Organization: The Hall Closet

So after cleaning Mom's pantry I wanted to keep going. I knew the hall closet was even worse. She has a thing with keeping boxes and bags from shopping. This is what I was working with!!

It was a home for catering supplies, holiday items, plastic cups and who knows what else I would find.
First things first: Start clearing everything out. Make sure you have floor space for your piles and a garbage can near by! REMEMBER.....Throw it Away!!
You don't need to keep boxes for your coffee makers, shopping bags from Macy's, candles that are not your décor color anymore. This is time to DE clutter. It is so rewarding.

 



After multiple garbage bags and lots of piles we started to pick away at things.
Designate each shelf for something. This closet was mainly used for back up storage from the pantry and catering supplies. My parents donate their time to feed the hungry in Ocala so these items needed to be handy and in order. Clutter can cause chaos and lots of frustration. You might not remember you had a sleeve of cups or those Christmas lights and end up buying duplicates!
Stay organized and tidy and it will keep your grocery list from having doubles. SAVE $$$ !!

Use the top shelf for items you use annually. Utilize those hard to reach places but don't stash items you use all the time, you will never want to put it back!!
Middle shelves are great for readily available items. Batteries, emergency kits, plastic cups and leftover kitchen storage.
The lower shelves I use for the big heavy items so you don't break your back getting them out of the closet!
****TIP**** Utilize baskets that you are storing and those cute little boxes you just can't throw away. Make use out of them, don't store them empty!! Put batteries, candles, cutlery, gift wrapping, office supplies anything and everything can have a little home.

 

So after some hard work and A LOT of trash here is the finished project!!

 





Not bad without spending a penny!!

Let's see that before and after :)

 

Mom was happy...in turn I was happy! Let's see if it looks like this next Christmas!!!

 

Hope your inspired....

Organization: The Pantry

Everyone has a space in their kitchen where everything hides. The pantry closet or maybe even just a cabinet. Went to my parents house for Christmas and it is my Mom's favorite time of year. She spends weeks decorating her home making sure it is perfect for us kids...

now adults.

All of us girls gather in the kitchen to help cook. Which leads me into my project. I open up her pantry closet and decided that would be my project. My goal was to not spend any money and make her pantry as organized as possible.

Step 1: See what you use most and where it is in the closet. Is it easy for you to reach?
Start clearing things out! Check for expiration dates and if you really use the items.

For me, I was in luck, I got to take home a box full of spices and such that Mom had duplicates of or just purchased and didn't like. If you don't want to throw it away but you never use, donate it! Someone will find good use from it.

Step 2: When clearing out, make piles. I sectioned piles into can goods, spices, pasta, Tupperware, storage bags and misc.

If you organize piles it makes life so much easier for the fun part of putting it all back in.

***Baskets are a great way to keep
bags of spices etc. in order! ***

 Half way through the shelves I discovered a
spice rack hidden in its glory a little cleaning
and it was brand new. An easy way to organize
is with baskets. You can find some at the Dollar Store but Mom had some nice ones stacked
around the house. If you make your closet pretty
you will want to keep it that way.



Step 3: When everything is cleared out and you can see the different piles of goodies. Prioritize what you use the most. For instance, for someone who cooks a lot consider the spices on the shelf that is eye level for easy access and visibility.

Step 3.5: This isn't necessary but in older homes I hate the shelving!! I found some peg board in the garage and cut the board to cover the shelves. 

I placed each pile that I had on a different shelf. It's amazing how much more room we had after 2 garbage bags went out!!

 

Tip: You don't have to organize in a certain order. Do what is most convenient for you. If you have children place items for them on lower shelves so they can reach.

If you have more boxed goods (cereal, crackers, cake mixes....) Save a shelf just for those.

 

 

My parents love to cook so the spices took up the most space. I splurged and went to Walgreen's and bought the Swivel Spice Rack. I just thought is was super cool and efficient!!

 

 Everything was neat and in order. Mom was super stoked and it made her life easier :)

 

 

Post some of your experiences and tips on organization!!!

 

Next closet.......the hall closet!

 

Sneak Peak 

 

Until then...Keep it Salty :)

 



                              
                                                                  

 

Welcome! Here we go.....

A bit about me...
Thanks for stopping by. It is well over due creating a blog and I am finally doing it! I live in Jax Bch, Sunny Florida. Moved here years ago in my 20's lived the "beach life" at 20. Moving all around Jacksonville I have come back to the beach and couldn't be happier.

Meet Caden, my Boston Terrier. A quick walk and this is basically in the back yard. Why did I ever leave the beach??!!
My "real" job is bartending at a local restaurant. I'm always so embarrassed to say that as my job  career. UGH. It pays my bills.

What I would LOVE to say, I own a design business that dabbles in interior decor, screen printing and sewing.


I started with handbags, I am obsessed with fabric!! Here is one of my favorites that I did. It was even featured in a magazine in Italy!

I will post on the pattern and applique process in a future post.

If you can't tell already, I love nautical everything. I guess it's from my surroundings.

I currently sell on etsy! It has been such a blessing. I am able to express my creativity and sometimes people even buy it!

I have always wanted to try screen printing so low and behold my ADD kicked in and I bought a little machine.

Tons of fun but when I had to move to a 1 bedroom apartment last year it became difficult to have all over the living room!

I racked my brain to try and think of something else I could do with the hours spent creating these designs on the computer.

....................DUH.........................print them on paper!

I have this awesome printer that I bought on a spending spree and decided to do some research on printing. My new addiction! It has been going super well and I couldn't be happier with how it's coming along. My "real" job has been super busy so it's a nice change not to have to drag out the sewing machine and screen printer but still get my creativity out. Now when I sew and DIY it's because I want to!!

So welcome to my blog and I hope you enjoy. I have some really cool projects that I have been working on and can't wait to show!!

Until then...