Kitchen Business Center Project Reveal, Fun Family & Friends Weekend

Thanks you guys! I loved your feedback on the spice cabinet redux! Also fun to learn about your recipe tasters. :) BTW - Austin did try the Hoisin chicken - it reheated well and he liked it - yay! So I've been working on a Kitchen Business Center Project. What does this mean? Well basically, I was trying to accomplish other goals, like my pantry organization, spice jar organization, gift center and spring cleaning of closets. As I was doing this I kept getting frustrated. Where is the tape? Where are the scissors? I bought a label maker to help me get organized, but it didn't change the fact that we had bills in the kitchen, our bedroom nightstands, Austin's home office, etc. I finally just went around to these places and gathered clutter:

• Master bedroom nightstands and dresser
• Austin's office
• My office
• Desk in bonus room
• Desk in kitchen

We just had TOO many areas. I mean really, batteries shouldn't be in 3 different places. The resolution? ONE place for ALL items. A place to pay bills; file documents, cards, photos; store post-its, paper clips, clothespins; etc. Here's how it ended up...

on the outside...

and inside!!

Close up shot - all boxes were from Ikea (3 sets of 2 CD-sized boxes at $4 each so $12, 3 sets of DVD-sized boxes at $5 each so $15 ; 2 sets of large document-sized boxes at $8 each so $16; 2 sets of small document-sized boxes at $6 each so $12); labeled with my label maker. Boards were from Staples; $4 for a set of 4. Total cost: $59 pre-tax.
close up of boards
close up of boxes

For some context - the door in the back left is to the garage AKA where the mail comes in. The business center is in those left cabinets - away from the serve ware, cooking ware, etc.

Boxes include: Photos, Stationery (thank you cards, blank cards, etc.), Batteries, Clips (document clips, clothes pins, etc.), Bill Paying (envelopes, stamps, check books, address labels), Receipts, Documents, 'To Review' and 'To File', Manuals (for washer, TVs, etc.), Electronics (chargers, DS Lite, GPS, etc.), Cards (from family & friends after a few months of display), Staplers & Tacks, Extra Supplies (extra post its, high lighters, etc.), Stamps (stamp pads, personalized stamps, etc.), Ribbons, and Adhesives (tape, glue gun, glue stick, etc.).

Corkboard: Left side is for upcoming events; Right side is for upcoming bills, coupons, appointments, etc.

Drawers: One has dividers with a few of the items above for easy access (pens, post its, pads of paper, index cards, paper clips, clothes pins); one has large note pads and mealplans/recipes.

Now, when mail comes, we know exactly where to put it. No need to let it stack up in other parts of the house for filing - it can all live in this space. When the boxes get full (like the 'to file' box) we can just put the items in a manila envelope and store in the filing cabinets upstairs for later use. Also, some things like magazines don't belong in the kitchen - we don't read them down there! So we have the basket on the counter to collect items that need to go upstairs!

Other than putting the finishing touches on the mail center, Friday was spent working, shopping at Macy's during lunch, more work, then straight home to see Austin, get ready and head to Mary & Scott's! We had some beers, met their friends in town from LA, went to Twain's, played some shuffleboard then called it a night! Saturday we woke up early, met my parents at Starbuck's and then went shopping with my mom and found some GREAT furniture (more on that later!). Here's a pic of Austin when he found himself standing next to a poster that was on his t-shirt.

After our shopping trip, we headed home, took naps, then got ready, Tyson arrived and I headed out to book club while the boys headed to Buckhead for a night out! We had dinner and drinks and a sleepover at Danielle's! Beautiful weather, and I got to meet her Great Dane Dawson - SUCH a sweetie! I had fun catching up with the girls, listening to music, eating yummy BBQ and staying up too late. :)

Automatic timer pic #1 (sorry, Stacy, for my awkward arm placement when I ran in late!)

Pic #4 ish Why I felt this goofiness was necessary I'll never know

Today I slept in SO LATE at Danielle's -but i'm having a great chill day with Austin and the puppers. The weather is BEAUTIFUL!

Q: What are you up to today?

Q: Do you have a in-home business center? If so, is it in the kitchen? Any tips or things our center may be missing?! I can't wait to start benefiting from having it in place!

Spice Organization Redux, Casserole Mania, New Asian-Inspired Recipe

Well you bloggies sure know how to make a girl feel better! I'm not the only person whose fallen recently, and some of you had some really bad falls. A concussion?! OMG No complaining on my end from here on out - eek! On another note - HAPPY FRIDAY! I'm so glad. So very glad. Before chatting about the weekend, here's what went on yesterday!

