Simplify the Season: Ho ho ho, Put away, here we go!

Just when you thought our series had ended, you find out there’s still more to this Simplifying the Season Adventure!  We have reached the end of Christmas day, my friends. Or what I like to call… dun dun dun… The Aftermath.

Whew! Christmas is OVER!

Why do we so often feel like this on Dec 26? We’ve just had a joyous celebration. Everything we planned and worked for is complete. Hopefully there were no major incidents/catastrophes and everyone even got what they wanted!

But then… We look around…

Wrapping. Boxes. Gift Bags. Tissue Paper. Dishes! Need I go on?

New STUFF that needs to find a spot SOMEWHERE in your home.

SO MANY New Year’s resolutions are made to De-clutter! It’s no wonder that January is National GET ORGANIZED MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sit back. Relax. Enjoy the twinkle lights a few more days. Breathe deeply and remember the real reason we just celebrated has nothing to do with the clutter at your feet. Let’s just think up a plan:

Step 1 – Make sure there are no gift cards/checks/cash/etc in the gift wrap. You don’t want to lose anything of value. PUT THOSE GIFT CARDS AND CHECKS IN A SPECIAL PLACE.  And make a note to yourself in your planner WHERE you put all of those wonderful items.

Step 2 – Discard/Recycle all old gift wrap and packing materials. If you are a re-user, fine – put it ALL away NOW. If you don’t have room with your gift wrap to put it all away, choose the nicest and give the rest to your distant relative to re-use. (I’m just teasing!) What I’m saying is, if your gift wrap stash is already full, you don’t NEED to keep EVERYTHING from this Christmas too. Remember, this is about Simplifying! You can even shred the wrap into strips to use as packing material.

Step 3 – Separate gifts into “whose” piles or “room” piles. (This is a good time to use your empty laundry baskets for sorting.)  If you have children you will want to do the piles for each person, most likely. Otherwise you will have piles for rooms of the house where the new gifts will go to live… kitchen, family room, play room, bed room, bathroom, garage…. donate… return….

Step 4 – When you move these gifts from their piles to their more permanent homes, keep in mind the “one in one out” rule! For every new item that is coming in an old item has to go.  Look at existing space. Decide what things you were just gifted that may replace an older item. Decide what things are in the playroom that need to go to make room for newer gifts. Decide what books you can pass on to make more room on your bookshelf. Are you getting the picture?

Step 5 – Donate the old. Cherish the new. Return the unwanted. Remember that many returns expire quickly. If someone was an early shopper and gifted you with an unwanted item, you will need to act fast! I say this with love and sincerity in my heart. Certain people will buy me clothing as gifts… and ALWAYS in the wrong size. While I am flattered that someone thinks I may wear a size Small… ha ha ha… Let’s just say that isn’t going to happen! Act quickly on returns.

Enjoy this week!  Relish is the last days of the beautiful twinkling lights and the knowledge that a baby was born to die for you.  Peace on earth.  Good will toward men. 

Start to think about your New Year’s Resolutions.  New Year’s Day is just a week away!!  I’ll share my thoughts on resolutions with you next time.

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Simplify the Season,Gifts,Christmas,Holidays,One in one out rule,Organized

Simplify the Season: Merry Christmas!

Ok, so it isn’t the shopping or the family traditions, or the baking, or even the special moments stolen with myself or a loved one during this season that are my absolute favorites.  My A#1, favorite thing about Christmas is the REASON we celebrate.  Most importantly that I can share it with you.  The true meaning of Christmas is celebrating Christ’s birth, so I would like to wish you a Blessedly Simplified Season for Christmas by sharing Scripture from Luke 2:8-20.

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Thank you for joining me today on your journey to Simplify the Season. I look forward to hearing from you about what worked and what didn’t on your Christmas trek to a less complicated/less demanding holiday. May you find time to ponder things in your heart this season as Mary did on that very first Christmas.  I’ll see you next week and we’ll clear up the aftermath of Christmas.  See my friend, the Simplifying isn’t quite over yet. 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Simplify the Season,Organizing,Christ is the Reason for the Season,Merry Christmas

Simplify the Season YOU!

