Thriifty Decor Chick

Family room lamp redos

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9vf8LrfMhdLN9yYIK00-jDQN9wW8320KHW4g8B4_Ej9Lf2Zv520fTuZorKIWQ0XtHXNFAYqNOmDzKrz9MTMKeyJUH8LUYgbTejMqfIleOxJH9DLl4E3Rgr8SaJmXhkWOnErkXAsiJ5s/s1600-h/073%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="073" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPEeRB7ER3_10gD5qd1uE7JRyinMTaBp3bsCPQfv4f4OrNX_RVc1rrlloE9bbweTgFzdsK_OWSN8s7_hNlH-c5dzN9IL6i4xaU_ZvRYWWaI6pfdfgtC3Ylj8ZjCzeBk7pW8loiGIByZo/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="073" width="576" /></a>What a FUN party! If you haven’t checked out the cleaning shindig yet, take a look below for some great tips. I love it! Well, I’m in the midst of a family room mini-redo that started innocently enough – with a new rug. I found a gorg, lighter rug at TJ Maxx and couldn’t resist it. Once that was down in the room, it was all over – it seemed like everything was calling out to be refreshed. I am a lover of warm, cozy spaces – which usually tends to lean in the darker tones. The family room had a dark rug and when it was replaced with a lighter one, I realized something…I could still have a warm space without it being quite so dark. It’s been fun to lighten things up just a bit. And just in time for spring!! Uhhh…wait. Just in time for spring in two months! Yeah. The first stage of the redo was to change out some lamps and lighten up the shades. This little lamp stood on our little corner table in the room: <img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUEPwSn2r5jg4S0hGzXYbJ6wVtoMP8zh2a_EmWiidVE-7jpqDt_MdkNjIn8wDOJjhto27znk8bEPX96zvY6dO1uf8WTHhLw_yJa9N47JABrv4SmNKHqstKrg_16vhZ5Mz-LPd0Mdbmik/s400/DSC04940.JPG" /> I showed you how I cover lamps (and did this one) in <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2008/09/lampshade-tutorial.html">this</a> post. I love this little guy but it’s always been just a bit too short for what we need here. And the dark fabric cut down on the light. Maybe it’s because it’s dark at 5 p.m. lately, but the more light the better as far as I’m concerned! I found this cute blue shade at Goodwill for $2 a while back for a lamp in my craft area, and it was perfect for the lamp I relocated to this spot: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPKfZn9mFgxMiM9mGlpA7UuhXrF4OrH-j1TUo8AFGNmiHrNv1IpKnzlJ3V2nasy3EnjSv_ZVYKVyErjQjez7aa1bdNSee9BnaQYl3VE-nvI7Jk8SK5fiAnw9vhiPUNXlZrLIrX89qNgk/s1600-h/074%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="074" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNMpjlKijg1-FZF3VE44H-v-osO1sEjttgJvDrWIg3jG0XDD1NhXvm1EB3fLoxzC3dVSExtKmGaopkf2irOBMF9hkPAPjlfTyDfk96KYp77_8A-RbidqF56-uq82JaSh7f2_VogP699k/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="074" width="300" /></a> You can deconstruct most lampshades – I took the trim off of this one easily. Sometimes you can even take the fabric off of the plastic shade to start fresh, but it’s not necessary. This one is pretty straight forward – just a green, simple fabric and it was done!:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9OvgR-rOL4tMZNfgsttduOQ1jVErtFJi9n8Tpf8gRsPENpf3_gIQn6suZecjakmHLHUoWVDW5ZXB98vfO72qVgMOH43Y4xY2EL0PtDJ0nIRco40JWxS45g5RjvA83K3FXkz1hZbHa3M/s1600-h/010%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="010" border="0" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCCHHp6gekY3GstrlkltD25ayeHVUHUfFVs0mvEaYPvqsPSwAvGAy3iZLvNX1CzCCdR7WNSo0B8Cz4LwttB4bNXhJ7Ca2bLwjIYxoeSRvdrU5xsA4JUGbymS0qRTng7ihAQx4nvDXV-4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="010" width="295" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S1aCCtNjZcI/AAAAAAAAGqs/u3dk0zlqJzc/s1600-h/012%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="012" border="0" height="407" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S1aCDEtHH9I/AAAAAAAAGqw/YlZaYZGvtpI/012_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="012" width="305" /></a> It fits this spot so much better, and because it’s taller and the shade is lighter, it lets off a ton more light!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIfUpq1YOrFEWy7yoAARMQxB-d3eLh_1CyFjLOqLVEgKfSGB5L1vc2PCavfUb8Uh7jYmeRfJmHT2tINcphbIEdlAEGrg6Sjvwrg2lS-Y6HWZmukApog4M9UIHOvpfGN1yZoZY0qzv2Z4/s1600-h/007%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="007" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzYtcOgo83CRQMn-8OQfD3K5XYbjs91U-E2dfmfOy0RnjCeA5YhT2YMGprPQBdV77NoklN40UEycwBBlYv6u07zQRNHPGQIvHtk0BgatwipagztaneZvQGwANyGnNNNicxK9aefACwHc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="007" width="300" /></a>  The next lamp is one that has had a few different shades because I haven’t found one I love. You can see the latest one in this pic: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIaQFsPEb5fiXIUSSxzeCw8h_MnPUeXjWTdWlMZ5l28TiegKcJ97POtLS7JRTVJbFeYsNsVCedC0k6n-RAL-OetWNZxeyZ9-5tfoUlRz80eYCa4UG-jzLf-Jla5UluFOQa5kheceGkKE/s1600-h/0049.jpg"><img alt="004" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5PJSx6J0G8cN7Ynhalxf5VL-7cT4QBa8jxx7KQBxAYhSXITMDpGLFchCFkQp5Z5PvkoHCAgYeHfOpmQ_u_Fq6pRVRN5GUSQZvQ_znlAXAYXS6Voj7e3N2cL27yfBA8zHITU3ZG82n_0/?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="004" width="315" /></a> The shade was just so stinkin’ wide at the bottom, it drove me batty!  And, yet again, it was so dark very little light was getting through. Enter a shade from the office: <img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6upPLD9eyizPWZOHpg9HhX_StFjaLupAn3D2gfsR46a99HiwLrhNgmEphOEdD8M8hxEP5Gv3duyTFPs9Ig8m8M56xKByhH6zR_gcDoywJdDsTNiOYEDUXSkWfQ9FQshwLEC-cUTc6Gro/s400/DSC03837.JPG" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" /> I love it’s (almost) drum shape! It was the perfect size! I was trying so hard not to spend much money but I did end up getting a new drum shade for this lamp too. Can’t have a naked lamp peeps! :) I’ll show you that soon too! A few weeks ago I picked up extra of the linen-type fabric I used on the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-to-reupholster-dining-room-chairs.html">dining room chairs</a> (just in case!). It was the perfect texture and color for what I wanted in our family room, and I had plenty to use for this project. After I covered it, it still needed a little somethin’. I went to my trusty grosgrain ribbon I had on hand. I wrapped it around the top and bottom, and was reminded of an issue I’ve dealt with before: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCa2yH-uaQ_ly_pyFpUj-1pek5TRoklZVrVzaC6Q80P1hktiVe4oB3L0spiuXcA_Zyi8VPL2whZv3pAfR0F1V_aZDLs1Cv-t8OmZ_rEEhu7g84hPMrs_aDJaaKLPM2gRJslVZRyEF4ug8/s1600-h/069%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="069" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cQcpdbVMZO6cuLC9t-CrY7PXPBF3uUUkpKuq436C47qpBT_tL8aPf8P-IjHf9VwklqTAJpRa718kPEiOJalILSUqz0yE2fZ46S4NIFLVOA7wHg-FTucAHf9c4HGFRDT2WIr9JtAxtDA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="069" width="300" /></a> Because the shade curves a bit, the ribbon kind of gaps. Which drives. me. batty. I tried and tried but it just wouldn’t lay flat. Argh! Then…it hit me…I had some buttons left over from a project gone wrong (I’ll tell you more about that next week). I covered them with the linen fabric as well (they were the kind you just snap together – so easy and only about $2 for three! at Joann’s), then pulled the wire out used to thread them so they would lay flat: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE9eqLpX3glcT4yEXTv2aF2tbidzJiTF322isLPcWugVWvulfT6S0SU3M9SwBTD1Rji8zIcEcfkz7g1rj8pAzOZpFE9lZlC7LYP7xEB2oKTDOjZlo2msX3GZAHvzMxtJH1L1MHeD3024/s1600-h/066%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="066" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4PFvDiJ_CvfZS2089FHwTgowm0n-tM-evGSD1gZ7kkB0l2tA0D0hK8gkVXYDvrv9PWAwvNFx7x-f8M2Uc_yr2LRZHpe5iNLik3aeBi6VINEoj662C6goOi9p00_BLuzj4u4XOzLr8qY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="066" width="300" /></a> I just hot glued those babies on! What would I do without my hot glue?! I don’t want to find out. A travesty for sure. Whew. I had a skeleton key I wasn’t doing much with, so I hung it from the switch for some fun and a bit of color: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S1aCGMh3nsI/AAAAAAAAGrM/i_3lWWY-01I/s1600-h/047%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="047" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S1aCGqF9sEI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/uIHQ60euhdM/047_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="047" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcshqLvNhv-7miG7euCBPngsAT68VrZEq509rV3VfnKiDVr4gB0-W8Pkzw0ksB-TRzr15utcD5mI5Hw2xk8MvEykrZ750u0wSryGW9Dj2UbfUJLuzqdUytzkAaVTSWoy5xdSrLmpDkWQ/s1600-h/035%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="035" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OK-bgJK32-8QrlIrM2kZqIddiBvKo9o5kBhAl0LSF8nXzLVwi4LVRhz6I6llTWPyluwFvX2Mpvel-e5AU0JKp0FwTcCtOh1ZMy1YA89PFYmaiRUeOgzNv70MET5-AClf_hqbljpHe2k/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="035" width="300" /></a> I think it’s SO cauuuute!:   <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVkSGun7oSNDqSyzVuDPbjnuva_rAbyR1kRUf4kkG7VMYk_leM9ewcZSvf4g5iwSiCeaGDpNZVzmz-TJ7G0qbpI41wQy15W8brk4LhYmoCXVn3lbUCi_J3KKXjOq9pmj9kySG7AuKrPw/s1600-h/033%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="033" border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl3zZEdmc6cpUzmhR2HIB0dgrM2tOUgsa0JWADmVxZ2_DF95RQQ51j6SK0BU-3Em9luWHDpfWayyf0qB1qYxbYdUaDEbl4msqci8bZonU7SZcweux4-a5247AwQgLqxXaYYqCFd8CiEM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="033" width="350" /></a> And so much brighter now!           <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPEG2CFoBxmZ5LwnBa90-h4mAIBEXo46S-dIKwMWtoyOHVwLJRLHElemeVttdzXOP9Dfyfq4x-mUqh92Kh-Hait0LThmr3cAyN-ZH5B6pcpSsk7F1hMLHvBrNp-Q0fM67jTizosYaZg4/s1600-h/019%5B9%5D.jpg"><img alt="019" border="0" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFd_VSiCK_IgBrVTMr_wj6uHVY4WTy0OMRGvaYVSP2hrNlgPIuExBRDCQnOdN4XfVSXGMFDiXkf219xnSvv-xmm5WZFlsSfOatqIErOinv3Ml3r-WtqRxbYyvfnYZX0Shw2YsqxzX3ofE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="019" width="350" /></a> Yessss! This time, to cover the edge where the fabrics meet up, I just used the hot glue and an extra piece of fabric to make a little band:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2M__mppI7C7XEUtxyuKC_R3o9N5fN9Iynnw5dCXxvL9eWMxSZJCnjFW6ZUEGI8nUNvcdVypVZJoPxOCYfziiBQvdcdMVx-EmUWD7nmcYzWkrbfk48xoP1ftfih10CGDNh4WyD-9EQIZg/s1600-h/051%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="051" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79Zg-hzLDy9d7ugIjm7_0gu_FjDG8kJvCjyQZiLTKGuzL1DIw2em8XGRGqWY2nLlt7tVUn_bp56wiSoi2OZn-JMZy87RZwD2O7ruVZSmjSfhfykNX2SKiN3h-frgl4bpZb9el7avqu6U/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="051" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2M645pG0f_RNREJnBFUZAOdQFcugn62f60SP1V0YgTyxz2-HxXooNXlUCYTTsX3Q0KPD62JfjU34kBr5OU-DpnOmPOeOCxfTDSLg2WW0BSdRCiO2QKe7C01D2Go2jA6YLgoCVh_POA2Y/s1600-h/054%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="054" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBUMsddnNyP30JHI7aMfyi0N-qytaTFhcN2xf0E5jDJYD7v_7wLiHiB42PEudo7mbkWGDSMQ2MHWHYDyVGNjxWOC8O-kcRQ8uam9_pU-DhrSOnYewj8FX91XgUgtlLISDHZ_V0fk9EL8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="054" width="300" /></a> You’ll notice that when the light’s on, you can see all the imperfections on the edges of the fabric (if it’s not cut straight). If you will be able to see the lamp from all sides be aware of that. It’s so totally annoying to finish it up, ooooh and ahhh over it, then turn it on and see annoying uneven fabric.  :) But if it’s against the wall -- out of sight, out of mind! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLt9574uQNLZxJWCkAKrwgo-Zfrf6W_vLTO-4OJ7qItDzykXuhC5D-bUbA5BnZgwWoFBfKByQkgK-ldJJMyyzbUSvCNToi6zKmf_NO2lAf_PIv8M8vrfbOJ2iljKOqpxgrvb58t2WLbrY/s1600-h/044%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="044" border="0" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8cQoRFbYAVNkAHnHlojkai1JVOL-KcvrHnloTRdqTeZydcvZe1iARLE5jDgrekjN-c1xvFm0jD7ZxjpEUJjSMQaNNJgmtaDz32aDOzUjN7LhJHb74WLk2ILgb4A66EgwCIMTu-QNiLE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="044" width="450" /></a> Sorry for the craptastic pictures – the dark at 5 p.m. thing kind of cramps my picture taking style. ;) More on the family room soon, and another fantastic giveaway coming up this weekend!

