10 Spring Cleaning Survey Results

Helloooo everybody! I want to start out by giving many, many thanks to every last one of you who took the time to answer a few spring cleaning specific questions in my survey last week!

I have to admit, I was a bit surprised by some of the results. It was really helpful and informative for me to learn more about what Spring Cleaning means to you, and how you approach it each year. And I especially enjoyed reading through all of your comments and questions! I learned that basically you all just want me to tell you what to do. #ikid #sortof

But first....

Part of me wanted to wait for three more responses... But do you see that number?! 1,597 responses is AH-MAZING!

Without further adieu, here are the results of the six general questions.

I love this result! Over 80% of you spring clean! Extra daylight and warmer weather generally encourages people to naturally open windows, purge a closet, grab a mop and prep the home for the upcoming spring and summer months.

I was most surprised by these results. I mean, I do write an organizing blog so I guess I should have assumed that most of my readers use spring as a prime time to dig into a few problematic clutter spots. But I guess I just thought most people cleaned or focussed on home maintenance items this time of the year. This was really eye opening and of course, I LOVE this!

This one makes sense, and I think I fall into the popular vote as well. 38.8% of you spring clean as needed, and it looks like many of you also work on it over the course of two months.

Another shocker, the bedroom and living spaces are your top areas of focus this time of year. Closets and drawers are right up there as well. This really is a wonderful time to declutter clothing closets and drawers as you transition your wardrobes for spring and summer temps. Because we haven't seen our yard for about five months, we are really looking forward to doing a few outdoor chores.

Now that we know where you focus and how much time you invest, it was fun to see that you go after those areas with a list and a plan, but also as your time permits (vs. scheduling the time in advance).

This one excited me SO much! 30% of you are interested in learning how to make your own cleaners, and 25% of you already are! That is over half! There are so many benefits to homemade cleaners, some being:

• You know 100% of the ingredients being sprayed on your counters, floors, and windows
• You save money
• You aren't exposing yourself or your family to harmful chemicals 
• You are reducing wasteful packaging

I have gone through a lot of trials in this department, and at one time was ready to give up on it because some of the recipes were just too complex. I now try to have a 2-3 ingredient maximum and still achieve wonderful results. 

The most helpful, beneficial and fun part of the survey was the area for you to share general comments in regards to what specifically you would like to learn more about. There were quite a few themes that I recognized as I read through the abundant amount of responses, so I categorized them the best I could to create a visual summary. 

The overwhelming response was that printables are a helpful tool, especially if I can offer specific cleaning plans, calendars, checklists, etc... Many of you expressed the want to squash that overwhelming feeling and also want to be sure that you are tackling areas that are often times overlooked and forgotten. Another common theme is that you all are looking for tips for being efficient with time, quick hacks and ways to get the kiddos involved. A few would like help with specific cleaning tasks and rooms and even with decluttering/purging. And finally, many of you asked how to make it more fun and enjoyable. I think if I can figure that out, I will be the smartest, wealthiest gal on the planet. But that doesn't mean I am not going to try, I hope to at least come up with a few ways to make it a little less painful.

Thank you again to all of you that took the time to share your excitement, questions, and answers. I am more motivated than ever to bring some new cleaning content to the site, as well as a few helpful printables. This kind of thing (both surveys and cleaning chit chat) is what fuels my fire! Spring cleaning, here we come!

15 Let's Chat: Spring Cleaning!

Cleaning. I know, I know! Some of you are like me and actually enjoy it, and the other 98% of you would rather be doing anything else. I get a lot of feedback that cleaning is always a good topic. Tips, tricks, tools, even just seeing me clean or showing a clean space is enough to motivate some of you. I get it! I find my motivation to be visual as well! And I really want to put together a few cleaning specific posts because do you know what time of the year it is? SPRING CLEANING TIME!

And it got me thinking. What does "Spring Cleaning" mean to you?

As I was putting together ideas for upcoming cleaning posts, I realized it most likely means something different to everyone! In fact, for me it can mean something entirely different each year. 

At the same time, there are a few things I find myself doing every year around the months of March and April. Sorting papers (thanks to taxes), swapping out winter gear and linens for spring items, cleaning the yard... 

I find if we are really good about keeping up on our weekly and monthly cleaning tasks all year long, then I don't have a lot of extra cleaning to do in the spring. It allows for me to dive deeper into those odd cleaning jobs or forgotten nooks and crannies. But as ideal as that is, that isn't always the case.

