My Dining Room Before

This is the only before I can reveal. The best of the worst, so to speak. I didn't have my wide-angle lens on the camera when I took these pictures, so I wasn't able to get the full effect, but suffice it to say that there were piles in each corner, and junk everywhere. Now, in my defense, the pile of books was to be donated to the library, and the boxes of clothing were going to charity, but still.....the donations did sit in the dining room a bit longer than necessary.

And the broom? The broom is my husband's contribution to the chaos. He likes to leave the broom in different corners of the house. I never know where it will turn up. It's a veritable broom hide-and-seek. Quite fun, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Still Here

Wow! I can't believe it has been almost two months since our last post. Believe it our not, I have been busy for months organizing and decluttering my home. After twelve years and three kids, I had/have a lot of decluttering to do! I wish I had more before and after photos, but my before was so embarrassing, I probably would have never posted photos of it, anyway. But I have made a TON of progress, and have learned alot along the way, so I plan to share my experience with you over the next several days.

See you soon!

In the Interest of Full Disclosure

I have something to confess. I also bought one of these while shopping at Target last week:




This is the green multi-colored flower mug from Orla Kiely. It doesn't make me smile every time I see it like the Orla Kiely bowl does, but I do like it.


Cute, isn't it?


-40

This Makes Me Happy

I bought this Orla Kiely bowl on a whim while shopping at Target this week. I rarely buy anything on a whim these days. Every dollar I spend is scrutinized to the last penny to make sure I am buying something I really need. So I felt very guilty buying this bowl, as it cost $20+ and I don't NEED it. But oh, I do so LOVE it.

The bowl makes me happy every time I look at it. Really, it makes me smile inside.

Perhaps I needed it after all.

-40

Inspiration?

In the midst of my attempt at order and home organization- I saw this. It is the apartment belonging to MoMA curator Klaus Biesenbach. It takes the concept of minimalism in home decor to a new level. Yes, he actually lives here. One blogger questions is he a minimalist or just boring? BORING? Uh, I'd say boring would be more like, "Gee, I don't know how to furnish my apartment so I'll just get a beige couch and a Monet poster". This is not boring, it is something else. Extreme, maybe? Obsessive? Dare I say, crazy?
But I have to say that while I find this apartment a little lonely, I do think it is slightly inspirational to see how little one can live with. As I try to cram all my crap into my tiny home, I look at these pictures and think, "can't I part with just a few more things?" I mean, Apartment Therapy's Home Cure is pretty convincing when it comes to clearing out the junk but nothing like this! And honestly, some mornings I wish my closet looked like that. What a time saver!




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This Makes Me Sad

I have been a really bad co-blogger, I haven't contributed in I don't even know how long. And this is how I return-- with a picture of a neon scrunchie. Now, don't get me wrong, I live in a neighborhood full of slackers, hipsters and too-cool college kids; so it's not like I haven't noticed the return of bad '80s style. It's been back for quite some time. But I just wasn't prepared yesterday when I went on American Apparel's website to find scrunchies for sale! I guess this is payback for my love for all things '60s when I was in high school. Now I know how my mom felt. Old. And maybe a little bit sad.
-35

You Can Be Ree Drummond's Neighbor!

Ree Drummond's blog, the Pioneer Woman is one of my favorite blogs. In addition to great recipes and photography tips, Ree posts stories about living on the ranch that has been in her husband Ladd's family for four generations. If you have ever had ranch envy, now's your chance to live the life of a rancher! Drummond Ranch West, 3,700 acres of prairie grass and cross timber pasture, is for sale and can be yours for a mere $6,000,000! This may seem like alot of money, but it is pennies compared to the $20 million dollars the Drummond family received in 2001 for a separate plot. Hey, living an idyllic life doesn't come cheap.

Love, -40

P.S. Did you notice how I dropped Ladd's name? For years I and many readers have wanted to know what "Marlboro Man's" real name is. With a few extra minutes, google, and a curious mind, a bored mother can reap a lot of information.