Here are some of my highlights the last month:
Monday, October 31, 2011
Day 31: Journey begins with end of the month
Today is the last day to Nesting place October month blogging commitment of "31 days of" series. It has been an incredible time of understanding the need to make your house a home. To tackle things that get out of hand in organizing. With tips I have learnt in this month and projects that have finished and some in the process, I look forward to this streak in me continuing.
Here are some of my highlights the last month:
Here are some of my highlights the last month:
Day 30: Baking organizing
I love baking. And hence have a few more than few baking trays of different shapes and sizes.
I bought a baking tray organizer from lakeland Uk. A friend bought it for me when she was there early this year.
How has it helped:
1. Organizes all the baking ware neatly. So , its not jammed and stuffed under the stove or in shelves.
2. It lasts longer since its placed in order, space between each other and doesn't scratch against each other.
3. Strong and sturdy to hold many trays and cake pans.
I bought a baking tray organizer from lakeland Uk. A friend bought it for me when she was there early this year.
How has it helped:
1. Organizes all the baking ware neatly. So , its not jammed and stuffed under the stove or in shelves.
2. It lasts longer since its placed in order, space between each other and doesn't scratch against each other.
3. Strong and sturdy to hold many trays and cake pans.
Day 29: Handbag explosion
I love handbags and shoes. So, I have lots of them. I also realized I don't use all of them, because I don't have a proper place to keep them and hence don't see them in order to use them.
I would love to have a solution to store handbags properly or someone please give me a pill to stop buying them. Since no one has ever discovered a treatment for "Bagshoecrazy Disease" , I will stick to finding a solution to store them. And be good. Control the urge.
How about that?
Here are a few available storage options:
I would love to have a solution to store handbags properly or someone please give me a pill to stop buying them. Since no one has ever discovered a treatment for "Bagshoecrazy Disease" , I will stick to finding a solution to store them. And be good. Control the urge.
How about that?
Here are a few available storage options:
Friday, October 28, 2011
Day 28: Declutter your kitchen
I have tried a number of ways to declutter my kitchen and a mix of ideas have worked.
but as I was surfing the net, I found this wonderful article on Good Housekeeping.
Enjoy reading the tips:Declutter Your Kitchen
Whether your specialty is risotto or Rice-A-Roni, the prep process likely could be streamlined if your kitchen cabinets and drawers were in better order (admit it: that pot-lid avalanche is getting pretty old). Un-jumble your tools and spiff up cookware now — before the holiday-cooking season starts. Read on for ways to make kitchen time less of a chore.
By Kate Mathis
Special Offers
COOKWARE CLEANUP
How to organize your kitchen gear — fast
1. Take Stock: Be ruthless as you clear out cabinets — there's probably stuff in there that's been collecting dust since your wedding.
Make three piles: Always Used, Seldom Used, and Never Used or Useless (see sidebar for what to keep versus what to toss). Ditch or donate anything that ends up in the last group.
Box seldom-used and seasonal items — such as the ice cream maker and corn-on-the-cob holders — and move those out of the kitchen's prime real estate. Consider storing holiday dishes and servingware with corresponding decorations so you can get to them when needed.
Think outside the cabinet when putting things back: There's no reason to stash your favorite cooking utensils in a crowded drawer, for instance, if you can pop them in a countertop vessel by the stove. Also...
2. Repurpose to Reorganize:Try these household helpers or pro tools to restore kitchen order
A letter or file organizer or a small dish rack keeps pot lids in place. Or, buy a specially designed lid rack (we like the ones that go on the backs of cabinet doors).
Small curtain tension rods, sprung vertically in a cabinet, create slots to stash cookie sheets on end. The store-bought version: Rev-A-Shelf's Tray Dividers ($18 for two; rev-a-shelf.com).
A copier-paper-box lid, a boot box (sans top), or another low-profile carton becomes a slide-out "drawer" at the bottom of a cabinet. Or, splurge on Oxo's Large Roll-Out Bin ($20; oxo.com) for the same purpose.
Paper plates make perfect liners to protect pots and pans if you have to stack them. Limit piles to three so no pan is a pain to get at.
KEEP OR TOSS?
Some well-worn cookware just needs a little love — and some is a lost cause
LIDS WITH MISSING KNOBS
KEEP If the pan or pot is still in working order, contact the manufacturer for the replacement part. If the knob has merely become detached, take it and the lid to the hardware store to buy a replacement screw. For a tighter fit, add a metal washer just below the screw head.
MISMATCHED LIDS
TOSS If the pots are long gone, why save the tops? Clear out the lot and spend about $15 on a universal lid like RSVP's (bigkitchen.com), which has ridges to fit most pots and pans.
DISCOLORED STAINLESS STEEL
KEEP Caused by high heat, the blue tint won't affect performance. Scrub it with a stainless steel cleaner, like Cameo's ($1.09; churchdwight.com). Bonus: That'll take off brown grease spatters, too.
