I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a lot of love for my camera, and I really want to be able to take it out and about easily.  For the first month of DSLR ownership, my camera sat in a basket on my desk.  I did not have an easy time finding a camera bag that I sort of liked could probably tolerate, and £45 seemed like a lot to spend on something I didn’t even really like…

Somewhere during this process, I  discovered Jo Totes. They’re all “Hey….I’m a camera bag!…..or am I?” Camera bags masquerading as handbags is just a genius idea. Sadly, having just forked over a chunk of cash for the camera itself, I could not justify buying a Jo Totes bag.  Even though they are probably the most affordable brands of beautiful camera bags designed for women, they still cost about £100 a pop after shipping for the cheaper designs. Sad face.

Then, it occurred to me that I could probably make something similar if I found the right bag…. So, I picked up a bag for £20 from TK Maxx (yes, it’s “TK” Maxx in England), some 3/4″ foam for £2.50, a yard of fabric for £5, and I got to work!

Materials:

• Cute purse that has the features you want (zipper, pockets, shoulder strap, etc.)
• 3/4″ thick foam
• 1 yard of cute fabric

Steps:

1. Measure the inside of the bag, and then cut foam pieces to size until they all fit together. 

2. Use those pieces as your pattern & cut fabric to cover each foam piece.

3. Cut two pieces of fabric for each foam insert.

4. Sew the fabric together on two of the long sides and one of the short sides, forming a sort of pillow case type apparatus.

5. After sewing the cases for the foam, iron them, turn them right side out, and slide the foam in.  Then you can sew them shut on the second short side. (My mother-in-law, who is actually a seamstress, suggested that I go back over the closing side with a zig-zag rather than a straight(ish) stitch to make the padded inserts more durable…I haven’t done this yet, but I will!)

6. Piece them together into the bag, and then… TADA!

That little white strip is the manual, which fits just perfectly in the little side zipper pocket.

In total, this project cost £30, and only took about 2-3 hours.  (You could probably do it more quickly if you have any knowledge of sewing, including but not limited to how to thread the needle of your sewing machine…..) I’m so glad I thought to do this, and my camera is glad too. I think this will do just fine for a while, even though I’d still really really like a Jo Totes bag someday!

Disclaimer: I’ve sewed one other time in my life, so the sheer terror of working with a sharp metal object moving up and down in close proximity to my fingers is something I’m still getting used to.  I did feel a little less terrified toward the end of the sewing part, and I was so happy with how it turned out!

Where do you store your photography equipment?  Does your camera feel all snug and stylish in a chic camera bag?

For more details about her project, head over to Beth’s blog, The Incomplete Guide to Living.

Thanks so much for sharing, Beth!! I love that you found a cute, easy way to organize your camera gear without breaking the bank! So smart!

The post Reader Feature: DIY Camera Bag appeared first on How to Organize.

 Since we’re talking about time-savers and daily routines lately, here’s a handy little flow chart I created to help save time on ironing. Works like a charm!

Let’s all take a moment to bask in the glory of this new-found freedom. You’re welcome.

Here are a few more laundry cleaning shortcuts that help simplify my world:

• One load a day really works well for our two-person household.
• I toss stuff in the open washer in the morning as I’m walking past the laundry room, and anything that needs extra attention (stains, etc.) goes into the hamper next to it.
• We try to buy low-maintenance fabrics that don’t require special care. Ain’t nobody got time for that!
• We wash everything on cold so that we don’t have to sort as much. Everything usually just gets washed in a single load! (I am sure that will change if we have kids!)
• Washing on cold also means it doesn’t affect my hot shower, and by the time I’m finished with my morning routine, the washer is finished & I can switch them to the clothesline or the dryer.
•  No ironing. Ever.

Are there any tasks you’ve freed yourself from lately? Leave a comment with your favorite shortcut or tip!

The post Laundry Cleaning: Pretty Much the Best Ironing Tip Ever appeared first on How to Organize.

Quick Hairstyles: Tools of the Trade

Keep these three items in your arsenal, and you’ll always be prepared to pull off luxurious last-minute locks.

