Monday, April 25, 2011

Simplify: Guest Blogger - Torrie Sessions, A Place To Share

Happy Monday! While I'm hanging with the new babe I asked some of my favorite bloggers to sound off on my favorite topic - Simplifying your life - first up is Torrie, who writes the fantastic blog A Place to Share...not only is she one of the nicest, coolest girls on the interweb, I always look to her blog for parenting sanity and wisdom...thanks for sharing T!! xoxo, M

 
As much as we strive to simplify each year- each spring- after the holidays, we find ourselves in the same spot.  Overstocked and under-prepared.  Let me preface by mentioning that we live in a relatively small southern CA home.  In other words, one holiday and a couple of birthdays can put us over the edge.  The age-old organization dilemma...  too much stuff - not enough space.  Each year, we continue to streamline, to sort through the old, and make room for the new.  We feel focused, organized, and prepared.  Yet, with the onslaught of summer vacations, homework assignments, birthday parties, and extracurricular activities... the holidays hit us like a mack truck- leaving us flat on our backs (under Barbie dolls, DVDs, Wii games, craft supplies, candles, dishes, cookbooks...).

Well, enough is enough.   This spring, Simplification has become our middle name, and we are on a mission to keep it that way.  We're not aiming for perfection, but at the very least, "a place for everything..." (aka- the clutter culprits, the collections, the gadgets... the good, the bad, and the "unaesthetic"), so that "...and everything in its place" could be a little more attainable.  

Here are some of the most simple, yet effective changes we've made.


Moved all of our DVDs to a media door & wall rack.  
  
{holds a ton, accessible, and hidden!}
   Image via

Placed the endless piles of magazines (a future project) in two wine crates.

{a chic storage solution for an irrational collection}
Image via

Hung mini magnetic strips right above the desk for 'must-see' paperwork, photos, clippings etc. 
  
{and reserved the bulletin board for artwork, photos, and other pieces of inspiration}



 Images via here & here

Consolidated all video games into a CD wallet.

{and stored the cases into a bin in the garage}
Image via
    

That's just a few, but I'm sure there will be more once Michelle returns and shares a bit more of her newly organized home! (ahhhhh, the wonder of having a professional organizer)

Thank you Michelle for havin' me!  

I'm sure we all agree that Michelle is unequivocally the sweetest, chicest, most down-to-earth blogger around, and I'm honored to be here =).

16 comments:

  1. I love Spring cleaning and organizing. I know it's odd, but I just love it. Too bad I can't keep it pretty and neat all year long. Great tips Torrie.

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  2. I love looking at organization ideas! Great picks. I just have to make it happen...Haha. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Great tips, Torrie! I loved this post to bits. Hope to put it to practice soon.xx

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  4. Oh wonderful tips and post Torrie! You are exceptional and I can never get enough organization ideas! Hopefully when things tune down a little I can get back into my spring cleaning mode (I was in full force until about 2 weeks ago!LOL)

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  5. The media door rack is a great idea. I might look into that.

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  6. I agree. I can never have enough organization tips and inspiration. I think organization becomes a constant project when you have kids and the stuff just multiplies daily. My problem seems to be maintenance. I create a system that works well for about a month and then, little by little, things get out of control because, yup, you said it, daily life gets in the way! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  7. I love the idea of using vintage wine crates for storage. Thanks, Torrie!

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  8. love the magnetic strips!! such good ideas!

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  9. Thank you again Michelle for having me... and everyone else for the sweet comments!

    Just a quick side-note-
    That media storage rack holds more than it appears!

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  10. Great post, Torrie! Love the idea of putting the magazines in the wine crates!

    xo jess
    http://cheapbutchicclothes.blogspot.com/

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  11. I am so inspired by all your spring cleaning!!! Now, if I could only get off my couch and chug the rest of this coffee, I may make some progress! Thanks for sharing some great ideas. xo

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  12. Yay, love it when my fave ladies get together!

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  13. I love the idea of the over the door media storage. My boyfriend could seriously take advantage of that, although I fear he'd use up every door with his DVD storage!

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  14. I love the idea of organizing my mags in wine crates. They're currently overflowing in one basket!

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  15. Great post Torrie, love it. The wine box thing is a wonderful idea and very atmospheric too!

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  16. Torrie-You must have a super organized house! I like the wine idea..then again I like any idea that involves wine! ha ha

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I'm hanging on your every word...let me know what you think!