I heart art.

It's in my DNA... has been since birth (I guess that's a given when both sides of your families are artists). Needless to say, the house has been feeling pretty soul-less with no art on the walls thus far. <br /><br />I've been looking forward to this weekend for a while now, as my printer has finally arrived and I was able to start making test prints of several pieces I've been creating over the months. I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but it's a start. I'll be slowly adding to the collection and hanging prints as I go (and I'll definitely keep you all updated along the way!) <br /><br />Without further interruption... let's start with the dining nook. My plan for this space is to add pops of turquoise through art and accessories, so the color palette would be whites, aquas, and brown-grey/greige. <br /><br />We started with the greige paint color (Valspar's Magic Spell), added in the chandelier and mirror last week, and today we installed a couple floating shelves and added some accessories:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkFk7uSq6OQPKS5Q74h4Symlj4sL7eXxuqdcpKSu-cYaFhxpnh8aP1zfnhyrWTVszWLrYTL8-lu1cJBbauk2oGJHlAh710J_UtmjoPi_ea06BvKTiA974nJNRR3nm3gG1f4KcUSQ8BFMw/s1600/IMG_3894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkFk7uSq6OQPKS5Q74h4Symlj4sL7eXxuqdcpKSu-cYaFhxpnh8aP1zfnhyrWTVszWLrYTL8-lu1cJBbauk2oGJHlAh710J_UtmjoPi_ea06BvKTiA974nJNRR3nm3gG1f4KcUSQ8BFMw/s640/IMG_3894.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamlJMMkFwholQbgOIHAPMT12IChbDUE8C2X0fVhR9YBDd1dDKdT1zTG_Xr4aDESRW_ZCVjVU3_aKsjt-Puc0r3WQ2C3uAxHXbm8S0WRv0PuN98dtUGaeVHeGfunXpAfQeb2QsnxVikK7l/s1600/IMG_3895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamlJMMkFwholQbgOIHAPMT12IChbDUE8C2X0fVhR9YBDd1dDKdT1zTG_Xr4aDESRW_ZCVjVU3_aKsjt-Puc0r3WQ2C3uAxHXbm8S0WRv0PuN98dtUGaeVHeGfunXpAfQeb2QsnxVikK7l/s640/IMG_3895.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I stole the<a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/d-weekend.html"> thrift-store painted vase and painted white sailboats</a> from the console table in the living room. Not sure if they will be staying, but they fit in well with the theme.<br /><br />Here's a close up of the bird print:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GvvJa0CnpztLnq9_A4vT9Z5dikYhngh6q62oM_kgpME9-h00A_oF2FTvQtQRB85n17Cfv1Ns8ComhIsvvcHTn-tfMFhrj4dsGV_kJbrpHq9ZySfmCdZr-ehZrB1byCTn96zNI5AFaJuG/s1600/IMG_3891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="530" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GvvJa0CnpztLnq9_A4vT9Z5dikYhngh6q62oM_kgpME9-h00A_oF2FTvQtQRB85n17Cfv1Ns8ComhIsvvcHTn-tfMFhrj4dsGV_kJbrpHq9ZySfmCdZr-ehZrB1byCTn96zNI5AFaJuG/s640/IMG_3891.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Available for purchase <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70348494/bird-on-branches-art-print-choose-your" target="_blank">here</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Opposite the shelf wall is another print, fitting for the room's purpose:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fRH9Ec7cO0jctNBGm_aChmz68LMIldyvgywICf-2SJubeBis70-gtqNpC7y-UsPm4q1iIpAmBgL4F1MeaRor4G6gqKIQh32Dpj6dBu9NaMuLOy7hb039dsDIWV15b5wurozhm23BE2UO/s1600/IMG_3889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fRH9Ec7cO0jctNBGm_aChmz68LMIldyvgywICf-2SJubeBis70-gtqNpC7y-UsPm4q1iIpAmBgL4F1MeaRor4G6gqKIQh32Dpj6dBu9NaMuLOy7hb039dsDIWV15b5wurozhm23BE2UO/s640/IMG_3889.