Tag Archives | home organization

Snack Organizing

By on April 15, 2012 in Survival Guide for Busy Moms

Home Reorganizing

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.

Snack Organizing

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.

home organizing snacks

Glass Mason Jars- on sale here for $22

 

Because I love to label everything, I decided to use chalkboard paint on my jars.  Here is a quick tutorial for creating your own Chalkboard Paint Mason Jars:

DIY Chalkboard Paint jars

Tutorial DIY Chalkboard Paint Jars

Step 3:  Cold Storage

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

 

snack organizing

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”.

 

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Busy Moms: Claim Your Work Space

By on March 27, 2011 in Survival Guide for Busy Moms

I am the CEO.

The CEO of the Spilsbury Home, that is.  It’s a demanding job requiring long hours and the ability to multi-task.  Someone has to do it.

For a solid decade, I held a corporate upper management position with my own office.  My office space was always important to me and met my needs for privacy, style and functionality.

So why for so long has my current position not afforded me the same perk?

With all of our responsibilities as busy moms- or CEO’s-, our space needs to meet the unique needs of this demanding role.  We need it to be visually inspiring and organized so we too are inspired to perform.


Organize your at-home office desk for success!

A nice corner office with a great view?  How about a corner nook with a view of my herb garden?  Close enough.

It doesn’t need to be expensive with custom installation or fancy desk ensembles.  It just needs to be ours.

Instead of heading to the office supply store for sterile stacking shelves, look for pieces that speak to our authentic self and bring joy.  Yes, a pencil holder can bring joy.  And don’t forget a flowering houseplant or bonsai tree.

Peruse places like World Market, Pier1 or even the dollar bins at Target. Your desk organizers don’t necessarily have to match anything, they just have to make us feel good.

After all, our job is important.  It requires it’s own space.  So claim yours.

Organizing tips for your busy-mom home office:

1. Start by decluttering your newly-claimed territory; remove all objects from the area.

2. Place only items needed and wanted for your work objectives on your desk.  Find “new homes” for anything that does not belong in your new work area.

3.  Look around the house for items that can be given new purpose in your work area: those small decorative photo clips might make great “to-do” note holders.

4. Make it inspiring.  Find items that give you that “feel good” vibe- invest in a decorative paper-weight.

 

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