It Doesn't Have to be New #2

There is quite a stockpile of 'new to me' items in my garage just waiting to be repurposed and brought back for a second chance at life. Some of them have already received a little attention actually! *Check back in again soon, and again after that, to see the transformation.

But before I get too ahead of myself with progress, I wanted to share them as is. Most came from the yard sailing extravaganza Mother Dearest, Finley, and I ventured on this past weekend, {if you don't already follow along with our adventures via a social media source do jump on that train: Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter} but a few are treasures that I picked up over the past few months.

Take a look and see if you can't see the potential too! *Do feel free to ignore the mess that is our garage - again.

Two Vintage Chairs

These chairs are not a perfect match but both have character in spades. They once had caning seats but are now ready for a DIY.

Cost: $10 for the pair

Glassware

Who doesn't love eclectic glassware to add to a preexisting collection? This girl does! I'm thinking the vase is a perfect size for bathroom pretties. Those creme-brûlée dishes will dress up my jewellery drawer in an instant. That sweet pitcher is a close match to some pieces I already have. And there is always room for more teacups! Always!
Cost: All Free

Never Used Mastercraft Precision Saw

I'm not exactly one hundred percent sure what this guy does, but for a brand new tool I didn't think I could go wrong. If Rob says he wont use it we will just pop it on kijiji.  Maybe even make a few pennies.
Cost: $35

Pine Shelf

Mother Dearest brought this from her house. My grandfather built it years ago - along with dozens more.
Cost: Free

Child Art and Frame

Finley seems to be fond of this framed zebra print. I picked it up with the crisp white frame in mind. We shall see who wins the decor battle.
Cost: Free

Plant Stand

Meema actually found this beauty. She offered to dispose of it or put it to the road as a free pick up for a friend and I snatched it up in a hurry. It may not look like much right now but I see ample opportunity to create beauty.
Cost: Free

Large Mirror

This mirror weighs more than me I swear. It originally came with a dresser but didn't fit in the ladies house so she sold it to moi!
Cost: $5

Mr. Camoose

There is a household debate as to whether this animal is in fact a camel or a moose. Thoughts?
Either way, Finn has no qualms snuggling him.
Cost: $1

Captains Chair

I'm in love with this chair. It may be my favourite item in the lot. One of the arms needs some attention from Robert but it should be good as new in no time. I can't wait to get to work on this makeover!
Cost: $5

Never Used Floating Shelves

These are your basic run of the mill black floating shelves, but with a coat of paint they will be just perfect...somewhere.
Cost: $3

Pillows and Linens

I have a hard time saying no to pillows, especially free ones, because they are so expensive to buy in store. Now I have a stockpile and can make my own covers. Win!
Cost: 8 Pillows = Free

The linens are all Mother's finds, but I couldn't help but share. She got three pillow shames, a bed skirt, two duvet covers, sheets, and four curtain panels! I kid you not.
Cost: $3

Old Glass Window

My Uncle Keith shared this window with me. I have a project in mind if things work out as my scheming predicts they will. Time will tell.
Cost: Free

Blinds, Light Fixture, and Water Cooler

These are a few of Mother's finds that I wanted to share because they were just too good to keep to ourselves.
Cooler Cost: $5
Blinds Cost: $2
Light Cost: $5

Wrapping Paper Bag

Last, but certainly not least for Mother, is her newest portable wrapping station - supplies included. What a great idea! Limited storage solution at it's finest. Cost: Free
If these finds don't get you up and out the door on the hunt for a great second hand treasure then you need to swing by my house for a drink because there is something in the water! 
Chat soon.

Earning His Keep {DIY Tire Rack}

A day last week Robert disappeared all of a sudden. Poof. Just like that. Gone. Of course I assumed, like most women would, that he had gone to the john. Am I right ladies? But after nearly an hour I got worried and went looking. Thankfully he was safe and sound in the garage working away to my utter surprise and delight. Typically, when home, he only works after persistent request. Not that day!
Our garage lacks serious organization solutions - well you've seen it {here}. I'll give that it has come a long way in the past months as far as cleanliness and a bit of added function but it still has a long road ahead. Since moving in I have insisted that we need to make use of the high ceilings in there for additional storage - oh there is the nagging - but we have never made any official plans. Until now apparently.
Upon my discovery of Common-Law he was more than half way through creating a tire rack to be mounted just below the ceiling and above the electric panel for seasonal storage. Now that is what I am talking about! He went with a straightforward L-shaped plan of attack with leftover wood from previous projects - which essentially makes this DIY as good as free in my books. Win. Win.

It was wasted space, so why not?

An L-shaped bracket style. Simple yet Effective.

It isn't finished - to my standards anyhow. Robert insists that it is just in the garage and more than serves its purpose but I will be tackling it with some hole filler and paint one of these days {leftovers of course so it stays on the free track}. 

The best part is that those tires are gone from beneath the work bench. Which clears up the perfect space to house the summer gear. For now anyhow.

It's not too bad, eh? Fits right in. And it clears up floor space! Can I just say that I love handy men and clever, simple storage solutions!
What do you think? Is the Common-Law earning his keep? 

Organization Palooza Day 9: Supplies Closet

I can see the finish line! Just a couple spaces in need of organizing left to go.

{Enter Happy Dance Here}

Today's project was on the basic side of the spectrum. Though not terribly disastrous, the small built-in supplies closet in the main floor bath needed some direction. 

This is what I started with:

The contents of this closet are not overly exciting. There are no darling towels or sweet smelling soaps in sight. But alas, every home needs a less than glamorous place to stash the run of the mill household items: cleaning supplies, medications, spare toilet paper, paper towels, and the like. Mine just happens to be in the main floor bathroom.

We learned a trillion plus one lessons when building our house. There are decisions you are bound to question and reevaluate with your first home after living in it a little while. A supplies closet was one of ours. With all the closet space, we never dreamed that there would not be a practical spot to stash the broom and vacuum. But with a little creative thinking we were able to convert a small linen closet into a  multifaceted supplies closet.

It just needed to be taken from creative to easily functional.

Here are the few simple changes that I made to help do just that.

With a few shelf alterations, some bin reconfiguring, and a bit of label making this closet is ready for anything!

The top shelf remained stocked with spare paper products. Just tidied. 

The sole overflowing medication bin was sorted and divided into four separate, more serviceable, clear and labeled bins. 

Based on our medication needs we went with the following groupings:

1. Pain
2. Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat
3. First Aid
4. Kids

Speaking of labelling - my most favouritest organization solution. Each shelf now has a very basic label  as well, identifying its contents. That way Common-Law has no excuse for replacing things in the wrong spot. *I point the finger at Robert, but really it is helpful for everyone.

I went with the following just as a reference:

1. Paper
2. Medications
3. Cleaning Supplies

The cleaning supplies are just below eye level on this shelf. Which makes it easier, I have found anyway, to quickly find what you are looking for. Yet, they are high enough to be out of reach of small children. *Another great feature of this cabinet is that the knob is mid way up the door and, like the cabinets throughout the remainder of the house, the doors are flush with the trim. So little fingers cant even get the doors open.

To help speed the cleaning process along, the white bin holds all of the products I use to do the bathrooms. That way there is no fussing when I have a few spare minutes. I just have to grab and go.

The bottom shelf holds the body of the vacuum. With the shelf readjustment it now lays flat with the hose in the bottom drawer with the other attachments.  

This may seem strange to you, it was for me at first as well, but we just have no other place that makes sense to store it that it isn't in the way. And if I am being completely honest, as I tend to be to a fault these days, I quite like it. The breaking down and building back up only takes a second and it ensures that I check the hose and nozzle for hair and build up. Two birds, one stone.

And that is that. A few simple changes go a long long way. 

Elementary yet Essential. 

Happy Organizing!

Chat soon.

Organization Palooza Day 5: Garage

Let's jump right in!

Day 5 of Organization Palooza here we come!

How goes the battle?

My most recent organization adventure has been the most trying thus far. But, fingers crossed, it will be the most rewarding in the end.

Last evening, after a lovely relaxing afternoon at the beach, I got it in my head that I had enough energy to tackle the daunting garage. Boy was I wrong!

It was a disaster to begin with. See for yourself.

Front View {Large Door Open}

Back View {Large Door Closed}

Work Bench {Somewhere there}

I know... It was bad. Terrible actually. I hang my head in shame. As someone who thrives in clean and tidy, this place was bringing me down. But one can only do so much. When a family lives in a space together it is difficult to maintain a tidy space. 

But certainly not impossible!

From my experience, the key to keeping things tidy and functional is practical organization. Everything having a home in a logical place. For instance, paint and all its associated supplies. After we moved into the house I stored all of it in the basement in a cubby beneath the stairs thinking we wouldn't be needing it on a regular basis. But then I got going with Projects-R-Us it ended up collecting on and around the work bench in the garage. The opposite of functional. But the solution is simple: move it all up to the garage where it seems to gather naturally.

Which is the plan. 

But first, before the fun part of tidying began, everything needed a thorough cleaning and sorting. 

So everything out! 

At this point, once 96% of the garage contents were out, I felt optimistic. And dirty. 

A thorough sweep turned up three dustpans full of dirt and sawdust - yet another culprit for the floors inside always being filthy {the other being Moe}.

All the windows were cleaned inside and out. They were beyond. But Sarah was a good sport and gave them a good scrubbing. 

Then came the floors. I can't tell you the last time that floor was scrubbed.

But by that time we were beginning to fade. We were both exhausted. So we took the easy road by squirting some dish soap and spraying the whole thing down with the hose - careful not to get any splatter on the walls. I highly recommend it as a fast and effective method.

While the floor was drying we got to work sorting through the piles of 'stuff' in the driveway. *I opted not to say junk because that may hurt Common-Laws feelings, but by that time of night it certainly felt that way.

Winter items were relocated to the basement storage closet with the rest of the festive season decor. Items waiting to receive DIY treatment were allocated to another basement closet with their mates. *Both in a tidy manner I might add. Piles were made for giveaways, recyclables, and garbage. Like items were gathered to help assess organizational needs.

Then we hit a snag in the road.

A shelf was brought back in and I politely asked Sarah to fill it with paint cans as well as the gardening gear. She got straight to work in spite of an onset of sleep haze {thats a real thing}. It wasn't long before she came at me with these hands...

A can of stain had spilled in a paint tray. Oops. And as she tried to create order she {not so} gracefully stuck her hands in it. Bigger Oops. 

Have no fear, after several rounds of gas as soap and water rinse she was able to clean herself up. *From here on out she shall be known only as Grace {just kidding}. However, the poor thing then entered overtired mode {or was high from the gas fumes} and productivity was questionable. But somewhat accomplished none the less.

Which sadly will have to wait for another day because I have run out of time. The babe is awake. Ill pick this up Thursday. *Tomorrow is Get Inspired and let me tell ya, I selfishly need it!

Until then, do keep in mind the lessons we have learned today: 1)Don't begin a major project that requires completion all at once at late evening hours. That is just silly. 2) Cleaning is essential to achieve function and organization. Just be careful not to make a mess along the way. 3) Choose your help wisely. Enough said? {hehe} 4) Press on. No matter how much work the task takes up front, it will be worth it in the long run.

Well...that fourth lesson will be learned next time. At least I hope!

Do keep me updated on your cleaning/organization/adventure progress!

Chat soon.

Organization Palooza Day 1: Refrigerator

How goes Day 1 of Organization Palooza? 
Yeah I went ahead and named our tidying spree. Why not right? I've deemed it motivating. And...Go!
So seriously, how goes it friend? Have you gotten started? Any lists made? Organization under way? I certainly hope so. Because let me tell you it feels good to get organized! Who knew? {Well actually I did. Guilty. Prioritizing the sun can get the best of me every time.}
If you are wondering what in heavens name I am rambling about, and why you are about to see the inside of my fridge, do check out yesterdays post. I am taking control of my house - a space a day. I hope you will join in.
So lets check in on the list.

1. Fridge
2. Main Floor Bath Linen Closet {aka. Hodgepodge Storage}
3. Laundry Room
4. Garage
5. Master Closet
6. Spare Room Closet

I opted to start small. You know, to get the motivation flowing. So the fridge was the first to get tackled. Also, it was compost pick up day so it made the most sense. 

Maybe you are one of those people that keeps on top of cleaning out the fridge. Good for you! Take a look around your house and see if there is another smaller job that you could start out with. But, if you are anything like me and it gets ignored until overflowing with outdated foods this is a great job to start with. It will likely overflow into the rest of your kitchen when you get the cleaning/organizing bug.

So take a look. The difference that can be done in under an hour is remarkable. I feel lighter already. 

What do you think? Huh? Huh?

Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

Now I know this isn't rocket science. Anyone and everyone can clean a fridge. And I didn't do anything  out of this world with bins or labelling. Which means FREE. But I did make some simple changes that should help the fridge be more functional as far as our household is concerned.

First things first, I emptied that bad boy. Then gave everything a good wipe down.

The drawers came out and got a wash in the sink. The walls and shelves thoroughly scrubbed. 

Condiments were checked for past due expiration dates then organized by function {dressings, summer BBQ, pizza toppings, etc.}. 

Then it was time to address the rest of the goods. Our fridge has four top shelves to work with so I started there. 

Before, the beverages were on the top shelf, which I think is standard fridge organization, but I opted to switch them to the lowest shelf. My reasoning: beverages are easy to keep track of. I generally know what we buy - milk, juice, wine, the occasional pop, and Sarah's vegan options - and it is easy to quickly glance in and see what we need. They don't tend to get lost, forgotten, and therefore unused.

With the beverages taken care of, I was left with three open shelves. So I surveyed the remaining goods and separated into three categories: breakfast items, snacks, and leftovers.

I am the queen of leftovers. If anything is ever leftover it goes in a tupperware and is stashed in the fridge. Only to be forgotten and discovered in a mouldy state weeks later. But now that they are a little higher, closer to eye level, I wont have to go searching for them and they may get eaten up. Here's to  hoping!

The breakfast shelf holds the jams, natural peanut butter, eggs, and bread for the warm summer months {typically it goes in the breakfast bin in the pantry}. And the snack shelf is self explanatory.

The lower half of the fridge has three drawers which is where I store fruit, veggies, meats, and cheese items. 

I kept the same system as before but switched drawers for the veggies and fruit because the bottom drawer is smaller and this time of year we tend to have more fruit in the house.

The meat and cheese are in one drawer but separated off to opposite sides. 

And that is that. 

There is no one way to organize. No right and wrong. No black and white. Which is why I love it so. 

As most of my life philosophies, organization falls in the grey. Varying based on interpretation and function. How do you live in each space of your home. What is your lifestyle. Just because one approach looks good and works for someone else doesn't automatically mean it will work for you. 

Which is why organization is never finished. If something isn't working for you, as clearly my fridge was not working with me, change it. Tweak it. Take a slightly different approach. Or a dramatic change. Whatever it takes to get your house on track to help serve you and your family to the best of its ability. 

It won't happen all at once. But baby steps will eventually get you where you want to go - a happy healthy place to call home.

Happy Organization Palooza Day 1!

Send along your progress! 

Chat soon.

Pull Your House Together {Blank}

Happy Monday Friends!
How was everyones weekend? Get up to anything exciting? Do tell!
Ours was hot! Quite literally smoking hot. There was a heat wave as far as Nova Scotia weather goes. Which typically I would be delighted with because I am all about some heat but Mr. Finley was down and out with a bug Friday through Sunday and the heat only made it worse. We spent all day Saturday and most of Sunday tucked away in the basement until I mustered up the gumption to venture out for a dip at a friends pool with the neighbours. 
And can I just say this weekend was the first time since Finley was born and we started cloth diapering that I regretted the decision. Heat wave and excessive bowl movements are not a great combo. Just putting it out there! *My apologies if that grossed you out. But consider that mild because Robert receive a photograph via text of one of them! I have been told I am overly comfortable with discussing bodily functions. But some times a bathroom tale is too good to be kept to oneself. Blame the three brothers for that philosophy.
So now that you are up to date on Finn's regularity. In other news, Robert is back off to work. That's a big thumbs down. And I know I say it quite often but let me repeat: time needs to slow down. Honestly, pump the breaks! Ever since common-law started working West my life seems to be tracked in blocks - Robert home and Robert away. Time seems to fly when tracked in this manner. Not my favourite to say the least.
Goodness I am rambley. {I officially deem rambley to be a proper term} And since I already seem to be playing the blame game today Ill stay on track and attribute these shifty wave lengths to the disaster that is my home. Logical. Wouldn't you say?
Summer time is wonderful! Absolutely splendid. Delightful. Darling. The hot weather drags me by the ankles out the door and will not take no for an answer. House cleaning is never a good enough excuse. Which is why my home finds itself in the state it is today, and has been for the past month - epic disaster. If you don't believe me, take a look:

Fridge

Laundry Room

Garage

And there you have it! My actual dirty laundry. Apparently I have no shame.
But don't worry! I don't show you these terrifying imagines to instil fear or a sense of defeat. No. 
Instead, I share this reality to motivate. Likely you, or someone you know, have a space or two in your home that could use some organizing to increase function and prevent a build up like I have on my hands. And those problem areas need to be addressed. Not only will it make an immediate difference in how you feel about your home {and hopefully clear my fuzzy mind} but will also help you enjoy those beautiful sunny days with ease as you come and go.  
Of course my go to solution is a list.

1. Fridge
2. Main Floor Bath Linen Closet {aka. Hodgepodge Storage}
3. Laundry Room
4. Garage
5. Master Closet
6. Spare Room Closet

Short and sweet.

But beyond that simple list lies major work. Because I am going to tackle each one of these spaces in the upcoming days to help them work with me to make our lives run smoother. And hopefully prevent them from looking like the above ever again.

Who is with me?

We might as well work together to motivate and hold one another accountable.

Have you made your list? What spaces are you going to tackle this week? No matter how big or small, each area you target will help make a difference in the grand scheme.

So write it down friends and lets hop to it. From those frightening jobs that you've been putting off for months/years to the small yet annoyingly messy areas you just haven't gotten to: That deep freeze that has been ignored. Scary. The 'junk' drawer. Craft/Scrapbooking supplies. The utensil catch all drawer that seems to be eating things. Filing. Linen Closets. The Garage. Seasonal decorations stashed away in a hurry. The medicine cabinet. Pantry... An endless list of possibilities.

Do share your list below or via email so I can help hold you accountable. Then send along your progress. Ill try to keep you posted as well via Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram.

Happy Organizing!