Closets

Well, Spring is here and I have the spring cleaning bug!  Over spring break I made a goal to tackle my "52 Week" list by accomplishing at list one item per day...I am happy to say I was successful and Salvation Army drop off saw a lot of me! 

One area I tackled was my son's closet and I wanted to share a couple of organizing tips.  You might say why worry about the top of the closet?  Well, besides the benefit of extra storage space, the reality is, especially in a kids room, the closet doors are rarely closed, so it visually impacts the room.  First...here is the before:

. 

This space had become literally "stuffed" with junk...just a place to get things out of the way.   Next, here is the after:

A couple of things to note...

*  Use your pillow cases to store each sheet set.  This makes for such a neat and easy way to store them.

*  Use vertical space...I LOVE the Command wall hooks by 3M...I was able to hang up his hat by using these hooks and they do not damage the surface and gained more shelf space.  These are the same hooks I used for the measuring cup and spoon project.

*  Use decorative containers to store those random items.  The red basket in the photo is housing all of my son's fish equipment, yet who would know!

*  Finally, put things where they belong!  The majority of the stuff in the top of his closet where clothes and shoes that were either from the previous season or that I purchased on sale for future seasons.  Although these items have buckets out in the garage...I didn't take the time to put them where they belong and created a big, cluttered mess!

So go and tackle the top of a closet.  It is a quick, easy space to organize and will make you want to open you closet doors! 

Look for the next blog post, coming soon...creating a happy book/journal to use for prayers or just as a space to put some of your favorite photos, quotes and memories.  Also, I am excited to share that I will be leading a WOW class in the fall.  We will be tackling the followup book to our last class, "Simplify Your Space - Create Order & Reduce Stress" by Marcia Ramsland.    It promises to be a great class!

New Found Storage Space

Well, we all have those piles of measuring spoons and cups that add chaos and disorganization to our utensil drawers...well here is an exciting idea.  Turn the interior of one of your kitchen cabinet doors into a perfect place to hang your measuring spoons and cups.  I found a version of this on pinterest (love this site!), which might work for you. 

 http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2011/08/organizing-measuring-cups-and-spoons.html

This version wasn't going to work for me as I didn't want to screw anything into my cabinets.  So, here is my version, with instructions:

I decided to use the Command Hooks by 3M as they can be removed without damaging the cabinet door.  You also will need rubbing alcohol and cloths, plus tape and pen to mark where to place the hooks.

First, I hung up all the teaspoons and measuring cups using scotch tape on the door.  This is an important step to be sure that where they will be placed will still allow the door to close.

I then made a mark where each hook should go with a black sharpie.

Then following the directions on the command hooks, cleaned the door with rubbing alcohol and then attached the adhesive strips to the hooks and then placed them on the door.  Once they set for 30 minutes, I hung the measuring spoons and cups.  Viola!

Not only are the measuring spoons and cups easy to reach, but it cleaned out a ton of crazy chaos in my utensil drawer!! 

Linen Closet

I wanted to share what Shiri sent me.  She went home and tackled her linen closet, using the idea of placing the set of sheets inside the pillowcase, so that you have the entire sheet set together and it makes a neat and tidy look.  Here photo is below, along with part of Shiri's email.  Love it!! 

Also, don't forget Laura's tidbit on keeping everything smelling fresh...find some bars of soap you love and slip one in each pillowcase.  Then, every time you pull out a sheet set it will be fresh smelling and you can reuse the soaps over and over again!

Be sure to send me your simplifying & organizing projects so I can share them with everyone!  I will be emailing this weekend our first post WOW meeting time and place.  Great job Shiri, thanks for sharing!

Happy Simplifying!
Jennifer

Shiri:  "I went home after our last WOW class and re did my entire linen closet every sheet set is now folded and placed in the coordinating pillow case, it looks so pretty and neat and it's staying that way. I put the boy's blankets where they can reach them without touching anything else."

The Journey Begins

Here it is...a place to share ideas and talk about how we are all "simplifying" our lives; one room, drawer, cupboard or counter at a time!  I am not really sure how this blog will take shape, so let me know if you have ideas.  

Thought I would start with how we all started...with the book "Simplify Your Life" by Marcia Ramsland.  When we began meeting, we all established goals that we wanted to achieve during the class, so thought we should do the same here.  What are your current organizing goals? 

My current goal is to go through each cabinet/drawer in my kitchen and apply the "use it or lose it" tip and then do a couple of clever organizing ideas I have seen around.  I will post pictures this week as they get accomplished (in theory!)

I look forward to seeing each of your new goals...and pictures as they are accomplished.  Happy simplifying!!

Blessings,
Jennifer