Clutter Control Products
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Product (and Tip) of the Week: Damask Cotton Tote
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I have one of these Damask Laminated Cotton Totes as a constant companion. Well, on weekdays anyway.
It started out as a lunch bag because it was large enough to carry just about anything. Which meant that when I only had seconds before I ran out the door, I didn't have to take the time to put my salad in a plastic container for lunch. I could just throw in the entire bag of salad, bottle of dressing and the whole loaf of French bread. Lunch: check!
And I still do that, but it has slowly morphed into something else as well…a shopping list! Yes, you read that right, a shopping list.
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Product of the week! Space Efficient Kitchen Tools
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The newest kitchen tools fold, bend and provide multiple uses in the kitchen!
There is a new generation of kitchen tools that are designed with time and space-efficiency in mind. These nifty new items all serve at least two purposes, saving space in cluttered kitchen cabinets and drawers. This is great for apartment-dwellers, and anyone with a small kitchen or maxed-out cabinets.
Here’s a rundown of some of the best new kitchen tools out there:
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Product of the Week: Over the Toilet Etagere!
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The over the toilet Etagere has to be one of the best inventions ever when it comes to space-efficient furniture. Many of us find that our bathrooms are exploding with cosmetic products, towels, medicine and more! And with the focus of most new home design and remodels being big, fancy kitchens, let’s face it, our bathrooms aren’t getting any larger.
Many new families also find that what used to be a roomy, organized bath is now a central gathering area for everyone’s stuff. The babies have their toys and the teens have their hair products.
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Product of the Week: Embossed Pewter Canisters
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The Big Debate over Canisters Rages On…
My mother and I have always had a big debate over whether a set of kitchen canisters on the counter top is a)useful or b)cluttery. I have always maintained the latter. It’s not that I don’t want to have flour handy for a quick white sauce or sugar for a baking job, it’s just that I don’t like a lot of stuff (or anything, really) on my counters.
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Space Treat: Don't let the door hit you on your way out!
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Is there a door in your home that has a mind of it's own? It makes unloading and loading a full car unnecessarily challenging. Have you ever been carrying an armful of stuff when the measly door wedge gives out? … and whack! Or worse, you're trying to open the door with one foot while balancing on the other and your arms are desperately trying to keep their grip on 5 bags of groceries.
These doors just don't stay where you put them and the biggest offenders are the spring-loaded doors forcing you to race your way through so it doesn't hit you on your backside.
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Possibly the Cutest Lunchbag Ever!
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Ok, I'm a little freaky over lunch bags. It's the whole hand bag obsession thing. You know, can't resist them. Don't deny it - I know some of you out there can relate (Marcia) ;).
Anyway - the KoKo Christy Lunch Bag is quite possible the cutest lunchbag to date! I think I have to get it. It's all nylon with a zippered top and great end pockets for all the little extras. And it's fully insulated - Keeps your hots hot or your colds cold!
Shoot - I'd even use this as a purse! No more melted makeup or chocolate on hot days, right?
They measure 11.5"H x 6"W x 5.5"D, so they will hold quite a bit! They come in Black, Green and Chocolate Brown. And not bad at just under $20!
Space Treat: Magnetic Solutions
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Right 12, Left 37, Right 16 - that was my high school locker combination.
Back to school season is here! We're surrounded by lots of new notebooks, pens, paper tablets and my favorite… magnetic gadgets for lockers!
Even if you're all grown up, you can still get a bang out of these fun and functional items. Magnetic gadgets are available all year round but right now there is an influx of bright, colorful ones marketed to students… but don't let that stop you from enjoying them yourself!
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Product of the Week: Insanely Cute Market Totes
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Brand new to Stacks and Stacks - Painfully cute Polka Dot Market Totes!
These have got to be some of the cutest tote bags I've ever seen! They are made of laminated polka dot printed cotton fabric and come in Lime, Pink or Black and White, with a little ribbon tie at the top to keep it closed.
The laminated fabric is great because it's water resistant and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. And with the 14.5" H x 14" W x 6" D size, this tote is great for books, beach, pool, diaper bag, purse, lunchbag, wet clothes or towels, quick grocery trips, kids toys - you name it!
At $19.99, it's a great deal for back to school, as a gift - or anything, really! Oooh! How great would this tote bag be as a reuseable gift wrapping with something else tucked inside!
How would you use this tote bag?
Product of the Week: Folding Shopping Cart
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Ever need an extra pair of arms? Check out this Folding Shopping Cart!
I really could have used something like this a few years back! We were living in a small neighborhood and we only had one car. Even though the store was close and my kids could make the walk, I would take their double stroller with me to load the groceries in. How great this cart would have been - It even has a drink holder!
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Product of the Week: Breakfast Carts!
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Color AND Space Efficiency, all in one piece!
Breakfast carts are not just for tiny homes. These nifty, space saving carts can be used for a multitude of purposes in homes, both large and small.
