New Challenge

Toni with A bowl full of lemons is at it again!  

This time she has created a new challenge -  

Weekly Challenges: 

The first challenge is to create a "Home Management Binder"

I created my binder about 6 months ago, and honestly - I only open it up about once a month. So, I hope to take this challenge and give my "Home Management Binder" a fresh new look, add a few tabs, and make it USER FRIENDLY!!  

As soon as I get my notebook organized, I will post pictures :)

Wish me luck!

"you, improved"

An article from the January 2010 edition of "Real Simple" has been hanging on my fridge ever since my dear friend, Ginger, gave me the magazine.  

I am tired at just staring at these beneficial facts.  

This year, we resolve to implement them into our diet.  

Maybe one of these ultra nutrients will take a spot in your home, as well...

"you, improved"

SHITAKE MUSHROOMS:

recent studies have found that beta-glucan, a sugar molecule in the edible fungus, helps boost the immune system and prevents the growth of cancer cells.

eat: 3-4 ounces, cooked

BRAZIL NUTS:

Their high level of selenium, which may ward off colon, lung, and prostate cancer, comes from the soil the tree grows in.

eat: 2 to 3

HORSERADISH:

This plant contains glucosinate, a compound that has been shown to increase the liver's ability to fight carcinogens and suppress the growth of cancerous tumors.  Horseradish also has antibacterial properties that may help treat urinary-tract infections.

eat: 1 tsp. spread on a sandwich

WALNUTS:

Studies show that alpha linolenic acid, a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids found in the nuts, can help reduce cholesterol levels and the inflammation that may lead to high blood pressure and heart disease.

eat: 12-14 halves

BLACK RASPBERRIES:

Anthocyanins, the antioxidants that give these berries their bold coloring, may retard the growth of precancerous cells, especially those associated with oral and esophageal cancers.

eat: 10-12

healthy choices... healthy living

A Sweet Shoppe Birthday Party

 Our sweet Lexie Rose turned 3!  

We celebrated with a Sweet Shoppe Party

The Candy Buffet

These amazing Cake Pops were made by Eva and the sweet signs were lovingly created by the amazing Carey.  Aren't they so cute?

I had made these Dum Dum Trees for her 2nd birthday party and was able to re-use them!

The amazing Carey made these poms!

Treat Bags for the guests

These super cute dipped oreo's were so easy to make!  And they were delicious!

The Birthday Girl - wearing a shirt gifted by Carey, purchased from lilshabebe

Party printables purchased from TomKat - I love this "Lollipop" collection!

Guests were greeted by these super-easy-to-make giant lollipops lining the walkway.  

Happy Birthday little Miss. Lexie!

  

Jewelry Box

Over the summer, I decided to surprise Madison by redecorating her room while Jon took her and Jake camping.  She had been wanting black, white and hot pink and between my amazing designer friend, Christy, and I, the "Jewelry Box" bedroom was designed. 

Sorry for the poor picture quality - I took these on a semi cloudy day and tried to tweak my camera lighting :/.

This daybed was my childhood bed...

 as was the dresser

 Eventually, this wall will be a "wall of mirrors" - but these vintage mirrors aren't easy to find... if you happen upon one, of any size/shape, buy it for me!

This picture does not do this chandelier justice - it is beautiful.  My friend Kelly found it at a thrift store and I painted it a high gloss black to match the mirror.  It's one of my favorite pieces in the room.

 Both of the nightstands were estate sale finds - the one on the left was $10 and the one on the right was $3! 
Total score!

Let me just say wallpapering is TOUGH, but totally worth it in the end.  I still plan on finding some fun window coverings and will eventually turn the white oval frame into a chalkboard (maybe), I also hope to find a fun (yet affordable) rug.  A few small tweaks, but otherwise her room is finished.

Love you Madison!



Front Room Reveil

If you remember my post months back that featured my front room, you remember lots of reds and lots of gold.  Colors that I now cannot stand in my home.  I took on the massively huge (way more massively huge than I ever imagined) project of doing a complete design overhaul on my entire home.  I am now over 75% of the way done.  Naturally I am impatient and can't stop until I'm 100% done - so more redesign posts are sure to follow!

If you don't remember my earlier post check it out to see before pics here.

