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Thursday, January 26, 2012

.This little coat went to the market, this little shoe stayed home | Organization.

Posted in Lifestyle

Last week I gave you a preview of how I organize the projects around my house! Today I am showing you one of those that got marked off the list recently!

Now this was just a minor haul. It took all of ordering two things online & about 20 minutes and I had a much better shoe/coat closet in our main entry way! We do not have a mud room, deep sigh, but we have a coat closet at the front entry of our home. (We use the back but whatever) We still hang all of our coats in there & my husband puts most of his shoes in here. I prefer mine upstairs for when I am trying on outfits. Well, our coats are on this far, far rack in the back & I was tripping over the hubby’s shoes and that made me CRANKY. Plus, when we had guests over and we wanted to hang their coats, I had to ~~climb over mountains ,~~i mean walk over Ryan’s shoes to hang up their coats and guess what that did? Yup, make me CRANKY!

So this was an easy solution for us. I bought a shoe rack & a coat hanger and my shoe/coat closet transformation was about to begin!

Try getting to those coats without rolling an ankle!

He’s such a great helper!

1. I took all my shoes out of the closet so I could assess what needed to stay down here & what needed to go
2. Took all cleaning stuff out & found homes or made a home in the closet w/ it.
3. Took all the coats out & made a few donations to good will & some to the dry cleaners because they are missing buttons
4. I, I mean Ryan put the coat rack up on the side wall to hang up our everyday coats & guest coats when they visit.
5. Then we started putting stuff back in. First the coats, then the shoes, and then cleaning tools.

Much better- I can walk to the coats w/o killing myself!

Coat Hanger = $10.58
Shoe Rack = $15.99
Total: $26.57
but I had a gift card so we paid $0.00

My other January project was to clean our closet & I did that as well! Blog post coming soon! I hope you are getting your house projects done around the home! I’m off to start assessing my February Kitchen Projects which are:
-Organize cabinets with dividers
-redo pantry with jars & baskets,
-under the sink organization
-junk drawer organization

Hurry January is almost over- what is something that you can tidy up this month? At least 1 thing a month makes your life so much EASIER!

Posted in Lifestyle Tags: coat rack, how to, lifestyle, organization, organize, shoe closet

6 comments

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

. 5 all time favorite TV Shows | Listable Life.

Posted in Lifestyle, Personal

I love lists! I like to organize, which makes me love LISTS! Nicole from Moments that Define life started a Listable Life Meme that I knew I immediately wanted to be apart of!This is like giving me a new set of pens and some post it notes- tell me I can write lists each week and I’m game!

This week I decided to share with you my 5 all time favorite tv shows!

#5: American Gladiators: I wanted to be on this show so bad. I was certain I could beat these muscular people no problem! I was 10, and fully ready to go! My favorite one was the one where you dodged the nerf balls. While searching for this clip- I kept watching more and more videos! Geez I miss shows like these.

#4: First 48 Hours: This make me sound morbid- I don’t like watching this show because I enjoy what has happened. NO WAY!!! I like watching this show because I LOVE when they capture the bad guy and the process they take to get there. I am a cop, gang, drug, murder, show junkie!

#3: Zoobilee Zoo yes I watched this as a child and yes they look ridiculous and yes I want to watch it right now to restore old memories and YES i can’t get this theme song out of my head!

#2: Sex in the City: what an awesome bond these girls share, and their outfits- I love them, and Carrie’s writing makes me wish I was a writer for a column or an author but I’m no where near talented enough to be a writer! I also own all of these seasons and watch them over and over again!

#1: Friends. I own all 10 seasons and watch the complete set once a year! Oh I laugh, and laugh, and laugh and this never gets old! I want a movie reunion SO BAD!

What are some of your favorite shows currently? How about when you were a kid?

Posted in Lifestyle, Personal Tags: friends, link up, listable life, tv shows

18 comments

Ryan - January 24, 2012 - 12:46 PM

Good ones. Honorable mention Lockup Raw, Ellen, Oprah?

vschrotenboer - January 24, 2012 - 12:59 PM

Yes!!! Love all those too!!! So you think you can dance. Jeez I have too many.

Kelly - January 24, 2012 - 12:59 PM

I loved Fraggle Rock when I was little, but my all time favorite was Little House on the Prarie. I love everything about that show and know which episode it is by the first couple of seconds of the show. I also agree with you on Friends. Right now I watch most of the main shows, Greys, anything reality, Modern Family, and like the crime ones- Bones and Criminal Minds.

vschrotenboer - January 24, 2012 - 1:13 PM

I loved Fragile Rock as well!! Now you have me singing the theme song!

