Upcycle and Keeping The Memories

When my daughter was thirteen she decided for her birthday (aside from the teenage party) she wanted her bedroom redecorated in sunflowers. So with the comforter, curtains, pillows and all the little extras, as one of her gifts my mom bought her this little draw cabinet to hold all her CDs. 

I have had this cabinet up in her old bedroom for years and one day walking by it,

 I decided it needed a new home. 

Now that she is expecting her second son, she is working on his nursery.

 So I took all the drawers out sanded, painted and stained .

In doing this I found tucked behind one of the drawers was one of her little writings.. so sweet. 

I left this little memory.

Redoing this little cabinet was a surprise for her and now works well for all the 

new little booties and other little baby items. 

So what once held her little secrets and music now will hold her little baby's treasures.

This is why keeping and remaking the old into the new is sometimes so much better then going to the store and pulling something off the selves.

Gift Closet Reorganization

To redo my gift closet has been on my list for quite some time but to be honest it looked like an avalanche! Very intimidating and unfortunately I'm not very good at taking "before" pictures. This is probably saving me a bit of embarrassment at this time so just imagine this closet with all my Christmas stuff from this past season thrown in there looking like an avalanche!

First, I was on a mission to find a shelving unit that would help me maximize the dead space in the back corners of the closet. I scored some sturdy plastic white shelves at Home Depot for $14.99. 

I bought 2 then 2 more for Kyle's closet which is next on my list! Look how perfectly they fit!

Here is my finished gift closet:

I used white laundry baskets from The Dollar Tree to optimize shelf space and make items visible and accessible. I spent $6 total for all the baskets! WOW

Since this is in my guest room, I wanted to have a place for guests to hang clothes. The shelves make this possible.

I like that I have everything here that I need to wrap a present. All the tags, tape, scissors and pens are in this green pocket organizer. Everything is organized and has a home that makes it easy for me to return items. That is essential in order to sustain organization ( and train your boys!)

Now tackle that avalanche!!! Next up... Kyle's closet!

HomeGoods Finds!

Okay so it's summer and I'm finally doing my spring cleaning! UGH

Things have been so hectic here and I function better when everything is organized! So lately, I've been organizing room by room. I will share some of my projects in posts later this week. 

When I reorganize, I usually try to recycle items that I already have or shop wisely. Recently, I was introduced to the store HomeGoods by my sister-in-law.... oh my goodness I am addicted!

Here are some of my recent scores:

Metal file folders - $19 - Been wanting to corral all my son's lovely artwork from school and the incoming mail that ends up on the counter! UGH

Cork Barrel Cage - $19 Need I say more?

I was so excited to score this chalkboard that I had to hang it. So, please forgive the screw patching holes on the wall that need attention ;)

I have found that I shop wiser and save more money when I plan out meals for the week. So I saw this board ($30) and I thought this was a way to organize our whole family and it looks really cool! Double score!

Have you noticed that I'm slightly obsessed with turquoise? I've been trying to change my pop color to turquoise instead of maroon in my kitchen and den. I think I have Cathy to blame for this!!! Her use of turquoise in her living room has motivated me to go bolder;) She has such a knack for decorating.

What treasures have you found at HomeGoods?

~Jenn