All That Baby Stuff...

Let's move past clothing because to be honest that is just the beginning of all the new stuff that is suddenly taking over your house.  Be ready for all the gear that comes with a baby- bottles, bottle warmer, breast pump, cleaners, bath items, toys, and the list goes on!!! I remember registering for Emersyn's arrival, instead of taking my husband I took a friend that literally made the experience so much easier.  Honestly, there is so much that they say you need that you really just don't!  Try to stick with the essentials when registering.  Then invest in some great BASKETS because they are going to be your new best friend!  I got some durable, waterproof white plastic baskets for the bathroom items.  One basket is for towels and washcloths and the other basket is for shampoo, powders, a small hygiene kit, and first kit with some baby medicine.  These baskets are stored under the sink in the bathroom we use for bath time each night.

Next up would be the baskets for the ridiculous amount of toys that are going to be coming out of every nook and cranny!  With these baskets I would suggest selecting ones that are visually appealing and match your main house decor because they are going to most likely be out.  I selected these fun canvas baskets from Home Goods with gray, cream, and gold accents to match our living room decor.

Emersyn is a fan of this basket- she likes to empty it out and then toss it all back in!

In the kitchen, if possible, find a drawer or cabinet that you can dedicate to storing just baby gear.  Always remember that what your baby needs is always changing- so just like the closet stay on top of keeping these things organized.  My kitchen cabinet first started with being full of bottles, bottle warmer, and breastfeeding supplies, but now that Eme is almost one I can take all of those items out and store them away and I have room for the next phase which will be sippy cups and solid foods.

Remove items right away once your baby no longer needs them.

Have a large storage bin for all the baby gear you no longer need.  Pack it away so it doesn't start to take room that you will need for new things.  So often people think they don't have enough space but all too often the problem is that space is being taking up by items they don't need or use!

I cleaned out a drawer just below the cabinet I use for Eme's items for her now needed bowls, plates, and bibs.  This drawer originally had random hand towels and oven mitts in it which I relocated to the drawer with tin foil and other random kitchen items.

Honestly, I believe that organizing does take time but once complete it feels so good!  If you wait until stuff starts to take over the task seems so much larger and harder than it has to be.  I think having a baby is a perfect time to start getting organized!

What other baby items would you like to see organized?  Or maybe you don't have a baby but need help organizing an area in your home.  Comment below and I would be happy to give you some ideas!

The Power of a Dresser...

Okay let's move past the closet.  First, I would HIGHLY suggest using a dresser for you changing table.  To me this just makes good sense- it is normally the perfect height, serves multiple functions, and can go beyond just the nursery phase.  I think buying overly babyish items for a nursery is a waste of money- they are not babies for long and you want to get the most bang for your buck!  So I went with this navy dresser- my thought was navy is such a classic color that can either grow with Emersyn or be used in the next nursery for a boy or girl!  I just did a quick switch of hardware to give it a girly touch.

Now for using this dresser to its potential.  I will start with how I use it as a changing table.  On top I have your classic changing pad in a seafoam color to match the wall color. (Tip- buy lots of cheap changing pad covers- they get messy fast!!) Then I bought a cute tray from Target in this fun coral color, and I set it on a fabric square.  If you remember I used a twin size bed sheet for Emersyn's crib skirt (you can find that post here: A Nursery Ready for Baby) so I just used the pillow sheet as a place mat for the tray. 

 In the tray, I have the daily things you will be using such as a small basket of ready to go diapers and another matching small basket with diaper rash cream, lotion, a brush, tweezers, powder, and a wipes dispenser.  In the drawer below this tray I keep backups.  You will go through that small basket of diapers pretty fast so I like to keep the drawer full of diapers so it is easy to fill the basket when low.

In the two other top drawers I keep burp clothes and swaddle blankets with sleep sacks.

In the drawers below, I keep Emersyn's tights, onesies, and sleepers.  Tights are easily stored by rolling them up and storing in small plastic closet containers; I then organize them by size and style.  Onesies are organized with a drawer divider by long and short sleeves.  Finally sleepers are organized with a divider by style of material and size.  (All of the organization tools like the dividers and plastic containers I purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond).

With this dresser everything has a place and it is easy to keep organized!

An Organized Baby...

Although I love to organize, I must say having a baby definitely adds a whole new element to the word STUFF.  A baby has tons of just it and if you don't have an organization plan all that stuff can start to take over.  Here are some easy tips to keeping organized as your baby grows.

CLOTHES:
A baby goes through clothes faster than you can get that kid in every item even just to take a picture.  Emersyn has so many packed away clothes with tags still on them.  So sad but honestly they just grow so fast that there aren't enough days or occasions to stick that adorable dress on her.  So be ready for this constant change in closest arrangement.  I bought large storage containers and labeled them with the months that coordinate with the clothes inside.

I have a bin for clothing labeled 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6 months, and I am currently filling a 9 month bin- caution moms this is SO SAD! I nearly cry every time I pack away these precious little clothes.