So I had purchaed my spice jars, labeled them and reorganized the kitchen. Oh happy day. However, I was still having a hard time finding what I needed. Especially because all of the jars were the same. It was like my organization had turned on me. Then I discovered that the height of the jars was PERFECT for the drawers- like made for them. Perhaps they were? Anywho, so I reorganized again taking large spoons/spatulas out of a drawer and getting a container on the counter for them, which freed up space in a drawer right next to the stove where I need the spices the most. However, they now needed labels on TOP, not just on the side. So me and my new best friend that truly brings out my OCD like no other label maker got to work - here are the results!

The magic is in the left drawer

See - love it. Have spice jars and small containers for packets at arm's reach

Close up

As a refresher, here is the before:

And the other AFTER:

I cooked 5 recipes with the new organization system - bliss! I made 4 casseroles: Burrito Casserole, Spicy Spaghetti Pie, Brushetta Bake and Taco Pasta Casserole.

Taco Pasta Casserole close up

spicy spaghetti pie close up

Yes, in case you're wondering, Austin was out of town. This is what I do when I don't have my better half here - I go crazy. Clearly. haha Also, it was a rest day so no gym, no Austin = cooking + organization projects! Lastly, in addition to the 5 casseroles, I made a new Asian-inspired recipe - Hoisin Chicken Rice Bowls.

Hoisin Chicken Rice Bowls
Adapted from a Dinners for a Year and Beyond Recipe
Makes 4 Servings

Nutritional Information: 433 calories, 62 carbs, 6 fat grams and 33 protein grams.

While Austin didn't get to try it, I can vouch for it - YUMMY! Here's the recipe on Healthified Kitchen! Thankfully, Austin is back today - yay! I'll update the review once I know how it reheats and i'll add any of Austin's comments which, no offense to my cute sweet husband, are usually "it's gooood". When prompted, no but really, what do you like it about it? "The taste." Oy. Can't complain though - he eats everything I make happily! :)

Q: It's Friday - whatcha doing this weekend? We're staying around the house tonight, then tomorrow i'm going to body pump and to see my sis and Dane, and tomorrow night is book club - yay! Sunday is hopefully church and more home organization projects - I am in FULL spring cleaning/organizing mode.

Q: Do you have a recipe tester? If so, who is it? Mine is Austin - I halfway kid above, he's getting better at telling me more about what he likes or doesn't like. There are actually some recipes I haven't posted because he just really didn't like them (and I didn't either.... but I needed that confirmation!).

Top 6 Organization Tips (for more time and $ - duh)

In the spirit of the year winding down and in thinking about my resolution/to-do list for 2011, I started thinking of some things I did in the last couple of years that seriously made my life SO much easier, and saved me money (you know, money to buy dresses, shoes and coats) . Some I mention regularly on the blog, some I’ve never mentioned before and ALL are very simple, easy-to-implement and by no means genius. All of that being said, they’ve been lifesavers and have made it easier to multi-task and get almost everything I want to do done, while still working 40 hours a week and having a social life. Enough blather – here are my top 6 organization tips as of late:

1. Keep Gift cards and coupons in one, easy-to-transport place. Buy a small accordion file (about 4”x6”) like this one. Get a sharpie and label the tabs A-Z. Get all of those coupons – you know – the 20% off at Bed, Bath and Beyond cards and the 15% off days at Macy’s. Before dropping your cards in their designated letter, get index cards and list out the coupons or gift cards you have and when (or if) they expire – put this card in the front of your file. Now when you shop you have them all with you, and are more likely to take advantage of the coupons that do expire. (I like to highlight the ones that expire soon!)
2. Make a Bill Box and List. I made a ‘bill box’ that includes a ledger of all bills we pay (how we pay them and when), checkbooks, stamps, envelopes, pens and return-address labels I made rather than write every. single. time. I also put together a ‘bills’ document. It has four columns: (1) type of service provider, (2) name of service provider and all contact info (phone number, address and website), (3) our online information (user name, password, etc.) if applicable and (4) ‘how to pay.’ Some bills charge $15 to pay online. Some charge $5 to pay over the phone. The column tells you how to pay each bill and the penalties for not paying it right way. Having this 2-pager and bill box make it SO much easier to do this sucky task. I get the AMEX bill, I look at the list and I know what to do and when to do it!
3. Develop a full grocery List. Once. Take the time to make a list of everything you buy at the store. Yes, everything (Black Beans, Gum, Laundry detergent). If you have a significant other who helps you shop, be specific (Bush’s Black Beans, Eclipse Gum, Tide original scent 32 loads). Once EVERYTHING is on there (even stuff like stamps if you buy them there), organize it by section of the grocery store. Then format into columns with small boxes (bullets) to the side. Try to get it on 1 page (front and back) with 3 columns on each side. Now, print out numerous copies, and when you go to make a grocery list you have something to start from, rather than a blank page, increasing the odds that you get everything you need and don’t have to go back. Make sure to add some blank lines just in case, and if you find yourself putting the same items on there, update your full list!
4. Buy (and use!) kitchen drawer organizers. Really. I know it seems simple (and it is!) but get some, especially for that drawer that has all of the little measurement spoons, can opener, pizza cutter, etc. With organizers everything has a space and it’s easier to grab what you need, especially when you’re cooking.
5. Create a shared Google Calendar. If you share your life with someone else, share a calendar. When we get an evite or invite, I can go to the calendar and quickly see if we have a prior engagement. When we have household things to do (like change the air filter), we can schedule this on the calendar for every 5 months. We also keep up with important birthdays, events and more – all in one place.
6. Rely on meal plans. I know I preach this all the time but I really feel that this helps you in so many ways. Aside from just eating better because meals are ready on hand, it saves you back-and-forth trips to the grocery store. Here’s how I plan meals for anyone who missed it!