This is quite possibly my favorite part of Simplifying the Season! This time of year we are often doing so much for others, that we forget how important it is to take time for ourselves. It is not selfish to take a little extra time to do something for yourself.  I am a fairly low maintenance gal. The extra few moments in the shower, taking the time to do my own nails, or the monthly massage appointment, taking a few evening minutes to read a book or watch (even part) of a movie - all make me better.  I'm a better servant, a better spouse, a better mom, a better friend, a whole better me when I do these things. 

As we draw towards the end of our Simplify the Season time together, Don't forget about you this Christmas Season.  Make a plan. Put it on your calendar. Don’t neglect time for you.  I can’t wait to share one more week of pre-Christmas Simplifying with you!  Stay tuned; We’re not done yet.

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Simplify the Season,"me time"relax,fun,organized,Christmas,Holidays

Simplify the Season Wrapping

Veni. Vidi. Visa.

We came.
We saw.
We did a little shopping.

How do you get all the gifts wrapped and keep it simple? Set up a gift wrap central if you have the space(and for some of these ideas, they will work in just about any space). Whether it is your dining table, spare bedroom, rolling cart, closet, under bed box, folding camp table, Big Orange 5 Gal bucket- get all of your wrap, bags, tissue, ribbons and bows into one space. This will make it easier to wrap gifts quickly, say --- during nap time or Sesame Street? My personal choice is thick under the bed type bins that house my gift wrap and ribbons. I am able to balance them across adjacent dining chairs as I carefully wrap all the gifts upon my dining table.  I keep extra supplies (like scissors and scotch tape) in the gift wrap bin year round.  The best tip I can offer you is to make your gift wrap central PORTABLE. 

After gifts are wrapped you will need a place to stash them. Those needing hand delivery (like teacher gifts) can go into a box/bin in the car – if you have chocolates in there and it is going to be some time before they are delivered, you may need to find a cool dry storage place out of the way in the air conditioning – linen closet or laundry room… or maybe just in the corner BEHIND the tree. Just keep those “gifts on the go” separate from all of the other under the tree gifts… just don’t forget where you have hidden them. If you are likely to forget where you stashed them, make a note in your agenda/planner/PDA.

What’s a good way to keep nosy present peekers from spying on their gifts?  Don’t tag them. 

#1 Choose one wrap for each person.  For example, all of Little Tommy’s gifts are in Silver themed paper and all of Little Sara’s gifts are in Red themed paper.  I have used this method for separating “gifts to go” and “gifts that stay” also.  No gift left behind!!!
#2 Choose one tag type or each person and leave the tag blank.  For example, all of little Tommy’s gift tags are Snowmen and all of Little Sara’s gift tags are Santa.
Make a note of what wrap or tag theme you are using for each person in a special private spot (like your planner) if you have a tendency to have memory lapses (like I do!).  It’s not as much fun to peek at someone else’s gifts as it is to spy your own.

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Simplify the Season,Organized,Gift Wrap,Holidays,Christmas,Wrapping

Quick List: Wrapping

 

In case you’re in the mood for more than brown paper packages tied up with strings:

Wrapping Paper

Gift Bags

Tissue

Tape

Ribbon/Bows

Scissors

Pen/Marker

Labels/Gift Tags

Flat surface

Gifts!!!

(We’re getting ready to wrap!  Gather your materials and stay tuned!!)

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Simplify the season 2011,wrapping,gifts,organizing,Christmas,holidays

Simplify the Portraits

Would you like to be able to Simplify the Seasonal Portraits? Schedule the Christmas portraits and Address the Christmas card envelopes early. Early, as in, the first week of December. It is ok if you “cheat” and have photo cards made which come with envelopes so that you don’t have to buy actual Christmas cards -- in that case, just make a list of card recipients.  You can go one step further and make labels if you're super savvy.  (Note:  If you are planning to write a Christmas Letter, or using specialty photo cards, keep that in mind for addressing envelopes.  You will not need card shaped envelopes.  You will need letter sized envelopes.  Wallet-sized photos will still fit nicely into letter sized envelopes.)

And write that Christmas letter now!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Cards,Photos,Christmas,Holidays,Say Cheese,Simplify the Season,Organize

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Count your blessings.
Name them one by one.

Happy Thanksgiving! 
What are you thankful for this year?

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

 

Technorati Tags: Happy Thanksgiving,Thankful,Simplify the Season,Holidays

Simplify the Season Shopping!