But enough about me. I still plan to share some of my favorite tips and tricks and tools, but before I start putting together too many posts on the subject, I wanted to hear from you!

( you may need to scroll down to see and answer all of the questions )

Thank you so much for taking a couple of minutes to fill out the survey above! It will definitely lend me a helping hand as I put together some cleaning content over the next couple of days and weeks. I will also be sure to share the results with you all as we kick off the cleaning posts.

On another note, we are completely snow-less as I type this! And the sun is also trying really hard to make an appearance today. Weather is Wisconsin is always weird this time of year, you really never know what to expect. But it really does play into what we can do and when, and no snow is a huge indicator for me to get out those cleaning gloves asap!

I love to talk about all things cleaning and when I share with you, you tend to teach me something new as well. Feel free to add additional survey thoughts below, or just any general Spring Cleaning chit-chat!

156 The Great Dresser Debate

I made some super budget friendly thrift finds for the future studio this weekend!  I am so giddy excited I couldn't wait to show you!

This dresser was a great score on Craigslist for $40!

Aside from a small blemish on the top, it has great details and is a solid piece of furniture!  I am planning on using the dresser for mega amounts of concealed storage.  Everything from Silhouette vinyl to scrapbook supplies to printing paper!

And this giant ornate frame from Salvation Army... wait for it... $10!!!

I think I am most excited about this find.  It reminds me of the frames shown in yesterday's Labor Day organizing post from Ballard Designs, but without the $300 price tag!  Yip to the yay my friends; I am feeling some greatness in my near future!

Not seeing it?  Paint aplenty will be happening very soon.  The frame is getting sprayed white and some pretty colorful fabric will be added inside for a pin board.  The dresser... that's where I need your help!  {here is a reminder of the wall color and some room progress so far}:

I was instinctively going to paint it out white.  Then, maybe spray the drawer pulls a fun color to bring in more dimension to the future space.  However, the more I thought about it, white bulletin board frame, white future desk built in, white white white....

White never fails though, it's safe and I know I would love it and be able to bring color into the space in so many other ways, like a great rug, lighting, accessories, etc... Here are a couple of inspirational white dressers to keep me on the white train:

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

But to push my comfort zone and do something a little CRAZY, what about yellow?!

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

I kind of love!  And gray blue paired with yellow?  Does it get any more fun than that?!

Then again, there is always turquoise and pink to consider too?

{1, 2}

What's a girl to do?

I need your help!  I want to get started on it this week, but I thought you could help me decide one way or the other which would be the best choice.  Because right now I am totally split 50/50 on white and yellow decision!

101 You Asked: Can We Ask?

You guys are so smart.  Tell you something you didn't know right? 

Laura wrote:

"Hey Jen!  How about a Q&A video?  Thoughts?"


My response?
"That would be F U N!  Great idea!!"


So I decided that next week, I will hold my very first video Q&A on the blog!!

Are you so excited?  I know I am!  I can't figure out why I hadn't thought of this sooner.  Another example of why I need you and love you.


So what would you like to know?  Feel free to leave a comment on this blog post with your question and I will pick my favs and consistent themes to chat about in the video!  The best part is that it can be anything blog related or not!  Time to get personal with the author of IHeart Organizing!

I will compile the questions and create the video this coming weekend and debut it one day next week!! 

So leave your questions and stay tuned...

76 Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

It's time.

Time for this blog to head towards some changes.  Some updates.  Some freshening.

Over the next couple of months you will notice that IHeart Organizing is getting a facelift!!! 

I figure, an organizing blog should be, well, ORGANIZED!  And it is fairly organized, however, it could be better.  And there are many areas that need some major updating and maintenance.  And just like I get excited to tackle a room or cabinet in my house, I CAN'T WAIT to get started on this blog, which is like a second home to me!


New Header/Logo?  Probably.  New colors?  Some.  New writer?  No way, come on peeps!

Here is what I am thinking, the categories, need major fixing.  There are too many, time to streamline those a bit.  I would love to do a better project gallery and more before and afters.  I have plans to make it easier to contact me and find me through social networks.  Like Twitter.  Yes, I joined Twitter.  Now, I just need to figure out how to use it... and to update and post more often!  I would like more consistent topic posts.  I like that I post reader spaces on Wednesdays, and giveaways on Tuesdays.  But I would like more consistency in other topics, like, "You Asked" and "Items IHeart" and "Got 15?"

