Weekend Projects

Welcome back from Thanksgiving break!  I can't believe it's been a whole week since my last post.  To those of you who are dedicated readers of my blog, sorry for the delay... I figured everyone would be traveling, decorating, shopping or all three!
Logically my post today should be about the house projects I accomplished over the weekend, the great deals I found on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and a few snap shots of the fabulous Christmas decorations I put up.

 None of those things happened.

Instead, Adam put me to work finishing up a few projects that needed to be done before the snow arrives. Our "to do" list included putting up 100 feet of snow fence, building a ladder to get up into our hayloft and this...

....finishing the windbreak for the cows.

(Yes, I helped with the whole project... setting poles, hanging boards and hanging the tin!)

Fortunately, in return for my help around the farm, Adam helped me with my little project which was cleaning out the basement.  I am getting the basement painted this week so I can finally have my own design and office space!  Wooohoooo!!

It definietly looks like a dungeon right now but once the walls are painted and I do a little decorating I am going to have an awesome space!  You will definitley see more on this basement transformation project!

Even though I didn't take part in the traditional holiday happenings beyond Thanksgiving dinner I had a pretty fulfilling weekend.  There is something so rewarding about hard work, seeing what you accomplished in a day and working side by side with someone you love and admire.

Have a great week!

BETH 

My Favorite Travel Accessory

My week started off with travel for work to Columbus, Ohio!  While I was sitting on the airplane, thinking about some upcoming blog posts, it came to mind that I should share my favorite travel accessory idea with you - an extra large scarf! I have them in a few colors and they have proven to come in handy often.  I don't leave home without one!

My favorite travel accessory!
(6' x 2' rayon scarf)

Not only do they look cute as an actual scraf to wear casually or paired with a nice jacket, but they work good as a blanket on the airplane or as a shawl to use during meetings at conference centers.  These are much easier to carry around than a jacket because you can wear it around your neck or put it in your bag!

Here is the other great thing about a scarf like this - you can use it to decorate!  In our spare bedroom, I am using one as a throw on the end of the bed or you tuck one over the back of a chair to change the look of a room!

The scarves I get are made of rayon fabric and measure about 6' long x 2' wide and can be found in pretty much any department store.  I've had the best luck finding them rather inexpensive at JC Penny, Herbergers and Younkers.

If you have other ideas for scarves, please leave a comment!  And let us know what your favorite travel accessory is - I am always looking for new ideas!

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.

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.