Your band of mercenaries has made it to the far north, a small outpost called Frosthaven in the Frozen Wastes. What adventures await you here?
Frosthaven is a legacy-style cooperative game for 1 to 4 players, ages 14 and up, and is the sequel to Gloomhaven. The play time varies by scenario, roughly 2 hours per session but this can be affected by the number of players, the complexity of the particular scenario, and some other factors. Frosthaven was originally funded through Kickstarter in 2020, delivered to backers in late 2022 and early 2023, and is now available to purchase from Cephalofair Games, with a price tag of $250 (or more, if you want to bundle some of the extras with it). Or if you don’t mind waiting a bit longer, you can pledge $180 for the second printing of Frosthaven through the current Backerkit campaign. Frosthaven is a standalone game and you don’t need to play Gloomhaven first, though it uses a lot of the same rules, with a few new additions.
Frosthaven was designed by Isaac Childres and published by Cephalofair Games, with artwork by Francesca Baerald, David Demaret, Alexandr Elichev, and Josh T. McDowell. There’s also a host of additional names in the rulebook for developers, scenario writers, graphic design, and more—too many for me to list here.
The term “legacy game” has been around for over a decade now (starting with Risk Legacy) but I find it’s still helpful to clarify what I mean, especially if you haven’t played one yet. Legacy games are games in which you will make permanent changes to the game as you play, often as a result of decisions you make over the course of the game. Nowadays, this can include writing on or adding stickers to game components, tearing up cards, scratching off some coating to reveal hidden information, and more. In most cases, legacy games are also campaign games, which means you’re intended to play through some number of sessions before you “complete” the game—at which point the particular state of your copy of the game is the “legacy” that you and your fellow players have created, potentially unique from any other copy that has been played.
There are a lot of components in Frosthaven that are revealed as you reach certain parts of the story, stickers that are added to the map, and so on, and the element of surprise as you open an envelope or lift a flap is part of the appeal. Because of that, it’s hard to talk in detail about the game, especially the components themselves, without giving a few spoilers. That said, I’ll try to keep significant spoilers to a minimum and only share what’s really necessary for explanation—primarily I’ll show photos from the first scenario so that they’re things you’d see very early on.
Because of the hidden/unknown components, I’ll list the “known” contents of the box but will leave out some of the details. When you first open the huge box, you’ll find a big stack of cardboard to punch out, and underneath that are a few plastic trays of cards, envelopes, boxes, books, and some other materials. There’s a handy sheet that tells you how to get things sorted to some extent, though there are some things that you’ll need to further organize yourself.
Here’s what comes in the box:
First up, there are a lot of map tiles—these have notches and knobs on the edges so that they can attach to each other, jigsaw-style, and each tile is double-sided so you get different artwork for the background. They’re labeled with numbers and letters, so all of the tiles of the same shape share a number. There isn’t an organizer for these included in the base box, so they just get piled on top of the trays.
The photo above shows the plastic trays: the two on the left nest into each other (with lids); the top one includes all the various status token and damage tokens, and the larger tray has all of the overlay tiles for terrain, doors, special locations, and so on.
The tray on the top left has most of the cards: lots of event cards, battle modifier cards, and item cards. Most of these have little divider cards to separate the available and unavailable cards, but the way they’re designed is that “Available” is printed on one side and “Unavailable” is printed on the other, so you need to be careful which side you’re looking at. This tray also included all of the cards for the enemies (in that empty well on the right), but the way the game has you organize them (see below), this well ends up empty. One thing that disappointed me about the divider cards is that the tabs stick up over the height of the trays—and for storage, you’ll pile the books and tiles on top of them, which means the tabs get squashed. There was an article about how they hired a submarine engineer to get everything to fit into the box—and it’s an impressive feat, for sure, but a lot of it feels like it fits when it’s new, but isn’t designed for good storage once everything is punched out and in use.
The large tray on the bottom is intended to be left at the bottom of the box. It has the health/XP dials, large enemy cards, building cards, a bunch of sealed envelopes, and then lots of boxes. The smaller boxes along the right are miniatures for all of the player characters, and the flat boxes are the other components for each of the character classes.
Each class has its own set of components so they vary a bit, but the photo above shows is a sample. The Banner Spear is one of the starting classes (and the one I started with). Each box has a player board, a pad of character sheets, a deck of action cards and a deck of modifier cards, an initiative token, and potentially some other tokens. The Banner Spear has a lot of abilities that summon allies or banners, but some characters have none or have other types of tokens. The character itself has a corresponding miniature, but there are also cardboard tokens for each character in case you prefer to use those instead.
The bulk of the cardboard punchouts are the enemies. There are over 40 monsters, demons, guards, machines, and creatures, and there are 6 to 10 copies of most of them aside from the bosses. If you have Gloomhaven, you’ll notice that there are quite a few that you’ve seen before. Each enemy has the standee tokens, an initiative banner, and a small deck of action cards, and the setup sheet tells you to bag these up (with the included plastic baggies) and then, well, pile them all into the box, on top of the stacks of map tiles. While this does get everything to fit in the box, it’s a pretty poor system, particularly when you’re looking for specific enemies for a scenario setup. I ended up labeling all the bags with a marker and lining them up in a shoebox in alphabetical order.
There’s a large board that serves as a map—it has the Northern Coast on the top half, and then a close-up of the Frosthaven outpost on the bottom. You get a pad of campaign sheets, a few sticker sheets (which you aren’t supposed to examine too closely), an alchemy chart, a few books, and scenario flowcharts, plus a little sealed puzzle book.
In case you’re already familiar with Gloomhaven, the rules and sections that are new to Frosthaven are highlighted so you can quickly skim to find the new material. This time, in addition to the scenario book, there’s also a section book. In Gloomhaven, I noted that although you weren’t supposed to know what was on the other side of a door until you open it, it was easy to glance at the setup map and see what was coming. Now, the scenario setup shows you the whole map layout but only includes monsters in the rooms you can see at the start of a scenario, with instructions to look up a particular page in the section book when you open a door (or other events trigger). The section book is also where you’ll find timed events or sometimes the results of decisions you make.
The scenario flowcharts are large sheets that show how one scenario leads into the next. Some are linear paths, and other times there are branching paths that you’ll take depending on the outcome of a scenario. There are scenarios that will unlock after a certain amount of time has passed, and there are others that you can’t play until you’ve made enough progress in the puzzle book.
As you unlock scenarios, you open the flap on the flowchart, which reveals a sticker to put onto the board. The location coordinates are listed on the board, though it would have been nice to have it printed on the margin of the sticker too. The board itself just has the numbered circles, and when you place a sticker it will add the scenario title, as well as some more illustrations about that scenario. There will even be times when you place stickers on top of other stickers. Some stickers overlap the sections of the board that fold, and those stickers are cut into two pieces, but I’ve found that the cuts don’t always line up exactly right.
The Outpost section of the board starts with a few buildings, but the walls are incomplete and most of the outpost consists of empty lots. As you play through the campaign and build up the prosperity level of the outpost, you’ll be able to level up existing buildings and build new ones, giving you access to stronger abilities. The building stickers stack as you level them up, and it’s fun to see the little details that are added as each one is improved.
Since the core of the gameplay in Frosthaven is the same as Gloomhaven, I don’t want to get too bogged down in the mechanics here. You can read my review of Gloomhaven for a more detailed breakdown, and I’ll mostly highlight the differences here.
A quick sketch of the gameplay: each scenario has its own setup map, enemies, and various terrain features placed on the map according to the scenario book, and some have special rules as well. Each player has a hand of action cards that each have a top action and a bottom action—typically attack on the top and movement on the bottom, but this can vary greatly from character to character. On your turn, you choose two cards from your hand to play—this will determine both the initiative order for the players and give you the options for your turn. Each monster type on the board will also flip a card from their individual decks, which will determine their initiative and dictate their behavior.
When it’s your turn, you choose one of your cards to use the top action, and the other card uses the bottom action, moving around the map and (usually) attacking the enemies. Some cards—usually the more powerful actions—will be “lost” after you use them, meaning they’re unavailable for the rest of the scenario, but otherwise they go into a discard pile. If you run out of cards in your hand, you’ll have to rest to get the cards back from your discard, but you also lose a card when you rest—that means you have a limited number of turns before you have no more cards available and are exhausted, out of the scenario.
You also have a limited amount of health, which ticks down when you take damage—and, of course, if you run out of health, you’re exhausted for that scenario. You’re also allowed to lose cards to prevent damage, but that runs you out of cards sooner, so you need to maintain a careful balance between losing health and losing cards. Each scenario has its own objectives (defeat all enemies, last a set number of rounds, destroy a particular object) and loss conditions.
In each scenario, you’ll also have a battle goal—this will earn you checkmarks toward perks if you complete them, and they’re a bit like achievements: have more or less loot, kill a certain number of enemies, always move at the top speed, that sort of thing. Gloomhaven came with 24 battle goals; Frosthaven has more than double that. Perks will usually let you adjust your battle modifier deck or unlock a few other abilities.
As you earn XP, you’ll get to level up your character, which increases their starting health, gives you a perk, and lets you add a new card to your deck. (However, your hand size does not increase, so that means you’re swapping out a card for a more powerful card.) Each player has a secret personal challenge that serves as a long-term goal—if you complete the challenge, then your character retires and you start a new character.
Some of the changes are mostly variety: a few new conditions, terrain types, and a new way to gain loot that uses a deck of cards tied to the scenario itself. There are also some changes to the way line-of-sight is calculated and a few new types of actions.
One change is that the events now have seasons. Usually, at the start of each scenario, you’ll draw a road event, a bit of story that gives you some options, and then you flip the card to see the result of your choice. Now, you’ll draw either a winter road event or a summer road event, depending on the season according to your campaign sheet calendar.
The biggest change, though, is the Outpost phase. After most scenarios, your party returns to the Frosthaven Outpost. Each time this happens, you first mark off the next box in the calendar—some of these have section numbers pre-printed on them, and sometimes there will be section numbers that you’ve been instructed to add based on events or scenarios. When you reach one of these, you read that section of the book and resolve the outcome.
Then, you draw an Outpost event card (again, based on the season). Like the road events, these have a bit of story and some options to choose from, but they’re usually a different type of event that has some effect on the outpost rather than the scenario you’re about to play. They also include attacks on your outpost, which can damage or wreck your buildings, and these are resolved with a town guard deck that is similar to your character’s battle modifier deck.
Each building in your outpost has a corresponding card, and you’ll have an opportunity to use them after resolving the event. For instance, you may be able to buy resources, train soldiers, or brew potions. If a building is damaged or wrecked, you have to pay resources to repair them, and you lose their effects until they’re repaired. Upgrading a building will require you to be at a particular prosperity level, and you’re generally limited to building or upgrading one thing each Outpost phase.
Your campaign sheet also tracks things like your morale (which can be spent for repairs or extra building), your soldiers (used to boost defense during an attack), and shared resources. Just like your character can earn perks to tweak your battle modifier deck, the town guard also has perks to modify the town guard deck—though my party hasn’t gotten to that stage yet! There’s also a section at the bottom of the sheet to record when a character retires—by fulfilling their personal quest.
The Outpost phase is also when you’ll be able to craft items, buy items, brew potions, and level up characters when applicable.
Frosthaven is GeekDad Approved!
When I wrote up Gloomhaven several years ago, I was still in the middle of another campaign game so it was hard to set up a regular group to play it, and I’ll admit that I did not manage to make it very far, though I still have plans to get back to it eventually if I find the right group for it. This time around, though, I’m playing Frosthaven with two friends who did complete Gloomhaven themselves, and their enthusiasm and consistency mean we’ve already gotten further into the campaign than I did before. We’ve logged 20 sessions so far as of this writing, and I’ve even managed to retire my first character.
What I said about Gloomhaven still holds true for Frosthaven, but more so. It’s even more expensive and even bigger (both in box size and in scope). There are 137 scenarios on the flowchart, and while you won’t play all of them because some branches force you to choose one path or another, you’ll still have plenty to do. Each session takes our 3-player group between 2 and 4 hours to complete depending on the complexity, so even playing weekly I imagine this will take over a year to complete, possibly close to two. Even so, whenever we finish a scenario we’re usually itching to play more, and if I didn’t have so many other games in my queue (and, you know, other friends I also want to play games with) it would be tempting to play Frosthaven multiple times a week instead.
I think one of the key things that sets Frosthaven apart from other dungeon crawlers I’ve played is the way the cards function—picking two cards to set your initiative, and then getting to decide how to use those two cards once your turn actually comes up, gives you a couple of challenging choices while retaining some flexibility. The battle modifier cards, used instead of rolling dice, are another interesting feature. You always have the possibility of a critical fail or a critical hit in the deck, but you can modify a lot of the in-between using your perks, so you can tweak the deck to fit your play style.
I also like the way that characters retire and change out over the course of the campaign. Some quests take longer than others, but it also keeps things fresh for the players. As you play, you unlock new classes to try out, but even if you go back and play one of the previous classes, you could choose different action cards when you level up—and that’s not even considering the way you can modify the cards themselves with enhancements.
The game’s difficulty level feels nicely tuned. The scenario’s level is based on the individual levels of the characters, and that affects the monster levels, how much damage traps do, how much gold or XP you earn, and so on. We’ve found that in most scenarios we’re just eking out a victory (or just barely losing), which keeps it thrilling. There have been several times that we thought we weren’t going to make it, but then managed to scrape by, and that’s such a satisfying feeling (and keeps you coming back for more).
The Outpost is a nice addition in Frosthaven—it gives you a feeling of leveling up as a party. Will you build up your walls to add to the defense? Or maybe a boat or a sled so you can access some hard-to-reach scenarios? Or upgrade your Alchemist so you can start brewing more powerful potions? The calendar events are also a nice touch, and I always enjoy it when we’re instructed to write a number a few weeks in the future. What will it be—did our plans work out or will things come back to bite us?
If you like a bit more immersion (or if you don’t like reading out loud yourself), I highly recommend the Forteller narration app ($17.99). The app includes all of the scenarios and sections, as well as the event cards. It’s not just a narrator reading the text—there are voice actors with different accents, atmospheric background noise, and other sound effects. It really adds to the setting, and the app is fairly easy to use. You can hear the prologue above to get a sense of it.
For the gameplay, I also recommend using the free Xhaven Assistant app (iOS and Android). You can connect multiple devices so each person uses their own, or you can share a device. It automatically pulls up the monsters and loot deck based on the scenario, and once you’ve put in your characters and levels, it adjusts the difficulty level. You enter your initiative numbers into the app and hit “draw,” and it draws all of the monster cards and arranges everyone in order, so you don’t have to manually draw (and shuffle) all of the monster action cards and mess with the initiative banners. The app will also track things like the elements, your health and XP, and loot that you’ve collected, and has little pop-up messages for scenario rules like when more enemies are supposed to spawn. We use a combination of the app and the physical tokens, but it speeds up some of the setup and upkeep for the game.
Frosthaven is best suited for a group that can be consistent… and that plays well together. If you find yourselves constantly arguing any time you play a cooperative game, this may cause a little too much friction! (Though given the game’s theme, that might be appropriate behavior for a group of mercenaries.) If you’re able to get together with the same group regularly, there’s an amazing world to explore together.
Currently, Cephalofair Games is running a Backerkit campaign called “Gloomhaven Grand Festival,” which includes a host of related products: Gloomhaven second edition, the Gloomhaven Role-Playing Game, Frosthaven second printing, and various minis sets for Gloomhaven and Frosthaven. It’s a chance to get things at a slightly reduced price compared to retail, and there are lots of livestreams featuring gameplay and interviews in case you want to learn more.
To pick up a copy of Frosthaven, you can visit the Cephalofair website, or check out the “Gloomhaven Grand Festival” Backerkit campaign!
Click here to see all our tabletop game reviews.
To subscribe to GeekDad’s tabletop gaming coverage, please copy this link and add it to your RSS reader.
Disclosure: GeekDad received a copy of this game for review purposes.
Click through to read all of "‘Frosthaven’: A Bigger, Better, Cooler ‘Gloomhaven’" at GeekDad.If you value content from GeekDad, please support us via Patreon or use this link to shop at Amazon. Thanks!
]]>Let's face it, custom closet systems may seem like a luxury, but they're a necessity for anyone who wants to keep their clothing and personal belongings in tip-top shape. A messy closet can lead to clutter and stress, which are two things no one needs more of in their life. While most people think they know the basics of closet organization, there are a few little-known hacks that can make a big impact.
Here are some handy secrets to help you maximize your closet space and keep everything organized and tidy:
Read on to discover the best little-known organization secrets that can transform your closet space.
One of the most overlooked areas in a closet is the door. By using the back of your closet door, you can add a shoe organizer or some hooks to maximize your storage space. This is especially useful for small closets where every inch counts. You can use the shoe organizer to store shoes, or even smaller items like hats, gloves, and scarves. Hooks can be used for purses, belts, or other miscellaneous items.
Ironing boards can take up a lot of space, and let's be honest, they're not the most attractive item in a closet. A shelf-mounted or side-mounted ironing board is a great alternative to a traditional ironing board. These boards can be easily mounted to the side or underside of a shelf, and they fold down when not in use, freeing up valuable closet space.
Are you still folding your clothes as you put them away? There are other options, and while some of those involve complicated and possibly intimidating folding techniques, at least one is fairly simple. According to House Beautiful , you should roll your clothes instead of folding them. Not only does this save space, but it also makes it easier to find the item you need without having to dig through a pile of clothing.
If you’re making the most of your custom closet storage space, you’re likely storing some items up high and out of reach. Keeping a stepladder handy can help you quickly and easily store sweaters, boxes, or blankets away, rather than leaving them in a heap on the floor. Put a small step ladder in a corner of the closet or on a hook on the wall so you can easily reach the highest shelves without straining your arms or neck.
Folded pants take up some valuable real estate in your custom closet system—and the process of folding is time-consuming, too. A pant rack is a great alternative that allows you to hang your pants vertically, maximizing closet space and making it easy to find the pair you need. Plus, your pants stay wrinkle-free and tidy.
Dividers are an often-overlooked addition to shelves and drawers that can make a world of difference in how much storage space you’re able to use effectively. By using dividers, you’re able to keep each individual stack in its own space, eliminating the problem of disturbing one stack as you reach for something in another. Not only does this keep things neater, but it also limits how much your items are able to move around, keeping them safe and secure.
Waterfall hooks are handy hooks that attach to the top of your closet rod and cascade down, creating multiple levels of hanging space for your clothes and accessories. Not only do they maximize your storage space, but they also make it easier to see and access all of your items—and they couldn’t be easier to install. As a bonus, waterfall hooks are also a great solution for organizing those hard-to-store items like scarves, belts, and purses.
A custom closet system is a great investment, especially if you take the time to maximize the space and keep everything organized. By following the secret tips above, you can make the most of your closet space. With a little effort and creativity, you can turn your closet into a beautiful and functional space that makes your life easier and less stressful.
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18
1 • Never underestimate the power of packing cubes! Since Ali-Shaun brought them to our first annual Favorite Things Party, I don’t travel without them. They keep your things compact so they fit better in your suitcase and better organized. I take an extra for dirties so I can easily throw that bag into the laundry room when I return home. I also buy different colors for each member of the family so we can easily identify whose is whose.
2 • Y’all saw in my 4-Minute Skincare Routine that I use Colleen Rothschild SPF 4o and really like how it’s protecting my skin. I took it to Mexico last year and although I was in the sun almost all day, my face never got sunburned. The Triple Defense Sunscreen is a broad spectrum SPF 40 that protects against UVA/UVB rays, pollution and blue light. It also has antioxidants to help fight future signs of aging and skin damage. It’s 100% Mineral Sunscreen (reef safe), Non-Comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and also controls oil. I like the little pump that’s easy to use and the formula doesn’t break out my skin like some sunscreens do.
3 • This toiletry storage bag has several clear zipper compartments for holding ALL your travel essentials. It folds up compact with a carrying handle, but the best part it has a hook to hang on a door for easy access.
4 • Don’t forget your vitamins and supplements. This pill organizer holds all your medications and separates them by day, with a large easy-to-read font on the outside.
5 • These are my current favorite workout shoes and they’re also perfect for lots of walking. I wore them in Miami on my trip with James and my feet never bothered me a bit! They’re lightweight with the perfect amount of cushion, plus they look cool
6 & 7 • These clear bags with sturdy zippers and carrying handles keep things organized and easy to see. I use them for everything from TSA travel-size toiletries, makeup, sunscreen, jewelry, snacks, toys- you name it! They’re also TSA approved.
8 • I never travel without my flip flops. Sometimes I prefer to wear them in the airport because my feet tend to swell in the air. And sometimes you just want to throw on your flip flops for a quick trip to the coffee station, etc. They’re also great for the pool, weekends, and trips to the salon for a pedicure.
9 • Airpods are awesome for listening to music, a podcast or movie while traveling or before bed, even at the pool. I don’t leave home without mine.
10 • I’ve been so happy with these 3 oz. carryon size containers for all my liquids. I put shampoo, conditioner, lotion and sunscreen inside. The wide opening makes them easy to fill and they’re also drip proof. I ended up labeling mine with my label maker.
11 & 12 • DELSEY is top notch quality and will be your favorite luggage for sure! It’s functional and so stylish! You’ll be amazed how lightweight and durable it is and the three dial combination lock is TSA approved. They roll like a dream making it super easy to glide with you as you walk. Inside are two lined compartments and straps to keep your items secure.
This luggage is so high-tech that it even comes with a built-in tracking device in case your luggage gets lost. And it comes with a 10 year limited warranty.
I have both the big size for larger trips when a carryon just won’t do and also a carry on that fits in the overhead compartment on the plane.
13 • No one would know that these Jackie O inspired sunnies are from Amazon and super inexpensive. They fit comfortably too.
14 • Gotta help keep the sun off your face when traveling and also save time from having to style your hair. I have this UPF 50+ hat it in two colors. I love the design and it looks great on everyone. It’s also lightweight, adjustable and packable.
