Bathroom Under Sink Organization

It's hard to believe that come February, we will have been in our house for FIVE years.  Several areas definitely reflect that and have become major catch-alls!  Other areas, I don't think we are best utilizing the space.  One of those catch all/under utilized areas is under my husband's sink.  He has very few products that he requires each day and most fit in a basket (that's supposed to be loaded up and dropped back under the sink each morning but hardly ever happens).  But since he has so few items, I have re-purposed the area for other items.  

Here's a quick look at how it looked when I finally had enough of the mess:

Husband's side of the vanity

Site for sore eyes.  The only thing really working in this cabinet is where I store my washcloths for quick daily grabs (twice a day actually).  I also store the bathroom cleaning products under his side and that hot pink basket is a major catch all. 

I took most items out and gave it a quick wipe down.  I decided to leave the current shelving in place because it's working for the most part, esp. since you can remove/move around the slats.

The after.  I put away 90% of the items that had collected in the hot pink basket to their appropriate places around the house (jar of buttons to the sewing kit, various medical things to the medical baskets, fitbit accessories to the rest of the iPhone/device storage bin, etc.) and repurposed the basket to corral all of the cleaning supplies.  Now we can just pop out the basket when it's time to clean the bathroom vs fishing around under the sink.  The top shelf holds various items that are used in the bathroom at a least frequent basis. 

There's still plenty of space to pop in my husband's daily basket of items too. 

This took me about 30 minutes to straighten up and for sure, looks much better!  I'm slowly making my way through the house... one messy room at a time. 

Project Life Card Organization

My love for clear containers multiplied last night.  I have been on the hunt for a way to better organize and use my Project Life cards.  I was storing them in my Ikea shelves but I found that to be too much of a hassle because I would be in and out of the different core kits and it was just easier to leave them in a pile in the floor for easy access.. see below

While this was somewhat easier, it still isn't ideal - I don't want the big pile in the floor AND Project Life changed the style of their packaging so now the cards just come in the flimsy tray (see the kit on the top) vs in the nice cardboard box which presents problems with stacking. 

So, I turned to my friends Bed Bath and Beyond and The Container Store.  Since we don't have a Container Store here, my first option was Bed Bath and Beyond.  They had one clear hinged box I thought would be perfect but when I got it home, turned out to be about 1" too short to clear the cards (I want them to be standing up in the boxes).  However, I loved those boxes so much I used them in my bathroom cabinet to give that room a refresh - I think clear boxes are always the way to go!  I need to do a few more tweaks and I'll share an updated look at this cabinet too.  LOVING the clear containers though. 

Since I ended up with an additional 6 containers that didn't solve my Project Life problems, I turned online to The Container Store.  I had a couple reservations with ordering 1) you have to spend at least $75 to get free shipping; 2) I'd be guessing more or less on the products since I couldn't actually see them in real and 3) I'll have to go to Atlanta or Nashville to return (not paying the fee to mail back!) if they don't work.

I settled on 2 different style boxes and placed my order... the next day, I had shoppers remorse and did some online research to see how others organize their cards.  Not many people use completely clear containers and that's really what I was after.  I finally stumbled on a quick youtube video where the lady had used the large shoe storage drawers from The Container Store!  I headed back to the website and placed another order for 6 large shoe boxes and also the dividers (sold separately).

My first order arrived Monday and it was obvious that the products weren't going to work.  I had a complete miss with that order.  Last night, my second order arrived and the stars aligned!

The drawers are such a nice clear, sturdy container and they slide very nice and smooth on the tracks.

 (ignore the mess in the back!)

 Here's a shot of the dividers - I love that you can use them 3 different ways. I chose to section them off side to side and keep a complete core kit together in one section (4x6 cards and 3x4).  They fit perfectly and have room to flip through the cards as well. 

 I added a post it tab to label which core kit is in each section.

 The stack of empty core kit boxes I was asble to transition to the clear boxes! 

 I'm pretty sure the boxes will live like this on the corner of my scrapbook table for easy access.  I do need probably 2 more to fit the rest of my core kits as well.  I also noticed that when the top drawers are completely extended it gets top heavy.  I may stack my pen/scissor/foam mounting supply box on top to serve as an anchor.  

Now I'm itching to get up there and try out my new system.  In the meantime, I can enjoy my eye candy! 

Favorite Maternity/Baby Related Items so far (halfway!)

The world of baby and maternity is a whole new world for me!  I wanted to share some items that I have found to be helpful (halfway through!) my pregnancy journey.  

