The Art of Pantry Organization
Pantry organization is a simple way to streamline your kitchen and simplify meal prep. By grouping similar items, utilizing vertical space, and rotating your stock, you'll ensure that you can easily find what you need and prevent food waste.
A well-organized pantry is a key ingredient for a successful kitchen. It is one of the most essential aspects of kitchen organization that is often overlooked. Not only does it make meal prep easier, but it also saves time and money by preventing food waste and overbuying. A well-organized pantry ensures that you can easily find what you need and that nothing goes to waste. However, keeping your pantry organized can be daunting, especially if you have limited space. Let’s explore three essential tips for pantry organization that will help streamline your kitchen and make your life easier.
Group Similar Items Together
The first step in pantry organization is to group similar items. This means keeping all canned goods in one spot, all baking supplies in another, etc. This method makes it easy to find what you need and helps you keep track of what you have. When you can easily see all your canned goods in one place, you'll be less likely to buy duplicates, saving you money. Win-Win. For example, you could use baskets or bins to corral items that don't stack well, like snacks or spices. And make sure you use labels!
Utilize Vertical Space
Another key to pantry organization is utilizing vertical space. Most pantries have shelves that are too far apart, wasting valuable storage space. Consider adding additional shelves by purchasing shelf risers or installing adjustable shelving. This will allow you to store smaller items, like spices or snacks, on the top shelf and more oversized items, like cereal boxes or canned goods, on the bottom. You can even use the back of your pantry door to hang a spice rack or over-the-door organizer for additional storage. It's a great way to maximize your space and make the most out of your pantry.
Rotate Your Stock
Finally, you must rotate your stock regularly to prevent food waste. This means putting newly purchased items in the back of your pantry and moving older items to the front. Doing this will ensure that you use older items before they expire and prevent them from getting lost in the back of your pantry. Additionally, consider keeping a running list of pantry staples so you know what you need to purchase before you run out. This will help you avoid overbuying and ensure you always have what you need.
Pantry organization is a simple way to streamline your kitchen and simplify meal prep. By grouping similar items, utilizing vertical space, and rotating your stock, you'll ensure that you can easily find what you need and prevent food waste. With a little effort, you can transform your pantry into a well-organized space that will make your life easier in the long run. Remember, a well-organized pantry is not only aesthetically pleasing but will also save you time and money in the long run. So, take the time to organize your pantry today and reap the benefits for years to come or at least until you buy more groceries.
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Organizing Your Home Office
Working from home can be a fantastic experience, but it can also be challenging. One of the biggest challenges of home-based work is dealing with clutter
ORGANIZE YOUR HOME OFFICE
Working from home can be a fantastic experience, but it can also be challenging. One of the biggest challenges of home-based work is dealing with clutter. When we work from home, we tend to accumulate things, and if we're not careful, our home office can quickly become a mess. Let’s Use the C.H.A.O.S. Method to get you started!
Categorize
Categorize your paperwork: medical bills, electric bills, invoices, receipts, etc. Put it in stacks in categories. If it’s junk mail, why is it in your office? Chuck it.
Helpful or Hurtful
Why are you keeping that paper? Do you truly need it or can you find it electronically when and if you need it? If you have stacks of paper because you might possibly need it one day, is that helpful to your goal of an organized office?
Action
Decide what you need to keep, what can be tossed and what can be filed. Keep, Toss, File. Pick One.
Organize
Assess the space and see if you need any bins or drawer organizers. Put your items in their respective new home. Pro tip-Keep things you need access to nearby so you don’t have to go hunting for it later.
Simplify
Make sure everything is labeled so that you remember exactly where things belong. Labeling is also a great way to help others put things back that they borrow.
Pro Tip:Set a timer each day for 5-10 minutes to go through your papers and your desk will stay organized.
Decluttering your home office can be daunting, but it's well worth the effort. By starting small, using storage solutions, and creating a system, you can transform your workspace into a clean, organized, and functional environment.
Take the time to declutter your home.
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11 years of Creating Peace through Education and Experience
Chaos Organizing is 11! Thats over a decade of organizing your homes!
Once, someone asked me if education or experience mattered more in organizing business, and my answer was, Both! Picture this: Armed with a dual-focus degree in Early Childhood Development and Family Studies, I dove into maternity counseling, outreach advocacy, preschool training, and education. And you know what? None of those incredible experiences would've happened without my education paving the way.
They were like puzzle pieces fitting perfectly into the picture of my successful business journey, teaching me to listen, observe, communicate, and, above all, teach.
But wait, there's more! On top of my education, I've clocked in 53 years of life experience. Yep, you heard that right. From being a working wife and mom to understanding the importance of turning a home into a sanctuary, my life's journey has been a wild ride. I've been there and done that, and I'm ready to use my real-world experience to revolutionize how people find peace in their homes. Enter the CHAOS method of Organizing – my brainchild dedicated to bringing peace and love back into our living spaces.
Fast-forward to now, and Chaos Organizing is throwing a party, celebrating 11 fantastic years in the business this April! Observing, listening, communicating, and teaching clients how to find serenity amidst the chaos has been a whirlwind. From helping creatives thrive in their mess to supporting overwhelmed moms and career-driven individuals seeking solace, my mission has been clear: transforming spaces and lives, one organized corner at a time.
And guess what? I'm not just a pro organizer; I'm also a mom who's felt the overwhelm and exhaustion, a career-driven individual needing a peaceful retreat, and a (self-proclaimed) creative soul who occasionally dives into wild craft projects. Yep, I get it because I've lived it, and that's what sets me apart.
