Small Linen Closet Makeover

It’s been almost 3 years since we downsized our home.  The list of home projects is becoming smaller but there are still a few to be tackled.  Two on this list are to organize our small hallway linen closet and also our kitchen pantry.

I’m happy to say that over the holidays, I accomplished the linen closet with the help of Dollar Tree.  I bought an assortment of different storage containers, watched a couple of YouTube videos and pulled a set of chalkboard tags I’ve had for a couple of years and set to work.

Here were some of the steps I utilized.

  1. Choose a color scheme to act as my guide:  blue, brown, white, gray and black.  
  2. Sort through towels.  I kept 8 bath for the closet because there were already two towels in each of the bathrooms.  I kept 5 wash clothes and 5 hand towels.  The rest were donated.
  3. Sort through over-the-counter and prescription drugs and dispose of them by town/city guidelines.  Create storage container with drawers for small items and a tiered storage area for larger supplements.  (I have a storage box that holds 30 days of my prescription and supplements.  This is in one of the drawers which makes a lot more sense from where it used to sit – on top of my sugar container with my baking supplies.)
  4. Use a container for toilet paper so we don’t have to retrieve from garage.
  5. Roll up beach towels and placed in a container on the floor.
  6. Create a cleaning container.
  7. Create two more storage containers of cleaning supplies.
  8. Create a storage area for lightbulbs.
  9. Create a storage container for batteries.
  10. The blankets on the left side of the top shelf were placed in pillow cases and tied off with ribbon which gave a cleaner look.

I took a side by side picture as I made progress – what a transformation and encouragement to keep on going.

Here is the finished project.  I couldn’t be happier with it.

signature

Christmas Collection – Joseph and Mary

I’m going to be sharing some of my favorite Christmas decorations with you in the days to come ….This was a gift from my aunt and for the life of me – I haven’t been able to locate it the last few years.  It’s not that I haven’t looked.  We’ve been doing some decluttering around our house in the past few weeks and guess what my sweet husband pulled down from an upper shelf in a the den closet.  You guessed it.  

Christmas - Joseph and Mary

I believe I am enjoying this piece more than I have – perhaps it’s because it was once lost and is now found. Funny how when we get rid of the clutter – the unneeded items that surround us – we often find what we were looking for.

I’d enjoy hearing about a favorite decoration you have in your home – leave a comment 🙂

signature

Grandma’s Hospital Bag

We are excited because our granddaughter is due any day now.  Since our grandson arrived a few weeks before his due date we thought the same might hold true of his sister.  But this little one is perfectly content safe and snug in mommy which we all know is for the best and that she’ll come when it’s time.

So we have the plan laid out – who will be doing what and when.  My job is to get to the hospital as soon as I get the call.  We all hear about what the expectant mama is packing for the hospital but I decided I needed my own bag so if I was at work and wearing a skirt I’d be prepared.  As I was packing my bag I thought maybe there are others that would be interested in this information as well.  Step 1 – You need a bag…

31 Tote

I chose this tote from Thirty-One.  This company has so many cute and useful items in their product line.  I’m all for Cute but let’s face it the Functionality needs to be there or you’re just throwing money away. Of course I needed something with pink to help mark the occasion.  This bag is so well organized with compartments that are pockets, zippers and even has a place on the side for a water bottle.  It also fits comfortably on the shoulder.  I also bought the key holder – so cute with all those polka dots.  

Grandma Bag

 Step 2 – You need to pack.  This is what is in my bag:

Columbia Hiking Pants – These pants have some stretch in them and absorb sweat.  When you are helping someone with back labor it’s important to be comfy and able to move.

Black short sleeve t-shirt

A lightweight long sleeve jacket – probably won’t need but sometimes hospitals can be cold.

A sports bra

Balega Cushioned Sports Sock – This socks are comfy.  Love – love these.

Comfy Shoes 

Hair Ties and Crystal Nail File – a rough nail is not appreciated by a woman in labor that needs her back massaged and my hair needs to be out of my eyes.

Medicine – I want to take care of myself and have what I might need.  This is no time for a headache, etc.

Washcloth – A soft washcloth is nice to use in an ice bath to cool off mommy’s skin.

Snacks – Raw nuts, Zing Bars and Bottled Water – to keep me nourished

Camera – make sure you have one even if it’s on your phone.

Wallet, Keys, Cell Phone, Charger and Directions to the Hospital.  – will be switched from purse to bag.

I am now ready.

My room

I mentioned to my daughter this weekend that I think the baby will be here soon because I’ve been nesting.  That made her laugh but seriously I was able to create some order with children’s toys in our living room.  I’m still waiting on a few pieces of the storage solution but will try to remember to share sometime in the future.  I also decided to clean closets in two rooms on Sunday.  I questioned my sanity but you know how it is – you start with an idea and then one thing turns into another.  Soon I had two rooms in total disarray.  I was very motivated to keep plugging along since a call for the baby could come at anytime.  But all is well and it feels good to finish a project that has been on the list for years – an official workout/writing/craft and sewing room.  Once I had things organized I discovered several items I could use  to decorate  ( a quilt sampler my mom had given me, the thrift store vase from my aunt’s 80th birthday party and a lamp that had old potpourri in its base (I replaced with some cranberry wooden beads and used a hand painted mason jar that was also used for my aunt’s party which gave the lamp a new look).  I am happy to say I didn’t buy one thing.  I am very thankful to my daughter for not going into labor which she assures me she had no control over and if she had we’d have a baby now.  

Well my instincts were right on – the baby was born shortly after this post was published.  Here is our sweetie pie.. 

Maisie-hospital bag

signature