tidy-up tuesdays.

Do you ever have one of those "zones" that just can not stay cleaned?!

I have too many of them in my house.  

So i am dealing with one of them today...the dreaded "kids creative corner"

This is on a good day.  Usually there are papers and markers, crayons and books everywhere.  

I keep pulling my hair out trying to keep up with it!

So what I did was empty out those plastic bins.  Completely.  Everything out!  I then went through the pile, decided whether to keep or trash. For the most part, I trashed because they have too much crap!

I then designated a drawer for each kid.  I put their own crayon box and their own coloring books in it.  They are now responsible for their drawer!

Grabbed a huge trash bag and threw the rest away, and sigh...all clean and organized. 

I have realized that my kids don't need 1000 coloring books, 100's markers, crayons and scissors.  I need to limit what they have so it doesn't over take me!

What supplies do you give your kids when creating?

tidy-up tuesdays: kids creative spaces

All three of my kids love to draw and color.  They could do it for hours.  That part is great.

The crayons, markers and paper all over the table and floor?  That part is not so great.

So i've been looking around for ideas and inspiration because I need a huge dose of it.  One thing i'm considering is giving each child their own plastic bin, complete with coloring books, a set of crayons, a set of markers, and paint supplies.  Each item would be labeled so there would be no mixing and everything would  have a home.  That's what I want to do.  Until then, these images are fun to look at ;)

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this one is awesome

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What do you do with your kids art supplies?

tidy-up tuesdays.

Mama said there'd be days like this...

and I couldn't agree more.

Most days, I would rather sit with my kids and watch a movie, eat popcorn, take a nap etc etc..

"tidying up" is last on my list.  It takes a great effort to keep up with my house. 

So on the days like that...like today...I would rather get inspired by other people's homes:

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I hope this inspires you on this tidy-up tuesday!

tidy-up tuesdays.

Before I begin, Voting is still going on over at Vintage Revivals!!  Please take a second to go over HERE and vote for me!! #10 #10 #10!!

So with all these yard sales happening, my basement is starting to look like it's own thrift store.  Now I wish today, I wish I could show you it all cleaned and organized, but no.

I wish I had that kind of time!

Instead, I'm rearing 3 little ones and helping my husband with starting a dental practice.  Life can be stressful.

So I ask you, with a sincere heart, how do you do?

How do you juggle family life with work?

Take care of kids and do a blog?

I am amazed at those bloggers who have more than 3 kids and upkeep a high-traffic blog.

I am trying to find that sort of time.

But it's hard and I personally want my family to win this battle, not the computer. My kids are only young for so long.

And I know that I need serious work with my time management skills and to stick with them!

Ok, so I would love your tips and tricks on organizing, especially with time.

I know i've written time management on here already but things don't stick very long for me.  I am always onto the next thing.  

But don't worry, this blog isn't going anywhere!

This post might seem like i'm stuggling but i'm not.  I'm doing fine.  But I would love to do more with it if time allows :)

So here's my tip for you today:

List-making.

Do you know how to do it?

It seems simple.  But just to be sure, grab a pen and paper and make a list of those things you want to accomplish today.

It can be anything, big or small.

After you make your list, go through and number the items.  1 being most important and then go from there.  Then tackle #1 and only  focus on that one until it's done.

Once it's done, you can move to #2.  

I am a total list-maker and this helps me prioritize and take care of the important stuff first!

Give it a try!  Even if you only get through 2-3 items on the list, you took care of the most important ones so you won't be stressed at the end of the day :)

tidy-up tuesdays.

I finally tackled my dresser.  This dresser sits next to my bed and it is the drop off area.

Such a big mess!

First up, I put up my necklace organizer and earring holder on the wall to put my jewelry in its place!

Then I just cleared the whole top off and started putting things away.  It only took about 20 minutes and look at it now!

ahhhh..so much better!

These ceramic holders were free from my husband's office.  He was left with everything when he came to work.  We found them in the basement.  Perfect for earrings!

 

Here is where I hold my headbands, using 2 mason jars.  I think it is perfect for now.  Ideally I want them stored on the wall somehow but I am working on that...

So there you go!  This project is done and hopefully I can keep it clear from now on ;)

This one of many drop-off zones that I want to tackle!  One down, many to go...

What's your "drop-off" areas in your house?  

tidy up tuesdays: my home and then some.

Have you heard about this yet?  I bet you have.  This is probably going like a wildfire around blogland!

And of course, I have to jump on it.

Seriously, I love Mandi's style.

She appreciates thrift store finds and makes them beautiful like me!

If you haven't visited Vintage Revivals yet, please do so.  Right now.

So this post is showing off my home and the lack of style that it has..

oh and to tie it in with Tidy-Up Tuesdays, it also shows my home the cleanest it has or will ever be!!

My adorable rustic rental.  I love it. but it literally is a little rusty when it comes to the style department.

But who wouldn't want to come visit in the summer here?!  Mandi, you would love it.

Now i'll be just highlighting the main rooms, pointing out its flaws...pretty  much everything I would love Mandi to redo!

First up is the Girl's Bedroom.

I did not clean it up for visual affect.

This room is screaming for a makeover.

 I definitely wan to redo this dresser.

Their poor closet.  So much wasted space...

I even have a bunk bed waiting to be redone for their room....it's just on the "list"

Next up is the living room.  This room gets the most attention from me.  It's not as sparse or in need or serious help but I would love some pointers from Mandi.

Here's the view when you walk in from the front door.

There are my book puff balls in action!

Next is my dining room.  It could definitely use some work...

That desk is on my redo list as well...

Laundry room...we won't even go there...

Down the stairs...

To the cave toy room!

Upstairs you'll find my craft room.  Not worried about this one except I would love some organization tips!!

There you have it, a tour of my home with a plea for help from Mandi over at Vintage Revivals.

PS- Mandi, I am available June 1st to the 9th...that should be plenty of time, right?!

What room would you want to redo?

I'm linking up to THESE parties