PRiSTiNE CLEAN HOME

KiTCHENS and OPEN SHELVES

2012-03-05T16:41:00.001-06:00

Hmm. I have been toying with the idea of removing some of the upper cabinets in our kitchen and converting the space to open shelving. It is a trendy option but is it right for the way our family lives? Those who have open shelving rave about it as a functional display area. It is true, the open surfaces provide a place for ever changing displays of dishes and keepsakes. That is perfect for people who love to change things up a bit would love a revolving display area. (That describes me. :) Others say the open shelves are dust magnets requiring more cleaning than closed cabinets. True, too. However, it may be worth the personality it brings to a functional blase kitchen???

Then there is the 'clutter' dilemma. Open shelving is so utterly visible to all that clutter will be curbed just because there are no doors to hide it. That is a plus! It will also force us to maintain a minimalist counter top area and avoid the look of being overly cluttered. Functionality and beauty... combine the two skillfully and you've got a pristine place to work and dine.

Open shelving can encompass an entire wall or be relegated to a small space over a portion of counter top. Shelving can be supported by a myriad of brackets from thick wood to narrow swirling iron supports to minimalist or hidden support systems.

THE GALLERIA OF iDEAS...

Enjoy the gallery of photos below. Peruse them for ideas and if you find something you like then look for a place to convert a corner of your kitchen to open shelving. Maybe you can remove an upper cabinet and fill the space with shelves? If it works for you, then it is an inexpensive way to add a dose of your own personality and flavor to a functional kitchen.

Editor's Note: Photos are courtesy from Google and Pinterest.

WALL 'O CURTAINS

2012-03-01T14:48:00.008-06:00

My apologies for the extended absence from the blogging world. Life got a bit complicated, but I am back now and ready to ramble on about all things related to feathering the nest (home design) and family cuisines (healthy nutrition). Today's topic... a bedroom curtain redo! But first, take a look outside the bedroom window at what just popped! Yes, the winter sky is really that blue today. Incredible!

It is happening!
The buds on the trees outside our window are bursting forth with tiny flowers; and they are popping a couple of months early! If Spring has sprung in St. Louis already then I had better get moving on some interior home projects. We want to have the indoors ready for a low maintenance summer so we can fully enjoy the frequent flow of guests and patio parties.

A small project makes a big impact.
In the master bedroom is a wall with a bay window (3 windows, actually). A curtain covers the windows and chops the space into three sections of wall, windows and more wall. Rather than having a chopped up wall, we decided to try extending the curtain rods from wall-to-wall and cover the entire space with curtains.

The goal
We needed to protect the dark chocolate colored, velvet curtains from sun damage during the day. Even when they are pulled off to the side of the windows, they are touched by the sun's rays and will quickly fade. It was also our goal to open the room up visually to let in as much natural light as possible. The photo below provided the inspiration. It has ample natural light and showcases the view by moving the curtains completely away from the window when they are in the open position.

Problem:
Our curtain panels are heavy... very heavy. Affordable new window treatments that are lighter in color and weight are out of the question, so we will do the best with what we have and tweak the solution to meet the goal. The problem we face is weight. Few curtain rods can handle the weight of ceiling-to-floor velvet drapes with a lining. Hmmm.

Solution:

And then there was Lowe's!!! I discovered long, thick wood rods on clearance for a song so I purchased two 6 footers. The color was a mangy yellow with brown brushed into the grooves. Yuck! I looked past the icky color and promptly purchased a can of spray enamel with a plan to repaint them in solid black. Paint covers a multitude of mistakes!

The 6 foot long rods are attached end to end with a connector screw. We now have 12 feet of sturdy curtain rod (supported in the middle by a bracket) which is perfect to hold the weight of the velvet and span the bank of triple windows. Sturdy wood brackets were sprayed black and installed with heavy-duty anchors and screws.

Of course, when I moved the curtain brackets I had holes to fill and a wall to repaint. No problem! Gotta love the instant transforming power of paint! The project was finished in a day and it looks fabulous! We now enjoy the best of both worlds: Velvet-by-day that is protected from fading and sun damage. Velvet-by-night that provides an incredibly dark, luxurious room perfect for quality, restful sleep (and romance!) Bonus: By extending the curtains to cover an entire wall, the room actually looks much larger! Woo Hoo :)

It's all in the details, folks! Decorating on a shoestring budget requires more creativity than money. It's about doing the best with what you have!

THE NEW SPAGHETTi...

2012-01-23T12:28:00.005-06:00

Due to the inflammatory properties of grains and pastas, there is no room for them in the Paleo Diet. We have discovered SPAGHETTi SQUASH holds its own as a fabulous substitute. The 'noodles' have a pleasing, not mushy texture and hold their shape well. The flavor is very, very mild making it perfect as a side dish, dressed up with a few herbs and olive oil, or as a base for favorite red sauces or meats. This recipe is uncomplicated and creates the perfect platform for leaping into adventurous cooking!

ROASTED SPAGHETTi SQUASH

1 large spaghetti squash
2 c. water

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Halve the spaghetti squash lengthwise, remove seeds with metal spoon. Place cut side down in a 9x13" baking dish. Add 2 c. of water to the dish. Bake for 50 minutes or until squash is easily pierced with a fork.

Remove squash from the oven. Holding a squash half in your hand (use a pot holder!), scrape out the squash using a fork. It will pull away from the skin in long strands. Place the 'noodles' in a large serving dish. Sprinkle herbs (a dash of oregano, parsley and basil) over top and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Mix well and serve piping hot! Enjoy!

Editor's Note: Photos are courtesy of google images.

KiTCHEN ZONES

2012-01-22T14:35:00.011-06:00

Is it time to do some re-organizing in the kitchen? It could make a world of difference! In the past, I worked in a professional kitchen and would come home wondering why a large commercial kitchen was so much easier to use than my own. The difference was organization.

Get into the ZONE! I prefer to design and plan in terms of zones. Think of it as enhancing the traditional 'work triangle' approach. While the work triangle focuses on the positioning of the range, refrigerator and sink... zone designs consider the many activities other than cooking that occur in the kitchen (like entertaining, homework, bill paying and electronics use.) Observe the flow of activity in your kitchen and consider how and whether using a zone approach might help organize it.

Preparation, Cooking and Clean-up are the BiG 3 'primary zones' that are mandatory in every modern kitchen, regardless of overall square footage. Non-essential 'auxiliary zones' include Beverage/Bar, Kitchen Office, Baking Zone, Communication Centers (for recharging electronics) and Work Islands that become multi-task, work and storage spaces. While the BiG 3 Zones are essential, the auxiliary zones are optional. If the 'auxiliary zones' do not fit into your layout or lifestyle, they can be moved to another room or eliminated.

FOOD PREP ZONE

The Food Preparation Zone is where it all begins. You clean, slice, chop and whir your way toward dinner. This work area is best situated between the sink and stove. It should be well lit with a few square feet of counter space for working. This zone 'ideally' has everything you need for food preparation within reach.

Knives, tools and utensils
Bowls and Colanders
Cutting boards
Small 'slice & dice' appliances

COOKiNG ZONE

This area is where the magic happens! It includes fixed appliances: Cooktop, oven, microwave and maybe even a toaster/convection oven. This zone is best situated next to the PREP ZONE and stores all the items needed for cooking and baking.

When organizing the cooking area, begin by group cooking items according to their 'purpose' and dedicate specific storage areas for them. For example, pots and pans can be stored near the cooking surface in deep drawers, inside a cabinet or hanging near the stove.

Cooking utensils should be grouped and stored within reach while cooking. Knives are best kept sharp and ready to use in a knife block near the cooktop and food prep area. Utensils can be hung or placed in a drawer or grouped together in a crock near the stove top.

If there is a baker in the family, consider creating an auxiliary 'Baking Zone'. A cabinet or group of cabinets designated for the storage of baking tools, pans, measuring cups and spoons, special pans etc. It is a great way to keep the family baker content with all his/her tools congregated together and organized.

CLEANiNG ZONE
This area is considered the 'wet zone' and includes the sink, the cabinet below the sink and the dishwasher. The cabinet below the sink can quickly become the dumping ground of household cleaners and miscellaneous clutter. It is perfectly situated and should be reserved for cleaning items used ONLY in the kitchen!

Trash can liners
Dish detergent and dishwasher tabs
Waste cleaning scrubbing pads and utensils
Paper towels
Microfiber cleaning cloths
Kitchen cleaners
   What's below our sink?
    409 for cleaning countertops, backlplash and appliances
    Bar Keeper's Friend for a sparkling stovetop and sink
Murphy's Oil Soap spray for wiping and conditioning wood cabinets
    Glass cleaner for windows, glass fronts and table top
    Stainless Steel cleaner for appliances

CONSUMABLES ZONE
This zone is for storing chilled and unchilled foodstuffs. The refrigerator, freezer and pantry are a fixed part of the zone. It is important that you determine storage space required to serve the needs of your family and how to organize foods so that similar foods are grouped together. Consider adding free standing shelves, brackets, baskets, boxes, lazy susans or dividers (tension curtain rods) to help organize similar foods for easy viewing. If you cannot see what you have at a glance, you probably won't use it!

Tension curtain rods used as dividers!

Personal example. We have a tall narrow pantry that is home to all of our non-refrigerated consumables (and a bit more). Each shelf in the pantry is designated to store certain items and yes, the shelf is labeled! Labeling helps the family find and replace items with ease, maintaining order in the pantry with little effort! This system of organization can be easily adapted and applied to consumables stored in over-the-counter cabinets as well.

Top shelf - Tall appliances: Coffee maker, blender, immersible hand blender and an egg cooker.

Canned Goods shelf: All items in cans or jars, salad toppings in stacked Gladware containers (sliced almonds, sunflower seeds and dried fruit bits), salad dressings, coffee and teas.
Breakfast/Lunch shelf: Multiple containers of dry protein mixes, a Magic Bullet with multiple glasses (for making protein shakes) and lunch boxes.
Snack Shelf: A basket of protein bars, jerky, dried fruit and natural applesauce. A large self-serve jar of raw, mixed nuts.
Pantry Door shelving unit: Attached to the inside of the pantry door is a shelving unit consisting of six narrow shelves. It is perfect for holding spices, two bottles deep and within easy reach of the Food Prep area. Three shelves are designated to herbs and spices. Coconut, walnut and olive oils are kept on one shelf, home office supplies occupy another and cooking wines are held on the lowest shelf.

This is what our pantry holds... yours may look different depending on the contents. The idea is to group like items on the same shelf. You can even pattern the shelves after grocery aisles!

NON-CONSUMABLES ZONE

This zone is mainly for all things related to serving and food storage. It should be located a short distance from the dishwasher and close to the counter space used for serving food. Items stored in this zone should be those used on a daily/weekly basis.

Plastic or glass storage containers
Dishes
Glassware
Serving dishes
Serving utensils
Flatware

For holiday or special occasion serving pieces and linens, consider a remote area for storage like a dining room cabinet or nearby hallway closet. In our little cottage, we don't have either of those so we've designated one shelf in the basement storage area for kitchen items not used regularly. Our shelf includes a crock pot, domed cake platter, George Foreman grill and bins for cookie cutters and over-sized serving platters.

In closing: Your family's lifestyle should determine the functionality of your kitchen! Organization is a process that changes as the needs of your family evolve. Keep trying new ideas until you find that which works best for you. Enjoy the Zoning process and Happy Cooking!

Editor's note: Photos are shared courtesy of google.com and pinterest.com Enjoy perusing the creativity of others and glean ideas from them for application in your own home. :)

MAXiMiZE DRAWER SPACE

2012-01-08T23:02:00.004-06:00

Problem: I do not have enough drawer space in the kitchen.

