Bathroom Cabinet Organization

Sometimes the simple things in life can be the most frustrating things. Like opening your bathroom cabinet every morning and having stuff fall out or never being about to find what you're looking for.

When the problem is simple, the solution usually is to. I found an OXO Good Grips organizer set on amazon and I knew it would be perfect.

The best part is that both pieces (the holder cup and dividing shelf) have a rubber-like substance on their bases. This means when I clumsily reach for something it won't easily knocked over. Just one more thing to make my life a little easier.

Photos by moi.

Kitchen Cabinet Organization

(The horrible before shot)

For some reason I could never organize my rubbermaid containers in any sort of way that made sense. So finally I saved up my swagbucks and bought two metal shelves to give me some semblance of order in my kitchen cabinets.

(After I reorganized with my new shelves)

Having all of the containers organized means I'll actually use them more. When I don't have to search for the lids I'm more likely to grab a container instead of a ziplock bag. It also gave me more room for a little lazy susan which holds my coffee grinder and French press. I love having the things I use the most within reach. It saves me time and headaches.

Photos by moi.

Picture Your Memories

Most everyone has a memory box/closet/garage. Special memento's from days gone by, ticket stubs, or misc. school papers. These can be the hardest items to pare down, because of the emotional attachment. But keeping everything that has meaning to you wouldn't be the best use of your space. Try an easier way to have a visual reminder of your things without taking up any space.... with a camera. 1.) Ask yourself if your children would think this was special when they are older? If not, take a picture.

2.) Is it something that would lose pieces or fall apart if you kept it for a long period of time? If so, take a picture.

3.) If something happened to me, would someone even know why it was important to me? If not, take a picture, then with a photo program write the date & memory that goes along with the item.

4.) Is there documentation of this item? Have you done a complete home inventory of your house lately? If there was a fire or flood would you have the necessary proof/memory to recall all of your special items? If not, take a picture.

5.) Want to remember your child's reaction to their favorite artwork? How they were proud & glowing when it was finished? If so, take a picture with them and the finished masterpiece. Also, if they are in the stage where they produce a craft everyday at school, try taking your camera to school. Line them up against the wall and snap their photo with all of their goodies. A wonderful before/after memorabilia as to how they've grown through the school year.



6.) Did you go on vacation and bring back every brochure from your destination? Take a picture of the important pages, maps, and ticket stubs. That way they will be tucked in right beside your photos on your computer album, not lying around collecting dust. Same goes for sporting events & theater performances.

7.) No doubt it would be difficult to put every memory item in a scrapbook, but with digital photos it can be easy to create a photo book online through sites like Snapfish or Scrapblog. What a fun gift idea for Christmas, or any other holiday to create a book of your vacation/preschool year/or special events you attended. This way you can customize, organize, and actually enjoy your memories instead of them sitting stagnant taking up space.

Now, once you have some of your memorabilia on the computer it is important that you always remember to back up your files, or have an online service like Carbonite do this for you. That way you can rest assure that your photos will be kept safe throughout the years to come!

Clean out your closets

(Clothes on my bed, pre-elimination)

Inspired by Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project" (and the fact that I couldn't even remember all of the clothes I own) this past weekend I decided I needed to clean out my closets. With the help of my fellow blogger I dove in and put almost everything I owned on my bed. From there we split things into categories and started eliminating.

Now I'd like to say, for the record, that I'm not a big shopper and 99% of what I own comes from the sale racks at Old Navy, Goodwill or Target. I tend to wear the same sort of clothing for years, jeans, cardigans, etc. But apparently, if you don't clean out your closets frequently, you end up with a LOT of stuff.

I would suggest that if you tackle your own closets you do it when you have enough time and when you have a friend you trust who can honestly tell you, "You never wear that and you won't miss it." We worked on mine for about 3 hours and then I finished up the next day.

(Not even half of the hangers)

Before putting anything back in the closet we compared each item to the other items in the category. Yes, I like that white button-up shirt, but I already have 2 others in the keep pile. This process continued with shirts, pants, PJs, dresses, shoes, etc. I also got rid of a ton of hangers.

The hardest items for me to part with were ones that I had purchased on trips. I had a hoodie from Scotland, a couple of shirts from Ireland and my favorite pair of jeans from London. All of these items ended up in the "get-rid-of" pile because they didn't fit, were stained or had holes.

