See…even Martha knows.

I'm such a trendsetter.

So, this is sort of a Tidy Tip. That is, if your closet is the thing that’s out of control. You can get your closet under control and simplify your daily routine by using what I have termed the Einstein Method of dressing.  I call it this even though it sort of perpetuates the myth that Einstein wore exactly the same thing everyday. When Einstein’s wife Elsa was alive, she was in charge of his wardrobe, and often dressed him in immaculate suits and ties. After Elsa died in 1936, Einstein took to wearing what he wanted (and who could blame him). From then on, he was often spotted in very simple outfits and was known to be fond of soft, gray sweatshirts and sock-less tennis shoes or sandals.

Einstein had it going on.

Now, not all of us have the option of hanging out in our favorite sweats, but we can translate this idea of paring down into our own wardrobe. It may seem like a completely boring way to live, but after trying it for a while, I’ve found it completely refreshing. You cats might consider doing it just for one area of your wardrobe–for instance, your work clothes.

For my work palette, I’ve chosen black, gray, camel, white, and navy (only because these are my favorite colors). If you like hot pink, however, choose hot pink.  Be forewarned, though, not many things match hot pink. Except for maybe lime green.

So, with my palette selected, I can, at any point, throw pieces together without having to even consider whether they match. I no longer have that one shirt that only goes with that one skirt–and I don’t have to find a spot to store non-mixable pieces, either. No more standing in front of the closet for ages trying to decide what to wear. Morning routine–simplified! Also and added benefit: shopping–simplified! It’s so much easier to shop now that I’m not inundated by a ridiculous number of choices. I can easily zero in on that adorable gray sweater on the rack rather than the sparkly, sequin hot pants calling my name from the corner. If, however, the hot pants could be worn under my work clothes, well, then…maybe. I think we all need more sequined hot pants in our lives, don’t you?

Now, if your clothes are your method for expressing yourself, this may not be for you. You may really need those 500 pairs of shoes and 45 bags. If so, more power to you! For me, a simplified wardrobe is one fewer thing to think about. In this case, fewer choices equals less hassle. And, no…it’s really not boring at all. After all, don’t you end up wearing the same thing over and over anyway?

And, bonus! Since I don’t have to think about what to wear I can take all that extra brain power and put it into something more creative…like this post!

Until next time, KISS (that’s keep it simple, stupid)!

Author’s note: In all honesty, I’m also the creepy person in the grocery store who buys like 20 cans of green beans. I may, in fact, be insane. Or, brillllllllliant!!!!!

So, I know we’ll be talking about xeriscaping later this year, but here’s a little preview of what I’ve been working on in my front yard for the past 3 years.

Front Yard, circa 2007. You've come a long way, baby.

As you can see from the before, it was pretty much a blank slate. And, I hate grass. I hate grass like I hate Applebees. I hate mowing. I won’t water. I hate battling weeds. Because of this unadulterated hatred of lawn, my goal for the last three years has been to eliminate most of the grass from my front yard.

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These Simplify Your Summer projects are about creativity and discovery. On this project, I discovered that I DO NOT have nerves of steel. Repeat: DO NOT.  Steady hands? Fugghedaboutit! But, more on that later…

Piece of cake, right?

For this project, I had some framed butterflies that I’d purchased at the flea market forever ago. Yes, they actually do sell something other than dragon-shaped incense holders at the flea market. Anyway, after years of moving, falling on the floor, and being exposed to humidity in the bathroom, the frame was pretty much falling apart. The frame was a weird size, so replacing it would have been too costly. So, I decided that I would transfer the butterflies into a shadowbox frame.

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Here's a sample of a bathroom in our neighborhood. You get the idea--fuuuuuuugly.

So here’s the deal: Three years ago, our bathroom was ugly. Not just ugly, but fugly (no offense, Le Boy). The harlequin diamond patterned wallpaper and builder-basic boring fixtures didn’t exactly create the relaxing spa-like experience one would hope for in a bath. As our house is a starter home, I’ve been keeping our bathroom updates on the cheap.

So far, I’ve primed and painted the wallpaper (which already looks about a milliondy times better) and replaced the boring chrome towel rack with an oil rubbed bronze-colored beauty.

After replacing the towel rack, I sort of created a new problem. I now have an oil rubbed-bronze towel rack, chrome toilet paper holder, and brushed nickel light fixture. See the problem? If not, read the previous sentence again. Bronze, chrome, brushed nickel. Now, for some people, this might not be an issue. But, for me–this ain’t gonna cut it.

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In a household comprised of two hairy humans and four even more hairy felines, you can imagine that we get our fair coating of the fuzzy stuff around here. Hair. It is my nemesis. It’s everywhere. It’s on the floor. It’s on a door. It’s in my eye and in a pie. But seriously, folks, setting the Dr. Seuss aside, hair really is something we deal with on a daily basis (and by we, I mean me). So, what’s a girl to do? (more…)

There are certain things around the house than can send out subliminal signals that your house is anything but tidy. I think you can imagine a few obvious ones: dirty underwear in the sink, plates of half eaten chicken wings under the bed, the toilet. But, sometimes we walk past things every day that we don’t even notice. But our brains do. Our brains see all and our brains tell us that something is rotten in Denmark (and it ain’t the chicken wings). (more…)

So, the first project in the Simplify Your Summer series is called Operation: Organize Le Boy. Perhaps you are lucky enough to have a member of your family who is of the male persuasion. I happen to have one, and he shall be referred to herein as The Boy (since we are being fancy-pants I shall use the pigeon French and call him Le Boy).

Le Boy likes to play games of the electronic variety. He plays them often and he owns many. These games and game systems come with a lot of accessories like headphone thingies, wiry-type knotted rats’ nests, and the Internets. Needless to say, Le Boy had made quite a mess in our home office. Exhibit A:

Exhibit A: Le Boy's Desk/Shelf Area

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Greetings, ladies (and other internet interlopers)! Those of you who know me may be familiar with the fact that I am the classic overachiever.  Well, I’ve decided to use that fact, along with a seemingly endless bout of insomnia, to your advantage. Welcome to the Simplify Your Summer Series here on Wisteria.

Photographic Evidence of Classic Overachievement

This weekly series will chronicle my adventures in home renovation, organization, and design. I’ve named it Simplify Your Summer because many of the tips and tricks are based on making your life easier. The goal of this project is to help you create an organized, easy-to-clean home, so you can spend what little precious free time you have on more important things (like watching Biggest Loser while simultaneously consuming an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk ice cream–it’s called multi-tasking, people).

I’ve got lots of project planned for summer (like a mini-master bathroom facelift). I’ll also be sharing a few of my past projects, along with my best cleaning and organizing tips. This is going to be like Martha Stewart on crack, but without all the minions to do all the work (so, basically slightly imperfect and much slower). So, hold on to your britches! First up on the projects list, Operation: Organize Le Boy.

Hi Ladies! Just a few photos from my summer garden to tide you over until we start back next fall. Hope you all are having a great and creative summer.