A recent favorite, the Baby Bargains book, has so many great tips for new parents on every product under the sun for baby.  They have several different price point categories so you can really find something that works well for your budget.  This book has gone with me everywhere and I rely on it often.  I ordered mine from Target but I've seen them on Amazon as well.

Obviously, I'm a sucker for anything memory-related.  I saw this adorable pregnancy journal at Hallmark and had to have.  I didn't find it until 16 weeks or else I would have bought the signs for each week milestone too!

 

This maternity shirt from Gap is one of the first things I ordered.  I LOVE how comfortable it is and also has such a classic style.  I also get compliments when I wear it.  I actually ordered it in another color combo during all the sales this week too.

We picked up this adorable whale stuffed animal when I went for my gender ultrasound.  The technician recorded Baby Boy's heartbeat and put the recorder in the whale so when you squeeze it, you hear the heartbeat.  LOVE it. 

 

Next up is the Cosabella "Never Say Never Mommie" nursing bra.  I got mine from Nordstorm but lots of stores carry this line.  It was a bit pricey but I was in so much pain from the other bras I've bought at Motherhood Maternity that I was willing to splurge on this one if it worked.  It's actually on sale right now and I'm working to get a price adjustment!!

 

My last favorite item I stumbled upon by using up a sample I had in my stash.  I had been using the Burt's Mama Bees Body Butter but I really don't care for the smell of it.  I had a sample for Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter and LOVED it immediately.  I found that Ulta carries it.  I'm hoping it's got all the same(ish) ingredients as the Burt's Bees body butter and combats potential stretch marks.  So far, so good!

 

November Progress Toward Goals

I could get use to 4.5 days off work!  Although, I felt like I needed to come back to work in order to get some rest.  I think I def. overdid it this weekend with the cooking, fall undecorating, Christmas decorating, shopping and keeping the house tidy.  We had a great time visiting with my parents and grandmother though so I wouldn't change a thing!  It was nice to have the extra help with the above mentioned items too.  We did venture out and do some shopping Thanksgiving afternoon/evening, Friday afternoon and again Saturday.  

Big purchases were the baby's furniture and stroller, car seat and extra base.  So glad to get those big items checked off!  Not excited to see my credit card bill in a few weeks! lol

I seriously need to get myself back in line with purchasing beauty products that I don't need!!!  I really don't use up as many as what I buy and I'm never going to make a dent in my collection at this rate but I just can't pass up a deal!! HELP!

I also can't believe that we find ourselves at the end of another month!  Where has the time gone this year?!?  This week also marks 19 WEEKS for Baby Gray's progress!  This pregnancy is just flying by.  Baby Boy will be here before we know it.  

1.  Used up Products

• Bath and Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Body Lotion
• Bath and Body Works Japanese Blossom Body Cream (there was some left in the bottle but I know I have had this at least since 2009 and I'm completely over it!)
• Fusion Hair Spray - This didn't have but a few drops in it and I completely love the scent.  I know I got this the fall of 2008 and just haven't wanted to throw it away because I knew I wouldn't remember what it was called.  
• Tarte Eye Lash Primer - would not repurchase

2.  Books & Magazine

• Just one sad magazine!  This shows how tired I've been at night when I finally make it to bed!

• I also made it through this awesome book about baby products.  The couple has soo many helpful reviews.  I would def. recommend this book to anyone that's having a baby.

 

3.  Blog Posts

• 4 for the month

4.  Get More Exercise

• January = 40.71 miles
• February = 41.11 miles
• March = 49.59 miles
• April = 52.51 miles
• May =  50.86 miles
• June =  80.38 miles 
• July =  77.46 miles
• August = 72.02 miles
• September =  57.56 miles (not a good month, more on that in another post)
• October = 60.9 miles  
• November = 46.09 miles

5.  Scrapbook Progress

• January = 30 pages
• February = 66 pages
• March = 31 pages
• April = 3 pages (bummer)
• May = 29 pages 
• June = 57 pages  
• July =  30 pages
• August = 88 pages
• September = 6 pages
• October = 0 pages (ugh)
• November = 44 pages 

Baby Gray is a ....

BOY!  

Here comes a world of blues for me.  We found out last week at an ultrasound people that you can go outside of your regular doctor to find out the gender early.  So, of course, I had to know!  It's more reliable once you're at 16 weeks so I made my appointment for 16 weeks and 1 day.  

The belly has popped!