(One side of my closet, post-elimination)

My cleaned out closet actually had enough room for me to see what I was looking for without having to move everything around. It's amazing how much stuff you accumulate over the years. It makes me feel both blessed and wasteful.

In the end I had SIX huge black garbage bags and two smaller garbage bags filled with clothes, shoes, purses and a few other odds and ends. I took one box of items (books, CDs and DVDs) to Half Priced Books and received $38.50 and I took a small bag to Plato's Closet and received $3.90. The rest went to Goodwill and hopefully someone else will enjoy the items.

Photos by moi.

Top 10 Organizing Products for your Closet

In the Midwest right now not only are the seasons changing, but so are the clothes in peoples closets. I have tried to compile the best organizing products to make this years 'season swap' go easier.

The garment bag is a must have if you have a wedding dress or any kind of formal attire that would like to keep protected. Off season jackets and coats might be a good option for storage too. Moths, fabric yellowing, and wear and tear are some of the dangers that clothes face if not in some kind of covering.
Adjustable wooden drawer dividers are a wonderful way to make you feel like you have built-ins for your drawers. These have unlimited uses for t-shirts, pj's or shorts. The best thing about this product is that you don't have to fold things, and they are still contained & look organized!

Over the door hanging hooks are good for just about anything accessory wise such as hats, scarves, or extra clothes you just don't want to hang up at that moment.

These expandable drawer dividers are the best for your underwear/sock drawer. They take the searching out of putting away clothes and getting dressed in the mornings. Every item has a specific home and lets you get the most of every undergarment you own.

As far as shoe organizers I would recommend an over the door organizer. It keeps shoes off the floor, keeps pairs together, and makes it easy to see what you have.

Canvas bins with lids are my favorite. Most don't come with lids which I don't understand. But these will keep out the dust, let the items inside breathe, and don't contain plastic. It's a win win for everyone!

A stool close by, or in the closet is a must because it allows you to think "up" in your closet. Most people don't utilize the space between their shelves and ceiling, because the space is hard to reach. Having a stool makes the space easy to reach and easy to access.

At-A-Glance Closet Organizers are not essential at all, but for the person that has trouble setting boundaries for their clothing it is a nice tool.

I looked for these Closet Shelf Dividers at the local store and could not find them. So, I don't know about how well they work on your shelves, but I could imagine the possibilities for their uses. Not only for towels, sweaters, or other clothing, but maybe in your pantry to separate your can goods and such.


For kids closets this is amazing! Double Closet Rods allow them to not only to hang up their clothing, but get dressed without pulling a stool up to reach their clothing! This maximizes the ultimate amount of space up and down while keep the floor free!

Hope this gives you some ideas for making the best use of your space this season!

(All pictures are from OrganizeIt.com)

Mission: Organize Your Beauty Routine

What does your beauty routine look like in the mornings? Is it a struggle to find just what you need that day? Or is your process streamlined? Here is a peek into my morning ritual.....

The first thing was truly parring down my makeup collection to the things that I use everyday. The rest was put into a box in the closet with the "night-time" makeup like fake eyelashes, eyeliner, and fancier eyeshadow. I was then able to choose a container to hold all my other products.

This bin is made out of the material of a tent. It easily wipes down if there is a mess and I don't have to worry about water spilling on it from the sink. Adding a white container that comes from a plain set at the store and an old makeup bag everything is contained. Lotion and makeup remover go into the black bag. Add a mirror to the bin and you have a portable beauty "shelf".

Everyday I take out the bin from underneath the sink and use it on the counter. I usually blow dry my hair right after I do my makeup. So for me it makes sense to just leave the hairdryer on top of the makeup container, thrown right in. Easy clean up and no extra storage needed!

For hair accessories I needed to find something that had lots of little storage areas. This one is perfect for under a sink or in a shelf. On top of this sits a simple wire raised shelf. This storage container hold my hair products and headbands.

Adding the ever useful 3M hooks to the side of the sink door makes use of wasted space by hanging hairbrushes!

And there it is. A way to keep your bathroom and self put together, and ready for the day ahead!

