Linens and Things

The Final Product

I finally was able to finish my linen closet and although it was not too much of a disaster, the month of June has been a little bit crazy!! I grabbed any little moment I had and tackled one shelf at a time- maybe not super efficient, but it worked. Even if I had 20 minutes, I would empty a shelf, purge and sort and then regroup. Again, this is a closet that is just not very conducive to organization, it is skinny and deep- so much can get lost - how can you keep the linens neat? Here are some ideas that I figured out along the way.
So you open the door and sigh, ok start at the bottom- always purge and sort then put any small items into baskets/bins. Next, work your way up- get rid of any old towels, blankets and sets of sheets that are not complete- just chuck it! Put the towels and sheets in the middle shelves- the ones most convinent to get to. Place lighter linens in front now that it is summer and put heavy blankets and extra comforters behind or on the top shelf. When I got to the beach/pool towels- I did throw some out, but I moved the rest to the mud room so we can grab and go! Last step, get the shelf dividers- they are coming to my house asap- so they can keep all the linens in line! 

These can be used for linens and so much more, containerstore.com

Summer brings visitors-These storage bags are great for extra linens that do not fit in the closet,  target.com

Let It Go!

When I started writing this blog I was going to take a list from Nate Berkus' website- it is a list of all the things you can throw out- like old electronics, paperwork etc, it was a guideline of what is safe to get rid of. Great- we could all use that, but as I began to surf around some of my other favorite sites, I kept coming back to this book, Throw Out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke -  ( she used to be a Real Simple contributer!) it is a great challenge- anything counts- throw out also means sell, donate or recycle! Once you begin to rid your self of the "stuff" then you can take on her ideas about clearing out mental clutter as well, here are a few guidelines you can use when you are picking out your fifty things- good luck!!

1. If it weighs you down, clogs you up, or just plain makes you feel bad about yourself, throw it out, give it away, sell it, let it go, and move on.

2. If it just sits there, taking up room and contributing nothing positive to your life, let it go. If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward.

3, If you agonize over it for too long, throw it out. Don’t make the decision — whether to toss it or keep it — a hard one.

4. Don’t be afraid.

Love the final point- do not be afraid, let it go, release the guilt- why hold on to something you do not need, use or want!! I have 4 things already piled up- only 46 to go!

My Favorite Room in the House

This makeshift Mudroom displays all the elements
 for a successful entry way!

Our mudroom could easily be my favorite room in the house. Although the room was there, we had a great builder who custom designed all the cubbies, built in a bench and topped it off with a shelf that I thought we would never use- (it is full!) We can store all the coats, shoes, backpacks and nick knacks that end up somewhere between the garbage and the toy bin. Even the dog food has its own space! But what do you do when your house is mud room challenged??? Any home entry way is a crazy place and it absolutely needs some key ingredients to streamline storage and create a system that you will love!!

1. Shelves- Start at the top! If you have limited space, even one shelf can create a place for baskets/bins.

2. Hooks! Get a bunch- if you can, hang them at different heights so coats and bags don't overlap.

3. A Bench- this is essential! An ottoman or two can also do the trick- If there is room under the bench, (or in it) that is another spot for baskets or shoe cubbies- use every space you can!!

Also if you have the wall space- a communication center, message and cork boards right in your "mud room" can display important notes as you are walking out the door and with these tips maybe it will become your favorite spot too.

Potterybarn offers many great options, sold individually or as a set!!

The Hall Disaster

The dreaded hall closet- we all have one, the catch all place where everything gets thrown when we need the mess to disappear- coats, shoes, bags, sports equipment etc- it needs to serve so many storage purposes and is probably constructed the worst. I recently saw 2 pictures that caught my eye- they make great use of every nook and cranny and feature products that may put an end to the abyss we call a closet.
1. Shoe Rack- Yes put shoes there, but it is also a way to get items off the floor! Add baskets and pile in all the smaller items - winter gear, electronic gadgets, kids toys.- even files or papers, remember this closet has a lot of purposes to serve.
2. Door Hooks - Any kind will do! The inside of the door is a valuable spot- do not waste it! Handbags, umbrellas, anything you can hang, get it on there! Better yet, find an over the door organizer- check out lowes.com
3. Bins, Boxes and Baskets- of course the way to hide it all- see what will fit best and get ones that match- gives a closet a sleek look.
So if you have a disaster on your hands or one brewing, get some of these systems in place, of course clean out all the mishmash first, who knows what you may uncover.

This accessory bag from the Container Store has 12 shallow spots and everything is visible!

As Time Goes By

Even if you plan, sort and purge, until every shelf and drawer is picture perfect, one area that constantly needs organizing is time. We will never have enough of it, so we have to make the most out of our crazy schedules! The other day I was chatting with some friends and one expressed her frustration with organizing her time. We discussed some ideas that may put you on a path to improved time management.
First of all, reset your expectations- rarely will there be a day you spend every minute doing it all- scale back on the to do list, 3-5 mini-goals is plenty for one day! Then create a "calender worksheet", map out all the activities or events that you CAN"T change- work, lessons, meetings etc, that time is taken. Next, write down the things you want to have time for during the week, family dinners, exercise, whatever it may be, prioritize! Of course there are those days or weeks you just run around, having  little time for anything but obligations- (June in my house is like this) we feel frantic! but each week adjust, maybe it will be only one "wish list" item you squeeze in. 
Lastly, a great calender will make all the difference, I still am a big believer in writing it all down- keep it in a convenient location and pick your style- dry erase, magnetic, paper-use fun colors( markers or sticky notes) to differentiate kids' activities. Will we ever master the art of time management?- probably not, but if you begin to feel less overwhelmed by your schedule and more satisfied and in control, then you will enjoy your life with a clearer, calmer mind-and that is definitely time well spent!!