Archive for work
The Empty Shelf
Posted by: | CommentsWould you like to know one of my simple little organizing secrets? An empty shelf. Yes, that’s right – an empty shelf. I call it my current projects shelf and I keep it in my linen closet. Right now the shelf is holding Christmas gifts and hostess gifts. Very soon the shelf will be empty again.
I use this shelf for current projects or things that need to get done but might take a little time. Examples would be artwork from the kids that needs to get processed, photos that I’m scanning, returns that I need to make, or items that need to be repaired. If the shelf is too full then I know I have too many projects going on and it is time to scale it back. If the shelf is empty then I smile. I also know that I can take on something new. The key is to not shove too many projects on the shelf – I want to be able to see everything that needs work. I also love having a place for my projects so I don’t have to move things around each time I have a new task. I have to admit I love the satisfaction of seeing an empty shelf from time to time.
Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via N’Krysta on Pinterest
6 Simple Ideas for a Clean Under Control Holiday
Posted by: | CommentsIf you feel overwhelmed by holiday decorations and the extra work involved, take a deep breath and use some simple strategies to stay in control. Your home can still stay clean and sane even with the holiday decor in place. Here are 6 quick tips for keeping the holiday decor under control for a clean manageable home:
- Decorating for the holidays does not mean tchatchkes need to explode all over your home. If time is in short supply then limit the number of decorations that you put up. More is not always better.
- If you purchase a new decoration then recycle an old one. This is an important but simple strategy to keep from accumulating too many decorations.
- Group decorations in areas. For example – a cluster of Santa figures can not only make a cute display, it also make the set up and take down faster.
- Focus on the decorations that have family meaning. An ornament tree that has a collection of ornaments from over the years is a great way to share memories with your kids. It also keeps ornaments in one central spot instead a spread all over the house.
- If you have a live tree, then keep a routine. Check the tree each day for water levels and use a small vac to get rid of the needles.
- Take ten minutes each morning to run a vacuum through the house and/or a quick microfiber mop in high traffic areas. A quick dust twice a week will keep the dust bunnies away.
“I am sharing my holiday home decor and cleaning tips for the chance to win prizes from The SITS Girls and Great Cleaners.”
Using trays is a great way to easily move decor around so that you can easily clean/dust underneath. Check out this wonderful display via The House of Smiths for inspiration.
Source: thehouseofsmiths.com via Kalli on Pinterest
Recipe Review – Squash Soup
Posted by: | CommentsI seem to be on a soup theme lately – it must be the time of year. This easy and delicious recipe for squash soup is certain to warm your bones this winter. I love to cook, but the recipe has to be easy. As much as I’d love to spend 2 hours cooking, I just don’t have that kind of time. This recipe took me 10 to 15 minutes of prep. I let it simmer for about 1/2 hr while I did some work and then another 5 minutes to blend and finish it off. I basically followed a recipe I found on allrecipes.com, but I added a little garlic and doubled the amount of carrots and celery. I also blended in my food processor instead of the blender. It is truly a tasty and easy recipe so give it a try and let me know.
http://allrecipes.com
Inspiration
Posted by: | CommentsSometimes we all need a little inspiration to move forward. I’ve been a little bogged down with work, (a good problem to have) but I took some time today to find a little organizing zen. I hope you enjoy my out of the box DIY finds too.
This first DIY for shoes in an entryway is truly drool worthy
Source: bluevelvetchair.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest
Inverted ladders as a bookshelf – yes please
Source: revistadecorarmaispormenos.com.br via Kristin on Pinterest
and finally, an easier DIY = repurposed paint cans
Perfectly Savvy Finds
Posted by: | CommentsI have two savvy finds for you today but both with the same purpose, to eliminate junk mail.
The first, 41 Pounds, stops your junk mail and catalogs for a fee of 41 dollars, (it covers you for 5 years). $15 of the $41.00 goes to a charity that you choose from their site and then they do the work of contacting various mail services to remove your address. They will also contact magazines and other bulk mailers on your behalf. I’ve heard great things about this service.
The next site, Catalog Choice, is a free service but the user has to do more of the work to remove unwanted mail. I’ve used this service and did find it easy but it does take a little time and effort. My junk mail was significantly reduced.
Two great options so that you can do your part to reduce the amount of paper and junk that clutters your home and our environment.
41 Pounds
Small Space Offices
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve written about creating an office in a small space in the past, but there are so many fabulous ideas out there and so I want to share more. Maybe you need to tuck a small workspace in for the kids to do their homework, or maybe you need a space to pay your bills. You may live in a small apartment or possibly maxed out on space and need a calm area to get your work done – there’s a solution out there and it is a matter of finding something to fit your home and style.
Take a look at some of these wonderful ideas below and let me know what you think.
The first is an absolutely brilliant idea via Better Homes and Gardens. A bookshelf turned dual office. One side for you and the other for the kids. Or each child has their own desk with no fighting for space. Brilliant is an understatement here and this project could be done very inexpensively.
Next up – the drop down desk or shelf. I have one in my kitchen for extra prep space and I love it. Ikea has a version that can be easily stained or painted. This is an easy way to create extra work space in any room and works well in smaller spaces because they fold down in a snap.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Kristin on Pinterest
Here is another version of a wall mounted desk that does not take up a ton of space. Check out the graters as pencil and paint brush holders. LOVE!!!!!!!!