WARPED BAKING PANS
TOSS Use these, and baked goods will come out misshapen and may cook unevenly. Next time, let hot sheets cool before soaking them in the sink; thermal shock causes that warping.
SCRATCHED NONSTICK
KEEP (IF YOU WANT) While some wear will diminish its ability to "release" food, the pan isn't dangerous to use (do toss a chipped or flaking pan, however). If your bigger complaint is a gummed-up surface, simmer water in the pan with a generous sprinkling of baking soda added. Once cool, clean with a soft nylon scrubber. Also: Stop using cooking spray, which gunks up surfaces fastest. These pans are called "nonstick" for a reason.
but as I was surfing the net, I found this wonderful article on Good Housekeeping.
Enjoy reading the tips:Declutter Your Kitchen
Whether your specialty is risotto or Rice-A-Roni, the prep process likely could be streamlined if your kitchen cabinets and drawers were in better order (admit it: that pot-lid avalanche is getting pretty old). Un-jumble your tools and spiff up cookware now — before the holiday-cooking season starts. Read on for ways to make kitchen time less of a chore.
By Kate Mathis
Special Offers
COOKWARE CLEANUP
How to organize your kitchen gear — fast
1. Take Stock: Be ruthless as you clear out cabinets — there's probably stuff in there that's been collecting dust since your wedding.
Make three piles: Always Used, Seldom Used, and Never Used or Useless (see sidebar for what to keep versus what to toss). Ditch or donate anything that ends up in the last group.
Box seldom-used and seasonal items — such as the ice cream maker and corn-on-the-cob holders — and move those out of the kitchen's prime real estate. Consider storing holiday dishes and servingware with corresponding decorations so you can get to them when needed.
Think outside the cabinet when putting things back: There's no reason to stash your favorite cooking utensils in a crowded drawer, for instance, if you can pop them in a countertop vessel by the stove. Also...
2. Repurpose to Reorganize:Try these household helpers or pro tools to restore kitchen order
A letter or file organizer or a small dish rack keeps pot lids in place. Or, buy a specially designed lid rack (we like the ones that go on the backs of cabinet doors).
Small curtain tension rods, sprung vertically in a cabinet, create slots to stash cookie sheets on end. The store-bought version: Rev-A-Shelf's Tray Dividers ($18 for two; rev-a-shelf.com).
A copier-paper-box lid, a boot box (sans top), or another low-profile carton becomes a slide-out "drawer" at the bottom of a cabinet. Or, splurge on Oxo's Large Roll-Out Bin ($20; oxo.com) for the same purpose.
Paper plates make perfect liners to protect pots and pans if you have to stack them. Limit piles to three so no pan is a pain to get at.
KEEP OR TOSS?
Some well-worn cookware just needs a little love — and some is a lost cause
LIDS WITH MISSING KNOBS
KEEP If the pan or pot is still in working order, contact the manufacturer for the replacement part. If the knob has merely become detached, take it and the lid to the hardware store to buy a replacement screw. For a tighter fit, add a metal washer just below the screw head.
MISMATCHED LIDS
TOSS If the pots are long gone, why save the tops? Clear out the lot and spend about $15 on a universal lid like RSVP's (bigkitchen.com), which has ridges to fit most pots and pans.
DISCOLORED STAINLESS STEEL
KEEP Caused by high heat, the blue tint won't affect performance. Scrub it with a stainless steel cleaner, like Cameo's ($1.09; churchdwight.com). Bonus: That'll take off brown grease spatters, too.
WARPED BAKING PANS
TOSS Use these, and baked goods will come out misshapen and may cook unevenly. Next time, let hot sheets cool before soaking them in the sink; thermal shock causes that warping.
SCRATCHED NONSTICK
KEEP (IF YOU WANT) While some wear will diminish its ability to "release" food, the pan isn't dangerous to use (do toss a chipped or flaking pan, however). If your bigger complaint is a gummed-up surface, simmer water in the pan with a generous sprinkling of baking soda added. Once cool, clean with a soft nylon scrubber. Also: Stop using cooking spray, which gunks up surfaces fastest. These pans are called "nonstick" for a reason.
Day 27: Organizing Kids Toys
Parents get enthusiastic in the name of educating their children and giving them the best. With that enthusiasm come a whole load of toys and educational junk. Most of the times the kids don't even know that a toy exists in his toy box. Too much of anything is not good either.
So how can we manage the "WOW this would be great for John" "He would love it" urge!
1. Children would love to have some wooden blocks. Plain old simple wooden blocks. You would be shocked to know the ways they get creative with it.
2. When there is a birthday and there is a certain toy the child is eyeing, there are a few ways you can deal with it:
a. An older child can save for it
b. Keep a chart of things the child should do around the house, and thus earning a set of stickers to reach the goal of getting the toy.
c. Have the policy of "buy one give away another 2 toys" system. This gets them to see the value in the existing ones and choose not to get the new one.
