tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74837509549165296512024-03-13T09:29:03.628-05:00Organizing SimplyHelping people stay organized....the easy and cheap way!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-88044838330115684492011-01-16T08:13:00.013-06:002011-01-16T08:32:02.146-06:00A Few Tips to Help With Home Office Organization & What to do with Manuals?I really believe that everything needs to have a place. I find that drawer organizers really help keep drawers organized. Not only are these in my office, they are also in the kitchen.<br />
<a href="http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/869426/Office-Depot-Brand-9-Compartment-Drawer/">http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/869426/Office-Depot-Brand-9-Compartment-Drawer/</a><br />
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When I pay bills, I have an in-basket and an out-basket. The in-basket are bills that are waiting to be paid. Once they are paid, they get moved to the out-basket. Anything in the out-basket is ready to be filed.<br />
I pay bills once a week. This is the easiest for me. I also pay almost everything online. <br />
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I keep a shredder next to the desk in my office.<br />
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For the longest time I saved manuals in my file cabinet (a nice wooden, two-drawer cabinet). Well, I've run out of room and needed some place else to put my manuals. <br />
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What I did isn't pretty, but it works. I got a large shoe box, and stuck all the manuals in them. I labeled the shoe box "Manuals". I taped a sheet of notebook paper on the top and wrote what manuals were in it. The shoe box is on a shelf in my basement. <br />
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This works for me because I almost NEVER need to use the manuals I have. However, I'm afraid to throw them away because some day one of those manuals might come in handy. <br />
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There are a few other options. If you have a large file cabinet, you could have file folders for manuals. If you didn't want them to each have their own file folder, you could classify them by rooms or by category. Another option is to have a large binder and put each manual in a page protector.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-40137061365876724322011-01-13T21:21:00.001-06:002011-01-13T21:22:45.255-06:00Reducing Clutter- Keeping Surfaces ClearI never watch Oprah; the timing just isn't right. However, today I had a second, and Peter Walsh was on helping organize a house. I had never heard of him (where've I been???) He had tons of great ideas! I'm going to have to start watching him on the OWN channel! The biggest thing I heard was "keep surfaces clear!" This would be tables, floors and counter tops. By keeping surfaces clear, clutter can't build up. <br />
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What do you do if you've got lots of clutter? Find homes for what you've got or get rid of it. <br />
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Check out this Peter Walsh tip: Tidy up in 15 Minutes!<br />
<a href="http://www.peterwalshdesign.com/tipsDailyDebris36.php">http://www.peterwalshdesign.com/tipsDailyDebris36.php</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-41725802669475256662011-01-11T13:11:00.013-06:002011-01-11T18:44:15.471-06:00Organizing Coupons- Save Money in 2011I have tried envelopes. I have tried purse size coupon organizers. Frankly, I stink at organizing coupons. I did some research, and the The Frugal Free Gal helped me. I am now the proud owner of a coupon binder that is organized!<br />
You'll Need:<br />
Zip-up binder <br />
3 Packages of baseball card holders<br />
3 sets of dividers <br />
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This video from the Frugal Free Gal will show you how to put your coupon binder together.<br />
<a href="http://thefrugalfreegal.com/2011/01/create-your-own-coupon-binder.html">http://thefrugalfreegal.com/2011/01/create-your-own-coupon-binder.html</a><br />
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Even though they are a bit more expensive, you do need a zip-up binder. It makes a big difference, and you won't lose anything. <br />
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My daughter loves helping cut out coupons (thank goodness). My rule is that I only cut coupons that I will use. Besides the Sunday paper, there are a few other places I get coupons. About twice a month, my grocery store sends me coupons based on passed purchases. This is an easy way to save money. Target also has online coupons that you can print out. I also make sure to keep my 40% off Justice Coupons and my Kohls coupons in the zipper part of the binder. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-75611070446549868072011-01-06T16:02:00.000-06:002011-01-06T16:02:05.756-06:00The Ultimatest Grocery ListThis grocery list is great. It has everything you could ever want and more! Plus, if there is more you want you can add it. Most of it organized the way grocery stores are set-up. The only exception for me is the snacks and the canned goods. They span multiple aisles. <br />
