2012... Planning For The Year Ahead and A Few Thanks

It's January 1, 2012 and this is the first post for the year. Resolutions are not something I do, but I do think it's a perfect time for some forecasting and planning ahead. 

When I initially started The Uncluttered Lifestyle my original intent was to focus on decluttering and organization, with an occasional project about my love of all things vintage and antique. Looking back, I don't think I've done so well with goal. I even started a series entitled "Unclutter It Thursday" in the hope to redirect things but sadly I didn't continue it. Tisk, tisk... :( However, all is not lost. It's just time to regroup and reorganized.

First up for 2012... get back on track by restarting "Unclutter It Thursday." There are a lot of projects around this farmhouse that will involve purging and simplifying, all of which will be shared during the series. It's my hope to eventually turn the series into a linky party so we can all share wonderful tips and decluttering projects. (Oh and yes, I know that Unclutter is not a real word. But I like it so I'm going with it.) Stay tuned!

Second, since starting this blog my design tastes have evolved. I no longer feel the need to stick to one particular look for our home. This is no doubt due to the wonderful inspiration seen on the many blogs I frequent. I'm now comfortable buying what I love and making it work with everything else I love. That being said, I know touring your home is a source of joy for me so why shouldn't share mine with you. I will continue to show before/after projects, but I will endeavor to show more of our little farmhouse and where all these before/after pieces are landing.

There you have it folks, my two goals for the first six months of the year. As with everything else in life, balance is needed and I want to ensure that I continue to enjoy blogging and not begin feel as though it's a dreaded task. More importantly, given the other obligations I have, I think that's more than enough to keep me busy. Once things become consistent for the first six months will add to the list.


Now, on to the thank yous...

Creative Kristi featured the Dresser Turned Media Cabinet.

Thank you Kristi. Drop by her blog, she offers awesome blog design services!

Barbara at 21 Rosemary Lane gave Uncluttered Lifestyle the Blog on Fire Award. Thank you darling!

When receiving the award we are to thank the giver, share five unique things about yourself, and then pass the torch to five other deserving blogs.


Five unique things about me... ummmm:

1. I'm the only left-handed person in my immediate family (Parents, 3 siblings, son, nephews, nieces, and umpteen in-laws included).
2. I have hands identical to my mother's except my right hand looks like her left and my left hand looks like her right. (weird, right?!)
3. I hate cooked spinach, but love spinach dip and baby spinach salad.
4. I do not have a middle name.
5. I have year-round allergies (Go me!)

Okie dokie, I think those are unique enough. Five blogs on fire to me are:

1. Sweet Girl Expressions... my, my, my check out Katie's projects. The girl has got skillz!
2. Simple Details... Pam recently made slipcovers for her bar stools saving moolah and showing its all in the details.
3. Dumped and Discovered... Sarah and her hubby rescue dumped furniture, giving it new life. Check out their before & after projects.
4. Shabby Story... Lynn has the sweetest cottage. She recently added a new "mantel" to her bedroom and has given me an idea for our guest room.
5. At Home In The Northwest... Jen showed an inexpensive doormat project that when displayed will look like a million bucks baby! Thanks Jen for my next project.

Till next time... happy blogging!

2011 Year In Review

When I initially contemplated blogging I wasn't sure if it was going to be something that I enjoyed, but as it turns out I love it. I didn't start blogging until January 31,2011. So it hasn't been quite a full year but it has been a very fulfilling year. To end the year with 112 followers is more than I ever expected back in January. I have to thank you bunches for following along!

This year has gone by in the blink of an eye and like many other bloggers I'd like to end with a small recap of the top 5 favorites.

1. Buffet Update: This was my first time refinishing wood. When I finished it gave me the confidence to tackle #2 on the countdown.

2. Two Toned Roll-Top: I still love this piece. I wish I could have gotten the true color. Its not so cool in color, definitely much more warm.

