Bathroom Cure?

Working on my kitchen so much has inspired me to start working on my bathroom. Sadly, I did not take any before pictures. I have made several large steps, however. I bought a pretty glass shelf to put next to the sink, organized the closet a bit, and started on the plastic drawer organizer.

I think my new motto for bathroom organization (and maybe organization in general?): "If it has a hole in it, hang it up" - Things that are made to be hung, surprisingly, work well when hung on the wall. Even my hair brush. And it makes less things that are just laying about!

Kitchen Cure [Week 3] Round 1

Week Three:
1) Deep cleaning everything that still needs to be cleaned
2) Special project to improve the kitchen
3) Add something beautiful to the kitchen

Well... I am headed out of town for a while and then I have homework and school starts back on Monday (have been on spring break). So, this week will be getting a bit of time crunch compared to the first few.

I've been dreading the deep cleaning phase. My kitchen looks pretty clean most of the time (even if not all that straight), but actual cleanliness? Well, it's not quite up to par there. I don't think my floor has been washed since my Mom did it when I first moved in, 6+ months ago (sorry Mom!) (but does it make it better that I have swept some?). I'm pretty sure there are still cat/dog toys under the fridge/stove from my apartment's last occupant. And there are black tire marks on my floor (partially covered by a rug) from where a friend worked on my bike in the kitchen due to rain outside and no other good location...

Special project? I haven't started thinking on that one. I suppose that could have been one of those things drifting in the back of my mind as I try to go to sleep, but it wasn't even that close to consciousness. The thing that disgusts me the most are the holes that are worn behind the handles on the cabinet doors. I don't know that there is much I could do with that, however. I cannot replace or paint the cabinets and even if I wanted to update the handles/knobs from the late 70s look, there are worn finger holes underneath - gag.

Then there's the question of what should I do/add/hang/place to beautify my kitchen? I feel like I have been doing some of that along the way, so if I don't easily come up with some cost effective solution (that I really like), then I may just cop out of this one. :)

*Sigh* So much to be done. But it is worth it - I already know that. I can find things, and fit things in better locations, and not have stuff stacked in piles that are crawling across my floor...

Kitchen Cure [Week 2]

This Week's Assignment: De-Clutter & Reorganize Tools

To end last week, I cleaned out my freezer. It's all neat and clean now...


Then I dug into all my "tools."

Here are some before pics:




And then after the chaos:



See it all here: Kitchen Cure Spring 2010

The joys of temporary housing...

For those who do not know me, I am a poor college student in year number two of living off campus and apartment number two in that time frame. Potentially to move again if I can find superior living conditions.

As much good as there is to my current abode, there is still dark, old, cabinetry.

Kitchen Cure [Week 1]

The goals of week one consisted of: taking before photos, decluttering and purging old food, and wiping down cabinets, counters, and the fridge.

I've got the before pictures taken care of. I've gone through all my food products, excluding my freezer, which still needs to be done. And I wiped things down decently well between taking food out and putting it back.

I feel like I've already made several big steps. I rearranged things a bit and was able to put away the pile of misfits that was hanging out in the corner of my kitchen. In the process of this rearrangement, I also fit the bin of dirty towels/rags under the sink and moved the flea bombs and other chemicals away from my potatoes...

I still have the freezer to go, but I've made progress and am looking forward to the next challenge this weekend.



View all photos...

Kitchen Cure [before]

Today actually starts week one and the first assignment, but I've been gone most of the weekend, so I'm just now taking my before pictures. I restrained myself from cleaning, straightening, or moving anything. This is real. This is how it looks.




View all of my photos here: Kitchen Cure 2010

Kitchen Cure 2010

I have decided to participate in the Apartment Therapy/The Kitchn Kitchen Cure for Spring 2010. (Yes, that was a whole slew of links...) In an attempt to track my progress and keep myself motivated, I'll be posting pics and progress details here.

If your kitchen is 'sick' or you're just sick of all the junk, you should join me!