15 • This may be one of the MOST handy things to have when out and about. It’s a thin charging block with the ability to charge three different devices at once. It also charges itself via a regular outlet, so no extra cord to deal with. Mine has saved me on more than one occasion!
16 • This little passport book has been so handy throughout my trip and definitely while we were in the airport. It holds your ID as well, with additional card and cash slots, plus a pen loop and place for sim cards. The flap is magnetic and stays closed. Even Elliott was envious and wanted one of his own.
17 • I got this carryon to take to Miami with me and it was amazing! Honestly, it’s one of those things I can’t believe I haven’t traveled with in the past. First of all, it’s so roomy inside and holds a ton! The storage is super functional with the rectangle shape, large inner compartment, outside zip pocket and a side zip and slip pocket. The back sits perfectly on top of your luggage and the shoulder straps and nice and comfy.
I love the nylon material and the zippers, stitching and construction all all top notch. It also comes with a detachable shoulder/crossbody adjustable strap. There’s so many colors to choose from, I’m not sure I made the best choice with black, but I figured you can’t go wrong with classic black.
Then, after having and using it, I decided to gift my black one to Elliott and I bought myself the gorgeous ‘rose quartz’ – a warm tan color.
18 • If you suffer from car sickness when you travel like I do, try this trick that my friend Ashley taught me. Sniff peppermint essential oil to keep the motion sickness at bay. I swear it works and I make sure I have it easily accessible in my purse if I ever have to get in an uber or taxi. I’m not a good backseat passenger!
I hope these Travel Must Haves help make your next vacation better than ever! Tell me in the comments where you’re going next!
Have a fantastic day friend!
The post Travel Must Haves appeared first on Honey We're Home.
]]>Decluttering your house can pay off — in both a higher sales price and fewer days on the market. Top real estate agent Michael Russo, who sells homes 57% faster than the average agent in Warwick, Rhode Island, says a home “will definitely sell quicker and for a higher price if the house is decluttered and looking good.”
But where to start? We’ll guide you through how to declutter a house to sell.
If you’re starting to prepare your home for sale, hiring a great real estate agent is an important step to take. HomeLight data shows that top-performing agents sell homes faster and for more money than average agents.
Does decluttering and cleaning a house before selling really make a difference? Warwick says yes!
“When potential buyers are touring the house, they can better envision themselves and their possessions living there — their furniture, their belongings — which will enhance their interest and their offer amount,” he says.
One survey by Consumer Reports suggests that, as a home seller, you could see 3%-5% higher proceeds simply by decluttering and depersonalizing the space inside your home.
Here’s a list of decluttering benefits for home sellers:
If you’re overwhelmed and unsure where to start, take it room by room and try the “timer trick.” This method, favored by productivity and organization bloggers, gives you a structured chunk of time to focus solely on cleaning. Set a timer for 15 minutes, and devote the time to one step of the cleaning process. After all, anyone can do anything for 15 minutes, right? Repeat until your house is clutter-free.
Follow this 10-space checklist, and your home will be ready to sell in no time.
First impressions matter, so start at the front door. Remove and pack away out-of-season coats still hanging on the coat rack, multiple pairs of shoes, hats and gloves, and your dog’s leash. Get rid of the pile of mail and old cards sitting by the front door.
Professional organizer Andrew Mellen says that “Greeting cards with nothing more than a scribble in them have done their job — someone was thinking of you at a particular time and let you know it,” he says. “If they haven’t written anything significant, the moment has passed, and you can let go.” Sorting through some messes can take a considerable amount of time, and you might still need the dog’s leash within easy reach, so if you’re stuck here, place items in attractive storage boxes or baskets and hide them away.
If you’re pressed for time, Russo picked the kitchen and bath as the two most important rooms to declutter. “Remove all items from countertops, from on top of fridges, magnets on the front — make it look like nobody lives there,” he advises.
Toss out old, expired food, starting with the fridge and freezer and moving onto the cabinets and pantry. Throw away anything gross or mysterious. Budget 15 minutes per shelf, including time wiping down cabinet fronts and cleaning old spills.
While you’re throwing out expired foodstuffs, take a hard look at your pots and pans collection. Consider tossing any infrequently-used cooking tool, pot, pan, dish, or glass into a donation box. Tuck appliances into newly freed-up space in your cabinets, and consider bringing the toaster out for the five minutes a day that you use it.
Old magazines in the rack beside the couch, books you haven’t read in years piled haphazardly on shelves, and that old armchair with the stuffing bursting from the arms — take a hard look at your living room when it’s time to get a house ready to sell. All of these will distract from the room’s appeal.
How important is the living room? The National Association of Realtors 2023 Profile of Home Staging found that staging the living room was most important for buyers.
Start by clearing out everything that belongs in the trash or recycling bin — including old magazines or a broken lamp. If items from around the house have landed in the living room, sort them into bins color-coded by family members. Then, move them to their respective rooms.
And pack away personal photos and mementos — buyers have a hard time envisioning themselves living in a home if it’s your kid’s pictures hanging on the walls. You really need only one sofa and an accent table to indicate how to use the space. “A lot of times, we see that people just have too much furniture in the room for the size that it is,” Jeremy Kahler, a top real estate agent serving Rapid City, South Dakota, says. “Emptying that out helps it feel like a bigger area.”
In your bedroom, you want buyers to see that their bed, nightstands, and dressers will fit in the space. Making your own furniture visible can help. Clear off the bed so you’ll have somewhere to set laundry baskets, etc., while you clean. Tidy up books, tissues, and old glasses from the nightstand. Move under-bed storage out to the garage.
Sort through your clothes and donate items you haven’t worn in years. Create space in your closet, and make sure closet doors can open and shut easily. Buyers will be poking their noses behind closed doors!
Be picky about sentimental items — like your prom dress or a concert t-shirt. Mellen recommends paying close attention to these moments — namely, “the story you tell yourself” when you’re assessing whether or not to keep an item. “The story you may be telling yourself about how exciting the hunt to find it was, or how much fun you had when you were drinking cocktails with your friends are all good stories,” he says. “They just might not need to be stories you’re still telling yourself.”
In other words, if you’re holding onto an item for fear of losing a memory, let it go and trust yourself to remember the good.
According to Russo, “kitchens and baths sell houses.”
If you’re short on time, prioritize these rooms. In the bathroom, “remove all personal effects from showers, bathtubs, and vanity tops,” he says. Throw out half-empty bottles of shampoo and fold and hang up towels.
Russo says that before the pandemic, home offices weren’t as popular and could be smaller. But post-pandemic, people are still working remotely and prioritize them higher on their list. Clear away scraps of paper and books, but don’t think you have to get rid of everything.
“When it comes to decluttering, it’s okay to have your computer, your bookshelf, that shows that it’s functional and usable,” Russo says. “But you really want to keep it minimal, organized, and looking good.”
It can be hard for kids to let go of beloved toys, but now is the time to weed out broken cars and playsets, stuffed animals that are less “stuffed” than split open, and toys they’ve outgrown. Take kids’ art down from the walls and consider repainting the dark black walls your teenager begged for. Homelight’s Top Agent Insights for Fall 2022 surveyed over 1,000 top agents nationwide, and 78% of them recommended that sellers paint tired rooms.
It’s easy for the windowsills to become a catch-all storage place for keys, paperwork, discarded gloves, and more. But cleaning them off allows your windows to shine (particularly if you’ve got a great view), lets in more light, and opens up the space. If shoes are piled in the hallways or on the stairs, clear them off. It should be easy for buyers to walk through your home.
If you’ve got the time, expand your decluttering beyond the house itself. Don’t worry if you’ve been using your garage as a place to store decluttered items. “You can put items in the garage if necessary, but organize them in a way where buyers can still see that, yes, you can actually put a car in here,” Russo says. The key is to organize tools, boxes, and the lawn mower so that buyers can see that the garage is usable.
Adding a firepit, lighting, or seating can spruce up a starter home — 14% of agents in the Homelight survey recommended it. And these fixes are often cheap and add a lot to curb appeal. A new layer of mulch, some fresh flowers, and buyers may overlook some of the yard’s flaws.
While you’re at it, put in some sweat equity. Trim dead branches off trees and bushes, plant new bushes to hide unsightly fixtures like an air conditioning unit, and rake up any dead leaves.
In a seller’s market, it’s easier to sell a house full of stuff. But, as many markets across the country have shifted, it’s more important to give your home every advantage. Removing clutter helps other professionals — all of whom are helping sell your house — do their job.
It’s easier for a photographer to navigate around the house and take the best pictures to highlight its features if they’re not tripping over or moving boxes of stuff. Stagers can come in and use an empty space.
And, as Kahler reminds us, “Neutralizing your space is important because buyers need to picture themselves and their family in the home.”
Maximalists may struggle to live in a minimal home, and it can be tough to stay on top of kids who want to haul all toys to play. So remember, “It’s for a short period of time,” Kahler says. “If you get the house ready and do it well, it’ll sell in a shorter amount of time so that you can basically make the move and get back to living and decorating it the way you want.”
Still not sure where to start decluttering? A top agent can walk through your home and give you a fresh perspective. They’ll point out where small tweaks can yield big rewards, and they’ll know what buyers in your market value. HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing, trusted agent in your market who can help you declutter and sell fast. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.
Header Image Source: (Y-Boychenko / Depositphotos)
]]>8 loveable kitty cat Plastic canvas projects made using 7-mesh plastic canvas. Designs include a kitty scratching post, mail organizer, plant holder, wall hanging, doorstop, door hanger, picture frame and a kitty cat face shaped box.
The art of … Read More...
]]>“You get some sleep?” asks Austin, who drove from the airport to the jail around midnight.
“I was knocked out in that car,” Mateen replies; they’d waited outside the jail till 6 a.m.
“I know you was!” says Austin.
Austin lives in Kentucky but has come to Gulfport repeatedly to help Mateen, feeling a special kinship. It wasn’t too long ago that police in Louisville shot and killed one of Austin’s nieces, Breonna Taylor. “You just see somebody in pain, and you know the pain they’re going through,” Austin says. “You just want to embrace them and try to be there.”
Across the United States, the police fatally shoot more than 1,000 people every year, representing nearly 5 percent of all homicides—a higher death toll than from mass shootings. Some of these cases make national news, but most don’t. Even less attention is paid to the families left behind: thousands of people, disproportionately Black, Indigenous, and Latino, who must navigate not only their grief, but the stress of protests and the press, not to mention agonizing questions of how to seek accountability from the officers who killed their loved ones.
“It’s a different fight when you up against a system that was supposed to serve and protect you,” Austin says. “There’s not a handbook for tragic situations like this.” Police who kill often receive therapy, paid leave, and lawyers—much of it publicly funded—but there’s usually little to no government support for families. In that absence, Austin and her close friend Jacob Blake Sr., whose son was shot by a cop in Wisconsin, travel around the country supporting surviving family members by, as Blake puts it, “making yourself available to them any way they want.”
There’s another protest tomorrow, in front of the Family Dollar store, and they meet up later in the evening to plan for it, joined by a handful of other organizers. Mateen mentions she has a call in a few days with the Justice Department about her son’s case. Blake offers to join. “We’ll be at the Airbnb, you come over,” he suggests. Mateen nods with relief. “I don’t know what I’m gonna hear,” she tells me. “They want to look out for me.”
There’s stress and sadness in the room, but at times it also feels like a family reunion. On the couch, someone laughs and playfully slaps Mateen’s shoulder after she makes a funny comment. She chuckles as someone else impersonates an activist from out of town who seems more interested in building an Instagram following than helping her and her son. Austin, her auburn braids pulled up in a bun, hovers around the kitchen table as Mateen’s 20-year-old daughter, Amera, a scrunchy around her wrist, eats a plate of chicken and mashed potatoes. There’s a colorful king cake on the counter waiting to be devoured. Austin’s fiancé rubs her shoulders.
It’s a full house, something 42-year-old Austin craved after she lost Breonna in 2020—the same week her city went into lockdown for the pandemic. She laughs now with Mateen’s daughter. “I don’t want people to feel alone,” she told me earlier.
That desire for community has led her and Blake to build a network of mourning relatives who lean on each other after police violence. They call themselves Families United. “It’s a relatively new and beautiful way of organizing: having the families support each other,” says Melina Abdullah, who co-founded the first Black Lives Matter chapter, in Los Angeles in 2013, and who’s in the room now with Blake, Austin, and Mateen. Although police brutality has long beset communities of color, it’s only within the past decade, she says, that victims’ family members have teamed up like this on the front lines, offering each other the care that no one else can. Most racial justice activists “want to provide support,” she says, counting herself among them, but “we don’t know what it feels like to have your loved one stolen by the state.” As Austin puts it, “It’s a different kind of grief.”
Together, Austin and Blake hope to help families get the national attention they deserve without speaking over them: to listen to each person’s needs and be a sounding board as they navigate situations that often lack a clear path forward. “It’s so hard to find help—like, what’s the starting point? How do you know who’s trustworthy?” Austin says, reflecting on Breonna’s death. “Because if you don’t know, you don’t know. You don’t know at all.”
Early in the morning on March 13, 2020, Austin awoke to what looked like a flashlight in her eyes. “Mom, people been trying to call you!” her daughter said, pointing the brightly lit phone at Austin’s face. Eighty-three missed calls. Disoriented and groggy, Austin held it to her ear and heard her sister Tamika Palmer say something panicky she couldn’t quite make out, something that sounded like, “B, where you at? Bre’s dead.” Austin’s daughter screamed, and Austin, startled, threw the phone like it was a piece of burning coal.
“What did you just say? What’s going on?” Austin asked after dialing back.
“You need to get to the hospital now,” her sister said.
Okay, I’ll meet Breonna there, Austin told herself, not processing that her 26-year-old niece could really be dead. They’d talked on the phone the night before, before dinner. Maybe she went to a club afterward and something happened; she got caught in crossfire, Austin thought. Maybe she’s hurt.
Breonna was in some ways Austin’s mini-me. They were both aspiring nurses, and they loved to sing. When Bre was in kindergarten, she liked Austin’s purple braids and asked if she could get some coloring in her own—grinning widely as she flipped her purple hair the next day when she got off the school bus. Bre wasn’t the type of girl to get in trouble, working two jobs and saving up for a house. None of it made sense.
Austin drove toward the hospital, but then her sister called—Bre wasn’t there.
Confused, Austin drove to meet her sister at home. Bre wasn’t there either.
So she gathered her sister and all the other confused, crying people around her, and they drove to Bre’s apartment, where yellow security tape hung in the parking lot.
“She’s in there,” a police officer told them, gesturing to the building.
What the fuck does that mean? Austin thought.
Then the coroner pulled up, and it was clear. “I’m sorry for your loss…” he started to say, as Palmer let out a wail and collapsed. Another officer handed Austin a business card, instructing her to call for a police report in six to eight weeks. “That was it,” Austin recalls.
Palmer, sobbing on the ground, had a little more information: Her daughter’s boyfriend, Kenny Walker, had called her the night before, hysterically screaming that some men broke into their apartment and shot Bre.
After he hung up, without specifying who broke in or whether Bre had survived, Palmer assumed the worst but also hoped that she was wrong. Now the coroner had confirmed her fears, and making matters worse, it was starting to seem like the police weren’t being honest. Palmer recalled how, when she drove to the apartment right after Kenny’s call, an officer outside told her Bre was in the hospital, while she was actually bleeding out inside.
Soon, the family learned that the police arrested Kenny, and their confusion grew: Had he attacked Bre, as uncharacteristic as that seemed? Or was it burglars, like he’d suggested? It wasn’t until they got a lawyer two days later and went inside the apartment that they suspected something else entirely. The place looked like a war zone, with bullet holes through the patio, front door, and just about every wall, and a pool of blood at the end of the hallway.
In the coming weeks, through phone calls with Kenny, news reports, and police documents their lawyer subpoenaed, the family learned what really happened: Breonna had fallen asleep watching the movie Freedom Writers when, a little after midnight, seven plainclothes police barged through her front door with a battering ram. They were looking for drugs—her ex was a dealer. Kenny, thinking they were intruders, grabbed his gun and fired a single shot, and the officers returned with a barrage of bullets. As Breonna lay wounded, Kenny called 911, still not realizing it was the police who had attacked them. An officer would later admit to falsifying an affidavit to enter the unit; there were no drugs there.
If Breonna’s family had wanted to protest, they couldn’t. She died the same month Louisville’s mayor told residents to shelter in place. “The city was shutting down; like, just go in your house and be quiet,” Austin says. She struggled to find a church that would host a funeral and tried to stay strong for her siblings: Palmer was so anguished she could hardly talk. Their brother was recovering from a stroke, and their sister Tahasha Holloway was severely sick with Covid, as was an elderly relative who died that week. “I went into defensive mode,” Austin remembers. “Like, ‘I can’t allow myself to be weak right now, I don’t want to cry right now.’” She spent hours hunched over a laptop, telling people about the shooting and dispelling rumors that Breonna was involved with drugs. “Somebody had to be the level-headed one,” she says.
“B literally took charge,” Holloway, the oldest of the three sisters, says of Austin, the youngest. “She was our speaker.”
“But she couldn’t stop,” Holloway adds. “She had worked herself into a real-live frenzy. You had to kind of pull her to the side: ‘You need to go sit down.’”
For a month, Austin could not sleep at night, despite the pills her doctor prescribed. If she was lucky, she’d doze off for an hour during the day, but even then she had nightmares. The hospital where she worked was inundated with Covid cases that nobody knew how to treat, and she felt like she spent most shifts flipping dead bodies. “I go home and it’s tragedy. I go to work, it’s a catastrophe,” recalls Austin. “I was so overwhelmed.”
As Breonna’s story eventually went viral and the country learned her name, Austin was further demoralized: The media took misleading soundbites from her interviews. She felt like politicians and even some activists spoke about the killing to boost their own popularity.
And it seemed the cops would never face consequences for what they’d done to Breonna. That September, the state attorney general announced he would not press charges against the officers who shot her. Austin, devastated, organized a press conference with her family. “At this point, I’m just fed up…ready to crawl back in my hole,” she recalls. “I didn’t think I had the strength to keep going and deal with the politics behind fighting the police.”
Then she saw someone at the press conference, a Black man with a linebacker’s build and a face mask emblazoned with “Justice for Jacob.” Something about his eyes looked familiar; she thought she recognized him from TV. Ben Crump, her family’s attorney and a renowned civil rights lawyer, said he was Jacob Blake Sr., the father of the 29-year-old who’d been shot by police in Wisconsin a few weeks earlier. Austin felt sympathy, then surprise. “I’m like, ‘I was literally just watching your son get shot. You’re dealing with your own stuff—why are you here?’”
Jacob Blake Sr. had gotten a phone call the night before, alerting him to the press conference. He drove overnight to be there.
He’d been driving a lot lately. In August 2020, he was in his silver Hyundai sedan, heading to his favorite Thai restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he lived, when someone texted him a video circulating online, of a white officer shooting his son Jacob Blake Jr. seven times. Blake Sr. immediately went home, packed his bags, and started toward Kenosha, the mountains, fields, and towns passing in a blur. “That was the longest drive of my life, because at that time I never looked at the video past the first shot,” he says. “So I don’t know how many times my son was shot, I don’t know if he’s alive, I don’t know what’s going on.” When he arrived, he found Blake Jr. paralyzed from the waist down, with gunshot wounds and damage to his stomach, kidney, and liver. Protests followed, and a 17-year-old civilian, Kyle Rittenhouse, went to one and shot three people, two fatally.
Blake Sr., a former college football player and bodyguard, is a big man with a booming voice, but he wears his emotions on his sleeve and is not afraid to cry. After his son’s shooting, he would wake up at 2 a.m. some days and weep. But his family and friends supported him, and he never felt alone.
She said, ‘You would do that for me?’ I said, ‘I’ll be there in the morning.’”
Then in September, Crump, who was also his family’s attorney, called and said Breonna Taylor’s mother needed help. Blake got on the phone with Palmer. “I said, ‘Baby, you sound so tired.’ And she’s like, ‘Yeah, we got this big press conference tomorrow and I don’t know what they’re gonna say.’ So I said, ‘I’ll tell you what: I’m gonna come and stand with you tomorrow, and I’m gonna let you draw off my energy.’ She said, ‘You would do that for me?’ I said, ‘I’ll be there in the morning.’”
“It was the first time another family member came down and stood in solidarity with us,” Austin says.
Afterward, Blake went with them to lunch and sat next to Austin. They quickly bonded. “He was the only one throwing out the F-bombs besides me,” she says with a laugh. “I was having a bad day, just kind of expressing myself and going off, and he was going off right along with me, telling me, ‘You okay to feel the way you feeling. Don’t bottle it up.’ It was a relief.”
Austin confided that she didn’t think she could trust anyone, that she was tired of officials and activists using her family’s story to bolster their campaigns, gain followers, or just get five minutes of fame. People were even selling T-shirts with Bre’s image; it felt like everybody was trying to profit. Blake “was like, you have to trust somebody,” Austin says, “and along with that, you can set boundaries.” Her shoulders relaxed, and after lunch they hugged and exchanged numbers. He called later that night to make sure the family was okay. And he invited them to a demonstration for his son the next month near Chicago, offering to pay for their hotel. “He makes you feel like he really do care about you, and he’s gonna ride for you,” says Holloway, Austin’s sister.
Blake’s family has a long history of activism: His late father, a reverend in Evanston, Illinois, had organized against redlining in the 1960s, participated in the march from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery, and even knew Martin Luther King Jr. Blake, 56, grew up playing with the Reverend Jesse Jackson’s children and once met then-Sen. Joe Biden while hanging out in the study of his dad’s friend, a state legislator. When he invited Austin to Chicago, “it was like a no-brainer,” she says. “How can I tell you no when you drove overnight to be there” for us?
They soon became close friends, surprised at how much they had in common. They’re both Aries, with birthdays six days apart, and they each have a young son, ages 10 and 14. They have similar personalities, too—leaders who love to take charge, but also introverts who need time alone. And of course, they were both grieving. “It’s a trauma bond,” Holloway says of their relationship. They talk on the phone so many times a day and spend so much time together that strangers often mistake them for a married couple.
