Organizer’s Tool Bag

I love to simplify! I am always looking for ways to take less steps, get more done in less time, and eliminate time-wasters.

My world revolves at a fast pace. With children to care for, a business to operate, relationships to tend, and a home to maintain, I need to simplify in order to THRIVE. If you want to thrive in your personal and/or professional life, I encourage you to click here and sign up to gain access to my Organizer’s Tool Bag. I share tips on organizing products which I love and steps you can take to simplify & thrive.

Over the past month I have been working on simplifying my online presence (blog, website, and social networking) through eliminating visual clutter. I realized that clutter on the screen can be just as distracting as clutter on the desk. It has been a process, just as getting organized is. And once again, it is a refreshing feeling to let go and keep only what I really enjoy and love. By doing this, it creates space for me to grow and THRIVE!

What one step can you do today to simplify your life, your home, your work space, or your family? Take 10-minutes for yourself and take action on that one step. It will put a smile on your face!

For more tips & tools on simplifying your life, visit my website at www.YourEfficiencySpecialist.com and join my page on Facebook.

Simply Yours,

Win FREE Organizing Products!

I am so excited about giving one lucky winner a basket FULL of organizing products. These products are some of my favorite items that I use to simplify my life and business. I know they can help you too. The contest ends tomorrow, June 30th. If you want to get in on the drawing, click here and sign up today!

For more organizing tips and ideas, visit my website at www.YourEfficiencySpecialist.com and click on ‘Organizing Tips and Tools’.

Could you use some daily inspiration in your efforts to get and stay organized? If so, join my page on Facebook. There I offer additional tips for simplifying your home, office, and family. Click here and ‘become a fan’. Would love to have you join me!

Happy Organizing!

DIY Organizer For Life’s Odds and Ends

Before I had children I was very crafty. I was making my own greeting cards, using rubber stamps to make impressions into velvet and then decorating with the fabric, and creating other decor for my home. It has been a few years since I’ve had a chance to pull my sewing machine out of the closet. With little hands and sticky fingers crawling all over the place, it is difficult to begin a project and return to it in tack. There are times when I miss those days…where the craft projects cover the desk/kitchen table for days. My craft room turned into my daughter’s room five years ago. There is a different joy I experience in that room these days.

When I stumpled upon this fun idea for making your own accordion organizer to hold life’s little odds and ends, my creative juices started flowing again! It is perfect for storing business cards, ‘to-do’ list items, stamps, receipts, tickets, photos, and so much more. Keep one in your car, at your desk, and on your night stand to organize your thoughts, notes to self, and action items. Personalize the organizer with ribbons, labels, and a monogram.

If you are short on space and time and looking for a DIY project to help you organize your life, this organizer can be completed in an hour and requires little clean up. Makes a sweet gift too.

Head to http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/howto/ideas/envaccordion.html for instructions on how to create your very own personalized ‘odds and ends’ organizer.

For more organizing tips and ideas, visit my website at www.YourEfficiencySpecialist.com. Gain access to my ‘organizing tool box’ by signing up here. You will receive an email once a month filled with some of my favorite organizing tools and easy tips to simplify life.

Organizing The Perfect Pantry

A perfectly organized pantry; what a glorious sight! With a dash of efficiency and a sprinkle of beautiful, you can have an organized pantry too.

Pantries can be the catch all for appliances, canned goods, lunch boxes, extra bulk items, and endless boxes of cereal. They can also be a black hole for items with expiration dates. Have you stuck your head in the back of your pantry lately? Things get lost back there!

A neat, organized pantry makes your life run more smoothly. You should be able to look into your pantry and know in about a minute what you have and what you need. Most of us, instead, see a jumbled mess of precariously balanced canned goods in no particular order. There are most likely expired boxes in the back from 10 years ago that you don’t even want to think about.

An organized pantry can be achieved with only a few simple steps. With these easy steps, one can save time, money, and a few extra calories by having a well organized pantry.

Sort like with like: Separate items by dry goods (pastas, beans, boxed rice, and grains), sauces, canned veggies, canned fruits, snacks, and cereals.

Containerize: I love using clear plastic containers to store snacks, cereals, grains, pastas, popcorn, croutons, and so much more. Make sure to use containers that lock in the freshness and keep the bugs out. Containers that are square in shape will offer a better use of the space than using round containers. Using clear containers will simplify life by showing you exactly what you have and how much you need. Gather an assortment of baskets to store seasoning packets, microwave popcorn, hot coco packets, and any item that is individually wrapped.

Label each shelf: Whether you are stocking the shelves or the kids are grabbing a snack, everyone will know where to go to find what they are looking for.

Leave some room: You don’t want to overstock your shelves. Leave enough room be able to maneuver when gathering supplies for your next meal.

Storing larger items: Many pantries work overtime by housing appliances and extra bulk items. Make sure to store the extra bulk items on the upper shelves and the heavy appliances on the lower shelves or floor space. Otherwise, utilize a wire shelf unit in the garage to store the less frequently used items.

