How to Properly Make a Bed in 8 Easy Steps

A Step-by-Step Tutorial for creating a beautiful bed
Filed Under > Life Skills

How to properly make a bed in 8 easy steps, Waiting On MarthaHow to properly make a bed in 8 easy steps, Waiting On MarthaHow to properly make a bed in 8 easy steps, Waiting On Martha

My bed is my oasis.  It’s as simple as that.  And that oasis doesn’t end in my bedroom.  When I have guests in town, I want them to feel like they have their own little slice of heaven in the guest bedroom, too.  Part of that “slice of heaven” feeling is crisp sheets and covers on a well made bed.  The problem, I’m actually not so great at making the bed.  I keep telling myself it’s because I don’t have my dream machine yet, (the Miele Rotary Iron), and once I have room for that sweet piece of machinery there’s no bed I won’t be able to conquer.  But since it doesn’t look like the Miele will be joining the Rye household anytime soon, I figured it’s probably time I taught myself how to fold hospital corners, and that dang fitted sheet once and for all.  

You may remember this bedroom scene from our recent One Room Challenge final reveal.  Well this gorgeous Pine Cone Hill bedding became the ginny pig for my “how to properly make a bed” challenge.  I Googled, and You Tubed, and tried out about a dozen different techniques to “properly make a bed,” and when it was all said and done, came up with the eight below.  And because we could all use a little refresher now and then (and some added inspo for holiday hosting this weekend!), I’ve outlined those eight easy steps to properly make a bed below.  And I’d love to hear if you’re a bit Type-A when it comes to making the bed, any tips??  Truly, MKR

P.S.  On a side note, this bed made me decide it’s time to do away with duvets; I’m Team Quilt going forward!  I mean it just lays so much nicer then a duvet, does it not??

No. 1…Iron your sheets. There’s no denying the look of crisp, smooth bedding.  The only true way to achieve it, unfortunately, is by pulling out the iron (or the Miele…please Santa)! It’s a pain, yes, but it’s totally worth it to find wrinkle-free sheets come bedtime.  And if you’re considering steaming don’t.  Steaming may release a few wrinkles, but it does nothing for crispness.

No. 2…Place your fitted sheet on the bed. After pulling your mattress pad smooth, tuck the fitted sheet in tightly on top of your mattress and mattress pad.  Also take this moment to flip or turn your mattress…a key tip in making your mattress last longer.  And take a vacuum to it while your at it.  

No. 3…Drape your flat sheet on the bed, pattern side down. By placing the flat sheet pattern side down, you’re saving the full presentation of the properly dressed bed for guests when they climb into it. Oooooh, mystery and intrigue for your guests; I like it!

No. 4…Layer a blanket on top of the flat sheet.  “Hospital corners” are the secret to a perfectly made, crisp bed…that’s all there is to it. To get the look, pull the flat sheet’s long edges and a blanket away from the corners of the bed, forming a 45 degree angle on top of the mattress.  Slide your hand under the mattress and tuck the side edges of the sheet and blanket underneath.  They should form a crisp crease. This video helps demonstrate the steps if you’re a visual learner like I am! 

No. 5…Fold down the blanket with your flat sheet.  Draw the top of both your blanket and flat sheet down about a foot in length.  By tucking the side edges under the mattress, you’ll have a taut fold. 

No. 6…Add a comforter, duvet or quilt.  Spread your topper of choice over the bed.  You can leave the sheet and blanket you just folded in #5 visible. Here, this silky smooth linen and viscose quilt drapes to perfection atop the bed.  Go Team Quilt!

No. 7…Add pillows (the more the merrier). I’m a firm believer that one can never, ever have too many pillows. But when making a bed, I usually stick to having a standard six pillows or more.  I know the 5-pillow combination is popular (with a small throw pillow front and enter), but I prefer an even, stacked look.  I arrange two Euro shams in the back (usually in a print like pictured above), with two standard pillow shams (matching the comforter if possible), and two small throw pillows.  Discover your favorite pillow arrangement with the help of One Kings Lane here

No. 8…Finish with a folded coverlet or throw blanket at the foot of the bed if desired. Lastly, and it’s not pictured here, I like to fold a cozy throw blanket at the foot of the bed.  It gives guests yet another cozy, huggable addition to a heavenly bed.  And think about switching out your throw seasonally.  Might I suggest a faux fur for colder months and a nice light cotton quilt for warmer months.

Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha 

As pictured: bed skirt c/0 | quilt c/o | euro shams c/o | standard shams c/o  | sheets | throw pillows | lamp c/o | headboard | side table c/o | urchin 

Red Wine Hot Chocolate

Is it a dessert, is it a cocktail? Good news, red wine hot chocolate is both!
Filed Under > Cocktail Hour

Red Wine Hot Chocolate recipe by @waitingonmartha
Red Wine Hot Chocolate recipe by Waiting on Martha

You know I’m all about capturing that warm and cozy feeling that comes with the season.  So the second I heard “red wine hot chocolate” breathed in the same sentence, I knew I had to try it.  I mean red wine and chocolate, it’s a no-brainer perfect pairing.  And is it just me, or is this the year for crazy inventive cocktail; remember the rose slushy and our boozy apple cider slushies?!  

Anyway, back to our Red Wine Hot Chocolate.  Of course, you really just had me at “wine” (find my top 12 under $30), but you also had my curiosity piqued with the thought of mixing any kind of vino with ooey-gooey dark chocolate and marshmallows.  So with that, I got down to business and began taste-testing, and quickly found out just how much of an indulgence this seasonal cocktail was. 

See, naturally, red wine hot chocolate is rich.  So this isn’t the kind of cocktail recipe to pull out for a batch drink at your holiday party.  It is, however, an exemplary dessert drink.  Or a get-cozy-in-front-of-a-fire-and-read-a-book drink.  Plus a bonus: it smells absolutely heavenly when you’re making it.

With my recipe, I kept it simple by using a full-bodied, flavorful cabernet sauvignon (high price point Silver Oak low price point Ravenswood Vintner’s Blend) …save your favorite pinot noir for dinner tonight. The only other ingredients you’ll need: milk, dark chocolate chips or flakes, and marshmallows of course.  It’s seriously that simple to whip up.  Find the full recipe below, but tell me: will you be cozying up with a mug of red wine hot chocolate this season?!  Truly, MKR

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Red Wine Hot Chocolate
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Ingredients
  1. 1½ cups milk
  2. ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips
  3. 1 cup red wine (stick to a Cabernet Sauvignon)
Instructions
  1. Combine the milk and dark chocolate chips in a saucepan over medium heat. Keep stirring until melted...it will be thick and creamy.
  2. Add 1 cup red wine, and continue to stir.
  3. Serve immediately, garnish with marshmallows and enjoy!
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Waiting on Martha + One Love Organics

our favorite clean, nontoxic beauty essentials
Filed Under > Beauty & Tutorials

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You know, it’s really been a long time coming.  Collaborating with one of our favorite nontoxic beauty brands, One Love Organics, was simply a no-brainer.  The entire WOM Team is a group of devout OLO fangirls if we’re being honest here.  It’s one of those brands that we keep coming back to; we believe in the products that much, and it’s a small business that we’re proud to support as we’ve gotten to know the team over the years.  Not to mention, every product is practically irresistible, with gentle, miracle-working ingredients and heavenly scents (and beautiful packaging to boot).  

If you can’t tell how much we’re drinking the Kool-Aid over here, this will surely hit it home.  Today I’m beyond thrilled to debut an exciting collaboration with OLO…I compiled all of my favorite products in two fantastic (and extremely giftable…hint, hint) sets: MKR’s Daily Essentials Kit and my Holiday Survival Kit. 

Inside MKR’s Daily Essentials Kit, you’ll receive…you guessed it: my must-haves for every day. That includes: Easy Does It foaming cleanser,  Skin Dew coconut water cream, Morning Glory caffeinated firming serum and Vitamin E eye balm

Inside my Holiday Survival Kit, I included two of my favorite products, hands-down (all year ’round, but especially to get me through the holidays!).  And those are: Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil + Makeup Remover and Skin Savior multi-tasking wonder balm

I break ’em down just why they’re on my list of must-haves, so be sure to check it out below. We’re also selling the full-size versions of all of our most used OLO products, in case you’re already hooked and want your fix on your favorites as well. Tell me friends, have you welcomed nontoxic skincare into your routine?  Truly, MKR

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Skin Dew Coconut Water Cream

One Love Organics, $59

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An exciting and irresistible new product from One Love Organics, the Skin Dew offers feather-light moisture that absorbs quickly into the skin.  I like to apply it after my Morning Glory serum, underneath my makeup.  It smells, of course, divine. 

