He's making a list, checking it twice

Thanksgiving is the best- yummy food, family and friends, football and little stress- (if you didn't cook) but then as the night approaches and the leftovers are packed up, you know what lies ahead. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, crowds, deals and long lines. Christmas seems to be coming earlier and earlier every year- we rush into the season and forget to savor the last leaves of fall. The wreath is going on the door but the pumpkin is still sitting on the front stoop- oh well, now that Thanksgiving weekend is over I guess I have to face the holiday season ahead. A few notes of Nat King Cole set the perfect mood, but with so much to do-everyone needs a plan. After reading Martha Stewart's blog I found another one of her many useful checklists- this one is for the holidays and breaks it down week by week. So if you are feeling overwhelmed already- relax, this will help you map it all out!
Week 1-Buy cards, stamps and wrapping supplies. Write out gift lists. If cards are in, begin to address and send.
Week 2- Put together gratuity gifts for service people. Plan holiday menu, if you are hosting. Set up a wrapping station. Shop online and unpack decorations, inspect for damage.
Week 3-Start house cleaning, start with infrequently used areas. Gather the family together to pick out the tree and other greenery. Make and freeze cookie dough. Get any linens or holiday outfits to cleaners. Put up interior and exterior decorations. Trim the tree!!
Week 4-Clean rest of house, finish wrapping. Buy last minute gifts, set table and make place cards. Make any dishes ahead and prepare all pieces needed for serving the holiday meal.
Week 1 has started so I bet most of you have too and of course many of us have not- no worries, Christmas should not be filled only with stress and running around; My son keeps asking me to twitch my nose, because he wants to see how Santa does his magic and makes the reindeer fly, and when his eyes grow wide and a smile appears, I forget all about my tiny lists- so don't forget about the magic!

Let's Get Physical

Tis' the season- almost. It is coming and whether you are giddy with excitement for the first snowflake and visions of trimming the tree or sick to your stomach thinking about all the shopping, cleaning, cooking, wrapping and endless cards to mail, exercise is key to keeping the stress at bay. We all have our routines and most of us hit the gym or the pavement regularly, but eggnog goes in and the gym is out! So before jingle bells starts playing on every station, get some back up in place- high tech style. There are some clever innovations that will give you an extra push right onto the treadmill. Then you can you focus at the mall and get thru the holidays, laughing all the way!
1. Text messages-a service will send you messages to remind you about healthy diet and exercise habits. Check out myhealtheme.com
2. Apps- right on your phone you can track calorie intake and log workouts! Look at lose it! and mapmyfitness, this will track your exercise progress and help you find running and bike routes.
3. Fitness Video Games- So many choices! You and your whole family can  get into the groove together-on Wii, Playstaion or Xbox.
4. Websites and Social Networks-  Sparkpeople.com is an online community that has free meal plans, lets you chart your progress, and receive feedback from fellow users. 
As always, reach out thru email, Facebook or Twitter. Promising to meet a friend for a walk or class will always guilt me into putting on my sneaks, and then any project can be tackled- even Christmas!

Check, please

furniture cover, potterybarn.com

I know more lists, we write them, read them, save them and always there is more to do- especially when the seasons are changing. Summer clothes need to be stored, beach and boat gear moves down to the basement, storm doors and rakes are moved out. Recently I bought a ConsumerReports, shop smart  magazine, which I never do, but they had a special issue all about organizing and I always love to discover an untapped resource. This magazine gets right to the point and provided a house Fall checklist that anyone could follow and put to use. When the craziness of summer winds down, I always think fall will be a great time to conquer house projects- wrong, the schedule continues to be in full swing, but read this list and grab a few hours- your house can make the leap into Autumn.
1. Hose off the gear- clean off the gardening gear, stack pots and lay newspaper in between fragile ones to protect from scratches and chips. Use a storage bench or cabinet for large items and a tote bag for smaller hand tools.
2. Summer clothes- If you need to preserve precious closet space, get a garmet rack and store it in the basement- clean clothes first. Use bins for t-shirts, shorts and bathing suits- try ones that slide under the bed, put a dryer sheet in before closing so clothes smell fresh. Under bed storage bins, canvas or clear are great for summer shoes.
3. Summer towels, blankets and linens- Clean out the linen closet and place in jumbo storage bins, bonus- place outdoor plates and cups on top. If the basement is getting crowded use vaccuum sealed space bags and smoosh onto the highest shelf.
4.Outdoor furniture- If you do not have basement room or and outdoor shed, there are products to help protect your furniture during the winter. A moisture proof container will protect cushions. Vinyl furniture covers will keep patio sets safe. Use odor/moisture absorbing crystals (Damprid) in bins for an extra advantage. Before storing any wood furniture, rub it down with a generous amount of lemon oil, that will help it from drying out.    

shoe storage, lillianvernon.com

Mom, I don't Feel Well...