In January 2021, they were invited to DC for Biden’s presidential inauguration, where they sat together in coveted seats near the stage. It felt like a Cinderella moment to Austin, who framed her ticket when she got home; she thought Breonna would have been proud. But on the drive back, Blake’s legs swelled, and by the time he arrived he couldn’t walk. He was soon hospitalized for congestive heart failure, and in the hospital he got infected with C. diff, an often fatal type of bacteria. Doctors said his chances of surviving were slim.
When his nurses told Austin he’d been intubated, she burst into tears. I can’t afford to lose him, she thought. It’ll break me.
Slowly, Blake recovered, relearning to walk. Austin, with her medical training, helped him manage his medications and take care of himself. “She’s everything to me: my nurse, my confidant, my little sister,” he says. “She keeps all the t’s crossed and the i’s dotted.”
As Austin grew closer to Blake, she thought about all the parents whose experiences of police brutality never made the news.
Some of them approached her as she traveled to protests for Breonna and George Floyd, whose May 2020 murder by Minneapolis police sparked nationwide protests that brought more attention to Bre’s case. “It was a cry for help everywhere we went,” she says. “A family pulling us to the side, telling us about a tragedy that happened to them.”
These families were struggling to get help from local governments, which rarely prosecute police. They didn’t qualify for state victim funds, money that could help them cover therapy, burials, and other expenses, because officials didn’t see them as victims; deaths by law enforcement often aren’t considered crimes under state and federal laws. If relatives needed financial assistance, they had to sue the government for it, a stressful process that didn’t guarantee results.
Several years ago, a grieving uncle in Oakland, California, began an effort to organize families together after police violence. Cephus “Uncle Bobby X” Johnson, whose nephew Oscar Grant was killed by a transit cop in 2009, felt frustrated by the lack of resources. He wanted families to have more say in activist circles: At the time, says BLM’s Abdullah, a professor of Pan-African studies at California State University in Los Angeles, organizers rarely worked directly with impacted relatives—they were more focused on addressing systemic injustices than assisting individuals. That started changing in 2014, when Johnson co-launched Families United 4 Justice, a network that now consists of 200-plus families who gather for retreats and protests and to lobby for policy changes. Two years later, Hillary Clinton campaigned alongside Black mothers whose children were killed by police or gun violence, including Mike Brown and Eric Garner. The Mothers of the Movement, who became known for their oratory, took the stage at the Democratic National Convention. Some of them, like now-Rep. Lucy McBath, whose son was murdered by a white man at a gas station, went into politics.
It wasn’t inevitable that Austin would follow a similar path; she already felt overwhelmed by the responsibilities she’d taken on after police killed Breonna. But Blake encouraged her. “Sis,” Blake told her, “you don’t realize that when you speak, people listen.” With donations from the Reverend Al Sharpton and others, the two friends formed their group to help families—whether by showing up at funerals or protests, amplifying demands on Facebook, connecting people with lawyers, or just hanging out and letting them vent. “Some people will never get justice,” Austin says. They need “somebody to listen to their story and understand.” As the pair began their work, they learned about Uncle Bobby X’s group in California and realized they’d coincidentally chosen a similar name, though each outfit has a different vibe: While the former is especially known for its annual healing-centered retreats, Blake and Austin would gain a reputation for actions that are a little more in your face.
“We’re not asking for a goddamn place at any goddamn table!” Blake yelled into the megaphone at a recent protest. “We comin’ with the table and the chairs, and we set up the table!”
Blake’s “a firecracker,” says Holloway, Austin’s sister. “He’s so straight to the point.”
Austin, Blake, and others in their group stood beside George Floyd’s family when ex-officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of Floyd’s murder in December 2021, and they joined them in Houston, where Floyd grew up, to open a community center in his honor. After police killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright during a traffic stop in a Minnesota suburb, Austin became friends with Wright’s mother, even vacationing with her after attending the officer’s manslaughter trial. They both joined a group chat of other families coping with police violence, checking in with texts as simple as we love you, good morning, is everybody okay? Often, “it’s never any meat,” says Blake of the daily messages. “Sometimes a person just needs to know that you’re there.” More invitations came, not just from families who’d experienced police shootings, but from communities grieving other racist violence. Austin and Blake went to Buffalo, New York, after a white supremacist killed 10 Black people at a supermarket, and they marched with Ahmaud Arbery’s parents in Selma.
But they especially prioritized families whose loved ones’ deaths did not get as much media coverage: Cameron Lamb in Missouri. Fred Cox and Jason Walker in North Carolina. Andrew Joseph III in Florida. When police in Illinois killed 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette, whose mother is Blake’s distant relative by marriage, they attended the memorial and brainstormed ways to draw attention to his case, like a protest march on his birthday. Austin and Blake spread the word about these lesser-known killings while trying not to overshadow the families. “They were like a breath of fresh air,” says Lakeisha Nix, who met the pair after police in Delaware killed her brother, Lymond Moses.
Austin was close with her 26-year-old niece, Breonna Taylor. When Breonna was in kindergarten, she asked to dye her hair purple, like her aunt.Jon Cherry
Austin and Blake seemed genuine to Nix, who worried that other activists had ulterior motives, offering help in exchange for clout. She had reason to be skeptical: The massive outrage at Floyd’s murder in 2020 suddenly infused the police accountability movement with millions in donations, helping it grow, but also creating a profit incentive to approach families and use their stories. Previously, this activism hadn’t been lucrative—some organizers dipped into their own paychecks—so “families understood it’s costing us something, we’re not benefiting,” says BLM’s Abdullah. But soon, more families began to doubt activists’ motives, and a wedge grew—sometimes fueled by opponents of the police accountability movement who told grieving relatives to watch out for selfish organizers. “One family was told that every time we say her child’s name, we get royalties,” says Abdullah, “like it’s a record or something.”
Exploitative racial justice activists remain the exception, not the rule, she says, but they can drain families anyway. “The politicians and activists and some of the organizations are like vampires—they suck the energy out of a story and get the most they can get,” says Blake. It can make families feel like meat, like they only matter for clicks. “You’re not fighting for families; you’re fighting for attention,” he says.
In Mississippi, Mateen vents about the same problem. She tells Austin and Blake about some out-of-state activists who raised $100,000 around her son’s case, then came to town, splurged $12,000 on an Airbnb with a swimming pool and a lavish bar-and-game room, and did little to actually help her family—dropping off a “gift” for her surviving 9-year-old child that totally missed the mark. “A pair of socks? I mean, I can buy him socks,” Mateen says with frustration. “My [dead] son ain’t even got a tombstone.”
“They try to dictate how they wanna help you instead of helping with things you already have planned,” Austin says. As Blake did with her, Austin tries to guide Mateen through the complicated maze of choosing whom to trust.
The most important thing, Austin tells her, is for people to ask what the family needs. Each situation is different. “We standing behind y’all,” she says. “We not in front.”
The morning of the protest, Austin and Blake join Mateen in the Family Dollar parking lot as a few dozen people gather around them with handmade signs. Mateen stands with her back toward the store’s entrance, where a memorial sits in the sun: fake flowers, candles, and teddy bears faded from winter weather, along with sticky notes taped to the windows with messages like “He was only 15.” Another sign, posted by store management, seems more tone-deaf, urging shoppers to remove their hoodies before entering.
In October 2021, Mateen, who is 41 and Black, got a call from a friend who told her to get to the Family Dollar. “Jaheim’s been shot,” her friend said. Jaheim McMillan had been hanging out with friends. Police claimed they shot him in the head because he turned toward one of them with a gun. Some witnesses said he was unarmed and had his hands up, and that he bled out for minutes without medical care. Mateen raced to the store, parking across the street and running through traffic to her wounded child. An officer with a red beard grabbed her before she could reach Jaheim, and others surrounded her as she shouted that she needed to see him. “Shut up and calm down,” she recalls one telling her; she screamed as they handcuffed her.
Jaheim died two days later. It would be months before law enforcement released bodycam footage, which showed an officer firing eight shots at him as he tried to flee. The officer, who was cleared of wrongdoing, said Jaheim held a gun while he ran but did not have it in his possession as he lay wounded; police said they later discovered one in the parking lot.
Austin and Blake learned about the shooting when their phones started blowing up from people tagging them on social media. A Mississippi organizer connected them with Mateen, who invited them to a protest and the funeral. When Austin approached to pay her respects, Mateen begged her not to leave her side. “I don’t want to overstep,” Austin recalls saying, wondering if Mateen would prefer to have the time with loved ones. “She said, ‘Nope, I just need somebody [like you].’”
“I felt safe, like I had people around me who knew what I was going through,” says Mateen. “They had compassion for my son, and they didn’t even know my son.”
Most of Mateen’s friends and neighbors had no experience with this mix of grief and rage. And while they sympathized and sent donations, some couldn’t risk protesting. In such a small city, where so many businesses are white-owned, they worried about losing their jobs. Others feared retaliation from the cops. “The police will literally set your ass up here,” says Mateen. But Austin and Blake kept flying back, organizing a boycott of Family Dollar as they pressured it to release surveillance footage of the shooting.
Now at today’s protest, Mateen, her arm wrapped around her 9-year-old son, stands with a straight face, her eyes covered with sunglasses. She still cries most days. Her lawyers advised her not to speak at this demonstration because an investigation is underway, and there is always a chance officials might use her words against her. So at her request, Austin, Blake, and others lead the rally instead. Austin still gets nervous before speeches, but when she takes the megaphone it’s like a switch is flipped, and her voice turns fiery: “I can’t stand to come out here and see a grieving mother have to deal with some bullshit!” she says, her hand on her heart as she paces. “This shit is real life for us! We not out here for show! We still burying and going to court for our kids, man.”
“If we all go together and tell our stories,” Austin says, “it makes a better chance of somebody getting justice.”She looks ahead and slows down, with a message not just for the police, but for other activists. “Don’t come to Gulfport and be part of the problem,” she says, alluding to the protesters who bought the socks and, two days earlier, landed in jail after escalating a demonstration against Mateen’s wishes. “We wasted resources on bailing y’all asses out, $100,000.” Four of Jaheim’s friends, she points out, were arrested and expelled after he got shot. “They need lawyers and a school scholarship.”
Blake soon steps forward calmly, with one hand in his pocket, and takes the megaphone. His voice rises, and he speaks in the manner of his late father’s sermons as he focuses the crowd. “Never forget that the purpose of this weekend was to celebrate a man who is not here—a baby that was stolen from us, taken away!” he says, after a protester behind him raises a fist.
Though the crowd is small, a surprising number have traveled here after losing their own loved ones to law enforcement. Among them is Sabrina Foster, whose son, Glenn Foster Jr., a former NFL player, was found dead in a patrol car in Alabama. She drove here with Mona Hardin, whose son Ronald Greene was fatally beaten after a police chase in Louisiana. “We have a duty to stand by each other,” says Deanna Joseph, who came from Florida after suing her sheriff’s office for the death of her teenage son, Andrew. Several mothers tell me that if it weren’t for each other, they wouldn’t know how to keep going. “If we all go together and tell our stories,” Austin says, “it makes a better chance of somebody getting justice, somebody’s case getting reopened.”
When the last person has spoken, Austin leads a march down Pass Road. Blake, with his bad knees and recovering heart, rides in a car up front. Some drivers honk in solidarity as they pass. Austin sings “Happy Birthday” over the megaphone, the others joining in as they block a lane of traffic. Jaheim would have been 16 this week.
Later that night, Austin and Blake sit with friends around a table at their Airbnb, playing spades as they listen to a video of the day’s protest. “What do we want? Justice!” a voice on the tape says. “When do we want it?”
“Now!” Blake sings as he deals the cards.
The day ended peacefully, and Austin is relieved. She knows there are dangers to this work: Last summer, before she and Blake went to Akron, Ohio, to protest the police killing of Jayland Walker, she says an officer was recorded claiming that the city jail had a “cot with their name on it.” The cops followed through, arresting Austin and Blake for disorderly conduct, though they were not convicted. Blake also recalls how Proud Boys showed up in Kenosha, hanging out car windows and pointing assault rifles at him.
Breonna, Austin says, sends signals to her sometimes that she’s with them on these trips—and in Gulfport it’s no different. Before they arrived, the Airbnb owner shared the security code to enter the house: 313—like March 13, the day Breonna died.
The next day, after too little sleep, Austin drives two hours across Mississippi to Taylorsville, a small town where she’ll meet Mateen to protest the death of yet another Black family’s son, Rasheem Carter. Blake isn’t feeling well and stays home to rest.
As Austin winds along quiet country roads, she ruminates about one of the officers who shot Breonna—he recently wrote a book about it and took part in a publicity event at a restaurant, playing audio of gunfire in front of diners as they ate. His brazenness infuriates Austin. “These people think they can do whatever they want, say whatever they want,” she says.
Then her phone rings, and it’s her 1-year-old granddaughter, Kynnbre, on FaceTime. “Yay! Did you pee-pee in the potty?” Austin says, and the girl squeals with delight. “I see you: You a big girl!” Austin says, smiling as Kynnbre, whose name is a combination of Kenny and Bre, walks out of the bathroom to get some cereal and sit with her stuffed animals. Austin encourages her to practice her ABCs, and then they blow air kisses and say goodbye.
Austin turns to me. “This is a little bit of joy that we all had since Breonna been gone,” she says. “Everybody just love on her.”
Austin is often on the road three weeks a month. On top of that, she has a part-time gig as an ER technician, which she keeps to afford food and a roof over her kids’ heads. Breonna’s mother, Palmer, got a multimillion-dollar settlement from her lawsuit, but Austin still worries about money; if she were to leave her job to devote herself to the movement, she’d miss the health insurance for her kids, the 401(k). She wishes the government would subsidize the kind of work she does on the road, so she could help more families. “The demand for us is so high, but they don’t pay anything,” she says, adding that grassroots fundraising only goes so far, even since 2020. Last year, US Rep. Cori Bush, a Black Lives Matter activist from St. Louis, introduced a bill that would set aside $100 million for community-based services like theirs that help families with mental health support after police violence. It didn’t pass. “Why should we make the people pay for us out here?” Austin asks. “This is as much a government issue as it is a people issue.”
When we arrive in Taylorsville, we pull into a parking lot where a small group of protesters, mostly Black, gather to march. Some hold signs, and others raise fists. Taylorsville is still considered a sundown town, dangerous after dark for Black travelers, and it’s where 25-year-old Rasheem Carter was last seen alive in October. The weekend he went missing, he visited the police station, terrified, and said some white men were chasing and threatening him. The police brushed him off, and a month later his skeleton was found in pieces in the woods, the skull detached. The sheriff’s department said at the time that it saw no signs of foul play.
Austin sits in the car, watching the crowd grow, her body feeling heavy with the weight of everybody’s pain. She knows this march, like the others, will inevitably remind her of her own losses. Protesting, as Blake put it earlier, is continuously “ripping off the scab.” But stopping would be harder. “It’s therapeutic,” she says, “to know you’re not the only one going through tragedy, and there’s other people going through way worse.” She listens as the protesters, some of them children, chant “Black power,” and then steps out of the car to join Mateen.
It’s dark by the time they drive back to Gulfport, and everyone is tired. After we arrive, we linger in the car, a door propped open as Mateen smokes a cigarette and talks about her son, occasionally crying. She says she’s never spent so long sitting like this with a reporter, and Austin, in the driver’s seat, encourages her.
The mood is somber until I ask about their friendship, how often they’re in touch. “Like once a week, twice a week,” says Mateen. “We texting or—”
“Something,” she and Austin both say, and they laugh.
“Even if we’re just saying hi,” says Mateen, or—
“How you doing?” they both say in unison, and they laugh again.
“Families United has been there for me the whole way, and going nowhere,” says Mateen, “because I’m not letting her go.” And they laugh again.
]]>
I love using these pocket organizers for so many things besides just shoes! They work great for organizing in small spaces and are perfect for craft and office supplies, baby outfits, games, or even snacks!
Keep sandals, shoes, slippers, and more up off the floor and neatly stored with this over-the-door hanging shoe organizer. Get this Amazon Basics 20 Large Pocket Over-the-Door Hanging Shoe Organizer, Grayish Tan for only $9.39!
Remember, Amazon prices can change at any time.
This post contains affiliate links.
]]>Zoë Petersen, Deseret News
Editor’s note: Part 1 of this two-part series talked about hoarding and rapid decluttering. This column deals with making decisions on what to keep.
There are some aspects of dejunking/decluttering that are easy for me. Old papers, old bills, obvious trash, VHS tapes, the old AOL trial disk — none of those give me a second’s hesitation. But, much harder for me are books, fabric, photos and other sentimental memorabilia like my kids’ papers from school. I’m finding “Swedish death cleaning” to be helpful in helping me loosen some of the heart strings that have been bound to stuff.
“Swedish death cleaning,” popularized by Margareta Magnusson, a Swedish artist and author of “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter,” is the idea that when you die, your loved ones are going to have to go through your stuff and clean it out, so do as much as you can before you leave this planet. As far as I know, I’m not knocking on death’s door, but realizing that my kids would not only have a lot of cleaning to do but that they would also likely be resentful doing it is motivating for me.
That brings me to a question about what we should keep. I asked Ken Williams, the state archivist, for advice and then laughed when he told me, “I definitely live by the mantra that ‘when in doubt, throw it out!’”
He also told me that he finds it “surprising how much we keep in paper when we have the same thing in digital/e-record format.” He recommends a “personal retention schedule,” such as seven years for tax and financial records, then destroying the ones older than that. (Still a problem when I only get around to it once every 15 years, Ken.)
I also asked professional organizer Jenny Layton for her advice on what to keep. She says if it brings us joy (à la Marie Kondo) rather than weighing us down with guilt, or a sense of “obligation,” then keep it. Otherwise, get rid of it to make space for what really matters. She quoted Stephen Paul, who said, “The space for what you want is already filled up with what you’ve settled for instead.”
Family memories and family genealogy can be very difficult to pare down. I have plastic totes full of photos (from the pre-digital camera days), cards, school papers — even old newspaper articles. What do I do with all that stuff? Those memories are precious!
Williams told me that he has a file drawer for himself, each child and grandchild where he keeps things given to him. But he also has digital folders for each one. This year I have embarked on a mission to scan everything (eventually) at my local family history center. I then upload everything I’ve scanned to a computer program that can sort by date and location (sometimes it will need your help). And it has facial recognition capabilities, so I now have folders for each child with pictures going back years. The company also emphasizes duplicate storage locations: computer, external hard drive, the cloud and your phone. When one goes down, you’ve still got your memories safely accessible.
We have also inherited boxes and boxes of old family group sheets that, in my mind, have little value, since the information is now available digitally. But it feels sacrilegious to (gasp!) throw away family history. A quick Internet search, however, showed me that even professional genealogists recommend getting rid of duplicates and then scanning the originals. An article in Family Tree magazine recommends asking yourself five questions about items in your family history collection: Is the item one-of-a-kind? Is a digital version available? Who will inherit this when I die (either item or information)? What practical value does this item hold and what sentimental value does it hold?
Full disclosure: family memorabilia is probably the last thing I’ll get to when decluttering. But hopefully the photos will at least be scanned and tagged with a year and the names of people in them.
I believe in having food storage, for a variety of reasons, including an unanticipated global pandemic. But even food storage needs to be gone through, “decluttered” and rotated. I went downstairs last week to get a can of mandarin oranges. When it went “pffft” when I opened the lid, I looked at the expiration date. 2009. Oops.
At least I’m not alone. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joked about it in the October 2020 general conference. “We discovered ... items in a remote closet that had been in our food storage for decades. Frankly, we were afraid to open and inspect some of the containers for fear of unleashing another global pandemic! But you should be happy to know that we properly disposed of the hazardous materials and that health risk to the world was eliminated.”
Another room added to my declutter list.
Besides family photos, I think we all have stuff that is hard to part with. My two biggest categories are books and fabric. Books are my friends. But being honest with myself, I’ve changed how I consume books. I’m almost 100% digital now and that, combined with one of my daughter’s side-eye glances, helped me donate many books. I’m crossing my fingers that someone else will love them.
I’m not quite ready to get rid of my fabric stash, even if I haven’t sewn in five-plus years. If the global supply chain is completely interrupted, I can sew clothing for my entire family!
Or maybe I’m just really good at rationalization.
Holly Richardson is the editor of Utah Policy.
]]>If your home office lacks inspiration, organization or convenience, do something about it — like one of these cool home office ideas.
A relatively simple do-it-yourself project transforms your office from second-rate to top of the line.
Keep important but lesser used office materials on a high floating shelf centered above your home office desk. Because this is an unusual placement, make it a design accent by matching the color of the shelf to the desk.
To hang the shelf, you’ll need a tape measure, pencil, level, handheld electric drill, wall anchors (hollow ones for plaster, butterfly or toggle anchors for drywall), screwdriver, and the shelf, bracket and screws.
Paint your office walls to create a calming and non-distracting backdrop for your work. Gray is a great neutral. Because the paint is available in so many different shades — dark, light, beige-ish, brownish, blue-ish — it matches just about anything.
To do a top-notch painting job, you’ll need a cellulose sponge, dishwashing liquid, a 2 to 2 ½-inch paintbrush, roller and rolling pan, painter’s tape, a 2-inch angled brush, and, of course, paint.
While you’re thinking “painting,” spruce up your office by putting a couple of fresh coats on your chair. There are many different ways you can go about painting wood furniture. For starters, you will need a drop cloth to work on, furniture cleaner, sponge, sand paper and electric sander, rag or towel, medium-size paint brush, primer, paint and oil-based clear sealant.
Make a useful and interesting desk from two repurposed wood stools and some pieces of lumber. You’ll need the stools, paint, paintbrush, boards, screws, electric or traditional screwdriver, paintbrush and wood stain.
The width of the desktop should be about the same as the width of the stool. A little wider is fine. Depending upon the width, you may need two or three boards.
