Organizing a Nursery, Part 1

The Prequel

In just a few days, my husband and I are having our first child. We are truly thrilled about becoming parents and we’ve tried to prepare as much as possible. I’m putting my organizing skills to the test in a brand new way, by planning to have an organized nursery and a home that incorporates a new baby without introducing a lot of clutter.

Here I am at 38 weeks! This photo was taken by Hylah Hedgepeth who is an incredible natural light photographer.

There’s plenty that I don’t know about what the coming months will bring, so I’m calling this post The Prequel. I’ll post an update in a couple months or so, to let you know how my organizing ideas worked out when tested against new-parenthood. But here’s a glimpse into what I am hoping will be a successfully organized nursery.

Nursery Floor Plan

We’ve got a 2-bedroom condo, with loft space that I have transformed into a home office and is where my incredible Office Manager Anna and I run Operation Organization. The second bedroom is now going to be the nursery.

The biggest space maker would have been to remove the guest bed, but we opted to keep it. I plan to spend late nights in the nursery with the baby. And we do expect to have guests in the future.  It’ll be easy to put a small crib in our master bedroom when needed. 

But that means less furniture for storage of toys, books, diapers, clothing... everything.

We chose to keep the room simple and not overly decorated.  My husband and I like a modern look and neutral colors...can you tell?  We want our room to grow with our child and his style, so we will add to it as he gets bigger.  For now, we have a few decorative things to start us off.

The prints I got from Etsy.

I made some easy art by framing a page out of a favorite childhood book.

This little car I found at T.J.Maxx.

This is my hubby when he was a baby!

Gift Management

First of all, thanks to everyone who sent us gifts! Second, what are we going to do with this stuff!? Some people were thoughtful and sent us slightly larger clothing, which will come in handy later on but needs to be stored for now in a way that ensures I won’t forget about it. We’ve got lots of things we’ll use every day, and some things we will only need every once in a while.

Clothing - Newborn sized onesies and pajamas are handy, just below the diaper drawer in the dresser we’ll use as the changing table. To make best use of the nice big closet, I divided it into sections that work for baby clothing. The hanging baby clothing is organized in order of size, with labeled dividers so we can see sizes at a glance. Other things, like shoes, hats, and baby blankets, are sorted into baskets. The baskets are labelled so I’m not tempted to shove things in the wrong places. Labels keep me honest!

                                 

                       Onesies organized by size.

I got these these baby clothing dividers from Amazon.
The hangers are no-slip baby hangers by Closet Complete.

Water Hyacinth baskets from Container Store fit perfectly on baby's closet shelf.

Diapering - I didn't want to invest in a traditional changing table because a dresser will be so useful down the road.  I also don't enjoy looking at diaper creams and wipes out in the open.  Call me crazy, but for now, I am saying "no" to a wipes warmer (against the suggestion of my new mommy friends). Instead, I dedicated the top drawer of the dresser to all of baby Teeple's bottom booty!  I will let you know how this works out.

Books - We don’t have a ton of floor space in our guest-bedroom-turned-nursery for extra furniture, so I put in a number of floating bookshelves to maximize the usefulness of wall space.  The books sit right above the rocker in the "story-time" nook for easy access.

These Umbra floating bookshelves are a steal from Container Store!

Toys - I don’t like the look of toys everywhere, because of my general clutter-phobia.  I’ve used bins on the floor for toys. I’ll have one toy basket in the living room, but I’m going to try to keep the majority of kid things in kid space.

In the bathroom, I’ve organized the medicine cabinet so baby medicines, creams, and powder will be handy. On the inside of the medicine cabinet door I’ve taped up an info sheet with details about what’s safe to give to a baby.  I left the bottom two shelves with toiletries for our house guests.

I wanted to make sure I have access to baby washcloths during bath-time, so I repurposed this three tier storage basket from Pier 1 Imports.  I also installed a white hook for drying hooded towels.

A Major Life Transformation

Everyone says having a baby is going to be an unpredictable life transformation and will really mess with my organized life-style. No matter how much we plan and prepare, we know that the feelings will be new and the exhaustion potentially unprecedented. But I’m resisting the urge to transform the whole house.

Incorporating a Baby Into the Everyday

Life is going to continue. I’m fortunate enough to like my work, so depending on how it goes, I’ll be back to work at least part-time about a month after the birth. That may only mean I’ll be spending nap time in the home office, so I’ve got a spare crib behind my desk.

We’ll have baby stations of varying sizes around the house so the things we need will always be within reach. We’ve also been able to use otherwise dead space, like the space under our spiral staircase, in novel ways like for storing our stroller and baby swing.

I’ve also got this great mommy-baby basket from my Doula (Emma Goodman-DaSilva) that I can easily bring from room to room. It’s got the essentials, like a few spare diapers, wipes, burp cloths, and a changing blanket, as well as a few things for me, like snacks, a book, lotion, and tea bags.  She says if I’m happy, it’ll be easier to keep the baby happy.

Are We Ready?

As ready as we’ll ever be. Maybe we’ll realize that with a real baby around, some of the systems we put into place won’t work the way we thought. It’s highly likely that we’ll have to adjust for reality. But a big part of being organized is trying things out and seeing what works.  For me, when I feel prepared, I feel positive and that is how I am entering into motherhood.

More experienced parents, maybe you have some ideas to contribute? Tell me about it in the comments - I’m open to all the help I can get!

~Katrina Teeple
Founder of Operation Organization

Photo by Hylah Hedgepeth

The Little Things - Organizing Your Purse

Whether it’s a purse, a day-bag or a “murse”, your over-the-shoulder carry-all can quickly become a disaster without regular TLC. I don’t know about you, but I get a sense of relief and a feeling of calm when I take just a few minutes to remove receipts and other junk that has accumulated in my purse over the course of the day…or sometimes the week! Remember, purses can make or break a first impression.  Do you really want an overflowing, discombobulated bag speaking for your personal organizational skills?

You may have noticed, I don’t like a cluttered purse and why settle for one when an organized purse feels so good! Besides taking the time to re-organize my purse regularly, I do a few things to keep myself from getting frustrated throughout my day that I’d like to share.

Not all Purses are Created Equal

They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are just big enough to fit the essentials. Others are like one giant, endless black hole a la Mary Poppins’ carpet bag. Like most women, I change out my bag regularly depending on where I am going and what I am wearing. But, the one constant is that I always need a lot of the same stuff.

Divide & Conquer

I have found that the best way to have access and flexibility to my on-the-go must-haves is to separate and consolidate.  First and foremost, I divide the contents of my purse into categories and then use little bags and a small wallet to house my items.

For example, I have a small kit of overnight/medical stuff including spare medications, a couple band-aids, a hotel sewing kit, and I even carry a small toothpaste & toothbrush set so I’m always ready for a spontaneous, romantic overnight with my Hubby. All these things are carefully stored in a small make-up bag I got at The Container Store.  I can’t tell you how many times that extra pair of contacts and sewing kit has saved me!

I use a separate small bag to hold all the make-up that travels in my purse. I keep the basics on me: mascara, a blush stick that doubles as lipstick (I love the Josie Maran Argan Oil Mini Color Sticks), a mini shadow compact, lip balm and a concealer (I use a product by MAC as my concealer called Paint Pot in Painterly that is actually a shadow primer). It’s another double-duty product! To carry my make-up brushes, I invested in a great travel set from Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.

Tip: Use smaller bags to sort your purse into sections.

Then there’s the financial side of carrying a purse - I use a slim wallet for cards and cash and have a change pouch for those occasions when I need change.  Cut the clutter by tossing most of your membership cards.  Most stores that hand them out, keep you in their computer system by your phone number.  So, say “adios!" to all the extra plastic in your wallet. Another item I keep stocked in my wallet are a few business cards.  You never know when you will make a good connection!

Items You Need Handy

It feels like most of the things in your purse should be handy, that’s why you’re carrying it all around, right? Small bags will help you to easily grab things that can be identified by category, but what about those valet or parking garage tickets? Digging around looking for a misplaced ticket can be frustrating.

Now I’m going to give you an organizing tip that goes beyond the purse. You can use this in your everyday life to stay less flustered and confused.

Tip: Put things in the same place. (I know, you've heard this before, but you should do it!)

Do you keep your tweezers with your meds or your make-up? That’s up to you, but always keep them in the same place so you know where to find them.  For example, your keys. If they are not in one of the doors you use, they should be in an easy-to-grab place in your purse. I love purses with a little clip inside for just this purpose. If I am carrying a purse without a little key clip, I make sure to stick my keys in a purse pocket.

Everything about organizing your purse can make sense for your life. Take a few minutes each day, or each week, to empty and organize your purse so that it’s back to its resting state. Your mind will appreciate the relief from clutter and chaos and friends will appreciate not having to help you find your keys!

Staying organized is one way to stay sane, it turns out!

~Katrina Teeple~
Keeping you Operation Organized!

P.S. When I head out for a night on the town or a special event like a wedding, I always bring a clutch which never fits everything from my everyday purse.  So, what I grab from my regular purse and pop into a clutch are the following: my mini wallet, lip balm, concealer, and my double-duty blush stick, sewing kit for wardrobe malfunctions, and some gum! What are your clutch-worthy items?

An Organized Pantry is a Happy Pantry

If you’ve got a pantry, this probably looks familiar.

