• Kitchen food is always everywhere
• Books are always getting pulled out and not easily put away
• Puzzle storage continues to be a challenge

So I think we figured out #1 and #2 and #3, puzzle storage, is something I hope I will find in other’s links in Project Simplify.

I am really excited about the paint bucket storage.  I found them for about $10 at our local Lowe’s.  I used chalkboard contact paper and a wet erase chalk market found on Amazon.

I traced the original label from the paint bucket onto the contact paper, it was clearly the perfect size oval for the bucket.  Then I used the chalk marker instead of regular chalk so it would be more vibrant.  It’s also washable so I can relabel the bins as the kids’ taste changes.

With all of the kitchen food inside, the bin is fairly heavy so it’s staying on the low shelf.  I really like the look of the bins and if it’s working after a month, I’ll be getting more to fill the shelves.

The baby toys got packed up and moved to the attic.  We sorted toys into like items and tossed a few broken containers.  Toys got new batteries and a head got glued on.  I have to say it feels refreshing to see everything be so usable now.

The book issue was resolved by using empty space under our TV in the basement.  My collection of childhood favorites was getting destroyed, including the loss of covers of Make Way for Ducklings and Are You My Mother?  They are now tucked away in the back, and flanked by Golden Books and Dr. Suess learn to read books.  Plus a very loud train…

The other project that seemed fitting this week was dealing with the artwork from school.  I had a file of favorites from the past year that needed a home.

I photographed each piece on a white fabric background and have them saved on the computer.  My plan is to make a photo book to save the memory of the favorite masterpieces.  Hopefully then I can let them go, except for anything with a hand-print.  Those I will keep.  Forever.

Got a decluttering suggestion?  Share it in the comments or get inspiration from the Simple Mom collection of posts. Next up is the kitchen and/or pantry!

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this post was shared at Blue Cricket Design.

It’s that time again.  Spring clean-out is around the corner.  If you want a little motivation to get moving, I highly suggest checking out Project Simplify from Simple Mom.  Over four weeks, you get a little kick in the pants to target an area that needs some TLC.  I did this project last year and still remember the bags of clothes to donate coming out of my closet.  It was refreshing.  But I also had an infant so I was also just a wee bit sleep deprived.  This time around I have all my favorite pins in my Organization Board all ready to go for inspiration.

Although the sleep deprivation hasn’t totally changed this go round, I am pleased to see Tsh is sharing the “hot spots” ahead of time so I can plan accordingly.  I’ll be sharing my progress at the end of each week and then there will be a link up of similar posts on the Simple Mom site where you can get loads of other organizing idea.  It will be a major “pinning” party over there.

Here is the schedule of hot spots if you want to play along

• Week of March 5: Kids’ stuff- toys, clothes and the like
• Week of March 12: Kitchen and/or pantry
• Week of March 19: Closets, countertops and drawers
• Week of March 26: Choose your own adventure- you pick your most-needed hot spot. 

I’m reading Tsh’s book Organized Simplicityto get some new ideas for the kids’ toy area.  I need to figure out a better strategy for our basement set of toys.  (This is the link to the Kindleversion which is free for Amazon Prime members)

If you are in an organizing mood, you may want to check out Tsh from Simple Mom’s One Bite at a Time.  I’m reading this weekly and enjoying tackling some manageable challenges each week.

I ordered some chalkboard contact paper today to work on a new label idea.  There will also be a giveaway for Naked Binders during the course of Project Simplify to help inspire you to get organized.

What’s your Hot Spot you want to see on this list?



I love to hear your feedback and comments. Stop by and visit Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter for more conversation!  Or get posts delivered via Email or RSS Feed. Thanks!     

This was the last week of Simple Mom’s Project Simplify. The “hot spot” for the week was my choice. I decided to finish dealing with some paper clutter still lingering from week 2.

This was my folder of current paperwork that I needed to keep handy. It hangs out in my kitchen, along with a stack of magazines.

I choose a Carolina Pad binder in the Whimsical Flower print to use as my home management binder. I found it at my local Staples store. Inside I have started tabs for the following:
-menu planning
-childcare info (daycare, babysitter notes)
-YMCA info
-library (checked books list, events calendar)
-coupons (online shopping ones generally)
-addresses
-church

I made my labels with sticky noes so I can make adjustments if I need to make changes in the next month. The other folder I started contains all of my magazine clippings. There are sections for crafts, holidays, blog articles, and future house ideas.

I hope this will be helpful and I can share more details go forward. I realize that staying on top of things helps me be green. I can create my menu plan with the current circular and not purchase what I don’t need. I can plan entertainment for our family for free without purchasing anything. I also don’t need to turn on the computer to pull up one address or phone number.

Do you have a home management book? What am I missing?
Thanks!