Why I've been away and organization eye candy

I feel really bad about my sporadic and/or non-exist blogging lately, but sweetums and I just put our first offer on what may be our first HOME last night. Needless to say, things have been chaotic around here...I promise that within the next week or so things will be back to normal.... In the meantime, if you are stressed like me, there's nothing like a good organization fix!

via BHG

Fall organizing inspiration...

I don't usually get excited about garages, but considering most people have one, I don't think it's fair to neglect it forever...

Since summer is wrapping up, it may be a good time to get your garage ready with equipment and tools you use in the fall and winter.

You can do something as quick as sweeping up and putting everything back in it's right place, to updating your garage doors to something more insulated.

 A system with ample buckets, bins, containers, and jars will keep things corralled, even if it isn't as pretty as this one

images above via Apartment Therapy

 via Country Living

via Elle Decor

An awesome sale for all you crafters/sewers/organizers!

I am definitely a crafter/sewer/organizer...now I just need the time! This sale is great though, and it might just be the motivation I need to add sewing up a notch on my priority list!

Love this oak table!

All these goodies are on sale at Joss & Main - it's one of those flash sale sites though, so these items will only be available for about another 2.5 days! If you're not a member of Joss & Main - it's free and instant to sign up. Click here to shop.

Uplifting and functional rooms

This home office is soooo pretty.  I love the muted colors, and the soft pink in the rug, yellow in the curtains, and green accents makes such a happy trio.

Very bright colors are kept to a minimum in this rooms, which keep the rest of the colors from being too busy, but still cheerful.

Another great mix of muted colors.


The 4 images below are all from the same multi-functioning living room, that also serves as a foyer and home office.

Effective layering makes this space look more expensive than it was.

Wood in honey colors keep the space casual, and the art adds a whimsical touch.

LOVE that little console!

Everything has a pretty place to be stowed in the office nook, and an organized space is a happy space!  To read more and see all the pics from this room, click here.

via BHG

Announcing the winner of the Sorting with Style giveaway and some organization inspiration

The winner of the Sort with Style giveaway is Kate Cunningham, chosen by a random draw. Kate - congrats! Thanks to all who entered. I'm hosting another giveaway right now - for a gorgeous Stella & Dot necklace. Enter here.

Below is some delish organization eyecandy...

1., 2. Apartment Therapy  3., 4.  IHeart Organizing, 5. Real Simple, 6. IHeart Organizing

No time like the beginning of a new year for a fresh start!

First off, I hope everyone had an amazing holiday, and happy New Year!  Usually, I don't get caught up in the New Year's traditions like setting resolutions.  This year however, I am determined to get really, really, organized.  I'm usually an organized person, but the last half of 2011 I started to really fall behind on a lot of my filing, exercise routine, and many other things.  So, it sort of seemed like fate when, just a couple of weeks before New Years, I received three books from organizing guru Jennifer Ford Berry.  The books are "Organize Now!," "Organize Now! Your Money, Business, & Career," and "Organize Now! 12 Month Home & Activity Planner."

There's nothing quite as inspiring and exciting as a new organizing book that really speaks to you, and I think these definitely will.  The "Organize Now!"  and "Organize Now! Your Money, Business, & Career"  books literally break down the year into weeks, and assigns you tasks for each week that ultimately get your entire space in order.  I also like that, not only does she focus on the tangible things - like organizing your cupboards, entryway, social profiles, and email contact, but she also goes into a lot of depth and care to express the importance of taking time out for yourself, and streamlining your lifestyle to increase efficiency (therefore creating more time for yourself).

Table of contents in "Organize Now!"

I've already started the "Organize Now!" book.  The beginning is dedicated to the psychology of clutter, how it impacts us mentally and physically, and all the rewards one can reap by eradicating clutter.  Weeks 1- 4 are titled "Organize Yourself," with week 1 being broken down further to "Organize your Mind & Life Vision.    Each week has a checklist of weekly goals (which helps keeps the ultimate goal of complete organization from being overwhelming), and a "Stay Organized" checklist that gives you tips to maintain your newly achieved organization goal of the week.  The "Stay Organized" checklist is broken down into what you should do once a month, every 3-6 months, and once a year.

Several pages are dedicated to the psychology of clutter.

Week 1's "This Week's Goal's" checklist

I've also already filled out my first week of the "Organize Now! 12 Month Home & Activity Planner."  It give ample room to jot down to-dos for each day.  The beginning of each month features a list for holidays, bill due dates, and monthly events.  Each month also starts out with a monthly "focus," tips, and a space to list goals for the month.

The beginning of each month starts out with space to list the month's events, due dates, and holidays.

Lots of space for jotting your to-do's!

I haven't started the "Organize Now! Your Money, Business, & Career," book yet, but I hope to dive into it a bit tonight, as it undoubtedly covers the aspects of my life that need the most organizing.

"Organize Now! Your Money, Business, & Career" table of contents

The books can all be purchased on Amazon.
Organize Now!
Organize Now! Your Money, Business, and Career
Organize Now! 12 Month Home and Activity Planner
You can check out Jennifer Ford Berry's website and blog here
Do you usually feel inspired to start new projects or regimens on New Years?  What are your goals and wishes for 2012? Can't wait to hear about them!

*disclosure:  I received Organize Now!, Organize Now! Your Money, Business, and Career, and Organize Now! 12 Month Home and Activity Planner as a sample

Calling all neat freaks! (or those aspiring to be)

So, this week I have been scouring the DC area for apartments.  After living in NYC for 3 years I figured every other city would seem inexpensive and abounding in square footage.  I was wrong.  The apartments in DC are less expensive, and slightly larger, but I guess I had my hopes up too high.  That's okay though, because a smaller space forces me to be more creative with how I store, organize, and edit my belongings.  If there's one thing I love - it's solving an organization/space issue beautifully, functionally, and inexpensively.

So the next month or so I might be throwing a lot of organization sales and ideas your way as I'm figuring our how to keep all my belongings in my new, down-sized apartment.

If you have any ideas let me know!  All these goodies are from the fab. sale site Beyond the Rack.  You have to be a member, but it's free and fast to sign up - just click here.

 canisters, $10.99

 I always use a folding dish rack like this, that way after I put away the dishes I can stow the rack under the sink and clear off counter space - important in small kitchens.  bamboo dish rack - $9.99

We eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies and hanging baskets will keep them from taking up valuable counter space. $5.99

Once I know our exact kitchen dimensions we'll definitely get a kitchen trolley.  They're cute and super useful. $59.99

I think city homes especially should be no-shoes indoors. One treads on pretty nasty stuff walking the city streets...it also keeps your floors cleaner. $17.99

 

In my opinion you can't have too many bins, baskets, and boxes.  $7.99

shoe tree $49.99

hamper $19.99

I've never seen one of these before. It's a boot storage shelf. Good idea if you have a lot of knee-high boots. $44.99

sweater shelf $9.99

metal cabinet shelves and racks - especially those that roll out - maximize your cabinet space. $21.99 - $74.99

If any of these call to the neat freak in you head over to the sale at Beyond the Rack.  Here's the free/fast sign up link.