I’m so excited about how many of you are joining us for the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home Challenge! If you missed today’s assignment, you can find it here.
We’re on the tail end of early Spring Break/vacation right now, so I actually wasn’t home today… but I did get dressed in an outfit I love, I did make a to do list, and I made out my list of 10 goals for this week.
And then before I left for vacation, I worked ahead on today’s projects…
The contents of my purse… I put away the hat and earrings, but everything went back in.
By the way, I have fallen in LOVE with zippered pouches — I use one for my coupons/gift cards and the other for all the odds and ends I like to carry (pens, head phones, mints, chapstick, lotion, hand sanitizer, etc.) It keeps things so much more organized and helps things not get lost at the bottom of my purse.
Speaking of the bottom of my purse, guess what I found there? Yikes!!
And here were the 7 things I found to get rid of. Some will go in the trash and the books will either be donated or passed onto a friend.
How you do on Assignment #1? I’d love to have you share your progress and success with us so we can be inspired. Either post a link to your blog post below or leave a comment with your update.
Maritza says
Hi! I’m new to blogging, but would love to participate. Is it too late to join? This is the motivation I needed for all the organizing I need to do at home.
Crystal Paine says
Of course not, jump right in!
Stevi says
I put on an outfit I thought was cute (I usually just wear yoga pants lol), I made a list of my goals for the week and a few for the day, and I cleaned out my purse. I didn’t get to clean too much around the house but I picked up a little bit
Crystal Paine says
Great job!
liz says
Another benefit to the zippered pouch idea is that the lining of your bag will stay clean, so your purse will last longer. No worries about pens or lipstick coming uncapped and getting all over.
Denise says
Agreed
Jenna says
What brand is (or where did you get) the cute wallet with the flowers and fold over top? Super cute!
Hailey says
I felt like supermom yesterday! Crossed almost everything off my to do list, set some good goals for the week, baked cookies with my boys, played catch in the backyard when big sis came home from school AND made $40 with another $20 sale pending today from things I needed to declutter. I’m not going to have high expectations for every day to end up like that, but it felt great to get off to a good start.
Our two year old didn’t let us sleep a whole lot last night, so I have a feeling that my lists for today will be rather slim!
Crystal Paine says
Woohoo! Way to go!
Susan says
A few years ago I switched to carrying a small purse instead of a large one, and I find it so much easier to keep it tidy. Instead of zippered pouches, I use the inside zippered pocket for small items. There’s another zippered pocket on the outside that is the perfect size for my checkbook, coupons, and receipts.
I’ve gotten into the habit of emptying the trash in my car and purse every time I gas up my car. I can declutter both in the time it takes to fill my tank. If you do it frequently, it only takes a few minutes. Clean up messes when they’re small and they don’t become big.
jennifer says
My sister in law is doing this challenge with me so we can be accountable to each other! We got everthing done for day 1. I was excited to see this challenge as we have had a horrible winter in Ohio and we have been stuck in the house quite a bit. I have been letting things go, but I am in the mood for spring cleaning!!
MP says
All I found was a few gum wrappers with used gum in them…. yuk! But I think I will love the **quick** ideas….. with my life right now I can’t seem to get on any kind of cleaning “schedule” ….. at least this is doing something. Thanks!
One Mom and a Blog says
Linking up a daily Instagram pic with my progress. Yesterday I focused on that morning routine. Thanks for the challenge!
Jen says
Amongst a bunch of other junk in my purse, I found our “key to the world” cards from when we were at Disney….over 6 months ago!!! Yikes, I guess my purse was in desperate need of a good cleaning!!
Jessica says
I have been wanting to read that book! Did you like it?
My diaper bag had a bunch of dirt at the bottom! No idea how that happens because I am a pretty clean person!! Glad it’s clean now 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Yes, I found it very inspiring.
