Taking a Break

Due to lots of personal goodies happening all at once (have been since J for Junk) I am taking a Blog Break.

I hope to be able to write again soon.

J is for Junk

I will go ahead and freely admit that I am horrible about keeping my Blog current. So, a new year brings new things. To keep myself on track, I thought it might be easier to stay on task by choosing a topic that coordinates with the beginning letter of each month. That way, I don't have to think too hard about what to write.

Given that introduction, I'll dive right in. This is January, which makes me think of the letter J; which makes me think of JUNK. Anything that doesn't have use and is piled up somewhere is junk. In case I haven't made it clear, junk is bad. It takes up needed space, makes things appear dirtier, and hinders cleanliness. The best way to rid yourself of junk is to throw it away or donate it IF it is at all usable.

Here's how you rid yourself of junk once and for all. If it is piled up somewhere, take about 30 minutes at a time to work through the pile. If it is something that you can't use or haven't used in 6 months get rid of it. This might be the lamp with the broken cord, or the books you plan to sell on eBay. Junk comes in many shapes and forms. Just know that if you don't take action, the junk won't go away. It's January, so this is a really good time to commit to starting on your junk piles. Keep the junk out of your life by making a plan to keep only things that you treasure or have a true purpose.

To Chair or Not to Chair?

Thanks to all who voted on the chair project that I posted in August. Whew, I am truly behind. Now, I think I have had a change of heart. I might actually keep the chairs for myself. Ohhhh, I know that is terrible. Nevertheless, I am still debating, and will delay starting the project until the New Year. In the meantime, I will be busy doing some painting projects around the house; Will keep the site posted on my progress.

Which Would You Choose?

A few weeks ago I was browsing at a local second hand store. I discovered two side chairs that caught my eye. I walked away, because even though the prices were great, I don't need any more furniture in my house right now. So, after walking away, I couldn't stop thinking about the chairs. The next day, I went back to the store. Since both were still there, I took it as a sign that it was meant for me to buy them. My plan is to refinish, recover and sell them.

Fast forward to last week. I mentioned the chairs to a friend of mine, asking her to choose between two different fabrics that I had selected. I've been asking everyone because it is such a tough choice. My friend suggested that I get input from others, so I have added a poll to capture some input.

Please take a minute and let me know what you think would be most appealing to a general audience of buyers?

I'll be cataloging my progress on the chairs, so don't forget to check back to see how the project is progressing.

No More Decorating Delays

I had my first online article published this week. If you want to get started on a decorating project, but haven't been able to quite get going, you'll want to read this for sure. http://www.designstyleguide.net/articles-TooBusyToDecorate.php

In addition, check out the Design Style Guide website for summaries on different design styles. I love how the photos solidify every element of the design. It's like putting a face with a name. http://www.designstyleguide.net/Other-Decorating-Style.php

Here's to Making Things Special

I had the pleasure of having my mother-in-law over for dinner recently. It was just a casual dinner, and I made sure to prepare foods that I knew she would like. At the last minute, I realized that I hadn't added that special something to the meal. It was a beautiful day, so I decided we would eat outside. At the last minute, I had my husband put out the Tiki torches, and spray the yard with insect repellent. When he finished, I started to set the table for us to eat outside (real plates, and napkins--no paper of course). I said "Mom, do you mind if we eat outside." Her reply was "You always make things so special." It made me feel good. Partly because my mother-in-law is a great lady and deserves a gesture of appreciation. But also, because she noticed that I am always trying to go the extra mile. When I have guests, I always try to bring in some flowers or add a little something else to make them feel special. It doesn't take much, and if you're short on ideas, read my post titled "Taking an Event from Good to Great," it will surely help some good ideas come to mind.

Tackle That Task! Now Staging

I cannot believe that it has been January since I updated my Blog. Where does the time go? Most of it has been spent trying to expand Tackle That Task! and attract clients; lots of networking and business preparation. In May, I took a big step and received my certification in Home Staging. Home Staging is the art of preparing a home for sale. All elements of the home are considered; curb appeal, furniture placement, color and focal points. Now in addition to things that I can do to organize or redesign a home for daily living, I can also help prepare it to sell. Staging is a little challenging in this market, but I am convinced that staging is essential to making sure that a home shows at its best. If you know someone selling their home, please let me know. I am sure I can provide some tips to help them maximize their selling potential. See more about my staging services at www.tacklethattask.com.