June 2012

Friday 06.29.12

We're Jealous...

Fine! We admit it! We have spent an EXCESSIVE amount of time on Pintrest this week and we are officially jealous of other people's organization! How is it that you can go on Pinterest to look for ombre Fourth of July cakes and come out drooling over someone's spice rack? Although we have come up with very few creative ideas for our Fourth of July parties, we have some organization envy that we MUST share with you all.

Pinterest, closet, organized closet, DIY

Ummmmmm.... Can you say craft closet envy? We are still trying to figure out why on earth you would ever need this many crafting materials and how anyone has this much extra space in their home (details, details) BUT if we were crafters, THIS is what our space would look like.

Spice cupboard, spice rack, spice organizer, DIY, Tiered spice Rack, Pinterest

We seriously almost fainted when we saw this spice cupboard. You think we are kidding... we're not... If we are going to get picky though - we obviously would have alphabetized those spices and picked a riser that was metal or wood - IF we were getting picky... Not to mention, we didn't even know there was such thing as FONT ENVY until these labels came around!

Garage, garage organizers, buckets, labeled buckets, organized, DIY, pinterest

Okay, we know what you are thinking. Why on earth would we be jealous of a toy storage idea?? Although we secertly do not have a stash of water guns and chalk, it is hard to find an attractive storage idea for a garage when it comes to kids. This is a simple look that needs to be in every parents garage from now on - Capiche?

home office, DIY, Pinterest, office, home decor, modern home

And last but certainly not least, picture NEAT's office looking like this. As a matter of fact, we are sitting at that desk this very minute writing this blog post. Jealous?? Although we went from, "Type A" to, "ADD" on Pinterest, we hope you had fun looking at our current obsessions. We hope you have a fabulous Fourth with family and friends! While you are out at the parade, we will be attempting an ombre cake!

The NEAT Girls

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by admin | posted in Storage | tagged KitchenClosetOfficeGarage

Tuesday 06.26.12

ANNOUNCING Tip Tuesday

We have decided it is about time we bring some consistent NEAT tips to our followers. Which makes us very excited to announce TIP TUESDAY!!! EVERY Tuesday you can expect a new organizing tip to appear in your news feed. While we have plenty of tricks up our sleeve, we want to answer your questions as well. If you have topics that you want NEAT’s advice on email tips@neatmethod.com! Make sure to follow us on Facebook so you don’t miss out!

Organizing Tips, Helpful tips, home tips, home organizing

We look forward to answering your questions!!

XX,

The NEAT Girls

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by Marissa | posted in Tips | tagged Tip TuesdayTravel

Thursday 06.21.12

4 Ways to Help Your Food Cravings

I bet you thought we were going to give you that magic answer on how to stop eating as much! Well…sorry friends, it turns out that solution doesn’t exist.

However, have you opened your fridge lately and found moldy berries or discovered your milk expired last week?? Umm yeah…who would let that happen?!?! We've found some NEAT solutions that are not only adorable, but practical. Now you can actually open your fridge and be inspried to consume all of the beautifully displayed food (all healthy of course)!

.....

We find that by putting your milk, water or juices in a glass carafe somehow makes them seem fresher! Almost like we are at our very own bed & breakfast...everyday!

Juice, Kitchen organization, organizing tips, refrigerator

Are you like us and buy eggs for one recipe and then forget about them? Try this fun ceramic egg dish and see if it helps inspire you to whip up an omelet more often.

Ceramic egg crate, blue crate, eggs, Kitchen organization, organizing tips, refridgerator

Let's be honest, the majority of your condiments crammed in the doors of your fridge are more than likely expired or will never be used. We have found these coasters make us want to go through the unnecessary items more often. There obviously needs to be some open space to show off your "fashion forward fridge"!

How cute are these berry baskets? Need we say more. Get yourselves to your local farmers market and stock up. Yum!

Ceramic Berry holder, Kitchen organization, organizing tips, refrigerator

We hope your mouth is watering as much as ours and your craving more of the NEAT life!

p.s. Fine...we don't really have all of these items in our refridgerators, but the ORGANIZERS in us wish we did.

The NEAT girls

by Marissa | posted in Kitchen | tagged KitchenRefridgeratorAnthropologieEgg dish

Tuesday 06.19.12

Imperfect Polish Finds Perfection!

NEAT Method recently had the privilege of working with Erin Vondra of Imperfect Polish. She and her family moved into a fabulous new home in the suburbs of Chicago. Although more organized than the average person, she felt there were spaces that needed a little extra help... starting with her master closet!