The website I found it on has quite the sense of humor and lots of collections of grocery lists they have found!<br />
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<a href="http://www.grocerylists.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/GrocerylistsDOTorg_Deluxe_v3_0.pdf">http://www.grocerylists.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/GrocerylistsDOTorg_Deluxe_v3_0.pdf</a><br />
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You don't have to leave it in the cart when you are done!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-53359486489388331482011-01-04T18:59:00.000-06:002011-01-04T18:59:22.647-06:00Menu Planning & Grocery ShoppingI am <span style="color: #990000;">REALLY</span> trying to do a good job in 2011 with menu planning, grocery shopping, using coupons and remembering to bring my reusable bags at the grocery store. My plan is that I will be more organized and save money. Since it is just January 4th, I'm not sure if I can measure my success very accurately. However, other than a trip to pick up medicine, I haven't made any extra trips to the grocery store! <br />
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I made up this menu/grocery shopping planning page with the intent that I look at what I already have in my pantry/freezer/refrigerator when planning my menu. Since I'm still trying to figure out how to get a PDF into my blog, the best I can do is give you a link:<br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/46294592/Menu-Meal-Planning">http://www.scribd.com/doc/46294592/Menu-Meal-Planning</a><br />
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Step 1- Fill out the yellow section with foods you already have.<br />
Step 2- First, plan your daily meals trying to use up the food you already have. <br />
Step 3- Make a grocery list with everything you will need.<br />
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At my house, breakfast is usually the same, so I combined it with snacks. If you are into elaborate breakfasts like omlets and need a special breakfast menu, I don't think my plan will work for you. If a bowl of cereal or a frozen waffle is good enough, then I think my menu plan will work great! <br />
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You can always Google "Menu Meal Planning Grocery Shopping" and there are lots of free planning tools on the Internet.<br />
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P.S. Maybe by 2012, I'll be able to have a PDF embedded into my blogUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-49873878675079265462011-01-03T19:08:00.004-06:002011-01-03T20:35:02.218-06:00Apps to Help Keep You OrganizedI think my iPhone is the coolest invention ever (well that and my Nook). I always try and get free apps or 99 cent apps (call me cheap). Here are some reviews of my favorite apps that keep me organized: <br />
My first favorite app, isn't really even an app, it is the calendar on my iPhone. I put everything here, and sync it with Outlook. I still keep a calendar on the fridge, but my phone is with me everywhere, so I always feel like I know what is going on!<br />
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I also like Stick It, 2Do and ShopShop.<br />
Stick It simply creates sticky notes for you. I use this all the time when I'm making "To Do" lists."<br />
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2Do really is great for projects. I use it quite a bit for my job, but I've also used it when planning parties or events. It is a more expensive app, but I have 2Do Lite, and love it. <br />
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ShopShop is an easy, quick grocery list maker.<br />
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For traveling, I like MapQuest and AroundMe.<br />
MapQuest is like a built-in GPS! It has been great, especially traveling in unfamiliar big cities.<br />
AroundMe identifies your position and allows you to choose the nearest Bank, Bar, Gas Station, Hospital, Hotel, Movie Theatre, Restaurant, Supermarket, Theatre and Taxi.<br />
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Probably the app that has saved me the most time and money is RunKeeper. I used to run a new route, then have to drive it to figure my distance. This app calculates your time, distance and gives you your current pace. I use it when biking, walking and running. It was free and worth every penny!<br />
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Since I'm a big fan of Mint.com to help with budgeting, the Mint.com app is another favorite of mine!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-56630040308711990092011-01-02T15:19:00.000-06:002011-01-02T17:23:46.935-06:00Cables: A Pet Peeve of MineIt seems like every piece of electronics comes with a USB cable. They are something you NEED, but I want them out of sight!<br />
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For cables that I don't use very often, I keep them in ziplock baggies that are labeled and store them in a pencil box.<br />
