I mentioned before that I'd be moving soon and I'm here to report...the move was successful! The new house is great and the fuzzy babies seem to love it too! Moving from the city to the suburbs requires a little adjusting however. My new neighborhood is only 20 minutes from my old one and right by the airport, so it's hardly in the boonies. However, my cell service is intermittent in the new house, and I don't have Internet access or a TV yet! Yikes! << MORE >>

I always fancied myself a "big city gal". When I was younger, I remember decorating my room with a poster of a city skyline and gazed wistfully at it; dreaming of one day living "where it all happens". I grew up in a small suburban town until I was 15 years old, then moved to a very rural area; the culture shock was quite huge...<< MORE >>

I'm a huge fan of Peter Walsh, organizing expert most often seen on TLC's Clean Sweep, but also a regular on Oprah, published author, and most recently, host of his own radio show on the Oprah and Friends nework. Being a fan, I'm subscribed to Peter's monthly newsletter and when he put the call out for suggestions or stories for his new book, Have You Lost Your Mind? Clearing the Clutter Between You and Who You Can Be, I jumped and submitted some thoughts...<< MORE >>

I became vegetarian in fits and spurts; first cutting back on red meat, then omitting it from my diet. Later, eating chicken became too emotional for me to swallow, and I stopped eating that as well. Eventually, I entered a relationship and began eating meat again, but as soon as the relationship ended, so too did my carnivorous ways. To this day, I occasionally indulge in some seafood, but those instances seem to be fewer and farther between. I think my vegetarianism began the first time I looked into my dog's eyes...<< MORE >>

With dreams of both escaping the 9-5 AND saving the world (lofty dreams, I know), I've been working on starting a business...in organic gardening. Don't worry, I'm still a crafty gal who loves sewing, rehabilitating furniture and more and I'll keep doing and sharing those. However, I believe Spring fever has infected...<< MORE >>

You either love 'em or hate 'em. They're either the most comfortable and cute or hideous and gross things you've ever seen. I'm not talking about a political candidate-no, I'm talking about Crocs. I'll go ahead and spill my position: I LOVE Crocs. Despite my love for them, I really can't believe the controversy that Crocs cause. Sites like ihatecrocs.com show pictures of Croc abuse and feature letters of Croc hate. (I admit...the site IS funny though!). << MORE >>

If I'm not careful, I have an awful habit of being an all-or-nothing person. For example, if I'm going to start buying things in bulk, I want to buy EVERYTHING in bulk. If I'm going to recycle, I'm going to recycle every teensy scrap of paper, right down to the little dots from the hole puncher. The problem is that that kind of thinking burns me out. I get so wrapped up in the "all"ness of what I'm doing, that I get frustrated and quit. Then it's on to the "nothing" phase of this vicious cycle. I'm working on it, truly I am. And in one area in particular... the "greenness" of my life. My dream is to one day live in a custom-built home (very small with no wasted space) built of only sustainable materials, run on solar power. All of my home's grey water, as well as all rain water would be funneled into barrels that would automatically water my organic food gardens. Already a vegetarian, I would eventually go vegan so I could live solely off of my land, and therefore never have to buy from the store again. The toilets would be composting toilets (in addition to the composting systems I would already have...<< MORE >>

I'm so excited to announce that I've just entered a few posts into a blog carnival for the first time! For those unfamiliar, a blog carnival is an event where a blog or website owner decides to acquire or accept several entries on a topic, chooses the best, then posts something kind of like an online...<< MORE >>

Books rock. Little miniature worlds, filled with experiences, information, fantastic trips-they all have a way of either transporting us from our world to theirs, or filling our heads with knowledge. As a child, I was fortunate to have parents who valued books, reading and education. They read to me from day one and I loved books as soon as I was able to read them...<< MORE >>

Inspiration can come from many places and with so much daily minutiae we must manage, it can be difficult to remember every inspiring moment, magazine article or idea that we encounter. An inspiration book can help you organize these ideas for future reference. Materials and Tools Needed... << MORE >>

