Clutter Free: Counting

One part of the tasks that a reader is challenged to in Kathi Lipp's book Clutter Free is to get rid of 2000 items. I passed out when I first saw the number. However, I am up for the challenge. If you are up for one too, you can sign up for free HERE.

On my first day, which is featured in this post, I cleaned out 89 items. They weren't all from the area featured, but I got rid of them all the same. 

Since then I have purged an additional 54. Slow and steady people. My total thus far is 143. Not too shabby in my opinion. Oh, I didn't really count paper trash, although it is totally approved per the directions. I just do not have time for that.

On Saturday I tackled another peripheral area of paper storage, this sideboard in the hallway. I actually found that there was not as much paper as I thought, but toys that I find in the hallway and put in the green bucket to be put away later. You know because the boys' rooms are not four feet away. LAZY!!!! 

So I dove in. I took maybe 20 min (I always forget to do the 15 min timer part. It may put too much pressure on me.) This area went from this

This is a close up of the over stuffed bucket.

To this

29 items gone and many put in their proper places.

Sunday I was going to take a break, but the I went into my office, which is our cat room as well, to check on Patches. And I decided to take the quick, suggested 15 min to tackle one area of the room. I have been avoiding the room, even though I cleaned part of it out in October (the same part I tackled today). I think I really only took 5 -10 minutes on this area. It looked bad, but wasn't really.

 It's the under area of this desk that is going to be a hassle.

Here is the outcome. With 21 items gone from either this space or random clean up throughout the house today.

 Nice and simple. I do still need to do something more streamlined with that pile of photos, but that is for another day. At least they have a home for now.

Monday I was sicksicksick! So, I had to put off part of challenge two. I did the reading though. I did manage to get rid of 3 items in the morning, just three I walked by and was sick of seeing. 

The bonus of the day. That tray cleaned in day one served me yummy soup in bed. It couldn't have happened if I hadn't tackled it first, so SCORE!

 

As far as today, Tuesday, well we had an important errand to do. We had to pick up my mom and take her to San Diego. While we were there, we had to have lunch with our friends because we don't often get to make the two hour drive. So, although today's challenge was 30 items for the day, I am totaling 1. I am not ashamed of this because the reading for yesterday and today tackle the idea of spirituality and costs. Costs clutter can cause to our relationships with friends, family, and God. Therefore, I was not going to allow decluttering to cost me these things either (Plus, I am still a bit under the weather so the trip today has left me tired. Tomorrow is a new day. And I can tackle two places, if I so choose. Why not?

If you sign up let me know! Also, I will be giving a copy of the book away, so be on the look out in the Friday post.

 

Clutter Free-Intro/Day one

I love Kathi Lipp. She is so raw, real, hilarious, and God centered. I am blessed to have the opportunity to help in the launch of one of her latest works: Clutter Free.

Ya, that's a screen shot, complete with the current price. 

I am excited because this is such a great way to begin a new year (even if it be a few days early). 

Each Tuesday and Friday I will bring to you an update on the progress I am making. Today I am tackling the "why" of my clutter, which, truth be told, is in large part laziness. After work and chasing boys and activities and bible study, the last thing I want to do is organize and clean. Boo! However, it would truly make all those other things run more smoothly. 

Also, my biggest down fall is paper work. I just do not like it. Not one iota. So, I have been getting better at sorting and trashing (though there is still room for improvement). It's the stuff that I plan on " getting to later" that bites me in the behind.

 I have these awesome cubbies for these items, but they need to be cleaned out because I am very "out of sight, out of mind."

Since this is my problem area, I will be mainly focusing on my office/ studio. This is where I create, grade write, hide. Seriously though, I just cannot keep it under control. It gets better each year, but look at the room for improvement that still exists. Yea for goals.

It is extra messy during this holiday season because of wrapping and such.

The other spots are my "alternate" paper hoards that crop up here and there for no apparent reason other than they can. 

Hallway sideboard

Filing cabinet in room 

Under chest of drawers because I can

TV tray for mugs and magazines etc while into cozy bed

Entryway basket for mail

Kids supply area in dining room

Today was also the instructions for the first challenge, which includes taking only 15 minutes to tackle a single space at a time. I chose the TV tray pictured above for my first project. 