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For the ones I use frequently (camera, ipod, Nook), I keep in this little Case Logic case I found at Walmart. I've had it for about 4 years. It works great for traveling. I just throw it in my backpack and I have every cable that I need!<br />
This is a "newer" model:<br />
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<a href="http://www.caselogic.com/universal_mp3_travel_case/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=154005&productid=10028474">http://www.caselogic.com/universal_mp3_travel_case/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=154005&productid=10028474</a><br />
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Other ideas are:<br />
toilet paper rolls<br />
velcro wrap<br />
twist ties<br />
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*Just make sure not to bend the cables too much or you can damage them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-1277185756049140592010-12-31T17:44:00.000-06:002011-01-01T08:30:41.573-06:00Starting 2011 by Taking Inventory & Use it Up!I always feel like I need help staying organized in the kitchen. I am always running to the store to pick up something for dinner (it doesn't help that I could walk to the grocery store). To start of 2011, I'm taking inventory and making a list of what I have in my freezer and pantry and I'm going to use it up!<br />For example, I could probably come up with about 10 days worth of meals from my freezer. I have tons of food in the pantry. I have lots of canned veggies, soups, pasta and rice, yet somehow I feel the need to buy more groceries.<br />I'm planning a menu based on what I have already in my house:<br />chili<br />chicken quesadilla <br />tacos<br />chicken and cheesy rice casserole<br />spaghetti<br />fajitas<br />Hashbrown casserole<br />I'm starting off 2011 by using up the food in my freezer and pantry and only buying "perishable" foods until I've cleaned out what I have! <br />Hopefully this strategy will not only help me in my meal planning, but save money!<br /><br />When I went around the house, we are also stocked up on paper goods, ziplock baggies, toothpaste, shampoo and soap!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-82348102106647380122010-12-31T15:06:00.000-06:002010-12-31T15:44:07.322-06:00Happy 2011I believe I'm starting the new year more organized than I started 2010!<br /><br />Something I struggle with is keeping my coupons organized. This is one of my resoluations for 2011.<br /><br />I also told my children that unless it is food, I'm not buying it. It seems like we have enough "stuff" to last us until 2012! We'll see how long this resolutions lasts.<br /><br />I am proud to say that in 2010 my craft room was featured on Crafty Storage! Hopefully, I can find more creative ways to keep organized in 2011.<br /><a href="http://craftystorage.blogspot.com/2010/07/bridgets-studio.html">http://craftystorage.blogspot.com/2010/07/bridgets-studio.html</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-47407615439339282832010-11-13T08:09:00.000-06:002010-11-13T08:17:02.355-06:00Holiday ShoppingSince school started, it is impossible to get on weekly and update.<br /><br />I'm just about done with my Christmas Shopping. I hate crowds and cold weather, so I take advantage of online shopping. I would say 3/4 of my shopping is done online.<br /><br />Here are some of my rules:<br />Only shop online when you get free shipping.<br />Buy when I know it is cheaper than what I can get at my local stores.<br />Wait until Kohls is doing 30% off and kohls cash. <br />I have also found that walmart.com sometimes has lower prices than in the stores.<br />I am also a big ebates fan!!! <br />http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=5Sxvbiyfzy6lvB%2FDi8nlmg%3D%3D<br /><br />Some of my favorite online shopping sites that use ebates are:<br />Best Buy<br />Walmart.com<br />Kohls<br />Snapfish<br />Lands End<br />Ebay<br />Barnes & Noble<br /><br />If amazon.com could end up ebates, then I'd be set!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-44472585994528396852010-08-17T18:38:00.001-05:002010-08-18T20:02:35.951-05:00Purse and Handbag Organization<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TGyCZ0leP6I/AAAAAAAAGVg/UPoFcZ4dNug/s1600/IMG_5948.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 92px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TGyCZ0leP6I/AAAAAAAAGVg/UPoFcZ4dNug/s200/IMG_5948.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506919824491429794" /></a>I love purses. Some weeks, I might switch purses two or three times. The issue is that I hate spending the time making sure I have everything when I'm changing them out.<br /><br />Right now you can pick up pencil cases for about a dollar. I put all my make-up or first-aid type stuff in them. Changing purses is a breeze. I just grab my wallet, phone and pencil cases. I have everything I need and changing purses only takes about five seconds.<br /><br />This pencil case has hand sanitizer, band-aids, triple antibiotic ointment, and anti-itch cream.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-77186024844783308452010-08-09T18:54:00.000-05:002010-08-10T18:12:32.105-05:00Tuesday Tip...Back to SchoolWe are headed back to school. Here are some tips I use to keep things going smoothly in the morning.