Storing Christmas

Alas, the season of Christmas trees, bright lights, Nativity scenes, and inflatable yard decorations (not too sad to see these go) is gone.

Now what?

Time to store. Everything (insert groan now!). Truthfully, my decorations will probably be up a week more but for those that are ahead of the game here are a few Christmas decoration organizing and storing tips (apply to every season of the year!) 

Prior to boxing up the yuletide season allow me to quickly say something about purging. It never fails that as the season progresses new decorations and ornaments arrive. Maybe even a new tree or two. My advice, as new decorations come in, toss old ones. I'm not saying chunk those sentimental family ornaments but maybe those gold balls that have seen better days. Or maybe that Christmas wreath that looks more like a cat's scratching post than faux Douglas Fur tree branches. Not only are these things probably not going to make out for all to see next year but they are taking up valuable storage space. 

Okay, so now time for the tips:

-Label, label, label! After you've gone through the trouble of putting everything away, make sure you can find it months later. 

-Containers. Using the best storage container for the job will keep your decorations safe and looking their best for next year. Check out this website for ideas on safely storing ornaments.

-Think outside the box. Just because it came in a box doesn't mean it will fit back into one. Sometimes the best organized storing doesn't use boxes at all. These websites have some great tips for storing those objects that just don't work in boxes: wreaths, lights,  more lights, and candles.  

-Educate yourself. If you're serious about keeping your decorations in tip-top shape and easily found, read up! Here are a few articles to get you started: One, Two, Three .

Hope this gives you a place to start storing and organizing! If you have any tips, please share! If you're still overwhelmed and need more than just your decorations organized, contact Divine Order today!

Happy Organizing!

Chalk it up

Chalk boards in classrooms are almost obsolete but using chalk in the home has never been more popular!

Slapping some chalk paint on any smooth surface in your house makes for a perfect location for lists and reminders. Front of refrigerators and cabinets to a child's bedroom wall is a great place for a chalkboard. 

via DIY Home Decorating Ideas

via Kitchen Design Ideas

via Houzz

These traditional uses of chalk paint are great but check out these creative ways...

via Desire to Inspire

via The Style Files

via ReCreate

Happy chalk painting! Contact Divine Order for some more great ideas!

Organizing with color

Divine Order is settled deep the heart of "God's country" aka Aggieland.

Having a large university smack in the middle of town means a lot revolves around the school year and students. With August upon us there will be plenty of dorm decorating and organizing happening very soon! 

Browsing any of the local retailers, you will find anything and everything a dorm room may need in wide assortment of colors. 

This made me realize, one of the easiest way to organize, particular for children, is through color!

Just like coeds buy things in a certain colors to identify their items in the dorm, giving children a designated color helps them associate their things from another sibling. This works exceptionally well if siblings must share a room. Here are some great ideas to consider!

Toy Organizing via The Terpblog

 Storing Children's Toys & Books part 2 via Delightful Order

 Under this stairs toy closet via Delightful Order

Closet Case: The Ultimate Kid's Study Zone via IHeart Organizing 

 

Hope these links have been inspirational!Any helpful colorful organizing helpful hints? Please share.

Contact Divine Order today if you're interested in organizing your little one's space.

DIY Office Chest

I posted a previous blog on discrete office storage with lots of ideas on how to organize all those loose papers. 

Considering that not everyone has the budget to purchase new office storage and being a fan of re-purposing myself, I wanted to share this office in a trunk idea. I actually found this project while looking up painting techniques for a bookshelf I'm re-doing. Who knew an old truck had this kind of potential!

photo via marthastewart.com

Thank you again Martha Stewart! 

If you're more of a visual person, like me, I found a video of a similar project. Check it out here. 

Have other office organizing ideas you want to share? Leave us a comment about it!

Once your project is complete, contact Divine Order to better organize everything that will fit inside.

Useful Information

Because you never know when how to properly fold a fitted sheet may come in handy! I consider this very useful and plus I couldn't resist!

Photo via MarthaStewart.com

Thank you Martha Stewart for giving me something to do on my day off.

Happy 1st Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to Amy and Dustin! 

 

7F Lodge

 7F Lodge

7F Lodge

7F Lodge

Wishing the two of you many more happy years to come!

Contact Divine Order for your summer wedding!

Mr. and Mrs. Jones

 Congrats to Avery (Erratt) and Spencer Jones! 

The newly married couple said their "I do's" on May 21st in Bryan. 

This couple was wonderful to work with. The bride was very laid back and completely calm despite all the wedding happenings going on around her. She was glowing in her dress (it had pockets!) and couldn't wait to become a Mrs.! Spencer made a great groom. He had the same laid back vibe and couldn't help but smile from ear to ear at the fact that he was about to have a wife!

The ceremony and reception took place at the same location, First Presbyterian Church. The sanctuary was simply decorated with tea candles along the altar and around the choir chairs.  Stunning!

The reception was held in the church's Fellowship Hall.  The bride had chosen the colors of navy blue and white, which were incorporated throughout the reception's decorations and flower arrangements. A dear family friend gifted the bride with her talent of decorating and what a job she did! The bride and groom's interested were a part of every detail from the books and music sheets on the table to a generational table with 4 generations of wedding pictures!

Generational table.

Generational table.

 Favors, favors, favors! The bride made each one, 500 of them!

 Love!

 One of the table centerpieces.

Another centerpiece.

And another.

I am going to steal this idea!

 Just a few of the vases used. All from the mother of the bride's home.

The most unique part of this reception was that instead of a cake for the bride and groom they chose pie! The pie bar was a huge success! With eight different varieties to choose from, everyone was satisfied. The coffee bar was also a hit with too many flavors to count and a smell that filled the entire room.

