Organizing Tip-Wreath Hangers

I hope everyone out there is having a fantastic week.  I mentioned in my previous post about changing the name of my blog from Time to Organize to Time to Simplify.  I think the main reason for making the change was that I kept organizing the same stuff over and over again.  I went back and looked at some of my older posts and saw that I had organized the same bookshelf like five times.  I thought that was crazy! 

Since we have decided to start living a more simplified lifestyle, I knew my ways of organizing had to change.  If we are giving up more possessions and not replacing them with new ones, I am hoping this will mean less re-organizing the same space and things over and over again. 

I enjoy organizing and definitely think that it can go with living a simplified life.  We may have less to organize, but we still need the organization in order to have simplicity in our household and daily life.  Simplified organization.  So that brings me to todays organizing tip.

I wish I could take the credit for this one, but it was my husband who came up with this idea.  I didn’t even see him do it.  One day a couple of weeks ago, I walked into the bedroom and saw his robe hanging from the door.  I walked over and saw he had hung it on a wreath hanger!  Genius!  How simple and efficient.  We had used the hangers for Christmas, but that is honestly the only time I use them now, so I went and got the other wreath hanger and hung up my robe too. 

You can purchase these hangers just about anywhere.  I have had mine for years, so didn’t cost a dime!  If you are looking for over the door storage ideas, I think this one is awesome.  ‘'

             

Photos by Rebecca Waits-Time to Simplify

Starting Small

Picture Taken by Rebecca Waits-Time to Simplify

Several months ago I came across a blog about living a minimalist life.  Becoming Minimalist is the blog and it has changed my way of thinking about the things I have and the world around me.  I had heard of living this way before but had never really taken the time to read about someone actually doing it.  Joshua Becker is the author of this blog inspiring people to live a more intentional life with less.  He shares about how he and his family started this journey and are continuing it today.  It is  a wonderful blog to read and I highly recommend it if you are looking at living a minimalist life.

So, I started looking at the things in our home and realizing we were living with so many material things that just didn’t have any real value in our lives.  I am not one of those people that can just wake up and decide to get rid of everything in our home that doesn’t work for us.  I decided to start small.  One space at a time.  One box at a time.  One closet at a time.  You get the point.  The box above is just one of those small starts.  It contained letters, cards, pins and many other things I have collected over the years and was hanging onto.  Why?  Because I felt that if I got rid of a card someone gave, I was taking something away from the person as well.  Does this way of thinking make any sense?  No!  I still love and care about that person with or without hanging onto that piece of paper.  Did I get rid of everything in the box at one time?  No!  But I did get rid of a lot.  I plan on going back through the box in a few months and letting go of more.  Starting Small!  Some of us need to go baby steps but at least we are going forward in a new direction of thinking. 

So, if you are thinking of starting on the road to a minimalist or simple lifestyle remember to take it at pace that is comfortable for you and if you need help, ask for it. Go online and search for blogs or sites that can lead and inspire you.

As a side note, I have changed the name of my blog from Time to Organize to Time to Simplify.  I will talk about that in the next post!  Until then, take some Time to Simplify and have a great day!

Here is a link to:
Becoming Minimalist

Trimming the Fat. So to Speak.

Happy New Year! 

2013 went by in such a blur I can hardly believe it!  I have not blogged since October and really needed the break and time to think about how I wanted to move ahead with my blogging.  I have decided to stay but there will be some changes coming in the next few months, so be on the lookout.

No for some “fat trimming”.  I have been on a new path in life along with my family to live a more simple life.  For anyone who has done or is working on this type of lifestyle, you will understand that it can be a challenge.  We have made small changes here at home like clearing out things that were no longer needed to making a new household budget.  Over the next few weeks, I will share how we have been implementing a more simple lifestyle.

  I hope you will join me and I am happy to be here to blog in what I know will be an amazing 2014!

Organizing Tip Tuesday-Target Dollar Bins

 

Do you love Target?  Well, I do.  Big Time!  I make a trip once a week by myself and enjoy time on my own, plus some good deals here and there.

