Well, I didn’t mean to completely disappear for practically a week. It’s been an extremely productive week, but I do miss it here. My next post will be of Lilah’s birthday party. I still have to upload the pictures to my smugmug account (is flickr mac-friendly yet?), so hopefully by tomorrow I’ll have some updates for you.
Other than that, life has been a whirlwind lately. I was just commissioned for yet another web design project (!), so I’ve now got three due for completion on February 7th, 14th, and 28th, respectively. I had no idea that my designs would go over so well. Because of the success I’ve had so far, I’m also designing a website for myself to serve as a portfolio for my work. Be on the lookout!
I’ve also re-started work on an author’s book project that was put on hold for a couple of months. In addition to that, I’ve got two events to coordinate this year (one in May and one in September), and I’m helping Leah over at Creative Every Day with a book that she’s writing. All very exciting stuff!
Ordinarily, I would be extremely stressed out over all of these things on my plate. But the difference this time is that I am so thankful for the work. We have been in such financial straits for so long that to see God providing all of this work is just an immeasurable blessing. After several failed attempts at opening my own business, the momentum has finally hit. And you know, once you get that first little push, it’s downhill from there.
So bear with me as I try to regain my balance and get re-rolling on my beloved blog. Thanks for all of your encouragement!
Can I just say that those miniature Babybel cheeses from The Laughing Cow are out of this world amazing? They are my new favorite thing. My kids love them, too. (I have no affiliation with them, by the way. I just thought I’d say.)
Nolan says “I put the little cheese on my little plate, mama!” Cute indeed.
So, I’ve kind of left you all hanging the past few days regarding our current focus in the house, but we’ll get back to it, I promise. Right now, I’m busy cutting out snowflakes and making sugar cookies and generally going overboard for my daughter’s first birthday. And who’s to blame me?
But I will share a bit of inspiration I found today. It’s the concept of the “out-box” (found in an August 2006 edition of Real Simple).
If you have difficulty letting go of household items, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan suggests creating what he calls an “out-box,” a bin that acts as a kind of halfway house for things you’re considering getting rid of.
Many of us become paralyzed when faced with the chore of editing our belongings and end up doing nothing. The out-box lets you begin to clear the clutter without a commitment. Once an item sits in the box for a week, it usually becomes easier to part with.
‘It allows you to figure out if you really need something,’ Gillingham-Ryan says, ‘without the anxiety of an immediate decision.’
I’m posting on the run today…this week has been pretty busy with Lilah’s birthday and doctor’s appointments and the like. Her party is Saturday, and I’m getting ready for it. Anyone have any ideas for a one year old party with a pink and white snow bunny theme?
So far, we’ve got a beautiful cake ordered from Not Just Frosting (I’m bartering for web design with that one… 
) and snowflakes that we are going to hang up around the house. We’ve got a basic white tablecloth with pink and white sparkly bunny/snowflake confetti. And I’ll probably get balloons.
I’m going to make some snowflake-shaped sugar cookies tomorrow, and we’re going to have a lunch of little chicken salad sandwiches, veggies and dip, apples, and cheddar bunnies. We’re having some older kids attending, so I’m not sure how to keep them entertained while keeping the festivities in celebration of Lilah’s first year. I’m game for ideas if you have them!
My daughter Lilah is turning one today!
I can’t believe that she is already one year old. My heart is so full today.
Happy birthday, little one! You and Nolan are my joy and delight.
I posted a while back about cleaning out the refrigerator, and nearly 3 months later (has it BEEN that long?) I’m finding that it needs it again. I’ve been meaning to do this for about a week, ever since we went grocery shopping for the entire month (and freaked out the checkout lady with $25 in coupons…yay us!). But 2008 has gotten off to a slow start for me, and last week I was playing catch-up with work. It just didn’t happen.
I do love a clean fridge, though. It helps make sure we don’t waste food, which is so easy to do when stuff is crammed into the netherparts of our refrigerator. My favorite fridge tips:
- Store leftovers in clear containers. You’re much more likely to eat it if you can see what it is.
