Simplify 101: March 2015 Re-Cap

Here is a recap on what my goals were for the month of March...

March was a super busy month!

We had family in from out of town for over half of the month, celebrated Gibson's first birthday, rocker style, took Emma and her friend to NYC for a weekend, and I started TWO new jobs! haha that brings my job count, over the last 2 months, to FOUR! I'm excited to report that I'm now in a position that I plan to be in for some time... more on this tomorrow when I share my goals for April. 


Here is how the month went...

• The Merge: I literally took NO action in the boys room this month... with the exception of removing all stools and baskets that Hunter could stand on as he started turning on the light at 5am to wake up Gibson every morning! 
• Pantry touch up: no action taken 
• Spending time with friends: I hosted a play group one weekend and had the chance to catch up with friends during Gibson's party 
• Celebrate Gibson's first birthday... Success! 
• Spring cleaning... printed a list from pinterest and still need to organize the supplies 
• Easter Planning- I do not have a single Easter decoration up... but I do know that I will be hosting Easter dinner and I have slowly been accumulating items for baskets. I cannot believe that Sunday will already be Easter... does anyone else feel like Christmas JUST ended??? 
• Bench for end of bed... This is NEVER going to get done
• Enjoy time with Family- We had a great time when my sister-in-law came for a visit! I loved our trip to the zoo and all of the family dinners. It is always such a joy to see all of the cousins playing together. We also had a great 3 days with Matt's Dad and his mom was also here for 5 days! Lot's of Family for the month of March which is always awesome!
• Summer Camp Planning- I'm not at 100% with this but getting there 
• Play Kitchen- Victory! This one is DONE and I will share a full post next week. 
• Blogging- One of my goals for the year is to do 15 blog posts a month and I didn't meant that goal as I only posted 14 times... so close
• Work Out... hahahahahahaha

Here are a few photos for the month!

Simplify 101: March 2015 Goals

I'm really looking forward to March!

This month Gibson will turn one, my sister-in-law and the kiddos will come up for a visit, and HELLO FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!! I'm ready for some warmer temps!

Now to the goals for the month ... I'm trying something a little new and wrote them in my new notebook that I purchased from Shutterfly! I LOVE IT and have it with me at all times!

AND DRUM ROLL.... HERE ARE THE GOALS! 

Simplify 101: February 2015 Recap

So here were my goals for the Month of February

And here is how I did....

COMPLETED:

• Set goals for the month: Nailed it on the very first day!! See above :-)
• Get Paperwork organized for Tax time: I started a folder so that we have a dedicated spot to put documents pertaining to our taxes as soon as they come in. I think that I am going to ask Matt to tackle the taxes this weekend because March is going to be craziness for us!
• De-clutter your medicine Cabinet: Sweet hubby actually did this one for me! Admittedly, after he was pissed that he couldn't find the tips for the ear thermometer! 
•  De-Clutter and Organize Master Bedroom:  I was so ashamed of the mess that was lurking below our bed... so last night I pulled EVERYTHING out, purged/put things away, and ran our robot under there! So happy with the end result. I also re-organized the space behind the bed and the drawers in our headboard. 
• Scheduled my Annual Doctor Exam: Done and Done
• Planning for Summer: I've started this process. We know that Emma will go to Camp Winshape again this year and we are just waiting to determine her Dad's schedule to determine when we might go to Michigan and to enroll her in other local camps.
• Create Valentines for Hunter and Emma: Full stories Here and Here We still need to make the rest of Emma's hand warmers but I was not able to fix my sewing machine on my own so I might need to take it somewhere... another to-do for the weekend as I need to be able to sew for the boy's room. 
• Let go of something weighing me down: Didn't do Hunter's Birth Certificate but I DID return Emma's violin from when she played LAST YEAR. Yes... we were renting and YES... I did pay for an additional 8 months after she quit... 
• Move the Boys into the Same room: I mentioned here that we were going to move the boys into Hunter's current room. So I searched all over Pinterest for inspiration and I settled on a Target headboard for Hunter's twin bed. I'm happy to report that the twin bed is up and I have moved the full bed into Gibson's Old room and the crib into Hunter's. Last night was their very first night together in that room and I'm so excited about the merge. More photos to come earlier next week... We still have a lot to do in the space but they are together...
• Make a point to spend time with old friends: Success!!!
• Start a Year of Gratitude: I've successfully made it through my first Month and I love the weekly Monday ritual of sitting down at my desk and just taking a minute to reflect on something that I am grateful for. What a wonderful way to start out my week!