Family room lamp redos

What a FUN party! If you haven’t checked out the cleaning shindig yet, take a look below for some great tips. I love it! Well, I’m in the ...

8:10 PM

Party Hardy!

<a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://www.homespun-threads.com/images/fresh02.png" width="200" /></a>First of all, I must say…YEAH COLTS!!OK, done. I wanted to remind you all about the party this Monday the 18th. It’s the first of it’s kind here at TDC so I hope you’ll link up and check it out! Any posts about cleaning short cuts, tips or products you love are welcome. And because I’m a sucker for it – let’s throw in decluttering and organizing cause we all know you can’t get real clean until all the crap is out. ;)I’ll have the link up Sunday evening. I am so glad you love the “decrapify” term. It’s my absolute favorite word! (YES! More than cauuute!) I can’t take credit for it though, the brilliant Sue at <a href="http://mypartyof6.blogspot.com/">Laundry for Six</a> used it in a comment last summer and I asked her if I “borrow” it because I fell. in. lurve. Just a few things I wanted to tell you about – my friend Beki at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/therustedchain">The Rusted Chain</a> (formerly of Pampering Beki) is donating $10 from every "Blessed" necklace to Compassion International to help towards the Haiti relief effort. I own this necklace and it’s one of my favorites! Check out her site for more info. Help support a fellow blogger who recently lost her husband (at 39 years old!) by checking out her online shop, <a href="http://www.shopfeatheryournest.com/">Feather Your Nest</a>. (And maybe throw in a prayer for her and her family as well.) All of her items are 25 percent off, as she is closing her shop because of this tragedy. Love our beautiful blogland full of big hearts! Have a great Sunday!

Party Hardy!

First of all, I must say… YEAH COLTS!! OK, done. I wanted to remind you all about the party this Monday the 18th. It’s the first of it’s kin...

