First Day at Work as a Commuter

Just as I had figured, life as a commuter isn't that bad except at lunchtime. What do we do? I don't want to eat at work - that makes the day WAY too long. Today, Dave and I decided to eat at our respective offices super quick and then run around town a bit. We scarfed our food and then headed to my favorite consignment furniture store, Round The House. My Mom got us our china hutch last summer from the store in Tulsa.

We were kind of just looking for rugs and random finds that might work in the new house when we came across this beautiful trunk! After playing with it for a few minutes to make sure it closed and clasped shut, we asked how much it was. $79. Dave's eyes lit up, SOLD!

Now we just have to figure out where to put it?

After I dropped Dave back off at work, I headed to Michaels in search of a dry erase calendar for the laundry room. I'd still been lusting after the Pottery Barn Daily System but couldn't bear to spend that much. But to be honest, I probably would have caved had I not found one that's absolutely perfect and almost identical for less than half the price!

Here's Mine:

Michael's - framed, magnetic dry erase calendar, with cork board at the bottom - $21

Michael's - framed cork board $10

They're both framed in espresso colored wood - apologies for the iphone pictures, still haven't found the camera cord.

And here's Pottery Barn's overpriced twin version of what I got!

Pottery Barn's Daily System - Espresso Magnetic Whiteboard Calendar $54

Pottery Barn's Framed Corkboard - $34
But that's not all, in order to hang Pottery Barn's version, you'll have to buy this display rod for whatever reason. One for the calendar, and one for the corkboard, $20 and $12 respectively.

So let's add that up:
Pottery Barn's Overpriced Daily System:

• Calendar - $54
• Display Rod for Calendar - $20
• Corkboard - $34
• Display Rod for Corkboard - $12

Total: $120

Michael's Awesome Exact Same Version:

• Magnetic Dry Erase Calendar w/ bottom cork board - $21
• Corkboard - $10

Total: $22
(which left $ to buy super cute push pins and colored dry erase markers! So my spending total was at $30)

All in all, it was a very successful lunch for the commuters! I promise to post pics once I get the hubbs to hang them up!

The Big Move

Our closing date is 2 1/2 weeks away! I can't believe it. I really hope the weather is nice on February 27 for moving day. It would be nice to not freeze our butts off while we carry in box after box.

I keep going back and forth about the whole move. One day I'm excited to have more room and a beautiful house that is all ours, and the next day I'm sad to leave our cute little one bedroom on campus. I know it will take some adjusting, with the commute from Oklahoma City to Norman for work and not being able to go home for lunch my day will change drastically. Hopefully the pros of homeownership will outweigh the cons. I'm looking forward to spring time for entertaining on our new deck. I'm also looking forward to decorating the new house, which is pretty much all I think about right now. These have become my obsession:

So here's the run-down of what's left to do:
I've got to book the U-Haul and pick up some more boxes.
Find a good place for the doggy door, buy and hopefully talk Rex into installing said doggy door. (Opal if you're reading, please pass along the hint)
Find rugs that are nice to look at, soft on the feet, and cheap.
Figure out how much wallpaper we'll need for the dining room wall. (post to come later!)
Go through closet and get rid of as much as I can! The new house is old - built in 1924 aka NO closet space!
Find kitchen table for next to the stove.
Change utilities to new address.
Find an alarm company and get that set up.
Decide between U-Verse and Cox. (Pretty sure U-Verse will win.)
And of course, plan where furniture and decor will go! (This will be the first thing completed on this list. Guaranteed.)

Getting Organized

I've been searching my favorite websites for organization tips and solutions and I've come up with a list of things I'd like to use in our house:

Stylish Jewelry Storage: I have a few little bowls and trays I've picked up on trips and was just thinking the other day about wanting to organize my jewelry better. Now I just need to find a drawer to use!

From MarthaStewart.com, "Orphaned teacups and saucers are perfect vessels for sorting jewelry, and, when arranged in a velvet-lined drawer, they give you an easy-to-scan bird's-eye view of your bijoux. To set it up, measure the height of the drawer's side (not the front), then gather dishware that's slightly shorter. Line the drawer with velvet or felt to prevent rattling and sliding, then position the porcelain. Hook drop earrings on rims of cups, nestle necklaces within them, and stash chunkier beads and bangles on individual saucers."

Or if you're into a more streamlined/masculine look:

Also from MarthaStewart.com, "Square acrylic organizers give ties and belts their own homes. Underneath, blue acid-free mat board lines the drawer for extra color. Additional trays are cushioned with coordinating felt to protect the jewelry inside."

Craft Cupboard: We all know I love to craft - and this would make it a lot easier when I've got the creative bug! Right now I've got grocery bags full of paint along with bins full of everything else. I don't know how many times I've said, "I know it's in here somewhere."

From MarthaStewart.com, "If you don't have a spare room, just dedicate a corner to creativity. This compact cupboard keeps all your supplies in one spot, so you won't have to search for paper or paint when a crafty mood strikes."

That's all for now... I'll let you know what other organizational tips I can find!

Great Ideas

I was stumbling around and ended up on one of my favorite websites Real Simple. They always have the best little home and entertaining ideas. When I read some of their "New uses for old household objects"I thought I should share. I will definitely be trying this one out and my hubbs will be happy to possibly eliminate the clutter under the kitchen sink! "Forget unruly plastic bags that seemingly regenerate under your kitchen sink. An empty tissue box keeps them neatly corralled and ready for use."

I also really like this idea for traveling. "A giveaway shower cap becomes the perfect wrapper for shoes when traveling, preventing them from dirtying clothes packed in your suitcase."

I can't wait to try this on the next warm morning we have... hopefully winter will hold off a little longer! We love walking the dogs in the mornings and this would be great to take them to breakfast at Cafe Plaid or Starbucks! "A binder clip serves as a key chain/money holder you can clamp to your waistband for a purse-free morning walk."

 

And there was one idea I had already done! Love this website! "Silence cabinet doors that slam with cork sliced into thin disks and glued onto the inside corners." (I used felt circle stickers that can be found in the picture hanging department)

 

And I can't wait to try this idea! Maybe for the holiday party in a couple weeks? So adorable! "Give cocktails extra pop with lollies in complementary colors subbed in for stirrers."

There are 50 different ideas so if you're interested in hearing more check them out here!