I'm Leaving, On a Jet Plane

Well, not really.  I already left.  And came back.

With my two small children.

Without my husband.

To New York City.

For Thanksgiving.  And the Macy's parade.

Yeah.

I can't wait to write about how this all shook down, in hopes that my experience might help anyone who wants to travel with small children.  It took some serious Decent Order, as well as coping with Indecent Order (on the way home).  Here's some stuff I can't wait to share about  ::

• packing for myself, my 5-year-old, and my 1-year-old, all in one bag to check.
• packing a compact carry-on with diapers, activities, food, meds, identification, etc.
• preparing for uncertain weather in November in New York City.
• planning on how to transport my children (stroller, carriers, etc.).
• how I dealt with my credit card number being stolen just before the trip.
• our experience with TSA, given all the recent hoop-la about naked scans and pat-downs.
• how I navigated the subways with small children (let's just say I had help).
• checking out the Garment District aka the Fashion District, as a non-wholesale sewer.
• what to expect from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, should you ever want to attend with small children..
• some bragging on my little brother who was the reason we went to the parade.... he plays the World's Largest Bass Drum in the Purdue All-American Marching Band (who I also marched with and met my husband there as well).  The link goes to a video that my brother made using on-drum cameras, as well as national news coverage.  Check out Al Roker at the end of the video.... that's my brother's voice asking him to hit the drum.

Be sure to check back as I document our big adventure.  For now, I will say it was the trip of a lifetime that I will never forget.  I can't believe I used to live within a short-drive's distance to the city, yet it had been over 5 years since I have been there.  Can't wait to go back.

Watching the parade with my sweet babe.

Decent Order :: Young House Love's Fridge

The blog world is so big, yet so small isn't it?  One of my favorite blogs is Young House Love, which documents a young family's journey in DIY home decor, repair and so on.  If you have a do-it-yourself spirit, like I do (even if I am not able to always do-it-myself), you would love this blog.  Anyhow, like many of YHL's readers, I practically feel like I know John and Sherry, and totally appreciate their design sense, humor and their adventures with a house and a new baby.  As I was documenting the fridges of friends, I sent Sherry an email and asked her if she'd like to contribute a photo.  Nothing like aiming for the top, in terms of blog-stardom, right?

Welp, she said yes and emailed me this  ::

Now, if you are already a YHL reader, you know full well about this yesterday.  When Sherry emailed, she said that my request was an inspiration to post about trying to whittle down their food as they prepare for a move to a new home in a few short weeks.  Wow, talk about flattered!  Glad to inspire someone who has inspired so many things in my home, such as  ::

• ceiling-to-floor length shower curtains in my bathrooms
• repurposing old furniture into a baby's changing table
• how to choose a cohesive paint scheme
• paper and mod podge on a board for art
• creating a cabinet cork board
• and surely more projects that I will remember as soon as I publish this post!

Take some time to look through YHL's project page (there is a tab dedicated to projects).  When I first discovered this blog about two years ago, I spent hours reading through the whole thing.  Its grown signficantly since then and I can't wait to hear about their new home and what they have in store for the next few years.

Decent Order :: My Sister's Fridge

I've got a couple more fridges to share in the next day or so.  This one is my sister Karen's fridge.  She made some cute little labels and here's what she had to say about what's going on  ::

"We picked this fridge when we moved into our new house because it was black and it fit in the hole.  That was back before I did so much cooking at home and needed the freezer space.  I hate the size of the freezer, and I am going to get a new one because this one just doesn't cut it for me anymore.

 

As you can see, I haven't been to the grocery store in a couple of weeks.  I'm a little embarrased to point this out, but there is a spill on the top shelf of my fridge that still hasn't gotten cleaned up.  No excuse for that.  It's too bad that I didn't do this last week.  I had all sorts of funky stuff that I threw out (such as some beyond mushy peaches and an open can of refried beans)."

Thanks for sharing the realness, sister, as well as some input about why you chose your fridge and what you'd do differently next time.   The nice thing about indecent order in the fridge is that it only takes a few minutes to tidy things up and consider the fridge redeemed!

In Honor of Fridge Week

Ran across this great post from Cake Wrecks today.

