Organized Clutter

July 2, 2010

Happy, happy FRIDAY! :mrgreen:

I started my morning with a delicious piece of Banana-Blueberry Spelt Bread with whipped butter smeared on top. On the side, I had some chunks of watermelon and peach. I usually like big, hearty breakfasts in the morning, but I wanted something a little on the light side today.

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And, as always, I enjoyed a big ol’ glass of iced coffee with soy milk.

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A little while later, I helped myself to another piece of Banana-Blueberry Spelt Bread with whipped butter. I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty awesome bread! :-D

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Organized Clutter: A Closet Case

I think that I’m an organized person, but if you ask my husband, he will laugh hysterically and say just the opposite. He thinks I’m a total slob, which I’m really not, but compared to him, it might seem that way! ;-)

I like things nice and neat (hence my love for hotels), but I don’t take the time to organize my personal space (my closet, dressers, and desk) until it gets really messy. I always know where things are– everything has a place– but it just doesn’t look organized.

Last night, I was supposed to go to yoga class, but my plans got messed up. I ended up having a night free at home, so I decided to tackle the organizational nightmare in the bedroom.

BEFORE:

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As you can see, everything is where it is supposed to be (sweaters up top, dresses and tops on hangers, etc.), it just didn’t look pretty and organized.

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The bottom of my closet was a complete disaster. I kept all of purses and bags on the floor because, obviously, that’s a good place for them? :-?

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My dresser drawers were also very messy. For example, my workout gear was all thrown together into one drawer, which made it difficult to dig out a sports bra or pair of socks when I needed them.

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I own a million t-shirts, so, of course, those were a mess too.

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The top of my dresser was equally unorganized. (Man, I have a lot of crap stuff.)

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I organized my drawers last night, but waited until this morning to tackle my closet. (It was too dark to take photos last night.) The first thing I did was take everything out of my closet and put it on my bed. I went through my clothes, folded what I wanted to keep, and donated the rest. Then, I put everything back into my closet, nice and neat.

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Of course, Murphy helped me.

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Pugs are great with organization projects! ;-)

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AFTER:

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Sports bras all in one place.

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Pants, shorts, and socks separated for easy access.

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Organized “unmentionables.” (Organizer is from Ikea.)

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I also prettied the top of my dresser. (That cute baby is my husband! :-D )

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Catch-all for my everyday jewelry.

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Best jewelry box ever! My sister gave it to me as a wedding gift and it keeps everything so organized. I love that I can see all of my jewelry.

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I put all of my small workout gear in a basket on top of my other dresser: headbands, iPod, headphones, Garmin, etc. I hate wandering around the house looking for this stuff when I just want to go exercise. Now, it’s all in one place.

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And my closet… SO MUCH better! :mrgreen:

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My tall boots are held up by empty wine bottles!

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Ahhh… now it looks organized too! :-D

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Question of the Day

Are you a neat freak or clutter bug? Or some combination of both?

P.S. I forgot to pick a winner for the electric toothbrush giveaway this morning, so you have until this afternoon to enter!

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{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }

Jocelyn July 2, 2010 at 9:45 am

I’m all about the organized clutter! I like the set up on your dresser though..looks like it’s straight out of “real simple” ;)

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Meghan@traveleatlove July 2, 2010 at 9:46 am

Love the photo of Murphy with the sock!

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Katie @ Healthy Heddleston July 2, 2010 at 9:47 am

I am not going to lie, I was having some anxiety during the first set of pictures :P

Good job at organizing the organized clutter!! Kudos!

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Sagan July 2, 2010 at 9:47 am

Nice! You have a lovely place.

And man your puppy is cute.

I want to have breakfast with you.

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MaryK. July 2, 2010 at 10:20 am

Can you come to my house and organize here too? It is much needed! I hope you have a wonderful long weekend!!

I love Murphy! My dogs stay away from the socks, but love to jump on the bed and mess everything up while I’m folding clothes or cleaning. haha Hilarious to watch, but a pain to redo. :)

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Heather (Heather's Dish) July 2, 2010 at 10:30 am

you know, i could use a little help tonight… :) seriously though, way to go on the organization! it feels so good, right?!?!

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Rachel @ Suburban Yogini July 2, 2010 at 10:30 am

I’m like you… I like to think I’m neat and on the outside I am but when you open cupboard doors and drawers a different story is told. Himself is a complete neat freak, everything is so ordered…. :)

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Allie (Live Laugh Eat) July 2, 2010 at 10:32 am

I’m like you–messy but I know where everything is! Your post has actually inspired me to go clean up my closet/room. I have crap everywhere because we are packing to move. Gahhhh

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Andrea @ CanYouStayForDinner.com July 2, 2010 at 10:34 am

Great job organizing! I love to sort everything out a few times a month just to pare down the clutter. You’ve got it down pat! Thanks for the inspiration to clean out my closet!

