My Small Closet Transformation for Less Than $30! Small Closet with a Skinny Budget? Read on!

For the past 5 months I decided to donate or toss one thing every week, beginning with my closet. I had visions of myself running out of items to part with and no idea how it was going to go. Turns out the simplicity of it all has been such a great tool for zoning in on what matters. Freeing yourself of items you have no use for completely changes a room, or an entire home. Visions I had for my closet space were now possible and the idea that all of my clothing and accessories are being used is a great feeling. I had a goal in mind and feel as though I was able to achieve it. My clothing and shoes now fits perfectly well inside my armoire. The best part of it? I love the space. We all owe it to ourselves to make our favorite spaces come to life. Here's what I did to create it once I got down to the basics.

I love a blank slate. Almost like an artist, working with a blank canvas, it helps stir creativity. After removing everything from my small closet I was able to see how I would want it to function. Clutter will clutter up your head, by freeing up the space it allows creativity to flow and gives you a different perspective on your possibilities for the space.

After heading to the stores and picking up some storage solutions I was able to stay under $30. This small closet transformation was going to be created on a skinny budget! Common misconception that organization is pricey. Not true! Re-purpose items and spend $0! Or be on the lookout for storage containers that are durable and inexpensive.

Starting on the top shelf I utilized the empty space above the wire shelving for flats and accessories. Those great labels you see are actually clip on dry erase labels. If at any time I'd like to switch the contents all I have to do is erase! The white shelves you see are shoe shelves, perfect for maximizing space!

Fishing through piles of t-shirts is not fun. Having them placed in bins by color is a quick and easy way to find what you need. I used the tri fold method by simply folding the shirt in three and placed it facing up so that the fabric and color is visible. Time saver when getting dressed, and I realized I do not need anymore white long sleeved shirts!

During my donating and tossing I also zoned in on my morning routine and habits. I noticed I always am applying make-up in my room, so it made perfect sense to move the make-up from the bathroom to the bedroom closet! Creating a space that will function within you and your family's routine is another time saver. With one side of the closet empty I utilized an old book shelf we had in the basement to create an accessory/make-up area. All it took was two cork boards, some push pins and some muscle to get the book shelf up the stairs :)

Getting my costume jewelry down to only what I love was a task, but completely worth it! I used soap dishes to hold the rings and bottles to stack up the bangles. Everything is visible, separated by type and once again a time saver when deciding on the finishing touches to an outfit. 

I love these hanging organizers I picked up at Home Goods that resemble the shape of a flower! I used them for hanging extra necks. They can be used for sunglasses, scarves and bags as well. 

My make-up is stored in small compartments by category. Brushes are together, and lip gloss and mascara. The eye shadow holders you see were once used for sprinkles to decorate cakes! Re-use, re-purpose! I made sure I left some space to add in a small stool so that I can apply make-up and accessorize within the space. 

A bookshelf has so many possibilities! From holding shoes and bins of clothing to accessories I decided to use the book shelf to store my clutches, bags, bangles and earrings. The bins I picked up (for $1 each!) have separated compartments. Worked out great for the jewelry! On a side note those also work wonders for socks and undergarments!

Regardless of the space you have to work with always start by getting down to the basics. From there getting creative with how you store your items and having fun with setting up the space is the best part. I am dedicated to maintaining my new closet space and  hope I have inspired all of you to take the journey toward living with less clutter and truly enjoying the space!

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10 Truths About Getting and Staying Organized

Before I started my business Organized for Life I only knew what being organized meant to me, but I wanted to know what it meant to others. Turns out it means a number of things and having the opportunity to help others achieve it has been the best part of 2012 for me. Most importantly I have learned the truth about its positive impact when it is maintained. Here's 10 truths about getting and staying organized. Remember, maintenance is key!

1. You will need to do it your whole life. No buts about it, organization will be a major part of your life if you choose to embrace it and take it on. Whether its your home or place of employment the need for organization is always there. 