Decent Order :: Happy Harper's Fridge

I've known Ms. Jamie for about a year.  She has three sweet little kids and a sweet little blog.  Here's what she wrote about her fridge  ::

The top shelf of the refrigerator is out of control, and it usually is, and I'm okay with that.  It is short and not a lot can fit up there.  Currently has stock piled margarines, juice boxes, unsalted butter (separated from salted butter), fresh peanuts, minced garlic.  The next shelf holds milk, beer (that is rarely drank and thus stays there forever - hubby's stash), condiments that do not fit in the doors, juice, and milk, and leftovers.  The next shelf holds leftovers, hummus, and pecans.  I always refrigerate nuts to keep them fresh longer.  Next is a drawer for fresh fruits and veggies, and a drawer for fresh meats.  I did not include a photo of the freezer and that's where the real chaos is.

 

The left door is for butter and margarine.  The shelf holds mainly a variety of mustards and other condiments.  Bottom is usually juice and tea.

 

The right door is top:  jellies on top, and the rest of the condiments including maple syrup below.

I appreciate how Jamie said one of the shelves is out of control and that  she's okay with that.  That is so huge about having organization balanced with peace in the home.  Knowing your limits and creating boundaries can change disorganization to an admission that we are all imperfect and that is going to have to be alright.  You should see the master bedroom closet in my house.  It is a complete disaster most of the time and there is virtually nothing I can do about it in the foreseeable future.  Instead of being stressed out about it or angry that I have to dig through a pile of luggage to find the right bag and so on, I have accepted it as fine.  Ahhh, freedom from perfection comes in small steps.

Here's Jamie's photos  ::

Front Door Makeover :: Jen's House

Did you see Jen's fridge yesterday?  Check out her front door, proof that a 1950's ranch home can be updated, fresh, very welcoming.  Just rip out them box woods and plant a hydrangea and some lamb's ear!  I believe there has been a couple of years between the before and after photos, so just know its a process, but it can be done.

Decent Order :: Jen's Fridge

I got a few comments from some of you who are concerned about being judged for a funky fridge.  That misses the entire point.  There is no reason to being voyeurs into other's lives in order to condemn them.  I like the show Hoarders and all, but not to hate on them.  Rather, I like that program so I can understand the "why" of hoarding.  So, this little fridge photo project is all in good fun, just to get a sneak peak into other people's homes and possibly some inspiration for fridge order.  Also, realize that this blog is called In "Decent" Order, not In "Perfect" Order.  See how that works?  :)

On that note, my friend Jen is keeping it real, readers. She is aware her fridge is not where she wants it to be, but is willing to share where she is in life right now.  Jen is a sometimes-blogger, a full-time new mother, and is an artist to the core.  I have known her since I was fifteen years old and we have walked through thick and thin.  We've been friends through high school band and color guard, college 1000 miles apart, new marriages, new babies, and are curently thinking about how we can take our first family vacations together!  One of my favorite things about Jen is her sense of humor, which is informed by her creativity.  She has great physicality to her jokes and does hilarious accents and voices.  I just can't help laughing at her making fun of herself.  Jen, how about a Ruby Coco post with some video on it?  Remember when your husband videoed you doing some dance in your kitchen?  That would be a good one.

Here's what Jen wrote  ::

okay here's my fridge. 

I left in chaotic on purpose- this is indicative of my life right now. Food, food, food frenzy! We usually have a clean and neat fridge but it strikes me every time I open it all the STUFF in it. First shelf is our staples, second shelf our left overs that eat all day along with a bottle of champagne Dan was going to open when we came home with Abby 3 months ago, bottom shelf- more left overs and the poor random celery that for some reason did not get placed in the crisper. Our crisper- the last bit of veggies for the week. The door- all manner of condiments.

And now for the photos.  Love you, girl.

And the exterior  ::

Decent Order :: McMel's Fridge

This is my girl, McMel.  I met her at camp nearly 10 years ago, when we were both counselors.  Sheesh, that was a long time ago.  She is funny and sarcastic... love that about her.  She is a new mom of a little boy and has a blog.  Lately some of her most interesting blog posts are about her poo-free hair. 


Here's her submission ... she is a self-admitted condiment junkie ::

Here's what she writes  ::  

my fridge is actually full b\c we just shopped!

1.  doors are all full of condiments (i love condiments)- jelly, salad dressing, sauces, pickles, coffee creamer
2.  bottom drawer-  beer
3.  middle drawer- assorted fruits and veggies- these are my "cooking fruits and veggies" bought specifically for recipies.  currently- peppers, lemon, celery, & cilantro
4.  top drawer- cheeses
5.  bottom shelf- drinks- usually always has tea, milk, juice, bottled breastmilk and a box of flax seed meal
6.  middle shelf- "snack shelf"- yougurts, almond butter, grapes on steroids
7.  top shelf- usually has leftovers, and it's where something is most likely to get pushed back and found 2 months later.  buffalo chx dip from a party, turkey thawing for chilli, a can of chipotle peppers (only needed 2 for the recipe)

kinda boring, but it's clean and "organized"!

