How to say goodbye to toys that take space?

Nicolette is going through a growth spurt, and running out of space with her belongings. During her six years we have accumulated a lot. I meant to say with toys.Some are impulse buys. I know part of it is my fault. Usually I try to have a control over this but not so much after scanning her room. 

She needs space to create
a place to play
a place to hang out with her friends
a place to write
a place to read
and finally a place to unwind
That is a quite a list. Her room can use a fresh coat of paint this spring. We are going to stick to the same color white but introduce few pieces with a punch of color! 
I am thinking of a table and a chair, a rug, lamp shade, and new curtains!

Now that sounds a lot. We need to start the overhaul by clearing her space with donating some of her favorite toys. It was not easy because simply there is so much memories we can just get part with. I decide to handle this by posing a picture with your toys for donating! I know this sounds very tacky but I had to be creative in order to make space. She was in for the idea of donating after reading few about children who could not have toys! 

We had our first load drop off this weekend feels a bit lighter. More to come on how to organize? To be functional!

The project ended…

Yes, the beautiful paper whites which adorn our home has finished it non stoping blooming. When they wither and fade we know it is time to dismantle this lovely project. However, this year I had so much help in taking this apart. Oldest was very helpful to take them to the compost, and of course we chooses a warm day to complete this task. 

When I was scrubbing the glass hurricane my daughter comes over to watch and I asked her if she would like to help me to scrum the stones  so we can let them dry and put them away. She was happy to be around and definitely to play with the rocks.

These wonderful rocks bring back so many memories, because we have collected them from our trips to beaches and and other fun places. Surprisingly I have few from when my oldest collected them when he was wee little. Yes, and the best part is I could remember them. There is something with rocks that gravitate the smoothness, the color, the locations we collect, the experience that is entangled with bring so much.

To my wonderment while scrubbing each one Nicolette was so happy to categorize them according to the size and color, this kid is so much into organizing and I love watching her.


When everything was scrubbed and cleaned I had to snap few pictures so I can remember this moment. 

A Birdsnest plant

I can’t wait till spring, the first day of spring is going to be this Thursday and I am very excited about it. Being able to work in the yard and plan garden is something I am looking forward this year. I have not look at any of the seeds catalogs, but would love to get my hands on them soon. 

I always question myself when planting a year old seeds, but always had luck with them. I am planting a square foot garden this season with some new experimental vegetables.

When I was at the grocery store I could not help pass this beautiful birdsnest plant. It was simply gorgeous more than anything it was green. I will be taking few pictures of my spring garden. Can’t wait any more to see the spring blooms. 

The Gleaners

Last summer, I bought this painting from a thrift store, it was framed by someone and was in an old frame. This caught my eye, because I was able to identify the picture. I had this in our attic and I finally decided to take it apart, in order to reframe it. 

I took it apart and then it was sitting in our craft room for a while, and I bought a frame from IKEA, yes, and I did the framing. This was re printed in a limited number in Boston, MA, while ago. 

I like the gleaners, because it portraits the working class (rural) and was viewed very poorly by the French upper and middle class during that time. However, I feel like the artist has done a wonderful job in creating colors and placing them. I totally love it. Jean-François Millet, was a French artist who depicted realism during his era. I love his work personally. 

I cannot wait to get this piece up on the wall, in our craft room!

simple hot chocolate station

 

Little one seems to enjoy hot chocolate a lot more this winter. I decided to add a little station this year to our new kitchen counter. She is loving it and it is very convenient for everyone. The most disappearing items seem to be marshmallows and peppermint sticks. 

Our paperwhites are in bloom at least one. The other one has recently send its bloom stalk up. Any time it will bloom too. We cannot take its strong fragrance up stairs in Nicolettes room; so we decided to bring it to the kitchen. 

I love this idea making a small space for hot chocolate, what do you keep at your finger tips during holidays. 

Fresh flowers

Streaching the life of flowers in another arrangement!

fresh flowers, decor, and moods

As growing up I always enjoyed having fresh flowers around the house. I also grew up having beautiful plants around the house. Now, that I pay more attention to detail, I am kid who enjoyed the wonders of nature in our house. I still do, ironically I get very excited to bring flowers home. I use to tell my friends, that it was my therapy. Fresh flowers cost less, than my co- pay to the therapist depending on the bouquet give or take...

I have planned this year to bring more flowers, because little Nicolette loves creating beautiful spaces just like her Amma. 

Do you bring flowers indoors, How do you add color to the winter dull? Do you buy flowers or do you think it is a waste of money?

Small Space, organizing hair accessories

As some of you knew, I went to work last Fall, after a long break (almost after three years). I was not fully prepared in some areas like my personal organization and one of the major areas was my hair accessories which included hair dryer, flat iron, and a messy spot right at the end of my bed. Not having a master bathroom next to our bedroom is not a cool feature in this old house. Over a time period I have accumulated and placed hair accessories conveniently by the end of my bed because, that is where the power outlet is. 

I had used a sturdy plastic/vinyl bag to toss all my hair accessories, I often use to tie my hair. I do like to blow dry my hair and occasionally I would use the flat iron to straighten my hair close to my face line. The bobby pins, pony tails rings, head bands all were thrown together in a mess. As I went to work I would sit at the edge of my bed and work on my hair and in many occasions would get frustrated to find a pin or a pony tail ring. 

