Kitchen Organizing - Food

The kitchen gods did not bless my house with a lot of storage space.   The few drawers and cabinets there are, are packed with dishes.  The sink under the cabinet holds some cleaning supplies, trash bags and dishwasher detergent.  The small pantry holds all of my dry foods as well as the dog's food and things like foil and plastic wrap.  At least once a year, usually in January, I do a whole kitchen shuffle.  I rearrange things, trying to make the space work better.  Well, really I just like to watch my family constantly go to the wrong cabinet for a glass or plate.   

I don't really do much with the fridge and pantry aside from straightening them up here and there, but man, it sure doesn't take long for them to look like the Tasmanian Devil ran through them!  I've done a pantry overhaul a few times, and never thought about taking a photo until I was halfway through it.  The last time I did it, I remembered to take pictures before I got started.  

Something I did different this time, was to use baskets in both the pantry and the fridge.  I've found that this helped keep the fridge pretty organized for longer than normal.  So baskets were my "aha" purchase for the fridge.

My "aha" purchase for the pantry was were the Lazy Susans.  It's so much easier for me to find what I'm looking for this way!  Plus, the double-decker one works so much better than just stacking cans.  

I really hate the modular shelving they put into the pantries of houses these days.  I'd prefer wood shelves, but I guess it's cheaper and easier to use modular.  I've remedied things slipping through the slats by using baskets for corralling small packs of things, and cutting boards that act as a base for the shelves.  

I also have an over the door organizer that holds oils, vinegars and other condiments that won't fit in the pantry.  It has been a life-saver!  My next step is to try and make use of the space of the side walls.  Like this...

source

I don't know when I'll get my dream kitchen, but until I do, I'll continue to tweak the one I've got!


Until next time...

Information Station

If you followed this blog last year, you may remember this space.

I loved that look, but it just didn't flow with the rest of our downstairs (we have an open floor plan) which to me mimcs the Pottery Barn look; lots neutrals and unique accessories.  Sometime last year, I pinned this photo to my Entryways board.  It was the inspiration photo for my new space.

pottery barn

The T was one of those gold letters from Hobby Lobby.  I just spray painted it.  The clock, calendar, mail pocket, bulletin board and fake plants all came from Target.  The "HOME" plaque came from Hobby Lobby.  The key and rusted number sign were thrifted.  I just love that number sign!

Underneath all of this, I have a small table that I thrifted for $8.  It used to be an ugly brown sewing table, but I painted it black with a couple of cans of spray paint.  The basket under the table is for shoes.  We used to just kick our shoes off here and leave them in the floor, but now they're neatly corralled in the basket. 

Linked to:

Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous 
Weekend Wrap-up @ Tatertots & Jello 
Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane Boutique  
Show & Tell Sat @ Be Different, Act Normal 
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Studious Progress

I posted last Sunday, horrible photos of my studio.  If you missed them and are "Circus Sideshow" curious, go here.  If you value your eyesight and wish to remain seeing in both eyes, don't go there.

As promised, here are some progress photos.  Most of the work was done on Sunday and Monday.  After that my sinuses needed a break.  Allergy and asthma attacks are NOT fun.

It is still a mess, but I am 95% finished with the first round of purging.  I say first round because it seems that I STILL have too much stuff and I need to edit again.  I've already arranged the furniture the way I want it (for now) and I even added some cubbies and bins.  Right now I'm putting things where they go and then I'll go through what's left and decide if it is to go or stay, and if it's staying, where it will go. 


While going through the purging process, I found a few things.  Like a Netflix DVD that had been missing since last March.  OOPS!


Then, I found this.  Tee-hee.

I'll be back tomorrow with Favorite Things Friday so don't forget to come back and link up.  Also, if you're a follower and haven't entered my giveaway, head on over for that.  I'm drawing the winner on Valentine's Day.  You could win a pair of these:

I'm So NOT Looking Forward to This

I'm still working on my Kick the Clutter 2011 mission.  I just haven't been up to posting photos of my progress so far.  I have finished the kitchen and our 5th bedroom which is our spare bedroom.  It acts as our attic and our cat's room.  We actually call it "The Cat Room".  Anyway, it's getting messy again because I'm now working on my studio.  I've been putting this off for months and it is only getting worse.  So, I am jumping in and getting it taken care of.  

