Ideas on how to clean and organize the home

New Martha Stewart Show ~

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And it’s Monday. These weekends I tell you go too fast. My weekend was pretty good. On Saturday my husband and I had the day to ourselves so we just ran errands and had dinner. It was really nice. On Sunday I went to get my nails done and puttered around the house trying to get small chores done. I did find some beautiful roses at Costco. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Aren’t they pretty? They smell wonderful too. I completely forgot to share a new show that I was watching last year and little this year. Did any of you hear about Martha’s new show called, “Martha Knows Best“? Martha started this show last year to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at her home projects while we were all required to quarantine. 

photo credit: Martha Moments on Instagram 

 

I really enjoyed the show. She still had celebrity guests (via Zoom) and would surprise average gardeners by calling them randomly and talking with them about their home projects. It was a really good show. 

 

photo credit: Martha Moments on Instgram 

 

I hope you guys are able to watch a few episodes online.  It is a great show (not surprised) and I think you would really enjoy all of the information and things that you could learn from our domestic queen. Let me know in the comments section below what show did you discover during the quarantine of 2020? 

Also, I wanted everyone to know that there is a coupon code available for the boutique. If you use JULY50 you will receive 50% off of your order. The only item that it cannot be used on is the new arrival. If you have asked to be added to my blog’s email list then you received that code on Saturday. I hope you all enjoy the discount! 

 

 

Have a great Monday!

 

Linen Inventory ~ For the Table

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Oh, the weather has been fantastic here! I know we are suppose to get cold again but oh it has been so nice. It feels like spring is really here. My Canadian chokecherry tree is blooming and he is really pretty! I named him Murphy. I know it’s weird but I think it suits him. 

Okay, so we are finishing up our linen inventory discussion from Jane Scott Hodges book, Linens for Everyone Room and Occasion. Today is the tabletop inventory….

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

Now I will be the first to admit that my inventory for my tabletop is okay. I have a basket full of linen napkins and I never have enough that match. But for the most part, I have the majority of the inventory that Jane suggests:

 

  • 1 casual tablecloth
  • 1 formal tablecloth
  • 6 linen guest towels
  • 12 casual placemats and dinner napkins
  • 12 formal placemats and dinner napkins
  • 24 cocktail napkins 

Now the items that I do not possess are the cocktail napkins but we really don’t drink a lot so I will have to think about that. 

 

 

I am trying to get into the habit of inviting people over for dinner more. The pandemic last year and this year has made that really hard. Last Friday, I invited my in-laws over again I used all of my linens. It is always a wonderful feeling to use beautiful things that you have. 

This was my dinner above. I made roasted broccoli, roasted potatoes, ranch and bread coated chicken, and a spinach, green, and apple salad. It was all so delicious and I had everything done in 1 hour 15 minutes! 

How is your tabletop inventory? Do you use tablecloths and napkins? Let’s chat below! Have a great Wednesday!

 

 

 

 

 

Please note: some links are affiliate links and if you make a purchase through this link, I will receive a small commission for referring you to the product. Thank you so much in advance if you decide to make a purchase through my link.

 

 

Linen Inventory ~ For the Guests

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Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a great weekend! I did, it was rainy the entire time but I ordered some more vintage Weiss earrings from Poshmark, got a new purple plant for my blue and white planter, planted some beautiful purple stock in my new swan planter, and did some dress shopping for the boutique.

Have any of you started any garden work in your yards yet? What are your special projects for the spring? I did get some rose bushes from Costco and planted those so we will see how they do.

On Friday I talked about the linen list that author Jane Scott Hodges mentioned in her book. Today I wanted to share her linen inventory list for the guest bedroom and bathroom. 

 

photo credit: Jane Scott Hodges 

Jane suggested having the following to provide your guest:

Guest Bedroom:

  • 2 sets of sheets (flat, fitted, and pillowcases)
  • 2 blanket covers (styled for summer and winter)
    2 sets of shams to match the blanket covers
  • 1 duvet cover
  • 1 throw quilt
  • 1 boudoir pillow or neck roll

I still have not found a neck roll that I like. I am still on the hunt!