Make a wall organizer for mail or paperwork by repurposing an old shutter. In addition to the shutter, you’ll need wood putty, hot glue gun, sandpaper, electric drill, rag, latex paint, paintbrush, four ½-inch wood screws with decorative washers and a measuring tape.
Dry erase boards are useful around the office, but they’re decidedly unstylish. Make one that matches your room using molding, a dry erase board, paint and hot glue gun. Wall hangers are optional.
Don’t forget to stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!
]]>The Closets Symposium will educate designers, fabricators, retailers, and installers on the most current design, marketing, and business topics relevant to industry professionals seeking to profit from this growing and exciting market niche.
The symposium will occur in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The full-day agenda includes:
How to Use Social Media Influencers | 9:05–9:55 am
Strategies on how to use social media influencers to build your brand.
Presenters:
Carlissa Montoya, CM Closet Design: Carlissa Montoya is the spirit and expertise behind CM Closet Design. In 2020, Montoya launched, with her husband, EncoreGarage San Antonio. EncoreGarage San Antonio specializes in transforming residential garages into clean, organized, and functional spaces. Services include premium Polyurea floor coatings, Garage-Grade cabinetry, and innovative organizer systems. Montoya is a member of the Association of Closet & Storage Professionals (ACSP) Executive Board and is in-coming president.
Allanna Bell, Optimization Dolls: For 20 years Allanna Bell worked in retail management as a visual and store development manager. She worked as a project manager in high volume store openings for some of the top retailers using space optimizations as a planning tool to successfully place thousands of garments and accessories. This gave her the organizational skills and experience to strategically plan a functional space and ensure the success of any project. Bell launched Optimization Dolls in 2016 as a closet organization company and in 2020, Optimization Dolls became a full-service custom storage company.
Telling Your Brand Story | 10:00-10:50 am
Learn how to craft compelling stories to build awareness and attract customers.
Presenter:
Kelly Victor-Burke, Burke Architectural Millwork/Bespoke Closets & Organized Spaces: Since founding Burke Architectural Millwork in 2016 with her husband Barry, an experienced craftsman, Kelly Victor-Burke has spearheaded a team of business owners, educational partners and industry organizations in the creation and approval of the first Department of Labor registered apprenticeship in woodworking: Woodwork Manufacturing Specialist. Victor-Burke also debuted Bespoke Closets and Organized Spaces, a custom closet line with “panache,” this year.
How to Elevate Closet Design | 11:00 am–11:50 pm
Enhance designs using techniques, textures, colors, materials and more.
Presenter:
Katherin Lawry, Haven Closet Interiors: Katherin Lawry is a dynamic luxury closet designer with a natural flair for creativity and a wealth of experience in the field of closet design. With a background in retail merchandising and a degree from the prestigious Interior Designer’s Institute in Newport Beach, she has established herself as a leading figure in the industry.
Budgeting versus Forecasting | 1:05-1:55 pm
Learn to balance expenses with sales expectations to maximize profits.
Presenter:
Tim Coleman, SCE Unlimited Chicago: Tim Coleman founded his closet organization company in 1988 and ran his business for nearly 30 years. He sold his successful company in 2017 and was asked by that buyer to stay on to run the closet division, which he did for three years. In October of 2020, Coleman took the helm at SCE Unlimited in the Chicagoland area, which is owned by Installed Building Products, a publicly traded $2.5 billion company. SCE offers both Wire & Solid Systems from melamine to veneered wood, Shower Doors & Mirrors, and Bathroom hardware.
Material Trends | 2:00–2:50 pm
Presenter:
Christina Relyea, JB Cutting: Christina Relyea has over 20 years of experience at JB Cutting, Inc., a nationally preferred cabinet door, drawer, and wood component manufacturer. Relyea is passionate about examining what finishes sell in which marketplace and where to find the complementary products to make for a seamless experience for her customers. She enjoys serving two industry associations, ACSP (Association of Closet and Storage Professionals) as President, and AWFS (Association of Woodworking and Furnishing Suppliers).
Lighting Innovations | 3:00– 4:00 pm
Learn more about the latest innovations and how to apply the technology.
Panelists:
Richie DeMarco, Richelieu Hardware: Richie Demarco is Director of the US Market Development Closet Segment at Richelieu and has spent over 18 years in closets and home storage industry helping closet companies succeed. He is also a past president of ACSP.
Chris Heronemus, Rev-A-Shelf: Chris Heronemus graduated from the University of Arizona in 2009 with a degree in Education and joined Rev-a-Shelf as Western Territory Manager in 2017. With a background in Education and leadership, his career expands into several industries, including corporate training and sales. He may have been new to sales, but not the industry, as Mr. Heronemus’s father has been woodworking for over 25 years and is one of his biggest inspirations. Passionate about helping his clients specify innovative cabinet organization and LED lighting accessories, Heronemus is always amazed to see how his customers react Rev-A-Shelf’s new product releases designed to meet their needs.
Keith Clark, Hardware Resources: Keith Clark is the National Sales Specialist for Task Lighting, covering both the Kitchen-Bath-Closet and Electrical Channels. He formerly served as Task Lighting’s Product Manager for 4.5 years after its acquisition by Hardware Resources in 2018.
Scott Begin, Business Development - Closet and Home Organization, Hafele America: Scott Begin’s background includes more than 21 years in manufacturing and development, including thirteen years in the Custom Closet business before accepting a position with Häfele America Co. Over his 23 years with Häfele, Scott has held several positions, including Sales, Specification, Sales Manager, and Regional Sales Director. “Lighting and illuminating spaces have been a passion of mine from day one. During my career with Häfele, I have collaborated with hundreds of designers incorporating light into their spectacular projects. Light is the perfect complement and enhancement to every beautiful design.” Scott still enjoys practicing design skills by remodeling closets, kitchens, and bathrooms and restoring vintage homes.
Registration for the Closets Symposium includes admission to lunch, the Woodworking Network Leadership Reception after the last session, and AWFS Fair exhibit hall registration. To register for the symposium, first register for the AWFS Fair and then click on the link to "Add Symposia." See you there.
]]>The Venice Beach Basketball Courts are home to the popular summer basketball league, Veniceball, and on Sunday, the league opened its door to a new group of players.
The newly created Venice Women’s League held its first ever games featuring top basketball prospects in the area as well as some of the most popular women’s basketball influencers on social media.
The Venice Women’s League aims to bring the best basketball players to the beach while also serving as a way to grow the game of women’s basketball in Los Angeles.
“What I love about this league is it gives women an opportunity to have an all-female space in a space that men have just really dominated,” said Venice Women’s League commissioner Jerica Williams. “I’m just excited that it’s happening in L.A.”
Veniceball started off as a local basketball tournament in 2006, held at the Venice Beach Basketball Courts. The mix of waterfront scenery along with the thousands of locals and tourists walking down the beach shore made for a perfect place to hold competitive basketball in the summer.
The league was a breeding ground for local streetball players who wanted to showcase their handle and high-flying dunks. But as the league evolved, the games became more competitive which attracted professional players who wanted to get a run in.
“In year 1, the AND1 scene was real heavy, so cats were trying to do all the tricks just to get highlights,” said J.C. “Mouthpiece” Thompson, Veniceball’s long-time play-by-play announcer. “We weren’t getting along, so I said ‘if you can’t get highlights with your regular hooping, we don’t need you.’ So I tried to make this league a little bit more legitimate in the basketball community in order to get respected.”
The popularity of Veniceball led to the creation of a women’s side of the league that was started this year. Current Veniceball founder Nico Naismith along with Williams helped get the league off the ground.
The Venice Women’s League held its first draft on Saturday and the league is already stacked with players with big followings on social media.
One of those players is M.J. Johnson, a former Sacramento State point guard who’s garnered over 1 million followers combined on her social media platforms.
Known as the “Queen of Venice Beach,” she previously was one of the only women to compete in the Veniceball league in the past couple of seasons. Now, she is one of the faces of the Venice Women’s League.
“I think (the league) helps give women exposure and it allows us to showcase our talents,” Johnson said. “It allows us to have fun as a family and as a collective.”
League organizer Tobias Dimarco said that the deep talent pool of basketball players was one of the biggest factors in creating the league.
“I think it’s long overdue. For seven years running, we’ve been running a co-ed league where men and women play together,” Dimarco said. “The women’s game is here and it’s past time that they have their own stage to play here at Venice Beach.”
The Venice Women’s League currently has six teams. The end of the season will conclude with a championship game on Aug. 27.
Williams said she expects to see more household names pop in throughout the season.
“We’re gonna have women continue to pop in, as the summer goes. People come to LA to train. College athletes, pro athletes, overseas players that come to train in LA and so we’re gonna give them an opportunity to come and play in the league,” Williams said. “How many times do you get to walk by the beach and see a full five-on-five women’s game? I think it’s just really cool for young boys and girls to see.”
]]>Are you getting tired of the clutter taking up space in your child’s closet? Are their closets overflowing with toys and clothes that they have outgrown? Sometimes it can feel like a monumental job to tackle something like our kids’ closets , but if you take it one step at a time, you can get through it.
Use our Weekend Cleanup Challenge to clean out these spaces and get them organized and set up in a more manageable way. This challenge begins on a Friday and continues through Saturday and Sunday, so by Sunday evening, you should be looking at a nice clean, tidy, and organized closet.
Once your kids’ closets are tidied and organized, give your kids a tour of their new space and show them where everything should go in the closet. That way, they can help contribute to keeping the space organized and clean.
Since our challenge begins on a Friday, we kept the task fairly simple and not too time-consuming. All you are required to do today is to declutter and purge, which means to empty the closet(s) completely.
As you are emptying the closet, take time to note anything that can be thrown out immediately. Sort your kids’ items into three or four piles: one pile to keep, one pile to donate or sell, and one pile to throw out. The optional pile will be for items for another child to grow into. These piles do not need to be super organized and try not to overthink your decision.
Go through both clothing and toys to see if there is anything that you can get rid of - clothing your children have outgrown, toys that are too young for them now or that are broken, and any garbage that might have accumulated in the closet.
Once the closet is empty, you’re finished for Day One. Leave the piles where they are, as they will be addressed tomorrow.
Take advantage of the closet being empty to give it a really good cleaning. Wipe down the walls, dust off the shelves, and mop and/or vacuum the floor. Even take time to wipe down the baseboards. Taking time to do this now, will help contribute to keeping the closet clean for a longer period of time.
Now it’s time to tackle the piles that you created yesterday. Start with the pile of clothes. Examine each piece of clothing for stains or tears, and if you’re unsure if it still fits your child, ask them to try it on and make sure. For any clothes that are ripped or stained, you can either throw them out or recycle them into rags for cleaning.
If there are pieces of clothing that are still in good condition, then you can decide if you want to donate them or sell them. If you end up with a pile for both donation and selling, just set them aside for now. You can deal with those once the closet is finished.
Put any clothes for a younger sibling or cousin in a separate tote, bag, or box; those will go in your younger child’s closet, in an area you designate for “to grow into” clothing, or to someone else’s house for their smaller child.
Once the clothing has been addressed, it’s time to take a close look at the toys. Many children hang on to every little tiny toy they can get their hands on, such as those little trinkets from restaurants. Perhaps it’s time to let some of those little items go.
Try to be relatively ruthless when going through the toys, otherwise, you will end up keeping everything and being back in the same spot with a messy closet in no time. Toys that they have outgrown or haven’t played with in quite a while could be toys that you either sell or donate.
When you are finished, you should have a smaller pile of clothes to return to the closet, and a smaller pile of toys to put back in. Tomorrow will be the day you organize them!
On the third day of the challenge, you will want to take some time to plan how you want to set up the closet once you return everything to it. Will you use bins to store the toys? Do the kids need some new, larger hangers for their clothing? Would it be a good time to install a custom closet organizer?
You will want to answer these questions and have a plan in place before you start to set the closet back up again. If you’ve chosen to use storage baskets or bins, get those set up in the closet first. Decide which toys will go in each bin, and get them set up as well.
Consider adding a few little touches or accessories to spruce up the closet, such as new lighting, big wall hooks for their jackets, a stylish hamper for dirty clothes, or a new mirror. The organizing pros at Good Housekeeping recommend using an over-the-door shoe organizer to get shoes up and out of the way.
Last, return the clothing to the closet. You might want to sort the clothes by season, color, or style, to make it easier for your children to find what they’re looking for. Hang them up on hangers, or stack them in bins, however you wish to store their clothes.
Congratulations, you’ve finished the challenge. In three days your kids’ closet has gone from cluttered and chaotic to tidy and organized. Help your child to keep their belongings stored neatly by showing them around their new and improved closet and teaching them how to put their items away when they’re finished with them.
To put it bluntly, life hacks are basically lifesavers. They’re useful, efficient, and are downright handy to have an added knowledge. I love them so much I have a life hacks journal in the works because I know once they’re written down, they’ll be easier to remember. Here are some of the favorites I've learned along the way.
Taste and enjoy the difference when you cut your fruits the right way. These fruit cutting hacks will help you add more nutrition to your food and also save you time. No more wasting your fruits yummy-ness and nutrients ever again!
Prevent your herbs from going bad by putting them in an ice cube tray and pouring olive oil on top. Freeze and use them whenever you’re ready.
Waterproof your shoes using a candle and a hairdryer. Want to know how it works? The candle wax melts into your shoe upon contact with the heat of the hairdryer. When melted, it acts as a protective layer against grime and water.
A key ring is your best bet when it comes to keeping your zipper in place. Avoid any embarrassing moments by looping a key ring onto the zipper, and fastening in on the button. Doing this will help lock your zipper.
No corkscrew and its wine night? Don’t worry, simply grab a trusty hammer and screw. I kid you not, your friends will think you’re so hardcore and they’ll probably be telling the story of how you “saved” the day for months to come.
Save energy and not to mention, your nails, by using this trick to open your key rings. Using a staple remover, insert the fangs in between the main key ring and one of its ends. This will open up space, allowing you to insert your keys easily.
I’m guessing you never thought a Tic Tac container could be used as an earphones organizer. Me either, until I found this hack, that is. By the way, I recommend decorating the container in bright colors so it’s easier to spot inside your bag.
Want to recycle your plastic bags for future use? Store them in a way your mom will be proud of. The trick is to roll the bags around each other so they can come out continuously.
Stop pesky bugs from flying into your drink with this neat trick. Poke a hole through a cupcake liner and turn it upside down over your drink. Now you won’t have to worry about any unpleasant surprises.
A quick dunk in ice water will help your nails dry quicker. Be careful not to swirl your fingers, this could totally make the hack backfire.
Empty out your condiment bottles before buying new ones. Using an empty carton, place your bottles upside down to bring the condiments closer to the nozzle. This will allow for easier serving.
Sometimes a paper clip is all you need to fasten your own bracelet. Use one end of the paper clip to hold onto the latch and use your other hand to clasp the bracelet together.
This hack will come in handy when you’re a host who wants her guests to bring home some leftover treats to eat. Simply follow the instructions on the folds and soon you’ll be able to give your friends all the cookies and pastries they could ever want.
Accidentally smudged some foundation on your clothes? Fix them with some shaving cream! Dab a little shaving cream on the spot before putting it in the washer.
Resolving to drink more water this year? Grab yourself a bottle you can mark by the hour. That way, you’ll be reminded of how much you need to drink before the hour is up.
Rid your trusty sneakers of horrible sweaty smells by popping in some dry tea bags after working out. The tea bags will help absorb the odor and leave you with better smelling shoes.
Tired of your eyes welling every time you cut an onion? One way to stop tears from falling is by chewing a gum. Theory says since you’re chewing, you’re more likely to breathe air into your mouth. This means the onion’s vapors will be sucked into your mouth, instead of reaching your eyes.
Rid your jeans of their stink by throwing them in a freezer bag and letting them stay in the freezer overnight. The best part is, you’ll end up with jeans that are odorless and not over-washed.
Use this handy trick to separate the yolk from the white. Crack the egg on a plate, pick up your plastic bottle, and use the opening as a nozzle to suction to pick up the egg yolk from the dish. It works like magic!
Avoid watering down your wine by using frozen grapes to keep your drink cold. All you have to do is grab some grapes, place them on a baking sheet, and leave them in the freezer. Once frozen, you can transfer them to your wine glass or to a zip top bag for storage.
Can you believe this? Yes, potato chips are not only highly addictive and delicious, they also make a great fire starter. If you are outdoors and got some potato chips, make sure to leave a handful because you never know when you might need to start a fire.
Use your vacuum cleaner to find small things you've dropped or lost, like rings, earrings, and more. Simply use a pantyhose or stocking to cover the end of your vacuum hose and start your hunt.
Using newspaper to loosen up tight shoes is a life saver. Crumple up some newspaper and wet it slightly – note: it must not be soaked thoroughly, because it may damage the inner sole. Then stuff it on each shoe, let it dry, and remove them before wearing.
Use this elevator hack and go directly to your desired floor by doing this neat trick: Press the “close door” button until the doors are shut, and keep holding it as you select your destination's floor number. It’s important not to let go of both buttons until the elevator moves.
Ever wished you could hit rewind and unsend an email? Well now, you can. Sort of. Simply go to the settings icon of your Gmail account and enable the undo-send feature. It’s as easy as pie.
Still can't get enough of life hacks? Check out these 6 life hacks everyone should know video from FimoKawaiiEmotions:
I sure hope these life hacks give you a more productive day ahead. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day and I know how busy some of us can be. If I’m able to help at least even one person with these hacks, I would already be happy because I know I would’ve done my job.
Which life hacks will you be trying out today? Let us know in the comments section below.
Up Next: 10-Minute Cleaning Hacks To Keep Your Home Sparkling
Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!
Editor’s Note – This post was originally published in March 2017 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
]]>You may have never given it much thought but rubber has been around for a very long time. With all the conclusive evidence, historians agree that the ancient Mayans and Aztecs had several uses for rubber dating back hundreds of years ago. Besides being found inside balls for their notorious sacrificial games, these Latin American natives used the elastic material from a rubber tree to make tools, shoes, medicines, and much more.
So, instead of keeping those rubber bands in your junk drawers and never using them for the standard methods, it’s time to think creatively. A couple of rubber bands could be the difference when faced with an emergency or survival situation!
The modern-day rubber band was invented in 1845 and is still used today to hold and group all sorts of things together. But as it turns out, rubber bands can also serve hundreds of other purposes, especially pertaining to survival. Are you wondering what some of them are? Keep reading to find out about many amazing survival uses for rubber bands. Many outdoor enthusiasts already use rubber bands for a variety of applications. As a survivalist, you need to consider starting to carry rubber bands in your Altoids tin survival kit or pill bottle survival kit ( How to Put Together a Pill Bottle Survival Kit).
You’ll need extra cash during an emergency if debit and credit card readers are temporarily unavailable. A rubber band can be used as a money clip to fold and keep your bills secured in your pocket or backpack. Cash Stash: Standby for Emergencies
Once ignited, rubber can make a small fire big rather quickly. This means they’ll be useful as emergency fire starters in situations when you need a fire for warmth or for your cooking purposes. 15 Different Ways to Make Fire Starters
Should you or a loved one be dealing with a severe laceration or open wound that happens during an emergency situation, you can take several rubberbands and use them as a makeshift tourniquet to hold you over until you can seek medical attention. First Aid Kits-What You Need To Survive Be sure to read up on the proper use of tourniquets so you don’t permanently damage body tissues in your extremities.
If you or someone else in your group is dealing with an arm injury and needs a temporary sling you can be prepared. Grab a few thicker rubber bands and loop them together like a bracelet or necklace strong enough to hold the arm in place. This will provide support for slings until the injured person can get proper medical treatment. Cheap Items Valuable During Survival
If you’re out in the wild and need to catch some fish, then rubber bands can come in handy. You can tie one around a hook, add bait, and dangle it down in the water. Hopefully won’t need to wait for very long for the fish to think it’s a worm or night crawler. Beginners Guide to Fishing: 6 Amazing Tips and Tricks
Dealing with a stripped screw head can be very frustrating. But if you push a rubberband down in the grooves of a screw head, it should give the point of your screwdriver enough resistance so that you can remove the screw.
Sometimes you just need that little extra grip when you’re using a particular hand tool. So the next time you’re struggling, try wrapping a few rubber bands around the handle of the tool you’re using and be amazed at how much easier grasping the tool becomes.
Rubber bands can also act as a shield or insulator if you are trying to grasp something like a hot coffee cup, a hot pot, a panhandle, or a bowl of soup.
When you’re needing extra traction to open something like a glass pickle jar, rubber bands will give you the opening power that you need to get lids off. 14 Clever Uses for Mason Jars
When you don’t want your paracord unraveling inside of your backpack, one or two rubber bands will do the trick! Rubber bands are a smart survival tool that a lot of people don’t think about! 13 Survival Uses for Paracord
Instead of standing there scratching your head wondering which batteries are charged and which ones are not. Use a rubber band to keep them organized so that you can tell the difference and you can label the rubber band using pens or markers to tell the difference. Survival activities include being able to think ahead with items like batteries and rubber bands! How To Store Your Batteries
Whether it’s for self-defense or for hunting small game, a slingshot made with a rubber band could be a valuable tool that you couldn’t go without. You can use the “Y” of a tree branch or a piece of metal to form the slingshot.
Needing more light to help you with a difficult job? Take a few rubberbands and attach a flashlight to your forearm to assist you with completing the task.
Have you ever needed a door to stay unlatched but it kept closing on you? To solve this problem, simply take a rubber band and wrap it around one door knob tightly and then stretch it around to the opposite doorknob. Make sure the rubber band covers the latch. This is a hack that’s especially useful when you have children you don’t want to get locked in a room or you need to have it stay unlatched when bringing in the groceries.
When a container no longer stays sealed like you want it to, a rubber band will help keep it closed up the way it was intended. Take the rubber band and wrap it around the threads of the container if it has a screw-on lid. If it’s a smaller plastic container, wrap the container from end to end or side to side with a rubber band that will stretch properly. It won’t be airtight but should stay closed as needed. DIY PVC Frozen Ice Containers For Emergencies
If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, you may want to consider adding rubber bands around your shirt sleeves at wrist level and pant leg as low as you can get on the bottom of your legs to keep insects from getting to your skin. This could include mosquitos and ticks.