<br /><br />1. Prep as much as you can the night before. Homework is done and in the backpack.<br />2. Put all coats, shoes and backpacks by the door.<br />3. Pack lunches the night before.<br />4. Get clothes ready the night before.<br />*Sign any papers or put anything that is needed in the backpack the night before (book orders, library books, etc).<br /><br />I also put a checklist on the laundry room door (this it the door leading to the garage). It makes things go so much smoother in the morning and helps my children remember to check and make sure they have everything! I also list which days are library and which days are PE so they make sure they have the right materials/shoes. <br /><br />Pretty much in the morning my children have to get dressed, eat, comb their hair and brush their teeth. That's more than enough most days :) <br /><br />For some reason time is warped in the morning at my house. Anytime I am in a rush everything takes twenty times longer! Rather than running around like a crazy lady, I do things the night before and have a pleasant morning!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-38215503876255326172010-08-03T19:14:00.000-05:002010-08-03T19:19:31.787-05:00Tuesday Tip...Dryer SheetsI found this tip on a budget board from Melissa. If you get cooked food stuck on a pan, let it soak with a dryer sheet. Sure enough, shortly after I found out about this tip, I managed to get cooked rice stuck to a pot. I let a dryer sheet soak in the pan for about fifteen minutes, and it cleaned up so easily! I never would have guessed a dryer sheet could clean up a cooking mess!<br /><br />I then googled to see what else you could do with a dryer sheet…<br /><br />From keeping shoes from getting too smelly to removing static from a tv screen, dryer sheets are not just for the dryer. Dryer sheets also are a great way to pick up pet hair and keep thread from tangling while sewing. Packing a dryer sheet in your luggage will keep your traveling clothes smelling fresh.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-55155005262683243122010-07-30T15:31:00.000-05:002010-07-30T15:35:14.078-05:00Weekend Organizing...Kitchen DrawerHere's another fifteen minute project...clean out and organize a few kitchen drawers. I worked on my junk drawer, the drawer that holds the phone books and my silverware drawer. That drawer led to organizing my utinsil drawer. Overall it ended up taking twenty minutes and things got sorted and put where they belong.<br /><br />If you do this for the next three days, most of your kitchen drawers will be organized! A great time to do this is while something is baking in the oven.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-20785996348395697482010-07-27T11:12:00.000-05:002010-07-27T11:28:21.615-05:00Terrific Tip Tuesday...Pencil Boxes<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TE8IYly9mWI/AAAAAAAAGUc/CBMT1MIGKoM/s1600/pic2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TE8IYly9mWI/AAAAAAAAGUc/CBMT1MIGKoM/s200/pic2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498622888598411618" /></a>Pencil boxes are great organizers at a great price. Right now you can pick them up for around fifty cents!<br /><br />Stock up...before they run out! Okay, I’m being kind of dramatic, but you wouldn’t believe how many uses a pencil box has. These are great for organizing children’s art supplies, but they are also great for organizing lots of other things. Feel free to comment and add to my list!<br />Here’s my list so far:<br />Colored pencils/markers/crayons/scissors/glue<br />Rubber bands<br />Post-it Notes (my mom stocks up on these and they fit great inside)<br />USB Cables/chargers<br />Paper Clips<br />Jewelry<br />Hair accessories<br />Stamps<br />Small envelopes<br />Spools of thread<br />Mementos (hotel room cards, concert tickets, etc) I have a weird obsession with hotel room cards, and I hate throwing them away, so this is perfect!<br />Make-upUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-3922976430264750402010-07-25T12:05:00.000-05:002010-07-25T12:21:54.982-05:00Let's Talk Kitchens..Another Fifteen Minute ProjectI decided yesterday I would tackle the cabinet where I store all my spices. I’m not a big fan of cooking, so my cabinet that has my spices doesn’t get much attention. I probably haven’t attempted to organize this cabinet in years!<br /><br />I took everything out. I had a few things (bread crumbs, fried onions that you put on green bean casserole, gluten free flour and baking powder) that were almost empty and expired. I had to throw those items away. I found some SpongeBob tattoos that didn’t belong in my spice cabinet, as well as a baggie of Chuckie Cheese tickets. Those items were moved. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TExv5-sbB9I/AAAAAAAAGUA/CzaIDLgD7ZU/s1600/IMG_0968.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TExv5-sbB9I/AAAAAAAAGUA/CzaIDLgD7ZU/s200/IMG_0968.