Steps to Organization

I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned before that I have this huge little thing with organizing. Ok, maybe my clothes are organized by color but I don’t space the hangers exactly 2.5 inches apart (fine, yes that’s only because I have too many clothes but let’s overlook that) so it’s just a little problem.

Anyyyywhoooo

I really like to be organized, I feel very balanced and in-synch when everything is “in its place”. However, being the world that it is and the fact I’m not perfect (I so hope my sisters notice I said that!!!) things can get out of balance and unorganized.

Since the paper clutter issue I’ve been on a quest to really pay attention to my actions and get to the root of the issue. I figure the only way you can solve a problem is to really know the cause and develop a solution from there.

You know the saying “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”?

Lies!

Words can be very harmful. I’m talking about these little words “I’ll get to it later”. Don’t look away; you know what I’m talking about…… You bring the mail in; you sit it on the ______ (fill in the blank) and walk away thinking “I’ll sort it out later”. You’re finished with a craft project while the glue gun sits there and you walk away thinking “I’ll put it away later”.

I never realized how much I actually say or think those words, but I’ve since noticed it’s a lot ……… and the cause of my organization issue.

It always starts with that one “I’ll put it away later” item, then another and another and another till it’s this ugly pile (or drawer) of mess that you don’t want to even look at and know will take F.O.R.E.V.E.R to put away.

Now the duh moment.

Why not just put it away to begin with? I know, easier said than done!

At the start of my observation I had a few of those ugly piles (and drawers) around the house that I just couldn’t pretend didn’t exist anymore. They were really starting to taunt me, it wasn’t pretty. The change was when I tackled the piles this time, I actually paid attention to how long it really took me to clean up and put things away.  We are talking hours. Add in the stress of the clutter, the frequent sidetracks and the “I really don’t want to be doing this right now” and it just isn’t worth it.

I’ve decided to change my thinking from “later” to “now” and attempt to put everything away after using it, or bringing it in the house.

Wish me luck! I’ll report back with the results.

Hope Chest Turned Filing Cabinet

You remember my post here about the ugly ugly paper clutter problem.

Just incase you forgot lets go over the before picture

Before

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I started out using these for filing

but they can only go so far, and sitting out they aren’t exactly on the pretty list if you know what I mean.

I’ve had this hope chest for years and had considered getting rid of it when it became a gathering place for odds and ends.

You can imagine how happy I was when I discovered it would work PERFECTLY for filing!!

Look how happy that paper looks in its new organized home!

I’m not completely finished with this project since the honey colored wood doesn’t exactly go with my office, so the outside will be getting a cute makeover. I’ll be adding a few additions to the inside for additional office organization just as soon as I find the perfect fit as well.  

I’m so much happier and more organized now! I don’t know about you but I feel more in balance when things are organized.

The best part(s) of this project, I was able to recycle something for my needs, it looks so much better than a metal filing cabinet, I could use it in ANY room of the house.

 

Paper Clutter

onlineorganizing.com

Ok ok you guessed it, that isn’t actually me her problem is small in comparison! but for the sake of this post lets just pretend since I’m too embarrassed to take actual pictures.

I have a paper clutter problem. There I said it, I feel so much better. Actually I don’t, admitting the problem means you have to fix it and really a blind eye is so much easier.

I don’t know where all this paper comes from, I’m starting to think paper may be in the bunny family because it has to be mating and reproducing somewhere in my home!

My goal is not only get the current situation under control but get a procedure in place that will keep it from being a reoccurring issue. I’m thinking the HB’s current mail “fall where it may” process may be a key source to the issue, oh and the paper mating!

Do any of you have the same issue? What tips have worked for you?

I’m giving myself a couple days to attack the problem and hopefully I’ll have some pictures I’m not ashamed to publish.

Cause I’m dreaming today

Of a place of my own, for all my shoes to live happily in (make sure you sing those lines).

Is it wrong that picture definitely sort of takes my breath away?

I have to admit in a kind of group therapy meeting sort of way that I, yes I, have a huge problem kind of small problem with shoes. It’s getting better though! While I once purchased shoes with only the “anything that’s cute” (even if it may not be my size and kills my feet) stipulation, they now must be cute and comfortable. It’s progress, it counts.

