Simple Bedroom Update

While most women love to shop for shoes and purses, I love to shop for bedding!  Don't get me wrong, I like purses and shoes too, but I am always searching the home and bedding departments looking for a way to spruce up my bedroom or give it a quick update.  I even had bedsheets on my Christmas list one year! 

My quick trip to Macy's to check out their home and bedding sale gave me inspiration for this simple bedroom update to post on my blog today.  It doesn't require paint or even a monetary investment.  If you need a quick bedroom update, just change out your bedding!  Check out the pictures below of my guest bedroom. The bedding change is a subtle difference but it freshens up the room! 



Original Bedding



New Bedding

Below are a couple more tips to make this bedroom update inexpensive while keeping the impact!

• Reverse your comforter. Instead of getting something new, just use the reverse side.
• Make your bed differently.
• Add decorative pillows.
• Buy new pillow cases. If you can't afford a whole set of sheets, just buy the pillow cases.
• Shop in the clearance aisles.  There are always good bargains to be found.

Advice From Dad

Me and my dad - Miss Minnesota USA Pageant 2010

For those of you who know me well or those of you whom I may have met in passing, the first thing you learn about me is that I have a great family and I talk about them often.  In honor of Father's Day, I would like to intorduce my dad, Kevin, and pass along some advice from a great dad. 

I am the oldest of three girls, so right away I am sure you can understand that my dad is a patient man who loves us all equally.  My dad has been a great source of strength, inspiration and advice over the years.  He taught me how to drive my first car (a stick-shift Ford Escort), that family always comes first and how to pray.  To this day I still say the same nightly prayer that he and I made up together when I was a little girl.  (I have made a small revision - my list of pets was starting to get long.) 

One of the most important pieces of advice he has given me came shortly after I started dating the person that I believe God had in mind for me to share my life with.  He made me promise that when it came to my relationship with Adam that I don't drag things out and instead just let them go and be done with it.  He was referring to arguments and petty things that wont really matter in the long run.  He gently reminded me that girls tend to do this kind of thing.   

At first, this advice was hard to follow but with a little practice it has strengthened our relationship, opened communication and built trust between us.  Those three things are a big part of what makes our long distance relationship work.  Thanks Dad - from me and Adam!  Hopefully you can take this seemlingly simple piece of advice and put it to use in your own relationships. 

Happy Father's Day to all dads who love us, cheer us on and would do anything for us!

The Magic of De-Cluttering

Just under a year ago I moved into a new house in Ohio.  It's a cute house, but this house doesn't have quite enough room for all of my "stuff" like my house in Minnesota did.  I've decided it's time to de-clutter! 

De-cluttering is sorta like magic, it can transform your space!  Take a look at my home office before and after I de-cluttered it.  (Try not to get distracted by the wallpaper.)



Before



After

 Here are a few de-cluttering tips so that you can create your own magic...

1. Empty and Clean
Clean out ever nook and cranny!  Empty your shelves, drawers, file cabinets, closests, pantry, refridgerator, etc... Then wipe down the space that you just emptied to give yourself a fresh start.

2. Toss
Get rid of everything you don't need and no longer serves a purpose.

3. Categorize
Categorize all of your remaining items and put them away.  For example, if you are going through your bedroom dressers and closet, categorize your clothing into the following groups: 
Items you no longer wear (donate)
Damaged beyond repair (throw)
Repairs needed (Take them to a tailor)
Clothes and accessories you love (Put away)

4. Clean Again
Once everything is put away, clean once more!  Sweep or vaccuum the floor, dust or wipe down any visible surfaces.

De-clutting can become part of a regular routine by stopping clutter at its source. Iinstead of just putting things down when you're done with them, put them where they belong.

Inspiration To Lead A Beautiful Life

Welcome to the new 'Design Your Dwelling' blog! 

This blog is filled with inspiration to lead a beautiful life, both inside and out.  If you are looking for ideas to update your home, a quick fashion tip or a simple dose of inspiration, I hope that you find it here.  My focus is simplicity, creativity and fun.

Enjoy!