Around a month ago, my hubby and I bought a new car!
We say that to be fair.
Technically, I’m the one driving the car, and I’m the one who traded my other car in for the new one…so it’s pretty much MY car. However, he has a car, and this new one is technically an SUV, so we say that now we have a car and an SUV. And whoever needs to drive what depends on their day…but mostly I drive the SUV.
The above is my rationalization to him for the organizing of the compartments in the SUV that I did. He didn’t quite see the need for it…especially in the containers that I chose, but, as usual, he will eventually come around to my color-coded reasoning.
HA!
The size of the SUV is much different than the size of my former car. I went from this…
…to this!
And THIS is my husband, playing with the removable antenna while we waited on the car salesman:
Can you tell who he’s trying to imitate? (Can I just say how funny he is?! And how much I’m gonna be in TROUBLE for this picture…)
Anyways, back to the new car. Tons more space, and while I enjoy more space as much as the next person, it can be an illusion. You think you have more space, so you fill it with JUNK! Nope, not happening in this car. Allow me to explain…
It just so happens to be “back-to-school” season! And there is something very awesome for car organization that can be found almost anywhere right now:
Pencil cases! Aren’t these cute?!
And they have the nice connector and velcro, too! Great for organizing! I took mine apart because I had this to deal with:
Already a mess! A little bit of sorting and I ended up with this:
Much better!
I placed the tissues and the car manual/docs in the glove box…
…and had plenty of space left in the center console for everything else.
(If you lift off the removable pieces, there’s even more room!)
So I had plenty of space on the bottom level…
…and on the top!
So head out and get yourself some pencil cases! (I promise, they are in all the stores in abundance!) Great for organizing more than school supplies!
What would YOU use pencil cases to organize? How do you organize YOUR car?
For more fun projects and ideas, check out http://www.aprettylifeinthesuburbs.com/awesome-party-9-come-link-us/, where this post is linked!
That is a great idea. I have hand cream, kleenex.. who knows what else I keep in our side door compartments. It is a jumbled mess. I am going to try this..
Thanks, Terry! I was having a hard time finding what I needed in my jumbled mess, too 🙂
LOVE it! Those cases are adorable. Great idea!
Thanks, Colleen!
It’s funny that you posted this today, because just YESTERDAY I opened my glove box to look for our owner manual and couldn’t find it due to the mess. This is a great idea! Thanks!
HA! Funny how that happens LOL That was the same kind of problem I was having!
Great to see that you have only manuals and tissues 😉 we have all sort of things from headphones ,small torch ,manuals, cleaning wipes, etc etc I can just build the lists. But great tips 🙂
Well, I have lots more than that in the center console, Sahana! Just not in the glove box 🙂
LOL at your hubby! Expecto patronum! I think those cases are a great way to organize. Congrats on the new car 🙂
LOL He’s a hoot 🙂
I’m blushing because I’ve never even thought about organizing the glove compartment, etc. You are the best! This is one of the greatest tips I’ve ever seen!
And I love your new SUV! I’m trying to talk my husband into getting an SUV because we can’t fit all the grands into our car. 🙂
Love the pic of your hubs and the one of you hugging your old car goodbye!
HA! Wow, thank you, Alli! I’m glad you enjoyed! 🙂
1. You are adorable and 2. I love how organized you are. Congrats on the new car – I would be psyched, too!
LOL Thank you 🙂
I have my heart set on a Chevy Traverse.. some day. That is a great tip for organization though, I never would have thought to use pencil cases.
Oh yes, I’ve seen those, Kori! Very nice!
I am really serious about my car organization. I drive my hubby nuts because I am constantly cleaning it (and also complaining about the mess).
Ah, then I am not alone!
I have tried and tried to organize the compartments in my car. My kids go through and un-do everything I do so I gave up. I am a bit jealous that you got yours done!
Well, the difference is that I have no kids to undo things yet LOL
Those are such cute cases! I definitely have to get my car organized and you have so inspired me!
Aw, I’m glad, Lois!
I adore those bags! my compartments aren’t many, but they could do with some organization. Now I’m going to be looking for those cute bags everywhere. I feel silly for not having thought to repurpose pencil bags!
It set me on a roll, Samantha! I’m trying to figure out what else I can use pencil cases for!