Thanks, McMel!  Interesting to see your condiments.  I have to tell you, I'm always happy when I can throw out a condiment jar.  I'm condiment minimalist like that.  

Decent Order :: Lori's Fridge

Lori and I have been great friends for many years now.  We have kids the same ages and we lived across the street from each other for 3 years.  What a blessing to have a close friend across the street!  Am  I right, people?!  Not only did we hang out constantly via taking walks, going to the pool, shopping or sewing together, but we often spent daddy-less, cranky-time evenings together when our husbands would be out of town or working late.  (If you're Facebook friends with me, see my video entitled "Whoopie"  --as in whoopie cushion.  This occurred on one such evening.)  Anyhow, she is a friend for life, though we are a thousand miles apart now.  Lori has this super cute sewing business called Ryleigh Roo. Though Lori is a northeasterner, she'd make a great southern boutique owner (though for the record, she does not do smocking, ha).  I love her darling skirts, classy baby accessories and, of course, bags for grown up ladies.  I ordered a clutch from her recently for those (admittedly rare) occasions when I don't need my Giganto Mommy Bag (which I also love, by the way -- picked it up for cheap at the Garnet Hill Outlet in Manchester, Vermont-- its wipeable, has rigid sides, several interior and exterior pockets).  Ooooh, let's get back on topic.  Sorry, can't resist sharing a mom-tool that I love.

Here's Ryleigh Roo's fridge.  I'm definitely calling this one Decent ::

Here's what Lori had to say about what she likes to keep in her fridge  ::

Top Shelf:

•  under wraps a piece of pizza and a piece of chocolate apple sauce cake
• chick peas
• mac n cheese
• yogurt supplies.

Middle:

• Country Crock
• Eggs
• Cut up Red Peppers for Big R and Lil' R's snacking pleasure.

Bottom: 

• Guiness for the man of the house
• His and her Siggs (always ready to go) 
• Peppermint creamer a must for the holiday season
• Veggies.

Lori uses plastic storage containers that all have the same sized lid, I believe, and if I remember correctly, there is a spinning caddy to keep everything tidy in her cabinets.  Lori, did you know I still have one of those containers from like 4 years ago? You put some of that vicks-like salve in there ("little noses"  I think?) for us to use and it is now almost gone!   I couldn't predict if you'll get your container back or not, dear.  

Questions for Lori's fridge system?  I'll be sure to pass them along.  Oh yeah, maybe I have a question.  Lori, does Little R actually eat raw red peppers?  I haven't tried it with my little guy.  I am not sure what he would do.

Decent Order :: Cookwire's Fridge

My friend Sarah is a natural light photographer and has done photos for our little family a few times, here and here . I can't wait to have her do the next round in the new year.  Anyhow, here's her super cute fridge photo, complete with labels of interesting items.  Sarah, you are so cool.

Decent Order :: My Fridge

Worked on my fridge in anticipation of grocery day today.  Unfortunately, I won't get to do a big grocery run because I'm having some back issues.  I'll run to the store for my essentials and forget about couponing and stockpiling this week.  My grocery list today  ::

• milk
• butter
• eggs
• garlic
• clear nail polish (I plan on painting it on my earrings all of which my ears are currently rejecting.)
• bread
• apples
• any other fruit that is on sale

The  ready-for-groceries fridge, now in decent order  ::

The top shelf, for left overs.

The middle shelf, ready for eggs and miscellany.   

The bottom shelf, ready for milk (you like the bent spout of the milk container?  Preeeety sure that got dropped on the floor by my 5 year old.  Anyhow, its gone now.  I took care of the rest while working on this blog post).  Also, see the small blue container on the right?  Those are the worms that I mentioned yesterday.

Now, for the crispers, containing spinach, carrots and onions.

And the doors, filled with condiments, including two types of mayo.  My husband hates the olive oil mayo, so its going to be in there for a long time while I work on it.  Too bad I'm not pregnant.  I practically drank mayonnaise with a straw last time I was knocked up.  The top shelf, which is hard to see in the first photo below, contains garlic, and lemon and lime juices in plastic bottles.  The next shelf down is designated for PB and jelly, and cokes for the husband.  Bottom shelf is for the Brita, juice if we are treating ourselves to it, plus any left over wine or broth.  Oh and the box of flax seed.  And salsa.  I guess the salsa should really go on the top shelf of the main area of the fridge, along with the other leftovers.

