Country road take me home.

My Sister lives in a beautiful little country home. The house is situated on several acres atop Palomar Mountain. The decor is warm, charming, country and comfortable. The furniture, walls and floors are all natural wood tones but we have added a variety of colors with pillows, pictures, throws and old treasures.
Recently I had the pleasure of redecorating my Sister's spare bedroom. When she assigned me the task the bedroom was being used as a storage/ office/ guest room. After discussing with her in detail what she uses the bedroom for most often, we decided to make the room a full time office. Not just a traditional office for business use, but a room where her daughters could do their homework, read, be creative and enjoy a cozy space.
The office furniture had already been purchased, so I knew exactly what I was working with. I made a list of the items that I wanted to incorporate.
It was time to get to work!

After gutting the room, including ripping out the carpet, we were left with this...

The floors were replaced and the walls painted. I had quite a few DIY projects to complete before hanging pictures and placing candles.

I made throw pillows and valances out of beautiful curtain panels. I also used curtain panels to close off the closet, instead of buying closet doors.  

After a few trips to Home Goods, Target, Home Depot and a large Amazon order, the room was complete. 

Top Ten Tuesday. Non Toxic Cleaning Products.

Tuesday's theme is now a list of ten of my favorite products in a specific category. I decided to start it with cleaning products because they are extremely important. Everybody should own cleaning products. I am very particular about the products that I use and try to keep in mind the effect it will have on our living environment as well as the planet. 

TOP 10 Non Toxic Cleaning Products according to the OCD Lady

10. Earth Friendly Products Everyday Stain & Odor Remover- helpful in keeping your carpets, rugs and clothing stain free. 

9. Honest Window & Glass Cleaner- works great! Leaves your mirrors and windows streak free. 

8. Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Surface Wipes- Everybody loves the convenience of a great cleaning wipe. This wipe smells great, is gentle on hands and leaves counter tops clean. 

7. Honest Bathroom Cleaner- When it comes to the bathroom it is important to see and smell the difference once you have completed cleaning. With the Honest Bathroom Cleaner you know that you have a fresh and clean bathroom when you have completed cleaning. The spray works extremely well when shining faucets and has a fresh peppermint smell. 

6. Honest Floor Cleaner- This floor cleaner is perfect for any hard flooring. It is a great product because it is gentle on your flooring. It comes in a convenient spray bottle, just spray and wipe. When your floor is dry there is no left over film and it doesn't leave floors feeling unusually slick either. 

5. Citra Drain Natural Enzymatics- clean the pipes without all of the harsh chemicals. This drain cleaner works like a charm and has a sweet citrus scent. 

4. Honest Dishwasher Packs- these super convenient dishwasher pods are so easy to use. Pop a pod in the dishwasher and start it. They work perfectly.

3. Mrs. Meyers Honeysuckle Dishsoap- This soap is great. Many of the natural dish soaps do not get very sudsy and they leave you feeling less than satisfied. This soap has a beautiful scent and works very well. When you are through with your dishes, you don't need to wonder if they are clean. Mrs. Meyers dish soap comes in several different scents. 

2. Honest Laundry Detergent- This detergent is great. My clothes are left smelling fresh and clean. It is gentle enough to use on my Baby's clothing as well as my delicates. I was pleasantly surprised by this product because the Honest laundry pods are absolutely terrible. I very rarely use stain remover this detergent does the trick almost 100% of the time. 

1. Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner- This cleaner has the strength to clean almost anything. From a dirty BBQ to filthy floor, Simple Green gets the job done. It is a concentrate so it is important to dilute it. For most jobs you really only need a very small amount. You can see this cleaner doing its job as you use it. The smell is a little overwhelming so I only use it on the dirtiest of objects. 

This is my list. What are some of your favorite cleaning products? Is it important to you to use natural products?

Organizer Thursday. Jewelry Organization.

Lucky ladies collect fancy jewelry, trendy ladies collect costume jewelry and then there are the ladies that collect both. All ladies need a way to keep their jewelry organized. There is not a single jewelry organization method that I have not tried. I have had several different jewelry boxes, cabinets, drawers, etc. Some methods I have been a fan of and others I have detested. After years of trying to find the perfect fit for me, I have finally found the organizer that I can no longer imagine my life without.

I found this jewelry organizer on Amazon. Originally I thought that it was priced too high for what it is, but now that I have everything organized and in clear view, I realize that it may even be worth more than what I paid. Rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, all organized and on display in one place. The best part about the organizer is that in the morning after I get dressed I can walk by my jewelry, take a glance and pick the accessories that are best suited for the day. 

 

Modify Monday. Fab File Cabinets.

O is for organize. Being organized is not just a luxury in my life, it is a necessity. I organize, reorganize and organize some more until I find the best method for organizing whatever it is I am trying to organize. You see? 

My Sister recently gave me a file cabinet that she was no longer using. (She's always sending me home with treasure) I happened to stumble upon some really cute file cabinets on Pinterest that had been redecorated. I love the idea so I've decided that I need to have a redecorated file cabinet of my own. So, that's what I am going to do. Modify my file cabinet into a beautiful new organizer. 

I already bought all of the hanging files and manila folders and started to organize every loose paper, picture and piece of fabric in our home. It is going to take the rest of this week to complete this project. By next Monday I will post the completed file cabinet, maybe a couple of updates between now and then too. 

There is no shortage of inspiration for this project on interest. Of course mine will have to be different and better. ; )

What is my modified file cabinet going to look like? You'll have to wait and see. 

Flea Market Friday. Thrift store success.