8:58 PM

Decrapification: The office

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gDjH607K8Y3RNGDl_T1XMRHR5RyeC_b0PCyo5gyya3TLPuAdMKU4sLP41tf3vE-IVFDqDLeEkntKKaPcglBcmk_12bCiHCh7YBEXCicLMrVwzT9Ff8iMExQyxomZosZ3LskUblquiVo/s1600-h/087%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="087" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMjHhRav-E3T5NAzAKHFke1qxdC-7DGdyAzPjf29NqFNCoeiw-qGXcLhGQwYNLx33ZN1xl-_URn99eqlFWY8fW2CkT2aZpYQkZ7q-Wh20KPOcXsy8ORKvRYmkCY5C3kWsavFrssXdJrk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="087" width="576" /></a> Every year around this time I start tackling the <strike>clutter</strike> CRAP in our house. It takes a few weeks for me to get into it. I need to get my mind switched off from the holidays and it takes a while for the piles of crap to reeeeally start getting to me. OK, they always get to me, it’s just whether or not my get-off-yer-booty kicks in and I finally decide to address them. As much as the basement is giving me the heebies right now, I am making myself hold off on that space till the rest of the house is decluttered. There are constant piles by the basement steps for a few months as I go through each room. Then, when it’s all done, I let myself go after the pit down there. I’m so psyched to get that space even more livable for us this year, I’m trying to get through the rest of the house even quicker! Last night, the office was calling my name. It is now the one and only room that is completely decluttered and clean and I lurve it! I started by going through every bin in the room. Up till yesterday, I had a bunch of little cigar boxes holding random junk, plus at least four other baskets and bins. As I started sorting through all of the holders-o-crap, I realized it had been ummm….never since I had used most of it. Did I really need three staplers? Five letter openers? Forty-five pencils? Three glue sticks? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNMJh2_0RGYgqnfYJwd0dAGPeTmWLSFhVFyk8X0JL2q02ixSd5KACYTnE2hg98oBtGqc4bdbNbERIFP7uXXanZJ2z4NaFRIF2moqt2fDJgyVQXzrD59ZEBgCMtPWHtLc2S5hHRlNGBQ8/s1600-h/075%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="075" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWJItVSvY5X3fnkDyKwwXoTIIuW9FuV7vpIKs9bYi88_fySncwyuO_PN0n3ja0MVqerwQiaEOSasMqP3w181QVbfjzOyPE_rKtUJ3Cavat6T5egJk6QBZAuTfg8dwKMdj_8SsKe_nG9Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="075" width="300" /></a> When I have used a glue stick…uhhhh…NEVER? Well, not since third grade. Glad I bought tape for Christmas wrapping. Already had FIVE in the office:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYrPWGFplL_BrjaZ1dkDhFSby5x2lY8okhjgr9CioMA33CEm2miqZubo9O3KLpNa0zUeGZZfNgGWftzvjY_ii-y_r898tEpc4eZzQ9YVU7lU9RXD3ymUBMARfu_JoqqtCHU6mou4A7XU/s1600-h/079%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="079" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7R0F-s_HDFl9XUFEpqmMO-1nGPvyNn9-PCTI9GDRWf2NLGC9veqgh7a14NoYJwE63Ry_HW80NKUKCVG3gQKiDFk-fFL6kfXa2nPKUCh5CyKSZLvsfIYllLPqPCffwLs8vIA6LAxieMn8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="079" width="300" /></a> Yesterday morning, I was at the store and bought more correcting tape. Last night, I realized I had four more already sitting at the bottom of a bin:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk_lqQEeyRTmY4fAjsZVPzYWytpWRTcmhKY3r-ZT4WhjH8qa0tvjLJtCELa8HyfgacHlZDvgOm9SO26KV6IJRaN7m5lLAwrZdqn6wHSed81I_1cQzeMOL2gI2MlP_ObKnvOY5olEja38/s1600-h/080%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="080" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOzR5DMc7VFr2zStW5TtKjcGlIJki4q-XnRlubYIe_JoUnDdQfBkSS5bn5pm0c99Jh9XlHDEcip789DQARuPPSrMWgQ7hpOwDKEtODcBDUVQJgiIKLm4acJrgy-ZAr6Y91xYx9C_RQb0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="080" width="300" /></a> Can you puuuuhleeze say it with me? WASTE. OF. MONEY. Oh, and I’m sure I’ll use up the thousands of staples sometime before the year 2020:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBSW67kNNROrw8Y8nLHkM1VmD6Nd5Oleq83BPx8JCV1m-cv9JjKRW-eknPHcqmB_iI81IveUKelzxRLMq03pmYhfW3KMkm1jcPr3k32WhXzZT603EWv3JNHCQy3RGzG82aPRaSVtBL9Q/s1600-h/072%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="072" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqUpOsjIZaD0593FEQxh0JZdSb4CyNUZO4eu8B_KKgJBztLXRE4NJUoy6evnhN3qFEQNZY0VKB1qo1-aD1EJ-WVyvG9edBaJZ2HWyHnD0v_kPdC-K_EO9Q6jgXkqvBkbAViy9kDveCMM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="072" width="300" /></a> Or the 34 notepads:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_z9lZ3OGSZ-1q-9wD_5kzCrtc1L6LcMxEWw9BwPx9jGjAY9Ww5xVPEnBA-hqCCyez3ejX0PzjQI-ysvkQ-dsBaM3wynTfZiyw4z805tLSJjhlti4pj13pySoKfr5T_ZJmCxIgfHXOaa8/s1600-h/069%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="069" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUHdq4XEpTL4Wr15t07CmRh_fStZxlpduWtRzefuKHRwA2dbOzYh_aIy3n4AmsAeo-_FvKn7v4nz5IFq9ydSqFvx14gffG8u194EFuxjWASgmBSDnjYDZa0ft3KWu-hfHm7ydfMe4OTI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="069" width="300" /></a> Ahem. Seriously. I am a declutterer and this is what I had sitting in there. Gah. I got rid of most of the bins and baskets on the desk. It feels fantastic!:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVcT5yf4H4x_Z-kOf5DwmY8LjVE_vAQ4Uz6nK8obc99OakeEl_W2-GXOb-2UIh0ZhKwUGp8Ra6VNmH7jrUf2LrpL1qyySze5IizoEeViVA6OOoXirPP4lWkFu-MSrCLruwR44wx-6Ukc/s1600-h/033%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="033" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_j3jHMgsFdIy1C5sUf4kcUZeJemrskPHJEvZbeNElt-bYalgICKUixKtyamSYpGkUqFHOwXXAgYVpKaNopw9zDs3hc78WhKFvq8OnGFXimx7RFZGnq-JR-usgARWm455xvxeFW7BL_o/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="033" width="360" /></a> I asked myself what I really need within reach at the desk. Writing utensils and something to write on and that’s it! Done.  