Home Organization for Sanity

I had grand plans this summer to clean out closets and reorganize the kitchen/mudroom/pantry. Lofty and unrealistic, but now that school is starting I feel like it is actually doable. I am tidy by nature, but tend to let the spaces one cannot see get a bit out of hand. 

My sanity during the school year hinges on a semi-tidy house, getting my kids out the door without too much yelling, and a schedule we can all wrap our heads around. So I wanted to pull things that can help me with all these things and might make organizing a bit easier too. 

1. I have long coveted this chic wall calendar, but do not have a space for it. 

2. I think it is time for me to convert to these all glass jars for stock items and place this AMAZING tags on each. Will look like Ina's before I know it. 

3. You guys, why are water bottles so annnoying and always falling down off my shelves?! This cabinet holder for them is genius. 

4. I have a junk drawer and it stinks. Mostly because of the batteries hanging around in it. This would make me so weirdly happy to have. 

5. Baskets really are life savers when it comes to the pantry. I can group items together and attach a cute little tag because I am super organized and cute now. 

6. I love writing things down like the old days. This is a weekly planner pad that you can put the weeks schedule on, and to dos, AND meal plan. Cute enough to display on the fridge for sure. 

7. Putting out an outfit for each morning tidy in this day of the week closet hanger makes mornings to much better! Also comes in pink. 

8. A charging station that can charge everything from a phone to a fit bit would be fantastic. 

9. Storage bins that can fold up are so great for different sports seasons, winter cold weather boots/clothes, and laundry rooms. Use when you need them, fold up and put away when you do not. 

10. Between the kids sports stuff, my tennis stuff, extra water/snacks, and 1000 other things, my trunk is a disaster. I feel like a couple of these trunk organizers will clean up my act. 

11. I always felt these were the best bins. For toys or shoes or snacks. Really anything! 

12. Large thermal grocery bags changed my life in an embarrassing amount. No more having to rush home from the market and less bags to bring in. 

Shop the Post

xo

Erin 

Your Own Capsule Closet

The idea of your own capsule collection with pieces already hanging in your closet is blowing up on so many blogs and magazines. And while shopping in your own closet is not a new concept, somehow it feels fresh and all of the sudden genius. My closet feels muddled and with the depth of winter still upon us, getting involved in the hype seems like perfect timing. 

So I cleared a section of my closet and pulled ten looks that cover mostly daytime (including comfy ones) with a couple elevated looks for a dinner or date night. 

                                 

This took all of twenty minutes and made my closet look really cool. ha 

Now don't get it twisted, I am in work out clothes a lot like the best of them. And I am sure it will continue to be that way. But when I know the gym is not happening (or post workout) I have something to grab quickly in the morning and feel put together. Even if my day mostly includes returning emails/phone calls, epic stamp sessions at the kitchen table, and a fancy outing to Target. 

I highly recommend this little exercise. Plus, it makes you feel like you really have things together. ha  Here is what I have hanging up right now (either exact or close match to what I have). 

1. Cool girl LA Made leather block sweater $60 (on sale)

2. A classic J. Crew white cable sweater $79 (on sale)

3. The softest sweater/tee from Drifter  $225

4. A slightly heavy H&M striped tunic $17

5. The perfect plaid shirt by Rails $148 

6. A great tucked or untucked Joie Tank $82 (on sale)

Julie Billiard dolman sleeve tee $42 (forgot the pic, but a total staple for comfy days and travel!)

From Left: 

Spanx Leggings $68 really the best

Love a printed pant like these Joie Silk pants $166 (on sale)

These  Hudson suck it all in $165

Comfy J Brand cropped skinnies $218

I always feel so chic in high waisted flare jeans Frame $225

 1. A fun Adelyn Rae navy romper $98

2. Always a good idea, Lumiere stripe tee dress $38

3. Soft and almost pajama-ish Cloth & Stone chambray dress $138

Just add tights or leggings and you are set. Well at least for us super lucky cold weather girls. 

This will be my first "capsule" so we will see how it goes and how long it lasts. I plan to put these pieces away as I wear them then refill when everything has been worn. What do you think, into it? Would love to know if you would do it or if you have how it went. 

xo

Erin 

NEAT New House

Moving is a real bitch. 

And though the results are always great after the boxes have been put away and the glasses tucked into a cabinet, the moments before that are a nightmare. Even for the most organized of people (sometimes me). 

Our move has gone off without too many hitches and I am happy to say that I am actually enjoying the space instead of obsessing over it. There is plenty of time to decorate, rearrange the vases, and shop online for rugs. 

But you at least want the spaces that you use everyday to be in working order. I was lucky enough to live close by to our new house and move a ton of items myself. Not having to box every kitchen utensil was a godsend. I was even able to set up the kitchen before the movers even showed up. The nursery was next since even though I could sleep on a couch, the baby needs an actual bed.  

Then there was our room/closet/bathroom. The clothes were shoved into the closet directly from wardrobes and toiletries dropped into drawers. And I kept telling myself....

"I will get around to that."

"I will totally organize all this to fit the new space."

