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I should be an expert now… after packing for weeks on end to get the heck out of dodge [yes, if you don’t know, that is a southern saying], I think I could operate my very own packing company. OK, let’s be honest, probably not, BUT I do believe I can no offer some helpful in advice in terms of how to organize, pack and purge before you close the door on moving out of your home. Let’s do it… this week’s Five Things Series post is all about tips to help you pack smart, efficient and fast:

When I say everything, I mean everything… if Caroline and Carson stayed in any one spot long enough, I probably would’ve stuck a label on them, too. My motto has been to pack up rooms individually, so I wouldn’t get confused as to what went where, and we used these clear bins to keep everything tidy and neat. Then, I brought out my Handheld Labeler and went to town… I would mark the room and the specific contents inside like shown above. P.S. go ahead and stock up on the Refill Pack too because you’ll most certainly need more!

Purge before you move out… yes, it feels so good to toss stuff aside and I am always one to get rid of the clutter. I started purging about a month prior to us moving out… the summer stuff that the girls had outgrown, random kitchen gadgets that were never used, duplicates of toys, etc. You name it, I went through it. Just know that once you move, the LAST thing you are going to want to do is try to sell something or end up donating more… so, gather a few empty cardboard boxes and label them into the four categories seen above. And yes, you can always make a “maybe” pile that you can come back to. My best advice? If you haven’t used it in a year, get rid of it!!!

Make the most of what you’ve got… seems simple, but if you think outside the box, it may save you some time. For instance, if you’re moving your bedroom dresser, take the drawers out and use them as the “box”.. that way, you don’t have to unpack them, stuff the contents elsewhere, and then repack them again. Another helpful tip… wrap your breakables in sheets, towels, dishrags, shirts, tablecloths and items you already own to avoid having to buy bubble wrap. Also, use garbage bags to cover your hanging clothes so you can save money and not buy the expensive wardrobe boxes from the moving company. Seems like small things, but as I have realized, moving can be really expensive!

Unless you have a super stellar photographic memory, chances are you’re going to forget certain details about a room’s overall appearance and arrangement of items and decor. Since we are moving out only to move back in 8 months later, I have taken pictures of what the rooms that we’ve already decorated looked like before we started the moving process. That way, once we are settled back in, I can easily reference the former images on how things looked in a certain room or area of our home. I know, I am OCD about these things, so this was a big must for this mama.

Last, but certainly not least… on the day of your move, make sure you’ve packed an overnight bag for yourself [and each member of your family] so that when you arrive to said destination, you will actually be able to find your toothbrush and pajamas. You’re going to be exhausted and this little extra step will go a LONG way to ensure you get a good night of sleep post-move. And P.S. maybe schedule a massage the week after… I think that’s next on my checklist 😉

And speaking of moving, TODAY IS THE DAY… we are officially moving out of Casa Stoneking and into Mimi and Pappy’s house = one big happy family!!! Be sure to follow along via Instagram for all the fun and absolute chaos that’s most likely going down today. I’ll be the lady not so patiently counting down the hours until it’s done so I can partake in some alcoholic beverages. Cheers!

Our Home Renovation | All the Details