41 Things To Declutter And Throw Away That You Won’t Even Miss
41 Things To Declutter And Throw Away
There are several things that I believe in like cute pajamas or that you should never show up empty handed. I’m also a big believer in the fact that a cluttered or messy house can cause unnecessary stress. Even if you don’t realize it! When my house is clean and clutter free – gah – I feel SO much better.
I hate to clean. No, scratch that. I don’t hate it. I clean – when I have to. And when I am in the mood to. When I’m in the mood to – man, watch out. I get in the zone and go to town. Nothing is safe – trash bags come out and the great purge begins. I wouldn’t call myself a hoarder, but I’m a bit of a saver. I like to think it’s my inner hippie. I hate the idea of throwing things in a landfill. But I’ve trained myself to be pretty good about dropping off (lots) of donations to our local Salvation Army. There are a few things that I have a hard time parting with though like books. So believe me, when I say decluttering can be hard…I totally get it! But it is necessary and even if it is difficult, I promise that it is so worth it!
Whether you struggle with clutter or don’t have to ever think twice about tossing it (hopefully in the recycling bin or donation pile!) here is a list to get you painlessly get started living a clutter free life!
Remember to ask yourself questions like
- Do I really need this?
- When was the last time I used this?
- Is there anything wrong with it? (Holes, stains, etc..)
- Will I actually use this?
PS. This book is life changing! Seriously, it’s an easy read and has almost a full 5 star rating … from almost 13,000 people!!!
In the kitchen
- Plastic shopping bags (This will keep your plastic bags organized and looking clutter free!)
- Extra coffee mugs or drinking glasses that you don’t use
- Things in the refrigerator that are expired or won’t get eaten (Check out our 5 ideas for organizing your refrigerator here!)
- Cooking utensils you don’t use or have multiples of
- Appliances that you never use (sorry sandwich maker….)
- Tupperware without lids…or lids without containers. (This gadget is awesome for organizing those pesky lids!)
- Old spices
- Magnets
- Empty or close to empty bottles (Remember to check your cleaning supplies too! If a bottle is close to empty, you may be able to combine what is left in a new bottle.)
- Take out menus (Usually you can get them online anyways!)
In the bedrooms
- Worn out, faded or stained bedding
- Old pillows
- Socks….mismatched and worn out (We use these to organize our socks. LOVE them!)
- Clothes that are no longer in style, worn or fit
- Old promo t-shirts
- Old underwear – (I subscribe to Splendies which sends out 3 new pair of underwear each month and I love it! It’s super affordable, you can stop anytime and they have plus sizes too if you need it. As soon as a new package comes in – I toss a pair of panties that need to go or one that I tend not to wear often for whatever reason.)
- Old bras (Adore Me is one of my favorite places! Did you know they also have PJ’s and swimwear? LOVE it! And the prices are amazing!)
- Broken jewelry … or that costume jewelry you bought but never wore
- Shoes – worn out or just ones that don’t get worn (the shame…)
- Dresses….you know the one you probably paid too much for or bought to wear to your sister’s best friend’s cousin’s wedding and it hasn’t seen the light of day since. There are some great organizations that take fancier dresses and give them to girl’s for things like prom or if it is business attire, to women who have left abusive relationships and are entering the workforce again but can’t afford business clothes.
The bathroom
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash bottles (This gadget comes in handy so there is no clutter!)
- Old razors that aren’t as sharp
- Sample sized makeup you’ve never used or opened
- Towels that are scratchy, worn or faded
- Old makeup (Did you know mascara expires after 3 months?)
- Old toothbrushes
- Hair ties that lost their stretch
- Nail polish that is almost empty (not enough to paint a full set with) or colors that you won’t wear
- Expired medicine
- Lotions (how do I accrue so many?!)
The rest of the house
- Your purse
- Old receipts
- Greeting cards
- Old magazines
- DVDs (Do you watch them anymore? We Netflix, Prime and On Demand everything!)
