Around the House: Homestead Seattle (and The Chore I've Put Off For Years)

Just when I thought inspiration had flown the coop and there was nothing left to blog about I found Homestead Seattle via Instagram. Oh my heavens. Not only does this amazing team, Michele and Ryan, have incredible style, their finds are sold online and displayed in their showroom (which they happen to live above). It is a feast for the senses. Leather. Wool. Tapestries. Wood. Most of it second-hand and shown in a way that send send chills up my spine. Seriously, it's that good.

Seeing all of this amazingness has inspired me to rearrange/redecorate (with items I already own) and do a bit of much needed cleaning along the way. Maybe that's what finally got me to do this... I have been putting off the daunting task of cleaning my washing machine out with bleach and a scrub brush, but now that's it's done I wonder what took me so long? I'm a huge procrastinator and cleaning gross things causes my gag reflexes to get excited. Happy clean-ish Monday. So, are you a procrastinator? Please let me know I'm not alone. xo

Clutter Clean-up

Type-As generally stay clear of clutter, while the laid back few tend to overlook such offenses. Right? That's pretty much how it rolls in our house. I have been blessed (and cursed) with both type-A and creative leanings. I love to create, but I can't seem to stop myself from cleaning (picking up as I go) in the midst of the creative process. My husband, on the other hand, is just straight up creative. About the only time he goes type-A on me is when it's time to cut our boys' hair. Otherwise, he steps over messes without missing a beat. And yet, I have somehow managed to allow myself to clutter up our open-shelving in the kitchen. I'm all for "the more the merrier" approach, but sometimes it just gets out of control. Yesterday, hiked up my big-girl panties and cleaned out the clutter.

I packed up the teapots and brought out the milk glass. Packing up a lot of the dishes and serving pieces freed up a lot of space and gave the shelving an instant dose of freshness. Ahhh... I can breath again.

I did a little remix too be bringing in my favorite jars from the living room. They definitely weren't getting the attention they deserved. Now they're front and center. As it should be.

I even managed to create a little coffee section with our beloved espresso machine and mini-biscotti from Trader Joe's. Easy access for our early morning java fixes that are mandatory first thing.

This new clutter free space makes me so happy I could sing. And maybe dance a bit. I might actually want to be back in the kitchen again. The angels are singing... can you hear them? xo

Around the House: Spring Patio

Happy Monday and a big Texas sized Happy Spring Break as well. We kicked our Spring Break off with a few friends gathered around our fire in the back yard. And though we have spent a lot of time around our fire pit lately, the patio remained neglected with about 10,000 leaves gathered under, around and behind our glider. Our poor patio was in desperate need of some serious TLC.

I moved everything off the patio, cleaned and swept. The stage was set for the amazing goodness I found at Target the other day. 

Here's the goodness. Doesn't look like much right now, but when you zoom into that red outlined rectangle... it gets real good. Nate Berkus gold "trash cans" marked down from $39.99 to $11.98. Not only is the price to die for, they are heavy. Really heavy. Like, flip them upside down and sit on them heavy. Hello side tables with a bonus of extra seating when needed.

At first I thought I'd set them to the sides of the glider and add a throw for an extra bit of warmth on those nights when the temps are still dipping pretty low.

I like it, but it feels unfinished. More changes... more textures. a better use of space and some pillows.

 Ahh... much better...

I'll bring out the blanket when it's needed. And as soon as it warms up a bit more, I'll be adding more plants. Eeek. I'm so excited to sit out here with warm breezes, books and wine. All the old wooden crates that used to be on our patio are being put on the wall in our mudroom for extra storage. Sneak peaks of that soon. How are you getting ready for more days and nights outside?

Spring Cleaning

Grab your dusters and your wallets. Tag and Tibby, on etsy, is having a Spring Cleaning sale to clear out her basement and make room for new stuff. Julia, of Tag and Tibby, sort of has an addiction to old things and thrifting. Just like me. I'm so glad we don't live in the same city. We'd be fighting over the same stuff.

I want to do this, to all of her postcards!

Seriously, go check it out. Julia has a great eye and something for everyone. And everything's 25% off. That's some cleaning I can actually enjoy! xo

Cleaning Necessities

There's Spring cleaning and then there's Fall cleaning. For me, the season dictates the smells and the music. In the Fall, my cleaning necessities include a little dose of Ray LaMontagne, a scrumptious Anthro candle filling the house, natural cleaning products and a whole lot of sunlight. Sadly, cool crisp air flowing through open windows won't happen in Texas until November, but a girl can dream. And this girl dreams with french press coffee in hand.