With any move into a new closet, one will always deal with the challenge of creating different ideas for a new space. The good news for Erin is, everything fit...it was just up to NEAT to make it function to PERFECTION!

In every closet, we recommend matching slimline hangers in solid black (we get ours at Costco...shhh!). It won't come as a surprise to hear that we have an opinion on basically everything! But honestly, the black slimline hanger will always look the most visually appealing.

organized closet, Erin Vondra, Imperfect Polish, black hangers, color coded, Chicago home

We're sure you've heard it from us before...but, color coding is a must! FYI, this will always remain tried and true in NEAT's eyes!

Are you jealous? Try these easy tips to make your closet as fabulous as Erin's:

- Make sure all your shoes are pointing with toes out

- Smaller bags are upright for the ease of grabbing and going

- Add a personal touch! Ie. A display of jewelry, perfume bottles, special pictures of lovers ;)

And if you have amazing jewelry like Erin, would'nt you want a jewelry drawer too? Not only is it beautiful, but it makes it fun to shop your most coveted accessories!

Erin Vondra, Imperfect Polish, jewelry organizer, organized closet, Chicago home, Chicago, Organizing tips

We hope you had as much fun as we did looking through Erin's fabulous closet. Thanks so much for inviting NEAT into your life! Can't wait for our next project together!

The NEAT girls

by Ashley | posted in Closet | tagged Imperfect PolishErin VondraClosetHangers

Wednesday 06.13.12

It's now...2 Blondes vs. 2 Bruenettes!

With the expansion of NEAT Method, comes not only the excitement of new cities and new clients – but also amazing new employees! We are beyond thrilled to introduce you to our newest team member based in Chicago – Marissa Rae Hagmeyer! This brunette is wickedly good at marketing, has a graphic designer's eye, and can whip up some pretty fabulous gourmet meals we might add!

We decided to take Marissa up on one of her famous home cooked meals, as we pried into this Real Housewife of Chicago’s life.

For those of you who would like a visual:

Marissa Hagmeyer, Marissa Crylen, cooking, brunette cooking, kitchen, homecooked

(PS, her secret ingredient is hot sauce and love)

NM :: (as we try to come up from our food for air) So judging by this feast, we obviously can tell you are a foodie! Since you clearly know what you are doing, what is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?

MH :: Oh man, favorite restaurant is soo hard!! I guess I will list them out for you by genre, and you can pick to feature any of them. (To bad we are featuring them all!) :

- Italian: Topo Gigio

- Mediterranean: Turquois

- American: Feast

- Fish: Shaws or Sunda

- Tapas: Emilios

- Special Occasion: NoMI or Girl & the Goat

- Indian: Klay Oven (LOVE spicy food)

- Thai: Opart (again always down for a little spice)

- On the bucket list: I recently read Life on the Line, the biographer of Grant Achataz, Head Chef and Owner of Alinea....some day I will go there!!!

Marissa Hagmeyer, Marissa Crylen, Chicago, Mother Daughter

NM :: And if you had to eat one food for The Rest. Of. Your. Life.?

MH :: This is REALLY tough because since I’m a foodie, I hate eating the same things over and over again. Can I pick a type of food?? If so, I would say Mediterranean. The only thing I am not a huge fan of, is (pause) cake.

Alex Hagmeyer, Marissa Hagmeyer, sports, Chicago, Couple, happy couple, married

NM :: (voice in shock) What?! Please elaborate.

MH :: I have just always been on Team Ice Cream. In fact when I was little, I always had an ice cream cake or a cookie cake on my birthday because I “hated cake.” We even nixed the traditional cake at my wedding, and served an ice cream sundae bar! But ice cream is my indulgence, and I’m pretty sure everyone knows I can’t turn it down. My all-time favorite is an Oberwise Mix-In with peanut butter cups! Should we go there after we finish dinner?

NM :: Before we get actual scoops, let’s get some real scoop on you! What are your favorite things to do in your free time? Besides organizing, of course!

MH :: I love to run along Lake Michigan, attend yoga classes, spend time with my family and friends, and I am constantly starting a new DIY project.

NM :: So you have been blissfully married for a little under a year, but how did you two meet?

MH :: Alex and I are high school sweethearts and fell smitten in the halls of Naperville North High School.

NM :: Since you obviously live with your husband, any tips to help dudes lead a more organized and clutter-free life?