- Charging cords that no longer fit your devices
- Old devices – sell or donate those old phones, tablets, cameras, etc
- Old textbooks (I know they were stupid expensive, but are you ever going to read about finite math again?)
- Junk mail, catalogs, old paper work, unused coupons
- Toys that are no longer played with
- Loyalty cards (Can you just use your phone number instead? Or an app?)
There you have it 41 things that you can easily declutter that you won’t even miss! Don’t forget to pin our simple things to declutter on Pinterest!
This post contains affiliate links
Summer Snack Ideas (And The Best Deals To Stock Up!)
Late last night, I came across an idea that I thought was just genius and I shared it on our Facebook page. Apparently y’all thought it was genius too because I got several messages and comments about it!
This mom purchased an over the door shoe organizer (you can get one for cheap here!) and filled each pocket with a day’s worth of snacks. In the morning, the kids are allowed to pick one pocket for the day for their snacks. Why is this genius? Well, if your house is like mine, your kids are eating everything! I feel like I can’t keep food in the house as fast as my kids are eating it. This is a great way to keep portions in check as well as your budget! Snacks are expensive! (Keep reading! I have some awesome snack ideas and deals for you below!) Another thing that I think is genius about this: the shoe organizer will hold enough for 24 days. That means in just a few minutes, you can have almost a month’s worth of snacks divided up!
I love that this idea goes beyond summer snacks. This will make packing lunches super simple for the school year too!
I just ordered our shoe organizer so I can recreate this at our house. I plan on filling it with snacks (like the ones below!) and telling my kiddos that after their snacks are gone they can have as many fruits and veggies as they want if they are still hungry.
Is this something that you would implement in your house?
At a loss for things to fill your snack station up with? Check out these ideas:
Drinks
- Tropicana Orange Juice (This set of 24 bottles is a great deal! Only 44¢ each)
- Gatorade (This set of 24 bottles comes out only to 44¢ each)
- Mini Soda Cans of Soda
- Crystal Light Drink mixes (Get this set for only 16¢ each)
Healthy (Or Healthier!) Snacks
- Black Bean Chips
- Nut Blends
- Granola Bars (This variety pack is just 18¢ a bar!)
- Fruit Leather (This pack is a great deal!! Only 22¢ each)
- Jerky
- Popcorn (This set is less than 50¢ a bag)
- Cracker Sandwiches
- Goldfish Crackers
- Fruit Snacks
- Pretzels
Sweet Treats
- Cookies (This set of chocolate chip cookies are only 32¢ each)
- Pudding Packs
- Candy
- Snack Cakes
- Rice Krispie Treats
- Chips
Don’t forget to pin our Summer Snack Ideas For Kids!
Setting Up A Command Center To Get Organized
A command center is a great way to get and stay organized. It’s a place where the entire family can share information on schedules, meal plans, important papers, and more. Many times command centers are set up in a kitchen, mudroom or near the door that your family uses the most. Having your command center in a high traffic area is a good idea because that is where book bags are dropped off, keys are kept and a place that family members can quickly and easily see the information on their way out the door.
Setting up a command center to get organized is a great first step that can make a huge impact for you and your family! If you are trying to live a more organized life, a command center is a vital first step!
What Can I Use To Create My Command Center?
This unit is a great start for your command center! There are plenty of places to give your papers a well organized place ensuring you won’t lose anything or forget something! You can divide them up how you wish, but some ideas include:
- Incoming mail
- Outgoing mail
- Each person can have their own ‘mailbox’
- Bills
- Papers that need filing
- Printed recipes that you plan on using this week
The center chalkboard is perfect for writing notes to your family or things like grocery lists!
Every command center needs a calendar! Or two! 🙂 There are chalkboard calendars or white boards – whichever your preference! I personally like to have two calendars: one for my family and one for planning out our dinners. One way to help keep your calendar organized is to assign each member of the family a color when writing in their activities.