Skin Savior Multi-Tasking Wonder Balm

One Love Organics, $49

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Skin Savior really is a wonder balm.  It’s amazing at removing dirt and makeup, without leaving my skin dry.  Full of antioxidants, the balm smells amazing and can be used just about everywhere.  No seriously, right now with the cold weather, I’m applying it directly to my nose, and I even use it on my heels!  You don’t need a lot when applying, so a little goes a long way. 

Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil + Makeup Remover

One Love Organics, $42

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Perhaps my favorite product of the bunch: Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil + Makeup Remover. This bestseller and award-winner restores skin with its natural moisture barrier and pH balance. I love that the oil is designed with dry, dehydrated skin in mind, but it’s concentrated enough for all skin types.  And again, it smells wonderful.

The oil can be used alone or as the perfect first step in any double cleansing routine.  I like to keep mine next to my bed for the time I may indulge at a holiday party and still need a fresh face (but am too lazy to wash it…ha!). 

Vitamin E Eye Balm

One Love Organics, $49

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I think everyone was lectured on the importance of a good eye cream.  Friends, this is it.  The Vitamin E Eye Balm is made of a lovely blend of rich, hydrating ingredients like Vitamin E, organic shea butter and pomegranate and sea kelp. 

My favorite part about this eye balm?  I only need to buy one per year; it lasts forever!  When applying, I lightly pat around my eye with my ring finger – every night and sometimes during the day if I’m really feeling the elements. 

 

Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser

One Love Organics, $29

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A lot of other cleansers dry my skin (and clear out my skin’s natural defenses apparently, too).  This gentle foaming cleanser does just the opposite; it’s a soothing, non-drying foam that makes my skin feel soft and clean.  

It’s multi-tasking too…works on face, body and even hair. And like all One Love Organics products, the fragrance is light, subtle and lovely. 

Waiting On Martha + One Love Organics Essentials Kit

One Love Organics, $179

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I’m beyond excited to partner with our favorite organic beauty brant to create my Everyday Essentials Kit.  This is honestly what I use every sing day, morning and night, these products are my essentials.  And how cute is the little LOVE makeup bag it comes in!!

Set Includes: Mini gentle foaming cleanser, morning glory caffeinated serum, skin dew water coconut cream, vitamin e eye balm, and a LOVE bag.

Brand New Day Microderma Scrub + Masque

One Love Organics, $39

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Another multi-tasker from One Love Organics, this superfine exfoliator is activated by water.  When applied, it gently sloughs off dead skin, clarifying and smoothing while it’s at it.  I’ve found that Brand New Day gives me a brighter complexion when I use it regularly as both a masque and a scrub. 

Its ingredients include organic sweet pea flour, pineapple enzymes and mineral rich kaolin clay.

Morning Glory Caffeinated Firming Serum

One Love Organics, $59

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I apply this amazing caffeinated firming serum after I cleanse my face with the Easy Does It foaming cleanser and before using the Skin Dew.  It’s designed to tighten and tone the skin, giving it a little boost of energy while it’s at it.  

Waiting On Martha + One Love Organic Holiday Survival Kit

One Love Organics, $92

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The holidays are here and between the parties and the late nights our skin needs all the help it can get.  Enter our holiday survival kit.  The skin survivor is perfect for tired feet, a running nose, and all of that itchy winter skin.  The Vitamin B cleanser; well let’s just say I leave it on my nightstand in case I’m a bit too tired to make my way to the bathroom to properly wash my face.  It’s truly a life saver.  Obsessed!!  

Vitamin C Body Scrub

One Love Organics, $49

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A rinse-able scrub like none other, Vitamin C body polish features an ultra-concentrated combination of vitamin C ester, aloe, shea, and raw organic sugar crystals to deeply exfoliate and hydrate for supremely soft, luminous skin.  And bonus: it smells Ah.Mah.Zing!!

Photography, Kathryn McCrary for Waiting on Martha | This post is in collaboration with One Love Organics, a brand we love and adore.  All opinions are 100% our own. 

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