Clutter Challenge #1 - The Mailman

I don't know how it is for most people but our mailbox is like the outside trash that we keep bringing in, most of the paper we bring in lays in random piles (on the desk, entertainment center, on top of the microwave and kitchen counter) and is never ever looked at.  Today I tackled the problem and made an efficient "Mail Station" for the family. 

Paper Overload



After  making a quick run to Target on my lunch break and fighting through the crowd of "back to school" shoppers in the office supply section, I came up with a plan, crossed my fingers, and got the heck out of there.

Target Haul = $22.32

I love the bright folders I found; how can you ignore a bill in a bright ass folder??!!  Right?!  I labeled 5 folders: Kids, Medical, Bills, Coupons, & Receipts.  I really think this is going to save our home from a being attacked by paper.

 The Bright and

                                                               Beautiful Mail Station

My mom was so sweet and got me a little planner and I brightened that up as well; by using mini sticky notes I was able to add color to each task. 

Another paper challenge is my over abundance of magazines.  Don't get me wrong there is nothing more beautiful then those colorful glossy pages, but after I look at it once they just collect dust.  I looked online for any places that accepted magazines as donations - no luck.  Looks like I'm leaving the house a bit earlier than normal to run to the recycling center.

It's strange why I have

                                                                      so many issues of Maxim

I think as far as first challenges go, it went pretty well....what do ya think?  Next is tackling our entry way.  Seeing as our entry way is pretty much a pile of shoes and comes straight on into the living room, it may take a bit of creativity to make it pretty and tidy.  We'll see what magic I can come up with.  In the mean time we're cheering on USA everyday and wishing all the Olympians the best of luck!





Clutter Challenge

It's Sunday already!!  Eek... I feel like I haven't accomplished much this weekend, as far as the house goes.  I did, however, have a great time spending time with all my family.  I think we're going to start planning for monthly game nights, which is incredibly fantastic because most times we only get together if we take a family weekend trip and that only happens about once a year.

I'm really happy to announce that I picked out the kids room color, Classic Khaki, thanks to the help of Olympic Creative Color Compos.  For once I found paint color to be an easy decision.
 

I already know that August is going to be a very busy month for us, but I'm really hoping all the painting in their room will be complete by the end of it.

Well, the real reason I'm posting is to share another personal challenge that I'm planning on taking on....as if living small isn't challenging enough.  I picked up the book 10,0001 Ways to Declutter Your Home on a Small Budget, my hopes are to post about each suggestion from the book I took on.  Most likely I won't take on all of them, since some of them are irrelevant to me.

I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea or anything, I don't live in a pig sty.  But there is a lot of disorganization in our home that leaves me stumped or unable to move on to the next project.  This is not going to be easy for me because I feel like I have some hoarding tendencies (you should see our shed).  So this is going to be my down and dirty, lets get to the bottom of this problem challenge.  Step by step my family and I are to become clutter free and we're going to share all the good, bad, and ugly with the world!!!

The plans are to take baby steps.  Tomorrow we're going to take on bills, junk mail and magazines!!  Bring it mailman - BRING IT!

Moving on out: Kids Shared Bedroom

I believe it's magic!!!  I rearranged both the bedrooms and I could not be any more happier about the sleeping arrangements.  For the longest time we were sharing the larger of the two rooms with the baby and her massive crib.  Yeah - she is a tad bit spoiled by her grandparents :)   But anywho... I moved Jacob into the room with the baby and Dave & I moved into his old room.


First let me say it was like pulling teeth to get the family to agree to this.  TADA, they finally agreed and helped too.  Like I said before right now I'm just searching for a place for everything and I think I may almost be there!!!  It is possible to live small and organized, it just take creativity!!

By turning the crib, to cross the room, and butting it up to a dresser we were able to create a partial wall.  We really created two rooms within one.  I still want create more of a "wall" from floor to ceiling ---  I'm going to rack my brain and maybe Pinterest for solutions.  But the next step for both rooms would be paint and I have a couple of rooms to use as possible ideas.

Inspiration For Our Room:

Knight Moves

In The Know

Inspiration For Baby's Side:

Interior Chocolates               Apartment Therapy


Inspiration For Boy's Side:

Remodaholic              Chic Spaces For Little Faces

Lots to do, but we'll get there.



The Best Liquid Eyeliner

Birchbox July Favorite: Eyeko Eyeliner

I always love receiving my Birchbox every month, but this month I have an absolute favorite!!!!!! Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner is the best eyeliner I have ever used! This liner gives a very bold mod look to my eyes, its extremely easy to use~ compared to others I have tried, and the best part it last all day without smudging or smearing! I'm looking forward to trying the Eyeko Fat Mascara. Looks like I'm going to downsize my makeup too and only stick with the products I not only love but really stand the test of time.

Living Room Tour

I'm really excited to share our living room today.  There's nothing fancy or spectacular about it, but for the first time after moving in and having the baby I feel like everything has a place.  My goal is to get every room organized and then go back and add cohesive style. 

This room is not only our living and hangout room, it functions as our home office, library, play room, and guest bedroom.  That's a big job for 200 square feet!

The "Man Chair" and Library



Our 10 foot Long Couch that was a sectional at one time.



Go Tigers!!!



Madison's Toy Box made from a kitchen drawer found at a yard sale for $1



Shoe Storage @ Entry Way

Home Office

Rooms I aspire this one to be:

Houzz

Contemporary Living Room from Houzz

Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy

A Little Glass Box

House to Home

Chris loves Julia

I can't wait til next time to share more of our little home and beautiful inspirations!!!

Lions, Tigers and Bears

Lions, tigers and bears.............oh my where are all the animals?!? This weekend the fam and I decided that 90 degrees was a relief, compared to 3 digit temperatures we have been dealing with, and headed out to Riverbank Zoo. Well it still wasn't cool enough for most of the animals.  I would say most of them were hanging out in there man made dens....I wonder if there was a/c back there. 

The kids had a blast!

All the sight seeing was exhausting

hmmm.....



Cow Appreciation Day!!

Today was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A.  If your clueless to what this is, like I was, let me please fill you in.  On Cow Appreciation Day you can dress like a cow and get a free meal.  I didn't believe it, but its TRUE!  Follow this link below  and sign up for the Chick-fil-a contact list and you will know about the next Cow Appreciation Day.

Dave and I took our lunch break to check out the fun.

I am not a paid sponsor of Chick-fil-a.