Becolorful

Motivated Monday January 23rd

2012-01-22T20:42:00-06:00

Welcome to this week's Motivated Monday Link Party

I have to admit I was unable to comment on everybody's post this week. That takes a a pretty good block of time and some weeks I just don't have it. This was one of them. I did visit each post though and there are some spectacular ideas on all of them. I hope you were able to visit a few of them but some of these were posts that I would be interesting to a number of readers.

I have been doing some clearing out and organizing here at home and so I was more than a little bit motivated and a bit envious of this organization project.

Via

Wise Designs Inspiration

There was this colorful room redo that is full of some great decorating ideas for a child's room Plus you can buy those fabulous handmade quilts on her Etsy site!

Snug as a bug baby

I can hardly believe we are already in the third week of January. I feel so behind already. Yikes, but with Valentine's Day quickly approaching I thought that this valentine pillow project was really timely and fun.

You can find it at

About Blogging Time

I love that name. :0

How about this dresser from

Uniquely Chic?

It looks totally high end and the hardware is absolutely perfect for this look.

A lot of you might have received e-readers for Christmas and so I thought this tutorial for a custom cover could be really useful.

Kindle cover via

Color Me Glamorous

A Do Over In The Family Room

2012-01-21T17:44:07-06:00

Oops, I did it again.

I sold a room full of furniture without having a plan in place or furniture on order.

Yikes.

This is a photo I shared this past Christmas of our family room, or as we call it, "The Green Room" .

So many of you had such nice things to say. Thank you.

With all of it's Christmas embellishments I thought it was pretty too.

After the holidays, though, it was back to reality and some strategically placed throws.

What I knew and you couldn't see was that the sofas were becoming quite faded. That and the fact that I think one of the kids must have had a party here while we were away because there is a very mysterious red stain on the flip side of the seat cushion of that yellow chair.

???

The other thing you couldn't have known, because I didn't show you, was the jarringly obnoxious look of the other side of the room.

Who wants to look at an eyesore? Right? This just hasn't been working for me.

Yep, the big black hole.

It all started when our son took off for Japan and we "inherited" (bought) his humongous flat screen. Although, I love the bigger picture of this screen, it obviously wouldn't fit inside my tasteful entertainment center. So, we quickly purchased this black TV stand from another one of our darlings. Now this kid conveniently works part time at one of the big electronic stores and he was so stoked that we were replacing our old tube set that he couldn't wait to show us this. The cabinet isn't bad but in the end it is just a whole lot of black in such an airy room. The other problem is I guess I didn't realize how dusty this place is. Wow. Dust and repeat, dust and repeat.

Even my big guy agreed that this wasn't the best look here but we were still finishing up the living room update and I was already making plans for a couple of upgrades in the library. The thought was we would basically put this room on hold until later this year but maybe go ahead and at least purchase a new TV cabinet.

So with a new TV cabinet on order, this one was quickly snatched up by our youngest and now our ginormous television is sitting precariously on an old shabby chic side table. The components are stacked on an end table and all the cords, manuals and such are piled up into some cardboard boxes on the floor. Just when I thought it couldn't look any worse, it does.

Bet you're jealous now aren't you?

I placed an ad on Craigslist this week to sell a few other pieces of furniture that I just couldn't find a place for and I had three of the nicest women come and look at what we were offering.

I had to walk them through our family room and when I did they all told me how much they loved the colors and furniture here. Now, truth be told, the hubs has never liked those sofas and has complained for years the they are uncomfortable. When he found out we had some interest in them he told me to get rid of them. Really? Get rid of them? You didn't have to tell me twice.

So in the span of about twelve hours I went from a room full of furniture to a room that looks like this.

The leather chair we stole from another room so at least one of us has something to sit on. If I had thought of it I would have sold the old phonograph table too. The trunk I wanted to keep, along with the rug and the pieces that I have painted.

I really think I want to stay with brighter colors in this windowed and porch feeling room and I know that red and green will still play an important role in my color scheme but I did have some fun last night pulling together some Olioboards to showcase some of my ideas and concepts for this room as we move forward.

