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Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18093135662531944
Comment BAGS and I’ll send you the link!

I went looking for a better way to store the handmade sweaters, baby blankets, baptism gowns, and other keepsakes inside my cedar chest—and discovered compression sacks.

They shrink everything down using zippers instead of a vacuum, so there’s no seal to lose and no vacuum to drag out.

But the thing I may love most?

They keep their cube-like shape instead of becoming an oddly shaped plastic blob. 🙌🏻

I fit about 10 vacuum bags’ worth of clothing and keepsakes into two large compression sacks—and they now fit neatly inside my cedar chest.

I’m sharing exactly how they work, what I love about them, and where I think they could be especially useful around the house.
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Comment BAGS and I’ll send you the full post!
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#HomeOrganization #StorageSolutions #OrganizingIdeas
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18051742691802307
I’ve been talking about what it means to “be the village” in this week’s Coffee Break—and one of my biggest takeaways is that it doesn’t have to mean organizing everything or becoming the person responsible for everyone.

Sometimes it’s sending the invitation, offering to drive, including the new person, or taking one small thing off someone else’s plate.

You don’t have to do everything to be part of someone’s village. 💛

I pulled together a few simple reminders in this carousel for the next time you’re wondering how you can show up.

📌 Save this one for when you need it.

Or comment VILLAGE to read the full post! 🏠 

#FindingYourVillage #BuildingCommunity #SimpleWaysToHelp
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18110478398105642
Comment VILLAGE for a link to the post! ☕️
 
I’ve never considered myself an instigator or stepper-upper. I’m usually much more content to quietly help in the background.
 
But lately, I’m organizing social gatherings, managing carpools, co-running a volleyball team, and starting a Cub Scout Pack.
 
Who am I?! 😅
 
Even more surprising? I’m enjoying it.
 
In this month’s Coffee Break, I’m chatting about what changed and why (finally) stepping up is one of the best things I’ve done in a long time.
 
Comment VILLAGE for a link to the post! ☕️ 
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#LifeLately #FindingCommunity #UnexpectedSeasons
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18119207635899882
I spent NINE military moves saying I would never move ourselves.

Absolutely not. 😂

Then we got orders for a one-year assignment, planned to bring only about half our stuff, and I finally agreed to try it.

And then came the truly annoying part:

I loved it.

Was it more physical work? Absolutely.

But after years of wondering when movers would show up, how our things were being packed, where everything was, and when we’d see it again…having control over the process felt downright luxurious.

Apparently sometimes “I would NEVER” actually means “I haven’t been convinced yet.” 😏

Now I’m curious: what’s something you swore you’d never do…and then completely changed your mind about?

#MilitarySpouseLife #MovingStories #NeverSayNever
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18105476897055767
The biggest mistake we made with our first container move?

Thinking in weight instead of space. 😬

We were only moving about half of our belongings, so we reserved one large POD and figured we’d have plenty of room.

We did not.

We ran out of SPACE long before we came anywhere close to the weight limit—and ultimately needed a second container.

The lesson I wish we’d known from the beginning:

Pack UP before you pack OUT.

Use every inch of vertical space and load all the way to the ceiling before moving farther toward the door.

Because a container that looks like it has plenty of room can fill up surprisingly fast.

📌 Save this one if a container move might be in your future.

#MovingTips #MovingHacks #ContainerMove #MovingAdvice
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18486549175111585
After nine traditional military moves, we tried something I swore I would never do:

We moved ourselves.

Instead of renting and driving a moving truck, we used PODS—and I was shocked by how much I preferred the experience.

We controlled the schedule.
We knew exactly how everything was packed.
We could load at our own pace.
And no one was carrying our furniture up and down a moving-truck ramp.

But we also learned some lessons the hard way.

Including one loading mistake that meant we needed an entire second POD we hadn’t planned for. 😬

We’ve now used PODS for two different moves, and there are absolutely things I’d do differently—and things I’d 100% do again.

I put together the 10 biggest lessons we learned, including how I’d estimate container space next time and the loading order that could have saved us from that second container.

💛 Comment PODS and I’ll send you the full list.

#MovingWithPODS #MilitaryPCS #MovingTips #ContainerMove
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18111523393967957
Whether it’s PCS season or just a regular move… it’s a lot to keep track of.

This is the timeline I use to stay organized through all of it.

Everything broken down by timing—so I’m not trying to remember what needs to happen when.

You can download the full master moving timeline for free on my site if you need it. Comment MOVING and I’ll send you the link! 
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#pcsseason #militarymove #movingtips
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 17910029640464195
If wallpaper has always felt a little too intimidating, a mural might be the perfect place to start.

Because a mural is one large image divided into numbered panels, much of the frustrating prep work is already done for you. There’s no hunting for a repeating pattern, calculating where to make every cut, or wondering which section comes next.

You still get the huge visual transformation of wallpaper—just with fewer decisions and significantly less waste.

There are a few limitations to consider before ordering, but overall, I genuinely think murals are one of the most beginner-friendly ways to transform an entire wall.

