Archive for Organizing
The Empty Shelf
Posted by: | CommentsWould you like to know one of my simple little organizing secrets? An empty shelf. Yes, that’s right – an empty shelf. I call it my current projects shelf and I keep it in my linen closet. Right now the shelf is holding Christmas gifts and hostess gifts. Very soon the shelf will be empty again.
I use this shelf for current projects or things that need to get done but might take a little time. Examples would be artwork from the kids that needs to get processed, photos that I’m scanning, returns that I need to make, or items that need to be repaired. If the shelf is too full then I know I have too many projects going on and it is time to scale it back. If the shelf is empty then I smile. I also know that I can take on something new. The key is to not shove too many projects on the shelf – I want to be able to see everything that needs work. I also love having a place for my projects so I don’t have to move things around each time I have a new task. I have to admit I love the satisfaction of seeing an empty shelf from time to time.
Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via N’Krysta on Pinterest
Inspiration
Posted by: | CommentsSometimes we all need a little inspiration to move forward. I’ve been a little bogged down with work, (a good problem to have) but I took some time today to find a little organizing zen. I hope you enjoy my out of the box DIY finds too.
This first DIY for shoes in an entryway is truly drool worthy
Source: bluevelvetchair.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest
Inverted ladders as a bookshelf – yes please
Source: revistadecorarmaispormenos.com.br via Kristin on Pinterest
and finally, an easier DIY = repurposed paint cans
How to be Organized to Prepare Family Meals – The Organizing Diva
Posted by: | CommentsAs promised, the Organizing Diva, Maureen Nuccitelli has written a follow-up to her post on a Well Stocked Kitchen. This time she is walking us through a well stocked panty so that we can have the proper staples on hand to prepare nutritious and delicious meals. Please stop back on Friday and I’ll share Maureen’s Gazpacho Soup recipe as a Savvy Find.
Please remember to stop by Maureen’s blog – Ask the Organizing Diva to ask questions or get some great tips.
PartIIEssentialStaplesofKitchen
Clipboards
Posted by: | CommentsI love clipboards. They are perhaps one of my most favorite organizing tools. I use them at my desk to hold bills to be paid, forms to fill out, papers to be processed and more. Here are some other uses for this handy helper:
- Recipe holder in the kitchen
- Menu plan holder in the kitchen
- Mail or other papers that need to be handled by the front door
- Artwork
- Inspiration board
- Coupons & grocery list (and then it can travel with you to the store)
By the door
Source: google.com.ar via Ana on Pinterest
Artwork
Organizing Art Supplies
Posted by: | CommentsOrganizing your kids art supplies can be a great challenge because it is one of those things that multiplies while you’re not looking. Grandma brings over a new box of crayons every time she visits and it seems like the best option when they’re begging for a toy at Target.
No surprise here, but the key to keeping the supplies organized is to limit them. Weed through what you have and if there appears to be an abundance of markers, crayons or paints then put some of them away in a tote until you need to replenish.
Another idea is to make a small portable kit that they can bring outside for crafts or in the car on long rides.
Keep their options to a minimum and make certain that everything has a defined home so that it is easy for the kids to put away.
Now for some eye candy so that you can think about how to contain your budding Picasso’s art supplies.
This is adorable but also a great use for your old soup cans.
Very clever option on a lazy susan.
Source: angryjuliemonday.com via Elyssa on Pinterest
I love this option for a little older child – especially if you keep some supplies in your kitchen area.
Cute tote for outside or car rides
Source: hisforhandmade.blogspot.com via Roxy on Pinterest
Something like this would be great for portable supplies because the tight side pockets would keep the markers or crayons in place.
Source: 2littlehooligans.blogspot.com via Allison on Pinterest
Savory Solutions
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome to the third installment of Savory Solutions. This new series will introduce you to smart, creative and interesting women that either blog or own their own business. You’ll read about a new organizing tip and you’ll find a new and tasty recipe to try out. I’m looking for bloggers and business owners that would like to guest post for this series, please contact me if you are interested.
This week I’m pleased to introduce you to ThaiHoa Burroughs. Her blog is Tootie Foodie and it is loaded with good recipes and fun ideas. Please take a click over to her blog and have a look. Now, let’s meet ThaiHoa;
ThaiHoa from Tootie Foodie
Savory Solutions
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome to a new series on the Imperfect Home, Savory Solutions. I found some very talented women that agreed to write a guest post to share with us. Each guest will be sharing one of their favorite SAVORY recipes as well as one of their favorite organizing SOLUTIONS. You’ll also get to peek at some talented bloggers and business owners. Let’s begin, shall we?
Our first guest Amanda, authors the blog Confessions of a Wannabe Supermom. She has a great tip and recipe below, but please take a stroll over to her blog for some more fantastic ideas. Here is her post:
I stumbled across one of my favorite organizing tools by accident. I was looking for hanging shelves for my boys’ closets – like a sweater shelf – so I could organize things a little better. What I found (at a bargain store, nonetheless) were hanging shelves with each shelf labeled, Monday through Saturday. Those shelves are one of the best purchases I ever made!
Each week, I stock their shelves with everything they need – shirt, pants, underwear, and socks. All they have to do is grab the clothes off the shelf, and they can get ready for the day. It’s a lifesaver for us! I work and go to college, so most days I leave the house long before my husband and kids ever get up. It makes it so much easier on him to get the kids ready.