At the front of the store are the Dollar Bins.  You can find some pretty good deals here and hey, everything is under $5 bucks.  Now, as someone who is new to living a more simplified lifestyle, this space at Target could be bad.  However, I am learning to shop for only things I need and I am more than prepared to walk away from this section empty handed.  I have been teaching myself over the past weeks to go into a store and only buy things that are needed in our home or for my family.  It is really not that hard once you get it into your mindset.  I promise.

So, I was in this section of Target and came across this utensil holder for $1.  It is small and narrow.  This would do just fine for our drawer and silverware.  That was all I picked up in the Dollar Bins.  I walked away very happy and not feeling at all that I needed any more stuff.  I have gone to Target lately and walked around the store leaving without a single item.  For me, this has been a good technique to use to get into that mindset of buying what is only a necessity. 

So my tip for this week is to check out those Dollar Bins at your local Target but only get what you can truly use. 

Have a great week and take some Time to Organize.

Organizing Tip Tuesday- Where are the keys?

How many times in one week can you say you have asked the question, “Where are the keys?”  I am betting a whole lot!  I bet that people waste an average of 5 to 10 minutes a day looking for their keys.  At least that is the amount of time I know we have wasted looking for keys in our house.

I did have a silver metal container that I used to keep on a bookshelf behind our desk but since I re-organized that space I had to find a new home for our keys.  I was stumped!  For the life of me, I could not figure out where the heck I was going to have our keys housed!  Then it just hit me one night sitting on the couch and I was looking at our desk.  I actually felt kind of silly that the idea had never occurred to me before considering it was such a simple solution.

BOOM!  A Command hook placed on the desk for the keys to hang and be in plain sight.  I know!  I’m a genius!  This was even way better than where we had kept them before.  Sadly, I lost backs for two of my hooks and need to replace them so my husband can hang his keys here as well. 

Very simple and easy organization!  Just make sure the keys are hanging there every night before turning in.  It could save you some awesome time the next day.

Have a great day and take some Time to Organize!

A Simple Hike

This past weekend we all celebrated the arrival of FALL.  I love the Fall season.  Texas got it’s first cool front and oh my gosh, it was amazing.  Turning the AC off(saving a few bucks there), to being outside and enjoying nature.  Which is exactly what we did.

The picture above is from some trails behind Mayfield Park in central Austin.  It is a really beautiful area.  It is hard to believe you are practically in downtown Austin.  Lots of natural vegetation and little creeks.  Toads, lizards and birds scurry everywhere.  The park itself has ponds, gardens and is home to lots of peacocks. 

So we decided to take a simple little hike there on the first day of Fall.  We grabbed some water bottles, cereal bars and camera.  The park and trails are free to the public.  The kids had a great time and we enjoyed a little exercise too. 

Enjoying life and time with your family does not always have to be about the money you spend.  We are learning in my family that spending time together and being more in the moment is way better.  Looking for things to do that don’t require money is not as difficult as you may think.  Look for local parks, stores that put on free events, movie theaters that host free movies for kids and so much more. 

I have even found a few web sites that give all kinds of information about free events in our area. It has been wonderful to find free things to do through these online sources.  We are on a tight budget here and finding free things to do with each other is very important.  It requires a little time to look up the information but is well worth it when you do. 

Simple living is what we are striving for in our family and with each day that passes, I feel like we are on the right path. 

Happy Fall Everyone!

Art and school storage

I hope everyone has had a great week.  Today I will be talking about this bookshelf that is now home to art and school supplies.

Since buying this shelf at IKEA, it has served a few different purposes.  First it was in our sons room full of books, models and toys.  Then it stored all of his Legos in bins and Lego models.  I moved it into our living room area and have re-organized it at least twice before now.

It didn’t seem to matter what I did, this bookshelf did not stay clutter free or organized in any way.  I was using the entryway closet to house art and school supplies and this area to had a hard time staying organized.  I also didn’t like the fact the supplies my kids use almost on a daily basis were shut up in a closet.  With them, it needs to be right in front of them to be handy, grab and use.  I decided this bookshelf just might work for their stuff.