Now let’s talk about Christmas shopping!!!!!!!! Could shopping possibly be a part of a Simplified Season? You betcha!!! And who doesn’t love shopping? I don’t mean the “sharpen your elbows, Black Friday, 3am” kind of shopping. Although if anyone can turn shopping into a contact sport those ladies sure can! If you are out there this weekend, have a great time!!!

My favorite thing about Christmas shopping is finding that PERFECT gift. The gift that you know that the receiver will open and love.

FIRST - Make a list of everyone for whom you will need to buy gifts.  Include family, friends, neighbors, clients, your child's favorite playmate, service people (school teachers, nursery workers, babysitters, hair dresser, the staff members at an office you frequent regularly, postal worker, barista, whoever!).  Even if the gift is "just" a plate of cookies, jot the person down.  Great!  So, my stress free friend, just by making the list of recipients, you may even get some gift ideas.  Hooray for you!  With just a little advanced planning, you are well on your way to a stress free Christmas Celebration.

SECOND-Think about that list of people you just made. Do you have to buy gifts for people whom you hardly know? Whether it is a brother-in-law or a boss, this can be a daunting task. What are their hobbies, and favorite sports teams?  How do they spend their time? 

There are several sites which offer GIFT FINDERS to help you narrow down a personality, generate ideas for a gift, even purchase the gift (amazon.com and gifts.com – just to name two).

Are you a parent or a grandparent (or an aunt) looking for toys for the tot in your life?  Try the search features on www.target.com or www.toysrus.com for age appropriate toy ideas.

Still no luck finding the gift you seek?  Get a gift card.  Make it personal.  Think about the recipient's tastes on this one.  For example, if the recipient is a luddite, a gift card for an electronic or computer store is probably not the best idea; however a restaurant gift card for that uncle who enjoys fine dining - a gift card to you aunt’s favorite boutique - some movie passes for the college student – a Netflix subscription and a box of microwave popcorn for the new parents - and a bookstore gift card for the reader whose favorite author will be releasing a book past your holiday celebration deadline – all great ideas. Simple pairings make them personal by adding on some simple and inexpensive “tags” - a bag coffee candy (or bag of Starbucks truffles) with a Starbucks card, a bookmark with a book store card, a box of movie candy with the movie card. Now you’re thinking outside of the gift card envelope!!

One more shot… and it’s a good one! 

Think about giving “clutter free” gifts. Instead of just giving one more generic bath set -- know the giftee. Find out if they have a favorite brand or scent and go with that. Novel concept?  You betcha!  Have I stepped on any toes yet?  Probably.  Sorry, we’re simplifying!!!  

Think about giving gifts of FOOD.  If you know a person enjoys something in particular.  What a great way to make someone’s holiday breakfast more simple than an easy muffin mix!

Experiential gifts are also a great way to keep the clutter at bay.  For a child: Seasonal Zoo, Water Park, or Theme Park passes really go a long way.  Whether it’s a date for your spouse, or a special day out with your favorite kiddo, even a round of mini golf or a night of pizza and ice cream are a great gift to give.  They cost little, other than time.  They don’t add to the clutter in your home.  They help you create happy memories with someone you love and WANT to spend time with. 

As a family, we love to be generous and give to others, especially during the holidays. We try to Simplify our Season by only purchasing a few gifts for our child. There are things that we would rather spend DOING with him than GIFTING (plastic toys) to him. We usually choose a small gift and a large gift.  I also use this time to set up traditions. He gets an ornament every year and Christmas/winter themed pajamas. Those are more things that I want him to have than things he would choose, so I do not consider them gifts. We have Christmas pictures taken. We usually chose a charity to give to - adopting an angel from the angel tree or filling a shoe box for Samaritan’s Purse.

I have a friend who gives their children each three gifts as a reminder of the three gifts of the magi.

When you are shopping, keep in mind that you are going to stay the course and have a Simplified Season.  Keep your list updated and keep it handy while you shop.  That’s right! Take it with you.  You’re making a list and checking it twice here!  That’s how it is going to stay simplified.

