Weekend Project: Get Organized

bathroom after

Magazines and the internet are a-buzz in January with tips on how-to get better organized, and we're thinking this just might be a good weekend to get on board. So we've gathered some of the best links to some of the best ideas/sources.

First off, a fresh new free and printable calendar from Ez of Creature Comforts!

When I think of organized, I think of Martha, and they have a whole section on organizing (if you didn't know already). I especially like their printable template on personal budgets and this stickie note calendar.

Apartment Therapy has a few ideas about this year, check this page. It includes a great link to the Japanese Way to fold shirts. Play close attention, they're fast!

Heaps of tips from Style at Home. I like 20 ways to get organized in five minutes or fewer and their Monthly Checklists.

My favourites here on Poppytalk are this cubby idea and this office space. We also have some downloadable labels, here and here for recycling and more printable labels here and here.

And this super cute organizing idea (above photo) from Kristen Mcashan. Using canvas organizers from Ikea she's created a cute and crafty way to organize her bathroom cupboard. (Via Pinterest).

My plan this year is to try to remember to bring my cloth bags grocery shopping. I always remember when I'm at the checkout. Any tips on that?

Jan Halvarson

22 comments:

elizabethrosasjewelry said...

it's funny how there always has to be a "stuff" drawer, things that just don't fit into our carefully planned organization.

dahlhaus said...

I now have a bin in my closet for cloth bags (lots of different sizes too), so when I'm getting my shoes on to run to the store, I usually remember to grab a cloth bag just in case. I've been so absent-minded at times that I've gone through the check-out with a cloth bag hanging from my arm, not remembering until I grab the plastic bags... seriously!
Thanks for the organizing tips, Jan- it's a great day to start on some of those now that all the decorations are back in their storage spot!

Kristi aka Fiber Fool said...

It isn't an infalliable system, but I try to keep 2 reusable string bags in my purse. They are kind of magic and just keep expanding so I can often get a good share of my groceries in the two bags and it likely eliminates my using.

If I know I'm definitely going to shopping I'll try fit another 1-2 in there as well. I also try to keep 2 in my car, but keeping them in my purse makes them much more likely to get to checkout counter!

Grace (The Stripe) said...

those cubbies are just adorable! i use loads of baskets and try to keep everything color coded. i also hung my necklaces which made life a lot easier (there are pictures on my blog..) but oh, staying organized is hard!

xx grace

Jenna Griffin | Gold & Bloom said...

i LOVE those organizing bins in the photo. i have got to get some of those!

Juli said...

A few years ago I ordered some Baggu bags and they fit so easily in my purse that I usually have at least one on me. We also try to keep some right by the front door so when we're leaving to shop, we grab a few more. It works most of the time!

Anonymous said...

I have a cute striped collapsable bin from Storables that I keep in my car filled with canvas totes, reusable wine totes, and reusable small string bags for produce. As soon as I empty the bags I return them to the car or at least put them by the door so I take them on my next trip out. If you can get this far, you will remember to bring them in the store and use them!

Laura said...

It can't be normal how much I love looking at beautifully organized spaces! I really love the photo featured here too! I love how she labeled the canvas organizers but they look adorable and sweet, not at all boring. Thanks for sharing, and happy organizing!

kendal croix. said...

very cute idea. i could use to do something like this.

Alayna's Creations said...

I keep my cloth shopping bags in the car under the back seat, under my son's car seat. You can see the opening under there when the car door is open. So every time I get him out of the car, there they are staring at me. I also make it a point to put them back there as soon as the groceries are unloaded at home.

Jan Halvarson said...

Thanks - these are all good tips!

VICTORIA said...

Thank you for sharing these great tips. I am hoping to me be more organise this year and de clutter.

MaybeThisDoor said...

Oh my, that one about the cloth bags is soo on my 2011 list. The sad thing is sometimes they are in the car and I still don't remember till I'm grabbing the bags.

travelbunny.blogspot.com

Gypsy Sparrow said...

I have a ton of those grocery bags... and I can't ever seem to remember them either. I think it's just going to take a conscience decision to put them in the trunk (like now!) and then put them back in the trunk after unloading my groceries (like immediately!) Once I get a system going, I can usually stick to it... it's just the getting it going part, lol.

Kathy said...

I've gotten as far as remembering to store my cloth bags in my car. Still haven't made it as far as the store yet.
(though on a good day I will just put everything back in the cart after paying and load it into the bags once I'm at the car.)

Tanya from Dans le Lakehouse said...

I have forgotten my bags many a time, so now I keep a bunch in my car, a bunch stored beside my coats, a tiny foldable one in my purse, and then I try to put a couple on the doorknob on days when I'm running errands. So, when I leave the house I have three "levels" of bags to go through. Most of the time, I end up at the checkout with a bag in hand (success!) with this system.
~Tanya
dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com

Allison said...

Super cute organizing ideas! Thanks!

Lisa (With Style and Grace) said...

Very clever, I love it!

Lady Grey said...

this is just adorable!

Unknown said...

Organization is practically all I could think about this past week. I made good use of baskets I got as gifts for xmas and have done the best I can to rid the apartment of clutter. Unfortunately, it still looks cluttered...I think I either need a pro or need to study these links a little closer!

TRACCE said...

for the grocery bag: i always used to forget it in the car. now i got a thinner but strong one, that i always keep in my bag, so no forgetting anymore. after i empty it i put it straight back into my bag

mardee said...

I leave my grocery totes in the trunk of the car and always remember to take them into the store. If I forget, I go back outside and get them. After I bring them home and unload them in the kitchen, I immediately hang them on the door to the garage so that I remember to take them out to the car again. After you've done it for a month or so, it will become a habit...