Baby Steps for a Domestic Dropout

For someone with a blog about domestic pursuits, I have to confess that I have been a terrible role model lately. I barely cook. I rarely clean my house. I paid my mortgage payment 3 days late this month. I've gotten into the habit of tossing mail into a basket without even looking at it. I have no idea if we have enough toilet paper to get through the weekend.

In other words, I've been failing "home economics" with the flair of a dropout lately. So...when Monday rolled around earlier this week I decided that I needed to start trying harder. Take baby steps. Maybe reacquaint myself with the vacuum.

And so here is a story of my progress:

Monday: got up early, showered, and was ready for the day by 7:30. Made the bed (a small victory), paid bills, and designated one cleaning chore for the day: the floors.
Later: swept, mopped and vacuumed. Made baked potatoes for dinner (another small victory), and even had time to play frisbee AND do yoga.
Went to bed exhausted but happy.

Tuesday: got up a little later after hitting the snooze for 45 minutes. Still made the bed (hooray!) and picked another chore for the day: cleaning the kitchen.
Later, managed to plan a week's worth of healthy meals, go grocery shopping, clean kitchen AND make it to two evening events. Overall another good day.

Wednesday: husband has to literally drag me out of bed (seriously, he pulls my ankles off the bed), but manage to set a record by making bed again. I designate the bathrooms as my daily chore, and plan to make a healthy artichoke salad for dinner.
Later, accomplish salad but avoid bathrooms. Also, I did not work out or find the will to pick the scissors off my office floor (they'd been laying there since Monday).

Thursday: started day with similar scene involving me being pulled from my ankles out of bed. While making bed (4 days in a row!) I resolved to really clean the bathrooms this time, make another healthy dinner AND fit in a workout.
Later: substitute workout and bathroom cleaning for drinking beer and watching television, but still pull off a healthy dinner and even make leftovers. Scissors, however, are still laying precariously on floor.

Friday: try to pull the "it's Friday--I can sleep in" trick with husband to no avail. Make bed again! Make diligent plans to clean bathrooms before the weekend, spot clean the floors again, and serve a tasty buffalo chicken salad for dinner.
Later: it's too soon to tell, but it's not looking good for the bathrooms or those scissors on the floor...

Wishing you a happy (and domestic) weekend!
--steph

Winter Renovation: le bureau

I'm not sure if it is the winter cabin fever, or all of the design blogs I read daily, or my continuing obsession with redesigning my living spaces, but every year around this time I get the itch to decorate.

Last year it was my spare bedroom. And this year...
...it is my office, or "le bureau" as the French say.

Above and below are some photos that I snapped earlier this week to capture the "before." As you can see, the room is rather lackluster and disheveled. Sorta like a lady who went out of the house in her dress robe with bedhead...
What I want is shimmer and sparkle. I want the room to be elegant and feminine, but not too girly (no pink walls allowed!). I want it to glow in the morning, beckoning me warmly to work... (or at the very least, distract me from work because it is so pretty).
Since I'll be working on a Very Limited Budget, I will have to get innovative with my resources and ideas. There's no room in the wallet for crown molding or a new sofa or a fancy rug. Therefore I'll be making a lot of my updates by hand, and sharing my projects with you during the Saturdays this season.

From new art to new floor coverings to new window treatments and more, I'm eager to see how the room transforms from sloppy to sparkly gem.

Come back next Saturday to see details of my first renovation endeavor!

Touche

All I did was simply ask him when he was planning to put the toaster oven away... It had been out for a day or so, you see, and isn't exactly a "display" appliance, if you know what I mean.
I wasn't trying to be rude. I just reasoned that if he felt the need to eat Red Baron frozen pizzas for lunch, than perhaps he should also put away the evidence.
So you can imagine my surprise when I came downstairs after a few hours of work to find this pile awaiting me. Yes...these are the things I'd left out. He was, he proclaimed, just trying to make a point.
He even, as you can see above, pulled my dirty dishes out of the sink to place them on display.

That was hardly necessary, in my opinion.
So maybe I'd neglected to gather a few things around the house. Sheesh...it's not like I haven't been busy doing other things for crying out loud!

Touche, dear husband, touche.

