organization :: mental roadblocks

Yesterday was Friday, and I was supposed to post my progress on Throwing Out 50 Things. However, John had just gotten home from being out of town for a week, and I wasn't interested in spending my time on the computer. I'm sure you understand.

I'd like to say that I got rid of SO much stuff this week, but that's not true. What I can tell you is that I made a ton of progress in organizing and "mentally" preparing to move. That definitely is true.

While John was gone, I cleared some shelves in the garage and packed and moved a few boxes to the SLO house.

 I also hit a bunch of roadblocks. Mental roadblocks.

What do you do with things that you don't use, but it was a gift from a friend or family member? Do you get rid of it? What if you really, really don't use it? Like, ever?




I really want to know: What do YOU do with these items?


***UPDATE: I just stumbled upon this fabulous post at Design Build Love. In the article, she summarizes 25 tips for decluttering, originally from Better Homes & Gardens. For anyone in my predicament, it's a must-read.

throw out 50 things :: items 7 - 10

I'll be brutally honest: Going through boxes and cupboards in hoarder's heaven the garage, stresses me out. There are so many things that we don't use --that I want to get rid of-- but I'm worried we might need it or want it down the road.

I didn't find many items to get rid of this week, but I think that's due to my frazzled state of mind. Thank you, by the way, for all your encouraging words in the comments section.

Item #7
sheepskin for a stroller
-- gave to my mom (for future grandkids)

Item #8
Bag of random stuff
--dropped off at thrift shop

Item #9
Forgotten Halloween candy
--if they don't remember it, they don't need it!

Item #10
armrests from 4's carseat
--threw in trash









That wraps it up for this week. However, during this next week, I'm going to start gathering things for a (future) garage sale.

Feel free to join the Throw Out 50 Things Challenge. Leave a note in the comments section, and tell me what you got rid of... or link to your post!

throw out 50 things :: items 1 - 6

The challenge is on. Oh, it's on, Baby. It's on like Donkey Kong.
Too much? Okay.

Item #1
Maternity Clothing
--lent it to my sister

Item #2
(2) car seats that 4 has outgrown
--gave one to my sister
--will try Craigslist or Goodwill with the 2nd one

Item #3
stack of origami paper
--gave it to 4's teacher

Item #4
Old clothing that no longer fits (mostly kid sizes)
--going to local thrift

Item #5
Giant coloring book
--going to local thrift

Item #6
Face painting book
--going to local thrift










That's all the loot I have for today's post. You can read more about the 50 Thing Challenge here. Please feel free to join the challenge, and use the comments section to tell me what you got rid of this week. Every Friday, I'll be posting my progress.

the 50 thing challenge

Yesterday I posted about my messy garage and my plan to move it in an organized fashion. I also hinted that I have a little plan to help me declutter a bunch of stuff.

So here it is. Here's the big plan:

I read this book last year, when we were getting our house ready to go on the market. To summarize it in the shortest way possible, the goal is to get rid of 50 things. Duh.

However, one "thing" is not the same as one "item." For example, a stack of magazines is one thing. A collection of tupperware containers is one item. Get it?

And the goal is to get rid of fifty things.

There's nothing I like more than a good challenge. It is going to be a lot harder this time around because I already decluttered a bunch of stuff during the last move.

But first, I feel like I have to be clear about a couple of things:

1. I am going to avoid throwing out items, if it can be avoided. If it's at all possible, I will donate the items or sell them. I'd rather not add anymore items to the landfill.
2. I'm not throwing out stuff, just to throw out stuff. If it's something that we really use or enjoy, we'll keep it. I think that we all own items that we no longer use or love, and moving is a great time to weed through the junk.

Every Friday evening, I'll post the items that I was able to purge. The plan is to get to 50 before we move which, by the way, is in 76 days or sooner.

Anyone else up for the challenge? Misery loves company. It's going to be fun!

don't judge me

We are taking advantage of the slow pace of renovations. I'm not complaining, I'm just finding the silver lining.

The main reason we have taken the time to prep the garage is because we are going to start moving things in there. If you promise not to judge me, I'm going to show a photo of our current garage situation.

This is the garage of the current house that we are renting. It ain't pretty.

I have several excuses reasons why it is in such dissaray, but I'm not going to bore you with them. It is what it is.

It is what it is, but now we have the time to remedy the situation.


Here is our pristine garage with freshly painted floors.

So here's the plan: Slowly and methodicaly, box by box, we are going to move the contents of the messy garage to the garage in the blue house. In the process, we will be going through each and every item and deciding if it's worth keeping.

We already went through this process, when we packed up and sold our house in the Bay Area. And let me tell you, we got rid of a lot of stuff.

I'm sure there are still a few things to get rid of. But don't worry, we're not getting rid of everything. But the things that we're keeping can definitely be more organized in a better fashion. Who am I kidding? Anything will be better than this!

So I have a little incentive plan. I won't mention any names, but I know someone who gives herself gold stars for accomplishing tasks. And just like her, I like a little incentive.

I'll be back tomorrow to explain.

Now, be honest: How clean is your garage?

organization :: this is how i roll

There has been a pile of papers growing in my kitchen. It's a pile of magazine tearsheets, catalogs of sorts, business cards, paint samples, you name it. If it's renovation-related, it's in there. I finally decided to take care of it, once and for all.


My Renovation Binder
All business cards have been stapled to one sheet, located at the very front of the binder. So the next time John asks me to call the window guy or the door guy, I no longer have to consult Google. It's all right there.





Just after the business card page, the binder is divided into eight sections:

1. great room
2. kitchen
3. kids rooms
4. bathroom
5. master bedroom
6. landscaping
7. exterior
8. misc.

Each section is filled with (or waiting to be filled with) inspiration photos, product catalogs, paint samples, and orders that have been placed.


our fireplace inspiration


the window bench I want


Of course, a few of the sections are still empty. John and I haven't made any decisions regarding our master bedroom or bathroom.


I imagine that this binder is going to be quite full in the months to come. I'm just happy to have everything in one {organized} place.


How do you organize your projects?