Friday, December 30, 2011

83 2011 Project Review and Some 2012 Goals!

Every year I like to reflect.  Take a look back at the year and say WAHOO, it was a GREAT year!  And... take a moment to look for any areas of opportunity and set some goals to make the next year even BETTER!

2011 was a really great year for us.  I got to be a stay at home mom and be extremely involved with the kids at home and at school.  We started rebuilding our lower level and even tore down a wall!  The hubs and I celebrated 10 years of marriage and renewed our vows.  I organized like crazy and was able to start blogging full time.  The blog had some incredible features, and ended up in a glossy mag!  Seriously, I feel blessed every single moment and think that 2011 was one of my favorite years EVER!

So, just like I did last year, I thought it would be fun to look back at my favorite projects from this year!

In January, I started out the year by looking at time management and shared a couple of things that work well for us.


I chatted about all of my favorite storage any why.


We tackled the paper monster: Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4, Step 5, Step 6 and Step 7.


In February, we worked hard on getting our photos organized: Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4 and I shared what camera and lenses I use.


And we took a little break from all of the photo organizing to make a quick DIY earring holder:


And we used a great blog tutorial to create our own inexpensive burst mirror which we still totally adore!


In March, we rocked out a Household Binder!  Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4, Step 5, Step 6, Step 7, Step 8, Step 9, Step 10, Step 11 and a wrap up post.


We made a major transformation to our living room and built in some bookcases!


We created a memo/menu chalk board out of an old cabinet door.


We also learned about the proper way to store our medication.


In April, I went through our home and purged like crazy in every room, to make some moola {I was able to pocket some for future projects and snag a flip cam!} and learned that we can really live with less.  Entry, Living Room, Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom.


In May, we spent the month making over the boys room.  We sold the bunk beds which funded the project, painted stripes, added a new light fixture, painted some old frames, and did some organizing projects which gave them a pretty fun space to call their own!




We even managed to redo their shared closet that month as well!


In June we started checking off a bunch of smaller projects off of the list.  We added a door to our bathroom cabinet.


We had a garage sale and sold a bunch of our purged items, said farewell to majority of the daycare toys and hauled the rest off to be donated.


The kid's even had fun with it at their lemonade stand.


We added some labeled baskets to our kitchen cabinets to corral some of the smaller items.


And took another stab at the spice cabinet.


I found some great cutlery caddies at Target which I decided needed to be transformed to organize more important things around our home.  Like art supplies:


Cleaning supplies:


And our projecting tools:


In July, we really got to town working on the lower level.  New floors were in which meant I could start painting and working my magic.  I started off in the laundry room by giving it a fresh coat of paint and adding some decorative corbels to the floating shelves we already had.


We tore down a wall in-between an unused sitting nook and walk-in closet in the master bedroom, to create a new giant dressing/exercise room!


A great blog friend came to visit and show me how to no sew some curtain panels!


We had finally finished up painting all of the trim and doors in the upper level and I shared the "how we did it" and before and afters.


Once the new walls were up in the dressing room, I got the crazy idea to stencil them!  And I LOVE how it turned out!


August, we turned out attention to getting amped up for the first day of school.  And made sure that we also soaked up all of the time we could outside before winter would come and take it all away!  That included going to the beach {and sharing how we organize those day trips}




We created a lunch basket to simplify the lunch making process a bit!




Changed my hair color {hey, that's a project right?}:


Snuck in a quick basement project and created a place for my sweater, camera bag and tote:


And also snuck away for a final summer vacation and shared how we stay sane in the car with three little monsters kids.


September was a whirlwind.  All sorts of goodness happened.  I created some inexpensive magazine files for my future studio.


I created my first VLOG {more to come in 2012, I promise!}:




With school in full swing, we established a morning routine for the kids.


The hubs and I took a day off to head to "Junk Bonanza" and find some great inspiration!


Used some pretty fabric to add some color to the laundry room:


And no sew curtain for our doorless under the stairs storage area:


Entryways can be hard to organize, especially when they basically don't exist because they are so small... I shared how we dealt with that!


Oh yeah, and I was on THE NATE BERKUS SHOW!  Just sayin', that was pretty neat!


And to top it all off, I gave the blog a major face lift!!