Briana - January 24, 2012 - 1:21 PM

I used to watch American Gladiators every Saturday (or was it Sunday?) morning! And I could watch Sex and the City and Friends over and over and over…great picks!

marcy - January 24, 2012 - 1:40 PM

Wow!!Zoobilee Zoo!! I completely forgot about that one! I loved that show as a kid!

Angie - January 24, 2012 - 5:31 PM

I love the You Tube videos – American Gladiators. That is cracking me up! I was always afraid of them – kinda like the Hulk Cartoon! Great list!

Motherhood is Messy - January 24, 2012 - 6:53 PM

So who doesn’t love friends.Even my son in high school is loving the reruns!

Sarah P - January 24, 2012 - 8:55 PM

I LOVE that you added American Gladiators. I have fond memories of watching that with my brothers . I also love First 48. I’d add Law and Order. Still love it!

Sherry - January 24, 2012 - 9:05 PM

Oh wow! Great list! I’m addicted to the First 48 hrs and shows like it for the same reason. Friends and Sex in the City were two of my favorites as well. No series has compared since.

Kara - January 24, 2012 - 9:08 PM

Oh man, lists are right up your alley! I would agree with Friends and Sex and The City but would have to add 24.

Megan W - January 24, 2012 - 10:33 PM

Thank you for reminding me of Zoobilee Zoo! I had to send it to my sister — she will die. American Gladiators was another favorite of ours during the summer.

Vanessa - January 24, 2012 - 11:19 PM

@ Brianna- Thank you! I miss that show!
@ Marcy – I know i was embarrassed to put that show but it was true and I thought it was a goodie.
@Angie- Hahah I know they were a bit intimadating!
@Motherhood- oh gosh- i heart friends soooo much!
@ Sarah- I’m glad I’m not the only one who likes cop shows!
@Sherry- me too! so good
@Kara- You are right. I lot me a list

Nikki - January 25, 2012 - 2:42 AM

I love SATC and Friends too! Re-runs of those shows are a perfect go to when nothing else is on TV.

Elaine - January 25, 2012 - 3:55 AM

Friends is on my list too and I forgot about Sex and the City! ACK! LOVED that show… But American Gladiators?!?! Oh I am totally cracking up over here! ;D

Lauren - January 25, 2012 - 10:52 PM

I think you are like a long lost friend of mine…..I OWN ALL 10 SEASONS OF FRIENDS TOO! And can pretty much recite each episode word for word. And frequently quote them throughout my day. And I may or may not rotate them in my DVD player and watch them on a daily basis.

vschrotenboer - January 25, 2012 - 10:59 PM

I agree Nikki!!!

Thanks Elaine- I’m glad to know there are other good tv show watchers!

Lauren- if you watch an episode daily or least a few times a week- then we are long lost friends! I watch it OVER and OVer again!

{nobody puts baby in the corner} « waittilyourfathergetshome - January 27, 2012 - 5:30 PM

[...] in a super easy kind of a mood! Remember my friend Vanessa, got her inspiration for creating a Listable Life over on Moments that Define Life. Since I’m sure you’ve heard the quote above a time [...]

Monday, January 23, 2012

.30 for 30 Remix | Fashion Challenge.

Posted in 30 for 30 Remix, Beauty, Give aways, Lifestyle

Do you ever walk into your closet and say, “ugh, I have NOTHING to wear” as you stare at racks full of clothes? I do all the time- and those are the days I have huge urges to SHOP, SHOP, SHOP….or stay home in my sweatpants. To help us all get over our closet blues and save some money- Kara and I are hosting a challenge on our blogs!

Welcome to February’s 30 for 30 Remix!

We got this idea from Kendi Everyday, and to help you understand the remix head over to her blog for a quick explanation! You can even purchase a $4.00 workbook to help you organize your outfits, ideas, etc that I HIGHLY recommend but it’s not a necessity!

Rules:

1. pick 30 items from your closet! Here is what we recommend:

6 neutral colors. This can be in a variety of pants/shirts/tanks/skirts/shoes etc. This allows you to vary it up and not have so many colors clash!
A few patterned tops- plaid, floral, animal print etc.
1 pair colored skirt/pants for a variety
1 pair of each: flats, heels, boots and whatever other shoe. (total of about 5)
4-5 layering pieces (cardigan, sweaters, blazers, etc)
accessories such as scarves, jewelry, etc DO NOT COUNT as your 30 items and you don’t need to plan for lounge clothes after work!

2. From the above items- you will need to make 30 DIFFERENT outfits. NO REPEATERS!

Before you get started with your outfits- take a picture of all your tops, pants, shoes. To make it easier for you- you could lay all your tops on your bed and take one picture. No need to take individual pictures unless you prefer to do it that way! ‘
We suggest mapping out your outfits for the next 30 days so you don’t have to think about it- you can just wake up and get dressed and know you are not repeating your outfits!
_________ (shirt) + __________ (Pants) + ___________ (shoes) on Thursday, Feb 2nd.