The rain has stopped, the sun is finally out and we are hopefully in for some beautiful fall weather. I love when a little chill in the morning gives way to a warm afternoon . Change of season is a way of life where we live, but so are colds-ugh, before the sniffles settle in dive into the medicine cabinet!!!
 It may have been awhile, so first, throw out all the expired medication, over the counter and prescription. Make a list of what you will need to replace. If you are lucky enough to have a cabinet, group the like meds together- kids meds on an upper shelf and then adult meds for colds, pain-medication, allergies down low.  Once the shelves are put into order address a lot of the unused space. Martha Stewart suggests installing metal sheets which are magnetic, small items can hang vertically! Also adding hooks or self adhesive cups (don't forget the inside of the door)can add lots of room for tools, toothbrushes- really any little knick knacks. I also love her use of clear, mini shelving and containers, stack nail polish or put q-tips together.
If a medicine cabinet does not exist in your bathroom, a vanity may be your only option. Storage boxes or bins can be used for meds, again always check for expiration dates and separate kids and adults. If you use a drawer, dividers are a must. The door still can be put to good use with hooks and suction holders. A vanity can also be a wonderful storage option for extra shampoos, lotions, TP, and towels. One last tip- create a small spot in a kitchen cabinet for the meds you use daily: vitamins, Advil, band aids, Claritin, whatever, this way you will be ready when the medical crisis strikes!

It's the Little Things

This month in Real Simple Magazine, one of my faves, they have hidden in the back a gem of an article about organizing all the small stuff that gets packed into drawers, hidden in places you forget about- now you can create these mini zones which can house all the important things that you need in a pinch, stop digging! It only causes you much stress and loss of time. I will give you the highlights- the one I think everyone needs to do is the electronic bin, so many wires and gadgets these days might as well give them all one home. Junk drawers and crafts bins may always be a bit chaotic, but put a little order in and get a lot of frustration out!
1. Junk Drawer- we all have one, but it can be improved! First, throw out anything random or broken. Then create smart mini-groups that are alike so you can find items easily! Use drawer inserts- lots of small ones will help keep items visible and not lost under other things, stackable bamboo drawer organizers from containerstore.com- use them in a desk or bathroom too!!! 
2. Food Storage Drawer- this area can be so frustrating, full of mismatched tops and bottoms, so purge ruthlessly! Keep containers you only use all the time and toss anything missing a top or bottom. Now divide the drawer into zones, one side for glass the other for plastic (drawer organizer, containerstore.com) Put square or rectangular pieces in first then round, try to leave the tops on glass. Now, nest plastics together, sideways if they are too high for drawer and store tops separately. For small lids, get a little bin so they will not rattle or disappear.
3. Electronics Bin- Gather up all the cords, chargers, gadgets and batteries. Get a clear, rectangular box- one that will fit under a bed or couch and has a lid to block dust.  Get fabric or even jewelry drawer organizers, (skubb boxes, ikea.com) then create large and small sections, ei, extension cords vs. cameras. Definitely, give earbuds and charger cords a special spot, (grid it-elastic organizer, containerstore.com) Plastic baggies work well for small memory cards and video games and try to label cords and wires, (Kable Flags, organize.com.) 
4. Paper/Office Zone- last but not least, give each piece a place by committing a bookshelf or desktop in a central location. Hopefully you have room near your computer area.  Have a holder for the basics, pens, pencils, scissors, stapler and a bill sorter, use a pull-out paper sorter for all different types, (computer, loose leaf, construction). Have a folder for each family member then mount a bulletin board for invites and notices. Position an "in box" for school papers and mail to sort- keep it low so the kids can drop papers in. Check out seejanework.com or Bamboo accessories at containerstore.com
I know that is a whole lot of info and work for the "little things", but choose the mini zone in your house which really needs attention, set your time limit and browse online at the storage options. "If you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves." Emily Dickinson

The Laundry List

This laundry nook is so well done, shelves, storage and a curtain to hide it all!

