A Heavenly Home: Spring Cleaning Day 2: Office

                So while I wanted to enjoy my time off from work this week I wanted to reorganize parts of my apartment that needed a little TLC. I decided to devote my time to three areas of my apartment: my closet, my office and my bathroom. I conquered day 2 of my spring cleaning with the task of my office.

                My side of the office was not necessarily dirty but mainly cluttered and unorganized. For example, if I wanted to find a pair of scissors or my stapler I would have to look in several bins. I would not know where to find it. So I decided to reorganize and de-clutter my side of the office. I also decided to pare down the items next to my desk which are used for storage. Next to my desk I have two storage bins and a suitcase. The office is the only place that will hold these items comfortably (because our bikes fill up our storage closet). On top of all that I had four pillows that I use for winter and fall in our apartment and a few extra boxes and bins. I paired down those items and tried to make it look less cluttered. 

                Next, I tackled my desk. My desk does not sadly have drawers so I have to make use of what I have. I have a small three bin organizer that I use to hold my stapler, post its and note pads. Then I have my pen organizer (an old BBW candle covered in glitter) and a purse post it organizer and my high heel tape dispenser. That is it. While I love office décor items I wanted to keep the desk free of clutter so I could focus on my  tasks at hand.  I have a larger three drawer organizer under my desk that holds other items, like notepads and other necessities.

 Finally, I have a mail organizer that I use frequently to hold my items that need to be taken care of, bills to pay etc. I didn’t want it on my desk but I wanted it nearby. I decided to de-clutter the top of my bookshelf and put my pretty decorative books elsewhere. That way I could put my mail organizer there so I could access it while working at my desk when I pay bills and such.

This was a very small project for me. Because of that I decided to use this time to purchase more index cards to write to do lists and I also decided to make business cards for this blog. I am thoroughly enjoying the blog process and want to have cards to give to others so they can enjoy and experience my blog. While this was a small project for me, it motivated me to keep working on tasks around my house. My last step in my spring cleaning “series” is the bathroom. It should take me an hour or two, but I can’t wait to be done with the process!

Does organizing a part of your home make you feel motivated? What tasks are you working on around your home? 

A Heavenly Home: Spring Cleaning: Day 1: Closet and Dresser

                This past week, I was off for a “Spring Break” of sorts. I don’t necessarily count it as spring break because of the crazy wintry weather that we have had recently. I decided on my first weekday off to spend my day cleaning out my closet and my dresser. While the weather has not been warm (besides a few odd days here or there), I have been in love with spring dresses. I have been purchasing spring dresses during the winter in preparation for the upcoming season.  

            I decided to go through my closet and get rid of a ton of items. I decided to make two piles. One pile was a trash pile (clothing that was so destroyed it would not be good for others) and a pile to give to my mom. I managed to get rid of quite a few items. I then made some organization progress in my closet. For example, I sorted clothes by work clothes, then by pants, ¾ sleeve shirts, t-shirts, etc. I also put away my winter clothing. Then I made room in my closet for all of my jeans (as they can be heavy and weigh down my lovely dresser).

        Finally, I made space for all of my spring items. I figure I can wear some of them with leggings or jeans and cardigans until the warmer weather officially is here to stay. I also pulled out some of my favorite tops and put them in the front and center of my closet so that I could enjoy them and see them. A lot of people on Youtube like to have a closet rack out in public. I do not like this for myself (even though I love the idea) because I have a hard time with clutter. Also, I do not have the space for it in the bedroom. This is my solution. I can see my most beautiful items and can enjoy them. I also placed a nice pair of heels and a book to showcase in my closet. It makes me happy to open my closet now.  

                Next, I tackled my dresser. As a self proclaimed introvert (and Social Anxiety member), I love PJs. They make me feel comfy and safe. I had a TON of PJs. I decided to thoroughly go through them and finally got my items narrowed down to my favorites. Again, I organized my PJs by sets, different types and put my workout clothes in a pile. I also organized my socks and my shirts into sections again.

                In reality, I am not a fan of dressers but I love my dresser. While I do not like clutter, I typically do not care how my clothes are organized in drawers. I changed that on my first day of spring cleaning. I am happy with the progress I have made. My next steps to take include tackling my bathroom and my office. The rest of the areas of my apartment have already been cleaned and de-cluttered recently. Stay tuned for additional posts on how I reorganized these two areas. Finally, I can’t wait to share my post about my “office in an ottoman.” As stated I have recently made myself a fabulous reading nook in my bedroom. I have filled my mini ottoman with necessary essentials. Stay tuned for this post.

                I am surprisingly content with the look of my closet and dresser and anticipate the next stages of my organization process!  How are you spring cleaning? Do you spend more time organizing or deep cleaning? I do a mix of both as needed. 

Lynn’s Library: Bookshelf Tour and How to Save Money with Books:

               

 As stated previously, I am an avid reader. With the invention of E-readers and my lovely Kindle Fire, I have no longer had a need to purchase new books. However, I still have a bookshelf with books that I keep on hand in my apartment. These books are located in my office. Some of them are my favorite books while others I find at thrift shops, book sales etc.  

