21 Day Organizing Challenge: Days 7 and 8

Hey everyone,

I must admit with our busy week, I'm going to be playing catch up with the challenge tomorrow. The good thing is, I'm enjoying getting our home organized so much that I hate missing days. I can't wait to get back on track tomorrow. Right now, I'm pretty exhausted!

Day 7 Thursday, October 20, The Pantry

This was a challenge that I was ready for! We have been having some issues with ants, and so the plastic containers I bought for cereal, were even more in need! Now those little free-loaders won't be getting free grub!

Before:

After:

It is so nice to have a neat and organized pantry!

The system is pretty simple:

1) Remove everything from the area to be cleaned.
2) Wipe down counter tops/ whatever until clean.
3) Decide Keep/Donate/Trash.
4) Organize!
5) Smile, you're done! :)

Day 8, Friday, October 21, The Utility Closet (Coat Closet)

I don't have a Coat Closet, so I decided to clean our small utility closet. This contains our broom/mop/swifer/vacuum, etc. This also houses all of Sophie's stuff. I don't remember the last time I vacuummed in there...yuck!

I unfortunately forgot to get a before shot, here's the after:

So what do you think? How are you all doing on your goals?


Until next time!

"Housekeeping ain't no joke!"- Louisa May Alcott

<3 Anna

21 Day Organizing Challenge: Days 5 and 6

Hey everyone,

I'm just chugging along with this challenge. Each day, I feel a little load off my mind, as I finally find places for everything and get rid of the unnecessary.

Day 5 Tuesday, October 18, 2011 Under Kitchen Sink

This challenge reminds me of a Goosebump book, did any of you read those?

Now I know what you are thinking, "Anna, there is no demon sponge monster under your sink." You would be correct, but this does show my enthusiasm over this project. ;) BUT I'm no quitter and "rolled up my sleeves" and got to work. I used the same method as before, take everything out, wipe down the surface area, sort through trash, keep, and donate.

Before:

Everything was stuffed in this tiny space. I know my cleaning stuff was there, but what was in the back?! Before I couldn't tell you!

After:

Much better! Now I know where everything is! :)


Day 6 Wednesday,October 19, Dresser Drawers

This was another difficult challenge and shows my private shame...my dresser. It would be a beautiful thing, if I didn't cover it in all my junk. *hides face*

Don't judge me!

Before:

After:

Oh wow...there's a dresser under there! ;) So glad it's nice and clean. I also cleaned out the drawers and organized them. I couldn't get a good picture of them...the lighting is very poor. :/

So that's all for now! Until next time!


You don't get anything clean without getting something else dirty. ~Cecil Baxter

<3 Anna

21 Day Organizing Challenge: Days 3 and 4

Hello all,

It's time for another squeaky clean update on my progress with the 21 Day Organizing Challenge! :) I hope the progress I've made will inspire others to take charge of their homes and form habits that will stick. Today I will be sharing with you days 3 and 4.

Day 3 Tupperware Cabinet Friday, October 14, 2011

I was very eager about this challenge. I absolutely loathe my (once) messy Tupperware cabinets. I began by removing all of the lids and containers. I then wiped down the cabinets with my all-purpose cleaner. Next, I sifted through all of the lids and containers. I made sure that each container had a mate and got rid of the others. I then grabbed two of the containers, (I purchased last week) and put lids in one and containers in the other. I will have to get another container for my pot lids. I dropped the ball on that one, oh well!

Before:

As you can see, I had really let this area go. This is easy to do, when you don't have an organizational system in place.

After:

These are the lids that I will need to get a container for.

It's amazing what two little baskets can do!

Day 4 Linen Closet Monday, October 17, 2011

This was another challenge I looked forward to. My linen closet had become a place for just about anything...including my crafting materials. :/ I started as usual, by removing everything from the closet. I then wiped down the shelves and got to work getting rid of any trash and adding more to my donation box. I was very serious about getting rid of any excess clutter. I think the people at Goodwill will have a big grin on their faces or they will be unhappy because they will have to go through all of my "junk" ;)

Before:

What a mess?!

