Notes on Dishwashing

I just wanted to share some hopefully useful "notes to self" that I took while doing the dishes today:

1. Wash the dishes right away or as soon as possible.
- Contrary to popular belief, dishes do not disappear when you ignore them. They multiply. Fast.

2. Wash the dishes right away... ESPECIALLY if they have butter or oil on them.
- There's nothing worse than washing a buttery plate... Even worse if you've kept it in the sink for a few days now. These sort of dishes tend to make everything else in the sink buttery too. The result? A slippery struggle and a whole lotta regret.


3.  Stock up on Joy Liquid Dishwashing Soap.
- Unfortunately, Dazz Dishwashing Paste did not dazzle today. I couldn't get Michael V's voice out of my head: "Isang patak, kaya ang sebong sangkatutak!" Don't say he didn't tell you so.

4. Always replace old sponges and scrubbers.
- You're only as good as your equipment - When it comes dishwashing at least!

5. Have the leak in the faucet fixed.
- Strong water pressure is ESSENTIAL when dishwashing. Have your leaks fixed for a more efficient dishwashing experience.


Despite the setbacks, I managed to finish! This Saturday has officially been productive.

Coffee-Table Revamp

I've had this chic coffee-table (thanks to my cousins!) sitting in my apartment for a while now but it was only yesterday that I finally decided to add a personal touch to it. After all, the coffee-table is the center piece of the living room and should foster good conversations, not attract strange looks. They don't say "Gather 'round the coffee-table" for nothing! Prior to yesterday's flash of inspiration, it was probably doomed to be yet again, another clutter collector.

The first step for me was to remove all the clutter on top of the table. (Be gone, evil spirits!!!) Then, I started to look around the apartment for some pieces that I felt were interesting. My finds include my father's old backgammon board, a kaleidoscope from my friend Belli, a miniature Ganesh statue from a recent trip to India and a little ethnic hand-drum. Of course, every coffee-table is not complete without coffee-table books and a few nice magazines. With the random pieces of paper and pens now gone, I was free to implement my little design.

This small change has given the room an instant facelift. A stylized

table is always more appealing than a pile of mess. I intend to

maintain this new look while continuing to find more eye-catching

trinkets and new books to add to the bunch. Let's hope the old

receipts don't find their way back!

Labels

I cannot stress the importance of labeling for organizing purposes. Do you usually have small trinkets lying around that you can't seem to throw away but you don't exactly know where to keep them? Or do you have things that all fall under the same category but you can't seem to get them together in one easy-access pile? If the answer is yes, here's a small solution in four easy steps:

1) Identify the things you would like to organize and categorize them (ie. Pens, Ribbons, Notecards, etc.)

2) Find boxes for each category, preferably clear plastic boxes so everything looks uniform.

Note: Make sure your things fit inside the box and that the box can neatly be stacked in your drawers or shelves.

3) LABEL YOUR BOXES! You can use a DYMO label maker, like I do, or even tape you can write on. How you label your boxes is up to you for as long as you can understand it.

4) Put your things in the labeled boxes. Conquer the clutter!

Check out some of the boxes I've labeled with my Dymo M1880:

So far so good.

On a side note, don't limit your labeling skills to plastic boxes. Feel free to use your label maker on anything and everything around your home. Try the kitchen!

Label away mates!

Inspiration: DOMINO

Everyone needs a little inspiration here and there, especially when fixing your apartment. One of my inspirations happens to be a beautiful book...

DOMINO: The Book of Decorating

(a room-by-room guide to creating a home that makes you happy)

By: Deborah Needleman, Sara Ruffin Costello & Dara Caponigro,
Former Editors of Domino Magazine

Have a sneak peak inside:

DOMINO's very visual and detailed approach is perfect for non-design people who desire designer-esque output (like myself)!

I particularly love the "how to mix and match" section which shows you why certain pieces would work well together, from table to chairs to mirror to rug, to bed frame to lamp, to little bowl, etc. The book even uses terms like "Sophisticated Froufrou", "Enchanted Mod", "Cultured Irreverence" and "Rich and Handsome" to describe specific styles per room enhancing your visualization process! Fun!

All in all, this is a good read and handy-dandy companion when planning to or in the middle of fixing your home. It doesn't promise you overnight results, but it does get the ball rolling. Remember, your home is a constant work in progress.

Grab your copy now!

From Lola...

My grandmother has a knack for antiques. Although she has some pieces that I can live without, there are also some that I absolutely adore! Like her antique dial telephones! Since she already has 4 and her house is pretty stuffed, sometimes I drop a hint or two for one of those phones. Imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when she called a few days ago to tell me that she sent one of her pieces to my apartment. Here's it is:

Beautiful! One person's trash can definitely be another's treasure. I strongly recommend for everyone to look around their grandparent's homes for some vintage goodies. (With permission of course!) You're bound to find something that they've forgotten in the bodega ages ago. Or something that's just sitting in the corner gathering dust, long forgotten. It can be a chair, a table, a vase, a trunk, a figurine, some books, frames, old Coca-Cola bottles, etc... 

Unique vintage pieces instantly add character to any place. And they make for great conversation starters! Enjoy the hunt!

Essentials #1: Work Desk

This seems completely basic, but it wasn't so basic for me. I've been living in my apartment for almost 2 years now and it was only a few days ago when I FINALLY chose and bought a desk.

Now, buying a desk isn't all that simple. A lot of thought actually goes into purchasing the right desk for your work needs. Things to consider are size, functionality and design. Is it long enough for all your equipment? Does it have enough drawers for your files? Is it made of good materials? Does the color match your room? And the questions go on and on... But don't think TOO much about it because you might never get one!

Having a desk provides an instant room facelift because it limits you from scattering things on the floor. And more importantly, it makes it much easier for you to work! Now as to how organized you want your desk to be, that's up to you.

Here are some before and after pictures of my life with a desk:

Before...

AFTER!

Voila! Not a total betty (yet), but a vast improvement! What do you think?

Stay tuned for Desk Organization 101!

Welcome to Apartment 703!

Living alone seems so glamorous when you're young. But it's not as glamorous as you think when you realize you have to pick up and fold every shirt you try on, save to pay the bills, worry about leaks and eat take-out or your neighbor's food because you don't know how to cook or you're too lazy to even try. 

However, I have to admit that living alone is not bad at all despite having to worry about things that you normally wouldn't have to if your lived with your parents. For one, no curfews! But more than that, you can manage things exactly the way you want it. You can teach yourself how to be independent, from the littlest things like choosing your furniture to making sure you pay the phone bill on time to avoid disconnection. You have the freedom to express yourself and make your living space a personal canvas. You have your own time and can make decisions by yourself. 

Being a 20-something, I am pretty clueless when it comes to domestic concerns. I can't really cook, I'm not well-versed with laundry symbols and I'm not exactly neat. But hey, I have to learn one way or another right? And what better way to learn than to figure things out for yourself? This is my journey, a 20-something, clueless girl, open to the world and figuring things out, about apartment living and life, one step at a time. 

Welcome to Apartment 703!