eye care near me

HOW TO BEGIN TACKLING EXTREME CLUTTER: A 10-STEP CLEANING PLAN

If your home feels like a total disaster and you’re unsure where to begin, don’t worry – this plan works!

Tackling a cluttered kitchen or an extremely messy house may seem overwhelming, but it’s absolutely possible. Let me guide you on how to start cleaning today.

Step 1: The BEST Place To Start

When you’re buried in clutter, it’s not the time to overthink where to begin or get overwhelmed by the big picture.

So, where should you start when your house feels chaotic and messy?

Right where you are, right now.

Pause for a moment, look around your immediate area, and let’s tackle that spot together. Start decluttering right here, right now.

Step 2: Snap The Clutter

Before diving in, grab your phone and take a quick picture of the area around you.

I know it might feel embarrassing, and you probably don’t want anyone to see the clutter. But don’t worry – this photo is for your eyes only.

Snap the picture, and let’s move forward!

Step 3: Trash The Mess

Next, grab a trash bag or grocery bag and start tossing out any obvious garbage.

Don’t overthink it – if it’s trash, you’ll recognize it. Clearing out the trash is the first step to tackling the clutter.

Be sure to check the floor, too!

Need some extra guidance? Here’s how to make it even easier:

Step 4: Clear It

Now, let’s focus on the other items in the space you’re working on.

How many things in this area don’t belong here?

Grab a basket or box and place all those out-of-place items inside. Don’t worry about putting them away just yet – the goal is to finish decluttering this space first. Stay focused, and we’ll handle those items later!

Step 5: Declutter It

Now, your focus should be on the items that do belong in this area but are cluttering up the space.

If you don’t truly need something within arm’s reach, put it where it belongs.

For example, at my desk, I absolutely need my reading glasses nearby – but I don’t need a pack of extra notepads right next to me, so they should go in their proper place. Similarly, I might need my phone charger close by, but yesterday’s coffee mug? That belongs in the kitchen.

See how it works?

Now go ahead and clear the clutter in this area. Stay focused – don’t wander off to other rooms just yet. Let’s finish this spot completely!

Step 6: Clean It

Great job – you’ve cleared the trash and decluttered the space!

Now you should have an area that only holds the essentials.

It’s time to clean. Move all the necessary items to the side and wipe down the surface.

Don’t get sidetracked organizing your cleaning supplies – just grab a spray cleaner and some paper towels, and come straight back to this spot.

If the area needs to be vacuumed or swept, go ahead and take care of it, but remember to stick to just this area for now. Stay focused!

Step 7: Organize It

Now your space is trash-free, clutter-free, and clean – amazing job!

Here’s the fun part: neatly arrange and organize the essential items back into your fresh, tidy space. Enjoy how good it feels to have a clean and organized area!

Step 8: Finish It

Now, take all those items that didn’t belong in your area and quickly place them in the room or space where they do belong.

It’s important to just put them in the right spot – don’t get distracted by how messy those other areas might be. You’ll tackle them soon enough.

Also, go ahead and throw away your trash bag, even if it’s not completely full. Get it out of your house and into the trash can now.

Step 9: Evaluate

Now, return to the area you just decluttered, cleaned, and organized.

Take another picture to compare the before and after.

Admire the fantastic job you’ve done!

Feels motivating, doesn’t it? You’ve made real progress!

Step 10: Repeat

Now, choose another small area and repeat the process.

You did it!

Wasn’t that easy?

There are many decluttering strategies out there, but for those feeling overwhelmed by the mess, this 10-minute, 10-step plan is one of the most effective.

Keep going – you’ve got this!

conclusion

In conclusion, tackling a cluttered space doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By breaking the process into simple, manageable steps, you can transform your space and make real progress in just a short time. Start small, stay focused, and celebrate each area you complete. With this 10-step plan, you’ll gradually regain control of your home and create a cleaner, more organized environment. Keep moving forward – you’re doing an amazing job!

HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON ORNAMENTS WITH JUST 3 INGREDIENTS

You know that irresistible Christmas baking smell? The one that fills the air with a sense of warmth and holiday cheer? That’s exactly how these cinnamon ornaments smell! The entire house was enveloped in the sweet, cozy scent of cinnamon—absolutely heavenly!

It’s so good, it’s almost too much to handle (in the best way possible). The only downside? You can’t actually eat these ornaments, no matter how tempting the smell is. My kids came home from school yesterday, took one sniff, and were pretty disappointed they couldn’t snack on them. I think I might need to whip up some gingerbread cookies next to satisfy that craving!

Even last night, when my little one woke me up for his usual middle-of-the-night “let’s go see mommy” routine, the sweet cinnamon scent was still hanging in the air as we walked down the hallway. No one likes being woken up in the middle of the night, but if you’re going to be up, you might as well enjoy the magical holiday aroma. It brought a smile to my face as I sleepily held his hand and tucked him back into bed.

This was my second attempt at making cinnamon ornaments. The first time, I tried to save a bit of money and didn’t want to use a whole cup of my brand-new ground cinnamon. So, I went with a cinnamon salt dough recipe, which only calls for 1/4 cup of cinnamon. While the cinnamon salt dough is easier to work with—especially when making these with kids—it doesn’t smell nearly as amazing as this batch! (Stay tuned for that recipe coming soon!)