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Available for purchase </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70349149/eat-drink-be-merry-art-print-choose-your" target="_blank"><em>here</em></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here's the other side of the room:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aSRS16K2aw2CZGiwz-Ljltw-xMP8T6JLy4oryTCQfaO5H_Ow7NP3CF3koA4yMOu9R8p_LQiUe9ZkYF219LLr4v6S_k7f8bIDCRIG43XznSMhNuJ_hrGIfOnCGT_7UGLrpcw5q2auLB6E/s1600/IMG_3896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aSRS16K2aw2CZGiwz-Ljltw-xMP8T6JLy4oryTCQfaO5H_Ow7NP3CF3koA4yMOu9R8p_LQiUe9ZkYF219LLr4v6S_k7f8bIDCRIG43XznSMhNuJ_hrGIfOnCGT_7UGLrpcw5q2auLB6E/s640/IMG_3896.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />There's only three walls, as it's open to the living room. And they are all finally full, woohoo! I'm still planning on adding wainscoting on the bottom... that should be a fun experience.<br /><br />Moving on to the living room. I had time to add two pictures to the corner of the room. Again, I want a cohesive feel throughout the main living area, so I opted for turquoise prints. These can be easily changed whenever the mood strikes, but I thought for now I'd add a little bit of playfulness with this octopus and seahorse:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsxBGVfV4zGUn53KZ8y4KZFO_feYrN-c-ks9gUMbxWkLBck21SvzS1wP1mySPAo-JoGJxjxbe1KoXHctL0lTFHJ1vRAAsuGxaVuANPdUuBaiOpGrLaGVRgomxtVFprZuVDBz0tDvp4pEh/s1600/IMG_3912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsxBGVfV4zGUn53KZ8y4KZFO_feYrN-c-ks9gUMbxWkLBck21SvzS1wP1mySPAo-JoGJxjxbe1KoXHctL0lTFHJ1vRAAsuGxaVuANPdUuBaiOpGrLaGVRgomxtVFprZuVDBz0tDvp4pEh/s640/IMG_3912.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Available for purchase <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70347005/ocean-animal-art-print-set-choose-from" target="_blank">here</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tAXn14fPftFKdKFjMIDMeeoZ6D9NGcqvCuS-cNQikD9seL7icco6G2NP-AxFrm80518wXt_o-c9Cj6ZenTAxQZ3qhHD5R6eSmu73i84etlolOprIXjqzaHY7ppQYv_4Ts3aE-oemdJiD/s1600/IMG_3913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tAXn14fPftFKdKFjMIDMeeoZ6D9NGcqvCuS-cNQikD9seL7icco6G2NP-AxFrm80518wXt_o-c9Cj6ZenTAxQZ3qhHD5R6eSmu73i84etlolOprIXjqzaHY7ppQYv_4Ts3aE-oemdJiD/s640/IMG_3913.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Fun, right? Those are the closest things we have to pets right now... I feel like I should give them names or something :)<br /><br />And finally, I was really looking forward to hanging these two prints in our entryway above the coatrack, but I didn't have the necessary hardware to do so (it would have been too hard using the wire and trying to get them exactly lined up to each other... we'd probably have 40 holes in the wall trying to get it