Project #3: Children's Closets & Dressers

This week I went through ALL the clothes the kids have. It took me two sessions. I think I spent about 3 hours total.

I wanted to get an accurate count of what they have so that when I am out shopping the deals I get things they need and don't overbuy anything. There are so many cute items out there and great deals that it can be tempting to keep buying even when we have enough.

So, now I have a huge pile of items to get rid of. Some I will take to the second hand shop. Everything that they won't take will go straight to the thrift store with the rest of the goods. Here is a picture of my beautiful pile!

The closets all look great and are filled with clothes that fit and look nice. Well, the play clothes may be ragged, but that is to be expected!

My oldest son's closet:

My daughter's closet. The rest of her clothes are in a dresser:

My youngest son's closet:

The clothes they have yet to grow into are in Space Bags on a shelf. This keeps them easily accessible for me and helps me remember that they are there. I love having everything organized!

Project #1: Declutter Revolution!!!

This weeks project is not crafty and it didn't cost any money!

I have been decluttering for, well, years now. I'm getting close to a *happy place* but with growing children there will always be things to get rid of.

This week I have been listing things to sell online. LEGO are being sold on eBay and I've got some childrens items selling on a mothering forum. I may or may not find things to put on Craigslist. We took 2 boxes of stuff to Goodwill on Monday.

So far this week 4 boxes have left my house!!! Last week a box and a couple packages left. It feels sooo good to sell stuff we don't need anymore. Taking stuff to Goodwill feels real good, too.

Someone was telling me they have a goal to donate 2010 items this year. They got the idea from a blog I should try to find. What an awesome idea! I think I'm up to about 100 already. Yay!

My New Master Closet

I am thrilled with my new closet! Last week I purchased a closet organizer at Costco for $59.97 plus tax. It is the bomb!

I had seen it a couple months ago and when I went back to buy it it was gone. I was devastated. So, when I saw it again (this time for $8 less) I jumped on it. I originally had budgeted $800 for a custom closet early next year. This saved me over $700 and many months of waiting.

I couldn't wait to install it, so I did it myself on Saturday. It was very easy and my kids had fun helping me. It is adjustable to allow many different configurations. Did I mention how much I love it?!? It can with 3 shelves, 3 rods and 2 basket drawers along with the vertical poles.

Now I just need to get wooden hangers from IKEA. My mom is going to California next month, so I'll see if she'll get them for me. :P I especially need to get pants hangers so my husband has a better solution for his pants.

This project goes along perfectly with Organizing Junkie's April Monthly Organizing Round Up! I am so excited to participate. I've been decluttering for what seems like forever. I thought I had my master bedroom done, but when I installed the closet I found even more things to get rid of!

It's All Too Much! Getting Rid of the Clutter!

I have been on the road to recovering from my clutter addiction for years now. I've finished reading It's All Too Much twice now. It is so well written. Not only is it motivating, it gives a clear cut answer to solving the clutter problem once and for all.

I find the more I get rid of the happier I am. My home feels more peaceful and comfortable. It is easier to clean and much easier to find things. I haven't missed anything that I have tossed. This process has helped me really focus on what we need and how we really want to live. In this world of "more is better" I have found the opposite to be true.

Not convinced to declutter your own home, yet? I also have more time to enjoy my family. Our relationships are stronger and more fulfilling than ever before.
We can invite people over without worrying about being embarrassed, too!

The Clutter is Taking Over!

I am currently reading It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh. I love reading books about decluttering and so far this book is no different. I purchased it on half.com to save money and received it the day after Peter Walsh appeared on the Oprah show. Perfect timing!

Compared to some, our clutter problem may not be so bad, however it is bad enough to bother me. I am always wondering where to put important papers or current craft project. It's driving me crazy! I think clutter breeds overnight. No matter how much I have gotten rid of in the past there is always more clutter.

I am on page 75 of It's All Too Much and we've already got plans to put Peter's advice into action. This week we are going to start in on the clutter using his F.A.S.T. method. Basically, we plan a time to get rid of all the surface clutter. That means things we haven't used in a year, things that don't belong to us and trash. He doesn't want us to make the tough decisions, yet. We are going to go systematically through the house together. I think I'll set up tarps in the garage or basement for keep, sell/donate, toss piles.

The goal is to work on this for at least 30 minutes every night until Thanksgiving. After we've stuffed ourselves with turkey we will come home and declutter for the rest of the day. Friday we will continue the project.

I have to read more of the book to see what comes next.