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Allison Larkin

Internationally Best-Selling Author

You are here: Home / beautiful things / Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning

April 12, 2010 Filed Under: beautiful things, kindred spirits

I am so touched by all the kind words about last week’s post left in comments, e-mailed and tweeted. I can’t thank you enough! It’s such an incredible reminder of the amazing kindness of people and the power of sharing our experiences with each other. There’s something so comforting and heartbreaking and beautiful in hearing the words, ‘you aren’t alone,’ or, ‘I understand, that happened to me too.’ Thank you!
In the past few weeks, taxes, car troubles, a plumbing disaster, and all the chores and tasks that make up every day life have left me feeling a little out of breath and out of step. So, I’ve promised myself that this week I’m going to take the time to put some sense of order back into our house. The goal is to make our house feel like a home again, instead of a three-bedroom junk drawer/laundry pile, and I have this crazy idea about seeing the surface of our kitchen table again someday. But, since this will involve doing laundry, filing papers, and possibly using one of those vacuum things I’ve been hearing so much about, I need to bribe myself.
Candy is often my go-to bribe for unpleasant chores, but I’m pretty sure I have single-handedly caused a jelly bean shortage in Western New York over the past few weeks, so I’ve resolved to call it quits on the sweets for awhile. Luckily, my dear friend, Shanna Murray, launched her line of hand-drawn wall decals today, and they make the perfect bribe!
Not only do Shanna’s designs (and Shanna herself) lift my spirits, but the decals give me the perfect motivation to get the house in order, so when they arrive I have the space and time to enjoy them.
I ordered this one for our living room.
And this one for my office.
Because, who doesn’t need a reminder now and then?
Do you have any good motivation tricks?

8 Comments

Comments

  1. courtney says

    April 12, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    Those decals are gorgeous! Love them.

    I give myself little mini-rewards throughout the day. For example, I won’t check Twitter until I’ve finished a task. But for big stuff like house cleaning, you’ve got to break out the candy rewards. For REALLY big accomplishments, I’ll give myself a new pair of shoes or something.

    Reply
  2. Sara says

    April 13, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    I’m a fan of dangling an Anthro 1-item splurge as my rewards. That, or I’ll finally bake something just for meeeeeeeeeeeee. Fresh out the oven, chocolate chip cookies, anyone?

    Reply
  3. Sara says

    April 13, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    Oh! One more thing! I reward myself with fresh flowers once I get my house all clean and tidy. I buy a couple of large bunches and then separate them into 4 or more little vases around my house. So pretty, and it makes me ridiculously happy.

    Reply
  4. Wombat Central says

    April 14, 2010 at 1:04 am

    I’ve been enjoying Starburst jellybeans this week. Not as a reward. Because they’re in the house. :)

    Reply
  5. Noelle says

    April 14, 2010 at 1:28 am

    lists, lists, lists. If it’s down on paper, then I have to do it. I used to reward myself with whiskey and ice cream, but I’ve outsmarted myself to know that I’m going to get those anyway. Stupid brain. Always one step ahead!

    Reply
  6. Kyla Roma says

    April 18, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    Those decals are amazing! I’m glad that they’re a sweet little reminder that you’re doing so much good work.

    Honestly, for me my big reward is taking a weekend off here and there. I’ve been working really hard on a bunch of projects lately and I’m getting worn out. This weekend I just stopped and it was beautiful =)

    Reply
  7. Laura Marcella says

    April 23, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    Oooo, those decals are so neat! My motivation tricks are inspiration quotes about writing and life. I have a bunch around my desks and on my office bulletin board. Whenever my eyes start to wonder away from the computer (in an “I want to stop doing this” kind of way!) I immediately read a quote and it gets me back on track!

    Rewards for me usually involve chocolate or a new book!

    Reply
  8. Mickey says

    April 26, 2010 at 5:52 pm

    Actually, no. I’m a horrible self-motivator. No discipline, either.

    I like Noelle’s suggestions, though. Whiskey, ice cream and lists. We should give them a shot.

    Reply

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One of the people I keep, my dear friend @bakirkwo One of the people I keep, my dear friend @bakirkwood — who I’ve known since my freshman year at Ithaca — who read several drafts of my book about April over the years and kept telling me how much she believed in me — printed out the coloring sheets and made some art with her daughter Abby! (Brenda said they didn’t need to be included in the giveaway, but wanted to share). It made me so happy to see their covers! I’d love to see yours too! And if you tag me when you post or email me photos of what you create with the cover design (info at allielarkinwrites dot com) I’ll enter you in the giveaway for a signed paperback of The People We Keep, a book mug from @erinkillianpottery & some coffee from @caffe.appassionato! Link to download the coloring sheet is in my bio. Thank you so much, Abby & Brenda! Love you! ❤️
Lying on the floor, I come undone #weezerlyrics #d Lying on the floor, I come undone #weezerlyrics #dailyroxydog #huskymix #chihuahuamix
I had the most amazing time celebrating the paperb I had the most amazing time celebrating the paperback release of The People We Keep at @townecenterbks in Pleasanton last night! I’m so thankful for everyone who came out and especially for Judy, Stacy, and Mala for creating such a beautiful outdoor space for our chat and snack! And to @carriemedders for the pictures (goodness, it was good to see you, Carrie!)! We all had such a fun and heartwarming conversation about the book and writing and creativity. I am so appreciative of the chance to connect with kind, thoughtful readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! #thepeoplewekeep #townecenterbooks #bookstagram #authorevents
✨Paperback Day Giveaway✨ Gallery Books created ✨Paperback Day Giveaway✨ Gallery Books created a beautiful downloadable coloring page of the cover of The People We Keep! (Thank you so much, Bianca!) and I’m hosting a giveaway! I have a copy of the paperback of The People We Keep, a gorgeous book mug handmade by @erinkillianpottery, and some of my favorite coffee from @cafe_appassionato to send to one lucky reader! Download the printable coloring page (link in bio) and get creative! Color the page in your favorite colors, use it to tell us about the people you keep, or share something about how you’re feeling right now. Tag me in an Instagram post or Reel with your creation (make sure to tag me not just @ me or I might not see it!). I’ll share some of your art and on Tuesday, July 19th, I’ll pick the winner! Unfortunately, I can only ship this prize within the US, but I can share coloring pages from anywhere in the world! Happy coloring! #thepeoplewekeep #coloringtherapy #bookstagram #gallerybooks #paperbackgiveaway #bookgiveaways #coffeegiveaway #erinkillianpottery #bookclubofinstagram #bookcommunity #bookcoverdesign
Friends! It is paperback release day for The Peopl Friends! It is paperback release day for The People We Keep! I do love a paperback, and @gallerybooks did an amazing job making this one beautiful. There’s also a wonderful reading group guide in the back to give you questions and discussion topics for your book club. To celebrate the book release, I have an outdoor event with @townecenterbks in Pleasanton, CA this evening (join us!) and I’ll be posting again a little later today with a giveaway and an art project! 💖#bookstagram #thepeoplewekeep #paperbacks #dailyroxydog #huskymix #chihuahuamix #reading
Tear it up. All of it. #dailyroxydog #huskymix #ch Tear it up. All of it. #dailyroxydog #huskymix #chihuahuamix #fluffthepatriarchy
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