right). So tomorrow after work I'll have to stop by Home Depot to grab some picture frame hooks. But I snapped shots of them anyway:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfg7sLya2bC1duBpoL5JpqXwr0_GH7nwFM9_kwduA32RDmgodfBBgoHcbTvKyDNJF0h08-b1f2hm9vlwDOkOgXaFjHzMFIKtBny-Z5KKGts5-N3gwzksrhMRUPRjcug2lCwbVLtPZHmXu/s1600/IMG_3903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfg7sLya2bC1duBpoL5JpqXwr0_GH7nwFM9_kwduA32RDmgodfBBgoHcbTvKyDNJF0h08-b1f2hm9vlwDOkOgXaFjHzMFIKtBny-Z5KKGts5-N3gwzksrhMRUPRjcug2lCwbVLtPZHmXu/s640/IMG_3903.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Available for purchase <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70350417/welcome-to-our-home-art-print-choose" target="_blank">here</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UsaG5pTdHvs_arb6khNAFrXH0FN50SxWJ5D3sJdD_-FwvtWXLiWPyCA04r-hPx9RESjRxpvbYeMReXyLwqdoNzIBd0bagXtexv6r5XoduBwqAh8kB-76W0OJoOPQmJNEE1wymkM5VRJ2/s1600/IMG_3904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UsaG5pTdHvs_arb6khNAFrXH0FN50SxWJ5D3sJdD_-FwvtWXLiWPyCA04r-hPx9RESjRxpvbYeMReXyLwqdoNzIBd0bagXtexv6r5XoduBwqAh8kB-76W0OJoOPQmJNEE1wymkM5VRJ2/s640/IMG_3904.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Available for purchase <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70345283/custom-house-number-art-print-choose" target="_blank">here</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I can't wait to see how they look up on the wall!<br /><br />That's it for now in the Art Update category. But on another note, since it was such a gorgeous day outside, Brad decided to be the first to break in the pool!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bMIIRWW_pKDM0P-_nTZl2UZhzLNmHz0XlqEuRj5xmOy5BfkaKViE4s7xucnQ_344LAxpS8vd_hU_-05VNTt5rr675IVHAdGHTCI0T_fHE6N3DoksL3lJq3yxRUApKg5XAhqWfDYvjT-q/s1600/IMG_3899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bMIIRWW_pKDM0P-_nTZl2UZhzLNmHz0XlqEuRj5xmOy5BfkaKViE4s7xucnQ_344LAxpS8vd_hU_-05VNTt5rr675IVHAdGHTCI0T_fHE6N3DoksL3lJq3yxRUApKg5XAhqWfDYvjT-q/s640/IMG_3899.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />About 0.04 seconds after this shot was taken, he was seriously regretting his decision of cannonballing into 60 degree water and jumped out just as fast as he went in. Now I know to wait a few more months :)<br /><br />That's it for this weekend, folks. If my schedule allows it, I'll be printing and hanging more art every night this week, so check back often!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1ZOo4t-WmiA4eSDRQXGkIjlggfYfA4SkRFnkmfjkwnwBM0UMM7jh1uZcS64Wu6qWQhASAJ0OGeJxF4134Mlo0u60y3StchTU9_u6_2tXfY3MzPRSmTRyNMd00bGc_nt2T99Z39Csa1Cl/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1ZOo4t-WmiA4eSDRQXGkIjlggfYfA4SkRFnkmfjkwnwBM0UMM7jh1uZcS64Wu6qWQhASAJ0OGeJxF4134Mlo0u60y3StchTU9_u6_2tXfY3MzPRSmTRyNMd00bGc_nt2T99Z39Csa1Cl/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

I heart art.

It's in my DNA... has been since birth (I guess that's a given when both sides of your families are artists). Needless to say, the h...

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My alternative to the file cabinet.

