Busy Bees are buzzing at Butterscotch Lady’s House~

Spring has definitely sprung here at our house!

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I have been a busy bee organizing closets

{Before pic of my side of our "quaint" (teeny tiny!) master closet}

{Before pic of my side of our “quaint” (teeny tiny!) master closet}

{Mr. Cabana's side of our oh so glamorous closet}

{Mr. Cabana’s side of our oh so glamorous closet}

Several years ago we put a closet organizer from The Container Store in our closet which helped tremendously with space organization.  I love that they closet system gives us the option to change it around if we wanted.  Not that we really have any other options other than how it is now…

I am a tad OCD, so my clothes are always organized by color.  But the different colored plastic hangers drove me cRaZy!!!  I found a great deal on the space saver, “velvet” covered hangers at Burlington Coat Factory (25 for $9.99).

 

Source: burlingtoncoatfactory.com via Butterscotch Lady on Pinterest

I was surprised by what a huge difference changing the hangers would make to our closet, not only the look, but also by the space saved.  Plus, now the hangers slide on the metal bar just like at the store.

I had clear plastic boxes on the upper shelf for hats, gloves, sweaters…Sure, they were functional, but not cute.  At all!  So I just had to pick up these adorable hat boxes from HomeGoods for $20.

Who doesn’t want to feel like you are in a boutique whenever you are “shopping” in your own closet?   Too bad my wardrobe doesn’t really feel like “boutique clothing”.  But hey, a girl can fantasize, right?

So for about $65, we have a closet that functions better for us and looks WAY better!  And the best part?  I had a gift card to use!!!

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{Hat boxes from HomeGoods}

{Hat boxes from HomeGoods}

{After}

{After}

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A busy bee organizing drawers…

Buddy and Baby Girl are now old enough that it is great to have them help us out with chores around the house.  But… After they have emptied the dishwasher, it is really frustrating to not be able to actually find anything!

So my OCD kicked in again, and I thought how about if I label where everything goes?  It will make their job easier to find where everything belongs and then I can find it when I need it.  So with Mr. Cabana shaking his head at me, that is exactly what I did.  And you know what?  IT WORKS!!!!

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After several weeks, I am still able to find what I need and it makes me happy to open a drawer and it looks organized. Plus, now all of my friends can find the wine opener!

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And  a busy bee “organizing” a big spring project…

I have also been busy cutting up wood from our patio cover that we have been tearing down.  We LOVE the weather of So. Cal.  The termites that LOVE it here too?  Not so much…

{My Dad taught me how to use a Sawzall.  A saw with a long thing blade.  I am woman, hear me roar!}

{My Dad taught me how to use a Sawzall. A saw with a long thing blade. “I am woman, hear me roar!” Chicks like power tools too!}

I look forward to posting pictures of our new patio cover once we buy the wood, cut the wood, paint the wood, construct with the wood… Hopefully I can post the pics sooner rather than later!

Also, I have been a busy crafting bee  for a Spring Boutique my girlfriends and I had.  But I will save those pictures for another day. I need to get to my hive, err, I mean my house chores!

Until next time,

Butterscotch Lady

 

Organizing My Party Pantry

I have been busy organizing cupboards and closets (ok, really it is just one closet so far!) the last couple of weeks.  I feel like I am slowly making some progress.  I say slowly because we are on a budget and I can not justify going a one big spending spree at The Container Store, Home Goods or Burlington Coat Factory to purchase everything on my “wish list”. I really feel that having the right products do make getting (and staying) organized is important.  Plus, if I am going to do the work, I want it to function and look great too!

Last week, at The Container Store I purchased one of my favorite organization tools~ Their Shoe Box.  I buy their bulk box (20 boxes for $33).  At the Costa Mesa, CA store the boxes are located at the front left of the store when you walk in.

I have found them to be the best boxes for organizing everything from kids toys, craft supplies, party items and of course

shoes!   Over the next couple of posts you will see these boxes used.  In this family of four, I often find myself fighting a lone battle of organization.  I mean really, isn’t life easier when we can all find our stuff  in neatly labeled boxes?  How many minutes a day do we (I really mean THEM) spend looking for stuff?  I have resorted to telling Mr. Cabana, “I would like everything to have a specific place (preferably labeled) in case something were to happen to me.”  Fatalistic?  Perhaps, but I see it as being “prepared”.  

My theory was put into action last week when a friend stopped by to pick up some party supplies.  I was on the phone and unable to help her.  I sent her and Mr. Cabana to my (newly!) organized Party Pantry and guess what?  They were able to find exactly what they were looking for WITHOUT ME!!!!  That is something to be proud of, right?  I can actually feel my hour-glass gaining a few sands of time…

Now I am under illusions of grandeur regarding my Party Pantry or closets.  I drool just like the rest of you over the AMAZING pictures on Pinterest of pantries that frankly, I just will never (ok, maybe not NEVER, but seriously not likely!) have.  Seriously?!?  Can you believe this pantry below?  Sadly, I think it is about the size of my master bathroom…

                                                                                                        Source: zillow.com via Butterscotch Lady on Pinterest

But my inexpensive OSH garage cupboards have done their job for us for 10 years so far. Do the shelves sag in the middle a tad? Yes, but Mr. Cabana can fix that! So I choose to be proud of my pantry just as it is (imagine my fist in the air)!

BEFORE~

BEFORE~

This was organized at one point.  These baskets just did not work out.

This was organized at one point. These baskets just did not work out.

The napkins were out of control!!!

The napkins were out of control!!!

Great size without wasting space with a lid that overhangs the box too much.

Great size without wasting space with a lid that overhangs the box too much.

I buy a box of 20 for about $33

I buy a box of 20 for about $33

~AFTER~

~AFTER~

Now I can finally keep track of the right sized lids to buy!

Now I can finally keep track of the right sized lids to buy!

~AFTER~

~AFTER~

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HomeGoods cake stands.

HomeGoods cake stands.

Metal buckets that I seem to use for everything!

Metal buckets that I seem to use for everything!

This is an ongoing project as I will probably tweak it over time.   To keep it organized this time, I have labeled each box and the shelf location with my Dynamo Label maker from Target(I LOVE THIS TOOL!!!).

So I hope if you ever need anything from my Party Pantry, I know you (and Mr. Cabana)  will be able to find it without my help!

Until next time,

Butterscotch Lady

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