Home Renovation Teaches the Soul to Grow

I wish I was could tell you that I was a happy camper like the sweet little girl above, but living in a condo suite for two and half weeks wasn't easy. I didn't have any books, art supplies, sewing projects, time to write, or space to relax. It was just me, my working husband, and my darling ten-month old baby who did remarkably well-no surprise there! The odd thing that I learned after being deprived of all my things, knick-knacks, and projects was that I really don't need all the stuff. That isn't a big surprise. Every guru on the planet tells people to simplify their lives to be happier. Countless magazines, newspapers, and blogs are always offering the same advice packaged in new ways. Real Simple created a hugely successful niche on living without the clutter. Live simply. The idea is almost too simple to understand. But, I got finally it. My life changed after two and half weeks of not being at home. 

Tips to Conquer Clutter

I crave order in my life. I can't deny it. Clutter doesn't work for my creative process. So why does it continue to show up?  I could easily mention being a new mother, but I hate excuses. Things get cluttered as I focus on a project. I focus on accomplishing my project, be it writing or sewing a dress, like a hunter chasing prey. And the end result is just as gory! Here are three tips to help people like me conquer clutter!

Two Weeks Left on Operation Declutter

Image via Mer Mag Blog

Last week was a scratch for organizing because my husband and I took a last minute trip to Indianapolis to visit with my sister and nephew. It was so worth it! Indy has got tons of flavor and the art scene is fabulously sweet. I'll post photos once I file manage them off my 4G card. Until then, I've got two weeks to finalize Operation Declutter. Here is my list of things to do:

Reminder List for Operation Declutter

1. Organize my art supplies and toss out the stuff I haven't used.
2. Streamline my home office. Prepare for its move to the upstairs loft. This includes downloading photos and saving old photo libraries to my external hard drive. 
3. Toss more books! Why is this one so difficult for me?!
4. Organize the kitchen & pantry.
5. Prepare for a very special super mystery job. This one is a secret so far! It's going to involve a room flip, painting, and a new furnishings. More on that later.

I hope that I can manage to make this list happen because it is a pretty tall order!

Operation Declutter: Tips to Declutter Your Beauty & Makeup Routine

Last weekend,  I managed to declutter and edit my makeup down to a 5 minute work station. This gem of an idea is well described in Carmindy's The 5 Minute Face. I could still  cut back on the amount of eyeliners I have, but I wasn't yet able to do that. Eyeliner is so versatile and it  can change the shape and look of the eye immediately. I've been a fiend for eyeliner and I realized I forgot to shoot 4 other liquid eyeliners that I am constantly using. Perhaps, I still need to revaluate the next question.

I have a vast collection of Boots No. 7 and Quo, a brand of makeup only sold in Canada. Quo has amazing pigments and a fantastic price point.  My sister is a hair and make-up artist. She did my hair and my wedding makeup that were totally part of the reason our wedding photos ended up in Town & Country Magazine. Due to my clutter, I broke my brand new Pur Mineral base makeup compact. 

I tend to always head out to a department store, but my sister told me to head to the drug store. She insisted that I go for Loreal True Match instead. She swears that it is constantly being used on the runways and for photo shoots. Well, at that price, I'm in! I gave it a trial run and I can't believe the reception I got from wearing this new foundation, and I'm talking head turning kind-of attention!  Of course, I should add a  note the only man that matters in my life is my absolutely gorgeous husband, but a little attention never hurt a girl! My sister also convinced me to pick up Benefit High Beam. It's a great product that helps skin to radiate in the right places. You dab a bit on the high cheek bones, a slim line down the nose, and under the outer edges of the brow. Once you give it a try, you'll also realize that this bottle will last forever. Although, in all that excitement, do make sure to check when makeup is expired. I realized it had been over three months on my mascara so I opted to try Clinque's Lash Doubling Mascara. 

I love Bare Minerals eyeshadows, but I find that they aren't quick and easy. Instead, I found that I was able to condense the eyeshadows and lipsticks I need during the week into one quick and easy compact. I bought Quo, but Stila Color Wheel Eye Shadow Palette is another fantastic choice. 

I actually use the above kit all the time. I'm surprised it looks so good on camera! However, when you take care of stuff and you have the proper space to work, then the result is less wear on goods. Now I always finish my 5-minute face with Pur Minerals cheek blush, which I don't have to use because my makeup kit includes blush, but the color is really fantastic on me. Sometimes, I look groggy in the morning and I use Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brighter. I use this product when after I've applied my foundation or tinted moisturizer. The absolute last part of my 5 minute face is lip gloss or lip liner. I love this nude lip liner by Boots No. 7.

