It’s that time of year! The Container Store Stocking Stuffers are here!
A few weeks ago, I headed to my local Container Store (a 10 minute drive from my house) to purchase a few Nalgene bottles for an upcoming vacation. I stepped into the store to make what I thought would be a quick purchase and there it was…the Stocking Stuffer collection of 2018. It was all there for me to see, touch, and admire. Yes, this is what brightens the day of a Professional Organizer and no, this did not end up being a quick trip to the Container Store…
Over the years, the Stocking Stuffer Collection has morphed into more of a group of fun, kitchy, somewhat functional items–most small enough to fit in a regulation holiday stocking and less of a collection of small, cool, organizing products. That’s OK. Year ’round we can shop for the ‘cool’ and the ‘functional.’ Sometimes you need a little ‘cute,’ ‘fun,’ and ‘didn’t-know-I-needed-this’ type-of-product, too.
For 2018, I’ve split up my favorites into two categories: Great for Getting Organized and Awww, That’s Cute.
How many times have you thrown your keys in your handbag or backpack and hours later had trouble locating them? No need to search high and low when you attach your keys to the NanoClip Pocket and Purse Clip and attach the clip to the bag you’re carrying. It’s made from stainless steel so it’s strong and lightweight. Works on pants pockets, too.
This Week Notepad $6.99
The funny and creative people at KnockKnock created this pad (and others in their collection) for the organized and disorganized alike. Get organized for the week and get a head start on next weeks’ tasks with the space at the bottom right. And it’s orange–you can’t miss it if it ends up on your counter, the bottom of your purse, or in the middle of a pile of papers!
Who loves Post-its? These colorful and sticky flags will help you to color code documents and mark the spot you need to refer back to. A great visual reminder! I love reading a book and using these to highlight passages I’ll want to read again. I usually use them when reading non-fiction books and cookbooks but sometimes I use them when I’m inspired by beautifully written sentences in novels. And check out the case they come in–oh, so organized!
These are girly and a little pricey in my opinion but if a pretty pad motivates you to make a list and get stuff done then it’s perfect! The size looks like it would fit in the tall part of a stocking, too. Imagine what you could accomplish with 150 blank pages!
My kids love the movie Monsters, Inc. and this bread and egg shaper reminded me of the little green, one-eyed character Mike Wazowski (played by Billy Crystal). I especially like those little cut-outs for the teeth. Add two slices of bacon for legs and it would look even more like a little monster! If your child enjoys eating eggs and toast this could be a cute way to get them to indulge in a fun and healthy breakfast.
Little Pigs in Blankets Mold $12.99 Pigs in blankets are a fan-favorite in my family. We call them ‘little hot dogs’ and no get-together is complete without a platter of these with sides of ketchup and mustard for dipping. This stocking stuffer made me laugh when I saw it. Although I usually buy my ‘little hot dogs’ pre-made, I think my family would appreciate the humor of having these ‘little piggies’ on a platter. The only problem is, I’d need about four of these or make a batch at a time and freeze them. Twelve piggies are not enough!
Would you like to see the rest of the close to one hundred products in the Container Store Stocking Stuffer collection? They’re all right here!
If I handed you a Container Store gift card, which stocking stuffer would you buy?
I created my first organizing product ‘Container Store Haul Video!’
Maybe you’re scratching your head and asking–what’s a ‘haul video?’
A ‘haul video’ is “a video posted on a social media site, in which someone shows and describes products they have purchased during a particular episode of shopping.” (Thank you, Oxford Dictionary)
Last week I got an email from The Container Store. They were having their 25% off Closet Essentials sale (woo-hoo!)–that’s when I usually stock up on whatever hangers I need for the laundry room and closets in my home. It’s not just my clients that need organizing supplies–I do, too!
So, off to The Container Store I went. Luckily, I live about ten minutes away from the Paramus, NJ location and instead of rushing in and rushing out of the store (Busy Mom Syndrome) and just grabbing what I needed, I allotted extra time to be able to walk around the aisles and check out some new products.
And literally, the first aisle I walked down, I found the first product I talk about in my video. It wasn’t on my shopping list but I had been looking for something like it for a while.
