This Weekend: Meteors, S’mores and Tidy Closets
Enjoy the Perseid meteor shower at its peak, burn a marshmallow or two and get that jampacked closet in shape for fall
Laura Gaskill
August 7, 2018
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
With National S’mores Day (Aug. 10) and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower (Aug. 12) coming up, it’s a good weekend to head outdoors after dark for a classic summer evening of marshmallow roasting and stargazing. Seven could-dos for your weekend are ahead, including closet tidying, yard sale tips, home library love and Nick Offerman.
1. Make S’mores
Friday, August 10, is National S’mores Day — a good opportunity to cap off a beautiful summer evening with homemade s’mores around the fire. If you don’t have a fire pit (or prefer to avoid the smoke) whip up some s’mores-inspired treats in your kitchen instead.
10 Smoke-Free Fire Pit Ideas | Find marshmallow toasting forks
Friday, August 10, is National S’mores Day — a good opportunity to cap off a beautiful summer evening with homemade s’mores around the fire. If you don’t have a fire pit (or prefer to avoid the smoke) whip up some s’mores-inspired treats in your kitchen instead.
10 Smoke-Free Fire Pit Ideas | Find marshmallow toasting forks
2. Tidy Clothes Closets
It may be the hottest time of the year, but it’s also prime time for fall clothes shopping. Make room in your closet for new purchases by weeding out items you don’t wear. If you have career-appropriate clothing and accessories in good condition, consider donating them to your local chapter of Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization that helps women in need prepare for job interviews. To donate men’s work-appropriate clothing, try Career Gear. Some charities offer pickup or mail-in services that can help.
Tidying tips:
It may be the hottest time of the year, but it’s also prime time for fall clothes shopping. Make room in your closet for new purchases by weeding out items you don’t wear. If you have career-appropriate clothing and accessories in good condition, consider donating them to your local chapter of Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization that helps women in need prepare for job interviews. To donate men’s work-appropriate clothing, try Career Gear. Some charities offer pickup or mail-in services that can help.
Tidying tips:
- Add wall hooks near your closet for quickly hanging up stray items.
- Prevent toppling piles by stashing soft items in open bins.
- Store less-frequently used items on the highest shelf.
- Make sure your closet is well-lit so you can find what you need.
3. Get Inspired to Create
If you haven’t had a chance to watch yet, devote some downtime this weekend to catching up on NBC’s new crafting competition series, Making It. Nick Offerman and Parks and Rec co-star Amy Poehler host the lighthearted competition show, which premiered July 31 and will run for six episodes. And if watching the show gets you inspired to make something of your own, peruse the Houzz craft archives to find a project that fires up your creativity.
How to Stitch Together Inspiring Spaces for Crafting and Crafts
If you haven’t had a chance to watch yet, devote some downtime this weekend to catching up on NBC’s new crafting competition series, Making It. Nick Offerman and Parks and Rec co-star Amy Poehler host the lighthearted competition show, which premiered July 31 and will run for six episodes. And if watching the show gets you inspired to make something of your own, peruse the Houzz craft archives to find a project that fires up your creativity.
How to Stitch Together Inspiring Spaces for Crafting and Crafts
4. Give Your Home Library Some Love
With National Book Lovers Day on August 9 and The Great American Read premiering on PBS in September, this is a good weekend to give your home library a little TLC.
Dust the shelves, straighten up books and pull out any volumes you’re ready to pass along. When you’re done, consider starting a reading journal to keep track of your favorite books — and to list the ones you want to read next.
How to Care for Your Home Library
With National Book Lovers Day on August 9 and The Great American Read premiering on PBS in September, this is a good weekend to give your home library a little TLC.
Dust the shelves, straighten up books and pull out any volumes you’re ready to pass along. When you’re done, consider starting a reading journal to keep track of your favorite books — and to list the ones you want to read next.
How to Care for Your Home Library
5. Sync Up Calendars
Whether you opt to use a digital calendar or a big chalkboard on the kitchen wall, having one central calendar where everything gets recorded means you won’t miss important dates, even when life gets busy. Take some time this weekend over a cup of coffee to look up the school year schedule, plus any upcoming appointments and trips, and record important events on the calendar. Then double-check with the other members of your household to be sure everyone is on the same page.
Get Your Home Organized With a Back-to-School Checklist
Whether you opt to use a digital calendar or a big chalkboard on the kitchen wall, having one central calendar where everything gets recorded means you won’t miss important dates, even when life gets busy. Take some time this weekend over a cup of coffee to look up the school year schedule, plus any upcoming appointments and trips, and record important events on the calendar. Then double-check with the other members of your household to be sure everyone is on the same page.
Get Your Home Organized With a Back-to-School Checklist
6. Do a Summer Purge for National Garage Sale Day
August 11 is National Garage Sale Day — give your home the gift of a clean slate for fall by clearing out unneeded belongings and hosting a sale this weekend.
Yard sale tips:
August 11 is National Garage Sale Day — give your home the gift of a clean slate for fall by clearing out unneeded belongings and hosting a sale this weekend.
Yard sale tips:
- Choose one color for yard sale signage — a consistent look will help people find your sale.
- If your neighborhood doesn’t get much foot traffic, list your sale on Craigslist or with a local community group.
- Keep the pricing simple by using categories (i.e., books for $1) instead of pricing items individually.
- Don’t take unsold items back inside: If you brought it out to sell, donate it at the end of the day.
7. Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower
The Perseid meteor shower will be visible each night from July 23 to August 20, but its peak (with the most meteors per hour) is happening this weekend (August 12-13). Bring along warm layers and a blanket in case the night gets chilly and, if possible, choose a less-populated area for your viewing spot. Even if you miss the Perseids, stargazing on a summer evening is always a good idea.
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More
Simple Pleasures: Savor a Starry Evening
How to Celebrate National S’mores Day When You Don’t Have a Campfire
10 Reasons Not to Have That Yard Sale
The Perseid meteor shower will be visible each night from July 23 to August 20, but its peak (with the most meteors per hour) is happening this weekend (August 12-13). Bring along warm layers and a blanket in case the night gets chilly and, if possible, choose a less-populated area for your viewing spot. Even if you miss the Perseids, stargazing on a summer evening is always a good idea.
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More
Simple Pleasures: Savor a Starry Evening
How to Celebrate National S’mores Day When You Don’t Have a Campfire
10 Reasons Not to Have That Yard Sale
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bsgibbs: HYSTERICAL about the chocolate - never thought of that. LMAO. :)
Sadly, here in BC, absolutely no outdoor fires of any description due to extreme wildfire hazard conditions.
The benefits of cleaning out your closet includes someone else can benefit from the clothes that don't bring value to your life. There is no good reason to hold on to things you know you'll never wear. It is also a great way to self-medicate. I know it's complicated-but only if you let it be. I know I feel fantastic after having dropped off three bags of my clothing and shoes to the Salvation Army. Getting rid of the stuff was easier than I thought and I am still reaping the good feeling after effects. I just needed to let go of the psychological baggage weighting me down like-oh I can get rid of that-that was from my thin days, or grandma gave that to me, or my favorite I spent too much money on that, along with that reminds me of when I was young and carefree. Yet if you still dread getting rid of things sometimes-write down the reasons why you were glad you did empty out our closet.