In October, I helped a pal organize her playroom:




And got to work organizing our insane stash of Legos!  We started out with build buckets for the boys:






November we decided to try and breath a bit.  We had giant plans to host guests for the holidays and switched our focus.

However, I did squeeze in some dressing room organizing!




And painted their rug with fun stripes{Which I later updated here since it was getting dirty in the high traffic areas}


For Thanksgiving, we DIY'ed some super simple and cheap dining table decor, like pine cone napkin rings:




December we switched gears to start focusing on Christmas!  We created a fun countdown which helped me slow down and focus on the holidays with the kids!








I even snuck in a minute to organize our linen closet.  Even with the hustle and bustle of holiday crafting and projects, I had to organize something!


And tweak some playroom artwork with pretty paper!


And can you believe that we even got to start building my dream studio desk?  Me either!


I even got to meet some lovely local ladies and I can't wait to do it again!


The icing on the cake was an awesome two page Cottages & Bungalows magazine spread!


Wow.  Now that was a fun trip down memory lane!  Did I crash your computers?  Maybe my blog?  I wonder if blogger will even allow me to post this?  Ooops.

Doing this made me realize a couple of things, and allow me to set some "goals" for an even better 2012!
  • Balance the "Big" and "Small" projects more.  This year we had a lot of ripple effect from the lower level flooding, which caused us to really continue to move things around and start rebuilding a second level of our home.  A lot of focus went into the larger projects {which is still all organizing related}, yet it seemed like last year I really focused on a lot of the smaller, quick and easy projects {which are my favorite}.  So, I would like to better balance the two.  Make sure that each month I am sharing the quick, fun and little things that can be done to be super organized, along with the bigger DIY projects that we also adore!
  • Balance my TIME better.  Ugh.  For someone who loves to organized, lacking in personal time management is about as bad as fingernails to chalkboard.  I have a hard time saying no.  With that, I take on more than I can possibly manage effectively.  Between style tiles, Etsy orders, projecting, blogging, emailing, facebooking, site updating, guest posting and contributing, picture editing and being that person called, "Mom" and "Wife" and "Friend" and keeping up our life and home.... I don't have two seconds left in my day.  And every one of those tasks is lacking in greatness since I am trying to do them all, yet I am only one person.  I think we put so much pressure on ourselves to be "Super Humans" and "Super Bloggers" and "Super Mom's" and I fall right into that trap.  This year, I am going to prioritize my time, my family's time and make some changes to how much I am taking on.  And yes, that means some of my services will probably get cut this year, or maybe I can find a way to expand and hire?  Only time will tell.
  • New projects!  My home has been the main attention of this blog for the last two plus years.  I still have a slew of organizing projects that I want to accomplish {the list is always changing and growing}, however, I am sure you and I can both agree that you don't want to spend the next year re-visiting previous projects and watching as I keep moving things around until I get it just right {although you will still see some of that I am sure}.  I am going to take a risk of putting my dream "out there" so this year I DO IT!  I want to start helping YOU!  Right now, my youngest is still home with me for a large part of the day, so I don't have a ton of capacity to get out and start organizing full time.  However {and this is just a thought}, I would love to pick a reader each month, to help FOR FREE in person, in exchange for sharing the process and before and afters right here on the blog.  That's about all I have figured out, and of course there are all sorts of fine print details that would have to be worked out, but it's in the planning phases and I think it could add a new variety to this blog that I am longing for!
  • More YOU!  Again, because I am trying to manage my time better, yet I also want to work with you more and keep expanding my shop {big dreams for this gal}, I need to think about how many projects and posts I run that are focused on the things we are doing here.  You all have endless talent, I have a slew of Reader Space submissions in the hopper to be featured and I want more!  I am thinking of keeping the Reader Spaces {before and after style features}, and adding more "Guest Posts" {tutorial "how to" simple project type features}.
  • Emails.  I have a confession.  I am an email hoarder and sure, I can organize a cabinet, drawer or even an entire room, but my inbox looks like it was hit by a hurricane, tornado and blizzard all at once.  It's ugly.  It has emails from two months ago that I know I still have to reply to and that eats at me every minute of the day.  The hard thing about running this incredible blog and having it grow beyond my wildest dreams, is that I get a lot of questions looking for organizing help.  A lot.  And the time I have to think up amazing solutions to each one just isn't there right now.  Again, it's on the list of priorities to manage better in 2012, however, I had an idea in the meantime.  I am going to be filtering through your organizing questions and dilemma's and start answering them via "IHeart Answering" posts on the blog.  You know, kill two birds with one stone kind of thing {Where did that awful saying come from anyway?  Who would ever want to hurt an innocent bird?}  I think that many of you have similar dilemmas and by answering the questions here, hopefully I am helping more than just one person.  {Of course, I will always check with you prior to publishing your question and photos}.  Unfortunately, this means at this time, that not all dilemma's can be answered {although I will do what I can to try}, but hopefully more will be addressed and more variety in my posting will happen which is a giant win for everyone.
So those are the main goals I have had swimming around in my brain.  I will also always be looking at ways to make other blog enhancements throughout the year as well, such as better navigation, fixing glitches {maybe even switching away from blogger if I can figure that one out}, adding videos, etc... so stay tuned for a fun and fresh 2012!!