Image via Bella Sugar

1. Dry shampoo can be a HUGE time saver! My favorite is this Anytime Volume Refresher from John Frieda. It works wonders on my fine hair & doesn’t feel gritty or powdery. It’s getting tough to find — I hope they keep making it!!

Image via The Beauty Department

2. Bobby Pins are your BFF. Twist & pin your locks in almost any order, wet or dry, and you can fancify your ‘do in no time flat!

Image via Mane Message

3. Creaseless Hair Ties can save you from re-styling your hair later in the day. Wear it up at work, then let it down for a dinner date & you’re good to go! These adorable little hair ties are from Mane Message. (There are also tons of tutorials on Pinterest to make DIY versions if you’re feeling crafty!)

Quick Hairstyles: No-Time Tutorials

I guess I missed the memo in elementary school, because I am NOT awesome at styling hair. Here are a couple of quick, cute ideas that don’t require a bachelor’s in braiding!

Image via Next Step Beauty

4. Messy to Dressy: Here’s a tutorial for an easy ponytail bun that will have you looking fly in a flash!

Image via thespohrs

5. Wet & Wonderful: Gotta wash & run? Here’s a cute, quick way to style damp tresses with minimal effort.

P.S. I just started a new Pinterest board, “Hair Me Out,” where I’m adding even more no-brainer hair ideas!

Every time you leave a comment, a ninja turtle gets his shell. What are your favorite cute-in-no-time tips? 

The post Quick Hairstyles & Time-Saving Tips appeared first on How to Organize.

Hey guys! My friend Carrie from Chockababy is stopping by today. She’s sharing some tips to help simplify your daily routine & make mornings easier when you have little ones!

Daily Routine: Making Breakfast

There are a few breakfast menu items that kids, even as young as five, can prepare for themselves after minimal preparation by a parent.

Cereal:

Image: Kashi Toasted Berry Crumble Cereal

• Store boxes on a low shelf they can reach, or pre-packaged in containers with lids or baggies (recommended for frequent spillers).

• Have bowls and spoons ready the night before so they can grab them and fill up their bowls.

• The only job left for you is to pour the milk!

Toaster Waffles:

Image: Kashi Blueberry Waffles

• Whether store-bought or pre-made and frozen, waffles can easily be put in the toaster or microwave by any child tall enough to reach.

• You can always be the waffle-getter if they aren’t old enough to avoid getting burnt.

Baked Oatmeal:

• Make the night before & kids can warm in the microwave or toaster oven.

• Store in pre-portioned containers so they can easily grab and heat.

Yogurt Parfaits:

My kids don’t seem to think of yogurt as a breakfast food, but with a little granola and fresh fruit, yogurt makes a great healthy breakfast option!

Image: Kashi GOLEAN Crunch! Yogurt Parfait

• You can make it like a sundae bar to get your kids involved in a fun way!

• Have pre-portioned yogurt cups on a low shelf in the fridge.

• Keep granola in little baggies that can be dumped on the yogurt.

• Let them pick out the fruit to top it with  (blueberries, sliced strawberries, etc.).

BONUS: These can all be planned for and prepared once a week after your shopping trip!

Daily Routine: Making School Lunches

My son can be a picky eater. Sometimes he won’t eat the pretzels I put in his lunch because he “didn’t want them today.” So, I started having him pack the pantry items in his lunch the night before – typically while I make or clean up dinner.

Image: Easylunchboxes.com

We use EasyLunchboxes, and he can fill two of the three compartments with a snack and a treat. He also grabs his fruit and a spoon (if needed) and puts those in his lunch box. In the morning, I can make a quick sandwich and his lunch is finished!

Now that one of my kids is taken care of, I can focus on feeding the other two. The baby is much more “hands-on,” so to be freed up of even just a few minutes with an easy morning routine, I feel much more calm in the morning… and we can make it to school on time!

