Quick tip #1 - storing jewellery

Look at this great tip I found in my MissusSmartyPants newsletter this week.

Dear MSP,

I was just reading my Flylady e-mails, and saw the bit about organizing our accessories. I thought I'd share one of my favorite ways: a martini glass!

I dangle my earrings along the brim, and inside the glass I put rings, some of my post-earrings, etc. It looks cute and really helps me find the earrings I want to wear. :)

Shanon

I like this idea for a couple of reasons:

1. The stem of the glass means it doesn't take up much space.
2. It's cute
3. It's see-through so you know exactly which rings are in there.
4. It uses the item in a very different way.

Do you have some interesting ideas to store jewellery?

(BTW, I'm still looking for a great way to store watches)

Organising my green bag

Views from the front and side

Corrie asked me how I organise my bag and while I talked about it before, I'm going to tell you about this one specifically.

1. Before I buy any bag, I empty out my current handbag in the shop and repack it in that bag to make sure it all fits. This is because my spatial ability is ...well... non-existent so I might think it will all fit and I'm disappointed when I get home and then I have to return it. All a big waste of time.

2. I like a pocket on the outside for keys and a flat pocket somewhere else - either on the inside or on the other side of the bag. The flat pocket is for pens (I'm not carrying the blue pencil bag anymore), my flash drive, my tiny calculator and my gym card.




3. Of course on the inside I must have a pocket for my cell phone and

4. My planner must fit, together with my makeup bag and gorgeous green wallet. Notice how I have a see-through make-up bag because I don't like to scratch around.

How do I keep it organised?

1. Everything always goes back in its place.


2. I clear out my wallet every weekend.


3. Of course, I update the planner hourly so that is always up to date too and I do a quick review every night.


4. It is just big enough/ small enough for everything I need so I can't cram it full of junk.

WFMW - remembering pills

When I’m trying to get into a new habit I link it to something I already do (like eat breakfast), so that’s when I generally take all my vitamins. But it’s such a habit that I’m on auto-pilot so I can’t remember what I’ve taken and what I haven’t.

I measure out enough of my normal vitamins for the week in a special box so I know that if it’s Friday, there should only be 3 of each if I haven’t taken them yet.

I’ve had to start taking some extra tablets recently and had to keep counting “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc” to check whether I’d taken them already.

To help me remember, this is what I did.


I wrote the days of the week in permanent marker on the plastic side of the blister pack.

So far, it’s working for me :-) For more great tips, visit Shannon

Tacke it Tuesday - spring-cleaning the blogs

If you've been reading my tackles regularly, you'll know that I've been tackling a lot of e-clutter and computer stuff. To read more, click the Tackle it Tuesday label at the bottom of this post.

This week, I decided to spring-clean the blogs.

1. First, I changed my description in my profile. Have you noticed?

2. Then I tackled my Take Charge blog.

• I changed the template (yet again - what is this, the 4th this month) and colours. I'm actually quite happy with it now. You see, I'm quite fussy. While I don't like boring, I also don't like too busy a look, which will detract from my message. I think my look now is simple but happy - I'm going for that abundant, technicolour look because that's what I want in life, and what I want for you.
• I also tidied up each and every section of my sidebar. I eliminated the MANY categories I had and simplified them to about 10 - 12 (too lazy to go count).

3. I'm very aware that this blog is an organising blog and as such, I want it to have a simple, uncluttered feel. It should be pleasing on the eye but still reflect my minimalist style. If you've worked with me, you know I'm all about quick, easy, simple solutions and the blog should be the same. Yes???

• So on this blog, I also went through each and every sidebar element, checked if I was happy with the order of the links, descriptions, etc.
• I also made separate sections for organising your finances, organising your desk, organising your inbox, resource lists, etc. As I feel the need, I'll add more.
• And I added my badge of honour :-)

So that's it for this week.

What do you think?

Go visit 5 minutes for mom for more great tackles.

Now THIS is what organising's all about

I received a WONDERFUL testimonial from Victoria Roberts, a Fund Manager in Johannesburg.

