Organization – The Salty Exchange

Kendall on “Nesting”

April 28, 2022by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Nesting as defined by Miriam Webster: “(of a bird or other animal) building or occupying a nest.”

To nest is very human. After all, we want the place we call home to feel good. We want it to be what we want it to be. Clothes put away, the kitchen organized, pictures on the wall, and candles lit are just a few of the different ways that we build our homes. When you are pregnant, nesting is a very real thing… an urge, really. Everyone, I am in hardcore nesting mode.

I am currently 34.5 weeks pregnant. Considering my type A tendencies, I am fairly behind on nesting this time around. BUT I am making up for lost time and getting things done at a pretty good pace now. I view nesting as more than just getting the baby’s things organized and put away. Nesting, for me, is about making the home as a whole is exactly how I want it. Think of my version of nesting as spring cleaning on steroids. I want everything cleaned, organized, cleaned again, and stored exactly as I see fit. When my baby comes, I am going to have a lot going on. Trying to figure out what’s in the pantry is an unnecessary waste of time. Now, if I clean it out this week, what’s in there will not only be sorted and organized but will also give me the opportunity to throw out expired things and/or donate items that I know we won’t use anytime soon. Beyond the pantry, there are kitchen cabinets to be cleaned and wiped down inside and out, crown molding to be dusted, windows and screens to be washed, and spring prep for our yard to be completed. Then there is the nursery. The nursery is done… minus the art work being hung up but fear not! That will be done by Friday of this week.

Nesting is important to me because when my little man comes, I want to be able to focus on him, Rosemary, my husband, and sweet Bella. I want to know that things are under control for what will be a very lax summer season. Don’t get me wrong- the house will still be cleaned weekly but the bigger projects will be under control and therefore, not a problem. If I let things pile up, I risk my OCD itching my brain. I won’t sleep. I will have to finish all of these things before I can potentially relax. I refuse to put myself through that with a new baby, nursing, sleep issues, and all the other transitions that come with adding a family member to our lives. Doing it now is GOOD for my mental health. Below is my personal nesting list that I have been working on for the past few weeks.

Baby’s Nursery:
– Clean out existing closet
– Clean out dresser
– Decide on new blinds or decide to wait?
– Frames for pictures/artwork
– Pick a quote decal

General House:
– Kitchen cabinets wipe down inside and out
– Pantry clean out
– Install window AC units
– Dust floor boards and crown molding (whole house)
– Clean out Rosemary’s closet
– Swap winter wardrobe for spring/summer (Kendall)
– Dust master closet
– Dust under master bed
– Organize bonus room
– Build Murphy bed
– Reinforce stairs
– Text plumber re: boiler
– Paint window sills
– Re-grout master bath shower

Baby Gear Set-Up:
– Crib
– Nursing chair
– Swing
– Pack n’ Play in master bedroom
– Install carseat
– Switch R’s car seat to Marisa’s car at 2 weeks prior to birth
– Baby tub out of storage

Yard:
– Turn mulch
– Raise American flag and Army flag
– Flag pole garden bed planting (geraniums?)
– Utility box flowers
– Email B. T. re: aerating and detaching
– First mow
– Plant herbs (cilantro, basil, mint, rosemary, maybe thyme?)
– Hanging baskets
– Clean out garage
– Pressure wash fence

OK… please note that a lot of this is actually done. This is my actual list that I have had from the beginning. We were lucky enough to have some family members who have considerable handyman/contractor skills come help us with bigger things like building a Murphy bed, stabilizing our staircase, paint, and shower stuff. Thanks goodness for them. If Issy and I had to do all of that, we simply couldn’t. We have neither the skills nor time. To be honest, I DO have the time but not the actual strength or ability to bend… baby bellies will do that to you. Much of the nursery stuff has been done for a few months. What’s left is a bit of the yard list, setting up some of the baby gear, and a few things under the general house list. I would say we are 78% done. I have about 6 more weeks to finish the rest. AND I WILL. Heck, by the end of Sunday, May 1st, I will be about 89% done. We are getting there. It feels really good to know that. Mentally, nesting helps calm down my mind. Nesting will help me to enjoy my last few weeks of pregnancy. I want my last two weeks of pregnancy to be all about resting, being with my family, and eating cake. Bring it on!

Shari’s Storage Appreciation

November 11, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Storage. I know, this isn’t the most glamorous topic but is something I have been really appreciating lately. The ability to have a place to store items and not clutter up our current living space has been life saving. We rent a storage unit to put some extra furniture that we have inherited, totes of seasonal items, and even wedding registry items that don’t quite fit in our current home (but they will someday)! The storage unit is organized chaos but is really only organized at all thanks to my husband who did most of the tetras work to get furniture, totes, and everything else to fit in nicely.