Most people give up the battle to keep a pantry organized. So many odd shaped items and different colored packages create an instantly cluttered look, even if you know what’s in there. Just shut the door and forget, right?

Not around here! The look of your pantry can be transformed with a few simple organizing tricks, and you’ll see some practical benefits that’ll save you money and reduce waste.

We used the Hyacinth Baskets from The Container Store

Once you’ve organized your pantry, you won’t lose track of that quarter bag of flour and you’ll end up using it instead of throwing it away. You’ll also avoid over-buying because you’ll know exactly how much is left in that bag of dried cranberries or the partially used box of spaghetti.

You can quickly plan meals when you can see what you’ve got and the cans of beans aren’t mixed in with school lunch items.

With a few matching bins and clear glass jars, your pantry can be transformed into an organized and attractive space. Bins give you easy access to like items, such as cereals - pull the cereal basket down at breakfast time and put it away quickly and easily.

I like to use bins to conceal clutter and hold all those odd shaped bags of chips and packages of pasta. Tie on a tag so it’s easy to identify what’s in each basket, keeping items categorized and easy to find.

I love the Martha Stewart Kraft Tags

Put all the parent-approved snacks in one bin, so the kids know where to go when they want something to munch on.  Keep grab’n’go lunch items in a bin so they’re easy to find and you’ll know when you’re running low.

If you’re not sure how to deal with sticky sauces and syrups, consider a lazy Susan. You’ll be able to access all the bottles without pulling everything out one by one. Plus, if you have spills or sticky spots, a lazy Susan is easy to wipe clean. Protect your pretty shelf paper and make it easier to keep things neat and organized.

Glass jars and airtight BPA-free plastic containers are also great to decant items like grains or flour, especially if you only use part of a bag. Some items may need a label  (self raising vs. regular flour), while others will be easy to find and identify (rolled oats or pasta).  For dry goods that usually have the recipe on the box, you can cut out the recipe and attach it to the back of the jar. Get crafty and enjoy making the system work for you! 


If you give yourself a system that looks great and works well, you’ll keep things organized. Make your pantry organization system easy to use and you’ll be happy to keep it organized!

 Ball Mason Jars are easy to find and affordable

Short on kitchen space?  Here's an easy tip.  Hang large utensils that are not used everyday on small nails inside your pantry.

Operation Organization Quick Tips

• Avoid over-buying by categorizing like items
• Decorative bins conceal clutter and make your pantry beautiful
• Using tags and labels allows you to quickly identify what you have and what you need
• Use a lazy Susan for sticky sauces that get lost in the back of a shelf and make a mess
• Decant dry goods, dried fruit, nuts and grains to keep them fresher, longer
• Utilize extra wall space to hang infrequently used utensils and aprons 
• When your pantry looks organized you're more inclined to keep it up
• Factor in 15 extra minutes when you get home from the store to organize and decant

Happy Organizing,

Katrina Teeple

One Cabinet. Two Uses. Office Hutch or Armoire?

Cabinets are wonderful for storing your stuff, but don't look at that piece of furniture that's been relegated to the corner as just another place to shove unprocessed mail, paperwork, etc!  

As many of you know, I love to try and think outside the box when it comes to repurposing items you already have.  Take this Ikea cabinet for instance. With the doors closed, this simple cabinet can hold a ton of items without overpowering a space.

But wait....there's more...

{FIRST USE: OFFICE SUPPLY HUTCH}

 With the cabinet doors open, this inexpensive piece serves as a great solution for office supplies.  I mixed & matched containers and boxes of various sizes that I found around the house to show that you don't need to spend a bunch of cash on beautiful containers to have a functional storage space. In keeping with a workspace theme, I decorated the top of the office hutch with inspirational and reference books. 

Bonus Tip: Remember the key to keeping things in their correct homes is labeling and positoning frequently used items closer to the front for easy access. 

{SECOND USE: CLOTHES AND ACCESSORY STORAGE}

 So many of us ladies have an overstuffed closet. Here is an example of how to turn a cabinet into an armoire.  I added a touch of themed aesthetic to this organizing project, by lining the top of the cabinet with high heels.  Inside is a perfect place for items including folded sweaters, jeans, scarves and accessories. 

Bonus Tip: Using a drawer organizer such as this acrylic one featured near the sunglasses is a great way to store everyday jewelry and watches, while avoiding the tendency for them to get scratched or tangled.

xo

Katrina Teeple

{Helping You Organize Life}

Help Me Organize! The Refrigerator

Not many people think of organizing the refrigerator as a top priority, but it turns out it can be a great place to start.

The organizing tips you use to keep the things in your fridge useful can be applied all around the house. Once you’ve learned how easy and fun it can be to get rid of things like expired mustard, you’ll be ready to move on to that pile of unworn-but-I-love-them shoes in the back of the closet.

