My Obsession with Bins

It's that time of year, the one my hubby dreads..... spring cleaning!!  I don't know if it's the nesting that is making me go overboard and start early, but I'm not complaining.  It's amazing how much junk you can accumulate in a year, plus after Christmas we usually do an major clean out of toys to make room for the new ones.  Salvation Army loves us during this time of year.  

Each year [unknowingly] I pick an organizing project.  By no means is our house perfect but I try to live by the saying there's a place for everything and everything in it's place.  If there isn't a place for everything it probably means we have too much stuff for our space.... tell that to my craft corner.  Last year it was organizing our pantry and I went crazy for tupperware.  Now that the pantry and my system is in place I have gone bin crazy... baskets, plastic bins, and canvas bins.  

I can be organized without bins, but everything just looks much more neat and pretty with them so I'm willing to spend the money.  It can get expensive so I'm doing it little by little and here is my progress so far.  A wire basket under the kitchen sink to hold dish towels and extra place mats.  This one was $8 bucks at Ross.  More kitchen organizing ideas click HERE.  I like keeping my dish towels close by so when I need it I can grab it. 

I added a foe wood basket in the pantry to hold the bulky random extras.  What's in there now?  Bag of potatoes, big bag of extra peanuts, an extra cereal box, extra cereal from the jumbo bag... you get the idea.

In the drawers I added these plastic clear and grey bins I got from Target for a dollar.  The drawer is just the right for the little one to be able to reach her plates and bowls because she is learning to get her own snacks and food. 

And the tall grey plastic bins holds Tupperware lids perfectly and one of them is holding the baby bottles for now. 

I got these blue plastic bins from the dollar store, 2 for a dollar.  They hold measuring spoons perfectly.  As you can see this drawer still needs more work.

The blue bins are also perfect for the bathroom drawers.  They long skinny ones hold nail polish and nail stuff.  The square ones hold my make up.  

The key to organizing and staying organized is making sure everything is easily accessible and easy to put back.  The last thing I want to be doing is digging in a drawer trying to find a clip for my hair. 

I've also picked up some canvas bins for inside our linen closets.  I saw these in Better Homes and Garden about a year ago and I have wanted them since.  I found them at Walmart for $8.  They are so new I haven't even labeled them yet.  I put a big one and a little one in the laundry room.  

They perfectly hold sheets.  

I only use fitted sheets so I fold that, and whatever pillow cases go with the set and put everything inside a pillow case.  It makes changing sheets easy since everything is in one place. 

I do the same for her the little lady's sheets.  The little bin holds her sheets, crib sheets, and pack and play sheets. 

The downstairs storage closet is housing all the baby's goods. A bin for extra blankets and swaddles.

A bin for extra burp cloths, extra diapers, and extra packs of wipes.  

I'm crazy in love with canvas bins right now... oh the possibilities! 

What organizing projects are you working on right now? 

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Travel Themed Baby Shower

While we were home in California over the holidays, my very talented sister and cousin Krista hosted this beautiful shower for us [yes a co-ed one].  A few months before they were asking what I wanted and we created THIS Pinterest board for inspiration that I can now share with all of you. All of the decorations came out so cute, the tables, and the food was yummy.  I wish I had taken more pictures of the little details, but I was able to snag some to share.  

Now before I get into the decor details we have to start with the invitations.  They were designed by MKKMDesigns.  Great design, the party package that came with all the graphics were reasonably priced, and from what I hear they offer a fast return.  And of course the actual invites were printed from Mpix.  I still love that they also print the design on the back. 

Now you would think with my love for parties that I wanted in on the fun, but I had no hand in this one.  The two ladies put it all together and I couldn't have asked for more.  They picked the perfect theme considering how much we travel and that we found out about our little man in Germany.  

So onto boasting about what an awesome job my hostesses did.  One of my favorite parts was the cake.  Isn't it so darling sitting on that gorgeous stand?

  

I have to say the cake and cupcakes were absolutely delicious.  I think I ate three cupcakes that day.  If you are wondering where they snagged all the stands and planes... they are from Home Good [but you didn't hear it from me].

My sister made these little airplane pops and had her boyfriend drill holes into the box to display them.  They used all those suitcases to give height and dimension to the table and desserts.  So clever! 

And cousin Krista made the initials, which I can't wait to put up in the nursery.  She covered wood letters with scrap book paper.  Love it!

That table was every kid's very place.  Not shy of a sweet treat to sneak while mom and dad aren't looking.

There was also popcorn for those who prefer something more salty.  Love the In Flight Snacks sign.  

On one of the walls there were poms and it was covered with cute post cards.

