No time like the beginning of a new year for a fresh start!

First off, I hope everyone had an amazing holiday, and happy New Year!  Usually, I don't get caught up in the New Year's traditions like setting resolutions.  This year however, I am determined to get really, really, organized.  I'm usually an organized person, but the last half of 2011 I started to really fall behind on a lot of my filing, exercise routine, and many other things.  So, it sort of seemed like fate when, just a couple of weeks before New Years, I received three books from organizing guru Jennifer Ford Berry.  The books are "Organize Now!," "Organize Now! Your Money, Business, & Career," and "Organize Now! 12 Month Home & Activity Planner."

There's nothing quite as inspiring and exciting as a new organizing book that really speaks to you, and I think these definitely will.  The "Organize Now!"  and "Organize Now! Your Money, Business, & Career"  books literally break down the year into weeks, and assigns you tasks for each week that ultimately get your entire space in order.  I also like that, not only does she focus on the tangible things - like organizing your cupboards, entryway, social profiles, and email contact, but she also goes into a lot of depth and care to express the importance of taking time out for yourself, and streamlining your lifestyle to increase efficiency (therefore creating more time for yourself).

Table of contents in "Organize Now!"

I've already started the "Organize Now!" book.  The beginning is dedicated to the psychology of clutter, how it impacts us mentally and physically, and all the rewards one can reap by eradicating clutter.  Weeks 1- 4 are titled "Organize Yourself," with week 1 being broken down further to "Organize your Mind & Life Vision.    Each week has a checklist of weekly goals (which helps keeps the ultimate goal of complete organization from being overwhelming), and a "Stay Organized" checklist that gives you tips to maintain your newly achieved organization goal of the week.  The "Stay Organized" checklist is broken down into what you should do once a month, every 3-6 months, and once a year.

Several pages are dedicated to the psychology of clutter.

Week 1's "This Week's Goal's" checklist

I've also already filled out my first week of the "Organize Now! 12 Month Home & Activity Planner."  It give ample room to jot down to-dos for each day.  The beginning of each month features a list for holidays, bill due dates, and monthly events.  Each month also starts out with a monthly "focus," tips, and a space to list goals for the month.

The beginning of each month starts out with space to list the month's events, due dates, and holidays.

Lots of space for jotting your to-do's!

I haven't started the "Organize Now! Your Money, Business, & Career," book yet, but I hope to dive into it a bit tonight, as it undoubtedly covers the aspects of my life that need the most organizing.

"Organize Now! Your Money, Business, & Career" table of contents

The books can all be purchased on Amazon.
Organize Now!
Organize Now! Your Money, Business, and Career
Organize Now! 12 Month Home and Activity Planner
You can check out Jennifer Ford Berry's website and blog here
Do you usually feel inspired to start new projects or regimens on New Years?  What are your goals and wishes for 2012? Can't wait to hear about them!

*disclosure:  I received Organize Now!, Organize Now! Your Money, Business, and Career, and Organize Now! 12 Month Home and Activity Planner as a sample

If you want to try your hand at decorating, update your methods, or become a better designer - you must check out this book!

There are a lot of great how-to decorating books out there, but the one I'm about to introduce is truly different, and I really think it could make anyone a better designer. It's titled "The Meghan Method," and is written by Meghan Carter, who got her start in the design world by traveling across the country interviewing industry experts about interior design.

It's hard to really give the book justice in a short explanation, but here is an idea as seen on the Meghan Method site page:

"This revolutionary guide demystifies decorating, breaking it down into a fill-in-the-blank, simple, step-by-step process — with worksheets — that enables ANYONE, on any budget, to create the home of his or her dreams. You'll discover:

How to find your true style.
How to pick the perfect colors.
How to mix patterns.
How to arrange furniture.
How to choose lighting.
Where to score the best deals.
Where to find the coolest items.
And much, much more."

Below I've scanned a few of her amazing worksheets which show you how to translate your needs and likes into the perfect room:

The book walks you through several example rooms.  I'm sharing some of her "home office" worksheets.  First is your aspirations for the room.