(Hot pink organizer optional :) )

Simplify for Spring

:: Refreshed. Rejuvenated. New Mindset. New Goals::

The New Year is an unofficial time that one organizes what new objects they have accumulated over the winter months. Just as Springtime is the unofficial time to get your home into a simpler mindset. Reducing pounds of clutter you might have added to the weight of your house over the colder months inside. You are starting anew this season. Cleaning the dust out, painting, and washing blankets or windows are some of the ways to help your home feel refreshed this season (of your life). But the real spring cleaning comes from the INSIDE, out into your home.

Clearing out clutter is a mentally challenging task. It is not easy in the least. How hard it is to get past the holding onto of material things! (Matt 6:19-21) The worst part for me is the I might need it someday syndrome. I see myself as a creative person and if I hold onto it long enough I feel that I usually do use it. But in the meantime I anguish over keeping that object. That stationary, nonliving/talking object affects my emotions!

( We unloaded 7 full bags to Goodwill yesterday)

Feng Shui is a Chinese practice that is rooted in energy. Believing that each home has positive and negative elements. That your environment should be in alignment with nature and the flow of energy. While I don't believe in the practice of feng shui I completely understand the philosophical principles that the idea is based. I firmly believe that every object(s) has an emotion that it produces in your body. So, instead of saying something is filled with positive and negative energy you could simply say "emotions".

For example, you have a messy pantry. Things are in disarray because you have no idea what the space holds, dust has collected, and you have plastic bags thrown in from previous shopping trips. You cringe or hold your breath just opening the door dreading to venture in. But that icky feeling doesn't just stop when you have the door closed. But because your pantry is also located next to the door you leave by each day, you are walking passed it multiple times. So now, even when you aren't opening the door you feel the "energy" or emotion drained out of you. Your brain is thinking things like " I'm a failure because it's so cluttered", embarrassed that someone else might see it, or stressed because it is one more thing on your never ending list. Even if you don't think these things specifically, your body feels them.

This is the idea of emotions and clutter playing a part in your everyday life.

So, my project around the house for the last few days was to....

• TOUCH. Seriously, go around and clean every object. Touch it. Fondle it! :)
• You could ask yourself the basic organizing questions of ..
• Do I use this?
• Do I love it?
• Why am I keep it?
• But the issue of the heart is ....
• Does it fall in line or aid in my current GOALS?
• And what EMOTION does it produce in me?
• Giving myself permission to declutter- Nothing is off-limits

My current vision or goal for my home is for there to be less plastic and fluff, and more bringing nature inside. I want more flowers, natural fabrics, and wooden toys in our spaces. Quality not quantity, to stop holding on to something just to have it for some day, and becoming truly content with what God has entrusted me. Less is definitely going to be the new more in our home! :) So with this outlook I can now go throughout my home and see what does and doesn't align with my spring decluttering.

Now that you have set goals for yourself on the inside, your home will become a reflection of your priorities this Spring.

"As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness. "

Henry David Thoreau

Coffee Table Baskets

My living room coffee table has a shelf on the underside and it was always a mess. Finally I picked up a couple baskets (on sale!) at Michaels in an attempt to organize it. I wanted baskets with a lining I could wash if I needed to. I also wanted ones that were tall enough that you couldn't see inside them from above. These two were perfect!

I filled the baskets with my unread magazines (Real Simple, National Geographic Traveler and Entertainment Weekly) and other odds and ends.

The baskets turned my messy coffee table shelf into a sleek, organized area. Also, when I have unexpected guests I can toss any stray items on the top of the table into one of the baskets.

Photos by moi.

Freezer Organization

For most a freezer isn't something that one spends a lot of thought on, but when properly organized can serve as a helpful resource. Think about all those half eaten meals (that weren't touched with your fork), leftover spaghetti sauces, fresh vegetables not being eaten, or bulk meats bought on sale in the refrigerator. All these things have potential to be used at another time if put into the freezer.

Yet, I never thought of utilizing this space because it was so limited. Cramming everything in and hoping for the best was the "system". A few Ziploc bags later and some work on my part makes a whole new area for storing food! My options are now wide open and the new system saves me not only money, but time. Buying meat in bulk, splitting it into smaller 1lb portions, and flattening with a rolling pin makes it easier to dethaw and serve. Also, it is more convenient then buying it every week and lugging it home and not even at a sale price.

