Pantry Face Lift!

Yesterday was the shopping trip, today was make-over day! I've been thinking about organizing this space since last fall, at least! I've been waiting for summer to finally get it done. I am so happy that I did!

My pantry was stocked full of stuff---and while it started out organized, over the past 2 years it's become anything BUT organized. Whenever I re-do a space, the first thing I do it completely empty it! 

It looks like this in the process....but I have a vision for the end result! 

I had all my containers already purchased, so I put them in place for a quick check to see how they fit and find the right place for each one. I did my shopping at T.J. Maxx & Target. I scan the kitchen & houseware aisles first...but know that I can almost always find containers in other unexpected places....like jewelry organizers or shoe boxes :) Yes, for the panty! 

I bought the wire baskets at T.J. Maxx for about $7 each! 

The glass jars came in a set from Target.

The black Sterilite baskets were about $3/ea at Target. 

And the red canvas shoe box was at Target---I'm using it for spice packets! 

I also found this great fabric covered jewelry organizer @ T.J. Maxx.

It's going to separate/organize my bottles of spices and seasonings! I love a good re-purpose of items! 

And---I tried to find cute containers---it just adds some colors & fun! 

Then...I organized everything by "like items"...

PB&J at kids level---make your own sammich, darlings! 

Cereal & breakfast items also at child level---

just in case Mommy needs to sleep in every now and again! :) 

The baskets are working great for boxed items! 

I made labels for my baskets (I was not in love with the black baskets, but wanted to keep the colors toned down do it didn't look like a dorm room make-over...and added a pop of color with the ribbons and tags. 

...and I used my Circuit to make these great labels out of chalkboard vinyl! 

LOVE! 

(Also within kids' reach, of course! 

How else are you supposed to create self-sufficient, independent little people?!?!)

~ Voila! ~ 

...another summer project crossed off the To Do list! :) 

Thank you Pinterest for inspiring and motivating me!! 

Mama needs a new closet!

Ohmygosh! Seriosuly. My closet is hideous!! We bought a new house nearly 2 years ago and moved from a house that had ZERO closet space. Well, one tiny little closet that was more of an indoor play fort for my oldest son rather than a functional closet. That, too, was hideous, annoying, and frustrating!

Then, we moved into our new home and gained a TON of space! Every room has a walk in closet that I just love. The master closet is smaller than the others (which doesn't make sense - but it is what it is). However, it had 4 shelves and 4 hanging rods, and lots of floor space. I was in love! I bought hangers like a crazy lady on crack. I wanted to hang up EVERYTHING we owned---simply because, I could! It seemed like such a luxury. 

Then, slowly over time.....my closet began to look like this.....(OMG---I cannot believe I am going to show you this! I promise to redeem myself by the end of this post. Don't judge!)

Dang---glad that's out there and over with. Painful. PAINFUL, I TELL YA!  So, it's Spring Break here, and I have had it with this closet. It's not functional, it's messy, and I am regretting all those hangers I bought. Hanging my clothes up was fun while it lasted - especially for a girl that was so hanger deprived for so many years. But, that phase ran it's course, and it's time to put some effort into my OWN closet before I get busy organizing other people's things again this summer! 

So---as I am knee deep in hangers, you can imagine that my theme song might include a lyric "...cleaning out my closet..." by Eminem. You know it. Not the same meaning, of course---but nonetheless I was cleaning out my closet, literally. 

Anyway---I've been saving for awhile for Project Clean My Closet. Sidebar: did you know that when you take your change back to Meijer, instead of paying the service fee for them sorting and counting your coins, you can take a gift certificate to a big box store, and not have to pay a fee? Fancy that, you actually get to keep all your OWN money! As you can imagine, we jumped on that and grabbed ourselves a gift certificate to Lowe's. 

I love this store! I had to visit several times - and drool over the un-affordable closet organizers - before I came to reality and kept within my budget. I stocked up on.....

Just a few closet organizing pieces...

AND

baskets---of course! 

PS - Never throw away these great ribbons on basket sets that are tied together!
 They are shabby chic and can be used to tie on the labels to the basket handles for your newly organized items! 

They perfectly match my bedspread, and accent colors in my bedroom. There were also the exact amount that I needed on the shelves. It's like we were destined to be together---my baskets and I! Hahaha. 

Then, my husband so graciously worked all day, came home and assembled all my shelving, and caught a few Zzzzzzzz's before heading off to work in the morning and then catching an evening flight out of state!  I can't thank him enough! He knows once I get a project started---there's no stopping until it's complete. 

Hello, 1:00 A.M, and HELLO NEW CLOSET!!!! 

See the black boxes in the way back on the top shelf?
There's metal grommets---that's where the basket ribbons will be used to tie on a cutsie little label! 

What a difference! 

This is much more functional, aesthetically appealing, and calm! 

Now---back to those summer projects. Like what you see? 

 Do YOU or anyone you know need a closet over haul? 

Please pass along my info....I'd be be more than happy to help!! 

Craft Room Mini-Makeover

My craft room got a mini-makeover tonight....thanks to my husband for putting together some new shelving! I am so loving being able to easily label everything with chalk labels/markers---everything has a place and can easily be found! It's not much....but it's my "girl cave"!

So, here are my new shelves. There's plenty of space for lots of  my things. Thank you, WalMart! And THANK YOU Mr. Hubby for getting them put together so quickly, because I have no patience and a huge need to organize something! 

I've recently taken the time to invest in storage containers, pop-up totes and labels!
 There are some great FREE printable labels on http://www.bhg.com
I highly recommend them. You've probably seen them on Pinterest as well.
Many people are grabbing these labels! Too cute! 

My little workspace. Emphasis on little. But, it works for now.
 The space needs something more....I'm just not sure what yet.
What's that on my desk, you say? Oh, just a little leisurely reading....

I can't believe this is a published magazine!!! Are you freaking kidding me?! LOVE LOVE LOVE it! This is the second issue I've bought, and I am so loving that someone understands what's going on inside my head and has put it in print. Genius! Go buy yourself one, and be inspired!! 

I used to label things like this.... (with good old address labels)

Now, I label like this! Much easier to change the contents of the box and label it w/o sticky residue left behind.
No scrubbing old labels!

I love making my spaces and places HaPpY!