Good morning, blog friends! 
After Body Pump last night, I slept like a baby. Apparently, the class kicked my butt!
This morning, I planned to wake up and do some writing, but somehow I slept through my alarm. 
Maybe some writing will happen this afternoon? Will someone please give me a little kick it the butt? 
Breakfast
I felt like a mad scientist in the kitchen this morning. I had so many ingredients that I wanted to add to my oats. I just kept throwing different things into the pot!
In the mix:
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup non-fat milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Wheatberries
- Chia seeds
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- 1 banana
- 2 scoops of peanut butter
And, I enjoyed some iced coffee with breakfast.
Project: Anti-Clutter Bug
I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand clutter. For some reason, it just stresses me out. So, my goal for our new apartment is organize it in such a way that discourages clutter. Like most people, I have a crazy-busy life, so creating ways to keep everything in its place will make life so much easier down the road.
Here are just a few ideas that I’ve implemented in our new home:
Towels
Instead of stacking our towels, I roll them and put them in a big basket in the bathroom closet. Rolling the towels takes up less space and it looks pretty.
Sheets
I forget where this idea came from (I think Martha Stewart?), but it’s one of my favorites!
I keep my sheet sets organized by storing them inside one of the pillow cases from each set. I fold the flat and fitted sheets and all of the pillow cases except for one, which I then use to put all of the sheets and other pillow cases inside. So, when I need a set of sheets, they’re all together in one place.
Pet Supplies
I keep all of Murphy’s doggie supplies in a basket near the door. It makes taking him out so much easier because I’m not wandering around the house looking for his leash or poop bags.
Everyday Items
Similarly, Mal and I keep our everyday items, like car keys and sunglasses, in a bowl near the door. That way, we can just grab and go on our way out. I really hate forgetting my sunglasses, so this is a foolproof way to make sure that I remember them.
Wine
I’m not an expert when it comes to wine, but a wine rep (and friend of mine) told me that I should lay my bottles on their side, so the wine stays in contact with the cork, which prevents it from oxidizing.
I love the way that this wine rack looks, too!
Question of the Day
Are you a neat freak or a clutter bug? Or a combination of the two?
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Don’t forgot to vote for your favorite dress! Be sure to include the full name of the dress in the comments; I can’t count your vote otherwise.
And, does anyone get Woman’s World Magazine? Rumor has it that I am quoted in this month’s issue!?!
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Loved this post, Tina. Such great tips – my favorite is the one with the sheets. Brilliant! I may invest in a little basket for the towels too – I agree it looks fancier this way
I am really messy but if I don’t neaten up in a few days, it drives me crazy. Adam and I had a major cleaning sesh on Sunday afternoon and it felt so good!
I’m a clutter bug, but I want to be a neat freak! I think my biggest problem now is that I don’t have a permanent home. Since I’m in school very far from where I intend to live after, there’s no point in buying a bunch of stuff now since I’m going to have to get rid of it when I move. Lack of paying job also is a deterrent from stocking up on organizational things like baskets and boxes. I know this sounds like a bunch of excuses but I guess money is the biggest factor. I try to designate corners and areas for things instead of containers.
I’m working on getting myself to more of a neat freak, but most of the time I am a total clutter bug! I love that sheets in the pillowcase idea, I am definitely going to steal that one.
I love that wine rack! so cool. Get writing…you won’t want to have to write it all at once and be rushed later on! Get to it gf!
I’m a neat freak! I clean the kitchen before I cook or have to clean my room before I accomplish any work. I love the sheet storage idea… Real Simple always has great ideas too. It’s always the everyday papers and mail and “to-do” pile that drives me crazy since it can get so cluttery!
Neat Freak! I call myself terminally practical!
I am a bit of a neat freak and clutter bug…if that makes sense! I’m kind of a pack rat (I’m getting better!) where I keep things in case I *might* need them in the future. I’m definitely getting better about this and have thrown away my fair share of stuff! I find I’m getting more of a neat freak as I get older.
Thanks for those great tips! I love that idea of putting sheets in the pillow case to keep everything together. And those towels do look great, like at a spa or something!
omg, what great ideas Tina! love the towel baskets
I am sooo cluttered and my boyfriend’s a neat freak, heh heh
<3 http://www.prettytimepiece.org
I will sometimes let a little clutter build up but then it stresses me out! There is nothing better than feeling organized
I’m definitely not a neat freak, but I’m a neat freak wannabe. I love the sheet idea.