I want a little less of a country look and bit more of a mid-century meets Be Colorful style.

I still love a green sofa and that Chive green from Crate and Barrel speaks to me but maybe the sofa should be neutral and the chairs could be green this time instead. If I got tired of red I could mix in some turqoise.

and without the blue.

Then again, red chairs would be a fun alternative too, especially with green walls.

Olioboard is yet another way I have discovered to totally blow off an afternoon.

It's kind of like pulling together outfits for my room.

So the adventure begins. I wonder where we will end up.

xoxo,

January Organization - The Laundry Room

2012-01-18T14:17:59-06:00

A little over two years ago I gave my own laundry room a face lift. You can read about it here. A number of things in this room didn't work out as well as planned. My number two son left muddy boots on this rug and I was never able to get the stain out so color the rug gone. The washer and dryer, that were fairly new when this picture was taken have also hit the road. That washing machine was a huge disappointment and Lowe's apparently agreed because they were more than fair in working with us to replace it. I went back to a top loader washer and I am so much happier than I was with this one. The vinyl Ikea poppies are starting to peel up a bit too. I'm thinking I need to add this room to my ever growing list of projects. Nothing major here, just a few tweaks.

As I was looking around the internet I found a few good laundry room ideas for function and storage.

If your laundry room is small and you don't have room to leave an ironing board up and you don't have one of those built in cabinets for your ironing board you might want to consider this pretty option.

A very simple painted and decorated plaque with a couple of hooks to hang your ironing board from. This plaque has a fun quote that could be created with vinyl words or by painting it on. You could decorate your wall hanger in any style to coordinate with the rest of the room. It helps too that this ironing board has such a pretty cover.

A retractable valet bar is perfect in a small space and can be pushed out of the way when you aren't using it.

A hanger caddy is another nice feature to have close by. This one would keep those hangers within easy reach but they would look neatly corralled until you actually needed them.

Whether your space is an actual laundry room or just a washer and dryer tucked in a closet it is important to make this area look as inviting as possible. Let's face it, nobody really loves to do laundry. Do they? So while we are facing this chore let's make the space look at pleasant and clutter free as possible.

When it comes to laundry soap, stain treatments and fabric softeners you have two options. They can either sit out on a shelf or be tucked away out of sight.

I like an uncluttered look so I usually try and opt for out of sight.

In a cupboard is the easiest "hidden" option and I like to incorporate turntables inside the cupboard to fascilitate finding things easily.

If your space doesn't offer any cupboard space then consider a shelf with baskets or bins to contain and organize some of your laundry products.

I also thought this idea of transferring laundry soaps into clear containers and leaving them in clear sight was a good idea. If things are left out to be seen then make them pretty.

Those huge bottles from Costco or Sam's Club can be hard to handle so transferring the soaps in smaller more manageable and attractive bottles makes a lot of sense.

A set of storage drawers such as these would be a wonderful organizational aid either between the washer and dryer as shown here or off to the side if your units are stacked.

If your machines are stacked one on top of the other then a pull out shelf between the two is rather genius don't you think?

Albert Lee

Doing laundry isn't rocket science but streamlining the process in an attractive environment can cut down on time and make it seem like less of a drudgery.

The first step in this routine is collecting the clothes.

We live in an older home that has four floors. Fortunately we also have a laundry chute which is a Godsend.

I do laundry almost every day and I hang dry a lot of our clothes. So we enclosed the area where the chute drops out into a closet space with a louvered door for ventilation. This works well because the clothes have good air circulation for drying but are out of sight.

Inside the closet I have an old Rubbermaid tub to catch the laundry. The problem is that there is about a three foot drop from the bottom of the chute to the tub. As a result I am always standing on my head and reaching into dark corners to retrieve a wayward sock or pair of underwear.

While looking around the internet for laundry ideas I landed on this commercial style laundry cart on wheels. Put that baby on my list. I can wheel it out from under the chute and start separating.

If you are using a hamper instead then you might want to consider this stylish option for presorting your clothes. These fun laundry bags are actually pretty enough to set out.

