A New Twist On Organization…

As the name says, Mrs. Organized and Organize.com is all about how we can help you to make “neat, clean and easy” a lifestyle and not just something we get right every now and then. With the wonderful advise that has come from the ladies at Buttoned Up, Gloveables, The Laundress, Russell + Hazel and Truly Mom, we are one step closer to making that lifestyle a reality. Their tips and pointers gave all the right moves to becoming a woman who does it all and still has time for a personal life. However, one thing to remember when organizing your professional life it to carry over all that you know and apply it to your personal life as well. So to help get you in the right direction, every Tuesday will feature words of wisdom from one of “Our Favorite Organizers”. We already welcomed Maria Gracia, founder of Get Organized Now! and today we welcome Jeannene Langford, Creative Entrepreneur and owner of JCL Creative Studio. She is going to share with us how to be an artist and how to organize your “creative space.”

“This first picture is of the wall space over my computer station that I call Color Central. Here I keep any color guides I get from trend services or any palettes that I have created for the projects that I am working on. Because we are so visual it is so important for artists to have things on display. The trick is keeping the space organized and not overwhelming. At any given time I am usually working on at least three projects. The Stainless Steel Bulletin Boards are really versatile and easy to adapt to my extremely different display needs. I also find it great because the shelves and hanging hooks allow me to get things up instead of being on the surface of the table, which is never big enough. There must be some unwritten universal law that attracts paper to flat surfaces, at least in my studio, so anything I can do to keep my creative table clear is a must.

On the wall next to my desktop computer is the Wall Mount Magazine Rack for my design accounts. Each company has a specific color assigned so I never get the files mixed up. When I ordered this I thought it was a good idea but only after I got it and started to use it did I realize how effective it is. It saves so much space. I made the folders out of some paper I had because I wanted the bigger pockets but regular letter size folders work great too.

The second photo is a shot of the center table (notice I did not call it work table) and the cabinets that hold both collage supplies and office supplies. I LOVE the red Hardware Storage Cabinet. It has 44 drawers and at first I thought it was going to be hard to fill. Before I got the cabinet, I was keeping some of the contents in an old cupcake tin and other stuff in a plastic compartment box. Now I have a few spare places, but I bet by the end of the year those are going be filled for sure. I hated trying to keep track of all of those little things and this system makes it easy. The 5 Tier Cart is great for project storage. I like to be able to keep things together that I am working on and with this system I can easily be working and at the end of the day clean up. The shelves are easy to remove and very lightweight.

When I’m not working on my newest adventure, a start up that stems out of my passion for inspiring creativity and beauty in people’s lives, I do illustration which I license for craft and stationery products, branding design and consulting. I also schedule in at least 2 days a week for my fine art which is very abstract using oil, engraving and encaustic. I love the variety. I might be designing with felt one day and doing a logo the next.

A lot of my ideas start from sketches and mock-ups on the table then I move to my computer and scanner and work from there to develop the designs. It really is important to have everything at my fingertips and organized because when you have a creative idea there is nothing more frustrating then not being able to get it out.”

NEAT Things I Love Today:

When getting home from work, my hands are always full with my purse, keys, mail…you name it. My saving grace is the 3 Piece Office System that is posted right when I walk in the door so I can set everything down all at once. I pin invitations or coupons on the corkboard, hang my sunglasses and keys on the hooks and put my outgoing mail in the letter holders. It is my “House Central!” Even Mr. Organized knows to put any important notes or messages on my board to be sure I get them.

Happy Organizing!

- Mrs. O

No Comments July 22, 2008 on 10:44 pm | In All

How To Pack the Perfect Suitcase…

Now that summer is upon us and the tank tops and flip flops are in full swing, it’s time to talk travel. Even as gas prices reach record highs, families, couples, and sassy singles are packing their bags and getting away for a little summer fun. Whether it’s a trip to the beach, Hawaii, Disneyland, your favorite national park, or a jaunt to Europe, knowing how to pack the perfect bag for your destination will make life so much easier.