Let me remind you of the before.

Okay! Yikes!!!! Here is the after.

You can see the tray! It is amazing! Yay me. Yay Kathi for helping a gal out.

So, follow along. Buy the book and join in. Declutter your life so that you can truly enjoy it in a less stressful way.

 I hope that, like me, you get a head start on some of your amazing 2015 plans.

Season of Change

This is a season of change. A season of crazy things going on in life that are entirely unexpected and different. Over the past few years so many things have shifted or broken. Whether it be the television or coffee maker or our car (three ones over), we have had a ton of things break. Each time we have been able to step back, examine, and simplify.

Some of the most recent changes going on have come with the most prayer and the most stretch. 

1. New adventure 

I have decided to embark on the awesome adventure that is being a Jamberry consultant. I am overwhelmingly excited for what this can mean, especially that it means pretty nails I can afford in both my monetary and time budgets.

2. New Car

I seriously did not think that I would be getting a new car for several more years. Then, last month, I was in an accident wherein I lost my car. This left us in a bind for several weeks. I am lucky enough that we do have one extra vehicle, though not incredibly reliable. Well, now I am the owner of an awesome 2013 Volkswagen Sportwagen. I am so blessed by God. 

3. Launch

I am so blessed that after praying over my application, it was accepted to be a part of Kathi Lipp's launch team for one of her soon to be released books. It addresses an area of life wherein many mom's struggle: clutter. I am very nervous and excited about what God has planned for me in this particular journey. To find out more about this book and previously published works from Kathi Lipp go to her site.

Please pray for me as I embark on these super awesome changes, and I am sure more are alwasy coming right around the corner.

 

Motivation

Sometimes I just struggle with motivation and distraction.

I do not know what it is, but I can sit on eBay doing nothing really for hours: window shopping. Yet, I wonder why nothing is done in the house? Why I haven't crafted in months? Why my scrapbook keeps falling farther behind? 

photo cred

After spending sometime this evening cleaning up parts of my office and looking through all of my previous blog posts, I now realize that I have just misplaced my focus. I think I knew it, or that I have known it, for awhile. I have been focusing on things, such as clothes. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with this. However, the fact that it is detracting from other things that I LOVELOVELOVE!!! 

Now, this is not to say that I am giving up on clothes. Nay, that is not realistic. Instead, it is merely to acknowledge that I need to shift some attention away from online window shopping, especially since I truly prefer to shop in person. Actually, to tell the truth, I don't have much time to go in person; this is why I look online so often. 

So, here is the plan:

• clean and organize the office/studio space
• when the boys go to bed do not retreat to my room where I sit on the cozy bed and veg out online
• utilize my office
• scrapbook a minimum of 2-3 pages per week
• blog and clean/clean and blog

I think that if I am able to do some of these things, then I will push myself forward and get some vitally important creativity done.

Kate Spade From Head to Toe

Eeek! Today I did something that I don't do too often for several reasons (cost, variety, stylizing); I wore the same designer from head to toe.

Today also marked the midterm for my students, which meant exams, and that I was up late last night, followed by a sun rise morning in order to prep said exam thoroughly. This type of sleep leaves me feeling a need to over compensate by dressing my best. What could be better than Kate Spade? Not much.

The skirt I am wearing is one of my favorites. It's a Lilith Skirt, and I highly recommend it. It is soft and flowy. Plus, it would look great with a petticoat ( I need to get one of those). 

My blouse is new to me, but I think that it is actually a NWOT purchase from eBay, because it is clear that it hadn't been washes before; all of the lines are so crisp, and the white is super bright.

The sandals are also an eBay purchase, nay, steal. I scored them for about $11 (including shipping) back in January. I am so glad for the warm weather that is allowing me to put them to use. 

Necklaces: Heart- custom/BA grad gift

Bow: Tiffany, Bow earrings: Coach

For the "head" part of my head to toe ensemble, I wore my Jayna sunglasses. However, I felt that my post dedicated to them pretty much covered how awesome they are.

