my home organization notebook

A few weeks ago, I mentioned my desire to create a Home Organization Notebook based on the one I saw on Honey We’re Home. I was so inspired to have everything all in one place instead of having multiple lists around my house with loose papers everywhere.

*Look at the bottom of the post for links to all of the printables I used.

After weeks of finding just the right printable pages for my notebook, I have completed my home organization notebook!

I decided that it would just be too difficult for me to keep my daily and monthly calendars in this notebook, so I will continue to use my MomAgenda for the next few weeks. Today I ordered a new Erin Condren Life Planner to use for the remainder of 2011 and all of 2012. I’m so excited! Do any of you have one? I’ve loved my MomAgenda for my calendar, but was ready to try something new.

Anyway, I will keep a separate daily and monthly calendar with all of my actual appointments and things. But the home organization notebook keeps track of everything else.

I bought a black faux leather binder at an office supply store because it looks nice and not junky. I bought tabs, page protectors, new pens (because I couldn’t resist), and a folder for the back of the binder.

Because these are the categories that I dabble in the most every day, these are the tabs I created for my notebook.

The Daily Do-It Checklist includes things that I need to accomplish every day. These are things that never change. For the specifics for that day, I will reference my MomAgenda or Life Planner to see what is on the schedule for that particular day.

In the meal planning and recipes section, I have a weekly meal planner printable page. It also includes a grocery list broken down by category, so my shopping trip will be a little less chaotic. I only plan meals for supper time because we all do our own thing for breakfast and lunch. I already got started on next week’s meal plan!

Also in the meal planning and recipes section, I have my Favorite Recipes sheet and another sheet called Recipes to Try. It has a place to record where I got the recipe and any changes I may have made to the recipe. This stays in the same tab as my meal plan. In addition to these two items, the last thing I put in the meal planning tab are the actual recipes if they come out of my recipe binder. Every month, I tear recipes out of the Southern Living or Cooking Light that arrived that month that I want to try. I put them in page protectors and put them all in a binder by category. If a recipe is on the meal plan, I just move the recipe from the recipe binder into my home organization notebook- for easy reference!

Another tab is for my Weekly Chore Checklist. This is a breakdown by day of all of the things I need to get done during the week. On Mondays I wash, dry, fold, and put away the boys’ laundry. On Tuesdays I do the same with my laundry. Every day I clean the kitchen counter tops. We do have people that come to clean our house once a week, but this is a way to keep up with the basics to keep a clean home the rest of the week. Boudreaux’s dog hair is a lot to keep up with!

In the Blog section, I have a different layout for a weekly calendar. This one has plenty of lines for writing. If I have an idea for a blog post and don’t want to forget it, I can jot my ideas down here. I can also plan ahead for blog posts when I’m not at my computer. This has already been really helpful.

Another tab that I added is Bible Verses. This will help me with scripture memorization and if I read something during my quiet time that I want to remember, I can put it here. Or if I heard something at Bible study, I can write it down when I get home. I have been wanting to work more and more on scripture memorization and I think this will help.

For Party Plans and Vacation Plans, I’ve recorded my ideas for parties and our plans for upcoming vacations. I have a few pages for both of those behind each time in case I’m planning multiple parties or vacations.

Under Important Dates and Numbers, I am keeping track of holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries so I can better manage when to send greeting cards and gifts.

Under Gift Ideas, I just have blank lined printables where I can jot down ideas for specific gifts for people. Right now there are four different baby gift ideas recorded for four different moms-to-be.

And for Hudson and Hayes, I am writing down things that they say and do that I don’t want to forget. I’m also writing down questions that I may want to ask their doctor or reminders for myself to make their doctor’s appointments or to call and set up a play date. This section will also probably be where I start managing our play group information.

If you have any questions, I am happy to answer them. If you have any suggestions on how I can make my notebook better, please send them my way. I’m so excited to get my new planner and I am so happy to now finally have a place for everything.

Resources and References

Organized Home

MomAgenda

Frugal Living

The Simple Mom

The Project Girl

Life… Your Way

Hundreds of Lists to Put Your World in Order

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Comments

  1. Caitlin says

    So funny, the first of July I set on a quest for the BEST planner. I searched and searched and found Erins LP. I was all set to order and then I was bummed I had to wait until the 20th! I am SO excited. It’ll be like Christmas morning when it finally arrives!

    xoxo

  2. says

    Thanks for sharing where you found your printables! I am already using my MomAgenda (which I love), but the printables are exactly what I need in addition to my planner.

  3. says

    ooooh, I love it! I’m just not sure that I will keep up with a paper planner. I’ve failed at every one I’ve tried to do.

    Here’s the thing – I don’t ever make any lists anymore. Can you believe that? Two kids and a full-time job. I have no clue how it all comes together at the end of the day. I know that I’m forgetful. Probably because I don’t write anything down.

    For instance, I got an invite for a friend’s little girl’s first birthday party a month ago. I knew about it but didn’t write it down anywhere (I try to put things into my phone calendar but don’t always do it). Anyway, the day after the party my husband and I realized that we missed it! I feel terrible. Seriously, AWFUL about it. But I honestly didn’t remember and since the invite was under a stack of papers there was no reminder. Ugh, I’m a mess.