What's on your must have list for cleaning? xo

bedroom sunlight image

The Business of Making Beds

If left to their own devices, my boys bedroom would look like this everyday. They see this as "clean". And I can not, in good conscience, do this to their future roommates and wives. As their mom, it is my job to teach them. And I think there are several schools of thought on this.

1. Chores are just a part of growing up. It teaches them responsibility.

2. I can't do it all. They live here, they need to help out.

3. It teaches them to be good stewards of the their things and not take them for granted (read also entitled).

I happen to fall into the camp of "all of the above" are correct. And, I think we, as parents, are missing out on a huge opportunity to teach and grow our children's character if we see bed making and tidy rooms simply as chores. Yes, chores are important. Please don't misunderstand me. I think chores around the house for littles shows them that they are a part of something bigger. A team - where everyone plays an important part. They are needed to make the team machine run smoothly. Because it's true, I can't do it all. None of us can. And I also believe it's an opportunity to teach them about material things and how to be a good steward of all God has given us. I don't want my littles growing up entitled and I definitely don't want them thinking that there is a bed making fairy that swoops in daily to make their beds and change their sheets every two weeks. What a tragedy that would be - for them and me. 

Now before I go tooting any horns, you should all know that my kids, until recently, haven't made their beds daily and have thrown fits when having to do so.  This summer I just realized that I was doing them a disservice by not expecting this of them. Even though they are only 5 and 8, they CAN do this and I want them to have confidence in themselves and their abilities. So recently I set some ground rules (after consulting friends) that they will not play wii, watch tv, go outside to play or any other fun activities until their beds are made. Yes, days are still had with pajama jammy jams on the wii and silliness at every turn, but getting the day off to a good start with the accomplishment of bed making is good for everyone. (Yes, I practice what I preach. My bed is made mostly before coffee.)

And no, their bed making is NOT perfect. Far from it. It looks nothing like the bottom bunk above. Sadly, it doesn't even look as good as the tidy beds below (close though). I have determined to have peace about semi-made beds with sheets that aren't straight and don't cover the mattress fully. "Perfection" will come with time and practice. For now I am just loving the confidence boost they're getting each day.

How about you?  What's your bed-making camp? Oh, and how do you accomplish the task with your littles? I'm always looking for advice and growth in the mommyhood arena! xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Donations

'Tis the season to get more stuff. Right? More and more and more. Consume, consume, consume. That's what our culture would have us believe the holiday season is all about. Let's break the cycle and clear out our closets instead.

Shoe Boxes: Samaritan's Purse - I'm sure you have tons of these things in your home. I even have some stuffed with crayons. Samaritan's Purse asks that you take your old shoe boxes and fill them with goodies for kiddos. They show you how, give you a list of items to pack, and labels. This is such a cool and fun thing for the kiddos to do with you. My oldest had a blast picking everything out for "his boy" last year. You can even decorate the shoe box to take it to the next level. Fun. Fun. Fun.

coats

Coats and Blankets: Nineteen. That is the shameful number of coats I have in my closet right now. I'm pretty sure I can't wear all of them this season, nor would I even want to. It's time to clear some of the coats out and keep others warm. There are so many folks that don't have shelter or warm clothing. Find a local organization that is collecting coats and blankets this holiday season and unload your bundles.

cans

Canned Goods: Filling up a grocery bag never feels quite as good as it does when it's for those in need. Check your local charities for those doing food drives and clean out that pantry. Nothing available in the pantry? Make a trip to the grocery and fill up a couple of bags for others - you will be so glad you did.

This could possibly be the best Reduce, Reuse, Recycle post I've ever done. It feels so good to give, I don't know why I don't do it more often. Here's one more idea for you. If you have littles, have you ever thought about reducing the number of gifts they get over the holidays? We are starting a new tradition this year: 3 gifts each. The three wise men brought Jesus one gift each and so 3 gifts will be received by our boys along with the story of our Savior's birth. We've already begun prepping our oldest for this reduction!

How about you?  What's your favorite donation of the holiday season? xo

Around the House: Bubblicious

Have you ever added too much detergent to your wash? I did this past weekend. Bubbles were EVERYWHERE! Honestly, I felt like I was in an episode of I Love Lucy. My girlfriend was quick to point out that the wash wasn't suppose to look like that and it had better get to the spin cycle quick! Thanks Captain Obvious! (kidding - she made me laugh even harder at myself.)

I never said I was the best housewife, but I do get it done... sometimes with a few laughs along the way! xo

Around the House: Homemade Cleaners

Hello! Grab your craft supplies and plug in your sewing machines... it's DIY week here at Pure and Noble! I thought we'd kick off our week by rolling up our sleeves and making our own household cleaners. They won't harm you, your family, the environment or your pocketbook. That right there my friends is a win, win, win, win.