AND NOT SO MUCH... 

•  Taking my lunch to work: I maybe took lunch three times this whole freaking month... Big fail
• Going to the gym or running 4 times: NOPE... there was one really nice day and we went for a family run. But that was it in terms of exercise.
• Car organization: I have a lot of the BS out of the car and I did take it for one car wash in February but what I really need is an oil change and a good old vacuum
• Organizing the Linen closet: Didn't get in there to purge items and refold/organize but I'm okay with that... not a huge priority on the old to-do for the month.
• Make a Bench for the bottom of the bed: So I found the plans that I want to follow... they are printed and I have the paint and fabric... so we are somewhere in the process at least. 
• Touch-up paint in Master Bedroom: The paint and brushes are out... just need to actually paint. Maybe tonight while watching tv before bed.

Be sure to check back in tomorrow to see my March Goals... I'm already getting started on a few of the items today... it is the first day of March after all!!! 

Simplify 101: February 2015

Here are my goals for the Month for February!!!

 

 

Simplify101: January Goals

The majority of the goals for this month are a no brainer! They center on finishing up items from Christmas and making sure that our storage spaces are organized to start off the New Year!

Again I’m using the Simplify101 checklists that I have modified via Adobe.

August Organization Checklist

How is it already the first day of AUGUST!!! Time is flying by!

Here is what I hope to accomplish in August!

Main thing is that I need to get back into a routine!

Ahhh... June in review

Yes I am aware that today is the last day in July... but guess what I never shared how I did with my June goals and I never even MADE July goals. SLACKER!

Here is how I did... Worst month ever. I underestimated how long my projects would take and well we had a lot of family fun projects and in my book that ranks above my to-do list!

and guess what... the items that are not check off are STILL undone. haha

June Checklist

Earlier today I shared my progress for the month of May.

and here is what I have planned for June...

Wish us luck!

Also this month we will take a long weekend and will head down to Savannah, GA!!! Cannot wait.

May in review

I cannot believe that May is already over! It went by WAY too fast and I'm really not feeling a sense of accomplishment... Even though I checked off almost everything on the list.

Earlier in the month I set my May Goals as a part of the Simplify 101: Year of Organization.

Here is how I ended the month...

Set Goals for the Month: That is what this post is all about. 

I also set some Blog goals for the month... I was hoping to get 6,500 page views and I am SOOOO excited to say that I surpassed my goal with an amazing 7,117 page views for the month of May! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!

Create some just-for-fun goals for the summer: One of my goals for the is to maintain a good work-life balance. I was able to sit down with Matt and Emma to go over some of our goals for the summer and we came up with a Summer Fun List. I will share more on that later in the week! Let's just say that it will include a visit to the World of Coca-cola in Atlanta after Emma's summer camp. This is a memory that I still remember from a summer LONG LONG ago...

Check your monthly tickler Folder: Done and done

Declutter & Organize your recipes: Big Fail... didn't even give this goal a thought.

Declutter & Organize the Screened in Porch: This project is in full swing... The decluttering and organizing is complete so I am able to go ahead and check this off... at this point I'm just beautifying. I cannot wait to share the full project with you in about another week. Still need to finish the daybed that I'm working on and DIY a coffee table.

Make a list of outdoor home improvement projects you'd like to do this summer: I made a LONG unrealistic list that my sweetie has cut down... it includes power washing (which we didn't do this month), gutter cleaning, and some landscaping in the back of the house. 

