motivation monday: inspirational photo

As you know, I've decided to tackle the closet as my new project.  Having an organized closet would make my life soooo much easier. It's about half the size I need for my things, and now I have to add another person. Time to organize.

First up, I've started the culling project.  Need to get rid of everything I don't use/need/need to save.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a closet this well organized?

I needed some inspiration to stay motivated, so I thought I would share.

So much space!

a room with a view...of books

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” 

― Marcus Tullius Cicero

photo via

I don't know if you've gathered this, yet, but I love to read books.  I love TV and movies as much as the next person, but I also love a good book paired with a cozy chair and fluffy blanket. Or a good book on the metro. Or a good book on a road trip.  Or a good book before bed.  Or a good book anytime, really. 


With the future husband probably moving into my teensy apartment, I'm going to have to reorganize the books.


Oh, the books. They're everywhere.


I made a decision this week.  I have decided that I simply can't bear to part with any of them, yet.  I can't do it. 


Poor fiance, but I just can't.  The only thing I consented was to donate or sell the duplicate books between our collections.  So there.  That's a start. 


Am I the only person with this problem?  I certainly hope not. 

motivation monday: stuck in the closet with you

After seeing the Take Ten posts on A Peaceful Mom, I have decided to get started organizing myself.  The idea is to take ten minutes a day to improve your life in some form or fashion. For me, this begins with organizing my home.

Let me begin with two pieces of information:

1.  I'm getting married in June.

2.  Rent is expensive in the city. 

With those two pieces of information in mind, the future husband and I have almost completely settled on living in my teeny tiny studio apartment for the first little bit of our marriage.  It'll be fun.  We like each other, obviously, so spending time together is fun.  And we haven't had time to accumulate enough stuff to fill a house, yet.  (Although, I'm having a hard time believing all our stuff is going to fit in a studio.)

Since the wedding is less than two months away (eek!), the soon-to-be-Mr. has expressed a wish to move some of his things in gradually.  I'll admit, this sounds easier than blocking off an entire weekend and being tired.  Whenever he comes over for an evening with me, he brings a few more things. 

This leads me to a new project.  The closet needs to be reorganized.  It's a tiny closet that matches the tiny apartment, and now it needs to house two persons-worth of clothing.  Oy.

So, I thought I would post a little motivation for myself.

Maybe you're not ready to be up close and personal with my closet, but here goes.

This is what we're starting with.  Messy, huh?  It definitely needs some love.

I'm starting by paring down things I don't need and reorganizing the storage space at the top.  I figured I would start at the top and work my way down. Anyone have any helpful ideas? (Keep in mind, I have little to no drawer space...)

There is more space on the sides, but I decided to spare you the photos of that. No need to embarrass myself more than I already have!

out on the water

I love this proverb.

I've been thinking about that idea quite a bit this week. 

As of tomorrow, my job position is being terminated, and I find myself curiously, unintentionally back on the job market.  I also find myself more bothered at the loss of control than the loss of a job.  The difference in this job search is that I am not the master of the timing.

Everything will work out. I'm sure of it.

For now, the temporary unemployment means more time to focus on this blog, on crafting, and on wedding plans.  And more time with the future husband, which is always a blessing.

And organizing my nightmare of a miniature closet. (More on that later!)

So here's to rough seas and new adventures.

belated wishes

You know what one of my favorite parts of spring is?

Easter lilies!  They're white and cheerful and tall and proud. 

I realize it's a bit late for an Easter post, but I accidentally sent my camera home with my fiance.  Whoops! 

So happy late Easter, and I hope you're all enjoying the beautiful spring flowers!

new life in a soupcan

I decided to try my hand at growing plants from seeds this year.  Yes, I know.  I don't have much room.  Yes, it's hard work.  Yes, I lost several of the seedlings and had to start over.  However, they're doing better now!


I'm especially excited for the Chinese Forget me Nots. Eventually, they'll produce small little blue flowers that I think are so adorable.  I can't wait.  I may have to wait another year for them to bloom, but, in the meantime, it's pretty exciting to watch them grow.  Plus, soupcans in my apartment are getting a new lease on life!  Hooray for recycling!


This is what my little Forget me Nots should look like in the future.  It'll take a while to get to this, though.

But, for now, my little seedlings are still developing.  (See picture below.)  They're so...enthusiastic!  One day, I hope to have a big, beautiful garden.  For now, though, I'll have to content myself with living in an apartment that is taken over by a makeshift container garden.

doily magic

Call me old fashioned, but I actually really enjoy thread crochet.  You know those lacy things that aren't quite lace?  Those doilies that your grandmother used to have around the house?  Yes.  I enjoy making those.  There's something satisfying about using your hands on a project and having it beautify your space at the same time.  I can place doilies and things under vases, on tables.  I can also use them as small presents for someone I know will enjoy it.

On that note, I found a new pattern I love!  This doily takes much less time to make.  It takes less than 5 hours to make this smaller doily. Which is lovely.  I got so enthusiastic, I made three!

I'm also working on a much bigger, pineapple doily that I'll share later, but these 10" doilies are cute that I had to share!

pitcher perfect

Time for some inspiration!

Some of you may have gathered that I live in a miniature-sized apartment in the city.  I mean, it's tiiiiiny. And, to top it off, most of the walls are cement, so hanging shelves is incredibly difficult.  

Storage in the bathroom has actually proved to be one of the most difficult things.  It ranks right up there with closet space and finding a place for all my books.

However, provided I ever find a way to work in a shelf or small cabinet into my teensy bathroom, I already know what will go on top of it.  Have you ever admired wash basins and pitchers?  Can you imagine how sweet these pitchers would be sitting on a doily on a pretty little cabinet?

 

First up, though, have to find that perfect little cabinet.