5 Reader Space: Jenny's Home Overhaul!

When I opened my email the other day, and saw a note from a very talented friend, that included attachments {WAHOO!}, my heart was already racing, and then once I opened the email and read her letter and looked at her pics, I absolutely felt like a kid on Christmas morning.  You readers really know how to gift this gal, just send me some pics of your own organizing transformations/tips & tricks, and I feel like I am being out of control spoiled!!!  I mean really, the best present ever!

Of course I absolutely couldn't wait to share Jenny's story with you, because it's SO impressive the amount of things that this fabulous gal has accomplished around her home!!  Check it out!

Hi Jen,

I just wanted to write and tell you how much I enjoy reading through your blog! It has motivated me to do some much needed organizing around my house.

I started with our home office/guest room and organized our computer desk along with a small dresser and the big project - our file cabinet. The cabinet took me a few days, because all I have been doing is tossing our monthly statements, envelopes and all into file folders. But I went through and recylced all the envelopes and additional, unnessary pamphlets/ads your bank and everything else sends you with your monthly statements. Then I put everything in date order starting with the oldest first and going forward (only keeping things that were within 7yrs). Now when I get my monthly statements it is soo easy to open them, highlight the date and place them in their appropriate folder, it is amazing!! One of my favorite things I discovered were the new filing tabs by Post-it. They work awesome and are way easier then filling out a little slip of paper, trying to tuck it into the little plastic tab while the paper slides around the whole time and then trying to tuck it into the slits on the file folder. The Post-it tabs you just fill out and stick! 

After organizing the office it also led to me organzing the "junk drawer" in the kitchen. I literally went through every pen we had and tested to see it if worked and probably tossed half of them. I also took soup cans like you and added some scrapping paper to use as pen holders on my desk.

Next we had some counter top pieces we got from Chris' dad, so I had Chris build me a small shelf for above my W/D to add some storage space, which opened up some cabinet space above the W/D.  I was able to reorganize our two spare bedroom closets and move some of the stuff I store in them into the cabinets above the W/D and finally made a home for our vacuum, which has just been hanging out in my scrap room.

I also purged and organized both my bathroom cabinets.

BEFORE: 

 AFTERS:  

And finally our big project this last weekend our bedroom closet! I'm loving all the changes!!

 

BEFORE:  

EMPTY - Painted Patched & Prepared: 

 
NEW STORAGE SYSTEM:  

 

AFTER:  

My next project is too move to the kitchen and rework my food cabinet. I have also been wanting to redo my recipe book (as a scrapbook project). I loved the 3-ring notebook idea and am not sure why I didn't think of it. I liked your idea of keeping recipes you'd like to try, so I actually grabbed a smaller plastic folder with 3 rings in it and added some page protectors and divided my "to try" recipes into Beef, Chicken, Pork, Side Dishes, etc. and then the 3-ring book will be for my tried and true favorite recipes. I've also picked up an oil decanter and added my dish soap to it. Much more pleasing to the eye than the big Sam's Club bottle sitting on my counter! I'll send pics when I get these projects completed!

I am attaching some pics also. I don't have before and afters of everything.

Thanks again and keep the blog posts coming!!

Jenny

Wowzers Jenny!  You got me motivated to tackle even more projects around my house {shhh, don't tell my husband!}

What do you guys think!  Feel free to leave a comment for Jenny commending her on her awesomeness!  I mean really, I am totally hearting that she was so resourceful, using extra counter top for a new shelf above the washer and dryer, and using soup cans to caddy all of her pens!  And then splurging where important to really give herself extra clothing storage in her closet!  Way to go!  And thank you so much Jenny for sharing your review on the new Post It File Tabs, I am so excited to hear they work well!  IHeart anything that makes projects easier!!

P.S.  Have an awesome story to share?  How about some organizing tips and tricks?  Maybe a project completed from an inspiration found?  Please send your story and photos to iheartorganizing@gmail.com and I would heart to feature them right here, on the blog!!