N...is for Nursery Closet!

So, very soon... I will be ready to unveil the nursery.  We made some MAJOR progress this weekend.  As a teaser today, I thought I would share our nursery closet.   We live in an older house which translates to poor closet space!  We are super lucky that our master bedroom has a large walk in closet, but the other bedrooms have small closets.

The nursery closet got a real update as it was not so user friendly before.  I forgot to take a before photo, but did photograph the other guest room closet so you can get an idea of what it looked like. (Gotta work on that one next.)  It had one bar and a lot of crap crammed in.

What did we do?  We added a second bar and second shelf to the baby's closet.  These additions are huge as it adds more space for hanging!  I also bought matching baskets for the shelves for all the little items (pj's, onesies, bibs, hats, etc).   I got all the baskets at the Christmas tree shop for cheap.  I bought two large bins for closet floor (that are pretty and coordinate with baskets) that I am going to use as hampers (easily carried downstairs).

I think this closet went from being a sad little dark closet to a happy place with plenty of storage (at least for now).

BEFORE

AFTER

Progress right?  I still want to get something for the door ... have a few ideas up my sleeve.  I will update you when it is totally finished.   Gotta work with what you have!  I am very pleased and I think our little gal will be too!  (And yes, I have bought her some clothes... don't judge me.)

Until next time.....xoxo

M + P = Meal Planning

I hate hate hate having a long and tiring day at work only to come home and here "What should we have for dinner?"!  Grrr.  When I come home at 6:30 I don't want to have to then head to the grocery store.  I think when two people work it is important to "share" household responsibilities like cooking or at least planning dinner!  


A little less than a year ago I implemented meal planning.  I was inspired after visiting my friend "L" in D.C last year who has her own meal planning routine in her house!   How does it work you ask?  The husband and I each rotate weeks.  The week you are in charge it means you have to plan the meals for the week and buy the groceries.  We typically cook together.  


Menu Planning has had a great impact in our house.  When it is my week, I plan it all out on Sunday or Monday and buy the groceries for the whole week.  This is great as it allows you to utilize particular ingredients in a few recipes.  My husband who is not really a planner plans each day one by one and grocery shops throughout the week.  At times this is annoying but in short, I don't care.  If I don't have to decide and "be in charge".... I just let him do his thing!


You can get even more advanced than we do and include breakfast, lunch, etc.  We focus just on dinner for now.  I used to just plan on notebook paper but eventually got around to designing an template.  There are also a lot of great templates on the web if you google meal planning or menu planning. 

Here is my template:  

You can get as sophisticated or not as you want.  I don't create a fancy meal every night.  Sometimes BLT and salad is my designed dinner.  On other nights I whip out my favorite cookbook and try something new.  Still other nights are "On Your Own Night" if one of us is going to be out or home late.  


This has been a huge thing in our house and has saved us money as planning allows us not to have to eat out as often and also we bicker less because we take turns!  Check out Organized Home for some menu planning tips!


Project Girl also has some downloadable meal planning forms you should check out including this one:

  


Try it for yourself!  Until next time...xoxo

D is for Desks.... Organized!

Today is the last day of my spring cleaning series!  I hope this week has inspired you to organize those places that are driving you crazy!  Desks are often an area that get easily out of control!  I know my office desk does.  I am a firm believer that everything needs a system!

Here are some desks with great systems for organization!

Photo from Sunset

 

Photo from Pottery Barn via Living In My Integrity

Photo from Martha Stewart

Photo via Simply Seleta

Photo from Decor Pad

Oh how I love a pretty organized desk!  Yet another reminder that I have worked to do at my house!

Until next time...xoxo

C is for Closets!

Closets are important.  Very important!  When we were looking at houses my husband could not understand why I was so obsessed with closet space.  Three years later, I think he has a better understanding!  We live in an older house in New England which means most house have tiny closets.  One of the biggest selling factors was our walk in closet, but even that need some help!  Our guest room closets definitely need help!

This are the kind of closets a girl could only dream of! 

Photo via Making It Lovely

Photo via Judith Head to Toe

 Photo via ZazaZu

Photo via Sarah's Fab Day

Photo via It's Great to be Home

Photo via Mochatini

Photo via Morgan Lyn

In the coming weeks, I will share my own shoe closet! :)  Stay tuned!

These closets are so dreamy, aren't they?  Until next time....xoxo

M is for Mail!!!

Mail is a BIG issue on my house.  One of my top five pet peeves is piles of mail on the kitchen counter!  Grrrr!!!!  It is a work in progress with my husband who opens all the mail and then leaves trash on table or counter!  

I bought this at Ballard Designs.  I may buy another!  

It fits our space nicely- still training husband on how to use it!!

Here are some photo inspirations!

Photo from Feels Like Home

Photo from Martha Stewart

Photo for DIY

Photo via DIY

Photo via DIY

There is always hope that my mail will eventually be organized and pretty like these options.

Until next time....xoxo

E is for Entryway!

Continuing on with our  spring cleaning and organization week.  Today I want to talk entryways (also known as mud rooms)!  This is a trouble zone in my house!  We don't have a closet near our side door (which is the door we generally come in).  I have hung some hooks for coats, but it is often overloaded and shoes... well that is another story!

I dream of a large and spacious entryway with lots of organization for everyone!

Maybe something like this! 

Photos from De-Victorianization  on a Division

Photo from Homegoods

 Photo from Simplified Bee

 Photo from Martha Stewart

Photo from Twitter Moms Blog

Photo from Country Living

Photo from This Old House

Photo from Designer Mommy

Photo from Designer Mommy

Photo from Westchester Magazine

We don't really have a large enough space for any of these, but we can definitely do something and need to do something soon!  

Until next time.......xoxo

P is for Pantry!

Okay, I am doing another series!!!  Get ready, I am making it official.  This week is spring cleaning week!  Each post this week will be devoted to clearing clutter and making spaces more organized.  Love it.  I dream of quitting my day job to become a professional designer and organizer.  Some day....

Back to reality.  Today's focus is on the pantry!  My pantry is a DISASTER!  I won't be sharing any photos, becuase it is really that bad.  I need to tear out the shelves that are in there and start over!  Someday.

Check out these photos.  
This pantry from Emerson Made inspired this spring cleaning week!  It has been showcased on a bunch of other blogs, but I still could not resist!  How amazing is this?

Photo Emerson Made (courtesy of Elements of Style)

Photo from Country Living

Photo from Country Living

Photo Unknown

Photo from Vision Decor

Photo from Apartment Therapy

This is technically not a pantry- but you could utilize in pantry!  Buy magnetic spice containers at Amazon!  

Photo from Little Green Notebook

Here are a few items on my organization wish list!

Soup Can Rack from Amazon

Pan and Lid Organizer from Amazon 

Cute Jars from Amazon too!

Glass Bottles (Oils, Vinegars, etc) from Amazon too!

Notepad Roll (perfect for kitchen) 

Wine Glass Rack (I would put in sideboard or pantry not outside cabinet) 

Cool Bag Holder!  We have a lot of bags, I think I would need two of these.

Hope you are as inspired as I am to organize your pantry!  This is a real project in my house.  I am embarassed to share my current pantry!  Yikes!

Until next time.....xoxo