides?
Again, think right-handed. Your water and wine glasses always go on the right side of the place setting. Place the larger water glass first, directly above the knife and spoon. The wine glass comes next, to the lower right of the water glass. The coffee cup and saucer go even lower, beneath the wine glass and to the right of the spoon.
Step 5. Go left with the leftovers.
What are you left with? The salad plate, probably. And a bread plate if
you're throwing a formal soirée. You've already taken care of the
right side of the place setting, which means the leftovers go on the left
side. Your bread plate goes directly above the forks, with the salad plate
lower, and to the left. This arrangement should mirror the water glass
set-up on the right.
Step 6. The centerpiece.
No table looks finished without some sort of centerpiece. This can be
as elegant or as informal as your dinner party, but always follow one
guideline: your guests should be able to easily see each other above the
centerpiece. So, keep those flowers or candles to a manageable height
so your guests won't strain their necks attempting conversation.
Step 7. Remember the extras.
Keep a mental checklist (or, even better, write it down!) of the things
you find yourself forgetting when you're setting the table. (You don't
want to be jumping up seven times during dinner to grab salt and pepper
shakers, the butter dish, and those other pesky afterthoughts.)
Here's a checklist to get you started. (And remember to register for these items, too! Your guests will be pleased to buy you a one-of-a-kind remembrance for your big day.)
After dinner, remember to serve your guests that welcome (and expected) cup of coffee. To make sure you end your meal with the same entertaining savvy you began with, add these coffee niceties to your table.
And, of course, a top-notch coffee maker doesn't hurt, either. Add one to your registry to help end your get-togethers with cups of perfectly brewed coffee!
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If
you plan to spend a lot of your post-wedding life entertaining friends
and family at your new home, a well-stocked bar is one of the keys to
a successful party.
Any serviceable (and respectable) bar needs some basic hardware. Register for these bar basics, and you'll be ready to party!
(And here's an extra little tip: For glasses, it's a good rule of thumb to register for a few more than you normally use to entertain. That way, you'll still have a complete set when you accidentally break one or two!)
Glasses
Bar Tools
Optional
If you're a fan of theme parties, your bar is a great place to start. You can change your napkins to suit your theme, or toss in a favor to add a little spark. For example, for the holidays, tie festive ribbon around your glasses, or drape garland along the bar itself. Celebrate the Fourth of July with red, white and blue party napkins, and add a miniature American Flag to each drink. Throwing a luau? Substitute pineapple for the traditional orange slices. Your entertaining is a reflection of your personality, so be creative.
Your guests will thank you for it.
Back to Bar Basics
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Where Do I Start?
Seating
The Mantel
Compatible Colors
Lighting
Area Rugs
Wall Art
Table Frames
Decorative Pillows/Cushions
It typically measures 20' x 15', but echoes immeasurable importance. Others will form lasting impressions about you from it. This reinvented living area decides the difference between "house" and "home." Welcome to the great room.
Considering you'll dine, entertain and kick up your feet there day after day ... of course, you'll want yours to be great. So great, it'll beckon guests in one glance to sit down, stay awhile and prompt them to say What a nice place when leaving. Well, rev up your creativity and throw on your interior decorator cap. We've got some can't-miss decorating tips to help you craft the room of your dreams.
Depends upon where, exactly, you are with decorating the room. Chances look good you're staring at an empty space. Begin by knowing your requirements, space constraints and items you already have. And determine the room's focal point. This could be the fireplace, window, doorway or determined simply by your taste. Once agreed on, consider the possible room "traffic." Is there ample space for flow? Too much clutter? Overall, get an early feel of how you want (and need) the room to look.
How much do you need? Better yet, how much will the room afford?
It's much more than a piece of wood atop the fireplace. This decor opportunity usually becomes a hey-look-at-me point in the room. Just note the following.
Behold the most powerful decorating device! Just think: Even one color can actually influence your room's entire atmosphere. For example, select that orange-striped couch and see what happens. Like amplified personality traits, colors can invoke, invite, intimidate or irritate. So choose wisely.
Versatile, warm, comforting, magical. The right lighting animates your fabulous decorating and matches your room's mood to the occasion. Let us enlighten you.
What other furnishing works such wonders by just lying around? Indeed, rugs can coordinate, complement, enhance and set the tone for your great room. Do you want an uncluttered, clean look? Or how 'bout a room rich with patterns and textures? Carefully consider these helpful hints to select the rug meant for your home.
From your double-beveled-matted print of the seacoast to his "trophy" largemouth bass, wall art can add depth, creativity and focus to the room. (Maybe fish stories, too!) Below are a few tips to help sharpen that focus.
Heralded for their natural charm, these photo-enhancers create instant elegance. And there's so many looks to choose from! Like timeless traditional, which often features ornate carved wood. Or contemporary, spotlighting the splendor of matte silver. You can easily decorate your frames in groups by similar size, shape or color. On the other hand, perhaps you'll go with a geometric style, surrounding a large frame with several small ones. Whatever way, the table's the limit!