 Plus, we had the first appointment of the day so I didn't have to drag it out any longer!  The girl that did the ultrasound was great and spent so much time with us.  We literally saw within seconds that Baby Gray is a boy.  He's very proud.  He kept waving his arm around and was showing off for the camera.  We got some cute pictures.  As soon as we left, we facetimed my parents and then Adam's.  I also called my Grandma and Ashleigh, Adam's sister.  We also called one of his brothers and then sent a group text to the rest of the siblings/spouses.  We had settled on a boy name even before we were trying to get pregnant so the name part was super easy - but only if it was a boy - we never reached agreement on a girl name. 

We got one of the stuffed animals that you can put a recording of the heartbeat in.  The little whale was too cute to pass up.  How about Adam wore blue to the appointment??

My sweet boss had me a gorgeous floral arrangement delivered to my office.  Everyone was so excited to find out what we are having.

 For some added fun, I picked up cupcakes that had the "mystery" icing in the middle

It was a race to see who could bite into the middle first!  Can I just say these cupcakes were SOOOO yummy

 Making fun memories with my work family

This past weekend,  I went to Mobile to visit one of my best friends.  We of course had to go shopping for the new little man!

Also, when I got to work Monday, another co-worker had a huge surprise for me - a giant gift bag full of goodies!  My co-workers spoil me. :)

White Chili Chicken - Quick and easy!

This is the first week in a while I've actually felt well enough to cook (and eat what we cook).  Monday night we had crock pot beef tips,  corn and mashed potatoes.  Last night we turned to a recipe we discovered last year and had forgotten about!  Anyone else ever do that?  At one point, I was trying to make a spreadsheet of all the possible meal options but then gave up on it at some point.  I really should finish it though, it would be a handy reference tool and a good way to have variety in meals.

Alas, I wanted to share a quick, easy dinner with you.

Literally all you have to do is follow the step by step instructions on the back of the seasoning packet and dinner is made!  It is really spicy so be warned.  The only things you need to purchase are chicken, white beans and the seasoning packet (I use McCormicks).  Enjoy!

October Progress Toward Goals

Well now the cat's out of the bag!  It's still hard to believe (minus the growing stomach) that we are going to have a baby this time next year!  I'm trying to soak up all the free, non-crazy time that I can now!  I'm having fun browsing various websites looking at baby goods, just can't wait to find out if it's a boy or girl!  I've been off the "goal" wagon of late with all the travel and not feeling good but alas, here's where I ended up:

1.  Used up Products

There were a few this month.  

1. This large bottle of Laura Mercier foundation primer in radiance.  I liked the other one I had better and this was such a big bottle for traveling.  I do still like the Laura Mercier products tho.  Great coverage ad long wearing.  
2. 2 bath and body works hand soaps.  I tend to get products down to almost empty in my purse and then put new ones in then I use up the left overs around the house. One of these scents was Midnight Pomegranate and I would not repurchase.  The other is Beautiful Day and it's become one of my favorites - so clean smelling.
3. I didn't technically use up these 2 lip products but they don't do anything for me and chap my lips.  The Burt's Bees was given to me and the other is a Tarte stick but the color is just wrong for me.

2.  Books & Magazine

 I read and tossed 9 magazines and continue to be obsessed with my Audible subscription.  I'm always so sad when I finish up an audiobook!  This month I listened to:  Uganda be Kidding Me by Chelsea Handler and Happily Ali After by Ali Wentworth.  I tend to prefer autobiographies, esp. when read by the person. 

3.  Blog Posts

• 1 for the month

4.  Get More Exercise

• January = 40.71 miles
• February = 41.11 miles
• March = 49.59 miles
• April = 52.51 miles
• May =  50.86 miles
• June =  80.38 miles 
• July =  77.46 miles
• August = 72.02 miles
• September =  57.56 miles (not a good month, more on that in another post)
• October = 60.9 miles

5.  Scrapbook Progress

• January = 30 pages
• February = 66 pages
• March = 31 pages
• April = 3 pages (bummer)
• May = 29 pages 
• June = 57 pages  
• July =  30 pages
• August = 88 pages
• September = 6 pages
• October = 0 pages - how sad is that?!  I was on such a roll and then I ordered a big patch of pictures to use up a print plan I had and the shipping took FOREVER.  Then we were out of town and had company for 2 weeks so there just wasn't any scrapbook time!  Now I'm trying to figure out what all the picture page ideas were, a month and a half later!

Baby Gray is on the Way!

Such an exciting time for us!  I found out I was pregnant pretty much right away -- right at 4 weeks.  We started "trying" when we were on our big trip to Spain/Portugal but it ended up taking an extra month for things to work out.  

