simply put

Products. Boy. Do. I. Love. Products. I have come to realize that I have a problem. Hello, my name is Megan, and I am addicted to products. It can be anything- make up, hair, cleaning, whatever. Why is it so tempting to buy a product that you read about in magazines? I mean, if People says Kate Hudson uses this product to get her hair so gorgeous in only 4 minutes I am sold. Why is this? Hmm..

It all got started a few weeks ago when I was cleaning out the bathroom cabinets and threw away a huge trash bag of half-full, barely used bottles of things I bought to try and either didn't like or just never really used. I thought to myself, how ridiculous is this? I have wasted so much money buying things that I see on t.v., hear about from others, or read about in magazines. Is it necessary to have all of this? Why not find 1 item you like and stick to it?

That is why there is a change a comin' in the Adams' household. We are simplifying the way we live. Maybe not in all areas but at least some. Everyone has to start somewhere, right? Up first was the bathroom supplies. I got rid of all my unused hair products and am down to shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and hairspray. No more buying products just to try, I will just use what I have. Real simple. As for makeup (which I have never been big on), I have very few things in my bag-powder, combined blush/bronzer, eyeliner, and mascara. That's it. That's all I need.

Check out my bag. It feels great to be so condensed. (ps- I have switched to organic make up -Physician's Formula- and it is wonderful! My face feels fresh and clean all the time!)

We also have an over abundance of cleaning supplies.

but wait there's more...

and that's not it...

We have a product for everything- something to clean the stove, something to clean the shower, something to clean the sink, something to clean dishes, something to clean floor.... the list continues. This is the second wave of the simplifying process. After we empty the bottles we currently have (we didn't want to be wasteful and throw them all out), we are changing to an all-in-one cleaner. Actually there will probably be two. I am currently researching the options but here is what I think we have it narrowed down to. Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Classic Soap and Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner. These are both cleaners that can be diluted and adapted for whatever it is that needs cleaning. I cannot wait for the day that all of those cleaning products are replaced with 1 little bottle. I think angels are going to be singing. All cleaning supplies will fit in one basket tucked away in the laundry room. Everything you need in one place. More details to come when all of this comes to fruition.

I have been replacing, and will replace, everything with a natural or organic product. I love the way it feels to be eco-consious and not have to worry about the chemicals that are constantly surrounding us. Yes, these products tend to be more pricy but I will be buying less (thanks to a reduction in binge buying). So, in the long run, we are actually saving money and being more protective of our health.

Lastly, I know I already covered the bathroom but there is one I didn't mention. I had to work up the courage to talk about this to you. It is the most rediculous of them all...

I give you...my nail polish collection....

Who needs 30 bottles of nail polish? I'm not exaggerating folks. Count 'Em. There's 30!!!

There is something about a shimmery color in a little bottle that makes my heat putter. I just love painted nails in all shades. Is it just me? Tell me its not. I would hate to think I am weird. :) This is an issue that I am going to have to combat slowly. No "that's it, I'm done" solution here. I will keep you updated on what I decide. As for now, I am getting rid of a few bottles (is 2 enough?).

Isn't it crazy how we can get wrapped up in all of this stuff? This "simplifying" process is carrying over into other areas also. I have never been one to keep a lot of stuff but boy let me tell you, I am throwing stuff away like crazy. I have taken clothes to the donation box, have stuff packed to go to Goodwill, and the recycle pick-up may need to stop by more than every other week for the next few weeks. IT FEELS AWESOME!

I am excited about this change. I think it is something that I have been wanting to do for quite a while but never had the gumption to just do it. Well now is the time ladies and gents! I'll keep you posted on the changes we make in our household. Any changes going on in your place?

* Sorry about the rambling in this post. It is hard to put into words exactly how freeing it is to make life simpler. :)

Consistency

Trying to get more consistent at this thing but I don't have much energy left tonight. So for now I will tell you what's happenin'.

We bought a new camera from Best Buy a while back (like months ago) and it came with a free Shutterfly 8x8, 20 page book. I completely forgot about it until this weekend and I definitely didn't want to let it go to waste (it has to be used by 8/1) so I have been Shutterfly-ing it up like a mad woman last night and tonight. I made a book of all my bridal portraits (since I really don't have any printed) and I am pretty psyched about it! It should be in 3-7 business days after it is printed. :) Have you used Shutterfly before? I never had (heard about it but hadn't used it myself) and let me tell you- it is pretty stinkin' awesome! I will definitely return for another project when I finish procrastinating some more. ;)

On my mind recently- I would totally like to have a catchy name for this blog rather than meganandkyleadams... zzz...snooze fest! But I am not a creative person when it comes to wit and words. Any ideas? Send them my way!

Time for bed... Moose is already having doggy dreams so it is time for me to hit the sack too! Night!

Summer Fun

It’s been a while but I’m back! We have been in full summer mode (well Kyle has, I have sadly been at work as normal) and boy do I have updates for you! We just recently got back from a quick getaway to Chicago-we had a blast! I’ll be back with a separate post on that trip for you soon. Until then, here are some happenings around the Adams’ household to tide you over.

We have had our DIY hats on a lot recently. I have the urge to redo the ENTIRE house, which is obviously not an option. So in an attempt to make our home feel the way we would like it to, we have decided to do small changes on a small budget. Of course, a small budget leads to lots DIY projects-which I love- so here are some of the projects we’ve done. (It is also important to note that we only rent our house so we are trying to get the “homey” feel we want without doing anything permanent-painting, etc.… I am sure that all of you fellow renters out there sympathize with that. J)

We made this coffee table for our living room together. What we had before was a hand-me down that worked fine but wasn’t necessarily our style. We had switched it out with an ottoman but that still wasn’t the right look. We decided to make this table with a stained top and almond colored base ourselves since it is more along the look that we wanted. It should be noted that it isn’t the sturdiest table ever (my dad said we should invest in a square for straighter legs), but it isn’t too bad for our first attempt.

I have also been in the process of re-doing the den/ugly-mirrored room/ my desk area (which I never use because I would rather be sprawled out on the couch). You may remember it here before.

I am in the process of making a pallet bed (a mixture of several that I have been eyeing on Pinterest). Kyle graciously brought me home 6 pallets from the dumpster at his school (he knew I was looking for some for free). We then sanded and screwed them together and added four casters on the bottom so it can roll around. I still need to make a cushion seat for the top and recover the pillows, but here is the beginning stage.

I also had a pink filing cabinet that I spruced up with modge podged drawers using scrapbook paper, a spray painted shell, and braided twine drawer pulls.

* Any ideas to hide a hideous surge protector? I need it, BAD!

I made some new curtains for the mirror. I had put out a search party for navy and white striped curtains with no luck. I give a big thanks to Ikea for having cheap flat sheets to make this project possible.

I have also added a few new accessories here and there in this room. I still need a rug and to finish the wall collage for above me desk that I have planned.

*Any ideas to cover a kennel in a cool way? I need that as bad as I need to cover the surge protector. Talk about eyesores. Geez. J

Whew! That’s all I got right now. I am in the midst of another project on a daybed (OMG!! SO excited!), but more on that later! Any other must-do DIY projects out there? Isn’t it the most relaxing thing? I love it.