MH :: Well the biggest lesson I have taught Alex since being married is how to reduce the amount of papers he keeps laying around. It used to drive me crazy, but I quickly learned that nagging him about it wasn't the best solution. Instead, I bought a cute basket that sits on our shelf. The rule is simple; every time I put another article in the basket, I take one from the bottom and throw it away. So far he hasn't come looking for any of the articles I threw away! I also would advise guys to have a place to organize the things that get emptied out of their pockets every night. It is a must! From golf tees, to loose change, a nightstand can get ugly real fast if those odds and ends don't have a place to go.

NM :: We can already tell you are just the perfect addition to the team, but what do you think makes you a rock-star asset?

MH :: I think my marketing and design background, combined with my 'type A' personality is what makes me a great addition. I have also lived in Chicago for the large majority of my life, so I know this city well and can't wait to introduce it to NEAT!

Marissa Hagmeyer, Marissa Crylen, girl, brunette, bachelorette, big hat, fiesta

Isn't she just the cutiest little organized foodie you've ever met?? Personally, we think she is better than two scoops of ice-cream and that's saying a lot in Marissa's book!

The NEAT girls

by Heather | posted in About Us | tagged Marissa HagmeyerNEATNeat MethodAbout Us

Wednesday 06.06.12

Throwback Thursday :: Meet Molly Heffinger Graves

We hope you are LOVING Throwback Thursdays just as much as we are! This week, we would like to introduce you to Little Miss Molly. Otherwise known as “Dollface” or “Jones Patrol,” circa the late 80’s and early 90’s.

Ask her mother to describe Molly as a baby, and she says “a blonde Shirley Temple.”

Ask Molly and she says “a blonde Ronald McDonald.”

Molly Heffinger, Molly Graves, curly hair, happy girl

She may seem like a sweet, innocent blonde… and truth be told, she was and still is!

At age 4, she dreamed of being a model. But, as she progressed through school, she loved all her teachers "so much" that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up instead!

Can we say teacher’s pet?!

Happy baby, Molly Heffinger, Molly Graves, Red Dress

In her free time, Molly loved eating Dunkaroos, playing tennis (once ranked 34^th in the Midwest, we might add) and fishing!

Proof:

Molly Heffinger, Molly Graves, big glasses, bangs, fishing, fish, Wisconsin, Boulder Junction, White San Lake

She always had a fabulous sense of style, from bright orange overalls (???) to this fur number.

Her "first" fur coat!

Fur coat, coat, bowl cut, little girl, happy girl, Molly Graves, Molly Heffinger Graves, Wisconsin, Boulder Junction, White Sand Lake

BUT let’s be honest. You all want at least a little dirt on this bubbly and outgoing angel! So here we have it…all the DIRT we can muster up!

NM :: You seem like such a saint, what is the meanest thing you have ever done?

MollStar :: I actually convinced my sister to take the lead role in my at-home Easter play. I got her naked, wrapped her in a sheet, and crucified her on a cross made out of sticks... oops!

Family Photo, Pale children, christmas card, winter, family, Betsy Heffinger, Fritz Heffinger, Molly Heffinger, Molly Graves, Black and white cat

NM :: You seem like such a heart breaker! How many boyfriends did you have in grade school / middle school?

MollStar :: Oh Man! Brian, Drew, Spencer, Mike, Jason, Allan, I think that might be it.....

(And Homecoming Queen?! We bet you were breaking hearts - maybe this guy's perhaps??)

Homecoming, Wheaton Warrenville South, Molly Heffinger, Ross Cheairs,

NM :: Most embarrassing moment?

MollStar :: I'm not saying my worst one out loud - let's just say I was sheltered as a child. Basically all the dumb and embarrassing things I did (and still do), have to do with me living in a bubble and being naïve. I was the girl that fell for "your epidermis is showing!"

We hate to break it to you Moll, but we think it's showing here: (eeks!)

Rope swing, Boulder Junction, Wisconsin, cabin, White Sand Lake, Molly Heffinger, Molly Graves, water, summer

And there we have it. Proof that MollStar always has been, and always will be, the outgoing and smiley little blonde everyone adores! Staying true to her roots, not much at all has changed since birth!

We love our little Ronald McDonald angel! Don't go changing!

The NEAT girls

baby, chocolate cake, happy baby, Molly Graves, Molly Heffinger

by Heather | posted in About Us | tagged Molly GravesNEATNeat Method

Welcome

We're Ashley and Molly, the founders of NEAT Method. Lets face it - we obviously love to organize and are a little...or maybe we should say a lot type-A. This perfect storm created The Neat Life. Welcome! We've seen it all, heard it all, organized it all, and are always obsessed with the outcome of our work. Even if a clutter free space doesn't tickle your fancy as much as ours, we guarantee you will be entertained by our antics and will enjoy following the lives of a couple NEAT freaks.
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