In larger houses, where a formal dining room is already available, a breakfast cart can be used in the kitchen as a gathering place for the family – a great place for kids to do their homework, parents to pay bills and singles to enjoy a quick meal.
In apartments, condos and smaller houses, a breakfast cart can do double duty in the kitchen as a prep area and eating area, and provides a great buffet and serving table at dinner parties.
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Space Efficient Patio Furniture
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Summer is here, which means lots of evenings outdoors: barbecuing, entertaining and relaxing. A nice chair to sit in and a place to rest your drink are key to enjoying this warm, treasured season!
However, for many of us, a new, full size patio furniture set may be out of the question. Maybe for financial reasons, or maybe for lack of space, but whatever the reason, be hopeful that you can find patio furniture that fits both your patio and your budget.
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Product of the Week: Store It On The Door!
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Some of my favorite organizing products are ones that hang on the back of doors. I think I just really like the idea of using the unused and unexpected space for organizing. Most are very easy to install, and many of them can be used for a variety of storage ideas far beyond their intended uses. Take these two, for example:
Over-the-door Hanging Purse Organizer
Over-the-door Belt and Scarf Organizer
What fantastic storage ideas! I could see all my purses, scarves and belts at once. My mornings would go so much easier! No more digging through drawers and closets!
With the adjustable clips, I'll bet these could also be used in the kids room for light weight stuffed animals and toys, in the bathroom for hair accessories, in the laundry room for socks without mates (lol!), maybe even in the kitchen or pantry for spice packets and mixes! The possibilities are endless - now all I need are more doors! 
Product of the Week: Baby Memories Box
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This may sound familiar to some of you moms and dads: it took my sister almost 3 years to pull together a baby book of her daughter’s first year.
Today’s busy parents have a hard enough time keeping up with the daily routine, so it’s no wonder that the keepsakes album gets put off until well into the toddler years, if it happens at all!
The problem with the traditional baby book, my sister found, is that it only holds 2 dimensional items.
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Product of the Week: Mario Batali Lunch Totes
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“Dear Mario, Your Lunch Bags Make Me Swoon!”
I used to carry my lunch in one of the many plastic grocery bags cluttering the cabinet under my sink, but ever since I started using reusable grocery bags, I ran into a little problem – no more lunch bags!
I may have outgrown my cutesie lunchbox, but I’m definitely not too old for a chic and class lunch tote.
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Product of the Week: This is how we stroll…
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Ever tried pushing a stroller while carrying a beverage, or anything in your hands for that matter? As if strollers weren’t cumbersome enough, then you go and stuff your pockets with your keys, cell phone, spare binkies, wallet and a baggy of Cheerios.
Very attractive, I must say!
And then when you need one of these bulky items, you go on a mining expedition through the depths of your cargo pants when you could be…Oh, I dunno, watching where you’re walking?
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Lunch Bags are Never Big Enough!
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I can't tell you how many lunch bags I've tried out at one point or another looking for a convenient way to "brown-bag" it at work, only to find that they just don't cut it for me. They are all too small!
Now if I were the kind of person who took a little time in the morning to make a sandwich, wash my berries, and measure a little salsa out of the jar, I suppose I would be fine. It might all fit. On a good day.
But me, I never have quite enough time in the morning (because I love my bed way too much!) to get me, my son, and my lunch ready to go. So I find myself grabbing a grocery bag and tossing in a loaf of bread, a brick of cheese, a box of strawberries, and anything else I find that's not bolted down!
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Finally Keep the Stuffed Animals off the Floor
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There's nothing better than starting your children off right in life with good habits (cuz the bad ones are so hard to break!).
Like keeping their space organized. And this is such a cute idea to help them do that!
The Stuffed Animal Vertical Toy Storage Organizer is a great solution to any child’s stuffed animal dilemma and takes up almost no room at all. You just slip the doll or stuffed animal through the elastic strap (preferably under their arms and not by their poor little necks) and, voila! 42 toys off the floor!
And when it’s full, it’s actually a pretty cute room decoration. You can get one here.
Un-Deck Your Halls the Right Way!
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As you un-deck your halls this year, be thinking about improving your Holiday storage.
Do you store your decorations in cardboard boxes? Not so good if you store them outside. Plastic bins make the perfect outdoor storage solution. There are even bins with dividers specifically for delicate ornaments!
Tired of trying to fit that round wreath back into a square box? Try a Wreath Keeper!
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A Real Space Saver!
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The folks over at The Home Know-It-All have a great little blog with lots of helpful tips for home design, improvement and repair.
They did us the honor of featuring the Stacks and Stacks Corner Space Saver Bookcase!
Thanks Guys!!
Back to School - With a Twist!
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When I was home schooling, I tried to give our "classroom" the look and feel of an authentic classroom.
I guess part of the reason was that I didn't want my kids to feel so "different" from their non-home-schooling friends. And the other part was because it was just plain fun!