Translating Greek

Permit me to bend your ear for a tick...
‘Tis the season to gossip about the economy, or at least so say the politicians and pundits. Dollars and cents are apparently fresh on people’s minds--partly because we are ankle-deep in the spending season, and also because of our recent recessionary hiccups. Thus, everyone is encouraged to do their patriotic duty and hit the malls, as if our Christmas shopping has the collective power to pull us all up by our global bootstraps and end our economic woes. But before you jump to conclusions about my admittedly predictable introduction, this isn’t a post about overspending during the holidays, or even about the shortcomings in our global economy. Rather, this is a post about getting back to the real roots of our economy--which is the home. Now, I’m not being overly sentimental in saying this. In fact, the word for economy is translated as such. This little etymological tidbit is something I recently learned from a speech given by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury. In it he said, “'Economy’ is simply the Greek word for ‘housekeeping’. Remembering this is a useful way of getting things in proportion, so that we don’t lose sight of the fact that economics is primarily about the decisions we make so as to create a habitat that we can actually live in." In other words, “economy” isn’t all about retail spending and “putting up good numbers” for the quarter. It’s not about affording and giving lavish gifts--or even cheap gifts for that matter. Creating a “habitat worth living in” has far more to do with our satisfaction in our work, the strength of our relationships, and the care of our resources. So while we are busy with this season's festivities, it is nice to practice this idea of "putting things into proportion." What are we doing to create good habitats for ourselves and our families to live in? How are we building community? How are we taking good care of what we've been given?

Because it doesn't take a scholar or an economist to know that Home is worth investing in, and that keeping close to our roots is good for the world.

And speaking of home, come back tomorrow to see another outdated sweater I found hiding in mine, and how I brought it back to life!

Glossary of images, all handmade from Etsy Sellers!
Family of Six by Goose Grease Undone
Little Red Paper House Set PDF pattern by Maria Lunate
Good Morning Sunshine Barnwood Peep House by Lucinda And Jane
Pocket People and Carrier pattern by Whosie and Whatnots
Big house pillow "My Lovely Tacky Diningroom" by Lei Li La Loo

Untidy Friday

My in-laws are coming over for dinner tonight. That means one thing: I have to clean. And clean a lot! We haven’t entertained in awhile, and my dwelling is...um...less than presentable. As in there are still crumbs of dirt (yes--actual dirt) on my kitchen counter from the farm-fresh veggies I brought home yesterday. The Halloween pumpkins are currently sitting on an old towel in the entryway... thawing. I haven’t made my bed in 5 days. And my handwashables, which I finally got around to washing yesterday, are laid out across the dining room table, drying.


I could go on, but you get the point. I have some work to do. Which is why I won’t linger here long, or write any soul-searching introspective posts (it is a Friday, after all). Instead I’ll give you a few updates about what I’ve been doing this week, and what is coming up just around the corner.


What I’ve been doing:
Many of you have probably seen from the sidebar that I FINALLY opened up my DIY design pattern store (Yay!), and even listed my first item: Winter Napkins. Following close on its heels is a new pattern for Cardigan Pillow Covers, which I can’t wait to share! These projects, among others, are what I have been spending my time on this week.


What is to come:
Along those lines, I am already planning for the next series! Fashioned after last year’s Handmade Holiday series, I’ll be placing an emphasis during the coming season on do-it-yourself holiday gifts. You’ll get a peek at some of the projects from my store listings, and I’ve got more up my sleeve! The theme (of course) is rePurposing, and I am really excited to get started!



Until then, I wish you all a fun Halloween (hopefully yours will be warmer than ours!) and a pleasant extra hour of sleep!

See you Monday with more Be An Original posts!

Favorite Things: Confessions of a Negligent Housekeeper

When I quit my job as a banker in late 2007, I never expected that I would spend a great deal of time writing about chores. Cooking. Cleaning. Budgeting.

But life has a funny way of surprising you, and by the time last spring rolled around, I was fairly used to my new domestic life. But there were still a few things I needed to work on. Read below about my confessions of negligence:

Yesterday I spoke to you of my plans to freshen up (in other words, scour) my home in the days to come. Now I realize that ordinarily spring cleaning is supposed to be an intense and yet rather short affair. Like a week long. But I am imagining that it will take a stretch longer for me. Why?

Because I've never done any spring cleaning in this house. That's right--Never. Feel free to judge me all you want. For someone so domesticated, I've managed to avoid this annual chore for over 4 years. Right again--Four. You can count them. Sure, I've scrubbed down a few things, and dusted in corners, and put the oven on the self-cleaning cycle. But I've certainly never done what I'm about to do.

