Spring Cleaning the Easy Way

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The Spring Cleaning Tips are all mine!

Spring Cleaning is one of those phrases that I tend to avoid. Well, cleaning is something I tend to avoid but spring cleaning seems sort of like a phrase that everyone is supposed to just do and that's that! If you've ever been in a "spring cleaning" kind of mood, it's your chance to really open your eyes and see your home in a fresh, new way!

I'd also like to note that a wonderful part of spring "cleaning" can and should include spring decluttering! When you start to look around your home, move things to clean behind, or open the blinds you may notice more than just dust and dirt. 

Quick Tip: Cleaning Cast Iron and More

One of my recent discoveries in the kitchen has been cast iron. I have found that cast iron is probably the longest lasting and most efficient types of pans to cook with. Cleaning cast iron can be tricky, as you can't just throw it into the dishwasher or let it soak in the sick since it will easily rust. 

20+ Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks

OK, so spring has come now for most of us. Does it motivate you to get up and clean your entire house? Me either...not a big fan of the whole clean everything, but it's a necessity of life and so I have come up with easier ways to get things clean and quickly - that's just sort of how I work! I have everything from cleaning make up brushes to naturally clean laundry to getting your house clean in just 15 minutes a day! No joke!

Behind the scenes of the Project Shed

I've been getting all kinds of questions about my Project Shed that I revealed to you last week! So, today I hope to answer just about all of them....then next week I'll share ALL the organizing in there because that is just the fun part!

So my best friend and I went out to lunch recently and she said...."OK, I love your shed project, but what in the world did you do with your lawn mower?"  Good question, right? If you see the before and after, it's gone! Vanished, disappeared! Where did it go?  Well, let me tell you it's not gone. I did not get rid of it. It's called "staging" and I don't want to fool you all into thinking that everything is perfect, so I'm letting you know that we bloggers "stage" things in pictures to look pretty and nice.

 Here is what it really looks like each day. I think it still looks nice and neat, but it's not "staged."  If you're observant, you'll notice that in the right corner, I've had to add a few extra tools like the sledge hammer, pick axe, and axe - and that I moved the two shovels onto the same hook {which we'll talk more about hooks next week} along with adding the lawn mower back where it belongs!

My blog-friend Lisa Pennington came out to help me with this fantastic shed project. She is seriously talented and really helped me make some great "design" choices for my shed. She is responsible for thinking up the "B" on the pegboard and then she painted it - without her I would never have been able to do that! Go HERE to find out HOW she made that letter because she is also posting today about my shed!

Before Lisa got here, though, my Hubby and I had a LOT of work to get done and prep for. We spent several weekends doing all the "fun" work of prepping the shed. It had to be completely stripped down to the studs. We found out that we have a rat problem that was much worse than anticipated - I have never seen so many rat droppings!! Yuck!

Anyway, I looked for a lot of inspiration for my potting shed so I created a Pinterest Board called Potting bench/shed so I could come up with some ideas of what I wanted. It really helped me come up with ideas and colors...

The potting bench itself is made from two bathroom cabinets I bought at The Habitat for Humanity ReStore for $45 each. We realized they were rather short and so my Hubby decided to take some 4 x 4 {pressure treated since it will sit on the cement} and raised them up so they were at a much higher level. Looks good and you can't tell because I painted the boards the same color as the cabinet. The countertop is made from a door I bought at the ReStore for $25. It is a 9 foot tall, plain door {which I was looking for something specifically like that}. I sanded it slightly and applied a stain and poly all-in-one to the top of it and it's really beautiful!

You may not have noticed, but in the before and after shots the door to the backyard is actually turned into a dutch door. It didn't make for very good pictures, but it is a fabulous change to the shed that you should know about. It lets in a nice breeze and it's my "window" in the shed!

Doing all this work cost some money. Are you interested to know how much it cost? Well, Sherwin Williams gave me a budget of $500 - which seems like a lot of money. But, it's not as much as you think so I had to be careful how I spent the money and used coupons for several of my purchases.

