Tips on organization

With many people diving into their Spring Cleaning, I thought I'd share a few tips on how I stay organized.

Everyone knows the 3 basket rules, but just a reminder cause it really does work:

Go to a cluttered area with 3 baskets/buckets/bags. Don't start with an entire room, just start small, like the top of the refrigerator or the bathroom cabinet. Start tossing things in the baskets until the area is totally cleared.
Basket 1- Trash
Basket 2- Donate
Basket 3- Keep

This method is really affective and the best part is that it can be done in 10 minute increments if that is all you have. It's really very easy.

I think the part that comes next is where most people get hang ups or stuck. Here is what I do:

Lets start with the top of my dresser. I use the 3 basket method and put everything in it's correct basket. Trash, Donate, Keep.

Don't skip the decor items! You are probably used to them being there and tend to overlook them, but sometimes we end up with too many, or have things that that we just don't need and no longer make us happy to look at. Hold each one in your hand and ask yourself "Do I need it? Do I like it? Do I really want something else here instead?" and then put it in the correct basket.

How is that trash basket looking? If you have quite a bit of trash items collecting in one area, you should consider putting a small wastebasket in the area.

Now take a look at your donate basket. Where are these things coming from and is there any way to stop it? Sometimes donate items just can't be helped, like outgrown clothing or baby toys that your toddler has lost interest in, but sometimes it's a sign that we need to address. If I were to look in my donate basket after clearing the top of my dresser, I'd find a lot of costume jewelry that I found on sale, wore once or twice, and then decide that it looked cheap. I need to address that, and make a mental note that I need to watch myself in that area. Just because it's on sale, doesn't make it a good deal. lol Do you have multiples of something in your donate basket? A bunch of unread magazines? Save yourself some cash and cancel those subscriptions!


Now for the more difficult basket. The KEEP items. Take a good look. What is collecting there and try and put the clutter into groups or categories of similar items. For me, my dresser top has a few make up items, deodorant, jewelry, and loose change (just to name a few!).

Next figure out a home for all of these things that makes sense. Like my make-up, deodorant, and perfumes belong in the bathroom (I've given them a home there) and it would be great if I kept them there, but the truth is, I don't! What I really need to do is clear a small drawer of my dresser for these items. Then they are put away, but still in the area I use them.

I think a big key is being practical. Don't store something in a place where you are not likely to put it back, just because it's the norm. Do what works best for YOU and your family.

An example of this is when I made a diaper changing drawer, rather than the traditional diaper changing area. You can see that post HERE.

Be "real" about your clutter/mess. Sure, having a laundry hamper next to the washer is a great idea, but if your laundry never gets there and is always on the bathroom floor or beside your bed, put a hamper there.

Do you always have toys at the kitchen table? Add a toy bin in the corner. Don't worry, you can have the kids dump it in the toy box when it gets full and trust me, it's a lot easier getting them to dump one box than it is getting them to pick up 5 toys everyday.

It's all about finding a home for your KEEP items that not only keeps them out of sight, but keeps them in a place where you can easily use them and easily put them away.

Vitamins cluttering the kitchen counter? Put a basket on top of the refrigerator.

Nail polish cluttering an end table cause you like to watch TV and do your nails? Consider an end table with a storage compartment and put your nail supplies in there. (in a locking box if you have kids!)

Another tip is to think of the items you pick up on a daily basis. Repeats! These are the items that are the bane of your existence. The things that eat away at your SOUL!

Are you picking up and re-stacking children's books every.single.day? Put them up in a place where your children can not reach them (like a closet shelf) and leave out one or two. When they get bored, switch them out. Save your sanity!

Are legos aways on the floor? Put them up and make it a toy they need to ask you to play with, which only come down with a promise to pick them up when finished.

Do you constantly trip over everyone's shoes in the middle of the floor, and then frantically try and find them all in the morning before school? It's time to put a box by the door for shoes!

For me, I was forever losing my keys and picking up the contents of my purse (mainly gum wrappers) because Cutecumber was getting into it everyday. Finally I wised up and put a hook up high on the inside of my closet door. Problem solved. One less mess to clean a day.

So, my advice is:
3 basket cleaning
assess your TRASH and DONATE baskets and figure out a way to reduce what is in them.
Find a practical and realistic home for your KEEP items.
Customize your house to your family's needs!

From diaper changes to laundry center

This is the diaper changing center:

Can't see it?

How about now?

I was changing her here most of the time anyway because the diaper changing area in the laundry room was constantly being piled up with laundry. So I moved everything to a drawer in my bedroom. I kind of stole this idea from my MIL who keeps a towel and diapers in a corner on her dresser, which is SO great cause I never have to bring a diaper bag to her house.

Oh yea, that's right, an entire changing table worth of space compacted into one single solitary drawer! In a small house, this is like..THE BEST IDEA I EVER HAD! Not to mention that the garbage can outside is just through the french doors opposite the dresser. No more smelly trash!