UPDATE: Check out the finished version of my File Cabinet makeover <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2011/02/speakers-art-and-new-friend.html">here</a>, complete with free binder printables!<br /><br />Today I took a break from the standard Saturday decorating+renovating to practice another one of my most favorite pastimes... organizing. <br /><br />I had decided not to go with the traditional lateral filing cabinet for our office when I spotted this Aspvik wall cabinet on Ikea for $100:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/aspvik-wall-cabinet-with-sliding-doors-white__78999_PE202422_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/aspvik-wall-cabinet-with-sliding-doors-white__78999_PE202422_S4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I loved the look of it and immediately pictured the perfect spot for it over our desk. I hadn't really thought out the logistics of it at that point, but I knew I'd find a way to make it work. <br /><br />Whilst at Ikea, I grabbed a couple packages of these babies for just $2 each:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/flyt-magazine-file-white__18520_PE103469_S4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/flyt-magazine-file-white__18520_PE103469_S4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Can't go wrong with them at that price, right? But then came the challenging part... figuring out how to organize all our papers within these boxes. They aren't really meant for that, as they are magazine files, so I had to get creative. Then, in a moment of genius, a binder popped into my head. Inside the binder were clear sleeves, which held not only paper but all the loose miscellaneous things that often need to be filed. Bin-go! Once the idea was planted, I couldn't wait to get to Target and start browsing the aisles for all of the exciting ways to fulfill my organizational fantasies. <br /><br />So last night I get to Target... and I was underwhelmed to say the least. I remember Walmart having tons of great office supplies so I figured Target would be even better... but nope. They had one small section of binders + binder accessories, so my options were very limited. Everything was pricier than I thought, too. When all was said and done, I walked out with ten binders, 200 sleeves, 20 section dividers, 3 expanding pockets, and labels at the expense of $50. I had ten magazine boxes, so I had planned to break down all of our files into ten categories, assign each binder a category, and store them inside their own box (alongside any extra papers that may be too bulky which is what the expanding pockets were for). Here's the category breakdown for those of you wondering:<br /><br />Jenna Personal (birth certificates, transcripts, passport, licenses, personal letters/notes/keepsakes, etc)<br />Brad Personal (same)<br />Auto (broken down by car: maintenance/repair logs, insurance, titles, bills of sale, etc)<br />Medical/Health (medical bills, insurance packets)<br />Finance/Money (anything bank related, student loans, credit cards)<br />Employment (resumes, W-2's, acceptance letters, freelance invoices/forms)<br />Warranties & Manuals <br />House #1 (loan/refi docs, rental stuff, maintenance/repair bills, tax/insurance forms, deeds, etc)<br />House #2 (same)<br />Etsy (will serve as a catalog, more or less, of all my prints, with color + font sheets, financial/tax docs, etc)<br /><br />Good plan, right? I thought so. <br /><br />There was just one minor problem...