linen closet organization

After organizing the pantry this summer, I had to have the other closets feeling the same way.  There is something about a well organized space that makes me happy! Finally last Sunday I opened my linen closet and decided that was the day to get it looking the way I wanted.

Here is the before- oh my can't believe I let it look like this for so long.  Items just setting on the shelves in no particular order.  This picture is driving me nuts already!

The after: all items organized into baskets that have categories and labels. Ahhh- doesn't this just make you feel better!!

I used a spice shelf to organize my fingernail polish.  It allows me to see exactly what colors I have- so I don't buy doubles.  It is easy to pick my color- feels more like the nail salon.

Remember the more stuff you have the harder it is to stay organized! So a big part of this project was PURGING!  Going through all my hair supplies, lotions, makeup and getting rid of those items I don't use or were out of date.  Trust me having only what you need can be very refreshing!! 

What closet have you been wanting to clean out? GO FOR IT!!

The Truth Behind a Chalkboard

When I first wanted to make a chalkboard back in the spring, I must admit, it was for a very specific purpose.  Although the purpose changed within the months, it is finally being used for what I had envisioned all along!!

My chalkboard back in March- with a saying built around HOPE.

Ian and I could not be more excited about this moment in time!!

A Touch of Fall

I LOVE decorating for the seasons! Once the end of September rolls around I can't wait to pull out my pumpkin spice candles and berries.  I wanted to share how I put a little fall into my decor- emphasis on a LITTLE fall- no need to have a pumpkin in every nook and cranny. :) 

A little addition to the fireplace mantel. 

The smell of fall is my favorite.

Then I wanted to use my dictionary page in the dining room as seasonal decor, so I printed out a few fall options.

I have one all ready for the winter.

I went with the pumpkin.

 All I need to do now is add a few mums and pumpkins to my front porch.
Happy Fall!!

Beyond Builder Basic

Often times when builders are making their final touches to a new house they select one color that is then splashed on EVERY wall in EVERY room of that new house.  This is how our home was when we first moved in.  Luckily it was a shade of tan that I do like, but I truly believe that no house should ever be one single color from top to bottom- how boring!  Start slow- select rooms that are small or that inspire you first. When we first moved in, I started with the laundry room.  Just a small room that could use a bit of brightness as we are in and out if there often.

Just a nice beachy blue

Handmade clothes pin stencils

After the laundry room, I moved on to the dining room, one long wall in the staircase, and a wall in the master bedroom.

Just a few weeks ago, I set my eyes on the kitchen.  Tan surrounded by all the white.  It needed something.  I decided on a darker shade of grey- because my entire main level is very open so it had to be a color that went with all of the other decor.  I must say grey is a tricky color!  I highly recommend getting the small sample sizes and trying them out.  These different shades kept reading blue instead of grey- back to Lowes I went.  Finally after selecting the right shade the work began.

Before- the tan walls

Sampling all the possibilities

Starting with the trim

I am really happy with the results- a little color to all the white trim and white cabinets.  Thinking about what room to do next!

Personalized Gift

When a family member or close friend has a baby, I love giving a personalized gift.  So when that bundle of joy is born I always ask two questions: 1. What are the colors in the nursery? and 2. What are the baby's stats?  After these two questions are answered I then create a personalized picture for the baby's room.

Start with the program Office Word and use adding text boxes to create the areas for each stat.

I like to change up the font style with each line and the color (using colors that will coordinate with the baby's room of course!)

Review the final product and I would suggest printing on a thick card stock.

Once printed, I go to Michaels or Hobby Lobby and pick up a frame that will go with the nursery as well.

Then simply frame and gift wrap!! :) This cute one is for my cousin who just had the most adorable baby boy!

I have done a few of these for friends and family- I love how they look in a nursery.  Personalizing the colors, information, and frame style really create a unique baby gift!!

Pantry Love

When the husband is the away the wife will..... ORGANIZE!! Usually I complete my small house projects with my husband not even noticing.  This project however was an overhaul on the pantry- an area he is very familiar with- so he was going to notice.  I selected two days when I knew he would be on business, and I thought it would be a fun surprise!!

So first I must say that I am lucky to have a very large pantry.  When we originally moved in I attempted to organize with a few plastic jars but the inevitable happened- where everything just got stuffed on the shelves with no organization.  This caused me to buy items we already had and randomly find items that were past their prime!  After some inspiration from Pinterest, I finally had a plan to tackle our pantry.

So here is what our pantry looked like before.  See those sad few plastic jars trying to look organized.

Start by clearing off everything on the shelves.  Then I selected a fun green for the back stencil.  Tip: cut your selected stencil to the exact size to fit the area you are stenciling- it makes the process so much easier! 

Here is the completed stencil for the pantry.  Looks great from afar...

But up close... yes there are mess up spots- but remember food items and baskets will be in front of it, so don't stress about imperfections- it is after all just a pantry!:)

The reason this was a project for when the hubby was gone...  I left the kitchen looking crazy after I stenciled and I went to bed!

Then woke up the next morning remembering the mess I left and the task still at hand!

I purchased wire baskets from both HomeGoods and World Market.  They all came with burlap inserts but I took those out so I could easily see what items were in each.

Here are my original plastic jars from Walmart- but with a fun label they look so much better!

Love that each basket is labeled and items have a home!

FINAL PRODUCT!!! Stencil- check, organized baskets-check, labeled containers-chek, pantry love-check!

A good friend of mine uses her Menu board every week.  After talking to her, I thought I would give one a try.  I do hate the daily- "what's for dinner?" thought.  So I created an easy one with scrapbook paper and I frame that I can write on with dry erase marker.  My goal... sit down on Sundays and plan out my meals for the week- then grocery shop accordingly.

Our refrigerator is not magnetic so I decided to hang it in the pantry close to my recipe books!

Week 1- here's to sticking to the Menu!!

I must say- when you have a project that has been something you have been wanting to do for a long time, it is such a GREAT feeling to finally complete it! Let's see if the hubby notices this project! ;)