More on the Power of a Picture

On Monday we talked about how a photo can inspire an 

idea that we can then put to use in our own homes.  Here's another example. 

Whenever I read a magazine, I rip out anything that I love or ideas I think 

I can use and file them for future purposes.  

When I saved these shots, it was because I loved the feel of this room.

Design by Peter Dunham

Most particularly, I fell for this table.  I love its scale and the cozy mood it creates.

So, when my friend Kristin was helping me to rearrange my living room, I got out this shot and we used it to plan how we'd move my furniture.  My goal was to add more seating into the main living room.  Despite my original plan of creating several sitting areas, guests seem to want to "circle".  So, I wanted to add more seats into the ring, so to speak.

We took my table and used it in the mix as an oversized side table, just like the inspiration shot.

It's a perfect spot to display fun and interesting items.

It's also a great place to set a plate of food or a drink.

Now I can fit 10 people into the circle.  

Let's party!

Do you ever look at magazines?  

They are such an amazing resource for ideas.  It's not about replicating, but about seeing a shot that will spark an idea that you can then run with and make your own.

These are the 4 that show up at my door each month.  

A subscription is surprisingly inexpensive.

And so, this summer, I encourage you to relax and take some time to browse through some magazines.  You can even get them at the library - just don't rip those pages out!

And with that I will bid you farewell!  I will return periodically over the summer but my posts won't be the normal twice a week.  I hope you'll have a lovely break and a fabulous time with your kids!

Our Last Day Together

As you know, my baby goes to grade one in the fall.  

Yesterday was our last day alone together so she got to choose our activities.

We snuggled and read books and then had breakfast at McDonald's.

We painted.

We walked,

and met a bunny, a caterpillar, 

and a bear.

We watched the river and ate lunch at Starbuck's.

Yes.  That is a cookie.

We played at the park,

and sat on my favourite bench.

We ended off with a trip to the library and some frozen yogurt.

It was a great day.

And it was an awful day.  

The kind of sad and helpless awful you feel when a really amazing book
comes to an end before you are ready.
Cause it has been an AMAZING story these past 14 years at home.  And now the story is over and it's time to start a new one.  So, I'll enjoy the summer with everyone home, but I'm praying like mad that God will send along a new challenge for this next stage of life that will be
just as much fun as the last one was.
And I believe that He will.
(Anyone need their entire house redecorated by any chance???)

Good-bye my sweet and lovely girl.
I will miss you more than I can say.
xoxoxoxoxo

The Power of a Picture

In this, our final week before summer vacation, I'm going to discuss the power of a picture.  

Remember this guy?  

I got this black metal stool at the Red Barn sale for $8. 

 I had no idea what to do with him but knew he was a good find.

Then my friend Kristin and I were rearranging my living room and while searching through inspiration shots that I'd saved from magazines, we saw this.

Yes!

Fabulous!!

A few quick turns raised his seat and a plant stand was born.

I love it.

  And I love reading decorating magazines.  

The feeling you get from seeing a photo that can inspire an idea you can put to use is indescribable.  On Wednesday I'll show you another shot that caused further furniture movement in my home.  

Cupboard Organization Reveal

Did you accept Monday's cupboard organization challenge?  

If you did, then post some photos of your before and afters.  

If not, then maybe my shots can inspire you.

Here's a reminder of the before.

My biggest problem was the boxes of saran wrap, wax paper and zip locks.  

Step 1 then was to research the internet and look for some storage possibilities.

Step 2 involved the purchase of this guy.

For Step 3 I emptied the entire cupboard.

Step 4 was to remove anything unnecessary like tupperware and jars that belong elsewhere, sippy cups we no longer need, and doubles of saran and bags that could be in the pantry.

In Step 5 I moved the shelf up to make it as high as possible.  Then I put everything back.  Now the boxes of wrap fit in one layer and don't waste space.  Straws are in the little tupperware bin up top.

The new purchase keeps shorter boxes from getting shoved to the back where they get lost.  

Love it!

The tall stuff is on the bottom and items that are rarely used like the cheese graters and hand held mixer are in the back.

The entire process (minus shopping for the basket) took less than an hour.

 

And since I now had some tupperware to put away, I also tidied that cupboard,

and did a quick re-arrange of the cupboard under the sink.

Before

After

Organization doesn't have to be a long and tedious process.  

You might be surprised at how many little spaces you can whip into shape within an hour's time. 

Cause, after all, we all have the World Cup to watch!

GO ITALY!!!!!!!! 

Cupboard Organization

A few weeks ago I helped a friend organize her cupboards.

Before

After

Before

After

The goal was to have her space ready in order to sell their home, but whether you're moving or not, cupboard clean up is a good idea for all of us.  It doesn't take much time, but it's one of those things that's easy to put off cause it's not super fun, and also because it's easy to forget a mess behind closed doors.

There is a cupboard in our kitchen that my husband recently called a nightmare.  Do you have any of those?  Let's make it our goal to fix them this week.  

Meet me back here Wednesday.
 I'll show you my clean up and you can post yours in the comments.

Counselling Office

Thanks for all the great recipe ideas you posted on Facebook everyone!

I'm gonna get myself in gear and create a meal planner that involves, you know, cooking.

While I've not been too active in the kitchen lately, 

I have had a crazy fun time decorating a room at my church.  

The space was set up like a normal office.  

My job was to turn it into a counselling office with a cozy, 

comfortable feel that also included a work space.  

First I chose the paint colour.

The furniture was inherited but the rest of the items I got to purchase. 

So fun!

Here's the other side of the L shaped room before,

and after with the newly added work space.

I do like to organize, but having the chance to create a whole new look for a space is by far, my favourite activity!  I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to work on this office!

Oh - my lovely assistant.  

My Summer Meal Planner

When my sister-in-law spied this she thought it seemed post-worthy.  

So in the spirit of keeping things real over here in Pretty Organized-ville, here ya go.

Did you know I hate cooking?

H.A.T.E.

Last week my husband was working late nearly every day so I was thrilled to do eggs and Kraft Dinner and such since it was just me and the kids.

I wrote this the day they asked for a tuna sandwich after complaining through a meal of KD.  Apparently I can't even cook a box of macaroni well.

So?  Can you help me?  Post up your easy breezy no fail summer recipes either in the comments or on Facebook.  I tend to glaze over after about 5 ingredients so let's not set the bar too high.

Another Red Barn Sale

Here's my haul from this Spring's Red Barn sale.

Metal stool and silver server,

an old horseshoe set, stool and necklace,

2 metal side tables and a cool trunk.

Oh, and a great wood couch for my deck.

I'll keep ya updated as I change up fabric and find new homes for items.