What "goals" do you have for 2012?  How do you go about sticking to them throughout the year?

Happy new year to you all.  I wish you the most fabulous and fun and safe holiday weekend!  I honestly get chills and tears looking back at this year and thinking about the growth that has taken place here, and how much I appreciate every email, comment, virtual hug and picture you "pin".  The support I receive here is far greater than I ever could have imagined and you all rock my world.  IHeart you!

83 comments:

  1. My gosh...everything you do is gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration.

    ❤Jodi from...
    ★★The Clutter-Free Classroom★★
    Helping Teachers Get Organized

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  2. If you ever need to help someone via skype from afar... haha just holla at me girly! <3 Love all your AMAZING projects this year and so happy to have been a bloggy follower and friend of yours for these past 2 years. You're the best!

    Wishing you and the fam a happy and healthy new year!!!!! <3

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas and Crayons

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  3. Oh, my goodness, Jen! I am exhausted and inspired looking back at all of that. You are amazing. I adore each space you have created for your family. And wonderful goals . . I am an email hoarder as well. Shh. don't tell. Happy New Year!

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  4. What an amazing year! I am a huge fan of your blog and I love how pretty your end results turn out.

    I am hosting my first ever year-in-review link party and I would be honored if you would link up! http://theterpblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-looking-back.html

    Thanks!

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  5. Jen, that is amazing! What a year! Here's to a wonderful 2012 for you and your family!

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  6. Gosh Jen! I'm exhausted just reading all of that but I remember every single one of those posts and I'm so glad I was along for the ride. I bet you sleep well at night? Don't worry about us. You do what you need to and I'll be more than happy with whatever blogging time you have. You're always a joy to read. Happy New Year Jen!

    Anne @ Domesblissity xx

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  7. What a great idea to help your readers in person! I assume you want to stay within a certain area? All your new ideas sound so exciting, I can't wait to see all you are going to do with your blog in 2012!

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  8. One question.... Will you travel to help others organize?!!! I know the realistic answer...probably not, at least not as far as you'd have to travel to help me but I'm in the south and it's warmer here now than it is there now! LOL I have 3 kiddos ages 5 and under so I glean a lot from your blog! Love every bit of the inspiration and hope to learn more in 2012! Thanks for all you do!

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  9. I've been following your blog for awhile now and I'm one of those who could desperately use your help organizing and don't mind one bit if your feature the "before" and "afters" of my crazy space here!

    Just know that whenever you formally offer that service up, I'll be first in line. :) Happy New Year!

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  10. I cannot wait to follow your journey on time management. That is something I think I do well, however it does mean that things get neglected because I put myself and sleep first and sometimes I just make the house stop mid chaos and it isn't pretty.

    http://www.imamomtoo.blogspot.com

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  11. LOL, I'm glad you did this review! I could swear I've been following you for what seems like forever! I enjoy reading and re-reading your blog posts! Thanks for sharing and inspiring!

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  12. wow...that was really inspiring! thank you.
    2o11 was a year of great changes for me too. and its also one of my favourite years ever!! :) still thinking about next year's "goals" ...

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  13. Have just read about ten of those links, have only been reading your blog a few months and have missed a lot of those posts. You have done a LOT! Can't wait to see what you do in 2012!

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  14. my goal is to keep reading and getting even more ideas on how to organize our home! thanks for sharing and inspiring. happy new year!

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  15. Great post!!! I was wondering I also have a Canon and I wanted to know what photo editing do you use? I am looking for a good easy one.

