Tuesday, January 8, 2013

109 An Organized Entryway Drawer

Add this project to the quick and easy and under 15 minute list.  Those are the best right?

You are about to see proof that even though I heart organizing, we are far from perfect over here....


Yikes right?  That is the top drawer of our entry shoe storage unit.


And it once looked like this inside....


But, over the past few years, it has become a quick place to toss random items in a hurry.  I knew the main reason was laziness, the second reason was the lack of drawer dividers for all the itty bits that we like to keep in the drawer.  I have always believed that drawer dividers keep drawers cleaner, since you have less of a choice to just "stuff" something somewhere.  They make you stop and think, "Does this really belong in here?"

So, I emptied the drawer to start from scratch, put everything back where it really should have gone and selected the items that made the most sense for our entry drawer.


See those great pink little buckets?  Found those at Target in the dollar section - two for $1 baby!


They would be my new drawer dividers!  Cheap and cute!  And my way of bringing pink into the house in any way that I can....

I could have just filled the tubs with the contents waiting for their new home, however, I wanted to go the extra mile and add some labels to the insides, just so there is never any question in the future what belongs and what doesn't.


To keep the organizers from sliding around inside of the drawer, I just snipped a small bit of a rug pad to put down under the bins.


Visions like this make me week in the knees....


And here they are all filled up with their goodies.


My sunglasses, batteries, spare keys, hand sanitizer, and a tape measure {since we are always grabbing for one}.  Daily essentials.

To make room for the rest of the belongings, I just slid the organizers to the back of the drawer, and placed in the larger items that I like to stash in there as well. 


Sooooo much better!  And so easy!  Fingers crossed it sticks this time!


This project came out of nowhere just because I couldn't take it any longer.  A couple of minutes while watching Sunday football and I was left grinning ear to ear.

Anyone take on a last minute project this weekend also?  Or find an amazing storage solution in the dollar section or at the dollar store?


109 comments:

  1. Okay, you knew someone was going to ask...and I should probably already know this but I am relatively new to your blog. How did you label those containers?? Such a great idea! Thanks and I love this blog!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Angela!

      I used vinyl which I cut with my Silhouette machine.

      xo!
      Jen

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    2. What brand is your Silhouette machine?

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    3. What time does the noon news come on? Hahaha!

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  2. What a super cute idea to use those little bins. I love how you labeled them too. Even better. :) Thanks for sharing. Megan

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  3. I love little organizing projects like this one. They're almost like instant gratification! And it always makes me smile when I see/use them through out the day! Love those little baskets!

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  4. Oh! And I love it that you actually answer questions, thanks!!

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  5. Oh Jen, those little pink buckets are so cute! If I were you I would keep a copy of the "After" picture in my wallet just to have a look at it and smile when not at home! ;o)

    Gaby X

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  6. I love how small projects make a big impact... the problem is that I always picture the BIG things and take longer for me to get started. I'll definitely get into small projects to keep me motivated, I have a couple for this week!
    xo,
    Marcela
    http://tucasablogonline.blogspot.com/

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  7. This is great! What do you keep in the adorable pooches in front of the dividers?

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    1. pouches...autocorrect!!!

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    2. One is a small wallet that I grab when I am running out the door {since I am not one to always carry a large purse}, and the other is where I keep store cards and coupons.

      xoxox!
      Jen

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  8. These little projects are the ones that make us giddiest sometimes, right?!

    I'm sure Silhouette loves you, since you show so many great uses for it. I'm currently saving up for one, and my hubs said the other day that he's afraid I'll disappear once I get it, then re-appear with vinyl for everything! :)

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  9. oh jen, you never ceases to amaze me :) i wish to have a silhoutte machine pronto! love how it is labeled jen :)

    huggies***
    rea
    http://homefor4sweethome.blogspot.com/

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  10. SO easy! Love the labels on the bottom of the tubs... they make all the difference! Beautiful and inspiring:)

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  11. So cute!! Looks so much better! Thanks for giving us a glimpse at a "not-so-perfect" drawer. lol

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  12. Great idea! Just saw those little bins at Target earlier today.

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  13. I love simple projects like these. So inspiring!

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  14. This is perfection! I have a dresser in our entryway too, and while I organize it regularly, it still seems to get out of control fast. I guess it is time to start labeling.

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  15. This post made me very happy. :) I am definitely replicating what you did!! Thanks, as always, for sharing.

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  16. Where did you get the shoe organizer? That's perfect for our small entryway area!