I had a work event going on and ran by Target to grab a box of 2 pregnancy tests.  Went to dinner and finally got home around 9pm and took the first pregnancy test.  I saw the 2 lines and debated whether or not to take the other test right away.  I ended up sticking the test in the drawer and working out.  I didn't mention it to Adam because we were going to Michigan that weekend and I didn't want us to be tempted to say anything!  The next morning, I took the other pregnancy test and the 2 lines showed up ASAP.  I stuck that one in the drawer and went on my with business as usual!

That afternoon I ran home on my way to downtown Chattanooga for another work event to let Henderson out... the dog had basically exploded all over the basement!  I cleaned up so much vomit and poo!  It was like God was saying "get ready for baby!"  With the dog being so sick, I ended up staying in TN with him while Adam flew to MI to see his family/brother from out of town.  So for 4.5 days I had this HUGE secret all to myself!  

When Adam got home Sunday afternoon, I had a chalkboard sign around Hendy's neck that said "Big Brother."  Since we were trying I don't think it was that big of a surprise but I think I still got him. :)

Weeks 4-6 weren't much different than usual.  The biggest changes right away were my skin breaking out (feel like I'm back in high school!) and my chest was SO sore.

The weekend we were in Chicago was when the "morning" sickness hit.  I didn't throw up but man I wanted too.  I really felt bad all day with nothing providing much relief.  

Right at 7 weeks the throwing up began.  I woke up knowing it was going to happen.  I didn't have anything in my stomach so it was just bile and felt horrible.  I did have about 30 minutes of relief after throwing up but then felt rough pretty much all day at work.  The next day, Adam made me toast to eat before getting up - 1 piece at 5am and another at 6:15am.  I didn't throw up but still had the dry heaving - lots of dry heaving going on during these weeks!!

My sweet husband, bought one of everything!

I also picked up my first "pregnant" baby items - I couldn't resist these adorable plane items at Target.

When I was 8 weeks and 1 day, we had our first doctor's appointment.  Our official due date is April 25, 2016 - exactly what I had expected it to be.  That's 2 weeks after I turn 30 and right in between both our birthdays.  I wanted a spring baby :).  Doctor said everything looked great and we had our first ultrasound!  It was such an emotional thing to hear the heartbeat!!  It was 174 beats per minute and I can make out the head and little nubby arms.  We go back at 12 weeks for another ultrasound and the next appointment.  The morning sickness is still pretty severe and Adam says it's more than morning because I'm sick all day -- it's quite miserable.  I did get a prescription at the doctor so I'm hopeful that it will help.

Our first "family" pic

4 pills a day = feel almost human again

 

Right at 9.5 weeks we finally had a chance go to go WV and tell my family.  I ordered these cute booties from Etsy and surprised my mom (and later Adam's mom) with them.  My family was taken completely off guard and Mom couldn't believe I waited almost 6 weeks to tell her.  Everyone's so excited.   

Between visits to our families, I had several work trips.  While in Morgantown, I had to pick up Baby Gray it's first official WVU gear!  I also got a onesie at a Hallmark up there the day after I got these items.  Baby Gray also went to it's first WVU game - WVU beat Maryland at WVU.    

When I was 10.5 weeks we flew up to Michigan to break the baby news to Adam's family.  Again, totally caught everyone off guard but it was fun to celebrate in person with them.

Silly me thought that when week 12 arrived I would wake up and magically feel "normal" again - I started Day 1 of Week 12 throwing up in the bathroom sink.  Let's hope those days are numbered...

Week 12 Day 2 we had another ultrasound!  I was so ready to see Baby Gray again.  Everything looked great - heart beat was 175!  Baby G looked so peaceful in there :)  Total length is about 3".  I had lab work that was sent off for testing - we are anxious to get the results.  My next ultrasound is at 19 weeks but we are likely going to a place in Chattanooga at 16 weeks to hopefully learn the gender!

Our second family photo :)

Look at that sweet little profile of Baby Gray's face

Legs tucked up

Looking right at the camera! 

Rubbing little baby eyes!

Now we are at Week 15.5 and I'm still having some days that I lose my meals but I'm hoping it's slowing down!  I spilled the beans with the rest of my work and our facebook friends about 2 weeks ago now. 

We had a football party at one of the gals I work with's house and here's what I wore:

.. and here's how we went "public".  Henderson really does look concerned!  He was such a good sport for the photo shoot.

I've also picked up some fun new ornaments - here's one of them, love anything you can personalize!

The countdown is on to find out if it's Baby Gray Girl or Baby Gray Boy!  If Baby cooperates we should know in 5 days!!!  Let the shopping begin :)