 

photo credit: Julia Berolzheimer 

For the guest bathroom:

  • 4 linen guest towels
  • 4 bath sheets
  • 6 bath towels
  • 6 fingertip towels
  • 6 washcloths
  • 2 bath mats

I hope this list was helpful to you all. You can use this as just a starting point to begin your linen inventory. My dream is to have a bigger linen closet one day. I hate smashing everything into my small hallway closet. I don’t understand why linen closets are still so small. Do any of you have large linen closets? I really would love to turn my step-son’s bedroom into a decor room but we will see. 

Thanks for reading and have a great Monday!  

 

 

 

 

 

Linen Inventory~ Thoughts?

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Good Morning Everyone,

The weekend awaits and again I don’t have much planned. My daughter has a hair appointment and I really want to visit a thrift store. I haven’t gone to one in a while and I have the “itch” to go and take a peek. I am in the office today and have a lot to do on my list so hopefully, everything will get done. I hope you all have had a chance to see my new arrivals at the boutique. I am really loving my new accessories and I am offering a first-time purchase coupon code. If you type in FTP10 in the coupon code box you will receive 10% off of your entire purchase!

I am also offering a 15% off code to those who have already made a purchase. If you would simply post a review on the boutique of your item I will email you the code. Okay, let’s get into today’s post. 

I am still reading Linens for Every Room and Occasion and yesterday I came across her linen inventory list. Now, this caught my attention because I have been thinking about this recently. I have been checking my linens and trying to decide if they need to be replaced. I did just purchase a new sheet and comforter set for our bed and it is so hard to get my daughter to commit to a new set. She doesn’t want anything floral…. so that limits me. 

However, I did want to share this list with you all and get your thoughts…

Master Bedroom:

  • 2 sets of sheets (flat, fitted and pillowcases)
  • 2 blanket covers (styled for summer and winter)
    2 sets of shams to match the blanket covers
  • 1 year-round blanket
  • 1 duvet cover
  • 1 throw quilt
  • 2 his and hers wedge pillows for reading (this sounds good)
    2 boudoir or neck roll shams (I really need one of these)

 

photo credit: Jane Scott Hodges (Paul Castello)

 

Now time for her Master Bathroom list:

  • 6 bath sheets
  • 12 bath towels
  • 12 hand towels
  • 12 fingertip towels
  • 12 washcloths
  • 2 bath mats

Okay, so I looked up fingertip towels and bath sheets. I found these fingertip towels on Amazon and these monogram ones as well. Do any of you own these? We do own a few bath sheets. We love them! They cover your whole body not just half.  Let me know in the comments section below if you already own most of these items. I am really curious. Next week I will be sharing her list for the guest bathroom, guest bedroom, and tabletop. Until then have a wonderful weekend!

 

 

fyi: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.

 

30~Days of Cleaning

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Good Afternoon Everyone,

I had a pretty good weekend. Things really didn’t work out for my photoshoot for the boutique. The original model that I wanted could not make it due to family reasons. So then I asked my sister in law who comes down every weekend to see my in-laws and she initially agreed but could not due to her husband’s coaching schedule. No fun but while I was waiting I got an email from Fed-Ex saying that my order was arriving today and it turns out that it was my mannequin. Perfecting timing!

So I moved right along using my mannequin for the boutique photos and I think they turned out great! I keep telling myself, you are just starting out. “Don’t despise the days of small beginnings”. Thank you Lord. I told my daughter that I need to name my mannequin. She suggested the name “Patricia”. I told her that I love it! Patricia it is. It turns out that was my grandmother’s name. Interesting…. Okay let’s get into today’s post. 

Have any of you seen the daily posts on the Better Homes & Garden Instagram account about 30- days of cleaning? I have been following them and saw the daily posts about a week ago. Each time I saw one it made me want to go and check whatever area it was assigning for the day.

 

photo credit: Lilyoake 

 

The article suggests incorporating small daily tasks into your routine. I started doing this last year. I just got tired of cleaning my house on the weekends. So I decided to add one household chore to my day each day and my house has stayed cleaned! 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

The article breaks down the areas of your home giving you daily tasks and suggestions. I really like the list and they offer it in pdf form. 

 

photo credit: Pinterest 

I think this week they are about to start bathrooms. I also saw on the list that during this week they included cleaning the washing machine. I also make sure that I clean my laundry room at least twice a month. I always go in and wipe down the machines, dust shelves, and mop the floor. It helps keep things in order. 

I hope you found this list helpful and I hope that it inspires you to include one chore a day in your routine. Enjoy your Monday!

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Office Finds

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Good Afternoon Everyone!

