Are all trash cans created equally?

Is a trash can that retails for $179.99 worth it?  That is the question I had to ask myself yesterday while in line at my local Bed, Bath & Beyond.  It is also the question my mom asked when helping me carry this into my house earlier today.

image via Bed Bath & Beyond

 

If you are asking yourself why one would want such a trash can, here are my reasons (in order of importance).

Pros:

•  Trash and Recycling receptacles all in one
•  Removable bin inserts (making cleaning a breeze)
•  Silent closing lid
•  The ability to lock the lid in an open position for extended chores (i.e. cleaning out the fridge)

 Cons:

• Price
• Small size of each receptacle (a blue 16-liter aka 4.23 gallons and a black 30-liter aka 7.93 gallons)
• Inserting the bags properly does take a little more time and getting used to
• If you want the proper fitting bags, they can be pricey (I am using my regular 13-gallon ones without too much of a problem, fyi)

A little "trash can" background:

I have had this Sterilite 11-Gallon Step On Trash Can for over ten years with zero problems.  It washes well, was less than $15.00, the bag sometimes falls inside of the can and it is white (my fave color).  Alas, I was bored with it.

image via Walmart

My Trashcan Research:

From the beginning, I really wanted the simplehuman trash can, but I could not justify the expense.  Almost $200 for a trash can!?  What was I smoking?  (Disclaimer:  I don't smoke anything).  So instead I headed over to Sam's Club and bought their knock off version.

image via Sam's Club

I mean, it came with two trash cans, was less than $50.00, had the removable insert,  slow closing lid and lock mechanism I so coveted in the simplehuman version.  I though to myself, Why not?   Winning!!  Not so much.  This can broke within the first month.  The lid stopped functioning properly.  I fixed it once and my husband fixed it a second time.  It jams halfway open or closed every other time you try and throw something away.  It is now at the point where it refuses to close even when you press on the lid.  They look great, they just don't work well.  I have dealt with this since August.  AUGUST!!  The mini one works fine, but they are both outside ready to be taken back to Sam's Club (they have a great return policy by the way).

Mama needs her $50.00 back.. Just saying.

I have owned my new trash can less than 24 hours and I am in LOVE.  In love with a garbage can?  Yesssss, yes I am.

I am super excited with my new purchase.  Even more so because I was able to purchase it for a lot less than the retail price.  Here's how:

$179.99 Bed, Bath & Beyond Price
-$36.00 BB&B 20% off coupon
-$50.00 Gift Card I received for Christmas
-----------
$93.99 Price I actually paid (before tax)

I realize this is still an astronomical amount to pay for a trash can.  Did I really need it?  Most likely not, but I really wanted to de-clutter my kitchen and not have two separate bins for trash and my Dasani water bottles.

Have you been eyeing one of these, too?  I figure we only live once, so...all you need to do is get yourself a coupon, find a friend willing to give you a gift card and go get yourself one of these bad boys.

As always, thanks for reading.  :)

Hall Closet Organization: Part One: Ideas & Inspiration

The Linen/Hall Closet aka The Hot Mess in our home has been on my "to do" list for...well, forever!  I am almost too embarrassed to even post my before pictures.  If it were up to me, it would never be a mess.  Alas, an eight-year-old, a messy husband and one other person who shall not be named (my MOTHER!) get their hands in there and POOF! it becomes a hot mess.  None of them will admit this, you see, so that means I am left with the task of organizing and reorganizing and...you get the picture, right?!

Enough is enough!  I need a functional, user-friendly hall closet.  Sooner, rather than later.

In all fairness, our Linen/Hall Closet has a lot to handle.  Not only does it house linens, towels, etc., but it is also home to medicines, vitamins and first-aid paraphernalia, as well as unopened toiletries such as dental floss, toothpaste, soaps, shower gels, razors, cotton balls, etc.  Now, that is a lot.  Factor in my obsession with Bath & Body Works sales, and there really is not a lot of extra space.  If any.

My ideas for our space are simple:

• Streamline the space
• Tidy it up in order to be super organized and efficient
• Make things easy to locate
• Make things easy to put back (this is the biggest problem our family faces)
• Possibly make room for toilet paper and paper towels (I wish, I wish!)

 

  My dreams for our space:

• Adjustable Shelves
• Lined shelves (a pretty, clean pattern and something I won't loathe in a few months)
• All white linens & towels (this is something I have actually been working on the past 6 months or so)
• Ironing Board Storage

I have been searching the web for some inspiration.

I am for sure not going to go as far as ironing every single sheet and pillow case to make my Linen Closet look this fab:

image via Martha Stewart

But, a girl can dream, eh?

