Tomorrow and the rest of the week will be filled with giveaways too! I know how you all love to win! We have some special giveaways lined up from Betty Crocker, the new cupcake book from What’s New Cupcake authors and of course you can win MY new book too…Cupcakes! 12 Months of Happiness!

A little while back, I shared our Home Goals List with you, and told you about how the office really needs to be finished. Specifically a new desk {currently I’m working on a folding table} and also an area to organize paperwork.

I have been looking for some inspiration and trying to figure out just how I wanted Doug to build a new Office Desk for me. I’ve been adding some ideas to my Pinterest DIY Board and came across a couple that inspired me.

This desk is part of an amazing Craft Room shared by Being Brook.  She used the instructions from another great blog that is new to me, Ana White Homemaker, she has amazing ideas with lots of instructions.

I love all the storage under this desk from Between Naps on the Porch.

So we headed to The Home Depot, looked around and got some prices and figured out what we wanted. Then Doug and Andrew headed over yesterday to pick up the wood.

Stay tuned for the DIY instructions, update and then the big reveal!

What has inspired you this week?

What lies ahead? Schedules, sports practices and games, homework, lunches, events, meetings, we can go on and on.

It was my intention to just post some ideas for you once, but when I started looking around, there are simply too many great ideas to fit into one post. So, all this week and maybe next week, I will be tackling some of those issues for you like; Organizing Tips, Easy Make Ahead Recipes, First of School Photo Ideas and of course, more Back to School Cupcakes, just to name a few.

As I’ve mentioned a few times, my boys go back to school this week. And although they are older {one in college, one in high school and one in middle school} I still need to stay organized to keep up with everything I need to accomplish.

Today we are chatting about Organizing Tips. While I like to think of myself as an organized Mom, at least most of the time, there is always room for new ideas and improvement.

Create a Command Center

I love this area! I have seen the photo on several different blogs and couldn’t seem to trace it back to it’s original owner. One of the blogs I came across during my search was Beach and Barn, they share more great ideas for Command Centers too! I love how even though it’s a small space, it accomplishes a lot. We have an area near our back door that I have been wanting to re-do almost since we moved in nearly 3 years ago. Maybe it will happen soon.

This Command Center that was shared by Katherine Marie, is brilliant! I love the little clipboards to hold information for each day of the week. And the chalkboard…to die for!

Family Calendar

We currently have this simple system, with a large calendar that holds all the events and appointments, and I color code each family member. Doug thinks I’m crazy for doing it like that, but honestly, it has helped so much. The boys come into my office, look at the calendar and know exactly what item is theirs. The wipe-off board is for all my posts that are due.

Organize Papers

One of the organizing tools I used when my boys were younger was this box for papers. There are tons of artwork, school papers, certificates, awards and so on that you need to keep. Any file box will do, then just get some hanging folders to divide out the years and simply slip the papers into the appropriate folder.

This box is also another good place to keep medical and dental records.

Taming Homework Time

Creating a Homework Box to hold all the supplies that might be needed during Homework Time is easy and can save you tons of time when you are searching for the supplies.

Organize Dinner Time

I know you have heard me talk tons about Menu Planning, specifically Monthly Menu Planning. It’s absolutely one of the easiest ways to organize your time in the kitchen, especially now, when the kids come home from school and there is homework, sports practice, games, and meetings.

Share your organizing tips with us!!

Linking to…Works For Me Wednesday, Show and Tell Friday

Many years ago, when my boys were all young, I created a Homework Box. It’s important to have all of the supplies that they need at school, but what about when they come home from school and need supplies to complete their homework?

You can make your Homework Box as simple or complex as you need. I added some of the items that my teenagers will need, but just had to add the cute border too. The border comes in long strips, that teachers can also use in classroom decorating. I just used Modge Podge to apply it to the box.

I bought all the supplies at Walmart, here is what I got…

• Plastic Storage Box $2.47 {love how the handles lock to close}
• Markers, Colored Pencils and Red Ink Pens $.97 each
• Dixon Pencils $.94
• Ruler and Pencil Sharpener $.97 each
• Index Cards $.64
• Calculator and Erasers $1 each
• Correction Tape and Sharpie Highlighters $1.47 each
• Scotch Tape $.97
• Post it Notes $1.97
• Decor Border $.97

What can I say? I’m a little geeky when it comes to school supplies. I even filled a tote bag to donate to a local teacher, watch for that next week!

The ideas are endless for storage boxes…

• Pack snacks for after school or practice. Tiffany from Eat at Home has a awesome new series starting, Drive.Play.Feed.Sports Season Suppers
• Fill with “quiet” toys for toddlers
• Crafting? Fill it with each type of craft supply you need
• Bake cookies? Fill with cookie cutters like Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle does
• And of course, we can’t forget about cupcake decorating supplies, watch for a tutorial on this soon!

Disclosure: This post is part of a campaign I am participating in with the Walmart Moms. Walmart has provided me with compensation  for this post. My participation is voluntary and opinions, as always are my own.

