How to Have a "Should Do" Kind of Day

Today I'm having a "getting things done that I should do" day. What this means is that I'm trying to accomplish all those little tasks that I see around the house all the time and say to myself "I really should do that".

Here's how to start:

Take a day when you really don't have much planned. I know, when's that, right? But maybe a Saturday when you are going to be home most of the day. Turn off the TV and the computer and keep phone calls to a minimum.

Then, go from room to room and make a short list of those little things you've been meaning to do but never get around to. For example, I have a picture in my bathroom and I keep noticing that it has water spots on the glass. Every time I look at it I say to myself "I really need to clean that glass". But then I move on and it doesn't get done. Today, is the day I cleaned that glass. It took all of 2 minutes but I got it done.

Just take a few minutes to tackle each of these little chores and you will feel like you've accomplished a lot at the end of the day. Then reward yourself with a good meal or glass of wine, put your feet up and relax. Your "should do" day is done.

A Shout-Out to TinyURL

Enter a long URL to make tiny:

A few months ago when I joined Facebook and Twitter, I noticed a lot of people were linking web pages to their posts with something called "tinyurl". I decided to check it out for myself and it's changed my life.

TinyUrl is a website that takes long url web addresses, and converts them down to about 18 characters. I recently had a 240 character web address converted down to 18 characters. And on websites where you can't cut and paste web addresses, this makes all the difference in the world!

Try it yourself by clicking here.

Magazines, Newspapers and Periodicals - Now is the Time to Scale Down

It's important to try and tackle the never-ending pile of magazines, newspapers and periodicals that appear at our doorstep each month.

This month, recycle, donate or give away any magazines, newspapers and other reading materials older than December, 2008. If you are not getting through last month's magazines by the time this month's arrive in the mail, you should consider canceling your subscription - saving you time and money.

Remember, you can read almost every newspaper online these days and most magazines have websites as well which highlight their main articles. If you're trying to save money, this is a great place to start. And, by not having the magazine or newspaper delivered to you, you're saving a tree as well.

If there is an article you still want to read in an old magazine, tear out the article, recycle the magazine and take the article with you next time you have to wait for an appointment or in line. These are great times to get some reading done - there's really nothing else to do while you're waiting.

Over the Door Storage - So Many Possibilities!

Here's a quick blog on all the different kinds of over the door storage available. I went to Organize.com and typed in "over door" and got the most amazing links for over the door storage. Click here to get to the search page.

Over the door storage for the kitchen pantry:



Storage for your current magazines and periodicals:



Here's a nice version for the little girl in your life:



I love this nice tweed version - more high-end for the masculine closet:


Here's a bright and colorful version for the kid's toys:



Consider all the other possibilities: use over the door storage for cleaning supplies, personal grooming products and kitchen items.

Over the door storage isn't just for shoes anymore!

Pottery Barn's "Smart Daily System" on Sale Through February 2nd

On August 6, 2008, I posted a blog about Pottery Barn's Smart Daily System.

Pottery Barn is now offering this wonderful system at 20% off the regular price now through February 2nd.

Click here to read my August 6th blog.

Country Home Magazine - February Issue

I love the theme of this issue: "Live With What You Love - and get rid of the rest".

That says it all!

Inauguration Day

"Let us seek together a better world in our time".

Barack Obama

Container Store's Elfa Sale - 30% off through February 9th

The Container Store is having their annual Elfa sale with 30% off all Elfa shelving and closet products through February 9, 2009. I have used the Elfa products many times in my organizing business and find them to be very high end and of the best quality.

Click here to get to their main sale page.

Country Living Storage Style - I Love This Book!

I had this book on my Christmas wish list and was so excited to unwrap it on Christmas morning. I delved right in because I love the look of casual country and was curious to see the book's ideas on how to keep things organized and avoid that "country clutter" look.

The book's author, Lesley Porcelli, has done a wonderful job of showing how to use items you already have in your home for useful and beautiful storage. Each chapter of the book is devoted to a particular room or series of rooms in your home such as living and dining rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and hardworking spaces like mudrooms, offices, and laundry rooms.

