Organize the Whole Shebang

Productivity Apps...

I'm getting in touch with my appy side! I've been researching, reviewing and sharing productivity apps over at appSmitten as their Productivity Contributor. #coolgighuh?!

Recently I recommended an app that helps remind me to take my daily meds... and another that allows me to deposit checks from my iPhone! take a peeky

I love getting their daily email... I feel so in-the-loop when it comes to apps... and that's quite a fete considering I'm the girl that got sick to my stomach going the computer lab in college.#yesthat'strue #i'vecomealongwaybaby

Join me... we can compare which apps we like [and don't for that matter]. It's a free service #lovethat and if you sign up it makes me look fabulous because I may or may not have told them I've got pull in the organizing industry ;)

BONUS* I've got a lil' something fun for you! "Share" this blog post with a friend, then in the comments write: 

"I referred a friend to appSmitten"
[while you're at it, share your fave app if you have one]

You'll be entered in a Drawing for a $50 iTunes gift card courtesy of appSmitten :)  Winner will be picked on Friday, March 30 at 5pm Eastern Time  #thanksforbeingaSHEVIP!

 

The Well Organized Closet

When I was having my home built we were given a small allowance for custom closets. I totally went over budget. It was worth it. Well worth it. So when I saw this in my in box I thought you'd want to know~

Storablesis having their annual Closet Sale! And.... I'm also excited to announce they are carrying my new Organize the Whole Shebang [The Smart Woman's Pocket Guide to Doing it All]... look for it at the register!

Need to do some purging before you tackle this project... Check out The Clothes Closet project on the SHE MONTHLY PROJECTS Page click here

Now Stop dilly-dallying and go creaete the closet of your dreams!

Where Function meets Fabulous

Flea Market Finds to Savvy Storage on the
NEW Better Homes and Garden site. 

Earlier this week I got a sneak peek at the new BHG site! I felt so in-the-loop, inner circle, hip + in-the-know to be included in their webinar. Even the editor-in-chief chatted with us! Today the site went live and it's FABULOUS!

Here's what I love... but you'll have to see for yourself. www.BHG.com

The BIG pictures, The FRESH CLEAN look, and the UBER BEAUTIFUL section on Organizing! You'll be able to share with me via facebook or twitter which solutions you love... and I'll be sharing some of my fave Organizing eye candy with you.

Here's how you find the ORGANIZING SECTION.  
Choose 'decorating & home ideas' ----> storage
Then be ready to fall in love with soooo many ideas.

I couldn't resisit the "What's your organizing personality?" Quiz.  If you know me... you'll know this is SO ME: "Schoolteacher" Orderly but not rigid. Predictable & reliable, structure but not afraid of spontaneity.

I also gravitated toward the "Flea Market Finds"... because I like to think outside of the box myself :). Remember this AMNW segment I did a couple of months ago! Organizing outside of the Box

Here's the SUPER fun part... I get to give away 5 one year subscriptions to Better Homes and Garden!!!! Want one?! I'll randomly choose 5 winners*, here's what you'll need to do enter [it's easy!]

1. Like me on Facebook www.facebook.com/kristacolvin.lifestyle
2. Sign up to be a SHE VIP... top right column
3. Leave a comment here telling me you'd love to win a free subscription to BHG!

*Winners will be drawn on June 1st!

Cheers!

 

 

California Closet Makeover Contest!

 

I just entered my home office/den in the California Closets "Organize This" contest. It was quick and easy peasy! But since I'm not totally selfish I thought you may like the opportunity to win as well! Check out their contest on facebook and peek at the prize list below. [you can always vote for me to win if you choose not to enter yourself! #hinthint;)] 

Enter at: www.facebook.com/californiaclosets  
•   Grand Prize: $20,000 in custom storage solutions and a consultation with organizational guru Peter Walsh
•   Second Prize: one $10,000 custom storage solution
•   Third Prize: one of four $5,000 custom storage solutions
•   Daily Prizes: Random draw for 5 daily winners of a Peter Walsh book or DVD

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

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!

ScanSnap me baby!

Lucky me gets to review products and in return I get to keep or give them away! Here's the down-low on how I feel about the ScanSnap S300... no boring review here girlfriend!