    I guess I could try a folder like this. I’ve got nothing to lose but more brain cells 😉

  4. says

    Wow!! I love this!! I am totally going to use your ideas. Being organized is just the best, isn’t it? Hubby will probably tease me, but this is amazing. Would love to hear how you are able to keep up with it.

  5. says

    Two things:

    1. Awesome job getting all organized! I love projects like this, it reminds me of my Hodge Podge Cookbook (http://sarahplanet.com/?p=1205). I really want to start a planner in 2012. Right now I diligently use my Google Calendar.

    2. OMG PENNE ALLA BETSY is one of my all-time fave dishes, too! It was the first meal that I christened our new kitchen with… and subsequently burned the french bread in. There were flames. It was not fun, but the pasta was incredible!

    I really love your site–I’ve been following since Katie from Marriage Confessions featured you as one of her favorite blogs. Keep up the awesome work!

    -Sarah
    http://www.sarahplanet.com

  6. says

    Wow! I am a newlywed, and trying to get my routines together. We just recently built a home and we were given so much paperwork. Warranties, important numbers, etc. I have been thinking that I needed to make a home notebook to keep everything straight. I made the decision that this was my weekend project, and wouldn’t you know that you helped me out so much today!!!! I am really excited! Do you mind if I link this on my blog so that my readers can take a look?

    By the way, I don’t comment very often but I absolutely love your blog and read it everyday! I feel like I have so much in common with you even though I don’t actually know you. Isn’t that how it is with blogs though! 🙂

  7. Kaitlin says

    You will LOVE the Erin Condren life planner. I’ve been using it for the past few years and it’s wonderful. Very functional, with plenty of space to keep up with everything you’ll need, and also beautiful. The fun colors, inspirational quotes and stickers for various events make it so pretty and fun to use. I get compliments on mine every time I pull it out of my purse.

  8. Misty says

    Love the Erin Condren planners. Did you know Tiny Prints carriers her planners,too? So cute. I think her planners would be great Christmas gifts. I know there was a time last year when Tiny Prints ran a sale on her planners….buy one,get one half off (FYI).

  9. says

    This is such a great idea and so easy to personalize for what you need. Grocery lists by category and location in the store make grocery shopping 10 times easier- you will love it. Thanks for the inspiration!!

    P.S. Is that a Kate Spade iPhone case??

  10. ACH says

    HOLY MOLY, this is amazing! One of the eleventy-billion reasons why we’re such good friends 😉 xoxo

  11. Emily says

    Great post! i love printables and these are some great resources.
    im still in the ‘single working gal, post-grad’ phase but I cant wait to start a family of my own.
    thanks for sharing!

  12. says

    Oh yours looks lovely! I particularly like the binder! 🙂 I haven’t blogged my home binder yet (planning on doing it in the next couple of weeks) but it has similar categories to yours, in addition I also have an important numbers tab which has a misc, finance and health summary sheets. Lists contact numbers for groups we are involved in (church, sports, etc.) all the various banks, insurance groups and doctors offices. Its nice to have a backup to my phone!

  13. says

    You are so stinking cute! I am so envious of people who are super organized, I love this idea. You should start teaching lessons on how to be organized once the boys get a little older. I would definitely take a class on that. Hope you are having a fabulous week!

  14. says

    Very thorough! I love that you included a section for Bible Verses. I’ve been carrying index cards with Bible memory verses in my purse for years, but I think I like your idea better. Good call 🙂

  15. says

    This is impressive! I should start doing this for dinner so I’m organized and not running to the store every other day! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  16. says

    LOVE this post! I definitely could work on this project over break. Also, I love your handwriting! I love good penmanship!

  17. says

    This is one of those posts that I am starring, favorite-ing, bookmarking, etc! I LOVE organization and love all of these ideas! I just got my Momagenda for this next year, but I agree….it’s missing something. I didn’t think I was quite ready for their all in one, but I am so excited to see how much you love Erin’s planner! I am literally Giddy for you my friend! I’m also waiting (not so patiently) for the iCloud to launch in the fall. Then the iPhone, computer, and iPad will ALL sync together so my ical will not be such a HUGE mess!

  18. Tara says

    Whoa! This all looks really great. I need guidance from some of the full-time working (out of the home) moms on how you find the time to write everything down. I see how it can be helpful for reminding me of things, but I’m worried about the time management of it. Anyone want to advise? Thanks!

  19. says

    This is WONDERFUL!!!!!! I’m a MomAgenda user as well! I’m actually going to order an Erin Condren planner this year too! so funny! 🙂 I LOVE your notebook! I’d really like to do something like this myself!!!!!

  20. says

    Thank you so much for posting this! We have a baby coming in three months and I’ve got to get on top of things like this before she gets here! Love all of these ideas : )

  21. says

    I love this and can’t wait to get started on my own (thanks for sharing the links). I actually did the monthly meal planning idea you shared and so far it’s been working wonderfully! It sounds like you might get a lot of magazines like I do…how do you manage those? Mine are all in a pile at the moment.