I wish I had a chance to get a picture of the actual table before people sat down but so sad I didn't.  Each table had a topiary, a wood plane, and little airplanes and clouds cut out with scrap book paper.  I wish I could show you it was just darling!!  Oh well I guess.  There was also a kids table covered in craft paper and topped with crayons.  

And what's a shower without games?!  We played a few but the hit was the bottle drinking race.  It's not that easy drinking out of those bottles! 

We were totally blessed and so grateful to everyone who came and showered us with gifts.  Can you tell I am ecstatic about all the boy stuff.  It's a nice change from all the pink and ribbons.  One of my favorite gifts was from cousin Krista who gave the kiddos matching shirts.  Too much cuteness! 

We are so thankful to these two hostesses and to all our family and friends who helped make this baby shower a big success. 

Now onto getting ready for little man to come!  Happy Thursday everyone.

It's Right Around the Corner

We have only been back from vacation for a week but for some reason I think all my to-do's and task should be checked off the to do list.  It just stresses me out.... and what's a healthier stress relief than a little online vent.  I think what is on my mind the most is that Baby Bear will be here in 9 weeks or less.  Woah!  My biggest fear right now is that he comes early and nothing is set up or ready for him.  So far, all I've managed to do is wash all his clothes and organize them in the drawer.

It's like that frantic "oh no people are coming to stay" feeling and the house is a mess, the bathrooms are not clean, and nothing is ready.  It's probably the nesting talking but I wish I could just set aside all my other responsibilities and focus on setting up the pack and play, crib, swing, boiling the pacifiers, bottles, setting up the diaper changing station downstairs and up, get the car seat cover washed, installed... as you can see there is a lot I still need to do. 

And did I mention I also have Valentines Day and my little lady's third birthday coming up too.  Blogging and crafting have sadly taken a back seat for awhile until I can get everything in order. [Taking a big deep breathe].  I guess I just need to keep reminding myself that we have only been back for a week and everything will get done.  And in all the madness there is one thing I do have to be thankful for and that's an awesome husband who is willing to move mountains to help me out and tries everything he can to sit me down to relax.  That man, he's amazing.

So here is to being almost 31 weeks and right around the corner from welcoming our newest addition!  Oddly I feel more confident this time around and now I would just like to add prepared to the mix of feelings.  

Hope you all are having a great start of the week unlike my crazy self.  

Happy Monday!

Influenster Jolly VoxBox

I know I completely went AWOL on all of you but we have been on vacation the last three weeks and I completely unplugged.  My pregnant self just couldn't handle yet another responsibility like blogging and updating with photos.  Phew it can be a lot of work.  We have been back since Sunday [we literally flew coast to coast] and I'll share more on our adventure later but for now I wanted to share about my Jolly VoxBox from Influenster. 

If you follow me on Instagram [@makeitcozeee] then you would see that I have been sharing my VoxBox and Influenster.  What is Influenster?  Well, anyone can join Influenster and if you are a social media butterfly you have a chance to test out and review free products!  It's a sweet deal. Influenster is a great place to learn about new products and read reviews on products you are considering purchasing.  

Now lets recap what was in the box.... First up is the new lip Lip Lacquer from Rimmel in Luna.  I don't know if it's the color that is throwing me off or the actual gloss but I didn't love it.  It was too sticky and kind of had a weird smell.  The color didn't last long and I needed to add gloss.  Didn't love it, probably wouldn't buy it. 

Next up is the NYC HD Color Trio Eye Shadow.  I love the color and I actually like this product.  I don't love it as much as the Elf shadows that are similar but the colors are pretty.  I do like the highlight color and use that everyday.  I would probably buy this.

This was a hit with the little lady....  Little Ducklings Mini Rolls.  Who knew duct tape could look so cute!  It definitely got me curious on other duct tape crafts so if I ever find time to do it I will.  This was the perfect distraction while traveling plus it's lightweight.  She created a "snowman" while we were at a restauran.  At the airport and on the airplane we made shapes and letters using the tape.  Was a hit would definitely buy.

I don't usually carry tissue with me so thank God for Puffs.  Hubby got a cold while we were in Florida so these were a life saver for him.  No kidding the softest tissues I've ever used.  I don't think I could buy the cheap stuff after this. 

Last but not least are the Skinny Cow Chocolates.  I love Skinny Cow Ice Cream sandwiches and I think they are totally worth the price but I am not convinced that these candies are worth it.  Maybe in a different flavor.  It took like three packs for me to sort of like them.  I would probably buy them for the little lady just because they aren't as sugary as the regular candies.  Just okay for me.  

Keeping my fingers crossed I get another chance to review more products.  And like I said anyone can join influenster so if you want free products go and sign up!

Happy Wednesday,