For storage, I kept a basket, and took some photo boxes I had and those now comfortably hold everything else I need – tape, label maker (swoon!), electronics, etc: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JCa9wdONnb2xWy54gP8Xlm1_GnVPP2yEBDV_ETDbtXAMet1mNQyrEaNoJUWQQcku2v32v9xF4c91nedOa1g1udrdP9BL0dTw1YPJSWqpMlc8KEF4PO3iIYi_ZzvoBbFwM1IsNcwGBoQ/s1600-h/051%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="051" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70zdzMOyRgy7q-lYXEfu5XGPmOWWcwSgevRFB0J2Xwbk5JgzuaZCi7vDEt8k39lg58s5k26uoARtWBeqh4ldfLanydLZWZCsJsNIcb02iV7iThhtdk3oXiE4Evi_M-HcdOarmPuu1dMY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="051" width="300" /></a> I have ROOM on the shelves! :) I have a major issue with paper in our house. I let it pile up and even put a humongo basket out just so I could pile endless amounts of mail and paper crap in it. Needless to say, piling things two feet deep doesn’t really scream organization. ;) I got rid of the basket and now use a decorative box in the family room – I’ve been making myself go through every piece of mail that comes in the house immediately and anything that needs to be filed goes straight in the box. I found the two categories of paper I had piled up most were things the Bub brings home (it’s just preschool and it’s already out of control!) and items I file away in the basement for long term use – keepsake items, instruction manuals, basically that stuff you don’t know what the heck to do with. :) So I found simple $6 containers at my most <strike>hated</strike> favorite place, Walmart: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivki3eyIA52xo4G64GHd04RrFAIdxjE078IUXeHPdBhCfd09l16cHObkw8CFOd1lpdzjVlS2WL0LaltsUTT50h4A4YkhxAKR3NM8fWB65FUTDnNFM1z03tk5sXZGZEHwKWNdMdjIkpp5E/s1600-h/048%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="048" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2i8Z-5McCEbXdW-kJO8RLVN17zkgXHTjSekkLqexhKrlMrcGD-HxXJCefEUsPcE6D7KvjVVsC7JqI9wEQfDMvl0ZkKY0lhTc_ijF1aHDuTjQe9AbWYi9iVljlDOgkZbjQilhCr2UroI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="048" width="300" /></a> They sit on the top of the bookshelf so there’s no excuse not to put the stinking stuff away!! Once they are full, I’ll be forced to take them to their home and file them away for good. That’s the plan anyway. Let’s see if it works. ;) I have a plan to make super cute labels for my newly decluttered bookshelf. All the extras I found are going down to the basement – all in one spot, so I know where the heck to look when I need something! And don’t buy more! Stop yelling Sarah! ARGH! Then, the deep cleaning started – I move (most) everything away from the walls and use the vacuum to get in that area right between the molding and carpet, where all the itty bitties and cat hair hide. (Anyone else hate that area?!): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKtwzOh7Rv4ZSaNlZcAyUvttMgJcJwxykfzv2LdyJoRiD1siV4yPNiV8XP_JKgBnVg4vAzWrYd4iW-vHBZLd7jktHaG79PzZzov2aF4TszFv4AAkyfTfcToFK8Quh8fpyDvxFbRJFLUk/s1600-h/067%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="067" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrtPauDAHLs1VxkWYUUZ6hbShRMN9jt9msSgfTrEPcaEPpPOZKEJdB4P7xSF_3bcPcqdObOB5TljD43ENGoUgq910v6MI8AkHIv3avkO1lGxmg84wZU7TbIL75o7AzMbJO1dbYpLMbSk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="067" width="300" /></a> Then I wipe down the baseboards if they need it. I dust everything, including art on the walls, and the little crevices of knick knacks that won’t get cleaned again till next year: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtQ6P3_N8HYlvmb3vOApKewHzAmG7NygVAtRDn_20uR75ysq8_f6Ur63BxSQZg3rPje4tjd_XmYoaI1jvBmfkW2lqmgKo8IOUpIH8hT-25C8Tlbz4H8JgjOvAplZMevm5LI7MFwZYgDY/s1600-h/043%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="043" border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW344-EuevD2u7RC3OXOVBkImuHDY6EqcJdHa_r9JXtrJMfZuLbovl7qzS3GYk_BeSHDUJxsKXgz82iRn9-uGiS8PikwXTjDMuy5YwpYQzltx2JfXbe4OKp_p4fAxykxNQcA3FoVXoOY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="043" width="300" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0_hoNd1FOI/AAAAAAAAGoQ/n9zH1ZqLonE/s1600-h/064%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="064" border="0" height="373" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0_hoW7nMKI/AAAAAAAAGoU/hotA7hSOBTs/064_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="064" width="280" /></a>  I clean up any spots on the carpet I’ve been ignoring for a year.  ;) And then do the basics like dusting, window cleaning, etc. I moved a bookcase to a different spot in here just for a change and it left ruts in the carpet. An easy trick to help raise those spots up is to let ice melt on them: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_QfscrOgSnSySUihmSQEqv8_ZICZsNl7JZGVNytDTFwPsXdygGOVuLq8r80Ko_MIdA2kaYBW22GslC-gWtz0Y3m6hJoJeJWVSU0nFi93HKMd-gqRI6Gfq1vuW1dv6O7Y7k9TGyg7nK8/s1600-h/004%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="004" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcq25KpG1fh8L02krh-6N3zICvINyUlA-Tt3pwcOidgeVkp1EEj5kvA5Ids9mbUBigg2AgyVKVGNmhEUzYvWM-OWkCFnZO8UXai16JzmYpTNKP4iHzQNRqItte5bFb_E3uPB3WcsoeRBs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="004" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIRkrhaNIyA3p4-Gc32R8z7BfCOYfB8STgnb3psk28wdYBBwx5OchSW1pYtDrclONeW9NVVW-p59wB3OYvyqCoSnVnOmG5KXVA3eFJ7UIistsXL_gS0gq7zWIRsC73GxMHFYxS1GVz-Y/s1600-h/006%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="006" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikay3F_ayMT2gA6xJMby2KWfTB1FjdJ-IJaxS_u8cnTiEaIgRMBsNiTRlQeglrP1XIzg07HMGCy1F2edG3aj7oVF47-CKWiACo4c5uC2wvlnSEu734TkD3yFoV_0ilHngXsjThcb0cKcc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="006" width="300" /></a> I have been known to use a hair dryer to hurry up the process. :) <a><img alt="008" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfScI5pY03qN6G7TSYubFuRx3y85jfMm8F-OwxIZYIxURhH1SyNWHZYg1ZE0wTDtDPyAjBhc-wa7qOeFoGqJrav-jI2BZDI05FNefxlwNCyagbWlUjyVaUeFSRspTHJnMNeilbl8DnVg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="008" width="300" /></a> It still works but not quite as great as just leaving the ice alone. After it melts and dries, fluff it up a bit and it usually looks as good as new! Ahhh…a clean, decrapified space is one of my very, very favorite things!!     <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE73KNfidmj9ApPItbk1tJD2nAGzY1G5g2h4PHbomd0J1v2qrDOwTFyCZNcaKg3aUlEZbi2AzffFMg5tRjY9nKxN5N70datyYaICZaO3gqyvOwq8HBGFyYVXGgQ4Uui-vZuBBY5YQy7MQ/s1600-h/017%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="017" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12V73e2XgZC-T3fc6pl9brYHVvZ8JfTVEHLtMPkwUBHkUfAmWf82K6FfJsXJYrDH1bbryufW97cve_dIWGSUjUXD0xiSjCgZo5uM621ztNrV1NS9qqotcifTVH2Di2M9j_IEPxjQDAds/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="017" width="375" /></a>  It lasted all of three minutes and then the Bub made his mark again. But I had my three minutes! There is something freeing about decluttering a space. Once you do it – you’ll be hooked! I learned a long time ago that no matter what your living situation – be it a dorm room, a teeny tiny apartment, or a huge house – if it is free of the CRAP, it will make you feel more in control of your life. It will free your mind! It’s a GREAT feeling. Have you started? ;)