After:

Much better! I consider this still a work-in-progress. I currently have most of our linens in one of our bedroom bureaus. Once I finish the dresser/closet purging, they will be up top.

Until next time!

"Please don't feed the dust bunnies." ~Author Unknown

<3 Anna

21 Day Organizing Challenge: Days 1 and 2

Hey everyone,

I promised an update on my progress with the 21 day challenge and here it is. :) I've decided I'll update you guys every Thursday. So look for lemony fresh posts once a week. ;)

Day 1 Junk Drawer(s) Wednesday, October 12, 2011

I think junk drawers are everyone's private shame. I think every home has one and everyone wants to avoid peeking in that drawer, for fear of getting sucked into the chaos. I think this drawer is also created because even though most of us try to have a place for everything, we don't. I'm sure those of you who live in an apartment, duplex, or smaller home can especially relate. One of the main reasons I started this challenge besides the fact that I wanted to get organized, is that we have too much stuff and not enough space!

I started with my baker's rack, which has a drawer that has become very junky! This picture is embarrassing. (hides face)

Before:

It's hard to believe how bad it had gotten! I started out taking everything out of the drawer and sitting it in a basket. I then used some all-purpose cleaning spray (I dilute mine a little with water, and it lasts longer) and wiped the drawer out. Then I got to do the fun part, organizing! (At the beginning of the challenge, we were told to keep a trash can handy and a box for stuff to donate. I got to work sifting through all the junk, most of it went to the trash. It's crazy how we accumulate things!) I then took out my slim containers, I purchased from the Dollar tree and got to work organizing the things that were left. I'm happy to say this story does have a good ending, check out the after shot!

After:

Look at the difference! I am so proud! ;)

I also tackled the junk drawer in our kitchen. I forgot to get a before picture here. :/

As you can see, I also used the same system here, as well as style container. If you have bionic eyes, please excuse the messy floor---it's been raining here and our dog is great at tracking stuff in.

Day 2 Computer Desk(s) (just the top) Thursday, October 13, 2011

I wasn't particularly enthused about this one. Since we have a laptop and are never in there and the guest bedroom is currently a tornado, I really, really didn't want to go back there. I sucked it up and did it anyway! It was pretty humorous to see that John's Chic-fil-a calendar was still on August. I used the same system as above. The results are not as exciting, but I'm happy to have two cleaned and organized work stations. I hope that wherever we end up next, we will actually use our spare room!

Before:

As you can see it is rather dusty, but not too cluttered.

After:

Lemony fresh and neat!

Our second work station

Before:

It was a bit more cluttered than the computer desk and quite dusty!

After:

I was happy to make better use of the organizer in the lamp and to get rid of the dust bunnies! *sneeze*

So that is it for this week! Until next time!

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." – William Morris (British craftsman, designer and poet, 1834-1896)

<3 Anna

Fighting the Clutter bug!

Hey everyone,

I found a perfect article this week in, All You! (If you don't have one, I recommend getting a subscription to this magazine. It has lots of coupons, housekeeping tips, recipes, etc.) This article is titled: Maximize storage, minimize mess. A topic, I'm very interested in at the moment. If you are interested in checking out this article and others on the subject go here: http://www.allyou.com/ and click on the Budget Home tab. You will find many great articles under Easy Decorating.

In this particular article, they divide the most cluttered areas of a home by categories. Here's the first one for example:

Organize your Kitchen Table

Clutter Culprits:

school books
mail and bills
craft supplies
coupons
kitchen utensils

Goal- Seek a storage solution for all the paperwork and items commonly left in this spot so the transition to mealtime goes smoothly.

Solutions: Wall mounted folders, a marker/message board, inbox for school papers that need to be signed, a stackable storage unit.

The article goes on in this fashion and gives simple suggestions on how to stay tidy. I really enjoyed the article and found many ideas to get on the right track with my cleaning. So off I go! :) Happy Cleaning!

<3 Anna