Baskets are essential for keeping things organized! These are great for things like library books that need to go back.
These shelves are perfect for not only being a shelf for a bulletin board, adding cups to hold your markers, or just for decorating to make your own. The cubbies inside are perfect for adding baskets to hold things like baseball mitts, scarves or mittens and the hooks will keep coats and leashes ready to go.
Command Center Inspiration
Need some inspiration for setting your command center up? Here are some great setups from some awesome bloggers!
This is from Pottery Barn. While it’s beautiful, it’s also way out of my price range! Luckily, Amazon has more affordable pieces that you can recreate this with!
You don’t need a huge wall to create your command center. Get the details on this kitchen command center here!
This command center is great for giving each person their own space.
This command center is from Pottery Barn as well. Isn’t it gorgeous?
Hobby Lobby created this gorgeous and comforting command center to organize your home.
I love the chalkboard wall that this family utilizes in their command center design.
Your command centers don’t have to be huge or extravagant. They just have to fit your family and your family’s needs. This is a great command center that is in a small space but keeps everyone on track.
This post contains affiliate links.
January 2017 Organizing Challenge
Hooray it’s 2017! I feel like every year I have so many goals: eat healthier, get outside more, read more books, get organized…but let’s be honest. They all fall under the same sort of resolution: get myself together. And while I think I make progress every year, this is the year that I’m determined to get it together, for real.
Are you with me? To selfishly help myself, I’ve decided to help anyone else on this journey too. 😉
Fun, accountability, staying motivated…whatever your reasons…join us!
If you are looking to live a healthier life – join our private Facebook group!
If you are looking to read more – join our virtual book club!
And if you are looking to get more organized, declutter, or working on becoming a bit more minimalist – follow our organizing challenge! (But if you want to follow us on Facebook, that’s cool too!)
Each day, we will have something small that you can do to declutter, organize, get rid of, recycle or donate helping you to finally have your organized home of your resolution dreams. 🙂
Of course we will have some posts with tips, tricks and printables along the way! I will update this post as more posts are put up to help you on your journey!
Finding the perfect planner for the new year
Setting Up A Command Center To Get Organized
5 Ideas & Tips For an Organized Refrigerator
Don’t forget to pin!
Choosing The Right Planner For The New Year
Are you planning on 2017 to be your year of finally getting (and staying!) organized? I don’t know about you, but I thrive on order. I love lists. A lot. I like to have my house looking just so. I need a schedule.
One of the ways that I keep (or attempt to keep) everything together is with my planner. But there are different planners for different people. So, what are they? Which one will work best for you? Here are a few great options to help you decide!
(PS! Have you seen our organizing challenge for 2017? You will want to follow along! Each day has a small way that you can get yourself organized and prepared all year long!)
Paper Planners
I am 100% a pen and paper kind of lady. And stickers. And washi tape. 🙂
This is my planner. It’s from Erin Condren and I love it. It’s a great size and has plenty of room for my monthly calendar of events as well as more detailed weekly notes. And it’s pretty. Super pretty. There are plenty of accessories as well: stickers, snap ins, bands, notes, dividers, pens, etc.
The only drawback to my EC planner is that it is a little pricey. But, if you think of the fact that it gets daily use then that price isn’t bad. I like to call mine an investment.
A friend of mine introduced me to The Happy Planner. It’s very similar to Erin Condren planners, but not as expensive. They also have a ton of stickers and customizing items so no matter if you choose an EC or THP – they are a great solution!
Another option that has come highly recommended to me is Plum Paper. I really like how when you make your planner you can add sections like a blogging section or a sales section (perfect for people who sell things like LuLaRoe!) There are also sections for baby (tracking growth/milestones), wedding, and SO many more options! The price of this planner is midway between The Happy Planner and EC, with amazing details and quality!