"I will absolutely have the time and patience to organize it all."

Lies. All Lies. 

Because though I am a decent organizer, I am one of those eighty percent organizers. I do a great job up until about twenty percent is left and then hurriedly finish the job. The results are a solid B. 

I really wanted to start off on the right foot for this house and calling in the girls from NEAT Method was the best idea I have had since the move. 

They completely transformed the closet to a place that actually holds all of our clothes and makes sense. Every bottle and brush in our bathroom has a place. It is glorious. 

They transferred all of our clothes onto slim, no-slip hangers and categorized. Shoes are all in a perfect row. Clutches have their very own shelf. 

Jewelry is easily seen and browsed in clear, stackable boxes. Bracelets hang from an easy to see display. 

 I can actually see what is in those normally messy drawers. 

Products have a place that looks great and is functional. 

I highly recommend NEAT for any organizing you need done in your home. They assess what you need, tackle the leg work, and bring all the supplies. 

Plus, they are a ton of fun. Check out their blog, too. 

xo

Erin 

On Display

As I wrote in this post, I have been looking for an organizational solution for my jewelry so that I can see it all and make the selection process much more fun. I ended up getting this glass display case from Ikea and I love the results. 

I have laid out all the pieces that I actually wear at the moment for easy access. 

I laid pieces out by category so I can see all the options. The cabinet has plenty of space so each piece has plenty of space to be seen and then replaced later. 

A vintage necklace display and my (creepy) hand mannequin offer a few other places to place items so I can browse easily. 

The bottom shelf is the perfect place to display clutches. The cabinet comes with doors, but I opted to leave them off for easier access. 

A hand-me-down crystal tray gives me a place to put the pieces I wear almost every day. 

There is plenty of wall space above, so the hunt is on for a few items to hang to personalize the space. A mirror is a must, since it will allow me to try things on and check out how they look. 

I keep other pieces in my original jewelry box and when I am ready to switch things out, this display makes it easy. I like how it feels a bit like a boutique. They always say to shop in your own closet and this certainly makes me feel like I really am. 

xo

Erin 

Weekend Wish: Neat Freak

Call it nesting or just plain craziness, I have been in full organization mode all week. While I will not bore you with the sheer amazingness that is emptier closets all around my house that makes me feel like I can breath, here are a few little projects I got done. 

Honestly, cleaning out closets is the most cleansing thing to me right now. I guess I am thinking that I will NEVER get around to doing any of these things after the babe is here, so might as well let this neat streak keep on riding along. 

At least twice a year I go through my closet and make one of three decisions on each piece of clothing I own (from a pair of socks to a designer bag). Do I keep it? Do I send it off to eDropOff? Or do I donate it? It is astonishing just how much I get rid of each year. You would think that it would help me keep my shopping in check, but clearly not. 

For anyone looking to consign designer or higher end clothes, bags, and shoes I cannot say enough great things about using eDropOff. They are located in Chicago, but will schedule a pick up anywhere in the country. Everything is done for you and in such great taste that you will see your items sell for much more than any other vendor. Don't forget you can shop their amazing selection as well (sometimes the best way to score that designer bag or pair of shoes you are coveting). 

For more great organizational tips, check out Neat's blog. This is a great company owned and operated by two chic San Franciscoans and their blog offers up some great tips and tricks. 

So my weekend wish is to keep organizing and feeling great in the process. Still working on the jewelry ideas, but most likely going to try and score a display case this weekend. I wish that all of you get that one (or ten) organizing tasks done in your spare minutes this weekend. I promise it will feel amazing. 

Happy Weekend! 

xo

Erin 

Jewelry Organization

Jewelry storage has been an annoying part of my day recently. I have a beautiful jewelry box that holds everything, but it is hard to see what I actually have when there are so many drawers and tops to open. I also tend to put everything away neatly every three months only to find myself laying all my pieces around the box once I have worn them. It is time to figure out something that actually works for me so I can see what I have and actually wear everything. 

I LOVE these built ins...

If our closet was not already finished, I would be asking for one of these to be built in and have a mirror on the outside. 

I also love the idea of displaying your jewelry just as they would at your favorite boutique. These glass cases from Ikea are a great example of how to do that and at a great price. 

You could use trays, bowls, and jewelry hangers to add some depth so you can see everything. Maybe throw your clutches on the bottom of the large one for display? 

This wall mounted mirror from Target is great because you can actually check yourself out once you try something on. 

Our room has baseboards, so I cannot hang anything like this. 

I think the display case from Ikea is the way to go. Just need to check it out in person to see what it really looks like and how functional it might be. 

I will keep you posted...

xo

Erin 

More Love for Pinterest

 I hate to post another "I love Pinterest" blurb, but I cannot help myself. If you have not joined in on the fun, you really need to. Follow me, I would love to follow you and much of my blog ideas come from this site. 

My new favorite pins are those that take very simple steps to organize or make your life easier. I have no eye for organization, although I like things tidy. If you are like me, you need some help coming up with the ideas and possibly the motivation to actually apply it in your place. 

Here are some recent ideas I think are fab...

xo
Erin