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497892286985078738" /></a><br />Then I divided my spices into “sweet and salty”. The sweet baking supplies went on the right and the cooking seasonings went on the left. On the bottom shelf I use my three-step shelf system. It works great because you can see what you’ve got in a deep cabinet. It works best if the shortest items are in the front, tallest in the back. I purchased mine years ago at Walmart. <br /><br />The second shelf has cooking oils, measuring cups and other tall spices.<br /><br />My top shelf has candles and matches if the power goes out. It also has my meat tenderizer and a funnel. I suppose you never know when you need a funnel!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TExwFK-r0lI/AAAAAAAAGUI/uOF1eCN-SP8/s1600/IMG_0969.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 124px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TExwFK-r0lI/AAAAAAAAGUI/uOF1eCN-SP8/s200/IMG_0969.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497892479261463122" /></a> I used a small basket usually for pencils and pens and put all my packet seasonings in it. This is a great way to store these!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-46476241599089204592010-07-23T22:02:00.001-05:002010-07-24T22:02:33.871-05:00Talk about not having to worry about organizing your closet...Fashion DietI just read this article in the New York Times. It is a fashion diet. If you did this diet, there wouldn't be much to organize!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/fashion/22SIXERS.html?_r=1">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/fashion/22SIXERS.html?_r=1</a><br /><br />Essentially, people are limiting themselves to six clothing items and they wear them for a month. The idea is that you appreciate what you have and are not being materialistic. I believe this is a very noble endeavor, however, I couldn't last three days doing this! <br /><br />I run, so I'd need running shorts and a top. That would leave me with four items left. I pretty much would be left with a pair of pants and three tops or two pairs of pants and two tops. I'm pretty sure I would want at least five shirts/tops (in addition to my running shirt). This way I could wear a different top everyday. Plus with Kansas weather, it could be cool one day and the next day hotter than heck! I'd need one long sleeve shirt and one short sleeve shirt. I'd have to hope the weather would cooperate with my fashion diet so I could alternate tops!<br /><br />I don't like doing laundry THAT much! Think of all the water I'd waste washing my two shirts and two pants!<br /><br />Plus, the people I work with would notice after about three days. If they didn't say something, the students I work with would sure say something! "Why are you wearing that shirt again?" <br /><br />However, I could probably NOT go shopping for new clothes/jewelry/shoes for a month. Heck, I could probably make it to the end of 2010 and not buy anything new. That would be much more realistic and give me lots of time to appreciate everything in my closet!<br /><br />Perhaps this weekend, I will go through my closet and make sure I'm giving all my clothes the love they deserve! I organize my tops by color and I always have my black and white clothes towards the front of my closet, which is usually where I grab from first. Perhaps I'll do a little rearranging and move the black to the back. It will be like a whole new wardrobe!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-23189726995234844832010-07-22T18:01:00.001-05:002010-07-22T18:56:19.099-05:00I made a logo...and other news!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TEjaiy1LxXI/AAAAAAAAGTw/oAivHsOJsbM/s1600/small+logo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TEjaiy1LxXI/AAAAAAAAGTw/oAivHsOJsbM/s200/small+logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496883636500940146" /></a>I just set up a spot over on Facebook for Organizing Simply, and I needed a picture. This is what I came up with!<br /><br />I love getting comments. Next week I'll be starting TERRIFIC TUESDAY TIPS! Please let me know if there are specific topics you want covered. Two topics I'm planning on covering are meal planning and back-to-school organization. Plus, I have a number of ideas to help save time and keep things nice and organized.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-79005094456242957692010-07-21T15:44:00.000-05:002010-07-21T16:12:12.897-05:00My Scrapbook Room is Done!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TEdgqnUuqKI/AAAAAAAAGTM/xQlF7xY9KsM/s1600/scrapbook+room.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TEdgqnUuqKI/AAAAAAAAGTM/xQlF7xY9KsM/s320/scrapbook+room.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496468155455678626" /></a><br />My scrapbook room is done and was under budget (if you don't count tax). I gave myself a budge of $75. I love it! Remember, I used to just keep everything in tubs under the bed and would bring them out and put them back when I was done. It wasn't any fun to do this. I now have a great work area.<br /><br />This is what was purchased:<br />$6.99 Desk organizer from Michaels. It holds hole punches, brads, scissors, markers, and corner rounders.