Pantry Reveal.... You Get What You Get

And you don't get upset! A frequent statement in my house, that's for sure. Today I am telling myself that. This is the best my pantry has ever been and probably will ever be again. It's not my perfect, ideal pantry, but "you get what you get" and I am going to be happier with it from here on out, I just knowed it (as O-Man would say).

Walls have been patched and painted. Shelves have been removed and rehung. Bins have been cleaned and relabeled. If you don't know where it belongs...... Well, I won't be happy with you, that's for sure!

I do love how the cans now roll down, that is my favorite part!

I decided on a pale gray and after my originally confident selection, it's not the perfect shade, a little too purple in my opinion, but it's painted and a drastic improvement, so I am happy with that.

Ages ago I started covering all my plastic shoe boxes with black and white duct tape only to get half way done and run out. It wasn't just me, I looked everywhere for more and a few months later, found it by the case on line. Which I promptly purchased and then let it all collect dust. But, today I finished covering the ones I had, I have room for a few more, but two of them are actually empty, so I won't worry about them until I need them.

Some cute chalk board vinyl labels and everything has a place! There is even space for Iron-Fish's work out bags on the floor next to the laundry bin (for the random stuff that ends up on the first floor and otherwise would never be cleaned again!)

Of course, when I focus on one space the rest of the house falls apart!

40 bags side tracked

Last week I set out to spend a few hours reorganizing the pantry....... Which turned into a major overhaul! I had a great working pantry.... Then the kitchen remodel started and the plan was to move the pantry from the top of the basement stairs to the actual kitchen, that's when things went down hill.... Fast!

So, while a few bags of expired food has left and another was donated, it still isn't finished. Here is what I started with:

Day 2, No Bags Just a Little Organizing

Day two of the challenge didn't go as I'd planned. Well, Tasha's class party went pretty well, but I managed to run over a squirrel, crack my crock pot and "break" my son's feelings a few times (ok, that last one doesn't really bother me). So, we ordered Chinese for dinner and I stayed away from everyone!

But, I did manage to organize one thing that was in need.... My vitamins. Sounds a little silly, but I haven't taken vitamins daily since September. I have found I do feel better and have more energy when I take them regularly, and since winter is always so hard for me, the ten minutes I spent getting them ready for the next week, and hopefully getting myself back into the habit is pretty valuable.

There is no before picture since I had to go around the house and find where I had stashed things. But now it is all together and my little Tupperware containers are ready with purple for the morning and pink or white for the evening. I found using these was so helpful in the past because O-man can't open them and if I can't take a dose or two at home, it's just one little reusable bin to grab when I head out the door.

I took my vitamins is morning and actually felt motivated to do a 15 minute workout! It's been quite a while since I have done that too actually. Costco shopping, fridge and pantries are on tap for this weekend, wish me luck.

What are you working on?

Back to Blogging?

Well, maybe. I never really meant to stop, life just got crazy and what I thought would be a short break evolved into much longer than anticipated. But, it's a good outlet for me and motivates me to accomplish things, so I've decided to participate in the 40 Bags in 40 Days challenge over at White House Black Shutters and blog about it along the way. My hope is that I will get some serious clutter out of my life and get back into the habit of blogging.

So, here goes.....

Yesterday was day one of 40 days, not counting Sundays, as the Lenten calendar goes. I printed my calendars today and am planning on filling in the planning calendar tonight. I got off to a good start though, here is my before:

The drawers were in decent shape, so I found a few things in each drawer to get rid of. Then I moved to the top shelves. Everything was removed and the shelves were cleaned. I put things back that I love or are functional. This hutch serves a lot of uses, including homework supplies and houses things that end up in the dinning room no matter what I try.

I'm still not sure I'm happy with the overall look. The paper behind the shelves is there since the wood is so dark, not much shows up on them. It was meant to help me decide if I should paint the back or the whole piece, I can't decide....

Anyways, I filled two boxes! One for donation, that is already scheduled to be picked up on Friday, and another for the PTO. The school is doing a basket auction and several of the things I got rid of are brand new so they will get used at the auction. Oh, the 2 candle sticks on the middle shelf are only temporary, they are being used in a project this weekend.

So, will you be joining the 40 bags in 40 days challenge? What is the first place you need to tackle? And the ultimate question......... Should I paint this hutch or leave it alone?

Found this on Pinterest, very similar to my hutch, I did find indications that it once had doors, but the glass doors have been gone at least my mother's whole life!  The top of mine has a bit more detail too.