Every parent believes that her child is the smartest, most beautiful and most special child in the world. I hear from my friends and acquaintances that their children are the next Nobel-prize, Oscar winning Miss and Mr. Americas, but of course, we all know that they're wrong since mine is the superstar. Debate aside, what surprises me the most about being a mother is how it has changed me... << MORE >>

*This post is inspired by the fact that I'll be moving soon! I'm so excited as the place to which I'm moving is one big blank canvas. By that I mean white walls to decorate and about 1/2 acre of land to garden. Seriously, for me, that's like setting a child loose in a candy store with free reign. Woo hoo! Don't worry, I'll share all of my decorating and gardening adventures with you as they happen! Moving can be an exciting time of change (hopefully for the better) or it can be a huge pain in the *BLEEP*. I prefer to try and see it as an opportunity to clean house and redecorate all in one fell swoop (which, of course, excites my nerd self to no end). Think about it. How often do you get to move everything out of a room and start over? This unique opportunity presents itself when you pack up your things and haul them elsewhere. So take the time to maximize this opportunity, and see moving as less of a chore and more like an exciting adventure.<< MORE >>

With only 12 days left until the official beginning of Spring, flowers have begun making an appearance, showing off in all of their colorful glory. Here is a brief peek at my and my neighbor's first babies of the year:<< MORE >>

Dear Friends: The following is a guest post from my very talented friend Tissuepapers; She makes the most unique and beautiful things! Hi everyone! Thanks JewelFaerie for letting me stop by! I hope everyone enjoys my Vincent Van Gogh Severed Ear Earring Holder as much as I enjoyed making it. Here you go! ~Tissuepapers I like to be organized - so I came up with this little stuffy inspired by the severed ear of Vincent van Gogh. My earrings were is such disarray that I had trouble finding matching pairs. Now with my "ear" << MORE >>

Recycle a vintage suitcase and pamper your furry friends all at once by creating this uber chic pet bed. You can help save the Earth AND have the most stylish dog or cat quarters in the neighborhood!Supplies and tools needed: * One vintage suitcase (look for one in good shape with an intact interior. A cruddy interior means more work. I found mine for $6.99 at a thrift store.)<< MORE >>

While not really a slave to fashion, I believe that when I look better, I feel better and face the world more confidently. Through experience (and by watching Stacy and Clinton on TLC's What Not to Wear), I've discovered that some clothing flatters a curvier body better than others. What do I mean by curvy? In this case, I mean a woman who has c-cup and larger 'girls' and 'junk in her trunk', maybe even a tummy too (you asked!) I know there are flattering clothes for all body types, but I have particular experience with the one I just described . My top picks for clothes that flatter a curvier body are: 1. A constructed blazer: A blazer that hits on or just below the hips and features princess-style seams is a great choice. Ideally you want<< MORE >>

My first attempts at sewing as a young doe didn't fare so well. Tedious tasks do not mesh well with my impatient nature! However, as I've gotten older, my patience has grown (at least a little bit), and now sewing is a joy for me. There are, however, times when I just don't want to follow the rules. What rules? Oh, little things like measuring, for example. << MORE >>

Sometimes, "the pretty" costs a pretty penny. Other times, you can find an alternative for less than half the price. Today I want to share with you some of the pretties I found lately...at a price that keeps shoes on my feet! Mirrored Jewelry Box I have lusted after this gorgeous mirrored jewelry box from Urban Outfitters ever since I first saw it last fall. It's gorgeous! To be honest, I could've parted with the $38 that they wanted for it, and probably would've felt that I got my money's worth... << MORE >>

I like nice, roomy nightstands that look like nightstands (as opposed to a small table or overturned box. Even better if it has lots of storage inside! When I saw this pair on Craig's List for $25 I knew they had potential. Before they were an off-white shade requiring a lot of touch ups. The handles were a brassy color. I got the notion to remove the toe kick for each piece and add feet to the bottom. Each piece received fresh paint, and the handles were spray painted a hammered silver color.<< MORE >>