These products are going to make my life a lot easier. If you need one (or all!) of these products, here’s what I bought:
Thanks for watching my first Container Store Haul Video! Would any of the products I purchased be helpful to you? Share in the comments below.
This video can also be found on my new YouTube channel which is in it’s infancy. As I get more familiar with the platform, I’ll be creating more videos to help guide you on your journey to an organized life.
The holiday season is upon us once again! And if the holidays are here, that must mean it’s time for The Container Store to unveil it’s Stocking Stuffer Collection for 2017. Despite the fact I live ten minutes from a Container Store, I still wait by my mailbox for the Stocking Stuffer catalog to arrive. Yup, this is what gets a Professional Organizer excited…
The day my catalog arrived I grabbed a pen, flipped through the pages, and circled a few of the items I thought I might buy or want to feature in my annual Stocking Stuffer blog post. Unlike years past, I wasn’t overly excited about the majority of this season’s products. I felt as if many were more utilitarian than helpful organizing tool. Some of them prompted me to ask myself, “Would anyone really want THIS in their stocking?”
As the saying goes, “There’s something for everyone…”
I recognized a few products from last year’s collection. They must have been popular–a great idea to bring them back again! I chose five products from the 2017 Stocking Stuffer collection to feature here and split them up into two categories: Helpful and Amusing. Read below–you may find the perfect helpful or amusing gift for a special person in your life…
It’s a comb! But, it’s also a bottle opener, Phillips head screwdriver, chip clip, money clip, phone kickstand and contains four hex wrenches. A great gift for someone who loves cute and functional gadgets–or who really likes hedgehogs…and neatly combed hair… $11.99
Have you ever been chillin’ on the couch surfing your smart phone when the ‘Low Battery’ message pops up? You’d have to get up and plug in your phone, right? Not with the Couchlet USB Outlet Extender! The detachable 6 ft. USB cable fits between cushions or under a mattress so you can stay connected while relaxing. $14.99
At 8″ x .5″, this tool can scrape the bottom of most makeup bottles–even the taller ones. I should pick one up for my mom to try. She’s been using Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion for years and there’s always a bit of moisturizer clinging to the bottom that’s practically impossible to get out. I’d bet money that this spatula could dig up the last bits at the bottom of the bottle. And it would pay for itself in a matter of months. OK, Mom–one’s coming your way… $4.99
When I saw this product, I thought of two people in my life who might love it–my kids! I have two boys and they are crazy about playing basketball. OK, I think my husband might enjoy it, too. We have an outdoor hoop and if they all could play in the dark, they would. And now they can! Hoop Brightz outlines the backboard and rim in LED light which attach securely with zip ties and adhesive backed fasteners. A removable battery pack light it up for approximately 40 hours of light (battery operated). I’m going to be purchasing this Stocking Stuffer and I think it’s going to be a hit with my boys. The neighbors may not appreciate it, but my ‘guys’ are only kids once… $24.99
Mr. Al Dente? Your pasta is ready! Food safe and BPA-free, this pasta timer lets you know via four different songs when your pasta is cooked to four different lengths of time. He’s cool enough to sit on your counter (what a great conversation piece!) and tough enough to swim around in boiling water. If you cook an abundance of pasta in your household and appreciate fine Italian-themed music, this stocking stuffer is for you. $19.99
Want to check out the rest of The Container Store Stocking Stuffer Collection? Click here to see the almost one hundred products featured this year. You never know what might grab your eye–happy shopping!
It can be a cupboard in your apartment, a shelving unit in your garage, or a separate room in your house. Whatever it looks like, a pantry acts as a functional space for storing canned goods, baking supplies and anything you just HAD to buy during that last double coupon offering at your supermarket. With winter months quickly approaching, it is a perfect time to start stocking up on non-perishable food items and creating an organized area for them. All the squirrels are doing it. Why not you?