Declutter Makeup Tips

1. What are your makeup essentials? During the week, I suggest that you clear out your makeup tools and only use what is needed for a 5-minute makeup application. Learn more from Carmindy.
2. Consolidate your base makeup. Make sure you buy quality and that the makeup shades work for you. When buying foundation or tinted moisturizer, view the test color strips in natural sunlight. If the color blends, then its a match. In the winter, drop down by one shade if you're living in a cold climate and don't get much sunshine.
3. Organize your brushes into a container and make sure to wash them once a week! Enough said!
4. You can move faster when your eye shadows, blush, and lip gloss are in one kit. I can't stress enough how much cabinet space this saves me!
5. Pick a one favorite blush and one nude lip liner or gloss for the finishing touches. That's all it takes to ease your morning commute. You can even put together a 5 minute face kit for after work touch-ups. 

 Share your favorite declutter tips, too! Find me on Twitter and Tweet Tips to me: @moderngirlstyle

Watercolor Weekend: The Blue Room

The Blue Room. Watercolor and Pencil. 5x7. 2011

It's funny because I meant to declutter my art and office supplies, but it didn't happen. I did get something done on my month long project to declutter. More on that later. For now, I wanted to share some of the benefits of being more organized. I've been working on my novel during the week and a nonfiction book proposal in the spare time. I wanted to give you a sneak peek to some of the illustrations that I've been working on. I think it frames up very nicely! It feels so awesome to have space to create!

Weekend Reads: Spring Cleaning Reads & Home Sweet Home Blog

Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider

Want a stress-free summer of breezy parties and lazy adventures? Make sure you take advantage of the time now to Spring clean. In my own effort to get organized and decluttered, I've discovered some awesome reads to inspire your own adventures in the simplicity game. Since I've been following the Simple Mom Project: Simplify, I had to start this post with the book published by the same blogger, Tsh Oxenreider. 

BOOK SUMMARY: Organized Simplicity's aim is to convince its readers that simple living is the absolute best way to live.  Be it with house cleaning, family schedule management, personal finances, and managing the "stuff" you allow within your four walls, the only way to live well is to do so intentionally and simply.  The first half of the book delves into the why behind realistic simple living, giving the reader a nail to then hang the how of living simply discussed in the second half.  And by redefining the too often-used phrase "simple living," a busy home manager living in the real world can then make practical changes that work for the whole family.  There are chapters for cleaning and organizing the home room-by-room, and future project ideas will inspire readers to turn their house in a haven they love.

Living the Savvy Life by Melissa Tosetti and Kevin 

Since most clutter is result of impulse spending, Living the Savvy Life is a fantastic guide to smart spending and it also includes information on how to organize and declutter! Think of this book as the preventive clutter manual. 

BOOK SUMMARY: So many books on how to manage your finances are so technical and, well, just boring! Not Living the Savvy Life: The Savvy Woman's Guide to Smart Spending and Rich Living by Melissa Tosetti and Kevin Gibbons! Melissa actually puts money management into words women can relate to...like "wardrobe", "beauty", "food", "entertainment" and "home". I mean come on, what woman doesn't want to manage her money better so she feels free to invest in a beautiful, functional wardrobe or a well-designed home. Ok, so maybe you're not into fashion (though I think anyone reading this blog is). Some women aren't. But that is what is so great about this book. It teaches you how to save on areas that aren't as important to you so that you have more money to spend where it matters.

Maybe you are perfectly happy with a minimal wardrobe and pared down interior but are a food loving world explorer who wants to try every cuisine in the country or region it is indigenous to (really cool idea actually). You can do it! All it takes is saying no to what's not important so you can say yes to what is. Living the Savvy Life will help you put it all into perspective and show you how to discover your personal passions and financial priorities...there is an entire chapter entitled "What is Important to You" that includes a questionnaire for each basic area of your life. By taking some time and answering this questionnaire in full, honest detail you can determine exactly what is most important to you (not to your friends, not to society) at this time in your life. Once you know what is important to you, you can better decide how to spend your money.