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    Replies
    1. I was going to ask he same question! It would be perfect for our house! Thanks!

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    2. It's from ikea! I want one too. :) I loved it since she first posted about it!

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    3. It's from ikea and I totally want one too! :)

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    4. It's from Ikea

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    5. Yup, Ikea! I bought one last weekend after seeing her original post! They have a lot to choose from!

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    6. You all are so right! It's an IKEA find: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20169559/?query=201.695.59

      xo!
      Jen

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  17. Love it!! The pink baskets are too cute!! Love the organized drawer!!

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  18. Oh Jen I "heart" your ideas and I "heart" Target $1 section as well. Love the bins and labels. So pretty. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Wow! You just made 50 cent plastic containers look so chic with that label! I love it! I think you are right on with saying that dividers help keep things organized!

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  20. I tend to lurk around your website but I had to comment on this one. I try to keep our "junk" drawer pretty well organized and I'll have to head over to target on my way home. As far as little projects with a big impact, I just purged and organized our linen closet and the whole process took me 15 minutes. I was way too excited about the end result.

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    Replies
    1. YAY! Happy dancing with you! It's amazing what can get accomplished in 15 minutes!!

      xo,
      Jen

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  21. Beautiful! I'm inspired! May I ask where you got / who makes your shoe storage unit? I'm looking for something similar. Thank you!

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    1. Hi Monyca!

      I found it awhile back at IKEA and now they are on sale!
      http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20169559/?query=201.695.59

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  22. I love the finished look. How do you keep your drawer linings so neat? Do you use fabric or paper? Is it fastened down? I have thought about cutting cardboard to size and folding the fabric or paper around, so I have a fully finished edge, but am not sure if that's the best solution.

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    1. I have thought of the exact same thing for drawers, (although not without inspiration from reading this blog!) A variety of Jen's ideas and readers' comments brought me to this one at one point. I haven't done it yet though. I have thought that the only drawback would be that the cardboard thickness could take away from the hight space of the inside of your drawer. But if that is not an issue, then I think it would be worth the time investment. You could finish it with clear contact paper on top to prolong the life of it and allow you to remove it and wipe it clean when needed.

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    2. The shoe organizer is from Ikea and it comes lined that way, as does all their furniture.

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    3. Do you mean the yellow white striped liner? I have several Hemnes dressers from Ikea and that is the liner that line of furniture comes with built in.

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    4. The shoe organizer is from Ikea and it comes lined that way, all of their furniture does.

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    5. Hi there!

      This particular unit came lined:
      http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20169559/?query=201.695.59

      However, you can find a whole post on the subject here:
      http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/08/you-asked-wrapping-paper-wrap-up.html

      xoxo!
      Jen

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    6. Yes!! That was the post! I loved that post. It was one of the most inspiring recent ones for me. :) -Anita Y.

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  23. My heart is pitter-pattering! You've inspired me to clean out my entry drawers.

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  24. Since I saw this on your Instagram/Facebook, I was hoping you were going to be posting about the project soon. Thanks for the great ideas!

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  25. I lOVE it!!! Looks terrific! I can think of a few places needing that!!! And a few already done needing labels. How did you print the labels?




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    Replies
    1. Hi Melissa!

      I used the Silhouette CAMEO craft machine to cut the vinyl labels.

      xo!
      Jen

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  26. Hey Jen! I have been following your blog for over a year now and I absolutely love it. :) Although if I'm being entirely honest I especially loved this post because it shows that even with the best of intentions, and the most organized of us, it is still very easy for chaos to take over at times. It makes me think of a few projects around the house that I should revisit and see where improvements can be made.

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    1. Oh yes, it happens! We revisit projects all the time :) I have convinced myself this is normal and OK and means that we are not just spending time organizing, but also enjoying life, lol.

      xo!
      Jen

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  27. The most *AMAZING* organizing products can be found in the Target One Spot! I've used them in my home office, pantry and my kid's rooms. I always advise my clients to make the One Spot their first stop on a trip to Target--you never know what you'll find!

    Blogged about it almost a year ago...
    http://organizedartistry.blogspot.com/2012/02/organizing-on-cheap-target-dollar-spot.html

    Your drawers look fabulous. Love the use of the rug pad :-)

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  28. I love this idea! I'm headed to Target right now! I hope they have those little pink buckets! GREAT IDEA!!


    real estate McKinney TX

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  29. I've been following your blog for a little over a year now and I love all of the amazing ideas you share with all of us! This particular post speaks to me because it's nice to know that even the most organized among us are still susceptible to chaos at times. It is inspiring me to revisit some of my organizing projects that could use some de-cluttering. :) Thank you for all that you do!

