How I Organise My Kitchen Cupboard (OCD Approved!)

The inside of my kitchen cupboard - 90% done.

My husband and I are both neat freaks, and I am not kidding or exaggerating when I say that we probably have some OCD tendencies (especially him!). Everything has to be tidy, in its place and absolutely no clutter is allowed. This is just how we like things at our house. I must confess though that I am a pack-rat of sorts, so I do secretly hoard certain things (usually odd & ends for my craft projects, or empty tins/ boxes/ jars which I plan to reuse) around random parts of the house, but they are kept completely out of sight and out of my husband's way so that he does not feel tempted to throw them all out!

I posted this picture showing the inside of my kitchen cupboard the other day, because it made me chuckle that my sister jokingly called me "Monica from FRIENDS". I didn't even think that anyone would be that interested, but it's gotten a steady number of Likes and I received some feedback that I should do a blog post about how I organised it, so here it is! :D

EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE, AND A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

My various sauces, seasonings and condiments.

I feel that to make things look less cluttered, it's good to get little trays so everything has its place in the cupboard, rather than randomly chucking it on the shelves in any available spot. That way, you can arrange everything according to its purpose. For example, my cooking sauces/ seasonings are all in one corner and I try to arrange them according to height, or whichever I use more often will be placed in front, within easier reach.

My tiny bottles of food dye, which I use for Gemini Grrl's homemade playdough.

These tiny bottles of food dyes are in their own tiny basket (which fit PERFECTLY and you have NO idea about the immense joy I get from this!). I bought these trays and baskets from various different shops such as: Daiso, ABC, The Value Shop and random neighbourhood home-essentials shops. They are super cheap and range from anywhere between $1 - $3. I would have preferred if all of them were the same colour though, but oh well.

Magazine holder from Daiso: $2

I use a magazine holder from Daiso for $2 and use it to arrange my clingwrap, tin foil, and boxes of ziplock bags. I contemplated mounting the rolls of clingwrap and tin foil onto the inside of my cupboard door, so that's something you could do as well.

MAXIMISE YOUR SPACE

Baskets that easily pull out, stored underneath stacked shelves.

Our kitchen is small, so I need to really make full use of every single bit of space to store all my things. I like my kitchen cupboard a lot and like how wide the spaces are between each shelf. Besides stacking everything up on top of each other, the tidier alternative is to buy these small stackable plastic shelves. I got them from the ABC shop for less around $2 ~ $3. They come in half-sizes as well (see the top shelf), which is where I keep my bottles of herbs and dry seasonings and jars of sauces. Underneath, I put 2 pull-out baskets (from Daiso) and they are used to store my baking ingredients (left) and our breakfast spreads (right).

HERD UP ALL LOOSE ITEMS

Candies and chocolates storage

You know when you open up a bag of candy of individually wrapped chocolates, sometimes they actually survive one sitting and so you have leftovers to be enjoyed another day. I used to just tie the bag up again with a rubberband or pour them into the side pocket shelf of my fridge door. But that's quite messy and doesn't look very nice. So it's better to contain your sweet chaos into individual jars, plus it keeps the ants away!

The plastic jar on the left is a free gift when I bought some Quaker oats, but I use it to store all my loose candies and chocolates, because it's nice and see-through. The one on the right is from Tupperware and was part of a kiddy set which came with 2 milk bottles. I use this to stash away all of Gemini Grrl's Kinder Joy and Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs, which she's only allowed as a treat.

Our Thai Fragrant Rice

Our rice is stored in its own rice-bin, which comes with a measuring cup. I think I bought this at Giant for less than $20. It fits about 5kg of rice and I love the flip lid! It also has tiny wheels at the bottom, plus a handle one one side so I can easily pull it out when I need to cook rice.

Cooking oil

After frying keropok (fish crackers) or whatever, sometimes I have some leftover cooking oil which can still be reused once more (but only once please!), so instead of leaving it sitting in the pan overnight, or pouring it into a normal container (like what I used to do, but it was proving to be rather messy), it's good to store it in a squeeze-bottle like this one, which is normally used for chilli sauce and ketchup. It has a tiny nozzle at the top and should be airtight. This one has a flower-shaped cover which swivels off easily, and I got it for less than $3 from Japan Home. This way, you can have perfect control over the amount of oil you need for the next time you're frying an egg or something.

Kitty Pinocchio bag-tie? Lol!