Most people face this dilemma eventually. Overstuffing drawers is incredibly common. Utensils, hot pads, paper products, linens, tools, recipes and other miscellaneous items haphazardly end up inside kitchen drawers until the space is so crammed it is unusable. Sorting and reorganizing overstuffed drawers is a job that nets extra space and restores usability. Ready to get creative?

Solutions:

Pick a drawer.

* Empty the contents onto the counter.

Arrange and sort contents by category.

Make three piles: 1. Keep 2. Recycle/Give Away 3. Trash

* Utensils. Discard any that are broken. Give away those that have not been used in the past year. Set aside your favorites in the 'Keep' pile.
* Batteries, light bulbs and tools? Find a better place for these items like a laundry or utility room, garage or basement.
* Dish towels, napkins and other fabrics? Save the best and get rid of the rest. Discard or reuse old cloth napkins and dish towels as rags. Store rags in the laundry/utility area.
* Paperwork. Appliance warranties, recipes, magazine clippings, etc. do not need to be store in a kitchen drawer. Discard warranties for appliances you no longer own and store current documents in a file cabinet. Recipes and clipping can be easier to access and organize in a binder on a shelf. Photo albums with plastic sleeves are available in a variety of sizes and also work well for organizing recipes.

Organize the drawer contents. This is where you get to be creative!

* Gang or hang utensils.

If you have ample counter space, store long handled utensils in a container. Pick a container that is an expression of you or something you love. After all, you will be looking at it every day! It might be a crock or a sturdy glass vase, a ceramic flower pot or the clean lines of a steel container. Place the gang of utensils near the stove for easy access. A knife block is the best way to keep knives sharp rather than storing them inside drawers where their edges become dull from being knocked around. If knives must be stored in drawers, cover blades with knife guards to prevent accidents and keep them sharp. Magnetic strips made specifically for hanging up knives can be hung where they will be most used, make certain it is not accessible to children. If you have wall space, hang utensils from hooks near the stove and your kitchen will take on a 'professional' look.

* Caddy it!

Go portable with a freestanding utensil holder for cutlery used daily. A portable caddy can be used from the counter when serving buffet style or moved to the table. It can be left on the counter if space is available or tucked inside a cabinet.

* The back side.
The inside of cabinet or pantry doors can be great for hanging narrow shelves or hooks. It is the perfect place for hanging measuring spoons and cups. Mount shelves for holding plastic wrap, foil, waxed paper and parchment paper or as a dark, easily accessible place to store spices.

* Shelf additions.
Mount, hang or place a shelf inside the cabinet to use for stacking napkins and linens or pans and lids... or any other items clogging your drawers.

Photo courtesy of Dynamic Space by Blum

* Zoning.
When it comes to organizing a kitchen, zoning was popularized by the modular kitchen movement. It is a smart move to create zones for various tasks as it creates a place for everything, eases flow and traffic within the area... and it just makes a lot of sense! Designate areas for: Consumables (fresh and non-perishable foods) - Non-consumables (dinnerware, serving dishes, flatware, etc.) - Cleaning (wet zone) - Preparation - Cooking. (More on this topic to come... )

* Divide and conquer.

Partitioned cutlery trays and drawer dividers are available in a wide range of sizes and materials. Mix and match dividers to hold the items you will be returning to the drawer.

* Avoid cramming.
Once you have installed partitioned drawer dividers, it is easy to cram them beyond capacity. Leave space for future additions to your cutlery collection.

* Control the clutter.
If possible, devote a small drawer, basket or shelf inside a cabinet to catch miscellaneous odds and ends. We have designated one of the narrow shelves (12" W x 3"D) on the inside of the pantry door as the 'office space' for: rubber bands and paper clips, scissors, pens and pencils, tape and glue, etc. Small, clear plastic containers keep the odds and ends organized.

Create a place for everything and keep everything in its place.

Your kitchen can become a place to foster your culinary creativity and enjoy community! Imagine it as a wonderful place to think clearly, create and enjoy. Keeping it organized takes a bit of daily effort but in the end it is soooo worth it! Make the best of what you have then throw open the doors and invite your friends inside!

People say that the grass is always greener on the other side.

But, if they would just water their own grass it would be just as green!

All photos courtesy of Google Images.

EATiNG OUT

2012-01-07T08:13:00.002-06:00

What happens to you when you eat out? Do you maintain or gain weight? The average weight gained during the Christmas holiday season is a whopping 5-10 lbs. Yikes! So, how do people wanting to eat 'clean' do it? How do they maintain and not gain?

Watch, Learn & Mimic. Watch how 'clean' eaters dine. Learn from them. Put it into practice. My husband and I have learned a few tips that helped us pick the best of the worst! Can I just brag on him a bit? Over Christmas, he didn't just 'maintain' but lost 2.5 lbs.! With a few simple tips, eating 'clean' and making good choices when you are eating out can be a joy rather than drudgery.

Think: PROTEiN, COLOR, WHOLE

3 TiPS to keep in mind while grazing the buffets at parties and reunions or when eating out.

1. PROTEiN FiRST

Scope out the feast and choose to fill up on protein first! How fun is that? In fact, make it a point to consume protein with every meal or snack, starting with breakfast. Why? Eating a protein loaded breakfast will help neurotransmitter balance throughout the day, which helps avoid overeating later in the afternoon and evening. Protein is important for satiety, the feeling of being satisfied or full. It also mitigates insulin response when carbohydrates are consumed and provides extra defense against weight gain.

2. THiNK: 'COLOR'

When the Christmas feast serves a buffet of creamy casseroles, buttery rolls and a table full of sweets to rival a bakery... it can be tough to decide what to put on your plate. Choosing foods to fuel your body will always help keep unwanted pounds away. For example, a sweet potato is healthier than white spuds smothered with butter, cheese or sour cream. When in doubt go for COLOR!

3. CHOOSE WHOLE FOODS

Whole foods contain more fiber, satisfying hunger and needing more enzymes to breakdown for absorption. Processed foods absorb quickly with little 'fill-power' creating a scenerio for over indulgence on carbohydrates and sweets.

Enjoy the occasional dining-out experience. Eating out without guilt, stress or putting on weight is 100% do-able. You will not destroy the benefits of 'eating clean' all week by enjoying a little bit of indulgence. A few times a week enjoy a free 'cheat' meal. It is proven to be beneficial in curbing cravings and keeping you on the right track the rest of the week! What a plan!

Keep it simple. Think PROTEiN, COLORFUL, WHOLE foods when eating out and keep moving! Exercise daily, play in the sun and sleep well. You've got one life to live... live it well!

HOUSEGUEST CHECKLiST

2011-12-11T21:12:00.006-06:00

'Tis the season for well planned family gatherings and impromptu visitors. You just never know who might show up on your doorstep! Is that okay with you? Do people know they are welcome anytime or does the idea of having houseguests throw you into a panic??? The bigger question might be: How to be ready for visitors in any season? Is it possible to throw down the welcome mat and really mean it? Need help making your guests feel right at home and ensure you can relax along with them? Read on!

The following collection of ideas are derived from friends and family who have been fabulous hosts and hostesses over the years. Thank you, all! Peruse what others are doing to prepare for guests in their homes. Pick and choose what is appropriate for your home, budget and lifestyle. Enjoy the selection of ideas!

Prep the House.

The less you have to scramble to prepare, the more you will enjoy time shared with friends. Impromptu visitors should not induce heart failure, hair raising or mind altering states! Drop by visitors should be welcomed as much as those who plan ahead and give forewarning. The key to handling both seems to be... a home that is kept organized day in and day out. You don't have to be 'Becky Home-Ecky' with a spotlessly clean home and gourmet foods available at a moments notice... but it helps tremendously if you are organized! At the very least, advanced preparation and an organized home allows you room to breathe and think clearly!

Prep the Guest Room.

Whether you have a guest room, a sofa bed in the living room or a blow up mattress... there are a few things you can do in advance to ensure guests are comfortable.

Be your own guest. Spend the night in your guest room... sleep on the bed! Does the mattress sleep 'well'? If it's an inflatable, a feather mattress topper can make it feel luxurious! What we are suggesting is: There is no substitute for personal experience. A night in your own guest room will give you ideas on what guests might need to make them more comfortable.

Linens on reserve. Stock a shelf in the linen closet or guest room closet with sheets for the bed, fluffy towels and extra (clean) pillows and blankets. Treat your guests with the newest, freshest linens and pillows you can afford and reserve them for guest use only.

Keep a sampler basket of toiletries ready-to-go. Include trial size shampoo, conditioner, face soap, body soap, lotions, shaving cream, deodorant, disposable razor, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, Q-tips, cotton balls and Kleenex as well as samples of hair products for smoothing frizz, taming curls, hairspray, etc. Continue the spa treatment by keeping a hand-held mirror, blow dryer, curling iron and/or straightener for guest use.

Provide a full length mirror in the guest room or bathroom providing guests with a place to check appearances before dashing out the door.

Light the night. Provide a small table, short chest of drawers, a stack of old suitcases or a chair beside the bed for use as a table top. Add a lamp or wall light (on both sides of larger beds) for soft ambient lighting and late night reading. Provide an alarm clock/radio or ihome, a small vase of fresh flowers and bottled water.

Hanging space. Many homes use guest room closets as storage for miscellaneous household items. If your guest closet cannot be reserved for guest use only then offer other options for providing hanging space. Floor space available? Provide a standing hall tree. Go vertical! Use wall space and hang a decorative row of hooks for hanging wet towels or clothing. Go spa! Provide a touch of luxury with white, terry cloth robes for guests to wrap themselves in.

Keep the bathroom clean. Whether the bathroom is a public space or exclusively for guest use... Keep it clean and ready for use! A quick, daily, wipe down of mirror, sink and toilet will do wonders for keeping the space freshened up! If you know in advance that guests are arriving, swap out the towels for clean ones, empty the trash bin, refill toilet paper supplies and add a small vase of fresh flowers. Voila! You are ready to go!

Thoughtful service. For those wanting to go above and beyond, consider placing a gift basket of tasty treats in the guest room. Keep it simple and include fresh fruit, nuts and a little sweet indulgence! (Chocolate, anyone?) Take into consideration health issues, ages and personal preferences of guests when filling the basket. Don't forget to add a tour guide/maps of the area plus a magazine (or two) of interest to your guests.

There is no end to the 'extras' you can provide to make your guest's' stay comfortable and memorable. Preparing in advance is essential for worry free visits. It allows you time to truly enjoy the company of friends! Afterall, laughter is good for the soul!

Note: All photos are shared courtesy of google images.

PALEO GUiDELiNES

2011-12-04T12:25:00.004-06:00

In hopes of inspiring others to health and fitness...

Basic Paleo Guidelines:
1. Eat lean animal protein at EVERY meal. This includes grass-fed meats, pork, poultry, wild game, eggs, organs, wild-caught fish and shellfish.

2. Enjoy a colorful variety of seasonal vegetables. Fresh, seasonal and organic is best. Consume them raw, steamed, stir fried or roasted at every meal. Starchy vegetables like potatoes should be avoided. However, sweet potatoes and yams can be enjoyed in moderation.

3. Enjoy fruits, nuts and seeds. Fresh, seasonal and organic is best. Berries, apples and pears are low glycemic and excellent fruit choices. Bananas should be consumed sparingly and only post work-out. Nuts and seeds should be consumed in moderation. Enjoy a handful of nuts occasionally... especially walnuts, almonds and macadamia nuts.

4. Eliminate all cereal grains and legumes from your diet. These foods include but are not limited to the GLUTEN GRAINS: wheat, rye, barley and oats as well as corn, rice, brown rice, spelt, soy, quinoa, etc. LEGUMES: peanuts, kidney, black, pinto, navy beans, black eyed peas, etc. Fiber??? No worries. Compared to whole grains, non starchy vegetables have 8 times more fiber.

