Happy New Year!

If you know me, you know that organization is not my strong suit. Not even something I have a moderate grasp on. I try. I really, really try. But the moment I have to work and live it all goes out the window.

But once a year, I feel like I get a fresh start. A mulligan if you will. A time to announce to the world (or at least my friends and family on facebook) that this year will be different. I will be a better me. Organized, tidy, never forgetting to brush my hair and teeth before leaving the house. This will be the year! I think that has been my New Years Resolution every year for the past 5 years. I throw in a few others for good measure (eat healthier, watch less TV, locate and use my cell phone so people can actually get a hold of me) but the overriding theme is that if I could get my life organized, I would be a better me. No more realizing as I am standing at airport security that my license expired OVER two months ago.

So here it is, 2010, and I am once again filled with excitement to start being the better me that I know is in there somewhere... I hope.

But I am heading into this year with a bit of ammo.

1. The shed. Oh, the shed. I love you shed. Let me explain. My beautiful, Craftsman house, was built without a garage. No place to put tools, of which we have collected many for the numerous projects this old house has required, or the leftover materials from them all. No place for paint cans. Chemicals. Suitcases. Ladders. The list goes on (and on, and on). For Christmas my dad, step mom, husband and mother in law went in on a shed for me. BPE! That means Best Present EVER. Thank you all so much. At the moment it sticks out like a sore thumb in the side yard, but I am hoping some paint and well placed landscaping will help in time. But it is a home for all the transient building supplies, materials and tools that clogged my closets for far too long! Seriously, who builds a house without a garage?





2. I am a clipboard junkie. I have random clipboards around the house with half done to-do lists in almost every room. This year I found beautiful clipboards from Target and bought myself three. One for business, one for personal and one for, well, not sure yet, but in design you like things in groups of threes.

3. Pretty file folders. From the Dollar Tree! I like pretty things. And I want to be organized. These just might be the ticket. If it doesn't work out, I'm only out $2.

4. The Apartment Therapy Eight Week Cure (and I managed to con a friend into doing it with me). Great book from a great design blog. At least the first half of the book was good the first time I tried to follow the plan before I totally went off the rails...


5. A resolute resolution that this year will be THE year!

Now I head off into 2010. You might not even recognize me next time you see me because I will be so much, well, better. And my hair and teeth might be brushed.

Unidentified Mid Century Objects

In my travels I have come across many beautiful things. A quick trip to e-bay or google will usually solve the mystery as to who made it and when. But as of recent, I have come up short on two. The first, a phenomenal brass coffee carafe with a teak lid and handle. It is stamped on the bottom with a W and a T in a circle and says Made Italy. Normally I would just be thrilled with finding such a cool piece of mid century serving ware, but some guy in line behind me looked at the mark and told me he thought it might be really valuable. So now I have to know!

The other piece is just adorable. It is a mid century Gustavsberg style ceramic horse. Looks like a cross between a Stig Lindberg and a Lisa Larson piece. And the most curious bit? The riders head is on backwards! His legs and body are facing one way and his face the other! Is it valuable? Maybe? A knock off? Quite possibly? Vintage? I think so... I am counting on the ebay mid century discussion board for some clues.

In the meantime, they are beautiful pieces that I am enjoying having around the house.

Can You Say Suitcase Fetish?

It would seem that I have a suitcase addiction. Until I find an SA meeting in my area, I will continue on with the suitcase hoarding. It's not that bad, really. I do share my love with my fellow Etsy-ers! Coming soon to Haus Proud on Etsy.

Pyrex Sneak Peek

Still to list, Pyrex in every size shape and pattern! Here are just a few...

Sneak Peek at the Great List A Thon 2009

OK, I seem to have found myself completely backlogged on listing new items in my Etsy store! And not just a little bit. I have half a dozen lamps, three or four sets of dishes, trays up the yin yang, an extensive Pyrex collection and a million and one random, fantastic things to list! Here is a preview of some of the things that will be making their way into the shop this week.

I have enlisted help and we are working like gangbusters to get everything washed, dried, photographed, weighed, measures and listed (phew!).

I Love Lamp

I have had my eye on this amazing mid century orange lamp at the thrift store and it goes half off today! Only problem? I can only imagine what kind of nightmare that store is when they half all the prices. As it is you can barely get past the people and furniture. And they said people line up early for Saturday sales! Agh, what to do. Guess I have to figure out just how bad I want it.

My Sister Said My Blog was a BUST

And she is right. But I am bound to rectify this situation! This will henceforth be a blog of awesomeness!

On a fun note, I went to an estate sale today and bought half the estate. They kept thanking me. All I could say was, no, thank you. They provided me with some seriously fun plastic housewares, some great glass bottles and a bunch of clocks (6 to be exact).

My drying rack is a smorgasbord of really cool stuff!

They said that everything will be deeply discounted if it is still there tomorrow at noon. Guess I know what I am doing tomorrow afternoon...

In other news, the second spot in the Sherman Oaks Antique Mall is 90% there. Half of it is my moms clothes, shoes and purses and my furnishings and decor occupy the other half.