eBay Listings
Today I spent a good portion of the day working on website updates and also listing Primitive Room Sprays on eBay. Please visit my eBay store and let me know what you think. I updated my "about me" page also, but didn't have a chance yet to update my eBay storefront page (maybe this weekend - smiles!).
You may also make purchases directly from the website, but eBay listings tend to open up a world of possibilities. Scents that were listed on eBay are Very Vanilla, BlueBerry Muffins, Pumpkin Pie Spice and Creme Brulee - don't these sound so yummy??!!
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Home Office Organizing
For some reason, I spent most of yesterday thinking it was Friday and didn't know what to blog about today. I have decided to post some before/after photos of a home office organizing project.
These are all BEFORE photos...now enjoy the AFTER pictures.
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Get Your Mail Clutter Under Control
Do you feel like mail has taken over your desk or countertop? We'll show you how to organize your mail and get some control back into your life.
1. Go Green by signing up for paperless statements from your bank, credit cards, etc. This is a great way to control the mail clutter and you'll also be saving a tree. Less paper and envelopes, less clutter.
2. Reduce the junk mail. You can remove your name from unwanted magazines, catalogs, advertisements and many other unwanted items that make it into your mailbox. Click here to get started with your name removal process.
3. Sort your mail while at the mailbox, before it even comes into your house. Take all the unwanted mail (not including credit card offers or other items that may contain personal information) immediately to your recycling bin.
4. Shred all unwanted mail that may contain personal information. This will get rid of the mail while protecting your identity.
5. Mail Message Center. Set up a system that works for you. You can use file folders, an actual message center, 3 ring binder with folder system, etc - just use whatever works best for you and your family. It is usually better to stay away from office bins or trays because they "invite" piles of clutter. If many family members get mail, it would be best to use separate file folders for each member.
6. Time to Sort. We use the IBACT (Important Papers, Bills, Action Items, Catalogs and Magazines, Toss) System.
1. Go Green by signing up for paperless statements from your bank, credit cards, etc. This is a great way to control the mail clutter and you'll also be saving a tree. Less paper and envelopes, less clutter.
2. Reduce the junk mail. You can remove your name from unwanted magazines, catalogs, advertisements and many other unwanted items that make it into your mailbox. Click here to get started with your name removal process.
3. Sort your mail while at the mailbox, before it even comes into your house. Take all the unwanted mail (not including credit card offers or other items that may contain personal information) immediately to your recycling bin.
4. Shred all unwanted mail that may contain personal information. This will get rid of the mail while protecting your identity.
5. Mail Message Center. Set up a system that works for you. You can use file folders, an actual message center, 3 ring binder with folder system, etc - just use whatever works best for you and your family. It is usually better to stay away from office bins or trays because they "invite" piles of clutter. If many family members get mail, it would be best to use separate file folders for each member.
6. Time to Sort. We use the IBACT (Important Papers, Bills, Action Items, Catalogs and Magazines, Toss) System.
- Important Papers. All important papers include insurance policies, bank statements, tax documents, etc. File these items right away in the appropriate place.
- Bills. File these in your bill filing system. If you don't have a bill filing system, we will touch on this at a later time.
- Action Items. These are items that require action such as school conferences, report cards that need signing and other school items. They may also include items that are work related, insurance updates, etc. These should be taken care of as soon as possible.
- Catalog and Magazines. Sort through your collection of catalogs and magazines. Only keep those catalogs that you will be ordering from within the next six weeks, or you can order items online and eliminate catalogs. Magazines should be placed in your magazine bin or basket. Only keep current magazines; for example when you receive the March issue, toss the February issue and so on.
- Toss. Use this to toss all the unwanted mail that you may have missed during your first sort.
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A Halloween Tree
Start a New Tradition with your Own Halloween Tree.
As many colored trees you can find on the market right now, it's the perfect time to start your own tradition with a Halloween Tree. Purchase a pre-lit tree, ours is orange, but I imagine you could use different colors; black, purple, yellow, even green.
After you purchase your own pre-lit tree to use for Halloween, purchase some lightweight decorations to hang on the tree. You can also have your children make ornaments, we have used this technique in previous years.
Skeletons, pumpkins, black cats, witches and even ghosts are great for decorating The Halloween Tree. Our Halloween Tree has a fall type pre-tied ribbon as a tree topper, but again, you could make your own or even do without a tree topper. I think next year, we will add a tree skirt also.
This is an inexpensive, but beautiful way to add some Halloween spice to your Fall Decor. I would love to see your Halloween tree ideas and hear about your traditions. Read below to see how our Halloween Tree Tradition was born.
The Halloween Tree did not start out as a tradition in our family. I have always let my children celebrate Halloween through "trick or treat" and even with school functions. As a family, we would go to the pumpkin patch and other activities, but I just don't like the idea of scaring children - Halloween should be a fun time. We do decorate for Halloween, but I prefer to decorate for "just Fall".The Halloween Tree became a tradition about 4 or 5 years ago. Our youngest daughter had already joined our family at this time. After being here for about 3 years, she was beginning to like Christmas and all the traditions that come with the celebration of Christmas, this was an achievement in itself. We were out shopping for home remodeling supplies and we found an orange tree with orange lights. Little Boo just had to have this "Christmas/Halloween" tree. We purchased our pre-lit tree, brought it home, made paper decorations for it and a new Halloween tradition was born.
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Fall Cleaning and De-Cluttering
With the fall season upon us, now is the time to do some seasonal cleaning. For me, fall is the time of year when I like to clean out the closets, organize the little areas that I may have overlooked over the summer season. I like to think of fall as a "Back to ... Organizing, Cleaning, Sorting, De-Cluttering" - you fill in the blank.