2. It must be handled in baby steps. It can easily become an overwhelming task if you are looking at an unorganized area as a whole, with the thought that it's all too much to handle. Breaking down the process into steps will allow some flow to the project. Becoming overwhelmed is only a mental block to becoming organized. Take it in baby steps, if you feel overwhelmed take a break, and you will be thrilled at your progress. 

3. Purging is a must. I cannot stress enough the importance of a good purging of your non-used items. We all have a tendency to assume we do not have enough space in our homes to accommodate what we own. Reverse the thinking! Only purchase enough to be able to accommodate the space. Purging is the first step to open up the space. Starting with the essentials will get you on your way to becoming organized. 

4. You will not miss the tangible items you have let go of, memories do not lie in the object but rather in your mind. As I sit here and write this for the last ten weeks I have donated or tossed something every week. I cannot even tell you what most of the items were. But I can tell you this- they were things hidden in the closet, buried in the basement and put away with no purpose other than to collect space. I do not miss them.  

5. Utilize the space in your home effectively. Organize items in your home based on usage. For instance kitchen items used once a year for a holiday should be stored on higher shelves. Also important to utilize the nooks and crannies in your home for storage, look for areas where you can install hooks or shelving.

6. Organization systems do not have to be expensive/Get creative. I'm sure you have heard of the Dollar Tree, everything is $1? They have some pretty fantastic storage options such as bins, over the door shoe racks, space saving hangers...the list goes on. Getting creative with what you already have is important as well. Cereal and shoe boxes work wonders when they double as storage! 

7. Always use labels. Labels give items an identity. They let others in your home know where a specific item should be placed. Use them whenever and wherever you can to maintain organization. 

8. Organize based on your family's needs. Every home is different. Different routines, schedules and size. What works for your family in terms of organization may differ from your neighbors. Make it functional for the way you live. Some homes may need toy storage in the living room while others may have more paper clutter issues. Gaining wisdom from magazines and websites is great but be sure it works for your home. 

9. Getting your family involved is important. Have them help, show them your hard work and progress, hold a family meeting. Whatever you can do to get your family involved with helping to organize will benefit your home. It is a group effort to maintain organization. Teach them where things belong, go over the areas of your home that have systems in place. Hold everyone accountable for the maintenance!

10. Live by the one in one out rule. Went shopping for another pair of black heels? If you have 4 other pairs sitting in the closet decide to donate or toss one. Slowly adding to the equation without taking away can cause clutter which then morphs into a disorganized mess. Same goes for toys, kitchen gadgets and other items in your home that do not need duplication without getting rid of something.

The benefits of becoming organized FAR outweigh the time you will spend doing it. You will find things easier thus creating more time in your life for things you enjoy doing. You will feel relaxed walking into your home, that relaxation will follow you throughout the rest of the day and night. Similar to exercising you will feel motivated to continue to maintain organization because the mental benefits are so fantastic. 

Get the picture? Organization is possible for you, your family and you deserve to have it in your life! Hoping you all find organization within your homes and lives in the New Year!

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New Year's Resolutions & Making Your Goals Count in 2013

New Years resolutions. They are filled with ideas and hopes for the things that you'd like to do differently in the New Year. They consist of eating healthier, exercising more often, getting organized or may be even taking more time for yourself. But what is really lurking in those resolutions? They are commitments you are making to yourself, or possibly others, to improve on your current lifestyle. To make changes in the areas of your life you feel may be lacking. According to an article from www.statisticbrain.com on New Year's resolutions, 45% of us make resolutions every year and 49% within that group do not follow through. So how can you make these promises to yourself more effective? Here's some ways to get started.

