The Dreaded Cleaning Day!

Why is it so hard to get motivated when it comes to cleaning?  Some days I'm chomping at the bit to get goin', but other days I'm moving.so.slow!  I try to do a deep clean in our house once a week.  Usually, this is on Saturday or Sunday morning.  We try super super hard to keep our place picked up during the week.  This hopefully means that on the weekend we are ready to scrub, and then we are DONE!  We don't always do our best at keeping things picked up but that's life, right?


This week has been much different than what my typical week has been like since January.  I finished my semester long Internship in a 4th grade classroom this past Tuesday.  So, I've had Wednesday, Thursday and today off.  It has been totally wonderful. I could really get used to being at home everyday.  But, I begin working at the preschool Monday.  This is my summer job, and I'm waiting to hear back from an interview with a 4th grade position. Fingers crossed!


Back to cleaning.  I have the opportunity to get my deep clean in today.  Meaning, the weekend is much more relaxing.  I also have the house to myself all day.  That means I'm able to get way more done...  


In order to get myself motivated I'm going to show you my list of things to tackle today.  I find I do a better job with cleaning when I have a list to keep me on track.  Also, it's really fun to cross things off of a list. :)


Here we go!
Deep Cleaning Schedule:

Floors- sweep, mop, vacuum all floors.

Bathrooms- sink, counters, shower, toilets and mirrors. Launder bath mats.

Bedroom- dust surface areas, sort all clothes, wipe everything clean

Kitchen- sink, counters, stove top and microwave.  Wipe cabinets, sort/get rid of any piles on table/counters

Breakfast nook- clean glass top and  dust buffet

Living room- dust all surface areas, roll couch, and put away computer cords

Entry way- pick up green cabinet and stick shoes into basket

Laundry- towels, sheets, jeans, miscellaneous clothes

Do NOT forget: baseboards, vents, blinds, windows, ceiling fans, wipe drawers! 

It's so much fun using this list as a guide in every room.  I feel way accomplished when I just take it room by room.  I will begin by starting laundry and then keep my loads going while I'm cleaning the rest of the house.

Anyone else having to dig for some cleaning motivation this morning?  I will say that I love getting new cleaning products though.  Funny how that works?  Just for a little something fun: Here's two of my favorite cleaning products...

My favorite all-purpose cleaner.  Smells SO clean, but doesn't require much at all.  I usually mix up a bucket of this stuff + water for various cleaning throughout the house.  Typically, I mop with this mixture also.

Mrs. Meyer's counter-top spray is to die for.  My personal favorite is the lemongrass.  But, I have basil right now and it's pretty good too.  It's so refreshing and a perfect go-to product for throughout the week wipe downs.

What are your favorite cleaning products?  Well, wish me luck today because it's slow goin' around here.  

love, the Blair Abode

Small, adorable desk...

...that's what has been on my mind lately.  I love small desks/built-ins worked into kitchens. I've been dreaming of a spot like this off of our kitchen.  Our town-home isn't the most spacious, but I think I could make this work.  It would require some rearranging, which I think is what is causing me to ponder instead of running 100mph to find that perfect desk.


Let's talk about some of the uses for a desk by our kitchen.  I'm talking a small, "airy" desk.  Preferably white, or a pop of color:

• Creating grocery lists/menu planning
• Any type of computer work
• Grading papers/lesson planning
• Totally adorable

I think those would be my top four uses of a desk by the kitchen.  I won't lie.  Maybe the totally adorable factor is #1 on my list.  There's nothing wrong with that is there?  I love a cozy, warm area.  I'm always decorating/re-arranging/adding to.  

One thought that has entered my mind is the possibility of moving into a home that doesn't have a spot for the desk near the kitchen.  Problem solved: place the desk in a guest room/Baby Blair's room. Baby Blair does not exist yet, but one day he/she will! I love desks in kids room, so I'm not worried about the idea of not always using it in the kitchen.

One thing that I'm not sure about is space.  The desk would go in the spot where our green cabinet currently lives.    The green cabinet would have to find a new home, but still close to the front door.  Our green cabinet is our "catch-all" spot. We can't move this piece away from the front door.  I'm worried that the entry area would become cluttered.  Thoughts?   

Now, for the best part. Pictures.  I've put together a few pictures so that you have visualize the look I'm wanting to achieve...

Basic Sawhorse Desk from Pier 1 on sale for $160. 

