Posted by
Marie
on
July 15, 2010
A few weeks back I was covered in more than a half-dozen flea bites that itched like crazy. It made sleeping hell as I woke up multiple times throughout the night to itch my wounds, and only now are they gone. I am blaming the compost bin and me not cleaning the kitchen often enough. My gut reaction is to buy the disposable wipes. But is that very environmentally friendly? Also, what is the best and most efficient/simple way to clean the kitchen so you don’t get fleas or other parasites invading your life?
In my web research for answers to such important questions, I came across this article discussing the merits of vinegar and lemon juice when cleaning “green.” I don’t think I’m ready yet to take on such an extremist approach to cleaning, so I looked for something that would allow me to take baby steps without completely uprooting my already loosely established cleaning habits.
Thus I stumbled across The Fly Lady, a site by a woman named Marla that has created a wonderful resource and e-mail list for women that want to keep their house clean and presentable for company to visit. The Fly Lady completely believes in taking baby steps for cleaning, so I knew she was my kinda gal.
I’ve started out with the Swish & Wipe habit, which consists of wiping down all of the counter tops of your bathroom with Windex or another mild cleaner, and swishing out the toilet bowl. If you do this daily as she suggests, your bathroom will always be clean. It’s been almost a week since I started implementing this habit, and I am already a huge fan of her methods. The bathroom has never been cleaner, and I’ve come to even anticipate the quick cleaning sessions that leave the bathroom mirror and fixtures positively shining.
What are your minimalist cleaning habits that keep you sane without requiring hours of work? I’d love to hear them!
Posted by
Marie
on
July 2, 2010
Earlier this week when I was on the bus, I sat across from a girl who seemed to epitomize calm, the kind of calm I hope to grasp myself someday. Impeccably dressed in a seersucker blazer, denim floods, and fancy grey suede flats, every detail was in place, from her stylish aviator sunglasses to the leather watch on her wrist. She was unencumbered by clutter, with a small leather purse slung across her body, and she was filling out the New York Times crossword puzzle thoughtfully. I noticed that the bright red nail polish on her fingernails was slightly chipped and uneven, something she didn’t seem to mind. She gave off an air of contentment with herself and full commitment to what she was doing in that moment.
I, on the other hand, was an uncomfortable mess of clutter, wearing a backpack, with a small fitness bag and yoga mat slung over both shoulders, a large water bottle in hand and my phone shoved into my front jeans pocket. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy to be thinking of the Bikram yoga class I would be taking that night (and what I had with me was essential to that activity), but part of me longed to be that girl, seemingly without a care in the world except for that New York Times crossword puzzle.
Someday I hope to achieve such a minimalist approach to life. Until then, I’m taking it one step at a time to get there.
Posted by
Marie
on
June 30, 2010
I’ve been running at breakneck pace lately. Full days, crowded evening plans, and imperfect sleep cut short by late nights and made fitful by a recent attack of hungry bugs (I have a half-dozen or so nasty bites to prove it).
Last night was the last straw. I needed to slow down. No, more than that. I needed to make a screeching halt. So I cleared off my entire evening tonight for two things: Bikram yoga and sleep. Any other obligations have been cleared from my mind, just for this evening, and as soon as I get off work today, it’s going to be halting time. Time to relax and get swept up in the warmth and clear-headedness that I love about Bikram yoga, and the post-session relaxation so characteristic of this discipline. I’m sure I’ll go to bed in a haze afterward and immediately fall into a deep, satisfying sleep.
I can’t wait.
p.s. I recently got a number of new items that will make Bikram yoga much easier to integrate into my week on a regular basis. Expect a post soon with pictures of the goodies.
Posted by
Marie
on
June 25, 2010
As part of my quest to focus my free time devoted to exercise, I’ve been dedicating a lot of time to weight training. Based on my personal research on the subject, I believe that weight training is very important to my exercise routine for a number of reasons.
I’ve noticed a HUGE difference in my lower body as a result of weight training. I am not kidding when I say that in just a few weeks of getting back on the weight training bandwagon my butt has shrunk nearly a full size. But when it comes to upper body work, I’m having a harder time producing results. Continue reading →
Posted by
Marie
on
June 22, 2010
I have always had the problem of wanting to do too many things. And the fact that I love to start things and not finish them. This deadly combination has left me dabbling in a number of different areas and consistently flitting from activity to activity, never staying long enough to achieve my true potential in anything. Piano. Languages. Writing. Running. Pilates. Drawing. Public speaking. These are just a few of the things I’ve tried over the years.
I’ve decided I’ve had it with that mentality. I want to really focus on something I care about and want to become better at, and really focus on that one thing to the exclusion of everything else but the essentials (work, sleep, etc.). Continue reading →
Posted by
Marie
on
June 11, 2010
SALE! by bolzano on Flickr
My mother trained me well to take on deals. I grew up shopping at yard sales, consignment shops and discount warehouses like Ross, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. I love her for that. I can fully appreciate the beauty of a serendipitous sale item. But as I’ve continued my quest to live a simpler, more fulfilling life, I find that I’m OK turning down a good deal. Continue reading →
Posted by
Marie
on
June 10, 2010
As I get older and discover more about myself, I’ve learned that I love to be spontaneous.
I love to have moments where I randomly decide to meet up with a friend, or attend an event, or cook a meal. Light a candle, take a bath, or book a massage in the middle of the day.
I find that some of my favorite posts for this blog are ones that were written on the fly from an idea born out of a quiet moment. What gets in the way of that spontaneity is the other demands in my life. Career demands, social commitments, and other responsibilities often book up all of my free time so there’s no room for spontaneity left. Continue reading →
Posted in Relationships, Self Discovery
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Tagged clarity, discovery, life, MBTI, moments, myers briggs, needs, personality, private, spontaneity, thinking, time
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Posted by
Marie
on
June 9, 2010
Terry at Brothers, our favorite place to get Korean BBQ in San Francisco
Today is Terry’s birthday. I’m so happy and lucky to know him. Every day, he pushes me to be a better person and supports me in my quest to live a more remarkable life. In his honor, I’m going to tell the story of how we first met.
Continue reading →
Posted by
Marie
on
June 8, 2010
I went to Mendocino for Memorial Day weekend, where I soaked up the sun and made the rounds at various wineries and breweries in the area. I had been incredibly excited leading up to this trip, since it was the first destination vacation I have had in quite a while. It was so nice to take a break from everyday life and unplug for a bit.
I have so much I’m trying to do it’s hard to spend quality time taking photos, so this weekend was a perfect opportunity to take hundreds of shots. Here are some of my favorite photos from the weekend, many of which I’m very proud of. The full set is on Flickr.
This is my favorite shot of the bunch. I was so pleased to have captured the seagull flying through the air.
Posted by
Marie
on
May 28, 2010
Instead of plunking down the cash for an expensive designer bag or $200 jeans, technology is where I spend the big bucks. So don’t give me any crap when I tell you I bought an iPad, because I love it. It has simplified my life in so many ways by acting as a multi-use device. I use it for so many activities: reading, gaming, research, movie watching. It has been worth the investment so far. And while I already have a solid iPad case (a gift from Terry when he bought a prettier, more functional case) that hasn’t stopped me from eyeing what’s out there.
Here are my favorites found from roaming the Internets and getting the heads up from cool sites Terry came across. Continue reading →
Posted in Fashion & Style
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Tagged candy, case, Hilary Duff, iPad, lacy, Moleskine, monogram, purple, shell, shopping, style, vintage
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