Need a little inspiration to get organized?  Try reading Japanese author, Marie Kondo's, book...The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up which tries to get readers to focus on keeping belongings that inspire joy and pitching everything else.  I've read many organizing books and magazines over the years and I even follow a few organizing blogs (I guess I enjoy living vicariously through others because all of the advice I've read has never translated into an organized home for me) but there was something about this book that got me jump started.  It's a New York Times best seller and has been getting a lot of buzz in the press and it's a quick read.  Not that you can expect to visit my house and see perfectly tidy spaces yet...but I'm actually having fun tackling the mess! Oh, and I did have to make one adjustment to her criteria for what belongings you can keep.  Her only criteria is to keep only the things that bring you joy but I had to add "or things you use on a daily basis" because I just couldn't find the joy in my toothbrush and I haven't yet discovered a brand of underwear that "bring me joy".

Homemade Chalk Paint and the Chippendale Hutch

Thanks to my chalk paint research, the chippendale hutch I bought at Caplan's finally got it's long-awaited make-over.  I may distress it some a little bit more (one of the nice things about wax - I can sand more at anytime and just add more wax finish) but I will wait to get it upstairs before altering it.

I will share my chalk paint thoughts later but I wanted to get the pictures posted before I forget.  Now I wish I could find the before pictures!  Had I known I wouldn't be able to find them, I would have snapped a few before I went to town.

The hutch is now destined for the upstairs hallway to help out with linen closet overflow and to brighten the windowless space with a punch of white.

Adding Nautical Charm to a Shed

Nothing like adding a little nautical charm to a backyard shed (a very LARGE backyard shed I might add)...  The nautical coordinates sign is on the side of the shed and the Hideaway sign will go on the face of the shed.  I will get a pic. once it has been installed.

Glass People

The inspiration for these ornaments came from J and her silly friend N.  I thought it would be cute to make an ornament to commemorate their friendship.  Each set has their very own personality.  This was a fun little project!

Swimming with the Sharks

Now that we have the boathouse, it is time to part with our rolling bar cart...but not before a bit of an overhaul.  I wish I had before pictures.  I love this geometric shark pattern and had to try it out. It was a bit tedious but I love the effect.

Halloween Sign Elf

I'm contributing to the big haunted house effort this year with some signage.  I experimented with Martha Stewart Glow in the Dark yellow paint for the owl's eyes and the moon and I'm disappointed.  After several coats, it doesn't glow.  Stay tuned for more as the holiday gets closer...

No...it's not Primer!

I preface this post by saying...I'm not proud. My neighbor was gracious enough to make me feel hip and resourceful when I called to ask if I could have the vintage wood storm door that was lying in a heap in her front yard. With some sanding, a new coat of paint, and a new screen panel, it adds some character and spunk to our cookie cutter, late 60's, builder-grade colonial. 

I was going for bright and spunky with the color - what do you think? .... mission accomplished? The crystal knob makes me very happy. And that color is going to sing in the dull winter season!

To my lovely neighbor who meant no harm by her comment...NO, IT'S NOT PRIMER!.  That's actually the color I  picked!  LOL.  And, for those who dare to come close enough to the sun without fear of getting scorched, the aqua blue ceiling will cool you down a little.