5. Cut out the 'bad fats'. Vegetable, hydrogenated and partly hydrogenated oils include but are not limited to: Margarine, soybean oil, corn oil, Crisco, peanut oil, canola oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil.   Healthy fat alternatives include: Olive oil, walnut oil and avocado oil. These are fine to use in salad dressings and drizzled over prepared food. Cook with olive oil or coconut oil. Clarified butter (Ghee) and butter from grass-fed cows is fine to use sparingly.

6. Eliminate dairy and all dairy products. Almond or coconut milk are healthier options.

7. Eliminate all processed foods.
That includes all refined sugars and artificial sweeteners, soft drinks, juices (including fruit juices) and pre-packaged, processed products.   If it is processed, it is suspect!

8. Beverages.
Drink plenty of water. How much is enough? Half your body weight in ounces per day is minimum. Enjoy coffee or tea in moderation. Natural sweeteners like honey or real maple syrup may be used sparingly.

9. How often and how much?
Some people need to eat smaller meals more often and others do well on two or three squares a day. Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfied.  How much? A fistful of lean meat with as many 'non starchy' vegetables as you want at every meal.   Add in some healthy fat, fruits, nuts and seeds in moderation. Variety is optimal!

10. Plan ahead.
It is essential for staying compliant and seeing results. Prepare larger meals and save leftovers for breakfast and/or lunch the next day. Preparing food in advance is key to eating clean!

Real life example of smart planning... My sister is a surgeon in a large hospital. She is also a brilliant, healthy, strong, CrossFit woman with a crazy, busy, upside down, unpredictable schedule and she has been highly successful on Paleo for 3 years. How does she do it? Once a week, she cooks several dishes and stores them in individual serving containers; enough for the entire week. Having meals she can 'grab-n-go' keeps her on track and eating clean no matter what her schedule dishes up.

11. Free meal.
Enjoy an occasional 'cheat meal' 1-3 times a week to take the edge off of 'cravings' and help you eat clean the rest of the week. It is not a license to binge but an offers an occasion to cheat a bit. It will not affect the nutritional advantages that come from eating clean consistently.

12. Get rid of stress.
Strive toward reducing external sources of stress, as much as it depends upon you. Get 8-9 hours of sleep. Try to wake up without an alarm and go to bed when it gets dark. Sleep in a completely dark, quiet room.

13. Exercise regularly.
Keep training sessions short and intense. Cross training to include cardio + resistence/weight training is essential. Daily variety in a workout is preferable to long, repetitive cardio sessions.

Play in the sun, be active, laugh, read, relax, serve, learn, discover and enjoy your life. It is a gift!

Science.

The scientific research backing the Paleo and Primal diets is extensive. The purpose of this blog is not to discuss the science but to give you a place to begin... a 'jumping off' point. I would encourage you to read, read, read before formulating any opinions or making changes. For more info. and details please check out the recommended reading:

The Paleo Solution, by Robb Wolf

The Paleo Diet by Loren Cordain

The Paleo Diet for Athletes by Loren Cordain and Joe Friel

The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson

Editor's note: All photos are courtesy of google images.

The PALEO JOURNEY

2011-12-02T22:23:00.006-06:00

What is all the hoop-la about Paleo??

The Paleo Diet/Lifestyle is based on documented scientific research of paleolithic societies and mimics the types of foods our ancestors ate prior to the Agricultural Revolution. Think: Hunter/Gatherer! The foods they ate include lean meats & game, fish and seafood, good fats, vegetables, fruits, a few nuts and seeds. All are high in the beneficial nutrients like soluble fiber, antioxidant vitamins, phytochemicals, omega-3 and monounsaturated fats and low-glycemic carbohydrates.

The nutrients in lean meats, fruits and vegetables promote good health and reverse many health problems by eliminating the source of dietary induced inflammation and acid base imbalance caused by refined sugars, grains, saturated and trans fats, salt, high glycemic carbs and processed foods. Paleo encourages people to replace dairy and grain products with fresh fruits and vegetables that frequently cause weight gain, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and numerous other health problems. Calorie counting is not necessary, neither is portion control!

Seriously? What's not to love? My hunting/gathering skills may not involve a spear and a herd of wild animals... I am more limited to the meat/produce departments of local grocery stores, but I get the job done! :)

Paleo journey beginnings. The last straw. When I learned of my extensive food allergies I was dismayed and down right discouraged. As an athlete, I knew there was a connection between high quality foods and performance but helpful nutritional information was very limited (30 years ago). Thus, I began the hunt for foods I could eat rather than focusing on those which I could not eat. In a society filled with grains, dairy and processed foods it was quite a challenge.

Paleo has been a God send! I don't have to reinvent the wheel and go it alone! People across the globe are creating ethnic Paleo interpretations of their native cuisines and it is wonderful! Recipes are available online and in some amazing cookbooks. A shout of thanks goes out to many who have made a clear and easy path to follow. The best part: I am excited again about cooking some of the best food we have ever eaten! The journey of the past year has been a culinary adventure as we have experiment with ingredients new to us in recipes that are easy to follow. Delighted, I feel a renewed hope that food is more than just fuel... it can be fun, especially when shared with people you love!

Paleo is a lifestyle. It is not reserved for those with gluten or lactose intolerance, allergies, arthritis, diabetes, weight issues, heart disease, chronic and autoimmune illnesses, etc. It is for all those desiring to improve their health, maintain optimal weight, reduce the risk of disease and improve performance! Did I leave anyone out?

Good quality food is central to my quest in keeping the people I love... healthy, lean and strong. Delicious tasting food (that is time efficient) and does not require a culinary degree to prepare is mandatory in our busy household. As a mother of perpetually hungry teenagers, going Paleo requires planning ahead. Food is prepared in larger-than-usual batches and the leftovers are stored in the frig. for grab-n-go snacks. It's a healthier alternative to reaching for a prepackaged, overly processed, empty carb-loaded snacks! It is completely do-able on a budget! Cutting out the cruddy processed foods leaves a larger portion of the food budget for real foods!

Basic Paleo Guidelines coming up next time...

Until then how about trying out a new recipe? Turn up the heat on the winter blahs with this hearty 'one-pot' dish.

CAVEMAN CHiLi

Note: This hearty dish is complete even without the 'traditional' beans which like most grains and legumes, contain undesirable phytates and lectins. The chili is satisfying and leftovers can go into the freezer in individual containers for later!

2 quarts of diced tomatoes
2 c. beef stock
1/2 c. red wine (optional)
3 lbs. grass-fed ground beef
1 Tbs. olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 pint mushrooms, sliced (optional)
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 bay leaves
3 thyme sprigs
2 Tbs. fresh parsley, finely chopped
Pick your heat: (Seeded & chopped or use a dash of Tabasco to taste)
   1 anaheim or poblano pepper (low heat)
   Jalapeno, New Mexican Anaheim or guajillo peppers (medium heat)
   Serrano, tabasco, cayenne, chipotle (smoked jalapeno), habanero, Thai, Indian peppers
   & all the rest (flame throwers)
sea salt and black pepper

1. In a large stockpot over medium heat, cook the ground beef with some olive oil, (if it is really lean, you'll need it.) Remove and set aside.
2. Add the vegetables and saute for 5 minutes or until slightly browned and softened.
3. Into the stockpot, add meat to the vegetables, beef stock, wine and diced tomatoes. Stir well.
4. Drop in the bay leaves, herbs and a dash of salt & pepper.
5. Reduce heat to simmer on low for 4 hours or until thick, stir occasionally.
6. Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving.

Serve steaming hot with a side salad of mixed greens drizzled with vinaigrette. Enjoy!

All photographs courtesy of google images and are shared solely for your enjoyment.

GOT 'PALEO?'

2011-11-28T12:12:00.009-06:00

I thought it might be good, fun and interesting to change up the subject content of Pristine Clean Home and touch on topics a little deeper to heart and home. I am speaking of the flesh and blood 'home' that houses the heart. It, too deserves some cleaning and decluttering TLC!

The past year has been a year of change. The year long kitchen make-over created a work space aesthetically more pleasing & infinitely more functional but a greater change has come in the way we use it!

It has been a gradual change, in stages... and has revolutionized the way we cook and eat as a family. To be honest, PALEO was a hard sell for me, partly because it sounds rather unappealing and caveman-ish but also because I am a notorious skeptic of anything resembling a 'diet'.

Convinced by the life changes observed in my sister and best friend (who has been PALEO for 3 years), I resolved, at least, to investigate. I read several books, tried a few recipes, talked with a couple of trustworthy physician friends and followed up on the research. What I discovered changed my views and drastically improved the quality of life for our family. The way our 'Paleolithic' ancestors lived and thrived for millenniums just makes sense! It's not rocket science... it is really quite simple and very do-able on a budget. And I love that PALEO is a lifestyle, not a fad that is here today and gone tomorrow.

But before I get too carried away, allow me to share the tremendous benefits we have already experienced over the past couple of months!

Benefits. A few that have surprised us...

* ENERGY (We have more of it!)

* CREATiViTY (The OOMPH, concentration and desire has returned to really develop ideas knocking about in my head! It is as if my brain has been given more space in which to think and explore with clarity and vision!)

* PRODUCTiViTY (At work and school: Concentration, focus and comprehension has improved dramatically! Who knew?)

* PERFORMANCE (CrossFit athletes across the globe have gone PALEO. These elite athletes understand the inseparable connection between nutrition and performance. Experiencing it first hand, for me, has been a powerful endorsement.)

* SLEEP (Insomnia eliminated. Seriously! I experience quality sleep for longer periods of time and wake refreshed. Yeah!!! I go to bed earlier and wake earlier without an alarm!)

*3pm SLUMP (It is gone! No more mid-afternoon wishing for a nap! Energy just keeps burning steadily all day long!)

* DEPRESSION ELiMiNATED. (I admit it. Bouts of depression, particularly in the wintertime, have plagued me for years. No more!)

* WEiGHT LOSS (Optimum weight has been restored and is being maintained without struggle and dieting!)

* DiSAPPEARiNG ALLERGiES. (We are talking extensive allergies: Foods, chemicals, growing things and air-born. Eliminating systemic inflammation through nutrition has been an enormous boost in overall health and well being. The pocketbook bonus: Medications for allergy symptoms have not been used for months!)

And the benefits are many, many, many more. Too many to count.

Curious to know more? Stay tuned.

Editor's Note: Photos courtesy of Google Images and are intended for your enjoyment.

STAGES OF A KiTCHEN REDO

2011-10-26T12:03:00.002-05:00

I'll paint just about anything that is sound, to save it from demolition! I would rather take a chance and repaint the kitchen cabinets for under $100 than spend thousands on replacements. It is part of my obsessive passion to restore beauty to the broken, chaotic, unlovely things in life. That passion has been singularly directed toward to the hub of our home; the kitchen.

This blog entry is about our year long journey as we experimented with the goal of transforming a our kitchen into a space that is both efficient and beautiful on a shoestring budget.

A little bit of background: Our kitchen was supplied with standard medium oak colored cabinetry with less than ample lighting that created a dark, drab and dreary space for cooking and entertaining. Three types of wood & stain were used on our kitchen cabinets... not appealing! Change was in the wind but it came in stages.

Stage 1:
We replaced old yellowing appliances with white counterparts. (Sorry, no photo of that nastiness!) Out-dated light fixtures were removed and a can light was installed over the sink. Two pairs of off-colored cabinet doors were removed to create shelves for baskets (over the microwave) and cookbooks (over the refrigerator). We installed a microwave and vented it to the outdoors. With these changes, our micro-mini kitchen quickly became more efficient.