Create a summer gear mini zone: Done! I gave our hall closet a little update and I will share our packed pool bag later in the week. 

Celebrate the Mom's and Grandmas in your life on Mother's Day: Was so excited to not only celebrate Mother's Day with my awesome mom but also with Matt's mom and Grandma. It was the first time that they had spent Mother's Day together in over 10 years! 

Document your school routine: Done and done. My mom is a HUGE help when it comes to our school routine and I don't' know how I could ever do it without her!

Get or Make Teacher Gifts: We celebrated our great teachers this month with a week full of goodies! To include a handwritten note from Emma to let them know how much they are appreciated! 

Let go of something that is weighing you down: We had an insurance claim which had not been processed properly after Hunter's birth and, 8 months later, I am happy to report that it has been fixed!!! AND bonus we do not have to pay the $700 that we were being billed! 

Spend some time outdoors having fun! We love this nice new warm weather and we have brought back our evening walks outside and Emma has been going to the pool at a friends house. So much fun! 

Continue Spring Cleaning:  So I did a majority of my spring cleaning list on my own and we also decided to hire a cleaning service and their first cleaning was very much a "spring cleaning" they pulled up all rugs in our house to clean and condition the wood floors and they even re-caulked the tub in the bathroom that we are about to redo... Best money ever spent! 

Power wash house: Not done... When we pulled out the power washer last weekend we discovered two flat tires!!! boooooo!!! So Matt has written into the company (as we just purchased it last year and it is under warranty) and now we wait to see what they come back with... I really hope that it does not take too long to get a response. 

Start Bathroom Reno & A/C repair: This one is also on hold. I got a little bit a head of myself adding this to the list for May. Matt says that we need to clear out the garage first so that we have a workspace... this means that Emma's loft bed needs to be completed as it currently takes up over half of the garage.

Finish Spare Bedroom: DONE!!! Check out the final result here!!!

May Checklist

I cannot believe that I am already at month 5 in the...

Thanks to the great website and the  Simplify 101 Monthly Checklists I really feel like I'm starting on track and being held accountable for my goals!

Here is the plan for May!

I'm excited that this month will start our big Bathroom reno. We expect to begin mid month so that Matt's mom will not have to deal with the craziness AND because we will need to temporarily move to the spare bedroom! Half of our ceiling in our bedroom and the wall connecting our room and the bathroom likely has some MAJOR water damage thanks to our leaking a/c unit... So this is going to be a big undertaking not just some little facelift! Matt and I will be completing a majority of the work by ourselves so buckle in... because I am going to bring you along for the ride!!!
 

April Checklist

I've truly enjoyed using the Simplify 101 Monthly Checklists! Even though I'm guilty of not always checking the boxes... it gives me something to work towards and it helps me prioritize.

Here is what I hope to check off for the month of April...

Get your April Checklist here!

Recap of the March Checklist... Fail

What a slacker two days without a post! I've been a busy bee however!

Between work, getting ready for the kiddos Easter, Easter brunch at my house for 12, Emma's NINTH birthday next week, and 9 Girls over at our house for a sleep over in the next two weeks... there is just A LOT going on!

On top of ALL of the above.. if that were not enough to have on my pate... I will also start traveling in April with my boss AND Matt's amazing mom will be coming for a visit!

Generally JUST A LOT TO DO AND GET DONE!

I'm going to be sharing my April check list soon but first needed to close out the month of March... I have to admit that I don't think that I did too well. There were no huge projects this month due to our family ski trip to Colorado... so I'm not coming out of the month with a feeling of accomplishment... even though I did get a few lingering projects done.

Here is my March Checklist:

Case and point... didn't do too hot...

Here is a breakdown:

Set goals for the Month: Completed I set some goals... maybe didn't follow through as well as I had hoped

Check Monthly Tickler folder: I think that the most helpful part about the folder is that I have pre-purchased some Birthday cards and I place them in the folder with a post-it on who they belong to and I already have the address on the envelope! Makes it so easy to stay on top of birthdays!