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  30. Looks amazing! I've never used drawer dividers (except for flatware), but maybe I should.

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  31. You are cracking me up with your "weak in the knees" comment! ha. Your messy drawer looks pretty darn clean to me but the added pink buckets with the little name tags is, "as we say here in Boston", wicked awesome!

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  32. Thanks for sharing! I have the same Hemnes shoe cabinet, this would work perfectly!!

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  33. Your blog is WONDERFUL! I will be needing lots of organizing tips! My boyfriend and I just moved in together so it is hard to find a place for all of our stuff in a 2 bedroom apt!

    ♥ Samantha
    http://busysweetlife.blogspot.com/

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  34. The pink containers are so cute! I recently got some blue ones at the Dollar Tree that I used to organize my desk drawer, but the pink ones are even cuter. I may have to check out our local target.

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  35. Those pink drawers are so cute! I can't wait until Target comes to Canada (later this year)! We don't have room for a drawer in our entryway so we have been dumping everything on a small table. Hope I can figure something out soon as looking at the mess when I walk in the door stresses me out ;)

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  36. Oh jen would you come to Holland pls...a few days in our home and and and .... we bought a house this summer did a huge reno and now down to the little stuff and I'm stuck... thanks for your motivational blog I'll get there in baby steps too ;)

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  37. jen, this makes me feel so much better! your house always looks so nice. thanks for showing us your human side. LOL p.s. loved the article in better homes. you go girl!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I have a few drawers that look like that, and yes, our home is very lived in and loved. :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  38. jen, this makes me feel so much better! your house always looks so nice thanks for letting us see your human side. LOL p.s. loved the article.

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  39. i love this!! i just bought those same Target bins in blue to organize my daughter's first aid/medicines - using your post as a guide to keep it out of the bathroom and up high out of little arms' reaches. thank you!!

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  40. Is that a new mirror? Where is it from? I loved those containers from Target. I picked up a couple for my daughters hair ties and small clips for her bathroom drawer.

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    1. Good eye! It is a new mirror, I received it from my mom for my birthday and I am quite positive she found it at Target.

      xo,
      Jen

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  41. This stuff makes me love this blog even more! Sometimes I feel projects you post are out of my reach and a bit expensive and then I'm brought back to reality of the cleverness you take with $.50 bins!

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    1. Oh, I am all about mixing and matching big and small projects and keep everything as budget friendly as possible. Nothing makes me happier than $.50 bins!!

      xo,
      Jen

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  42. So cool. I need to raid the $1 section at Target more often. Can't believe how perfectly they fit it the drawer!

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  43. I use those same buckets im my classroom. Theyre fantastic and very versatile!

    MJ
    papersidewalks.blogspot.com

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  44. Ah. This proves the theory that everyone has a junk drawer! This is thr best catch all drawer ive seen!

    MJ
    papersidewalks.blogspot.com

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  45. Love it! I'm always wishing that I could find some of the same goodies that you bloggers seem to find at Target. :)

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  46. Love it! I'm always wishing that I could find some of the same goodies that you bloggers seem to find at Target. :)

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  47. Where did the organizer come from? That is exactly what we need at our back door!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Allison!

      It's an IKEA find: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20169559/?query=201.695.59

      xo!
      Jen

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  48. I LOVE it - where did the organizer come from?

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  49. Ahhh! There is something about those labels on the bottom that make me so happy. It's crazy how these little spots get out of control after a while. Those bins are perfect and will make it stay so nice.

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  50. I have two questions, first where did you get your umbrella holder, it's so fun & just what I've been looking for!
    Second, do you always measure the space you're looking to organize then find the organizers or do you just pick up organizers when you spot them & figure out a place to put them later. I never know how many to buy when I find great organizers & it's usually my luck that I don't find them again if I want more.

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    1. Hi Anca!

      I found the umbrella holder {a.k.a. an over-sized vase}, at Target on clearance last summer.

      As far as the containers, I purchased these for another project and got frustrated with the entry drawer and tackled that first. Now, I just need to go out and get a few more for the other project, hee hee.

      I do both. I typically am a good girl, measure and plan my projects, but occasionally if I find amazing versatile storage at a super great price, I will snag it up, since I know I will eventually be able to use it somewhere. But it has to be something that would work in any space in our home and I only keep a few extra containers on hand at one time.

      xo!
      Jen

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  51. What font did you use on the Silhouette? Love it!

