Day #7- The Pantry

Hello again!  This challenge has been all about the pantry.  First let me introduce you to my pantry.  I have a cabinet full of pull out shelves and a lazy-susan that currently serve as my pantry.  I specifically said "currently" because one day in the very near future (husband are you listening???), I hope to convert the room (about the size of a big closet) that serves as our laundry room into a walk in pantry.  It would be the perfect size for it because it is painfully small for a laundry room.  I grumble and exchange several awful words with the wall and doors every single time I do a load.  And when I was pregnant and trying to move around in there....boy, it's a miracle my 3 year old hasn't added some choice words to his vocabulary!

So, until I can create my dream pantry that I envision would look something like these:


Source: Better Homes and Gardens



Source: Better Homes and Gardens






















I have this....

and this

I've done some work on organizing in the past, but as you can see, it needed some help.  So I again took everything out, cleaned, and began organizing.

Here are my spices.  Not much changed here since I did this a few weeks ago and grouped spices together in smaller baskets.  One for baking, one for "everyday" or frequently used, and the others for less frequently used.


This shelf is for Italian, Mexican, and grilling items.  We do most of our meals in one of these 3 cuisines.


Before



After

The next shelf holds oils, dressings, and some baking supplies.  The extra ran is laying down because it's too tall.  We go through the ranch around here so it won't be in here for long.  I like to have an extra bottle of some of the frequently used dressings and sauces around because I am notorious for having items on my list, but forgetting to pick them up...I just get in the groove at the grocery store and skip over aisles I don't visit much.  Anyone else have that problem?  So when I do remember to pick them up, I pick up two.

Before

After



Next holds pasta and rice.

Before

After


 

After- View from the top



 And last holds canned goods.

Now onto the lazy-susan.  I've moved most of the extra baking supplies, crackers, baking mixes to the top shelf.

Bottom shelf holds the blender toaster and extra food items that didn't fit on the top shelf.

As you can see, my baking supplies are spread across the kitchen.  I would love to have everything all in one centrally located area.  This would make writing out my grocery list soooo much easier!  But until that dream comes true, I've at least been able to bring a little order to our current pantry situation.  So excited to see everyone else's because I'm in need for some great inspiration!

Day #5 - Under the Kitchen Sink

Did you think I dropped off the wagon?  Nope, I did complete my task for Day 5, I just didn't get a chance to post it.

This one was definitely one of the top areas I HAD to tackle.

Proof it needed help:

Ridiculous, right!  It had been bothering me for a long time, but then I signed up for the challenge and just hoped it would be covered...and Toni didn't disappoint.

I took everything out and cleaned.  I debated if I wanted to put shelf liner down or not, but honestly, I haven't found any that I like and I definitely wanted something a little jazzier than white....so no shelf liner right now, but if I find what I'm looking for....look out!

I grabbed up all of my baskets (I always have a stash of them around) and went to work going through everything and grouping like items together.  I've recently discovered Shaklee products and LUUUVV them!  I haven't been disappointed yet.  You will notice there are still other products under the sink as well that are non-Shaklee, but I will most likely be getting rid of them.  I'm just hanging on (gasp, I know) until I am convinced that my Shaklee products can do that job- and do it better.  I promise, give me 3 more months!

My fire extinguisher - gotta have it handy!  "Safety First," as D says.  Next to it are all of my Shaklee products.  I'm headed to Wal-Mart later today to pick up some organizers for the door.  These products will go there so they are easy to grab.

All of my dish washing (hand and dishwasher) soap are in the white basket.  I previously used the Wal-Mart brand dishwasher detergent (in the glass canister), but am converting to Shaklee.  I've used ALOT less per load and it's better for my family and the environment. 

In the back I used a wire shelf to put some of my other cleaners that I'm converting away from. (NOTE: I am not converting away from the Febreeze.  I love the fall scent and use it year round!) :)

Notice that I've put all of my Shaklee in front?  Again, if it's easy to grab, then it will be the first my husband or I will grab and we'll soon forget all about those 'other' products!  Sneaky, sneaky! ;)

Stay tuned for the final reveal once I feel it's complete!

Also, a quick update on my Master Bath armoire.  The project began Wed night and I got about halfway finished, but ran out of steam.  I will get it finished and will post pictures when it's complete, too.





Day #4 - Linen Closet

First, you may have noticed a small change over here.  I came across a new blog with lots of really cute free templates (the link is at the very top of the page in case you are interested in checking them out). Since I seem to be sprucing up everything around my home, I figured I might as well spruce up my virtual home too!  Everyone is already decorating and crafting for Valentine's day, but I just am not ready to give up on my winter decor yet.

