It’s five o’clock somewhere. Whether you’re pouring yourself a glass of pinot noir, mixing up a Manhattan, or topping off an Irish stout, one thing remains the same – your drink will end up in a glass. Make sure your glass is a blank canvas for the drink of your choice by cleaning, drying and storing your glassware properly. What drink will you be enjoying this weekend?

  

Photo:  Taste For Adventure /  The Slow Roasted Italian

Store. When they’re not holding your favorite libation, your glasses should be stored away and kept clean. Invert your glasses and store them on level shelves lined with open matting. This will allow air to circulate under the glass. It might be tempting to have a chilled glass on hand for a frosted brew or an extra-cold martini, but only chill your mugs in a fridge or freezer that has been recently cleaned. Odors in the refrigerator can stick to the glass, and impact the flavor of your favorite drink. To learn about cleaning your refrigerator, read: Maintain Your Fridge and Freezer.

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Popularity wins! From the buzz generated over last week’s pallet post (Five Ways to Recycle Pallets for DIY Home Projects), it’s obvious to us that pallets are today’s perfect do-it-yourself project – and for good reason! They’re beautiful, they’re abundant and they’re cheap. These easy-to-find wooden crates can be repurposed into almost anything, from rustic tables to modern lawn chairs. To find free pallets, simply call your local garden supply store or any shop that carries large equipment.

Photo: Phoenix New Times / The Found Blog

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Traditionally, fire safety equipment has been red, round and not something you would choose to have front and center in your living room. It doesn’t have to be that way. Increasingly, designers are creating fire-fighting apparatus that is both functional and beautiful.

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When you go to wash your pants, make sure to empty out your pockets! The average household does almost 400 loads of laundry each year according to Energy Star, which can add up to an average of $523 annually. With laundry, small changes can make a big difference, so try one of these simple tricks to save loads of money on your laundry.

Photo: Flickr / Hambley ScreenPrints / Luulla

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Meet Fetch, the owner’s manual search pug. He’s the reason behind the recent success of BrightNest’s new feature the Homefolio – an online place to store easy-to-lose home information like appliance owner’s manuals, paint colors and contractor phone numbers.

Fetch plays an important role in this helpful online tool – when you enter the brand and model number for an appliance, Fetch finds it for you online and stores it in your account for easy reference. On top of that, BrightNest provides customized to-do’s and reminders to keep those appliances and well – the entire home – in great shape from floor to ceiling.

Fetch: The Owner's Manual Search Pug

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POP QUIZ: SHOULD YOU KEEP AVOCADOS IN THE FRIDGE?

Most of us automatically chill everything from produce to jars of jam, but did you know that some of your favorite foods do better outside of the icebox? Keep your tomatoes ripe, your basil fresh and your avocados soft by storing them on your kitchen counter. Then, try one of these delicious recipes to showcase your perfect produce.

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Sunflowers are stunning. Daffodils are demure. The traditional terra cotta pot or plastic planter they go in – not so exciting. Your pots can be just as beautiful, interesting and breathtaking as the plants that go in them with these creative potting solutions. From concrete to clay, we selected our five favorite pot fashions for your indoor or outdoor garden.

Photos: Rad Megan / Camilla Styles

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What started a year ago and just won’t stop? Chalkboard paint! This trend is sticking around for good reason. A few swipes of paint can personalize an average picture frame, help organize your spices and even turn a boring wall into an artistic masterpiece. Best of all, it’s cheap and really easy to make. Making your own chalkboard paint gives you freedom – do you prefer black, or does teal tickle your fancy? Do you like the classic matte look, or would glossy go better? All you need to make your own is a can of paint – any color – and unsanded tile grout.

Photo: Willow Bee Inspired / Newport French Kitchen / DIY Design Fanatic

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WHAT DO YOU WISH YOUR MOTHER HAD TOLD YOU BEFORE YOU HAD KIDS? 

Share a mom pro tip in the comment field below and to win a $25 gift card to Fab.com! THE PRIZE: From kitchenware to modern metal planters to throw pillows, Fab.com offers daily design inspirations and sales of up to 70% off retail. We’re giving away $25 gift cards to Fab.com to celebrate moms and all the things they do to keep their home’s humming. Happy Mother’s Day!

Photos: Fab.com

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Today is National Clean Your Room Day! Perhaps you questioned the point of cleaning your room when you were a kid, but surely you understand the perks of an organized and harmonious home now. The only difference is, these days you’re responsible for a lot more than just one room. From kitchen cabinets to closets, here are four tips on how to organize the most common items that cause clutter.

 

Photos: Two Doors Down / BouBiz / Instagram

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