End of the clutter ~ 3.1
This weekend I had two smaller de-cluttering projects, more personal ~ I wanted to rehab the top of my dresser and my side of the bathroom vanity.
I needed to attack the dresser because I had begun losing jewelry. DIY hint ~ don’t simply remove earrings and necklaces, dropping them wherever they fall on top of a large piece of furniture and hope to find them again anytime soon.
An added bonus to clearing up the mess on the dresser was finding all those loose coins. Last time I cashed in my pocket change collection I scored more than $100. Not so lucrative this time, I’ll only be cashing in $15, but that’s lunch for two days.
I did however reunite with several pairs of earrings I had been wondering about, and all six watches I knew I had but couldn’t find.
Dresser - Before and After
I also needed to put my side of the vanity back in order, again because I couldn’t find anything… lipstick, eyeshadow, maintenance drugs. It was crazy.
I probably should have taken ‘in-between’ photos too because spread out the mess was monstrous. The dresser junk took up the whole top of my bed and the bathroom stuff took up half the living room floor.
Vanity ~ Before and After
I like this taking one mess at a time and cleaning it up. It may take an entire year, but I think I can get the whole ‘lived-in’ look of my house under control. I’m even keeping the projects already finished tidy and not letting them revert back to their natural state.
I only have two more November weekends to go and so many projects to complete. All my peeps will be home for Thanksgiving so I’ll have extra workers for the last weekend. I have plans… BIG PLANS.
Wow. Nice. I’m slowly trying to do the same in my house before the holidays.
[Tara R.] Tammy… that’s what I’m trying to do. I would love to have people over for some festivities, but I don’t want to be embarrassed by the clutter.
This is a great project. Next weekend will be the first in a really long time that the husband and I will spend at home and we’ve set our minds to decluttering too.
I love that you’re doing project after project which is probably less overwhelming than doing all at once. Great inspiration
[Tara R.] Kat… I’ve tried taking on the whole house at once and it was just too depressing. These little projects aren’t so time consuming, and I don’t get frustrated by how much I have to get done. I think I actually got a promise out of Hubs to tackle the garage while both the kids are home for the holidays. We’ll see how that works out.
Don’tcha just LOVE it when you find those long-lost earrings? I have to say I’m seriously JEALOUS of all that you’re accomplishing this month. But I’m also inspired, and tackled my daughters’ bathroom linen closet on Saturday. Lookin’ pretty good, I’d say. BTW, you’re SUCH an inspiration that I’ve got some Bloggy Bling for you…please come by to claim your prize!
[Tara R.] Veggie… I even wore some of my long-lost bling today. I saw the flair you passed my way… that was very cool! Thank YOU! I’ll make it all official tomorrow.
Jealous. very very jealous.. you did another great job.. can you believe Thanksgiving is a mere 10 days away.. where is the time going?
[Tara R.] Kim… I can’t believe where the time went. I’m not ready for the holiday season at all.
All of these clutter projects make me so jealous! I really wish I could just sit down and organize some things around my place like you have been!
Maybe after the holiday season I’ll have time…
[Tara R.] Anna… doing this one project at a time has been a lot easier than I thought. It’s doable and not so overwhelming. I may keep this going even after the end of the month.
Is is liberating, Tara? Cause I find when it’s cleaner (when I get the motivation to do it), I feel better.
[Tara R.] AFF… it’s a great feeling. I’m getting a little smug though, pointing out to Hubs he needs to take care of his own cluttered stuff. Maybe, I should be nice and help him out.
This so needs to be done at our house … I am NOT looking forward to the process, but it WILL be nice when it is done.
[Tara R.] Lou… I’m still holding out for a massive, all hands, decluttering of the garage. Wish me luck.
I love these posts; the clean, uncluttered look appeals to me greatly, and with luck I will someday get there as well.
[Tara R.] Kori… the uncluttered look appeal to me too!
I only hope the peeps cooperate and we can keep it like this.
I need to tackle my dresser too. I will, no doubt, also find many earrings and necklaces.
[Tara R.] Jen… it was like going jewelry shopping, but it didn’t cost me anything. I loved that.
Now I wanna go check everything to see if I can come up with cash haha
[Tara R.] Ashley… I may have to set it aside for my Chicago Hope fund… hoping I can get to Chicago.
Wow! You are really doing a fabulous job organizing. I know of that “lived in” look. Everytime I de-clutter. That lived-in look creeps back (thanks to a toddler) by the end of the day.
[Tara R.] Sandy… I have no problem threatening my Hubs and teen if they mess up my newly clutter-free zones. That gets easier as they get older.
The holidays are rapidly approaching, and I’ve got family coming in, so I’d best get started on my own de-cluttering projects! But what am I gonna do about the Kid Klutter when they return from Kollege?
[Tara R.] Melissa B… I’m hoping to get a little cooperation from my college kid to keep the house tidy. Fingers crossed.
I just started the little-by-little method too, but next time I’m taking pics. Good job!
[Tara R.] Angie… come join the fun. I love pictures!
Very Impressive! I’m almost motivated to tackle my bathroom drawers! ( I cleaned up part of my closet, does that count?)
[Tara R.] Bad Momma… I don’t even want to think about all of my junk drawers. I have too many of those.
I am definitely going to have to document our guest room. It’s just piles and piles of boxes and it’s looking pretty rough, seriously.
I am SO impressed with you, Momma
NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE job. If I was closer, I’d come help.
(And ps: You can say whatever your heart desires in my comment section. You get special clearance as my “online” mother.
)
[Tara R.] Heather… I may have to take on my college kid’s room this next weekend. She’s coming homr for Thanksgiving and I can’t find her bed. Funny you should say that about being your ‘online’ mom.
This is exactly the kick in the butt I needed. We are so cluttered around here. I am off to organize.
[Tara R.] OHMommy… go for it! Conquer the Clutter.
We have very little space in our bathroom… and even less in our closets. We have crappage strewn throughout the house – and could use a lot more than a day to organize it.
But alas, I know it will probably never happen…
Yours looks great – cool jewelry too!
[Tara R.] Jill… I tried to clean out the closets, but Hubs put everything back in… butt-faced monkey boy!
keep up the great work. I should allow myself to be inspired. yet the couch is so comfortable.
[Tara R.] Weasel Momma… that’s why I did the first project, so I could get my couch back. Ahhhh!
You are INCREDIBLE!! I am floored. I still can’t find my low res camera to take pictures but I have to get back to work. You inspire me.
My puppy is making the task a bit more of a challenge but I’ll find a way. The good news is I HAVE TO keep everything off the floor, or he’ll chew it.
[Tara R.] Jill… no, thank you!! You gave me the push I needed to finally get something done. Tackling each job one at a time, little by little, is no much less frustrating. I think I’m actually getting more done this way because I’m don’t lose an entire weekend, only a few hours here and there. Buddy is adorable, my MIL has a Pug too.
Nice! I can GET it to look like that. I can’t get it to STAY looking like that
[Tara R.] Nola… fingers crossed that I can get it to stay tidy too.
I did the same thing a few weeks ago, & even took pics to blog about it but never got around to posting. I love these b4 and after pics. Doesn’t it feel great to take care of clutter??
[Tara R.] Kim… If I showed the world how messy my house was, every one should. Let’s see those b4s and afters.
Love it! You are so inspiring me! I want to feel fresh and clean all over this place. Great job with the clutter.
[Tara R] Melinda… I did a smaller job at my office this week, I’ll post that one later. But, doing a job each weekend has been good. Not so crazy as trying to do everything at once.