Today I’m doing the bare minimum of work (and housework) and then dashing off into downtown Bellevue this afternoon with a friend. We’ll eat lunch, get pedicures, and take her nieces to see Ponyo. This will be a nice treat after my stressful months away from home dealing with family issues.
QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:
– Make weekend socialization plans
– Need to clean your coffeemaker or espresso machine? Then it will be ready to go for the weekend!
– Fill your car with gas if needed, and grab cash at an ATM for a bit of pocket money
– Take a quick look at yourself today. Need to touch anything up? Nails looking good? Need to remove any chipped nail polish (don’t forget your toes?). Time to give yourself a manicure or pedicure today, shave your legs real quickly before you go anywhere tonight? Need to make a color appointment or dye your roots this weekend? Are you wearing something that makes you feel pretty? (I currently have on a limp tank top and faded shorts, so I’m about to go put on a dress!)
– What will you be doing a week from today when Labor Day weekend starts?
TODAY’S PROJECT: Bathroom Touchup
This morning I cleaned my bathroom briefly. It took less than three minutes because I’ve been keeping up nicely with my maintenance cleaning. I’d already mopped the floor recently, and scrubbed the shower last week. So a quick swish in the toilet, wipedown of the toilet tank, emptying of the wastebasket, switching out a handtowel and bathtowel only took two minutes.
Next I worked on my bathroom counter, sinks and mirror. This took around three minutes – most of that clearing things off. The first priority was sanitizing, then decluttering. I had too many perfume bottles sitting out on the counter. Now there’s just a candle (Bath & Body Works’ Sea Island Cotton), three perfume bottles, a lotion, an empty vase awaiting flowers, and my stack of clean washcloths. My toothbrush, toothpaste, razor and hairbrush are tucked out of sight in their rightful place in the top drawer.
Now when I get dressed to go out today, I’ll be doing it in a bathroom that’s not only clean, but fresh, beautiful and relaxing.
LOVELY TELEVISION: Samantha Brown’s Great Weekends
I’m excited that Samantha Brown has a new show on the Travel Channel. I had really enjoyed her Passport to Europe show, and I’ve missed seeing her on the air. (I can understand how her bubbliness could annoy some people though!)
In this new show, she attends Sundance, visits the Florida Keys, Santa Fe, Colorado, Chicago and Philadelphia. Set your DVR to catch a couple episodes – they are a nice pleasant show to watch while you fold laundry, pay bills or catch up on magazines.
Samantha Brown, at Travel Channel
LOVELY WEBSITES: Long Ago Captures
This is a fabulous resource for anyone who enjoys costume dramas and fantasy films. It’s absolutely full of screen captures and promotional stills from dozens of movies. They have everything from “The 300” and “Alexander” to “Cold Mountain” and “Phantom of the Opera.” There are close to 100,000 images here you can browse. It’s a dangerous site because it makes me want to run out and rent or buy a whole bunch of movies!
http://longagocaptures.org/gallery/
LOVELY BOOKS: Bite-Size Desserts
So much for my “stop buying books, Carrie” campaign. After sorting and sorting books in my garage, in my living room, and in my bedroom, you’d think I would learn my lesson. But I couldn’t resist this beautiful cookbook. I justified it by telling myself I do truly throw at least one dinner party a week when I’m home. (I usually buy dessert though, not make it, if I must be honest!) And even if I don’t end up baking anything out of here, think how much fun I’ll have thumbing through the pictures a few times a year!
LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY: