organization – Velvet Kerfuffle

Posts tagged "organization"

Shower upgrades.

May 14, 2014 April 6, 2015Shopaholic, The Home 0

Look what I finally installed in our shower last month! I’ve wanted one of these types of dispensers for years, but didn’t want to permanently attach anything to the walls of a rental place. They remind me of spas and hotels and keep everything so clutter-free. Added bonus? I’ve been using facial masks in the shower lately, so having buttons to press is immensely convenient, because I can access shampoo and conditioner without having to fumble around in the rack for specific bottles which I can’t see properly since I don’t want to open my eyes and get stuff running …

Lace Picture Frame Earring Holder

April 10, 2014 April 10, 2014The Home 0

I made this little thing early last year, after getting tired of constantly rummaging through little boxes filled with loose earrings trying to find a pair to wear on any particular day. I’d previously slapped something together back at the apartment using lace and a plastic hanger, but figured I’d go for a more presentable look now that we are homeowners and all. An old picture frame was pressed into service. I’d always thought it was a bit on the clunky side when used for photos, but the aged metal and wood make a nice contrast when paired with colorful …

Hospital Packing List

April 6, 2014 April 6, 2015Shopaholic, The Nursery 4

Well, here I am at 35 weeks, pretty much packed and ready to go. My carry-on sized bag is sitting in the mudroom, ready for a quick exit when the time comes. Figured I’d share my list and ask for some suggestions from y’all if there’s anything else I might not have thought of, since there is still (hopefully) plenty of time to tweak. So yes, this is what I have prepared! Please note that Finnish hospitals typically have you stay 3-4 days after the birth, especially for first-time parents and definitely if it’s a c-section. (Hopefully I will avoid …

Wall o’ Scarf.

November 9, 2011 March 21, 2014The Home 0

I have a lot of scarves. Even before we moved to Finland, where you actually use them for more than half the year, I had a lot of scarves. My mom was paranoid that way. Back in Cali, however, they tended to just sit in a giant pile that was occasionally rummaged through on a windy day. As we enter my second Finnish winter here, though, I decided we needed a better system for making winter accessories easily accessible. Thus, the wall o’ scarf. It’s a IKEA belt/scarf/tie hanger nailed to the wall. Right next to the coat rack and …

Spring cleaning and cheap organizing.

April 18, 2011 March 21, 2014The Closet, The Home 0

A while back, Cim mentioned a pet peeve about Finnish apartment shelves in her blog. I’d meant to respond to that, but for some reason never got around to doing so. Considering the amount of time I’d put into figuring out a system that would take advantage of deep shelving, I thought I’d babble on a bit about it in this spring cleaning post. The problem is this — most US shelves are made to accommodate just one row of folded clothing, typically making them about 12 inches deep. Give or take a few. The shelves we have here in …

Six months and many spices later…

November 2, 2010 March 16, 2014The Kitchen 2

It’s been half a year since we moved to Finland, can you believe it? A lot has changed since that first month, and I’ve got many more projects planned in the coming winter months. Just wanted to stop, take a breath, and look at how we’ve grown. In the case of my spice rack, quite literally… May of 2010. November of 2010. I got tired of having them all sitting in uniform rows and columns… it seemed so institutional. So this morning, I did a bit of rearranging to give the whole thing more movement. I’m hoping to fill in …

Art Bin, you complete me.

March 7, 2010 April 6, 2015Shopaholic, The Closet 4

Many of you are aware of my extreme love of organizational supplies. Compartments, pockets, labels, all things born of a neat-freaky existence, make me unnaturally happy. The first time I ever wandered into a Container Store, I had to be forcibly removed from the premises by my poor companions. So you can imagine the sort of mind-shattering glee that I felt upon discovering the object below, a glorious union of two lifelong obsessions — organization and sewing — in one beautifully executed ode to utility and mobility. The Art Bin Tote Express, my friends. A rolling bag unlike any other, with …