Linking to…Weekend Wrapup Party, Saturday Night Special, Made By You Monday, Transformation Thursday, Get Your Craft On

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While during a recent trip to Walmart, Doug and I were looking around for something to hold some grilling supplies. Unfortunately, we didn’t find what we wanted, but we decided to make one ourselves. And I thought you all might enjoy it!

It’s super easy, let’s gather our supplies…

• Large rectangle basket {found near the crafts & floral supplies}
• 3 dowel rods {found in the craft aisle, 1/4 inch $.37 each}
• White Paint {found in the craft aisle $.97}
• Krylon Polyurethane Matte Finish {in the paint section $3.24}
• Foam brushes {in the craft aisle $.97}
• Sugar Jar {found near the kitchen accessories $.97 each}
• Salt & Pepper Shakers {found near the kitchen accessories $.47}
• Tablecloth {Better Homes & Gardens Plastic $3.00 on clearance}
• Plastic plates {left over from my Picnic basket}
• Napkins and silverware {in the party section $.97 each}
• Grilling Supplies that you have on hand or purchase them.

I bought everything at Walmart.

Instructions:

1. Paint all of the dowel rods and let dry.
2. Measure each to fit the basket, mark and cut to fit.
3. Spray basket with Krylon to protect it from the weather

Picnic Caddy…

• Plates, Napkins and Silverware
• Condiments
• Salt & Pepper

A simple swap out of the tablecloth, plates and napkins {found near the party section}…makes it perfect for a 4th of July Celebration.

Grilling Caddy…

• Fill the sugar jars with Seasoning Salt, Kosher Salt or other seasoning that you like to grill with
• Grilling Utensils
• Towel & Grilling Mit
• Barbecue Sauce and basting brush
• Meat thermometer
• Salt & Pepper

I think this would also make a great birthday gift or even a gift for a wedding or shower. You could change the size of the basket and make a baby shower gift.

Gratitude Journal: I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be a Walmart Mom. I appreciate all of the opportunities that they give me.

Disclosure: This post is part of a campaign I am participating in with the Walmart Moms. Walmart has provided me with compensation  for this post. My participation is voluntary and opinions, as always are my own.

I’m linking to…Show Me How, Show & Tell Friday, Frugal Friday

I knew that at some point I could give it new life and have the perfect spot for it. My office has become a bit overwhelming, to say the least, and I definitely work much better when everything is organized.

With just a few cans of spray paint and some scrapbooking supplies that I had on hand for the Cupcake Pinwheels, I created not only a spot to keep things organized, but it’s also really cute. Especially the Cupcake Pinwheel Garland!

First, the Baker’s Rack…

Doug helped with the painting, he used Krylon gray primer and then I found some paint on clearance at Walmart. Bahama Sea…I think spray paint is my new best friend!

While it was drying, I made the Cupcake Pinwheel Garland. Last year, when I made the Pinwheel Garland for the Summer Mantel, I knew there would be more Pinwheels to come. With some cute cupcake scrapbook in hand, I gathered up the supplies…

Cupcake Pinwheel Garland Supplies:

• Scrapbook Paper
• Brads
• Tiny Clothespins {I found these at Walmart in the office supplie area}
• Glue

Since I already shared the tutorial on how to make the pinwheels, I won’t bore you again. Head on over and check it out!

Aren’t they pretty? The thing I love about the Pinwheels is that they are so versatile. Put a stick on them for cute plant decoration, and be sure to watch soon for a fun Pinwheel Cupcake!

Add the pinwheels to a ribbon with the clothespins.

I just love being organized!!

I’m linking to…Spray Paint Party over at Thrifty Decor Chick, Get Your Craft On

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GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Our next giveaway comes to you from Scout by Bungalow Tote Bags. This is a MUST SEE company who sells bags, totes, bins and other items that help to keep you organized. However, these are not your run of the mill storage items, these are fun and original!

Scout by Bungalow was started in 2004. They began with 4 bags and 4 designs and have grown to more than 400 items including totes, storage containers, insulated items, travel and flooring. They have the most gorgeous colors and designs available. The one thing I instantly noticed was that you can find patterns from whimsical to contemporary. No matter your design taste, there is something for everyone! I was super excited when I received a few Scout by Bungalow Tote Bags to try out for myself!!

After receiving my Scout Organizing Totes, I knew immediately what I wanted to do. We had an old Baker’s Rack behind the garage, and I knew I could bring it to life with a little spray paint. I will share the DIY project on Friday, but until then…

These organizing storage totes are the most sturdy and definitely the cutest I have seen. I received 2 Hang 10 for hanging folders, 2 Mightah {mini} storage totes and 2 magazine holders. I love being organized, it just makes life so much easier.

One lucky Hoosier Homemade reader will receive Storage Bin package,{same as pictured above, you can choose your own design} valued at $110 from Scout by Bungalow Tote Bags.

Entry is simple! You just need to answer the question below by leaving a comment on this site! You can even gain up to 3 bonus entries for doing each additional item listed (just make sure that you leave one entry for each one — up to a total of 4 comments). As a reminder, comments left on Facebook, Twitter or other posts will not be included.