I no longer want to run a separate blog for our family.  I don't update it enough because I update this one more.  So, because a lot of my friends and family read this blog, I will introduce some more family.  But not too much, not overkill.  Just enough.  I love to read other blogs in which I can get to know their families a bit as well, because it ties into their projects and their passion and drives what they do.  I am no different.  I organize based on the needs of our family and our lifestyle.  I will plan to categorize my family posts so you can choose to love us, or skip over us, it's totally up to you!  But I promise, they are a pretty fantastic clan worth knowing!

I need a tagline.  Who wants to come up with one for me??  I can't pay you to do it, other than by giving you oodles of virtual hugs.

My sponsors mean the world to me and this blog.  They are allowing me to run a full time blog.  There is no way for me to thank them enough for that.  They will continue to get an amazing shout out post which is great for you as well since we sneak in some discounts and there is always endless amounts of eye candy!

Real time blogging?  I love it.  It helps me finish a project all the way through {or I should say, the hubs since we like to call him Mr. 90%}  It shows that we do sometimes take on too much, or work on a project when we have another going on.  More importantly, it shows why we are working on what we are, and why we are organizing the way we are... and yes, we do get messy, I must show you more of that!

More you.  I love reader spaces.  I find so much inspiration from you.  I love that you take ideas you see here and run with them.  I love that you share your ideas with me and the readers.  I love it all.  And I love to do link parties to see what all you are up too and to be in awe of all of your ideas and talent.  I would love to begin to have more formal link parties.  Maybe one for re-purposing an item in your home to organize?  Like a monthly challenge?

More me.  How cool would it be to see more of me within my posts?  I love when I see the blogger actually in the process of doing something.  Makes it feel more "real".  Tripod maybe?  Not sure how I will be pulling this off.... lol

My Services!  I can't wait to begin expanding my printables shop.  It's truly my dream.  And I have busy working on Style Tiles for a few of you, so maybe a Style Tile gallery?  More writeups on the dilemma's and my solutions?

More freebies?  Absolutely.  That really needs to be happening more frequently!

Videos?  So now that I have this handy little flip cam, I think I need to use it.  Yes?  Light-bulb!  I have an idea for a post next week!

This is where I need your help.  I wouldn't be here without you.  This is YOUR blog too!  You keep this blog alive.  IHeart you and I want to keep you around for awhile!  A long while!  And I always take your opinions and thoughts very personally and consider each and every thing you mention.

So be honest.  And feel free to post anonymously if that's easier for you.  This blog is being updated soon so please make sure to input your thoughts to have a positive impact on the ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

1.  What do you love?  What don't you love?

2.  Link Parties?  Love em?  More of them?  What are good link party topics?  How many is too many?

3.  IHeart Organizing Tag Line anyone? PLEASE, I am begging you!  My creative brain has left the building.

4.  What topics would you like to see addressed on a regular basis?  {hot storage pieces?  quick organizing projects?  store crashing for organizing goods?  inspiration posts?  etc...}

5.  Better site navigation.  What would make it easier for you to pop around IHeart Organizing?

6.  Anything else you want to add? 

Thanks in advance for taking a moment to comment.  I am excited for the future of the blog!!

54 All I Want For Christmas Is You!

Go ahead, take a moment to belt out the words to some Mariah Carey... it's OK, I am doing it too!

She says it perfectly, "All I want for Christmas is you!"  Really, I just want you to enjoy hanging out with me, here on this lil ol blog.  And that's why I have an itty bitty favor to ask....

What's in it for you?  Why another freebie of course!  Deal?

My blog brain is always racing, and I really started to wonder some questions about my fantastic clan of readers.  So, I would be forever grateful if you would take a moment to read through the questions, and leave a comment, answering one, some or all of the inquiries I have.  By you doing this, I am hoping that I can really gain an understanding of why you are here today, and what I can do to keep you coming back for more!  Win win!

Ok, here we go.

Question #1:   What are your "must" read blogs, and why?  {don't worry, I won't be offended if I don't top your list, I am still a blogger newbie with oodles to learn!}  What is the most important thing you look for in a blog?  What are your favorite blog topics?  {sorry, I guess that is like three questions in one...}


Question #2:  What is currently your biggest organizing dilemma?  What type of advice are you patiently waiting for?