Decrapification: The office

Every year around this time I start tackling the clutter CRAP in our house. It takes a few weeks for me to get into it. I need to get my...

7:31 PM

Make it work!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocSnrOA3Lb6a7DE31MFFCbv8R23Pwlhyphenhyphen6uQcJYKThvw8vbf31qo6hI9ruih0gTh_7HnsCXDYzdAvVDMIl4PR_txY57GIhD6yqVYABIbEwj-qcmgAfcel4ZGvhEY37g_dIJq0gWEj624g/s1600-h/0649.jpg"><img alt="064" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnGV6qoXZQVg8b-pwwIBAWEfc1nxDhVKx242l1ABbCIg1-v2D9rksg_u6NDc7kRc80gEIaivdvU4CKl7Cx8RKRJG2O7iCP7nDl_3mWLEhjurK205HjXCt1nl9pmouqDUYhiq2ZFt1kC0/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="064" width="576" /></a> I’m totally channeling Tim Gunn on that one! :) I told you awhile ago how I was obsessing over wanting to move furniture around in our house. I also mentioned how that just doesn’t happen often in our house because of the open layout. Poor me, I know. But one day a couple weeks ago I was standing in our loft/playroom and found myself staring at a corner that drove me nuts: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7jnruRTAjNoBTgtq5kC-2is9E8oHv29od6UBmINYV3hDag1feX0ft2TSurKiL-0d3nThfMhEBDjdeCg0ZXrQ-AFuhmOAQacDd3h9oZyjT_rfIt_gUkxJjpqPXzvpYQUpru6PX2HloEk/s1600-h/DSC00009%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00009" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_8DRHLand7oAqiXfvRpagd_Tsc0bJaz_ydoqDGVqc1dXGpkDWCoFrkec07ZJQv1guPZMhMYcbEifNwOmvqlHLCJbU0HmekmR_wL8_cy5c1rS8JWT5qWspTQcpBv-9ZQxx9Jnsayc2fY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC00009" width="400" /></a> It’s that area over by the window – the bookshelf has always bothered me there. It just felt too cramped – especially when every. single. book. is taken off the shelves. I either wanted another shelf for the other side of the window to balance it out or wanted to move it out of that spot completely. I couldn’t get a second bookcase because it’s actually a hutch that goes on top of a desk – and I got it on my one and only glorious trip to the local Ballard Designs outlet years ago. We went with an empty mini van and couldn’t see out the back window on the way home.  ;) Enter the moving of furniture. I slid the sucker over by our stair way and it turned out to be an absolute perfect fit!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWSgD6nNDvVNdJRnWIBzXZlKVctTz5yfj_clsBYHKyaC_64rvUFoj0-zo89s17WDh1QWgeUle0cRCEGg41v6A3qNhlqn-NAMfgGGbDHXFrhe9RpDTlzEWJTPJCDcWC8xOX0V92mjpO2E/s1600-h/0155.jpg"><img alt="015" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjct9rLLRqi2DPfqXZvj8vYzHcLlYGB02lI9nzkfp_6drgSIYPDKkzmRABbHEjMozOAQ-gZ3M46FmvutffD7ouY8pjX7r3oQh5VFCpCT6NUvnGo1qdKcRByqZmErx76f2PvUJlfgxoVLHM/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="015" width="400" /></a>I was worried it might get in the way, but we don’t even notice it. The other thing I have wanted to do forever? Add some kind of base to the hutch to make it look like actual furniture. I mean, it looked like it belonged on a desk, not on the floor: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPm4oXfkKVArgv8OfVL7cDme3kTcPeHR7ikK1pLA5a4fZ1Rhb-uBGIxqkmuHbgTJVhVLxFsHTTCHb32NAQHTbawCMYYEMW6-xn8yxtn7dUGtEWOyFmR3wgB3fvce83fP_KjnR64H9D1w8/s1600-h/0175.jpg"><img alt="017" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuSj2v9SVVuVfpJNNLOKcGZnhAvojH3aB6wVOPP1ucqEWMP959AYWgn9mlmknDzBIlyv-H_kTc6_A3ejdLzZMUqRHd1sqAbUzx_CKDpqSAterJzxA_8_chwKTAiKQ0-CCfI-B_qkPGtw/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="017" width="400" /></a> So I thought up a solution I think turned out pretty well. I measured the size of the top of the hutch, then went and had a piece of wood cut to the same measurement. I also grabbed six “bun” feet to raise it off the floor a bit:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5T0DEz3XzTo-83WINu61ujc_UcZQRA-Ynz44G0u-Qq7FmfwnJ6w7H54EWXx7c5Jk976eEjdP1Bdf1UPillkiePjkXey6FvE1boVvFtqjBN-keaVRnxHhMar1FHtjJS-7R4uH-D8BsLeg/s1600-h/0077.jpg"><img alt="007" border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_nGfklRO-nWV1RNRf5f3Q76uAWAeG00CPboM5Jfr88lWDdcojz6mVlS_KLXcTwwLyo_YVKP8e8wIx7MdDeS_U8jlyjp-BNU6ksVhwZo4uzr9clOTWrjYaHNOxSU49vALlBBBLaTebtc/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="007" width="285" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSSLStO3ndFO2ro7xS3kF3bgp8741aiOgMBIdi0QDFqQWA-VMSMkroHMzmJTOThXZj8sC4sSydptNiXcdHHXrrN2BNtDpet9px4pIXqvQjbVcegd2hC6MH40zgyeRX82tBMemfMwXrj0/s1600-h/0085.jpg"><img alt="008" border="0" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-3cNoQRTHvcXbsRg0zARaBBYuxGMuYUqCk7mVRMXyQHIhfhfo_8YKB1u220RT0kcIem9UgDy_bSOgeA3DCZqDXtZUl_9I9qp_E4rA6KWi7Y2AyL4YfMlvAuBzIW0sJrieNlDkrvP0Kw/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="008" width="310" /></a> I measured the same distance in all around and drilled starter holes for the feet:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWU5Z7hSySx1OUDi1vh8RkROt9JAdzWVbdZAECPE4XTOoeJRwoMZ7UisEFQViXpokba57DvO4FzfIikDBU-osXEtr5YCLj7iOm59sk6LvIZi7bescCoHCQ72kk8YU3n7_IxnZUxLGy5Lw/s1600-h/0094.jpg"><img alt="009" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBegr6WEJWTHnJD3uEIy72NzP7D2XC0-szB5DU-g_JyiJL5ByYE2Ia_zHsFL7WIqbTcFFWQb7bVi9F-nxQiezImDqVYDCN8OfjgGpMFXv3ull3cnCfJvqKBki3uNgaQTYMvffDrACtw7w/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="009" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmKtY-gEUL2jRLSSEIJeclF8dOnUuS-C0KcSHPrN5bofi55nPZI7f-9XLeIoM6ZGRZXxwXQe2jFuPSDmJYBzrnsdmsFDJ3Zr2PgXNM1iXzJd6zEyxZo0n2iXELKelnnjqCkpmokdiU6E/s1600-h/0104.jpg"><img alt="010" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_7i1_56DmLNmU-tp_WQf4WYrNQ7-QP7r2TXcqNjTCPqxmMgOm6azB5nuk_tXZSeaeVpX-GAE8oORFWVtQtcghvsUDlqcPqtZYfMOqXw9SmkpfH5ptzhEQnn5HkKZjvakCdoFvsOo92Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="010" width="300" /></a> The bun feet didn’t really twist in super tight, but they work fine. I also got a piece of trim molding to dress up the base