Shelves and Sushi with Sean

Until the self-cleaning desk is invented, I’ve found a cheap and easy solution to kid desk clutter:

All the bits and pieces that used to cover the desk are now contained on simple shelves made of wood and brackets picked up at the local hardware store. Screws plus those reinforcer thingys create sturdy construction. A drill and electric screwdriver make it a quick project … well, as long as you measure straight and all. That’s not my forte, so the supply list for these shelves also included the ex-husband who had it all together speedy quick.

I imagine it would work well for adult desk clutter as well. I would try it myself if I had any open wall space in my office. Ha!

You’re probably wondering what all this has to do with sushi and Sean. Really nothing. I was just pleased that a celebrity sighting last night provided me with alliteration for today’s title. As it happened, we were enjoying dinner at a local sushi restaurant when a man at the sushi bar caught my eye. He looked like an ordinary guy at first glance but then I realized I was just a few feet away from Sean Penn. Sushi with Sean. On a Monday. At the early kid/senior dining hour. Go figure.

I thought I was the only one who noticed given the lack of hubbub in the room. Turns out that my fellow diners were playing it just as cool as I was. Only after he left, accompanied by a tall, thin woman who looked more like a handler than girlfriend, did I realize everyone was acutely aware of the star studded atmosphere. In fact, there was quite the stir when the waitress realized he hadn’t paid the bill. Neither had Miss Handler apparently. A hue and cry ensued with waitresses running out the door, chasing after the forgetful diners and the other clientele speculating that perhaps the latest movie hadn’t done well. Sean and Miss Handler had disappeared so the wait staff came back empty-handed. Snippets of conversation bounced around the room leaving us uncertain as to whether they had forgotten to pay the whole bill or just leave a tip. My guess is that he thought she was taking care of it, and she thought he was. I bet they’ll make it up next time. And maybe we’ll be there for another sushi with Sean evening.

More fun than a barrel of monkeys

Hard to imagine anything more fun than a barrel of monkeys but, hold on to your hat, we found it …

The chalkboard wall! It’s the perfect place for practicing spelling words for the weekly 1st grade test …

And for doodling.

And for menus, lists, reminders, tic-tac-toe … well, the possibilities are endless and ever so much fun. Can’t wait to get some colored chalk … ooh la la!

The best part is the impromptu creations and collaborations that this little wall inspires. Amazing what a small can of paint, a paintbrush and a short amount of time can produce.  Chalkboard walls for everyone — that’s my new motto!

Of possibility and post-its

A short respite in a week stacked with work deadlines to enjoy the possibility of a drawer cleared of overflowing office supplies …

… and to realize I have a bit of addiction to post-it notes. Clearly, I rarely walk by a cute design without buying it even though I have a supply to last decades. Anyone need 1, 2 or 10? Just let me know.

Halloween in reverse

Post-holiday packing and storing is not something to take lightly …

It is a time-consuming, physical endeavor that, this year, took …

:: 50 sheets of tissue paper

:: 4 boxes

:: 1 huge plastic bin

:: countless trips around the house; up, down, up down

:: then dozens of trips up and down the deck stairs, across the deck and down to the basement. Okay, maybe not dozens but it sure felt like it.

:: an entire Sunday morning while nursing a cold

I like to think of it as warm up for Christmas, which will undoubtedly take at least twice as long! What is that you ask? “Do I ever consider not decorating?” Nope! Making things sparkly like a holiday (hey, that’s a good title for something) is in my blood.

Decorating with kids or why I love chalkboard paint

The start of school this week included, beyond back-to-school shopping for a girl who grew nearly an inch over the summer, some spiffying of the home front. It will come as no surprise to many that furniture was rearranged yet again — K’s room and the living room. But that wasn’t quite enough to ring in the school season. So we zipped over to the paint store. For about $15 and hours of fun, you can transform nearly any surface into a chalkboard.