Lastly, the side of my fridge, with its few little magnets. They are all special to me in some way.  All three of my blog readers may recognize something personal to them on here.  The black and white idol is the Yash Cook Mole.  This is not at all the correct spelling, but a cursory look at wikipedia has proven that I have no idea how to spell it.  It is some South American king that my son likes.  Kind of a family joke. Also, you can see my meal plan for the week on the pink and white paper.  Okay, its from last week.  There's still a couple of dishes on there I haven't made yet, so I didn't bother to do a new plan for this week.

Still waiting on my reader indecent fridge photo submissions.  Come on, McMel, bring it on, girl.

Indecent Order :: My Fridge

It's Tuesday night and that means my fridge is usually pretty empty at this point in the week... Wednesday is grocery day.  Publix has a "penny item" only on Wednesdays, so I make it a point to shop that day and pick up the penny item, even if I end up donating it (no need to pass up one cent Nilla Wafers when someone out there would enjoy them).

When I opened up the fridge tonight, I realized how funky it was.  Shelves needed wiping, old jarred items needed to be tossed and so on.   This is a cell phone shot ::

And now its time for the break down.  Interesting items include ::

-- bacon grease in a coffee cup with a spoon suspended in it  -- leftover from an in-law visit.
-- empty egg crate, a little treat from Anthropologie a couple of weeks ago.
-- a nearly empty bag of mini turkey pepperonis.
--  left over baked potato and sweet potato for my little one's lunch.
--  an unopened bag of baby spinach in the crisper  -- been sitting there for a week, need to use it asap.
--  a half empty jug of tomato juice -- another item I need to figure out what to do with.  Not like I'm going to drink it or anything.
--  fish bait.  Yep, I got worms in my fridge.  This is the South, people.
-- other more normal things that I regularly keep on hand --  milk, almond milk, half & half, applesauce, sandwich items, garlic, condiments of all sorts, Brita pitcher in the door.

So, maybe tomorrow I'll do a post on my clean and orderly fridge.  I'll get right on that.


Oh and by the way, I really like my fridge.  It is a Samsung, fridge on top, freezer drawers on bottom.  It is not a true stainless, but it looks stainless.  Fingerprint free, easily wipe-able and it is magnetic, for those of you who like fridge magnets.  I have a few select items stuck to the side of my fridge, but don't prefer anything on the front.  Too much visual stimulation.  Messy.  Anyhow, it was very affordable, especially compared to the super awesome fridge I had in my previous home, which was a Fisher and Paykel.  I ADORED it.  I should have moved it with me, like I did my super awesome dishwasher, also a Fisher and Paykel.  But, like I was saying, it is comparable in size, shape and function to my old fridge, but cost about half as much.

Anyone else want to share their indecent fridge photos?  I'll post 'em here!  I promise not to use your name or link to your blog.  :)

Front Door Makeover Part 3 :: Curb Appeal and Privacy

The door is done.  The paint looks sharp, though it is very deep.  Its Sherwin Williams' "Black Fox."  Its not black, not brown, not grey, but all of those together.  I knew I needed to lighten things up with my accessories and plants to create a welcoming entry, so I got to work on my containers, border plants and a bouquet to hang.

May I remind  you of the hideous door BEFORE  [cute kid, though, eh?]  ::

And heeeeeere we are AFTER  ::

Well, mostly after.  I only had one window frosted at that point, because I wasn't sure I loved it.  I decided to go ahead and frost all three windows, though I will say, it is an amateur job.  Air bubbles have appeared where there were none before.  It will do for now.  I used a product from Lowe's called Gila privacy film for $18.  I like that the frosted windows make the bouquet stand out now and takes away all glare, and of course, no one can just stand at the door and look in.

A friend suggested that my pots should be on the stoop, and I agree, except that I always forget to water them, so this way they get the rain.  The pots are from Ikea (can't remember how much, maybe $25 a piece), the peacock door mat is from Anthropologie (a serious score a year ago at $15), the elephant watering can was from Homegoods for $8.  The bouquet is one that my friend Aimee helped me make almost 2 years ago when she was helping me fluff and stage my home in the Great Northeast for sale.  Aimee is amazing.  She put the bouquet together and then wrapped strips of an Amy Butler fabric slash defunct skirt around the bouquet to hold it all together.  I have had it propped in my sewing room for months, wishing I had the perfect spot.  Now, it has a home, though it will go back to the sewing room for Christmas when a wreath will take its place.  So, the bouquet was sort of free, since I didn't buy the supplies for it any time recently.  I hung it with a 3M Command Strip on the window.