of my new “bookcase” and cut it with my miter box to fit around the front and the two sides: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnXFVanV_VzERqGQnvdJbHCJ_5d6O0k46CtMJm2AakR9tCZ5c8nl-jPrxlDr_2gKrp-yD1Bs1iT-UwOlbTYwC49Pn3t0vS7FFrJGsxW_Ql-2FwNBaeEu1MlpdMZyNwBhgBFPtkWAT34Y/s1600-h/0114.jpg"><img alt="011" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfnrxaL8PawieXiZxOVqeRAR4pvnu1uLBgL6ZsHnGrq1ic_ki6aLxCBfscleJMYzt3aIze7j_SfVG0-CZboBLwv22jH9aYh9yJOpEhySWIXUJtOZ9abN3FdtFEcnEIbcKs0xoNxBYZ98/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="011" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SNQBUY4M0jTzfEfMTh3gOqYHPzSBkAc84dUJH0he-PnN7kt1Coj4u80qmmFWKxEGMvSaeX4kL9AGez0U6NavEXsrrtp354cWuiLcsak-LFWqAKY8DE27NhyphenhyphenRzaosQ1oYd0NEOrQgf7k/s1600-h/0134.jpg"><img alt="013" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreMTkCWHNWAgmCzAIr_CGycHQQaN12nxjHBYnZ-8A7Isct1kDtW2o06pxgRQebsVrjI92jUzZ9NbRsSLZsOEHv8wb1UaQ8gUqC7JI7_MGMZZ5kr4rCIVk3zZlUJ6rhUV_9MDV2cx6jz0/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="013" width="300" /></a>     A coat of my trusty Black Suede paint from Home Depot and it was done. I absolutely love how it turned out!:    <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmh8Za9SyybG2Soy_cokrL_HbyhlRJyuzVHr7-VFFkZ-0kSDqztBC5RKAhxoIvLbLg6yNcJkPoo7t5SSMnZkPZ0oPsdYnw0evP8RUNKOQq45JIOXeh4YlD2yjLZ4u5EkWiL-rm3ofKZM/s1600-h/06510.jpg"><img alt="065" border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffO2uUJBQk8MchGB33xpSXBVdAA1ZZIlbpCfeyuO7DMRuals9J8uUhIRweZ3FfXfsjuPfdiAC7hemgwLL3ccFbF9YOf2UzB8cj-_5gvMAAk1LWQVxNGIEqudr0N3eoSAZ59zEE-XHDTo/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="065" width="450" /></a> It’s just that little something it needed! I removed the meeeellion stuffed animals and now it’s such a lovely, warm spot when we go up and down the stairs: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqZ9Zezc2eh_qhJEQ8-cudLYJm0k1hFvMBLyP4iC70AVzjzOefA18lqMdhGATLfStqeE5gomJ6dXX45466qPnf2uJo2mPbLoxgKUvzLbcqk4K81ym6-Jllwicg9v-GfdBRvl4qpwrOKE/s1600-h/067%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="067" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWQGxdJp7g3AFbIaa-FRrdoWUR_iRxFp7LJEXjIJCX3c0UJBHzAchXF4Ud9FxficWJVfB09EYDEAxg6mkdh3BYZTK2BiY_geWKewJNPoEqoJ10Vx9KHtLzG5gFLafL_zEDZM1a2GdPYk/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="067" width="576" /></a>See that little dinosaur terrarium on the top shelf? Adorable. Cost me a buck. I got that idea from <a href="http://www.livingwithlindsay.com/">Lindsay</a>. (Can’t find the link, sorry!) My son loves it! I didn’t attach the base -- just set the bookshelf on top! The accessories can be seen as you come up the stairs, so because I’m just a little bit crazy, they had to be items that look good from both directions – which is harder than you’d think, especially when you’re shopping your house!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikr50hjxkGEVylXGFK0vCPCQbQIsCxQS808xaBuhLyjAsAySIPmWobXW5lt2S9iHRoW_L7PIBaY-2z7zHXC1BYDqi1syP7Ntk54kKcg0BRmw4MtPD5VC-zpXQajxYDRkzgUjUx8kIPNvI/s1600-h/056%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="056" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCWxI1_8CwfzLTHq8PbccjaXbevmOdMPBVbh1HH8WyU070T19ykHJw-DWXRzIvmGH_ax6DLXS2-KJXKMe_iXInNqdqysSfD8gwKtJKx7qKvEopgnwmKtYWs2Go-KOqkxUgu6YXk_7GEs/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="056" width="576" /></a>I ended up securing it to the wall (into a stud) because it’s way less sturdy compared to before, which is odd now that it has a wider base: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYlvpQSLAhXiqoLw-Wpxp6BXeV_TdQQ41HbZ3bAcL8Cq1wCSGCJNHrkeyw2FX5b1nVWefdQ3mKosnRSSlXxeQKOzsjWMNOdUnFDOjCnSMJj3xvPkQZ82wh5rWq4lCoNYC7mnIW46oyUA/s1600-h/0224.jpg"><img alt="022" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsltRXfjlFITxruLjoBR0jJPsG7MXe0Z1icIu7fSDorpMfh5p35e5GOTNPN-lDJ3K5PujWmHYEBzo0oYyrOItSA-xIMk3aZbJVxH-nxEe8uCVDNkSsAKU8TZUzIV6me3HkIDW6QKPvkCY/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="022" width="300" /></a>  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6oc2fj4y94Q3NLPKDh9phS6id5w-NoFkmU3jN1MAOidR_6kAQnTJ2mADvYAg39fGnP059dE8rdjiDa1gVSstFFYHX5e1bJGYCX7E7w1xAhnecLBP-wbX_w52s-Dt9PpnybR_NJMBDaM/s1600-h/07010.jpg"><img alt="070" border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84RiLKP4lKKsjKnbHlD3bo_Z4jdETJ7g9xpnXadrqMUxkl_hOKIe5dIOl4V_0hPUxrvQHhVSmQeJ7IPlGUVByc77RtDuBz4NTfibJJ32_Gft3-cLcaRHvsUsRl2mtEHkqnVLrrKwRkOA/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="070" width="295" /></a> The corner where the shelves were before is SO empty now, which I’m OK with for now --- I’m enjoying all the space. Before: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphyWPm_LemAsGi5MRyRG5QSG3fa4OlL4165NZLmLo7tKbgLQY41QGa87bOz_imulFrU0dbWKZqSql_ZKXb2fxRAu7i7fd5oIxwa6qcOxIWakHW9OwOOWfPBwcgiyLsN0x6-mNk2gAnk8/s1600-h/DSC000097.jpg"><img alt="DSC00009" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE7OI0CdS9REnYZu_BAJB1IcFOnHFZKVx48uvjrj1lChc2SVe3r3R8G2b1wAES6a_3vTtXnwYGP8NVl_X1rN64rLQi48rte4UKoVJF8gtIXu1umzc4m_FFNXWVyMVJtORQF_mPKYBUXo/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC00009" width="400" /></a>  After…ahhhh: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHbL-aeMAuZQVpoOtF3YG_d06JvzhZWjf9vgjzEEXWDFfcyiMyCKyRZEhDKUWjZ9uTWdvqSE1fJvx6-vFQP5NLNTFiXunltIvp-EwSRnQ7xU0GuhIBgcNSouFHYKYaPJsM2TMRQZwaaI/s1600-h/0765.jpg"><img alt="076" border="0" height="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpZkrp7beK8UQ2E6MLqZt8K5aW7BXWmn0fXkbG3eGCBg43_BSqrM44qLaSqwI0PFhkviSi1RA8nQi-a91CtAIFc_TtsXljLQ2yJs6Japen2j1eFo9fq71r7JRUVc79SJnkuQcPhXHJRA/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="076" width="400" /></a> But now I have an idea for something fantastic by each window! Yippee! I love moving stuff around! I’m working on a mini redo in our family room I hope to show you soon. It started with a rug and it’s spilling into the rest of the room.  :)

Make it work!

I’m totally channeling Tim Gunn on that one! :) I told you awhile ago how I was obsessing over wanting to move furniture around in our ...

5:42 PM

THANKS!

<div><div>I just have to share something with you that I noticed the other day -- a graph of my hits from StatCounter (Google analytics is always WAY higher than this one -- anyone know why? Most of the time double what StatCounter says.)</div> <div></div><div>Anyhoo -- it was pretty amazing. This is the growth of my little old blog from the date of my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/07/no-more-mondays.html">No More Mondays</a> back in July to my post to yesterday:</div> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426038884056297746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEjZBvWPAtfuSW6oVbYgDU0NNV6mRvLs9hPlGcnVwOjeQUTzQwdB9gJ0q9mk4SBHXisoGVYay8pMMlzls372BScTXjxl9YLAu7QFzk4dTr_sIf9mI1PiQYVjWXWLfWX3_Ku27ibXO8AA/s400/untitled.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 177px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />Pretty amazing. Thank you so much. <div></div> <div></div><div>I'm so excited about this year -- I am so fortunate to have the adverstisers I do (some new great ones coming soon!) and I'm so grateful to have them. So many fun events are coming up too -- I'm planning my <a href="http://www.indianapolishomeshow.com/ME2/Sites/dirmod.asp?sid=2263A838BB9D41B1B5985FF73A77AE86&type=gen&mod=Core%20Pages&gid=0104D6BC233A453589886457107CAF5C">Indy Home Show </a>presentations now and am getting excited about that. My friend <a href="http://infarrantlycreative.blogspot.com/">Beckie</a> and I are planning a fun bloggy get together we'll tell you about soon. And if you are going to Blissdom or Blogher I'll be there and I'd love to meet you! (Ack, did you hear about Harry Connick Jr. singing at Blissdom?!) </div><div> Oh, and I just found out NKOTB are performing in NYC this summer, so you may have to hear me drone on and on about them again this year if we can snag some tickets for that. (If anyone has peeps at Radio City Music Hall let me know!!) ;) </div> <div></div><div>Just a couple months ago I was able to be somewhat timely with my responses to your emails and questions, but December really threw me for a loop and I'm trying to catch up. If you have emailed me, I will respond this week -- I apologize for the delay. </div> <div></div><div>My computer time is limited because of a three foot, dimpled cutie patoot who is always my priority and doesn't really get the whole blog thing. ;) But I will get caught up this week, I am determined. </div><div> So again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving me No More Mondays. </div></div>

THANKS!

I just have to share something with you that I noticed the other day -- a graph of my hits from StatCounter (Google analytics is always WAY ...

9:21 AM

What’s your problem area?

