Well, are your Christmas decorations put away yet? I admit, though I love to put them up, I quickly want to put them away after December 25. It depresses me to know I have to wait another ten or eleven months to celebrate Christmas again, and I don't want the reminders!
One thing that really helps me to face the new year and get organized is a simple trick I've been using for years. Anytime I am at a thrift store or a home goods sale, I look for baskets. Mostly all the same color, but the shape and size are important too.
I seriously have baskets all over my house. They help to hold books in the bedroom, stationery in the loft...
...and of course magazines waiting to be read.
I keep them in the guest bath for little shampoos and other goodies.
And in the mud room for incoming mail and coupons.
Of course, Nina's toys take up quite a few of these baskets!
And cozy blankets and pillows fill another large one in my family room.
Holding toilet paper in the powder room isn't so glamorous, but hey! Still necessary!
Once in a while I break out of my usual basket style and color, especially when I see something that I really love. This copper bucket was $25 at an antique sale, and it works perfectly next to the door as a catch-all for shoes.
So, my first tip for 2009? Keep your eyes peeled for cute and functional baskets when you are out and about. Even if I don't know where I will use it, if I see a great basket I just buy it and stash it away somewhere. Then when I get on an organizational kick, I have plenty of baskets to choose from!
I'm a basket girl, too. Seth's toys wouldn't last a minute in our house without them.
ReplyDelete"Buzzed" over from Shell in Your Pocket...you've inspired me to pull out a basket for the books next to my side chair--they keep multiplying and another basket is just the ticket!
ReplyDeleteLove Baskets, too! I use them for everything..even to hold toothbrushes...it may even be a fetish of mine! But, you gave me some new ideas!
ReplyDelete-sandy toes
What we do without a good basket? I can't have enough of them either! Love the copper bucket too!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love cute baskets!!!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I too am a basket girl! Got to love them!
ReplyDeleteWhat would the world be like without baskets? I LOVE them and use them all over the house. Everything form books and blankets to toilet paper and toys... just like you:)
ReplyDeleteGreat tip, as usual!! Wish I had all our Christmas decorations down and put away!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Janet
I love baskets too!! I use them for everything, your baskets are really cute!
ReplyDeleteOh you always have great Idea's for every thing! I don't know that I would do with out ya!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us!
I LOVE baskets also. As a matter of fact I saw one yesterday that I liked (on sale) and I kept picking it up then putting it back down and couldn't decide if I really "needed" it. I think I am going back today to hopefully get it!
ReplyDeleteyou are just like my mom :). She has baskets everywhere!
ReplyDeleteI need to start doing this! Great tip!
ReplyDeletegreat tip - I love baskets, too, but don't always know what I would do with them, so I just leave them. I will keep this in mind the next time a see a good one:)
ReplyDeleteLove my baskets too...the bigger the better and they add great panache to my french country look-
ReplyDeletePS - Visit my blog for my own "take" on a new basket use-
ReplyDeleteGreat Tip. Baskets are so convenient for storage, and you can't have just one.
ReplyDeleteSome how putting things in a basket makes it look so much neater. I love using baskets too. It's so easy to just toss it a basket especially toys when cleaning up a child's room. I have a lot of longaberger baskets. Very pricey and then your afraid to use them incase they get damaged so I believe your better off with thrift ones.
ReplyDeleteYou have some really great baskets! I think my favorite is the one holding toilet paper! lol
ReplyDeleteNo, my Christmas decoations have not been taken down yet. I've kindof forgotten they're there! I love ALL of your baskets.
ReplyDeleteLove all the baskets. Great tip!
ReplyDeleteLove baskets but I especially love your family room basket.
ReplyDeleteI am a basket girl myself...I love them and it even though things kind of just get tossed in, it still makes me feel organized!!
ReplyDeleteI love baskets also. I only buy them when I need them. Great tip about when you see one get it and hold on to it.
ReplyDeleteI love baskets as well! I find many of them yard sales and Goodwill.
ReplyDeleteMy Christmas decorations are all taken down and in their boxes...now I am just waiting for hubby to carry them down to the basement. I hope he doesn't make me wait too long! I want them out of here. :)
Great idea! I have a pretty big old basket that I started to donate a couple of weeks ago. Decided to paint it orange and use it when we tailgate!! Bright orange of Oklahoma State University!
ReplyDeleteI too love baskets! They are all over the house at the moment from one room to another.
ReplyDeleteI want to use them in my bookcase, but haven't found ones that fit right, yet! I know one day I will. *smiles*
Glad to see I am not the only one with a container for shoes!! We have one beside our back door to catch shoes.
I found your blog on "Poofing the Pillows". So glad I did! I love basket, too, and use them for just about anything and everything! Can't have too many!
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific Tuesday!