So, why does the CHAOS method work like a charm? Because it's a perfect blend of education, experience, and real-life know-how. No two clients are the same, but with this method, we can tackle any space, turning chaos into calm and bringing that sense of peace back into your sweet home. Let's walk through that back door together, shall we? Peace and tranquility await, even in life's craziest moments! The CHAOS method is not just about organizing; it's about transforming your space and life.
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Create a Spring Capsule Wardrobe
Spring is a season of renewal and rejuvenation. It's the perfect time to declutter your closet and start fresh with a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of essential, timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. By investing in quality pieces that you love and that fit your style, you can simplify your wardrobe and make getting dressed a breeze.
Spring is a season of renewal and rejuvenation. It's the perfect time to declutter your closet and start fresh with a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of essential, timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. By investing in quality pieces that you love and that fit your style, you can simplify your wardrobe and make getting dressed a breeze.
Choosing the Right Pieces
The key to creating a successful capsule wardrobe is choosing the right pieces. Start with a color scheme that you love and that complements your skin tone. Then, choose a mix of tops, bottoms, dresses, and outerwear that can be worn together in different combinations. Look for pieces that have a classic, timeless feel, such as a trench coat, a denim jacket, or a white button-up shirt. And don't forget about accessories! A few statement pieces, like a colorful scarf or a statement necklace, can add personality to your outfits.
Mixing and Matching
Once you have your capsule wardrobe pieces, it's time to start mixing and matching. Look for ways to combine different pieces to create new outfits. For example, a chambray shirt can be worn with jeans, a skirt, or even a pair of shorts. A black blazer can be dressed up with a skirt or worn casually with jeans. And a simple white t-shirt can be paired with just about anything. By focusing on versatile pieces that can be worn in different ways, you'll be able to create a variety of outfits without feeling like you're wearing the same thing over and over again.
Staying Organized
One of the benefits of a capsule wardrobe is that it's easy to stay organized. You'll have fewer pieces to keep track of, and everything will be coordinated, so you won't have to spend as much time deciding what to wear each day. To keep your capsule wardrobe in tip-top shape, store your pieces in a way that makes sense for you. Some people prefer to hang everything in their closet, while others like to fold their clothes and store them in drawers. Whatever method you choose, make sure that your pieces are easily accessible and that you can see everything at a glance.
A spring capsule wardrobe is a great way to simplify your wardrobe and make getting dressed a breeze. By choosing the right pieces, mixing and matching, and staying organized, you'll be able to create a collection of outfits that you love and that make you feel confident and stylish. So why not give it a try? Your closet (and your mornings) will thank you!
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How to Get Your Outdoor Space Ready for Entertaining
It’s spring! One of the most favorite times in Southern homes! We Southerners love our large porches where we can socialize with the neighbors or our backyard outdoor kitchens where we can cook and entertain anywhere from 5 to 500 guests before we get into the raw, humid heat of summer. We are a social culture down here, but how do we keep these areas tidy and neat in between parties? Let me show you how!
“Traders en route from the Caribbean to the British, French and Spanish colonies were influenced by island architecture, rich with large open porches to accommodate the humid climate.”
It’s spring! One of the most favorite times in Southern homes! We Southerners love our large porches where we can socialize with the neighbors or our backyard outdoor kitchens where we can cook and entertain anywhere from 5 to 500 guests before we get into the raw, humid heat of summer.
We are a social culture down here, but how do we keep these areas tidy and neat in between parties? Let me show you how!
Porches are fairly simple since we don’t keep much out there. Wiping down furniture and swings with a damp cloth is usually all that’s needed. The porch itself can be swept or blown clear of any debris. If it has mildew, you may need a good power wash to get it all cleaned up. Most of us have taken our plants inside for winter so now is the time to bring them outside and spruce them up! (Y’all know a proper southern porch must have hanging ferns, right?) Make sure the railings and steps are safe and secure, especially if they are wood. Don’t forget to look up and make sure the ceiling fans are cleaned and old wasp nests and dirt diver houses are removed.
Outdoor kitchens need a little more TLC. Many outdoor kitchens have grills, sinks, stone counters, storage space, outdoor furniture, and umbrellas. Some even have refrigerators or other fun things, like pizza ovens! Mike and I spend one of the first weekends in spring getting everything wiped out and wiped down. We also power wash the concrete and outdoor rugs (when we aren’t at soccer games!) Finally, we make lists of things we need to buy for the upcoming entertainment season.
Wipe down all outdoor surfaces with a wet towel.
Tip: I keep all the outdoor items in closed containers because, well, Louisiana has a lot of bugs and critters.
Speaking of that, check your bug spray stock and sunscreen too. (Sunscreen expires, so check the expiration dates.)
Tip: If mosquitos are a big problem in your area, take old wine bottles and repurpose them into citronella lanterns! We have them hanging across our porch so those pesky little things don’t bother us!
We also make sure to have a full tank of propane for the Easter crawfish boil because if you grab that tank on boil day and it’s empty, you’ll be madder than a wet hen!
Here is my personal list:
Clean the grill
Wipe the counters
Scrub the sink
Clean out the beer fridge.
Clean out the trash cans and recycle cans.
Wipe ceiling fans
Check propane
Power wash concrete, outdoor rugs and outdoor cushions.
Uncover and wipe down outdoor furniture.
Uncover televisions (We can’t miss March Madness!)
Restock the outdoor spices (which live in a latch box inside because it’s too humid to keep them outside), paper goods, and outdoor linens.
Does any pool maintenance need to be done?
Check the fishing rods and tackle. (We have a pond. Hunting season is almost over so fishing begins. Remember, I live in Sportsman’s Paradise!)
Check out our Pinterest board to get some spring inspiration for your outdoor spaces!