{storage wars - making it all fit}

So. There's no denying it, I live in a pretty small house. There are four of us and as our family has gotten bigger, our house (much to my dismay) hasn't. It's no small task, as curator of this joint, making it all fit.We have two sheds (one in the front and one in the back) with outside stuff and seasonal stuff.It's a constant, daily and ongoing shuffle to keep up the level of tidy and organized that I like to live in.I enjoy a good reorganize and purge and a big bag of stuff being dropped off where it can be sold to better my community.I'm not going to show you my kitchen cupboards or upstairs hall closet, because those are things we all have. What I'm focusing on are ways, above and beyond the standard storage spaces, to make those spaces work for what I need and ways to create space, within my space.(and sorry about the crappy photos. I took them in a hurry and edited them in a hurry too):: downstairs hall closet ::the addition of six small stacking bins has allowed me space for coloring stuff, hats and mittens, some shoe care, lightbulbs and one full of around the house odds and ends (rubber bands, adhesive strips, 3M hooks etc)

as denay got older, it became less and less practical to keep all of her shoes upstairs (especially when they come in dirty) so this basket, albeit super messy, is a contained way to keep all her footwear downstairs with ours.

just a run of the mill shoe rack. this closet is our only one downstairs so it has to fit a lot of stuff. it's sort of an unwritten rule around here that if you get a pair of shoes, a pair has to go because we ain't got room for no more!
:: downstairs powder room ::this is fairly new to us shelf and we got it for cheap-cheap from Home Depot. there isn't a whole lot to it but it's been awesome at giving us some much needed space in thise very small and much used room. up top is where the vacuum cleaner goes, the middle shelf is for laundry products (that used to be crammed in the under sink cabinet and cabinet above the toilet). the other middle shelf is for cat food and litter and the bottom is for the cat box. tucked in behind is my drying rack, ironing board, swiffer-vac, broom and steam mop. i also moved the drapes that used to hang on the sliding glass door in the living room so it's all neatly hidden away.

:: living room ::this is an Ikea coffee table-turned-uber-storage. i found six baskets that fit the cubbie's perfectly and I keep our remotes, wires/chargers/cables and some DVD's. i have actually organized to the point of having a few of these empty. but one day, when there's another baby around here, they'll get filled up once again!

i'll just come out and say it, this set-up isn't my favourite. it's inconvienient and awkward. but the alternative, well, there isn't one so we make it work. what you are seeing on right, is a wall and on the left in my couch. inbetween is our TV cabinet. let's just say it's better that when they were UNDER the couch.:: dining area ::this cabinet was a steal from London Drugs and not only serves as a tiny bit of pantry storage, but I can put pretty things on it!

and this. this......is. my. "crafting room". since I took this photo it has been relocated and is pushed under the countertop overhang (in the right side of the photo). it's not pretty (it's a hot-darn mess) but it's much easier for me. instead of hauling everything out of various closets and crannies, it's all in one spot, together and i'm much more motivated to scrapbook.

:: upstairs bathroom ::this little cabinet replaced the older and more unsightly one that was there when we moved it. it house all (yup ladies, that's it) of our deoderant, face wash, hair products, moisturizers and lotions for all four of us. it's also place to keep some extra hand towls.

underneath the sink is where everything else it kept. sunscreen, nailpolish, toilet paper, hair appliances (straighter and a dryer that I've never used), some bulk toothbrushes and extra toothpastes. i've found using plastic baskets (on the left) keeps things contained and keeps everything tidy. the addition of the white plastic rack has also made life so much easier, and allowed me to access some unused space on top, creating more space, in the space i had.

:: bedroom ::bedside tables. these guys were a serious downsize from the ones we had before we made the switch to a king-sized bed but they were cheap and only served to help me pass along the stuff I didn't need and keep the stuff I did. the top drawer (and this is my side of the bed) contains books, vitamins, a few pens, my sleep mask, a bookmark or two. the middle has my bible and the bottom drawer, has, other stuff in it.

just so you know, that laundry sat there for another two days after this photo was taken.....and had already been on there for one before it was taken. we got this guy for around $60 from Canadian tire. it's been awesome not only for storage but for somewhere to sit, other than my rather high bed.

i keep my lovely purple snuggie in there, as well as some completely (and not worth mentioning) random stuff. it used to be one of the four spots i kept my scraping stuff as well.

three words friends - under. your. bed. it's a wealth of under (no pun intended) used space. it is hard to see, but there are three of the white lidded, low-profile bins tucked under there. i've got all of my maternity clothes in one, purses and totes in another and excess home decor in the last one. the decor bin is full, so I got lazy and just stuffed the overflow under without looking :)

under my side of the bed are two, larger but low-profile bins full of DVD's and all of my wrapping/gift bag stuff. i also kept some of my scrapbooking stuff (and when i say "kept" i mean "stuff until you can't anymore") under here.