Great ideas. Love the copper boiler for the shoes. Mimi
ReplyDeleteOH my I have a basket post on the radar for this week. I just got a bunch on sale and Kohl's is having a good sale too this week. That's my newest thing, so that's funny that you posted about it too. You'll have to check mine out toward the end of the week! Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea - I do some of this too but you have given me so new and great ideas - thanks!
ReplyDeleteGirlfriend, you are speaking my language. I am a basket girl to the core. They truly do make the best storage containers. I even use one to hold my makeup. And great minds must think alike bc I have a giant copper bucket that I like to keep my flip flops in! How's that for thinking along the same lines!
ReplyDeleteI love baskets too! Good first tip for 2009 my friend!
ReplyDeleteI love how the simpliest things look so finished and classy. like a basket full of cupons!
ReplyDeleteI do the exact same thing. I have a lot of baskets in my closets but that way I always have one when I need it. :) That copper bucket is great!
ReplyDeleteNote to self: Beef up Basket Collection. :) Great idea. I was just staring at a basket collection after Christmas trying to figure out how to use them. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLove your baskets. I make all my baskets! Enjoyed the organizational photos.
ReplyDeleteNancy
www.basketmasterweavings.blogspot.com
Love the organization! Baskets, bins, and drawers of all kinds are favorites of mine!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteI love baskets too...and bins, and tubs, a cubes...well, just about anything that can 'conceal' something! My mom got me hooked on Longaberger baskets about 10 years ago and every once in a while I buy me a new one to go w/ my collection. I♥baskets!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I love to organize, and I am going to use this for sure!
ReplyDeleteI am the same way Carrie and I just bought a really cute antique looking one at Target ;)
ReplyDeletei'm glad to know i'm not the only one with a basket obsession. i just don't think you can have too many. they are so useful. the first few years hubby and i were dating every present he would give me would come in a basket. i have used those for so many things. now when i give a gift they usual are giving in a basket. ps - love the copper bucket!
ReplyDelete~nicole
Great Idea, I love baskets, pretty and practical X
ReplyDeleteI keep my laptop, camera and cords in one beside my couch (which is where I compute).
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that anything messy can look neat when inside a pretty container!
Who doesn't love a good basket and you've definitely got some good ones.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip.
I am on the lookout for baskets for the nursery as we speak; although I am looking for a particular size to fit on the shelves of the changing table. I am going to have to hit all of the thrift stores for the perfect find!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to know I am not the only one who is addicted--that I am in the company of friends!
Hope you are feeling well!
Baskets are the greatest invention. I wish I could find those type at my thrift store. Great finds.
ReplyDeleteI agree... You can't have enough baskets. They are wonderful!!! Happy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you're definitely not alone with your love for baskets! It's amazing how a good basket can spruce up an area and help you keep organized. Great tip to share!
ReplyDeleteoohhhh! i ♥ baskets and boxes and buckets! thanks for giving me permission to buy more!
ReplyDeleteOh, your baskets are so pretty! I love them, too - most of our's have toys and magazines also! :)
ReplyDeleteI love baskets too! I've been hunting for one to put our shoes in. Haven't been able to find the right shape. I LOVE all of yours. You have inspired me to buy more. (uh-oh, don't tell hubby) :)
ReplyDeleteLove the copper bucket!!!
ReplyDeleteI love baskets too! Even our junky stuff looks organized in a nice basket!
ReplyDeleteOur Christmas decorations are down and tucked away for another year!
I love baskets, they work for just about everything.
ReplyDeletei'm also a basket junkie. i tend to get them for gifts.. not sure why, but I'll take em!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way. I have TONS of baskets. Too many probably, but I love them. Especially those that are funky in shape or size...something different. They are all over my house. Hubs always says "don't we have enough of these things." Of course not. Never!
ReplyDeleteLOVE my baskets... and if I can't find the right color... I just spray them the right color. Somehow baskets have a way of making smelly exercise clothes or recycling look a lot more chic! Great post!
ReplyDeletePretty Organizer
Oh.......go on over and look at my blog, I think I should get some baskets for my "Operation Reorganize".............what do you think?
ReplyDeleteYou have found some great baskets! I need to keep my eyes open for more...seems the ones I've spotted at thrift stores haven't been that attractive. But as always with thrift shopping, if I look long enough, I'll find something good. :)
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing- especially with putting stuff in the counter in the bathrooms and the toilet paper! There is no way I could fit blankets and pillows in living room in one- Love Baskets- didn't think of the junk mail/mudd room one- great idea!
ReplyDeleteCute examples!!
ReplyDeleteI do this too! Mostly the baskets I find end up with gifts for others though. I love making up baskets for birthdays and other celebrations. My BFF says I should go into business. :) xxoo
ReplyDeleteGotta tell you that I have baskets all over my house as well. But the funniest thing is how many of them get filled by my husband! It was easy to convert him because he loves to be organized!
ReplyDeleteI have an obsession with baskets! I have plenty but am always on the hunt for more! Good to know I am not the only one ;)
ReplyDelete