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    Replies
    1. I would love to know too! Love it and all your great organizing ideas!!!

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  52. I remember the original post when you got the shoe organizer! Thanks for the update and anything that costs $1 or less is just my thing. ;)I can't afford the Silhouette (yet!) but Dollar Store has cute printed luggage tags that I use for labels, they hang easily from any type of basket.

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    Replies
    1. Which dollar store do you mean? Family dollar, dollar tree, or dollar general? So many to choose from! Thanks!

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  53. Love this! We have a verrry similar drawer in our entryway. The strips of rug pad beneath the dividers is genius!

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  54. I am so happy that your able to blog almost daily. This is my morning coffee, it wakes me up, inspires me and justifies my hitting of the dollar spot at Target!!

    Thank you for keeping it simple an for making organization easy and fun!

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  55. great job, think I will be doing this
    J
    http://lifelovesand.blogspot.ie/

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  56. What a great idea with the little buckets?! This would work perfectly in my junk drawer I have in the kitchen! Thanks for the great idea!

    Kayla
    http://lovelucygirl.com

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  57. Love what you've done with those cute pink containers!! I can't wait for the day when I have an actual entry way to organize & decorate:)

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  58. Love the idea but I did have a thought. You might want to think about putting a divider between the battery sizes since their power will drain if their ends touch another battery.

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  59. I'm a new reader on your blog and am surprised at how easy you make organizing out to be. I for one need serious help in this department. Love what you did and look forward to more helpful posts on getting organized around the home.

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  60. Quick question: Where did you get the drawer pulls? I have the same Ikea shoe cabinet and have been looking for some drawer pulls and these look like the perfect size!

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  61. I don't know how you find perfect sized containers. Of course I know you are a pro but it is just crazy. I have a very difficult time finding containers to fit things and when I am at the store, like Target, it would take me hours to figure out what to buy! I wish I had an ounce of your skill at this stuff!!

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  62. I am new reading your blog and I love it!!! How you make the labels??

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  63. We've owned this exact cabinet for about two months, and the drawer looks very similar to your before picture! I'm off to Target to find those bins to get control of the clutter :) Thanks!

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  64. Jen-You really kill it. I love that you tame the clutter before it gets too overwhelming. Keep the posts coming; you and your blog are an inspiration! xo

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  65. I have never commented before but thought it was so funny that I had just posted about those containers (and some other cute stuff from the dollar section) on my blog.
    http://solovethat.com/target-dollar-section/

    I love your blog and really do appreciate all the great inspiration that you provide! I call the Target dollar section "my strange addiction"!

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  66. where did you get the blue mail holder on top

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    Replies
    1. It is actually a napkin holder I found at Goodwill and spray painted blue :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  67. I just have to say I looove your blog. You are so creative! One question what do you use to make the label decals for the bottom of the bins?

    http://www.knottonestblog.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      I used the Silhouette CAMEO craft machine to cut the vinyl labels.

      xo,
      Jen

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  68. Yes! been organizing like a mad women. Mine never turns out quite as pretty as yours though! Thanks again for the tip.

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  69. I saw this post, went to the store and bought some cute little baskets to fit my 'anything' drawer. For €2,74 I bought 5 small 10x20 cm baskets (29 cents each) and 2 medium 15x25cm baskets (39 cents each) and it fits perfectly! No extra space left and I now have an organized drawer. It took me under an hour, from reading this post, going to the store, to commenting here after everything is organized pretty. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  70. Awesome post. I really love your drawer and the idea of having those lovely buckets as drawer dividers and the way you labeled them. Thanks for sharing. You are an inspiration.

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  71. We have the same cabinet and have been struggling to keep the top organized as well, what a perfect solution! Also, where did you get the drawer pulls? They are such a lovely little swap out :)

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  72. I like your basket idea. Also it's pink! How lovely :) Thank you for sharing. I love this post so much!

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  73. Love this! Sorry if you already answered this question and it's a little bit unrelated to this post...but where did you get the umbrella holder? :)

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    Replies
    1. The umbrella holder is actually an oversized vase I found on clearance at Target. :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  74. Hi Jen! Love your Blog! Where did you get the knobs on the ikea shoe storage unit. I have the same unit and looking to replace the boring Ikea knobs on mine! :) Thanks a bunch!

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  75. I love that you thought of batteries. Ours are ALL over the house. We don't even know which ones are flat or charged anymore. So what do I do? Waste money by buying more just in case. I'm TOTALLY going to do this during the week and send you pics.

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