Do you ever do head to toe of a favorite designer? Do you think it is tacky? Let me know? 

Love you oodles caboodles.

Have a rockin' Friday!

Busy Momma: ME TIME

Boys at the dentist this week

To say that I am a busy mom is an understatement. And although I am busy, I have far more free time than I did this same time last year. Since I was MIA in the blogging world last year, that story has never been told. I suppose I will have to prep something on our 2011 crisis that led to 2012 being dedicated to paying medical bills.

Me at the end of a busy day

Outfit--- Sweater( as seen last week)Old Navy, Necklace London Reid, Ribbon: from a gift

Anyway, at present life is full but in a steady way. I have slowed down to spend more time with the boys, especially the little Roly Poly. However, this often leaves me feeling as if I do not get enough me time. Then I wonder, "Am I even supposed to have 'me time'?" 

Hmmm... It is something to ponder. Has our egocentric society developed this idea of prioritizing the self so much that as a whole people no longer see family time as " me" time? Truly, spending time with my family should invigorate me, not drain me. It should be something that I see as a blessing, not an annoyance. 

I mean look at these silly faces. They fill me up with laughter and joy.

This is a goal I am setting for myself: I am challenging myself to see my children as a part of me and my time with them as "me time". It is time when I get to enjoy the abundant blessings that God has entrusted to me. It is undoubtedly " me time."  

At a park in Wrightwood this past Friday.

Editing from rhonna designs app

Will you rise to this same challenge?

Kate Spade JAYNA sunglasses

After what seems like an eternal wait, they are here! My very own Kate Spade Jayna sunglasses. Swoon!

Every girl wants an item with her name on it, but when a gal is named Jayna it is not likely to happen. In fact, as far as I know, this is a first! Squee!!!!!!!!!

Aren't they perfect (for ME)? These are the tortoise shell, and they are complete with updated prescription lenses: Unquestionably worth the wait. 

They went perfectly with today's cozy nautical theme. I cannot believe that I had to go back to sweaters this week. 

Brrrr . . . It has been chilly; I even turned the heater back on.

Sweater:Old Navy clearance ( right now $10), pants: Target ($14?), shoes: Irregular Choice (Poshmark $20), Jewelry: all thrifted

And, to make things better. These gals come in three more colors, although Katespade.com only shows the tortoise and black. My optometrist can get them in strawberry fad and ivory too. Strawberry will be  a must.

So, that's today's phenomenal news. Although a moment like this from Monster tried to put a damper on the day. Poor guy and his horrifying bloody noses.

Until next time. Toodles and blessings!

Back to school again!!!!!

This may seem late in the year, but my teaching semester just started this week! Yes, I know. It is mid-February.

Riverside City College-quadrangle bld

(My employer)

What I wear to work is important to me. It is not only an extension of who I am creatively and personally, just as any other day, but it aides in differentiating me from the students. 

As a college professor, who is only 31, this is vital. Some students are near my age. Others are far older. Thus, I must make it clear that I am a professional. That I take my job seriously, even if at times I am snarky, quirky, and sardonic.

Under tank:Old navy, blouse: Nordstrom Rack $5, Knit polka dot skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT $5, Harajuku Mini headband: Target $1.80

So, this week I wore a funner new outfit (there's always a need for back to school clothes) and a classic professors staple, which is a lovely Anne Klein two piece women's suit (dress & jacket). 

Anne Klein Suit: Nordstrom Rack $80, Vintage Brooch: Grandma Pat

Although I wore the suit on the second day, the first outfit is quite professional and put together in it's own right. Although, it showed more personality.

Sorry no shots of shoes this week. Back to school means I am a busy bee.

The college is celebrating 100 years this year, and as I was browsing the link on the home page I found this cute tid-bit about initiation fashion requirements in the 50s. I just had to share.

Yeah, it's a screen shot.

My favorite part is that women either need to have their hair in pin curls or umcombed. So cute!

For today, that's all. However, I have some great vintage finds to share this week. Plus, we took family photos over the weekend. As soon as I get some copies I will share.