Do you have a room in your house that when you walk by you just put your head down- you know it needs your attention, but you feel like it will never get it done. Every time you are in that space you just want to pull your hair out? That is the laundry "room" for me- or rather closet in the basement which now looks like a construction zone. The light is out, the carpet is gone, I feel like  every time I  put in a load I am in a nightmare!! There is no where to fold clothes or store products and lugging  full bins of dirty clothes down 2 flights is no picnic, but those machines are not going anywhere so I have got to work with what I got! Here are quick, simple ideas that I hope I can put to use and so can anyone else who has laundry to do!
First shelving, of course- when there is no where to go, build up! Ty to utilize as much space as possible above the machines for supplies. If you have a nook on the side stick some mesh stacked drawers there as well- use all available space!
Next once you have a shelf up get some containers to hold all the cleaning stuff- I would advise not to get baskets- spills, sticky detergent and powder will ruin wicker, go with metal or plastic. 
Then if you have a closet or corner-not a room, get a curatin, door or something adorable which can cover up the laundry zone! 
No folding room?  Now that supplies are stored above, the machines can be the station where the final step can be done. Get a good hamper as well, large enough to hold it all- with handles, so you can lug more gracefully.
Who likes doing the laundry? Probably no one, but laundry is kind of like sleeping and eating- essential, so stop turning the other cheek when you walk by and take on this dirty job!

This self made laundry station has great style and storage!

Genius storage ideas!!

The Art of Organizing

After school, when the kids come off the bus and trample thru the door with their loaded down back packs- you know what is coming- papers!!! Eventually, you will have to unload the lunchbox and tackle the home/school  folder. Of course, some of these papers are the informational, health forms, beginning of year stuff, that we all have to fill out, but then the math facts, writing samples and rainbow pictures drawn during a rainy afternoon come falling out. Now I know we all want to save every piece of paper that exhibits the genius in our child, but we have to pick and choose or else we will be overrun! Try to empty out that folder every day and only keep  what will have meaning in 20 years (like specific drawings and writing pieces) then chuck the rest! Once you decide what is in the "keepsake" pile, what do you do with it? Here are a couple ideas from, once again, Martha Stewart about how to preserve, display and cherish all these works of art!
1. Mail Tubes: This is the best for all the large art work that comes home, you can label them by grade, year or project, any way you want.
2. Collage: Pick 6-8 of your faves and frame them. Display in a place where you will enjoy it often, kitchen, mudroom, or office. 
3. Folder: An accordian style folder works great for papers of all sizes- there are so many compartments this folder will last you for years and it folds flat for easy storage. I picked up one in a craft store. 
You may want to keep writing papers and awards separate-  a cute storage box that fits under the bed can be easily labeled or use a scrapbook designed for school year memories. Pick a style that works for you and preserve some of these little masterpieces, someday you will be so glad you did!

The Locker Room

Tall lockers are great for sports of all sorts

So hopefully everyone is getting into their fresh, fall routine: maybe a new school, job or exercise regimen has you feeling energized and ready to tackle the projects you have been putting off all summer! Whether you are trying to get the mud room in order before the cold weather descends on us- (yuck) or trying to create an art/craft area for your "creative" toddler (p.s.- let them paint at school!) Lockers are the newest catchalls at home for your kids' mountain of stuff. Sports equipment, clothes, papers, shoes you name it- these fun and colorful containers, at child size, will inspire self-sufficiency and maybe a faster exit time out of the house. This month in Martha Stewart's Living, she displays 3 types of locker storage; tall ones for sports are great for the garage while the smaller units can be tucked into tight corners near an entryway. School locker rooms do not stir up such pleasant memories for most- a musty order and slamming, metal doors ring in my ears, but these storage lockers will erase any bad flashbacks of gym class.

These smaller units are perfect for gloves, hats and craft stuff.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.......

Peter Walsh's desk items are sleek- keeping all supplies organized!