Chelsea says
I was just skimming the pictures at first and though your purse organization picture was the “seven items to get rid of” picture. I was thinking “wow she’s getting rid of some cute stuff!” 🙂
Crystal Paine says
😉
Kayla says
Completed everything, dressed in my new workout gear and went for a walk with the boys, cleaned out my purse, and got rid of a bag full in the “junk drawer.” Would love the books though! I am working towards reaching my empty shelf challenge!
Sarah says
Love the zippered pouch idea. I’ll be digging around in my closet to see if I have some to use in my purse.
Had a sick baby and half snow day with the 3 yr old on top of it, so I’ll be doing my goals and cleaning out the diaper bag and purse today! I did get my morning routine and picking up done. I’ll also be looking for items to get rid of today.
Sharon Kay says
🙂 I did this a few weeks ago and have loved it! I didn’t have enough zippered pouches so I used some zipper style ziplocs which are working great until I can get more pouches ;).
Here’s a breakdown of what’s in my purse right now:
1 – Coupon organizer
2 – Card cubby with all my gift, loyalty & reward cards
3 – Ziploc 1 – Hand lotion, tissues, q-tips, scissors, mints
4 – Ziploc 2 – Hair stuff: ponytail holders, scrunchy, bobby pins, hair clip. Nail file, lens cleaner,
5 – On the outside pocket (quick access stuff): gum, check card, lip balm, cell phone
6 – Package of wet wipes
7 – Eyeglass holder with pens & pencils
8 – Wallet with important cards (insurance, drivers license…), cash, checks, money envelope
9 – Inside zipper pocket: mace, small notepad
10 – I have a zippered pouch of toiletries that I throw in there as needed
It’s so funny how things like this excite me! It really has saved me time on digging through the depths of my purse trying to find things 😉
Love your site 😉
Sharon
Tammy says
Yesterday my daughter was sick, so while I did get some things accomplished, I didn’t get everything done on this list. I’m looking forward to participating on the rest of the challenge though!
Becki @Running with Team Hogan says
I got rid of some lotions (opened) and mouthwashes (unopened) that aren’t gluten free (since our house has been gluten free for more than a year, those have sat on a shelf). I took them with me to my homeschool co-op and gave them away – along with some fruit squeezies my kids didn’t like, some facial wipes, and some shampoo that my daughter couldn’t use on her thick hair anymore. I also gave away a baby monitor to a soon-to-be momma since we don’t need it anymore. In the bottom of my purse, I found a few toy animals (my son likes to “surprise” me with them), and way too many receipts and paper coupons. Yay to have cleaned that out!
Thea says
I just saw the assignment this morning so, I think I am a day behind, however., my purse is full of zippered pouches…I’m a little obsessed.
Meredith M says
It was a snow day here, so I got up at regular time, showered, and put on clean pajamas:) got this assignment done and am ready for today!
Shelly says
I found a long lost ping-pong ball in my purse. I think it had been in there since Christmas.
I like to organize with baggies but even those had gotten a little out of hand and I had lots of baggies with just one thing in them. I’m so glad it’s all cleaned out now.
Sharla @ Slacker Saver says
I just bought a new purse (I do that every decade or so), so it didn’t have trash…yet. I did just eye a zippered pouch that’s cute but currently not being used, and I have small things in my purse. Good idea!
Amy says
Oh I love the zippered pouches idea! I’m sure I have some laying around that I can put to good use now. Thanks for the tip! I think I will add a bag of little toys or mini paper and stickers. Some how I leave the house and realize I have nothing for my 3 year old to entertain herself while we are driving around and running errands.
Lydia @ The Thrifty Frugal Mom says
Yes, you will LOVE the zippered pouches. I have two that I use in the exact way that Crystal does and it really has transformed how neat my purse stays. Oh and I have another one that hold feminine hygiene items just so I always have some with me in case I need them.
Laura says
An outfit I love…I feel like that outfit is my p.j.’s…but I don’t think that counts! I guess I’d better keep thinking.