So what did I do with the area in the laundry room after losing that big bulky changing table? I made it into a laundry folding station. Quite appropriate for the room don't ya think?

I was doing the folding on my bed and to be honest, if I slacked off, it ended up in laundry baskets at the foot of my bed because I would just be too tired to fold at the end of the night and want to crawl in bed so I just put them back in the baskets. :S
(see all those white plastic hangers..hate em now that I got the new hangers and I'm slowly swapping them out through the whole house. Know anyone that needs hangers?)

And below is the hamper that used to be right IN MY WAY all the time.


I already feel happier doing laundry. Not elation or anything, but I don't tense up in there and that's worth a million bucks (when actually I spent $35 for the table at Walmart and could have waited for a better deal but who wants to wait once a genius plan is unfolding? Plus I made most of that back selling the old changing table. :)

**note** do not leave the diaper creams unattended in a drawer where toddlers can reach it. Speaking from experience here.

**secondary note** Diaper cream comes out of couch cushions in the wash when pretreated with Shout and washed using Oxyclean, and homemade laundry soap.

Oh yeah and...

This was the best dollar I ever spent.



None of the clothing.

No, not the purse either.

The hook! (I actually got 4 for a dollar in the dollar section of Target.) I put it on the inside of my closet door.

Now, you're about to learn a bit of an embarrassing fact about me so that I can tell you why this is the best dollar I ever spent. The story is...

I'm a gum consumer. I actually EAT (and swallow) gum. All the time, everyday. I should probably be on one of those new crazy obsession shows but hey, it's gum! It's not like I eat toilet paper or laundry detergent (these are actual episodes) because gum is meant for consumption. Don't tell me it sits in my stomach for 7 years either. It doesn't, K?
Anyway, that brings me to my point. I have an array of different gum brands (up to 5 packs) in my purse at all times and the kids are aware of this. Anytime we smell something sweet or fruity one of the kids says "It smells like mom's purse!" And ya know, a purse could smell worse!

Lately, a certain toddler has become Little Ms. Grabby Gum McGrabberson and I've found my purse dumped over and a wrapper trail leading to her bedroom. So this is the best dollar I ever spent because little hands can't reach my purse and my gum is mine ALL mine!

and..I'm totally showing off my organized closet.

Ramblings...

Ok, If you have me as a friend on Facebook then you know I'm supposed to be deep cleaning my son's bedroom and you may be thinking that I am ditching my duties and procrastinating. If that's what you're thinking.. You're right! :P

I have done a lot and needed a break and some fresh air. Oh, you thought fresh air meant outside air? Not when you've been on your knees, waist deep, sorting a 6yr old boy's toys and treasures. ANY air, away from there, is now considered fresh air.

I just sold his train table and accessories in less than 3 hours. I *heart* craigslist. I really do. I was sad to see it go, but the girl that came and picked it up for her son was so cute and excited and sweet.. I feel like it's really going to a good home. I'm feeling particularly attached to toys and their futures thanks to Toy Story 3 LOL..but seriously.

Loving the time change. I still can't believe it's only lunch time right now.

I've really been in the mood to craft, but I feel like I can't do anything until I get the house in "Holiday" mode. I'm not talking about seasonal decorations, I'm talking about everything else.

1. Out with the old and in with the new- Gotta make some room for those shiney new christmas toys!

2. Organization- put everything in it's place, and if it doesnt have a place, buy a storage solution with Christmas money! Last year the kids got a gift card from my dad and then another gift card from my Grandparents. Put it all together and I got this:

Well, I already had the doll-house shelf, but I bought the two flanking shelves and baskets. (I also lined the backs with Dollar Tree wrapping paper.) You might think it's a lame "gift" but the shelves are housing, almost soley, Christmas gifts from last year which I would have had to make room for by weeding out more of what they already had. It also really helps Ms. Thang out because she shares a room with Cutecumber and all these toys would have been cluttering their small room. Oddly Ms. Thang complains though, because SHE doesn't get to keep anything in the play room like the other two. Weird child I tell ya...

How did I get this side tracked? A few other holiday "Honey-Dos":

Get the fireplace clean and ready. I really want to spray the inside black with heat resistant paint and get a pretty fireplace screen. (That's another present hint Honey..)

Bring the long sleeves and sweaters to the fronts of the closets and make a mental note of what clothing items the kids need. That helps me with more gift ideas, because yes, I am the kind of mom that wraps up underwear and socks and puts it under the tree and in stockings. I do TRY and package them with something fun though so it takes some of the evil out of the evil genius I am.

Clean out the fridge (need room for that turkey!) I should do a post on how I clean out a fridge, but I haven't decided if I'm too embarrassed about the lack of greens and multitude of soda...

I guess I've wasted enough time. That's all folks!