SM: Learing to Simplify

I've definitely made some progress this year when it comes to simplifying my home and feeling like my life is balanced again:

• I scaled back on my possessions by committing to work the flea market on a bi-monthly basis.
• I created a facebook page solely for posting my items for sale. 
• I've opened a separate bank account so that the extra income actually goes on bills.  
• I've caught up on 3 bills that I neglected -- though I still have 2 more before I'm completely caught up.
• I've accepted the fact and realized that it's not possible to clean the house, workout, take/edit/post photos of things for sale, declutter, spend time with my boys (aka the cats), cook a healthy dinner, work on my blog, and pay my bills all in one day.  Trust me when I say that this was not easy for me to admit.  I'm a perfectionist so my mindset say that I should be able to do all this but I came to realize that trying to do all this wasn't adding quality to my life, just more stress. 
• I admitted  that I needed a daily and weekly routine to help simplify my schedule and allow myself to work on all the areas that I listed above while staying focused and organized. 

The further I get on this new path of simplifying my life it helps me to tackle more to-dos that once made me feel so overwhelmed.  Life is definitely looking good now that I can see the light of a simple vintage life ahead of me once again. 

As I continue to create these printables for myself I'll make sure to share them with you just in case it may help you in your daily routines and path to a more simplified life.  Below you'll find my first printable that I made to write down my goals for the my Fitness, simplifying my home and my personal / blog for the month of June.   

Just Right Click and select “Save image As…” if you want to use my printable.  
The fonts used are: The Skinny + Orniste TFB and a Gentle Touch.

Here are a few sites that I've found helpful in creating my daily/weekly routine and learning to use a planner:

• Life According to my planner
• The Thinking Closet: The One Thing I Changed 
• From Overwhelmed to Organized:   Why Simplifying Is More Powerful than Organizing

a fresh color palette

The last few days have been pretty productive for me in the home to do lists, including finishing my half bath.  I honestly can't believe it's done especially since I've really been dreading re-painting the walls, but it was inevitable with all the holes that needed patching from changing out the towel bars and hooks and then a few weeks ago my cats decided to climb the curtains and yep it all came crashing down.  

Such happiness seeing  my IKEA print shining brighter against crisp white walls.   

The desire to change my walls from Behrs Peanut Butter to Martha Stewart's Vapor came about when I was inspired by the color scheme in this red, white and teal laundry makeover.  My favorite part of the design was the red knobs.  After scowering her post I found out where she had bought them, but after getting to the check out I stopped when the shipping for a pair of $3 knobs was going to be $10.  This meant I was going to DIY my own red knobs.  It was actually pretty practical since I already had the primer and red spray paint on hand and my cabinet already had the same shape knob only it was a pink flower ceramic knob.  It took several layers of primer even after lightly sanding it down for it to stick and then a few coats of red before I was happy with them. I do still need to add a layer of a clear sealer so they are more shiny than rough. 

I also had high hopes of using the sew now, sew wow fabric by Alexander Henry that Anna used for the ironing board cover, but outside of a toilet set cover I couldn't think of anything in the room that I could practically use it for and I didn't want to just frame it.  So you can image my happiness when I came across this $10 dove poster art on one of my trips to IKEA

 source 

I've yet to hang up a towel rail or hook, because after sealing seeing the bathroom so clean and crisp I didn't like how my IKEA ENNUDEN towel rack looked.  Plus, I really love the ceramic hook that Anna had in her laundry room, so until I can find one similar I'll continue to drape the towel over the cabinet door.

I used command strips to hang the mirror and IKEA RIBBA frame so I didn't add more holes.  I really should buy stock in them, because most of my frames and art are hung up by command stripes.  They really do save me from having so many holes in the wall from the countless times I've changed my mind.  I just used the Velcro stripes for the IKEA frame.  I always cut the Velcro in half vertically and use 1 strip for each side.  this way I get more use out of each strip, especially with the back edging being so thin.  However, for the mirror I opted to use another version, one that the wire could hang from.  

  

I also think that I will opt to using bar soap rather than a dispenser.  I really hate dispensers, especially if I decide to change out the soap.  Plus, I think it will keep it simple.

I'm quite happy with using my vintage telephone / record stand since it's not been very useful in the living room.  It's far to light and my cats like to catapult from it, which usually results in it falling down and anything on it.  This way they can't knock it down and it holds all my extra towels instead of them being on the back of the toilet tank.  I've also added the air fresher on top since taking the photo. 

The MYRVIKEN hand towels and PERSBY area rug are both from IKEA..  I tried looking on their site, but it looks as if they are no longer available.  I did just purchase sometime after summer and the hand towels were a new design then so they may still be available in stores. 