If you are a lister then you might really love this option. It’s the Panda Planner. And I think I’m obsessed. After this year with my EC I may opt to try the Panda Planner. I told you I’m into lists so this set up just makes me happy. There are monthly, weekly and daily set ups with room to have everything written down. (There is a larger version available of the Panda Planner if you write big like me!) 🙂 I love that it also focuses on the positive!
Do you want a paper planner but not into all of the artsy, cutesy stickers? Or maybe you are super artsy and want to have space to doodle and paint. Maybe you like the simplicity. Whatever your reason, a bullet journal might be the solution for you. Right now bullet journals are super popular. Some people use them for keeping a list of their to do’s. (I love the key above!)
Some bullet journals are just that – journals, as opposed to planners. Some are extravagant with art, and color and calligraphy. Others are minimal and simple. Both are beautiful!
Digital Planners
If you are looking for an app that you can use to help plan your days here are a few that you may want to try!
- Planner Pro
- Fantastical 2
- Todoist
- Calendar 5
And don’t forget that Siri can schedule things on your phone calendar for you as well!
Don’t forget to pin!
This post contains affiliate links.
Back To School Routines: Make This Your Best Year Yet!
School is in full swing now which means we are all getting back on a routine. There are only 24 hours in a day, but sometimes, well, most of the time I have about 36 hours worth of things I would like to get done. And it all starts with the morning.
We’ve all had one of those mornings. Where you wake up late, can’t find something, remember something last minute….you know, it’s just off. Being off your morning can really effect the rest of your day. That’s why it’s so important to build a great morning routine. Start your morning off right with a great back to school routine.
So we asked….
What are your best tips for back to school morning routines?
“Honestly, mornings around here started out pretty rough when school started. Now that we’re 3 weeks in, things are smooth sailing. Setting the coffee pot timer the night before, is the FIRST thing I do! We also have clothes and backpacks laid out the night before. On the weekends, I use gallon sized bags to divy up lunch items for the days of the week. That way, all I have to do is grab the bag and put everything inside Eli’s lunchbox. It only takes a second, vs. 5 extra minutes out of the morning. Another thing I use that really helps us stick to our routine is cellphone timers. I have a timer for everything…and when the timer goes off, we do that task. Wash face and hands, brush teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast (and take our vitamins), grab backpack, say our morning prayer, watch for the bus. Works like a charm! Sounds a little OCD, right?! But hey — we get out the door on time and with less drama, each and every morning!! Plus, Eli thinks it’s fun and he likes to beat his time for each task. He looks at it as sort of a challenge!!”
– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and homewebsite, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
“Mornings are always busy! This year, we have lots of new things to experience: we’re in a new city, a new house and a new school district. Plus, Mike is no longer working outside the home. I feel like we’re starting our school morning routines from scratch. Thankfully, some of our usual habits will continue to serve us well. In the evening, I have Sam help me prep his backpack and clothes for the next day — this makes our morning so much easier! Once we’re up and around, I make his lunch while he eats breakfast. We follow breakfast with vitamins and a good teeth brushing. After a few minutes of reading and cuddles together, it’s time for out the door. I love the fall and I’m excited that back to school season is finally here!”
– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration!Follow her on Twitter here!
“Mornings for us are pretty different than they were last year! This year we are homeschooling so we have eliminated a lot of the rush which feels so amazing! I’m all for calm and less stress! One change that I have added to my routine is that I spend a few minutes (usually only 5-7) doing some yoga. It may sound silly or that those few minutes can’t really make a difference, but they do! It gives me a few minutes to just wake up, stretch and get ready. I’ve also stopped the habit of waking up, grabbing my phone and checking my inbox in bed. Before, I was starting my day before I could even fully open my eyes! Then it’s breakfast, vitamins and beginning to get ready. Small, simple changes have helped make our mornings not only calmer but so much more enjoyable. And when you start your mornings off enjoyable it’s much easier to have an awesome day!”
– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
One thing that we all have in common is the fact that vitamins play an important part of our routines. Have you heard of SmartyPants vitamins? They are my absolute favorite! Why?
