Getting Organized: Entryway

I have always been an ‘everything in its place or it will be on the floor’ type of person. I’ve also been pretty cheap in the past. If I found something I loved, I would typically purchase the next best thing because I didn’t want to spend the money. I am NOT this person anymore. After years of doing this, I realized that it doesn’t work to get the next best thing if you have the option of getting the best thing.

When it comes down to organizing, you have to ask yourself, “Self, is this efficient? Is this working for me?” Be prepared to be brutally honest. Disregard whether the methods or tools you use to organize is cheap or good enough or even expensive. The only way to measure if your money was well spent on whatever methods you used to organize is if you are now organized. Did it work? If you’ve set up a system for organizing and it still isn’t organized, it didn’t work.

Sooooo, I’ve been having to take stock of where my organization is failing and what is actually working for me. This is when I realized that I need more stuff. I need stuff to put more of my stuff in…hahaha…ridiculous.

One issue in many households is the entryway. A lot of things get lost in translation here. Before you know it, you have a pile of shoes, a pile of mail, and a pile of other crap you’ve unloaded either on your way in or out.

Here are a couple of pictures of my entry way prior to reorganizing it.

Old Foyer Edit1

Old Foyer Edit2

 

This was not working for us. The shoes were piling and looking crazy, and so was the tower of mail on the table. Thanks to our local Ikea (and by local, I mean 2 hours away), we were able to find a great solution to make our entryway transition more seamless by organizing that area with the Hemnes shoe cabinet.

Here are the progress pics. I had a long day so there is a cup of coffee on it. So what? Sue me. Seriously, don’t sue me.

Entryway_Progress1

Entryway_Progress2

It isn’t perfect as yet, but I know that this system is working because this area doesn’t really get messy anymore. The drawers on this unit is perfect for storing keys, dog leashes, or other small items that you typically carry in and out of your home. The other 2 larger sections beneath the top drawer holds 6 pairs of shoes per section, on average. If you have smaller feet or if you’re storing flip-flops, flats, or sandals, you can get away with a lot more.

The next task for this area is adding some color, more of our personality, and a section to hang things (we don’t have a coat closet of anything). I can’t wait to see what it will look like when it’s finished. Then again, I like changing things around so much, so is it every really finished? It will be a surprise to us all.

xoxo

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Our Ampersand Photography Workshop

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Yesterday, I went to a photography workshop by Jaime of Our Ampersand Photography held by The Chattery at an amazing clothing boutique called Fredonia Provision for Women.

Jaime is not only a photographer, but she is a fun and unapologetic style blogger. You can find her sassy self over at her blog ‘She Wore It Anyways.’

The workshop was such an amazing experience. I thought I was going there to simply learn about photography, but I gained so much more. Jaime gave a lot of insight in terms of using the camera as a tool, but what she really instilled in me was taking confidence as I learn to develop a discerning eye with taking my own shots.

Now that I’m armed with my camera and amazing info from the workshop, I’m excited about improving my photography quality for both my blog and other endeavors.

Follow Jaime on Instagram @ Our_Ampersand_Photo.

Happy Blogiversary!

Image Source
Image Source

I can’t believe that it has been an entire year! This has been one of the most exciting journeys I’ve taken and this lovely road still continues. I’ve had the privilege of meeting (via world wide web) some very inspirational, beautiful, cheeky, tenacious folks. I have a lot of fun things in the works that I am super excited about and I hope that you will stay for the ride. Thank you all for your support, encouragement, kind words, internet hugs, and smiling emoticon faces.

xoxo

Sunshine Award

sunshine-award

I was nominated by Candidly Carol for the Sunshine Award.

“This is an award that goes to writers who brighten other people’s day.”

The rules are:

  • Include the Sunshine Award icon in your post
  • Link to the blogger who nominated you
  • Answer 10 questions about yourself
  • Nominate 10 other bloggers to receive the award
  • Link to your nominees and let them know you nominated them

Here are my answers to Candidly Carol’s 10 questions:

  • Why do you blog?

I blog for a few different reasons. I love people and being in community. No person is an island and I believe that we learn so much about ourselves and about life  in the context of community. I also enjoy sharing my journey, my passions, and my heart with others.

  • What are 3 things that inspire you?

1. Good music.

2. The kindness of strangers.

3. Freedom.

  • What is your favorite color?

I don’t have one favorite color. I have a group of colors that I love: teal, grey, pink, yellow, and white. I know…grey and white aren’t colors. Oh well.

  • What are 3 traits of your favorite Television character?

My favorite TV character (for now) is Crazy Eyes on Orange is the New Black. My 3 favorite traits are that she’s uninhibited, passionate, and hilarious.

  • If you had to live on one meal for the rest of your life what would you choose?

Anything Jamaican.

  • What is your favorite time of day?

My favorite time of the day is either early morning or late night.

  • How do you feel about clowns?

I could do without clowns.

  • If you could go on a vacation now and money was no issue, where would you go?

I would go on a month long cruise that goes to all of the Caribbean and Europe.

  • What animal do you feel reflects you the best?

Probably a lion/cheetah/leopard…something in the cat family (not a house cat though…haha).

  • Do you remember your dreams?

Most of the time.

I nominate (in no particular order):

1. Peacock Under Pressure: I LOVE seeing her words and quotes of the day.

2. Miss Ayo Délé: She posts a variety of fun things and I enjoy seeing her family posts.

3. Harmony with PCOS: Always inspirational and honest.

4. So Many Lovely Things: She always posts so many lovely things.

5. Plus Addiction: I love that she always posts about positive body image for plus sized women.

6. Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright: Her positive name says it all.

7. Love Thy Introvert: She has some really great posts about natural hair and the beauty of introversion.

8. Two Take On Style: This awesomely adorable mother/daughter duo shows their equally beautiful takes on personal style.

9. Night Owl Kitchen: She makes me feel like I can cook…anything.

10. My Digital Kitchen: She makes paleo and gluten free recipes that are to LIVE for.

My questions for you all are:

  • Why do you blog?
  • If you had one clothing item that you had to wear for a month, what would it be?
  • What is a song you love that would surprise your friends?
  • Are you a coffee or a tea drinker?
  • What is your favorite thing about blogging?
  • If you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
  • What are 3 things that you love about yourself?
  • Do you ever dance or sing in public?
  • What is your favorite movie of all time?
  • If you had unlimited money to purchase ONE item, what would it be?