Tag: organization

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Fabulous living

The Lazy Genius Life

Hello everyone! 

Happy Wednesday! How has your week been going? Feeling good and productive or just barely getting by? We are halfway to the weekend and nearing the end of October. I’m excited to continue to check off things from my fall bucket list over the next few weeks and weekends.

 

Another sign of fall, so many beautiful mums this time of year!

One of the things I am passionate about is personal development and growth. I truly believe no matter where you are in life or how old you are, you can be constantly changing, growing, and adapting. 

If you have been following my blog for a while you may recall I went through a big period of growth in college. I gained a lot of independence and really found myself in a new environment. 

I went through a similar transition when I started my first job. I went from a college student to a working professional, moved back home, met new people, and began my career.

Whether you are experiencing big or small changes, I believe we can learn and grow from them. 

One resource that I have really grown to love and learn from is the Lazy Genius Way. You may have heard of the podcast by Kendra Adachi. It has been around for years, but I found it within the last year and I have learned so much from her and this way of life. She also has published three books, (one just came out this month and I’m obsessed with it). Her tagline or mission is “Be a Genius about things that matter and Lazy about things that don’t”. I love the energy and kindness she brings to each podcast episode, book, newsletter and Instagram post.

She releases podcasts episodes every week and covers a variety of topics from starting small, time management, living in your season, and naming what matters. She also created thirteen principles to follow and steps to lazy genius your life. 

I look forward to her podcasts every week, they run between 25-50 minutes and are perfect for advice, life hacks, productivity, organization, time management and everything in between. Listening to her podcasts are one of my favorite moments throughout the week. I have even gone back and listened to older episodes or re-listened to my favorite ones. If you want to dip your toes in The Lazy Genius life, this is a great way to begin.

Let’s say you want to take it a step further, Adachi has three books that are informative, thought provoking and easy to read. I have found myself reading them in her voice. Her first book is called “The Lazy Genius Way” and in the book she breaks down the thirteen lazy genius principles, what they are and how to incorporate them into your life. This is a great building block to her podcast.

Her second book is “The Lazy Genius Kitchen”, it’s not a cookbook, rather it’s a way to use your kitchen, food, ingredients, and space to the best of your ability and a way that works for you. That’s another thing Adachi stresses in her books and podcasts, not everyone’s lives look the exact same, what works for someone else may not work for you and that’s okay. The Lazy Genius Kitchen is a great tool for navigating your space. 

Her third and most recent book is called “The Plan”, it’s all about time management, organization and most importantly, giving yourself compassion. What I love about this book is that she doesn’t give a list to follow or things to do to manage your time better, rather she gives you tools and examples that you can tailor to your life. I think this is such an important thing to remember. 

Some of the biggest lessons I have taken away from Adachi through her books and podcasts include starting small, naming what matters, compassionate time management, learning to pivot rather than plan and the importance of rest. I come away after an episode, book, or newsletter, learning something new and having tools that can help me in so many different avenues of life. 

I truly believe that you can always be learning and adapting in life and you never know how one person or book can change your life. I know I have changed my mindset and how I approach situations by using the tools I have learned from Adachi and The Lazy Genius Way. This is by no means a sponsored post, this is me simply sharing my love and appreciation for this new way of thinking. You can learn more about Kendra Adachi and the Lazy Genius Collective here. I hope this inspires you to check out Kendra or be open to a new book, podcast or concept, who knows, it may change your life! 

Happy Wednesday friends!!!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #116

Hello All! Happy Friday! I hope you had a wonderful week! I have a packed full weekend around the corner with family time, activities, and some fall fun thrown in there too! It will be a busy, but fun weekend. 

Pumpkin patches and farmer’s market stands bring me so much JOY!

Before I hit the ground running today, I wanted to share some things that I have been loving (hint-most of them are fall and entertainment favorites) as I link up with with Erika and Andrea.

Light a candle, curl up with a blanket and let’s dive in!

The Simple Sophisticate– Shay Shull of Mix and Match Mama recommended this podcast on her blog and I finally got around to listening to it. Shannon Ables started the podcast after her blog back in 2014 and still continues with episodes to this day. The theme of the podcast is all about living a simpler, calmer, and French way of life. Ables has such a soothing voice and attitude that you will find yourself relaxing and feeling peaceful no matter what she is talking about. I started at the beginning of the podcast and I have been loving all the different themes and topics. Episodes vary from 30-60 mins. Definitely worth giving it a listen to over the next few weeks.

The Home Edit– I love following The Home Edit on Instagram and love their show on Netflix too. I decided to check out Clea and Joanna’s book during my latest library haul and learned a lot from it. They give practical advice and ways to organize your spaces. Not only do they write about ways to organize areas, but they have great photos to demonstrate it too. After reading their book, I wanted to do a massive purge and organization.

Fall Harvest Mix-If you have been following along for a while, you know I love a good festival or seasonal food. My local grocery store had this seasonal harvest mix and I had to give it a try. It’s a delicious combo of sweet and salty. There’s peanuts, M&M, cereal, and peanut butter cups. It’s by no means a healthy trail mix, but it certainly satisfies the sweet and salty tooth. 

Gilmore Girls- Watching Gilmore Girls was on my fall bucket list and I’m slowing making my way through it. I started the show last year, but then life happened and I never finished it. Well, now I am back on the Gilmore Girls bandwagon and I have been loving it. It’s the perfect fall show to cozy up and enjoy. I know this will also help me get through the cold winter months as well too.

Nobody Wants This- This new Netflix mini-series is what everyone is talking about. Nobody Wants This stars Kristen Bell and Adam Brody and it’s all about a couple who starts dating later in life after not having luck in the dating department. There are so many funny one-liners and relationship connections besides the romance between the two main characters. I really loved the message how you can have a relationship after you have worked hard in your career. There are only ten episodes and they last between 20-30 mins, perfect to binge watch in a weekend. 

If the weather is getting cooler by you, I hope these favorites gave you something new to try or enjoy this weekend. What have been some things you have been loving this week? Let me know in the comments below! 

Happy Fall Friday!

Categories
Travel

Helpful Travel Hacks and Hints

Hi everyone and happy October. I hope your next few weeks are filled with fall fun, whether it be in the form of decorating, warm foods, walks, or corn mazes.

I’ve been spending as much time as I can outdoors while the weather is still nice.

I have been in a season of travel, from longer trips to weekend getaways and have been picking up some travel hacks along the way. 

If you are in a season of travel too or preparing for one with the holidays approaching, here’s some helpful hints I have picked up.

  • Packing Cubes– These packing cubes have been a game changer for me, especially for longer travels. I used packing cubes when I went to Rome and I fit so much in my carry-on. I had more than enough space for souvenirs to bring back and for all my clothes. They are also great for keeping dirty and clean clothes separated during and after your trip.
  • Travel Size Inventory- I have talked a lot about using sample beauty products when traveling. This is a great opportunity to use products you may be hesitant to try at home. I also try to use products that I am almost out of it and can throw away when I am away to save space coming back and to come home to fresh and fully stocked products. My motto is use it lose it!
  • Make a List and Take a Photo– I always make a list of what to pack when I leave whether it’s for a week or an overnight trip. I like to keep it in my phone, so I always have it with me. It also makes it easier when checking things off to make sure you have everything when you return. If you are a more visual person, lay out everything you want to bring and snap a photo. When you are ready to come home, check the photo to make sure everything is accounted for.
  • Pick a Color Scheme– I always try to be mindful when I am packing and that comes in the form of what I am bringing. I tend to choose a color scheme and stick with it. For example, in Italy, I wore black, white and red. This helped mix and match outfits and shoes. For a recent weekend away, I chose blue and white with a few accent colors, they were all neutral which made it easy to mix and match clothing items. Choosing a color scheme also made packing easier when you are only looking for a few colors, plus it helps with jewelry and accessories.
Black and white was my go-to colors for Italy
  • Bring an Empty Water Bottle– If you are flying or driving, bring an empty water bottle. This is very helpful when flying and you get thirsty as there are always places to refill your cups. If you are driving, it doesn’t hurt to have a cup to fill up at gas stations or rest stops, plus it saves you money and helps the environment.
This travel mug came in handy for a weekend out of town
  • Be Mindful of Your Bags– Think practicality over cute. I tend to be practical with what bags and luggage I am using, but I have fallen victim to choosing cute over practical and I faced the consequences. Rolling suitcases and backpacks may be the smarter decision when flying as opposed to totes. However, a tote could be great for a road trip for easy access for snacks and toys for kids. Always be thinking about what’s the best option for organization and practicality.
Practical for flying
Not as practical for flying…lesson learned

There you have it, some helpful hints that I have picked up when traveling. I am by no means an expert, so I am always open to new ideas. Tell me: what are some of your travel tips and advice? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Travels!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #112

Hello All! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week and are ready for the weekend. I know I am! I have some fun travel plans for the weekend that I have been counting down to for weeks! I am hoping this will be a picturesque fall weekend. 

This week was brought to you by an unexpected zoo trip before the end of the season

Before I get to my plans, I wanted to share some favorites of mine from the past week. I have some fall finds, some entertainment fixes, and a bit of seasonal fun too!

Let’s jump into it as I link up with Erika and Andrea 

New Candle Scent– Since September is a transitional weather month, I’m not quite ready to break out all the fall scents yet. Maybe in the next few weeks, but not today. I needed a new candle scent for my room and found the perfect transitional scent in French Vanilla. It’s a mix of vanilla, musk and amber and it’s from a local shop. One of my favorite things about this company is that in addition to the name and scent of the candle, they will tell you what scents make up the candle. I also love all the sizes the candles come in, this way you don’t have to commit to a scent long-term if you don’t love it. I have a mini size candle and it’s been perfect for me. I also couldn’t resist the cute mason jar it came in. This was a great choice as we transition from one season to the next.

Jewelry Pouch– This has been a recent life hack that has helped me immensely. I wear jewelry every day to work, but sometimes after work, I will go to the gym, for a run, or out for an activity and I don’t want to lose my jewelry in my car or purse when I take them off. Enter jewelry pouch! I always get these cute pouches from different pieces of jewelry that I purchase, but I never know what to do with them. Now, I keep a pouch in my car so whenever I get in my car and I need to take off my jewelry if I’m not going home right away, I can do it without worrying about losing it or it getting tangled. Then when I get home, I bring the pouch inside, unload the jewelry and put the pouch back in my car. Such a small change, but one that makes a big difference. 

Seasonal Fruit– As we say goodbye to the summer season, I have been doing my best to get all my favorite seasonal fruits in. Peaches have been a favorite of mine as of late. I have been eating them with my lunches, in salads, and on ice cream for dessert. They are such a sweet treat and I have been savoring them since I know we have such a short window for them. 

Wallet Switch– I carry a purse with me for work and for outings, but I also keep a wristlet with my credit cards, cash and keys with me wherever I go. I try to swap out my wallets each season so they don’t get overused. I have been using the same wristlets for year (usually a mix of Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach etc.) but when I was in Italy, I picked up a new one. It can fit everything I need and I love the light brown shade. It matches my purses perfectly and it’s a beautiful fall tone. Definitely a fall favorite!

Breaking Bad-This is by no means a new favorite, but my boyfriend and I started watching Breaking Bad and we are hooked. It took a little while for the show to get moving, but once it did we were sold. It’s a totally different concept than we are used to but we have been enjoying the drama and craziness that comes with the show. We just finished season one and now are onto season two. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.

That’s a look into life lately and some recent favorites. As we make our way through September, what are some things you have been loving? Let me know in the comments below! Have  fabulous Friday and fantastic weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #108

Hello all! Happy Friday! I hope you all have had a great week and are excited to do something fun as we start to say goodbye to summer! This has been such a fulfilling summer filled with checking off bucket list items, continuing summer traditions, and new adventures. I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer, but all good things must come to an end.

I’ve been capitalizing on lots of walks over the past few weeks.


As we get ready for the weekend, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for another round of Friday Favorites! Here’s a list of things I’ve been loving!


Yoga– I’ve tried yoga a few times over the past month. I am used to more high intensity workouts with strength training, lifting and cardio, so this was a change in pace for me, but I’ve enjoyed it the past few times. I did a yoga on the beach which was a slow and gentle flow yoga for beginners. Then a week later, I did a sunrise yoga which was gentle, but more intense yoga. Both lasted an hour and I felt relaxed, refreshed, and stretched out. I don’t know if I’ll be incorporating yoga into my weekly workout sessions, but it was fun to change it up for a few weeks. 

Yoga to start the day


It Ends with Us– The movie, It Ends with Us starting Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is now out. I haven’t seen it yet, but I am anxious to see it. I read the book and the sequel by Colleen Hoover and I really loved it. I’m anxious to see how the movie compares to the book. I have read some reviews, but no spoilers. I did hear that Hoover makes an appearance. I’m hoping to see it in the theaters soon! I’ll report back with a review once I see it.


New Bridgerton Scent– As we say goodbye to one season of life and say hello to another, my body lotion and sprays are changing. I got some of the new scents from the Bridgerton collection from Bath and Body Works for my birthday and I’m finally getting around to using them. I really love this scent and the design on the bottle. The scent is called Diamond of the Season and it’s a subtle, vanilla scent with some hints of floral. The perfect smell to use when at the end of summer and start of fall!


Packing Cubes-I’m officially on the packing cube train. I have read about packing cubes for years from Mix and Match Mama and before my family trip, I purchased a set for my mom and I to share and they were a huge help. I used two cubes and they fit nine days worth of clothes tight and compact. On the way home, I used one for clean and one for dirty clothes. They gave me so much more space in my carry-on. I would definitely recommend getting them if you are a big traveler. I would even consider using them if you are using a tote bag if you don’t plan on using a suitcase to keep everything organized and neat. I know I will be using them for future travels. I got mine off Amazon!


Satin Lips Scrub and Balm– I’ve mentioned this numerous times, but whenever I go on vacation or go away, I always like to try new beauty samples to see if I want to invest in them. When I went on my trip, I tried Mary Kay’s Satin Lips Scrub and Balm. I used the scrub every night after I washed my face and used them balm through the day. The scrub felt good after a day of lip balm and glass. I found myself having to reapply the balm a lot through the day, but that also could have been due to the heat and drinking lots of water. I will definitely be using the samples on my next trip, but I think I will be sticking to my Sara Happ Lip scrub and balm at home every night.

That’s a look into some of my favorite things from this past week! What are some things that have caught your eye this past week? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Friday!

Categories
Fabulous living

Seven Years of Blogging

Hello all!

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week, we made it halfway to the weekend!

I am celebrating my blog anniversary this month.

I started to create this little corner on the internet seven years ago as I was finishing up my first year of college. I had just gone through one of the biggest years of growth and change. I moved out of my home, met all new people and went through all the growing pains of being a freshman in college. I started this blog as a creative hobby and outlet and it has grown so much since I wrote my first post. 

One of my first posts

I shared looks of the days, packing tips, my fitness journey, things to organize, and personal topics like eating alone.

Becoming a runner

Now, I share more about my weekly favorites, recipes, and adventures.

Trips to NYC for a day adventure

Over the last seven years, I have gone through college, started my first job, made new friends, lost friends, gone on trips, moved back home, found new hobbies and met my boyfriend.

Time with friends

I’ve shared a lot about myself through my blog, from homesickness, to landing my dream job, and staying true to myself.

So many fashion posts

I’ve also been able to share my favorite things; from beauty products, to fashion trends, travel, books and entertainment. 

A few books from my collection at home.

Every year, I like to look back and see what posts stood out to me the most. This year, the biggest moments come in the form of 24 hour day trips, starting new hobbies in the form of running, playing piano and growing a garden, and being more sure of myself. 

The fruits of my labor

Your 20s can be a challenging time of figuring out your career, being an adult, staying in touch with friends, being involved with family, navigating a relationship and discovering yourself. I really feel like I have found who I am and how I want to live my life over the past year. 