- They are gummy vitamins so they are easy to take. Even as an adult, I would rather eat a gummy vitamin than take a pill!
- They are delicious. Like super good!
- They use the BEST ingredients. Their vitamins are non-GMO and contain no high-fructose corn syrup. Plus they are gluten free and contain no yeast, wheat, milk, eggs, gluten, salt, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, synthetic colors, artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives.
- Even their Omega 3s are sourced from eco-friendly small fish populations.
- SmartyPants vitamins pack in your vitamin needs in a yummy gummy. Ok maybe, that one was mentioned twice, but it is important! (Find out more about what goes into their vitamins here!)
Be sure to join us August 31 at 9:00 PM for a fun Twitter Party to talk all about morning routines and learn more about SmartyPants Vitamins!
We will be giving out lots of prizes including several bottles of SmartyPants vitamins, a Walgreen’s Gift Card and a new Keurig machine – everything you need for your own morning routine! Be sure you are following SmartyPants Vitamins on Twitter!
RSVP here!
This post was sponsored by SmartyPants Vitamins. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.
How To Fold A Fitted Sheet…And Other Laundry Hacks You Should Know
The other day I was looking for something in my closet and quickly realizing that it was time to declutter a bit. Isn’t it crazy how fast you accumulate things? I decided that I needed to do some re-organizing. So I did what any other rational person does when they want to start cleaning….I got on Pinterest.
(See her makeover here!)
(Check out her tips here!)
(Find out how she organized her closet here!)
You guys. These are real! I don’t know…maybe everyone’s closets look like these, but sadly mine don’t. YET. (And no, I’m not sharing with you a picture until I can have the gorgeous after picture to put next to it!)
Anyways, so here I am scrolling through Pinterest and it dawns on me. I don’t even know how to fold a fitted sheet. How am I going to get my closet looking all pretty when I can’t even fold the sheets? So thus, a new Pinterest search was on.
It dawned on me that maybe I’m not the only one? I probably am, but humor me here. So I decided to do a quick little round up of some of the most amazingly awesome tutorials out there for how to fold your laundry. Because obviously I need it.
MIND.BLOWN. Seriously. Soon my linen closet is going to be swoon-worthy thanks to this tutorial on how to fold fitted sheets….and regular sheets…and stuff place them in the pillow case so they are all perfect. After I do this, I may just sit and stare at my closet for a few minutes. 🙂
This post is super helpful in showing you how to fold towels – no matter what kind of shelves you have in your closet!
Don’t stop now! Your linen closet doesn’t have to be the only one looking all fantastic. This tutorial for how to fold your shirts is pretty cool. Perfect for stacking up shirts on an open shelf.
While I was searching Pinterest I kept seeing things about KonMarie. She’s a guru y’all. That’s what I learned. (Look her up on YouTube!) Then I saw this pin and I was all “Ohhhh pretttttyy….” Right?
The blogger behind Productive and Pretty (awesome name by the way) is a fan of the KonMarie methods and when I saw her hack the only thing I could think of was…..This is the Sheldon Cooper method!
Josh and I love this show and when I saw this episode I remember thinking “Oh I got to get one of those!” and I had totally forgotten about it. So when I saw her post and she was using one of these shirt folders and her drawers looked like that….I knew it was an absolute must!
Her whole blog is great though and she has lots of great organizing posts. You have to check it out!
So are you ready to have the prettiest laundry ever? Perfectly Pinterest worthy drawers and closets? I am!!
What folding tips or organizing hacks do you have?
Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest (you know I’m there …. a lot!) for organizing tips and SO much more!
And while you are pinning, don’t forget to pin this post!
This post may contain affiliate links.
35 Kitchen Gadgets You Shouldn’t Be Without
What’s in your kitchen? I hope it’s one of these 35 kitchen gadgets! They save space, make clean up easier, help in your cooking and sometimes, they are just really cute alternatives to things you have to buy anyways.