Needing something to keep your survival gear attached to your bug-out bag or organized inside the bag? Rubber bands can help items like your flashlight, water bottles, and multi-tool stay secure.
When you’re busy doing something and need your hair up and out of your face, a rubber band can be used as a ponytail holder when you can’t find a regular hair fastener.
Whether you’re trying to keep a bunch of pencils organized or a group of straw filters or survival tools together, use a rubber band to perform a task that they were originally designed to do. How to Stay Organized + Free Calendar
You can use rubber bands to hold all sorts of things together. That could include camp utensils like knives, forks, and spoons. They’re handy to hold tent stakes and poles, wrap up tarps, and keep cable ties from scattering all throughout your pack or duffel bag.
For those of you that only need reading glasses or sunglasses every now and then but don’t want to lose them, you could always use a big rubber band to keep them around your neck. Or if one side gets broken, you can use it to hold the glasses in place by wrapping it around the back of your head.
Is the eraser on the end of your pencil all used up? Depending on the lead in the pencil, a really strong rubber band that’s attached to the end of your pencil MAY work just as well whenever you’re in a pinch.
Normal rubber bands and small rubber bands work okay in a pinch, but the survival situations really call for heavy-duty rubber bands! You have other survival items like duct tape, paracord, space blankets, and office supplies, so why not store extra rubber bands in the everyday items you already have in your storage?! Survival situations are becoming more frequent, so it’s super important that you are prepared!
There you have it folks! Survival uses for rubber bands that can make all the difference during an emergency situation. These elastic bands can be quite useful in your everyday life as well. So don’t be afraid to stock up on a huge stash of them for your survival kit! Can you think of any other uses for rubber bands, whether it’s just around the house or that can actually be used during an emergency? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below! May God Bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Rubber Bands In Colors AdobeStock_225033713 By Duangjit, Rubber Band Ball AdobeStock_144674265 By Tierney
The post 20 Survival Uses for Rubber Bands appeared first on Food Storage Moms.
]]>Print out this free college dorm checklist of all the dorm room essentials you’ll want to take along! Although every campus offers different amenities and has different rules, it’s SO much easier to remember the college dorm essentials when you have a list like this! From shopping to packing, this list can make sure you don’t leave any important items behind!
Now if only paying for college were this easy! 😅
While we never say no to a great store (or sale), check your local Dollar Tree, Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, and of course, Amazon. Some stores will even ship your dorm essentials directly to your college!
Hip Tip: Check with your specific college or university about what is (and is not) allowed, what is (and is not) provided, and what to expect when you get there. Many schools even provide the dimensions for dorm rooms, beds, and windows to give you a good idea of the sizes you’ll need!
Bed risers or blocks (for more under-bed space)
Toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, etc)
Printer (if not using computer lab/print center on campus)
Printer paper (if bringing a printer)
Camera (if not using cell phone)
School supplies (pens, pencils, paper, etc)
Floor lamp (plus light bulbs)
Iron and small ironing board (or steamer)
Cleaning supplies (dish soap, etc)
Quarters (if no laundry card)
Travel coffee mug (for taking to class)
Hot pot or coffee-maker (if allowed)
Microwave (if allowed)
Small fridge (if allowed)
Insurance cards
Credit/Debit/Prepaid card
List of emergency contacts
Social Security card
Bank info/checks
College Students Get a FREE 6-Month Amazon Prime Membership. Yes, really!
!doctype>]]>DIY home projects ideas aren’t as intimidating as you’d think they are and I’ve got this round up to prove it! Below are a number of things you can do, ranging from small crafts to total room makeover. Did I mention that I’ve organized the projects by room to make it easier for you too? Don't forget to bookmark this page for future use!
One of the beauties of platform beds is how you can customize them according to the height you want. There are loads of styles available — even ones that allow for extra storage. Check out this article for a range of DIY platform beds you can choose from.
Who knew making such a chic looking headboard would be this easy? This only means one thing, it's time to make your old furniture look brand new with these projects.
Need a new place to hide your diary and your embarrassing photos? Look no further. I’ve got a list of secret hiding places you can DIY for your room.
Make a fabulous room accent this weekend with the help of some dream catcher tutorials! Legend has it that dream catchers help ensure you're blessed with a good dream as you sleep. I'll let you be the judge of this one!
Drink wine like nobody’s business? Collect your leftover corks and turn them into a work of art! Here are more wall decor ideas for your room.
Little touches of Disney will make any room feel more magical! Pick a fairy tale and look at what you can DIY. Here are our room ideas for Disney fans.
There's no need to be envious of all the cute bedrooms you see on Tumblr and Pinterest. These DIY Tumblr ideas are easy to do and they make any room look Instagram worthy in an instant. It won't be long until you're making your very own room tour video to show off your crafts.
A mirrored dresser is trendy, functional, and adds a lot of fun to a room. A word of caution, make sure to use gloves and be careful when handling the broken glass. You wouldn't want to cut yourself with this DIY project!
Prevent stuffiness by hanging these plants inside the room. Not only will you improve your green thumb and have something pretty to look at, but you'll also get fresh oxygen produced by the plants. Win win!
Sometimes even the smallest DIY upgrades can make a big difference in the look and feel of the room. Case in point are these drawer pulls. These ones are made out of leather but if you'd like, you can choose to use your favorite fabric as well.
Add a rustic feel to your living room with these candle holders. You can opt to use them as a centerpiece or place them in different areas of your home. I can already imagine how cozy and relaxing the ambiance will be when all the tea lights are lit up.
An ottoman is a great way to add extra storage space without anybody noticing. Want to make your own this month? Here are some DIY ottoman projects to choose from!
Don’t these stacked shelves look absolutely chic? The best part about DIYing this project is you’re in charge of the shapes you want to create and build.
Love Crate and Barrel but not comfortable shelling out too much cash? Try these Crate and Barrel hacks that will give you more bang for your buck!
This dual purpose coffee table both acts as a table and as a storage compartment. The best part is, it's a DIY project waiting to happen — perfect for the times when you don't have much money to burn.
These dollar store crafts are addicting! It's such a joy and a comfort knowing most of the items needed for a DIY project can be found in a dollar store haul. It's DIY made even cheaper!
Who says you need to fork over loads of dollar bills to have a unique chandelier everyone will be talking about? This mason jar chandelier will cost you a fraction of the price and will only take you on a trip to home depot.
Put your extra mason jars to good use! They're excellent as containers for cotton balls, makeup brushes, and even your toothbrush. Here are a couple more DIY storage ideas just for you!
Sometimes a quick change of tiles is what can turn a bathroom from drab to fab. Here are our bathroom tile ideas for less!
Bring a little extra character to your bathroom with this recycled glass bottle. Your choice of bottle will speak loads about you!
This owl basket was such a hoot to make! ????
17 Crochet Patterns for Beginners: https://t.co/3XIJkmScYf
Our IG: https://t.co/NmUza6zJPi pic.twitter.com/TQxd0gdlGg
— DIY Projects (@DIYProjectsCom) February 5, 2017
Repurpose baskets to help store extra towels and toilet paper. Want more upcycling projects? Check out this article of bathroom decorating ideas on a budget!
Ever wanted your bathroom to look and feel like the ones at high end spas? Well then, I've got just the thing for you! This smooth stone mat looks so chic, you wouldn't think this was an easy DIY project! By the way, if you place this near your front door, you can take off your shoes and let them rest on the mat. That way, you won't have to worry about dirt spreading all over the house. Trust me, it will make such a big difference!
A tight kitchen space shouldn’t stop you from having a pantry of your own! I've figured out a way to make a pull out pantry shelf that will fit even the tightest corners. It might have taken some elbow grease but the extra storage space was well worth it.
If you’ve got a knack for color, then this DIY should be right up your alley. You can even go the extra mile by painting on a different colored stripe for each utensil. Raring to get started? Here’s a guide to making your own painted utensils.
Put your favorite kitchen pieces on display with the help of a repurposed wooden crate. Who knew you could use it as an organizer, right?
Keep your drinks nice and cold on summer days with a drink koozie you can make from scratch! I’ve got loads of DIY koozies for you to choose from!
If you thought the glass bottle turned soap dispenser idea was cool, you’ll love this one! It makes for a great conversation starter and you’ll never run out of glasses at your next party!
There are two types of people: those who love coasters and those who forget to use them. Regardless of which category you’re in, I’m sure these mini pallet coasters will give a rustic charm to your space!
Turn away from chemical disinfectants and use an agent with ingredients you can find in your very own kitchen. These DIY natural cleaning products are not only environmental and pet friendly, but they're budget friendly as well.
I’m an absolute sucker for lights so I’m a personal fan of this project! Make your own wine bottle lights with this tutorial.
Dreamt of having charming touches in your house? All you need is a bit of wood and you’re all set! Read this for some reclaimed wood craft ideas.
Who says mason jars were only created to hold vibrant colored smoothies? I’ve got loads of ideas for you to choose from, like this herb garden where you can grow your favorite rosemary and basil.
Tiki torches are the perfect accent to any luau. Pair it with some pretty cocktails, tropical food, and hula skirts and you’ve one rocking party waiting to happen!
A fire pit is a great way to keep warm during the cold months. There are many different ways to DIY a fire pit. The usual ones include stone and brick, but did you know you could make one using an old washing machine's drum too?
Kids will love this garden decor DIY! I bet they'd even give you a hand if you gave them a heads up on what you'd be making. Have the little ones design their very own garden guard to keep the bugs and weeds away!
Enjoy fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables in the comfort of your very own greenhouse garden. Since you'll be growing them yourself, you'll get to make sure that your produce stays away from any harmful pesticides most supermarket bought vegetables (including fruits) is exposed to.
These rainbow roses are such a sight to behold. Who knew all it took were food dye and an overnight's wait to get these gorgeous flowers?
For more home projects ideas on what you can do, watch this video from Rachel Talbott!
I sure hope these DIY home projects ideas have shown you it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to give your home a little makeover. Sometimes all it takes is a little ingenuity, a bit of arm grease, and a couple of DIY articles to turn your living space into an enviable home.
Which room are you going to start first? Share what DIY home project idea you'll be working on in the comments below!
Feeling confined with your limited apartment space? Here are some space saving ideas for studio apartments!
Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!
Feature image from Food52
]]>Get free shipping via coupon code "DEALNEWSFS". (Shipping usually adds $9.) Buy Now at MorningSave
Stargaze to find your hero and heroine’s true romantic delight!
I hope by the time you finish reading this article; you are excited to use celestial-inspired characterization with the help of the astrological sun signs, the wisdom of the universe, and a barrel full of doggone, genuine fun to build your romantic hero and heroine.
Let’s say you are ready to write your first or umpteenth romance novel and are jotting down a few initial notes. Maybe you are handwriting favorite names for the main characters, toying with plot thoughts, or doodling ideas for a surprise twist, all in the initial stages of pre-writing.
You stop for a minute and envision your heroine. Her face is sketchy but as you write about her, the once blurry edges evolve into real shapes: an oval face, heart-shaped lips, perhaps long, blonde hair, or a black, short, spikey pixie cut.
Her personality is revealed bit by bit, especially through inner dialogue, and from a cardboard character, she evolves into a heroine who becomes so stinking real you swear she lives and breathes. Don’t try to tell me my heroine, Lacey, of Lacey’s Lessons of Love, isn’t real. Them’s fightin’ words. Seriously.
Just like your heroine, when you create your hero, you have an idea of the man who will take up real estate on the next 300 or so pages of your book.
What can we utilize that has already been researched to smithereens and includes 12 unique female and male traits from A-Z, including such information as hobbies, employment, demeanor, conflict resolution, heck, even favorite color, and number?
The amount of information regarding characterization is endless and has passed the test of time over and again. Plus, you can mix and mingle, stir, shake it up, and do the Hokey-Pokey by inserting different headings into the equation until you get the perfect for your story, hero and heroine.
Secondary characters? This method works for any book character from an angelic next-door neighbor to a vile villain.
When you want a living, breathing, speaking, animated character, why not read through the astrological sun signs and see which personality type most fits the characters you want to portray in your novel?
Aries (March 21 – April 19) Bold & Ambitious
Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Soft sounds & Soothing aromas
Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Insatiable curiosity
Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Highly intuitive
Leo (July 23 – August 22) Passionate and loyal
Virgo (August 23 – September 22) Perfectionist
Libra (September 23 – October 22) Strives to create balance
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) Courage & psychic ability
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) Chases geographical, intellectual, and spiritual adventures
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) Patience, perseverance, and dedication
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) Dedicated to making the world a better place.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20) Most intuitive, sensitive, and empathetic sign of the zodiac
Here’s another jewel all wrapped up with a curlicue bow. Websites galore tell you everything you ever or never wanted to know about the sun signs you are entertaining. Everything from general likes and dislikes, favorite hangouts, and personality types, the lists are endless.
When you research, it will reward you with more characteristics per sun sign than you will use in a lifetime of writing. I used 12 Zodiac Signs: Dates and Personality Traits of Each Star Sign as research for this article.
Let’s say you choose to see how a Pisces woman and a Leo man would do as a “couple” in your romance novel.
The Pisces woman feels that the men in her circle, all of them, can take on anything life throws his way. He can and will defeat anyone who is her adversary with one hand tied behind his back while devouring a taco and ensuring the integrity of a white dress shirt. She soothes him after a stressful day with her cozy, calm demeanor and she dons fluffy mittens for the chilly football game, floral spring dresses on their picnic, and a bikini for their dual dive into the lake.
Here is a small sample of what I found out about our Pisces female. A few likes and perhaps a chance place to meet. It could be in the stars.
Pisces This ‘n That:
1. Art Galleries
2. Broadway Play
3. Cocktail Party
4. Creative
5. Dreamer
6. Intuitive
7. Laughter
8. Live Music
The Leo man loves an audience. He loves to be adored, flattered, and, most of all, he loves to tell you what to wear, how to part your hair, which friends he approves of … probs not the best companion if your heroine is the quiet, shy type looking for calm waters.
BUT. Perhaps the #1 pick for the romance genre where conflict drives a page-turning-can’t-putter-downer.
Leo This ‘n That:
1. Courageous
2. Generous
3. Extroverted
4. Forgiving
5. Lover of Flattery
6. Prideful
7. Straight, proud stance
8. Superb organizer
We have zillions of potential hero & heroine matchups plus any other character you wish to create using the Astrological Sun Signs. What sun sign matchups are you thinking may work for your present or future novel? Let the creativity begin.
Writer’s Write!!!
Tammy Lough creates cozy women’s fiction sprinkled with humor, romance, and moxie aplenty. Her romantic comedy, Lacey’s Lessons of Love, is a 2022 national and international best-seller & the first book of the For the Love of Lacey series. Available Summer 2023: Lacey’s Circle of Love & Winter 2023: Lacey’s Legacy of Love.She is an active member of the Missouri Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, Southwest Writers, Saturday Writers, and Women Writing the West.
You can connect with Tammy on her website, or on Twitter and Facebook.
The post Look to the Stars for Celestial-Inspired Characterization appeared first on DIY MFA.
]]>[TAG0] |
"No in Brooklyn they are not naked" |
by EMILY FABER | The National Desk
[TAG2] |
It's reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland's "Drink Me," but those who accept the invitation won't suddenly shrink in size or wind up down the rabbit hole. If a psychedelic-tinged escapade is what someone's after, a wealth of kaleidoscopic venues in Brooklyn will deliver precisely that, but behind this particular door is a scene arguably more surprising than oversized mushrooms and grinning Cheshire cats.
The door is a portal to a neighbor’s down-home barn in a small Southern town, emptied of last year’s hay by springtime and instead abuzz with the driving, foot-stomping rhythm of a carefree fiddle and the whirl of full-skirted dresses. Or it’s a means of time travel to postwar New York City in the late 1940s, albeit an alternate version of the decade with Converse’s future-forward Run Star Motion silhouette and a COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
In actuality, this is the site of Brooklyn Contra’s twice-monthly dances. Folk dancing, often associated with rural environments, provides an alternative to the usual nightlife scene in cities. (Video: Emily Faber, The National Desk)
Going out dancing in New York City usually carries a different connotation.
Behind the arched door with the intriguing sign is a well-lit gymnasium, sunshine streaming in through large windows and fluorescent lights overhead. There doesn’t seem to be a particular age group attracted to this activity, nor is there any real consistency in attire. And for thirsty dancers, relief comes via water cooler, not at a bar.
Then, there’s the dance itself.
Contra dance, as the community-based organization’s website describes, is what would result “if swing dancing and square dancing met in a bar.” Think: do-si-doing to the sound of a fiddle but in long, parallel lines rather than four-couple squares.
If the thought of dancing in the city immediately evokes imagery of a hazy nightclub and shots poured to the persistent thump of an electronic beat, the word "do-si-do" alone will transport the mind somewhere else entirely. Maybe it's that country barn stripped of its hay supply by a long winter, or it's the one association that has reached most city residents — a gymnasium just like Brooklyn Contra's but during an elementary school lesson dreaded by every cootie-phobic child.
Stereotypes aside, contra dance actually makes a lot of sense in New York City.
For one, it's an excellent way to meet people in a city that, despite its 8.5 million residents, can often feel isolating. Connections on a crowded train are few and far between, but swinging a partner round and round creates instant camaraderie. At Brooklyn Contra's events, social anxiety is soothed with name tags, beginner lessons prior to the official start time, and a friendly group of regulars eager to welcome first-timers.
And although the common perception of contra dance comes tied to specific regions, the pastime has a multicultural background fitting for the diverse makeup of New York City.
Those who last do-si-doed back in fifth grade may consider square dancing and, by extension, contra to be as American as apple pie. Technically, they’d be correct, as neither apple pie nor square dancing has strict origins in America. The first recipes for apple pie actually came from England — right around the time that English country dancing began to gain popularity.
An early predecessor to square, contra, and other social dances, English country dancing was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I during her 16th-century reign. Even then, the genre likely drew inspiration from multiple cultures, ranging from Italian dancing masters to the traditions of local country folk. As published manuals of figures and tunes spread English country dancing across Europe, countries like France, Spain, and Germany infused regional flavor into the basic blueprints.
Many of the modern-day moves came from this period, and the French influence is visible in terms like "promenade" (referring to a leisurely walk) and "dos-à-dos" (meaning "back-to-back" and Anglicized as "do-si-do").
At a recent Brooklyn Contra event, Paul Morris stood with a microphone at one end of the gymnasium and instructed the dancers' every move. Morris, a Kentucky native, has a voice made for calling contra dances, and with over two decades of contra dance experience, he has the necessary know-how, too.
Back when English country dances were flourishing in Queen Elizabeth I's court and evolving across Europe, Morris' role did not yet exist. Before callers became such an integral aspect of the experience, the dances had to make their way over to America.
There, the white settlers continued, at first, to learn and memorize the figures during lessons with dance masters. The responsibility of providing the music, though, fell on enslaved Africans. At some point, the slaves began to organize dances for themselves, incorporating movements familiar to them and providing instruction through a call-and-response pattern common in the African music tradition. As this practice of calling grew increasingly prevalent, slaves were eventually made to prompt white dancers through allemandes and promenades, and the dances from Europe took on a new life through the slaves' preservation of African culture.
Despite today’s perception of a dance floor as a place for all types of people to come together, the involvement of slaves in these early dances had no such profound impact. Never mind that the Black influence played a pivotal part in shaping social dancing as we know it — the slaves' contributions would soon be ignored in favor of a whitewashed version that would persist for decades to come.
It's unlikely, then, that Henry Ford was aware of the African influence on square dancing when he pushed for do-si-dos in elementary school curriculums and distributed an illustrated dance manual of standardized formations and sequences.
Some historians have suggested that Ford, better known for his success in the automobile industry than his dancing prowess, used square dancing to further a white supremacist agenda in the 1920s. Vocal in his antisemitic beliefs, Ford, according to these historians, viewed jazz music as a Jewish plot to corrupt Americans and control the weak-minded. Only the “wholesome” nature of fiddle music and old-fashioned dancing, Ford thought, could effectively save society. (Others have argued that, despite Ford's bigoted beliefs, it's difficult to prove that a hatred of jazz provided any real motivation for his square dancing campaign.)
Whatever his motivations, Henry Ford, of course, was not successful in thwarting the rise of jazz music. But his efforts to promote the styles of his youth did boost interest in old-fashioned dances. After Ford's personal acknowledgment of fiddler Mellie Durham turned the Maine resident into a national sensation, a flood of fiddling contests in 1926 promised a taste of fame to hopeful musicians across the country. Ford had little to no involvement in the competitions, but organizers suggested otherwise by holding the contests at Ford dealerships and hiring Henry Ford impersonators.
By the summer of 1926, the fiddling frenzy had died down, although Ford continued to hold dances into the 1940s.
Throughout its history, the square dance has never disappeared entirely, but its popularity has come and gone (and come again, and gone again) several times over the past century.
Starting in the 1930s, a caller by the name of Ed Durlacher was instrumental in spreading square dancing throughout New York City. He called at the 1939 New York World's Fair, at weekly dances at the Jones Beach Bandshell in Long Island, and at Pepsi-sponsored gatherings in Central Park.
A New York Times article from 1940 announced a square dance revival: “Square dances, never forgotten in small communities throughout the country, are returning to favor in the cities."
Contra’s big moment would come several decades later when caller Dudley Laufman’s stylistic choices caught the attention of the counterculture movement.
In the ‘60s and ‘70s, hippies headed to communes in New Hampshire to pursue apple picking and stumbled upon the one region still dedicated to keeping contra alive. These young people, who weren’t all that fond of the word “square,” had no interest in the structure and formality of the dances enjoyed by their parents, but contra caught their attention. Free from pretension, Laufman’s events encouraged would-be dancers to just show up — bare feet, casual attire, and all.