I always say I will blog until it doesn’t bring me joy, but every day I still get excited about writing what I’m feeling and sharing my life with you all. I keep a running list of topics to write about, or favorite things to share, or even stories that I hope can help others who may feel how I feel.

I always learn so much from other bloggers and women and they inspire me every day and make my day a bit brighter. 

I hope I can do that for at least one person. Whether this is the first post of mine you are reading or you have read over 500 of them, thank you for being here and reading what’s on my mind and heart. I so appreciate every read, follow, and comment. 

Thank you for being on this journey with me and I can’t wait to see what the next year holds. Cheers to seven years!!!!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #91

Hello All! Happy Friday!

I hope you had a great week. I can’t believe we are at the end of April. It has been a busy month full of work projects, spring fun, family time and dates with friends. This week’s Friday Favorites is a fun roundup of new things I have purchased or been given over the past week or so and I can’t wait to share them with you today as I link up with  Erika and Andrea for another roundup of Friday Favorites.

Library Books in Calendar– This was a recent life hack that I wanted to share. I’m a library book girl through and through. I typically make a weekly stop to the library to either pick up or drop off a book. In the past, I would write in my planner or phone when a library book was due, but I was getting confused when I had multiple books checked out and it was hard to keep their due dates in order. Now, when I add a library book due date to my planner, I write the book title, so I know when each book is due. It may seem like a silly life hack, but it’s been super helpful especially with multiple books out and to make sure I avoid late fees.

Net Positive Podcast- I mentioned a few weeks ago that my brother and I went to see one of our favorite comedians, John Crist perform. We really loved the show and I have started to listen to his podcast now too. Net Positive can be found on most platforms and episodes last between an hour to an hour and a half. He mostly talks about life; current events and he adds his own humor to the show. Episodes drop once a week and although I haven’t been listening every week, whenever I am on a long drive or am looking for something funny or light-hearted to listen to, this is my go-to. Definitely worth the listen.

Car Cup Holders– I got these car cup holders for Easter and they have been the cutest pick-me-up. They fit right into the cup holders in your car in the front seat. They help protect your cup holders and keep things clean. I love cute monograms and these are the cutest accessories for the car. I got them off Etsy and they have been making me smile whenever I get in my car. 

New Hand Lotion– Speaking of new things, I was due for a new hand lotion and have been loving this new scent from Bath and Body Works. Chasing Fireflies is a vanilla scented lotion that’s not too strong. I also like how it’s not too thick when you apply it. I like the mini lotions to test out the scents before I commit to the full body lotion. Definitely a scent worth choosing for spring.

Dear Edward– I finished this book at the start of the month and couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s all about a young boy who is the only survivor of a plane crash. He loses his entire family and is forced to start over with his aunt and uncle. The book goes back and forth between the plane crash and the present day as Edward grows up. Once I finished the book, I watched the series on Apple TV. Although there were some differences between the two, I really enjoyed seeing how the show was adapted from the book. It was so cool to see the characters I thought about come to life.

That’s a glimpse into life as we say goodbye to April and Hello to May! Tell me, what are you looking forward to next month?

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #90

Hello All!

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week and are ready for the weekend! I know I am. This was a fairly normal and routine week, which I will happily take. I am looking forward to some time outdoors this weekend as the temperatures continue to increase, plus in my opinion, there’s nothing better than some sunshine for the soul.

Signs of spring!

As we gear up for the weekend, I’m sharing some of my favorite things from the week as I link up with  Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites. This week is a mix of life hacks, entertainment, home decor and snacks! Let’s dive right in!

Everything Bagel Crackers- This is the last favorite from my Trader Joe’s haul. After getting some classic staples, like the everything bagel seasoning, and something sweet with the orange jelly sticks, I wanted to look for something salty and I found these Everything bagel crackers. They have been a favorite of mine since I got them. I love the crispness of the cracker with the flavoring of the seasoning. These are perfect to add to your next appetizer night with cheese and fruits, or they would be great for dips and spread or just eating them by themselves for a quick treat. I will be enjoying these for as along as I can.