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Jessica @ How Sweet July 2, 2010 at 10:34 am

OMG I am the same way! I hate clutter, but my closet and drawers and CAR get like that, too!

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Kyra July 2, 2010 at 10:34 am

Murphy looks worried! Great job on the organizing. I really need to do something like this soon.

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Kelly July 2, 2010 at 10:35 am

I’m definitely a combination of the two. I’m very organized, I like lists, schedules, itineraries, etc, but my closet and room are a disaster!

I saw you mention a lulu top on Twitter last night, are you still looking to unload it?

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Teri [a foodie stays fit] July 2, 2010 at 10:37 am

wow, good work! I’m the exact same way. I’m organized in my work and things I accomplish, but my surroundings tend to get really messy! And I usually wait until it’s a disaster before I address the clean-up issue. A closet reoganization is definitely in store for me soon!

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Jill@MySoCalledHealthLife July 2, 2010 at 10:37 am

Wine bottles in your boots?! That cracked me up! And it’s a great idea!!

I am such a neat freak, I can’t help it. My bf makes fun of me all the time :-)

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Sarah July 2, 2010 at 10:37 am

I’m some kind of combination of the two. I’ve been meaning to organize several parts of my house for a while now, so this post was especially inspiring to me!

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Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman July 2, 2010 at 10:39 am

I’m kind of OCD with this and feel stressed out if my closet isn’t color-coordinated. Organization lowers my blood pressure. My husband on the other hand loves to create clutter by hanging onto things he says hold sentimental value. I’m a big fan of trashing anything I don’t use.

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Beth @ DiningAndDishing July 2, 2010 at 10:40 am

I am such an organization freak! I wasn’t always this way but since I moved to DC and the bedrooms are TINY I feel like if things aren’t super organized they won’t fit!

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Amanda July 2, 2010 at 10:42 am

I am usually very organized but like you I let my closet get a little out of control. Last night I pulled everything out creating a huge mess in my room and then put it all back in…It must have been the night for organizing! Everything is nice and organized now. It’s such a good feeling!

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Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf July 2, 2010 at 10:44 am

I like things neat and clean, but 1) we don’t have a place for everything, and 2) I don’t like cleaning up until it’s SERIOUSLY a mess, and only when I have free time to devote to it. Frankly, I look at taking the time to clean as some sort of luxury.

I really think mess and clutter is normal and people are too embarassed about it. My husband freaks out when I get too messy and says that “normal people don’t live like this.” I call bull. Everyone does but nobody likes to admit it. :)

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Nicci July 2, 2010 at 10:44 am

I’m a neat freak except for the top of my dresser drawer and the closet.Everything else in the house is perfectly put away. I’m actually tackling the closet today too.

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Tina July 2, 2010 at 10:48 am

@Kelly: Someone already claimed it. Sorry!

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Catie July 2, 2010 at 10:48 am

I am just like you. I love everything organized and planned. But whenever it comes to my room it always ends up really messy.

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Lisa @ I'm an Okie July 2, 2010 at 10:50 am

I LOVE organizing and make things look neat. The trick for me is to KEEP it looking like that.

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Ashley July 2, 2010 at 10:52 am

You did a great job!! I love your wine bottle in your boots trip…such a great idea!

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Jenna (Hello, I Love You) July 2, 2010 at 10:52 am

I laughed out loud when I read this post because I also think I am really neat but compared to my husband, I look like a complete slob! I am trying to organize my house at the moment so I am definitely using my empty wine bottles for my boots. Brilliant!

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Autumn @ Good Eats Girl July 2, 2010 at 10:55 am

I love my organized clutter! My hubby is totally a neat freak compared to me! I drive him crazy! Loving the wine bottles in your boots…awesome idea!

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Freya @ Brit Chick Runs July 2, 2010 at 10:55 am

Wow, good job on the organising!! Can you come do my wardrobe next!!?

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Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries July 2, 2010 at 11:03 am

Now can you come to my house and do mine? Haha

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Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) July 2, 2010 at 11:03 am

I’m a total neat freak. I LOVE to organize!!! I love to clean. I am a freak. :)

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Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter July 2, 2010 at 11:09 am

I love being organized! After a while my stuff will become less organized, but I will get in the “mood” and organize everything!

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Heather July 2, 2010 at 11:20 am

Great job on organizing, I especially like the wine bottle idea for tall boots!

I’m a total neat freak, inherited it from my Mom. Although now that she’s retired she’s totally laid back and not as type A as she used to be. It all moved over to me! LOL

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Exercise and Eat July 2, 2010 at 11:22 am

I’m a neat freak, and I love what you’ve done with your place!