Very creative way to gain height on a table. 

 My favorite!

 Stunning bride.

Hands down this wedding has to be the most unique! 

This was the first couple that I actually knew outside of the wedding (in the real world!) and am so happy they are starting a new life together! Congrats again you too!

Vendors:

• Ceremony/Reception: First Presbyterian Church of Bryan
• Florists: Final Touches Floral Design
• Bakery: Fabulous Fare Bakery
• Coffee bar: It's a Grind Coffee House
• Photographer: Jared Tseng Photography

Contact Divine Order today for your wedding!

Organized Kitchen

If there is one thing that is very hard to organize, it's a kitchen. Cabinets and drawers are the perfect hiding places for stacks and piles. From utensils to plastic storage containers nothing is safe from becoming a part of the mess.

It may not be possible to keep  every area of your kitchen neat and tidy every day but it is an absolutely wonderful idea to re-organize the space once a week. With the potential of many cooks in the kitchen (never a bad thing!), having frequently used items in easy to reach/find spaces is a must!

Here are a few ideas to get you started on the organized kitchen quest.


Thank you Sandy, for this wonderful idea on storing plasticware!

photo via Organize with Sandy

Camilla came up with a great idea for re-purposing items you may laying around the house.

photo via First Lady of the House

Happy Organizing!

Need more tips? Contact Divine Order!

Wedding planning 101

So you're engaged, congrats!

But now what? Well, let the planning begin!

There are plenty of resources out there to help in the planning process. Here are a few all in one place to help get the process started a little quicker and easier.

I cannot stress this website enough! It has every conceivable resource and all the recent styles and trends!

Susan Southerland, contributor to the Wedding Planning Blog has some fabulous tips and advice. Check out the planning website here: My Perfect Wedding Guide

No wedding would be complete without Real Simple Weddings and Martha Stewart Weddings.

 

The Bride's Guide at Martha Stewart Weddings is a fabulous blog to read up on for great new ideas and tips!

Don't forget, while you're doing all that planning, reserve your wedding with Divine Order so we can take care of your special day!

Happy wedding planning!

Needs Ideas?

The past couple of days I have come across several organizing blogs that have some great, creative, and inspirational ideas! 

Sew Many Ways is one busy lady! Not only does she have several organizing ideas, they are all relatively inexpensive. I'm very jealous of her sewing/craft room! 

photo via Sew Many Ways

Away We Go is a fun place to get started whether it's in the kitchen, office, or just around the house!

photo via Away We Go

Both the House of Smith's and Honey & Fitz put the biggest smile on my faces. Who doesn't want a well organized, beautifully painted food pantry? This may be a little longer of a project but I think it would definitely pay off.

photo via House of Smith's

These women are very talented and crafty! Hope they inspire you and help you organize! 

Inspired? Or need some more organizing tips? Contact Divine Order!

Brides Guide!

I'm so excited to finally post this blog! 

The 2011 Brazos Valley Brides Guide is finally posted online! 

 Photo via The Eagle

If you weren't able to grab a copy in the paper, check out the online version. Hope it gives every bride or mother of the bride lots of resources. 

Can you spot Divine Orders ad??

Don't forget to attend the Bridal Show this Sunday at the Brazos Expo center. (They will be handing out copies of the Brides Guide there as well.)

Happy Wednesday.

Heading for a Wedding

Every couple should look into this! It does a great job covering areas nearly engaged or engaged couples are going to have to deal with. 

Visit their website!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 1st Anniversary to Monica and Will Rogers!

Their wedding was on January 30, 2009. My first wedding to work and the beginning of a wonderful journey called Divine Order! 

P.S. I LOVED the brides choice of winter wedding colors - plum and silver. Very romantic.

Contact Divine Order to reserve your wedding date!

In Plain Site

I love planners and calendars! I've got one on the fridge, in the office, in my purse, at work, and on my phone. As long as they all stay updated, they are a wonderful aid to keep your life running smoothly. 

These are some super charged calendar systems. 

images via Pottery Barn

I'm sure with a little creativity and searching, you could put together your own "schedule station". With a set up like these you'll be on top of everything! Contact Divine Order if you're interested in creating your own schedule station!

Where do you keep your planner?

Home office - Discrete Storage

I love a good organizing challenge. Tackling storage for a home office is one good challenge!

Paper just comes with the office territory and many let it get the best of them. A good desk that stays well organized is the first step in keeping a tame office. Other ways include filing systems, paper trays, and bookcases/shelves.

Metal filing cabinets are just ugly. Period, but they offer such great filing space it's hard not to use them. Fortunately, many office supply stores and even home furniture stores offer filing cabinets with wood finishes to look more like furniture than a nasty hunk of metal.

Not a big fan of wood finishes? Look at these options:

image via Ballard Design

 

 I've got a weakness for wicker.

image via Pottery Barn

It's an ottoman and you can pick your fabric!

image via Ballard Design

This is a more manly option but double check the dimensions first.

image via Serena and Lily

Loose papers that have not find a permanent home in a drawer, filed away still need designated trays or bins. Make sure the container stays shallow as to avoid too many papers from piling up. My preference is wire just because it allows for me to keep an eye or how deep my pile is getting. 

image via Pottery Barn

 

 images via Ballard Design (1, 2, 3)

Books shelves are always fun to throw into an office. 

There's this statement piece.

image via Restoration Hardware

Or something more traditional.

image via Pottery Barn 

Cubbyholes are fun too.

image via Pottery Barn

Ready to tackle your office yet? I am! Just remember, even though you may have all these pieces that doesn't mean your office is clutter free. A tidy home office does take some time to maintain and a good system is necessary in order to keep paper piles and stress away.