I would do this after each season or when Eme was getting too big for a section of clothes.  I will say she wore many clothes well past what the tag suggested- so don't pack away clothes until you are sure they no longer fit, and rethink outfits you like to fit the season.  (Example-Here's Eme rocking her overalls in the summer and then again in the winter with added tights and a flannel.)

Once you are sure they no longer fit pack them away immediately!  It is less daunting if you are simply packing away clothing from that month- this is a gradual process I clean out Eme's closet about every month.  
Then I can keep her closet organized by clothing type(dresses, onesies, pants, coats/sweaters) and full of clothes that fit her!

Now for organizing her shoe collection- I used a extension rod in her built-in shelves and attached her shoes to shower curtain clips.  I like how her shoes are hanging and easy to see.  I think this is better that having them all piled in a basket!

In Emersyn's closet is also her extensive collection of headbands.  I used an empty frame and attached some thick wire with staples to the back, creating a clothes line effect.  I then attach the headbands with small, metal craft clips purchased at Hobby Lobby.  Same idea as the shoes- if they are hanging and not crammed into a basket they are easier to see and select when getting your little one dressed.

Inside the baskets, I have placed socks, hats, tights, and extra bed sheets/changing pad covers.

Emersyn also has a dresser as her changing table which is organized with both clothes and other essentials.  I will post on that tomorrow!

Do you have questions about organizing kid STUFF? Let me know your dilemma and maybe I can help.  Or give me your ideas- I am always up for changing the way I stay organized!!

A Fresh Start

I love the positivity that a new year can bring.  It gives so many of us that push to start a new positive habit, quit a bad one, or really make the changes we’ve been putting off.  This year among many other personal resolutions, one was to redo my blog and get posting.  So my wonderful sister came over and spent many long and somewhat frustrating HOURS navigating the codes of HTML within blogger to make some changes. (all of this with a squirrelly 10 month old who was entertained with puffs scattered on the floor-ha)  We changed the header to reflect a sense of me and what my blog is about- life as a mom and decorating/organizing.  I now have link to my sister's blog, a list of categories for easy navigation of your desired topic, and a Pin It button so now it is easy for anyone to pin a picture straight from the blog.  We considered this a success for the day- but stayed tuned as I have other changes and additions still to come.

Next Resolution: Life Planner

Anyone who knows me could tell you I am a fan of organizing.  I am a firm believer that being organized helps everything run smoother!  At the beginning of every year, I actually look forward to buying a new monthly planner (I am not a cell phone calendar kind of girl).  This year my sister-in-law told me about these life planners by Erin Condren.  I had never heard of the company so I immediately looked into the planner, and honestly my first impression was that it was too expensive.  Then as the new year rolled around, I started to notice I had lists and notes written on so many different note pads that I couldn’t keep things organized.  So, you guessed it, I went back on-line looking at the Erin Condren Life Planners.  I thought with an area to keep monthly plans, daily meals and workouts, to do lists,notes of all kinds, and other misc. items, it might be time to give this planner a try.

Your first step is to visit the website erincondren.com and select your design.  From there you can select other add ons such as personalized stickers, pens, bookmarks, etc.  I decided to go with the basic package of just the planner and of course I selected the one with 

pictures!

Here’s how I am using it so far- I’ve only had it a day in these pictures.  

Keep all your important dates organized in a monthly list.

Monthly Calendar with stickers to keep track of important days and schedules.

Preprinted stickers and blank stickers to personalize came with the basic planner.

Week days are divided to easily keep track of meals and exercise below.

Note pad paper to keep track of other notes.

The planner comes with folder tabs and personalized stickers as well.

Overall, I think if you decided to use this planner as the house for all your planning, lists, and other items the cost is worth it!  Is it sad that I am this excited about a planner!  Hey it’s the small things!

On a side note, I still use a small clipboard with paper for my grocery list.  I like the ability of taking my list with me in my pocket!

Both of these will be kept in this organizer from Ballards Design.  It is an easy way to keep that mail and other items organized and not all over the counter.

Shout outs that need to happen- my talented sister for her help with designing my new blog look.  Check her out at www.jessicastoutdesign.blogspot.com (ps- her blog got a new year makeover as well)  Also to Kelsey Clark the creative and ever so talented gal behind the images in my header and the amazing company Apples and Honey Photography.  I am very lucky to be surrounded by other women who keep me creative!

Is Anyone Out There...

I have been debating back and forth about continuing to post at my blog. I started it because I was a teacher with a summer of some house projects in mind and thought it would be fun to post about them. Then fast forward about a year or two and now I have an almost one year old and suddenly my spare time is very limited. I haven’t posted since Emersyn was born- although I have had so many ideas for posts, I just never got around to it. Then I wondered... who even reads my blog? who am I posting for? (no one really I thought) Then I realized a few months ago that I was still creating blog posts in my mind because it is a creative outlet for me. That’s why I started JLM Moments- a way for me to be inspired and creative. So I have decided to start posting again! I have lots of fun ideas that will involve everything from fashion, baby, organizing, designing, DIy projects, and daily life. I do love hearing from you all so if you read or follow along, send me a message or like the post. If there are ever any post ideas that you have PLEASE let me know! For now I will leave you with a few pictures of what my last 10 months have been filled with!:)