When we bought our home the laundry was an open corner of the basement. It consisted of limestone walls and a concrete floor. We were fortunate though that this corner had big windows allowing a lot of light and a doorway to the outside and one to the garage.

Our home is old so a walk out like this is rare. We never even considered moving the laundry upstairs. There were too many other expensive projects on our list at the time and really it has worked out just fine where it is. We did add insulation, drywall, a tile floor and some storage cupboards.

One of my favorite additions that we did was this pantry cabinet with roll out shelves. My only regret is that we didn't buy a better quality unit. I guess I didn't realize how much use and abuse this room would take. Now, fourteen years later, the roll outs are beginning to sag a bit and are in need of some adjusting and reinforcement.

The concept here is that there is a basket on the left to separate the dirty laundry. On the right there is a basket for each person in the family. The idea was that the kids could take their baskets of clean clothes up to their rooms, put their clothes away, and return the basket. Wow, looking back on it now I realize I was asking way too much. That was an idea that only worked in my head. Elizabeth would take her laundry up but it would be days before her basket returned. The boys never even made that much of an effort. They would end up just get dressed in the laundry!

Anyway, if you want to give this method a try at your house but don't want to invest in a big pantry cabinet then maybe a shelving unit with baskets could work for you.

If space allows an island with cubbies for baskets underneath would be another good way to go. What I like about this is all that room for folding.

It doesn't matter if your washer and dryer are tucked away in a closet, sharing multi-purpose space in a kitchen or garage, or if you have a cavernous laundry room dedicated strictly to doing laundry. An idea that works wonderfully in any of these settings that you may want to consider is a laundry station. These well contained work areas help keep everything neat and organized.

This set up seems to be very popular to lift front loading machines off the floor.

Add your own personal touch for a dash of style and even more function.

When it comes to best use of space, though, this might have been the best thing I saw out there. I never would have thought of that but I'm impressed.

Laundry areas that are clean, bright and organized make this task feel like less of a chore. Add a TV and you can make it almost enjoyable.

To find sources for these images click here.

I hope you found something that you can use in your laundry space. As for me, well, I was forced to clean out that pantry cupboard today before I took a picture of it. It has apparently been a while since that was done. Adam, I found your high school diploma at the bottom of your basket! When did you graduate? 2009?

xoxo,

Motivated Monday January 16th

2012-01-15T21:00:00-06:00

Welcome to another Motivated Monday.

I didn't accomplish everything I set out to do but I did get two posts written on organizational and storage ideas for the

closet and the bathroom.

I also was able to finally write about our December trip to Vegas and my version of

How a Girl Packs.

You were all so very busy this week too. There were eighty seven links this week! Wow. It took me quite a bit of time just to get through all of those but I so enjoy reading them. I thought I would share some of the highlights you might have missed here.

Did you see these?

This Pottery Barn knock off from

I'm Not A Trophy Wife

with a little ingenuity, a discounted dish and a bit of vinyl?

or how about these adorable hot-dog embellishments to dial up the fun factor for a birthday party?

Project Possessed

Next say hello to this pretty yellow update to a chicken wired pie safe

via ReMade Simple

Another knock off of a Restoration Hardware lamp is a must see over

at Pondered Primed Perfected

I am sure you will all want to make one of these terracotta pot turned candy jars after reading the simple tutorial over at

CW Frosting

Finally, I thought this was a fun twist on the diaper cake.

A definite conversation starter. This Tricycle Diaper Cake Tutorial

via Maiden D'Shade

is just too darn cute not to share.

So I didn't get my mirror painted or a post on my library but things are happening and progress is being made so hopefully I can bring you up to speed on those two projects happening here along with my laundry room organizational post later this week.

In the meantime have a great week and thank you for keeping me motivated.

How a Girl Packs

2012-01-14T22:11:45-06:00

I usually don't like to write about going on a trip until I get back for what should be obvious reasons. So, you may not know that last month the big guy and I took a couple of days and met some great friends down in Vegas.

We stayed here.

I won't bore you with a bunch of trip photos but I will say that Vegas in December is incredibly festive.