Which is to say that I intend to move furniture. That's right--actually scoot my sofas away from their terminal resting places and--heaven behold!--run a vacuum underneath. And do the same with the beds. And wash down the doors and walls. And clean out my closets, which are undoubtedly stuffed to the gills with things I've completely forgotten about and never intend to use.

And why have I never done these things? Well, mainly because I didn't have the time. Up until a year ago, I worked full-time like many of you readers out there. And during my precious leisure time I sure as hell didn't feel like moving furniture! So I've done what I think a lot of people do: the basics and not much more. Therefore my house has always looked presentable (as long as you don't gaze above my eye line, which according to my husband--who is five inches taller than me--is quite grimy), but is far from clean.

And why am I doing it now (and writing about it daily)? Well--other than the health concerns arising from the terrifying layer of dirt on the blades of my ceiling fan--because spring is coming. And though I was raised to be a faithful feminist and eschew the trappings of housekeeping for more noble affairs like world domination, I feel this almost primitive urge to air-out and clean-up. It coincides with the exact same urge I've had this winter to hunker down and snuggle up.

I call it Nesting. And apparently I've been very bad at it over the past four years. Now, I don't feel too guilty about this because honestly--in the grand scheme of things--who cares if my nooks and crannies are less than presentable? It's not a character flaw. But for once I thought I'd indulge this ancient urge to spring clean and see where it takes me. I'm hoping that during a season of struggle these simple tasks will brighten my spirits as much as they brighten my home. Call it spring cleaning therapy.

We'll see how it goes!

Originally published 24.Feb.2009: click here to view the original post

Other Related Posts:
In Defense of Clean Sheets and Fresh Bread
Drawing the Domestic Line (why I won't be ironing my sheets)
Modern Benefits from a Vintage Chore

Favorite Posts: Manifesto to Domesticity

I specifically remember the week I wrote this post. It was last fall, and I was in the middle of my "Back to Basics" challenge, which was essentially a practice of intentional home management. I was admittedly feeling a little sheepish about spending so much time writing on something that was frankly quite plain. And entirely unglamorous.

But then something happened. A lightbulb went off and I realized that good stewardship wasn't plain or trite at all. So I penned this manifesto and it laid the ground for many, many posts to follow.

After writing yesterday's post, I got to thinking more about the whole "being a good steward of my resources" thing. I think that most of us recognize that we're pretty lucky when it comes to resources (I'm assuming that if you're reading this on a computer--and have the time to read blogs for leisure--that you live a reasonably affluent life). The very fact that I own my own home with clean water and a refrigerator to keep my food fresh sets me apart from a lot of people in the world.

Additionally, I think that most of us will acknowledge on some level that we aren't as mindful as we could be with the stuff we have. I know I waste a lot. And I feel uncomfortable with that.

Truthfully I think it is this discomfort that leads me to pursue better "domestic fitness" in my life. After all, before domesticity was negatively associated with the suburban housewife, household chores used to be all about resourcefulness. Women would get up early and tend to the home all day in an effort to maximize their resources. They canned their produce to extend its life through the winter. They cleaned their homes to keep out diseases that might threaten their livelihood and cost them money. They planned their meals WAY in advance (take that! husband), ordering supplies in bulk and rationing them through the seasons. Their domestic activities were directly related to their stewardship.

We, of course, live in different times. But sometimes I worry that I've gotten too far away from those practices. The truth is that when I am too busy to take care of the basics--cleaning, preparing food, budgeting--I waste more. Quite a lot more, in fact. I can't, in good conscience, ignore that and continue in my ways. So call it a "manifesto to domesticity" if you will, but I think this little "back to the basics" experiment of mine might actually have more depth than I originally thought.

Original published on 11.Sept.2008. Click here to view original post.

Other related posts:
the Trifecta of Domesticity
My Domestic Renaissance
Domestic Deep Thoughts

Day 28: Institute Review

This was the last morning of Mrs. Marple's 28-day course at the Institute of Fine Living, and I couldn't help but get a little nostalgic about the past four weeks.

To put it simply, I got in touch with my feminine side.

Okay...so maybe I was already in touch with it. But I Really dived in this time with all of the fun projects...

...and cooking lessons...