Being a seasoned air traveler has allowed me to put together several tried and true tips that can be applied no matter where you are headed. Here are few to get you started:

1) Keep it simple- Too many times we go a little overboard and try to cram everything from our closet into the suitcase. Remember that your travels are only temporary and you should pack that way. Plan your outfits according to how many days you will be gone and the climate of where you are going. Try to pack just the basics when selecting pants, shorts and skirts. You can never go wrong with pair of black pants or a khaki pair of shorts. Then you will have more room for the fun and fancy tops and create multiple outfits.

2) Plan, plan, plan- Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to pack. You don’t want to throw everything in the suitcase just to find that you are stuck with a wrinkled wardrobe or your favorite pair of shoes is still at home next to the bed. When you rush, you forget and it will make for a bad vacation. To help avoid leaving things behind, make a list and write everything down. A good one to use is the Travel Prep Pad or Pack This Pad by Buttoned Up.

3) Pack your accessories and toiletries separately- Keep socks, undergarments, jewelry, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. in their own compartments within the suitcase. If you don’t have extra compartments, mesh laundry bags, toiletry bags or cosmetic bags work great. If socks and undergarments are packed separately, they will be easier to find and help your suitcase stay organized. And toiletries always have the tendency to explode all over your favorite blouse. Placing them in a toiletry bag allows them to stay secure and contained. Real Simple (one of my faves) has some additional pointers on the how to avoid spills and other suitcase disasters.

NEAT Things I Love Today:

Recently there was a new addition to the Mrs. Organized family, and his name is Sammy. He is my Yorkie Maltese and I adore him. Since he is still a puppy and needs constant supervision, the Iris Pet Pen has saved my life! I couldn’t live without it and you shouldn’t either. I can place little Sammy in the pen while I get ready for work in the morning or while cooking dinner at night or when we have guests over to the house. It gives him plenty of room to roam without taking up a lot of room in the house.

No Comments July 18, 2008 on 12:03 am | In All

A Tweak Here, A Tweak There…

Thanks to all the helpful tips and pointers from the ladies at Buttoned Up, Gloveables, The Laundress and Truly Mom, we are now ready to at least attempt to find that happy medium between personal time and professional time. But…the fun isn’t over just yet. I have one more trick up my sleeve that will help you all become a little better at making your day more productive. A new friend has joined the Mrs. Organized circle of organizing experts and is here to share her tips and pointers. Maria Gracia, founder of Get Organized Now! is dedicated to helping organize your home, office and life. Maria is the author of Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Home and Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Office. Both have been read by thousands of people all over the world. In addition, she has created a variety of other helpful organizing products, sold worldwide, which can be found in her Get Organized Now!™ Store. Get Organized Now! also offers tons of free tips, ideas, checklists, articles, e-courses and slideshows through her newsletter. As the newest addition to “Our Favorite Organizers,” Maria shares 10 Easy Things You Can Do To Make Your Day More Productive:

1) Wake up early. Set your alarm clock for 15 minutes
earlier than you normally do to get an early start on
your day. Get up when the alarm sounds.

2) Time your showers. Most people take way more time in
the shower than is needed. Set your timer for 7 minutes.
When the timer sounds, your shower is done.

3) Plan your outfits the night before. Put whatever
you’re going to wear to one side of your closet, or
folded neatly on a chair. When you are done with your
shower each day, your outfit will be waiting for you.

4) Never run just one errand. Try to always combine at
least two to three errands in one trip. Start with the
errand furthest away, and then work your way back.

5) Make and use written lists. Don’t try to remember
everything you have to do. Always jot down tasks, errands
and things to pick up.

6) Cook enough for two meals. No matter what you’re
cooking–breakfast, lunch or dinner–always cook enough
for two meals. When everything is prepared and done,
divide it in half. Immediately refrigerate or freeze the
one half, and enjoy the other half now.

