" but, I may use that to bake a pie one day...."

Crap holds us back!!!

                                                   does your kitchen look like this... be honest!


We must reevaluate our living spaces AT LEAST 2 times a year. People with children- I often suggest ONCE a SEASON!! Especially in the high traffic/lived in areas of the home ...THE KITCHEN

I have been called the clutter whisperer....

My rule(s) of thumb when it comes to keeping a clutter free kitchen...

* Only TWO small appliances allowed on the counter top at once i.e. coffee maker& toaster
* ONE NEAT container holding cooking utensils by the stove
**Use a pantry to hold the bigger /less used appliances
*** Be creative on where you can "hide" things and make them accessible to everyone.
**** All cabinets should be emptied out- wiped down and decluttered . Non matching items/things that have not been used -should be tossed
***** You will need to make an effort to TRAIN yourself (and your family) to put things away in their PROPER place EACH TIME after they are used!! Or you will find yourself in the same situation in a few short months!!

Take the time- it makes a difference.



Here is how I survive living in my small kitchen space...

Ask yourself these simple questions when looking to declutter your counter space  & cabinets...

1. When was the last time I used this item?
2. If I have used it in the last 3 months- how many times? Daily? Weekly? Every Now & Then?
3. Can I find a place in my cabinets to store this item?
4. What do the inside of my cabinets look like?
5. Are all my cabinets chuck full  of stuff?
6. Can I commit to taking at least 4 hours  to get this done right?
7. Am I able to throw things out- or do I need someones help to really let things go?


 If not, maybe...It's time to call me :))

                       * Rethink the small appliances on the counter tops-  ONLY 2 of these items should be "displayed"  at a time! :)

                        * Get creative- find areas in your kitchen to hide behind close doors those bulky appliances...

** Even though this is a beautiful kitchen-  My eye can't help but be distracted with all the clutter on the counter top - Way too much going on there... **Remember you are not a store,  do not have to display all of your items. One at a time...ROTATE things- keep it fresh.

I keep moving and shaking.....

I must say.... I think I found yet -another fabulous find....
Stella & Dot is fashion spot ON! S&D knows who their savvy, stylish customers are. Our one of a kind collections are designed by celebrated New York designers and featured in Gossip Girl, In Style andLucky Magazine as well as on the wrists and necklines of today's hottest celebrities. The Today Show, Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have praised Stella & Dot .
Furthermore, who wouldn't love the brands philosophy of social shopping, while sipping on a drink, all while you have some good ol' fashion girl time....

SO- AWAY I GO....
My first Trunk Show- Kicks off the summer season... and will be held on June 2nd @ 7pm- at my place (* email me if you are interested).

 Be sure to check out my site for future  events and specials!!!
http://www.stelladot.com/sites/ashleyrohn/my-business


Make some YOU time....

Cheers.
A.

Refreshin it up...

What do you think???

nothing says I am thinking of you like a card.....

A good  reason to put pen to paper ... sending a heart felt greeting card....just because-you care!

there are so many ways to express how you really feel...

.

some greetings are just slightly inappropriate (who do you send that to?)...

 

and some cards.. are perfect to keep in bulk for any occasion. think birthday, wedding,graduation, she is having a baby... See multi use- with just one saying....

 ...while others get right to the point (just your signature required- do you need to really expand on that?)

... Annnnnd of course, a few can capture any and every random thing that has happened in a lifetime....

Whatever the occasion...  take 2 minutes to reflect and write a favorite friend, mom, sister, crazy uncle and tell them how much you love them- OR- what a jackass they really are ..Either way, if your going to send a card- no matter what life throws at you- hit it back with  humor &wit...  and support a creative starving artist in the process :)

All of these cards can be found on Etsy (search  phrase funny cards)!!!

COOL summer CORAL ...

HAPPY ROYAL WEDDING DAY BLISS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“A penny is a lot of money, if you have not got a penny.....”

I am ashamed to say it, but I have been known from time to time to just throw a penny or 6 away! Yes, literally throwing money away (don't tell my husband!) Back in the 80's I put a few in my penny loafers... I have thrown a ton in mall fountains... I have even  diligently collected for over a year- a huge jar of them..only to take them to the bank, and get a measly $5.

But NOW, thanks to google research and some personal experience- I have learned that these one cent wonders have other purposes... maybe worth more than their monetary value!!

.

1. Add a few pennies to the bottom of the vase with water to your spring tulips! They will stand straight and tall for days! (Just in time for the Easter weekend where many of us will be hosting family & friends....)

2. They increase the pH of soil for hydrangeas.

3. Put them all around garden seedlings to repel slugs.

4. Use in toll booths in states that accept them- Like Illinois!!!

5.Use as a spacer when laying tile

6. When pouring concrete- place one (from that year) in the wet surface - and have the family put their initials around it...

7. Use to open a can of beer after your manicure

8. Scratch lottery tickets

9. Glue a magnet on the back of one. and wahaLA!

10. Pay for something with exact change.....

Feel free to add on :)

                                                                      * 83 Things You Can Do With a Penny by Valerie S. Johnson