In case you missed it, I shared everything you need to know before installing one in this week’s blog post.

Comment MURAL and I’ll send you the link!
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#wallpaperideas #renterfriendlydecor #diyhomedecor
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18115312447944510
After nearly 20 years of rental living, I’ve learned that making a rental feel like home rarely requires a full-room makeover.

I usually start with the features that have the biggest visual impact: the walls, windows, blank spaces, lighting, and floors.

These are often the things renters assume they’re simply stuck with—but there are so many temporary, budget-friendly ways to work with them. You just have to know where to focus your time, money, and effort.

This is exactly what I’ll be teaching at this year’s Get Organized HQ Virtual Conference!

I almost never participate in online conferences like this, but GOHQ is the exception. I’ve spoken at this event in the past and chose to return because it provides SO much genuinely useful, practical information—all completely free.

My session is called Low Cost, High Impact, Renter-Friendly Decorating, and I’d love to have you join me!

Comment TICKET, and I’ll send you the link to grab your free ticket. 🏠
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#RentalDecorIdeas #RenterFriendlyDecor #GetOrganizedHQ
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 17944735578276641
You don’t have to own your home—or spend a fortune—to make it feel like yours.

(Comment TICKET for link)

After decorating rental after rental, I’ve learned that the biggest transformations rarely come from permanent renovations or expensive purchases.

A little attention to the walls.
Better lighting.
Finished windows.
A few meaningful details.

Small, renter-friendly changes can completely transform how a home looks and feels—without risking your security deposit.

That’s exactly what I’ll be sharing in my session, Low Cost, High Impact, Renter-Friendly Decorating, at this year’s Get Organized HQ Virtual Conference!

And if you’ve followed me for a while, you know I almost never participate in online conferences or events like this. But Get Organized HQ is the exception.

The entire online conference is completely free, with more than 100 practical sessions designed to help your home and life run more smoothly.

Comment TICKET, and I’ll send you the link to grab your free ticket! 🏠
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 17905442622472328
Would you believe me if I told you that hanging a mural can actually be easier than hanging traditional wallpaper?

I recently helped my sister install this gorgeous floral mural in her apartment—and despite being a little nervous when we started, it quickly reminded me why murals can be so beginner-friendly.

The panels arrived pre-measured, pre-cut, numbered, and ready to hang in order. No searching for the pattern repeat. No cutting every panel. And practically no wasted paper.

It was essentially like assembling a giant puzzle on the wall…except all the pieces were already placed in order for us!

There are still a few important differences you need to know—especially when measuring, ordering, and overlapping the panels—so I broke down the entire process in today’s blog post.

Comment MURAL and I’ll send you the link!
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#peelandstickwallpaper #apartmentdecorating #beginnerdiy
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18098426750380042
I’ve installed a lot of wallpaper over the years—but only recently hung my second-ever wall mural.
I expected it to be the more complicated option.

Instead, I was reminded that one major difference between murals and traditional wallpaper actually makes the entire project so much easier. 🙌🏻

This Sunday, I’m breaking down exactly how murals differ from wallpaper—and why a mural may be the better place to start if you’ve never wallpapered before.

Already on my email list? You’re set for Sunday. Not on it yet? Comment NEWSLETTER and I’ll send you the link!
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#wallpaperideas #renterfriendlydecor #diyhomedecor
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18162420646477710
Maybe updating something sentimental isn’t erasing its history.

Maybe it’s how we make room for that history in our lives again. 💛

For years, I held onto my mother’s old cedar chest—but because it was damaged and didn’t work with our home, we kept it hidden in garages, closets, and storage rooms.

I couldn’t part with it…but I also wasn’t enjoying it.

Giving myself permission to have it professionally repaired and refinished changed everything. Now it’s beautiful, functional, and finally has the place in our home it always deserved.

If you have something sentimental hidden away because it isn’t in good shape—or simply isn’t your style—consider this your permission to give it a new life.

Comment CEDAR, and I’ll send you the full glow-up!
 
 #glowup #homedecorideas #pcsmoves
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18201296977368798
For years, this cedar chest was too sentimental to part with…but too broken and outdated to use.

It had been in my childhood bedroom for as long as I could remember and came to me after my mother passed away. But after several moves, it was wobbly, damaged, and never seemed to work anywhere in our home.

So it stayed hidden away.

Then we placed it at the foot of our bed and realized how functional it could be—if we gave ourselves permission to change it.

I found a professional who repaired the damage, refinished the outside in sleek black, and gave this sentimental piece the glow-up it deserved.

Now, instead of being “preserved” in the back of a closet, it has a place of honor in our bedroom where we see, use, and appreciate it every day.

Comment CEDAR, and I’ll send you the full before-and-after transformation!
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 17896325043589090
We probably all have one…

Something sentimental we could never part with—but don’t actually use, display, or even particularly like in its current state.

For me, it was an old cedar chest that once belonged to my mother.

