Hi! Sorry we missed a post yesterday. I've been trying to get something up most days, and experimenting with taking Thursdays off, but this week is a little bit of a doozy. The kids have been sick, Lou is doing all sorts of prep for kindergarten, and I'm getting ready to host my bestie's bridal shower/bachelorette (yes, I'm calling it a schlachlorette) this Saturday. A few women will be staying with us, so as I get everything picture perfect, I thought I'd share what we're doing to be the hostesses with the mostessses

1. Stock Extra Toiletries. An oldie but goodie, this one you've probably thought of. It never hurts to have necessities like extra toothbrushes, razor blades, contact solution, feminine care products and deodorant around. It's easy to forget that stuff, and awkward to ask, so having it readily available is really, really nice. I also like to have guest-sized shower gel, shampoo and lotion available in the bathroom, frankly because I use a bar soap and it skeeves me out to think of anyone else using it, and also because it's just polite.

2. Provide Information. Chances are, your guest may have to fend for themselves a bit. If so provide some information! A guidebook, some websites, and even some helpful app suggestions for navigating public transit, hailing a taxi or finding a bite to eat, are so nice for your guest, and allow you some time to handle your own affairs.

3. Make a Spare Set of Keys. It's not always super applicable, but feeling like they can come and go is a really nice touch, especially when someone's staying with you for more than a day or two.

4. Disinfect. Did I mention the kids have been sick? To avoid giving our guests the plague, I take a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol or these bleach wipes and tackle all our door knobs, light switches, remote controls and bathroom fixtures. Even when we're not particularly germy, using the occasion of guests to do this means it happens at respectable intervals, without being super neurotic about it. I also use this occasion to walk around my house with a Magic Eraser and get rid of scuffs on the walls and doors.

5. Fix stuff. Of course, having guests is a perfect opportunity to tackle projects you've been meaning to get to, like painting and cleaning and organizing. But it's also a nice time to take care of wonky things you've grown accustomed to, but which might trip up your guests. In my case, literally, we have this silly differential in the floor levels between the back of the house and the front of the house. We're all used to it, but it's a tripping hazard, so I bought a board and will fix it today (and share deets with you, of course). The thing above the Clorox wipes, btw, is a sanding block, which will also be used on this project. It's a little fuzzy in the picture.

6. Grocery Shop. We have been guests with people, even including my parents, who have been so conscientious about providing bare necessities, like whole milk and blueberries, for us. It makes a big difference, especially if your guests have kids or dietary restrictions. My vegan-ish guests prefer almond milk in their coffee, so I stocked up on both. I also find that, although I essentially never snack when I'm at home, put me at the mercy of someone else's pantry and schedule, and I am immediately starving. Providing a bunch of snacks to your guests, either in their room or an easy spot in the kitchen, is a nice way to go. And though individual servings aren't my go-to, having them may make your guest feel less intrusive than grabbing a handful of cookies.

7. Light it Up. You may know the twists and turns of your hallway, but visitors don't. Plug in a couple nightlights, and problem solved.

8. Baby proof. Or de-baby proof, as the case may be. It's of course not your job to install window guards because you'll be hosting a toddler for a few hours. But if guests are staying with you for any length of time, consider some easy fixes like inserting outlet covers or banning the teeny tiny Legos until the wee ones leave. A small investment, but it lets your parent-guests relax a little bit, instead of chasing their kids all over the house. Also consider segregating animals who don't tolerate kids (or strangers) well. For areas you can't change, make a mental note of danger spots to warn parents about, like open doors at the tops of stairwells and the like. Finally, you may possibly be in the opposite boat, and may want to consider removing the toilet locks or getting out real glass dishes if you're hosting adults, and can live without the child proofing for a bit.

9. Hang Up a New Shower Curtain Liner. If you have peeps using your shower, scrub that thing real darn well, and get a new shower curtain liner. I personally find that just washing it, even with bleach, doesn't remove the faint mildew stains, and those are gross. So, anytime someone comes to stay, I invest in a $5 new one. In this case, I actually got both a new liner and a new decorative outer curtain, because I have a nasty habit of spilling hair color on my bathroom fixtures, including my shower curtain. And since I last colored my hair brown, that means I have some brown splatters on my shower curtain. Brown splatters in the bathroom look like crap. Literally. So I just found a cheap replacement and am over the wastefulness for now. (If you're looking for cheap shower curtain liners, check Burlington Coat Factory, Ross and Wal-Mart for lowest prices).

10. Provide guest-specific towels. I know you're not actually going to give a guest your still-damp towel or anything. But I've learned, through trial and error, that providing guests with easily-identifiable towels is the way to go. My family uses white towels in our bathroom, but I reserve these hot pink ones for our guests. This way, there's absolutely no confusion about whose towel is whose. I also strive to remember to provide washcloths, which we don't typically use (if you use bar soap, you don't really need a washcloth...right?) because I know others do. And finally, I do my best to switch out the hand towel in the bathroom pretty frequently if a bunch of people are using it. Otherwise, it's kinda grody. 

All this is in addition to a deep clean of course, some fresh flowers, and one other project I'm hoping to share tomorrow. What do you do to make your guests feel comfy, welcome and like they could stay for exactly the amount of time you're hoping they will? Anything obvious or genius I'm missing here? Share share share! Thanks, and see you tomorrow. (Hopefully).