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and have gotten such great ideas, so I wanted to delurk to say that, but also to help out and answer your Woman’s World question.
Woman’s World is a weekly magazine – you’re quoted in this week’s issue (March 1st, 2010) with Abby from Biggest Loser on the cover, in a section on the best instant coffee (your comment is about the starbucks VIA ready brew). Hope that helps!
These are great ideas! I’m a total neat freak and I need everything in it’s place! I love the sheet idea, I’m definitely using that!
I’m very neat n tidy! I just love a clean, organized house… keeps me feeling sane and in control! The only thing that drives my husband nuts is that I have a tendency to throw things away… I’m like an anti-hoarder!
I’m an insane neat freak. I can’t go to bed or leave the house if things aren’t put away. Clutter stresses me out to no end. I love the pillowcase idea. Another idea for sheet sets: I fold mine into even squares then stack all of the set on top of one another. Then I use a cute ribbon to tie it all together. The sets get stacked in the closet but you can pick them apart because they’re all tied up (I use different colored ribbons). Plus, it looks really pretty when you go in the closet. And if you’re OCD like me you like to have closed storage areas still organized.
Oh I HATE clutter!!! And un-made beds! I have to make my bed every day and if time gets away from me and I don’t do it…I HAVE to make it before I go to sleep! (weird I know…but I HATE getting in wrinkled sheets!)
I do that with my sheets! It’s such a good idea! I am a neat freak when I am cleaning but after a few days it gets messy again.
I’m both! I hate hate hate it when the house is cluttered, but I’m the one that usually clutters it!
Oh yeah, while we are on the subject…..the last week or so I have tried a Quick Clean-Up routine. Before I get ready for bed, I set the timer for 5 minutes. Then I go through the house, pick things up, put them away, hang clothes, straighten throw pillows, etc. It works like a charm! By giving myself just 5 minutes I’m not discouraged at the idea of having to straighten up, and at the same time, 5 minutes is enough to get quite a bit done. Totally worth trying for the clutter bugs out there!
we’re about to move and i am determined to implement creative and neat-looking ways to store everyday items. i LOVE the sheet storing idea. so stinkin’ creative. that martha knows what she’s doin’.
i am definitely more of a neat freak than a clutter bug… but i’m not clean… i like things tidy and neat, but i hate vacuuming, dusting, and overall cleaning.
i’m a neat freak!!! that’s my clutter is…hidden. hahaha!
great tips…a huge bed with glorious space UNDERNEATH it is great trick too.
I am uber organzied, so much so it drives my husband crazy! I have all our Fiesta dishes arranged by color for plates and bowls
Neat freak! can’t deal with clutter either. I Love your sheet and towel idea. I have a fun mail organizer which hangs on the wall by the door, which also has hooks for keys/work IDs on the bottom. I have a seperate drawer for all our sunglasses and Ipods/headphones! having stuff like that lying around makes my skin crawl.
I’m a neat freak. I have baskets for organizing. But clutter creaps in our apartment since its so small. When we have more space it will be easier since now we don’t have enough book shelf space.
Clutter is the devil. Cannot stand it. Unfortunately, my husband and son are clutter critters. Gah! It is a never-ending battle.
I am definitely a combination of the two! Certain areas of my home are very organized, like my living room, kitchen, and bedroom. But others, like the closets and my 2nd bedroom (aka junk storage) are out of control!
I’m a neat freak all the way! But with a husband and two little ones, it’s hard to stay on top of it!
I’m a combo…if I had more time I would be a neat freak. I love organizing and decluttering but it never stays that way. I’ve gotta work on it.
I love the towel idea! I do the same thing with my sheets…love it!
I am a neat freak and I HATE clutter!!! ahh it drives me banana’s.. I really like the idea about the sheets!
I am most definitely a neat freak! And that’s saying a lot as a college student! But clutter stresses me out and I think keeping things clean and organized is a simple way to feel more in control.
