I Dare Ya

Don't worry. We're not running anywhere. I'm only running if a big hungry bear is chasing me. 

I've heard of FlyLady before. Once I even had her little reminders on my google homepage, but I didn't really get it. 

Then I kept seeing her. All over blog land. She's popular. I mean, she's really really popular. So I thought I'd check her out. Last night, I went to her homepage and then found the Beginner Baby Steps.  Now that's what I need!

I don't actually want to admit I need help. I was raised to be a stong, capable, well rounded, individual woman who can-do-all. Weren't you? {I'm not that good at it.} FlyLady has this phrase about living in C.H.A.O.S. (the can't have anyone over syndrome) and while I don't feel like I live there now, I know I have and I am afraid I am standing on the corner peering in. Or maybe I'm renting the house next door. Either way, I was curious and now I'm trying it out. 

I'm looking for friends and support, so if you are living in C.H.A.O.S. -- or hanging out on the porch like me, go to her website, sign up, and let's give it a try! 

Oh, and don't forget my giveaway. It's the post below. : )

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So the first challenge is to shine your sinks. Well, I started to. Then when the bleach was sitting, soaking in, my dear sweet hubband drained it and poured his diet coke in the sink. With a splash. This is going to be one big challenge! 

Giveaway!

These guys are super excited. And frankly, so am I. 

I almost can't believe that Domestic Indecision has had over one thousand blog hits! I'm pretty sure that's do to that easy little Fall Centerpiece -- because that entry has had the most amount of comments. I also understand that nobody seems to enjoy a fridge post. So no more of those, I promise! {Even if my freezer is desperately jealous.} 

In honor of all the fun comments and blog hits and my two brand new followers {how very exciting!} I'm going to do my first giveaway. I can't help it. I like to pamper my friends. And if you are reading this or commenting or becoming a follower, then you are my new friend. And I want to reward you with a present. I'll give you a hint. It involves reindeer moss. That's right. One of my favorite little things. Which brings me to my next couple of posts:

1. a few shots around my house of some of my favorite things and spots; and, 

2. a crafty night where I will reveal the giveaway prize as I make it right before your very eyes!

Are you excited yet?

I am! 

Here's the scoop:

You can enter the giveaway by either becoming my follower or leaving a comment on this exciting post. Or both. You know, if you want to be entered twice. I know, I'm fun like that. 

What are you waiting for? 

A Clean Start

I don't know about you, but when things are messy I get a little stressed out. Add this to the fact that I don't cook, and a messy fridge sends me into sensory overload. Let me introduce Exhibit A:

Ok, so let's talk dirty. Dirty fridge that is. Can you see what I'm talking about? I mean, what is that?! If we were to have some kind of food emergency, well, let's just not even go there. It would be bad. Need more proof? Exhibit B:

you can't even tell what's in that middle drawer!

Now, let's fix it. I already know you're thinking this is not an exciting post, but sometimes it's necessary.  Last year we experienced this really fun thing known to you as Hurricane Ike. So I know what fun is involved in cleaning out a fridge and freezer with no power. And no air conditioning. And no trash pickup. Ick. Like I said, take a bullet and do the dirty. 

Step 1: Remove everything. 

I went ahead and started piling things into loose categories as I went. 

hmm. 

who knew there were three jars of pickles in there?

and three cans of open frosting? 

my goodness.

(I'm pretending to be more surprised than I really am...)

How did all these veggies fit in that one drawer? 

Wait, when did I buy those carrots?

Step 2: Wash everything. 

I pull out the drawers, the door shelves (and their liners) and wash them in the sink with soap and water. I also clean out the actual fridge, too. 

Step 3: While that stuff dries (no need to work yourself to death. You're already cleaning out the fridge!) start really going through the foodstuff. 

Yep. Those carrots definitely belong in the trash. 

Along with that cream. 

And some chicken.

Why am I confessing all this?

Oh, you're feeling sad for me?

You think I should go ahead and eat the rest of this

yummy chocolate chip cookie pizza?

Well....ok. If you insist. 

Step 4: Start organizing things back into compartments. 

We use a lot of cheese and sandwhich stuff, so that all goes in the top drawer. 

I group things together based on type of food and frequency of use.

Those weird sauces and salad dressings aren't needed as often as the juice and milk, so they go in the bottom door shelf and drinks higher up. 

