Spring cleaning is in full force over here. What began in the bathroom with tossing out long forgotten shampoo bottles and jars of expired aspirin has now moved on to the kitchen. Since the task felt a bit overwhelming I decided to break it up into blocks of time. The refrigerator was first to get a makeover and it gave me enough satisfaction to muster on with the rest. My list still includes sorting through the coffee accoutrements (located in the cabinet below the coffee station), adding liners the cookware drawers, and cleaning out the spice drawer - but over the weekend I tackled organizing the walk-in pantry. Here's what I did to accomplish the project...

You may recall from this post I've been yearning for some personal creative time. As an introvert, a quiet sabbatical at home seemed the perfect solution to renew my creative mojo. I have a tendency to work, work, work with a self imposed need to accomplish business tasks first and foremost in my day. I suppose if I were on a therapists couch (namely you at this moment) we would discuss why I embrace hard work over things that may or may not produce tangible assets - such as an empty calendar. And although it's taken me years to realize the value of creative breaks (and be ok with the fact it's basically "me" time) I firmly believe I should have been scheduling them all along and have plans to continue exploring this new routine without guilt or expectation.

If there were awards for slowest decorator on the planet, surely I would be a top contender. Often times I stand in awe of those who seem to finish rooms at break neck speed. How do they do it? I mean they just moved into a new place and wham...rooms are pulled together and posted on IG lickity split.

Now, I can produce styling results for magazines at a pretty steady pace (mainly because there is a deadline) but choosing items for my own home takes time. Apparently lots of it in my case. It's not that I'm not looking for items that make a house a home, it's that I'm looking for vintage, antique, or one of a kind items. And there in lies the rub. Finding antique furniture that fits a certain height, width, depth, as well as having simple lines and timeless style isn't something I'm going to find easily. And I've learned to let the process be what it is - an investment in patience.

I'm circling back to our adventures in Italy and sharing some of the memorable places we found in Florence. Our apartment located near the San Lorenzo Leather Market was also just steps from Mercato Centrale where I had the best vegan "burger" of my life. Even my carnivorous loving husband thought it was amazing. Veg & Veg is located on the second floor where there are dozens of other scrumptious and tempting places to grab a bite. If you're traveling in a group, the Mercato is a great place to suit everyones taste.

Tomorrow marks the first day of my lengthy staycation. I've blocked out my calendar for some much needed rest, creative play time, and general puttering about the house. At first I thought I'd make a big list of things to accomplish but it felt restrictive and had the nuance of work so I decided to nix the idea altogether. Mostly I want to decorate a few rooms, hike green trails, read from my book pile, and pick up my camera more often. I feel like a kid whose parents have promised them a trip to Disneyland. Giddy with nervous energy and excitement.

Do you love round up posts? I do. Biggest selling points - they're condense and generally contain a variety of topics, products, or tips. It's like one-stop shopping. Here are a few things on my radar at the moment.

Thought it might be nice for another installment of recent styling work. The last six months has seen a fairly intense work schedule and I missed sharing many of the holiday projects that hit newsstands during the season. So we'll just start fresh this year with this modern Alabama farmhouse for March issue of Country Living.

First, we need to talk about this little coffee alcove! Isn't it a genius use of a small space? I would be happy to start my morning here every single day. I kept the styling to a minimum since it was pretty fantastic on it's own. Only adding in the antique rug, fresh florals, and a plate of tiny apple crullers. The homeowners, Paige and Blair Thornton usually keep a Keurig in here but for the sake of editorial beauty I swapped it out for a French press, added a basket tray for warmth and texture and the coffee accoutrements. I love how the black flush mount fixtures add a graphic pop to the space and seriously covet the knitted stool Paige found at Tuesday Morning!