Magazine basket | Shelving unit | Pink and orange trays | Paper organizer | Closet shoe rack | Tray | Canisters | Under-bed storage

I moved into my first post-grad apartment last year and was starting with a blank slate when it came to decorating. The good news is that I am no longer sharing one bathroom with three other girls. The bad news is my space is only 600 sq. ft., which for Tallahassee is on the small side, but I know that compared to other cities I should be counting my blessings. No mater the square footage, my apartment is seriously lacking in storage space. I have two "closets" in my bedroom, cabinets in the living room and a coat closet (or in my case, broom closet. don't need too many coats in Florida).

Over the past year, I've had to get creative with my storage solutions. No matter if your home is 600 or 6,000 square feet, somehow you are always wishing for more storage space. Here are a few of my favorite ways to maximize the space you have.

1. Storage containers that double as decor.

This is key. If you are lacking in closets, then you must find storage that is both functional and decorative. Would you rather see a stack of magazines in the corner, or a woven basket filled with potential mood board inspiration?

2. Routinely sift through closets and purge/give away items that you no longer use.

You can't afford to let your hoarder tendencies creep up when you live in a small space. In addition to going through your wardrobe once or twice a year, set aside a little time to take inventory of all of the other closets and cabinets. Almost every house has a junk drawer that acts as a catch all for miscellaneous tidbits. Many of us can't afford to devote an entire drawer to "what if I need this" items.

3. Make use of every available space.

This includes under the bed, corner shelving units, ottomans that double as chests and the cabinet above the fridge that no one can reach without climbing on the counters first.

4. Are you really going to use those magazines for inspiration?

Magazines and books are my weakness. After I filled my bookshelf, I opted for a Kindle in order not to box myself into a room with floor to ceiling stacks of my favorite stories. Same goes for magazines. Although I've cut down on the number of subscriptions I receive, I still hold onto back issues because they have a tip, a recipe, an outfit, or a paint color that I'm convinced I will need to reference in the future. Pinterest was the best thing to happen to me because I can store all of my inspiration and helpful information from obscure sources online rather than stacked beside my bed. 

5. Have a place for everything, and do your best to return it to its desired location.

Although you don't have to go the extreme of having a chalk outline of every item in your home so you know exactly where it is supposed to be, you get the idea. Personally, having items strewn about like a tornado has ripped through your home stresses me out to no end. Having an idea of where to return something once you are finished will also save time searching through every. single. last drawer.

Whether in work or in your personal life, the feeling of listlessness and lack of motivation can spiral out of control. It can quickly turn into a "everything is meaningless" mentality and a pity party of one. Perhaps you are striving for goals or a promotion at work. Perhaps you hold each other accountable to live healthier or they are a constant reminder to look for ways to give back and have an outward focus. What motivates your decisions?

Competition With Others 

Using friends and coworkers as a benchmark to continue pushing yourself to become better can be both good and bad. On one hand, you can constantly use each other to strive to make improvements, whether it's professionally or personally. However, there is a fine line when competition can quickly turn into jealousy. Perhaps in your mind, they have the perfect wardrobe, home, job and all around life in general. It's important to recognize that we all have our own strengths and just because someone else excels in one area, doesn't necessarily make them better.

Personal Goals/Competition With Yourself

Like a runner, you may work best competing against your personal bests and continue to raise the bar to continue improving. Typically this is a byproduct of incredible determination and inner drive. Setting your own goals allows you to work at your own pace depending on if you are a slow and steady person, or know that you are ready to kick it into high gear.

Paycheck

Never underestimate the power money and being able to pay rent has. Working solely for a paycheck will quickly lead to burnout. If you find yourself in a job that you feel doesn't make use of your talents and abilities, find a hobby or activity outside of work you truly enjoy.

Making a difference

For many, simply having a job is not enough. I am always drawn to companies that make social responsibility a part of their business plan. Becoming involved with a charity or organization is the best way to take a step back, gain perspective and to avoid becoming wrapped up involved in our own problems and struggles. Knowing that you helped make someone else's life just a little better brings fulfillment. 

Summer from Coffee With Summer

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A little about myself:

Hi there, I'm Summer and I blog over at Coffee With Summer! I'm a twenty-something INFP who loves God, people and coffee. I was brought up in Webster, Massachusetts but right now I'm currently residing in a town outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am engaged to the most wonderful and loving man in the world, and we'll become husband and wife this June. One of my deepest passions is authenticity. Coffee With Summer is a lifestyle blog focused around living an authentic and transparent lifestyle, while encouraging others to join along.

Favorite ways to spend a snow day:

My favorite way to spend a snow day is to stay indoors and sip some fresh coffee made from my Chemex, while cuddling with my darling fiancé and catching up on our favorite shows. Snow days are also the perfect days to be productive and to buckle down and get things down, whether it be blogging, editing or for now, wedding planning. Even though I'm from New England, I am not a snow person one bit. 

Have I read any good books recently:

To be honest, I am not a reader at all. I have never found much enjoyment from it, plus the pages always felt funny on my fingers (weird, I know). With that being said, I am more of an article/blog reader. Whereas someone could spend all day curled up with a book, I could spend all day reading articles and stretching myself that way. This past Christmas I received the book "365 Blog Topic Ideas: For the Lifestyle Blogger Who Has Nothing to Write About," by Dana Fox. This book has led me to some great ideas when I become crippled by writer's block. This book is a must for lifestyle bloggers!

Cleaning/decluttering tips:

This spring I want to clean out my closet and donate what I don't wear. Every time I go through my closet I end up keeping items that I think I'll wear someday and then I never actually wear it…ever. So, my advice to everyone is to clean out your closet FOR REAL this spring. Donate to a local homeless shelter, Goodwill or another thrift store in your area.