And yes, those are several bags of shredded cheese stacked on top of each other. 

I said we use a lot of cheese. 

I spread everything out so I can see better. This is one of the island stools.

Again with the sandwhiches and jams. 

Who doesn't love their grandmother's homemade jam?

The highchair even lends a hand. Or legs. That's a tricky one. 

We don't even use ketchup and we have two open bottles?

This is sauce and salad dressing. 

Step 5: Load 'er back up!

And voila! Lookie! There's even a whole empty drawer! 

I'm working on a really exciting post about making your freezer work for you. 

I think I'm up to the challenge...

Easy Fall Centerpiece

If you stick around long enough, you'll notice something. 

We don't do red.

We like red. In fact, when we were engaged and beginning to pick things out for our happily ever after, we could agree on red. We did not agree on forest green. Or army green. Or "what about this green that isn't forest or army" that really was forest and army. Nope. But we could work with red. So that was our goal. Then we began to visit our friend's homes. Red. Red. And yep, you guessed it, more red. We even knew friends who were all painting some room in their house the exact same red. So that was it. No more red. 

When we did move in to our new happily ever after home once we were happily hitched, we went with oranges and lime greens and some brown to keep it grounded. Ok, lots of brown. Even at Christmas I had this "no red" rule. (That definitely helps keep your decoration spending in check -- there's not a lot you can buy that doesn't have any red!) Now our house is slowly changing to a lot of white (yay!) with greens and browns and blacks and some fun aqua and turquoise. {I can't help it. I like a little zing.} But the "no red" rule has stuck. So what's a girl to do when fall and Christmas approach? When every little thing has red? 

Stick with neutrals. 

They are guaranteed. And, in three more years when maybe I love yellow and only yellow, they'll still work. Talk about a good investment. 

Step 1: Pick out some good stuff on sale 50% off at your favorite HoLo (that's DI speak for Hobby Lobby) 

classy white pumpkins

all fancied up for the ball

these bird feather balls are my new favorite things

just pull them right off their sticks. you can always shove them back on if you need to.

this fern is very realistic looking -- 

and a little bit furry too

more classy neutrals

these are berrylicious

just rip off those ugly little leaves

Step 2: Find something to put those goodies in (I opted for this white plate from Marshalls-Home Goods) and start piling them in.

Step 3: Decide you don't like how it's going. Get out that fun basket-planter-thingy you got for 90% off at HoLo. Start re-stuffing. 

Oh, that's better. 

But look, I still have some goodies left. 

Hmmmm...what to do. 

I've got a super long table. Great for dinner for eight. Not so great for tablescaping. Round or square tables can really benefit from one thing in the middle. A bowl of fruit, some fresh flowers, whatever. Long tables need something tall or something long to file down the middle. This arrangement isn't tall (8 inches is not tall) so we'll go with long. 

Step 4: Pull out some dinner plates you don't use and toss pretty stuff on top.

Step 5: Put fun Fall Centerpiece(s) on your table. You're done! If you have a small 4-top round or square table, take those other plates and throw them around your house. Well, don't really throw them unless you're into sweeping up broken plates. But stick one on your bedside table, the guest bathroom, the coffee table. Wherever you need a little dose of fall. 

Then, if you want, you can invite people over to oooh and ahhhhh about how pretty they are. They will. Then they will beg you to leave them there for more than one week because they like them. Trust me. Everyone will be amazed at your secret centerpiece powers. 

style quiz

Home Goods (or better known as Marshall's here in the South) has a little style quiz that is actually fun. Here's what it said about me:

You are a COUNTRY CASUAL

Your home expresses your open, easygoing approach to life. You love unique finds, and can turn a few mismatched garden chairs or floral teacups into a charming arrangement. You appreciate a pretty mix of relaxed pieces, like painted wood or weathered furniture, lovely florals and other patterns, lots of throws and pillows, mementos and bunches of fresh flowers that give your home a unique sense of breeziness and charm.

You value creativity. You are stylish and fun loving, and can be an inspiration to others. You have a natural sense of drama, and you know you have to be willing to take risks—whether with colors, finishes, furniture choices, or ideas—for your home to stand out. Your home can be happy and lively and the place all of your friends want to be.

It even made some suggestions for me, too:

Putting Your Style to Work!

