YOU CAN PLAN ON IT!

TWENTY STYLISH PLANNERS TO LOOK AHEAD AT 2019:

Mint $28 // Navy Dot Simplified $58 // Saturday & Sunday $21 // Marigold Desk Pad $11

Flax Dot Linen $34 // Linen White $20 // I Am Very Busy $28 // I'm Such A Professional $35

Stick To It Pad $18 // Navy Cloth & Gold Foil $30 //  Pink & Red $10 // Fog Weekly Planning Pad $14

Aqua Large Pocket Book Planner $25 // Red Lips $48 // Sounds Like A Plan $35 // Large Spotty Dot $36

Chambray Stripe $34 // Ashley G. Gold Foil $14 // Hazelnut Cream Linen $26 //Oxford Blue $38

** I highly recommend these pens, or any of the functional (and aesthetically pleasing!) writing instruments sold at Greer!

A MOM'S GUIDE TO STORAGE

With Max's birthday quickly approaching AND Christmas two months later, I'm getting a mean case of the storage sweats. Gah, that term sounds awful! There's probably a reason no one has trademarked that one. Yikes! I'm sorry I went there, but I'm sure my fellow organization queens feel me. Anyone?! Alright, I'm talking about the panic that sets in when you feel the urge to keep ALL THE STUFF tidy. I've learned quickly that the bigger the child gets, the larger the toys are, and the easier it is to acquire way too much. As a product of the military lifestyle, purging comes second nature to me. From a young age I saw my mom do it regularly. I know it's necessary and needs to be done often to minimize chaos and clutter—especially if there's a kid in the mix! And while I really don't want my obsessive-compulsive tendencies to rub off on my child, I do want Max to know that everything has a place and purpose. It's been especially fun to watch him mature and make a concerted effort to put things away when he's done. In fact, he may even clap for himself once he's returned an item and I like to think that's because he also appreciates organization like his mama. We'll see if he still applauds his efforts when he's a teen. Ha Ha! I have a feeling our days are numbered.

Because the Monica in me could discuss a topic like this for days (but I'll spare you...), I thought I'd share a few tips I've found handy over the past two years in addition to a few of my favorite storage bins and baskets. And away we go...

• I typically decorate with a lot of color throughout the house. Since Max is a man on the move, it's very rare that he plays in just one spot. As a result, I've staged two main baskets in our living room and kitchen to distribute toys and books throughout our house. For this reason, I've opted to pick containers that are neutral or have some sort of textured/shiny detail. Between his toys and my knick-knacks, we run the risk of our house looking like a crayon box vomited all over the place, so I like to keep these organizational pieces simple and mature looking.

• Max's room has an eight-cube organizer unit (similar to this) that we got from IKEA. When he was little it also doubled as his changing station. We began using these striped bins to store toys in lieu of his diapers, wipes, etc, because his needs have changed and there was no longer a reason to store those items in that spot any longer. I like canvas bins like this because you can put stuff in them, you don't have to see any of it, and they're easy to clean. We currently fill half of the shelves with canvas bins and the other half is used to display/store books, toys, and tchotchkes. Because I like organizing a bit too much, I've designated each bin to a category of toys (i.e. dress-up items, animals, cars, and balls). I've found it's best to go through his toys every few months by dumping all the bins out and grouping them into various categories. I try to keep this part fairly general and not get too specific. This is clearly more for my sanity than Max's. However, I would like to maintain the four-bin rule because it forces me to go through his stuff more often.

• Because kids are often spoiled by family and friends, they typically end up with A LOT of treasures. For this reason, I try to split up Max's toys and store some of them in his closet. I've noticed that by swapping out his stuff on a regular basis, the toys remain a novelty and keep his attention for longer periods of time. Too much clutter can make anyone feel overwhelmed and overstimulated, so this technique benefits everyone—mostly yours truly!

• Some people might find this pointless, but because aesthetics and organization mean a lot to me, I opt to spend more money on bins and baskets that double as decor. Having one or two pieces like this keeps me from feeling like our house was taken over by a toddler. That being said, anything that ends up as storage in his closet doesn't have to be special. I load up on plastic tubs from IKEA, Walmart, Dollar General, etc. If we had a Target, I'd be ALL over it.

