MOBILE OFFICE

My husband and I live in a 480 square foot apartment in New York City.  Translation: Space is a precious commodity.  Believe it or not, I am a teacher who does not have a desk at home!  Since our apartment is tiny, having a desk specifically for the function of work was just not an option (like that's not a good reason enough!).  So instead of setting up a desk, I opted for an IKEA Billy bookcase for 2 reasons.  First, it gave me a much needed storage and second, it took less space than a desk would.  I used white IKEA boxes to store all my paraphernalia (scrapbooking materials, lesson plans, supplies) and labeled each box with what's inside it.  The printer is set up in the bookcase low enough that I could connect it to the power supply and to my laptop when I need to print without the need to move it.  I purchased a basket from Container Store to hold my "most used" items like pens, stapler, calculator, post-its, etc. which I could easily move to the dining table when I need them. The beauty of this mobile system is that everything has its own place and it doesn't take so much space than a desk would.

HOW TO ORGANIZE SMALL TOYS

For Christmas, I got my nephew a Snap Circuit Jr.  It is a pretty cool toy that lets the little one conduct electricity based experiments.  It is recommended by The National Parenting Center-Seal of Approval, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products and Dr. Toy Best Educational Products.  Really amazing toy for only $25.  The thing about this toy is that each piece is labeled and each piece is equally important than the other piece.  Translation: You can't lose a piece. Initially, we put the little pieces in a bin, but that didn't work since it meant picking out each piece manually to see the label and it was a bit much of work.

SEWING KIT ORGANIZER

I love this Dumpling Place in Midtown Manhattan named Rickshaw.  I always eat there whenever I'm in the area.  They have these tiny containers that holds the sauces and I took some home and re-purposed them for my sewing kit. They're perfect in holding buttons, pins and little bits and pieces.

ENTRYWAY SOLUTION

I have clutter issues. My husband doesn't. We live in a small 490 square feet apartment in NY and space is a problem.  Our space does not allow us to have a console table since we don't really have an entry way or a hall.  So, my husband developed the habit of emptying all his pocket contents on the only side table we have and I hate it because he dumps everything there!

SPRING CLEANING THE CLOSET

I just finished spring cleaning my closet (yes only now! arghh).  It is already June and all but the weather here in NY seems to take its own course and chooses to fluctuate every single day so it wasn't until this weekend that I decided to really go through my closet.