With your style and needs in mind, here are a few tips that will help you make your home a little happier.

1. Your Design Challenge: EXPERIMENTThe last mile in decorating is the hardest, because that is when you really take the risk in expressing yourself. As with fashion or jewelry, one bold piece can set the tone, and the others complement the look. Don't be afraid to experiment, drag stuff around and make mistakes. Use what you're passionate about to inspire your home, whether it is a love for patterns, travel, gardening, family or the sea. Consider a collection of books, pictures or objects on your passion. Giving yourself parameters helps you choose things in keeping with your true style—which is precisely the point of HomeGoods StyleScope. But also think of colors, a country, a movie or words you love when you're shopping, so that you can check that these pieces match your unique sensibility before you bring them home.

2. Your Happy PlaceThe more serene your bedroom feels, the happier you will be. A pretty coverlet over a big duvet makes the bed look smooth—and not all duvet-lumpy! And, a blanket folded at the foot of the bed breaks up the big expanse of fabric. Euro shams—those big square pillows—are great for reading in bed, and a few decorative pillows can also be a nice touch. Consider adding a basket or a small occasional table near your bedside table for books, papers, lotions, linen spray or whatever you'd like.

3. Be Party-Ready All the Time!Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.

Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, stock up on some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.

Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!

Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.I can't tell you how accurate some of it is. Wait, yes I can. Here's how it's accurate:

1. I am a big experimenter. There are a handful of people who visit my home often and never fail to say, "Oh, something's different. Again." 

2. I do love a pretty, well-made bed. Currently, there's a quilt with a duvet folded in half at the bottom, and some lovely throw pillows. I also have a basket by the bed, as well as my great-grandmother's sewing table for pretty things.

3. We have pets. Who live inside. And sometimes smell. So the scent part was another truth that really hit home for me. I'm forever lighting candles and spraying some fragrance around. (I love Bath & Bodyworks Creamy Nutmeg.) I also try to always have some snacky foods available and I have lately been seriously thinking about putting our serving cart to use for serving drinks!

Now go check out that quiz and let me know your results, too!

post ideas

So, there was an issue with the photography to go with the last post about jewelry. My bad. I'll get that in order, by this weekend perhaps, and we can move on. 

I find myself really inspired to write posts -- when I am no where near my computer. 

That's life. 

Of course.

So, I'm going to start trying to at least write down my ideas so that when I am ready to sit down and write my posts, I can remember what on earth it was I was going to write about. Here goes. If anyone out there is actually reading this (Hi Misty), please post a comment with some other ideas. I know I have a good housey blog in me, I just don't want to feel like I am copying everyone else. So there. I'm admitting I am already afraid of being a fraud. Wow, that's a serious statement. 

Here are some of my future posts:

1. Chili

2. House Odors

3. Buying furniture

4. Filling space

5. Living in the Now 

6. What other people think

7. Cupcakes

8. More cupcakes

9. Deep freezing and the mistakes I've made

10. Pantry organizing

11. How to build a kitchen

12. FSS -- Flat Surface Syndrome

13. Mirrors

14. Faking It (take that as you may)

15. Baskets

16. Culture collectables

17. Pillows, pillows, and oh yeah, pillows

18. Closet clean out

19. Before and Afters

20. The difference a day makes

21. Making a Bed

22. Housey book/folder

23. Quick Changes that make a big difference

24.

25.

(those last few are waiting for suggestions...)

I'm starting tomorrow. Brace yourself. 

Enjoying the Pretty Stuff

Ladies--

You know you love it.

We all love it.

Well, one form of it or another.

Perhaps it's that beloved heirloom brooch that belonged to your great grandmother, or that fancy necklace your bffff gave you for Christmas last year, or maybe it's just that hot new trendy piece you found at Target accidently marked clearance (score!). But whatever it may be, we all love our jewelry. 

Love it as we may, it is often a difficult thing to store. Which is sad. Pretty things should not be difficult. (But such is the way of the world. Sadly.) And even worse, why are we putting away such pretty pretty things?! 

Next post: fun things to do with your sparkly jewels that get them out of that jewelry box. Which, by the way, according to my husband, is one of the first things looked for in a break-in. And if all your good stuff is right together in a giant jewelry box, you can kiss those goodies goodbye. Stay tuned -- next post is coming this weekend! 

Happy Laboring!