Create a Spring Cleaning Checklist: Made a checklist... Cannot say that I've done much to cross things off of it however.

De clutter & Organize Clothes / Make a spring Shopping list: Gap Friends and Family helped me out with this one. I got some great stuff for Emma and Hunter.

Inventory Easter Baskets / Spring Home Decor: So Easter is Sunday and I still have to put up one thing and take my photos... but I'm going to consider this one to be complete... I also had a lot of Easter decorations that were not really my style anymore so those items were donated.

File Taxes: SOOOO not done. I did create a "tax station" to allow for us to keep all tax documents together as they come in through the mail.

Get Ready for Storm Season: Also not something that I have even thought about. I really feel like we need to generally be better prepared... not talking prepper status here... but just a happy medium. One of my main concerns is with the fact that Emma is with her dad two nights a week and say something happened while she was not with me and communication was down... how do we contact each other and were would be a good place to meet up. She is my amazing little girl and I know that my first thought would be to get to her as soon as possible.

Spring clock forward: Yeah if I didn't already do this I would be one late girl!

Wash light fixtures / Cleaning mini zone / Smoke Detectors / Carbon monoxide detector: All things that are on my spring cleaning list that I have not done... Dude, I'm having a hard enough time keeping my kitchen counter clean and dishes done... let alone a deep clean of the house.

Fix Something Broken: I fixed a one handled basket!!!

Colorado Ski Trip:  Went and had a great time! The trip was not without its ups and downs but all and all it was a great time and I look forward to going again next year.

Organize Photos.... Not even going to go there... Yes this item has been on my list since January!

Simplify 101: March Goals

** So today I was planning on sharing my "completed" Master Bedroom... I put  that in quotes because well that space will never fully be done and because I need some more Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to finish up Matt's dresser... BUT no master post because I was a slacker yesterday and didn't get a chance to take photos.

Instead today I will share my goals for the Month of March...

Get Your March Checklist Here

The main focus for the month is on Easter preparation and getting ready for SPRING CLEANING!!! How is it possible that spring is already right around the corner?? 

I also like that there are no huge projects this month... which is okay with me because I still need to finish Matt's dresser and we are going to be gone FOR A WEEK!!!

I'm not going to leave you hanging the week that I'm gone... I will have some posts prepared and I plan on having two great guest posts for you! Lot's to loon forward to in the month of March... Here is a preview... Likely to change however as life happens! 

What are you plans for the month of March?? Are you ready for spring?? I'm not!

Simplify 101: February In Review

How is February already over?? It feels just yesterday I was sharing my goals for February!

Here is how I did...

Set goals for the Month: That is what the above checklist was... COMPLETE!

Check Monthly Tickler Folder: Inside I had information regarding doctor appointments that needed to be made, tax documents, cards for special occasions during the month, and a breakdown of School events that I knew were coming up for Emma.

Get Organized for Tax Time: Ehhh it is that time of the year again... I removed documents that had already come in from my Tickler folder and I created a Tax Zone in Matt's Office... Will share more about that next week...

Declutter + Organize Master Bedroom: This was a HUGE undertaking and while I don't think that the room will ever be 100% complete because we will ale=ways be on the look out for new items. I'm really happy with where we currently stand. I'm going to do a HUGE reveal post Thursday but until then here is a refresher of what the room looked like when we started...

As a refresher here are a few posts that I shared earlier in the month pertaining to our Master...

• Master Bedroom: Before
• Bedroom Window Shopping
• Our New Rug
• Hubby's Closet
• Painted our IKEA Malm laminate dressers with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
• New Ceiling Light Fixture

I cannot wait to share the big reveal... here is a teaser taken a few days ago... so things have already progressed from here.

 Organize Linen Closet / Declutter Medicine Cabinet: For the full post on the closet organization please click here. 

The plastic Container store shoe bins that you see on the bottom of the closet house our medicine. While cleaning out the closet I took the opportunity to also clean out the bins. I tossed expired medications and purchased meds that we were low on.