Breakdown of costs:

Paint      -  $47.94
Wood     - $178.00
Pegboard    - $11.48
Cupboards  - $90.00
Countertop  - $25.00
Shelving      - $102.00
Organizing Supplies - $30.00
Lighting       - $6.00
Misc. -         - $9.58

Total = $500

I LOVE this shed...potting my plants is a completely different experience now. I've already done a lot of potting since finishing it. Okay, did I answer all your questions? If not, ask away...I'll be answering all your organizing questions next week!

 

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Organizing My Computer Passwords

Well, like everything else in my life, I must organize another thing - my computer passwords. Aren't they such a hassle? Mine are. I'm constantly trying to remember which password goes with which site - since you're technically not supposed to have the same password for each site, AND combine that with how you're "supposed" to make all kinds of crazy dashes, upper case letters, number combos and you are completely forgetting what the password for each site is, right? I've been storing them in my email file but I know that's probably not the most secure place for them, especially credit cards or other online payment sources.

My job is to help motivate you to organize. I want to keep you "in the know" of new products and websites I find that help you do that, too. So, I found a new way to store your passwords without having to remember each and every one of them, but still be super secure! AND....get this - it's FREE!!! Yes, it's free! Pick your jaw up off the floor - I know you're shocked, right?

Norton's Identity Safe is available for both PC and Mac computers. I have a Mac and so it works for me, just great. Here is a little bit about what it does, so you can figure it out, too!

It stores ALL your passwords - and it even finds the ones I've already told "remember me" when I've signed up and then searches out new ones. You can even use this on your phone with an app so you don't have to remember the passwords on there, either!

I forgot my user and password again!!

How many times have I forgotten my username and password? Honestly, too many! How many times do you have to have them email you a new password and start again? Wasting valuable time and energy, right?

It also has several other features when you download the free software and/or app for your phone or computer.

You can save all your passwords, it will fill out your forms online for you automatically {you know, then you don't have to keep typing your address over and over}, store important notes, share with others, it's totally safe, it can be used on many web browsers, plus it works across many of your favorite mobile devices also. It's all very secure.

I found that the software walks you through the process

You must first have an email password, then a separate {and different} "Vault" password. This is the one that you will undoubtedly need to remember!

It gives you step by step instructions so it's easy to know what you're doing

I found this to be so useful. I can imagine that it's going to continue making my life much easier from now on, also. It's pretty easy to navigate and, with the time that I've been using it, seems to do even more than I expected. I like that. And, you can't beat the price! So, go there now and download this free software.

Share a story about a time you forgot or lost your password for a chance to win an Android Tablet! Each response will garner automatic entry into a sweepstakes to win one of five Android Tablets with Norton Mobile Security and Identity Safe installed on the device.

Visit BlogHer.com to find other reviews of Norton Identity Safe.
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Mineral Make-Up Mess!

Now that I'm in my 40s, I'm wearing make up pretty much everyday - sometimes a little, sometimes a lot! So, my vanity and I get a good work out everyday!

I love my mineral make-up! Love it...but, well, it's messy! The make up is dusty and gets everywhere, particularly on me and the top of the vanity.

So, I do a little thing to make it easier - I have one cloth I use to put my make up on to of. As you can see, I lay out {in order of use} my make-up each morning. I lay the brushes next to each product, as well. It makes it easier just to put them away as I go. There's a lot of powder on my face!

I also put another cloth on my lap. This one keeps the make up from getting on my pants or skirt - trust me, I've had it happen before! 

When I'm done, it's full of make up - especially when I knock something over, like here! I keep both cloths folded up and I put them in the drawer when I'm done, carefully folding up the make up left inside. Then, I toss it in the laundry on "laundry day" and I'm good to go!

If you don't believe me that I need make up - here is a great example of before and after {I took with my Iphone}! Do you use mineral make-up? Do you have any other tricks to keeping it from being so messy?

 

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I love my friends!

Every Monday I have on my schedule {in the right side bar} that you should expect to have "organizing tips, products I find, or a specific theme for the month." Today I want to tell you about my friends! I have a few friends that are listed under "sponsors" on the right side of my blog. Yes, I have advertising sponsors, but these ones are actually friends of mine. They don't pay me to tell you what I'm going to tell you - and they don't even know I'm doing this. I want them on my blog because what they are doing is important.