I’m a combo of the two… I let some things slide, whereas I’m completely OCD about other things. Like pictures- they’re all in photo albums in exact chronological order… Funny- because I can’t seem to keep clothes off my bedroom floor, but my pictures are in exact order!
I think I am a cross between the two – though I prefer things to be NEAT. I don’t like how clutter looks – and that it can take time to rifle through..
I’m generally a slob, until I hit my breaking point and then I clean like a crazy lady and it stays that way for a few days. Then I slowly digress again. It’s a vicious cycle.
Bah, I am SUCH a clutter bug and my boyfriend hates it. But our teeny apartment completely ENCOURAGES clutter. I have so much stuff… and there’s no room for it! And even to get baskets and things to organize, no room for those either!
That said, my boyfriend got this apartment for ONE person (its a very small Manhattan studio) before i moved here… so it was only meant to fit one comfortably.
I can’t wait to get a new apartment and be less cluttered!
i would like to think i’m a neat freak at heart, but for the time being i’m a total clutterbug! i love these ideas though…i’m forwarding them on to my husband for inspiration
I am SUCH a neat freak, how did I not know about that sheets/pillowcase trick? That is awesome! I am totally stealing it
i am definitely both. when it comes to school i am ridiculously organized, i can’t stand to have notes/papers in the wrong folder. same with work. my desk is nice and organized. but when it comes to my actual life i am an absolute clutter bug.
I do a lot of the same things you do – but I LOVE the sheets idea! Can’t wait to fold them when I get home!
I am a total neat freak. I feel like things are closing in on me when there is clutter. Great idea for storing sheets!
I do the same thing with my towels and sheets!!! I love that the towels look prettier! I also have a basket for my keys, etc. It feels great to have no clutter, which definitely = no stress for me!
I love all your ideas especially rolling the towels and putting the sheets in the pillow cases! I definitely wouldn’t call myself a neat freak but the one thing that bothers me is a messy kitchen.
I am 100% a neat freak and my friends harass me about it all the time but, in my opinion, a clutter-free home = a clutter-free mind!
I absolutely LOVE the sheet set idea, I’m going to implement that as soon as I get home today
TOTAL NEAT FREAK.
I love the sheets in a pillow case idea! and the baskets for the towels! I roll up my towels, but then stuff them onto a shelf and they never stay in place!
If you don’t have one of these for Murphy, I highly recommend them! SO helpful/convenient!
http://www.petco.com/product/106230/PETCO-Bags-on-a-Roll-Blue-Bone-Dispenser-with-Bags.aspx?cm_mmc=CSEMGooglebase-_-Dog-_-PETCO-_-1066722&mr:trackingCode=C0E8EB15-8381-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA
I’m a clutter bug. I try not to be, but I keep accumulating *stuff.* A lot of this is b/c my pack rat parents give me all sorts of random *stuff* (second novels in a series of 5 and empty jelly jars spring to mind as typical examples) and so things gradually accumulate. And since I have no where for things to go, they get shoved somewhere which leads to clutter. I am totally going to try your towel and sheet tricks though!
I am definitely a combo of the two. My place gets cluttered when I’m super busy or stressed and for some reason can’t seem to deal with putting things away. Usually I’m pretty tidy though but I would never say I was a neat freak, that wouldn’t go down in my house. I would go crazy tidying up after others (I only live with one other person, I just don’t want to single him out). I love the sheets idea, thanks for that! Now, about the book writing thing, I’m kicking you in the butt right now. Think about how amazing it is that you have a book deal and you’re so great at writing it would be mean to hide it from the world!
I’m a neat freak with clutter tendencies. Plus I live with a clutter bug. We do some of things that you do! Our cat and dog each have their own basket – now if I could only convince my clutter-bug boy to put the stuff back into the basket . . . :0]
I am an organizational freak! Luckily hubs keeps things generally picked up or I’d have meltdowns
I try my hardest to be neat. The problem? I have too much junk.
I love your ‘neat freak’ tricks… our apartment is clean but it gets cluttered FAST and a cluttered house looks like a dirty house. We clorox wipe every surface multiple times a day but we leave clutter around way too much
All of a sudden I have become a MAJOR neat freak! I used to be a mess in college but when I moved into my first post-grad house I became addicted to being organized. It makes my life so much simpler than before
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