There are three rules to remember:

New vs. Old: Store the newer items in the back and older items in the front. This simple rule will help to eliminate those expired items from piling up.

Remember the 80/20 rule: When stocking your pantry, keep in mind that 80% of meals typically come from the pantry and 20% are fresh produce.

Label, label, label: Label any undated food items with the purchase date.

With thanks to Better Homes and Gardens, here are three helpful lists for having a well stocked baker’s pantry, entertainer’s pantry, and quick family meals checklist.

Baker’s Pantry

Entertainer’s Pantry

Quick Family Meals Checklist

Outdoor Organizing – Storing Entertaining Gear

I love to entertain outdoors. Set up is fairly easy and clean up is even easier! If you enjoy entertaining outdoors, but dread hauling supplies needed to the patio from the kitchen, read these outdoor organizing ideas to make your next party a breeze.

With school out and the hot summer months ahead, now is the perfect time to get your pool towels, patio cushions, entertaining supplies, and outdoor beverage center in tip top shape.

Whether you live in an apartment with a small terrace or in a 4 bedroom home with a spacious backyard, you can organize your outdoor entertaining gear with these low-cost, budget friendly tips.

Avoid getting pulled away from your Sunset Breeze to retrieve extra cups or ice at your next party by creating an efficient space outdoors to store extra cups, beverages, and towels.  Have your items accessible when you need them and easy to stash when you don’t. Your outdoor spaces should be a source of relaxation, not frustration.

Storage Bench: Save space in the garage and basement by storing chaise and chair cushions, beach towels, and outdoor blankets in a teak or faux-wicker box. Use the bench to set drinks on, too!

Ice Chest: Purchase a weather and insect-resistant cedar ice chest to keep beverages cold. The chest can double as a side table when the lid is in place.

Console: Create a place to serve drinks, store flatware, plates, plastic wine glasses, and extra party supplies.Invest in a weather-resistant console table  which comes with a rack for holding stemware. Keep utensils, straws, and condiments safe from dirt and bugs by housing them in clear plastic storage containers with locking lids. Reuse an old galvanized bucket to hold ice and watering can to store serving spoons. Keep a basket handing for storing napkins.

Hooks: Line a row of hooks on an exterior wall or fence to keep used towels, wet bathing suits, and blankets off the ground and out of the dirt.

Hose Pot: Hide the unsightly hose (and keep it handy) by storing it in a bronzed hose pot.

Does It Make You Feel Good?

One of the most important questions to ask yourself when purging items from your closet is, “Does this item make me feel good?” This simple question will help to eliminate articles of clothing that you do not like (but paid good money for), that don’t compliment you (but it was a gift), and that have been keeping you ’stuck’ (in the past).

Clothing follows the 80:20 rule – we wear 20 percent of our clothing 80 percent of the time! Here’s a little trick you can play on yourself to see which items are being worn. At the start of each season, turn your clothes hangers backward! As you wear clothes, face them properly. At the end of the season, any clothes that remain facing backward should be given away.

Tip: Keep a ’share’ box/bag and ‘give-a-way’ box/bag in your closet to discard items that no longer make you feel good.

Recently, I was assisting a client in purging items from one of her two storage units. This client realized how much money she was wasting each month by have two units filled with stuff that was keeping her ’stuck’ in life (personally and professionally). There were clothes that she had been holding onto for years due to various reasons (all the typical excuses – ‘it cost a lot of money’, ‘it was a gift’, ‘I will fit into that again…someday!’). It wasn’t until I held up each piece of clothing and asked her, ‘Does this make you feel good?’ did she begin to part with the items. In a matter of a few minutes, the client was able to let go of 3/4 of the clothes! That one simple question made her look at the clothes differently. They didn’t make her feel good. They kept her ’stuck’ in the past.

As we approach a new season and unpack our summer attire, take a few moments to ask yourself that one powerful question, ‘Does this make me FEEL GOOD?’. Don’t waste your closet space, energy, or time on anything that does make you happy or feel good!

Managing Your To-Do Lists

Need help managing your daily to-do list? Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated at the end of the day? If so, check out my recent video which will help you simplify your list and feel good at the end of the day!

 

more about “Managing Your To-Do Lists“, posted with vodpod

 

 

Out With The TV – In With the Booze!

This past weekend I completed a DIY project that I have been wanting to do for sometime. Recently, I helped a good friend design and create her own. Now it was my turn! Thanks to my darling, Dave who brought home a new flat screen TV this past Friday, I was able to turn the entertainment center into my very own beverage center.
(Side note: We haven’t had cable for the past year. So along with the new TV came cable. Welcome back The Food Network! I missed you.)

