True Confession - I have a messy desk!

The last thing I like to do is clean my office and I will usually put it off entirely way too long.  Being unorganized in my workspace creates more work and takes time away from relationships and fun tasks that I want to spend time doing – not to mention makes it difficult to keep it dusted and vacuumed the way it should be.   But today was the day – I got all my piles organized (they had been moved to the floor next to my desk) so that I can begin to file, toss or deal with them.

In the midst of this process, I decided I want to spend my summer doing more of the things I like to do, and less of the things that I don’t.  In order to do that, I need to be able to find what I need easily so it takes just a few minutes to find what I need and get to the task at hand so I can get it done!  So this is the week that I begin not putting off filing that item because “it will only take a minute to do later” – later never seems to come and then a 2 minute job becomes a huge overwhelming project. 

What room is your “I don’t like to” space, or is it your entire home?  Will you join me in working towards creating a space that is easier to clean and creates a calm atmosphere rather than a chaotic, un-restful place to work, play or just be?

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1)      Focus on your real goal – to spend more time doing the things you like to do and less time tidying up!

2)      Choose an area to focus on – to be successful, you must break the job down into smaller and achievable steps.  If you’re problem area is the kitchen, commit to just making sure everything is clean and put away before you head to bed so that you’re getting up to a clean start for the day.  Or commit to organizing one drawer/cabinet a day until it’s done.

3)      Give everything a home – keep like things together and always put it back in that spot.  Everyone knows the silverware goes in that drawer, right?  We all remember that toys go in a toy box…  Well, now it’s time to give everything else a spot too!

4)      Once something has a home – put them back when you are done using them.   Sounds pretty simple, but we all know that it doesn’t always happen that way.  It takes work!

5)      Remember that it’s ok to reevaluate what you’ve done – say, “That doesn’t work for me there” and then change it so that it does!

6)      Never purchase organizational tools/bins first…. Until you know where something will live, you don’t know what size, shape and type of container you will need!

7)      Remember to take small steps towards your goals and build on them – having an all or nothing mentality can be overwhelming and set you up for failure before you even begin.

Today I took the time to organized my piles... in the coming days I will tackle them one at a time until they are exactly as they should be.   What will your baby step be?

Inspiration 5.13

Really cool storage idea discovered on Think Decor, who was kind enough to link back to me yesterday...

Inspiration 4.26

Brilliant closet organization idea discovered at Automatism...

Inspiration 4.22

LOVE the portraits above and behind the garments in this closet. Very cool and elevates the clothes to "art status," don't you think?

via Atelier Abigail Ahern

Inspiration 3.24

Love these adorable dressers, especially the yellow Mexican bedspread motif. Swoon.

Both images discovered on White Trash Beautiful

Inspiration 3.18

I can not remember where I found this image, but how great is this idea? It kind of looks like fun too!

Inspiration 3.5

Love this idea for making use of an oddly-placed nook -- wallpaper inside, a bench, desk or console tucked away or placed right in front. Instantly useful.

via Apartment Therapy

Fun Jewelry Storage Ideas

Not gonna lie. I jumped on the costume jewelry train two years ago, missed my stop and still have no intention of getting off. Few things make me happier on a Monday morning than popping on a fun and bold necklace, bracelet or ring. Unfortunately sorting through my out-of-control jewelry drawer is significantly less pleasant.

I've basically just run out of room, and I don't want to part with any of my baubles. It's time to think outside the box, no pun intended (like, jewelry box, get it? get it? Oh, God it's been a long day.)

Since I have a bad habit of collecting small china plates and cups that I am too scared to eat out of, I loved the idea that appears below. Unfortunately, all of those little plates would just take up even more room.

(Blueprint, also top photo)

Another idea I liked was draping some of the larger pieces over lamps or a bust as seen above, but that also doesn't solve the space problem. I mean, there are only so many lamps you can bedeck with jewels and sparkly things before the only people who want your interior design advice are the benchwarmers for an Eastern European figure skating team.

(Nate Berkus)(Albert Hadley)

Another more practical idea is draping necklaces on an above-the-door coat rack (or as in the pic below, a vintage rake) which puts them on display AND keeps them untangled.

(Country Living)

Finally, for you crafty types (how I envy you) I loved these two incredibly cool solutions from Design Sponge:

(DIY Jewelry Bust)
(DIY Hidden Jewelry Box)

Inspiration 2.11

I wish I could take a class in folding so I could make my linen closet look this good. I also imagine this little nook smells great too...in a rosewater, line-dried kind of way.

Photo Credit: Nato Welton