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  16. Hi, Thanks for a great year of inspiration and wonderful organisational ideas – I’ve learnt so much. I did a year in review at NZ Ecochick and would love it if you would link up some of these fantastic posts. Have a wonderful new year. M xx

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  17. A great summary of your years work! I enjoyed the video blog, also you look comepletely different with different hair colour? Both look great! Your home office looks so great. I'm very inspired to get working on our storage cupboard. I'm from a medical family so it was great that you shared about storing medicines! A very valuable post...reminded me to check I had ours stored safely! Thanks :O)

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  18. Yeah...I love this post. I reminded me of the things I want to do that you posted about. You are an amazing organizer and I love how much you share with us and how much time to take to help us become more organized too. I need to sit down and make some goals as well. Thanks again for all that you do and I hope 2012 brings you much joy and organization :)

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  19. WOW Jen!! I think you accomplish more in a year than most of us do in a lifetime! :) You are amazing. Your blog is amazing. And I can't wait to see more in 2012!! Here's to our love of organizing and here's to you!!

    Happy New Year Jen!

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  20. What a year Jen! It was so good to see you positively moving forward this year after your flood last year. You have provided us with so much inspiration and ideas to keep us all going for a while! Can't wait to see what happens in 2012 on here! My favourite project from this year would have to be the built in book cases in your living room. I loved how they turned out. Happy New year to you and your family.

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  21. Isn't it wonderful to look back over the year and see ALL that you accomplished? Everything in your home is so beautiful and you have such great energy. We all look forward to seeing what the New Year brings. I hope it brings you as much inspiration as you've brought us.

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  22. I am blushing over here! Thank you all for your sweetness!

    @Robin, I would LOVE to travel to help you! In a dream world I would do it, just not sure how to how to swing the cost of traveling the U.S. in the real world! :)

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  23. Jen I enjoyed drooling and ooh'ing and aahh'ing over all you did in 2011. Everything you touch turns out so beautiful!
    My 2012 goals are to clean and organize our basement, decide on some storage for our bathroom and keep what I have organized, organized. :)
    Any chance you are going to do another household binder for 2012? I found your blog late and missed out on all the goodies.
    Thanks for all your inspiration. Happy New Year!

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  24. Well if you do decide to travel, I'm another one who could us ya!! Love your blog, thanks for all the great ideas and can't wait to see what you have planned for next year!

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  25. Oh, please come and organize any room in my house! I would love for you to. I try so hard to be organized and it just doesn't happen. I love your blog and I am always looking for good organizing tips!

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  26. Thanks for the recap! I just started following you in late September, and yours is one of my FAVORITE blogs! I am a new organizational blogger and I'd love to take my blog to the next level in the next year, but I also posted today about some general goals for 2012:
    http://blog.customexcelspreadsheets.com/2011/12/2012-resolutions.html
    Happy New Year!!
    Julie

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  27. Your blog is amazing. I look forward to browsing through all the past posts as I just discovered it today. I can't believe how much you accomplish in a year's time.

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  28. What an awesome year! Thanks for this post. Super excited to see what 2012 brings for you and your blog/business.

    I want to finish our kitchen workspace, create a kids cozy nook area, put the last touches on my girls' bedroom, and redo our guest bath. Oh, and find a few more areas in my life to simplify. ; )

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  29. Every time I read your blog, I leave the computer and go do one small thing around the house! I teach and don't have a lot of time or energy when I get home from school, so you are SUPER motivational to me. Right now, I need help changing up a room to be a home office/exercise room so I don't have my school work all over the place. I'm going to go purge one shelf right now!

    Pitner's Potpourri

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  30. Is there anything you cannot do, or did NOT do in 2012? My goodness! I feel lazy! :) This is a wonderful post, and it gives me OODLES of ideas for my own personal 2012 goals! I'm bookmarking this so I can have some reference for the year. It would probably take me 5 years to complete all you did this year. GO YOU! I love this blog. Have I already said that before? hahaha! It's wonderful, and I am soooo addicted :) Your blog is like pinterest for bloggers :)

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  31. I am excited to see what is to come in 2012! My main goal is to be more organized. As a mommy of a 2 year old, full time college student (18 credit hours what in the world was I thinking?) and my husband working 30 days at a time away from us I need all the help I can get getting Organized and staying on top of my house work and your blog has inspired me to do just that!