After years hidden in garages, closets, and storage rooms, I finally gave myself permission to have it repaired and updated.

And its glow-up is SO good. 😍

💛 Comment NEWSLETTER, and I’ll add you to my email list so the full transformation lands straight in your inbox!
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18180101542420692
One of my favorite decorating discoveries lately?

Looking beyond the décor aisle.

Some of the prettiest wall art in our home didn’t come from an art store at all—and honestly, I love that it feels completely one-of-a-kind.

If you missed this week’s project, there’s still time!

Comment VINTAGE and I’ll send you the full tutorial and all the sources.

#VintageStyle #AffordableDecor #HomeStyling
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18437277145192517
These aren’t prints.

They’re actually vintage wallpaper.

I was completely stuck trying to find artwork for six empty frames around our TV. After weeks of searching, I stumbled onto an idea I honestly never would’ve considered…and it ended up looking even better than anything I originally planned.

If you’ve ever struggled to find affordable artwork that actually feels unique, this might be my favorite solution yet.

Comment VINTAGE and I’ll send you this week’s blog with the full tutorial, sources, and exactly how I made them.

 #VintageDecor #DIYHomeDecor #GalleryWall
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18089539343141892
I broke one of my own decorating rules…again. 😅

I hung six empty frames before I had anything to put inside them. For most people that’s motivating. For me? It’s usually overwhelming.

I almost gave up more than once because I couldn’t find artwork that felt right.

Then I stumbled across something completely unexpected…and it ended up becoming one of my favorite decorating projects we’ve done.

If you’re already on my newsletter list, you’re all set! This week’s project will arrive in your inbox.

If you’re not on the list yet, comment NEWSLETTER below and I’ll make sure you get the full tutorial, sources, and all the details.

#HomeDecorIdeas #GalleryWall #Newsletter
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18128193736642553
One idea from this week’s Coffee Break that keeps sticking with me…

✨ Your home doesn’t have to be perfect.
It simply needs to support the life you’re living.

Sometimes that means organizing one drawer.
Sometimes it’s opening the blinds.
Sometimes it’s finally hanging the pictures that have been sitting in the closet for months.

Small changes really can make a big difference in how your home—and you—feel.

If you missed this week’s newsletter, comment PEACE and I’ll send it your way.
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Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18130951969624182
For years, people have asked me…
“Why decorate when you’re just going to move again?”

The answer has never really been about decorating.
Creating a home that feels peaceful, organized, and functional has always been one of the ways I take care of myself.

And interestingly…there’s actually science behind it.
From reducing stress…
to improving sleep…
to helping us feel calmer and more productive…

Our homes affect us far more than we often realize.
This week’s Coffee Break shares why I believe creating a home you love isn’t superficial—it’s one of the best investments you can make in yourself.

💛 Comment PEACE and I’ll send you the full post.
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#IntentionalHome #HomeWellness #peacefulhome
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18170123725452575
Have you ever noticed that when life feels overwhelming…you suddenly want to organize a closet, rearrange a room, or finally tackle that project you’ve been putting off?

I used to think it was just me.

But it turns out there may actually be a reason we instinctively turn to our homes during difficult seasons.

☕ This week’s Coffee Break explores the surprising connection between our homes and our mental well-being.

💛 Comment NEWSLETTER and I’ll make sure it lands in your inbox this weekend.
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#HomeOrganization #HomeDecor #MilitarySpouseLife
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 17946212166254624
One of the biggest surprises from my pantry makeover wasn't how it looked...

It was how much easier my pantry became to actually use.

When containers are designed to fit full bags of ingredients, stack efficiently, and make the most of your shelf space, everyday tasks become just a little simpler.

If you missed this week's post, I'm sharing why I finally upgraded my pantry containers after nearly 10 years, what I love about them, and a few shopping tips I'd recommend before you buy.

💛 Comment "PANTRY" below and I'll send you the link

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#pantryrestock #pantry #homeorganizing
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18078501314676935
Every once in a while, I come across a product that completely exceeds my expectations.

After living with another popular brand of pantry containers for nearly a decade, I finally made the switch—and I was surprised by how much of a difference thoughtful sizing and better design actually made.

This week’s blog post covers:
✨ Why I switched
✨ What makes these pantry containers different
✨ The sizes I recommend
✨ Shopping tips to save money
✨ Plus why I created my own pantry labels instead of buying a pre-made set.

💛 Comment “PANTRY” below and I’ll send you the blog link!
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#pantrygoals #pantrymakeover #organizationideas
Open post by thehomesihavemade with ID 18115067912304295
For years, I relied on the same (dysfunctional) pantry containers because I assumed they were the best.

They weren’t.

This week I’m sharing why I finally made the switch after nearly a decade, what surprised me most, and the features I’d never compromise on again.

Already on my newsletter list? You’re all set!
If not, comment “NEWSLETTER” below and I’ll make sure this week’s project lands in your inbox.
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#pantryorganization #pantrygoals #homeorganization
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