Now that is great organization right there! Those cute pencil cases worked like a charm. I wouldn’t want you to see inside of our glove box! There are scissors (never know when you may need to clip a coupon), toothpicks, CD’s, hand cream, napkins and more in ours. I’m not sure the cases would fit with the items in them 🙂 Pinning!
Thanks for the pin, Shirley! I used to have a lot more in my car…but I just got tired of the mess LOL
I would’ve never thought to use a pencil case to organize anything besides pencils! That’s such a great idea that I can share with my mom to organize the junk my siblings usually leave around in her car. Thanks for sharing! Love your new ride! 🙂
Thanks, Kristal! I know, I’m trying to think of what else I can use them for LOL
I need to get my car organized better, it’s such a mess, maybe when the kids are gone? ha ha I love that blue dress you have on next the vehicle, its totally cute on you!!
Oh, thank you, Lesley! If I could remember where I got that dress I would share with you LOL
What a great cheap and easy way to keep your car organized and uncluttered. I really need to use this tip. I have so much Junk in my consoles!
Cheap, yes! All those for about $8!
I want a Ford Edge!!!! Anyway, about the pencil holders! I love this idea. I mostly have CD cases in my console, but I do get VERY annoyed with the few other things like the phone charger when it gets in my way. It needs a home!
I’ve wanted one since they first came out – so glad my hubby liked it, too! And yes, the phone charger tends to get tangled – this totally helps with that!
I’m totally stealing this idea. I love the idea of using the pencil cases. I just bought a new vehicle also, and I needed to find something to better organize. I’m going to try this.
I hope it works for you, Amy! I’d love to see your end results!
My car tends to be anything but organized! This is a great idea-I never thought about using pencil cases. Of course I still have a small car and not as much room to organize.
Yes, that was my problem before, Michele! I just always find it easier to take on the day in a clean car!
My car is so messy! I never thought about just using simple pencil cases to get it together, love it!
Thanks, Krystal! It really is a simple idea – I don’t know why I didn’t think about it before!
I’m so noisy, I want to know what all is in the other pencil cases!
Congrats on the new SUV! Go Ford!
Well, they hold our iPod and the connecting cord, two phone charging cords, important docs (registration, insurance card, etc.)…and other things that I can’t remember right now LOL
nosy, duh-oy!
HA!!!
Big whistle: whewweeeeeeewwww great job! My car is well…. Not no organized.
Thanks for the inspiration
Thank you! LOL
Love this! We have a few of the hard case pencil boxes in our middle console and an old soup can that stores pens, pencils and scissors so when on the way to school we realize we forgot a pencil, there are plenty! Scissors come in super handy too for removing price tags and opening packages in the car;0) The hard cases also organize my craft supplies at home. Yay for pencil cases!!!
Yay indeed! Great ideas, Jayleen!
Congrats on the new car! You are so good in organizing everything! Just wondering, how do you remember what was in what bag?
Mainly by the size and weight when I pick it up!
It’s always good to make sure you’re organized whether it’s at home, a work place or in your car.
I could not agree more! 🙂
I never would have thought of using pencil cases to organize the odds and ends in my car. Great idea!
Thank you, Helene! 🙂
What some great organisation! My Dad’s just got an SUV and wow the size is amazing.
It definitely takes some getting used to!
Now that’s a cool idea for organizing. Will have t o this when I get my car back.
Hope it works out well for you, Becca!
I love this! Organization is my thing, we dont have a car but Id like to think if I did I’d be doing this too! Looks great, and is a wonderful idea!
Thanks, Jeanine! I just paid the payment today, so the idea of NOT having a car is a good one today LOL
I love organizing and having my car clean is something I need to work on.
It really makes me feel like I can take on the day, Amber!
I think the pencil cases are a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your comment! 🙂
What a space saver for sure. Love what you added to it to keep it organized.
Thanks, Amanda! Working on it!
Pencil cases are a great idea to organize things. I’m sure I could find plenty of things to sort out and keep organized.
I know, I keep thinking of more things! LOL
I’ve been wanting to get this vehicle, we’re trying to make up our minds and aren’t quite ready to commit to a particular one yet. I want this one in black and he wants to get a Chevy truck. It’s a contest of wills right now. He’s just like you on car organization, although surely not as cute. I wish I was!