The author then takes existing pieces of furniture or built in cabinets and shelves common to these home spaces and show the reader not only how to use them to effectively organize your home but keep it beautiful at the same time. What I like best is that the storage is open storage for the most part - no clutter is allowed to collect inside the cabinets.

The photography is beautiful in this book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves country style, shabby chic and the beach cottage look. Plus how great to use what you already have instead of having to buy more stuff!

Colorful Images - 20% off Organizing Products

Get organized this month with a special 20% off all organizing products from Colorful Images through January 18, 2009.

Click here to see their great products.

A Great Blog - Really Makes you Think "Out of the Box"

I came across this blog post from Sturdy Roots and Dan Smolen Direct Search, LLC. The blog concerns repurposing those empty big box stores that have gone out of business and creating living spaces and/or adding to your existing workspace rather than building new.

Click here to read about this great idea.

Got a Kindle for Christmas - Thanks Santa!!

Well even though I didn't stand in line to see Santa this year, he knew exactly what I wanted for Christmas - an Amazon KINDLE!

Those of you who know me personally, know that I am a huge reader of books, magazines, newspapers, periodicals, and, of course, organizing books - whatever I can get my hands on. So, the Kindle is a perfect techie tool for me since I can get all of these things at once on a little book sized computer screen. And I can get them right away - which is always a big plus.

Santa (aka my dear husband Alan) was wise enough to buy my Kindle way back in early November and hide it away. Good thing he did because Amazon has been sold out of the Kindle since December 1st and they are still on back-order with an ever growing waiting list.

I'm loving the Kindle so far - have downloaded a few books, blogs, and a newsletter - enough to keep me busy for awhile.

Real Simple Quote

Here's the latest Real Simple Magazine daily quote that I wanted to share with you.

For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe.

— Anonymous

Remember, there are only 24 hours in the day and the most important time spent is time spent with your friends and family. Everything else will fall into place if you remember to say "no thanks" once in awhile.

15 Minute Organizing - The Medicine Cabinet

Here's a quick 15 minute organizing tip - cleaning out your medicine cabinet.

Start with an empty trash can and some cleaning supplies. Empty everything out of your medicine cabinet onto the counter. Use Windex or other liquid bathroom cleaner to clean out the inside of the cabinet including the shelves and sides.

Now start going through the items from the medicine cabinet. Be careful not to flush any medicines - over the counter or prescription - down the toilet as they will wash out to sea and can be harmful to the environment.

Medicines should be stored outside of the bathroom due to the high moisture most bathrooms contain. Moisture can be harmful to medicines and make them work less effectively.

The best place to store medicine is in a high kitchen cabinet away from the heat of your oven and stove and out of the reach of small children.

Other bathroom products can be stored in your medicine cabinet. Place like items together and throw away any expired items or those you do not use. Consider donating any unopened bath products to a homeless shelter or mission.

Empty containers with the proper recycling markers can be placed in your recycling container.

Park-A-Purse - A Great Organizing Christmas Gift!

I was so excited to get the new Park-A-Purse from my sister for Christmas this year. When she put this huge box next to me to open, I had no idea what it was. But once I peeked inside, I knew exactly what it was and couldn't wait to try it out.

I have a long closet in my bedroom - it's three doors long to be exact - that I share with my husband. I currently keep my purses on the top shelf but since they are nice, I don't want to stack them on top of each other. There is tons of room above the purses which is not being used for anything - something we organizers call dead space.



The Park-A-Purse is designed to fill out that dead space and use it in a more organized way - a way to stack your purses without doing damage to them.

Below are some pictures of the process of putting together the Park-A-Purse. It was relatively easy - took about 20 minutes from start to finish. Overall I am very happy with the end result.

Getting started:



Putting the pieces together:



We're half way there:



Almost finished:



The box is assembled:



The finished product up on the closet shelf:



Look how great the purses look inside:



The job is done and there's room to spare on the closet shelf!

January is Get Organized Month

Let's start the New Year fresh with the one resolution I'll try my best to help you keep - getting organized.

This month, and every month, I will continue to post timely organizing tips, projects, and great organizing books, websites and products designed to inspire you to get your life organized.

Happy New Year - 2009 Here We Come!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year and all the best blessings in 2009. Stay organized!