I decided to try something new in my life. I followed the directions on the paint can. Weird. I waited the three days before writing on the chalkboard. It was hard. But I did it.
I also “seasoned” the chalk paint with a layer of white chalk. (I rubbed the side of the chalk all over the chalkboard paint.) This helps to prevent your writing from being permanently etched into your paint. Worked like a charm.
Why did I paint the insides of the pantry doors? Doodling would be fun but I really needed something to get our house in order. I’m on a slow organization spree.
I needed a place to list out what’s in our freezer and what leftovers are growing things in the fridge. I also needed a place to hang our grocery list. Done!
Do you like how I put the Raisin Nut Bran front and center so you all think that I eat healthy? It may be hiding Reese’s Puffs and Lucky Charms. You’ll never know.
I also listed the healthy stuff in our freezer first. I did that mainly to trick myself into eating healthy by reading the “good for me” stuff first. But also so you all think that I eat healthy. Read further. You will change your mind. Girl Scout cookies anyone?
I needed a spot to hang our weekly grocery list. I made a list about a year that contains our most commonly purchased items. It is organized according to their location in the Target aisles. (I need to redo it though because Target moved stuff around. The nerve.) During the week, we mark off the items the we run out of/think we will need. Having the list organized by aisles makes grocery shopping a little easier. We used to go from one end of the store to the other because we would forget one or two important items. Now the items are grouped together! I have enough lists printed for 1 month and they are proudly displayed in the pantry instead of shoved into the junk drawer.
We are trying to work things like Cheese Whiz and Teddy Grahams out of our diet. Baby steps. Our grocery cart was very healthy this week. I did hear something about the world ending.
I’m still debating on how to use the bottom panels. I think I may use them for meal planning…and doodling.
There you have it. Baby steps towards kitchen organization. Sharing my pantry and grocery list feels a little like showing my underwear drawer…very personal. (P.S. I did just organize my underwear drawer and it’s been life changing. But there are some things that will never make this blog!)
How do you keep track of what’s hanging out in your freezer? Any great grocery list tips? Meal planning strategies? Any organization that you won’t share on your blog?
Linking up to: Honey We're Home
Oh my word! A list of leftovers in the fridge might change my life. Love the preprinted shopping list too.
ReplyDeletei am so impressed..... that you eat sugary cereal and stay so thin! ;) no really i am impressed.... great tips!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to paint the inside of my pantry for so long....great idea for organizing! I'm clueless what's in my freezer! All great ideas I need to adopt! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI need to make a grocery list like that!
ReplyDeleteThe chalkboard paint looks awesome.
I love the way the chalkboards worked out - they look lovely!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any method for keeping track of what's in our freezer - I just open it up and see what's inside. Whenever we're running low on something, I just tack it to our shopping list. It's really only frozen veggies, veggie burgers, and ice cream in there. Our food is mostly in the fridge or pantry.
I'm so impressed with your grocery list! I'm pretty sure I'm totally stealing your idea, just so you know. I don't think I'm quite up to the chalkboard paint, but I'll think of something.
ReplyDeleteWOW, girl - totally impressed! That is too much organization for a daily basis ... and I am the QUEEN of OCD. again, WOW! Thanks for sharing the inspriation and great ideas. Enjoy your Monday. xoxo Jalon
ReplyDeleteI would totally do this if I didn't have an aversion to chalk. Cheez whiz is a staple in any diet.
ReplyDeleteI believe that white-board paint exists also. Or, you could buy one/some, and attach them to the inside of your pantry doors.
DeleteIt looks great and I didn't see any Rainin Bran in there, maybe my eyes refuse to see healthy cereal. ;)
ReplyDeleteI missed the pretty-girl-penmanship gene somewhere. This is why chalkboards in my house would never work (sob). No one can read my writing. It's ugly and shall not be displayed. Do you make housecalls? Bring Ike too. :)
ReplyDeleteGah, this is so smart. I want my own chalkboard pantry now. hmpf.
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome and very functional! I would probably have a his side and a her side and my side would consist of two items: pop tarts and beer.
ReplyDeleteLove this! great job!
