5_week3_upstairsflowers_012313.jpgThis week I beat the dust bunnies under my bed, the yellow-y white on the walls (including this niche), and the clutter by my front door. There are cheerful, inexpensive flower arrangements dotting my household. I feel like I got a lot done, and I'm grateful for the accountability writing about my January Cure has required of me.

2_week3_entrylandingstrip.jpgDay 9: Create a Landing Strip.
My husband and I splurged on and really love the raw edge table that sits next to our front door. Anchored by the table, the entryway functions well in terms of having spots for coins, keys, my purse, and my husband's favorite cap. (Coats and scarves stay out of sight in a small closet under the stairs to the second floor.) Where the landing strip really fails, as I was quickly reminded on Day 4, is for the mail.

I picked up a vintage silver mail holder for special docs, but I'm reconsidering where I put important mail before I file it away upstairs.

Day 10: Work on Your Goal Project.
My project for this evening was to widen the curtains in my bedroom. Unfortunately I forgot to buy new drywall anchors (I've learned to use the metal ones labeled as being for hollow doors), so I did this project on Sunday. The curtains no longer look cramped, and the window seems bigger.

4_week3_paintedhallway.jpgDay 11: Try a Media Fast.
On Wednesday night I was on deadline for a post, so I didn't complete this directive until Saturday. That day, I went to yoga, made a nice lunch, painted the rest of my hallway a bright white (one thing to cross off my to-do list! see above), and prepped a hearty stew for dinner. My husband and I finished the night sitting by the fire listening to music and drinking wine.

1_week3_bookshelf.jpgDay 12: Declutter Books and Media.
I'm such a scofflaw. On this day I happened to receive a stack of seven or eight books for free, and I added the new titles and reorganized my shelves. I have no intentions of buying an e-reader, and there's still more than 10 percent of the shelf space left for the radio, a few prints, a new bookend, and bits of my collections (above).

6_week3_bedroom.jpgDay 13: Weekend Chores - Flowers & Bedroom
Last week's flowers, some pink tulips, are still doing pretty well and are adding color to my very brown and white kitchen. On Saturday I hit up the grocery store again and bought happy-looking white poms, which cost about $4 and made five small arrangements. They are adding spring-like cheer to multiple rooms in my house.

As far as my bedroom, I did some serious organizing and dusting. Uncharacteristically in the mood to purge, I filled two garbage bags with clothing to donate. I washed the sheets, the duvet, and the comforter itself (here's to ones that aren't dry clean only). While cleaning the room I found a missing sock, heating pad, and family photos.

MORE OF KIM'S JANUARY CURE:
• Week One
• Week Two

(Images: Kim Rinehimer)

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