April 20th, 2009

Plan it Out Thursday: The Bedroom

I know; it’s not Thursday. But, I started this project LAST Thursday and because it it a massive one, I gave myself a week to complete it all. So look for the update to this post on Thursday, April 23, 2009.

Before I get to the video, let me explain exactly what the problem is with our bedroom. We moved to this apartment in April 2008. It is the nicest place we have ever lived and the only place that I really ever felt like calling home for longer than six months. So, when we moved, I vowed that I would unpack fully and decorate, and keep it clean and presentable. Of course, life does not understand these kinds of promises. We never fully unpacked and while I clean, it has never been the way that I want.

My bedroom is the messiest and the most embarrassing place in the whole place. I never let anyone in my bedroom and when I usually start cleaning it, I am so overwhelmed by the mess that I give up.

But not this time. I decided on Thursday of last week that I was going to tackle my bedroom once and for all and make sure that I declutter and make it comfortable. I wanted to document the process partly because I wanted my husband to see just how much work needed to be done and partly because I really wanted to see the difference.

The video below will show you what our room looked like 40 minutes into the cleaning process. It is not a pretty site but it will be.

February 23rd, 2009

Free Membership to SHEBang for One Year (REVISED)

The Giveaway

Last week I interviewed Krista Colvin and she is offering one lucky reader a FREE One Year VIP membership to theSHEbang.com

What is The SHEbang?
from the SHEbang website:

She’s the plan you’ve been craving.
A hip and sassy website
guiding and inspiring you with
monthly projects, weekly to-do lists,
coaching calls with featured guest experts,
solution based products + discounts to boot.
SHE’s the answer to how “that girl does it all”.
SHE’s the whole shebang!

How Do You Enter?

Do the following  on your blog:

Leave a comment explaining the one area in your house that is your biggest embarrassment.

I will stop accepting entries at 11:00 PM  3/1/2009.

I will select a Winner using Random.org on 3/2/2009.

Good luck, and be sure to spread the word.

And another big thank you to Krista Colvin.

February 4th, 2009

Plan It Out Thursday: An Interview with Professional Organizer Krista Colvin

ETA: The giveaway has been postponed.

If you have been scouring the internet for information on how to get organized, then you have probably come across my special guest, Krista Colvin- lifestylist; organizing maven; and media personality. She is the brain behind The SHEbang, Organize in Style, and The O Myth (BlogTalk Radio)- all great tools for helping everyone take control of their lives.

A Little Background

I first met Krista at The Integrated Mother Network, when I frantically called on my fellow mothers to help me get it together. Krista was a calming voice in a very turbulant storm and cautioned me, with warm but stern word, to “Slow Down!” It was then that I realized that she was someone who could definitely help. Not only is she chock-full of resources, and funny, she was generous enough to offer some cool deals to my readers.(see below the interview for details).

In this interview, Krista tells us what it means to be organized and gives everyone (even men) insight into what it takes to “get it together.”

MOTR: What does it mean to be organized?
Krista: Your “things” have a place to call their own! That makes finding + putting things away soooo much easier.

MOTR: Organizing always seems like a daunting task What is the best way for one to get started organizing his/her home?
Krista: Start on a small and emotionally low risk project. Then work your way up to more emotionally charged areas. A kitchen pantry is a great example. It’s simple to sort, purge and put back together. The emotional risk is low because no one is attached to expired food. Your clothes closet and childhood keepsakes… well those are filled with emotions and are best dealt with after tackling a project or two!

MOTR: In general, who do you believe is better at organization? Men or women?
Krista: Wow, I’ve never been asked this before! Hmmmm, a loaded question and I don’t even have a strong opinion on it! I’m going with “Depends on the individual”… how’s that for a politically correct, good-for-nothin’ answer

MOTR: A friend told me that she is very organized at work, but her house is a mess. Why do you think it is so difficult for us to organize our lives both in and out of the home?
Krista: I see this a lot. First cut yourself some slack because a girl can only handle so much . You need to be able to chill somewhere right? It’s difficult to maintain the whole shebang… we are busy living life. I have 10 items that if knocked out each month help you stay on top of it. It’s available via an email I send out to my newsletter peeps.

MOTR: What item do you think is the most important tool needed to organize one’s life?
Krista: A plan! I believe you can do it all… just not in one day.

MOTR: What five items would you feel lost without?
Krista: Lipstick, wedding ring, iPhone, glasses, coffee.

MOTR: The economy has everyone in a pinch. How can you make organization inexpensive?
Krista: I’m amazed at how many unused organizing products clients have laying around! Also peek in your cupboards because so many items can serve a dual purpose. A ceramic bowl or the crystal dish you received for a wedding gift can be used to house your keys + sunglasses. I suggest gathering these up in one locale to assess what you already have. Then pick the best product for the job.

Plus… you’ll be amazed how much space you really have once you purge all those “not so loved” items from your drawers, closets, and cupboards. So workin’ with what you’ve got is by far the least expensive way to get it together!

MOTR: I know that breaking bigger things down into smaller jobs is better at times because it is less overwhelming, but sometimes it is hard to do that when everything is a mess. Is it more effective to tackle one problem at a time or to try and organize everything all at once?
Krista: Oooh girlfriend… one thing at a time! Truly you can do it all… just not in the next 5 hours. You can tackle an entire kitchen at once but not the kitchen, the pantry, the linen closet, the master bathroom. You’ll wind up feeling Overwhelmed (yes with a capital O) and want to just curl up and take a nap in the nest you created.

MOTR: I have to ask because I really am trying to convince my husband that we can afford to do this. What are your thoughts on hiring a housekeeper?
Krista: I’m ALL about hiring someone to help you keep your space clean… ain’t nothin’ wrong with calling in the ladies. A man WOULD never hesitate to hire help… so why do we. Personally I hired ‘the ladies’ because it was way less expensive than couple’s therapy… and girlfriend you KNOW what I’m talkin’ about!

MOTR: I am trying to teach my daughter to be organized now while she is young. Do you have any tips for teaching children (as young as 2) to be organized?
Krista: Dedicate a home for their items- for example:

• Bunny + Blanky sleep here and you can find them when you want to nap.

• If you spill something here is the place the rags are in… then they can help clean up.

• Sippy cups live in this drawer… Bring me one and I’ll hook you up with some juice!

Wow- how’s that for a starting point? Before I get to the Giveaway, I have to say “thank you so much, Krista, for agreeing to do this interview and for your patience (I am really turning into a goober).”