I started by clearing everything off.  Here is the bookshelf before looking pretty good but it never stayed that way.


I then cleaned out the closet and went through all the kids supplies.  There was a lot of stuff.  I threw away old papers and some art supplies that were old.  I got some containers that we already had and started to sort.  Most of what I had was bought at the Dollar Tree.
                   
                                            

I took the time and labeled everything with my label maker.  If you don’t own one of these it is a great purchase.  I got mine at Target.  If you cannot get one right now, be creative with paper, markers, washi tape, tape or even yarn.  Get that imagination going!

       

Here is one last look at the bookshelf that now stays clutter free and organized! 
                               

Organizing Tip Tuesday-Organizing that works for YOU

For anyone who visits my blog, you have seen this bookshelf above more than once.  First it was in my son’s room.  I then moved it here and have re-organized it at least twice before.  Maybe you are thinking I cannot make up my mind about this shelf.  I do not see it in that way. 

Here is how I do see it.

When I organize a space in my home I do it for a few reasons. 

1. I want the space to work for everyone
2. I want it to be functional and easy to maintain
3. I want to have less clutter

Those are pretty much the top three reasons for me.  I picture in my mind how I want the space to work and what things I want in the space.  Then, I clear it off completely, clean it, and work until it fits the picture in my mind.

Now sometimes, this works out great and I do not have to organize that space again for a long time.  Other times, I end up re-organizing it right away or when I can see that it is just not working with the reasons I listed above.  This is my way of organizing and it works for me.  Everyone is different of course and so is everyone’s home.  From the layout to what you have in your home.  No one has the same exact space.

The three reasons I listed above though, can be used for anyone’s home.  How you choose to arrange furniture or how you choose to store your items is completely up to you. 

But, you may not like my list of reasons for organizing and that is cool.  We are all unique in are thinking too.  My point is that as long as you are making an attempt to organize and simplify your life, you are on the road to a home that works for you and yours.  Don’t organize because you saw an awesome PIN and are determined for your home to look like that one in the picture.  Take that idea and make it your OWN.  I love to be inspired by Pinterest but my house is distinct in that it is MINE. 

So, learn to organize in a way that works for YOU.  I do hope you come and visit me here though for inspiration!  Have a great day and take some Time to Organize.

Under Bed Organization

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  It was hot here and I am looking forward to the first cold front!  Bring it on!

Today I wanted to talk about under bed organization.  The bed above is in our daughter’s room.  It is a Kura reversible bed from IKEA.  It has been a great purchase.  She now has more floor space in her room to play.  I had just placed some of her toys and books under the bed in large pink buckets on rollers but this was not working on keeping this space organized.

I had a metal shelf with drawers in the entry hall closet and we were using that to organize art supplies.  This closet was always a mess for some reason and I decided to move the shelf to under her bed.  I took out the pink buckets and we put her toys into the plastic and metal drawers.  I like this organization better because now her things are confined.  The buckets were going everywhere and were also way to bulky.  This storage is streamlined and she has been putting her things away more quickly when it is clean up time.

I did have her help me in going through her toys and putting them in the drawers.  Children love to be involved in making their rooms look nice and it helps them to take responsibility for their things. 

Have a great Monday and take some Time to Organize.


Linked up with:
a bowl full of lemons

Looking at the Future

 

Picture from: Thinking Futures – About Futures

 

Don’t you wish that sometimes, you could look into your future? Not the whole story of course, but just a small glimpse. Just a tiny peek at one area of your life could help you determine what the next move in your present life should be. I am thinking that right about now, that would be an awesome thing to do.

See, I have come to the point in this life journey where I have to make a decision about a career. I have an AAS in Child Development and have worked with children off and on for over ten years. I have always felt though that this was not what I was meant to do. After having two children of my own, it has become even harder for me to want to work with others children. I know that millions of people out there are teachers, they have their own kids and they love their jobs. That is great for them! I feel that I am not one of these people. So, time for something new. Now all I have to do is figure out what that something is going to be. Do you see why looking into my future for just a moment would be super awesome?