7) Clean and organize as you go. Rather than giving
yourself huge cleaning jobs each day, as you make a mess
quickly clean it up. Dirty dishes can be rinsed
immediately and placed in the dishwasher. Wipe off the
bathroom countertop and spray the shower with shower
spray as soon as you’re done. Make your bed as soon as
you get up. Vacuum any crumbs under the dining table the
second everyone is done eating. File papers away as
needed, rather than allowing them to pile up in a To Be
Filed tray.

8) Enlist help. Whoever is living in your house, whether
that person be a spouse, a child, a friend or a
relative–that person should be able to help you get
things done in one way or another. A spouse can help out
with the kids bath times every other night. A child can
help fold clothes, help dust or help put toys away.
Someone who is not able to help physically, may still be
able to sit at a desk and help you sort the mail or shred
some documents. It should definitely be a team effort and
not a one-man or one-woman show.

9) Consolidate your phone calls. Rather than making and
taking calls throughout the day, allow your answering
machine to field your calls. Then, make or return calls
during one consistently scheduled phone hour each day,
such as between 1:00P and 2:00P. Before your phone hour,
toss in a load of laundry. After your phone hour, toss
those clothes in the dryer. Multi-tasking is one of the
keys to being super-productive.

10) Reward yourself. There is nothing more draining than
going through an entire day without doing anything fun.
Sandwich small rewards between each task. For instance,
when you’re done with the ironing, read your favorite
novel for 15 minutes. When you’re done cleaning the
bathroom, sit in front of the fireplace while you relax
and sip a cup of tea.

Maria’s broad range of skills covers clutter control, planning, scheduling, peak productivity, records management, space planning, time and paper management, filing systems and computer oriented organizational systems and more. We are excited to have her as a contributor and friend on Mrs. Organized.

NEAT Things I Love Today:

The Do & Delegate Work Notebook by Buttoned Up! Work is hectic, but this helps me to manage the who, what, where and when of the daily grind. And the best part, it’s all in one place.

No Comments July 10, 2008 on 3:27 pm | In All

Stop and Smell the Roses…

As our tips and pointers continue to flow on how to juggle a professional life and personal life, I’d like to share some honest and eloquent advise from our dear friends at Truly Mom. They are hardworking, creative, diligent and oh so adorable. Here is what Maria told me about how each of the four ladies do it all…

“Now that I am relaxing with dinner made, some time spent in front of the television watching “So You Think You Can Dance” and a glass of wine by my side, I am smiling at the thought of writing advise to women on “how to do it all.” My dishes remain in the sink, only the pretty colored envelopes have been opened from today’s mail and I believe by last count I have 15 un-heard messages on my home voice mail. Truth be told, the most important tip I could ever give anyone would be to carve out some time for your self each
day. Obviously I do not classify doing the dishes as a soulful activity and folding laundry yields “no zen” for me. Time spent energizing your spirit equates to more in reserve to tackle whatever may come your way. My formulas for stress relief is reading through Oprah Magazine, having lunch with friends at our favorite sandwich shop, laughing while talking on the telephone long after the children are asleep, exercising with the greatest (and most eclectic) group of folks at sunrise, visiting eBay every now and again and in the absence of American Idol , watching the Bachelorette. These are simple activities which allow me to shed the worries of the day for a brief moment, bringing a sense of calm. The second bit of personal wisdom I live by is to get all that I have to accomplish off my mind
and onto paper! That means recording it in my Truly Mom planner (of course). I actually sleep better at night knowing everything is written in one place. I use the planner’s sticky notes (appropriately titled, “remember this”) the most. Having been one of those people who was just short of writing important things to remember on my forehead, I am a huge fan of the stickys. At certain times of the year, they adorn my bathroom mirrors, the front door, and the steering wheel of my car. I have yet to kiss my children goodnight and place a sticky reminder on top of their blanket, but as the old adage goes, never say never!