These kitchen must haves won’t break the bank either! Most are under $20 (with a lot under $10!) Your kitchen will be the best stocked and ready to go thanks to these helpful items!
There are tons of awesome kitchen gadgets that won’t break the bank. I have several of these and plan on ordering the ones I don’t have already. I use them all the time and they come in super handy. Here are some of my favorites, that you probably don’t have, but totally should!
This Folding Grater ($9.99) is perfect for people like me! I love gadgets (obviously), but I don’t like clutter. This folds down flat so it makes storing it no problem and it doesn’t take up much room.
I own a few sets of these and I absolutely love them. Whether you use them occasionally to help with leftovers or if you are getting into freezer cooking, these hands free bag holders come in crazy handy. They are a bargain too, only $9.99 for a set of two.
Another item that I have bought and can tell you personally about it’s amazingness, this Pineapple Corer (only $6.79) makes coring a pineapple only take seconds. Bonus: We’ve had a few luau parties and this not only helped with our fruit dishes, but the hollowed out pineapples made for perfect vases for flowers. You could also fill them back up with cut fruit.
I haven’t personally used these, but I did just order them on Amazon. These Silicone Bowls are called Pinch Bowls and you can gently pinch them to make pouring simple and ditch the mess. (Choose from quart size or half cup size!)
Confession. I love garlic, but I normally just buy the jars of already minced garlic. But this little garlic chopper is not only under $10, but it’s simple to use and allows you to use fresh garlic (yum) easily.
Ok, well, I kind of just thought this was hilarious. These pasta measurers make sure you get the right amount of pasta every time. Portions for kids, women, men and for those times that you are so hungry you could eat a … Horse, T-Rex, or Unicorn!
This Clip on Spout is only $9.95 and can attach to pots, pans or bowls. Whether you need to drain or pour it comes in handy, doesn’t take up much room and you will quickly start to wonder what you did without it!
Have you heard of Anti Soggy Bowls? They are divided bowls that keep your cereal from getting soggy. Genius right? But they are pretty handy. Chips on one side and dip on the other, fries on the left and ketchup on the right or soup and your crackers. They are also perfect for people that don’t like their food touching. My son wet through a phase that he didn’t like that, so these were perfect. Mac and cheese completely separate from the green beans. #MomWin $8.95
Here is another item that has really made things easier at our house! Dip trays! They snap on your plates. Perfect for dips and also sauces. Great for BBQ’s and you know, Wednesday night dinners. Get four of them for only $6.99!
We have been trying to be healthier at our house. One of those changes is eating more fish. I use this Citrus Sprayer (only $6.20!) all the time. But not just for fish, I spray it on veggies, a few sprays in my tea, and I would totally be lying if I didn’t admit that I first thought about doing a flashback of spraying lemon juice in my hair this summer. (Please, tell me someone else used to use Sun In back in the day!)
This is another one of those things that is just a cute upgrade to something you already have. This Pasta-saurus ($9.95) is a super fun way to serve up your pasta dinner.
Yes, yes, yes. Everyone needs two of these. Just clip it to the side of your pot and your spoon rests without making a drippy mess all over your stove. I’m all for anything to simplify clean up! Get the Pot Clip for only $8.95.
This is honestly one of my favorites! This flat whisk allows you to do your thing, turn the handle and it folds flat. Why is that amazing? Because it makes getting it ALL out of the bowl super easy. Not only that, but cleaning is simple. I always hated cleaning the whisks – food gets inside the middle and it’s hard to get, but not anymore. And finally for storage – it takes up less space! Oh, and yes, it’s under $10!
No, they aren’t staplers. These are bag re-sealers! For $15.99 you get a set of 2 (so only $8 each!) and they quickly will pay for themselves. Reseal bags of cereal, chips, or snacks in no time.
These Grill Clips are a must have for grill masters! You get a set of 4 for $10 to help you make the perfect grilled veggies.
