A Clean Start

Posted by katie on 08.21.12

When kids walk into their first day of school, they’ll be greeted with clean slates. Ok, maybe not clean slates, but definitely really white dry erase boards. I think it’s nice (and essential for my own sanity) to start their school year off with an organized home for my family. We’ll be spending more time in the car heading off to school, waiting in car pool lines, and going to various after-school activities. I’ll be spending more time in the kitchen prepping school lunches, serving quick morning breakfasts, whipping up after school snacks, and fashioning something quick and easy for dinner. And, I hope that with the start of the school year, I’ll also be able to spend a little more time in my office, working, writing, and sure, pinning stuff on Pinterest!

I enjoyed the back-to-school season so much when I was a kid: picking out school supplies, organizing binders, planning my schedule. Bring a little of that back by giving your spaces a fresh, organized, and fun look. Here are some of the ways I’ve spruced up my living spaces in anticipation of the approaching school year.

Car Organization

Here are some things you can do to keep you prepared when on the go:

1. Sturdy container in your trunk or storage area. In mine you’ll find: picnic blankets, sand toys for the park, wet wipes, sunscreen and resuable grocery bags.

2. Car charger. This is a must for anyone on the go. Especially in my line of work!

3. Trash bin. I found an oversized food storage container with a snap lid at the Container Store. I’m storing a handful of grocery bags at the bottom for future use.

4. Medical Kit. I always keep this fully loaded in my car to handle any bumps, bruises or stings that come our way.

5. Air freshener. I’m so tired of my car smelling like a combo of dirty diaper and spoilt milk. Now it smells like Fresh Cotton. Much better. You can get something similar at Bath & Body Works.

I also refreshed my reading material for car pool lines, extended passenger rides, and for whenever I’m waiting in the car. I added a magazine, crossword puzzle book, and then also happen to keep my coupon books in the center console of the car so they are always with me.

Next up: the Personal Emergency Car Kit! I’ve put the essentials in a bag to keep in the glove box. Items of importance included: a brush, deodorant, ibuprofen, on-the-go tooth brushes, hair ties, toilet paper, feminine hygeine products, a pen, and wet ones. A mom can not have too many wet ones!

Office Organization

The Desktop:

(Before)

(After)

The Drawers:

What ever did I do before without accessible (and efficient) file drawers????

The Cables: I feel like this deserves a major… TA DA!!!

The Supplies:

1. Owl File Folders from Paper Source

2. File trays, mini file folders and mini desk organizer from Paper Source

3. Q knot: Adjustable & re-usable cable ties, from Container Store

4. Stationary and Stamp - every office deserves nice stationary, from Paper Source

5. Julia Rothman Journal, from Paper Source. All my random ideas. One Place.

Over The Door Storage

Make the most of this underutilized space!

Craft Storage:

http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2012/01/over-door-school-supplies-organizer.html

Cleaning Supply Storage

http://pinterest.com/pin/164381455119223922

Hope you have a great school year,

Katie Harding is the Editor Charlotte Mom Favorites and founder of the South Charlotte Playgroup (home to more than 800 mom-members!). You'll find her experimenting with recipes in the kitchen, running with the double jogger on the greenway, or underneath the covers getting a snooze in where she can!
katie
Chiquita Mom #: 5