We woke up this morning to a cold and snowy day. I was so happy to see that. Mr. Shockley was not! He hates snow but lets me enjoy my moment. I was so happy to see it snow this weekend. It helps bring balance to my world. We have had very warm winters here and it always concerns me. I need things to freeze! Especially parasites! Sheesh…

Okay everyone I wanted to share some recent office items that I purchased. Do you ever look around and think, “Goodness I need to replace that stapler”. Especially since it can’t staple more than 7 pages! That is one of the problems that I have been having with my office supplies. They really don’t give us “pretty” desk items to use at my office so I made a decision recently to buy my very own beautiful items. 

I started with my crappy stapler…

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

So the office where I work does provide office supplies but sometimes they are not the best. I had the worst stapler. It didn’t work half of the time and I kept it for years! I recently had an epiphany and decided I am going to buy my own! So I found this gold and white one at Target a few months ago and could not be happier! I thought I should have done this sooner! 

 

This soon put me on the path to replacing everything in my office! This next item was my tape dispenser. 

 

 

Now the office provided me with a basic black one and even that didn’t work right! The cylinder that held the tape never stayed in place and I kept that one for years! One thing I can say about myself is that I am long-suffering. Sheesh! So I decided to replace it with this lovely one that I found on Amazon. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

Next was a new pair of floral shears. Most of you know that I enjoy buying and having fresh flowers at home and at work every week. Well, I was using these basic black scissors (provided by the office) to cut my flowers and sometimes I destroyed them because they were not sharp! Enough of that! My flowers deserve the best and so do I so ordered these great floral shears from Amazon and I could not be happier! They are perfect for cutting my floral bouquets! I bought two pairs! One for home and the office. Yay!

 

 

Here is my second pair in the office and I placed them in this floral pen holder that I also found on Amazon. This holder is great for pens, makeup brushes, or maybe a small floral arrangement. You could use it for anything and it’s affordable.  

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

Speaking of makeup brushes and this is not office-related but since I am on an organizing kick, I decided to organize my side of the vanity. I use lots of products and wanted something to organize them all. 

 

 

So I decided to give this rotating, adjustable cosmetic tray a try. Honestly, I couldn’t love it more! Oh my gosh! I have so much room and it spins! I love it! I can see all of my products and I was able to add more of my products to it. I had to keep a lot of my creams and serums in the drawer because there was not enough room for them. Now I see everything and use it. Best investment! 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Okay on now to some new pens. I also wanted to replace some of my pens in the office and found these on Instagram. These pens are so stunning to me and look great on your desk. They are black ink and I do prefer blue but that is fine. They work well. She has several different kinds. Even one with a giant pearl at the top. I would also encourage you to take a look at her other close-out office items! 

 

 

At last and the best of all is my new blue and white tissue holder from Splendor in the South.  If you are interested in ordering one you must contact her via her website or Instagram. You may ask her if any of the blue and white tissue holders are available. They are $58 plus shipping. I would recommend you sending her a direct message on Instagram. It may take her a bit to get back to you but she will. 

I hope you all enjoyed my office finds for today. If you have broken office items that don’t work well get rid of them. Don’t be like me and keep them for eternity. There are so many affordable office supplies out there. There is no need to keep broken items on your desk. Make it beautiful!

 

 

 

fyi: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.

 

 

Floral Laptop Case

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Good Afternoon Everyone,

I just watched our local weather and we are expecting more snow! Here in my city, we are only suppose to get 2 to 4 inches but the northern part of the state is expecting more! Oh goodness. Here we go! 

Well let’s move on to my wonderful Amazon find. I have been shopping like crazy on Amazon and what I have been ordering are items that I should have replaced a long time ago. 

 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

One of those items is this laptop case. I ordered the 15-16 inch and it turned out to be the perfect size! 

 

 

I have to take my work laptop home and did not like the case that they gave me and wanted to order my own. This was only $14.99 and is water repellant, has foam padding, and has a fleece lining for bump and shock absorption. 

 

 

Loving the fleece lining. 

 

 

My laptop fits perfectly inside. I love having this and I am so glad that I ordered it. It also fits perfectly in my large work tote. It’s so nice just to place it inside and out of my tote instead of carrying a separate bag for my laptop. Annoying…. 

I hope you enjoyed this quick, chic, and functional find. I will be sharing more Amazon finds next week. Have a wonderful weekend! 

 

fyi: This post is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links.