3. Plain old cardboard, paper plates and cups, toilet rolls can be used to create things.
When you have toys , they can get a little messy with blocks lying all around and I have slipped on a car lying in the kitchen floor. So, for your safety and in the name of organizing:
1.Assign boxes or containers for specific sets of toys, like a box of cars, box for Lego blocks, a box for all the play kitchen set, plates and food.
2. It's never too late to teach organization:Teach your kids to be responsible for their own toys and teach them to put them back in their respective boxes. Since you have containers and designated places for each kind of toy , it will be easier for your children to learn how and where to put toys back in place.
3.Kids should also know that if they take some toys upstairs, it needs to be returned in its box downstairs.
4.Have a regular "check up" for the toys. Throw out those that are broken.
5. Organize the stationary in separate containers. Craft papers in one box
Have fun playing around organizing the toys!
So how can we manage the "WOW this would be great for John" "He would love it" urge!
1. Children would love to have some wooden blocks. Plain old simple wooden blocks. You would be shocked to know the ways they get creative with it.
2. When there is a birthday and there is a certain toy the child is eyeing, there are a few ways you can deal with it:
a. An older child can save for it
b. Keep a chart of things the child should do around the house, and thus earning a set of stickers to reach the goal of getting the toy.
c. Have the policy of "buy one give away another 2 toys" system. This gets them to see the value in the existing ones and choose not to get the new one.
3. Plain old cardboard, paper plates and cups, toilet rolls can be used to create things.
When you have toys , they can get a little messy with blocks lying all around and I have slipped on a car lying in the kitchen floor. So, for your safety and in the name of organizing:
1.Assign boxes or containers for specific sets of toys, like a box of cars, box for Lego blocks, a box for all the play kitchen set, plates and food.
2. It's never too late to teach organization:Teach your kids to be responsible for their own toys and teach them to put them back in their respective boxes. Since you have containers and designated places for each kind of toy , it will be easier for your children to learn how and where to put toys back in place.
3.Kids should also know that if they take some toys upstairs, it needs to be returned in its box downstairs.
4.Have a regular "check up" for the toys. Throw out those that are broken.
5. Organize the stationary in separate containers. Craft papers in one box
Have fun playing around organizing the toys!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Day 26: Games cupboard
Even though my kids are still under 5, we have many board games that occupy at least 2 shelves in a book case.
Board games need to be gently cared for. Or else you will end up with no dice in a game that requires the dice and half the UNO cards missing. GENTLE is the word.
What can you do to take care of your expensive precious board games?
1. Keep all board games in one designated place.
2. Let the Monopoly game be in it's own box and not in the Bingo box.
3. Put all small parts in Ziploc covers to keep them from wandering away into no man's land or wandering into other game territory.
here is a picture of our Game Cupboard:
4. If you have games that are too young for your children and so haven't been played in ages, give it away. Why keep stuff you don't use.
5.If you have small game packs such as cards put them all in a basket, so they stay snug in one place and don't disappear at the back when pushed around.
6. Puzzles: It may be a tough job , but go through them and see if they are missing any pieces. A puzzle isn't complete without all its pieces. Keep those puzzles away for a while until you find the pieces. If you have a puzzle with more than 5 pieces missing (depending on the number of puzzles: those tiny tot ones may have only 5 pieces . So that an absolute throw away ), throw it away! Same policy with card decks.
Enjoy organizing your game cupboard! And as a treat play one of these games with your kids!
Here are some pictures of other game cupboards to give you an idea on organizing it:
Board games need to be gently cared for. Or else you will end up with no dice in a game that requires the dice and half the UNO cards missing. GENTLE is the word.
What can you do to take care of your expensive precious board games?
1. Keep all board games in one designated place.
2. Let the Monopoly game be in it's own box and not in the Bingo box.
3. Put all small parts in Ziploc covers to keep them from wandering away into no man's land or wandering into other game territory.
here is a picture of our Game Cupboard:
4. If you have games that are too young for your children and so haven't been played in ages, give it away. Why keep stuff you don't use.
5.If you have small game packs such as cards put them all in a basket, so they stay snug in one place and don't disappear at the back when pushed around.
6. Puzzles: It may be a tough job , but go through them and see if they are missing any pieces. A puzzle isn't complete without all its pieces. Keep those puzzles away for a while until you find the pieces. If you have a puzzle with more than 5 pieces missing (depending on the number of puzzles: those tiny tot ones may have only 5 pieces . So that an absolute throw away ), throw it away! Same policy with card decks.
Enjoy organizing your game cupboard! And as a treat play one of these games with your kids!