I love the lightness and texture of this wastebasket.  Not even sure I'd use it as a trash can, but possibly as storage (I'd sit it on the floor next to the desk either way). Wastebasket from Pier 1 for $20.

I love this! I would totally add this to the left/right corner of the desk to hold all of those wonderful office supplies.  Basket from Pier 1 for $18.

Love this lamp.  The best part is that I already own this lamp, and haven't found a spot for it since moving.  How perfect is that?

I'd either go for a chair like this (such a fun color), or a vintage colored chair.  Right now, I'd just snag one from another room in the house!

The price break down adds up to roughly $200 total for a new desk, wastebasket and organizer.  Not too bad if ya ask me.  What are your thoughts of my desk dilemma?  I'd love to hear your ideas on what would be best for the space.

love, the Blair Abode

The Green Cabinet

...I'm convinced that everyone in the world needs a green cabinet.  Or, something like it.  Of course, I would encourage you to have the actual green cabinet, because.. well, I think it's the sweetest little cabinet I've ever seen.  But, I guess I really mean everyone needs the idea of the green cabinet.


The green cabinet lives right inside our entry hall. It is by far one of the crucial elements in making our house run smoothly.  It's an entire area of the house devoted to "catch all."  I realized very quickly after getting married that the entry way was a place that could become quite TOTALLY frightening.  Piles and piles of shoes, bags, mail, keys, coats, my purse... ALL in a heap towards the front door.  Eek! Something had to be done quickly.  Insert browsing at HomeGoods and spotting this bad boy:

This was the answer to my prayers.  It has two spacious shelves and not to mention.. totally adorbs! I decided to place three plastic (they don't have to be cute because my Hubs and I are the only ones seeing them) baskets.  One basket for Hubs, myself and Mozart.  This basket is a place we can stash our wallets, sunglasses, a book to return to the library, CD to take to the car.. you get the idea.  Mo has his leash in his basket.  This system works great for us! It conceals all of those little things that otherwise seem to hang out on the kitchen table. Cute cabinet + storage = WIN! 


Here is a peak inside the cabinet

The bottom basket holds anything we need to hang a picture. Nails, monkey hooks, hammer, ruler, 3M hooks.  Also, my lint brush has somehow squeezed in there.  But, I always know where it is! It's in a spot that's easy to grab and use on the way out the door. I also store a few wedding pictures we had printed that have not made into frames yet, and some over spill candles that I found on sale.

Our key hanger is used to hold our keys and my purse.  The wicker basket hides our flip flops that we use when grabbing the mail and taking Mo outside.  So far this system has been ideal for us.  I love the storage plus style I have been able to achieve with this small space.  I cannot imagine life without this area of the house.  It doesn't sound like much, but it houses A LOT of small things.

It's all about finding what works for you!  My system may be total chaos for one person, but totally great for me! What do you use to catch all of those small items that we are constantly taking in and out of the house?

Love, the Blair Abode

Welcome to Our Abode...

a place in which a person resides; residence; dwelling;habitation; home.

Let me start by introducing myself.  My name is Darian Blair.  I am married to my wonderful husband, Tyler.  We have a precious Havamalt baby boy, Mozart.  That's a Havanese and Maltese mixed together.  It really doesn't get any cuter than this. Does it?

Tyler and I got married in May of 2011.  He is an electrical engineer and I am graduating in two weeks with a degree in early childhood education. Oh, how happy I am to be finishing.  Now, just waiting on that job!  

I decided to title this blog, "The Blair Abode" because I want to share my adventures around this abode of ours!  Hubs and I live in a town-house, and I always, I mean always am up to something.  Whether that is organizing, cleaning, shopping or planning.. I'm always looking for ways to improve our life style and make life more easy and peaceful.  Life is hectic enough! I strive to make our home a place that we can come to after a long day and find refuge and comfort.

The last several months I have been an organizing machine.  Not that we were messy before, but I realized how much more smoothly life goes when EVERYTHING has a place.  I'm seeing the benefits of that, and I want to share and enjoy this journey with others.

On this blog you will find projects I am doing/have done, and things that I have found to be helpful.  Now, I by no means am proclaiming to be a professional, I see this blog as one more way I can be organized while also sharing with others! So, join me on this journey!

Welcome to the Blair Abode... Kick your shoes off and stay a while!

Here are a few picture of us

Our Wedding Day.. So in love!

The next two pictures are from a styled shoot we did by Melissa McCrotty. Check her out! She is beyond fabulous!

Love, the Blair Abode