The need for a storage unit only came after my apartment flooded in 2019. I actually had to get two storage units because I had one for the “wet items” and one for the “dry items”. When I eventually moved back into my apartment I was able to toss some of the damaged items and condense everything else into one storage unit. The fact that I had the storage unit to rely on really allowed me to move back into the apartment with a more minimalist mindset. I was able to only bring back what was functional for me and my soon-to-be husband. Not to mention less is more when you are trying to clear space for kids too! We were able to utilize our apartment in a whole new way! Little did we know that shortly after all of this happened that our home would become our work-from-home office due to COVID-19.

With all that to say, we wouldn’t have made it through the flood and the moving in and out process if it hadn’t been for the storage units. Now the one storage unit is a place we go every few weeks, whether it is to get something that we need or to bring other items there. It is an extension of our home that I am extremely grateful for. We can hide the kid’s Christmas gifts there, any large item that we don’t use often enough (but we do use monthly) like our Yeti Cooler, or extra clothing like our summer and winter clothes… it is so nice to pop over and grab what we need or take things there to declutter our home.

With housing prices skyrocketing (especially in Washington state) it is honestly cheaper to get a storage unit rather than to rent a bigger place. No we don’t intend on having a storage unit forever but I highly recommend it if you feel like your area is getting too cluttered and it is hard to find certain items. Consider getting another location to store some things, spread it all out, see what you have, label it, and store it properly. What are your best storage tips and tricks?

Shari’s Gear Wall

April 15, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Welcome to my Gear Wall!

Ready, set, let’s chat about all things Gear Wall related from how I got started to why I love it so much!

The wall is chalk full of my favorite outdoor gadgets… from my hydration filters, hammocks, workout items, my entire backpacking set up, and more.

How did I get started?

I diligently searched Pinterest for small space saving ideas when I lived in a 500 square foot studio apartment in my mid-20’s. At the time, I didn’t have enough wall space to make my “Gear Wall” dream a reality and all of my outdoor camping and backpacking items remained smashed in totes under my bed. The downside to having gear in totes is the inability to see it all. Any time I packed for an outdoor adventure, I’d have to dump my gear onto the floor and dig through it.

A few years later, I was re-inspired by a picture my boss showed me. He had turned his spare room into an office and storage space. The storage was neatly along one wall with his backpacks, trekking poles, skis, and tennis rackets all perfectly displayed- inside his house! It looked like something that you would see in a clean and well-organized garage space.

I quickly googled the Rubbermaid Fast Track system and started to obsess over how it would look in my spare room.

What hardware to buy and how to install?

That same day I went to Home Depot and purchased several fast track rails, wall panels, and the organizer accessories. I went home and measured my wall, located the studs, and started construction. With some help from my husband the Gear Wall came together very quickly and those old gear totes got re-purposed. I LOVE being able to see all my gear in one spot. The wall of outdoor gear and workout items is organized, easy to grab, and constantly evolving.

Why a Gear Wall?

I’m not going to try and “sell” you on the Gear Wall. I know it isn’t for everyone. BUT if I do inspire you to organize your gear in a way that serves you best, then my job here is done! My life has been positively impacted by simply getting items out of totes and being able to use them and see them.

Another huge benefit of the Gear Wall? It’s quite literally my ‘bug-out’ bag prep station. I can grab from this wall and go in a matter of minutes. On this wall, I have everything I need to cook, filter water, sleep, and create shelter. To me this wall radiates independence, confidence and the promise of future adventures!

What do you think about creating a Gear Wall? I’d love to hear about your home organization tips & tricks!

Kendall on Being a “Prepper”

April 15, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

When I was growing up, my mom always kept an emergency stash of supplies on hand. Since we lived in Washington State (the anticipated home of the “next big one”), this made sense. My dad was also a big advocate of having a go-bag of sorts stored in the car trunk. After all, you never knew what could happen, where that something could happen, and what you may need. The end result? I am a bit of a prepper.

Not one of those hardcore ones that are ready for the world to end (though, let’s face it- they are on to something). While the world was running out of cleaning supplies, food, and toilet paper last year, my household was ready. Normally I always keep water and extra paper supplies on hand. I think it’s weird that people covet toilet paper but I also never run out because I shop in advance for things I never want to be caught pants down without. Thus, my prepper stock was already in good shape by the time the pandemic hit. As things started heating up across the country and in China, I started to prep almost instantly. I read articles about what supplies were low in different areas, compared emergency lists from the CDC and WHO, and planned ahead for what we would want to eat should the world come to a complete standstill. Needless to say, when everything shut down- the Arguello household was open to friends and family who needed anything from wipes to bleach to paper towels to ground beef.

