My Notebook :: 05.28.11

What I'm reading today:

iHeart Organizing :: May Challenge: Project "Projects" {Boy's Bedroom - Part 6}

iHeart Organizing :: Reader Space: Perfect Pantry Project

I'm an Organizing Junkie :: 52 Weeks: #21 Embrace the Empty Space

Honey We're Home :: Spring Cleaning & Organizing {Paper Clutter}

Honey We're Home :: Spring Cleaning & Organizing {Kitchen Drawers}

House of Hepworths :: Hookin Up with HoH #50

Handy Man, Crafty Woman :: Wicked Awesome Wednesday #13

Delightful Order :: Delightfully Inspiring Thursday Party - 13

Tatertots and Jello :: Weekend Wrap Up Party -- and Lee La La Jewelry giveaway!!

Tatertots and Jello :: 20 Summertime Projects!!

Thirty Handmade Days :: Pity Party 38

Home Sweet Home -- Northeastern Pennsylvania

I'm in Pennsylvania for the next few weeks. My cousin is getting married tomorrow and I get married in 2 weeks from today. Even though Chris and I have somewhat "settled" ourselves in Utah, we still refer to Pennsylvania as "home". It's where both of our families live.

It's been a few years since I've been in PA in the summer, so there are so many things that are new again to me and bringing back memories.

It's so green here. A lot greener than Utah.

This is not the house, it's the garage/pavilion/pool. My dad and step-mom have an acre of land, which of course is unheard of in Salt Lake City. It's nice to have a lot of land, but a lot of work.

This is the bridge we're getting married on.

I love listening to the creek running behind the house. There are so many smells I miss from living in PA: burning wood, the way it smells after it rains, clean air (ha ha -- no pollution here).

Dear Chicago Airport and American Airlines...

You make me sad. Yesterday was the day from hell. I had a flight from Salt Lake to Scranton, with a connection in Chicago. I was supposed to have a 2 hour lay over -- which normally would be no big deal. With Chicago being voted worst weather for an airport by Bing, I can now see why. Rain in Chicago caused a 2 hour flight delay in Salt Lake, resulting in a 5 minute too late arrival in Chicago = me missing my flight to Scranton. I was so thrilled when we landed in Chicago and it was sunny...with dry ground as far as I could see. So much for the terrible rain...I guess we probably could have left on time and been okay.

Thank you for canceling your 7 PM flight from Chicago to Scranton as well, American Airlines. You so nicely left a flight full of people out in the cold, fighting with those of us you left behind for an Allentown flight instead. Fellow SLC flight passengers also traveling to Scranton, were upset about everything -- as well as those on flights from California and Texas, who also missed their flights within 10 minutes of when the connection to Scranton departed. Makes sense to leave half of your flight behind...I guess...right?

The Allentown flight, scheduled to leave at 3:05 PM and not departing until 6:30 PM, was frustrating and absolutely ridiculous. Not having crew members show up is so ridiculous, especially when it's also happening at every other gate around us. All of the airline agents, working behinds the desks, were also too busy having fun with one another to even help out stranded passengers who needed to be rebooked. I stood in line with 15 other people at one desk, waiting oh so patiently to be rebooked while 6 people stood behind a desk chatting about their awesome lives and 2 slowly, grumpily helped those of us lost souls.

What should have been a easy day of traveling, ended up being one of the worst days of my life. While I do believe everything happens for a reason, I'm still searching to find why exactly this whole day panned out the way it did. There was nothing good from it.

I have never flown American Airlines before and have never connected through Chicago. Now I know why, and I will not do so again.

I just had to rant. I'm so unhappy with how things were yesterday. From what I understand, it's both Chicago's Airport and American Airlines who are known for these shenanigans though.

My Notebook :: 05.24.11

What I'm reading today:

A bowl full of lemons :: One project at a time... vacationing

Honey We're Home :: SPRING Cleaning & Organizing {Home Management Notebook & Daily Agenda

Mod Podge Rocks :: Mod Podge breakfast tray

Lemon Tree Creations :: Stenciled Closet

Tatertots and Jello :: J Crew-Inspired Threaded Necklace (with rosette)!

The Shabby Nest :: Decluttering Tips

Busy, Busy, Busy...

I've been so busy over the last few days trying to get things done around the house before I leave for Pennsylvania tomorrow. I've been feeling somewhat depressed because I hate the thought of leaving Chris and Jazz (our dog). Chris will join me in Pennsylvania next week though and then the wedding is June 11. So I just have to keep reminding myself that this whole trip and being away from home for 3 weeks is all worth it because I'll be married by the end. =]

Today I have a job interview. I'm pretty excited and really hope it goes well enough to result in a job offer.

