So this is kind of, OK totally, putting the cart before the horse but I got so excited about the concept of making a cleaning chart and actually having a clean house that I just couldn't wait any longer - ideas on how I wanted to make mine were literally keeping me up at night. Plus, your comments lead me to believe that many of you are also moving ahead with your cleaning schedule (bravo!). So I'm jumping ahead a bit but I promise I'm still going to post a roundup of all the useful stuff you … [Read more...]
Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life: Cleaning Schedule Questions
top right, top left, bottom left, bottom right We are young / So let's set the world on fire / We can burn brighter / than the sun Can you hear me singing this to you? Got you fired up to start organizing your ENTIRE life? Wondering how in the world I'm gonna deliver on a promise like that? Me too! But I'm gonna give it my best, and here's how... If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's going to take a village to get something like this done. I'm happy … [Read more...]
So How Exactly Are We Going To Do All This?
After reading all of your responses to Friday's post, all I could think was, "you get me, you really get me!". And I'm so glad because a small part of me wondered if you would. I needn't have worried. You all reacted exactly as I would have in your shoes. There was palpable relief that you wouldn't, it turned out, have to form a lynch mob and show up, pitchforks in hand, on my doorstep. By the end your envy had faded and most of you were chuckling (a few mentioned full out belly … [Read more...]
The Beginning – READ THIS FIRST!!
I've been trying to figure out how to write this without sounding ridiculous. What I want to say is this: I finally did it you guys, I completely and totally organized my life! It took a lot of hard work and a lot of late nights but I now have a plan, routine, or system for everything. I've compiled and categorized enough healthy, inexpensive and easy recipes that I have a 90 day dinner menu (complete with theme nights like pasta Monday and slow-coooker Thursday) and I have the … [Read more...]
Taming the Chaos: Play Room Edition
Last week I promised I'd be back with the "gory details" of our recent re-organization weekend and today I'm delivering the first installment. A number of you have asked for more posts on storage and organization, particularly pertaining to toys. Just for you, I'm going out of my comfort zone a bit here and exposing what is decidedly one of the less stylish spots in my house in order to share what's been working for our family. Before we get started, I just want to point out that I do … [Read more...]
DIY Reusable To-Do List
Today I'm sharing with you the full post of an organizational DIY I did over at U-Create a while back. Hopefully it'll get you moving in the right (orderly) direction. You'll only need five minutes and three simple items: a stack of colorful sticky notes, a marker, and a shadow box. I got my shadow box from Ikea (it measures 19.5" square) but, as I'm sure you all know, they can be found at any local craft store. Start by labeling your top row of sticky notes. I used the headings: … [Read more...]
DIY Creativity Center (Toddler-Friendly & Baby-Proof)
All it took was one little trip to IKEA and the creativity center that I've been visualizing for months now is finally a reality. I was pleasantly surprised to find the main components came to a pre-tax total of only $70. It's been up for two days and so far C has spent over an hour each morning parked here. The best part is, it's always his idea - all the pretty materials on display seem to beckon to him (just as I hoped they would). This is … [Read more...]