Source

I'm not telling you this to sound like I'm a wonderful person, but for you to know that these are all amazing people behind these logos. I wanted to share a little something about each of them and why they mean so much to me. I'd like for you to consider going to their shops and websites because you want to, not out of obligation.

 

First I want to tell you about my friend Anne. 

Her husband has been in seminary the last few years - they are literally living on faith. He has not been able to get any steady work - with the economy and just being in school full time. Her shop is called Elle Sophia Design and her shop sells these DARLING girl's sewing kits. They would make GREAT Christmas gifts for the little girls in your life. 

My next friend is Julie. 

She is the one who designs all my printables and amazing buttons {which you'll be seeing lots more of}! She LOVES to do this stuff and actually just started sending me ideas one day. She has a successful Etsy shop, called Ruby Love, selling baby books. They are darling and totally customizable.

I met Lisa Pennington over a year ago. 

She has quickly become like a big-sister blogger friend. She also has a wonderful Etsy shop, called Shop 24, which I have actually purchased several gifts for friends and family. They have loved all her pretty things, too! Her daughters' have also opened a shop called Little Women.

My friend Cheryl, has another great shop called Studio CatB. 

She handmakes all kinds of leather bags and purses and wristlets. She has a unique talent and I have enjoyed getting to know her this summer at my Backyard Thursdays.

I have my little blogger sister, Anna. She is a super cleaning and organizing wizard! She has this fantastic blog called "Ask Anna" and she answers all kinds of cleaning and organizing dilemmas. She and I actually met last summer when she was in Los Angeles. It was fun to meet her - she's the ONLY blogger friend I've met in person, too! We have a lot in common, too!

Inexpensive tips for organizing, cleaning, and decorating your home...

I met Rebecca about a month or so ago. She has an Etsy shop that all profits go to help those in need. They are missionaries in Michigan to the Muslim community. She makes these GORGEOUS bags and beautiful things. 

She also has FREE printable prayer cards that she has graciously offered for anyone to go and receive by following the link. They are the same as mine, only they are more beautiful!!

These are all outstanding women who have amazing stories. Please consider giving a handmade gift this Christmas for those you love. They work hard and give you WAY better customer service than anywhere else you could go! 

 

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Magazine Clippings

I was going through our office bookshelves a few weeks ago. I noticed that I had this huge binder of magazine clippings! I totally forgot that was there!

 

What's more funny is that it's several years ago and my taste has definitely changed - I think it's evolved for the better.

I found this {above} and loved it.  Well, we no longer live in a house with stairs so it's really not a lot of use for me! But, I can share it with you!

How about this one? Isn't that a cute cut?  I still think it's cute, even if it's about ten years old!

Then, there are the out of date stuff - the dried flower wreaths aren't so popular anymore! Anything that's smelly or attracts dust can't be in our house - I have too many allergy sufferers!

I like this one, above, because it's still a good idea. Now that I have kids, I don't know that I'd really do it, though!

Another great idea...simple and easy - even done over and over on Pinterest, I've seen!

I like these Martha Stewart tips on preserving flowers!

I also found this page {not even sure why I saved it}. This is really neat because of what it says. It reads:

"What is the most important lesson you've learned from your sibling?" To which was the reply: "My brother Robby has autism. He has taught me that people with disabilities can still be cool. Because of Robby, I have more patience with people who are different." 

This was about 4 months before my son was diagnosed with autism. So, it's pretty neat that I had saved that, for whatever reason.

I was trying to whittle my waist apparently, too!

Well, I finished up getting rid of pretty much everything and getting all these photos.  So, if I really need them, I have them now! There were many more and I threw out a lot.

But, seriously, I tell you now that I have Pinterest, I can organize all my magazine "clippings" and more! It's fun and I love going paperless! 

If you follow a few of your favorite bloggers or friends, you can begin to get ideas and "pin" onto your virtual board.  You can also type in the search bar for just about anything. See the example above...I typed "pantry" and then a whole bunch of pantries appeared! So, it's great if you need ideas to organize, bake, cook stuff {there are some seriously great recipes}, clothing ideas, etc.


Have you tried Pinterest? If you aren't on there and would like an invitation, please just leave me a comment below and I'll email you one! Also, if you have any questions about using Pinterest, ask! I'd be happy to try and help!

 

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