Organize in Style

My Unsolicited Advice to New Moms

Hey lil' Mamas.... here's my unsolicited organizing advice... because I've been there ;)

1. Things will NOT be the same so stop trying to keep them that way. this is merely summed up as PEOPLE over PERFECTION... say it with me now ;). PEOPLE over PERFECTION. This my dear lil' mama, is in regards to not worrying about anything being 'out of place' when people come over. If they have kids they get it.. if they don't they NEVER will get it. It's also ok to mourn/grieve that perfection is now a thing of the past...

2. Think about what you need help with and learn how to ask.THIS was one of the hardest things for me... Many want to help but are not able to anticipate your needs. This in turn chicarita requires you to once again let go of the perfection piece [can you tell i'm talking about me ;) and well... you ;)]. You will do things your way and everyone else will do things their way. The sooner you are comfortable with this the better. ps. your baby will be fine + become easy going...so I hope ;)

3. SLEEP... stop using the babie's nap time to clean your house. NO ONE cares if your house is clean except you (and maybe your mother-in-law, but I doubt that as well). Your baby is not crawling on the floor or getting into anything... I repeat SLEEP. and again SLEEP. and last time... SLEEP

These tidbits may well be the 3 MOST important THINGS I ever share with you....

Fondly, k

P.S. I'd love to hear your advice for new mamas

Back in the Swing of Things

Anyone else want to jump on that big yellow school bus + kiss the driver? I'm the mom that is singing "happy days are here again" as I walk through the school supply aisle. I'm the mom that asks if I can drop my kids off 144 hours early for the first day of school. And I've got no qualms [obviously] about it.

Of course I love my kids, but we all thrive on routine and summer doesn't have much of that in the Colvin household. So it's time to get my own groove back...

I've asked a few twitter friends to share their Back to School Tips with us! Below you'll find their links + tomorrow you'll be treated to a guest post on Organizing your Fitness thanks to Lisa Johnson

Nikki Kinzer of Take Control Organizing 
It’s time to think about it… Back to School!  Are you ready?  Most important is your child ready? click here to continuing reading Nikki's Back to School series!

Lauren Halagarda of The Organization Connection
“Mom, I have a book report due tomorrow and I can’t find my book.” Does any of this sound familiar? click here to continuing reading Lauren's post. PLUS you'll find that she gets techy stuff + can break it down for ya.

Peter Walsh for OfficeMax
Enjoy this blog cast... Peter teamed up w/teachers + mamas. click here

Krista Colvin that's me!
Last years post + tv segment on  Back to you Routines! click here

5 minutes to fabulous... PROMISE

I know this happens to you.... you look around your house + get all pissy. All pissy about the little messes that feel HUGE.  I decided to grab my camera and share with you the piddly things that were driving me crazy but in reality each area took me less than 5 minutes. (ok, except the kitchen sink where I needed to handwash some dishes)

I'll share if you share.... Let me know what's vexing you and how long it REALLY took you to solve the problem. Spill girlfriend.

 
before                                 after

 

family room before                               after            

 

kitchen before                                  after    

      

kitchen sink before                          after         

  

kitchen table before                            after                

a year ago... on Organize in Style!

Oh  my... how time flies when you get behind! I'm 3 weeks behind on my "year ago" posts... so here's the fabulous month of May for you.... as in 2008 round up of fabulous lil' things I wrote and want to share with you again~

On The Radio... oh oh on The Radio!
Introducing The O Myth read more

Postal Procrastination
Why oh why do I put off such a simple task? click here

 

Stop and Smell the Roses
I am constantly reminding myself to STOP and smell the roses... not in the literal sense as I really DO stop and smell the roses, the lilacs, the jasmine, but look at this photo click here

My Mother's Day
Just wanted to share these beautiful photos from Mother's Day last weekend!  click here

 

My 2 Style Secrets + Challenges
My 2 style secrets are.... click here

Spring Organizing...The Series
part 1 The Guidelines!
part 2 The Shoulda Coulda Wouldas
part 3 Where to Start
part 4 The Linen Closet
part 5 Clothing

This Month on AM Northwest
So just how do you stretch your dollar at the grocery store? click here

She's a Go Go!
I'm thrilled to introduce you to the shebang! the smart woman's guide to doing it all! click here

 

lazy. lazy. lazy or mindful?

I don't think I've ever gone this long between blog posts... I deserve a good ol' spankin! *ouch* ok, not so hard girlfriend.

What are my excuses you ask? Hmmmm, it boils down to plain ol' laziness. I mean, yes- I've been working on various projects, going to little league practice + games + make up games.

I've been working with clients... cuz thank goodness the telephone is starting to ring again [that lil' economy dry spell was a bummer] and I've taken on a few more balls to juggle... which I'll share with you soon!