i will also say that we have all of our christmas decor, infant gear and extra winter stuff in about seven huge bins over at Oma and Opa's storage center (thanks mum and dad). i so wish i could have it all here but in this house, it isn't an option.it's been a five year process of sorting, recycling, donating, tossing, and reconfiguring to get it all to fit and have a "spot"......then rinse and repeat. it's taught me to learn to live with less, think twice before I buy and lead a very practical life. so there you have it!I would love (like really a lot) to hear some of your space saving ideas and organizational tips! ::: Laura, please contact me about your soap nuts! Hit the email me button over on right column. I'll give you until Friday this week before I'll draw another name :::

The Lucky Winner (of a bag of nuts) Is.....

LAURA!

After listing out all your names in random order, each name was assigned a number (again, in random order) and then I used and random number generator and Laura, you were lucky #13!

Please email me your address and I will get your soap nuts sent out to you.

Thanks to everyone who took part and for bearing with me on my crazy ramblings. Remember to check out Katie's Cleaner Planet site to check out where you can get your own soaps nuts. They are only $10.00 at Thrifty's (even on the mainland ladies!) They are honestly amazing, and for 80-100 loads out of a bag, WAY cheaper than what most of us spend on detergent.

Katie does recommend using an oxygen-based bleach for your colors and whites to keep them white and bright, and Nellie's sells an all natural one!

And if you can't get past the fact that your clothes won't "smell good", here are a couple products I use. After not using fabric softener (or dryer sheets) for years, I've discovered this awesome fabric softener that isn't scented with harsh and toxic chemicals, and leaves my clothes soft with a very gentle lavender scent. It's by a company called Live For Tomorrow, based out of Port Moody. They sell their product all over the Vancouver and the lower mainland and the island. And I LOVE that when you return your glass bottle, you are refunded $1 and the company REUSES it. I also use Nellie's Dryer Balls with her all natural citrus fragrance stick (next time I will actually read the label and get the lavender scent sticks instead) that you put inside and it releases natural scent in your dryer as well.

I've also just been introduced to a company called Chartreuse that sells a huge line of organic home care, make up, and facial care that sells a reusable dryer sheet that you can put a couple of drops of essential oil on to gently and naturally scent your clothes and kill static!

Phew.

Thanks for reading, thanks for visiting.

Be Blessed.

Happy Friday Friends!

What's.....

.....been keeping me.We have had a busy last weekend and last few days. Dinners with friends, church functions, and two straight days of photographing the creation of two display cakes has left me with little blogging time.I've also been working on a few last details around my downstairs.I had been keep my nose to the ground for some new throw pillows for my couch and love seat. The one I had were original and dated and, let's call a spade a spade, BORING. Along with age, I seem to have developed an affinity for pattern! I refused to make an entire day out of driving two hours both ways out of town just to find new pillows, but after searching every store in town, I marched into our local Fabricland, spent a half hour humming and hawing, and asking total strangers their opinion, and walked out with four different designs. Then I found an awesome (and SUPER easy to the point of being dummy proof) tutorial on YouTube for envelope pillow covers. And even though I had orignially planned to ask a girlfriend to sew the covers, I thought I'd give it a go myself.So on Tuesday, when I was finished all my cake photography, and while my girlfriend was whipping icing, she let me use her machine, and after about an hour of sewing, my pillows went from this......


.....to this.....


The black and white pillow were store bought but all the others are the beige pillows with my covers on them.I'll be honest - I'm pretty dang-gum proud of myself.I got up the next morning and the first thing I did (yes, before kiss and hug my children) was head downstairs, just to admire them.I will say, that life full of patterns is FUN and it makes my house feel happy. Be sure to check back here at 10:00am on the dot tomorrow morning for the big annoucement of the soap nuts giveaway winner!

::: What I Wore Wednesday (and Thursday) :::

Well, isn't this your lucky day!You clicked over to my blog hoping to reading something enriching, funny, informative, practical, learn about a great new product or see some cute photos of my darling children.Nope, none of the above.Today all you get, is me - dressed.Like I said, lucky day right? :: this was my last week Wednesday outfit. We had a playdate in the morning and weren't out of the house until the evening for a course at church ::top - american eagle (from winners)jeans - not sure of the brand but they were free!