I really want to start on the path to a new career. I have gone back and forth for years trying to figure out what I want to do. It is driving me a little crazy and my family a lot crazy. In my heart of desires, I would love to be a professional organizer. I have thought about it for a couple of years and the thought is always in my heart. Getting started and being able to really make a good income have held me back from pursuing this dream. My brain is telling me to look for something that is steady, has benefits and good pay. I can honestly feel my heart aching over this choice in my life.

It is kinda funny in a way that we are pursuing a simpler lifestyle here at home and yet I am looking into going back to school and working outside of the home full-time. The school part I do not mind because education is important, but working outside the home is scary for me. Our home is my job and so is raising our children. This is what I have done full-time for the past 6 years and I am just not sure I want to give that up to work an 8-5 job again.

Oh future me! If only I could take a short walk with you and you could tell me what to do. Why do I get the feeling though, that you would still be a procrastinator like your present self?

Maybe not.

Learning to Live with Less

 

Good Morning!  Wow, it has been so very long since I have sat down to do a blog post.  To be honest, I was not sure if I would ever do one again.  I have debated for the past couple of months of giving up my blog.  Things have been kind of tough for our family financially lately and I have just been down about it.  Sitting down to do my blog was not really giving me any enjoyment like it used to either.  So I took a break and I have found that I have missed posting and reading other blogs as well.  So I am back!  Happy to be too!

Over the past couple of months we have been dealing with money issues like I mentioned above.  My husband and I have talked many times in the past years about cutting back and watching our spending.  Well, it did not happen and now we are in a position of “Do it now or things are gonna get really bad!”  So, we have been cutting back our spending on things like eating out and shopping.  I sat down in July and calculated we had spent over $500 eating out that month.  Ugh!  Needless to say, it was time for a change around here. 

I am not going to say that this has been easy for our family to do.  I did not realize how much we depended on eating out and just running to Target to buy stuff.  I knew my husband and I were guilty of always doing this but our kids have been affected too.  Over the past few weeks they have said things like, “I want to go get something to eat.  I’m so hungry!  I can’t wait to get home!”  and “Please can I just get that one thing!  It’s not fair I can’t have that toy.”  Oh my GOSH!!!!  Trust me there has been a lot of this talk and boy, do I feel guilty.  Guilty for being an example of constant want and not necessity. 

So, we are learning to grocery shop better.  I am still learning this, so no advice from me!  Cutting back on extra shopping is tough as well.  I just try and go to Target once a week now.  I really try and put more thought into my purchases as well.  Asking myself, “Do I really need that right now or can it wait?”  or “Do I really need this item at all in our home or for myself?”  This is what it has taken for me to think about the money I am spending.  It can be tough but it has to happen for our lives to get back on track.  It is worth it if we can reteach our children that living with less is a good thing.  Live in the moments and enjoy each other instead of all the stuff around us.  Not that all stuff is bad!  We just need a lot less of it in our lives. 

Have a great day everyone!

Organizing Tip Tuesday-Emails Again

 

  Okay, first off, look at my desk!  So pretty and organized.  As I sit here typing this today, um, well it is not at all looking that great.  Put that down on the list of all the things I need to do around the house and have not done because like the kids, I am in summer mode people!!

Back to the post!  Last weekend, we missed two events going on and it was all because of my email.  Yes, you heard me right.  I have been subscribing away to everyone and their dogs sites that I am having an email overload.  I totally missed the really important stuff because of the stuff that is not as important.  Now, don’t get me wrong, most of these blogs and sites are awesome.  I just don’t have the time or want to read everything and sort through it all anymore.

I have touched a couple of times here about needing to lead a more minimalist lifestyle.  Missing out on great stuff going on because of emails I am not even reading or looking at is a waste of a time.  Not only mine, but my family’s time too.  So, I have started the process of going through and opting out of some things.  It does make me a little sad but I know in the long run, it will be well worth my time. 