3. No shopping for 30 days!!!

How you can participate:

We’d love for you ALL to join us and we have some special goodies for some lucky winners! One lucky winner will get a $75.00 visa gift card and 2 of you will get one of our favorite accessories!

Email us at vanessa@vanessaschrotenboer.com & everydayinstilettos@gmail.com all of your items! This just helps us see that you are joining the challenge! (send them in as few images as possible. Group your items on the bed and send us one picture)
Leave us a comment on one of our blogs letting us know you are participating.
We need to know by Tuesday, Jan 31st if you are joining the challenge by doing the 2 items above!
Send us weekly emails (see below)
Comment on our blogs throughout the challenge letting us know how the challenge is going for you. Likes/Dislikes/what you are learning/favorite outfits. What you want to buy when this is over!

Well, Kara & Vanessa, anyone can send you pictures of their clothes but not actually participate- how are you keeping track?
Good question folks! We are asking that you send us a weekly email showing us one of your outfits!

We would like these images to be sent to us no later than Sunday before we start the following week! To help you get motivated in doing that- your weekly email will enter your name ONE more time into the drawing.

For instance:

Your comment/initial email with all your items = 1 entry
Week 1 email w/ one or more outfits = 1 entry
Week 2 email w/ one or more outfits = 1 entry

Week 3 email w/ one more more oufits = 1 entry

week 4 email w/ one or more outfits = 1 entry

Total: 5 entries!

Recap:
- pick 3o items from your closet!
-send us one picture of all the items you choose
-comment on our blogs telling us your are participating by Jan 31st
- Map out each of your outfits to help you stay organized and keep you motivated to finish this challenge strong!
-send us a weekly email by sunday showing us one or more of your outfits you wore this week. (from the 30 images you first sent)
-comment on one of our blogs throughout (daily if you can) letting us know how the challenge is going for you. Likes/dislikes/is it hard/what does this make you want to buy? how did you pick your outfits? comment on our outfits/

at the end of the month we will combine our contestants from both of our blogs & randomly pick a winner for the $75.00 gift card & then 2 others will receive one of our favorite accessories!

To help you get inspired check out this video!

Posted in 30 for 30 Remix, Beauty, Give aways, Lifestyle Tags: 30 for 30, beauty, clothes, Fashion, remix, winter

6 comments

Sunday, January 22, 2012

To bang or not to bang | hair

Posted in Beauty, Personal

2 years ago, I made the decision to grow my hair out. I was an avid chin bob kind of girl for the past 10 years. I loved my bob, it was easy to do, cute, stylish but I wanted a change. I wanted to be able to wear a pony tail, or curl my hair without looking like a poodle and I wanted to wear a cute hat and not look bald! Most of us know, growing your hair out SUCKS. Maybe it’s just me, but I get all ornery about my hair and once it hits the middle of my neck, I chop it off! Ends are flipping up, your layers are crazy weird, and you still can’t put it in a pony tail. So after many failed attempts of growing my hair out, I went on New Years Day 2010 to get my haircut. I went for my normal bob and she cut my hair TOO SHORT. It was at my lip wet, which means when dry it was above my lip. I don’t like the back of my neck shaved but it had to be and I cried…I cried after I got out of the shower, I cried after I blow dried my hair. That’s when I vowed that I would commit to growing my hair out no matter HOW bad I wanted to cut it.

Two years later I have what is now considered “long hair.” I’m not one of those lucky girls whose hair is halfway down their back after 2 months. My hair is more on the slow & steady pace and I’m sorta okay with that. I have no other choice! I have about 3 more inches to be at my ideal length, which is mid chest/mid back. Right below my shoulder blades. See goal # 38. I wrote this goal many times through 2011- I obviously wanted to grow my hair out because I was traumatized!

Now on to the fun part- I’ve been obsessing over bangs lately. I’ve never fully committed to bangs, always a side sweep that could be tucked behind the ears, which I did 90% of the time. So TODAY, I did it! I got bangs Ya’ll. Real bangs. I needed inspiration and where does a girl go when she needs inspiration? Pinterest, of course! I found the perfect look, and some not so perfect looks!

umm, too short! What do you think?

Too far back? And the horns are not my style!

But then I found some goodies! Of course these ladies are gorge so that helps as well but their bangs are perfect! Just what I wanted. Oh Reese- I heart you!

The image on the bottom right is what I showed my hairdresser! She has the MY DREAM HAIR length, bangs, and layers!

and here I am….w/ the cutest white toy poodle known to man!

of course we had some outtakes….

What’s your hair goal? Any new looks you’re going for? Cut short? Grow long?

Posted in Beauty, Personal Tags: Bangs, beauty, hair, haircut, layers

19 comments