Autzve's shelves are organized and pretty. The blue makes even the utilitarian cement blocks feel like a deliberate choice and add a sense of humour.
Ah, the weekend. When focusing and relaxing are the raison d'etre. Maybe you'd like to put
a few last minute touches on your home to make it company ready or join us at
Le Swap (link and details, after the jump). Whatever you do, do some hanging out in your home this weekend. Take a long soak in the tub and
have a spa night, eat at home, catch up on old magazines, read a book (maybe even try your hand at a media fast). As you move through your home, consider what you can do to up the
coziness factor, so
your home feels as comfortable as your favorite t-shirt?
Remember
Lisa Makes debate, two weeks ago, over which shelving unit to use for her landing strip? She went for the Ikea Trones. Her landing strip is now functional, inviting, simple and stylin'. Good job!
Here are some questions to ask yourself as we wind down:
- Do I have a few good places to read and relax besides my bed?
- Is my landing strip working or do I need to make some changes?
- Is there food in my fridge and my pantry that can be put together for a simple meal or am I resorting to take out or running to the store?
- Is there a place for everything or do I find that some stuff is lying around because I just don't know where to put it?
- Is my home easy to clean and keep clean?
- Is my bathroom arranged so that, when I'm in a hurry, I can find everything I need and still put it away easily so I don't leave it looking like a tornado hit it?
Remember the great debate over displaying family pictures? Koko Studios intersperses them with other items. Bottom left? Those are baby pictures but they're also interesting art.
This weekend we'll be hosting
Le Swap at Surfas, an incredible kitchen supply store located in Culver City on Saturday morning at 10 am. Bring the contents of your outbox -- or just your self and your questions -- and join Laure and I in person for a coffee. Learn more
here..
Deep Treatment
- Clean bathrooms and related closets: get rid of stuff you don't use and start using stuff that you've been "saving" for guests.
- Declutter cabinets and closets: putting like items together and then grouping them by colour can go a long way towards making a space look and feel neat and that's really half the battle.
- Arrange your bathroom efficiently: toss what you're not using.
- Upgrade your razor and shaving supplies: you deserve to feel pampered every morning.
- Purchase bath salts and a nice soap: a great fragrance, if you're not allergic, can make the whole room smell great.
- Place a candle in your bathroom: and use it. Light it at night while you're getting ready for bed or while you take a shower or a bath.
- Consider scents for your home: sticks, rocks, candles, room sprays, plug-ins -- fragrance comes in many different forms.
- Plan for the week ahead on Sunday: look at your calendar and balance your week between work and play, going out and staying home, productive nights and veg nights.
- Wake early and take a bath before work: follow Gregory's lead and use this time to meditate in the bath.
- Optional: consider a media fast for the next week: try it for a day. Here are some tips if you're game.
- Optional: straighten your desk at work: are there things in your outbox that can be used to make your desk at work more functional or attractive?
One Room Remedy
- Finalize your lighting arrangement: uplights, task lights, overhead lights -- every room should have at least three sources of light.
- Get painting: Call in a professional if you're overwhelmed.
I love the "Who is John Galt?" sticker!!! Where did you get it?
view Lexo's profile
Lexo,
http://www.zazzle.com/who_is_john_galt_bumper_sticker_bumpersticker-128435441330767965
Or maybe look around ebay. I bought one from there once.
view jamiealyse's profile
YAY John Galt.
view dialmformarvel's profile
Yay! More John Galt fans! : ) Oh, y'all made my day.
Can't remember where I got it, but CafePress.com has lots of options.
view ashleym (aka autzve on flickr)'s profile
I can't believe we have Ayn Rand fans on this site.
I don't agree that the blue paint transforms the concrete blocks. They're still concrete block bookcases, to be junked as soon as the budget allows.
view AustinSarah2's profile
Budget and space, yup. : )
Rand fans are all over the place. Why shouldn't they be here too?
view ashleym (aka autzve on flickr)'s profile
I heard they are going to make Atlas Shrugged into a movie staring Angelina Jolie and and maybe Brad Pitt
view wu1chef's profile
Yeah, she was interested back in 2006... http://www.atlasthefilm.com/News.htm
view Kathryn's profile
I will be so upset if the two of them make that movie. It will be such a letdown.
view Lexo's profile
It's been in "pre-production," according to IMDB for quite a while. It won't get made. Really, the only way they could do it (right?) is a huge mini-series, tho there were rumors of a three-parter.
I still haven't seen the adaptation of The Fountainhead.
view ashleym (aka autzve on flickr)'s profile
I disagree with the commenter(s) who don't like the painted blocks. I think it looks colorful and fine. The niches in them are good for putting objects in for storage or decoration. They expand the storage potential of the shelves and organize the space.
I also disagree that they are to be replaced when the budget allows. One of the reasons people have so much trouble with money these days is that they reject what is working fine for them (and looks fine) in order to live up to some aesthetic standard imposed upon them by others. If it works, keep it. Save the money.
However, I would weed out the shelves some more. They're a bit packed for my tastes, but they're not my shelves.
view Orchid64's profile
Re: scents for the home, at World Market they have a tiny reed diffuser kit for $5. The white jasmine scent so GREAT- i have it in my bedroom and love it. Thought i'd share!
view ashleym (aka autzve on flickr)'s profile
Sorry, I meant "is" instead of "so."
I'm hungry and not thinking right I guess : )
view ashleym (aka autzve on flickr)'s profile
It's very Rosemary's Baby. The brick headboard, I mean.
view Kimber's profile
White jasmine sounds so great. That's one of my favorite scents.
view idiotdogbrain's profile
great job! (and 2nd what Orchid64 had to say!)
view loislane's profile