I am not sure if the cooler weather in the fall makes people wanna cuddle more or what, but there seem to be a disproportionately high number of birthdays in the Spring.  

Some are close friends, but some of the birthday parties I have attended lead me to dream up a use for that underused hall closet.  I call it my I don’t know you well enough to get a personalized gift closet.  Also known as the shit I forgot we had to go to a dinner party, thanks for telling the police that I was totally at your house at all night, congrats on your conversion wickenism closet.

My name is Brooke Peterson and I forgot your birthday.

Here are the things you need to give gifts on the fly so people like you and think you are exceptionally thoughtful. 

1. A supply of stock gifts such as wine, candles, and picture frames.  I also like to keep a few unexpected things that I now know I can expect to use like board games, cds, photo books by Taschen.

2. Ribbon and scissors

3. Bags, wrapping paper, tissue and tags

4. Blank cards and Pens

All of these item can be bought at the dollar store with the exception of the stock gifts.  

Now you too can give gifts to people you would have otherwise told …”I totally had something for you but I left it on the counter at home!”

Looking for the best way to serve lemonade, brighten up an old dingy table, or infuse some springtime color into your house full of Winter blues?   Colored serving trays!! These wooden trays from West Elm start at $22 and will take you through the Spring in style!  Also, they might also plant the seed in your partners head that you’d like all meals breakfast in bed every single day every once in a while.

Ahh Springtime…  A season for cute bunnies, pastels and last and totally but not least Spring Cleaning.

I am big on rewarding yourself in life.  Had a good week on your diet? Eat a candy bar!  Finally paid off your credit card? Mama needs a new dress!  Just completed a 12 step program? Have a cocktail….oh take a joke.

Here are some fun little finds to spruce up your life after you have cleaned out your abode, and by you I obviously mean the friendly folks at your neighborhood cleaning service.  That’s a joke.  Just not sure which part.  

As you’ll see, the next several posts will be dedicated to Springtime and some new ways to spruce up your digs. 

Spring find numero uno:  

Leafy Sticky Notes-  Add a little life to your bookshelves! These green grass sticky notes called Green Markers are from Japanese designer Yuruliku are a beautiful Spring alternative to bookmarks and at 700 yen (8ish dollars) these are inexpensive way bring in the green!

Everyone always says to get flowers in the house for Spring…  Well that can get a little pricey every week, so one of my must have products this Spring are these beautiful decorative branches from Saveoncrafts.  These branches give you a fresh look in place of flowers and last ALL SEASON!!!

These vinyl walls decals are fantastico for putting some punch on your walls for Spring. I found a bunch at walls need love; but they seem to be popping up everywhere.  With over 200 images of floral, greenery, and abstract decals there is something for everyone… They are great for spicing up that rental pad where you’ve been hesitant to do anything permanent. Also at $14-72 dollars a pop these puppies can be stuck up in the spring and changed in the fall!  

I love candles all year long but the weather in the Spring (look up, see rain!) can make it impossible to keep candles on the porch. These new LED candles give you great ambient light for any Spring night and never burn out or care if they get wet!  The one I found is from Kmart and at $9.95 you can buy a few!

One of the tough things about Springtime is attempting to guess what the weather is going to bring us.  You’re really letting me down Al Roker.  Enter the Fire and Ice Pit!  It rocks!  It solves all those unpredictable weather problems and at $59.95 is a big piece added to your outdoor area with only a little commitment from your wallet.   Since it is chilly today, check out my S’Mores video (filed under Videos) and go camping in your backyard!  OK, ok I make those in the microwave, but it’ll put you in the mood.  Sorry, but I dont have a video of beers in an ice bucket.  That’s for you to figure out on your own.  

NOTE: Things Your Mother Never Taught You does not condone using the firepit indoors, as “rad” as that seems dont do it.  We wont be posting quick tips to get soot out of your walls anytime soon.

Wanna spruce up your kitchen for springtime? Try Aspects Peel and Stick Metal Tiles (www.aspectideas.com).  These tiles can cover almost any old surface including old tile and give any old kitchen a fresh designer look…and at $20 for a box 8 you may find a lot of surfaces that you think need to be redone!

The cheapest and quickest way to get your home in the mood for Spring…Essential Oils from Plantlife. Starting at less than 4 dollars a bottle, these oils can be used as room sprays, put on light bulbs, put on a wet rag for dusting, or mixed with bath products to give them a fresh spring scent. I LOVE the lemon, grapefruit, and sweet orange and you will find a zillion smell good and feel good reasons to make this part of your spring must haves!

It’s true, black is the new black. Every ‘it girl’ on the planet seems to be bitch-slappin’ some noir lacquer up in their abode. It has always been against the rules to paint interiors black because ‘Franz the decorator’ said ‘but darling it makes the space seem teensy weensy.’ Well, guess what Franz? Apparently you can suck it because it doesn’t make spaces seem small and claustrophobic—it actually makes it them feel cozy and sexy. I like it in unexpected places like the bathroom or kitchen a la Kelly Werstler. For those of you who want to dip your toe in the can, as they say, try it above your fireplace for a trial run.