With our hectic schedule, I also love quick and easy recipes. A favorite of ours is my quick and easy breakfast casserole recipe. You can cook it in the oven for breakfast, or in the slow cooker for “breakfast for dinner.”
Breakfast Casserole
- 6 eggs, beaten
- 1 lb. sausage, browned and drained (I like sage sausage the best)
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 5 to 6 biscuits, torn into shreds
SLOW COOKER:
- Mix all ingredients together except half of the cheese and pour into a greased slow cooker.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
- Cover and cook 2 hours on high and 1 hour on low.
OVEN:
- Mix all ingredients except half the cheese and pour into a greased baking dish.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees and sit casserole out.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes.
About Amanda
My name is Amanda. I married the man of my dreams almost 11 years ago, and now I’m a pastor’s wife and working mom to two boys. I also lead our church’s children’s ministry, and did I mention that I’m going back to college for a degree in dental hygiene? My life is crazy busy, but we are truly blessed, and I love it!
I grew up in Arkansas, now live in Texas, and dream of getting to Tennessee one day. I love cooking, crime shows, coffee, blogging, working out, and a rainy day with a good book. I blog at Confessions of a Wannabe Supermom (http://justamandaslife.blogspot.com) about my crazy life and the things that mean the most to me – faith and family. Along the way, I love sharing recipes I love, great finds, and the everyday craziness of life. You can also find me on Twitter @amandablogs.
Organizing "Do Overs"
Posted by: | CommentsI am totally guilty of selecting the wrong organizing product just because it looks cool. ”I can totally make that work”. Famous last words. Think about how the system will actually work before you implement. Is it really the answer or just something that will look amazing until your system falls apart?
I’ll give you an example from my own home. I designed a system around a product that is too complicated for my kids to maintain. If they can’t pick-up their own room then the point of teaching them skills and showing the importance of taking care of their toys will be lost. I purchased a very “slick” chair/container for their stuffed toys. The reality was that it was too hard to put the stuffed animals in the chair and too difficult to maintain. I streamlined to a clear tote that holds everything and both girls and manage play and pick-up easily. Does it look as cool? Probably not. Does it function more efficiently and can my girls maintain it on their own. YES!
Do you have any organizing Do Overs?
Organizing Photos – Time to Sort
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve been writing a series on organizing your old photographs. I’ve been targeting all of those old photos that were taken before digital cameras and that are quite possibly sitting in old boxes up in your attic! The ideal answer is to have your old photos scanned, but this process can be either costly or time-consuming. Below you’ll find some suggestions to make this project manageable and affordable.
This week I’d like to give you a few ideas for beginning the process of digitizing your photos.
1st step is to sort your old photographs. Get rid of the photos that you’ll never refer to again. All the overexposed photos or photos that have no meaning. Really spend some time on this step and think about what you will go back to look at and what photos won’t translate or have meaning when you pass them down.
2nd step is to categorize your photos. Will you separate by year or will it be more general? When I organized mine it worked best for me to remain general. I made categories that will mean something to my children when they go back to look at the photos. Examples; Mom as a baby, Mom in grade school, Mom and Dad dating, Grandma as a girl… you get the idea.
3rd step might be the most difficult. Select a few photos from each category to either scan in yourself, or designate to be scanned by a service. If you task yourself with scanning ALL of the photos in each category, the job will never be done. It is simply too overwhelming to scan all the photos yourself or too costly to send all of them to a scanning service. Make this a process and tackle a few photos from each group every year. I scanned a few photos from each group and so I now have a full digital family story in place for my children. I can always add to the collection and it made the entire project manageable.
I used Scandigital for scanning in my photos and the process was painless and affordable. Full disclosure – I’m an affiliate for Scandigital, but only after completing my project and being happy with their service.
There are other options for scanning in your photos. 1. You can do it yourself if you have a quality scanner. 2. Many local family run photo stores now offer this service. If you are hesitant to send your photos off somewhere, this might be a great option for you.
As for sorting your photos, I have a few suggestions below. I’m recommending some of the acid free boxes so that you can not only sort, but have a wonderful happy home for your photos. There are also a few fun a pretty suggestions for your shelves so that you can keep your photos accessible while working on the project.
Let me know if you have any questions and happy sorting!
Organizing Old Photos is a Breeze
Posted by: | CommentsHi everyone! Let’s focus on organizing some more of our keepsakes. Specifically, I’d like to take a look at what to do with your old photographs. Can you even remember photographs BEFORE digital cameras? Remember negatives, Photo-Hut and waiting a week to see your pictures developed? Where are your old photos? If they are hidden into a million little boxes and old photo sleeves, then I want your undivided attention.
You need to ask yourself a few questions before deciding how to organize your photos.
- Do you look at the photos often, or do they just stay tucked away?
- Who are you saving them for? Children? Siblings? Your 90’s?
- What is your system for saving digital photos?
- What would you do with your old photos if you had easy access?
I went through the process of organizing my old photos last year. I digitized photos going back to my great grandparents. I answered the questions above before beginning the project and I’ll share my answers with you;
- I didn’t look at the old photos because it was too difficult to drag them out.
- I am saving my photos for my children as well as my niece and nephew.
- I actually have a great system for saving photos – archived by year, month, or occasion and backed up in two places.
- Think of the wonderful gifts – digital photo frames, collages, memory books all at the click of mouse AND I would show them frequently to my girls.
Now what do we do with all this information? Stay tuned…