One final note on shopping. Let’s not forget about on-line shopping to save time and gas money. This is especially great if you can find FREE SHIPPING options. Some sites (like Wal-Mart) will even let you ship to the store nearest you for free.  Happy Cyber Deals, my friends!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Give,Cheery,Gifts,Christmas,Holidays,Simplify the Season,Organized,Shopping,Santa

Simplify the Traditions

As we inch towards Thanksgiving and continue to plan for Christmas, share with me:  What are some of your favorite Christmas time traditions?  Are there things you can remember doing as a child during the holidays that you would like to pass down to your own children?  Are there events in your area that you attend annually?  Maybe there are some Season Spectaculars that you have always wanted to experience, but never seem to make the time.  This is your year, my friend!

Our area boasts all sorts of local events from festivals to school plays.  Free school concerts to Symphony Pops at their finest.  Whether you and your family choose simply caroling in your neighborhood or the extravagance of going to the Nutcracker Ballet, make a plan!

First, list the events that are local to you that you/your family is interested in attending.  It may not be possible to do it all.  Pick and choose and save some events for next year.  If your area isn’t rich with local happenings to enrich your traditions, create some of your own. 

Trimming the tree
Holiday Baking
Caroling
Taking cookies to firemen, neighbors, shut-ins
Trips/Vacations
Hosting a Party

After listing your preferred events, do a little research.  Find out when, where, and how much it costs. 

After selecting the celebrations you wish to be a part of, go ahead and add these events to your calendar.  Make a plan to go. 

Have a Holly Jolly Time!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Simplify the Season,Organizing,Thanksgiving,Christmas,Holidays,Traditions,Family

Simplify the Season Baking!

Last week we discussed traditions.  Thanks for sharing your memories and traditions with me.  It seems that there was one overwhelming theme through many of your responses.  Everyone loves a good Christmas Cookie! 

This week’s challenge is to plan out your Christmas baking.  For this, I have a few “rules” to live by that will keep you from going insane.

#1 - Don’t go overboard!
Pick a couple of favorites and do them. It’s hectic trying to bake 7 or even 5 DIFFERENT goodies.
Get your books out early (like now) and make a list of ingredients so that you can start grocery shopping for them a little at a time.  Your bank account may thank you.

#2 - Schedule time – whether you do a little of prep/baking over the course of several days or you spend one huge weekend in the kitchen… PLAN IT.

#3 - Consider Baking with a friend. Each pick 2 goodies to make. Make twice as much as you usually would. Then split. Not only do you have more goodies to go around, you are building in fellowship with friends during an especially busy time of year. You’re also investing time in a fellow human being, which lets them know that they are important!  I have fantastic memories of sharing baking with friends as an adult. 

#4 - If you’re baking at home, remember that even little (washed!) hands can help. It’s important to invest in those littlest hands as often as we can!  I have great childhood memories of baking Christmas Cookies with my mom and older brother. 
Let a pint-sized helper add the ingredients into the big mixing bowl, stir with a spatula or spoon, even crack an egg!  Sure it’s messy, but messes can be cleaned up.  Want more motivation to involve your kiddos (or grand-kiddos)?  This is a great way to discuss fractions while having fun.  Plus it reinforces that some math is useful in everyday life!  Really.  It is.  I promise! 

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or you want some help Simplifying YOUR Season), and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Simplify the Season,Baking,Christmas,Holidays,Celebrate,Keep your sanity,organizing

The time has come!

It is officially November!  Halloween is over.  Winter weather is (somewhat) upon us here in NEFL.  Santa has made his mall debut.  Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away.  What does all of this mean?  It’s time to prepare before the holidays sneak up on us.  It is time, my friends to – Simplify the Season 2011!

If you haven’t already, let's take care of Thanksgiving Meal Planning.  Which family member is hosting this year?  Are you having Lunch or Dinner?  If you're the hostess, make a list of dishes to be prepared.  Whether you decide on turkey or ham, pumpkin pie or pecan pie, mashed potatoes or rice – Make sure to decide!  Make a plan and keep it Simple this Thanksgiving!  Have fun and dole out the responsibility!  That's right.  Let Aunt Emma make the sweet potatoes.  That not only frees you up from cooking an extra dish here and there -- let’s face it you can still cook your favorites -- it allows everyone to be a part of the celebration.  You may want to let the bachelor uncle stick with being the ICE BRINGER.  It is an important role. 

To keep track of all the planning check out ListPlanIt.com ‘s Occasions section for Holiday Party Planners, Thanksgiving Meal Planners, Thanksgiving Shopping List, and MORE. 

