Closet clean up

Is it me or does the nesting instinct not stop once you have a baby.  I have been on a major clean out/clean up kick - or at least wanting to do a major clean out/clean up but not finding any time.  I had some time on my hands this weekend - well really not really since it was just me and baby boy all weekend.  But I was bound and determined to do something about my ugly closet that I was convinced didn't have a floor anymore. 

I started the clean out, clean up on Saturday morning.  By Sunday afternoon, I sent James a text with these two pictures and captions....

My closet has a floor

Because this is what I took out of it.

To be honest, I cleaned more than just my closet.  I cleaned my drawers too.  I ended up with 2 empty drawers.  I have found some things to put in them, but they are still mostly empty.  I found Christmas presents that had not been put away yet.  I have 3 bags of clothes for my sister and sister and law to go through.  (I cleaned out a bunch of work clothes.  My new work from home gig (not really new) doesn't require half as many nice clothes)  I have 2 bags for goodwill and that's just this clean out - I had at least 2 others I had previously gathered.  I keep a bag on the floor in the closet and when something doesn't fit right or I look at it and think "I'll never wear that" I throw it in the goodwill bag. 

It feels really good to have gone through everything and purged.  However, I know I probably could have been a bit more brutal in my review and probably gotten rid of a lot more stuff.  But this is an honest start and enough to mark it off the monthly to do list....Wonder where my nesting instincts will take me next month.....

Bathroom Clean up

I'm embarrassed to say it has been awhile since I cleaned my bathroom.  I know, gross right?!  Life got a little crazy with a newborn.  Let's just say my 10 minute warm shower is about the most relaxation I am able to get (except for a couple baths I've taken).  And standing under the stream of the hot water is all I want to do.  I am not thinking about the spots on the grout.  Or how I really should get around to cleaning my shower (well, actually I am thinking about that a little - but its far back in the brain, hidden by those sweet relaxing thoughts that the hot water is bringing).  Well, it finally got to the point I couldn't take it any more.  A friend recommended the above cleaning tool and said it worked wonders - well it was going to take wonders to clean my shower.  So, I gave it a try.  I opened a couple windows and started the fan.  Then I soaked the shower.  Given how bad it was, I walked away for a few minutes....okay more like an hour.  It was a beautiful day and I wanted to get JW out of the house.  When I came back my shower was clean and sparkly again.  Now, I wouldn't get all crazy and eat off the floor of the shower, but I definitely feel better about putting my feet on the ground in there.  Now I can go back to standing under the hot water and only thinking about how relaxing it feels!

(If you're embarrassed by your shower, or just want to give it a good clean - try this stuff - its good!)

(BTW - I haven't been paid for this review or even asked to write it...I just tried the product and liked it!)

Cookware

Finally - a non baby post. 

James and I want to buy new cookware.  I got a set of Calphalon before we got married and James had some pieces as well.  Given that we had plenty when we combined kitchens, we didn't register for new cookware (mistake I think).  We've now decided that we need new cookware for a couple reasons.  1 - all the cookware we have now is non-stick.  I don't really think we need a bunch of non-stick pans.  We cook with olive oil or other fat anyway, so its probably overkill.  2 - the non-stick part of our pans is peeling off.  Not good given all the "carcinogens" that are supposedly in the non-stick stuff.  (or at least that is what everyone used to think)

So, we're shopping for new pans.  Over Christmas we looked at some at William-Sonoma and have somewhat decided we like these.

from www.williamsonoma.com 

These are the Stainless Steel d5 line.  W-S has a decent sale on them right now.  Reviews look pretty good.  I figured we could also buy 1 non stick fry pan.

But then I checked Consumer Reports.  This line isn't rated but 2 other All Clad lines are rated and are at the bottle of the list. 

So, do we listen to the reviews on w-s OR go with Consumer Reports and keep searching?
What cookware are you using?  Do you like it?  Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Holiday Decorations

A non-baby post!!

Our holiday decorations are complete - or at least the decorations I am planning to do this year.  Also, I am done Christmas gift shopping!!!  Most are wrapped and under the tree!  Here's a quick tour of our decorations....

The decorated mantle.  Don't mind the crooked candle.  Also, I have more 2 more candlestick holders to add to make it 3 on each side.  Stocking holders are silver snowflakes from Pottery Barn.  Barley and Baby's stockings are on the left.  I am sure we'll get a more baby appropriate one for next year, but not knowing if Baby would be here, we used what we have.

This is our fake tree.  We decided to put it in the dining room this year.  Don't mind the red wrap I am using as a tree skirt.  I need to buy a new one, but didn't make it out for one.  I kept this one simple.  Reds and silvers.  I would like to set the dining room table because I hope we will eat there for Christmas.  I have red placemats, my dishes are white and silver (with reindeer on them), and I'll use white napkins in silver napkin rings.  I haven't set the table yet because the placemats and napkins need ironed and that hasn't made it to the top of my to do list yet.  (I realize these aren't the best pictures)

 And this is our REAL tree.  We have not had a real tree in about 5 years.  Because we always travel at the holidays, we've been using a fake tree.  We didn't want a real tree to dry out while we were on the road.  But since we are here this year.....we finally got a real tree.  I love it!!!  The ornaments are a mixture.  Some new ones from RH and PB, and some that James and I have collected over the years.  Its really a story of our lives and I love it!  I even have my "Baby's First Christmas" ornaments.  Yes - there are 2.....(I was the first grandchild on both sides, maybe I was a little spoiled!!)  (We might need a bigger tree topper, but again, this will have to do for this year!)

We also have 2 lighted 4 ft trees out front.  The wreaths have not graced the doors yet.  Otherwise, that about sums it up.  Simple, yet it still feels festive!

Merry Christmas All!!

New Guestroom/Office HELP

We are consolidating an office and guest room into one room since the old guest room is becoming the nursery.  We recently had hardwood floors put in (these were the only 2 rooms in the house with carpet) and James painted the room.  (I know kind of backwards since we really didn't have a vision for the rest of the room - its the same story for the nursery, just wait until that post).  Now we need help.....I really want to get this room pulled together....Any ideas???

The room is pretty much a blank slate right now.  It is a fairly large room, about 15x15.  We want to put a rug in it somewhere/somehow.  Bedding needs to be purchased.  Not sure if we will use existing side tables or not.  Plus storage for office stuff (which we have 2 IKEA cabinets to put in the room - they have been painted to match the trim).  I'd like to add some color as well.  Most of our rooms are pretty subdued/neutral when it comes to color and I kind of want to change that.  I was thinking a celadon green, but now that the room is painted, it picks up the army green type color and I don't think that will work anymore.  The last picture gives you a better idea of the color.

This first picture is from the doorway.  The other door you see is to the closet.  It is kind of hard to tell the paint color.  It is a brownish color, but does have a tint of army green to it.  We're thinking one of the cabinets will go between the windows.  We're also rewiring the room so that the cable and ethernet cords come over there.

 This picture is looking from the closet.  I'm not opposed to turning the desk the other way, but it would probably have to butt up against the window and I'm not sure I like that either.

 The door in the upper left is the bathroom.  Don't mind the clutter in there.  We stored stuff in the bathroom while the floor was being done.  Hopefully this weekend, we'll get that out of there.  We are not opposed to moving the bed to the other wall so that it would face the windows.  We have a covered headboard (its cream) that is being used in the downstairs guest bedroom.  Ultimately we would like to use that in this room and get an iron bed for downstairs.

Budget is limited.  Any great ideas or stores that you can recommend?!?!?!?  Thanks in advance for your help!