Here are some pictures of other game cupboards to give you an idea on organizing it:
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Day 25: File everything
Filing your papers properly is a pain sometimes. They tend to accumulate on the desk and it gets pushed aside when you need space. How can be combat this war?
1. Assign a Bookshelf or a filing cabinet for all important papers.
2. Maintain a file for each cause such as: Electricity, Gas, Heating, Car, Bills from shopping, Insurance, Bank, Kids daycare, important certificates(birth, residence,school papers, degrees.. . the list can go one. But its up to you and the type of papers that come in that requires the filing.
3. For me this shelf is in the attic. So when I get the mail containing these documents or important papers it progresses on its movement to the first floor in my file tray designed for "home", "work", "bill paid/action done" tray. After a while when the pile builds up I take it to the attic one day and file them in the appropriate files.
Sort out your papers before they become impossible!
1. Assign a Bookshelf or a filing cabinet for all important papers.
2. Maintain a file for each cause such as: Electricity, Gas, Heating, Car, Bills from shopping, Insurance, Bank, Kids daycare, important certificates(birth, residence,school papers, degrees.. . the list can go one. But its up to you and the type of papers that come in that requires the filing.
3. For me this shelf is in the attic. So when I get the mail containing these documents or important papers it progresses on its movement to the first floor in my file tray designed for "home", "work", "bill paid/action done" tray. After a while when the pile builds up I take it to the attic one day and file them in the appropriate files.
Sort out your papers before they become impossible!
Day 24: Gift Wrapping Station
It's a good idea to make a convenient corner in your work room or attic space to store away gift wrapping paper, ribbons, cards and other decorations. So, you will have everything you need in one fixed corner rather than hunting for scissors every where else.
Ideas:
1. You could convert a closet into one by removing the door and having the wallpaper on the wall and fixing a small desk near the shelves . Like this one:
2. You could hang rods on the wall and have ribbons pass through it. Easy to roll out strings when you need it.
3. Use a basket to store away rolls of gift wrapping paper.
4. Use bottle of odd shapes to store stickers, letters, and other shapes.
5. If you don't have the luxury of converting a closet, you could hang your supplies on the back of a door.
Gift wrapping is an art to be enjoyed! Think on how you can convert an area of your space for a hassle free, all stationary present in one place, wrapping time!
Ideas:
1. You could convert a closet into one by removing the door and having the wallpaper on the wall and fixing a small desk near the shelves . Like this one:
2. You could hang rods on the wall and have ribbons pass through it. Easy to roll out strings when you need it.
3. Use a basket to store away rolls of gift wrapping paper.
4. Use bottle of odd shapes to store stickers, letters, and other shapes.
5. If you don't have the luxury of converting a closet, you could hang your supplies on the back of a door.
Gift wrapping is an art to be enjoyed! Think on how you can convert an area of your space for a hassle free, all stationary present in one place, wrapping time!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Day 23: Project Attic
I finally started my "Project Attic", because I know now that there is a chance my best friend from Maryland may visit during Christmas. And the Attic room would be the space for her and her husband. But can't call that a room anymore with the junk that has been collecting. I also knew my parents wouldn't be coming this year so the junk piled up.
Where to start....
I started with buying plastic boxes to store all the clothes that my oldest has grown out of.I need to keep it for my second one. They are currently in cardboard boxes and plastic bags not sorted out according to sizes.
Project #1: Sort clothes. Put in size allotted containers.Separate clothes for charity.
Project #2: Make gift wrapping station
Project #3: Arrange tool cupboard
Project #4: Make plans to arrange the attic bedroom.
Now don't gasp! This isn't my attic. Just to show you how things can get messy.
Clearing attic space can be so messy.Dont look at the entire space and get so upset.
1. Have a plan in your mind as to how you want the room to look like.
2. Stick to that idea. Start in small areas and take it one day at a time.
3. Don't start to clear the whole space in one day. You are set to disappointment.
4. Keep an open mind to throwing out things you haven't used in more than one year. If you haven't used it for that long, you don't need it.I don't mean you need to throw out memories of photos or letters.
5. If you are allergic to dust mites, I advise you to wear a mask.
Enjoy your "clearing out projects"!
Where to start....
I started with buying plastic boxes to store all the clothes that my oldest has grown out of.I need to keep it for my second one. They are currently in cardboard boxes and plastic bags not sorted out according to sizes.
Project #1: Sort clothes. Put in size allotted containers.Separate clothes for charity.
Project #2: Make gift wrapping station
Project #3: Arrange tool cupboard
Project #4: Make plans to arrange the attic bedroom.
Now don't gasp! This isn't my attic. Just to show you how things can get messy.
Clearing attic space can be so messy.Dont look at the entire space and get so upset.
1. Have a plan in your mind as to how you want the room to look like.
2. Stick to that idea. Start in small areas and take it one day at a time.
3. Don't start to clear the whole space in one day. You are set to disappointment.
4. Keep an open mind to throwing out things you haven't used in more than one year. If you haven't used it for that long, you don't need it.I don't mean you need to throw out memories of photos or letters.
