Jayne's studio was so fun to work on. Who wouldn't love to be amongst beautiful fabrics, beads, trims and creative company!
Jayne is the creative handbag designer behind www.designsbyjayne.com . She is also a wonderful mother + wife. Her story brings tears to my eyes and I'm proud to be a part of her life. (Look for her story in a future post)
Jayne gave me a ring when she was ready to take her biz to the next level... take a look, I think she's got it going on! Take a look at the BEFORE + AFTER PHOTOS yourself...
My blog has recently been added to www.personalblogs.org, which is part of one of the largest networks of blog directories on the Web. Please visit my blog's personal page to vote for my blog and comment to other blog users.
Some person... I'm fairly certain it wasn't my own parents, that told me
"Only boring people, get bored" #DamnRightStraightup
Hope these tips help keep you sane this summer, whilst the kidlets take over your house, your life, and every waking moment in between.
And just a friendly reminder... This is really more for me than you, remember they will only be messing up your house and begging you to take them swimming for a brief chapter in your life.
If the video above doesn't work... click on the image below~
Ok Chica Chicas... It's time for a fun new [possibly monthly] challenge! Because quite frankly sometimes you just need a lil' kick in the spanx... Introducing the...
You can accomplish quite a lot in 5 Minutes... Trust me... but if you don't or just need some proof take a peeky at these 5 Minute Projects
Let's declare "Now is the New Later", set your timers, and let's knock out some 5 Minute Projects!
Who's with me?!
1. Declare your 5 Minute Project [3 ways- pick one or do all three] [1.Pin the 5 Minutes to Fabulous badge above to your Pinterest Board 2. leave a comment here on this blog post 3. comment on my FB page]
2. Set your Timer for 5'
3. Knock it out!
4. Optional: Post before + after pictures on my FB page facebook.com/kristacolvin.lifestyle[because it's fun to see before + after pics!] If you blog or Pin about your projects let me know... I'd love to link to you!
I'm here for you... knocking out my own lil' projects, because we all know it's more fun to knock out a project or two with a girlfriend by your side and that you're more likely to accomplish something if you write it down...
I'm going to: 1. Fix my Pillows... they all seem to have large holes where I tore off the tags. 2. Sell the leftover items from my daughter's room redo
Piles... most of us have them... it's easy to turn them into what I call an "Organized" Pile. Take a peek at today's AM Northwest segment. If you're looking for some of the items I showed in the segment... check out yesterday's post "Hi, I'm Krista and I'm a Piler".
Got a question? Leave me a comment!
Cheers! Krista
ps.... can you believe how much hair i have now?! #wootwoot #needatrimfeelsallcrazylong This is just a couple of weeks ago on AMNW: Organize the Whole Shebang! Aaand this is last October: Five minutes to Fabulous!
Yes, It's true... I'm a piler. I like piles on my desk while I'm working, I want my stuff close at hand. If it's visible I know it's there, I know it needs to be taken care of. Who's with me on this? I'll spare you the pile pics... it aint pretty.
Oh... those cute products in the above slideshow- those keep me sane + my piling under control. Here, let me explain how I cope with my organizing disability...
For Mail, Magazines, Catalogs, Schoolwork I prefer a shallow wire in-basket. This way my papers are still visible but the pile can't get so big that it's out of control. Like this one.
And these lil' cuties from Ballard Designs.
Some of you may like the solid box option...
I prefer it for papers that don't need to be at my fingertips, more of a 'storage' piece for financial documents. Storables has several color options.
My To-Do Pile... Try using a clipboard to contain these items. You can easily grab it + take it with you from room to room or toss in your tote bag. I'm into shiny aluminum.
Piles aren't just for paper...
The Catch Alls
I'm sure I'm not alone when it comes to blankets being ALL over the couches + floor or the abundance of miscellaneous stuff that is strewn about the family room floor. Nerf Darts strike a cord with anyone? How about socks? Not that I would know about this sort of clutter....
These kind of bins work well + look nice enough to have in every room.
Don't over look...
The Landing Zone
This is the spot where you come in-and-out of your house. It's where the keys, handbag, sunglasses, and stuff land.
If you are in the Portland area...
I'll be sharing my Organized Piling Tips + Tricks with you on AM Northwest. You can watch it live Monday, the 6th at 9am on KATU2 but if you miss it... I'll be sure to post it.
I'm feelin' it. The angst of clutter. Today my house is a too messy. I've crossed the line from 'tolerate' to 'angst'. Here's what I'm going to do about it...
I'm implementing my 5 minute pick up-clean up policy. This is where I rally the troops (my fam of 4), give specific pick up-clean up orders, set the oven timer for 5 minutes and go!
Problem is... 2 of the 4 are gone. And my daughter just started an episode of something-or-another. I think I need to bite the bullet and take 5 minutes to create some fabulousness in my abode., by myself.
I've done this before... and will need to do it again... clutter is what happens when you are busy living. I'm down with that.
Check out my other "5 minutes to fabulous" posts... pictures included!
I'm lazy when it comes to laundry. That doesn't mean I don't "do" laundry, I indeed almost do it every Sunday and I do a LOT of it. It simply means I don't spray every little spot on my kidlet's clothes, I don't worry about grass stains and I don't hang dry very many items.
About a year ago I wrote this post about how I tackle this menial task and the topic seems to pop up all the time... so this one's for you my laundry loathers!
Laundry Tips- What lives together Dries Together
Yes, it's never ending... it's boring, it's all over the floor- it's what you wear and it needs constant attention. Here's how I deal with laundry.... pick and choose which ideas may work for your lifestyle. Laundry snobs turn your head and cover your ears because this is the lazy women's guide to staying on top of your dirty laundry. click here to continue reading
Oh me oh my-O.... How do such beautiful decorations turn into such dread? Seriously... it all looked so festive + merry and now it seems to be SO chaotic + messy.
I feel this way every year.... so mark my own words here's how I deal with it. The following was a lil' diddy I wrote in December '07. Cheers!
OK.. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. I've poured myself a cup of coffee, farmed out one kid to a neighbor, garnered two more to play with one in her room and I have just settled in to write out my to do list.
You see, I've been spinning my wheels all morning feeling anxious about the toys everywhere-and I mean everywhere, the holiday decorations are bugging me, and the dishes and treats are all over the kitchen island. Then I paused, sipped a cup of joe, and got back to my roots. I'm a list maker. I am in control when I've got a list to follow. A plan, a simple little plan. Here goes...
farm out kids
put on some music
pick up trash + recycling throughout house
start in the kitchen: wash + put away all dishes + holiday dishes + holiday place mats
tackle holiday wrap- gather ribbons to save for next year, flatten boxes, store away
put away my gifts + my husbands (kids have to do their own tonight)
grab a shopping bag or box and place "replaced" items in box to donate- (like my old blow dryer and sheets)
Bring the holiday totes inside, place one in each room. Gather up keepers. Place cast-offs in the donation bag. Return to garage + await husband's return to put backup on shelving.
Tempt the little girls with a treat if they help take down the ornaments and place in the boxes.
When girls get bored, join them for a treat then return to the tree project.
Get bored working on the tree project and call husband to find out when he'll be home.
Call husband and ask him how to make that great little holiday cocktail he poured me while wrapping all the presents.
Make cocktail, call girlfriend to tempt with holiday cocktail if she'll help finish the tree project or watch me finish the tree project
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....
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
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.
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