I'm not sure if I'll post anything today or not. I definitely won't tomorrow because I'll be flying all day and unfortunately American Airlines doesn't have wi-fi on my flights. (Boooooo!)

I have quite a lot I want to do around my dad's house while I'm in and finally have the time. I'll take pictures of what's going on -- it may interest you.

I can't wait to show you pictures of the wedding in about a month or so. =] Have a great week!

My Notebook :: 05.20.11

What I'm reading today:

iHeart Organizing :: May Challenge: Project "Projects" {Boy's Bedroom - Part 5}

I'm an Organizing Junkie :: 52 Weeks: #20 Take Back Your Linen Closet


The Shabby Nest :: Frugal Friday~

Thirty Handmade Days :: Pity Party 37

My Notebook :: 05.19.11

What I'm reading today:

Hydrangeas and Harmony :: Summer Boredom Kit for Kids

iHeart Organizing :: Reader Space: Closet Case of Laundry Love

Delightful Order :: Delightfully Inspiring Thursday Party - 12

House of Hepworth's :: Hookin Up with HoH #49

How I... Label Things for Organization

This post was inspired by my wonderful cousin, Jennica, who asked me yesterday about labels for storage boxes. I decided to share how I label my boxes and where you can find more inspiration on the internet.

1. Vinyl

I recently discovered the joy of cutting vinyl with my Cricut Expression machine. I used the Lyrical Letters cartridge to create the following labels. I can't wait to create more labels with this vinyl. It's so easy to place and looks awesome.

2. Scrapbook Alphabet Stickers

This is probably my favorite way to label things. I love scrapbook stickers because they're inexpensive and come in all shapes, sizes, colors, fonts, etc. I love the variety.

These aren't stickers, but they're chipboard letters. I haven't used them to label anything yet, but plan to soon. =]

3. Post-it Super Sticky Removable Label Pads



These removable labels are awesome. They stick really well, but aren't permanent and remove easily. I've had these labels on these drawers for over a year now, and they're not peeling at the edges. I like using them in places where I know I'll possibly change the use of whatever the container is.

4. Printed from My Computer

One great thing about printing labels from my computer is the variation I can create -- size, font, color, etc. I have recently bought Avery labels to print on (you can get free templates for the labels you purchase on Avery's website to create your own labels). A quality printer can create awesome labels.

5. Label Maker

Oh the label maker. I think it's best for small labeling jobs, such as file folders, photo boxes, and anything else that doesn't need to be largely viewed.

My label maker is the Brother P-touch Electronic Labeling System. It's really pricey on Amazon right now for some reason. The Brother PT1290 Home and Office Labeler is priced more reasonable and looks as if it may have more options than the one I have.

The following labels were created with my old labeler that only would label things in all capital letters. I absolutely hated it.

Other Internet Resources:

• Better Homes & Gardens has a bunch of free printable storage labels available on their website. You can go through the 27 slides to download each of the label templates and see examples of how they're used. They're really cute labels and I've downloaded some myself, but have yet to actually use them in my home.
• Better Homes & Gardens also has a video on how to Get Organized with Labels. I love this video -- there are so many great ideas and they show a bunch of different ways, not just with printables.
• Jen at iHeart Organizing wrote a post last year about how she makes her own labels on her computer.
• Jen at iHeart Organizing also wrote a post about how she labels her boys' clothing drawers with picture labels. Very cute!

This post has totally made me want to go label more things right now. I feel so nerdy. ha ha

Inspired to go do some labeling around your house? Click here to download a free printable I created to help you make a list of things you need to label.

Do you have any other ways to label your storage containers?

How I... Clean My Oven and Sink

Last night I decided to clean my oven and sink. It was long over due. I recently purchased Shaklee Scour Off heavy duty paste to get the job done. I was so impressed by Toni at A Bowl Full of Lemon's oven cleaning experience with Scour Off that I decided to try it out.

I previously cleaned my oven with some kind of toxic oven cleaning spray. I thought I was going to die while using it due to the powerful fumes. I can't believe that stuff is even legal to use in a home. Anyways...

Scour Off is made from natural ingredients and is in paste form, so there are no harmful chemicals or fumes in this product. I don't even have to wear gloves when I use it, which is nice. The smell is rather pleasant as well, so I don't have to worry about airing out my home all day when I clean with it. Scour Off doesn't leave lovely streaks from cleaning either like the old chemical spray does. I love love love it!

Here are my before, during, and after photos from my cleaning experience. (Remember, I'm terrible at taking these photos because I can't ever get the same shots again. ha ha)

Forgot to take a before picture -- oops!

Next I think I will clean my shower with Scour Off. =]