5. If you are allergic to dust mites, I advise you to wear a mask.
Enjoy your "clearing out projects"!
Day 22: Cereal box can also be used for other things
Today I made my son his very own file tray.
What do you need:
1.Gift wrap(I used some gift wrap which I know I wont ever use)
2. 3 cereal boxes or more
3. Scotch tape
4. Scissors
Wrap the individual boxes.Make sure you leave the opening of the cereal box open by pushing the lid inside and using the wrap to neatly tape to the sides. This is where you can put the paper. Glue the bottoms of 2 of the cereal boxes and stick on top of each other. Voila!
Your very own file tray!
What does he use it for?
1.He currently uses them to put his small colored paper.
2.His stock of stickers.
3.Some art works that are in the process.
How is this uncluttering?
Well, he gets to organize his own papers and art works by himself. Thus, neat kids table and responsibility for his own work!
2 birds with one stone. The cheap way!
What do you need:
1.Gift wrap(I used some gift wrap which I know I wont ever use)
2. 3 cereal boxes or more
3. Scotch tape
4. Scissors
Wrap the individual boxes.Make sure you leave the opening of the cereal box open by pushing the lid inside and using the wrap to neatly tape to the sides. This is where you can put the paper. Glue the bottoms of 2 of the cereal boxes and stick on top of each other. Voila!
Your very own file tray!
What does he use it for?
1.He currently uses them to put his small colored paper.
2.His stock of stickers.
3.Some art works that are in the process.
How is this uncluttering?
Well, he gets to organize his own papers and art works by himself. Thus, neat kids table and responsibility for his own work!
2 birds with one stone. The cheap way!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Day 21: Working toward hallway makeover
Finally our hallway all done!
Most of the homes in the Netherlands have small hallway.And ours looks messy and shabby. It wasnt a mess. It was always clean.Papers and letters in order, shoes in proper place. But , it still lacked a refined look. Hallways are the first thing your visitor sees. So, the hallway project began a few weeks ago. What did this project involve?
1. Clearing the space. Relocating furniture,paper/letter and shoes area.
2. Wallpaper
3. Better coat hanger
1.I started by filling the holes left by the previous coat hanger. The coat stand we had before the make over was good but it had a "coats thrown over" look.
2. Bought a wallpaper that was classy and also matched the grey half painted area on the wall. I wanted this wall to be like a focus wall.
3.Fixing the wallpaper was not as easy as I thought. But I was glad that I had just one small wall.
4. Coat hanger for adult coats and kids coats fixed after a real battle between the brick wall and my husband. They have a love-hate relationship. Screws never seem to stay put. And if they stay it never comes off!
5. Found alternative to kids shoe rack: plastic crate hidden towards the wall.
6. The cupboard has scarves and shawls, and basket of "things to return". The library books are on the floor next to it.
7. A blue kids chest for kids sweaters, mittens, caps etc...
The work in progress:
Most of the homes in the Netherlands have small hallway.And ours looks messy and shabby. It wasnt a mess. It was always clean.Papers and letters in order, shoes in proper place. But , it still lacked a refined look. Hallways are the first thing your visitor sees. So, the hallway project began a few weeks ago. What did this project involve?
1. Clearing the space. Relocating furniture,paper/letter and shoes area.
2. Wallpaper
3. Better coat hanger
1.I started by filling the holes left by the previous coat hanger. The coat stand we had before the make over was good but it had a "coats thrown over" look.
2. Bought a wallpaper that was classy and also matched the grey half painted area on the wall. I wanted this wall to be like a focus wall.
3.Fixing the wallpaper was not as easy as I thought. But I was glad that I had just one small wall.
4. Coat hanger for adult coats and kids coats fixed after a real battle between the brick wall and my husband. They have a love-hate relationship. Screws never seem to stay put. And if they stay it never comes off!
5. Found alternative to kids shoe rack: plastic crate hidden towards the wall.
6. The cupboard has scarves and shawls, and basket of "things to return". The library books are on the floor next to it.
7. A blue kids chest for kids sweaters, mittens, caps etc...
The work in progress:
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Day 20: Tame the paper trail
In this digital world, we still receive so much of paper stuff. Bills, mail, advertisement newspaper, local newspaper, more bills, notices, school papers, work papers. I am 100% with receiving a personal snail mail/card from a friend or relative. Keep that art of letter writing, which is lost in todays time. Well, thats an entirely different post. So, where was I? BILLS.
Every other Tuesday is our day for paper recycling. Other than pizza boxes, and frozen food, I have so much paper that I throw out every two weeks. And the paper I receive just collects on my table in one big pile. Until I have to push them off when a client comes(I work at home).
What can we do to minimize and organize the incoming PAPER?