Knock on wood, my site gets more hits by the day (thank you!). More visitors means more questions...and that's a good thing! Here are the most frequently asked questions I've received: Just who do you think you are missy? Thanks for asking...I'm first and foremost a<< MORE >>

I admit it, my quest for organization and simplicity has even touched my spiritual life. I like to consolidate all of my "prayers", "healing energies", "well-wishes"...whatever you want to call them...into one daily moment of meditation. Each evening, I place any new thoughts into my prayer bowl, light the candle and send my thoughts into the beyond to work their magic (or to be worked upon-however you view it). In my mind, this is similar to uploading all of my files at once instead of one at a time :-). << MORE >>

A few months back, I impulsively bought a This End Up computer hutch for $50 from someone on Craig's List. I had a vision that it would eventually be a sewing and crafts center-a place to house my sewing machine, ironing board, craft supplies etc. When I answered the ad, I had no idea how cool this thing would be. There's a built-in power strip, a drawer, several shelves and a drop down desk with a built-in bulletin board. << MORE >>

I absolutely love reusing something when I can as it serves three purposes: 1. It's a solution to something I needed. 2. It keeps something out of a landfill. (Save the Earth!) 3. It saves money (Woo hoo!) Below are three recent repurposed/reused projects: Project 1: Tissue box pencil holder<< MORE >>

In reviewing some of my favorite blogs this morning, I saw that many of them had Valentine's or romantic themes and I said to myself, "Self...Valentine's day? Is that today? I am to V-day as Scrooge was to Christmas. That being said, I noticed that I had yet to post my favorite poems for you, and since poetry speaks straight to the heart, it seems to be an appropriate time to share. Happy Valentine's day!<< MORE >>

Cleaning truly doesn't have to be a dreaded all-day task. The key is to keep up with the mess before it gets out of hand! If you simplify, then pick up and wipe up as you go, cleaning day will become cleaning hour (or even cleaning "1/2 hour"!) allowing you to knock it out and get on about the business of either getting things done or having some fun.<< MORE >>

I sincerely believe, with all of my heart, that an organized home is a happier one. No, seriously! It doesn't matter if your home is large or small, organization is an important element of harmony, peace and pleasant aesthetics.<< MORE >>

If spirituality is music, then religions are radio stations. With a wide variety from which to choose, most of us have a favorite. While some listen to only one station and feel very strongly that it's the best, some don't listen at all. Many are somewhere in between, enjoying music from a few stations, picking and choosing the programs and songs they like best.<< MORE >>

Spring is definitely, well, springing *cough*, and whether or not my darling neighbor and great friend Lisa knows it, she and I are competing. Thanks to the virtues of online instant media...when I hit the "publish" button...I guess she'll know! What are we competing over? Who's the prettiest? (She is) Who is the better cook? (That's a toss up). Who can lift more weights? (That's me..I think) No, none of those...we're competing to see who has the prettiest Spring flowers.<< MORE >>

Some quotes just jump out at you and seem to describe an exact feeling or observation-they paint a very clear picture in your mind...take a gander at 18 wonderfully inspiring quotes: "We invent nothing, truly. We borrow and re-create. We uncover and discover. All has been given, as the mystics say...<< MORE >>

Many people have considered downsizing their homes and simplifying their lives by decluttering or getting rid of unnecessary items, but have no idea what to do with the things they don't want. Back in the day, our options were to donate them, throw them away or maybe sell a few things in the local paper or trading post. Now, there are a few more options...options that can put cash right back in your pocket! Now that's a good incentive. Below are 6 ways to earn money with things you already have (some old ideas, and some new):<< MORE >>

