School starts for us in three short weeks and I’ve started to crave that routine and schedule that having kids in school can bring! It will just be me and Raleigh each morning and he sleeps most of it so I can almost taste the productivity. Like an airplane oxygen mask, I can’t get my kids organized unless I am, so I wanted to share my favorite organizational tips and gear to help make it possible. While we’re at it here is some serious organization inspo from around the web.

THE HOME EDIT

HOME: I am a firm believer that everything should have a place. This makes clean up harder than say chucking whatever is on the ground into a bin and pushing that bin into a closet (sounds amazing!) But tell myself knowing where stuff is saves me time and money overall, and I can find it quickly. I did this last year while I was pregnant and I went through every room and drawer and cupboard in my house one day at a time. I picked a spot for that day and decided what types of containers I’d need. Got rid of junk and I felt lighter than air afterward. Totally worth the time!

SHELTERNESS

This is more a time and hassle saver, but Self Watering Pots from here on out. No need to feel bad I can’t remember to water. There are so many beautiful options now, you don’t even have to sacrifice style! // This past year I’ve found Amazon’s Echo “Alexa” so helpful for making my lists, timers, alarms, holding my spot for Audible and answering questions without pulling out my phone and falling down the rabbit hole. The less I use my phone the better for all! This is more of a sanity thing but when I feel myself in a down mood or getting triggered left and right. Irritable, quick to snap, I just tell her to turn on some music and start dancing around. It instantly brightens my mood and all the kids join in. Its such a quick reset for the day. Not that you can’t do it with other devices but that voice control option has been the difference for me! //

THE HOME EDIT

Feeling like you’re running out of space? Sick of digging through cupboards for things you use every day? Over the door everything. The backsides of doors are wildly underused. Hang hats, your soap and sponges, hot hair tools (Raleigh loves to tug on cords and this keeps them secure) your ironing board (I’m so done unfolding that dang table!) And these are so pretty no matter where they’re stuck. Add them to your mudroom lockers, next to your computer desk, wherever your mail usually gets dropped. A great renter’s option as you can remove easily with no holes.

THE HOME EDIT

I moved everyone except my shoes to the garage and it has made a world of difference. Russ nailed in some 2x4s and these organizers hang right over just like they would on a door! Since I can remember to bring mine all the way to my room, I get to be the exception. Ha. No shoes have any reason to cross the threshold and it has kept my house cleaner and the floors less cluttered. It makes getting out the door quicker because it’s all right there. // I also clean on zone schedule. I wrote about it here! And I do laundry by person or type (towels, linens) and you can find that info here.

SHELTERNESS

WORK: Google Calendar for long term planning and then weekly pads like this for right in front of my face (keyboard.) I’ve missed far too many deadlines because I wasn’t looking for them! // Genius Scan for getting documents singed and returned. // My bank has mobile deposits which has saved me an incredible amount of time. Maybe that seems stupid but if you don’t use it look into your bank’s options and never drive through that line again! // Package return…FIND A PLACE that takes all mail carrier returns. Local Print stores usually have package drop off and then you can leave USPS, UPS and FedEx all alt once without stopping to their drop-off points.

THE CREATIVITY EXCHANGE (they print labels for you!)

A planner that fits your needs is a must. I cycle through them like tissues (see my colleciton on Insta Story it’s embarrassing.) and so I was so excited to pledge with Golden Coil – get on the computer and order the EXACT planner pages for your needs. Meal planning, goal setting, planning by the hour. You can import your calendar dates and have them printed along with your addresses. Watch their Kickstarter to see it in action, they show it so much more beautifully than I can express! Pledge and get a planner for cheap!