I was born with the organizing gene. I like to look at nicely organized stuff. I also like to search for the best organizers out there. Every space has different challenges and therefore, different solutions. Part of the fun for me is in figuring out how to organize a space. I call on my own experiences, but also on those of others. Here's where I go for inspiration:
1. Real Simple - Every month, without fail, they have something related to storage or organizing that makes me go hmm. I subscribe to the magazine but you can also check it out online, they have a whole tab devoted to organizing.
2. I Heart Organizing blog - I like her writing, approach, and her photos. And of course her free printables.
3. An organize search on Pinterest - I like to gloss over these pics. Some of them are insane, and the systems are so elaborate that there's no way in hell anyone is sustaining that level of organization, but it's fun to look anyway. And something I see might inspire me.
4. Friends - I am always interested in how others organize their lives, and I ask them about it. I learned this travel test tube trick from my friend Mimi.
5. Unclutterer - A place for everything, and everything in its place is our gospel. Hello, that's my mantra. I don't like the set up of the site but I do like the information so I access it on Facebook and Twitter.
As you know, this month's Choose Your Own Adventure Goal Setting Challenge theme is Organize. How are you making out? I'm halfway through my goals and I feel pretty confident that I can turn this mother out this weekend. Speaking of this weekend, happy happy birthday to my long-time friend Gwen of Confessions of a Gila Monster on Sunday.
Please share your favorite organizing resource in the comments so I can check it out!
Have a great weekend.
You may also like Top 10 Tips for Decluttering and My Top Five Organizing Tips.
I love Real Simple they always have great ideas. I Heart Organizing has had some really great ideas too, and the printables are always useful. I don't think I've used any other places besides Pinterest though for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips steph. Those travel test tubes look cool but have you tried it? They look kinda small/like they wont hold that much.
ReplyDeleteReal Simple is a lovely magazine. I pride myself in being my most organized during cooking, baking, large parties, tailgates and road trips. I clean up as I am cooking and baking, which I love. I am hardly anal about anything but that. I also organize a big basket seasonally with plates, napkins, utensils of the season. I love that. I do not crave total organization or everything in it's place. I could get lost on Pinterest so I shy away from it.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to everyone!
Love, Your MOMMA
pinterest is my go-to for ideas and inspiration! i love a well-organized space/home.
ReplyDeletereal simple has the BEST tips. and unlike pinterest (which i love) the tips actually work and aren't just put on there to draw blog views (i can;t stand when you click on a pin and it is awful)
ReplyDeleteI have to get back into IHeart Organizing. I quit for awhile because her site just took for.ev.er. to load - she knew it was a problem, I remember her sending an email that she fixed it, but I haven't gone back yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out! I need all these things in my life, especially right now as my kitchen is overrun with shit from my mom's house.
ReplyDeleteEep! I needed a reminder. I think I've been working on my goals but I should probably double check just in case: )
ReplyDeleteI am tackling the rest of my "Organize" monthly goals tomorrow - I can't believe how fast the month has gone. JEEZ LOUISE.
ReplyDeleteI know the worst one is going to be the spice cabinet. I am not looking forward to it!
But I will CONQUER~~~
Those travel tubes are a great idea!!
ReplyDeletewww.amemoryofus.com
Umm I turn to you. Seriously, you are my organizing guru.
ReplyDeleteI organized my Tupperware cabinet, my spices, and my canned goods. I also organized my dresser and Little K's too, that's what happens when it's to cold to go out and play.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! I still maintain you should be a personal organizer. Bookmarking this post for future reference!
ReplyDeleteI love Real Simple yet I never read it. This is perhaps why Scott bought me a subscription for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMy go-to resource for organizing is Pinterest. I feel like I have a grasp on what to do and reading your blog and others are sometimes the kick in the ass I need to get it done. I've completed 2 of 4 organizing challenges (the Pinterest one will take a lot longer than a month) so I'm feeling good about myself.
I just bought a laundry sorter outer thingy majig. My life is now complete.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing pretty well on my unpacking challenge! Slight slowdown this week since everything had to be stowed in the garage while the basement floor got stained (woot woot!) but now I'll be an unpacking maniac once we get furniture moved in. I'm even going to get a tiny corner as a craft area!
ReplyDeleteThe test tubes are great ideas for short trips because then I don't have to check my luggage and can just carry on. Or if it is a driving trip then there is more room in the vehicle so we aren't crammed in. (not like my bathroom stuff is huge but I have definitely seen people get carried away with packing too much)
ReplyDeleteI love I heart organizing blog -she seriously has some of the best pictures and organizing techniques out there!!
ReplyDeleteYour Pinterest board is amazing! I feel like organizing just looking at it :). I don't read any organization sites and I can only keep sections of my home organized for a hot second.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I used to be so good at organising, and then one day I just stopped being good at it. So weird. But I'm getting better - I haven't completed any of the things for the month, but I'm working on it! Still no idea what to do for 'simplify'.
ReplyDeleteI so need to get better at organizing and decluttering. My garage is so utterly scary right now.
ReplyDeleteI actually get a lot of organizing ideas from Pinterest and Instagram. I'm a total planner addict and love following other people who are obsessed with planners too. (It's a little crazy). The majority of other organization inspiration is definitely from the home boards on Pinterest. I love checking out anyone that has Ikea hacks for storage & stuff!
ReplyDeleteLove I Heart Organizing... one of the first blogs I followed :)
ReplyDeleteI love Real Simple. They always have great ideas. Pinterest has good ideas as well...I love the life hacks that pop up. So clever. Have a great weekend. :-)
ReplyDeleteI guess Pinterest is my go-to source for organizing tips... I don't actually follow through with any of it, though. Womp womp. Hope Gus isn't causing too much of a commotion at the vet.
ReplyDeleteI like the test tube idea! Even though travel sized things are tiny, they can still take up a lot of room... this would be perfect!
ReplyDeleteI used to have all of my makeup in one big drawer... then I got smart and started organizing it by eyes, lips, face, etc... makes getting ready a SHIT TON easier. (Shit ton is an actual scientific measurement, I'm surprised you didn't know that.)
I love Real Simple and visit their website frequently. I think the best way that I stay organized is by getting rid of clutter. I do a lot of work from home and I need a tidy and organized space to function. Otherwise I get grumpy! We've really downsized our "stuff" over the past year and it's been very therapeutic. I keep out what we need and use on a daily basis and the rest goes into storage in the loft. Some of it is rotational and other stuff I will probably never look at until we move again. It's always great to hear how other people stay organized and sane!
ReplyDeleteCool tips! I like Real Simple but haven't read it in a while. I'm having to look at the other blogs you mentioned. I of course love Pinterest for all the things :) I've made some progress on the office but have some more to work on.
ReplyDeletei love pinterest ideas for organizing too. i don't go to overboard but it's good to get ideas for where to start.
ReplyDeleteI have one corner in this home that isn't organized and it's all documents and magazines that need to be recycled but never have the time. It's getting out of hand and daunting, lol - really need to make the time to do this! I love Real Simple magazine - they have great ideas about everything! Have a great one Stephanie! -Iva
ReplyDeleteThe travel viles are BRILLIANT!! I love organization but for some reason I can't keep on top of it....need more practice I suppose!
ReplyDeleteahh, such a great list!!! I love being organized and loved reading this!
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ meandmr.com
I've been a fan of Real Simple for a while and recently subscribed to the magazine. Organization is my jam. I've rocked November's challenge. Excited for this month's theme.
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