Ready for some more awesome items that you shouldn’t be without? Here are some that are under $20!
This little gadget ($11.95) comes in super handy during baking. Easily separate the egg yolks and egg whites for recipes. Or if you are wanting to eat a healthier breakfast, scramble up the egg whites.
I love a good cup of tea. Recently I started switching to dried tea leaves from tea bags. It is fresh and makes me able to customize my blends. While looking for a tea infuser, I came across this adorable Whale Tea Infuser for just $11.19. Not only is it super practical and easy to use (the water spout never gets hot!) but it’s adorable.
Have you seen those viral videos on Facebook where they make incredible pancakes in the shapes of famous characters, people, etc? This is how! With a Pancake Pen – $10.95 – you can create a fun breakfast. I haven’t graduated to pancake art, but my son thinks it’s pretty awesome for pancakes that spell out his name.
This Double Dish is genius. Perfect for snacking, the empty bowl on the bottom is ideal for discarding shells, seeds or pits of your favorite snack. For $15.15, it’s just what you need for binge watching on the couch with your snacks.
Speaking of genius products, this Rinse and Strain Bowl – $14.69 – is one of those things that make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Quick and easy….music to my ears!
Ok, so I haven’t tried this yet, but I ordered it today. However, I’m totally late in the spiralizing game – this thing has been getting major buzz and awesome reviews. The Vegetable Spiralizer is only $15.84 and comes with everything you need to get started creating a healthier version of pasta or some super awesome veggie side dishes. A bonus recipe book is included.
In my dreams, I have a double oven. But meanwhile, I have an Oven Rack (only $17.49) that helps me to make the most out of space that I do have! Seriously a game changer for parties and holiday cooking!
I’m not entirely sure how it happened, but somehow I ended up with a full knife block on the counter and a drawer full of loose knives. This Knife Organizer was a cheap (just $13.53) way to organize my drawer. Not to mention it’s a lot safer than fishing around a drawer with them just loose!
These Chip/Cracker Holders are crazy handy to have in your pantry. Keep your food fresh longer. They will quickly pay for themselves!
I don’t use my flour and sugar that often, so I like to keep them in a Flour Keeper . For $16.78, I know it stays fresh and ready to use. The measuring level on the lid makes things easy getting the perfect cup full.
I got this cutting board before we moved into our current house. I was seriously slacking counter space, so the fact that this fit over the sink made it a great space saver. But now, we have plenty of counter space, but the built in strainer is so handy that I don’t think I can ever get rid of it! Over the sink cutting board – $19.99
Can you believe how many awesome things we have found so far? We are almost done with our list, but here are a few under $50 that you totally need.
This would be a great gift – for yourself or someone else! It’s great for small kitchens or for people who just love organized kitchens! Get the Compact Food Prep Set for $34.27.
Why dirty a second dish if you don’t need to? This lid eliminates the need to dirty a second one. It makes it super simple to drain and strain. I have this pot and use it all the time. The Pasta Pot was totally worth the $29.99!
This little Marinade Infuser and meat tenderizer is amazing. You won’t believe the difference that this $34.98 gadget makes as opposed to just marinating in a plastic bag. But don’t just take my word for it, this has great reviews!
Are you a hostess? Then you need this Party Tray with Ice for your next soiree! For only $27.95, you have a great serving dish with built in ice chamber to keep your dishes ready for guests to much on.
This is brilliant. The Click N Cook is one handle that simply ‘clicks’ off and attaches to one of 5 different attachments. Buying the set makes each kitchen necessity cost less than $10 each!
This Cutlery cleaning attaches to your sink and makes cleaning your silverware a breeze. Just dip your spoon, fork, etc inside and everything easily scrubs off. If you hand wash your dishes or use a dishwasher, this makes sure you get super clean dishes the simple way!