Question #3:  Why do you visit IHeart Organizing?  What is bringing you back each day?

Question #4:  What is missing from IHeart Organizing that you would like to see more of?


Question #5:  What is something that made you laugh recently?  Just because I wanna know!


That's it.  Painless right?  I would be forever grateful if you would just take an extra second out of your busy day to leave some words for me.  And feel free to comment Anonymously if you would like.  I won't mind.  It's all for the sake of this blog.  Because IHeart this blog, and IHeart you.

Now, here is your freebie... Holiday Address Labels!  Enjoy!

{click here to download your FREE copy of the Holiday Address Labels}

Just click the "Download" link above and update your information in Microsoft Word {they are formatted to fit Avery Template 5160}.

Happy Holidays my blog peeps!

13 Shower Curtain Call!

I love my kids. I love them more than anything.  I would do anything for my kids.  They are magical.  They are kind.  They are caring.  Their smiles make everything good.  Their big blue eyes make it hard to ever tell them no.  Their hearts are made of gold.  I love my kids.

My kids are also curious.  They love to get into anything and everything, and keeping up behind them is definitely a full time job.  Oh, and our house doesn't stand a chance.  Not one chance of surviving these three boys.javascript:void(0)... in fact, just yesterday, my youngest {for the 7th time now} decided to take his marker from his paper to the carpet in a matter of .02 nanoseconds.  Oh yes, we are heavily stocked on carpet cleaner and drywall mud.

Where am I going with this?  Let's just say that one of my sweet little P's had a not so sweet little incident with our main bathroom's shower curtain.  And that incident caused the shower curtain to be rushed to the washing machine and run on a very sanitary cycle, without more than a second to think about what was going on.  And then, without any knowledge of the situation, an innocent husband who was just trying to be helpful, transfers that shower curtain to the dryer.  And runs it on high.  Goodbye shower curtain.  You were loved.

Enter the need to find a new shower curtain.  In very un-like me fashion, I decided to begin searching for an easy out option, one that already matches my current decor and color scheme, vs. finding one that I love and re-doing the entire bathroom to accommodate the new curtain choice.  What I thought was the easiest option, is not.  Turns out not a lot of shower curtains are made to match Behr's Grape Leaves green and Behr's Navajo White paint colors.

So, from the comfort of my couch and after hours of online browsing, a couple showed up at my front door for me to compare.  But this task isn't one I am taking lightly.

Which is why I need you.  I need you like I need my morning coffee.  Like I need my daily vitamin.  Like I need daily mental sanity checks.  I need your decision making capabilities because I officially have exhausted mine {at least for today}.  I like all of the shower curtains that arrived, for different reasons, and at the same time, I don't know that I really heart any of them enough to say, that's the one.

So here they are, in no particular order.  Please pay close attention, because I am hoping you are going to vote on the end all be all new Jones main bathroom shower curtain!!  And of course, I will probably be doing a couple little things to freshen things up in the bathroom, based on whichever shower curtain makes the cut, like updating the art and cabinetry hardware!

{Click the title of the curtain to link to the curtain's store website}

Option Number One: Shakira Shower Curtain

Option Number Two: Prito Shower Curtain

Option Number Three: Floral Block Shower Curtain

Option Number Four: Shadow Leaves Shower Curtain

Seeing any trends?  IHeart bold, botanical, geometric and fresh patterns.

So what do you think?  What's it's gonna be?

 

As you can see, I gave an option to select, "None of the Above".  If you pick that option, I beg you to leave me a comment with a solution to my shower curtain dilemma, for I feel I have scoured the internet in all my typical locations, and am left with some pretty limited options. 

I am not opposed to re-doing the bathroom if I find a different shower curtain that IHeart, but doesn't match my current colors.  And of course, if I go that route, I would happily share that process along the way!

So thank you all in advance, for taking a moment to vote!  And for sharing your thoughts via comments!  Or for sharing your favorite go to place for shower curtain purchases, favorite local shop or online hot spot!

0 Monthly Poll

Hello Everyone!

I have posted this months Poll over on the right side bar!  Please take a moment to vote.  This months question: What room in your home could use some organizational help?

Also, leave a comment with any Q&A's you have regarding organizing any of your personal spaces and I will get back to you with some free advice! :)