 

I LOVE this:

image via a blog I found via Pinterest

This is pretty:

image via Style at Home

Ironing Board Storage:

image via Collect 5

I adore this "basket" for each room idea:

image via Collect 5

One last thing.

I absolutely love this and aim to at least try it.  I am not sure I will be able to make it look as perfect, but I am going to try my best!

image via Martha Stewart

I could seriously do this all day.  Seriously.  Once I get started browsing for ideas on Pinterest or the web, there is no stopping me!

Do you Pin?  If so, feel free to check out my boards.  I promise they are super organized and full of a ton of home inspiration ideas.

I need to back away from the computer and get busy on my closet makeover.

"Part Two" to follow soon...

As always, thank you so much for reading.  Please leave a comment.  <3

My Laundry Room Makeover (Part One)

Some of you may have read my earlier post, Laundry Room Inspiration.  If you didn't read the part regarding my personal, hot-mess-of-a-laundry-room, let me sum it up for you with a few pictures....

But first, let me say this - considering how small my laundry room is and the fact that all sides are surrounded by doors we actually need to use, I don't really have many options.  Short of knocking down walls and remodeling (like that is going to happen), I felt the only thing I could do right now (before I lose my mind) is tidy, clean and organize the area as best as possible.  

First, I started by removing all items and clutter from the room.  Then, I wiped down every surface (including appliances, furniture, doors, windows, blinds and walls).  Next, I vacuumed and steam mopped the floor.  Finally, I started bringing stuff back into the room, making sure I only brought in the items we actually need in there. 

I wish I could tell you how it got so messy.  I have zero excuses.  Really.  No, I did not "make it look messy" in order to have atrocious "Before" pictures.  I wish I could say I had.

Okay, here goes.... 

My son uses this bench every single morning to sit and put his shoes on before school.

Those are actually his shoes you can see in the picture (which do not belong there, I might add!)

I truly despise the location of this room.  The door you see is actually our back door and the main one we use to enter/leave the house each day.  When entering through that door, we have a bathroom to the right (shown in this picture), a hallway if you go straight and our kitchen is to the left.

I have super sensitive skin, so I am always on the lookout for products that will not irritate me.

This is one of the reasons I have a few different brands.

So far, this "mini-project" has cost me less than $20 and about two hours of my time.  I had everything except the glass jars.  The larger one was purchased from Walmart and the smaller one is from Ikea.  I plan on adding a pretty cushion to the bench as well as a new rug in between the bench and the washer/dryer.  I need to come up with a clever way to hide our electrical panel.  Maybe a faux cupboard?

For now, I am just happy our Laundry Room feels fresh and clean.

Oh and it smells like a mixture of Windex Antibacterial and Pine-Sol.

Laundry Room Inspiration

Anyone who knows me (I mean actually knows me in real life, not just virtually), knows I am (or at least strive to be) SUPER ORGANIZED.  Slowly, but surely I have been organizing and then re-organizing each of the rooms in our house.  I still have a ton to do (ie linen closet, spare bedroom closets, garage, barn, etc. ~ you get the idea).

My current project is our Laundry Room.  I don't have a ton of options considering our Laundry Room also serves as our "Mud Room", has zero cupboards (only a small shelf) and four (!!) doors: the backdoor and three of those old fashioned wood sliding doors leading to different areas of our house (kitchen, hallway and bathroom).  Ugg.  Here are some photos from the web and Pinterest I am using for inspiration....

I am not loving the rug, but I love all of the white against the dark walls.

White backdrop, dark baskets and pretty jars.  I love how simple this looks.

Great use of not a lot of space.  Love the accent colors.

Dream Laundry Room.  Yes, please!

Organized & Simple :)

I plan on completing our Laundry Room makeover this week.  I have a ton of ideas, one of which utilizes clear glass apothecary-like jars to store my powdered laundry detergent, baking soda, borax and a few other "laundry necessities".  The problem is I need to find some jars that look like these, without the hefty price tag.

PB Classic Glass Canister ($19.00 – $44.00)

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Pottery Barn, but this mama is on a budget.  I found some knock-offs online for about $30 including shipping, however I am impatient and want to find some now (see: TODAY).  Also, I worry about the quality of the glass when ordering online.  It is so hard to tell from a picture.  So, it is off to Walmart, Target and Michaels I go.  (Just as soon as my 8-year-old finishes his homework).  :)

I will update this post with before and after pictures as soon as I take them.  Wish me luck!

9/5/12 UPDATE:   Click here to see some before and after pictures of my laundry room so far.