You notice instantly when a sofa or chair is clad with pillows. It cries oh so cozy, especially in winter. You can capture this feeling easily with just a few plush pillows. The hard part is choosing between the wealth of colors, textures and styles!
Your great room is the heart of your home. A paradigm of possibilities, it reflects your creativity, style and personality — make it great!
Back to Great Room
Back to Top
For a Clean Sweep
Get the Deep-Down Dirt
The Right Match for You
Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
Putting the Care Back Into Floor Care
Tips & Techniques
Vacuuming should be an essential part of your personal cleaning routine. It keeps your house clean and attractive. And, it even helps you stay healthy by removing dirt, dust and other allergy-causing particles from your living areas.
Uprights: Used for vacuuming larger areas, uprights are the most traditional and commonly used floor care products. When selecting your model, look for a complete cleaning system with a hose and attachments mounted on the vacuum cleaner itself — a big plus when cleaning stairs, corners and under furniture.
Canisters: Providing increased mobility, canisters are often more versatile than upright vacuums. In addition to carpets, canisters are also great at cleaning bare floors, vacuuming stairs and car interiors, and sucking up dirt from corners.
Hand vacs: For cleaning small areas, corners and crevices, nothing is more convenient than a hand vac. These appliances are often cordless, which makes them perfect for quickly attacking those inevitable dry messes (like the next time Fido knocks over your prized collection of African violets, or your nephews decide to "decorate" your couch with potato chips).
Back to Floor Care Fundamentals
Traditional deep cleaners: With their rotary brushes, they extend the life of your carpets—making them look newer and smell fresher. Now there are models that have a built-in heater that revs up the cleaning potential. It usually takes just a few hours for your carpets to dry.
Portable deep cleaners: No more manual scrubbing of smaller stains on carpets and upholstery. Grab a portable cleaner for the inevitable spill and handle it with ease.
Back to Floor Care Fundamentals
If you have allergies, a vacuum with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is the way to go. These filters remove nearly 100% of dust, ragweed, pollen and other allergens in your home. This type of filter is also a good choice for pet owners.
If you're fanatical about dirt, consider buying a vacuum with a dirt sensor, which tells you when an area is clean.
If you have a lot of different surfaces to clean, then you should focus on products with a wide variety of attachments and features. Look for bare floor functions, extension hoses, crevice tools, stairs and upholstery attachments, dusting brushes and others.
If you don't like the hassle of changing vacuum
bags, then look for a bagless vacuum. Most major floor care manufacturers
offer several bagless models in varying price ranges. These vacuums trap
dirt and dust in a secure compartment and can be emptied directly into
your trash can.
If you have more than one level of living space, then you might want several floor care products. For instance, you might have hardwood floors on your main living level, but carpeting in your upper level bedrooms. In this case, the combination of floor care products (an upright with bare floor functions for downstairs and a canister with a variety of attachments for upstairs) is the most ideal solution.
Back to Floor Care Fundamentals
In order to best defend your home from dirt, keep a well-stocked supply of floor care accessories on hand at all times!
Belts: Many people think that vacuum belts only need be replaced when they break. In reality, a worn-out belt can often be the cause of poor cleaning. Since not all belts are created equally, make sure to reference your owner's manual to choose the right belt for your vacuum.
Bags: Vacuum bags can fill up faster than you think! Change your bag if it is filled to the indicator line, if your "check bag" indicator is lit, or if the bag is visibly more than three-quarters full. Keep in mind that if you have a pet, you may have to change the bag more often.
Filters: Most HEPA filters should be changed after six months, although some manufacturers claim their filters can last up to a year. Of course excessive dirt or an actual tear is a clear indication that a filter needs to be replaced.
Back to Floor Care Fundamentals
In fact, most manufacturers are now equipping their machines with convenience-focused features (like self-propelling functions, auto brush shut-off for bare floor cleaning and much more) to make caring for your floors easier than ever!
Just follow our simple guidelines below to keep carpets, bare floors and upholstered furnishings looking their best:
Back to Floor Care Fundamentals
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So, Where ya Headed?
Travel Companions
Traveling is in the Bag
Luggage 101
Show your Packing Prowess
Wait! Before you leave
You know the feeling. Easing back in your seat, thoughts drifting from your tan to piρa coladas to not working for a week or two. Camera's in the carry-on. Plenty of underwear packed. Nothin' but blue skies ahead. Suddenly, like an uninvited guest rapping on your door late at night, a voice within cries I-feel-like-I-forgot-something. Just a nagging inkling, right? Sure, if the plane will turn around so you can grab the traveler's cheques off the kitchen counter!
All scary scenarios aside, who doesn't want to feel totally comfortable about their travel preparations? After all, it's a vacation, the time to leave your everyday worry-prone life in the rearview mirror. So, excited traveler, we're here to help you do just that. As your personal travel agent, we'll ensure you're as ready as possible for the well-deserved getaway.
For enchanted evenings along the beach? A breathtaking ocean cruise? Whatever your preferred destination, there are three things to do first: research, research and research. With enough solid research, you'll arrive feeling more comfortable, organized and prepared to enjoy the best of what your chosen location has to offer. Been there before? Hey, it never hurts to refresh. Besides, important details may have changed.
