ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...

the term "spring cleaning" is often thrown around, but its a rare thing when a fall cleanse is put into gear. to me, spring means more lazing about outside, longer days to spend with friends and the promise of better fruit in the coming months. but its FALL that really sparks my desire to organize, improve, and rearrange. perhaps its that i know i'm going to spend more time indoors or maybe i simply can't shake that back-to-school feeling of starting over (see post below), but nothing gets me going quite like autumn.

which is why i've decided to participate in Apartment Therapy's Cure. since many of you reading this are participating in the Cure, i'll save you the detailed explanation and let the unfamiliar readers visit the link to satisfy their curiosity. basically, its an 8-week process to make your apartment healthier and happier, with weekly "homework" assignments to boot. The Cure encourages you to make lists and complete projects that you've been putting off. it urges you to fix whats broken and mend whats torn. but best of all, The Cure provides a community of people all across the country who are all doing the same thing, so you're constantly surrounded with support and suggestions.

i was a bit late in ordering my book (god, its like college all over again), so others have been kind enough to fill me in on what im missing (thanks, Laure!). since i'm a borderline OCD neat-freak and basically live/eat/sleep/breathe interior design these days, i feel like i'm maybe even a bit ahead of the game. i re-did the floor in my bathroom the week before the Cure began and over the past month i've transformed my front yard from a slab of asphalt to a cheerful, grassy space (photos later this week).

my next big project is the kitchen and thats going to be a lot of work. i want to completely re-paint and wallpaper two walls, but i have yet to settle on a wallpaper. until that happens (and until i get my next paycheck), i'll just stare longingly at my inspiration board (click it for a larger and complete view).