Stage 2:
Repainted the ceiling and walls. An easy-peasy DIY project that took one day to accomplish! That improved the look by reflecting natural light but there was still too much brown.

Stage 3:
Courage! We removed cabinet doors, drawers and hardware... took over the garage area to sand, prime and paint them, inside and out. We lived with the white lower cabinets for a winter to test the durability of the paint. It held up beautifully and gave me the courage to keep painting!

Stage 4:
Upper cabinet doors were removed, sanded, primed and painted. Under-cabinet lights were installed, greatly improving task area lighting. (see photo below).

Stage 5:
Faded vinyl flooring was replaced with large ceramic tiles.

Stage 6: The nasty, aging tile backsplash was replaced with vertical strips of beadboard (Yes, it too was painted white).

Stage 7: Repainted the walls again. We used a warm, bright white to reflect the light and let it bounce around surfaces in the room! A few decorative flourishes added a dose of personality through texture and color. Our kitchen project is finished (for now) and is being fully enjoyed as the light-filled, joyful hub of our home. :)

Thinking of repainting your cabinets? Need some tutorial advice? Check this out:

http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/11/how-to-paint-your-kitchen-cabinets/

BACKSPLASH REDO

2011-10-21T10:14:00.008-05:00

DIY WEEKEND PROJECT!
Tired of the outdated tile, it was time to transform the mood of our kitchen and freshen up the backsplash. With the walls and cupboards freshly repainted, & hardware updated, the tile backsplash looked out of place, out-of-date and grungy.

Phase 1: Research
I surfed the net, looked through countless magazines and design books before coming up with photos of our top three favorite backsplash idea/options that suited our budget.

Phase 2: Demolition

The process of removing the old tile was a bear! I discovered the old ceramic tile had been Super Glued and set in cement! Half the drywall was removed with the tile!!! Shoot a pickle! Now what?

Phase 3: Plan B
If the wall had been sound, our preference would have been to repaint the drywall for a timeless look. That wasn't happening! It was time for PLAN B; cover the gouged walls space with something I COULD paint!

We opted for primed bead board and installed it vertically above the countertop and behind all appliances for a uniform look. We caulked the cracks and edges for a clean, smooth look. Next, two coats of bright white paint were brushed onto the surface to reflect the light creating a clean, easy-to-scrub backdrop. Voila! The kitchen has been transformed into a lovely, clean, bright place to decorate, cook and entertain.

It was the best weekend redo project ever!

The photos at the top of the page inspired our 'PLAN B'

I really liked the clean look and vertical lines of wide bead board. :)

Ready to try your hand at transforming your kitchen with a new backsplash? It does not have to be uber-expensive or fancy schmancy. Simple, transforming options include: Paint, wallboard or tile. Current trends lean toward open shelving and painted backsplashes. Cheers to inexpensive options being in vogue! If your walls are sound, paint is a quick, inexpensive, easy redo! Some backsplash options require a higher skill level than painting... extensive tile work is not quick, easy or inexpensive. Hire a professional if your backsplash ideas are beyond your abilities, and kiss the weekend project good bye.

Peruse the gallery of photos below to whet your appetite. Options are shown for a variety of skill levels. For more ideas, google 'backsplash' or visit sites like: Better Homes and Gardens (bhg.com) for do-it-yourself project ideas. Your local library, bookstore or home improvement center will have ideas & books on the subject as well.

Now, that we have been through the 'BACKSPLASH REDO' process... we would highly recommend:

Research first.

Create a file of photo ideas.

Create a budget.

Keep only the idea photos within your budget.

Shop for supplies.

Set aside a weekend.

GO FOR iT!

Photos are provided courtesy of Google and Pinterest.

HELP FOR HOMESCHOOLERS

2011-10-05T20:16:00.005-05:00

Sometimes we all need a helping hand! When the kids are home around the clock, homeschooling is happening and there is still a house to clean, mouths to feed, a babybird to rescue and return to its nest and a lawn to mow... Well, our good intentions to get organized are systematically flushed down the toilet. Can you relate? Indeed, it is the battle cry of many homeschool families!

Need ideas getting started? Get the kids involved. You don't have to do this alone. Kids are idea factories! (Who knew that oranges could be so much fun!) Encourage them to put their creative energy into finding solutions that everyone can live with for keeping the 'school zone' uncluttered and organized. After all, it is the space they will be using for multiple hours a day. If they are old enough, ask for their opinions! Brainstorm together! Let them have a say in what is needed, how to configure the room and what colors should be used!

The goal? Create a place for everything... so everything can be put back in its place at the end of each school day.

1. Begin by setting aside a day for clearing the homeschool space. Remove everything. Clean the space well. Repaint if needed.

2. Determine what is truly needed for teaching and learning. Consider the fact that kids learn best in environments that are easy on the eyes, free of clutter with plenty of empty 'negative' space on surrounding walls. The days of messy bulletin boards and artwork filling every open space are over. The distraction clutters the brain making it more difficult to stay focused on the task at hand.

3. Move the big items into the school area first... desks, chairs, cupboard or shelving, file cabinet, etc.

4. Last step: Add the details. Decorate sparingly.

Desk areas and classrooms for homeschoolers tend to be on the 'smallish' side. Small spaces have to be incredibly versatile & highly functional. A small area can feel larger when vertical spaces are used well. If you can't expand outward... think upward! No closet available for supplies? No worries! Consider cubby shelves, a tall file cabinet or two, tall book shelves with bins & baskets labelled for easy access, an armoir or floor to ceiling shelves.

Re-purpose. Take a walk through the house, look carefully at furniture already in your possession. You might find a piece or two that could be re-purposed to the school room. Is there a spare dresser, entertainment center or armoir that could become a storage file? A kitchen table can be converted into a desk. A flat surface, like a spare door can become a large desk top supported by a two-drawer file cabinet on each end. Bonus: The file drawers create abundant underneath! An exercise ball (35cm or 45cm) makes an excellent 'bouncy' desk chair for wiggly, energetic children of all ages. Are there pallets, crates or spare wood available that could become a desktop or a book & supply cupboard?

We could go on and on, but the ideas that follow speak more loudly than words! Maybe this is a good place to pause and show off other people's marvelous organizational ideas. We invite you to browse through the gallery; stop & study the photos that interest you. Borrow & adapt ideas that might work for your needs and put them to good use in your own home. Be creative and enjoy the challenge of finding a place for everything!

Photo Gallery of Ideas...

Editor's note: Photos are courtesy of Pinterest and Google.

'QUiCK CLEAN' SOLUTiON

2011-10-02T11:26:00.010-05:00

"HELP! Company is coming!" Have you experienced moments of utter panic when you learn that friends or family are on their way over... you've just tracked mud into the kitchen (due to puddle jumping escapades with the kids) and the house is looking like a tornado scene from 'Twister'? You are not alone. Chaos happens!

The 'QUiCK CLEAN' SOLUTiON
Do you have 20 minutes and some gumption? You can have that mud cleaned up and the house tidy in a short amount of time. The 'QUiCK CLEAN' solution can transform the average home from chaotic-tornado-territory to presentable. Although this is not a substitute for regular or deep cleaning, it serves to freshen up living spaces in record time for those moments in life when 'urgency' seems to be ruling the day. Are you ready?

'QUiCK CLEAN' CHECK LiST

To save time... pick one corner of the house and systematically move from one room to the next until you have come full circle. If there is a spouse or other family member at home... RECRUiT their help! Tear the list in half or thirds... DiViDE and CONQUER it together and finish in half the time!

At our place, we begin at the back of the house working our way right out the front door! Our cleaning list looks like this:

BEDROOMS / 5 mins.

Make the bed. It is the largest piece of furniture in the room. Pulling up the comforter and fluffing the pillows instantly improves the overall feel of the room!

Clear the floor. Fold, hang, put away stray clothes & shoes.

Straighten bedside table and dresser surfaces. Put away jewelry, straighten reading material, etc.

BATHROOMS / 5 mins.

Polish the mirror. Remove splatters with paper towel and glass cleaner.

Wipe out the sink. Clorox wipes are great for a quick clean.

Swoosh the toilet bowl. Use a brush & cleaner to remove the 'ring of fire' and freshen the bowl.
Wipe toilet seat & rim. Use a Clorox wipe & toss.

Pull shower curtain closed. Let the curtain and liner dry thoroughly to reduce mold growth. Glass shower doors can get a quick clean with a wipe of Windex, water and squeegee.

Spot clean the floor. Use a damp paper towel to clean up splatters and gather stray hairs.

Remove trash & replace garbage can liner.

LiViNG ROOM / 5 mins.

Clear the clutter. Put away toys, games, laptops and anything else not in its rightful place.

Tidy the sofa & chairs. Fluff pillows & fold lap blankets.

Straighten surfaces. Straighten magazines & books on coffee table and end tables. Gather remotes & place together (in a drawer if possible). Throw away trash.

Quick dust and spot clean surfaces.

KiTCHEN / 5 mins.

Clear the clutter. Remove paper piles, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc. Do the dishes!

Polish the sink. A quick wipe with Windex Glass and Surface wipes leaves sink, faucet and handles streak free and pristine!

Wipe counters, table and stove top. Clean spills and splatters with damp cloth and all-purpose cleaner.

Sweep and/or spot clean floors. Use paper towel & all-purpose cleaner.

Fold and hang dish towels.

TiME CRUNCH TiP:
If you are crunched for time and do not have 20 mins. to tidy the house... focus your energy on the public rooms and a bathroom. Make them presentable since they will be the areas most likely to be seen and used. Close the doors and turn off lights to the private rooms. :)

GREET FRiENDS with CONFiDENCE.
Your home may not be spotless and look like a showroom, nor does it need to be. Remember that true friends are coming to visit you, not to do a careful inspection of your house! The tidy and freshened up home is icing on the cake. It feels fabuloulsy gratifying as a place to hang your hat contentedly, without apology and share life with friends and family.

Editor's note: Photos are intended for your enjoyment, courtesy of Pinterest and Google.

TWO-A-DAY PLUS iRON

2011-09-25T10:46:00.014-05:00

TWO-A-DAY PLUS iRON

My neighbor and I hatched this hair-brained idea while power walking. (That's when we do our best thinking & solve the world's problems. :) I share it now, with the hope that it might help the non-list-makers out there in cyberland to accomplish more with their day and feel less guilt!

Have you ever struggled with a mountain of work to be done... then proceeded only to waste your free time when you coulda/shoulda/wish-you-woulda been chipping away at the mountain? Don't beat yourself up! There is hope! Goals don't just 'happen' they take discipline and TWO-A-DAY plus IRON may be part of the remedy!

TWO-A-DAY

You may be asking, "Two what?" The answer is MITs: Most Important Tasks. It is very simple. Set two MITs a day - the two things that simply MUST be accomplished before the sun goes down. The goals set need to be tangible and within reach. Write them down. Keep them on the front burners of your mind. Knock them out with gusto and rejoice in your accomplishment!

GOALS AND ROUTiNES
It takes at least a month of being disciplined to establish a new goal and make it a habit. Be patient. Habits become routines when repeated over and over again. Routines are systems we all have in our lives that can hinder or help. Take your morning routine, for instance. Are you a snoozer who rises at the last minute, rushing around in a flurry of feathers like a chicken with it's head cut off? Not a pretty picture, but you get the point. You have a choice. You can start the morning in a tizzy or choose to establish a different routine.