It is so bad that I've taken over the dining room as my temporary studio.  There are Esty items all over the place, waiting to be painted.  The poor table is covered in paint splatters.  I even have all of  my shipping stuff lying around.  The kitchen counter is where I take ALL of my shop photos so my backgrounds live there.  My house is pretty much a mess because of this one room (the studio).  So, I HAVE to get this done!

I only had about 100 followers back in May when I first tackled my studio. You can find the original BEFORE photos here.  I am laughing at myself now for thinking those were bad.  You can find how nice and pretty I made my studio here.  I did manage to keep it clean for a few months.  I'd say around October, when my Etsy shop started taking off and my thrifting kicked into high gear, is when things started to go downhill.  The room became a virtual drop-zone for everything.  I feel like a freakin' hoarder when I open that door.  Here, take a look.

It's terrible and I have to be honest, I'm feeling so overwhelmed right now.  I know that once I get going, it'll be so easy.  It's just keeping it clean that's the problem.  I'm hoping that the big ole makeover I have planned for it will help keep me motivated.  Right now, I'm in the purge stage.  I can't wait to free myself of some of this stuff!  I'm thinking maybe I can send the craft stuff to a women's shelter or something.  Don't they do crafty things in those places?  Anyway, after I get that done, Charles and I will finalize the work table and cubbies plan that we've started working on.  I'm planning to repaint AGAIN.  I need white walls so that I get get the maximum out of the lighting up there since I'm going to start doing my shop photos there.

I'm still going to keep posting this week, but I am officially taking the week off from doing Etsy shop work.  No more new pieces for at least a week.  I'll be back on Thursday or Friday with a photo update of the studio.

Wish me luck!!

Kick the Clutter 2011 - Week 2 - Entryway Closets

We have two small side by side closets in our entryway hall.  Why they didn't just made one large closet, I don't know.  Anyway, I've rearranged and shuffled things in and out of these closets a few times since we've been here (almost 4 years).  I did both closets last January and then I did one of them over again when I decided that I needed more pantry space.  This is what they looked like last week when I started my purge on them.

** Excuse the photos, please.  These are in a hallway and it's really hard to get a good angle.


This is the first closet on the left.  It's packed with games, coats and cleaning supplies.

This is the second closet.  It was holding all of our serving platters and other kitchen items that I couldn't fit in the kitchen.  I kind of cleaned it out a few months ago to store all of the food I bought when I tried my hand at couponing (not my thing).  In December, I started using it for projects I'd been working on.  What I ended up with was a closet with serving platters, a George Foreman grill, a waffle maker, some food, some project stuff, exercise mats, tennis rackets and a bunch of other stuff.

 Here are a couple of "in progress" shots.

From the first closet.  Look at all of those cleaning products!

From the second closet.

 

Here are my AFTER shots:

The first closet is now officially a coat closet.  I used the rolling cart that I took from our master closet and put in here to store the tons (bit of exaggeration there) of hats, gloves and scarves we have.  We don't really wear that stuff, but I made most of it so it's not going anywhere.  I bought a nice basket for up top which also has scarves, hats and gloves in it.  I took the wire shelving that was storing all of that cleaning junk, out and sent it to Good Will.  I took the shoe hanger out and had Han put it in her closet.  The games and cleaning junk got moved to the second closet.

Hi, Molly!

Here's the second closet which now stores the games, cleaning supplies (which I purged, a lot!), toilet paper for the half bath, the exercise mats, my stock of Bath & Body Works hand soaps, spare batteries and other supplies.  I also added the two drawers that I'd been using in the master closet for my socks and underwear.  That is holding all of vacuum attachments and my extra hand towels (I have a lot!).

Look!  I have empty shelf space!

We are currently snowed in with a whopping 6 inches of snow, with several more inches to come.  That's a big deal here in the South, where we normally only get a couple of inches at the most.  I'm using this opportunity to get my kitchen organized and then it's on to Han's bathroom.  Most likely, I'll be sharing the kitchen next Monday.

