Get organized with an ordinary shoe bag

New Haven (WTNH) - Organizing expert Lisa Lelas from Lifestyling in Guilford stopped by this morning to show us how you can get organized without breaking the bank by using a simple shoe bag.

Lisa also told us about a book-signing event she is having on Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. till noon at the Organized Lifestyle Store in Guilford, featuring her new children's book, " Organizing A to Z."

The following shoe bag organizing tips were provided by Lisa:

You don't have to spend a lot to keep many daily household items in order. Consider an over-the-door style shoe bag with clear or canvas pockets. You may already have one hanging on your closet door. Well, these simple organizers are not just for holding shoes anymore!

1. S OCKS. Don't just use shoe bags for shoes; these make great pockets for storing kid's socks. Easy to see and easy to grab. Great for pantyhose too!
2. BATHROOM TOILETRIES. Not enough room in your bathroom for all of your stuff? Use the shoe bag for shampoos, soaps, lotions, often used medications, Band-Aids, tissues, bath toys and wash cloths.
3. TEEN BATHROOMS. Especially for the girls in your family, consider hanging a shoe bag in their bathroom to contain hair bows, ribbons, barrettes, scrunchies, blow dryer, hair gels, sparkly stuff, make-up, hair brushes, and more.
4. LAUNDRY ROOM. The stuff that always falls off the shelf fits great in pockets. Also great for things you find in the laundry like coins and buttons. Put in your stain sticks, dryer sheets, scrapers, and any other utility room items such as rubber gloves, scrubbers, scissors, etc.
5. CRAFT ROOM/CLOSET. If you don't have too much craft stuff, this will work fine for you. Use it for glue sticks and crafty items such as pom-poms, feathers, etc. Also a place to store the staple gun, paint brushes, fabric paints, hot glue gun, crayons, markers, and more.
6. ENTRYWAY. In the hall closet, this makes a great place for storing hats, gloves and scarves. Even mini tissue packets, lip balms and other items you sometimes grab to go.
7. ELECTRONIC GADGETS. Keep track of CD players, MP3 players, digital camera, binoculars, Ipod, cell phones, cords and chargers in a clear pocket shoe-bag. Each gets it's own pocket so it won't get tangled up the others.
8. PANTRY. Hang a shoe bag on the inside door for extra packets of dressings and food items. Also works great for storing spices and mini kitchen gadgets, such as stick-blenders, measuring spoons, pizza cutter, etc.
9. TOYS. A shoe bag is great to keep in a playroom or on the inside of every child's closet door, to hold match-box cars, Webkinz animals, Barbie clothes, fast food toys and even trading cards.
10. JUNK DRAWER. If you don't have an extra drawer for the items you need in and around the kitchen, try using a clear pocket shoe-bag. Designate pockets for batteries, stamps, rubber bands, tools, tape, pens/pencils, note pads, coins, paperclips, and more.