I'll share my morning routine with you because I'm a night owl by nature who chose a profession that required I become a morning person. The transformation was not easy. It took discipline and a loud alarm clock placed across the room. If I had to get out of bed to silence the silly thing, I was more likely to stay upright and get a jump on the day. I also discovered the wonders of welcoming the day in a sea of calm. It sets the tone for the rest of the day!

Morning Routine

* Wake before the sun.
* Drink water.
* Savor a cup of java.
* Make breakfast, (set MITs), read.
* Send my family off to school.
* Exercise.
* Shower.
* Off to work.

PLUS iRON

It sounds like a nutritional supplement! In a way, it is. The 'IRON' is a literal reference to 'pumping iron' and exercise. In a sedentary society that spends more time sitting than moving, exercise takes discipline. Both cardio and strength training are essential components for a healthy lifestyle. Find time for good nutrition, exercise and sleep... You'll be investing in your own health!

Sometimes small things,

like setting two goals for your day can net enormous results!

I highly recommend you give it a whirl!

Editor's Note:
Posters and photographs are shared for your delight as a courtesy from Google and Pinterest.

REPURPOSE-RECLAiM

2011-09-19T15:10:00.006-05:00

Over the years it has become a family joke that I will paint anything that has lost its luster or is in need of a fashionable upgrade. I habitually repaint walls and trim work as I enjoy a 'change in scenery' when it comes to our interiors. The fireplace brick, kitchen cabinets, dining room table, chairs, dressers and outdoor furniture have been lightened, brightened and colored with a few strokes of a brush. If I cannot find something at home to paint, I volunteer to help friends. I've also been known to look curbside on trash day. You never know what you might find! One man's junk can become another man's treasure, especially with a coat or two of paint.

I may enjoy painting but there are others who truly have an eye for reclaiming junk and reinventing it. Allow me to treat you to work from some incredibly resourceful, creative types with whom we are privileged to share this planet.

Enjoy the gallery of ideas and feel free to recreate anything that might inspire you. :)

Two shutters and corner brackets become a shelf with character!

Vintage wine glasses turned upside down become sparkling crystal candle holders.

Truck springs turned into bar stools! It's so industrial chic!

A collection of vintage doilies make an artful, cottage style table runner.

A crystal chandelier in the bedroom juxtaposes the wooden door headboard. Romantic!

Wooden skewers packed into a box can be used as a standing knife block. Keeps knives sharp!

Garden gate handles make unique towel holders for the kitchen or bathroom.

Hardware store metal bin (we used these for feed on the farm) becomes a utility sink/pet bath!

Step ladders make clever bedside shelves. Guest room?

Bath mat created with upended wine corks inside a frame.

Friends would have to save their corks for us to get enough for this project!

Acrylic or glass vase with coffee beans (or glass marbles?)

to hold make-up brushes (pencils/pens?)

Vintage metal egg basket or bottled milk carrier turns into toilet paper holder.

A bathroom that oozes personality! The 'shrunken' ladder makes a great towel holder/dryer. Desk lamp mounted on the wall becomes vanity light. Stump is a sitting stool.

Framed mirror and photos. Lovely vignette!

Oh, for the love of shutters! Paint-able! Hang-able! Fabulous organizational tool!

Hang one inside the pantry door to hold favorite recipes and shopping lists.

When kiddos outgrow the crib... turn it into a pint sized office/craft space! (Totally paint-able!)

Mason jars recycled!

An old bike as garden art!

Redefining the traditional 'window box' with reclaimed wood and shelf brackets!

Soda bottles, rubber boots and wine crates are converted into container gardens. Brilliant!

Hat and scarf reclaimed by this little guy. Adorable!

Editor's note: Photos are shared for your enjoyment via Pinterest and Google.

KEEPiNG iT CLEAN

2011-09-16T14:09:00.013-05:00

Your home is your sanctuary.
Whether you live alone or with a posse, it takes cooperation and a system or two in place to keep it clean.

Step 1 was learning to de-junk. It is a skill the family can learn together and use for a lifetime. Taking on the task alone may lead to an uncooperative family. They need to participate in the process and be equipped with the skills you are learning or they may unintentionally mess up your hard work due to ignorance. If they are a part of the decluttering process, they have a 'hugenormous' advantage as they have been a part of deciding where things belong!

Step 2 involves putting a two systems/habits in place to keep the house clean and organized.

So, you have reversed the curse & restored beauty, order and cleanliness to your home...

NOW WHAT?
How can you keep your hard work from reverting back to that cursed chaos? It takes nothing more than small, consistent, cooperative effort!

SYSTEM #1

PUT iTEMS BACK WHERE THEY BELONG

Encourage those who share the air with you to finish what they start! If you take off your coat, hang it up! If you open a cupboard, close it. If you dirty a glass, wash it. If it is trash, throw it away! If the dishwasher is full and clean, empty it. The same can be said for toys from the kids' room, a book from the shelf or a movie/game from the media cabinet. Every item has a place and if put back in its place, the house will retain its clean organization.

It is not rocket science,
just common courtesy to others if you finish what you start!

Enlist the help of your posse. If a checklist is needed to get everyone started, create one. After habits form and become daily routines, checklists are generally out the door and no longer needed.

SYSTEM #2

THE NiGHTLY 'WALK-THROUGH'

If you live with a family, consider taking turns doing the nightly 'Walk Through'. If the children are too small to handle it on their own, take them along with you. Lead by example.

It generally takes 10 minutes or less. Before retiring to bed, walk through the house straightening up. Tidy up each room... straighten pillows, fold throw blankets, restore order to kitchen counters, etc. Put things where they belong and do not forget to shine the kitchen sink! There is nothing quite so lovely as an empty, shiny, kitchen sink greeting you in the morning as you begin breakfast preparations.

You will find that SYSTEM #1 and the cooperation of your crew takes care of the bulk of keeping a home organized. The walk-through takes care of the details. Make it part of your nightly routine and you will awaken to a tidy home. It's guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a great way to start a fresh new day!

HABiTS BECOME ROUTiNES

Developing a new habit can take 4-6 weeks but it is worth the effort! Consistency is the key! If sticky notes posted around the house (for a month) help remind you and others of your goals... use them! A chart with stickers awarded for learning a new skill can be helpful for training youngsters. Feel free to print cleaning lists from previous blog entries... each month has a list for a specific room. i.e. Aug./'How Clean is your Living Room?' Use the checklists until a new system of cleaning becomes second nature.

When do habits become routines? On a personal note, my family has used checklists every cleaning day for years. Our teenagers now have the lists memorized and have cleaning skills that would rival a professional. They have a skill set that will serve them well in their futures. Consistency in training the family begins with you! Set some goals. Prioritize. Find ways to remind yourself of those goals & be consistent!

We are cheering from the sidelines for you, sending shout-outs of encouragement!

Change for the better is hard work! Yet, if it is a priority, it is possible!

Go to it!

Be consistent. Learn a new skill and reap the fruits of it!

Editor's Note: Photos are courtesy of <Pinterest> and intended solely for your enjoyment.

'QUiCK EDiT' YOUR ROOMS

2011-09-07T13:24:00.011-05:00

What motivates you to make a change? Most of us are compelled by pressure. Panic ensues when we realize the house is a disaster and company is arriving soon! Maybe it is a dinner party scheduled for next week that throws us into a tizzy as we realize the house looks more like a mud room! Perhaps our motivation comes from the kids arriving home from college with a few friends in tow. We can celebrate whatever form 'pressure' takes as long as it propels us toward improvement. A change for the better is a welcome one even if it involves rubber gloves and rolled up sleeves!

A 'quick edit' is a beginning step. It works to restore peace, clarity and beauty by eliminating the top layer of visually distracting, stress inducing clutter.

I have been proof-reading papers for over three decades. One of the things I have learned is to ruthlessly edit. Cut out everything that is not necessary and you have got a more meaningful story. The same principle applies in our lives. 'Less' can become a showcase for more time, space and beauty. I highly recommend editing one's life. Today's edit tips focus on one slice of life: the home zone. I'll let you in on a little secret: Rather than filling our home with stuff...

Edit each room of your house, one per week.

If you have the time and energy to do more, GO FOR iT!

Time is a premium. Set a minute limit for your project. For starters, try to de-clutter a room in 30 minutes. You will find that as you practice and repeat this process you will increase in speed and efficiency.

Skip the closets and storage for now. Focus on the main living space, the areas you can see. You can do a deeper level of de-cluttering another day.

Begin with the BiG things. Is there too much furniture in the room? If so, edit the pieces down to what is necessary. If you love a piece and it serves a functional purpose, keep it. If it is distracting, useless or taking up space, remove it. Re-purpose and reuse it in another room or recycle it. If you have stacks of storage boxes full of stuff, remove them to a designated storage area. Clear your space of the unnecessary items.

Clear all flat surfaces. This includes: desktops, dressers, tables, chairs, mantles, counters and floors. Remove papers, piles, toys, clothes, knick-knacks, jewelry and anything not bolted down!

It is edit time! Put the items you cleared off of surfaces on the floor and sort everything into piles.

1- Keep and put in another room in the house

2- Give away to a friend or charity

3- Throw away

Rebuild the room. Put back what belongs in the room. Keep it simple. Items can create a vignette on a flat surface but should functionally belong there and/or adorn it (family photo, vase of flowers, etc.) Resist the urge to fill an empty, flat space. More is not better, it is just 'more'.

Finish the task by taking out the trash and putting the 'keep' items in other rooms. Box up the 'give away' items and put them in the car for delivery.

Edit the walls. Negative (blank) space is a visual resting place for the eye and serves to draw attention to a focal point. Hanging art on every wall and filling every space is a visual overload giving the eye nowhere to rest. A single piece of artwork or a tasteful gallery arrangement are enhanced by surrounding negative space. Edit with courage! Save the best of your art and photos for display. If you love what you have edited from the room, reuse it in another room or give it away.

Savor your success! Stand back and scan the room. It should look larger with less and feel more relaxed and peaceful.

Editing a room is a process. The results will last only as long as you have a system or two for keeping it uncluttered. More ideas on that subject, next time!

Editor's Note: Photos are shared for your enjoyment via <pinterest.com>

LOSE YOUR STUFF (NOT YOUR FAMiLY)

2011-09-04T11:15:00.007-05:00

At some point, we have all had an 'Ah-ha' moment... an epiphany.

It may have been during a recent move that you stopped to wonder in disbelief over the number of boxes your 'stuff' required. Maybe you woke up one day exasperated with thoughts of 'Enough, already!' In either case, once you realized you didn't want to live overwhelmed with stuff and junk, you were eager to make a change.

However, you cannot convince others in your family to have the same epiphany. Have you found that the harder you push someone you love, the more resistance you tend to create? They have to come to it on their own. Change is hard. Persuading your family to embrace a new idea must appeal to both mind and heart. Tread with care and kindness when it comes to de-cluttering a home shared with a family.

CLUTTER REDUCTiON STRATEGiES

Help from an expert

It is true that people tend to accept advice from 'experts & professionals' more readily than from loved ones. Uncomplicate the process and reduce potential friction amongst family members by bringing in an expert who can offer an objective viewpoint. A third party can be helpful in guiding the family through the clutter to achieve goals.

Relevant Stories

Find and share success stories of others who have tried and succeeded in clearing the clutter & improving their lives. Keep the stories relevant to your family. For example, if your family is inspired to 'GO GREEN', find a true story or inspirational read about reducing one's material footprint making more time for travel & the pursuit of goals. An outdoor, athletic family might enjoy true stories of people who live with less in order to have more time to enjoy an active lifestyle or pursue a dream (like running a marathon in all 50 states!) Then there are the plethora of stories about people who drastically downsize and discover that less 'stuff' means less maintenance, and opens up more time for the truly important things in life. Whatever your families interests... the stories you share can be tremendous encouragement to all. Keep it real! Make it relevant!