Here are 5 easy ways to help your ‘inner squirrel’ start organizing your food pantry…
Use Helper Shelves Helper shelves (one of my favorite organizing products) double the horizontal space in your pantry, offering more space for canned goods, boxes, bottles, etc. They often come in 3-4 different widths and heights—some are width- and height-adjustable. Helper shelves can be found in the same aisle as other kitchen organizing products and purchased at general stores like Target or in specialty stores such as The Container Store. Use them on a shelf in a pantry closet or upper, lower, or corner cabinet in your kitchen. Helper Shelves = Saving Space
Group ‘Like-Foods’ Together
Group foods and/or products by type, brand, or ethnicity for easy retrieval. For example: Put all canned fruit in one area, brownie mixes on another part of the shelf, and all spaghetti sauce jars and boxes of pasta on a shelf separate from the other two. Now go to your pantry and gather ingredients for tonight’s lasagna dinner. How quickly did you locate the pasta and sauce? Probably, pretty darn fast since they’re now grouped together in one place…Grouping ‘Like-Foods’ Together = Saving Time
Keep it Neat and Orderly
Place cans/jars/bottles on shelves with labels facing front. Line up boxes with their ‘spines’ facing front (like library books) or facing forward depending upon your space limitations. This way you can scan the shelf quickly and find what you need in a matter of seconds. Disorganized shelves are a big time, money, (and food) waster. Orderly Shelves = Saving Time and Money
Take Inventory
Before you go to the supermarket, take inventory of your pantry shelves. Helpful Hint: Line up your cans/jars/bottles from the back of the pantry shelf to the front edge with labels facing forward. Depending upon their size as well as the size of the shelf, you may be able to line them up 3-4 deep. When you need a can/jar/bottle, take it from the front. When you see you have one left (hugging the back wall of the pantry), it’s time to put that item on your shopping list. Taking Inventory = Saving Money
Rotate Your Food
How many times have you found cans or boxes of food languishing behind an extra large cereal box? You don’t know how long it’s been there and you’re not planning on serving botulism for dinner, so that old can of peas you unearthed is money down the drain. Whether you line them up one in front of the other or stack them, it is important to rotate your boxes/cans/packages of food. If you usually buy cans of tuna in bulk and stack them 6-high on your shelf, don’t pile five new ones on top of one old can. Put that remaining can in the fridge and stack the new ones behind the old stack. You can take it a step further by dating your canned/boxed goods. It takes a bit of work but it’s worth it. Even non-perishables can perish…Rotated Food = Saving Money
Bonus If you’re going the extra mile to organize your pantry, why not create some labels for it? Labels can be used to mark off ‘food zones’ after you’ve grouped ‘like with like.’ Or, label those storage containers you use to hold bulk items. Canva.com, a free graphic design platform (that I love to use!) recently launched a tool to help you design beautiful labels. Check out their kitchen labels page for templates and ideas to help organize your pantry. For a variety of other types of labels, check out their Labels Hub here.
What favorite food items will you start organizing your food pantry with today?
Remember when you were a kid and you couldn’t wait for that holiday season Toys ‘R’ Us catalog to come in the mail? The excitement! The anticipation!
Well, that’s how I feel about The Container Store’s Stocking Stuffer Collection catalog. I know sometime after Halloween it’s going to find it’s way through my mail slot. Lucky for me, I live ten minutes away from The Container Store in Paramus, NJ but instead of driving over there ahead of time, I wait for the catalog. I like to flip through the pages and pick out the items I like before heading to the store to see and possibly buy them.
What I found most interesting about this year’s Stocking Stuffer collection is that there are very few ‘organizing’ products. Most fall into the fun/kitchy/useful item category. Some I looked at and didn’t really understand their purpose. That’s OK–I’m sure somebody does–and that’s who will buy them! Something for everyone…
Last time I did a Stocking Stuffer Roundup was in 2013. Some of my favorites included a Dressing2Go container and a vintage rubber ducky shower cap. It’s been way too long–it’s time for another roundup!
I’d be writing until next Friday if I featured all of The Container Store’s Stocking Stuffers so I picked a handful to share with you. They’re split into three categories: Useful, Cute & Fun, and Makes You Go Hmmm…. If you’re in need of some stocking stuffers or small gifts for the people in your lives, consider these and the others in the collection…
USEFUL
Maggrip Car Vent Phone Mount $ 9.99
This product secures a smartphone to a car’s air vent for clear, safe viewing. Has 5-star rating on the website.