If you have family coming in for the holiday the night before, would you like a great idea for what to feed these weary travelers? Wouldn’t you like it to be simple? How about an easy crock-pot stew, chili, or spaghetti?  It will stay warm if traffic or a flight causes a delay. 

Keep these same things in mind when planning your Christmas dinner! Look at that! You just moved a month ahead of the game! Woo hoo!

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Simplify the Season Binder Revealed.

As we move toward our time to Simplify the Season 2011, I have been pouring over my notebook to guide us along.  There are SIX individualized sections in my notebook: TimeLine, Party Planning, Baking, Portraits/Cards, Wish Lists, List of ME TIME Activities, Family Traditions/Outings. 

TimeLine:  Contains monthly calendars of October-January.  I keep this separate from my planner because it contains ONLY my Simple Season plans.  These plans coincide with the weekly blogs you will read through the next few months.

Party Planning: Includes our plans for Thanksgiving Dinner through New Year’s Brunch and any party or family event that we host in between.  This includes guest lists, menus and “Who is Bringing What”.  (Perfect for that cookie decorating party with the little ones or a Mom’s Night In cookie exchange party.)

Baking: This is a great place to house your favorite Christmas goody recipes, the ones that are favorites year after year. 

Portraits/Cards: This section holds my holiday cards, address book, and photos to insert into cards. (Stamps and a pen are housed in a pencil pouch in the front of my notebook.  Also, if I receive a card for someone and have not previously known their address, I can Simply tear off their return address from their envelope and put it in this section to correspond with them at a later time. 

Wish Lists: Every child’s favorite section! This section holds wish lists, budget, store locators, and “crafts for gifts” ideas.  I also keep an envelope marked “Christmas Receipts” in this section. 

List of ME TIME: so that I do not neglect myself during a busy holiday season, I keep a running list of ways to spend my precious alone time. 

Outings/Traditions: Contains a list of area happenings that the family enjoys going to year after year – along with a list of new things we may want to try each year.  I have high hopes that one of these years, we will get to go on that scenic historic holiday trolley ride with hot cocoa!!! 

All wrapped up: This was just a plain green binder.  I recycled some old Christmas wrap that was past it’s prime, so that it would be a little more festive and gave my plain old binder a little bit of pizzazz. 

So there you have it: my Simplify the Season Binder has finally been revealed to you all.  Now let’s get ready to SIMPLIFY YOUR SEASON!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

People with clear, written goals,
accomplish far more in a shorter period of time
than people without them could ever imagine. 
~ Brian Tracy

This is very good news!  As we head into Simplify the Season 2011, keep your goals in mind!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: quote,inspiration,time management,organization,fun,goals

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

Without goals and plans to reach them,
you are like a ship that has set sail
with no destination.
~ Fitzhugh Dodson

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Weekend Quick List: Trick or Treat!

Pumpkin/Knife/Candle/Newspaper = Jack-o-lantern

A Hearty Dinner!

Costumes

Face Paint/Masks

Flashlight (with batteries)

Copious Amounts of Candy

Vessel to RECEIVE Candy
(pumpkin head, grocery sack, tote, pillow case, etc)

Vessel to DISPENSE Candy
(large bowl)

Working Porch Light

Post Treats Movie - to unwind
Our personal Favorite is “The Great Pumpkin”!
Who doesn’t love Charlie Brown?

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Halloween,Trick or treat,Pumpkin,Fall,Organizing,Quick List,Pumpkin Carving,October

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

 

“Produce great pumpkins,
the pies will follow later.”
~Will

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: quote,inspiration,fall,fall quote,this one's a thinker,work now on the small things

Quick List: Entertainment

I’m alone “trapped” at a very lovely beach condo in the middle of a Nor'easter Storm, so I’ve decided to create a Quick List for things to do in order to entertain oneself in a similar situation.  Thankfully, I do have power. 

Watch the scenery.

Fold some laundry.

Get some work done. (Hello blog readers!)

Clean house.

Read a book.

Play Angry Birds.

Watch an old movie.

Make that phone call you’ve been meaning to make.

Play real Solitaire (with real cards!)

Relax.

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

 

Technorati Tags: vacation,productivity,organizing,relaxation,storm

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

Procrastination is opportunity's assassin. 

