(1) Have you ever noticed how set designers usually remove eggs from their cartons and put them in a bowl inside the fridge?! I've seen it in a lot of movies and while watching cooking shows. Then, it clicked. They do it because it looks "upscale" and somehow makes the eggs appear more fresh, but it doesn't cost a cent! Of course, I had to try it. I decided on this mini mixing bowl. That's exactly one dozen eggs, and after moving it around some, I decided having a handle was more practical! Here it is, paired with my favorite clearance Crate & Barrel dish towel ($2)...
(2) Now, this is my favorite instant update, and I always feel a huge weight lifted when I do it...De-clutter! Of course, I'm not one that can stand a lot of "stuff" around me anyway. Usually, if something's in my way for more than a week, it either gets trashed, donated, sold on Craig's List or placed by the curb in hopes someone else takes it home!
Yeah, you read that last part right. I live on a busy road, and last year I discovered just how eager people really can be for another person's "trash". It was the night before the garbage truck ran. We huffed and puffed and hauled a nasty, old, moldy fridge (left behind by the previous owners) out to the curb. Before we could walk back to the porch, someone was already loading it into the back of their JEEP! It was heavy, and the end was hanging out, and I watched in awe as a man and woman put it in!
Since that night, I wait until I have a decent pile of stuff-things too good to be thrown away, but not worth taking to the Salvation Army. Then, I put it close to the road. It's usually gone within hours! I get the satisfaction of giving someone a deal (I like to imagine their expression when they find my treasures) and cleaning my house at the same time. Bonus!
This brings me to idea number...
3.) Gazelle is a great place to make a quick buck. Simply type in the make and model of your old camera, laptops, DVD players (most anything electronic), and they give you a quote based on condition. You can either accept their quote or decline. If you accept, they send you a shipping FedEx label, via e-mail, and you simply package, attach and drop in a FedEx box! In a few short days, they deposit the cash into your PayPal account! They believe in green practices and will even properly recycle any unsellable items! I recently made $14 on an old digital camera that my hubby told me to "just throw away"!
4.) Clean off your fridge. It's that simple. Take. Every. Single. Thing. Off. You will be amazed at how much it opens up your kitchen and how clean it feels! Throw away any unneeded papers. Decide which magnets you REALLY can't live without, and stash those in a drawer. Throw the rest away, or put them in your curb pile! Any important reminders should be written on your calender and the paper tossed. Now, those massive amounts of artwork and school papers...
5.) Organization step number one is to group like items together. Go around your house and gather all of your child's papers. Look through it and decide which should be kept and which you can part with. Most of us also have ribbon, either in our Christmas wrapping box, or in the junk drawer from the countless birthday parties we attend. If you're lucky enough to also have a few clothespins, I have an idea for you. String the ribbon through the clothespin holes...
Now, decide where you want to hang it. Above your child's headboard, at the top of the stairs, near your entry, in the mudroom or in the play room are places I'd look to first. You could also put a shorter version near, or on, your family message board. Next, measure your wall space and decide how long you want it (it will bow from the weight of the art). String the clothespins on, allowing about 12" between each pin. They'll move, but this gives you any idea of how many to string on. Tie a loop at each end...
Pound a few nails in the wall, and allow your child to help you decide what should be pinned where. Keep this system up. As soon as your child comes through the door with something special, praise her, and remind her to replace one of the hanging pieces with the new one! Now, sit back and breathe. One paper problem has been solved!
Enjoy your day!
I did #5 for Wyatts birthday cards over the fireplace. I used balers twine instead, but it really looked great. A great way to add color too since childrens cards are usually quite vibrant!
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