The Holding Area

Designate a temporary 'holding area' for items on their way out the door. This reduces the fear factor and allows emotional attachments to ease into the decision of 'letting go'. A corner of the garage, basement or even loaning the item to a friend works well. If the item stays in the holding area for 3 months without being missed, it can be removed (recycled, gifted to the friend or trashed). If someone really missed it, the item could be moved back into the house.

Support and Encourage

At times you will encounter collections or items with such a strong hold over you that you'll be resigned to keep it/them. During those times, alternative ideas and brainstorming sessions with the family are invaluable. Look for ways to reduce, reuse or recycle. You do not have to walk this road alone! Take a cue from change management programs that strongly suggest we BE THAT BASE OF SUPPORT for our spouse and family. When someone believes in you, it renews your resolve to keep moving forward.

Celebrate Success

It is important to keep de-cluttering goals in mind without focusing constantly on what is still left to sort and delete. Take time to celebrate the steps of success. Expressing joy is uber-important! Speak it. Show it. Put your happiness into words, demonstrate your improved mood... grab a family member for an impromptu dance in a room with newly cleared floor space! Express your happiness with the family's success!

Photos are courtesy of Pinterest and intended for your enjoyment.

DEBUNK & DECLUTTER

2011-08-30T09:04:00.013-05:00

POSiTiVE OR NEGATIVE?
Where do you stand on the issue of living with excessive stuff 'n junk? Clutter has become a nationwide problem in the 'land of plenty'. It can be physically and socially isolating for many people, causing depression and avoidance of others. A cluttered home is an embarrassment that can negatively affect us just by thinking about it, even when we are away from home. Yet, there is hope for the clutter magnet! Junk can be reduced and conquered inch-by-inch. Life can become simpler and manageable!

What is required?

You will know you are ready when you are weary and frustrated with your life in the clutter zone. It takes a willing heart that wants to change and the courage to do it.

via <cybercauldron.co.uk>

We are beginning a series to debunk the myths that confuse fact with fiction when it comes to clutter. It is important to relearn how to evaluate our 'need' and 'circumstance' when determining what is clutter and what is not. How much is too much. What is truly of value and what is not.

DEBUNKiNG THE MYTHS

1. More is better. Or is it? This not-so-subtle message hammers us from all sides, on a daily basis. It drips and oozes mercilessly from billboards, commercials and printed materials. Even our blogs, facebook and twitter pages are filled with sideline advertisements seeking an audience to convince. With such bombardment, how are we to know... How much is too much? My wise and astute grandfather used to often say, "More is not better; it is just more."

Nitty-Gritty Specifics...
Learn to evaluate. How many pairs of socks does a child need? 10? 20? 50? That depends on the child, the circumstances and how often the laundry is done. If a child wears one pair a day and laundry is done weekly, then 10 pairs would suffice. If the child needs athletic socks as well as dress wear a few more pairs should be added.

What about books? Purchasing books and keeping them will inevitably require the purchase of a bookshelf for storage. Purchasing more books equals more bookshelves. Although books can add warmth and interest to a room, too many can clutter it. You can see the inevitable hoarding problem on the horizon, can't you? An alternative: Keep it simple. Keep only the books which are referenced or reread often. (John Barman photo) Donate the rest to a mission, school, hospital, church, shelter or a friend. (Pinterest photo) Pass the joy of reading along to others. Pay it forward!

Source: <John Barman>

via <sacbee.com>

Change the messages coming from your closet! For women, clothing is often something kept well beyond its usefulness. Outgrown clothing can stockpile in closets for years, a constant message and reminder of 'FAiLURE', that you are not the size you once were! Consider donating the ill-fitting clothing piles to organizations that help train women who struggle to enter the job market. To a woman wearing your donated professional attire... who successfully lands a job, that outfit sends a very different message, one of 'SUCCESS!'

via <PhotoBookDiary in London>

2. Stockpiling the pantry saves time and money.

Again, evaluate your needs before stockpiling. Consider your circumstances... how far you live from a grocer, how many mouths you typically feed in a week and what they will realistically be able to consume. Buying food for LATER (Leave Alone To Eventually Rot) is not always the best option. Multiple packages of food purchased on sale or with coupons then stored beyond their expiration date is wasteful unless you have an army of 'always-famished' teenage boys in the house. If food pantries do not accept food past its expiration date, maybe we should reconsider and carefully evaluate the way we purchase, store and consume food. As the needs of a family change with time, the way we shop and store food may need to change as well.

via <mabelwhite.com>

3. I couldn't possibly part with gifts and family heirlooms.

The notion that we should keep an item because it was gifted to us or it was a family heirloom does not mean we must keep it forever. If you truly love it then yes, by all means... keep, display, use and enjoy it! However, if you do not like, want or have room for an heirloom... there are other options. Do a little research and give the item to a family member who does want it. Or perhaps you could sell it and donate the proceeds toward a family reunion, a niece or nephew's college fund, etc.

The value of your belongings is totally subjective and can be re-evaluated at any time. Items that are truly loved ought to be out on display. If keeping an items helps you honor the memory of a loved one, then keep it and enjoy it. Remember, that at any time, gifts and heirlooms past their season of enjoyment can be passed along to others.

Be selective. Keep what is beautiful and of value to you. Display favorites gifts and heirlooms, let go of the rest. Ease your family into the process of decluttering by providing each family member with a box or bin as a place to store memoirs and sentimental things. The contents can be removed, exchanged or new items can be added at any time. The only limitation, memoirs must fit inside the bin.

via <Pinterest>

PERSNiCKETY SHOPPiNG

2011-08-29T12:44:00.015-05:00

How do you shop for your home without cluttering it? It is a common question that I hear a lot. The answer? I am a 'persnickety shopper'... fastidious, selective and discriminating. Our home is not minimalistic, nor are we on the other end of the spectrum as collectors of stuff 'n junk. We live happily somewhere in between the two. Ten years ago we drastically downsized (by half) to live in a wonderful little (1000 sq. ft.) cottage that quite comfortably meets the needs of a family of five in a simply uncluttered fashion.

Living clutter-free is a skill that can be taught to the extent that one is willing to learn. The idea that a clutter-free, simpler life is one of having your wings clipped is entirely false. Simple living can be defined as straightforward, uncomplicated and manageable. It is freedom from the whatever stuff enslaves us!

If 'simpler' is what you seek, maybe I can offer a few tips from one specific area of 'clutter free living': The art of shopping for the home. I share what I have learned from professionals and through my experience; years of trial and error. The suggestions that follow may not apply to all but perhaps there is a tip or two that might help you become a more discriminating shopper.

Please take into account that some people are blessed with the finances enabling them to walk into a furniture store and purchase what they like. Others rely on patience and ingenuity! Yet, the challenge for all is finding hidden treasures of great beauty to serve our needs without purchasing excess. It is the overflow and surplus that becomes clutter and ends up being donated, sold or trashed. That is simply a waste of our time and resources. In a world that values recycling, it is befitting that we all should be careful stewards of our homes & lives. That translates directly to the way in which we shop.

SHOPPiNG TiPS:

1. Do not shop for the sake of 'shopping'! If you have clutter at home, stay out of stores. It can be costly and dangerous if you lack self control! When the urge to 'shop-til-you-drop' hits, save time and money by finding something more productive to do: How about reading a book? Go for a brisk walk, enjoy the fresh air and exercise. Declutter and organize something at home! (If we look for it, most of us probably have a junk drawer or closet that needs some attention!) Invite a friend to come over for coffee? Donate your time and talent to help someone else who needs you.

2. If you do not have clutter at home & need to shop, make a list. That is the easy part. Now stick to the list! Decide in advance what stores you will visit. If necessary set a time limit for your shopping venture. Invite a friend who would support and help you stay on track; there is no need to get lost browsing the aisles!

3. Be very selective. Head for the store zones that match the items on your list. Browse those areas rather than every aisle of the store!

4. Be patient. Shopping for home goods is not like shopping for groceries! Do not press yourself to conquer the list in one trip. Patience pays off! If the price isn't within your range, wait for a sale. If the item is lacking in esthetics (beauty) and/or function, keep looking. It may take a weekly trip over a month or many months to find what you need and love but it will be worth the wait!

5. Beauty and function. You can have both at the same time. If you don't need it or if you don't LOVE it; don't buy it! Settle for nothing less than the best that you can afford! It is the mediocre items that end up as clutter in storage, in a yard sale or in the trash bin.

6. The 'In and Out' Rule. What's your plan? Think ahead. Where will you put the new purchase? What are you willing to delete (give away, donate or trash) in order to bring it home? The principle of In and Out: If something new comes in - something of similar size goes out.

On a personal note.
Selective, discriminant shopping is a skill I had to learn and I continually work to improve. It does not come naturally by any stretch of the imagination. Thus, for me, the search for home treasures begins with the computer: ETSY, OVERSTOCK and CRAIGSLIST. If the item I seek eludes me, you will find me armed with a list, cash and a dose of patience as I travel the well beaten path to GOODWiLL, HOME GOODS and TJ MAXX.

A quick recap on the art of home shopping... Know your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to shopping. Stick to a list. Purchase only what you need and love. Let something go to bring in something new. I wish you the best as you practice the art of becoming a discriminant shopper!

Drastic measures: Shopping the collegiate way.

If you cannot carry it home on a bike, you can't keep it!

*Special note of thanks. Photos for your enjoyment are courtesy of Pinterest and Google Images.

BEHOLDiNG BEAUTY: WHiTE-ON-WHiTE

2011-08-22T10:09:00.017-05:00

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." H.G. Wells

"People often say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves." Salma Hayek

BEHOLDiNG BEAUTY...

WHAT LiES BEYOND THE FACADE?

Style. We cannot purchase style but we can observe, study, absorb and attain it. Style is more than fad design trends and fashion. It is a reflection of who we are... a sampling of our character; of what we value and love. The home is a reflection of those who dwell there; a place where we weave together elements of function and necessity with our personal history, family, passions and attributes from nature.

On a personal note, I am traditionally a lover of 'dirt-colored' neutrals with small doses of black thrown in for a touch of elegance against accents of strong, vibrant color. I recently repainted our front door Atomic Tangerine, an unexpected vibrant punch against a neutral, sandy-beach colored cottage. For me, the fascination with new things begins with observation and research then it extends to our home where change and experimentation are never ending.

Most recently, I have been studying the stunning subtleties of 'WHiTE on WHiTE' compositions and how diminutive changes in hue, light, texture and layering create beauty through tranquility. I never imagined that I would paint everything white yet the risk proved to be worth it. Everything from walls to ceilings and trim were rolled and brushed. The end result: a bright, crisp, clean backdrop that makes art, furnishings and small, colorful details POP! The unexpected bonus: White is very easy to keep clean (much easier than painted colors) as white has tremendous hiding power. Who knew? It hides wall imperfections like none other, is easy to scrub and simple to touch up! We truly love, love, love the way it turned out!

I invite you to step into the color palette of sun-bleached whites, creams and grays to visit interiors featuring wood, soft cotton & wool textiles, woven basketry, varieties of textures and elements of nature. White-on-white palettes create an environment that is soothing to nerves jostled by the cacophony of daily life. Take a few minutes of respite to engage your creative side... observe, explore and stay awhile.

Please allow me the privilege of sharing some of my favorite photographs (courtesy of Pinterest & Google Images) as they pertain to decorating the home with with a subdued white-on-white palette.

WHiTE-ON-WHiTE GALLERY
Please feel free to borrow ideas that catch your eye. Turn ideas from others into a personal statement at home for the enjoyment of you and your family. Seek inspiration in the world around you. Try new things!