Michelle’s advice comes from a different place. She always discusses the clarity on life she received through her recovery from cancer. Her motto is simply “do it now.” If you have a phone call to make, an appointment to schedule or a task to complete, waste not a moment of time and get it done. There is so much time spent in between the thought of “having to do something” and actually executing the task. She is a firm believer if you simply master the project initially you will save precious time. Organizing time efficiently allows more time to be spent with family, friends and on fun! Michelle’s “my day” sheets are always complete, giving her the freedom to spend it doing what she enjoys the most.

Kristin is terrific at time management. She runs the design aspect of our business. Her beautifully designed custom stationery reaches from coast to coast. At any given moment she has several baby announcements, birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs, bridal showers and weddings on her list of things to do! Her advice is to approach each project with enthusiasm. She does not view her tasks as work but rather as being able to celebrate life’s special moments with people. She dutifully sits each evening and fills out her day in her planner as well as crossing off her completed design projects on her “my list.”

All of us at Truly Mom revel in celebrating life. Life to us is found in the joy of our daily routines. Waving goodbye to the children as they put one foot out of the car and onto the curb in front of school. Having a teenage son and blessing him with wild abandon all while reminding him of traffic laws, both big and small, as he leaves the threshold of our home with car keys in hand. Saying a brief hello to the barista at Starbucks, lacing on our tennis shoes to go for an early morning walk, savoring a conversation with an old friend on the telephone, picking fragrant roses from the garden, successfully making a new recipe with ease and writing a thank you note telling someone they are special (a reason behind our “thanking out of the box” stationery set.) These simple joys enhance our lives providing our spirits with strength as we move forward conquering each new day.”

All the gals at Truly Mom are so passionate and enthusiastic about everything they do, it is contagious. After speaking with any of them, even if just for a moment, you can’t help but want to stop and smell the roses.

NEAT Things I Love Today:

My “Thanking Outside of the Box” Thank You notes by Truly Mom. They “make me so very happy” and are too “ooh la la!”

Happy Organizing!

Mrs. Organized

No Comments July 8, 2008 on 10:39 pm | In All

How In the World Do They Do It All????

It’s not easy to be a full-time parent, full-time wife, full-time employee and a full-time friend. Add in the stress of being the CEO of a successful company and you have your hands full. Our lovely friends from a few of our favorite vendors are here to tell us just how in the world they do it all.

Alicia from Buttoned Up says if she writes it down, it gets done. “It may sound silly, but write down each week the friends and relatives you must connect with (on the phone or in person). Put it on a to do list just like an important sales call. It is amazing how just that step elevates the importance and makes sure it gets done. I do this every week for 3 or 4 people and it does get done and I get to connect with people that otherwise I probably would always find a reason to be too busy to get a hold of.”

If you’re the on-the-go gal like Alicia, a great mobile desk for the car is a must.
Another great tid bit of advice from Alicia is to go into Stand-by Mode. “Rather than completely ‘turn off’ during my free time (e.g. weekends, evenings), I go into Stand By Mode (just like your computer). What does that mean? I keep my iPhone with me so that if I get a text, email message or voice mail, I can quickly and easily see who it is and if it is urgent, but if not, I can quickly move on to everything else. Why does this work for me? Because otherwise the stress of ‘What is going on?’ or ‘Does someone need me?’ would take up too much mental energy to really focus on my personal life. By doing this, I can more easily relax and know all is well.”

To help calm the nerves and enjoy your relaxation time even more, a great home spa set does the trick.

A few tried and true secrets that Lindy from Gloveables has learned is “NO is not an option…most everything can be done, attitude is everything and keep asking questions. Ask and you will know. Don’t ask and you will never know.”

Sometimes we all need is to slip on our favorite t-shirt, take a deep breathe and close our eyes to be thankful for another hectic day.

NEAT Things I Love Today:

One thing that is worse than realizing the laundry sat too long in the dryer is folding the wrinkled clothes. With the Folding Board by Caldrea, all those worries go away. The board makes you feel like a professional and with the flick of your wrist, your closet shelves and dresser drawers are in impeccable order.

