Um, hello....? Closet space? Where, oh where are you?

Shortly after we moved into our new home, I made a list of all the projects I wanted to tackle.  Within about 5 minutes, I had over 2 pages of a to-do list.  I stopped there and quickly became overwhelmed.

Don't get me wrong, there isn't anything inherently wrong with our house.  It's really just a matter of style difference and preference.  Though there are a many daunting tasks on the list, there are a few that I can readily tackle.

Since typing out this lengthy to-do list, I have felt a little stuck and unsure where to start.  Instead of unpacking (yet another) box, I opt for playing outside or snuggling with baby Porter.  How can you argue with that, right?



But the time has come where I'm a little more than sick of staring down unpacked boxes, and randomly needing things like wrapping paper, hole-punch, or swimming trunks, and then having to try and figure out what box they are packed away in.

So I hereby declare that my first project will be organizing the closets.  This is no simple task, but many of the boxes left to unpack were previously housed in a closet (i.e. linen closet, game closet, guest closet, etc).

Have I told you how much our new home lacks storage?

Out of all of those closets named above, I only have one of those-- a small, shallow linen closet.  So what the heck do I do with all this stuff?!  I've started making a donation pile (even though I feel like I've sorted through stuff like crazy).  I've also started buying a lot of baskets so I can try and make things look neat and tidy.

Do you have storage solutions that you could live without?

|images via Martha Stewart & Style at Home|

2011 Home Rezi List

Happy New Year!  Hard to believe it's 2011.  I can tell it's going to be a good year.  It could be that I'm a house nerd, but every year when I sit down to write my New Year's Resolutions, I also write down goals that I have for our house.  I call it the Home Rezi list because that sounds more fun than Res-ol-ution list.  We chip away at projects every year so it doesn't seem too overwhelming looking at an entire list of everything we want to accomplish eventually.  Also, it helps to work on our home little by little each year so it stays well maintained and updated.  Here are items we have on our 2011 Home Rezi list:

1. Finish the downstairs bathroom. {It's a work in progress}


2. Tear down the photo studio to make room for an exercise area. Done!


3. Finish exercise area {buy mirror and workout mats}.


4. Purchase a tall bookshelf for the living room.


5. New pillows for the living room.


6. Put frames on mirrors on bathrooms. {Like this}


7. Build a shed in the backyard.


8. Purchase a back-up sump pump and install it.


9. Frost the front window pane by the front door.


10. Replace the kitchen sink and faucet.

As you can see, some of these items are easier than others.  We try to tackle a couple big projects each year as it helps us plan for things time-wise and financially.

Do we stick to the list?  We try our hardest.  There's been one year where we've switched out projects because we found something on mega sale for one of our bigger projects on our master home to do list and just couldn't pass it up.  But more often than not, we stick to what we've set out to do.

Do you write out your home rezis for the year?  Or do you shoot from the hip?

Cute to do lists pictured above are available here.

Cleaning Frenzy

{via MarthStewart.com}

I've been in quite the cleaning frenzy lately.  Deep cleaning just about everything around me.  And making a list of everything I need to do.  And that is overwhelming in and of itself.  I like having a list of chores that I need to do everyday so I'm going to try this Chore Calendar.  {Thanks for the tip, Courtney!}  It's only $8 and will give me standard daily chores along with specific items for that day.  Here is a sample of what it looks like:

I would love to hear any tips you have to share.  How do you keep on top of cleaning your home?

Packing up the Holidays

Once the New Year hits, I am ready to clean up the holidays, get everything put away and then start organizing the rest of the house.  I always feel so much better when the holidays come back around and I have put everything away so nicely the previous year.  This year, Rubbermaid helped me make sure I put everything away in its place by giving me a wreath storage and an ornament cube and here is my honest review of each product. 

Wreath Storage- Each wreath storage unit is large-- it holds up to a 27" wreath which is really nice.  They are really wide too so if you have smaller wreaths that could be stored together, you could probably fit two of them.  They are made of a plastic material that is easy to keep clean and makes the storage area very flexible.  The only request I would make is that there would be an area to stick a label so I can tell from the outside which wreath is stored inside.  I hung them in my basement using a storage hook.  It took me about 5 minutes to put everything away and install the hook.

