Especially for Stuff

I think you'll agree with me that clutter is blah. It's something most, if not all, of us battle with. To curb this frustration, here are some TADA! suggestions:

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Hide or file them away in boxes and bins! I have covered boxes (1) where I keep old photos, collectible DVDs and correspondence. As an alternative, reuse gift boxes or shoe boxes.

I have similar bins (2) that work as a holding area for mail. One is labeled "File" and the other "Shred". The documents hang-out here until I'm ready for the daunting task of filing and shredding.  

These collapsible boxes (3) can be used anywhere. The small ones can store books and journals; the medium ones for toys and art materials that can then be placed on a shelf. Use the bigger ones to segregate recycling or organize sports equipment or stuff in the car.

Hooray for boxes!

Especially for Boots

I have spring cleaning fever! I find it so satisfying to de-clutter and clean, especially now that the warmer months are on their way. This means sandal season...woohoo!

Time to put away my boots that have gotten so much mileage during the winter. Some pairs will be stored in their boxes, while one or two still have room in the closet. But droopy boots are blah.

I found this solution at the store -- boot shapers that look like thin bolster pillows. But why buy, when we can D-I-Y?!

via Real Simple

Our first option is to use empty and clean wine bottles to keep the body of the boot upright.

Another option is to make our own boot shaper: 

I'm using these complimentary airline socks. Because one size fits all, there's no heel and it's shaped like a tube.

Stuff it with fiber fill, add a long ribbon to join both shapers and hem each open end.  

 Then put them in your boots!

The ribbon will make it easier to remove the shapers with just one pull, and you'll be sure they're always a pair.

No more droopy boots ever again. 

For regular shoes, I have a shoe shaper 

right here.

Perfectly Polished

Hip, hip, hooray...we made it to Friday! In the past I shared with you little kits that I like to assemble such as the emergency kit and the first aid kit.

I thought of putting another one together. Something that can be kept in the car or office desk drawer because...well, because you never know. Let's call it the "Polished to Perfection" kit. 

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Here's what I'll put in it: (1) a stain remover pen to magically remove that coffee or ink stain; (2) a sewing kit to mend a hem or attach a loose button; (3) pain medication because a migrane is blah; (4) a lint roller to clean up a dark top from fuzzies, and (5) a toothbrush with minty toothpaste because facing bosses and clients is always TADA! with sparkly teeth and fresh breath.

I'll reuse this plastic zipper bag. It was packaging for a set pillowcases in its past life. It's always a good idea to recycle!

Instantly, I have a bag for my "Polished to Perfection" kit! TADA!

Have a terrific weekend, folks!

Mom on The Go

Thanks for stopping by today!

If you've been tuning in since the beginning of the week, I've been turning these plastic zipper bags from blah to TADA! They were once used as packaging for bed linen like shams and pillow cases. I just didn't want to throw them away.

They're wonderful to use as a bag inside your bag. If you're a busy mommy, it can keep wipes, ointment, hand gel, an extra diaper or kiddie outfit...things you can't leave home without.

You can also put in small toys, a favorite book and snacks. No more digging inside your purse to find what you {immediately} need for baby.

Projects in a Packet

It's all about being organized this week.

These are plastic zipper bags, a packaging solution for sheer curtains I bought many years back. Here's another way to turn them from blah to TADA!: 

Stuff it with pens, crayons, drawing paper and coloring books for the kids. Take this everywhere you go to keep them entertained when waiting at a restaurant or during a flight. Clean-up will be easy because all they have to do is put these back inside the bag.

If you have your own current projects like knitting, crocheting or sketching, this bag can keep all your essentials together. TADA!

Winter Scarf Storage

It's that time of year when a light jacket is all I need whenever I go out. Time to put away the winter wardrobe!

And that includes my thick scarves. 

This will be their temporary home until I need to take them out again at the end of the year. It's a plastic zipper bag that was once occupied by a brand new thermal blanket. The blanket gets used often, this bag -- not at all.

I roll or neatly fold the scarves, put them in this plastic bag and tuck it away at the back of our coat closet. 

Now, if a big travel opportunity comes up in say, Iceland or Antarctica {I'm exaggerating, I know!}, and I need to pack some cold-weather essentials, I can easily find which scarf I want to bring because I can see through the plastic. I think that's blah to TADA!

Spring Cleaning

Hello and Happy Monday! I've been doing some spring cleaning, getting rid of blahs so I have more room for TADAs. 

When I buy linens like curtains, comforters or bed sheets, more often than not, they're packaged in plastic zipper bags. 

Once I use the linen, I have a pile of these bags left. But you know that I don't have the heart to throw them away, right? Here's what I do:

I use them as a storage solution. This is where I keep pieces that we don't use as often, like formal table covers or placemats for "grown-up" entertaining.

I make sure to label each bag. That way, I know exactly what's inside. 

Even if I store these at the top of my closet, in a basement or attic, I won't be worried 

because the plastic protects the contents from dust, and {God-forbid!} any critters or water-damage.

A blah to TADA! idea, don't you think?