Hello everyone! Today I am guest posting on Little City Adventures while Abby is busy moving into her new home. If, like me, your home or apartment is severely lacking in space or storage, you won't want to miss these organization tips.

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I am a pen and paper kind of girl when it comes to keeping to a schedule and to-do list. When I say "I'll pencil you in" I would like to actually do just that instead of type it into iCal. Call me crazy. My planner is used as an all-in-one and includes blog post ideas/schedule, appointments, travel dates, to-do lists, meal planning and grocery list. For me, keeping all of this in one central location is crucial instead of having lists, sticky notes (both  the paper and digital kind) scattered to and fro. I will admit though that I do additionally put important appointments and dates, the kind that require reminders, on my iCal. That way I can quickly scan through the notifications panel on my phone in the morning and have a quick snapshot of major events for that day.

What I look for in a planner/agenda: 

1. Month view and week view: I like to put what weekends I'll be out of town on the monthly view as well as longer events to get a quick overview of the weeks ahead. The weekly view then becomes my daily to-do list, etc. 

2. Medium-large size: For everything I try and write in my datebook, a pocket size won't make the cut unless I don't mind getting carpel tunnel from writing so small. 

3. 17-month academic length: Some habits never go away, but for some reason I still associate August with picking out a new planner rather than starting fresh on New Year's. Perhaps this will change as time goes on?

4. Finally, it should be pretty. It's always sitting out on my desk and almost always in sight, so might as well have something nice to look at. My favorite trends right now are gold foil, kraft paper and oxblood. I also love the Lilly Pulitzer artwork on the month divisions.

August is the perfect time for a mid-year evaluation and cleaning out of your home. Typically, it's associated with the back to school season and new pencils, unopened packs of paper and a new backpack. For the rest of us, it's a good point to get back on track for the new year's resolution to be more organized. If, like the rest of America, you can't even remember what your new year's resolution was, why not take a fresh season to set new priorities. 

Tips for getting more organized for fall: 

Clean out your closet. If you live somewhere with four seasons, this is the perfect time to begin transitioning your summer wardrobe and replace it with fall attire. Besides changing for the seasons, make room for new purchases by taking a long hard look at what is currently taking up space. If you haven't worn it in a year, it's time to either take it to a consignment store, donate it, or toss it. There will also be the surprise items that you didn't even remember you had. When you come across these, take the time to make sure that you have outfits to wear it with, or else it will most likely sit there for another year until you finally decide to donate it.

Set mid-year goals. Although we are a little more than halfway through the year, fall is a great time to set goals. You've had fun for weekends on end throughout the summer and feel rejuvenated to take on the world again. But first, a road map perhaps?

Invest in the jumbo set of highlighters. Going along with the back to school theme, highlighters are a must, even outside of writing hundreds of flashcards. If you keep a written calendar/planner, create a color coded system (work, fun, bill payments, etc.) to keep up with activities. 

Create a defined workspace (and use it.) I could take my own advice on this one. Even though I have a desk with plenty of workspace and a comfy-ish chair, I sill bring my laptop to the couch or bed to work. I don't know if this is a habit from my college days when my bed was where I slept, ate, watched movies and studied, but it's a habit I would like to try and break. Take to Pinterest and recreate one of your favorite work areas.

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It is back to school season and for the first time, I am not a part of it. There is something about the beginning of August that makes me instinctively want to stock up on notebooks, pens and pretty trinkets for my desk. I will clean out all of my drawers and perhaps, if I were much younger, break out the labeler and put my name on all of my supplies so there is no mistaking which glue stick is mine. 

But those days are over. If, like me, you are not quite ready to give up the back to school shopping just yet, here are a few grown-up items that will look lovely atop your desk and will help you get organized in time for a new season.

I am a creature of habit. I drive the exact same routes, wake up at the exact same time and listen to the same playlists over and over until I have the transitions memorized. Although I've been told people with entrenched habits and routines are more likely to develop alzheimer's, it isn't enough for me to give up the comfort of routine. 

I read this article about how people with strict morning routines are more creative. The habit frees up space in your brain for more interesting and important thoughts instead of "Will I shower or eat breakfast first today?" Also, you begin to crave the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a routine. It's actually quite fascinating.

My morning consists of quickly scrolling through my Twitter feed from the night before (even though I know "they say you shouldn't immediately grab your phone first thing in the morning. Whatever.) Showering followed by the top of the news cycle, typically Good Morning America, while I drink my coffee and eat breakfast (toast with jam and a banana.) Those 30 minutes could be spent under the covers a little longer, but that's the time that I begin to feel like I can actually take on the day ahead. And finally there is makeup, hair, picking an outfit, and packing up all my snacks for the office. And I'm off.

I'm more of a morning person than a night person. And thankfully I was able to work out a work schedule of 8:30 to 5:30, which, (one) allows me to miss the worst of the traffic, and (two) gives me a little extra "me" time when I feel the most alert and productive.

Even in college I took the extra time to wake up a little bit earlier to develop a routine instead of racing around trying to look as presentable as possible before my first class. Perhaps you love working out first thing in the morning. The key to making that happen is by ingraining the action into your morning sequence that you don't have to even think about "where are my shorts? socks? tennis shoes?" Or maybe mornings are your time to write and spark your creativity. Whatever it is, by doing it in the same order morning after morning, you'll have more brainpower to think of the exciting things in life.

What about you? Do you have a routine set in stone or do you begin your day however you feel like it at the time?