Exhibit 1: the preparation

Exhibit 2: second coat being applied

Exhibit 3: the finished product

You may be wondering whether it’s wise to let a 6-year-old paint with black. We had a few “oopsies” past the blue tape but chalkboard paint wipes away if you get it speedy quick. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to have extra door color paint for touch-ups.

I tell you, chalkboard paint is addicting. I have my eye on one narrow kitchen wall. After all, I have half a can of paint left!

Now that’s cute

I am rather fond of smiley faces. After all, I was around when the big smiley debuted in the 70s and would have traded my Partridge Family lunch box in a second for the white lunch bags emblazoned so cheerfully. Disposable lunch bags didn’t fly with parents both eco- and budget-conscious, so I coveted from afar.

Well, imagine my delight when I found this while zooming around the grocery store:

I know! Smiley faces on sandwich bags. Two designs. Tucked in a well-packaged, Japanese-esqe box. My heart beat a little faster. The price per bag gave me pause and I really do try to limit my use of plastic. But as you can see, the little smileys spun their magic, and I am now the proud owner of a special box of baggies. They will be carefully rationed and used as special surprises in the school lunch. Oh, and I think they’ll play a factor in favor bags for K’s next birthday. And really, when you think of it that way, they are quite economical.

Now for my next trick

Little fabric holders to stow half-size index cards.

(My model needs her nails cleaned!) I found these half-size cards at Office Depot on Friday and was immediately inspired to get out the fabric. Now you may be wondering why the excitement over half-size index cards and why in the world they need fabric holders. Well, my lecture-attending, note-taking days may be long past but the index card is just the thing to have on the go, should you want to write something down. An item for the grocery list. A reminder to call the dentist. A phrase overheard that would make the perfect short story title. They are very light and quite convenient. And the half-size is even lighter and that much more convenient. Not to mention cute, cute, cute!

Alas, the poor things don’t hold up well to travel. They tend to fall to the bottom of the purse or backpack. The corners bend, they get dirty and sad. And one ends up tossing cards before they’ve served their purpose: to record your brilliant ideas.

Enter the fabric holder. It’s colorful so you can find your cards before the elusive thought flees your mind. It’s compact so you don’t add bulk to your bag. It’s washable so it can always be clean. Now that’s snappy!

Clipping service

As Sage and I were talking today, I tried to recall what article in what magazine I’d recently read about all the easy ways to recycle, save energy, etc. I couldn’t and complained that I was currently surrounded by too many magazines of which I’ve just read bits and pieces. And then I realized this was a good thing because I could update my clipping files. And Sage asked what clipping files. And I explained my system for keeping information and inspiration I pull from magazines. And she said please send me pictures. So I did. And then she said, oh you have to blog about this. So I am.

I began this system years back because I’m just not one to keep 20 years’ of magazine issues under my bed. Plus I don’t have the patience to cull through the stacks to find that one thing on that great topic by that fab author each time I’m looking for one thing on a great topic by a fab author.

So I pull what I want and recycle the rest of the magazine. The pages I pull go into clear plastic presentation books by Kokuyo (a readily available supply store item), which are organized by category.

I have books for gift ideas, holiday, decorating, parties/table settings, inspiration, health and crafts. I just tuck the pages inside the sleeves and presto! A mini magazine of my own making that’s easy to find and use.

Organized relief

I love to organize. Anything and everything. And I do it often. It clears my head, keeps me focused. And, when I’m about to hypervenilate with too many demands and too little time, it calms me down. The clean slate feeling. Ahhhhh. Of course, if I am to be very honest, I am equally entranced by all the pretty, sparkly things out there that promise to help me organize. And oh how they do! Here is my work in progress … a fabulous, multi-tile bulletin board from the fine folks at Pottery Barn Teen:

Just need those side frames on and I’ll be in organizational heaven. Unless, maybe, does my new bulletin board need some accessories? Just so it doesn’t feel lonely? I better go here and here and here!