<br />Three $1.50 each pink containers with snap lids from Walmart. One will hold scrapbook adhesives. Another holds small scrapbooking memorabilia that are not photos (hotel room keys, concert tickets, etc). The third one will live in the top dresser drawer to hold misc small stuff.<br />One $2.50 tall pink container with a snap lid from Walmart. I needed this to hold stamping supplies.<br />$14.99 six drawer cabinet with wheels from Office Depot. I used a $10 coupon that my husband got in an email, This holds all my stickers. Plus I have a drawer for stencils and books.<br />$14.99 wall organizer from Michaels. I used a coupon. This holds ribbons, adhesives, memorabilia, and photos waiting to be scrapbooked.<br />$2.00 for two photo 4x6 holder from Michaels. I used coupons. I used to just stack things on paper trays. These keep photos safe and <br />$13.02 for three cans of spray paint. The paint was used to paint the old brown dresser white. It looks so much better.<br />$6 for three photo frames from Walmart.<br />$8.99 photo board from Michael's. Used another coupon!<br />I made about five trips to Michael's in the last three weeks, since they have a one coupon per day limit. <br />Total: $73.98<br /><br />There were other great organizing supplies I liked such as small crates for $1.99 at Office Depot, but I just didn't have a need for them. There were also great plastic jars with lids at Michaels. These would be great if you had lots of small craft supplies like beads, buttons, gemstones, etc. They have sets of three large ones or six small ones. <br /><br />Right now I am using the top dresser drawer for my hot glue gun and all my stamping supplies. The second dresser drawer can be used to keep my current scrapbooks and photo albums. When I’m done with a scrapbook album, I have a bookcase upstairs that has a cabinet on the bottom with doors. That’s where my completed scrapbooks live.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-22843905891668921032010-07-20T08:30:00.000-05:002010-07-20T09:39:05.020-05:00Wall Shelf...I love this!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TEWrCQ8WRFI/AAAAAAAAGS4/DyJw0pKw_bg/s1600/IMG_09472.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TEWrCQ8WRFI/AAAAAAAAGS4/DyJw0pKw_bg/s200/IMG_09472.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495986975671731282" /></a>My daughter loved this. She felt like this was something that came from my dream scrapbook room. Here’s the deal: I had to assemble this myself and I’m pretty direction deficient. Actually, I’m horrible at directions and reading any sort of three-dimensional map or drawing. I have no depth perception aptitude! <br /><br />This is my dream scrapbook room:<br /><a href="http://www.kevinandamanda.com/photos/scraproom/new/">http://www.kevinandamanda.com/photos/scraproom/new/</a><br /><br />It was supposed to take 15 minutes to assemble. It took me 15 minutes just to make sure I had all the pieces. There were six steps. I would screw something together, only to find out it was upside down. It mattered what direction boards were placed, because there were little tracks for other pieces to slide into. I had the entire thing put together in a little over an hour. I was very proud of myself, except the top piece wasn’t lined up right. I knew this because it was sticking out about a half an inch on the backside. It couldn’t hang from the wall this way! <br /><br />I took it off, and finally realized, I had to flip it over. That was it. One hour and fifteen minutes later, I did it (not including the time it took to make sure I had all the materials)!!! I put extra ribbons in one of the white canvas basket. At this point, the other basket is empty! <br /><br />Then I set up my two pink containers on the shelf. The first one holds all my adhesives. The second holds all the little things I collect...event tickets, hotel room cards, etc. I also thought this would be a great place to store my 4X6 photos that are waiting to be scrapbooked. In the "old days" I would just stack all this stuff on paper trays. I like my new system much betterUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-90122448196304713462010-07-19T17:15:00.000-05:002010-07-20T09:45:24.711-05:00Scrapbooking Interruption....Back-to-School SuppliesYesterday I noticed all the ads in our Sunday paper were all school supply related. We had to go to Walmart, so I brought along the Office Max, Target, and Office Depot ads. Sure enough, the sale prices on lots of items were cheaper, and Walmart price matched. I probably saved $5 overall, but I only had to go to one store. When it is 100 degrees out, one store is better than three!<br /><br />I was able to get my daughter's school supply list online. <br /><br />I know some people just got done with school at the end of June, but we go back in August!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-64744040523546841222010-07-14T11:02:00.000-05:002010-07-20T09:45:57.538-05:00Caddy<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TD35Nkx6jtI/AAAAAAAAGOY/CzLg82ZMUw4/s1600/IMG_0903.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TD35Nkx6jtI/AAAAAAAAGOY/CzLg82ZMUw4/s200/IMG_0903.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493821132068523730" /></a>My daughter fell in love with this caddy at Michaels. They have bigger ones, and I debated which one to get.