But if you have just a tiny bit of candy left and really could not be bothered to transfer them into a small container (plus you know you're going to eat them within the next few days anyway), then instead of ugly rubberbands, you can opt for cute bag-ties. I got these from (surprise surprise) Daiso, which came in a pack of 2. There were other animals as well, but obviously we all know which are my favourite ;) You can get colourful bag clips from supermarkets or home-essentials shops as well, for under $5.

Reusable bag-ties - pack of 2 for $2 from Daiso.

REMOVE UNNECESSARY PACKAGING

Small snack-packs inside the big bag.

When you open up a bag or snack-packs, you get a few smaller packs inside. Toss the bigger bag and just neatly arrange the snack-packs on your trays. But of course, if your bags are not open yet, then you don't have to open them up to take out the snack-packs.

Neatly arrange your snack-packs.

I got this large tray from Daiso as well ($2). I swear, every time I walk inside that store to innocently buy just 1 item, I end up with a whole basket full of things! :P There is a huge Daiso near our house (straight bus ride about 10 minutes away), so that's where I go on a regular basis!

REUSE JARS & BOTTLES

Reused glass jars for my curry powders and dry goods.

Don't throw away those jam jars! They can be reused to store your curry powders or other various dry goods. Just wash them thoroughly and remove the labels by soaking them in hot soapy water (or rub with cooking oil, then wash). You can even add your own labels so you know what exactly the contents are. Oh, can you spot the reused Nutella jar above? Hehehe!

My sugar bottle

This is my sugar bottle, which originally was a sugar bottle as well, but once it finished, I just removed the label (because it was getting a little torn) and used stickers to relabel it, then refilled it with sugar from those boring old plastic packs. I love the tiny flip-top with the sprout for easy pouring.

My DIY labels. Hehe!

 If you don't have pretty letter stickers, fret not, just do it totally DIY like what I've done with some of my other plastic jars. After filling them up, I simply cut out portions of the original packaging and sticky-taped it onto the lids for easy identification. Gets the job done and doesn't cost me a thing. I love reusing my stuff for other purposes! The top two jars with red lids are from some Hari Raya/ Eid snacks, and the one with the blue lid is a reused Marshmallow Creme jar.

Dry Pasta

Ok, so this is not really a "recycled" jar - I bought it for less than $10 from Japan Home - but it can be reused to contain many things. Usually I will fill it with dry pasta, flour, brown sugar, or dry beans.

Airtight glass jars

This was a free gift because I filled out some survey form at a shopping mall once. It comes with a weird little pump thingy which you place on top of the jar and it apparently helps to suck out all the air from the jar. I use this to store my baking soda. 

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Don't feel disheartened though if your cupboard is not neatly arranged or has clear labels on everything. Honestly, my kitchen is far from perfect, and so is the rest of my house. My fridge gets cluttered up pretty quickly as well, so that's my next project to tackle! Just take things one step at a time and make it a habit to always tidy up when you can, so it will become easier as the time goes. Do share your before and after pictures with me if you'd like, or feel free to ask me any questions in the comments section below! :)

12 Realistic Jobs For Stay At Home Moms (SAHMs) That Actually Pay

Me acting as "Lucy", for a drama show to raise awareness about cyber-bullying.

You either were a career woman with a stable job at first and left the workforce to take care of your little one fulltime, or you have always planned on becoming a Stay At Home Mom (SAHM) and talked things through with your spouse so that you will be there for your child every step of the way since day one. Whatever it is, being a SAHM isn't easy and no matter what your financial background is, relying on only one income may have it's drawbacks sometimes.

I myself have always been working on a freelance basis ever since I graduated - save for the brief period where I was working part-time at an animal concerns society - so the nature of my work has always been on a project-basis and my schedule has usually quite flexible. Growing up, both my parents worked so my younger sister and I were practically raised by our aunts and our live-in maid. But most of the times, we were left to our own devices and would keep each other company for the most part of the day and weekends. I remember during my toddlerhood how my own Mother was a SAHM and she only got a fulltime job shortly after my sister was born. 