Happy Organizing!

- Mrs. O

No Comments July 7, 2008 on 9:50 pm | In All

Celebrating My Dad…

On this day, I’m not writing about what’s new, the latest hot product, or the shoes I found over the weekend. Today, I’m writing about someone very special in my life. I’m not sure if I was compelled to write this to honor my dad for Father’s Day or if it was the passing of Tim Russert that touched my heart as it did with so many others around the world. I think it was both. I always said that I had the best dad, and I do. He didn’t’ tell me how to live, but he lived and let me watch him. Dad taught me how to fish, ride a bike, and played kick ball with my friends and me almost every summer night. He taught me how to swing a bat, not to be afraid in the dark and how to sing my children to sleep. I always thought he had the best voice on Blueberry Hill. He even taught me how to mow the lawn and pick fresh fruits and vegetables in the garden “the right way”. My dad knows how to walk in the wind, watch and listen to the birds and can tell you about cold fronts, warm fronts, why the weather is the way it is on any given day and in any part of the country. He too is a Buffalo Bills fan and gets pleasure from every sport that there is. His golf game and buddies are two of the most important things in his life. I know that this keeps him young at heart. My dad never asks for much and gets pleasure out of everything. He just loves the simplicity of life and appreciates everything in it. When his chin tips up in the air and he looks down from the bottom of his glasses at any of us or his grandchildren in thought or concern, I get the pleasure of knowing…he’s my Dad.

In memory of Tim Russert, I must share what a very good friend and writer said to me yesterday about learning of Tim’s passing. He said, “It was like watching the running scene in Forrest Gump with everyone following. When Gump stopped, the followers looked up as if to say…’what about us’?”

Happy Father’s Day Dad!

Mrs. O

1 Comment June 18, 2008 on 6:53 pm | In All

What Every Woman Wants…

What is better than fabulous friends, fabulous shoes and a fabulous movie? A fabulous website with a shopping experience tailored just to women! After having the BEST time watching Sex and the City with my girls, Kristi and Melinda, I am excited to tell you all about the new category we are launching on Organize.com… {she}.

{She} is: the girl on the go, your best friend and has the busiest schedule of anyone you know. She’s smart, she’s creative, she’s savvy, she’s fun and she likes nice things. The key to her sanity is being organized. She loves to entertain and can whip us a party in 30 minutes or less. Her friends love her down to her soul and they know any secret is safe with her.

{She} has all the essentials a career girl would need, a mommy would want, a hostess would desire or a bride-to-be would love. And to help launch {she}, I have asked 8 wonderful women to tell us about their triumphs and accomplishments as they juggle a professional life and a personal life. Read all about their life stories under the “Meet My Guests” tab of my blog. Between running a successful company and raising a family, they have developed a few tricks and have come up with some helpful pointers on how they do it all. So stay tuned for some fabulous {she} moments.

NEAT Things I Love Today:

The Shoebby Stackable Shoe Cubby. When you have fabulous shoes, you need a smart and stylish place to store them. These cubbies are transparent and the perfect little drawers for my most valuable possessions. Each one has a handle which is a nice, convenient feature. No matter where I am off to, I can always grab just the right pair when I need them.

Happy Organizing!

- Mrs. O

No Comments June 7, 2008 on 12:08 am | In All

Add Some Fun “To-Dos”…

When we are not sprinting from the office to soccer practice and then to the grocery store, using the backseat of the car for storage with car hooks and seat organizers, we still need to find time for ourselves. So in addition to all the shopping lists and “notes-to-self” left on your desk, in your purse and on the dash of your car, make sure to have some fun “to-do” lists also! The last and most important “to-do” tip from Chris and Cynthia is to list things you really want to do, not just tasks you have to do. It’s your life after all, so take care to add a book, movie or play you’ve been meaning to catch. Plan a weekend trip or a personal day away from work. That way, your to-do list feels less “demanding boss” and more “personal assistant.”