<br /><br />I had read that you should “go big” when buying scrapbooking supplies. However, I really don’t have tons of stuff, and I thought I would bring it home and make sure everything fit. If it didn’t, I could always exchange it for the larger size.<br /><br />I had more than enough room, and I actually ended up with empty pockets! I put the markers, scissors and hole punches in the top (there are three sections). Then I put brads and corner rounders along the side. There are six pockets along the side, and I ended up with extra space. I paid $6.99 for the caddy on sale (with a coupon). I decided I got a good deal!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-18043926785782656612010-07-11T08:12:00.000-05:002010-07-20T09:46:16.356-05:00My Stickers Are Now Organized!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TDnYPM_8G8I/AAAAAAAAGN0/79r3u9xp17g/s1600/IMG_5866.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TDnYPM_8G8I/AAAAAAAAGN0/79r3u9xp17g/s320/IMG_5866.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492658976254073794" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Organizing</span> my stickers has been one of the most difficult things for me to organize. I had a binder with page protectors, and the stickers were put in page protectors by theme. However, some of my stickers were twelve inches long, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">didn</span>’t really fit in an 8.5x11 binder. Plus it was a pain to find stickers.<br /><div><br />I got lots of great ideas for stickers from the Internet. When I went shopping, I had an idea in mind. I wanted to use drawers for my stickers. I would have a drawer for seasonal/holiday stickers, a drawer for travel stickers, then the other two drawers would be for each of my children. Since I have a boy and a girl, this would be easy.<br /><br />My daughter actually found this cart at Office Depot. I liked it because the drawers were not too big. It also has six drawers, and I could use the other two drawers for my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">scrapbooking</span> books and extra card stock/stencils. My husband actually got an email from Office Depot for $10 off a $25 purchase. This would make the cart $14.99! I couldn't turn down a deal this great. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Walmart</span> also has tons of options for carts with drawers.<br /><br />My daughter made the labels,and organized the stickers. Even my long stickers fit in the drawer! This will be a huge help. I love it!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-36081873938287030832010-07-09T13:08:00.000-05:002010-07-20T09:53:07.371-05:00Practicing What I PreachI have been going through my photo folders and renaming them <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">YYYY</span>-MM-DD Description. OH MY GOODNESS!! I set a timer for 10 minutes and work. If I didn't take a break, my eyes would go cross from looking at the screen!<br /><br />I also have been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">deleting</span> some junk shots as I go. So far it has taken me forty minutes! I still have a few more folders left (about thirty-five)! From now on, I'm always going to do this!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483750954916529651.post-69903225981950361082010-07-08T14:24:00.000-05:002010-07-20T09:46:16.356-05:00Organizing PaperI got this expandable 12x12 paper organizer about four years ago at Hobby Lobby. It was regularly $14.99, but I paid $7.49 because I used a coupon. I checked today, and they still carry them! Right now they are black and cream in a paisley print pattern.<br /><br />I had my pap<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TDYpOB4Od3I/AAAAAAAAGMw/EFDSfWnTaT8/s1600/IMG_0906.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 178px; float: left; height: 273px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491622116624070514" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TDYpOB4Od3I/AAAAAAAAGMw/EFDSfWnTaT8/s320/IMG_0906.jpg" border="0" /></a>er organized by color, but it wasn't in any order and I couldn't find anything without going through each folder.<br /><br />My seven year old label-making helper, changed all that! Ann Claire made all the labels and put them in rainbow order. Then she put all the paper where it belonged. Thank you Ann Claire!<br /><br />This system works great for me. I would love to have shelves that store my paper, however, at this point it is out of my budget. Plus I don’t have that much paper, and this expandable file works great.<br /><br />I still have lots of work left to do when it comes to organizing: coming up next stickers and everything else!<br /><br />I also need to find time to get my scrapbooking done!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TDYpNmAzU0I/AAAAAAAAGMo/bYSOWSxRvnI/s1600/IMG_0905.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 210px; float: left; height: 272px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491622109143847746" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lr589Ma97D0/TDYpNmAzU0I/AAAAAAAAGMo/bYSOWSxRvnI/s320/IMG_0905.jpg" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3