:: I wanted to post this outfit because I'm so excited about this top! I was having a quick browse at our local Bibles For Missions thrift shop for a small table lamp to refurbish and something caught my eye. Without even trying it on, I walked out of the store with this diddy for only $3.31 ::top - BFMlong white tee - jacobjeans - wearhouse one scarf - SheBella accessories

And to answer the two questions you are asking:#1 - YES! I am still loooving my new hair color. Usually when I do something like that, it's a good week before I feel like I can stop looking in the mirror 20 times an hour to enjoy the new look but it's only been a few days and I already feel like I've had this hair color for years. #2 - Yes, I am wearing black flats with white socks. But no, I don't wear my choes in the house. I bought the shoes at Walmart for $9 for Cranberry Creek as a switch out pair for when my feet needed a break. I got every cent of my $9 out of wear out of them, because they are scuffed and stretched and not any good for wearing out. So rather than tossing them, I've adopted them as my hardsoled slippers. They don't quite keep my feet as warm as my fuzzy ones but I prefer wearing them. And don't forget, if you haven't entered to win a free package of Cleaner Planet Soap Nuts, you only have until tonight at midnight to leave a comment!Enter HERE. Happy Hump Day!

:: My Little People ::

I was scrolling through my blog last night (yes, not only do I write the blog, I am also an avid reader of it) and I realized it had been a while since I've done any sort of update on on Dc and Pj.As much those two girls seem to fight over toys and bug each other, they play and wrestle and kiss and hug and sit and read together. It is so, SO much fun watching them become friends.:: denay with Santa ::

:: both of the girl's on santa's knee ::

:: just had to share this one ::

:: pj's turn ::

:: denay at the gun range the day before New Year's ::

:: yup, that's your truly, with a pistol (not mine, my older brother's) ::

:: and with a rifle. and yes, I'm wearing a pink flower headband ::

:: and the Mr. with the pistol. he really liked it ::

:: my mark sheet. the five shots around the bullseye are mine. I used a gun with a scope and with target was about 30 feet away ::

:: a little family photo shoot on New Year's day ::

:: denay, running ::

:: paisley, flying ::

:: I had a little mini-shoot with the girls after our family one ::

:: melt. my. heart ::

:: goober ::

:: the girls last week in their matching ducky ponchos after their bath. their new after bath routine is to both put their hoods up and run after each other and giggle ::

:: watching the snow fall, the first time for paisley ::

:: busted. "oh, sorry mum. did you want some?" ::

:: trying to eat her pancakes with the spatula ::

:: denay and momma bakin' some Pioneer Woman chocolate chip cookies ::

I just love life with these two goombas! If you haven't been around these parts for a few days, be sure to check out this post for you chance to win a free package of Cleaner Planet Soap nuts!

WIN FREE STUFF - {A Giveaway}

Who doesn't love free stuff?Even more, who doesn't love free stuff that is awesome? Just want to say a quick welcome to anyone who is here for the first time from Cleaner Planet's Facebook page or Twitter. I hope you enjoy your stay! Shortly after I wrote this post, gushing about my new found love (soap nuts), I got an email from the lady herself of Cleaner Planet. She thanked me for my write-up, and before you know it, we were planning a giveaway.I feel so passionate about these berries. Last week I used them to made an all-purpose, antibacterial spray and cleaned my whole house top-to-bottom without using a single chemical. Just my norwex cloths and my soap liquid.So, since I'm sure no one is exhausted with my constant raving about them, I'm going to talk some more. Wanna win this batch of soap nuts and a stick of all-natural stain remover? (just say yes, and make me feel good about myself)All you need to do is leave me a comment and tell me about your favourite green cleaning tricks/homemade cleaner recipes OR one way you have/are planning to, make a change and be greener in 2012 (cause green is the new, uh, black?).

Entries will be accepted until Wednesday night at 12:00am, February the first with the winner announced on Friday morning.The lucky winner will receive a package of Cleaner Planet Soap Nuts (that will do 80-100 loads of laundry) as well as a stick of Buncha Farmers Stain Remover.And if you happen to win and are a fellow blogger, you'll also need to post your own review of your experience with the product so as to spread the word even further!Feel free to check out Cleaner Planet's website for tips, FAQ's, reviews and more usage ideas. Thank you Katie and Marc from bring Soap Nuts into my life! Let the giving-awaying BEGIN!

I think. I need help.

Okay. I'm out of control.At least that's what I'd like to think about myself.Really, I'm one of the most un-out-of-control people that I know. I digress. I was at a 30th birthday party for a very dear friend on Sunday that lasted until an hour and a half after the restaurant closed. It was an amazing evening, loud with friends and laughter. When we were all settled up, some of us weren't ready to go home, so six of us ended up at Tim Horton's....until midnight. Somewhere in that conversation, hair coloring came up and my girlfriend brought out her iPad and showed us a few photos of some celebrities whose hair color she liked. And so did I. I said, in passing, "I should dye my hair that color", to which my girlfriend replied, "Yes, you should".So, I did.A little over 12 hours from that moment, I was doing this......(and please excuse the really-happy-deer-in-headlights look in the first picture).

The color I ended up with is much darker and deeper than the photos I looked at, but I wanted something that was more of a departure from my natural color.It's not permanant (and yes, it's store bought) but I think I like it enough that I might keep it up for a while! Here's to whims and tolerant husbands!