Saturday, January 3, 2009

Mission: Organization!

If you read yesterday's post, you'll know that my 2 "theme words" for 2009 are "Peace" and "Purpose". They pretty much encompass what I want my life to feel like and be like this year.

So, where does a girl begin?? For me, a HUUUUGE part of gaining peace in my home is going to come from some MAJOR paring down. And where did I start? Why in my crowded, cluttered, coat closet!

Oh, Boy! This closet has been on my list of "not fun" things to do for awhile now! LOL :) I started by pulling everything out and lookie what I found.....

....2 shopping bags of "stuff" that I shoved in there before guests came one time. And then promptly forgot about! ;) Oh, come on, you know you've done it before, too! hehe!!!

I also found and piled (below) a whole bunch of too small jackets and shoes. Flip flops the dog had chewed, and extra tote bags (you only need so many!). These items were sorted into garbage or donation piles.

Ok, now on to the fun part...Organizing!

I got these cute vintage locker baskets at Junk Bonanza, and decided to use one for each member of the family. These baskets will hold gloves, scarves, sunglasses, and my purse! I used these cute little tags to doodle our initials on so we'd know which basket was ours!!

Our puppy Sadie needed to have her things organized, too! So I hung a couple of hooks for her leash and a basket to hold her brush, toys, and an extra blanket!

What?! There's actually a floor in there?!! LOL On the floor is a basket holding the kids current shoes and one pair for adults who have to walk the dog. I used one tote bag (mine) to hold a tote for each kid and my flea marketing backpack. Those aren't used often, so they're tucked behind the shoe basket. The kids' backpacks can be neatly placed on the floor, and there's still lots of room!

Here's the finished coat closet! Yay! I'm feeling some order and peace coming into my life already!

It feels so nice to have this project done!

I'd like to encourage each of you to think of a "theme" word for yourself for 2009. What word would you choose? Share it with us in the comments below!

43 comments:

Christy said...

First of all the closet looks great. A couple days of Christmas we had really warm weather here in Ohio... like upper 50's! It gave me such a sense of Spring and all I wanted to do was clean and organize. I love how good it feels to have everything in it's place. We have a closet that I very much need to organize. I LOVE those metal baskets!!!

Anyway, I think my word(s) for this year will be purpose, joy, and passionately pursuing Jesus!

Glitter & Bliss said...

You have motivated me to get going on several organization projects. The first one is my closet. I am not the best at keeping "behind the scenes" spaces tidy. :)

Tracy said...

It looks great! I'm in the process of decluttering & reorganizing so this s a great motivator for me. ;)

Kristen said...

Congratulations on getting that done! This looks absolutely wonderful. I LOVE organized closets. I've been working on our office closet and it's mostly done. But this is the inspiration and motivation I need to tackle the rest!

Heather said...

I just decluttered our boys room. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders very time I walk in there now. My next goal is getting all the boys clothes I have saved for the next to grow into organized in appropriate totes and labeled.

Betsy said...

I too am cleaning closets today. That is the one place in my house that gets neglected...mainly my closet but occasionally a hall closet too. My kids closets are perfect though. I guess you give your kids a little extra attention. My theme word for this year would be...hmmm...slowdown.

Shell in your Pocket said...

My word would be "simple"..that is a word that does not describe my life and I would like it too!!!

Your closet looks awesome and I love those metal baskets with the initial tag..just perfect!! Great job and I bet you feel gReAt!!!
-sandy toes

Anonymous said...

that closet looks great! What a neat Idea! I think my word for the new year is going to be surrender. I am going to surrender everything that I have, do, speak, see, think, and feel over to the Lord. BlessingS!

Shannon said...

Oh it looks so great! I love to organize so I love organizing posts. :) Love it!

julie & joe said...

It looks nice. I wish I had a coat closet. I am trying to figure out how to make the coat rack look neater. Any suggestions?

Jacque said...

"Do what you love and love what you do!" This year is all about enJOYing the ride! There is something about organizing that makes us all feel good, enjoy your closet and thanks for the motivation!

Jenny said...

Ohhh I need some of those baskets!! Very good job!!

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

Wow--great reorganization! And I love your key words for 2009--peace and purpose. It is amazing how decluttering frees me and yet, I usually choose to do anything but. it's the getting going process that gets me stuck. I have found that if I say I am just going to work on this for 15 minutes, how much more motivated I am. Happy New Year!

Lady Dorothy said...

Wow! Fantastic job!

"Peace" and "Purpose" are great vision/mission words!

I have picked words for previous years. Pretty, lovely words like "Graciousness". This year, I know what I want, I just can't think of a precise word. Maybe, "Git'er done!" Not as lovely, but to the point!

Lanette of Cottage Elements said...

Stacey, can you come over to my house now? I really could use the help! LOL! Yours looks great. I think my theme word(s) for the new year will be "bold witness" that I may be more of one . . .

