My Little Nest

Cubbies

2008-09-03T09:06:00.005-05:00

Last weekend we started insulating and putting up plywood walls in the garage. We want to give it a more finished looked in there and to add some warmth for the cold winters we have here. We're planning to try and get it all finished up this weekend. We don't have any sort of mudroom or back entry at our house, but we do have a big three car garage so I have convinced the husband that I need some cubbies/lockers built along the side wall of the garage! We'll see how long it takes him to actually get it done, but I'm so excited!

These are the examples I emailed him:

Clothes Pins

2008-08-25T18:48:00.001-05:00

I'm loving all these fun office ideas I'm finding.

I first saw this on Ballard Designs - but again out of my price range!
Then I found you can buy a two pack for $3.00 from Creative Imaginations.
Oh the possibilities there are for these clothes pins! Paint them, cover them with scrapbook paper, etc.... I can't wait to buy some and try something out!

Who would have thought of doing something like this with clothes pins!?!

Entryway

2008-08-24T05:23:00.000-05:00

What I wouldn't give to be able to have an entryway that I could put this in.

I love Pottery Barn.

Help!

2008-08-23T20:01:00.000-05:00

I found this and think it is perfect for my new office/guestroom. The price; well it's not so perfect for my budget!

Ballard Designs

Any ideas on where I might find something like this for cheaper?!

Office Stuff

2008-08-22T23:00:00.009-05:00

As I mentioned before, I started a new position at work. I have to say that I am loving it! The job fits me perfectly and I don't dread going to work anymore. I've moved to a new office and have been trying to get situated and organized. While browsing on Etsy I found all kinds of stuff for the office......how FUN are these things.......

I also came across this site {See Jane Work}

I want these binders!

Pictures

2008-08-17T20:11:00.005-05:00

I've been a horrible blogger lately. Life just gets so busy sometimes!

Slowly making progress on my guest room. The room is looking very bare and I have a lot of finishing touches to add yet.

Here's the desk.....I freaked out on the distressing and had my husband help me. Not sure that I love it yet, but maybe it will grow on me? I'm still in search of the perfect knobs. (Anyone have any suggestions of where to look?)

I also decided to spray paint this and use as a nightstand.

Before:

After:
So there you have it! That's where it stands as of now. I have lots ideas for this room and am continually working on it so I'll be sure to update as it progresses!

Project Update

2008-08-11T21:15:00.004-05:00

Well my project is definitely a work in progress. I think I took on more then I should have at once!

The desk is still blue and still hasn't been distressed! I'm a little nervous about this whole distressing thing! Found some hardware that I liked but it didn't work with the desk so am back to searching for that. Got the room all painted and the headboard and footboard taken off of the bed.

Yet to do:
Distress and finish the desk
Paint the bookcase
Paint the door and figure out how to hang it as the headboard

These are the colors that I went with.....
Oregon Coast for the Walls
Lucy Blue for the Desk
and Whitewashed Oak for the bookcase
Hopefully I'll have a finished picture soon!!

6 Things About Me!

2008-08-09T15:54:00.004-05:00

Angela from Hello Dahrlin' has tagged me with a meme. A meme is basically a list of things about me (hence the name). The stated subject is "6 UN-spectacular things about me." And it comes with few rules, as follows:

1. Link the person who tagged you.....Go check her out here!
2. Mention the rules on your blog.....here they are!
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours....coming up below!
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them.....I'll explain below!
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

So 6 "un-spectacular" things about me....not sure what is UN-spectacular versus spectacular so here's 6 random things for you!!

1. I moved 5 different times and lived in 4 different states all within a one year span! My husband was in the Navy and we had one busy year that year! We started out in New Jersey, and then moved to Virginia for a few months for my husbands training. From there we moved out to Washington state. We were there for 3 month when husband got deployed, so I moved back home to Wisconsin. I stayed in Wisconsin for 6 months and then moved back to Washington! I became a pro at packing and somehow survived the year!

