New Ways to Decorate and Organize Your Home Office

Do you want ways to decorate and organize your work space?  Cork is the new way to make something new in your work space.  Keep reading to learn about how you can incorporate cork into your office.

Cork in an office space is not a new idea; you've probably got a bulletin board up in your workspace right now. But using this flexible, functional material in other neat ways around your workspace means every surface becomes a memo board. Better stock up on push pins.

A Cork Pencil Holder
IKEA cork trivets become a cool desk command station in this DIY project from Design for Mankind.

Cork Vases and Cups
Another clever DIY, these vases and knick-knack cups are crafted from aluminum cans and a roll of thin cork. Check out the full isntructions from papernstitch.

Cork Planter Bookends
This bookend set from Canoe is a triple threat, offering to give your books order, your plants a home, and your notes a pinboard. Grab the set here for $48.

A Cork Tray
A cute tray is a great way to visually anchor desktop neccessities, and this one from Ferm Living can pull double duty as a memo space (€31, $42).

A Corkboard (duh!)
It's the most common use for cork in the office, but it doesn't have to be predictable. Go nuts with different sizes and shapes, or give your bulletin board a new look with some paint, like Belinda of The Happy Home Blog.

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

Lawrence Hall of Science Has Success With Lego Day

Do your children love LEGO’s?  Make sure to visit the Lawrence Hall of Science for their very successful LEGO Engineering Session this Saturday at Inventor’s Lab.

Children and their parents put their heads together over a colorful and timeless children's classic Saturday, during a LEGO Engineering session at Vallejo's own Inventor's Lab.

The free event was organized by the Magazine Street lab to teach children about simple machines, using the children's play blocks, motors and programmable minicomputers.

"LEGO is really popular," Reyna Hamilton of the Inventor's Lab said. "Children innately like LEGO. It's what kids play with. We are just teaching them how to expand their knowledge using the toy they already like."

Hamilton and another staff member walked around the room to help anyone with their questions.

The Saturday session attracted more than 100 children, she added.

 

One was 8-year-old Marvez Carroll, who was building a race car with his mother, Mary Miller.

"I like it because it's fun," said Marvez, whose aspiration is to become an inventor. "I have lots of LEGOs at home."

His mother said the duo tries to visit the South Vallejo lab once a month.

"We love coming here," Miller said.

She said as a pre-school teacher she appreciates the opportunity to explore the sciences outside of the school.

"I think it's great," Miller said. "I think a lot of our kids don't get enough of (science)."

She also added that Marvez is not the only one learning from their visits to the Inventor's Lab.

"I've taken several things that I learn from here into my classrooms," Miller said.

For those who missed Saturday's session, the LEGO blocks will still be available for the public until Feb. 2.

The Inventor's Lab is open at 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, and is at 545 Magazine St.

For more information see Times Herald.

Weekend Happenings in Benicia

 What are you doing this weekend?  Benicia has a bunch of great events that will entertain you and your family all weekend.  There are also great discounts and sales at local businesses to check out on Benicia Main Street.

Ghost Walk Returns!
Friday, Jan. 18, 8pmGhost Walk returns for 2013! Paranormal history of Downtown Benicia are revealed on this exciting, interactive and fun Ghost Walk led by paranormal investigator and/or sensitive. Each tour is limited to 20 people and lasts approximately 2 hours, depending on what entity you encounter along the way! Walking shoes and flashlight recommended. No children under ten years of age permitted on tours. Ages 10-16 must be accompanied by adult. $25 per person. Prepaid reservations required by calling (707) 745-9791.Ghost Walk Testimonials
Ghost Walk Video

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CASH MOB - Downtown Benicia  
Saturday, Jan. 19, 11am

Bring a friend and we'll give you $5 in Downtown Dollars to spend!!!

Who will our next lucky victim be? With $20 each in hand, we'll go to a randomly selected downtown business, and shop! Meet at Benicia Main Street, 90 First Street, sharply at 11am.  Spread the word!

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Wine & Chocolate Walk  
Saturday, Feb. 9, 1-5pm

A Pre-Valentine's Day affair! Stroll First Street with your sweetheart tasting fine wine and chocolate pairings inside downtown stores. Tickets on sale now! $25 advance/ $30 day of event includes souvenir wine glass and 15 tastes. Tickets at Benicia Main Street, 90 First St., and online at here.

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Discount on See's Chocolate Foil Balls!

Bite size melt-in-your-mouth goodness!
Discount Price: $5.70  (Reg. $6.20)

Small supply... Take advantage of this sweet deal before they sell out!

For more information see the Benicia.

Projects in Your Home for the New Year

It is time for the New Year and new projects to start in your home.  If you are not ready to take on a big project, here are some little projects that can you can start with.  Did you have a New Year's Resolution that involved your home?  Break it down into smaller projects that way it is easier to tackle.  Here are some great projects you can start on today.

Clean Out Your Closet(s)
My predilection for post-holiday sales-shopping means this is second nature to me. After all, you've got to have somewhere to put your new stuff! Spring will be here before you know it, so you might as well make room for new things now.

January also feels like a natural halfway point in the season; I find that if I haven't worn something so far this winter, I'm unlikely to. Alter, donate or pass on as necessary, and check out this post for more closet-clearing inspiration.

Lighten Your Digital Load
This one's easy to do from the comfort of your sofa (providing you have a laptop; otherwise you'll have to move to your desk). A lot of junk can build up on your computer over the year, and now is the time to clear it out. Delete that which you don't need, and store what you do (January is a great time to go buy that external hard drive you've been meaning to pick up).

Also take the time to unsubscribe from newsletters you no longer read, delete old email and store accounts you no longer use, and make sure all your software is up to date. You'll feel better for it, and your computer will thank you.

Organize (and Display!) Your Photos
Sometime this month, I'll sit down and create a 2012 photo book of my holidays, events and get-togethers from the past year. This gets the photos off of my computer and into a tangible form that I and others can actually enjoy (not to mention it's super-fun reliving all the great moments). I've also chosen a few of my favorite snaps to print and frame, since I've made it a personal intention to display more personal photos around my home.

What do you think of these bite-sized projects? Do you prefer them to a full-fledged Cure, or are you more of an all-or-nothing type? Have any other manageable home-improvement ideas to share?

For more information see Apartment Therapy.