More Organizing...Office Nook

In dealing with my ADD it was recommended that I journal.  As of the new year, I've decided to journal more, errrr get started?  So after coming across a blog or two on journaling I've decided to use a journal that I already owned (but never used), write down whatever comes to my mind as the moment strikes, attach pictures and draw that inspire me, create shopping lists, to-do lists......whatever I want to put in my journal.  So far it has helped tremendously with being more organized!  We're only 17 days into the new year, but so far I have journaled 11 of those 17 days and 1 day from 2010 (Dec 31st, I used up 5 pages jotting down all of the things I wanted to start to accomplish in 2011!)

I've already crossed off many items from the several "to-do" lists (one other being hanging those shelves in the Dining Room/Sweat Shop

Which brings me to another one of those items......Organize the office and front entry hall shelves

The apartment came with a built in office nook which is great because that means we did not have to spend money on a piece of furniture, and when we move, we don't have to move a piece of furniture!

I will admit though that it was becoming a catch-all and with that comes an eye sore.

I can no longer take the clutter....it feels like everything in life is chaotic when my environment is cluttered....

So after hanging those Dining Room/Sweat Shop shelves, I was still on a roll. I got to tackling the Office shelves and the front entry way built in bookcase/shelves (picture of that to come soon).

I moved the books and board games to the larger built in bookcase/shelves in the front entry way and rearranged the other items.  I also condensed what was in that orange storage cube on the lower shelf into the Damask box from the top shelf.  I added a faux plant that was in the bedroom, yeah I got tired of Coco trying to eat it.  I actually really like the height that it adds to this space!

It's still a little cluttered and could use a burst of color, but SOOOO much better than it was.  I feel like I can breath when I look at the space now.

And because I know I enjoy a side by side before and after, here's one for you my wonderful reader(s).  :)

Now off to the 2nd job.  Hope everyone had a great MLK day!

Things n Stuff

So just as life is an ever evolving process, so is decorating our apartment on a budget.  I recently came into some cash and anytime that happens, I prefer to spend some of it on the apartment to make it homier.  A lot of the things I own(ed) come with the energy of past relationships and so I am trying to replace those things so as to have all new (or new to us) things surrounding us, instead of looking around at the same things I've looked at for 10 plus years.  Several months back I held a garage sale in order to get rid of some of these things.  I figured I'd use the "found" cash to replace things such as decorations and dinnerware and glasses as well as cutlery, etc.

Over the weekend a girlfriend and I headed out to Ikea for some retail therapy.  I went in armed with a shopping list because I knew that if I didn't have some sort of a plan, I would lose track of what I originally intended on going there for and spending WAAAAY more than I wanted and walking out with none of the things I went in for.  Hello A.D.D. brain....does not mix well with the madness and over-stimulation that is Ikea!  Which reminds me, before I left for the day BF said to me in a serious tone "If you do not come back with a new loveseat, IKEA!"  he's too funny and I love his sense of humor!

Thanks to this blog post by Jen over at iheartorganizing, i was inspired to use one of her organizing ideas for our office/desk area.

 Just as Jen did, I used the Bygel Rail, along with the Bygel s-hooks, and the 3 of the Asker containers.  Grand total for this unique and adorable way of keeping things organized and easily accessible?  $21.68

And then it turned into an idea for the kitchen.....I needed SOMETHING above the stove and I wanted it to serve dual purpose of function and fashion....
TahDah!

I used 2 more of the Bygel Rails, along with some more of the Bygel s-hooks, 4 of the Fargrik Coffee Mugs, and the Bygel Wire Basket with a 4-pack of Rajtan Spice Jars that I filled with my own spices and herbs.  I love the look and functionality!  Oh and this project's grand total was $12.75! plus the cost of the spices which I already had on hand.

My apologies for the picture quality being all 2004.  These are from my ancient hand-me-down cell phone camera.  If I remember to do it, I'll take better pictures with my digital camera and update this post, as these pictures do this no justice and you can't really see how those mugs pop against the boring neutral paint color.

From the shopping trip with a girlfriend on a Saturday afternoon in Hotlanta, to the hanging of these new and exciting (to me) organizers, this was an overall fun way to spend money, update, organize and decorate our apartment!  Not to mention it took me all of 15 minutes to measure and install all three of these bad boys!

Next organizing project (I hope) will be the storage closet.....it looks like a bomb went off in there!  I'll take a before shot...only if you promise not to judge.



Hope all is well in your world, and if it's not...keep your chin up!  Things will get better if you keep a positive mind frame.


Love n hugs n kisses!

Baby Steps to Self Improvement

My first entry and I can think of so many things that I would like to start out saying. I will start with what brought me here today to start a blog.

Today I set up an appointment to see a counselor/therapist. I've thought about seeking therapy in the past, but today actually took the first step - finding a therapist and making an appointment.
Before I got in the shower this morning, I did a quick google search to see what was in my area. I was directed to psychologytoday.com. I was immediately drawn to the second therapist on the list. Her picture was displayed and she had a very warm and inviting look. She wasn't very clinical...she has a very friendly vibe. I was extremely happy to see that her office is less than a half mile from my office and as well her specialties are within what I am seeking guidance in. The original reason for my search was for relationship issues...not that I am in a relationship...which is exactly the reason why I am seeking therapy. One of her strengths though is in ADHD. I've been wanting to seek cognitive therapy for this to go along with being medicated for ADHD, but my searches in the past for a therapist didn't get me too far. Just about everything the therapist specializes in is within my main focus of improvement for my life.
These things inclue:
ADHD
Relationship Issues
Divorce
Infertility
Life Coaching
Spirituality
Hre list goes on, but these are what I would like to focus on.
Just my ease in finding her this morning has already given me a positive feeling that I am on the right path. Not to mention that she called me back before I left for lunch, we set up a 1pm appointment for this Friday and she has even discounted her rate for me as I had mentioned to her that I am pretty broke but hoping that through therapy life in general will be better for me and I will become more financially stable. I already see the light at the end of the long tunnel....strange though, I am not expecting this to be a short lived thing, nor am I expecting it to be a very smooth ride but I love to remain positive about things and I see this as one of the most positive things I can do for myself at this darker time in my life.

This is my first step into creating a new world for myself since my break up with Amir. An even more brighter day, an even more positive way. I am hoping to bring out my fullest potential, cause I deserve it! I am observing a lil deeper so that I can treat myself like the princess that I deserve to be treated like.....for once!

I hope to be able to keep this blog as a place to record my successes as well as whatever else may come my way. I've never been all that good at keeping a journal, but I think through this journey of self improvement I may find it easy as well as necessary and I certainly feel that it will be great to look back at and to see how far I've come.