New Bridget Jones Movie– Did you hear the news?! A new Bridget Jones movie is set to come out in 2025. I loved the original movies and the sequels were added bonuses. Supposedly Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant will be back for the fourth movie. I can’t wait to see what it will all entail and who else could be making an appearance. Rom Coms are coming back in full force and I am here for it! Here’s an article with more information about it. 

New Candle- The timing couldn’t have been better that just spring was approaching I was in need of a new candle for my room. I got this sweet, floral smelling candle from Yankee candle as a gift, and it immediately has me dreaming of fresh cut flowers. The scent isn’t too overpowering, but it feels the room with a spring-like scent, and it does linger after I blow it out. I love the three-wicks and find that they tend to last longer.  I don’t typically get candles from Yankee Candle due to the cost, but it’s always nice to be given something to indulge in and savor. I can’t wait for flowers to bloom to start adding fresh cut flowers to my desk. 

Weekly Goals– This is a new practice I just started this year, and it has worked really well for me. I have started setting weekly goals. These are NOT habits that I want to incorporate into my everyday routine, rather, a weekly item I want to prioritize. I started writing them at the top of my planner as a reminder and I have been loving this system. A few of my weekly goals have included: get to bed earlier (if it’s a busier week), finish a library book, spend more time outside, order gift for friend etc. These aren’t big tasks or to-do’s, rather they are little reminders that I want to place an emphasis on each week. In the words of The Lazy Genius, I’m naming what matters. If you have a busy or hectic week coming up, I recommend trying this practice as a way to cut down on stress and anxiety.

Irish Wish- If you are looking for a light-hearted and Hallmark-esque movie on Netflix, consider the Irish Wish. It’s all about a young woman who goes to Ireland for her crush’s wedding and makes a wish to fall in love with her crush. Her wish comes true but as she’s dating him, she realizes he may not be as perfect as he seems. It’s a cute movie to have on in the background while you are doing other things, but it is by no means an Oscar-worthy movie. I did love the setting and the casting was pretty good. Not a bad movie, just not my favorite.

That’s a quick round up of what I’m loving this week. I had a shorter work week which is always nice for a break. Now, it’s back to reality. I hope you had a great week and are ready for the weekend! Happy Spring!

Categories
Let's Look

Let’s Look: How We Clean Our Closets

Hello all and Happy Wednesday!

I hope your week is off to a great start. 

Once again, I’m linking up this year with Shay and Erika for Let’s Look as we look at different areas of our lives. I love getting glimpses into how other people do things and what works well for them and I love to share my life hacks too, whether they are exciting or not.

Here’s all the prompts for this year if you want to follow along or join in.

This month’s prompt is how we clean our closets. 

I have a pretty small closet (my dream is to have a walk-in closet one day, where clothes aren’t crammed and shoes aren’t on top of one another), with that in mind, I try my best to maximize the space I have with racks and clear containers to keep things in order. Because it’s a small space, I do what I can to keep it clean and organized and not too crammed. I also try to keep it functional for my needs every day.

My top two shelves have my good purses (mostly designer purses and ones that I want kept out of reach from others) and special memorabilia in keepsake boxes. My closet also has a weird ceiling which cuts into my storage space too.

I keep bulky items like sweatshirts, sweatpants, and winter items (matching gloves, hats, scarves, etc) on my second shelf. Some things go in clear bins for easy access and others are just folded, nothing too fancy.

Back in November I cleaned a big closet clean-out and got rid of a lot of things I outgrew or wasn’t wearing anymore. I got rid of old homecoming dresses and put a few special dresses or outfits with special memories in storage. Now, I only keep things that I love and wear consistently in my closet. If I’m on the fence about choosing to keep something or get rid of it, I give myself a year to see if I will actually wear it, if I do, I keep it, if I don’t, it gets donated.

As far as how I organize my clothes, I have found the best way to keep things organized for me in a small space is by color, so I have all my clothes that are hanging up organized from light to dark. We start with whites and creams on the left side and then go into yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, we go into blues, greens, and then browns and blacks. I find it easiest to plan and pick out outfits when I can see them all in one spot, even though I have seasonal clothes mixed together, my brain works best with my color.