REQUIRED ENTRY:

• Visit Scout by Bungalow Tote Bags and checkout all of the totes, bags, bins and their patterns. Then come back here and and leave a comment on which is your favorite!

BONUS ENTRIES:

• Subscribe to Cupcake Chronicles or Hoosier Homemade
• Follow Hoosier Homemade on Facebook or Twitter
• Follow Scout by Bungalow Tote Bags on Facebook.

This giveaway will remain open until 11:59 p.m. EST, Friday, April 15th. Any comments left after this cut-off will not be counted. The winner will be selected randomly and will be notified via email within 48 hours after the close of the contest.

This giveaway is part of the Grateful Giveaways Event being hosted by myself and 11 other bloggers. You can increase your chances of winning this prize (as well as all of the others on this site), by visiting each of them and entering the same way as you did here. You have plenty of time to get to all of them, since the contest will be open for five full days.

EACH of the 12 participating blogs has their own prizes to give away so make sure to enter on each blog for the best chances to win! Use this Spreadsheet to keep track of your entries!

As one final reminder, you will want to check out the terms of the giveaway by visiting the Grateful Giveaways: Celebrating a Season of Giving Facebook page. Just click on the TERMS tab at the top of the page. (Note that by entering this contest, you agree that you have read the terms and are eligible to enter this contest).

Disclosure: I received the same gift package that the winner will be receiving to facilitate my review. I did not receive any compensation to write this post. The opinions are 100% my own.

The following is a guest post from freelance writer, Maria Rainier. Thanks so much for sharing with us.

{photo credit}

Organize Your Kitchen with a Mini Makeover

When you’re thinking about re-organizing a room in your house, you tend to pick the one that’s the messiest, in-your-face nightmare of clutter. It’s probably your son’s room, the living room full of toys and school supplies, or the dining room whose table can’t be found underneath all the clutter that covers it. You don’t usually think about tackling the kitchen because it’s your domain and you’ve got it under control – or do you? If you haven’t focused your organizing energy on your kitchen in a while, you might consider trying some of these mini makeover tips to whip your kitchen into shape.

Save Cabinet Space

Unless you deliberately reorganize your kitchen cabinets as part of your annual spring cleaning effort, you and your family will start to pile old plastic containers on top of holiday platters and plates will get buried beneath a collection of water bottles. Spring is still a few months away and your cabinets are overflowing if they’re anything like mine, so why not tackle them now?

Take everything out of your cabinets and consider how you can organize them to best suit your needs. For example, if there’s a certain area of the kitchen where you tend to do your baking, store everything you need for that activity in the adjacent cabinets. You can keep your mixer, large bowls, cookie sheets, bread and bar pans, flour, sugar, and other essential baking goods in one or two cabinets. This will save you time and energy when you’re baking and it might even save you some space if you can store these items efficiently.

As for your dishes and glasses, you can save space by nesting bowls and stacking plates on top of one another, even if they’re different sizes. Just keep the smallest plates at the top and the largest ones at the bottom. With stemware, you can make better use of your space by alternating upright glasses with upside-down ones.

While you’re returning everything to the cabinets, keep an eye out for items you could donate, recycle, or throw away. We have a few pack rats at my house, so we tend to accumulate unnecessary mountains of plastic containers that can be recycled instead of taking up valuable cabinet space. You can also watch for damaged plates and glasses, throwing out any that are chipped so your family doesn’t have to worry about sharp edges while washing dishes, eating, or drinking.

Purge the Pantry & Refrigerator

This process is pretty similar to cleaning out the cabinets – take everything out, evaluate it, see if you can get rid of anything, then reorganize and restock. Throwing things out gets a little easier in the pantry and refrigerator because you can go by expiration dates. No matter how careful you are, it’s inevitable that you’ll find something that’s overdue for a trip to the trash can or recycle bin. If you have canned goods that you don’t think you’ll use before they expire, donate them to your local food pantry. Now that you have more space, you can organize everything the way you’d like to and keep it that way. It helps to organize your pantry and refrigerator by food groups, placing the items that expire soonest in front where they’ll be used quickly.

Clear the Utensil Drawer

One more simple thing you can do to reorganize your kitchen is to get a utensil organizer for your cooking tools and silverware drawer. First, get rid of any sauce packets, napkins, and other wandering items that somehow end up in the utensil drawer.

The next step is to find a good organizer, which can be done at your local Target, Wal-Mart, Bed Bath & Beyond, or other similar store. You can measure your drawer and find one that fits, or you can pick up an expandable one that will fit a variety of drawer sizes. The latter is especially helpful if you ever need to switch organizers between drawers of different sizes. It’s also helpful to choose one that’s made of mesh so it can be easily cleaned and dried.

Once you have your organizers, you can decide where to store your utensils so that you can see everything you might need to grab from the drawer. Try not to hide anything at the back where you won’t be able to find it. It may help to get a counter stand for some of your more commonly used cooking utensils, such as wooden spoons and spatulas. This will free up your drawer so you’ll be able to find whatever you need every time you open it.

Bio: Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education, researching the best paying engineering degrees as well as some of the lowest paying jobs around. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.