Schedule Annual Doctors Exams: COMPLETE.. I even managed to get Hunter's 6 month exam and Emma's 9 year appointment at the SAME time! They both see the same amazing doctor. I also took this as an opportunity to make sure that all dental exams were also scheduled.

Outfit Vehicle w/ an emergency Kit & create a vehicle organization system: This was a carry over item from January and I am SOOO happy to finally cross this off my list. My new van is now organized and ready for a roadside emergency. I plan to share the details soon. Just need to take photos.

Record Last Day of School: June 18th!!!

Begin Planning for the Summer: It was time to focus on camps and our family vacation plans. The goals for the summer are to spend some time in Savannah (my hometown) and Traverse City (Matt's Hometown). Summer is also a busy time for our little girl Emma! She does a two week overnight camp in Georgia (the same one I went to as a child) and she is excited about the camp programs from Fairfax Collegiate.

Valentine's Day: Has come and gone but we shared our love... Favorite gift of the year is the one that Emma gave Matt...

Why yes that is a gold pan kit... Matt LOVES watching Gold Rush on the Discovery channel and he has been saying for months that he things there is gold in the stream across from our house... well now he can go look for it...

Photo Organization: Fail... This was a carry over from January and I am sad to say that I didn't get it completed...

Family Cleaning Pan: Another Fail... we clean but just do not have a set cleaning schedule... maybe this is going to be a bust.

Prep for March Ski Trip: I'm so excited that I have a week of leave coming up and I'm greatly looking forward to heading out to Colorado for some skiing! I also have some major anxiety about traveling with all of Hunter's things and our ski things... the logistics will be interesting but I've been doing some research and I think that we are prepared.

Blog goals: a big goal for this month was to really focus on this blog and I think that i have been able to do so successfully. To include this one I will have 27 posts this month! I've also become more involved in link parties to get my numbers up.

Here are some stats:

My 5 most popular posts of the month were:

1. The "unofficial" Macklemore Thrift Shop Challenge 
2. Bedroom Window Shopping
3. Painting the IKEA Dresser
4. Thrift Store: Gold Elephant
5. Master Bedroom: Before

With the Macklemore post I hit my highest number of views for a post at 820! That is just crazy..

To put it into perspective here are some number regarding my page views:

• February 2012 (Just last year): 187... total! 
• January 2013: 1,785
• February 2013 (to date): 3,461 (almost DOUBLE last month!)

This month I also happly announced a partnership with B-Thrifty were I am now a bi-weekly contributer to their blog Just be Thrifty!

I am so happy with  my progress and plan to keep this up. My cute hubby is even going to help out and build me a more custom site in the coming months!



HERE IS TO A GREAT FEBRUARY... and it isn't over yet because I have big plans for my final two days... 

Wednesday - I'm taking part in the Pinterest Challenge which is being hosted by some majorly talented bloggers! 

Thursday -  The big Master Bedroom reveal! Cannot wait!

Simplify 101: Linen Closet

One of the main projects on my February Organizing 101 list was to organize our linen closet.  

When we first moved in I had neatly labeled all of the shelves but over time it has turned into a jumbled mess.

Part of that is because I CANNOT fold a fitted sheet to save my life... I've even watched YouTube tutorials from Martha Stewart.. FAIL. Obviously I cannot even follow a video.

Here are the before photos:

Step one was to remove everything and edit... 

For example we do not need to keep king sheets in here because we no longer have a king size bed... Also all queen flat sheets were placed in a bin for storage because we don't use them... don't judge it is a personal decision. 

Throws, light blankets and my travel snuggie were all placed in the basket at the top of the closet.

I also added shelf dividers to better organize the other areas...

Towels are doubled up and wash clothes / hand towels are folded to the side

Duvet covers and  Pillow cases

Sheets for the master and Emma's room are one the next shelf  along with toilet paper and an extra blanket for Emma's bed.

on the bottom you will find out "Medicine Cabinet"... I have bins for: 

• Fever/Pain Medication
• Cold/Cough
• Dental Care
• Allergy/sinus
• Misc.

