I’m trying to keep up with my self-imposed Spring Cleaning schedule, but now that I have my second cold in as many weeks, I’m losing motivation. I’m not looking for busywork, but I also don’t want to have a lot more catchup work to do when I’m healthy again in a few days.
I’m too exhausted to even think of moving around my living room furniture or the refrigerator. Instead, I’m going to take care of lots of little projects that need doing but won’t take a lot of energy. That way I can focus on resting and getting better, but not let my house get out of control either!
QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:
- Tidy your house for the weekend. Empty trash cans and take out recycling; empty and fill dishwasher as needed; wipe down kitchen sink and counters; wipe down bathroom sinks and counters; replace hand towels in kitchen and bathrooms; remove clutter from mail table and coffee table; straighten magazines; take items piled on the stairs to their proper homes.
- Make weekend social plans if you haven’t already.
- Throwing a Saint Patrick’s Day party next week? Have you invited people, made your menu, done your shopping?
- Daylight Saving Time reverts again on Sunday. Don’t forget to change your clocks, computers, car clock, cell phones and watches on Saturday night.
TODAY’S PROJECT: Light Spring Cleaning
As soon as my Dayquil kicks in, I’m embarking on a project to dust and clean all the paintings, photographs, mirrors and other framed items in my home. This will require just a feather duster, a rag and some Windex. I don’t have very much framed artwork so this won’t take long.
After I’m done and I’ve rested, drunk tea with honey, and watched a sitcom or two (my Tivo currently has several fun episodes of How I Met Your Mother) I will work on my second project. I’m shining all the doorknobs in my home, inside and out. I have around eleven doors in my house, so about 22 doorknobs will be cleaned today. They’re all brass, so I’m using Brasso. The next thing I need to use Brasso on is my two outdoor lights, one on either side of my garage, but I probably shouldn’t be climbing around in the cold and rain on ladders today.
My last project, if I have the energy, is to wipe down all the light switches and electrical outlets in my home – plus the walls around them, if there are fingerprints. I really don’t like the look of grimy light switches, so I hope I can get this done today. I won’t have to do it again for a couple months!
I can also summon up the energy to toss a load of towels, and later, sheets into the washer and dryer. That way I won’t fall behind, and when I have more strength in a few days I won’t be bogged down doing laundry instead of bigger chores.
LOVELY BLOGS: Party Frosting
This is a fun blog full of party inspiration and ideas, well curated from other blogs. This is a great place to find party crafts, recipes and decor without having to comb over blogs all afternoon long. You can also discover some lovely new blogs through the links here.
http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com/
LOVELY FOOD: Starbucks Petites
In honor of their upcoming fortieth anniversary, Starbucks is launching a new line of bite-sized desserts. While I’m not much of a dessert eater (I prefer appetizers or wine for my naughty calorie consumption) I’m eager to try these new treats. I do often find myself in a Starbucks, either meeting friends or getting a bit of work done away from home interruptions. It will be nice to have a tasty option to surprise friends with or treat business colleagues to.
The new petite desserts include Birthday Cake Pop, Carrot Cake Mini Cupcake, Lemon Sweet Square, Peanut Butter Mini Cupcake, Red Velvet Whoopie Pie, Rocky Road Cake Pop, Salted Caramel Sweet Square, and Tiramisu Cake Pop.
Starbucks Petites, at Starbucks.com
LOVELY SHOES: Poetic Licence
I was so excited to discover this London-based shoe company yesterday. I choose not to wear any leather clothing, shoes, or handbags, as a personal preference. Most of the time I wear inexpensive, servicable Payless shoes or the occasional fun find by Chinese Laundry. I know there are vegan shoe companies galore, but I prefer to try on shoes in person while I’m shopping.
I was so in love with these beautiful shoes when I first stumbled onto them yesterday, then delighted to find that many of their shoes are made with fabric uppers and resin soles. They’re carried at the Nordstrom near me, so when I’m feeling better I’ll go try a pair on. I’m hoping to try a pair of “Dinner Out,” in purple.
I think you’ll enjoy browsing their fanciful shoe designs!
LOVELY GIFTS: Jardins du Seda France Wrapped Bar Soaps
I travel often, so I am always on the lookout for nice hostess gifts. These nice-smelling, beautifully wrapped soaps from Seda France will be perfect to keep in my suitcase. I might keep a bar or two in my gift closet too in case a birthday catches me by surprise and I need to add a bar of soap to another small gift.
My personal favorite scent here is Monarch Quince, with Wild Lotus a close second.
LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:
Chocolate Pretzels for St. Patrick’s Day (Love From the Oven)
Cinnabon-Style Gourmet Cinnamon Buns (Sweetapolita)
A Cute Nail Idea for Spring (Glamour)
Green Velvet St. Patrick’s Dipped Cupcakes (Snappy Gourmet, via FoodBeast)
It’s Time for Some Digital Spring Cleaning (CNN)
Ode to Gold: Gilded & Glittered Mini Sugar Cookies (Sweetapolita)
Planning Your Vegetable Garden (Martha Stewart)
Pot of Gold Cupcakes for Saint Patrick’s Day (Beantown Baker)
Shamrock Sugar Cookies (So Hows it Taste?)
Shamrock Triple Thumbprint Cookies (Munchkin Munchies)
St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes (Hoosier Homemade)
St. Patrick’s Day Irish Grasshopper Cocktail (Dine and Dish)
St. Patrick’s Day Rainbow Cupcakes (Hoosier Homemade)