I had a few things to make our home school feel like a classroom;
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Food Drying with an Attitude
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Think food dehydrators are just for jerky and dries apples? Think again!
We found the coolest book – Food Drying with an Attitude!
Along with really cool pictures (like the one here – Dried Pineapple Flowers!), it has directions for making everything from melt-in-your-mouth Kale Flakes to Unforgettable Spam Jerky (yeah, you read it right – Spam!).
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Product of the Week: Powell All-In-One Piece
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Talk about a kid's dream fort! I would have loved one of these bed/dresser/desk combos when I was a kid! It even had a hiding place in the back (I'm sure this is designed for storage, but it would be so much better for hide-and-seek!)
It's made out of solid pine and plywood (no particle board here!) and it has a full sized bed on the top. You can hang clothes in the back storage area, and the desk is big enough to accomodate a full sized computer or a TV and game console.
Considering you're getting two beds, a desk, a dresser and an armoire in one piece of furniture, $1699 is a steal!
Product of the Week: Kitchen Composter
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Here's a handy little item to help "green" up your kitchen - the Kitchen Compost Bin.
It's small enough (11"H x 9"W x 8.5"D) to keep tucked away in the kitchen, but large enough that you don't have to empty it daily (don't worry, it has a carbon filter in the lid to keep odors to a minimum!). You can easily mount it to a wall or the inside of a cabinet door by way of two screw slots in the back, and then simply slip it off and carry it out by the handle.
It's dishwasher safe and a great deal at $23.99.
Product of the Week & Repurposed Product: Moon and Stars Store & Take-along
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Since I forgot to post the Repurposed Item of the Week last week, I thought I'd give you a two in one this week with the Moon and Stars Store & Take-along.
It's intended for kid's toy storage, but wouldn't it be great for crafts or stamping? Or maybe school supplies or toiletries? Even snacks in the pantry! And if the primary colors aren't you style, a quick coat of paint would make it suitable for any room.
Where would you use it??
Get Organized for Tax Season!
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TAXES. The very word is cringe-worthy! But no matter how much you dread them…how long you procrastinate on doing them…how often you put off calling your tax adviser…eventually, taxes must be done!
Thankfully, there are products created specifically for the tax hater in all of us. Products like the Buttoned Up® Tax Filer™ (available online here) are designed to help us get organized for tax season and eliminate the stress associated with the April 15th deadline!
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Product of the Week: Stacking Bins
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We recently added the cutest little stacking bins to our Stacks and Stacks website!
These handy little bins come in three different sizes; small, medium and large. They're made from a hard but not brittle plastic that's super chip resistant and crystal clear. They're great for CDs, craft or office supplies, seasoning packets in the kitchen, in the bathroom for hair ties.
Their only limit is your imagination!
Is Your Laundry Room Organized?
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Unless you are very fortunate (and already very organized), your laundry room is probably like most; small, and one of the last places you think of organizing. But when you think about it, it’s a vital room to keep on top of. Since I have no garage or hall closet, my laundry room is cleaning and storage central for our home. When it’s disorganized, that feeling of chaos spreads to all my other tasks as well.
Here are a few tips for organizing that all-important room:
• Make the most of your walls - Items like a mop and broom rack, an ironing board rack and fold-out laundry hanger will give you the most bang for your buck and make the most of your otherwise unused wall space.
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Product of the Week: Monitor Stand
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I have trouble with most monitor stands. They’re too tall. But without one, the monitor is too low. Either way, it’s literally a pain in the neck. I had to settle for a ream of printer paper until I found this.
It’s covered in a leather-look black vinyl with white stitching. It has little catch-all pockets on both sides, but the best part is the magnetic-closure drop-down door in the front that hides enough storage space underneath to hide my ream of paper!
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Product of the Week: Light Keeper
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Holiday decorating is so much fun – until you’re confronted with a massive tangled ball of lights! We found a great solution!
The Light Keeper kit comes with two spools that mount to the racks inside of the sturdy storage bag. You can remove the spools to dispense the lights or pull them right off the spool while it's in the bag. Each spool will hold approximately 75 to 100 feet of indoor lights. The bag also has an outer pocket that’s great for extension cords and spare bulbs.
Product of the Week: The Decorating Assistant
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The biggest obstacle when completing a decorating project (whether it's an entire house or just one room) is the clutter that ensues. Drawings, swatches, clippings, business cards, and instruction manuals strewn about the house, are the last thing you need if you want a successful job done.
My jaw just about hit the floor when I came across the Decorating Assistant Organizer. As I raised my fists in the air and let out half-elated / half-aggravated roar to the heavens, I thought about my previous projects and the time, confusion, and headaches I could’ve saved myself.
I am so excited about the Decorating Assistant. Not only because it will keep me organized during my next project, but because staying organized will alleviate the disorder, and put the fun back in decorating!