• Reflect on 2012 and make a list of the areas in your life that you feel need improving. Be honest with yourself about how you can realistically approach the situations. Starting off with small steps will gradually turn into big steps. Think simple and positive. Goals that will allow for personal growth and that are achievable you are more than likely to stick with. 
• Once you are done writing up your list, read it over and get specific. You want results and you want to build motivation for yourself. For instance if cleaning out the garage is on the list, this may take weeks. Brainstorm the steps involved to achieve the goal. Instead of "clean out the garage", maybe instead say "I will not accumulate more clutter in the garage and take the time to organize it over a two month period." Seems completely realistic and by setting a time limit you have challenged yourself to complete it. 
• Always finish what you started. If you're planning on exercising more often this is an on going challenge and motivator. However if you are listing projects to accomplish within your goals, always complete one before moving on to the next. Staying focused is key!
• Keep a progress report. Seeing how far you've come is one of the best ways to stay motivated. My clients love looking at before and after photos. It really resonates with them how they have improved in a certain area. When you work hard at achieving any goal in life you want to keep yourself on that path to achievement. Write down your progress, take photos and document your feelings about it. Being full digested in a goal you have set is a surefire way to see the results you are looking for!

Don't be afraid to reward yourself when you completed a goal that is important to you. I sincerely hope any goals you set for yourself in the New Year are achieved and allow you to feel even better about yourself! 

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When Memories Become Clutter, Ways to Let Go and Have the Memories Live On

We all have physical objects in our homes that tie us to a certain person, moment or life event that is important to us. They are the things that are meaningful. The memories that take us back to a certain part of our lives we may want to hold onto. However at times there can become no distinction between perceiving them as memories and how those items can begin to cause clutter in our homes. When everything becomes important then not one particular item is important. Holding onto sentimental items is not a problem until the items begin to overtake you and your home. When the distinction is lost. So how can you pin point those items that you would like to keep? Here's a few steps to be on your way and still enjoy the memories.

Pinpoint the items causing the clutter - 

Maybe you have a collection that was given to you by a loved one who has past. You may have picked up certain items in your travels. Your child's art work and school work that you can't seem to let go of. Recognize it is not the object itself, but rather the person or place it is associated with that is causing you the pain at the idea of letting it go. So how to decide what to keep? If it is causing clutter and feels chaotic in the space then you have not created any distinction between the memories and it just being clutter. Displaying with pride the items that are important to us is a great way to live in the memory, so decide to keep a portion of the collection, artwork..whatever it is that is causing the clutter. 

Deciding what to keep and what to let go of-

Are you prepared to display the items in a way that will not feel cluttered in the space? If the items are important to you there may have to be some shifting of other items to make space for displaying the memories. For instance if you have an antique dish set that means the world to you and you are considering displaying it in your china cabinet, then items already in the cabinet must come out. Space management is so important to avoid clutter. However if you are not willing to make space for the items, but would rather have them boxed up in the attic, asking yourself if you are prepared to take whatever action is needed to display them is an important part of the letting go process. Memories can become overshadowed when the items just become "stuff". Keep the memories alive and well by being respectful of the items. Display them or let go, possibly pass them onto another family member. Hoarding the items is not the same as enjoying the memories.

Ways to store the items so that do not become clutter-

Create a memory box or bin and decide what to keep. Be very honest about how many cards, letters, newspaper clippings, etc you need. Decide what will be kept and let go the of the rest. Label your bin according to the contents and do not over clutter it. Take advantage of technology. Scan photos or have videos put on cds. Creating a digital library of memories does not take up space in your home, and allows the memories to live on. Learn how to scrapbook. Share the memories through scrapbooks and build your own stories. If you have objects you are finding it hard to let go of take a photo of them and create a page dedicated to them. This will reinforce the memory and take away the physical clutter that the objects have caused. 

If memories are your clutter downfall remember that the memories will always live on even after you have let the item go. Find and decide what will become the few treasures you'd like to keep and respect the memories by displaying them with pride and affection! 

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Inspirational Quotes for Getting Organized

I'm sort of a quote junkie. I follow them on Twitter, Facebook, have them delivered to my inbox daily and post them up in my home office. Inspiring quotes, ones about love, life, doesn't matter. They have a way of making sense of things and bringing a different perspective into situations when I need it most. Today I'd like to share my favorite organizing quotes in the hopes to bring some organization inspiration into your lives. Choose your favorites, soak up the words and my hope is that they bring some insight and guidance into your lives. 

Quotes from Peter Walsh-organizational expert 

"Make room daily for your own time and space, so that you are able to open the door generously to others." 

