The Nursery: Wall Thoughts

I would like to wallpaper the nursery but I have not had a chance to look at paper yet. In the meantime I am exploring other possibilities, can you tell which hues are on the mind?Are you cross eyed yet? If I do the wall a color then I will probably wallpaper the ceiling...not sure. Just getting started....

PS-Lights, TV, etc. are remains of the office that have not found a home yet.

SPRING Cleaning & Organizing {Home Management Notebook & Daily Agenda}

Just like the beginning of the new year encourages us to turn over a new leaf, Spring ushers in a desire to freshen up, declutter, and get organized.  I think it has to do with warmer and longer days, and a need for simplicity so we can enjoy those days more, without all the "stuff" weighing us down. 

via

As most of you know, I'm naturally pretty organized, but work and baby and life in general always has a way of interfering with my best plans to STAY organized and clutter-free.  Every so often, I need to take stock of my home and pair down, and put in some extra elbow grease to get things squeaky-clean and aired out.

This week, I'll be showing you how I organize our dreaded paper clutter and kitchen drawers; as well as my "deep clean" Fridays; and my Home Management Notebook & Daily Agenda.

The idea behind the Home Management Notebook is that you have a handy place for your most-referenced and important items and an accessible list of "to-do's" {the Daily Agenda}.  I have to say, so far I'm loving it!  I got the idea from Simple Mom, and tailored it to fit the needs of my family.  I spent the better part of Saturday morning creating mine, after purchasing an inexpensive 3-ring binder to contain it all.  A cute sticker makes it monogramed:)

First I determined how many separate lists I seem to have going at any one time, and then compiled a separate section for each one in my notebook.  I also finally took all the miscellaneous scrap pieces of paper and entered the information I needed into my computer too.

For me, the things I need quick access to, and therefore, created tabs for are: 

Also, I'm keeping a list of "go to" recipes in the front pocket because I need all the help I can get when it comes to cooking- especially now that I'm responsible for feeding a baby.  These are meals I know how to make and know my family likes.

I can already tell the "Gift" tab is going to be a life-saver.  I love sending cards and gifts for birthdays, but those dates always seem to sneak up on me.  I downloaded a free Perpetual calendar and have been working on filling it in, making sure to include anniversaries and holidays like Mother's Day and Father's Day.  I like that this calendar has all the months on one page (as long as you have room for all the dates you need to account for).  I plan to jot gift ideas here too so I'm not scrambling at the last minute.

And my

  

The "Top 3" are the things I really want to accomplish that day.  On a day I work, it may only be, cook dinner and get to bed early!  

The "Weekly Goals" are a list of things I'd like to accomplish that week, which might include part of a project I'm working on, taking James to the park, or a list of errands.

"Dinner" forces me to consider what we're going to eat that night, even if it's leftovers or takeout.  I try to cook dinner about 3-4 times a week.

"Go/Buy" is my list of where I need to go and what I need at that particular place (not counting the grocery store).  Love this!  For example, on Friday, the list had:

• Ikea- high chair (Thanks Cassie!)


• Aaron Brothers- frames for bedroom


• Staples- notebook


• Target- birthday cards 

"Call" reminds me of people I need to call, or appointments I need to make.

The "Blog/Photograph" space is for specific blog posts for that week and things I need to photograph for each post.

THANK YOU to Tsh (SimpleMom) for inspiring this idea for me!

My Home Management Notebook now has a permanent spot on my kitchen counter for quick reference.

I'll be back tomorrow showing you how I handle the paper clutter in our home!

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Gift Wishes

The ole birthday is coming in a couple of weeks and I am adding these to my wish list...

All from Ann Taylor Loft

independence tastes good!

but it sure is messy! 

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This week I'll be sharing some of my favorite tips on 

                          via

See you then!

Quiet Time

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5:22-23

It's The Little Things Really

Rarely does a day go by when I don't have a moment of gratitude for having my own business. After all, I knew from a young age I wanted to build my own company and when dreams come true you don't take them for granted. While the big moments are great, like moving into an office, little moments can mean just as much. Which brings to this- the most boring picture I have ever put on this blog...

Yesterday I opened the mini fridge in the new office and it made me smile. Not really sure why, I guess because it looked so like me. And just like that, for whatever odd reason, I was reminded why I work like a crazy person.

Another inspiring moment came recently while reading this quote from Emerson of EmersonMade:

The first thing is to decide on the deepest level that the thing you love doing is worth doing, so much so that it is worthy of obsession. That’s the fire that starts the engine. After that, you must promise yourself to work extremely hard and do good work everyday, and that you will never give up, no matter what. Just say, “I will never give up, I will never give up, I will never give up,” like the little engine that could. When you decide this, everything you want is yours —it’s just a matter of working hard and pushing through the hard parts with a grin on your face. The grin comes from knowing you can do it because you decided you would.

Now if I could just get my hands on that dress she is wearing.....

PS-Yes, that is actually V8 in the fridge. Turns out this mom-to-be developed an aversion to veggies once pregnant so I have to get it any way I can.

Quote Here via Sweet Nothings

The Nursery: Crib?

Several people have asked me if I have started on the nursery and the answer sadly is....No. I have started telling people at this rate the baby is going to be sleeping in a basket for a while once he gets here. Seriously though, I plan on starting sometime in June, there is just not enough time right now.

Working on so many other nurseries I thought I knew what I would do for a crib. I thought it would be a painted Jenny Lind...

I still really love this look and I am sure I will use it again sometime (above images are not mine, I will try to dig some up). However, I think I want to do something different. I have really liked this Ikea crib for a while now but I am just not sure. Has anyone out there used an Ikea crib? I would love to hear some feed back. I am drawn to the panels and really the color of the wood too which is surprising.

I might look into just a plain one like this one (but not so red). Nothing fancy but I do not want anything large or ornate for this crib.

The budget will not be going towards a crib but if it was these from Restoration Hardware would be top of my list...

So who knows what it will be. As soon as I really get into gear I will let you know what I am thinking!