My advice? Just buy the cheapest ground cinnamon you can find. Check Walmart or the dollar store—you won’t be eating the ornaments, so the quality doesn’t matter much. You’ll need a full cup of cinnamon, so make sure to shop around for the best price!

How to Make Cinnamon Ornaments

You only need three simple ingredients to make these cinnamon ornaments! Here’s a list of affiliate links to products on Amazon that are similar to what I used:

  • 3/4 cup applesauce
  • 1 cup ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons white glue

When I first saw that this recipe called for applesauce, I thought, “What?! That’s crazy!” But trust me, it works. It’s a bit of an odd combination, but it comes together perfectly!

I was able to find both applesauce and glue at the dollar store. Score!

Mix the ingredients together until they form a dough ball. If the dough feels too dry, add a little more applesauce. If it’s too wet, just sprinkle in some more cinnamon until it reaches the right consistency.

Once it becomes too difficult to stir with a spoon, switch to using your hands to knead the mixture into a smooth dough ball. This will help bring it all together!

The dough should be soft, slightly wet, and a bit crumbly, but it should still be manageable.

To roll it out, you’ll need both your hands and a rolling pin. Start by pressing it flat with your hands, then reshape the crumbly edges. After that, use a rolling pin to flatten the dough further. You’ll need to alternate between using your hands and the rolling pin to keep it from falling apart. The rolling pin alone won’t do the trick—your hands are essential to make sure it holds together!

Keep in mind that any cracks in the dough will remain after baking, so it’s important to smooth them out as much as possible. Use the palm of your hand to press and seal the cracks together before rolling it out. This will help minimize the visible cracks once the ornaments are done baking!

Next, use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out the shapes for your ornaments. Press the cutters firmly into the dough to get clean, defined shapes. You can make whatever designs you like—stars, hearts, or even festive shapes like trees and stockings!

I rolled my dough to a thickness between 1/4″ and 1/2″ and ended up with 11 shapes from this recipe.

Once you’ve cut out your shapes, carefully place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. This will help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier!

If your shapes look a bit messy after coming out of the cookie cutters, don’t worry—you can clean up the edges! Use a butter knife to gently tuck in any rough crumbs and press along the edges until you’re happy with how they look. Keep in mind that if they look messy before baking, they’ll likely look just as messy afterward.

Also, don’t forget to make a hole in each ornament for hanging later! Use a drinking straw to punch a hole at the top of each shape so you can thread string through them once they’re done.

Bake your cinnamon ornaments at 225°F for 2 to 3 hours, flipping them twice, until they are completely solid and dried out.

I flipped mine after the first hour. Then, when I checked on them an hour later, the edges had curled up a bit, so I flipped them again. After another half hour in the oven, they mostly flattened out. Just keep an eye on them and flip as needed to ensure they dry evenly!

Once your ornaments are fully baked and cooled, thread some string through the holes, and you’re all done! Hang them up on your tree or around the house to enjoy that wonderful cinnamon scent all season long!

If you want to add a little extra fun, try painting the shapes with puffy paint! You can give your gingerbread man a cute face or decorate the Christmas tree shape with colorful ornaments. It’s a fun way to personalize your ornaments and make them even more festive!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup applesauce
  • 2 tablespoons white glue

Instructions:

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir with a spoon. If the dough feels too dry, add more applesauce. If it’s too wet, add more cinnamon.
  2. Once it becomes difficult to stir, use your hands to knead the dough into a ball.
  3. Press the dough onto the counter with your hands to flatten it. Use a rolling pin to smooth out the surface, and reshape the edges with your hands if necessary.
  4. Continue flattening and rolling until the dough is about 1/4″ to 1/2″ thick.
  5. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Use a drinking straw to punch a hole in each shape for hanging later.
  7. Bake at 225°F for 2 to 3 hours until the ornaments are solid and dry, flipping halfway through. If the edges curl up, flip the shapes a second time and continue baking for another 20 to 30 minutes to ensure they flatten out.

Notes:

  • If you want to add more flair, you can decorate your ornaments with puffy paint once they’re baked and cooled. Add fun details like faces or festive decorations!

These cinnamon ornaments smell SO GOOD and are super easy to make! With just 3 ingredients, they fill your home with that wonderful Christmas baking scent. You can hang them on the tree as they are, or get creative and decorate them with puffy paint. Either way, the smell is amazing!

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option that uses less cinnamon, be sure to check out our cinnamon salt dough recipe! It only uses 1/4 of the cinnamon and creates a kid-friendly dough that’s super easy to work with. (I haven’t posted it yet, but I’ll update this link when I do! Here’s a sneak peek…)

For even more fun craft ideas, check out our new book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids! It’s packed with 72 creative and simple craft ideas that are perfect for kids. The best part? They’re low-mess, making cleanup a breeze! This book makes a fantastic holiday gift for the little crafters in your life!

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, these cinnamon ornaments are a simple, fun, and fragrant way to bring holiday cheer to your home. With just three ingredients, they’re easy to make and perfect for decorating your tree or gifting to loved ones. Plus, you can add extra creativity by decorating with puffy paint! For more craft inspiration, don’t forget to check out Low-Mess Crafts for Kids—a fantastic resource for easy and fun projects with minimal cleanup. Whether you’re looking to fill your home with holiday scents or keep little hands busy, these ideas are sure to bring joy to the season!