ToyDriver Screwdriver $ 9.99
My kids are 6.5 and 10 but I remember when they were little and EVERY toy had a battery. And every toy had a battery compartment held together by the tiniest screws. Boy, could I have used this a few years ago! Comes with a flat head and Philips head bit. My cousin had a baby last month and I am considering sending this to her!
Pocket Monkey $ 11.99
It’s a bottle opener. It’s a multi-head screwdriver. It’s a phone stand, an envelope opener, and much more. TSA-Compliant and thin as a credit card. You never know when you’ll need one of it’s many features…
Flint Retractable Lint Roller $ 8.99
Ever go to a dog lover’s home and come home with half the dog on your pants? Keep this in your purse, glove compartment, or travel bag and be dog-hair free! Works for white lint napkins on black pants and anything else your clothes can be covered in. Comes in Slate Gray and Copper. Refills sold separately.
CUTE & FUN
Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner $ 9.99
I usually use lemons in hot water to steam-clean my microwave but wouldn’t this be a whole lot more fun?
Emoji Cooking Stamps $ 5.99
Emojis are all the rage now! Take a departure from baking gingerbread men and snowflakes this season to create some cool kid-friendly cookies.
Corkers Cork Decorating Kit $ 5.99
I’m allergic to wine so I don’t exactly have corks hanging around my kitchen. But, for those of you who do, here’s a cute ‘adult’ art project for you! Choose from airplane, deer, dog and pino figurine. A nice add-on if you’re bringing a bottle of wine to a party.
Beepegg Timer $ 19.99
A bit pricey, but if you like soft and hard-boiled eggs, this could be a good investment piece for your kitchen. Store in the fridge with your eggs for best results. You’ll always know where it is when you need it if you store it near your eggs!
MAKES YOU GO Hmmmm…
Oven Pull Monster $ 2.99
This seems useful but it’s not the most friendly-looking kitchen gadget out there. It looks a little freaked out–as if it knows it’s about to go head first into a hot oven. For the chef in your life with a good sense of humor…
Handbag Raincoat $ 19.99
I get it. It’s raining. You don’t want your handbag to get wet. But, a raincoat for a handbag? Where does it drip dry? It comes with a pouch but if you’ve ever tried to get an umbrella (wet or dry) back in it’s ‘pouch’ then I can’t imagine trying to do the same with a handbag raincoat. A bit pricey for what it is but if you carry an expensive bag and live in a rainy area, it could be worth it.
Wine Glass Shade $ 12.99
Like I said above, I’m allergic to wine. I own wine glasses for when company comes over but I never thought of ‘setting a mood’ with one of them. For the wine enthusiast in your life…
Poo Pourri 2 oz. – $ 9.99
OK, Container Store. You had to go THERE? Travel-sized for a purse, backpack, or diaper bag. What disturbs me most is that on this page (and all other pages) on The Container Store website, there’s a spot where you can upload a picture of the product in use with the hashtag #containyourself. I dare anyone to buy this product and upload a picture of themselves using it!
For more of The Container Store’s Stocking Stuffer Collection click here. There are stocking stuffers for kids/teens, pets, travelers, techies, chefs and many others in your life.
If you’re driving to The Container Store to peruse their stocking stuffers, consider donating an unwrapped book, toy, gift card, or toiletry to their Holiday Hugs program. They’re partnering with children’s hospitals around the country to deliver ‘Holiday Hugs’ to their patients. Program ends December 18th.
Three hundred and twenty-five days until next year’s Stocking Stuffer catalog!
I’d love to know–which stocking stuffer is YOUR favorite? Share in the comments below…
Last summer, I went on a field trip to The Container Store with my colleagues from NAPO-NNJ. As you can imagine, the bunch of us that attended had a blast! We saw a few demos, learned about some new products, and had a chance to roam freely through the store. While I was roaming, I happened upon these: OXO Good Grips POP Containers
They were so cool! You’re probably thinking that I bought out the store…but I controlled myself and didn’t. Even though they were ‘cool,’ they were a bit pricey. I left The Container Store without them in my hand but those POP containers lingered in my brain and heart…
Here are a few reasons why I thought these were a ‘Cool Product.’
