Getting the Linen Closet Up To Snuff $10

It's happened to all of us.

Damn I can't close the linen closet!

Damn where is my favorite lotion!

Damn we are out of toilet paper and I need to wipe my bum right now!

Big fail. After the wedding we bought nice fluffy grown up towels but getting them into the linen closet was a big chore. Fold this way, fold that way. Even youtube couldn't help me. We had so much junk in the linen closet. Random lotion gift sets, four neti pots (don't ask), and plenty of stuff from my coupon hauls. I've organized it before but with the shelves only being 8inches deep, everything always manages to be in the way or I just knock everything over. It was kind of out of control and I should have taken a picture of it. Instead I visited my friend the internet for some inspiration.

Source: simplifiedbee.blogspot.com via Deb on Pinterest

Source: closets-organizer.com via J. on Pinterest

I figured the container strategy was my best bet. Each thing would have a home and I would have a harder time knocking things over.

I'm really digging the tags on that first pic and I am jealous they have room for a hamper. My first instinct is always to run to The Container Store but things can get pricey pretty quickly. However, I know everything is quality (and cute!). But sometimes you don't great quality you just need practical. Enter Dollar Tree. I discovered this store during the wedding and they do have a decent selection of things I need. I hate how disorganized it is and how grumpy the employees are but sometimes I just need what I need. Plus everything is a dollar. My toilet paper doesn't need a $7 basket.

What I need to make this all work were storage containers.

Dollar Tree ($1.00) Container Store (starting at 2.99)

Source: containerstore.com via MonoNoAvare on Pinterest

I think I managed to find practical and cute solutions. The boxes aren't that sturdy but I don't need them to be. Most days they will just sit on a shelf. But having the boxes isn't enough. You have have an organizational system.

My strategy is to put like things together.

• Hair Products
• Feminine Products
• Oral Care
• Razors Handles
• Razor Cartridges
• Hair Ties
• Toilet Paper Basket

For my makeup I further broke things into smaller bins so they would be easy to grab in the morning. I actually managed to get most of the medicine cabinet and the under the bathroom sink into the linen closet. The best part is that I did this for $8 total. Now I'm off to make cute little tags for the baskets.

Going Minimalist with Cabi

A couple of years ago I was invited to a party and fashion show featuring the CAbi fashion line. It's like a Tupperware party for fashion. Carol Anderson By Invitation (CAbi) is really popular among 40 year old housewives of DC. In fact, the first party I went to had someone who was on the Real Housewives of DC and the sister of Carla Hall from Top Chef. The clothes are very similar to what you find at Ann Taylor but the party/fashion show of aspect makes it really fun. After destroying (or staining) a couple of clothing items this week, I started to check out my Winter Capsule Wardrobe on Pinterest. That's when I realized that I was a fashion rut. I have limited my items but I don't have to limit my combinations. That's when I went in search of ways to wear my CAbi Emily Top. I could only imagine the top for night events but if I am going to have it in my Project 333 set it needs to be more versatile.

I came across CAbi Canary and she used the Emily top in an all CAbi capsule wardrobe. Check out some options I made using my Emily Top.

Emily & J. Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt












Emily and Jeans












Emily, Leggings & Cardigan












Now this all seems like a no brainer but I was not being creative at all with my wardrobe. Now I can put this top into my rotation starting tomorrow!

Save Martha

Boring and high falutin' she may be but she is my inspiration. When I was in college Martha Stewart was at her prime. She was on TV telling me how to upgrade my cooking, upgrade my bedding, upgrade my life. That was Martha. I never loved to cook but I enjoyed entertaining and I didn't want to be a starving student nor gain the freshman 15. So I cooked, simple stuff, but it made my home a place where people wanted to be. I think I've lost that and it's draining me (and making me fat!). I need to return to the place where cooking was essential. Now the the internet is full of resources about upgrading your life these days . So let's start with Joy the Baker's Almond Milk Steamer. It's easy, classic, sophisticated. So as you sit planning your shopping, (I know that's what I am doing) sip and enjoy the good life.

A Gift in a Pinch

This Christmas was my first as a married woman. I diligently knit my sister-in-law a beautiful scarf. Guess what? She is allergic to wool*. Oh what was I going to do. It was too late to get her something else. About a month goes by and I find out she's coming to town and I haven't gotten her a replacement gift yet. I don't know her that well yet but I always try to get thoughtful gifts. So here I was with about 4 hours to make the gift happen.

I know she likes wine but it was Sunday morning so I could not purchase that. I went to Target to get a few things and I figured that I would get inspired somehow. Then it came to me. She is a hairstylist and on her feet all day. I would get her something to help her relax. I went around the store and got a few items that I could put into a gift basket. That part was pretty easy. Well when I got the stuff home, I wanted to put more of a personal spin on it. I got out my stamps and personalized the gift tag with her name and a nice note. How did I do?

*I later learned that alpaca is not wool.