“The things you have in your home should be beautiful and useful.  What you have in your home should be honored and respected.” 

"The stuff is like an anchor-you have to hold on to those memories because they are what has made you who you are- but you have to start putting those things in perspective so you move into life as an adult." 

Quotes from Janet Luhr-simplicity expert

"If you look at your entire house as one unit of junk, you'll never do anything because the job is too overwhelming. Take it one drawer at a time."

"Simple living is about making deliberate, thoughtful choices. The difference is that you are fully aware of why you are living your particular life, and that life is one you have chosen thoughtfully."

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Fridge Organization 101

The door is closed at all times however when you open it are you cringing as you look for the leftovers, that last container of pudding or where the butter went? If you feel as though you may fall into the messy refrigerator trap from time to time no need to worry. Here's what you can do now to tackle it and keep your food from wasting!

Block out some time within your week to clean out the fridge, and make it a routine. Remove trays and clean out the fridge using very mild soap and water. This is the perfect time to be checking the expiration dates. Do this frequently and you will avoid food spoiling. Always remember the "when it doubt throw it out" rule. Also if there are any spills you will be able to maintain cleaning them up rather than have anything be sitting for days.

Do not over pack the fridge. To keep food properly chilled you want the air in the fridge to circulate. Keeping the temperature below 0 in the freezer and below 40 degrees in the fridge is the rule of thumb. Be sure all of your Tupperware holding left overs is air tight and leak proof as well.

Now comes the fun part! Organize your fridge in sections based on food type. Like with likes! Leftovers, drinks and the ready to eat foods should be stored on the upper shelves. Any thawing poultry and meats are best kept towards the bottom. Utilize the side shelving for condiments. Use the draws exclusively for veggies or fruit.

Create a bin for snacks which includes yogurts, pudding or fruit cups. Keep this stored towards the top of the fridge. Having these together in a bin keeps them from getting lost in the fridge and also makes it easier when making lunches!

Snack bin, drinks stored together, cheeses in a separate compartment and all the fixings for an ice cream sundae stored together of course!

Condiments are together on shelving. Same rule of thumb for your freezer as in the fridge! Keep like items together. If you remove your meats from the packages for later always use labels and moisture vapor resistant material. If the butcher can pack up the meat for you, even better!












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Gift Wrap Organizing Made Easy!

At some point I completely fell off the organization train in terms of my holiday gift wrapping. While I do keep everything in one bin it was anything but organized, I will spare you the before photos! Organizing the bows, wrapping paper, gift labels and ribbons does not need to add to the stress of the holidays. One look at my pile of ribbons, bows, gift labels and paper made me cringe, so I took action! Creating a system to keeping gift wrap organized whether for the holidays or throughout the year is a great way to be able to keep inventory on what you have!

After I put everything into like piles these are the items I picked up at the Dollar Store for my project, along with labels.

Stackable bins, containers and a 3 pack of small bins. These can be purchased anywhere that sells storage containers!

I used the stackable bins for the bows and organized by color. Silver and blues on the top and the holiday colors on the bottom. 

I placed organza gift bags and the smaller cut pieces of the wrapping paper in the bins as well.

Utilizing the holes in the bins for the ribbon I placed the ribbon through them which will help when gift wrapping! An empty ribbon role was a perfect solution to keeping larger ribbon in place!

 A hanger was the perfect solution to holding the all of the gift paper! Keep the holiday and gift paper you may use throughout the year separated on a pant hanger. Store it in any storage closet in your home, or if your gift supplies are in the basement hang it from a post.

Gift tags and stickers were lost in the shuffle among all of the larger gift wrapping supplies. Having them separated and stored in bins will keep them from getting buried in a sea of gift wrapping supplies! 

 

Using this wine rack I stashed the wrapping paper through the inserts where the wine would normally go. Perfect way to store the paper because it will keep it from unraveling and you can see what you have!

Gift bags easily can hang from the front of the wine rack

Store horizontal or vertical

Now where to store it all?

This easily fit back into my storage bin and the wrapping paper was stored in the closet!