There is just so much eye candy in this town but particularly at Christmas.

I loved this Grinch made entirely of chocolate.

In Vegas there is so much do do but one of our favorite things is going to the shows.

We were totally stoked and couldn't wait to see this one

but I would have to say we were horribly underwhelmed.

One of the highlights for me on this trip was an excellent and forever memorable dinner at a Russian restaurant called The Red Square.

Caviar and vodka reigned. I loved it.

The memory though that will be etched on my mind and in my heart for years was standing with Mr. Rosie on a chilly December evening, sipping Sambuca outside and watching the Bellagio fountains.

In a word:magical.

When they performed The Hallelujah Chorus I was totally moved. If that music and the corresponding and choreographed sight doesn't give you a little religion I don't know what would. Seems a bit improbable to have a moment like that in Vegas but I guess it can happen anywhere.

This post, though, is not about the trip but how I pack for a trip.

On a day to day basis I am a great list maker but for trips not so much.

The only list I make is for my electronics.

iPhone, check.

iPad, check.

charger, check.

Technology covered.

As for my cosmetics, by this stage of my life I have my face down to such a routine that it is fairly simple. I set my toiletries out in the order I put them on. Hair products are bit more complicated because so many of them are liquids which is an issue when flying and styling tools add weight to my suitcase and yes, I am usually that woman that checks in with a bag weighing 49.5 lbs. So these things take a bit of thought. Pairing down hair products usually means transferring my shampoo, conditioner and styling cream into smaller bottles because I like my own products so much better than the freebies the hotels offer. As for the basics, I buy a sample size of toothpaste, deodorant, and hairspray.

Even with all this effort, to my husband's disappointment, I will never be that super cool and confident woman smartly pulling her carry on bag behind her. You know, that woman that never needs to check her luggage. I kind of hate her because seriously? my liquid toiletries would never fit in one of these.

Since I have to donate a percentage of my prime suitcase real estate to cosmetics I find myself looking at my clothes and mentally calculating how much they weigh. I do the same thing when I go to the doctor.

I wear the heaviest items on the plane often times looking like some sort of indigent woman with fourteen layers of clothes on.

The only exception would be my boots. They usually end up in my suitcase even though they are heavier because when it comes to what goes on my feet I have to consider how easily my footwear is to slip on and off. I don't want to be that woman that has to sit on the floor struggling to manipulate her midwest calves into a pair of zip up knee high boots.

Air travel, when did it become such a science?

So after I have pulled together my electronics and cosmetics it is on to the fun stuff...

what to wear.

No long lists for me. When it comes to the clothes I am going to take I have a totally different approach.

I just figure out how many days and nights we will be gone and then I add one extra outfit for each because a girl has to have options.

I try and stay in one color family - usually black. Not only because I have probably mistakenly convinced myself that I look slimmer in black but also because everything mixes and matches so easily. Color comes with the accessories; a handbag, tights, or a scarf.

Then I lay out each outfit from giddy up to whoa.

That means undergarments, shoes, jewelry and accessories - the whole deal.

I confirm my stellar eye for style and repeat.

I'm a very visual person. So the upside of this method is I don't forget or overlook anything. For example, I don't end up with all black bras and a white shirt. Plus, I can look at my line up of outfits and tell myself that the boots I am wearing on day 1 will also work for evening 3. Thus, consolidating and keeping that bag weight limit in check.

Another little trick I use is to put my costume jewelry, all twenty pounds of it, in my purse. This allows me to take a few more pairs of shoes or boots. I do get some interesting looks though when they x-ray my purse and I lean dramatically to one side while carrying said purse.

So, when I was packing last month my mom stopped by. I knew how ridiculous my method looked by the expression on her face at seeing by clothes spread out all over the floor. So I decided this was worthy of a blog post with pictures so you could get a chuckle out of it too.

It's a good thing we weren't going on an extended trip because I was quickly running out of hallway.

Happy travels.

Don't forget tomorrow is Motivated Monday and next week will be laundry and kitchen organization and a decorating update.

xoxo,