Organizing: Solutions for Kids Clutter

Organizing Old Clothes

 

Categorize

Sort your items whichever way works best for your needs: boy, girl, age, season. I sorted my daughter's clothes by age (0-6, 6-12 & 12-24 months).

Use containers

If you are sorting in order to donate or sell, choose an inexpensive option, like plastic bags or cardboard boxes. If you are choosing to store long-term, I suggest something more durable, such as a plastic container.

Use space saving bags

We had a ton of clothes to store, but not a lot of room in which to do it. In order to make the most of our space, I chose to use vacuum seal bags for each age group.

Label

LABEL! It makes it sooo much easier to find what you need months or years down the road!

 

 

Before

After



Travel Bag

I now carry a backpack for my daughter, rather than haul a diaper bag around. It is filled with snacks, activities, diapers and a first aid kit. We are on the go so much and it was a disaster!
I found a really great solution on BHG's website. I created my own labels, but found the idea to be perfect for our needs.
I purchased 3 plastic toiletry travel bags from The Container Store to hold our essentials.



Potty Time

Wow! I can't believe it has been a year since I have posted!! Last time I shared, my daughter was only a few months old and now she is 15 months! Where has the time gone??!!

My big little girl has showed a lot of interest in the potty lately, so we have decided to go ahead and start potty training her. We purchased two potties for her; one for upstairs, and one for down. I have put together little "potty boxes" for each bathroom to keep us organized and keep all of our supplies at hand.

Inside each basket we have:
-diapers
-flushable wipes
-potty books (good reading materials are very important!)
-reward stickers

Potty training can be crazy. It's nice to be able to add a touch of control to all the chaos!

Nursery DIY

 

This wall of embroidery hoops was one of my Pinterest inspirations. Since I wanted the nursery to feel a bit vintage, this project allowed me to achieve that while keeping the tone girly, but not too juvenile. Once I chose Kate's bedding (Dwell's Studio Paper Dolls), I chose some fabrics that complimented it. I then purchased embroidery hoops in a variety of sizes ($ 0.89 - $1.30 each) from Micheals and glued the fabric to the hoops. Kate's name was the finishing touch. Each letter was primed and painted in Ballet Slipper pink and hung with 3M picture hanging strips (which are surprisingly strong & sturdy).

 

I had either purchased or made about 50 headbands to adorn Kate's gorgeous head of hair, and lacked a place to keep them. This accessory frame was easy to make (I already had all the materials) and allows me to display a few of the pieces she wears on a regular basis (while the rest are stored away). First I had my husband paint this once red frame, white to match the other white elements in the room. I then used a staple gun to attach the vintage ribbon that once belonged to my great aunt for her hat making projects to the back of the frame to hold the barrettes. I then screwed cup hooks into the bottom of the frame to hang the headbands from.  

The map hearts were a last minute addition above Kate's change table. The first heart is the where her Mommy and Daddy got married, the second, where she was born. I hung them both from Umbra's Orchid wire picture frame from Target (beside a picture of Me and my Mama).

It's in the Bag

Now that I'm a Mommy, my purse has been substituted for a diaper bag (a pretty cute one at that)! Here are some of the essentials that I can't leave home without.

Bag - Kidsline Cascade Bow Diaper Bag

LOVE this bag. Not only is it practicle and pretty, but it is also very functional with its pockets and change pad. This bag also comes in pink and silver, however I purchased the black to minimize the appearance of (the inevitable) stains and wear.



1) Aden & Anais - For the Birds Swaddle Blankets

At first these blankets were used for swaddling Kate, but have quickly become used for keeping warm in cool places, as shade from the sun, burpies and something to cuddle when Mommy is driving.

2) JJ Cole - Lemon Posey Diaper & Wipes Pod

This diaper and wipes pod keeps our essentials organized and dry for those emergency changes while away from the house.

3) Sophie the Giraffe

Everyone's favorite Giraffe, Sophie, is a great little distraction for Kate while in the car.

4) Philips Avent Pacifier

Used for those melt-down moments. Enough said.

5) Google Nexus 7 Tablet

This is my new favorite tool to keep Kate happy and distracted. We just log into our Just for Kids Netflix app and the bright colours and cheerful tunes of shows like Veggie Tales keep minds busy and growing.

6) Dwell Studio Onesie 

I always keep an extra change of clothes on hand for those times when spit up or a baby poo get a little out of hand. We have all been there.



A New Spin on the Classics

As a child, I loved to get lost in a good book. Now that I am a Mom to a little girl of my own, I hope she finds the same enjoyment in classic literature that I did.

I plan to build a library for my daughter, Kate, and Penguin Books has made a series of hardcover classics that double as eye candy for your bookshelf. Here are just a few of their bold & beautiful covers.

Where, What and How Much?

As a first time Mommy-to-be, I found myself drowing in all the various websites, recommendations and advice out there on where to what you need, where to shop and what to buy for your baby.

Here is my own take on it (after much weeding out!):

Where to Shop:

It's hard to find baby gear that suits not only baby, but mommy's discerning taste. Here are a few sites that I have found to have great, unique options:

Albeebaby.com  - Your online 'mall' for all things baby
Amazon.com - An online marketplace that carries just about EVERYTHING. This site was my choice for our baby registry
Etsy.com - This is your place for all things vintage and handmade.

Brands:

Looking for products that don't scream "Disney"? Here a few of my favorite baby brands that are not only modern, but functional also:


Dwell Studio
Dwell Studio is a unique designer baby boutique that also carries modern home decor items. The cute Paper Doll themed baby bedding and accessories was my pick for our little girl.
Price: $$

Balboa Baby
Baolboa Baby is a doctor recommended line of baby gear that includes slings, nursing pillows, shopping cart covers and more.
Price: $

Petunia Pickle Bottom
Best known for their diaper bags, this brand also has a line of slings, carriers, baby accessories and more.
Price: $$-$$$

aden + anais
aden + anais carries a full line of baby products made of soft, breathable, natural muslin. They have been recommended several times to me for their swaddling blankets.
Price: $

Preparing for Baby - The Nursery

With a baby on the way, it's time to start thinking about how we are going to make our current, uninspiring nursery space fit for our newest addition.

Modern & Sophisticated

A room to grow into

Rustic & Refined

Perfect for a little Texan

Old Meets New

Love the DIY touches over at Young House Love

Pretty in Pink

Simplicity with a pop of whimsical