DIY Solution: Bath Toy Storage

In our home, we all use the same bathroom. Storage for tub toys was really becoming an issue. I have tried a few other ideas--mostly products that use suction cup--but nothing ever, well, stuck! 

Enter the hanging fruit basket. I saw a hanging basket similar to this one used for toy storage on Pinterest. It simply fit over the shower curtain bar. That option wasn't popular in our home, as it kept the curtain from closing all the way while the grown-ups are showering, and who wants cool air sneaking in while you're shaving your legs?? Not this girl!

 So I grabbed a plant hook and some heavy-duty wall anchors from the hardware store, and we installed a hook in the unused 'corner' of the shower surround. Perfect! The toys have a home that won't fall off the wall, they drain easily, and everyone is happy.

My little guy really loves that we can simply take the basket off the hook and then hang it from a lower hand rail so he can access all of this toys at one time. That also makes it possible for him to help with clean-up, which I appreciate.

Storing Baking Ingredients, Gluten Free Flours, etc.

Gluten free baking comes with a funny little challenge. Have you noticed?? All of those little packages of flour and ingredients can really overwhelm a pantry, quickly turning organizational efforts into a complete failure. It's also really easy to lose track of what you have, especially if it's an item you don't use frequently.

As I unpacked our moving boxes when we were settling into our home, I stumbled on a forgotten shoe organizer. I set it aside with the intention of re-purposing it somehow, and lookie what I came up with! This door leads to our basement stairs.

The individual pockets are great for Bob's Red Mill and other small, specialty flour packages and baking mixes.

Mason jars fit nicely too! These hold things like baking soda, nutritional yeast flakes, and homemade taco seasoning.

I've also got pockets filled with cupcake liners, molasses, Karo syrup, and pectin, for making jam and things.

So--there you go! Several of you have asked me about storage related to all of the crazy baking ingredients. This is my little not-so-secret, secret.

One Month In: My 365 Journey & Clutter Busting Mission

A month ago, I committed to two different year-long projects. Because I like to keep myself accountable, and because I know some of you out there are participating *with* me, I thought I might post a monthly update.

On Project One:
I'm loving my 365 Project! There have been a couple of those, "oh no! a picture!" evenings. In that case, I look around for something that might remind me of our day, or describe the events of the evening. That's not all bad, right? I truly do think I might turn this photo-a-day journal of sorts into a book at the end of the year. What a way to remember life!

On Project Two:
Clutter-Busting. Really? I needed this kick in the pants to get moving. Creating a Facebook group was the best thing I ever did, as it has helped to keep me motivated. I've skipped a few days here and there, some because they don't apply to our home, and yes, a couple because I simply didn't want to! Some decluttering is better than none, though, right??

It's your turn! Did you commit to either of these projects, or to some other goal for the year? I'd love to hear about your progress in the comments!

A Place for Everything...

...and everything in its place. Right? Not so much, in this house. We're working on that, though! I've been hard at work on decluttering one day at a time. I really love the simple, daily tasks. I'm free to go on about my day when I'm done, but I often find that I'm so motivated that I keep right on cleaning!

Anyway.

Not the point of my post.

The point of my post is to say LOOK! Lookie what my hubby built! I found the plans on Ana White's blog (here), and within a week, the bench had materialized in my living room. Ok--maybe it didn't appear out of thin air. But it wasn't very complicated, either.

Building was simple, and took only a few hours spread over two afternoons. For the next few days, I took over. I filled holes one morning, and sanded them that evening. Each day this week, after putting the little guy to bed, I put on another coat of paint.

Last night, we finally got to "move in" to the bench!

It really turned out well, don't you think?

Two Things

I'm really not one for resolutions. Several years back, it occurred to me that I was simply setting myself up for failure. That's no way to start a fresh, new year! But I do love the feeling that I can start fresh somewhere. A couple of fresh, year-long projects have been on my mind, and I'd love to invite you to participate as well.

Project One: 365
Photos... of course! I've always wanted to participate in a photo-a-day project, but have always felt intimidated by the concept. A photo a day for an entire year is a whole lot of accountability! But I think I'm ready this year. Follow along on my Flickr Set if you'd like. {You'll also see a link near the top of my blog, titled 365:2012}

Project Two: Clutter Busting
I'm a little bit excited about this one. I stumbled on this 2012 Declutter & Organize calendar via Pinterest a couple of weeks back, and knew it would be just the thing to keep me motivated for 2012. Would anyone else like to take the challenge with me? I'd love to form some sort of a group to keep myself motivated!

What projects are you tackling this year?
Are you a resolution-maker? I'd love to hear about your resolutions!


UPDATE: We've set up a Facebook group! Come on over and join the group... here!