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Kelsey Geist July 2, 2010 at 11:24 am

Your closet and your dresser look awesome… unfortunately, the before shots of your dresser and closet look very similar to mine.
My husband does a lot of the laundry because he is home more often than I am and so he ends up laying a lot of my work cloths out flat to dry. We have a rack that we put them on.. its unfortunate but I end up NEVER hanging those cloths up! I just take them off of the rack and wear them… probably not the best idea. Also… The top of my closet looks JUST like your did… SO MESSY! But, its true, I know where everything is :)

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Laura (BFoxyFitness) July 2, 2010 at 11:25 am

You go girl! That looks like SOME project, but the result looks so tidy! I can’t stand clutter for very long. I have this natural urge to organize, which is ironic because my boyfriend is the exact opposite. He’s a “spreader”–instead of isolating the clutter in a closet or on a desk, it’s just dispersed randomly everywhere. Just like a little kid, I swear :)

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Corinne July 2, 2010 at 11:29 am

YOU are a genious for putting wine bottles in your boots to hold them up and hold their shape! I have been trying to think of something that would do that trick. Thanks :)

Also, I was hoping that baby pic would be of Mal. SUPER cute. Those big eyes, adorable.

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Mary @ What's Cookin' with Mary July 2, 2010 at 11:32 am

Damn! Nice work Tina!! I’m definitely on the more organized side… Things always start out ‘perfect’ and then when I’m in a rush I kinda distroy my nice stacks and then let it get bad enough to pull it all out and start again… GREAT idea with the wine bottles in the boots!

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Lynn (The Actors Diet) July 2, 2010 at 11:36 am

doesn’t cleaning your closet feel SO GOOD?! i have mine organized, but it never stays that way. i think we’re pretty similar in our closet style!

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jenna July 2, 2010 at 11:40 am

these are great organizing tips…i love that you put all your gym items in a basket! great idea.

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Lauren @ Running Examiner July 2, 2010 at 11:52 am

Wow, you did a great job organizing your closet and drawers! I’m impressed :)

I’m very clean when it comes to the condition of our apartment–kitchen, bathroom, etc.–but not very ‘clean’ when it comes to organization. My dresser drawers totally resembles the drawers in your “before” photos. My closet is only slightly better–I just have WAY too much clothing. (And I regularly donate my old clothing, too!) I do find that the “collapsible” hangers create a lot more space in my closet, and keep my dresses, skirts, etc. nicely organized.

You’re going to be my organization inspiration from now on!

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Amber K July 2, 2010 at 11:52 am

I definitely an organized clutter person. Everything is organized so that I know where to find it and have easy access to it. But it doesn’t necessarily look nice to anyone else!

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Wei-Wei July 2, 2010 at 12:06 pm

Great job! I’m definitely a mix of both – I guess it just depends on my mood. For instance I’m looking around at my desk right now… It’s really really messy but I’m just too tired (and sweaty) to care. D:

Wei-Wei

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Mary @ Bites and Bliss July 2, 2010 at 12:08 pm

My closet looks EXACTLY like the first few pictures. I keep meaning to get around to it..but we all know how that goes haha. I’d say I’m definitely a combo of both. My living room, kitchen, and bathroom are super clean and tidy..while my room’s a complete disaster zone. But see, I know where everything is- organized chaos!!

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Angela July 2, 2010 at 12:10 pm

Good question! I’m definitely both. I’m a neat freak when it comes to actual cleaning (scrubbing, sweeping, dusting) but I can let the clutter build at times. Even with clutter though, I like to keep it hidden. So my room looks clean at first glance, but you open the drawers and they are packed and not folded. I really should break this happen because it means 90% of my clothes will require ironing, but I spend so much time on the actual cleaning process that I don’t feel like spending more time folding.

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Kelly July 2, 2010 at 12:36 pm

generally pretty neat except my dresser drawers — I just throw stuff in them — socks mixed up with undies,etc — but the dresser drawers are pretty big and I do not have alot so it’s easy to find items.

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alison July 2, 2010 at 12:37 pm

Great job! I’m a neat freak. I hate clutter and cannot think properly if things are out of place. Don’t I sound like a fun girl? :)

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Lisa July 2, 2010 at 12:44 pm

That is so cute that Murphy helped!! LOL My cats need to learn how to help clean. ;)

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diana(mymarblerye) July 2, 2010 at 12:46 pm

im a neat freak living with a clutter bug…i’m constantly stressed but thank goodness he’s tried to change his ways recently!! BTW you did have a ton of clutter built up..it’s probably cause you are always out of town on fun adventures!

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Mellissa July 2, 2010 at 12:49 pm

This picture makes me happy! I love to organize and seeing everything in its place puts a smile on my face.

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Courtney @ Three Months July 2, 2010 at 1:10 pm

I’m definitely a mixture of both! Some things I’m super strict about keeping clean (the bathroom), other things (i.e. my closet!) I don’t care!

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Michelle July 2, 2010 at 1:15 pm

Wow, you just made me feel SO much better, my closet looks just like all your “before” pictures!!! I’d say I’m like you, I think I’m organized, and people at work think I’m organized, and when I’m planning something (wedding, trip, gift drive, etc) I’m very organized. But my clothes closet, craft closet, pantry are a mess! And my husband is a neat freak, it drives him nuts!

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