Ornament Storage- I was also given the 10" Collapsible Cube to try out and I love it!  It give every ornament it's specific spot -- which I really enjoy for my treasured ornaments.  When I was little, my mother would by each of us kids a Hallmark ornament.  I have a lot of cherish memories in that box and it's fun to look at each year and what my mother purchased.  They are glass ornaments that seem to break easily with little ones around, so I feel a lot better having these stored in a safe place.

Have you already cleaned up your holiday decorations?  If so, what type of storage do you like to use?


Full Disclosure: I was given free product in exchange for a review. These are my honest opinions and have not been influenced by the Rubbermaid.

Getting Organized-Start with a List

Yep, it's that time of year!  Time to organize!  I'm completely a list person-I find that it's easiest to organize my thoughts and to do's when they are all listed right in front of me.  Before you dig into all the boxes and piles sitting around (I know I've got plenty) take time to organize what needs to be done in each room.  The office might need drawers cleaned out while the closet might need all sheets and towels sorted by size, etc.  Some rooms might have the same things on them...i.e.  clean ceiling fans, dust base boards, remove dust bunnies, etc.  Once you have each room done with its own list you can create a master list with things that are consistent from room to room.  That will give you a great starting point to start checking things off of your list.  From there move room to room and just go down the list!  You'll feel great when you get to check something off of your list and your house will get organized in the process!  To make things easier I made a little printout just for you!

Click here to download the PDF and print as many as you need!  There's 2 to a page so just trim it in half and you're good to go!!!



P.S.  Start saving your tin can lids from the recycle bin in the kitchen!  I've got a great little project coming up and you'll want to already have some on hand to make your own as soon as I've got the tutorial posted!

Monday Redesign: Simple & Colorful Office

Organizing is on my mind so I thought an office redesign would be suiting for the New Year.  {It must be the fact that I've spent nearly all weekend in one closet or another - please tell me I wasn't the only one doing that}.

And now for a break down of the goodies:

1. I wanted a fun color palette with a gray undertone and I think I achieved that.  I envision white walls with an orange accent wall {the wall that the desk will sit against}.  A perfect mandarin color, I think, is Sherwin Williams SW 6891.


2. The desk is simple and beautiful, no.  It comes from Room & Board... one of my favorite places to shop these days.


3. This chair is also simple and fun.  I love the curves and color.


4. This rug is a great foundation for the room.  Wouldn't this room be perfect on a room with tile, or wooden floors?


5. I added this ottoman for extra seating and for a little extra storage too.  Sometimes when I'm working at my desk, I like to prop my feet up.


6. Every office should have a file box to keep you organized.  And of course, I love the orange color of this one.


7. A simple lamp for a really great price.  I love this lamp!


8. And a birdie print for some wall art.  I think this is the perfect little touch to this room.  A great conversation piece, and something to keep you inspired.

I hope this redesign keeps you motivated to get organizing this New Year.  An organized office is a productive office, or something like that.  ;)



P.S.  Don't forget to take our New Year's Survey... we'd like to know what you think about our site and what we can do better.

Getting organized this New Year

Can you believe the New Year is almost here? This is the time I kick my organizing into high gear.  I want all the clutter to go and everything to have it's place.  I've declared a day last week as closet day, and made great headway.  A whole truck full off to the thrift store was made.  There's still work to do though.  One of the biggest problem areas in my house is the kitchen counter.  Everything gets thrown there when we walk in the door and it stacks up fast.  I have made a habit to go through all my mail right when it comes in the door and that has helped.  But I still have "valuable papers" aka invites and permission slips, etc. that need a spot temporarily.  And did I mention the phones and gadgets we have up the freakin' wazoo?

Here is a solution I'm starting with.  A charging/valet station.  There are a lot of charging stations popping up around there and I have found quite a variety that I'd like to share with you.