1. Try to go the digital way if there is an option with your water, gas, electricity companies etc..
2. Immediately file them away in specific trays. See picture below. I have 4 trays. One for home related paper. Another, my company paper. Some paper that I am working on such as half filled form or some paper I am reading and the last tray for final filing in respective files. I have had to add a fifth tray for paper I receive from the school.
3.Throw away any paper (in your paper recycle bin ) that you have read and taken an action and don't need anymore.
4.Keep a basket in the hallway for incoming magazines and newspapers. Throw away newspaper in the next paper recycle day. And keep not more that 3 months of magazine issues in a separate "magazine" basket.
5. I think 4 points is really enough to tame the paper trail!
Every other Tuesday is our day for paper recycling. Other than pizza boxes, and frozen food, I have so much paper that I throw out every two weeks. And the paper I receive just collects on my table in one big pile. Until I have to push them off when a client comes(I work at home).
What can we do to minimize and organize the incoming PAPER?
1. Try to go the digital way if there is an option with your water, gas, electricity companies etc..
2. Immediately file them away in specific trays. See picture below. I have 4 trays. One for home related paper. Another, my company paper. Some paper that I am working on such as half filled form or some paper I am reading and the last tray for final filing in respective files. I have had to add a fifth tray for paper I receive from the school.
3.Throw away any paper (in your paper recycle bin ) that you have read and taken an action and don't need anymore.
4.Keep a basket in the hallway for incoming magazines and newspapers. Throw away newspaper in the next paper recycle day. And keep not more that 3 months of magazine issues in a separate "magazine" basket.
5. I think 4 points is really enough to tame the paper trail!
Day 19: Fridge control
Do you go through a time of throwing things out of the fridge? Wishing you had remembered that this wonderful cheese was in your fridge? Do you hate yourself for throwing out a week olds food out of the fridge on a Sunday evening?
Well, here are some tips to organize your fridge and make sure you only have food that you need for the week
1. Make a week menu and the shopping list. Buy only those items in your list.
2. Make sure you stick to the week menu, not falling into the urge of choosing to cook something else.
3.Sunday evening make sure there aren't any veggies or fruits still unused.This also applies to juice and milk cartons.
4.Defrost the fridge at least once in 6 months.
5.Clean the fridge every two weeks. Wipe outside and inside.
6. Wrap celery in Aluminum foil. It lasts longer.
7. Always try to figure out what you can cook from things in your fridge rather than buying more items to make a completely new dish.
These are some tips that I have found to be useful and has made life easier and not being prone to food wastage.
Well, here are some tips to organize your fridge and make sure you only have food that you need for the week
1. Make a week menu and the shopping list. Buy only those items in your list.
2. Make sure you stick to the week menu, not falling into the urge of choosing to cook something else.
3.Sunday evening make sure there aren't any veggies or fruits still unused.This also applies to juice and milk cartons.
4.Defrost the fridge at least once in 6 months.
5.Clean the fridge every two weeks. Wipe outside and inside.
6. Wrap celery in Aluminum foil. It lasts longer.
7. Always try to figure out what you can cook from things in your fridge rather than buying more items to make a completely new dish.
These are some tips that I have found to be useful and has made life easier and not being prone to food wastage.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Day 18: Organized morning
I have been having an organized morning for quite sometime now. Mind you, I have a 4 year old and an almost 2 year old. How do I do that? P R A Y E R.
Since we, at the Mums and Toddlers have been following Elizabeth George's "A Woman After God's own heart", we have been focussing on keeping the quiet time by "beat the family" policy. Not violence. But wake up before they do. It was hard in the beginning, especially when there is some light only by 7 am. But persistence was the key word and praise God, its getting better.
Complete handover of the entire day and my to -do list into His hand was the target. Packing lunches, breakfast, changing clothes and especially an ignored area for myself: Dress well and not just pull something together from the wardrobe, were what occupied my morning until 8:15 am.
Peace filled many areas of this morning. Even when things were getting delayed or I didn't have fresh underpants for the boys! Irritation and frustration were slowly disappearing.
I still do have some imperfect mornings where all these frustrations and irritations reach an incredible level. But there are good days also.
Will you beat the family up, and spend some time with your lord?
Since we, at the Mums and Toddlers have been following Elizabeth George's "A Woman After God's own heart", we have been focussing on keeping the quiet time by "beat the family" policy. Not violence. But wake up before they do. It was hard in the beginning, especially when there is some light only by 7 am. But persistence was the key word and praise God, its getting better.
Complete handover of the entire day and my to -do list into His hand was the target. Packing lunches, breakfast, changing clothes and especially an ignored area for myself: Dress well and not just pull something together from the wardrobe, were what occupied my morning until 8:15 am.
Peace filled many areas of this morning. Even when things were getting delayed or I didn't have fresh underpants for the boys! Irritation and frustration were slowly disappearing.