Below you will find some ideas to help get you started. These ideas are for the beginning organizer or even the seasoned organizer.
1. Now is the perfect time to clean out your closets. Out of the closet should come all those summer/spring clothes that you did NOT wear. Also, sort through your fall/winter selection - KDRT: Keep, Donate, Recycle (into rags or if you are crafty, make something new), or Toss.
2. Winterize Your Wardrobe. Take inventory of your winter coats. What needs to be repaired (zippers, hems, etc), cleaned, etc? Do the coats, snowpants, etc even fit? Again use the KDRT method. This is a great way to donate those winter coats to a local "winter coat drive". Also, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves: do you have a pair? Are they in good shape? Do they need to be replaced?
3. Clean your windows. Fall is a beautiful time of the year, especially if you live in an area where the leaves are changing colors. Don't you want to see the beautiful colors through nice clean shiny windows? Are you going to be hanging fall decorations or decorating for the holiday season, this is a great way to allow others to really see your decorations too.
4. Old Toys. This is a great way to go through all the toys that your children no longer play with or they have outgrown. Donate toys that are in good condition to an organization that accepts "gently used" toys - maybe a local daycare or church. Missing pieces or parts? Perfect time to toss it. Another reason why is because the Holiday buying season will be here before you know it and it's nice to have ideas on what they will want and what toys/games that they do play. If your child is younger, you may want to allow him or her to choose another toy for their generosity.
5. Outside Cleaning. This includes storing away the bikes, lawn mower, gardening tools or other items that will no longer be needed once the snow starts falling down. Put away the kids swimming pool and other outdoor toys. Hose down your garbage cans and recycling bin too. Store the patio furniture. Make a day out of this with hubby and the kids with the promise of a fall walk in the woods or a matinee movie.
6. Organize and Take Stock of your Food Pantry. How many bottles of ketchup or mustard do you really need? Do you need to refresh your supply of tomato sauce - soup season is upon us. Make a list of items that you need for holiday baking or cooking and when the item or items go on sale, you will be ready to make your purchases.
7. Start a List. You will want a list of items to purchase for the holiday season including gift giving. Having a list that is handy, you can shop for items that you find on sale. This will also eliminate impulsive (expensive) buying.
8. Start Decorating. Do you love Halloween? Maybe you host the Thanksgiving dinner? Start decorating your house. You do not have to have elaborate (again expensive) decorations. A few candles with fall accents, hang pumpkins that your children have colored or decorated in the windows, add a few fall colored inexpensive items like placemats or coasters will all add to the ambience of Fall or Halloween.
Have other ideas for fall cleaning, organizing and de-cluttering, please leave me a comment. Tomorrow, you will get the chance to view our Halloween tree.
Below you will find some ideas to help get you started. These ideas are for the beginning organizer or even the seasoned organizer.
1. Now is the perfect time to clean out your closets. Out of the closet should come all those summer/spring clothes that you did NOT wear. Also, sort through your fall/winter selection - KDRT: Keep, Donate, Recycle (into rags or if you are crafty, make something new), or Toss.
2. Winterize Your Wardrobe. Take inventory of your winter coats. What needs to be repaired (zippers, hems, etc), cleaned, etc? Do the coats, snowpants, etc even fit? Again use the KDRT method. This is a great way to donate those winter coats to a local "winter coat drive". Also, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves: do you have a pair? Are they in good shape? Do they need to be replaced?
3. Clean your windows. Fall is a beautiful time of the year, especially if you live in an area where the leaves are changing colors. Don't you want to see the beautiful colors through nice clean shiny windows? Are you going to be hanging fall decorations or decorating for the holiday season, this is a great way to allow others to really see your decorations too.
4. Old Toys. This is a great way to go through all the toys that your children no longer play with or they have outgrown. Donate toys that are in good condition to an organization that accepts "gently used" toys - maybe a local daycare or church. Missing pieces or parts? Perfect time to toss it. Another reason why is because the Holiday buying season will be here before you know it and it's nice to have ideas on what they will want and what toys/games that they do play. If your child is younger, you may want to allow him or her to choose another toy for their generosity.
5. Outside Cleaning. This includes storing away the bikes, lawn mower, gardening tools or other items that will no longer be needed once the snow starts falling down. Put away the kids swimming pool and other outdoor toys. Hose down your garbage cans and recycling bin too. Store the patio furniture. Make a day out of this with hubby and the kids with the promise of a fall walk in the woods or a matinee movie.
6. Organize and Take Stock of your Food Pantry. How many bottles of ketchup or mustard do you really need? Do you need to refresh your supply of tomato sauce - soup season is upon us. Make a list of items that you need for holiday baking or cooking and when the item or items go on sale, you will be ready to make your purchases.
7. Start a List. You will want a list of items to purchase for the holiday season including gift giving. Having a list that is handy, you can shop for items that you find on sale. This will also eliminate impulsive (expensive) buying.
8. Start Decorating. Do you love Halloween? Maybe you host the Thanksgiving dinner? Start decorating your house. You do not have to have elaborate (again expensive) decorations. A few candles with fall accents, hang pumpkins that your children have colored or decorated in the windows, add a few fall colored inexpensive items like placemats or coasters will all add to the ambience of Fall or Halloween.
Have other ideas for fall cleaning, organizing and de-cluttering, please leave me a comment. Tomorrow, you will get the chance to view our Halloween tree.
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Let's Talk Fall Decorating
Let's talk about Fall decorating on a limited budget. Today we will decorate the dining room/kitchen table.
This fall decor arrangement can be used with things you already have around your house. We have used 4 fall colored placemats, along with 2 votive type candle holders and candles, doily and a floral arrangement.
This is a great way to say "Welcome to Fall" with your family members or friends that arrive for company.
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