DIY Wall calendar / chore chart

I've been trying to get more organized this year, and setting up a blog content calendar has been on my to-do list for months now. When I took the Blog Life e-course this June I realized how sporadic I was with my blog content planning and how much blogging-stress it caused me. I have a million ideas in my head at all times, so having a place to put them all on to see the bigger picture was what I badly needed.

So, one afternoon I took some time and some scraps of wavy golden cardboard I had laying around, and made this simple wall calendar. I've been using it for about 3 weeks now, and it's been a game-changer. I'm so much more organized and it's really helped me blog regularly without stressing out about what to write. Why didn't I do this sooner?!

Although I use it to create a content calendar for my blog, this type of wall calendar could also be used as a chore chart, or a way to keep your goals and to-do lists organized. So, if you'd like to make your life a little easier, here's what you'll need:

• A2 size black paper (card stock weight)
• golden wavy cardboard for the letters
• silver or gold sharpie or ball-point marker
• ruler
• scissors
• glue
• printed letters (optional)
• poster gum or other poster fixers to mount to wall

The main thing is to get the grid in place. First, measure the outer lines: 4 cm from the bottom, 3.5 cm from the sides. Then, start drawing the inner gridlines. The first horizontal gridline is 11 cm from the top edge of the cardstock, and then draw a horizontal line every 7 cm. Lastly add vertical gridlines every 9 cm inside the frame. As the end result you should have 6 rows and 7 columns.

Next, cut out the letters for the weekdays. I cut mine out using the waves as a grid and then just eye-baling the proportions of the letters, but you could also print out letters with the height of 6 cm in you favorite bold print and use those a template to cut out from the cardboard.

Finally, glue the letters inside the first row of boxes. I'm used to the Estonian way that the weekly calendar always begins with Monday, so that's why I have my letters in that order.

Last, but not least, mount your brand new calendar to the wall using any type of poster fixer (thumb tacks or poster adhesive or something like that)

This is by far been the most practical thing I've created lately. I tried using google calendar before, but I love to write things down on paper and put it where I can see it all the time. I'm old-school like that. Plus, the calendar is a great way to decorate my studio space (which is now also my bedroom, but studio sounds way better).

I hope you're excited to add some organization to your life. Happy crafting!

xo. Hanna

Guest Post: Spring cleaning tips from Morgan

Hi, friends! Today I have a special treat for you. The days are getting warmer, sunnier and longer, and I'm certainly feeling the urge to hit the refresh button on everything these days. Especially my wardrobe. So, I'd like to welcome Morgan from Gray & Gabbana on P & S today to share her tips and tricks for spring cleaning your closet.

All right fashionistas, it’s my favorite time of year: spring cleaning! Now, cleaning might not exactly get you giddy with excitement, but remember: the more space you create, the more room you have for new clothes. Like those lilac pants I’ve been eyeing....or a new jean jacket...or other goodies for warm weather!

So, where do we start? Well, I actually was really inspired this year by this fun infographic from RedEnvelope, and using that and my own experience, here are my top tips for cleaning out your closet and refreshing your wardrobe for spring:

1.   The first step you should do is figure out your time. If you have it, you can attack your closet in an all day process. If you’re squeezing it in, do it section by section, starting with the highest point (top shelves) and working your way down (shoes). This way you can clean the areas as you go. So put in new contact paper and vacuum that carpet!

2.   Make room for spring! While there are certainly transitional pieces that work from winter to spring or for any season, why not store some (clearly) winter items. We’re talking the fleece lined snow boots or your down hooded, insulated jacket. Both staples for snow and ice, but not so much for the mid 60s and sun. There’s a lot of wonderful room under your bed, as long as you neatly pack the clothes into flat boxes and store them properly.

3.   Donate the goods you’re getting rid of. Just because your favorite jeans are (sadly) too big on you or the arms shrunk in your favorite sweater doesn’t mean that someone else can’t enjoy it. And if you and your friends are similar sizes, have a fun clothing swap!

photo via

4.   When it comes time for shopping, keep a list going of what you need/want and what you clearly have too much of. This way when you buy new clothes you’ll actually get some use out of them!

5.   It’s time to get away from those wire hangers! You know what I mean - the ones you have thousands of because the dry cleaners gave them to you for free. Those are only supposed to be temporary! We take so many other precautions to take care of our clothes: dry cleaning, delicate cycles, hand washing, weather and waterproofing, etc. So get a real hanger! Plus, if you find a slim crystal hanger or hugable hanger it can save you room.

photo via

6.   I always always always put my clothes in color order. I know it sounds crazy, but first I put all of the shirts, then pants, then dresses, then coats together, and then they get put in a wonderful rainbow. Not only does it make my closet more neat and organized, it also helps streamline my morning as well as show me what colors I’m lacking in my wardrobe (or where I have too much).

7.   And my favorite thing to do? After I have my closet neat and ready for the spring and summer months, I put all the hangers in backwards on the rod. Then, after I wear something, I hang it back up normally. This way, when fall comes around and I’m transitioning my clothes again, I can easily see what I haven’t worn since March. If the hanger hasn’t been turned it gets donated. Some of my friends put post its on their tags, but I find that mine always fall off.

Hopefully that helped give you some ideas! Enjoy the warm weather and your favorite pair of strappy sandals. And remember, if you have something really cute that doesn’t fit you, you can always send it to me!

Thanks, Morgan, for all the useful tips and tricks! I have a feeling I'm going to be cleaning out my closet this weekend.

Organizing Jewelry and Make-up

Time and again I promise myself that I'll get more organized and tidier. Truth be told, that rarely happens. I guess it's one of those resolutions that never gets done. But, I do have my moments. Lately I've been in a nesting phase and trying to find new ways to make our apartment a home. And I think organizing is an important part of it. If things are put away nicely, it's prettier, cozier and homier. It's still a work in progress, but the first steps are done.

I used to keep all of my make-up is several toiletry bags I'd collected over the years. They were neither pretty nor very practical, because the stuff ended up on the table within days. I just couldn't find anything and ended up emptying the bag to get what I was looking for. Now I keep my make'up in a vintage sewing box I got from my Grandma. It was brand new, just sitting in her attic, so I asked if I could have it. At first I thought I'd used it to organize my sewing supplies, but I realized they would never fit in there. So, I found it a better use.
It's super practical and so comfortable to use. I keep all my everyday make-up in the top compartments, and the fancier stuff in the bottom compartment. I love how I can just pull it open, get what I need, and put it back in a matter of seconds. It really tidied up my dresser top. And I always now where everything is. It has just enough separate compartments to keep everything organized.

It seams I've been looking for a better way to organize my jewelry for the longest time. I've seen lots of tutorials and ideas, but most of them have the jewelry out in the open, exposed to air, which could mean fading and oxidation. And I didn't want to take that risk. After making a jewelry box out of an old chocolate box (tutorial here), I turned another box into jewelry storage. I got some body lotion and other goods in a nice black simple gift box for Christmas, and it was just the perfect size to be turned into a jewelry box.

I stacked 2 containers from chocolate boxes into the black box. I simple cut the containers into the right size and layered them into the box. They tend to fall into each other a bit, so I'm thinking about glueing some cardboard under one of them to separate them better inside the box. I like that I can get a quick overview of my jewelry, find pieces easily and keep them from tangling.
I use three leather boxes as well to organize my other jewelry. I keep silver and gold jewelry separately, and I keep all my big bracelets in a round leather box.

One of these days I'm going to have to tackle my closet and my sewing supplies. Oh my!
Do you have any tips for getting organized?