"The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives." ~Albert Einstein

WALL GALLERiES

2011-08-17T09:44:00.022-05:00

Photographs. Artwork. Children's drawings. Many of us have collections of these items growing in storage. We cannot part with them... but what shall we do with them? Items with sentimental appeal ought to be displayed and enjoyed on a daily basis, not stored away in the dark! Creating a collage of artwork is one way of adorning walls oozing with your personality. If learning to create a collage appeals to you, then please read on!

LET'S GET STARTED...

1. Bring your photos and art into the light. Once out of storage, spread out the collection and sort into 2 piles:

FAVoRiTES - NoN FAVoRiTES

You guessed it. If they are favorites, then they should be out on display!

2. Do you need to mat and frame some of the art? Do the frames you have work well together? What unifies the collection? Are the frames or content similar in color, size or shape? Something unifying the collection is essential to avoid the hodge-podge, messy look.

3. Check out your options. Browse through the gallery of layouts below and pick your favorite arrangements. Do you tend toward symmetry or balanced eclectic arrangements?

4. Choose the wall that will become home to your collection. Be sure it is the right size for the art you have chosen or edit the collection to fit the wall.

5. Select a layout that appeals to you. Arrange your collection on the floor as if it was your wall. Place larger pieces of art in the center building a balanced layout from the middle outward. If you question your eye for layout, ask a friend with a good eye for help!

6. Optional step. Some people have a good eye and can place art on the wall without assistance. For others, the use of newspaper, wax paper or Kraft paper templates is a fool-proof aid. Using paper, cut templates of each piece of art. Arrange templates on the wall to mirror the layout you have created on the floor. Use blue painter's tape (to minimize risk of damage to the wall paint) and adhere the template in position on the wall. Tweak the arrangement, if necessary.

Generally, works of art are hung with the center of the piece resting at eye level for the average person... around 5 feet from the floor. For a collage, the center of the collection should still be at eye level.

7. Mark the hanger placement. Remove one template at a time, lay it against the back side of the artwork and mark the hanger position. Return the template to the wall. Use a nail to mark the hanger placement.

8. Use anchors and screws for heavy artwork. For lightweight art, picture hangers work well.
9. Hang art one piece at a time, repeating STEPS 7&8 until the wall is completed.

10. Stand back and enjoy your gallery. Your work is truly a labor of love and a creative display of your shining personality!

GALLERY of LAYOUT iDEAS:

Photo credits due to Pinterest

Photograph credits due to Pinterest

HOW CLEAN iS YOUR LiViNG ROOM?

2011-08-14T08:48:00.008-05:00

Moving furniture around is a great opportunity for deep cleaning. With the kids being home for the summer, we needed a room with a better conversation/reading area... the living room got a make over! If a room is not being used then it is wasted space and in need of a change. If a piece of furniture is not bolted down or built-in then it can be moved. Life in a small house is about adapting to changes thrown our way! Repurposing rooms and furniture uses is a great way to use every inch of space wisely.

We have blogged cleaning strategies and 'how-to' lists for the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Now, we're tackling the living room. Once the room has been decluttered and space has been regained, it is time to clean it up. The lists that follow can be used for deep cleaning or adapted for general weekly cleaning. Keep in mind that once a room has been deep cleaned it is much easier to maintain on a weekly basis. The rewards? Clutter is conquered and you've regained time, cleanliness and space! Enjoy it!

We encourage you to print a copy of the lists and work the CHECK LiST from top to bottom... ceiling to floor. With cleaning supplies ready to go, turn up the tunes and go to it!

Basic Cleaning Supplies:

   * Vacuum
     * 2-Step Ladder
     * Broom and Dust Pan
     * Long-handled Woolie (or feather duster)
     * Sponge Mop (for floors without carpet)

Cleaning Caddy:

     * Rubber Gloves
     * Glass Cleaner
     * Paper Towels
     * All-Purpose Cleaner
     * Microfiber towel (for dry dusting or wet wiping)
   * Clipboard with Check List

Cleaning Check List:

* Use Woolie to remove cobwebs from high places
* Thoroughly clean light fixture,
ceiling fan & cold air return vents
* Dust or wet wipe walls from top to bottom
* Dust or wet wipe exposed windowsills and ledges
* Clean windows inside and out
* Dust baseboards
* Dust shelving, knickknacks and wall art
* Dust furniture from top to bottom (treat and remove stains)
* Wet wipe leaves of live or silk potted plants
* Empty trash bin
* Take throw rugs outside and shake them
* Vacuum / sweep and mop flooring

A gallery of clean living rooms for inspiration... just in case you decide to rearrange your furniture before you clean!

WiNSOME ViGNETTES

2011-08-11T09:57:00.005-05:00

ViGNETTES

By definition, vignettes are small, decorative, visual designs; a pleasing picture or view. They can be found in the visual and literary arts. For our purposes we are looking at the surfaces in the home as ideal spaces to express our personalities. Surface views can be snippets of beauty that serve functionally as well as to adorn.

In this blog, the romance of a Paris apartment meets vintage, rustic cottage appeal. The blend of styles creates a graceful, ultra-comfortable, carefree environment. Seemingly effortless are the blends of soft linens & leather, distressed furniture, flea market finds, architectural salvage, chandeliers and an array of garden decor. Most of the colors used are muted, white on white with touches of soft grays, creams and white-washed colors.

Surfaces in the following photos display the idea that surfaces can be both 'eye candy' and functional by design. What do your countertops, floors, dresser surfaces, table tops and mantels express about you?

A GALLERY OF iDEAS
Feel free to peruse the photo gallery and borrow ideas that you find pleasing. The gallery was compiled in hopes of helping inspire friends to reclaim an element of beauty at home. Enjoy!

THE MAGiC OF MiRRORS

2011-07-31T07:47:00.004-05:00

Mirrors... the wonderfully reflective surfaces of glass with silvery, metallic backing set into a frame, attached to a handle, etc, for use in viewing oneself or as an ornament. The mirror has long been considered an essential for the bathroom for its functionality. However, homes are putting them to use in refreshing, decorative ways these days. Mirrors are used in every room from the entryway to the kitchen, in the living, dining and family rooms as well as in stairwells, nooks, crannies and other unexpected places. Now, the infamous looking glasses are indispensable tools in the belts of savvy home decorators.

A well placed, well-sized mirror can magically expand a small space, reflecting light while adding character and flavor to a room. Re-purpose an old door or window frame by outfitting it with a mirror. Kitchen cabinets, dressers and small furniture can be given a face lift with new fronts of the magically reflective surface.

Swap it. Exchange the nondescript medicine cabinet for a framed mirror or one of unusual shape. It can draw attention away from less than glamorous fixtures. Choosing an oversize mirror can conceal flaws in the wall while exposing your true beauty! Turning vertical, standing mirrors horizontally visually widens a wall expanding the room considerably.

Vintage selections add instant age, charm and character to any room. Layer them on a shelf, create a collage or allow larger pieces to stand alone.

Bundle it. Grouping like items together in a balanced display creates a big impact in a small space.

Favorite frames with mirrors can become the focal point in a room. Bundling mirrors closely together can create the feeling of one large art piece. Rest them on a ledge or hang them as a collage.

The frames and composition of the arrangement can make a personal statement equally as powerful as hanging actual art. If you like the look of framed art collage on a wall but do not have enough art to pull it off, you can always fill those frames with mirrors.

"Little men with little minds and little imaginations

go through life in little ruts,

smugly resisting all changes which would jar their little worlds."

Zig Ziglar

A WELCOMiNG ENTRYWAY

2011-07-28T14:37:00.012-05:00

Welcome, friend! Bienvenido! Come on in! Be our guest! Hang with us awhile!

All are phrases that might fly past your lips while beckoning a friend to enter into a space that gives a sneak peek into your home. Is that entry space welcoming or cluttered and disorderly? Does it have ample light and an element of beauty or is it dark, dank, dullsville?

With a few guidelines, your entryway can be a useful, hardworking space that is both functionally uncluttered as well as beautiful.

TiPS

1. Determine your needs. Take a look at your entry, 'as is'. What purpose is it serving? Is it a cloak room, mud room and catch all for shoes, bags and mail? What do people tend to leave behind after entering? That is key to determining your needs.

Does your space desperately need hanging place for jackets? Shelves for shoes? Bins or hooks for small items? Is seating required for slipping in and out of shoes? Does it need a dropping place for mail and keys? How about a mirror for checking appearances before flying out the door?

2. Evaluate your space. Is there floor space available? Is there wall space available? Does the space need extra light? Can a ceiling light be added or swapped out to suit your style? Would a wall sconce, small table or floor lamp suffice?

3. DeJunk. Sort through whatever happens to be on or near the entrance. Keep only the things that are used daily near the door. Otherwise, the space becomes a catch all for clutter and a tripping, fall-on-your-face hazard.

4. Recycle. Take a walk around the house. Is there a shelf, dresser, mirror, book case, small chair or two that might work in the entry? It might take some rearranging to set free what you intend to repurpose but using what you already in new ways just makes good economic sense.

4. Borrow ideas. Check out our photo gallery, do some research on the computer or flip through design books and magazines to find ideas that suit your needs. Mimic those ideas you love, find ways to incorporate them into your home and enjoy the process.

PHOTO GALLERY of iDEAS

Every item has a place and is in its place... Now, that's organized, simple living!

LUMiNOUS LANTERNS

2011-07-20T09:19:00.001-05:00

A flurry of activity erupted inside and outside the house as we quickly prepared to entertain friends for the evening. A sumptuous variety of tapas, cold drinks, summer tunes and the yard lined with lantern lights were on the 'to do' list. Within an hour, the night air was balmy with fire light illuminating the lush flora bordering the patio; a canopy of stars marching across the sky. The stage was set, friends were arriving and we were ready to slow down and enjoy the evening.

It is wondrous how a small touch of ambient light can change the tone and atmosphere of an event. As diminutive flames flicker and dance in the gentle breeze, they glow with a soft light that encourages quiet, relaxed, easy flowing conversation. Whether it is a single candle nestled on a table between friends or a patio surrounded by torches and lanterns; small bursts of mellow light are soothing and tranquilizing.

Take a look around your home and outdoor living spaces. Is there a place that draws people for relaxation that might be enhanced by a flickering flame? Need an idea or two on how to proceed?

For inspiration we have compiled a few photos for perusal. Feel free, as always, to borrow any of the ideas that grab your attention and incorporate them into your own home. ENJOY!

"The fire is the main comfort of the camp,

whether in summer or winter,

and is about as ample at one season as at another.

It is as well for cheerfulness as for warmth and dryness."

~Henry David Thoreau

SiMPLiFY for SUMMER

2011-07-17T09:36:00.004-05:00

It is finally summer! We look forward to the season of long days and warm nights, straw hats, sundresses and blooming flowers... lemonade, barbeques and time spent with loved ones. It is also 'flesh bare-ing' season and time to pare down unneeded items in both our wardrobes and around the house. With so many summer events and adventures awaiting us, who wants to spend time cleaning and maintaining a fussy home? If you're interested in simple beauty, then this blog is for you! ENJOY!

Paring down requires an attitude adjustment. To help lighten the feel at home, try thinking of your home as a 'summer rental.' What would you leave out if you knew others would be renting your place? Keep that thought in mind as you 'declutter' and 'de-winterize' your rooms.

The whole idea behind living more simply is living with less. It is about keeping the useful and beautiful things while getting rid of (giving away) the rest!

Throw open the doors and windows, pull back the curtains and put away things that are dark, dreary or fussy. Store heavy pillows, winter blankets, throws and any accessories that are not needed during the summer months. No worries! You can bring them back out in the Fall when it is time to cozy up the home in preparation for winter hibernation. But, for now... think light. Think SUMMER!