2. I hate matching and folding socks and I also hate wearing socks! You will never see me in and around my house wearing socks. I wear them in the winter with boots, etc but otherwise no socks for me! Now my husband wears socks every day, so we have a big basket in our bedroom that is assigned just for clean socks. When he needs socks in the morning he has to dig through the basket and find a matching pair!

3. I love organizing but I'm not very organized....something I'm working on though!!

4. I'll invite people over just to get my house clean! I like my house picked up and looking decent on a daily basis, but when it comes to really getting it clean I can become pretty slack. But if I'm having guests it puts my butt and gear and I can have this place spotless in no time!!

5. I am the WORST when it comes to names. People I have known of my whole life and I'll draw a complete blank on there name! It has definitely made me look like a complete jerk at times!!

6. I can become easily addicted to Tetris. We have a nintendo DS and I will go through spurts of being completely addicted with putting those falling blocks into those perfect little patterns. If I pick it up I'm stuck for hours with that game!

Ok now for the tagging part - I'm not going to "tag" anyone in particular, but if you read this and want to do one for yourself consider yourself tagged! Let me know if you post it on your blog and I'll link you so we can all get to read about your 6 "un-spectacular" things!! Have fun!!

Container Store

2008-08-06T21:39:00.006-05:00

It's like organizing heaven. I. Must. Get. to a Container store A.S.A.P.!

The plastic Expand-a-Drawer cutlery tray maximizes usable space by adjusting to fit the width of your drawers.

Tackle that junk drawer. This Everything organizer features two stacking levels (one shown) and 23 compartments.See which shoes you want in an instant — and retrieve them by pulling down the handy window — with these stackable Tweed Drop-Front shoe boxes.

Slip-on Solid Shelf Dividers keep stacks of shirts and sweaters tidy and can be repositioned.

The Battery Rack organizer holds everything from AAAs to nine-volts and comes with a tester, so you’ll know which ones are fading fast. Tuck it in a kitchen drawer or mount it to a wall.Magnetic Erasable Labels attach easily to metal shelving, boxes, and bins. Use the hanging space in your closet to store more than clothes. With the Hanging Sweater Bag you can organize wardrobe basics using the vertical space in your closet and maximize your closet's storage potential.

Confession

2008-08-05T21:40:00.004-05:00

I'm not really liking the blue desk! I'm hoping that once the room is all put together I will like it better. I still have the distressing to do on it as well so here's hoping once it's all said and done it will all flow together nicely and the blue desk will grow on me!

Thrift Store Find

2008-08-04T10:52:00.001-05:00

Friday my friend, sister, and I went thrifting. I was on the look out for a door for my new room. I fell in love with this one.....now to figure out how to make it work. Stay tuned!

P.S. - I got the door for $25 - This is my first time thrifting so I really have no clue if that was a good deal or not?!

Menu Plan Monday - Week of August 4th

2008-08-03T19:44:00.003-05:00

We eat out way too much and spend money on groceries that never get used. It's a huge money waster for us and it's time to get this under control. Orgjunkie.com hosts a Menu Plan Monday and it's just the thing I need to get this menu planning on track. So here it is.....

Monday - Lazy Lasagna with garlic bread and green beans

Tuesday - Garlic Lime Chicken with wild rice

Wednesday - 5 Minute Southwest Layered Salad

Thursday - Zesty Pork Chops and Grilled Vegetables with fruit salad

Friday - Tacos with chips and salsa

Saturday - Bacon Basil Chicken with cubed potatoes

Sunday - Baked Buttermilk Pork Chops with steamed vegetables

Here goes.....

2008-08-02T10:50:00.000-05:00

Thanks for all the great tips on getting me started with my painting projects. Thursday night I roughed up the surfaces, wiped it down good with the TSP cleaner; let it dry and then gave it a good coat of primer.

Last night I did my base coat and today I will paint the blue color I picked out. It's coming right along, hopefully it all turns out how I hope!

Pen Cards in Advance

2008-07-31T17:11:00.002-05:00

I am famous for sending birthday cards, anniversary cards, special occasion cards, etc late. Not a good thing to be famous for! Saw this in a magazine....whenever you have some extra time write out a bunch of cards. Address them and seal them and then in the stamp space pencil in the date of the event. What a great idea!! I am definitely doing this...no more belated cards from me!!!

