I’m tackling organizing projects in my home one at a time in my Reorganizing 2012 Campaign. So why was organizing my snacks near the top of my list?
There are many reasons.
First, it’s the beginning step to reorganizing my pantry. By removing all of my snack items and storing them in easy-to-reach containers, I’m creating more breathing space to organize pantry items.
And, the most motivating reason for me is to save time. How can organizing my snacks save time, you wonder? It’s simple. With all our family activities: dance, gymnastics, day-trips and vacations, my kids can pack snacks on their own by making it easy for them to choose from. It’s like having our own home snack store… the Spilsbury Snack Shop!
Organize Snacks Step-By-Step
Step 1: Remove all snack items from the pantry
The first step in reorganizing any space is to start with a clean slate and see what you need to work with. By removing all of the snacks from my pantry and seeing them in one place, it was easy for me to decide how I was going to categorize and store them and what size containers I would need.
remove all snacks from the pantry
Step 2: Find Your Tools
Find the perfect containers to fit your style, your space… and your snacks. I decided on glass mason jars- 4 large and 4 medium to fit my long countertop.
I found both of these bins at Target to store cold snacks in the refrigerator. Using insulated bags, the kids know where to go to choose snacks to pack.
cold snacks for on-the-go
this snack tote came from the $1 bin at Target
The Economics of Organizing
Staying organized saves time and money. Period.
By keeping snacks “at-a-glance”, I won’t overbuy at the grocery store because of not knowing how many cookies or fruit snacks we have at home.
While we’re out running around all day, here is a breakdown of what on-the-go snacking costs if you eat out or tote your snacks:
Notice the difference in snack nutrition? I also estimate that we save about $650 a year by having the kids pack their snacks. How’s that for some “food for thought”.
In my Snack Organizing project, I talked about how storing our snacks where they’re organized and in one place saves us time and money. I used glass jars- 2 large and 2 small for this project to create my own home snack store.
Here’s a quick tutorial.
Chalkboard Paint Jars Tutorial
Supplies:
Glass Jars with lids- (found at Target or here on our online store)
Masking Painter’s Tape
Chalkboard Paint- (found at Michael’s)
Step 1: Use tape to mask off jar leaving a rectangular opening in the middle. To prevent paint from seeping through the tape, create several overlapping layers.
mask off jar leaving rectangular opening
To take the pressure off creating the perfect rectangle, I tore the inside side of the tape to create a “jagged” look.
tear the inside-side of the tape to create a "jagged" look
2. Spray opening with chalkboard paint. You can do more than one coat, as desired for best results.
spray opening with chalkboard paint
3. Remove tape after paint has dried completely.
Chalkboard Paint Jars- perfect for the Spilsbury Snack Shop!
For more chalkboard paint DIY ideas, visit my Pinterest board:
Chalkboard Paint Ideas For The Home Pinterest Board
I’m Reorganizing my life…. starting with my baking supply cupboard. I’ve got to start somewhere, right?
Reorganizing my kitchen is part of my Reorganizing 2012 Project, where every week I find a project to reevaluate, reinvent and reorganize using a tool I’ve found to be innovative and inspirational- Pinterest.
My baking supply cupboard may seem like an odd place to start, but honestly it’s given me the most anxiety lately. It’s been over a year since I’ve cleaned it out, and after the holiday baking extravaganza, I don’t even want to open it.
Getting Creative with Tight Spaces
I would love to say that I have a huge walk-in pantry to work with, but truthfully my kitchen lacks the ideal storage space for someone calling themselves “The Organized Cook”. My kitchen storage space is not appropriately proportioned for the considerable size of my home, further proving my assumption that my house was designed by a man. After all, I do have a walk-in wine room… but no walk-in pantry.
Which is why I must get creative with the storage space I do have. My baking supplies are separate from my cooking supplies and spices and from my pantry cupboard.
So where to start? With step 1, of course.
Step 1: Assess The Damage
after holiday baking and a year of neglect- yikes!