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave woman to open your pantry to the world! Funny but the first thought was "geez, they eat a lot of cereal". Not judging but I never, ever eat it so it's striking to see so many boxes. I love your new chalk boards!!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I wish I was more organized, but we don't really have enough food to be this organized! haha
ReplyDeleteWow~that is downright organized when you match what you're buying according to the store layout. Hey, if you ever have kiddios, the bottom chalkboards would keep them busy while you are in the kitchen making that gourmet meal you planned out on the upper chalkboard.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea and your pantry is so neat and organized! You might write down some healthy snack or meal ideas on the bottom or meals in a hurry to remind yourself when you are searching for a quick bite.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. I think you should draw pictures of Ryan Gosling on the bottom panels.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I am already pinning and getting ideas! I must admit I had to google chicken in a can.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your list of the things to check. What a neat idea for organizing:)
ReplyDeleteWow. I am SERIOUSLY in awe of your list making skills. That grocery list is impressive!
ReplyDeleteLove the pantry. You are so organized! This weekend I completely emptied out my bedroom closet and wiped and vacuumed it top to bottom. I couldn't believe the mountain of stuff I pulled out of there. I haven't decided if I will blog about it or not since I didn't take a picture of the before...but I did take a picture of the mountain of mess in my bedroom. Not sure if I want to show the world though....we'll see!
ReplyDelete-Shelley
Excellent use of an otherwise overlooked space! You are brilliant :)
ReplyDeleteif i only had a pantry like yours...swoooooon! i <3 lists. every single sunday, i make an enormous grocery list and meal plan for the whole week, taking into account what is in both our fridge and our freezer. we then organize the list by grocery aisle/section (totally agree, this is essential!). with all the planning, we don't have a whole lot that goes unnoticed deep in the fridge or freezer :)
ReplyDeleteWow. That's ah-mazing organization. The grocery list?! Um, I am copying that. Like, now. I organize my list by sections too like meats, produce, dairy, etc... but typed is fancy.
ReplyDeleteWow. You are a like a pantry-organizing-genius-superhero. Come do mine next, please!
ReplyDeleteCan you do mine please??? Love it!
ReplyDeleteYou could always use the bottom panels for games of hangman.
ReplyDeleteomg this is the best idea ever...i'm always making lists on papers and then losing them and re-writing them and then finding like seven different copies! i love the idea of planning out meals...i did that in the past and it was great to be organized...it only lasted about a week though :-( i think if they were written in my pantry, i might keep up with it (at least i hope). and i think listing out what you have in the fridge/freezer helps reduce waste. I'm totally copying this idea! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe chalkboard looks great!!! You are so awesome with your lists. I need to make a list like that. PLEASE draw a picture of Ike in one of the corners. I saw one comment mention that you should draw Ryan Gosling, but Ike is far superior! (Sorry Ryan, I still love you!)
ReplyDeleteLove the grocery list!! Genius. I am so doing that this weekend!
ReplyDeleteWe so need a list of everything in the freezer. Stuff goes in there "to save for later" and then we forget it exists.
ReplyDeleteI *so* need this! Our pantry isn't as nice, but there are still some cabinets with doors...I was thinking about posting notes next to each shelf, to say what is in the back.
ReplyDeleteFreezer & fridge are much-needed!
I'm loving the chalkboard and the clever way you are using it - I'd love to try something similar
ReplyDeleteI see those Reeses puffs hiding back there...How dare Target move stuff around! Ours has, too. And so has the Kroger. I used to make a list like that...I did help. Maybe I should consider doing it again. It's nice to be organized. I miss it.
ReplyDeleteIt looks really cute! I like how you used the chalkboard for your freezer items.
ReplyDeleteAs for the lower chalkboards, why not let the kids draw down there? You could keep some colored chalk for them and it might be their height. Another idea is to list your health goals for your family or any inspirational health messages that relate to your diet. Kind of a nice reminder.
Holy cow this is awesome! The chalk wall totally makes it! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteThanks that I found this blog about pantry doors, and I'm hoping to see more blog about it. Thanks for allowing me here to leave reaction.
ReplyDelete