The authors of LTSL know that the first step to being savvy is being organized. You will be aided in organizing your closet and pantry and will be given practical tips on setting up systems so you know what you have at all times. How to set up a bill paying system, checking account management system and manage credit card debt are all covered and of course, it wouldn't be a book on savvyness if it didn't include that little well-known concept of "pay yourself first" (retirement funds and savings accounts ladies!). And if you just really do want more information on how to grow your hedge fund, well, that's not actually covered by the authors but they tell you where to find sources that do cover such in-depth subjects in the "Favorite Resources" section! --Bobbie Michelle Harman, of Euro Chic 

Secrets of Simplicity by Mary Carlomagno

Treasuring what is truly important might be difficult to understand in a home a clutter. Secrets of Simplicity is a journal option to help sort out the means of identifying the excuses that have prevented you from living life with serenity. I personally keep this book on my desk because I love the seven different chapters on how to release, simplify, treasure, focus, invest, discover, and thrive.

BOOK SUMMARY: My father grew up during the Great Depression. His attitude about stuff is a product of those times and his upbringing by immigrant parents making their way in a new country. Waste was considered a luxury for the rich, a philosophy he maintains today. One summer, while helping him find something in the attic, I discovered that my father is a clutterer. It turns out that he likes to save things, lots of things. He has all the classic symptoms: saving multiple copies of the same document, keeping copious notes to accompany every transaction, and storing newspaper clippings, magazines, and manuals, most so outdated that they have surpassed any relevance, other than family trivia. He had carefully stored decades-old tax returns, old issues of Consumer, and toys that had belonged to my siblings and me. I asked my father why he kept these things. "I might need them some day. Why throw them away? They’re not bothering anyone," he responded. My mother put up several strong arguments about fire hazards and messiness, but his piles were carefully maintained, exquisitely labeled, and seemingly not combustible.

Among the collection were some definite keepers: my brother’s Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, a red Schwinn bicycle, my Barbie collection, and classic Golf Digest magazines, including the first issue that featured Jack Nicklaus on the cover (a discovery that earned me high-fives from all the men in my family). Now that’s worth keeping, I thought, realizing that these treasures said more about my dad than any old energy bill could.

Ironically, my "clutterer" father had unwittingly taught me the secret to organizing and simplifying: it is not what you discard, but what you keep.

As we go through life, we are all challenged to carve out a healthy relationship with our things. Below are ten tips for treasuring what is truly important, so you can do what you were meant to do: enjoy your life!

1. Value the relationship, not the item. Let’s talk about what’s really important. Can a chest of drawers really replace a loved one? It is nice to keep reminders, mementos, and family heirlooms, but not if they are keeping you from getting on with your future.

2. Know your local antique dealer. Consulting an expert regarding collectibles and antiques will help you better understand what you have, even if you do not want to sell it.

3. Consider local consignment, antique and resale opportunities to recoup money on bad purchases, unused items, and duplicates. Take the money and donate it to a good cause to honor the memory of a loved one. That’s a legacy that will outlast any piece of furniture.

4. Protect what is valuable. Whether you are storing a collection of Hummel figurines or your passports, making space for the things you value will allow you to enjoy them and find them when needed. Consider adding the most valuable possessions to your homeowner’s insurance policy to protect their value.

5. Not sure where to begin with a completely cluttered room? Start with the raw space. Take everything out of the room and before placing it back in. Be brutal, making each item earn its readmission to the room. Invite a friend or family member over to act as judge and jury.

6. The best time to get rid of things you do not need is before you move. Do not fall into the trap of thinking you will get organized at the new place—this is unrealistic and costly. Why pay money to move things you will likely throw away anyway?

7. Consider weather when storing items. Garages and basements are not always weather or moisture proof. Use airtight storage containers, and keep clothing linens, pictures, and documents where they won’t get damaged by the elements.

8. Make a home headquarters for keys, mail, and cell phones. Create involvement by including the family in the project. Inviting input and encouraging consistency from everyone will help ensure that the spot gets used and stays tidy over time.

9. Beware of becoming a replacer, someone who constantly churns items in and out of the house looking for the latest and newest design. Understand that the job of retailers is to persuade you that you need to buy more. Demystify the sales pitch, take stock of what you have, and only buy what you absolutely need.

10. Make sure you purge your home of unneeded items before you buy storage bins and containers; nothing says waste of money better than buying bins to hold stuff that really should be discarded. Purge first, determine what you need, and then head out to shop for storage containers.--Mary Carlomagno

Weekend Blog Reads

Images via Home Sweet Home

Want some beautiful pictures of real interiors that are clutter free? Home Sweet Home is a blog devoted to photos of personal space. Feel free to send them photos of your own home! I need to keep excavating! Here are some of my favorite images via Home Sweet Home,

Images via Home Sweet Home

Images via Home Sweet Home

Images via Home Sweet Home

Images via Home Sweet Home

Now what will you actually do this weekend?