"I enjoy getting my weekly e-mail tips because becoming better organised is not
just a once-off affair. I need constant reminders to declutter my life and
manage my time better. I especially liked your simple definition of clutter: "Anything I don't use/ don't love/ doesn't make me feel at peace" . A while back you also asked an extremely valuable question "What's not serving you?" which gave me a much-needed push to make some life changes.

In essence I think the reason why your tips are so helpful, is that you also address the psychological and emotional side of disorganisation - you understand that it affects our feelings of peace and sense of achievement. Something as
seemingly unimportant as disorganisation ultimately results in our unhappiness
because it makes one feel out of control, tired and depressed."

You can see that Victoria TOTALLY gets it; it's not just about getting organised; it's about the effect of organisation in your life.

Menu plan Monday - 25 June 2007

Visit my free stuff page to download your menu planner.

Last week, I followed my menu plan the entire week - woohoo. I don't have a very busy week like last week so things are relatively calm :-)

Monday
Marcia’s chilli, rice and carrots

Tuesday
Stirfried beef, veggies and noodles

Wednesday
D – out
M – soup and a roll

Thursday
Chicken peri-peri, potato bake and carrots

Friday
Out to friends for supper

For more Menu Plan Monday participants, go on over to Laura's blog and don't forget to download your menu planner.

Have an organised week!

I'm a rockin' girl blogger

The very-generous Lorie over at Creating memories for a lifetime nominated ME for a blog award. Ahem, this is my first blog award and I'm very chuffed (SA'n word for happy/ pleased/ etc).

Thanks, Lorie - you inspired me to write a post all about you but I will send you the link once done.

Now, as is the blog tradition, I'm to pass on this award and the gorgeous pink button to some other rockin' girl bloggers.

So, without further ado, my nominations are...

Military Mommy Blog - Michelle has a fantastic sense of humour, writes beautifully but more than that, she is so sweet, prays for me and loves food like I do!

Let's Talk Organizing - if Suzanne had to have an alternate career other than being a professional organiser, she could be a stand-up comic. Honestly. Whenever she emails me, I end up laughing crazily at my computer.

A Coach for Life - I love how Jen is so real. Honesty is a very attractive characteristic for me and Jen is very "this is me - take it or leave it" while still being such a sweet, sweet friend.

Corrie Haffly - new blogger I've just met after discovering her blog last weekend. She writes awesome posts on Getting Things Done, is super-organised and does such cute comic strips. Go have a look :-)

Now, go pass on the lurve...

My handbag obsession

I was tidying up my e-clutter when I found these photos. This is a handbag I bought in PE on the Knysna trip.

Gorgeous, isn't it?

No, I didn't sell this one!!! My word - I'm not crazy.

And I'm almost ashamed to say I now own about 18. That's how out of control this bag-buying thing was. They all spoke to me and said, Buy me, Buy me.

Don't you also hear the voices??? :-) What are your voices about?

Creative financing

Remember this post where I told you about my handbag obsession?

All of these

equals this beauty!

My husband told me to take out insurance on it and I actually considered it for a few minutes!

Works for me Wednesday - storage for small bathroom

Works for me Wednesday home

Loooong ago, I posted about the smallest bathroom in the world - mine!

As you can well imagine, storage is a problem so we do a couple of things to maximise the space:

1. we use a shower caddy for shampoo, shower gel, soap and so on
2. I keep hooks in the shower for facecloths and loofah sponges
3. I keep a medium-sized plastic basket in the shower for my cleaning supplies
4. I have hooks just outside the shower for the towels (you can just about see the towel if you click my original link)
5. I use this 3-tiered plastic basket. A vegetable rack would serve the same purpose.

Top - all my make-up (in lots of containers to keep the space organised). The purple mesh bag is if I have appointments after work and I have to take some of my "serious" make-up with me

Medium - lesser-used items, some hair stuff, etc.

Bottom - spare toilet rolls

What kinds of solutions do you have for small spaces?