Did you know I have a shop?

Hello fellow bloggers out there in blogland.  Happy Friday! I didn't know whether anyone out there knows I have a rather modest shop on my blog, aptly called 'The Shop' - I know, very creative! 

Well, I have some items that you might find interesting including a couple of pillows and some clothing that is virtually brand new.  I am moving soon and need to clean out stuff and as you know, when you get rid of stuff, you end up buying more stuff! (George Carlin said it, not me).  I just don't have enough followers to make any kind of impact, so I thought I would post and tweet about it. I have PayPal set up, so if you are interested in an item, send me an email (monacointeriors76@yahoo.com) and I will send you an invoice. Its simple! And you don't have to leave your house - even better!  I have posted a few items below to tempt you - I hope you will stop by and check it out and have a great weekend!!

Did you see Kate Middleton in her Topshop Polka Dot
Dress?? Dots are hot!  $10.00 + $3.00 shipping
(Petite Medium)

Hot, hot, hot dots!! $10.00 + $3.00 shipping
(Petite Medium)

Vintage Tray Table - Set of two $40.00 + $10 shipping or
one table for $20.00 + $5.00 shipping

Sweet yellow + white pillow $10.00 + $3.00 shipping

(images by me)
(image of Kate Middleton AP/INGphoto.com)


There are more items in the shop and I live in a
smoke free home!!

Check it out!

Thanks and don't forget you can follow
me on TWITTER
and on PINTEREST 

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Best of MI...Organizing the closet 101...

BEST OF MI - FROM 2010-

January is a great time to clean out, organize, throw out, reorganize and putter around when its cold outside.  I used to work for a closet company and learned the right way to organize my closet - if you are at wit's end, keep reading and get organized once and for all!! 

Ok, here's the deal...I cleaned my linen closet yesterday and then decided to clean out my clothes closet and...um...3 hours later my back and feet were killing me because I went crazy and ended up getting rid of most of my clothes and then some!! Sooo, I thought these pictures were fabulous of what I would REALLY like my closet to look like, but, doesn't even resemble.

I used to design and sell closets for a local company and the first thing we did on a consultation was advise the client to throw out what they haven't worn in a year or less and basically just chuck out everything else not being used. That includes the 'I'll keep this skirt just in case I wear it in the future' - well, that happened to me and I realized 5 years went by and guess what??? I NEVER WORE IT!!!

Next step is, once the closet is cleaned out, its time to arrange the clothing by style for easy dressing in the morning. So, I have all my blouses together, slacks, short sleeved shirts, jackets and so on...it really makes life easier to have everything hanging together.

I highly recommend wooden hangers - they are great for keeping shirts shapes (try saying that 3 times fast)...also, the slim velvet hangers that allow you to hang more clothes in a tighter space...plus you can buy so many pretty fabric boxes now to keep all your extras in...

This closet is a good example of using space efficiently...by having the double hung areas, it allows you to have more clothes in a small space instead of one long bar along a closet.

I try to keep moth repellent handy as well - I lived in a house where I had an infestation and it was a nightmare, so its always good to store woolens in an airtight container or bag. I just bought travel bags that don't allow any mildew, mold or pests on your fabrics. Love these! I'm going back to buy a few more...

I also want to buy a nice handbag hanger this week - it keeps all your handbags in one place...I have been keeping mine inside another big bag!!! I know you all have probably heard or read about closet organization before so I hope you don't mind me blathering about it.  Oh, and I took control of the linen closet by labeling all the towel piles because I have people (um, hubby and sons) who keep grabbing any old towel - usually a swim towel to dry off.  It just makes more laundry right?

Hope you have a great week and please visit again and say hi!!

(images California Closets)

If you need help with organization in your home, making a space pretty or just not sure about what furniture, fabric or paint to use...contact me and I can turn your space into an inviting place. Contact me @monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Top 5 tips for downsizing...

Hello all! I've got some great tips for you if you are thinking about downsizing OR just having a good clean out around your house. Lots of clutter around you is never a good thing, especially in Feng Shui.  So, here are my tips that I have recently applied and feel so much better for it.


1. Throw out all your old magazines and books - if you are like I was, I had piles and piles, over 100 magazines. Did I read them? No! Did I refer to them? No! Dump them!! Recycle or sell them at your yard sale for $1 each.  Same goes for books...if you have read them, dump them. Call a charity and they will come and pick up your boxes of books. Only certain design books you love should be kept as a small library for yourself. 

$12 bookcase for my design books...

2. Got extra furniture like small occasional tables or chairs? If they are collecting dust - sell them or give them to Goodwill. No need for these at all. Plus if you are downsizing from a large house to a small house like I did, they will take up way too much room.

I love my white chair, the orange has to go...I will keep it but

paint it white...see how much room these need? Note piles

of mags behind the chairs...most have been taken to be recycled.

3. Update your walls and get rid of old art work that you bought 10 years ago or longer. I got rid of some prints I've had since 1986 and frankly, they were terribly faded and didn't look good anymore. I had a couple of Andrew Wyeth prints that I used to love, but, let's face it, we move on from things we loved at one time. Also the style in your home might be different so get rid of it! I had some art deco prints that fit a certain design scheme. Sell them at your yard sale.

As you can see, I am definitely keeping my Anne Harwell 

print so KEEP ONLY WHAT YOU LOVE!!

4. Knick knacks? Collecting dust? Sitting on a table for no real reason other than its pretty?? Who cares! Be ruthless! There is no need for pictures on tables and knicky knacky things that just don't serve any purpose. Dust collectors!! Keep a couple of treasured items and sell the rest at your big yard sale. 

I spot a knick knack!! I'm totally guilty of this and

am trying to change my ways...mostly because I have

no room now...;-))

5.  Any item in the kitchen that has not been used in the last 1-3 years such as kitchen items...blenders, Cuisinarts, Foreman grills, electric griddles (I actually had one!), vases, plates, extra wine glasses etc. These are fabulous items for yard sales or charities. Need some new clean space? Clear out the old. And another good tip: if you buy a new item, an old item has to go!! Don't keep collecting! 


Those are my top 5 tips for clearing out your house - I hope it helps if its a project you are thinking about doing or currently working on.  Hope you have a great day!


PS: I am still working on my header links...


(images by me)


If you need to advertise your business here or need interior decorating assistance, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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