Source: justagirlblog.com via Emily on Pinterest

Save Money, ShopYourWay

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ShopYourWay Program for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I've been a bad blogger lately, I've been super busy working for a friend part time and getting ready to go on vacation.  I'm so excited to go, but still have so much to do.  Obviously, the last thing I should be doing is shopping online, but well, let's fact it, it's almost 11pm and I'm not going to get some of the things I need from the mall at the moment!

Plus, shopping online allows me to compare prices, features and promotions, without leaving the air conditioning (it was over 100 degrees here today!).  What am I shopping for?   Well, tools for one thing.  I promise to have some great posts in the very near future using some of my new tools.  I have a few posts in the works and several projects to sink my teeth into when I get home from vacation.

But I've also been shopping for bathing suits, that's really what I need at the moment, for me and the girls.  I'm lucky, I live right across the street from one of our neighborhood pools.  Litterally maybe 20 yards outside my door.  It's like having a pool and not having to take care of it.  When the ice cream truck comes by, I send the kids home to grab a popsicle from the fridge and they are back before the truck even finishes serving the line of customers.

With that, and a month at Lake Erie, we need bathing suits.  Over the years, I have come to appreciate the quality and the fit of Land's End bathing suits.  I personally love tankinis and if I can mix and match the tops and bottoms, all the better.  The girls do the same thing and since they have slim fitting suits, Lands End works for my skinny minis.  And for me, I love their tummy control bottoms.

So, why am I telling you all this?  Well, I just signed up to become a personal shopper at ShopYourWay and earn rewards for the places I'm already shopping at (Lands End for bathing suits and Sears for Craftman Tools!).  Plus, as a personal Shopper, I can help others find great deals, know about up coming sales and we can both earn rewards! 

Signing up is super easy, it only took me a few minutes.  Start by Request an Invite to ShopYourWay and then check your email.  Accept the Invite and follow the simple directions to sign up.

We can even shop together on two different computers in two different parts of the world!  How cool is that?!?!?!?!?!  They even have a mobil app, yeah, another fun use for my iPad.

So simple, won't you join me in shopping online and earning rewards?

Request an Invite to ShopYourWay

 

#EclosBeauty Give-a-way!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of éclos Skin Care for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was so exicted a few weeks ago when an unexpected package arrived for me! I was even more excited to find a free sample of the éclos Anti-Aging Skin Care Starter Kit inside. The package boasts about Apple Stem Cell technology and the use of plant extracts, vitamins and anti-oxidants working together to help minimize the apperance of fine lines, wrinkels and tired skin. I'm all about natural ingrediants, especially when it comes to my skin, but I have to admit, I'd just had an awesome facial and my skin was in great shape!

So, I didn't start using the set right away. Then the little man ended up in the hospital... and a few days later we arrived home, him better and me unshowered for a little longer than I'd like to admit! The éclos set was still sitting where I'd left it, so I grabbed it on my way to the shower. The Apple Stem Cells are extraccted from a rare Swiss apple. This apple has shown the ability to stimulate skin stem cells and encourage aging skin to behave like younger skin. Now, I'm only 35, but it was exactly what I needed at that moment!

What's in the kit you ask?

• Facial Cleanser Skin Prep
• Cellular Activator Face Serum
• Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream
• Restorative Eye Cream
• Instant Radiance Facial Scrub
• Skin Renewal Clay Mask
• éclos Terry Cloth Head Band

The éclos starter kit has a value of $19.99. Previously similar products were only availabe from expensive department store brands. éclos has brought the Apple Stem Cell technology to mainstream stores at a more affordable price. For more information check out éclos Skin Care.

Normally, I don't like masks, but this one was nice. I also thought it was great they included a terry cloth head band. My favorite product is the Instant Radiance Facial Scrub, it feels lite it warms up in my hands and leaves my skin with a great polished feel.

Want to hear the best news? I have a second kit to give-a-way! Want a chance to win? First, you MUST follow my blog, after that, here's what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me which product in the kit you are most excited about. (1 entry)

2. Blog about this give-a-way, leave me a comment with a link to the blog post (1 entry)

I will select the winner on June 25, 2012, so check back to see if you won!

Girls Night Out?!?!?!

I will be participating in a Quartermania at the East Windsor Elks on Friday June 1st. If you can make it, it will be a really fun night! Hope to see you all there and when you come in, please mention you were invited by Emily Fish! I will have Avon specials available that night only!!!!!

You won't regret it!!!!!

Peace be with you,