• Their square/rectangular shapes fit well side-by-side on shelves
• They stack!
• Easy open/easy close
• Aesthetically pleasing
Fast forward a few weeks. I was shopping in TJ Maxx and found a shelf in the Housewares Department filled with OXO POP Containers! And, in TJ Maxx fashion, they cost less than the ones in The Container Store–jackpot! I brought these two babies home with me, gave them a good washing, and put them to work in my pantry closet.
Here’s how they open and close… This is the lid when closed. That big button gets pressed to open the container. Press down and…
It opens!
When that big push-button is in the ‘up’ position, the lid is loosened and can be lifted. The push-button also acts as a handle! I thought that was pretty cool, too.
Push the big button down again to create an airtight seal with the pressure of a few fingertips.
Right now, I’m using the two large POP Containers for storing pretzels and Tostitos Scoops. I also bought two tall, slim containers that are holding Twizzlers and small cookies. I purchased one smaller POP Container and it fits an entire package of Fig Newtons perfectly. It’s so easy for my kids to operate them. They are able to get their own snacks and nine times out of ten, the lid goes on and nothing goes stale. That’s pretty good odds for a 7 and 11 year old…
I like this product so much, I was quoted in this Today.com article about how much I love using them in my own home.
If you’d like to try one out for yourself, check your local TJ Maxx store. I have seen some on the shelves at Home Goods but I haven’t seen any in Marshall’s. Want to spring for a 10-piece set? They are sold at The Container Store, Amazon and other home stores. If you have a 20% off coupon, consider purchasing them at Bed Bath and Beyond.
I am one of those lucky Professional Organizers that lives less than 15 minutes from The Container Store. It’s great to be able to stop in, wander the aisles and check out new products whenever the mood strikes.
Despite it’s proximity to my home, I always look forward to receiving their catalogs. My favorite one arrives through my mail slot at the end of November–The Stocking Stuffers catalog. There’s something about this collection of cute, helpful, gadgety things that just makes me smile.
I flipped through the catalog last week and found a few items to share with you. Are you looking to fill holiday stockings or are you in need of the ‘next best thing’ to keep you organized? I think you’ll find a product here or on the stocking stuffers page of The Container Store’s website to suit your gift giving and organizing needs.
And now, some of my favorite Container Store Stocking Stuffers of 2013…
Bondi
The Bondi is known as a ‘helping hand.’ Use it to secure an item and hang it over a doorknob, rearview mirror, stroller or anywhere you need to hang something small.
Cuppa and Dash Measuring Cups and Spoon
Designed by Umbra, these space-saving items are perfect for the cook who is short on space and appreciates good design.
Tab and Page Markers
If you’re like me, as you read you feel the need to mark off helpful or inspiring passages in books and magazines. I don’t usually read without a pack of these next to me. Great for color coding and they come in their own carrying case.
Dressing-2-Go
Ever take a salad to work or to an event but you don’t want to bring the whole bottle of dressing with you? Enter the Dressing-2-Go bottle. It’s BPA free, leakproof and holds 2 oz of dressing–perfect for those watching their calories.
This last one will probably not keep you organized, but it was so cute I wanted to share it…
Shower Cap
For the ladies, this vintage-inspired shower cap is covered in rubber duckies–what could be more adorable? It also has a ruffled rim which keeps water out of your eyes. I don’t want to leave any one out, but this item may be a bit too girly for a guy with long hair…
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear some stocking stuffers calling my name. Good thing I live close to The Container Store…
Have you ever packed your suitcase and opened it later to find a mess? I’m talking about shampoo-spilled-all-over-your-clothes mess. How about a body lotion explosion?
Regardless of what can open, spill, or explode, the last thing you want to do when you arrive at your destination or get home from a trip is deal with messy laundry and cleaning your suitcase.
If you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile in the near future, you’re going to want to take a close look at these…
Today’s Cool Product is: Nalgene Leakproof Bottles
Nalgene Round Leakproof Bottles
I first spotted Nalgene leak-proof bottles in the Travel section of the The Container Store. I bought a few to try–filled them with my bath gel, shampoo and moisturizer and took them on a trip. To my surprise, I arrived at my destination with no leaky bottles in my suitcase. Success! I bought more and have relied on them for peace of mind, ‘clean’ and easy travel ever since.