On the floor, I have all the shoes. I keep dress shoes on the racks in the back of the closet that I may not wear as frequently, but in the front, I keep the shoes I wear every day, work shoes, flats, sneakers, slippers etc. I do swap out summer and winter shoes from back to front based on the season, just to make it a bit easier. 

Since I have a smaller closet, I don’t have too hard of a time keeping it clean. I also have drawers that I keep all my other clothes in, basically anything that doesn’t need hung up. 

I also plan out my work outfits each week and keep them hung up so I can see what I’m wearing and can adjust for weather or other things that may pop up. 

I have followed advice from Emily Ley by only keeping the best, my favorite and necessary. This really helps when it comes to making decisions. 

That’s a look into my closet, nothing too exciting and it’s what’s to be expected for most closets. I am always open to different ways to organize spaces. If you have a small space or closet, how do you organize it? Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great week!

Categories
Fun Ways to Organize

Deep Cleaning Hacks and Organizing

Hello all!

Happy Wednesday. I hope you are having a great week so far. I feel like we are finally back into the routine of the new year and after the holidays. Last week was still a bit wonky with New Year’s Day falling on a Monday, but now we are in our groove. Whether you are establishing new routines and rhythms for the new year or getting back into systems that work for you, I hope your week is off to a great start.

The new year can often bring new resolutions or goals. I talked about mine last week, but the new year can also bring fresh starts and that can come in the form deep cleaning and organization.

Before the holidays, I did a deep cleaning and organizing of my home. It took a few weeks and I broke it up when I had time to work on the projects on the weekends, but I was thrilled with the end results. I tackled projects large and small, cleaned out spaces that haven’t been touched in months and donated a lot. It felt so good to work with a clean space before holiday decorating began.

If you are looking to do some deep cleaning yourself, here’s some advice about what worked well for me as I helped my mom tackle our home:

  • Go through your home or space and write down all the spaces you want to tackle. They can be as small as a spice cabinet, or as big as a bedroom closet or family room. Once you have your list, it makes it easier to figure out the best way to tackle the projects and how long each project will take.
Keep track of spaces you want to clean
  • Figure out the most efficient way to tackle the projects you want done and space them out. Maybe decide to do all the kitchen cabinets in one afternoon or spend a whole day going through your bedroom closet. Make a plan of what spaces you want to deep clean and organize and stick to it. This makes the projects more manageable and not as daunting. For example, I decided to do bathroom and kitchen cabinets on one day, the following week, I just did bedroom closets for a day and then I set aside a third day for the home office and other odds and ends rooms. I made my plan and stuck to it. When I was done with all the tasks for one day, I wasn’t exhausted or overwhelmed, rather I felt accomplished and then I knew what my tasks were for the next time I revisited the projects. 
We love an organized pantry
  •  When going through your spaces, be intentional with the items you want to keep, toss or donate. Check the dates on food or medicine, is it expired? If so, toss it. Have a junk drawer with old pens and paper? Do a pen test to see how many pens or markers still have ink in them. When it comes to clothes, I ask myself when the last time was I wore the article of clothing and do I still have a need for it. (Asking yourself these questions makes it easier when making decisions about whether to keep or get rid of something.) 
A look at piles to be organized
  • Make a list of things to replenish. This can be as easy as getting new spices or cold medicine to replace old ones, or it can be adding a new white blouse to your wardrobe if your current one is stained. Making a list of things you to replace saves you the stress of not having an item when you need it in a pinch.
Write down what things to refill when cleaning out cabinets
  • Donate or get rid of things right away. Once all your spaces are deep cleaned and organized (whether it takes a day or a month), do yourself a favor and get it out of your home. Whether it’s in the form or trash or donating old items or selling them, don’t let them linger for days or months, get them out so you can enjoy your clean space to the fullest.
A pile of donations

And there you have it! Five ways tips for organizing and deep cleaning your spaces. They may not work for everyone, but I have found success by using these tips and tricks. I am always interested in seeing how other people organize their spaces, tell me: what advice do you have for organizing? 

Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Cleaning!