Technology and Techy gadgets intimidate me. I grew up with rotary dial phones and remember when my friend got a microwave and Betamax- they were SO modern! And mind you I’m really not that old… I’m only…42, but old enough to be intimidated.  When I got the ScanSnap I left her in her box. She got shifted around until I finally had a little self talk and told myself that if I could read (and I can thank you ;) ) I could figure out how to use technology to help get myself, my family, and my business more organized.

I was so happy to see that she [ScanSnap] was a cute little thing and not intimidating at all. I carefully sorted the cords and paperwork and got to know her. Installing the software was easy, plugging the right cord in the right hole, check- can do! I attempted to read the online manual but well, I figured I can just test it out… I wanted to see how she could help me organize the WHOLE SHEbang! Here’s how I used ScanSnap to get My SHE [self, home + endeavors] more organized!

Self
The other day my girlfriend lost her wallet and had to dig up all the numbers to call + cancel her credit cards etc. A total time waste… but I figured my new ScanSnap could turn this problem into less of a hassle … she did and did it well! I scanned my credit cards, driver’s license, health insurance cards and saved all of them to a file titled [VITAL DOCS].

I tried to scan photos.. and it works but saves as pdf file and I need it as a jpeg to upload to facebook and my blog. The picture WILL open as a link so emailing works.  Maybe there's a way to change a pdf to a jpeg but remember I'm not the techy girl... so do share if you know how!

she opens up to hold your papers.. nice + snuggly ;)

Home
The ScanSnap is way faster than our home printer/scanner.  I’m going to open up that dreaded file cabinet and scan away! I’m also going to gather up all those phone lists and scan them so that I have the numbers where I need them… on my iPhone- cuz ScanSnap has an email option-sweet!

Endeavors
Here’s how ScanSnap is helping me get more organized in my office...

I scanned business cards I had piled about cluttering my desk drawer. Voila- cute graphics and all were saved to my new Contact file! I loved that I could easily name the file before saving it.

Next I sorted through some piles of paper… recycling most then scanning those I wanted to have access to.  They scanned so much faster than what I’m used to! Again being able to title the document as I saved them was a bonus.

Now I’m looking about my life for more things to scan and other ways to put you to work! Then it hit me…Oh ScanSnap… how I wish every teacher had you in their procession… how nice it would be to get an email with my children’s schoolwork and not have to sift through a backpack of crumpled paper!

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.

What's Twitter?

You've heard Anderson Cooper refer to it. The local news and now Ellen. But seriously, you say, I'm just figuring out Facebook! Ok here's the skinny.

Physically it looks like this: http://twitter.com/kristacolvin that's my profile page. Here is an example of a tweet I did.

  i'm doing chores and i don't even mind- take that mundane about 20 hours ago from TweetDeck

  

 

These are the most commonly asked questions I get from my girlfriends.

what is Twitter? It's an online cocktail party. You can listen + jump into a conversation if you'd like.  I say it's where "my present meets my future"... because of the opportunities I have to meet new people.

what is a"Tweet"? It's what you just wrote on twitter. So you "tweet" not "twittered".

what is an @ sign? The "at" sign is used before your twitter name. mine is @kristacolvin . So it's like saying "send this" to krista colvin.

what is a RT?  It stands for reTweet. It's used when sharing what someone else tweeted. It's like adding a by-line. example: I want to share something I read from Rebecca. I will send it out but 1st put the RT in front along with the authors name. RT @RebeccaShapiro {then insert her original tweet here}. Now everyone knows I like this info but am not the original author.

what is a # ? When you see a # "hashtag" like #todaysmom or #anything-written-after-it, It simply means you are tagging it and adding to the conversation on that topic.  Go to www.search.twitter.com input the #theOmyth and see the conversation.

I use the #theOmyth when I'm talking about my blog talk radio show The O Myth. I also use #gidg for "get it done girlfriend" when I'm kicking you in the spanx to knock out a project.

Do you use twitter on your phone?  I do sometimes. Mainly I just pop over to twitter when I'm already on the computer [which is A LOT]. You do not have to have each + every tweet sent to your phone.

Ok Class... any questions?