In an ideal world, I would love to be a SAHM/ WAHM (Work At Home Mom) forever and take care of my child's every need, shuttle her to & fro for her various classes or playdates, have the luxury of being there when she needs me without having to check my schedule or ask my Boss for time off - but living in what has been ranked the most expensive city for 2 years running now has brought me back down to reality. Although I am still currently a WAHM right now, I fear that once the time comes for Gemini Grrl to start preschool (when she turns 4yrs old), the choice school that I have selected will force me to find a more stable job which will provide a steadier income. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

What exactly do I currently do as a WAHM, you ask? How do I earn money from the comfort of my own home while my daughter sits right beside me moulding cupcakes out of playdough? What do I do to contribute to our monthly household income so that I have a bit of pocket money to buy whatever my heart desires (it's usually new clothes for my daughter, or restocking the snack cupboard to the brim, or for once treating my husband to a lovely dinner out), without depending on someone else all the time? It's a mish mash of different things to be honest, but mostly the same sort of projects which I have already been doing long before my little one came along - which includes writing, acting, directing, and teaching - and I have no help whatsoever so solely rely on my husband (and on the rare occasion, my Mother) to keep an eye on Gemini Grrl while I'm out bringing home the (extra) bacon.

Read on about my list of 12 realistic jobs for Stay At Home Moms and find out how you can earn a few extra bucks while still being a SAHM, or possibly even get a long-term gig going on to qualify as a WAHM :D

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1
PRIVATE TUTOR

Image from Inmagine

In this day and age, (and especially in Singapura) parents are eager to let their children excel academically, so private tutors are in high demand. Just do a search online and filter for assignments by subject to teach, location, age of student, and rates offered. If you are NIE-trained or are an ex teacher, the rates may be a little higher - but they will also consider your other qualifications and experience. You can either opt to go to the student's house, or teach at a tuition centre, or maybe even have the student travel to  your house. There is a wide range of subjects in demand and the age range of students can start from Kindergarten level (!!) to Primary, Secondary and even adults. If you go through a tuition agency, then be prepared for them to take some commission. You can choose your timeslots for the evenings or weekends (so that your husband is home from work and can watch your bub), or whichever time that your child is away in preschool.

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes & No

Can your little one tag along - No

Do you need outside help - Yes & No

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2

WEB DESIGNER

Image from Inmagine

For the tech-savvy mommas out there, you can put your computer knowledge to good use. All you need is a computer/ laptop, internet connection and web-skills to design or build and maintain a website. You probably don't ever have to leave the home, except when meeting your client to get more details about what exactly they need - and depending on where you meet up (and how nice they are), you can probably bring your little one along with you as well.

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes

Can your little one tag along - Yes

Do you need outside help - No

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3
WRITER

Image from Inmagine

I have been doing this for many years now and it has become my bread and butter. It is the only job that I can do purely from home and don't really have to meet anyone at all. I get details via email or over the phone and just type away. Rarely would I have to meet up with clients for brainstorming and even if I have to, it's usually a casual meeting over coffee anyway, so my daughter is more than welcome to be there. You can write scripts for drama companies or production houses, articles for magazines, features on blogs, and much more. 

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes

Can your little one tag along - Yes

Do you need outside help - No

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4

ONLINE SELLER

Image from Inmagine

This is another avenue I would like to explore in the near future. From the comfort of your own home, you can sell clothes, accessories, handicraft, home decor pieces, toys, books - the possibilities are endless! You just have to source for the right supplier and simply set up a blogshop on the internet. Whether or not you want a fancy website, is entirely up to you. I've seen some Facebook pages set up selling stuff online and they're doing very well. At the end of the day, it's the products you're selling that need to impress customers, after all.

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes

Can your little one tag along - Yes

Do you need outside help - No

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5

BABYSITTER

Image from Inmagine

Since you're already taking care of your own child, why not look after another one for just a few hours and get paid for it? Some parents look for reliable adults to send or pick up their child from school and keep them company at home for a short period of time before either one gets home from work. Sometimes, they might just need a date night (don't we all??), so are looking for mature babysitters to watch over their little ones. Depending on the arrangements, you might even be able to let the child play at your house, or even if you have to go over to theirs, some parents are ok with your own bub/ tot joining in as well. Better yet if you can find a child to babysit who lives in the same block or neighbourhood as you.

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes & No

Can your little one tag along - Yes

Do you need outside help - No

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6
PHOTOGRAPHER

Image from Inmagine

Not only can you sell your photographs to those who appreciate your work, but you can also offer your services as a professional photographer for events such as birthday parties, weddings, graduations, engagements, corporate dinners, etc. Most of which would probably occur in the evenings or weekends, so hopefully your husband will be off from work to take over parental duties as you're out snapping pictures and bringing in the dough. Or if it's just a short photoshoot, you can bring your child along as well. If things take off well, then you can also consider converting one of your rooms into a studio and offer competitive rates for private studio shoots.