Nothing beats strolling the 101, sipping a great cup of coffee and shopping the boutiques, consignment stores and thrift shops. I have never had trouble shopping. I have yet to walk into a store that doesn't have a single item that I'd like to see in my home. 

I find thrift stores to be especially fun. Everybody loves a good treasure hunt. You never know what you're going to leave with. Once you find a piece that you can't live without, it is so much fun to imagine the story behind it. The prices are impossible to beat. Where can you find a lovely $3.00 tea cup and saucer set or a beautiful matted and framed picture of the ocean for the bargain price of 6.00? 

Just two of the treasures that I came home with today. Here are a couple more...

I love the colors on these matching canvases. They are perfect for our beach pad. I am not sure where I will find a home for them but I know I can free up some wall space to showcase these little stunners. $4.00 for both. 

I have been looking for decorating, design and home organizing books everywhere. I came across three at a thrift store today and couldn't pass up the deal. For $10 I went home with 3 books, what a steal. Now I must read them. 

The best Flea Markets in San Diego run Saturday- Sunday. I will be attending this weekend and documenting my experience. I am looking forward to the adventure, it has been too long since I last shopped the market. 

NEW Weekly Blogging Themes

It's time to get excited… I will be disclosing OCD Lady's weekly blogging themes right NOW. I'm sure the anticipation has been killing you. What more could a person want, really?!

I'd like to keep this blog semi structured but still allow myself the freedom to stray. After all, I am overflowing with important information in regards to decorating and organization, and I know that you're eager to receive it.

This is a glimpse of what our weeks will look like together. Of course, nothing is set in stone and if I feel the need to change it up a bit, I will do as I please. If you'd like to suggest a theme or topic, please feel free to do so.

Modify Monday

Top Ten Tuesday

Trendy Wednesday

Thursday Organizer 

Freebie Friday 

Saturday Style Spotlight

Sunday Celebration

My blog for each day will relate directly to that day's theme.  OK? Let's get this party started. Back to blogging… 

Modify Monday. Trash into Treasure.

My Sister has been cleaning house for several months, redecorating rooms, organizing closets and donating several items. Lucky for me, I have scored some great pieces.
Today it was time to put some of my sanding and painting skills to work, to see what I could make of a little old brown table that my Sister had given me. I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. 

Of course with a 4 month old, my schedule is based on my Baby's needs and desires, so when starting a project I always wonder just how long it is going to take to complete. Lucky for me, today Parker was as happy as a clam and turned out to be the perfect company while I redecorated this little table. 

By the time I remembered to take a before picture I had already gotten the hardware off and begun sanding… whoops. 

I invested in a sander a couple of years ago when I was tackling my first refurbish. This specific piece of furniture was so ready for a new life, the paint and stain was peeling off very easily. All it took was a light sanding over the entire table and inside the shelves. 

When the details are too small to be worked over with the sander I rub a piece of sand paper over it by hand or use a primer before painting. This table did not need the primer because it was responding so well to the light sanding. 

It is important to brush all of the loose saw dust, stain and dirt off of the table before painting. I sweep a broom over it lightly and wipe the wood down with a damp cloth. Once the sanding is complete it is time to start painting. I always keep a can of white paint. Since I live on the coast white is almost always perfect for the 'beachy' look that I am going for. Of course with white you have to do several coats, three on this specific table. Always let it dry completely before painting your second and third coats.

The drawer handle was very outdated and needed to be replaced. While the paint dried, my son and I went for a little shop at the Home Depot to buy the drawer some new hardware. Decisions, decisions…

There are SO many options and each option will give the piece of furniture a very different look. Currently I am liking the glass pulls, so that's what I went with. They are very inexpensive at $4.oo each.

Once the paint is dry and the table is put back together, it's time to find the piece of furniture a new home. 

I haven't found the table a permanent home quite yet. I thought that I wanted it below this picture, but it is too small for that space. I will update when I find the perfect spot for it. 

OCD Lady...

Hi. I'd like to take a minute to introduce myself and let you know the motivation behind this blog I'm starting… OCD Lady.  My name is Lindsay Shannon Holcroft. I am a 28 year old woman who resides in beautiful, sunny southern California: Oceanside to be precise. I am married to my best friend and the man of my dreams and together we have a 4 month old baby. I am a creative person. I am a dreamer.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved to organize, create and decorate. When I was a child and shared a bedroom with my younger sister, it would drive me absolutely mad that she could not keep everything in it's place. I wanted our room to look perfect all of the time. When I became old enough to stay home alone, my parents would return to a redecorated house. I would rearrange the furniture, reorder the pictures and reorganize the cupboards. I can remember my Mother asking me at a very young age where the toaster had gone. I let her know that it was in the cupboard where it should be kept because it didn't look good out on the counter… duh! Maybe that's why when I told my parents that I was going to start a decorating business and blog, it came as no surprise to them.

I did not always know that I wanted to be a decorator. I first studied fashion at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Consequently, this is not my first rodeo or blog. As a fashion major, I created and authored a blog dedicated to fashion shoots that I had styled. I am thankful that I have it to look back on and smile and laugh at. www.flirtyfearlessfashion.blogspot.com

When I realized I wanted to invest in a career in decorating and organizing, I wondered why I hadn't gone in that direction in the first place. As children, you are always told to pick a career that you are passionate about, something that comes naturally to you and that is enjoyable for you: for me, this is it. I've created this blog to keep a library of all of the projects that I am constantly working on. As a stay at home Mom, I need something to keep my creative brain running properly and as a budding business owner I need a creative way to display my experience. My posts will consist of organizing, creating and decorating… I'm the O.C.D. Lady.

So, here goes nothing or everything?!