My goal is to mesh Beach Cottage with Shabby Chic while throwing a little bit of us "Wiensies" into the mix.  There are definately still some things left to accomplish (lighting, etc.), but without further ado - I present to you...

The Front Room

These are my Dad's vintage records - all music Jon and I love...

This is the piano I grew up playing on... now it is played by every family member.

 

Pictures of Madison's room will be posted soon :)

Happy Wednesday!

Stations and Tasks

One thing I am quickly learning about simplifying my home is that we need so much more structure!  I heart structure - so this will be easy for me.  Another thing I am learning, is that organizing is super duper addicting!  That's so amazing for me - I am good at getting addicted to things! Another thing I am learning is that STATIONS are a VERY much needed part of having an organized home.  A few of the stations I am creating right off the bat are: DONATION STATION, RECYCLE STATION, CRAFT STATION,

Donation Station

This could be any box or bag or area of your home designated to temporarily hold all the items that belong to another home.  These are items you do not use on a daily/weekly/monthly basis than could be better placed somewhere else.  Remember: your trash could be someone else's treasure...

Recycle Station

I am recycling addict!  I HATE seeing items that could be recycled thrown away, and believe me, I actually dig through the trash bins in my home to find items that could be recycled.  Must be the hippie in me coming out...

Craft Station

Between my sweet 7 year old daughter and me - crafts are ALWAYS being crafted.  My recent adventure is the amazing SILHOUETTE and that is what I am spending most of my crafting time on.  My sweet 7 year old, Madison, LOVES to create, re-create and design during her free time.  We have a constant supply of beads, string, paper, poms, Styrofoam balls, paint, glue, and knick knacks (only she would dream up) laying around.  This station, will house all of these items - perfectly.

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I am also creating for myself the following: "Take 5", "Everyday 20", "Remember This" and "Pick 2".  

Take 5

Every evening before going to bed, I will "Take 5" by setting my kitchen timer at 5:00 minutes and begin moving from room to room putting away as much as I can before the timer goes off.

Everyday 20

I have already implemented this structure into my life and it's totally working amazingly well!  At any given moment of the day (before work or after the dinner dishes are placed in the dishwasher) I will set my sights on putting away 20 things that are out of place.  Sometimes it's a room, sometimes it's just a CLEAN SWEEP!

Remember This

Artwork, pictures, exceptional schoolwork, crafts and awards are kept in this household.  Each child has a yearly bin that houses all the above - it is my job, of course, to organize, sort and save these beloved piece of art and memorabilia.  This years goal is to also frame select pieces of art (rather than just storing everything in the bin).


Pick 2
I don't know about you, but my ever-looming, ever-towering, ever-impossible list of "Things To Do" just seems plain IMPOSSIBLE!  I have the best intentions while adding to my list, staring at my list, and ultimately choosing which item(s) I will defeat each day, however, my list seems to grow and grow and grow, with very few items marked off.  This equals a super duper sad face :(.  BUT, there is hope!!  I am creating a new system - a system of 2.  This number is a very non-evasive, non-defensive, non-opposing number.  It is simply one more than one.  It is 2.  It is picking 2 items off the forever long "To Do List" I have created and accomplishing them.  Yes, that's right!  I said ACCOMPLISH!  Just the thought of marking the box on 2 items a week brings a sweet, sweet feeling to my heart.  I will "Pick 2" items each week off my "To Do List" and accomplish.  The End.

Organization!

I am so excited to learn that January is National Organization Month!  As you know, one of my New Years Resolutions is to get my house in tip top shape - from top to bottom - ultimately creating a simple living space. I have been hard at work!!  I have to admit, it's quite hard for me as I am a total pack rat :(.  Years of saving everything has taken it's toll, and will obviously take quite some time to go through it all.  As the saying goes, it didn't get this way overnight, it won't fix itself overnight.  But, I am committed!  I have already accomplished so much.  So, wish me luck as I continue on my organization mission!

www.withjoycarey.blogspot.com shared this blog with me - I am so excited as it goes right along with my mission!  

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I am also working on my post to unveil all the updates and changes we have given our home, including Madison's room, the Kitchen/Family Room, the Study, and our Front Rooms.  Stay tuned!!