But truth be told... I have 'mind blogged' which means it's in my lil' ol' noggin but didn't make it to keyboard. So "mindful" or lazy... either way, I love ya and will get my blog groove back on. I'm sure it's as simple as poppin' open a bottle of vino!

a year ago... on Organize in Style!

Cheers from a beautiful spring day in the Pacific Northwest... It's so nice to see a lil' ol' lilac blooming + blossoms on my apple tree. I hope these posts from last year bring you a smile or two in your neck of the woods ;)

Excused Absence?
This morning we had family photos taken.  I cringed as I called the school to let them know my children had "an appointment" & would be coming in late. keep on reading...

New Moms!
Earlier this week I was asked to speak at SW Medical Center at their New Mom's Tea. A roomful of moms + newborns took me back ever so quickly to those early days.  So this ones for you little mama! keep on reading...

A Little Wine on the Patio
Last night I had an unexpected surprise.  I ran into someone I hadn't seen in about 5 years and had recently said to my husband... keep on reading...

a year ago today... on Organize in Style

BONUS... you are getting 2 weeks for the price of one! I was too lazy last weekend with the sun shining + all [that's a perfectly good excuse if you live in the pacific northwest].

Take a moment to see what you missed this time last year... TRUST ME GIRLFRIEND... you won't want to miss my hobknobing w/ PETER WALSH post  *achoooooo, sorry my allergies are still acting up!

Create + Maintain a System for your Mail
Every household needs one! click here

Peter Walsh... Peeetah oh Peeetah
I am such a dork  I just got back from my NAPO conference (a gig for professional organizers) and I had my moment to meet Peter Walsh of Clean Sweep and now Oprah fame.  click here

Mother's Day Gifts She'll Adore
Mom's may say they don't want anything but a card... but now really, who are they kidding?  click here

The Little Labler that could...
I'm into labeling- go figure!  I'm often asked which label maker I use... she's not fancy, she's not hi tech... click here

100th Post!
So, I've know this day was coming and put off posting so that I could make a big "to do" out of it.  click here

Overwhelmed
We all feel overwhelmed now and then... or monthly, possible daily!  Here's what I do for myself and my clients when it's all just too much: Implement  the shebang's 2 minute Project Brain Drain.... get it off your mind and on to something else. click here

It's the little things...

Over at my lifestyle management plan- The Shebang... I send members a weekly "maintain the shebang" email. I spent this week tackling my own piddly widdly items and feel much more in control. Here's what I knocked out...

• set up new on line bill pay w/the checking account I prefer to use!
• scheduled Dr. appointments for: me: wart removal (i now gross and even grosser now that my fingers are bubbling up!) son: pediatric appt. me: mammogram
• dash + donate: sent off cluttercast items + did online www.donorsresource.org
• scheduled playdates for daughter
• had a lil' she-time! coffee with one girlfriend, lunch with another ;)

If you'd like to get a weekly kick in the spanx... I'll send you a gentle nudge. To sign up for the newsletter LOOK over to your right and add your name to the SIGN up for my newsletter- you'll be given the option of which newsletters you'd like to receive!

Learn more about The Shebang and how you can get it + keep it together... click here would love to have you be one of my VIPs!

Cheers!

A Year Ago today... on Organize in Style

Take a moment to see what you missed this time last year... it's my weekly roundup of 'same time last year' blog posts.

She's growing like a Dandelion! [organizing kid's clothes]
It's Spring Break, my husband + son are at opening day for the Seattle Mariners and we're having a girls day. click here

Moving is Brutal- 5 tips from an Organized Woman
I asked the fabulous Melissa of Melissa The Mouth blog fame to share some of her standout tips for those of you moving! click here

Organize Your Shoes- function meets fabulous!
This gals got a fetish!  Sommer Meyer took her fetish for footwear and turned it into a biz!  Take a look at her Before + After photos click here

A Year Ago on Organize in Style...

Take a moment to see what you missed this time last year... it's my weekly roundup of 'same time last year' blog posts.

oh Pottery Barn how we love you so....

Spring Break Project- storing kid's artwork
Yes, the kids are underfoot, they brought home a trimester's worth of school work + art work and now it's your job to manage it- AGAIN.  Yes, girlfriend this is another "it never ends" project. read more

Books Solutions
Take a look at how the books are stashed away.  Granted you can't read the titles, but once you turn the basket around voila... read more

Junk in the Trunk- function meets fab!
Have you been eye balling these?  ME TOO!  Oh where oh where can it fit... read more

For Him or You- function meets fabulous
I'm playing on the Pottery Barn website and came across this little gem on sale for $29.99.  Wouldn't this make a great Father's Day gift or a little special somethin' somethin' read more...