The armoire previously used to house the TV and media equipment. It is now a fun and stylish station to whip up a drink with my favorite coconut rum! I covered the back of the armoire with squared mirrors which I picked up at IKEA (4 pack for 4.99). It adds drama and makes the space look a little bigger. I created a storage area for alcohol, club soda, glass pitchers, stemware, extra serving glasses, straws, napkins, and all the little odds and ends needed to stir up a fabulous drink and entertain friends. (Since there are small children in the home, I have made sure to put safety locks on the top and bottom doors.)

The project is not 100% complete. The wine rack which will be located above the stemware and memo boards (post drink recipes and display menus) which will be on the inside of both doors still need to be installed. For additional storage ideas and tips on creating your own beverage station, refer to Get The Party Started, Beverage Cart, and Beverage Bar.

Is it time for a drink yet?

Do You Have Junk In Your Trunk…I Mean Drawer?

Junk drawers, the majority of us have one, maybe two, or even three  in our home. It is amazing at what you will find in a junk drawer! It is the place where you throw those extra twist ties, that broken flash light, and even your favorite hammer.

If your junk drawer is over-flowing with old coupons, broken chip clips, and last years birthday candles, it is time to organize and bring some order to the junk drawer. It is possible to have a organized junk drawer!

I believe every home should have junk drawer, but only under certain conditions. Those conditions are:

• You need to know what is in there.
• Everything should be used regularly.
• There should be dividers and/or small containers to seperate the junk into groups of like items.
• It needs to be neat.

Take 30 minutes this weekend to empty out your drawer, purge what is not needed or used, sort like with like, and keep everything in the drawer contained. Storage containers for the drawer can be recycled plastic butter containers or a collection of trimmed sour cream container to fit the drawer. You can also use a drawer organizer used in a desk to store your ‘must-haves’ of the junk drawer. Save pieces to broken toys and gadgets in sandwich size Ziploc bags and store all broken pieces in one area. For convenience purposes, keep a small screw driver in your junk drawer for when the kitchen cabinets need tightening or when a battery needs to be replaced. If you have kids, you know that each toy which requires batteries also requires a screw driver.

If you can get your junk drawer organized, you will be able to organize any drawer!

What’s In Your Refrigerator?

Your refrigerator and what you keep in it (along with how you keep it) can say a lot about you.
A cluttered and dirty refrigerator can not only spoil your food, but your mood too!
Eating healthy, eliminating wasteful spending, and having order in your refrigerator can improve your life in many ways.

You want to keep your fridge as clutter-free as possible so cold air can circulate properly.

Here are some guidelines to follow…
 
1. Upper Shelf: For easy access, store last night’s leftovers and healthy, snack-size munchies (baby carrots, celery sticks, cheese sticks, etc.) in a clear, plastic container here. When you are hungry for a quick bit these should be the easiest things to reach for. Make sugar free drinks (like Crystal Light or Wylers) and keep them easily accessible.

2. Top Shelf: Put the most perishable items – such as milk, eggs, sour cream, and yogurt – in this cool spot. This is the closest spot to the fan. (Eggs kept in the door will go bad faster from the changing temperature every time you open and close the door.) Tip – To buy the freshest eggs, don’t go by the ‘expiration’ or ’sell-by’ date on the carton. Every carton has a #1 to #365 printed on the side. That number is the day of the year the eggs were packed. If one carton has the #225 and the next has #240, the eggs with the #240 are 15 days fresher!

3. Middle Shelf: This is the ideal place to store lunch meats that are stored in airtight containers (not in the bags provided by the deli counter). Lunch meat can spoil quickly if not stored properly. If the meat has a sweet smell or has a slippery/slimy coating, toss it out. Before storing hot soups or sauces, let them cool on the counter for no more than two hours or chill the soup container in  ice water before refrigerating. Otherwise, the heat from the soups/sauces can raise the refrigerators temperature. Tip – Keep the fridge set at 34 – 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer set at zero degrees Fahrenheit or less. These temperatures help prevent the growth of microorganisms that can cause food to spoil.

4. Bottom Shelf/Drawer: Raw meats and poultry should be kept on the lowest level to prevent juices from dripping onto other foods, which can pose a safety risk. If you have two bottom drawers, store candies, soda, beer, and other ‘junk’ foods in the top drawer. If they are out of sight you are less likely to think about or reach for them when you have a craving.
 
5. Butter Hood And Egg Cups On Door: These are cute compartments, but should be left for nonfood items like batteries, medications, and makeup. Butter and eggs can quickly lose quality due to the area being too warm. 6. Door Shelves: Use this space for foods that are not so temperature-sensitive, like salad dressings, ketchup, and jelly. Store dry herbs and spices that are not used frequently here as well. The cool, dark refrigerator will help to keep the flavors of the herbs and spices to last longer.

6. Door Shelves: Use this space for foods that are not so temperature-sensitive, like salad dressing, ketchup, and jelly. This is also the ideal space to store dried herbs and spices since the coolness of the refrigerator help keep the flavors lasting longer.

Tip: Have a pre-printed list of foods commonly consumed on or near the refrigerator for easy access. Highlight or check off items that need to be purchased. Just grab-n-go next time you head to the super market.