Is it bigger than a Bread Box?

Nope! It IS the Bread Box. We used to have a pile of bread on our counter. It was unsightly and disorganized. We tried the pantry but we would loose a loaf behind something and find it when science would not have wanted that project! I picked up this little box from a garage sale.  After my awesome Mom refinished it, it has been a staple in our kitchen. Keeping a cleared off kitchen counter can help lessen the stress in your life a little. Actually, keeping ALL the counters in your home cleared off and tidy will definitely make you feel better! This may seem like quite the task but I'm here to tell you this Bread Box can help you a little. Here are a few quick facts about this little storage device:

DID YOU KNOW?

The Bread Box had been used to keep bread fresh for longer periods of time.

• Traditionally it was made from wood and helped to protect the bread from pests like ants and flies. 
• The lid fit loose enough to allow air flow which reduced condensation and prevented mold
  
• The Bread Box helped keep contents at room temperature
  
• Putting bread in the fridge speeds up the staling process
• Freezing bread halts the staling process
  

and..... here's the interesting one

• Bread Boxes are not commonly used anymore because the preservatives that are used in bread now and the plastic packaging cause the staling process to slow way down. (disturbing, right?) 

So, here's the deal. Bread Boxes can help reduce the clutter on your counter and are the perfect storage solution for your breads especially if they are Organic or Homemade.

Side note: 
"Is it bigger than a breadbox?” (or “Is it bigger than a bread box?") was a catchphrase on the television game show What’s My Line?. Like the game of “Twenty Questions,” the WML celebrity panel tried to find the mystery behind a guest by asking several questions. Comedian Steve Allen asked “Is it bigger than a breadbox?” on the January 18, 1953 show. Allen hadn’t raised the question as a joke, but the audience laughed at it. Allen then repeated the question on subsequent shows.
(Side note information sourced from barrypopik.com) 

Although this may sound so simple, a quick way to add a little life in your kitchen is through your kitchen towels.  I purchased two kitchen towels from our local Joanns  while they were on a 50% off sale! Each ended up being $4.99 before tax. For around $10 I added a cute design with a pop of color to our kitchen. (Even better deal if you have the coupon from the Joann Exclusive Calendar!) Certainly exciting to have this little hint of Spring in the house while it is rainy and dreary outside. Another positive point is the towels are dressing up a rather old and plain stove. Someday we will upgrade the appliances but for right now, $10 is a better deal than purchasing a brand new stove. Let's give those appliances some Love!

For some cute kitchen towels delivered to your door at a better price than I purchased mine, check out: 

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See that mounding pile of paperwork, mail, bills, things-to-do, etc. Yeah, that one over there taking over your kitchen counter or dining table or desktop. Maybe its that pile in your car? We all deal with it. Here's a quick tip.

Use a Binder To Organize It!

I know it sounds very "old school" but sometimes that is the best way. What I like to do is get cute or fun binders to jazz it up a little. Having a household budget binder can be a downer. So why not make it a little more fun?

Speaking of budget, did you see the price tag on these cuties??? Amazing!  Keep a look our for clearance sections. These were hanging out in the clearance section at my local Staples for only  $1 each! I also was able to pick up composition books for 50cents each.

Get Set Up

One of my favorite quotes states:

"An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here is where you need to take a bit of action. Take 10 or 15 min to grab that pile of paperwork and sort it any way you like. Maybe you need a binder for Bills or one for Things to get done or one for Coupons. Here are some ideas:

• Household binder
• Budget or Bill
• Manuals or instructions
• Warranties
• Toy warranties/instructions
• Recipes

•  Patterns
•  School information
•  Coupons
•  Birthdays

Also, use those composition notebooks to jot down ideas, track business expenses, shopping lists or even just keep in the car for those random times you need paper or to write something down. Keeping memos in your phone or tablet is a great way to track things but there is something more permanent and real about writing it down. Like I said before. Let's go old school and get back to basics.

Remember, being organized can save you time and money and leave you feeling less stressed. So let's make your house a home!

If you have kids, then you may have the same problems we do. Owies! Our 3 year old thinks every single  scratch he gets requires a bandaid to "fix it." Our  bandaid situation was quickly growing out of control. Here is my fix! These are plastic stackable containers from IKEA. They come 3 in a pack. Perfect fit! Oh, and yes, I LOVE my label maker!

For some reason February is a hard month in our household. We always seem to be bogged down with illnesses!! I will be getting back to it and get this blog rolling soon! In the meantime, would LOVE your input on what you need help with organizing? Remember: Comments help content! Let me know what YOU want to see!

We just had to share this today after the Seahawks were gifted the chance to advance in the playoffs! Here is what our sister site is up to. Click Here to get your very own!

Yep! It sure can! Yard Sale season here! Time to go through the house and come up with a plan..

Is there something you have really been wanting to purchase and just haven't found enough money for it? Need a new patio set to enjoy this upcoming summer? How about some new clothes for the new season? Maybe you just want to get cleaned out to make the home less stressful? Whatever your reasoning is, make sure you have one!

Next, start going through your house. Start with the closets then work your way around from there. How about that spare room? Garage? Don't forget the bathroom! Believe it or not, I have sold quite a few OPENED lotions at garage sales. Weird? Well, if you don't like them or don't have a use for them anymore, stick a $1 sticker on them and keep them by your "register." They sell! (Ok, so how many of you are going to try it just to see if it works...Lol! You'll be amazed!) 

Remember, you have to have a reason for why you are wanting to clean out. If that patio set at your local store is calling your name, how badly do you want it? Make it your motivation. Try selling bigger items or higher priced items on a site like Craigslist or eBay or donate items to your local charity. 

One thing that will help you to feel less stressed and more organized is getting things cleaned! Take it in pieces. For example, if you don't have enough time to vacuum your whole house or really just don't like to vacuum, try only doing half the house. This gets something accomplished and helps you feel better! Plus, it makes vacuuming a little easier to handle. Remember to break things down in to simpler little bits and you will be amazed at what you can do!

Click here to sign up for your weekly Wash-Up Wednesday email tips to help keep you on track and get your home cleaned without too much effort!

Did you know? 
A Spring Cleaning Survey of the Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) reveals American consumers’ cleaning habits and opinions about spring cleaning (and cleaning in general):

* 60% say spring is the best time to rid the house of dirt, clutter
* 98% feel good about themselves when their house is clean
* 54% of Americans prefer to clean on a daily or weekly basis
* 97% believe their families appreciate a clean home

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