Linking to:

Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts
Let's Organize @ Domestically Speaking - Storage Areas

Kick the Clutter 2011 - Week 1 - Coming Out of the Closet

It's still Monday, right?  Whew!  Sorry this one's so late in the day.  I spent part of the day today working on kitchen organization.  After that, I got a flat on the interstate (thanks for the rescue, SCDOT!!, ran around trying to find more birds, ate my "last meal" before starting Weight Watchers tomorrow and then came home to take a 2-hour nap.

Anyway, you're probably not here for all of that.  I would guess you're here to see the after photos of my master closet purge.  Before I get to that, I wanted to share another bit from one of the two organization books I have.  This is in reference to storage and storage products.  From SORTED:

"There's a whole industry based around storing your stuff: off-site storage, shops that sell nothing but containers; products that promise to organize your life; magazines that promote pretty-colored boxes.  While these products and services definitely have their place, they generally don't fix the problem.  Being organized does not mean purchasing a dozen 18-gallon plastic tubs and sticking everything in them."

After reading that, I realized what happened last Jan when I "organized" my closet.  While I DID get rid of things, I kept so many things that I just felt I couldn't throw out.  I packed them up in little containers and put them up in the stop of my closet.  These were mostly gifts given to me that I didn't really need or want.  I'm sure all of you can relate.  Someone that you care about, cared enough about you to spend their money on something they thought you might like.  Getting rid of that means you wasted their money, right?  But, if you aren't using said gift, aren't you still wasting their money?  You're not only wasting their money, you're wasting space.  So JUST LET IT GO.  I did!  I couldn't believe the stuff I'd hidden away in those boxes.  Some things, I did need, but didn't remember that I already owned them so I bought more.  What a waste!

Here are some of my BEFORE photos:

 In this closet, we were storing our clothes, shoes, socks and underwear.  It's easier to keep socks and underwear in your dresser when you don't have 30 or so pairs of panties and 20 extra pair of socks that you aren't using, AND if you don't have TWO junk drawers in your dresser.  First, I purged the dresser, then moved our socks and underwear over to it.  Then I got busy on the rest.  So many clothes and shoes that "I'll wear one day".  Pitched 'em and it felt great!

Here's what I removed from the closet:

7 bags of clothes

1 large box of shoes, purses and miscellaneous items

2 bags of trash (not pictured)

Oh yeah, anyone know what this is from?

Who else switches purses in a hurry and just takes what they need for the new purse, leaving everything else in  the old one?  Yep!  The purse pile.  I think this stuff came from three purses, one that had receipts dating back 2 years.  Which means when I "purged" last year, I didn't bother with purses.  ha ha

Anywho, now it's time for my AFTER photos.  WOOHOO!

So much better!  I love going into my closet now!

*I have never been able to wear heels.  I'm not talking spiked heels, just heels in general.   I still buy them sometimes, though.  I think maybe one day, I learn to deal with the pain and learn to walk in them without wobbling.  I pitched the 3 pair of hardly-worn heeled shoes into my Good Will box with just a little hesitation, telling myself that if I haven't worn them in 3 years, I wasn't ever gonna wear them.  While I was Good Will, dropping stuff off, I had a total hoarder moment and "rescued" my heels, telling the lady who was helping me that I'd probably be back with them in a week.    They're still in my closet, not being worn  Oy.

I finally have a button for this mission.  I'm linking it to all of my clutter posts so feel free to link it to yours if you're joining me.

Linking to:

Lets Organize Party @ Domestically Speaking
Organizing Mission Monday @ Organize With Sandy

Kick the Clutter Christmas Style

I mentioned yesterday that I was packing the Christmas stuff up early this year.  I normally get sad when all of the festivities are over and it's time to pack all of the fun stuff up.  This year, I couldn't get it up fast enough.  I was just talking with my sister yesterday and she mentioned how she too, was tired of looking at it.  She said how it began to feel like clutter to her.  I was feeling the same way!  I think I'm just so excited to turn over a new leaf and get my house is tip top shape, that I just couldn't wait until after New Year's day to get started.

While I only got rid of two Christmas decorations and actually brought more into my house that I can't even use until next year, I am still considering this to be part of the Kick the Clutter mission.  Normally, I stuff everything into plastic bins and banish it all to our spare bedroom.  The problem with that is that I never know what's in what box and so I end up digging through ALL of them just to find one thing (usually gift wrap for an early gift).