To this day, there are certain things I keep in a corner of my pantry that are deemed part of the emergency staples. Canned beans, canned chicken, canned vegetables, pancake mix, bottled water, a bag of rice, and an emergency backpack are just some of the few things we have available. When I am out and see a particular cleaning item or pantry staple that I may not need in the moment, I always pause to think if I will eventually need it or if someone else might need it in the coming months. This thought process has helped to keep our supplies fresh and plentiful not only for ourselves, but for others as well. And I manage to do this without being a hoarder. Everything is somewhat tidy.

Buying everything you need all at once isn’t always practical. Whether the issue be space availability or financial, the bulk buying of emergency supplies can become, well, annoying. And if you wait too long, competitive. SO. Last year, toilet paper sold out (or if you are from WA state, every time it snows the toilet paper flies off the shelf). This year, the extreme weather conditions in Texas left its citizens looking for water, food, and warm clothing. My advice is to first, make a list. Make a list of everything and anything you would want if you were stuck at home and could not leave your house for a month. Sadly, this isn’t that far fetched. Next, categorize those items in a way that makes most sense to you. For example, our categories are:

Food/Pantry
Water
Emergency Supplies (think first aid, masks, medicine, etc)
Clothes for the seasons (tip: if you have kiddos in diapers- always have a pack or two of diapers that are a size up)
List of all utility phone numbers and account information (because who knows- but that’s just the smart thing to do)
Emergency docs (things like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other important paperwork should be kept in a fire safe place)
On the run (this may sound scary but it’s sort of the most efficient way of keeping the most essential items together and in a place that you can throw in to your car and, well, run, should you need to)

This may seem extreme. I get it! It kind of is. Who wants to live their lives prepped like this at all times? Even I do not have all of the above organized and put away. I mean, we have all of it- just not put together in nice little boxes everywhere.

If the past year has taught me anything, it’s that prepping (in moderation- don’t go buy 50 freezers and then purchase the whole meat department at Costco to put in the said 50 freezers- that’s just excessive) is not a bad thing. Knowing what you have, what you don’t, what you want, and what you need is just common sense, right? Purchase things over time. Keep an eye on any expiration dates, be aware of any family changes, and adjust your stock/shopping schedule as needed.

As the world begins to return to “normal,” I encourage you not to forget about that initial panic that you felt 13 months ago. Keep a little bit of that with you. That feeling is what we learn from; it’s what we’ve grown on.

Shop away, my friends. And stay safe.

Shari’s Essential Household Items

September 4, 2020by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Okay y’all, bare with me for a few minutes as I give you my household essentials list. I decided to give you one recommended item for each room in the house. They may seem random but hear me out- I have my reasoning for picking each of them…

Kitchen: Salad Spinner

Who knew I would love a salad spinner so much?! There are so many ‘pros’ but the number one is that it keeps salad clean and crisp for an extended amount of time. I leave the lettuce in the spinner for weeks (I am not kidding) and my life is forever changed. I have crisp, fresh, amazing salad any day of the week now. The only ‘con’ is that it can take up a lot of space in the fridge.

Living room: Cozy Knit Blanket

I am a big fan of fuzzy fleece blankets but for our wedding a family friend knit a neutral colored blanket for us and I LOVE cuddling up with it. I have recently been obsessed with searching knit blankets and maybe learning how to make them on my own. Oh hey, new quarantine hobby, amiright?!

Bathroom: Quip Electric Toothbrush

Okay this one was a hard one to choose because I really love my face wash and moisturizer but I will talk about them more in another post. I’d have to say my favorite item in the bathroom is my Quip Electric Toothbrush. I love the subscription aspect which takes the thinking out of replacing the toothbrush head. I love the color (I have gold), the quality, and the ability for it to travel with me (keep the plastic tube it comes in for easy travel).

Bedroom: Casper Original Pillow

Obviously every bedroom should have a pillow but, to be honest, it has been hard to find a pillow I really like; not too soft, not too firm, will cover my ears if I want it to, etc. This pillow is the perfect mix of comfy and cushy but also holds your head up and allows you to sink in. I am not quite sure how to explain it but Alex and I got them as wedding gifts and they are a favorite of ours now.

Spare Room: Rubbermaid FastTracks Hang Rail

This item is ideally used in a garage but we live in an apartment so I had to make due with what I’ve got. I was inspired after seeing a friend hang up his outdoor gear on the wall. It looked organized and useful. I thought about all the gear I have and decided I wanted to hang it up rather than store in several rubber tote bins. The “Gear Wall” was born after several trips to Home Depot and hours of rearranging. Now I am a huge fan of hanging up your stuff and making it look organized on the wall. Our Gear Wall includes our hiking and backpacking gear, workout gear, sports gear, and more. We absolutely love it!

*Kendall joked about wanting to see my list because she is going on a target run next week. Here you go Kendall and friends, I have linked all these items (except the last one) at Target 🙂 You’re welcome!