  22. says

    THIS IS AWESOME! I may try and do a mini version of this (I am really NOT organized and need to be). I start back to grad school at the end of August, and I think this is something that will help keep my head on straight! THANK YOU!

  23. says

    Oh my goodness, you are the organization queen! I love it! I love organization, but I’ll be the first to admit…I suck at it! I love the idea of having every thing in its perfect place…but it’s rare that happens with me! Maybe one day I’ll come around to using a system like this!

  24. Joanne says

    I have the Erin Condren Notebook Planner- I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I am a teacher and use the notebook section for all my meetings and notes. I LOVE the new life planner too. I bought the big calendar from Erin – even though my kids are in college- I still have a lot to plan and keep organized in a family calendar. I had her put a spiral binding and found a magnetic calendar holder at Office Max and have it hanging on my fridge. My next purchase is the TEACHER planner. I can’t get enough!!!!!! I have ordered cards from her, too and they are beyond adorable……
    My daughter just ordered the Leopard planner for grad school and my niece is getting one too- as she is starting high school. Love her stuff….

  25. says

    LOVE this idea! I could definitely benefit from something like this because lists all over my house isn’t really working for me right now.

  26. says

    Great job! You’ve motivated me to finish mine 🙂 I couldn’t help but notice that “Linguine with Scampi” is one of your favorite recipes, too. We found it last month, and I was surprised at how easy and yummy it was and that my kids even love it. I’ve been a “stalker” for a while and can relate to you on so many levels. You’re doing a great job with Hudson and Hayes–keep it up and know that it does get easier!

  27. Kendyl says

    Looks awesome! I started working on my own home notebook after your post last week! Thanks for being such a great source of inspiration, as always!!

  28. says

    This is a great idea, and I am going to start making my own! I enjoy reading your blog and have a son almost the same age as Hayes. Does anyone know of a good place to buy a cute binder to put the printable pages in??

  29. says

    Erin, this is awesome! I track most of these topics in several different places which can make me feel a bit disorganized. I love the idea of keeping everything in one notebook. Plus I like the idea of swapping out the pages when needed. This will be perfect for my family! Thank you for sharing this idea! I hope that you all have a great weekend!

  30. says

    I’m going to get my home organization notebook on today, I do believe… I have a (hopeful) feelingthat life is about to get a little bit busier around this house… 😉 Thank you so much for posting all these helpful links, they make it so much easier to dive in and get started! You’ll have to update us on how life has changed/gotten easier once the notebook has found it’s way into your routine! xoxoxo

  31. says

    This is the BEST idea! Every evening my hubby and I go through the same routine … “what do you want for dinner?, I don’t know, what do you want?” – and we both HATE it! You have motivated me to start with the meal planner and now I full fledged into making the binder! Thanks!!

  32. Momofallboys says

    You said we could ask so…. can you give more details about the binder itself?? I’ve been looking and can’t find anything I really like. Thanks for the links to the printouts — super helpful!!

  33. says

    I cannot wait to get started on mine!! Thank you for sharing!! I have a question though… for the daily to-do lists/meal plans/weekly things do you have all 52 weeks printed out and in the binder or do you have them waiting in a file? And how big of a binder did you get?

    Thanks again for sharing, such awesome ideas! I have kids almost the same age… a July 09 little girl and a May 11 little boy so I can definitely relate on the craziness!!

  34. says

    I LOVE this! I am in process of making my own now- I really need to get our home organized! Where did you get the weekly calendar you used for your blog page?

  35. Lavonna says

    I love LOVE LOVE this! I have always been pretty organized but once me and my husband got together and now have his 3 kids, I was just at a loss of what to do to help me keep this mess straight! I think this is a great idea and am working on mine as I type this!
    Thanks

    P.S. Love your blog!

  36. says

    I want to thank you so much for posting this, and including the links you used! I have made two versions of my own based off of yours- one to keep at home and one to take to work with me. They are basically the same, but have some different categories – some stuff I needed to keep at home in a safe place (bills, account info, etc) and some stuff was more convenient to carry with me. For the binder I found binder pockets and I have one that is for coupons, one for my husband’s bills, and one for my bills – this way everything is in one place, and not scattered all over the kitchen like it used to be- so convenient! I keep our checkbooks and stamps in there too so it’s really easy to pay bills (this is also why I didn’t want to travel with that one). I use a binder at home $7 from Walmart, and I had the printables bound at Office Max for $4 (including covers) – this is by far the most efficient and cheapest organizer I’ve ever had. My tabs include: Daily checklists, Calendars (monthly and weekly), Finance (bill tracker, donations), shopping lists, weekend plans, food (menus, recipes)blogs, projects, chores, vacation planning, contacts,pets, ideas for next house, music/movies/tv/books (so I remember which to download, watch, read), and quotes. Thanks again for sharing this!

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  1. […] organized, so I thought I’d share my tips. Truth be told, this post was 100% inspired by Erin of Blue Eyed Bride. She shared her home organization notebook yesterday and I nearly died of envy. I’m not going […]

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