You certainly may have more gift wrapping supplies than pictured but by following the same storage tips they can be organized very quickly and easily for a hassle free gift wrap! 

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Staying Sane and Organized this Holiday Season

Here we are, yet another holiday season is just around the corner. The departments stores have already decked the halls and the turkey hasn't even been in the oven for the Thanksgiving feast! There is typically an onset of panic for most of us right around this time of the year. No need to fear, tis the season to be jolly...right?  I have come up with a list of a few ways to stay sane from now until the first of the year that will guarantee a stress free and organized holiday season!

Make a List and Check it Twice
Start with a list. Take out that pen and paper (or smart phone) and write down all of the thoughts that you have in your head about getting through the holidays. Just scribble away and have it leave your head and land on the paper. The pen is mightier than the sword! Clear your mind of any holiday stresses that are living in your mind, you will feel better when you do.

Organize your Thoughts and Plan a Schedule
Look over the list and now organize your plan of attack by breaking down the thoughts. One task at a time!

• Holiday cards need to be sent out? First step know where your addresses are and have them ready to go along with your holiday card list. Always recommended to have the list in designated spot so every year you know just where to find it! Once you have purchased the cards and stamps choose a day to write them out, seal them and drop them in the mail. 
• Create a gift guide for yourself. Write down all the names of those you are buying for and the gift you plan on giving them, also perfect time to set your budget. Jot down a dollar amount next to each name and take this with you when shopping. Choose your time for gift buying- the weekend, a week night, mark it on the calendar! 
• Decking the halls? Decide on a day that works for you and your family on decorating for the holidays. Designate an area for where you will put anything you are taking down while putting up the holiday decorations.
• Menu planning may involve speaking with family friends about who is whipping up what. Contact those that may be bringing a dish to be clear everyone is on the same page. Create a list in advance of what you will need for your food contribution. 

Take Stock and Purge if Neccesary!
Prior to Thanksgiving do a quick inventory on what you may need for decorations, holiday gift wrapping and even dinnerware if you are hosting.

• Purge the pantry to make room for the holiday food you will be purchasing. Check for expiration dates! Preparing foods well in advance? Be sure you have the extra space in your freezer, fridge or cupboards for the influx of the food! 
• If you have little ones do a toy purge! Taking stock on the toys that they have will help to avoid them receiving duplicate toys for gifts. If you are donating toys look for any organizations that are taking toy donations for the holiday season. 
• Take stock on the wrapping supplies. Tape, gift bags, bows, paper, etc. Knowing what you need will always avoids over spending! (Be sure to check out my gift wrapping organizing system blog post!)

Stay Focused and Breathe

We all have our melt down moments. We would not be human if we didn't. However remember the holidays are about family, friends and showing them all just how important they are to us. Do not over extend yourself by saying yes to every invitation and ask for help if you need it! 

Organized for Life wishes all of you a happy and healthy holiday season!  

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Pantry Storage Picks

Organization is all about the purging, maintenance and thinking simple. In certain areas of the home storage containers also make quite the difference. I have searched high and low in some circumstances for the best organizational products. After having whipped a pantry into shape yesterday evening for a client this area of the home is still fresh in my mind. Here are my top five storage picks for a pantry space that will guarantee to keep your food and kitchen essentials from being a cluttered mess!

Dollar Store bins! You can't go wrong for a $1 each! 

Labels! Perfect for bins and containers, find these at Staples!

Stackable bins! You can't go wrong with stacking to save space!

Clear containers for cereal, crackers, candy... storage and space savers! 

Baskets! For storing snacks to canned goods they are a great solution!