The first task on my fun “to-do” list, is go see the new “Sex and the City” movie. The gals and I from Organize.com are putting on our favorite party dresses and the most extravagant shoes we own (but, of course!). We will begin the fun with cocktails and then spend the rest of the evening with Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and of course Samantha. There will be pictures galore and plenty to share about Girls Night Out, so stay tuned.

NEAT Things I Love Today:

Gal Pal Garment Deodorant Remover!!! They saved my life and helped me out of a last minute pinch as I was getting dressed. I was able to remove unsightly spots from my L.B.D. (Little Black Dress).

Happy Organizing!

- Mrs. O

No Comments May 31, 2008 on 12:08 am | In All

One Day At A Time…

We all try to plan our days and weeks and even months and sometimes get too ahead of ourselves. If we’re not picking out an outfit for tomorrow or planning a birthday party for next weekend, we’re coordinating a girls’ night out or a fun family getaway. It’s hard to just stop and relax and let things happen. My friends at Russell + Hazel have another great tip for all those “to-do” lists lurking around every corner. Start by listing those “to-do’s” tomorrow. Before the end of your day, while at work or home, take 10 minutes to create a list of must do’s while they are still fresh in your mind. You’ll remember the most important tasks and details and be ready to hit the ground running when the sun rises the next day.

Even though we may be taking time to create meticulous and thorough lists, they may get overwhelming at times. Another handy tip from the Russell + Hazel ladies is to “Break It Down.” Don’t combine lots of complex steps into a single to-do item. Start off with several chores that can be easily accomplished. With an item like “Plan Party,” it’s hard to decide where to begin. But if you break it down into multiple steps like “send invites” or “clean living room” or “grocery run,” you can make steady progress toward your larger goal.

NEAT Things I Love Today:

These tips and pointers can be applied to more than just your “to-do” lists. We all get caught up in the busyness of life and can sometimes forget to “stop and smell the roses.” Sometimes we need to just say no and grab a “(Not) To Do” Pad by Buttoned Up. I love this one-of-a-kind notepad because it allows you to organize your tasks according to 3 categories - “To Do,” “Delegate,” and “Not To Do.” This way we can ask ourselves, “Do I really need to do that?” and then maybe…just maybe, give ourselves some extra free time to spend with our family and friends.

Happy Organizing!

- Mrs. O

2 Comments May 20, 2008 on 5:18 pm | In All

Room For Improvement…

So I know everyone of us is guilty of leaving a sticky note on the kitchen counter or bathroom mirror or scrambling for a pen to write a reminder on a napkin. The problem in doing this is there’s no back up. What happens if you want to verify that a task was done? Chris and Cynthia from Russell + Hazel suggest keeping it simple and together. These brilliant ladies point out that scribbling on scraps of paper or Post-it Notes is fine—until you want to go back and check something. With a dedicated notebook or spiral pad for to-dos, you can always consult old lists and even track the date it happened.

By organizing your to-do lists, you are taking one step toward achieving what is most important in life and also gaining back some of your time. To do this, Chris and Cynthia also recommend prioritizing your items. Long to-do lists can make your workload seem insurmountable, but arranging by due date help relieve the heat. By prioritizing your to-dos by date and/or time, you can knock off the most urgent items and hold off on less pressing ones until your schedule cools.

NEAT Things I Love Today:

Whether you are a busy mom on the go or a career gal paving a path, having a planner to keep your life organized is a must. The Truly Mom Leather Planner is perfect in every way. It has multiple note pads and useful pads for all your to-do lists. This planner is smart and stylish and designed to be a portable desk to help keep you organized in the most efficient way. I especially LOVE the MY Day pad! I can start my list the night before and then in the morning as I am getting ready for work, I can add to it as I think of things. Since it is a pad, i just tear off the sheet and it can easily go anywhere I go!

Happy Organizing!

- Mrs. O

No Comments May 12, 2008 on 11:56 pm | In All