How are you at keeping up with emails? 

Have a great week and take some Time to Organize.

Clearing out the Cabinets

 

I know those are very yummy looking cookies but that’s not what this post is about.  Last week I was clearing out a space in one of our bottom cabinets and I came across this cake stand pushed to the back of the cabinet.  I had forgotten it was under there!  I pulled it out, cleaned it off and set it on the open shelves that we have in our breakfast area.

So yesterday, I was looking at the cake stand and decided that my daughter and I should make some chocolate chip cookies.  The cake stand would make a great place to put the cookies when they were done.

My point to all this is, that sometimes when things are OUT OF SIGHT, they are OUT OF MIND.  By placing this cake stand in view, it was on my mind to use it.  Taking the time to clear out cabinets and organize what you have can make special items that you have more visible and therefore become more useful.  You can also rotate your items around.  Put out some things that you have not used in awhile and when those items have been out for awhile, put them up and bring out something new. 

Have a great day everyone and take some Time to Organize!  Oh, and go make some cookies!!!

What we want and what we need

 

Hope everyone is having a great week.  I have missed posting the last couple of weeks, but life gets busy and some things are put aside.  Thanks for understanding.  I will post a new organizing tip next Tuesday so make sure and look for it.

Are you wondering what is up with the blank shelves up there?  Well, last night I was lying in bed and thinking about all the things that we need to take care of around our home, in our lives and so on.  The list is endless I am sure if I ever had the guts to actually sit down and make it!

I think I came to the realization that I have been living a life of want instead of need.  All the things I need to take care of have not happened because my want of other things has always gotten in the way.

Since I have been going through our home and trying to minimize the clutter and get rid of the things that we just do not need, I am slowly starting to see the things that are more important.  Family time, hobbies that I have put aside, our home, our yard, and etc.  A cute knick knack will make me feel happy for alittle while, but in the long run, I will need something to replace that feeling and I will want to buy something else.

Living a more simple life is difficult in a world of materialism.  Everyday we are bombarded by what we think we want instead of just being satisfied with what we need to live a good life. 

I am learning every day now how to live with less and be happy about it.  In doing this, I am discovering how much I really have around me like, my children’s smiles, my husband’s encouraging words and a home that is not full of stuff but full of happiness and love. 

And don’t worry, those shelves up there are not bare but they are a lot less crowded now.  Have a great day and take some Time to Organize!

Organizing Tip Tuesday-A little jar

 

Hey out there!  I hope everyone is having a fantastic week.  Summer is in full swing here and the kids are loving it!

My tip for today is jars for organizing.  I think it is pretty obvious these things are a great organizing tool.  You can use them for so many things: pencils, make-up brushes, cooking utensils and the list goes on and on. 

I decided to use this little jar I had lying around the house for cotton balls.  It sits on a shelf in the bathroom.  We have a small space bathroom, so little organizing tools work great in there for us.  I like that the jar has a lid that seals too. 

Have a great week and take some Time to Organize! 

Organizing Tip Tuesday

Here is a quick organizing tip: Think Outside the Box!
I was not using these sugar bowls for sugar, so why not for chalk and q-tips!
Look for things around your home that you can use to make a space organized.  Get Creative and Think Outside the Box.

Turntable Organizing

 

I cannot believe how fast this year is going by.  Summer is almost here and they means half of the year is behind us.  Time certainly does fly by. 

A couple of months ago I mentioned in a blog post about living a minimalist lifestyle.  Now, we am far from doing this but my family and I are on the path to living this type of lifestyle.  It is really tough!  I am basically going room by room and getting rid of things that just are not needed.  This can be tough when sometimes you might use something and other times it sits on a shelf for six months.  I am determined for our family though to learn how to live with less and be happy about it.  I will share here over time how we are doing.  I subscribe to Becoming Minimalist here: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/.  This site has been really helpful and there are great links there too!