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The Day I Told My Ego to Hit the Road, and My Once a Week Challenge

“It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials.”  Bruce Lee

For a very long time I was truly engaged and committed to the idea that having more defined my self worth and made me appear complete in the eyes of others. Complete in the sense that looking put together in a new outfit, a certain car, the furniture in my home or the bag I was carrying explained who I was internally based upon these silly externals. Running to the mall for every occasion and spending over half of my pay check seemed perfectly plausible. The sole reason I justified my over spending and frivolous purchasing stemmed from the need to feel accepted and the pressures of society to look a certain way. The way of life I embraced of over spending, becoming obsessed with appearance- the bout with consumerism, as I like to call it, followed me around in life for about ten years. My ego was in the drivers seat and was steering clear of the notion that having less really meant having more. More time, more life. As with any unhealthy and toxic relationship typically one of the people involved has an epiphany, an aha moment if you will. That person thankfully was me. At this moment of clarity I told my ego things weren't working out and they needed to take a back seat, or get out of the vehicle all together. Once I was in the driver's seat everything began to change, for the better.

What prompted this aha moment you might ask? Pretty simple, I started asking myself the right questions. For instance am I truly happy in my career? The truth is I was going from one job to the next not seeking meaning in the position or how it would make me a better person, but rather the salary increase involved. I needed to keep up with myself financially and if that meant being unhappy 40 hours a week then so be it. What do I want out of life? For too long I was ignoring my true instincts that were buried under the noise my ego was causing. Working in retail environments drowned out my instincts to want to help people on a meaningful level. I was feeding the wrong giant. What does having "stuff" really accomplish or prove? Nothing. Once I got down to the bare bones of it all and started to live my truth, rather than hide behind it, doors began to open that have completely changed everything. I realized my true potential and mission in life was to help others de-clutter, get rid of the external nonsense we think is making us happy. Give back to those who are in desperate need of a pair shoes or a clean pair of pants, and are happy with just one pair of each.

I am somewhat obsessed with the idea that society has this insatiable appetite for more and it is leading to mental destruction. The bigger the better, the more bells and whistles the happier it will make me. Society is running on empty and every purchase they make is a temporary fix. There are no temporary fixes when it comes to a false sense of self. What I've learned in my own life, by letting go of things or situations that no longer serve me, is the most liberating feeling I've ever had. It is not a temporary fix but a permanent feeling. How could I not want to spread that feeling around and help others find mental clarity through the de-cluttering process? I'm so moved by the sense of accomplishment I feel through my clients once they begin to de-clutter that I have decided to create my own challenge. One day a week for one year I will donate something I have in my home, or throw it away. I will commit myself to having less and see where this takes me. I hope you can join in with me on this adventure as I'd like to call it, or at least contemplate the experiences in your own life that may or may not be due to clutter.

I find it ironic that when I am not living my truth I am working for one of the largest apparel and costume jewelry companies in the world, and my goals there are to increase never decrease. My personal goals however are what defines me, and there will be a day when I can walk away from the corporate world of more and focus solely on the meaningful world of less. Until then I'm taking things day by day, client by client. The best part about my new journey to simplicity is the abundance of things I'm going to have internally once I reach that goal. I can only hope my efforts will allow others to feel the same.

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Organize Your Way to a Picture Perfect Pantry in 5 Steps!

For those that have a pantry large enough to do a cart wheel in consider yourself a great candidate for this blog post! For those who have limited food storage space you can certainty still gain from the tips and ideas, with organizing its ALL in the details!

Purge

If you are taking on the task of getting food in order in your kitchen I highly recommend taking everything out of the pantry or cupboards, sometimes you need to make a mess to make it neat! Start sorting like with likes. Rule of thumb- toss (my favorite de-clutter word) anything that has expired or items that need a new home. 

Designate Shelving to Save Time and Money

Keep your pantry focused! Understand the purpose for each shelf. Once you have removed everything have a plan in place for each shelf before bringing the items back in. A baking needs shelf for instance or a designated snack area. This will always prove to be the best way to see what you are running low on and avoid purchasing duplicates. Remember once items start to live with non like items you will always struggle with not knowing how much of an item you actually have!

Designated pasta section and snack section below 

All canned goods stored together, like with like

At the Right Height

Items you use on a regular basis should be within your reach. Items that are purchased in bulk can be stored at the very bottom so not as to use up too much shelf space and weigh down shelving. Keep the not so used items at the very top.

Cleaning supplies low enough to reach but high enough to keep out of harms way for children. 