Now, onto the challenge of the day, the Linen Closet.  Again, Toni must know that I've returned to work and don't have as much "free" time because I recently went through my linen closet upstairs and did some organization.

Here is the before, not too bad, but always room for improvement.

In order to not waste an opportunity to declutter, I did get rid of the rugs that were thrown in the bottom and even managed to find an extra almost-full bottle of liquid hand soap (one less trip to store this week!).

And now, with a little order:

I put all of the sheets in a basket back when I did my original organization.  It's great for transporting to the various rooms or floors of the house when we have a house full of guests.  They tend to disperse, so this is great for me to pick up and take along to make 'beds' whether that is an air mattress or couch.

This plastic 3-drawer container was used previously in my craft area, but since we did our basement remodel, I now have lovely cabinets to hold all of my crafting goodies.  Not wanting to trash wonderful storage, I've put it to use in the closet.  One drawer holds washcloths for adults and the other for the kids.  The bottom one holds odds and ends like bottles of liquid hand soap, peroxide, etc.

Now, if I have time tonight, I so want to tackle this mess.

Wow, it's disgusting how much dust has collected in there!  We don't have a closet in our Master Bathroom, instead we have this big armoire.  It's big and it's messy!

Day #3 - Tupperware Cabinet

Well today's challenge is actually a pretty simple one.  Thank goodness since I am very tired today from a non-sleeping 4 month old and returning to a busy work schedule!

I just recently went through my Tupperware cabinet and purged, so I decided to rethink how we were really using this space.

Here is the before:

All of the lids are contained within 2 baskets.  One for small lids and the other for medium to large lids. 

I removed everything and only put back what we used and only what we used rather frequently.  Everything else was either purged or moved to a drawer or the basement, but mostly purged.

Since I am short, I decided to move all of the glass and ceramic bowls to the middle shelf so it's easier to get down.  The plus side is it's easier to grab over the plastic, which is better for left overs anyway.

And here is the after:

Hoping for a more restful night so I can really take full advantage of the next challenge!

Day #2 - Kitchen Desk

Hello!  Well the second round of house guests left and now we will be entertaining our third and final round (for awhile anyway) this coming weekend.  Sure does motivate me more than I already was to organize and clean my house!

Today's challenge was the Computer Desk, but I did mine a few months ago (see here), so I decided to do our kitchen "desk".  It's just a space in the kitchen we use for mail since our main filing and computer are in the basement.

Here is the lovely before:

I first put on my most favorite cleaning jams- none other than Kenny Chesney!  No one else was home so I could blast it as loud as I wanted too!  Then, I cleared everything off and cleaned it with Basic H. (okay, everything except the phone)

That's when I noticed these spots on the bottom of the upper cabinet.  I have no idea how they got there, but it was nothing a little Basic H couldn't take care of!



Before



After

Next I moved back the cleared off memo board, Incoming Mail, and file box.  The Incoming Mail has a couple of folders, one for Bills to Pay and the other is Sign and Return. 



Before



After














The file box was a mess too, so I cleared it out. I use this for bills or documents that need filed, but I don't have time to file away in the basement.  I typically go through this once a month and have a 'Filing Day', but with the holidays, it hasn't happened for awhile.  I must admit, I did just throw all of the files in a pile in the basement.  Hopefully it will be something I can tackle with the 21 Day Challenge.  If not, I will do on the challenge rest day (Sunday).


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After



The last thing I did was make a recycle container for batteries.  Our old one was a small glass jar that was overflowing.  We go through so many batteries with D's toys that I wanted to have something stylish to put them in until I can take them somewhere for recycling.  Since we go through the baby formula, it made the perfect size.  I simply covered it with some scrapbook paper.

Here is the before again (cringe):

And the after (giddy):

Much better!

Challenge #1 - Junk Drawer

Well it's officially begun and I couldn't be more excited.  The 21 day challenge over at A Bowl Full of Lemons started with the Junk Drawer.  Even though I had house guests, I managed to squeeze this one in.  I dumped everything out and made the hubs sit with me and help since this is technically his drawer.  I wanted to make sure I knew what to purge and he knew where things went, so I don't hear, "Lindsay, where is my...."

Here is the before, a drawer full of tried-to-maintain-order:

And the after with a little order:

We are cheap around here, so I used some velveeta boxes.  They are sturdy cardboard and make great drawer dividers.  I have plans to spray paint them this Spring so they don't look so cheap.

Can't wait to see the other ideas you ladies come up with!