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes & No

Can your little one tag along - Yes & No

Do you need outside help - Yes & No

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7
PARTY PLANNER & DECORATOR

Image from Inmagine

I may be stereotyping here, but a lot of SAHMs/ WAHMs are addicted to Pinterest (guilty as charge! Haha!), and have probably pinned 3527 ideas about our tot's upcoming birthday bash (umm, or is that just me??). So why not turn our party-planning skills into something that can generate income? Set up a simple website listing out your services and just liase with clients over the phone while you're still in your pajamas, sprawled out on your couch. If you have to go down to the venue to put up decorations and all that, I'm sure your little one can patiently wait for you, or amuse themselves by playing with a colourful balloon while Mommy's rolling up her sleeves.

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes & No

Can your little one tag along - Yes

Do you need outside help - No

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8
PETSITTER/ WALKER

Image from Inmagine

Some people may require someone to help walk their dog if their work schedules are super hectic. Or they may even need you to watch their pets for a few days while they are out of the country for work or on holiday. This is actually a cheaper option for them rather than to put their pet at one of those "pet hotels", plus they have the peace of mind knowing that their furry friend will have more attention given to them staying at somebody's house, rather than being boarded up with hundreds of other 4-legged critters.

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes & No

Can your little one tag along - Yes

Do you need outside help - No

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9
BEAUTICIAN

Image from Inmagine

Either you can become a Make Up Artist who goes out for assignments on the weekends for weddings and such, or you can offer your services as a Manicurist/ Pedicurist, Hair Stylist, or even Ladies' Masseuse - the selling point is that you do house-calls! Haven't you always longed for a beauty session to be done right in your own home where you can keep an eye on your child, instead of dragging them out to a spa somewhere and worry if they're going to knock anything over or eat something they're not supposed to? I'm sure lots of other women out there would appreciate these services offered door to door :) I have met some enterprising women who have also converted one of their rooms into a mini beauty parlour, so their kids can be playing in the next room while Mommy is earning some moola. Plus if you're over at someone's house to paint their nails, they probably wouldn't really mind if your bub was there as well (away from the fumes of course). 

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes & No

Can your little one tag along - Yes

Do you need outside help - No

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10
PERSONAL SHOPPER

Image from Inmagine

Seriously, some people are just so busy that they need to hire extra helping hands to run basic errands for them. Pick up their dry-cleaning, do some grocery shopping, shop for a nice new outfit. Whatever it is, since you're basically out there buying stuff around town, I don't see why you couldn't bring your child with you for these runs. This can probably done at your own time and pace as well, because people don't usually require 2kg of frozen chicken or a new hat PRONTO. What a dream, getting paid to shop!

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes & No

Can your little one tag along - Yes

Do you need outside help - No

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11
FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

Image from Inmagine

For all the fit moms out there, why not teach a Yoga/ Aerobics/ Pilates/ Zumba class or something? Not only do you get a workout, but you'll actually be paid for it as well! Or tailor a Mommy & Baby Yoga class so that you can use your own darling bub as an example while leading the class. Other SAHMs would probably love this opportunity to get their babies involved in their fitness regime as well. Or leave the wee one at home with Daddy, while you go to the nearby gym or sports complex to work up a sweat and roll in the cash.

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes & No

Can your little one tag along - Yes & No

Do you need outside help - Yes & No

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12

SMALL-SCALE CATERER

Image from Inmagine

If you have some decent cooking or baking skills, then why not offer small-scale catering packages? Bake a huge batch of pretty cupcakes for a Baby Shower, or whip up some tasty mini quiches for an engagement party - just keep the orders small and don't overwhelm yourself. You'll only have to leave the house to deliver the goods and maybe set it up at the event venue, but you can probably bring your child along as well for this. If your child is old enough, then maybe they could even lend a helping hand as well? :)

VERDICT:

Can work from home - Yes & No

Can your little one tag along - Yes

Do you need outside help - No

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So there you have it! 12 realistic jobs for Stay At Home Moms (SAHMs) that actually pay! No gimmicks, no fees to pay, no headaches. If you still feel that none of the above-mentioned jobs are suitable for you, fret not, just think carefully about what set of skills you have and try to figure out how to monetise that. Can you sew? Be a seamstress, or kids' costume maker, or sew your own handicrafts. Do you have a pleasant voice? Be a hotline operator over the phone, or voice-over talent, or singing coach. I'm sure you must have something worthwhile to offer and there are people out there willing to pay good money for your services.

But if not, then nevermind, just remember that your fulltime job as a 24/7 Mother to your precious little ones is already absolutely priceless :)