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXl3hNog4SIHUMehn5la4KTA4ff4eulBEWmCSJ25kcwMmF-p9TJ3XMCHHkTnNODhpB6fTL6jUKIclRU2OxMiyj5YABx0UMVAFRwv7SjDImI9iw2Y3ydvKpnILLCNUBecRk6gQROdviO2D/s1600/IMG_3874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXl3hNog4SIHUMehn5la4KTA4ff4eulBEWmCSJ25kcwMmF-p9TJ3XMCHHkTnNODhpB6fTL6jUKIclRU2OxMiyj5YABx0UMVAFRwv7SjDImI9iw2Y3ydvKpnILLCNUBecRk6gQROdviO2D/s640/IMG_3874.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Okay, duh. How did I not even consider that. My plan B then became to ditch most of the boxes, use just the binders, line them up, slap labels on them and call it a day. I would use some boxes for bulkier items (product manuals, legal sized loan docs, etc). <br /><br />Here's the supplies all lined up, ready to get to work...<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrgzzfyxPsOIuqwwJ1O-qztGeKKpzdW337SZIumqyJzGmvJ1lhqAO2lgUgpgXfEn6NqXfWwtXjFvMzcU7gX6tO7IZr8SgFoVmxbI9vQaMutu8_hN2OID_MmxannqiqYEKCVglkjkAA9HL/s1600/IMG_3870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrgzzfyxPsOIuqwwJ1O-qztGeKKpzdW337SZIumqyJzGmvJ1lhqAO2lgUgpgXfEn6NqXfWwtXjFvMzcU7gX6tO7IZr8SgFoVmxbI9vQaMutu8_hN2OID_MmxannqiqYEKCVglkjkAA9HL/s640/IMG_3870.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Sorry for all the blurry pics, didn't have my tripod...</em></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />And here was the mess of papers we've been living with since the move, in desperate need of organization for our own sanity:<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7HGPhV7NtTPrglFiTJu3rIcBS23dsBHb7Gq194LkJHNTsDn4aXWO_LKLFqp6u17rdn5qVJGHNeWHdwOEvEdymBvTm-0McKz0didLBo72Yj1u16jr0aSwlJl6vAZLVIU45ztE7hi1truE/s1600/IMG_3867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7HGPhV7NtTPrglFiTJu3rIcBS23dsBHb7Gq194LkJHNTsDn4aXWO_LKLFqp6u17rdn5qVJGHNeWHdwOEvEdymBvTm-0McKz0didLBo72Yj1u16jr0aSwlJl6vAZLVIU45ztE7hi1truE/s640/IMG_3867.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>This doesn't look like much, but I swear there was ridiculous amounts of crap to sort through!</em></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Step #1 was to sort through years worth of junk (most of it Brad's) into ten different piles by category:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6knsihnjkVpcABAflZD-NjhFSwUpGRIPIBFSvdItbfpAvN_aSXLrQuuWJ56oO8YKksNd2pdgYQSFr9dfp0UrkmJJbQcNW31BOfmfO4fl-3Wo9EfqxNbwGSsEbkC3z6VEc3c68znNV0WP7/s1600/IMG_3868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6knsihnjkVpcABAflZD-NjhFSwUpGRIPIBFSvdItbfpAvN_aSXLrQuuWJ56oO8YKksNd2pdgYQSFr9dfp0UrkmJJbQcNW31BOfmfO4fl-3Wo9EfqxNbwGSsEbkC3z6VEc3c68znNV0WP7/s640/IMG_3868.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This was at least a two hour process, maybe three... see that stack in the back right that's a foot high? That's our first house. So.Much.Crap. Anyway... about half of everything was discarded, and then it was time to get down to business. <br /><br />I started with the easiest one first, my personal binder. Here's a peek of the finished result:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OnkUIyCvuE-CjXWxj4AdmL_87Rn7asYKmL2KZDMPtnliFi6kbqLXHX1G7jaGWST6uNNAflwWEiBStyk7XWlu3T8laoIVpYiGOu1XXp3BpNzXZ8o4HXb_2ghJN6x4nJlbb2RNNK3VxFcF/s1600/IMG_3873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OnkUIyCvuE-CjXWxj4AdmL_87Rn7asYKmL2KZDMPtnliFi6kbqLXHX1G7jaGWST6uNNAflwWEiBStyk7XWlu3T8laoIVpYiGOu1XXp3BpNzXZ8o4HXb_2ghJN6x4nJlbb2RNNK3VxFcF/s640/IMG_3873.