• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup olive oil
• 5-10 drops of essential oil

Mix all ingredients together. Store in a container with lid.

Honey Cinnamon Lip Gloss

• 1 heaping tablespoon Vaseline
• 3/4 teaspoon honey
• 1/3 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together. Store in a empty lip balm container or buy containers at a craft supply store.

Calming Bath Salt

• 2 cups Epsom salt
• 1 cup sea salt
• 10-15 drops of essential oil
• 10 drops green food coloring, 5 drops blue

Mix all ingredients together. Store in a container with lid or a plastic baggie.

2Modern Glass Coffee Table $695.00

CB2: Smart Glass Top Coffee Table $199

Room&Board: Portica Cocktail Table $449

Chiasso: Lea Table $278

Eurway: Lado Cocktail Table $209

All Modern: Calligaris Coffee Table in Transparent Glass $632

]]> http://seekingsimplicity.com/index.php/2011/02/minimalist-glass-coffee-tables/feed/ 0 http://seekingsimplicity.com/index.php/2011/02/686/ http://seekingsimplicity.com/index.php/2011/02/686/#comments Tue, 22 Feb 2011 03:53:03 +0000 SeekingSimplicity http://seekingsimplicity.com/?p=686

Music:

- Import all of your CD’s to your computer. Just insert the disc and let iTunes import the tracks.

- Start buying all your music through iTunes or other digital source.

Photos:

- Scan all of your pre-digital photos to your computer. I did this with my 3-in1 printer. I had well over 500 pictures to scan and got through it in a few days. There are also photo service centers that can do this for you if you don’t want to take on this project.

- Scan as many photos that will fit in each pass. You can separate and edit the images later with a free photo editor such as Picasa or Paint.net.

- Organize into folders by year example: 2009, 2010, 2011

Movies/DVD’s:

Digitizing your movies couldn’t be simpler with this free program called HandBrake.

BACK UP!

Back up your collection to an external source. I recommend an external hard drive like this. Online back up services are becoming more popular too! I  recently signed up for Carbonite and am very pleased with the service so far.

Scheduling your housekeeping needs can help keep your home in order by reminding you and your housemates of daily tasks.

The image above shows my cleaning schedule.  Of course I do other things like dishes, wiping surfaces, and taking out the trash whenever necessary and don’t need to be reminded of them.

Everyone’s list will look different depending on your household needs. You can download a template of the schedule below and edit it to fit your needs. Be sure to post it somewhere you can view it easily every day! I put mine on the inside of my kitchen cabinet like this:

» Download Cleaning Template

Some items you may want on your list are:

• Laundry
• Sweeping/Mopping Kitchen
• Bathrooms
• Vacuuming
• Trash Collection
• Washing Linens
• Dusting
• Meal Planning
• Lawn Care
• Bill Pay
• Clean Desk
• Project Item – I have project item listed in my schedule twice a week. This is for tasks such as decluttering, cleaning garage, making a repair, or any other projects or chores that will inevitably come up.

Here are a few examples of lists available:

• Indoor activities for kids
• Budget
• Camping
• Classic books
• Declutter room by room
• Baby shower

Be more efficient, effective and deliberate in everything you do. With checklists covering most things you need right at your finger tips you can just get on with what needs to get done.

Sites that are spotlighted are not affiliated with SeekingSimplicity.com and are not compensating us. These are just sites we really like and recommend checking out!

CB2: Biloxi

DKNY: Willow

Sears: Whole Home White Damask

Z Gallerie: Labyrinth

Design Public: Unison Fulton Matelasse

West Elm: Organic Cotton Pin-Tuck

Crate and Barrel: Peninsula White Cotton

Setting an impossible goal will give you the chance to find your limit and then cross it. Even if you have never run before it is possible to grow into marathon distance with some patience and effort.

Side benefits include losing weight and getting into great shape. A race is a huge motivator to stick with a fitness program.

Still think it is impossible? Try some of these resources:

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/ Jeff Galloway created a system of running and walking that has helped thousands achieve a finished marathon. His method also seems to reduce injuries and allow for a faster recovery than most programs.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1570281823 The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer is an incredible and inspiring book filled with information for the beginning runner. The author’s David Whitsett, Forrest Dolgener, and Tanjala Kole present a 16 week program that will get you to the finish line.

http://steverunner.blogspot.com/ Phidippidations is an excellent podcast about running, training, and the sport in general. An inspiring show that will make you realize ordinary people can run marathons. Also make sure to check out other great running podcasts at http://www.runningpodcasts.org/

http://www.marathonguide.com/ This website will help with the selecting of your marathon. The reviews by actual participants in the events are very helpful when trying to choose your goal race.

The physical and mental effort to prepare for a marathon will improve many areas of life. The marathon is a perfect chance to see how planning and persistent effort pay off. Other goals will seem easy and approachable when using the same mindset that brought success to the marathon.

Once you run a marathon, you will feel like you can do anything!