My twin boys starting Kindergarten inspired me to plan out a MUCH needed command center for our hectic family life. I've been using for about 2 weeks now and it has kept me on track, kept my counters clear of clutter and made me feel like I was able to bring some control to our chaos!!
Here are the areas that were needing some organization and how those were incorporated in this design:
Misplacing Paperwork (because they were in piles on my counter)
I found these great wall file holders at Staples - Martha Stewart has a line of organizational products!! There is now one for each of the kids and then one for mail. The labels are chalk board labels which were also from the Martha Stewart line (I love her!!).
Constantly losing the "To-Do" and Shopping lists
Generic white board (also from Staples) serves two purposes:
1) To keep track of my reminders - when papers are due, things that we need to complete, etc. (In other words, those tasks that wake you up in the middle of the night or that you think of in the car and forget as soon as you are able to write them down!).
2) My ongoing grocery list!! Plus, I got this smaller holder (from Martha's line at Staples) that I use for coupons. The idea is that when I write down an new item on the grocery list, I pull any relevant coupons and keep them in this holder. I actually use the coupons that I've cut instead of not using them because I finally have an hour to run out to the store and I don't have time to sort through my coupon pile!!
No Dinner Plans
I found this white board weekly planner at Staples in the white board section and I am using it to write out my weekly meal plan each Sunday. I love that it has a cork board and magnets so if I find a recipe, I pin it up there.
This also coincides nicely with the grocery list so that I make sure I have the right ingredients on hand for the week.
Appointments, sports schedules, school events...Oh My!
We have always used our calendar, but only for bigger events and I was feeling like the little events were being missed or remembered at the last second, causing undue stress. This calendar holder from Target also includes a cork board so I pin birthday invitations, appointment reminders, etc which keeps them off my fridge!
Never a Note Pad or Pen When You Need One!
This is one of my favorite parts - I was always leaving my note pads in different places (never where I needed it when I was writing notes for school!) and pens were just as bad. We installed this shelf from Target and mounted this note pad (Marshall's) on the wall never to be lost again! My pens are now located near my note pad and we also add a change jar and our phone charger station.