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />How much better is that than digging through a stack of papers in a hanging folder? I love this solution and wish I could have used it sooner. We've often had to dump out large stacks of folders in a pile to frantically search for an important paper, and that's never fun. I'll spare you shots of the insides every other folder, and skip straight to the nice and organized after shot:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhracoT4lFFJ_O1RwjosbxSF10k5vNcfqbrqJIAClkaXOUdNesEZS-lhvg5c-T6s5BVZkA-uxHujBzQhTwwMhEnQHMjI_-AsiJ87Jxo4Fwiq3ulCcM2juWsEp_0NFHVbhW2WegWmKhW4gUH/s1600/IMG_3875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhracoT4lFFJ_O1RwjosbxSF10k5vNcfqbrqJIAClkaXOUdNesEZS-lhvg5c-T6s5BVZkA-uxHujBzQhTwwMhEnQHMjI_-AsiJ87Jxo4Fwiq3ulCcM2juWsEp_0NFHVbhW2WegWmKhW4gUH/s640/IMG_3875.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAs1hRL5s1fs9mwFbrhvm8_CwUfHYKDmvbcLCF5iXTYcbW1Dfd2jSY98TIXHTEZgAo412Jp7aB6ZbnT2OJauUbmwAkFQ6ynsXxTBmycnoIg2QrY9dG-RuIMBok2UEofqanE51DPVT631D5/s1600/IMG_3878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAs1hRL5s1fs9mwFbrhvm8_CwUfHYKDmvbcLCF5iXTYcbW1Dfd2jSY98TIXHTEZgAo412Jp7aB6ZbnT2OJauUbmwAkFQ6ynsXxTBmycnoIg2QrY9dG-RuIMBok2UEofqanE51DPVT631D5/s640/IMG_3878.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />If you are OCD about organizing like me, then this pic should make you breathe a sigh of relief. I know I've been for the past couple hours now that it's all done.<br /><br />Here's a shot of the other side of the cabinet, in case you're curious:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEnpyDYShMoFtnPzycBa2q7WTNJO2JYTAoxArRCvvaqpxGQpDdZVk2yQfnaNdfBK6HWnsDr2Ef2JoQzEf2-9EK0KqCSjxKfAcjblhub5nZKKcyuhJcoMfEoMzFvAudgDgOcWnFwgTJFTH/s1600/IMG_3881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEnpyDYShMoFtnPzycBa2q7WTNJO2JYTAoxArRCvvaqpxGQpDdZVk2yQfnaNdfBK6HWnsDr2Ef2JoQzEf2-9EK0KqCSjxKfAcjblhub5nZKKcyuhJcoMfEoMzFvAudgDgOcWnFwgTJFTH/s640/IMG_3881.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It will basically just be used to hold my paper, and some packing materials once I get them ordered.<br /><br />Don't fret for the spare boxes that got left out, they are resting happily in the closet until I can find a new use for them:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24PkljVOgkGG5PwQb3XiiHTOPavLYBWh5l_XB8K2KHvdtWtnYYTuZ2GQsP6y_PmAgdmiun6CCJAJlXQtGQTlJBH0sZT6me4FC66C4VhwRL8zREOuQXyPEb5z3W3niZnq7lBKbZPS5AU6W/s1600/IMG_3882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24PkljVOgkGG5PwQb3XiiHTOPavLYBWh5l_XB8K2KHvdtWtnYYTuZ2GQsP6y_PmAgdmiun6CCJAJlXQtGQTlJBH0sZT6me4FC66C4VhwRL8zREOuQXyPEb5z3W3niZnq7lBKbZPS5AU6W/s640/IMG_3882.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />So there you have it—my cheap, easy and effective file organizing system. All is now right in the world. (At least, in my world, cause there's no more boxes of junk to sort through!)<br /><br />Be back tomorrow for some fun wall art!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1ZOo4t-WmiA4eSDRQXGkIjlggfYfA4SkRFnkmfjkwnwBM0UMM7jh1uZcS64Wu6qWQhASAJ0OGeJxF4134Mlo0u60y3StchTU9_u6_2tXfY3MzPRSmTRyNMd00bGc_nt2T99Z39Csa1Cl/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1ZOo4t-WmiA4eSDRQXGkIjlggfYfA4SkRFnkmfjkwnwBM0UMM7jh1uZcS64Wu6qWQhASAJ0OGeJxF4134Mlo0u60y3StchTU9_u6_2tXfY3MzPRSmTRyNMd00bGc_nt2T99Z39Csa1Cl/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

My alternative to the file cabinet.

UPDATE: Check out the finished version of my File Cabinet makeover here , complete with free binder printables! Today I took a break from th...

