Simplify Your Wardrobe: Part III of III...

In our last two challenges we began conquering wardrobe clutter by creating three piles and working through the first. Now it is time to finish up what is left! Now we have to look at these other piles that you have made. If you find that you easily have enough comfortable outfits to last several launderings, then it is time to think about seriously trimming your wardrobe. Why keep anything in pile 2 or 3? If you have plenty of matching combos in pile 1, why settle for something that makes you feel less than wonderful? If you find you are lacking in pile 1 combos, grab the...

Simplify Your Wardrobe: Part II of III...

In our last challenge we began conquering wardrobe clutter by creating three piles. Now it is time to begin revisiting these piles! Now let’s revisit pile 1, the most important pile. The first step is to match everything up. What bottoms go with what tops? Lay out these lovable outfits in sets, making sure everything has a match (and yes, one pair of jeans can have multiple matching tops). The goal here is to make sure that no-faves-are left behind. If you find you have bottoms or tops you love, but don’t have a matching lovable counterpart, see if you can find...

Simplify Your Wardrobe: Part I of III...

Okay – show of hands, even though I can’t see them…. How many of you have done any of the following in the past 90 days: Put on an outfit only to realize you liked the top or bottom but did not have a matching top or bottom that you liked to wear with it, and thus changed out of it? Tried on more than 2 outfits for a single event? Tried on something in your closet only to discover you no longer like the way it looks, but left it in your closet anyway? Argued with a child (or had a long conversation) about what they were going to wear? Scrambled...

Interview: Spring Cleaning Tips...

Interview – Listen Online Spring Cleaning Tips Brook shares strategies for tackling the closet on Chat with Women, Seattle Talk Radio. http://www.chatwithwomen.com/podcast/?p=135 ...

Books, books, and more books: 6 tips for...

Sell Them: Books are easy to sell online as you don’t have to take photographs, etc. www.amazon.com is my favorite source for selling. On Amazon, just look up the book you want to sell. IN the top right hand area you will see where it says, “Have one to sell? Click here.” Follow the instructions and you are up and running in no time. Another source is www.usedbookscentral.com Swap Them: If you have a group of people in your community, consider forming a local book swap. Or you can try an online book swap such as ...

Five Practical Paper-Management Tips fro...

Go vertical: Store papers using vertical-end tab files or better yet, nine-by-twelve envelopes stored upright in magazine holders. Vertical solutions do not lend to pile creation. Three-Sided Storage: The standard file folder has always been a mystery to me. Why would someone opt to store important paper for “safekeeping” in something that is open on three sides? Convert to large envelopes, expandable files, or other storage solutions with three-sides sealed to avoid paper overflow. That was then, this is now: Clearly separate your...

How to Effectively Store and Manage Kids...

The Traveling Art and “Proud” Exhibit: This can be used for all paper a child collects in a week—from art, to tests, to certificates. It is the perfect way to offer recognition, sharing of materials, but also the culling of what would otherwise be a mountain of paper. Let’s face it—most of us can’t save everything our child brings home unless we add an addition to our homes! (more…) ...

10 Cleaning Tips...

HTML clipboardCracks and Crevices: Use paintbrushes and Q-tips for hard to reach cracks and crevices. Make Cleaning Fun: Transform cleaning from chore to fun with an incentive!  Find a few books on audio that you would like to listen to–reserve listening to them for cleaning time. Sticky Situations: To remove gum from a surface, press ice against it to harden and then use a buttered knife to loosen. Invisible Ink: Kids get a bit wild on the last craft project?  Use hairspray to remove magic marker ink from surfaces. Murphy’s Law: ...