A few ideas to 'brighten and lighten' the home for summer...

Transform a piece of wood, plastic or metal furniture with spray paint in a summery hue. An old piece of furniture can be revamped and given a fresh new future with a proper coat of primer and a few fresh coats of paint. See blog entry 'REPAiNTiNG FURNiTURE 101' for more details.

Brighten dark rooms with colorful art and photographs. Consider moving art to different walls and rooms within the house as it freshens the feel of a room. Art hung in one place for long periods of time, eventually becomes 'invisible.' Infuse a feeling of fresh and new by swapping out the art adorning the walls or by adding a few new pieces. Creating a collage on a single wall can pack a punch as well (more on that subject, later.) A few places to purchase affordable art include:

art.com

overstock.com

artoftheprint.com

zatista.com

novica.com

aperture.org

Lighten rooms with low natural light by repainting a ceiling or walls in a light color or white. Add table/standing lamps for extra ambient light and use light bulbs (the blue ones) that mimic natural light and keep skin tones and colors true.

Lanterns and candles used sparingly add a warm glow and festive feel to indoor and outdoor living spaces without adding more 'heat' to the dog days of summer.

May your home be a place of light and refuge

and your summer be filled with wonder.

REPAiNTiNG FURNiTURE 101

2011-07-10T08:55:00.002-05:00

TRANSFORMiNG THE MUNDANE
There is something extraordinarily special in taking something you 'like' and turning it into something you 'love'. That is why paint is a versatile, inexpensive, transforming agent when it comes to furniture. It is a way of transforming the ordinary or the mundane into something of beauty.

Paint covers worn and imperfect surfaces, gives a ho-hum piece some style and adds a touch of color or whimsy to a traditionally 'serious' piece of furniture. Whether your furniture came from Dad and Mom, the curb on trash day or the 'as is' clearance section of a store... we have a few ideas how to give it a lift and add some personal style.

iN A NUTSHELL

Most pieces whether they are wood, plastic or metal... can be repainted. A quick tutorial follows but if you are new to this, we recommend googling 'repaint furniture' for more detailed videos and tutorials.
The nutshell 'HOW TO' tutorial follows:

SHOPPiNG LiST

Single-use Latex gloves

Quality paint brush (if using canned paint)

Primer

Paint (see #4 for types of finishes)

Tarp, cardboard or newspaper to protect surrounding surfaces from paint splatter

Fine Sandpaper

Embellishments (knobs, pulls or other accents)

PLAN OF ACTiON

1. Remove as much loose and flaking paint/finish as possible. Use an electric sander or hand sand it to a smooth finish. Gently sand, using a fine grade sandpaper, over all surfaces to give the primer something to grip.

2. Wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth to remove all sanding dust.

3. Apply primer (brush it on or use a quality spray) making sure it is primer intended to be used with the type of surface you are covering. Follow manufacturing directions for drying time.

4. Choosing Paint. When choosing a finish, remember that 'Gloss' finishes will show every imperfection but they are highly washable. 'Semi-gloss' and 'Satin' paints have less sheen and are cleanable. 'Flat' finishes hide imperfections but are not scrubbable. Choose carefully.

5. Paint it. Using a quality brush or spray, paint the furniture carefully, one side at a time, allowing adequate drying time in between coats. Follow manufacturer's instructions.

6. Embellish your furniture with unique knobs, pulls other accents, making sure the furniture is very dry before tightening each embellishment.

REPAiNTED FURNiTURE DESiGN iDEAS

HOW CLEAN iS YOUR BATHROOM?

2011-07-06T07:55:00.010-05:00

DUST BUNNiES under the bed and tarnished silver in the sideboard are easier for the average Joe to tolerate than a grisly, grimy bathroom. A clean bathroom is hygienic and protects us from many harmful infections. Medical journals state there is an alarming increase in the spread of urinary infections due to the deteriorating awareness among people leading to poor sanitation in bathrooms.

HYGiENE MATTERS

Therefore, it is very important for all of us to take precautionary measures regarding the spread of infection and develop the habit of keeping our bathrooms clean for ourselves and for others.

iT iS RECOMMENDED that bathrooms be thoroughly cleaned once a week, and even more frequently if the use is heavy with a large family.

PHEW! We don't live in the dark ages anymore with raw sewage flowing down our streets. We are fortunate that most bathrooms are constructed with materials that are easy to clean. A bucket with a few basic, quality cleaning supplies stored in the bathroom or nearby is a great reminder to 'Keep it Clean!'

FROM GRiMY TO PRiSTiNE CLEAN Following is a list of supplies and a checklist to keep cleaning on track. Set aside 30 minutes or so (for small bathrooms) and move through the checklist one item at a time. Clean the room well and it will be easier to clean and maintain on a weekly basis.

CLEANiNG SUPPLiES

RUBBER GLOVES
GLASS CLEANER
TUB/TiLE CLEANER for shower, sinks and toilet
SCRUBBY SPONGE
MiCROFiBER CLOTH
SPONGE MOP and BUCKET
BROOM and DUST PAN

Print a copy of the list.
Pull on your rubber gloves & turn up the tunes.
Start at the top of the cleaning task list.
Check off items as you finish them.

CLEANiNG TASK LiST

REMOVE COBWEBS
WiPE DOWN WALLS WiTH WET MiCROFiBER CLOTH
CLEAN LiGHT FiXTURES AND CEiLiNG VENT-FAN
CLEAN WiNDOW(s) AND SiLL
SCRUB SHOWER AND TUB WALLS, DOORS, TRACKS AND FLOOR
DiSiNFECT TOiLET BOWL AND SURROUNDING SURFACES
CLEAN AND DiSiNFECT SiNK, FAUCET AND COUNTER
POLiSH MiRROR
WiPE CABiNET EXTERiORS AND iNTERiORS
POLiSH TOWEL RACKS AND TOiLET PAPER HOLDER
REPLACE BATH TOWELS WiTH FRESH LiNENS
REMOVE TRASH / REPLACE TRASH CAN LiNER
SHAKE OR VACUUM THROW RUGS
WiPE BASEBOARD
SWEEP AND MOP FLOORING

KEEP iT CLEAN!

SHORELiNES and SEASHELLS

2011-07-02T09:55:00.000-05:00

IT IS AN ANNUAL MiGRATiON

Traveling by car, boat, plane and even by bicycle... many families head to the sea looking for their idyllic patch of coastline to claim for a weekend, a week or if they are lucky, for a whole glorious summer. It is no surprise, then, that we tumble from the car as soon as it stops in the driveway, running toward the rambling landscape of dune grasses, wind driven sands and soothing tides. Clad in swimsuits and sunglasses, we head off down the shoreline. First things, first. It is 'shelling time'!

The memories we share of sparkling sun on the water, body surfing, building sandcastles, shelling and tasting the salt air as we take long walks along curving shorelines are preserved in photographs and shell collections. It is appropriate, then, when we arrive home that we display both photos and seashells tastefully. Deleting the mediocre and saving the best of our collections for display can be challenging. Therefore, we have compiled a selection of 'idea' photographs to help you arrange and display the 'best' of your treasures whether your style is traditional, modern, cottage or shabby chic. Enjoy!

A FEW PHOTOGRAPHS TO PERUSE

We encourage you to peruse carefully and borrow or modify any of the ideas to suit your own style and collection. Enjoy bringing a small taste of the beach into your home, sweet home.

The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terrestrial globe.

Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert

where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides.

-Jules Verne

LADDER LOVE

2011-06-29T07:08:00.002-05:00

Oh, for the love of ladders!
It seems most people have at least one ladder, some have shiny new ones and others have old ones... Lucky! A few years ago I was convinced to trade my old wobbly wooden one for a slick new red ladder. My dad was concerned for his daughter's safety and decided to trade the hazardous rungs for a sturdy commercial model. With my faithful, old woody gone I'm on the hunt for another oldie. Don't worry, Dad. This time the rickety antique will be for decorative use!

What's the deal with old-ladder-love? Think about it. Ladders have a bit of romance hanging from their rungs. They reach for the stars, enable star-crossed lovers to elope... they take us up to high places like lofts and attics, as well as down into the shadowy depths of adventure. Ladders come in varying shapes, sizes and materials. They are built for climbing, hanging, storing and displaying. If you have a ladder with unique character, consider bringing it out from its dark corner of storage and into the light by re-purposing it in a creative way.

A few fabulous photos follow...
Hopefully, you will find something that catches your eye and makes you sigh and say,
"I could do that!"

When on the LADDER of success, don't step back to admire your work!

-Annonymous

RE-PURPOSiNG FURNiTURE

2011-06-27T20:53:00.009-05:00

REUSE - REPURPOSE - RECYCLE

Re-purposing furniture or household items may sound complicated, but it is the simple idea of finding new ways to use existing pieces of furniture.

Designers do this often to create a unique look or emphasize a client's personal style. What is to prevent you from finding new ways to use your own furniture?

Think about it. We label furniture and determine its function but it does not have to remain this way! A bedside table does not necessarily need to stay beside a bed, it can find a new use as an end table in the living area or as a plant stand or beverage cart on the patio. An armoire is not just for entertainment systems... a plain wooden chair or a collection of small bottles have a plethora of uses! Reusing is about seeing what we already have in our homes with a new vision.

'HOW TO' TiP:
You can easily find more uses for your furniture if you focus on your need rather than on the traditional function of a particular piece. Think outside the box when looking for an existing piece of furniture to fill your need. Re-using furniture has a way of infusing new life into existing pieces and giving a savvy update to flea market finds.

A few ideas to 'jump start' your creativity...

DRESSERS

The most common re-purposed piece of furniture is a dresser. Its uses are as broad as your creativity. The look can be changed by painting it, swapping out the drawers or hardware, resurfacing the top or simply by moving it to a new room and adding a mirror, lamp and art around it.

* Convert a dresser into a vanity adding a sink on top and plumbing below.

* Used in the dining room it becomes a sideboard to store china and linens and display art.

* In the kitchen it becomes a work surface with storage below.

* In the garage or outside, a old dresser can be useful as a surface for potting or displaying plants.

TABLES

* A library table, dining table or anything with a unique flat surface can become a coffee table by shortening legs or adding casters or wheels.

* Dining/Kitchen tables make excellent desks for an office area.

* Bedside tables can be useful as service carts, end tables or hallway 'catch-all' areas.

ARMOIRES

Entertainment armoires have lost favor with the growing popularity of wall-mount, flat screen televisions. No worries! An armoire can be easily re-purposed for other uses.

* Turn an armoire into clothing storage in a bedroom. It can easily replace a dresser or two!

* Use it as toy/book/stuffed animal storage for children in a bedroom or play area.

* An armoire makes an the ideal linen closet.

* Pack it with bathrobes for two, a basket of toilettries, towels, sheets, blankets and extra pillows and it becomes a supply closet for guests; ready at a moment's notice!

* Office supplies stored in an armoire give a home to paper, card stock, reference books, computer parts and peripheral supplies.

FLEA MARKET FiNDS
Antiques, salvaged or vintage finds can find new homes in unexpected places! Why not put a chandelier in the laundry room or bedroom? How about use a garden gate as a headboard?

Apply a coat or two of primer and enamel to furniture and breathe new life into dull pieces!

GREEN THUMBS
Creative containers become indoor/outdoor planters for herbs and flowers. If the vessel holds soil and has a hole for draining off excess water, it's worth a try!

Re-purposing furniture and everyday items is both economical and ultra creative. Whatever you need might be already existing in your home. Open your eyes to new possibilities and have some fun!

"Do your little bit of good where you are;

it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world
(for the better)."

-Archbishop Desmond Tutu (italics are mine)