Making it work~keeping it cute!

I might as well call this "Command Center Update #57".

If you follow my blog at all, its a space you've seen, well, a few times. {But who's counting?}

Whenever I come up with something new that works, I am so excited to share it with you!

So that's what this is, a 'something new' post that makes my life easier, and some fun new products from a talented artist that I want to share!

You're getting your money's worth today! ;) {And if you are thinking "wait, I have to pay for this info?", then no, this is your lucky day!} :)

This is the busiest little corner in my kitchen.

Its where I blog, pay bills, store school papers, track kids reading time, remember who has what job this week, keep track of "chore marks", schedule my life, listen to music, keep paint chips and fabric samples, etc. I'm sure I could go on, but I don't want to lose you.

I'm always looking for ways to stay on top of it all! {Oh, and be cute, lets not forget the cute!}

We've talked here about the school paper organization.

and

We've talked here about the chore mark system.

Well, it all just came together!

These metal bins from IKEA are great for keeping my life simpler and organized. And if you noticed I said metal, you will realize just how this makes them more versatile. Magnets, my friends. Did you know you can buy them on a role that sticks on one side and you can cut them? Oh, yes!

In our house my kids each have a dinner chore {besides other weekly chores}. Their dinner chores though are the only jobs that rotate, and can I tell you what a pain its been trying to remember who has what job on what week? Well, here's where it gets magical, I made a job card for them, laminated it and added a magnet to the back! Ta da!

{Its a label stuck to a piece of wrapping paper}

Then, I made some check marks and laminated them, also adding magnets to the back.

If you remember from my chore mark post, the purpose of the chore mark system is that if my kids don't pick up after themselves {on the main floor~where I have to see it} they earn a mark. Three earned marks in a week translates into 1 hour worth of chores that they have to do for mom! {I love this system!} Sadly they are getting better at it and I don't often have the cleaning help.

So, on the side of the bins I can tally their check marks.

Here comes some of the cute.

Notice that little owl, and the magnetized photo corners?

They are by a talented artist named Carol Roeda.

She has a few stores and a great website and she sells a amazing selection of really cute magnets, boards and ways to tell your own personal story in a unique way.

{Let me tell you, her magnets are way stronger than any you will buy on a roll}

I love these photo corners especially because they are so versatile. You could use them to more neatly display photos on your fridge, hang cards or used on one of the metal boards that Carol sells.

I love the system she has for telling your story.

You start with a base, add some embellishments then add your own pictures.

Later in the week I have more of her things that I want to share with you, but today is just a peek.

If you are super impatient you can check out her website here, but come back later for a chance to save on any of your purchases with a special coupon code.