Spring Cleaning 101

Posted in DIY, Home Decor by C.

This past weekend was all about hardcore spring cleaning, a huge milestone to The Spring Project that I happily crossed-off on my list of things to do. I’m one of those strange people that actually likes to clean (my own messes only – sorry, I’m not for hire :)). It’s therapeutic for me. You put on some music, zone out, and get the job done.

By nature, I’m a total neat freak – everything is always in its place, I rarely leave dishes in the sink, or let my place get too rowdy in general; but one always needs a good scrub down in the bathroom, an intense dusting session all over, floors need to be mopped, and the fridge cleaned out.

While I was completely exhausted after a day’s work, I’m already seeping the rewards (and the annoyances) of intense spring cleaning. Sure everything feels completely refreshed in my apartment right now, but it also upsets me how quickly the dust is settling back onto my furniture tops, and seeing small specks of dirt on my once immaculate hardwood floors…only hours later. 😦

I still have another phase to get to in my big project and that’s the purge portion. It’s time to delve into my closets, drawers, and shelves and say goodbye to what is no longer serving me. And I think this will feel even better than the “no germs” portion. Out with the old, and in with the new!

When approaching my big cleaning session, I had five basic principles that I thought I would share:

1. Work on one space at a time. It’s best to focus on one room at a time. It keeps things streamlined and less overwhelming. For me, I liked starting with the bathroom. It’s my least favorite place to clean and I’m likely to give it my all because I’m pumped and have tons of energy at the onset.

2. The iPod must be ON, LOUD, and playing all your favorite tunes. Yes, I’m totally admitting that I sang and danced…basically had a private concert with a mop and sponge in my hand.

3. No distractions. I became a hermit for the day so that I could focus. Once I’m in the zone, I just want to keep going. My thought is if you stop to take a phone call for 45 minutes, you lose motivation and momentum. Just push through it!

4. Wear gloves. I don’t know about you, but I HATE the residual smell of chemicals on my hands even after you’ve vigorously washed them. We want to keep our hands soft and sexy at all times!

5. Treat yourself after a job well done. Spring cleaning takes a lot of time and energy. Once you’re done, you deserve something special. I bought myself a gorgeous bouquet of bright flowers that enhanced my newly cleaned home AND treated myself to some take-out. Admittedly, the take-out treat was two-fold. One, I didn’t have the energy to cook or even push buttons on the microwave after I finished the big scrub down; and two, there was no way in HELL, I was going to dirty even a spoon after the day I had and ruin my pristine kitchen.

Happy spring, happy cleaning, happy spring cleaning! xx

12Apr2013

Highlights

Posted in Beauty, Explore, Food, Fun, Home Decor, Lunch by C.

This week has been all about the finishing touches, those small details that make the WORLD of difference. In retrospect, these little details and finishing touches hit nearly every area of my life and lead to one of the best, most productive, and happiest weeks I feel like I’ve had in quite a while.

From returning to yoga practice (after missing two weeks), checking out the Silver Lake Farmers’ Market for the first time for fresh strawberries; frolicking around Universal City Walk in search of the best popcorn ever (see my new favorite flavor here), finally giving in to the use of a make-up primer, to a few sweet surprises from a sweet guy, and stopping to enjoy a small treat a friend brought back from Paris – it’s been a week full of finishing touches, little details, and small pleasures. It’s making the world of difference.

Have a great weekend! xx

Blend

10Apr2013

|| What I’m Lovin’ Right Now ||

Posted in Dinner, DIY, Fashion, Food, Fun, Home Decor, Inspiration, Treats by C.

To be perfectly honest, I’m struggling a lot lately with the concept of perfect timing. There are three big things in my life that I know without a doubt that I want to do right this exact moment, but somehow keep putting off for the proverbial “right time.” As they say, “there’s never going to be a right time.” The conflict I have is also thinking about the proverbial saying “that everything is as it should be.” So I ask you: if there’s never going to be a right time to chase your dreams and goals, yet everything is as it should be, which philosophy do you subscribe to?

This does not imply that I think you should just sit back and let life happen because that’s how it should be. Nor does it imply that I think forging ahead and ignoring the pace of the universe is the answer either. I suppose the bigger philosophical understanding is knowing when to stop waiting for the perfect moment because that’s how it should be. Perhaps it’s as simple as when these two universal truths intersect that you have your answer. Aside from the realization that I believe my “intersection” has come and big changes are on the horizon for me, I’ve also been having other philosophical understandings… in many not so deep nor complicated ways.

here’s what i’m lovin’ right now

|| Wise words. ||

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|| The perfect casual LBD. // American Vintage Jacksonville Dress. ||

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|| 50 Shades Wall Art. // Christian Grey. // Anatasia Steele. ||

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|| Ice Cube Tray Sushi. // Homemade & no rolling required. // Recipe here. ||

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|| Urban Outfitters’ Gallery Coffee Table. // Deets here. ||

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|| 17 Apps You Can’t Live Without. // Deets here. ||

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|| Restoration Hardware iPhone Gramophone. // Deets here. ||

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4Apr2013

Finishing Touches

Posted in DIY, Fun, Home Decor, Inspiration by C.

It’s been nearly a year since I moved into my own place. I can’t tell you how much I’ve relished this time in my life. No roommates to think about. No coordinating of schedules for kitchen and bathroom time. No worrying about other people’s guests, cleanliness issues, people stealing/eating your food, or bringing personal drama into our shared home. Move over, L.C. – my sophomore year of college should have been a MTV reality show with all the drama we had in our on-campus apartment!

Don’t get me wrong, as with everything in life there’s a time for certain experiences and I’m glad I had those periods in my life living with roommates. It was fun to have someone to hang out with, to chat to, or watch a movie with on an otherwise ordinary weekday night. But boy was I ready to step out on my own years before I could actually afford to do it.

Everything in my home represents me: dramatic dark wood furniture, lilac colored painted walls – with a large heather (purple) accent wall, lots of DVDs, books, candles, a little salute to Marilyn Monroe (after delving into her biography), vases of fresh flowers, and I’m a huge fan of wall quotes.

I’m just about finished with my apartment. While it’s not huge or expensively decorated – I love walking in the front door every single day. It’s cozy, it’s comfortable, it’s tranquil, it’s modern, it’s timeless, it’s me. There are a few finishing touches that I need (or things that I want to replace) to finally bring it all together. Here are just a few visual ideas that I’m playing with. Some are the actual item on my must-have list, while other’s are just examples that I love but intend to find something comparable.

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