Moving On!

I have to aplogize for being so inconsistent on sharing fun ideas for decorating, organizing, recipes, and family fun as we start the new year!  But I have a good excuse...really!  We are moving!  In the midst of trying to get our home ready to put on the market (our own version of Design to Sell), looking for a new home, and then all of the other crazy stuff that goes along with it...I have neglected my "Sweetheart Moments" friends!  So, I apologize and I am hoping that within this next week or two that things calm down and we can start the real fun. 

Our first home is sold and we are hoping the timing works out for us to move into our next home soon.  And we are hoping that this "new home" is one we love and becomes our forever home!  With all of the craziness and stress...I cannot wait to focus on the fun part of creating a home for our family that we find warm and cozy and sweet!  Stay tuned for lots of home projects, before and afters, and clever ideas you might also like to use!  Thanks for sticking with me, you won't regret it! 
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I Love Me Some IKEA!

Yesterday, we had the perfect family day...in my eyes!!  Well, it was almost perfect.  It would have been even better if I had been able to purchase everything that I loved.  That would have the been the most perfect family day.  What did we do, you may be asking?  Well, we spent our morning at IKEA!  On my husband's way home from work, we decided to meet in the middle at IKEA and start our day with a cheap and delicious breakfast.  Who doesn't love Swedish pancakes and sausage for $1.99??  It was yummy!  I took some photos from our visit (of which some turned out) but I visit another blog that also captures a love for IKEA and she has some photos she took on a recent visit too.  Here are a few below from Our Suburban Cottage.  Check it out!

And then the four of us traveled the aisles, writing down notes, taking photos and discussing what we loved and what we didn't.  I love IKEA.  I must admit that each piece of furniture is not my style but there are many items that I do love.  And the accessories (see those darling vases above) and organizational items are worth the trip.  You can organize any closet, cabinet, office, etc. for such an affordable price at IKEA!  It was lots of fun trying to be inspired as we dreamed of furnishing our rooms with some new and fresh furniture.  I am such a sucker for the color white.  I want this beautiful media center!!!  It gives such a clean and crisp cottage feel! 

It may not be your style but I encourage you to take a trip to your local IKEA, if you are lucky enough to have one near you.  Enjoy a cheap and delicous meal and then hit the aisles for some decorating and organizing inspiration.  Even your kiddos will have a grand time because the children's area is like one giant playroom!  My little guy grabbed a cart filled with two cranes, a spatula, and his sippy cup and rolled around the store as happy as could be!  We'll see if any of these favorite photo items make it into my house...fingers crossed...I do have a birthday coming up (hint hint to my sweet hubby)!! :)

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New Year...New Organizational Systems!

I really do love this time of year...time to reflect, time to set goals, and time to get better organized!  So, what's on my agenda for January when it comes to organizing?  I am working on creating a "Mom Space."  The first step is finding a spot to get yourself organized.  While we do have an office space, I have come to realize that having a small area just for me in the kitchen/family room area works even better.  This is where most of my time is spent during the day with making meals, cleaning up, watching the kiddos, and so on.  So, to have a spot near all of this action makes things easier.  The "Mom Space" doesn't need to be large...just big enough to get yourself organized with a calendar, some files, your home binder, a phone, writing tools, etc.  Look around your kitchen and family room right now!

Once you have located that spot...it's time to start creating some organizational tools.  I love file folders!!  They are a great way to organize subjects such as:  babysitter notes, address lists, a file for each member of the family, etc.  You can decide if you like to store files horizontally or laterally and find a container that works best for how you like to work!  Check out Just Organize Yourself for some great ideas on creating your own space and some organizational tools.  You can even find cute file folders and file folder containers that match your decor.

The final stage of this "Mom Space" takes a bit more time and effort and it creating your "Home Binder."  This is the step I have come to and I am in the midst of!  It can include as much or as little as you desire.  Basically, you need a binder, some divider tabs, and all of the information to put inside.  Some categories you might wish to include are:  important contact information/phone numbers, medical records, decorating details (paint colors for each room, fabric swatches, etc.), menu planning, weekly plans/schedules, and the list goes on.  Personalize it with a cute cover and make it work for you! 

I hope you are inspired to start this new year with some new organizational systems.  Good luck and I would love to hear from you if you have any ideas for creating your own "Mom Space!"
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Goals for the New Year!!

Starting a new year...there is something so hopeful and exciting about setting goals for a new year!  But I sometimes feel that pull too, that it's just something to do and after the "newness" of the year wears off...we just go back to living life the same old way.  I think one BIG difference you can add to your resolutions and goals this January is to create action steps on ways to tackle these goals.  If you have a plan and you get organized, you are on the right path to growing and accomplishing more!  So here are a few of my goals and action steps for 2010...

1.  Be responsible and get our finances in a place that we feel "stress free" and proud of them!
Action Steps:  Downsize our home, get onto a cash system with envelopes, and read Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" book!

2.  Get in shape!  (I might be the same weight before I had my little bundle of joy, but my body has changed and I need to get back to a shape I am comfortable with.)
Action Steps:  Eat less fast food, plan meals ahead of time, and go on daily walks and jogs!

3.  Become a better homemaker! 
Action Steps:  Tackle a load of laundry a day, do weekly grocery shopping on Sundays, meal plan for the week with a collection of yummy and easy recipes, make sure the house is always organized and straightened before going out the door or heading to bed.

4.  Read more books and watch less television!
Action Steps:  Start a book/movie club with my girlfriends and read about a book a month, only turn the television on at night for a relaxing show before bed.

5.  Go to bed earlier!
Action Steps:  Head upstairs by 10:30 each night and curl up in bed with a good book and fall asleep, no working on projects late into the night!

Well, now you've seen all my shortcoming and the goals I have set for myself this year!  I would love to hear one of yours.  Good luck and don't forget to think about and write down ways and action steps you will make to meet these goals!!  Happy New Year!
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