One Tip per Room: Quick and Easy Ways to Organize Your Home

Having just done a massive closet clean-out, this guest post seemed particularly timely. Plus, just for fun I'll show you my hidden trash can with a link to my third ever post on this blog. I know, look how far we've come!

Plus, I'm just in the beginning of the Jewish holiday season, so after hosting 10 adults to a plated (which means fancy) meal on Wednesday night, attending lunches on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, oh, and hosting more people Friday night, I *might* be a tad burned out:) 

One Tip per Room: Quick and Easy Ways to Organize Your Home

Organizing your entire home can be a daunting task. And in households with children, messes and clutter can accumulate with in the blink of an eye. To make the clutter more manageable, try to break down your tasks room by room and focus on one task at a time. Focus on the rooms that are used more frequently, where clutter and mess are inevitable. Start and complete one task before you move onto the next.

Here are a few homeorganization ideas, tips and tricks to keep the clutter away. With one tip per room, it will make the organization process seem a little less daunting.

In the Kitchen

·       Pantries can become messy and unorganized rather quickly. Utilize plastic food storage containers to avoid the mess. Store homemade goods in slider bags and half used boxes of pasta in plastic containers. It’s a simple way to stack food items and you will be able to easily see what is in each container.  

In the Garage

·       Our garages often become a place for clutter, junk and disorganization. One way to feel more organized in the garage is to open up floor space. Utilize wall hooks and mounts to hang gardening tools, helmets, un-used hoses and even bikes on the wall. This will create the illusion that there is more space within your garage.

In Your Closet

·       Purses, hats, scarves and belts can add unnecessary clutter to your closet floor and shelves. Hanging shower curtain hooks in your closet is a cheap and simple solution for this. Do your closets have a door? Over-the-door coat racks can also be used to store handbags, towels, scarves and more!

In the Living Room

·       Extra blankets and pillows sitting around the living room add un-needed clutter to the space. Utilize decorative storage bins to store blankets and pillows while they aren’t being used. Look for furniture that serves a dual purpose. Wicker baskets make for cheap storage options while adding a little bit of decorative flair and sturdy storage furniture can be used as extra seating!

In the Kids Rooms

·       Take advantage of under-bed and under-couch storage. Buy long, thin storagebins and place them underneath any bed or couch that’s high enough off the ground.  You’ll create lots of storage space but keep everything out of sight. This is a great way to store kids clothing that is out of season!

Home organization can be a daunting task. Break down your organization tasks room by room and it becomes a little easier. How do you tackle home organization? Leave your own tips below!

Author Bio: These tips were provided by Katie F. on behalf of Hefty®. For other simple tips and cleaning products like trash bags, visit www.hefty.com.

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Making a Family Vacation Easier in 5 Simple Steps

Summer is almost over, but until every drop is gone, I'm happy to share a guest post from Kendra of ThorntonTravel.

 Photo Credit: marcovdz via Compfight cc

It’s Time for a Family Vacation!

Although summer is slowly fading away, it is certainly not too late to plan a trip for your whole family before school starts. Take advantage of the warm weather and escape to that destination you’ve been dreaming about. Below I’ve listed some tips that will help you have a stress free, enjoyable family vacation.

1. Think Outside of the Box.

This summer, try something new and travel somewhere different! Your kids will be much more excited about vacationing somewhere new, and it may even inspire some adventure within them. Family vacations are the best way to create new memories and lift everyone’s spirit with a heavy dose of excitement. So, instead of going to that same old beach, switch things up a bit and perhaps try a trip into the mountains!

2. Breeze Through Airport Security.

If you are traveling with a baby, getting through airport security can consume a large amount of your travel time. Rememberto check to see what you can and can’t bring through airport security. One thing that is easily allowed through security is baby food, as long as it is in the original container. Baby foods that come in squeeze packs can also be transported easily, and is a popular choice for airports.

3. Finding the Best Deal

Whether you are booking a hotel or a flight, make sure you do it as early as you can. As we all know, the closer the vacation gets, the higher the prices are going to get. Take a week or two to plan in advance about where you should stay and which flight is best. If you are unsure of what the best options would be, using a review site can really help sort through the options available. I used Gogobot to find a family friendly Orlando hotel that even offered a free continental breakfast!

4. Pack Like a Pro!

In the week leading up to your trip, make a list of everything that needs to be done before you leave. Items on this list can include (but are not limited to): putting a stop on the mail, packing your kid’s bathing suits and towels, buying extra sunscreen, and snacks for the car. This will help prevent you from having that gut wrenching feeling when arriving at your destination because you forgot something at home. If you are like me and prone to losing lists, try downloading this packingapp where you can create a list right there on your mobile device.

5. Portable DVD Player

Whether you are going on a road trip or flying internationally, having a DVD player (or iPad) is great for entertaining your little ones. It is an easy way to calm down anxious kids who are nervous about flying. Although it does require an investment, the purchase will be more than worth it as it last for years to come. You can find them at your local Walmart, or search for a great deal online.

I hope these tips help you in planning a summer vacation! Remember, there is still time, so don’t wait any longer and start planning today! 

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