Organize the Whole Shebang

A few Smead faves

Recently I was asked to review a few Smead products... why of course! These are my two faves based on their function + fabulous ratio and their ability to organize the whole shebang ;)

I really like to sort my papers and see what I've got before creating a permanent filing system. The Smead Stadium File allows me to do that. I can create my organized files while I sort. I would simple recommend using post-it notes to mark each file. This is also a great way to sort your papers without making a huge mess of the dining room table! Find this product at Office Depot. Super Tab me! I love that these tabs are 'real' in their size. I've always felt that tabs were just a weeeee bit too small for their own good. As since I like to make my labels big, a girl needs a big tab! available at Office Depot

full disclosure: I am being compensated for my time on this product review ($20 Target gift card). 

Summer Delights... fruit-a-dips

Fruit Salad.... Yummy Yummy

Oh no, I'm not subjecting you to the color-coded Wiggles...it's my seven year old turning her fruit salad into fruit kabobs... or as she's fondly named them: fruit-a-dips!

Here's how she did it... I promise you I only added some helpful hints~

 

We cut up the fruit into small pieces...

Tip: Firm fruits like blueberries, apples, grapes work best-the bananas didn't fair well.
Tip: Cut the apples into manageable slices, then lay them flat before kids do the slicing.

 

Making the Kabobs

My daughter recommended creating a pattern (might as well reinforce what she learned this year in math!)

Annie's Tip:
Place the blueberry on first + last to hold the fruit in place.

 

The Dip Ingredients

Plain or vanilla yogurt, then sugar/honey to taste.
The Star Wars spoon to mix is optional ;)

 

 
Adding a little something special.

Sprinkle cinnamon on top of the dip,
then use a toothpick to create a design.

 

More Tips...

Notice I double plated... the bottom plate makes it look cuter (well i think so ;0 ) + provides a place to drop the used toothpicks.

We also added a little rosemary from our herb garden and Annie suggested we place fruit pieces on the plate. ta-da!

Summer time... simple + savvy as it should be

click on the screen to view segment

Girlfriends... getting your summer-on is definitely a priority! I dedicate this one to you ;)

Create a “Function +  Fabulous” list!

FABULOUS:

• Toes in the sand

• Pick Blueberries

• Fresh Flowers

• Entertain

• Play Outside

FUNCTION: [how to make that fabulous happen!]

• Schedule it!

• Do your Research- online, etc.-create your file w/info

• Call your girlfriend

• Schedule it

Or… Be Ready for the impromptu

• Summer SHE bag in the car

• Keep Summer items by the back door: magazines, beach towel, sunscreen

• Grab a lil’ extra while you’re at the farmer’s market so you can easily invite neighbors over to join you on the patio…

 

[practically] wordless wednesday- vintage desk

Love, love, LOVE how cute this desk display is...
don't you just want to plop yourself down and write letters to all your favorite girlfriends!

display courtesy of Queen of Tarte

Simple, Savvy, + Stylish Gift Wrap

  

Cello bags, Opaque shopping bags, take out containers.
Wide wire ribbon from Costco [early spring]
Price tags used as tags.

Creating a Signature Wrap that screams.... "This package is from {insert your name here} is simple + savvy! Here's the process, complete with links~

Basics [use simple containers]

·         Bags [ I purchased mine at grand & benedicts ]

·         Take out containers [ mine are from cash & carry but try this link ]

·         Cello bags [Howells Home + Floral ]

 

Add Color + Texture [layer it]

• Tissue Paper [ in bulk from grand & benedictssmaller packages- Target, Walmart, etc ]
• Ribbons [ Available Costco- early spring ]

 Accessorize [be creative!]

• Gift Tags [ tags shown from Target ]
• Price Tags [ grand & benedicts ]
• Labels
• Flowers- fresh or faux
• Trinkets

I heart asian takeout containers! I use them for everything: gifts, party favors, storage of small trinkets and now + then fill them with cookies + share with my girlfriends.

 

 
I think this is so sweet with the gift tag appearing in all her cuteness!
Found this lil' gem at Target in their up + front seasonal section. I used a piece of scrap ribbon to tie it all together.

 

 To View the segment click on the pic!

wordless wednesday

clever lil' bunny

The Tote Wars!

Totes Totes everywhere there's totes!