This year, I decided to do something we did with the seasonal stuff when I worked at The Dollar Tree way back in the mid-90's.  As we packed everything up, we filled out an inventory sheet and then we taped that to the box once it was sealed up.

I just made a simple inventory form in Word, making sure to include what box out of total boxes there were so that I can make sure I have all of the boxed out when I get ready to decorate next year.

Then as I packed each box,  I just summarized what was in each box and then taped the form to the box.

I also saved master copies of the forms on my computer so that I can see from there, what box I need before I go upstairs to find it.

I'm almost finished.  I've got some stuff in the spare bedroom that I didn't use this year because I couldn't find it.  I've got to get all of that out and get it inventoried and then packed up.  Then I'll be ready to go for next Christmas!

Linking to:

Lets Organize Party @ Domestically Speaking

Kick the Clutter 2011

Thanks to everyone who left words of encouragement on my clutter post.  I really appreciate it!

I've decided to formalize this event by choosing a day each week to post about it. I'd like to invite anyone else who is also de-cluttering, and is brave enough to show their before & after photos to do the same.  I'm thinking Mondays might be good since most people will probably be using the weekends to purge.

I'm calling this series, however long it may last, "Kick the Clutter 2011".  I'm going see if I can get Charles to make a button and then I can link that in my sidebar to all of my related posts.  Anyone else who is participating can use the button too. 

I've just now gotten to my closet since the past few days were booked with holiday business.  I've been purging today and when I get finished with that, I'm going to go ahead and remove what's left and paint the inside of the closet.  There are sooo many scuff and ding marks in there, I just won't feel that my job is complete until I take care of those.

Here are some in-progress shots.  Come back next Monday for the afters.  

Looking better already!

The closet might be looking better, but the bedroom sure isn't!

Linking to:
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

STUFF

I've got too much of it.  Do you??? 

I organize my stuff and make it look all nice and neat, and before long, it is in disarray again.  I'm finally realizing that if I had LESS stuff, it would be easier to keep it organized.  I mean, who needs 3 packs of floss, 30 pens (some out of ink), lead pencils with no lead, the bell that fell off of the dog's collar (three years ago!) 5 lighters, 2 books of matches, socks with holes in them?  Unpacked boxes in the garage from when you moved into your house almost 4 years ago.  I could go on and on.  

I think we've been conditioned to save things and be "resourceful" and "frugal".  Maybe at some point in time, we had to do without things because of finances.  Maybe we don't want to be wasteful.  Maybe a repeated pattern in our life has been that as soon as we let go of something, we NEED it.  All three of these things are reasons why I have too much stuff.

It's great to be frugal and all, but really, what's the point of saving something if you never use it?  Why not let someone else give it a go.  You're being wasteful by hanging on to it.  You're wasting space and you're wasting mental energy by being stressed out from all of the clutter.

I'm reading a book that I picked up on clearance called  SORTED!  The author mentions the Pareto principle which says that roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.  She gives these examples to relate this principle to "stuff":

• 20% of your clothes will be worn 80% of the time.
• 20% of the stationery you own will be used 80% of the time.
• 20% of your kitchen tools and gadgets are used 80% of the time.

You know what?  She's right!!  Think about it.  How many pairs of jeans do you own?  Now, don't you always go for your favorite pair?  I do!  I know that I've got at least 5 pair of jeans that I don't wear.  I never get rid of them because I WILL wear them one day.  Yeah right.

My main New Year's resolution is to become clutter free.  I'm going to go through every room, every cabinet, every closet and ever drawer and literally clean house.  And you're coming with me.  That's right my bloggy peeps, I'm going to show you just how much stuff I have and then show you how I purged and then organized everything.  You're going to see the good, the bad and the UGLY.  I'm going to be brutally honest with the photos I share because I really want to inspire others like me who just have too much stuff, to feel good about letting it go.

Because I don't like a post with no photos, I'm going to go ahead and share with you some photos from my first target, my bedroom closet. 

 I'd love it if anyone else in interested in doing this along with me.  Maybe we could designate a day each week to post on this subject.  We could come up with a name and a cute button for it.  Let me know if this is something you're interested in.  You can leave a comment or just email me.


Linking to:
All Things Merry & Bright @ All Things Heart & Home