Preparing for Spring Cleaning

Lavender Furniture Wax, at The Container Store

Wednesdays are a busy workday for me, and I usually get to enjoy a Girls Night Out in the evening (my boyfriend meets some of his guy friends for fish & chips and beer on Wednesdays). After I get dressed and made up to go out, I won’t have much time for projects, so I’m keeping tonight’s Spring Cleaning project very simple. Mostly I’ll just be gathering supplies and taking inventory of my cleaning products.

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

My favorite scent of Mrs. Meyers surface cleaner is Lemon Verbena

Need to do any hand washing of laundry? Stockings, Spanx, fragile lingerie or other linens? I like to set things in the sink for a nice soak, then go finish them and hang them to dry when I get home tonight.
Will you be sleeping in a freshly laundered nightgown or pajamas tonight? I like to do laundry mid-week so my weekend isn’t full of catching up on laundry.
Try to toss out one tired old T-shirt tonight. This will make room in your dresser for something lovely. I bet we all have five or six ratty old T-shirts we could get rid of if we were determined enough!
Take advantage of nice weather (if you’re lucky enough to have it). Sit on your porch or patio, or in your backyard, or go for a walk tonight soaking up sunshine if you have it!

TODAY’S PROJECT: PLANNING SPRING CLEANING AND COLLECTING SUPPLIES

Sea Salt Neroli All Purpose Cleaner, from Caldrea

Tonight before I leave, I’m mostly going through my multiple cupboards where I store cleaning supplies. I’ll take inventory and try to consolidate my supplies. Even though I no longer have children living here, I still have childproof locks on my cabinets. I’m torn between the convenience of having cleaning supplies in each bathroom ready to use on a moment’s cleaning whim, but it also makes sense to have all my cleaning supplies in one place. That way I don’t forget I already own Pledge and end up with four bottles (ahem).

I’ll see if there’s anything I have too much of (did I buy too many bottles of Windex, or have I just been neglecting my windows lately?) Then I’ll make a shopping list for any cleaning products or supplies I might need. I know I definitely need another scrubber sponge or two.

After I’m done taking inventory, I’ll see if there are any items I can get rid of to declutter (I recently got rid of my rarely used Swiffer stick). Then I’ll make a plan for the rest of my Spring Cleaning. I want to do quick and easy projects on weeknights, and major projects on weekends.

This year I’m focusing on not just cleaning and maintaining my home, but replacing and renewing. If I have gross looking old towel hangers in the bathroom, it’s time to replace them with new ones. If the wood molding in a bathroom is looking dingy and scuffed, it’s time to think about tearing it out and installing new molding. I’m not up for any big home renovation projects, but so many things are easy to replace right away – inexpensive lamp shades, heater vent covers, filthy stained light switch plates, etc.

What cleaning supplies are you low on?

LOVELY BLOGS: Champagne & Paper Planes

Here’s a stunningly gorgeous blog by Michele, a chef and registered dietitian nutritionist. She describes her view on food as “a mix between Michael Pollan “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants”, and Julia Child “Everything in moderation, including moderation.”

My current favorite posts here are her Pink Radicchio Salad recipe and her Pink Radicchio Guide. I’d never heard of such a thing, and I suspect tomorrow I’ll be racing over to Metropolitan Market to see if they have any!

You can also take a peek at her recent travels and the striking photographs she took on her trips.

I’m positive you’ll enjoy browsing this blog!

https://champagneandpaperplanes.com/

Champagne & Paper Planes on Facebook

Champagne & Paper Planes on Instagram

LOVELY BOOKS: The Vintage Baker

I am so excited about this cookbook, which will come out mid-May. I’m thoroughly interested in the topic of vintage baking, and I miss my grandmother’s sour cream jumbles.

“Blue-ribbon recipes inspired by baking pamphlets from the 1920s to the 1960s are rendered with irresistible charm for modern tastes in this sweet package.” Besides the recipes, the book includes some notes on the origins of the vintage dessert recipes, and perhaps notes some alterations made for modern palates.

You know what would be really fun? Starting a cookbook book club based around this book, and getting together to bake each member’s favorite recipe from the book!

The Vintage Baker, on Amazon

LOVELY ENTERTAINING: Sur la Table’s Rosé Collection

I’m drinking mostly Rosé wine right now – it’s perfect for sunny Spring days, after all. So I especially enjoyed browsing Sur la Table’s
Rosé-inspired pink, copper and rose gold kitchen and entertaining items today. They’ve also curated some candles that happen to come in pink containers, but don’t necessarily smell like wine.

What’s tempting me most here, despite not being pink, are the Marble Melamine plates. Those would be great for my outdoor parties!

https://www.surlatable.com/category/cat1860425/Rose+Collection

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

Asparagus with Walnut Crema and Fried Eggs (SF Chronicle)

Derby Day Drinks: Riffs on the Mint Julep Cocktail (Honest Cooking)

Disney Little Mermaid Gingerbread House (Haniela’s)

Hibiscus Agua Fresca and Rose Sangria for Cinco de Mayo (Bake at 350)

How to Make a Refreshing Pea Tartine for Spring (Food & Wine)

Lobster Guacamole (How Sweet Eats)

Paloma Pie (Baking a Moment)

Parmesan Asparagus Fries (Delish)

Sparkling Strawberry Cardamom Margaritas (Hungry Girl Por Vida)