Many of today’s dances embrace this same spirit of inclusivity. There’s certainly no dress code at Brooklyn Contra’s events, where it’s normal to see a barefoot dancer in a tie-dyed sunflower T-shirt swinging a partner in a vintage-inspired shirt dress, stockings, and ballet flats. The best thing to wear, according to organizer Joe Rinehart, is “anything you can move in.” He suggests leaving big heels at home, both for ease of movement and for the sake of the gymnasium’s floor.
Since Brooklyn Contra’s founding in 2010, a committee of volunteer organizers has prioritized a comfortable, welcoming environment for all.
From personal experience, Rinehart knows that showing up to dance contra for the first time can be intimidating.
“I was terrified,” he said. “It’s a very odd experience. You have to put yourself out there socially and ask people to dance. But what was really great about it is that people would say yes.”
Further contributing to Brooklyn Contra’s vision of inclusion and diversity is an adaptation of the calls to attach less gender significance to the roles — “leads” and “follows,” rather than the standard “ladies” and “gents.” Other outdated terms, like a move called the “gypsy,” have been replaced as well.
All over the country, gender-free calling has become a common way to modernize traditional folk dances and appeal to a new crowd. The alternative designations vary. One of the earliest swaps was “bands” and “bares” back in the late ‘80s, but in recent years, “larks” and “ravens” seems to have gained the greatest amount of traction, with the lark position standing on the left side and the raven on the right.
Like Brooklyn Contra, Baltimore Square Dance has done away with gendered language.
“There's definitely been a movement over the past decades to make sure the terms used are appropriate and welcoming,” said Brad Kolodner, the co-founder of Baltimore Square Dance and a driving force of the old-time music scene in Baltimore.
“Maybe two guys want to dance together, or two women, or two non-binary folks. You don't have to be a ‘gent’ or a ‘lady’ to do the dance,” he continued. “We don’t make a big deal about gender-free calling. We’ve just tried to normalize it.”
With over 200 people attending a typical Baltimore Square Dance event, an emphasis on inclusion is crucial. Since the initial dance in November 2013, growth has come primarily through word of mouth, meaning the continuation of the event’s success relies heavily on attendees feeling welcome and having a good time. And for Kolodner, motivation for creating a long-lasting, enjoyable event comes from a desire to share not only his passion but his upbringing.
Kolodner's father is Ken Kolodner, a highly regarded hammered dulcimer player and fiddler. The younger Kolodner grew up immersed in his father's music. Arriving home from school, he'd find his dad practicing in the living room, and at night, the sound of the hammered dulcimer served as a lullaby.
"Whatever your parents do, you just assume that's normal," Kolodner said. "I didn't understand quite how special it was until I grew up a bit and realized how fortunate I was to have such incredible access to this kind of music in my own house."
An interest in old-time music as a teenager led to a father-son duo act by college, which turned into four albums, dozens of shows a year, and the Baltimore Old Time Jam, a long-standing bi-weekly bluegrass meetup. It was this last accomplishment that led to the formation of Baltimore Square Dance, after Kolodner recognized the larger potential of the informal square dances that often popped up in the back of Liam Flynn's Ale House during the jam sessions.
Square dancing with a bunch of bluegrass musicians was akin to preaching to the choir, but throughout Baltimore awaited a new congregation seeking quirky alternatives to the run-of-the-mill nightlife scene. Square dancing simply wasn’t yet on the radars of those who had been forced to partner up in fifth grade and then never again gave the activity a second thought.
“You hear square dance, and all these images flood your mind. People have this idea that to square dance, you have to look a certain way, or you have to act a certain way. But really, you just show up,” said Kolodner.
Through Baltimore Square Dance, Kolodner has worked to dispel these preconceived notions, particularly the misjudged categorization of Baltimore as an unusual place to go square dancing.
The stereotype of bluegrass as a musical tradition confined to the rural South considers only the genre’s origins, not its expansion. It shouldn’t come as a shock, really, that the remote populations of Appalachia carried the sounds of their region with them when seeking industrial jobs in urban locales during the 20th century. And so was the case in Baltimore, where soon-to-be bluegrass legends got their start playing at bohemian house parties and in cramped local bars.
In 1984, Baltimore hosted the National Square Dance Convention, a three-day extravaganza spread out across 11 dance halls and four outdoor dancing areas. "Baltimore is one square dancing town," declared an ad in the American Square Dance magazine, positioning the city as a recently revitalized hub of history and culture.
Square dancing is also the state folk dance of Maryland, although this is not so much a reflection of the state's specific traditions as it is the result of a highly divisive campaign launched in hopes of eventually cementing square dancing as the national folk dance of the United States.
Kolodner, often found onstage playing fiddle or banjo during Baltimore Square Dance's events, is both aware of his role in furthering the story of bluegrass in Baltimore and unafraid to deviate from the past.
“The point of the dance isn't so much to preserve a tradition as it is to build community and bring joy into the lives of those who live in Baltimore,” he said.
At the restored 1870s church in Pigtown where Baltimore Square Dance holds a majority of events, formality may have been thrown out the (very large, arch-top) window. Another side of square dancing, however, retains quite a bit more structure.
Not to be confused with the always beginner-friendly format at Baltimore Square Dance events, Modern Western square dancing requires participants to not only know at least some of the terminology but to then be able to execute those calls on the fly. Notably absent are the slower, music-free walkthroughs that precede each dance at both Brooklyn Contra and Baltimore Square Dance. That's by design, as the choreography in Modern Western square dancing isn't based on the repetition of simple sequences but instead represents the impromptu whims of the caller.
The spontaneity of each individual dance necessitates a systematic overall approach to Modern Western square dancing.
Dancers progress through a series of different levels, each building upon the one prior with additional calls and concepts. At the "mainstream" level, 69 calls must be grasped. For "plus," that number jumps to 100. "Advanced" is split into two tiers, the first with 146 calls and concepts and the second with 181. And if someone were to progress through all four sublevels of the "challenge" program, they'd wind up with knowledge of approximately 1,000 calls and 100 concepts.
For the sake of consistency, an international society of square dance callers has been standardizing Modern Western square dance since the 1970s.
Callerlab, officially established in 1974, ensures that the terminology at one dance precisely matches that of another, such that even dances in overseas countries are called in English. Because of these efforts, gender-based cues are still the norm at Modern Western square dancing clubs — even those specifically serving the LGBTQ+ community. When Jim Babcock, accustomed at the time to contra dancing, initially learned of Modern Western square dance, he didn’t understand why anyone would be drawn to the complicated-sounding style over contra’s smooth, straightforward approach.
Eventually, Babcock’s mounting curiosity led him to a Modern Western square dance lesson. To his surprise, he loved it just as much as he did contra dancing. With a firm grasp on many of the moves from his prior folk dancing experience, Babcock progressed through the first two levels after spending a year or so with each. His journey through the "advanced" level took about three years, with the interruption of COVID-19 slowing his momentum.
Now, Babcock is the president of Times Squares, New York’s only active LGBTQ+ square dance club.
Gay square dancing probably isn’t among those stereotypical images that come up at the thought of a do-si-do, but back in the 1980s, the presence of the LGBTQ+ community was extensive enough to warrant the development of the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs. Currently, the umbrella organization lists nearly 60 member clubs in locations ranging from Tokyo to Texas.
“A lot of the gay groups in the ‘70s and ‘80s were trying to find ways to connect with people that weren’t centered around bars and drinking,” said Babcock.
And so, gay square dancing clubs began to form, including Times Squares in 1984. Beside fostering connections, the clubs also became a place where gay dancers could feel immediately welcome, something that wasn't a guarantee otherwise.
"Gay people being accepted at straight clubs is the result of a lot of work over the years," Babcock said.
Although Callerlab's guidelines have perpetuated the usage of "ladies" and "gents'' in the world of Modern Western square dancing, it would make little sense for LGBTQ+ events to strictly enforce gender roles. At Times Squares, attendees are free to choose whichever position they please. Some members develop preferences, but Babcock recommends learning both for maximum flexibility.
Besides the fluidity of roles, several other distinctions set gay square dancing apart. For one, gay clubs have developed their own flourishes, referring to the stylistic touches that more experienced dancers may add to basic calls.
And whereas Modern Western square dancing generally embraces petticoats and cowboy hats, gay clubs often eschew elaborate apparel in favor of casual dress. Additionally, the matching outfits worn by partners at non-gay clubs are a rare sight in the LGBTQ+ square dancing community. This presents a greater challenge for the caller, who must keep track of each couple’s position without any obvious visual reminders to distinguish one pairing from another.
There are also fly-ins, invitations to gather for a long weekend in a host club’s city. Gay clubs, fewer in number, tend to lack nearby connections to other groups of the same type. With a fly-in comes the valuable opportunity for clubs based in different states to get together. Times Squares’ turn to host comes every October or November with a three-day affair called “Peel the Pumpkin.”
At the start of a recent Baltimore Square Dance event, the spacious interior of Pigtown's Mobtown Ballroom barely felt big enough for the eager-to-dance crowd. Attendees squeezed into every corner of the crowded space as they formed their first four-couple squares of the night.
Only that initial dance felt quite so cramped. As the night went on, people retired to tables periodically to rest their feet, and families with small children headed home for bedtime. Others skipped dances to stop by the bar. (Alcohol and dimmer lighting at the late-evening event nudges Baltimore Square Dance closer toward the ambiance expected of a typical Saturday night destination.)
A springtime gathering with Brooklyn Contra was similarly well-attended, with two sets of parallel lines spanning the length of the gymnasium from the band to the snack table.
Labeling the current level of interest a "revival" may not be entirely accurate, given that both Brooklyn Contra and Baltimore Square Dance have been around for some time. But after the pandemic put a pause to any interaction with even a passing resemblance to a promenade, social dancing has felt like a welcome shift from social distancing, as evidenced by high turnouts at the community-centric events.
For Times Squares, it took until 2022 to once again feel some sense of normalcy, but attendance still lags behind pre-pandemic levels. The club hopes to combat this sluggish return with additional open houses, one per month, intended to attract first-time dancers. Free of charge, the open houses will introduce attendees to Modern Western square dance and familiarize them with some of the most common calls.
According to Babcock, the popularity of gay Modern Western square dancing peaked in the ‘90s. Since then, growth has been a challenge. Many of Times Squares’ members have been dancing with the club for decades, and each departure is deeply felt.
“Over time, people get older. People move away,” Babcock said. “We did have two members pass away this year. Our club is slowly shrinking, but we’re keeping it together.”
Estimating the average age somewhere in the high 60s, Babcock admits that the club’s demographics may seem “less exciting” to younger generations. He’s hopeful, though, that the trend will shift.
“There’s a club in Ottawa that attracted the attention of a social media influencer, and it totally changed their dynamic. They have two dozen new members, all over the map of gender identities, ages, and ethnicities,” said Babcock.
For many years I thought that Hello Kitty was Sanrio, and Sanrio was Hello Kitty. I was a huge fan of Miss Kitty when I was younger, and just assumed that Sanrio was a brand with one character. For a long time!
UNTIL I learned about two other members of the team, the Little Twin Stars (Kiki and Lala). With their cute little faces and good energy, I was hooked. I had to have everything with the Twin Stars on it.
Fast forward to life as a teenager.
I went to high school in Louisville, KY and we had a Sanrio Surprises store at one of our local malls. The stuff was SO cute that I spent quite a bit of my babysitting money on trinkets (I didn’t need).
I completely fell in love with Sanrio, and all the characters! I still have some of the goodies I bought from back in that time, now 30 years ago. It’s so nostalgic for me!
My niece and I have been doing a lot of perler beads lately, and you may have seen our Hello Kitty perler beads. We also did a Hello Kitty organizer and door hanger.
They were so fun that we decided to continue and make a bunch of Sanrio perler beads. I introduced her to all the characters that were my favorites when I was young.
If you’re not familiar or need a refresher, here are the Sanrio characters we have perler bead patterns for below:
I can’t wait for you to check out the Sanrio perler bead patterns below.
Perler beads are recommended for ages six and up, so this is a very fun craft to try with your elementary age kids. All children seem to love perler beads (also known as hama beads, fuse beads, or melty beads). But don’t be shy – adults love them too!
Before we get into the summer perler bead ideas, I want to review a few basics of using fuse beads to make sure you get the best results. If you don’t want the tips, scroll down to the bottom to get the patterns and tutorial.
Remember that the overall goal is to melt the beads together on both sides while still leaving the holes open. Here’s how you achieve success (using a rainbow pattern as an example).
Place ironing paper or parchment paper over the beads on the pegboard. Be gentle so you don’t disturb the beads underneath.
Heat your iron to the medium setting (no steam). In a circular motion, begin to iron the project. Don’t press down too hard with the iron. Use small circles and keep the iron moving.
When ironed properly, the beads will still have an open center. Check and make sure your edges are melted. Let the design cool on the pegboard.
Note: BE CAREFUL about lifting up the paper while you’re ironing! If you want to check, carefully peel back paper around the edge of your design and see if all the beads are melted.
If you lift the paper up quickly and there are a lot of unmelted beads, they will easily fall off or go flying and you may be forced to start over. Sometimes the edges need more time so when you check, just check the edges and peel paper back slowly.
Another Note: some beads melt faster than others (clear melts faster than white, for example). So some holes might be larger than others. It’s okay! That’s part of the look of the project.
Remove the bead design from the pegboard. Flip it over to the non-melted side and repeat the fusing process.
Let cool completely and remove the paper again (which is reusable). Some people pull the paper off after they iron the first side, but I just wait until the end and peel off both pieces. It’s up to you!
Now that you’ve had a refresher on how to melt the beads, you can get the patterns! Keep on reading.
Make sure to check out these notes:
Mini Sanrio Characters
You’ll get a bunch of tiny characters including the Little Twin Stars, Pompompurin, Badtz-Maru, Keroppi, Pochacco, Kuromi, My Melody, Tuxedo Sam, Hello Kitty, and Cinnamaroll. These make great keychains, backpack charms, and other small trinkets.
Hello Kitty Head in Front of a Pink Heart
This pattern uses 152 black, 110 pink, 40 red, 303 white, and 3 yellow beads.
My Melody Head
This pattern uses 59 black, 89 pink, 52 white, and 5 yellow beads.
Kuromi Head
This pattern uses 95 black, 75 dark gray, 13 cotton candy, and 40 white beads.
Hello Kitty Standing with Blue Overalls, Yellow Shirt, and a Red Bow
This pattern uses 188 black, 51 red, 270 white, 14 yellow, 11 denim blue, and 58 navy beads.
Cinnamaroll Holding a Heart
This pattern uses 132 sky, 60 toothpaste, 152 white, and 24 blush beads.
Happy Pompompurin
This pattern uses 130 brown, 17 gingerbread, 278 pastel yellow, and 8 blush beads.
Hello Kitty Seated with Turquoise Overalls and a Bow
Uses 63 parrot green, 83 black, 67 light green, 200 white, 20 gray, and 2 yellow beads.
Mini Little Twin Stars
These patterns use 78 yellow, 43 turquoise, 79 pink, 48 sand, 4 gingerbread, and 34 white beads.
Excited Pochacco
The pattern on the left uses 122 black, 169 white, and 21 red beads. The pattern on the right uses 115 black, 167 white, and 26 bright green beads.
Badtz-Maru Head
This pattern uses 336 black, 60 white, and 13 yellow beads.
Hello Kitty Sitting with Pink Overalls and a Red Bow
This classic kitty uses 167 black, 51 red, 321 white, 6 yellow, and 22 pink beads.
Keroppi Head
This pattern uses 136 black, 136 white, 217 kiwi lime, and 24 pink beads.
Medium Gudetama
This pattern uses 115 black, 43 light gray, 21 gray, 68 cheddar, and 60 white beads.
Hello Kitty Toaster
This pattern uses 19 light brown, 41 sand, 45 black, 81 white, 80 flamingo, 8 sky, 6 gray, and 1 yellow bead.
Hello Kitty Blue Bandaid
This pattern uses 114 pastel blue, 146 robin’s egg, 20 light blue, 33 white, 7 cotton candy, 2 black, and 1 yellow bead.
Winking My Melody
This pattern uses 184 black, 254 pink, 34 sky, 139 white, and 2 yellow beads.
Hello Kitty Angel with a Blue Dress and Bow
This pattern uses 198 black, 302 white, 84 blue, and 2 yellow beads.
Tuxedo Sam
This pattern uses 165 dark gray, 89 white, 17 red, 221 pastel blue, and 37 yellow beads.
Sitting Chococat
This pattern uses 568 black, 32 cream, 72 white, 10 clear (to hold the whiskers), 3 gingerbread, and 9 cobalt beads.
Happy Hangyodon
This pattern uses 64 black, 27 turquoise, 106 robin’s egg, 40 white, 32 pink, and 13 magenta beads.
Kiki and Lala with a Star
This pattern uses 56 yellow, 160 pastel yellow, 76 pink, 60 turquoise, 14 flamingo, 8 toothpaste, 54 sand, 4 light brown, and 38 white beads.
Sitting Kuromi
This pattern uses 309 black, 30 pink, and 137 white beads.
Standing Cinnamaroll
This pattern uses 174 sky, 293 white, 58 toothpaste, and 6 blush beads.
My Melody with a Strawberry
This pattern uses 155 black, 172 pink, 95 white, 1 yellow, 8 kiwi lime, 14 red, and 4 pastel yellow beads.
Standing Pompompurin
This pattern uses 125 brown, 20 gingerbread, and 378 pastel yellow beads.
Walking Badtz-Maru
This pattern uses 575 black, 184 white, and 69 yellow beads.
Walking Keroppi
This pattern uses 220 black, 228 white, 246 prickly pear, 32 pink, and 44 red beads.
Little Twin Stars Riding a Horse
This pattern uses 244 tan, 95 toothpaste, 45 light lavender, 120 blush or light pink, 203 cream, 46 sand, 12 mint, 66 white, and 63 pastel yellow beads.
Lala and Kiki
Lala uses 171 black, 238 pink, 19 yellow, 70 peach, 83 pink, and 1 light gray bead. Kiki uses 173 black, 110 yellow, 169 pastel blue, 38 flesh, 40 white, and 14 pink beads.
Hello Kitty and a Large Polka Dot Bow
This pattern uses 59 parrot green, 265 black, 347 light green, 474 white, and 6 yellow beads.
Large Gudetamas
These patterns use 306 black, 369 cheddar, 434 white, 19 butterscotch, and 74 light gray beads.
If you enjoyed these Sanrio perler bead patterns, let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other ideas:
The post Sanrio Perler Beads (30+ Free Patterns!) appeared first on DIY Candy.
]]>I'm a huge fan of rustic and shabby chic home decor. It isn't really my husband's style, so I try to tone it down here and there. But still, the rustic lover inside me has an insatiable craving and I just cannot ignore it. So, from time to time, I treat myself to DIY projects like these rustic home decor. Let me tell you, they're oh-so-satisfying and I'm really happy that I have the opportunity to share these ideas with you today! Check out these awesome rustic home decor ideas below:
Do you have a blank wall at home? It would be perfect for this DIY open shelving project! For this one, you will need pine wood shelves and brackets. To achieve the rustic feel, pick a dark wood stain. Not only does it look great, it's a great way to make use of your vertical space for storage!
Who would've thought that an old ironing board can turn into a beautiful rustic welcome sign? Thanks to the genius DIY lovers out there, we can now take on this project too! Does it look difficult to make? Don't worry, there's no professional woodwork skill required for this one.
RT @_home_decor_: Leather Wall-Mounted Catchall https://t.co/7fWl0keYSQ pic.twitter.com/8ueMay7l7A
— DIY Projects (@DIYProjectsCom) December 27, 2016
Sometimes, a little paint work is all you need to revamp an old piece of furniture. Take this vintage dresser for example. This dresser has been handed down three times. But after repainting, the new color helped highlight the gorgeous rustic wood underneath.
Is that bare corner in your room bothering you? Maybe it's actually begging for some redecorating. Instead of hanging your photo frames on walls, hang them on this tree branch photo ladder that will look great in any corner.
Adding some rustic charm to your kitchen or coffee table is this DIY Rustic Wood Tray. For this project, you will need at least eight pallet boards, screws and white paint. After some work with your screwdriver, you'll have your little kitchen organizer.
Are you looking for home decor that feels close to your heart? This customized initial made from twig is a project you must do. It's cute and unsophisticated, which is actually the look we're going for here.
I'm a huge fan of photo frames and I probably have one too many of them in our home. I like seeing our family's best memories on our walls. But then again, I also look for other ways to display our photos without using the same old frames we can get anywhere. Thus, this DIY Photo Clipboard is definitely on top of my list of must-dos for this week.
If you're someone who's searching for a side table that won't take up much space, you got a winner right here. This DIY Stepladder Side Table is a genius idea! It might take a little more effort to make but look at the final result, it's a rustic home decor that you can't get anywhere else!
I don't know about you but I had the hardest time looking for a mail sorter. That's until I found this tutorial and just made my own. The search is over and this beautiful rustic mail sorter hangs right beside our door. I still love it today!
I'm a self-confessed Mason jar hoarder and sorry, but I'm not ashamed. Even though my husband teases me that I have too many of them, well, what can I do? I love them! One of the reasons why I like collecting Mason jars is for brilliant projects like this one. These jars are practical and ultra-versatile!
The first time I saw these chevron arrows, I knew I had to make them. Unfortunately, I don't have reclaimed wood on hand yet so I'm putting this project off for later. Nonetheless, that won't stop me from sharing this cool DIY tutorial with you. Trust me, your bare walls will thank you for it!
You know what, I always see these cute small baskets in home decor stores but I never got around to purchasing them. Lucky for me, I didn't have to. This DIY Paint Stick Basket tutorial is so easy and affordable to make that I've already made three of them. Two of the baskets I used as storage containers and the other one I used a decorative piece for our bookshelf.
I've always wondered how to achieve the rustic paint look. Thanks to this tutorial, I finally learned how. And more than that, I've got more rustic flower pots now too!
If you can't get enough of these rustic home decor ideas, here are more ideas from GoodLife:
Rustic home decor can easily add an unsophisticated and country-style look to your home in an instant. And the best part of it all is that you don't have to spend on these too!