OK. You know where you're going. Even when! Now you consider which items will accompany you on the journey, usually followed with the sigh I just know I'm going to forget something. Enter the "basics" checklist.
Clothing
Accessories
Toiletries
Documents
Miscellaneous
When was the last time you selected a travel bag? Seven years ago? That's how often most people purchase luggage, but the big luggage companies market new collections about every two years. And, as you're aware, selecting luggage is not like selecting a T-shirt.
Ironing out the meanings of those pesky bag names!
Carry-on - Can be various bags in various shapes and sizes, all of which are intended to be carried onto an airplane and measure small enough to fit under the seat or in the overhead bin.
Cosmetic Case or Vanity - Small case with a mirror and compartments to hold cosmetics. It usually has a spill-resistant interior. Composed of hard or soft sides.
Garment Bag - Soft vertical bag with interior bar and hangers for garments and outside pockets for other apparel. Can be folded in half or thirds, lengthwise and fastened.
Overnight Bag - Traditionally a small rectangular suitcase, it's now any piece of luggage large enough to carry apparel and necessities for an overnight stay.
Suiter - Today, this term usually refers to a built-in compartment in another bag, such as an upright, that holds two to four suits. It has hangers and suit-folding frames.
Upright - Also known as the pullman. A standard large suitcase-style case, this rectangular piece of luggage generally measures 24" to 27" wide with interior compartments. It may be hard or soft, feature wheels for easy movement and a telescoping handle on the opposite end for pulling the case behind you.
Let's face it: packing can be stressful, taking some of the fun out of traveling. Bypass that headache by simply starting early, at least a week. The tips below will help. In fact, you'll be a world champion bag stuffer with virtually wrinkle-free clothes in no time!
First things first.
Get the Party Started!
Peace of mind.
Your ticket's in hand and one foot's out the door. News flash: Jet lag and an untidy house make a lousy combo! Instead, make coming home relaxing and enjoyable by just doing a little housework.
During the spring and summer seasons, many people enjoy the outdoors by spending it in their "outdoor" room — the patio!
Acres and acres of land aren't needed to enjoy the outdoors, and living in an apartment, a condominium or other city dwelling shouldn't keep you from making a patio. Use your imagination and change your porch or the teeny, tiny cement square beside your apartment back door into your own enjoyable patio area.
You'll have to decide whether there's just enough room for two to enjoy coffee or drinks, or if there's enough room for a barbecue for more people. Space limitations are a big factor in planning the best use of your outdoor space!
Don't just throw an aluminum lawn chair on a patch of grass. Your patio is the main focal point of your yard or outside area. You can use themes from inside the house, and transfer them outdoors. Or, do something completely different! Outside, the sky is the limit, literally!
Show Your Green Thumb
Party Time
Invite All to Your Patio
It's Yours, So Indulge Yourself
Patio Must-Haves
Choose some vases, planters and plant stands to display your gardening expertise. Mix in some fun figures along with your plants and your family and friends will see your true nature, whether it be that of a whimsical nature or that of a more serious gardener.
If you're currently living in a home that does not have a lot of dirt areas to grow beautiful flowers, think about hanging plants and other outdoor-themed decor on the sides of your home's walls. Remember, it's not just the dirt that needs sprucing up! Use all of your outdoor space wisely.
You don't need to have a botany degree to grow flowers. Anybody can grow plants with a little tender loving care. Give them the needed sunshine and water and you'll be amazed what your plants will do!
When your family and friends discover you have a patio, they're going to be ready to enjoy the outdoors with you. And you'll want to be ready for them.
Forget the paper plates and Styrofoam cups. Dinnerware sets in colorful, vivid and bold designs are brighter ways to serve your guests. Or, choose more subdued, simple patterns, whatever matches your personality! Likewise, glassware should be chosen that will match your entertaining needs.
When the sun goes down, candles and centerpieces will help you to continue entertaining your guests, whether it be one significant other or lots of others, under the stars and the moon.
Not only should you be prepared for the uninvited guests, but plan parties to show off your patio. How about planning a kick-off to summer event? Celebrate the beginning of summer. The first Monday of summer. The first heatwave. You get the idea!
Create your own dazzling patriotic way to celebrate America's birthday. Choose some Fourth of July candles, lights and flags. Don't forget a cake platter for America's birthday cake (you might want to skip the candles -- there just isn't a cake large enough to hold all those candles). Then when the sun goes down and it gets a little chilly, cuddle up with a special someone under a throw or blanket to watch the colorful fireworks.
Invite All to Your Patio
Consider
creating a bedroom retreat where you can really relax. Items you may already
have or can register for will help set the stage. 
Decorating
a bathroom can be an infrequent occasion or a seasonal event. Creating
a bath to suit your taste and personality can be as simple as changing
towels, accessories, wall hangings and floor coverings or as involved
as painting/wallpapering and updating light fixtures. No matter what your
bathroom needs might be, starting with a plan and list of requirements
should be your first step.