I didn't take out the anchors for my IKEA ENUDDEN toilet roll holder as I new I wanted it back and love that it holds to rolls so we don't have to change it out as often.  I also like that it has a "top shelf" which allows you to utilize the space.  At one point I had the air fresher there, but I really like my ceramic dogs so for now I have them resting there.

I do love how the whole look came out and it's far more refreshing and open and better liking to my Scandinavian design tastes compared to how it looked prior with the Behr Paint as you can see before with my last photographed update in May.

May 4th update

Below you can see my priming progress.  It was definitely a challenge painting this small and cramped space, but after two coats of primer and a coat of Vapor I'm sooo glad I did it.

I decided to just paint the bath walls white, but the only white I had was a matte finish, so I thought this could be a good way to veer from the Picket Fence by Martha Stewart that I painted the dining room, because it was stark white so I decided to go with my original white Vapor which has a slight gray tint to it.

I'm also glad that I  figured out how to paint behind the light fixture without having to disconnect the wires. It wasn't fun, but I'm glad for it.   

It feels good to finally have the walls painted.  I only needed one coat of Vapor, which I was very thankful for and after adding all the hardware and accessories I'm very happy with how it looks.

creativly speaking

Lately I've been calling my 3rd bedroom my creative space, which seems to fit all that I want the space to be; housing my workout gear, craft supplies, my workout gear, and home management system, and of course write my blog posts.  I'm pretty excited about my current plan, which I'll talk about later in another post, but I'm pretty sure it will make you laugh at how OCD I am when it comes to planning.  

It's been nice seeing the progression of the room even just over a few weeks.  Each day I have been working on a new task that moves at least one item out of the clutter zone and it's made the biggest difference.  It's also nice having some of my favorite things in use, like my vintage shelf that now houses my ceramic rooster, diy sun shine art, vintage deer stapler, and simply DIY art.  In the near future I plan to paint the vintage shelf love-in-the-mist (light blue) by Martha Stewart. 

Some other projects that will have to wait for another phase is painting my IKEA RIBBA frame Love-in-the-Mist.that I have show casing  an Eames print.  Can you tell I'm obsessed with this color blue?  Along with wrapping this pretty floral print from Joann's around a cork board.  I would prefer to hold off for now until I actually have my desk systems in place so I have a better grasp as to what size cork board I'll have room for. 

I would like to paint 2 of the walls the Love-In-the-Mist as well, and add in Moonglow (light green) and the pink from Cave Girl Office Reveal as my accent colors. 

At this point I don't have a deadline for the space to be complete as I know it's going to take some patience on my part to allow for time to find the exact pieces, in the right color and a convenient location.  It would definitly take less time if I bought the items new, but I just can't afford to do that right now so I'll be keeping an eye out on craigslist. 

For now I just have to use what I have on hand and try to make things work, but it's not been easy.  My desk is held up by two end tables so it's not quite table height so I end up hunching over in my chair to work. 

January Cure w1

Welcome to my GID for January which will consist of the assignments for the 2013 January Cure from Apartment Therapy.  It's taken from the book The 8-Step Home Cure, by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan who founded Apartment Therapy.  

Were already three weeks into the New Year and I've been working diligently on my tasks, though I still have a few that are unfinished, but it's about small maintainable and attainable steps to help you clear out the clutter and free yourself of things you really don't need.  I also appreciate that some of the contributors on Apartment Therapy are joining along and I like reading how their progress is coming along.

Day 1: Make a Project List  Download available of the full schedule.

Entry:
+ Hang New Wall Art - Choose a better layout
+ Remove price tag off of mirror
+ Sell IKEA Wardrobe
+ Replace Wardrobe with IKEA TJUSIG coat rack
+ DIY Tray with stones for shoes

Living Room:
+ Hang New Wall Art - Choose a better layout
+ Organize TV Stand
+ Find a new Bin for Bain's toys
+ Hang the 2nd pair of IKEA curtains
+ Sell Rocker {02/08/13}
+ Sell Wood Coffee Table {02/08/13}

Dining Room:
+ New Lighting Fixture
+ Put Danish Dining Table back up
+ Triangle mcm stencil on back wall to create a focal point
+ Eliminate the need for 2 bookshelves - downsize
    Sold Brown one on 02/08/13 / moving other to 3rd floor for Linen Storage

+ Buy 2 LACK Wall Shelving Units From IKEA

Stairs:
+ Hang Family Photos
   1/19 I started a small bin so as I find family photos they will all be in one location.
+ Paint walls Vapor by Martha Stewart