• No matter what stage your kid is at, these suitcase storage bins are invaluable. They originally held Max's teethers and tiny toys when he was an infant, but now they're used for Legos, wooden blocks, and art supplies. Since we have two sets, I like to keep one of the suitcases empty for Max to use on his own. Whenever I'm cooking dinner, working on a project outside, or we head into town to run errands, I inevitably need to keep Max entertained. These are all perfect opportunities for him to fill his suitcase with various books and trinkets from his room. I suppose it only makes sense that my kid gets a kick out of toting around boxes and bags. Monkey see, monkey do. Right?!

• Max and I share a bathroom, so I've devoted a drawer to his body lotion, shampoo, diapers, wipes, etc. When it comes to bath toys, we store them in this Boon Frog Pod. When I originally bought it, I had NO clue how handy it would be.

• As for books, we use this Babyletto Tree Bookshelf in addition to the primary shelving unit (mentioned above) and two of these metal locker bins. I anticipate Max's library will continue to grow, so I have my eye on this Linear Book Cart as one of our next big storage purchases. It might end up being a certain toddler's practical Christmas present this year.

• While I don't exactly have the extra cash to buy everything I'd like from Land of Nod, I do love poring over their catalogs for inspiration and ideas. The company has an impeccable way of incorporating colors and pieces that manage to appease both adults and children. When I look through their catalog, I try to pay attention to the little things like their whimsical details along with big-picture ideas such as the setup of bedrooms and play areas.

FEATURED BASKETS AND BINS:

STEELE CANVAS LAUNDRY CART $189 VIA REJUVENATION

SAVED BY THE CUBE LOCKER BINS $25 VIA LAND OF NOD

VARIERA BOX $5 VIA IKEA

I COULD'VE BIN A THINGS BIN $10 VIA LAND OF NOD

CAMBRIA POM STORAGE $58 VIA SERENA AND LILY

AW SNAP CUBE BIN $13 VIA LAND OF NOD

LEGO STORAGE BRICK $16 VIA AMAZON

BOON FROG BATH TOY SCOOP $19 VIA AMAZON

HIGH CONTRAST CUBE BIN $39 VIA LAND OF NOD

BON VOYAGE SUITCASE SET $20 VIA LAND OF NOD

WIGGLES BASKET $88 VIA LEIF 

CLIP STORAGE BOX $6 VIA TARGET

FJALLA BOX WITH LID $11 VIA IKEA

COPPER WIRE ROUND BASKET $20 VIA TARGET

CRISSCROSS CUBE BIN $20 VIA LAND OF NOD

LINEAR BOOK CART $299 VIA LAND OF NOD

Alright, I think I've rambled enough for now. If you have any questions or suggestions, throw them my way!

Store Your Bling in Style

A friend recently asked me how I store and organize my jewelry via Instagram. The subject of the snapshot revolved around a lazy Sunday morning in bed watching Housewives reruns on Bravo.  I would have never envisioned that people would start picking up on details in the background. Because I'm obsessed with organization and I believe everything should have a place of its own, I quickly jumped to answer her question with the kind of punchy enthusiasm only a Type-A would appreciate. I feed off this! Next to card stock and office supplies, this is the kind of stuff that makes me jazzed. While I don't have any groundbreaking ideas, I figured I would share a few storage and display tools that have worked for me over the years. The best part? They're all thrifty ways to display your bling.

