Friday, April 30, 2010

Soap



When I was young I wanted to grow up to be the Ivory Soap girl...



My grandmother used to tell me that my skin was like peaches and cream.



It wasn't until I was in my 30's that my sister looked at me one day and said...
"you know, your skin isn't really all that great ... you should wear foundation."

And she took me to Macys' cosmetic counter and we bought my first bottle of Lancome foundation. What would I do without my sister? She always has my back.



Soap.
Soap is a good thing.
I like to be clean.



I like being clean more than I like cleaning.



Anyway, that is besides the point.
I wanted to thank everyone for all those great tips on getting organized.



First of all, it really is reassuring to know that I am not alone in my lack of time management and organizational skills at home. Misery loves company.

Playing music was a wonderful suggestion.
It kept me moving and helped me to not feel overwhelmed.
Who knows, maybe some of those dance moves will help me lose a few pounds!

Making lists, setting the kitchen timer, focusing on just one small task at a time...
...these are things I will try. (In fact, I cleaned out the cupboard with all the Tupperware in it today...took a whole bag full across the street to the school which is holding its annual rummage sale tomorrow).
Getting rid of Tupperware is easy for me.
It doesn't pull at my heart strings...even if some of it was probably 30 years old...
...and the cupboard looks great.

I don't know about that Feng Shui suggestion...
...I'm a long way aways from that sort of living.

I like a little clutter.
I like my collections.




Zita of Mlle Magpie mentioned she believes rewards are a good idea...
...now that sounds very wise, I am definitely in favor of rewards.

I actually took four bags of stuff across the street to the school sale.

So, maybe my reward should be to go to the sale tomorrow to see if there are any treasures...
... hopefully I won't bring 4 bags home!

So thanks again for all the encouragement...
I intend to persevere and enjoy the path to organized chaos!
:)

34 comments:

Vintage Market Place said...

this is why I have a chalkboard door in my kitchen, I write all of my goals down for the week and feel great when each item gets checked off. It is so big that I just can't walk by it without noticing that I need to get something accomplished.
Amy

Sandi said...

I like my collections too and my...dare I say it...clutter?? I think of it as organized chaos!! lol
Happy thrifting tomorrow!
Blessings~

Blondie's Journal said...

I am a happy and content clutterbug. As long as I keep it all dusted, who is to complain?

Go to the sale. Buy up anything you regret giving. It's for a good cause.

xoxo
Jane

FILIGREE MOON said...

I'm all for a bit of clutter. I call it an organized mess. Love your fun post and photos! ~ Angela

DustyLu said...

Yes you need your lovely things. Organizing drawers, closet, dressers, that fine, but your lovely things thats a different story! I love your photos! ~lulu

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hey Laura
Sounds like your sister has your back like mine has mine.. hahahaha
Well I think Jane is right.. go and buy back the things you will instantly regret parting with.. hehehehe.. I often regret the things I have given away ...like my 2 sofas.. and see them every time I visit my friend.. which is often.. haha.. well at least I know she needs them more than me..

happy to hear you are finding your groove.... get your groove on girl!! and Happy May Day.. xxx Julie

Angela said...

Well, I read all the comments from yesterday and they sound just like me!! I've just lowered my standards...so everything is okay. The only thing that gets me moving is knowing that company is coming!!

Beth A. @ Songbird Hill said...

I love how we can make our messes seem so okay. Calling it organized chaos and controlled clutter. I feel so much better now about my space that I may not have to spend the weekend cleaning after all! I can just sit back and enjoy my "managed mess"! LOL. Loved your pictures!

Beatnheart said...

you take amazing photographs...I love a lot of stuff...yay for us..

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Laura, those soap packages are so wonderfully graphic and I love the cup as well!

Beach House Living said...

Those older soap packages are pristine looking. Super organized closets for years went by the wayside....I'm thinking a bulldozer might be in order to correct the mass of chaos that now exists.

bj said...

O, dear...this is the way I do things! Take bags and bags of stuff to Goodwill and bring home more bags than i took!! :))
Love your soap collection

It's me said...

Laura............... those soap packages are so wonderful !!
You make again beatiful pictures...........i love it !!

Have a happy wonderful day today ...and good luck at the flea markets.........

Hugs from Ria

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Laura ~
Your pictures are beautiful ! I live in a constant state of creativitiy is my excuse for clutter ~
But....when I do organize I do take one task at a time and it feels sooooo good to get it done ~
xoxo
Lori

Unknown said...

LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ik denk dat je zal de heer Flea vinden in een emotionele achtbaan ......... een dag is hij trots op je omdat je 4 zakjes meenam naar de school ....... gelukkig wakker ...... ........... om u te vinden in de keuken met 4 nieuwe zakken gevuld met schatten !!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH LOL .... excuse me .... .. het voelt zo formiliar!!

Wat je ook doet (of kopen) ... geniet ervan!

groeten
Lynda

Unknown said...

Your beautiful things and way of displaying them...definitely NOT clutter!

La Petite Gallery said...

Mercy! I haven't seen a bar of Borax soap in years. What a fun post..Happy Derby Day.

It's on TV at 4 pm... yvonne
Pick a winner.

Christelle said...

Fantastiques photos aux tonalités si douces et à l'histoire si riche ...

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh Laura,
I hope that your illusions about being the Ivory Soap girl weren't crushed when your sister told you that your skin wasn't quite as perfect as your Grandmother had suggested !! never mind....perhaps you could still be the Lancombe girl !!
.... and, I can't see you doing Feng Shui or de-cluttering. It just wouldn't be you.
Long live clutter and collecting treasures. It's what makes your house a home and brings great pleasure. XXXX

the old white house said...

I love all of your photos, the ideas sound helpful and I could use some oraganizational tips too! One last thing I've said it before too, thank goodness for sisters... I like to have my younger (by 11 years) go shopping with me and play "what not to wear"! She has great style sense and I could use some sometimes! Theresa

Brenda Pruitt said...

If it sounds remotely possible, I just attended probably 40 yard sales and bought one item. A mirror. That was just about beyond my realm of reasoning! I figured I'd end up toting at least four bags home.
Brenda

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Looks like you are keeping positive and, I think, having fun getting organized! Keep up the good work!

Nank said...

The best way to motivate myself to clean, clean, clean is to watch Clean House, Clean Sweep, Hoarders, How Clean is Your House, or Hoarding: Buried Alive. I sit through one entire installment of any one of these shows and as soon as it's over I'm up cleaning my little heart out. Now all I need is the motivation to watch the show because I know the outcome.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the good wishes with my upcoming radiation treatments.
I absolutely love your blog!! What wonderful vintage "stuff" you have!!
I will be back!
Hugs,
Marilyn

Liz Bradley said...

Don't give up the collections! Who wants order if you have to give up what you love to have it? :)
Liz
http://mylovelylittlelulu.blogspot.com/

Rostrose said...

Dearest Laura - I LOVE your collections! And your photos of them! Wonderful! Stay yourself and dance ;o)
Hugs, Traude

sweetpea said...

Laura, thanks for plugging my giveback! Your name will go into the seond drawing as well. Good luck!

Hugs,

Shelley

Ange said...

Oh Laura, I try desperately to de-clutter all through winter, then it all goes to pot in Spring when the vide greniers start. It would appear that all great artists are collectors. I'm hanging onto that thought for now. I too, inspite of my muddy exploits, prefer being clean than cleaning!

I'm with Jackie - you can be the Lancôme girl now!!
a
xx

{oc cottage} said...

Oh! I absolutely LOVE to be clean more than I love cleaning! ;} A little clutter is good for the soul!!

m ^..^

stacycakes said...

there is nothing like the smell of ivory soap!!!

Anita Diaz said...

I'm going to have to look for that post, because I have been wondering how people get it done! I feel like I'm always behind and if someone stopped by when I'm in the middle of something, which is always, I would go crazy and be embarrassed!!

Becca said...

Love the "blue" photographs...the ivory soap with with purple flowers and the blue and purple sea glass! Can't stop looking at it...lovely!

Ella said...

Ivory brings back wonderful memories; The soap that floats! Wonderful photos! I can so relate, I am trying to clean my FROG(Furnished
Room Over Garage). It has turned into a Toad
with warts. I have collected so much and I find, it easier, if I go in, planning on doing
just l draw or just organize this or that. Then
go do something else. I have taken 3 pages out, so far. Congrats on progress, You are doing a splendid job~

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

You are just too funny, Laura! I like to be clean, but I also like cleaning - though you wouldn't know it from all the junk I have around here. It seems the more I clear out, the more finds its way back in. I suppose that's the way it goes, for those of us who love our collections and the thrill of the hunt. ;)

Blessings,
Liz @ the Brambelberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/