Did you enjoy these rustic home decor ideas as much as I did? If you know other similar projects, please sound off in the comments below.
Are you still a beginner in the wonderful world of DIY? You can start with these 37 Insanely Easy DIY Projects For Beginners!
[TAG9]
Stay connected with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!
39.00 EUR
This unique design wooden desk organizer consists of 1 platform and 5 boxes that are put on a wooden platform. It is quite big organizer, where you can place all necessary desk items: pencils, pens, phone, cards and etc. They will stay perfectly organized right where you need them - before your eyes on your desk. You can also move smaller boxes, changing their position in organizer, when you are bored of some combination.
Wooden desk organizer is made from high quality wood, it is sturdy and will serve you for many years in ahead. Desk organizer is your ULTIMATE gift for just any person. Perfect as Christmas gift or father day gift, or birthday gift for person you want to impress! Just add a touch of personalization text and it will be a unique, handmade present, valued and treasured by whoever receive it as a gift.
-------------------------------
ENGRAVING:
In the drop-down menu, please select whether you want this organizer be ENGRAVED or not. If you want to choose specific engraving font, please let me know in Personalization field. Otherwise it will be picked by me, by default. Engraving will appear on one of the highest box. Please provide text for engraving in Personalization field, before placing your order.
-------------------------------
DETAILS:
• Desk organizer that is made to last
• High quality wood, Eco friendly material
• Desk organizer boxes can be moved on a platform - you can have different combinations of them
• Hand crafted
• ULTIMATE GIFT for just anyone - for CHRISTMAS, Birthday, Valentines day, Father day or else
• ENGRAVING will give personalization to this item thus making it even more unique
• Choose color: you can choose from three colors DARK BROWN, NATURAL WOODEN (without stain, as in the pictures), or BLACK stain.
-----> Please DISCOVER more combinations of desk organizers here:
https://etsy.me/2KTnru3
https://etsy.me/2Zp55VN
https://etsy.me/2WNXvXW
MEASUREMENTS:
23x15.5x8.6cm / 9x6.1x3.4"
MATERIALS:
• Ash wood
-------------------------------
SHIPPING: I use standard post services to ship most of my order. Please check shop policies before placing your order!
If you want order EXPEDITED SHIPPING, please select shipping upgrade option on a check-out and pick up your country! Express shipping will take only 2-5 days for your order to be delivered straight to your door!
Please also leave your mobile phone number when you order fast delivery, so we can leave it to a shipping company and arrange smooth delivery of your order.
-------------------------------
Made and designed in Lithuania!
Feel free to contact me for more information.
See more of my wooden decoration collection:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PromiDesign
Even worse, since the closest closet is near the front door, we also have shoes stashed all over our downstairs.
If this sounds familiar, the answer may be to create a garage mudroom with a designated place for all your stuff.
In this article, I’ve gathered several practical, creative ideas to help you get your entryway organized.
But first, let’s talk about how important it is to get your family involved in designing your new garage mudroom.
Imagine this: you walk into your garage after a long day. Instead of tripping over muddy boots and rain-soaked jackets thrown everywhere, you find a neat and organized space where everything has its place.
For most people, this sounds like a dream.
To make this a reality, you must get your family involved when designing your garage mudroom or drop zone.
Here’s why.
The primary reason to involve your family when creating a garage mudroom is simple: it’s their space too.
Everybody has unique needs and habits that should be taken into account.
Your spouse may need a spot for gardening tools, or your teenager needs a dedicated place for their sports gear.
Additionally, involving your family in the project helps them feel a sense of ownership and responsibility. They’re more likely to take care of the space and maintain its organization when they’ve been part of the planning and setup process.
Brainstorming: Gather your family for a brainstorming session. Discuss what each person wants out of the mudroom. Do they need a specific place for their things? How much space does each person require?
This is also a good time to discuss the rules for the mudroom, like always hanging up coats or cleaning off shoes before placing them on the rack.
Designing: Encourage everyone, especially kids, to draw out what they envision for the space. This will give you insight into their thinking and may provide creative ideas you hadn’t thought of.
Building and Setting Up: If it’s safe, involve everyone in the building or setting up process. Most family members can safely handle simple tasks like painting walls, assembling storage units, or arranging hooks. Remember, it’s not just about getting the job done. It’s also about creating shared memories and a sense of accomplishment.
Decorating: Finally, let each person contribute a personal touch to the space. This could be anything from choosing a paint color, picking a coat hook, or adding a piece of decor.
Creating a garage mudroom or drop zone is not just about organization. It’s about making your garage a more useful space for everyone in your family.
By involving everyone in the process, you’re sure to create a space that meets everyone’s needs and, more importantly, an area everyone respects and maintains.
After all, your garage is more than just storage space. It’s a part of your home.
To help you get started, I’ve created a list of my top 10 garage mudroom ideas.
These ideas are meant to inspire and guide you, no matter the size of your garage or your budget.
From simple, cost-effective solutions to more elaborate designs, there’s something here for everyone. Remember, the best mudroom for your garage is the one that caters to your family’s needs and fits seamlessly with your lifestyle.
So, get ready to take notes, because here are 10 ideas that will turn your garage into a practical, stylish, and organized mudroom.
Let’s dive in!
Are you looking for a way to store a lot of miscellaneous overflow items? Consider a store-it-all cabinet for your garage mudroom. The right cabinet can turn a cluttered space into an organized, efficient area you’ll be proud to show off.
When choosing a cabinet, it’s not about size alone. You also want it to have the functionality you need.
Cabinets with drawers provide a concealed space to store small items like gloves or hats. You won’t need to rummage through piles of stuff. Everything will be easily accessible and well protected.
Heavy-duty cabinet shelves can take care of larger items like boots and shoes. Instead of piling them in a corner, organize them on a shelf where they will be easy to find and less likely to become damaged or worn prematurely.
Does your garage serve as a drop-off point for jackets or leashes? Cabinets with integrated hooks can provide an easy-to-reach spot that keeps these items off the floor or countertops.
What about those odd-shaped or loose items that seem to be constantly searching for a home? Baskets or open bins in the cabinet provide storage that adapts to fit your changing needs.
Ever rushed out the door only to realize you’ve left your keys or pet’s leash somewhere in the house?
A simple solution is to add hooks in your garage mudroom specifically for these items. This minimizes the chances of misplacing these items or leaving them behind in another room.
They’re always in the same spot, readily available as you head out the door or return home.
Where to place these hooks? Consider areas that are easily accessible and visible. Right next to the door leading into the house is a convenient spot.
We have a set of hooks next to our garage entry door, so our keys and dog leashes are the last things we see when leaving and the first thing we see when getting home.
Another idea could be next to where you hang your coat or store your shoes. This keeps all your outdoor essentials in one area and creates a routine that makes it easier to remember your items.
You can also create a designated key and leash area if you have more space.
This could be a small shelf or cabinet with hooks underneath for storing other outdoor essentials, like sunglasses or hats.
We’ve all performed that awkward hop on one foot while trying to pull off our boots. Adding a bench or seating area to your garage mudroom can solve that problem.
If you’re a DIY’er, building your own bench allows for complete customization. You can make the size, design, and materials match the rest of your garage mudroom’s design.
If that’s not your style, there’s no shortage of pre-built benches.
When buying one, look for a bench proportional to the space. A big bench may look great, but you don’t want it to infringe on everything else in your garage.
Consider repurposing an underused piece of furniture. An old coffee table or a sturdy shelf can be given a new lease of life in your mudroom, saving you money and being environmentally friendly.
Place your garage bench close to your door but not in the way.
You want people to be able to sit down right as they enter or leave but also have enough space to move around the bench without any hassle.
Walking into the house with your hands full of mail and no clear place to put it? Consider creating a drop zone in your garage mudroom.
It’s a dedicated spot that’s perfect for sorting and storing mail and keys as soon as you walk in. That way, you’re not wasting time searching for lost keys or that important piece of mail.
A wall-mounted organizer is a great space-saver, with pockets for mail and hooks for keys.
Or, if you prefer a minimalist design, a simple tray on a bench or shelf can serve the purpose well.
Baskets offer a rustic touch and ample storage, while a dedicated shelf can double as decor and drop zone.
Tired of tripping over shoes and boots scattered across your garage mudroom floor? Garage shoe racks can put an end to this problem by keeping your footwear organized, visible, and off the floor.
Shelves offer more than just organization. They also help protect your footwear from dirt, damage, and wear. Keeping shoes or boots off the ground reduces the chance of them being stepped on or squished together. Plus, shelving allows for ventilation, which is essential for those damp boots or sweaty running shoes.
Shelves with slats offer excellent ventilation, while dividers keep each pair separate and easily accessible. Trays can catch dirt or water from your shoes, keeping your space clean.
Tiered racks are a fantastic space-saving solution for those with a sizeable shoe collection.
Adding mats for wet shoes in your garage mudroom can make coming home a little less messy. Mats provide a dedicated place for those soggy shoes, saving your floors from water and dirt.
More than a barrier against mess, mats serve a crucial safety role. Wet shoes can easily slide on hard floors, but a mat absorbs moisture and provides grip, helping prevent slips and falls.
When choosing a mat for your wet shoes, there are a few key factors to consider. Durability is a must, so look for materials like rubber or vinyl that can withstand the moisture and wear and tear of heavy boots or shoes.
Easy-to-clean should also be on your checklist. Garage mats that can be easily vacuumed, shaken out, or hosed down make maintenance a breeze.
Have you ever considered adding a utility sink to your garage? This might sound extravagant, but it’s a game-changer for creating a practical garage mudroom.
Think about it: a sink in the mudroom means no more walking into the house with dirty hands or shoes.
Rinsing muddy shoes or tools, washing hands, filling water bottles, or even soaking clothes before washing can be done right there.
Consider the following things when choosing the right sink.
First, think about how much space you have available and how much you’ll need for other things. A large basin might be ideal for soaking clothes or cleaning big tools, but a compact sink can still do the job if space is tight.
Second, consider how you’ll install it. You’ll probably need a plumber to ensure the water and drain lines are correctly set up.
Finally, style is important. You want a sink that matches the aesthetic of your mudroom, whether that’s sleek stainless steel or vintage farmhouse.
Have you thought about giving each family member their own personal storage in your garage mudroom? Installing lockers or cubbies might be the perfect solution.
Lockers and cubbies offer individualized storage spaces, keeping everyone’s belongings separate and easy to find. No more hunting for lost gloves or mismatched boots!
Many lockers include doors or locks that provide an extra layer of security and privacy. That’s a plus if you’re storing valuable items like helmets or sports equipment.
To add a personal touch, consider customizing your lockers or cubbies. A fresh coat of paint in each person’s favorite color or labels with names can make the space feel more personal and fun.
Plus, it’s an excellent way to encourage everyone to take responsibility for their items and keep their spaces tidy.
The floor area in your garage mudroom has to work incredibly hard. It’s the first line of defense against moisture, dirt, and the general wear and tear that comes with being a high-traffic area.
Even if you don’t upgrade the flooring in the rest of your garage, you’ll want something that’s durable and easy to clean in your mudroom.
Some materials, like rubber or PVC, help make cleaning up a breeze.
Instead of scrubbing stubborn dirt or stains, you can sweep or mop it up.
Vinyl and tile are stylish and resilient, offering plenty of different colors and styles. Concrete, while not the most glamorous, is exceptionally durable and can be painted or stained to elevate its look. Rubber is another practical choice, known for its shock-absorption and non-slip qualities.
I’m lucky with my dog. She’s a little bit of a princess, so she doesn’t come in from outside muddy or wet.
If your dog does, consider incorporating a dog wash station into your garage mudroom to help keep the rest of your house free from muddy paw prints.
A dog wash station usually consists of a tub that’s at a comfortable height to save you from bending over.
You’ll want a faucet and hose for easy rinsing and a drain to remove the water. Add a towel rack for quick drying and storage for pet shampoos, brushes, and other grooming essentials.
Creating a garage mudroom can go a long way to help keep the rest of your house organized.
By providing a dedicated area for those muddy boots, rain-soaked jackets, and other items, your garage can become more than just a parking spot or storage area.
It truly becomes part of your home.
Whether you opt for a simple setup with a few hooks and a shoe rack or go all out with built-in lockers, benches, and custom storage, remember the goal is to create a functional space that suits your family’s needs and lifestyle.
And remember, involving your family in the process isn’t just about building a more practical mudroom. It’s also about fostering a sense of shared responsibility and care for the space.
By working together, you’ll end up with a mudroom that helps keep your home cleaner and more organized and brings your family closer together.
Your dream garage mudroom is just a few steps away.
Go ahead and make it happen!
The post Garage Mudroom Ideas to Enhance Your Home’s Entryway appeared first on Garage Transformed.
]]>Organizing clutter and evaluating our storage strategy is a constant—we are always adapting to our ever-changing lifestyles and schedules, like the demands of a new school year or the crazy tumult of the holidays. Winter is just another time for us to take stock of how our household reacts to the season of bulky winter coats, wet and dirty boots, and errant mittens taking over the whole house.
Luckily, we are always up to the challenge of finding the best way to store and keep our winter clothing, lest we get overrun! Here are some great ideas I’ve found. I hope they inspire you to tackle your winter storage dilemma.
There’s always another way to maximize your mudroom! You can fit your winter shoes into the space beneath the built-in bench. It’s a no-brainer and a breeze to make.
Yet another reason why you need to stock up on a clear plastic shoe organizer. These little pockets are everything! Hung up inside a cabinet door or in your mudroom, you and your family can easily stash away scarves, hats, and gloves while still keeping them visible.
How cute is this? But it’s also pretty useful—clip up your mittens and scarves and hang the whole rack near the door, so everything you need is a grab away as you head out the door on cold mornings.
Try mounting old drawers on casters to store all your sweaters and winter coats. This way, they’re rolled away and out of sight beneath your bed, but ready to be thrown on once the air starts getting crisp and chilly.
If there’s one thing I hate, it’s melted snow and mud getting tracked all over my clean kitchen floor! Avoid the hassle with this pretty and functional DIY drip tray.
It’s so easy to make you’ll probably end up making one for each member of the family (now there’s an idea—why not personalize it?)
If you have kids who constantly leave mittens and hats everywhere, consider giving them a “dump zone” by way of this wire magazine rack mounted inside the hall closet. They’ll never lose anything—how’s that for amazingly useful winter storage?
Good-quality leather boots are an investment. Make sure you keep yours in tip-top shape ready to take on the harsh weather outside by storing them properly. Cut a pool noodle to size and use them to maintain your boots’ structure.
Sometimes the best winter storage hacks are the simplest: Have you ever considered knotting your scarves and tights this way on a large hanger? Pull it out from the back of your closet when winter comes and you have your entire collection within arm’s reach.
If you're into the rustic look and recycling is your thing, why not assemble old crates into a functional shoe storage system that's full of vintage vibe?
Bonus: Old beverage crates with compartments work for scarves, too!
Large empty cans get a new life as mudroom storage center! When mounted on the wall, they become great little cubbies perfect for storing anything like crocheted headwear and other snow gear.
Aren't all of these winter storage ideas so easily DIY-able? I hope these ideas help you keep your cool despite the stress and mess of the cold weather season! There's no reason to dread the dreary weather because you have all the clutter under control.
Which winter storage idea do you need in your home right now? Let me know in the comment section below.
Up Next:
Calling all crafting DIYhards, DIY Projects needs YOU! Click here if you want to write for us.
Don’t forget to stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 26, 2017, updated for quality and relevancy.
]]>There’s no shortage of aspiring Kondos pumping out aspirational organizational content, from ASMR unboxings of spice racks to before-and-after videos of formerly chaotic garages now full of sterile plastic bins. The promise is that buying shelves, hooks, bins, and baskets is a foolproof way to organize your home — and, therefore, that organizing your home is a foolproof way to live a stress-free life. That’s an overstatement, but it is true that living in an organized house is better than the alternative.
If you’re eager to enjoy the benefits of organization, there’s no better place to start than the kitchen — a highly functional room that’s also a gathering place for the entire household — and no better project to tackle than the pantry. The best pantry organization tools can bring order to chaos in what’s probably one of the most highly trafficked rooms in any house.
The right tools can save time and frustration hunting for that crucial ingredient that’s in there somewhere. For both ambitious home cooks and those who rely heavily on prepackaged and ready-made food, an organized pantry will make trips to the kitchen that much more serene.
Mindy Godding, founder of Abundance Organizing and incoming president of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, says that there are four factors to consider when organizing a pantry: accessibility, visibility, adjacency, and aesthetics. Any organization tool that doesn’t increase one or more of these is a waste of money.
“We have a lot of people in a shared space coming and going with different priorities, bringing in different stuff,” she says. “It’s an area where we’re coming together and communing as a family or as partners, but then also preparing food and nourishing ourselves. It’s a really important space to make sure that it’s functioning for you.”
Christina Hidek, a professional organizer at Streamlined Living, adds that it’s worth it to spend a bit more for durable containers made out of easy-to-clean materials like plastic and wood. They’ll cost less in the long run, and if the goal is a long-term solution, it’s worth investing in tools that will last a while. She also says that it’s crucial to ensure that the tools are right for the space.
“Measure the space, as well as what you intend to put in the organizer, to ensure it’s making good use of the horizontal and vertical space,” she says. “Too often I see the wrong storage bin or organizing solution being employed for the specific space.”
BEST OVERALL
This rack from The Container Store can double the amount of stuff that can fit on any given pantry shelf. It also works as a way to reduce the number of items stored behind other items, which increases visibility and accessibility.
This shelf expands from approximately 16 to 32 inches when the pieces are arranged in parallel, but if they’re arranged perpendicular to one another, it can also fit in a corner. This flexibility means it will probably have a home in any pantry, no matter the size and shape. Bonus: its vinyl-coated wire construction is plenty strong and looks at home with most kinds of modern kitchen décor.
BEST TURNTABLE
Godding often recommends turntables to her clients: “They’re an easy way to bring whatever’s in the back to the front without having to move items aside,” she says. This lazy susan from mDesign is a great size for most pantries. It’s small enough to rest on a shelf of average depth, but big enough to fit two layers of items — taller near the center, smaller around the diameter — that can be seen at the same time.
BEST TIERED SHELF RISER
This tiered shelf is another tool that increases visibility and accessibility in any pantry. Instead of having to pick up items in the back to see what they are, it allows for a complete view of everything on the riser with just a glance. While these kinds of shelves are commonly used for spices, they’re also useful for cans, jars, and any other small items.
BEST CANNISTER
Storing dry goods in clear canisters reduces the visual clutter that comes with lots of different packaging sitting together on the same shelf. Godding adds that any clear canisters should have a silicon gasket in the lid to keep things sealed tightly. These shatter-resistant plastic Rubbermaid Brilliance containers check that box — plus, they come with scoops that make measuring extra-convenient. Lastly, by using these kinds of containers, it’s easy to shop in bulk, which is a more environmentally friendly (and less expensive) way to buy dry goods.
BEST OVER-THE-DOOR STORAGE
If there’s room between the door to the pantry and the shelves inside, an over-the-door storage rack is a no-brainer. They’re particularly great for storing kids’ snacks, keeping them both separate from the rest of the pantry and down low for smaller people to access. But, kids or no kids, this sturdy rack adds a ton of flexible storage space that would otherwise go to waste.
BEST BIN
Bins are another key organizational tool for pantries. Godding likes that they group similar items together (adjacency!) and have right angles that don’t waste space the way curved baskets do. Particularly with items that are irregularly shaped — bags, pouches, produce, and the like — bins like this sleek metal option from mDesign are key. Just make sure to store it with its handles out for easy retrieval.
BEST LABEL MAKER
Even with as many clear storage items as possible, a label maker can come in handy. From flour and cornstarch to salt and sugar, there’s no shortage of lookalike ingredients, so it’s vital to label them to alleviate any confusion when cooking or baking. This label maker from Dymo is a solid option, featuring a rechargeable battery, QWERTY keyboard, wi-fi connectivity, and a wide array of font options.
BEST CAN STORAGE
Cans are an item that pretty much everyone keeps in their pantry, so a rack made especially for cans makes sense for most people. This metal rack displays cans openly for the utmost visibility. It’s also slightly tilted, so the cans roll into place neatly, and stackable, for those doomsday preppers who want to keep a ton of cans ready in case global catastrophe hits.
There’s no universal right answer, but the kitchen is a good place for most people to start. It’s highly functional (there’s lots to use, move, and clean) and typically a place where the household congregates for an extended period of time. Godding adds that, by organizing the kitchen, it’s possible to cut down on food waste and develop healthier habits, both of which are benefits that don’t come with organizing other rooms.
Again, individual needs may vary, but Godding says the pantry is a good choice for most because it’s a small, contained space you can work on without getting overwhelmed. In other words, if you’re looking to develop your organizational muscle, it’s a great place to get some reps in.
Sadly, no. You need to do the legwork to figure out which kitchen organization tools are right for you, develop a system that uses those tools, and figure out a way to stick to that system over the long haul. It’s not a quick and easy fix, unfortunately, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
So, I think it’s safe to say I do this as much for me as I do it for you.
I recently asked once again for some suggestions of must-have items from Amazon, and as usual, you delivered. There were so many incredible recommendations. I couldn’t include them all, but I grabbed the top 20 that were mentioned repeatedly or just grabbed my interest. If you want to see even more recommendations, click here for my Amazon list with aaaaaall of your top recommended products!
I knew these Bluetooth sleep headphones would be going on the list the moment I saw the recommendation, because Corey uses them and loves them. He’s had them for quite a while now, and uses them every night to fall asleep. I’m not the type to listen to anything when I’m going to sleep, but I could even see myself using them to lay down and listen to a podcast!
I’ve been seeing these plug-in insect traps everywhere lately and I’m so intrigued. Several of you swore by them, and I might have to break down and grab one for this summer season! The flies can get out of control in our area, and the kids are awful about leaving the back door open when they’re home all day. Maybe this will be a game changer?!
