The laundry closet has actually been done for about 2 weeks, it’s just taken me awhile to take the pictures and update my blog. If you’re interested in the before pictures, check out the original laundry closet post.

We have a ton of storage now. Elfa shelving is awesome. We originally only bought 2 shelves for each side. After we put them up, we realized we would be able to comfortably fit three shelves. Because Elfa gives the flexibility to adjust the shelves, we went back to the Container Store for an extra row of shelves. Our top shelves give us room for growth. I’m storing my beach towels (in a plastic bag so they don’t get dusty) on the left top shelf because those don’t get used very often. On the right top shelf, I’ve store extra office supplies.

Previously, the ironing board was squeezed in the closet next to the dryer (on the right wall). While this maximized space, it was not easy to get the ironing board in and out of the close. Since our board has a cute cover, we bought an over the door ironing board holder and now store the board on the outside of the door where it is very easy to use. It makes a statement with it’s colorful cover. As convenient as this new location is, my husband still doesn’t put the ironing board away; we’ll have to work on that, Bill.

In place of the ironing board, we put up a small towel bar to hang a cleaning rag and my delicates bag.

All of the wash supplies we use regularly (bleach, detergent, baking soda, oxyclean, stain stick and woolite) are on the bottom shelf right above the washer. It is so easy to graph the detergent and bleach bottle. Bill said he didn’t realize how much energy he spent pulling those bottles before we put up the new shelves. I was always worried I was going to hurt my wrist. I put the baking soda and oxyclean in cute glass jars with scoops so that I can easily take the top off my jar and scoop the appropriate powder. No moving of the jar required (although I will have to move the jar when I get close to the bottom). I also put up an undershelf basket for my dryer sheets, color absorbtion sheets and garbage bags. I can easily grab the sheet and it uses space that would otherwise go unused; the lid to the washer easily clears this shelf. The second shelf on the left side is for extra laundry supplies.

On the left wall I have my dustbuster and a bulletin board with laundry instructions and a bag for buttons. The laundry instructions are care of Martha Stewart Living and helpful for deciphering the little graphics on some care tags. I can also pin things that come out of pockets so that one of my cats doesn’t bat it off the dryer.

The shelves on the right side hold ironing supplies, rags, dryel supplies, garbage bags, miscellaneous cleaning supplies and extra hangers. Everything is in a labeled container making easy to know where to find things, or where to put them when I’m done.

There are only 2 things on top of my dryer - a little garbage can and a money jar. The little garbage can collects garbage, mostly dryer lint and tissues from my pockets. All money from our pockets, usually mine, goes in the money jar. I figure every six months or so we’ll empty it. It’s taking all my willpower not to dig the bills out right now. I think there’s about $10 of mine in there. Drats!

Last but not least is the fun orange color. I love it. You make think it’s too bright, but everytime I look in there, I smile.

Bill and I are really happy with our new laundry area. It’s well-organized, colorful and functional.

Tags: laundry room, organization

Bill and I spent 3 very fun and hot days in Chicago this past weekend. We have friends who are Boston fans so we planned on making it a long weekend if we got tickets, and we got lucky the day tickets went on sale.

We headed to the Friendly Confines for the Friday game. The atmosphere to this game was amazing. It was reminiscent of the NLCS games in Florida. Boston fans were out in full force. Everyone was friendly and in good spirits, though the Cubs fans ended up enjoying themselves a bit more. The only downside was the heat. It was sunny and hot and almost unbearable. My shoulders are still pink. The Cubs put on a good show and Bill and I enjoyed every minute of it. Our friends, not quite as much.

My girlfriend and I spent Saturday touring the city. What a great city. We started at Navy Pier where we saw Mia Garciaparra. It was definitely her. The city offers free trolleys which take a couple of routes through the city. Free and convenient, I highly recommend. We took a trolley to Marshall Fields on State Street, my all-time favorite store. Then headed down to the river and up to Michigan Avenue to check out the Magnificent Mile. We strolled down Michigan Avenue until we got to the John Hancock Center where we checked out the ovservatory. What a view. It was hazy so we couldn’t see Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, but a spectacular view nonetheless. We got some very good pictures. Before you get on the elevator, the staff takes your picture in front of a green screen and in the observatory they can superimpose your picture on a couple of different backgrounds. They also have a couple of other fun photo opportunities. And be careful, because they might put you to work washing windows on the 94th floor.

Being away from Chicago, I’ve forgotten what a great city it is. It was fun getting reaquainted with it.

cubs
chicago

Tags: Cubs, Chicago