Grocery List

Don't you just hate it when you're all set to bake cupcakes but realize that you don't have eggs in your ref?  Or when you're craving for a sandwich but you're out of bread?  Me no likey.  That's why I have this in the kitchen:

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A grocery list and a pencil (upper right hand side of the photo) so we can easily jot down stuff that we need before they run out.  Notice how I placed my grocery coupons right next to it?

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I put my grocery list on my ref.

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It's made from recycled paper too!  I use Aly's old worksheets and her old notebooks for my grocery list.  

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I never go to the supermarket without a list because I end up buying stuff that I don't really need and miss the stuff that I really need.  It keeps my budget on track and my life much easier.  Now I can happily cook or bake whatever I want, whenever I want :)

Cleaning Out Our Closets

Richard and I bought a couple of these storage containers from Tesco Lotus last weekend.

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They were on sale.  Only Thb199 each (Php275)

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So I spent the last couple of days cleaning out our closets.   I downsized our wardrobes; took out the ones that we haven't worn in a long time -- small clothes, sweaters and jackets...I also cleaned out our storage closet and boy, I didn't know we had so much junk at home!  That, aside from the two luggages filled with old clothes and other stuff that we're planning to give away.  If I had my way, I would have had them shipped to Manila through our suki in Pratunam just to get rid of them, but they probably weigh around 50 kilos or more and that's going to cost a lot.  Thankfully, Richard goes on business trips quite frequently and he flies Thai airways so he  just brings home as much as his baggage allowance would allow.

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I also saw this big paper bag filled with more paper bags:

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And this does not include the other bag where I keep my gift boxes.  The funny thing is, I kept all these thinking that I might need them someday -- for what exact reason, I don't really know.  But that day never came, and they just kept piling up so they all had to go.  I gave them to the housekeeper, hoping that they will find a way to recycle the bags.

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My closet looks better too, by the way.

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 I labeled them with post-its for hassle-free searching.

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Speaking of labeling, I also fixed Aly and Richard's DVD cabinet.  I know how these two tend to look for things with their mouth, not with their eyes i.e they will ask me, where is my (insert name of object here)? Even when it's right in front of them.  Sooo, I left a note for the two.

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I should have taken a "before" photo.  Sayang!  Anyway, this is the "after".

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Here's the note up close.  See how I used a bold marker?  Ewan ko na lang pag hindi pa nila ito nakita.  Hmph!

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The next day, I was supposed to put the other DVD's in a spare container and I found this:

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Looks like I have a magical elf in the house.  Heehee!

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I don't think Aly was happy with my note so she made a new one.  Haha!

My Spice Jars

I didn't throw away my Starbucks Frappuccino bottles because they were too pretty and I knew I would find a good way to use them someday.

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We tried out different flavors like Mocha and Vanilla, but I like Caramel best.  Nothing beats the blended version, though.

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Then, I got the idea to turn them into spice jars from my Cook with Jamie Oliver book.

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From Jamie Oliver's cookbook, Cook with Jamie. Why not?  I can soo do this.

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Ta-dah!  My spice jars.

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I used Liquid Paper old school style (the one that comes in a bottle with a brush) to label them.

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If only I had an open cupboard where I can display them para naman hindi masayang ang effort.  Heehee!

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Organizers

I am OC and I'm not ashamed to admit it. It drives my husband crazy sometimes but that's how I roll :) Allow me to share with you my organizing tools. Who knows, you might be able to pick up something from this :)

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Drawer organizers. I got these organizers during the clearance sale at Central Chidlom. Oh, how I love clearance sales where they practically give away all their stuff at 70-90% off! These come in sets of three, and I got them for only Thb99 per set. I think I bought five sets. I just went crazy because I don't think I'd buy them at all if they were sold at regular prize. Heehee!
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I like how these drawer organizers keep everything compartmentalized. Here, I used the smallest in the set for my swimsuits and tank tops.
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They also help hide the clutter. The large ones on the top shelf I use them for our seasonal clothes like scarves, sweatshirts.
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aRichard's socks are separated by color. Black socks in the large organizer, while the white socks are in the medium one.
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aAly has only two drawers in her closet and this one is her underwear drawer. I used medium and small organizers to separate her underwear from the colored socks, the white socks and other stuff.
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I think having a drawer organizer not only makes your drawers look neat and organized; they also allow more room for your stuff. Next, I will show you my acrylic boxes. I did not get these on sale, unfortunately, so I had to buy them little by little. They come in different sizes, prices range from Thb15 for the smallest one to Th85 for the biggest ones
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My earring drawer.
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aI bought separate boxes for my wedding accessories. Yes, I brought them with me even if I don't know where and how to use them. Heehee!
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aThe bigger earrings are in bigger boxes as well.
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aThis is where I keep my necklaces and cocktail rings...
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a...my make-up and my hair accessories.
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aNo box for my bangles yet, so for now, I placed them in a white basket together with my headbands.
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I wish I can also put my shoes in acrylic boxes, but it's too much. Buti sana if I have Jimmy Choos, Manolos or Gucci. Heehee!
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Now, I'm going to show you my luggage organizer. My friends know about this because I was making them kulit if they can buy this for me. It's sold only in bazaars and through their multiply shop.
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I got three sets. Pink for Aly, blue for Richard and purple for me.
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aThis is how it looks like inside the maleta. Just like the drawer organizer, this makes more room in your luggage for your stuff. I also like how our clothes are segregated so that when they ask me for a shirt, pants, socks, I don't have to dig through the maleta to find what they need.
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aEach set comes with their own storage bag. I got these from Trendy Travel Tools, by the way. Each set is around Php700 I think. It's a good investment na rin since we travel naman at least twice a year. Just Google them and check out their site for more info.
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aMore packing tools. I also got these from the Central Chidlom clearance sale. Set of two for Thb129. I use these for Richard's long-sleeved shirts and pants. Perfect for his business travels.
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aMay folding instruction pa.
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Martha Stewart much? You should see my cupboards and pantry. Well, if you have a husband and a daughter who tends to look for things with their mouth and not with their eyes (i.e asking you the wherabouts of something when it's right in front of them), everything should labeled. Peace! I love you both! Heehee! But really, I think being organized makes things easy not just for me but for everyone who lives in this house as well. Being clutter-free makes me more efficient. Kapag madaming kalat, I get stressed and masungit. Like I said, that's how I roll :)