Remove Boxes and Label

Boxes can take up space and if you are taking from an opened package its much harder to see how much you have left. Items such as granola bars, tea, fruit snacks, bottles of water etc that are packaged can be removed from the boxes and stored front to back or within bins. Keep the older items in front (at the top within a bin) and the newer behind them (bottom in a bin). Label every bin with its contents! My favorite labels to use on bin storage in a kitchen are the Avery brown Kraft labels. In deciding what bin storage to use its always best to determine how many items you are going to be storing first. Always measure shelf height and length for the best fit prior to heading out to the store! Clear containers work wonders for cereals, pasta and rice. If you are adding a bit of color be sure to label the contents! 

Oatmeal, cider and tea are stored in baskets

All snack bins labeled

Maintenance!

Once a week, or twice a moth take a minute to be sure items are still in their designated areas and you feel good about the organization within your pantry of cupboards. By taking the time to maintain your food storage you will be well on your way to having an organized pantry!

 Comments, questions? Feel free to post! 

Happy Organizing~

.  

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Just for fun!

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Avoid the Cluttered Closet Trap

I have listed below some must have organizing tips that I implement into my own closet to save space and keep things from becoming cluttered. If you are feeling as though you are digging through clothing and heeps of shoes and accessories I recommend following these simple steps to avoid the cluttered closet trap. Always remove everything to begin with a clean slate then take the time to purge and donate. Once you feel good about what is left here's some ideas to keep things flowing and uncluttered! Don't forget, for more organizing tips follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

Do use felt space saving hangers for denim, pants and tops! They will hang well and clothing will keep its shape. Try to have uniform hangers in your closet for a clean look. 

Use separators for undergarments and socks. This will avoid the pile up in your drawers and also a great indicator as to when it's time for laundry!

Do use bins for t-shirts and always fold sweaters, utilizing shelving for folding!Arrange by color and sleeve length.

Allow your jewelry to be visible! Stack bangles using bottles or even paper towel holders. Hang necklaces using push pins on cork, simple and easy to do!

Utilize trays for bracelets as well and containers for rings, like with like!

 Keep like style shoes together. Peep toe, close toe, sneakers, etc. Use adjustable metal rod shoe holders to fit more and keep them off the floor!

Do store shoes one facing front, one facing back. This helps hold more shoes across your shoe rack and will allow you to see the heel height!

Like styles together, shoes facing front and back, uniform hangers, clothes organized by color and an amazing dress nook to pull it all together. This closet has it all! 

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Back to School Ready in 5 Steps

Those lazy days of summer are slowly beginning to end. If you reside in New England fall will slowly creep in with its chilly mornings, early sunsets and beautifully colored leaves. Just as everything outside begins to adapt to the season change our homes will as well . Shorts are replaced with jeans, flip flops with sneakers and backpacks filled with sunscreen and towels are replaced with books and pencils.

Whether you are inviting in a new season or not being back to school ready is important. I created a quick checklist to be sure your home and your children can transition into the schedule change with ease.

Closet Check- What can stay and what can go? Weed through your child's closet just as you would your own. Create a keep pile, donate pile and toss pile. Once you have a clear picture of what is needed make a list before heading out to the stores.

Backpack- Some schools may have a list of supplies they suggest your child have before heading back to school. Check the school's website for information. Keep the supplies in their backpack once they are purchased so that when they are off to school nothing was missed.  

Routine- Bedtimes will most likely change, as will the rise and shine times. Early to bed and early to rise one week prior to adjust into the new time change is important. It is also important to go over your child's before and after school routine. Whether you carpool or they take the bus go through their daily commute to be sure they understand. If it is something that will change week to week create a schedule that is displayed on your fridge to ensure they have a reference point.

Homework Station- Create a designated homework area preferably in a place where they can concentrate and is the least distracting. For great tips and tools on how to create this space click here http://www.homemadesimple.com/en-US/HomeOrganization/Pages/homework-station-how-to.aspx.

Get to Know Your Child's School - Whether your child is entering into a new school or the same one having a clear understanding of the operational aspects is important. Their after school activities available, they way they will handle communication in case of an emergency and getting to know the staff is important.