I still do have some imperfect mornings where all these frustrations and irritations reach an incredible level. But there are good days also.
Will you beat the family up, and spend some time with your lord?
Day 17: Hallway makeover planning
The hallway makeover is in progress. We sold off our coat hanger and all the coats are just piled on top of each other. The shoes which also hung in a separator shelf is dumped into a crate.
So whats the plan?
the wall is going to have a nice printed wallpaper. We already bought a nice coat hanging shelf from IKEA. there will be boxes above for shawls. Shoes will also be hung with the old system. There is an old kids chest where all the other sweaters and mittens and mufflers are kept. there may be a little tweaking required , I guess.
The mini command centre will have 3 baskets in them. One for things to return, newspapers and magazines of the week, and library books.
Plan ready! Implementation time!
So whats the plan?
the wall is going to have a nice printed wallpaper. We already bought a nice coat hanging shelf from IKEA. there will be boxes above for shawls. Shoes will also be hung with the old system. There is an old kids chest where all the other sweaters and mittens and mufflers are kept. there may be a little tweaking required , I guess.
The mini command centre will have 3 baskets in them. One for things to return, newspapers and magazines of the week, and library books.
Plan ready! Implementation time!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Day 16: Laundry madness
Steve Jobs invented the I -Age. Why didn't someone do anything about folding clothes. When in one of those, once in a blue moon situation I have ironed clothes, I settle down only to realize it's time to wash and fold again. And don't get me started on laundry piling up.The pile quickly grows into a mountain and I cant seem to figure out where to start. Sometimes I have washed and dirty clothes in different baskets lying around, I sometimes have to smell them to figure which ones are clean.(I hope there is someone who says "yes thats me, I totally get you" to this).
So until someone has invented a folding machine, or when we find the perfect laundry system, what can we do in the mean time:
1. Listen to music/audio book or a sermon while ironing or folding.
2. Plonk the ironing board in front of the T.V and watch the latest Grey's Anatomy,House, and the Good Wife.
3. Teach the children to put their own laundry into the laundry basket.
4. Assign different colored baskets for different member of the family.
5. For those mysterious creepy little things called "socks"- put a separate bag like the netted one near the laundry bin and put only socks in that.So it doesn't mix with the clothes.
6.Make a fortune by putting a glass jar near the laundry area to collect those coins that are usually lingering around in pockets.
7. Assigning laundry days in a week might work for some of you. Mondays for clothes and Fridays for towels and sheets. If I haven't finished the sets of laundry , I push it to next week. Don't do more than 2 loads of laundry. You will be exhausted. Fold and if you iron, iron the same day.
8. You could also put in a load before heading out of the house. So when you get back, you have a load of washed clothes. Similarly do with the dryer .
So take up the laundry challenge in an organized and systematic way, leading to a happier you and a happier family!
Conquer the laundry challenge!
So until someone has invented a folding machine, or when we find the perfect laundry system, what can we do in the mean time:
1. Listen to music/audio book or a sermon while ironing or folding.
2. Plonk the ironing board in front of the T.V and watch the latest Grey's Anatomy,House, and the Good Wife.
3. Teach the children to put their own laundry into the laundry basket.
4. Assign different colored baskets for different member of the family.
5. For those mysterious creepy little things called "socks"- put a separate bag like the netted one near the laundry bin and put only socks in that.So it doesn't mix with the clothes.
6.Make a fortune by putting a glass jar near the laundry area to collect those coins that are usually lingering around in pockets.
7. Assigning laundry days in a week might work for some of you. Mondays for clothes and Fridays for towels and sheets. If I haven't finished the sets of laundry , I push it to next week. Don't do more than 2 loads of laundry. You will be exhausted. Fold and if you iron, iron the same day.
8. You could also put in a load before heading out of the house. So when you get back, you have a load of washed clothes. Similarly do with the dryer .
So take up the laundry challenge in an organized and systematic way, leading to a happier you and a happier family!
Conquer the laundry challenge!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Day 15: Containers and baskets the word
More basket and container magic still around the house. As I sort out some more things that used to be in plastic bags and basically just lying around have a proper place and a great look.
Here is a container I keep for the gifts I have bought for birthdays, new babies etc..
This one is in our hallway. A basket for newspapers, flyers and promotions. The other one for things to be returned. The one on the ground are the library books.
Baskets in the hallway: Why they are recommended
1.Having this near the doorway helps to one remember, that these need taking out every time we leave the house.
2.It also makes it easy to put things in their respective basket since this is a common pass over zone.
3.Keeping a basket in the hallway is a great way to prevent library books from getting misplaced among own books, and lost somewhere when you are looking for a book.
4.It is also a good idea to teach kids on being responsible for their own books. Also making it easy to carry out when they need to be returned.
5. Easy to take out the paper on "paper recycling day".
Here is a container I keep for the gifts I have bought for birthdays, new babies etc..