• Mannequin and Dress Forms: Find one of these on sites like Etsy and Ebay, or make friends with someone in the world of retail. Quite honestly, this is one of my favorite ways to display my necklaces! It's easy to stack pieces and the more you add, the snazzier it looks! If you're a lover of all things shiny, then it might as well be incorporated into the decor of your home.
• Chicken Wire: This has got to be one of the cheapest and most accessible ways to store necklaces and dangly earrings. I saw it on a blog several years ago, and I just LOVED the idea! When you have a lot of costume jewelry, buying little containers for each and every piece can get expensive and take up a lot of room. I also adore the fact that it keeps necklaces from getting tangled. Those long chains can be pesky!
• Wood Hand Manikins: When I was a kid living in Europe, I managed to get my parents to buy me one of these at Ikea. The wooden hand form has traveled all over and moved with me from dorm rooms to endless base housing units. The fingers are always positioned to say "I love you" in sign language because that's how my mom adjusted it whenever she'd come in my room. It's a knick-knack with a sweet reminder and has recently become home to my favorite enamel bangles. I started to run out of room and the idea hit me. Now this little tchotchke is heavily adorned in a colorful stack of bracelets. 
• Pretty Bowls: Jewelry pieces worn on a regular basis should always be accessible. I picked up a few ornately designed bowls at Anthropologie (on sale, yahoo!), and I started storing them on my nightstand. Whenever I'm getting ready and I start layering accessories, they're in a convenient spot. There's no real science to storing your bracelets this way, and I like that it takes on a very imperfectly perfect vibe. Much like the dress form and chicken wire, the display of the bracelets becomes a piece of art in its own way. It's functional home decor that says something about your personality and individual style. These little details make all the difference throughout your house; they make it unique to YOU.
• Jewelry Box: My in-laws bought me a lovely green leather jewelry box several years ago (similar here). It's one of my favorite gifts I've ever received because it's something beautiful and functional, and I probably would have never spent the money on one for myself. It's placed on my nightstand next to my bowls filled with bangles. In the jewelry box, I store pieces that I might not wear on a regular basis and heirlooms that are dear to me. It's a safe place to store jewelry that I don't want to tarnish or lose.

What about you? Any organizational tricks or tips? I'd love to know!

Guest Post: Annie's Organization

Illustration by Caroline Wang

Hi there, One Fine Day-ers! I'm so delighted to be posting for Mademoiselle Fine, who personally requested some guidance in the makeup organization department. She certainly isn't alone, as I know many of you bitties out there similarly struggle with keeping your beautifiers neat. Here are some ideas straight out of the Live Simply playbook.

The Tuesday Ten

Images via: Stationery / Seaside / Dawson's Creek / Dessert (1 & 2) / Fresh Linens / Routine (Pink Clock) / Organization / To-Do List (1 & 2) / Suitcases / Chevron Print / Happy

         10 Random Things: Amanda Hessler

         I love the beach, but am more than terrified of deep water.

         I dream of owning my own stationery business!

         My sister is my absolute best friend, and has been my whole life!  We have literally never had a fight, and call each other multiple times throughout the day even though we live in the same city.

         I’m a chocoholic and eat some form of dessert after dinner EVERY night.

        I have borderline OCD and organization makes my heart happy.

        There is nothing better to me than getting into a bed full of clean linens.

        Dawson’s Creek is still my favorite show, and my sister and I share the entire series on DVD that I watch more often than I should admit.  (I have a serious passion for television).

        I inherited a need for routine from my dad and am a major creature of habit.  I never apply body wash before conditioner in the shower, or put on make-up before making my bed in the morning.

        My nephews mean the world to me, and I feel so cool and honored when someone mistakes me as their mom out in public!  I only wish I was a hip, young mom with two adorable, fashionable little guys like my amazing sister!

        I love a good to-do list, and feel a sense of accomplishment anytime I get to cross an item off.  Sometimes I add an item I may have already completed, just so I can cross it off!

How much do I love Amanda? Let me count the ways...

         Despite our college rivalries (she's a Jayhawk, I'm a Tiger),  I'm convinced we could be long-lost sisters. We share mutual feelings about the beach and fine paper goods; adore our sisters; we've got a serious sweet tooth; love fresh linens, organization, and tackling our to-do lists; we're creatures of habit (what of it?); and I can't wait to be an aunt one day! Oh, and the part about Dawson's Creek? I think I'm forever endeared to Amanda. In my 7th grade English class, I wrote my parents an argumentative paper as to why I should be allowed to watch Dawson, Pacey, and Joey each week. For the record, I got an A on the paper and was allowed to tune in, but only with supervision. Thanks for sharing, Amanda! You've given me a reason to Netflix old episodes and escape to Capeside this next weekend.

Interested in sharing 10 random things?

Just email me.

Happy Tuesday!

Toodles,

ANF