Making My To-Do List, Pt 1

It occurred to me this morning that just because I think of things to blog about that DOESN'T been that they have actually been blogged!!  And it's been over a week.  Not blogging can be a slippery slope of continuing to not blog.  It's time to actually write down some of the things swirling around in my head.

What I've been thinking about are all the projects, large and small, that I'd like to do around the Reslus Arms.  As I mentioned earlier, thinking and doing are not the same thing.  But if I make a list that is a start to the doing, right?  So here I go with some of the around the house projects I'd like to accomplish in 2012 (because it's January and we should all make these kinds of lists at the beginning of the year)

1. Organize the Linen Closet

via Martha Stewart, of course

Well, almost all the closets really, but the linen closet needs it the worst.  I need to purge a lot and better organize what I have.  I'll be honest through, no matter how hard I try I can't fold a fitted sheet to look as nice as Martha's.  It is definitely not a skill I have.  Next I'll need to hit up the coat closet, which has it's own set of problems. And I'd also like to tackle the office closet and my Lady closet but I don't want to get too head of my self.

2. Finish the Guest Room!

 

 

Source: fieldandsea.tumblr.com via Aimee on Pinterest

 

After the big switch in the house more than 6 months ago our tiny guest room has acted as a holding area for other rooms during the move, Christmas gifts & wrapping, my growing stockpile of knits that need to be blocked, etc.  Basically, it's currently functioning as a walk in closet for the rest of the house.  I'm determined to make it functional and beautiful before the next time we have houseguests (I think I have until March)  Thankfully, now I have a deadline I can now work towards.  Here's what I need to do:

• repaint the room - it was dinged up a bit when we moved the office out.  That means actually selecting a paint and then painting it.  After looking at the swatches below for months I think I'm going to paint it my favorite white (Benjamin Moore's White Dove).  Is that a cop-out? Maybe.  But I also really like white and think it will make for a nice little guest room

• Line the drapes and hang them - though I found them way back in September and I've purchased the rods AND I think I have enough lining material in my stash I still need to do the work
• Make a headboard - I've been waffling about the style of the of the headboard mostly based on my patience and skill level.  Should I attempt what I really want, pushing the boundaries of what I know I can do myself

            or should I stick with something a little more manageable and still really pretty?

Source: houzz.com via Aimee on Pinterest

• repaint the bedside table, hang some art, find lamps,etc - finish up the room.  There are some big things to do in that little list but I'm getting tired of writing and I know you're getting tired of reading this.

I'll continue the list next time (and maybe even the next time! It's a long list)   In the meantime I'd love to hear your thoughts about which direction I should go with the headboard.  Help me make that decision! 

Change of Habit

So I have to begin by saying that I LOVE organization.  Everything having a place and everything perfectly placed seems magical to me.  The Container Store makes me swoon!......Having said all that, organized is the opposite of how I live.  I put things in piles, lots of piles.  I forget where I leave things then ransack the place looking for whatever it is.  I have have good intentions but bad follow through.  Well, mostly.  I actually have a very well organized closet (though my sock drawer is a mess)  and I have big plans.  Though I'm not calling these plans "resolutions" I will say that I would like to put some of that organizational love into actual practice in 2011.  Here's some inspiration for myself (and you too) while I plot to make it happen.

Domino

Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens

via High Street Market

 

Better Homes & Gardens

What are some of your organizational triumphs or failures?  Not all clutter busting techniques work for everyone.  I had a class in personal and professional management in college.  The professor made us use 4 or 6 methods to keep track of what we were doing, plans, lists, etc.  At the time I was really frustrated by all the redundant work for essentially  keeping a to do list, but now I understand that she was exposing us to many different methods so that we could find the one that worked for us.  Now I just need to find what will actually work for me......then maybe I can see the top surface of my desk again!

Monday, and a tip

Welcome to November.  

The leaves are changing, the air is crisp and I need to wear socks 24-7 to keep my feet warm again.  I took the above reminders of fall on a walk with the dog in one of the Civil War parks near the house.  We love it there because we usually have the park to ourselves.  

And now a tip:
Today I am changing out my summer and winter clothes (do you have enough closet space to NOT have to do this??)  I'm not the most personally organized person in the world but I like my closet to be neat and tidy.  The easiest way I can keep it all organized and to know what to keep and what to get rid of at the end of the season is to turn the hangers around so that once they are worn the hangers face the correct way. 

At a glance I can see what needs to stay and what needs to go (because it wasn't worn) at the end of the next season.  It's easy to hang on to things too long but this is one rule that I keep to insure that I will have enough closet space to have new things every once in a while.  Basically I can buy myself something new and pretty if I make room for it!