Let's Get Organized!

Ahh, what a beautiful pantry (now don't most of us wish we had a pantry that big!!)
I detest clutter, and love organization. Unfortunately it's something I have to work on, can you relate? I'm very organized in certain areas and very scatter brained in others. { My husband is so good for me, he truly balances me out and helps me so much. Thank you, honey!! :-D }

Maybe it's the carefree designer in me, the creative side, the "go with the flow" part of me that makes me have to work on it all the more. While the other side of me really craves structure, organization and all things "type A". Can you see how difficult this is when I have 2 distinct sides of me? haha!

There's something so beautiful about neatly stacked items, organized shelves, labeled bins, color coordinated closets, things in their place, and everything else that goes along with -ORGANIZATION.

There's a calming effect that happens when your home is free of clutter. There's a euphoric feeling when you take a space and make it beautiful and functional through organization. There's even a giddy happiness when you can find exactly what you're looking for, due to everything having a place.

Anyway, as I said, it's something I have to work on and thankfully my friend told me about a wonderful blog. This blog is genius, and Jen, the creator is double genius! You must visit her blog here to see what I mean.

For one of my "New Year's Resolutions" I mentioned previously how I'm going through each room of my home and doing a lot of detailed organization to make things more functional. When you have a smaller home, it's essential! Even with a bigger home, organization is essential for functionality. I really love Jen's post on "Where to Begin" because I think it can get quite overwhelming unless you know where to start....

Here are some fabulous tips from this Organizing guru:

1. Pick a space/zone - Start Small
2. Make a list - Prioritize Projects
3. Sort belongings
4. Sell/Donate/Recycle/Toss
5. Organize - Place items where it makes the most sense
6. Pat yourself on the back, do a little dance, give a high five... feel accomplished!!

You can take the time to read the detailed post here on her blog. I highly suggest it!

In closing, I hope these tips have been inspiring!!

I'm off to ....you'll never guess....do some organizing!!! ;-D

~Lauren

Thank God for NEW CARPET!!!

My Thankful Thursday is all about the NEW CARPET that the Lord blessed us with for our bedroom. The Lord was so good to allow us to purchase beautiful $500.00 carpet for only $80.00!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, you heard right - and no, it's not some crazy color. It's a neutral that goes perfectly in our room! And it feels awesome squished between your toes. ;-)
We had searched and searched for the right carpet at the right price and to no avail. Because we waited on Him, he allowed us to find this amazing deal!
Our good friend (and the best carpet installer in the world), came out last weekend to install this luscious carpet for us, and we are enjoying it immensely!! Our old carpet was an ugly blue color that was all kinds of flat, drab, stained, etc. After pulling up the drab blue carpet, it gave way to this dated orange stuff that someone had GLUED to the beautiful hardwood floors. *cry* Why are people so dumb? :-P This is the "before picture" - here you see the old stuff rolled up, and the retro orange carpet underneath. Groovy, huh? I recently redecorated our room. We painted the walls a lovely, sophisticated gray with crisp white trim, bought luxurious new bedding (saved a lot on Ebay), installed a gorgeous new light fixture, hung the perfect curtains, and put the finishing touches on the room with artwork and decor. The LAST step to transforming our bedroom was the carpet......FINALLY our room is complete! Here's the "after picture" (half of the room anyway) and you can see how much of a difference it truly makes!
Thank you Lord for caring about even the little things, like my fabulous new carpet.

~Lauren

"There's no place like home...."

I am definitely a "people person", I love meeting new people and taking an interest in their lives. That was one of the highlights of my previous job as a Dental Assistant. I was constantly meeting people day -in and day out. Since then, I am happily a Wife, Domestic Engineer, Photographer, and Jewelry Designer. I love being a homemaker!
Sean & I affectionately call our charming 1920's home "Sean & Lauren's Bed & Breakfast" aka "S&L's B&B".I love to cook, we both love to entertain, and our home just happens to be the perfect setting for combining the two. We've had many visitors this Summer and have enjoyed each and every guest! Sean & I are a great team, and we strive to help people to feel comfortable, relaxed, and welcome at our place. I have turned my love for people into turning my home into a warm and hospitable environment for those that we entertain!I believe the gift of hospitality is a lost art these days. We live in a busy world, one that has little time for anyone else. The Proverbs 31 woman made time for others and went out of her way to be a servant to those that she met. We, by no means have mastered this art, but our goal is to make a habit of being hospitable. Reaching out to others, taking the time to nurture and develop friendships, and showing the love of Christ through our lives takes time, but is so rewarding. People are what life is all about. It's too easy to be self focused. Practice being others focused and you'll find yourself truly happy, while being a blessing to those around you. It doesn't come naturally, but it's something for us all to work on everyday!


In closing, you don't have to live in the South to show that good ol' Southern hospitality. You heard right, Page! This Northern gal can do it too. haha! Give it a try!

Oh and if you're ever in our "neck of the woods", give us a holla and stop by "S&L's B&B". :-D

~Lauren

P.S. Sean makes a MEAN breakfast - it's slap yo momma good!!