Next Project

2008-07-29T21:37:00.009-05:00

I have a room that bores me to tears and it's time for a face lift!

I recently started a new position that gives me the flexibility of working from home at times. My plan is for this room to function as both a workspace and a guest room.

The style I'm going for is cottage/country chic. I'm planning to do a linen color on the walls. The headboard and footboard on the bed are going and I'm on the search for an old door to create a new headboard. This pictures sums up the color theme I'm aiming for.

(From The Inspired Room)

I brought up two piceces of furniture from the basement that are in need of painting. I'd like the bookcase to be a white-washed and the desk to be the distressed blueish color (like hutch in above picture.) Problem is I have NO clue how to refinish furniture! Any tips/ideas/inspiration for me?

Freeze Fruit

2008-07-28T21:50:00.001-05:00

A friend passed on a tip this week and I thought it was worth sharing....

There are always those last few berries, grapes, bananas, etc that get thrown away when you go buy new produce. Instead of tossing them, chop them up and store them in freezer bags. Anytime you want a fruit smoothie you've got some frozen fruit ready to use!

Pots and Pans

2008-07-27T15:54:00.002-05:00

So after lots of searching it seems they have discontinued this particular model. I can't find it anywhere. There are others like it on the market, so I'll be doing more research and hope to find a good one!

What a perfect idea for pots and pans?! Kitchen storage is always a struggle for me and this is perfect to fit them in a smaller space! Think I might need to invest in something like this!

Flylady!

2008-07-24T19:17:00.001-05:00

I've heard others talk about Flylady and decided to check it out. To be honest I find the website and all the emails a little overwhelming, but decided to do the 31 day beginner baby steps. i definitely think it will be a bonus in feeling more organized at home and just in general.

Today is Day 2 and so far so good! I'm looking forward to picking up little habits that will work together to help me form a smooth routine I can stick with.

Project #1 - Bathroom!

2008-07-23T21:48:00.001-05:00

Problem areas: Drawers and Cabinets
The drawers have become a free for all for anything and everything. It's embarrassing to even take these pictures!
But here goes....

Before Pictures.....

1st Step.....Purge, Purge, Purge!!!
I came out of the bathroom with a garabe bag FULL! Soaps and lotions that hadn't been touched in years all got tossed.

2nd Step....What doesn't belong in the bathroom?
I found several items that didn't even belong in the bathroom. Those items were all taken to where they should be. Under the sink it was crammed full of cosmetic bags, many that aren't ever used. I kept one small one for each of us to stay in the bathroom, the large bulkier ones went in the luggage closet, and the rest went in the rummage pile.

3rd Step....Evaluate what can be used to keep the space tidier and more organized.
I headed to Target and picked up inexpensive trays and baskets that would fit in the drawers and under the sink.

4th Step....Organize and put back together utilizing the basket and trays.

After Pictures......

Tip Junkie!

2008-07-23T13:40:00.001-05:00

Tip Junkie is a new favorite blog of mine! Laurie is having a blog birthday and celebrating by having great giveaways! Head on over and check it out!

Purging

2008-07-22T23:19:00.001-05:00

As a previous military couple my husband and I were moving every year or so. When we settled into life after the military we've stayed put for four years now and oh the stuff we've accumulated in this time!!

And so - - - - -

the process begins!

Purging....why is it that it's so hard to purge, yet these are things I haven't seen or used in who knows how long?!?! I've already started to purge but I know as the process continues I will need to do plenty more!

There are some things that I just can't toss and so I've started a rummage sale pile in the corner of our basement. With a city wide rummage sale coming up at the end of the summer I decided to tak the plunge and do my first ever rummage!

The beginning of my rummage pile

Lets Get Organized!

2008-07-22T21:54:00.000-05:00

My journey to an organized home! I will share tips, advice, whats working, whats not, as well as pictures and updates of my progress.