Before getting started I feel it should be said that I don't really care for cleaning. But I love, love, love the end result. It may sound silly, but after I've given my home a good scrub there's nothing I like better than to light a candle and watch a movie. A clean home gives me a warm cozy feeling that I just hate to leave - hence the movie.  The movie also allows me to kick up my heels and enjoy the fruits of my labor. (I should also give props where they are due... I don't do toilets. My husband does those and I am eternally grateful.)

My Mother-in-law clips out coupons for me and occasionally I get a couple of interesting articles as well. Most recently I received one on "Green Cleaning" from the Fort Worth Star Telegram. They shared several recipes and did a little Q&A on the basics of "green cleaning." I won't bore you with that here... I'm just going to skip to the good stuff and give you the recipes.

All-purpose cleaner

2 cups white distilled vinegar

2 cups water

20-30 drops essential oil (optional)

Pour in a spray bottle. Shake before using. For really tough jobs, put in a glass container and warm until barely hot.

Creamy soft scrub

2 cups baking soda

1/2 cup liquid castile soap

4 tablespoons vegetable glycerin

5 drops anti-bacterial essential oil such as lavender, tea tree or rosemary.

Mix and store in a sealed glass jar. Shelf life: two years.

Furniture polish

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup white distilled vinegar

20-30 drops lemon essential oil

Shake well. Dip a clean, dry cloth into polish and rub wood in direction of the grain.

Drain opener

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup vinegar

Pour baking soda down drain and follow with vinegar. Cover and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Flush with boiling water.

Laundry detergent

1 cup soap flakes

1/2 cup washing soda

1/2 cup borax

Grate pure vegetable soap to make soap flakes. Mix ingredients and store in a glass container. Use 1 tablespoon per load in warm or cold water.

Who knew it could be so easy? I used Jasmine oil for the all-purpose cleaner and LOVE the way it smells. In fact, I think I may have just found my new perfume with a stellar price tag - $7.99 at Whole Foods. Is it weird to smell like your household cleaner?


Anyway, while we're talking cleaning, did you know that Borax is cheap and super versatile? The box lists all kinds of cool things you can do with it. But the best part of Borax is Gak. Yup, I said, "Gak!" It's a kid thing that started from the Dr. Seuss story Bartholomew and the Oobleck. Some people call it "oobleck" but my kiddos know it as "Gak" and love it. It provides hours of fun and you can make it whatever color they want! It's gooey and cold too, which is nice during the Summer. Here's the recipe.

TIP: tape your recipe onto your box so you don't lose it.

Dr. Seuss

GAK
(Part A)
2cups Elmer's glue
1 1/2 cups water
Food Coloring
(Part B)
1 cup hot water
3 tsp. Borax


Mix part A ingredients in bowl or tall plastic storage container with lid. Mix part B ingredients in a bowl until Borax has fully dissolved (or Gak will not solidify properly). Pour part B into  part A and knead until mixture starts to congeal and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Cover and let sit overnight. Use just like Playdough.
TIP: have toddlers knead Gak in a plastic zip-loc bag so they don't try to eat it. (Mine has never tried this, but he doesn't usually put things into his mouth either.)


Do use homemade cleaners already and have a favorite recipe? If so, I'd love to hear from you. I hope you've enjoyed today's little DIY for your home. Come back tomorrow - I have the cutest handbag DIY ever! Promise. xo

All Work and No Play...

makes me want to throw a fit like your average two year old! It's not pretty, but it's the truth. The irony is that I can't stand a dirty house. I have yet to figure out how to balance my Jekyl and Hyde personalities. Most days I avoid. Some days I turn on the music and dance, trying my best to get my kids in on the cleaning "fun." And today, I thought I would inject a little humor into the mundane, yet life giving, task of house chores.

i like this use of ironing boards

this is a good use of kitchen ware

i don't see these spoons going in any sauce pots

chocolate always helps

As I was folding laundry and eating my Junior Mints the other day I tasted something a little salty and bumpy (not a taste or texture that goes with these mints). I took said offending "thing" out of my mouth to discover it was an ant! SICK! My son was coloring in the kitchen amid my discovery and promptly said, "Cool Mom. You're just like Bear Grylls!" Yup, that's me...NOT! I tried to play it cool, but inside I was grossing out. At least the laundry is done and my 4 year old thinks his Mom is a little bit cooler than she was yesterday. Motherhood - you gotta love it. xo