Now for that wicky wacky turntable.  So my spices for cooking have been slowly building and my little spice cabinet was just not able to hold everything anymore!  So I thought about finally getting a turntable.  It is the first one I have bought and it is awesome!  I got this clear plastic one at Target(in the bathroom section) on clearance for $8.00.  Not bad.  It took me about five minutes to put it to good use!

There you go!  We love it!  Super easy organization and with very little cost!  That’s how I like it!! 

Be on the lookout for my Organizing Tip Tuesdays!  Have a great week and take some Time to  Organize.

Having some Pinterest control

 

 

 

Oh you awesome site!  You know who who are.  Pinterest is so cool and fun I never seem to be able to get enough of it.  I will spend a couple of hours just sitting and liking tons of stuff.  Before I know it, I have 20 new likes that I now have to go and Pin on my boards.

So, I have decided not to like anything else until I have pinned all my current likes to my board.  How crazy is this world when you have to start being organized on Pinterest?  Since I am doing it, I guess the world is pretty crazy or maybe it is just my OCD!  I have gotten down to less than 350 likes.  I did have over 500. 

Does anyone else do this?  How organized are you with Pinterest?

Closet Organization

 

I hope everyone is having a great week.  Just doing some odds and ends around the house this week.  That includes getting some painting done that I have been putting off for months.  Don’t judge!  Life gets in the way of painting sometimes and that is just how it goes.  Last week I decided to organize a space that has been getting out of control for awhile.  This one shelf in my daughter’s closet is always a mess.  Take a look!

See what I mean!  Big mess!

Now I will introduce these little finds that I cam across at Target for $3.00 each.
Let’s see how they look and organize in this space.

Wow!  Love that shelf now!


The baskets fit perfectly and I had bought just enough to hold what I wanted to organize.  So easy and not time consuming at all.  Plus, I went through and got rid of some things that my daughter out grew or that she was just not using.  I love it when organization works out this great!!

Refrigerator Cleanout

I have always thought that the refrigerator is one of those spaces that people do not think about keeping clean and organized.  Maybe it is because it is in constant change or it might just be that it is one of those spaces that just get overlooked in a house full of bigger spaces.  Whatever the reason, the fridge is actually an important space to keep clean and in order.
Look at our fridge before picture.  There is no rhyme or reason to what is going on in here.  Things are pushed in the back and large things are stacked on smaller items completely covering the smaller items up. 
Here is the door storage.  Over crowded and things just put wherever there is room. 

Now, I do try and clean out my refrigerator from time to time but I have not tried to keep it clean and organized on a regular basis.  After seeing how bad it looked this time around, I have made a goal to try and keep this space looking better.  Here is what I did to clean and organize.
First, I took everything out of the fridge.  I would recommend for cleaning and organizing this space that you do not have any interruptions.  We are dealing with cold stuff here.  The quicker you get it back inside the better. 
Second, I wiped off each shelf with warm water.  I had a few months ago, used soapy warm water to clean the shelves.  I had removed each shelf and just washed them off in the sink, then placed them back inside.  I did not feel the need to go through all that again, so just warm water and done.
Next, I started placing things where I thought each item would work best and have easy access to it for everyone in our family.
I got rid of everything that was out of date and recycled what I could.  That is it!!!  Now that was not hard at all.  It took about 30 minutes and did not cost me a dime in organization. 
How awesome it this space?  Well, really awesome I have to say!!!
The door storage has much less clutter.  I placed condiments, salad dressings, sauces together.  Then, creamers and cream of different kinds, stick butter, jelly and syrup. 
Now when organizing your refrigerator, you will have to work with the items that are in your space.  Everyone’s fridges are of course going to be different as well.  So, work with what you have.  If you want to incorporate bins, then do it!  Maybe some of those cool mats that I have seen around would spruce it up too.  The point is to clean it, organize it and make a goal to keep it that way for the whole family to enjoy. 
Also, it is a good way to teach others in the family that by keeping this space looking great, things will be easier to find and that they can help in keeping the refrigerator looking nice too.  Helping each other is always a good lesson when it comes to having an organized home.