Creative "To-Do" List Gift!

A coworker made the most creative gift that I wanted to share with you.

She took an 8x10 picture frame, inserted a sheet of scrapbook paper, added a bow, and VOILA and creative and useful gift!

 

A dry erase marker can be used to write down notes to your family, to-do's, grocery lists, and much more!

-Janel
One Organized Mama
oneorganizedmama@gmail.com

Makin' A List And Checkin' It Twice!

While in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle don't forget the power of keeping lists!

This helps me stay on track with time, money, and energy! (Remember the culprits of organizing?)

During this season I keep lists in the following categories:

• GIFT GIVING
• Recipients Name
• Gift(s) to be purchased
• Don't forget host gifts for holiday parties.
• Amount to spend on each gift
• Check off as you go!
• MEAL PLANNING
• Menu of quick and easy meals for busy nights
• Holiday meals w/ ingredient list for shopping
• Baking list w/ ingredient list for shopping
• HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
• Parties- Dates, times, and what to wear/bring
• Children's activities along with what to buy/wear/bring
• Family traditions-driving to see Holiday lights-w/ date/time
• TRAVEL
• Items to be packed
• List of items to bring (itinerary, confirmation codes, gifts, etc)
• To Do's- pay for luggage fees, coordinate pet sitter, confirming reservations, etc
• CHRISTMAS CARDS
• Photos to be used if any
• List of recipients with current addresses
• Check off as you go!

 I personally LOVE notebooks and carry one with me at all times. That way I can keep all of my list's in one place and get stuff done on my lunch break or waiting in line to pick up kids from school.

May you all have a wonderful stress-free holiday season and THANK YOU for taking time to read One Organized Mama!

-Janel
One Organized Mama
www.oneorganizedmama.blogspot.com
702-498-1636
oneorganizedmama@gmail.com

Quick Tip: Utensil Drawer

So picture this....you're preparing dinner, friends are over, wine is flowing......then all of sudden you hear a horrendous CRASH!

Disaster has struck. Your utensil drawer finally gave out and fell inside the cabinet.

Yes folks, this happened to me.

We love to entertain therefore we have approximately 4,000 forks, spoons, knives......(those cool little gadgets that the Pampered Chef lady told me I'd use everyday).....and our large kitchen drawer just couldn't handle it anymore.

So my drawer sat on top of my counter for four days until I could find a solution.

Then BINGO! Here it is:

I took the extra (nicer) utensils, grouped them in fours, and secured them with rubber bands.

Then I placed them in a plastic container to store in a cabinet for use when we have company.

 

So this saves my drawers from being weighted down and averts further utensil drawer disasters in the future!

-Janel
One Organized Mama
oneorganizedmama@gmail.com
oneorganizedmama.blogspot.com

DISCLAIMER: I LOVE Pampered Chef by the way! I use and love their products and have been a fan for years!! No Pampered Chef host's were meant to be harmed during this blog post.

 

 

 

 

Workshop: Paperwork/Filing (2/1/13 & 2/3/13)

I've set dates for my first workshops!

The topic is Paperwork and Starting Your Filing System!

The dates are February 1, 2013 @ 7pm-9pm and February 3, 2013 from 2pm-4pm.

Since the workshops will be held at my house space is limited. So early sign up is encouraged!

The cost to attend is $25 per person. This is a great investment in your organizing journey!

The workshop will include:

• Overview of organizing basics.
• Detailed instructions on starting your own filing system.
• Five colored hanging folders so you can begin immediately.
• Take home handouts and information to get you started.

Light refreshments will be served.

Lastly, although this is normally a kid-friendly home I ask that you not bring children to the workshops.

Payment can be made by PayPal below or cash the day of the event.

I hope to see you at the One Organized Mama workshop!

-Janel
One Organized Mama
702-498-1636
oneorganizedmama@gmail.com

Organization Is.....