In the pots are some asparagus ferns, some unidentified vines that I love, and some newly planted kale for the winter.  When the other plants die off (whenever winter -or for that matter, autumn- arrives in the Deep south), I'll rearrange the kale in there alone.

Here's the doormat, though it is technically facing the wrong way because after having it there for over a year, it was getting an asymmetrical wear pattern.

And finally, here's another shot, taken at night to show off my super-steal string-shade chandelier.  I saw it in an A-mazing store in Shreveport, Louisiana, called Red Door Interiors and it was about $350.  I found it on Overstock for barely over $100 and my husband was able to install it himself with a tall ladder.   Looks like its a little more expensive now, but seriously, a very pretty chandelier for $160, you practically can't beat it.  Also, I planted some cute little mums on either side of the sidewalk.  Lowe's had them for $.25 each.  Seriously, twenty-five cents!  I bought 4 purples and 2 yellows.  Maybe next year they will be full, lush and welcoming.  (BTW, you can see that all three windows are frosted in this photo.)

I've been watching lots of Curb Appeal:  The Block, which inspired me to finally do something about the entry that I hated.  I am pretty sure I've seen every episode and I love just about everything John Gidding designs.  So talented. This certainly was no $20,000 or even $1,000 makeover, but I am pleased with the result.   What do you think?  Anyone have any front door or curb appeal makeovers they'd like to share? I know my friend Jen has done a great job transforming her dated ranch into a charming home.  Her front door is grey and I love it. Jen, how bout a Ruby Coco post on your front entry??

Beans + Glue = Cute Candle Stick

My five year-old son came home from his Thanksgiving Feast today with the most adorable little candle and candle holder made out of beans.  This is my favorite project he's brought home from preschool so far.

He told me it was made by squeezing a bunch of glue into a cup, adding the beans, and then adding more glue.  I assume the cup was a waxed paper cup, so it could easily be removed.

This so fits our home decor style.  Sort of old fashioned, sort of modern, sort of natural.  I am proud to display this little preschool art project.  As opposed to some of the other, um, little "treasures" he comes home with.  

(Yes, of course, I would  regret trashing his preschool artwork, so I do keep a few.  Maybe one paper out of 10.  Only the really special ones, where I can really see his mark, not just him doing what his teacher told him to do.)

Front Door Makeover Part 2 :: Selecting Paint

After talking to some friends and my painter, I decided to forgo the faux wood look and instead choose a solid color for my door and trim.  I chose 5 colors from Sherwin Williams and picked up sample pots this morning, $5 each. It is totally worth it to blow $25 on paint samples so that I don't blow a $150 paint job.  

The colors  ::

1.  Gauntlet Grey

2.  Black Fox

3.  Backdrop

4.  Griffin

5.  Porpoise

I painted them in this order on the sidelight (top to bottom) and the door (left to right in rows on the door, so 1 & 2 on the top row, then 3, 4, & 5 on the bottom row).  

I think this is going to be an easy decision.  I already painted a large swatch of the color I think I will go with on the other sidelight.  Its currently drying and I want to go check it out in various lights today.   Any thoughts?  Which color would you pick?  Which color do you think I might have picked?

Front Door Makeover

My front door has been a little dated.  It used to have gold leaded glass until a couple of weeks ago.  Here's what it looked like on the first day of school  ::

Recently, I had a guy come out and replace the glass in the door and sidelights.  I didn't want to replace the whole door due to cost, so replacing the glass was the next best option.  Here is the replacement in process from the inside (the floor plan of our house is called a split foyer  -- I took this shot from the main living level of the house, but you can also go down a short set of stairs to head to our basement)  ::

I plan on putting some sort of skin on the glass, which I have not yet designed or selected.  I will figure that step out after I get the door and trim painted.  Which brings me to the purpose of my blog post.  I need help!  What color should I paint the door?  I hope to have a wood-look faux finish and a woman is coming later in the week to give me an estimate.   If it is not affordable, then I have to figure out something else.

Here is the front door and then a wider shot of the front of the house  ::

So, here are the options as I see them  ::

1.  Faux finish.
2.  Paint door and trim a solid color (black?  grey?).
3.  Paint door one color and the trim a different color (no clue what colors).

I did a brief search on flickr for some ideas ::  (sorry, too lazy tonight to do some cute embedded links or to put the actual photo on the blog.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wordridden/4406690717/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31765147@N07/3411736134/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sint-katelijne-waver/3091714177/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc-one-r/4894269625/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc-one-r/4894898874/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13717226@N00/4582425193/





Any opinions out there for me?  Please comment.  I will entertain any and all ideas!