What I Love About Carrie’s Routines:

• She takes some of the pressure off of herself by choosing kid-friendly breakfast options that her son can prepare independently.
• The bento-style lunch boxes are a great visual cue for little minds, making it easy for her son to choose & pack his own lunch.
• Prepping some of the items the night before while she’s already in the kitchen helps save time for the next day without adding too much to her evening routine, especially since her son can help with the prep work!

Fantastic tips, Carrie!! Thanks so much for sharing!!  Make sure you stop by her blog, Chockababy, for tons of great parenting tips, allergy-friendly recipes, and more. I’m pinning her baked oatmeal recipe to my Breakfast board on Pinterest!

About Carrie:

I am a Mom who loves her kids, hubs, and all things creative. I tend to do too much and I have a hard time saying no. In my spare time, which comes sparingly, I love to snuggle up under a blanket with some ice cream and some good tv! (Carrie is a fellow “Arrested Development” fan!!)

The post A Daily Routine for Kids: Make Mornings Easier appeared first on How to Organize.

Do you know those naturally organized people who seem like they keep their houses clean without even trying? The ones who always seem relaxed and calm and on top of things? It’s not that they are just miraculous human beings — it’s because they have solid daily routines that they have internalized and turned into habits! When you are consistent with daily routines, you can train yourself to complete tasks on autopilot. You begin to internalize those routines, and they change from conscious effort into subconscious habits. When you create habits through routine, it becomes less about motivation and willpower, and more about “well, that’s the thing we do next, no biggie.” Habits are the secret to keeping your house tidy without feeling like it takes a lot of effort — they turn on a “Cleaning Cruise Control” switch in your brain! (Don’t worry — I didn’t think I had that switch, either!)

Starting your morning with a smart routine can really set the tone for the rest of your day. I am NOT naturally organized, and I am NOT a morning person. Not. Even. Close. If the zombie apocalypse started at 6am, my only hope for survival would be my natural ability to appear completely indistinguishable from the undead before noon.

Actual conversation between hubby & I:

via Twitter

Sooo….how does a non-morning person function successfully before lunch? Routines to the rescue!

Part One: Have a Plan

DO try to be the first one awake. This one is TOUGH, but you don’t have to be extreme. Even waking up ten or fifteen minutes before the rest of the house can be enough to make a difference (I’ll explain how to maximize that time in future posts). Getting those first few minutes to yourself before being pulled in a million directions really helps get a jump start on the day. This is especially important if you share a bathroom. There’s nothing worse than having to wait your turn when you’re already running behind!

DO try to complete the same tasks in the same order every day. It’s almost like you’re creating muscle memory for your chores. Think about it — when you brush your teeth or take a shower, you probably complete each step in the same order each time. Do you have to consciously decide to do these things every morning? Probably not, because they are such a habit that you can complete them without even really realizing that they’re happening. It’s the same theory for the rest of your routine. The more you practice completing a task, the less you’ll have to consciously think about each step. What once seemed like a challenge will soon feel more like second nature.

DO plan for efficiency. Think about the order in which you complete tasks, and try to line them up so that they make the most sense depending on your schedule and the layout of your house. Try to avoid backtracking & streamline as much as you can!

DO use your routines to help make the next part of your day run smoothly. I pick my outfit for the next day while I’m already in the bedroom putting away laundry. Picking out my outfit in advance is a HUGE time-saver the next morning, but if I had to set aside a separate time during the day to do that extra step, it wouldn’t happen. It’s MUCH easier (and therefore more likely to happen) if I plan tomorrow’s outfit when I’m already doing something at my closet. We create these routines to save time & make our lives easier — always keep that in mind!