When supplies are difficult to find, it slows you down in the kitchen. Have you ever fumbled around in the baking cupboard looking for the corn starch while your sauce that needs thickening begins to burn?
Organization also saves you money at the grocery store. Have you ever bought a bag of brown sugar for a recipe, only to find later that you have two open bags in the pantry? I have, and what a waste it is.
unorganization makes it difficult to find supplies and slows you down
Step 2: Empty The Cupboard. Yes, the entire cupboard.
empty the cupboard of all contents
By emptying the cupboard of all its contents it first allows you to look at the space with fresh eyes. Don’t panic when you see the mess of items on the floor. Instead, think creatively about how you want the space to look. Having trouble thinking creatively? Let our Pinterest Board help you out with some ideas!
This also gives you the opportunity to look through the supplies to:
check expiration dates
make a grocery shopping list of items you’re low on or out of
give away unopened supplies that you’ll never use to your local food bank
I had two cans of peach pie filling that were set to expire in a few months; I could either use them, donate them or toss them. I put them in my donation bag.
look at the space with fresh eyes
Step 3: Find Your Tools
With a few storage solutions, like shelving, you can maximize storage space and make it easier to find supplies. I found this pantry shelf at Target.
storage shelf from Target
Evaluate storage containers currently being used in your cupboards. This sugar container was too short for this space and wasted a lot of space in my cupboard.
this sugar container was too short for this space
After some searching, I found the perfect sugar and flour storage containers for my baking cupboard at Pier1. It helps that they came in my favorite color, vintage Tiffany blue!
flour and sugar containers from Pier1- the perfect size!
Honestly, I would have loved to do something like this for my baking cupboard, but I’m hesitant to permanently alter my cupboard doors.
cupboard organization idea from Pinterest
So, I found “no-damage” adhesive hooks to hang my measuring spoons. No more opening the cupboard for flour then going to another drawer for spoons; they’re right here at my fingertips now.
Using more “no damage” adhesive mounting, I secured this dry-erase board to the inside of my cupboard (also in Tiffany-blue). Now, when I have an idea for baking, I jot it down and am reminded of it every time I open the door.
dry-erase board found at Office Depot
Use tools like storage containers. Storage containers like this one are perfect to store supplies like cookie cutters, chocolate chips, decorating supplies and food coloring. They make supplies easy to find, easy to get to and easy to use.
use storage containers for supplies like food coloring and decorating tips
Step 4: Separate Supplies into Categories
I basically sectioned my baking supply cupboard into categories like ingredients, decorating and pre-packaged. Then I took my label machine and labeled the different areas.
sprinkles have their own section
ingredients section
Step 5: Learn From The Experience
I learned that I need not buy anymore sprinkles. I don’t care how sparkly or pretty the sprinkles are. I do not need more.
I do not need more sprinkles- I don't care how pretty they are
I can confidently say that I’ve gotten the most out of this small space. So, with baking supply cupboard reinvented and reorganized, I’m happy to start creating in the kitchen again!
I love homemade sangria, and my recipe for my Holiday Spice Sangria is beautiful and delicious. Whether you’re serving sangria at home for holiday entertaining, or giving it away as a hostess gift for New Year’s Eve parties, this recipe is sure to delight.
Click the image for recipe
This year I found the perfect carafes for my sangria from Rubbermaid. These carafes are lightweight, affordable and beautiful. By simply adding a ribbon and gift tag, I used my Rubbermaid Carafe with Holiday Spice Sangria to create the perfect gift for neighbors. And, I’m sure to be using this combination as a hostess gift for a New Year’s Eve party.
We’re so excited to have Rubbermaid sponsor our giveaway this week with these fabulous carafes. Four lucky winners will receive a Rubbermaid Carafe to use for your holiday sangria. There are many ways to enter, simply follow the instructions below.
Family meals are important. Iʼll show you easy ways to spend less time and money at the grocery store, less time in the kitchen and more time with your family.
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