Since I recently scored a few pairs of brand new heels for $5 shoe organization has been on my mind and I thought I’d share a few inspiration pictures.

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Oh how I love organization! Look how clean and crisp everything is.

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Oh Christina how I envy you… minus the odd naked mannequin in the background and the piggy pink/red combination. A+ on the outfit though!

   decorpad.com

Love it! The way the under cabinet lighting illuminated the shoes and that chair is just Key-Ute!

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I like the idea, minus the wood tones. I’m not a light wood tones kind of girl.

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Those cubbies would be perfect for shoes and handbags.

 

shopfashioneuphoria                            trendyshoeshop.com

Heaven! I love the pink wallpaper with the black graphics and how organized it all looks.

I do have a blank wall in my closet that I think I could pull something off on and if I take over my HB’s side the possibilities are endless. Muahhahahahah (evil laugh)

 

Pictures are from and owned by the sites listed under each picture unless it is unknown. If the picture is watermarked with the Cheaplikeabirdie name it is copyright by me. If you own one of the pictures and wish it removed please contact me and I will do so.

My Lovely Boxes

I received a few requests asking about the boxes I had talked about here.

I purchased these boxes from IKEA about a year ago on sale. They ended up costing me $2 a box for the big ones and $1 for the smaller. Needless to say for that price I bought A LOT of them. Why not! Two boxes not put together take up all of oh, 5 inches.

See all those extras just waiting to be put together. I told you I bought a lot. Oh how I love uniformity. I mean how perfect is that, they stack two high in my closet with just enough on top to put the extra ones. L.O.V.E.

Yes, cute labels are on my “to do” list btw.

This is my husbands side of the closet, again, notice how they fill the space so perfectly and how 4 of the smaller boxes are the same height as 2 larger. I know, it’s rather sad how giddy this makes me.

Oh and don’t you love his labeling system? Masking Tape! It still counts as cute though, just because it says “Old love letters”.

The smaller ones work PERFECT for acrylic paint, craft storage, photos, holiday ornaments, you name it!

Plus, I can stack my boxes more than 2 high without feeling like the wrong look could leave me under the rubble like these

Hope that helps answer your questions. Happy Organizing.

Gained Square Footage!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I can finally breathe again.

You know I love Christmas, but I swear since taking down all the decorations I’ve gained square footage.

I’ve been itching to get reorganized and cleaned up after the holidays but the hubby just wasn’t ready to let go. We finally tackled the task today. The downside is, I almost feel like I just moved in with the lack of “stuff” and extra space that was hiding behind all that decor.

Now to fill it! Ha Ha, just kidding honey………………………… sorta……… shhhhhhhh.

My beautiful tree has now become this

All put away to rest till next year. I am so AB-SO-LUTELY excited that all the garland and greenery I bought this year fit in with the tree. (It doesn’t count if it doesn’t take up another box)

I’ve discovered that I am not a full true blogger yet because I don’t whip out my camera all the time. Everyone always has these wonderful step by step pictures. Not me. It’s only after I sit down to write an entry I think “wow, why didn’t I get a picture of that”. Yep, that’s how I roll.

I would have loved to show you exactly how much greenery I crammed lovingly placed in the tree box, because frankly I don’t think you’d believe me. I, however, was not about to get the stink eye by asking the hubby to take it all down so I could “get a picture for my blog”.

Everything else went into these lovely boxes

Oh how I L.O.V.E these boxes! I used to have these

I hated them! I hated the shape, the fact they weren’t square, the way they didn’t stack well, the way the handles took up so much space………………… just everything.

I live in a condo, so storage has to work. With the new boxes, everything lines up, the handles are built in so they don’t stick out taking up extra space, there aren’t rounded odd bottoms that nothing fits into…… they just work. Yes, I’m well aware that I have issues and part of the reason I love them as I do is because they look uniform. No one said I didn’t claim to have issues.

If you look at the top of that picture you’ll notice another reason I just want to hug those boxes! See there, at the top   that 5 inches that look like 2 lids? That my friend, is two boxes just waiting to be put together! Even the boxes are space savers.

So bye bye holidays, hello to organizing.