• Cleaning your home in minutes because every item has a place it belongs.
• Focusing your time and energy creating a space where you want to live.
• Being purposeful in managing your time so that you can focus on the people/activities that are most important to you.
• Coming home and saying "Ahhhhhh........" instead of "Argggghhh!"
• That great "hey I got something done today!" feeling productivity brings.

I try and create areas in my home that work for me and my family.

One day I'd like to read one of these books.....



in one of these chairs...

One Organized Mama can help you in any area where time management or organization needs improvement in your life.

Contact Janel @ 702-498-1636
Or oneorganizedmama@gmail.com
www.oneorganizedmama.blogspot.com

What's The Most Difficult Word To Say??

I bet you guessed it.....it's of course "no."

I challenge each of you this holiday season to say "no" to one request that is being asked of you.

Much easier said than done.....I know!

Let me tell you this will go far in easing your stress and helping you prioritize your life.

I promise you that the charity, friend, coworker, church member, or second cousin twice removed WILL survive without you baking your famous cookies.

As I've said before TIME can be an obstacle to organizing your life. If you begin saying "no" to the things that are not priorities in your life you'll be less stressed around the people that DO matter!

So take my challenge and share your "JUST SAY NO TO STRESS!" experiences. I would love to hear what you said "no" to as well as what you did with your time instead!

Tonight I said "no" to going to dinner with one of my best friends so that I could finish Thanksgiving shopping and do this.....

Make sure the drinks for Thanksgiving dinner are nice and organized!
(I'm sick....I know...)
 

Now I have my Thanksgiving "To Do" list checked off, less stress on Turkey Day, and I'll be able to relax and enjoy my time with my friend on Sunday instead.

May you all have a "less-stressed" Thanksgiving week and thank you for taking time to read One Organized Mama!

-Janel

Contact me if you need help with time management techniques!
oneorganizedmama@gmail.com
702-498-1636
oneorganizedmama

Culprits of Organizing

The three main culprits preventing people from organizing are TIME, MONEY, and SPACE.

Here are a few tips on overcoming each challenge:

TIME

• Start small. One of my previous blog posts asks the question, "How do you eat an elephant?" The answer is "One bite at a time!" The same applies to beginning any organizing project. Start small and set attainable goals for yourself. Take one small stack of papers to shred or file. Completing small projects gives you a huge sense of accomplishment.
• Use a timer. You've got your sights set on a project to tackle. Now decide on a realistic amount of time to work on it and SET THAT TIMER! Try not to go longer than 45 minutes. The longer the amount of time the more chances you'll be interrupted. You're going to be surprised at how much you can accomplish in increments as little as 15 minutes!
• Make quick decisions. Do not get focused on details at first. When in doubt make a temporary home for the item and move on.
• Finish what you start. Try and avoid having several projects going on at one time. You'll feel more productive when you begin one before starting another.

Space

• Pare down. If space is an issue it's time to make decisions and get rid of clutter. I know how difficult this process can be especially as I work with my clients. The fact is that if you want a clean and organized space it is essential that every item has a place where it belongs.
• Utilize every space. You probably have more space then you realize. Look under beds and inside cabinets. Consider installing shelves, using baskets/bins to maximize the space you do have.
• Purchase items that have multi purposes. Look for coffee tables, dining room tables, benches that have storage compartments.

Money

• Use what you already have in your home. Look around your house for items you are not using or re purpose them for storage solutions.
• DO NOT buy products before you begin organizing. I see this all the time. My clients purchase products that they believe will get them organized. This item usually ends up as part of the clutter. Beginning any organizing project begins with a plan...which costs nothing.
• Test drive. You wouldn't purchase a car without doing your research or test driving it first. Well the same can apply to purchasing organizing products. Before laying out the cash make sure you will use the product. For instance, before purchasing expensive baskets for your closet use shoe boxes for a week or so to see if it is something that will organize your space. If you use them then you know that the baskets will be worth the money. 

As always contact One Organized Mama for questions, tips, or help organizing!

-Janel
One Organized Mama
oneorganizedmama
702-498-1636
oneorganizedmama@gmail.com