So let’s start with the little things. You have at least one item in your fridge that should be tossed. We all do. Just go through and check expiration dates, that will give you that sense of elation which comes from getting rid of things you do not need. While you’re at it, consider putting your jams and other sweet condiments together, so you can systematically work your way through them, rather than opening a new jar when two need finishing off.

Some people get really excited about organizing foods. Vegetables in veggie drawers, dairy together on a single shelf, and all savory condiments lined up next to one another. This makes cooking easier, putting away groceries more efficient, and can help you to avoid stocking up on the things you already have.

Consider using bins, boxes or baskets that fit nicely on your refrigerator shelves. A cheese drawer is nice if you’ve got one, but if you don’t you can use something of your own design to keep cheeses together and easy to find. Ever thought of putting a lazy Susan inside the fridge? Sometimes all it takes to get organized is a few labeled containers.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to organize the outside of the fridge. We tend to use the fridge door with very few practical results. If you use magnets to organize important calendars, invites, and pictures, be careful not to overdo it. Get a few magnetic frames for images you really want to see every day. Rotate things out as new invites or photos come in. And keep a calendar of events (I use iCal) rather than displaying every invite individually.

Have fun organizing. Even if it seems overwhelming to start, jump in anyway. You will be happy you did!

~Katrina Teeple

{Helping You Organize Life}

I like to plan my meals for the week, right at the fridge.  I picked up this reusable weekly planner by the Martha Stewart Home/Office collection at Staples {it doesn't come with a dry erase pen BTW}.  I also love this shopping list magnetic notepad by Knock Knock. It makes grocery shopping a snap and allows the whole family to get involved.

Keep like items labelled and contained for quick food preparation.  On the left is a shoebox.  The makeshift  container in the middle is a Tiffany's box lid! 

I make a smoothie just about everyday. Having the key ingredients I use at my fingertips helps me get out the door faster in the morning.  I find that another common problem is not having space for those yummy meals you make a surplus of, for the week. The second shelf has dedicated space for just that...leftovers.

Categorizing like items together allows you to see what is going on inside the fridge. Taking it one step farther by labeling, will keep the Fridge Raiders in your family a little more orderly.  

To create a better veggie section I actually removed one of the large drawers and replaced it with two plastic bins for salad fixings, and stir fry options. Another staple in our house is kale, so while I was at it, I cleaned out an old cube vase, filled it with a little water and created a great way to keep this nutritious, leafy green fresh for days! 

Home Office Solutions

Cabinet Conversion!

Converting a cabinet into an area to keep active files and office supplies can be the perfect solution for a mom who wants to keep an eye on the kids from the living room or for smaller spaces like a studio apartment.

 Keep clutter contained with these great containers from Container Store. The lower green boxes hold hanging files. These file boxes are perfect for portable filing. Try filing by the tv!

 You can create this look at home by using containers with lids as In-Bins and open containers for things like stationary, computer cords and printer ink.

For office supplies that need to be at your fingertips, contain them with a tray to give your items a refined look.

Operation Organization On TV Guide Network's: The Nail Files

Katrina Teeple was recently featured on the TV Guide Network! Katie Cazorla called on Katrina for her expert organizational skills on the hit reality show, Nail Files. Katrina and her Operation Organization team reorganized Katie Cazorla’s Los Angeles based, celebrity nail salon, The Painted Nail, from top to bottom.

Operation Organization transformed The Painted Nail’s office from a cluttered, make-shift workspace to a fully-functional executive office, complete with color-coded files, organized office supplies and a custom vanity area for Katie to keep herself glamorous all day long!

In the nail salon itself, Katrina reorganized the employee break-room into a restful area where The Painted Nail technicians can also replenish their manicure supplies with ease. The Operation Organization team also reclaimed The Painted Nail’s bar, converting it from a storage area back to its original purpose: a place for Katie's customers to enjoy a Hollywood cocktail while their polish dries.

Finally, no mani/pedi shop is complete without an efficient sanitation station. The Painted Nail has always upholds the highest standards when it comes to cleanliness, but after Katrina rearranged the nail technicians’ set-up area, extra space was freed up with no loss of tidiness. As an added benefit, the new arrangement allows more customers to be accommodated simultaneously – more efficiency and even more smiling faces!

Katie's willingness to try new systems and form more efficient habits has reduced her daily stress level and allowed her to focus on her other business endeavors and recent successes. She can now rest easy knowing that The Painted Nail runs more smoothly than ever.

A job well-done: Nail Files and The Painted Nail have been Operation Organized!

***Watch The Painted Nail get our Organizational Makeover Here!***

http://video.tvguide.com/Nail+Files/Walters++Nominated+for+a+Grammy/10472931?autoplay=true

***Find Out More About Operation Organization Here***

http://www.operationorganization.com/