This one is in our hallway. A basket for newspapers, flyers and promotions. The other one for things to be returned. The one on the ground are the library books.
Baskets in the hallway: Why they are recommended
1.Having this near the doorway helps to one remember, that these need taking out every time we leave the house.
2.It also makes it easy to put things in their respective basket since this is a common pass over zone.
3.Keeping a basket in the hallway is a great way to prevent library books from getting misplaced among own books, and lost somewhere when you are looking for a book.
4.It is also a good idea to teach kids on being responsible for their own books. Also making it easy to carry out when they need to be returned.
5. Easy to take out the paper on "paper recycling day".
Day 14: Master bedroom change
Curtains can be distressful. Especially when you have a severe dust mite allergy. I always had a thing for wooden blinds. And early this year we put that in the boys bedroom. And now our bedroom has it too. Our bedroom looks like a 5 star hotel(a little over board with the rating :)
Wooden blinds look great on a full length window. One thing that I like about Dutch house.
I forgot to take the before look. But somehow managed to grab this picture which was taken 2 years ago. Notice the the curtains behind? I know it's hard to look past the Spiderman.
The after look:
Some advantages of using a blind over curtains:
1.Blinds give a very roomy look to the room. And curtain tend to make the room look a little smaller depending on the designs and patterns on the curtains
2. They can suit any decor of the room.
3. Doesn't collect dust as easily as the curtains. This mini blind dust cleaner
does a quick and easy job on cleaning the blinds.
4.Super cool look!
Wooden blinds look great on a full length window. One thing that I like about Dutch house.
I forgot to take the before look. But somehow managed to grab this picture which was taken 2 years ago. Notice the the curtains behind? I know it's hard to look past the Spiderman.
The after look:
Some advantages of using a blind over curtains:
1.Blinds give a very roomy look to the room. And curtain tend to make the room look a little smaller depending on the designs and patterns on the curtains
2. They can suit any decor of the room.
3. Doesn't collect dust as easily as the curtains. This mini blind dust cleaner
does a quick and easy job on cleaning the blinds.
4.Super cool look!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Day 13: Organizing drawers
Elijah's sock et al drawer was so messed up , I had socks from when he was born. He is almost 2 now. So I went ahead bought two baskets.(Less than 10 Euros for both) One for socks and the other for onesies.
Steps to organizing: (I just finished reading Clutter Rehab by Laura from Organizing Junkie )
1. Empty any area you are going to work on: I emptied the drawer of all its contents.
2. Sort: Sorted out the socks and onesies, cotton towels, leggings for this season.
3. Put those that are small away in the box designated for each age group(This is another project I am looking forward to). Throw away those that are beyond wear for the next baby or another child you know.
4. Neatly fold and place items in the baskets.
Here is a before picture:
Here is the after picture:
I still have to sort out shelves in the kids room. But I choose to start small. One drawer/shelf per time. Starting small gives you the chance to finish the work soon and have a satisfying feeling about the project you undertook and also for the coming projects.
Start small. Thats the keyword.
Steps to organizing: (I just finished reading Clutter Rehab by Laura from Organizing Junkie )
1. Empty any area you are going to work on: I emptied the drawer of all its contents.
2. Sort: Sorted out the socks and onesies, cotton towels, leggings for this season.
3. Put those that are small away in the box designated for each age group(This is another project I am looking forward to). Throw away those that are beyond wear for the next baby or another child you know.
4. Neatly fold and place items in the baskets.
Here is a before picture:
Here is the after picture:
I still have to sort out shelves in the kids room. But I choose to start small. One drawer/shelf per time. Starting small gives you the chance to finish the work soon and have a satisfying feeling about the project you undertook and also for the coming projects.
Start small. Thats the keyword.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Day 12: The magic of containers
A wonderful thing called "Marktplaats" exist in the Netherlands. My husband spends a lot of time on this. Its an online space where you can sell and buy second hand things, as well as new. So, in my attempt to unclutter my attic space of all the boxes filled with kids clothes that are small for them, I needed plastic containers to store them size vice and neatly. My husband goes online and orders a dozen of them from "Marktplaats". But they were the small size containers. Not exactly what I wanted to store clothes. But , with just a little bit of complaining I put it to good use.
The dishes and food items from the kitchen play set was in a cardboard box , which was barely keeping it's shape.
Before and after: Play food Items in the colorful tin box and the dishes in the clear plastic container
Cars cars everywhere... now in a box:
Extra spices and lentils in closed containers:
Wooden blocks from different sets:
The dishes and food items from the kitchen play set was in a cardboard box , which was barely keeping it's shape.
Before and after: Play food Items in the colorful tin box and the dishes in the clear plastic container
Cars cars everywhere... now in a box:
Extra spices and lentils in closed containers:
Wooden blocks from different sets:
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