Searching for Inspiration - My Next Mantle

I already know the theme I want to use for my next mantle change, so I went looking for inspiration for decor.  I am especially looking for ideas of things that I can make myself.  Do you think you can figure out what my theme might be?

I visited two of my favorite stores for inspiration, Hobby Lobby and Gordmans.  Where do you go to find inspiration in decorating?

My Spring Mantle

I decided to "Spring Up" my mantle yesterday.  It really brought a fresh look to the living room!

Most of the items were already in my house, and I just chose a color and gathered them all together.  I had just bought myself daisies for $5 the other day, so they were a perfect start.  They last a couple weeks if you buy them when the centers are still green.  I spent a few bucks at the dollar store for the white candles and glass jars.  The pretty little angel reading her bible was from there too!  I hunted a forsythia bush that I could cut a few branches from.  I just love that touch of yellow.

Have you added any spring to your decor?  Share a link with us!

DeCluttering on a Terror

As part of my word for 2011, Focus, I have been feeling a great need to organize and declutter.  I started cleaning Wednesday after several weeks of family being home and the craziness of the holidays, and I found myself in a very rare mood of wanting to just throw everything away!

Here is where I need the advice of my friends:  when you have been in a mood like this, when you just want it all out of your house, have you ever regretted throwing something away?  Has there ever been a time that you decided to really clean and then after garbage day, wish you would have thought harder about what you were choosing to pitch?

Clutter is winning at our house right now, and I don't want to do anything I might regret later!  I may need someone to shout into a megaphone:  "Step away from that filing cabinet!" 

What do you think?  Keep going and pitch it all?  or  Stop cleaning at once before I do something I'll regret?

Cleaning---------ugh!

I think I have been fairly honest with all of you that cleaning is like a four letter word to me.  Absolutely hate it.  Have I been too strong?  NO!  Just ask my family!!

Anyway, I am on a quest to find the best cleaning supplies out there.  I believe that one of the reasons I hate it is because I just don't have the right tools and products to make it go quickly and efficiently.  This is where you come in!

I would so LOVE if all of you lovely ladies would leave me a comment and let me know:

1. Your favorite cleaning product-bleach, Mr.Clean, 409?????
2. Your favorite cleaning tools
3. Any tips and hints you have found that make cleaning easier
4. Mopping haunts me!  Any help you can give would surely be appreciated! I have a steam cleaner and I still can't get the floor clean!

I know for sure that some of you out there are  lean-mean-cleaning machines, and I need your expertise!  Don't let me down!  I need lots of comments before I go shopping for all the lovely suggestions you are going to make that will make my life easier!!!