    Doing consultations via Skype or another form of communication possible for the upcoming year? I Would LOVE that as Wyoming is a little far from WI and plane tickets are so expensive :)

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  32. Wow I am tired just reading all that you have done this year!! Can't wait to see what you do in 2012!
    Happy New Year
    Linda

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  33. You are my new best friend!!!! ok doing a New Years promise to my family-get rid of Crap!You have super cute smart ideas!

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  34. I think you have some good goals set! I love your blog and can't wait to read more in 2012!

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  35. I loved the synopsis of your year. I have decided to set one organizing goal per month for the upcoming year thanks to all of our projects. I'm a middle school algebra teacher, so I'd rather spend my free time with ny daughter and hubby. This will force me to get a job done but give me the time I need! As I was reading (and sharing pics with hubby, especially the shoe organizer), I was saying that I wanted you to come and organize/decorate my house! We just downsized to a townhouse for a few years and are struggling to find places for toys/crafts/scrap booking/cooking/lesson planning etc. And that's just my stuff! Not to mention all of the hubby's activities and interests ;). Thank you for the inspiration!

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  36. Wow!! You had one accomplished 2011!! So much fun:) I love reading your blog everyday! The other day, I think Wednesday, I was watching the Nate Berkus Show that you were on. When it first started I was thinking to myself Jen would love this show and my jaw dropped when I saw you on the end of the show! I am sure that was so exciting and you are adorable!! I hope the best for you in 2012 and can't wait to see what all you have in store for your blog! I love all of your organizing ideas and I get so much inspiration from you and your featured readers spaces!

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  37. I love, love, love your blog, Jen. I read it daily. It's the highlight of my day. You have inspired me so much. I have gone crazy organizing and I have so much more to do. I want my house to look just like yours! Thanks, Jen!

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  38. Wow! So many awesome projects in one year! I noticed you moved your leather couch back down to the basement? Does that mean you're working on redoing the living room area down there too? Can't wait to see pics!
    Also-maybe you should hire a secretary if anything. They can help answer emails, schedule organizing jobs, and i guess just help you organize your job as an organizer ;) maybe that will help the craziness of everything you're involved in! good luck :)

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  39. You are sooo inspiring. Just reading your blog for the last few months has made me start thinking about blogging and I love to organize and LOVE LOVE LOVE your ideas! I only live 20 minutes away from the town you live in...I would just DIE to have you come help me organize!!! I have actually been cleaning, organizing and getting RID of stuff we don't need for the past two days! It feels so good, but oh so tiring! Have a wonderful New Years!

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  40. You have had a busy year. I still think my highlight of your year is your laundry. It's drool-worthy.

    Here's to a very Happy and productive 2012!

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  41. Loved reading the "year in summary" - can't wait to read the details for each project - since I'm a new follower... your work is inspiring!
    family organization = mission 2012! :)
    ~Jennifer

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  42. You're gorgeously organized, my dear lady! Whoa! I so admire you for it!

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  43. Just recently found your blog and I am in love! So many amazing ideas and projects, can't wait to follow along in 2012.

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  44. Are you really a mortal being? Or an alien goddess from a more advanced civilization????? Love, love, love this. (And I feel like some miniscule earthling of a wife and mom compared to you.) Happy New Year ;-)

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  45. Wow, you did have a great year! I also had a wonderful year following your blog with all your inspiration and ideas. My new years goal is to scrap more. One way to keep motivated is by having 30 day scrap challanges with my girlfriend. We then we text eachother our pages! Lol. when we met I mentioned the scrapbox, if u havnt already, check it out, you will fall in love! Google theoriginalscrapbox.com. Have a happy new years!

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  46. You are an amazing inspiration... I'm looking at it but I still don't get how you do it all!!!! Maybe I need a personal trainer for organizing! :)

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  47. I love reading you blog and getting so many great ideas. Thank you for sharing!! Asprevious readers said, you are an inspiration! I hope 2012 brings you joy and happiness ♥

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  48. What a great re-cap post! Loved going through it all again. :) Can't wait to see what you do in 2012!

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  49. What an amazing year you have had! Congratulations on all of the accomplishments and on the resolutions you are bringing into 2012.