DO use checklists to stay on track! I love the HomeRoutines app because I can create separate routines for different times of day and list my tasks in the order I need to complete them. It also has a built-in timer that I can set as I check off each task! (You know how I love using timers!) HomeRoutines also has tons of cleaning routines already built in, and they’re based on Flylady’s system. Flylady is amazing, but make sure you don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by her advanced daily routines. We all have different personalities and different needs. I had to simplify my routine before I could really be consistent. Do what works for YOU!

via

DON’T try to add too much. Set small, achievable goals. Be realistic. Add one thing at a time, and limit the number of tasks to be completed. Your ultimate goal routine should still be a pretty short list! Maybe spend the first week just trying to stay awake instead of hitting the snooze alarm, then work toward bringing your clothes into the bathroom with you or grabbing the hamper when you leave the bedroom. If you try to change everything all at once, you’ll get overwhelmed, burn out, and want to quit before you’ve given yourself the chance to actually build the habit! We all want to accomplish a million things in the morning, but your routine should be the bare-bones basics that you need to complete to keep life running smoothly before you rush out the door. If you have other must-do tasks each day, think about how you can simplify or spread them out differently on your schedule. Personally, I have a morning routine, an afternoon (after work) routine, and an evening routine. If I tried to complete all of those things in the morning, I would never want to get out of bed!

via

Example of an Efficient Routine

Here’s how I used these principles to streamline my own routine. Please keep in mind that I don’t have kids & I work from home, so my routine might not be the same as yours. I’m just sharing what works for me in the hopes that it will help you understand how to incorporate the above tips into an actual routine!

My Morning To-Do List:

shower, get dressed, hair & makeup, feed the dogs & give Chase his allergy pill, water the plants, start the laundry, eat breakfast, take vitamins

Screenshot of my actual routine via My.HomeRoutines.com

You can see that I have each set of tasks listed separately so that I can time it accurately. Most of the tasks only take 1-2 minutes (feeding the dogs, etc.). I LOVE having my checklist & timer in the morning. It may seem silly, but it really helps me stay on track & turn my routines into habits!

Why I Complete Tasks in This Order:

• Bringing everything downstairs with me at the same time saves me from taking extra trips to get changed or grab the laundry.

• Our bathroom & laundry room are right next to each other, and I keep the dog food in the laundry room, so grouping all of those chores together helps with the flow of my morning.

• As I head into the bathroom, I throw the dirty clothes directly in the open washing machine & start a load of laundry (More info on my low-maintenance laundry process in the next post).

• After my shower, I can get dressed and do my hair & makeup without running back upstairs. The dog bowl is right by the bathroom door, so I can fill their water in the sink & feed them while I’m there.

• Taking my vitamins reminds me to give my dog his allergy pills (and vice versa). All of the medications are stored in the kitchen, so it makes sense to take care of that while I’m making breakfast. I can usually complete these tasks by the time my coffee is finished brewing!

• By this point, my hubby is up & moving and I am officially kicked out of the bathroom, which is why I take care of all of my bathroom routines first thing. That way, I am dressed and able to take care of any morning tasks outside of the house & he can get ready without any interruptions.

• By the time I finish watering the plants, my laundry is usually washed & I can hang it up on the line or pop it in the dryer.

Side Note: There are tons of other apps that help with routines. If you’re not feeling quite as tech-savvy, you could also write your routine on a dry erase board, stick it in a glass picture frame, or pop it inside a plastic page protector & check it off with a dry erase marker. The point is that you have a thoughtful plan that makes it easy to complete tasks in the same order, stay on track with time, and have to think as little as possible!

Stay tuned for Part Two, where I’ll share some tips & tricks to help simplify & save time while you’re getting ready in the morning. I’ll also share my other daily routines (afternoon & evening) in future posts to show you how everything works together to keep things flowing. We are going to work together to develop smart habits that keep us effortlessly organized!

READER TIP (Nancy V):

I have found routines to be enormously helpful too. But it does take time to establish new habits. I found that I often need to attach a new habit to an existing one. So, for instance, I was always forgetting to take things out of the freezer for the next night’s dinner. But I always empty my dishwasher before bed. So all it took was a note on the front of the dishwasher to remind me to check my menu (I do a weekly one) to see if I needed to prep anything for the next night. After a while, this became second nature.

