My *Tool* Box

I have a few things that I take with me in the house...if I am upstairs....it goes with me. If I am downstairs...it goes with me. Inside I keep things I use throughout the day....such as:

~ My Filofax Planner

~ Our Family Devotions/Catechism book 

~ Pens/Stickers

~ My Bible

~ Books I am currently reading

~ My weekly menu planner

~ Lotion

Previously, I carried all these things in a market tote like THIS one. That worked just fine but wasn't "ideal". Things weren't neatly separated and were just *in* there. It was okay...but when I saw this Neatnix Toolbox on sale at Zulily, I was super excited (it's a bit on the pricey side at amazon...but if you are interested, you may find it cheaper on ebay....or Zulily may still have some for sale!)! 

It is sturdy and easy to carry by the handle! I just love all the space it has!

There are all kinds of organizational pockets on the front...

...With two larger pockets on the back...

There are even pockets on the sides that (to my delight) fit my lotion perfectly!

How do you organize things you use constantly throughout the day? I used to keep things in different baskets over the years...but the weight of the items would wear on the basket over time and damage it. I am so glad to have found something that is perfect for the use I am giving it! 

My Favorite Books on Cleaning & Organizing

Having a good book to help you with your cleaning and organizing is of great value! A book can give you the right steps to take, all-natural recipes, cost-cutting ideas and more! I use a few books that I treasure!

The first one I highly recommend is Cleaning Plain & Simple by Donna Smallin. It is full of homemade recipes (with simple household ingredients), tips and tricks, and a simple plan to follow to get your whole home *clean*!

Boy was I excited when I found out Donna Smallin makes a book on organizing as well! Organizing Plain and Simple helps you solve all of your clutter challenges! Like her other book, this one gives tons of tips, tricks and ideas. As well as helping you organize your home (room by room), it also has a section that helps you organize your finances! Again, I highly recommend this book!

If you are interested in cleaning your home naturally (as I am) but don't always have the money for costly green cleaners, you can simply make your own! The Naturally Clean Home has 150 recipes for all-natural cleaning using things like Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps Pure-Castile Soap, lemon juice, vinegar and essential oils!

Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping is an absolutely *wonderful* book. It is full of simple homemaking advice...written from a mother to her children. It is a little old fashioned which makes me love it even more! It has chapters highlighting the art of homekeeping, entertaining, the garden, health and beauty, laundry and more. It is a treasure of a book, really.

What books do you find helpful in guiding you in your homemaking? I would love for you to share them! If you have any of these books, I would love to hear your thoughts on them too!

Bible/Book Covers

 My Bible is extremely well-used and well-loved. It's amount of use has led to it starting to fall apart...slowly but surely (even though I do have a hardback  ESV Study Bible.) I previously had my Bible in a large, pretty bible case. It *was* truly pretty and all...but what I really wanted was a simple cover. I didn't want a zipper or anything fancy...just something to protect the cover and keep it all *contained*.

I perused the shops on Etsy and found one that seemed to have just what I was looking for! KIVVERS by Daisy Jane has a cute assortment of different covers custom fit for your book! I picked a faux leather cover and gave her the measurements of my Bible. Soon, in the mail, I received a cover that slid like a glove right onto my bible. It fit perfectly.

Now, if you can find something to protect the delicate pages of my Bible, I would be much obliged! Not sure that they make anything like that though! ;)

I have had to reinforce all the tabs with matte scotch tape because they were getting so damaged as well. If you don't have tabs in your Bible but *want* some...you can find them here: Majestic Bible Tabs. 

If you are looking for a simple book cover, I recommend the shop I linked to above. But if that doesn't interest you, please go check out other shops on etsy. Shopping small/handmade is definitely the way to go! :)