‘Tis the Season to Overcommit
Posted by: | CommentsMy post today is a result of me not following my own advice. My heart is in the right place, I want to be a “good mom” and right now I’m afraid that my good intentions might backfire. I’ve volunteered to help with MULTIPLE events not including all of my business commitments and I see our calendar filling to the brim over the next month. My stress level has increased and I’m left wondering how I will juggle it all while still maintaining my sanity. Today I need to take a step back and figure out how to make it all work. Here are some suggestions so that you can avoid my path;
1. I’m afraid that others won’t help so I need to jump right in. Stepping back and waiting a week to let others have an opportunity is not a bad idea. Some people only check email once a week, or they need to juggle other commitments. If your plate is already quite full, wait until the last minute and then if help is still needed and you can make it work, go ahead. Remember that not everyone processes email or requests with hyper-speed.
2. Volunteering for everything does not make you a “good mom”. Being invested, interested and sane will probably do the trick. Of course you need to step up and do your part, but within reason. Is it really worth being volunteer of the year if you are stressed out at home or around your kids?
3. Share the volunteer opportunity with someone. Be okay with not handling the entire event or activity and spread out the work load.
4. Ask another adult that hasn’t helped if they’d like an opportunity to jump in. If you’ve already accepted the volunteer job, asking someone to help you out might be the answer. Relinquish some control to gain some sanity.
5. Get help. Take a look at your calendar and get help if you need it. That’s on my to do list today. A little babysitting boost will help me keep my sanity.
6. Take a deep breath. In the end, it will all work out and hopefully a lesson will be learned. Until next year that is….
I am a work in progress too. I am confident that I have the tools to make it through and so I’m dusting myself off and getting to work.
Please stop back on Friday because I have some Savvy Finds that will make perfect gifts over the holidays.
Christmas? Really?
Posted by: | CommentsI spent a relaxing morning catching up on some work and reading blogs, email, Facebook etc… My jaw about hit the floor when I stumbled upon a post where the blogger was urging their readers to begin planning for Christmas. Trust me, I’m all for thinking ahead and planning, but Christmas? Certainly there might be situations where you need to begin thinking about the holiday season. If you travel then it might be wise to look for airfare, or perhaps setting aside a date for your party. This particular post was focused on party and meal planning for Christmas and I do feel that for most people this is too far ahead to begin planning. Back to school and a busy fall are enough for me and I certainly do not need to add holiday pressure to the mix.
Here are a few suggestions for dealing with the present while still being able to keep an eye on the months ahead;
1. Sit down at the start of each school year and make certain all the dates are entered into a family calendar. Most schools have an online calendar to reference so that you can enter school events, holidays and conference dates.
2. Toward the middle of each month, take time to look at the month (or two) ahead. Are there special events that need to be planned, do you need a sitter, do you have conflicting dental or after school appointments? Make a list of everything that needs to be sorted/fixed for the upcoming month.
3. SYNC – my husband and I are able to sync our calendars. I have his work calendar and he has our home calendar ALL TOGETHER. The sync happens automatically (MobileMe I love you) so it is one less thing on my list.
4. Every Sunday look at the week ahead and every night look at the day ahead. There’s still time to put out the fire if you double-check what lies ahead.
What happens in your home? Do you plan way ahead, or take it a month or two at a time like us? Keep in mind that planning is a wonderful skill to have, but you also need to able to roll with the changes and let life happen.
Spring Cleaning – The Car
Posted by: | CommentsMost people spend a lot of time in their cars going to/from work, shuttling kids and running errands. Without a system in place for keeping your car properly cleaned out and maintained it can begin to look and feel like major chaos inside. I find that the car is the last place that people consider when putting organizing processes in place. A car is a major investment and in most situations vital to keeping life in order. Take the time to clean and organize your car to protect your investment and keep a sense of order and calm.
Here are some ideas to help keep your car properly maintained:
- Get your car cleaned and detailed to start your spring off on the right foot, (or the right wheel;). Vacuumed, wiped down, crumbs out – you get the idea.
- Summer is on the way and you’ll need sunscreen and bug spray ready for action. The potency of the sunscreen can seriously degrade in a hot car so set up a little kit that can be easily transported from car to home. Possibly something bright and colorful that you’ll notice heading out the door and within easy reach inside the car.
- Keep a trash receptacle in the car lined with the plastic bags you receive when shopping. Tuck some in the bottom of the receptacle as spare and it is easy to remove the trash when you exit the car.
- Purchase a couple of recyclable bags to keep in the car that can help transport items to/from your car. Don’t let things build up inside. If you transport many items then use a plastic bin or tote.
- Keep a small caddy of toys or books and projects for your kids to keep them occupied. Make certain that they put everything back into the caddy at the end of each trip. Soon it will become a habit and they won’t need a prompt to get the job done.
- Make or purchase a small first aid kit and essentials to keep in the car in case of emergencies.
On Friday I’ll be back with some Perfectly Savvy Finds that will help you keep your car in order.
Organizing "Do Overs"
Posted by: | CommentsI am totally guilty of selecting the wrong organizing product just because it looks cool. ”I can totally make that work”. Famous last words. Think about how the system will actually work before you implement. Is it really the answer or just something that will look amazing until your system falls apart?
I’ll give you an example from my own home. I designed a system around a product that is too complicated for my kids to maintain. If they can’t pick-up their own room then the point of teaching them skills and showing the importance of taking care of their toys will be lost. I purchased a very “slick” chair/container for their stuffed toys. The reality was that it was too hard to put the stuffed animals in the chair and too difficult to maintain. I streamlined to a clear tote that holds everything and both girls and manage play and pick-up easily. Does it look as cool? Probably not. Does it function more efficiently and can my girls maintain it on their own. YES!
Do you have any organizing Do Overs?