Image via Pink Preppy Lilly Lover

My Dirty Secret...You Really Don't Want to Read This!

Attic Office Space.  {image}

Last week was a crazy whirlwind. It was just my luck to take care of the sweetest dog in the world, Lela, a Yorkie Shih Tzu mix.

Sweet Lela

She is a 4/12 month puppy that is bursting with energy, but I didn't let that stop me from my goal of decluttering! Now.. time to share my totally wretched secret. My home office. It is beyond being a wreck. It is like an episode of hoarders! It is a place that is often neglected out of the pursuit of finer things like dog walks, breathing, ah, writing blog posts. Okay, everything comes before organizing my clutter. I'm stalling, aren't I?

BEFORE HOME OFFICE

The insanity and shame of my home office

I will admit that this picture was taken a smidge after I started the declutter process, but as you can tell I've got way too much. In this sort of overwhelming situation, I started with the obvious, books. I placed them into piles of want, give, and can't decide. After sorting through the books, I put them to the 10 Decluttering Questions.  The 10 questions are truly fantastic and is a free download that you can print out to help sort through all the stuff. I did just that and got my office to this:

AFTER HOME OFFICE

You can see the floor!! Wow! Decluttering works!

As my mom was quick to point out in my wardrobe declutter project, I've still got work to do, which is the case for my office. I did manage to clear all of the papers from my desk and a few of the random items you can see. The guys at the thrift store now know me and are always happy when I show up to donate more stuff. The truth is I have a long way to go before I really feel satisfied with my progress at decluttering. And the truth be really told, I had a melt down in the midst of getting all of this stuff cleared. Thank heavens for my husband that surprised me by taking me to see the movie, Limitless.

As a soon-to-be writer, I couldn't help the similarities between having a cluttered life and not getting much work done! Not to spoil anything but, Bradley Cooper's character had to get rid of tons of stuff that was stopping his clarity and work flow. Finally he got down to business and after watching that movie, I got back to my own project to declutter.

Declutter = Ability to Think. {image}

Now you know my dirty secret. I have too many books, magazines, and art supplies. This week I'm going to tackle my art supply and office supply closet. Wow! I'm starting to feel that deep sinking feeling! But, forget it, with a bit of determination I know I can get this done! I'm inspired to have an office that might look like this at the end of the rainbow.

Designed by California Closet

Everything in It's Place!

Simplicity Rules in Spring 2011. Image by the amazing Furnnish.

Spring is blossoming into our life one day at a time. While the calendar is still ticking away to March 20th, which is the date that is the Vernal Equinox and is declared the first date of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere by the International Astronomical Union, I find myself wanting to declare a new season of abundance, creativity, hope, and love. Since my 40 day motto is less is more, I wanted to share a collection of amazing images without all the junk but with a sense of whismsy. 

Clean and clutter-less entry way by Erinn Valencich. Image Harmony and Home. 

Let's begin with kitchens. Growing up in the era of Martha Stewart, all I could dream about when I finally got my own was Kitchen Aid Mixer, Food Processor, and gobs of kitchen devices. I have a toaster, blender, juicer, citrus juicer, spice/coffee grinder, coffee maker, espresso machine, panini grill press, dehydrator, a massive rotisserie cooker, ice cream maker, and a ice grinding machine perfect for summer margaritas or ice-blended coffee drinks. Now, image cutting everything back to the basics...what might that look like?

A Breath of Fresh Air. Image by Furnnish

Everything in its Place. Image via So'mace Lifestyle

Clean surfaces. No appliances. Fresh design. Image.

Bedrooms count, too. Isn't that one reason why boutique hotels are so refreshing to stay in. It lacks the items that typically clutter a room. I love the bold pattern and plum colored bench at the foot of the bed. 

Sara Gilbane Bedroom

Another well designed bedroom. Bold prints add interest and the accessories draw the space into balance. Modern doesn't have to be cold and boring!  

Erinn Valencich Bedroom

Living rooms have the largest impact. Even if your life is filled with tons of kids, it doesn't have to be out of control! At least, not all of the time. Keep things organized and surfaces swept clean of clutter. Choose tough fabrics that can stand the abuse of messy hands or clumsy adults. 

Image via 30 Duo {sweet website, check it out!}

Modern furnishings compliment natural local touches. Image.

Now that you're inspired to improve the design of your home by going clutter-free, the only question is how do you want to spend all that free time enjoying the start of spring!

Grab a book or your favorite magazine and relax! Image via the awesome Perfectly Put Together.