I NEED this!! I have a serious ice cream love and this lets you make your own soft serve from fruit! How awesome is that? Fruit Soft Serve Maker – $41.27
Only 2 kitchen gadgets left! These two are both under $125 and worth every penny!
I bought this Food Saver ($79.99) a while ago and I LOVE it. It is worth every penny and so much more. Actually, it saves us money! I can make meals ahead of time, use it to package up our Zaycon orders (I save SO much money from ordering our meats from them!) and re-seal our open food. One tip is to use them for packing for trips! I have made ‘pouches’ for bringing dog food with us (SO much easier for car rides to have ‘single serve’ packs made up) and even vacuum sealed my necklaces to keep the chains from tangling.
I haven’t tried this…yet. Have you seen it before? It’s an Air Fryer – $109.95 – and makes your favorite fried foods a bit healthier. You can fry meat and veggies in here and it uses air to circulate and ‘fry’ instead of the traditional oil. I will be getting one ASAP! If you have one I would love to hear what you think of it!
Don’t forget to pin!
This post contains affiliate links.
5 Things I Couldn’t Be Without
I thought it would be fun to do a weekly series on some of my favorite things. So welcome to I’m Totally Obsessed With…
So I know it might sound crazy – being obsessed with plastic containers. But I am. Completely! When I cook dinner we usually have leftovers. Now, I can pack them in these handy containers and I have my own freezer meals. Plus, they are great for cooking ahead of time! Delicious, portioned meals ready to go. It’s been helping my budget and my weight!
I’ve had this Yankee Red Raspberry Candle under our candle warmer non-stop this week. It smells so delicious. It smells like, well, summer.
I’ve been watching House of Cards since it came out. I just finished up the current season and now, I can.not.wait for the next season to start. (Come on Netflix, hurry!)
It has rained non-stop it seems like for the last week. Rain, mud and puddles are everywhere and when you have a puppy who needs to be at the dog park rain boots become a necessity. I’m beyond obsessed with these herringbone boots! There are tons of other prints available – pick your print!
I’m a huge Pandora fan, which is how I found Boyce Avenue. I listen to them ALL the time! Think your favorite songs redone to cool acoustic versions. Seriously. Love.
So you tell me. What are you loving this week?
This post contains affiliate links.
5 Ideas For a Clean & Organized Refrigerator
Happy New Year! If you are like many people you are planning on how to make this your most organized year…EVER.
And to help you out, I’ve made a list of the best refrigerator organizing tips and hacks out there.
Let’s start with something genius. Fridge Coasters! One of the worst chores in the house is scrubbing the refrigerator out. Let’s make 2015 the year to work smarter and not harder! We all have so many other things to be doing than scrubbing out the milk rings and globs of grape jelly. Now, you will still need to clean with this product but it makes it 100 times easier. Just clear off the Fridge Coaster, wipe and viola. You are done. Plus, the pop of color makes me happy!
These are super inexpensive and will really make things easier! You can even buy a different color coaster for different things (example, snacks go on blue coasters, veggies on the green coasters, etc).
Now that you have your shelves lined, lets get some organization going! I’m in love with these clear organizing tools from InterDesign. They make them in so many sizes, shape, and for just about any purpose. They are made to be able to stack on top of each other easily. They have handles so they are easy to move. Whether you are getting some to store your eggs, hold your wine bottles, or even to store your fruit there is a bin for it!
Not sure where to store your food? SquawkFox shows you where!
You can’t do all this work of cleaning and organizing your refrigerator and have it stink. (Or worse – your ice cubes and water taste gross!) This deodorizer is 50 times more powerful than a box of baking soda and will solve the stink (and taste) problems your freezer and refrigerator is having.
Want to add some instant shelves in your freezer (or refrigerator)? Take magazine files and place them sideways. Easy.
You can find some like shown above for under $3.50 on Amazon here.
(This idea is from the awesome Aunt Peaches!)
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Posts on It’s a Fabulous Life may contain affiliate links. All thoughts, opinions and ideas are 100% my own.