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Rug Love

Stopping in real quick today to show off our latest additions: our bedroom rug, front door mat and entry rug. <br /><br />First up is the before shot of our front door. We had been using the previous owner's mat, which of course was in keeping with the tropical-palm tree-pink motif that had saturated the home before we got our hands on it. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKfj3dXpJLmScIIoZF9H6Keje461sRk8l6fqgvHmOc-Dsh7A4AIzrSwB6EWqmnUZqOQSOYQ8SaqwFKycLwP-SIqDLSjqTMp-yQQ4t2DVO0SE5cuzZYBPXy-CWoU75YYLoGClYTEnBbbJV/s1600/IMG_3852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKfj3dXpJLmScIIoZF9H6Keje461sRk8l6fqgvHmOc-Dsh7A4AIzrSwB6EWqmnUZqOQSOYQ8SaqwFKycLwP-SIqDLSjqTMp-yQQ4t2DVO0SE5cuzZYBPXy-CWoU75YYLoGClYTEnBbbJV/s640/IMG_3852.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Very cute... if you live in Barbados, maybe. But we don't, so it was time to move on. When I spotted this cutout patterned rubber mat for just $8 at Garden Ridge, I knew it was "the one"...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgVZ2E_hIZOOlv6xM-Ht-P1U7CMmFxcQgiEy4X-FCln85fa_b647p3pCNLrEuZR_eRvJpQ0yVW5fZFK6YClMgXh8zoLC_17WPjCLAH0OqItAgzR3uOw2ShTfImuzZj4LwlNg3MsDlH0L-/s1600/IMG_3854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgVZ2E_hIZOOlv6xM-Ht-P1U7CMmFxcQgiEy4X-FCln85fa_b647p3pCNLrEuZR_eRvJpQ0yVW5fZFK6YClMgXh8zoLC_17WPjCLAH0OqItAgzR3uOw2ShTfImuzZj4LwlNg3MsDlH0L-/s640/IMG_3854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I love the detailing on it, and since I obsess over basically anything with the cutout/brocade look, it was the perfect way for me to welcome guests in.<br /><br />Just on the other side of the doorway laid this monstrosity... no, we hadn't touched it either since moving in:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7yEzWcwWSk-eaRAwwhCVi-8qrIVTls6qYK9tNo089c7y9d_0ItE2zmLzVQ7sN2kPljonx5Sya0NPXuBPkGHsxlvgzhwaC1lWLxZDLhy1vWjdWhHFIpNZBWtrSLrZANj95DUPWdv0e9cf/s1600/IMG_3850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7yEzWcwWSk-eaRAwwhCVi-8qrIVTls6qYK9tNo089c7y9d_0ItE2zmLzVQ7sN2kPljonx5Sya0NPXuBPkGHsxlvgzhwaC1lWLxZDLhy1vWjdWhHFIpNZBWtrSLrZANj95DUPWdv0e9cf/s640/IMG_3850.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Oh look, more palm trees...</em></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Slightly embarassing. So when I laid my eyes on this beauty from Garden Ridge (also for $8), it made my day:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rAMWUwUUx-Wiqv-kA7wBNt8TN7PHyMr5l87HmdnvPnfbOhfEQa6cASPUloBA9gZV8gJs1_pY-JSc90lna8c1so7J4yJwwhR2BO_zwqJPdqKUhbP8iB_N9QUPBbISAfDqkn9OjPtqVfw1/s1600/IMG_3851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rAMWUwUUx-Wiqv-kA7wBNt8TN7PHyMr5l87HmdnvPnfbOhfEQa6cASPUloBA9gZV8gJs1_pY-JSc90lna8c1so7J4yJwwhR2BO_zwqJPdqKUhbP8iB_N9QUPBbISAfDqkn9OjPtqVfw1/s640/IMG_3851.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'm absolutely in love with the woven textures, it feels so cozy and homey. And the colors are perfect—this is basically the entire palette of the house rolled into one square. I also love how it brings a splash of color to the entryway, something it was previously lacking up until now. This is definitely one of my favorite things in the house.<br /><br />And now for the grand finale... our brand new bedroom rug! I've been wanting one of these for so long, so I made sure to snatch one up on our Ikea trip a few weeks back. It's the Tarnby rug, handwoven 100% jute, measuring 5'11" x 8'2", for only $100! What a steal.