Tuesday, October 20, 2009

What Does a Girl Do Instead of Blog? Shop!

Well not really shop b/c I'm saving money for adoption, but you know I know how to save a dime. I've been thrifting, freecycling like crazy (I'm a lot addicted and some of the things I've gotten you just wouldn't believe...later date) and figuring out what I have of value in my home and getting rid of stuff I don't want. For me and baby; I am VERY proud. Would you like to see what I've gotten? Glad you asked.  

I am a design maniac!  I've decided to leave the design blogs (and apparently blogging in general...is anyone there anymore) to those more focused than I but I live and die by great design.  Over the past few years I've been in a funk and so has my design but as of 40 I've taken my life and design back.  Since I'm saving for adoption I'm being a bit more creative than normal and having fun.  Who knew of all the things I could find.  When I saw this table it was love but not at couple grand price tag! Hmmm...thinking....

I can make that.  I found this drum at the thrift store for $6.  I still need to buy a glass top but you get the idea.  Check out my midcentury lamp on top.  ADORE.  It needs to be rewired and painted (not sure of color yet) but for the great design and $8 gotta love it!

Next on the list are two rocking chairs I had for years that I bought from a neighbor for like nothing when they moved.  I was thinking about selling them but when I put them on Craigslist my email started blowing up.  I thought, maybe I was too hasty.  Why am I of all people not checking this out more...I was in this decluttering phase so I really didn't care but I stopped in my tracks. 



I did a little recon and found out on 1stdibs that my chairs made in 1950 are by Lawrence Peabody; once refinished they will be worth a cool $2400! I think I'll keep them. That's my kid's inheritance! LOL (I bet you'll stop laughing at my thrifting and yard sale shopping now won't you!).  Don't hate me because I'm a beautiful, 40 year old shopping diva extraordinaire (you see I had to throw beautiful in there...someone has to tell me this if it is ONLY me! HA)!  

Moving on to this little bench ($10) that now has a special place at the foot of my bed (although that picture is the wall in my room).  I just love how different it is (I should probably paint it but due time).  I'll never see this in anyone else's home.  


 
I also must tell you that yesterday I came up on the Grandaddy of all deals but I can't tell you just yet.  I must show you and I'm not sure when that will be.  Sorry.  Some good things are just worth waiting for.  

Also, I know I'm supposed to post pictures of my organization but haven't taken any.  Next up...clothing finds.  

What are your best home finds...on sale, thrift, garage or yard sale?  

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Almost Clutter Free

When I told my mother I wanted to de-clutter.  She said "where?"  I've always been neat but I had a secret, I hid clutter well.  Paper stacked ever so neatly.  All piles of whatever, had a nice pretty little home and well...don't open that door!  Until now.  I spent the last few months (the summer plus) sorting and getting rid of everything!  I mean everything.  I have gone through every single drawer, box, closet, cubbyhole, cabinet, shed and eve in my home (interior and exterior).  I've gotten rid of:
  • jewelry
  • furniture
  • underwear/socks
  • magazines
  • unmatched silverware, extra pots, pans, storage containers
  • expired anything
  • clothes (that I don't wear/like/fit), things discolored, with a hole, out of date or anything questionable
  • books I haven't opened in years and don't intend to
  • extra vases and tchcokes that were attacking dust
  • extra makeup, lotions and potions
  • anything that I don't love, need, have sentimental value or that I think is beautiful was out of here!  
When I started doing this and I realized I didn't miss any of the items I thought many of the following things: 

Did I buy all of this crap?  Why?  Why?  Why?  When was the last time I used this?  What the Hell was I thinking?  Arghhh!  I want my money back!  Never again!  What a waste!  Are you kidding?  Now that was funny!  #$!@@%!!!**&%

I have posted over 200 items to freecyle.  Taken bags and bags to thrift and consignment stores.  Sold items on Craigslist - sorry ex man - you shouldn't have left that juicer here...too bad you didn't leave more!  I also had a yard sale where I made almost $500...okay one of my friends donated $150 for my adoption but I did give him some items so it still counts!  I have a few more things that I'm trying to decide if I should sell them on ebay, donate or give them away then I'm DONE decluttering!  

It feels and looks awesome. 

I have boxes for my storage shelf in the basement by the water heater, etc. (albeit not as pretty as I would like but that will come in the redecorating phase)...even the hammers and glue guns have homes now.  Why do I have 7 hammers and 6 glue guns?  Hmm when I couldn't find one I would buy another.  Not any more.  All medicine and vitamins have storage...I mean I'm like the queen of freakin' organization over here now!  What I have realized from all of this organization is that once you begin it is like a new disease.  I walk around my house now thinking do I really need this.  Most of the time the answer is No.  Yes!  I love this new less is more life.  

Now on to a major clean before redecorating.  That won't be fun!  

Tomorrow I'll post pictures of my awesome organization.  

Has anyone else gone through this?  Maybe you moved and were forced to de-clutter but how did you feel and what did you get rid of?

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Hyperpigmentation be gone!

Remember when I look like this 12 weeks ago?  I really can't express how much worse it was than this showed.


Now I looks like this!



No more bad concealer.  No more running from people I know and hanging out in dark alleys. My complexion is almost 100% clear and I owe it to my dermatologist, SkinCeuticals and RetinA.  Little birds chirping in the background.  My daily facial routine:

Morning
-wash: a cream cleanser to moisturize and take the residue off from the night
- tone: Burt's Bees rosewater & glycerin toner
- eyes: Auriderm illume eye creme (for dark circles)
- Moisturize & Prevent SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel & Phloretin CF (drops are mixed)
- Extra Preventative: A Serum...whatever I'm feeling at the moment
- Hide: Neutrogena FaceShield 55SPF

Night
-wash: something different from the morning probably...I take my mascara off with olive oil
-tone: s/a
-eyes: s/a
-Moisturize & Prevent: s/a
-RETIN A... I love this stuff.  I have definitely seen a difference in my tone and those little lines...what lines I say!  BEG (on your hands and knees if you have to) your dermatologist for some.
-Extra Moisturize: a replenishing oil for that extra work when I sleep then I wake up all beautiful and rested...ok I wake up rested!  

Now, time to conquer these extra pounds (I start back at the gym and the South Beach diet this week).  

What is your beauty ritual?  What products have worked miracles for you?

Saturday, October 10, 2009

It's Official...

I'm 40...mammogrammed out and all!





For those of you that said a mammogram is torture...hmmm...sorry. It was pretty easy to me. I do have a high pain tolerance though. Weirdo yes.

Has everyone else had their mammogram?  And yes, I'm back...for this week.  LOL (the pressure)