I know most of us are ready- school has begun!! Another year and a fresh start! Once I get over the fact that summer is winding down and the beaches are looking a little empty, I do get excited thinking about new fall clothes, bright, blue crisp days and homework- what? After enduring many years of torture, now we get to relive the experience with our kids! It is a dirty job, but let these ideas help your family get off on the right foot and maybe make the idea of homework a bit less painful, I hope!
1. Set the scene- Pick the right place for your child- some need a family space so a parent can oversee, others need the quiet of their room or den, but remain close by to consult not provide answers.
2. Set the time- Try to create a family "learning time" in your house- do some quiet activities while the kids work. As best you can, make it around the same time every night- use a timer if you need to keep little ones motivated and focused.
3. Set up the supplies-  a great, organized space will always help them be successful- get the right bins to hold supplies: pens, pencils, paper, folders etc.
Keep items off the work space so they have more room for books and projects. A clock nearby as well may help older students pace themselves. Last but not least pack up- get all homework in the backpack that night and set by the door so it is easy to grab and go in the morning.
So of course, some nights will be a dream while others will be endless episodes of misplaced books, broken pencils and forgotten assignments- but don't worry at least your children will have to go thru it all over again when they have kids!

Goodbye Sweet Summer, Hello Clean Car

"Endings were like this. You could see them coming from far away, but there was one more thing and one more thing and one more thing; ...fall was coming. Endings when anticipated, took forever. I was torn between wanting the ending to be over with-just everyone go-and wanting to squeeze the life out of every remaining second" Elin Hilderbrand

The end of summer always gives me mixed feelings... kids are getting to each other and are in need of a routine, but the long, warm days and relaxing schedule I cherish.  A bit of chill is in the morning air and the evening light is slipping away faster behind the trees; it is inevitable, but I am trying to squeeze the life out of these last days. Since summer is winding down, it may be time to face -your house! It has been thru a summer of kids, family, visitors, vacations, pools and beaches so could it be in need of some organizing?? Of course, but again where do we begin? I saw an article this week in the local paper by Kristen Mastromarino, she is a professional organizer and her genius suggestion is to start with the car!!! The place you have been living out of- traveling and adventuring with the family. A car makeover will bring back some balance and sanity to you just in time.
1. Empty it out- remove all the toys, trash, bags, etc, dump them on the driveway or grass and vacuum the interior- wipe down all surfaces too!
2. Throw out all trash,  and then organize the trunk ! Put bags together that are going somewhere-returns, goodwill, back into your house, etc- label them if you can and schedule time on your calendar to take them to their destinations.
3. Revamp the travel bag- whatever your needs are kids, work, basic supplies, create a "car" bag that fits your needs when you are on the go- I always have a combination of kids/personal supplies-stamps, napkins, wipes, a brush and lip balm- coupons too!
Beach toys, towels  and the sand is out- most popsicle wrappers too- the car is ready for backpacks and cleats, one step towards the fall schedule, but wait to take on this oranization project for  another week or so- and squeeze the last bit of life out of summer, the soft, evening light behind the trees is nearly gone.

Linens and Things

The Final Product

I finally was able to finish my linen closet and although it was not too much of a disaster, the month of June has been a little bit crazy!! I grabbed any little moment I had and tackled one shelf at a time- maybe not super efficient, but it worked. Even if I had 20 minutes, I would empty a shelf, purge and sort and then regroup. Again, this is a closet that is just not very conducive to organization, it is skinny and deep- so much can get lost - how can you keep the linens neat? Here are some ideas that I figured out along the way.
So you open the door and sigh, ok start at the bottom- always purge and sort then put any small items into baskets/bins. Next, work your way up- get rid of any old towels, blankets and sets of sheets that are not complete- just chuck it! Put the towels and sheets in the middle shelves- the ones most convinent to get to. Place lighter linens in front now that it is summer and put heavy blankets and extra comforters behind or on the top shelf. When I got to the beach/pool towels- I did throw some out, but I moved the rest to the mud room so we can grab and go! Last step, get the shelf dividers- they are coming to my house asap- so they can keep all the linens in line! 

These can be used for linens and so much more, containerstore.com

Summer brings visitors-These storage bags are great for extra linens that do not fit in the closet,  target.com

Let It Go!