I don’t have a mascara I’m fully devoted to, so I am really curious about this one you recommended from IT Cosmetics! They’re my favorite brand for foundation and CC cream, so I may have to try this out. The reviews are all fantastic, and the price point is nice too. I have to be really careful about makeup because I have incredibly sensitive skin and am prone to breakouts and rashes, but I know this is a brand I can trust.
It makes me so happy when something I’ve recommended becomes something you turn around and swear by! I had a few of you mention my favorite joggers as one of your life-changing Amazon products, which made my day! I have these in both black and gray, and I also have the capri-length in gray. They’re so comfy, flattering, and versatile!
I haven’t ever heard of these board books, but one of you said it keeps your toddler busy endlessly! I’m always a fan of anything that can keep the little ones happy and engaged, and it’s great for practicing counting, too. It would make a great gift for the toddler in your life – or for yourself, to keep your own toddler occupied.
Who doesn’t need an instant beverage cooler in their lives? This is my favorite kind of Amazon gadget because it’s 100% unnecessary, but I’m sure once you have it and see how well it works, it’ll also become 100% vital to your life, you know?! I love finding a totally random gadget that solves super specific problems, and this one is highly intriguing.
I am always looking for more aesthetic ways to help support my plants, and this set of plant stakes was an instant “add to cart” for me! I have a couple of monsteras that are getting pretty large and out of control and these guys are exactly what I need! They blend right into the plant, and can hold up your larger plants without any ties or wires. Doesn’t get much better than that!
This handy little tool is meant to help keep carbonated drinks fizzy for longer, and it gets rave reviews! We don’t drink a ton of sodas in our house, so when we end up with a 2-liter it always goes flat. It would be so nice to be able to actually keep it fizzy for a while so we don’t end up drinking from it once and pouring the rest down the drain!
These cute loafers are apparently crazy comfortable. I mean, I personally am going to trust just about anything with over 100,000 reviews! I love how many different colors and patterns they come in, and I think these would be such a great option to have in the spring and summer when you need to slip something on for a walk with the kids or a quick trip to the park.
I have a few friends who swear by these appliance cord organizers, and I honestly don’t know why I haven’t bought any yet! I’m constantly tucking the cord for our stand mixer back behind it trying to keep it out of sight, but these little adhesive cord organizers could do the job for me! Perfect if you have a lot of small appliances with cords – they won’t be visible on the counter, and it’s easier to store them that way, too!
If you’re looking for the softest affordable sheets around, look no further. This is another product I’ve recommended that many of you now swear by! These sheets have over 300,000 reviews, they’re so (SO!) soft, and they last for the long haul. We’ve had a set of these for over three years now and they just get more cozy and wonderful with time.
I’ve had my eye on this electric spin scrubber for some time now, so I clicked purchase as soon as one of you told me it was absolutely life changing. I’ve never been more excited to clean my shower. It has tons of great reviews, and I am always looking for things that will make scrubbing my house easier. I’ll keep you posted on how it works out!
If you’re a parent, especially of littles, I think this choking rescue kit is a must-have. It has an almost perfect 4.8 star rating with over 12,000 reviews. It’s the sort of thing you can tuck away in a cabinet where it’s easy to reach and just let it give you some serious peace of mind. It’s meant for kids or adults, and just knowing it exists in your house should give you some calm.
I know it’s almost summer, but I love me a good space heater, and this cute guy is basically irresistible. I almost always have a space heater near me and running in the colder months, and I’m definitely bookmarking this one for next winter season. It’s adorable and I wouldn’t mind leaving it out all the time!
I honestly love to cook. But I hate (HATE!) chopping vegetables. Especially onions. This veggie chopper looks like it might need to be a staple in my kitchen. I generally try to keep single-purpose gadgets to a minimum in my kitchen (we only have so much room!), but something like this would save so much time and headache that I definitely think it’s worth it!
It makes me so happy when something on the list happens to be something I’ve been eyeing, and this safety cutter is one of those products! It’s great for opening packages, that annoying clamshell packaging, and just about anything else. It’s magnetic, so you can keep it on the fridge and never lose it, and it has a “finger-friendly” edge, so you don’t have to worry about little hands around it.
I don’t think it’s exaggerating to say that the right bed pillow is life changing. This one has over 200,000 reviews, so I have a feeling it’s one you can rely on! I’m incredibly picky about my pillows, and I am really intrigued by this one. They can be tossed in your washer and dryer when they need a clean, they’re super fluffy, and they’re pretty affordable as far as fancy pillows go!
Gorgeous nonstick cookware sets are all the rage right now, but if you’re anything like me, you’ve tried a few of the more popular (and expensive) brands and been left really disappointed in the quality. This nonstick set is crazy affordable, beautiful enough to be left out all the time, and has great reviews. I’ve added this one to my cart because we’ve been needing a new set, and this might be exactly what we’ve been looking for!
You know I love a label printer! This one connects to your phone, and has tons of really cute customization options. I love how compact it is, and it looks so much easier to use than my clunky old one. I’m definitely adding this to my “save for later” cart and might have to grab it the next time I have a big organizing project!
I need all the help I can get, so you know I added this pet hair remover to my cart immediately. Our rugs can get so full of hair that’s not even visible at first, but over time it can create such a mess. Especially with an Aussie puppy in the house, the pet hair can get out of control. I’m excited to see how this works on our rugs – keep your fingers crossed for me!
And there you have it – 20 of your top recommended Amazon products that may or may not change your life! If you want to see even more, click here for my Amazon storefront, where I’ve got some more of the most popular recommendations saved!
Time to do some shopping, no?!
The post Best Of Amazon: Reader Favorites {Volume 3} appeared first on Love & Renovations.
]]>Not all wedding ceremonies include an opportunity for guests to object, but when they do, it's usually because the couple is confident that everyone present supports the union. Occasionally, however, all hell breaks loose when the officiant utters this phrase…
One curious Reddit user recently asked people to detail times guest objected to couples tying the knot, and readers flooded the replies with a variety of scandalous stories of weddings gone wrong. Enjoy reading these wild tales, as well as conversations we had with Jack Burns, Editor at Bespoke Bride, and Kathy and Danielle, Editors at The Wedding Playbook, and be sure to upvote the stories that you would have paid money to witness!
Image credits: StuntCockofGilead
Image credits: Lsd365
To gain more insight on this scandalous topic, we reached out to the experts at Bespoke Bride, and lucky for us, Editor Jack Burns was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda. First, we wanted to know if anyone from the Bespoke Bride team had ever been in attendance when a wedding was halted due to an objection. “None of us have been to a scandalous wedding where this happened, but we have heard a few stories where it did,” Jack said.
“One story that we remember was about a city wedding in London, where just as the couple exchanged their heartfelt vows, a hushed murmur swept through the crowd. A figure, dressed in a flamboyant suit, burst through the entrance, drawing everyone's attention,” he continued. “It was a long-lost friend of the groom, known for his outrageous and unpredictable behavior. The friend's voice boomed through the room, as he declared something like, ‘Stop this wedding! You can't marry her!’”
Image credits: Rabies182
Image credits: mynameizgary
“He continued to tell how he loved the bride and how they shared some secret moments in the past,” Jack went on to explain. “The room erupted into a flurry of whispers and murmurs, as guests turned to one another, shocked by the drama. The bride, tears streaming down her face, stood frozen. But then the groom stepped forward and said something like, ‘This is not the time nor the place for such declarations. You had your chance, and you let it slip away.’ The officiant, trying to restore order, intervened and asked the rude friend to leave. Reluctantly, he complied. The ceremony resumed, but the shadow of the objection lingered over the celebration.”
Image credits: jamesshine
Image credits: FDS_MTG
Thankfully, most couples don’t need to worry about any objections today, as Jack says this tradition has largely become symbolic over time, rather than a genuine question for the guests. “In fact, many couples choose to omit this part of the ceremony altogether,” the editor noted. “Mainly because the objection portion of the ceremony was once a legal requirement to ensure there were no legal impediments to the marriage. However, in most jurisdictions, the legalities are taken care of before the wedding day, making the objection part unnecessary.”
“Secondly, weddings today tend to focus more on celebrating the love and commitment between the couple, rather than entertaining the possibility of awkward objections,” Jack continued. “Lastly, objections raised during weddings are exceptionally rare. In modern days, if someone has a legitimate objection to a marriage, they typically address it privately with the couple before the wedding day. We at Bespoke Bride would recommend omitting it to maintain a more seamless and joyful ceremony.”
Image credits: ohdearitsrichardiii
Image credits: Chiquita4eyes
Jack went on to note that most couples do not anticipate any sort of dramatic interruptions during their wedding ceremonies today, because they are proceeding based on “a strong foundation of love, trust, and commitment, with the expectation that their day will be filled with joy and celebration.”
But if anyone out there is considering disrupting a friend or family member’s wedding, the wedding expert says that it should be approached with extreme caution and should only be considered in truly exceptional circumstances. “Ensure that you have legitimate and valid concerns, like evidence of fraud or coercion, or any other significant issue that would genuinely affect the couple's well-being.”
Image credits: ibiacmbyww
Image credits: Tobias---Funke
“We also recommend addressing your concerns privately with the couple before the wedding day,” Jack told Bored Panda. “If you still believe there are serious grounds for objection on the wedding day itself, it is crucial to approach the matter with sensitivity and discretion. Speak privately with the officiant or a trusted wedding organizer who can guide you on the appropriate course of action. Disrupting the ceremony should be an absolute last resort.”
“Think about the consequences, as any disruption or objection during a wedding ceremony can have significant emotional and social consequences,” the editor added. “It can cause distress and embarrassment to the couple, their families, and their guests. Be prepared for potential backlash or strained relationships resulting from your actions.”
If you’d like to learn more about wedding planning, wedding etiquette or gain some inspiration for your own big day, be sure to check out Bespoke Bride right here to hear more from the experts!
Image credits: Lord_Banana_14
Image credits: DannySpud2
We were also lucky enough to get in touch with two more wedding experts, Kathy and Danielle, Editors at The Wedding Playbook, to hear their thoughts on the topic. Kathy and Danielle shared that, fortunately, they've never been in attendance at a wedding that was halted in a scandalous way. "It’s more common for us to hear about people who object to a marriage opting not to attend the wedding, which is a quieter but no less heart-wrenching form of protest," they told Bored Panda.
Image credits: nebelhund
Image credits: Bayou_Mama
The wedding experts also shared that, "If it’s not a cultural or religious requirement, [asking for objections] is definitely one part of the wedding ceremony you can do without. It either leads to an awkward pause or a melodramatic made-for-TV moment, both of which detract from what is meant to be a happy occasion."
"Instead, the officiant can ask if the couple has the blessing of their loved ones for the marriage - but only if they know the answer will be a resounding yes!" Kathy and Danielle added.
Image credits: Gbuphallow
Image credits: Tink2013
"Naturally, couples want to be surrounded by love on their wedding day and hope that the people they’ve invited to witness their vows are supportive of the relationship," Kathy and Danielle noted.
But they added that not everyone needs approval to go through with tying the knot. "Most would continue with their wedding plans even if there’s a chance of an objection because it’s important to them to publicly declare their commitment to one another. It’s symbolic of their decision to face all of life’s ups and downs together."
There are even ways around objections if your friends and family aren't on board. "Those who are especially worried that friends or family might disagree with their marriage often plan an elopement to ensure only positive memories of the day," Kathy and Danielle told us.
Image credits: Iamclavicusvile
Image credits: Amaevise
And if you want to object to a friend's wedding, Kathy and Danielle say that there's likely a better way to go about it. "There’s no more hurtful way to say you don’t support your friend or family member’s life choices than with an announcement on their wedding day," they told Bored Panda. "Even if you have a valid reason, we recommend addressing it in private before the event to spare the couple any embarrassment worthy of a soap opera season finale. Unless there’s a legal, moral or wellbeing concern, it might be a case of putting aside your own feelings and being happy that they’re happy in order to preserve your relationship."
If you'd like to gain even more wedding tips from the experts, as well as ideas for planning your own special day, we recommend visiting The Wedding Playbook's website right here!
Image credits: curtludwig
Image credits: Saffer13
Image credits: linux1970
Image credits: Husbandaru
Image credits: TwistedTransistor55
Image credits: nathcrowley
Image credits: hundreddollar
Image credits: genawesome
Image credits: SuvenPan
Image credits: Express_Survey7390
Image credits: dookieshoes88
Image credits: HughSteele
SIGN up to get newsletter deals!
These deals are on shown at time of post- they could end at any time.
best seller of week!
great deal still on!
this gift set on sale!!
discount and coupon!!
stock up for next year – love these options!
so cute and has a coupon to clip!
for water bottles or phones!
Perfect end of year book!
coupon to clip!
Whether managing the lights and darks, or compartmentalizing your drawers to separate paired items, or creating new storage items to help you with all your things, you can do easy bedroom organizing before the holiday starts to kick in. The holiday will keep you busy, so you better start adapting some bedroom organization ideas to make your life easier. Take it from me because I learned these things the hard way. Check out all the different ways you can organize efficiently. See the list below and tell me what works best for you!
This is so effective for small bedroom spaces because you're maximizing the space above and below your closet. It makes life easy by compelling you to sort out the lights and the darks, too! Though you can customize these containers according to your needs, like storing seasonal items apart from clothes.
Use some space that seems to be dead or awkward and turn it into something useful! This corner looks like you can't put anything in there but with the help of shelves, it turns out to be a storage space that can hold books, vases, and other items you wish to display. Take a look at your corners at home and see if you can apply this trick.
Who thought bins could look this chic and personalized? With the help of an upgrade and custom tags, these dollar-store bins can be your storage friend. Put your craft items, supplies, hair accessories or just about anything else in these storage bins, and you'll see some improvement in your bedroom organization.
Remember the items you have in your room that shouldn't really have a permanent space? Books from the library, gifts you have to give, seasonal clothes, and used things you want to donate? Store them like this, with correct labels. It's very efficient because you can organize them and at the same time, not forget what to do with them. You also know what is inside by writing it on the label area.
You take a look at your closet space and think it's full, but really, you just did not maximize the space. Avoid piling up your clothes and other items. Use racks to properly organize your closet, and have wires, hooks, or pins where you can hang your items. Also, place similar items together and put them in one place. Indeed, organizing makes life easier.
Take good care of your precious jewelry and accessories with this kind of storage. Hang those necklaces to avoid coiling, and for easy access too. Sort rings and other items in boxes. For your dangling earrings, hook them up on the board. This will eliminate the chance of losing a piece or two, or wasting time finding your accessories.
This type of shoe storage is a clever hack for those who want to gain the easiest access to their shoes. I can imagine having one in my room, and being able to plan my outfit already because I can see my shoes! Also, a lot of shoe storage idea often take more space than necessary. This might do the trick for your room.
Drawers are organizers in themselves but sometimes, it's not enough to just put your clothing items in there. When it involves so many pieces that are different from one another, it would be wise to have drawer organizers. This way your socks won't mix up with your scarves, hankies, or with your shoelaces.
Make your studio feel extra spacious with these helpful ideas https://t.co/YAZYD6Be33 pic.twitter.com/zrhYUO4EbU
— DIY Projects (@DIYProjectsCom) October 3, 2016
With proper organization, your bedroom can hold so many essential items. Take this area in the bedroom– it looks narrow but it has maximized as much space as possible. The shelves near the ceiling can store up your bags and other items.
Some bedrooms also hold mini offices, enough for your desk, computer, supplies and work documents. You can avoid the clutter by using drawers to organize most of your office items. This way you stay productive in the confines of your bedroom.
If a big table or desk can use up a large space in your bedroom, go for a smaller one. Don't worry about where to put your office supplies and papers. A pegboard can definitely help you with that. Use a pegboard and attach racks, rolls, hooks, and other things to hold your items. It would be a truly organized mini office inside your bedroom.
Yes, cake stands can hold other items too. Place the cake stand on your desk, side table or vanity table and place several items so you can easily locate them. Got plenty of perfume bottles? Place it there. Want to put all your makeup in one place? The cake stand would be the perfect spot.
Whether your bedroom is large or small these organizing ideas will keep everything in order, giving you relaxing place to rest in. The empty space under your bed can be used as a practical space with these under the bed drawers. Made by installing wheels to a wooden box, or you can repurpose old drawer from a chest.
Make use of headboard storage space by integrating shelving for everything from books and lamps to favorite framed photos. You can purchase shelved headboards, or build your own out of old drawers or pallets.
Save some space with a hanging laundry hamper hiding discreetly at the back of a door. It’s easy to create your own with fabric and an embroidery hoop.
Everyone needs to store trash somewhere. The only issue is that any trash bin will use at least a square foot of space. Until it doesn’t because you’re going to hide yours in a tilting cabinet. Not only will it keep your waste out of sight, but it’ll also double as a makeup counter or nightstand.
This guide doesn't get old, and you can use it especially on days when you feel like there's just so much going on in your closet. Once you free up your closet from the items you don't need, you'll be surprised at how much space you actually have. Make some important decisions, like keeping what you need and letting go of the items you no longer use. This infographic is helpful in making the right decision. So have fun decluttering and trace your path as you go!
Here is a video about more storage tips to add to your bedroom organization ideas from Better Homes and Gardens:
Create more space in your bedroom by simply organizing your space. You might be surprised at how much room there is left for the things that will come your way, especially this holiday season. Adapt these ideas to your room for more efficient storing.
Do you have other bedroom organization ideas, you want to share with us? Let us know in the comments section below.
Up Next: Closet Organizer Ideas | Chic Ideas In Organizing Bedroom Closets, Clothing and Accessories
Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!
Editor’s Note – This post was originally published in December 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
]]>How to store cans is always hotly debated on by home organizers. While there are a lot of storage ideas out there, sometimes the most effective solution is the simplest. Consider organizing your stock of canned food in can racks or wire baskets, just like what Emily from Eleven Gables did.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWJD0qxFRt8/
Never forget an item on your shopping list again. By either gluing thin chalkboards cut to fit your pantry doors or painting the doors themselves with chalkboard paint, you’ll have an evergreen inventory, grocery list, and to-do list greeting you each morning! We have Decorating Cents to thank for this awesome organization idea.
One of the chief clutter culprits in your kitchen? Half-eaten bags of chips. While your restraint not to eat the whole bag in one go is admirable, it still doesn’t solve the problem of how they can be stored efficiently and in the most organized way. Enter this ingenious hack from Lookie What I Did—simply install a short rail and a row of clips inside your kitchen cabinet or pantry. With this, you can easily clip the bag of chips neatly in a row.
Smaller pantries bear the burden of having to make every square inch work. Make good use of the wasted space in the inner corner of your pantry by installing pencil holders from the dollar store to hold all the smaller tins and bottles. The post by Domestic Imperfection can walk you through this organization idea.
All these mistakes are easy to make, especially when you get just as excited as I do in giving my basement a make… https://t.co/DQ7T5QDODn
— DIY Projects (@DIYProjectsCom) October 24, 2017
If you’ve decided to make kitchen pantry organization a priority project this year, why not completely redo your pantry? Assess the kind of storage you truly need and build around your requirements. Installing cubby holes that perfectly fit your baskets and trays, partitions, and slide-out shelves are all easily achievable with proper planning and careful measurement. Get tips on how to reorganize your pantry with this post from Clean Mama.
Oversized lidded glass jars are every organized homemaker’s must-have. As you can see in this organization tip by Design Improvised, the large glass jars are not just stylish but also very functional. Make glass jars an essential feature of your kitchen pantry organization by attaching chalkboard labels on them. Everyone in the family will easily find what they’re looking for and you’ll also know when you’re running low on something at a glance.
When it comes to kitchen pantry organization, corners are always a bone of contention. They easily become black holes for cans, condiments, and other bulk items that never see the light of day again. Consider hooking up your pantry with some lazy susans, just like this idea from Burlap & Denim. You end up storing more items at the same time making them accessible.
Where would we be without the indispensable over-the-door shoe organizer? Bring one in the kitchen to level up your kitchen pantry organization like what this post by Many Makings suggests. The clear pockets make it easy to stash and find snacks, soup mixes, and bottles of condiments, among others. Your kids won’t need to rummage through your pantry for an after-school snack anymore.
If you’re constantly rummaging through the dark depths of your pantry shelves, why not consider installing slide-out shelves? Check out Remodelando la Casa's post and get some ideas on how to do this yourself. With a bit of woodworking, you’ll be able to access the deepest recesses of your pantry in one fluid motion!
Your tiered bathroom caddy can do double duty as a kitchen pantry organization tool as what The Frugal Homemaker suggests. Unload your chips, snacks, and other small pantry items from your shelves and store them here instead. This way, they’re always within arm’s reach on the kitchen counter, or already on display for when guests come by your home.
Bust out your tools and make this amazing rotating can system by Lacquer and Lace. You'll be able to readily access whatever canned food you need as well as do a quick inventory of your supplies at a glance. Doesn't the image of these extremely well-organized can system make your heart sing?
I am inspired by what this crafty mama from The Yummy Life did! She figured out how much extra floor space she had in her kitchen and came up with a whole new pantry—an extension if you will. This plain cabinet was then filled with the right-size baskets to add a whole new place to store her dry goods. And the best part about it is her TV fits perfectly atop the cabinet, making this pantry a great multi-tasker!
I just love how doable and simple this pegboard pantry organizer by Arts & Crackers is! I can see how this can work in a kitchen—just hang it on a cabinet door or a vacant space on the wall. If you want, you can customize it by adding more organizers or making it prettier with paint.
Looking for even more inspiration? Take a look at this video by MissLizHeart for more kitchen pantry organization ideas:
Every homemaker’s dream is to have a well-stocked, well-equipped, and optimally organized kitchen. Be it a little nook we are making do in our first rental or the majestic, marble-countered playground we’ve always wanted, kitchen pantry organization will always be an essential part of keeping house.
Aren’t all of these kitchen pantry organization ideas awesome? Which project made you go, “Eureka!”? Let us know in the comments section below!
Up Next: DIY Laundry Room Organization Ideas and Tips
Stay connected with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!
Editor’s Note – This post was originally published in December 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
]]>