Day 113: The Fridge File

It seems that I am always picking up random scraps and pieces of paper, even though I do my best to sort mail, bills and other important what-nots, not to mention all of the lovely little paperclips, toys, markers and other random items that wind up on the kitchen counters or in the centerpiece on the island. (Don't you LOVE these space-alien shrinky dinks? It's a new decor MUST!)

I guess I still have yet to find the perfect catch-all spot.... until today! So, if you feel a little crafty (just a teensy bit, I promise!), then get out some scissors, packing tape and pretty paper. This is an AMAZING idea from a fellow blogger (spotted on Pinterest). It really is amazing how you can turn something so plain, simple and everyday into something beautiful, fun and useful!

THE do-it-yourself, recycled-cereal-box FRIDGE FILE:
1. Select an empty cereal box of your choice. (Iain helped us "empty" this one by eating the rest of the cereal!)


2. Cut off the top, and shape the box so that the front is a little smaller than the back.

3. Secure all edges with sturdy packing tape. (You don't want all those odds n' ends escaping their holder and crashing to the floor!)


4. Wrap the box neatly like a package, using your choice of wrapping paper or scrapbook paper. I like scrapbook paper, since it's sturdier! (You can use a coordinating pattern or color on the inside, or do it all the same! I also decided to add some ribbon and a little "happiness always" stamp with a metal plaque on the front; I also distressed the paper to give it that cool, antique look!)


5. Hang your new "fridge file" with some coordinating, magnetic clips!
(I am showing the blogger's version, too, for some added inspiration! And... BTW, yes, I plan to go out and get some "coordinating" clip magnets ASAP... instead of using SpongeBob!)

6. ENJOY your handy, new storage - for mail, school papers, coupons, random tidbits or whatever your heart's desire!



Now, THAT's neat!

Day 112: Little black dress?

You know how you got that adorable, little, bird-shaped ceramic dish to sit on the bed-side table and help keep your jewelry nice and tidy? How's that working? ;) If you're like me, anything small and cute will just be quickly overwhelmed by either the volume and/or the size of jewelry items that are fighting for elbow room! SO.... I say, ditch the impractical, cutesy stuff, and sort your bling with the simply irresistible "Little Black Dress" hanging jewelry organizer by Umbra.



How cute is THIS!?!?! The smart and stylish black "dress" is two-sided, with 39 clear pockets on one side and 24 hook-and-loop tabs on the other. SO handy! AND... it fits nice and neat in your closet, meaning you'll never have to look at all that clutter on your nightstand again (at least not jewelry clutter!).


Now, THAT's neat!

Day 111: Crap baskets

I think many moms out there can relate to the "reset"-button mode. As in, mommies are constantly resetting each and every nook and cranny in the house... by cleaning up the messes, putting things away, straightening decor and organizing new items! WELL... there are many days that I get a bit tired of putting away the same things over and over again. And I also get burned out on putting away things for the other members of my household... including Rowdy, our dog. (He LOVES to drag out all of his toys!)
SO... I will be implementing crap baskets. That's right -- baskets for all the random crap (not literally) that ends up all over the house!
As mommy (or anyone) collects random odds n' ends throughout the week, like socks on the lampshade, toys under the couch, keys in the planter, etc., etc., just toss these runaways in the crap baskets. Don't worry about putting everything away! That's the basket's owners job!
It's easy, really. Just get some baskets (one for each member of the house), label them (and/or decorate them to your liking) and find a clever, useful place for them. You can store your crap baskets in a laundry room or a mud room. Or, you can place them in a more prominent spot, like by the front door... or on the stairs! Mine will be "living" on the stairs. This way, everyone can see their basket and be sure to put those random items away. (OF course, if the basket gets too full, I might have to implement the trash collector....)



Now, THAT's neat!

Day 110: Pin wrangler

I have been using bobby pins in my shorter hair cut lately, and it's amazing that as many as I have, I can NEVER find one.... or I have to dig around, taking out my neatly stored hairspray bottles, brushes, clips, etc., etc., to get to the VERY bottom corners of the drawer!

WELL... I saw a very clever idea that would work in a drawer or on the inside of a cabinet door or medicine cabinet. MAGNETIC STRIPS!

That's right, just apply a magnetic strip (using the peel-away adhesive on the back), and... get those dern bobby pins in line!


You can also use the magnetic strip to wrangle nail clippers, tweasers or other lightweight metallic odds n' ends that keep escaping to the depths of your bathroom drawers!


Now, THAT's neat!

Day 109: I Think I'm in love....

I don't personally have any Elfa designs or components in my home. (You can get it at the Container Store, which, unfortunately is nowhere near me!) But, every time I see a photo of this ingenious organizational tool for closets, pantries, garages, offices, playrooms - you name it - I just start to drool!

Here are just some photo inspiration for you!
1. What an amazing craft room! I love the "mesh" drawers; everything is put away, but there is still visibility!


2. This is a great look for a closet, but this organizational look works beautifully for a den/TV room! Everything is beautifully coordinated and neat!


3. What a naturally beautiful office! And I love how the organization uses the available space above the desk. If you can't go out, go up!

4. Wow. This closet is amazingly tidy! It makes me seriously think about digging through my own closet to purge some more unwanted items, but it also makes me want to throw a little color and maybe some patterns into this very neutral clothing arrangement! ;)



Now, THAT's neat!

Day 108: Oh, Laundry Room of BLISS!

Oh, my... I recently started another direct-sales business with Thirty-One Gifts because I am obsessed with totes and bags and bins and baskets and boxes... you get the idea! ;) But I was not quite clever enough to come up with THIS: the ultimate in organized laundry rooms.



Can I get a "WOW!"? I am in love with all the embroidered fabric bins! And I am envisioning them throughout my home! ;) How handy and LOVELY! This would also work well in closets, playrooms, bathrooms... and vehicles!


Now, THAT's neat!

Day 107: The chalk label obsession

Ok, ok... I know I have been posting a lot lately about this "chalk label" stuff. My last few posts, in fact, have been about this very topic! But I am REALLY loving what you can do with it! And since I keep thinking about it -- and keeping talking about it -- I figured I would actually DO it... and share my "afters!"

So, just as a recap: get some of the flat chalk panels that you can adhere to just about any surface (you can buy a large panel or three smaller panels, your choice, and then just crop it down to whatever size works for you!). I cut mine on a regular, old paper cutter. It worked great!


Then I used my wonderful, liquidy "chalk marker" and labeled 'til my heart's content!


Here are some newly labeled containers in the laundry room, where all my craft supplies are:

And here is one peak at my pantry, showing some of the awesome Tupperware containers with their new chalk labels:


You can also cut these babies down and use them on canisters, buckets, pails, cans, boxes, flower pots, other plastic containers, even bottles! How fun to use as a display in a little herb garden... or on a wine bottle! These would be great for parties, too, to label various dips and sides! I LOVE it! Give just about any item a neat, organized look!


Now, THAT's neat!