I was lucky my hubby liked this along with me! Although the Chevy’s are nice! I think your hubby needs some red and white polka dot pencil cases LOL
Brilliant use of pencil cases! I am going to stock up on them now! And my daughter is a huge Harry Potter fan, so I got a big chuckle out of your hubs photo 🙂
HA!!! He’s a big fan, too, if you couldn’t tell 🙂
That is one mighty fine upgrade of a car! I also like the organization for all the compartments!
Thank you, Annie! 🙂
what a nice convenient car. 🙂 its also nice there are ways to organize things inside
Yes indeed! Thank you, Aisha!
Pencil cases are great for organizing your purse too!
I love this ides for the car. Will have to give that a try with some of my lose items. Love your new car and I am sure you are pretty happy with it.
Oh, good point, Pam!
My Husband and I just bought an SUV Saturday so congrats to you as well! It’s also my car pretty much since he has a work truck. I won’t miss my mini van! I have 3 kids and hated the soccer mom thing haha Anyway I will def be on the lookout for these in the back to school section so I can organize our new suv! Thanks!
Ah, congrats to you! I hope it works out well!
Organizing things is really not my cup of tea but it felt good to read your post 🙂
LOL Glad you enjoyed!
Commenting from UBC – Well, this is a delightful read and congrats on the upgrade. The pictures themselves are hilarious. I certainly feel way out of domesticity myself having opted to not buy a car, at all.
Dorit Sasson
Giving a Voice to Your Story
http://www.GivingaVoicetotheVoicelessBook.com
LOL Dorit! That’s not a bad thing! I send the payment today, which makes me think of not having a car LOL
I love the pencil cases. I want the SUV!!! White would be my color of choice too, please. 😉
This is my second white car – and this one is just as hard to keep clean as the other one was LOL
nice color of SUV 🙂 my favorite color.
Thanks, Amar!
LOL! The photo of your husband is so funny! I really like the idea of using pencil cases for organizing!
He’s a mess, Ave! And I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
I like the pouch idea. I keep a lot of things in my car as well, even dental floss!
Oh yes, that’s important, Carmen!
Wow! I am impressed. I need some for my car. My car compartments are a big mess
You could probably design some really pretty ones, Veronica!
This is a great way to organize all your stuff in the car. I have so much junk in the glove compartment that I never know where anything is.
That was the problem I was having!
Right when I saw your hubby’s picture I thought of Harry Potter lol heheheh Right!!? We don’t have a car but I have some cute makeup bags that I got from the dollar store. I use them for various things to keep the clutter out of sight lol
HA!!! Yes, Marielle, he’s a big Harry Potter fan! And yes, makeup bags from the Dollar Store are great for organizing! I love cheap and pretty things that help!
Great picture of your husband! Did he brew up some magic? What a great way to organize things in your car. Mine is my traveling office, so these would come in handy for me!
HA! He was trying to cast a spell so the car salesman would hurry up LOL It’s been several years since mine was a traveling office, but I well remember what that means!
I have a minivan and if I tried organizing it’ll be back the same way it was in a few days. With kids, unless they’re strapped in their seats with crazy glue like making big messes.
Well, you’ve got a point there, Amanda! LOL I have no kids to mess things up yet…we’ll see if this still works for me then LOL
Congrats on the new car and the extra space and organization. Those pencil cases are pretty brilliant!
Thank you, Liz! 🙂
I would have never thought about using pencil cases in the car, but it is definitely a great idea. I stuff everything in the glove compartment…horrid, I know…I need to do a better job at organizing the things in my car.
I finally lost one too many things, Tami! I had to do something about it!
Now, you just have to remember which bag contains which thing.
Yep! I go by the size weight and color!
Pencil cases are such a great idea! I don’t have nearly as much storage in my Juke as you do in your car though! It’s a great idea though!
Oh, those Jukes are SO CUTE!!!
Very nice suv and these tips are great…everytime we organize our van it lasts a whole week lol
HA! Hey, a week is better than nothing, Jamie! LOL
I need those ideas for my messy van right now – with kids, messy is its name..lol
Congrats on the new ride – your hubby is funny! Love your photo!
Yes, well, we shall see how I do when I have messy kids, right, Zan? LOL And yes. he’s quite the hoot 🙂
What a ‘neat’ idea! I’m in love with those pencil cases but not sure if I can get them in India. I, like you, have a weakness for dots! 😉
Dots are so fun! 🙂 Perhaps you could order some online? (I’m not too familiar with commerce in India, I’m sorry!)