Pie Crust Table

For the most part I am not an antique person. I always say I want to check out some of the local antique shops but never quite make it there. Subconsciously I know I would be tempted to buy and really I just don't need anything especially when we are trying to downsize.

This weekend my grandparents had us over to celebrate mine and hubby's birthday. My grandfather asked me to come check out this table and see if I wanted it. Initially I thought, oh boy more furniture. (Sometimes it's just hard to say no to a grandparent) I have been known to decline a piece if I know it will not fit our decor or we do not have room for it.

First I saw the table my mom was taking and I thought "whew" when I found out it was spoken for. It was much bulkier and not my "style" but she does have room for it and it will look rather nice. Then my eyes fixated on the pie crust table. Oh, how exciting! It is in beautiful condition and matches our other mahogany furniture. Hubby and I talked it over and agreed it would go in our daughter's room for now. I would love to see it in a corner next to a wingback chair one day. A little reading nook for myself.

I am researching this table now to find out more. As an organizer I love the fact that the table top tilts up and the table could be set closer to the wall if needed or displayed. The details on the legs are beautiful. I was trying to see if there are any markings of who made the table, but no luck.

So for all of my antique loving readers out there... What can you tell me about this table? If you have posted about your pie crust table before please share the link, I would love to check it out.

Shoe Storage Options

In order to win the last bloggy giveaway here I asked readers to "Ask the Organizer" a question. There were quite a few questions asked and I plan on tackling each one. It will take some time to research all the answers but eventually those that left a question will get an email when your answer is posted. If you have any other organizing questions feel free to "Ask the Organizer".

Michelle, Asked the Organizer.....

"My organizing dilemma is when it comes to shoes. We don't have a

shoe rack or anything so all the shoes get piled up in our living room

closet. It's a pain but I don't know what to do with them."

Well, Michelle at least your shoes make it into the closet so that is a great start. Now to make them more accessible and a little a little less jumbled. Although it is great that the shoes are in the closet the first thing I am going to recommend doing is taking them all out. Match them all up and see if they still fit. Now, toss or donate the ones no longer worn. After sorting and purging you will have a better idea of what size storage you may need.

Very rarely will the shoes end up in a nice pretty row when left on the floor so it is a good idea to go vertical. At our house we opted for a 3-Tier Shelf that we put in our laundry room. The laundry room is near the garage so the kids take their shoes off and put them on the shelves when they come in. (most of the time)

The shoe cabinet would be great for keeping the shoes out of sight and its slim design is a real space saver. A horizontal shelf could be tucked away in a closet and you could stack two on top of each other if you need more storage space.

If you have hanging space in the closet you can try the 10 pocket shoe organizer. Better yet, why not use the over door shoe oragnizer for actual shoes.

Home Decorators Collection offers a variety of storage furniture for the shoes. In my next house I am requesting a seperate mud room for the kids. I would love something like this but perhaps built in.

The possibilities really are endless. These options can work when you are trying to keep shoes in or near a living area other than a bedroom closet. When storing shoes that you wear on a daily basis the goal is to make them easily accessible and more importantly easy to put back in their home when you take them off.

Kid Craft

Design Mom posted some great tips yesterday about crafting with kids. She also leaves a list of links with craft projects she has previously posted on with instructions. Here are a few of my favorite tips she offered:

DM - "You don’t have to keep it forever. Crafts are often 3-D and can quickly accumulate and take up lots of space. Not everything your child makes is a masterpiece. Say goodbye to some old crafts when new crafts come into your life — before you start resenting crafts in general. Much of the value of crafts is in the making."

My kids like gluing anything and everything to paper. I have a small box we keep the finished art in and I go through it when it starts getting full. I try writing on the back who made it and when. Before throwing it away I take a picture so I can eventually make a book out of their art. One day I'm sure they will look back and laugh at the little masterpieces that once made them so proud.

DM - "Admit to yourself it’s going to be messy. If that stresses you out, cover surfaces with newsprint or butcher paper to catch bits of paper and glitter and drops of glue. Use materials (adhesive, markers, etc.) that are washable. Then relax. If you get paint on your hands, it’s okay. If your child gets marker on her shirt, it will wash. When you’re finished, roll up the newsprint and discard the mess easily."

Initially the mess did get to me but I got over it real quick when I saw how much fun they had crafting. I made a little art area for the kids in my office. When they are done I wipe down the table with a baby wipe and everything usually comes right off.

Thanks Design Mom for the wonderful tips and craft ideas!

More Than Just Shoe Storage

I thought I would share a handy little product with you. When organizing we are always looking for more space right? Well you might not have an abundance of space but most of you do have doors. An over door shoe organizer is a great product to help you get a quick organizing fix. Get creative in the uses you can find for them.

Obviously the transparent would be the best choice if you need to see the contents but these shoe organizers do come in different colors and in canvas or cotton. You can get artistic with labels if you can't see what is in the pockets.

With little ones at home I am always finding new uses for the shoe organizers. I have never actually used them for shoes. Here we have one hanging in our coat closet for hats and gloves. For our family of five this works great. The kids can easily find their gloves and PUT THEM BACK. No lost gloves or hats.


My daughter is now old enough to get into any drawer in the house. I learned with my son that this is not a good combination in the bathroom. (I once found him sucking on a tube of toothpaste. Don't worry I asked the doctor how much is too much and he didn't have enough to do harm.) Now, I keep most of the toiletries in a shoe organizer on the linen closet door. I keep my things in the top pockets and I leave a few pockets open on the bottom for her toys. She stays busy putting things in and taking them out while Mommy gets ready. Another sanity saver!


Design Mom posted about inexpensive ways to organize your wrapping paper, an article that was featured in Organize Magazine. Another great use for a shoe organizer.

The possibilities are endless. You can use them for storing small toys in the playroom, spices in the kitchen or even office supplies in a small office. Get creative with the organizing products you already may have at home. Try new things and make sure you come back and tell me what works for you.