Here is a before and after as a reminder!

Much improved and I'm going to put a big check mark on my February list

However, I still have a few items on my wish list down the road...

• Something on the back of the door... Maybe a bedtime checklist for Emma and Hunter
• Would like to paint the background wall a fun bright color
• Fun shelf liners 

LINKED UP AT:

Master Bedroom: Before

One of my main organizing goals for February is my Master Bedroom and I'm here to show you the dirty details of what our Master looks like....

Whomp whomp whomp... plain and boring! There is just no personality. The truth is that we are always so focused on our communal areas and our kids rooms that we just have never really focused on our own room.

This is what the room looked like when we purchased the home... Sorry for the bad photo.

Literally we have only done a hand full of things in here in the 2+ years that we have been here:

• Had the wall painted before even moving in...
• Moved our furniture in
• mounted a TV

That shows you what our priorities are :-) We usually cuddle up together on Saturday nights, as a family, for movie night in bed.... so TV was a must have

Here are some UGLY details of the room in the current state:

I tend to PILE crap beside my dresser. I would like for this space to be a little more functional... I need to use the storage that we have behind out bed... or figure out a more visually pleasing way to pile my crap in the corner... perhaps a basket with a lid???

This is what the space looks like behind our bed... we have a bed from IKEA and the console table that has pull out storage on the sides... I love the surface behind the head of the bed but I hate that it tends to become a dumping ground for random stuff... Also, do not let those flowers deceive you... they are from our anniversary and usually not there.

I mean 5 drink containers for only two people, Big pile of magazines, UGLY lights from IKEA that we NEVER use because they give such little light, oh and do not even get me started on the two flower prints that we have just leaning against the wall... We had those before we moved in... and guess when I asked first asked my hubby to hang them??? Bonus points if you guessed that I asked him when we moved in! It's a good thing he is such a cutie! I just want this space to be more functional!

From the bed this is what you see...

Sophie's crate fits perfectly into this corner and is typically left open and she will go in there on her own to rest throughout the day and at night. The only thing is that becomes an easy place to pile random stuff.

Oh the birch Malm dressers from IKEA... how I hate you... I've heard tons of stories about how they break apart for people and are complete junk... we have not been so lucky... These babies have lasted EIGHT years!!!! Matt had them before we even dated! They are in perfect shape and I just cannot justify spending money on new furniture when these are going strong... but I'm thinking that I can justify a low cost face lift??? I hope Matt does not read this blog because this is likely a project he would veto :-)

View of the room from the far corner...

I purchased this great birch mirror from homegoods about a year ago... It was only $129.00!! I LOVE IT because it has the vibe that I wish our entire bedroom had. We need a better solution however because it is currently just propped up against the wall and that will NOT work with a baby on the move!

See that bin... That has Matt's summer shorts in it and has just been chillin in front of our closet for months... Any time Matt needs to get into the closet he just moves it to the side. (Only Matt's clothes are in the closet in our Master because I get ready for work too early in the morning so I get dressed somewhere else so I do not wake up Matt...)

Bed from far side of the room... Can you spot a HUGE issue?

YES!!! that pile of shoes on Matt's side of the bed! We need some proper storage STAT!

And what about this eye sore... Yes that is an outlet without a cover... and an ugly cream outlet! Oh the horror.

So now you have seen the ugly truth about our Master Bedroom... Here is what I am going to take on over the month...

• Shoe Storage for Matt
• Clean out Under the bed
• New (larger) rug down
• Face lift for MALM dressers
• Window Treatments
• Artwork on wall
• Cleaning off tops of dressers & getting the spaces organized
• Clean out dressers and purge clothes that we no longer wear
• Install new white outlets
• New light fixtures on back of bed
• Possible new ceiling light fixture 

That is a big list... wish us luck!