December | Presents

I was going to write a post about my thoughts on this Christmas,

but I can't find the words. 

This year's Christmas was different somehow,

but I can't figure out how to explain it.

Maybe I'll do a post on it later.

This year our presents weren't all that big,

since we mostly wished for money so we could buy new furniture

for our livingroom. 

I searched high and low for pictures of how our livingroom looked before,

but I couldn't find any.

I know I have some somewhere, 

but they're hiding from me somewhere clever.

Of course we were too eager to take a 'before' picture

when putting up the new furniture, 

so now you have to settle for the 'after' pictures.

We love how our livingroom looks now.

Normally our table isn't that fancy, 

but I had my brother, parents, in-laws, uncle+wife, and grandparents

over for coffee yesterday, since it's my birthday tomorrow.

I made lots of little cakes, and they turned out great,

although I was really worried about my gingerbread house.

It was a bit too soft, so it was slowly caving in when we put it together,

but it held!

Today is all about cleaning up and taking down the Christmas decorations,
and getting ready to celebrate New Year's Eve with good friends.

/Lea Binta

Confession | An organized mess

I'm a very special type of person.

What some like to call artistic.

Aka messy and unorganized.

I don't agree with this!

(the messy and unorganized, not the artistic part)

My way of organization is just a little different than what is 

"normal" and acceptable to others. 

I'm a creative person, which includes organization.

Yes, it's true that I always have at least 5 projects going at once,

but occassionally I do finish one! 

It happens!

My husband is the complete opposite.

Not that he isn't creative, he's just a very organized form of creative.

When I feel creative I usually take up half the living room for 3 days,

until I get bored of the project. 

When he is creative he sits in his seat, drawing and making lists, 

before actually doing anything.

And then he gets it done right away,

instead of putting it off for months and months.

I find this very strange..

Our differences are most vivid when you take a look around our apartment.

Hubs' way of organizing:

My way of organizing:

Do I look messy to you?

Trust me, I know exactly what is in which pile. 

Over the years I have, however, discovered the advantage of lists

because, well, I get caught up in projects and forget to do

the important things.

So now, if I have to remember to do something, I always make lists.

(Plus, I love the satisfaction of checking things off a list!)

We're already halfway through November, and it kind of stresses me out,

so here's my list of the things I have to get done before December:

- Finish homemade Christmas gifts and buy remaining gift

- Finish the gift for the homemade gift exchange (read more here)

- Take picture for Christmas cards

- Write and send Christmas cards

- Pass grammar exam (!!)

- Write long overdue letter to a friend currently in the states

- Finish Christmas decorations

I'm hoping to check some stuff off soon,

but we'll just have to wait and see. 

- Lea Binta

Organizing | Ikea

Don't you just love IKEA?

I think everyone does!

Sure, it may mostly be junk, but it's CHEAP junk.

Who doesn't like cheap junk!?

We were at IKEA today, to get some stuff for organizing 

the chaos in the bedroom.

It's not completely finished and organized,

but I'll show you pictures when we're done in a couple of days.

Something I can show you is this pretty amazing hanger for scarfs:

I've seen it at IKEA before, but haven't thought to buy it.

Why, I really don't know, since all my scarfs have always

been a mess all over the place.

With this thing they're easy to keep track off.

(Even if you have lots, like I do)

Clever, no?

/Lea Binta