~Victor Kiam

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.

~Walt Disney

 If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: quote,Disney,Wisdom,organizing

Friday’s Quick List: Fall

Happy Fall Y’all! 
Autumn is welcoming us to a new season today!

What better time to make a quick list about our favorite Fall things?

Cooler Weather

Colored Leaves

Apples

Apple Pie

Pumpkins

Fun Costumes

Neighbors

Warm drinks

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Muffins….

What’s your favorite thing about Autumn? 

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

 

Technorati Tags: Fall,Autumn,Scarecrow,I love FALL

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

Sometimes the questions are complicated
and the answers are simple.
~Dr. Seuss

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

The countdown has begun!

It is still Summer here; Fall has not yet “officially” begun.  But friends, it is a mere 99 days until Christmas. 

While we here at OWJ do not start Simplifying the Season with you for a few more weeks, we thought it was worth the mention.  The clock is ticking.

Don’t forget to check out the countdown with List Mama, Jennifer Tankersly of List Plan It.  http://listplanit.com/ There will be plenty of things to learn in her daily emails as well. 

Meanwhile we will dust off our Simplify the Season Crate of OWJ wisdom and giveaways.  Stay tuned here for ways to ease into your holiday planning with us for Simplify the Season 2011!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

A teacher affects eternity;
he can never tell where his influence stops.
~Henry Brooks Adams

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Artwork Trash or Treasure

I talk to many people about what their number one organizing issue is.  The answer always boils down to the same thing: PAPER.  I’ve written about paper management before.  I even give talks on it!  At these talks, I often meet parents who are overwhelmed with the amount of paper creations their children make.  Children love to create.  And as parents, it is sometimes hard to know what to treasure and what to trash.  Pay attention to the following, and you just may learn how to whittle down that enormous tower of art hovering in the corner. 

For most of us, it is the beginning of a new school year.  The children have all gone back to school and we are starting to get a handle on having a new schedule and some different routines than our Summer months allowed.  What a perfect time to set up a system for acquiring your child’s artwork. 

Display.
We are all so proud of our children for the hard work that they do.  Set up a display place for their art and good works to rotate.  It can be a special bulletin board, the refrigerator door, or a rotating frame gallery.  I especially like an art wall a friend has made by stringing some heavy wire between two wall hooks and using clothespins to attach art and create a gallery wall. 
(ala Pottery Barn’s cable system)
Leave things on display as time and space allow.  When new creations come in, the older art can move to the next phase…

Gather.
Whether it is a fancy basket, a cardboard bankers filing box, or a plastic tub – designate a location for art and special papers to collect.  We will call this the “Art Basket”.  Just having everything in one spot makes the next step so much easier!

Sort Together.
Pick a time each month to sit down with your child and sort through the Art Basket.  Keep 4 items total for each month.  Let you child choose favorites and have him tell you WHY it is a favorite or WHAT makes it special.  If you choose 4 pieces of art for each month, that is approximately one per week.  Think of your child’s entire elementary school career.  You will be saving roughly 36 pieces of art each year, multiplied by 6 years for a total of 196.  That’s nearly 200 projects to look back on with warm fuzzy memories!  (Add to that special holiday memorabilia, summer camp, and at-home creations and the number reaches even higher!)

Go digital.
Because it may be hard to let some things go, particularly if you think that SOME DAY my child is going to miss this precious piece of paper and the accomplishment that it portrays – then by all means, take a picture.  It may even be fun to take a picture of your child WITH his art so that you can see how small he was when he made that gorgeously weird squiggly thing-bob.  Keep the printed pictures stored with the other artwork so that everything remains together as a fond memory unit.  Not much of a photog? You don’t have to be!  Many art pieces can even be scanned.  Store all the art in one digital file so that you and your child can watch their artistic progression as a slide-show!

Taking pictures is also a great way to “store” a 3-D art project without actually keeping it around.

Letting go.
Yes, friends this is the "TRASH” step.  If your child (or you) have a difficult time throwing out all of the artistic genius that lies before you, mail it to relatives for them to enjoy.  If there are grandparents living far away, it may be a good way for them to stay in touch with your child and it will also give your child something to share with their grandparents. 