Second, your functional needs for the room.

Third, and probably where most people get stumped, or overlook, your emotional needs for the room.

Meghan also breaks down how to translate your muses into decor, accessories, and furnishings.

The author also lists a couple of pages worth of inspirational blogs, sites, and magazines. Decorology is so honored to be mentioned among such great company!
Thanks Meghan for the shout out!

Finally, you will complete a room evaluation to make sure your room and the accessories you buy will accommodate everything you need.

Create a to-do list and the order in which items should be completed.

She also reviews methods on how to physically plan your space.  One example is the one above - the taping method.  I've never heard of this, but it seems really great if you tend to get really nervous about arranging furniture, hanging pictures, etc.

The final result: your dream space.

I definitely recommend checking this book out.  It's a thick one - almost 400 pages.  And it's not just a book of pretty pictures - it's more like the text book for decorating you always wished you had.

You can buy the book here.

You can download the worksheets here.

Gorgeous Autumn and holiday decor and how to make it!

I am ashamed I'm not posting this DIY earlier. I've always though that gilt gourds is were so pretty, I just needed a good excuse to try it out! It makes gorgeous autumn decor - so I should have posted this in plenty of time for anyone interested to make it before the holidays. Regardless, I still thought it'd make a good post. My original inspiration was this gallery from Country Living.

I looked up a couple of step-by-step instructions, but the best instructions I found in the Mona Lisa Gold Leaf Kit, which I picked up at Michaels. This is what I recommend for beginners as it includes everything you need - primer, adhesive, gold leaf, sealer, and antiquing glaze.



My parents grew many gourds so I had my pick. You can get gourds online or from supermarkets if they're in season. Make sure they are dry, and have no punctures.


Here are a few supplies you may want to have on hand - gesso (which I used as a primer on the gourds that I only painted, not leafed). Paint (some of the gourds I just painted metallic gold to ad variety alongside the gilded ones). Brushes, paint stirrer, paint tray, palette knife for mixing small amounts of paint, a pencil and masking tape for creating designs on the gourds, and a leafing kit or supplies.

After picking the gourds I wanted to paint, I primed them with gesso, applying it only where I planned on painting them or applying the leaf.

This gourd I painted the top a metallic gold, and applied leaf on the bottom half. (Notice the red leaf primer on the bottom.) A dark color primer makes the gold leaf "pop" a little more.

Once the primer dries, apply adhesive as instructed on the label. I found applying the gold leaf was easy it I placed a piece of waxed paper over it, warmed the wax paper a little just by rubbing my hand over it, and then applying the leaf to the gourd. Try and touch the leaf with your fingers as little as possible. You only have to press the leaf to the gourd very lightly.

Brush off any excess flakes with a soft, dry, brush. A light touch will do. After that, coat it with the sealer well. After the sealer dries, apply the antiquing glaze as instructed on the label. This project does require a good amount of surface space, and can be messy so make sure you've allotted space and cover any surfaces. Also various amounts of drying time will be needed between steps.

So...without further ado...here are my results!





I lined a wood bowl with dried rye and than arranged the gourds to create a centerpiece.


What do you think?

Gorgeous images from my favorite design blogs

Another installment of Favorite images from my favorite blogs

The below from the magical Designer's Block





These gems are from The Urban Hippie, a "professional newspaper writer who likes to take pictures"





Images from the very fun, "Young House Love," if you are a DIYer, you've got to check out this blog!

pretty room potpurri

I've been having a rough day and battling a cold all week, so I felt like some gratuitous pretty interiors were in order. This collection is brought to you by none other than Ms. Stewart.

Gorgeous old country kitchen. Look at those counter tops!


I have rectangular cubby shelves on either side of my bed as nightstands and they're super handy.

great DIY project - fabric-covered magnetic boards. How-to here.



Cute ribbon display shelves! How to here.






via Martha Stewart