I also found that attaching an unpleasant task to an existing task (the efficiency argument) helped a lot. For some reason, I really really hate packing my kids’ lunches and snacks. But then I started doing it while I was preparing dinner. I was already in the kitchen, already in & out of the refrigerator and cupboards, waiting for water to boil, whatever–so doing it this way felt so much less burdensome.

READER TIP (Sharon P from Not Just a Mom Me): 

Sharon has been using the “to do” feature on the HomeRoutines app to organize all of her to do lists in addition to her routines! She transferred her master list into the app, and uses asterisks to highlight tasks that take 15 minutes or less to complete. Now she has all of her tasks organized in one place, and can easily chip away at her list — even when she only has a few extra minutes!

Every time you leave a comment, majestic eagles sing your praise. What are your favorite tips & tricks for starting your morning smoothly?

I’m sharing this post at Mary Organizes.

The post Daily Routines: Put Your Mornings on Cruise Control appeared first on How to Organize.

Image courtesy of dzigns.me

Hey guys! My hubby teaches web design, photography, and video at Delaware Technical Community College, and one of his students created an incredibly adorable video about decluttering & organizing. Naturally, I had to share it with you! (Thanks for letting me blog about ya, Dominique!!)

Video by Dominique Zelaya, a design student bound for Moore College of Art & Design. Check out her other work at dzigns.me!

I love the idea of simple living. One of the most important skills in maintaining an organized home is the ability to let go of clutter. It seems obvious, but it is SO much easier to keep your house clean when you don’t have a million little knick-knacks and piles of extra stuff getting in the way. Think about it: you can put clothes away quickly & easily when your closet isn’t packed & your drawers aren’t so full that they barely slide open. The less “stuff” you have, the less you really need to worry about actual storage & organizing solutions. Yes, we will always benefit from finding smarter ways to use space or keeping things in places where they make sense, but the more you simplify, the easier it gets!

READER TIP  (Tiffani of Next on Tiffs List):

My favorite decluttering tip is to pass it on. When you are giving it to someone it makes it easier to part with. Sometimes I just Facebook a pic of what I’m getting rid of & boom someone is happy to take it.

What’s your favorite decluttering tip?

The post Guest Post: Decluttering & How to Be Happy with Less appeared first on How to Organize.

Wondering whether a timer could help you?

Do you…

• tend to get off track easily?

• have trouble leaving your house on time?

• avoid completing certain tasks because you think they’ll take too long?

• tend to spend too much time working on things because you get sucked into hyper-focused perfectionist mode?

• have chores that you absolutely hate doing, so you procrastinate & then they turn into overwhelming obstacles?

If so, then maybe it’s time for you to try a few timer tips, too! My timer helps me stay focused when I’m feeling fuzzy, motivates me when I’m feeling lazy, and brings me back down to earth when I’m fixating on unimportant details. It has been a HUGE lifesaver and has helped me finally understand how to manage my time.

If I don’t feel like cleaning, I’ll put the timer on for 5 or 10 minutes & promise myself that I will stop when it’s done. The trick is to stay focused on one area or task. If you put away a few dishes, then stop & start messing with the laundry, and then leave & try to tidy up the bathroom, it won’t feel like you really accomplished anything. Instead, try to pick one small thing & stay focused for a few minutes — you’ll be amazed at the difference.

Benefits of Using a Timer:

• Helps you understand how long certain tasks actually take, which helps you plan more realistic to-do lists and schedules.

• When you know that it only takes X minutes to complete a task, then it’s easier to take advantage of downtime throughout the day & use those “wasted” minutes to be productive. (Example: if it takes five minutes for a file to download, you could shred that pile of junk mail while you’re waiting.)

• Teaches you to break large tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces.

• Increases your motivation & sense of accomplishment by giving you small milestones to complete.

• Helps monitor progress as you check off each little milestone.

• It’s a lot easier to convince yourself to stay focused for five or ten minutes vs. trying to stay on task for two straight hours.

• It’s also a lot easier to convince yourself to work on tasks you don’t enjoy if you know that you only have to do something for a few minutes. (Like Flylady says, “You can do ANYTHING for fifteen minutes!”)