And pink with more pink.


I know that I'll take many of Mrs. Marple's lessons with me going forward, like her reminder to drink morning tea out of fine china on a Tuesday just to make an ordinary day special, and her constant coaching about how to use the resources we have to make new and beautiful things.

And even though the class is ending, she gave us one final assignment, which was to create a project that showcased our best work from the Institute. A project, she encouraged, that will remind us of what we've learned for weeks and months to come.

I have just the perfect thing in mind.

And I can't wait to share more about it soon!

Thank you, all, for joining me during this month-long course. And thanks to Mrs. Marple for being such a good teacher!

See you tomorrow!

Day 21: Upgrading the Ordinary

This weekend I was thrilled to inherit a set of beautiful china from my husband's family.

Naturally I had to come home and use it immediately. Particularly the teacups, which are the most delightful cups to drink beverages out of In The Whole World.

And while I was drinking my tea and eating my blueberry scone for Sunday brunch, I was thinking about how Mrs. Marple recently taught us that part of Fine Living is to turn ordinary situations into opportunities for small celebrations.

Celebrating what? we asked.

Celebrating life, she said.

And I had to agree that there was something special about my regular Sunday brunch when I was drinking my usual tea out of fine china.

The occasion certainly didn't call for fine china. I didn't have guests over. It wasn't a holiday. My birthday isn't until February.


But Mrs. Marple encouraged us to splurge on the simple even if the occasion didn't call for it. Otherwise, she reminded us, we might never use that fine china. Or that beautiful beaded necklace we're saving for a fancy event. Or that bottle of champagne we have stored away for an impromptu promotion or announcement.

Fine living, she said, is not just for special occasions. In fact, it is the most enjoyable when applied to the mundane, day-to-day routines that fill up the majority of our lives. Try it, she coached. Wear your fancy necklace to work. Drink your champagne with a tv dinner while watching Office reruns.

And have Sunday brunch with your fine china.

Celebrate the ordinary by giving it an upgrade. It's good advice, in my opinion. That Mrs. Marple sure is smart...

Previous Days at the Institute:
Day 9: Pink, pink & pink
Day 10: The Balancing Act (as told through vintage advertisements)
Day 18: Motivational Malaise

Day 10: the Balancing Act (as told through vintage advertisements)

It is day ten at the Institute, and Mrs. Marple decided that it was time to address something that often challenges us in the pursuit of fine living: time management.

She commented about how busy we all are today, and how it is difficult to keep a balance between diligence (a necessarily quality for fine living) and burn-out.


The pressures on our time are numbered. First there's the expectation that we will put in a full day of work, because "what you do" often equates to "who you are" (a fact that clearly bugs Mrs. Marple).

But work is only the start. Then you're supposed to keep a clean and tidy house. Wearing heels. The heels are important. As is the apron.

And like it. Oh...you better like it.

And of course cooking is crucial (as is keeping the kids away from narcotics, which apparently this well-manicured mother has overlooked).

You are expected to make sure that kids have a well balanced meal. Although these parents might be more concerned that their son is clearly a serial killer waiting to happen. He's horrifying.

Multi-tasking is an obvious must. Like organizing your food in colorful tupperware while also catching up on the latest news.

And of course there are the garden-variety pressures of maintaining appearances so that you can enjoy a night out on the town with your friends (who are also clearly using some kind of narcotic...what was in the punch, I wonder?).


And with our rising health costs, it is important that you make time daily for fitness.

Do it for your country. Do it for yourself.

And yes--apparently these sexy sauna pants were a real product. They claim to slenderize exactly where you want in an amazing one-size-fits-all easily inflatable model.

Finally, after all of the above is accomplished, you also have to pursue those intimate times. Thankfully there are fashionable temptations like the above swim shorts to aid you.

As does this his-and-hers cowboy attire. Nothing is sexier. Except maybe that hairstyle.

And if you're really struggling, you can opt for these matching white jumpers. Because let's be honest--we all could use some help from time to time.

Mrs. Marple warned us that capitulating to all of these pressures on our time, appearance and mind can drain our creativity, which is the keystone of fine living. And though there are no easy tricks to keeping the right balance, practice can help.

As can white jumpers.

See you in class tomorrow!

Previous Days at the Institute:
Day 9: Pink, Pink & Pink
Day 8: Ditching Class
Day 5: Getting Ahead