1/2 Bath:
+ Hang 1 Art Piece
+ Add Insulated Curtains
+ Buy a Towel Rod
+ Buy TP Holder
+ Buy shelf for under mirror
+ Replace Mirror
+ Buy a new Rug
+ Repaint Walls Martha Stewart Vapor or Nimbus Cloud

Kitchen:
+ Paint Walls Endive By Martha Stewart
+ Entry Art  {completed 1/16}
+ Hang Live, Love, Bark plaque above door  {completed 1/16}
+ Sell Island
+ Menu Wall
+ DIY Hand Soap

Bedroom:
+ Dance Wall - print photos and trim to fit frames {1/18 ordered prints from Walmart}
+ Dance Wall - find quote for wall
+ Dance Wall - Create poster of dance weekly schedule
+ Search for a mcm slat bench for the foot of the bed

+ Move IKEA TV stand to living room

+ Find an Art Deco style mirror for my dressing table {1/24}
+ Fridge: find way to disguise
+ Art Above bed
+ Art on window wall to inspire me to wake up
+ New Headboard

Office/Guest Room / Home Gym:
+ Move IKEA Bookshelf from Dining to use for Temporary Linen Storage
+ Find a MCM Desk
+ Move Bookshelf to add books/dvd/cd listed on Amazon

3/4 Bath:
+ Paint Chevron Pattern on towel rod wall Martha Stewart Popcorn
+ Install new Towel hook
+ Paint walls Sea Glass by Martha Stewart
+ Art
+ Install medicine cabinet above toilet
+ Find a TP holder for extra rolls 

Basement:
+ set up new bench from Home Depot (as of 03/23 it's been taken to the basement)
+ Add new stand for Toiletries  {completed 1/16}
+ Find or Build Shelving
+ purge items not using

Day 2: Set up Your Outbox
This is located in-between my window's in the Living Room

Day 3: Weekend Chores - Flowers, Floors, Green Cleaners & Outbox
+ Buy Flowers.

This I didn't do, as I just threw out my Christmas Flowers from my boss and would rather invest in a green potted plant.  I'm debating between these so far:

+  Vacuum the Rugs and Mop/Dry Mop the Floors.

I did vacuum the Living Room, my bedroom, but the hallway and my office still needs to be done.  I also do need to mop all the bathrooms (3), and the Kitchen.

01/19/13 I finally swept and mopped the 3/4 bath on the 3rd floor.

+ Stock Up on Good Green Cleaners. 

 My roommate has a ton of cleaning supplies and she's not going to let me throw them out, so well be using what we have and then I plan to make simple household green cleaners to use then.

+ Use Your Outbox as You Go.
I have placed a few items in the outbox.

Day 4: Get a Fresh Perspective in just 10 Minutes

I decided a view from the top of my stairs would be a good perspective to try.  Plus, I love that I can see the main floor, though not so good as it looks pretty crowded with all the furniture we have up.

finally added 2013-02-05


Day 5: Select One Project from Your List to Complete this Month
+ Add new stand for Toiletries

+ I chose this shelf that I purchased at a second hand store within the last year and it's been used for several different rooms, but now I think it will work even as a temporary storage item for the extra Toiletries until I can have some built in made. Plus, the basement gets pretty dusty since it's unfinished so it will be easy to wipe off. 

+ I also want to post the IKEA Wardrobe so that  can have that space opened. and then hopefully head to the 2nd hand furniture store a few blocks away and see if they still have these mcm stools for a steal at $15 so I can take the legs and attached them to my IKEA TV stand that I want to use for my entry table.  

Day 6: Choose a Piece of Art Work & Get Going on Hanging It.

+ I have a bicycle quote print {living room} I ordered from Etsy a while back, but it has yet to be framed, because it doesn't fit into any of the frames I own and it needs to be rematted.  I think what will end up happening is that I'll purchase some green felt {for added color} to make a matte with and use a frame I already have.

+ Plus, I also have a copper frame {bedroom} that I purchased from a second hand store, that I would like to hang, but the wire is set for horizontal so I need to get a screw driver to swap out the wire to fit it vertically, then create a poster board with the quote: the best way to make your dreams happen is to Wake Up.

My hope is to accomplish both projects in the next week.  First step is to just go to the craft store.

Day 7: Get Your Get-Together Together - Date, Guests, Invites
The main objective of this clean out is to get your home ready for dinner party, so this is something I still need to put together.

01/18 decided that I want to have a pancake and mimosa brunch

Feel free to join along during any part of the serious, especially if you want to prepare for a dinner party.  This will definitely help get you get to that point.  Also, you can read about Sweet Suite 10, a blogger that I follow, and her progress on the January Cure.