• Racing to beat the clock helps you work efficiently & prevents you from spiraling down a rabbit hole of unnecessary perfectionism. (Focus on what matters.)

• If you tend to lose track of time, working with a timer is a great way to keep yourself aware. If I’m getting ready to leave the house, I will set a timer to remind myself to stay on track. When I look at it, it’s as if it’s reminding me, “No, you don’t need to change into another outfit. Now is NOT the time to test out that new eyeshadow. Just get it done & move on!”

• You can even turn it into a game. Try to beat your previous record, or race your family members against the clock to see who can put away the most items in five minutes. I can even motivate my hubby to help sometimes if we only have to tidy up for ten minutes. Bonus: two people cleaning for ten minutes is really twenty minutes worth of cleaning!

I used to procrastinate because I thought chores took a lot longer to complete than they really do. It only takes me sixty seconds to make my bed. Two minutes, and my dishes are put away. I can clear off my kitchen island in about five minutes, even when it’s pretty messy.

Things You Can Do in Five Minutes or Less

• shake out a welcome mat

• wipe out the bathroom sink

• toss/shred/recycle junk mail

• put away dishes

• swiffer the main entrance

• dust

• switch a load of laundry

• clear off a dresser

• wipe off the counter

• use a magic eraser to clean the smudge off a wall

• plan a meal

• empty old food from the fridge

• clear a cluttered staircase

• wipe down the shower

• put dirty laundry in the hamper

• make the bed

• process a few emails

For more timer tips, check out the Pomodoro technique & the Flylady website. The timers I use throughout the day include my cell phone timer, my microwave, an online timer, and the Flylady timer.

Extra Tip: Before I started blogging, I was an elementary school teacher & I used my timer in the classroom all day long. One of my favorite “tricks” was a two-minute tidy. Whenever we had to line up to go anywhere, I would set my timer for two minutes and have the kids race around picking things up, clearing their desks, etc. They loved it & it was a quick way to keep the room looking tidy all day long!

How do you stay on track? Share your favorite time management tips in the comments!

P.S. I’m sharing this  post at the IHeart Organizing link party monthly mini challenge!

The post Why I Live & Die By My Timer appeared first on How to Organize.

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Magic from jrk on Vimeo.

ILLUSIONS, Michael.

The post Side Note: I <3 Arrested Development appeared first on How to Organize.

Here’s a little more info on one of my favorite tips:

I like to save space on my clothesline by hanging as many items on hangers as possible. I can fit 2-3 times as many items in the same amount of space!

Alas, there is a dark side to the hanger tip. Windy days tend to blow the hangers off the line and right into piles of dirt. Not cool, Wind. Not. Cool.

I debated lots of crazy solutions, but in the end, this simple little hack has been a lifesaver:

Mini binder clips to the rescue! I have seen these babies stay put on some blustery days — the hanger will spin all the way around the line, but it won’t fall off!

If you have tank tops or anything that could slip off the arms of the hanger, a little clothespin action will hold it together. Easy peazy!

For more lovely laundry cleaning tips & tricks, check out the full post over at IHeart Organizing!

The post Laundry Cleaning Tips: Line Dry Like a Boss appeared first on How to Organize.

I was really excited about UM! Brands because they can add storage without any major construction (peel & stick — super easy!) AND they don’t use adhesive. They actually stick to things using “nanosuction” — basically, a million itty bitty little suction cups (they’re so small that you can’t even see them!)

I ended up getting in touch with the company, and they were nice enough to send me a few of their products to review for ya! Get ready for a rockin’ review (and a few confessions!)

Here are a few ways they’ve helped me organize things around the house:

Problem: I like clipping our outgoing mail to the front door because it makes it so much easier to remember when I’m heading out. Unfortunately, the magnetic clip I was using was constantly getting knocked down by my pups when they would jump up to attack excitedly greet any visitors.

Solution: Clip UM! Stationery Clip It hasn’t budged in over two weeks! (Bonus: if your door isn’t magnetic anyway, you now have the ability to clip mail to your door! Welcome to the club!)

