You either love or hate GTD (Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity). Although the Allen-ite way of productivity seems to have lost it’s best-seller momentum, it’s still a decent way to get things accomplished. So I decided a re-read was in order. I hadn’t read this book in a few years, so it was nice to have a little refresher of how not to waste time thinking about all the stuff you have to do. But I had forgotten how time consuming some of the “lists” are. Last year, I stopped using 3-4 different lists (waiting for, someday/maybe Read more…

My room was featured in this week’s post on Apartment Therapy! It’s great motivation to finish the 8 week cure. Of which, I’m almost done with the “chore list” for this week. I declared yesterday Fall Cleaning (I know, it doesn’t have the same ring to it as Spring Cleaning). Fall Cleaning: Dust Vacuum Wash: sheets, duvet, mattress pad, duvet cover Flip the mattress Put summer clothes in underbed storage Bagged up 2 garbage bags full of clothes for the Goodwill Pour vinegar/baking soda down the drain Scrub the tub/shower Washed vinyl shower curtain Clean coffee maker Shred mass amounts Read more…

Because you can only listening to Monster Mash so many times… I made a Halloween Mix. Tips on making a Halloween iMix from your current iTunes library: Search for words like: death, dead, dark, blood, evil, bone, wicked, hell or pretty much any word that conjures up scary thoughts. Think of spooky sounding songs that you typically skip in your playlist, like Tom Waits’ “What’s He Building in There?” Search current Halloween iMixes, and pick out songs that you already have. Halloween iTunes Mix: Best Spooky Alterna-Rock Songs The Specials – Ghost Town The Beatles – Long, Long, Long Tim Read more…

I’m not prone to falling asleep during movies, but this one sure did the trick. Maybe it’s a musical thing, anyway, A Star Is Bornwas not my kind of movie. The plot seemed very tired (no pun intended). I was bored with the movie before I fell asleep, but I assumed it would get more interesting.

It’s the last room in the apartment – I’m almost done! I bought the IKEA pots/plants last week, so I think that about covers the “inspiring” part. I absolutely love the color combination of the pots and painting. So other than the general cleaning and organizing, this week I just need to decide on extra lighting and what to do with the other corner of my bedroom. I’m also looking into buying an iPod alarm clock, that will fit my iPod nano. Turning off my alarm clock in my sleep is now a permanent habit. Week 7 – The Bedroom Read more…

I have mixed reviews about The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. First, it’s an excellent reminder of how short life is and that we should pursue what makes us “happy”, not stay in dead-end jobs etc. However, I really dislike the idea of “outsourcing” your life and producing or managing random products (that don’t create value) just for revenue, to go live selfish lives. Differences of opinion aside, it’s great to be reminded of taking mini-retirements. The first section is about fear and defining what you’d like to do and the worst case scenario Read more…

Thankfully, this week wasn’t too much work. After cleaning the bathroom and organizing a couple of drawers, I just need to pick up a few bathroom organizing containers at IKEA. I’m also still looking for a small vase for the bathroom. Still to pick up on my Apartment Therapy Shopping List: laundry hamper liner drawer organizing containers something to cover the breaker box media shelf to set inside the TV bench vase for bathroom On to week 7!

I’m taking this one off the list. It’s “done”, but kind of only 1/2 way. Yes, I went to Nye Beach. No,  I didn’t spend the whole weekend in Nye Beach or even in Newport. However, after spending a few hours in the Nye Beach area, I’ve decided I’d rather not spend a whole weekend. Not that I don’t think Nye Beach is great. It is, but more in a “stop and eat lunch” sort of way. Cafe Stephanie, excellent. I had the salmon soup, and veggie sandwich. Paninis Bakery, very cute, very yummy baked goods. The icecream shop on Read more…

I found another item on my 101 Things list that overlaps… #71 – Hang pictures up in the living room. This was also part of Apartment Therapy, but it had been on my to-do list since I moved in. So thanks to Apartment Therapy, IKEA, and Cavallini & Co calendars, I have 3 amazing framed vintage travel posters now.

This week, it’s all about the bathroom. Week 6 – Light Therapy Clean bathroom Declutter bathroom cabinet Arrange bathroom efficiently Upgrade razor and shaving supplies Purchase bath salts and nice soap Place a candle in the bathroom Consider scents for your home Plan for the week ahead on Sunday Wake early and take a bath before work Straighten desk at work