Besides different shaped bottles, Nalgene makes jars, too. I use jars for items with a thicker consistency such as diaper rash cream and my nighttime moisturizer. An example:
Nalgene Leakproof Jars
The bottles and jars come in different sizes but the 1 oz. and 2 oz sizes work best for airline travel.
I keep a few extra Nalgene leak-proof bottles and jars in my linen closet for when I need one at the last minute. No more running to the store before a vacation!
Now that I have two kids, I don’t go away often. But when I do, I take my “I’m-ready-to-leave-the-house-at-a-moment’s-notice” bag off the shelf. It has almost everything I need for a quick getaway–most of my toiletries are in Nalgene bottles labeled across the outside.
Which reminds me: Don’t forget to label these bottles once you’ve filled them. You don’t want to accidentally wash your hair with your face moisturizer… Use a label maker or removable labels by Avery. Blue painter’s tape and a Sharpie will work, too if pressed for time. You don’t want to miss your flight!
I love Nalgene bottles so much, I included them in one of my Container Store Haul videos on my YouTube channel! To watch it, click below.
If you’re planning to visit family or a far away country, get yourself a few Nalgene Leakproof Bottles and Jars. When you get back from your trip, I want to hear all about your adventures and your clean suitcase!
Like many Professional Organizers who live near a Container Store, I like to take time here and there to walk the aisles and check out what’s on the shelves. I’m always looking for cool, new products and boy, did I find one… I thought this one was so unique, I had to own it.
It’s called the Double Dish by a company called JosephJoseph.
Besides being in awe of the product, I thought the company name was fun, too. Turns out that JosephJoseph was started by twin brothers, Richard and Antony Joseph. They melded their experience in product design and business to form a company that designs stylish kitchen and cookware accessories (their mother is so proud..).
The ‘short-and-sweet’ function of this item is to ‘Serve snacks, hide waste.’
But wait, there’s more…
– Serve snacks in small dish, hide waste in collection dish
– Alternatively, use as two separate serving dishes
– Perfect for shelled nuts, olives and edamame beans
– Dishwasher safe
I bought it. Couldn’t wait to use it. Here’s how it works…
Put it on a flat surface. Fill the white bowl with whatever food needs to be shelled or have pits removed. I used pistachio nuts…
Eat a nut (or an olive or edamame pod) and place the shell/pit/pod through one of the open green areas of the Double Dish. When the bowl is finished, remove it to reveal what we usually want to conceal. Take it to your trash can/compost bin and dispose of it.
Put the white dish back on top of the green dish, fill with food, and repeat.
Organized eating!
Gone are the days of putting a smaller bowl with a shell/pit/pod next to the bigger bowl and hoping people realize it’s purpose.
Summer is almost upon us–wouldn’t the JosephJoseph Double Dish make a great conversation piece at your next BBQ?
If you spend a good amount of your time surfing the web, I’m sure you’ve heard of Pinterest. If not, run–don’t walk to the site that is taking social media by storm.
According to their website, “Pinterest is a tool for collecting and organizing the things you love.”
As a user, I would say that, “Pinterest is a tool for collecting and organizing images of inspiration.”
A little over a year ago, I joined Pinterest–read all about it here: Organized Artistry is on Pinterest!. I’ve been having a great time with it.
On Pinterest, you create and categorize ‘pin boards’ according to your interests. After you create your themed-boards, you load your own visuals or ‘re-pin’ visuals posted by others to your boards. I created boards for my organizing business and some that have to do with the book I’m writing for brides. I thought that would be my only use for Pinterest, but it has much more to offer…
– When the time comes to make some major changes in my home, I’ll not only be flipping through decorating magazines, I’ll also be looking for decorating inspiration on Pinterest.
– I have found recipes to cook for my son who has multiple food allergies.
– There are tons of posts on clothing, makeup and health that I have learned from.
It is very easy to get sucked into the visual wonderland of Pinterest for HOURS at a time. There’s so much to see and learn!
Besides other categories, there must be thousands of ‘Organizing’ pins on Pinterest. So many great ideas to learn from and implement in your life!