The veggie portion of the freezer was a hot or should I say, cold mess, before storing them in flat Ziploc bags. The top half is meat and sauces already frozen and flattened. The problem with just keeping veggies in the original bag is that it isn't a secure close, hard to take inventory on what I have, and which is the oldest veggie I should use up first.

Now, I can tell from top to bottom which is the veggie that is the oldest, what the contents are, and how much of one thing I posses. Also, when you are done with the freezer bag it is easy to rewash and use again. I would do this only with the ones that held vegetables as it is hard to get a truly deep clean with raw meats. Tips have been to purchase cheap plastic bags, fill them with the meat and then in a nicer freezer bag like Ziploc or Glad to protect them from frost.



I also put onions and red/green peppers in the freezer. Chopping them up and then flash freezing them. Flash freezing just means to put them individually on a flat surface, place them in the freezer let them harden, and THEN place them in a Ziploc bag. This way it is easier to take a few out at a time rather than a clump. They are mostly convenient for throwing in meats and sauces as flavoring.

The flash freezing process is also good for homemade chicken nuggets, pancakes, berries, and casseroles. To properly freeze a casserole and be able to keep reusing the dish, line it with foil, spray with cooking spray, and then flash freeze it. When completely frozen take out the meal in the foil, transferring it to a plastic freezer bag.

One tip for getting your meats to lay flat is to place them on a small cutting board in the freezer and let them take a flat shape before moving them. This way you gain more space and could even stand your foods sideways if you have the room and organizational talent!

Coat Closet Organization

Here's my coat closet. Not that bad, but not exactly inviting for guests to hang their coats after a long journey, either.

The first order of business is to address the mission statement for this closet. What is its primary function?. Well, since we hardly ever leave out of our front door, which this closet is located by, it isn't a drop off area. It also, isn't somewhere that needs lots of shoe storage or baskets. It is simply a storage area for extra coats and shoes, and then an area for guests coats.

It needs a clear area for corralling table cloths, mittens, and gloves.

Can any of these coats be put in other closets? The kids closet? Our bedroom closet?
Do I have anything to better hold these shoes in a more tidy way? These shoes are placed in the closet clean. Do I really need something to put underneath them? Where is little pink coats home? Do toddlers have a space to put away their coats too?

Here is my official Goodwill Donation box. Is it working as neatly as it should? It needs cleaned out and a trash bag that sits in the box. That way it will be easier to lift out my items and transfer them to the car.Now that I have defined each area of the closet and reviewed my mission statement. I can start thinking of organizing items that will make my mission statement happen. I found these fabric boxes at Walmart in January when every store makes sure organizing is on your mind. Also, they had wooden hangers that will make the space more uniform and are sturdy for hanging heavy coats. These boxes are collapsible, by having wire framing and velcroing the framing into place. If you can find these in a store around you I highly recommend them. They are light weight, can be flattened if not in use, and have lids! Never skip this step. Though it is tempting to fly into organizing once you are in the groove, but a little bit of cleaning is in order. Everything now needs to be cleared out of the bottom and top of the closet. Once it is out of the closet, let the sweeping and dusting begin. Now, you won't have to worry about cleaning it again till next year. :)Gloves and hats are stored in one storage solution box. And in the other the table cloths contained. Coat hangers were added. I found this in another closet and thought it would better be utilized here to store shoes. Extra coats were pushed to the side when not in use. Making more room in the middle for guests coats.

A full view of the finished closet!



Next, a simple hook or two placed on the inside of the closet door will help assist little people with clean up of coats.



Here is my trash bag of Goodwill donations ready for the car.



Wonder what else was taken out to make the space fresh, clean and decluttered? Well, here were my behind the scene piles. Labeled in my mind like this (I do think in thought boxes :)) so when the closet is completed the last step would be to take the extra stuff, and chauffeur it to its rightful homes around the house.

I hope this step by step process helps with your own coat closet completion...

Also, this closet is entered in the 28 Day Organizing Challenge over at Organizing Junkie! Winning a prize to get organized would be my ultimate dream! Yes, that's right, I dream big folks! :) Happy Organizing!