That’s it for now! I don’t know about you all – but I LOVE anything that makes mine and Austin’s family run smoother, and helps us save a buck here and there so we can travel to see our family and friends, buy gifts for celebrations and for each other and the list goes on. Extra time (or money!) never hurts anybody!

Q: What’s your #1 Organization Tip? What did you do in 2010, or plan to do in 2011, to make your life easier?

I'll post more about today tomorrow (today involved a marathon cooking event with FIVE new recipes!). Until then HAPPY NEW YEAR! And please share a tip you love or one you want to try so I can be more productive in 2011!

Day 75 and 76: Sunday, Nov. 16, and Monday, Nov. 17 & My Recent Thoughts on TV & Organization

A quick note on TV: Loving it! Desperate Housewives was AWESOME – wow! And Brothers & Sisters is just so cute. Gossip Girl was really great, too – I just love that show!! I will say I couldn’t even watch One Tree Hill though – I hate those flashback episodes – very random. Entourage was awesome – so glad they got Ari involved. I HATE that director though – what an ass. True Blood was, as always, WILDLY amazing. Can’t believe that chick is dead but I’m glad… SUCH a good show!!!

A quick note on organization: I have been dying to do as others have before me and keep an inventory of what’s in my fridge, freezer and pantry… I’ve heard this saves so much money because you shop at home first, and it’s great because you eat food that will spoil first. Since I’ve been eating more fruits/vegetables I often find them ‘bad’ by the time I get to them and I HATE throwing away food. The guilt! So I’m working on my inventories now. In the meantime, I cleaned out/organized the fridge last night and feel much better about it. I also took my grapes/carrots and measured out 100-calorie and 50-calorie packs! I think this will be much easier to eat grapes when they’re already cleaned, stemless and ready to go in portion-controlled packs! Yay!

1. Portion Control Snacks!



2. Grab extra closet maid drawer and put in snack-related yummies!



3. Put drawer in fridge for easy access.



So Sunday was pretty blah. I got up early but was tired. My friend made a breakfast casserole but I can’t be trusted so I ate my standard Jimmy Dean. We drove back to Atlanta and on the way split a yummy $5 subway!! So good, and healthy. I did cave though and buy my FAVORITE jelly beans – bubblegum. OH my – so good and worth it! I ate the whole bag – all 2.5 servings. Eek! I got home and passed out, did laundry, etc., and preceded to eat my way through the day (part TOM, part being tired and hungover). Sigh. I ended up at 1,660 calories, 297 carbs and 29 fat grams. So not too bad on calories and fat but whoa – that’s a lot of carbs! Dang TOM/hangover!! Here’s what I ate. I will say I had a great day as far as getting organized and planning for the house. I’m SO enjoying it! I also watched a marathon on CMT about finding the next Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders? Hilariously awesome – great to watch while you lay in bed and research HGTV while stuffing your face.

Monday me and Austin took the day off so needless to say we woke up well rested and feeling great! We bummed around the house (him playing video games; me watching HGTV) then went to the gym around 1 for us and to get out of our housekeeper’s way. We got back and the house was gloriously clean – love it! We preceded to have a great day with Reuben, get both of our cars cleaned and we put Austin’s (older) car for sale on AutoTrader.com – fabulous day!! I also got to cook lunch and dinner which makes me happy. We had muffin pizzas for lunch (I know, shocker) and citrus soy salmon again for dinner! SO GOOD – I used a bit less lime juice this time and we preferred it that way. Monday was a much better day – I came in at 1,516 calories, 210 carbs and 38 fat grams – great day! I also walked 4 miles and did chest strength training – nice! Here’s what I ate. As far as weight, like I mentioned, I was up 2.5 pounds since Friday’s weigh in – to 122.5. BLEH.