Need some big ol' organizing totes... it's time to get your tote on! These are just two pull out ads for totes. Home Depot is sporting the purple 18-Gallon Tote for $3.88, 99cent 6.5 quart clear totes [that's the small shoe size].

Fred Meyer  has the 18-Gallon Tote for $5. But they are showing one of my favorite totes: the Iris 18.5 Quart Sweater Box for $4.

I'm sure your local paper is full of these ads as well.

Here's what I look for in a tote:

1. Squared out- meaning it doesn't bulb or bubble on the ends. I like them flat and square.
2. Clear or White lids. All the color drives me bonkers because it never matches 'last years' bins.
3. Big totes... I like them all the same color-preferably a neutral so it doesn't scream at me when I drive into the garage...there's enough action I don't need the color noise of the bins to add to it.
4. Stackable. That was Stackable period.

Function meets Fabulous- OfficeMax has got it going on...

A while back I was contacted by OfficeMax's PR company wanting to know if I'd like to review their private label DIVOGA line which is designed for "the fashion forward office dweller". UM. YES!!!!! I am an OfficeMax junkie and love me a lil' function meets fabulous. So in honor of "Organize your Home Office Day"... cheers to you + here's to making your own space function and look fabulous!

When the box arrived I think my kids were as excited as I was. They promptly helped themselves to the rubber band balls (thank you for sending 2!)

Look at how cute the orange, blue + green play off of each other. Picture placing the binder clips in a cute white ramekin dish + leaving them on your desk for easy access. Then place that cute green stapler next to it, add the pencil cup and VOILA your desk is smiling back at you!

  -->a ramekin dish.

 

I LOVE these large letter size poly envelopes. I have some plain ones, but these SO trump those. I use these when I create an "organizing sign" kit for my clients. They are a great alternative to a file folder. Also fabulous to keep in the car between your front two seats to catch all the random papers that somehow accumulate in our cars. Also cute enough to leave out on the kitchen island...

 

I like the banded project holder, however the checkered binder clips reminded me of my son's Van's ;) and he jumped on these quicker than I can say "time for bed!" 

My son also jumped on the blue binder, my daughter the shimmery copper binder and my girl + O Myth co host Brandie took a dive for the vintage travel inspired file folders! The croc binder in pink or the metallic binder in silver would have caused a fight that mama would have won! ooh or quartz- it also comes in quartz!

And for the record... this is the chair I've been ooogling... the DIVOGA Managers Chair. Hmmm... maybe I should send an email to the PR company and see if they need me to review this lil' beauty!

Queen of Tarte... her barn is ever so fabu!

 

Are you in on the vintage flea market barns + sales poppin' up about town? My first was the BarnHouse boys more here. (cheekiness intended :0 ). That was when I met the FABULOUS Cindy Dockins aka Queen of Tarte - check it out.

I loaded up the kidlets in the minivan and made the trip south to Oregon City. My daughter proclaimed... I love when we go on adventures. So buckle up, grab your latte and enjoy this lil' road trip through the Queen of Tartes dreamy new barn.

sign up for her blog updates... www.queenoftarte.blogspot.com

 
an inside peek... live music included

   
little pretties priced by the scoop- my daughter adored these- me too~

clever use of party decor as pillow fodder

 
I'm a sucker for yellow stripes

The BarnHouse boys added their magic to the mix...

 
I love how Joe gently scattered marbles about... and the globes-clever!

Here's a guest post from Jermonne- about collections ... they've got a way with collections...

  I got a quick pick of the Queen of Tarte (cindy dockins) with the Barnhouse Boys (joe + jermonne) as they were wrapping up an incredible grand opening show. I SO will return with a minivan full of girlfriends... and an empty trunk.

COMING SOON~ a post dedicated to the fabulous chandeliers all over the Tarte barn!

sites to visit:
Queen of Tarte's blog... www.queenoftarte.blogspot.com
The BarnHouse boys... www.barnhouseBH.blogspot.com

Grocery Shopping- to die for market totes!

market totes available at The Organized Parent

I'm thinking I might actually enjoy going to the local neon lit grocery store if I had these fabulous totes to bring home the bacon in! The toughest thing about these cuties is what color do i want the most? Pink, green, classic black or a more muted chocolate. hmmm chocolate... maybe I need to add some of that to the shopping list!

VIP Shebang members... don't forget you've got a fabulous meal planning doc to print out!

FYI check out this great menu planning info from The Organized Parent's blog! click here