Decluttering my wardrobe

I must apologise for my lack of blogging yet again! Since I last appeared we have had an engagement in the family which has caused great excitement. I have also been attending numerous end of school events for my youngest child about to sit his year 12. I can't believe they are old enough for all of this or the fact that I am old enough to have children of this age. In all of this excitement, chaos and coming and going I have decided a wardrobe decluttering is in need. Armed with some lovely photos and some good advice from Vicki Archer at French Essence, who says "everything must come out"!I am starting this morning. I know it sounds a little silly when I have house guests arriving later today but somethings just can't wait and when the urge comes I simply must go with it! Enjoy your weekend xxx

images via Turquoise tulips and bliss

Bookcase files

A lovely client has asked me to help her with some bookcases in her sitting room, which led me straight to my files for inspiration. Sometimes I feel we should have some like these in our bedroom as there never seems enough room on the bedside table for all the ones we want to have close by.

A novel idea!

Although very tempted at times, I think I would be in BIG trouble if I ever colour coded our library like Oprah's one.

Always cutting edge Kelly Wearstler's book cases at the Viceroy certainly make a statement.

images via city sage, decorology, the db files, verandah house.

Organising the bedroom

Ever dreamed of a beautifully organised wardrobe? I have, and am tackling this job right now having been inspired by the latest Lonny mag issue, full of great advice.

Step 1. select every thing I no longer wear, suits me, fits me properly or is just not me. Put it in two bags. One to go directly to charity the second is for things I am not sure about. After 12 months if I have not used them I will dispose of then.

Step 2 pull out everything that needs mending altering, special cleaning.

Step 3 put away all winter coats and bulky items in vacuum bags until I need them again.

Step 4. I have just bought some fabulous drawer dividers for all my scarves, belts and smalls to help keep things in check and ensure I can find them in a flash.

Step 5. I have also found lovely clear plastic shoe boxes from Aldi and will throw out all my old shoe boxes and replace with these so I can actually see them.

Now that should keep me busy.....

Organising my way into 2011, progress

I know I have been going on a bit about my new year's resolution to be more organised, but I actually feel quite proud of my progress. My pantry is looking so lovely with new glass Maxwell and Williams canisters from our local Mitre 10 . I would love to add some wallpaper like in the top image from Lonny mag, mine would be in a lovely powder blue stripe.
Our junk drawer ( doesn't every one have one?) has been transformed with new drawer inserts to separate keys, glasses and whatever else tends to get thrown in here.

My spice drawer is a treat with new dividers from my new favourite store Aldi, which is full of great space saving and organising products at the moment.

The book I gave myself for Christmas as discovered on the blog Simplified Bee which has been my inspiration to get my home in order.

Organising my way into 2011

I am starting early with my new year's resolution, to have a beautifully organised home for 2011. I decided to give myself a new book for Christmas called Pretty Neat. I have found it quite inspirational and it has been just the motivation needed to complete my belated spring clean.
I have purchased new inserts for my bathroom drawers which have revolutionised my morning routine.

De cluttered my wardrobe,

and set up an area to receive all our bits as they enter our kitchen. I hope you are enjoying your time after the Christmas rush to do the things you enjoy.

images via deliciously organised

Spring cleaning fever

A place for everything and everything in its place

I seem to have been hit by a cleaning/organizing frenzy and am blaming it on the weather. Or perhaps it is more a case of necessity. Our home has lots of storage cupboards and storage rooms which is normally a lovely thing to have. Unfortunately it is easy to fall into the trap of hoarding too many things that should have been sent to charity years ago.

I recently read a blog on Acanthus and acorn about whether you are a Felix or an Oscar (from The odd couple). Felix was the fastidiously organized one and Oscar was the slob. I seem to vacillate between these two. While aspiring to be a Felix, I have Oscar lapses and in the busyness of life are prone to take short cuts when it comes to the organization in my home.

Inspired by this article I have made a plan to work through each room in my home and do some serious culling. Acanthus and acorn recommends the following; "pretend a move is imminent". With this as my game plan I have a busy weekend ahead of me. I hope you enjoy yours! P.S. Are you a Felix or an Oscar???

images via 1. acanthus and acorn, 2. cote de texas, 3. habitually chic- Meg braff. 4 and 5 unknown.