Lanette

Margo said...

great job stacey. Love that I got to see what you did with some of you JB finds. Hope you have the family's help to keep it tidy. Doesn't it feel good to get rid of stuff. Sometimes I think my stuff rules over me instead of the other way around. Now my theme word for this year, Still haven't decided, maybe "healthy", or "declutter", or maybe "focus", I'll let you know. Last year it was "Simplify", and I was very successful in some areas of my life at figuring out ways to simplify all the stuff that has to get done. But in other areas, life got more complicated. Opportunity knocks, and one must open the door. :)
take care,
Margo

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Yep - we started doing that this week as well. 6 garbage bags full of clothes to Good Will so far, and we've just begun. :) Passion and purpose. :)

savvycityfarmer said...

I'd feel lile brand new if I was you.

This will spur you on for more!

Amber B. said...

This is inspiring me to tackle my downstairs closet. Doesn't the new year make you want a fresh start??

Country Chick said...

Awesome Job! I am having the same problem here! I just don't know WHERE to start!!! I am going to start somewhere... once the kids go back to school this week! YEAH! I love your blog... come check out mine when you have a chance!
Janine

Aunt Ruthie said...

Hi Stacey, wow your closet looks great! Doesn't it feel wonderful to tackle something that has been hounding us! It's like getting a monkey off our back! Indeed, order brings peace! Good for you! Here's to a peaceful new year! (and lots of organized closets!) Well, I am off to tackling some of mine!
God Bless!
Ruthann

Melody said...

Your closest looks awesome! My theme words for 2009 are Consistency and Intentional (which I suppose is somewhat like purpose).

Happy New Year!

Ki said...

All I can say is Wow!! It looks great! I am very fond of vintage locker baskets.

I love your motto, Purpose and Peace. I too, am on that same mission. I know in my heart it will be the best year ever if I can keep my focus on those 2 words.
Wishing you and your family a blessed New Year.
Peace,
Ki

Cricket said...

Wow! Great job! The closet looks great.

Anonymous said...

We are doing the same thing here Stacey. Your closet looks great. I love the baskets!! 2009 is definitely the year for organization, peace, purpose and simplicity!

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Robin @ The Rendered Nest said...

Great job!! January always makes me want to organize too...in fact, I'm posting about organizing all month long. Come by for a visit if you have a chance between your own organizing projects!

KV Creative Designs said...

The closet looks great! What a creative way to organize it!

Happy New Year and Artful Blessings,
Kathryn
P.S. Stop by my blog to help Celebrate my Blogiversary!

Angie said...

I have several of those vintage locker baskets, too, and I love them. I use mine for magazines! I don't think your closet looked all that bad to begin with..but it looks really grand now. I am working on organizing our home, too. Wish me luck..I am going in! :-)

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Looks like a breath of fresh air! Wonderful, Stacey!

Amy

Nancy Rosalina said...

Oh Stacey, I have GOT to start going through the bad and the ugly soon! I just put off and off! Wish I could have someone do it for me...but they wouldn't know where to begin. Nancy

MBB Founder and Editor Denene Millner said...

LOVE the vintage baskets... too pretty!

Knit Purl Gurl said...

What a great job done! I need to organize everything in my house right now! It just makes you feel so good when everything is in it's place.

My theme word for 2009 is: ACCEPTANCE

I want to accept myself, my limitations, my life as is without constantly criticising. I need to perpetuate a theme of learning to love what I do have, what qualities I do possess, and the blessed life I DO live.

Shanda said...

Ohh, I have that closet! Now I just need the awesome baskets and a little organizational time!

I loved your family photo from your Christmas greeting! I too have been on a bit of a blogging break! It's great to catch up with you again!

RN and OSHP said...

Your closet makeover inspired me to do the same...I haven't started the hall closet yet but did get to our "big" closet. Check my blog for pics:)

Andrea said...

I COVET the baskets! The closet looks great...

Jules from "The Roost" said...

Awesome job girl!!!

cherry said...

Love the baskets..I have only been lucky enough to come across one of those on my trips. Awesome organizing job. Where are you????? HOpe things are well. cherry

{darlene} said...

I just love an organized closet!!! And now you really have me thinking about a theme for 09....hmmm. I will have to ponder.

I just posted on my newly organized closet/office! What a breath of fresh air.

Thanks for a great post!
Darlene

Kim G. said...

Job well done! I think the new year is the perfect time for organizing!

Melissa Lester said...

Your closet turned out great! I have quite a few closets that need an organizers touch. After I get my daughters' birthday parties out of the way, I'm hoping to get some projects done. And what a difference it makes when you can start your day in an organized space like the one you created.

FrenchGardenHouse said...

What a great job!! It looks wonderful, and much easier to keep that way, too.
xo Lidy

Decor To Adore said...

Your closet looks fantastic! I blogged about my master bedroom closet yesterday which was also a horror. :)

Jana said...

Your closet clean-up looks fantastic-love the baskets!