 
Some of the highlights of books I have include the following:

• Twilight Series: I read this series in college and loved the characters. I like the books more than the movies.
• Confessions of a Shopaholic Series: The character reminds me of myself. Who else wouldn’t want to buy all this equipment to save money to make food besides the character and myself? Anytime I think about saving money I end up spending more money on ways to save money! It’s a vicious cycle.
• Nicholas Sparks' books:  Some of these are my favorite, some I plan on reading and then donating to those who want to read.
• Harry Potter Series: A beloved series. I love the first few books more than the last. I hope to reread them soon.
• A variety of “chick lit” books that I have yet to read.

             As soon as I read a book I make myself think, will I read it again? For example, I LOVE the Janet Evanovich series but I don’t want to keep 19 books on hand. So I decided if I really want to read them again I will borrow them from the library. That is a big way that I save money. If a book that I really want to read comes out, I usually purchase it on my Kindle. If I am somewhat interested in the book I will put a hold on it at my library a few months before it comes out, then I will be on one of the first to borrow it. It has saved me tons of money!

          I have a few books series I plan on purchasing simply because of my love for the series, like the Vampire Academy series. However, I will wait until I finish the many books on my bookshelf.  I also like to buy used books on Amazon. This saves me money as well. I can get them for a $1 or 2 and then the shipping is only $3.99. I think the cost of regular books is way too much these days.

          Finally, to save money I frequently look at the “free” books on Kindle. You have to go to the website to find them, but once you do you can find some good buys. I will warn you that most of the books that are free are part of a series. They get you hooked to the series with a free book and then you want to purchase the rest. To me it is not a big deal when I get to read a free book.

              hatever you do to get books, I hope you get a chance to read! Reading opens the door to so many new worlds and experiences. It makes you think about life and also can help you relax and enjoy your life. So no matter what you do, get out there and read, or stay in with a nice cup of tea and cuddle with your fuzzy animal and read! 

Lynn’s Lovely Life: What’s in My Walking Pharmacy?

                One of my top 5 favorite YouTubers is OrganizedLikeJen. One of the terms that I credit her with creating is “walking pharmacy.” I consider a walking pharmacy to be defined as a series of necessary objects in a small pouch. I carry a lot of items in my walking pharmacy. The majority of my items are lip products because I’m a lip product junkie.

Here is what I carry in my walking pharmacy:

• Stamps: I keep these in my purse because I use them frequently. They are the best place for me to hold them without losing them.
• Lip Balm: I have always been a fan of the Blistex Fruit Smoothies and I also enjoy the plum baby lips.
• Pens: I carry several pens around with me.
• Lotion: I enjoy carrying around the Nivea lotion because of its gender neutral smell and its size.
• Neutrogena Moisture Smooth Color Sticks in Fresh Papaya and Plum Perfect:  I love these products. As Emilynoel83 calls them, “they are the sweatpants of lip products.”
• Maybelline Vivid Lipstick in Brazen Berry: This is one of favorite lip products. The purple is not too obvious and makes me happy when I wear it.
• USB Drives: I carry two USB drives, a penguin one from my mother and another from my best friend’s work.  These are a necessity in my profession.
• Medicine: I carry Tylenol in case of a headache.
• Rollerball Taylor Swift Wonderstuck: I love Taylor Swift’s fragrance and enjoy using this when I am on the go.

 What do you carry in your Walking Pharmacy?

Lynn’s Lovely Life: What’s In my Purse

                As I have stated, I am an avid YT watcher. One of my favorite videos to watch is the "What’s in my Purse" videos. I have a lot of purses. I enjoy purchasing purses because they add a pop of color and complete an outfit. Also, I suffer from social anxiety and I feel safe and comfortable with my purse in hand. I feel more comfortable being out and about with all of my necessities and things that make me feel safe. I switch out my purses constantly. I am currently using a beautiful Coach purse my parents got me for graduating from grad school last year.  

Items in my Purse:

• Wallet: This is something I always keep in my purse. My current wallet is a beautiful polka dot wallet. I love the mint green color and polka dots.
• Cell Phone: iPhone 4s , This is always in my purse or in my hands (stay tuned for an iPhone cover collection post!)
• Keys: Another necessity in my purse at all times.
• Planner: I am an avid planner and prefer to use this over my iPhone any day.  
• Mints: To keep my breath nice and fresh!
• Sunglasses: A necessity when I wear my contacts.
• Lotion: For my dry hands!
• Checkbook: For appointments as needed.
• Cover Girl Powder: I use to constantly wear Cover Girl as a teen and recently purchased this product. I use this as my go to “foundation” when I am on the run and don’t have time to do my makeup in the morning.
• Coupon Organizer: This is used to hold my cash. I am in the process of using cash to effectively budget.
• Walking Pharmacy: I credit OrganizedLikeJen as the inventor of the term “walking pharmacy.” This holds a variety of little products that I use frequently. Stay tuned for an additional post about what is in my walking pharmacy.
• I carry several lipsticks and hand sanitizer in the front outside pocket of my purse.
• In the inside pocket I carry headphones and other essentials that I prefer to keep discreet.  

 What is inside your purse? What is your biggest necessity?