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  50. Hi Jen! My name is Rachel and I live in Australia. I came across your blog about a month ago and have been hooked ever since. I have been inspired to completely reorganize my linen press with labels, set up a household binder using some of your free printables, create a filing system for my daughters schoolwork, clean a craft clutter zone that has haunted me for months and make a cute chalkboard using an old frame and some photos. Every time my husband compliments my clutter busting I say, 'you can thank i heart organizing for that one sweetie!' lol I have always had an organising streak but I have been on turbo charge since finding your blog. I love your organising methods and home decor and your latest desk project got me thinking about how to redo my family area with a shelved tv unit. I snagged  some ikea shelves and have created a little tv area I would never have thought up myself! I'm tickled pink that someone across the world could make such an impact on my daily homemaking! Thanks so much for your great ideas. Looking forward to more inspiration in 2012!
    Thanks from Rachel xox

    P.s I heart-ed your laundry rug so much that I ordered one for myself! Imagine my delight when I saw that urban outfitters shipped all the way to Australia! I plan to hang it on my wall for a bright focal point! 

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  51. Thanks for all your great advice! I think your first link for the Home Management binder leads to your guest room renovation :) oops!

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  52. Sure wish I lived near you to become one of your "projects". I face a lot of changes in January. I retire after 22 years of working. Then hubby and I move off to North Carolina. It's an exciting move because I am buying all new appliances and lots of new furniture for the house and because we will be living 15 minutes away from our 3 grandsons - the hearts of our hearts. As exciting as all of this is, I do face a big challenge. We are downsizing and I don't know how to begin to organize in a small space as I've always had room to spare. Letting go of some of my dishes and Knicks-knacks will be difficult for me. The biggest challenge however will be making space for 3 busy boys in the tiny rooms.

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  53. Thank you for this post! Since I just started following your blog a couple of months ago I missed many of these posts. I like that I can now look back to see what I missed. As for resolutions, I have a few. I actually wrote a post on my blog about them. One of the many is to get my apartment organized. Although it is just my husband and I living here, things can get a little out of hand. Your blog actually inspired that resolution! :) Happy New Year!

    http://glassslippersandcombatboots.blogspot.com/

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  54. Wow! What a super-duper year you've had of great projects! My New Years resolution is to get more organized so I'll be back often. :) Keep up the good work! xoxo

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  55. I can't believe it has been a year since I found your bog... I have loved spending 2011 with you as you organized and offered us so many great challenges and great tips for our homes. I made over my sons closet after begin inspired by your post on the same thing and have it on my list for 2012 to tackle our Lego storage. I struggle with our bonus room (which is huge) but is the play room, home school room and my father in laws closet... oh how I miss having that double wide closet for storage! This year I woudl like to make the transition in that room to more of a big boy game room instead of toy room... big goal!
    I look forward to more inspiration form you and seeing how your projects turn out as well! Happy New Year Jen!

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  56. Hi Jen, LOVED this post. Thanks so much for sharing and for the inspiration!!! I contacted you a while ago asking about the school box project. You were so kind to edit the labels to include preschool. I'm the one who lost my son, Matthew at 13yrs old. I've been slowly organizing his school memories. It makes me so happy and uplifted using your printables!!!!!! Thanks so much! I wanted to ask you if you would be willing to include the photo case labels in your shop? I am ready to tackle the photographs this year. I think it would help me to have the labels. They are so cheerful and have great energy! :) Please let me know if you decide to sell this template! Love,Richelle

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  57. Hi Jen, i discovered your blog just this summer and have loved every minute of it. You are so creative and encouraging. You (and my hubby) inspired me to start blogging about my home projects as a renter. Thanks for your openness on blogging's ups and downs. Looking forward to next year....wish I lived nearby.

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  58. WOW! Sigh...oh how I wish I was wired like you. My brain just doesn't work that way. I crave organization but can't always get it together or know where to begin. {which is why I love your site!} I usually "look" organized because I consider myself sort of a surface clean person. But don't open a drawer, cabinet or closet. That's my problem. I want the INSIDES to look good as well. Maybe I can get it together this year. I need to purge like crazy! Thank you for all your hard work and beautiful photography you share with us. :D

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  59. Wow Jen, you hit the nail right on the head, in so many ways in this post. Today I posted about my goals and balance is a big one. I too need to learn to balance my Me/blog time and learn to organise my emails better. I was determined to start 2012 with an empty inbox, I'm not quite there but close enough to be happy. Happy New Year lovely, wishing you happiness and love all year through.

