Do.

Something I really need to be doing is getting back focused on the inside of our house. As Spring (and now summer) came we have spend most of our time and work (with the exception of one major cleaning spree) out of the house leaving several unfinished parts of certain rooms.

The first thing that I have to find the time to work on is our family room. After this inspiration picture a few months ago I rearranged our furniture which involved moving our kitchen table into the family room as a side table. And yes this means I am on the hunt for a kitchen table.

From Urban Grace Interiors/Southern Living

Which left a blank wall at our stairs, so I decided to shoot for this look (top left pic).

From Urban Grace Interiors/Southern Living

My DIY version of this table couldn't get close to the lines I wanted with the skit and its right in front of our air conditioning vent so the whole think sucks in when the air comes back on. Our HVAC friend also did not give my table very good reviews for HVAC efficientcy.

So back to square one. I think I need to find a sofa or occasional table that I like and go from there. Something like this. I still love the gallery wall, but maybe now with black and white family pics in stead of just prints.

From Samantha Pynn

Do.

I think you should treat yourself by bringing fresh flowers into your office at work.

Today I have one single hydrangea snipped from our bush at home as I left this morning.

Seriously it will make your work day much happier:)

Do.

Our city is beginning an expanded recycling program this July. We do a lot in our house to be more green, but it got me thinking how much more we can (easily) do.

I hope that by the time the program (with our much bigger bin) starts in July we will be taking out more recycling than trash. Here is how:

1)With mailer about the new program I realized that we can recycle more things so with the program expansion (juice cartons-yay!) and some because I never really looked at the original list (junk mail).

PS The fact that the program was announced via mailer, that then became junk mail was not lost on me, but at least I now knew it could be recycled.

2)Compost. I made a bin using YHL's instructions. But here is another hint: I keep a plastic dog treat container in the freezer to collect scraps so I am not making daily trips out to the bin. By keeping it in the freezer the smell is contained.

3)Paper products. I try not to use them. When we sit down for dinner we use casual cloth napkins and I go to rags before paper towels for clean up. I will admit to falling in love with the disposable wipes for counter clean up, but Clorox Greenworks are compostable.

Other clever reuse ideas saving even recyclable items from the curb.: If you find yourself with a plastic, disposable water bottle fill it back up and freeze it at as cooler ice pack. It won't leak like ice, its reusable and if it gets lost no worries. Use old newspapers as a weed barrier.