Since time is precious, I would like to offer you some of my favorite organizing pins on Pinterest. Some I created myself and some I re-pinned from other boards.
Disclaimer: Although I love Pinterest, I think that there are many visuals on the site (especially the ‘Organizing’ visuals) that promote ‘perfection.’ Items in the photos are neatly lined up, labeled and look as if they are untouched by humans. Being organized is not about being perfect. It’s about being able to find what you need when you need it–plain and simple. I try to not promote or perpetuate the idea of perfection in my boards/pins, with my clients and in my own home. I’ve seen some creative and mega-cool organizing ideas on Pinterest. Here are a few I think you will enjoy, appreciate and find inspiring…
Thought this was a creative idea. Hang cork board squares on the inside of a cabinet to manage and also hide papers such as invitations, receipts and shopping lists.
I dream of this in my kitchen. PULL OUT DRAWERS! LOTS of them! Never lose food in the back of your cabinet again.
Thought this was a very organized way to grate and store cheese. Also perfect for grating cheese in advance. Store bagged cheese in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
From my ‘Get Ready for Spring Cleaning’ Board
Spring Cleaning or all-year-round cleaning–this is my favorite cleaning product. With two little boys in the house, I use the Magic Eraser A LOT! Most of its use is in my kitchen with white appliances. It ‘erases’ dirt–yes, magically and is the only thing I have found that can cut through the greasy, sticky spots on my stove top.
Though this idea was so smart. At the end of the winter, store your boots with cut up pool noodles inside of them. I bought pool noodles at the end of the season last year in Target for less than a dollar. That’s a very inexpensive way to retain the shape of your boots until next winter.
As soon as I saw this ‘pin’ I knew I had to add it to my Get Ready for Spring Cleaning board. I work with a lot of clients in their closets and have seen many of these commandments broken. My personal favorites are #2 and #3.
From my ‘My Favorite Organizing Products’ Board
You won’t find this organizing product at The Container Store. It’s a productivity app called Evernote. From their website: “Evernote helps you remember, act upon (and share) ideas, projects and experiences across all the computers, phones and tablets you use.” Every time I get an idea or wish to record information about some aspect of my business or personal life, I store it in Evernote for future reference. My desk would have a zillion post-its strewn across it without Evernote.
I know that many people love and swear by ‘huggable hangers.’ I’ll be honest with you–they are not my favorite hanger. I use and recommend crystal hangers. Although they take up more space in a closet, they work well to prevent those ‘shoulder bumpies’ that can ruin a top very easily.
This is my Brother P-Touch label maker. I’ll admit–I love it…maybe even more than the Magic Eraser. It has been quite a workhorse–creating labels for clients and my personal usage for the past ten years. Labels just make things look more organized–don’t you think?
This is only a partial list of my Pinterest boards and pins. To see all of my boards and everything I’ve ‘pinned’, head on over to Organized Artistry on Pinterest.
A blog by Professional Organizer Stacey Agin Murray bursting with cool products, 'gotta-tell-a-friend' ideas, and a whole lotta organizing know-how. Learn more...
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About Stacey
When you grow up in a 5’x12′ bedroom, you learn to organize pretty quickly! I chose to take that knowledge and turn it into a business helping people find what they need when they need it. I’m also the author of The Organized Bride’s Thank You Note Handbook–a book that offers wedding thank you note-related organizing tips and how-to’s plus 101 unique sample thank you notes (what bride can’t use that?).
These are girly and a little pricey in my opinion but if a pretty pad motivates you to make a list and get stuff done then it’s perfect! The size looks like it would fit in the tall part of a stocking, too. Imagine what you could accomplish with 150 blank pages!
Pigs in blankets are a fan-favorite in my family. We call them ‘little hot dogs’ and no get-together is complete without a platter of these with sides of ketchup and mustard for dipping. This stocking stuffer made me laugh when I saw it. Although I usually buy my ‘little hot dogs’ pre-made, I think my family would appreciate the humor of having these ‘little piggies’ on a platter. The only problem is, I’d need about four of these or make a batch at a time and freeze them. Twelve piggies are not enough!
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