Family Room Storage

We found this really nice looking TV stand for our TV (via the internet). To keep everything contained and neat, I put our collection of CD's inside these nice long covered basket containers (World Market). When the cabinet doors are closed, you can see the nice containers instead of plastic or the CD covers. And it makes it quite easy to look for the CD's inside the baskets as the spine on the CD is facing the top, and of course I have them alphabetized :)

We also wanted to have the kids' books and toys accessible, but also be contained. We bought this IKEA shelf, laid it on it's side and added baskets (also from IKEA). Three years later, the unit and baskets are holding up nicely. I have a 7 & 4 year-old, so this shelf and basket unit gets quite a lot of use during the day.

->TIP: I hot glued a piece of felt on the bottom of the basket so the basket would not scratch the surface of the book shelf. Measure the bottom of the basket & cut that amount of felt out. I used dark brown felt for this project. The brown blends in with the basket and no one can see it.

And, to hide all of our many mismatch blankets that we use, I love my footstool from Target.

Kitchen and Closet Storage

Pantry storage is where I really focus on using my containers :)
I pour the cereal into see through containers so I know when that special cereal is almost gone - no more tears at breakfast now :)
I also put pasta and rice in see through containers (IKEA). It really helps me figure out if I have enough on hand for a meal. I also have snacks on the low shelf for the kids, again, in see through containers (Tupperware). Easy for the kids to get to when they get home from school. We buy healthy snacks, so we aren't worried about if they get into any one container.

I have a shoe rack (IKEA) in the pantry for the recycle bin and to add basket drawers (IKEA) for garbage bags, paper towels, bottled water, etc.

As a bonus, I keep the kids' art on the inside of the pantry doors, instead of on the refridgerator. Two pantry doors = 1 side for DD and 1 side for DS - equality rules :) And, the cluttered look of paper (even though their art is so beautiful), can be "hidden" when the doors are closed :)

Menu Plan Monday - March 15-21

Monday:

Chicken Cordon Bleu with Roasted Asparagus

Tuesday:

Orzo with Parmasaen and Basil

Wednesday:  Happy St. Patty's Day :)

Chicken Reuben Sandwich and salad

Thursday:

Beef Stew

Friday:

Left over buffet

Saturday:

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Sunday:

Roast Sub