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  60. Thank you so much for linking this fantastic post to NZ Ecochick. I look forward to more crafts and big and small projects next year too. I always look forward to your posts. All the best M xx

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  61. LOVE your blog. I have been following for over a year, and I love all of your projects. Im switching to self hosted WP from blogger, it really is better especially for a blog of your size. :)

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  62. Oh my god, so many interesting concepts, ideas and innovative solutions. It is quite facinating to read since I too want to be a designer of some sort and this is a real good source of inspiration!

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  63. omg... please expand to organizing services to OS readers! I'm in Australia and am so inspired by your blog but would love to have help from the mistress of organizing, YOU!

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  64. I saw a photo of us in your college years collection (love the organizing of the photos idea!) and it made me grin! I love how much you have motivated me to get organized-- I look forward to lots more motivation with our big move this year!

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  65. LOVE your blog.

    I also have a blog dedicated to Home Decor.Organizing.DIY and more I hope you will stop by to check it out
    http://barnyardchic.blogspot.com/

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  66. Holy crow you were busy! I can't believe I missed some of these?!?!?! I just added you to my blogroll, which is what I actually use as my Reader...no more missed posts for me!

    Happy 2012 girlie!!

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  67. Can't wait to read more of your posts. I am already following many of your ideas and can see my clutter visibly reducing. Plan to keep up the same in the new year.
    Am especially happy about the Q&A bit.
    Cheers for a promising new year!

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  68. I am a new reader to your blog but just wanted to stop by and say how much I love it! I love organizing and love getting new ideas, your blog is awesome! :)

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  69. Thats cool, I just did a post on organizing, probably doesn't compare...but either way you did a great job. www.knowandtellcrafts.blogspot.com

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  70. Wowza!!!

    You've accomplished SO much, & with such flair and functionality too!

    Let me know if you ever want to talk balance together sometime - I'd love to bounce ideas/solutions around with a fellow mama/blogger/organizing professional! :)

    Cheers!
    ~H

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  71. Hi Jen! My 21 year old daughter, who LOVES to organize, (thus keeping me sane!)found your blog. She noticed that you are the proud owner of a SweetSeat. Tracy is a personal friend of ours and some of my daughters have helped in the manufacture of the chairs. Just wanted to share this, and I'm letting Tracy know about you (unless she is already aware! God bless!

    Pam Marshall

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  72. Where did you get the basket you have on the bottom of your glass coffee table in your living room? I have that same coffee table (from Wal-Mart online I believe). Thanks!

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  73. @Anonymous,

    It's a Pottery Barn find, however, I found it when I had a $25 off $50 coupon so it made it a little easier to afford. It is pretty fantastic and fits that lower level of the table wonderfully!!

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  74. Holy organization! I am in total awe. I wish I could have you as my next door neighbor to call for help whenever I needed it! It amazes me how some people are just so skilled at this... it's something that I just don't have an eye for but soooo want to. Man I wish I had your skills. You are amazing!!!

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  75. I love your blog - just found it and already addicted!

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  76. I have been following you since I seen the Nate Berkus episode. I too am now addicted. I can't wait to get my house back in order. I recently quit my job to become a stay at home mom of three beautiful children. I need lots of help. Thank you so much. I can't wait to get started with your help of course.

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  77. Holy organizing, Batman! This is the first time I've visited your blog, and you are my new hero!!! Wanna come organize my house =)

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  78. You are so inspiring. I have so many ideas and don't know where to start. I can't believe how much you have accomplished in a year. Congrats! I too am from Wisconsin, southeast to be exact. I would love for you to pick me to HELP me in a space. Can't wait to go shopping tomorrow to start my organizing. Thank you for the ideas.

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  79. I know this is an old entry but I love that I've been learning so much from you! Not everything currently applies to me but at least now I know where I can go for ideas. Thank you so much!

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  80. where did you get the boys original bunkbed? that is exactly what i have in mind for my boys, and then some
    thanks jen!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Angela!

      They were originally from the Ashley Furniture Homestore.

      xo!
      Jen

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  81. I started following you last year, just about the time I started posting on Pinterest. I love looking back at all you've done, and I'm inspired to keep at it!

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