When I started writing this blog I was going to take a list from Nate Berkus' website- it is a list of all the things you can throw out- like old electronics, paperwork etc, it was a guideline of what is safe to get rid of. Great- we could all use that, but as I began to surf around some of my other favorite sites, I kept coming back to this book, Throw Out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke -  ( she used to be a Real Simple contributer!) it is a great challenge- anything counts- throw out also means sell, donate or recycle! Once you begin to rid your self of the "stuff" then you can take on her ideas about clearing out mental clutter as well, here are a few guidelines you can use when you are picking out your fifty things- good luck!!

1. If it weighs you down, clogs you up, or just plain makes you feel bad about yourself, throw it out, give it away, sell it, let it go, and move on.

2. If it just sits there, taking up room and contributing nothing positive to your life, let it go. If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward.

3, If you agonize over it for too long, throw it out. Don’t make the decision — whether to toss it or keep it — a hard one.

4. Don’t be afraid.

Love the final point- do not be afraid, let it go, release the guilt- why hold on to something you do not need, use or want!! I have 4 things already piled up- only 46 to go!

My Favorite Room in the House

This makeshift Mudroom displays all the elements
 for a successful entry way!

Our mudroom could easily be my favorite room in the house. Although the room was there, we had a great builder who custom designed all the cubbies, built in a bench and topped it off with a shelf that I thought we would never use- (it is full!) We can store all the coats, shoes, backpacks and nick knacks that end up somewhere between the garbage and the toy bin. Even the dog food has its own space! But what do you do when your house is mud room challenged??? Any home entry way is a crazy place and it absolutely needs some key ingredients to streamline storage and create a system that you will love!!

1. Shelves- Start at the top! If you have limited space, even one shelf can create a place for baskets/bins.

2. Hooks! Get a bunch- if you can, hang them at different heights so coats and bags don't overlap.

3. A Bench- this is essential! An ottoman or two can also do the trick- If there is room under the bench, (or in it) that is another spot for baskets or shoe cubbies- use every space you can!!

Also if you have the wall space- a communication center, message and cork boards right in your "mud room" can display important notes as you are walking out the door and with these tips maybe it will become your favorite spot too.

Potterybarn offers many great options, sold individually or as a set!!

The Hall Disaster

The dreaded hall closet- we all have one, the catch all place where everything gets thrown when we need the mess to disappear- coats, shoes, bags, sports equipment etc- it needs to serve so many storage purposes and is probably constructed the worst. I recently saw 2 pictures that caught my eye- they make great use of every nook and cranny and feature products that may put an end to the abyss we call a closet.
1. Shoe Rack- Yes put shoes there, but it is also a way to get items off the floor! Add baskets and pile in all the smaller items - winter gear, electronic gadgets, kids toys.- even files or papers, remember this closet has a lot of purposes to serve.
2. Door Hooks - Any kind will do! The inside of the door is a valuable spot- do not waste it! Handbags, umbrellas, anything you can hang, get it on there! Better yet, find an over the door organizer- check out lowes.com
3. Bins, Boxes and Baskets- of course the way to hide it all- see what will fit best and get ones that match- gives a closet a sleek look.
So if you have a disaster on your hands or one brewing, get some of these systems in place, of course clean out all the mishmash first, who knows what you may uncover.

This accessory bag from the Container Store has 12 shallow spots and everything is visible!

As Time Goes By

Even if you plan, sort and purge, until every shelf and drawer is picture perfect, one area that constantly needs organizing is time. We will never have enough of it, so we have to make the most out of our crazy schedules! The other day I was chatting with some friends and one expressed her frustration with organizing her time. We discussed some ideas that may put you on a path to improved time management.
First of all, reset your expectations- rarely will there be a day you spend every minute doing it all- scale back on the to do list, 3-5 mini-goals is plenty for one day! Then create a "calender worksheet", map out all the activities or events that you CAN"T change- work, lessons, meetings etc, that time is taken. Next, write down the things you want to have time for during the week, family dinners, exercise, whatever it may be, prioritize! Of course there are those days or weeks you just run around, having  little time for anything but obligations- (June in my house is like this) we feel frantic! but each week adjust, maybe it will be only one "wish list" item you squeeze in. 
Lastly, a great calender will make all the difference, I still am a big believer in writing it all down- keep it in a convenient location and pick your style- dry erase, magnetic, paper-use fun colors( markers or sticky notes) to differentiate kids' activities. Will we ever master the art of time management?- probably not, but if you begin to feel less overwhelmed by your schedule and more satisfied and in control, then you will enjoy your life with a clearer, calmer mind-and that is definitely time well spent!!