Here's to another great year for all of your children and happy organizing!

Comments or questions? Please feel free to share!

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Permanent Top Ten List- Daily Life Assignments

To do lists. They are ever changing and on going. They are written or typed up almost as if we have an automatic "list it" button that goes off daily. There are the weekly grocery lists, 
always the least or most popular, depending on how you feel about them. I am certain to carefully plan them out days prior to my food shopping extravaganzas. You may even prefer to plan your food menu list for the week, which could include your children's lunches.The appointment lists run a close second behind the food to dos. The appointment times and locations are always in plain sight on my fridge's magnetic dry erase board. Then of course the lists of gifts to purchase around the holidays or the decorations needed. Every occasion needs a list! I can safely assume these to dos have morphed into daily life assignments for all of us. As an organizer I recommend lists and praise them. They do offer a moment of clarity as you write down your tasks. In what could be a jumbled mess swirling around in our heads, somehow seeing them on paper offers us a brief sense of accomplishment as we cross begin to cross things off.

Two years ago I created a permanent to do list. One that is not defined by how busy I am or how I ran out of soy milk and eggs. It doesn't list all of the appointments my husband and I have, or the bills that need to be paid. The only change it does require is from within. It encompasses the broader aspects of our lives that we sometimes can miss out on because we are too busy making other plans. A midst the daily tasks of life it does help to put things into perspective.  I'm going to share with you my top ten to do list, or as I refer to it my "permanent top ten". 

1. Once per week part with one item in my home and donate it. 
2. Take time everyday to be a good listener.
3. Be grateful for what I have, it is enough.
4. See everyday challenges as a learning opportunity rather than an obstacle.
5. Call friends and family every week to say hi.
6. Go through one area of my home monthly that I feel needs some organization inspiration.
7. Face fears and hesitations with confidence, never losing sight of my dreams.
8. Replace I wish with I will.
9. Do not let comparison steal my joy.
10. Everyday be myself.

If you found this post to be helpful or have comments you'd like to share please feel free!

For everyday organizing tips follow me on Twitter or Facebook, and happy organizing!

     

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Bathroom Closet Organization Tips

Just as any closet in your home can become cluttered up quickly your bathroom closets can certainly do the same. My organizing mantra is to always take stock on what you have and purge any items you no longer need. That goes for the bathroom too! You'd be surprised on what you can find in your linen closets that you can rid yourself of. Old blankets and sheets that could be donated. Expired medications and beauty products. Even older hair brushes. Take some time to sort through what can stay and what can go to create a bathroom closet that is functional and organized!

Once you have decided the keepers here are some tips on keeping it organized so that the sorting chore is a chore you will only have to do once! 

• Place all like items together in groups. Hair products, lotions, medicine, etc. Always be certain expired medications have hit the road, as well as an older make-up or hair products. Great article here on how to determine the shelf life of your beauty products. 
• Place each category in bins and label. No more searching through a sea of items to find whats needed.
• Be sure your bins are within reach on the shelf and items you need daily are within arms length. Anything you may not want easily accessible to your children should be stored higher. 
• Re-fold linens to create more space and place sheet sets within pillowcases. This keeps like sets together and opens up room in the closet. Great tutorial here on towel folds!
• Utilize baskets for larger items, or even to hold any of your children's bath time toys. Make a trip to the dollar store to find colorful and inexpensive ways to organize. 

This bin, stored in a child's bathroom, contains first aid items and medicine for the little ones. Have some fun with labels and encourage your children to place items back in their designated spots!

Diapers, baby wash and teeth care stored in bins and labeled

Sorted and labeled by medicine type

Dollar store bins for items bought in bulk or even toys for the tub! 

For even more bathroom organizing tips check out the link below! 

http://www.marthastewart.com/275280/bathroom-organization-tips/@center/277006/bedroom-and-bathroom-decorating#/273297

Comments and questions are always welcome! 

For everyday organization ideas follow don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Twitter, or follow my blog and be part of the organization fun! In the Rhode Island area? I'd love to help you de-clutter, check out Organized for Life!

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