I finally decided I needed to be more organize in this area to leave the house in peace to work, I bought few baskets and started to clean up. Now, Nicolette has a small bag to carry her bathing suite to pool (aka) hair do bag! which I used to store all my hair belongings. The use of new baskets, I feel like I am more organized. Hair accessories are accessible easily without having to do a blind sweeps to get a bobby pin or a pony tail band.  I like the neat look. A big difference!

How do you stay organize with your accessories? Do you clean them out weekly, monthly, or yearly basis?

Working for myself...

 

This summer I am taking a break to take care of myself. I am also working for myself this Summer. I am already busy re- stocking my tiny Montessori Shop! I am planning to introduce couple of more new items this Fall and kind if excited about it. 

I have plan few fun quilting projects this Summer which I am really looking forward to. Knitting projects are over flowing which includes few cowls and hats for little Nicolette. 

The fabric stash is piling up and the garden is growing with beautiful flowers. I was able to cut some Hydrangeas to adorn my work table it was truly a welcoming sign towards creativity!

There are few sewing projects to be tackled making couple of dresses for Nicolette and some fun things for me, in the work pile. 

Enjoy!

Flowers from yard...

I love fresh flowers in our home. It adds a whole new dimension to a living area. This summer i have been cutting flowers from the yard to bring them inside. Day lilies are so pretty inside but the sad part is it will not last for a long time. 

Last summer I was given few Hostas’ by a friend, and they are the best they have a beautiful feminine fragrance to them. 

I decided to cut few Hosta flowers, Hydrangeas, and Day- lilies. They were so cute. Do you cut flowers to bring inside or admire them in outside. 

Quote of the day “be in love with the world” 

Enjoy!

Setting rules and following through...

Little Nicolette’s room get messy often during the day. Let me rephrase it Nicolette like to play and make things with her hands just like her mom. Through this process she forgets to put things back where it belongs in her room.

When it gets really messy she is very GOOD at asking help from us to help her to put things back where they belong. We honestly thought she needs help. Now we know that is not the case most of the time. 

So we help her during the process but will not do work for her. She is beginning to understand that we are not cooperating to help her to clean her room. We did explain that she needs to clean up after her play, we are there only to direct her not to do her work. 

Throughout summer the garden has been non stop producing flowers. I have been helping little Nicolette to arrange flowers in a vase and bring them inside to her room lately. 

However, we do this only when she cleans her room. She like to hold the vase with water so I can place flowers in water. Typically flowers lasts for couple of weeks or days. We do tend to change water but she loves the fact that she can help me through this process. 

Quote of the day “walk barefoot on the grass” 

Enjoy!

De- clutter, Order, and Role-modeling...

Since we have downsized our living space. I have a difficult time creating master bedroom/study room in our cozy little house. I do not know how I have a huge mess on my chest of drawers. I am totally responsible for  this since I have created it. 

It holds everything and anything you can possibly name that can go on a chest of drawers. Sometimes it disturbs me when I have to study. I guess I need an order in my environment to study. I kept postponing to clear out this space saying I am going to get to it tomorrow. Then some days I feel like that tomorrow never comes. 

I will be going to work this Fall while in school I need order and I need my room to be a functional space in every possible way. I have acquired so much stuff that I hardly use.

I took control and went through every little thing and cleaned the entire place. When I was done I was so happy that I have created and orderly space in my room. 

I tends to spend so much time creating order for kids and it was my turn. I felt If I did not create that space they are not going to internalize order into their life. It was in a way kind of role modeling. I am  very happy with the space that I have created for myself. 

Quote of the day “light a dark corner"

Enjoy!

Dipped or Painted...

I wanted try out the modern dipped look or otherwise painted in two colors. I turned to Nicolette's room for inspiration. We had this basket from one of her showers. I used to put toys in it, clothing, and finally I used it to put books after reading. However this has gone through many jobs but still a survivor in our household.

I am currently using it store what ever on her bed goes to this basket at the end of the until we find the right place. We love cleaning up her room with this new two tone basket. It works well with all the furniture in her room and its finally coming together.

I really had fun creating this space for and little Nicolette loves to hang in her room by herself in the afternoons. Few more touch - ups and I am done for a while.

Quote of the day "Enhance your environment"

Enjoy!

Simple Pleasures

I always like to cut flower from the garden to bring inside. I do not have much but I bring them as much as I can during summer. So far I have done some arrangements.

This was growing in my yard all over the back corner. I decided to bring them inside they are really pretty and have already developed seed pods. I like the seed pods as well they add some whimsical to the arrangement. 

I used an empty jelly jar Nicolette love to see flowers in her room. Soon I am going to bring some more to my room. As soon as I get rid of the clutter. 

Quote of the Day “ look for possibilities not limits”

Enjoy!

Repurposing...

I have not spend much on my daughters room furniture. I simply use her older brother’s bed and painted it with white (swiss coffee) a beautiful shade of white. This was done last summer. 

This summer I painted his night stand and add a glass knob and slightly distressed it to go with the bed because I use the same technique. 

I finally was able to bring it up stairs. My neighbor offered us some peonies and mock orange blossoms. I arrange them in a milk glass vase I scored last year from a garage sale. It looks wonderful I love it and so is little Nicolette. 

I love how her room is coming together my next project is window treatments. I am looking for something simple that I can make I am thinking of ruffles and shades of white...

I think she can use a light on this night stand but not right now when she starts reading... Hopefully in couple of years...

Quote of the day “ be able to say I made it myself”

Enjoy!