Problem: I keep a little baggie in the fridge with small bits of food that can be used to hide pills for my pups. It always ended up getting lost in my deli drawer under the bigger packages.

Solution: Now, I just use the Stationery Clip & stick it up on the inside wall of my refrigerator. It’s a visual reminder that’s easy to reach, and it makes use of previously untapped storage space in my fridge! It’s been working so well that I might be recruiting more of these little clips to hold other small fridge items (snack bags, etc.)!

• Tap into unused storage space inside your fridge by clipping small items to the walls.
• Use on the outside of your fridge to clip papers, etc. (a great solution if your refrigerator doesn’t work with magnets!)

Problem: I love my little Swiffer vacuum for quick clean-ups, but I haven’t been able to find a good storage space for it where it’s out of the way, easily accessible, AND close to a power outlet so I can plug it in when it needs charging. (TIP: if you are building a house, make sure you ask them to put power outlets in your utility closet so that you can charge your dust buster, etc.! We will definitely try to do that if we ever build!!)

Solution: Now, I have it tucked away in the laundry room. It’s hidden behind my washing machine near a power outlet, and it’s easy to grab whenever I need it. The Clip UM! Industrial Clip sticks beautifully to the side of my washer!

Side Note: Remember how I store my delicates on the side of my washer, too? I may end replacing my current laundry clips with a few of the UM! hooks because they actually have a stronger hold than the magnets!

The Hook UM! Rocket Clip worked as a great addition to my shower storage. Now I can hang my loofah up on the far side of the shower so it can dry & stay out of the way! (FYI — my shower has fiberglass walls. The UM! FAQ page says that it will also work on glass or tile.)

Problem: We are currently doing some renovations in the bedroom, so I don’t have a side table right now. I was constantly losing my eye mask! (Side note: if you have trouble falling asleep, this sleep mask is awesome. It’s soft, really comfy, and it blocks out light like a champ!)

Solution: The Hook UM! Rocket Hook sticks right on my headboard, and when we add our side tables back, I can remove it without any issues. Problem. Solved.

What I Loved:

• No installation, no residue. Peel and stick. Easy peazy!
• Lots of colors and patterns, from mod and industrial to bright & cheery.
• They add space to my house by creating new storage opportunities in areas that may not have supported other types of hooks or clips (i.e., the inside of my fridge!).
• It’s really easy to give every item a convenient, accessible home. (Oh, you need to find a spot where you can store your sweeper vacuum near a power outlet, but out of sight? Boom. Now it’s clipped to the side of your washer!)
• Great for adding organized storage in rental homes, college dorms, or places where you don’t want to drill or install permanent fixtures.
• Sticks to most smooth, non-porous surfaces: painted, stained or varnished wood, glass, tile, painted cinder block, metal, and wallboard. (I also think they are stronger than magnets!)

Keepin’ It Real:

• They tell you not to use it on drywall. They’re right! I tried it a few times anyway because I’m stubborn and these are the types of sacrifices I’m willing to make for you guys. In one part of the house, it just wouldn’t stick to the wall. In another part of the house, it stuck so well that it peeled a little bit of paint off the wall when I moved it (whomp whomp!). Moral of the story: FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.
• The front pieces on the Clip UM! clips are made of a delicate EVA foam material that remind me of craft foam. (If you’ve ever used those little foam scrapbook stickers, then you know what I’m talking about.) So far, they’re doing well, but I wouldn’t advise using them in any areas where they’ll receive a lot of abuse (i.e., within reach of energetic toddlers or pets). The Hook UM! hooks have thin plastic instead of the foam, so I think they’ll be fine in any situation!

Wanna give it a whirl?  Shop online & you can get 15% off your purchase if you enter “simply-organized-rocks” at checkout! (Offer good through May 2014 — woohoo!!)

What would YOU organize with these little guys??

P.S. I’m sharing this post at the IHeart Organizing monthly mini challenge!

The post How to Organize with Hooks & Clips appeared first on How to Organize.