<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY6MO9mJI/AAAAAAAAGd0/4oIPQxvBXW8/s1600-h/007%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="007" border="0" height="768" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY6QtmgcI/AAAAAAAAGd4/4U7bw7ia5oA/007_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="007" width="576" /></a> Perfect decluttering weather out there today! We haven’t even left the house! So what’s your problem area? NO…not on your body. In your house. Even the most <strike>annoying</strike> organized people have a spot that they can’t keep up with. Rooms or areas where things collect, piles are created, things get out of hand. Slowly but surely the irritation starts, then the hyperventilating. The hives pop up. Then there’s the itching… I digress. I know I go on and on about decluttering and organizing, but seriously people, I’m human. I have issues too. (Many.) For the most part our closets I showed you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/05/dont-hate-me-because-my-closets-are.html">here</a> stay that way all year. The <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/07/our-unfinished-finished-basement.html">basement</a>, notsomuch. During the holidays I try so hard to keep it organized as I make trip after trip down there, but about five bins in after the holidays, I throw up my hands and just pile. And pile: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY6w14KEI/AAAAAAAAGd8/EN0NEQFfRsA/s1600-h/025%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="025" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY7U8E3HI/AAAAAAAAGeA/ClHo5iBahBM/025_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="025" width="360" /></a>Told you. That’s problem area number one for me. A third of this stuff is holiday decor. A third is general decor and the last part is baby Bub stuff. I plan on going through every inch of this space and getting rid of at least half of it within the next few weeks. This spot will be hubby’s “office” and I have some great ideas in mind to make it more cozy and warm – as cozy and warm as cement walls and floors can get.  ;) My second area is not even in the house -- it’s the car. A looooong time ago I used to be able to keep my car relatively clean and organized. Then I worked for marketing and PR for ten years and that meant tons ‘o clutter in my car for events pretty much constantly. When I started the decorating gig a few years ago, I thought I may get a break from that, but I was INSANE. It was worse than ever. Now that I’m not working with clients “live,” you’d think it was better. Nope -- the older my kiddo gets, the worse my car gets. It’s atrocious. Really, I’m not even going to show you pictures cause it. is. not. pretty. Problem area number three – our master closet. I hang my head in shame on this one because our closet is ridiculously huge. Like, you will hate me when you see pictures. It’s the size of a bedroom for goodness sakes. But I can’t keep it organized to save my life. Here’s just a peek: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY7rHYBJI/AAAAAAAAGeE/Hq2bmaT8bHs/s1600-h/020%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="020" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY8PxoU4I/AAAAAAAAGeI/JN8bZdLpvkc/020_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="020" width="376" /></a> This is hubby’s side and I blame it all on him! OK, not really. I wish. I blame it on the fact that I cannot stand doing laundry. Hate it with a burning, searing passion. Mounds of clothes do not make for an organized closet. I have to say, this picture looks pretty darn good compared to how it usually looks. It’s BAD. My last problem room? The laundry/mud room: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY8ZevlfI/AAAAAAAAGeM/ipXN-0lMWL4/s1600-h/002%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="002" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY8weo8OI/AAAAAAAAGeQ/xeZv-YgV9LE/002_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="002" width="300" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY9Kj2B3I/AAAAAAAAGeU/7dEk4NR4zhY/s1600-h/004%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="004" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY9U81KmI/AAAAAAAAGeY/BkTf7iCRgHY/004_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="004" width="300" /></a> Lanterns from the deck and Christmas decor? Check. Jigsaw from Christmas waiting to be opened and used? (Thanks Dad!!) Check. Rope lights? (?!?!) Check. Margarita from the Fiesta that was supposed to go out to the fridge two weeks ago? Check. Note on the chalkboard Stink Eye Sister left when she finally moved out ummm…two months ago? Check. This area is my catch all for everything. Stuff that’s going to Goodwill sits here till I have a carload – which could be weeks. (Hence the toys.) When I’m too lazy to take the trash out another ten feet to the garage, I throw it here. (Hence the Wii boxes.) Gifts I need to give, or things I need to drop off to friends sit here as well – and sometimes I find them later…much later.  :) It’s just sad. And annoying. This is what we see first thing every time we come in our house. Thankfully, this is one spot it only takes about ten minutes to pick up:     <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY9vsaJAI/AAAAAAAAGec/YkoQO1FCLmg/s1600-h/013%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="013" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY-M5agDI/AAAAAAAAGeg/Vt00lV6E0RI/013_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="013" width="300" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY-UQo7zI/AAAAAAAAGek/WjxaNgzVNMs/s1600-h/005%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="005" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0ZY-16BZ6I/AAAAAAAAGeo/TNBmbZj42vA/005_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="005" width="300" /></a> It’s still not perfect, but it’s much better. And I left the note on the chalkboard cause <strike>I’m lazy</strike> it’s cute.  ;) So what’s your problem area? Tell me I’m not alone! The car? Closets? Do you hate laundry as much as me? Ick. I’ll share the transformation of the basement “office” and our closet soon! Stay tuned this weekend for a great giveaway! Woohoo! If you are dealing with all of this snow, be safe!!

What’s your problem area?

Perfect decluttering weather out there today! We haven’t even left the house! So what’s your problem area? NO…not on your body. In y...

1:58 PM

Coming in 2010!

Happy New Year! Hope you had a great evening and first few days of the year! I am SO excited about some of the bloggy events I have planned for 2010. I wanted to share the plan with you so you know what’s coming up. The first is the Before and After Party, which I’ve decide to make a monthly event. It will take place on the first Monday of every month. All you need is a before picture and your final picture. It can be anything – a DIY project, organizing progress, crafts, whatever! I adore seeing transformations so this party has really been fun for me! Get ready cause the first party of the year is this Monday, the  4th (I’ll actually have the linky up late on Sunday evening). Can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to! <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0AAaL5odyI/AAAAAAAAGZE/333NHKiRBWg/s1600-h/beforeAndAfterButton%5B2%5D.gif"><img alt="beforeAndAfterButton" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0AAaYj0A7I/AAAAAAAAGZI/YZXAqh3hE0s/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb.gif?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="beforeAndAfterButton" width="150" /></a> I’ve got some great giveaways set up for the year, the first is this coming weekend. You will love it! I’m so excited because it’s different from any of the other giveaways I’ve done. Which brings me to my next shindig – instead of the organizing party we did last year, I think a cleaning party is in order. It’s that time of year! ;) Join me on Monday, January 18th to share your favorite cleaning tips, products, etc: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0AAaxn3y5I/AAAAAAAAGZM/j43EeRrYZ_4/s1600-h/fresh01%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="fresh01" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0AAbAEqPiI/AAAAAAAAGZQ/nt_KE4K3hKk/fresh01_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="fresh01" width="156" /></a> I’ve already started decluttering (Toys!! Gah!), and soon I’ll begin the massive cleaning of our house I do every year. I’ll also take you through the process I use to declutter, clean and organize each room in our home. And I’ll make you get rid of your crap. I will. Get ready. :) Finally, throughout the year, at least monthly, I’ll school you in every little detail about the tools I use for my home improvement (and even some craft) projects. I hope to use lots of video for these posts, so I can really show you how to use the tools.  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0AAbeTpjmI/AAAAAAAAGZU/abKC-ILY9Ko/s1600-h/TDC_toolSchoolButton%5B2%5D.gif"><img alt="TDC_toolSchoolButton" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S0AAbhcoEII/AAAAAAAAGZY/29oMky2dVfk/TDC_toolSchoolButton_thumb.gif?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="TDC_toolSchoolButton" width="136" /></a>  You’ll get to go to school, learn and not worry about passing a test! Woohoo! And if you skip class I won’t even know. Yesssss. Well, that’s the big plans for the year! I’ve got some home projects I can’t wait to tackle, but first, I must go weed through more toys. They are multiplying. I’m not even kidding. Help.

Coming in 2010!

Happy New Year! Hope you had a great evening and first few days of the year! I am SO excited about some of the bloggy events I have planne...

6:26 PM