1. $15- I love this and it's probably my favorite as it fits all my needs and it's easy to customize.  What a great modification by ikea hacker using the mackis storage unit from ikea.

2. $39- from One Way Furniture.

3. $90- sleek and simple.

4. $30- need a wall hanging station?  This would be perfect!  Available in white or black.

5. $50- So simple and lovely.

6. $44- from Opentip.com.  I would love to add a little texture by dropping a little wall paper sample in the picture slot.  Wouldn't that be cute?

7. $50- from Target.  A one stop pit stop for everything!

8. $43- I love this natural bamboo option.  So natural and simple.



9. $20- inexpensive solution to get you organized.

10. $62- from Pottery Barn.  I love the white color, but it also comes in black and brown.

11.  $60- from Pottery Barn.  This is not technically a charging station, but I thought it was pretty cool.  And really, if the ipod or iphone is plug in, it will charge, right?  This has speakers too which would be a great option for a kitchen or office.

12. $30- this is so simple and sleek for your desktop.

So what do you think?  Are these something that you use in your home?  Do you have any favorites?

Children's Study Spaces

When planning a study space for your children, remember that everyone learns differently!  Keep this in mind as you plan your space.  Maybe they like studying with music on...make sure that there's some type of music source close by so that they don't have to get up to switch out music or adjust controls.  If they get easily distracted make sure it' s in a quiet place and not looking out towards a window.   Even if you don't have a whole room to devote to a study space a little section of their bedroom will work just fine!

Color theory is another post altogether so don't worry too much about what color you choose to have in the space.  If it's already in an existing room you're probably going to go with colors already there.  If you'd like to add some color, and make it more of a personalized space for your child, go with their favorite color!  They'll probably want to stay there longer because of it!

Make sure that you've got enough supplies close at hand so their train of thought doesn't get broken too often as their looking for more paper, pens, staplers, etc.

Here are some inspiring study spaces I've found!

From Italian Furniture Manufacturer Berloni

1. From Pottery Barn 2. Roxxn 3. Elfa Storage Options 4. Minimalist Desk 5. DIY Ideas

Back to School- Creative Calendars

Can you believe summer is coming to a close?  This week, we are focusing on Back to School around here.  Since we are all going crazy with getting our children organized, making sure we have everything off their classroom supply list, I thought it would be fun to feature some of the best things to get us organized and looking pretty for this school year.

The first thing I wanted to talk about is a calendar.  In our home, my husband and I share a google calendar and it works okay (we aren't always the best at syncing everything to make sure it's up to date).  We also have a large whiteboard calendar in our office that I love.  I love being able to write things down and have them visually laid out for me.  Here are some prettier options for calendaring:

1.  This calendar comes for Pinch Design (via ohdeedoh) and it's wonderful if you are the type that likes to take week by week.  It's also a chalkboard so if things are shifting and changing around your house all the time, it's easy to change.

2.  I love the shades of color on this calendar seen on Martha Stewart.  It is also made of chalkboard paint and is great at taking one month at time.  Step by step instructions here.

3.  This is Design Mom's calendar and I love it!  I love that the colors change with every month and I love how she involves the children in creating with each new month. 

I'm curious, what type of calendar do you use at your home?

How to Organize your Mail

Do you ever have mail pile up to the point that you don't know where anything is?  I think we have all been there when life is busy.  I would like to share a tip that I find helpful for keeping my mail and bills organized, and easy to find.

The minute I bring the mail in the door, I sort it.  I pitch all the junk mail first.  Then I open all of my bills, and write the date they are due along with the amount due on the front of the envelope.  This helps me keep organized so when I sit down to pay bills, I know what priority to pay them.  After I do that, I put them in order of their due date in my mail/key holder.

I know, she isn't the prettiest thing on the block.  I'm working on getting a new one.  This one was given to us as a wedding present, and it has been well used, but it doesn't match our style one bit.  I'm thinking of getting one like this from the Container Store.

What do you think?  It's so much cleaner than the one we have now- as you can see, it collects a lot of clutter.

Do you have any tips for keeping your bills and mail organized that you'd like to share?