Store. 
Now that I have all of this artwork sorted, what do I do with it?  Notebook, portfolio, memory box.  Choose one way to store it and SET A LIMIT.  Need more ideas on specific storage? Drop me a line!

Keep it up!
This does require time and maintenance, just like anything else in life.  Your child will probably look forward to spending time with you, looking through their monthly accruement of papers and sharing memories about the special creations.  As you sort with your children, you are teaching them several important life skills!  You will not only enjoy spending time sorting through art with your children, but also the fun of creating an art gallery to showcase their work.  Doesn’t that sound better than a pile of papers that needs to be shuffled around the dining room table?  Bonus!

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: art,papers,kids,school,organizing,paperwork,trash,treasure,growing up

Later is Clutter’s Best Friend.

I heard that quote recently from Peter Walsh during his OWN show “It’s all too much” and I’ve been pondering it ever since.  It’s simple really.  I’ll make a decision about that LATER.  I’ll throw that out LATER.  I’ll go through that box LATER.  I’ll pile the donations here for now so that I can donate them LATER. So then what happens?  All of those piles for “later” tend to sit around and take over.  They begin to take on lives of their own and make friends in the process of waiting.  Those “later” items begin to take over and now they have morphed into CLUTTER.

Problem #1: When is “later”?
Later needs to be better defined.  I may fold the laundry and leave it in my laundry room until all of the laundry for the day is done so that it can all be put away together “later” – at the end of the day when the laundry is done. I do not care to run laundry around my house 9 times in one day just so that it can all put put away at the end of the cycle.
I may place the recyclables in the garage so that the next time I go outside “later” I will take them with me to the blue bin – the next time I go outside. Especially in the heat, I try to go outdoors as few times as possible.  Those empty plastic bottles can definitely wait half a day to complete their journey.
What’s the solution? Set a deadline for “later”.  Heck, write a date on the donation bag and plan time in your daily log to take it to the donation site.  If you can’t take it by that date, then promise to call a charity to pick it up on that date.

Problem #2: Is keeping something for “later” always a bad thing?
I may toss a magazine in a basket to read “later” when I have some free time – but what if that free time never arrives? Good question.  In the case of the magazine in the basket: The basket is only so large. While a certain amount of magazines will fit into the basket, eventually it fills up.  Do I get a second basket to hold even more magazines?  Do I find a larger container? NO!!! My magazine space has been filled.  I have some options.  I can go through the basket and get rid of those magazines that do not interest me, are out of date, are no longer relevant… OR I can just refuse to let any more magazines enter my home.  Either way, there is a finite amount of space allotted for magazine storage.  When that amount of space is full, a decision has to be made.  Does it make sense to set aside pleasure reading for “later”? SURE.  What sense would it make to drop everything in order to read each magazine the moment it came in from the mailbox?  That would really get my Time Management Panties in a wad!

Is Later really Clutter’s best-friend?  In many many instances, I would have to say YES!  If Later has a short-term deadline, I believe that is acceptable.  If Later has a SMALL, reasonable limit, I believe that is acceptable. It is when Later never comes that Clutter is able to breed and grow.

What do you think about LATER? Do you have any related points to ponder?

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

Education is the movement from darkness to light. 
~Allan Bloom

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

 

Technorati Tags: Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom,Thursday's Words of Wisdom,quote,education,school,inspiration

Quick List: Office Supply Favorites

It has been awhile since I blogged a Weekend Quick List and I miss them! How about you?  Check out my favorites.  Just in time to snatch up some “Back to school” pricing bargains for the office. 

Good, old-fashioned legal pads. Brain-storming, list making, doodling, etc – I just love having something tactile to work on.

A good black pen.  I love my Sharpie Pen. (Yes I said PEN – not Marker.)

… But while we’re talking Sharpies – The markers do come in handy, so I keep a couple of different colors on hand.

Paper Clips.

Post-its: Notes, Labels, Page Markers.

Pencil with a good eraser.

White-out tape.

Stationary and stamps – because the hand-written is so extraordinary.

Color-coded hanging files – makes locating files at a glance so much more simple.

The File Box – Useful for files, storage, and transporting stuff. They come in lots of colors, but I like to keep things simple in the office space.

What are some of your favorite office supplies?  What keeps you on task and organized while you work?

 

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home or office better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: office supplies,get 'em while they're hot,organizing