 

Martha, she's still got it

So Martha, group like utensils together for a clean look.

We all know Martha Stewart is the guru of homemaking - from cooking, gardening, decorating and  crafting she has got it down pat. I think at times she does take it too a little too far- very ambitious for all us common folk, but her basics are the best. If you want to know how to clean delicate linens or make the perfect Thanksgiving feast, she is your woman. Browsing around her website recently, I found these checklists!- she has created dozens- cleaning, moving, entertaining, even lists for stocking a bar or pantry. Amazing!

Go to http://www.marthastewart.com/home-decorating - then click on organizing checklists, and browse away-they are printable so you can file it and keep for next time. I think my favorite one is- Six Things to do Every Day! With just minutes of work, you will keep the chaos contained!  (like, make the bed, sort the mail, clean as you cook, sweep the kitchen floor, etc) So channel your inner Martha and get inspired!

Ready for Action, Now What?- Part 2

So here we are, you have found the place you want to take from cluttered to clean, but how?  This weekend,  I picked up a magazine entitled, Secrets of Getting Organized- it is a Better Homes and Gardens special publication.  It talks about solutions for every room, which is very helpful, but even better, the first article breaks the organization process down into 4 steps:
 1. Plan and empty, 2. Sort, 3. Shop and then 4. Reassemble. 

I read these then tweaked them a little-  the steps were easy , but  a little wordy, so I will try to make it short and sweet. First, set a time limit, be realistic! You do not need hours to make a difference. Next, be ready to empty (sort) things into the right piles, trash, keep, relocate, donate etc. Make decisions quickly, ask yourself how often do I really use/need this? Third, shop- yeah! you are now ready to buy the RIGHT type of storage, think about designs, colors and sizes-based upon what you kept- not what was there. Last, reassemble- Put it all back- fill up those new baskets or bins,  step back, and breathe. Well done!

Love these fun bins and buckets- best colors and designs, themacbethcollection.com

So where do I begin? Part 1

 We all have those days- you're late, you cannot find what you're looking for- you want to pull your hair out! right? OK, answer these 2 questions and you can target the most troubled spot in your home, start small- even a drawer can make a difference.
Is it working for you and how are you feeling??? 
So, does the space work for you? Can you find the kids shoes and get out the door? Can you find the suit to wear for work? If no, then it is not working!!!  Pick that one place that gives you the most grief and wastes your valuable time. Organize to be efficient, not perfect! Now, how are you feeling? How do you actually feel when you look in the hall closet or basement- stressed? embarrassed? overwhelmed! Great-you have your project, it's  the first step to end the madness! Now what? part 2 will show you the way!

Love this pic-get alike baskets or bins and hide it all!- check out www.bhg.com

Utility closet clean up

Chores are a drag- we all know that, but recently I found some great  closet tips in a magazine a friend gave to me called The Nest- it is all about organizing and more! These 3 products will transform your mess and inspire to clean away- sometimes!
1. OXO does it again with a wall mounted organizer for all your brooms, mops and dustpans- this way floor space is clear.
2. Shoe organizer- not just for your heels anymore! Throw in any supplies you need to grab quickly, spray bottles, sponges even light bulbs will be accessible!
3. My favorite idea- wrapping paper storage problems solved! Use a file folder caddy to store paper, ribbons and more- better yet get 2 and divide paper by theme- holiday or birthday, kids or adults, you decide!
If you get this far, cleaning may become your favorite pastime- probably not, but you will get thru it faster and move on to much better activities- which is anything but scrubbing bathtubs!

Pantry in a box

Every week I come into the kitchen with bags of food and look around wondering where it is all going to go- if your kitchen is like mine-  a real pantry does not exist or it is already full of so many half filled bags and boxes, who knows what's in there! Quick fix- these amazing air tight bins by OXO come in all sorts of sizes and they are clear!! You will know if you have only 3 pretzels left and they line up so neatly, you will save space - leaving you with a clutter free pantry- at least untill the next trip to the market.