A New Camera and A New Closet

First... A New Camera.

I got a new camera for Christmas. At first I was a little overwhelmed, but after playing with it for a little while, I am LOVING it! It also helps that I have this cute little model to photograph. So here are some pictures to show off my new photography skills (really it's just the awesome camera and the cute model, I have no photography skills).


This is how I found Kade one day after a nap. I was busy doing something so I sent Maya into play with him until I could get there. She treats Kade like one of her dolls and loves dressing him up, he hates it!


Second... A New Closet.

I didn't actually get a "new" closet, but I cleaned and re-organized and it feels like a new closet. But first let me explain a little before you look at these pictures. (WARNING: the following pictures are graphic, view at your own risk) In 2008 I went from working part-time (getting home from work at 11:00 am) to full-time (getting home at 4:00 pm), and I took on teaching an AP Statistics class, which was a nightmare. I love teaching my AP Statistics class now, but that first year was AWFUL! Way too much work went into that class the first year. On top of working full-time 5 days a week, I went into work every Saturday for 3 or 4 hours, it was seriously the works year of my life. Everything got completely out of my hands... my house was a constant mess, my car was a mess, my finances were a mess (I didn't balance my checking account for over a year!) I had late fees! Sre you kidding me? I've never had a late fee in my life! I had zero patients with my kids and my husband, EVERYTHING was a mess.

My closet was one of those things that I had to completely let go of, throwing things on top of other things, never taking time to put things where they were suppose to go, and never taking time to reorganize anything. It has been almost 2 years since that school year ended and my house still hasn't completely recovered. But I'm almost there, my closet was probably the thing that needed the most attention, but also the thing I put off the longest because it was so overwhelming to me. As much as I hated my closet, the thought of starting this project completely overwhelmed me. But I did it! Over the last 2 weeks (little bits at a time since I have 2 kids and a baby running my life) I finished my closet. So here are the before and after pictures I wanted to share because I'm so proud of myself and so happy it's done. But also because I was inspired by an old "Rebelette" friend, Erin. I love reading her blog, she has tons of organizing, decorating, project, mom, scrapbooking, etc ideas. She always shows her before and after pictures and I love it, inspires me and gives me great organizing ideas. You can check out her blog here. If there's anyone else out there with a closet that looked like mine, I hope this will inspire you to start clean/organizing yours. :)

This is the view from the doorway to my closet, scary! And the floor was worse, I actually forgot to take my before picture until I had started on the floor. I don't think any carpet was visible when I started. (Can't believe I just admitted that)

And here is the same view after :)

Wow! Can you believe the picture above and the picture below are the same space?

This is Kevon's side of the closet, he was mortified that I was putting these pictures on our blog, but I told him I wouldn't show his side of the closet. Shhh, don't tell.

But look how amazing his side looks now...

These next ones are my favorite. I have built in shelves that I use for t-shirts, sweats, and sweaters. They had obviously gotten way out of hand, but they're so organized now, I love them. (Oops, should've moved that bra before I took the picture) :)

This is my new favorite space in my closet. What used to be a shelf for clothes is now for jewelry. I bought this jewelry tree at Costco last summer, I love it. And I have a fun little jar to drop my spare change in, hoping I can fill it up and buy something fun.

Kevon's shelves... Remember, shhh!

And after...
I need to make sure to give credit where it is deserved. Kevon did his side of the closet himself, such a good boy. :)

I didn't have a before picture of this spot, but it is another of my new favorite spaces in the closet. A perfect little nook for a foot stool. So when I need to grab something up high, I just pull out the stool, and... easy as pie. But more importantly, when I need to put something away up high, I can reach to get it in its spot and it doesn't just get thrown.

I bought this chest at Target, perfect for all that stuff that was getting piled on the floor.

Another awesome Target find, love this hamper! I hated my old hamper, it was cheap and always falling apart, this one is perfect. Cute, stylish, and has a liner inside that I can easily pull out to take my laundry to the laundry room.

Kevon made me these hooks for my scarves...

...and for my long necklaces that don't fit on my jewelry tree.

Well, that's it. I hope you don't think less of me after seeing my closet the way it used to look.