- Keep eggs in their cartons. The door’s not cold enough, and eggs absorb odors if left out in the open.
- Store lettuce loosely rolled up in damp paper towels. It stays fresher much longer.
- Only use your bins for stuff that is not in danger of not being eaten. Store less tempting and faster-perishing items at eye-level. (Yeah, both of those sentences are awkward. It’s to stretch your mind, you know.)
- Don’t use harsh chemicals when cleaning your refrigerator. Your food will absorb them.
I always feel like a new person when I have a cleaned-out fridge. I eat better, too. So if you’re feeling especially inspired to do something for your house today, I’m sure it will appreciate the gesture.
Everyone wants to “get organized” for the new year. I don’t want to get organized. I used to think that was what I wanted, but then I realized something: how sad is it that I have so much stuff that it seems to require inordinate amounts of time to organize it? I don’t want my stuff to control me. I would rather have less of it to control.
So this week is going to be a week of paring down. I love what flylady says (my paraphrase): if you don’t need it, use it, or love it, toss it! What a great philosophy, taken at any level.
I used to think we were alright about this. I mean, we don’t make a lot of money. We don’t buy a lot of stuff. But still, just by being American, we have so much! Looking around my house, I’ve realized that we are wasting a lot of space due to “storage.” Well, I don’t want to store things anymore. I want to use them. If I can’t use them, I want to give them to someone who can.
So today, I want to encourage you to go through that one drawer or shelf that is just brimming with stuff that doesn’t have a place to go. Take your time, going through each item thoroughly and honestly. Ask each item one question: Do you earn your keep, or do you need to be evicted?
Nothing gets a free ride, right? You don’t work, you don’t eat. Or, in this case, you don’t get to take up space in someone’s house. Be firm. Your item is earning its shelf space if it:
- gives you joy
- makes your life easier
- is a necessary part of your home
Otherwise, hit the road, Jack.
My lovely parents bought me an extremely awesome stand mixer for Christmas, and I have been enjoying how easy baking is now. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at baking my own bread for a while, and I finally did it last night using this recipe.
Mmmm…it turned out so good. I mixed in a few tablespoons of Herbes de Provence, and it was a huge hit with John’s poker buddies. It does take a while, but it was one of those good things that is worth it 100%.
And yes, I’m stalling. Our scheduled interview is not going to be happening today, unfortunately. Instead, a few of my favorite posts of the week (not in any particular order):
Hope you’re having a happy weekend, folks!
As promised, today we get to chat with Jess of Atomic Veggie fame. I love her vintage stuff…so cute!
What is the story behind your business?
I’ve been an avid collector of vintage items for many years. I enjoy yard sales, auctions, flea markets and all around general thrift shopping. I had started making jewelry using vintage components that I had collected through the years. People showed some interest and I went from there.
Why did you decide to use an etsy store? Is it the only sales outlet that you have, or one of several?
I stumbled upon Etsy one night and opened a shop. It seemed like a good niche market for what I had to offer. I also have a website AtomicVeggie.com.
What are the biggest obstacles you have overcome in running your business (etsy-related and otherwise)?
Trying to offer unique items that you can’t find anywhere else.
How do you spread the word about your business? What is your most effective marketing tool?
I have a myspace page and accounts on other social networking sites. There are many options out there for marketing.
What do you think is the greatest contributor to your overall success?
Enthusiasm and a true appreciation for my products. I’m a vintage junkie, I enjoy what I do.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone just getting started? What do you wish someone had told you?
Be creative — find a unique design concept for your store and sell a unique product. Make sure you have a good camera and learn how to take good photographs.
If you are confused, the BRRT! is a reference to the incredibly annoying sound my dryer makes when it’s done, as we will be at the end of this post. Well, not forever. I mean, nobody can be done with laundry forever. But I’m hoping that whether you choose to do a load a day, a load whenever a basket gets full, or all of your laundry once a week, perhaps you’ll be more inspired than you were before we started this journey.
So to commemorate our last day of laundry and propel us into another weekend of conversations with etsy superstars, here are some great places to go to get inspired to fully re-design your laundry room.
BRRRT!
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