3. Nail Head Monogram Message Board. I'm still healing from some mishaps with this one! Ouch!

4. Media Cabinet Dresser. Certainly my newest love in the house.

5. Kitchen Command Center: If you do not have a command center in your house, you should think about implementing one. It is our go-to spot now.

Thanks again for being on this journey with me. Looking forward to continuing on in to 2012. Till next time!

Thank You!

Wow is really I can say! I can not believe the response I've received from my Dresser Turned Media Cabinet post.

Janel at Hating Martha awarded me with the Liebster Blog Award. Thanks Janel!

This award is meant to give a big SHOUT OUT to new up & coming blogs...blogs with fewer than 200 followers... (that's me!) This is a pay-it-forward type of award... here's what I'm supposed to do:

• Choose five up & coming blogs with fewer than 200 followers to award the Liebster to;
• Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them (it might be good to become a follower of theirs too; hint, hint);
• Post the award on your blog.  Be sure to put a link back to the blogs you have give the Liebster to so everyone else can pay them a visit.

This who I'm passing the torch to:

1. The Family Room Design Studio: When I first found this blog I knew I was going to love it. You just have to check out her kitchen update. Simply marvelous.
2. Ties 2 The Past: The painted signs that she makes are amazing. I wish I had half her talent.
3. Town & Country Living: Jennifer lives in a sweet little farmhouse that is decorated just divinely. Certainly a must see.
4. The Farmhouse Porch: You have to visit to see her recipe for Antiqued Book Bundles made with new paperbacks. It's the newest thing on my to do list. 
5. Stonehouse Living: I'm just so smitten with all of her decor. 

As the award were not enough. DaNita at Delightful Order featured my new media cabinet! I was #4 on her most clicked countdown from her linky party. Not too shabby!

If you have never paid a visit to her blog you are certainly missing out! She has a host of wonderful projects for your viewing and inspirational pleasure.

Master Bedroom Updates

Sooooo, not much new on the bedroom front, just a whole lotta painting. I mean a looooooooooot of painting. Not even the type of painting that thrills a person. I've been painting picture rails, baseboards, mouldings, and what not.

It's definitely needed.  In the photo below the door was the color of all the trim. It blended right into the wall color. Don't you think it looks much better now!

I still have the ceiling (which is the same color as the door) and both sides of three doors to do if anyone wants to come lend a hand.

Till next time... happy blogging!

Dresser Turned Media Cabinet

Remember this fabric I ordered for the master bedroom, but when it arrived I said would be perfect in the living room?

Here it is but its taken on a new form as pillows. I am truly smitten with this fabric.

Even though I'm smitten, I didn't realize how much change one yard of fabric would inspire in our living room. But over the weekend I let inspiration reign supreme. After making the new pillow covers, I moved on to our "media cabinet" which was a antique serpentine dresser. Unfortunately, over time the top of the dresser started to warp. Do you see the gap in the front? It may look very minor, but in fact it was driving me crazy. So I changed it!

In walks this tall drink of water... and yes, I almost forgot to take before photos again. She was all battered and bruised from neglect.

Surely, it was nothing a little sanding, patching, more sanding, priming, painting, some more light sanding in between each layer, distressing, and glazing couldn't handle. And handling it was done! Ta-Dah!

Originally, we intended to use the top two drawers for the equipment but the receiver was too tall. No worries, I like them on the bottom just as well. (Yes, ladies I have to endure the speaker system right next to the TV. Can't go putting holes in the plaster walls of our rental. I would love to upgrade to a smaller set.)

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This is the view from the couch. See how the fabric pulls in the green ceiling and new turquoise media cabinet. Another recent change is the wall color, they used to be a more golden color. The walls are now Balsam Beige by Sherwin Williams. 

There are more changes on the horizon for the room. I've had these two vases for literally years. I got them  from TJ Maxx in 2004 when bought our second house. Funny thing is, all this time I haven't been sure where to put them. So, I've lugged them to three additional houses since then because I love the colors. I think I've finally figured out what to do with them. But I'll leave that for another post, because I want some input.

I hope you liked my new media cabinet. Till next time... happy blogging!

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