When I was 5 years old, I loved playing in our family room. My favorite game was to put on some music and twirl and twirl until I fell down. (Yes, this is a possible explanation for any crazy behavior I currently exhibit.) A large room, our family room had brown wood paneling walls interrupted only with windows and a large sliding door which led to the back patio. The carpet, if I recall correctly, was a brownish color as were the curtains. But one thing in that room was not brown-the big red Buddha that lived on...<< MORE >>

Furniture, home decor, appliances, groceries, books/media-these things don't HAVE
to be expensive.  It doesn't even require much creativity, just a willingness to look!  My top pics for bargain shopping (for anything other than clothes) are:

1.  Ikea. 
Ikea has amazing furniture and accessories, but moderation is key. 
Because their prices are very affordable, it's easy to whip out your
credit card and charge a whole room.  Now that $50 chair isn't so much
of a bargain because you surrounded it with $950 worth of other
furniture from Ikea as well!  I live 2 hours away from the closest Ikea
so my friend Lisa and I ...<< MORE >>

Given a few years, some experience and a healthy dose of perspective, it seems there are a lot of things to say to our former selves-if only that were possible. Of course, it's our mistakes that make us who we are today, but I can't resist the temptation to try to push my 25-year-old self in the right direction. Here's my list of 10 insights I'd share with my earlier self:<< MORE >>

We've been inundated with literature and media telling us that multi-tasking is the only way to get ahead in our busy world. Help Wanted ads almost always say, "Multi-task oriented individual required". But I submit that the entire concept that multi-tasking = more efficient or more productive is FALSE. Here's why: When we begin working, it takes a few seconds or minutes (depending on the person) to get into the "flow". You know what I'm talking about...shuffling papers, getting things in order, putting pen to paper, writing a few sentences, then blam...your brain starts working. Of course, the specifics vary depending on what you do. When we are interrupted by a phone or person, etc., we have to shift our thinking into a NEW mode, get into a NEW flow, and begin doing THAT work. When finished, we have to get back into the flow of what we were doing before, which starts the process all over again. Because of the way our "flow" works, more mistakes are made when we attempt to multi-task simply because we don't have the time to get our flow mojo back. So we move back and forth, forgetting to dot an "i" here and entering the wrong date there...and presenting lesser quality work than we would've presented had we finished one thing before starting on another. To counteract this, try...<< MORE >>

One of my biggest weaknesses (or indulgences, depending on how you view it) is the store Anthropologie. I think they have some of the most beautiful things...clothing, home decor and more. Even the books they stock are fabulous! And to top it off-in my city, Anthropologie is located in a mall that allows you to bring your dog...any place that lets me bring my baby gets my business!

The problem is, the prices at Anthropologie are very high as well. So, when I go, I peruse the sale tables and try to keep away from the cash register...<< MORE >>

For the new calendar year of 2008, I decided that instead of making (and breaking) resolutions, I would create New Year's mantras. These are little statements to inspire me or remind me of something, and I hope they inspire you as well. My New Year's mantras for 2008 are:

1. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. It can be some.<< MORE >>

You've probably heard it before, but I'm here to tell you it's true; A cluttered home is a cluttered life.  Think about it.  Let's just use the kitchen table for ...<< MORE >>

Admittedly, there are gorgeous dresses and clothes out there that tempt me, even when they sport a $100-$200 price tag. But with many interests to satiate (sewing, crafting, gardening and more) I have to be discriminating with my money. While many budget costs are fixed, clothing is one expense that offers a great opportunity to save money and be creative at the same time.

With minimal effort, it's easy to pull together a fabulous look on a song. My favorite stores for budget-friendly clothing are:

Old Navy: I find that even their "expensive" stuff is reasonably priced!<< MORE >>

We all know to clip coupons, buy things in bulk if possible (but only if we'll use it!), buy things on sale, yada yada yada.  But below are some unique tips and ideas that you won't find repeated in every magazine:

1.Don't buy every pretty wrapping paper you pass, even if it's on sale.
Just buy one roll of white wrapping paper and/or one roll of brown craft paper (the stuff grocery bags are made out of).<< MORE >>