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hcWejCwTRJ-VBcXMbxkiH4yV-yJxnoOcMDp2sbFlZK5pScYu-IzGYIlhxA_KP7KGaDWaBczmSpTcXxBYP6K9xDWprsMovh5ahXACEt2GyXCW2CT-NVYMlw6nr5jUoF7dxjNawikKDTEY/s1600/IMG_3848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hcWejCwTRJ-VBcXMbxkiH4yV-yJxnoOcMDp2sbFlZK5pScYu-IzGYIlhxA_KP7KGaDWaBczmSpTcXxBYP6K9xDWprsMovh5ahXACEt2GyXCW2CT-NVYMlw6nr5jUoF7dxjNawikKDTEY/s640/IMG_3848.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Sorry, no before shot... I was too embarassed of the old stained rug to snap a pic!</em></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Of course since things that are too good to be true usually are, there is one slight problem. From what I've read and seen online... this rug is a hardwood floor's worst nightmare. Not only does it shed, but it can leave permanent imprints in the wood, even with rug pads. We were not about to let some $100 rug ruin our $5000 floors, so we tried to think of a fool proof way to protect them. I wasn't about to trust any rug pad, so we scoured the aisles of Home Depot looking for a better alternative. We immediately noticed a roll of the wood floor underlay (you know, that thin white foam that goes under your wood/laminate?) and I thought it would be perfect. But they only sold it in 100sq.ft rolls for $25. Not that $25 is a whole lot to spend, but we concluded that it was wasteful and that there had to be a better solution for cheaper. <br /><br />We moved onto the carpet section and took a look at the carpet padding, but the foam was so thick, it wouldn't have looked right.<br /><br />Finally we gave up, and came home to work with existing materials. We had a TON of cardboard leftover from all of our recent purchases, so we started measuring it out and making the cuts. <br /><br />This is what we ended up with:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPWUr1w-Y5Qiy1ICoAg78J-CeVzL-GJZy1Ie-Xjnp9mHawopZAOqr1she0tHRSvuhjz7Kl6b2Wj64eBvb72rcSJH7_7GthTIZtLEqCfCcfR_6nqHYW9nH-FOSHbpueAvyedSbOdKPA3bO/s1600/IMG_3849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPWUr1w-Y5Qiy1ICoAg78J-CeVzL-GJZy1Ie-Xjnp9mHawopZAOqr1she0tHRSvuhjz7Kl6b2Wj64eBvb72rcSJH7_7GthTIZtLEqCfCcfR_6nqHYW9nH-FOSHbpueAvyedSbOdKPA3bO/s640/IMG_3849.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Not pretty, but it gets the job done (and it was free!). No one will ever know (except those if you in blogland, but you can keep a secret, right?)<br /><br />So that's the latest happenings in our pad. I'm <em>extremely</em> excited about what's coming up this weekend. We stayed up late last night hooking up our brand new, beefed up computer and fancy schmancy new printer. Good things will come of this... and I can't wait to show you all! :) Be back in a few days...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1ZOo4t-WmiA4eSDRQXGkIjlggfYfA4SkRFnkmfjkwnwBM0UMM7jh1uZcS64Wu6qWQhASAJ0OGeJxF4134Mlo0u60y3StchTU9_u6_2tXfY3MzPRSmTRyNMd00bGc_nt2T99Z39Csa1Cl/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1ZOo4t-WmiA4eSDRQXGkIjlggfYfA4SkRFnkmfjkwnwBM0UMM7jh1uZcS64Wu6qWQhASAJ0OGeJxF4134Mlo0u60y3StchTU9_u6_2tXfY3MzPRSmTRyNMd00bGc_nt2T99Z39Csa1Cl/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

Rug Love

Stopping in real quick today to show off our latest additions: our bedroom rug, front door mat and entry rug. First up is the before shot of...

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