Organize the Whole Shebang

2009 Organizing Awards...the 2008 Year in Review Video!

Remember back in late January... when I was up for BEST ORGANIZING BLOG *still happing dancin 'bout that* at the Organizing Awards?I was wearing cute shoes- I'm sure you remember that! Annnnnywho, the NAPO Los Angeles chapter created this incredible video montage that I partially missed. Yes, I was in the bathroom... AND I missed the part where I was on the "big screen"- go figure- I'm going to blame it on the amount of extra time it took to get my spanx back on ;)

NAPO LA really knows how to throw a party and how to put together a fabulous video. Sit back + enjoy this one. And a lil' FYI- because I KNOW you and you'll want to know where I got the art holder- It's called a SCHOOLFOLIO and you can get 10% off your order if you choose my name on the sales affiliate menu.

Cheers! 

More on the Organizing Awards click here and here
More on the Schoolfolio click here to read my post and click here to visit their site + order. To view the full TV segment click here + scroll down to "Organize Your Children's Artwork".

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.

Old Prescription Bottles- to flush or not to flush?

I always am a little surprised when I ponder something and then voila the answer arrives.. this time via my local newspaper The Columbian! 

I wondered what people are suppose to do with their old meds. I figured you weren't suppose to flush 'em... don't want to drug up the fish I'll later eat right?! And to just toss them in the trash seemed a bit iffy as well.

So here's what I learned:

They burn them... yep, FIRE is the solution. Some in a nearby county and the rest in Utah. And there's a lot to burn baby burn.... In 2008, 1,700 pounds of leftover meds + drugs were collected by a Clark County 'take back' program.

read the entire article.... and learn about local Clark County, Washington drop off locations click here

Not sure where to dispose of yours... ask your local pharmacy- they should be in the know!

Label Holders- clever clip ons!

Label Holders... if my eyes don't deceive me there's something goin' on a'round here!

Several years back I hunted around for these clip on label holders like a banshee.... what I found was no where near as cute as these available from See Jane Work.  A fun way to spend 10 bucks if I say so myself!

Keep in mind some of the cuteness is derived from the fresh binder colors ;)

organizing your collection- function meets fabulous!

 

what a fabulous way to display your collection!

 

A client's husband has totally got his man-cave decked out with his radio collection and other man-ish auto collectibles. He used a bookcase for the radios-note the perfect fit... and a display case for the other items.

 

Looking for inspiration on how to display your own lovelies... visit an antique store or mall and look beyond the trinkets. Inquire if the display piece is for sale or ask for recommendations in your area to find a similar piece.

 

 

   

A Year Ago... on Organize in Style

Each Sunday... I bring you a roundup of posts from the previous year.

It's good stuff sister...

 

Kitchen Makeover- Part I

A great little series that ran in NW kids!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December's Lifestyle Segment

Check me out this Wednesday the 19th!  I'll be sharing my lifestyle tips with you.....more specifically what to do with all those Christmas cards...

 

 

Christmas Card- missing a zip code?

 

Inspired quote

 

What are you doing still up?

 

old friends... take priority

 

 

 

 

 

A great little series that ran in NW kids!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December's Lifestyle Segment

Check me out this Wednesday the 19th!  I'll be sharing my lifestyle tips with you.....more specifically what to do with all those Christmas cards...

 

Check me out this Wednesday the 19th!  I'll be sharing my lifestyle tips with you.....more specifically what to do with all those Christmas cards...

 

 

Christmas Card- missing a zip code?

 

Inspired quote

 

What are you doing still up?

 

old friends... take priority

 

 

 

 

 

A Year Ago... on Organize in Style

Every Sunday... I'm bring you a roundup of posts from the previous year.

It's good stuff sister...

and this is quite a fabulous little collection of holiday tips!

 

• Progress Not Perfection!

• I've Found My Perfect Planner

• The Studio Project...before

• Island of Misfit Ornaments

• Photo Christmas Cards

• The More the Merrier

Peter Walsh From Oprah to The O Myth

 

  Looky who is coming to The O Myth! Did you catch Peter Walsh doing his "thang" on Oprah yesterday? He's helping with "Oprah's Clean Out Your Messy House Tour". 

Brandie + I met Peter Walsh last year at our annual NAPO conference (the conference where all the professional organizers huddle about w/their label makers).  You may remember I went into dork mode when I met Peter. I felt a bit too comfortable + hence possibly made him uncomfortable click here to see what I'm ramblin' about...

Join us Friday the 14th on www.TheOmyth.com  We'll be broadcasting live at 10 am Pacific Standard Time. Have a question you want to ask Peter? Leave a comment below or follow us on twitter @theOmyth and send us a dm!

 

File Hanging Frames that Don't Make you Cuss

Do you cringe when you see one of the metal file frames? They make me cuss up a storm. I SO and COMPLETELY LOATHE THEM! So today I just may be the filers best friend, because looky at what I found sister.

These little bad boys are customizable to fit your drawer *wood drawers only*. They are only $7.10 a pop, you cut them to size and you simply screw the frame into your drawer-which you little Miss not so "do-it-yourself-er" can totally do! You need a size #6 screw- don't ask me, ask the friendly Home Depot or Lowes person to help you with that one.

Here's the site: CompX it's looks all business'y but their sales department said you can just call in your order and it will be shipped the next day *yeah* And yes, you are so welcome!

                        

 

Simple + Stylish Thanksgiving Ideas- as seen on AMNW!

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday as she really seems to have her priorities straight ;). Keeping it simple helps keep the focus on what's important. This morning on AMNW I shared my favorite tips. Take a peek!

WATCH THE SEGMENT NOW! click here

 

The Menu

• keep it simple- stick to the tried + true favorites!
• create a section for holiday recipes in your recipe binder
• try one new dish each year, but get the post-meal review..thumbs up or down?

The Table

• Set table the night or days before
• use beverage tags on glasses
• have serving dishes ready to go (make a post-it for what goes in each dish)

 

Lose Control! I double dog dare you ;)

• accept help
• create a "why yes you can help me" bowl (see above pic)

   

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Focus on Family

• Photo albums (have grandkids/kids place current year pics in album for you)

• Get out the family movies

• "I'm Thankful for..." Have everyone write + share their thoughts during the meal.