not a total betty, but a vast improvement

I have been spending way too much time at I heart organizing lately. Not only have I started a household management binder, complete with budgets, accounts, passwords, and cleaning schedule and a meal planning/recipe binder, but I also started an overhaul of the kitchen cabinets. Because really, how else would I spend a Saturday night?

Here is the before. Now just hold your judgement and be happy that I am indulging your voyueristic fantasies, mmkay?

Basically a disaster. In shambles if you will. Here is the after, the product of 2 hours and 2 glasses of late harvest Riesling.

It is kind of hard to tell, but one of the main tasks was setting up a work lunch zone. There is a spot for our lunch bags and containers. The snacks are able to be on a high (to me) shelf because of an awesome folding stool that I got from my mom that really should have been featured on my favorite things list, but I digress.

This little pantry project set several other mini projects into action. If you have a lazy susan you should store pots and pans in it instead of food. We made this change about a year ago and never looked back. I added the colander and boil over stopper (that's the technical term) to my large stockpot because they are rarely used without each other. Remember, like with like and one home for everything.

I moved rarely used small appliances to the top shelf in the pantry which freed up quite a bit of space in the island.

The cabinet that houses my pans, bowls, and cutting boards was also looking good. The removal of the colander made a huge difference.

I was repeating my "like with like and one home for everything mantra" and had the brilliant idea to put my bread pans, measuring spoons, and cooling rack with the flour and kosher salt. We've been eating exclusively homemade bread for the past couple of months, and the only time I use my measuring spoons is for baking (I just wing it when I cook) so it just made sense.

I decided to go through my utensil drawer next. There are several items I only use a handful of times a year, so it didn't make sense for them to take up premium real estate. I relocated them to a basket in the island:

Which left the utensil drawer looking like this:

The best part of this project is that it cost $0. I had the storage basket on hand, and everything else was simply relocated.  Be ruthless when you tackle your kitchen- if you hang on to something you don't use you are paying twice, once for the item itself and again in wasted real estate.

Next up are the kitchen counters. I am in awe of people that have miles of uncluttered counter space.

favorite things

I haven't posted about my favorite products since the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. I already have all of my Christmas shopping done, but for those of you who aren't quite as Type A you might get a few ideas. I'm blogging from my phone, so I don't have any links, but everything is quite Googleable.

1. Benefit Hoola bronzer. I had been devoted to Nars Laguna for years, but since joining the over 30 set I made the switch to a matte bronzer. This might be my favorite bronzer yet. Although I need to try Tarte's park avenue princess before making a final decision.

2. Cerave hydrating cleanser. This is my favorite wintertime cleanser. It reminds me of purity made simple, but is about half the price.

3. Fleece leggings. They are so stinking cozy, I may never take them off. I just picked up a cheap pair from Target, butay invest in a nicer pair. They aren't near as nice as my zella live in leggings. Zella makes fleece leggings, but they definitely have an athletic look to them. Athleta had a few nice options though.

4. The blog un-fancy. It has made me rethink my shopping strategy and my two best friends and I are officially hooked. Although we seem to want to order her entire wardrobe...

5. Madewell and Aritzia. I love pretty much everything from both of these stores. I have an oversized buffalo plaid shirt that should be arriving tomorrow. If it is as amazing as I hope, I may never wear anything but my fleece leggings and buffalo plaid.

6. Express scuba leggings. I missed out on these, but my cousin has them and they are amazing. Of course now that the 50% off sale is over they are back in stock.

7. Wooden blocks. The girls and I play with these for hours- they are a huge hit! We have the Alex Jr. brand- I love them because there are all sorts of fun colors and shapes.

8. Hanna Anderssen pajamas- these are Audreys most favorite pjs. They wash incredibly well and do not fade. They are on sale for about half off right now, so if you need pjs stock up! Im going to have  to remember this sale for next year!

9. Tea collection- one of my other favorite brands for the girls. I ordered a couple of dresses and one pair of leggings during their Black Friday sale. I was going to save them for this summer, but they are so cute I think I will let the girls wear them now. Audrey tried on one of the dresses as soon as it arrived and threw a huge fit when I made her take it off. What can I say, that girl has style.

10. Kitchenaid mixer- I've already discussed this at length, but it is amazing. Plus it seemed awkward to leave the list at 9 items.

toddler transitions

The girls moved into their toddler beds about a week ago. They have been doing great overnight. The girls often choose to sleep in the same bed.

On the first night in their toddler bed, Claire woke up overnight got out of bed. Audrey stayed in bed and patted the space next to her, calling out for "sissy". Audrey has also tucked Claire in- it is really sweet.

Surprisingly, the move to the toddler beds seem to be the catalyst for sleeping through the night. The girls have gotten up once or twice since the transition. It is really strange too- they no longer want milk overnight, they tend to want cheese (pepperjack is their favorite). 

All of this awesome news comes with a downside though, we are in the midst of a nap strike. They have been terrible at napping since the transition- there are too many fun activities to partake in, like trapping your sister in the closet, emptying out the contents of your drawers, and putting on your winter boots and bashing your feet against the door. I'm hoping that once the novelty of freedom wears off they will choose to nap again. 

They have taken 2 naps since the strike- one on Friday (we went to visit some friends on Thursday night and stayed out past their bedtime) and one today. They had been playing for about 90 minutes and then got worn out decided to sleep on the floor in front of their door. 

I'm ok with them having quiet time instead of nap time, but they are incredibly irritable by 4:00 if they don't nap.